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
Xi meets Lavrov, reaffirms China's emphasis on partnership with Russia

08:19, April 10, 2024 By Yang Sheng ( Global Times

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) greets Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on April 9, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday in Beijing. Chinese analysts said the meeting sends a strong signal that China will firmly develop its strategic partnership with Russia, despite pressure from the West. The China-Russia partnership continues to be key for the global strategic balance and the hope for promoting a multipolar world in which countries of the Global South will have greater roles to play.

Xi asked Lavrov to convey his sincere greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Xi said China and Russia have embarked on a new path of harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between major countries and neighbors, which has benefited the two countries and their peoples and contributed wisdom and strength to international fairness and justice, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Lavrov in Beijing, and both sides expressed hope for strengthening practical cooperation in various fields, Xinhua reported.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with Russia, in accordance with the consensus reached by the two heads of state, to strengthen the synergy of the two countries' development plans and promote practical cooperation in various fields.

The top diplomats of the two countries held a joint press conference after their meeting. Wang mentioned "five always" at the press conference. For example, he said that the two countries should always follow the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, and should always adhere to the principle of no-alliance, no-confrontation and no-targeting at any third party.

China and Russia should always stay on the right course on major matters of principle. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major emerging countries, China and Russia actively respond to the common aspirations and legitimate concerns of the people of all countries, advocate a new path of state-to-state relations featuring dialogue and partnership rather than confrontation and alliance, and actively promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, said Wang.

Yang Jin, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the remarks made by Xi and the "five always" raised by Wang provide a "framework and outline" for the future development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

Yet many voices from the West, mainly from the US as well as some senior NATO officials, insist on depicting the China-Russia relationship as akin to an "anti-West alliance," which is completely wrong. By reaffirming the principles of "non-alignment, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party," China and Russia are refuting those voices with a clear stance, experts said.

Multipolar world

China always attaches great importance to the development of China-Russia relations, and stands ready to strengthen bilateral communication with Russia and enhance multilateral strategic coordination in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Xi said when meeting with the visiting Russian top diplomat.

Xi said that the two countries will show more responsibility, unite countries in the Global South in the spirit of equality, openness, transparency and inclusiveness, promote the reform of the global governance system, and vigorously lead the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

China and Russia are trying to promote a multipolar world where developing countries and emerging economies of the Global South will play a greater role, which is the antithesis of the unipolar world dominated by the US, analysts said.

"China and Russia will not target any third party, but if hegemonic forces threaten China and Russia, or threaten world peace, China and Russia will stand together and fight to protect their own interests and safeguard world peace together," said Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University.

This is why China and Russia, as well as other members of the UN Security Council, are pushing for an immediate cease-fire and the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, even as the US vetoed these attempts time and again, before the Ramadan cease-fire resolution eventually passed on March 25, experts said.

Wang said at the joint press conference that Russia will hold the BRICS presidency this year, and China will take over the rotating presidency of SCO this year. The two sides will support each other's chairmanship and light up the "moment of South" global governance.

Richard Sakwa, professor of Russian and European politics at the School of Politics and International Relations of the UK's University of Kent, told the Global Times at a forum in Beijing on March 28 that China-Russia relations are "one of the key axes for international politics, and it's not only very important but also necessary" to maintain the global strategic balance.

Lavrov said at the meeting with Wang that Russia supports the China-initiated Global Security Initiative, and is willing to deepen cooperation with China on multilateral platforms to promote the establishment of a more just and democratic international order.

The two sides also had in-depth exchanges on the Ukraine issue, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region and other international and regional issues of common concern.

Ukraine crisis and counterterrorism

Wang said at the joint press conference with Lavrov that on the Ukraine issue, China hopes to see a "cease-fire and an end to the war as soon as possible." China supports the timely convening of an international conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation by all parties, and a fair discussion of all peace options, whether it is track one or track two, Wang noted.

Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday that "some Western countries have always blamed China for its 'pro-Russia' stance, but actually we are just asking for a mechanism that can be accepted by all parties and can treat everyone equally."

"China's stance is based on the desire to stop the bloodshed, but the US' stance is to use the [Russia-Ukraine] conflict to weaken Russia as much as possible. The development of the crisis to some extent depends on the US presidential election later this year," Cui noted "If Donald Trump is elected, there will be a chance to break the deadlock, but if Joe Biden gets reelected, we might also see some changes, as Washington and its allies might not be able to afford the war anymore."

Xi stressed at the meeting with Lavrov that China supports the Russian people in following a development path that suits their national conditions, and supports Russia in combating terrorism and maintaining social security and stability.

At the joint press conference with Lavrov on Tuesday, Wang stressed that China must also pay attention to the resolution of other global and regional hot spot issues, including continuing to counter terrorism. "China once again reiterated its condemnation of the terrorist attack in Moscow and its condolences and support for Russia," said Wang.

"The Chinese people are also victims of terrorism, and terrorism has always been a common threat facing mankind. The international community should resolutely combat all forms of terrorism with a 'zero tolerance' attitude, firmly support the efforts of all parties to maintain national security and stability, strengthen international anti-terrorism cooperation, coordinate development and security, and eliminate the breeding grounds for terrorism," Wang remarked.

"I want to thank China for their condolences in connection with the terrorist attack in the Moscow Region on March 22, and for their support of Russia's fight against terrorism," Lavrov said during the meeting with Wang.

All those involved [in the terrorist attack] will be certainly punished, Russia's top diplomat stated. "Our [Russia-China] cooperation on counter-terrorism will continue, including within the framework of multilateral institutions."

China and Russia are two major powers in the SCO, and counter-terrorism cooperation between them and other SCO members is significant for regional peace and stability, especially when the threat of terrorism has reemerged in relevant regions, experts said. Apart from the discussion on the diplomatic level, the militaries, law-enforcement and intelligence agencies of the two countries will promote cooperation in combating terrorism, experts said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
 Flash

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, honorary president of the Workers' Party of Brazil (PT) and Brazilian president, have sent congratulatory letters separately to the 7th theory seminar of the CPC and the PT held in Beijing on Tuesday.

In his letter, Xi said that the 20th National Congress of the CPC in October 2022 made it clear that the Party's central task is to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

Xi noted that after the PT returned to power in January 2023, it had vigorously promoted development strategies and stayed committed to achieving sustainable and comprehensive development of Brazil.

He said the seminar focused on strengthening the ruling party building and exploring the path to modernization, which is timely and of great significance to strengthening the capacity building of the ruling parties of the two countries and exploring the modernization paths suited for their own national conditions.

Xi also noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the China-Brazil diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the CPC-PT relations.

The CPC is willing to deepen exchanges and mutual learning with the PT on governance, and promote party building and national development, so as to make greater contributions to the continuous development of China-Brazil relations in the new era and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.

Lula said in his letter that last year, he and General Secretary Xi had worked together to take the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.

Brazil-China relations are important not only to the two countries but also to the whole world, Lula said, noting that the two sides will work together to consolidate traditional mechanisms of global governance such as the United Nations, while strengthening key mechanisms of South-South cooperation such as the Group of 77 and China, BRICS, the China-CELAC Forum and the BASIC countries.

Lula said that the relationship between the PT and the CPC is an important part of the relationship between the two countries. The visit to China by the delegation of senior Workers' Party officials and their attendance at the seminar aimed to exchange experience on governance and conduct in-depth discussions and cooperation with the CPC on issues of common interest.

He expressed the confidence that the exchanges between the two parties, the two governments and the two peoples will be closer and more fruitful.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, has granted the application for stay of execution on the judgment of Justice Obili of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt which ruled recently that Precious Baridoo and not Dumo Lulu-Briggs was the Rivers State governorship candidate of Accord.

A statement by the Director of Communications, Dumo Lulu-Briggs Campaign Organisation, Sotonye Ijuye-Dagogo, said Justice A. Lamido of the Court of Appeal, Yenagoa, delivered his ruling on the matter on Friday.

The Lulu-Briggs Campaign Organisation said in the statement that the Appeal Court ruling was in respect of an application brought before it by Wilcox Abereton (SAN), the lead counsel to Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs.

It said the Presiding judge granted the application for stay of execution and further granted an injunction restraining Precious Baridoo from parading himself as the Rivers Accord governorship candidate.

By this ruling, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs remains the INEC recognized Rivers State governorship candidate of Accord in Rivers State and the person whose name was legally submitted to INEC by the National Working Committee of Accord, the statement said.

The Accord in Rivers state has been in crisis over who is the genuine candidate of the party, resulting in the former Chairman of the party in the state, Precious Barido, approaching a Federal High Court in Portharcourt to challenge the candidature of Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs.

The Federal High Court ruled in favour of Mr. Barido, few days to the Rivers governorship election, forcing Dumo Lulu-Briggs and the Rivers chapter of Accord party filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal sitting in Yenagoa.

While the appeal lasted in the Appeal Court, the National leadership of Accord said that Dumo Lulu-Briggs remains the governorship candidate of the party in Rivers state.

He added the party submitted only the credentials of Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the candidate of the party.

According to the national chairman of Accord, Muhammad Lawal Nalado, Precious Barido, is an impostor, pointing out that at no time before, during and after his tenure as the state chairman of Accord in Rivers, did he notify the national leadership of Accord of his interest in the Rivers governorship polls.

He said Barido never bought any form from Accord to contest the governorship election in Rivers and was never at any time the candidate of the party in Rivers governorship elections.
President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja assented to Engineers (Registration etc) Amendment Bill, 2019, which among others, bars the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from henceforth, posting graduates of engineering to secondary schools to teach.

The bill which has now become the Act of the National Assembly seeks to promote technological development in Nigeria by ensuring that trained engineers are well positioned to deploy the knowledge acquired in their various fields to the development of technology in the country.

Briefing journalists in the State House, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, said as against the tradition of posting a large number of engineering graduates to schools by NYSC, youth corps members who are graduates of engineering must henceforth be posted only to engineering firms and other institutions that are relevant to their professional fields.

Aside prohibiting such firms from rejecting engineering graduates posted to them, the Act mandates NYSC to immediately communicate the name of any institution where an engineering graduate is posted to, for his/her primary assignment, to the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

Enang cited Section 14 (i and ii) of the Act which provides that The Directorate of the National Youth Service Corps shall ensure posting of graduate engineers and technologists to places of relevant professional engineering experience.

Pursuant to the provision of subsection (i), the Directorate of National Youth Service Corps shall communicate the location of graduate engineers and engineering technologists to the Council.

Furthermore, the Act prohibits any foreign engineering firm from operating in Nigeria without being duly registered in the country by COREN.

It also mandates such a foreign firm to ensure the introduction of local content into the operations of the company by employing Nigerian engineers.

Enang added: The Act broaden engineering practitioners to include a registered engineer, engineering technologist, engineering technician and engineering craftsman. It emphasises more on engineering practitioners as against engineer.

The Act has been remitted in accordance with standard legal procedures. The principal Act establishes the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria  COREN with power vested.

The amendment now assented to by Mr. President broadens the powers of COREN with far-reaching powers of prosecution of infractions, regulating industrial training of engineers, capacity building of local content in Nigeria engineering industry.

Specifically, the new law grants COREN powers of: prosecuting any person or firm that contravenes the provisions of this Act in a court of competent jurisdiction; regulating industrial training schemes in engineering practitioners and students; ensuring capacity building and monitoring local content development in the Nigerian engineering industry through  mandatory attachment of Nigerians to expatriate engineers on major projects to understudy them from inception; ensuring that all foreign engineering firms establish their design offices in Nigeria.

Enang also said the new Act grants compulsory attestation to all expatriate quota for engineering practitioners, including turnkey project, that there are no qualified and competent Nigerians for the job in question at the time of application and that granting of the expatriate quota shall be contingent on training of such number of persons as may be required for the execution of the job, and; ensuring that, before being allowed to practice in Nigeria, such foreign engineering practitioners granted work permit, register with the council and obtain such licenses as may be required from time to time; investigating engineering failures.

He further disclosed that the Act further authorises the admission of some engineering associations into COREN as the umbrella body of all engineers in the country.

Such associations as listed by Enang are: Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering, Nigerian Society of Engineering Technicians, and Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen.

According to him, the Act further authorises one person to represent in COREN, the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria, Federation of Construction Industry in Nigeria, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, and Armed Forces in rotation.

The Council is now entitled to maintain a fund into which shall be paid money appropriated by the National Assembly, subventions, fees, charges for services rendered or publications made, donations, engineering development levy, among others, Enang added.
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Assembly members yesterday got the nod to negotiate with the opposition in their bid for principal positions in the Ninth Assembly.

It is democratic to do so, the party said in a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu, who stressed that the party has nothing against its members seeking cooperation with other legislators as it is confident that they will not betray the party.

There has been reports of Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan, who has been adopted for Senate President, holding meetings with members of the opposition, but Issa-Onilu said that Lawan was adopted by the party for the position in the first place because of his ability to carry everyone along, which is needed for such a position.

He also said that the party will announce its zoning arrangement for the National Assembly leadership in the coming days.

The statement reads: We are inundated with reports of our members in the National Assembly holding consultations with members of the opposition over the election of leaders into the Ninth National Assembly. Let me state that our party has no objection to such consultations.

It is a normal democratic practice world over to stretch hands across the divides. And contrary to some media reports, the actions of our members do not contradict the partys position. APC has a comfortable majority in both chambers. Therefore; we have the number to produce the leadership.

But democracy recognises the importance of the opposition, especially when you do not have two-third, which would be required at some very critical situations. For us as a ruling party, we understand that a stable and peaceful National Assembly would enhance our capacity to deliver more for the people of Nigeria.

So, the party is not averse to negotiation by Senator Ahmed Lawan and our other senators-elect working to fulfil the position taken by our party.

It is important to note that one of the key considerations for adopting him as the partys candidate for the Senate presidency is his ability to carry everyone along. On top of that, the party has confidence in him not to compromise the progressive ideology of APC. So, clearly, Senator Ahmed Lawan is capable of conducting his negotiations within the prism of APCs objectives.

On zoning and the leadership of the House of Representatives, Issa-Onilu assured Nigerians that the party will put to rest ongoing agitations and will soon release the zoning arrangements for the principal positions of the incoming Ninth National Assembly.

The party will also make its position clear in the coming days on the principal positions in the House of Representatives, the partys spokesman said.

He said that the nationwide consultations being championed by the Senate Leader and Leader of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, who is seeking to become the Speaker of the Green Chamber, were in line with the partys policy of inclusiveness.

According to him, national interest is guiding the ongoing rapprochement between APCs candidates and members-elect from the opposition.

Issa-Onilu said: It is just part of politics and in a democracy, consensus is a key element. To have a smooth sail in the National Assembly, you dont go to the floor pretending that the opposition parties do not exist.

Even if the opposition parties cannot defeat you, in the spirit of national interest, you must work with them. We want to run a government of inclusiveness, we need every party.

We will support every effort by our candidates for principal offices in the Senate and the House of Representatives to carry elected members from the opposition along.

As long as we can, we will keep our members-elect united to present common candidates to lead the National Assembly. The fact that we are saying that we can go it alone is not the same thing as saying that the opposition does not matter.

We have the numbers to achieve our aim but we have to ensure comfort for the opposition too. Unlike in the past, what we are pushing before the 9th National Assembly is a national interest agenda.

We want them to see our candidates within the prism of the national agenda we are pursuing.

The Senate Leader at the weekend had audience with more senators-elect from PDP.

He was busy selling his vision of a united Ninth National Assembly.

A PDP senator-elect said: Actually, Lawan met with us to seek our support. He tried to make a few clarifications which boosted our confidence in him.

It is not a party affair at all. It is left to individual senator to decide who to vote for.
ZAMFARA State Governor Abdulaziz Yari has warned of an impending recession by the mid-2020.

Besides, Yari pointed out that the governors have unanimously agreed that borrowing cannot be a reliable solution to the countrys economic problems.

Yari, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) spoke yesterday at the opening of a three-day retreat for returning governors and governors-elect in Abuja.

In his remarks, the NGF chair said that the current economic reality should prepare the mind of the governors ahead of the possibility of another recession by the middle of next year.

He, however, said the governors good spirit and preparedness will enable them to contain the situation.

Yari urged them to work in unity to boost the economy and to look inward by boosting their revenue generation base.

Speaking against the backdrop of the countrys dependence on crude oil which price has been fluctuating in recent time, Yari said: This scenario is a wake-up call for all of you to come amply prepared to face these kinds of challenges especially since we are expecting the possibility of another cycle of recession by mid-2020 and which may last up to the third quarter of 2012.

Your good spirit of stewardship will make you contain the situation should there be one. As members of the National Economic Council (NEC) you must work hand in hand to boost the economy in tandem with the global best practices.

On the issue of borrowing, Yari said: It is imperative to note that the NGF, under my chairmanship, and the National Economic Council under the chairmanship of His Excellency, the Vice President, had agreed that borrowing is never a reliable alternative to solving our economic problems.

We must work hard among all the tiers of government to multiply our revenue generation base so that together we change the course of doing government business for the betterment of our people.

The Zamfara governor also challenged key revenue agencies, including the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Federal Inland Revenue Services, the Nigerian Custom Services and other agencies on the need to work more effectively, especially now that the N30, 000 minimum wage bill has been signed into law.

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador W. Stuart Symington, urged the incoming governors on the need to boost their states economy.

He also urged them to identify and approach and encourage local investors to shore up their revenue base.

As governors, look for people in business in your states, Symington said, encouraging the governors-elect to invest in the people.

How do we invest in human capital development? he asked. Invest in people and earn trust. You do that at a speed of trust.

On security, the envoy said: I know security is on everyones mind and governance is also in everyones mind. Security is not the job of security forces alone. There must be cooperation between the security forces and the civil populace.

Also charging the governors-elect, First Bank of Nigeria Chairman, Mrs. Ibikunle Awosika, said they must earn the trust of the electorate.

Mrs. Awosika, who spoke on the topic: The task of Nation building, said: Governors must earn the trust of the people. If you earn the trust of the people, they will pay taxes. When you see children that are hungry in your state, you have failed them in some way. We have the capacitys to solve some of the problems. Your commitment to helping the people is what will help you achieve what you want to do.

For a nation to be truly great, the integrity of every man in this table is critical. You have a chance to build a legacy. Live true to your values. When you think with that determination, you will achieve. Pick your priorities right, deliver on them because you cannot do everything and your people will understand. You will get much more than wealth after office if you so well for your people.

For a nation to be truly great, the integrity of every man in this table is critical. You have a chance to build a legacy. Live true to your values. When you think with that determination, you will achieve.

Pick your priorities right. Deliver on them because you cannot do everything and your people will understand. You will get much more than wealth after office if you do well for your people.

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Dr. Mathew Kukah, noted: There are people who are not in office, but they are in power and there are people who are in office but are not in power.

We must find a way to talk to the hearts of the people. There are people who are not in office, but they are in power and there are people who are in office but are not in power.

We live in a country that some think loyalties are to institutions, parties and regimes. The challenges that this nation faces, none have been truly articulated. For those elected, what are you doing now? For those going, what are you doing now?

Now is a very busy time for prayer warriors hoping that they will be in the governors (appointment) list. People hardly get into positions purely on the basis of their track record.

He challenged the governors-elect on the need to busy themselves reading books that will enrich their knowledge.

What (book) are you reading now? Everybody taking over must focus on the beat and in the worst case scenario, read great biographies: Mandela, Lee Kwan, Gandi and the rest.

I suggest these books: The rebels who brought Churchill to power and saved England and The jungle grows back. It helps to tell you that elections alone are not enough in democracy. Infrastructure is not just about railways, highways, else we dont need democracy.

Everything is politics but politics is not everything. There are people bringing glory to our country without being in power. It is too early in the day for Nigerians to become lethargic on our democracy

When Everton defeated Man United, Solkjaer turned and apologised to the fans. Why? If the stadium is not full, we dont have a team. Voter apathy is not good for our democracy. If ethnicity is a disability, America will not have been great today.

Final book I recommend is The end of power. We need to find people willing to invest in our people. That has not happened. When people cannot see a reflection of themselves in government, they shut down. A leader must have the courage to take decisions.

Many of you (governors) are young and have an idea of how the world is organised. You have an opportunity ahead of you.
The president in his opening remarks at the national Democracy Day Anti-Corruption Summit at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, expressed regret thatrecent political experiences have been characterized by the corrupting influence of money on party politics and electioneering processes. He lamented that this unwholesome practice has dire consequences on the country in subverting the exercise of free choice by voters, adding that it elevated corrupt and unprincipled individuals to positions of leadership and entrenching the structures of democracy devoid of accountability.

President Buhari noted that the theme of the Summit:Curbing Electoral Spending: A Panacea for Public Corruption, is most appropriate in the light of the past and recent political experiences in the country and in Africa as a whole.

The president stated that electoral spending manifests in different forms and so should be the approaches to curb it. He was of the view that that is the way to de-commercialize the political process so that true democracy can survive and thrive.

Of course, we have sufficient legal framework in place in Nigeria to combat reckless electoral spending. The provision of Section 90 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (As Amended) explicitly puts a cap on the amount candidates for different political offices must expend on elections, failing which they are violating the law.

Of greater significance is the provision of section 88 of the Act which prohibits a political party in Nigeria from possessing any fund outside or retaining funds or other assets remitted to it from outside Nigeria.

The philosophical underpinning of the above provisions and other related provisions of the Act is to prevent desperate politicians from buying their ways into political offices at the expense of low  spending law-abiding individuals.

In this connection, I urge all law enforcement agencies and the Judiciary in Nigeria, and across Africa, to tackle financial corruption in our political systems, Buhari declared.

The president maintained that uncontrolled electoral spending and voter inducement by politicians must be combated if people want to consolidate true democracy and good governance.

This Summit, therefore, has the potential of spurring us to action starting with the discussions and exchange of ideas among participants. It is also my hope that the participation of Heads of African anti-corruption agencies in this Summit would enrich the discussion with valuable regional and continental perspectives.

Let us remind ourselves of the Thabo Mbeki Panel on illicit financial flaws published a few years ago. Through corruption Africa has lost over $1 trillion over the last 50 years, a figure surpassing all the combined development aid received by the continent during the same period, President Buhari stated.

ALSO READ: APCs Achida emerges Sokoto Speaker

He reminded participants at the summit that political corruption is merely an extension of larger corruption in the wider society. Consequently, if we desire to curtail political corruption in public governance, then, corruption must also be fought in the wider society.

This underscores the guiding principle and commitment of our Administration. This commitment derives, as I once stated, from the fact that: Corruption runs completely counter to our shared values as Africans  the values of justice, the sense of fairness, law and order, equity and equality. Corruption rewards those who do not play by the rules and also creates a system of patronage where the resources are shared out by a small elite, while the majority are trapped in poverty, the president further declared.

President Buhari maintained: during the recently concluded election campaigns, I stated clearly that the major areas of priority during my second term in office as it was in my first term will be: Security, economic improvement and fight against corruption. I remain committed to the fulfillment of these promises.

Now, as this administration commences, we are taking stock of progress made so far in the war against corruption, assessing what needs to be done and devising new strategies to address existing challenges.

He added: I am pleased to inform you that this process has already started with the recent interaction between the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption and all anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria.

The outcome of the interaction, among others, shall serve as the basis for a more concerted effort by this administration to:

a. Strengthen the capacity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-corruption agencies by providing additional material, organisational and logistical support;

b. Close existing legislative loopholes, facilitate collaboration with the judiciary, and strengthen the criminal justice system;

c. Enforce effective asset declaration by public office holders and ensure sanctions by professional bodies against lawyers, bankers, brokers, public officials, and other individuals facilitating corrupt practices;

d. Ensure comprehensive support and protection to whistleblowers, witnesses and victims of corruption;

e. Adopt and formulate the policy of naming and shaming all those who engage in corrupt practices while encouraging and honouring those who do not;

f. Educate, mobilise and encourage Nigerians at the grassroots level to take ownership of the fight against corruption;

g. Press for a crackdown on safe havens for corrupt assets, abolishing of bank secrecy jurisdictions and tax havens on the continent and beyond;

h. Insist on the unconditional return of looted assets kept abroad and further strengthening of international cooperation through information and mutual legal assistance.

He said that henceforth, the anti-corruption fight would be seen not to end in itself but as an instrument not only to fight poverty but a means to restore the right order of things.

He appealed for active support and cooperation of all. We also look forward to a continental strategic partnership and a global alliance to successfully defeat corruption. I urge all of you seated here to be part of such alliance and partnership, the president added.
Rivers State Police Command has launched a decisive operation targeting a notorious criminal figure known as General 2man in the Ogbologbo community of Ahoada West Local Government Area.

General 2man, identified as Ikem ThankGod, has been implicated in a string of violent crimes, including the murder of Inspector Usang Ude and multiple civilian casualties. His reign of terror extended to kidnapping, armed robbery, and vandalism, with reports of him even disrupting social events at will.

During the operation, General 2man and his gang engaged police tactical teams in a fierce firefight. While the kingpin managed to escape, his second-in-command, ThankGod Uchechi, alias Pastor SP, and third-in-command, Western King Okpo Emenike, were fatally wounded. Several other gang members sustained injuries, and significant weaponry was seized.

Commissioner of Police Tunji Disu praised the efforts of the tactical team and emphasized the commitment of the police force to combating crime in the state. He called on the public to provide any information that could lead to the apprehension of the fleeing suspects and other criminal elements.

As the hunt for General 2mans associates intensifies, residents are urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to bring an end to their reign of terror.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, Police Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Command, reiterated the importance of community involvement in combating crime, emphasizing the need for a united front in the fight against criminality.
UBA and Zenith Bank have joined Access Corporation as the three biggest banks in the country in terms of total asset base, crossing the N20 trillion mark as of December 2023.

According to their 2023 full year report, Access Bank remains the largest bank in Nigeria with a total asset base of N26.66 trillion, followed by UBA with a total asset base of N20.65 trillion.

Zenith Bank also makes its mark with a total asset of about N20.36 trillion.

According to the banks financial statements, UBA recorded the highest total assets growth, surging by a staggering 90.2 per cent from N10.9 trillion in 2022 to N20.7 trillion as of December 2023.

Similarly, Access Corporation experienced significant growth in total assets to reach N26.7 trillion as of 2023 from N14.9 trillion in 2022, marking a 77.9 percent increase.

Zenith Bank total assets grew by 65.8 per cent, reaching N20.4 trillion as of 2023 from N12.4 trillion as of 2022.

UBA also demonstrated impressive growth, with its PAT reaching N607 billion, marking a substantial 257 per cent YoY increase. Additionally, Zenith Bank achieved its highest-ever PAT of N679.9 billion, showcasing a remarkable 202.3 per cent YoY growth.

READ ALSO: Access Holdings in strategic alliance with Coronation Group, 2 others to broaden Remittances

The growth recorded by the three banks was largely influenced by the massive gains in forex revaluations as well as income from fx derivatives.

The collective ascent of Access Bank, UBA, and Zenith Bank to the N20 trillion asset base highlights a broader trend of sustained growth in financial strength within Nigerias banking sector in the last 20 years.

In addition, with great size comes great responsibility, especially with the recapitalization raise requirement.

These banks now bear a more significant role in propelling sustainable banking practices, fostering financial inclusion, perpetuating improvements in Corporate Governance standards, and contributing to the economic development of Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

For customers, the size of a banks assets can be reassuring, indicating the institutions capacity to safeguard deposits and meet withdrawal demands.

For investors, it signals the banks growth prospects and financial health, often translating into confidence in the banks stock.
KanyiDaily recalls that SDK recently reported how a BBNaija star, a musicians baby mama, and an actors wife were responsible for destroying AY Makuns marriage with Mabel.

In a message sent to SDK on Instagram, AY Makun expressed resentment over her publications and labeling her as a very wicked person.

The comedian criticized Stella for posting stories that he probably didnt want in public, emphasizing his displeasure with her actions.

AY wrote, Stella, I have been ignoring your message on purpose since Saturday. PLEASE, at what point in this life are you going to stay away from me and my family?

You already did your worst yesterday. Doing all these eye service still will not land you in my good book. Go back to your sponsors.

You are obviously a very wicked person. You may have your monitoring and evil spirits everywhere, but whoever gave you this story should understand that that I have the capacity and reach to do it myself if i wanted to. STOP BEING FORWARD make thunder no go fire you

In her response, Stella slammed the comedian, stressing that she never mentioned anybodys name in her previous post.

Stella wrote, AY na you thunder go faya because i no call name for my Nollywood script last time it was fumigation, wetin e be this time?part three is loading sef..Please let me balance my story wellGod bless. Ps. I have unfollowed u.

KanyiDaily recalls that AY Makuns relationship of over 20 years with Mabel recently hit the rock after 16 years of marriage.
Simon Harris, aged 37, has become Irelands youngest-ever prime minister, following the unexpected resignation of Leo Varadkar last month.

In a parliamentary vote on Tuesday, April 9, Harris secured the position with 88 votes in favor and 69 against, and was formally inaugurated during a ceremony alongside President Michael D. Higgins.

Taking the helm of the center-right Fine Gael party, Harris faced no opposition in his bid for leadership following Varadkars resignation.

However, he now faces impending elections and significant domestic challenges, particularly in addressing housing crises and managing migration opposition.

Addressing parliament, Harris emphasized his vision for a collaborative government marked by unity, respect, and fresh perspectives.

He expressed his commitment to infusing public life with renewed vigor and empathy, acknowledging the pressing demands of the role.

This is very much a partnership government and I intend to lead us in the spirit of unity, collaboration and mutual respect, Simon Harris said, watched by his wife and two children.

I want to bring new ideas and new energy and, I hope, a new empathy to public life. Time is certainly short, and theres a lot to do.

Leo Varadkar, who stepped down last month, said that at the age of 45 he no longer felt he was the best person to lead the country.

Varadkar, the youngest prime minister when first elected in 2017, said Tuesday said he always knew Harris would fill the top job, highlighting his empathy, energy, and political acumen.

This has perhaps come a little bit sooner than he might have planned or expected. But I know he will rise to the occasion.

He has the empathy, energy, experience, campaigning skills and political antenna to take us forward, Varadkar said.

Having risen through the ranks of Fine Gael since joining its youth branch at 16, Harris has gained extensive experience, serving as a county councilor at 22 and entering parliament at 24.

At the time he was the youngest MP and was nicknamed Baby of the Dail (Irish parliament).

Harris assumed the position of health minister at 29 and later became the minister for higher education.

Furthermore, Harriss active presence on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, has contributed to his prominence as one of Irelands most visible politicians.

ALSO READ: Meet The Beautiful Youngest Mayor In History, She Was Diagnosed With HIV While Pregnant At The Age Of 17
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

The Kaduna-South Senator, Bar. Sunday Marshal Katung has on Wednesday called for a sober reflection and unity of purpose to help surmount the nations myriads of challenges as Muslims marked their Sallahs celebration.

Katung who stated this in his Sallah message and issued to newsmen in Kaduna, said that though the challenges confronting the country look intimidating, but hes optimistic that with unity of purpose, the country will surmount its challenges.

According to him selfless sacrifice and communal love as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ishmael, should guide us, as we submit ourselves to the Will of Allah.

 Let us continue to practice the lesson of tolerance, perseverance, and love for our neighbours that we learned during the Ramadan. Let us also learn to always follow the path of dialogue in resolving our differences rather than advocating for violence.

 We must all understand that our strength as a people revolves around our diversity. Hence, we must do all that we can to ensure that we manage this diversity to build a strong, economically viable, politically stable and prosperous Nigeria.

He reminded the muslim faithfuls to understand the essence of the celebration of Eid, which is about sacrifice, love, and hope for a peaceful coexistence in our dear Senatorial District, the State and the country in general.

 Ramadan is indeed, a month of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and devotion to Allah. It is considered the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, as it is believed that the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, (peace be on to him) during this month.

 While wishing you all a happy festival, I again urge us to celebrate responsibly, in line with the general dictates of our faith and the spirit of the occasion. He appealed.

End.

Related
 Flash

An explosion at an Italian power station on Tuesday killed at least three people and left 4 others missing. Another four people were hospitalized with serious burns.

The incident occurred at around 3 p.m. local time at a hydroelectric power station on Lake Suviana in the Apennine Mountains, some 70 km south of Bologna. All those involved were working at the plant when the explosion took place.

The bodies of the three victims were recovered in the afternoon, Bologna prefect Attilio Visconti told state-run Rai News 24 channel.

As of Tuesday night, a search and rescue operation is underway to locate the four persons still unaccounted for, who had been on the ninth floor underground of the plant, the official said.

The Fire Dept. reported that some 60 firefighters, including scuba drivers, were involved in the effort. The Civic Protection was also put on alert and would be ready to support, according to regional authorities.

According to initial reports, a fire broke out on the eighth floor underground some 30 meters deep in one of the two units of the plant, and the explosion followed shortly after.

The dam reservoir at the plant was not damaged by the explosion and was safe, according to Enel Green Power, a company that manages the station. The company added that production at Suviana was halted, but the electricity supply at the local or national level was not impacted.

Both President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sent their condolences to those involved. A ceremony to commemorate the victims will be held at parliament on Wednesday.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Lagos joined the Muslim faithful to observe Eid-el-Fitr prayers, urging Nigerians to continue to have faith in his government and remain patriotic citizens.

Addressing journalists after the prayers at the Eid Ground at the Dodan Barracks, the President said the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, which is aimed at bringing prosperity to Nigerians, is being diligently implemented.

Encouraging Muslims celebrating the conclusion of Ramadan to extend the values of sacrifice and resilience beyond the fasting period, President Tinubu emphasized the need for Nigerians to prioritize the exhibition of love for their country.

The resilience and sacrifice that we have shown and made during these months should be preserved. Be a kind and cheerful giver. We must love our country more than any other country, because that is the only one we have.

We must continue to protect the integrity of our government and leadership.

The Renewed Hope Agenda is alive, well and fine, and Nigerians should continue to be very hopeful. Without hope, there is no salvation. Without hope, there is no development. Without hope, there is no life. Eid Mubarak, the President told journalists at the end of the prayers led by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla.

Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam urged Nigerians to shun all acts of violence, ensure peaceful co-existence, and continue to have faith in the country.

He asked those in leadership positions to remain faithful to their oaths of office and work towards alleviating the suffering of the less privileged.

Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Gaza and other areas of conflict, the Chief Imam said.

He offered prayers of Gods guidance, wisdom, and protection for President Tinubu and the Lagos State government, as well as for peace and stability in the country.

Related
In what looks like a jamboree, the National Assembly has passed three (3) Appropriation Bills in one fiscal year, and is set to pass the fourth (4th) Supplementary Appropriation Bill in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, and the 2024 Appropriation Act hasnt been implemented yet. These Acts run simultaneously all in one swoop which is a call for anarchy and total economic policy implementation confusion. This is an utter flagrant disregard for the rule of law.

Akin who showed his displeasure via an open letter he wrote to National Assembly, vehemently frowned at the way 10th Senate, led by Senator Godswill Akpabio has taken things in such a lackadaisical manner where senators voices are taken for granted.

Questions arent asked on pertinent issues as serious as Appropriation Acts. This further portrays the 10th Senate as a rubber stamp , where everything the Executive brings is expediently accented hook, line and sinker without any form of scrutiny. he said.

Furthermore, Akin said; Tinubu shouldnt allow people put his government under pressure of trying to jam-pack 4 Appropriation Acts in one (1) year. The consequences will be too dire on economy. We are not rushing to anywhere. Tinubu should allow these things to run in a manner that seems right within the time and jurisdiction that the law can permit.

Whenever I remember that Nigeria, under the leadership of President Tinubu is running three Appropriation Acts and the fourth one is to be added via the Ministry of Transportation and they are all running concurrently, my Heart Blood Pressure rises to an astronomical level. Senators have complained to high heavens, on top of their voices, both on camera and in closed sessions, yet nothing tangible comes out their complaints. Their voices arent heard, rather they are gagged from airing their disappointments with the way the 10th Senate is being run by Senator Akpabio., Akin lamented.

You will recall, on Wednesday, 20th March, 2024, the Senate Leader, Senator Bamidele, Michael Opeyemi (Ekiti Central) led a debate on the 2023 Appropriation Act and 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act(Amendment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 405 & 406) to extend the implementation year of the Appropriation Act, 2023 from the 31st March, 2024 to 30th June, 2024.

Bamidele noted that prior Appropriation Acts in the recent past were passed mid-year and extended to the following year. These extensions were covered in the Appropriation Act by clause along these lines, in line with the provisions of section 318 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this Act runs for a period of 12 months, starting from the date it comes into effect. he stated.

On the contrary, the 2023 Appropriation Act Clause 12 states that in line with the provisions of Section 318 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this Act runs for a period of 12 months, starting from the 1st day of January to 31st day of December, 2023.

In view of the critical importance of some key projects nearing completion, and to allow the continued implementation of the recurrent components of the Budget, Sen. Bamidele noted that it is expedient to grant extension of the expiration clause to avoid compounding the problems of abandoned projects given that some of the projects were not provided for in the 2024 Budget hence the need to extend the implementation year from 31st March, 2024 to 30th June, 2024 of both acts.

80% of Senators arent happy with these leadership styles of this nonchalant attitude concerning the affairs of the nation. Most of them (senators) have spoken to me behind the camera of their utter disagreement with the Akpabio led Administration, which signs whatever the Executive brings to the Senate without asking questions or seeking opinions of his fellow senators. Akin opined.

Akin advised President Tinubu to make sure the economy doesnt slip into the red zone under his watch via the way the Appropriation Acts are being implemented in a fire brigade manner.

Akin prayed the Senate leadership, led by Akpabio will turn a new leaf and represent in the spirit and letter on why their various constituents sent them to the Hallowed Red Chamber to speak on their behalf.

Related
Last year, DonaeO released his Belly-assisted party-starter, Chalice  an incredible hit of which the British rapper doesnt seem to tire. After releasing an acoustic version of the track last year, DonaeO is back again with an entire album of Chalice remixes.

Of course, one of the 13 different versions of the track pays homage to the motherland, as DonaeO enlists Sarkodie and Patoranking for Chalice [Africa Remix].

Unlike the other electopop and drum & bass remixes on the album, the Africa Remix retains the same hip-hop-influenced beat. DonaeOs opening verse remains unchanged on the remix before he hands over to Sarkodie, whose arresting rap verse upscales the song massively.

Patoranking seals up the last verse with his dynamic delivery, but this time over a beat thats less suited to his style. Perhaps if the remix was infused with more live percussions and striking strings, as we are used to over here, Patoranking and Sarkodie would have been able to shine even more.

Listen to Chalice [Africa Remix] below:

[embedded content]
Hon. Hope Chinyelu Nwandu

Few of the people who were aware of the affinity she shared with her husband had given her any chance of survival when her husband, Jude Nwandu, a politician and businessman, was shot dead by kidnappers in 2010. But nine years on, Hon. Hope Chinyelu Nwandu, an ex-councillor, who is now an enterpreneur, has overcome the trauma of losing the man after her heart. The native of Oraukwu Kingdom in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State is not only the president of the association of widows in the state, she is also the founder of one of the most popular non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the state.

Asked how she overcame the trauma of losing her husband as a 35-year-old, Hon Chiyelu Nwandu said although she faced series of battles after the ugly experience, it became the motivation for her to form an association for widows and step up on her popular NGO, Youth Awareness as a Weapon to Fight Aids and Violence (YAWAV), which she said is meant to help the vulnerable and down trodden in the society

She said: Before I started National Coalition for Concerned Widows some years back, I had registered Youth Awareness as a Weapon to Fight Aids and Violence (YAWAV). My focus then were orphans and vulnerable children, and that was as far back as 2006.

My records are still with State Action Committee on Aids (SACA), World Bank, Federal Ministry for Womens Affairs and Social Development.

The purpose was not to acquire wealth but to make sure those sets of persons were given a sense of belonging. Most people saw them then as people without hope, people whose ends had come and people who had nothing to give or contribute to the society.

I was propelled by my husband, who was my back bone in everything I did then (tears rolled down her cheeks), but it is well.

Since then, I have not looked back in making sure that vulnerable people are catered for. We have to be our brothers and sisters keepers.

Nwandu, said she decided to also fight for widows in the society because of the kind of trauma they go through at the hands of their husbands in-laws. The fair complexioned lady said her aim is to stop those barbaric treatments meted out to widows, adding that the death of her husband really opened her eyes on what women suffer at the hands of their in-laws.

She said: I started my NGO before I became a widow. Then, my targets were orphans and vulnerable children. I know what it takes to search for school fees.

So, when I lost my life wire (husband), I told myself that there was need to galvanise the widows to fight together in order to stop some of the maltreatments most of them suffer at the hands of their husbands people.

That was how the Association came into being, and by the special grace of God, we have gone a long way in Anambra and beyond.

Our target is to take the campaign to all the nooks and crannies of this country, to stop such barbaric acts from our people who either accuse the widows of having a hand in their husbands death or denying them their rights in different families, based on some senseless allegations.

Such acts had traumatised a lot of widows in the society, especially those who have no one to speak for them.

Asked how life had been since the demise of his right hand man, the mother of two paused for a moment and fought back tears amid pin-drop silence. She then fetched a white handkerchief from her bag to wipe the tears that rolled down her cheeks. Then there was a wry smile indicating the acceptance of her fate before she declared that it has not been easy.

She said she had gone through a lot of pains during and after the death of her husband, because she was left alone by his people to shoulder the responsibilities of her husbands burial.

She said: After losing my husband in 2010, life became so miserable. He was murdered by kidnappers on March 9, 2010, but the family accused me of killing him, even when one of the victims came out to relay how he too almost lost his life. I was six weeks pregnant. I was confused. The war from my in-laws was unbearable. I was left to fund my husbands burial all alone. My life has not been the same since then.

I have really suffered. Even those who ordinarily would say a word to you when your spouse was around would come up to challenge you and accuse you of so many things.

Getting anything from anyone becomes difficult unless those who are real human beings. The death of my husband really made me to understand that situations differ. It also opened my eyes to distinguish between the good and the bad.

Any plans to re marry?



She beamed a smile as she thought of the right answer. Then she said: Since I lost my husband, it has not been easy being a single mum to my two wonderful kidsa boy and a girl. They are the reason why I am struggling.

Those who know me well know that I was too close to my husband. He was the back bone of my NGO. After his death, I was advised to re-marry. But after the birth of my son, I was consoled.

The love I had for my husband really made me to stay back and fight for his right. I was able to secure the place where I buried my husband.

After the pressure from my husbands family, no fewer than six suitors came to ask me for marriage. Some promised to build a house for my son, just for me to accept their proposal, but I was too close to my late husband, and getting married again will affect my children. I have to endure all the suffering for the sake of my children.

Asked about acquaintances, she said: They are legion. They continue to come on a daily basis, but its left for you to accept anybody or not. I dont rebuff them because doing so is a form of disrespect. So, what I do is to give them the opportunity of trying their luck each day, and life goes on. If you give men such chance, they will mess you up.

Im nine years into this journey. I cant re-marry again. I have built a house in the village for my children. I have to stay strong for them

Asked about her challenges and regrets, she fought back tears again before she opened up: I have kids and they are missing their father, especially my son. But I try my best to make them fill comfortable. My regret is not going to stop my husband from going after the kidnappers with police in the bush in Nimo on that fateful day.

She narrated the events that led to the killing of her husband by dare devil kidnappers on that day, saying that her hubby lost his life for the sake of his friend.

She said: He (husband) was bent on having his close friend freed from the kidnappers den and that was how he lost his life when those hoodlums opened fire on the police squad. We were in the house on that day when my husbands phone rang, and it was his friend (Odinigwe) from Nri in Anaocha Local Government Area of the state. He told my husband that he had been kidnapped and taken to somewhere in Nimo.

The reason for calling him was that my husband dropped him off on that day. In fact, they kidnapped him thinking that the man had money. Then my husband contacted the police in Neni who mobilised to go and save him. When he told me, I could not stop him from taking the police to the location he described for my husband for their ransom.

When he got to the area with the police, he followed them into the bush. When the uniformed men tried to stop him, he insisted on following them.

When those miscreants noticed they were security operatives, they opened fire and it became a gun duel between them and my husband was killed in the process. He was a defenseless man. But his friend was rescued.

He wanted to do it for his friend without knowing that death was knocking.

She said that after the incident, her in-laws started accusing her of being the brains behind the death of their son.



I knew that the thought that occupied their minds then was that we didnt have a son; we only had one little daughter. Also, most of them didnt know I had taken in again and the pregnancy was just six weeks old.

They left me with the responsibility of shouldering the burial of my husband, and it was a way of punishing me. But God wiped away my tears few months later with a son.

Being a widow is not an easy task, especially, with the situation in the country. I got married at the age of 28 and lost my husband at the age of 35. My marriage was to be an enjoyable one, but satanic forces did not allow it to be. That is one of my greatest regrets.

Since then, my life has not been the same.
The Leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo has called for Igbo presidency in 2023, saying Nigeria can never be united if this is not achieved.

According to This Day, the leader of the socio-political Yoruba group said this on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

Adebanjo wondered how anybody who loves Nigeria and wants the country to be united will be talking about Yoruba presidency in 2023.

You talk about unity, that is where you will know where the sincerity lies. If you are keen about unity, will there be a unit of the country that you will deprive presidency? What does that mean for unity? We are talking about people who want Nigeria to stay together. How can anybody who loves this country talk of the presidency coming to the South-west in 2023. Thats why I tell you all these people are not serious, including Buhari. Why should you exclude the South-east? Is South-east not part of Nigeria? South-west has had, South-south has had, the North has had, why exclude the South-east if you want them to be there? That is the point I was making earlier on.

The Yoruba leader claimed President Muhammadu Buhari did not care about the countrys unity by not addressing the issue of restructuring in his Independence Day address.

Adebanjo said the 1999 constitution made the president over powerful and that there was need for restructuring.
On Thursday, the government approved imposing a $6 monthly tax on online calls via mobile applications in a bid to raise additional funds for its debt-ridden budget. Moreover, the authorities introduced a new tax on tobacco and announced plans to increase the value-added tax (VAT) to 15 percent by 2020. The measures sparked mass protests in Beirut and other cities. According to media reports, protesters blocked off the Beirut-Damascus international highway. Footage released by Lebanese TV channels showed the demonstrators burning tires and calling for a government resignation and revolution.

At the request of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, a decision was made to cancel a 20 cent [daily] tax on calls made via WhatsApp. This issue will not be discussed by the cabinet any further and all the services will remain available as before, Choucair told the LBCI broadcaster.

There have been no official comments on other taxes.

Lebanon has recently been rocked by anti-government protests amid a severe deterioration of the economic situation in the country. On Sunday, during a rally in central Beirut, demonstrators called for the resignation of the government, holding economic reforms and taking action to cope with corruption.

On Thursday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said the country suffered from a financial blockade and sanctions.
Shareholders of Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc on Tuesday unanimously approved the merger of both financial institutions aimed at creating a formidable force.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the shareholders gave the approval at an Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) of both banks held in Lagos.

Herbert Wigwe, Access Bank Chief Executive Officer, told the shareholders at the EGM that the merger with Diamond Bank enables Access Bank to acquire a bank with 17 million retail customers and the most viable mobile payment platform.

Mr Wigwe said the expected revenue and cost synergies were material and promises significant long term value.

He said the bank, after the merger, would attract more opportunities such as trade finance from international partners.

With the final merger of both banks and the status of the resulting entity as the largest bank in Africas largest economy, this greatly bolsters the banks brand, opening doors of opportunity both in local and international markets, he said.

Mr Wigwe said the merger was expected to produce the largest banking group in Africa based on its number of customers with more than 29 million customers.

The resulting entity which will maintain the brand name Access Bank, but with Diamond Bank colors, will have more than 29 million customers, 13 million of which are mobile customers, he said.

He said the bank would be a continental force with presence in 12 countries, 3,100 ATMS and nearly 32, 000 Point of Sale.

As a continental financial force, it is set to attract more opportunities such as trade finance from international partners seeking multinational lenders with local intelligence, he said.

He said Diamond bank merging with Access Bank also means, the formers customers can enjoy access to the latters strong balance sheet, ubiquitous presence and solid operational structure.

Diamond Bank has formidable retail business with the largest retail customer base in Nigeria  over 17 million customers. Diamond Bank also has a track record of customer acquisition and low cost liabilirties generation.

The enlarged Access Bank will serve 27 million retail customers, almost double the number customers of any other bank in Nigeria and more than any other bank in Africa, Mr Wigwe said.

He noted that the enlarged Access Banks breadth scale and product range will further accelerate the financial inclusion agenda that Access Bank and Diamond Bank had pursued separately.

Mr Wigwe, however, assured enlarged shareholders of the bank that dividend would be more robust and consistent after the exercise.

Adebayo Adeleke of Independent Shareholders Association (ISAN) commended the management of Access Bank for not shortchanging shareholders on the scheme of the merger.

Quite a lot of commendable things have been put in place and we hope court will have no other reason not to agree on the merger, Mr Adeleke said.

Mr Adeleke said the shareholders were in support of the plan that would give birth to one of the largest bank in Africa.

We are here to make sure we sanction this wedding and hope to see a marriage of a formidable force, he said.

He said shareholders would want to see the birth and growth of new bank that would take challenges and takeover the entire world.

To the President, Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria (TSAN), Muktar Muktar, we thank Access Bank for saving us from Diamond Bank by giving us a good deal.

Mr Muktar said the bank gave them the best deal which was above Diamond Bank price on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Sunny Nwosu, National Coordinator (Emeritus), ISAN, who also commended Access Bank for the merger, called for special dividend to cushion the effects of dilution on shareholders.

Mr Nwosu said integration would not be a problem for Access Bank because it had managed many marriages in the past.

(NAN)
Rafael Nadal cruised into the U.S. Open fourth round with a business-like 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Chung Hyeon.

The three-times champion took control of the match when he broke the South Koreans serve in the first set to grab a 4-2 lead.

Thereafter, he never looked back on the sunsoaked Arthur Ashe Stadium court on Saturday in New York.

Next up for Nadal is a last 16 clash with 2014 champion Marin Cilic, who came out on top in his slugfest with John Isner on the Grandstand court.

Nadal had been on court for just over two hours prior to his third round match.

He had defeated John Millman in straight sets on Tuesday, before getting a walk-over into the third round when Thanasi Kokkinakis withdrew.

The second seeded Spaniard, who has been hampered by troublesome knees throughout his career, did not wear his usual tape on his legs during the match.

Tape is not working anymore, he said with a smile during his on-court interview.

I am happy to be playing on hard courts and I am trying to play a little more aggressively.

Nadal will have his work cut out when he meets big-serving Cilic on Monday, who defeated Isner 7-5 3-6 7-6(6) 6-4.

He said the key to toppling an opponent like Cilic was holding serve and making the most of his opportunities when receiving.

Chances are not a lot, so you need to be ready to expect a very tough one, he told reporters.

I need to be focused with my serve, as always. I need to be ready to accept the challenge that brings the competition in days like these ones.

And I hope to be ready to play my highest level, because thats what I am going to need.(Reuters/NAN)
BLOOMINGTON  The Baby Fold, an organization that has been wrapping services around children and families for over a century, has officially branched out to Bloomington.

The Baby Fold cut the gold ribbon Tuesday to officially open its new Center of Excellence at 1701 W. Market St., Suite A. The expansion marks the fifth building operated by the organization in the Twin Cities and the seventh in Central Illinois.

The new 7,000-square-foot space is expected to offer training on a host of services. President and CEO Clete Winkelmann said staff will use the center to share their knowledge internally and externally, so they can improve child wellness and outcomes for those they serve.

That really means that we are providing the community at large  the ability to understand what trauma-informed care means, and to then bring it back to your organizations to better serve your constituents, your employees, Winkelmann said.

He gave several examples of training sessions planned there over the next six months, including on relational intervention, adverse child experiences, theraplay or playful therapeutic intervention for young children, eye moment desensitization and reprocessing and more.

Several organizations and representatives joined The Baby Fold to highlight the centers opening, including the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, a staff member of U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, and state Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington.

Only a moment before the ribbon was cut, Joel Ramseyer told attendees he was very excited to be there, because last week learned he had been adopted through The Baby Fold 52 years ago. After the crowd reacted with applause, the Normal resident gave his thanks for everything The Baby Fold does in the community.

Ramseyer, who attended as a Chamber of Commerce ambassador on behalf of his employer, Lincoln Office, told The Pantagraph he was trying to keep in the tears. Taking in the sight of more than 60 in attendance at Mondays opening event, Ramseyer said everyone he knows supports The Baby Fold whole-heartedly.

During a subsequent interview, Chung and Sam Guillory, The Baby Fold's vice president of development and public relations, both expressed their surprise at Ramseyers announcement.

You could hear the collective gasp, Chung said, noting Ramseyers experience demonstrates the difference The Baby Fold makes in the lives of many.

I kind of looked around and people were looking really touched, she said.

For an agency thats been around since 1902, Guillory said its common.

Everyone has that Baby Fold story, she said. Everybodys connected to The Baby Fold in one way or another, so its just amazing when people are brave enough to come forward and share their Baby Fold story.

She said thats also an amazing example of the life-changing work of The Baby Fold. Guillory said a fellow church congregation member, or other shoppers you might run into at the grocery store may also have had their lives bettered or their family built by The Baby Fold.

To keep those stories going, Guillory said they want to get more eyes on children to protect and care for them and spread their expertise with the community.

Its really neat that (the center is) here in Bloomington on the west side  theyll be able to serve so many folks here in the community, Chung said.

She said The Baby Fold can adapt to new research and service methods and make a huge impact on young lives.

Guillory said one common thread in The Baby Folds history is its continual adaptation to the changing needs of the community. The organization offered one of the first classrooms for children with autism, and she hopes it will keep furnishing cutting-edge opportunities for the community for another 120 years to come.

Vikki Falls, vice president of human resources for The Baby Fold, said the nonprofit is not on an island. Since theyre doing tough work, she said, they want to make sure theyre sharing resources and fostering connections with those that can help them.

Rhonda Howard, director of academic services for The Baby Fold, said every staff member of theirs is amazingly experienced.

The expertise that The Baby Fold has is bar none, said Howard, who has a doctorate in education.

Falls noted The Baby Fold offers outreach and runs Hammitt Elementary School, which is committed to making a school a positive learning experience for students between kindergarten and fifth and sixth grades.

Howard said The Baby Fold serves also 40 school districts around Bloomington-Normal with consultation services.

There such a need in the community with our families that are struggling with trauma  and we really need to share that expertise in a wider perspective, she said.

Boomers could work minimum wage and pay off college debta feat that would take Millennials at least twice as long Boomers could work minimum wage and pay off college debta feat that would take Millennials at least twice as long Public college Private college
 Flash

The screenshot taken from the streaming of ABC7 New York shows Jennifer Crumbley, whose then 15-year-old son Ethan Crumbley killed four students and injured 7 others at the Oxford High School on Nov. 30, 2021, entering the court. [Photo/Xinhua]

The parents of a mass shooter at the Oxford High School shooting in U.S. state of Michigan were sentenced on Tuesday to 10 to 15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter during a sentencing hearing in a Michigan courtroom.

This is the first time in the United States that parents have been charged and convicted in their child's mass shooting at a school.

Ethan Crumbley, then 15 years old, opened fire inside his school, the Oxford High School, on Nov. 30, 2021, killing four students and injuring 7 others. His parents were arrested after days of chase by the police.

Separate juries in Oakland County convicted Jennifer and James Crumbley in February and March, respectively, of four counts of involuntary manslaughter each for deaths of four students killed by their son in November 2021. Ethan, now 17, pleaded guilty as an adult to the 2021 shooting at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit and has been sentenced to life in prison.

Before giving her sentence, Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews said the convictions were not about poor parenting, but confirmed the repeated actions or lack of actions by the Crumbleys, local media reported.

The sentencing grids gave guidelines for what sentences the Crumbleys can receive. And the guidelines take into account a defendant's prior criminal record and specific issues related to the offense.

Prosecutors argued that Jennifer and James were grossly negligent in the 2021 shooting, ignoring warning signs about their son's declining mental health, not telling school officials the family owned guns when they met with school officials the morning of the shooting to discuss a disturbing drawing Ethan had drawn on desk.

Prosecutors also argued the Crumbleys bear responsibility for the shooting because they did not secure the family's guns.

Prosecutors called for 10 to 15 years in prison, highlighting the couple's lack of remorse.
SPRINGFIELD  Komatsus mining truck was named the 2024 winner of the Illinois Manufacturers Association's Makers Madness contest, receiving the title of The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker awarded Komatsu the title during a ceremony at the Governors Mansion on Wednesday in Springfield. IMA hosts the eight-week, bracket-style contest to celebrate the work of Illinois manufacturers, with the public casting votes.

We are super proud and honored to get this recognition, said Dan Funcannon, Komatsus North America engineering and development vice president. (Were) really proud of mostly the people in Peoria who build each and every one of the products and ship them around the world to support our customers.

Komatsu, a Japanese company with a manufacturing center in Peoria, is a leader in construction, mining, forestry and industrial heavy equipment. Its winning truck is a large-capacity vehicle used for mining and construction and built to meet productivity targets.

The truck also is equipped with innovations in transmission, electric drive technology, suspension and autonomous operation. It has a reduced carbon footprint that meets the national EPA Tier 4 emission standard while being engineered for reliability, operator efficiency, high performance and fuel efficiency.

This magnificent construction and mining vehicle is a shining example of the innovation and creativity that drives the manufacturing sector, where big ideas become products that can change the world, IMA President and CEO Mark Denzler said in a prepared statement. We applaud all the manufacturers that participated in this years competition and commend the skilled workers on our shop floors whose contributions guarantee that these fantastic products are made to the highest standards.

Other contest finalists were Mullens Imitation French Dressing from Palestine, the MQ-25 Stingray drone refueler built by Boeing in Mascotah, and the Mod Box by Enviro Buildings, manufactured by Craig Industries in Quincy.

Pritzker recognized all the makers and manufacturers in the room Wednesday, saying they continue to propel (Illinois) to a brighter future.

Your companies are truly the drivers of our great economy (and are) the makers of some of the most innovative and imaginative products in America, Pritzker said.

Photos: Pritzker Military Archives Center
Dr. Kweku Arthur-Annobil, Strategy Lead & Business Manager (BCB) at Stanbic Bank, has urged regulators and business leaders in the financial sector to support female entrepreneurs to grow and expand their businesses. He made this statement at the 2024 Women in Business Dialogue series, held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.



Speaking at the event, Dr. Arthur-Annobil underscored the importance of financial institutions providing innovative solutions to empower women in business in both the formal and informal sector. Traditional banks need to extend their services into the informal sector and develop innovative lending solutions tailored to its needs. While there are existing initiatives in place, there remains untapped potential for further support.



For instance, how can individuals without formal bookkeeping access funding? With the rise of digital technologies, tracking business transactions has become easier, presenting an opportunity for banks to leverage this data for lending purposes. It's imperative to explore creative approaches to push support for these sectors.



When we talk about growth for female business owners and SMEs we are looking at how they can expand their operations and reach a wider market with their products. Recognizing an opportunity for growth is one thing, but being fully equipped to seize it is another. Many women remain stagnant in their businesses due to a lack of empowerment and resources. Empowering them to expand requires partnerships and financial assistance. That is where we as financial institutions must step in. Having a lending partner becomes crucial at this juncture to facilitate expansion efforts. We need to put the right structures in place and design relevant products and services to support their growth, he added.



Dr. Arthur-Annobil also highlighted some initiatives Stanbic Bank has put together to support female-led businesses in Ghana. He said, At Stanbic Bank, we say Ghana is our home, we drive her growth. This is why we are deeply committed to supporting our female entrepreneurs, whose businesses play a significant role in driving the Ghanaian economy forward. Through initiatives like the SB Incubator, we have already empowered and supported over 3000 businesses. Our Trade Club provides a platform for networking, connecting entrepreneurs with valuable customers and suppliers, to expand their reach and opportunities. Additionally, we have forged a strategic partnership with ICBC, one of the world's largest banks. This partnership enables us to assist our clients in accessing markets, facilitating the buying and selling of their products on an international scale.



The inaugural Women in Business dialogue series was organized by the Business and Financial Times to bolster support for female entrepreneurs and their businesses. Held under the theme, Investing in Women-Owned Businesses for Ghanas Transformation Agenda: A Call for Action, the event served as a platform to advocate for increased investment in women-led enterprises as a catalyst for Ghana's socio-economic transformation.













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
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has underscored the need for the government to allocate more resources to improve the judiciary system.



She noted that the current administrative work of the judiciary is a manual system, which delays its operations.



In her view, with enough resources, the entire system can be digitalized with proper investment in the sector.



Speaking at a press conference on April 8, she said allocating enough resources to enhance the work of the judiciary would allow them to be accountable to the Ghanaian public by publishing real-time judgements.



To allow for easier networking of all stakeholders, there is a need to increase the budget of the judiciary, to allow us room to expand our infrastructure in the automation and digitalisation agenda, because undoubtedly the efficiency of court processes and administration is assured with more deliberate use of technology.



There is a need to increase our budget, to make learning lively, and operational resources available to all judges and staff in order to enhance the speed with which both judicial and administrative decisions are made and communicated to stakeholders.



There is a need for the judiciary to make itself accountable by increasing transparency in the process and output of our judgments and decisions through real-time publications of decisions, especially when it comes to decisions on land ownership and other areas of law that affect the economy and social stability of a country, she added.



"The new system, if implemented effectively, could potentially address the judicial systems weaknesses, which have been prone to exploitation and rent-seeking behavior, she opined.



Judicial administration must close the gaps through which court reasons are subjected to exploitation and rent-seeking behavior. This demands the removal of as much of the human interfacing that court work is exposing.



Court officials are expected to work with independence with impartiality, competence and integrity. Much of these ethical values are lost in the heavy traffic of human interfacing between court officials and court reasons, including unknown brokers functioning around the courts, she added.













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
In the spirit of fostering unity, togetherness and appreciating the unique diversity of their Muslim clients and staff, Stanbic Bank Ghana has continued its annual tradition of hosting Iftar  the breaking of fast.



The event was attended by some Muslim clients, leaders of the Islamic community in Ghana, Muslim staff members, and executives of the bank.



The Head of Business and Commercial Clients, Farihan Alhassan, took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of togetherness as a community. He said, It is a privilege to spend this important evening with all of you. Ramadan is a period of spiritual rejuvenation which promotes a heightened focus on devotion for guidance and blessings from Allah. As a bank, we are blessed to have you as a core part of our family. We are grateful to you for your prayers, and support, over the years. Stanbic does not only care about your financial growth, but everything that concerns your general wellbeing; we are one family, and we will forever be.



He added that At Stanbic Bank, we believe in celebrating diversity and fostering inclusion. That is why we join our Muslim brothers and sisters every year to break bread in the holy period. We are committed to finding new ways to support you in the precious journey of faith. As the period for the Hajj pilgrimage draws nearer, we are excited to extend our support to facilitate the Hajj operations. We remain grateful for the opportunity to serve you.



To show his appreciation, Iddrisu Mohammed Osei, General Manager, Finance and Administration at Royal Crown Packaging, thanked the bank for their continuous support and for upholding the Iftar tradition. He said, We express our heartfelt gratitude to Stanbic Bank for its unwavering support. While banks are often seen as business entities, Stanbic Bank has gone above and beyond, demonstrating a personal touch that extends beyond mere business transactions. Through this act of support, Stanbic Bank has shown genuine care and dedication to our cause. Thank you sincerely, and we hope that more institutions will be inspired to follow this example of genuine support and empathy.



The session ended after the prayers and a light meal was shared. They were hosted at the Andani Centre of Excellence on the Spintex Road in Accra.







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
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Rwandan President Paul Kagame are looking forward to the first flights under Britains plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda departing in the spring, a readout of their meeting said on Tuesday.



Sunak wants to relocate thousands of asylum seekers who arrive in Britain on small boats each year to Rwanda, but legal challenges have so far prevented anyone being sent there.



Following a meeting between Sunak and Kagame in London, Sunaks office said: Both leaders looked forward to flights departing to Rwanda in the spring.



Before any flight can depart, Britains government needs to pass new legislation which Sunak hopes will pave the way for the government to send asylum seekers who arrive in Britain without permission to the east African country.



Legislation that seeks to block further court challenges to the plan will next be debated in parliament on the 15th of April.



Sunak has previously said he expects the first flights to leave in the spring  ahead of a national election expected in the second half of this year.













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
In a rescue attempt that had a devastating end, a family of five all died one after the other after jumping into an abandoned well to save a pet cat.



The five men lost their lives on Tuesday night after piling into a well that was reportedly used as a biogas pit containing animal waste in Wadki village, Maharashtra, India.



According to local media, the cat had fallen into the large well at around 5pm while members of the Kale family entered the poisonous space in a bid to rescue the feline.









Read Full Story .... dailymail >>> :

















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 Bank of Ghana (BoG) has cautioned individuals and organisations to always be in a position to satisfactorily explain their sources of wealth.



That, it is, said was because sudden unexplained wealth could be as a result of money laundering.



The BoG gave the advice in a social media post as part of a financial literacy initiative to sensitise the public about money laundering and terrorist financing.



The central bank described money laundering as a process whereby money obtained from unlawful activities such as drug trafficking and corruption is legitimised through complex transactions and processes called cleaning to hide its illegal source.



Beware! Both the underlying illegal activities which produce the "dirty" money that has to be "washed or cleaned" and money laundering, which seeks to legitimise the proceeds of the illegal activities are punishable by law, the post said.



Terrorist Financing on the other hand, it said, includes the provision of funds and financial support to individuals, state and non-state actors for the purpose of extremist acts and the promotion of terrorism and terrorist organisations.



It further explained that both activities can have potentially devastating economic, security and social consequences for nations, businesses, and individuals and as a result were in direct violation of Ghanas laws.

Therefore, it said in order to control them, individuals and organisations may be required to disclose and prove the source of funds used to undertake transactions at all financial institutions licensed and regulated by the BoG.



Financing of terrorism is a crime and punishable by law. When you provide your legitimately or illegitimately acquired funds/assets for terrorist activities or organizations, you are financing terrorism. Be careful you do not become a conduit for such activities, it added.



The BoG also advised the individuals against allowing others to receive and or transfer funds through their bank accounts, pointing out that they could unknowingly be participating or aiding money laundering or terrorist financing, which are both punishable by law.





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 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has urged the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) to press Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to eliminate certain nuisance taxes introduced by the current government.



Leader and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as part of his vision for his next government promised to abolish the numerous taxes introduced by the government.



His vision statement brought about a public engagement with sections of the public commending him for the brave move, however, the opposition party questioned the integrity of the vice president asking of his whereabouts when the taxes were being introduced.



In his address to GUTA members, former President John Mahama who is looking forward for a return as President, stressed the critical nature of the issue and called on Dr Bawumia to take immediate action rather than wait until he is elected President.



John Mahama opined that, if the Vice President has anything to offer Ghanaians, it should be done now rather than wait till he is voted into power as President.



However, John Mahama cautioned GUTA members against placing blind trust in these assurances, urging them to hold Dr Bawumia accountable for his commitments.



Tell Bawumia to eliminate the E-Levy and other taxes now, not later, Mahama emphasized during the meeting.





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
 Flash

The Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday voiced firm opposition to the United States(U.S.), the UK and Australia's insistence on advancing the so-called trilateral security partnership in disregard of the wide concerns of regional countries and the international community about nuclear proliferation risks.

An embassy spokesperson made the remarks on Tuesday, in response to a question concerning a joint statement by the defense ministers of the three countries claiming that they are considering cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects.

The spokesperson said such moves will inevitably escalate the risk of nuclear proliferation, exacerbate arms race in the Asia-Pacific, and undermine regional peace and stability. "China is gravely concerned and firmly opposed to this."

"We urge the U.S., the UK and Australia to abandon the Cold War mentality, stop cobbling together exclusionary blocs, and cease stirring trouble and camp confrontation in the Asia-Pacific region," the diplomat said. "Japan must learn lessons from history and be prudent about its words and actions when it comes to military security."
" " Phoenix mythology often entails the notion of eternal life as the fire bird is reborn from ashes. ValeryLt / Shutterstock

The phoenix bird is a mythical creature that resembles an eagle with broader wings. Its elegant, peacock-like feathers burst with the dazzling colors of flames. Any Harry Potter fan could explain what this magnificent "fire bird" looks like in great detail.

However, the phoenix lived only in legends of ancient times and modern works of fiction: It is not a real bird found in nature. Just as the dragon was a figment of collective imagination, the story of the sacred bird called the phoenix is likely based on the now-extinct Egyptian Bennu heron.

Advertisement

Regardless of its actual existence, the phoenix mythology has endured across many cultures of the ancient world and remains an important symbol of the neverending cycle of life and death today.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A graph from the BBB study showing the distribution of angiosperm fossils over time. Credit: Daniele Silvestro et al

Flowers may look delicatebut flowering plants, what scientists call angiosperms, are one of the most successful evolutionary organisms on the planet. Including more than 350,000 known species, they dominate the ecological system, shape food webs and play a vital role in oxygen production. Plus, many of them are valuable commercial cropsthink of roses, grains and tomatoes.

Have you ever wondered when flowers first evolved, and what has been unfolding over millions of years of evolution to cultivate these beautiful species? Recent research is bringing new insights to this longstanding debate among scientists.

When you think of fossils, you probably think of dinosaurs and ammonitescreatures with bones or hard shells that stayed preserved in the rock despite huge geological changes. But flowers with frail petals and tiny pollen can also be preserved by being sealed in amber, crystallized, or carbonized.

Generally, the most convincing fossil evidence is from the Early Cretaceous period (about 132 million years ago). However, the earliest evidence of a flower bud has a Jurassic origin (around 164 million years ago). It is called Florigerminis jurassica and was found in China. But not all scientists agree it is an angiosperm, due to the different definitions of flower organs.

Flowers can be preserved in striking detail. Dripping tree sap and resin fossilized the petals and pollen of a fossil flower in a Baltic conifer forest about 3438 million years ago. This is the largest known amber-preserved fossil flower, measuring about 3cm across and about three times as large as most floral fossils, showing beautiful details of this ancient flower.

Jurassic or Cretaceous?

The timing of flowers' evolution is still a matter of debate between scientists, but most scientists are in one of two camps: Jurassic or Cretaceous.

Analyses using molecular data (DNA or protein sequences) suggest flowers could be much older than the fossil record showsa Jurassic (145 million years ago) or even Triassic origin (201 million years ago).

Organisms from different major clades (a group of organisms descended from a common ancestor) might converge as they evolve. But scientists don't always agree about which organisms belong in which evolutionary line. So, we need to combine all the information we have to get a more nuanced understanding of flowers' evolution.

Deciphering the past by molecular data

Knowing when and how flowering plants first appeared and when they diverged from other plants is important to scientists. It would help us understand how angiosperms adapted to different environments, their interactions with other organisms, and their response to major geological events, such as climate change and mass extinctions.

One technique scientists use to determine the timing of evolutionary events is the "molecular clock." This concept originated from the understanding that genetic mutations tend to accumulate at a constant rate across both time and species. The rate of mutation can be likened to the steady ticking of a clock.

Variations in gene sequences between different species can help tell scientists when they diverged from a common ancestor. To construct a molecular clock, researchers analyze gene segments that have been conserved throughout a species' evolution.

For example, researchers can estimate when modern angiosperms and their closest relatives, such as gymnosperms, diverged by comparing their DNA. Conifers are an example of a gymnosperm. Scientists can also estimate how distant the relationship between two angiosperm species are by comparing their DNA.

Piecing the puzzle together

Physical characteristics can tell us a lot about the early evolution of flowers too. Scientists examine fossil plants and observe the gradual changes in structures such as leaves, flowers and seeds over time. Comparing their anatomy allows researchers to identify similarities and differences between extinct and still-living species, or species in different clades.

However, this approach has limitations. Biological traits which appear similar may be a result of convergent evolution, indicating changes in characteristics for environmental adaptation, rather than genetic similarity.

For example, the fins of whales and fish evolved independently for swimming. These fins may make them look similar, but they are not even the same evolutionary class: whales are mammals and fish are not. Similarly, the wings of birds, bats and some insects like butterflies each evolved the ability to fly, but they have huge differences in their anatomy and genes.

Mathematical approach can also help

There is also a mathematical approach to estimating the age of angiospermsfor instance, using the Bayesian Brownian Bridge (BBB) method. This statistical model is a scientific formula that uses the distribution of fossils through time to estimate the age of a group.

By using the BBB method, an international research team found that the origin of angiosperms supports a pre-Cretaceous hypothesis. This means flowers may have evolved alongside, and outlived, the dinosaurs.

This finding also supports a Charles Darwin hypothesis about flowersthat they rapidly changed during the Cretaceous period. The project showed that the trajectory of angiosperm evolution had a marked increase in lineage accumulation (meaning branches of a family showed a marked increase in new families) between 125 million and 72 million years ago.

Understanding the origins of angiosperms gives scientists valuable insights into the intricate web of life on our planet. It can also guide efforts in agriculture and conservation. So, the next time you marvel at a vibrant flower or enjoy a juicy fruit, remember that the story of angiosperms is a tale of resilience, adaptation and beautymuch of which is still waiting to be discovered.

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:

Consumer reports raise awareness about harmful chemicals in personal care products and incentivize policymakers to come up with regulations. Credit: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Adhesive bandages, or Band-Aids as they are generally called after the brand produced by Johnson & Johnson, have been keeping our cuts, scrapes or blisters protected from bacteria, damage and dirt for more than a century.

But a new consumer report, commissioned by Mamavation, an online parenting community and website, has found they may not be as helpful as once thought. In fact, they might actually be harmful to our health.

Partnering with Environmental Health News, the consumer watchdog sent 40 bandages of different brands to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified lab. The lab found that 65% of the bandages contained detectable levels of phthalates, better known as PFAS, the "forever chemicals."

Such consumer reports raise awareness that many personal care products might contain these chemicals and incentivize policymakers to come up with regulations, says Phil Brown, a Northeastern distinguished professor of sociology and health science, and director of the university's Social Science Environmental Health Research Institute.

Bandages, Brown says, just like menstrual products, can be used on very sensitive areas of the body where PFAS can easily be absorbed.

"You're usually putting them on an open wound. That's what they're for," he says.

It may be a small area overall, Brown says, and maybe that scrape closes up in two or three days, but some people use plastic bandages a lot.

"Even if you think this is a small exposure, you add up a lot of small exposures, [and] you have a big exposure," he says.

PFAS have been found in cosmetics, deodorants, toilet paper and menstrual products, he says.

"People are getting a lot of different exposures from their everyday personal care products," Brown says.

Phthalates are a class of over 12,000 synthetic organic chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break. According to a recent article in Environmental Science & Technology, co-authored by Brown, these chemicals raise serious concerns among scientists because of their persistent use, toxicity, potential to accumulate in living organisms, mobility and even global warming potential.

PFAS have been linked to cancers, reproduction and developmental issues, liver and thyroid disease, and altered immune function. For decades, Brown says, people have been attributing the rise in cancers, as well as diabetes and many immune-related diseases to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Brown says that the report was reviewed by highly respected experts in the environmental health field such as Linda Birnbaum, a scientist emeritus and former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program.

Mamavation's report was not able to separate the adhesive from the bandage in the lab, but found that the flaps had PFAS indicators present. PFAS were also found inside the absorbent pads.

Some companies, such as CVS, Brown says, might be buying whole bandages or parts of them from third-party vendors to sell under their own brand. They can claim that they don't know about the use of PFAS in the final product, but those manufacturing them must know about the chemicals, he says.

"I think personally it's every company's responsibility to know what's in the product," Brown says. "And certainly once they hear that Band-Aids have PFAS, that even if they don't make their own Band-Aids, they should be tracking down the supply chain."

Currently, there are no federal regulations, Brown says, that require manufacturers to be transparent about PFAS in their products.

Maine lawmakers passed a first-in-the-nation bill two years ago to ban PFAS in all products sold in the state by 2030. In Massachusetts, Brown says, the environmental group the Alliance for Healthy Tomorrow has made its case for similar regulations.

"Once companies have to notify people, they will be much more on the alert," he says.

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A Japanese person will be the first non-American to walk on the moon, US President Joe Biden announced Wednesday during a state visit by Japan's prime minister.

US-Japan "ties stretch up to the moon where two Japanese astronauts will join future American missions, and one will become the first non-American ever to land on the moon," Biden said during a press conference.

The United States has set a goal of returning to the moon for the first time since 1972. Only 12 people have walked on the moon, all of them Americans and all white men.

Under the Artemis program of NASA, the United States has also set a goal of sending a woman and a person of color to the moon.

The Artemis II mission expected in late 2025 will fly around the moon. The program's third missionscheduled for the end of 2026 but facing possible further delaysintends to land humans on the lunar surface.

 2024 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Kelly from Pexels

Understanding governments' motives is crucial to strengthening climate action. Indonesia, the world's fourth largest country by population, has the biggest rainforests after Brazil and the Congo Basin. But it has cleared huge areas in the past 20 years to produce palm oil which is used in biscuits, chocolate, candles, cosmetics and instant soups.

The climate-damaging palm oil boom immediately brought many jobs, and a new study, published in the Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, examines a broader motive of the government: a push for industrialization.

The study was carried out with contributions from the Berlin-based climate research institute MCC (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change). "Climate protection in the Global South does not fall from the sky," says Nicolas Koch, head of the Policy Evaluation Lab at MCC and one of the authors of the study.

"If you want to advance it, you have to understand the mechanisms of political economy that lead governments to deliberately push development processes that are problematic from a global perspective. Here we shed light on the thorny question of positive effects of the Indonesian palm oil boom on general economic development. And, unfortunately, we find some."

The study draws on partly confidential data on 1,150 palm oil mills in Indonesiaalmost the entire sectoras well as on the 20,000 medium-sized and large companies in the broader Indonesian manufacturing sector. Using sophisticated statistical methods, it investigates the extent to which the opening of new palm oil mills has influenced industrialization outside the palm oil supply chain.

To filter out the cause-effect relationship, the research team works with a treatment group and a control group, as they would in a laboratory. They compare the development of industrial enterprises in regions with new mill investment and those without for the period 2005 to 2015, and excludes false logical conclusions by means of robustness checks.

Investment in such a mill is usually around 100 million US dollars and is accompanied by the cultivation of oil palms, which originally came from West Africa, on about 10,000 hectares (about 24,700 acres) of land. The central finding of the study is that it has considerable effects: on average, it increases sales by 15% in the entire industry of the corresponding region, outside the palm oil value chain, and both labor productivity and total factor productivity rise by 13%.

A major reason for this is the road infrastructure built in the course of the investment, which also benefit the rest of the economy. Although wages for workers increase locally, which tends to slow down industrial development, this effect is greatly mitigated by migration within Indonesia and therefore is not a factor.

As carefully as the study filters out the push effect of the palm oil boom statistically, it can by no means be deduced that Indonesia has done well with this strategy in terms of society as a whole. Firstly, the research team points out that investments in new roads, for example, would also have had positive effects on the economy without the palm oil boom. It could well be that a different kind of economic development in the area would have promoted industry even more.

Second, the climate impacts of rainforest clearing in Indonesia also affect the country itself. "Whether the government has really acted in the national interest is doubtful," MCC researcher Koch says. "This question would have to be explored by a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis that also takes into account social and ecological climate damage in Indonesia."

More information: Sebastian Kraus et al, Spillovers to Manufacturing Plants from Multimillion Dollar Plantations: Evidence from the Indonesian Palm Oil Boom, Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (2023). DOI: 10.1086/727196

Provided by Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC) gGmbH
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:

Lauren Ponisio believes planting some native flowers in croplands will aid pollentators. Credit: University of Oregon

Mass-blooming, monoculture crop fields don't seem to reduce the microbial diversity in a bee's gut, University of Oregon researchers have found in a study of sunflower farms, but they do amplify the spread of infectious parasites.

Their findings indicate that commercial agriculturewhich is currently dominated by farms that grow one crop typehas the potential to harm bee health. Installing strips of diverse vegetation alongside crops can serve as alternative resources that protect pollinators from infectious diseases, the researchers said.

When a bee visits a flower, it's time to both feast and release. Through their food and waste, bees can swap microbes and potentially alter their gut microbiome, a rich, internal ecosystem crucial for maintaining digestive and bodily health.

Mass-flowering, single-crop fields, such as sunflowers, are loaded with nectar, which can lure massive numbers of pollinators and therefore increase the chances of microbial transmission. As such, UO researchers anticipated they might restructure and homogenize the vital microbial diversity within bees.

Contrary to their expectations, bees visiting monocultures didn't lose that diversity, said Lauren Ponisio, an assistant biology professor in the College of Arts and Sciences and Institute of Ecology and Evolution.

"It's a hopeful story for bees living in these industrial agricultural systems because they still seem to be able to acquire the microbes they need from different places," said Ponisio, also known as the "Queen of Bees" for her research on pollinators. "They don't just lose all their diversity due to mass-blooming crops."

In research described in a paper published Feb. 27 in the journal Molecular Ecology, the researchers visited sunflower fields in Yolo County in Northern California, just west of Sacramento.

"These fields are definitely interesting places to work," said Gordon Smith, a former UO postdoctoral researcher. "It's you, your big sun hat and your insect net, and you're trying to take a look at what kinds of bees are visiting these plants."

These mass-flowering sunflower farms attract all kinds of bee species during their vast, synchronized bloom and can act as a hub not only for pollen and nectar but also waste, beneficial microbes and parasites. According to the researchers, the spread of disease is one of the main drivers of population decline among insect pollinators.

Unlike the decades of research on the human gut microbiome, however, bee guts haven't been studied much before, said Smith, now a visiting professor of biology at Williams College.

"We know from all the work in human gut microbiomes that the composition, the relative abundance of different microbial species, alone can have large impacts on things like your mood, food digestion and food preferences," he said. "There are a lot of nuanced effects on your behavior just based on what's living in your gut. But what are those more subtle effects in bees and where do their microbes come from?"

The research also was an opportunity to take a glimpse into the lives of wild bees, including bumblebees. Scientists are familiar with the popular honeybee, but other bees such as sunflower bees are quite different, Smith said. They don't live in colonies within hives; instead, each female bee makes her own nest underground, he said.

"So if you're not bumping into 1,000 other colony mates or sharing honey pots, the opportunities for transmission might cause microbial species, parasitic or not, to propagate very differently," he said. "But we don't know how often that transmission happens, or if it's happening in the first place."

To confirm if flowers are hubs for bacterial transfer, the researchers delicately brushed off the floral pollen captured on the bees' legs and analyzed it alongside their gut microbiome to find correlations.

Results showed that the kinds of flowers the bees visited moderately predicted the types of microbes they carried in their gut, indicating evidence of transmission via flowers. The researchers wondered if this bacterial pickup would cause a significant change in the bees' overall gut compositions. In fact, if most bees visited the same monocultural resourcesunflowers, in this casethey could be passing around and sharing the same bacteria.

In other words, their microbiomes would homogenize and be less diverse, the researchers hypothesize.

To their surprise, their microbiomes remained highly varied. Ponisio said that suggests the critters have barriers, like a filtering process in their gut, to prevent significant changes in their bacterial composition.

As flowers weren't the main drivers of bacterial variation in the bees, the study indicates a need to identify other sources of bee microbes, Ponisio said.

Although sunflower monoculture didn't significantly affect bee microbiomes as a whole, additional research done by the team found it magnified the prevalence and spread of certain known infectious parasites. That effect, however, was dampened if there were more diverse flowers nearby.

It's unknown if all mass-blooming crops amplify parasitism, but installing strips of diverse vegetation, known as hedgerows, can support bees as an alternative resource and protect against infection, Ponisio said.

Ponisio and her lab have been working to make agriculture better for wildlife and people through land restoration and enhancement. She plans to explore more diverse systems, like high-elevation meadows, to dig deeper into how species differences influence their gut microbiomes.

"Just as we need to work to preserve the habitats bees live in," she said, "we also need to work to preserve the habitats living within bees."

More information: Gordon P. Smith et al, Plantpollinator network architecture does not impact intraspecific microbiome variability, Molecular Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/mec.17306 Journal information: Molecular Ecology
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 storied career of the Delta family of rockets had to wait a little longer than planned to turn the page on its final chapter, but the last of its kind lifted off on the Space Coast on April 9.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy, the largest and most powerful version of Delta rockets, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 37 at 12:53 p.m. Eastern time. Dubbed the NROL-70 mission, the classified payload is for the National Reconnaissance Office.

The rocket had come within four minutes of the countdown clock hitting zero back on March 28, but teams discovered an issue with a pipeline of gaseous nitrogen used to supply the inert gas needed for safe operations on liftoff that took several days to remedy before ULA and its customer were OK to try again.

The first Delta rocket attempted a liftoff in May 1960 when Dwight Eisenhower was president. They've been responsible for launching Mars rovers, space telescopes, solar probes, weather satellites and more during a 63-year-run.

This final launch makes 389 launch attempts through a series of rocket design changes. The Delta II retired in 2018 with the last medium-lift version of the Delta IV flying in 2019. The Delta IV Heavy, which had flown 15 times before this launch since its debut in 2004, was the lone remaining rocket of the Delta family. They are making way, along with the final 17 Atlas V rockets, for ULA's Vulcan Centaur rocket that debuted in January.

"It's a bittersweet moment for us. This is such an amazing piece of technology," said ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno. "It's the most metal of rockets setting itself on fire before it goes to space."

The Delta IV Heavy features three core boosters powered by cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that generate more than 2.1 million pounds of thrust on liftoff.

The way the propellant flows ahead of liftoff creates a massive fireball on the launch pad.

This also marks the final ULA launch for SLC 37, which is being considered as a future home for SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy launches.

"Retiring it is obviously the future for a less expensive, higher performance rocket. It's still sad. However it is an honor for us to serve these missions," Bruno said.

The first Delta launch attempt came May 13, 1960, from Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 17. Its design was born from the Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile and could send up 400 pounds of payload to low-Earth orbit. Back then it stood at 90 feet tall and weighed 112,000 pounds generating only 150,000 pounds of thrust at liftoff.

Among its payloads over the years, Delta rockets have launched NASA's Pioneer and Explorer spacecraft, The first Mars rover Sojourner on the Pathfinder mission plus twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity, the Dawn mission that visited Ceres and Vesta and the Deep Impact that slammed into the comet Tempel 1.

They have launched the Spitzer and Kepler space telescopes, Parker Solar Probe, the NOAA's GOES satellites and dozens of GPS satellites.

While many Delta IV Heavy flights have been classified missions for the military, it was also the rocket that sent up the first Orion spacecraft on its test flight back in 2014 on the EFT-1 mission, a precursor to the Artemis missions on which Orion now flies.

The last Delta IV Heavy mission is classified again, an NRO satellite that will "strengthen the NRO's ability to provide a wide range of timely intelligence information to national decision makers, warfighters, and intelligence analysts to protect the nation's vital interests and support humanitarian efforts worldwide."

The launch became the 25th from the Space Coast in 2024, but only the second for ULA after the Vulcan launch in January. The company flew only three times in 2023 while competitor SpaceX racked up 98 orbital launches across its Florida and California launch pads.

The coming years, though, promise to get busier for ULA.

ULA still has 17 more Atlas V rockets in its stable including seven set aside for the Boeing CST-100 Starliner missions to bring crew to the International Space Station. The first test flight with humans on board is slated for as early as May 6 with operational missions that could fly once a year from 20252030.

Another eight Atlas V rockets are set aside to fly up satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper internet constellation. The other two Atlas V missions are set aside for its final Space Force flight later this year and a private communications satellite in 2025.

Meanwhile, ULA is ramping up Vulcan Centaur hardware with its next mission as early as this summer to fly Sierra Space's Dream Chaser cargo spacecraft to the ISS. That also acts as the second certification flight for Vulcan that then opens up a slew of Space Force missions on its plate.

"All of the hardware that I'm building right now in my supply chain and in the factory where I've got four or five boosters in flow  are good to go," Bruno said.

He said the goal is to launch from the Cape once every two weeks.

"We are literally building ahead so we can build up inventory and then come on into that as infrastructure comes online," he said. Here at the Cape, the most important and visible thing is a whole other Vertical Integration Facility  the bottleneck is integrating the rockets. So now there'll be two lanes, so we'll be building two rockets all the time simultaneously."

A big chunk of those are dozens of more launches for Project Kuiper that have to fly before 2026.

"We're feeling pretty good about the ramp up," Bruno said. "I'm not going to BS you, it will be tight in '24 and into '25, the first half, but we are on track, we're pretty confident we'll hit that tempo when we need to late next year."

2024 Orlando Sentinel. 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:

A terrestrial laser scanner in action on Jiigurru/Lizard Island. Credit: Ian McNiven

The discovery of the oldest pottery ever found in Australia on Jiigurru/Lizard Island off the Queensland coast is challenging the idea that Aboriginal Australian communities were unaware of pottery manufacture before European settlement.

James Cook University's Distinguished Professor Sean Ulm is Chief Investigator for the Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH). He said the ceramics were discovered in an archaeological excavation on Jiigurru conducted by CABAH in partnership with the Dingaal and Ngurrumungu Aboriginal communities, for which Jiigurru holds significant cultural importance.

"Archaeologists excavated a 2.4-meter-deep midden on Jiigurru over a two-year period to discover evidence of occupation, such as the remains of shellfish and fish collected and eaten by people on the island, which are more than 6,000 years old.

"Less than a meter below the surface, the team found dozens of pottery shards dating between 2,000 and 3,000 years oldthe oldest pottery ever discovered in Australia," said Professor Ulm.

In a paper published April 9 in Quaternary Science Reviews, traditional owners and researchers report on the pottery find.

Professor Ulm said the discovery challenges previous notions that Aboriginal Australian communities were unaware of pottery manufacture before European settlement, instead suggesting a rich history of long-distance cultural exchanges and technological innovation long before British arrival.

"Geological analysis of the ceramics indicates the pottery was locally produced using clays and tempers sourced from Jiigurru. The age of the pottery overlaps with a period when the Lapita people of southern Papua New Guinea were known to have produced pottery," said Professor Ulm.

Dingaal clan member and Walmbaar Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Kenneth McLean said, "Working in collaboration with archaeologists and traditional owners and working on country is something that's never been done before for my people, where we work together on country, sharing each other's story on country, and not only sharing this story from our people, the Old People, and from the archaeology side, scientifically, which is a good outcome that we can see. We can look after the country together."

Ngurrumungu Elder Brian Cobus said, "Every bit of knowledge we gain helps us tell the story of country. Research projects like this help us all to understand country better and help us to understand how to look after country."

Professor Ulm said the discovery reveals that the Aboriginal communities in North Queensland had connections with the pottery-making communities of New Guinea.

"The discovery gives us insights into the sophisticated maritime capabilities of First Nations communities in this region, and these objects are crucial in understanding the cultural exchanges that occurred on Jiigurru thousands of years ago," said Professor Ulm.

"We think that the ancestors of contemporary traditional owners were engaged in a very widespread trading system. So, they traded technology, goods and ideas, knew how to make pottery, and made it locally."

CABAH Chief Investigator Professor Ian McNiven from Monash University said the evidence points to a history of deep connections across the Coral Sea, facilitated by advanced canoe voyaging technology and open-sea navigation skills, contradicting the outdated notion of Indigenous isolation.

"These findings not only open a new chapter in Australian, Melanesian, and Pacific archaeology but also challenge colonialist stereotypes by highlighting the complexity and innovation of Aboriginal communities," Professor McNiven said.

"The discovery adds a new layer to our understanding of Jiigurru and Indigenous Australians' role in the broader network of maritime exchange and cultural interaction across the Coral Sea."

According to Professor McNiven, Jiigurru marks the southern boundary of ancient international maritime networks that linked eastern north Queensland, southern New Guinea and the Torres Strait, forming the Coral Sea Cultural Interaction Sphere.

"These networks facilitated the exchange of objects and ideas between Australian and New Guinean coastal communities over the past 3,000 years. While some objects, like cone-shell body adornments and bamboo smoking pipes, indicate widespread sharing of culture and ideas, others, such as pottery, also suggest the sharing of technology."

More information: Sean Ulm et al, Early Aboriginal pottery production and offshore island occupation on Jiigurru (Lizard Island group), Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Quaternary Science Reviews (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108624 Journal information: Quaternary Science Reviews
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:

UN climate chief Simon Stiell has urged G20 nations to unite in tackling global warming, saying that allowing geopolitical divisions to sideline this common threat would 'decimate' their economies.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell on Wednesday warned G20 nations their economies face decimation and they must overcome geopolitical divisions to tackle global warming.

Stiell said the climate crisis was slipping down a crowded global agenda at a time when consensus was needed on how to help developing nations pay for clean energy and respond to extreme weather.

The Group of 20 developed and developing economies including the United States, China and India faced many geopolitical challenges but this "cannot be an excuse for timidity amidst this worsening crisis", Stiell said in a London speech.

"I'll be candid: blame-shifting is notis nota strategy. Sidelining climate isn't a solution to a crisis that will decimate every G20 economy and has already started to hurt," said the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

"The financial firepower the G20 marshaled during the global financial crisis should be marshaled again and pointed squarely at curbing runaway emissions and building resilience right now."

Brazil had hoped a gathering of G20 finance ministers it hosted in February would spotlight climate change but the meeting ended in discord over the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Stiell's rallying cry follows this week's announcement by Europe's climate monitor that March was the hottest on record and the tenth straight month of historic heat around the globe.

No time for talkfest

Stiell has previously said the world needed "torrents" of cash to fund the clean energy transitionbut who pays what has long been a sticking point at the UN's annual climate negotiations.

Countries at last year's talks in Dubai agreed to triple global renewables capacity this decade and "transition away" from fossil fuels but the deal lacked important details on funding.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says wealthy nations likely provided $100 billion in climate finance to poorer nations in 2022.

But this is far from the estimated $2.4 trillion annually that developing countriesexcluding Chinawill need to meet their climate and development needs.

Poorer countries cannot foot the bill, and have been urging reform to western-led financial institutions to ensure fairer terms and access to capital for nations the least responsible for climate change.

Stiell urged financial leaders convening at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington DC next week not to let climate finance "slip between the cracks of different mandates".

"We can't afford a talkfest without clear steps forward," he said.

By early 2025, nations are to explain what steps they are taking to cut emissions in line with the Paris agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level.

But the world is nowhere near meeting this target, and emissions continued to rise in 2023.

Stiell said developing nations could not be expected to respond to the crisis when "treasury coffers are bare... new borrowing is impossible, and the wolves of poverty are at the door".

'Rise to this moment'

G20 nations were responsible for 80 percent of planet-heating emissions "and must be at the core of the solution", Stiell said.

"A quantum leap this year in climate finance is both essential and entirely achievable," he said.

"The world needs the G20 to rise to this moment."

A new report published by two advocacy groups on Tuesday found that G20 economies and multilateral lenders provided $142 billion in funding for fossil fuel projects between 2020 and 2022.

That was almost 1.4 times the amount spent on clean energy investments over the same period, said the report by Oil Change International and Friends of the Earth US.

Stiell urged finance ministers, investors and development bankers to "shift those dollars from the energy and infrastructure of the past towards that of a cleaner, more resilient future".

In a year when dozens of nations and hundreds of millions of people are going to the polls, Stiell said "every voice matters".

"Yours have never been more important. If you want bolder climate action, now is the time to make your voices heard," he said.

 2024 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Stefano Bonetti in his lab at Stockholm University. Credit: Knut and Alice Wallenbergs Foundation/Magnus Bergstrom

The potential of quantum technology is huge but is today largely limited to the extremely cold environments of laboratories. Now, researchers from Stockholm University, the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Ca' Foscari University of Venice have succeeded in demonstrating for the very first time how laser light can induce quantum behavior at room temperatureand make non-magnetic materials magnetic. The breakthrough is expected to pave the way for faster and more energy-efficient computers, information transfer and data storage.

Within a few decades, the advancement of quantum technology is expected to revolutionize several of society's most important areas and pave the way for completely new technological possibilities in communication and energy. Of particular interest for researchers in the field are the peculiar and bizarre properties of quantum particleswhich deviate completely from the laws of classical physics and can make materials magnetic or superconducting.

By increasing the understanding of exactly how and why this type of quantum states arise, the goal is to be able to control and manipulate materials to obtain quantum mechanical properties.

So far, researchers have only been able to induce quantum behaviors, such as magnetism and superconductivity, at extremely cold temperatures. Therefore, the potential of quantum research is still limited to laboratory environments.

Now, a research team from Stockholm University and the Nordic Institute of Theoretical Physics (NORDITA) in Sweden, the University of Connecticut and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in U.S., the National Institute for Materials Science in Tsukuba, Japan, the Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, the "Sapienza" University of Rome and the Ca' Foscari University of Venice in Italy, is the first in the world to demonstrate in an experiment how laser light can induce magnetism in a non-magnetic material at room temperature.

In the study, published in Nature, the researchers subjected the quantum material strontium titanate to short but intense laser beams of a peculiar wavelength and polarization, to induced magnetism.

"The innovation in this method lies in the concept of letting light move atoms and electrons in this material in circular motion, so to generate currents that make it as magnetic as a refrigerator magnet. We have been able to do so by developing a new light source in the far-infrared with a polarization which has a 'corkscrew' shape," says the research leader Stefano Bonetti at Stockholm University and at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice.

"This is the first time we have been able to induce and clearly see how the material becomes magnetic at room temperature in an experiment. Furthermore, our approach allows to make magnetic materials out of many insulators, when magnets are typically made of metals. In the long run, this opens for completely new applications in society."

The method is based on the theory of "dynamic multiferroicity," which predicts that when titanium atoms are "stirred up" with circularly polarized light in an oxide based on titanium and strontium, a magnetic field will be formed. But it is only now that the theory can be confirmed in practice. The breakthrough is expected to have broad applications in several information technologies.

"This opens up for ultra-fast magnetic switches that can be used for faster information transfer and considerably better data storage, and for computers that are significantly faster and more energy-efficient," says Alexander Balatsky, professor of physics at NORDITA.

In fact, the results of the team have already been reproduced in several other labs, and a publication in the same issue of Nature demonstrates that this approach can be used to write, and hence store, magnetic information. A new chapter in designing new materials using light has been opened.

More information: Stefano Bonetti, Terahertz electric-field-driven dynamical multiferroicity in SrTiO 3 , Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07175-9. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07175-9 Journal information: Nature
 Flash

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with Speaker of the House of Assembly Patricia Deveaux and President of the Senate Julie LaShell Adderley of the Bahamian parliament at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Zhao Leji, China's top legislator, held talks with Speaker of the House of Assembly Patricia Deveaux and President of the Senate Julie LaShell Adderley of the Bahamian parliament in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that bilateral relations have made great progress since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Bahamas 27 years ago, with the continuous expansion of practical cooperation, increasingly close people-to-people exchanges, and mutual understanding and support on issues related to the two countries' core interests and major concerns.

China is willing to work with the Bahamas to deepen cooperation in various fields and accelerate the development of bilateral relations to bring increased benefits to the two countries and peoples, Zhao said.

Zhao noted that China has a high appreciation for the Bahamas' firm adherence to the one-China principle, which is the political cornerstone of friendly relations between the two countries and an important prerequisite for the deepening and expansion of practical bilateral cooperation.

"We welcome the Bahamas to join the Belt and Road Initiative at an early date to open broader space for mutually beneficial cooperation and common development," Zhao said, also expressing the hope that the Bahamas would join the "three global initiatives" and work with China to contribute to world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

China understands and supports the special concerns of small island countries related to the issue of climate change, and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with the Bahamas in addressing climate change, Zhao said.

He stressed that exchanges between legislative bodies are an important part of bilateral relations. The NPC of China is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges at various levels and in various fields with the House of Assembly and Senate of the Bahamian parliament, exchange experience in governance, and deepen friendship and cooperation.

"We will give full play to the functions and roles of legislative bodies, create a sound legal environment for the two countries to strengthen trade and investment cooperation and expand personnel exchanges, strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries," Zhao said.

Deveaux and Adderley said that the Bahamas adheres firmly to the one-China principle and admires the great achievements of the Chinese people.

They thanked China for the selfless assistance it has provided for the Bahamas' economic and social development, and said that the Bahamian parliament's House of Assembly and Senate are willing to strengthen exchanges with the NPC of China and contribute to promoting bilateral cooperation in fields such as the economy, trade, culture and legislation.
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:

An image of a triangular Wigner crystal taken by scanning tunneling microscope. Researchers have unveiled an elusive crystal that is formed purely from the repulsive nature of electrons. Each site (blue circular region) contains a single localized electron. Image by Yen-Chen Tsui and team, Princeton University. Credit: Yen-Chen Tsui, Princeton University

Electronsthe infinitesimally small particles that are known to zip around atomscontinue to amaze scientists despite the more than a century that scientists have studied them. Now, physicists at Princeton University have pushed the boundaries of our understanding of these minute particles by visualizing, for the first time, direct evidence for what is known as the Wigner crystala strange kind of matter that is made entirely of electrons.

The finding, published in Nature, confirms a 90-year-old theory that electrons can assemble into a crystal-like formation of their own, without the need to coalesce around atoms. The research could help lead to the discovery of new quantum phases of matter when electrons behave collectively.

"The Wigner crystal is one of the most fascinating quantum phases of matter that has been predicted and the subject of numerous studies claiming to have found, at best, indirect evidence for its formation," said Al Yazdani, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor in Physics at Princeton University and the senior author of the study. "Visualizing this crystal allows us not only to watch its formation, confirming many of its properties, but we can also study it in ways you couldn't in the past."

In the 1930s, Eugene Wigner, a Princeton professor of physics and winner of the 1963 Nobel Prize for his work in quantum symmetry principles, wrote a paper in which he proposed the then-revolutionary idea that interaction among electrons could lead to their spontaneous arrangement into a crystal-like configuration, or lattice, of closely packed electrons. This could only occur, he theorized, because of their mutual repulsion and under conditions of low densities and extremely cold temperatures.

"When you think of a crystal, you typically think of an attraction between atoms as a stabilizing force, but this crystal forms purely because of the repulsion between electrons," said Yazdani, who is the inaugural co-director of the Princeton Quantum Institute and director of the Princeton Center for Complex Materials.

For a long time, however, Wigner's strange electron crystal remained in the realm of theory. It was not until a series of much later experiments that the concept of an electron crystal transformed from conjecture to reality. The first of these was conducted in the 1970s when scientists at Bell Laboratories in New Jersey created a "classical" electron crystal by spraying electrons on the surface of helium and found that they responded in a rigid manner like a crystal.

However, the electrons in these experiments were very far apart and behaved more like individual particles than a cohesive structure. A true Wigner crystal, instead of following the familiar laws of physics in the everyday world, would follow the laws of quantum physics, in which the electrons would act not like individual particles but more like a single wave.

This led to a whole series of experiments over the next decades that proposed various ways to create quantum Wigner crystals. These experiments were greatly advanced in the 1980s and 1990s when physicists discovered how to confine electrons' motion to atomically thin layers using semiconductors.

The application of a magnetic field to such layered structures also makes electrons move in a circle, creating favorable conditions for crystallization. However, these experiments were never able to observe the crystal directly. They were only able to suggest its existence or indirectly infer it from how electrons flow through the semiconductor.

The video describes the melting processes of an electron Wigner crystal into electron-liquid phases. Credit: Princeton University

"There are literally hundreds of scientific papers that study these effects and claim that the results must be due to the Wigner crystal," Yazdani said, "but one can't be sure because none of these experiments actually see the crystal."

An equally important consideration, Yazdani noted, is that what some researchers think is evidence of a Wigner crystal could be the result of imperfections or other periodic structures inherent to the materials used in the experiments.

"If there are any imperfections or some form of periodic substructure in the material, it is possible to trap electrons and find experimental signatures that are not due to the formation of a self-organized ordered Wigner crystal itself, but due to electrons 'stuck' near an imperfection or trapped because of the material's structure," he said.

With these considerations in mind, Yazdani and his research team set about to see whether they could directly image the Wigner crystal using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM), a device that relies on a technique called "quantum tunneling" rather than light to view the atomic and subatomic world.

They also decided to use graphene, an amazing material that was discovered in the 21st century and has been used in many experiments involving novel quantum phenomena. To successfully conduct the experiment, however, the researchers had to make the graphene as pristine and as devoid of imperfections as possible. This was key to eliminating the possibility of any electron crystals forming because of material imperfections.

The results were impressive. "Our group has been able to make unprecedentedly clean samples that made this work possible," Yazdani said. "With our microscope we can confirm that the samples are without any atomic imperfection in the graphene atomic lattice or foreign atoms on its surface over regions with hundreds of thousands of atoms."

To make pure graphene, the researchers exfoliated two carbon sheets of graphene in a configuration that is called Bernal-stacked bilayer graphene (BLG). They then cooled the sample down to extremely low temperaturesjust a fraction of a degree above absolute zeroand applied a magnetic field perpendicular to the sample, which created a two-dimensional electron gas system within the thin layers of graphene. With this, they could tune the density of the electrons between the two layers.

"In our experiment, we can image the system as we tune the number of electrons per unit area," said Yen-Chen Tsui, a graduate student in physics and the first author of the paper. "Just by changing the density, you can initiate this phase transition and find electrons spontaneously form into an ordered crystal."

This happens, Tsui explained, because at low densities, the electrons are far apart from each otherand they're situated in a disordered, disorganized fashion. However, as you increase the density, which brings the electrons closer together, their natural repulsive tendencies kick in, and they start to form an organized lattice. Then, as you increase the density further, the crystalline phase will melt into an electron liquid.

Minhao He, a postdoctoral researcher and co-first author of the paper, explained this process in greater detail. "There is an inherent repulsion between the electrons," he said. "They want to push each other away, but in the meantime, the electrons cannot be infinitely apart due to the finite density. The result is that they form a closely packed, regularized lattice structure, with each of the localized electron occupying a certain amount of space."

When this transition formed, the researchers were able to visualize it using the STM. "Our work provides the first direct images of this crystal. We proved the crystal is really there, and we can see it," said Tsui.

However, just visualizing the crystal wasn't the end of the experiment. A concrete image of the crystal allowed them to distinguish some of the crystal's characteristics. They discovered that the crystal is triangular in configuration and that it can be continuously tuned with the density of the particles. This led to the realization that the Wigner crystal is actually quite stable over a very long range, a conclusion that is contrary to what many scientists have surmised.

"By being able to tune its lattice constant continuously, the experiment proved that the crystal structure is the result of the pure repulsion between the electrons," said Yazdani.

The researchers also discovered several other interesting phenomena that will no doubt warrant further investigation in the future. They found that the location to which each electron is localized in the lattice appears in the images with a certain amount of "blurring," as if the location is not defined by a point but a range position in which the electrons are confined in the lattice. The paper described this as the "zero-point" motion of electrons, a phenomenon related to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. The extent of this blurriness reflects the quantum nature of the Wigner crystal.

"Electrons, even when frozen into a Wigner crystal, should exhibit strong zero-point motion," said Yazdani. "It turns out this quantum motion covers a third of the distance between them, making the Wigner crystal a novel quantum crystal."

Yazdani and his team are also examining how the Wigner crystal melts and transitions into other exotic liquid phases of interacting electrons in a magnetic field. The researchers hope to image these phases just as they have imaged the Wigner crystal.

More information: Ali Yazdani, Direct observation of a magnetic-field-induced Wigner crystal, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07212-7. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07212-7 Journal information: Nature
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

For the first time in 100 years, Atlantic salmon are once again spawning in the upper waters of the River Derwent.

The return of spawning salmon to the rivers of Derbyshire is a real conservation success story. After centuries of intensive river management by the county's burgeoning factories, the fish were driven extinct in many of its waterways.

Since then, the health of some of the rivers have improved to an extent that salmon can once again spawn. But the routes for the fish to return are still blocked by the remnants of the industrial boom, with numerous dams and weirs still blocking the migratory route of salmon attempting to swim upstream.

Dr. Tim Jacklin is a Conservation Officer for the Wild Trout Trust who has worked on river restoration projects that encourage and helps the migration of fish such as the Atlantic salmon. He was involved with the removal of a weir at Snake Lane, Derbyshire, which allowed the salmon to recolonize the headwaters of the River Derwent.

The catalyst for this work was seeing salmon making it all the way up the River Derwent, but then being stopped from exploring the upper reaches where the river becomes the Ecclesbourne.

"We'd started to see large salmon turning up in the Derwent in winter," explains Tim. "They became sort of local celebrities really. People were going out with their head torches at night and looking into the river, because it's not a particularly large watercourse and these fish were quite literally as long as your arm, without it being an angler's tale."

"So they attracted quite a lot of attention. But it also highlighted the fact that Snake Lane Weir, which was a concrete structure that had been built in the 1970s to replace an old mill, was a complete barrier to fish getting upstream."

This prompted the work to remove the Snake Lane Weir and replace it with a boulder rapid that the fish would, once again, navigate over and continue on their journey.

"It's very rewarding," says Tim. "We opened up a good ten kilometers of spawning habitat upstream, so that translates into hundreds more juvenile salmon that make their way downstream and hopefully to come back and spawn."

The removal of the weir at Snake Lane has allowed salmon to pass through for the first time in over a century.

Return of the salmon run

Salmon are extraordinary fish. The Atlantic salmon is one of seven species that we think of as salmon, although the larger group Salmonidae actually contains around 200 species that includes other related fish such as trout, char and grayling.

As the name suggests, Atlantic salmon are typically found swimming around the waters of the northern Atlantic. Most populations of the fish are anadromous, meaning that they start life in freshwater but then migrate to sea where they reach adulthood. This means that the fish will have traveled thousands of kilometers over their lifetime, from river, out to sea, and then back to the river from which they were born

All Atlantic salmon start life hatching from eggs as far up the rivers as the adults could get.

"Salmon begin life in an egg that typically hatches in January or February," explains James Maclaine, the Curator of Fish at the Natural History Museum. At this stage the tiny fish are known as an alevins, before they "then develop into these little stripy fish called parr, which usually spend one or two years in the upper reaches of the river."

After a couple of years, they then start to move down the river, losing their stripes and becoming silvery. This is thought to be an adaptation to living out at sea, as while stripes may be good for hiding among aquatic vegetation, a silvery sheen is better when in the open ocean.

At this point they are called smolts. "Often by the time they're at that stage, the smolts will be hanging around in the estuary before they head out to sea," says James.

"Most of them will swim way off to the northeast Atlantic area around Greenland where they feed and grow for a few years." Often they are feeding on prey such as prawns, which is what gives their flesh its distinctive pinkish hue, and usually growing to around five kilograms in weight.

"Some of the fish will then return to spawn after just one year, and these are called grilse," says James. "But the ones that go away for two years or more before returning to spawn are what are technically called salmon."

How the fish manage to find the river in which they hatched is still not entirely understood. It is probable the fish use smell, although the method is clearly not perfect.

"When I was tagging salmon in Scotland, you could see there was obviously a little bit of trial and error," explains James. "We were radio tracking them so we could see where they were going. And we'd see the fish going up some tributaries and then dropping back out, before going up others."

"So I think there was a little bit of fine tuning going on." This can help to explain how salmon can return to rivers from which they were eradicated, despite not having hatched in them.

When the fish reach freshwater, they stop eating altogether and rely solely on their fat reserves. Their entire purpose is then directed towards swimming up the river, getting as far into the upper reaches of the tributaries as possible to find the ideal place to breed.

This means riverbeds with fine gravel and gentle flow so that the females can excavate a little nest, known as a redd. In these, she will then deposit her eggs as the males fight for opportunity to fertilize them. While many North American salmon will then die, some Atlantic fish will manage to make it back out to sea and live to spawn again.

But over the past few hundred years, these fish have been finding it increasingly difficult to navigate back to their home rivers, and their young are struggling to survive in them.

The health of UK rivers

Broadly speaking there are three major issues affecting the UK's rivers. The first of these relates to how clean our river systems are.

"The news over the last 12 months or so has been dominated by the scandal of sewage and storm overflows discharging into rivers when they shouldn't be," says Tim. "This is introducing bacteria and toxins directly to the environment."

Not only is this extremely concerning for people who use the rivers for recreation and drinking, but an excess of nutrients can also cause significant environmental harm. For example, too much nitrogen from raw sewage and agricultural runoff can cause major algal blooms that cause the amount of oxygen in the water to crash, and as a result lead to the mass die off of fish and invertebrates.

The second issue is water quantity. The UK may have a reputation as being a pretty damp nation, but in many regions we have been putting an increasing pressure on the amount of water being extracted from lakes and rivers. For example, roughly 80% of London's drinking water comes from rivers and yet the capital receives less rainfall per year than Rome.

The increase in demand on watercoupled with growing issues such as the climate crisismeans that in parts of the south-east of the UK, rivers have been literally running dry during summer months.

"And then the third issue is the physical habitat side of things," explains Tim. "These are things like the shape and the depth profiles of rivers, the gravel quantities and the vegetation along the side of rivers. The physical elements that make up the habitat quality that the wildlife can use, and the rivers require."

The straightening, dredging and damming of rivers might have been good for industry, providing power and quick draining of the land, but it has often been devastating for wildlife.

Putting the river bends back in

A little further upstream on the Ecclesbourne River, the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is working to continue the work started at Snake Lane. At the edge of a farmer's field a deep, straight channel rushes along under the trees. This was created by diverting the river to increase its flow to power a mill using a weir. This has formed yet another barrier for the migrating salmon.

But not even 20 meters away the ghost of the river's original route perseveres. Nothing more than a shallow, muddy ditch with a few scraggly trees overgrowing it, the bends and curves of the river's natural path can still be seen forming the boundary of a field.

The wildlife charity is now trying to undo the centuries of harm that bypassing the river's natural route has done, with the hope that the salmon will travel even further up into the headwaters and spawn once more in the gravel of the restored river.

By rediverting the river at Turnditch so that it follows its original, natural path, the team at the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust hope that salmon will once again spawn on this section of the river.

"A lot of our rivers across the whole country have been straightened," explains Jenny Kril from the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. "Unfortunately, what that does is remove any sort of natural habitat that we would expect to see in a healthy river."

"What we're doing is re-wiggling or re-meandering the Ecclesbourne, which is essentially just putting the bends back into it. What that does is change the speed and flow of the water. It creates nice beaches and different habitats for a whole host of different species and just making the river more natural."

It is hoped that this work will create a greater variety of habitats, which in turn will encourage a greater variety of plants and invertebrates, and so boosting the overall biodiversity seen in this section of the river. But the cherry on the cake would be if the salmon start nesting.

"Over the next few years, we're going to see this whole area just continue to develop naturally," says Jenny. "We'll get some sediment being deposited on some of the beaches creating more habitats, and we're going to do tree planting to further increase the biodiversity of the area."

"We're just going to hopefully watch it become the brand-new river and as it should be again."

There is a long way to go to safeguard the future of the UK's rivers, but the work on the Ecclesbourne is showing that with the resources and right interventions change can happen and improvements made.

"I think we've got some huge challenges ahead of us, but you know, they're not making rivers anymore," says Tim. "So we've got to look after the ones that we've got."

This story is republished courtesy of Natural History Museum. Read the original story here
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

It would create one of the largest Superfund sites in America and the first in which most of the toxic pollution comes from another country. But those are not the only unique aspects of an EPA proposal to add the upper reaches of the Columbia River in Washington state to the list of the nation's most contaminated lands and waters.

A final designation of about 150 miles of the river under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, better known as the Superfund law, could finally bring some closure to a dispute between the United States and Canada that began a century ago after wastes from a massive smelter in British Columbia started flowing across the border.

The designation is also expected to help restore diminished salmon runs that Native Americans in the Northwest have relied upon for thousands of years.

The upper Columbia River basin includes natural resources that "have been and continue to be integral to our subsistence and culture since time immemorial," Gregory Abrahamson, chairman of the Spokane Tribal Business Council, said in a January letter to the EPA.

"Historic and ongoing releases of hazardous substances to the Site threatens or directly affects the health and welfare of our members, our economic security, and the Spokane Tribe's political integrity," Abrahamson wrote.

Other tribes in the region, Washington Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee and state environmental agencies are backing the EPA's Superfund proposal, but it faces opposition from many local officials and some Republicans, including House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash.

"The congresswoman recognizes the importance of addressing potential contamination in the Upper Columbia River, but she has serious concerns about what this listing would mean for the region," Rodgers spokesman Kyle VonEnde said via email. "She is actively engaging with the EPA and community members to ensure transparency in this process as next steps are determined to protect the environment as well as people's health and safety."

Cross-border contaminants

The long stretch of the river from the Grand Coulee Dam to the Canadian border has been contaminated by at least nine types of hazardous wastes, including arsenic, lead and zinc, that mostly came from one of the world's largest smelters 10 miles inside Canada. The Teck Metals facility in Trail, B.C., has been dumping metals and other harmful compounds directly into the river and through its air emissions since it opened in 1896, according to the EPA.

The agency completed an assessment of the risks to human health in 2021, finding that lead in soils in residential areas posed the biggest threat. An ecological risk assessment is underway, but preliminary findings show that "cadmium, lead and zinc present the greatest and most widespread risk to plants, invertebrates, mammals, and birds exposed to soil in the upland area," the EPA said.

The waters in the river basin, including the popular Lake Roosevelt behind the Grand Coulee Dam, are safe for recreation, the agency says.

Toronto-based Teck Metals says it has spent more than $170 million on studies of the river contamination, and between the company and the EPA more than 50 residential properties have been cleaned up. But the agency says about 150 other properties still have lead levels above a recently tightened standard for protecting human health.

Disputes over the pollution date back to the 1930s when the United States first demanded that Canada pay for damages in the state of Washington caused by the smelter. But it wasn't until 2003, in response to a petition from tribes in the region, that the EPA ordered Teck to conduct studies of the contamination.

What followed were two decades of risk debates and cross-border litigation, including a lengthy federal case over whether air pollution can be considered a source of contamination at a Superfund site, an argument the EPA eventually lost.

From the state's perspective, the process has taken too long, which is why a Superfund designation is needed, said Brook Beeler, Eastern regional manager at the Washington State Department of Ecology.

"We're really supportive of the notion of listing this so EPA has all of the tools available to them to compel action and get it out of the mire of litigation that we've been in for the past 20 years," Beeler said in an interview.

The spokesman for Rodgers, who represents the area of the proposed designation, said she believes the EPA should wait until it has completed all its studies before deciding how the site should be defined.

Assessments pending

Many local officials in the region, including 16 counties represented by the Eastern Washington Council of Governments, have written to the EPA opposing the Superfund designation, citing concerns about the impacts on property values and the region's economy, and about the transparency of EPA's process.

They also say the EPA should complete a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study as required by the Superfund law before deciding on a designation.

"If the EPA continues to move forward with a NPL Listing (Superfund Designation) without completing the RI/FS studies first, you leave us with no other option but to challenge your actions in court," the Stevens County Board of Commissioners told the EPA in a January letter. "This seems like a big waste of public funds on both sides when after twenty years of waiting for the RI/FS studies to be complete, we are only a couple of years away."

The EPA, which is taking public comments on the proposal until May 6, says there are many steps ahead before the Columbia River can be added to the Superfund's National Priorities List, but it doesn't want to wait until the process is finished before taking actions.

"Completion of RI/FS activities can take many years and early actions can be implemented by EPA during the RI/FS process to address portions of the site," said Kristin Ching, community involvement coordinator in the EPA Region 10 office, via email.

Once the studies are complete, the agency will then evaluate final options and take more public comments before deciding on a cleanup plan, she said.

Under a 2006 settlement agreement with EPA, Teck Metals agreed to perform and fund all RI/FS activities, Ching said. "We hope that, after the remedy is selected, Teck will agree to finance/perform the cleanup," she said.

The upper Columbia River, if designated at 150 miles, would not be the largest Superfund site, but it would be near the top of the list. The Hudson River Superfund site in New York has 200 miles of contamination, and the Bunker Hill site in Idaho contaminated by mining wastes includes about 166 miles of the Coeur d'Alene River, according to the EPA.

A Superfund cleanup would help restore the river's salmon fishery, but it would just be one part of a larger plan to accomplish that, said Carrie Sessions, senior policy adviser on environment and water in the Washington governor's office.

"There are many, many different efforts to restore salmon runs in that area, not all connected with this Superfund proposal," Sessions said in an interview. "The governor has been really active on that."

Washington's two Democratic senators, Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, have also supported efforts to restore the salmon runs, though neither has taken a position on the Superfund designation.

Last September, Cantwell and Murray announced an agreement between the U.S. and several tribes in the region to reintroduce salmon in the river's upper basin, with the Bonneville Power Administration providing $200 million over the next 20 years and the Interior Department's Bureau of Reclamation providing $8 million over two years.

2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. Visit at rollcall.com. 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:

LARGE FOLLOWING: Peter Imanuelsen, known on social media as "Peter Sweden", has close to 700,000 followers on X  formerly Twitter. Credit: Screenshot from X.

Media researcher Jessica Robinson has looked at the topics that trended on Twitternow Xduring the 2020 US presidential election and the Swedish parliamentary election in 2018. In her research, she has analyzed around 500 million tweets.

"The Swedish election in 2018 was used as a starting point to address topics such as immigration and nationalism. 45% of the English-language tweets relating to the Swedish election were about topics that engage the far right," Robinson says.

Sweden: Focus on nationalism and immigration

The title of the article about the Swedish findings, "Make Sweden Great Again" published in Nordic Journal of Media Studies, is a nod to former president of the United States Donald Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again." Robinson authored the article together with her research colleague, Gunn Enli.

The article analyzes just under 200,000 English-language tweets from 92,000 users, sent a few weeks before and after the Swedish parliamentary election in 2018.

"What surprised me most about the findings was how the far right managed to set the agenda for the debate surrounding the Swedish election, and to a large extent make it revolve around nationalism and immigration. Things were more balanced during the US presidential elections in 2020, the political center and left were more visible," Robinson says.

General distrust of democracy

The Twitter debate surrounding the Swedish election did not focus solely on Swedish factors, but also raised global issues, Robinson explains.

"It seemed as though Twitter users outside Sweden were more concerned about what the emergence of a nationalist party like the Sweden Democrats meant for their country than what was actually happening in Sweden. The British, for example, used it as a starting point to discuss topics related to Brexit."

Other common trends observed in the far-right tweets included immigration resistance, anti-globalism and Islamophobia. The messages are filled with a widespread distrust of democracy, government, and traditional media.

Parallels to Trump's immigration resistance

In her research into the US presidential election, Robinson found that many Scandinavian Twitter users drew parallels between Trump's critical views on immigration, especially immigrants from Muslim countries, and the emergence of the Sweden Democrats.

"A recurring narrative was that it was no wonder the Swedes were now electing a populist party from the far right. Given how bad immigration had become in Sweden, nothing else could be expected," Robinson says.

Robinson had expected topics such as feminism, the welfare state and climate and environmentpolitical issues that Sweden is known for being at the forefront ofto be prominent. But they received minimal attention.

Retweeted posts, often linked to an article, accounted for 81% of all posts. Among the most retweeted posts were the articles "Far-right Sweden Democrats hope to topple century of socialism" from NBC News and "Swedish party wants to send back all migrants who refuse to work or contribute to society" from the website Voice of Europe.

The second largest group of Twitter users were those representing the political center or left. They would often retweet articles about the election from The Guardian, BBC, Associated Press and other established media. They accounted for 35% of users.

Electoral fraud in Sweden?

While Robinson was working on the analyses, an unexpected topic arose, the question of electoral fraud.

"Sweden is known as one of the most stable democracies in the world and I found it very strange that anyone would question this. Afterwards, I consider what happened to have been a forerunner of the US presidential election in 2020, when both Trump sympathizers and Trump himself claimed that electoral fraud was the reason why he did not win the election."

The Sweden Democrats ended up becoming the second-largest party in Sweden in 2018 with 17.5% of the votes but performed worse than expected.

Peter Imanuelsen, who is a well-known far-right voice in Sweden, sent the following tweet, "900 reports of election fraud," a post that was retweeted 2,000 times.

Sweden = Scandinavia

Robinson has not observed similar interest in other Nordic countries among Twitter users.

"In the US, Sweden is the symbol of Scandinavia. I am sorry to say, but some people believe that Norway is a city in Sweden," she says.

She argues that the symbolic value of Sweden is so strong that the country has become a key theme in the discourse for the far right.

Researchers at the London School of Economics and Political Science wrote an article in 2018 claiming that the far right was responsible for a smear campaign that spread information to "damage the international reputation of Sweden."

"The fact that Sweden has attracted enough international attention to captivate the far right has to do with the growing support for the Sweden Democrats after the migration crisis in 2015, when Sweden was the country to welcome the most immigrants in relation to population size," Robinson says.

"Traditionally, Sweden has symbolized the left in politics and is known for feminism, climate and environmental policy and social democracy. Bernie Sanders, for example, spoke a lot about the Nordic welfare model, especially Sweden, when he ran as a candidate in the US presidential election in 2016," she adds.

More difficult to conduct research on X than Twitter

Digital networks have blurred the boundaries between national and international news and have given ordinary people a more active role in the global flow of information.

Research shows that Twitter has played a more important role in building cross-border networks than Facebook. While Facebook is a more closed platform, Twitter has always been open. Robinson has based a lot of her research on the analysis of tweets.

"This came to an end after Elon Musk bought Twitter and launched X in 2022," Robinson says.

"Twitter is the platform credited with having turned movements such as the Arab Spring, Black Lives Matter and #MeToo into global phenomena. Now, Elon Musk has changed both the way the platform works, and its culture, and I therefore argue that X is not the same as Twitter was."

To the great despair of researchers, X now charges for access to data, so collecting 500 million tweets is currently out of the question.

"Even if X continues to be an important channel for political movements, it will be harder to understand what is happening there," Robinson concludes.

More information: Jessica Yarin Robinson et al, #MakeSwedenGreatAgain: Media events as politics in the deterritorialised nationalism debate, Nordic Journal of Media Studies (2022). DOI: 10.2478/njms-2022-0004
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:

UC conducted a long-term study of a forest partially destroyed by a 1999 tornado that wiped out homes including these. Credit: National Weather Service

A long-term study at the University of Cincinnati has documented the rise of invasive species in a forest devastated by a tornado 25 years ago.

The EF-4 tornado on April 9, 1999, carried wind speeds of more than 200 miles per hour as it barreled through suburbs north of Cincinnati, according to the National Weather Service. The storm killed four people and destroyed more than 200 homes in the suburbs Blue Ash and Montgomery.

And it devastated a good part of the Harris Benedict Nature Preserve, 64 acres of hills, creeks and deciduous forest that UC oversees. The storm flattened trees and sheared the tops off others.

Since the storm, biologists in UC's College of Arts and Sciences have documented the forest's recovery in four detailed botanical surveys. Their findings are shedding light on how major disturbances can have lasting and unexpected consequences for biodiversity, lead author and UC Professor Theresa Culley said.

The study found that forests have the capacity to regenerate after a major disturbance but often with fewer native species and more nonnative, invasive ones.

"We know the forest is growing back. That's good. But what's the composition of those plants?" Culley said. "We see a decline in some native tree species that normally would be there and more invasive species."

The study was published in the journal Ecology and Evolution.

A storm to remember

Study co-author Marjorie Becus survived the storm at her home near the preserve. Tornado sirens woke her at 5 a.m.

"I turned on the radio. It said this is an emergencygo to your basementso I did," she said. "I took my cat who was sleeping on the bed. There was a TV down there and they were tracking it. All of a sudden, there was a loud noise outside and the lights went out."

Minutes later, there was a knock on her front door.

"I didn't have a flashlight. I found my way to the front door and it was two of my neighbors checking on me. I looked out behind them and said, "Are those my trees?'"

The storm had uprooted and toppled trees along a 10-mile path of destruction.

"You could see the scar the tornado left all the way up into Clinton County," she said. "You'd drive around and see signs for wooded lots for sale and a couple weeks later, they had to mark out 'wooded' because all the trees were gone."

Once Becus learned the extent of the damage in her neighborhood, her concern turned to the preserve where she had done her graduate research at UC. The entrance was still closed a week after the storm, but she hiked in from the road.

The forest in 1977 was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service for its "exceptional value as an illustration of the nation's natural heritage."

"Everything was down. And in the section that wasn't completely wiped out, there were holes in the forest from where trees had been knocked down," she said.

Researchers, including co-author and UC Professor Emeritus Guy Cameron, compared damaged sections of the forests to sections that were left intact by the storm. They found that the number of tree saplings, shrubs and vines increased dramatically after the tornado but then began to decline after 10 years.

The dominant shrub in the disturbed area was Amur honeysuckle, a bush from China introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant more than 200 years ago. It has quickly spread to wild forests. Its leaves turn green earlier in the spring and stay green later in the fall, shading out other plants.

Meanwhile, native shrubs and vines like green briar, maple leaf viburnum and spicebush disappeared in the damaged section while persisting in the undamaged forest.

Researchers also found large stands of Callery pear trees, a tree introduced by horticulture that has spread to many wild forests. Today, Ohio bans the sale of Callery pear trees.

Professor Theresa Culley, head of UC's Department of Biological Sciences, stands in a grove of nonnative, invasive Callery pear trees in the Harris Benedict Nature Preserve in this 2019 photo. Credit: Joseph Fuqua II/UC

Professor Culley serves on the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Invasive Plant Advisory Committee, which identifies invasive species that pose an economic or environmental threat to Ohio. She also serves on the Midwest Invasive Plant Network, which similarly examines the issue across the central United States.

Culley studies plant communities in oceanic islands. The landlocked Harris Benedict Nature Preserve is like an island surrounded by city development rather than water.

"This is a preserve embedded in an urban landscape," she said.

Researchers found that invasive species such as honeysuckle sprouted in high numbers before thinning out. But the largest of these bushes continue to dominate the understory of the disturbed forest.

"So we have fewer plants over time, but the ones that remain are huge and produce a lot of berries," she said.

Culley said a warming climate is creating more frequent and damaging storms. Their findings could help foresters and conservation managers understand the vulnerabilities of forests after a disturbance, she said.

"Fifty years ago, this type of tornado was a rare occurrence. Now we're seeing more and more of them around the world," Culley said.

More information: Theresa M. Culley et al, Longterm effects of a tornado: Impacts on woody native vegetation and invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) in an urban forest, Ecology and Evolution (2024). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10890 Journal information: Ecology and Evolution
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

Average fish catches by traditional fishing communities along the west African coast have declined significantly over the past three decades.

Along the Gulf of Guinea, stretching from Cote d'Ivoire to Nigeria, fishers launch their wooden canoes from the beach to catch small pelagic fish, like sardines and anchovies, which they sell into local informal markets to make a living. They have done this for generations, but since the 1990s, a decline in the catch has put their livelihoods at risk.

In Ghana, total landings of small pelagic fish fell by 59% between 1993 and 2019, despite increased fishing efforts. Landings of Sardinella aurita, a favored species, declined from 119,000 metric tons in 1992 to just 11,834 metric tons in 2019.

Cote d'Ivoire has experienced a parallel fisheries decline, with its catch plummeting nearly 40% between 2003 and 2020.

The continuing decline in fish catches has serious implications for some of the poorest families in the region. Ghana, for example, has more than 200,000 active fishers. More than two million others along the value chain, including thousands of women who process and sell fish at markets along the coast, are now at risk as well. Already living at or below the international poverty line (US$2.15 per person per day), these communities now face further income loss. In essence, they are falling deeper into poverty.

I have researched food and agricultural policy in a dozen African countries over the past three decades, but the current west African coastal fishing crisis in the Gulf of Guinea is complex because it has multiple and reinforcing origins: climate change, illegal fishing by China, and too many African canoes in the water.

My work on this crisis is part of a three-year study (2023-2025) funded by the Salata Institute at Harvard University. To pursue this work I spent three weeks in 2023 visiting coastal communities in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria. On a return trip to Ghana in 2024, I will share the preliminary findings with local stakeholders, including fishing community leaders, local advocates and government officials. Meanwhile I set out the main findings below.

Climate

Among the multiple threats from climate change, ocean warming is probably the least appreciated. Plenty of warming is experienced on land, but roughly 90% of the extra heat trapped by greenhouse gas is absorbed into the ocean. This helps contain warming on land in the short run, but in the long run it brings a cascade of larger climate threats.

When ocean waters warm they expand in volume, and this thermal expansion is now the source of almost half of all sea-level rise. Warmer ocean waters also hold less oxygen, creating a threat to all marine life. But for human populations that catch fish for a living, ocean warming becomes an acute threat when it results in fish stock migrations.

Fish are cold-blooded, so if the water becomes too warm the only means they have to regulate their body temperature is to move away. This is what they have been doing along the warming equatorial currents in the Gulf of Guinea, and it accounts for some of the fish catch decline.

Dynamic bioclimate models allow us to project what continued ocean warming of this kind will do to Africa's fish stocks. The models are widely used to forecast range shifts of organisms due to climate change and predict the eventual ranges of invasive species, among others.

One study found that the maximum catch potential for Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria would be reduced 50% by mid-century, compared to a zero ocean warming scenario. Another study published in 2018 was in rough agreement. It projected that climate change alone would reduce maximum catch potential in the Guinea Current System by 30% or more by 2050, even if the fisheries were well managed.

Unfortunately, Africa's coastal fisheries are not being well managed.

Chinese trawlers

Lax regulation of international fishing trawlers is a second source of the recent fish catch decline.

Countries like Ghana, Nigeria and Cote' d'Ivoire have laws that prevent foreign trawlers from getting a license to fish within national exclusive economic zones, which extend 200 nautical miles beyond territorial seas. However, Chinese trawlers get around this barrier by using local companies as legal "fronts." Chinese companies, thinly disguised as Ghanaian companies, currently own over 90% of Ghana's licensed bottom trawlers. The Chinese vessels are damaging fish stocks by using illegal nets to catch too many undersized fish, including juveniles that have not yet had a chance to reproduce.

Chinese trawlers are occasionally fined for illegal practices in Ghana, but some fail to pay the fines and still do not lose their license. This damaging non-enforcement of fishing laws is hard to understand, since the foreigners pay minimal taxes and license fees, and most of the fish they catch are exported, adding almost nothing to national food supplies.

Too many canoes

Traditional fisherfolk in west Africa like to blame Chinese trawlers for diminished stocks of fish, but the increased fishing activities of their own canoes have been at least as damaging.

In west Africa there are now seven times as many canoes engaged in ocean fishing as there were in 1950. Today's canoes have larger nets and bigger crews, and many have powerful outboard engines.

This expansion of the region's artisanal fishing fleet has been driven by powerful demographic trends, including rapid rates of population growth plus steady human migrations towards the coast to escape impoverished rural farming.

This is why, between 1960 and 2023, the leading coastal cities in Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire saw population increases of at least seven-fold (Accra) and in some cases 30-fold (Abidjan). Having more people on the coast increases commercial demand for fish consumption while providing the added labor needed to catch, process and market the fish.

Despite the recent fish catch decline, canoe numbers have continued to increase; in Ghana there were 8,000 canoes in 1990, but by 2017 there were 13,650.

New livelihoods

Most traditional fishing communities will have to find new sources of income to survive. This won't be easy since roughly 40% of coastal fishermen in Ghana and Nigeria have no formal education. Non-fishing jobs will increase in the fast-growing coastal economy. If the children of today's fishing families stay in school long enough to complete a secondary education, most will be able to make the shift.

One policy measure to keep them in school would be to provide monthly cash transfers conditioned on school enrollment and attendance. Such conditional cash transfers have been producing results in other low- and middle-income regions. Data from 75 reports drawing on 35 studies show that conditional cash transfer policies can lead to a 60% increase in school enrollment.

Cash transfer policies are already in use in west Africa. Since 2008 Ghana has operated the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty program, providing cash and health insurance to the elderly poor, the disabled, pregnant women and infants. Expanding this program to poor coastal fishing families with school-aged children could promote education. For fishing communities threatened by falling fish stocks, this might be a path to future livelihood protection.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
You are here: World

 Flash

South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party overwhelmingly led exit polls in parliamentary elections, a survey from three local broadcasters showed Wednesday.

The Democratic Party and its satellite party were projected to secure 178-197 seats, including the directly contested constituency seats and the proportional representation (PR) slots, the joint exit polls from KBS, MBC and SBS showed.

The ruling conservative People Power Party and its satellite party were estimated to win 85-110 parliamentary seats.

The minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party was forecast to snatch 12-14 seats, and the minor center-right New Reform Party was predicted to take one to four seats.

The minor center-left New Future Party was estimated to win a maximum of two parliamentary seats.

The quadrennial polls for 300 members of the National Assembly were carried out at 14,259 voting stations across the Asian country to let voters cast ballots for 254 constituency seats and 46 PR slots.

The exit polls were conducted for 12 hours through 6:00 p.m. local time (0900 GMT) at about 2,000 polling stations with around 500,000 voters, in addition to some 50,000 early voters surveyed over the phone.

The tentative final voter turnout was 67.0 percent, or 29,662,313 voters among the electorate of 44,280,011 people.

It was higher than the previous election's 66.2 percent in 2020 and marked the highest in 32 years since the turnout posted 71.9 percent in 1992.

The turnout of early voting, held last Friday and Saturday, reached the highest 31.28 percent since early voting was first adopted in the 2014 local elections for the nationwide election. It was higher than 26.69 percent in 2020.

The turnout of overseas voting, which continued for six days through April 1 among domestic voters staying abroad, logged a new high of 62.8 percent. The overseas voting was introduced in 2012.
New Jersey lawmakers are scrambling to introduce bills that aim to help bail out school districts facing cuts in state aid for the 2024-25 school year.

They want to rescue 140 districts around the state that would lose aid under the spending plan proposed by Gov. Phil Murphy, and enable them to avoid program cuts and layoffs.

A bill introduced in the Assembly Monday by a trio of Democrats would appropriate a one-time grant of $71 million so eligible districts could apply for grants that would fill in gaps left by lost state aid.

We know that even in the midst of unprecedented school aid and investment in education, some districts are losing state aid, said Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-Somerset), one of the bills sponsors, in a statement.

Another bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden) would allow districts additional time to revise their preliminary budgets based on the changes in state aid.

Murphy proposed a historic $11.7 schools budget that would fully restore its funding formula for the first time. But it didnt include an increase for all of New Jerseys more than 600 public school districts.

South Jersey districts, including Cherry Hill, Collingswood and Lenape Regional, began sounding an alarm in February after the state released preliminary aid figures. They warned that property tax increases, program cuts and layoffs could be possible. Cherry Hill alone will get $6.9 million less in the coming school year.

A supplemental funding allotment may hold off drastic local budget cuts  for some districts, said Millville Superintendent Tony Trognone. But it likely would not cover increased transportation, special education and other costs.

There are so many bills in play that its absurd, said Trognone, former president of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. His Cumberland County school system is not among the districts that would see less funding.

Trognone said he opposes the Assembly bill that offers $71 million because it would prohibit districts that receive the additional funding from making any staff cuts. Some reductions may be needed because the aid only covers two-thirds of the reductions, he said.

Its not a good solution, Trognone said. It puts on too many restrictions to get what you need.

That bill, which would allow districts to exceed the 2% property tax cap to make up one-third of the state aid not covered, was endorsed by the New Jersey School Boards Association. School officials were carefully scrutinizing the proposed pieces of legislation and the potential impact locally.

Another bill introduced Monday in the state Senate by Sens. Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) and Declan OScanlon (R-Monmouth) would restore the state aid districts are slated to lose in the proposed budget. It would funnel about $200 million from other state resources.

A Republican delegation from Ocean County introduced companion bills in both Houses Tuesday that would limit any cut in state aid to more than 1% of the amount received the previous year. The lawmakers said districts in their area, including Toms River, will lose $10 million in aid.

Democrats control both houses of the Legislature, so the Republican bills face a tough road. Last year, Murphy reached a compromise with Democratic lawmakers to provide supplemental funding to offset reductions under the S-2 funding formula, which changed how the state calculates aid through the 2024-25 school year.

If signed into law, the supplemental funding would be a stop-gap to address a bigger problem that lawmakers must also tackle: how to fix the formula used to determine how to fund public education in New Jersey.

Brigantine's $34.7 million budget would raise the local tax rate by one penny Brigantine's municipal property tax rate will increase by a little more than one penny for barrier island homeowners based on a $34.7 million budget introduced recently.

Lumberton Superintendent Colleen Murray said her Burlington County school system has routed out every efficiency after years of cuts under the S-2 formula.

Still, we have hit the fiscal cliff, which means that if we do not get help, we will have no choice but to cut staff, Murray said Tuesday. We need relief from the oversized cuts we received so that we can keep our excellent programs in place.
Citizens of Sturgis took to the polls Tuesday night to decide the fate of the city manager position and The Spirit of Sturgis TT street race.

By 222 votes, residents voted to eliminate the city manager position, a contentious position battled all the way to the State Supreme Court and back.

In 2021, Sturgis residents Justin Bohn, Tammy Bohn and Brenda Vasknetz petitioned to eliminate the city manager position and change to an aldermanic form of government. South Dakota Codified Law 9-10-1 grants citizens the right to petition for such an election.

The city cited legal advice and initially rejected the petition. The petitioners later filed a writ of mandamus in circuit court aimed at forcing the city finance officer to verify the sufficiency of signatures to trigger an election. Circuit Court Judge Kevin Krull ruled in favor of the city, leading the Bohns and Vasknetz to take their case to the State Supreme Court.

Sturgis will now change from using a city manager to an aldermanic form of government with a mayor who functions like a chief executive officer.

Under the city manager form of government, the mayor has no veto power and cannot break a tie vote between the eight councilmembers. The city manager acts as the city's chief executive officer, handling day-to-day operations, enforcing laws and ordinances, and appointing most city officers and employees.

Now the mayor will conduct the day-to-day operations, enforce laws, vote to break ties and have veto powers. The mayor will also be able to appoint and remove certain city officers. The City Council will continue in their legislative role and have the ability to hire and remove employees. Cities using this type of governance often employ a city administrator to assist the mayor.

"We are now faced with the reality of implementing the changes brought on by the election. It is a daunting task to say the least, said Sturgis Mayor Angela Wilkerson. Im confident we can iron out the details to provide for a smooth transition for the city staff, our residents and local business community.

The Sturgis City Council named Angela Wilkerson mayor last month following the resignation of Mark Carstensen. Wilkerson was serving as a councilmember for Ward 1 and will complete the remaining 14 months of Carstensen's term.

While the city was planning to host a street race during the Rally this summer, locals had their say  and voted no.

In a 1,031-to-437 vote, residents voted to reject the professional services contract the city signed with AMA-Pro, AFT-E and uterkind.

The Spirit of Sturgis TT would have been a free-to-watch flat-track street race, held on the last day of the Rally, with a mix of street and dirt sections spread across the downtown area. Sturgis director of communications Deb Holland previously told the Journal the race was intended to reinvigorate the Rally by bringing in a new demographic and fan base.

With the vote rejecting the contract, Holland said the decision on what to do next will come from AMA-Pro, AFT-E and uterkind.

"The city is uncertain as to what will happen next concerning the race," Holland said.

Additionally, three wards voted for representation on the Council. Nick Jones, Ruth Kopp and Jim Thompson were elected to represent Wards 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

The City of Sturgis will canvass the votes during its regular meeting Monday, April 15, after which time votes will become official.
This story is co-published by the Rapid City Journal and ICT, a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in the South Dakota area.

Amelia Schafer is the Indigenous Affairs reporter for ICT and the Rapid City Journal. She is of Wampanoag and Montauk-Brothertown Indian Nation descent. She is based in Rapid City. You can contact her at aschafer@rapidcityjournal.com.
A Richmond man is in custody after allegedly firing into a moving vehicle during an apparent road rage incident on Powhatan this morning. According to the Powhatan County Sheriffs Office, at approximately 7 a.m. this morning, the Powhatan County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a person with a gunshot wound in the parking lot of Ultimate Cycle, located at 1820 Anderson Hwy. Upon arrival deputies found an adult female with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to the hospital by rescue personnel. Further investigation determined the vehicle she was a passenger in was shot multiple times by a subject in another vehicle possibly during a road rage incident. Both vehicles were traveling West on Rt. 60 in Powhatan County. The vehicle used by the shooter was located in the Burger King parking lot in Powhatan at around 8 a.m. At approximately 10:15 a.m., 45-year-old Ricky Lamont Broadnax of Richmond was taken into custody by a Powhatan Detective with the assistance of the Virginia State Police and the Chesterfield County Police Department near Lucks Lane in Chesterfield County. Broadnax is charged with maliciously shooting into a vehicle (felony), discharge of a firearm while in a vehicle (felony), use of a firearm in commission a felony (felony), maliciously shooting a person (felony), and driving suspended (misdemeanor).
Man shot to death in Cancun parkade known criminal

Cancun, Q.R.  A man shot to death in an underground parkade of Cancun has been reported to have a criminal history. According to a brief update by the State Attorney General (FGE), the now-deceased male was being investigated for drug related crimes in the city of Monterrey.

According to the FGE, the man, who was a member of a criminal group, had previously been arrested with nearly 100 kilos of cocaine and firearms in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. He has been identified as Carlos Adrian E, arrested from a ranch in Nuevo Leon in 2021 after police found firearms and approximately 99 kilos of cocaine.

He was found dead behind the wheel of his car Tuesday after being shot to death in an underground parkade in Cancun. According to witness information, the man had left a plaza gym and was killed as he sat down behind the wheel of his car.

According to the FGE, they opened an investigation for the events recorded Tuesday, when a male person lost his life due to gunshot wounds in the municipality of Benito Juarez.

The first investigations link the victim with a criminal group in the north of the country. As confirmed, he was being investigated for drug-related crimes in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, where he was previously arrested with 100 kilos of cocaine and firearms.

The man shot to death in the underground parkade has been identified as a known criminal. Photo: April 9, 2024.

This autonomous body works together with the Coordination Group for the Construction of Peace and Security of Quintana Roo to find the person or persons responsible.
Mexico suspends visa exemption for Peruvian nationals

Mexico City, Mexico  As of April 20, Peruvian nationals will require a visa to enter Mexico. Earlier this week, the Government of Mexico announced that they have temporarily suspended the visa exemption for Peruvian nationals.

In a statement, the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) reported that now, people from that country with ordinary passports must apply for a visa to visit Mexico. This provisional measure helps ensure that those who are originally from that nation do not put their lives, health or respect for their human rights at risk.

During recent years, Mexico has faced an exponential increase in irregular migratory flows that transit through the country toward the north of the continent, which generates a situation of social emergency.

The greatest concern regarding migrants who enter Mexico irregularly and transit through national territory is that they can expose their lives, health and human rights to serious risks, as well as restrictive measures of detention, containment and repatriation.

In this scenario, Mexico has assumed the commitment to coordinate with the countries of the region actions to achieve humanitarian management of irregular migratory flows as one of the components of the comprehensive strategy, through the Mexican model of human mobility.

Recently, there has been a substantial increase in the entry of Peruvian nationals to Mexico by taking advantage of the unilateral decision taken on November 9, 2012 that eliminated the visa requirement.

However, a large number of people enter with the intention of carrying out activities other than those categorized as visitors without permission to carry out paid activities, as stipulated in section I of article 52 of the Migration Law.

For this reason, and with the objective of protecting the safety and well-being of those who are in a situation of human mobility, as well as to collaborate in the fight against human trafficking networks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), in coordination with the The Ministry of the Interior (Segob) has chosen to temporarily reintroduce the visa requirement for citizens with ordinary passports of the Republic of Peru who wish to travel to Mexico.

The visa requirement will come into force April 20 of this year.

This decision will also contribute to the reduction of non-admissions of Peruvian nationals at points of admission in Mexico by having to have the corresponding visa in advance.

It is important to highlight the immigration facilities that Mexico has implemented for all nationalities that hold a valid and current visa from Canada, the United States of America, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or any of the States that make up the Schengen area, as well as documents that prove permanent residence in those countries, in addition to Chile and Colombia.

Mexico maintains the commitment to promote coordinated actions between nations to mitigate external factors and structural causes that hinder regional development and contribute to irregular human mobility.

Likewise, it is committed to implementing cooperation programs and establishing safe and regular routes for human migration, with special emphasis on labor mobility, with the aim of eliminating the need for a visa in the future.
Tulum Civil Protection reports Easter holiday success with minimal incidents

Tulum, Q.R.  Authorities in Tulum say the recent Easter holidays were a success with minimal incidents. Juan Manuel Castilla, the General Directorate of Civil Protection and Firefighters of Tulum, says given the happenings during the holidays, there were no causalities.

Castilla says that over the Easter holidays, Tulum authorities attended to 11 vehicle accidents, five beach rescues by lifeguards, three vehicle fires, two motorcycle accidents, one short circuit and one LP gas leak.

He reported that during the Easter 2024 operation, security personnel was increased to ensure a safe environment for locals and tourists. That increase included the reinforcement of surveillance at the entrances and exits of the municipality and the presence of security elements at strategic points such as banks and shopping centers, ATMs and along main roads.

Road accidents and beach rescues topped Civil Protection list of holiday incidents. Photo: April 8, 2024.

He said despite the car accidents and beach rescues, there were no deaths or major injuries reported over the holiday season.
Salem is seeking people interested in serving on the city school board as its newest member prepares to step down, due to a recent appointment to a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judgeship.

Rachel Thompson, a Salem-based attorney whose practice specializes in adoption and immigration matters, was appointed last month by the General Assembly to a judgeship in the 23rd Judicial Circuit. She is taking the seat of Judge Leisa Ciaffone, who legislators moved to the Circuit Court bench to fill the position previously held by the late Onzlee Ware.

Thompson and Ciaffones appointments take effect July 1.

For Thompson, one facet of becoming a judge is that she has to give up the school board seat that she was named to last fall. In January, she began what was expected to be a three-year term.

On Wednesday, Salem schools Superintendent Curtis Hicks said that he was sorry that Thompson had to step down.

Rachels recent appointment to the bench speaks to the quality of individuals our city council has appointed to our school board over the years. While we hate to see her leave us so soon, we wish her nothing but the best, Hicks said in a statement issued by the city. The remaining board members and I are confident our city council will select another outstanding person who will continue to put our children first in Salem.

Thompson said Wednesday that she could not comment on any aspect of her judicial appointment, including the ramifications for the school board.

Salem, like Roanoke, is among Virginia localities who appoint rather than elect their school boards.

At Mondays city council meeting, council members held a closed-door discussion of the upcoming process.

On Wednesday, city spokesman Mike Stevens wrote in an email that council plans to appoint a new school board member as quickly as possible, and will soon schedule a public hearing where residents interested in the position can speak.

Obviously, a seamless transition would be best, Stevens wrote.

Thompsons last school board meeting is scheduled to be June 11. The boards next meeting after that is to be July 9.

Stevens noted that the last time the city had an unexpected vacancy on the school board was in 2021. City council appointed Teresa Sizemore-Hernandez to replace Michael Chiglinsky, who had died two months earlier.
Pope Francis has this morning announced a series of major episcopal changes in the Irish Church, which will have an impact locally.

The announcement was made this morning simultaneously in Rome by the Vatican and in Tuam by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayer.

Under the new restructuring plan the six dioceses that comprise the Western Province will be overseen by just three bishops instead of six.

The retirement of Bishop John Fleming of Killala, County Mayo triggered the move.

Pope Francis announced that Bishop Paul Dempsey, is to leave the Diocese of Achonry, headquartered in Ballaghaderreen, to take up a position as an auxiliary bishop in Dublin, the countrys largest diocese. Dr Dempsey is likely to be ear-marked for renewal and outreach to young people in Dublin.

His position in Achonry will be taken on by Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin who will administer Achonry while continuing in his role in the Diocese of Elphin.

Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam has been appointed to oversee the diocese of Killala as Apostolic Administrator in addition to his role in Tuam.

We know from personal experience that life is a process of adaptation to changing circumstances. Although we seek to preserve at all times our essential identity, we adopt measures to meet new challenges as they arise. That is true also of the life of the Church and it is reflected in what we are doing today, said His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland during Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam.

To meet the evolving needs of the Church in the ecclesiastical Province of Tuam, it is necessary to envisage a gradual process of reorganisation, which will, it is hoped, give added impetus and vitality to the communities concerned.

Today, His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed the Archbishop of Tuam, Archbishop Francis Duffy, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Killala, and he has likewise appointed the Bishop of Elphin, Bishop Kevin Doran, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry. Due to the retirement of Bishop John Fleming, by reason of age, and due to the episcopal reassignment of Bishop Paul Dempsey, who will now become Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Dublin, the Dioceses of Killala and Achonry have become vacant Episcopal Sees entrusted to the pastoral care of their respective Apostolic Administrator.

In due time, and following careful assessment and consultation, the present Dioceses of Tuam and Killala on the one hand, and Elphin and Achonry on the other, may be governed by one Bishop in each case, just as the Dioceses of Galway and Clonfert are today governed by one Bishop. If this process evolves still further, the associated Dioceses may then merge fully under their Bishop, and, in this way, the six Dioceses in the Province of Tuam will eventually become three.

They say "in union there is strength". Thus, with pooled resources and combined endeavours, and trusting strongly in the grace of God, we can look to the future with hope and confidence, said the Apostolic Nuncio.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

It started as a class project for University of Florida senior engineering students, and it became a viable solution for soldiers who needed an easier, faster, and safer way to camouflage their vehicles on the battlefield.

Students from Matthew J. Traum's mechanical engineering capstone course received real-world training last year when they partnered with peers at Georgia Institute of Technology and the Civil-Military Innovation Institute, or CMI2, to design and produce a vehicle camouflage deployer for the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

"This was a successful collaboration that tackled a problem faced by soldiers in the fieldand much more rapidly than the Army's conventional process," said Traum, Ph.D., an instructional associate professor in the UF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Traum said a prototype of the UF-designed vehicle camouflage deployment device was delivered to Fort Stewart at the end of the fall 2023 semester and replicated in-house by the Army. The device is currently being field tested.

"Our students designed and built the device in one calendar year, which is remarkable speed compared to conventional Army innovation timelines, which can take years," Traum said. "The system surpassed the Army's stated targets for mounting, deploying, and retracting the camouflage while keeping the soldiers safer."

Traum learned through a colleague, Randy Emert at CMI2, about the potential for collaboration with the nonprofit organization through the Army's Pathfinder program, managed by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory and supported by CMI2 to bridge the gaps in defense innovation by fostering relationships between service members and researchers. Traum was invited to the Army base to listen as soldiers presented their wish lists of projects.

"The Army's tactical innovation labs play a key role in addressing in-field challenges faced by frontline soldiers and securing the necessary resources and technologies to resolve them," said Emert, the CMI2 lab manager for the Marne Innovation Center at Fort Stewart. "We source problems directly from service members and engage engineering students in a short cycle of product development."

Based on what Traum heard that day, the need to camouflage combat vehicles faster was a good fit for his capstone students.

"Every time we park a combat vehicle on a battlefield, we need to cover it with camouflage material to hide it from the enemy," said Capt. Chris Aliperti, co-founder of the Marne Innovation Center. "The process is not easy, and the soldiers were asking for something that would save them time and keep them safe."

The camouflage deployment problem was broad enough for senior engineering students to work on, and one that could potentially be designed and built within a year, said Aliperti, who recently was promoted and is now a mechanical engineering instructor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Credit: University of Florida

"This was something soldiers on the frontline were asking for, and our team didn't have the bandwidth to address it," Aliperti said. "The collaboration with the University of Florida provided invaluable hands-on experience to their students, and the end result contributes directly to enhancing the capabilities of our service members."

The capstone course is a UF mechanical engineering student's last class before they graduate and is viewed as a culmination of what students have learned throughout the curriculum, Traum said. The Army project spanned three semesters with about 80 students enrolled each semester.

Their approach evolved over the course of the year, and soldiers offered the students ideas and input weekly.

"It was interesting to see how the design started out as something most people would come up with, but after students met with the soldiers, took their feedback and ran analyses, they ended up with something that looked very different," Aliperti said. "And it solves the problem much better than the original design."

The students' innovation addresses a longstanding pain point for soldiers. Traditionally, the poles used to hold up the camouflage material are staked into the ground, posing difficulties in muddy terrain or on urban concrete where securing them is impractical. Recognizing this limitation, the students devised a solution that uses mounting plates that are secured into place by the weight of the vehicle.

"That novel feature excited the Army," Traum said. "By eliminating dependence on ground conditions, the mounting plates offer a versatile solution."

The new device also masks the type of vehicle hidden beneath the camouflage netting. By strategically deploying poles to disrupt the shape of the netting, the device ensures that the vehicle's silhouette varies each time it is deployed, thwarting the enemy's ability to identify the concealed asset.

"The students were smart enough to realize in order to make a new device feasible, they should build around the equipment already in use," Aliperti said. "Their device allows us to use the same poles and the same net but much more efficiently."

Success of projects like the vehicle camouflage deployment device that was borne out of the Army's tactical innovation lab set a precedent for future endeavors between academia and the military.

"Bringing ideas of this scope and scale to students to chew on allows young engineers to apply the fundamental lessons they learn in a book to real-life problems," Aliperti said. "And if we strike gold on a great design like this one from the University of Florida, we've made a monumental impact across the entire Army."

Provided by University of Florida
What are El Nino and La Nina? Heatwave continues but UK could be set for an icy blast

The Earth is on course for its hottest year on record by 2027 (Getty Images)

Britain is basking in a glorious heatwave, with summer expected to continue into the coming weeks.

The UKs beaches have been packed with emergency services around the country, with authorities issuing warnings over temperatures and swimming safety in recent weeks. But could the heat be short-lived? And could another weather extreme be on its way soon?

That is the opinion of weather experts, who have weighed in on the possibility of an icy blast hitting the UK in the coming months. Later this year, the Beast from the East is expected to batter Britain, with plummeting temperatures for months on end.

According to the Met Office, the extreme weather phenomenon La Nina starts forming in April-June, around every three years, and happens when sea temperature drops out in the equatorial Pacific. When it happens, it normally leads to brutally cold periods from late autumn and all through the winter.

According to the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Centre, it is expected to continue for the next several months, with La Nina favoured to emerge during August-October (in the Southern Hemisphere) and persist into the Northern Hemisphere winter 2024-25 (79% chance during November-January).

So what is the naturally occurring El Nino weather system and its opposing phase, La Nina?

What are the El Nino and La Nina weather events?

El Nino and La Nina refer to fluctuation in the Earths climate system, according to the Met Office . They mean little boy and little girl in Spanish respectively. It is believed that they got their names from South American fishermen in the 1600s, who noticed periods of unusually warm water. It was initially called El Nino de Navidad (Navidad means Christmas in Spanish) because El Nino typically peaks around December.

During El Nino the sea surface temperature rises, usually in the central-east equatorial Pacific, and it typically occurs every few years. During this phase, the tropical eastern Pacific will experience warmer than average weather.

On the other hand, La Nina is when the sea surface temperature becomes cooler than average, with sea temperatures often dropping by 3C to 5C below average. This results in cooler than average weather in the tropical eastern Pacific.

The Earths climate system experiences neutral phases when the temperatures are closer to the long-term averages.

What are the impacts of El Nino and La Nina?

El Nino and La Nina affect weather around the world. For example, El Nino can increase the chance of the UK having cold winters but it also limits the development of tropical storms in the North Atlantic. These phases can last anywhere from around nine months to a few years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to the WMO, the Earth has been in the La Nina phase for the past three years, which has temporarily reined in the longer-term warming trend.

However, La Nina ended in March 2023 and El Nino developed in June 2023.

There is a 98 per cent chance of at least one of the next five years breaking temperature records, as well as a 98 per cent chance that the next five years will be hotter on average than the past five years.

Will the world breach the climate threshold?

Scientists have warned that the world could breach the 1.5C climate threshold by 2027.

Research from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has found that it is highly likely that the world will experience record-breaking temperatures in the next five years. Scientists have said that the increasing global temperatures are down to both human activity as well as the developing El Nino weather system.

A warming El Nino is expected to develop in the coming months and this will combine with human-induced climate change to push global temperatures into uncharted territory, said the WMOs secretary-general, Professor Petteri Taalas, in the WMO report.

He added: This will have far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management and the environment. We need to be prepared.
Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip he has said.

Haniyeh, based abroad in Qatar, has been the face of Hamas during ceasefire talks as war with Israel has raged on in Gaza, where his family home was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike back in November.

The three sons - Hazem, Amir and Mohammad - were killed after the car they were driving in was bombed in Gaza's Al-Shati camp, Hamas said. Three of Haniyeh's grandchildren were also killed in the attack and a third was wounded, Hamas media said.

"The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people," Haniyeh, 61, who has 13 sons and daughters according to Hamas sources, told pan-Arab Al Jazeera TV.

The Israeli military said it was checking the report. Israel's six-month war inside Gaza was triggered by a brutal terror attack inside Israel by Hamas, during which around 1,200 people were killed and 250 more taken hostage. More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory.

Israel accuses Haniyeh and other leaders of continuing to "pull the strings of the Hamas terror organisation".

Haniyeh's three sons and three grandchildren were making family visits during the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday in Shati, their home refugee camp in Gaza City, according to relatives.

Hamas said on Tuesday it was studying an Israeli ceasefire proposal but that it was "intransigent" and met none of the Palestinian demands.

"Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position," Haniyeh claimed.

Hamas wants an end to Israeli military operations and a withdrawal from the enclave, and permission for displaced Palestinians to return home.

Haniyeh's eldest son confirmed in a Facebook post that his three brothers were killed. "Thanks to God who honoured us by the martyrdom of my brothers, Hazem, Amir and Mohammad and their children," wrote Abdel-Salam Haniyeh.

Appointed to lead Hamas in 2017, Haniyeh has moved between Turkey and Qatar's capital Doha, avoiding Israeli-imposed travel restrictions in blockaded Gaza and enabling him to act as a negotiator in the latest ceasefire negotiations or communicate with Hamas' main ally Iran.

Reuters
You wouldnt read a novel in two hours, actor Andrew Scott says. Why would you rush a good story on screen?

With Ripley, an adaptation of Patricia Highsmiths The Talented Mr. Ripley, Scott gets to savor the story over eight episodes.

Sometimes its about the plot and sometimes its about the characters, he says. I think thats enormously engaging for the audience.

Written and directed by Oscar winner Steven Zaillian, the Netflix series lets Scott toy with the lies Tom Ripley tells.

I dont think Tom is a natural born killer, Scott says. I think hes somebody whos very fallible and makes mistakes and we see those mistakes happen in real time. We also see his real talent taking place.

Scott, the star of Fleabag and All of Us Strangers, wanted to know how Zaillian was going to make his version different from the 1999 film starring Matt Damon. There, Ripley is hired to persuade Dickie Greenleaf, the son of a shipping magnate, to return from Italy to the United States. The quest, however, becomes far more complicated and deceitful.

The opportunity to write it and to tell the story in long-form television was a really interesting dynamic, Scott says. (Zaillian) had a very strong vision that he wanted it to be in black and white. The idea that the black-and-white (concept) can be married in some way to the way he wanted to teach the audience how to watch this story was very similar to the way we might read a novel.

The eight-episode format suited this book, Zaillian explains. It allowed me to get into the details of the story and the changing relationships between the characters in a way that you cant really do in two hours.

Netflix Andrew Scott plays a mysterious man in the eight-part limited series, "Ripley."

Dakota Fanning, who plays Marge Sherwood, the woman tied to Dickie Greenleaf, says the extra time let her go toe to toe with Tom Ripley and have a few battles with him.

It allowed me to create what Marges perspective and Marges reality is  to see where they intersected and where they diverged.

Johnny Flynn, who plays Dickie, says Zaillians scripts were very precise in terms of story beats. You dont need to show too much of (Dickies) backstory. Hes just existing in those moments, Flynn says. I thought of him as somebody who had run away from his cultural identity because he has a kind of shame around it. He has come to Old World Europe to hide himself in the idea of being an artist in this beautiful place and feed off that. Theres no moral ambiguity around him.

Scott sees the Netflix adaptation as another artists interpretation. I love the fact that that can ignite something completely different in different filmmakers, he says.

Anthony Minghellas film, which also starred Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow, played on Ripleys desires for Dickie.

In Ripley, Im playing a very solitary, not necessarily lonely character, Scott says. Other people have every right to call him a villain, but I think hes so complex its too easy to call him just a villain. I certainly think hes an anti-hero. The great achievement of the stories  and this version of the script -- is that we really are rooting for somebody that we shouldnt. We want him to get away with it, for the most part. We question himand that can only be because we see ourselves in Tom Ripley.

Ripley is now airing on Netflix.
A Sioux Center police officer who was forced to resign after a domestic abuse arrest  a charge that was later dismissed  and a failed psychological test is entitled to unemployment benefits, a judge has ruled.

According to state records, Steve S. Topete began working for the City of Sioux Center as a full-time police offer in June 2023. When he was hired, he was required to take and pass the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory test, which is a 600-question survey designed to measure an individuals integrity, character and suitability as a law enforcement officer, with the answers reviewed by a psychologist. All certified law enforcement officers in Iowa are required to take the test.

State records indicate Topetes test results were inconclusive, and so he sat for the test a second time in July 2023 and passed.

On Dec. 7, 2024, Sioux Center Human Resources and Safety Manager Josh Mork met with officials at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy to seek a resolution to a personnel matter of some kind that involved Topete. The ILEA then ordered Topete to undergo another psychological test to determine whether he was fit for duty.

According to state records, Topete failed the test, which meant that he was no longer qualified to work as a certified police officer in Iowa. The city then gave Topete the choice of resigning or being fired, after which Topete submitted a letter of resignation.

He subsequently collected unemployment benefits in the amount of $3,570. The city appealed the decision to pay unemployment, which led to a hearing before Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth Johnson.

At the hearing, Mork conceded that he had told Topete hed be discharged if he did not resign. Johnson noted that when an employee quits under those circumstances their departure cannot be considered voluntary.

As for whether Topete had committed the sort of willful workplace misconduct that would disqualify him from collecting unemployment, Johnson ruled that while passing the psychological test might be considered a requirement of the job, failing the test does not suggest willful misconduct.

This is not the type of exam someone can study or prepare for, Johnson stated in her ruling. The examinee either has the necessary attributes at the time of the exam or they dont.

Topete was ruled eligible for unemployment benefits.

Court records indicate that several weeks before he was forced to resign, on Oct. 1, 2023, Topete was arrested on a charge of domestic abuse assault. Police alleged he assaulted a juvenile female by grabbing her wrist, causing minor, visible injuries, and pushing her up a set of stairs, causing her to fall forward, resulting in additional minor injuries. Topete was also accused of kicking the girl in the knee.

Jason D. Bring, an assistant county attorney in Plymouth County, was named special prosecutor in case on Oct. 6, 2023. Twelve days later, Bring filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing a lack of evidence. District Associate Judge Jessica Knoll issued the dismissal order the same day.
A central Iowa nurse is accused of bilking taxpayers out of $1 million by prescribing unneeded Medicare-funded medical devices in return for kickbacks.

In a newly filed civil lawsuit, the U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Ashley Brown, a state-licensed advanced registered nurse practitioner from Des Moines, participated in a scheme to defraud Medicare. The DOJ claims Brown prescribed unreasonable and medically unnecessary durable medical equipment for 660 Medicare beneficiaries in return for illegal kickbacks.

The prescriptions were written between April 2020 and May 2021 and deprived Medicare of $1,055,672, according to the Justice Department. In return for her prescriptions, Brown allegedly collected $17,520.

The lawsuit alleges the scheme unfolded in the spring of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that caused a temporary and dramatic reduction in Browns employment, which was largely tied to dermatology. In response to the financial pressure, Brown allegedly signed a contract with an employment agency, Barton Associates, that helps provide work for physicians and nurses.

Barton allegedly offered Brown a telemedicine position with a flexible schedule and attractive pay. Under the terms of the alleged deal, Brown would be paid to assess each patient record given to her and then sign predetermined prescriptions for medical equipment. As part of what the DOJ calls a scheme for easy cash, Brown was paid $20 for each patient file she reviewed.

Through that process, Brown allegedly ordered costly and unnecessary equipment  including hundreds of back, shoulder, knee, wrist and elbow orthotic braces  for individuals without having had any professional interaction with them. The prescriptions were based on falsified medical records filled out not by people who were medical practitioners but by telemarketers who had made unsolicited calls to suspected Medicare beneficiaries.

Brown allegedly provided no follow-up care to the patients, nor did she assist them or advise them on how to use the devices. The patient files submitted to Brown were sent to her by email, and although she could open and read them, she could not edit or amend them except to affix her signature authorizing the purchase of medical equipment.

Over the course of 13 months, Brown allegedly received hundreds of patient assessments for her signature, which she readily and uncritically provided, according to the DOJ. Many of the records Brown signed allegedly included much of the same false, boilerplate language about each patients purported condition.

Brown outsourced her medical judgment to increase her own profits by failing to provide any meaningful review of patient records or to even have contact with her patients, the DOJ claims. Frequently, Brown spent only seconds between opening the documents sent for her review and affixing her signature.

Knee brace supplied for amputated leg

As an example, the DOJ says that on Nov. 23, 2020, Brown approved and certified prescriptions for 15 different patients, spending a mere nine seconds per prescription with the records open before attesting to medical necessity. Those 15 prescriptions cost the taxpayer-funded Medicare program almost $8,000 and would have generated $300 for Brown as payment for the 20 minutes she spent opening the documents and attaching her signature.

In one instance, the DOJ says, an Elkhart man received an unsolicited telemarketing call in which he was asked general questions related to aches and pains. The man was then sent a back brace, two knee braces, two knee-brace sleeves and two wrist braces. All five of the devices were prescribed by Brown, whom the man had never met. The patient later told investigators he was amused by the receipt of the two leg braces since his left leg had been amputated years before. Medicare was allegedly billed $8,292 for the devices and paid $3,355 for them.

The DOJ also claims that Brown was put on notice during her time with Barton Associates that the beneficiaries for whom she was writing prescriptions did not need, or even want, the medical equipment she prescribed. In May 2020, a patient called Brown to complain of being wrapped up in a hoax, and didnt want the prescribed medical equipment.

A few months later, in August 2020, Brown allegedly received a voicemail from another Iowan, alerting her to the fact that that although the two had never had any contact, the patient had just received an unwanted orthotic brace prescribed by Brown.

The patient complaints, the DOJ says, did nothing to slow Browns pace of prescribing. Brown only stopped writing the fraudulent prescriptions, the DOJ alleges, when she was contacted by law enforcement in May 2021.

Brown is accused of violating the federal False Claims Act. The DOJ is seeking triple the amount of the United States damages, plus unspecified civil penalties.

Browns license is in good standing with the Iowa Board of Nursing, and she has no record of any disciplinary action against her license. Barton Associates is not a party to the lawsuit, and federal court records indicate there are no pending criminal charges in the case.

In 2022, a Kentucky doctor agreed to pay $561,800 to resolve allegations that while partnering with Barton, he violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to Medicare for unnecessary equipment.

Barton Associates declined to comment on the case.

Editors note: This story has been revised to reflect the fact that Barton Associates does not sell medical devices and has declined to comment on the case.

Best places to live in Iowa Best places to live in Iowa #14. Ankeny, Iowa #13. Bettendorf, Iowa #12. Clive, Iowa #11. Coralville, Iowa #10. Johnston, Iowa #9. Mount Vernon, Iowa #8. North Liberty, Iowa #7. University Heights, Iowa #6. Urbandale, Iowa #5. Waukee, Iowa #4. West Des Moines, Iowa #3. Ames, Iowa #2. Waterbury, Iowa #1. Orange City, Iowa
DES MOINES  Foreign owners of Iowa farmland will face new disclosure requirements and penalties for not complying under legislation signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Reynolds signed Senate File 2204, which adds transparency requirements for foreign ownership of Iowa farmland, citing a growing concern about Chinese investment in U.S. agriculture. The measure, which Reynolds called for in her annual Condition of the State address in January, sailed through the Legislature with unanimous support in February.

"When Iowa speaks, the country listens. And with this bill our message is unmistakable: American soil belongs in American hands, Reynolds, a Republican, said during the bill signing.

Iowa is among several states that already have limits on foreign ownership of land. State law restricts foreign farmland purchases to 320 acres, although foreign owners who held Iowa farmland before 1980 were allowed to keep it.

What does the new law do?

The new law requires foreign landowners to provide more information to the state, and grants the state attorney general broader authority to subpoena financial records and purchase agreements to investigate potential violations of foreign farmland ownership. It also raises financial penalties for violations, and requires the Iowa Secretary of States office to increase its tracking of foreign ownership.

The Secretary of State would be required to file an annual report on foreign farmland ownership in Iowa  which would be made available to state officials, but not the public. Foreign landowners will be required to provide details about all of their holdings in the state that exceed 250 acres.

Failing to disclose purchases or leases of agricultural land by a foreign entity will result in a fine of up to 25% of the property's value per violation. Previously, the law called for a fine of no more than $2,000 per violation.

Failing to report holdings once every two years will result in a penalty of up to $10,000 per violation.

Sen. Dan Zumbach, a Republican from Ryan and a farmer, said state officials wish to continue to support and strengthen economic partnerships with other countries that support Iowa agriculture.

With that said, it is proper for Iowans to know who their neighbors are, Zumbach said at the bill signing. "If youre a foreign landowner, we will know who you are. We will know where you are. We will know what you are up to and we will know your intentions. And if youre planning on breaking Iowas law, you will receive the wrath of (Iowa Attorney General Brenna) Bird."

Why is it needed?

Reynolds and state lawmakers who support the legislation say Iowa already has strong laws regarding foreign land ownership, which the new law will make even stronger.

Iowas laws on foreign ownership of land have long been recognized as some of the strongest in the nation, with other states looking to us when crafting their own policies, Reynolds said. Yet, in the decades since we first addressed this issue, adversaries like China have grown significantly more aggressive on the world stage, constantly looking for any opening to assert themselves at the expense of our country. One all-too-common weapon in this battle is the purchase of American farmland.

Our states fertile soil and unmatched production capacity make us a natural target for this strategy, she continued. Our farm families produce 10% of the nations food supply and Iowa ranks as Americas top producer of biofuels. That makes us a natural leader in the race to stave off the evolving threat to American agriculture.

Foreign ownership and investment in U.S. agricultural land nearly doubled over the last decade, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA estimated that foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land grew to about 43 million acres in 2022, or 3.4% of all privately held agricultural land.

Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland increased from $81 million in 2010 to $1.9 billion in 2022, the USDA reported. And reports have shown that Chinese investors are buying farmland near military bases and other critical U.S. infrastructure.

Chinese investors owned roughly 350,000 acres, just less than 1% of all foreign-held farmland, according to the USDA. That pales in comparison with Canada investors, who own 32%, or 14.2 million acres, in the United States.

The USDA is charged with monitoring foreign investment in farmland under the 1978 Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act. The law requires foreign holders of agricultural land to report those holdings to the USDA. Agencies like the Department of Defense and the Treasury use the information to evaluate potential security concerns.

Some members of Congress have proposed specific bans on companies with ties to China, North Korea, Russia and Iran, while others, including members of Iowas congressional delegation, have introduced or supported proposals to overhaul monitoring of foreign ownership of farmland across the country.

Keeping Iowas fertile and productive farm ground in the hands of Americans is a concern I hear about continuously as I travel the state, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said at the bill signing.   I share Iowans deep passion for protecting this valuable resource. And todays bill signing is a big step toward doing exactly that.

How much farmland in Iowa is owned by foreign entities?

Foreign investment in Iowa farmland more than doubled in the last 10 years, but Iowa still ranks in the bottom half of states for acres with foreign investment. Iowas foreign acres are less than 2% of privately-owned agricultural land, The Gazette previously reported.

Still, concerns persist about China  one of Iowa's largest trading partners  buying farmland near military bases and owning Smithfield Foods, the worlds largest pork producer with nine facilities in Iowa as well as 521 contract farms and three feed mills.

Iowa has roughly 514,000 acres of foreign-owned or leased land, according to the most recent USDA data. That amounts to roughly 1.6% of the state's 32 million acres of crop, timber and other agriculture land. The bulk of those holdings are long-term leases for wind, solar and other renewable energy projects.

China is a minor owner of Iowa acreage, according to USDA data. The largest foreign holder in Iowa is Canada, at close to 200,000 acres, followed by Italy at 104,400 acres.
The roundabout would be at the intersection of Iowa Highways 3 and 143 on the southeast side of Marcus. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2026 and be completed that fall.
EGU2024 - Picking and chosing sessions to attend virtually

Posted on 10 April 2024 by BaerbelW

This year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) will take place as a fully hybrid conference in both Vienna and online from April 15 to 19. I decided to join the event virtually this year for the full week and I've already picked several sessions I plan to attend. Among them are two sessions, I'll be presenting in. This blog post provides an overview of my itinerary.

Monday

The week kicks off right away at 8:30 in the morning with a Union Symposia (US2) about the Climate emergency, human agency: making sense of the current state of scientific knowledge on climate change to strengthen climate literacy.

This Union Symposium will build on key findings from the Sixth Assessment Cycle of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It will place the current scientific understanding in this context of climate science history and lay out what is the current state of climate, with the observed intensification of global and regional changes, and what are physically plausible futures, unpacking how science underpins the understanding of the climate emergency. The presentations will be given by Valerie Masson-Delmotte, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, IPSL, France and Joeri Rogelj, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College, London, Great Britain.

Then it's time for a short course (SC2.2) starting at 10:45 providing an introduction to science for policy. This will be a repeat for me, but I found this session - convended by Chloe Hill - interesting when I attended it in previous years.

This session will provide an introduction into some key science for policy themes and provide specific details about when and how scientists can engage with policy to increase the impact of their efforts. It will also provide resources and tips for scientists so that they can start their science for policy journeys. The last part of the Short Course will include a Q&A with those working on the science-policy interface. This session will be relevant to all career levels and scientific disciplines.

In the afternoon, I plan to join short course (SC3.3) Scared of giving presentations to a (geo-)scientific audiences? as this cannot hurt in the run-up to my own presentations on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This short course deals with the various reasons and symptoms of stage fright and how they can be overcome. Scientists will share their experiences and what has helped them to deal with their fear of presenting. There will be practical tips and room for questions as well as exchange of experiences. This year, we're exploring a fresh angle: science communication. While the stage is set for scientific discourse, effective communication is key. Meet our speakers, Dr. Simon Clark and Dr. Heather Handley, seasoned communicators, sharing insights!

To finish day 1 of EGU24, I picked yet another short course (SC2.6) Climate change, morals and how people understand the politics of climate change

Update April 11: Unfortunately, session SC2.6 was withdrawn, but there is an interesting alternative, I plan to join instead and it's also a short course: SC2.5 Ethics for geoscientists in a time of crisis:

What does 'ethics' mean and what is the role of ethics in your daily practices as a scientist? Where and how do ethics enter into your geoscientific research and teaching? Although ethics as a subject of study is traditionally the domain of social sciences and humanities, as scientists we are confronted with ethical questions and decisions every day. In the context of climate emergency, mass extinction and global social injustices, it is increasingly important to understand the role played by our research and the systems and structures within which our work is embedded. Ultimately, we could ask ourselves a question: does our research contribute to building a world that corresponds to our values?

In between these sessions - or if I find out that one I planned to attend isn't quite a good fit for my interests - I may pay a virtual visit to Gather.town to check out some virtual posters or find some people to chat with.

Tuesday

The morning is mostly taken up by a "double slot" Education and Outreach session (EOS4.4) titled Geoethics: The significance of geosciences for society and the e nvironment. This session is convened by Silvia Peppoloni with Svitlana Krakovska, Giuseppe Di Capua and David Crookall as co-conveners.

Geoscience knowledge and practices are essential for effectively navigating the complexities of the modern world. They play a critical role in addressing urgent global challenges on a planetary scale (including, climate change and its social, humanitarian, and health impacts), informing decision-making processes and guiding education at all levels. However, the response to these challenges remains largely inadequate across the board. By equipping both citizens and the wider societal stakeholders with the necessary knowledge background, geosciences empower them to engage in meaningful discussions, shape policies, contribute to reduce inequities and injustice, and implement solutions for local, regional, and global social-environmental problems. Within this broad scope, geoethics strives to establish a shared ethical framework that guides geoscientists engagement with sensitive and significant issues concerning the interaction between geoscience and society.

I may pop-out of that session for a bit to listen to a press conference starting at 10:00 about Unveiling Antarcticas secrets: new research brings us one step closer to predicting the future of the icy continent.

At 14:00 it's time for Education and Outreach session (EOS1.8) Telling climate stories: platforms, tools, and methodologies for accurate and engaging science communication.

Scientists, communicators, citizens, and the media: public awareness of climate change calls for interdisciplinary collaboration to create clear and cohesive narratives to reach a wide and diverse audience and create a real impact. Climate change narratives can take different paths and focus on different perspectives, professions, sectors, and the audience addressed. The role of trust is also pivotal, as different publics are likely to reject information, regardless of its accuracy, if the message doesnt resonate with an individuals' personal experiences. [...] This session is also designed to host a space of dialogue among researchers, fact-checkers, and communications experts to assess how disinformation affects science credibility and society and present tools to tackle it, enhancing the quality of information with a positive effect on public trust in science and resilience.

My slot to present Resources to give facts a fighting chance against misinformation is from 16:50 to 17:00 with 8 minutes alloted for the presentation itself. I'll briefly introduce participants to Skeptical Science, mention our rebuttals updates factory and quick debunking of "Climate the Movie" before mentioning the Debunking Handbook, the Conspiracy Theory handbook, the FLICC taxonomy of science denial techniques and how to learn about them with the help of the Cranky Uncle game. Sounds like a lot? Yes, but it all fits within the 8 minutes, if only barely! You can take a "sneak peek" at my presentation here.

Wednesday

Wednesday will be a rather interesting day for me. It starts at 8:30 with Union Symposia (US6) Misunderstanding or malice? Getting to the bottom of geoscience disinformation and much to my surprise I was invited to be one of the panelists for this almost 2 hour long session. This will obviously be a first for me, so I'm still not quite sure what I'm getting myself into with agreeing to being on the panel. However, given that the conveners are well aware of my background, I'll be able to talk about the "stuff" I'm familiar with, including at least some of the items mentioned in the presentation for EOS1.8 or other comparable presentation I already did at EGU and/or elserwhere. This Union Symposia is convended by Flora Maria Brocza with Chloe Hill, Viktor J. Bruckman, Kirsten v. Elverfeldt and Christina West as co-conveners. Apart from myself, the confirmed speakers for the session are Vita Crivello (Science-Policy & Science Communication expert), Gaura Naithani (Project Manager & Researcher, European Journalism Centre) and Simon Clark (Science communicator & author).

The spread of false and misleading information can erode trust in public institutions, governments, and the scientific community. It fosters polarisation, disrupts informed decision-making, obstructs constructive dialogue, and subsequently poses a threat to social cohesion and democracy. As researchers, we stand in the eye of the storm. As professional knowledge generators, we produce and evaluate facts and should be well-equipped to debunk information we read elsewhere. At the same time, we may not be as well equipped as we think and our research may be taken out of context, with single facts inserted into a wider misleading narrative.



During this Union Symposium, an expert panel will outline what mis- and disinformation is, how it is created and spread in the digital age, why false experts gain traction and how they intentionally misrepresent scientific research, and how the dissemination of doubt and denial can undermine public trust, influence policy decisions, and impact society as a whole. The session will also discuss the role and responsibility of the scientific community in managing and preventing the spread of misinformation as well as the other tools that exist to deal with it.

In the afternoon, I plan to join the closely related short course (SC2.10) From Misunderstanding to Malice: Countering Mis- and Disinformation. The course is convenced by Kirsten v. Elverfeldt with Flora Maria Brocza, Maida Salkanovic, Chloe Hill and Simon Clark as co-conveners.

The research we conduct doesnt fall into a vacuum. Once published, it enters a large information ecosystem, where we hope that our findings will resonate. As researchers, we devote our whole careers to the study of a narrow field of knowledge. This devotion is not shared by other players in this ecosystem who engage with our research, which might lead to misunderstandings and thus unintentional misinformation. Even others in the ecosystem intentionally seek to spread false information or foster ideologically driven disinformation campaigns. Thus, the players in the ecosystem range from fellow scientists from the same or other disciplines, journalists, politicians, social media influencers, the general public, to troll farms. Clearly, not all of them have or seek an in-depth understanding of the scientific context in which a particular piece of information slots into, and some merely seek to generate attention or outrage with their writing. Many scientists feel somewhat uneasy in this ecosystem - lacking the tools to engage meaningfully. For example, when talking to journalists, information on the uncertainty of data may not be conveyed for the sake of clear and easy-to-follow storylines. Facts may be simplified or even misrepresented, which might lead to a certain reluctance of scientists to talk to journalists. However, especially this type of direct science-media-interaction is crucial for the debunking of mis- and disinformation.

In the late afternoon - starting at 16:15 - I tentatively plan to join the first part of Education and Outreach session (EOS1.1) Science and Society: Science Communication Practice, Research, and Reflection. Based on previous years' experiences, I'm expecting to learn about several interesting projects related to science communication in this session convended by Solmaz Mohadjer and Roberta Bellini, Francesco Avanzi, Usha Harris and Maria Vittoria Gargiulo as co-conveners.

Science communication includes the efforts of natural, physical and social scientists, communications professionals, and teams that communicate the process and values of science and scientific findings to non-specialist audiences outside of formal educational settings. The goals of science communication can include enhanced dialogue, understanding, awareness, enthusiasm, improving decision making, or influencing behaviors. Channels can include in-person interaction, online, social media, mass media, or other methods. This session invites presentations by individuals and teams on science communication practice, research, and reflection, addressing questions like: What kind of communication efforts are you engaging in and how you are doing it? How is social science informing understandings of audiences, strategies, or effects? What are lessons learned from long-term communication efforts?

Thursday

While putting together my itinerary it looked as if Thursday morning would be an empty slot, but only until I realized that session EOS1.1 had 3 timeslots all told, with two of them happening on Thursday morning starting at 8:30! So, the same description as above applies for Education and Outreach session (EOS1.1) Science and Society: Science Communication Practice, Research, and Reflection. To see the list of presentations click here for part 2 and here for part 3.

In the afternoon it's time for short course (SC3.2) Elevate your Pitch: Developing Engaging Short Scientific Presentations. Perhaps this will also contain some helpful tips for non-scientific presentations which based on the learning objectives of this short course could well be the case:

Structuring a killer elevator pitch  learning from 1/2/3-min examples

Knowing your audience  harnessing the power of tailored openings/closings

Captivating delivery  leveraging body language to your advantage

Harnessing creativity - choosing the right medium

Enunciating to engage  communicating across borders

Effectively practising your pitch  making the best of your time

The final session for me on Thursday will most likely be Education and Outreach session (EOS4.1) Science Policy Interface: Shaping Debates and building bridges. I picked this for two reasons: it's another repeat for me and earlier sessions were interesting. And, it's a session in the fun - if somewhat hectic - PICO format, with a whirlwiind of 2-minute long pitches followed by longer discussions with abstract authors at their onsite or virtual screens. The session is convened by Marie Heidenreich with Susann Birnstengel, Giorgia StasiECS, Chloe Hill and Maria Vittoria Gargiulo as co-conveners.

Scientific knowledge is crucial for shaping policies related to climate, environment, sustainability, and resources. To have an impact on politics, research needs to communicate in a way that addresses needs and offers solutions. However, it is important to identify the most effective science policy formats that can contribute to enriching political debates. While there are now many resources available to scientists who would like to engage in the policymaking process, finding specific information or practical examples that relate to a specific discipline or field of research can be challenging.



This session aims to bridge that gap by highlighting success stories from scientists who have engaged in policy and made critical societal impacts  either on a European, national, or local level  across different scientific disciplines and science officers who have facilitated successful science-policy-dialogues. It will also aim to examine the various challenges that researchers face when engaging on the science-policy interface and various strategies that others have taken to manage and overcome them.

Friday

Right now, it looks like I might have a "late start" to the day on Friday (unless I hang out in Gather.town!) with a Great Debate (GDB8) about Artificial Intelligence in scientific publishing: blessing or bane? This may or may not be of interest for me, so I'll take a look and then decide if I watch it or not.

The rise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including Large Language Models (LLM), presents both challenges and opportunities for scientific publishing. How can we use these tools responsibly and effectively? The discussion will explore several aspects of the topic, including:

Best practices in employing AI tools for scientific writing

The potential of AI to assist in the peer review process

Responsibilities and ethical considerations for authors, reviewers, editors and publishers

In the afternoon Great Debate (GDB6) If informing is not enough, how should scientists engage to accelerate the social transformation required by climate change and biodiversity collapse? will most likely be my last session for this year's EGU conference.

Numerous geoscientists are producing and disseminating knowledge about climate change and contemporary environmental degradation to increasingly wider audiences, from civil society to policymakers. This knowledge is notably gathered in alarming reports by scientific institutions such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) or the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and it indicates that rapid and radical transformations of our societies are simply vital. Still, ongoing efforts to trigger such transformations, whether by political, economic, or civil society stakeholders, often fall short of the urgent actions recommended. It has increasingly been suggested that putting most efforts into ever-improving knowledge and communication is a strategy that can only address part of the obvious gap between Science and the required societal change (see review articles by Stoddard et al., 2021 and Oreskes, 2022).

Summary

As you can see, I'm planning for quite a busy week and will most likely not be twiddling my thumbs much! In addition to attending the sessions above, I also plan to offer a few Networking Pop-Up Events to talk about our resources and Cranky Uncle if people take me up on the offer. This year, these events can be scheduled to happen somewhere in Gather.town so that should bef fun to try out!

Like in previous years, I intend to write up my take on the sessions attended and also keep an eye on how well things work in this fully hybrid conference format. We'll then see how much of the week goes as planned!
Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here.

Dear Care and Feeding,

My ex-sister-in-law, Jan, and I have known each other 30 years. We went through all the big milestones together (our kids are less than six months apart in age). We work in similar fields. And she was the one with me when I had to identify my husbands body after a car crash.

I was upset when my brother chose to have an affair, get a divorce, and marry the woman he had been having the affair with. It was a bad time for everyone, particularly my niece, but we all got through it. It has been five years. I still routinely travel with Jan and our daughters. My new sister-in-law, Susan, has an issue with this.

Susan has never taken me up on any of my offers to visit or for us to try and do our own thing, but she does make bitter comments about my closeness with Janand in front of my niece. Susan and I are far apart in age and political beliefs, so it is a struggle. My brother claims I need to make more of an effort. I dont know what more I can do. I am polite, I am friendly, and I damn sure do not bring up how their relationship began. I honestly think my sister-in-law does not want to be close to meshe just hates the fact I am still close to Jan. How do I handle this?

Target of Sister-in-Laws Ire

Dear Target,

Good grief! You are allowed to maintain any relationship you want with any family member whos important to you. Youre also allowed to exercise chilly civility with any family member who is being an absolute pill. I commend you for remaining close with Jan, and I absolve you from making any more friendly overtures to your husbands new, younger wife. She had her chance! If she wants to build a real connection with you, shes got your phone number.

As for the question of Susans bitter comments within your nieces hearing: I dont know how old your niece is, but your letter hints that shes probably not a very small child. If Im wrong and shes young, feel free to remind your brother that you dont need his wife shit-talking you in front of her for the crime of continuing to be friends with the woman who was there for you when your husband died. But if, as I suspect, shes a teenager or older, she likely already has her own feelings about her stepmomand Id bet Susans catty remarks only make her like you more.

Want Advice on Parenting, Kids, or Family Life?

Submit your questions to Care and Feeding here. Its anonymous! (Questions may be edited for publication.)

Dear Care and Feeding,

My 21-year-old daughter recently had a baby because her birth control failed. Long story short, shes pro-life, and now we have a wonderful baby girl. The problem is, the father of the child is immature and completely indifferent to any help my daughter needs. Hes had almost no contact with either of them, which means Ive been the de facto dad, going with Mom to doctors and filling in frequently.

Im not sure if Im enabling my daughter to rely on me or just being supportive? She has postpartum anxiety, which makes it really difficult for her to do things on her own. Im encouraging her to get therapy for this issue, but in the meantime, I feel that its really important I support her and the baby. My husband disagrees and thinks she should do it on her own so shes prepared for reality. Whos right?

Grandma or Baby Daddy?

Dear Grandma,

You are right. Your daughter needs all the help and support you can give her, and so does the tiny baby to whom she gave birth so recently that shes still suffering postpartum effects. Now is not the time for you to be demanding that your daughter build some grit or whatever. That shit can wait. Embrace your role as the grandmother whos pitching in and establishing a foothold in both your granddaughters new life and your daughters new experience as a parent. Encourage your husband to do so as well.

However! Youll notice Im not reiterating your self-identification as the de facto dad. I sense that you were sort of kidding, and I certainly hope youre not saying this in front of your daughter, but for the record: You are not this babys father, and I urge you not to refer to yourself that way, even jokingly, even inside your head. You are who you are, a loving grandmother, and that does not make your contribution to this babys upbringing any less meaningful. Families get made out of whoever is willing to put in the work and deliver the love. Embrace your role just as hard as youre embracing your daughter and the new person in your home.

Catch Up on Care and Feeding

 Missed earlier columns this week? Read them here.

 Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group!

Dear Care and Feeding,

My boyfriends mother is emotionally immature and manipulative. Shes held grudges against him for weeks in the past for tiny things. She is impossible to have productive discussions with because all she wants to do is yell, never believing she is wrong. He and I have been dating for multiple years and live together, and I have thankfully never had a reason to get into an altercation with her. But he admitted today that if she and I ever got into an argument, he would take her side if he thought she was right and remain neutral if he thought I was right.

He admits he knows its cowardly. I feel genuinely angry and worried. I cant imagine a future where I would be hung out to dry. He says he is terrified of his mother, but I have never been so disappointed in him. Am I right to feel like this? Is it too presumptive if it hasnt actually happened yet? She would never agree to therapy because of her culture. Is there anything I can do?

Troubled in Tennessee

Dear Tennessee,

Those are some big red flags flapping in the breeze, I agree! But also, literally nothing has happened yet. Tell him clearly what youd need from him to feel supported in the case of some hypothetical future fight, but the answer should not be a simple You must take my side no matter what. Instead, think seriously about what kind of person you want to be connected to, how that person should exhibit his respect for his mother (but not his submission to her), and how you want that person to treat youhis girlfriend, maybe eventually his wife.

When the time comes that theres an argumentand that time will comehe will know what you expect, and you will soon know whether you can count on him. In the meantime, listen to Queen Abby, to whom we always refer in issues of unpleasant mothers-in-law.

Dear Care and Feeding,

I am the mom of a terrific 8-year-old son, Harry, from my first marriage. My current partner and I started dating three years ago. The three of us have lived together for a little over a year. My son and current partner get along great.

Recently, we were incredibly excited to find out that we are expecting a baby together. However, Harry is the least baby-friendly person on earth. He claims babies are at worst annoying and at best boring. We have told him he isnt wrong, and he is totally entitled to those feelings. He has a baby sibling at his fathers house and he simply doesnt acknowledge the baby at all. Harry says he will treat the baby at our house the same way.

I have tried not to put pressure on him and tell him its OK not to be a baby person. Hey, there are adults who arent baby people! Maybe I should say that Harry is autistic and is pretty blunt about his feelings. For example, when other adults ask if he is excited about the baby, he simply says, No: Babies are loud and boring. I know I need to let my two kids foster their own relationship in their own time, and maybe Harry will eventually come around, but I want my kids to be close, and it makes me sad they may never be.

I also worry our family will feel disjointed with me or my partner tending to the baby and the other tending to Harry. Lastly, I worry that, as I was the birthing and nursing partner, Harry will pull away from me. Weve always been crazy closeI was a single mom for a long timeand the thought of not being as close because of a choice I made is really upsetting. Is there something more I should do to foster their relationship? Do I just keep letting Harry do his thing and keep up the no-pressure approach?

The Trouble With Harry

Dear Trouble,

First of all, congratulations on the news of your new baby! I admire how committed you are to wanting to maintain your connection to Harry and how concerned you are that he forge a relationship with the baby. While there are aspects of your situation that are somewhat unique, I do think it might help you to remember that you are not alone. The questions you are asking are versions of ones that have been asked by mothers since time immemorial: How do I make sure my older child loves my newborn just as I do? And how do I make sure my relationship with my older child remains unchanged?

The answer to both of these questions is: You cant. But please dont be disheartened by this! Of course a sibling wont love a new baby the same way his or her parents do, and many siblings have viewed the addition of a new person to the household with just as gimlet an eye as Harry does, even if they maybe didnt vocalize this quite as clearly. And of course your relationship with an older child evolves when a baby enters the family. It gets richer, weirder, harder, and even more charged. Thats the way it should be!

I think its totally fine to let Harry say what hes going to say about the baby. Youre handling that just right. But you can also reply to him, When this baby arrives, they will be a member of the family just like you and me and my partner, and they will be important to all of us, even you. You can see if any of the many books out there about welcoming a new sibling speak to him and his particular opinions about infants. And when the baby does come, you should establish some aspects of the babys carediaper procurement, bottle warming, onesie buttoningthat are included in his list of responsibilities. Harry will find his way into a relationship with this sibling over time; dont write him off, and dont preemptively mourn something that hasnt happened yet.

Dan

More Advice From Slate

Ive been friends with Nicole since childhood. Shes been married to Joe for the past seven years. He has custody of his 13-year-old son from a previous marriage, and he lives with them full time except for every other weekend. Nicole has really taken to being a stepmom. Now I am expecting my first child, and Nicole keeps equating my motherhood with being a stepmom. She keeps trying to give me advice and platitudes about parenthood. Nicole has a lot of experience, but I dont think our situations are the same. Nicole can be really touchy and temperamental, so while I would love to politely tell her to back off with the mom platitudes, I instead just distance myself. I always thought she would be like an extra aunt to my baby. What can I do?
It was already halfway through Ramadan this year before I scrambled to hang as many decorations as I could in my home in celebration of the holy month. I hastily ripped open plastic packets of streamers and banners with little lanterns and crescent moons, and stood over a wobbly chair to hang them up high on the walls. I strung out blinking lights in the shape of tiny lanterns. In the kitchen and bathroom, I laid out colorful hand towels embroidered with Ramadan greetings. I dared to experiment with a large Ramadan-themed tablecloth, but the kids grabbed at it and sent dishes tumbling. Still, my house was looking more festive than ever.

Ramadan has always meant a lot to me. Ive been fasting during this month, along with most other Muslims, since I was a kid. But my decoration frenzy was not about me. I had two little minds I was trying to infiltrate.

My fears were validated when, regarding my handiwork, one of the kids pointed and cruellyadorablycalled out, Halloween!

As with many parents of young kids, Ive found parenting my son and daughter2 and 1 nowto be a total blur. Its been hard to find the quiet moments I need to reflect and connect with them. I barely know what day it is. Most days feel like Im just going through the motions, constantly cleaning up spills, soothing tears, and playing referee between the two rival siblings. I needed to stop to realize how much of the world they are taking in, and how formative this time is for them. And it wasnt until this Ramadan that I noticed that my young kids had amassed huge swaths of holiday stuffso much stuffjust none of it Muslim. Christmas pajamas. Halloween books. Easter toy eggs. Valentines Hershey kisses. I immediately began worrying about their little sponge-like brains, soaking up everything they learn at schoolwhich is fantastic for subjects like reading and math, but a bit daunting when they start memorizing Christmas carols and becoming fixated on greetings for holidays like Valentines Day and St. Patricks Day.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

It seemed like an intervention was called for. As I looked up at the decorations, I felt like I had pulled it off. But my fears were only validated when, regarding my handiwork, one of the kids pointed and cruellyadorablycalled out, Halloween!

To be fair, I am guilty of indulging those cultural festivities. It seems innocent enough to dress them up in green for St. Patricks Day and the like. But its hard not to feel a twinge of guilt about not doing the same for the Muslim stuff they wont get at school. If I dont at least try to get them excited about the Muslim holidays, will they even know when those holidays come and go? The prospect of them not celebrating and enjoying them when they get older just kills me.

Advertisement

I ultimately realized I only want Ramadan to be a big deal in my kids lives because its a big deal in mine. And thats because theres a lot of pressure coming from my family to pass it on to the next generation.

I was raised by parents who immigrated from the Arab world. They never experienced living in a non-Muslim-majority country until they arrived in the United States and started a family. For them, there was this immense pressure to safeguard our cultural heritage and shield us from what I think of as Christmas creep: They were worried about us losing touch with our Arab and Muslim traditions and faith amid the glittering allure of Christmas lights and festivities.

Advertisement

Advertisement

They did everything they could to guard us from this. I resented them when they put their foot down and refused to entertain the idea of us getting a Christmas tree. I needed to choose between God and a tree. The fact that her 8-year-old kid chose the tree was enough to make my poor mother spiral. But it was never about the tree. To them, even the slightest capitulation to the American holiday culture all around us symbolized an erosion of our cultural and religious identity, a fear that embracing other traditions could lead us away from our own. It got to a point where anything like having candy canes around Christmastime was like spitting in the face of our Muslim forefathers. And those feelings lingered. Even when I got married and bought a house and got a Christmas tree one year, I felt a little dirty.

Advertisement

Advertisement

No one wants an Ive become my parents moment. But suddenly, now, I get it. And the slow slide I could already see happening in my babies lives made me feel like I was betraying what my parents had fought hard to preserve.

Though Im now beginning to experience those same unsettling feelings about having my young kids be bribed away from our traditions by cheap candyEaster was a trial this yearIm committed to not repeating the same mistakes my parents made. I dont want to try to hopelessly avert the eyes of my kids during non-Muslim holidays. Im not convinced that having chocolate on Easter has to be seen as diluting their future Islamic identities. Maybe chocolate is just chocolate, and I can spare my family that guilt. Instead, I wanted to make Ramadan feel special in a way that felt natural to them. I wanted to prepare them to engage effectively with people of diverse beliefs while staying true to their own faith.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

And that explains the panic-decorating. I just didnt do a very good job. Every other day I was scooping up bits of decorations that had fallen from sloppily applied adhesives, and even the toy lanterns I put out have all but disintegrated. But the kids are still young. I have more years to instill the sense that this is our holiday that we take seriously at home.

One thing Ive learned this year is that it isnt really about the decorations. This year, we also orchestrated playdates, inviting other families to join in our celebration of Ramadan. We had Ramadan evening dinners to gather loved ones and their children for iftar feasts where they could stay up past their bedtimes and run around and scream and indulge their primal selves. My goal became clear: to ensure that my kids experienced a richness in Ramadan that theyd remember in the coming winter holiday season.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Now, as Ramadan comes to a close and I start to let the decorations I hung up late unstick and fall, I have put together an awesome agenda for my kids to go all out for Eid celebrations. I dont want to do what my own parents did and make my kids feel like Christmas and Halloween are off-limits because their allure can seem overpowering. Im just going bigger.

Advertisement

This year for Eid, we started the morning with unwrapping presents. Wrapped gifts on Eid is a bit outside of the Muslim tradition. But if Im competing against Christmas, Ive got to bring out the big guns. Next, they got a sweet breakfast, strawberry cheesecake, while we parents enjoyed our first morning coffee in 30 days. And after a bath with extra bubbles, we dressed them up in fresh new clothes and took them to a nearby Eid fair, where kids their age played in a bouncy house and enjoy other carnival-type rides, and took pictures in their Eid clothes with the cherry blossoms in the park so they can remember this day forever.

Advertisement

To top it all off, Im giving them simple little goody bags to hand out to their classmates at school. Just like they receive candy and little plastic toys for other holidays, I want my kids to experience the joy of sharing their tradition with others, too. For me, its about more than just indoctrinating our kids and maintaining our religious identity; its about instilling in them a deep appreciation for their heritage and guiding them toward a balanced understanding of the world around them.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Its not really about competing with Christmas or trying to outdo other traditions. Its about carving out space to honor and cherish our Muslim heritage. With each gathering, each shared meal, and each moment of reflection, we were not only celebrating Ramadan and Eid but also building a foundation for their futures.

Its about arming my kids with the values and principles they need to navigate an ever-evolving world. So, in my eyes, making Ramadan and Eid special for them is one of the greatest gifts I can offer as a father. As long as they dont turn around and ask me to get them a Christmas tree. If they ever ask, Ill just tell them to wait for our next holiday.
Recently, Donald Trump fans in Florida and Michigan have been auto-generating and spreading around faked pictures of Trump surrounded by crowds of Black supportersand earning significant traction for doing so. Coming at a time when President Joe Biden is worried about losing the Black voters who came out for his 2020 election, the Trump images have become a whole new subgenre of A.I. sludge. And no one in any position of power appears to know what to do about it.

Last month, BBC Panorama reported on the proliferation of these deceitful likenesses. The first example displayed Trump at a Christmas party with his arm around a couple of Black women, one of whom is seen wearing a Pen & Pixelstyle tank; another shows him sitting on a house porch with six young Black men, smiling with his hands clasped. Both images gained substantial traction on Facebook, sans disclosure that they were A.I.-generated, and were misleadingly appended as context for stories on Trumps increasing appeal to Black voters.

These fakes, made with popular artificial intelligence tools, have become more and more common. Last August, shortly after Elon Musk revoked Twitters ban of Dom Lucrea far-right conspiracist and peddler of child sexual abuse imagerythe fringe influencer shared a hazy photo of Trump at a Black-hosted cookout and asked, Why is Obama never in the hood? Even for the misinformation-choked social platform, this was a bit much, and the image earned a Community Note pointing out that it was A.I.-generated.

Advertisement

But other such shares did not earn the same scrutiny. The Center for Countering Digital Hate, which recently beat back a meritless lawsuit from Musk, found in a report released last month that the cookout image was first crafted and posted by @Trump_History45, a parody account that specializes in prompting up deepfakes of Trump with various historical figures (including but not limited to Martin Luther King Jr., the Notorious B.I.G., Bob Marley, and Nelson Mandela). There was no Community Note attached to the accounts original post.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The accounts clear historical forgeries are somewhat obvious. The more generic outputs from @Trump_History45s prompts tend to situate Trump with Black Americans in stereotype-saturated images (e.g., racist tropes around watermelons) alongside faint watermarks and erroneous timestampsfine enough to fool your average Facebook-addicted boomer without context. One from late August purports to show Trump flashing a thumbs-up with supporters outside of the Fulton County Jail, all of whom are Black and a couple of whom are wearing colorful kufis. (It should go without saying that there are no such photos of Trump with supporters outside the jailhouse.)

Advertisement

Others purport to show Trump serving breakfast at the local Waffle House, riding through the streets of Compton on bicycles, and reading to local schoolchildren. Whatever the typical parody-account disclosures, such images are clearly meant to be spread far and wide to demonstrate that Joe Biden would NEVER take a picture sitting so comfortably with Black supporters. Indeed, after the BBC report spotlighted the Trump porch photo that had originated from Trump History in late 2023, the account admin sarcastically asked why the media attempts to discredit photographs of Donald Trump hanging out with his supporters.

Donald Trump often takes time out of his day to read to local schoolchildren. The media often fails to mention this. pic.twitter.com/0aBbz6ztCR  Trump History (@Trump_History45) August 23, 2023

Advertisement

Advertisement

The point, after all, is not just in creating such images, but in doing so and washing your hands of anything that happens with them afterward. The Florida radio host whod made the Trump Christmas party image had posted an article about black voters supporting Mr. Trump and attached this image to it, according to the BBC, but the creator insisted that he was not claiming it is accurate. The portrait of Trump on the porch similarly gained further attention when it was reposted with a new caption falsely claiming that he had stopped his motorcade to meet these people, per the broadcaster. When such auto-generated uncanny valleys shoot out into the ether, it becomes all the easier for other troublemakers to spread them to more gullible audiencesand it becomes impossible to nail down just who was behind them, frighteningly easy as they are to generate.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related From Slate Are You Ready for the A.I. Election? Read More

Since these creations earned press attention, tech platforms appear to have taken varying steps to address the underlying issue. The first Facebook post with the Christmas party image is now hidden behind a warning that it had been flagged as false information by independent fact-checkers, per the Washington Post. Midjourney, the popular A.I. image-generation tool behind the BBC-highlighted Trumpfakes, started blocking its users from creating fake images of Biden and Trump by mid-March, according to the Associated Press. Other A.I. generators from OpenAI and Microsoft are similarly implementing restrictions on providing election- or candidate-specific outputs, while Meta has promised to start adding A.I. disclosure labels to realistic-looking images, videos, and audio clips by next month (even though company executives dont appear to believe any of this is a big deal).

Advertisement

With the Federal Election Commission delaying regulations on election-related A.I. information until  after the falls election, states like Oregon, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Utah, and Indiana have passed their laws with restrictions or requirements for public disclosure imposed on A.I. impersonations of candidates. However, the scope of these relatively new laws varies quite significantly, and we have yet to see how effective they will actually be. The Trumpfakes described here wouldnt require any A.I. disclaimers in Wisconsin, whose law only covers campaign-produced deepfakes. An Arizona bill awaiting further statehouse action would, like New Mexicos enacted law, impose criminal penalties for A.I.-generating candidate impersonations for electoral purposesbut only if they were manufactured in the three months leading up to Election Day. And mechanisms for final enforcement similarly vary: New Mexico will split deepfake-oversight duties between its Ethics Commission and its secretary of states office, while Oregons gubernatorial administration is still hashing out enforcement measures.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

There will surely be other apps and other means by which users will continue to spit out false imagery of real people, including politicians. And there will be further chaos and uncertainty as officials at both the local and federal level scramble to address all of this. The grim news is, its unlikely the U.S. will figure out a uniform standard by the time Election Day rolls around, making the 2024 cycle a real-time experiment for preserving democratic processes in an A.I.-saturated world. If cartoonish deepfakes of Trump with made-up Black people can fool the average social mediainformed voter, well, were clearly unprepared for the even savvier forgeries to come.
When Texas Gov. Greg Abbott first started busing migrants to Democrat-controlled cities in 2022, the policy was seen as little more than a cruel political stunt. Abbott seemed in search of any chance to antagonize President Joe Biden and Democratic mayors and churn up favorable conservative media hits for himself, no matter the human cost. Immigrant rights groups cried foul, and Democrats were outraged at a particularly inhumane display of political theater.

Two years since the policy was announced, Texas has bused more than 100,000 migrants to other cities, at the cost of $148 million. For Republicans, its been worth every penny.

Democrats have what in any other election year would be an overwhelmingly winning array of things to run on: a roaring economy with rising wages and rock-bottom unemployment; a wildly unpopular opponent facing a litany of criminal charges; the very real threat of a national abortion ban, a goal Republicans continue to ally themselves with despite its incredible potency as an electoral loser.

And yet, to Democrats total chagrin, Joe Biden is constantly being called upon to talk about immigration, one of the few things that voters prefer Republicans address, at least according to polls. And its not just a marginal issue: A recent Wall Street Journal survey found that immigration, somehow, is voters very top concern, despite the fact that most of them live nowhere near the border.

Thats thanks, in large part, to Abbott, whose cruel and histrionic impulses have turned out to be a diabolical act of political genius. Its one of the few things keeping competitive an election year that should otherwise be a blowout, given economic factors alone, and national Republicans should be thanking their lucky stars that Abbotts machinations have made a national issue out of one the few things they have a real edge onand kept it in the news for almost two yearswhile every other Republican culture war cry (CRT! TikTok!) has fallen by the wayside. Far from looking out only for his own promotion, it seems Abbott may have been looking out for the entire beleaguered partys political viability too.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

As Abbott sent more and more migrants to cities like New York and Chicago, he got a huge assist from the unprepared and, arguably, unwitting mayors of those cities, who began to lend credence to the Abbott line. Nowhere was this more obvious than in New York City, where Mayor Eric Adams, fresh off winning an election on the back of a crime panic, facing plunging favorability numbers, and looking for an excuse to enact bone-deep budget cuts, began bellowing about the so-called migrant crisis, borrowing an Abbottism. Adams insistence on the Republican line on this caused a swift and bitter falling-out with the Biden administration.

Close behind him was New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, another Democrat who joined the chorus of those hawking the border crisis. Even progressive Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson heeded this call. Now its not just Republicans but a wide spectrum of Democrats calling on Biden to do something, legitimizing an issue borne of opportunism and making Biden, who didnt have all that much room anyway to move without Congress, look ineffectual. (Though he does have some options.)

Advertisement

Migrant encounters at the border are indeed up, and the Biden administration has, since Day 1, ranked immigration very low on its list of policy priorities; it has largely tried to meet the matter with silence.

Advertisement

After absorbing a year of body blows on the issue and mounting pressure from Dems (aforementioned and others), the administration did finally work with Republicans in Congress on an immigration bill. But Donald Trump blew up the negotiations from a distance, despite the fact that the legislation included an overwhelming number of Republican priorities on immigration. Meanwhile, Abbott has continued to act as his very own accelerant, with his deployment of the Texas National Guard to the border, in clear violation of the Constitution, and with the passage of S.B. 4, the bill that banned sanctuary cities in Texas.

Advertisement

Advertisement

In some sense, its a marvel: Abbott, a Republican leading just one state, has established national agenda-setting power in a political environment with a Democratic president, a Democrat-controlled Senate, and a House with such a small and fractious Republican majority it doesnt feel entirely accurate to refer to it as such. Its a cautionary tale, too, as the shortsighted Democrats, who, unlike Abbott, were not thinking of the well-being of their national party, fell into his trap, subsequently dragging the whole party down with them. That $148 million Abbott spent on busing got more earned media and did more to move the needle than the hundreds of millions (billions, by November) that will be spent on advertising and organizing for Trump and Biden both.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

But it also should be a model for Democrats going forward, about how governors can aid their presidents, and their national party, in steering the national dialogue.

Democrats happen to control a handful of very large states of their own: California and New York. They also run Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, New Jersey, more. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been willing to spar with Republican governors, like Floridas Ron DeSantis, on television, a well-coiffed self-promotional fighting back that has certainly proved less advantageous to the party broadly than to Newsoms personal political ambitions.

But Newsom could easily take a page from the Abbott playbook and use the massive, one-party state he runs to drive attention to any of the winning issues Democratsand particularly Joe Bidenwould like you to be hearing about. Heres one for free: With Arizonas conservative Supreme Court implementing a near-total abortion ban based on an 1860s law out of the blue on Tuesday, neighboring California could set up an abortion clinic for Arizonans fleeing their states authoritarian Republican rule, right across the border. Newsom could make a whole big show of it. He could send buses to pick up women in Florida, where a similarly draconian and unpopular six-week abortion ban goes into effect next month.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related From Slate Biden Should Declare an Emergency at the Borderand Handle It Wildly Differently Than Trump Read More

Hochul, instead of ripping off Abbotts slogans on the migrant crisis, could use her position to grandstand on in vitro fertilization, a process that has become functionally illegal in Alabama. Offer to bus that states women to New York for treatment. The message? Dont forget: Its Democrats who are willing to put in the effort for your rights.

There are, as Abbott has showed, so many ways to do this. You dont even need to abide by the Constitution! Democrats control the executive offices in Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota; nestled all around them are states like Indiana with abortion bans. Set up free transit, put up billboards welcoming those in pursuit of reproductive freedom. The outcome, as Abbott has shown, matters less than the spectacle. (Tallied across multiple years nationwide, 100,000 migrants are a small percentage of the total number of asylum seekers awaiting processing in the U.S.)

Advertisement

Biden, for all his legislative successes, has not been especially strong on the stump, or as a salesman. His campaign has already leaned on the young, popular, and successful governors in a number of these states for messaging and campaign events. The administration, at the same time, has been frustrated that its successes arent breaking through.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Those problems are two sides of the same coin. Inviting Democratic governors to speak at rallies is a weak use of the agenda-setting, conversation-steering power that their offices have, as Abbott has unlocked. Political theater is an important part of winning elections. Abbott is willing to defy the Constitution to further the Republican political agenda and cover for the Trump campaigns manifold weaknesses. State-level Democrats dont even need a constitutional crisis of their own to make this point, nor do they need to match Abbotts penchant for crueltyjust a little combativeness and a little showmanship, to prove that theyre all on the same page, and serious about their own popular political agenda.
Borough and stonemason fight for ownership of studio.

Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share

Alojz Rigele is one of several artists whose work subtly complements Bratislava's streets. The sculptor from Bratislava worked in a small rented studio on Stefanikova Street his entire life.

While the similar studios of other artists have already been demolished, his wooden building stands almost unchanged to this day. However, its future is uncertain.

The Stare Mesto borough is fighting for its ownership with stonemason Jan Blahutiak, who has used the studio since 1983 and would like to preserve its original purpose and serve the public.

"The building was already in bad technical condition years ago. In addition, there is no title deed, so its place on the given plot of land is not legitimate," says Ivo Stassel, a director of the Municipal Institute of Monuments Protection in Bratislava.

According to him, the owners of the nearby building tried to demolish the studio, which the institute protested against at the time. "So, the legal situation is complicated, but we still see sense in preserving and using it for cultural purposes," Stassel explains.

Although the studio is marked as a monument, that does not guarantee any legal protection. Blahutiak insists that the studio remain in its place and not be replaced by just a tableau commemorating Rigele.

In the past, the space was used for art events several times; for example, in 1990 there was a memorial exhibition for the 50th anniversary of the sculptor's passing.

A conversion of the studio into a workshop for the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava students was considered, but Blahutiak did not consider the plan realistic. There is no active interest in doing something with the space seen on the part of the capital.

Stare Mesto claims that they are interested in the reconstruction, but first they want to settle the ownership.

"The borough is not interested in the demolishing of the building," says Martina Karmanovva from the Stare Mesto communications department. However, the borough provided neither concrete steps to resolve the situation nor an idea about the studio's future.

Related article

Related article He was a genius sculptor, but there is almost no memory of him in Bratislava Read more

A hidden treasure in a backyard

To find Rigele's studio, you have to enter the yard at 41 Stefanikova Street. However, the wooden studio covered with grey waterproof blanket will most likely be locked, as Jan Blahutiak is currently using it as a storehouse as well as to finish some work. Neither is he there every day.
Having an espresso machine at home is a luxury. Having a high-end espresso machine at home, like the La Marzocco Linea Mini, is luxurious. What is beyond luxurious I cannot say, but I know what it looks like. Introducing a limited-edition La Marzocco Linea Mini, designed in collaboration with luxury luggage brand RIMOWA.

Announced today, the exclusive Linea Mini is the perfect blend of Italian and German design and engineering. At the heart of the collaboration is the single-group home version of the cafe workhorse, the Linea. The form and function of one of the leading home espresso machines remains unchained, but with some rather well-appointed updates coming from RIMOWA.

The brands signature grooved aluminum cover the all grey machine, with both the RIMOWA monogram and La Marzoccos own lion logo emblazoned on the water and steam knobs, respectively. A custom portafilter is reinterpreted in anodised aluminium, as are its feet. Officine Fratelli Bambi appears on the back panel, a nod to the LM workshop where each of the machines are hand built, requiring over 40 hours each.

This venture reflects our commitment to excellence and the shared values with RIMOWAan iconic brand synonymous with exploration, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to aesthetic brilliance, La Marzocco CEO Guido Bernardinelli states. Together, the two companies that work to pioneer in their sectors, have crafted an exceptional example of product design and durabilityand I am proud to show the public the result.

The RIMOWA Linea Mini will debut next week, April 15th, during Milan Design Week. It will be teh centerpiece at both the La Marzocco Store pop-up through April 21st as well as the Caffe RIMOWA pop-up at Spazio Maiocchi.

You can learn all about the specs and the custom appointments for the limited-edition exclusive RIMOWA x La Marzocco Linea Mini here. Except the price. Because with all luxury things, if you have to ask, well, you know.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240409/us-defense-secretary-acknowledges-admitting-ukraine-in-nato-threatens-russian-security-1117836272.html

US Defense Secretary Acknowledges Admitting Ukraine in NATO Threatens Russian Security

US Defense Secretary Acknowledges Admitting Ukraine in NATO Threatens Russian Security

Sputnik International

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin admitted during a congressional testimony that Ukraines membership in NATO goes against Russian national interests.

2024-04-09T22:42+0000

2024-04-09T22:42+0000

2024-04-09T22:42+0000

world

russia

ukraine

nato

us senate armed services committee

antony blinken

nato enlargement

nato expansion

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/0d/1101820867_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_cba5b1ea81f4dc0fa60a7b1b5411ed50.jpg

"Certainly, if I was Russia, I would not want that [Ukraine becoming a NATO member]. I would also not want Finland and Sweden to be a part of NATO," Austin told the US Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. Austin also confirmed that the enlargement of NATO over the past year has created "worse conditions" for Russia, essentially admitting that the military bloc poses a threat to the country. Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Ukraine will become a member of NATO. He said later in the day that the NATO summit in Washington in July will unveil the role the military bloc should play in supporting Ukraine in the longer term.Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that NATO's expansion to include Ukraine would create a direct national security threat to Russia and that Moscow considers the non-aligned status of Ukraine to be extremely important to put an end to the years-long conflict. Ukraine's stated plans to join the alliance were among the reasons for Russia to launch its special military operation in February 2022.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240130/washington-berlin-not-ready-to-support-ukraines-nato-bid-at-75th-summit--reports-1116502874.html

russia

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russia nato relations, will ukraine join nato, will nato admit ukraine, russia ukraine relations, ukraine membership in nato, what are russian national interests, us defense secretary lloyd austin
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/biden-says-considering-australias-request-to-end-julian-assange-prosecution-1117854053.html

Biden Says Considering Australia's Request to End Julian Assange Prosecution

Biden Says Considering Australia's Request to End Julian Assange Prosecution

Sputnik International

US President Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday that he is considering Australia's request for the United States to end its prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, according to the White House press pool.

2024-04-10T15:41+0000

2024-04-10T15:41+0000

2024-04-10T17:36+0000

americas

julian assange

joe biden

united kingdom (uk)

us

wikileaks

australia

white house

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/1a/1117558075_0:203:2830:1794_1920x0_80_0_0_daa34ce8717c7d77cc44123582a42461.jpg

"We're considering it," Biden said in response to a question about Australia's request that he end the US governments prosecution of Assange. Commenting on the development, Assange's lawyer Barry Pollack told Sputnik he found Biden's statement encouraging.Last month, the United Kingdoms High Court of Justice in London further delayed the prospects of extraditing Assange to the United States, ruling that he has a real prospect of success on three of the nine grounds of appeal. The High Court asked the US government to provide assurances that the WikiLeaks founder would be able to claim the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees the right to free speech, press, religion, assembly and to petition the government for redress of grievances. The High Court also asked the US government to ensure that Assange would not be prejudiced at his trial due to his nationality and that he would not face the death penalty. The next hearing is scheduled for May 20 if the parties submit the necessary documents. Assange has been detained in the Belmarsh prison in London, arguably the harshest detention facility in the United Kingdom. The US government seeks Assange for publishing on WikiLeaks acquired video and textual information on its activities in various wars, which may be construed as violations of international law and engagement in war crimes, among others.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240327/is-biden-administration-slow-rolling-assange-case-to-keep-journalist-in-limbo-1117573772.html

americas

united kingdom (uk)

australia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

joe biden, julian assange, wikileaks, assange pardoning, will us stop prosecute assange?
Multiple indicators signal upward trend in Chinese economy

Ecns.cn) 08:22, April 10, 2024

(ECNS) -- The bustling Qingming holiday, resurgence in the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), along with record-high imports and exports in the first two months, underscore the vitality of China's consumption, production, and foreign trade, signaling an upward trajectory of its economy.

Surging tourist numbers and soaring spending

During the three-day Qingming Festival holiday, the number of travelers surged, coupled with escalated spending.

Passengers walk out of Beijing South Railway Station, April 6, 2024. (Photo: China News Service/Jia Tianyong)

Domestic tourism during the holiday reached 119 million trips, an 11.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019, with domestic tourists spending 53.95 billion yuan ($7.46 billion) in total, up by 12.7 percent, according to data from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Travel portal Trip.com Group said that over the holiday, bookings for short-distance tours to destinations within cities customers live in grew 211 percent year-on-year, while bookings to neighboring destinations located outside the cities they live in skyrocketed 350 percent year-on-year.

Zhou Maohua, macro researcher at the Financial Market Department of Everbright Bank, suggested that China's proactive policies to boost employment and income will bolster domestic consumption capacity and willingness.

Three PMI numbers rebound above boom-bust line

In March, China's three PMIs experienced a significant rebound above 50, surpassing the boom-bust line. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the manufacturing PMI surged to 50.8 from 49.1 in February as manufacturers accelerated production after the Spring Festival holiday.

China's non-manufacturing PMI also rose, coming in at 53 in March versus February's 51.4.

The country's composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and non-manufacturing activities, climbed to 52.7 in March from 50.9 in February.

The National Bureau of Statistics attributed this to "accelerated production and business activities, leading to a rebound in China's economic prosperity."

Wen Tao, an expert at the China Logistics Information Center, views the manufacturing PMI's return to expansion as a notable economic improvement.

An article on Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao cited experts saying that the PMI's return above 50 signifies that China had found new growth engines and was no longer solely reliant on real estate to drive expansion.

With China's productivity growing, enterprise profits also improved.

From January to February, total profits of industrial enterprises above the designated size stood at 914.06 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.2 percent, representing continuous growth since last August, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Imports and exports reach a historic high

In addition to PMI numbers, China's imports and exports also showed positive signs of economic rebound.

Trade in the first two months of this year amounted to 66 trillion yuan, marking a new historical peak.

The General Administration of Customs noted that this roughly matches China's entire annual foreign trade value 20 years ago.

Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank, anticipates a stronger-than-expected economic recovery, with the first quarter economic growth rate projected to reach approximately 5.0 percent, laying a solid foundation for annual targets.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/china-sending-message-that-it-has-russias-back-if-west-escalates-1117838001.html

China Sending Message That It Has Russias Back If West Escalates

China Sending Message That It Has Russias Back If West Escalates

Sputnik International

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, sending a strong message to the West that the two countries will continue their strategic relationship.

2024-04-10T02:11+0000

2024-04-10T02:11+0000

2024-04-10T02:11+0000

analysis

russia

china

ukraine

us

emmanuel macron

nato

us hegemony

ukrainian crisis

the critical hour

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0a/1117838181_0:22:900:528_1920x0_80_0_0_cfb7b5222352416a1865cdb3e8a23958.jpg

The meeting between Lavrov and Xi, particularly right after Yellens visit, is a message to the West that China will have the back of Russia if the conflict in Ukraine is escalated by the West, lawyer and journalist Dimitri Lascarus told Sputniks The Critical Hour on Wednesday.Of course, we have this ongoing drama with little Napoleon in France [French President] Emmanuel Macron, talking about sending a few thousand French troops to their deaths in Odessa, Lascarus recalled. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it has been interpreted by both the Russian and Chinese governments as an attempt to provoke Russia into a direct attack on a NATO country.I think [China is] sending a message that China will have the back of Russia if this escalates. And, no one should have any illusions about that, Lascarus explained.While neither government has any reservations about the necessity of their alliance, Lascarus argued that the West is forcing them to strengthen their relationship because of its aggressive actions. Every day, Western governments are acting in a way which makes this partnership even more compelling to the Russian and Chinese governments.With public sentiment turning against the Ukrainian disaster in both Europe and the US, Lascarus noted that polls show that the vast majority of French citizens think the country is heading in the wrong direction. [France] has been one of the primary architects of this disastrous neocon policy in Ukraine, he explained. So were seeing already, that the political days of these characters are all numbered.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240409/chinese-foreign-minister-confirms-participation-in-brics-meeting-in-russia-in-june--lavrov-1117821017.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240409/president-putin-expected-to-visit-china-this-year---russian-foreign-ministry-1117824035.html

russia

china

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Ian DeMartino

Ian DeMartino

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Ian DeMartino

russian foreign minister sergey lavrov, lavrov chinese visit, russian foreign minister visited china, russia china relations, china west relations, global south, new alliances, world politics
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/ecuadors-ex-vice-president-glas-on-hunger-strike-tried-to-commit-suicide---ex-president-1117857133.html

Ecuadors Ex-Vice President Glas on Hunger Strike, Tried to Commit Suicide - Ex-President

Ecuadors Ex-Vice President Glas on Hunger Strike, Tried to Commit Suicide - Ex-President

Sputnik International

Former Ecuadorian Veep Jorge Glas, who was arrested last week as result of the storming of the Mexican embassy in Quito, tried to commit suicide, former Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said.

2024-04-10T21:42+0000

2024-04-10T21:42+0000

2024-04-10T21:42+0000

americas

ecuador

mexico

quito

mexican foreign ministry

jorge glas

embassy

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/01/1a/1081882006_0:0:1280:721_1920x0_80_0_0_49395cab945f5e167c14aea635309e19.jpg

On Monday, Glas was transferred from prison to a military hospital, Ecuadorian media reported. Ecuadorian police forcibly entered the Mexican Embassy in Quito on the night of April 6 and took away former Vice President Jorge Glas, convicted of corruption. He had been sheltering at the diplomatic mission since last December. Mexico granted him political asylum on April 5. Ecuador called the decision illegal and demanded the politician's extradition.Ecuadorian police, as reported by the Mexican Foreign Ministry, entered the territory of the diplomatic mission in two armored cars, some law enforcers climbed over the walls. Diplomats were injured in the storming of the embassy building. Mexico severed diplomatic relations with Ecuador the same night.

americas

ecuador

mexico

quito

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

former ecuadorian veep jorge glas, what happened in mexican embassy in quito, mexico eucador relations, ecuadorian president rafael correa, jorge glas committed suicide
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/exact-date-of-operation-in-rafah-not-set-yet--israeli-defense-minister-to-us-1117839499.html

Exact Date of Operation in Rafah Not Set Yet  Israeli Defense Minister to US

Exact Date of Operation in Rafah Not Set Yet  Israeli Defense Minister to US

Sputnik International

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has told US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that an exact date for Israel's operation in Rafah has yet to be set, media reported on Tuesday, citing a source with direct knowledge.

2024-04-10T04:10+0000

2024-04-10T04:10+0000

2024-04-10T04:10+0000

world

middle east

benjamin netanyahu

yoav gallant

israel

rafah

hamas

israeli-palestinian conflict

israel-gaza conflict

palestine-israel conflict

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0a/1117839342_0:205:3070:1932_1920x0_80_0_0_4706e177e18478a48913b1545ca0b9dd.jpg

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israeli authorities "have a date" for the Israeli operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The report said that Gallant told Austin on Monday that there was no date for the operation yet. The Israeli defense minister also told his American counterpart that Israel would have to take several crucial steps before an operation commences, including an orderly evacuation of the civilian population and an increase in humanitarian aid, Axios reported. On March 22, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he was still determined to enter Rafah as there was no other way to defeat the remaining Hamas forces, adding that he would do that with or without US support. Many countries and international organizations, including the United States and the United Nations, are opposed to Israel's plans to proceed with the operation in Rafah. On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted during the attack. 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 33,000 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/israel-will-have-to-drop-unachievable-goals-in-gaza-1117838889.html

israel

rafah

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

israeli army, rafah operation, yoav gallant, israeli offensive, gaza strip crisis
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/gagauzia-to-appeal-to-russia-among-others-if-moldova-sends-troops-to-region---gutsul-1117837808.html

Gagauzia to Appeal to Russia Among Others If Moldova Sends Troops to Region - Gutsul

Gagauzia to Appeal to Russia Among Others If Moldova Sends Troops to Region - Gutsul

Sputnik International

If Chisinau will respond militarily to the declaration of independence of Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauzia, the autonomy will apply for help to everyone, including Russia, Gagauzia head Gutsul said.

2024-04-10T01:28+0000

2024-04-10T01:28+0000

2024-04-10T10:58+0000

world

russia

moldova

gagauzia

nato

chisinau

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/01/1117072087_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_124354222aad0cdcffd039324028c520.jpg

Gutsul said last week that the autonomous region will declare independence if Moldovan authorities decide to unite with Romania. Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauzia sees no prerequisites that Russia wants to attack Moldova despite statements being made by authorities in Chisinau, Gutsul also said.Moldovan authorities are doing everything to create a worrisome atmosphere in the country, she said, adding that residents constantly hear about some "call of conscripts" and agreements with NATO.Gutsul also stated that although Gagauzia wants to remain a part of Moldova it will "take measures" if the country's authorities decide to unite with Romania.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240402/nato-drills-in-moldova-west-tightens-grip-amid-tensions-around-the-country-1117703028.html

russia

moldova

gagauzia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

moldova autonomous region of gagauzia, yevgenia gutsul, moldova romania escalation, gagauzia head gutsul, what is happening in gagauzia, what is happening near ukraine, nato moldova escalation
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/goal-of-us-drills-with-japan-australia-philippines-to-expand-nato---russia-1117845265.html

Russia Slams US Joint Drills With Japan, Australia, Philippines as Global NATO Expansion

Russia Slams US Joint Drills With Japan, Australia, Philippines as Global NATO Expansion

Sputnik International

The goal of the joint drills between the United States, Japan, Australia and the Philippines is to expand NATO in other regions of the world, Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said on Wednesday.

2024-04-10T10:52+0000

2024-04-10T10:52+0000

2024-04-10T11:35+0000

military

asian version of nato

japan

australia

philippines

nato

aukus

south china sea

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0a/1117845070_0:151:3103:1896_1920x0_80_0_0_84469067e3246fb2ecc70c760e298678.jpg

"The goal is the same as what we've been talking about, which is to increase NATO expansion, including into other parts of the world," Zakharova told a briefing.On Saturday, the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines have announced plans to conduct joint naval exercises in the South China Sea, their first collaborative military effort in the region. This development comes amid heightened tensions stemming from territorial disputes in the area. As per official statements, the exercises aim to uphold international law, ensure freedom of navigation, and address contested claims, as outlined in a joint statement issued by the defense chiefs of the four nations.The forthcoming exercises, known as the maritime cooperative activity, will involve various maneuvers, including anti-submarine warfare training. Japan has confirmed its involvement by deploying its destroyer JS Akebono for the drills. The joint initiative underscores the collective determination of the participating nations to safeguard shared interests and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region amidst ongoing tensions and territorial disagreements.The territorial affiliation of some islands and reefs in the South China Sea, including the Philippine-controlled Second Thomas Shoal, has been the subject of disputes between China, the Philippines, and several other Asia-Pacific countries for decades.On Sunday, China's military announced the completion of air and sea patrols, asserting control over activities deemed disruptive in the South China Sea. This action appears to be a direct response to naval exercises conducted by the United States and its allies.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/china-sending-message-that-it-has-russias-back-if-west-escalates-1117838001.html

japan

australia

philippines

south china sea

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

asian version of nato, us drills china, nato asia, japan us drills
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/israel-will-have-to-drop-unachievable-goals-in-gaza-1117838889.html

Israel Will Have to Drop Unachievable Goals in Gaza

Israel Will Have to Drop Unachievable Goals in Gaza

Sputnik International

Hamas representatives said the Israeli proposal it received from Qatari and Egyptian mediators did not meet any of the demands from the Palestinian factions, but the will study it.

2024-04-10T03:42+0000

2024-04-10T03:42+0000

2024-04-10T04:05+0000

analysis

israel

palestine

ukraine

palestinians

hamas

israel defense forces (idf)

benjamin netanyahu

israeli-palestinian conflict

israel-gaza conflict

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/09/1117825210_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_355fbc41113e0a0c10fc0b07cfa31320.jpg

Israel will have to drop its demand that Hamas be destroyed because it is an unachievable goal to destroy something that is essentially an ideology, the host of The Left is Dead podcast, James Carey asserted on Sputniks The Critical Hour on Tuesday.A ceasefire will not be seriously negotiated until the Israeli demand that Hamas be destroyed is removed, Carey said, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dedicated the war to that goal. I think weve seen that even at the sacrifice of hostages over the last seven months, Carey claimed.These are open proxies, and the US is funneling arms and money to them because they see no other way, Carey explained, referring to Ukraine and Israel. I dont think the US is competent enough to get involved [directly]. Much less, I dont think the IDF [Israeli Defense Force] is actually that competent after years of resting on their laurels. I think that youre seeing the failure of US policy. The US empire has no real projection of force because theres no willingness for it at home.Asked about the ongoing protests in Israel against Netanyahu, Carey noted that they are significant but cautioned against hoping for new leadership to end its bombardment of Gaza as a result.We know a sort of left-wing liberal coalition cant hold together in Israel, Carey elaborated. Especially because it has to include [both] Palestinians and opposition to Netanyahu from the center-left. Most of the governmental opposition to Netanyahu comes from the right, described by co-host Wilmer Leon as more horrific than Netanyahu, referring specifically to the leader of the National Religious PartyReligious Zionism, Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a description Carey agreed with.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240408/israeli-troop-withdrawal-from-southern-gaza-is-tactical-move-not-concession-for-peace-deal-1117814096.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240409/photos-khan-yunis-left-in-ruins-after-israel-withdraws-from-southern-gaza-1117829125.html

israel

palestine

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Ian DeMartino

Ian DeMartino

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Ian DeMartino

israel hamas deal, israel withdrawal from gaza, gaza palestine israel conflict, netanyahu purposes in gaza, what will happen in gaza
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/lavrov-un-middle-east-envoy-discuss-situation-in-gaza---russian-foreign-ministry-1117856755.html

Lavrov, UN Middle East Envoy Discuss Situation in Gaza - Russian Foreign Ministry

Lavrov, UN Middle East Envoy Discuss Situation in Gaza - Russian Foreign Ministry

Sputnik International

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov discussed with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland the situation in the Middle East, primarily in the Gaza Strip.

2024-04-10T20:36+0000

2024-04-10T20:36+0000

2024-04-10T20:36+0000

world

sergey lavrov

israel

palestine

the united nations (un)

russian foreign ministry

israel-gaza conflict

gaza strip

israeli-palestinian conflict

palestine-israel conflict

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/17/1116329155_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_ace2b019515089779513e90e522f3642.jpg

"A detailed discussion was held on the current situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, primarily in the Gaza Strip. Against the backdrop of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the enclave, the importance of an immediate ceasefire, safe and unhindered access to all affected people and those in need and the release of hostages was reaffirmed," the ministry said in a statement. The meeting also focused on prospects for reviving the peace process between Palestine and Israel after the end of the "hot phase" of the conflict, the statement read. Lavrov and Wennesland also exchanged views on the overall situation in the Middle East region, taking into account the growing tension between Israel and Lebanon, Israeli attacks on the territory of Syria, as well as instability in the Red Sea, the ministry added.

israel

palestine

gaza strip

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russian foreign minister sergey lavrov, russia on gaza conflict, what is russian opinion about israel palestine conflict, un special coordinator middle east peace process tor wennesland, lavrov wennesland meeting
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/marking-the-80th-anniversary-of-odessas-liberation-1117853921.html

Marking the 80th Anniversary of Odessa's Liberation

Marking the 80th Anniversary of Odessa's Liberation

Sputnik International

The Soviet Army completely liberated the city of Odessa in 1944, marking an important chapter in crushing the Nazi forces in the course of WWII.

2024-04-10T17:06+0000

2024-04-10T17:06+0000

2024-04-10T17:06+0000

multimedia

odessa

infographic

wwii

great patriotic war

ussr

soviet union

soviet army

ussr

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0a/1117853675_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_86bb0cae468df49fece8b303de3016e4.jpg

The Nazis sought to control vital transportation hub Odessa since the very start of WWII, seeing it as a critical infrastructure area. Once the city was defended following a 907-day siege, Soviet troops began preparing for a comprehensive offensive. Soviet troops launched the Odessa operation on March 26, 1944, during which the armies of the 3rd Ukrainian Front liberated the city.With the help of the fierce partisans and underground fighters, Soviet troops managed to push the enemy out of Odessa, paving the way for a further ferocious liberation of cities throughout Nazi-occupied lands, not just in the USSR but also Europe. Check out Sputnik's infographic to learn more about a pivotal moment in breaking down the WWII aggressor:

3

odessa

soviet union

ussr

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

odessa liberation, odessa under nazi siege, odessa in wwii, odessa occupied by nazis, odessa offensive, odessa soviet operation
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/rome-to-host-fao-conference-after-chisinau-bars-russian-delegation---moscow-1117844429.html

Rome to Host FAO Conference After Chisinau Bars Russian Delegation - Moscow

Rome to Host FAO Conference After Chisinau Bars Russian Delegation - Moscow

Sputnik International

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conference has been moved from Chisinau to its headquarters in Rome after Moldova banned entry of the Russian delegation, the Russian Foreign Ministrys spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said on Wednesday.

2024-04-10T09:25+0000

2024-04-10T09:25+0000

2024-04-10T09:25+0000

world

maria zakharova

rome

chisinau

food and agriculture organization

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/1a/1107809956_0:134:2560:1574_1920x0_80_0_0_96aa0795b7eb9bb6731b31aa5e54e4e1.jpg

"Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Russian Foreign Ministry  our country managed to change the venue of the 34th session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Regional Conference for Europe .... We managed to move it from Chisinau to the organization's headquarters in Rome," Zakharova told a briefing.

rome

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

rome food and agriculture organization, chisinau food and agriculture, moldova ban, moldova russia ban
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/russia-skips-swiss-held-ukraine-conference-as-bern-asserts-no-peace-possible-without-moscow-1117851424.html

Russia Skips Swiss-Held Ukraine Conference as Bern Asserts 'No Peace Possible Without Moscow'

Russia Skips Swiss-Held Ukraine Conference as Bern Asserts 'No Peace Possible Without Moscow'

Sputnik International

Russia will not attend the first peace conference on Ukraine in Switzerland, and no peace process is possible without Moscow, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said on Wednesday.

2024-04-10T14:33+0000

2024-04-10T14:33+0000

2024-04-10T15:27+0000

world

russia

switzerland

ukraine

ukraine crisis

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0a/1117851684_0:0:2960:1665_1920x0_80_0_0_f4cd5d8391a428e2fabe3f35255a4be7.jpg

"The second country that Switzerland has talked to about holding such a conference after Ukraine is Russia. No peace process can be implemented without Russia, even if Moscow does not participate in the first peace conference on Ukraine organized in Switzerland," Cassis told a press conference. The participation of Belarus in the summit is also "unlikely", but its presence is not of the main importance, according to the Swiss minister. At the same time, Cassis added that the US had confirmed its participation.Earlier this week, a spokesman of the Russian embassy in Bern, Vladimir Khokhlov, told Sputnik that Switzerland has not invited Russia to the Ukraine peace summit, and Moscow is not planning to participate in any case. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during a meeting with Cassis in January, emphasized that Moscow takes into account Bern's departure from neutrality principles and its support for Kiev while shaping bilateral relations. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated in February that Switzerland's potential as an "honest broker" in conflict resolution has been exhausted for Russia. Moscow has repeatedly signaled readiness for negotiations, yet Kiev has legislatively imposed a ban on them. The West calls on Russia for talks, to which Moscow shows willingness, but Western circles overlook Kiev's consistent refusal for dialogue. Earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged in an interview with CBS that not all countries wish to attend the Ukraine summit in Switzerland due to relations with Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240404/lavrov-calls-zelenskys-idea-of-talks-starting-without-kiev-getting-1991-borders-absurd-1117734102.html

russia

switzerland

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukraine peace conference, ukraine peace talks, russia ukraine peace, ukraine conference in switzerland, who is coming to the ukraine peace conference, ukraine crisis
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/switzerlands-largest-party-in-parlt-demands-berns-withdrawal-from-council-of-europe-1117838568.html

Swiss Parliaments Biggest Political Party Urges Bern to Leave Council of Europe

Swiss Parliaments Biggest Political Party Urges Bern to Leave Council of Europe

Sputnik International

The Swiss People's Party said it demands the country's withdrawal from the Council of Europe after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Bern was not doing enough to combat climate change.

2024-04-10T02:44+0000

2024-04-10T02:44+0000

2024-04-10T07:02+0000

world

europe

switzerland

council of europe

european court of human rights (echr)

european convention on human rights

climate change

swiss peoples party

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102879/93/1028799366_0:373:4288:2785_1920x0_80_0_0_c29f6cee2e59d245b870a984abc7da28.jpg

"The ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is a scandal. Ideology and denial of reality clearly prevail in European courts. The task of the courts is to establish the law, not to engage in politics. Moreover, the judges in Strasbourg did not even take into account the fact that Switzerland is a model country for reducing CO2 emissions. UDC strongly condemns this interference by foreign judges and demands Switzerland's withdrawal from the Council of Europe," the party's release said on Tuesday. A group of four women, along with the Swiss organization Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz, filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), arguing that Switzerland's authorities are failing to take adequate steps to mitigate the effects of climate change and the resulting impact of global warming on their well-being, living conditions, and health.On Tuesday, the ECHR found Switzerland in violation for its inaction on climate change in the first ruling of its kind. The court ruled that "the Swiss Confederation had failed to comply with its duties ... under the Convention concerning climate change" in terms of implementing the relevant domestic regulatory framework, including limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The court ruled that there had been violations of the European Convention on Human Rights, including under Article 8  a right to a state's effective protection from the serious adverse effects of climate change on lives, health, well-being and quality of life. However, the court ruled that four women did not fulfill the victim-status criteria and declared their complaints inadmissible.The court also ruled that Bern was to pay the association 80,000 euros (nearly $87,000) in respect of costs and expenses, the ruling said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220803/swiss-peoples-party-says-anti-russian-sanctions-violate-switzerlands-constitution-1098079815.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240407/borrells-european-garden-is-rife-with-hundreds-of-organized-crime-networks---europol-1117782618.html

switzerland

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

swiss people's party, council of europe, european court of human rights, climate change issues, will switzerland leave council of europe
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/three-sons-of-hamas-political-office-head-haniyeh-killed-in-israeli-strike---reports-1117852604.html

Three Sons of Hamas Political Office Head Haniyeh Killed in Israeli Strike - Reports

Three Sons of Hamas Political Office Head Haniyeh Killed in Israeli Strike - Reports

Sputnik International

An Israeli strike on the Gaza Strip killed three sons and several grandchildren of Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of the political office of Hamas, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday.

2024-04-10T15:19+0000

2024-04-10T15:19+0000

2024-04-10T15:58+0000

world

palestine-israel conflict

middle east

ismail haniyeh

benjamin netanyahu

israel

gaza strip

rafah

hamas

gaza violence

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/19/1117538940_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_064b857d0318396117e01f368671b63a.jpg

Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of the political office of Hamas, said that the death of his sons will not affect the movements demands for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip."The deaths of my sons will not affect the movement's demands for a ceasefire," Haniyeh said, as quoted by Sky News Arabia.In November 2023, media reported about the death of Haniyehs granddaughter.On March 22, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he was still determined to enter Rafah as there was no other way to defeat the remaining Hamas forces, adding that he would do that with or without US support. Many countries and international organizations, including the United States and the United Nations, are opposed to Israel's plans to proceed with the operation in Rafah.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240409/israel-uses-military-ai-in-gaza-tool-of-genocide-or-simply-a-database-1117831884.html

israel

gaza strip

rafah

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

gaza genocide, is israel committing genocide, whats happening with gaza, israeli genocide against palestinians, will israel be charged with genocide, whos backing israel, un hearing on gaza, current developments in gaza, whats happening to palestinians, us military aid to israel, us arms supplies to israel, us violating international law, what weapons is israel getting from us, israeli strikes, israel strikes gaza, israel kills civilians
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/top-israeli-diplomat-threatens-retaliation-if-iran-attacks-from-own-soil-1117844245.html

Top Israeli Diplomat Threatens Retaliation If Iran Attacks From Own Soil

Top Israeli Diplomat Threatens Retaliation If Iran Attacks From Own Soil

Sputnik International

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that his country would strike Iran if the Islamic Republic attacked Israel from its own territory, after Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei threatened reprisals for the deadly airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

2024-04-10T09:15+0000

2024-04-10T09:15+0000

2024-04-13T12:06+0000

world

middle east

iran

ayatollah ali khamenei

israel

damascus

islamic revolutionary guard corps (irgc)

iranian foreign ministry

iran-israel row

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/07/1100494978_0:0:2831:1592_1920x0_80_0_0_50d403def4993ed1363ccd021a81b19c.jpg

Earlier in the day, Khamenei said after prayers marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that Israel "should be punished, and it will be punished" for last week's attack that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two commanders. On April 1, Israel carried out an airstrike on the consular annex of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, destroying the building. The Syrian Health Ministry said the next day that the attack had also killed four Syrians and injured 13 others. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said it "reserves the right" to respond to the Israeli attack and "punish the aggressor." Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also vowed that Israel would pay a "heavy price" for the strike.

iran

israel

damascus

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

israel, iran, islamic republic, ali khamenei, attack on damascus, iran-israel clash
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/ukrainian-ai-drones-will-certainly-be-used-to-kill-civilians-1117855548.html

Ukrainian 'AI Drones' Will Certainly Be Used to 'Kill Civilians'

Ukrainian 'AI Drones' Will Certainly Be Used to 'Kill Civilians'

Sputnik International

Kiev has recently developed a taste for drone strikes against civilian targets in Russia, with media reports indicating that UAVs with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities may be used in these attacks.

2024-04-10T18:33+0000

2024-04-10T18:33+0000

2024-04-10T18:33+0000

analysis

ukraine

russia

dmiry drozdenko

drone strikes

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0a/1117855994_0:39:1146:683_1920x0_80_0_0_d0ec1ba54b433adddbd4c3f955c9c5ba.jpg

A source close to Ukraines drone program has told CNN that the accuracy of the country's drone strikes on Russian soil is enabled through the use of artificial intelligence, with each UAV being fitted with a terminal computer with satellite and terrain data.While this technology may seem like something out of a work of science fiction at first, it has in fact been implemented in offensive weapons for quite some time, military analyst and chief editor of the Fatherland Arsenal Internet portal Dmitry Drozdenko told Sputnik.As Drozdenko explained, AI capabilities help drones negate the effect of electronic countermeasures and complete their mission even if the connection with the drones operator is cut.He noted that this tech is not limited to just drones - for example, Russian Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles handle target acquisition during the final stage of the flight in a similar fashion.The analyst did point out that, while people often use the phrase artificial intelligence in this context, it is really just certain functions related to machine vision i.e. the way a machine perceives its surroundings via sensors.Otherwise, Drozdenko remarked, one would have to conclude that virtually every self-driving car, which can detect other vehicles moving nearby and distinguish them from humans, is outfitted with AI.Regarding the threat such autonomous drones might pose to civilians in Russia, Drozdenko suggested that it depends on exactly what target acquisition criteria is programmed.Drozdenko also argued that foreign companies  specifically US companies  will most certainly be involved in drone developments for Ukraine because they regard the latter as a unique testing range where all kinds of new armaments are being tested.It is a testing range not just for weapons but for tactics as well, he added. The British SAS recently held drills where they learned how to operate in our trenches. They have a different trench system, a colonial one, and here they had to deal with a real one, suited for a big war.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240409/russia-unveils-jam-proof-communications-system-for-fpv-drones-1117831388.html

ukraine

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukraine drone strikes, ukrainian attacks on civilians, drone artificial intelligence
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/ukrainian-attacks-on-zaporozhye-nuclear-plant-to-be-discussed-at-un-security-council-1117843832.html

Ukrainian Attacks on Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant to be Discussed at UN Security Council

Ukrainian Attacks on Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant to be Discussed at UN Security Council

Sputnik International

The issues of recent attacks by Ukraine on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) will be raised at the UN Security Council, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

2024-04-10T09:10+0000

2024-04-10T09:10+0000

2024-04-10T09:10+0000

world

ukrainian drone attacks on russia

zaporozhye

un security council (unsc)

international atomic energy agency (iaea)

zaporozhye npp

terrorist state

terrorist attack

counter-terrorism

terrorism

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0a/1117843913_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_2531a57af5a3bd86a0bf74a403a5f066.jpg

"Russia raised the issue of attacks by the Kiev regime against the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant both at the IAEA and in the UN Security Council. Russia called on the leadership of the IAEA to give direct assessments of criminal actions, without any tricks, evasions, or insinuations ... The issue of Ukrainian attacks on the plant will also be raised during a UN Security Council briefing," Zakharova told reporters.Previously, Ukrainian kamikaze drones launched an attack on the territory of the nuclear power station immediately following an inspection conducted by experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Analysts had explained to Sputnik that the Zaporozhye Plant is currently not generating electricity, therefore these strikes will not affect Russia's energy supply system in the new regions. However, any disruption to one of the reactors could lead to the uncontrolled release of radioactive substances into the atmosphere. Russian officials have castigated Ukraine's actions branding them "nuclear terrorism" and are urging the international community not to remain silent on this issue.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/russia-urges-west-to-admit-ukraine-carried-out-zaporozhye-nuclear-plant-attacks--1117842690.html

zaporozhye

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

ukraine terrorism, ukrainian nuclear terrorism, zaporozhye nuclear, drones attack zaporozhye
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/us-approves-possible-138mln-sale-to-ukraine-for-hawk-missile-system-maintenance-1117837346.html

US Approves Possible $138Mln Sale to Ukraine for Hawk Missile System Maintenance

US Approves Possible $138Mln Sale to Ukraine for Hawk Missile System Maintenance

Sputnik International

The US approved a potential $138 million sale to Ukraine to maintain and upgrade its HAWK Phase III air defense missile system, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

2024-04-10T00:27+0000

2024-04-10T00:27+0000

2024-04-10T00:27+0000

military

us

sergey lavrov

ukraine

russia

us defense security cooperation agency

us arms for ukraine

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/15/1113570609_0:83:1024:659_1920x0_80_0_0_c39997f72828a0f51d5a6b99c3798ae6.jpg

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine of HAWK Phase III missile system sustainment and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $138 million," the release said on Tuesday. The package would include engineering and integration for communications and interoperability, refurbishment and system overhaul of HAWK air defense fire units, missile recertification components, tool kits, test equipment; spare parts, among other items, according to the release.Russia believes that arms deliveries to Ukraine hinder the settlement, directly involve NATO countries in the conflict and are "playing with fire".Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargoes that contain arms for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. He said the US and NATO are directly involved in the conflict not only by supplying weapons, but also by training personnel in Britain, Germany, Italy and other countries.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/senator-pressures-austin-on-how-much-more-money-us-will-spend-in-ukraine-1117837181.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240409/us-defense-secretary-acknowledges-admitting-ukraine-in-nato-threatens-russian-security-1117836272.html

ukraine

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

138 million sale to ukraine, hawk phase iii air defense missile system, us arms for ukraine, us defense security cooperation agency, money us spends on ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/us-aviation-authority-probing-claims-about-flaws-in-787-dreamliner-fuselage---reports-1117840620.html

US Aviation Authority Probing Claims About Flaws in 787 Dreamliner Fuselage - Reports

US Aviation Authority Probing Claims About Flaws in 787 Dreamliner Fuselage - Reports

Sputnik International

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has started an investigation after a Boeing engineer raised concerns over the structural integrity of the 787 Dreamliner fuselage, US newspaper reported, citing the whistleblower.

2024-04-10T06:35+0000

2024-04-10T06:35+0000

2024-04-10T06:35+0000

world

us federal aviation administration

chile

boeing 787

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106725/61/1067256152_0:63:1200:738_1920x0_80_0_0_0d47996909c2e27b4b0d509055ef81b9.jpg

Sam Salehpour, who worked for the plane manufacturer for over a decade, told the newspaper in an interview on Tuesday that the sections of the plane's fuselage were incorrectly fastened together and could even break apart in midair after 1,000 flights. The whistleblower said that the problems were due to changes in the way the fuselage sections were put together in the assembly line, adding that the parts came from different manufacturers and did not have exactly the same shape where they were supposed to fit together. Boeing dismissed Salehpour's claims as "inaccurate," saying it was "fully confident in the 787 Dreamliner," the newspaper reported. At the same time, the company conceded that the changes had been made, but left "no impact on durability or safe longevity of the airframe," spokesman Paul Lewis was quoted as saying. Despite that, the chairman of the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Richard Blumenthal, said in a statement on Tuesday that a hearing will be held with Salehpour next week "regarding Boeing's broken safety culture." This is not the first time a Boeing aircraft has struggled with mishaps this year. In January, the FAA temporarily grounded all Boeing 737 Max 9 planes in the United States after a door panel blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight. On March 11, around 50 people were injured as a Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane of Chile-based LATAM Airlines experienced a "technical problem" en route from Australia's Sydney to New Zealand's Auckland.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230314/boeing-inks-37bln-deals-with-saudi-air-carriers-for-121-dreamliner-aircraft-1108387945.html

chile

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

boeing, boeing dreamliner, federal aviation administration, 787 dreamliner, dreamliner fuselage
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/watch-russian-soldiers-unleash-inferno-on-ukrainian-troops-near-kupyansk--1117839631.html

Watch Russian Soldiers Unleash Inferno on Ukrainian Troops Near Kupyansk

Watch Russian Soldiers Unleash Inferno on Ukrainian Troops Near Kupyansk

Sputnik International

Russias Ministry of Defense published a footage of soldiers using portable flamethrowers dubbed Schmel (Bumblebee) against Ukrainian outposts in special military operation zone. Russian soldiers fired thermobaric projectiles to level Ukrainian fortifications and safely returned to their positions.

2024-04-10T05:06+0000

2024-04-10T05:06+0000

2024-04-10T05:06+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russian armed forces

ministry of defense

ukrainian crisis

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/0a/1117839711_10:0:1340:748_1920x0_80_0_0_45b1ccd40c0a42902f1b87460143fe6f.png

The Russian Ministry of Defense has released footage showing the soldiers using portable flamethrowers called "Schmel" (Bumblebee) against Ukrainian outposts in the special military operation zone. The Russians fired thermobaric shells to level Ukrainian fortifications and returned safely to their positions, the ministry added.The "Schmel" is a portable flamethrower capable of firing thermobaric projectiles, which consume all the oxygen in the area of the explosion and generate extreme heat of up to 3,000 degrees Celsius, half the temperature of the surface of the sun.

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

2024

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Russian flamethrowers in combat action Sputnik International Russian flamethrowers in combat action 2024-04-10T05:06+0000 true PT0M54S

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

russian armed forces, russian flamethrower, thermobaric weapon, flamethrowers ukraine, ukrainian crisis
The Woodbine Mohawk Park race office would like to inform all racing participants that purse cheques from Ontario tracks are now being paid via direct deposit to Canadian participants.

Drivers and trainers who have signed up for direct deposit (EFT) will now receive payment weekly.

Cheques will be printed and mailed monthly to Canadian participants who are not signed up to receive direct deposit.

Owners, trainers and drivers can sign up for direct deposit through Standardbred Canadas Member Services.

For more information on the transition to the EFT process, contact Standardbred Canada Member Services at 905-858-3060 ext. 254 or email [email protected].

(Woodbine)
The solicitation of a minor case against a Virginia pediatrician has been certified to a Culpeper County grand jury.

Deepak Dahyabhai Patel, 56, of Chester, appeared in Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Tuesday for an adjudication hearing on a felony charge of solicitation of sexual acts with a minor by electronic means and two misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor via sex acts.

The grand jury will hear evidence in the case when it convenes April 15.

Patel has no prior criminal history. He previously worked as pediatric hospitalist at UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center  his employment with the hospital was discontinued after allegations surfaced.

He was arrested March 11.

The case involves a now 17-year-old male who the defendant allegedly communicated with electronically using WhatsApp and Grindr.

Police discovered multiple messages between the two related to having sex and use of vape products, according to court documents.

The alleged victim, accompanied by his father and mother, testified in court Tuesday that he started communicating with Patel around the end of his 10th grade year. Asked the nature of their relationship, he responded, More than friends, to which the defense objected.

Culpeper Police Detective Richard Brooking testified his agency became involved with the case in December, following a report of a missing child.

Police responded to a local motel Dec. 12, to locate the missing teenager. Video showed the alleged victim and Patel entering and exiting the motel together, according to the criminal complaint.

The then-pediatrician picked up the teen several times over a few-month time period, at the end of the driveway to his house in Culpeper County, according to testimony. Patel allegedly would drive the teen to buy vape products and then to the motel in town for sex, according to the criminal complaint.

The motel was where the doctor lived when working in Culpeper, according to testimony.

Brooking testified when he first spoke with Patel on Feb. 20, the defendant believed the issue was in regards to him providing vape products to the juvenile. The detective said he then showed Patel electronic messages between him and the juvenile that were downloaded from the teens phone.

How would you feel if you were the detective? Brooking said he asked Patel.

He said, It didnt look good, and asked what kind of trouble he was going to be in, Brooking said in court Tuesday.

The defendant reportedly told Brooking he was trying to counsel the teen, according to testimony.

They were corresponding about sexually related topics, but when they got together he was trying to counsel the young man, the detective said.

The court accepted into evidence an estimated 20 pages of printed out messages between Patel and the teen.

Defense co-counsel Debra Corcoran, of Richmond, argued the printed out messages were unreliable, questioning the chain of custody. She objected to the documents being taken into evidence.

The teens father testified Tuesday that he exported the messages from WhatsApp to his phone, emailed the messages to police and police made the print out of the messages presented as evidence in court. The phone was later in police custody as part of the investigation, according to testimony.

Corcoran said after the messages were downloaded, data from the teens phone was erased, leaving defense counsel unable to conduct a forensic review of the device for their client.

In court Tuesday, the juvenile looked at the print-out, and said it was a true and accurate depiction of messages he shared with the defendant.

Are these your statements and the statements made by Dr. Patel? asked Judge Frank Somerville, and the teen said yes.

There were two people in this conversation  one of them says this is what was said, the judge said, responding to the defenses objection.

Asked by the prosecution, the juvenile pointed at Patel to identify him for the record. The defendant sat for much of the hour-long hearing with his arms crossed, head down and eyes closed.

Police have no physical evidence of any sexual contact between Patel and the teen, Brooking testified, when asked by the defense.

The WhatsApp messages show the teen asked Patel for the vape products, according to testimony. The teen testified he communicated with the defendant on his phone while at home.

Patel remains free on $5,000 secured bond.
Accused of beating, choking and cutting his wife during an April 5 altercation, an Austinville man and one-time amateur MMA fighter is being held without bond on felony and misdemeanor charges.

Philip Micheal Oda, 30, was arrested on April 6 by the Wythe County Sheriffs Office and charged with malicious wounding, abduction, strangulation, assault and battery of a family member, and preventing a call to police.

Police went to Odas 1224 Pauley Flatwoods Road residence on April 5 after getting a 911 call that his wife, Dreama Oda, had been cut with razor, according to a criminal complaint.

Dreama Oda told Deputy B. Coppage that her husband, who had fled before officers arrived, attacked and beat her after she accused him of cheating.

Philip then grabbed a razor (tool shed carpenter razor) and attacked Dreama with it, Coppage wrote. According to Dreama, stabbing her back and cutting her hands repeatedly and trying to cut her finger off.

After managing to escape and flee to a neighbors house, Dreama was taken to a hospital for treatment, according to the complaint. A magistrate wrote that she didnt have mobility in one finger and had numerous stitches in her hand.

She is terrified of him, he wrote in court documents.

Unemployed and receiving disability payments from the Veterans Administration, Philip Oda has no prior arrests, according to court records. In 2016, he fought and lost two MMA fights in Titans of the Cage, according to online reports.

Being held in the New River Valley Regional Jail, his preliminary hearing has been set for June 11 in Wythe County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
OLYMPIA  The chair of the states Republican Party is attempting to get three more initiatives on Washingtons November ballot, with the latest round taking on controversial issues heading into the 2024 campaign season.

State GOP Chair Jim Walsh, also a state representative from Aberdeen, says the issues driving the new petitions have been the three most common topics  immigration, squatters on residential property and efforts to phase out natural gas  raised at recent GOP town hall meetings across the state.

Theyre real, he said, denying they are efforts to stoke outrage to drive voter turnout.

The new measures, filed in late March, are among dozens of initiatives filed this year so far, and filing is merely an initial step in the process that takes significant work and money to qualify for the election. But if backers do succeed in getting enough valid signatures, they would join an already crowded ballot.

Not only is it a year with a presidential election, an open governors seat and a host of other races, but Washington voters will also be weighing in on three other initiatives backed by the state GOP. One would repeal the states capital gains tax, another would repeal its carbon market, and a third would effectively kill a long-term care insurance program by making the payroll tax that funds it optional.

The new No squatters rights in WA initiative, as drafted, would largely apply to situations in which someone without a lease agreement is present on someone elses property, sometimes called squatting. But one version would also roll back a hotly debated tenant protection the Legislature passed in 2021 that barred evictions without a valid reason.

While instances of squatting are uncommon, a dust-up in Bellevue between a renter and a landlord  and a series of related landlords rights protests  has driven interest in the issue locally as it has also gained steam as a right-wing issue nationally.

Another initiative would require law enforcement agencies in the state to cooperate with federal authorities in enforcing federal immigration law, rolling back Washingtons sanctuary state status. Washington passed a law in 2019 that largely bars local law enforcement agencies from asking about immigration status, and from sharing information with federal immigration enforcement authorities.

The third proposed initiative would repeal House Bill 1589, a controversial measure legislators passed earlier this year that is meant to help Puget Sound Energy comply with emissions requirements set out in earlier legislation, including the states Climate Commitment Act. (Separately, voters are also being asked on the November ballot to consider whether to keep or repeal the Climate Commitment Act, which created Washingtons carbon market).

Last year, there was a national controversy over gas stoves after members of the U.S. Senate and House asked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to look into the health risks of emissions from gas stoves  and a member of the commission suggested phasing out the stoves could be an option.

For each of the new proposed initiatives, supporters have about three months to get about 324,500 valid signatures to get it on the ballot. The signatures are due by 5 p.m. on July 5. Walsh says they will aim to get more than 400,000 signatures on each.

Walsh said there are several versions of each initiative filed with the secretary of state, in line with common practice, in order to test before a single version of each initiative petition is chosen to use for signature gathering.

Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democrats, described the most recent initiatives as a cheap ploy for Republicans to try to dial up turnout.

I think that its partially a failure on their end to find candidates that are inspiring and energizing for both their base and for Washingtonians across the state, Conrad said. And therefore, instead of focusing on winning races, they are turning to these issues that they think will drive out turnout for them.

The Chair of the State Democrats is clearly stuck in obsolete political strategies and tactics, Walsh said in a text message. This is 2024. Commonsense conservatives are going to do in all of Washington what we did in [Legislative District] 19.

Walsh was elected to the state House from the 19th district in 2016, flipping the seat Republican. Four years later, the other House seat in the district, and the districts Senate seat, flipped to Republican as well.

However, Walsh did acknowledge in an interview that there may be an element of messaging in the three most recent initiatives and getting them on the ballot will be tough.

Well get the message out about these issues, Walsh said. And if we dont qualify now, well try it again later.
In August 2023, the Indian government restricted the import of laptops, tablets, and personal computers. The import was only allowed with a valid licence. After several reported concerns, the government on October 19 tweaked the import rules for laptops and computers. Now, a new a new report from the Commerce Ministry has come forward which highlights the decline in imports of personal computers from China. Know what the report said.

Laptop import report

According to the Commerce Ministry report, personal laptop imports from China have decreased by 3 percent in India. Additionally, the overall PC import has also experienced a decline from other neighbouring countries by 55 percent year-on-year to USD 1.06 billion. This decline was reported between November to February 2024, which almost reached USD 917 million. This data was also compared to the previous quarter ( July-October) which shows a 48 percent decline. This decline came after the new import regulations applied in August which required authorization to import laptops and computers.

Also read: iPhone sales slump by 24 pct in China amidst competition from Huawei

Not sure which

laptop to buy?

However, the regulations were soon curbed due to several concerns reported by the importers. now importers are allowed to submit multiple authorizations which will be valid till September 2024. The report also highlighted that on November 1, the government approved 110 of 111 applications which is almost all the electronic products such as laptops and computers to be imported into the country. This product's authorization was reported to be worth USD 10 billion.

Also read: India IT ministry fears losing out to China, Vietnam in smartphone exports race

The new government regulations had a major impact on the imports of personal computers causing serious consequences, resulting in a major decline.

About previous import rules

The import rules announced in August restricted the import of laptops, tablets, and personal computers without a valid licence or authorization. The government said, Import of laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and ultra small form factor computers and servers falling under HSN 8741 shall be restricted' and their import would be allowed against a valid licence for restricted imports. Later in October, this rule was dissolved.

One more thing! We are now on WhatsApp Channels! Follow us there so you never miss any updates from the world of technology. To follow the HT Tech channel on WhatsApp, click here to join now!
CANBERRA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian statehood is the only solution to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East, Australia's Foreign Minister has said.

In a speech to an Australian National University (ANU) security conference on Tuesday night, Penny Wong said that international recognition of a Palestinian state would improve the chances for peace in the Middle East and "build momentum toward a two-state solution."

Wong also repeated the call for Israel to make major and immediate changes to the conduct of its military campaign in Gaza Strip to protect civilians, journalists and aid workers.

The Australian government has escalated its criticism of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after Australian citizen Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues from World Central Kitchen (WCK) were killed in an airstrike while delivering aid in central Gaza earlier in April.

On Monday Wong announced that former Australian Defense Force (ADF) chief Mark Binskin has been appointed as a special adviser to oversee Israel's official investigations into the incident. 
Global Aviation software specialist, Ramco Systems announced its strategic engagement with Korean Air, a flag carrier of South Korea and its largest airline, to implement its flagship aviation software, Ramco Aviation Suite at Korean Airs Engine Maintenance Center. This association was officially announced at MRO Americas 2024, Chicago.

This engagement comes close on the heels of the airline announcing the construction of its new engine MRO facility in Unbuk, near Incheon International Airport, claiming to be the largest engine maintenance plant in Asia, consolidating all engine MRO capabilities into a single cluster. The airline currently conducts MRO work on six engine models, and with this expansion, Korean Air is looking to add three more engine types to its aircraft family.

The implementation of Ramcos Aviation Software will replace multiple legacy systems to streamline operations across current engine shops and planned expansion sites. With comprehensive MRO-specific functionalities, and integrated e-publications all on a unified platform, offered as an out of the box solution, Ramco Aviation will be the technological foundation for Korean Air. In addition, the airlines engine maintenance center will also benefit from digital enablers such as Mobility via Anywhere Apps, HUBs, Dashboards and other integrations to the ecosystem offerings, powered by Ramco.

Ramcos robust Engine MRO solution will cater to the current and future expansion plans of the airline, thereby strengthening the airlines aircraft engine maintenance capabilities and solidifying its presence in the MRO segment.

Chan Woo Jung, Vice President and Head of Maintenance & Engineering Division at Korean Air, said Airlines today are grappling with the need for efficient engine maintenance. These needs prompted us to embark on our ambitious journey to build Asias largest engine maintenance complex and expand our capabilities to service more engine types. In our search for the best Aviation MRO Software, Ramco Aviation emerged as an ideal choice. The implementation of Ramcos Engine MRO capabilities will help us enhance our facilitys efficiency and precision and set new standards in engine maintenance, positioning us as a top MRO provider.

Commenting on Ramco Aviations continuous success in the MRO segment, Sundar Subramanian, CEO, Ramco Systems, said, We are thrilled to join forces with Korean Air and support them in their expansion journey to emerge as the leading MRO provider, globally. Our relentless focus on building a best-in-class MRO Suite, complete with specialized Engine MRO functionalities, and bundled with cutting-edge tech stacks has truly proved to be a game-changer. We look forward to empowering Korean Air to deliver unparalleled safety and service excellence to their valued customers.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A pyroelectrochemical (PEC) cell, is a device that converts thermal energy into electricity and stores it. Credit: Brian Maffly

Today wirelessly connected devices are performing an expanding array of applications, such as monitoring the condition of engines and machinery and remote sensing in agricultural settings. Systems known as the "Internet of Things" (IoT), hold much potential for improving the efficiency and safety of the equipment.

Yet stumbling blocks remain for IoT, thwarting many potential applications. How do you power these devices in situations where and when reliable electrical sources are not practically available?

Research from the University of Utah's College of Engineering points to a possible solution in the form of a novel type of battery called a pyroelectrochemical cell (PEC).

The device was developed and tested in the research labs of Roseanne Warren and Shad Roundy, both associate professors of mechanical engineering.

"It's our idea for an integrated device that could harvest ambient thermal energy and convert it directly into stored electrochemical energy in the form of a supercapacitor or battery with applications for the Internet of things and distributed sensors," said Warren, the senior author on a new study that demonstrates a proof of concept.

"We're talking very low levels of energy harvesting, but the ability to have sensors that can be distributed and not need to be recharged in the field is the main advantage," she added. "We explored the basic physics of it and found that it could generate a charge with an increase in temperature or a decrease in temperature."

The study is published the journal Energy & Environmental Science

The device is charged by changing temperatures in the surrounding environment, whether it's inside a car or aircraft or just under the soil in an agricultural environment. In theory, the PEC could power sensors for IoT applications that would otherwise be impractical to recharge.

A solar cell would work fine in some situations, according to Roundy, a co-author of the study.

"But in a lot of environments, you run into two problems," said Roundy. "One is that it gets dirty over time. Solar cells have to be kept clean. So in these types of applications, they get dirty and their power degrades. And then there are a lot of applications where you just don't have sunlight available. For example, we work on soil sensors that we put just under the top surface of the soil. You're not going to get any sunlight."

The PEC uses a pyroelectric composite material, as the separator in an electrochemical cell. The material consists of porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and barium titanate nanoparticles. This material's electrical properties change as it's heated or cooled, which decreases or increases the polarization of the pyroelectric separator

University of Utah engineering researchers Roseanne Warren, Shad Roundy and Tim Kowalchik pictured in Warren's lab with a pyroelectrochemical (PEC) cell. Credit: Brian Maffly, University of Utah

Changing temperatures create an electric field inside the cell, pushing ions around and enabling the cell store to energy.

"It stores electricity in what's called an electric double layer, which stores the charge in positive and negative layers of ions. This is a glorified capacitor," said lead author Tim Kowalchik, a graduate student in Warren's lab. "When you heat and cool the system and you're storing electrochemical energy, you're changing the amount of positive or negative ions that are in those layers."

The new study tested the lab's theory of how the cell would operate.

"We had a predicted model of function that included what we called an 'orientation effect' in the paper," Kowalchik said. "If we change the reverse the orientation of separator in the cell, it should drive ions the other way. This is a change we can make to the system that will show a different result that we can gather."

The team's experiments were set up to determine if the cells would respond as they predicted. Besides the orientation effect, there were heating vs. cooling effects that needed to be tested.

"If you heat the thing one way, you should get something to happen. If you cool it first, you should get something to happen and that should show up differently," Kowalchik said. "We did that with a process called amperometry. You put a voltage across it and you hold that voltage constant and measure current. Your energy into the system is constant if nothing changes; if there is energy going into the system, the current changes."

The cell did respond as the team theorized it would, but can it work outside a lab? That's the next question Warren seeks to address. One of her students is now undertaking circuit modeling to design a cell and optimize its function.

"Now we start to change different parameters," Warren said. "How can we improve the energy harvesting and storage and the combination of the two? And then after that would be a real-world field demonstration."

The cell could produce up to 100 microjoules per square centimeter from a single heating/cooling cycle, which is not much energy, but enough to be useful for IoT purposes, according to the research.

"You want to monitor the condition of your car, the condition of machines, the condition of plants and soil and those kinds of things. Those types of sensors are generally going to be quite a bit lower power than your smartwatch or your phone, which have a display and they're transmitting a lot of data," Roundy said. "The sensors we're talking about might just give periodic updates and they operate autonomously. They don't have an interface or a screen."

More information: Tim Kowalchik et al, Direct conversion of thermal energy to stored electrochemical energy via a self-charging pyroelectrochemical cell, Energy & Environmental Science (2024). DOI: 10.1039/D3EE03497F Journal information: Energy & Environmental 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

Artificial intelligence's move into modern warfare is raising concerns about the risks of escalation and the role of humans in decision-making.

AI has shown itself to be faster but not necessarily safer or more ethical. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Friday that he was "profoundly disturbed" by Israeli media reports that Israel has used AI to identify targets in Gaza, causing many civilian casualties.

Beyond the "Lavender" software in question and Israeli denials, here is a tour of the technological developments that are changing the face of war.

Three major uses

As seen with Lavender, AI can be particularly useful for selecting targets, with its high-speed algorithms processing huge amounts of data to identify potential threats.

But the results can only produce probabilities, with experts warning that mistakes are inevitable.

AI can also operate in tactics. For example, swarms of dronesa tactic China seems to be rapidly developingwill eventually be able to communicate with each other and interact according to previously assigned objectives.

At a strategic level, AI will produce models of battlefields and propose how to respond to attacks, maybe even including the use of nuclear weapons.

Thinking ever faster

"Imagine a full-scale conflict between two countries, and AI coming up with strategies and military plans and responding in real time to real situations," said Alessandro Accorsi at the International Crisis group.

"The reaction time is significantly reduced. What a human can do in one hour, they can do it in a few seconds," he said.

Iron Dome, the Israeli anti-air defense system, can detect the arrival of a projectile, determine what it is, its destination and the potential damage.

"The operator has a minute to decide whether to destroy the rocket or not," said Laure de Roucy-Rochegonde from the French Institute of International Relations.

"Quite often it's a young recruit, who is twenty years old and not very up-to-speed about the laws of war. One can question how significant his control is," she said.

A worrying ethical void

With an arms race under way, and clouded by the usual opacity of war, AI may be moving onto the battlefield with much of the world not yet fully aware of the potential consequences.

Humans "take a decision which is a recommendation made by the machine, but without knowing the facts the machine used", de Roucy-Rochegonde said.

"Even if it is indeed a human who hits the button, this lack of knowledge, as well as the speed, means that his control over the decision is quite tenuous."

AI "is a black hole. We don't necessarily understand what it knows or thinks, or how it arrives at these results", said Ulrike Franke from the European Council on Foreign relations.

"Why does AI suggest this or that target? Why does it give me this intelligence or that one? If we allow it to control a weapon, it's a real ethical question," she said.

Ukraine as laboratory

The United States has used algorithms, for example, in recent strikes against Huthi rebels in Yemen.

But "the real game changer is nowUkraine has become a laboratory for the military use of AI", Accorsi said.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 the protagonists have begun "developing and fielding AI solutions for tasks like geospatial intelligence, operations with unmanned systems, military training and cyberwarfare", said Vitaliy Goncharuk of the Defense AI Observatory (DAIO) at Hamburg's Helmut Schmidt University.

"Consequently the war in Ukraine has become the first conflict where both parties compete in and with AI, which has become a critical component of success," Goncharuk said.

One-upmanship and nuclear danger

The "Terminator", a killer robot over which man loses control, is a Hollywood fantasy. Yet the machine's cold calculations do echo a fact of modern AIthey do not incorporate either a survival instinct or doubt.

Researchers from four American institutes and universities published in January a study of five large language models (a system similar to the ChatGPT generative software) in conflict situations.

The study suggested a tendency "to develop an arms race dynamic, leading to larger conflicts and, in rare cases, to the deployment of nuclear weapons".

But major global powers want to make sure they win the military AI race, complicating efforts to regulate the field.

US President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping agreed in November to put their experts to work on the subject.

Discussions also began 10 years ago at the United Nations, but without concrete results.

"There are debates about what needs to be done in the civil AI industry," Accorsi said. "But very little when it comes to the defense industry."

 2024 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Nada Sanders, has published the second edition of the book "The Humachine: AI, Human Virtues, and the Superintelligent Enterprise." Credit: Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University

There's a quote Nada Sanders, a Northeastern distinguished professor of supply chain management, likes to share when discussing the collision of artificial intelligence and enterprise.

It's from a conversation she had with Spencer Fung, a member of the university's Board of Trustees and the group executive chairman of the supply chain management company Li & Fung Limited.

"If a company doesn't rethink their business model and just adds digital on top of it, it's kind of like adding digital on top of a horse and buggywhile your competitors are building a digital car."

And in rethinking that model, it's essential that humans are not replaced as part of this technological reshuffling, but are instead at the center of it, she explains.

That's the premise of Sanders' book, "The Humachine: AI, Human Virtues, and the Superintelligent Enterprise," which she co-authored with John D. Wood, an attorney and educator based in New York City.

Fung is one of many executives Sanders interviewed for the second edition, which was recently released.

The first edition was published in December 2019, months before the world was forced to shut down as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. The premise was to understand how technology was reshaping the business world. One of the key takeaways was that the most sustainable model of innovation was for humans and machines to work together in harmony.

For the second edition, the writers put that insight to the test and interviewed executives from top companies to see how they fared during the pandemicwhen automation demands rose and corporate workflows were in flux.

And it looks like companies are doubling down on the ingenuity of the human worker even amid the "post-pandemic AI rush" the business world finds itself in, Sanders explains.

"In 2019, we were surprised that these companies were all talking about people," Sanders says. "Now, fast forward to 2023, and whoa, it's people on steroids."

That is the idea behind "the Humachine," a concept Wood and Sanders define in the book as the marriage between human worker and machine.

Humans are creative, intuitive and compassionate. Machines are precise, process large amounts of data at once and can scale quickly, Sanders and Cook highlight in the book.

"In this book, we are interested in exploring combining human and machine virtues at the enterprise levelan organization, company, corporation, or other kind of organized undertaking," they write.

The concept builds off the "humanics" framework Northeastern President Joseph E. Aoun defines in his book, "Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence." Humanics is an education model that merges technological, data and human literacy.

In Sanders' interviews with executives and chief AI experts including Usama Fayyad, executive director of Northeastern's Institute for Experiential AI, it all came down to leveraging those domains.

"It's a whole new set of literacies that allow us to work with our technology but also work with humans creatively," she says. "Basically, it's the skills you need to be the human in the loop."

The pandemic caused global instability, Sanders explains, and the business world was certainly not immune.

Every day during the pandemic brought new unforeseen challenges that were hard for business owners to predict and plan around.

With the worst of the pandemic hopefully behind them, businesses that weathered the storm had to adapt and think creatively, Sanders explained. Technology certainly helped many executives increase throughputs in their enterprises.

But technology alone only got them so far, Sanders explains.

"Those who survived, it wasn't just about acquiring technology or becoming digital," she says.

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
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

Amin Nasser, chief executive of the world's largest oil company Saudi Aramco, recently called on nations to "abandon the fantasy" to phase out fossil fuels, adding that the transition to renewable energy sources is "visibly failing." However, the latest science on climate change is unequivocal: the world must eliminate fossil fuel-based energy systemsand fast.

Such a phase-out requires international cooperation to restrict the supply of fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas. This won't be easy, but it is possible. If such cooperative efforts are pursued alongside ambitious action to tackle the demand for fossil fuels, it could lead to environmental and economic benefits.

Some countries are already taking unilateral action to restrict fossil fuels, by, for instance, banning new oil and gas exploration or extraction. Yet their effectiveness is limited: if the supply of fossil fuels is restricted in one part of the world, it may simply increase elsewhere.

Getting countries to agree on ditching fossil fuels is hard. The latest UN climate change conference (COP28) proved this when a row broke out between countries over a shared statement on "phasing out" fossil fuels. Countries ultimately agreed to sign off on a call to "transition away" from fossil fuels, but failed to agree exactly how this might be achieved.

While no international agreement on limiting the supply of fossil fuels yet exists, there are precursors which have tended to take two different forms. In a "club model," several countries agree to restrict fossil fuel production without being legally obliged to do so. One example is the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, launched by Denmark and several other countries in 2021. This is a coalition of countries pressing for an international commitment to set a date on ending oil and gas production. Similarly, the Powering Past Coal Alliance, led by the UK and Canada, requires members to sign a declaration that they will phase out coal power.

Another form is the "treaty model," in which participants sign up to a legally binding agreement to restrict their fossil fuel production. Civil society organizations have campaigned for such a deal in the form of the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, which aims to halt new fossil fuel production and phase out existing production, and which has by now gained the support of several countries, including fossil fuel producer Colombia.

What has motivated the few countries who have done it so far to call for a phase-out? Understanding what they have in common could indicate which are likely to lead an international coalition to end fossil fuelsand where pressure from civil society is likely to have the biggest impact.

In a recent article, our multidisciplinary research team explored three possible factors which might make countries more likely to join such a coalition: relatively low reserves of fossil fuels, existing policies for limiting fossil fuel supply and a limited contribution of fossil fuel production to GDP.

Who's in? Who's out?

Using these criteria, our analysis showed that a coalition of the EU, Indonesia, South Africa, UK, the US and China could conceivably become the frontrunners in an agreement to restrict fossil fuels. They would be followed by countries that have low reserves and low profits from fossil fuels, such as Argentina, Brazil, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Turkey.

Countries such as Australia and Norway are less likely to join because they already have high fossil reserves per capita, even though some of these countries have adopted some policies to restrict fossil fuel supply, including fuel-rich Canada with its Arctic offshore oil and gas moratorium.

Our data suggests that petrostates such as Russia and Saudi Arabia would be the most reluctant to join because fossil fuel production is so central to their economies.

Would such a tiered phase-out achieve the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement? Perhaps, but only if it started early. In our study, we assumed that frontrunners could start as early as 2025 and phase out 70% of their fossil fuel extraction within 20 years, while the slowest countries would only start to phase out fossil fuel extraction from 2040.

We acknowledge that our scenarios for international efforts to phase out fossil fuels are not necessarily aligned with geopolitical realities. For one, there is the shaky relationship between key countries such as the US and China to consider. For another, ongoing resistance by fossil fuel-dependent countries like Saudi Arabia will not dissipate soon. Yet broad participation is essential. A club of like-minded countries could pave the way for a wider coalition, but major fossil fuel producers would need to join eventually for it to succeed.

Economic consequences

What about the costs of the phase-out to global GDP at the macroeconomic scale? Fossil fuel prices will inevitably rise as their supply is squeezed by a phase-out.

Our study shows that combining an international agreement for restricting fossil fuel supply with strong measures to tackle fossil fuel demand (by adding a higher carbon price to fossil fuel products, for example) can limit negative impacts on global GDP and speed up the transition towards a renewables-based energy system.

Similarly, all major fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) should be targeted around the same time. Only phasing out oil may result in higher economic costs, due to its ubiquity in global supply chains and production processes. Only phasing out gas might even increase emissions if that gas is replaced by more emissions-intensive fossil fuels such as coal.

International cooperation will be crucial, especially to lessen the economic impact on developing countries that are heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels. Any international agreement to restrict fossil fuel production should include a financial support mechanism for supporting countries in their just energy transitions.

The road towards phasing out fossil fuels will likely be long and bumpy, but the transition must start soon and be planned well to ensure just and equitable outcomes.

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:

A whistleblower has alleged Boeing retaliated against him after he raised safety concerns about the 787 Dreamliner.

Federal aviation authorities are investigating claims by a Boeing engineer that the 787 Dreamliner suffers from assembly defects that threaten safety, US officials said Tuesday.

Attorneys for the whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, accuse the company of putting profit over safetyand retaliating against him after he raised concerns by "involuntarily" transferring him to the 777 program.

At the 777 program, he raised more issues, for which his attorneys say he was threatened with termination.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the investigation after the claims were outlined in a New York Times article describing charges from Salehpour, who has been at Boeing more than 10 years.

"Rather than heeding his warnings, Boeing prioritized getting the planes to market as quickly as possible, despite the known, well-substantiated issues Mr. Salehpour raised," said attorneys Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, who pointed to "critical defects" on nearly 1,500 Boeing planes.

Boeing, which has been under scrutiny following recent safety problems, released a detailed defense of the aircraft, saying it is "fully confident" in the Dreamliner and denying charges it retaliated against the worker.

A Senate investigative committee has scheduled a hearing for April 17 titled "Examining Boeing's Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts," said a spokesperson for Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.

"Voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal is a critical component in aviation safety," the FAA said.

Fewer plane deliveries

Salehpour has pointed to "shortcuts" in Boeing's assembly processes leading to excessively large gaps between different plane parts that could "ultimately cause a premature fatigue failure without any warning, thus creating unsafe conditions for the aircraft with potentially catastrophic accidents," according to an FAA complaint released by Salehpour's attorneys.

"Our client's concerns about the 'schedule over safety' culture at Boeing has been made all the more urgent as a result of the recent incidents involving defects in Boeing's 737 MAX 9 airplanes," the complaint said.

In its statement, Boeing said the issues raised by the critic "have been subject to rigorous engineering examination under FAA oversight," adding that retaliation is "strictly prohibited" at the company.

The manufacturer also said that accusations relating to the 777 were "inaccurate."

Boeing said it incorporated "join verification" into production processes after slowing output and halting deliveries for nearly two years in response to employees who identified "conformance" issues on the 787.

"For the in-service fleet, comprehensive Boeing and FAA analysis determined there is no near-term safety of flight concern," the plane maker said. "Based on the analysis and any future inspection, the 787 will maintain its strength, durability and service life."

The whistleblower allegation comes on the heels of a January Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 flight that made an emergency landing after a fuselage panel blew out mid-flight.

In the wake of that incident, the FAA has frozen Boeing's MAX production output, while insisting the plane maker demonstrate improvement in operations and quality control. Boeing announced a leadership shakeup last month that includes the planned departure of CEO Dave Calhoun at the end of 2024.

Earlier Tuesday, Boeing reported sharply lower first-quarter plane deliveries. Company officials have pointed to production halts as part of enhanced safety actions following the January Alaska Airlines incident.

In the first quarter, Boeing delivered 83 commercial jets, down 36 percent from the year-ago period.

Shares of Boeing fell 1.9 percent.

 2024 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Overview of Tetris-inspired radiation mapping with neural networks. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47338-w

The spread of radioactive isotopes from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan in 2011 and the ongoing threat of a possible release of radiation from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex in the Ukrainian war zone have underscored the need for effective and reliable ways of detecting and monitoring radioactive isotopes.

Less dramatically, everyday operations of nuclear reactors, mining and processing of uranium into fuel rods, and the disposal of spent nuclear fuel also require monitoring of radioisotope release.

Now, researchers at MIT and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) have come up with a computational basis for designing very simple, streamlined versions of sensor setups that can pinpoint the direction of a distributed source of radiation. They also demonstrated that by moving that sensor around to get multiple readings, they can pinpoint the physical location of the source. The inspiration for their clever innovation came from a surprising source: the popular computer game "Tetris."

The team's findings, which could likely be generalized to detectors for other kinds of radiation, are described in a paper published in Nature Communications, by MIT professors Mingda Li, Lin-Wen Hu, Benoit Forget, and Gordon Kohse; graduate students Ryotaro Okabe and Shangjie Xue; research scientist Jayson Vavrek SM '16, Ph.D. '19 at LBNL; and a number of others at MIT and Lawrence Berkeley.

Radiation is usually detected using semiconductor materials, such as cadmium zinc telluride, that produce an electrical response when struck by high-energy radiation, such as gamma rays. But because radiation penetrates so readily through matter, it's difficult to determine the direction that signal came from with simple counting.

Geiger counters, for example, simply provide a click sound when receiving radiation without resolving the energy or type, so finding a source requires moving around to try to find the maximum sound, similar to how handheld metal detectors work. The process requires the user to move closer to the source of radiation, which can add risk.

To provide directional information from a stationary device without getting too close, researchers use an array of detector grids along with another grid called a mask, which imprints a pattern on the array that differs depending on the direction of the source. An algorithm interprets the different timings and intensities of signals received by each separate detector or pixel. This often leads to a complex design of detectors.

Typical detector arrays for sensing the direction of radiation sources are large and expensive and include at least 100 pixels in a 10 by 10 array. However, the group found that using as few as four pixels arranged in the tetromino shapes of the figures in the "Tetris" game can come close to matching the accuracy of the large, expensive systems.

The key is a proper computerized reconstruction of the angles of arrival of the rays, based on the times each sensor detects the signal and the relative intensity each one detects, as reconstructed through an AI-guided study of simulated systems.

Of the different configurations of four pixels, the researchers triedsquare, S-, J- or T-shapedthey found through repeated experiments that the S-shaped array provided the most precise results. This array gave directional readings that were accurate to within about 1 degree, but all three of the irregular shapes performed better than the square. This approach, Li says, "was literally inspired by Tetris."

The key to making the system work is placing an insulating material, such as a lead sheet, between the pixels to increase the contrast between radiation readings coming into the detector from different directions.

The lead between the pixels in these simplified arrays serves the same function as the more elaborate shadow masks used in the larger array systems. Less symmetrical arrangements, the team found, provide more useful information from a small array, explains Okabe, who is the lead author of the work.

"The merit of using a small detector is in terms of engineering costs," he says. Not only are the individual detector elements expensive, typically made of cadmium-zinc-telluride, or CZT, but all of the interconnections carrying information from those pixels also become much more complex. "The smaller and simpler the detector is, the better it is in terms of applications," adds Li.

While there have been other versions of simplified arrays for radiation detection, many are only effective if the radiation is coming from a single localized source. They can be confused by multiple sources or those that are spread out in space, while the "Tetris"-based version can handle these situations well, adds Xue, co-lead author of the work.

In a single-blind field test at the Berkeley Lab with a real cesium radiation source, led by Vavrek, where the researchers at MIT did not know the ground-truth source location, a test device was performed with high accuracy in finding the direction and distance to the source.

"Radiation mapping is of utmost importance to the nuclear industry, as it can help rapidly locate sources of radiation and keep everyone safe," says co-author Forget, an MIT professor of nuclear engineering and head of the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering.

Vavrek, another co-lead-author, says that while in their study they focused on gamma-ray sources, he believes the computational tools they developed to extract directional information from the limited number of pixels are "much, much more general." It isn't restricted to certain wavelengths, it can also be used for neutrons, or even other forms of light, ultraviolet light, adds Hu, a senior scientist at MIT Nuclear Reactor Lab.

Nick Mann, a scientist with the Defense Systems branch at the Idaho National Laboratory, says, "This work is critical to the U.S. response community and the ever-increasing threat of a radiological incident or accident."

More information: Ryotaro Okabe et al, Tetris-inspired detector with neural network for radiation mapping, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47338-w Journal information: Nature Communications

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

(a) The primary objective is to construct the energy landscape defined through the steady-state distribution of the system. (b) Constructing the high-dimensional energy landscape using the EPR framework with primitive variables. (c) Constructing the dimensionality-reduced energy landscape using EPR with prescribed reduced variables. Credit: Science China Press

The concept of Waddington landscape, originally proposed by British developmental biologist Conrad Hal Waddington in 1957, has been influential in describing the dynamical evolution of cellular development.

Waddington's metaphor of a ball rolling down a hill to represent cell differentiation has been widely adopted in epigenetics and developmental biology. However, quantitative characterization of these landscapes, particularly for high-dimensional systems, remains a challenging problem in computational biology.

Led by Professor Tiejun Li (from Peking University) and Dr. Wei Zhang (from Freie Universitat Berlin and Zuse Institute Berlin), together with Yue Zhao (first author, Ph.D. student from Peking University), a recent study published in the journal National Science Review introduces EPR-Net, a deep learning method that effectively tackles this challenge.

This method leverages the unique mathematical insight that the negative gradient of the Waddington landscape corresponds to an extended Helmholtz decomposition in the context of non-equilibrium systems. This insight, closely related to the entropy production rate (EPR) in statistical physics, is a breakthrough that has not been recognized previously.

The research team demonstrates the power of EPR-Net through its application to various biological models, including those exhibiting multiple stable points, limit cycles, and strange attractors. Enhanced EPR-Net, an extension of the method, is also introduced.

(a) and (b) show the projected energy landscapes of an 8-dimensional limit cycle system, while (c) reveals the detailed structure of a small potential well outside the limit cycle, corresponding to a stable spiral point. Credit: Science China Press

The study showcases the effectiveness of enhanced EPR on benchmark problems and its superiority over other methods. It also provides a unified framework to address landscape construction, dimensionality reduction, and problems with variable coefficients.

EPR-Net offers computational efficiency, eliminates the need for boundary conditions, and provides a clear physical interpretation that links directly to the entropy production rate in statistical physics.

To address the challenge of visualizing high-dimensional landscapes, the researchers also developed a dimensionality reduction strategy using EPR-Net. This strategy has been applied to study an 8-dimensional limit cycle system, where it gives accurate projections that not only closely match the system's equilibrium distribution but also reveal new delicate structures not observed before.

"EPR-Net, with its elegant mathematical foundation and convex structure, promises to be an effective strategy for constructing energy landscape functions of high-dimensional NESS systems," The researchers conclude. "We are currently exploring further extensions and applications of the method. We feel excited because this powerful method has the potential to improve our understanding of many complex NESS systems by visualizing their potential landscapes."

More information: Yue Zhao et al, EPR-Net: constructing a non-equilibrium potential landscape via a variational force projection formulation, National Science Review (2024). DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwae052
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

Following three years of intensive research, an international team of researchers have compiled the first ever "World Cybercrime Index," which identifies the globe's key cybercrime hotspots by ranking the most significant sources of cybercrime at a national level.

The Index, published in the journal PLOS ONE, shows that a relatively small number of countries house the greatest cybercriminal threat. Russia tops the list, followed by Ukraine, China, the U.S., Nigeria, and Romania. The UK comes in at number eight.

Co-author of the study, Dr. Miranda Bruce from the University of Oxford and UNSW Canberra said the study will enable the public and private sectors to focus their resources on key cybercrime hubs and spend less time and funds on cybercrime countermeasures in countries where the problem is not as significant.

"The research that underpins the Index will help remove the veil of anonymity around cybercriminal offenders, and we hope that it will aid the fight against the growing threat of profit-driven cybercrime," Dr. Bruce said.

"We now have a deeper understanding of the geography of cybercrime, and how different countries specialize in different types of cybercrime."

"By continuing to collect this data, we'll be able to monitor the emergence of any new hotspots and it is possible early interventions could be made in at-risk countries before a serious cybercrime problem even develops."

Top 50 countries by WCI overall score. Credit: Bruce et al., 2024, PLOS ONE, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The data that underpins the Index was gathered through a survey of 92 leading cybercrime experts from around the world who are involved in cybercrime intelligence gathering and investigations. The survey asked the experts to consider five major categories of cybercrime, nominate the countries that they consider to be the most significant sources of each of these types of cybercrime, and then rank each country according to the impact, professionalism, and technical skill of its cybercriminals.

Co-author Associate Professor Jonathan Lusthaus, from the University of Oxford's Department of Sociology and Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, said cybercrime has largely been an invisible phenomenon because offenders often mask their physical locations by hiding behind fake profiles and technical protections.

"Due to the illicit and anonymous nature of their activities, cybercriminals cannot be easily accessed or reliably surveyed. They are actively hiding. If you try to use technical data to map their location, you will also fail, as cybercriminals bounce their attacks around internet infrastructure across the world. The best means we have to draw a picture of where these offenders are actually located is to survey those whose job it is to track these people," Dr. Lusthaus said.

Co-author of the study, Professor Federico Varese from Sciences Po in France, said the World Cybercrime Index is the first step in a broader aim to understand the local dimensions of cybercrime production across the world.

"We are hoping to expand the study so that we can determine whether national characteristics like educational attainment, internet penetration, GDP or levels of corruption are associated with cybercrime. Many people think that cybercrime is global and fluid, but this study supports the view that, much like forms of organized crime, it is embedded within particular contexts," Professor Varese said.

The World Cybercrime Index has been developed as a joint partnership between the University of Oxford and UNSW.

More information: Mapping the global geography of cybercrime with the World Cybercrime Index, PLoS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297312 Journal information: PLoS ONE
* Carlsberg, one of the world's leading beer makers, has invested more than 20 billion yuan (about 2.8 billion dollars) in China since entering the country in the early 1990s and has grown into the fourth-largest brewery in the Chinese market.

* In 2023, the Chinese government put forward 24 specific measures in six areas to further optimize the foreign investment environment and intensify efforts to attract investment, including guaranteeing national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises, increasing financial and tax support.

* "We have always felt strong support from the local government, and the difficulties and challenges we encountered were solved through our close cooperation," said Udo von Reinersdorff, chief financial officer of Kern-Liebers, at a roundtable held by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce last week in Stuttgart, Germany.

BERLIN, April 10 (Xinhua) -- In 1993, German company Kern-Liebers invested 500,000 German marks in Taicang, a city in east China's Jiangsu Province, embarking on its road of development in the foreign country with only six employees and a 400-square-meter factory house.

Three decades on, after 11 rounds of capital increases, the wire springs provider possesses factories spanning 70,000 square meters in the Chinese city and has witnessed an annual output value of 1.5 billion yuan (about 207.4 million U.S. dollars), accounting for the largest proportion of its global footprint.

"We have always felt strong support from the local government, and the difficulties and challenges we encountered were solved through our close cooperation," said Udo von Reinersdorff, chief financial officer of Kern-Liebers, at a roundtable held by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce last week in Stuttgart, Germany.

The event is one of an ongoing series of "Invest in China" roundtables that are touring European countries including Denmark, France and Italy. It has attracted a lot of well-known European enterprises from such fields as green energy, smart manufacturing, biomedicine, and high-end equipment manufacturing.

Participants shared their stories of vital investment in China and expressed their recognition of the Chinese government's efforts to facilitate the operations of foreign companies in the country, as well as their willingness to share future opportunities with the vibrant Chinese market.





VIGOROUS VITALITY

German companies are optimistic about China's economic prospects, which is important to Germany, said Hans-Peter Friedrich, a member of Germany's Bundestag, the lower house of parliament.

A report from the German Economic Institute shows that the country's total direct investment in China reached a record high of 11.9 billion euros (about 12.9 billion dollars) in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 4.3 percent. The value accounted for over 10 percent of Germany's total overseas investment, the highest level since 2014.

This file photo taken in 2018 shows a factory of German company Kern-Liebers in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua)

Danish company group GN Store Nord came to China 150 years ago and started close cooperation with the country via a telegraph line. The headset manufacturer has now expanded its business in China into three major fields, including hearing aids, enterprise communications support and gaming equipment.

"The Chinese market today is not only very important for us, but also very important for global companies to fully function and be successful. Many things work well and we are grateful for the partnership," said the group's CEO Peter Karlstromer.

A.P. Moller-Maersk, a Danish shipping and logistics company that entered China 100 years ago, just concluded the celebration of the 30th anniversary of its first wholly-owned company in China at the end of March. The enterprise has more than 60,500 employees in the Asian country and has expanded its business scope from shipping to various fields including port investment and management, air freight, warehousing, as well as container manufacturing.

"Since Maersk started its business in Shanghai in the spring of 1924, China has been an integrated part of our history as a company," said Camilla Holtse, Maersk's head of public policy and regulatory affairs.

Holtse noted that the company also had a very extensive procurement program in China, with goods and services purchased at a combined value of up to 4.6 billion dollars in 2023.

Carlsberg, one of the world's leading beer makers, has invested more than 20 billion yuan (about 2.8 billion dollars) in China since entering the country in the early 1990s. With over 6,000 employees, it now has grown into the fourth-largest brewery in the Chinese market.

Carlsberg's public affairs manager Anders Kappel said that the company has greatly benefited from China's booming economic development.





GOVERNMENT EFFORTS

Over the years, China has sped up the implementation of a series of concrete measures, including reducing the negative list for foreign investment and implementing the Foreign Investment Law, to extend the benefits of its ongoing opening-up policy to more foreign companies.

In August 2023, the Chinese government put forward 24 specific measures in six areas to further optimize the foreign investment environment and intensify efforts to attract investment, including guaranteeing national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises, increasing financial and tax support, and fostering a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized.

The 24 pro-foreign investment measures have further strengthened the investment confidence of foreign-funded enterprises, said He Yadong, a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson.

Participants attend Roundtable for Danish Enterprises of "Invest in China" in Copenhagen, Denmark, April 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang)

At the roundtable held in Copenhagen in early April, Lars Sandahl Sorensen, CEO of the Confederation of Danish Industry, hailed China's introduction of the 24 measures as a concrete and encouraging step towards improving the investment climate for foreign enterprises.

The policies for foreign investment companies could have an immediate impact on business confidence. The plan can go a long way to improving business confidence altogether, said Sorensen.

According to China's Ministry of Commerce, 60 percent of the announced measures have already been implemented. Items on the negative list for foreign investment have been reduced from 93 in 2017 to 31 in 2022, with further reductions expected this year. Also, all restrictions on foreign investment access to manufacturing are set to be lifted.

In March, China unveiled an action plan aimed to further attract and utilize foreign investment, outlining 24 measures across five key aspects such as expanding market access and aligning domestic regulations with high-standard international economic and trade rules. The action plan further underscores the country's commitment to attracting foreign investment and enhancing confidence in investing in China by strengthening positive interactions with the global economy.

The touring roundtables in Europe were part of a conference system initiated by China's Ministry of Commerce in July 2023, which is designed to convene regular meetings to address issues and gather feedback from foreign-funded enterprises.

To date, the ministry has organized over a dozen such meetings, resolving more than 300 issues and appeals raised, instilling optimism among many foreign institutions and enterprises regarding future investment and development prospects in China.





SHARED OPPORTUNITIES

Sorensen expressed willingness to further promote investment in the world's second-largest economy and to continue to cement the bonds between the two countries by leveraging their shared interest and common goals.

"Both Denmark and China are committed to further expanding our trade relationship, exploring new areas of cooperation, and embracing the opportunities presented by all industries, such as life sciences, biotech, green technologies, and food industry, among others," he noted.

In the view of Friedrich, it is important to understand China and have more exchanges with it, especially for young Germans who do not know about the country. "When you see this country, see its vitality, and see people's enthusiasm for the future, you will know how important the cooperation with China is to the German economy," he said.

This photo shows a scene at 2024 "Invest in China" Germany Session in Stuttgart, Germany, April 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

Novo Nordisk, a global pharmaceutical giant, has approximately 65,000 employees in more than 80 countries and regions. Its subsidiary in China, founded in 1994, has expanded its business across a whole value chain, including production, research and development, and commercial operations.

Currently, the company has ongoing investment projects in Tianjin, a municipality in northern China, according to Katrine DiBona, corporate vice president of global public affairs and sustainability at Novo Nordisk. Last month, it announced an additional investment of about 4 billion yuan (553 million dollars) in an expansion project at its production base in Tianjin.

"We are very proud and excited to have such a big presence in China and it is our second largest market. We are very encouraged by the Chinese government's ambition and intention to develop a life science and bio-manufacturing hub as part of its industry," said DiBona.

With similar expectations, Karlstromer noted that the GN Group already has significant investments in China and has plans to modernize and invest more in the country.

"We are very grateful for the 150 years we have been together with China, and we look forward to continuing to work side by side to create a better future in close collaboration," he said. (Video reporters: Yang Zichun, Cheng Di, Zhu Yunuo, Guo Jiewen; video editors: Zhang Qiru, Hui Peipei, Zheng Qingbin, Liu Yutian)
BISHKEK, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev on Tuesday met here with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov, with both sides agreeing to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields.

During the meeting, the ministers reviewed the status quo and prospects for strengthening bilateral strategic and fraternal relations between the two countries, according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan.

They pledged to increase trade between the two countries, and intensify investment in the transportation and logistics sectors, as well as renewable energy sources and hydropower, the press service said.

The two sides also discussed the upcoming mutual high level visits this year, the construction of infrastructure projects in Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, the resumption of Baku-Bishkek roundtrip flights, and strengthening cultural exchanges.

In addition, they called for continuing cooperation within the framework of international organizations.

The ministers also discussed current international and regional issues, and the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Ukraine. 
VENICE, Italy, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A creative exhibition featuring immersive experiences in mixed reality (MR) opened here on Tuesday at the National Library of Saint Mark to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death.

Titled "'Seek and Explore': Marco Polo's wondrous journey -- in memory of the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's passing," the exhibition showcases precious collections related to Marco Polo provided by the National Library of Saint Mark and the Shanghai Library.

The exhibition also invites visitors to wear MR glasses and explore virtual landscapes in China such as the Yardang landform, canal transportation scenes, the Chinese ink paintings of rivers and mountains, and Fujian Tulou residential architecture.

Stefano Campagnolo, director of the National Library of St. Mark's, said in his address at the opening ceremony that Marco Polo's name has represented friendly exchanges between peoples for 700 years.

Venice has served as a gateway for communication between East and West, and the National Library of St. Mark's holds valuable artifacts related to Marco Polo. Therefore, it is very meaningful to see the co-organizers of China and Italy choose this venue for the exhibition.

Lin Liying, general manager of China National Publications Import and Export (Group) Co., Ltd, expressed her hope during the ceremony that the exhibition would inherit Marco Polo's spirit of "seeking and exploring," and enhance mutual understanding of cultures between China and Italy.

In the exhibition hall, Thalia Aimar, a high school student from France, shared her experience with Xinhua after experiencing MR: "I have never been to China, but the MR allowed me to see Chinese landscapes very vividly. I really like it."

Paulo Camargo, a tourist from Brazil, said: "In MR, I felt like I was traveling to China with Marco Polo."

Campagnolo told Xinhua that this exhibition combines history with modern technology, and the use of MR is very appealing to the younger generation.

Jointly organized by China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Co., Ltd, the Straits Publishing and Distribution Group, and the National Library of Saint Mark's, the exhibition runs from Tuesday to Friday. 
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday urged the United States to fulfill its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence" and to cease sending the wrong signals to separatist forces.

"We urge the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques with concrete actions," said Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Zhu made the statement at a regular press conference of the office while responding to a media inquiry regarding remarks made recently by Laura Rosenberger, chair of the board of trustees of the "American Institute in Taiwan."

The one-China principle is the political foundation and fundamental premise for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, Zhu said.

The U.S. "Taiwan Relations Act" and "Six Assurances" seriously violate the one-China principle, the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and the basic norms of international relations, and grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, the spokesperson said, calling them "entirely wrong, illegal, and invalid."

"The Chinese government has consistently and resolutely opposed them from the outset," she said. 
An active Android malware campaign dubbed eXotic Visit has been primarily targeting users in South Asia, particularly those in India and Pakistan, with malware distributed via dedicated websites and Google Play Store.

Slovak cybersecurity firm said the activity, ongoing since November 2021, is not linked to any known threat actor or group. It's tracking the group behind the operation under the name Virtual Invaders.

"Downloaded apps provide legitimate functionality, but also include code from the open-source Android XploitSPY RAT," ESET security researcher Lukas Stefanko said in a technical report released today.

The campaign is said to be highly targeted in nature, with the apps available on Google Play having negligible number of installs ranging from zero to 45. The apps have since been taken down.

The fake-but-functional apps primarily masquerade as messaging services like Alpha Chat, ChitChat, Defcom, Dink Messenger, Signal Lite, TalkU, WeTalk, Wicker Messenger, and Zaangi Chat. Approximately 380 victims are said to have downloaded the apps and created accounts to use them for messaging purposes.

Also employed as part of eXotic Visit are apps such as Sim Info and Telco DB, both of which claim to provide details about SIM owners simply by entering a Pakistan-based phone number. Other applications pass off as a food ordering service in Pakistan as well as a legitimate Indian hospital called Specialist Hospital (now rebranded as Trilife Hospital).

XploitSPY, uploaded to GitHub as early as April 2020 by a user named RaoMK, is associated with an Indian cyber security solutions company called XploitWizer. It has also been described as a fork of another open-source Android trojan called L3MON, which, in turn, draws inspiration from AhMyth.

It comes with a wide gamut of features that allows it to gather sensitive data from infected devices, such as GPS locations, microphone recordings, contacts, SMS messages, call logs, and clipboard content; extract notification details from apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Gmail; download and upload files; view installed apps; and queue commands.

On top of that, the malicious apps are designed to take pictures and enumerate files in several directories related to screenshots, WhatApp, WhatsApp Business, Telegram, and an unofficial WhatsApp mod known as GBWhatsApp.

"Throughout the years, these threat actors have customized their malicious code by adding obfuscation, emulator detection, hiding of [command-and-control] addresses, and use of a native library," Stefanko said.

The main purpose of the native library ("defcome-lib.so") is to keep the C2 server information encoded and hidden from static analysis tools. If an emulator is detected, the app makes use of a fake C2 server to evade detection.

Some of the apps have been propagated through websites specifically created for this purpose ("chitchat.ngrok[.]io") that provide a link to an Android package file ("ChitChat.apk") hosted on GitHub. It's presently not clear how victims are directed to these apps.

"Distribution started on dedicated websites and then even moved to the official Google Play store," Stefanko concluded. "The purpose of the campaign is espionage and probably is targeting victims in Pakistan and India."

Update

Following the publication of the story, Google shared the below statement with The Hacker News -

"Android users are automatically protected against known versions of this malware by Google Play Protect, which is on by default on Android devices with Google Play Services. Google Play Protect can warn users or block apps known to exhibit malicious behavior, even when those apps come from sources outside of Play."
Microsoft has released security updates for the month of April 2024 to remediate a record 149 flaws, two of which have come under active exploitation in the wild.

Of the 149 flaws, three are rated Critical, 142 are rated Important, three are rated Moderate, and one is rated Low in severity. The update is aside from 21 vulnerabilities that the company addressed in its Chromium-based Edge browser following the release of the March 2024 Patch Tuesday fixes.

The two shortcomings that have come under active exploitation are below -

CVE-2024-26234 (CVSS score: 6.7) - Proxy Driver Spoofing Vulnerability

(CVSS score: 6.7) - Proxy Driver Spoofing Vulnerability CVE-2024-29988 (CVSS score: 8.8) - SmartScreen Prompt Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

While Microsoft's own advisory provides no information about CVE-2024-26234, cybersecurity firm Sophos said it discovered in December 2023 a malicious executable ("Catalog.exe" or "Catalog Authentication Client Service") that's signed by a valid Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher (WHCP) certificate.

Authenticode analysis of the binary has revealed the original requesting publisher to Hainan YouHu Technology Co. Ltd, which is also the publisher of another tool called LaiXi Android Screen Mirroring.

The latter is described as "a marketing software ... [that] can connect hundreds of mobile phones and control them in batches, and automate tasks like batch following, liking, and commenting."

Present within the purported authentication service is a component called 3proxy that's designed to monitor and intercept network traffic on an infected system, effectively acting as a backdoor.

"We have no evidence to suggest that the LaiXi developers deliberately embedded the malicious file into their product, or that a threat actor conducted a supply chain attack to insert it into the compilation/building process of the LaiXi application," Sophos researcher Andreas Klopsch said.

The cybersecurity company also said it discovered multiple other variants of the backdoor in the wild going all the way back to January 5, 2023, indicating that the campaign has been underway at least since then. Microsoft has since added the relevant files to its revocation list.

The second security flaw that has reportedly come under active attack is CVE-2024-29988, which  like CVE-2024-21412 and CVE-2023-36025  allows attackers to sidestep Microsoft Defender Smartscreen protections when opening a specially crafted file.

"To exploit this security feature bypass vulnerability, an attacker would need to convince a user to launch malicious files using a launcher application that requests that no UI be shown," Microsoft said.

"In an email or instant message attack scenario, the attacker could send the targeted user a specially crafted file that is designed to exploit the remote code execution vulnerability."

The Zero Day Initiative revealed that there is evidence of the flaw being exploited in the wild, although Microsoft has tagged it with an "Exploitation More Likely" assessment.

Another vulnerability of importance is CVE-2024-29990 (CVSS score: 9.0), an elevation of privilege flaw impacting Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service Confidential Container that could be exploited by unauthenticated attackers to steal credentials.

"An attacker can access the untrusted AKS Kubernetes node and AKS Confidential Container to take over confidential guests and containers beyond the network stack it might be bound to," Redmond said.

In all, the release is notable for addressing as many as 68 remote code execution, 31 privilege escalation, 26 security feature bypass, and six denial-of-service (DoS) bugs. Interestingly, 24 of the 26 security bypass flaws are related to Secure Boot.

"While none of these Secure Boot vulnerabilities addressed this month were exploited in the wild, they serve as a reminder that flaws in Secure Boot persist, and we could see more malicious activity related to Secure Boot in the future," Satnam Narang, senior staff research engineer at Tenable, said in a statement.

The disclosure comes as Microsoft has faced criticism for its security practices, with a recent report from the U.S. Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) calling out the company for not doing enough to prevent a cyber espionage campaign orchestrated by a Chinese threat actor tracked as Storm-0558 last year.

It also follows the company's decision to publish root cause data for security flaws using the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) industry standard. However, it's worth noting that the changes are only in effect starting from advisories published since March 2024.

"The addition of CWE assessments to Microsoft security advisories helps pinpoint the generic root cause of a vulnerability," Adam Barnett, lead software engineer at Rapid7, said in a statement shared with The Hacker News.

"The CWE program has recently updated its guidance on mapping CVEs to a CWE Root Cause. Analysis of CWE trends can help developers reduce future occurrences through improved Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) workflows and testing, as well as helping defenders understand where to direct defense-in-depth and deployment-hardening efforts for best return on investment."

In a related development, cybersecurity firm Varonis detailed two methods that attackers could adopt to circumvent audit logs and avoid triggering download events while exfiltrating files from SharePoint.

The first approach takes advantage of SharePoint's "Open in App" feature to access and download files, whereas the second uses the User-Agent for Microsoft SkyDriveSync to download files or even entire sites while miscategorizing such events as file syncs instead of downloads.

Microsoft, which was made aware of the issues in November 2023, has yet to release a fix, although they have been added to their patch backlog program. In the interim, organizations are recommended to closely monitor their audit logs for suspicious access events, specifically those that involve large volumes of file downloads within a short period.

"These techniques can bypass the detection and enforcement policies of traditional tools, such as cloud access security brokers, data loss prevention, and SIEMs, by hiding downloads as less suspicious access and sync events," Eric Saraga said.

Software Patches from Other Vendors

In addition to Microsoft, security updates have also been released by other vendors over the past few weeks to rectify several vulnerabilities, including 
This fall, will be a sad time for many people.

Blue Bloods, which has millions of fans, will go off the air after 14 seasons.

My wife and I watch the show almost entirely out of loyalty to Tom Selleck, whom we loved in Magnum, P.I. many years ago.

Blue Bloods is just about our last connection to network television. So for us, the final episodes will basically be our farewell to CBS.

While we remain admirers of Selleck, its interesting to see how the actor has changed.

For one thing, he makes a lot of money for a guy who works in a seated position. On some episodes, he stands up and walks around. But most of his time is spent behind a desk.

Meanwhile, Danny Reagan does all the running around that Selleck used to do as Magnum.

Its funny how a couple of the young people who gathered around the Sunday dinner table have vanished. Dannys son, Sean, has somehow earned a lifetime pass. But Nicky (Sammy Gayle) and Jack (Tony Terraciano) have largely disappeared. When youre sent off to college on Blue Bloods, you hardly ever come home to visit.

These days, there arent enough people seated around the table.

My wife will always miss Amy Carlson, the woman who played Dannys wife.

Weve always felt the weak link in the show is Bridget Moynahan, whose acting range is limited. Her character basically displays two emotions, or maybe its one.

The whole time that Blue Bloods has been on, weve been waiting for some of Sellecks Magnum co-stars to show up. It would have been great to see John Hillerman pop up before he passed away in 2017. Actor Roger E. Mosley, who played T.C., couldve easily played a helicopter pilot. But alas, Mosely died in 2022.

I finally spotted Larry Manetti on a recent episode. He was almost unrecognizable, but it was indeed Rick from Magnum. Unfortunately, he never shared a scene with his old pal.

Im surprised that Sellecks character hardly ever dates on the show. For old times sake, itd be good to see him turn up with some of the women who dated Thomas Sullivan Magnum.

Like many current shows, Blue Bloods is filled with shadows. Its not that the plots are too dark. Its just that the scenes are shot in darkened rooms. My wife thinks they cant afford light bulbs.

I admire the way Donnie Wahlberg has become a good actor, after his earlier life as a musician. Way back when, I saw New Kids on the Block perform a couple of times, which is another reason Im partial to Blue Bloods.

On the other hand, I have eaten at a Wahlburgers, and I was not impressed. My experience consisted of eating a sad burger in a sad little place, with not much staff around to help.

Without Frank Reagan as commissioner, I dont know whos going to keep the peace in New York City. But a 79-year-old man probably shouldnt be in charge of the police department.

What will happen in the final eight episodes this fall? Im predicting a wedding, maybe between Danny and his longtime partner, Baez.

I also think the show could have a spinoff. Blue Bloods will go away, but maybe a new program will be built around young Joe Hill, played by Will Hochman.

Where will that leave Selleck?

Maybe for old times sake, theyll dig up Magnums old red Ferrari, give him a Hawaiian shirt and let him roar off into the sunset.
Eighteen years ago, my friend and I started a business selling handmade, custom-churned ice cream. Our one-of-a-kind flavors  like red velvet cake and maple blonde brownie  have made our old-fashioned parlor a longtime favorite in Omaha.

But our biggest success has been selling our ice cream online. We market our ice cream as a special-occasion gift that people anywhere in the United States can order from our website and personalize with their own special messages and packaging designs. We ship more than 400,000 personalized ice-cream pints a year  a figure thats doubled over the past 10 years. In fact, 90% of our revenues come from online sales. Most people dont know it, but its our online business that keeps our neighborhood shop doors open.

Most people  including many Nebraska lawmakers  also dont know that affordable digital ads are as critical to our online business as fresh milk is to our ice cream. Thats why Im extremely worried by our states proposed tax on digital ads, which would make them far more expensive and hurt our bottom line. And that would make it much harder for us to grow our business, retain our fantastic employees and keep our brick-and-mortar store open.

Were already facing dramatically inflated shipping and ingredient costs, including record-high cocoa prices. The last thing we need is a tax on another essential part of our business.

Honestly, the proposed tax could hardly come at a worse time, because federal lawmakers are already advocating legislation like the AMERICA Act that would make digital advertising more expensive and less effective  a double whammy for small specialty businesses like ours.

Lawmakers seem to think new digital advertising taxes and laws will deal a blow to big companies like Google and Facebook. They dont understand that its small local businesses like ours  which rely on affordable, effective digital ads  that will actually take the hit.

We dont have the budget for pricey national TV or radio ads. We know we can reach people online, though, because thats where folks do almost all their errands. But unlike dominant, deep-pocketed players like Breyers or Ben & Jerrys, we cant afford to show our ads to everyone online. We need to reach people interested in sending a gift for a special occasion like an anniversary or graduation, or who love specialty gourmet ice cream.

Working with platforms like Facebook, Google, and Instagram helps us do exactly that, even on a tight small-business budget. Those companies offer world-class data analytics and ad technologies that allow us to advertise our products to the right audience.

Our digital ad partners can even measure the effectiveness of our advertising, so if certain ads arent working, we can stop running them and put our money into others that are more successful. That helps us make the most sales with the fewest ad dollars, which increases our revenues, minimizes our marketing costs and boosts our bottom line. And that, in turn, means more time and money for improving our recipes, hiring people and growing our business.

Affordable digital ads are vital to thousands of small businesses like ours, and theyre currently under extreme pressure from legislators across the country. A state tax on digital ads would be an additional serious blow to small Nebraska businesses like mine, making it far harder for us to succeed and compete with big established players. I urge legislators to recognize the detrimental impact the proposed digital ads tax will have on small businesses across Nebraska, and to say no to a tax on digital ads.
More than 40 tables filled with community members gathered at Boulder Flatts Wednesday for the second annual Inspire Grand Island awards, hosted by The Independent.

Filled with good food and good company, the celebration paid tribute to a variety of women and leaders throughout the Grand Island area  all representative of different walks of life and leadership.

Within the eight categories  Community Partner, Excellence in Large Business, Excellence in Small Business, Excellence in Education, Excellence in Healthcare, the Inspire Scholarship, Young Professional and Woman of the Year  67 nominees were put forth for the honors. Of these nominees three finalists were selected per category, and the winner was announced live at the celebration.

The commonality of the finalists was their strong sense of self, work ethic and accomplishments.

Woman of the Year went to Cindy Johnson of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce. Though Johnson was not in attendance at the event, taking part in a much-deserved vacation, her daughter was on hand to accept the award and noted how humbled her mother would be by the prestigious honor.

Other honorees at the luncheon were: Michelle Setlik of the Hall County Historical Society and Central Community College (Community Partner), Jackie Havel of AMUR (Excellence in Large Business), Mary Berlie of Grand Island Economic Development (Excellence in Small Business), Dr. Amanda Levos of Grand Island Public Schools (Excellence in Education), Dr. Molly Johnson of the Grand Island Clinic (Excellence in Healthcare) and Lupita Ayala Montanez of The Multicultural Coalition (Young Professional).

Natalia Pazarena, a graduating student at Grand Island Senior High, received the $2,500 Inspire Scholarship, sponsored in part by the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Tom Dinsdale Automotive was presenting sponsor of the event. Award sponsors were: Hornady Manufacturing, Kens, Yellow Van Cleaning and Restoration, Wayne State College, Grand Island Regional Medical Center, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Union Bank & Trust and Eustis Body Shop.

Inspire Specialty Sponsors included: Awards Plus, Sayler Screenprinting, Cedar Valley Insurance Agency, Inc., Williams Flower Company and Greenhouse, Allo Fiber, Heartfire Photography and Yosten Law, LLC.

Inspire Table Sponsors included: Allo Fiber, AMUR, Associated Staffing, CNH, Five Points Bank, Grand Island Clinic, Grand Island Public Schools, Hornady Manufacturing, Literacy Council, The Nebraska State Fair, Summit Real Estate and Willow Rising.

Winners and finalists will be profiled in a special section in Saturdays Independent. The Independent thanks all winners, nominees, attendees and sponsors for making the event great.

PHOTOS: Inspire Awards celebrate local women More than 40 tables filled with community members gathered at Boulder Flatts Wednesday for the second annual Inspire Grand Island awards, hosted by The Independent. Inspire 1 Wednesday, April 10 marked another successful Inspire Awards banquet at Boulder Flatts. The event honors womens leadership in the community. Inspire 2 Dee Klein, Regional Business Development Director with Lee Enterprises, gave the welcoming comments for the annual Inspire award banquet at Bo Inspire 3 Michelle Setlik with the Hall County Historical Society and CCC, speaks after winning the Community Partner Inspire Award at the Inspire Award Inspire 4 Bryanne Swerczek, Regional Advertising Operations Manager for Lee Enterprises and 2024 Inspire Advisory Board member, hands Michelle Setlik he Inspire 5 Bryanne Swerczek, with Lee Enterprises and a 2024 Inspire Advisory Board member, hands Jackie Havel from AMUR her Excellence in Large Business Inspire 7 Bryanne Swerczek of The Independent, and a 2024 Inspire Advisory Board member, hands Dr. Amanda Levos with GIPS her Excellence in Education aw Inspire 8 Bryanne Swerczek of The Independent, and a 2024 Inspire Advisory Board member, hands Dr. Molly Johnson her Excellence in Healthcare award duri Inspire 9 GISH student Natalia Pazarena stands with Kyle Means from University of Nebraska Kearney after being chosen as the Inspire Scholarship winner  Inspire 10 Bryanne Swerczek with The Independent, and a 2024 Inspire Advisory Board member, stands with Lupita Ayala Montanez, who received her Young Pro Inspire 11 Kenzie Jarvi, daughter of Cindy Johnson, accepts her mother's Woman of the Year award on her behalf during the Inspire Awards banquet at Bould Inspire 6 Bryanne Swerczek hands Mary Berlie from G.I. Economic Development her Excellence in Small Business award during the Inspire Awards banquet Wednesday. Inspire 12 Erin Martinez, Marketing Manager for Tom Dinsdale Automotive, spoke as the presenting sponsor during the Inspire award banquet Wednesday. Inspire 13 Alissa Harrington once again was the Inspire Master of Ceremonies for the banquet at Boulder Flatts on Wednesday, April 10 in Grand Island. Inspire Grand Island We invite you to nominate the inspiring women in your life! Photos by Heart Fire Photography and The Independent. Go to inspire-grandisland.co
Laos warns of air pollution at alarming level

By Vietnam News Agency Wed, April 10, 2024 | 2:42 pm GMT+7

Fine dust concentration in many provinces and cities of Laos is reported on Tuesday to be harmful to human health.

The Lao Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Research said that northern provinces are reporting high concentration, including Phongsaly (257 micrograms per cubic metre), Xiengkhouang (209), and Oudomxay (over 300).

Hazy smog of air pollution over Vientiane, Laos. Photo courtesy of Laotian Times.

The reasons are due to the burning of straw and fields to prepare for a new crop, forest fires and traffic emissions.

Meanwhile, the Department of Hydrometeorology under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has also warned local authorities and people of some northern, central and southern provinces about the possibility of thunderstorms, lightning, strong winds and hail in the coming days.
Malaysia urges Meta, TikTok to curb harmful content

By Vietnam News Agency Wed, April 10, 2024 | 8:57 pm GMT+7

Malaysia on Tuesday required tech giants Meta and TikTok to come up with plans to counter harmful content online.

As reported by The Straits Times, the move came after a spike in reports on offensive material made to social media platforms.

The Malaysian government reports nearly 52,000 cases of harmful content on various platforms, including Metas Facebook and TikTok, in the first three months of 2024. Photo courtesy of Xinhua/Vietnam News Agency.

The Malaysian government reported nearly 52,000 cases of harmful content on various platforms, including Metas Facebook and TikTok, in the first three months of 2024, compared to about 43,000 for the whole of last year.

The authorities said they were particularly concerned about posts related to race, religion and royalty.
SHENYANG, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A liquified gas explosion and subsequent fire in a residential complex on Wednesday morning has left one person dead and three others injured in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The blast happened at around 6:15 a.m. following a gas leak, while the ensuing fire was put out at 6:56 a.m., according to the city's fire brigade.

An initial probe suggested that the blast was caused by incorrect use of the liquified gas. 
Malaysian airlines to charge carbon levy soon

By Vietnam News Agency Wed, April 10, 2024 | 8:55 pm GMT+7

Malaysia is gearing up for greener skies once the carbon levy collection by the airlines comes into effect as soon as the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) makes the necessary review, according to Assoc Prof Major Dr Mohd Harridon Mohamed Suffian, an aviation and aerospace expert.

Malaysia plans to collect carbon levy from airlines for greener skies. Photo courtesy of Bernama.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently said that the carbon levy can be imposed once the MAVCOM makes the necessary amendments to the MAVCOM (Code of Conduct) Regulations 2018.

Mohd Harridon said the carbon levy is a good strategy for Malaysias overall carbon footprint reduction through a linear progression by 2050.

The levy imposed by the airlines is to offset their carbon emissions and is an international obligation applicable to all airlines, not only in Malaysia, to contribute towards the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

Denmark, Sweden, South Africa and the Netherlands are among the countries that have imposed carbon levies upon passengers.

The airlines can either use the levy to purchase sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or pay credit to offset their carbon emission, explained Mohd Harridon. SAF is recognised globally as the most feasible option to reduce aviation emissions in the near term.

It also gives another avenue for Malaysia to develop its industry around it, he said.
(TBTCO) - Trong bai viet Chong lang phi viet thang 10/2024, Tong Bi thu, Chu tich nuoc To Lam khang inh: e nam bat co hoi, ay lui thach thuc, gia tang manh me nguon luc cham lo cho nhan dan, lam giau cho at nuoc trong giai oan cach mang moi, xay dung tuong lai tot ep, cong tac phong, chong lang phi can uoc trien khai quyet liet, ong bo voi nhung giai phap huu hieu, tao su lan toa manh me, tro thanh tu nguyen, tu giac cua moi can bo, ang vien va nguoi dan, van hoa ung xu trong thoi ai moi; chu trong mot so giai phap trong tam.
How a Belarusian TikToker is teaching people a language whose use can get them behind bars.

I never wanted to do long boring lectures, says Liza Vetrava, a 26-year-old Belarusian TikTok success story with 89,000 subscribers. On the contrary, Ive tried to destroy the stereotype that learning Belarusian is a difficult and boring task.

Like others worldwide who discovered that teaching languages can attract thousands of TikTok users, Vetrava makes videos where she talks about the intricacies of grammar, shares slang words, or passes on the secrets of correct pronunciation. She prides herself on attracting a wide audience through dynamic editing, the use of humor, and an informal style of presentation.

Yet Vetrava faces a challenge unlike most of her fellow language TikTokers: she is teaching a language whose use has become overtly political (and potentially dangerous). The situation has further worsened since the Belarusian authorities launched a brutal crackdown against independent voices after the mass protests that erupted after the disputed presidential election of 2020, won officially by the countrys long-standing authoritarian president, Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Vetrava herself left Belarus in April 2022 because of the political situation and the threat of reprisals for her online activities, yet her videos are still gaining traction back home.

Now I speak exclusively in Belarusian, and I can say that, to a large extent, Liza Vetrava inspired me to take this step, one of her followers says. By watching Lizas videos, I began to remember words that I had forgotten in my childhood, chimes in another.

A Native Tongue Under Threat

Back before the two world wars, the area of present-day Belarus was a vibrant, multiethnic place where many languages were spoken, including Belarusian. That changed after Belarus became part of the Soviet Union in 1918, and Russification and the influx of tens of thousands of ethnic Russians transformed local language dynamics.

After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Belarusian experienced a revival and even became the main language in schools and other institutions, but those times were short-lived. In the mid-1990s, Lukashenka pushed through a referendum that elevated Russian to the second official language as he promoted closer integration with Russia.

According to the official 2019 population census, native speakers of Belarusian outnumber Russian speakers by 54.1% to 42.3%. Looking at this statistic, someone unfamiliar with the peculiarities of Belarusian history, might think that Belarus is home to a large Russian diaspora. However, according to the same census, the vast majority of residents  84.9%  consider themselves Belarusian, and just 8.9% identify themselves as Russian.

Further complicating the picture, not even half of native Belarusian speakers, or 26% of the total population, use the language at home, and 71.4% of the population use Russian for daily communication. The figures are not likely to change with the younger generation: the National Statistical Committee reported that in 2021, only 10.1% of schoolchildren were studying in Belarusian. Already in 2010, UNESCO listed Belarusian in its atlas of endangered languages, calling it vulnerable.

At the same time, the authorities started persecuting those who tried to learn what was for them their forgotten native language, as Belarusian had become a symbol of the national democratic opposition. In July 2021, for example, the authorities in Minsk disbanded Mova Nanova (Language Anew), a language program that had been operating in many Belarusian cities since 2014, presenting courses in various fields taught by well-known experts giving instruction in Belarusian. Police had also detained course participants. The Belarusian Language Society (BLS) lost its state accreditation at the end of 2021. The Belarusian-language publishing industry is also the target of official suppression.

Despite all this, interest in the Belarusian language is rising, especially since the 2020 protests  numbers that climbed even higher after Russias invasion of Ukraine, as many return to their native tongue to signify their opposition to the war. And in circumstances where even speaking Belarusian in public can be a pretext for arrest, the internet has become a way out for teaching and learning the language.

The Potential of TikTok

Vetrava spent her childhood in the town of Haradzeya, some 80 kilometers from Minsk. She grew up speaking Belarusian at home and attended a Belarusian-speaking school. After graduating, she moved to the capital, where she took a degree in biochemistry and worked in the office staff at a private medical center. She began speaking mainly Russian, because her university, like all others in Belarus, taught only in Russian, and she was no longer surrounded by Belarusian speakers.

She switched back to her native language in the summer of 2020, as she saw opposition candidates and their supporters detained and harassed in the lead-up to the August presidential elections. She quickly noticed that people treated her positively when she spoke Belarusian in public.

They thanked me, treated me to coffee, Vetrava recalls. Once a shop assistant gave me a bun for free, because I spoke with her in Belarusian. I understood that people hunger for the Belarusian language.

In this video for Hodna.by, Vetrava talks about the Night of the Murdered Poets in 1937, when the Soviets shot more than 100 Belarusian intellectuals.

TikToks rising popularity, especially among young people, made the social site the logical choice to reach out to the masses and inspire them to switch to Belarusian as she had. Vetrava resolved to continue making videos if, within three months after opening her TikTok account, at least one person told her they had switched to Belarusian thanks to her. In her first video, in November 2020, she spoke Belarusian words and asked viewers to translate them into Russian. With a few years of practice now behind her, the young teacher considers this approach wrong.

One should not show the Belarusian language in this way, but instead explain the meaning of Belarusian words in Belarusian, she says. Having people translate into Russia helps build views, but its not about Belarusianness,  she says. You still seem to be looking toward Russia.

That one person who would thank her for helping them make the switch came quite quickly. The number of subscribers grew, and more and more positive comments appeared.

With Vetravas TikTok account already growing by leaps and bounds, her numbers got a boost when a civic initiative based in the city of Hodna that promotes Belarusian culture, Hodna.by, sent her a feeler about possible cooperation.

When she visited Hodna.by, she says, They showed me their TikTok page, saying something like, We are also on TikTok, but its not getting popular. What do you think?  She told them that the page lacked consistency and a unified style.

She soon began to collaborate with Hodna.by, and now makes videos for the organization om YouTube and TikTok  not as much about language as culture. For me, the topics of language and culture are interconnected, she explains. When I started to get interested in the language, I read a lot about the phases of its history, about the cultural context that influenced its development, and so on.

The authorities have since labeled Hodna.by as extremist and the initiatives founder, Pavel Belavus, has been behind bars since November 2021.

At around the same time, Vetrava saw her own TikTok page starting to stagnate, as her subscriber base rose to about 10,000 but then leveled off. At first she suspected she had been hit with a shadow ban  when a social network curtails traffic to an account for some, often unspecified, violation of its rules.

More likely, she says now, the TikTok algorithm  which demands even more views from high-subscriber accounts to spread further their reach  wasnt helping. She needed a new tactic, something to build some hype.

That something became a sketch where she played two characters in conversation. The video took off, generating almost 10,000 likes and 65,000 views. More than 2,000 new subscribers soon joined.

Tricks of the Trade

Many of her humorous videos rank on the list of Vetravas most watched, and she credits much of her popularity to her use of humor. Often one character makes mistakes when she speaks Belarusian, and the other corrects with irony and jokes.

The language bug  a creature that prevents Vetrava from speaking Belarusian by constantly correcting her mistakes, played by herself in an oversized pink sweatsuit and sunglasses  is also very popular, she says.

We all know there are toxic correctors out there, but no one had shown them before. Thats why everyone liked the bug so much, she says. I thought, I have followers who also correct me like this. Why shouldnt I be inspired by them and create my own character?

She drew inspiration for the language bug from two Ukrainian TikTokers who also employ funny characters to talk about the most common mistakes language learners make.

At first, she didnt follow many other like-minded content creators, Vetrava admits. Now I advise everyone who starts their own account to watch as many other creators as possible.  In general, if you watch content from other countries, you can get a lot of inspiration and adapt it to our realities and our language.

From a technical point of view, Vetrava advises using professional lighting and a phone with a good camera. Writing a script is also key, or at least an outline to jog your memory about key moments in the shoot.

She regards herself as a pioneer in the Belarusian social media space, saying, When I first started, Belarusian-language TikTok was not widespread at all. I remember that I was added to a common chat for all Belarusian-speaking creators, and there were only 20 people there: TikTokers, YouTubers, and Instagrammers  20 people for the whole of Belarus!

Despite the many opportunities, Vetrava is in no hurry to advise everyone to start an account in Belarusian, given the ever-present threats. In November, Belarusian security forces detained TikToker Antanina Valkova, accusing her of participating in unsanctioned mass events, a charge often used against people connected in any way with the 2020 protest movement, although she had only posted videos of herself singing in Belarusian. A repentance video later appeared on Valkovas TikTok page showing the young woman confessing to the charge.

They went after people with small audiences, Vetrava says. All creators with large audiences have already run away: they either left the country or ended up behind bars. Thats why I cannot now call on people who remain in Belarus to switch to the Belarusian language in their [daily] lives, or to create an account in Belarusian. It is really dangerous.

@li_vetrava       ?      li_vetrava The language bugs first appearance.

Making the Switch: Stories of Lizas Fans

Its impossible to know how many people have either switched to the Belarusian language or begun using it more because of Vetravas videos. But interviews with some of her followers offer anecdotal evidence of her impact.

Karalina (her and others names have been changed for their own security) studied at a Russian-language school and received her higher education abroad. I didnt have many opportunities for daily conversations in Belarusian, the 25-year old says. But when I started to follow Lizas [videos], I expanded my vocabulary significantly. Also, I corrected [my knowledge of] some grammatical and phonetic rules in Belarusian, which they didnt pay much attention to at school. Now I speak exclusively in Belarusian, and I can say that, to a large extent, Liza Vetrava inspired me to take this step.

For Iryna, 28, Vetravas videos meant a return to the Belarusian language rather than studying it from scratch.

I grew up in a Belarusian-speaking family, she says. I even had problems in my Russian-speaking school, because my classmates made fun of my pronunciation. And my grades in Russian were much lower than in Belarusian. When I entered university, and then went to work, there was almost no Belarusian-speaking environment around me, and in order to be accepted, I had to improve my Russian.

I started to think about returning to Belarusian after I had traveled a lot and relocated abroad. I just wanted to somehow strengthen and emphasize my identity  By watching Lizas videos, I began to remember words that I had forgotten in my childhood and I also learned some new ones. I like the format of the videos, because they are short, simple, and useful. Now I have to combine studies and work, so there is no time left for reading books or doing exercises in the Belarusian language.

Similarly, 20-year-old Yuliya says that she watches Vetrava mainly to improve her knowledge of Belarusian. I have been speaking Belarusian since childhood and studied at a Belarusian-language school, she says. Im now studying at a university in Russian and my entire surroundings are also Russian-speaking. I like Liza Vetravas videos, because they help me not to forget my native language. By the way, thanks to Liza, I learned many interesting idioms that I had not used before.

Vintsuk Vyachorka, a Belarusian linguist and educator who once led an opposition party, believes that Vetravas approach can work wonders to legitimize speaking in Belarusian among this younger age group, but might not be beneficial for serious language study.

These videos play a motivational role for the target audience  the generation of the author, Vyachorka says. Using acting and the editing techniques of the genre, she makes it clear to the target audience that she is one of them. 

The prestige of speaking Belarusian in public could get a boost thanks to the backing of a popular figure, Vyachorka says, but he cautions that Vetravas heavy use of scripted and role-playing sketches not directly related to language learning might distract her audience.

Part of Vetravas appeal rests on her lowbrow style  Im not an expert, but Im gonna tell you something, although this might not persuade the audience to repeat and memorize what she presents, Vyachorka continues. A part of her audience might not understand her approach and take her for a language expert, perhaps leading them into errors, he says.

In todays Belarus, however, where the choice of language carries so much additional weight against the backdrop of official suppression of the language and other manifestations of Belarusian national identity, the intricacies of grammar and other lessons are secondary, Vetrava would probably argue. Knowing the security forces cannot possibly control everything people watch on their phones, Belarusian-language media and social media influencers, mainly from abroad, continue to pump out content, and they are in demand among those who remain in the country.

There is nothing wrong with speaking Russian in public places for your own safety, Vetrava says. You can still speak Belarusian with your loved ones, read Belarusian books, and watch Belarusian content. Learn Belarusian. I believe youll need it soon.



Darya Hardzeichyk is a Belarusian journalist writing primarily about cultural topics. She is the creator of The history of Belarusian sex and Cozy city podcasts.

This article was produced with the support of the International Visegrad Fund.
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).


RABAT, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan King Mohammed VI has granted clemency to 2,097 prisoners on the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, according to a statement from the Moroccan Justice Ministry on Wednesday.

Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, was celebrated on Wednesday in Morocco.

Among the pardoned people, 18 were sentenced over convictions for terrorism and extremist crimes, the statement said, noting that they had participated in the government's rehabilitation program before the release.

In the pardon, one inmate had his death sentence commuted to life in prison, three saw their life imprisonment commuted to fixed prison terms, and 209 others were exempted from their remaining prison sentence, including one also having the fine annulled.

In addition, 1,884 people had their prison terms reduced or benefited from relief from prison terms and fines, with some having their fines entirely annulled. 
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO is in advanced negotiations to acquire the gas-rich Loran field from Venezuela, Energy Minister Stuart Young has revealed.

Young made the announcement during the recently concluded budget debate which took place in the House of Representatives.

The Loran-Manatee cross-border reservoir was discovered in 1983 and is estimated to contain ten trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas.
The Arizona Supreme Court decision Tuesday that an 1864 law that makes abortion illegal in all cases except when a mothers life is in danger resulted in swift and strong reactions on social media from political leaders across the state.

In fact, minutes after the ruling, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a trip to Tucson Friday to discuss the the ruling.

The ruling will affect women before they may even know they are pregnant, and threaten prison time for nurses and doctors, Harris said in a statement.

All of this by reviving a law that was passed in the 1800s, before women could vote, said Harris in her official statement posted on X Tuesday. To stop bans like this, we need a United States Congress that will restore the protections of Roe v. Wade. Always remember: it does not have to be this way.

President Biden also issued a statement: All across the country, women are being turned away from emergency rooms or being forced to travel hundreds of miles or ask a judge just to get the basic care they badly need.

Donald Trump is the reason Roe was ended, Biden said.

Heres how local and state leaders reacted:

I am reeling from the Supreme Courts callous decision. I have personally experienced the anguish of losing a pregnancy, and its outrageous to have the government tell you that the best decision for your health could now be considered a crime, said Gov. Katie Hobbs while addressing the audience on her X account. Today seems like a dark day, but I want to make it clear that my executive order protecting women and doctors from prosecution by extremist county attorneys still stands. I refuse to let radical extremists take control of our bodies.

Todays decision to reimpose a law from a time when Arizona wasnt a state, the Civil War was raging and women couldnt even vote will go down in history as a stain on our state, said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes on X. Let me be completely clear, as long as I am Attorney General, no woman or doctor will be prosecuted under this draconian law in this state.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero called the decision devastating during a news conference downtown soon after the ruling. It is unbelievable that the rights we hold here in Arizona to have access to abortion, are different than women 500 miles away in the same country, Romero said.

It is frankly appalling to stand here in front of a historic courthouse that goes back to territorial days. And how ironic that we would be here now, with the state of Arizona Supreme Court suggesting that we go back to a near-total ban, said Pima County Attorney Laura Conover. I want to make this extremely clear to the community, we are here for you and you are safe here.

The Arizona Supreme Court just set reproductive rights in our state back by two centuries, and now Arizona women will lose the right to an abortion, said U.S. Senator Mark Kelly on X.

A womans health care choices should be between her, her family and her doctor, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said on X. Arizonans should not be forced to travel out of state just to receive basic, sometimes even life-saving, healthcare. Doctors and hospitals should not be punished for providing health care to their patients.

In the last century, we have achieved womens suffrage, passed historic civil rights legislation and achieved historic victories in the fight for equality, said Arizona Sen. Priya Sundareshan. We have moved the needle forward for progress, but this courts decision ensures that half of Arizonans are relegated as second-class citizens, without the personal autonomy to make their own medical decisions.

Please show up to vote as your life depends on it, because it clearly does, unlike every other election, Rep. Alma Hernandez said on X. We will not go back to the 1800s. We will win come November.

Abortion is essential health care, period, said Adelita Grijalva, chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, according to a story in the Tucson Sentinel. When its denied, people die. Abortion bans do not stop abortions from happening, it just makes it so our most vulnerable communities and communities of color face harsher consequences and are criminalized in efforts to receive an abortion.

I call for the Arizona legislature to permanently codify and safeguard the right to access affordable, comprehensive abortion care, and contraceptives for Arizonans without delay, said Rep. Raul Grijalva on X.

In Arizona, our 15-week law protected the rights of women and new life. It respected women and the difficult decision of ending a pregnancy  one I will never personally experience and wont pretend to understand, said Rep. Juan Ciscomani on X. The territorial law is archaic. We must do better for women and I call on our state policymakers to immediately address this in a bipartisan manner.

Todays ruling is devastating news for Arizona women, whose rights have been set back 160 years, said Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is running for US Senate, on X.

This issue should be decided by Arizonans, not legislated from the bench, said U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, an Arizona Republican who previously praised the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Under this extreme law, women will die and their doctors and nurses will be criminalized, said Rep. Greg Stanton X. The stakes this November couldnt be higher.
Chinese, Russian FMs hold talks

Xinhua) 08:58, April 10, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov sign the plan on consultation between the two foreign ministries for 2024 after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Wang held talks with Lavrov in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov in Beijing Tuesday, and both sides expressed hope for strengthening practical cooperation in various fields.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, extended congratulations to President Putin on his reelection. Wang said that China will continue to support Russia's development and revitalization under the leadership of President Putin and support the Russian people's independent choice of development path.

Wang said that the China-Russia relations have been of irreplaceable value to maintaining global strategic stability. Maintaining and developing sound China-Russia relations is the natural choice of the two major, neighboring countries and serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

Wang said China is willing to work with Russia, in accordance with the consensus reached by the two heads of state, to strengthen the synergy of the two countries' development plans and promote practical cooperation in various fields.

Lavrov noted that Russia-China relations are based on mutual respect, equal cooperation and trustworthy dialogue. Russia abides by the one-China principle and is willing to work with China to maintain close high-level exchanges, and deepen practical cooperation in economy, trade and other fields.

Russia supports the Global Security Initiative, and is willing to deepen cooperation with China on multilateral platforms to promote the establishment of a more just and democratic international order, Lavrov added.

The two sides also had in-depth exchanges of view on the Ukraine issue, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region and other international and regional issues of common concern.

At a joint press briefing after the talks, Wang said that in order to further consolidate and develop bilateral relations, China and Russia should follow five principles:

The two countries should always follow the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy.

The two countries should always adhere to the principle of no-alliance, no-confrontation and no-targeting at any third party.

The two countries should always stay on the right course on major matters of principle. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major emerging countries, China and Russia actively respond to the common aspirations and legitimate concerns of the people of all countries, advocate a new path of state-to-state relations featuring dialogue and partnership rather than confrontation and alliance, and actively promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The two countries should always pursue win-win results through cooperation. China and Russia will continue to advocate inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and foster new drivers of global development and progress.

The two countries should always advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world. China and Russia support the central role of the United Nations in the global governance system, and will further strengthen international coordination.

During the press briefing, Wang elaborated on China's stance and proposition on resolving current international and regional hotspot issues.

According to him, principles to which China adheres for resolving hotspot issues are:

-- upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international law and basic norms governing international relations;

-- actively promoting parties concerned to resolve conflicts through dialogue and consultation;

-- properly accommodating the legitimate concerns of all parties and seeking sustainable solutions;

-- and upholding genuine multilateralism and opposing camp confrontation, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

Wang said that on the issue of Ukraine, China calls for ceasefire as soon as possible, and supports the timely convening of an international conference recognized by Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties and fair discussion of all peace plans.

On the Palestinian-Israeli issue, Chine believes that the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council are binding and should be effectively implemented to achieve an immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire, he added.

Wang also said that greater attention should be given to solving other global and regional hotspot issues, including the continued fight against terrorism.

The international community should firmly support the efforts of all parties to safeguard national security and stability and strengthen international counter-terrorism cooperation, he said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov attend a joint press briefing after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Wang held talks with Lavrov in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
KABUL, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Afghan caretaker government's Acting Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund on Wednesday called for the development of the war-ravaged country and urged his countrymen to spare no efforts to rebuild the country, said a statement of the Arg or Prime Minister's office.

Wishing happy Eid al-Fitr to the countrymen, the prime Minister also urged the people of Afghanistan to take the country towards progress, the statement added.

The prime minister made the remarks after offering the Eid al-Fitr prayers in the Arg with senior military and civil officials.

Afghans celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the second largest annual religious festival to mark the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, amid tight security on Wednesday. 
People gathered in Downtown Tucson late Tuesday afternoon to protest the Arizona Supreme Court's near-total abortion ban in Arizona.

The crowd started at El Presidio Plaza before walking near the Pima County Human Resources Department to chant along West Congress Street.
Dawn of the Dead anniversary

George A. Romeros Dawn of the Dead is celebrating a 45th anniversary of its North American debut with a return to theaters, including Circle Cinema. Weekend screenings are scheduled 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13 and 7:20 p.m. Sunday, April 14.

The North American gala premiere of Dawn of the Dead took place April 12, 1979 at the Gateway Theatre in downtown Pittsburgh. The premiere event began the official U.S. theatrical launch the following day, with the zombie horror classic eventually rolling out across the country.

For tickets, go to circlecinema.org.

Multiple choice concerts

Take your pick of shows on a busy concert week in Tulsa.

ZZ Top will make a Wednesday, April 10 tour stop at Tulsa Theater and Starset will play the venue three days later.

Toto will perform Thursday, April 11 at The Cove, the River Spirit Casinos concert venue, and Sublime With Rome will perform that same night at Hard Rock Live inside the Hard Rock Casino & Resort.

Cains Ballroom will host Beach Fossils on Thursday, April 11 and Asleep at the Wheel on Friday, April 12.

Osage Casinos Skyline Event Center will be a staging ground for a 38 Special concert Thursday, April 11.

Tim McGraw, with support from Carly Pearce, will play BOK Center Saturday, April 13.

Wonder City Wordfest

Wonder City Wordfest, scheduled 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at 416 E. Main St. in Locust Grove, is an annual celebration of poetry and community that began in 2014 as the Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetrys ROMPfest. The day includes a variety of ways for people of all ages to stretch their creativity and be inspired by the beauty, joy and value of words, poetry and community.

The 2024 Wonder City Wordfest will include awards for the Oklahoma poem contest, free food from Neighbors Fork food truck, a Hi Fi Hillbillies performance, pet photography, a pet poem contest, a martial arts demonstration with a haiku contest, door prizes and other activities.

The museum will open at 10 a.m. for tours. For information and a Wonder City Wordfest programming schedule, go to rompoetry.com and click on events.

World Dance celebration

The German-American Society of Tulsa will host Dance Around the World, featuring performances by area groups that perform a variety of international and regional dance styles.

The event, which will be 3 p.m. Saturday April 13 at the GAST building, 1429 Terrace Drive, will include Tulsa Raqs Belly Dance, Mike Pahsetopah with Dancing Eagles, dancers from A Touch of Aloha Hawaiian Dance, the Goode Academy of Irish Dancing, and selected dancers from Tulsa Ballet Theater, as well as an ensemble of dancers from the German-American Society of Tulsa.

The event is free and open to the public. gastulsa.org

Mozarts Requiem

The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra joins forces of the Tulsa Chorale to present the Requiem in D Minor as part of its concert Fame & Fate, to be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Tulsa PAC, 101 E. Third St.

James Bagwell, a regular guest on the Tulsa Symphony podium and a specialist in choral conducting, will lead the orchestra along with the Tulsa Chorale, prepared by its artistic director Zach Malavolti, and vocal soloists Amy Justman, soprano; Teresa Buchholz, mezzo-soprano; Omar Najmi, tenor; and Andrew Richardson, baritone.

The concert will also feature works for string orchestra by two English composers: the Serenade for Strings by Edward Elgar, and the Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Tickets are $20-$78. 918-584-3645, tulsasymphony.org.
VIENTIANE, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC), the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland (SFDCM), and the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) gathered in Laos to discuss further intensifying the special solidarity among the three countries.

The event saw the presence of president of the LFNC Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, president of the SFDCM Samdech Kittisangahapundit Men Sam An, and president of the VFF Central Committee Do Van Chien, Lao National Radio reported on Wednesday.

The meeting, held here on Tuesday, reported the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation among the three countries.

At the meeting, the participants shared the view that the trilateral cooperation has become increasingly practical, intensive, and effective in all aspects, greatly contributing to the development of relations among the three neighboring countries.

During the meeting, the three leaders signed a cooperation program for the 2024-2027 period. 
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

House members on Wednesday junked a Senate bill on assisted suicide and converted it to an anti-bullying measure its sponsors said targets online bullying and harassment of children.

Many children are experiencing these types of acts, said Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, during a meeting of the House Criminal Judiciary Committee. The bill is an attempt to give schools a little more authority to intervene, to open avenues of communication, little more education, and hopefully provide some deterrents.

Senate Bill 1100, by Sen. Paul Rossino, R-Oklahoma City, originally dealt with penalties for assisting in suicide, but Bashore and committee Chair Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, a former prosecutor, stripped that out and inserted language providing penalties of up to two years and $100,000 in fines for multiple convictions of using a digital platform to intimidate, harass, or inflict physical or emotional injury.

The bill does not specifically mention minors, but the discussion indicated that the legislation is directed at children  including as defendants.

When Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, questioned the wisdom of applying the same punishments to a teen as to an adult, Bashore replied, We need to do something. Im sure no one sitting around this table  wants to protect bullies.

Its not just posting something, said Worthen. Its to the point of harassment.  First offense is a misdemeanor. If its a juvenile, theyre going to be handled as a juvenile. Im not too concerned about the ramifications for an individual, but we do need to be getting those young peoples attention. Weve seen the ultimate tragedy that happens as the result of that bullying.

Lowe said he believes bullying situations would be better addressed through other means, including protective orders.

Worthen did not completely disagree.

This is one of those last-stop measures if they cant remedy it otherwise, he said.

SB 1100 is now eligible for a vote by the full House.

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

An anti-discrimination bill that would allow most 18-year-olds to buy handguns passed an Oklahoma House of Representatives committee on Wednesday over the objections of a Tulsa lawmaker who said the measure ought to include training requirements.

There are all sorts of examples where, in the interest of public safety and the public interest, we do require people to get training, said Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa.

We have a responsibility for safety of our citizens. We have a public interest in asking for reasonable safety standards, he said.

Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, the House sponsor of Senate Bill 1218, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, said requiring safety training for gun owners is not within our purview.

In presenting the bill, Steagall opened and closed by referring to SB 1218 as an anti-discrimination bill. He didnt explain exactly what he meant by that, but he returned frequently to the argument that for most purposes 18-year-olds are considered adults.

Steagall said the legislation stems from a West Virginia federal judges ruling late last year that a federal law restricting hand gun purchases to people at least 21 years old was unconstitutional.

When a person turns 18, this country sees that person as an adult, he said.

Waldron argued that changing state law based on a district court ruling in another federal circuit is premature, but Steagall disagreed.

To be consistent with the traditions of our firearms purchases, the history of our constitution and its implementation, this judge has ruled correctly, and it doesnt take another judge or another higher court for that to be a fact, he said.

The bills fate in the States Rights Committee was never in doubt, but Waldron, its only Democrat, and Steagall, the committee chairman and a gun dealer by occupation, still sparred for 40 minutes.

Mostly, they went back and forth over the degree to which the U.S. Constitutions Second Amendment, and the natural law concept on which it is based, are absolute.

Where does that natural right begin? Waldron asked. Why 18? Why not make it 12? Why should there be any restriction on a person on the basis of age?

That, said Steagall, was another philosophical debate outside the purview of the bill.

Felons? Waldron continued. Could I order a gun by mail in a state penitentiary?

No, said Steagall.

Were picking and choosing, then, Waldron said. Why not pick something we know would make Oklahomans safer and require teenagers who wish to buy handguns take a basic safety class?

I think we did make Oklahomans safer by locking up felons behind bars to make sure they cant buy firearms through the mail, Steagall said. Again, thats outside the purview of this bill.

The measure is now eligible to be heard by the full House.

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

Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole on Wednesday became the first Oklahoman chosen to chair the House Appropriations Committee.

The Chickasaw citizen also becomes the highest-ranking Native American member of Congress since Charles Curtis, a Kaw enrollee, served as majority leader and then as vice president and president of the U.S. Senate in the 1920s and 1930s.

I would like to thank the (Republican) Conference for their support and ensure them that I am committed to conversing with them all to make sure that we are working to benefit their constituents, as well as properly utilizing our budget to defend our country and meet legitimate domestic needs, Cole said in a written statement. I am excited to hit the ground running and get to work for this great nation.

The appropriations chair is considered one of the most influential positions in the House of Representatives and Congress. The committee, along with its Senate counterpart, determines allocation of all discretionary spending.

Cole, who is seeking his 12th term this year, has belonged to the Appropriations Committee since 2009 and became a subcommittee chairman, or cardinal, in 2015. He has been chairman of the House Rules Committee, an influential position he will no doubt surrender.

Id like to congratulate my fellow Oklahoman and long-time friend Tom Cole for his appointment as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said 3rd District Congressman Frank Lucas, the Oklahoma delegations longest-serving member.

This stands as a landmark day in the history of our states congressional representation, and I join my fellow Oklahomans in celebrating this momentous achievement, said Lucas. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Cole in advancing priorities that benefit communities across the state and nation.



The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.
Vietnams national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) and leading tourism corporation Saigontourist Group jointly held a program to promote popular destinations in Vietnam in Beijing, China on Tuesday.

The program was attended by Chairman of Vietnams law-making National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, senior government officials, and leaders of localities in Vietnam and China.

Pham Huy Binh, board chairman at Saigontourist Group, said that the company will work with its Chinese partners to promote tourism of the two countries, with a focus on high-end and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) tourism in the Chinese market with more than one billion people.

Speaking at the event, Dang Ngoc Hoa, board chairman at VNA, said that the carrier operates 66 weekly flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Chinese destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

The carrier has transported nearly 12 million passengers and over 166,000 metric tons of goods on the Vietnam-China route over the past 30 years.

During the program, Saigontourist Travel Service Company, a subsidiary of Saigontourist Group, and VNA inked several cooperation deals with major Chinese businesses, including Shanghai Boxi Aviation Technology Company and Beijing Cosmo Travel International Co. Ltd.

As per their memorandum of understanding signed at the event, the Vietnamese side will offer charter flight services to Shanghai Boxi. They will jointly introduce charter flight services to customers, host travel fairs and festivals in Vietnam and China, and offer their special deals to Vietnamese and Chinese tourists.

The collaboration is expected to enable the three parties to book US$150 million in total revenue over the next five years.

Similarly, Saigontourist and VNA signed a memorandum of understanding with Beijing Cosmo Travel International Company, according to which the Vietnamese airline will provide charter flight services for the Chinese company.

They will advertise their tourism-related products and services, exchange knowledge about technical and operating issues to enhance their service quality, and organize travel events in the two countries, among other activities.

Aside from the program held in Beijing, Saigontourist Group met with its business partners and promoted its brands at a forum held in Shanghai on Wednesday.

The forum, featuring discussions on legal policies to boost economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Vietnam and China, was co-chaired by the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment and Chinas Shanghai Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

Vietnam Airlines, Saigontourist Group, and Beijing Cosmo Travel International Company representatives sign a memorandum of understanding related to tourism in Beijing, China, April 9, 2024. Photo: Supplied

A guest receives lucky gifts which allow her to use Vietnam Airlines and Saigontourist Group services in a program promoting Vietnamese destinations in Beijing, China, April 9, 2024. Photo: Supplied

Chinese companies representatives visit a Saigontourist Group booth set up in a program promoting Vietnamese destinations in Beijing, China, April 2024. Photo: Supplied

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked military-run telecom company Viettel to develop the semiconductor chip industry in a "more efficient and diverse manner", the government quoted him as saying late on Tuesday.

Several global electronics and semiconductor firm including Intel, Samsung, Amkor, Qualcomm and Marvell have facilities in Vietnam, which has said it wants to set up its first fab by the end of this decade.

Reuters reported last year that Vietnam may support local firms such as Viettel to build fabs with imported equipment.

"Semiconductor chip manufacturing capabilities are currently limited to very few regions in the world and Vietnam is determined to pursue and develop the semiconductor industry, build an ecosystem for this industry," the government cited Chinh as saying in the statement.

"Products developed by Viettel have been and will contribute to creating a foundation to build a self-reliant industry in Vietnam."

The Vietnamese government has said it would roll out a series of tax incentives and set up investment funds this year to bolster the semiconductor industry as part of its plan to ramp up support for the industry.
Timothy Stephens, a 43-year-old American physician, has been living in Hainan, a tropical island province in south China, with his family for 11 years. He values the openness, welcoming atmosphere, and supportive policies of Hainan, which allow both him and his wife to pursue their dreams.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Due to the depreciation of Japan's currency, many Vietnamese employees working the East Asian country are facing challenging conditions due to the increasing cost of living.

As of March, nearly 6,300 Vietnamese were employed in Japan, according to data from Vietnam's Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs.

This number is expected to rise to around 23,300 by the end of this year.

Struggles due to depreciation of the yen

"A carton of eggs now costs 400 [US$3.64] instead of 200 [$1.82] like before," whined Nguyen The Tai, a 24-year-old worker at a workshop in Ibaraki Prefecture.

"I have to work extra shifts to earn additional income and negotiate with my landlord to lower the rent.

"Since the yen lost its value, I have had to save every cent.

"If I buy new clothes or upgrade my smartphone, I will not have enough money to send back to my family."

The depreciation of the yen has also impacted the mindset of Vietnamese people in Japan, particularly those who are married.

Nguyen Gia Chien, a 29-year-old engineer specializing in manufacturing auto parts in Osaka Prefecture, disclosed that his monthly income has nearly halved as a result of the depreciation of the Japanese currency.

The rise in taxes, including personal income tax and consumption tax, has exacerbated the challenges faced by workers, making their life more difficult.

Due to the high cost of living, Chien had no choice but to send his wife back to Vietnam when she gave birth to their child.

He sets aside a portion of his income to support his wife in raising their baby every month.

"We encourage each other to overcome this challenging period," he said.

"Once our child grows a little older, my wife will return to work.

"When our baby can attend kindergarten, we hope to alleviate some financial burdens."

In a similar situation, C.T.H., a 46-year-old manager at a sushi restaurant in Tokyo, acknowledged that while the weaker yen has had negative effects on many people, it has also presented an opportunity for the Vietnamese community in Japan to support one another.

"The Japanese government provides support to those with low incomes or receiving unemployment benefits, but others have to fend for themselves," H. explained.

The depreciation of the yen also affects many workers in service industries, amplifying its impact across various sectors. Photo: Supplied

Despite encountering various obstacles, many Vietnamese in Japan remain resolute in their decision to stay, driven by the prospects of better earning opportunities.

There is a collective hope among them that the value of the yen will rebound, ultimately leading to an improvement in their quality of life.

Many Vietnamese still aspire to come to Japan

Despite recent concerns about the fall in the value of the yen, many young Vietnamese remain committed to pursuing their dreams of working in Japan.

They are attracted by opportunities for learning, improving language skills, and advancing their careers, along with appealing benefits and policies such as social security and healthcare.

Cao Xuan Quyet, 19, from Bac Giang Province in northern Vietnam, is one example.

Despite his family's financial limitations, he has already paid for his plan to go to Japan.

Consequently, he is now focusing on learning Japanese to prepare for his departure.

"The company responsible for taking me to Japan assured me that the value of the yen is likely to rise again, so I am not too worried. However, I have yet to see any positive indicators," Quyet remarked.

Nguyen Hong Hanh, a 20-year-old resident of Hanoi, whose sister has been living in Japan for many years, stated, "Despite the yen depreciation, incomes for workers in Japan are better compared to those in Vietnam. My sister advised me not to worry. Going to Japan would provide me with ample chances to experience a new culture, interact with many people, and gain valuable life experiences."

Ishii Chikahisa, first secretary at the Japanese Embassy in Hanoi, highlighted that Vietnamese workers account for one-fourth of the total number of foreign workers in Japan, playing a critical role in Japan's socio-economic development.

Approximately 185,600 trainees, 97,500 specified skilled workers, and 87,900 engineers are employed in the fields of engineering, humanities and social sciences, and international business.

Given these statistics, Chikahisa assured that Japan remains committed to supporting the Vietnamese community by improving working and living environments to ensure their comfort during their time there.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The United Nations Economic and Social Council on Tuesday agreed to elect Vietnam to the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) for the 2025-27 term, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Following the election, from January 2025 till the end of 2027, Vietnam will take part in efforts to develop and implement major orientations of the UN-Women, and to ensure the agencys strategies and activities are on par with the UN's overall goals and policies on promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.

As a member of the UN-Women Executive Board, the Southeast Asian country will also engage in the approval process of UN-Women's plans, programs, as well as decisions pertaining to administration, finance, and budget.

The outcome of the election demonstrates the international community's recognition and appreciation for Vietnams policies and achievements in promoting gender equality and the countrys efforts to bolster international cooperation in the field.

Moreover, the election result underscores the confidence in Vietnam's ability to make significant contributions to UN-Women activities in the near future.

In July 2010, UN member states adopted the General Assembly Resolution 64/289 establishing a new UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women).

The establishment of the agency is a crucial component of the UNs reform program aimed at advancing its objectives of achieving gender equality, empowering women, and ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls worldwide.

It also seeks to ensure equality between women and men as partners in and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Bilateral relations between the Vatican and Vietnam will continue achieving important progress in the future, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, affirmed on Tuesday during his visit to the country.

Archbishop Gallagher made the comments at a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on Tuesday after his arrival on the same day for a six-day official visit.

This is the first business trip to Vietnam by the Vaticans diplomatic chief at the invitation of the Office of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Vietnam.

Gallagher extended his congratulations on Vietnams impressive development in socio-economic development and external relations over the past years.

He said he was glad to see the Vietnam Catholic Church growing and actively participating in social activities in Vietnam, especially during the COVID-19 period.

The archbishop voiced his belief that the Catholic community in Vietnam will make more contributions to the Southeast Asian nation's development.

He expressed hope that the foreign ministry, along with other Vietnamese agencies and local authorities, would continue to support and facilitate the activities of Archbishop Marek Zalewski, the first Resident Papal Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam, appointed by Pope Francis last year.

The Holy Sees top diplomat also expressed confidence that the relationship between the two sides would achieve important progress in the coming time.

Minister Son highly appreciated the positive advancements in Vietnam-Vatican relations in recent times.

He expressed confidence that Archbishop Gallagher's visit will contribute to further deepening the bilateral ties between the two sides.

The meeting between the two delegations of Vietnam and the Vatican, respectively led by Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, in Hanoi on April 9, 2024. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre

The trip also presents an opportunity for the archbishop to witness Vietnam's dynamic development and the vibrant religious life of the Catholic community in the Southeast Asian country, remarked the minister.

Vietnam consistently adheres to the policy of respecting and ensuring freedom of belief and religion of every citizen, Son said, adding that religion is integral to great national unity and contributes to the countrys construction and development.

The Vietnamese government always creates favorable conditions for all religions, including Catholicism, to operate and develop according to the constitution and laws of Vietnam, the official told his guest.

Son expressed his wish that the Vietnamese Catholic community would keep promoting good Catholic moral values in social life, actively participating in patriotic emulation movements and other social activities in such spheres as healthcare, education, vocational training, social security, hunger eradication, and poverty reduction.

In general, every Catholic should actively contribute to the development and prosperity of both the country and Vietnam Catholic Church in the spirit of respecting God, loving the country, accompanying the nation, and good parishioners are good citizens, Son said.

The minister proposed that the two sides go on to effectively maintain high-level contacts and dialogue mechanisms, promoting the connecting role of the first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam.

Archbishop Gallagher concurred with his host that the two sides will strengthen cooperation through the Vietnam - Vatican Joint Working Group mechanism as well as at multilateral and international forums.

As scheduled for his trip, Gallagher will meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra and visit the archdioceses of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hue during his stay in Vietnam.

According to the Religion and Religious Policy in Vietnam white paper, released by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs in March, Catholicism ranked second in terms of followers, boasting over seven million adherents, trailing behind Buddhism which counted more than 14 million followers, among the 16 recognized religions in Vietnam.

The white paper affirmed that all religions are treated equally under the law, with the state committed to non-discrimination based on beliefs or religion.

The document asserted that every citizen possesses the right to either embrace or abstain from any belief or religion.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Twenty-eight students from the mountainous district of Khanh Son in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam were hospitalized on Tuesday due to suspected food poisoning after consuming food from a street vendor in front of a local middle school.

Many students of kindergartens and elementary and middle schools in To Hap Town, Khanh Son District exhibited symptoms of fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and stomach ache after eating rice rolls and rice balls bought from the peddler, Bui Thi Luong, in front of To Hap Town Middle School, according to a report by the medical center of Khanh Son District.

Luong claimed to have made the dishes herself.

She prepared 114 rice balls and 28 rice rolls on Tuesday, the Khanh Son District Medical Center informed.

Bui Xuan Minh, director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Health, said the students are under treatment and are in stable condition.

Minh pointed out the difficulty in controlling street vendors, emphasizing the necessity for cooperation among relevant agencies.

He added that street vendors often handle materials without undergoing proper checks, significantly increasing the risk of food poisoning.

Local authorities are testing food samples and the students' medical waste.

Khanh Hoa Province has recently witnessed several cases of food poisoning.

Most recently, a case occurred at Vinh Truong Elementary School and Tran Hung Dao Middle School in Nha Trang City on Friday last week, killing a grade-five student and causing over 30 others to be hospitalized.

They had consumed chicken rice, bread with shredded chicken, and fried egg bread.

In another case at Nguyen Van Troi High School, also in Nha Trang City, 10 students were hospitalized after eating chicken rice and spaghetti purchased from a vendor near the school on March 29.

In mid-March, nearly 370 people were hospitalized for food poisoning after downing chicken rice at Tram Anh Restaurant on Ba Trieu Street in the coastal city.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
An eight-kilogram yellow-headed temple turtle and 48 other wild animals have been reintroduced to the wild in the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve in the namesake province, located in southern Vietnam.

Locals voluntarily handed over these animals to rangers in Ho Chi Minh City, a ranger in the city said on Tuesday.

Among the surrendered creatures were Java pangolins, Asian small-clawed otters, Bengal monitors, pythons, pig-tailed macaques, long-tailed macaques, elongated tortoises, and various turtle species.

After receiving care at a wildlife rescue station in Cu Chi District, the animals were relocated to Dong Nai Province for release into the Vinh Cuu District nature reserve.

Among them, the yellow-headed temple turtle is classified as a rare and endangered animal.

Ho Chi Minh City forest rangers received the turtle in September last year.

Phan Ho Phuong Thao, a resident of Thu Duc City in Ho Chi Minh City, stumbled upon the turtle while on a local road.

She brought it home and then reached out to the rangers, expressing her desire for the turtle to be cared for attentively and eventually returned to its natural habitat.

Phan Ho Phuong Thao discovers a yellow-headed temple turtle on a local road in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Supplied

Some turtles are reintroduced to the wild. Photo: Supplied

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception on Tuesday for Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vaticans Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, who is on an official visit to the Southeast Asian country.

Society

-- Dien Bien Airport in the namesake northern province on Tuesday resumed operations following a three-day closure due to bad weather, resulting in the cancelation of 19 flights.

-- A temporary overpass is set to open to traffic this Sunday to alleviate congestion during the construction of an underpass on Tran Quoc Hoan Street in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

-- Vietnamese transport service operator Futa Bus Lines plans to launch two new bus routes linking Da Nang City and Hoi An City in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam starting from April 30, with tickets priced at VND35,000 (US$1.4) apiece.

-- Twenty-eight students from the mountainous district of Khanh Son in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam were hospitalized on Tuesday due to suspected food poisoning after consuming food from street vendors in front of their school gates.

-- A seventh-grade female student collapsed and then passed away while warming up for a physical education class in Buon Don District, located in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, on Monday.

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department on Tuesday announced the release of an 8kg yellow-headed temple turtle and 48 other wild animals, voluntarily surrendered by citizens, into the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve in the namesake province.

-- Police in Da Nang City are investigating a case involving a sixth-grade female student whose face was maliciously superimposed onto a nude image of another person. This altered image was sent via the Messenger instant messaging app as a threat.

Business

-- Chinas CDH Investments said on Tuesday it completed an investment for a minority interest in grocery chain Bach Hoa Xanh, a unit of Vietnams largest retail group, Mobile World, valued at VND1.8 trillion ($72.17 million), according to Reuters. Mobile World reported that the shares sold represented five percent of Bach Hoa Xanh's overall shares.

-- Vietnams state oil distribution firm PetroVietnam Oil Corp (PV Oil) said on Tuesday that it had successfully resolved the ransomware incident that brought down its information technology system last week.

Education

-- Students from Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted had the chance to delve into French cuisine and the art of dining with renowned chefs at the French Residence in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A male Chinese passenger was fined VND4 million (US$160) for smoking on a flight from Hanoi to Can Tho City in southern Vietnam on Tuesday.

A representative of the Southern Airports Authority in Can Tho said on Wednesday that the authority imposed the fine on Y.C., 41, who flew on Vietnamese budget carriers VJ467 flight.

At 7:00 pm on Tuesday, he entered a restroom on the aircraft to have a smoke, activating the smoke alarm system on the aircraft.

According to the Southern Airports Authority in Can Tho, flight attendants on board had announced a ban on in-flight smoking to passengers before departure.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Following recent food poisoning cases reportedly caused by eating chicken in Vietnam, local experts have voiced concerns over the origin of chicken products put on sale in the market as poor-quality chicken remains rampant.

Vietnam has even imported discarded chicken from other countries, while smuggled meat products are on the rise.

Discarded chickens are mainly hens that could not lay eggs anymore and those with congenital abnormalities or diseases. They are processed into animal feed in many countries.

Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper found that poultry products are diverse and sold at competitive prices in Ho Chi Minh City.

At Tan Dinh Market in District 1, chicken is put up for sale at low prices although the market is known as a place for the rich.

Whole chicken and chicken wings, legs, and feet are priced at VND150,000-250,000 (US$6-10) per kilogram.

"The chicken is industrial chicken but it is of clear origin," a chicken trader at the market said, adding that she has sold chicken meat there for years, anyone eating her chicken and developing health issues could ask for her responsibility.

Many poultry product stalls at Ba Chieu Market in Binh Thanh District are offering pastured chickens, as confirmed by traders.

They said that these chickens are transported from the Mekong Delta, as well as neighboring Binh Duong and Dong Nai Provinces, to Ho Chi Minh City.

Nguyen Thi An, a chicken trader, said she bought the products from wholesale markets and had origin traceability certificates for her chicken.

She added that the market management board often checks stalls.

Chicken is also sold online.

However, it is a matter of luck to buy high-quality chicken, said Thien Huong, a consumer in Phu Nhuan District.

Many recent food poisoning cases in Vietnam are reportedly caused by chicken. Photo: A Loc / Tuoi Tre

High chicken consumption

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, chicken and by-product imports to the country increase annually.

Chicken smuggling is rife, posing a risk that Vietnam might become a large importer of livestock products.

The Southeast Asian country currently imports meat and meat-based products from 37 markets worldwide.

South Korea, the U.S., Brazil, Poland, and Russia are Vietnams major chicken exporters.

Economic expert Nguyen Vi Xuan referred to research findings from market research firm Ipsos, indicating that Vietnam's chicken consumption volume has increased 8.5 percent annually over the past decade, and it appears to be growing at a faster rate than pork consumption.

In particular, each Vietnamese person consumed nearly 17 kilograms of poultry products in 2020.

The figure rose to some 20 kilograms in 2022 and 22 kilograms last year.

Vietnam consumes over 674 metric tons of chicken imports per day.

Xuan voiced his concerns over the food safety problems of smuggled chicken.

Nguyen Kim Doan, vice-chairman of the Dong Nai Livestock Association, said detected meat smuggling cases are just the tip of the iceberg.

Vietnams regulations on the importation of livestock products remain loose and have many loopholes compared with countries with a developed livestock sector.

There have been many shortcomings in food safety inspections, Doan noted.

The influx of livestock products into the country poses a risk to local consumers, particularly in terms of potential exposure to infectious diseases, he added.

A leader of the Vietnam Poultry Association said the country even buys products that other countries do not eat, such as discarded chickens and chicken skin, necks, swings, and feet.

A high volume of discarded chickens without heads and swings have been shipped from South Korea at low prices. The import of low-cost chickens raises concerns over unsafe food, the leader noted.

Food poisoning risk caused by chicken

According to doctor Tran Thi Hieu from the Thu Duc Regional General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, the scorching weather would pave the way for the growth of bacteria, which cause food to get stale.

Improper processing and preservation may result in food poisoning.

Chicken rots easily. Once bacteria, such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli, develop in food, they can produce poisons.

Doctor Hieu advised that during the summer months, it is not only chicken but also other dishes that should be consumed within two hours after being cooked.

She suggested eating well-done poultry meat.

Meanwhile, doctor Tran Ngoc Luu Phuong from Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City said residents who develop symptoms of a fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius, abdominal bloating, continuous vomiting, numbness in the hands and feet, and the inability to drink should visit medical centers.

In the past month, Nha Trang City, the capital of south-central Khanh Hoa Province, has recorded several cases of food poisoning.

Tragically, these incidents led to the death of a fifth-grade student and the hospitalization of hundreds of people.

The affected reportedly consumed dishes such as chicken rice, bread with shredded chicken, or fried eggs.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
A U.S.-financed four-year project that aims to help farmers in six Vietnamese provinces to use fertilizer properly was jointly launched by Vietnams Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Tuesday.

With an expected budget of US$4.4 million provided by the Foreign Agricultural Service under the USDA, the Fertilizer Right Project was kick-started at a workshop held in Hanoi on Tuesday morning.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of MARD Hoang Trung, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, and Agricultural Counselor of the U.S. Embassy Ralph Bean.

The MARDs Plant Protection Department is the projects owner while the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is in charge of implementation, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The project will be executed over four years starting this year in three provinces in the Hong (Red) River Delta in northern Vietnam, namely Hai Duong, Thai Binh, and Nam Dinh, and three others in the Mekong Delta region, including Can Tho, Dong Thap, and Soc Trang.

According to the USDA, the Fertilizer Right Project will cover activities based on the 4Rs of nutrient management, a concept that entails using fertilizer from the right source and applying it at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.

With technical assistance from USDA and IRRI experts as well as from Vietnamese scientists, farmers in the six provinces will have access to advanced techniques, technology applications, and precision agriculture practices to optimally use inputs including fertilizers in rice cultivation for optimizing the farming production outcomes.

This project is not the first for cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S. in agriculture, but it is among those intended for practicing sustainable and environmentally responsible agricultural production, Deputy Minister Trung said.

This project will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of fertilizer use, increase income for farmers, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in rice farming thanks to using fertilizer correctly, he stressed.

Experience and lessons from the implementation of this project will be applied across the country, the official added.

Through the project, more than 2,600 farmers are expected to benefit from short-term training, and greenhouse gases such as CH4 and N2O may be reduced by an annual amount equivalent to 56,000 tons of CO2.

Addressing the launch ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Knapper said the upgrade of the Vietnam-U.S. relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year has opened up new opportunities for agricultural cooperation for sustainable development, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Knapper expressed his belief that the project will provide technical support and training for Vietnamese rice farmers to enhance their livelihoods, ensure food security, and improve soil health.

Vietnam now holds an important position in global food security, while the U.S. is the second-largest importer of farm produce from the Southeast Asian country, the ambassador commented.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
HANOI -- Vietnam aims to start building two high-speed railway lines linking its capital Hanoi with China before 2030, the Ministry of Planning and Investment said, another sign of a recent warming of ties between the two neighbours.

China is Vietnam's largest trading partner and a vital source of imports for its manufacturing sector. The two countries are already connected via a system of highways and two railway lines that are old and need upgrading on the Vietnam side.

One of the planned high-speed lines would run from Vietnam's port cities of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh through Hanoi to Lao Cai province, which borders China's Yunnan province, the ministry said in a statement released late on Tuesday.

The other would run from Hanoi to Lang Son province, which borders China's Guangxi region, passing through an area densely populated with global manufacturing facilities, including some owned by Chinese investors.

The ministry didn't provide further details about the projects.

Earlier this month, Vietnam said it was seeking to learn from China to develop its first high-speed railway network and had sent its officials to work with Chinese railway companies.

A massive high-speed railway line linking capital Hanoi with business hub Ho Chi Minh City is also being planned in the country.

Vietnam's National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met executives of Chinese railway companies on Monday during his ongoing visit to Beijing, where he was hosted by Xi Jinping.

This came after Vietnam and China signed dozens of cooperation agreements, including on railways, during a visit to Hanoi by Chinese President Xi Jinping in December.

Trade between Vietnam and China in the first quarter of this year rose 22% from a year earlier to $43.6 billion, according to Vietnamese government data.
PHNOM PENH, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has reported a significant decline in the imports of plastic bags in the first quarter of 2024, thanks to an ongoing plastics-free campaign, said the Environment Ministry's news release on Wednesday.

The Southeast Asian country imported about 21.5 tons of plastic bags during the January-March period this year, down 74.6 percent from 84.8 tons over the same period last year, the news release said.

Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth attributed this remarkable drop to the plastics-free campaign, which was launched on Sept. 1, 2023 and has been supported by 7.6 million people.

"The dramatic decline in plastic bag imports explicitly demonstrates that people are committed to reducing the use of plastic bags for the sake of the country's clean, green and sustainable development," he told Xinhua.

Plastics-free supporters have been determined not to use plastic bags at least one day per week, the minister said, adding that their determination has importantly contributed to protecting environment and promoting a clean and green Cambodia.

Meanwhile, Sophalleth also called on people to plant more trees in order to achieve the country's goals of 60 percent forest cover and carbon neutrality by 2050. 
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications has imposed an additional fine of VND10 million (US$400) on Nguyen Thi Le Nam Em, well known as Nam Em, who was crowned at the Miss Mekong Delta 2015, and proposed blocking her on Facebook and TikTok for her allegations about other celebrities.

The municipal department has sent its proposal for the blockage of her Facebook and TikTok accounts to the Minister of Information and Communications for consideration.

The municipal department had a meeting with Nam Em, 28, for questioning on Tuesday morning.

On March 1, the municipal department levied an administrative fine of VND37.5 million (US$1,500) on her for her contentious remarks and insults to celebrities and national heroes in her previous social media live streams.

The municipal department warned Nam Em not to repeat her violations.

However, she continued violating regulations on providing controversial information in public, resulting in the extra fine of VND10 million.

Nam Em on March 16 frightened the watchers of her live stream when she started broadcasting herself late at night but said nothing.

She suddenly ran to the balcony of her residence and jumped out, but she did not return home.

Nearly half an hour later, her boyfriend turned off her live stream without any explanation.

Her weird action puzzled many viewers as the act was deemed dangerous.

Multiple videos and images of Nam Em about the live-stream session went viral afterward.

Many people opined that the content of her live stream was toxic, so it was necessary to prevent and eliminate her social media broadcasting for good.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Celebrated Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda is visiting Ho Chi Minh City to attend the ongoing Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival 2024 (HIFF 2024), which kicked off on April 6 and is scheduled to wrap up on April 13.

On Wednesday morning, the Facebook account of HIFF 2024 announced that Kore-eda had arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Vietnamese audiences were elated at the news of the Japanese directors attendance at HIFF 2024.

They eagerly anticipate Kore-eda and other renowned international directors sharing their insights and experience in filmmaking at the festival.

Born in 1962, Kore-eda, one of the big names of the global film industry, was nominated for the Directorial Symphony category at HIFF 2024.

The category was designed to recognize an exceptional director with a portfolio of influential films characterized by artistic excellence and diversity.

Among his typical films are Broker, Monster,and Shoplifters, which took top honors at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

These films will be screened during the eight-day festival in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Japanese director will take part in a meeting with local audiences after Broker is shown at the Municipal Theater on Wednesday evening.

In addition, he was set to sit in on a meeting with young directors on Friday.

(L-R) Famous directors Anne Fontaine, Kim Jee Woon, Hirokazu Kore-eda, and Olivier Pere. Photo: HIFF / Cannes / Getty images

HIFF 2024 also features the participation of directors Anne Fontaine, Coco avant Chanel, and Kim Jee Woon.

The first edition of the Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival, which covers three main prize categories, is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of participants and thousands of guests, including some 200 international filmmakers, directors, and artists.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Lao Xa Village in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam is imbued with a tranquil and captivating local atmosphere that has left foreign visitors yearning to return, drawn by the serene and cozy lifestyle as well as the opportunity to experience village living.

Lao Xa, a village of Mong ethnic group, is located in Sung La Commune, Dong Van District.

Traveling along a winding road toward the mountainous village shrouded in a thick blanket of fog, tourists can feel the cool, fresh air, making them more relaxed.

Welcoming a group of foreigners one day in late March, Vang Mi Hong, who owns the first homestay in the village, treated these guests to some cups of hot coffee.

A dinner of various local dishes treated to foreigners in Lao Xa Village, Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

The homestay owner also entertained the visitors with a feast of fragrant rice and various local dishes such as stir-fried cabbage, stir-fried noodles, grilled pork, fried eggs, and dried buffalo meat.

Hong recounted that his house, now serving as a homestay, has been home to three generations and is over 70 years old.

A 70-year-old house used as a homestay in Lao Xa Village, Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Clione, a French tourist, complimented the homeowner on his cooking skills, stressing that all the dishes were tasty.

She also felt happy to get a warm welcome and see some Vietnamese friends in the village.

After being introduced to 'khen' (panpipes), a traditional musical instrument, which is also the Mong ethnic people's cultural icon, and soaking up the melodious sound, Clione practiced performing it excitedly.

She was quickly accustomed to the instrument and played it well.

The air [here] is fresh and relaxing, helping refresh my mind a lot, said Bui Thi Thom, hailing from Hanoi.

Foreigners are attracted by stories told by a villager in Lao Xa Village, Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

A tray of rice and specialties prepared for tourists at a homestay in Lao Xa Village, Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Ha Giang Province boasts not only stunning landscapes but also locals' hospitality, she added.

I arrived in Ha Giang Province two days ago and then rode a bicycle to the village," Clione said.

"It is a really wonderful place.

My friends and I have always received support from locals during the trip.

"They are so helpful.

I will return to Ha Giang Province. I do like the land and will introduce my friends to Ha Giang and plan a future visit."

The natural beauty of Ha Giang Province inspires Clione, a French tourist, to draw. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

A peaceful life is enjoyed in the mountainous village in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
TV legend Denise Drysdale has been eliminated from Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

It was a case of last one in, first one out, as the eliminations got underway in South Africa.

Drysdale, 75, looked happy to be eliminated over campmates former ironwoman Candice Warner and paralympian Ellie Cole.

Can I thank people who voted me out? If I see you anywhere, come up and say hello, Ill buy you a drink! she joked.

Jungle life was challenging for shows oldest ever participant, swapping the comforts of home for staple rice and beans, sleeping on a stretcher, eating Vom Appetite delicacies and enduring a long drop toilet.

But she shared stories of vintage television days, and made new friends, especially with UK reality hunk Callum Hole.

Remarkably, Drysdale remains one of the few TV faces from the 1960s to still be featuring in primetime television in 2024.

She also raised awareness of her chosen charity, Gotcha4Life addressing mens mental health.

Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here is now eliminating a participant (or two) every episode in the run up to its finale on April 21.
Screen Australia has announced new documentary funding which includes three television projects across ABC, SBS and NITV.

Angela Bates, Head of First Nations at Screen Australia said, Our Medicine shines a light on First Nations medical practitioners, and frontline health workers who play a critical role in caring for, and healing Indigenous patients through Western medicine  balanced with individual social, emotional and wellbeing needs. This program also explores a new model that incorporates ancient traditional practices to help address the low life expectancy in our communities, and the many barriers our mob face in the health system. Its an important and timely series and one we are proud to support.

Our Medicine:

A 6 x 30-minute documentary series for NITV following First Nations professionals working on the medical front-line as they try to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities. The series examines how these professionals navigate the medical system with their culture and identity at the forefront and look at the strategies necessary to close the unacceptable gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health outcomes. Attached is series director Kimberley Benjamin (Family Rules), co-director Karla Hart (Yokayi Footy, Family Rules) and post director Jeremy Thomson, with Karla Hart and Sam Bodhi Field of Our Law producing. It has received major production investment from NITV with support from Screenwest, Lotterywest and the WA Regional Screen Fund.

The Jury Project:

From Northern Pictures, The Jury Project is a four-part series for SBS that puts the jury system on trial and explores the challenges and intricacies of the justice system. The Jury Project is directed by Tosca Looby and executive produced by Karina Holden, whose credits include Asking For It and See What You Made Me Do. It has received major production investment from SBS.

The Kimberley:

A 3 x 58-minute series for the ABC covering the land that defies time  a 400,000 square kilometre stretch in the North-Western corner of Australia containing sprawling savannas, towering gorges, rivers, tropical coastlines and desert. This natural history series captures never-before-seen animal sequences as it explores a year in the lives of the unique wildlife that calls the Kimberley home, and follows the missions of the Aboriginal custodians and passionate experts working to save the incredible biodiversity of the region. From the team behind Australias Wild Odyssey, The Kimberley is directed, written and produced by Nick Robinson, written and produced by Peta Ayers and produced by Electra Manikakis, with Mark Coles Smith of Keeping Hope and Mystery Road: Origin also writing and producing. It is financed with support from the ABC. The series will also broadcast internationally on Love Nature and Arte. Blue Ant Studios will manage international sales.
How an Afghan supermarket chain in Hamilton is helping newcomers find work

Co-owners Mirways Babakarkhail and Mohammad Asghar stand in front of Samir Supermarket's new downtown location. Babakarkhail started the chain in 2005. (Bobby Hristova/CBC - image credit)

After immigrating from Pakistan to Toronto in July 2001 in hopes of building a better life and future, Mirways Babakarkhail worked odd jobs at factories and moving companies.

But his visits to friends who lived in Hamilton and worked in Jackson Square mall changed the Afghan man's life.

People came up to him and asked, "'Can you bring traditional Afghan rice and bread for me,'" Babakarkhail said.

"So I started  one day, two day, three days a week  to bring food for them to help them."

In September 2005, Babakarkhail took a chance and opened a small store in the city's core  Samir Supermarket, a 1,000-square-foot grocery location named after his son that sold a range of traditional Asian groceries.

Mirways Babakarkhail, the man behind Samir's Supermarket, said he added a store in the city's core because many newcomers live downtown but don't have vehicles and have trouble getting to other locations.

Babakarkhail, co-owner of Samir Supermarket, says he added a store in the city's core because many newcomers live downtown but don't have vehicles and have trouble getting to other locations. (Bobby Hristova/CBC)

His intuition paid off. The shop was a success and he moved it to its current location in Stoney Creek.

Seeing increased demand and a growing Afghan community, Babakarkhail eventually opened a store on the Mountain and another in Burlington, Ont.

Last week, he marked the opening of his fourth shop  just in time for the end of Ramadan and for Eid al-Fitr celebrations on Wednesday.

Babakarkhail said it gets very busy this time of year, adding that many shoppers buy up all the sweets and dried foods.

'This is my first job': dozens of newcomers employed

The new 15,000--square-foot location is nestled in the city's downtown area at 20 George St., just blocks from Jackson Square.

It's a nod to the chain's humble beginnings, and has a halal butcher to offer customers custom cuts of meat and Samir-branded items like authentic imported rice.

Wajiha Ameri works at Samir's and said most of the employees at the supermarket are newcomers to Canada.

Wajiha Ameri works at Samir and says most of the employees at the supermarket are newcomers to Canada. (Bobby Hristova/CBC)

Babakarkhail  who also runs a separate Samir Kabab business  said a downtown store was needed because "a lot of our communities are here and most of them do not have a car."

Along the way, Babakarkhail brought on Mohammad Asghar as a co-owner to help expand the business.

Asghar said he met Babakarkhail at Samir's.

"I was a customer," Asghar said.

Asghar isn't the only newcomer who is part of the chain.

Babakarkhail and Asghar said they make an effort to hire newcomers because many struggle to find work when they first arrive in Canada.

Zohra Karimi is one of the employees at Samir's Supermarket. She said this job is her first in Canada after spending months looking for work as a newcomer.

Zohra Karimi, another employee at the downtown Samir Supermarket, says this job is her first in Canada after spending months looking for work as a newcomer. (Bobby Hristova/CBC)

When the new store was announced, Asghar said, over 100 people applied for work, most of them newcomers. Now there are some 46 employees at the downtown location.

Zohra Karimi said she spent three months looking for work before she started at Samir's.

"This is my first job  I'm so happy," said Karimi, who immigrated from Afghanistan half a year ago. She said the chain's success is "a success for all Afghan and Muslim people."

Babakarkhail and Asghar said he encourages his workers to learn English, get an education and work hard to pursue their dreams.

Samir's is a grocery store that sells food from across Asia.

Samir's is a grocery store that sells food from across Asia. (Bobby Hristova/CBC)

Babakarkhail said the goal is to open stores in cities across the province. He's setting his sights next on Guelph, London, Kitchener, Waterloo, St. Catharines, Brantford and Milton, he said.

Babakarkhail and Asghar said it's not about the money  it's to make it easier for people travelling from other cities to visit the store.

"That's why I have to help," Babakarkhail said.




Detectives are continuing to question a man on suspicion of murder after a 'wonderful' mum was stabbed to death in Bradford.

Kulsuma Akter, from Oldham, tragically died after being knifed in the Westgate area of Bradford on Saturday (April 6). The 27-year-old mum was pushing her baby in a pram down the street when she was attacked outside a shop.

Her baby escaped unharmed, West Yorkshire Police said. A 25-year-old man, also from Oldham, has been arrested on suspicion of her murder.

READ NEXT: Man, 43, arrested after police find packets of cocaine and heroin 'stuffed down u-bend of toilet'

This is Habibur Masum, who was at the centre of a huge manhunt after the attack. He was arrested in the Aylesbury area in the early hours of yesterday morning (April 9).

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police confirmed he remains in custody this morning being quizzed by detectives. A 23-year-old man was also arrested in Cheshire on suspicion of assisting an offender.

He also remains in police custody. Yesterday, detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson, of West Yorkshire Polices Homicide and Enquiry Team, said: "This is a tragic incident in which a mother has lost her life in the most horrific of circumstances.

"We understand that this has caused a considerable amount of concern in the local community. Local Neighbourhood Policing teams are patrolling the area conducting reassurance to the community.

"We would like to thank Thames Valley Police for their support and assistance in this matter."

Habibur Masum, from Oldham, is understood to have been arrested -Credit:YouTube

Ms Akter's devastated family members have spoken of their heartbreak over her death, describing the pain at breaking the news to her mother in Bangladesh. Her brother Hossain told the MailOnline: "We had to call our mother in Bangladesh to tell her the news. Can you imagine what this was like for us?

"I can't believe my sister is dead. I'm sorry, I can't speak any more."

Ms Akter's cousin Aftab Miah told the BBC that when he spoke to her mother she had 'never stopped crying' and was 'all the time mentioning her name'. He said Ms Akter had moved to the Oldham area with her husband around two years ago.

Floral tributes left in Bradford -Credit:PA

He added: "She had a good personality, she used to make people laugh. She was a wonderful lady... a good, humble, likeable person, a caring person.

"She always used to offer me tea and biscuits when I went to her house. I am going to miss her very much."

Both Greater Manchester Police and West Yorkshire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office of Police Conduct due to 'previous contact' with the victim. In a post on social media following the news of the murder arrest, GMP said increased patrols are continuing in the Oldham area.

Officers are also carrying out 'community reassurance visits' with anyone concerned urged to speak to them.

Information can be reported via Live Chat online or by calling 101, quoting log 1071 of 6 April. Information can also be given to the Major Incident Public Portal via this link. Anyone wishing to provide information anonymously can do so by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.

Read more of today's top stories here
Peckham father and son duo who 'love what they do' bringing their handmade Jamaican patties to Aldi





A father and son duo from Peckham known for serving homemade Jamaican patties to the local community have won a Channel 4 competition meaning their authentic products will be making their way to supermarket shelves. Mike Williams, 33, told MyLondon that the victory felt 'surreal'.

He said: "I was just a guy making patties in a bakery in Peckham and selling them to anybody that wanted to buy and now we are going to be on a supermarket shelf. Its such a great accomplishment."

Flake Bake was launched in 2012, four years after Mike's dad, Paul, 54, bought the retail unit housing the original bakery he worked in when he moved from Jamaica in the 90s. Since then they have sold over six million patties but since entering Channel 4's 'Aldi's Next Big Thing' the scale of the business has skyrocketed.

READ MORE: 'I was with Amy Winehouse before she died - she was very much a London girl'

The pair presented their product to the director of buying and beat the other bakers in their round -Credit:Flake Bake

Flake Bake handmake 20,000 patties a week in their south London premises and have now partnered with a big manufacturer to keep their authentic look and flavours and supply them to over 1,000 Aldi stores. Mike first heard about the show when his friend sent him a link to an application in June 2023.

He said: "We had a lot of debts coming out of Covid and I thought closing was probably the best thing to do. My friend sent me a link to the application and I thought if I am going to close up then I've got nothing to lose.

"Four days after I applied I heard back from the production company. My dad was in Jamaica and we had a Zoom call with them and they liked the idea of me and my dad working together."

The following months were crazy for the duo, they had to present their product to Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, work on their packaging and branding and figure out how to expand the shelf life of their patties. "When we realised we won it was surreal.

"I think me and my dad barely spoke on the drive home because it meant we were going to be on a supermarket shelf. We didn't have any clue and knew we couldn't do that."

Flake Bake patties will be available in Aldi's across the country on Wednesday, April 10 -Credit:Flake Bake

Mike explains how since October it has been non stop making sure the patties are ready and expanding Flake Bake. "After the win the work tripled as we weren't in a position to manufacture the amount of products needed.

"I worked with a large manufacturer and we have worked with food influencers. We have gained so many followers and I am getting messages every single day and people coming down to our bakery to buy individual patties."

Paul, Co-Owner of Flake Bake says: We have a great relationship, running the business as father and son. The beauty is my son coming alongside me and making it a better business. I love what I do, I love baking, its a great product.

I cannot explain how happy I am right now. I am very proud of my son, without him, it couldn't have happened.

Throughout the process Mike had to come up with packaging as he has always sold his patties in brown cardboard boxes -Credit:Flake Bake

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, says: You cant help but fall in love with Paul and Mike, and their product tastes beautiful. Its clear how much care goes into making the product. The pastry is unbelievable, every part of it is delicious - I just love it!

Mike and Paul appear on Aldis Next Big Thing on Channel 4 on Tuesday, April 9. The series will air every Tuesday at 8pm until May 7.

Don't miss out on the biggest South London news. Sign up to our MySouthLondon newsletter HERE for all the latest daily news and more.
Authorities in China issued threats of a long prison sentence and loss of property to Christians charged with illegal business operations for printing devotional materials intended only for their church, their attorney said.

Arrested and charged last year, elder Zhu Longfei, Pastor Deng Yanxiang, deacon Zhu Longjiang, deacon Wang Weicai and Zhu Qiaoling of Shengjia Church in Shunde, Guangdong Province, told their attorney in late March of the threats, according to advocacy group China Aid.

Zhu Qiaoling wept in court, expressing she was threatened with severe punishment of a long sentence, China Aid revealed in a press statement. She stated she had done nothing wrong and lamented not being able to accompany her mother before her passing, expressing particular concern for her 94-year-old father, who is now severely disabled.

Officials told Deng Yanxiang that they would auction off his property, and they threatened to arrest the wife of Zhu Longfei, according to the attorney, Guo Xiongwei.

Amid what rights magazine Bitter Winter called a campaign to pressure unregistered house churches to join the government-controlled Three-Self Church, multiple agencies on May 24 raided the Shengjia Church, arresting four Christians. Among the departments involved in the raid were the Shunde Department of Public Security, the Shunde Religious Affairs Bureau, the Shunde Department of Education and the Shunde Department of Industry and Commerce.

Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up

Additionally, two learning centers associated with the church were also raided by hundreds of personnel, leading to the confiscation of numerous books, furniture, and other items on the same day, China Aid reported. On Aug. 9, Elder Zhu Longfei was summoned by Shunde Public Security and subsequently arrested on suspicion of illegal business operations.

At a pre-trial meeting on March 29, the five accused Christians all told their attorney that officials had threatened or otherwise pressured them, the attorney told China Aid.

The fundamental premise of business is that it strives to make a profit, but the defendants have no profit motive, attorney Guo Xiongwei said.

The charge of illegal business operations has become a catch-all offense during the pre-trial meeting, and our goal as lawyers is to tear apart this catch-all accusation, Guo told China Aid.

The Shunde District Peoples Procuratorate filed the charge of illegal business operations in the Shunde District Peoples Court based on devotional material (Daily Scripture Interpretation) printed for internal use within the church, the group said.

Furthermore, they were characterized as illegally printing and distributing publications that seriously endanger social order and disrupt market order, China Aid stated.

The arrest of Zhu Longfei came as part of a campaign in August against independent house churches in Guangdong Province, which in turn was part of a larger effort to compel house churches to join the Three-Self Church as stipulated by President Xi Jinping at the 2021 National Conference on Work Related to Religious Affairs, according to Bitter Winter.

The Shunde church was repeatedly invited to join the Three-Self Church and refused, the online magazine stated. Devotees soon learned that their refusal came with a price. Their pastor, Deng Yanxiang, and Wang Weicai, a businessman who had left his professional activity to become a full-time church co-worker in 2016, were increasingly harassed by the police.

In the May 24 raid on the Shengjia Mutual Learning and Mutual Aid Center  the Bible study training class of the Shengjia Church  teaching and study materials were confiscated, and the church was sealed, according to Bitter Winter. Shunde

District Police on May 25 charged the initial four Christians with illegal business operations, now a popular trumped-up charge against house church leaders, it reported.

The Shunde District Procuratorate formally arrested them on June 28, and on Aug. 8 Shunde District Police arrested Zhu Longfei and took him to the Nanhai District Detention Center in Foshan City, where the other leaders of the Shengjia Church also were jailed, according to Bitter Winter.
How to Watch Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion: Is the Documentary Streaming?

Ahead of Earth Day 2024 comes the relevant documentary Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion from Academy Award-winning director Eva Orner. Focused on the behind-the-scenes controversies of a company that dominated young teenage girl fashion in the 2010s, the film reveals some shocking allegations as told by former employees.

Experts in the world of fast fashion and its environmental impact also weigh in, giving more context to the rise and success of the clothing brand as well as its negative implications in other parts of the world.

For those nostalgic about this Tumblr and Instagram phenomenon or others just wondering how to get introduced to Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion, weve gathered the pertinent information, below:

When does Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion premiere?

The HBO original documentary premieres Tuesday, April 9 at 9 p.m. EST on HBO.

Is Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion streaming?

Yes! The film will be available for streaming exclusively on Max.

What is Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion about?

Orner dives into how teen girls became exposed to the clothing store as it took off via social media before interviewing former employees for in-depth detail about what it was like to work at the chain store. Their experiences expose a toxic environment under the surface of what was otherwise a must-have brand for many.

For starters, the founder of the company engaged in questionable behavior while hiring girls to work in the retail giants brick-and-mortar stores. He also fired employees on whims as quickly as he hired them. Elsewhere, the documentary takes the time to show the consequences that fast fashion methods have on the planet, even if they exist on the other side of the world and far out of sight. The evidence ultimately encourages for more sustainable practices to be explored in fashion immediately.

Who is in Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion?

Former employees and executives of Brandy Melville as well as fashion experts and insiders serve as sources for the documentary film. Insider investigative journalist Kate Taylor, who wrote an article that spurred further investigation into the company, is featured in the documentary. Additionally, Matteo Biffoni, mayor of Prato, Italy, where fast fashion boutiques thrive, also features in the film.

CEO of Remake Advocacy Group Ayesha Barenblat, CEO of Textile Exchange Claire Bergkamp, and Manteco s.p.a. executives Matteo Mantellassi, Marco Mantellassi and Franco Mantellassi, who all advocate for sustainable fashion methods, appear too.

Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion premieres Tuesday, April 9 at 9 p.m. EST on HBO. It will then be available to stream on Max.

The post How to Watch Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion: Is the Documentary Streaming? appeared first on TheWrap.
Uzma Shaikh: Orphan who battled Poverty, Covid to become Police Sub Inspector

Uzma Shaikh's decision to join the police force was inspired by a senior Police Inspector who visited her college as a guest when she was preparing for the 12th board exam.

Thursday April 11, 2024 0:24 AM , Akhlaque Shaikh

Ashti (Beed): Azm mohkam ho to hoti hai balaayen paspa, Kitne toofan palat deta hai sahil tanha. This Urdu couplet which loosely translates as If the determination is strong then the evil calls are pushed back, How many storms does the shore turn away alone best describes the journey of Uzma Shaikh who will soon don the hat of a Police Sub-Inspector in Maharashtra.

Uzma Shaikh was 3 months old when her father passed away. Acute poverty forced her mother to leave her in-laws home in Ashti  a city in Beed district of Maharashtra, and shift to her parents home.

Uzmas maternal grandfather was not too well off to take care of his widowed daughter. A small bhangar shop was the only source of income of her Nana - maternal grandfather. Then he also had two other daughters to feed and look after.

Realizing the hardship of her father, Uzmas mother started working first as a help and later as a cook for a school to prepare Mid-Day Meal for students.

Despite facing hardship economically, my grandfather will never agree for his daughters to work anywhere. My mother however continued to work albeit without the knowledge of my grandfather, Uzma recalled.

A few months later, Uzmas mother got a temporary job at the Forest Department on someone's recommendation to plant soil in a nursery. Uzmas grandfather expressed displeasure but was helpless by the situation.

Unfortunately, Uzmas Nana and Nani too passed away after a few months.

"Now, besides raising me, my mother had the responsibility of other members of the family", Uzma recalled adding, Ammi started working even harder.

Uzma was lucky that she continued with her studies except for two years when she was forced to drop out because of the financial burden. Nonetheless, Uzma passed the Class 10 SSC exams from Zila Parishad Kanya Parshala Marathi Medium School in Ashti and 12th board from B.D. Humbarde Mahavidyalaya, Ashti.

In two years when Uzma dropped out, she learned Mehndi art and went one marriage to another to apply Mehndi on brides and newly-wed, and also to women and girls during festival season.

This helped me raise some money and start my education afresh, she recalled.

Uzmas Journey to becoming Police Sub-Inspector

Uzmas decision to join the police force was inspired by a senior Police Inspector who visited her college as a guest when she was preparing for the 12th board exam.

I was immensely impressed by the greatness and dignity of the police uniform. An aspiration arose in me, I asked, how to become a Police Sub Inspector. He explained the details, Uzma recalled.

After 12th, Uzma took admission in the same college to pursue the BCA (Bachelor in Computer Application) degree course. It was during her second year in the degree course that Uzma started seriously thinking to fulfil her dream of becoming a police officer. One of her college lecturers guided her further. Uzma needed to crack the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) exam to become an officer which required an extensive training.

For Uzma, the time then came for the toughest  to take permission from her mother.

I shared with my mother my desire to become a Police Inspector and asked her permission to go to Pune, Uzma said.

She was reluctant for the obvious reason.

From where the additional expenses would be managed?" she asked.

Uzma was able to convince her mother somehow. Other family members from Uzmas parental as well as maternal sides, too were taken on board. They promised moral and financial supports.

In Pune, Uzma searched for the cheapest available hostel and mess. It was 2019 and Covid 19 Pandemic had just started to spread. Unfortunately, Uzma became the early victim of the Pandemic and she was forced to leave Pune and return to her home in Ashti.

Not to let Covid-19 spoil her ambitions to crack the MPSC exams, Uzma enrolled herself in a local library and continued with her studies. But, in an unfortunate turn of event, someone complaint to the Librarian about her Covid infection who cancelled her registration.

The only option now I had was to study at my home half of which was destroyed by the PWD as part of its road widening project, she said. A small corner of my home was now the area of my all academic activities. The money I raised by applying Mehndi during marriage and festival season was used to buy books and study materials, she recalled.

Her hard work paid and she cleared the MPSC Prelims in her first attempt. She returned to Pune in 2020 when the Covid-19 Pandemic subsided to prepare for Mains.

The MPSC Main was deferred because of the Pandemic. The delay provided me additional time to prepare for the coveted exams, and Alhamdulillah, like the Prelim exams, I cleared the MPSC Mains in my first attempt, she recalled.

Police job requires Physical Test. Uzma cleared it too with an impressive 90 per cent score.

So far so good, Uzma however had a nervous breakdown in the Interview phase of the exam. When the final result was announced, Uzma did not find her name in the Merit List.

Due to nervous breakdown, I couldn't do well in the interview and got out of the final cut-off list though by only one mark, she said.

Uzma still had a chance as her name was on the 3rd position in the waiting list. Uzma was in low income category and an EWS Certificate could have definitely come to her rescue. But, due to lack of the necessary documents she could not get one.

Against this backdrop, Uzma pinned her hope on someone to opt out and allow her to move from the waiting list to the main list. At the same time, Uzma decided to re-appear for the MPSC exams.

Then there was a miracle. Uzmas earlier waiting list was confirmed and she finally made her way to the final selection list.

After 11 months of the training period, I am set to become a Police Sub-Inspector, a beaming Uzma said.

Her dream of becoming a Police Officer coming true, Uzma has a message for other girls.

If an orphan poor child of a remote place can do it, why not you? You have everything. I would especially like to tell girls to be attracted towards government jobs where there are countless opportunities waiting for them, she said.

[A version of this article is published by Roznama Inquilab, Mumbai on April 10, 2024. The writer Akhlaque Shaik is Career Counsellor and Columnist at daily Inquilab.]

Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
The University of North Georgia (UNG) will hold UNG Remembers Day on two campuses April 24. This is the seventh year the university has held a ceremony to recognize and celebrate the lives of the students who have passed away while enrolled at UNG during the last academic year.

"UNG Remembers Day is a special opportunity to recognize members of our community who left us too soon. It allows UNG to expand the footprint of our community and embrace these families who shared their loved one with us," Dr. Alyson Paul, vice president for Student Engagement and Success, said.

This year, campus communities, family members and friends will gather to remember Drake Paul Cook, who passed away March 15, and Marcus "Hayes" Guzman, who died Feb. 2.

"The tradition of UNG Remembers Day began in 2017. Since then, we've set aside time on the last Wednesday of the spring semester to memorialize students who died during the academic year," Dr. Michelle Brown, assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of students at UNG's Oconee Campus, said.

At the Oconee Campus, the service remembering Guzman will be held at noon in Room 581 of the Student Resource Center, and Cook will be honored at 5 p.m. at the Memorial Wall outside Memorial Gym at the Dahlonega Campus.

"As a closely connected community, this ceremony reminds us of how the lives of all members of the UNG family are interwoven, and that the loss of one person can impact so many others in direct and indirect ways," Dr. John Delaney, associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, said.

Family members and friends are invited to the event, where faculty and staff may share thoughts about the students who have died.

The names of the young men will be added to the memorial marker on their home campus.

Guzman, a Lakeside High School alumnus, enrolled at UNG in fall 2019 and completed 56 hours in pursuit of an Associate of Arts degree on the business administration pathway. Hayes was from Decatur, Georgia.

Cook also enrolled in fall 2019 and was scheduled to graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in management.

The families of both students will be presented with posthumous degrees.
(VAN) After more than 10 years of negotiation, An Giang's small-seeded mangoes, Takeo mangoes, and green-skinned mangoes have been officially exported to Australia, the United States, and South Korea.

After more than 10 years of negotiation, An Giang's small-seeded mangoes, Takeo mangoes, and green-skinned mangoes have been officially exported to Australia, the United States, and South Korea. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

An Giang mangoes conquer challenging markets

Over 70% of the land area in An Giang, an agricultural province located at the headwaters of the Mekong River and sharing a border with Cambodia, is composed of alluvial soil. Consequently, the province's natural conditions provide a beneficial environment to foster agricultural development. The agricultural sector in An Giang province serves as both a foundation and a crucial support for the province's economic development. Notably, the province's agricultural sector achieved a growth rate of 4.43% in 2023, which is an increase of 2.07% compared to the same period in 2022. Accordingly, local crop production recorded a growth rate of 4.28%, significantly contributing to the province's GRDP growth rate.

Mr. Nguyen Si Lam, General Director of the An Giang province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported: "An Giang currently leads the country in rice production and catfish farming. It is also one of the leading provinces in the Mekong Delta region in terms of vegetable and fruit production. Notably, mangoes have been designated as An Giang province's key economic crop. The province's transitional approach to this crop has contributed significantly to the growth of its agricultural sector."

According to Mr. Lam, An Giang province currently houses over 20,000 hectares of fruit tree production areas. Mango production areas account for nearly 13,000 hectares of the total area, with an annual yield of over 225 thousand tons. In addition to technical support aimed at increasing mango productivity and quality, the province prioritizes adding value to mango products through product branding and value chain integration.

Cho Moi district is the largest mango producing region within the province, with a total production area of 6,400 hectares, accounting for over 50% of the province's total mango production area. Mango production is primarily concentrated in the communes of Tan My, My Hiep, and Binh Phuoc Xuan. With the widespread adoption of scientific and technological advancements in production, and the adaptive cropping approach, Cho Moi district currently houses 704 hectares of VietGAP-compliant mango production areas, with 41 production unit codes covering nearly 6,200 hectares.

According to Chairman of the An Phu district-level People's Committee Trang Cong Cuong, the district will leverage the successful export of Takeo mangoes to strengthen support for local businesses and farmers, with the aim of establishing stable raw material areas and developing value chains. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Cho Moi's first shipment of green-skinned mangoes, totalling seven tons, was officially exported to Australia and the United States with the support of an export company. Additionally, Cho Moi exported its first batch of takeo mangoes, totaling 13 tons and certified with production unit codes, to South Korea in February 2024. The district is constantly receiving new mango export orders to various demanding markets, including China, the United States, South Korea, Australia, Japan, among others.

Mr. Cu Minh Trong, Chairman of the Cho Moi district-level People's Committee, shared: "Cho Moi district has designated agriculture as its main direction for development, and the foundation for local socio-economic development. Within the last few years, Cho Moi has made several breakthroughs in agricultural production, encouraged farmers and cooperatives to apply advanced scientific and technological methods in mango production, promoted production and consumption linkages between farmer organizations, cooperatives, and businesses."

"After recognizing the importance of production linkage and collective production in expanding market reach, farmers in Cho Moi district have proactively collaborated in the form of cooperatives. Subsequently, these cooperatives partnered with numerous domestic and foreign import-export companies to export mangoes to various markets including China, the United States, South Korea, and Australia. These export activities have enabled An Giang mangoes to conquer various demanding markets worldwide," affirmed Mr. Trong.

An Phu Mango Cooperative, located in An Phu district - An Giang province, signing agreements with mango export companies to continue exporting Takeo mangoes to various markets worldwide. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

An Phu Takeo mangoes exported to the South Korean market

An Phu, the second largest mango producing region in An Giang province, is renowned for its delicious and high-quality Takeo mangoes, which have conquered demanding markets around the world. The district currently houses over 1,800 hectares of mango production areas, with a total annual yield of 30 thousand tons. Additionally, the district has 350 hectares of GlobalGAP-compliant takeo mango farms, with 61 production unit codes qualified for export.

Notably, An Phu district has successfully exported its first 18-ton shipment of Takeo mangoes to the South Korean market by late March 2024. This shipment represents An Giang's effort in introducing An Phu Takeo mangoes to the South Korean market, thereby enabling access to other demanding markets in Europe, the United States, Australia, and Japan.

Mangoes have been designated as An Giang province's key economic crop. The province's transitional approach to this crop has contributed significantly to the growth of its agricultural sector. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Mr. Trang Cong Cuong, Chairman of the An Phu district-level People's Committee, stated: "To export An Phu mangoes to demanding markets such as South Korea, and conquer major markets such as Australia and the United States, it is crucial to maintain strict compliance with the requirements imposed by our partners regarding pesticide residue levels, pests, traceability, irradiation, and so on."

According to Chairman Trang Cong Cuong, the successful export of Takeo mangoes will prompt the district to strengthen its support for businesses and farmers in establishing stable raw material areas, and developing sustainable value chains. Furthermore, the district will expedite the issuance of production unit codes for pending mango production areas to increase export volume.

"In the immediate future, An Phu district-level People's Committee will continue to create a favorable environment and implement supportive policies for businesses, organizations, and individuals involved in mango production, processing, and trade. We will strengthen support for the establishment of stable raw material areas and the development of sustainable value chains; fully utilize existing production areas and expedite the issuance of production unit codes for pending areas to increase export volume. Furthermore, we will encourage fruit export companies to survey additional mango farms for export contracts," emphasized Mr. Trang Cong Cuong.

An Giang province currently houses over 20,000 hectares of fruit tree production areas. Mango production areas account for nearly 13,000 hectares of the total area, with an annual yield of over 225 thousand tons. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, Vice Chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee, stated: "The export of An Giang mangoes to demanding markets such as the United States, Australia, and South Korea, is the result of the combined efforts from all levels of the Party committees, local governments, businesses, cooperatives and farmers. It was a 10-year process of constant negotiations and challenges."

With the aim of developing high-quality mango production areas for export, the An Giang Provincial People's Committee has encouraged local agricultural sectors to adopt scientific and technological advancements in mango production. Notable advancements include innovating mango production processes towards safety and meeting VietGAP, GlobalGAP standards; utilizing biological fertilizers and organic microorganisms; among others.

Additionally, the province will enhance the monitoring and supervision of pesticide residues on mangoes, establish production unit codes, etc. to ensure an adequate supply of high-quality and safe mangoes, featuring origin traceability. On the other hand, the province will establish production linkages with companies and export businesses to support the export of locally-produced mangoes.
A Ukrainian priest abducted by Russian occupiers nearly a year ago could face 12 years in prison after a secret court trial for alleged espionage, contrary to international law, according to rights watchdog Forum 18.

The Rev. Kostiantyn Maksimov, 40, from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) was charged with espionage under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code. The Russian Prosecutors Office in occupied Zaporizhzhia announced the trial on its website on March 29.

The prosecutors office alleges, without evidence according to Forum 18, that Maksimov used an internet messenger transmitted to an employee of the Ukrainian security service information with the coordinates of the deployment of Russian air defense technical equipment located in the city and district between April 2022 and February 2023.

Before his arrest, Maksimov was a Ukrainian orthodox priest at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Tokmak city, in Zaporizhzhia, now under Russian occupation.

Russian forces stopped and detained the priest in Chongar town in May. At the time, he tried to cross the boundary line with occupied Crimea. No one had knowledge of the priests welfare since the initial arrest 10 months ago until the announcement of the trial.

Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up

Pro-Russian politician Vladimir Rogov pronounced a guilty verdict regardless of the trials outcome on his Telegram channel on March 31.

The accomplice of the Ukrainian special services was caught transferring confidential data to his overseers in Kyiv, Rogov wrote of Maksimov, according to Forum 18. The information leak threatened the security of Russia and all residents of the Zaporizhzhia Region.

Forum 18 stated that the trial is illegal under international law because an occupying country is not allowed to enforce its own laws in occupied territory. The laws of occupation verified by several countries, including Russia, at The Hague on Oct. 18, 1907, appear to support this view. Article 43 states that when the authority of a legitimate power is passed to an occupier, it should be respecting, unless absolutely prevented, of the laws in force in the country.

No further details are known about a trial date or lawyers involved with the priest, despite Forum 18s repeated approaches to Russian authorities. An unnamed official at the Zaporizhzhia Region Prosecutors Office refused to give details to Forum 18 about the trial date, prosecutors name, name of the judge, or Maksimovs location.

The official said the office had many cases but of course the priest had a lawyer, though he had no further information about the attorney.

We have no greater rights than the defense side, the official told Forum 18. Everything will be decided by the court.

Russian occupiers disagree about the exact location of Maksimovs trial. The court hearing is at the Russian Zaporizhzhia Regional Court in Melitopol, according to Zaporizhzhia Region Prosecutors Office.

The Crimean Supreme Court in Simferopol, however, is the real location, according to Yelena Shapovalova, head of the Bar Association in the Russian-occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Region. No trial notification appeared on the Crimean Supreme Courts website as of this writing.

Shapovalova declined to tell Forum 18 the name of Maksimovs appointed lawyer during the pre-trial investigation.

That period has now ended, and the lawyers work thus came to an end, she reportedly said from her office in Melitopol on Monday (April 8).

Shapovalova confirmed that none of the priests relatives signed an agreement with a lawyer. She also revealed that Maksimov had been at a temporary holding center in Melitopol during the pre-trial investigation. There was no indication of his present whereabouts.

The Rev. Vladimir Saviisky, another priest from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, knew Maksimov personally and called news of the secret court trial, terrible.

This was to be expected, he told Forum 18. The Russians threatened me with this also. Had they not deported me, I would have been sitting next to him in a prison cell.

Saviisky reportedly endured pressure from Russian occupiers to support the Russian Orthodox Churchs dominance of the Ukrainian Orthodox Churchs Berdyansk Diocese.

He served as priest of St. Nicholas Church in Primorsk, an occupied town near the Azov Sea in Zaporizhzhya. Saviisky refused to sign his church over to the Russian Orthodox Church, despite several interrogations, and fled to Ukrainian-controlled territory in June.

Artyom Sharlay, head of the Religious Organizations Department at Zaporizhzhia Regional Administrations Social and Political Communications and Information Policy Department, made unverified claims about Maksimov to Forum 18 in October 2023.

He said the priest opposed the Berdyansk Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church being linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, which has controlled the Diocese since May 2023.

Christian Daily International has previously reported on the plight of Ukranian Orthodox priests suffering in Russian occupied parts of Ukraine.
1. Background

As a federally owned enterprise, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. On behalf of the German Government, GIZ provides advisory services to the Vietnamese Government in four priority areas: (1) Vocational training, (2) Environmental, (3) Energy, and (4) Sustainable Economic Development. For further information, please visit www.giz.de/viet-nam.

GIZ Vietnam projects, their staff and partners are located mostly in Hanoi (80%), Ho Chi Minh City HCMC (10%), Can Tho and others (10%). Up to now, the procurement of laptops and IT equipment has been processed decentralized in Vietnam and Laos by the country officea in Hanoi and the project offices scattered across the country via the competitive placement procedure for every single transaction.

With a framework contract on IT products, we would expect to benefit from quicker delivery time, better price for high quality and durable IT products and from professional after-sale IT support services from the selected Supplier.

For these reasons, GIZ Hanoi Office as the contracting party is conducting a local negotiated tender with competitive tendering on Provision of IT products and support services for GIZ in Vietnam and Laos for an estimated number of IT products up to ~ 4,000 items during the maximum contract term of 4 years from 2024-2027, whereas the share for laptops is about 80% while the share for other IT products is about 20%.

The equipment shall be delivered as follows :

 Place of delivery: mainly in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho City/Vietnam and Vientiane/Laos

 Delivery time: Please indicate your shortest delivery time after order placement

 Payment: Payment after receipt of goods (negotiable) against (1) VAT Invoice and (2) Delivery note and Confirmation of receipt of goods

Supplier, who submits the technically suitable and most cost-effective bid, will be selected as Contractor for the IT framework contract with GIZ for supplying IT products and support services for a period of up to 4 years till 2027.

2. Requirements for bidding documents

Bidding documents are submitted in 01 exemplar in English and 01 in Vietnamese, with same validity. Please refer to the Local bidding conditions for detailed requirements about the bidding documents to be prepared and submitted. Bidder is pleased to pay high attention on this document.

3. Method of bid submission

The complete tender dossier is to be sent only by email to VN_PoG_Quotation@giz.de. We request you to submit the eligibility documents, technical proposal and price quotation in 3 separate folders in pdf format (either in 1 email or 3 separate emails) with email subject or file name as follows:

 91178120 - Eligibility Documents - Company name

 91178120 - Technical Offer - Company name

 91178120 - Price Quotation - Company name

For data protection and information security reason, in case the total size of your documents is below 10 MB, you can attach them directly in the email sent to us. In case the total size of your documents is above 10 MB, the files must be sent via GIZ filetransfer system. We will provide the guidance on how to use filetransfer to interested suppliers. Bidders are required to record the password on filestransfer and send the correct ones to GIZ. Wrong passwords could lead to bidding failure.

4. Deadlines

 Interested bidders can contact GIZ (before 03/05/2024 ) via email to

Question-from-bidder-pog-vn@giz.de to receive a complete tender dossier, including:

1 Local bidding conditions

2a General Purchase Conditions (GPC)

2b GIZ Code of conduct for Contractors (CoC)

2c GIZ Code of conduct for Contractors on anti-sexual harassment (CoCASH)

3a Terms of Reference (TOR)

3b IT technical specifications

4 Eligibility Assessment Grid (EAG)

5 Form of Technical bid

6 Technical Assessment Grid (TAG)

7 Form of Financial bid

8 Financial Assessment Grid (FAG)

9 Prohibitions for awarding or continuing contracts with persons, entities or bodies from Russia (Text A full)

10 Regulation on consequences for Bidders/contractors when providing falsified information (RBC)

11 Guidance on sending files via GIZ filetransfer

12 Specimen  IT Framework Agreement

13 Data Privacy Statement regarding storage and use of personal data by GIZ

14 Declaration of consent by individual/ expert of contractor regarding storage and use of personal data by GIZ

15 Template list of relevant contracts signed with other customers

16 Site vist checklist

 For questions about the tender, please send to the email: question-from-bidder-pog-vn@giz.de before 24/05/2024.

 Bidder shall send the complete bidding documents by email to VN_PoG_Quotation@giz.de by 02/06/2024, 17.00 (Hanoi time)

5. Notes

 Sending documents to wrong email address will lead to disqualification of the supplier.

 Files sent via other applications/systems such as google drive, dropbox etc. will not be accepted.

 Bids sending after the deadline will be disqualified.

When submitting bidding documents for this tender, the bidder declares that he has read, understood, accepts and agrees with all information and conditions listed in the provided tender dossier

GIZ is obliged to ensure the confidentiality of all submitted documents by bidder(s) during the tender process !
LUANG PRABANG  Viet Nam's Minister of Finance and Central Bank Governor and other ASEAN counterparts engage in discussions with international business councils to strengthen financial ties and promote sustainable growth in the region.

A series of productive meetings took place Thursday morning in Luang Prabang, Northern Laos, between Viet Nam and its ASEAN counterparts, focusing on financial and monetary matters.

The gatherings involved Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from ASEAN countries, who engaged in discussions with the EU-ASEAN Business Council (AFMGM-EU ABC), the US ASEAN Business Council (AFMGM-US ABC) and ASEAN Business Advisory Council (AFMGM-ABAC).

Leading the Vietnamese delegation were Minister of Finance Ho uc Phoc and Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam Pham Quang Dung, who made significant contributions during the conferences.

According to the Viet Nam News Agency's correspondent based in Luang Prabang, the meetings provided a platform for the participating Ministers and delegation leaders to exchange viewpoints on various regional and global issues. Key topics included green finance, financial technology, digital cross-border payment connectivity, and the important role of ASEAN's business partners in supporting the bloc's initiatives for sustainable, resilient, and comprehensive economic growth.

During the sessions, Minister Ho uc Phoc and Deputy Governor Pham Quang Dung shared insights into Viet Nam's monetary policies and collaborative initiatives related to finance. They emphasised the high priority Viet Nam places on finance and green growth.

Viet Nam is actively working on domesticating its international commitments on climate change response to enhance its legal framework. This effort aims to attract green investment and financial flows from international partners by streamlining regulations and infrastructure. Viet Nam continues to pursue administrative procedure reforms, digital transformation, and the development of user-centric utilities.

Appreciating the valuable contributions of the ASEAN business community in promoting financial flows within the region, Minister Ho uc Phoc and Deputy Governor Pham Quang Dung expressed confidence in the community's ability to provide important recommendations. These recommendations will further enhance the regulatory framework and financial market infrastructure, thereby attracting increased investment flows into ASEAN, including Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  The age-old concept "the customer is king" is becoming more visible in the Vietnamese stock market, where more and more securities firms are aggressively lowering or even eliminating transaction fees to attract and retain customers.

At the 2023 General Meeting of Shareholders of MB Securities JSC (MBS), Luu Trung Thai, Chairman of Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB), emphasised the intense competition among securities companies, with brokerage fees approaching zero.

SSI Securities Corporation, a leading securities firm, recently announced a 12-month free transaction policy for new domestic retail investors who open accounts on April 4, without utilising SSI's consulting services.

This securities company also clarified that their free transaction programme applies exclusively to customers engaging in underlying securities trading and does not cover fees paid to stock exchanges.

SSI also waived stock trading fees for a 90-day period for customers who opened new accounts between May 15 and August 15, 2023.

VPS Securities, the current leader in stock brokerage market share, continues to offer a policy of zero-free underlying securities trading for customers who open new accounts for a period of six months.

In addition to temporary fee waivers or reductions, some companies are taking it a step further by offering lifetime transaction fee exemptions for their customers.

Earlier this year, MBS introduced a lifetime free trading policy for both underlying and derivative securities transactions for customers who open new accounts with the company and do not utilise consulting services.

Last year, the zero-fee trend in the securities industry gained significant attention.

Techcom Securities (TCBS) officially waived fees indefinitely on various securities investment activities, including stocks, derivatives, warrants and listed fund certificates.

Smaller securities companies such as DNSE Securities JSC, JB Securities Vietnam Company (JBSV) and Pinetree Securities Corporation have also implemented lifetime free incentives for customers, with durations ranging from five years.

Advantages of zero-fee strategy

As trading fees are waived or reduced, securities companies obviously experience a significant decline in brokerage revenue.

For instance, TCBS witnessed a decrease of over 46 per cent in brokerage revenue in 2023. DNSE and Pinetree also reported a decline in brokerage revenue compared to the previous year and posted losses in this segment.

JBSV's brokerage revenue was almost negligible while AIS Securities JSC saw a nearly 27 per cent decrease in brokerage revenue in 2023.

Despite the decline in brokerage revenue, the implementation of zero fees appears to be a strategic move for securities companies to compete for customers and expand their market share.

DNSE, for example, had 560,000 accounts by the end of 2023, with an average of 1,500 new accounts opened daily, capturing 26.5 per cent of the newly opened market share.

The recent initiative by SSI aligns with the objective of attracting new customers and increasing its market share. This move is particularly important as SSI's stock brokerage segment has not thrived in recent years.

After consistently holding the top position in the stock brokerage market share rankings for several years, the securities firm has slipped to second place in the past five years.

In the first quarter, SSI's brokerage market share on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) reached 9.32 per cent, securing the second spot in the rankings.

Experts believe that SSI and other companies adopting the zero-fee approach can leverage their new customer base to cross-sell additional products and services. One area experiencing significant growth is lending.

With the exception of AIS, securities firms implementing zero-fee policies all observed an increase in interest on loans and receivables in 2023 compared to the previous year. DNSE, in particular, witnessed a notable growth of over 28 per cent.

Loans and receivables interest have become a significant source of operating revenue for securities firms implementing zero-fee policies. TCBS, for instance, generated over VN1.6 trillion (US$6.4 million) in interest from loans and receivables in 2023, the highest in the industry, constituting about 30 per cent of its total operating revenue.

DNSE relies heavily on interest from loans and receivables, which accounts for 40 per cent of its total operating revenue. Similarly, for Pinetree, loans and receivables interest contributes to over 55 per cent of its revenue.

These figures are expected to continue rising in the future, thanks to the substantial lending opportunities available to securities companies.  VNS
BEIJING  National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue received executives of large Chinese corporations and companies on April 9 in Beijing within the framework of his official visit to China.

Meeting with General Manager of the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) Wang Bin, Hue said that the fields in which the group wishes to invest in Viet Nam are also the key fields that Viet Nam wants to attract domestic and foreign investment.

He highlighted that to realise Viet Nma's commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP-26), the National Assembly of Viet Nam approved the National Electricity Development Plan for the 2021-30 period with a vision to 2050, and recently, the Vietnamese Prime Minister issued an implementation plan. He added that the Vietnamese legislature approved one law and amended nine laws including the electricity law in early 2022 and will continue to revise laws to attract investors in this field.

The NA Chairman hailed the scale, potential, and technological level of PowerChina and welcomed the group's plan to expand its investment in Viet Nam in the coming time.

For his part, Wang said that since 2018, PowerChina has focused on developing clean energy in Viet Nam. To date, the group has participated in the construction of many energy projects with a total contract value of more than US$9 billion, employing 1,000 workers and committed to operate long-term in the country.

Receiving Vice President of BYD Co., Ltd Liu Huanming, Hue congratulated the company on its business successes globally over the past time. He welcomed the company's new investment plan in Viet Nam with a commitment to contribute to Viet Nam's socio-economic development, export and job creation. He affirmed that the Vietnamese NA will support and create favourable conditions for foreign businesses, including Chinese ones, to invest and do business effectively in Viet Nam.

BYD Co.,Ltd invested in a factory to make tablets with a total investment of nearly $270 million in the northern province of Phu Tho in 2021. The factory now has more than 9,000 employees.

The company's executive made some proposals on preferential policies on the production and sale of new energy vehicles in Viet Nam.

At the meeting with the Vietnamese top legislator, General Director of China Rare Earth Group (CREG) Liu Leiyun said the group wants to strengthen ties with the Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group and other Vietnamese partners to roll out cooperation in the field of important minerals.

NA Chairman Hue highly appreciated CREGs capacity and experience, adding that the mineral industry, including rare earth, is a strategic industry and the foundation for developing many other important industries. He affirmed that Viet Nam welcomes businesses to engage in research and cooperation in this field to promote socio-economic development in accordance with Viet Nam's law.

Meeting with Dong Dexi, Chairman of Board of Directors and General Manager of Haosen, Hue congratulated the company on its business and investment success and welcomed its new investment plan in Viet Nam.

During the meetings, leaders of Chinese corporations and businesses expressed interest in Viet Nam's policies to support foreign technology enterprises as well as investment opportunities in fields of great potential of both countries.

NA Chairman Hue said that Viet Nam has issued many investment incentives such as exemption and reduction of corporate income tax and land rent, among others, to attract investment in new industries.

He informed them that Viet Nam is proactively preparing necessary conditions to strengthen investment cooperation such as training skilled workforce, improving investment environment, and perfecting its legal framework.  VNS
BINH DUONG  The Eastern International University, Becamex IDC, the UKs Q-Energy and the British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam have announced a cooperation project on energy solutions.

Entitled Vietnam Intelligent Energy Trading Platform for Upscaling Local Energy Storage and EV (VIET PULSE), the project is intended to solve basic problems in using renewable energy in Viet Nam such as instability in energy supply to customers.

Under the project, necessary infrastructure for solar battery systems, electric vehicle charging stations and energy storage battery systems will be installed, along with expanding research and implementation of energy management systems to optimise electricity consumption and install renewable energy systems.

Big Data and AI technologies will be applied in the project to coordinate resources used in the same basic infrastructure complex and an energy sharing model between units will be built.

The project was announced in a conference on green energy held on Wednesday by the Peoples Committee of the southern province of Binh Duong, in collaboration with the British Consulate General in HCM City.

Addressing the event, British Consul General in HCM City Emily Hamblin said that the UK Government highly evaluated its partnership with Viet Nam to prioritise supporting green transition.

She said that staff at the Consulate General in HCM City and the UK Embassy in Ha Noi are working closely with the Government of Viet Nam and relevant parties to increase support for the country in implementing its net-zero emission commitment.

Deputy Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Mai Hung Dung said the province highly appreciated the cooperation programme between Q-Energy of the UK and the Eastern International University on the project that promotes joint efforts to minimise negative impacts on the environment and create a more sustainable future.

It reflects the strong commitment of the provincial People's Committee and partners in promoting sustainable development and green energy transition, he said, adding that this cooperation not only creates opportunities for the application of advanced technology but also marks an important step in building a business environment towards sustainability and high efficiency.  VNS
HCM CITY  The annual Vietnam Saigon Textile & Garment Industry  Fabric & Garment Accessories Expo opened in HCM City on April 10, enabling local and foreign producers to explore each others requirements and possibilities for tie-ups.

Saigontex - Saigonfabric 2024, held on an area of over 30,000sq.m in one outdoor and two indoor halls, has attracted over 1,000 exhibitors from over 20 countries and territories, including Belgium, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, and Japan besides Viet Nam.

On display include textile and garment machinery and parts, fabrics and non-woven fabrics, dyes and chemicals, and accessories.

There will be seminars on eco-friendly conversion, sustainable solutions and innovative textiles, digital transformation, yarn to fashion; product presentation programmes; business matching sessions; and fashion parades.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vu uc Giang, chairman of the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (Vitas), said the countrys textile and garment exports were worth US$10 billion in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of nearly 10 per cent, and are expected to top $44 billion this year.

The expo has gathered big brand names from major textile and garment manufacturing and supplying countries, offering a very good opportunity for Viet Nams textile industry to integrate deeper into the global supply chain, he said.

Cao Huu Hieu, general director of the Viet Nam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), said the event is one of the largest trade events in the textile, garment, fabric and raw material industries in Viet Nam.

Saigontex  Saigonfabric 2024 will be a good opportunity for Vietnamese textile and garment enterprises to find reputable partners to learn and select new materials and accessories that are suitable for their development orientation, and keep up with global textile and garment trends, especially meeting requirements related to transparency of origin and greening of raw materials, he added.

Organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vitas, Vinatex, the Association of Garments, Textiles, Embroidery and Knitting of HCM City, CP Exhibition LTD (Hong Kong), and CP Vietnam Exhibition Organising Co., Ltd, the expo being held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre will go on until April 13.  VNS
HCM CITY  Viet Nam's exports to India reached US$8.5 billion for the first time in 2023, up nearly 10 per cent over the same period of 2022, according to the Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in India, Bui Trung Thuong.

Thuong emphasised that Viet Nam-India bilateral trade in 2023 continued to grow despite many fluctuations in the world economic situation, geopolitical conflicts and disruptions in the supply chain of goods.

However, he also pointed out factors leading to difficulties and challenges for Viet Nam-India bilateral trade.

India has applied many trade barriers or trade defense measures to limit imported goods that India believes have the potential to affect or damage the domestic manufacturing industry.

Accordingly, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued more than 2,000 new standards for imported goods. Therefore, in recent times, some Vietnamese goods have encountered many difficulties in applying for new or extending quality standard certification.

The similarity of Vietnamese and Indian goods is also one of the difficulties.

The two countries have quite similar climates, so the types of agricultural and food products are basically the same. For example, India is the world's leading rice exporter and Viet Nam is ranked third.

To overcome these difficulties and challenges, Thuong believed that relevant agencies of the two countries need to actively communicate with each other more closely through meetings to build trust and work together.

Business communities and industry associations of the two countries also need to be more proactive in organising trade promotion programmes to find more business co-operation opportunities, thereby creating more conditions for exports.

In addition, Vietnamese businesses need to proactively change and adapt to Indian standards.

Although many Vietnamese goods have difficulty exporting to the Indian market, there are still some products that receive encouragement from the Indian Government, Thuong said.

For example, VinFast Group for the first time announced an investment project in India worth up to $2 billion. During the first five years, VinFast will invest about $500 million.

This is a very important basis to promote trade between the two countries given that a large investment project will entail moving goods and raw materials from Viet Nam to India, he added.

In addition, air connectivity has made the movement of goods and people between the two countries more convenient. In the near future, airlines actively opening more direct flights or upgrading to wide-body aircraft with larger passenger and cargo capacity will be very important factors to promote trade in goods.

Viet Nam and India are also actively opening their agricultural product markets. By combining with aviation, strategic agricultural products, and each other's export strengths, trade between the two countries will continue to maintain growth momentum in the coming time. VNS
HA NOI  Wednesday witnessed a turbulent trading session as banks and oil stocks grappled with mounting pressures, resulting in a notable downturn in their performance.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the VN-Index lost 0.34 per cent, to close at 1,258.56 points.

The breadth of the market was negative with 177 gainers and 275 losers. Matching value on the southern bourse reached VN16.8 trillion (US$673.3 million), equal to a trading volume of more than 702 million shares.

The 30 biggest stocks tracker VN30-Index lost 0.24 per cent, to end at 1,263.82 points. Eleven in the VN30 basket climbed, while 18 decreased.

Financial news site cafef.vn said many oil and gas stocks suffered from correcting pressure and fell deeply, including PetroVietnam Gas JSC (GAS), PV Power (POW), PetroVietnam Drilling & Well Services Corporation (PVD), PV OIL (OIL), Binh Son Refinery (BSR) and PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PVS).

Banking stocks also lost ground with most of the stocks in the basket declining, including Vietinbank (CTG), Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Tien Phong Bank (TPB), National Commercial Joint Stock Bank (NVB), VPBank (VPB), Military Bank (MBB), Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID), Techcombank (TCB) and Sacombank (STB).

The securities group was also hit strongly, with losers being VNDIRECT Securities Corporation (VND), MB Securities JSC (MBS), Viet Dragon Securities Corporation (VDS) and Vietcap Securities Joint Stock Company (VCI).

The seafood processing industry showed negative performance. Stocks in this sector, including Vinh Hoan Corporation (VHC), Nam Viet Corporation (ANV), Sao Ta Foods Joint Stock Company (FMC), International Development & Investment Corporation (IDI) and Camimex Group JSC (CMX) all displayed losses.

It is expected that the supply will increase again and put pressure on the market. Therefore, traders should monitor the supply and demand at the resistance area to reassess the market's condition. At the same time, they should still consider rallies to take profits or reduce the proportion of stocks that are struggling at resistance zones to avoid risks, said Viet Dragon Securities Co.

The HNX-Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX) ended the trading day at 238.79 points, a fall of 0.66 per cent.

During the session, nearly 56.6 million shares were traded on the northern market, worth VN1.2 trillion.  VNS
HCM CITY  With its ongoing economic transition towards green growth and digital transformation, HCM City is promoting cooperation with German businesses.

On April 10, Vo Van Hoan, deputy chairman of the city People's Committee, welcomed Philipp Rosler, a former Deputy Prime Minister, former Minister of Economics and Minister of Health of Germany, and a delegation of businesses he headed for promoting economic cooperation with the city.

Hoan said German companies, with their strengths and experience, could work with the city in priority areas such as building new industrial zones with advanced technologies, especially for microelectronics, electronics, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.

HCM City leaders hoped that German companies would invest in building a centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the city, and provide finance, technology and investment for infrastructure, including urban railways.

They thanked the visiting German business delegation for its cooperation proposals, and emphasised the city's readiness to transform ideas and cooperation aspirations into concrete actions.

The city is prepared to create the most favourable conditions for businesses on both sides to explore opportunities and foster effective cooperation, ultimately resulting in mutual benefit, they added.

Rosler appreciated the warm welcome from the city's leadership and said the city's priority areas are those that his business delegation has strength in.

They could cooperate with HCM City for digital transformation, consulting, seeking investment and establishing the Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre, he added.

Urs Unkauf, head of the German business delegation and federal managing director for development and foreign trade (Global Economic Network BWA), hoped to promote cooperation between German and Vietnamese businesses and between HCM City and other Germany localities in areas of mutual interest.

The visitors said they were impressed by the dynamic development of Viet Nam's economy.

They hoped to contribute to the economic development of HCM City, especially in areas they have strengths in and HCM City prioritises, such as digital transformation, healthcare, innovation, and urban pollution mitigation.

Germany ranks 14th out of 122 countries and territories investing in HCM City, with 244 projects worth over US$378 million. VNS
SHANGHAI  Chairman of Viet Nams National Assembly Vuong inh Hue on Wednesday took part in the Legal Policy Forum in Shanghai as part of his official visit to China, aiming to enhance investment and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Joining Chairman Hue were prominent Vietnamese officials and representatives from both countries, including Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Shanghai Citys leaders along with 400 business delegates.

Addressing the forum, Hue expressed his satisfaction at attending such a crucial event, deeming it an essential part of his official visit to China. He underscored the robust development of Shanghai City, highlighting its status as a leading global economic, financial and technological hub. He acclaimed Shanghai's role as a frontrunner in China's reform and opening-up endeavours, particularly along the banks of the Huangpu River.

Chairman Hue lauded the flourishing relations between Viet Nam and China, emphasising notable advancements in economic and trade cooperation. He revealed bilateral trade turnover surged positively in 2023, exceeding US$170 billion, with China remaining Viet Nam's largest trading partner and import market, and Viet Nam ranking as China's fourth largest trading partner globally and the largest in the ASEAN region.

He noted China's substantial investment in Viet Nam, with over 4,400 active projects totaling more than $27.6 billion.

Acknowledging the potential for further collaboration, Hue outlined several factors facilitating strengthened cooperation between Viet Nam and China. He highlighted their open economies, mutual compatibility, and participation in various multilateral cooperation mechanisms, including those between ASEAN-China, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and other investment protection agreements.

He stressed the need for enhanced legislative cooperation and urged for deeper connectivity in sectors including technology, green economy and infrastructure development.

Chairman Hue also encouraged Chinese investors, particularly those from Shanghai, to explore opportunities in Viet Nam's burgeoning sectors such as technology innovation, digital economy and strategic infrastructure development. He stressed Viet Nam's commitment to fostering a transparent and conducive legal framework to facilitate foreign investment, particularly from Chinese businesses.

In response, Chen Yin, executive vice mayor of Shanghai City, extended a warm welcome to Chairman Hue and the Vietnamese delegation. He highlighted Shanghai's achievements and reiterated the city's commitment to welcoming Vietnamese businesses, investors, students and tourists, fostering mutual development and cooperation.

The forum witnessed extensive discussions among leaders from ministries, branches, localities and businesses, focusing on socio-economic development policies and strategies to enhance bilateral cooperation. The event concluded with a renewed commitment from both sides to further deepen economic ties and promote mutual prosperity.

During the forum, Hue and delegates commemorated the 10th anniversary of Vietjet's first flight to China (2014-2024) and disclosed plans for a direct flight linking HCM City with Xi An, China.  VNS
SHANGHAI  Viet Nams new-age carrier Vietjet celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first flight to China (2014-2024) and announced a direct route between HCM City and Chinas Xi'an at a policy and law forum held in Shanghai city on Wednesday.

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong inh Hue, who is paying an official visit to China, and other leaders of the two countries attended the event.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang congratulated Vietjet on its operational achievements, and noted his belief that the carrier will launch more flights between the two countries, thus helping promote the bilateral trade and mutual understanding and support, and deepen the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

After two routes to Shanghai and Chengdu, Vietjet will open a direct route between HCM City and Xi'an from April 29, becoming the airline flying directly from Viet Nam to the ancient capital of Xi'an.

With four return flights per week, the new route will help shorten the distance and travel time between the two destinations.

The flights from HCM City to Xi'an will take off on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 20:05 (local time), and land in Xi'an Xianyang International Airport at 01:30 the following day (local time). The return flights from Xi'an to HCM City take off on every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 02:30 (local time), and land in HCM City at 06:25 (local time).

Since the first flight in 2014, it has so far carried more than 12 million passengers on all routes connecting Viet Nam's political, economic, cultural and tourist centres and nearly 50 popular destinations throughout China, contributing to deepening and enhancing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Vietjet is a fully-fledged member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate.

As Viet Nams largest private carrier, the airline has been awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7 stars by the worlds only safety and product rating website airlineratings.com and listed as one of the world's 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations by Airfinance Journal in many consecutive years. The airline has also been named as Best Low-Cost Carrier by renowned organisations such as Skytrax, CAPA, Airline Ratings, and many others.  VNS
KIEN GIANG  The Hon Chong Port Border Guard Station under the Kien Giang Province's Border Guard on April 9 coordinated with Kien Luong Districts Economic and Infrastructure Office to release a sea turtle to the sea.

The turtle, which is 45cm long, 35cm wide, and weighs 8kg, was found by a fish trader when he bought seafood. He then handed it over to the Hon Chong port border guards.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Cong, political officer of the Border Guard Station said that thanks to effective communication work, local people have a better awareness of protecting sea turtles in particular and wildlife animals in general. Many local fishermen have voluntarily handed over rare and precious marine animals to return them to nature.  VNS

.
A total of 1.58 million couples said I do in 2023  128,000 fewer than in 2022, a number has been steadily falling since 2018.

JAKARTA  Zavaraldo Renaldy, 28, is educated, single and in possession of a good job, but to his parents dismay, he is not in want of a wife.

While Zavaraldo is not averse to meet-ups and casual dating, he has shied away from long-term commitments in order to focus on his career as a mapping surveyor.

A growing number of people in Indonesia, like Zavaraldo, are putting off marriage. A total of 1.58 million couples said I do in 2023  128,000 fewer than in 2022. That number has been steadily falling since 2018, when 2.01 million marriages were recorded in the worlds fourth-most populous nation, according to Indonesias statistics agency.

With very high competition in the workforce and expensive housing prices, you need more time to get ready to settle down and start a family, said Zavaraldo, who plans to marry only in his mid-30s.

Although Zavaraldos parents are keen to see him settle down and start a family, he is adamant that nuptials will have to wait. Later in 2024, he plans to pursue his masters degree in the Netherlands, in what he hopes will be a career-enhancing move.

While declining marriage figures might be common in countries with shrinking populations, Indonesias population is actually growing each year, which underscores concerns by experts of changing attitudes towards marriage.

South-east Asias most populous nation recorded a population of 277.5 million in 2023, compared with 267 million in 2018.

Indonesias young population has been on the increase, but the number of marriages nationwide has been declining, said sociologist Dede Oetomo, a professor of gender studies at Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java.

Declining marriage rates would jeopardise Indonesias stated target of becoming a developed country by the time it celebrates its centennial of independence in 2045.

Indonesia wants to capitalise on its current demographic bonus  a period in which people of working age outnumber those who are economically dependent, which will peak between 2020 and 2035  to avoid being stuck in the middle-income trap, Indonesias family planning agency (BKKBN) head Hasto Wardoyo told The Straits Times.

If we do not do it right, the demographic bonus will pass, and it never gives leverage for the peoples welfare. Our population must be adequately high if we want to avoid a middle-income trap, said Hasto.

Countries fall into the middle-income trap if they are not able to move from a low-cost to a high-value economy. In order to transition successfully, there must be high enough population growth to help fuel economic growth. Hence, there is concern over declining marriages and subsequent birth rates.

At the same time, divorces are more common now, with 500,000 a year, compared with 10 years ago when there were between 250,000 and 300,000, noted Hasto.

Indonesians as a whole are becoming more individualistic, choosing to pursue personal goals instead of following traditional and cultural norms that emphasise the wider society, and having a harder time committing to marriage and all it entails, said Hasto.

A better-educated workforce and the financial burdens of marriage and children are perhaps the biggest factors standing in the way of Indonesian couples tying the knot, sociologists told ST.

While the Indonesian economy has shown resilience in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic  which lasted from 2020 to early 2023  the fallout is still felt on the ground, said Jakarta-based sociologist Musni Umar, adding that during that period, many lost their jobs and fresh graduates in particular faced a much harder time entering the workforce.

Since then, Indonesia has seen foreign investment inflows into the country and has booked decent export numbers, but these developments have not been best translated into jobs locally, Dr Musni noted.

Indonesias overall unemployment rate is one of the highest among its neighbours, standing at 5.3 per cent in August 2023. But its youth unemployment rate, referring to those ranging in age from 15 to 24, was much higher, at 19.4 per cent, according to Indonesias statistics agency. In comparison, Malaysias overall unemployment rate in January 2024 was at 3.3 per cent, according to Malaysian government data.

A lot of things boil down to the economic factor. If the breadwinner husband loses his job, and hence income, his wife would most likely leave him. And those who havent found a job do not dare to get married, Dr Musni told ST.

Some observers point to Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawatis too early move in ceasing the governments COVID-19 incentives  affecting the countrys post-pandemic recovery  and while the government has offered free technical training and seminars to those who were laid off during the pandemic, any meaningful impact on growing the job market remains to be seen.

If you get married, you have to move out of your parents house and have a new home, said Zavaraldo, adding that this is an extra expense he is not quite ready to handle.

The once-popular belief to just get married first and whatever happens next, we face it together has significantly faded, said Airlangga Universitys Dr Dede, pointing out that decades ago, it was common for multi-generational families to live together. However, with the rise of nuclear families, young couples now bear the burden of finding affordable housing on their own.

And this is even before children enter the picture. The decline in marriage rates is mirrored by the decline in Indonesias total fertility rate (TFR), or births per woman. It recorded a TFR of 2.18 in 2022, compared with 2.48 in 2010, according to its statistics agency.

Its not that they hate children, said Dr Dede, adding that the younger generation is very practical and hesitant about starting a family without first ensuring they are financially ready for such long-term commitments.

Even so, not everyone who is able to afford to start a family is thinking about marriage as the next step, said Dr Dede, noting the influence of modern views and with that, an increasing acceptance of individuals who choose to remain single or simply live together.

As a growing number of women enter the workforce, their increasing economic independence has also had an adverse impact on marriage rates.

More females are now in the Indonesian workforce and a lot of them delayed marriage, thinking they had worked so hard in schools and had built a good career, so why lose what you have achieved, said Dr Dede.

Further down the line, concerns over climate change and environmental uncertainty are also among the reasons for staving off marriage and parenthood. But that is another story, for another day. The Straits Times/ANN
HA NOI  A conference on design in the manufacturing industry will be held at the Ha Noi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) on April 15.

The conference will be opened by Professor Hoang Trung, rector of HUCE and Italian ambassador to Viet Nam Marco della Seta. It is part of the 8th Italian Design Day (IDD) in Viet Nam held by the Italian embassy.

Launched in 2017 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, IDD is an annual initiative to promote the history and modernity of Italian design and architecture, share experiences with partners worldwide and encourage the exchange of innovative practices.

Since its first edition, more than a thousand events have been organised as part of the initiative by the network of Italian Embassies, Consulates and Offices of the Italian Trade Agency, with over 470 designers, architects, entrepreneurs, academics and specialised journalists involved.

The theme of the 2024 edition is Manufacturing Value, Innovation, Inclusiveness and Sustainability. The concept emphasises the capacity of Italian manufacturing to shape innovative objects that combine sustainability and aesthetics through the use of cutting-edge fabrication techniques.

The goal behind IDD 2024 is also to identify models and good practices capable of meeting the challenges of contemporaneity, highlighting the ability of Italian design to create and spread culture, as well as forms.

For the occasion of the IDD Conference, Umberto Palermo, the designer of Ariston Group products and Founder of Umberto Palermo Design, will deliver the keynote speech.

IDD 2024 is a launching platform for Il Salone del Mobile di Milano (Milan Furniture Fair) in from April 16 to 21.

The 2024 Italian Design Day in Ha Noi will also be an occasion to celebrate the National Day of Made in Italy, a new initiative launched in 2023 by the Italian government to promote the creativity and excellence of Italian industry.  VNS
VIENTIANE The Presidents of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland (SFDCM), the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC), and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) gathered at their 5th conference in Vientiane on Tuesday.

The event saw the presence of President of the SFDCM National Council Samdech Mem Sam An, President of the LFNC Central Committee Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, and President of the VFF Central Committee o Van Chien.

Participants listened to a report on the implementation results of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation among the three fronts. They shared a view that the trilateral cooperation has become increasingly practical, intensive, and effective in all aspects, greatly contributing to the development of relations among the three neighbouring countries.

Addressing the event, Chien proposed the three fronts promote the implementation of their cooperation programme for the next period.

In the time ahead, they should actively share information while coordinating with one another to deal with difficulties and problems arising in the relations among the three countries as well as the three fronts, he recommended.

They should also keep increasing all-level mutual visits; rotationally hold meetings on the building of borders of peace, friendship, and cooperation for common development; and push ahead with communications to educate people, especially younger generations, on the traditional solidarity of the Cambodian, Lao, and Vietnamese people as well as on border and territorial issues.

The fronts need to encourage and create favourable conditions for their chapters at all levels, especially those in border localities, to boost exchanges and support for one another. They should step up people-to-people interaction to strengthen friendship, solidarity, and all-round co-operation, according to the Vietnamese official.

The VFF leader also called on Cambodia and Laos to provide favourable conditions for Vietnamese people to live, work, and study in these two countries, adding that Viet Nam will also do the same for those from Cambodia and Laos.

Concluding the conference, the three front presidents signed a cooperation programme for the 2024 - 2027 period.

Later the same day, the VFF delegation was received by General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.

The Lao leader highly valued the conferences outcomes which, he said, will help further intensify the special solidarity among Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia.

He held that the fronts of Laos and Viet Nam, as well as the three countries, need to continue working closely together, boosting information and experience sharing, and assisting one another to strengthen relations among the three fronts and the three countries. VNS
BEIJING  National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong inh Hue attended a Viet Nam-China peoples friendship meeting that also saw the presence of many intellectuals, scholars, researchers on Viet Nam, and representatives of businesses and young people in Beijing on April 9.

President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son said that over the past years, VUFO and its member organisations have actively coordinated with the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), other peoples organisations, and localities of China to hold many meaningful activities helping educate people, particularly the young, on the two countries traditional friendship.

CPAFFC Chairman Yang Wanming described peoples friendship as an important foundation and uninterrupted momentum for relations between the two Parties and countries, noting that activities boosting friendship exchanges and cooperation have considerably contributed to connecting the two peoples and developing bilateral ties.

At the event, participants expressed their hope that people-to-people exchanges will be further promoted to reinforce the social foundation for building a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Highlighting the time-tested bilateral friendship, Chairman Hue, who is paying an official visit to China, said the countries solidarity and comradeship plus brotherhood have become a precious common asset of the two Parties, States, and peoples that need to be unceasingly treasured, nurtured, and passed down to future generations.

Viet Nam always keeps in mind the wholehearted assistance from the Chinese Party, State, and people for its struggle for national independence in the past and national development at present, he stated, voicing his delight at the growth of bilateral ties in recent years, including many successful diplomatic activities such as the historic visit to China by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2022 and the trip to Viet Nam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in 2023.

The top legislator underlined that one of the most important cooperation orientations in the countries relations is to consolidate a more solid social foundation. He appreciated the sentiment and significant contributions by Vietnamese and Chinese people.

He asked the NA of Viet Nam, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, and VUFO to join hands with the National Peoples Congress of China, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the CPAFFC, and peoples organisations of China to press on with friendship exchanges, especially those between young people, and step up communications about the Viet Nam-China friendship along with each countrys reform and door-opening achievements, thereby consolidating the social foundation and promoting peoples consensus for developing the countries friendship.  VNS
BANGKOK  Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Sons official visit to Thailand from April 10 to 12 is important to promoting the two countries strategic partnership as well as their foreign ministries cooperation, thus consolidating the foundation for elevating bilateral ties to a new level, a diplomat has said.

During this visit, Minister Son will also co-chair the fifth meeting of the countries Joint Committee on Bilateral Co-operation.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Charge daffaires a.i. of Viet Nam in Thailand Bui Thi Hue said the two countries marked the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2023.

Over the past years, bilateral relations have been reinforced and growing fast and practically in all fields with profound political trust and the cooperation in economy-trade-investment and security-defence among bright spots.

She noted that they jointly built an action plan for implementing the enhanced strategic partnership, established in 2015, for the 2022-27 period that serves as a solid foundation for bolstering ties in all key areas.

Thailand wishes to continue expanding cooperation and friendship with Viet Nam, which could be seen in the maintenance of high-level meetings and important co-operation mechanisms.

It also respects Viet Nams role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and supports many initiatives by Viet Nam at regional and international forums, Hue went on.

Thailand is currently the biggest trade partner of Viet Nam in ASEAN, with bilateral trade approximating US$19 billion in 2023. Having poured over $14 billion into 750 projects, it ranks ninth among the 144 foreign investors and second among the ASEAN investors in Viet Nam, statistics show.

Besides, connections in other fields such as security-defence, culture, and education have also reaped practical results, she remarked, describing the Viet Nam-Thailand relations as not only multifaceted but also very close.

At the fifth meeting of the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, the diplomat added, the two sides will discuss measures for fostering ties across the board, from politics-diplomacy and economy-trade-investment to security-defence, on the basis of the action plan for implementing the enhanced strategic partnership 2022-27.

They will also look into the implementation of the Three Connections initiative to ensure mutual benefits, with a focus on digital transformation, green transition, and circular economy to boost the two economies connectivity.

In addition, the meeting will also discuss preparations for a coming official visit to Viet Nam by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who will also co-chair the fourth joint cabinet meeting during the trip.

With continually strengthened cooperation in various areas, bilateral relations are developing well and boast much development potential in the future, Hue stated.  VNS
HA NOI  Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong inh Hue highly appreciated the model of establishing legislative outreach offices in China, emphasising its potential as a valuable reference for Viet Nam in the legislative process.

He made this statement while visiting the Hongqiao Legislative Outreach Office in Shanghai on Wednesday morning. Vice Chairperson of the National People's Congress of Chinas Standing Committee Wang Dongming also attended the event.

NA Chairman Hue toured the exhibition area and was introduced to the operation of the office, the connection between the office and the Law Committee of the National People's Congress of China, as well as other agencies and organisations within the political system.

Since its establishment, the Hongqiao legislative outreach office has contributed to building 82 draft laws and legal documents. Among them, four laws have been issued by the National People's Congress of China.

The Hongqiao Legislative Outreach Office currently leads in 25 legislative contact points.

At the event, NA Chairman Hue thanked the delegates for sharing about the process of building laws of the National People's Congress of China and Shanghai.

Appreciating China's model in the process of lawmaking, NA Chairman Hue emphasised that legislation is the fundamental function of the National Assembly, and legislative work is meant to serve the people and businesses.

Laws must be enacted based on the will, aspirations, thoughts and feelings of the people and business community, as well as the requirements and demands of practical life.

The top legislator stated that in the process of lawmaking, Viet Nam's National Assembly particularly emphasises the policy impact assessment process before drafting laws and soliciting public opinions.

He highly appreciated the model of establishing legislative outreach offices, including those at both national and local levels, as seen in China, which is an extremely unique model.

He stated that Viet Nam's relevant authorities are currently reviewing and amending the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents. Therefore, the exchange of this model serves as a good reference point.

Wang Dongming, for his part, shared that the 6,700 legal contact points nationwide play important roles in the legislative process in China.

He thanked the NA Chairman for sharing the experiences and effective practices of the Vietnamese National Assembly in fulfilling its legislative functions.

He also emphasised the need for continued enhancement of exchanges and cooperation between the two legislative bodies at all levels to improve their operations. This will serve the development of each country and effectively implement the shared understanding of senior leaders as well as the cooperation agreement between the two bodies, which was signed during the official visit of NA Chairman Hue to China. VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on Wednesday expressed his hope that Brazil, as a member of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), will actively promote the early start of negotiations on the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and this bloc.

Son was speaking during talks with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira in Ha Noi.

Son said the Brazilian diplomats official visit to Viet Nam from April 9-11 consolidates the Viet Nam-Brazil comprehensive partnership, looking forwards elevating the bilateral relationship as the two countries are celebrating the 35th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations in 2024.

Praising Viet Nam's foreign policy and integration in socio-economics and trade, minister Mauro Vieira affirmed that the Brazilian Government always values and wishes to strengthen relations with Viet Nam.

He said the ongoing visit is one of the specific steps to implement that orientation.

The two ministers discussed their respective countries' economic and social development, as well as foreign policy implementation.

Both praised the bilateral relationship's recent success in politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, multilateral cooperation, security, defence, agriculture, research, technology, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

They recalled Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Brazil in September 2023, which has opened up numerous opportunities for cooperation, citing that Brazil is currently Viet Nam's largest trade partner in Latin America with a turnover of more than US$7.1 billion in 2023.

The two ministers saw plenty of opportunities for bilateral cooperation, particularly in climate change response, green and sustainable development, environmental protection, digital transformation and Halal food production, they said.

They vowed to continue to promote the foundation of good traditional friendship, bolster both bilateral and multilateral cooperation in a more intensive manner, towards establishing a comprehensive partnership for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability and development in the two regions.

The two leaders agreed to continue promoting the effectiveness of joint committee meetings, political consultations at the deputy foreign minister level and implement the agreements signed between the two diplomatic academies.

The ministers highly appreciated joint efforts of maintaining close cooperation and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums such as the United Nations, G20, G77, WTO, and the East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), South-South cooperation. VNS
HA NOI  Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra received visiting Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

Highlighting the diversity of religions in Viet Nam, Tra said there are 16 religions, 36 religious organisations, and 27 million religious followers in Viet Nam who account for 27 per cent of the countrys population. Catholicism has about seven million followers, ranking second in the number of followers in the country.

Minister Tra appreciated the contributions of Catholic followers to national development and defence while speaking highly of the role of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Viet Nam in guiding the development of Catholicism in the country and instructing followers to lead a good secular and religious life.

The minister attributed those results to efforts by the Vietnamese Party and State and religious followers, including Catholics, as well as support from the Vatican.

Tra expressed her delight that relations between Viet Nam and the Vatican have been growing and obtaining good results, describing the presence of the first Resident Papal Representative in Viet Nam as a clear demonstration of the sound relations.

Tra thanked the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations for considerably helping to promote relations between the two sides.

As the State management body for religious affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs will coordinate with the Catholic Bishops Conference of Viet Nam to provide favourable conditions for activities of the Resident Papal Representative, the host official stated.

For his part, Gallagher said he hopes following the agreement on the Resident Papal Representative in Viet Nam, bilateral ties will continue to be reinforced and upgraded.

He considered achievements in the Viet Nam - Vatican relations as an illustration of the presence of the Catholic Church in Viet Nam as seen in the local administrations recognition and favourable conditions for the Church to perform its functions, including contributing to national development, caring for the poor, and bringing love to all.

The achievements obtained so far will open up new paths for the Church to continue affirming its presence in Viet Nam and engaging more in health care and education, he noted, mentioning Vietnamese authorities permission for the establishment of the Viet Nam Catholic Academy.

Sharing Gallaghers opinions on healthcare and educational affairs, Minister Tra said the Vietnamese side will help promote these two areas.

She also suggested Minister Gallagher visit parishes, dioceses, and Catholic followers in the country to see the solidarity of religions and religious followers in the community of all Vietnamese ethnic groups.

The host voiced her hope that under the leadership of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Viet Nam, Catholic followers will continue following Pope Benedict XVIs teaching that to be a good Christian is to be a good citizen, and the relations between Viet Nam and the Vatican will continue to flourish.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for visiting Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, in Ha Noi on April 10.

The PM said Archbishop Gallaghers Viet Nam visit, the first by a Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Vatican, especially after the adoption of the Status of the Resident Papal Representative in Viet Nam, is significant to the Vietnamese Catholic community, contributing to strengthening the relationship between the two sides.

Chinh expressed his belief that the visit will be a success, saying it offers an opportunity for Archbishop Gallagher to witness the development of the Catholic community in the Southeast Asian nation.

Briefing the guest on the religious situation in Viet Nam, home to 7.2 million parishioners, the leader affirmed that the Vietnamese State pursues the consistent policy of respecting and ensuring people's freedom of belief and religion, with the system of relevant policies and laws being perfected.

Chinh expressed his hope that Vietnamese Catholics will further lead a good religious and secular life and contribute more to strengthening the great national solidarity bloc.

Highlighting the progress of the relations between Viet Nam and the Holy See, the PM said the two sides have maintained high-level contacts as well as the operation of the Joint Working Group.

All-level Vietnamese authorities and localities have facilitated the activities of the Resident Papal Representative, he added.

Chinh called the upgrade of the relationship to the level of Resident Papal Representative a milestone and the result of a positive exchange process in the spirit of respect, cooperation and mutual understanding.

It also demonstrates that the Vietnamese State always creates favourable conditions for the activities of religions, including Catholicism, he continued.

For his part, Archbishop Gallagher said he was impressed by Viet Nams socio-economic and diplomatic achievements which see the contributions by Catholics, noting his belief that the community wishes and is able to contribute more to the countrys prosperous development.

He also rejoiced at the fine relationship between Viet Nam and the Holy See through the maintenance of high-level contacts and the role of the Joint Working Group whose 11th meeting is expected to be held in Ha Noi.

Archbishop Gallagher thanked Vietnamese competent agencies for their support for the Resident Papal Representative, saying he believes that with mutual understanding and sincere dialogue, the relationship will made new progress.

Host and guest shared the view on the need to push ahead with high-level contacts, including Pope Francis' visit to Viet Nam.

On this occasion, Archbishop Gallagher conveyed regards from Pope Francis to Vietnamese leaders and invitation from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, to PM Chinh to visit the Vatican.

While in Viet Nam, Archbishop Gallagher also held meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, and Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra, and visited the Archdioceses of H Noi, HCM City and Hue.  VNS
Paul Kennedy

More than 1,000 medical experts from around the world will be in Ha Noi this weekend for the countrys first ever international airway management conference.

Delegates from the UK, US, France, Italy and New Zealand, as well as representatives from Viet Nam, will take part in the two-day event which is supported by Vietnam Airlines.

The World Alliance of Airway Management (WAAM) is a not-for-profit educational alliance launched by the Difficult Airway Society (DAS), the European Airway Management Society (EAMS) and the Society for Airway Management (SAM) in 2020.

Following the global success and impact of the 2015 and 2019 World Airway Management Meetings (WAMM), The World Alliance of Airway Management (WAAM) was formed to create a globally accessible conduit and resource for all aspects of airway management.

Airway management is the assessment, planning, and series of medical procedures required to maintain or restore an individual's ventilation, or breathing.

The conference is a chance to discuss best practice, share ideas and knowledge and understand challenges to resources in different regions.

It has been organised and facilitated by the UK charity Facing The World (FTW) in conjunction with hospital anaesthetists from the 108 Central Hospital, Viet uc Hospital and Hong Ngoc Hospital.

It will feature presentations from international and Vietnamese speakers, discussing airway management related topics such as the preoperative assessment of a difficult airway, multimodal approaches to manage the difficult airway, airway management of laryngeal tumours, paediatric difficult airways, advanced airway management in critical illness and airway management in special situations.

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang will both speak at the opening ceremony.

Facing the World CEO Katrin Kandel said: By facilitating the first WAAM conference in Viet Nam, FTW and its partners expect to create opportunities to share medical knowledge and skills through professional exchange and training programmes around the world.

The organisation of the event in Viet Nam is the result of Vietnamese doctors visiting experts in the UK under FTW funded training programmes and seeing the benefits of guidelines for difficult airway management.

In the next five years, FTW plans to enable a further 40,000 operations to be performed by its trained Vietnamese doctors. It expects to send at least another 200 Vietnamese doctors abroad for training and continue to donate medical equipment.

Among the speakers at the conference is Anil Patel, a professor of anaesthesia and airway management at University College London Hospitals.

He explained the importance of airway management: Around the world patients come to serious harm including death and brain damage as a consequence of suboptimal airway management during elective and emergency surgical procedures, in critical care environments and in emergency departments. National and international airway guidance aims to reduce the incidence of these devastating and avoidable cases.

There is nothing more fundamental to life than a patent airway. Oxygen needs to enter the lungs from the environment as it passes from the nose and mouth through the airway to the lungs. Put simply, if the airway is compromised or blocked there is no oxygen getting to the lungs and we die.

International Life support algorithms are ABC. Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Airway is first. No airway, no life.

Professor Patel believes the WAAM conference is a perfect chance to learn from other renowned experts in the field.

He added: Dissemination of best practice internationally, learning from each other, learning about challenges to healthcare in different regions. Understanding challenges to changing practise, how different regions have promoted change, drivers for and against this. Understanding resource challenges in different regions.

The hospitals I have been to in Vietnam are as good as I have seen in most parts of the world, dedicated healthcare professionals working in a good environment. Equipment, practice, safety and quality are similar to most parts of the world. The dedication of Vietnamese healthcare professionals and their desire to learn and improve is obvious.

The conference will be held at Hong Ngoc Hospital on Saturday, April 13 and at Viet uc Hospital on April 14. VNS

Facing The World

FTW is a UK-registered medical charitable foundation set up in 2002 to treat children from developing countries with craniofacial defects, FTW started operations in Viet Nam in 2007.

To date, it has helped provide surgeries for thousands of children with craniofacial defects across Viet Nam and sent Vietnamese doctors to world class medical institutions in the UK, Canada, the US and Australia for training.

The foundation has also donated more than US$3 million worth of telemedicine technology and surgical equipment to its partner hospitals in Viet Nam.

Along with the World Alliance of Airway Management Satellite Conference, Facing the World and its partners create opportunities to share medical knowledge and skills through professional exchange and training programmes around the world.  VNS
HA NOI  In a move aimed at bolstering family support, a National Assembly deputy has tabled a proposal advocating for increased paternity leave entitlements for fathers.

The proposal suggests that husbands should receive a minimum of 10 days off when their wives give birth, with the potential for this period to be doubled in the case of multiple births or caesarean deliveries.

Secretary-General of the National Assembly, Bui Van Cuong, has compiled the insights and proposals voiced by lawmakers during the recent 5th conference focused on amending the Social Insurance Law.

Among the key points discussed was the need to revise existing provisions concerning paternity leave to better align with contemporary family dynamics.

Under the proposed amendments, male workers covered by social insurance would be entitled to five working days off when their wives give birth, with seven days granted for surgical deliveries or premature births occurring before 32 weeks of gestation.

In instances of twin births, a 10-day leave allowance would be provided, with an additional three days granted for each additional child.

For twin deliveries necessitating surgery, a 14-day leave period would be allocated, with an extra three days given for each additional child requiring surgical intervention.

There were also calls to extend the period within which male spouses could use the leave from the current 60 days to six months following the birth of their child, aiming to provide greater support to mothers during the postpartum period.

During discussions, deputy To Ai Vang from Soc Trang Province put forth additional proposals concerning paternity benefits for male workers.

Vang underscored the importance of providing adequate support for fathers, particularly in industrial and export processing zones where familial support may be lacking.

She emphasised the necessity of extending benefits to workers adopting children under six months old and proposed adjustments to sick leave provisions for parents caring for sick children under 16 years old.

Vang cited current legislation, such as the Children's Law, which recognises children as individuals under 16 years old. She highlighted the realities faced by parents who often require time off work to care for sick children, emphasising the importance of enacting supportive measures in line with these needs.  VNS
HA NOI  Seven defendants in a case involving human trafficking at a Cambodian casino have been sentenced to prison, with the longest jail term being 10 years.

Pham Xuan Thanh and six accomplices were prosecuted by the Ha Noi People's Procuracy at Ha Noi People's Court on Monday for the crimes of "human trafficking" and "gambling". Thanh, born in 1984, is from a Lat, Lam ong Province.

Thanh's six accomplices are Nguyen Hoang Nam, born in 1988; Tran Xuan Hieu, born in 1988; Nguyen Viet Anh, born in 1990; Nguyen Bao Khanh, born in 1994; Nguyen Thi Thu Hien and Nguyen Thi Lan, born in 1968, all current reside in Ha Noi.

The court sentenced four defendants for "human trafficking": Thanh received a 10-year prison sentence, Hieu was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison, and Viet Anh and Khanh both received six-year sentences. Hien and Lan were both sentenced to eight months in prison for "gambling." Nam was sentenced to eight years in prison for "human trafficking" and 15 months in prison for "gambling," making it nine years and three months in combination.

Around February 2022, Pham Xuan Thanh (known as Thanh "No") turned to Facebook in search of employment. He came across a job ad offering a chef position at a Cambodian casino with a $700 monthly salary, prompting him to travel to the Moc Bai-Tay Ninh International Border Gate to apply.

While in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thanh contacted the company advertising the job and secured a six-month contract as an assistant cook. Later, he transitioned to the customer service department, tasked with persuading Vietnamese individuals to engage in online stock market trading and gambling, and manipulating the outcomes to make profits.

Drawn in by the financial incentive of $2,000 per recruited individual, Thanh resigned from his position, and rented a house in the riverbank area of Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia, with the aim of luring people to sell to the company.

In mid-March 2022, Thanh contacted Nguyen Viet Anh, mentioning opportunities at a Cambodian gaming and casino company where he had shares. Thanh persuaded Viet Anh to join, offering a monthly salary of $700-800 plus bonuses, potentially exceeding $1,000 with dedication. Viet Anh agreed, and Thanh informed him of recruitment incentives, promising $300 per referral. Viet Anh suggested his friend Tran Xuan Hieu, but when Thanh proposed the online gambling job opportunity, Hieu declined.

Following this, Thanh instructed Viet Anh to find other candidates. Viet Anh then approached Nguyen Hoang Nam, agreeing that Nam would recruit individuals in Viet Nam while Viet Anh, Hieu and Thanh facilitated their travel to Cambodia. From late March to April 2022, Viet Anh and Hieu collaborated with Thanh in Svay Rieng Province, coordinating with Nam in Viet Nam to find and introduce Vietnamese individuals to Thanh, who subsequently 'sold' them to the company. At the casino, victims were forced to surrender their passports, sign contracts, reside in controlled areas, and were closely monitored by armed guards, restricting their freedom.

The victims were coerced into using computers and social media to deceive other Vietnamese individuals into joining online gambling platforms, stock market and cryptocurrency trading sites, and transferring money, which was misappropriated. They faced quotas and were threatened with being sold to other companies, or with physical violence and forced labour if they failed to meet their targets. If asking to quit, they were demanded to pay from $3,000 to $8,000.

Following the investigation, from late March to April 30th, 2022, Thanh sold three individuals to the company, getting over VN117 million ($4,690); Nam traded two individuals, profiting over VN46.9 million ($1,880); and Hieu traded two individuals, profiting over VN1.3 million (US$52.11).

As the investigation broadened, the police found that defendants Nam, Hien and Lan were also involved in gambling. Consequently, they were also investigated, prosecuted and tried for this offense.  VNS
QUANG NINH  The former director of the Hai Phong City Police Department appeared in court on Wednesday for the start of his first-instance fraud trial.

o Huu Ca and 12 other defendants are charged with offences including fraud, tax evasion, and illegal invoice trading.

Proceedings began on April 10 at the People's Court of Quang Ninh Province.

Ca faces charges of fraudulent appropriation of assets while Truong Xuan uoc and his wife Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh are accused of illegal trading of invoices and documents for State budget collection and offering bribes.

Nguyen inh uong and o Thanh Hoai, former officials of the Cat Hai District Tax Department, are indicted for accepting bribes.

Others facing charges include ang Khac Thanh, Ha Thi Bich Nhan for illegal trading of invoices and documents for State budget collection, and Ha Thi Trang, o Thi ua, Vu Ngoc Tu, Chu Thi Thu Hien, Nguyen Hien Tai, Ngo Van Tuyen for tax evasion.

The People's Court of Quang Ninh Province has summoned 21 individuals as witnesses in the case.

According to the charges, uoc and Ngoc Anh operated the Khanh Dung Joint Stock Company from 2007, specialising in illicit trading of value-added tax invoices. Ngoc Anh, as the company's chief accountant, managed tax declarations, legalised documents and facilitated the establishment of other firms under uoc's instructions.

Between 2014 and 2021, they established 26 additional companies for illegal invoice trading, using their IDs and those of others. uoc purchased input invoices monthly from Bui Huy Hop and others, paying 5 to 6 per cent of the stated goods or services value for tax declaration.

In 2018, Hop's arrest led uoc to limit invoice purchases and establish 11 companies as cover. Investigations revealed that from March 2013 to May 2022, they traded 15,674 invoices, earning an unlawful amount of VN41.2 billion (US$1.65 million).

Around October 2022, upon hearing of his grandson Truong Van Nam's investigation for illegal invoice trading, Truong Xuan uoc fled. He instructed his wife to seek help from Ca, a former director of the Hai Phong City Police Department, to evade charges.

Ngoc Anh then briefed Ca on their predicament, seeking his assistance in evading charges and promising to cover any expenses as per Ca's instructions.

During their exchanges, Ca discovered that the Thai Binh Duong Company, managed by uoc's family, had a sales revenue of around VN200 billion ($8.01 million). Although Ca did not take any steps to assist uoc, he directed Ngoc Anh to prepare 10 per cent of the company's sales revenue and additional funds for evading charges.

From October 2022 to December 2022, uoc and his wife visited Ca's residence in Kenh Giang Commune, Thuy Nguyen District, Hai Phong City, four times, delivering a total of VN35 billion ($1.4 million).

Despite these payments, there was no response. Before the Lunar New Year in 2023, uoc and his wife visited Ca once more to inquire about the progress of their efforts to evade charges.

uoc's effort to escape the sentences failed, as he was apprehended by the Quang Ninh Police on February 3, 2023, for illegal invoice trading. Following uoc's arrest, Ngoc Anh visited Ca's residence seeking an update and the return of the money given to Ca, but the retired police chief neither returned the money nor offered assistance, instead reproached Ngoc Anh and dismissed her.

On February 7, 2023, the police arrested Ngoc Anh, and eleven days later, Ca was arrested and detained on charges of "fraudulent appropriation of assets."

During the investigation, Ca admitted to receiving money from uoc and his wife but claimed that he had not influenced any individuals or authorities to evade charges.

During the investigation, the defendants returned over VN40 billion ($1.6 million), which includes the VN35 billion returned fully by Ca.

The trial, presided by judge Bui Van Tuan of the Quang Ninh People's Procuracy, is expected to last three days.  VNS
ONG NAI  The ong Nai Peoples Committee on April 10 organised a get-together to celebrate the traditional New Year festivals of Laos - Bunpimay, and Cambodia - Chol Chnam Thmay as well as the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia Cultural Festival for nearly 100 students from the two neighbouring countries in the southern province.

Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the ong Nai People's Committee Nguyen Son Hung extended New Year wishes to Lao and Cambodian students, and highlighted the special relations between Viet Nam and Laos as well as Viet Nam and Cambodia which are a priceless asset of the three nations.

He reviewed cooperation between ong Nai and its Lao and Cambodian partners, adding that in 2015, the locality established the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association and the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association that draw more than 6,000 members.

The associations have contributed to promoting the friendship, solidarity and mutual understanding among people of the three countries in general as well as ong Nai and Lao and Cambodian localities in particular, he said.

Hung noted that ong Nai has trained 245 students from Laos and Cambodia at different levels, and provided the best conditions for them to study and bring their knowledge for the construction and defence in their country.

Each year, the province holds celebrations of the traditional New Year festivals for Lao and Cambodian students as part of efforts to care for them, he added.

The official said he hopes the students will act as positive factor for the promotion of the solidarity, friendship and close bonding among Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, contributing to build an ASEAN Community of peace, cooperation and development.

Deputy Consul General of Laos in HCM City Amphay Souvannaseng thanked leaders of ong Nai for cooperation with Lao and Cambodian partners as well as their care for students from the two countries.

He said he believes that the solidarity and close relationship among Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia will continue to be maintained and thrive.

At the event, leaders of Dong Nai presented gifts to Lao and Cambodian students, and joined the traditional practices of Lao and Cambodian people in the New Year celebrations. Participants had a chance to enjoy art performances, special dishes and the traditional folk games of Laos and Cambodia. - VNS
Travelers at San Antonio International Airport get an early start on the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer Travelers line up to board their flight at San Antonio International Airport as they get an early start on the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Kin Man Hui/Staff photographer A commercial airliner approaches Chicagos OHare International Airport last month. Cracked windshields on jetliners and engine problems that cause flight delays dont usually attract much attention, but routine and rare problems with passenger planes are attracting an unusual amount of news coverage. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP photo Crews work Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, to de-ice planes at the San Antonio International Airport as a deep freeze its the city. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News

A tech staffing shortage in the Federal Aviation Administrations San Antonio air traffic operations could be putting airline passengers at risk, three Texas congressmen said Wednesday in a letter to the agency.

U.S. Reps. Greg Casar, D-Austin, Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, and Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, are calling on the FAA to reinforce the office thats responsible for maintaining radar systems scattered across several hundred miles around the city.

Weve gone from four technicians down to just one technician servicing the radar equipment that keeps San Antonio safe, and its a real example of how staffing shortages at the federal government are causing a real problem, Casar said. Nowhere to me is that more evident than in San Antonio, where you have just one technician whos responsible for traveling around hundreds of miles to keep our safety systems running.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The FAAs San Antonio System Support Center at San Antonio International Airport is responsible for maintaining long-range radar sites in Hallettsville, Rocksprings and Oilton. The sites, which are from 120 to about 200 miles from the airport, serve as backups to the airports primary radar system.

Problems with the systems during severe weather, system outages or other unpredictable circumstances can compound flight delays and cancellations for those traveling through the San Antonio airport, the congressmen said.

Given that air travel has resumed to pre-pandemic levels, it is important that this vital equipment is maintained and fully operational, they wrote.

Last year, about 10.7 million passengers traveled through San Antonio International, topping the record set the year before the pandemic flattened the travel industry.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Representatives of the FAA and San Antonio International Airport didnt respond to requests for comment.

Nationwide issue

The San Antonio centers situation mirrors staffing problems for similar skilled positions in the air travel system across the country.

Casar said he learned about the issues a few months ago when the National Airspace System Safety Review Team, a group of outside experts appointed by the FAA, filed a report assessing risk in air travel. It called for urgent action to address safety risks, highlighting issues like staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and outdated technology.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

It said that a well-trained and sufficiently staffed technical workforce could, in many cases, conduct more efficient, flexible, and less expensive system support.

The group also recommended changes in how the agency is funded, such as more broadly shielding it from government shutdowns.

The current erosion in the margin of safety in the N.A.S. (National Airspace System) caused by the confluence of these challenges is rendering the current level of safety unsustainable, the report said.

Casar said the FAA is aware of its staffing problems locally and that he hopes the agency will prioritize getting the San Antonio center back to full strength because its lone tech has been handling all the maintenance work for the past six months.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Dave Spero, national president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union that represents the FAAs radar techs in San Antonio, said his organization has been in discussions with the FAA about the critical understaffing in Texas and elsewhere for years.
Chinese embassy urges U.S., UK and Australia to stop forming exclusionary blocs

Xinhua) 09:15, April 10, 2024

LONDON, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday voiced firm opposition to the United States(U.S.), the UK and Australia's insistence on advancing the so-called trilateral security partnership in disregard of the wide concerns of regional countries and the international community about nuclear proliferation risks.

An embassy spokesperson made the remarks on Tuesday, in response to a question concerning a joint statement by the defense ministers of the three countries claiming that they are considering cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects.

The spokesperson said such moves will inevitably escalate the risk of nuclear proliferation, exacerbate arms race in the Asia-Pacific, and undermine regional peace and stability. "China is gravely concerned and firmly opposed to this."

"We urge the U.S., the UK and Australia to abandon the Cold War mentality, stop cobbling together exclusionary blocs, and cease stirring trouble and camp confrontation in the Asia-Pacific region," the diplomat said. "Japan must learn lessons from history and be prudent about its words and actions when it comes to military security."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Sea Oats grow Thursday, July 27, 2023, on the sand dunes near SpaceXOs Boca Chica Starship and Super Heavy launch tower at the companyOs so-called Starbase in Cameron County as a Starship rocket is seen in the background. William Luther/Staff SpaceX land swap: The 477 acres near Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge  Bahia Grande Unit, shown in purple, could be given to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In return, TPWD would give 43 acres in Boca Chica, shown in red, to SpaceX so it could expand its footprint. Ken Ellis/Staff SpaceXs Starship stands on the launch pad at sunset Friday at Boca Chica Beach. SpaceX said early Saturday all systems and weather are go for launch about 7 a.m. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer People watch a test of the fire suppression system from the base of SpaceX's Starship on the launch pad from a distance after being drawn to SpaceX Starbase at Boca Chica, TX, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, for the second launch of SpaceX's Starship on Saturday morning. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Starship 28 sits atop Booster 10 on the SpaceX Starbase launch pad at dusk at Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville, TX, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, after receiving approval from the FAA to launch Starship flight 3. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer

A coalition of Rio Grande Valley environmental and indigenous groups is suing the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and its oversight body over the agencys approval of a land swap with SpaceX in South Texas.

The South Texas Environmental Justice Network, Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas and Save RGV filed the lawsuit in state district court in Travis County arguing the parks department and Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission are illegally handing public land to the commercial space company.

The suit stems from the commissions approval last month of a plan to exchange 43 acres of Boca Chica State Park land around SpaceXs Starbase facility for 477 acres of undeveloped land near Laguna Heights, more than 10 miles away. The deal was unanimously OKd despite strong public opposition.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The plaintiffs allege the commission misapplied Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife code, which they say is intended by the Legislature to make the condemnation of park land a last resort for entities exercising eminent domain power. They argue the commission unconstitutionally misused Chapter 26 by appearing to condemn its own land to convey it to a private corporation.

Such action, they say, violates a state constitutional prohibition on takings for private gain.

Officials failing

This is just the latest example of our state officials failing to fulfill their obligations to Texans, whenever SpaceX is involved, Marisa Perales, an attorney representing the coalition, said in a statement. Texas Parks & Wildlife Departments duty is to protect park land and wildlife resources, including at Boca Chica Beach and State Park.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

She said the entities broke the law by not considering alternatives to giving away public land, not ensuring minimal harm to public land and not addressing the best interests of the local community and the TPWD.

The parks department declined to comment on the suit Wednesday.

Ahead of its decision, though, more than 2,000 Texans had plenty to say.

After its plan for the deal became public in January, the commission received 1,332 public comments, with about 80% in opposition. Another 989 were received after Feb. 1, with nearly 67% supporting it.

The public outcry forced the commission to delay a planned Jan. 25 vote until March, when another 40 people  the vast majority of whom opposed the deal  voiced comment.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Sacred land

Boca Chica Beach and its surrounding environment is one of the last pieces of untouched coastline left in Texas.  It is also incredibly disappointing to see that land sacred to the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas is being sold and destroyed without even consulting the tribe to begin with, Christopher Basaldu of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, said Wednesday. Were suing the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department because they do not take the concerns of the local community seriously and should help preserve our beach and surrounding environment rather than sell it off to the highest bidder.

Juan Mancias, chairman of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, said Boca Chica Beach is sacred to the tribe and should be protected.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission cannot be allowed to give our lands with archeological remains to SpaceX to use as a testing playground, he said. If we knew TPWD was considering giving away Boca Chica property, we would have placed a request, because these lands are part of our identity.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

TPWD officials say the tracts of state park land its exchanging with SpaceX are primarily separate small plots that arent easily accessible and dont offer beach access.

During deliberations before the March 3 vote, Jeffery Hildebrand, chair of the Parks and Wildlife Commission, suggested the deal would benefit the parks system, saying the state could use some of its Centennial Fund to build infrastructure and trails on the 477 acres SpaceX is to give to the state.

This is a new park for us, he said before the commissions vote. We should be very excited about the expansion of our park system.

County flip-flop

Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino and Commissioner David Garza initially voiced opposition because the county was already in negotiations to purchase the Laguna Heights acreage before the deal became public. Before the commissions vote, though, they had a change of heart and the county gave its full support to the plan.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

This latest lawsuit comes after SpaceX launched its third Starship from Starbase. The craft broke up somewhere over the Indian Ocean after its booster exploded over the Gulf of Mexico. The company is planning to launch its next Starship in early May.

Several of the groups that are suing are also part of another lawsuit filed in 2021 targeting Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, the Texas Land Office, Cameron County and Attorney General Ken Paxton over SpaceXs frequent closures of Boca Chica Beach.

The Texas Constitution protects beach access, and the groups argue SpaceX has closed Boca Chica Beach access for testing and launches more than allowed.

A state district court in Cameron County dismissed that case in 2022, but in February the 13th District Court of Appeals in Edinburg ruled in favor of SaveRGV, the Sierra Club and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas appeal. That case is also pending.
According to data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, shrimp export turnover in the first three months of this year is estimated to have reached more than $620 million, up almost one-quarter over the same period last year. In the two main export markets of the United States and China, the proportion of shrimp exports recorded growth of 26 per cent and 140 per cent, respectively.

Advances in tech aid shrimp output, photo Le Toan

Ta Thi Kim Thu, a market expert at the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said that the demand for shrimp imports in key markets is still quite high.

Compared to some of the main shrimp suppliers to the US market such as India, Ecuador, and China, Vietnam is considered more promising, especially when diplomatic relations between the two countries are very good, said Thu.

VASEP earlier in the year predicted that the potential of exporting shrimp to the US would be affected after the American Shrimp Processors Association proposed anti-subsidy taxes on imported shrimp and increasing sea freight rates. However, since the US Federal Reserve gave optimistic signals about the general economic picture, the consumption trend of Americans has rapidly improved.

Meanwhile, China is also increasing shrimp imports from Vietnam after restricting imports from Ecuador due to the content of sodium metabisulfite, a preservative commonly used in the food industry to prevent oxidation higher than allowed levels.

VASEP added that demand for shrimp imports from the Japanese market is also expected to recover soon. Vietnamese shrimp is leading the market share of high-end shrimp in Japan, she said. Japanese consumers demand high-quality products, consistent with Vietnams processing level and capacity.

According to Trinh Trung Phi, deputy general director of Aquaculture Technical at Viet Uc Seafood Corporation, despite being among the top countries in shrimp export, Vietnams shrimp industry is facing many barriers.

The cost of shrimp food is increasing, leading to an increase in production costs. Vietnams whiteleg shrimp costs per one kilogramme is about $4, while the figure is only $3 in India, and $2.5 in Ecuador. The next challenge comes from not being proactive about quality breeds. More than 80 per cent of the current source of broodstock shrimp depends mainly on imported sources and wild exploitation, Phi said.

Viet Uc is currently the top enterprise in the shrimp seed segment in Vietnam, accounting for more than 30 per cent of market share. It is also the first and only enterprise to cooperate exclusively with the CSIRO Institute, the largest scientific and industrial research agency in Australia, to develop a genetics and breeding programme for shrimp broodstock in Vietnam.

Not only does it spend plenty of resources on investing in quality seed research, Viet Uc also invests heavily in shrimp farming and processing technology with three high-tech commercial shrimp farming and production complexes, moving forward to close the value chain.

Over the past five years, the company has invested more than $62.5 million to develop membrane shrimp farming, successfully changing the perspective of sustainable shrimp farming without using antibiotics, and reducing the rate of destruction during the farming process from 30 per cent to zero.

Minh Phu Seafood Corporation has researched and raised shrimp using MPBiO biotechnology to reduce product costs, while still ensuring quality,

Minh Phu is currently the largest shrimp exporter in Vietnam, with more than 99 per cent of shrimp sold each year for export. The group aims to increase its domestic market share by 5-10 per cent by bringing shrimp lines that meet Japanese, American, and European export standards, are raised in an antibiotic-free and chemical-free environment, and are distributed in the Bach Hoa Xanh system to provide domestic consumers with a source of high-quality shrimp.

Ho Quoc Luc, chairman of the Board of Directors of Sao Ta Food JSC, said that global customers evaluate Vietnamese shrimp as having excellent quality, but the price can be too high.

This is a repeat of the previous competitive path of Indonesian shrimp, but now, Indonesian shrimp prices have become softer. Vietnams shrimp industry must have solutions to improve processing levels and diversify products to attract consumers and maintain high-level market share, Luc said.

Vietnamese shrimp has been exported to about 100 countries and territories. Vietnam is also continuously in the top three countries exporting the most shrimp worldwide, with export value accounting for 13-14 per cent of the total global shrimp export value. Every year, the shrimp industry contributes about 40-45 per cent of total seafood export value, according to VASEP.
Agricultural exports make solid mark in first quarter (Photo: VNA)

Of the sectors total export value reaching $13.53 billion Q1, fruit and vegetables, rice, and seafood left strong impressions with a combined value reaching $4.5 billion.

Particularly, export of fruit and vegetables bagged $1.23 billion, showing 25.8 per cent jump on-year. Rice generated $1.37 billion in total export value during the period, up 40 per cent, and seafood counted $1.86 billion, up 2 per cent on-year.

For the first time, fruit and vegetable exports surpassed the $1 billion mark in total value right in Q1. The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association noted that the breakthrough was largely driven by off-season durian as many countries, especially Thailand, have bolstered export of this kind of fruit in the past year.

So far in 2024, Thailand has turned out to be Vietnams fourth-largest import market, with a 125 per cent jump on-year, pushing up its market share from 2 to 4 per cent.

Vietnams rice export in Q1 was also impressive, as the country raked in $1.37 billion in total value from exporting just over two million tonnes, up 40 per cent in value and 12 per cent in volume on-year.

With such figures, the country remains in the top three largest rice exporters globally, after India and Thailand.

Vietnams traditional rice import markets such as the Philippines and Indonesia all have surging demands for Vietnamese rice. Vietnams trade counsel in the Philippines revealed that each year it needs to import as much as four million tonnes of rice, and Vietnam is currently the number one rice supplier to the Philippines.

Vietnams total rice export volume to the Philippines amounted 3.1 million tonnes, generating $1.75 billion in total value.

Indonesia, Vietnams second-largest rice importer, has also bolstered import from Vietnam to ensure food security. According to its trade counsellor, the Indonesian government will soon open auctions to buy more rice, besides an auction conducted in January to buy 500,000 tonnes, in which Vietnamese exporters secured orders to supply more than 300,000 tonnes.

The Vietnam Food Association estimates that this year, along with ensuring domestic food security, the country can export over eight million tonnes of rice, bringing in over $5.5 billion in total export value.

On the part of businesses, Trung An High-Tech Farming JSC, a major rice exporter based in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, revealed that the company has closed many export orders already this year for export of high-quality rice to demanding markets.

At the beginning of 2024, the company signed a string of export orders with volume reaching 1,500 tonnes for export to the EU, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Australia, with prices ranging from around $720 to $1,400 per tonne, said CEO Pham Thai Binh.

The global rice market is being affected by diverse detrimental factors, such as a rice export ban from India, and an unfavourable climate causing negative impacts on food output in many countries. For Vietnam, Indias ban and increased rice import from China and Indonesia are conducive for the countrys rice export business.

Meanwhile, seafood export saw a contraction in 2023 when the country posted $9 billion in total export value, down $1 billion compared to 2022.

However, Q1 saw a rebound when the countrys seafood export value climbed 2 per cent on-year, according to figures from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers said Vietnams shrimp export to the United States in Q1 posted a 26 per cent jump on-year. Export of tuna, basa fish, and crab to the US also rose 13-15 per cent.

Amid surging demands from major export markets as the US and EU, businesses are working on several growth scenarios to suit the situation. For instance, Vinh Hoan Corporation, Vietnams top basa fish exporter, has presented two scenarios, taking into account unfavourable factors such as consistent growth in input and logistics costs.

In the low scenario, Vinh Hoan aims to reach $445 million in total revenue, up 6.6 per cent on-year, yet its post-tax profit is expected to shed 12.9 per cent to $33.3 million. For the high scenario, the company aims for $479 million in revenues and $41.6 million in post-tax profit, up 14.6 and 8.8 per cent, respectively, compared to 2023. Over the first two months of 2024, Vinh Hoan reached over 15 per cent of its plan for the year.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development figures indicate that the average export price of key export items rose in the first quarter compared to one year ago.

For instance, rice export averaged $660 per tonne, up 25 per cent; coffee fetched an average $3,180 per tonne, up 43.5 per cent; and pepper averaged around $4,150 per tonne, up 35.6 per cent, to name but a few.

Inspiring signs for agricultural exports The number of shipments of Vietnamese agricultural products to markets around the world since the start of the Lunar New Year heralds a bonanza year for the sector's exports.

PM expects breakthrough in agricultural cooperation with New Zealand Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the Plan and Food Research Centre (PFR) in Auckland on March 10 as part of his official visit to New Zealand.
How does AusHub operate and why did the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AusCham) establish its operations in Vietnam?

AusHub manager Edwin Law

AusHub was established in late 2022 in line with the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy agreed upon by the two countries, which determined agriculture, forestry, and fisheries as an important sector in our economic relationship.

After carefully assessing expressions of interest, we pinpointed three industry bodies with whom AusHub would be a strategic partner: Summerfruit Australia, WoolProducers Australia, and Wine Australia.

Through funding and AusChams legal entity in Vietnam, we were able to recruit and facilitate the operations of three industry representatives who demonstrate in-depth knowledge of their respective fields and are well-connected with industry stakeholders. They allow the Australian industry bodies to have a comprehensive understanding of the Vietnamese market and execute a tailored strategy for market entry.

How do you evaluate AusHubs operating mechanism so far, and what strengths are the platform showing?

We are glad to have witnessed AusHubs significant progress in its first year. Compared to other trade promotion efforts, AusHub operates with a very compact team but aims to provide high-impact deliverables. We understand there is no one-size-fits-all for all industries, and each Industry Representative is tasked with vastly different responsibilities.

For example, in this phase, Wine Australia focuses on educating the market mostly through business-to-business connections with importers, distributors, and the hospitality, restaurant, and catering sector. Summerfruit Australia leans more on the retail aspect and amplifies the branding with Vietnamese consumers. Meanwhile, WoolProducers Australia prioritises research and development for wool processing over trade.

The upside to this model is that we can optimise resource use and ensure visible impact in a short timeframe. However, connecting these distinct industries and consistently engaging with multiple communities have proven challenging. To sustain this momentum, it is also critical for us to expand our scope of collaboration with industry partners.

AusHubs first projects were mainly aimed at importing Australian goods into Vietnam. In the opposite direction, how does AusHub support Vietnamese businesses in understanding the market and exporting goods to Australia?

AusHubs projects aimed at not only promoting the import of Australian goods into Vietnam, but also exploring the feasibility of large-scale investment into processing facilities.

As for Vietnamese exports to Australia, this is outside our function at the moment, but we have joint efforts with AusCham Vietnam to promote knowledge sharing, business matchmaking, and policy advocacy wherever possible.

Going forward, we will be working with some partners in Australia on a reverse marketing campaign aimed at promoting Vietnamese exports and investment in Australia. This idea is still in the very early stages of development, so please keep a keen eye on it.

What is AusHubs development strategy in the coming time?

AusHub aspires to continue our mission of supporting Australian industries with market development in Vietnam. We are only in the second year of the operational phase, leaving tremendous potential to explore with our existing industry groups.

There is general optimism in the programme and heightened interest levels from many stakeholders to see AusHub to its sustainability phase beyond the Australian governments funding. The team and I are in the midst of strategising, and we would love to share it once more details are confirmed.

The path to faster growth in Australia-Vietnam relations As a newly arrived Ambassador in Vietnam, I have been busy meeting people, reading widely, and trying to understand this complex and fascinating country.

RMIT committed to advancing Australia-Vietnam education For nearly 25 years, RMIT University is proud to have been an exemplary Australian investor in Vietnam, a contributor to the knowledge economy, and a bridge for people-to-people links.
This marks a significant milestone in the economic collaboration between the two countries, especially for the textile industry.

Wool production is a major component of the Australian economy, having exceeded AU$3.2 billion (around $2 billion) in the 2022-23 season.

To reinforce this robust industry, Australia is considering options to diversify its wool exports, which are currently concentrated in only greasy (unprocessed) wool and to a limited number of markets.

Four countries (China, India, Italy, and the Czech Republic) currently account for over 95 per cent of all Australian wool exports.

This is one of the main themes of the recently finalised Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) project to ensure a sustainable future for Australias wool supply chain, conducted by Deloitte Access Economics with assistance from WoolProducers industry representative in Vietnam, Kelvin Le.

Le is a member of the Australian Industry Hub Vietnam (AusHub), established with funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to promote market research and market entry to Vietnam.

 This project intended to identify complementary supply chain partners for Australian wool market expansion. Given its exciting textile trade and predicted growth, Vietnam was identified early in this process as a market with huge potential, remarks WoolProducers representative in Vietnam, Kelvin Le.

The ATMAC project presents a comprehensive roadmap to increase the trade of raw and early-stage processed wool between Australia and Vietnam.

Consultations throughout the project found that downstream supply chain partners including spinners, knitters, weavers, and garment manufacturers also have a desire to expand their supply chains to mitigate their procurement risks.

To expand Vietnams role in global wool supply chains, a pathway is defined with short-, medium-, and long-term goals, from developing the first at-scale processing facility to scaling production to build a thriving industrial presence.

WoolProducers CEO, Jo Hall, remarks that Australia was renowned for its high-quality wool, particularly Merino wool, known for its softness, breathability, and temperature regulation. Meanwhile, Vietnamese textile manufacturers are increasingly recognising the value of incorporating wool into their products, driven by consumer demand for premium, natural fibres.

This strategic partnership holds promise for both sides. Australian wool producers gain access to a new and expanding market, while Vietnamese manufacturers elevate their product offerings with premium wool, Hall emphasised.

At the Saigon Textile & Garment Industry Expo  SaigonTex from April 10 to 13, the WoolProducers delegation presents at booth number 14, Hall C, Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre to get in touch with Vietnamese industry experts and leaders.

With Vietnams textile trade predicted to grow by 4 per cent year-on-year, along with longer-running economic trends of manufacturing shifting to Southeast Asia and a favourable trade environment, the two countries are in a privileged position for partnership.

WoolProducers Australia is the peak organisation representing Australian wool growers

On the evening of the 12th of April, WoolProducers Australia in collaboration with the Australian Chamber of Commerce, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Deloitte Access Economics will host a briefing session in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.

Here, they will further explain the findings from this research project and introduce the roadmap, which includes several action items to instigate, collaborate, and cultivate early-stage wool processing in Vietnam, to textile, logistics, and consulting firms.

The wool textile supply chain is one of the most complex agri-product supply chains in the world, with many interdependent steps in the supply chain.

Greasy wool is processed in many stages, from wet to dry processing, spinning, knitting or weaving, before finally turning into fabric for garment making.

Most early-stage processing currently takes place in China, and such a concentrated supply chain poses multiple risks to the industrys sustainability. Vietnam, as an emerging hub for textile production, is considered a potential key partner for trade diversification for Australian wool.

WoolProducers Australia is the peak organisation representing Australian wool growers, which plays a critical role in working closely with companies and entities funded by woolgrower funds including compulsory levies or fees for service.

Its mission is to develop constructive and profitable outcomes for woolgrowers nationally.

The Australian Industry Hub Vietnam (AusHub) was founded in a partnership between the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AusCham) and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to create new bilateral trade and investment opportunities in line with the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES).

AusHub is initially supporting 03 Australian industries with market development for the first two years, including WoolProducers Australia, Summerfruit Australia, and Wine Australia. It will then transition into a Services Hub for any Australian or Vietnamese business seeking market entry, development, or diversification bilaterally.

Australia supports Vietnam in developing its potential The logistics industry will receive an extra push in Vietnam thanks to a fruitful cooperative relationship with Australia.
Groups like Mavin have already pumped substantial sums into Vietnam, photo Le Toan

Corio Generation, a portfolio company of Macquarie Asset Management, is keen on the potential of Vietnams offshore market, as shared by the companys leader at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on March 28.

Early last month, the company signed an MoU with Power Generation JSC 3, a subsidiary of Vietnam Electricity. Under the MoU, both parties agree to collaborate in preparing long-term strategies for offshore wind project development.

Corio has engaged in the research and development of some renewable energy projects in Vietnam since 2019. As a member of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, the company is teaming up with other partners to mobilise resources for energy transition projects in Vietnam.

Coiro Generation is among various Australian investors eager to expand their operation in Vietnam following the major upgrade of the Vietnam and Australia relationship.

David Whitehead, chairman of agrifood group Mavin Group, an Australian-invested enterprise headquartered in Hanoi, believes that there will be greater opportunities for both Australian and Vietnam businesses to develop trade and investment to mutual benefit.

In the future, we will be looking at rationalising our business lines, expanding our research and development capability, extending our digitalisation programme and focusing on export potential, while growing our circular agriculture model within Vietnam, Whitehead said. The post-pandemic period has been difficult for business, but companies like Mavin have become adaptable and resilient in the face of adversity, surviving and sewing the seeds for a sustainable future.

Since its establishment in Vietnam in 2004, Mavin has invested $100 million with total assets of more than $250 million. Mavins plans are to look at consolidating its assets, reducing its manufacturing costs, and being prudent about further investment in 2024.

In 2025, the group will look at developing its export markets, particularly into Australia and Europe and the United States.

Meanwhile, there is also a bright outlook for Australian financial firms expanding into Vietnam. Ranjit Thambyrajah, managing director of Australian financial firm Acuity Funding, noted, The elevation of the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Australia is poised to trigger a new wave of Australian investments in Vietnam across various sectors. This upgraded partnership signifies a deepening of ties and cooperation, providing a conducive environment for enhanced economic collaboration.

Australian investors can utilise opportunities to expand their presence in Vietnam and contribute to the bilateral relationships strengthening, he added.

The areas that Australian funders can focus on but not limited to include infrastructure, education, renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, healthcare, and technology. The interest in Australia has always been great. It is not the demand that has been the challenge, but rather the Australian funders ability to understand the business procedures and culture of Vietnam, Thambyrajah said.

Acuity Fundings private debt allocation of $100 billion will assist Vietnam in preparing for the new strategic partnerships with Australia and other countries by focusing on several key areas, including infrastructure development, technological advancement, and trade facilitation.

Meanwhile, Australian Development Investments (ADI) last December approved A$43,000 ($29,300) for the Vietnam-based lender F88 to design and test loan products that are suitable for female customers.

With ADIs support, F88 will undergo company-wide gender equality in business training and update policies to enable women employees to rise into middle and senior management.

Sam Conroy, newly-elected president of the Board of Directors at the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, told VIR, In recent years, Vietnam has become an attractive destination for Australian businesses  not just as a market of high consumption but also as an emerging hub for industrial manufacturing and high-tech services.

The elevation of the bilateral relationship will enhance the existing momentum and bring an even more robust capital flow to Vietnam from Australia, Conroy added.

The Australian government is committed to promoting market access and trade facilitation for both countries, including agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. Australians have established a thriving business community in Vietnam where we support each other with education, connection, and advocacy.

Imports of Australian products to Vietnam have been continually increasing over the years, and more Australian companies are setting up factories and processing facilities here thanks to the central and provincial governments inviting policies and upgraded infrastructure, Conroy said.

As of March 2024, Australia was the 20th largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with more than $2 billion in 636 projects. The total registered capital for new, adjusted, contributed capital, and share purchases by Australian investors reached $3.12 million in the first three months of 2024, an increase of 29.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2022, according to the latest data by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Vietnam, Australia cooperate to develop offshore wind power projects Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski and leaders of Corio Generation of Australias Macquarie Group in Hanoi on March 28.

Australia prioritises support in Mekong Delta region The Vietnamese government is placing huge investment into developing the Mekong Delta region. Ciaran Chestnutt, deputy consul-general of the Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, spoke with VIRs Hoang Oanh about the Australian governments commitment to supporting the region.
Canadian-born Roberts joins the Vietnam-based team at Fusion from his previous base in Thailand where he spent nine years with Onyx Hospitality Group as vice-president, overseeing hotel openings, operations, and growth in the Southeast Asian market.

In his most recent role in Thailand, Roberts oversaw global development for Dusit International, where he focused on growth in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

David comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry, said Peter Meyer, vice chairman/CEO of Lodgis Hospitality Holdings Pte. Ltd., the parent company of Fusion. His appointment will enhance Fusions reputation as one of the worlds leading wellness-driven brands.

Fusion currently manages 23 hotels and resorts in Vietnam and Thailand, three of which launched in the past 12 months: the 242-key Fusion Resort & Villas Danang; 238-key Fusion Suites Hanoi; and HIIVE Binh Duong, which made a brand debut focusing on business travellers.

Wellness is becoming a central guest priority. At Fusion, it has been a part of who we are since our 2008 founding, said Meyer. We were the first in Vietnam to launch an all-inclusive spa concept, and we are dedicated to creating wellness-inspired lodging products geared to our guests' wellbeing and health, whether their travel is for pleasure or work.
Many factors in the present investment climate are contributing to the redirection of cash flow towards investment avenues such as fund certificates. Considering the broader perspective, this transition appears to be both reasonable and inevitable for the growth of financial markets, particularly in Vietnam.

Dr. Na Sung Soo, CEO of Vina Securities

Vietnam is a developing country with a dynamic economy and positive income growth for its citizens in the past decades. With a high proportion of the young population and increasing incomes, the demand for financial investment and the use of investment tools such as fund certificates is also expected to rise.

Consequently, the fund management sector and related services are poised for significant growth, especially given the modest current scale.

According to the year-end 2023 report from the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation, as of September 2023, there were 105 licensed securities investment funds operating in the market, with a total net asset value reaching nearly $3 billion, a 4 per cent increase compared to the end of 2022.

The total net asset value of the new securities investment funds accounts for a tiny proportion of GDP, at 2.44 per cent, much lower than countries in the region such as Thailand and Malaysia, where it has reached 30 per cent of GDP.

The number of investors participating in new fund certificates reached 250,000, accounting for 0.25 per cent of the population, significantly lower than other countries in the region. This figure is small compared to the 7.35 million securities accounts held by individual investors as of the beginning of 2024.

Alongside efforts to upgrade the stock market and develop the financial market, the State Securities Commission has announced its intention to continue researching ways to alleviate difficulties for businesses operating in the fund sector. This includes reviewing and refining the legal framework governing the fund industry to align with international norms and practices in Vietnam.

Specifically, the research will focus on diversifying types of securities investment funds, integrating digital transformation into the fund sector, diversifying distribution channels for fund certificates by international practices, and simultaneously controlling and managing risks in fund management operations during this new era marked by rapid advancements in IT.

South Korean example

Developments in the Vietnamese market bear similarities to those in South Korea, and the experiences gained from the development of fund management and related services in major markets like South Korea can serve as valuable reference material for Vietnam.

The most significant similarity between the financial markets of Vietnam and South Korea lies in the role of individual investors. In South Korea, individual investors play a substantial role in driving the stock market, accounting for up to 65 per cent of transactions according to 2023 data.

Similarly, in Vietnam, since the onset of the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of new accounts opened by individual investors, and transactions by individual investors have become increasingly pivotal in the market's development.

However, the two markets also have differences. In South Korea, the fund market has developed over many years, resulting in a wide variety of fund products, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) investing in foreign markets or real estate funds. ETFs are particularly favoured by individual investors in South Korea.

In Vietnam, due to the smaller market size, the variety of investment fund types is not as diverse. Currently, there are only a few fund products focused on fixed income, such as bond funds and equity funds.

This leads to individual investors having limited options that match their risk appetite and profit goals. Additionally, efforts in communication and raising community awareness about investment fund products, as well as fund management services, have yet to be conducted vigorously enough to help individual investors better understand the advantages of this investment channel.

Furthermore, distribution channels are also limited. Investors primarily trade fund certificates through the channels of securities companies and the proprietary platforms of fund management companies.

So, how has the fund market developed in South Korea? Several factors have contributed to the explosive growth of the fund certificate market in South Korea. Firstly, diverse distribution channels have played a crucial role in facilitating individual investors' access to and trading fund certificates across multiple channels.

In South Korea, there are various distribution channels for fund certificates, with banks and securities companies being the two main channels. Any individual investor can easily access and trade fund certificates through securities companies or banks, leveraging online trading systems.

Rising participation

Furthermore, reputable financial institutions (comprising securities firms and asset management funds) also aid investors in accessing information about fund certificates more conveniently by developing online platforms that provide comprehensive details about various funds such as performance, fees, and charges. Additionally, fund management companies in South Korea also implement regular market orientation and education strategies.

The range of fund products in South Korea is quite diverse, with a considerable number of funds available. For instance, in the case of ETFs, as of the end of August 2023, there were over 1,130 ETFs in South Korea with a total asset value of approximately $90 billion.

In recent years, individual investors have shown increased interest in theme-based investment products. This could also serve as an idea for fund management companies in Vietnam to implement, aiming to pull in more investor attention.

Turning back to the Vietnamese market, traditionally, Vietnamese individuals primarily invested their idle funds in traditional assets such as gold, real estate, or deposits in banks. However, there has been a noticeable trend of individuals diversifying their investment channels into other financial assets such as bonds, and stocks.

The increasing participation of new investors in the financial market has generated a significant demand for experts to manage assets. Fund products are particularly suitable for this growing group of new investors.

In parallel, fund management companies are intensifying their collaboration with securities firms to diversify distribution channels. More efforts are being made in fund promotion through continuous communication programmes, and fund distribution applications are becoming increasingly convenient.

Some products such as retirement funds and thematic funds like environmental, social, and governance funds are beginning to be developed.

Fund management companies have also expanded their product offerings, with the standout being the Systematic Investment Plan, which optimises the average price of fund certificates, avoiding buying at peak prices and selling at low points, especially for equity funds prone to market volatility. The emergence of specialised platforms for distributing fund certificates will further facilitate investors in managing multiple funds on the same platform.

These developments serve as growth drivers for the overall stock market and particularly for fund investment. Currently, both supply and demand sides are favourable for the development of the fund market. Therefore, I anticipate that the Vietnamese fund market will continue to experience robust growth.
Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net.

Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023.
The information was released at a press meeting on April 8 held by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC).

In the three-month span, the industrys state budget contribution increased 1 per cent on-year, meeting 22.8 per cent of the yearly plan.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam chaired the press meeting

The other bright spot was the successful auction for 4G/5G frequency bands. Viettel and VNPT were both winners, and will receive licences to deploy frequency bands in the near future.

Le Van Tuan, director general of the Authority of Radio Frequency Management, told VIR, The recent 5G auction was a success, from a domestic perspective and from an international perspective. This was the first successful auction in the past 15 years. The successful auction shows that the revised Radio Frequency Law and Decree No.63/2023/ND-CP have quickly come to life.

After deploying the new frequency band, the country's licensed frequency is expected to increase by 59 per cent. At that time, the quality of mobile broadband will definitely increase, he added.

Regarding legal documents, the MIC has advised and submitted to the government a draft decree amending the Law on Electronic Transactions on digital signatures, and a decree that regulates national databases.

The MIC has also issued a circular regulating a list of potentially unsafe products to synchronise standards applied to 5G base station equipment management in accordance with testing capacity.

The ministry is also working on articles to implement the Law on Telecommunications, and a draft decree on the management, provision, and use of internet services and online information.

Vietnams ICT sector sees growth in first quarter Vietnams ICT sector continues to witness improvements in industries in the first months of 2024, showing positive signals for the whole year.

Digital business lines developing well Major tech companies are looking to expand in Vietnam, on the back of strong hardware export and IT figures for the country's telecom industry so far this year.
During the Vietnam Business Forum Conference held in Hanoi last month, representatives of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) suggested that clear guidelines on land-use terms, and the granting of land use right certificates must be well implemented through from central to grassroot level.

Implementation of new land laws must benefit investors, photo Le Toan

A good implementation will encourage the interest of foreign investors to put their money into Vietnamese real estate. These reforms, among others, are essential to boost the real estate market and contribute to Vietnams social security, continuous economic growth and increasing sustainability, a representative said.

A decree guiding the Law on Real Estate Business 2023 and a decree on construction, management, and use of information systems on housing and real estate markets will be issued before mid-September.

Meanwhile, a circular on the framework programme for training and fostering knowledge to practice real estate brokerage and operate real estate trading floors will be issued by the Ministry of Construction, and a circular regulating funds on information systems and databases for housing and real estate markets will be issued by the Ministry of Finance before November.

The draft decree details and guides the implementation of a number of articles of the new Law on Housing, while the decree on renovating and rebuilding apartment buildings, and the decree on social housing development and management are also being built.

EuroCham also proposed that the government carry out legal reforms, which currently discourage investors, to promote investment in hotel apartments, hotel residences, and hotel offices.

From our understanding of the latest draft regulations, we endorse legal reforms to promote investments in condotels, hometels, and officetels, said a EuroCham representative.

Additionally, to further the protection of foreign investors rights, EuroCham recommends expediting the issuance of land use right certificates in practice. This also pertains to the publication of a foreign ownership prohibited projects list that will increase the transparency of the Vietnamese real estate market for foreign investors.

In the revised Law on Real Estate Business, each developer can only allocate a specific number of its housing products in each project to foreign buyers. This limitation encompasses a maximum of 30 per cent for apartments and a maximum of 250 landed houses within a commune and ward boundary.

It also stipulates clearly that the government will provide detail guidelines of areas that fall within the criteria of national defence.

According to the law, local authorities are responsible for approving lists of projects which are not located in national defence and security areas, according to government regulations, and are allowed to be sold to foreigners. However, local approval is still quite slow, preventing opportunities for many investors.

Meanwhile, Seck Yee Chung, vice chairman of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Vietnam, said that the foreign community recognised the efforts made to improve the regulatory framework around investments and activities in relation to land and real estate.

We look forward to the meaningful implementation of these new laws and the issuance of draft decree for further review, Chung said.

In particular, the foreign community hopes to see more transparency and efficiency around land clearance and compensation, access to sites by way of auction or project bidding, and land pricing mechanisms.

We hope that the implementation of these new laws will create more legal certainty around mixed used development, condotels, and projects which take on separate floors as opposed to the whole building. It is also important to improve the ability for the public to have access to land related information. For example, the ability to search for the certificates of land use rights, Chung added.

With a significant number of projects and industrial parks with 10-15 years of land tenure left, it is important to have plans and/or guidance as to what happens to these projects at the end of the tenure.

Hai Nguyen, founder and managing partner Finhome.com We believe that new legislation will create more transparency and meaningful impacts for Vietnams real estate market. Firstly, the revised law will help overseas Vietnamese to own and invest in Vietnams real estate market more easily. Approximately six million overseas Vietnamese are residing in more than 130 countries, with over 80 per cent in developed countries, according to the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs. Vietnam has been in the top 10 countries in the world in terms of remittance recipients for several consecutive years. The Vietnamese diaspora is an important force in reshaping Vietnams real estate market. Secondly, the clarity of the new law will help nurture innovation and digital transformation in the real estate and tech ecosystem. Nowadays, there are many sophisticated real estate business models addressing customers problems such as rent-to-own, buy-before-sell, crowdfunding, digital mortgage, real estate tokenisation, short-term stays, or long-term co-living. Finally, the new law will strengthen confidence and offer better protections for foreign investors, especially venture capital firms. Besides innovative products, an experienced founding team, and a comprehensive legal framework is a vital reason for venture capital firms to decide to invest in a new market. Duong Thuy Dung, executive director CBRE Vietnam The last few months marked a pivotal moment for the Vietnamese real estate market with the approval of significant laws. These legal frameworks play an important role in many aspects, from politics and socioeconomics, to national security and the environment. These legal frameworks hold immense importance in various aspects, encompassing politics, socioeconomics, national defence, security, and environmental sustainability. The new real estate law has narrowed the scope of regulation compared to the law of 2014. These changes address the overlapping scope of regulation with other important laws such as those on land, housing, investment, and management and use of public property, as well as other related laws. With new regulations, the upcoming real estate business law shows a clear and independent delineation of the specialised real estate field in relation to other fields related to investment and land. For example, the transfer of land use rights and real estate projects as collateral for debt recovery will be carried out according to the Law on Credit Institutions. The Law on Real Estate Business amends and clarifies the regulations on foreign-invested economic organisations, which are not required to carry out investment procedures applicable for foreign investors under the provisions of the Law on Investment, and are allowed to conduct the real estate business as same as the domestic organisations and individuals. This amendment helps create better conditions and expand the scope of operations for foreign-invested economic organisations in specific cases while ensuring consistency with the Law on Investment. David Jackson, principal and CEO Avison Young Vietnam Vietnam is forecasted to be one of the 20 fastest-growing economies globally in 2024 and is considered the second most attractive market in Southeast Asia. The demographics of Vietnam linked with opportunities in the real estate market has drawn in foreign investors and will result in active merger and acquisition activities. Both buyers and sellers are actively involved in negotiations, indicating a growing confidence among investors in the potential of the real estate sector. Segments which are appealing to foreign investors include residential, industrial, land and development acquisitions, and the hotel and hospitality. Investor confidence has increased since ratification of the revised real estate laws. These are believed to pave the way for more diversified market offerings, ensure more transparent and safer transactions for market participants, from investors and owners to developers. Observing the cycles of development in the Vietnam real estate market, I believe that these legal documents, once in full force, will facilitate a new growth cycle, opening new opportunities for investors. Continuous efforts from the Vietnamese government in improving the legal and financial structures will help expand the investment channels, re-activate the flow of capital in the market, and re-enforce investors confidence in the long-term potentials of the country. Having said that, challenges remain in law enforcement which may wear out the above efforts and expectations. For example, regarding the issuance of land use rights certificate for condotels, existing projects were already granted investment certificates based on the Law on Tourism, not the Law on Real Estate Business. Consequently, local authorities face difficulties in deciding whether these projects complied with the latter law, thereby prolonging the issuance of certificates for such projects. To solve this problem, more detailed and consistent guidelines, and case studies are needed, as these are crucial for local authorities to take reference for implementation.
The Malaysian government reports nearly 52,000 cases of harmful content on various platforms, including Metas Facebook and TikTok, in the first three months of 2024. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Hanoi - Malaysia on April 9 required tech giants Meta and TikTok to come up with plans to counter harmful content online.

As reported by The Straits Times, the move came after a spike in reports on offensive material made to social media platforms.

The Malaysian government reported nearly 52,000 cases of harmful content on various platforms, including Metas Facebook and TikTok, in the first three months of 2024, compared to about 43,000 for the whole of last year.

The authorities said they were particularly concerned about posts related to race, religion and royalty.

Malaysia aims to develop semiconductor enterprises industry Malaysian Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Liew Chin Tong said the government is committed to developing the semiconductor industry which is now a strategic income source for the country.
The meeting between the Washington delegation and Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong on April 9

The delegation from Washington, led by State Senator June Robinson, included leaders of the state government, businesses, associations, and universities.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong highly appreciated the visit and said both sides would work to their strengths to develop cooperation and investment.

"The MPI highly appreciates the role of Washington state's government in strengthening cooperation among businesses, universities, and organisations. That is an important way of boosting investment and trade between Vietnam and the United States," Dong said.

"The comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries highlights innovation and high technologies (including semiconductors and AI) as breakthroughs for cooperation. This is a golden time for US businesses to look for and expand investments in these sectors in Vietnam," Dong said.

Vietnam is preparing human resources in the semiconductor, AI, and energy infrastructure industries to prepare for upcoming cooperation and investment with businesses from Washington.

"Vietnam is rapidly developing transport infrastructure, and has established a government task force to review and remove obstacles, and accelerate these projects," Dong said, adding that the MPI would support Washington investors looking to do business in the country.

State Senator Robinson confirmed, "Washington state is a US leader in the high-tech industry. The likes of Microsoft, Amazon and many other companies have their headquarters in the state."

The two sides should also look at partnerships in agriculture and education.

Christopher Green, assistant director at Washington's Department of Commerce, said the semiconductor industry is important globally. "It's a complex global supply chain, and we are actively working with many large companies globally on large-scale investments," he said.

TSMC, one of the leaders in this industry, has a facility in Washington state that does legacy chip manufacturing.

"We are also working right now with the US federal government and the US Department of Commerce related to the Chips and Science Act, and large-scale investments that the US government has in the semiconductor industry, while working on things like chip design," he added.

Washington is also working on quantum computing with a new manufacturer in North America. It will be the first company to manufacture at-scale quantum computers.

Clean energy and e-vehicles with new battery technology are very important, and Washington is working with universities on battery technology and research and development.

"We'd like to look for additional opportunities and mutually beneficial investments, so we have encouraged some of Washington's firms to do more business in Vietnam or open facilities here. Vietnam's National Innovation Centre (NIC) offers an excellent opportunity," Green said. "And similarly, as Vietnamese companies based here continue to grow and look to expand into global marketplaces, Washington is a great place to start a North American expansion strategy."

Dong proposed that organisations, businesses, and universities in Washington state and the US consider investment cooperation, building training centres, R&D, business incubation, and technology demonstration areas at the NIC.

"I would like to strengthen links between Washington state businesses, universities, and research institutes with Vietnamese partners to improve training quality and increase output for human resources in the high-tech, semiconductor industry, as well as supporting lecturers, textbooks, providing software copyrights, equipment, technology infrastructure, and scholarships for Vietnamese students to study in Washington," Dong said.

Supporting industry required for semiconductors Experts are warning that Vietnams semiconductor industry can strongly develop only when it has a supporting industry.

Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2024 kicks off The Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2024 has been formally introduced, with a call for participation from individuals and organisations.

Major US groups taking long-term investment view As Vietnam and the US enter a new phase of economic relations, American companies are preparing to offer an expansion in investments.

Vietnam eyes comprehensive ecosystem for AI technology Tech companies are facing huge opportunities to develop AI and semiconductors with the support of the government and authorities.

Diversification giving boost to chip targets More semiconductor players are planning to diversify their supply chain to Vietnam, reinforcing the countrys importance as an assembly and packaging hub for the chipmaking industry.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Nguyen Thi Bich Thao (sixth, left) and OVs in Hungary at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Nguyen Thi Bich Thao had a meeting with overseas Vietnamese (OV) and members of Truong Sa Club in Hungary on April 8 before two representatives of the community join a trip to Truong Sa and marine platforms of Vietnam in 2024.

The annual trip for OV delegates is held by the State Committee for OV Affairs and the Vietnam Peoples Navy.Ambassador Thao said she hopes the trip will bring memorable experience to participants, enhancing their awareness of national sovereignty over seas and islands and deepening their bonds with the homeland, thus spreading patriotism and love for national seas and island among Vietnamese community in Hungary.Le Dinh Bau, and Luong Dinh Khoa, who are to join the Truong Sa trip, showed their gratitude to the Party and State for providing them with the opportunities to visit the homeland and their fellow countrymen in Truong Sa.

At the meeting, OVs in Hungary and members of the Truong Sa Club donated 3,000 EUR (3,255 USD) to the the whole nation for Truong Sa programme, which will be brought to Vietnam by Bau and Khoa during the trip.

The Truong Sa Club in Hungary was established in June 2023, gathering people who have joined trips to Truong Sa in different years, providing them with a venue to share their memories of Vietnamese seas and islands and experience from the trips.

NA Chairman receives leaders of several Hungarian companies National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received leaders of several Hungarian enterprises which are operating in Vietnam on June 28 in Budapest as part of his official visit to the European country.
The seminar provided an opportunity for delegates to cover multidimensional information and discuss solutions for the sustainable construction, operation, and management of data centres in terms of project deployment time, cost, and energy consumption efficiency, while ensuring compliance with the latest international standards.

The topics were delivered by speakers from the Energy Institute belonging to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority under the Ministry of Information and Communications, the TUV SUD organisation, PRASA, Turner & Townsend, and Siemens ASEAN.

Siemens continues to play a significant role in the data centre field, primarily known for expertise in providing a wide range of state-of-the-art technologies and solutions for building infrastructure, energy management, and automation systems of data centres worldwide.

The German tech powerhouse has deployed integrated data centre management software at the largest and most energy-efficient data centre in the Baltic region: Greenergy Data Centre in Estonia.

With a coherent technological concept as well as cutting-edge hardware and software, the company has enabled Greenergy operators to achieve their ambitious goals of creating a data centre that offers the highest levels of reliability, security, and sustainability with world-class connectivity and growth potential.

In Vietnam, Siemens has become suppliers in important data centre projects such as Viettel IDC Hoa Lac Data Centre and FPT Data Centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

Through this seminar, we would like to create an open forum for constructive sharing and dialogues among stakeholders and industry players about challenges and opportunities in developing a robust and sustainable Vietnam Data Centre industry, said Pham Thai Lai, Siemens ASEAN and Vietnam president and CEO. We are committed to providing our customers with suitable technologies to help them not only build and operate their data centres reliably and efficiently but also sustainably.

Room remains for data centre development The data centre industry in Vietnam is on the rise and is being driven by a number of factors, as heard at a Ho Chi Minh City forum at the end of last month.

Cloud and data centre advances on horizon While the amended Law on Telecommunications is expected to bring new opportunities for businesses in cloud computing and data centres in Vietnam from next summer, experts and businesses are still concerned about barriers that may remain.
Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide said, The addition of Danang to the Michelin Guides family is more proof of the vibrancy and quality of Vietnams culinary scene, as well as of the richness and authenticity of its local food culture. Our inspectors are currently in the field to realise a restaurant selection we will be proud to share in June, not only with local gourmets but also international food lovers and travellers."

Known as an acclaimed touristic destination, Danang is also a true heaven for food lovers. As an ambassador of Central Vietnamese cuisine, Danang has impressed the Michelin Guide inspectors with quality and variety of local specialities available to offer  be it mi quang, bun cha ca, or banh xeo.

Seafood restaurants, all proposing an abundance of very fresh or live marine creatures, as well as street food delicacies are not to be missed, and the Michelin inspectors have been taking pleasure sitting by the side of the road to enjoy culinary gems, such as a bowl of congee with braised duck.

In additions to these traditional specialities or eateries, Danang also offers a lively fine dining scene, shaped by both local chefs making the most of local produce, as well as international chefs, who have fallen in love with the city and brought to it their hometown tastes.

The extension of the Michelin Guide to Vietnam is supported by Sun Group, whose chairman Dang Minh Truong shared, "We are delighted that the unique flavours and culinary wonders of Danang will finally be celebrated by both local and international food enthusiasts. The Michelin Guide's presence in Danang will be further expected to illuminate the city on the world tourism map, contributing to attracting international visitors."

Like in all the destinations it covers, the Michelin Guide will recognise its Danang restaurant selection following its universal methodology.

Local restaurants are assessed anonymously, collectively, and independently by Michelin Guide inspectors following five criteria: the quality of ingredients, the mastery of cooking techniques, the harmony of flavours, the personality of the cuisine, and the consistency both over time and through the menu as a whole.

The 2024 restaurant selection of the Michelin Guide Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang will be announced during a single ceremony to be hosted in Ho Chi Minh City in June.
Tin Thanh Group signed the agreement with the Centre for Quality Certification and Business Development (QCC), which will measure and collect data on emissions sources and energy usage to ensure compliance with greenhouse gas inventory reports.

Under the agreement, the two sides will also facilitate the commercialisation of carbon credits on the Singapore exchange, laying the foundation for the purchase, sale, and trading of carbon credits by Vietnamese enterprises on the international market.

At the ceremony, Tin Thanh Group also signed a cooperation agreement to transfer 50 million carbon credits to the Quality Carbon Credit Exchange (TTS).

Tran Dinh Quyen, chairman of Tin Thanh Group, said that the application of carbon credits will help businesses make a difference through corporate social responsibility and expand their market vision.

Tin Thanh Group also announced the launch of a global carbon credit NFT marketplace. This innovative product stems from the application of digital and blockchain technology in buying, selling, and trading carbon credits.

Businesses will receive non-fungible asset tokens on the blockchain known as TTG NFT through one of the major global NFT marketplaces. Thus, Tin Thanh Group's customers can enjoy convenient transactions and attractive incentives.

The tie-up with TTS will not only lower carbon emissions, but also open up new opportunities for trade and investment. By leveraging the TTS platform, businesses can jointly reduce billions of tonnes of carbon emissions per year, thereby contributing to the fight against climate change.

In addition, TTS facilitates the transparent and efficient trading of carbon credits globally while pioneering the integration of NFTs into carbon credit transactions. This innovative approach not only enhances the liquidity and traceability of carbon credits, but also opens up new opportunities in sustainable finance and investing.

Furthermore, by embracing carbon credit trading, businesses can step up their game in the global market while contributing to the collective efforts to combat climate change.

Tin Thanh Group receives $6.4 billion to build factories in Vietnam and US A sum of $6.4 billion was invested in Tin Thanh Group, a pioneer in using renewable energy and reducing global emissions, by Acuity Funding on September 25 to implement one manufacturing project in Vietnam and two others in South Carolina in the United States.

TTG steps up green energy and emission cut ambitions Tin Thanh Group is known in Vietnam for its saturated steam production for industries such as food processing, rubber, paper production, packaging, and textiles, and a billion-dollar injection will help it towards a greener direction.
US company steps up AI investment in Southeast Asia, illustration photo

Hanoi  The US chip manufacture Nvidia is planning to build a 200 million USD artificial intelligence (AI) centre in Indonesia as part of its push into Southeast Asia.

As reported by CNBC, according to Indonesia's Communication and Information Technology Minister, Budi Arie Setiadi, the new facility will be based in the city of Surakarta in the Central Java province and will bolster local telecommunications infrastructure, human resources, and digital talent.

This is the first in joint project between Nvidia and Indonesias telco giant Indosat Ooredoo Hutchiso.

In January, Singapore telco provider Singtel announced its partnership with Nvidia to deploy AI capabilities in its data centres across Southeast Asia.

Singtel said in March that the initiative would provide businesses in the region with access to Nvidias AI computing power by this year, without the need for clients to invest in and manage their own expensive data center infrastructure.

Southeast Asia has proved to be a major revenue driver for Nvidia. A US Securities and Exchange Commission filing last year showed that about 15 per cent or 2.7 billion USD of the companys revenue for the quarter ended October came from Singapore.

AI chip giant Nvidia 'extremely likely' to invest in Europe The CEO of Nvidia on Friday said that the world's most valuable chipmaker is "extremely likely" to invest in Europe.

Nvidia announces move into Vietnam Nvidia, one of the worlds top chip manufacturers, is looking to establish a significant presence in Vietnam with a $250 million investment in the country.
The Bexar County medical examiner identified a teen killed at an East Side parking lot last week as 18-year-old Demarion Smith. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

The medical examiner identified an 18-year-old who was killed at an East Side parking lot last week.

Demarion Smith was shot and killed Saturday in the 2100 block of East Houston Street. The medical examiner said he died from a gunshot wound to the torso and that his manner of death was a homicide.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Police responded to the location after receiving a report about a shooting in progress shortly before 11 p.m.

When officers arrived, they found Smith in a parking lot with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Read em and weep, book devotees. Noelle and Daniel Self must pull the plug on a business they love: Brazos Books, in Town West shopping center, next door to Schmaltzs Sandwich Shop. Noelle said by phone Friday the couple surprisingly learned their lease would not be renewed, so they faced finding a new location or quitting business, which regrettably they are doing.

Its very sad, Noelle Self said. We looked into other options but couldnt find anything else in our price range. Were getting stock moved out, informing our customers who still have store credit. This just happened Wednesday before last, so were telling everyone with credit to come use it.

The last day of business falls on April 30. The inventory of mostly used books will fall in price by percentages until the last day, when the Selfs may resort to drastic inventory reduction, as in free to those who shop and haul.

A bookstore has done business at that location since 1988, with the Selfs assuming ownership in 2020. Noelle hails from Idaho, Daniel is from all over, and they have come to love and appreciate Waco, Noelle said. Friends ask if they will remain here, and Noelle says they are not going anywhere.

This has been such an adventure, Noelle Self said. The love and support weve received makes me cry. People have been so sweet. They ask, What can we do to help? Weve never lived in a community like this.

She said an increased lease rate with a renewal would not have surprised her, but the Selfs and the landlord never discussed figures.

We probably will keep our social media going, maybe call it Adventures with Stephen, who is our dog and the store mascot, Noelle Self said.

Butchers Cellar door almost open

A recording heard by callers to Butchers Cellar says hiring will begin soon.

Butchers Cellar is a sophisticated chophouse and eatery, according to a press release, opening this spring in Woodway. It is a project of Matt and Tiffany Fatheree, owners of The Findery housewares and furniture store in downtown Waco. The press release says the Fatherees scoured the country for top-tier talent to helm the kitchen, and after a year, enlisted Alejandro Najar and Alyssa Osinga of Hells Kitchen fame.

This has been a passion project and were excited to finally bring it to life, Matt Fatheree said in the press release. Having Alejandro and Alyssa on board is going to be a game changer for the Waco dining landscape. We cant wait to open our doors and share our dream with the community.

The restaurant will seat 180 guests, including the bar and lounge area.

The restaurant will boast a variety of crave-worthy small plates, succulent seafood dishes, and a one-of-a-kind take on classic steakhouse offerings featuring only the highest quality beef, including select cuts from Iron Table Wagyu, the press release says.

Stylistic touches will include taxidermy mounts, dark tufted leather couches and crystal chandeliers in the restaurant lobby. The bar and lounge area will have white marble, jewel toned velvet banquettes and soft lighting. The dining area will feature butcher block tabletops, fine leather and fireplaces.

The press release includes no opening date, but says it is coming soon.

99 Cents closures

The 99 Cents Only discount chain will close its 371 locations in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas, including the one in the shopping center at 5912 Bosque Blvd. in Waco, next to Hobby Lobby.

Shoppers will find significantly reduced prices on name-brands as well as regularly available food and beverage products such as produce, deli, and other grocery items, according to a press release. Store fixtures, furniture, and equipment will also be available for sale.

Interestingly, a True Value Hardware store that opened in the same shopping center as Wacos 99 Cents Only reportedly has gone out of business.

Jefferies LLC and Hilco Global are managing 99 Cents Onlys real estate assets, both owned and leased, in the four states involved in liquidation.

New county website

Forget the total eclipse. The big news is that a redesigned McLennan County website will go live Thursday.

The McLennan County Information Technology Department has been working on the redesign, since September 2023, that upgrades the back-end technology, a county press release says. The upgrades will not be obvious to the visitor. What will be more noticeable is the easier navigation and enhanced visitor experience.

The upgrade, led by IT support manager Chaquinta Fisher and a website steering committee, will not change the sites functionality, Information Technology Director John Carter said.

Also, the site will be further enriched by a new McLennan County Mobile App, due for release on April 29, Carter said in the press release.

Building permit roundup

Building permits of note issued in the past week include one valued at $3.5 million secured by Baylor University for a new water fountain project at 1400 S. Seventh St., according to a description included in the local Associated General Contractors of America offices newsletter. The permit does not elaborate, but Baylor broke ground in February for its Memorial to Enslaved Persons, a $6.3 million monument meant to honor the contributions of enslaved people to the universitys founding. The new memorial will include a water fountain made from the same limestone as Baylors original campus in Independence.

Meanwhile, a $220,000 permit was issued for commercial finish-out at 635 N. Robinson Drive for Anytime Fitness. The Maria Mezcaleria restaurant and bar at 724 Austin Ave. will spend $30,000 to renovate adjacent lease space to accommodate more diners.
Abbott blood drive

Abbott High School, 219 S. First St., will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday on a Carter BloodCare Bus.

To schedule an appointment, call Abi Cox at 254-582-3011.

Food distribution

Calvary Baptist Church, 1001 N. 18th St., will host a free food distribution from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Free health screenings

Stoney Brook Senior Living Community, 51 Royal Drive in Hewitt, will offer free health screenings from 10 a.m. to noon Friday.

Free screenings will be available to both residents and community members for vital signs, balance, strength, memory and cognition.

For more information, contact Rhonda Ferrell at 254-420-1400 or rferrell@stoneybrookseniorliving.org.

Handel, Vivaldi

Conductor Eugene Lavery will lead the Vox Seraphim Choir and Baroque Orchestra in a performance of Handels Dixit Dominus and Vivaldis Gloria from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at St. Albans Episcopal Church, 305 N. 30th St.

Tickets are $20 for adults or $15 for students and children, and are available at handelvivaldiwaco.eventbrite.com.

Food Truck Showdown

The Texas Food Truck Showdown will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Square in downtown Waco.

The competition, with each truck serving a 4-ounce signature dish, will run until 4 p.m. Signature dishes can only be purchased with one Tasty Ticket each. Tickets are $6 each will be available at booths near the event entrance.

For more information, go to thetexasfoodtruckshowdown.com.

Drill team fundraiser

A drill team audition clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Highway 84 studio of Joys School of Dance, 6714 Woodway Drive.

Check-in will start at 8:30 a.m., and the cost is $40 per dancer. It is open to dancers in fifth grade and up.

The clinic will be led by experienced dance instructors and teachers with drill team experience, and current high school drill team members will assist. Lessons will be tailored to the individual dancers experience level.

Proceeds from the event will help fund the Midway Independent School District drill teams trip to dance in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York in November.

For more information, email Dance2NYC24@gmail.com.

Equitation show

McLennan Community Colleges Highlander Ranch, 223 Cobbs Lane, will host a working equitation show from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The show will include all 3 phases: dressage, ease of handling and speed.

Other show are planned June 1-2 and Nov. 2-3.

For more information, call 254-299-8553.

Gholson April Fest

Gholson April Fest, benefiting the Gholson Volunteer Fire Department, will run from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday at 155 Wesley Chapel Road.

There will be live music, food, other vendors and a kid zone, plus a cornhole tournament.

Live music performers include Sul Ross Band, Gordon Collier Band, Zak Webb Duo, Los Roachez and Elvis tribute artist Josh Davis.

.5K for Pre-K

The Junior League of Waco will hold The Running Event for the Rest of Us from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Indian Spring Park on University Parks Drive.

The event will feature the .5K for Pre-K, created for people not ready to go the extra mile, not even a quarter mile.

Proceeds will benefit the Junior Leagues Power of Pre-K program.

Entry is $35, $15 for ages 2-12 ad $65 for riders. To register, go to jlwaco.org.

Fun with Food and Family

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will hold a Fun with Food and Family,  class from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the local Extension office, 4224 Cobbs Drive.

Instructor Rachel Esquivel will lead the family night with cooking, learning and food sampling.

The registration deadline is Friday, and the cost is $30.

To register, call 254-757-5180.

Trash, Dash & Bash

Keep Waco Beautiful will hold a Trash, Dash & Bash river cleanup competition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, starting at Waco Paddle Co., 200 S. University Parks Drive. Ten-person teams will compete for prizes for most weight in trash pulled from the Brazos River, most creative team name, and a special prize for whoever captures the river alligator.

Anyone not feeling up to cleaning up can make a $25 donation to Keep Waco Beautiful to earn the right to talk trash from the shoreline.

To sign up, go to keepwacobeautiful.org.

Wetlands hikes

Lake Waco Wetlands and the Cameron Park Zoo will offer hikes through the wetlands from 7 to 8 p.m. every Friday this month.

Participants should wear comfortable shoes and bring water and a camera or binoculars.

Everyone is welcome. No registration is required.

For more information, email noras@wacotx.gov or call 254-848-9654.

Aerospace Alliance scholarships

Applications are due May 5 for Greater Waco Aerospace Alliance educational scholarships, awarded annually to students interested in pursuing aviation, aerospace and related engineering programs at local colleges and universities. For applications or more information, go to wacochamber.com/scholarships.
Nearly two dozen GOP state lawmakers and candidates are pushing to overhaul the Texas Houses rules in a bid to further diminish the influence of Democrats and weaken key levers of power used by the speaker to control the chamber.

In an open letter, titled Contract with Texas, the Republican signatories called on the next House leader to commit to their list of conservative demands that served as a repudiation of Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, who theyve accused of handing too much power to the Democratic minority. It marks the first move by the Houses growing rightmost faction to formally define how they want the chamber to function, a typically arcane debate that emerged as a central theme in this years primary contests.

The proposed changes included ending the practice of appointing Democrats to chair House committees. Phelan last year appointed Democrats to oversee eight of the chambers 34 standing committees, while reserving most of the high-profile assignments for Republicans.

Phelan has defended the tradition, arguing it prevents the House from devolving into a state of gridlock without actually thwarting GOP priorities. But the speakers critics framed it as a sign of his insufficiently conservative record, an argument they used to help unseat a record nine House GOP incumbents in the March 5 primary. Eight others, including Phelan, were forced into runoffs.

All but one of the runoff challengers had signed onto the letter by Tuesday, including Phelans opponent, GOP activist and energy consultant David Covey. Also among the signatories were five Republican incumbents and eight GOP nominees who won their primaries last month, mostly by ousting Phelan allies. A total of 23 Republicans had signed onto the contract  a small share of the 150-member House, but also a sign of the growing bloc of current and likely GOP members willing to defy Phelan.

The letter proposes a dozen changes that, taken together, would fundamentally transform how the Texas House operates. The demands include ensuring that all GOP legislative priorities receive a floor vote before any Democrat bills, limiting the speaker to two terms and barring the speaker from distributing political funds.

Phelan has spent millions of dollars from his campaign account over the last two cycles to defend GOP allies against primary challenges from the right.

Also included in the list of demands are a handful of changes aimed at preventing Democrats from using procedural tactics to kill or delay conservative bills, including replacing the current House parliamentarians.

The Houses most recent session was marked by obstruction, dysfunction, and a lack of fundamental fairness in application of the Houses Rules, and this cannot continue, the contract reads. The message of last months primaries was self-evident and sent a clear message that business as usual is not acceptable.

Phelan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Beaumont Republican became the first speaker in more than 50 years to be forced into a runoff, after he finished second to Covey in the March 5 primary. With Phelan fighting for political survival, one of his House GOP colleagues, state Rep. Tom Oliverson of Cypress, recently announced that he was challenging Phelan for the speakership  regardless of whether Phelan survives his May overtime round against Covey.

The new Contract with Texas broadly aligns with Oliversons pitch to realign the lower chamber with the priorities of the Republican party, which includes a pledge to end the tradition of allowing Democrats to chair House committees.

Phelan has said he plans to seek  and win  another term as speaker if he emerges from his primary battle. The speaker is elected by the 150-member House at the start of each regular legislative session, which falls in January of odd years.

Recent speakers, including Phelan, have initially won control of the gavel by gathering pledges of support from a mix of Republicans and Democrats. The Texas GOPs most conservative faction has long pushed for House Republicans to select the speaker in a closed-door, informal vote ahead of the official floor vote  effectively removing Democrats from the process.

The contract calls on the next House speaker to only solicit support from Republican members.

Democrats currently hold 64 seats in the Texas House, enough to prevent Republicans from passing items that require two-thirds support, such as the state budget and constitutional amendments.
Students at Young Womens Leadership Academy watch the April 8 total solar eclipse at Nelson Wolff Stadium. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News

It seems that not all of us pulled out the eclipse glasses for the total solar eclipse. Google searches for "my eyes hurt" have hit their highest point in Texas and nationwide in at least two decades.

Google data shows that Texans searched "my eyes hurt" in April at rates higher than any other time since the search engine started tracking such search data in 2004.

Before the moon passed in front of the sun Monday afternoon, medical professionals warned that looking at the eclipse without proper eyewear could cause significant damage. Without eclipse glasses, viewers can develop eclipse blindness, or solar retinopathy.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Damage to the retina occurs because onlookers can stare directly at the sun during the eclipse without needing to look away. Even so, the sun's rays can still burn the retina.

The regions of Texas with the highest proportion of Google searches for help with painful eyes are in the Laredo area and in the Rio Grande Valley. The San Antonio area is No. 14 on a list of 20 statewide, indicating that Alamo City viewers might have been more careful.

'IT'S NOT COMING BACK': Heres what happens to your retina if you look at the eclipse

The trend isn't just a Texas problem, as Google data shows that searches for eye pain spiked nationally on the day of the eclipse.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Searches for "eyes hurt" in Texas last peaked in August 2017, when another total solar eclipse passed over the United States, though the Lone Star State was not in the path of totality.
The Foundation for Winona Area Public Schools is an independent, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization established in 1991 and funded entirely by community and business supporters of education in Winona. The single purpose of the Foundation is to enrich and expand educational opportunities in Winona Area Public Schools by supporting important programs and projects that would otherwise not be available via normal district resources.

Grants are awarded each month by the Foundation that fund field trips, speakers and enrichment programs to enhance classroom learning. The Foundation also holds over 80 special funds created by individual supporters to benefit educational causes of specific interest. Donations can be made to the Foundations general fund or allocated to a special project, school or program of your choosing. These gifts can be made online via our website www.foundationwaps.org, in person or by mail and are frequently made in honor or memory of a special person or event. Scholarship funds and memorials have been set up in a special persons memory or honor to help the Foundation carry out its mission. Many donations have also been the result of specific financial arrangements such as wills, trusts or life insurance policies.

Heartfelt thanks to all our generous donors and supporters. In the past year alone, over a quarter of a million dollars has been directed through the Foundation to projects and programs that enhance public education. We are so grateful for your help in keeping our schools strong.

This year, on May 11, the Foundation will host two fundraising events in one day to purchase new generation SMART Boards for all WAPS classrooms. The day begins with a Donut Dash 4K run/walk and Mini Donut 1K kids run.

The event also celebrates the milestone 100th anniversary of Winonas legendary Bloedow Bakery, and all participants will enjoy a delicious Bloedows donut!

The Mini Donut Run is free to all kids in fourth grade and under, and registration is required.

People can register online at runsignup.com/Race/MN/Winona/DonutDashWinona or visit the Foundation's office for a paper registration form: Winona Middle School, 1570 Homer Road, Winona, MN 55987.

The evening event brings a Come Together celebration dinner and auction to be held at Winona State University in the Krysko Commons Ballroom and Solarium. A Beatles musical tribute and trivia by Dr. Tim Hatfield, buffet dinner a dessert bar and more will conclude the daylong celebration. So find your tie-die and '60s apparel and Twist and Shout," "Let it Be" and "Come Together."

To learn more about the Foundation for WAPS and to purchase tickets visit www.foundationwaps.org.
Defendant Miranda Casarez, 25, cries as the prosecution shows photos of her stepson Benjamin Cervera, 4, during her trial Tuesday. She is on trial on a charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission in the starvation death of Benjamin in 2021. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Prosecutor Thomas Damico pulls up a video of 4-year-old Benjamin Cervera during the child injury trial of Miranda Casarez on Tuesday. The video taken by Casarez shows Cervera crying and begging for bread hours before he died. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Defendant Miranda Casarez, 25, center, listens as legal assistants Dan Timoskevich and Hannah Taylor review evidence during her trial Tuesday. She is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission in the 2021 starvation death of her stepson Benjamin Cervera, 4. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Defense attorney Anthony B. Cantrell, left, talks with witness Devon Acosta, a domestic violence advocate employed by the Metropolitan Health District, during the child injury trial of Miranda Casarez on Tuesday. Casarez is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission in the 2021 starvation death of her stepson Benjamin Cervera, 4. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Prosecutor Thomas Damico, center, points out marks on 4-year-old Benjamin Cerveras back to SAPD officer Rosendo Hoyos during the child injury trial of Miranda Casarez on Tuesday. Casarez is accused in the 2021 starvation death of Benjamin, 4, her stepson. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News State District Judge Kristina Escalona addresses the court Tuesday during the trial of Miranda Casarez, charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission in the 2021 starvation death of her stepson Benjamin Cervera, 4. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Miranda Casarez leaves the courtroom during a break in her trial Tuesday. She is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission in the 2021 starvation death of her stepson Benjamin Cervera, 4. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Defense attorney Anthony B. Cantrell checks over a list of evidence the prosecution has asked to be admitted in the trial of Miranda Casarez on Tuesday. She is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission in the 2021 starvation death of her stepson Benjamin Cervera, 4. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Defendant Miranda Casarez, 25, cries as the prosecution shows photos of her stepson Benjamin Cervera, 4, during her trial Tuesday. She is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission in the 2021 starvation death of Benjamin, her stepson. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Benjamin Cervera, 4, cried as he clasped both hands and begged his stepmother, Miranda Casarez, for food.

It was on a cellphone video taken by Casarez on Aug. 17, 2021, as she and the toddler drove in her car. A jury watched it as her trial for injury to a child began Tuesday.

The toddler was unsecured in a car seat in the back of her vehicle, weeping in a low tone and saying, I want some bread, I want some bread, six times between sobs.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

From the drivers seat, Casarez can be heard telling him, No, and to chill out.

Prosecutor Thomas Damico, center, shows a picture to SAPD officer Rosendo Hoyos during the child injury trial of Miranda Casarez on Tuesday. Casarez, 25, is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission in the 2021 starvation death of her stepson Benjamin Cervera, 4. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

A little more than three hours after the video was taken, Benjamin was pronounced dead at Christus Childrens Hospital. A medical examiner ruled that he died of starvation.

Casarez, 25, is charged along with Benjamins father, Brandon Lee Cervera, with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission.

Each of them is accused of withholding food and water and failing to seek proper medical care. If convicted of the first-degree felony, Casarez faces up to life in prison. Cervera, 30, is to be tried at a later date.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Some childrens monsters live in the closet or under the bed at night, but Benjamins lived in the room next door, prosecutor Michael Villarreal told the jury in his opening statement.

The case is about the cold, painful, slow starvation of a child known as Benji, he said. When Benjamin died, he was a month short of his fifth birthday and weighed just 28 pounds, Villarreal said.

The prosecutor warned jurors they would see video and still photographs that captured the childs deterioration over a five-month period.

Defense attorney Anthony B. Cantrell waived the defenses opening statement until later.

Witness SAPD officer Rosendo Hoyos testifies during the child injury trial of Miranda Casarez on Tuesday. She is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission in the 2021 starvation death of her stepson Benjamin Cervera, 4. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio police homicide Det. Lawrence Saiz walked the jury through a lengthy video interview and photographs taken from cellphones and from cameras in the apartment the couple shared with their blended family of three sons and an infant daughter on Eisenhauer Road on the Northeast Side.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Crime scene photographs showed cameras placed in the childrens rooms and their closets. Some showed locks on the refrigerator and cabinets that contained food.

Casarez told Saiz in the interview that Benjamin would be bad, would cry and would not mind. Besides Benjamin, she said, she was left to care for Cerveras oldest son, then 10; her 5-year-old son; and the new baby, then 6 months old. She said Cervera worked all the time, and when he wasnt working, he was out with his friends.

Miranda Casarez leaves the courtroom during a break in her trial Tuesday. She is charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury by omission in the 2021 starvation death of her stepson Benjamin Cervera, 4. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

In the video, Casarez told Saiz that Benjamin would eat his own feces out of the diapers he wore. At the time she took him to the hospital, the childs diaper was soaked in urine. She told the detective that before he died, he had been shoving his fingers down his throat and was vomiting blood and mucous, and she thought the blood came from the child scratching his throat while making himself throw up.

At times Casarez cried when explaining how she did not know what was wrong with Benjamin that made him act the way he did. She said the child would bite and eat his fingernails and toenails. She said she would tell the boys father, but Cervera would just get angry at her.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

When asked by Saiz if she had postpartum depression, she said she was just tired from having to care for the children by herself.

Casarez stressed she never hit Benjamin. She would yell at him and put him in timeout, or make him sit on his bed by himself.
Federal authorities have released their preliminary report after a deadly plane crash in Truckee in March.

The plane crashed while approaching the Truckee-Tahoe Airport, killing 57-year-old Liron Petrushka and 58-year-old Naomi Petrushka of Incline Village.

In its report, the NSTB says the airport control tower and the runway lights were turned off when the crash happened on March 30th, just after 6:30 p.m.

The plane, a Daher TBM700, was on its return flight from Denver and descending into the Lake Tahoe area when the pilot tried to activate the runway lights.

A weather report shows it was lightly snowing at the time of the crash.

The plane crashed about 3,200 feet away from the end of the runway near some railroad tracks.

You can read details in the NTSB report below -

Investigators have confirmed the two people who died in a plane crash near Truckee last month were husband and wife.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office have identified the victims as 57-year-old Liron Petrushka and 58-year-old Naomi Petrushka of Incline Village.

Authorities say they were identified through DNA analysis.

Naomi previously taught at the University of Nevada, Reno as an adjunct professor in the Economics Department in the College of Business.

According to investigators, their plane crashed while on approach to the Truckee Tahoe Airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. It urges anyone with surveillance video or other information about the crash to contact them at witness@ntsb.gov

UPDATE APRIL 1, 2024:

A former University of Nevada professor is one of two people who are reported dead in a small plane crash near Truckee Saturday night.

UNR tells us Naomi Petrushka taught several semesters at the school, including fall 2022 & 2023, and spring 2021 & 2023. Petrushka was an adjunct professor in the Economics Department in the College of Business.

She's believed to have died along with Liron Petrushka, although the Nevada County coroner has not officially released any names yet.

Upwest, an investment firm that funds and fast-tracks Israeli founders breaking into the American market, posted on Facebook that Liron and Naomi Petrushka were aboard the plane when it crashed. It says the couple were integral to building up the company.

The plane, a Daher TBM 700, left Centennial Airport in south Denver at 4:22 p.m. Mountain Time, according to flight data on FlightAware.com. It was scheduled to arrive at the Truckee Tahoe Airport three hours and 16 minutes later.

Instead, the single-engine turboprop crashed around 6:40 p.m. while on approach to the airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday.

The Aviation Safety Network says preliminary investigations show that the plane missed its approach to the northeast-to-southwest runway here at the airport.

The plane made an 180-degree turn over the airport, climbing in the sky in a go-around to attempt to land, but instead the plane made a left-hand stalling spiral, taking out a tree near the Truckee River.

The Truckee Police Department confirmed two people died, but did not provide further information about the victims.

No homes were damaged, but railroad tracks at the crash site required repairs, KCRA-TV reported.

Moderate snow was falling at the time of the crash with visibility of a half-mile (0.8 kilometers), though winds were light, the news station reported.

The Truckee Police Department, Truckee Fire Protection District, Nevada County Sheriff, Nevada County Coroner and Truckee Tahoe Airport Staff all responded to the scene.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
On Tuesday morning, Panasonic Energy of North America and Truckee Meadows Community College unveiled their new advanced manufacturing technology center.

As part of the partnership, TMCC trains students at the new facility and once they are trained, most students can get a job opportunity with Panasonic Energy.

The fast-track program can get students into the work force after taking just one class through TMCC.

This program is designed to help fill a need for labor in Northern Nevada.

"We started to see that the people here didn't necessarily have industrial experience with this community and the markets that are here. So, we were able to offer an opportunity with TMCC to put together a program with our people which then lead to supporting people in the community," said Allan Swan, President of Panasonic Energy, North America.

Although students can take just one course before being eligible for certain jobs, TMCC offers a two-year program as well.

The two-year advanced manufacturing program will allow you to gain more certifications and you can even move on to a four-year institution afterwards if you want to continue your education.

TMCC is actively looking for students to join their summer session courses.

To find out more information or get in contact with a representative from TMCC, visit www.tmcc.edu
A retired professional wrestler and former congressional candidate in Nevada and Texas is challenging evidence in the case accusing him of killing a man during a Halloween Party last year at a Las Vegas Strip hotel.

Daniel Rodimer, 45, who now lives in Texas, was not asked to enter a plea during his initial court appearance Wednesday on an open murder charge in the death of 47-year-old Christopher Tapp of Idaho.

Rodimer surrendered to Las Vegas police for his arrest March 6 and remains free on a $200,000 bail.

Defense lawyers David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld submitted documents arguing that prosecutors improperly relied on privileged conversations between Rodimer and his wife for evidence that Rodimer fatally punched Tapp.

The judge did not immediately decide the evidence question.

Rodimer, a Republican, lost bids for Congress in Nevada in 2020 and in Texas in 2021.

Tapp served more than 20 years in prison in a 1996 killing before receiving an $11.7 million settlement from Idaho Falls in 2022 in a wrongful conviction lawsuit.

(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)
Benjamin Franklin helped write the Declaration of Independence, was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, became first postmaster general, invented the Franklin stove, bifocals and the lightning rod, was a notable Founding Father, and for more than 25 years under the pseudonym Richard Saunders published the witty Poor Richards Almanac. He also spent his mornings in the nude for his air baths and wrote the eyebrow-raising essay Advice to a Young Man on the Choice of a Mistress, in which he praised the benefits of getting intimate with older women.

The man was brilliant and complex  and had a special brand of mischievousness that Americans still find charming. Which is exactly why Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas, 79, was so interested in playing him in the Apple TV+ miniseries Franklin, streaming April 12.

Members only

He was really a Renaissance man. Very bright, but a little bit of a rascal, too. He was a philanderer, liked to imbibe, big flirt. His idea of negotiating was sort of a seduction, he told reporters at the Television Critics Association Press Tour earlier this year in Pasadena, California.

The show follows Franklin during his late-in-life ambassadorship in France. In his 70s, with rudimentary French and no diplomatic training, he helped engineer the Franco-American alliance of 1778, securing Frances aid in the American Revolution.

The Continental Congress decided, we need Ben, well known around the world, to do sort of an undercover diplomatic trip to France at 70 in 1776, Douglas says. We desperately needed weapons and cash. Otherwise the British would have beaten us and that would have been that. It was just a reminder, how precious democracy is, and how easy it is to lose it  how fragile it is.

Douglas, seen here with co-star Noah Jupe, tackles the role of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin in the new Apple TV+ miniseries Franklin. Apple TV+

Franklin was written by Kirk Ellis, screenwriter of John Adams, the 2008 HBO miniseries, and based on bestselling author Stacy Schiffs A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France and the Birth of America. Douglas researched the Founding Father and became fascinated by him.

Male or female, he could identify very quickly the foibles of somebody, whether it was flattery or something else, Douglas says, and make them all feel like they were Bens best friend  even though he had other ulterior motives. Ive always sort of been attracted to those characters that are in the gray area. I always like people to have a little dark side to them.

In that, Franklin was like a lot of Douglas characters in the 1980s and 90s  his devilish Gordon Gekko in Wall Street, the haunted Dan Gallagher in Fatal Attraction and dirty cop Nick Curran in Basic Instinct. And he recently took to Instagram to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Romancing the Stone, in which he played a brash bird hunter opposite Kathleen Turner. The choice to portray the multifaceted Franklin was a natural one.

Im sort of at a point in my career where Im trying different things," he says. After dipping his toe in Marvel movies like the 2015 Ant-Man and comedy in the award-winning The Kominsky Method, he realized he hadnt done a period drama in his close-to-60-year career: I wanted to see how Id look in tights. Thank God I didnt have to wear a wig!
Leaving AARP.org Website

You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.
Principal Todd Bloomer watches students head to class at Churchill High School on a recent morning. If I stand here long enough, all of Churchill passes by, he said. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Students change class at Churchill High School on April 3. Principal Todd Bloomer says he has tried to get Instagram to remove toxic pages that target students, but the social media company rarely responds. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Kathleen Janysek, instructional dean of mathematics, talks with Principal Todd Bloomer about plans for the upcoming year at Churchill High School. Bloomer says his attempts to take down toxic Instagram pages are met with indifference by the social media company. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Student Avery Lambert, 18, hugs Principal Todd Bloomer as he talks with members of Parliament, the student council, at Churchill High School on April 3. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Principal Todd Bloomer watches students from his usual hallway spot at Churchill High School on April 3. If I stand here long enough, all of Churchill passes by, he says. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News At his usual morning spot, Principal Todd Bloomer works on his iPad at Churchill High School on April 3. He tries to create trust by making himself visible. But Bloomer has been unable to get Instagram to remove toxic pages that target students. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Todd Bloomer describes his favorite place on campus, the concourse outside the auditorium, as the Grand Central Station of Churchill High School  stand there long enough, and all 2,400 students will eventually walk by.

The North East Independent School District principal believes being visible acts as a bulwark against misbehavior. There, in Churchills hub, his presence might stop a student from acting out, fighting or skipping class.

Bloomer can control this space. But he cant control social media.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Trying to figure out who creates anonymous Instagram accounts that post humiliating, sometimes violent, content about Churchill students  and trying to take them down  is like chasing the bogeyman, Bloomer said.

Its the same at other schools, locally and nationwide, and the debate over how to curb it is widening. Some education advocates want social media companies to do more. Others, including some in San Antonio, are pushing for an outright ban on cellphone use during school.

The popular pages generally do one of two things: circulate graphic videos of fights on campus or publicize anonymous comments about students appearance and social lives. Administrators say the leers, jeers, sneers and incitement have exacerbated a spike in student violence and a growing mental health crisis that has overwhelmed area school districts since the pandemic.

Bloomer and his team have spent countless hours identifying malicious social media accounts bearing Churchill High Schools logo, immediately reporting every one they find  but rarely does Instagram respond, he said.

A few principals in San Antonio are starting to crack down on campus phone use itself, and appealing to parents to regulate their kids social media use.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

We cant monitor Instagram, we cant monitor TikTok, we cant monitor Snapchat, but parents have the ability to look at their childs phone and see whats going on, said one, Brandon Masters at Sam Rayburn Middle School in Northside ISD. We rely heavily on that.

Principal Todd Bloomer chats with a passing student at Churchill High School on April 3. He tries to create trust by making himself available in the hallway every morning. But Bloomer has been unable to stop toxic Instagram pages that target students, and says his concerns are met with indifference by the social media company. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Feeling helpless

Every morning, Bloomer sits on a red bench outside Churchill High School and sips his coffee as the last arriving students trickle in.

He goes out of his way to engage them. Bloomer wants them to feel comfortable coming to him with issues, and the effort has paid off. Within a half hour in late March, a girl informed him about suspicious activity in a bathroom, a new student asked for directions and others approached him about a recent work experience.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Building trust has helped Bloomer stay aware of whats happening online. Its not good. He gets reports weekly about problematic social media pages, usually tea accounts that invite students to submit entries via a Google form about other students, such as whos dating who, whos ugly, whos overweight, he said.

A father of five, Bloomer said it breaks his heart to see students targeted with this kind of torment.

He has a comprehensive approach to preventing bullying, including meeting regularly with student groups, connecting kids to extracurricular activities and ensuring the schools mental health department is equipped to respond.

But social media can get around all that, and right now, were feeling helpless, Bloomer said. He cant understand how a platform with so-called community guidelines allows such harmful content and believes tech companies like Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, have a responsibility to address the resulting safety and mental health damage.

I need to be able to talk to a human and say, Im on a campus of 2,400 students and what this account is doing is affecting my students, their learning, their academics and me in general,  he said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Up to 95% of American youth ages 13 through 17 say they use a social media platform, with more than a third doing so almost constantly, according to a 2023 advisory from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Those who use social media more than three hours a day faced twice the risk of having negative mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety symptoms, the report said.

Meta did not respond to a request for comment. In January, during a congressional hearing over child safety online, its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, turned to apologize to parents on the Senate floor.

A few rows behind him, Maurine Molak held up a photo of her son, David, who died by suicide in 2016 after being harassed and humiliated by a group of Alamo Heights High School students on social media.

Davids death shook the school community and prompted the Legislature to pass Davids Law, giving schools the authority to investigate cyberbullying incidents that occur off campus.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Molak is now pushing for a federal law that would require tech companies to implement stronger safety protections for children online. Inspired by a conversation with Bloomer, she wants the legislation to create a special reporting mechanism for school officials.

But parents also have a responsibility to teach their children digital citizenship, Molak said in a recent interview, particularly the dangers of social media, like exposure to hate and discrimination, access to dangerous drugs and avenues for sexual exploitation.

Parents need to have those conversations, she said. I didnt have them, and I dont have a do-over, so if I can tell parents this is where I went wrong, hopefully, they can do better than me.

Away for the Day

On a Thursday in February, Josefina Montes granddaughter was standing in a hallway at East Central High School when another female student walked over and punched her in the face.

The 14-year-old freshman went to the hospital, filed a police report and pressed charges, but the assault already was immortalized online  because it was organized ahead of time, her grandmother said. Posted to an Instagram page with more than 2,500 followers, a video shows a crowd of students holding up their phones and cheering.

They have these pages where they post nothing but fights, and its not right, Montes said.

Most area school systems have loose guidelines about cellphone use, often leaving it to the discretion of teachers. A few campuses have cracked down.

When the 8:30 a.m. bell rings at Sam Rayburn Middle School, students must put their phones in their backpacks. Under a policy implemented this year, the devices shouldnt be seen again until dismissal.

Masters, the principal, said the school shifted to a phone-free culture after examining discipline data and discussing solutions with the community.

There was a disconnect between reality and social media, he said. I would have students in my office saying, Its just social media, it isnt real, it doesnt harm anybody, but what we see on the other end are these effects on mental health.

The program, known as Away for the Day, has reduced disciplinary infractions on campus; and when fights do break out, fewer students pull out their phones to record it, Masters said. If anyone is caught doing so, administrators confiscate their devices, contact their parents and ensure the video is deleted.

The biggest challenge to banning phones outright in schools would be getting everyone on board, he said.

In Houston ISD, a spate of fights prompted Madison High School to double down on a districtwide rule keeping phones out of sight, requiring students to turn them in while on campus and pick them up when they leave. The new rule sparked a protest and lockdown.

In the debates that followed David Molaks death eight years ago, nobody suggested that area schools ban cellphone use, let alone collect the devices at the start of the day. Some experts even predicted that social media platforms would respond aggressively to dangerous or abusive posts if people would just report them, a confidence seldom expressed today.

That was the year the National Education Association reported that 70% of school districts nationwide that had once banned cellphones had reversed those policies, due in part to parents who wanted to be reachable in case of an emergency like a school shooting.

But using cellphones during a crisis could put students in more danger, said Kim Whitman of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, a national advocacy group formed last year. Whitman said cellphones might distract students from following instructions, hamper first responders or make someone trying to hide more discoverable.

OUT OF CONTROL: Parents swarm Jefferson High School after false reports of shots fired

Whitman, who lives near Kansas City and is a parent of teenagers, is most worried about the developmental and behavioral consequences of smartphone dependency among youth. Her movement aims to eliminate phone usage at all K-12 schools.

Im concerned that we are failing this generation, she said.

At Churchill High School, teachers can decide their own phone policies. Some use old calculator pouches as a cellphone jail, while others incorporate devices into their lesson plans, Bloomer said.

The principal enjoys the perks of social media himself. He has three Instagram accounts, one of which he uses to keep community members updated on school happenings.

He doesnt want students to lose access to an integral part of their generations culture. But he wants them to rethink how they interact online.

When Bloomer walks into Churchills cafeteria, he sees students from different backgrounds sitting together and getting along. He wants that sense of community reflected in online spaces, too.
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
In a notable development, revered yoga guru Baba Ramdev and the Managing Director of Patanjali Ayurved, Acharya Balkrishna, have extended an unequivocal apology to the Supreme Court. This pivotal move comes amidst a contempt case initiated against them for disseminating deceptive medical advertisements, in clear violation of a court undertaking.

The affidavit containing the apology, filed this Saturday, is a sincere effort to address the Court's concerns, which were raised following a petition by the Indian Medical Association against Patanjali's advertisements disparaging allopathy and making unverified claims regarding the treatment of certain ailments. Despite assurances given to the Court in November, Patanjali persisted with the misleading advertisements, prompting the Court to issue a contempt notice on February 27. Consequently, Patanjali was restrained from further advertising or branding products intended to treat diseases specified in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954.

In March, when Patanjali failed to respond to the contempt notice, the personal appearance of MD Balkrishna and Baba Ramdev was requested. However, the Court found MD Balkrishna's affidavit lacking and criticized it as "perfunctory" and "mere lip service." Nevertheless, in a statement submitted to the Court, Baba Ramdev expressed regret for the advertisements and assured the Court that such lapses would not occur in the future, echoing the sentiments recorded in the Court's order dated November 21, 2023.

Furthermore, the state of Uttarakhand, where Patanjali Ayurved is headquartered, has submitted a detailed affidavit promising strict action against the company in accordance with the law, after being made a party in the case by the Supreme Court. The Ministry of Ayush has also intervened, urging the withdrawal of advertisements for certain Patanjali products alleged to contravene the Drugs & Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

The affidavit also underscores the government's policy advocating an integrative healthcare system, allowing individuals to choose between Ayush systems and allopathic medicine. Previously, the Supreme Court had cautioned Patanjali Ayurved against publishing misleading advertisements and threatened a fine of Rs 1 crore for non-compliance, following a petition by the Indian Medical Association.

With all eyes on Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna's impending appearance before the Supreme Court, there are high hopes for a resolution to the contentious issue of misleading advertisements.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump points to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as he speaks at Shelby Park during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump talks with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. As Trump campaigns on the promises of mass deportations and pardons for those convicted in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, his ideas are being met with little pushback by a new era of Republicans in Congress. It's a shift from the first time around when Trump encountered early skepticism and, once in a while, the uproar of condemnation. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) Eric Gay/Associated Press Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump talks with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott at Shelby Park during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump talks with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as visits Shelby Park during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press

Gov. Greg Abbott keeps downplaying his interest in being Donald Trumps running mate, but his actions over the last few weeks tell a different story.

Just blocks from Trump Tower in New York City last week, Abbott sounded like an unofficial Trump surrogate in a series of live interviews and a speech. The Republican governor tailored his comments to echo Trumps own language on crime and immigration. He even doubled down on the former presidents inflammatory comments about President Joe Biden perpetuating a border bloodbath.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

This is what you call murder by government policy, Abbott said Thursday on Americas Newsroom on Fox News about violence allegedly committed by migrants around the nation because of U.S. border policies. And Americans are sick and tired of it. Americans are going to vote for safety in this election.

Abbott, 66, has no official role in Trumps campaign. But his behavior likely shows why Trump has floated Abbott as a potential vice president in recent months, said Joel Goldstein, a St. Louis University scholar who has written books on the selection of vice presidents in American history.

Trumps move helps boost the Texas governors national visibility. In return, Trump is getting Abbott and other possible running mates such as U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to promote his campaign.

Trump is motivating these people to be out there doing this, Goldstein said.



While Abbotts name percolated on some VP rumor lists, it took off in February when Trump told a national audience on Fox News that Abbott was absolutely on his short list of potential running mates.

Trump praised Abbotts work on the border and called him a spectacular man.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

But now its gone beyond that single moment. Trump frequently mentions Abbott at rallies on the campaign trail even in other states without the Texas governor in the crowd. In January he touted Abbott to a Nevada audience and last month spent time in Greensboro, N.C., talking about how good of a job Abbott was doing in Texas.

At the same time, Abbotts role is growing in Trumps orbit. In New York City last week for a fundraiser, Abbott made the rounds on Fox News and pumped up Trump in multiple interviews, often using the presidential candidates own talking points. He slammed New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, for crime issues in the city, specifically pointing to the killing of New York City police officer Jonathan Diller during a traffic stop in March. Trump just a week earlier had attended the officers funeral and decried the killing.

There are people dying on his watch, law enforcement officers are being gunned down by people who have been arrested 20 times, Abbott said of Dillers slaying. Police have said Dillers alleged killer had been arrested at least 21 times, according to news reports.

That language comes weeks after Abbott, who typically does national TV appearances only on Republican-friendly Fox News, made a rare appearance on NBC News where he overtly touted Trumps reelection after he won the states presidential primary.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

People see the opportunity that exists with Donald Trump returning to the presidency, Abbott said.

That had NBCs anchors asking Abbott directly if he wanted to be Trumps running mate. Abbott said it was kind of Trump to mention him in that context but that he intends to stay in Texas.

Ive already announced Im running for reelection, and that truly is my focus, Abbott said of his next campaign in 2026.

Abbott, first elected governor in 2014, also told reporters in Texas in March: My commitment is to Texas, and Im staying in Texas.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Goldstein said Abbotts aggressive stance on border security, which has included stringing up miles of razor wire along the Rio Grande to stop migrants from entering Texas, is clearly driving the conversation about him being a possible VP. And being from a big Republican state like Texas that has produced presidents and high-profile contenders such as George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Rick Perry surely helps. But he said the downside of Abbott as a nominee revolves around abortion politics at a time when Trump is trying to soften his approach on the issue.

Abbott signed the Texas law that bans abortions in Texas even in cases of rape and incest  a position Trump has said he is against. This week, Trump issued a video message to the public in which he declared: Like Ronald Reagan, Im strongly in favor of exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother.

Biden has already gone to great lengths to make it clear that hes going to tie Trump to Texas abortion laws. He used the State of the Union address this year to talk about women facing fetal abnormalities fleeing Texas to get abortions. While Trump has said he supports exceptions for rape and incest, Democrats say his appointments of Supreme Court justices still led to Texas implementing some of the most hard-right abortion laws in the nation.

But even if Abbott doesnt make the final cut, Goldstein said, hes getting to be in a conversation that many other Republicans would love to join. By getting mentioned now as a potential vice president, it can help Abbott build a national profile for a future presidential run.

If people think of you as not just gubernatorial material, but in a vice president or presidential context, it elevates you, he said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Of course, being picked as a vice presidential running mate is no guarantee of future political stardom. While George H.W. Bush and Biden used the position to build their national statures and later run for the White House, history is filled with the likes of Dan Quayle, Paul Ryan and Sarah Palin, whose political careers largely stagnated after being chosen as running mates.
Cheil India curated a slew of activities as a part of the 17th edition of the largest literature festival in the world, the Jaipur Literature Festival for Samsung. Samsung supported Jaipur Literature Fest which is one of the largest literary festivals in the world, bringing together writers, poets, thinkers, and literary enthusiasts from various parts of the globe. The festival typically features a diverse program of panel discussions, readings, book launches, and cultural performances. JLF is known for its inclusive and democratic spirit, allowing literature enthusiasts to interact with their favourite authors and discover new voice.

To create buzz for book aficionados, Samsung decided to enthral the book lovers at the festival with several exciting activities that included a Not So Silent library - a silent nook for book lovers to read in peace. To set up the Not So Silent Library across Jaipur, Samsung stationed Galaxy Buds2 Pro with Active Noise Cancellation earbuds, along with Samsung Galaxy S9 series tabs at some the noisiest places in the city. People were invited to come and experience the library with a teaser message  Any place is a good place to read. Upon plugging in the Buds2 Pro and choosing an audiobook from the Galaxy S9 series tabs, a literal library came up around them, further building on the ambiance to read. All the while subtly highlighting the features of the products.

Aditya Babbar, Vice President - Head Product & Marketing said, Samsung has always set the benchmark when it comes to innovation and making technology accessible and appealing for everyone. With our association with Jaipur Literature festival, which has gained international recognition for fostering a unique blend of literary and cultural experiences, we displayed how innovative technologies can bring meaningful changes in our users lives. With the Not So Silent Library campaign we show-cased how Galaxy Buds2Pro with enhanced 360 immersive audio and intelligent Audio Noise Cancelation (ANC) and Galaxy Tab S9 redefines the limits of possibility by setting up an ambient environment where avid book lovers could enjoy their favourite audiobooks, without any disturbance.

Vikash Chemjong, CCO, Cheil India said, The Not So Silent Library created a unique, noiseless reading experience for book lovers across Jaipur and they loved it! Social platforms were abuzz with mentions of the Not So Silent Library and the Internet at large celebrated the idea. The Not So Silent Library ended up creating a lot of noise for Samsung!.
After months of eager anticipation, Netflix has finally unveiled the mesmerizing trailer for its highly anticipated original series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Market, directed by the visionary filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Departing from the confines of traditional cinema, Heeramandi promises to transport viewers into a realm of opulence, intrigue, and rebellion like never before, marking Bhansalis remarkable debut in the realm of web series.

Breaking away from the stereotype of Mumbai-based trailer launches, Netflix and Bhansali Productions orchestrated a grand event in Delhi, where the entire stellar cast graced the occasion, albeit without the shows creator, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, himself. Monika Shergill, Vice-President of Content at Netflix India, and Prerna Singh, CEO of Bhansali Productions, joined the stellar ensemble, including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah Badussha, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman.

Heeramandi is a seamless extension of Sanjay Leela Bhansalis trademark style, evident in his previous works such as Gangubai Kathiawadi, Padmaavat, and Devdas. The series boasts grandiose sets, exquisite fineries, and dialogues that transport viewers to a realm beyond the ordinary, captivating fans of the esteemed filmmaker.

Set against the backdrop of pre-independence India, Heeramandi delves into the enthralling dynamics of power and passion within the clandestine world of tawaifs and nawabs. The trailer tantalizingly offers a glimpse into a society teetering on the edge of change, where the reverberations of revolution echo through the halls of Heeramandi.

Heeramandi mein Angrezon ka nahi Mallikajaan ka sikka chalta hai!

The gripping trailer immerses viewers in the scintillating district of Heeramandi, ruled by the formidable Mallikajaan (Manisha Koirala), who presides over an elite house of courtesans. However, her reign is threatened with the return of Fareedan (Sonakshi Sinha), the daughter of her late nemesis, stirring tensions within the house. Meanwhile, outside the walls of Heeramandi, the city seethes with revolutionary fervour, with characters like Bibbojaan (Aditi Rao Hydari) joining the fight for Indias freedom.

As betrayal mounts and forbidden desires clash with societal norms, the struggle for Indias freedom reaches a boiling point. Amidst this turmoil, Mallikajaan and Fareedan engage in an epic battle for the title of the Huzoor, or the lady of Heeramandi. The stage is set for a gripping narrative of ambition, love, and liberation.

Azadi woh aakhri gehna hai joh humme har keemat pein chahiye, Aditi Rai Hydari gathered a lot of applause from the audiences for her dialogues.

During the trailer launch, Monika Shergill, VP, Netflix India, said, Were preparing to unveil our grandest endeavor yet: Heeramandi, The Diamond Bazaar. This series, akin to all of Sanjay Leela Bhansalis exquisite creations, is a work of art, offering a stunning visual experience and a visceral world with unforgettable characters. As his first long format series, Sanjay Leela Bhansali creates an immersive world of powerful and universal emotions that will mesmerize audiences across India and around the globe!

Prerna Singh, CEO, Bhansali Productions, added here, Regarding the cast, I can just say that we have collected all diamonds from the industry. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, while writing knows what he wants and he always believes in radical casting.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali had the story for 14 years

Monika Shergill revealed that Bhansali had been trying to make the show for over a decade. She said, He (Bhansali) had this story for 14 years. He has lived with these characters for so long. I think somewhere he always felt that he had to have the right medium. It was not getting contained in a film format. It is such an immersive world, it is such a powerful story, you just keep peeling the layers. So, it needed an amazing cinematic format. He wanted to do it in the most perfect way. We are honoured to take Heeramandi to the world.

Reactions of the cast

Along with the audiences, the actors themselves had goosebumps after watching the trailer. Aditi Hydari during the launch said, I am very overwhelmed and it is quite a surreal feeling after watching it for the first time.

When asked about working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali after a gap of 28 years, Manisha Koirala (who had worked with Bhansali in Khamoshi) said, I waited 28 years for Sanjay to call me. It has been a pleasure. It was a pleasure back then and it is a pleasure and is an honour to be working with that genius.

Sonakshi Sinha also thanked the director for giving her such a role to showcase in her journey as an actress. She said, I feel truly blessed that a director has seen me and presented to the world like nobody has seen me before. My role in Heeramandi tops all the roles so far.

Richa Chadha, who plays Lajjo, a courtesan in the series, said, I feel this show truly has the potential to travel outside India because in a sense, if you Google Bollywood extravaganza, the first thing that pops up is the creator of the show  Sanjay Leela Bhansali. So, I think it would be a great offering from India to the whole world. It can be like Narcos or Squid Game, which are international series and watched the world over. Heeramandi can be a great Indian offering to the world.

Sanjeeda Sheikh, while speaking about Sanjay Leela Bhansali, said, In the world of re-takes, he is one of his kind. It is an honour to work with sir. He wants to re-invent with every shot he takes.

Introducing the Nawabs of Heeramandi

The trailer also introduced the Nawabs of Heeramandi, including Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah Badussha, and the father-son duo Shekhar and Adhyayan Suman. Fardeen Khan, making a poignant comeback after a hiatus, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, while Shekhar Suman conveyed his appreciation of Bhansali and Netflix for their contributions to the series. Adhyayan Suman, embodying the character of Zoravar, reflected on the fiery passion encapsulated in his role.
In the realm of skincare, where innovation meets expertise, O3+ Skincare has been able to carve a niche for itself as Indias premier professional skincare brand. Born from the esteemed house of Visage Beauty & Health Care, O3+ embodies a legacy of excellence dating back to 1967, an era that witnessed the burgeoning of indigenous beauty salons in India, coinciding with the meteoric rise of Bollywood.

With a foundation rooted in delivering derma-grade products and cutting-edge skincare treatments, O3+ Skincare has consistently raised the bar through a marriage of clinical studies and advanced research. Initially catering exclusively to beauty salons with their pioneering Dermal Zone range, the brand revolutionized professional skincare in India.

However, recognizing the evolving landscape of consumer preferences and demands, O3+ embarked on a transformative journey in 2020, marking its foray into the retail segment.

In conversation with Adgully, Vidur Kapur, Director O3+ Skincare and a third generation businessman sheds light on the brands evolutionary trajectory, navigating the transition from a business-to-business (B2B) model to a business-to-consumer (B2C) powerhouse. He elucidates the myriad challenges and opportunities inherent in this paradigm shift, offering valuable insights into O3+s strategic approach. He also speaks about the brands omni-channel strategy, leveraging multiple touchpoints for expansion and engagement.

How has O3+ established itself in the skincare industry since its inception in 2005? What key factors contributed to O3+s growth and success as a strong brand over the years?

O3+ is a legacy brand that roots back to 1967, the era that saw the initial rise of homegrown salons in India. Over time from 2005 to today now, O3+ has come with new innovations & formulas like the Derma zone range, age lock luxury facial series, digital flagship, smart skin system gadget, retail skincare range and O3+ new proline.

We are working towards redefining the meaning of skincare. We have distinguished ourselves as a leader in the industry with an innovative and cutting-edge range of products.

What sets O3+ apart from other skincare brands in the market, and what is its unique selling proposition (USP)?

What makes us different from other brands is our skincare products. They're special because experts have done a lot of research to make them great.

O3+ stands out for its professional-grade skincare, created by experts for effective results. With a focus on targeted solutions, it addresses diverse skin concerns. The brand's innovation and quality ingredients set it apart, and trusted by skin care professionals in salons. O3+'s unique selling proposition lies in its commitment to delivering safe, effective, and trusted skincare solutions.

Could you discuss the transition from a B2B to a B2C module and the challenges and opportunities associated with this shift?

The Challenges:

Brand Recognition: Making people know and trust your brand means spending a lot on marketing to get the word out.

Making people know and trust your brand means spending a lot on marketing to get the word out. Distribution Channels: Getting your products to customers involves finding new ways, like selling online or teaming up with stores.

Getting your products to customers involves finding new ways, like selling online or teaming up with stores. Consumer Education: Helping people understand why products are great requires more informative campaigns.

Helping people understand why products are great requires more informative campaigns. Competition: There are lots of other brands out there fighting for attention, so you need to find ways to stand out and show why you're the best choice.

The Opportunities:

Market Expansion: Reaching out to more people means you can sell to a bigger group of customers, helping your business grow.

Reaching out to more people means you can sell to a bigger group of customers, helping your business grow. Brand Loyalty: Making customers stick with your brand builds strong relationships, making them come back for more and tell others about you.

Making customers stick with your brand builds strong relationships, making them come back for more and tell others about you. Product Innovation: Coming up with new ideas for products encourages creativity and helps your brand stay fresh and exciting.

Coming up with new ideas for products encourages creativity and helps your brand stay fresh and exciting. Diversification: Offering different kinds of products lets you provide more options for customers, making your brand more appealing to different tastes.

How does O3+ plan to maintain its relationships with salon professionals while simultaneously catering to individual consumers?

O3+ is able to cultivate strong relationships with salon professionals by providing them with exclusive professional products and specialized support. At the same time, the brand is able to serve individual consumers through a dual branding strategy, collaborative marketing efforts, and innovative, customized solutions tailored to the needs of both markets. This allows O3+ to effectively meet the diverse needs of both salon professionals and individual consumers, ensuring satisfaction and loyalty across the board.

Could you outline O3+s strategies for omnichannel expansion, particularly in Tier 1 & 2 cities?

O3+ can expand its presence in Tier 1 & 2 cities by implementing the following strategies for omnichannel expansion:

Establishing flagship stores and pop-up shops in prominent locations

Introducing shop-in-shop sections within existing retail outlets

Providing franchise opportunities to entrepreneurs in target cities.

Strengthening its e-commerce presence by optimizing online platforms and channels

Utilizing upcoming TV commercials and participating in offline events for effective marketing.

Implementing omnichannel loyalty programs to incentivize customer engagement and retention

Utilising data analytics to gain valuable insights into consumer behavior and preferences, guiding strategic decision-making for expansion efforts.

How does O3+ plan to integrate its online and offline channels to provide a seamless shopping experience for customers?

O3+ plans to integrate its online and offline channels by ensuring consistency in offerings, implementing click-and-collect services, using in-store technology, personalizing customer experiences, offering a unified loyalty program, and integrating inventory management systems.

O3+ wants to make it easy for you to shop, whether you're online or in-store. We will make sure that what you see online is the same as what you find in the store. You can order online and pick up your items in the store when it's convenient for you. We will use cool technology in the store to make your shopping experience better. Plus, we will remember what you like and give you special treatment. And if you join our loyalty program, you'll get perks no matter how you shop. We will also keep track of what's in stock everywhere, so you'll always find what you want. It's all about making shopping simple and fun for you!

How does O3+ ensure that its advanced skincare solutions remain accessible and affordable for salon businesses?

O3+ ensures affordability for salons through various measures. These include offering bulk pricing for purchasing products in large quantities, providing professional kits tailored for salon use to streamline inventory management, and delivering comprehensive training and ongoing support to salon staff.

Flexible payment options, such as installment plans or deferred payments, are also available to ease financial burdens. Additionally, periodic promotional offers and discounts on select products enable salons to procure high-quality items at reduced prices.

O3+ further enhances affordability by offering customized solutions based on the specific needs and budget constraints of individual salons, ensuring optimal results while managing costs effectively.

What motivated O3+ to expand its focus from salon-specific products to personal beauty care? What challenges did O3+ encounter during this transition, and how were they addressed?

O3+ likely expanded into personal beauty care to tap into a broader consumer market. However, this expansion presented challenges such as educating consumers about the products, establishing new distribution channels, and facing challenging competition within the industry.

O3+ tackled these challenges by prioritizing marketing efforts, expanding their distribution network, emphasizing product uniqueness, and offering dedicated customer support.

Could you provide an overview of O3+'s international presence, including operations in Dubai and Nepal, and upcoming plans for entry into the Bangladesh market?

O3+ has expanded its presence internationally, currently operating in Dubai and Nepal. This expansion can be attributed to the increasing demand for professional skincare products facilitated by online service platforms and modern trade.

As O3+ enters the Bangladesh market, it may need to adapt its strategies to align with local preferences and regulations. This could involve establishing strategic partnerships and conducting thorough market research to better understand the needs and expectations of Bangladeshi consumers.
In an attempt to comprehend the preferences of Gen-Z for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Hunch, the leading social discovery app, has unveiled a report based on the user-generated polls on the app. The findings are striking: an overwhelming 85.3% of the respondents support implementing a mandatory retirement age for politicians. This result underlines the young generations desire for a more dynamic political landscape, advocating for fresh leadership beyond entrenched incumbents.

The report delves deep into the Gen-Zs political aspirations, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping India's future. With their maiden votes, they wield the power to influence the nation's trajectory, making their perspectives on the leaders and democratic parties of India indispensable. Representing a crucial demographic aged between 16 and 25, Gen Z's opinions carry a significant weight in the political discourse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds strong favor among 61.8% of Gen Z individuals, according to feedback from over 20,000 respondents. Additionally, a substantial 65.9% perceive him as the most formidable candidate, while Rahul Gandhi trails significantly behind with just 18.9% support. A notable trend was also noticed: nearly half (49.3%) of Gen Z express an interest to actively engage in politics themselves, further enhancing their inclination towards a transformed political landscape.

Regarding preferred mediums for following political news, social media emerged as the top and the most obvious choice, garnering 63.9% of their votes, followed by TV news (23.1%) and newspapers (13.0%). There is no doubt that social media has transformed how news is consumed in todays landscape due to its immediacy, accessibility, personalization, and vast reach.

The report details Gen-Z's aspirations with nearly 50% of them expressing interest in participating in politics. Out of this, a staggering 44.3% highlight a focus on improving job opportunities within the country, addressing concerns about economic stability. Additionally, 30.8% express a genuine desire to eliminate corruption, while 12.5% emphasize the importance of reducing cybercrime, showcasing a diverse array of concerns within this young generation.

A user-generated poll on Hunch focused on the dynamics of power among women in politics, with results split among respondents, with Smriti Irani securing 32.3%, while Mamta Banerjee led with 26.2%. Nirmala Sitharaman and Droupadi Murmu also featured prominently, showcasing the diversity of influential female leaders in politics.

As India prepares for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Hunch report offers valuable insights into the shifting political preferences and priorities among the nation's youth. It sparks anticipation and enthusiasm, fostering lively discussions and well-informed decision-making processes.

Hunch Trend Report:

What are the opinions of Generation Z regarding the forthcoming elections? Based on User-generated polls:

Poll Link - https://link.hunch.in/0D0wWg

Poll Link - https://link.hunch.in/8lWZo5

Poll Link - https://link.hunch.in/VQx1ow

Poll Link - https://link.hunch.in/AyT1Ws

Poll Link - https://link.hunch.in/w0GIOd

Poll Link- https://link.hunch.in/3wus5H
In order to cater to the varied tastes and preferences of the Malayali readers, Manorama Online, a leading digital journalism platform, has made the announcement of the expansion of its literary segment. The literature section of Manorama Online has made the careful curation of a plethora of treasured novels, by leveraging and cherishing the digital storytelling revolution, introducing genres catering to the tastes of every reader. The digital library provides a wide-ranging mixture of narratives starting from captivating thrillers to heart-touching romance novels and enthralling mythological tales, engrossing readers of all age groups.

According to Santosh George Jacob, Coordinating Editor at Manorama Online, e-novels play an instrumental role in reinvigorating the habit of reading among the young audiences especially those who are settled abroad. For readers who are old, e-novels invoke a feeling of nostalgia transferring them back to the days which were spent in libraries.

Through the combination of podcasts and audiobooks, readers can immerse themselves in their most favoured novels on the go, whether they are travelling to work or having a relaxed time at their homes. What distinguishes the literary segment of Manorama Online is its dedication not only for offering stories but also for creating immersive experiences transporting the readers to the heart and soul of the narrative.

However, it is not just about the delivery of enthralling content, but also about encouraging a spirited group of readers. Manorama Online calls out the readers to actively take part in the literary voyage via interactive features and visuals generated by AI. Commentary threads and enchanting discussions permit the readers for sharing their viewpoints, reflections and conjectures.

With a commitment for meeting the preferences of the readers and for meeting the quality standards, the editorial team at Manorama Online selects each novel, making sure that the most refined works embellish the digital racks. This careful process of curation makes it certain that a diversified assemblage of titles, each contributing a distinctive combination of insight, enlightenment and reverie are presented to the readers.

At present portraying more than 20 titles in its Digital Library, readers are invited by Manorama Online for stepping into a literary escapade for the first time, whether they are looking for romance, thriller or a journey into the world of legends and myths; everybody has something to uncover in this bewitching collection.
SHARP has announced the appointment of Sujai Karampuri as the Chairman for its India Business, effective 1st March, 2024. Sujai Karampuri shall spearhead the Display Business, and elevate SHARPs brand presence in India, and most importantly bring strategic partnerships in manufacturing and technology transfer of SHARPs sophisticated engineering products, components, and solutions.

Bringing with him a distinguished record in strategic business and technology development across various sectors such as Electronics & Semiconductors, Broadband, and Wireless communications, Karampuri will steer SHARP's endeavours to expand its footprint in India in Display, promote brand business of its consumer electronics, while also focusing on developing strategic partnerships in manufacturing, technology transfer, and development of smartphone components, camera modules, TV panels, precision engineering solutions, sensors, and semiconductors.

With extensive leadership experience within the State Government of Telangana, including roles as Director of Electronics and Semiconductor, CEO of T-Works, and Managing Director of Telangana Fiber Grid Corporation, Karampuri's appointment heralds a new era of strategic cooperation, innovation and growth for SHARP in India.

Commenting on the occasion, Robert Wu, CEO of SHARP, said, With appointment of Karampuri as Chairman for SHARP in India, we believe we have renewed our commitment to India, as a long term strategic market for our extensive line of premier consumer products, as a committed partner in manufacturing and transfer of our core technologies to India, and also to serve our immediate strategic interest in India to help setup world class display fab that comes with immense experience and track record of SHARPs leadership in core engineering and provenness.

Osamu Narita, Managing Director, SHARP Business Systems (India) said, "We are delighted to welcome Karampuri as the Chairman for SHARP India. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence perfectly complement SHARP's mission to deliver groundbreaking solutions to customers in the Indian market. SHARP Corporation is confident that under Karampuri's guidance, our India Business will thrive, solidifying our position as a key player in India's evolving business and technology landscape."

Expressing his gratitude, Karampuri stated, "I am deeply honoured to assume this key role at such a critical juncture for SHARP. With SHARP's history of driving cutting edge technological solutions across sectors, I am confident that we are poised for success as we embark on our vision. We shall deliver on SHARPs core values of sincerity and creativity, which I believe are essential to Indias own ambition to grow and scale and become a world leader in the domain of electronics, display, semiconductor, precision engineering. We are very keen to work with likeminded partners in India to build long term relationships.
London-based branding and design consultancy, Start Design Group, has announced the appointment of advertising and media stalwart, Tarun Rai, as its Co-Chairman. Announcing the appointment, Start Design Group said, We couldnt have found a better person to join our board and help introduce Start Design Group to the Indian and South Asian markets. Tarun has over three decades of experience in advertising and media and has worked with a host of world-class companies, both Indian and international. He has strong relationships with his clients, is a proven leader, and has an excellent understanding of branding and design.

According to David Blair, CEO and Co-Chairman of Start Design Group, Tarun and I first started working together in 2006 when I moved to India with my family to set up WPP Group company Fitchs offices in Mumbai and Delhi. I have always admired his insight, tenacity, and innate ability to build lasting relationships based on trust and understanding. It is great to be working in India again alongside someone as experienced and well-regarded as Tarun.

Commenting on his appointment, Tarun Rai, added, I am very impressed by the work Start Design Group has done for so many iconic brands, like Virgin, Barclays, P&G, and Adidas, over its 28 years history. I am also impressed by the breadth of their capabilities which range from branding and digital to experiential design. They have already been operating successfully in the GCC region for many years, for clients like Hamad International Airport, du and Yas Island, and moving further eastwards makes a lot of sense. Especially, since David knows this market so well, having launched and built Fitchs India operations. David was based in Mumbai for six years and we worked together on many assignments. He then moved to London and went on to become Fitchs Global CEO. Its great to partner with him again.

With over three decades of experience in the advertising and media industry, Tarun is an accomplished leader with a proven track record in the Indian and South Asian markets having built some of Indias strongest brands and sharing a rapport with clients that spans decades. After serving as the CEO of Worldwide Media, a joint venture of BBC Worldwide and The Times of India, Tarun re-joined JWT in 2015 as its CEO for South Asia. He was made Chairman and Group CEO when JWT merged with Wunderman to form Wunderman Thompson (now VML). After a successful stint in South Asia, he was tasked with the responsibility for the APAC region, covering seventeen countries, as Executive Director.

David Blair, CEO and Co-Chairman of Start Design Group is a branding and design expert having worked with WPP-owned Fitch (now Landor Group) for over two decades. He was appointed Fitchs global CEO in 2017. During his time at Fitch, he performed many roles, but always viewed his time in India as a highlight, working with some of Indias best-known companies including Tata, Reliance, Aditya Birla, Godrej, and Asian Paints, among many others.

As a leading trusted partner for design strategy and execution, Start Design Group will leverage its international design expertise and local understanding, to deliver unparalleled design experiences for clients in India.

Tarun further stated, Design language is increasingly international. Besides, many Indian companies and brands are no longer limited to the local market but have a footprint across the world. Start Design Group, who have extensive global experience and understand the Indian market well, make ideal partners for ambitious companies.
Zypp Electric, India's leading tech-enabled EV-as-a-service platform, today announced the appointment of four seasoned industry veterans to its leadership team. These strategic hires underscore Zypp's commitment to accelerating growth and innovation as it continues to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) landscape across the nation.

Ricky Singh joins Zypp Electric as the Senior Vice President (SVP) of E2W Operations, bringing with him a wealth of experience in spearheading business expansion strategies. With an impressive track record at renowned companies such as Olx Autos, Healthkart, and Snapdeal, Ricky is poised to lead Zypp's ambitious growth initiatives in the 2W business segment. His proven expertise in driving business growth by 5-10x aligns seamlessly with Zypp's vision of achieving fourfold growth within the current year.

Rahul Yadav assumes the role of Vice President (VP) of Technology at Zypp Electric, where he will lead product and technology initiatives to advance Zypp's EV revolution. With a distinguished background at organizations like Radio Mirchi, Airtel, and Times Internet Limited, Rahul brings a wealth of experience in translating business requirements into innovative tech products. His vision to quadruple Zypp's growth within the current year underscores his commitment to driving technological innovation that enhances the customer experience.

Sudhir Sharma steps into the role of Senior Vice President (SVP) Finance at Zypp Electric, bringing with him a demonstrated history of success across diverse industries such as SaaS, Logistics, and Wellness. With expertise in fundraising, cash flow management, strategic planning, and stakeholder management, Sudhir will lead Finance and Investor relations at Zypp. His focus on setting the right processes and finances aligns with Zypp's vision of achieving profitability within the current year, driving sustainable growth and financial success.

Sudipto Shome joins Zypp Electric as the Vice President of E3W Operations, specializing in scaling 3W and 4W logistics operations nationwide. With a distinguished academic background from NIT and XLRI Jamshedpur, Sudipto brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at Manipal Group and CarDekho (Girnarsoft). His expertise in scaling businesses profitably and maintaining a delicate balance between quality and cost will be instrumental in driving Zypp's operational growth in the wheeler segment and operational profitability.

"The addition of Ricky, Rahul, Sudhir and Sudipto to our leadership team marks an exciting chapter in Zypp Electric's journey," said Akash Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO of Zypp Electric. "Their extensive experience and proven track record in their respective domains will significantly contribute to our mission of revolutionizing lastmile logistics and driving sustainable growth. We are thrilled to welcome them aboard and look forward to their invaluable contributions as we continue to cement our position as a frontrunner in the electric mobility space."

The collective expertise and leadership acumen of Ricky, Rahul, Sudhir and Sudipto will play a pivotal role in steering Zypp Electric towards achieving its strategic objectives and cementing its position as a frontrunner in the electric mobility space.

Zypp Electric recently announced a 3X revenue growth in FY24. The revenue has jumped from INR 115 CR in FY23 to INR 325CR in FY24 as the company has become operationally profitable. The company has also announced the launch of its operations in Hyderabad and Mumbai respectively.
The Federal Council

Bern, 10.04.2024 - By participating in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), Switzerland is increasing its international cooperation opportunities. At its meeting on 10 April, the Federal Council approved the declaration of accession to the ESSI Cooperative Procurement Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The focus of the cooperation is on better coordination of procurement projects, training and logistical aspects in the area of ground-based air defence.

The ESSI is a German initiative for ground-based air defence (BODLUV) in Europe. The initiative was launched in August 2022 and is based on the need to strengthen air defence in Europe and better pool efforts. Eleven countries have now signed the declaration of accession to the MoU.



The purpose of the ESSI is to better coordinate and, if necessary, bundle air defence procurement projects in Europe in order to capitalise on economies of scale in the procurement of systems and improve interoperability between the partner countries. This will also enable cooperation in training, system maintenance and logistics. Switzerland's participation in the ESSI primarily focuses on better coordination of BODLUV procurement projects, training and logistical aspects.

Basis for the conclusion of programme agreements

The MoU sets out the general provisions according to which the participating states can implement the projects and programmes for the cooperative procurement of BODLUV systems within the framework of the ESSI. It also regulates how participating states can exchange information on the possibilities in other areas of cooperation, such as logistics or military training and exercises. Within the framework of the ESSI, separate programme agreements can be concluded for individual projects and programmes.



Even after signing the declaration of accession, Switzerland is free to decide where and to what extent it participates in the ESSI and which BODLUV systems it procures. Joining the ESSI does not constitute a preliminary decision in favour of a specific system. Signing the declaration of accession to the MoU does not create any obligations.

Implementation of the Letter of Intent signed in summer 2023

On 28 June 2023, the Federal Council decided on Switzerland's participation in the ESSI. As a result, Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, Head of the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport DDPS, signed the letter of intent as well as the supplementary declaration by Switzerland and Austria, at a meeting with her German and Austrian counterparts on 7 July 2023. The MoU is now the implementation of the letter of intent signed in summer 2023.

In the supplementary declaration, Switzerland and Austria set out their reservations under neutrality law, for example to exclude any participation or involvement in international military conflicts.



In the next step, the Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Committees of the Federal Assembly will be consulted on accession to the MoU. If the Committees do not express any major reservations, the Federal Council will adopt the declaration of accession to the MoU. If the Committees express any major reservations, the DDPS will submit a proposal to the Federal Council on how to proceed.

Address for enquiries

Stephanie Grillet

Spokesperson SEPOS

+41 58 463 07 09

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



General Secretariat DDPS

https://www.vbs.admin.ch/



Defence

http://www.vtg.admin.ch



State Secretariat for Security Policy

https://www.sepos.admin.ch/de



Armasuisse

http://www.ar.admin.ch/




The Federal Council

Bern, 10.04.2024 - On 10 April, the Federal Council decided on transitional measures for the 2024 calls for proposals under the European Union's Horizon package 2021-2027 (Horizon Europe, Euratom programme, ITER and Digital Europe Programme). A maximum amount of CHF 650 million has been set aside for this purpose. This allocation is drawn from funding earmarked by Parliament at the end of 2020 for Switzerland's participation in the Horizon package. The Federal Council remains committed to achieving Swiss association to the Horizon package as soon as possible.

Switzerland is still considered a non-associated third country in the Horizon package 2021-2027, meaning that research and innovation stakeholders in Switzerland are able to participate in around two-thirds of the programme. The Federal Council has allocated CHF 600 million in direct funding for these calls. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation will use these funds to finance Swiss participants after their proposals have been evaluated positively by the European Commission.

The Federal Council has earmarked a further CHF 50 million for non-accessible parts of the programme. These include individual funding instruments (ERC Starting Grants, MSCA postdoctoral fellowships), for which national transitional measures will be implemented, as well as additional funding for activities in the areas of space and cybersecurity.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the EU's 9th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and runs from 2021 to 2027. With a budget of over EUR 95 billion, it is the world's largest research and innovation funding programme. Switzerland was associated to its predecessor, Horizon 2020. The Federal Council is working to achieve the same status for Horizon Europe and the related programmes and initiatives (Euratom Programme, ITER and Digital Europe Programme) as soon as possible. Transitional measures totalling CHF 1.85 billion were allocated for calls for proposals in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on the package approach and as such on association to EU programmes are under way. This will give researchers in Switzerland the opportunity to participate in the ERC Advanced Grants call in 2024 and compete in outstanding frontier research. Swiss participation will continue to be funded directly by the Confederation until the association agreement comes into force.

Address for enquiries

Communication Service GS-EAER

info@gs-wbf.admin.ch

+41 58 462 20 07

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

http://www.wbf.admin.ch




The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) collected data showing that the has been an overwhelming surge in antisemitic incidents in the three months since Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7 last year.

In the latest data it has compiled, the organization claimed that there has been a 360% increase in antisemitic incidents between October 7, 2023 and January 7, 2024 when compared with the same timeline a year prior.

However, the total of 3,283 incidents in just a quarter also surpassed annual statistics for each of the last 10 years except 2022.

"The American Jewish community is facing a threat level that's now unprecedented in modern history," ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. "It's shocking that we've recorded more antisemitic incidents in three months than we usually would in an entire year."

Skyrocketing Antisemitic Incidents

The ADL added that the 2023 data, which was expected to be released later this year, would likely be the highest on record, according to The Hill.

The data would include 60 cases of physical assault, 553 incidents of vandalism, and over 1,300 cases of written or verbal harassment. More than 500 of the total incident count took place on college campuses, while over 600 were targeted at Jewish institutions like synagogues.

Forward also reported that two-thirds of the antisemitic attacks were anti-Zionist or directed at Israel.

"In this difficult moment, antisemitism is spreading and mutating in alarming ways," Greenblatt added. "This onslaught of hate includes a dramatic increase in fake bomb threats that disrupt services at synagogues and put communities on edge across the country."

Last month, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that antisemitic hate crimes jumped 60% since the start of the war.

"We've been opening, I think, 60 percent more hate crimes investigations post-Oct. 7, then compared to the comparable period pre-Oct. 7," he told senators in a recent testimony on Capitol Hill.

Wray added that the largest portion of the antisemitic attacks were "threats against the Jewish community," but he also noted that there were also attacks against Muslim targets in retaliation.

"[The Jewish community was] uniquely targeted by pretty much every terrorist organization across the spectrum," he added.
The Federal Council

Bern, 10.04.2024 - Switzerland will continue to support the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with a total contribution of CHF 135 million over the next four years. The Federal Council took this decision at its meeting on 10 April 2024. The GCF helps developing countries take concrete action to achieve the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. In particular, it funds initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.

The Federal Council has decided to allocate CHF 135 million to the second replenishment of the GCF for the years 2024 to 2027, as provided for in the Dispatch on Switzerland's International Cooperation 202124. This decision demonstrates the Federal Council's commitment to addressing the growing challenges of climate change and the urgent need for action.

The GCF is the world's largest fund dedicated to combating climate change. Its approach prioritises the needs of developing countries, which are disproportionately affected by climate change. The GCF also supports efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and adapt to climate change. To date, the GCF has invested in over 250 projects in 130 countries, which are expected to benefit more than a billion people and sustainably reduce global CO2 emissions by approximately 3 billion tonnes.

Switzerland's support for the GCF is part of its contribution to international climate finance and fulfils one of its obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. This obligation includes providing financial support for climate initiatives in low-income countries, thereby also contributing to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Address for enquiries

For further information:

FDFA Communication

Tel. Press service +41 460 55 55

kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html



General Secretariat of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications; General Secretariat DETEC

https://www.uvek.admin.ch/uvek/en/home.html



Federal Office for the Environment FOEN

https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en



State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

http://www.seco.admin.ch




The Federal Council

Bern, 10.04.2024 - Based on Article 52 of the Banking Act and mandates from Parliament, the Federal Council has carried out an in-depth assessment of the regulation of systemically important banks. During its meeting on 10 April 2024, it adopted the associated report on banking stability. The comprehensive review of the Credit Suisse crisis has revealed that the existing too-big-to-fail regime must be developed further and strengthened, in order to reduce the risks to the economy, the state and the taxpayer. The Federal Council is proposing a broad package of measures in this regard. Implementation should also take into account the findings of the Parliamentary Investigation Committee (PInC).

In mid-March 2023, the imminent collapse of Credit Suisse was averted by the state-backed takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS. This succeeded in safeguarding financial stability and preventing damage to the economy and the taxpayer.

In its report in accordance with Article 52 of the Banking Act, the Federal Council has now evaluated the existing too-big-to-fail regime, based on a broad set of internal and external expert opinions. It concludes that many of the measures already introduced at national and international level to increase financial stability have generally proved their worth. However, the assessment also revealed gaps in the existing regime, and thus a need for action to further develop and strengthen regulation. In addition, the Federal Council has used this report to address referred or pending parliamentary procedural requests.

The Federal Council is proposing a package of 22 measures for direct implementation, with a view to strengthening and further developing the too-big-to-fail regime. Seven other measures are to be examined in greater depth. Implementation of the package should significantly reduce the likelihood that another systemically important bank in Switzerland will experience a severe crisis and that emergency measures by the state will be necessary. Moreover, in the event of a crisis, the resolvability of a systemically important bank as a credible option should be ensured. In this way, the Federal Council wants to minimise the risks and costs for the state, the economy and the taxpayer. The Federal Council's package of measures is divided into three focus areas:

Strengthening prevention: Explicit regulatory requirements and an expanded toolkit for the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA should be used to impose good corporate governance and more accountable risk management on the part of systemically important banks. This includes a senior managers regime (clear allocation of responsibilities) and rules on bonuses (such as retention periods and clawbacks). The introduction of powers for FINMA to impose fines is being examined. In addition, the quantitative and qualitative capital requirements for systemically important banks should be tightened in a targeted way and supplemented with a forward-looking component. This should strengthen the capital base and improve resolvability. Finally, FINMA's options and duties with regard to early intervention should be expanded.



Strengthening liquidity: The strengthening of systemically important banks' own liquidity holdings has already been implemented in legislation that came into force in January 2024. In addition, the potential for liquidity provision by the Swiss National Bank should be significantly expanded. Furthermore, the possibility of a public liquidity backstop as part of a potential restructuring of a systemically important bank should be enshrined in ordinary law, as already proposed to Parliament by the Federal Council in September 2023.



Expanding the crisis toolkit: In a crisis, systemically important banks must be able to exit the market in an orderly manner. In order to strengthen resolvability, resolution planning should be expanded and the legal risks associated with implementation should be further reduced. The crisis organisation and the cooperation between the authorities should also be strengthened and more clearly defined where necessary.

There should be a targeted introduction of the proposed measures for systemically important banks, and in part specifically for UBS as the sole remaining global systemically important bank in Switzerland. However, certain measures also apply to other banks and financial institutions, in areas where limiting them only to systemically important banks would have been inappropriate and hard to justify.

In addition, the proposed measures are in line with international regulations and instruments. At the same time, they take account of the specific circumstances in Switzerland as a major financial centre with UBS as the only global systemically important bank.

Next steps and consideration of the PInC

As part of the further work on implementing the proposed measures, the Federal Council will also take account of the findings of the Parliamentary Investigation Committee (PInC). In a first step, amendments to ordinances are to be made; these can be approved by the Federal Council. In a second step, amendments at legislative level are to be drawn up and submitted to Parliament.

Address for enquiries

Communications,

State Secretariat for International Finance SIF

Tel. +41 58 462 46 16, info@sif.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



State Secretariat for International Financial Matters

http://www.sif.admin.ch




The Federal Council

Bern, 10.04.2024 - Switzerland has been providing humanitarian aid and supporting the economic development and longer-term reconstruction of Ukraine since the war broke out in February 2022. This support builds on the existing cooperation with the country and is to be intensified over the next twelve years, as decided by the Federal Council at its meeting of 10 April 2024. It plans to allocate a total of CHF 5 billion to this end by 2036. As a first step, around CHF 1.5 billion is to be drawn from the international cooperation budget by 2028. This amount clearly demonstrates Switzerland's solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine and will increase stability on the European continent.

The funds required for reconstruction in Ukraine are estimated at USD 486 billion (around CHF 440 billion). This World Bank estimate is based on a damage and needs analysis co-financed by Switzerland. Switzerland is already supporting projects in Ukraine that focus on rebuilding destroyed civilian infrastructure in the energy, road and healthcare sectors. In addition, Switzerland and Ukraine jointly launched the political recovery process on a broad scale at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano in July 2022. The 59 delegations from states and international organisations in attendance there agreed on the Lugano Principles, laying the cornerstones of the political recovery process.

To date, Switzerland has spent around CHF 3 billion on these and other measures in support of people affected by the war in Ukraine. Around CHF 425 million of this was drawn from the international cooperation budget, with the rest (around CHF 2.5 billion) spent by the State Secretariat for Migration for welcoming and supporting people with protection status S in Switzerland.

Through the measures on the ground taken to date and those planned, Switzerland is also contributing to stability in Europe and reducing migration flows, while indirectly also strengthening Switzerland's security, prosperity and independence.

Over the next twelve years, the Federal Council intends to step up its support for reconstruction in Ukraine and promote cooperation with the private sector. It plans to spend CHF 5 billion to these ends by 2036. Given the Swiss federal government's current financial situation, the Federal Council has proposed a phased approach: the support for Ukraine drawn from the international cooperation budget up to 2028 is to total CHF 1.5 billion. The Federal Council will propose this to Parliament within the framework of the international cooperation strategy. For the 202936 period, the Federal Council intends to also look into other sources (beyond international cooperation) from which to draw the remaining CHF 3.5 billion.

At its meeting today, the Federal Council also instructed the FDFA and the EAER to draw up a joint Ukraine country programme that includes the appropriate oversight mechanisms. This programme should ensure targeted and effective support and be based on the seven Lugano Principles: partnership, reform focus, transparency, accountability and rule of law, democratic participation, multi-stakeholder engagement, gender equality and inclusion, and sustainability.

The Federal Council also instructed the FDFA, in cooperation with the EAER and with the involvement of all the departments concerned, to establish how the Ukraine country programme is to be headed, in strategic terms. Specifically, a proposal for an interdepartmental steering group headed by a Federal Council delegate for Ukraine is to be drawn up and submitted to the Federal Council for approval.

Address for enquiries

For further information:

FDFA Communication

Tel. Press service +41 460 55 55

kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html



Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

http://www.wbf.admin.ch




Dear Annie: Im 74 years of age, and I rent a room from a lady who has a 15-year-old son. I pay $600 a month for rent. I pay her $350 in cash, and I work off the other $250 by cleaning and cooking. I vacuum and make her bed and clean the restrooms. I wash dishes and clean the kitchen. When I cook food, I always wash the dishes and put them away as I go. So, when the food is prepared, I put it in the oven and leave the kitchen spotless and the floors mopped and cleaned.

Her 15-year-old son comes in and makes food and leaves dishes and grease all over the floor and then expects me to wash his dishes and clean and mop the floor all over again. I dont feel that I have to clean up after him after Ive already cleaned the kitchen. This week, he made a mess again, and right now, the kitchen is filthy. There is grease and litter all over the floor. I havent touched the kitchen all week to teach him a lesson because his mother told me that she was going to have him clean up after himself. Which he hasnt.

What do you and your readers think? Should I clean up after him after I have already cleaned up? Or leave it for him to clean up like his mother says. I feel that he needs to learn a lesson. -- Teach a Lesson

Dear Teach a Lesson: Your instincts are correct. It is a disservice to the boy to not make him clean up after himself. In Arnold Schwarzeneggers newsletter, he answers your question by highlighting an 85-year study about adult development called the Harvard Grant Study. The scientists reviewed 724 high achievers and found childhood traits that lead to breakthrough career success. They found a strong connection between doing more to help out around the home and building a mindset that you must work for things in life and share responsibility. More importantly, those who do chores as kids are more likely to be happier as adults.

The reasons for this can be found on the website Raising Teenagers at: https://www.raisingteenagers.com.au/chores-lead-to-success-but-no-they-wont-love-them/

Chores lead to success through:

-- Learning how to acknowledge the importance of contributing to family.

-- An ability to work well with others.

-- Developing a pitch-in mindset.

-- Developing better relationships with friends and family (through said collaboration).

-- A sense of empathy as adults.

-- Delayed gratification (putting off something while a job is done).

-- (Thus) self-discipline.

-- Resilience (because one aspect of resilience includes skill development).

-- Greater career success.

Show your landlord this column and perhaps she will ask her son to start helping out around the house.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner? is out now! Annie Lanes second anthology -- featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation -- is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
Americas fastest-growing ear piercing company is opening its first Alabama studio at The Summit at Birmingham on Monday.

Rowan exclusively uses licensed nurses for all ear piercings, and the company may be eyeing other studios around the state, as well as Mississippi.

Rowan is in the midst of a nationwide expansion, and anticipates having more than 65 locations by years end. That includes a third Chicago location, a third Texas studio in Austin, their first studio in Arizona, the first in Ohio, as well as studios in North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.

Ear-piercing franchise Rowan is opening its first location in Alabama at Birmingham's The Summit.Rowan

CEO Louisa Schneider said she was born in Atlanta and grew up in North Carolina, so an expansion into the South is something shes been eyeing for a while.

Weve found a really nice product-market fit in the South, so were excited, Schneider said.

Schneider had originally thought about a career in medicine, and comes from a family with deep roots in the medical field. While working in finance, she said, the idea for the business was born when she wanted her daughters ears pierced, but didnt want to go to a traditional mall setting.

My pediatrician doesnt pierce ears, but my aunts and family said, We all do it, as nurses, she said. I thought, that makes sense. I quickly realized there was an opportunity to create a brand around that, where nurses could work in a positive environment, and people could come in for a really positive, joyful experience.

Customers may choose whether they want to be pierced by a hand-pressurized instrument or a needle. The companys earrings have been tested to ensure there is little to no nickel or brass, as well as allergy-inducing alloys.

In addition to offering piercing services, Rowan also sells earrings, necklaces and piercing aftercare products.

The brand has an in-house jewelry designer, Schneider said, and rolls out about six new product offerings a year, with hypo-allergenic jewelry, as well as sterling silver, gold vermeil and 14 carat gold.

Were the only company that has a licensed medical board, and so, anyone looking for a safe piercing will feel very comfortable coming to Rowan, she said.
99 Cents Only Stores have announced plans to shutter all 371 of its stores and commence an orderly wind-down of its business operations.

According to a press release, the company has entered into an agreement with Hilco Global to, among other things, liquidate all merchandise owned by the Company and dispose of certain fixtures, furnishings, and equipment at the Companys stores.

In the press release, the companys interim Chief Executive Officer Mike Simoncic cited a number of of factors contributing to the decision, including shifting consumer demand, rising levels of shrink, and the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Simoncic will step down from his role. The company has appointed Chris Wells, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, as Chief Restructuring Officer to help facilitate the wind-down.

The news of the 99 Cents Only Stores comes on the heels of Dollar Tree Inc., the Virginia-based company that operates Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, announcing it will close 1,000 stores in the next several years.

Family Dollar will close 600 locations in the first half of 2024 and another 370 stores in the coming years as leases expire. The closures represent about 12% of all Family Dollar locations, according to reports.
A North Alabama high school student said his transgender classmate was barred from the senior prom last weekend after officials told her she could not wear a dress to the event.

Prom at Jackson Countys Section High School was on April 6, a Saturday. The Friday before, the principal, Blake Wigley, the vice principal and the counselor allegedly sat the student down and told her she couldnt wear her planned outfit to prom. He would let her leave early from class to change into slacks, he reportedly told her.

The student, a friend told AL.com, had already bought a $400 dress and had hair and nail appointments lined up.

I feel like this was a really important moment for her to kind of express herself as what she feels on the inside, said Ashton Stone, a senior at the high school.

AL.com is not naming the student to protect her privacy. She confirmed the details of the incident. Neither the school or the district have responded to AL.coms requests for comment.

Stone said the student reached out to him for advice on Friday after the initial meeting with school officials. He offered to have his mom, Lesa Drake, walk in with her and try to mediate between school staff.

On prom day, Stone said the student and his mother were stopped at the door by Wigley and the schools head of police.

I kept asking why. Why cant she come? Because shes wearing a dress, Drake told WAAY31 News. There were other transgender students in there not wearing their birth gender attire. What is wrong with this issue? And he kept saying, I told her yesterday.

Wigley reportedly told them that it was against school policy for the student to wear a dress.

Section High Schools student handbook does not appear to single out transgender students, but does say that the principal, assistant principal or designee will deem appropriate clothing or appearance. The school did not specify a dress code in any of the prom paperwork signed by attendees.

Its just awful what happened, it wasnt fair, Stone said.

The incident comes a decade another high-profile incident during Jackson Countys prom season. In 2008, it took a judges ruling for two female students to attend Scottsboro Highs prom as a couple.

In recent years, other Alabama schools have apparently singled out LGBTQ students during prom season. In 2018, an Alexander City school suspended two female students after a promposal. Experts say that if a school enforces rules about dress, public affection or safety, they must be applied equally and not just toward people who are LGBTQ.

In the future, Stone hopes to see more support for LGBTQ students at Section  especially from those in charge.

In that position, you should be the safest place for a student to go to, Stone said. If they dont have their family, if they dont have their friends or people at their job to go to, school is the only place they have.
Alabama lawmakers say the state is missing opportunities to get more good teachers in the classroom  and are championing a bill to expand pathways for credentials.

Supporters say new legislation will make it easier to become a teacher in Alabama, and could help address teacher shortages. But some in the state worry that the legislation will prop up low-quality educators and encourage risky vendors to enter the state.

I think thats very clear that theyre trying to open the pathway to more folks who couldnt meet the first set of rules, State Superintendent Eric Mackey told AL.com Tuesday.

Several state laws in recent years have expanded ways that alternative teacher preparation programs can become licensed in the state  though none have yet been approved. Some for-profit teacher prep programs, like Teachers of Tomorrow, which is facing scrutiny in Texas, allow people with a bachelors degree outside of education to get certified without returning to college.

Were missing some opportunities in Alabama to have qualified teachers available in our school systems, and we need to get this moving, Rep. Susan Dubose, R-Hoover, a cosponsor for HB308, told lawmakers last week.

Sponsors said the new bill will simply expand opportunities for other programs to be considered. But some are wary that, without proper safeguards, more options could lead to a less qualified teaching force.

Were all for certifying additional teachers and filling vacancies  we need that, Allison King, government liaison for the Alabama Education Association, told AL.com. We just want to make sure its quality programming and its producing a quality product.

Mackey said that if credentialing is expanded to include more alternative programs, the state will fairly evaluate new candidates. But he said he doesnt like changing the rules so often.

In Alabama, alternative programs can qualify for licensure if they have been established for at least 10 years, have operated successfully in at least five states, and have certified at least 10,000 teachers in the U.S. They also must ensure candidates are up-to-date on state math and literacy standards and provide additional support to candidates after they are placed in schools.

Under a 2023 state law, programs that do not meet those criteria can still qualify for licensure if they are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. DuBoses bill adds another accreditor, the Association for Advancing Quality Education Preparedness.

In the past five years, the number of candidates who completed traditional educator prep programs in Alabama has declined by 17%, according to state data. Enrollment in state teacher prep programs is just now beginning to improve after a long decline.

Its unclear just how many schools currently have teacher vacancies, but recent surveys have shown major shortages in various subjects and grade levels. In the fall of 2022, Alabama schools reported more than 1,500 teacher positions had gone unfilled at the start of the school year.

Are more alternative programs coming to Alabama?

Alabama had 25 traditional programs and 16 alternative programs based at higher education institutions in the 2021-2022 academic year. It had no alternative programs based outside of local colleges.

Non-college-based teacher prep programs typically take less time to complete and are less expensive than college-based programs. Many offer online preparation and some move teachers straight to the head of the class with no classroom teaching experience. Specifics of programs differ depending on each states certification requirements.

Since the law was updated last year, four alternative teacher programs submitted applications to the Alabama State Department of Education. The board failed to approve one at their March meeting and will consider two more on Thursday. Just one of those programs was CAEP accredited, officials said at a work session last month.

In a candid discussion with board members last month, Mackey called last years legislation a war between vendors and lobbyists, and anticipated some difficult conversations with legislators in the weeks ahead.

Sponsors have since made some tweaks, but Mackey said he still disagrees that any changes should be made this year.

Weve got really good people in certification that are looking at these programs, but if they reject one then its rejected, he said. And I dont like the process of coming back and saying, Well you know, somebody got rejected, so lets change the rules.

Teachers of Tomorrow

Standing before lawmakers last week, DuBose mentioned a Texas program that she said had certified over half of the states teachers.

We need to get some of these really good quality vendors available in the state of Alabama, she told the committee.

DuBose confirmed to AL.com that the program she cited was Teachers of Tomorrow, a for-profit company accredited under AAQEP that, under the new bill, could potentially qualify for licensure in Alabama.

In 2021, Texas Teachers of Tomorrow was placed on probation after an audit found the program was out of compliance with state standards in several key areas, including admissions, governance and curriculum. The program now is at risk of losing its ability to certify teachers in Texas.

DuBose told AL.com that she learned about the organization from Mackey, who mentioned it at a summer board meeting. Alabama started a three-year pilot program in 2020 with the group, but discontinued it in 2022.

It did not go as well as we had hoped, Im just going to be honest with you, Mackey told board members last month.

Several candidates had complained about the vendor not being responsive, he said. Mackey told AL.com that he brought his concerns to the company, and neither party requested to continue on with the partnership. Once last years bill was passed, they no longer met those requirements because of their probationary status.

Teachers of Tomorrow did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AL.com. Mackey said the company has told him that they want to eventually come back to work in Alabama, and have assured him that theyre working to straighten out problems in Texas.

There are just a lot of steps between here and there, he said. Were going to follow the law fairly, and were going to treat everybody fairly, and well just see where we go.

DuBose said she had later become aware of concerns about the group, but stressed that she was not upholding any particular program or vendor.

I would like several to qualify so that individuals have more options, she told AL.com.

She added that the process to fill more schools with qualified teachers doesnt stop at the state board. Local schools should be trusted to make smart choices about who they hire, she said.

Just because they go through this program doesnt mean theyre automatically a teacher, she said. And weve got principals that are experienced enough to be able to make those decisions.

The state board of education will vote to approve or deny two alternative programs  iteach, which is CAEP accredited, and the nonprofit American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence  at its board meeting on April 11.

I dont know if either one of them will pass, but were going to see how that works out, Mackey said.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan told pro-Palestine activists that their protests were causing "hurt and fear" for the Jewish community of the British capital.

In a BBC Radio 4 program on Monday (Mar. 18), the mayor said that the demonstrators should carry out their protests in a "respectful" and "lawful" way.

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have staged weekly marches through the streets of London following Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the outbreak of the war in Gaza, the Daily Mail reported.

However, there have been growing concerns that demonstrations and the exploding rates of antisemitism amid the crisis in the Middle East were creating "no-go zones" in London for Jewish people.

Khan neither condemned the protests nor called for them to stop but rather called for the participants to be "conscious" of how their actions might impact London's Jewish community.

"I respect fully the right for freedom of expression and free speech, but be cognizant and conscious that some of the things you are saying may be lawful, but it's causing real anguish, hurt and fear to our friends, neighbors and colleagues for no other reason than that they are Jewish," he said during the radio show.

Khan also stressed the importance of protesting for "living in a democracy" and said no lawmaker should call them to cease.

"Protest is intrinsic to living in a democracy," he added. But it should be lawful, peaceful, and safe. So we shouldn't say things that cause upset. Of course, you have a right to protest. Nobody should say you shouldn't protest; that's wrong."

Read Also : Lebanese Migrant Detained at US Border Claims Hezbollah Ties, Admits Bomb Plot

Earlier this month, the Home Office's independent adviser, Robin Simcox, slammed the Government for letting extremists go "unchallenged for too long" and allowing them to "lurk just below the terrorism threshold."

Simcox said that the UK has a "permissive environment for radicalization developing that needs urgently addressing."

In addition, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak previously called for the Metropolitan Police to take tougher action against protesters, as he promised to deal with the "root causes" of the problem and ensure that "no extremist organizations or individuals are being lent legitimacy by their actions and interactions with [the] central government."

However, the Met Police's commissioner later defended the force's policing of protests, declaring that they "have to police the law as it is, not as others would wish it to be."

According to figures obtained by the Daily Mail, there were 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the UK last year, which was nearly double the previous record in 2021, covering all types of "hate" against Jewish people.

Last week, British Leveling Up Secretary Michael Gove unveiled a new definition of extremism, warning that divisions in the wake of Hamas's terror attack on Israel posed a "real risk" to British democracy. This meant that groups meeting the multi-pronged definitioneven nonviolent oneswould be banned from receiving taxpayers' money and from contact with ministers or senior civil servants. Individuals were not included in the new definition.
Authorities have released the name of a young teen gunned down after an argument at a neighborhood store.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim Jaylin Lee Jenkins. He was 16 and lived in Birmingham.

Police saturated the Inglenook area for parts of the day Wednesday and, on Wednesday evening, announced a juvenile was taken into custody.

Birmingham police officers were dispatched shortly before 8:30 p.m. Tuesday a report of a person shot in the 4200 block of Jackson Street. They arrived to find Jaylin unresponsive inside of a vehicle.

He was pronounced dead on the scene at 8:40 p.m.

Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said the preliminary investigation indicates the victim asked his parents if he could go to the neighborhood convenience store.

While at the store, a verbal altercation ensued, Wade said. The victim did get back inside his vehicle and attempted to leave the location.

Jaylin was shot as he drove away. His vehicle came to a stop in someones front yard, about four blocks away from the store.

Jaylin was the citys second homicide in under three hours Tuesday.

Shortly after 6 p.m., UPS driver Anthony Lamar Love Jr. was killed in a targeted attack at the Customer Care facility on Inglenook Lane.

The two killings, though not related, took place in Birminghams Inglenook area.

Jaylin is Birminghams 37th homicide so far this year. Of those, four have been ruled justifiable and therefore are not deemed criminal.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 51 homicides, including the 37 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information in either slaying is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Walt Disney World and Disneyland are changing their policies for guests with disabilities.

Disneys DAS program is designed to assist guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in traditional lines. Guests who qualify for and enroll Disneys DAS program still have to wait in line, but they dont physically have to stay in the queue. Instead, they can join the line virtually or wait in another area of the park until its time to return to the physical line in person.

The Florida and California theme parks plan to adjust their Disability Access Service program to ensure more guests receive the accommodations they need, reports USA TODAY.

The changes include modifying qualifications, registration procedures, and length of validity to help ensure guests receive any needed accommodations.

The biggest change: Disney World is ending in-person enrollment for the DAS program. Starting May 20 guests may only enroll in DAS with a virtual video meeting, not in person at the parks. Disney recommends enrolling in the program prior to arrival, but the park will have virtual chats available on the day of visits.

Heres what to know about Disneys DAS Program:

Who qualifies for DAS?

Not all disabilities impact the ability to tolerate long waits in traditional lines, reports USA TODAY. Guests in wheelchairs or electric conveyance vehicles may still be able to wait in many lines in their mobility devices. The DAS program services are designed for guests who have a developmental disability like autism or similar and are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time, according to the Disney DAS website.

How do you register for DAS

Registering for DAS involves meeting with a specially trained cast member, who can determine if DAS is the right fit.

More information about Disneys DAS program is available on the Disney DAS website.
Welcome back to all cat owners, dog owners, Democrats, Republicans, Tide and Tigers from Lookout Mountain to Mobile Bay and the Shoals to the Wiregrass.

(Heres a reminder to keep an eye on the weather today -- we recorded a preview for the podcast.)

Below is the podcast player followed by the newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each day here.

Trump vs. ???

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen sent a letter to state Democratic Party Chair Randy Kelley, copied to DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, to let them know that Alabamas deadline to submit a certification of nomination for president and vice president is four days before the Democratic National Convention begins, reports AL.coms Mike Cason.

The party nominates its presidential candidate at the convention, which begins Aug. 19. And Allen is saying if he doesnt have the nomination by Aug. 15, by state law, he cannot put Joe Bidens name on the ballot in Alabama. A similar issue came up in Ohio earlier this week.

In Alabama, this isnt a new law. But set aside for a moment that somebody, somewhere doesnt know how to work his or her Outlook calendar.

Wes Allen is a Republican, just like the previous Alabama secretary of state during the last presidential election. And in 2020, both parties had late conventions but the Republicans had one even later than this years Democratic convention. And in order to accommodate it, the Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature passed a bill that moved back the deadline for just that one election.

Now, nobodys predicting a competitive race for Alabamas presidential delegates. President Biden is as long a shot as ever -- at least in our state. But his absence could affect turnout, which in turn can change the numbers in the down-ballot races, notable the newly redrawn and potentially competitive race in Alabamas Second Congressional District.

Shooting in UPS parking lot

You may recall the workplace shooting 10 years ago at a UPS facility in Birmingham. A man who had been fired from his job killed two supervisors and then himself.

On Tuesday, at that same location, a UPS driver was walking across the parking lot to leave for the day when he was shot and killed in what police say was a targeted killing, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson.

I mention these together because of the oddity of it happening at the same workplace location and taking the lives of employees. Its important to note that this recent killing, according to police, is not at this time considered a workplace shooting but a targeted crime.

Anthony Lamar Love Jr. was a 44-year-old husband and father who had worked at UPS for about 20 years.

Another police chief sidelined

For the second time in two days were reporting that a police chief in Alabama is on administrative leave.

Previously we mentioned that Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert was on leave. City officials gave no reason.

Now, A City of Mobile spokeswoman said Police Chief Paul Prine is on administrative leave during an investigation into the department, reports AL.coms John Sharp.

A report on that investigation is expected in the coming weeks. Last year the department was involved in multiple instances where the deaths of Black men led to protests and at least one lawsuit. But Prine told Fox 10 News hes being punished for filing grievances over unethical behavior by city officials.

Pups abound

Dogs are better than cats in Alabama.

Dont argue with me. Ive read it on a study so I know its true.

Actually, Forbes and the American Veterinary Medical Association studied folks canine appreciation and found that in Alabama we own more dogs and have to pay less to own dogs than most other states, reports AL.coms Warren Kulo.

Were 11th in the U.S. in dog ownership with a whopping 46.9% of households owning at least one. Were fourth in dogs per home at 1.9. And were 9th lowest in acquiring a canine with an average cost of $262.50. (That includes your typical supplies and accessories).

Now why did I start this segment with a little cat slander? Because only 26.1% of households own a cat. That ranks 29th nationally.

Born on this date

In 1968, actor and comedian Orlando Jones of Mobile.

On the podcast

Weather reporter Leigh Morgan joins us to talk about todays forecast warnings for possible severe weather. Alabama is coming off a six-tornado event last week.

You can find Down in Alabama wherever you get your podcasts, including these places:
An investigation is underway after an inmate died early Wednesday at the Coffee County Jail.

Chad Jones, 45, of Gadsden, was arrested about 1:41 a.m. by Enterprise police officers on a public intoxication charge, sheriffs officials said.

While in custody of the Coffee County Jail, Jones experienced a medical emergency. Enterprise Rescue and the New Brockton Fire Department responded to the jail but were unable to revive Jones.

Authorities said no foul play is suspected, but Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd has requested the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigate Jones death, which is standard procedure for in-custody deaths.

The sheriff, district attorney, and county coroner have requested an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, Byrd said.
Controversy roiled a town in the suburbs south of Birmingham this week after city officials awarded public money to private school teachers.

After swift and fierce backlash, the mayor of Helena on Tuesday said the city will rescind $425 worth of grants for teachers to buy literacy materials for their classrooms at The Hillsboro School, a private Montessori school in the Shelby County city of about 22,000 people.

Based on careful review of the ordinances and guidelines for the TAG Team Grants there were no rules violated, but the public perception is that we gave a lot of money to the Hillsboro School, Mayor Brian Puckett said in a statement to AL.com.

The city late Tuesday announced on its Facebook page that officials also coordinated with the private school to return grant funding that the city awarded to teachers in November. The citys statement did not say how much funding it awarded in November 2023, but the Shelby County Reporter at the time reported that teachers at Hillsboro would receive more than $11,000 in grants from Helena.

At the April 8th Helena City Council meeting the TAG (Teachers Assistant Grants) Team Grants were awarded to 32... Posted by City of Helena-Helena, Alabama on Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Puckett said the city did not award any donations to the private school on Monday, but rather awarded Teachers Assistant Grants to two teachers there.

As we do with everything in the city is we engage in our lessons learned and will make adjustments to the program, Puckett said in the statement today.

Puckett, who serves on the Hillsboro Schools board of trustees, is one of three members of a city committee that doles out grants to schools. Puckett told AL.com that he recused himself from voting on grant applications related to Hillsboro and described himself as an inactive trustee.

Council president Alice Lobell and library director Daniel Dearing also serve on the committee.

AL.com reached out to Dearing, Lobell and the Hillsboro School for comments Tuesday evening. Dearing referred AL.com to the citys official statement on the matter.

The committee on Monday awarded $25,000 to each of the citys four public schools, and about $50,000 in grants to individual educators.

The city council did not vote on the grant funding, which comes from the citys 1-cent educational sales tax.

Many have raised questions about the expenditure of the funds to the Hillsboro school, Councilman Chris Willis told AL.com. While I am not and have not been in favor of this use of tax dollars. I do not believe anything was done nefariously and we will be looking to see if our policy needs to be amended to ensure the proper safeguards are in place.

Several residents took to social media to demand that the city reconsider using public money to support a private school.

How can we suspend the payment to the Hillsboro School while this is sorted out? one poster wrote. That money should be going to our public Helena schools only.

Another resident expressed similar frustration.

When I was growing up I went to a private school and my parents had to pay tuition.thats where the school got their funds from. PUBLIC schools get their money from the public. This is wrong on so many levels!

Controversy over Helena providing public money for private schools is new, but the citys support for Hillsboro is not.

The city in November 2023 awarded more than $11,000 to six Hillsboro teachers to support programs at the school, according to an article in the Shelby County Reporter.

Heres a breakdown of grant funding the committee announced on Monday:
A Robertsdale man was killed and a woman injured when a motorcycle collided with a truck Monday night, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).

The accident occurred just before 9 p.m. Monday on Alabama 104 about five miles east of Fairhope, ALEA said.

A 2011 Kawasaki motorcycle driven by Jonathan C. Rough collided with a 1992 Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by a 17-year-old, also from Robertsdale. Rough was pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger on the motorcycle, 33-year-old Natasha R. Latour of Robertsdale, was injured and taken to University Hospital in Mobile for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, ALEA said.
The Level 4 risk for severe weather has been dropped for Alabama today (Wednesday), but a few severe storms remain possible through the next few hours in the southeast part of the state.

Key points as of Wednesday afternoon:

* The latest severe weather outlook from NOAAs Storm Prediction Center has removed the Level 4 out of 5 risk for the southern part of the state. Forecasters have also dropped the Level 2 and 1 risks for much of central and north Alabama. A Level 3 risk remains for the southeast corner of Alabama through the next few hours.

* The National Weather Service in Mobile is not expecting another round of severe weather today for southwest Alabama. Forecasters said that the rain that has already moved through has stabilized the atmosphere, making additional storms unlikely.

* Severe storms are not expected today in central and north Alabama.

* The National Weather Service continued monitoring for the possibility of flash flooding across much of the state later today and tonight.

* Now only one tornado watch is in effect for south Alabama, and it will be in effect until 8 p.m. CDT (an earlier watch for southwest Alabama has been canceled for all those counties as of 3:30 p.m.):

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Alabama, Florida and Georgia until 9 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/EX1Z07HQlm  NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) April 10, 2024

The Alabama counties in this watch are Barbour, Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike.

* The National Weather Service in Birmingham saw indications that a wake low was forming to the west of Alabama and could cause wind gusts of 40-50 mph for in central Alabama this afternoon. Wind advisories have been issued for most of Alabama and will last into the overnight hours.

[3:46 PM] A Wind Advisory has been issued for all counties in northern AL/southern middle TN that will run until 5 PM Thursday. Sustained winds of 20-30 MPH are expected, along with gusts of 40-50 MPH. #HUNwx pic.twitter.com/3AN3kV7r3o  NWS Huntsville (@NWSHuntsville) April 10, 2024

3:20p 4/10: The risk of severe thunderstorms for Central AL is effectively over. Our main attention is turned to a wake low event moving into western part of the state. Non-thunderstorm gusts of 40-50 mph will be possible across all of Central AL through the evening hours. #alwx pic.twitter.com/tU1OFBE5K9  NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) April 10, 2024

* Rain and a few storms will be possible this afternoon and tonight statewide.

Heres the forecast for rain:

South Alabama could get up to 4 additional inches of rain from today through Thursday night.NWS

The weather service expects most of the rain to move out on Thursday. And drier and cooler weather is expected Thursday into Friday.
A teenage boy was shot to death Tuesday night on the Birminghams east side.

Police officers were dispatched shortly before 8:30 p.m. a report of a person shot in the 4200 block of Jackson Street. They arrived to find the victim unresponsive inside of a vehicle.

He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said the preliminary investigation indicates the victim asked his parents if he could go to the neighborhood convenience store.

While at the store, a verbal altercation ensued,' Wade said. The victim did get back inside his vehicle and attempted to leave the location.

He was shot while trying to leave. His vehicle came to a stop in someones front yard, about four blocks away from the store.

A teen boy was shot to death Tuesday, April 9, 2024, following an altercation at a neighborhood store.(Carol Robinson)

Wade said no arrests have been made.

The teen was the citys second homicide in under three hours Tuesday. Shortly after 6 p.m., a UPS driver was killed in a targeted attack at the Customer Care facility on Inglenook lane.

The two killings, though not related, took place in Birminghams Inglenook area.

The teen is Birminghams 37th homicide so far this year. Of those, four have been ruled justifiable and therefore are not deemed criminal.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 51 homicides, including the 37 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
This is an opinion column.

UPDATE: After this column was published Wednesday morning, Alabama Ethics Commissioner Stan McDonald resigned from the commission.

Stan McDonald, who sits on the Alabama Ethics Commission, went on the airwaves last week to defend the states ethics laws from meddlesome legislators.

Instead, he might have confessed to an ethics crime, himself.

Whoops.

A bill now before the Alabama Senate would basically get rid of ethics crimes, turning them into civil matters. And it would loosen restrictions on the gifts lawmakers can accept from lobbyists.

McDonald called into talk radio shows throughout the state to blast the bills sponsor, Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, and to question why Republican lawmakers now want to repeal reforms passed with great fanfare by the GOP in 2010.

McDonald is a Republican and wondered aloud what has become of his party.

I know these guys, McDonald said on the Jeff Poor Show in Mobile. I give them money. Im highly disappointed.

But heres the thing: Under Alabama law, ethics commissioners are prohibited from participating in partisan political activity, including giving campaign donations to candidates.

Alabama campaign finance records show McDonald has made at least three donations, totaling $750, since he was appointed to the Ethics Commission in 2019.

That same day, Simpson seized on McDonalds revelation and argued that not even ethics commissioners can obey the ethics law.

He committed a felony, Simpson said on the same show later that morning. He admitted to committing a felony, and we have records of him committing a felony.

An intentional violation is a felony, under the ethics law. An unintentional violation is a misdemeanor.

On Monday, I spoke with McDonald who did something rare in politics these days. He copped to messing up.

The record shows what the record shows, and so Ill take responsibility for what I did, McDonald said.

McDonald said his violation was unintentional and he didnt realize he was prohibited from making campaign donations, and he recognizes his mistake has made the ethics laws vulnerable to political attack.

He wants to use that to make his point, and I understand that, McDonald said of Simpson. But my job now is to take responsibility.

McDonald said hes still working through what he will do next, but he doesnt want his mistake to be used as ammunition against the law itself.

I consider it two separate matters, but Ill be responsible for what Ive done, he said.

McDonald was wrong to violate the law he is sworn to uphold.

If he didnt understand what the law required of him, he was reckless, too.

But hes not wrong about the rest of it.

Simpson, in his on-air rebuttals, has used McDonalds mistake as evidence the ethics laws are too difficult to understand.

If an attorney  a sitting Ethics Commission member  does not know that he cannot follow these laws without committing a felony, then what chance does the average teacher, everyday worker have? Simpson said on the radio.

In his quest to gut the ethics law, this has been Simpsons refrain  that the law is too difficult to understand.

These are so vague. These are so confusing and convoluted that nobody knows what they can do, and Stan McDonald just admitted to committing a felony because he doesnt know the law, Simpson said on the radio.

The thing is, the law Simpson says McDonald broke isnt that difficult to understand if you just read it.

The director, members of the commission, and all employees of the commission may not engage in partisan political activity, including the making of campaign contributions, on the state, county, and local levels, it reads.

Pretty simple stuff, right?

But Simpson wants to use this as proof the law is too complicated.

Its not.

McDonald should probably resign and the rest of the commission or the Alabama attorney general should address this apparent violation as they would any other.

Its sad, but sometimes youve got to shoot Old Yeller.

McDonald could easily have forfeited the whole game to save his own neck by conceding that Simpson might be right about the law being confusing. But he didnt do that. At least, not yet.

So far, McDonald isnt making excuses for his mistake, and as long as that stays the case, his goof is no excuse to meddle with the law.

Alabama needs the Ethics Commission. It needs an independent agency to monitor the behavior of public officials, especially lawmakers

It needs someone to hold our officials to a higher standard.

Including themselves  when they stumble.

Kyle Whitmire is the 2023 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. You can follow him on Threads here and subscribe to his weekly newsletter, Alabamafication.
Gunfire erupted in the parking lot of a Birmingham UPS facility Tuesday evening leaving one person dead.

Birmingham police late Tuesday night identified the victim as 44-year-old Anthony Lamar Love Jr. He was a husband and father who had worked at UPS for around 20 years.

Roughly a dozen shots rang out in the parking lot of the Customer Care center and distribution warehouse on Inglenook Lane shortly after 6 p.m.

Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said Love had just finished his work day and was walking through the parking lot to his vehicle.

The suspect - who has not been identified - confronted the victim and opened fire on him. The victim did not fire any shots.

Wade said Love collapsed on the ground where he was pronounced dead by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service.

The shooter fled. Police have not released a possible description.

This was a targeted attack,' Wade said.

Multiple UPS drivers rushed to the scene, visibly upset. Several family members quickly arrived, hugging and crying just outside the crime scene tape.

Its devastating for the city as a whole and definitely for his family Wade said. Some employees are very shaken up about what has happened here. They are scared.

We just want to assure the public that with this being a targeted attack, there is no one else that is in danger,' she said.

The deadly shooting comes almost 10 years after another fatal shooting at the same location. In September 2014, three people were killed in a double murder-suicide at the facility.

In that incident, a 45-year-old man just fired from his job killed two UPS supervisors before turning the gun on himself.

There is no indication this is a workplace shooting at this time,' Wade said.

Love is Birminghams 36th homicide this year. Of those, four have been ruled justifiable and therefore are not deemed criminal.

In all of Jefferson County there have been 49 homicides, including the 36 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Germans gathered in front of the historic Brandenburg Gate, on Monday, with joints in hand and giant pot leaves decorating their surroundings, to celebrate legislation allowing recreational marijuana to go into effect.

The new law - backed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ruling coalition - allows adults to possess nearly an ounce of weed and grow up to three plants inside their homes. Starting in July, adults will also be able to join cannabis clubs, where they can purchase 25 grams of marijuana per day and up to 50 grams per month, according to the Associated Press.

"Cannabis use already existed yesterday, but it's increasing. Now it's exiting the taboo zone," German health minister Karl Lauterbach wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

"This is better for real addiction help, prevention for children and young people and for combating the black market, for which there will soon be an alternative."

While the legislation also calls for the reversal of marijuana-connected convictions, there are reportedly some concerns that will overload regional judicial systems.

Germany will be the third country in Europe, after Luxembourg and Malta, to legalize recreational marijuana. In the Netherlands, marijuana is decriminalized and available for recreational use but only in stores that are referred to as "coffeeshops."

Celebratory events were held throughout Germany, in front of cultural landmarks, including the Cologne Cathedral. At the Brandenberg Gate celebration, attendees rolled joints in front of television cameras and waived pro-legalization signs, according to CNN.

Members of the center-right Christian Democrats opposed the legislation, with party leader Friedrich Merz promising to overturn the policy if they take control in 2025.
This is a guest opinion column



Last week, we saw evidence of bad lawmaking at the expense of immigrant families and Alabamians as a whole.

Representative Yarbrough introduced House Bill 376, an anti-immigrant bill that allows local police to enforce immigration law (something they are not experts in nor resourced to do).

House Bill 376 is part of a national anti-immigrant agenda that does real harm to all Alabamians by (1) diverting precious local resources away from communities (2) corroding public trust in law enforcement and (3) driving victims of crime into the shadows, making everyone less safe.



The worst of all? Local police would be able to stop anyone based on suspected documentation status. We know this means profiling. This means targeting communities. This means a hunt against people who are contributing to our neighborhoods every day.

This bill violates Alabamians Fourth Amendment rights and threatens our communities well-being. At the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, we hear the stories and know the impact that fear-mongering bills like HB 376 have on our state. The following is a story from a community member we work closely with. For their safety, weve removed their name:

At the age of three, I was brought to the United States in search of a better life and greater opportunities. We settled in Pinson, Alabama, where my father worked tirelessly to provide for us. He was law-abiding, paying taxes, and never getting into trouble with the authorities. In 2013, my father was arrested for a minor traffic violationfailure to make a complete stop at a stop sign.

The officer informed him that spending the night in jail would result in his release the following morning. However, ICE placed a hold on him. After enduring approximately six months in a detention center, my father reluctantly decided to sign his deportation papers due to the inhumane conditions he experienced. His deportation tore our family apart, leaving us shattered and unable to see him since then.



There are many claims that immigrants, documented or not, do not contribute to the general well-being of the state. The American Immigration Council finds that nearly 100,000 immigrant workers comprised 4% of Alabama in 2018. Undocumented immigrants in Alabama paid an estimated $54.1 million in federal taxes and $37.6 million in state and local taxes in 2018. These people came to the state to seek better lives and do their part, and everyone in Alabama benefits from this.



Many of us know people who are undocumented  this proposed law will essentially make them fearful of ever working with law enforcement. It will drive away the very people that have helped our state grow and flourish.

Our immigrant community members and our coalition are here to stay. We are part of Alabama. And we wont let lawmakers like Representative Yarbrough drive us into the shadows.

Allison Hamilton is Interim Executive Director Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice
If youre wondering how Hamas and its fellow travelers, which both Biden and the Democrats support, are perfectly comparable to the Nazis, let me count some of the ways. (There are actually countless examples for all of these comparisons.) In their approach to the Jews, the two entities are indistinguishable, which means those who hate the Nazis (and leftists claim to) should hate Hamas, too.

(For purposes of this counting, Hamas is the proxy for all of the people who call themselves Palestinians (inaccurately), given how strongly Gazan and West Bankian civilians support it.)

Nazis and Hamas Hate And Want To Exterminate Jews

Nazis:

On September 16, 1919, Hitler issues his first written comment on the so-called Jewish Question. In the statement, he defined the Jews as a race and not a religious community, characterized the effect of a Jewish presence as a race-tuberculosis of the peoples, and identified the initial goal of a German government to be discriminatory legislation against Jews. The ultimate goal must definitely be the removal of the Jews altogether.

Hamas:

Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it.... The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, has said: The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. [directing the killing of Jews, drawing on a hadith]

Nazis and Hamas Violate Jewish Women

Nazis:

Dr. Beverley Chalmers latest book is not the kind people want to read. Yet, its one they should. Titled, Birth, Sex and Abuse: Womens Voices Under Nazi Rule, it is filled from cover to cover with horrifying accounts of countless Jewish and non-Jewish women being raped and brutalized, experimented upon, forced into prostitution

Hamas:

During the Hamas attacks of 7 October, Israeli girls and women  ranging from young children to elderly people  were subjected to gang-rape and humiliating sexual assaults. Some of their corpses were violated.

Nazis and Hamas Torture Jews

Nazis:

Nazi cruelties inflicted upon Jews in Gestapo prisons are described today in the official organ of the Polish Government, which announced last night that it had compiled a list of 3,000 Nazi war criminals in Poland selected for post-war trial on charges of instigating atrocities against the civilian population, including the mass-executions of Polish Jews and the introduction of ghettos The torture of Jews in the prisons was related in testimony given by a Polish civilian who succeeded in escaping from Poland after being held for six months in a Gestapo prison in Warsaw. He revealed that Jews are shot daily in the courtyards of the prison after being compelled to dig their own graves.

Hamas:

President Isaac Herzog revealed a disturbing Hamas booklet found on the body of a Palestinian terrorist killed in one of the Gaza-area communities on Sunday. This booklet is an operating manual, how to enter citizens yards, kibbutz, city, moshav, how to break in there. And first  and what do you do when you find the citizens? You torture them. This is the booklet that says exactly how to torture them, how to kidnap them, Herzog told CNNs Wolf Blitzer. In a copy of the guide provided for the press, the manual  titled The Warriors Guide: Jihadi Version  outlines tactics, which include creating chaos, intimidating captives, and using tactics such as electric shocks and even live executions.

And still more from Hamas:

I cannot describe to you in words what it is like to see a pregnant woman who has had her stomach cut open and the baby pulled out, Weiss, who served in the military rabbinate for 30 years. I only knew something like that from the Nazis. Many bodies had been burned, he continued. The forensic examination by his team showed they were still alive when they were burned. We found bodies of elderly civilians. They had all their fingers and toes cut off. And they would see signs that are purely torture, she went on.

Nazis and Hamas Desecrate Jewish Bodies

Nazis:

Researchers at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum said they have found a Nazi photo album with a cover made of human skin. The album was likely made at the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany, the museum said. The museum determined the album cover was made of skin by comparing it in a laboratory to a similar object in its collection.

When it comes to Nazis, theres always more:

A forensic analysis confirmed that a small bedside lampshade from a Nazi concentration camp in Germany was certainly made of human skin, memorial officials said The Buchenwald concentration camp was built near Weimar, Germany, in 1937 and operated by Nazi SS soldiers, the elite guard of the brutal regime. Over the next eight years, about 277,800 people  primarily Jews The analysis concluded the small lampshade was certainly human skin based on microscopic and genetic examinations, memorial officials said.

Hamas:

[Hamas] gunmen were given instructions to kill everyone they saw, including beheading victims and cutting off their legs. The plan was to go from home to home, from room to room, to throw grenades and kill everyone, including women and children, he said. Hamas ordered us to crush their heads and cut them off, [and] to cut their legs. He also said they were given permission to rape the corpse of a girl.

Nazis and Hamas Rely Heavily On Drugs To Fuel Their Killing:

Nazis:

many in the Nazi regime used drugs regularly, from the soldiers of the Wehrmacht (German armed forces) all the way up to Hitler himself. The use of methamphetamine, better known as crystal meth, was particularly prevalent: A pill form of the drug, Pervitin, was distributed by the millions to Wehrmacht troops Developed by the Temmler pharmaceutical company, based in Berlin, Pervitin was introduced in 1938. A military doctor, Otto Ranke, experimented with Pervitin on 90 college students and decided, based on his results, that the drug would help Germany win the war. Using Pervitin, the soldiers of the Wehrmacht could stay awake for days at a time and march many more miles without resting.

Hamas:

the use of Captagon could help explain the viciousness of the attacks and why Israeli men, women and children were tortured, burned, blown to bits and, in at least some cases, raped and decapitated Captagon is the former trade name for fenethylline, a derivative of amphetamine with similar stimulant effects. It was initially synthesized by a German chemistry firm in 1961 Islam has a history of using drugs as a prelude to murder and killing. It is the Muslims who contributed the word assassin to the English language via their use of hashish in preparing to make others dead. Its origin can be traced to the Arabic word hashshashin, which means users of hashish. The hashshashin were a secretive and feared group of mercenaries who operated in the Middle East during the 11th to 13th centuries. The hashshashin were known for their stealthy methods and the use of assassination as a means of achieving their objectives. They were notorious for targeting political and military figures, often carrying out their missions in public Over time, the word hashshashin was anglicized to assassin, (from Arabic  (asasiyyin, people who are faithful to the foundation [of the faith]))

By the way, that coyly referenced faith would be Islam.

Surprise, surprise.

Image: Hitler and the Mufti of Jerusalem. Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1987-004-09A / Heinrich Hoffmann / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Israel's Netanyahu says no power could stop ground attack on Rafah

Xinhua) 09:23, April 10, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd L, Rear) speaks with soldiers in a military base outside Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 9, 2024. Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel will launch an offensive against Hamas in Gaza's Rafah and "no power in the world" could prevent it. (Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO/Handout via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel will launch an offensive against Hamas in Gaza's Rafah and "no power in the world" could prevent it.

The Israeli military will "complete the elimination of Hamas battalions, including in Rafah," Netanyahu told newly enlisted soldiers in a military base outside Tel Aviv.

He said that there has been an international effort to prevent the ground attack in the Palestinian city, but "there is no power in the world that could stop us."

He did not specify a date for the attack.

The United Nations and aid experts have repeatedly warned that any military operation in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city where about 1.4 million people have been seeking refuge from bombardments in other areas, will result in an unacceptably high toll on Gaza's civilian population.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses newly enlisted soldiers in a military base outside Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 9, 2024. Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel will launch an offensive against Hamas in Gaza's Rafah and "no power in the world" could prevent it. (Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO/Handout via Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Former President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit Monday against Judge Juan Merchan, in a last ditch attempt to prevent his alleged hush money case in Manhattan from going to trial next week.

The details of the lawsuit lawsuit have not yet been made public but sources close to Trump told the New York Times that the former president plans to ask the appeals court to postpone the trial and challenge the gag order Merchan imposed on Trump.

The presumptive Republican nominee was barred from attacking witnesses, prosecutors and jurors, at the request of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

While Trump is currently facing four major criminal cases, it is possible that only the Manhattan trial, which is scheduled to begin on April 15, will be decided before November's presidential election. The trial will also be the first instance in American history of a former president facing criminal prosecution.

Bragg alleges that Trump helped falsify business records, in order to cover up payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who claims that she had sex with the former president. Prosecutors say that Trump concealed his reimbursement of one-time ally Michael Cohen and committed 34 felonies in the process.

Trump's attempts to block the lawsuit will likely fail - and fail quickly. A priliminary ruling could be issued on Monday, before a larger panel convenes to rule on the issue later this week, the New York Times reported.

This filing is one of several strategies being put forward by Trump to delay the trial. His team also filed a request on Monday to move the trial outside the largely Democratic borough of Manhattan, where the former president is deeply unpopular. Additionally, Trump has asked that Merchan recuse himself - arguing that the judge's daughter's position at a Democratic consulting firm constitutes a conflict of interest.
Recently, 60 Minutes ran a new plea for the U.S. to ratify the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). President Ronald Reagan rejected this convention then and, despite tentative efforts by Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to ratify, we still remain free of its entanglements. The CBS show segment blamed (credited) the Heritage Foundation for blocking Senate ratification. But National Review also played its part. I know because I wrote the April 16, 1982, cover story How to Give Away Our Future: The New Law of the Sea which I was informed was read by President Reagan and became part of his stack of stuff supporting his decision to reject UNCLOS. Not that it was a hard sell. The talks had been going on since 1973, and the future president devoted his October 10, 1978 radio address to warning against establishing a UN agency that would require companies to accept production controls, turn over its technology to the UN. and find and evaluate mine sites for the Enterprise.

The Enterprise, a UN-run mining operation, is currently non-operational. However, the post of interim director was established last year.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) created by the treaty is very operational as a detailed regime the intergovernmental organization that organizes, carries out and controls activities in the Area (i.e. exploration for and exploitation of the resources) on behalf of (hu)mankind as a whole. The Area is all the worlds oceans beyond the 12-mile territorial limit. And the ISA claim to represent all (hu)mankind is certainly grandiose. As Reagan had argued, there is no national interest that can justify giving control of two-thirds of the earths surface to the UN.

The ISA acts as if it owns the oceans. It contracts out to countries the use of the seabed for limited periods. Under its 2015 contract Russia was required to return 75% of its stake to the ISA last year. South Korea was scheduled to return 75% of its allocated space this coming June but was granted a two-year extension because of Covid delays. This is not the kind of system that encourages substantial investment in research, exploration, and development, all of which need property rights to truly flourish. Under ISA, the mining companies that do all the work cannot own the mines or operate them as they see fit.

60 Minutes argued that joining the ISA is essential for the U.S. to be able to compete with China over the development of trillions of dollars worth of strategic minerals strewn on the ocean floor, essential for the next generation of electronics. China has five exploration sites, 90,000 square miles -- the most of any country. The U.S. has none. It is blocked from the race because of the Senate's refusal to ratify the Law of the Sea. But the U.S. is not blocked because it does not accept the ISA as the controlling authority. Washington can back any firm to operate anywhere it desires under the ancient freedom of the seas doctrine it still holds. The ISA does not grant any rights that the U.S. does not already possess as a sovereign nation-state. Indeed, the ISA takes those rights away. As President George W. Bush said in regard to a different part of the UN, America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people.

Citing China does not help the CBS argument given how Beijing has run roughshod over UNCLOS rules. The treaty accords coastal states a 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for development, but this is not to be an expansion of territorial waters. Movement through the EEZ is still the same right as under freedom of the seas. Beijing disagreed with this from the start. Chinas delegate to the negotiations Li Ching stated, Chinas contention is that the essence of the new zone lies in the exclusiveness of coastal State jurisdiction. When ratifying the treaty in 1996, China asserted full sovereign rights over its EEZ, which it defined in the most expansive manner possible. The U.S. and its allies run freedom of navigation naval and air sorties through these zones to keep them open.

China has ignored EEZ claims of other countries, leading to disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Indeed, citing historic claims going back to the Western Han dynasty of the 2nd century BC, it claims some 90% of the entire Sout

h China Sea and has built military bases on artificially created islands to enforce its claims.

In its on-air presentation (but not on its online summary), 60 Minutes cited the rapid buildup of the Chinese navy, which is growing faster than the U.S. fleet. This was to hype fears of conflict that participation in UNCLOS would supposedly calm. This is certainly the hope of business leaders who want to avoid geopolitical risk and long for a return to the 1990s when it was fashionable (through clearly wrong) to believe that borders were disappearing and Great Power rivalries were part of a history that was ending. UNCLOS did not take effect until 1994 when sufficient members ratified it during that decade of delusion.

We were in the Cold War when President Reagan rejected UNCLOS, and we are in a renewed Cold War today. If seabed mining becomes the strategic battleground 60 Minutes predicts, where China already controls a near monopoly of critical minerals on land. Now it wants to extend that control to the ocean floor, Washington must respond in kind and on a scale that must not be limited by placing policy under ISA control. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have tried to decouple economic ties with China and build more secure supply chains in strategic industries. Unfortunately, the Biden administration has inhibited itself by granting legitimacy to UNCLOS.

On September 20 last year, the Biden administration signed the Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, otherwise known as the High Seas Treaty. The UN has declared this an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Anything can affect biodiversity, including seabed mining, fishing, and transit so this is a further grab of UN power. The treaty bars any sovereign claims to resources in the High Seas. Of particular concern are genetic materials of use in pharmaceuticals. Any scientific developments are to be shared for the benefit of all humanity with the UN redistributing money, technology and data from those advanced nations that do the work to developing nations who lack their capacity. Another aim is to put 30% of the worlds oceans off-limits to any development by 2030.

The new treaty goes into effect if 60 UN member states ratify it, any 60 out of 193 member states. UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) wants to be a major part of the enforcement mechanism. The U.S. has twice withdrawn from UNESCO, under Presidents Reagan and Trump, because its radical ideology is dangerous to American interests. Biden rejoined UNESCO soon after taking office.

It will be argued that the U.S. can ratify the High Seas Treaty without having ratified the UNCLOS which spawned it, but it will also be argued that it would be more proper to ratify both under cover of a globalist Green agenda (which may be why CBS brought the issue up). The treaty has not been sent to the Senate, since passage would be impossible given its current composition. But a Biden second term with progressive gains in the Senate could make it a threat to American independence and the crafting of national economic security policy.

William R. Hawkins is a former economics professor who served on the Republican staff of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. He has written widely on international economics and national security issues for both professional and popular publications.

Image: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Dolton, Illinois mayor Tiffany Henyard offered a memorable non-mea-culpa when confronting demands for an FBI probe into her spending spree using public funds.

First, she reminded her constituents in the bankrupt small town of Dolton that she is a black woman in power. Does that mean shes bulletproof because of checking off a couple of DEI boxes? Her next step -- as a minority politician -- was to continue to block demands for access to the citys financial records and to assure her voters she would continue to keep loving on them.

Her warm-fuzzy homilies are wearing thin as hard-working vendors -- who fulfilled their contracts to pave highways and maintain foliage - remain unpaid. Its difficult for Mayor Henyard to toss out the r bomb -- racism -- because many of her detractors share the same ethnic classification.

Many of those constituents, including unpaid vendors, are pressing city officials to explain how the mayors profligate spending was allowed since her first year in office (2021 until present). She didnt exactly make a secret of her expenditures as she proudly posted her lavish indulgences on social media. Mayor Henyard appeared more like a Real Housewife of Beverly Hills than a public servant entrusted with the welfare of 20,000 residents in the mostly blue-collar town.

She is pictured emerging from chauffeur-driven SUVs with security details (estimated at more than $100,000); enjoying trips to posh hotels and first-class travel for herself and other city officials ($67,000); establishing a grossly inflated $300,000 mayors salary, and retaining the services of hair and make-up stylists for public events (costs unknown with FBI probe pending). Not to pick on the mayors dog, but the canine is featured in her office also laden with jewelry.

Some of the wrongs can be corrected. The mayor has proposed legislation to cap the future mayors salary at $25,000. That salary is much more fitting for a town awash in millions in debt. But, too late for the legislation to apply to Henyard.

It is difficult to parody the antics of the mayor given her unorthodox behavior and unprofessional conduct in an effort to thwart any serious investigation into her financial malfeasance.

She actually made national headlines for the manner in which she celebrated avoiding her removal from office based on a technicality. Humility aside, she chose the city chambers to dance to a song by pop star Rihanna in which the title would prove particularly distasteful to unpaid vendors: Bi*** Better Have My Money.

Taxpayers have not been remiss in trying to hold the mayor to account, but she would rather not hear from them. She cited credible security concerns to lock the chamber doors, refusing entry to her constituents, ignoring the banging on the other side.

Henyards takeaway from the financial mess is in keeping with her untenable grasp on reality: As you can see, our village, our community, myself, we are under attack, she alleged. Its a shame that people can come to meetings and just tell one side of the stories and not get the entire side of both stories.

Her syntax appears to be as convoluted as her logic. She would be well advised to accept the fact that an FBI probe would prove essential to establishing not her truth, but the truth behind the citys fiscal dilemma.

The mayor can blame everybody for whats going on, but she has to look at herself, says Edward Steave, a former trustee. He is among the multitude of taxpayers insisting on transparency and claims the citys indebtedness is closer to $5 million rather than the $2 million reported by the mayor.

This saga appears to have reached its zenith of buffoonery -- that is, until the mayor chooses to make additional public statements. You all forget Im the leader, she announced at a city council meeting last month. They want to hear from the mayor. You all aint learned that yet. She wasnt finished with the dressing down: The mayor, not the trustees that dont do nothing. They only run their mouth. You all dont do no work, no work!

To date, the mayor has not been charged with a crime: She continues to insist her colleagues attempt to enlist law enforcement is unconstitutional and demonstrates a complete disregard for the law.

It would be difficult to top the irony of the mayors statement about the complete disregard for the law even in todays world of tragicomic politics.

Image: Pickpik
For Joe Biden, it's got to be maddening.

Day after day, he cooks up another legally questionable student loan forgiveness program, announces it to much fanfare to a fawning media, and all he gets for it is young people moving to vote for President Trump.

According to Politico:

Polls show former President Donald Trump is ascendant with the youngest bloc of the electorate, even leading President Joe Biden in some surveys, as less-engaged young voters spurn Biden. Meanwhile, Biden is stronger with seniors than he was four years ago, even as his personal image is significantly diminished since he was elected last time. That would be a generational shift: For decades, Democratic presidential candidates have overwhelmingly won young voters, and Republicans have done the same with the other end of the electorate. Poll after poll is showing thats flipped this year.

The Politico piece attempts to run an equivalency story suggesting that the two voting blocs have switched, but it presents much stronger evidence that young voters are going to Trump.

Just last week, a new NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist College national poll showed Trump 2 points ahead of Biden among Millennial and Gen-Z voters, while Biden led overall among voters 45 years and older, including those in the Silent and Greatest generations. A Fox News poll last month showed Trump leading Biden among voters under 30 by a whopping 18 points in a head-to-head matchup  and by 21 points with independent and third-party candidates included. Not every poll shows a perfect age inversion. Biden is at just 50 percent among voters under 30 in the Wall Street Journals national and swing-state polling. While thats still about 10 points ahead of Trump, its a significant decline compared to the 2020 election  and roughly equal to his vote share among seniors, 48 percent. A Quinnipiac University poll released last week had Biden 20 points ahead of Trump among voters under age 35, close to the presidents margin in 2020 according to exit polls and other estimates of voting subgroups.

In addition, the piece notes that virtually all of the new black and Latino voters in the Trump column are young people.

Seems these student loan forgiveness schemes aren't the magic dog biscuit Biden thinks he can throw to these voters and have them instantly love him.

I'll hazard a guess that young voters are more interested in having an actual future than being on the receiving side of an obvious election-year pander that might get overturned by the courts anyway.

Under Trump, these voters know they've got a future as freedom expands, taxes go down, regulation gets scrapped, and greenie mandates go the way of the Berlin Wall. They'll be able to get married, buy houses, select the job they actually want, build their 401(k)s, and start families.

In any case, many young voters have already taken defensive steps to stay out of student loan debt, from attending trade schools, to taking on employable majors. Others, through dint of hard work, sacrifice, and putting off things they'd like to buy, have paid off their student loan debt and can only watch as those who didn't do the same get their student loans fobbed off onto the taxpayer, which includes them.

The other thing is that these Bidenite student loan forgiveness schemes typically "forgive" the student loan debt of public service workers -- "teachers and firefighters," as Biden claims -- when in reality, most are well-heeled government bureaucrats.

Somehow, these "forgiveness" schemes never include them, just those in favored special interest groups.

Sure, Biden's seeming dementia is a disgust factor for these voters, as it is for many others, with young voters asking themselves if this is the best the country can do. He's like a doddering old principal who's long been out of touch with the reality of the high school, yet still barks out his bad orders.

Related to that, his ally Hillary Clinton's hectoring of young voters probably didn't go over well with them, either. "Get over yourselves," the old hag scolded.

That, plus years of wokery and scoldings in school, where students are told America is a bad country, a fatally flawed country, a racist hellhole, somehow fail to stack up against the millions of migrants they see illegally crossing into the U.S. to get a piece of all that 'badness.' Not only is their country bad, they themselves are bad, at least the males, as well as whites and Asians, which has got to be getting old to them, very fast.

Meanwhile, Trump presents an attractive alternative -- politically incorrect, talks out of turn, offers a future of real prosperity, makes them laugh their heads off, and obviously sharp and quick on his feet like they are.

Who wouldn't want to vote for him as a young person? It makes perfect sense and one hopes that this represents one more group being snatched out from under Joe Biden's nose, hopefully, never to return to the Democrats who hurt them. For Biden and his student-loan forgiveness schemes, handed out one after another like bags of beans thrown to the campesinos for votes, one can only hope that it's driving him bonkers.

Image: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED
Last Wednesday Joe Biden went on Univision for an interview, which only aired last nightthe studio needed a week to clean up the flubs and present a coherent exchange. During the segment, Biden said the reason that he hasnt issued any executive orders to close the border is because he worries about whether or not he legally and constitutionally has the power to do so.

This is total B.S. From Reuters:

Biden says he is examining power to shut US border on his own President Joe Biden said in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that he and his administration are trying to determine whether he has the authority to act on his own to shut down the U.S.'s southern border with Mexico to migrants, should it be deemed necessary. Biden told Univision in the interview that because bipartisan legislation that would have granted him the authority to shut the border was stalled by Republicans in Congress, he was being encouraged to try to do it alone. Were examining whether or not I have that power, Biden said, adding there was no guarantee he has the power without legislation.

People should ask Who was responsible for all the executive orders Biden already signed to open the border? Who was responsible for the EOs that crippled energy independence? He clearly didnt write them, and my guess is, he didnt even read them. He just signed them. He campaigned from the basement and was clearly installed as a puppet to implement the radical agenda to destroy and remake America, which was always Obamas goal.

Biden can barely read a teleprompter, or stand in the right spot on stage, or figure out which way to exit. He clearly is not running the destructive show. He must be defeated in order to eliminate whoever is pulling his strings.

Biden dictatorially orders things all the time without worrying about the courts.

He is always issuing rules on guns without worrying about the Second Amendmentin fact, from the very same interview, via Breitbart:

Biden: Ill Consider Further Unilateral Action on Guns, Cant Believe Trump Said No Ones Going to Touch Your Guns

He is issuing orders forcing schools to permit boys to play against girls. He has no problem strong-arming schools to strip girls of their privacy rights by forcing them to share locker rooms with males flashing their penises.

He continually, dictatorially, and unconstitutionally has taxpayers pay off students debts. He brags about how he doesnt care about how the Supreme Court ruled on this unconstitutional act, hell just find another way to do it.

And, not once has he worried about all the dictatorial regulations issued by his EPA that will unilaterally force people to give up their gas vehicles and appliances. He has never worried about the harm this does.

He doesnt worry about the government forcing people to buy expensive health insurance policies.

He supported firing people who exercised their free will to decline vaccines. I thought that Biden believed women could do whatever they wanted with their bodies? And, since he thinks males can be women as long as they simply say so, doesnt that just mean everyone has a right to make their own choices regarding their own bodies?

Bidens military doesnt believe people have free speech rights to be Trump supporters.

But suddenly, he worries about executive orders on the border? He clearly doesnt care about the courts. The fact is that he campaigned on opening the border and he is just pretending to care now because the polls are so bad. The only thing Biden and other Democrats care about is power. The Constitution and separation of powers are meaningless concepts to them.

Go Trump! We need him to save the country from the cascading disaster of the radical policies that Biden and the unelected bureaucrats are forcing on America.

Image by Andrea Widburg.
In a recent discussion with Alexander Stubb, who is the president of Finland, CNNs Fareed Zakaria apparently thought it would be a cakewalk to get the newly elected European leader to say something negative and alarming about former President Donald Trump.

It did not go well for Fareed.

President Stubb ended up praising Trump for doing what is right.

Fareed, pushing a familiarly deceptive media line, asked President Stubb to comment on what everybody is talking about, namely that:

Donald Trump said he would tell Russia to do what you have to do, words to that effect, about NATO members if they hadnt hit the 2% mark. What do you do about a president of the United States, the leader of the West, the leader of NATO, if he said that, assuming Trump is elected [in 2024].

President Stubb did not take the bait. Rejecting Fareeds attempt to stir up dissension between Trump and NATO members, Stubb said that the starting point is that Finland will get along with whoever is elected. He then explained to Fareed an adult view of Trumps remark:

We also know that former president Donald Trump is a transactionalist, and what hes trying to do is push European states to increase their defense expenditure to 2% and I think hes right in doing that because 20 out of 32 NATO members will have reached that by this Washington NATO summit.

That is, being rational, unlike what remains of our news media, Trump is a transactionalist.

Since Trump's expertise is making deals (he wrote The Art of the Deal), Trump knows that if one wants to get something done in the real world, one has to enter into transactions with the relevant parties. In those remarks about NATO, he merely let delinquent NATO members know that if they want continued U.S. military protection, they must make a transaction. They must give something, in this case, not even very much, just the 2% of GDP they had already promised to spend towards military spending.

President Stubb even pointed out that Trump has already been successful in this because 20 out of 32 NATO members will have reached that by this [commitment] by the Washington NATO summit. In other words, NATO is already safer because of Donald Trump.

Fareed thinks this is a new scandal!?

Fareed, however, who does, after all, work at CNN, pushes back, asking,

But is NATO entirely a transactional organization and do you think it is appropriate for the United States not to defend, not to defend a NATO member if its below 2% in its defense spending.

First, since transactionality is an aspect of rationality, Fareed, unlike Trump, is apparently worried about whether NATO members are rational.

President Stubb schooled Fareed that they are. Therefore,

I think he [Trumps] right in doing that [pressuring NATO members to pay their promised share].

Fareed does not even appear to remember what President Stubb had already, just a few minutes prior, said to him: that NATO members have already been increasing their spending to make NATO safer as a result of Trumps transactional pressure. That is, Fareed does not appear to have digested that President Stubb has just reassured him that NATO members, unlike the talking heads in U.S. news rooms, are quite rational and actually want to defend Europe more than they want to make high school debating points.

Indeed, President Stubb explained to Fareed that it was never in the cards, as Fareed had implied, that the United States would not defend NATO.

President Stubb, saying at one point that Finland in such cases is always cool, calm and collected, made this explicit:

I am sure that the United States would continue to do that [defend Europe if it is attacked].

It is difficult to see how journalists, who virtually never seem cool, calm and collected, can get so worked up about Trump doing what needs to be done to make NATO stronger and Europe safer.

Trump understands, as, apparently, Fareed does not, that he is not participating in a high school debate about international security. He is, rather, a businessman who must make successful transactions to prosper, and (unlike a member of the Ivory Tower) he is actually trying to get something done in the real world. Trump, in those comments that everybody is talking about (by which he presumably means everybody in U.S. newsrooms"), is merely haggling over money, nothing more.

So, in fact, President Stubb gave a direct clear answer to Fareeds question, What do you do about a president of the United States, the leader of the West, the leader of NATO, if he said that [about the possibility of not defending NATO countries that dont pay their pledged amount]. His answer is quite explicit: You say, Thank you! And you say that because Trump is trying to solve a real-world problem, not grandstand.

Indeed, had Fareed wanted to frame the conversation fairly in the beginning, he would, at least, have pointed out, as Sen. Marco Rubio and others have pointed out, that Trump, in those remarks about NATO, was not even talking about what he would do in the future, in his second term!

He was bragging about what he did in his first term.

It is a bit hard to work oneself into a state of hysteria about a comment made about what is already baked into the cake, but our news media seems quite capable of doing just that.

Image: Screen shot from CNN video, via YouTube
For 28 years, the Israeli consulates in America have sponsored the Israeli Film Festival, showcasing films that depict various slices of Israeli life. One of the festivals destinations has been the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. The films selected are apolitical, mainly, and depict various aspects of Israeli customs, cultures, and citizenry.

But not much love was on display in Philadelphia this week.

One of the venues for the Israeli films has historically been the Bryn Mawr Film Institute (BMFI) in tony Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, known for its showings of international and indie films. Its subscriber base is brainy and to a degree Jewish. But all was vanquished, or attempted to be, by the totally un-American actions of some pro-Palestinian dictatorial thugs from nearby Haverford College.

It is incomprehensible, but, purportedly, two miserable, hate-filled dissembling student groups, at Haverford College, objected to the film festival and demanded that the tone-deaf and myopic owners or the Board of Directors shut down the showing  which they initially did. Additionally, they were attempting to shut down and censor the entire festival.

Perhaps this was the last straw, or the first straw, but Jewish howling was vociferous in response. Within 36 hours, a court filing obtained an injunction, and the BMFI was forced to show the film. The theater was packed. One Board member resigned, and the entity apologized. Big whoop. One can only hope that no Jew enters that hateful place again. BMFI will just keep taking the Arab money that has already corrupted a once venerable institution.

Prior to the showing on Lancaster Avenue, where the theater is located, Jewish protesters and some friends waved Israeli and American flags, peacefully sang songs, and made their disdain felt. A huge Lower Merion police force lined the street and the theater, and we were grateful for their presence.

In Germany in 1939 and thereafter, laws against Jews proliferated. Jews were not allowed to work in government or universities, and Jewish-owned establishments were boycotted and forced to close. Jewish professors were banned from university jobs. Then they went after the LGBT community and the Gypsy community. And then they instituted their final solution.

Of course, no laws against Jews have been enacted. But Arab groups are hell-bent on doing the dirty deeds themselves.

Is this what we want for America? Really?

On April 15, the Muslims are declaring an international day of disruption. Where are our leaders? Who will speak out courageously, as has Senator John Fetterman?

We Jews are few, and our enemies are multitudinous and filthy rich. America, you need to help us.

Image via Pexels.
As we approach another presidential election cycle  one of the most pivotal in our nations history  the issue of election integrity will rear its ugly head once again, no matter on which side of the aisle you stand. Without rehashing past elections (local, state, or presidential), it is clear that irregularities have occurred and perhaps determined a winning candidate. To deny this is naive.

It is no secret that many of our election laws and practices were manipulated by the Democrat party under the guise of mandated social distancing during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Well, the pandemic is by all accounts over, and life appears to have returned to normal, yet the loosened requirements for voter registration and voting remain in many jurisdictions. Why have we not returned to the pre-pandemic laws and regulations? The answer is obvious: the laws benefit the voting habits and practices of one political party over the other.

During the pandemic, many Western democracies did not alter voter registration or voting requirements, as did the United States. In France, for example, voters use the same system thats been used for generations: paper ballots, cast in person and counted by hand. Despite periodic calls for more flexibility or modernization, France does not allow mail-in voting, early voting, or voting machines as the United States does.

Mail-in voting in France was wisely banned in 1975 amid fears of fraud. Voters make their choices on the day of the election in a booth, with the curtains closed, then place their ballot in an envelope that is then put into a transparent ballot box. They must show photo identification and sign a document next to their name to complete the process. Voila  perhaps there is a lesson there for the Etats-Unis!

Research shows that the integrity of our countrys elections compares poorly to other democracies. A recent report published by the independent Electoral Integrity Project found that U.S. elections from July 2012 through December 2018 rated lower than any other long-established democracies and affluent societies. Each country in the index was given a score out of 100 based on assessments of the quality of each of its elections  including categories such as electoral laws, voter registration, and voting process. The U.S. score was 61  the same as Mexico and Panama.

Yes, Democrats will cry foul and level the usual epithets against Republicans, but if Americans are ever to regain faith in their government and elections at all levels, the sanctity of elections must return. Without free and fair elections, the bedrock of our republic, we will simply fade away like many of the great civilizations before us. Simply put, where there is no election integrity, there is no freedom, and where there is no freedom, there is anarchy.

Image: cagdesign via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
The Supreme Court, by a 6-3 decision in June of last year, stopped President Joe Bidens plan to buy votes by canceling or forgiving $400 billion of federal student loan debts for millions of Americans. SCOTUS said Bidens plan overstepped his authority. The decision left borrowers on the hook for repayments.

But an unfazed Biden declared, This fight is not over. He maintained that the Supreme Court couldnt stop him from canceling or forgiving student debt.

Biden spoke at the Julian Dixon Library in Culver City, California, referencing his programs to cancel or forgive student loan debts. He bragged that while his student debt forgiveness and cancelation programs were halted by the SCOTUS, its ruling didnt stop him. Biden declared he would push ahead with a new debt relief plan.

Personal observation: Hes happy to break the law.

Speaking earlier to reporters at the White House, Biden said borrowers angry about SCOTUSs decision should blame Republicans. He also (as usual) blamed Republican hypocrisy for the decision that halted his original effort. These Republican officials just couldnt bear the thought of providing relief for working-class, middle-class Americans. The hypocrisy of Republican elected officials is stunning. He never explained how Republican hypocrisy influenced SCOTUSs decision.

True to his word (probably after reading several recent polls), Bidens back with another federal student loan debt forgiveness or cancelation scheme. This time, its for 78,000 public service workers.

About public service workers, Biden has said, Dedicated public servants are the lifeblood of democracy. They do the hard work that is essential to our countrys success  protecting us, teaching our children, keeping our streets clean and our lights on, and so much more.

With $6 billion in loan forgiveness or cancelation, the scheme is open to teachers, librarians, nurses, public interest lawyers, military members, and other public workers. It cancels a borrowers remaining student debt after ten years of public service work, or after 120 monthly payments. The loan forgiveness announcement said public service workers who never received loan forgiveness can now have their debts partially forgiven or canceled due to fixes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This forgiveness scheme comes on the heels of other loan or forgiveness fixes the Biden administration says it has implemented.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Joe Biden's re-election campaign is repeating the naked lie, over and over again, that President Trump wants to cut elderly people's Social Security and Medicare.

Some of those elderly voters believe him, as recent polling has shown.

But he's already played Mr. Slasher on Medicare Advantage, the immensely popular supplemental health insurance program favored by more than half of seniors, and he plans to cut it more. Democrats hate this program because it allows its buyers choice in what kind of coverage they would like to have on their policies.

According to an important op-ed on RedState from the Heartland Institute:

In fact, Biden didnt merely propose Medicare Advantage (MA) reforms a dozen years in the future. He cut rates from a projected 2.44 percent to 2.33 percent, despite industry predictions of a 4 to 6 percent growth rate. Medicare Advantage is often targeted by single-payer advocates because it offers choices to consumers. Rather than the one-size-fits-all Soviet model of health care favored by liberals, MA allows seniors to choose what they want included in their health care coverage. So, for Bidens single-payer base, this cut is a good thing. But what about the seniors in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and Wisconsin?

That raises the rates seniors shell out by nearly $400 a year, and that's seniors on fixed incomes. And he's already done it, which puts paid to the lie that Trump wants to cut Medicare and Social Security. He's already doing it himself, not for illegals, but for those who have paid taxes all their lives.

Of all the things to cut in his monster bloated budgets, he chose to cut this, sneaking it into his budget and publicizing it.

It's like the Democrats' 2012 ad targeting Rep. Paul Ryan, back when he was a vice presidential candidate, throwing granny off the cliff.

Had enough? One hopes the Trump campaign and all good conservatives publicize this targeting of seniors by Democrats to ensure they don't vote for this nasty, mendacious, old fraud.

Image: Screenshot from TheAgendaProject video, via YouTube
As if you needed any more proof that Palestinian civilians are all too often de facto terrorists, here it is, from an article at the Jewish News Syndicate:

Freed Israeli hostage: Gazan civilians sold me to Hamas Nili Margalit, 42, on a tour of Europe to raise awareness of the 133 Israeli hostages still in captivity, told Frances Le Point magazine on Monday that it was Palestinian Arab civilians, not Hamas, who abducted her from her home in Nir Oz on Oct. 7. They negotiated with Hamas to sell me. When they were paid, I was taken straight into a tunnel, she said.

First of all, using the word civilian implies civilityand theres nothing civil about kidnapping children, women, and grandparents, and then selling them to a terrorist group to be used as sex slaves, bargaining chips, and human shields.

But apart from that, when the referendum on political leadership you dont like becomes electing a terrorist group to govern instead, Id say at that point, youre just as guilty as the crimes committed by the regime you helped install. Cough, Democrat voters, cough cough. For context, heres how The Washington Post reported on the political turmoil of Gaza between Fatah and Hamas:

In 2006, the Palestinian political entity operating in the West Bank and Gaza staged elections.  The election yielded a shock victory for Hamas, which won the most seats with some 44 percent of the vote.  Mostly, they were voting for opposition and voting against Fatah... Mustafa Barghouti, an outspoken, independent Palestinian politician then and now, told CNN at the time.

Okay so apparently, these Hamas voters didnt necessarily agree with the slaughter of Christians and Jews (jihad) promised by Hamas in their foundational 1988 Hamas Covenant, but because they hated the other guy (Mahmoud Abbas) that much, theyd put their vote behind literal terrorists continuously waging war against Israeli civilians. Sounds about right for useful idiotsagain, cough, Democrat voters, cough cough. (This isnt to conflate Donald Trump with Abbas but to point out that terrorist enablers often resort to the same justifications as to why they support evil regimes.)

As an online commenter pointed out, Palestinian civilians have a long history of acting just like the terrorists:

The Dawsons Field Hijackings in 1970? Palestinians. The Munich Olympic Massacre in 1972? Palestinians. The Maalot Massacre in 1974? Palestinians. The Air France Flight 139 Hijacking / Entebbe Hostage Situation in 1976? Palestinians. The TWA Flight 847 Hijacking in 1985? Palestinians. The Achille Lauro Hijacking / Leon Klinghoffer Murder in 1985? Palestinians. Thats just a FEW of the atrocities committed by PALESTINIANS before Hamas was formed. There have been a great many more, both before and since Hamas took over. I have no sympathy for a population that is terroristic by nature, or design. Palestinians are NOT innocent. Hamas is doing exactly what the population wants them to do.

Perhaps you remember this? Palestinian civilians celebrating the 9/11 attack?

Hate on 9/11: Actual footage of some #Palestinians celebrating the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States in 2001. This footage was shown on CNN, MSNBC and FOX News. Still today, there are voices in Palestinian society who repeatedly embrace and praise terrorism - (1/2) pic.twitter.com/cvySp5HqMG  StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) September 11, 2022

Just the other day, Amnesty International posthumously remembered another Palestinian civilian, a writer who died while in Israeli custodythat man was Walid Daqqa.

Hamas by any other name is still Hamas.

Image: Free image / Pexels.
The Ohio State University has been faced with another federal complaint where it failed to address antisemitic events on and near campus since Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The complaint was filed by three prominent Jewish organizations with the US Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights on Tuesday (Apr. 9), accusing the university of inadequately addressing multiple incidents of harassment and violence against Jewish and Israeli students.

According to the organizations filing the lawsuit, the university's improper response to such incidents violates federal anti-discrimination laws.

According to NBC's Columbus affiliate, the groups behind the complaint were StandWithUs, an international nonprofit that describes itself as an "Israel education organization" and opponent of antisemitism; the Anti-Defamation League (ADL); and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.

They said that, since Oct. 7, antisemitism on and near campus has "run the gamut," from targeted harassment of Ohio State's Hillel Center to students being called antisemitic slurs and assaulted.

"Since October 7, Jewish students on campuses nationwide have faced unprecedented antisemitic harassment and discrimination," StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein said in a news release.

"Ohio State University is no exception. Antisemitism is expressed openly; blatant verbal and physical threats and attacks on Jewish students often go unaddressed by the administration. By filing this Title VI federal complaint, we aim to hold the administration accountable."

Ohio State Hillel CEO Naomi Lamb also said a "disconnect" existed between the school's efforts and its culture.

"Antisemitism must not be tolerated at OSU in any form," she said in a separate statement. "[T]here is a disconnect between their heartfelt efforts and the overall University culture Jewish students experience. This Title VI complaint confirms the urgent need for more action. We hope to continue to work together to create a campus where Jewish students can learn and live without harassment and intimidation. This is the work that OSU Hillel does every day, and we look forward to continuing to lead the efforts to combat antisemitism on our campus."

The groups also took aim at protesters and groups on campus that oppose Israel's war in Gaza, including Students for Justice in Palestine, in its complaint, saying that multiple protests on campus have led to antisemitic sentiment and rhetoric.

"On November 17, 2023, an unaffiliated student group staged a demonstration inside of Thompson Library, unfurling a large banner, shouting slogans falsely accusing Israel of 'genocide,' and loudly reading out the names of people killed in Gaza, disrupting the study space there for approximately an hour," the complaint read.

Meanwhile, an Ohio State spokesperson said the university "has never - and will never - tolerate discrimination or harassment of anyone based on their religious beliefs, nationality or identity."

The university separately sent a letter to StandWithUS, saying that the complaint inaccurately described the university's response and that they have been "focused on supporting members of our university community" since Oct. 7.

Ohio State also said it was beholden to the First Amendment speech protections but was "fully prepared" to address speech that incited violence.

The response letter pointed to multiple steps Ohio State has taken to address antisemitic harassment, boost safety on and off campus, and support students and staff.

The university added more security cameras, increased its police force's joint patrol of the off-campus area with Columbus police, and has a dedicated detective assigned to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces.

Ohio State's letter explained that several of the incidents StandWithUs included in the complaint were not reported to the university.

Of the ones that were, the university said that the complaint "mischaracterizes the university's response" in one instance and otherwise inaccurately laid out the timeline of events and responses.

In addition to opening investigations into reports, Ohio State has made multiple public statements condemning antisemitic harassment and violence against students.

"Through both our words and, importantly, our actions, we continually reaffirm and communicate messaging focused on our expectations regarding an environment of respect and compassion during this extraordinarily difficult time for many on our campuses," the response letter added. "It is very disappointing that your letter to us does not accurately represent what has occurred at Ohio State or the university's strong and ongoing response."

The Office of Civil Rights has already been investigating Ohio State after it received a complaint that the university has failed to address antisemitism.

Since Oct. 7, federal investigations have been opened into more than three dozen colleges for alleged discrimination based on shared ancestry. However, the office's investigations are lengthy and could take years to resolve.
Samsung offers one of the best software update support in the Android space. Its latest flagship phones will get OS updates for seven years, while enterprise models are eligible for up to eight years of support. Testament to its commitment, the company has extended support for the Galaxy S20 series. Originally slated to receive updates for four years, the 2020 flagships are enjoying an additional year of updates.

The Galaxy S20 series is getting a fifth year of update support

Samsung launched the Galaxy S20 series in early 2020 with Android 10 onboard. Later that year, the company announced that its flagship devices would get three major OS updates and four years of security patches. As promised, it delivered Android 11, Android 12, and Android 13 to the phones. The Korean firm also pushed monthly security patches to the devices for four years, all the way up to early 2024.

As per its support policy, Samsung should have ended update support for the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra this month. However, it didnt. Instead, the company only dropped the phones from monthly to quarterly security patches. The 2020 flagships are now in their fifth year and still getting updates. While it is unclear whether the extended support will last a full year, these are bonus updates for the phones.

Interestingly, the original Galaxy Z Flip also arrived around the same time as the Galaxy S20 series but it didnt get extended support. Samsung has ended updates for the first-gen clamshell foldable. That said, as promised by the company, it received three major Android OS updates and four years of security patches, so we cant complain. The Galaxy Z Flip 5G arrived in mid-2020, so it still has some life left in it.

The last Note phones are currently getting monthly updates

Earlier this month, Samsung dropped the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and Galaxy S20 FE to quarterly updates. It came as a surprise because these phones arrived between August and September 2020 and are yet to turn four. It turned out to be an error from the company. The tech biggie has since restored the phones to monthly updates.

Time will tell whether Samsung will offer updates to the Galaxy Note 20 series and the Galaxy S20 FE beyond four years. Flagship Galaxy smartphones and tablets launched in 2021 and beyond, meanwhile, are eligible for four major OS updates and five years of security patches. Some mid-range models will also enjoy the same support. Seven years of support only applies to the Galaxy S24 series.
Samsungs Galaxy S21 series has started getting the April update, including the Galaxy S21 FE. While it doesnt contain One UI 6.1, the update secures your phone from dozens of security vulnerabilities. The company has already updated several other Galaxy devices to the new security patch.

April security update is available for the Galaxy S21 series

Samsungs flagship smartphones and tablets launched in 2021 and beyond are eligible for four major Android OS updates and five years of security patches. The Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra arrived with Android 11 and picked up updates to Android 12, Android 13, and Android 14. The Galaxy S21 FE ran Android 12 out of the box and has received two OS updates.

These phones will also get Android 15 (the FE model will get Android 16 too). But ahead of that, the company will roll out One UI 6.1 to them. Debuted with the Galaxy S24 series, One UI 6.1 is based on Android 14 and brings new AI features, camera improvements, and more. Samsung has already pushed the new version to the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Tab S9 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Other eligible models will get it in the coming weeks, though the availability of features will vary. As Galaxy S21 users wait for One UI 6.1, Samsung is treating them with the April security update. The latest SMR (Security Maintenance Release) contains more than 40 vulnerability patches, including a critical Android OS patch. The update for the flagship trio is available in Europe with the firmware build number G99*BXXSAFXCL.

For the Galaxy S21 FE, the rollout has begun in Latin America. Users are getting the update with the build number G990EXXS7FXC5. A global rollout for all four models should begin soon. With One UI 6.1 on the horizon, it is no surprise that the latest update doesnt contain anything more. The security of your device has been improved, the only entry on Samsungs official release notes reads.

The new SMR will soon reach more Galaxy devices

The Galaxy S21 is just the second S series lineup to receive Samsungs April update, after the Galaxy S24. The company will push the new SMR to more devices in the coming weeks. Some may get it with One UI 6.1, while others will have to wait longer for the feature update. We will let you know when the Korean firm pushes the latest security patch and One UI 6.1 to more Galaxy devices.
Samsung is taking a pioneering approach by using artificial intelligence (AI) for the betterment of society. The project, Impulse, is a mobile app specifically created to help individuals with speech disorders. Samsung Electronics Iberia, in partnership with Cheil, developed this app to utilize AI technology to improve the everyday experiences of those struggling with speech impediments.

Approximately 70 million individuals worldwide are affected by speech disorders, displaying symptoms such as stuttering, repetitions, or prolongations of sounds, words, or syllables. Historically, these challenges have been tackled through rhythm therapy, a technique designed to enhance linguistic fluency by ingraining a subconscious rhythm in the brain. Certainly, Samsung identified the potential to incorporate technology into this therapeutic method, resulting in the development of Impulse.

How Impulse works

Impulse uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms to evaluate words and transform them into rhythmic vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted to the users wrist through Galaxy smartwatches, creating a tactile link with spoken patterns. Consequently, through the utilization of haptic feedback, Impulse aids users in recognizing their speech patterns and overcoming obstacles in articulation. This groundbreaking technique enables individuals to take charge of their speech and communication once again.

Features and functionalities

The Impulse app provides a complete set of exercises designed to improve different aspects of speech control. With over 250 rhythm and tone exercises available in four modes: Boost your voice, Boost your rhythm, Boost your tone, and Boost your speech, users can enhance their speech abilities effectively. Each mode includes three levels of difficulty for gradual growth. Samsung commits to continuous updates and improvements to enhance the apps features.

Availability and future prospects

Currently, the Impulse app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store in Spain, supporting both Android phones and Galaxy Watch 6-series devices (Review). Although Samsung has not announced a worldwide release, the company continues to prioritize accessibility and equality through technological innovations. With the potential to positively impact individuals worldwide dealing with speech disorders, Impulse is gaining recognition and adoption.
Apple forayed into the world of mixed reality when it announced the Vision Pro last year. One of the best experiences of the Apple Vision Pro headset is watching videos. However, two of the popular streaming platforms including Netflix and Amazon Prime dont even provide dedicated apps for it. However, an Australian developer has released a Supercut Netflix Vision Pro app to let you enjoy the content of these platforms.

The Supercut Netflix Vision Pro app is a workaround for the Vision Pro

The Supercut app provides a first-class experience for Netflix and Prime Video subscriptions on the Apple Vision Pro headset. It isnt just the best way to enjoy the content of these platforms on Vision Pro. It is the only video to experience Netflix and Prime Video on the VR headset. The app works similarly to Apples own TV Plus app. However, instead of content from Apples platform, it provides content from Netflix and Prime Video.

Supercut provides comprehensive Netflix and Prime Video controls, including subtitles, audio output, and speed adjustment. In addition, it gives you an option to skip ahead or back in a video for a few seconds. If you have multiple user profiles on Netflix or Prime Video, then you can easily switch between them. Also, you will receive visual indicators for Dolby formats, apart from the streaming resolution.

Users can search for content by typing on the keyboard or by using the built-in microphone of the Vision Pro. The Supercut Netflix Vision Pro application also provides support for 4K streaming with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. As of now, its unclear whether Netflix or Prime Video will have any problem with Supercut. That said, the unofficial app certainly enhances the content viewing experience on the Apple headset.

Supercut is available for a one-time payment of $4.99

Supercut is available for a one-time payment of just $4.99. The app has been designed by 19-year-old Australian developer Christian Privitelli. So far, the app has met with positive reviews on Reddit r/visionpro forums. He has been getting requests from several Vision Pro users to add Hulu and Peacock support to the Supercut app.
A couple of days ago, Google finally launched the much-awaited Find My Device feature. The feature was first showcased at last years Google I/O event but has started rolling out just now. Soon after the launch, a variety of brands announced that they would launch their compatible trackers to support the new service. However, one notable company was missing from the list  Tile.

At the I/O event, Google announced that Tile will be one of the brands to release a compatible tracker. However, a new report suggests that Tile will not be releasing Find My Device network-supported compatible tracers, at least for now.

Tile is currently not working on a Google Find My Device network-compatible tracker

According to the source, a Tile spokesperson has revealed that the brand is not working on a compatible tracker. The company is focusing on building a cross-platform solution that enables location-based finding of people, pets, and things. One of the typical examples of this is the integration of Tiles technology into Life360 map, which has over 66 million members.

So, if you are a Tile user, then dont expect it to announce a Find My Device network-supported tracker any time soon. However, the company did mention that we have a great working relationship with Google and look forward to future partnerships. We will keep you updated if theres any announcement, so stay in touch for more details.

Here are all the trackers that will work with Googles Find My Device network

While announcing the rollout of the Find My Device network, Google posted a complete list of all devices that will support it. Chipolos One Point and One Card will be amongst the first to support the network. The Pebblebee Clip, Pebblebee Card, and Pebblebee Tag are also on the list. In addition, the Eufy Smart Track Link, Smart Tag Card for Android, and JioTag Go will have support in the future.

Some of the existing audio products will also support the Find My Device network. These include the JBL Tour Pro 2, Tour One M2, and the Sony WH-1000XM5. Google will also soon add support for the Pixel Buds Pro. We expect more tiny trackers and audio products to join the list in the near future.

Googles Find My Device app is currently available for Android users in the US and Canada. However, a global launch isnt too far. Users in these regions can install the app on their devices to locate compatible Android phones, tablets, and more. The technology relies on a crowdsourced network of over a billion devices to help users locate lost gadgets more reliably.
The US Senate has proposed a bill aimed at improving the security and interoperability of Unified Communications (UC) and collaboration platforms used by the federal government.

Spearheaded by US Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the Secure and Interoperable Government Collaboration Technology Act mandates strict cybersecurity measures and interoperability standards for platforms used by the government such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

The bill requires Zoom and Teams to work together

The proposed bill, as reported by The Verge, underscores the necessity for government tools to seamlessly communicate with each other, regardless of their providers. This initiative aims to foster collaboration among agencies while fortifying cybersecurity measures. It includes the adoption of end-to-end encryption protocols.

Senator Wyden emphasized the significance of ensuring government communications remain shielded from foreign surveillance. The government can ensure it by implementing encryption technologies across all major collaboration platforms.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the evolving landscape of federal record-keeping regulations by mandating compliance enforcement within collaboration software. It highlights the importance of maintaining official records within dynamic collaboration environments. Examples of these include video conferencing, text messaging, and live document editing platforms.

The NIST will establish interoperability standards

One of the key provisions of the bill tasks the General Services Administration (GSA) with compiling a comprehensive inventory of UC and collaboration technology tools utilized by the federal government. This inventory encompasses a wide array of functionalities, including video conferencing, file sharing, scheduling, and document editing capabilities. Subsequently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will establish interoperability standards to facilitate seamless communication across diverse platforms. It will also prioritize the integration of end-to-end encryption to safeguard sensitive government communications.

UC&C businesses will be granted a four-year grace period to align their tools such as Zoom and Teams with federal procurement requirements. It should ensure compliance with the established standards. Additionally, a joint working group comprising the GSA and the Office of Management and Budget will conduct periodic evaluations of government technology usage. Itll recommend revisions to standards as necessary.

Concurrently, the Department of Homeland Security will conduct cybersecurity assessments to ascertain the resilience of collaboration tools against potential threats.

Support for the bill extends beyond governmental circles, with advocacy groups like Accountable Tech, Demand Progress, and Fight for the Future, as well as encrypted communication service provider Proton, endorsing its objectives. The proposed bill represents a significant step toward ensuring the integrity, security, and interoperability of collaboration platforms. It is actually important in this in an increasingly digitized world.

We are seeing governments across the world mandating interoperability of such platforms. The EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) has already implemented stricter restrictions on certain messaging services. As a result, Meta has to be ready to enable interoperability with other services within three months of receiving a request. It mandated support for one-on-one chats and file sharing including images, videos, and voice messages. In response to DMAs regulations, Metas Whatsapp agreed to interoperate with third-party messages last month.
The Motorola Moto G Power  2024 is one of the latest mid-range smartphones from the American brand, and its a fantastic device. It was able to score five out of five stars on our Moto G Power  2024 Review. One of the high points of the review was the phones really good battery life. Well, as good as the battery life is, there are ways to further stretch it. So, heres how to conserve battery life on your Moto G Power  2024.

Before hopping into the guide, we have other useful how-to guides for this phone. Firstly, if youre curious about all of the fun gestures that come with this phone, you can check out our guide on all of the Moto G Power  2024 gestures. Lastly, if youre looking to deeply customize this phones aesthetic to match your own particular style, you can read our guide on how to customize the theme of your Moto G Power  2024.

And, on a final note, if youre curious about the smaller sibling, the Moto G 5G  2024, we have information on that phone too. Check out our Moto G 5g  2024 review to get an in-depth look at what makes this phone a compelling handset.

How to conserve battery with your Moto G Power  2024

In this guide, were going to talk about a few common sense things you can do to further stretch the battery power of this phone. While this guide does focus on this Motorola handset, some of these tactics can also be employed with other phones. So, if you happen to get a new device, you can use these methods to stretch the battery life of that one as well.

Use Adaptive brightness

The screen of your phone is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to battery drain. That is only exacerbated when you have the screen brightness set to full. Its pretty easy to accidentally have your screen brighter than it should be compared to the lighting conditions. So, being able to keep an eye on how bright your display is is very important.

This is where adaptive brightness comes in. To enable adaptive brightness, go to your settings and scroll down to the display section. On that page, the top toggle will be the Adaptive brightness toggle. When you tap on it, youll see your screen automatically adjust its brightness to the lighting conditions.

This will help because most of the time, we have our screen brightness cranked too high for the scenario. That uses more battery life over time. So, with adaptive brightness on, your phones screen brightness will be adjusted according to how bright or dark the environment is.

Lower the screen refresh rate

The Moto G Power  2024 has a beautiful display, and one of the reasons for that is because of the fluid 120Hz refresh rate. However, having a screen with a higher refresh rate eats up more battery power. The screen has to refresh at double the speed of most other phones, and that leads to higher energy draw.

So, you would want to lower the refresh rate. Go back to the Display settings page, and look for the Display refresh rate button. When you tap on that button, you will see a page open up with the available options. The best thing to do is to tap on the 60Hz mode. This will lower the refresh rate to a more standard refresh rate.

Turn on Dark mode

People prefer to use the devices in Dark mode mostly because of the aesthetic benefits. This turns the entire aesthetic a darker shade of color, and it makes everything look that much sleeker. However, theres a major benefit to using Dark mode, as it lowers the amount of power your screen draws. Since the display is darker, it uses up less energy.

To enable Dark mode, go back to your Display settings and look for the second toggle named Dark theme. You can either tap on the toggle to switch it on or tap on the actual text of the button. This will bring it to another page that will give you the option to have Dark mode turn on at sunset.

Its important to know that Dark mode will apply throughout your entire system. So, all of the menus, app icons (if you use themed icons), and other UI elements will be darker. This also applies to the apps that you use. If an app you are using supports Dark mode, then it will also have a darker theme to it.

Reduce app activity

This step can be a little tedious, but its very important if you want to conserve battery life. Whenever you download an app, theres always the chance that that app could run in the background, even if youre not currently using it. Many apps need to run in the background to perform all the functions that they intend to. For example, voice assistant apps need to run in the background so that they can hear whenever you summon them.

However, if you have a bunch of apps running in the background, that can also drain your battery. This is one of the main culprits of battery drain, but many people dont realize it. So, as they load up on apps, the battery drain increases over time.

To reduce the activity of the apps youre using, go to the app in question on your home screen, and hold your finger down on the button to access the pop-up menu. Then, tap on the App Info button. On the App Info screen, go to the App battery usage section. When you look at it, you will see how much battery power that app has used since the phone was last fully charged.

Options

When you tap on it, you will enter a new page. On that page, you will see three options. The Unrestricted option will freely let the app run in the background. This option is the worst for your battery, and not many apps should be given unrestricted access.

The second option, which is called Optimized, will have the system restrict the apps activity based on how often you use it. This is what each app is set to when its downloaded.

If youre looking to save the most battery power, then you will want to go for the Restricted option. This will restrict all background activity for the app. It will not be able to perform any actions when not in the foreground.

Its important to note that there are some apps that cannot function without background usage permissions. So, just be careful which apps you restrict.

Use Battery saver mode

So, using all these different methods gives you control over which aspects of your experience you want to affect. However, if you want a one-and-done solution, then you should use the Battery saver mode. Battery saver mode will do a combination of reducing the screen brightness, knocking down the refresh rate, restricting apps, and setting your phone into Dark mode. Its a simple solution that doesnt require much know-how.

There are two ways to activate Battery saver mode. The first method is to go to your settings and scroll down to the Battery button. When you tap on this button, you will be taken to the Battery page. Here, youll see several options like the Improve battery while inactive option (select this option to have the system automatically turn your battery usage patterns and optimize accordingly).

Tap on the Battery saver button. There, you will see a page that will let you toggle this feature on and off. You can also set a schedule and set it to deactivate when your phone is at 90%.

The other way is through the Quick setting. Swipe down on the home screen to bring down your notification shade. Swipe down again to expand your Quick Settings. Scroll through your Quick Settings to find the Battery saver quick setting.

Now that you know how to conserve battery on your Moto G Power  2024, you will be better equipped to use this phone to its highest potential.
University of Edinburgh emeritus professor Peter Higgs, one of two men who won the Nobel Prize for proving the existence of the "God Particle," has died at the age of 94.

The university said that the physicist died on Monday (Apr. 8) following a short illness.

"Peter Higgs was a remarkable individual - a truly gifted scientist whose vision and imagination have enriched our knowledge of the world that surrounds us," said university principal and vice-chancellor Prof. Sir Peter Mathieson. "His pioneering work has motivated thousands of scientists, and his legacy will continue to inspire many more for generations to come."

Higgsborn in Newcastle in 1929initially described himself as "incompetent" in the physics laboratory at school and at first preferred maths and chemistry. But inspired by quantum physicist Paul Dirac, who had attended the same school, he went on to specialize in theoretical physics.

He received a doctorate at King's College, University of London, in 1954 and spent much of his career at the University of Edinburgh, becoming the Personal Chair of Theoretical Physics between 1980 and 1996, when he retired.

CNN reported that the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012 at the CERN research center near Geneva was widely hailed as the biggest advance in knowledge about the cosmos for over 30 years and pointed physics towards ideas that were once science fiction.

What came to be known as the Higgs boson would solve the riddle of where several fundamental particles get their mass from: by interacting with the invisible "Higgs field" that pervades space.

The interaction was later known as the "Brout-Englert-Higgs mechanism," and won Higgs and Belgian physicist Francois Englert the Nobel Prize in 2013. Englert's collaborator, Robert Brout, died in 2011.

Read Also : Which Lunchables Contain the Most Lead? New Report Claims Dangerous Substance Found

However, his study came a long way before it was recognized as the study that proved the existence of the "God Particle," a term he despised since he was an atheist. In 1964, Higgs's first paper on the model was rejected by an academic physics journal at CERN as being "of no relevance to physics." His revised paper, although published weeks after Englert and Brout's, was the first to explicitly predict the existence of a new particle.

"Over a weekend ... I gradually realized that I knew two things that had to be brought together," Higgs said at the time. "I had to go back to my office on the Monday and check that I hadn't made a mistake about this."

For nearly three decades, physicists at the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN) and at Fermilab in Chicago replicated the "Big Bang" by smashing particles together, hoping to glimpse the Higgs boson in the resulting mini-explosions.

CERN's massive Large Hadron Collider finally proved to be the facility that proved the existence of the "God Particle," and in 2012, two experiments there independently found the Higgs boson.

Higgs was married to American linguist and nuclear disarmament campaigner Jody Williamson from 1962 to her death in 2008. They had two sons.

He was also described by his friends, colleagues, and neighbors as modest about his achievements and shy of the media, recalling that he devised a schedule to avoid media attention upon the announcement of the Nobel Prize awardees in 2013.
The Las Vegas woman gunned down alongside her husband in the middle of a custody meeting by a rival lawyer had feared for her safety prior to the proceeding, and even looked into hiring private security days before the shooting, according to a report.

Ashley Prince, 30, was shot and killed alongside her husband, Dennis Prince, 57, by her former father-in-law on Monday afternoon during a child custody deposition

"Do you have any private security you recommend?" she texted private investigator Hal De Becker, according to documents acquired by KLAS-TV.

In another text exchange, she wrote, "[I don't know] if Dylan will be there, but in case he is."

"Dylan has a ton of guns in that house."

She ultimately decided to cancel the extra security measure before the shooting, convinced he would not be present at Monday's deposition.

Ex-father-in-law Joe Houston II was at the Las Vegas law office representing his son, Dylan, in the custody battle with Dylan's ex-wife, Ashley when fatally shot the couple.

Dennis Prince was representing his wife that morning.

At the center of the deadly shooting are the two young children Dylan Houston and Ashley Price share together.

Dylan Houston, also an attorney, emailed Dennis Prince only a few days before, writing:

"You have no idea what's coming, do you? All your cards are on the table, and I haven't played one [laughing emoji]," according to documents.

He was seemingly referring to a surveillance report Prince had obtained, casting the father in a negative light.

Divorce records reveal claims made against Dylan Houston, confirming he tested positive for cocaine and alcohol while he had custody of the couple's children.

The record goes on to say he would frequently send abusive texts to his ex-wife.

Another report noted Dylan Houston's excessive drinking on March 29. The document highlighted that Houston had five drinks with three shots over a span of four hours.

Houston then proceeded to get behind the wheel of his car, swerving as he drove off.

Following the double murder, Clark County District Court Judge Bill Henderson awarded temporary custody to Ashley Prince's sister rather than Houston.

"[P]lacing the parties' minor children with Plaintiff would be detrimental to the children, and the award of custody to a nonparent is required to serve the children's best interests, based upon the recent acts of Plaintiff's father and Plaintiff," Henderson said.

The Princes' had recently welcomed a child together.
Ads for a British diamond manufacturer have been banned for misleading consumers by not making it clear the gems are synthetic.

Press and Instagram ads for Skydiamond in February last year, as well as its website, featured the headline, Say hello to the worlds first and only diamond made entirely from the sky.

Smaller text underneath stated: We make diamonds using four natural ingredients, the sun, wind, rain and something we have too much of, atmospheric carbon. In doing so, our technology turns a negative into a positive. Now that we can mine the sky, we never need to mine the earth again.

A Frequently Asked Questions page included the question Are Skydiamonds real diamonds? and the answer: Each Skydiamond is a perfectly formed real diamond.

Skydiamonds FAQ page states that each Skydiamond is a perfectly formed real diamond'(ASA/PA)

The Natural Diamond Council, who understood the products were laboratory-created diamonds, complained that the claims Skydiamonds, diamonds, real diamonds and diamonds made entirely from the sky in the ads were misleading.

The Sky Mining Company, trading as Skydiamond, believed that the ads made clear that their diamonds were not mined from the earth and as such were not naturally occurring diamonds, referred to as natural diamonds.

They told the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that they did not believe that the absence of the words synthetic, laboratory-grown or laboratory-created would inevitably lead an average consumer to be misled about their diamonds.

On the contrary, they believed that the extent of the qualifying information, graphics and visuals made readily available could only lead an average consumer to conclude that their diamonds were not earth-mined, as they intended.

The firm said a Skydiamond was a diamond, chemically, structurally and optically, and had exactly the same composition and physical properties of a natural diamond.

The ASA said consumers would understand the word diamond in isolation to mean a mineral consisting of crystallised carbon that was naturally occurring.

It said: We considered that while some consumers may have been aware that synthetic diamonds could be manufactured or created in a laboratory, many would not.

It added: We understood that although synthetic diamonds had the same chemical and physical properties as mined diamonds, there were differences in their future value.

We also considered that, whether a gemstone was natural or synthetic would be a key consideration for many consumers and was therefore material information.

We therefore considered that ads for synthetic diamonds needed to make clear the nature of the product in order to avoid misleading consumers.

The ASA concluded: Because the ads did not make clear that Skydiamond diamonds were synthetic, we concluded that the claims diamonds, diamonds made entirely from the sky and Skydiamond were misleading.

The ads must not appear again in the form complained about.

The watchdog added: We also told them not to use the claim real diamonds to describe synthetic diamonds.
Ireland should have already recognised Palestine, its ambassador in Dublin has said.

Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid welcomed comments from Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin that Ireland will formally recognise Palestinian statehood, but said it should have already happened.

On Tuesday, Mr Martin said he is bringing a formal proposal to the Government after working with other countries on a joint declaration.

He said: For the past six months, Ive maintained ongoing discussions with ministerial colleagues and other countries about how a joint formal recognition of Palestinian statehood could be a catalyst to help the people of Gaza and the West Bank, and in furthering an Arab-led peace initiative.

Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin said he is bringing a formal proposal to the Government (Oliver McVeigh/PA)

Weve agreed that the undermining of the Oslo Accords, and therefore the agreement to create two states, has reached the point where the accords approach with recognition after a final agreement is not credible or tenable any longer.

Ive discussed this with those in the region who are working on peace initiatives and co-ordination with other countries continues intensively.

Weve discussed this between the Government parties and it is my intention to bring to Government a formal proposal on recognition when these wider international discussions are complete.

Mr Martin, who is also Irish foreign minister, added: But be in no doubt, recognition of a Palestinian state will happen.

The Palestinian Embassy in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA)

On Wednesday, Dr Wahba Abdalmajid welcomed the comments.

I hope that this recognition by Ireland will be a reality soon, and Ireland will lead other EU states to follow suit, she said.

Ireland has always stood on the right side of history, justice, humanity international law  so I expected that Ireland will lead in the recognition of the State of Palestine.

However, asked whether Ireland should have moved to recognise Palestine a long time ago, the ambassador said: Yes.

She told RTEs Morning Ireland radio programme that the right to a Palestinian state is an entitlement that arose from the 1947 Partition Plan which also led to the creation of Israel.

The Palestinians deserve this. In 1947, when the Partition Plan gives these rights to the Israelis and the Palestinians  to the Arabs who live in Palestine, the homeland of the Palestinians

(To give recognition) is not helping the Palestinians  its something that they have the right to.

Dr Wahba Abdalmajid added: The whole world  the international community  should acknowledge and recognise the rights of the Palestinians who have their own free state of Palestine.
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron warned against the appeasement of Vladimir Putin as he stepped up calls for the US to release billions of dollars of extra funding for Ukraine.

In a message aimed at Donald Trump and his Republican allies, the former prime minister said the stalled funding package would be good for US security and jobs and show the West was prepared to stand up against bullies.

Lord Cameron, who met presidential candidate Mr Trump for private talks during his trip to the US, insisted the only way to end the conflict was by backing Ukraine rather than allowing Russia to keep the territory it has occupied.

Mr Trump, who hopes to return to the White House following Novembers US election, is reportedly ready to pressure Ukraine to cede Crimea and the Donbas border region as a price for peace with Russia.

But Lord Cameron told CNN during his visit to Washington: Everyone wants to see an end to the killing and an end to the war. But you only get that by backing Ukraine, by showing strength.

Peace comes through strength, not through appeasement and weakness.

Asked about the reported Trump peace plan, he said: I dont think we should be discussing those things right now, we should be discussing how do we get Ukraine back on the front foot.

Theyve showed incredible bravery. Theyve showed that they can win against Putin, theyre not going to lose for lack of morale, theyre not going to lose for lack of ingenuity on the battlefield.

The only way they can lose is if we dont give them the support they deserve.

The UK and the US are united in backing Ukraine as they fight off Putins aggression. We stand up for freedom and democracy when they are under threat.@SecBlinken and I are working together to sustain vital international support for our friends in Ukraine. Supporting them goes pic.twitter.com/UKGnRsKG9B  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) April 9, 2024

He added that Europe was doing more to fund its own defence  a key demand of Mr Trump during his tenure in the White House  and Europe and America sticking together and standing up against bullies and dictators, thats good for both of us.

A vote in Congress on the Ukraine funding package has been held up by political wrangling, with House speaker Mike Johnsons own position in jeopardy in the face of opposition from the Republican right.

Lord Cameron had hoped to discuss the situation with Mr Johnson, who has to decide when to put the Ukraine package to a vote, but he has failed to secure a meeting.

With Mr Trump seeking a return to the White House, Lord Cameron suggested decisions on Ukraine could not be allowed to be pushed back until after the election.

Theres a risk that Ukraine will lose more ground to Putin, and no one wants to be in a situation in November, where we could have acted, we could have helped, we could have beaten back Putin, we could have started the process of getting a Ukraine win and getting a just peace but we failed to do that.

Lord Cameron urged Republican politicians not to be taken in by propaganda from Vladimir Putins Russia.

Senior figures including House intelligence committee chairman Mike Turner and foreign affairs committee chairman Michael McCaul have warned that some of their fellow Republicans are being influenced by Russian propaganda.

Asked about the situation, Lord Cameron told MSNBC: Dont listen to Putins lies about Ukraine. It is a free democracy that wants to be an independent sovereign country, that wants to be our ally and our friend.

And we should be standing by our friends, because the world will be watching if we dont.
Findings that childrens gender care in the NHS has been based on weak evidence have been branded scandalous by the shadow health secretary who told of his anger that adult gender clinics had refused to take part in research.

Wes Streeting called The Cass Review, which said children have been let down by a lack of research and evidence on the use of puberty blockers and hormones, an important piece of work which had raised serious concerns.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the findings shine a spotlight on the need to exercise extreme caution when it comes to gender care for children.

The report, first commissioned in 2020, concluded that gender care is currently an area of remarkably weak evidence and young people have been caught up in a stormy social discourse.

Research by the University of York, carried out alongside the report, found evidence to be severely lacking on the impact of puberty blockers and hormone treatments, while the majority of clinical guidelines were found not to have followed international standards.

Asked about Dr Hilary Casss report, Mr Streeting told The Suns Never Mind the Ballots show: I think shes done a really important piece of work but I think it does raise some serious concerns that are pretty scandalous.

Dr Hilary Cass has published her review into childrens gender services (Yui Mok/PA)

He pledged that a Labour government would take an evidence-led approach to this area of healthcare in future.

He said: I think weve got to ask ourselves, why is it that weve seen medical interventions that have been given on the basis of very weak evidence? How is it that clinicians have been silenced or afraid to come forward?

Why is it that a group of young people who are extremely vulnerable are waiting years to access treatment?

But Labour MP Rosie Duffield, writing on social media platform X, accused male leaders of taking applause, praise and credit for simply listening to an expert.

Ms Duffield, who has previously compared being in the party to an abusive relationship due to her stance on trans issues, said many women had been blanked, sidelined, dismissed by male leaders when speaking up and exposing this for years.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said a Labour government would take an evidence-led approach to gender care for children (Peter Byrne/PA)

With the publication of the review, it emerged that adult clinics had refused to support a study on outcomes for approximately 9,000 young people who have moved over the years from the now-shut gender service at the Tavistock trust into adult gender dysphoria clinics.

Dr Cass said it would have been a world-leading opportunity to add to the evidence base and described it as hugely disappointing that they had decided not to take part.

Six of the seven adult clinics declined to support the study, with reasons for not doing so including ethical considerations and concerns about funder motivation and political interference.

Mr Streeting said he was pretty angry at the revelation, adding: I want to send a clear message to them (the adult clinics) that, under a Labour government, there will be accountability for that, youre not going to get away with it.

The recommendations in the lengthy and long-awaited report, which was first commissioned in 2020, have prompted NHS England, which had already stopped puberty blockers being given to under-16s, to announce a review into the use of hormones.

It has also written to local NHS leaders to ask that they pause first appointment offers at adult gender clinics to young people before their 18th birthday, as it also intends to carry out a major review of these services.

Among her 32 recommendations, Dr Cass called for a follow-through service for 17 to 25-year-olds rather than this vulnerable group going straight into adult clinics, saying teenagers are falling off a cliff edge in their care when they reach 17.

Her report said gender services should operate to the same standards as other health services for children and young people, with a holistic assessment of referrals, including screening for neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, and a mental health assessment.

She said ideology on all sides has directed care, rather than care being directed by normal principles of paediatrics and mental health, as she spoke of

professionals feeling anxious about what the appropriate course of action to take has been when caring for children.

All young people using gender services should from now on be asked to be part of research, Dr Casss report said, in a bid to build a better picture of the long-term outcomes for patients.

Mr Sunak told LBC he believes the report is very supportive, I think, of the direction of travel weve (the Conservative Government) taken, particularly in our schools where weve issued guidance recently so that teachers know how to deal with these things.

Rishi Sunak said there was a need to exercise extreme caution when it comes to gender care for children (Paul Ellis/PA)

Dr Cass said that for the majority of young people, a medical pathway may not be the best way to address their needs.

The Childrens Society has called for the report to mark a watershed moment in fostering an environment which places the wellbeing and safety of all children at its heart, while the Royal College of Psychiatrists said all gender-questioning children must get timely access to services that are holistic and respond to their individual needs.

In a letter to Dr Cass, NHS England officials said a planned review of adult services will be brought forward and it is understood it will be a Cass-style review led by an independent expert.

Mermaids, a transgender youth support charity, said the current system is failing trans youth and called for the NHS to resist pressures from those who seek to limit access to healthcare and instead act urgently to provide gender services which are timely, supportive and holistic.

NHS England has said it will set out a full implementation plan following careful consideration of this final report and its recommendations.

Two new regional hubs for childrens gender care opened earlier this month following the closure of the Gids (Gender Identity Development Service) at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

A spokesperson for the new London-based regional service said it would be closely following NHS England guidelines informed by Dr Casss interim report.
Scottish musicians are to come together in solidarity with Palestinian families who have been affected by the Gaza conflict.

A concert will be held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall next month, with all profits going to the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, which provides medical services in the West Bank, Gaza, and advocates for Palestinians human rights and dignity.

Deacon Blue, Capercaillie, James Grant, formerly of Love and Money, and Siobhan Miller are among the line-up.

Also performing is Scots folk band Rura, Admiral Fallow, Duncan Chisholm and Kitti.

Poets Jim Mackintosh and Julie MacNeill will read some of their works to the crowd, as well as read new works from poets who are currently in Gaza.

Lorraine McIntosh of Deacon Blue said: Since the awful events of October 7 we have looked on in growing horror at the destruction of Gaza and its infrastructure and the senseless death of over 30,000 innocent people.

The only thing we can do to help in any small way is to raise money.

With the destruction of practically all medical facilities in Gaza, we have chosen to support the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians who have a long history of delivering emergency healthcare to the people on the ground in Gaza where help is needed most.

Our decision in no way lessens our horror at what happened on October 7, and we join millions around the world in calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

Donald Shaw of Capercaillie added: Capercaillie performed in the West Bank, Palestine back in the late 80s as part of a Middle East tour.

We felt honoured to be welcomed by such wonderful people full of pride in their culture and resilience in the face of conflict.

Performing on this gig for Gaza alongside these great artists on May 1 to raise even a modest offering feels like the least we can do to show our support in their hour of need.

The concert takes place on Wednesday May 1.

Tickets are available here.
Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer has said the Scottish Governments Hate Crime Act has not made it illegal to be an asshole.

The controversial law came into force last week in Scotland, leading to a deluge of complaints made to police.

The Act consolidated previous hate crime legislation and created a new offence of stirring up hatred against certain protected characteristics  which had been on the statute book for race since 1986.

Throughout its passage in 2020 and 2021, the legislation stoked fears over its impact on free speech and garnered many prominent critics, including author JK Rowling who feared it could criminalise those who criticise the Scottish Governments policy on gender recognition.

Ms Rowling made a number of posts on the first day the law was in force misgendering a number of trans people, effectively challenging Police Scotland to charge her.

But Police Scotland did not take any action and said that Ms Rowlings posts were not assessed to be criminal.

Speaking to the BBC Podlitical podcast, Mr Greer  a senior member of the Scottish Greens  said it had not been made illegal to be unpleasant or offensive.

Its not illegal to be an asshole now, he said.

It was not illegal to be an asshole before and for the last week it has still not been illegal to be an asshole.

But he added: That doesnt mean that you should be.

Mr Greer stressed that he was not specifically referring to the Harry Potter author, but was making a generalisation.

He continued: Just because it is still legal to be offensive doesnt mean you should go out of your way to be offensive.

There are plenty of things that its not illegal to do, but that in a decent society we dont generally encourage people to do.

We should all be trying to be as pleasant and decent to each other as possible, whether the law allow for it or not.

I think as a society we should hold ourselves to a higher standard than the criminal law.

If the highest standard we can set for ourselves and each other is the criminal law  thats an abysmally low standard.
Joaquin Phoenix reprises his Oscar-winning role as the titular deranged villain the Joker opposite Lady Gaga as the queen of chaos Harley Quinn in the first trailer of Joker: Folie A Deux.

The Todd Phillips-directed sequel is a musical fantasia which follows Arthur Fleck  known as the Joker  and Quinn as they fall in love at Gotham Citys Arkham Asylum. The pair are known for their toxic romantic relationship in the comics.

The title of the film, which is set for release on October 4  exactly five years after the first film, is a French reference to when two intimately related people share elements of the same mental illness, such as delusions.

In the trailer, set against the music What The World Needs Now by Jackie DeShannon, Phoenix is in the Jokers signature make-up and slicked back hair with a jacket and yellow shirt and is seen taking the stage and performing in a nightclub.

Gaga, who won an Oscar in 2019 for her original song Shallow from A Star Is Born, says to the Joker: Im nobody, I havent done anything in my life like you have.

The teaser sees Gaga and Phoenix run through the streets and dance elegantly against a moonlit sky, while the trailer ends with Quinn visiting the Joker in prison.

Gagas character is a different version of the antihero played by Margot Robbie in two DC Suicide Squad films and Birds Of Prey.

Robbie reportedly gave her blessing to Gaga in October 2022, as she said she was happy that the role, much like Macbeth or Batman always gets passed from great actor to great actor.

The full trailer comes after a 27-second long teaser of footage was released on social media in conjunction with the presentation of the Joker sequel at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

The teaser showed the Joker laughing maniacally while standing alone in a raining prison yard.

The original Joker film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards in 2020, with Phoenix picking up the gong for best actor in a leading role and Icelandic composer Hildur Gudnadottir securing a win for music (original score).

In the original, Fleck begins as a comedian chasing fame as he struggles with mental health issues before turning into a crazed madman.

Set in 1981, it acts as an origin story for the Joker, who turns to a life of crime in Gotham City.

Meanwhile in the comics, the villain acts as Batmans sadistic nemesis who is joined by love interest Quinn in his various crime sprees.
English comedian and actor Steve Coogan has popped up in the first trailer for Joker: Folie A Deux.

In the Todd Phillips-directed sequel, Joaquin Phoenix reprises his Oscar-winning role as it follows Arthur Fleck  known as the deranged villain the Joker  opposite Lady Gaga as the queen of chaos Harley Quinn.

In the clip, Phoenix is in the Jokers signature make-up and slicked back hair with a jacket and yellow shirt and is seen taking to the stage and performing in a nightclub.

The American actor also sings the Burt Bacharach and Hal David hit What The World Needs Now Is Love as the Jokers toxic romantic relationship with Quinn is explored after they fall in love at Gotham Citys Arkham Asylum in the musical fantasia.

Halfway through the trailer, Coogans character talks to the Joker, whom he appears to have been acquainted with.

Dressed in a white shirt and striped tie, the Greater Manchester-born comedian and actor, is heard saying: Tell us, whats changed, Arthur?

The teaser sees Gaga and Phoenix run through the streets and dance against a moonlit sky and outside what looks like a courthouse as the Joker replies, saying: Ill tell you whats changed  Im not alone any more.

The role of Coogan, who is known for his comedic and drama roles and has featured in actions films such as Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief and Tropic Thunder, in the film has not been disclosed.

The title of the movie, which is set for release on October 4  exactly five years after the first film, is a French reference to when two intimately related people share elements of the same mental illness, such as delusions.

Gaga, who won an Oscar in 2019 for her original song Shallow from A Star Is Born, appears in front of a piano in the clip.

She says to the Joker: Im nobody, I havent done anything in my life like you have.

The trailer ends with Quinn visiting the Joker in prison.

Gagas character is a different version of the antihero played by Margot Robbie in two DC Suicide Squad films and Birds Of Prey.

Robbie reportedly gave her blessing to Gaga in October 2022, as she said she was happy that the role, much like Macbeth or Batman always gets passed from great actor to great actor.

The full trailer comes after a 27-second long teaser of footage was released on social media in conjunction with the presentation of the Joker sequel at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

The teaser showed the Joker laughing maniacally while standing in a rainy prison yard.

The original Joker film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards in 2020, with Phoenix picking up the gong for best actor in a leading role and Icelandic composer Hildur Gudnadottir securing a win for music (original score).

In the original, Fleck begins as a comedian chasing fame as he struggles with mental health issues before turning into a crazed madman.

Set in 1981, it acts as an origin story for the Joker, who turns to a life of crime in Gotham City.

Meanwhile in the comics, the villain acts as Batmans sadistic nemesis who is joined by love interest Quinn in his various crime sprees.
The assistant principal of the Virginia elementary school where a teacher was shot by a six-year-old could now face up to 40 years in prison after she was charged with eight felony counts of child abuse and neglect, according to court documents that were unsealed on Thursday.

A special grand jury in Newport News indicted Ebony Parker, a little over a year after a child shot and seriously wounded Abigail Zwerner at Richneck Elementary School. Zwerner alleged in her $40 million lawsuit that Parker was repeatedly warned that the child had a gun, but the school administrator failed to act.

The child had "a history of random violence" and was removed from the school for strangling a teacher, according to the lawsuit. He was allowed to return the following school year with a modified schedule that required one of his parents to come to class with him - though neither was present the day Zwerner was shot.

Zwerner alleges that she informed Parker that the student was threatening his classmates and was in a "violent mood" on the day of the shooting but that the administrator failed to respond.

"Upon hearing that information, Assistant Principal Parker had no response, refusing even to look up at Plaintiff when she expressed her concerns, the lawsuit said.

During recess, another school employee searched the boy's backpack after Zwerner became concerned that the child was armed.

The teacher then suggested to Parker that the gun was on the boy's person but the administrator replied that the student's "pockets were too small to hold a handgun and did nothing." A second teacher said that another student had seen a gun but Parker did not act.

Zwerner's lawsuit alleges that Parker habitually failed to take action and was demeaning to school employees. She allowed students "to engage in dangerous and disruptive conduct and impose no consequence for breaking the rules, thereby placing all persons in the vicinity of the school and in the community at risk."

Parker's indictment is the latest in a string of legal decisions holding adults responsible for gun violence committed by minors. In Michigan, the parents of teenage school shooter Ethan Crumbley were each sentenced to 10 to 15 in prison this week on charges of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors alleged that they failed to intervene when their son began showing warning signs of mental illness and instead left unlocked guns in their home.

Emily Mapp Brannon, an attorney representing seven families whose children attended Richneck Elementary School, said that families "may find comfort in knowing that the administration is being held accountable," the Washington Post reported.

"These charges suggest that there is sufficient evidence that the students of Richneck were placed in peril by the very hands entrusted to protect them."
The Massachusetts police are looking for help solving the most adorable mystery ever! A lost kitten was found in a driveway. And this just isn't any lost kitten, no sir, this adorable baby was found curled up in a driveway clad in a precious little dress with strawberries on it.

Everett Animal Control posted the following on Monday night.

Ummm... the post reads if "anyone knows who she belongs to" and a number to call and I am sorry, but this kitten belongs to ME. Even though I live nowhere near Massachusetts and this is not my kitten in my heart she belongs to me because ermahgahhhhhh she is the cutest thing ever.

Just look at this video they posted.

OH MY HEART. She has a little heart marking on her nose! She seems like just the sweetest baby ever. The post reads in part, "We are calling her Strawberry since the young Good Samaritan, who helped her, named her that.

Here is a better view of this kittens white and strawberry dress she had on- Does anyone recognize it?

She loves to lay in the ACOs lap and grab her hand with her paw until she gets some cuddles.This kitten is extremely affectionate and a family must be missing her."

Related: Lost Pet Snake Returns Home With Help from Unlikely Source

This angel has so many people in the comments wanting to take her. One person said, "If owner doesn't come forward I will take her. Omg she's adorable." Another added, "If you dont find her family Ill be her new family."

It also looks like she is a polydactyl cat - meaning she was born with extra toes!

I can't believe she doesn't have a microchip! You would think someone who cared enough to dress her up would also have her microchipped. I do hope her family is found soon, if not, then I am gonna start looking at flights in case, ya know, I can adopt her. She's just too cute. It's lovely they are trying to find her owner because yeah, if you find a stray pet there are steps you should take.

What To Do If You Find a Stray Pet

Sadly, you just can't keep any stray dog or cat (even if it is wearing a dress) you find wandering the streets. You first have to take the dog or cat to your veterinarian to see if they have a micro-chip. If they do, you have to contact the owner of the pet and see if the pet is lost or abandoned.

I know that it's tempting just to keep the animal, especially if you believe it's been homeless for a while, but if you were in this situation and your pet was lost you'd want someone to return the pet to you!

If the dog or cat isn't microchipped, you can search social media site and call your local animal shelters to see if anyone is looking for the animal. If you can't locate the owner, you should bring the pet to your veterinarian to get them checked out and to receive any shots they need, plus to get them microchipped so if they get lost again you will be contacted.

Adding another pet is such a wonderful experience for any family, and it's just magical when a stray pet finds you.

Anyone with information on who she belongs to is urged to call the Everett Police Dispatch at (617) 387-1212 or e-mail ACO [Animal Control Officer] stacia.gorgone@cityofeverett.org.

Or I will happily take little Strawberry!

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.
Laura Farris, the Home Office minister, has said she will look into the Afghan case - Geoff Pugh

An Afghan sex offender avoided deportation after lawyers claimed his treatment of women would put him at risk of mob violence in his home country.

The 31-year-old asylum seeker was jailed for 12 weeks for outraging public decency and exposure and was placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.

However, the Afghan was awarded refugee status and avoided deportation after claiming it was a breach of his human rights to deny him asylum in the UK.

Doctors told the immigration tribunal that the Afghan man, referred to only as DH, continued to act inappropriately towards women despite his conviction.

An immigration tribunal judge agreed with lawyers that his risky behaviours would expose him to ill treatment and even mob violence if he returned to Afghanistan.

The tribunal judge Christopher Hanson therefore ruled that the man should be granted refugee status, allowing him to remain in the UK.

The disclosure follows controversy over a similar decision to grant asylum to Abdul Ezedi, the Clapham chemical attacker, despite a conviction and suspended jail sentence for two offences of sexual assault and exposure.

Deported

Laura Farris, the Home Office minister, told Sky News that she would investigate the Afghan case. It is absolutely right that the public expect all foreign offenders to be deported when their sentences are completed. I will look into that particular case, she said.

Foreign offenders face automatic deportation if they are sentenced to at least a year in jail. This is a reduction from two years which was introduced by the Home Office following the Ezedi case.

However, Ms Farris suggested the Government could go further, saying her preference would be for all foreign sex offenders jailed for any length of time to be deported. By and large sex offenders should be removed from the UK, she said.

It is understood the Home Office is considering a lower threshold than the one-year jail sentence for specific offences such as sex crimes, which would make it easier to deport foreign offenders for these offences.

The Afghan was jailed at a central London magistrates court after deliberately exposing his penis and, according to the court documents, was considered to have met the criteria for deportation as a threat to the public.

However, he appealed his asylum on the basis that his mental illness created a strong likelihood of sexually disinhibited behaviour that in Afghanistan would lead to serious harm.

The court found the risk of such behaviour increased as his mental health deteriorated. His mental health is very likely to deteriorate if he were returned [to Afghanistan]. It is reasonable to infer from this that the risk of the appellant behaving in an unacceptable way would also increase, say the documents.

Real risk of mob violence

The consequence of [DH] behaving inappropriately towards a woman or touching himself in public would be to enrage onlookers. There is a real risk of mob violence. The risk is more than fanciful. The appellants risky behaviours have endured in the UK for several years now.

The tribunal ruled that the Afghans mental health condition was sufficiently established to justify his inclusion in a protected group, thus securing his right to being granted asylum in the UK.

Ms Farris said the Government was determined to end the legal merry go round which saw asylum seekers winning up to half of their appeals to immigration tribunals.

The Governments illegal migration act aims to create a one-stop shop to prevent asylum seekers introducing multiple new pieces of evidence to support their claims. Anyone arriving illegally in the UK faces being detained and removed to a safe third country, such as Rwanda, where they will claim asylum.
Kari Lake in Dallas, Texas, in 2022. Lake called on state lawmakers to come up with an immediate commonsense solution that Arizonans can support. Photograph: LM Otero/AP

Hours after Arizonas supreme court declared on Tuesday that a 160-year-old abortion ban is now enforceable, Republicans in the state took a surprising stance for a party that has historically championed abortion restrictions  they denounced the decision.

This decision cannot stand, said Matt Gress, a Republican state representative. I categorically reject rolling back the clock to a time when slavery was still legal and we could lock up women and doctors because of an abortion.

Related: Arizona supreme court upholds 1864 law banning almost all abortions

First passed when Arizona was still a territory, the ban only permits abortions to save a patients life and does not have exceptions for rape or incest.

Todays Arizona supreme court decision reinstating an Arizona territorial-era ban on all abortions from more than 150 years ago is disappointing to say the least, said TJ Shope, a Republican state senator.

I oppose todays ruling, added Kari Lake, a Republican running to represent Arizona in the US Senate and a Donald Trump loyalist. Lake called on the state legislature to come up with an immediate commonsense solution that Arizonans can support.

Since the US supreme court overturned Roe v Wade, leading the GOP to stumble in the 2022 midterms and abortion rights supporters to win a string of ballot measures, including in purple and red states, Republicans have struggled to find a way to talk about abortion without turning off voters. But their response to the ruling on the 1864 ban may mark their fastest and strongest rebuke of abortion bans since Roe fell.

This is an earthquake that has never been seen in Arizona politics, said Barrett Marson, a Republican consultant in Arizona, of the decision. This will shake the ground under every Republican candidate, even those in safe legislative or congressional seats.

The 1864 ban is not currently in effect, and may not go into effect for weeks due to legal delays. Abortion is currently allowed in Arizona up until 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Some of the criticisms of the Tuesday ruling came from politicians who had previously supported the 1864 ban or cheered the end of Roe v Wade. Lake previously called the ban a great law, according to PolitiFact. David Schweikert, an Arizona congressman who is facing one of the most competitive House races in the country this November, said on Tuesday that he does not support the ruling and wants the state legislature to address this issue immediately, but in 2022 said the fall of Roe pleased him.

The speaker of the Arizona state house and the president of the state senate, who are both Republicans, also released a joint statement saying that they would be listening to our constituents to determine the best course of action for the legislature. In contrast, on the day Roe fell, the Republican-controlled state senate released a statement declaring that the 1864 ban was in effect immediately. That statement unleashed confusion and chaos among abortion providers in Arizona, prompting them to stop offering the procedure out of an abundance of caution.

They are trying to play it both ways. Theyre trying to have this illusion that theyre moderate to get votes, because they know that Arizonans do not want a total ban, said Dr Gabrielle Goodrick, one of the providers who temporarily stopped performing abortions when Roe fell. This is just ridiculous. Now theyre saying that they oppose it? Yeah, yeah  a little too late.

Arizona is one of roughly a dozen states where voters may be able to directly decide abortion rights come November. Activists in the state have now collected more than half a million signatures in favor of giving Arizona residents a chance to vote on a ballot measure that would enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution.

Democrats hope that turnout for this proposal, which has yet to be officially added to the ballot, will also lead to surge in support for their candidates, including Joe Biden. A similar dynamic is at play in Florida, whose state supreme court recently paved the way for a six-week abortion ban, and where voters will be able to vote in November to constitutionally protect abortion.

The decision also exposed the deepening rift between Republicans and their longtime allies in the anti-abortion movement. As Arizona Republicans raced to distance themselves from the long-dormant law, abortion opponents cheered the decision.

We celebrate the Arizona supreme courts decision that allows the states pro-life law to again protect the lives of countless, innocent unborn children, said Jake Warner, a senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, who argued the case before the court in favor of the ban.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee who disappointed religious conservatives on Monday when he said states should decide their own abortion laws, did not immediately weigh in on the Arizona ruling.

Abortion rights are popular in Arizona: nearly one-third of Arizona voters in the 2022 midterm elections said abortion was the issue that mattered most in helping them decide who to vote for, according to exit polling. By a two to one margin, voters in the state said abortion should be legal, and 40% said they felt angry about the supreme court decision ending the federal right to an abortion.

A poll conducted in late February by the Phoenix-based firm, Noble Predictive Insights, found that 40% of Arizona voters expected Trump, if elected, to attempt to ban abortion altogether, while 45% expected Biden, if re-elected, to increase access.

The vice-president, Kamala Harris, will go to Arizona later this week, in a visit that was planned ahead of the Tuesday decision. She blamed the impending state ban on Trump, whose three supreme court appointees voted to eliminate the federally guaranteed right to an abortion.

Arizona just rolled back the clock to a time before women could vote  and, by his own admission, theres one person responsible: Donald Trump, Harris said in a campaign statement. The alarm is sounding for every woman in America: if he has the opportunity, Donald Trump would sign off on a national abortion ban.
'The bandwagon has been against Zionism for a very, very long time. And certain people like to jump on that bandwagon', says Dame Maureen Lipman

Six months on from the October 7 attacks and anti-Zionism has well and truly come back into fashion.

As Coronation Street actress Dame Maureen Lipman, 77, recently pointed out, criticising the Jewish state seems to have become positively trendy, particularly among the so-called luvvy set.

Few will forget the speed with which actors such as Tilda Swinton, Steve Coogan, Charles Dance and Maxine Peake signed an open letter condemning Israels military response to the massacre  conspicuously failing to reference Hamas, not to mention the 253 Israelis taken hostage by the proscribed terror group.

According to Dame Maureen: The bandwagon has been against Zionism for a very, very long time. And certain people like to jump on that bandwagon. It is very fashionable.

As we say, anti-Semitism is a light sleeper. It is not fashionable in the world of wokeism and diversity to admire the Jewish state. It is fashionable to wish it to be wiped out as an entity.

But just when did it become all the rage for the Left to hate Israel?

David Baddiel, pictured in 2021, describes anti-Semitism as the 'oldest form of hatred' - Jamie Lorriman

David Baddiels 2021 book Jews Dont Count details why anti-Semitism, which he describes as the oldest form of hatred, has long been neglected as an issue by the Left.

The comedian and author says: Its primarily about the mythic association of Jews with power and  to answer your question about why now  its because now we, or at least sections of the modern online-driven Left, tend to see the world entirely in terms of power.

[American novelist] Jonathan Safran Foer in my documentary [Jews Dont Count] said that If you only see the world in terms of victimisers versus victimised, then it is very hard to see Jews as the victimised.

The vast history of Jewish disempowerment gets erased in a contemporary hunger for deciding quickly and absolutely where the power is, and obviously that is intensified by a conflict in the Middle East where the power versus powerless binary seems so real and stark. As a result, the idea that Jews are powerful and controlling the narrative (a conceit shared by Right and Left) is much more sayable out loud.

Pointing out that Jews or at least Israeli-supporting ones have singularly failed to control the narrative and have entirely lost the PR war, he adds: Anti-Semitism has also become caught in a culture war binary. Caring about and calling out anti-Semitism has become seen as something associated with the right  which obviously makes it something the Left would therefore steer away from.

Referencing the Harvard, Penn and MIT hearings in the US, when the presidents of those universities couldnt bring themselves to say yes to the question: Does your university condemn calls for the genocide of Jews?, he recalls: Then SNL [Saturday Night Live] did a sketch about it where the main object of satire was not the university presidents for failing to answer but the senator asking the question  Elise Stefanik  as shes a Trump supporter.

Anti-Semitism might well be a centuries-old form of bigotry, but as David Rich, author of the 2016 book The Lefts Jewish Problem, points out, it wasnt always fashionable for the Left to support Iran-backed Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis over the only true democracy in the Middle East.

Noting that the Left was once so supportive of Zionism that the Soviet Union was the first to legally recognise Israel, three days after it declared its independence in 1948, he says: That started to break down after it became apparent following the Six Day War in 1967 that Israel was no longer this plucky little nation but emerging as a significant military power. Agreeing with Baddiel, he adds: After that, Israel was perceived as a winner. On one level the Left likes to support people who are oppressed and suffering and thats very noble but theres an underlying analysis of the world that everything that goes wrong is orchestrated by these networks of power.

Lord Mandelson says the passing of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 in 1975 was a pivotal moment for crystallising anti-Israel sentiment on the Left - Jamie Lorriman

Against a backdrop of progressives campaigning against the Vietnam war, apartheid and colonialism, he argues, the Palestinian struggle just seemed to fit into that politics.

Even though the New Left which emerged in the 1960s was largely anti-Stalinist, it built upon the Stalinist position of Israel being an agent of American imperialism, imposing suffering on Arab masses. The fall of the Soviet Union only made things worse, with all focus on the US being the remaining superpower, fuelling a wave of anti-Semitism, encapsulated in a Jews control the world narrative that still pervades to this day.

Lord Mandelson, who served in the cabinets of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, believes that a pivotal moment for crystallising anti-Israel sentiment on the Left was the passing of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 in 1975, which determined that Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination. Before long, young liberals were drawing parallels between Israel and South Africa. Jews who had fled to Palestine were soon depicted as white colonisers from the West, despite the majority having fled persecution from Europe, accompanied by those expelled from Arab countries.

According to Mandelson: That UN resolution essentially affected the entire student population at the time  and of course, the Left. In the 1970s, they adopted a view then and never deviated from it. Citing the IsraeliLebanese conflict, which peaked in the 1980s, he adds: Lebanon turbo charged anti-Israel sentiment along with the failure of the Oslo peace accord signed in the 1990s. Although Mandelson doesnt mention the Iraq War, Rich believes it further mobilised the Left who quickly found common ground in their shared hostility to Israel with British Muslims - which has been echoed in the recent pro-Palestinan marches.

Mandelson adds: The Palestinian cause has simply become totemic  didactic, even  theres no room for debate. Its completely emotionally charged and its also become a recruiting sergeant for the hard Left against moderates in the Labour party.

The election of Jeremy Corbyn, a former chairman of the Stop The War coalition, as Labour leader in 2015 marked a generational shift in politics - Hollie Adams/Getty

Never was that more in evidence than Jeremy Corbyns shock election as Labour leader in 2015. It wasnt just that the MP for Islington North was a former chairman of the Stop the War coalition who had referred to Hamas and Hezbollah members as friends.

David Rich is going back to 1967 but theres also been a more recent generational shift, says Jonathan Hunter of the Pinsker Centre think tank. The bottom end of the Millennial generation and the first of the Gen Zs were students when Corbyn was in power.

They were quite influential in his election as Labour leader. They said to the local [Labour] associations  we wont campaign unless you support Corbyn. These students are no longer inconsequential. Theyre putting headlines on BBC stories, providing briefing notes to MPs and so on. From Owen Jones to Zarah Sultana  these anti-Zionists came up through student politics.

The murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement also created fertile ground for a resurgence of anti-Israel sentiment.

According to Hunter: Amid all the talk of white supremacy and colonialism, we had people basically making out that Israel was an outpost of the British empire. It was a turning point and that resonated with students. If you look at the polls in terms of how people perceive Israel  those under 40 have the most critical opinions. That generation also faces a huge amount of problems that previous generations havent faced  with housing, wages, cost of living and if you look at the 20th century  anti-Semitism is a scapegoat and popular tool to distract people.

People have come to regard Jews as white, privileged, and at the top of the hierarchy. A lot of it is unknowing. People dont see it as bigotry.

Rich adds: This has become very strongly connected to politics of race and racism; the idea that all conflicts whether at home or abroad are due to racist power structures. By extension, Zionists and Jews are seen as manifestations of racism and white supremacy.

Add social media into the mix and it quickly becomes fashionable to be anti-Israel, and by extension, for anti-Semitism to be casualised. A situation too complex to be broken down into a 30-second Instagram video or a 280-character post on X ends up being over simplified. As many untruths as truths are spread. Hatred, fuelled by ignorance, quickly festers in an echo chamber of resentment.

As Rich concludes: Jews play a very important role in the history of our civilization because we are a Christianity-based nation which emerged out of Judaism. Jews and Jewish things have always been given a relevance and symbolism which is disproportionate to the size and importance of Jewish community. I always say that Wayne Rooney has more followers on Instagram than there are Jews in the world.

The power historically attributed to Israel appears to have spawned a cult of anti-Semitism among a supposedly right-on brigade that models itself on tolerance and yet currently finds it more fashionable to be anything but.
Supporters of Julian Assange wear masks as they demonstrate in Naples, Italy, last month. The WikiLeaks founder is fighting extradition from the UK to America - CIRO FUSCO/SHUTTERSTOCK

Joe Biden is considering a request to drop Julian Assanges prosecution after judges ruled that the WikiLeaks founder could have grounds to appeal his extradition to the United States.

Mr Assange, who was charged with multiple counts of espionage in 2019, has been imprisoned in HMP Belmarsh for almost five years as an extradition battle plays out in the courts.

Earlier it was reported that the US government could offer the Australian a plea deal, having repeatedly argued that he compromised intelligence sources around the world when WikiLeaks released almost half a million documents on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Asked about a request from Australia that he end the prosecution of Mr Assange, the US president told reporters at the White House: Were considering it.

In March, the High Court dismissed most of the legal arguments against Mr Assanges extradition. However, it said the Biden administration must issue various assurances  including that Mr Assange will not face the death penalty.

Stella Assange speaks to the media and supporters of her husband, Julian, after the High Court adjourned the decision whether to grant him permission to appeal against the US extradition order, pending assurances from America - ANADOLU

The White House has until early next week to make those assurances. Otherwise, the judges ruled that Mr Assange will have grounds to appeal.

A British judge ruled in 2021 that the publisher should not be extradited because of the risk he could commit suicide in a US prison, but this was overturned on appeal.

There were signs last month that the US stance was beginning to soften amid reports that officials were drawing up a plea deal with Mr Assanges lawyers.

Possible mishandling charge

Under the terms of the agreement, he would plead guilty to mishandling classified information, The Wall Street Journal reported. The charge carries a lighter sentence than espionage.

Mr Assange would be able to plead remotely, removing the need for him to appear in a US court, and time served in Britain would count towards his sentence  potentially meaning his release could be imminent.

As recently as February, the US justice department claimed that information released by Mr Assange via WikiLeaks had compromised intelligence sources across the globe, many of whom have disappeared.

His lawyers argue that he has been the subject of a politically-motivated prosecution by the US in retaliation for publishing embarrassing state secrets.
Bronco Lane was upbeat about his injuries, claiming 'I can stand closer to the bar than anyone else in the Regiment and with an extension on the safety catch of my rifle I will be alright' - Alamy

MIichael Bronco Lane, who has died aged 78, caught the imagination of the British public in May 1976 when he and another SAS soldier had a near-death experience after successfully climbing Mount Everest.

Lane and John Brummie Stokes had been chosen as the first climbing pair of a joint British Army-Nepalese Army Everest expedition, known as Exercise Sagamartha Won (Nepalese for Goddess of the Sky). Despite being confined to their tents by a blizzard, then hampered by the fresh snow fall, on May 16 they attained the summit.

They were then left with insufficient light to descend to Camp 6, a temporary top camp already occupied by the following pair of would-be summiteers and safety. In ever-worsening conditions and unable to see their way down, they had no choice but to halt and stay out for the night above 28,000 feet, a little below the South summit.

They had no tentage nor warm down clothing, and simply had to scrape divots in the snow, sit on their packs and make themselves as comfortable as possible with their chances of overnight survival questionable.

Bronco Lane back at base camp after his near-death experience

Both suffered hypothermia and Stokes, who had earlier removed his goggles, also became snow blind. Aware that sleep would be fatal, they worked hard at keeping each other awake and sharing their diminishing supply of oxygen.

It was when Lane removed a glove to change an oxygen cylinder that his hand was severely frostbitten, and he subsequently lost the ends of the fingers and thumb of his right hand; both men lost all 10 of their toes.

When dawn came, they were in no condition to move. Several hours later they were found by the next pair on their way to the summit, who immediately abandoned their attempt and assisted Lane and Stokes down to Camp 6 and thence to Camp 5 on the South Col, where further assistance awaited. Had Stokes and Lane not been found, death was perhaps only a matter of hours away. Certainly they would not have survived another night.

John 'Brummie' Stokes, Lane's climbing mate

Lane and Stokes were subsequently awarded the British Empire Medal.

Bronco Lane, nicknamed after a popular television cowboy show of the late 1950s and early 1960s, bore his Everest injuries with stoicism and humour. I can stand closer to the bar than anyone else in the Regiment and as long as the armourer can always weld an extension onto the safety catch of my rifle I will be alright.

His toes and finger tips have recently been conserved and remounted by the UCL Pathology Museum and are now on display in the National Army Museum in Chelsea.

Both Lane and Stokes had special boots made to accommodate their toelessness, and continued not only with Special Forces soldiering but also high altitude mountaineering. One colleague said, of Lane, at least with no toes and his special boots we were now just about able to keep up with him.

Bronco Lane approaching Camp 5 after rescue, giving the victorious thumbs-up

Michael Patrick Lane was born on July 22 1945 in Manchester to John Edward Lane, a Sapper in the Royal Engineers, and his wife Ellen; he also had a brother and two sisters.

Leaving school at the first opportunity, he enlisted as a boy soldier in the Junior Leaders Regiment of the Royal Artillery and was subsequently posted to 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (7 RHA). Here he passed P Company and went on to gain his Trained Operational Parachutist wings to become a paratrooper.

In 1964 he saw action with 7 RHA in the short-lived Radfan campaign north of Aden as the airborne gunners fired their 105mm Pack Howitzers in support of the troops engaged in fighting the dissident tribesmen in hard mountainous country.

In 1967, aged 22, he passed selection for 22 Special Air Service Regiment and with them he was to see action again in the early 1970s in the Dhofar War in the south-west Oman.

The SAS were committed by the British Government to support, in an ultimately successful campaign, the newly installed reformist Sultan Qaboos in the fight against Omani rebels, known as the Adoo, who were backed by the nearby Peoples Democratic Republic of Yemen.

Bronco Lane training in Malaysia in 1983

Lane completed a number of short four-month tours and, like all his comrades, was involved in a great many actions. Although the campaign gained little coverage at the time, the fighting was by no means low key. One colleague noted that early in the campaign they had 30 contacts with the enemy in just 10 days. Over some five years the SAS were involved in hundreds of contacts and some 20 SAS or attached personnel were killed and 60 wounded in action. From a total strength of just over 200, this was a heavy price.

His next operational posting was Northern Ireland, where he was involved in a gun battle with a number of IRA gunmen who were embarked upon a murder mission. Lane and another SAS soldier were shot and wounded, as was at least one terrorist, who eventually escaped; but a number of weapons were recovered and a potential murder victims life saved. For his part in this action Lane was awarded the Military Medal.

In 1980 Lane was present at the Iranian Embassy siege at Princes Gate in South Kensington. Although not on the assault party he was none the less an integral part of the team and in the aftermath was to be seen helping organise the London Fire Brigade in their heroic efforts to contain the resulting fire.

In 1982, during the Falklands War, Lane was one of a small band of SAS operatives who were secreted into Chile armed with the latest satellite communications on a top-secret mission to provide intelligence on Argentinian aircraft taking off to attack our troops and the fleet. This intelligence was to prove a critical factor in the success of Operation Corporate. It was to be many years before any details of this secret mission were to emerge.

In between these operational deployments Lane took every opportunity to climb at high altitudes all over the world, in spite of his injuries.

Bronco Lane pictured in 2000: he donated the fingertips and toes he lost to frostbite to the National Army Museum, where they are preserved in formaldehyde

During 1984 and 1985 he was Regimental Sergeant Major of 22 SAS, and introduced an advanced leadership course for NCOs. One SAS soldier recalled that he bore an aura of quiet confidence, always in control and he provided certainty and reassurance to the younger soldiers.

After commissioning he was Training Major of 23 SAS (Territorial Army) and Second in Command of the International Long Range Reconnaissance and Patrol School in Germany.

Lane was a humble man of exceptional determination and focus. SAS soldiers described him as an unassuming legend and a gentleman.

Lane was forever grateful to the Army and the opportunities it gave him. Perhaps a little tongue in cheek, he credited the Army with keeping him from membership of another one of Her Majestys institutions.

In retirement he became a keen cyclist, raised funds for Brummie Stokess climbing charity Taste for Adventure and wrote two books, Military Mountaineering (2000) and a novel, Project Alpha (2004).

Bronco Lane married first, in 1974, Janet Volpe, who predeceased him; and secondly, in 2014, Sue Bufton, with whom he had walked to Everest base camp in 2004. She survives him, with a daughter from his first marriage.

Michael Bronco Lane, born July 22 1945, died March 22 2024
Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayer in the street next to the rubble of Rafahs al-Farouk mosque. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

As cold, driving rain swept across the rubbish- and rubble-strewn streets of Rafah early on Wednesday morning, residents of the crowded city in the south of Gaza set out to celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the festival of Eid al-Fitr.

Prayers were held in mosques badly damaged in the continuing Israeli offensive, in the crowded schools where many have lived since being forced to flee ruined homes elsewhere in the territory, and on the sand among the rows of tents now home to hundreds of thousands.

By noon, the clouds had cleared but the spring sun brought little of the warmth usually associated with a day of faith, friendship and family.

It doesnt feel like Eid because of the lack of a beautiful atmosphere, and we are not buying clothes and sweets, or gathering together like we usually do, said Jana Muhammad Sorour, a 12-year-old dispatched by her displaced family to sell homemade goods to neighbours in Rafah to raise much-needed funds.

I hope that the war will stop and that I will get clothes and candy like other holidays, and most importantly, go home.

For Islam Wahba, 35, who fled to Rafah after her home in Nuseirat was destroyed in an airstrike, the festival brought new grief. Since the war started six months ago, her husband and six relatives have been killed.

When the prayers began, I started crying because it was my first Eid without my husband and so many of my family. When my children woke up, they began to look at pictures of their father and wish him a happy Eid. This is not Eid and cannot be Eid, she said.

The war began on 7 October when Hamas launched a surprise attack into Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 250 hostages. Since then, Israels military offensive has killed more than 33,000 in Gaza, mostly civilians, and created an acute humanitarian crisis.

Israeli military officials blame civilian casualties on Hamas, saying the organisation use civilians as human shields. Hamas denies the accusation.

Most of the enclaves 2.3 million people are homeless. Hospitals have been destroyed and medicine is in short supply.

More than 1 million people are crammed into Rafah, on Gazas southern border with Egypt, having fled bombardments further north.

Related: All we think about is how to stay alive: the horror of daily life for those trapped in Gaza

Basics in the city are in short supply. Many are surviving on flatbread cooked over wood fires or basic gas hobs, and tinned goods trucked in by humanitarian agencies from Egypt.

Sugar, fresh fruit and vegetables are rare and very expensive. Salt is almost unobtainable. Banking services have also collapsed, leaving many short of cash, even if they have funds.

Electricity was cut off by Israel at the beginning of the conflict, most of the sanitation and power infrastructure has been destroyed and the minimal amounts of fuel allowed into the territory are insufficient for running pumps or generators. Everywhere, donkey carts have replaced cars as the principal mode of transport.

Looming over all those trying to celebrate Eid in Rafah is the prospect of an imminent attack by Israeli forces. Israeli officials say Hamas leaders are based in the city along with four battalions of militants  the only substantial remaining fighting force of the Islamist organisation.

Israeli troops are continuing to operate in the central Gaza Strip and killed a number of terrorists over the past day, the Israeli Defense Forces said on Wednesday, while aircraft had struck dozens of terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including military sites, launchers, tunnel shafts and infrastructure.

Though Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, has vowed repeatedly to continue to seek total victory, the US state department has warned Israel that a full-scale military invasion of Rafah would have an enormously harmful effect on civilians and would ultimately hurt Israels security.

More trucks bearing humanitarian aid have entered Gaza in recent days than for many months, but aid officials say much more is needed. Israel has been criticised repeatedly for blocking or slowing aid  charges it denies.

Any aid is completely inadequate, said Melanie Ward, chief executive of Medical Aid for Palestinians, who left Gaza after visiting Rafah on Wednesday morning.

Everyone in Rafah is living in absolute desperation and fear of what is about to happen. There are thousands and thousands of people, so close together. There are no water supplies, lakes of raw sewage everywhere  and children sitting by the roadside with pans begging for food, she added.

Israeli authorities said on Wednesday that they were surging aid into Gaza, with over 1,200 trucks entering in three days.

In Rafah, Abir Sakik, 40, who fled her home in Gaza City with her family and is now living in a tent, said she had no ingredients for the cakes and sweets she would usually make.

Instead she made cakes from crushed dates. We want to rejoice despite all the blood, death and shelling. We are tired and weary  enough, enough of war and destruction, she said.

Jalal Al Khalidi, 48, from Gaza city, said it was impossible to celebrate.

I did not sleep at all last night thinking about what I will do, who will keep me company during day, who will pray the Eid prayer with me, with whom I will eat breakfast today, and with whom I will visit my relatives. The joy of Eid disappeared with the loss of my family.

Asmaa Al Sayed, aged nine, described the festival as a war holiday.

This means no joy, no holiday atmosphere, no sweets, no security, and, most importantly, no home, she said.
Middle Arm on the Elizabeth River near Darwin in the Northern Territory. An inquiry is examining the proposed precinct. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Charles Darwin University asked a federal inquiry not to publish submissions by three of its staff after the academics criticised the universitys support for a gas and industrial development on Darwin Harbour.

It comes as the Northern Territory government is due to give evidence in Darwin on Thursday to the Middle Arm inquiry, which is examining the proposed precinct and a $1.5bn investment promised by the Albanese government.

At a hearing on Wednesday, Larrakia traditional owners called on senators to take decisive action to protect Middle Arm from the development, saying it would poison and destroy mangrove ecosystems, songlines and culturally significant sites.

The inquiry was launched last year after a Guardian Australia investigation revealed the government knew Middle Arm was seen as a key enabler for new gas projects, despite being publicly branded a sustainable development precinct.

Related: Senate to investigate controversial Middle Arm development amid calls for closer scrutiny

In a letter published by the inquiry, CDUs vice-chancellor, Scott Bowman, asked the committee not to publish a joint submission by two academics and to redact parts of a second submission by a professor of nursing and outgoing chair of the universitys human research ethics committee that was unfairly critical of CDU.

The academics had written to the committee in response to an official CDU submission that expressed support for the development  subject to environmental monitoring and community consultation  because of the need to drive economic growth in the NT.

In one letter, professor of nursing Marilynne Kirshbaum wrote she was dismayed by Charles Darwin Universitys submission and had been asked by many staff and students to register their opposition to the official perspective of Charles Darwin University.

She wrote the majority of academics, staff and students had not been consulted for their views on the project and the submission was the view of the VC who is entrusted with the financial viability and growth of our university.

In the joint letter, research and teaching associate in the faculty of arts Stephen Enciso and faculty of health research assistant Janina Murta wrote CDUs position was not representative of the views of staff and students and did not reflect the expert scientific consensus in relation to the health and climate impacts of petrochemical and fossil fuel projects.

The letter also claimed there had been no internal consultation with staff before the submission was created and expressed concern about the possible existence of conflicts of interest between the university and the fossil fuel industry.

CDUs chancellor is the lobbyist and former NT chief minister Paul Henderson. Bowman told Guardian Australia Henderson had no input or visibility over CDUs submission.

In a right of reply to the inquiry, Bowman asked the committee to not publish the supplementary joint submission by Enciso and Murta and redact the sections of Prof Kirshbaums submission where it criticises, I believe unfairly, CDU.

While he was supportive of the participation and counterviews by academia at CDU and would not seek to limit any academics participation in the inquiry, he said the university had not purported to present a unanimous view in its submission.

I do not believe the criticism of CDU is justified or should be published, the letter states.

Bowman, in response to questions on Wednesday, reiterated that he strongly supported the participation by academics at CDU in the inquiry and the presentation of counterviews.

Regarding the two submissions in question, I felt the criticisms of the process were unfair and could not see the value in these matters of process being published, he said.

In retrospect, this was unnecessary, and I am pleased these academics are participating in the inquiry.

Enciso, who along with Murta is a member of Darwin-based community climate groups including the No New Gas Coalition, expressed disappointment at the request to withhold their submission from publication.

Transparency is important and this kind of request from the leader of an academic institution ostensibly committed to free speech amounts to a request for censorship, he said.

He said many staff and students, if given the opportunity, would have given clear reasons why it would be unacceptable for CDU to give conditional support for the Middle Arm development in its current form.

If the university can send all-staff emails asking for suggestions on the staff Christmas party, then it can do the same for what its position should be on the Middle Arm industrial precinct, he said.

Don Driscoll is a professor of ecology at Deakin university and the chair of the academic freedom working group at the Ecological Society of Australia. His research has examined academic freedom and scientific suppression in Australia.

He said he was heartened the federal inquiry had chosen to publish the submissions in full.

The NT chief minister, Eva Lawler, and senior officials will appear before the inquiry on Thursday.
We lose our ability to cope with stress due to the huge level of cognitive demand we put on our already full brains

Was it forgetting a dental appointment for the first time ever that tipped me over the edge? Or was it the oversized panic that squeezed my chest the day I realised Id failed to wash one of the kids uniforms for school that sent me spiralling into a ball of anxiety?

Instead of laughing off these little bumps in the road, they unexpectedly ballooned in huge worries, snowballing their way down a hill of gloom into a sense of overwhelm Id not felt before. I was used to being busy, managing a family of four children aged seven to 18, writing a book, editing a weekly magazine and co-hosting a podcast so I wondered where this feeling came from? Im an organised, multi-tasking grown-up, but if one thing went wrong I now illogically catastrophised about the rest of my to-do list being a disaster too.

If this sounds familiar, then you must be in midlife as well. It seems theres a new tribe in town: the inexplicably overwhelmed over-40s. So whats going on and is there a way to stop us spiralling when that sense of overload hits?

Firstly its worth knowing we can definitely lay some of the blame at the feet of our overscheduled busy modern lives. Our 40s and 50s bring extra burdens and midlifers are often called the backbone of society. We may face the grief of empty nest, the stress of caring for elderly parents, serious health niggles, the weight of our big jobs or redundancies from them, divorce peaks between 45-49, as do suicide rates for women.

Its a lot and according to neuroscientists all midlife brains undergo a remodel, so its no surprise they deal with things differently. The weight of these multiplying roles and changes in brain function mean we need to start taking more care of ourselves as we age and how we live day to day has to change.

I spoke to the psychologist Dr Emma Hepburn about the reason we appear to lose our ability to cope with stress post-40 and she told me that it is down to the huge level of cognitive demand we put on our already full brains. Responding to midlife demands significantly increases our cognitive load at a time when we have limited cognitive capacity, she says.

The leading neuroscientist Dr Lisa Mosconi, the author of The Menopause Brain, explains that male and female brains respond differently to the midlife overwhelm. She says chronic stress, which may have been building over years for us as a generation, bankrupts our hormone production which affects brain health and men and womens brains differ because of our differing hormone production.

It is a complicated time of life, she tells me. Resilience to stress is diminished at a time when we seem to have more of it. This is because of the changes in hormonal concentrations in the brain as we age. Higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol are not good for the brains grey matter. Our grey matter is the bit of the brain we need for almost all our bodily functions and emotions.

Why midlife men and women are in stress overload

Our bodies rely on one molecule called pregnenolone to make both our sex hormones and our stress hormones. When we are under stress, the brain will steal pregnenolone from oestrogen production in women to make more cortisol to deal with whatever crisis it faces. If we remain in stress mode for too long, our oestrogen gets even more depleted. For women, that may mean more symptoms of perimenopause (the 10 years before menopause when all our hormones are fluctuating before they leave for good) including increased anxiety or mental health issues.

For older men, Dr Mosconi says, the effect of stress overload may be even more negative. Womens brains often produce oxytocin, the feel-good hormone, to cope with stress which helps give our brains grey matter more energy to function well.

The presence of this calming hormone results in tend and befriend behaviour in women, studies show. So women under stress may be more likely to look for help from other women to reduce stress. But men go it alone, they dont get oxytocin and their grey matter may be more severely affected by extra cortisol. Their brains may freeze, according to Dr Mosconi. They withdraw, and their brain activity shuts down, the energy is depleted. This means the brain is taking up less glucose (which fuels it) and a cascade of health issues could follow alongside mental anguish. Its a vicious circle.

Sleep is also affected which in turn affects brain health negatively and increases general inflammation in the body which is also bad for the brain. The brain is a complex organ, Dr Mosconi points out. Menopause and perimenopause is a significant renovation of the female brain. But while there is some cognitive slippage for women during this phase, the average womans brain still outperforms the average midlife male brain. This is impressive because surveys show globally that stress levels are consistently higher in midlife women than any other age set. This stress puts both genders in what Dr Hepburn calls an exhausting state of hypervigilance.

So what can we do about our midlife spiralling?

Dr Mosconi advises lifestyle changes like better nutrition, less or no alcohol, a look at how we may be ingesting chemical toxins in the house, movement and mindfulness; something Gen X still like to roll their eyes at.

Better sleep is the most powerful thing to keep our brains working well but it may be harder to achieve quickly in midlife, Dr Mosconi says. So I advise starting with more daily exercise or movement to tackle cognitive decline, there is much science behind it. Many pathways to the brain are activated by exercise which promotes better blood flow. It cleans the brain of toxins, reduces cortisol and fires up brain energy which makes it more efficient and reduces inflammation in the body.

The body responds well to change but the brain is its own show, it needs consistency to adapt and change. Its good at learning something new but not so good at change, the hardware of the brain is not plastic so be patient. It will take a while to learn how to deal with stress better at this stage of life.

There is good news though, as Dr Hepburn points out, because once you realise you are in a state of hypervigilance you can develop coping strategies relatively easily.

The midlife brain is packed with knowledge. If you remove the threat alert, the brain is great at reminding you that you have all these skills to sort out problems and cope well with your increased mental load. You just need to give it space to do that.

How to help your midlife brain beat overwhelm

Improve your social capital

Having a good support network is why some cope with the midlife brain spiralling and some dont. According to Dr Hepburn, it is extremely helpful for brain health if you can talk out your problems. One of the biggest predictors of a longer life is our social interactions with others, and connection also provokes the production of feel-good hormones which calm a spiralling brain. Earlier this month, a US survey showed Britons aged between 46-65 were the loneliest in Europe.In the journal American Psychologist, the researchers report that our lack of social safety nets leave us vulnerable to loneliness, which is unhelpful for brain health and perhaps has led many of us to complain of this new found inability to cope under duress.

Learn self-hypnosis

Dr David Spiegel is a Stanford psychiatrist who has made it his lifes work to reduce the medicalisation of mental and physical health. I ask him about midlife overwhelm and he says simple daily self-hypnosis switches the brain between alpha and theta waves and encourages it to hyper-focus on one thing; for example, being calmer in certain situations.

Elevated threat arousal starts a feedback loop between brain and body. You tense, your brain says whats wrong, then your body feels something is wrong and so it tenses: we can interrupt this loop with regular self-hypnosis and teach the brain to turn down these alarm signals. Its you telling the brain to tell the body you can cope, its going to be OK. On his Reveri app, he teaches soothing cyclical breathing techniques and guided self-hypnosis for better sleep, focus and stress relief.

Find out about MBSR (meditation and mindfulness-based stress reduction)

This area of wellbeing is often poo-pooed, but Dr Mosconi says coping strategies developed under the banner of MSBR have been studied and shown to improve our quality of life as we age. Kirtan Krya is a chanting meditation that takes 12 minutes that has been shown to reduce stress. Dr Mosconi also says MBSR research reveals that, combined with cognitive therapy, it can prove just as effective at preventing a relapse of depression as antidepressants in women. Practising yoga for at least 12 weeks has also been shown to reduce fatigue (particularly in menopause).

Schedule rest

Gen X are culturally programmed to believe rest is lazy, but it is vital for brain health and should be scheduled in the same way anything else is in our diaries. Productivity overload is a modern day epidemic and if you want your brain to have more energy then you have to stop and give brain and body a break.

Whats Wrong With Me: From Unravelling to Reinvention a Midlife Memoir by Lorraine Candy is out in paperback now

Recommended

'There's a myth that it stops you from getting out of bed': what high-functioning depression is really like

Read more
Melina Abdullah in Los Angeles, on 2 March 2020. Photograph: David Crane/The Orange County Register via AP

The independent presidential candidate Cornel West announced on Wednesday that Melina Abdullah would serve as his running mate, joining the former Harvard professors long-shot bid in the US presidential race.

Abdullah, a professor of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, helped to form the LA chapter of the group Black Lives Matter, and West praised her as one of the great freedom fighters of her generation.

I wanted somebody whose heart, mind and soul is committed to the empowerment of poor and working peoples of all colors, West told the talkshow host Tavis Smiley on Wednesday. And Melina has a history of longevity, of putting her heart, mind, soul and body in the struggle.

Abdullah told Smiley that Wests offer took her by surprise, but she quickly accepted because of her belief in his platform of truth, love and justice.

How can you not get behind that platform? Abdullah said. So Ive been following him and had been really enthusiastic about his candidacy and just was excited to be able to share space with him.

The news comes as West, an author and leftwing activist, continues his efforts to get on the ballot in every US state. Wests campaign said he had already secured ballot access in Alaska, Oregon, South Carolina and Utah, but some states require a running mate for independent candidates to get on the ballot. As part of his 50-state campaign, West announced in January that he would launch a new political party, called the Justice for All party, to help ease his path to ballot access in some states.

West has no path to victory, as national polls show his support languishing in the low single digits. A survey conducted last month by the Marquette Law School found that just 4% of likely US voters named West as their preferred candidate.

But Wests presence on the ballot in key battleground states could draw support away from Joe Biden, raising concerns among Democrats that the independent candidate might serve as a spoiler for the incumbent president.

According to a Quinnipiac University poll of US voters conducted last month, Biden leads Donald Trump by 3 points, 48% to 45%, in a head-to-head match-up, but the presidents support dipped down to 38% (compared with Trumps 39%) when third-party candidates such as West, Robert F Kennedy Jr and Jill Stein of the Green party were listed as options.

Related: Who is running for president in 2024? Biden, Trump and the full list of candidates

Cornel West and Jill Stein will each run from the extreme left and likely garner a paltry number of votes. Not all of their voters would support Biden, but none of them would support Trump, Jonathan Cowan and Jim Kessler, leaders of the center-left thinktank Third Way, wrote in a USA Today op-ed last week.

The lessons from 2016 and 2000 are clear: minor party does not mean minor impact. No-hope candidates can change the outcome of an election, even by garnering a relative handful of votes.

West has previously dismissed concerns about how his presence on the ballot might boost Trump, arguing that he has a moral obligation to give a voice to progressives concerns in this election.

Ive got to be able to speak the truth no matter what. Im planning to do that until the very end, West said at a fundraising event in October. So in that sense, who knows whos stealing from who.
A waffle house waitress in Oklahoma is now facing theft charges after driving away in a vehicle that she told police was a gift, according to a report.



Angela Harrison, 53, was arrested after alleging that the stolen SUV she was driving was a birthday tip from a Waffle House customer.

On April 1, at approximately 4 p.m., officers were notified of a stolen white Jeep Liberty and tracked the vehicle until they managed to pull it over during a traffic stop.

Harris was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, according to Fox News.

Harrison told police she was at a gas station when she ran into a former customer of hers when she worked at the Waffle House.

She went on to say the customer also gave her $10 along with the white Jeep Liberty because her 53rd birthday was nearing in a few weeks.

Police obtained a surveillance photo of Harrison in the vehicle on January 14 and claim the Jeep had been reported stolen before Christmas.

The 53-year-old-to-be admitted that she was the woman in the photo but could not explain how she came into possession of the vehicle in January when she said it was gifted to her only an hour before.
Tim Crakanthorp was sacked from state cabinet in August 2023 over a failure to declare substantial private family holdings. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

The New South Wales corruption watchdog has ended its investigation into former Labor minister Tim Crakanthorp after concluding there were no reasonable prospects of finding his conduct was corrupt.

Crakanthorp was sacked from state cabinet in August after it emerged the Newcastle MP had allegedly failed to declare substantial private family holdings relating to his wifes family.

Neither Crakanthorps wife nor her family were accused of any wrongdoing.

The matter was referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac) after the premier, Chris Minns, sacked Crakanthorp from cabinet.

The premier had been made aware of several properties across the Hunter region that were owned by the ministers family and had not been declared. Crakanthorp was the minister for the Hunter.

Icac announced it had terminated its preliminary investigation on Wednesday afternoon.

Related: NSW premier concerned sacked minister may have acted for private interests

As the Commission is satisfied that there are no reasonable prospects of finding Mr Crakanthorps conduct is sufficiently serious to justify a finding of corrupt conduct, it has terminated its investigation, a spokesperson said.

The findings were contained within a report that was handed to the secretary of the Cabinet Office and Minns. Within the report are findings concerning Crakanthorps conduct in relation to the ministerial code.

The report has been provided so that they are appraised of the outcome of the Commissions investigation, the Commissions findings and for the purpose of taking any action they consider appropriate, the Icac spokesperson said.

The report has not been released publicly but a government spokesperson said there were clearly public interest considerations in favour of disclosure of the Icacs report.

The premier is taking legal advice on options for timely publication of the report, they said.

The opposition leader, Mark Speakman, called on the premier to take all reasonable steps to release the report as quickly as possible.

It is overwhelmingly in the public interest for premier Chris Minns to release the Icac report, he said.

Crakanthorp was dumped from cabinet but the premier did not move to expel him from the state caucus. He said he would only do so if Icac began a formal investigation into the MP.

At the time, Minns said the Newcastle MP had failed to comply with his obligations as a minister by not declaring the properties, causing potential conflicts of interest for matters discussed by the cabinet and within his ministry.

Mr Crakanthorp did not supply information about substantial private family holdings in the Hunter region until recently, when he should have, constituting a clear breach of the ministerial code, Minns said.

Crakanthorp claimed he had resigned as minister and had self-reported the matter.

I appreciate and firmly believe ministers must be held to the highest standards and would like to note that this oversight was identified due to my own self-reporting, he said at the time.

Crakanthorp has been contacted for comment.
A bumblebee on a toothwort. It is known as the corpse flower, supposedly on account of its deathly pallor. Photograph: Nic Wilson

Beneath a coppiced hazel on the edge of Wain Wood, a clandestine uprising has begun. Rows of knobbly scales thrust through the soil like skeletal beasts breaking free from their earthy bonds. Some have raised their heads, exposing dirty white flowers suspended from hairy pink stems.

These anaemic inflorescences belong to toothwort (Lathraea squamaria), also known as the corpse flower, supposedly on account of its deathly pallor. Its generic name comes from the Greek lathraios, meaning hidden, referring to toothworts largely subterranean existence. For most of the year, this holoparasite (a plant that lacks chlorophyll and is reliant on its host) lives beneath the ground, feeding from the roots of trees such as this hazel.

It seems fitting that these secretive plants grow in a place that was once a refuge for other underground communities. Deep in this ancient oak and hornbeam wood lies Bunyans Dell: a natural amphitheatre where the nonconformist preacher and author of The Pilgrims Progress, John Bunyan, led midnight services for hundreds of dissenters in the mid-17th century. Attending such meetings was illegal, so villagers kept watch on the nearby Tatmore Hills in case law officers should approach from Hitchin.

No one knows if toothwort was growing in Wain Wood in Bunyans day, but it was certainly present by 1838, when Henry Brown, a local Quaker and botanist, recorded the population. His herbarium, which includes the toothwort, is now in the Natural History Museum in London. Subsequent specimens were collected from the wood by naturalists between 1871 and 1948, and the colony is still thriving nearly 200 years later.

Three more toothwort spikes lurk in the lee of a mossy branch. They turn me into a lurker too, head down, bottom up, admiring the fleshy stems and milky calyx mouths from which two-lipped mauve corollas protrude. I watch a bumblebee  toothworts primary pollinator  visit each drooping spike in turn.

After pollination, toothy capsules develop inside, each filled with tiny seeds attached to oil-rich structures that attract ants, which then disperse the seeds. Then these unconventional plants will return to the underworld, all trace of their congregation gone  until next spring.

 Country diary is on Twitter at @gdncountrydiary
Nancy Fraser was awarded the visiting professorship in 2022 at the University of Cologne. Photograph: Dpa Picture Alliance/Alamy

A leading Jewish American philosopher has been disinvited from taking up a prestigious professorship at the University of Cologne after signing a letter expressing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning the killings in Gaza carried out by Israeli forces.

Nancy Fraser, professor of philosophy and politics at the New School for Social Research in New York, said she had been cancelled by the university, which has withdrawn its invitation to the Albertus Magnus Professorship 2024, a visiting position, which she had been awarded in 2022. The letter was written in November 2023 following the 7 October attacks on Israel by Hamas, prompting Israels attack on Gaza.

Fellow academics have written a letter to the university in protest against the ban. In it, they call the withdrawal of the invitation another attempt to limit public and academic debate on Israel and Palestine by invoking supposedly clear, distinct, governmentally sanctioned red lines.

They said the letter, titled Philosophy for Palestine, which was signed by Fraser and several hundred other academics, was separate from Frasers work as a scholar and that her guest professorship had nothing to do with the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Cologne University said in a statement its decision to cancel the invitation had been made with great regret. It said the reason was that in the letter signed by Fraser, Israels right to exist as an ethno-supremacist state since its foundation in 1948 is called into question. The terror attacks by Hamas on Israel of 7 October 2023 is [sic] elevated to an act of legitimate resistance.

Related: Award ceremony suspended after writer compares Gaza to Nazi-era Jewish ghettos

It said that the signatories demand for the academic and cultural boycott of Israeli institutions was at odds with the universitys close ties to Israeli partner institutions and the views in the letter were not in line with its own statements from October 2022 on the situation in the Middle East region.

In an interview with the Frankfurter Rundschau, Fraser called herself a victim of philosemitic McCarthyism alongside a number of other academics such as Masha Gessen who have been cancelled in Germany over their views regarding the Middle East conflict amid growing criticism that a dominating pro-Israel political consensus has shut down any proper debate.

After all, I was canceled in the name of German responsibility for the Holocaust. This responsibility should also apply to Jewish people. But in Germany it is narrowed down to the state policy of the currently ruling Israeli government. Philosemitic McCarthyism sums it up quite well. A way to silence people under the pretext of supposedly supporting Jews, Fraser said.

In an interview with Die Zeit addressing the issue of Germanys responsibility as perpetrator of the Holocaust for protecting Jewish life, Fraser said this duty was being wrongly applied to exclude criticism of the Israeli government.

I completely agree that Germans have a special responsibility towards the Jews in light of the Holocaust. But to equate criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism is simply wrong. And may I add that as a Jew I also feel a special responsibility. But  that doesnt mean giving this government carte blanche. What is happening in Gaza should not happen  and especially not in my name. I strongly reject the equation of Israel and Judaism. Judaism has a rich secular and, above all, universalist tradition. It pains me when it is reduced to Israels current hyper-ethno-nationalist politics.

Asked why she thought the philosopher Judith Butler had been allowed to assume the same professorship in 2016, despite having been highly critical of Israel, Fraser said: In Germany, the panic of doing something wrong has increased. In addition the war in Gaza is now rekindling the feverishness.

Fraser has said she will continue to hold the lectures she had planned to deliver in Cologne, both at the New School and at another location in Germany.

Related: Free speech is a facade: how Gaza war has deepened divisions in German arts world

It has been suggested that I give the lectures elsewhere in Germany under the slogan: This is what you werent allowed to hear in Cologne.

In a letter to Joybrato Mukherjee the rector of Cologne University, the interim president of the New School, Donna E Shalala, described his decision as simply outrageous, and insulting, and asked him to reconsider. She commented that Magnus, the 13th-century free-thinking philosopher, scientist and bishop after whom the professorship is named, would have been appalled.

In the 1930s, the New School, she pointed out, had rescued intellectuals seeking refuge from the Nazis  including the political theorist Hannah Arendt, the psychologist Erich Fromm and the composer Hanns Eisler.

We continued the body of critical thought that had been wiped out  promoting the remarkable traditions of the German academy, she wrote.
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, lives in exile in Qatar - Majid Asgaripour/REUTERS

Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, said the terrorist group would not waver in its war on Israel following the killing of three of his sons in an airstrike on Thursday.

The three men  Hazem, Amir and Mohammed Haniyeh  were hit by an Israeli strike near Gaza Citys al-Shati refugee camp, Hamas said. Three of the mens children were also reportedly killed.

Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, confirmed his sons deaths in an interview with Al Jazeera and thanked God for bestowing upon us the honour of their martyrdom.

He said the strike would have no bearing on Hamass demands in ceasefire negotiations or its wider aims in the conflict.

Their pure blood is for the liberation of Jerusalem and Al Aqsa, and we will continue to march on our road, and will not hesitate and will not falter, Mr Haniyeh said.

With their blood, we bring about hope, a future and freedom for our people and our cause.

Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position, he said.

The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people.

Haniyeh was filmed purportedly receiving the news of his childrens deaths while visiting wounded Palestinians at a hospital in Doha, Qatar, where he has lived in exile.

May God ease their path, he said, visibly unmoved as he made his way out of a hospital ward.

The 62-year-old, who watched news broadcasts of the Oct 7 massacre from his hotel in the Qatari capital, accused Israel of targeting his family, saying that his sons were in al-Shati to visit relatives for Eid, the final day of Ramadan.

The IDF confirmed that it targeted and killed the three Haniyeh brothers as it described them as members of Hamass military wing. It said it could not verify reports that their children also died in the strike.

The Haniyeh brothers were travelling with family members in a single vehicle targeted by an Israeli drone, Al-Aqsa TV said. Footage from the scene showed an SUV stranded in the street with houses nearby damaged by a blast wave.

The death of his sons could bolster Hanieyhs reputation within Hamas following months of accusations that he had been watching the devastating war in Gaza from the safety of Doha while other senior Hamas figures, including Yahya Sinwar, the head of its military wing, refused to leave the enclave.

Dozens of Haniyehs relatives have died in the war but the three sons and three grandchildren would be the most immediate family members he has lost.

Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political branch of Hamas, after receiving the news about the death of his children and grandchildren in Israeli strike:



'I thank God for this honor that He bestowed upon us through the martyrdom of my three sons and grandchildren- my children https://t.co/x6hreVIbK9 pic.twitter.com/vIpfOyHXW5  Clash Report (@clashreport) April 10, 2024

Haniyehs sons were known to dominate Gazas real estate market and reportedly traded in power generators.

Unnamed Israeli officials told the Haaretz newspaper last night they feared that the killing of Haniyehs sons could derail a potential ceasefire deal. The United States has been pressuring Israel to agree to stop hostilities for a partial release of hostages.

Hamas, meanwhile, is struggling to track down or identify 40 Israeli hostages needed for the first stage of the potential deal, according to several Israeli media outlets.

Unnamed Israeli officials told Channel 12 on Wednesday that Hamas told them it does not have 40 hostages meeting the criteria of the first stage of release: civilians either younger than 19 or older than 50 as well as female soldiers and wounded Israelis.

The most recent proposal for a deal between Israel and Hamas would involve the terrorist group releasing 40 of the most vulnerable hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and a release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

Hamas is believed to hold fewer than 70 living hostages out of the list of 133.

Over the weekend, the IDF recovered the body of hostage Elad Katzir, 47, from Gaza, where he was reportedly killed by his captors, the Islamic Jihad group.
Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, was forced to deny Angela Rayner was a 'tax dodger' and said she should not be 'treated differently' - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Angela Rayner has been accused of hypocrisy after it emerged she demanded a Tory candidate publish their tax details, while refusing to publish her own.

Labours deputy leader wrote to the Conservative chairman during a by-election in 2021 to ask her to publish Jill Mortimers tax return. This is despite the fact that she has so far refused to publish her own tax return or the advice that she received over the sale of her Stockport council house in 2015.

Ms Rayner has been accused of lying about her former home in Vicarage Road, Stockport, which she bought in 2007 using the Right to Buy scheme before making a 48,500 profit when she sold it eight years later.

She was registered at the property for five years after she married Mark Rayner in 2010, while he was listed at a different address in Lowndes Lane, a mile away.

The confusion over which property was her principal residence has led to questions over whether she avoided capital gains tax by retaining the property for more than five years.

The property in Stockport that Ms Rayner bought using the Right to Buy scheme - Ryan Jenkinson / Story Picture Agency/Ryan Jenkinson / Story Picture Agency

It emerged on Wednesday morning that Ms Rayner had written to Amanda Milling, the Tory chairman, in 2021, during the Hartlepool by-election campaign, regarding a Tory candidates husband spending time in the Cayman Islands.

She wrote: I am writing to you for the second time in a matter of days to raise serious concerns about the Conservative Partys campaign in the Hartlepool by-election.

It is being reported that your candidate Jill Mortimer spent time living in a tax haven where her former husband worked as a banker. Mrs Mortimer had already admitted she has not spent a lot of time in Hartlepool.

She then asked a series of questions for Mr and Mrs Mortimer to answer about their finances. Did they gain any tax advantage from living there  and did she or he advise others of the tax advantages of setting up or living in the Cayman Islands?

In the interests of transparency, will you now publish a full account of Jill Mortimers time in the Cayman Islands? Will you also order Jill Mortimer to publish in full her tax returns covering that period?

Jill Mortimer came under pressure from Ms Rayner in 2021 to publish her tax return during the Hartlepool by-election - Owen Humphreys/OA

Sir Simon Clarke, the former Cabinet minister, tweeted: Hypocrisy is the worst of political sins.

On Tuesday, Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, was forced to deny her shadow cabinet colleague was a tax dodger, and said she should not be treated differently to other colleagues regarding publishing her tax returns.

Jonathan Gullis, the Tory deputy chairman, tweeted the letter on Wednesday morning, adding: Rachel Reeves (April 2024): Angela Rayner should NOT be treated differently to other colleagues regarding publishing her tax returns (April 2024).

Angela Rayner (April 2021): in the interests of transparency, will you publish in full her tax returns. Same old Labour

It came as Rishi Sunak piled pressure on Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Rayner over the row about the sale of the Labour deputy leaders council house.

The Prime Minister took aim at the pair as he faced questions over his handling of the William Wragg honeytrap scandal.

Mr Wragg voluntarily resigned the Tory whip on Tuesday and Mr Sunak was asked on Wednesday morning why he had not taken action against him after the MP admitted involvement in the scandal

Mr Sunak was told that Labour had claimed his failure to strip Mr Wragg of the whip showed his weakness.

PM on the offensive

But the Prime Minister hit back and accused Sir Keir and Ms Rayner of failing to provide straight answers over the council house affair.

He told LBC: People can judge me if they want to judge me on that. That is fine, I accept that. When it comes to weakness, Keir Starmer still hasnt answered any questions properly about what is going on with Angela Rayner.

When it comes to me and my affairs people are very happy to ask lots of questions including Angela Rayner herself.

Mr Sunak continued: Hang on. This is someone who, so far as you believe the media, assumes he is going to stroll into 10 Downing Street later this year and this is the person who would be deputy leader, deputy prime minister of the country, and I think there are very clear questions for her to answer about this.

He hasnt answered them. She hasnt answered them. I think it is reasonable that people get a straight answer on it.

Greater Manchester Police is considering whether to look again at the issue of whether the Labour deputy leader should have been liable for capital gains tax.

Ms Rayner bought her home in Vicarage Road in Stockport in 2007 using the Right to Buy scheme before making a 48,500 profit when she sold it eight years later. She was not liable to pay capital gains tax on the sale because it was her main address on the electoral roll.

However, weeks after marrying Mark Rayner, her now-estranged husband, in 2010 she re-registered the births of her two youngest children at his address on Lowndes Lane, raising questions about whether she had moved in with him.
The Palestinian flag appears when 'Jerusalem' is entered

Apple has been accused of anti-Semitism after a system update showed a Palestinian flag emoji when users typed the word Jerusalem.

Typing the name of Israels capital city into the emoji keyboard on an iPhone running the most recently updated software makes a Palestinian flag pop up for inclusion in text messages.

Searching the emoji keyboard by country will bring up a flag, although its not clear which capital cities perform this function. Searches by The Telegraph on an iPhone running the latest version of Apples iOS software for London, Paris, Bangkok and New York did not bring up their respective countrys flags.

Rachel Riley, the Countdown presenter, highlighted the phenomenon on social media.

Rachel Riley highlighted the emoji - Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty

She wrote on Twitter: Dear @Apple @applesupport @tim_cook Ive just upgraded my software to version iOS 17.4.1, and now, when I type the capital of Israel, Jerusalem, Im offered the Palestinian flag emoji.

This didnt occur on my phone immediately before this update.

Below is a (non-exhaustive) list of capital cities that do not offer their nations flags, let alone the wrong one.

Showing double standards with respect to Israel is a form of anti-Semitism, which is itself a form of racism against Jewish people.

Please explain whether this is an intentional act by your company, or whether you have no control over rogue programmers.

Sincerely, a Jewish woman concerned about the global rise in anti-Semitism.

Although Israel has declared that Jerusalem is its capital city and this was recognised by Donald Trumps US government, the city is also claimed by Palestinians as their capital. The eastern part of the city is viewed as Palestinian territory by the UN.

The row comes six months after hundreds of Israeli civilians were murdered and hostages taken by Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

An iPhone running the latest Apple iOS offers a Palestine flag when Jerusalem is entered

The Telegraph has verified that the Palestinian flag emoji is automatically suggested whenever the word Jerusalem is typed into the emoji search box on an iPhone.

This behaviour was displayed on three handsets running iOS 17.4.1, the latest version of the phones software, released on March 21.

The Palestinian flag did not appear when Jerusalem was typed into an older iPhone running a version of iOS that was last updated five weeks ago.

Emojis are small digital icons used to express ideas and emotions. They are a modern form of emoticons, the faces made by early internet users stringing punctuation marks together to show happy or sad expressions.

Tom Divon, a social media expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said the emoji had likely been programmed to appear next to the word Jerusalem thanks to human intervention.

Apples linking of emojis to political causes poses a problem. The infrastructural connection of the word Jerusalem to the Palestinian flag in iOS necessitates a deliberate in-house decision, said the academic.

They shape your thinking

He continued: In contrast to social media platforms, where default recommendations are driven by users engagement, Apples emoji defaults require human intervention.

When these representations constantly catch your eye as you express your thoughts, they eventually shape your thinking.

There is nothing inherently wrong with associating Jerusalem with Palestinian belief, but Apples choice of default settings warrants justification, especially considering the potential discriminatory implications of this decision.

An Apple spokesman said the Palestinian flag was the result of a bug within predictive emoji, describing it as unintended behaviour, and added that a fix would be made available soon.

Some Apple employees have demanded that bosses redefine expectations of how the world views Palestine.

An open letter purportedly signed by more than 300 former and current Apple staff in March complained about a lack of care and understanding this company has given the Palestinian community, not only abroad suffering in Gaza, but also towards our own team members.

Apple boss expressed sympathy

The letter said: It is time for Apple to take centre stage and redefine expectations of how the world views the Palestinian struggle for self-determination, and stand firm in our belief of racial equity and justice.

Tim Cook, the Apple chief executive, emailed the companys 161,000 employees on Oct 9 to express sympathy for those who died in the Hamas attacks two days previously.

Israels response to the October 7 terror attack, a military invasion of the Gaza Strip, has so far resulted in around 32,000 deaths since October. The United Nations is warning of an imminent famine in the disputed territory while Joe Biden, the US president, has demanded that Israel takes immediate action to stop further civilian deaths.
IDF soldier opens fire in the Gaza corridor - IDF

Israel has killed numerous Hamas gunmen in the battle for the central Gaza corridor, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported.

Footage of the fighting posted on social media shows Israeli troops firing rockets at Hamas positions as well as using drone strikes.

The troops in recent days killed numerous gunmen in clashes and ambushes, as well as by calling in airstrikes and artillery shelling, the Times of Israel reported, citing the IDF. The army also took out rocket launching sites, a tunnel shaft and buildings used by Hamas, it said.

A narrow strip of land running from the border with Israel near Beeri to the coast, controlling the so-called Netzarm corridor enables Israeli forces to carry out raids in northern and central Gaza while managing Palestinian access to the north. It also allows Israel to operate a secure crossing to channel aid into northern Gaza, the Times of Israel reported.

Follow the latest updates below.

03:11 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for tuning in to todays live blog. Well be back tomorrow to bring you all the latest from the Israel-Hamas war.

Key moments from today:

Hamas has rejected a US proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, and will instead put out its own roadmap for bringing the war to a permanent end, mediators reported.

The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has warned that border skirmishes with Israel risk spiralling out of control, leading to a broader regional conflict.

Rishi Sunak has said that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, needs to do more to alleviate intolerable suffering in Gaza.

Israel is planning to open a new border crossing to channel desperately needed aid into northern Gaza amid fears that Israeli protesters will block the current crossing site, local media reported.

A Lebanese man accused of funnelling tens of millions of dollars from Iran to Hamas has been found shot dead in the mountains near Beirut, a security source told AFP.

US plans to build a $180 floating pier off the coast of Gaza to unload desperately-needed aid are still weeks away from completion, reports suggest.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza is a mistake, said US president Joe Biden as he called for a ceasefire.

Nancy Pelosi, the former US House speaker, has accused Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, of only being concerned for his own political survival.

Israel has threatened to attack Iran directly if Tehran launches an attack on Israel from its own territory.

Hamas is unable to meet Israels demand for the release of 40 living hostages as part of a proposed truce agreement, Israeli television networks reported.

03:08 PM BST

Watch: Khan Younis hospital destroyed

02:57 PM BST

Bidens threats to cut off support to Israel did not go far enough, warn current and former US officials

A group of seven current and former US officials have warned that President Bidens threats to cut off support to Israel did not go far enough to reflect the moral urgency of the situation.

One current official with 25 years of national security experience, said internal opposition to official White House policy on Israel has become deeper, wider and more despairing than at any other point in the conflict, the BBC reported, despite Israel agreeing to withdraw its troops and allow aid into the war-torn region following the White Houses warning.

I read it as Israel doing the bare minimum to get through the day and avoid arms transfers being halted, the official added.

Another said that US administration staff have created at least dozen group chats on WhatsApp and Signal, comprising hundreds of members, to vent their exasperation. Theres a lot of eye rolling... People can point out the inconsistencies and the fallacies pretty quickly, they said.

The reports of internal dissent come after hundreds of civil servants in the US and European countries signed a letter in February warning that their governments risked being complicit in grave violations of international law.

02:49 PM BST

Hamas rejects US Gaza truce proposal

Hamas has rejected a US proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, and will instead put out its own roadmap for bringing the war to a permanent end, mediators reported.

Hamass main issue with the plan is that it does not include a reference to ending the war, mediators told the Wall Street Journal, adding that the militant group would prefer to put forward their own offer based on a previous proposal.

The US plan, suggested at peace talks in Cairo, called for a six-week ceasefire, during which time Hamas would release 40 hostages in exchange for 900 Palestinians detained in Israel, including 100 serving long sentences for terrorism-related charges.

Under the previous proposal, which Hamas appears to favour, Israel would release prisoners in exchange for some hostages, along with a partial troop withdrawal and unfettered access to northern Gaza for displaced Palestinians, with more hostages to be released later once all troops withdraw.

A senior Israeli official familiar with the negotiations said that Israel was open to using the US proposal as a basis for talks, but that the plan is seen as favoring Hamas., the WSJ said.

02:19 PM BST

Israel agrees to let 150,000 Gazans return to the north in potential truce, say officials

Israel has agreed to concessions about the return of Palestinians to the north of Gaza, but believes Hamas does not want to strike a ceasfire deal, Israeli officials reported.

Under US proposals, Israel has agreed to allow the return of 150,000 Palestinians to north Gaza with no security checks, two officials with knowledge of the talks told Reuters. In return, they said, Hamas would be required to give a list of female, elderly and sick hostages it still holds alive.

Israels assessment is that Hamas does not want to strike a deal yet, the Israeli officials said.

The proposed ceasefire arrangement comes as delegations from Israel and Hamas meet in Cairo for US and Qatari-mediated talks to arrange a truce and the release of hostages.

02:06 PM BST

Pictured: IDF soldiers in action in the Gaza Strip

An IDF soldier is seen through a night vision scope - IDF

IDF soldiers patrol the streets in Gaza - IDF

An IDF soldier takes up from the window of a damaged building - IDF

01:56 PM BST

Danger of escalation on Lebanese border is real, says UN official

The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has warned that border skirmishes with Israel risk spiralling out of control, leading to a broader regional conflict.

The danger of escalation is real, Aroldo Lazaro said in a statement. There is no military solution to the current confrontation and violence; a political and diplomatic solution is the only way forward.

Israel has previously warned that time is running out to find a diplomatic solution to the simmering conflict unless Iran-backed Hezbollah forces back away from the border region.

01:46 PM BST

Netanyahu needs to do more to alleviate suffering in Gaza, says Sunak

Rishi Sunak has said that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, needs to do more to alleviate intolerable suffering in Gaza.

It was a shocking tragedy what happened to our veterans when they were selflessly carrying out aid missions into Gaza, and Ive also said repeatedly the situation in Gaza is increasingly intolerable, the prime minister told LBC, referring to three British aid workers who were killed by an Israeli strike on 01 April, generating international outcry.

The humanitarian suffering that people are experiencing isnt right, and Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to do more to alleviate that. Ive made that very clear to him, Mr Sunak added.

Addressing pressure on the government to suspend arms sales to Israel in order to leverage a ceasefire, Mr Sunak defended Britains current stance, stating that none of our closest allies have halted existing arms export licenses.

01:30 PM BST

Israel setting up new Gaza aid crossing to evade protesters

Israel is planning to open a new border crossing to channel desperately needed aid into northern Gaza amid fears that Israeli protesters will block the current crossing site, local media reported.

Israel is giving up on opening the Erez crossing, fearing it will be blocked by Israeli protesters, Doron Kadosh, an Israeli Army Radio correspondent, said.

Mr Kadosh did not specify where the new crossing will be placed, but said it would be located at a less central position than Erez, which sits at the terminus of a major motorway, in order to prevent protestors from using their trucks to block aid from passing into the war-torn territory.

Israeli protesters have repeatedly attempted to block aid trucks at the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza, arguing that relief should be withheld until the hostages held in Gaza by Hamas are released.

01:23 PM BST

Hamas financier found riddled with bullets in Lebanon villa

A Lebanese man accused of funnelling tens of millions of dollars from Iran to Hamas has been found shot dead in the mountains near Beirut, a security source told AFP.

The body of Mohammad Sarur, who was under US sanctions, was found riddled with bullets on Tuesday in a villa in the town of Beit Mery, just outside the Lebanese capital. Mr Sarur had been shot five times and was in possession of an undisclosed sum of money that the killers did not touch, the source, who was not named, said.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency (NNA) later reported that the body of a 57-year-old Lebanese man, identified by initials that correspond to Mr Sarurs, had been found in the area near Beit Mery.

Mr Sarur was placed under sanctions by the US in 2019 for acting as a middle-man, channelling funds from Irans Revolutionary Guards through Hezbollah in Lebanon to Hamas in order to carry out terrorist attacks from the Gaza Strip.

12:46 PM BST

No date set for Rafah invasion, says Israels defence minister

Yoav Gallant has told his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin, that Israel has not decided when it will invade Rafah, The Times of Israel reported, contradicting prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus comments.

Mr Gallants remarks came in a call with Mr Austin in which he said that Israel is still finalising its plans to evacuate the roughly 1.5 million Palestinians currently sheltering in Gazas southernmost city.

Mr Netanyahu said just hours before that the invasion of Rafah will happen - there is a date, later adding that no force in the world could stop it.

When asked if Mr Netenyahu has briefed Washington on its proposals, Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, told reporters earlier today: If he has a date he hasnt shared it with us.

12:14 PM BST

Pictured: Aid drops into Gaza

Jordan drops humanitarian aid into the Gaza strip - AFP

British army troop parachute aid into Gaza from an RAF jet - CPL TIM LAURENCE/RAF

11:51 AM BST

Israels disproportionate response risks destabilising entire world, says Spanish PM

Spains prime minister Pedro Sanchez has warned that Israels disproportionate response in Gaza risks destabilising the entire world.

Israels absolutely disproportionate response has overturned decades of humanitarian law and threatened to destabilise the Middle East and, as a consequence, the whole world, the prime minister told lawmakers, adding that recognising a Palestinian state is in Europes geopolitical interests.

The international community cannot help the Palestinian state if it does not recognise its existence, he said.

Spain is one of a growing number of European nations, including Ireland, Malta and Slovenia who have announced they are ready to recognise Palestinian statehood.

Mr Sanchez raised the subject during a visit last week to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, when he indicated that Spain could recognise Palestine as a nation by the end of June.

He is due to meet with several other leaders, including those of Norway and Portugal, in the coming days to discuss the issue, a government spokeswoman said.

11:31 AM BST

US Gaza aid pier still weeks away as famine fears grow

US plans to build a $180 floating pier off the coast of Gaza to unload desperately-needed aid are still weeks away from completion, reports suggest.

Constructed by around 1,000 US troops, the pier, located around three miles offshore, is due to become operational in early May and aims to deliver some two million meals a day to the war-torn region.

White House officials have acknowledged the pier is still weeks away and not as efficient in delivering aid as via ground convoys, ABC reported. The officials added that the pier is part of a broader effort to open up every aid route possible to address potential famine in Gaza.

11:15 AM BST

Watch: Netanyahu is making a mistake in Gaza, says Biden

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza is a mistake, said US president Joe Biden as he called for a ceasefire.

I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, Biden told Univision, a US Spanish-language TV network. What Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country.

The release of the interview comes after president Biden called Mr Netanyahu last week and reportedly threatened to withdraw US support for Israels offensive unless it took steps to protect aid workers and civilians.

Mr Biden failed to mention the release of hostages in the interview, forcing the White House to issue a statement confirming that the proposed truce would see 40 Israeli hostages released over the ceasefire period.

11:04 AM BST

Pictured: Israeli troops in action

IDF troops operate in the Gaza strip - IDF

Israeli army troops stand around their tanks in an area along the border with the Gaza Strip - JACK GUEZ/AFP

10:43 AM BST

Bowing to international pressure hurt hostage negotiations, say Israeli officials

Israeli officials have blamed the pullback of IDF troops and the surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza for the anticipated failure of truce talks in Cairo, local media reported.

We gave up our strong bargaining chips for nothing, Israeli sources told Ynet . Hamas is digging in with its demands for an end to a war and a troop withdrawal, and is determined to play tricks with the mediators.

The sources added that Israel softening its stance really hurt negotiations.

Israel pulled its troops out of Khan Younis and pledged to allow more aid into the beleaguered region following last weeks talks with the US, in which president Biden threatened to withdraw support if his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, did not comply.

10:05 AM BST

Israeli military hits dozens of targets in Gaza as Eid begins

Israeli air strikes hit dozens of targets in Gaza over the past day including military sites, launchers, tunnel shafts, and infrastructure, the military reported.

Sites in northern Gaza included Jabalia and Gaza Citys Shejaiya neighbourhood, with one attack targeting a Hamas cell that posed a threat to ground troops, the IDF said.

The airstrikes also resulted in a heavy civilian losses, including the killing of at least four children in the Nuseirat refugee camp, Al Jazeera reported, citing rescue workers.

09:44 AM BST

Pictured: Palestinians mark the start of Eid

A boy distributes sweets to displaced Palestinians as they attend a special morning prayer to start the Eid al-Fitr festival - Mohamed Abed/AFP

09:03 AM BST

Netanyahu only cares about his own survival, says Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi, the former US House speaker, has accused Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, of only being concerned for his own political survival.

I think hes interested in one thing, his own survival, and thats it, the California congresswoman said in a podcast interview with David Axelrod, a former Barack Obama aide.

Ive said this to Netanyahu over the years, I dont know whether you dont know how to make peace, you dont want to make peace, or youre afraid of peace. But you could [be] doing so much more instead of just throwing red meat to [the] crowd.

08:45 AM BST

Israel will attack Iran on its own soil if Tehran carries out direct attack, says foreign minister

Israel has threatened to attack Iran directly if Tehran launches an attack on Israel from its own territory.

If Iran attacks from its own territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran, Israel Katz, the foreign minister, posted on Twitter, tagging Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The threat came moments after Ayatollah Khamenei told a crowd in Tehran that Israels evil regime must be punished, following an airstrike, widely believed to have been carried out by Israel, on the Iranian consular in Damascus last week that killed seven members of Irans Revolutionary Guard.

Iran provides military backing to proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, who have caused disruption across the region since Israels invasion of Gaza.

See post at 8.09am for further details.

08:33 AM BST

Pictured: Palestinians pray in Rafah

Palestinians hold Eid al-Fitr prayers by the ruins of al-Farouk mosque in Rafah - Mohammed Salem/Reuters

08:09 AM BST

Israel must be punished for Syria embassy attack, says Khamenei

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said that Israel must be punished and it shall be for attacking the Iranian embassy compound in Syria.

When they attack the consulate, it is as if they have attacked our soil, Ayatollah Khamenei said in a speech marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be.

His comments come after suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Irans consulate in Damascus last week, killing seven members of Tehrans Revolutionary Guard, in what appeared to be a major escalation of Israels war with regional adversaries.

08:01 AM BST

Hamas unable to meet truce demands, Israeli reports suggest

Hamas is unable to meet Israels demand for the release of 40 living hostages as part of a proposed truce agreement, Israeli television networks reported.

The militant group has claimed doing so would force it to release male Israeli soldiers - a move it has refused to make - as it does not hold 40 living hostages who are either elderly, women or female soldiers, the Kan public broadcaster said.

It added that Hamas wants to releaser fewer than 40 hostages, describing the issue as the biggest obstacle in ongoing negotiations.

Elsewhere, a senior Israeli diplomatic official, who was not named, accused Hamas chief Yahha Sinwar of constantly dragging his feet and opposing an agreement, Israels Channel 12 news reported.

07:46 AM BST

Iran smuggling weapons into West Bank to stoke unrest against Israel

Iran is smuggling weapons to the occupied West Bank in an apparent attempt to foment unrest as part of its ongoing shadow war with Israel, according to US intelligence officials.

Iran has been operating smuggling routes across the Middle East with the help of intelligence operatives, militants and criminal gangs to bring weapons to the West Bank, several security officials from the United States, Israel and Iran told the New York Times on Tuesday.

The Iranian officials who request anonymity said Tehran wants to flood the Israel-occupied Palestinian territories with weapons to foment potential unrest against Israel.

Reports about Irans ongoing smuggling efforts were highlighted by an academic study last year that noted a noticeable uptick in weapons and drugs smuggling into the West Bank via Jordan and Egypt.

Read Nataliyas full report here.
Hand holding a paper sheet with transgender symbol and equal sign inside. Equality between genders concept over a crowded city street background. Sex Photograph: Bulat Silvia/Alamy

A review into the NHSs gender identity services has found that children and young people have been let down by a lack of research and evidence on medical interventions in a debate that has become exceptionally toxic.

Dr Hilary Cass said her report was not about defining what it means to be trans or undermining the validity of trans identities, but about how best to help the growing number of children and young people who are looking for support from the NHS in relation to their gender identity. Here are the reviews key findings.

The evidence

This is an area of remarkably weak evidence, Cass writes in the foreword to her 398-page report.

Despite that, she adds: Results of studies are exaggerated or misrepresented by people on all sides of the debate to support their viewpoint. The reality is that we have no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress.

Related: Children are being used as a football: Hilary Cass on her review of gender identity services

When Cass began her inquiry in 2020, the evidence base, especially about puberty blockers and masculinising and feminising cross-sex hormones was weak. That was exacerbated by the existence of a lot of misinformation, easily accessible online, with opposing sides of the debate pointing to research to justify a position, regardless of the quality of the studies.

Cass commissioned York University to undertake systematic reviews of the evidence on key issues, such as puberty blockers. It found that there continues to be a lack of high-quality evidence in this area. York academics, as part of their research, tried to document the outcomes seen among the 9,000 young people who the Tavistock and Portman NHS trusts gender identity development service (Gids) treated between 2009-2020. However, it was thwarted by a lack of cooperation from [six of Englands seven NHS] adult gender services.

The new NHS services for these young people must routinely collect evidence of what treatments work, and learn from them to improve clinical practice, the report states.

The debate

Cass acknowledges that the discussion around how to care for such young people is polarised, both among health professionals and in wider society. For example, some clinicians believe that most people who present to gender services will go on to have a long-term trans identity and should be supported to access a medical pathway at an early stage.

Related: Mother criticises agenda from above after release of Cass report

Others feel that we are medicalising children and young people whose multiple other difficulties are manifesting through gender confusion and gender-related distress. The toxicity of the debate is exceptional, the report says.

Cass has been criticised for talking both to groups who support gender affirmation  the medical approach  and also those who believe greater caution is needed. Some experienced doctors who have offered different viewpoints have been dismissed and invalidated, she says.

There are few other areas of healthcare where professionals are so afraid to openly discuss their views, where people are vilified on social media and where name-calling echoes the worst bullying behaviour. This must stop.

The toxicity of debate has made some clinicians fearful of working with these young people.

The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust

When its Gids service was set up in 1989, it saw fewer than 10 children a year, mainly birth-registered males who had not reached puberty. Most received therapy and only a few hormones from the age of 16.

But in 2011 the UK began trialling the use of puberty blockers, as a result of the emergence of the Dutch protocol, which involved using them from early puberty. However, a study undertaken in 2015-16, although not published until 2020, shows a lack of any positive measurable outcomes.

Despite this, from 2014 puberty blockers moved from a research-only protocol to being available in routine clinical practice. This adoption of a treatment with uncertain benefits without further scrutiny helped increase the demand among patients for them, the report finds.

An NHS England review in 2019, which examined the evidence on medical intervention and found evidence of its effectiveness to be weak, led to Cass being asked to undertake her review.

Changing patient profile

Referral rates to Gids have rocketed since 2014, but there has also been a shift in the profile of those using services. For centuries transgender people have been predominantly trans females who present in adulthood. Now the vast majority are teenagers who were registered as female at birth.

An audit of discharge notes of Gids patients between 1 April 2018 and 31 December 2022 showed the youngest patient was three, the oldest 18, and 73% were birth-registered females, according to the review, which tries to discover why things have changed so dramatically.

One area it explores is the deterioration in mental health among young people, and the links with social media, which have brought pressures to bear on them that no previous generation has experienced.

The increase in presentations to gender clinics has to some degree paralleled this deterioration in child and adolescent mental health, the review says. Mental health problems have risen in both boys and girls, but have been most striking in girls and young women.

Youngsters who present with gender identity issues to services may also have depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, tics and eating disorders, as well as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Referrals to Gids are also associated with higher than average rates of adverse childhood experiences, the review says.

There is no single explanation for the increase in prevalence of gender incongruence or the change in case-mix of those being referred to gender services, the review says, concluding instead that gender incongruence is a result of a complex interplay between biological, psychological and social factors.

Transitioning

Young peoples sense of their identity is not always fixed and can evolve over time, Cass says.

Whilst some young people may feel an urgency to transition, young adults looking back at their younger selves would often advise slowing down, the report says.

For some, the best outcome will be transition, whereas others may resolve their distress in other ways. Some may transition and then de/retransition and/or experience regret. The NHS needs to care for all those seeking support.

Social transitioning

Social transitioning is the process by which individuals make social changes in order to live as a different gender, such as changing name, pronouns, hair or clothing, and it is something that schools in England have been grappling with in recent years.

According to the Cass review, many children and young people attending Gids have already changed their names by deed-poll and attend school in their chosen gender by the time they are seen.

The review says research on the impact of social transition is generally of a poor quality and the findings are contradictory. Some studies suggest that allowing a child to socially transition may improve mental health and social and educational participation.

Others say a child who is allowed to socially transition is more likely to have an altered trajectory, leading to medical intervention, which will have life-long implications, when they might otherwise have desisted.

Given the weakness of the research in this area there remain many unknowns about the impact of social transition, the review concludes. In particular, it is unclear whether it alters the trajectory of gender development, and what short- and longer-term impact this may have on mental health.

The review recommends that parents should be involved in decision making, unless there are strong grounds to believe this may put a child at risk, and where children are pre-puberty, families should be seen as early as possible by a clinician with relevant experience. It also suggests avoiding premature decisions and considering partial rather than full transitioning as a way of keeping options open.

Future care

The report says that in the future any young person seeking NHS help with gender-related distress should be screened to see if they have any neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder, and also given a mental health assessment.

NHS England has already in effect banned the use of puberty blockers because of limited evidence that they work. Cass found that there is no evidence that puberty blockers buy time to think, which their advocates have claimed. There is also concern that they may change the trajectory of psychosexual and gender identity development as well as pose long-term risks to users bone health, the review says.

There is also a lack of evidence to prove that masculinising and feminising hormones improve a young persons body satisfaction and psychosocial health, and there is concern over the impact on fertility, growth and bone health. There is also no evidence they reduce the risk of suicide in children, as their proponents have claimed.

Lastly, the evidence base showing whether psychosocial interventions  therapy  work for those who do not undergo hormone treatment is as weak as for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

All this means that there is a major gap in our knowledge about how best to support and help the growing population of young people with gender-related distress in the context of complex presentations.
Rosie Duffield was placed under investigation by the party last year for campaigning against gender ideology - Andrew Hasson

Labour has become embroiled in another trans row after Wes Streeting welcomed the Cass review into NHS gender services and pledged to implement it in full.

The shadow health secretary said the report raised some serious concerns that are pretty scandalous.

But Rosie Duffield, a Labour MP placed under investigation by the party last year for campaigning against gender ideology, pointed out that women who had exposed the scandal had been blanked, sidelined and dismissed by male leaders simply for speaking up.

And feminist Julie Bindel demanded an apology from Mr Streeting for failing to support her gender-critical views when he was president of the National Union of Students.

In reply to Ms Bindels accusation, Mr Streeting replied: From memory (16 years on, so correct me if Im wrong!) I replied to confirm that you werent on NUS no platform policy and as this was in relation to a motion passed by the autonomous womens campaign I was not empowered to overturn it (not least as a male president!).

Labour has long been divided on trans issues and has been accused of flip-flopping on its stance.

The party no longer has plans to bring in self-ID for trans people, and Sir Keir Starmer has rowed back from saying trans women are women, and now states that a woman is an adult female and that 99.9 per cent of them do not have a penis.

Earlier this year the party dropped a year-long investigation into a complaint that Ms Duffield had been transphobic for liking a tweet by Father Ted creator Graham Linehan, who is now a gender-critical campaigner.

However, despite the changes, critics of the Labour leadership say gender-critical women in the party continue to be sidelined or not selected.

Wes Streeting says the Cass report raised 'some serious concerns that are pretty scandalous' - Jay Williams

The Cass review, published on Wednesday, said much of the evidence for gender medicine was flimsy and that drugs such as puberty blockers should be used with extreme caution as children who think they are trans may have mental health problems.

Dr Hilary Cass, the paediatrician behind the report, said some NHS gender clinics refused to comment on requests for information.

Speaking on The Suns Never Mind the Ballots programme, Mr Streeting said: I think weve got to ask ourselves why is it that weve seen medical interventions that have been given on the basis of very weak evidence?

How is it that clinicians have been silenced or afraid to come forward? Why is it that a group of young people who are extremely vulnerable are waiting years to access treatment?

I think theres plenty of blame to go around. Im pretty angry actually that despite this review having been commissioned there are some NHS trusts that refused to co-operate.

And I want to send a clear message to them that under a Labour government therell be accountability for that, youre not going to get away with it. And I want to work constructively with the Government to try to get this right.

Earlier, he had tweeted: Childrens healthcare should always be led by evidence and childrens welfare, free from culture wars

The Government must now immediately act, but if they do not, the next Labour government will work to implement the expert recommendations of the Cass review, to ensure that young people are receiving appropriate and high-quality care.

This prompted Ms Duffield to retweet the statement, with the message: To the many women blanked, sidelined, dismissed by male leaders when speaking up and exposing this for years.

Julie Bindel demanded an apology from Mr Streeting for failing to support her gender-critical views when he was president of the National Union of Students - Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock

And Ms Bindel, a former Labour Party member, wrote: Glad to see you are now openly critical of the gender ideology that led to the atrocities against children outlined in the Cass report.

I am open to accepting an apology from you. In 2008, when you were NUS president, I was no-platformed alongside five fascist groups for transphobia.

I contacted you and asked for your help. You gave none. I asked you to condemn those that had orchestrated the no-platforming, and you refused.

Have you any idea of the reputational damage this caused me? How it gave others permission to no-platform, denounce and defame me?

How it meant that I could be slandered by other organisations, and so many, many universities around the UK and elsewhere? If this sounds bitter then good, because I am.

To this message, Ms Duffield said: Thank you for leading us all here Julie. Without you, most of us wouldnt have had a clue what had been happening to children who were far too young to have the critical faculties or agency to consent.
Floral tributes left at the scene of the fatal attack in Bradford city centre. Photograph: Dave Higgens/PA

A 25-year-old man has been charged with murdering a woman who was with her baby in a pram in Bradford city centre.

Habibur Masum is accused of fatally stabbing Kulsuma Akter, 27, on a busy city street as she shopped with a friend on Saturday afternoon. He will appear at Bradford magistrates court on Thursday.

Masum was detained by police in the Buckinghamshire town of Aylesbury, 140 miles from Bradford, on Tuesday morning after a four-day hunt.

Akters cousin, Aftab Miah, on Wednesday paid tribute to the polite and humble young mother who made the people around her laugh.

Miah told the BBC that her family were devastated. Akters mother, who lives in Bangladesh, was distraught and had never stopped crying since the fatal attack, he said.

In a statement, West Yorkshire police said: Habibur Masum, 25, of Leamington Avenue, Burnley has been charged  with murder and possession of a bladed article.

A 23-year-old man arrested in the Cheshire area on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released on bail. Four other men were arrested in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire on suspicion of assisting an offender and drug offences. The men aged 23, 26, 28, and 29, from the West Midlands area, are currently in custody.

Shaun Sigamoney, the district crown prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said: The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised West Yorkshire police to charge Habibur Masum with murder and possession of a bladed article, following the death of Kulsuma Akter, who was fatally stabbed in Bradford city centre on Saturday 6 April.

Prosecutors from CPS Yorkshire and Humbersides complex casework unit authorised the charges following a review of a file of evidence from West Yorkshire police.

Our thoughts are with Kulsuma Akters family at this time. We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that they have a right to a fair trial.

It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

Masum is understood to be originally from Bangladesh.
If you moved somewhere new within the U.S. last year, there's a good chance you moved into one of Texas's rapidly growing counties. Of the top 10 counties that Americans moved to last year, five were in Texas according to new population estimates from the Census Bureau.

The Houston and Dallas metros, especially, have seen enormous growth  the most of any metro in the country  bolstered in large part by people from other parts of the country moving into the suburban counties surrounding the bustling cities at the center of those metro areas.

But domestic migration, or people moving into an area from other areas of the country, is not the whole story. International migration  people moving into an area from outside of the country  and natural change  births minus deaths in an area  also play a big factor.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Although the Houston and Dallas metros are similar in the overall number of people they added last year, they exhibit some interesting differences in how they are growing. For example, nearly 40% of the Houston metro's growth can be explained by international migration. In the Dallas metro, that number sits below 30%.

Construction continues at Woodmill Creek, a community of 189 build-to-rent, multifamily homes, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in The Woodlands. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

There are many other nuances among the major Texas metros as well. For example, in the San Antonio metro, a whopping 63% of the population growth resulted from domestic migration. That number was closer to 45% in the Austin metro, 40% in the Dallas metro and 28% in the Houston metro.

Meanwhile, other smaller Texas metros, like the McAllen and Killeen metros, saw an especially large share of their population growth come from natural change. Explore other Texas metros below.

Below, we've broken down how the population is changing in Texas and across America's more than 3,100 counties. Explore each region of the country or the country as a whole.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

(Editor's note:  Best viewed on a larger screen)

Domestic migration

The big winners for domestic migration last year were all counties in the South. Rounding out the list of the top 25 counties that Americans moved to were 10 in Texas: Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties in the Houston metro area; Collin, Denton, Kaufman and Ellis Counties in the Dallas metro; Williamson and Hays Counties in the Austin metro; and Bexar and Comal Counties in the San Antonio metro.

Generally, large counties that include big cities, like Harris, Dallas and Travis Counties, saw large numbers of people move out and head elsewhere, while their surrounding counties saw large influxes of domestic migrants. Interestingly, Bexar County, a large county that includes San Antonio, bucked this trend and still saw impressive growth in domestic migration, adding more than 10,000 people between 2022 and 2023. It has seen positive domestic migration since at least 2010.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

More from Matt Zdun: Mayor Whitmire said Houston firefighters are severely underpaid. Does the data support his claim?

Nationwide, the counties that include Los Angeles, Chicago and New York lost the most residents to other areas of the country. Regionally, the American South is experiencing more growth than other regions of the country.

International migration

Nearly 42,000 people moved to Harris County last year from outside of the country. That was the second highest level of international migration, behind Miami-Dade County in Florida.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Dallas County also cracked the list of top 10 counties with most international migration behind Los Angeles and Santa Clara Counties in California, Broward County in Florida and Cook County in Illinois. In general, the counties with larger cities also recorded larger flows of international migrants.

Natural population change

No other county in the U.S. had a higher natural population increase than Harris County, with about 35,000 more births than deaths. Harris County eclipsed Los Angeles County, which recorded a natural increase of about 22,000 people. For much of the last decade, in the early to mid 2010s, Los Angeles County had actually recorded higher natural population increases than Harris County. That trend reversed around the pandemic years.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Its hard enough as a parent without having the entire society or media pointing at transgender people as if theyre some aberration, said the mother of a trans child. Photograph: Sopa Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

While the Cass reports 400 pages will be pored over and debated, one thing is certain  young trans people face an anxious future.

The mother of a 17-year-old trans girl who was a patient at the now-shut Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust said she had initially welcomed Casss inquiry, but had been left disappointed.

She had believed the Tavistock was fundamentally not fit for purpose as a specialist clinic set up to handle a small number of patients, but the hysterical environment surrounding the report was leading to young people losing out on healthcare.

The closure of the Tavistock left her childs care up in the air. We were wondering what the hell was going on. In fact, we heard nothing  the first letter we got from the NHS about what was going on was a week after Gids closed.

She described being shocked as hell when her child began saying she was a girl at the age of eight in 2015. A charity recommended she be referred to the Tavistock, on the basis that it would either go away or it wouldnt  and it didnt go away.

[Because she was autistic] they took everything really slowly. Really, really slowly.

There had been frustrating times at the beginning when I felt that we were a little bit on trial as parents, as if they were looking for evidence that it might be something we dreamt up, she said.

[I thought] do we really come across as the kind of parents who are absolutely delighted to have a transgender child? We might be the kind of parents whod be absolutely willing to support our transgender child, but in an ideal world I would much rather my child was growing up in a way in which she wasnt sticking out like a sore thumb and potentially going to end up dead.

Her daughters gender dysphoria diagnosis finally came in 2022, six years after they first saw a clinician. She began puberty blockers a year later.

Puberty blockers have been really good for her. As she entered puberty, she was really, really dysphoric about her shoulders, her facial hair growing her voice deepening. She was very distressed by it and very sad.

Related: Children are being used as a football: Hilary Cass on her review of gender identity services

The woman said the Cass report represented an agenda from up on high that things need to be more difficult. Its hard enough as a parent without having the entire society or media pointing at transgender people as if theyre some aberration or as if they threaten us.

Amelia Hansford, a 25-year-old transgender journalist, agreed. Hansford was herself referred to Gids as well as receiving some private treatment. She said younger people were in a worse position now than she had been when she sought help.

Related: What are the key findings of the NHS gender identity review?

I think if I was 15 or 16 years old and growing up in the UK right now, with feelings of gender dysphoria  its just such a different time. And I think its so dangerous to be a trans person in a lot of different ways.

Hansford said trans healthcare was undervalued by society when you considered how life-changing it can be. I would say that, for me, going on [hormone therapies] has been the single greatest thing that has ever happened to me, she said.

Its effectively changed my life. And I think its just important to emphasise that fact, that it was built out of necessity and it is just the most important thing I think Ive ever done in my life.

Hansford welcomed some of Casss recommendations, such as the creation of regional centres, rather than having one in London.

I think that is a step in the right direction, she said. However, you have to think about implementation. If were already seeing issues with the regional centres that have opened up in early April  the expertise of the people that are working there. If these regional centres are not up to snuff, then all of this is going to be a moot point, right?

One 18-year-old trans man who had been prescribed puberty blockers at a private clinic before moving on to gender affirming hormones said he was disappointed in how difficult it would be for younger people to access them. He sought help from a private clinic because of the long waiting lists at the Tavistock.

Puberty blockers are just supposed to be a pause. And thats all it was for me, he said, adding that they gave him time to think. If I hadnt gone on the blockers, I wouldnt pass [as a male].

A notion that someone out there was convincing young people to become trans, which no one in their right mind would do, meant it was becoming harder for trans youngsters to access puberty blockers, he said.

But he said: I think in a world where youve got to pick your battles, (puberty blockers) wouldnt be the battle that I picked, in my opinion.

What would it be? Waiting lists.
NSW Aboriginal affairs minister David Harris says the old colonial view of a treaty is redundant now and its actually about ongoing, fluid, flexible agreements. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The Guardian

The New South Wales government will try to avoid acting as a white colonial body imposing its terms on Aboriginal people when it begins consulting with communities across the state about treaty later this year.

Over 12 months, Aboriginal communities will be asked if they would want to take part in a formal agreement-making process and if so what they would want it to look like.

The consultation process will be led by three commissioners to be appointed before the middle of the year after a recruitment process opening today.

Related: Labor mayor and Indigenous groups to challenge NSW bail laws for children at party conference

The NSW Aboriginal affairs and treaty minister, David Harris, hoped the government could eventually pursue a more modern path which could include a treaty or multiple agreements.

The old colonial view of sit down with the party and sign a treaty is redundant now and its actually about ongoing, fluid, flexible agreements, that parties can come back and renegotiate if necessary, he said.

Ahead of the voice referendum last year, the premier, Chris Minns, told Guardian Australia that NSW was open to a voice to parliament similar to the South Australian model if that was the result of consultation.

He was also open to following truth-telling and treaty processes under way in Victoria and Queensland.

I dont want to put preconceived ideas on it, Minns said at the time.

Closing the gap in key areas including life expectancy, health and education was the goal, and engaging in consultation would further that if it was driven by the community, Harris said.

It cant be the government dictating again to Aboriginal communities about what the conversation should look like, he said.

Weve been really clear that this has to be from community. Otherwise its just white colonial government telling Aboriginal people this is how were going to negotiate.

Once appointed, the commissioners will consult with communities and then report back with their findings including recommendations for next steps. They will be employed on two-year terms that end shortly before the next state election.

The government warned the process would be neither simple nor short.

This is not a discussion about what would be in a treaty, it would be about a process for having that conversation, Harris said.

Its important that we dont put the cart before the horse.

The NSW government has faced fierce criticism in recent weeks after changing the law to make it harder for children and teenagers to get bail in response to youth crime in regional parts of the state.

The Aboriginal Legal Service chief executive, Karly Warner, said the change was a shocking step backward on Closing the Gap.

Harris said people need to look at the bail laws in the total context of which theyve been put forward, pointing to the 12-month sunset clause and the money for community initiatives announced alongside it.

He hoped the governments step towards a treaty process could help build trust within the community after the crushing voice referendum defeat last year in which almost 60% of NSW residents voted against the proposal.

Aboriginal communities operate a lot on trust and governments coming in having a quick conversation then leaving again  you dont have trust, Harris said.

We have to create an environment where parties can equally sit at the table, and that theres trust that if they reach an agreement, that agreement will be honoured.

There is no defined role for truth-telling in the $5m consultation plan but Harris expected it to naturally become part of the consultation.
After the closure of the gender identity development service at the Tavistock centre in 2023 the NHS pledged to open eight regional clinics delivering a different model of care. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A long-awaited review by consultant paediatrician Hilary Cass into the NHSs gender services for children calls for a dramatic shift in the type of treatment offered to children and young people with gender dysphoria.

The report proposes that instead of being offered mainly medical treatment, young people referred to NHS gender services should receive a holistic assessment of their needs to inform an individualised care plan, meaning that questions of gender identity should be treated alongside other possible mental health concerns.

It found that a medical pathway, such as puberty blockers, would not necessarily be the best option for children with gender dysphoria, and should not be provided without also addressing wider mental health and/or psychosocially challenging problems. The review suggests this should include screening for neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, and a mental health assessment.

The idea of a holistic assessment has so far been welcomed by medical experts, such as Dr Lade Smith, the president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, who said: Children who are gender questioning also commonly experience mental illness. It is extremely important that every child who is gender questioning has timely access to services that are holistic and respond to their individual needs.

But the proposals will have major implications for wider childrens mental health services, which are already overstretched.

Related: Mother criticises agenda from above after release of Cass report

The waiting lists for gender-affirming care on the NHS are incredibly long. As of August 2022, there were 26,234 adults waiting for a first appointment with an adult gender dysphoria clinic, of whom 23,561 had been waiting more than 18 weeks. The number of children on the waiting list was approximately 7,600, of whom about 6,100 had been waiting more than 18 weeks.

In October, a coroner concluded that long waiting lists and barriers that prevent transgender people accessing gender-affirming care in the UK contributed to a decline in the mental health of Alice Litman, a young trans woman who killed herself in 2022.

Related: Children are being used as a football: Hilary Cass on her review of gender identity services

The Cass report acknowledges that long waiting lists are a barrier to the NHSs ability to provide effective gender-affirming care. It states: It is only when they have been on very long waiting lists, and sidelined from usual care in local services, that they are forced to do their own research and may come to a single medical answer to their problems.

However, general mental health services for young people are no better.

More than a quarter of a million (270,300) children and young people in England are still waiting for mental health support after being referred to children and young peoples mental health services in 2022-23, according to the childrens commissioner.

Between July and September of last year, children and young people who had an appointment for suspected autism had waited on average nine months (295 days) after their initial referral. This is despite the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommending that people with suspected autism should be diagnosed within three months of a referral.

Casss report said long waiting lists for gender services were in part due to an unprecedented increase in demand in recent years, which created an unsustainable service model. Prior to 2009, Gids (the gender identity development service) did not attract significant attention. At that time, the service saw fewer than 50 children a year, with even fewer receiving medical treatment, the report states.

Related: What are the key findings of the NHS gender identity review?

Since the closure of the Gids clinic at the Tavistock and Portman NHS foundation trust in London in 2023, NHS England pledged to open eight regional clinics delivering a different model of care. The report has welcomed this, saying the regional centres should allow care and risk to be actively managed  reducing waiting times for specialist care. But since only one of these regional centres has opened, waiting lists will remain high for the foreseeable future.
Mikhail Fridman amassed his estimated 11 billion fortune in oil, telecoms banking, and retail - POOL/REUTERS

Mikhail Fridman, one of Britains richest Russians living in Britain, has won an appeal at a European Union court to remove him from the blocs sanctions.

The Luxembourg-based court found that there was not sufficient evidence that the billionaire, and his business colleague Petr Aven, had backed the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine.

The ruling is a significant blow to the stability of the EUs sanctions crackdown on Moscow, which has targeted over 1,700 people and 400 entities for supporting the war.

Judges at the EUs General Court ruled that while there is a degree of proximity between Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman and Vladimir Putin or his entourage, the bloc had failed to demonstrate that [the men had] supported actions or policies in the invasion of Ukraine.

The General Court considers that none of the reasons set out in the initial acts is sufficiently substantiated and that the inclusion of Mr Aven and Mr Fridman on the lists at issue was therefore not justified, the court said in a statement.

Their decision marked the most high-profile overturning of EU sanctions since Russian businessmen first had their measures lifted in September last year.

Judges say the inclusion of Petr Aven on the sanctions list is also not justified - Epsilon/Getty Images North America

Mr Fridman, 59, who amassed his estimated 11 billion fortune in oil, telecoms banking, and retail, arrived in London nearly a decade ago.

He first moved to London in 2013 after selling his stake in oil giant TNK-BP to Russian state-controlled Rosneft in a $55 billion deal, one of the largest takeovers in Russias history.

The Ukrainian-born, Russian-Israeli tycoon is one of the co-founders of Russian conglomerate Alfa-Group and bought the historic Athlone House in Highgate, north London, for 65 million in 2016.

He was also sanctioned by Britain in March 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, resulting in his bank accounts being blocked.

Mr Fridman has previously denied being an oligarch, claiming to have no association with Putin, and denied being pro-Kremlin.

The businessman fled Britain to Moscow, via Israel, in October last year. It was reported that he had intended to stay in Israel but left the country as Hamas terrorists launched their attack.

Mr Fridmans lawyers previously said that he does not intend to return to the UK.

At the same time, he had asked Britains High Court to allow him to pay 30,000 a month toward the upkeep of Athlone House, which contains his 44 million art collection.

Mr Fridman bought Athlone House in Highgate for 65m in 2016 - gavin rodgers/pixel8000

He also wanted to spend money on non-security staff  including a driver and two handymen  and make another monthly payment of 1,850 for communications, IT, lighting and security for the 169-year-old property.

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation rejected the spending requests, arguing that payments for staff were unnecessary and would enable Mr Fridman to enjoy his pre-sanctions lifestyle.

The sanctioned businessman earlier this year won an employment lawsuit brought by his former housekeeper after a judge ruled that paying her would be a criminal offence.

The latest ruling by the EUs General Court only applies to their inclusion on the blocs sanction list between February 2022 and March 2023.

An EU decision in January, however, renewed the sanctions regime until July 31 2024.

Both Mr Fridman and Mr Aven, both of whom are major shareholders of Alfa Group, which includes Russias top private bank Alfa Bank and its biggest food retailer X5 Retail Group, have lodged separate appeals against that action.

The EUs sanction regime has frozen the finances and issued travel bans to people deemed to have supported actions and policies that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Mr Fridmans inclusion on the UKs sanction list is unaffected by this ruling.
The high court ruled that then immigration minister Alex Hawke could rely on department briefs that accurately summarise material relating to visa decisions. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The immigration minister is not required to personally read submissions for intervention on visa decisions, the high court has ruled, in a decision breaking Labors losing streak on sensitive migration cases.

On Wednesday, the high court unanimously ruled in favour of Andrew Giles in a long-running case featuring a bizarre photo of a signed ministerial brief next to a steering wheel.

Related: Refugee Sayed Abdellatif freed after almost 12 years in Australian immigration detention

On 14 April 2021, the then immigration minister, Alex Hawke, decided not to reinstate the visa of Joseph Leon McQueen, a father-of-seven and grandfather-of-three  who had spent 22 years in Australia  due to his drug convictions.

The federal court overturned Hawkes decision the following year, finding the minister was directed to sign here by stickers on his brief without sufficient personal consideration of the case.

That finding was supported by a photo showing a signed page in a two-ring binder marked with the stickers sitting in an unidentified persons lap by a steering wheel, in what three judges of the full federal court labelled an unusual and somewhat bizarre factual situation.

The full federal court upheld the original decision, prompting an appeal by the Albanese government which feared a precedent had been set that would consign the minister to a legal obligation to read every word on every page of every document.

In the high court, the chief justice, Stephen Gageler, and justices Michelle Gordon, James Edelman, Simon Steward and Jacqueline Gleeson found that Hawke did not read or otherwise consider any of the actual representations made by the respondent, or on his behalf.

In a majority judgment, they rejected the statement made in the draft reasons that the minister had considered the documents the respondent had submitted.

Nevertheless, the court held that the minister was not required to read the submissions received in every case, but can rely on departmental briefs which accurately summarise that material.

So long as the representations are appropriate to be summarised and that process of distillation is accurate and provides a full account of the essential content, it will be lawful for the minister to read the summary and nothing more, they said.

In separate written reasons, justices Jayne Jagot and Robert Beech-Jones noted the grave consequences of visa cancellation, but also allowed the appeal.

They said it was up to the person challenging the validity of the decision to identify the matter in, or the particular aspect of the form of, the representations that required the personal attention of the minister.

In a separate case decided on Wednesday, the court ruled in favour of LPDT, a Vietnamese national, who argued that the Administrative Appeals Tribunal had made a material error by finding his criminal offending, which included trafficking a drug of dependence, had been of a very serious nature.

Related: Australia claims it is a multicultural success story. So why does it want to use godlike laws to ringfence the nation? | Julianne Schultz

The full federal court found this was an error but dismissed the appeal on the basis it was not material. The high court disagreed, finding that the tribunals decision could have been different had there been no error.

On 17 April the high court will hear the case of ASF17, an Iranian man detained for more than a decade who refuses to meet Iranian authorities because he fears for his life if he is removed to Iran because he is bisexual.

The case will test whether people in immigration detention must be released if their refusal to cooperate has prevented them being deported.
Rishi Sunak said he has been a 'long-time devotee' of Adidas trainers

Rishi Sunak has apologised to wearers of Adidas Samba trainers after being accused of ruining their credibility as a fashionable shoe.

The Prime Minister said that he had been a long-time devotee of trainers from the sportswear brand and had worn their shoes for many years after a video of him in white Adidas Samba trainers went viral on social media.

Mr Sunaks footwear choice sparked a backlash from fans, even prompting British GQ magazine to publish an article: Can Rishi Sunak leave the Adidas Samba alone, please?

The mens magazine said the Prime Minister took an eternally cool sneaker, and ruined it for everyone and issued a plea to future prime ministers to stay away from our sneakers.

Mr Sunak told LBC Radio: I issue a fulsome apology to the Samba community. But, in my defence, I would say I have been wearing Adidas trainers including Sambas  and others, in fact  for many, many years.

The first pair my brother got for me many, many years ago  my first pair of fun Adidas trainers as a Christmas present. I havent looked back since. So Ive been a longtime devotee.

Mr Sunak was filmed wearing the popular shoes in an interview shared on Instagram in Downing Street last week about the Governments plans for childcare expansion.

Mr Sunak wearing the popular shoes in an interview last week

Nick Ferrari, of LBC, told the Prime Minister during the phone-in: You stand accused of destroying a fashion icon, the so-called Adidas Samba shoe that you were wearing recently.

People like you should not be wearing them because theyre hip. Did you choose them Prime Minister?

Mr Sunak replied: That pair (in the video) I did buy. Laughing, he added: As ever I remain intrigued and amused by the amount of focus on what Im wearing.

Footwear historian Elizabeth Semmelhack said in The Times earlier this week that Mr Sunak could have dealt the the death knell to the Adidas Samba, having attempted to tap into what is a widespread fashion moment but in a way that lacks authenticity.

Recommended

How Rishi killed off the biggest trainer trend in one fell swoop

Read more

The Prime Minister is no stranger to controversy over his sartorial choices, in particular regarding his suits and the length of his trousers.

When recently questioned about why his trousers were so short, Mr Sunak told The Suns Never Mind the Ballots show: I dont think they are that short, actually.

He added: I tend not to like lots of baggy, baggy stuff at the bottom of my ankle. I dont think they are that short.

Mr Sunak also caused a stir when pictured wearing Palm Angels sliders in 2021, which cost around 95.

Adidas Samba trainers, priced at 90, have previously been spotted on such celebrities as Rihanna and Harry Styles, as well as models Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid.
Dr Hilary Cass said care was made difficult to provide by the way in which opposing sides had pointed to research to justify a position, regardless of the quality of the studies. Photograph: Catherine McQueen/Getty Images

Thousands of vulnerable children questioning their gender identity have been let down by the NHS providing unproven treatments and by the toxicity of the trans debate, a landmark report has found.

The UKs only NHS gender identity development service used puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, which masculinise or feminise peoples appearances, despite remarkably weak evidence that they improve the wellbeing of young people and concern they may harm health, Dr Hilary Cass said.

Related: What are the key findings of the NHS gender identity review?

Cass, a leading consultant paediatrician, stressed that her findings were not intended to undermine the validity of trans identities or challenge peoples right to transition, but rather to improve the care of the fast-growing number of children and young people with gender-related distress.

Related: Guidance to allow transgender children to socially transition in English schools

But she said this care was made even more difficult to provide by the polarised public debate, and the way in which opposing sides had pointed to research to justify a position, regardless of the quality of the studies.

There are few other areas of healthcare where professionals are so afraid to openly discuss their views, where people are vilified on social media, and where name-calling echoes the worst bullying behaviour. This must stop.

NHS England commissioned her inquiry in 2020 amid rising concern over the care provided by the Tavistock and Portman NHS mental health trusts gender identity development services (Gids). It treated about 9,000 children and young people, with an average age at referral of 14, during 2009-2020.

Related: Review of NHS gender services for children has major implications for mental health services

Her inquiry has already led to NHS England shutting Gids, banning puberty blockers and switching to a new holistic model of care in which under-18s experiencing confusion about their gender identity will routinely receive psychological support rather than medical intervention.

For most young people, a medical pathway will not be the best way to manage their gender-related distress. For those young people for whom a medical pathway is clinically indicated, it is not enough to provide this without also addressing wider mental health and/or psychosocially challenging problems, said Cass, an ex-president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

The report recommends that all such young people should be screened to detect neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder, and there should be an assessment of their mental health, because many who seek help with their gender identity also have ADHD, anxiety or depression, for example.

Some transgender adults are leading positive and successful lives, and feeling empowered by having made the decision to transition, Cass said. However, I have spoken to people who have detransitioned, some of whom deeply regret their earlier decisions, she added.

While some young people may feel an urgency to transition, young adults looking at their younger selves would often advise slowing down, the report says.

Some of the young adults said to us they wished theyd known when they were younger that there were more ways of being trans than just a binary medical transition, Cass told the Guardian.

In her report, she outlines how the Tavistock trust began prescribing puberty blockers much more widely in 2014, despite a lack of evidence that they helped.

In an interview with the Guardian, Cass said that gender-questioning children have been let down by the NHS, health professionals and a woeful lack of evidence about what treatment works.

One of the things that has let them down is that the toxicity of the debate has been so great that people have become afraid to work in this area.

A majority of people have been so afraid, because of the lack of guidance, lack of research, and how polarised this is that theyve passed [patients] straight on to Gids.

Related: Mother criticises agenda from above after release of Cass report

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said: Todays report must provide a watershed moment for the NHSs gender identity services. Childrens healthcare should always be led by evidence and childrens welfare, free from culture wars. Clinicians and parents alike want the best for children at this crucial developmental stage. This report provides an evidence-led framework to deliver that.

Sallie Baxendale, a professor of clinical neuropsychology at University College London, said that Casss report has laid bare the worrying lack of evidence to support the treatments that were prescribed by NHS clinicians to children with gender distress for over a decade.

These treatments inflicted significant harm on some of the most vulnerable children in our society.

Exceptionalism often lies at the heart of medical scandals when services go rogue and start to operate outside the normal parameters of clinical practice.

However, Dr Aidan Kelly, a clinical psychologist specialising in gender who left the Tavistock in 2021, said the NHS was struggling to recruit skilled and experienced people to run the planned eight clinics that will provide the new, broader model of care.

Although Gids wasnt perfect, we had a service with a history and expertise. There were things that needed to change but at least holding on to the knowledge that was accrued over time would have made sense to me, he said.

Disputing many of Casss findings he said that a recent German review had found that puberty blockers were safe and effective. NHS Englands switch to a wholly different way of treating young people confused about their gender identity has left England out of step with the rest of the world, he added.

Cass disclosed in the report that six of the NHSs seven specialist gender services in England for adults had thwarted an attempt by York University, at her request, to obtain and analyse the health outcomes of people who had been treated by Gids in order to improve future care.

This refusal to cooperate was coordinated, she told the Guardian. It seemed to me to be ideologically-driven.. Clinicians caring for those with gender-related distress are very divided on how best to do that, she acknowledges in the report.

It also documents how Gids experienced both an explosion in demand for its service from 2010, and also a huge increase in the number of birth-registered females, in a reversal of the pattern of referrals.

Cass said that online influencers had played a key role in fuelling confusion among young people about their gender identity and what they needed to do to change it.

We havent done a comprehensive search but certainly when we were told about particular influencers I followed some of those up. Some of them give them very unbalanced information.

And some of them [young people] were told that parents would not understand so that they had to actively separate from their parents or distance their parents. All the evidence shows that family support is really key to peoples well being. So there was really some dangerous influencing going on, she said.

Rishi Sunak said: We simply do not know the long-term impacts of medical treatment or social transitioning on them, and we should therefore exercise extreme caution.

We acted swiftly on Dr Casss interim report to make changes in schools and our NHS, providing comprehensive guidance for schools and stopping the routine use of puberty blockers, and we will continue to ensure we take the right steps to protect young people.
Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl in Arlington, Virginia, on 1 November 2018. Photograph: Joshua Roberts/Reuters

Two far-right conspiracy theorists will pay up to $1.25m in fines for launching a robocall campaign to discourage Black New York voters from participating in the 2020 election, the New York attorney general announced on Tuesday.

Jacob Wohl, of Irvine, California, and Jack Burkman, of Arlington, Virginia, were found liable in March 2023 for targeting about 5,500 Black voters as part of the robocall scheme.

Under the latest settlement agreement, Wohl and Burkman will pay more than $1m to the New York attorney generals office, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and individuals harmed in the robocall campaign.

The three parties filed a lawsuit against Wohl and Burkman in 2021 after an investigation by the attorney generals office found that the pair had broken several state and federal laws.

In New York, callers were falsely told that their personal information would be added to a public database and used by police departments to track outstanding warrants or for mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations.

One call claimed to come from a spokesperson for a civil rights organization founded by Wohl and Burkman, according to a script shared in the press release.

Mail-in voting sounds great, but did you know that if you vote by mail, your personal information will be part of a public database that will be used by police departments to track down old warrants and be used by credit card companies to collect outstanding debts? The CDC is even pushing to use records for mail-in voting to track people for mandatory vaccines, the call said.

The call then warned that voters should not be finessed into giving your private information to the man and should beware of vote by mail.

One voter suffered severe anxiety and distress from the robocalls and later withdrew his voter registration, the press release said.

To address the robocalls false claims, NCBCP used considerable resources to reach misinformed voters.

In Tuesdays release, the New York attorney general, Letitia James, called the robocall scheme depraved.

Wohl and Burkman orchestrated a depraved and disinformation-ridden campaign to intimidate Black voters in an attempt to sway the election in favor of their preferred candidate, James said.

These men engaged in a conspiracy to suppress Black votes in the 2020 general election, said the NCBCP president, Melanie Campbell, in Tuesdays press release. They used intimidation and scare tactics, attempting to spread harmful disinformation about voting in an effort to silence Black voices. Their conduct cannot and will not be tolerated

The settlement agreement is the latest punishment for Wohl and Burkman, who ran similar schemes in at least two other states.

Wohl and Burkman were previously ordered to complete 500 hours of registering voters in lower income neighborhoods by an Ohio judge after pleading guilty to charges in connection to a similar robocall campaign.

Wohl and Burkman also face additional charges in Michigan, CNN reported.
Recruits of Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade undergo training - VADIM GHIRDA

Ukrainian soldiers have criticised the countrys new conscription law after provisions were removed to send soldiers home from the front lines after 3 years.

It had been hoped that the bill, which has been the subject of heated debate, would have paved the way for the demobilisation of soldiers after 36 months of service.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, had previously promised that conscripts would start being demobilised from April.

But the provision was removed from the final version of the mobilisation bill by Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

A Ukrainian army doctor from the 72nd Mechanised Brigade treats a soldier in the Donbas region - JOHN MOORE/GETTY

Maksym Nesmyanov, an officer in Ukraines border guards, wrote on Facebook: This is a disaster. How could it be possible to promise demobilisation to soldiers from December 2023, only to abandon them at the end. You cant take away hope from soldiers that they will return home.

The mobilisation bill comes as the Ukrainian president considers proposals from his armed forces to draft another 500,000 men for the war against Russia.

Late last month, General Syrsky said the number of additional conscripts being requested had been significantly reduced.

At the same time, Ukraines leadership has warned that Russia is preparing to mobilise 300,000 more men.

Kyiv has been struggling to find sufficient numbers of volunteers to replace exhausted soldiers who have been fighting for more than two years.

Providing potential recruits and serving personnel with an end date to their military service was seen as key to attracting more volunteers.

Volodymyr Zelensky will not hand out prison sentences for draft dodgers - BEST IMAGE/BACKGRID UK

Oleksiy Honcharenko, a member of the Ukrainian parliaments defence and intelligence committee, said the demobilisation provisions were removed from the bill after two months of wrangling.

The Kyiv Independent outlet reported that provisions on demobilisation and the rotation of military personnel will be developed separately from the main bill.

About 4,000 amendments have been proposed by politicians since the first draft was presented to parliament.

Ahead of the vote on the draft law on Thursday, measures were seemingly watered down to punish draft dodgers criminally.

Draft dodgers

Instead, provisions were included that would allow driving bans to be handed out by courts to people deemed to be evading mobilisation.

The new law will also pave the way for fines for draft dodgers after it was decided this week that there will be no prison sentences handed out.

Yuriy Gudymenko, a reserve sergeant and politician, said: On mobilisation, there were neither serious sanctions for evaders, nor serious preferences for newly mobilised in the draft law.

Therefore, there will not be the expected result  an influx of new fighters.

Ihor Kopytin, of Mr Zelenskys Servants of the People party, added: Scandalous, controversial, bold  all these definitions fit.

But one thing to be sure  it is necessary to preserve the future of the country.

Lower combat call-up age

The bill will also lower Ukraines draft-eligible age for men from 27 to 25 in the hope of finding more youthful recruits.

But lowering the conscription age means that more young adults will be pulled from the countrys civilian workforce with a punitive impact on the economy.

Oksana Zabolotna, an analyst at the Center for United Actions, a government watchdog in Kyiv, has said the new laws are only likely to add 50,000 new troops to the military.
On 2 May, voters will go to the ballot box to elect their local councillors, police and crime commissioners and, for those in London, 25 members of the London Assembly

Most of England will be heading to the polls on 2 May for local elections and, in Englands biggest cities, mayoral elections.

Voters will go to the ballot box to elect their local councillors, police and crime commissioners and, for those in London, 25 members of the London Assembly.

Here, The Telegraph sets out everything you need to know about how to vote before heading to the ballot box next month.

Am I registered to vote?

You are able to register to vote for the local elections online at any time before 11:59pm on Tuesday 16 April.

How to register to vote

You can visit the Government website to get onto the electoral register by providing your personal details, including your National Insurance (NI) number.

Paper forms are available for those who are not able to register online by contacting the local electoral registration office and asking for a form to be posted to you.

You normally only need to register to vote once - only requiring to register again if you have changed your name, address or nationality.

You can check if you are on the register by contacting your local electoral registration office.

How to vote in person

Since May 2023, voters in England and Wales have needed to provide a form of photographic ID at the ballot box.

Again for the upcoming local elections, voters will need to show a form of identification such as a driving licence, passport or blue badge in order to be able to cast their vote.

Certain travel passes can be used as valid photographic ID.

The name on the ID must match the name provided on the electoral register, otherwise a voter can bring a document with them to the polling station that proves they have changed their name.

Voters are also able to apply for a free voter authority certificate (VAC) either online or by post if they do not have accepted photo ID available.

Local electoral registration offices can provide information about where the nearest polling station is - but voters are also sent a poll card that says when the vote is and which station to attend.

How to apply for a postal vote

Anyone who wishes to apply for a postal vote must do so before 5pm on 17 April to receive a form in time for the local elections.

You are able to apply either online or by post. The online portal on the Government website requires you to provide an address, a NI number or some other identity document such as a passport.

Voters also normally need to upload a photograph of their handwritten signature in black ink on plain white paper.

You can alternatively download a postal vote application form, print it out and fill it in and send it to your local electoral registration office.

How to vote by proxy

You are able to get someone else to vote on your behalf if you cannot attend a polling station in person for the upcoming local elections.

Voters can apply for a proxy to go to the ballot box on their behalf in a limited set of circumstances, including if you are away on polling day, are a registered overseas voter or have a medical issue or disability.

You can also do so if you cannot vote in person because of work or military service.

To apply to vote by proxy, you must do so before 5pm on 24 April, though you may be able to put in an application for an emergency proxy vote in certain cases including lost photographic ID or a medical emergency.

Your chosen proxy must be someone you trust to vote on your behalf; they must be registered to vote and can do so at the polling station on your poll card.
Brock Wagner, the co-founder of the St. Arnold Brewing Company, poses for a photograph with a St. Arnold art car Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Houston. Wagner is serving as the grand marshal of the Art Car Parade this year. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Brock Wagner, the co-founder of the St. Arnold Brewing Company, poses for a photograph with a St. Arnold art car Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Houston. Wagner is serving as the grand marshal of the Art Car Parade this year. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Brock Wagner, the co-founder of the St. Arnold Brewing Company, poses for a photograph with a St. Arnold art car Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Houston. Wagner is serving as the grand marshal of the Art Car Parade this year. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Brock Wagner, the co-founder of the St. Arnold Brewing Company, poses for a photograph with a St. Arnold art car Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Houston. Wagner is serving as the grand marshal of the Art Car Parade this year. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Brock Wagner, the co-founder of the St. Arnold Brewing Company, poses for a photograph with a St. Arnold art car Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Houston. Wagner is serving as the grand marshal of the Art Car Parade this year. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

After nearly a quarter-century navigating an art car through the parade route, Brock Wagner will yield the wheel. Wagner and the Saint Arnold Brewing Co. he co-founded have rolled cars in the parade since 2000. This year, the 30th anniversary for the craft brewing company, finds Wagner serving as grand marshal.

Im practicing my wave, he says. I havent decided which one to do yet. Theres the coronation wave. The pageant wave. Ive always been driving, which means watching the car in front. You dont want to wave, hit the car in front of you and make the news.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Orange Shows 37th annual Art Car Parade festivities begins Thursday. The parade itself begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, with more than 250 art cars starting at Dallas and Bagby on a route that moves downtown and loops around City Hall before exiting onto Allen Parkway toward Waugh.

The parades roots go back a decade before Saint Arnolds. The Art Car Parade sprang from a seed 40 years ago when a donated 1967 Ford station wagon was transformed into the Fruitmobile, a rolling and radiantly colored vehicle bedazzled with plastic and painted fruit. Two art cars would find their way into the influential Collision exhibition at the Lawndale Art Center that year.

Two years later, a New Music Parade rolled down Montrose with a mix of art cars and floats. Some other embryonic art car-related doings followed before the official Art Car Parade arrived in April 1988, flaunting a then-remarkable 40 art cars.

Six years later, Wagner, a Rice alumnus, started his craft brewery on the northwest side of town. It was the first brewery of its kind in Houston and in Texas. Saint Arnold quickly found a symbiotic relationship with the citys art scene.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

It would be a stretch to say from day one we were some part of Houstons art scene, Wagner says. But Id say its hiding there in our mission statement. We wanted to create an institution Houston would be proud of. Being part of a community was important to me. Its part of brewery culture going back to Europe.

When we started Saint Arnold, I quickly realized what worked best for me was to do the things I love and am passionate about and retroactively try to rationalize a business purpose for doing some of them.

That was the line of thinking when Wagner decided, for (expletive) and giggles, to buy a 1957 Bentley to turn into the first Saint Arnold art car. He and a co-worker gave it a tie-dye paint job, and it rolled in the parade in 2000.

When Saint Arnold developed a new India pale ale in 2015, the meeting to name it didnt take long. We wanted something that embodied what we do in Houston, he says.

The Art Car IPA is a top seller for the brewery.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Since its introduction years ago, the Bentley has coursed through the parade route multiple times. This year, Saint Arnold will roll out its Cadillac convertible, a car Wagner decided he needed about 10 years ago.

I wanted a real statement car, he says. I started searching and found this 1959 Cadillac convertible. I said, that's the car.

He brought it back to Houston from the Pacific Northwest and found it to be in less than pristine condition. Everything on the underside was rusted.

I told our controller not to tell me what it was going to cost, he says. I didnt want to see the bills.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Once the cars functionality was restored, Saint Arnold put it in the hands of local artist Robynn Sanders Hale, who took the process of brewing and sent it through an Escher-esque filter: little patterns evolve from front to back bumper: malt, hops, yeast, water and fire.
Xavier Becerra testifies during a senate hearing in Washington DC on 23 February 2021. Photograph: Sarah Silbiger/Pool via Reuters

Xavier Becerra, the health and human services secretary, is reportedly considering leaving his post to run for California governor.

Becerra has discussed in private conversations his desire to leave Washington in November and join an already crowded field of candidates to succeed Gavin Newsom as governor, Politico reported, citing anonymous sources.

Becerras office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Related: Residents in wealthy California town block access to public hot springs with boulders

If he enters the 2026 governors race, Becerra will be facing off against several fellow Democrats and colleagues, including the lieutenant governor, Eleni Kounalakis, former California senate president pro tempore Toni Atkins and state superintendent of public instruction, Tony Thurmond. The current California attorney general, Rob Bonta, is also expected to announce a run.

Before taking his post as health and human services secretary, Becerra was Californias attorney general. He is the first Latino to hold both posts. Before that, he served in the US House of Representatives for 26 years. In the Biden administration, he had a role overseeing the Covid-19 response, including the vaccine rollout.

Becerras critics have decried his lack of public health training and experience; he is an attorney by training and a longtime politician who helped pass the Affordable Care Act into law. But he has nonetheless carved out a role in defending and promoting the administrations policies to lower drug prices and protect the right to abortion.

In recent weeks, he has made visits across the country highlighting the Biden administrations reproductive rights agenda before the 2024 election.

No woman today should fear [not having] access to the care that she needs. President Biden has made that clear, Becerra told supporters in Florida last week. He characterized the Florida governor Ron DeSantiss six-week abortion ban as medical apartheid.

Becerra sidestepped questions about a gubernatorial run. Its a blessing to hear that someone is saying that Im running for governor because I dont know who they are, he told Politico. I am secretary of HHS and, by law, I have to be secretary of HHS and nothing else. So Im gonna do my job as best I can. Its a thrill  I think my mom would be happy to hear that someone thinks I can run for governor as well.
The amount of overseas aid funding diverted to support refugees in the UK rose to 4.3 billion last year, new figures have shown.

Provisional statistics published on Wednesday showed spending on in-donor refugee costs rose by 600 million in 2023, while the overall aid budget increased by around 2.6 billion.

Aid spending on refugees in the UK amounted to more than a quarter of the UKs total aid budget for the second year running, although its share of the overall budget fell slightly from 28.9% to 27.9%.

International rules allow countries to count first-year costs of supporting refugees as overseas development assistance (ODA).

But the practice has been criticised for reducing the amount that can be spent on developing countries, with MPs on the Commons International Development Committee accusing the Home Office of conducting raids on the ODA budget.

As in previous years, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the majority of the increase in spending on refugees was due to Home Office spend, which rose by 559 million in 2023.

International Development Committee chair Sarah Champion said the increasing spend on refugee costs in the UK was deeply worrying.

She told the PA news agency: We have expressed our concerns on a number of occasions and ministers are still not listening.

Almost 30% of our aid is being spent on refugee costs  nearly five times our bilateral spend on emergency international humanitarian aid. We do not believe that UK ODA is being spent in the spirit of the OECD rules.

Shadow international development minister Lisa Nandy said it beggars belief that the Government was using the ODA budget to bail out their failing asylum system with a blank cheque.

She said: This is sticking plaster politics at its worst, terrible value for money for British taxpayers and is no way to run the development budget or the Home Office.

Tamsyn Barton, chief commissioner of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI), said allowing the Home Office to spend an unlimited amount on hosting asylum seekers at the expense of the FCDOs budget sets the wrong incentives and raised concerns about value for money.

She added: Whats more, using so much of the aid budget on UK asylum hotels, rather than on supporting people nearer home, is inequitable and inefficient.

ICAI has previously warned that the passing of the Illegal Migration Act might mean that people arriving by irregular routes were no longer eligible for UK aid, and issue Ms Barton said appears still to be unresolved.

News that the amount of ODA being spent in the UK had increased again has been criticised by the international development community.

Gideon Rabinowitz, from the UK aid NGO network Bond, said the Government seems to have lost its grip on UK aid spending, weakening Britains ability to respond to global crises.

He said: INGOs are once again seeing vital funding for emergency support programmes in Somalia, Yemen and elsewhere being cut or held back, and we suspect this is due to escalating Home Office asylum costs taking an increasing chunk of the UK aid budget.

The Government must stop seeing the UK aid budget as the primary pot for this spending given that it is legally required to support poverty reduction in lower-income countries.

Ian Mitchell, senior fellow at the Centre for Global Development, said the figures underlined the UKs poor and deteriorating record for spending on locally-led development, with around half the bilateral aid budget now being spent in Britain.

The Government said it hoped to reach an agreement on using the former RAF Scampton as accommodation for asylum seekers in the coming weeks (Callum Parke/PA)

A UK Government spokesperson said: The UK spent over 15 billion on development last year, including on life-saving humanitarian aid in Gaza, in Sudan following the coup, and in Turkiye and Syria after the earthquake.

Our spend in 2023 also helped fragile states to access finance, millions of women globally to receive family planning support and is tackling the effects of climate change. We are also nearly doubling our spend in low-income countries this financial year.

Last years budget was boosted by additional funding to support refugees in the UK, who have escaped oppression and conflict overseas, including from Ukraine and Afghanistan. We will continue to ensure our aid budget delivers value for money for British taxpayers.

On Wednesday, the Home Office also announced that it would close more asylum hotels in the coming weeks, bringing the total number of hotels returned to normal use to 150 by the beginning of May.

The number of asylum seekers being housed in hotels has fallen by more than a third over the past six months, as the Government moves residents into private rented accommodation and large sites such as the Bibby Stockholm barge.

The Home Office added that it expected to reach an agreement in the coming weeks on the use of the former RAF Scampton, in Lincolnshire, after objections from the local council. The department has already agreed to reduce the number of asylum seekers it intends to house there from 2,000 to 800.

Sarah Champion, chair of the Commons International Development Committee, said ministers were not listening to concerns about diverting the aid budget (UK Parliament/PA)

Overall, the UK spent 15.4 billion on overseas aid in 2023, equivalent to 0.58% of GDP and the highest proportion of national income spent on aid since 2021 when the Government said it would temporarily reduce its target for aid spending from 0.7% of GDP to 0.5%.

Much of the increase came from spending through multilateral channels such as the World Bank, which rose 75% to 5.5 billion thanks in part to the FCDO delaying several large payments from 2022 to 2023.

Bilateral aid spending by the FCDO fell by 460 million, primarily due to a reduction in spending on aid to Asia.

Africa remained the main recipient of bilateral aid from the FCDO, receiving 1.1 billion  roughly the same amount as in 2022.

The amount of bilateral aid spent on humanitarian assistance fell from 1.1 billion to 888 million.

Ms Champion welcomed the increase in overall aid spending, but said it was still far short of the Governments manifesto commitment.

She added: We can see from the significant cuts in programming in Asia, as well as those to humanitarian assistance, that much more aid is needed internationally so there is little in these figures to celebrate.

The figures come ahead of a report by the Refugee Council, expected to be published on Thursday, warning that refugee homelessness had increased by 239% between 2021 and 2023.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the process refugees face on being granted asylum was setting them up to fail from the very start, with successful asylum seekers having only 28 days to find a new home before being evicted from asylum accommodation.
England head coach John Mitchell believes smaller balls could be an important development tool for the womens game.

World Rugby is to analyse data collected from a trial in the recent Womens Under-18 Six Nations festival, as well as from the training sessions of three Celtic Challenge teams.

The current size 5 ball is the same as that used in the mens game, while the trial tested the size 4.5 ball which is around three per cent smaller and up to four per cent lighter.

 A reminder of how things stand heading into round 3 of the #GuinnessW6N pic.twitter.com/o4GzfmBk9z  Guinness Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) April 8, 2024

We use the big ball and were quite happy with that. When the smaller ball arrives, well deal with that, Mitchell said.

But if I put my development hat on, these young girls have been exposed to a big ball their whole life.

If youve got younger girls wanting to come into the game and you have smaller communities that dont have the ability to play 15s but could do a lot more in school yards with smaller balls, if that gives them confidence to play the game then Im all for it.

Zoe Aldcroft, who has replaced Marlie Packer as captain for Saturdays Guinness Womens Six Nations clash with Scotland, has an open mind to the possible benefits of the smaller ball.

We havent had many issues so far with a size 5, but well go ahead and see what the 4.5 ball will do, Aldcroft said.

Packer was dropped for the first time since taking over the England captaincy a year ago and must settle for a place on the bench for the trip to Edinburgh, while veteran centre Emily Scarratt was overlooked altogether for a second-successive match.

Another record broken  For the first time ever itll be a full house at Hive Stadium on Saturday  More  https://t.co/qTctCuZRh9 pic.twitter.com/zLvc7HPjn7  Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) April 8, 2024

The omission of two big name Red Roses and Test centurions from the starting XV comes amid a warning from Mitchell that no player is safe from the axe.

Theres no such thing as rotation. This squad is selected for Scotland. Anyone is capable of replacing anyone, as far as I see it, Mitchell said.

Scarratt started the Six Nations opener at inside centre in her first outing since being converted from the number 13 jersey by Mitchell, but has not been picked since.

A calf and Achilles injury has been troublesome, but Mitchell insisted that ultimately, the 34-year-old was not selected.

Emily is progressing nicely. She still hasnt been able to do a full week. Shes come out of yesterdays (Tuesdays) session well so thats a really good sign, the Kiwi said.

Tomorrows session will be a lot faster and if she gets through that, then it presents a good case for her in the next two weeks.

England captain Marlie Packer will start on the bench against Scotland (Simon Galloway/PA)

The most important message you need to hear is that Emily needs to be 100 per cent fit because we have got girls who are 100 per cent fit and thats what we go for basically.

The girls understand that they have to be 100 per cent because theres so much competition within the group.

Hooker Amy Cokayne makes her first appearance for 12 months after recovering from a calf injury, having made a successful comeback for Leicester in recent weeks.
TV presenter Steph McGovern has paid tribute to Stephs Packed Lunch star Dale Bowes following his death aged 28.

Bowes, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, appeared as a Lunchmate on the Channel 4 daytime show.

McGovern, 41, posted a photo of her and Bowes to social media and said: Gutted to hear that @MrDaleBowes has died.

Gutted to hear that @MrDaleBowes has died. Dale was one of our fabulous lunchmates who always brought so much wisdom and joy to the show, even in the middle of his brutal cancer treatment.  pic.twitter.com/UNF3VlGa75  Steph McGovern (@StephLunch) April 10, 2024

Dale was one of our fabulous lunchmates who always brought so much wisdom and joy to the show, even in the middle of his brutal cancer treatment.

The photo showed the pair stood in front of a white Christmas tree while Bowes donned a festive-looking jumper.

A GoFundMe campaign, which has been set up as a funeral/memorial fundraiser for Bowes, said the 28-year-old had been fighting synovial sarcoma and was first diagnosed with it in 2003, before he was diagnosed a second time in 2021 and for the third and final time in 2022.

It also said Bowes was admitted into St Gemmas Hospice on March 25 for end-of-life care.

According to charity Sarcoma UK, sarcoma is a type of cancer that can appear anywhere in the body and synovial sarcoma often occurs around joints in the arms and legs, such as the knee or elbow.

Steph McGovern attending the TV Choice Awards 2024 (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Bowes, who described himself as a West Yorkshire paranormal investigator on social media had talked about his cancer on Stephs Packed Lunch and revealed during a discussion on assisted dying that current treatments would be unable to cure him.

At the time he told McGovern: Ive been told that current treatments will not cure it.

There is a trial that Im waiting for which, it could help me, but at the moment if I deteriorate into a situation where Im suffering, and Ive seen family and friends who have had cancer and really suffered, I think it (assisted dying) should be the decision of the person who is going through that.

As long as of course they can make that decision themselves and medical professionals can review it as well.

Bowes had also talked about his dog on the show and how he had helped him through living with cancer.

With my condition, because Ive got cancer as well, it just drains everything away that Im worried about when Im with him, he said.

Bowes filmed his final show in December and wrote on Instagram: Its been a pleasure being part of @PackedLunchC4 this year.

Today was my final show. I want to say a huge thanks to all my family who have supported me, my friends who have followed my journey on the show and watched some of the episodes and to all of the viewing public who have taken time out of their day to watch us on the show and participate by sending your messages in, too.

Its been a blast but sadly all good things come to an end someday. Thanks for accepting me as one of your lunchmates.

I still dont know what Ill do without this show.

I still dont know what Ill do without this show.

Kerry Reeves-Kneip, director of communications at Sarcoma UK, said: Sarcoma UK is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dale Bowes due to sarcoma cancer.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time.

She added: Dales story underscores the urgent need for more research into new sarcoma treatments to improve outcomes for patients.

Dales positive spirit in the face of adversity was an inspiration.

We hope his loved ones can take comfort in knowing his advocacy has helped raise much-needed awareness of this cruel disease.

For anyone who needs support, they may contact our Sarcoma UK Support Line by calling 08088010401 or visit our support page at https://sarcoma.org.uk/support/.
The son of a Post Office subpostmaster will appeal against his conviction for stealing 35,000 more than a decade ago.

More than 700 Post Office branch managers around the UK were prosecuted between 1999 and 2015 after faulty Horizon accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their shops, with many convictions subsequently being overturned.

About 100 subpostmasters in Scotland were convicted after they were wrongly accused of embezzling money in the scandal, and First Minister Humza Yousaf has pledged to get justice for those involved.

The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) referred cases to the High Court over potential miscarriages of justice.

At the Appeal Court in Edinburgh, Ravinder Naga challenged a conviction for stealing 35,000 from the Post Office where his mother worked in Greenock, Inverclyde.

He was given 300 hours community service in February 2010 after pleading guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court, where it was said that charges against Mr Nagas mother had been dropped after the pair attended a police station and he gave a voluntary interview.

Mr Naga has lodged an appeal against the conviction, with a hearing set to go ahead on April 24.

Advocate Depute Brian Gill KC told the court: My understanding is that the exercise, which was a lengthy exercise in previous appeals, wont take more than a week.

He said an appeal could be set for 14 days, and added: The Crowns position is that this is the most difficult appeal so far.

Representing the Post Office, Gerry Moynihan KC said: The petition is not opposed. The Advocate Depute is correct.

The judge, Lady Dorrian, set a procedural hearing for April 24.
Rishi Sunak said the UK is playing a leadership role in Nato despite coming under intense pressure to further increase defence spending.

The Prime Minister has committed to boost spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product  a measure of the size of the economy  but only when the public finances allow, despite pressure from defence experts and his own MPs to go further and faster.

During an LBC Radio phone-in, Mr Sunak was questioned by an Army veteran who urged him to spend more than the minimum on defence.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has come under pressure to increase defence spending (Jeff J Mitchell/PA)

Russias invasion of Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and an increasingly assertive China have all added to pressure on the Prime Minister to boost the defence budget.

Mr Sunak said: The world is sadly a less certain and a less safe place and its important that we invest to keep the country safe. Thats what weve been doing Weve seen the largest increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. I authorised that as chancellor.

He said the UK is spending around 2.3% of GDP on defence, with only the US in Nato spending more and many members not meeting the alliances 2% spending target.

Eighteen members of the 32-strong alliance are expected to spend 2% of GDP on defence in 2024  a six-fold increase since 2014, when only three met the target.

Mr Sunak went on: There are dozens of other members of Nato who are not even spending the 2%  we have shown British leadership on this. Our job is always to set a lead and thats what we have done.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has pushed for more money (Owen Humprheys/PA)

The issue of Nato allies sharing the financial burden for protecting Europe is likely to become more urgent with the prospect of Donald Trump, who has been critical of the alliance, potentially returning to the White House.

The UKs own commitment has become a domestic political issue for Mr Sunak as he seeks to maintain Tory unity and protect his leadership as the party struggles in the polls.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps lobbied for extra funding in the March Budget but failed to get the increase he sought.

(PA Graphics)

In March, deputy chief of the defence staff Lieutenant General Sir Rob Magowan said he will have to manage the operational risk that comes with not having the resources he would like, with the UK unable to fight a sustained war with Russia.

The senior Royal Marines officer said: Weve been very clear that the amount of money were spending on munitions at the moment  which is significant  does not meet, in all areas, the threats that we face.

Former defence secretary Ben Wallace and ex-armed forces minister James Heappey have also pushed for an increase in spending.

Earlier this month Mr Wallace claimed some in Government are just hoping threats to the UK will go away, while Mr Heappey warned the UK has failed to prepare for war as a whole-nation endeavour.
Thousands of people have gathered across the UK to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid.

Eid al-Fitr, which means the festival of sweets, marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long period of fasting and prayer for Muslims.

People queued for ice cream in Parkers Piece, Cambridge (Joe Giddens/PA)

More than 4,000 worshippers gathered for morning prayers at Parkers Piece, Cambridge, and families queued for ice cream in the park.

Palestinian flags could be seen in the crowd.

Elsewhere, people congregated for morning prayers at Green Lane Masjid in Birmingham.

Muslims marked the festival worldwide.

Worshippers in Turkey carried Palestinian flags, and preachers in Jakarta, Indonesia, urged people to pray for Muslims in Gaza.

Worshippers at Green Lane Masjid in Birmingham (Jacob King/PA)

On Tuesday, Gaza received the largest international aid airdrop since the conflict began  the delivery of hundreds of tonnes of resources coinciding with Eid.

The UK joined eight other countries to carry out the aid drop.

Palestinians in Gaza marked the Eid holiday by visiting the graves of people who have been killed in the war.
A woman has pleaded guilty to preventing the decent burial of two babies at a home in south Wales, but her former partner will face trial later this year.

Egle Zilinskaite, 30, and Zilvinas Ledovskis, 49, are charged with two counts of concealing the birth of a child and two counts of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body.

The pair appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday, where they spoke through an interpreter to enter their pleas.

Zilinaskaite, of Crwys Road in Cardiff, entered guilty pleas on all four counts, but Ledovskis, of Phoebe Road in Swansea, pleaded not guilty.

The charges relate to the discovery of two babies at an end-of-terrace home in Maes-Y-Felin, Wildmill, Bridgend, in November 2022.

The two children, referred to as Baby A and Baby B in court, died some time between January 1 2017 and November 26 2022.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, set Ledovskiss trial date for November 25.

Zilinskaites case has been adjourned until December 5, after Ledovskiss trial has concluded.

Both have been released on conditional bail.

They have both been ordered not to contact each other, must report to a local police station and not apply for or hold any passports or travel documents.
Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who abused two Black men for hours were sentenced in state court Wednesday to 15 to 45 years in prison.

Their sentences will run concurrently with their federal sentences handed down last month, which range from 10 to 40 years in prison.

The ex-officers had pleaded guilty after the torture of Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker at a home in January 2023.

Five former Rankin County Sheriffs deputies  Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke and Jeffrey Middleton  along with former Richland Police Department officer Joshua Hartfield were sentenced in a Rankin County circuit court Wednesday.

The group of White officers raided the home in Braxton 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 one of them shot Jenkins in the mouth, prosecutors said.

Shortly before Wednesdays sentencing, Jenkins described the horror he endured in a statement read by his attorney Malik Shabazz.

Me and Eddie in this event were called racist names. We were called n***er, we were called monkey, we were called boy, and we were accused of dating White women, the statement said.

After Hunter Elward shot me, they left me to die bleeding on the floor. And they tried to set me up to be in prison, Jenkins statement said. Your honor, they killed me. I just didnt die.

Eddie Terrell Parker, right, and his friend Michael Corey Jenkins react during Wednesday's sentencing hearing for six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who abused them for hours. - Rogelio V. Solis/AP

What will happen to the former officers

Each of the ex-officers faced state charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice.

Dedmon was also charged with home invasion, and Elward was also charged with home invasion and aggravated assault.

McAlpin, Middleton, Opdyke and Hartfield all faced an additional charge of first-degree obstruction of justice.

While all of the state sentences will run concurrently with the federal sentences, some of the ex-officers will now spend more time behind bars because of the state charges:

 Elward was sentenced in state court to 25 years in prison, to run concurrently with his federal sentence of 20 years.

 Middleton was sentenced in state court to 20 years in prison, which will run concurrently with his federal sentence of 17.5 years.

 Opdyke was sentenced in state court to 20 years in prison, to run concurrently with his federal sentence of 17.5 years.

 Hartfield was sentenced in state court to 15 years in prison, to run concurrently with his federal sentence of 10 years.

 Dedmon was sentenced in state court to 25 years in prison, to run concurrently with his federal sentence of 40 years.

 McAlpin was sentenced in state court to 20 years in prison, to run concurrently with his federal sentence of just over 27 years.

Jeff Reynolds, an attorney for Opdyke, told CNN after the sentencing hearing Wednesday his client has admitted and taken full responsibility for what wrongful actions and inactions he was guilty of that night.

During Opdykes federal sentencing hearing last month, it was revealed that he 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.

The Feds themselves admitted in their downward departure motion filed in federal court that these texts played a vital role in the procurement of the guilty pleas of the other five officers, Reynolds told CNN. Without the texts and Daniels early cooperation, who knows where we would be right now? The Goon Squad might still be corruptly abusing people in Rankin County.

Wednesday mornings hearing took place in a circuit court that sits in the heart of the Rankin County seat of Brandon  across the street from a Confederate monument  and around 20 miles from the home where the racially charged torture of Parker and Jenkins took place.

The NAACP started a national petition to remove the 1907 monument, topped by a statue of a Confederate soldier, which they say symbolizes decades of racist culture in the county.

After the sentencing hearing, Jenkins and Parker told CNN they were satisfied with the former officers sentences and felt relieved this case was now over.

I sit back and think of everything we went through  the days, the months, moving from state to state, trying to stay safe. Im glad that it came to an end, Parker said.

After the incident last January, Parker and Jenkins tried, for months, to tell their story  but often, no one believed them. Moving forward, Parker and Jenkins said they will embrace being a catalyst for change in Mississippi and continue to fight and be a voice for other potential victims of the Goon Squad.

Parker said he may have found purpose in his own fight for justice: to fight for others who cant or are too scared to.

I know people who are out there and still afraid to say something, Parker said. Im putting it out there that anybody who is scared or needs someone to talk to  Ill meet you where I need to meet you and make sure no one else has to go through this, where they are afraid or intimidated about anything.

For those who dont have a support system that can help them secure lawyers and fight for justice, Jenkins offered his own support. I can imagine how scary that would be fighting against the police, he said. If you need people and yall see this, you dont have to be scared.

How the abuse unfolded

The torture happened on January 24, 2023, in Braxton, just southeast of Jackson. It came to light after the two victims filed a $400 million federal lawsuit, which is still pending. Many of the claims in the lawsuit were reflected in the federal charging document.

The two men said the six law enforcement officers illegally entered the home of a woman Parker was helping to care for and where he was also living. They kicked, waterboarded and used Tasers on Jenkins and Parker and attempted to sexually assault them over nearly two hours before Elward put a gun in Jenkins mouth and shot him.

The officers went to the home after a White neighbor reported that several Black men were staying at a White womans home and reported seeing suspicious behavior  but in the end the officers found no crime, prosecutors said.

At least three of them  Elward, Middleton and 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.

This brutal attack caused more than physical harm to these two individual victims; it severed that vital trust with the people, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said in August when announcing the state charges. This abuse of power will not be tolerated.

The former officers pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice, according to court records. Elward faced the most serious of the federal charges stemming from the torture  discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Justice Department attorneys described in court how Middleton boasted about the group with Rankin County Sheriffs Department emblems branded with the words Goon Squad, picturing a Confederate flag and a noose.

We want them to clean house

Rankin County NAACP President Angela English said this painful part of law enforcement history shouldnt end with the sentencing of the six ex-officers.

This chapter of the book has been written, but the book is not finished, she said Wednesday.

English said she wants Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey removed from office.

We have spoken with the Department of Justice. We have reiterated that we want a clean sweep, she said.

We want them to go throughout the Rankin County Sheriffs Department and we want them to clean house. We want them to go into the jails and reopen all of these cases that these lawless officers have created.

Mary Jenkins, the mother of Michael Jenkins, said shes happy the former officers received as much time as they were given.

This has never happened in Mississippi before and now peoples eyes are open. Please dont condone what theyre doing. Let them know you dont want this Goon Squad representing them, she told CNN after the hearing.

And his father, Melvin Jenkins, said he still knows several victims of police brutality in the county who wont tell their stories out of fear of retaliation. Im 68 and Ive known this stuff has been going on for years and years, and nothing has been done about it, he said.

The sheriffs attorney, Jason Dare, told CNN he did not plan to release a statement Wednesday.

After the Goon Squads crimes came to light, the sheriffs department announced changes to its patrol policies and procedures.

Bailey said deputies and jailers have completed training from the FBIs Civil Rights Unit, and an internal affairs investigator had been recruited to help foster impartiality and fairness in our reviews.

In a statement to CNN after the sentencing, an attorney for McAlpin, who was the highest-ranking officer on the scene, said the former officer struggles with the fact that he got sentenced to more time than individuals who shot and/or beat these men.

He is 100% wrong for being there and not stopping it. That was his duty and he failed at it. He has acknowledged that, said attorney Aafram Sellers.

Lasting harm to the public and other officers

Fitch, the attorney general, said state and federal authorities worked hard to ensure justice for these victims in a horrific case of abuse.

She said the ex-officers crimes have unfairly impacted the public and hard-working officers who perform their jobs with dignity.

The actions of these six men did grave harm to these two victims, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, and violated the trust of all the citizens they swore to protect, Fitch said in a statement Wednesday.

These former officers also violated the trust of the other men and women who honorably wear the uniform - every one of whom will feel the repercussions of the mistrust they sowed between law enforcement and the people, she said.

These criminal acts make a difficult job even harder and far more dangerous. And it is left to us all to commit ourselves to repairing that damage.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Alta Spells contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
President Joe Biden led swift and sweeping condemnation on the political left and right of Arizonas Supreme Court ruling Tuesday that broadly upholds a territorial-era ban on nearly all abortions and threatens to rock the political races at the top of the state's 2024 ballot.

Biden called the decision an outgrowth of an extreme agenda he blamed on Republicans and tied it to a period before Arizona was a state and before women were permitted to vote. Arizona Democrats sought to pin the ruling on contemporary Republicans, even as some in the GOP distanced themselves from the decision.

Republican U.S. Senate contender Kari Lake, who supported the 1864 law two years ago, on Tuesday said it is abundantly clear that the pre-statehood law is out of step with Arizonans. She aligned herself with former President Donald Trump, who has called for state-level laws on the issue rather than a national one.

Kari Lake answers questions during a town hall in Sun City West on April 2, 2024. Lake, who supported the 1864 abortion law two years ago, on Tuesday said it is abundantly clear that the pre-statehood law is out of step with Arizonans.u0022

I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump  this is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people, Lake said. I oppose todays ruling, and I am calling on (Gov.) Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support.

Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego, answers questions during a town hall in Goodyear on April 3, 2024. Gallego, a long-time opponent of anti-abortion efforts, criticized the April 9, 2024, rulling by the Arizona Supreme Court protecting a territorial-era abortion laws.

Lakes Democratic rival, U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, called Lake part of an extremist political group forcing themselves into doctors offices and ripping away the right for women to make their own healthcare decisions.

Rep. Juan Ciscomani speaking during the Lucid unveiling ceremony Jan. 24, 2024, in Casa Grande, Arizona. Ciscomani, a staunch stupporter of most anti-abortion efforts, called the April 9, 2024, decison by the state supreme court a disaster for women and providers.

U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., likely faces a difficult reelection challenge from former state Sen. Kirsten Engel, D-Tucson, whom Ciscomani narrowly beat in 2022. Ciscomani previously has been adamant that abortion should be left to the states rather than the federal government. But on Tuesday, he called the decision a disaster for women and providers.

U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., represents the 1st Congressional District. Schweikert also criticized the state's supreme court ruling saying, u0022this issue should be decided by Arizonas, not legistlated from the bench.u0022

U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., the other Arizona member of Congress seen as vulnerable to an electoral challenge, also distanced himself from the decision, writing "this issue should be decided by Arizonans, not legislated from the bench."

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., at the Arizona Pipe Trade Joint Apprenticeship Center on December 1, 2023. Kelly said the decision by the Arizona Supeme Court to uphold an 1864 territorial abortion law sets women's rights u0022back two centuries.u0022

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said the ruling sets womens rights in our state back two centuries.

U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., cast the ruling as intrusive on womens health and dangerous.

A womans health care choices should be between her, her family, and her doctor. Todays decision by the Arizona Supreme Court endangers womens health, safety, and well-being, she said in a statement.

Arizonans should not be forced to travel out of state just to receive basic, sometimes even life-saving, health care. Doctors and hospitals should not be punished for providing health care to their patients.

Sen Kyrsten Sinema, I-Arizona, speaks to reporters during a vote in the Senate Chambers of the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 25, 2024. Sinema said the Arizona Supreme Court's ruling to uphold the territorial-era abortion law u0022endangers women's health, safety and well-being.u0022

Political observers saw the ruling as a boost to Democratic prospects in a state that now becomes a national symbol of the rollback from a half-century of federal protections for abortion rights that were swept away by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.

Back to 1864! Arizona just became a bit less of a swing state this fall, Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginias Center for Politics, wrote in a social media post. Maybe a lot more than a bit. Big plus for Biden and Dem Senate candidate Ruben Gallego.

Tony Cani, a Democratic strategist based in Arizona, also predicted the issue will be a liability for Republicans in federal races. He pointed to Lake as an example.

Kari Lake has previously  even though shes going to try and pretend like she didnt  she has previously been very clear about the fact that she supports this particular law," Cani said.

Its gonna play out in congressional races, too, he continued. Theres no way that they can hide from this.

Constantin Querard, a GOP political consultant, lauded the state's supreme court decision upholding an 1864 abortion law.

Constantin Querard, a GOP political consultant, takes a milder view. He noted that a ballot measure to change the Arizona Constitution to protect abortion access is already on track to come before voters in November. That would already have juiced turnout on the issue, likely in favor of the Democrats, he argued.

Abortion is literally already on the ballot, he said. (Tuesday's decision) could be significant in a very close race, but I dont know if its ultimately more than a one, two percent kind of shift.

Still, Arizona obviously features a lot of close races these days," he said. "One, two percent, that could be a big deal."

Querard, unlike Cani, believes Lakes shifting stance on abortion wont bear much on the outcome of the race. He pointed out that Gallego has shifted his rhetoric on certain issues, such as refocusing his rhetoric on immigration that appeals to a more centrist audience than his left-leaning congressional district.

Theres a certain amount of shifting that goes on. Campaigns will make a big deal out of it. I dont know that the voters necessarily register it, he said.

Theres nothing wrong with representing your states wishes, even if they differ from your personal wishes. To a certain degree, thats what representative government is supposed to be.

For Lake, Tuesdays statement may be hard to reconcile with her views when she ran for governor in 2022.

In an interview with KFYI (550 AM) on the day the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling erasing federal abortion rights came down, Lake welcomed the decision and looked hopeful to the state enforcing its territorial law.

Im incredibly thrilled that we are going to have a great law thats already on the books. I believe its (Arizona Revised Statutes) 1336-03 that will prohibit abortion in Arizona except to save the life of a mother. I think were going to be paving the way and setting course for other states to follow.

Trump has modified his views on the issue as well. Before running for politics, he expressed grudging support for abortion rights. During his 2016 campaign, he said women who get an abortion should face some form of punishment.

In office, he said he supported a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. On Monday, he said it should be up to states.

My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both. And whatever they decide must be the law of the land. In this case, the law of the state.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kari Lake and Ruben Gallego react to Arizona's seismic abortion ruling
Conroe City Secretary Soco Gorjon has said she will resign following a courts decision last month to leave two candidates on the citys May 4 ballot but is demanding more than $800,000 in compensation as a compromise. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Conroe City Secretary Soco Gorjo, left, Mayor Pro Tem Curt Maddux and councilman Todd Yancey are sitting in the stands at a hearing of their May 4 election ballot application case in front of visiting 506th state District Judge Albert McCaig Monday, March 25, 2024 at Lee G. Alworth Building in Conroe. Gorjon has said she will resign following a courts decision last month to leave two candidates on the citys May 4 ballot but is demanding more than $800,000 in compensation as a compromise. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

A Conroe city official at the center of a local election controversy is offering to quit in exchange for more than $800,000 in compensation as part of a "compromise" outlined in a letter to city leaders.

Conroe City Secretary Soco Gorjon's offer to resign comes after a courts decision last month to leave two candidates on the citys May 4 ballot after she allowed them to submit their applications to run for office without doing so in person, as required by state law.

Gorjon is on paid leave, according to city officials.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In March, the city and two candidates for the May election asked Texas' 9th Court of Appeals to force Gorjon to reject two ballot applications that were notarized without the candidates being present.

Claims against the city

Gorjon claims conspiracies to impede her job, tortuous interference between Gorjon and Interim City Attorney Mike Garner, hostile work environment and discrimination, according to an April 4 letter submitted by her attorney, Nathan Steadman, to Mayor Jody Czajkoski, Mayor Pro Tem Curt Maddux and City Administrator Gary Scott.

Scott said city officials have not figured out what to do about Gorjon's offer. Her request is on the councils Thursday agenda for public discussion.

Gorjon has been employed with the city since 1992 and has served as city secretary for the last eight years. Gorjons annual salary is $178,603.36. She also receives $85 monthly for her cellphone and $14,100 for a car allowance annually.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The events of the last few weeks have been a nightmare for my client. The actions of the select council and the city attorney have impacted not only my clients mental well-being but also her physical health, the letter states.

The letter does not specify which council members Gorjon is referring to. Garner was not immediately available for comment.

Scott said Tuesday that Gorjon has not filed any complaints of harassment or discrimination with the citys human resources department.

As part of the compromise, Gorjon is seeking $476,275 for 32 months severance, $27,478 of unused vacation, $249,443 of sick time, $6,440 of holiday pay, reimbursement of underpaid salary because of being a "Latina woman" and legal fees totaling more than $23,000.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Steadman gave the city a deadline of April 18 to respond to the letter or he would file a lawsuit April 22.

Ballot application issues

Gorjon confirmed March 1 that Maddux and Council Member Todd Yancey were not present when city staff notarized and filed their applications Jan. 17. She said March 8 that she would not invalidate the applications based on this technicality in a letter to the Houston Chronicle and the City Council.

Yancey and Maddux testified during a March 25 court hearing that they instructed Gorjon to get the applications off their desks at City Hall, notarize them and file them on their behalf. Both said they wanted to be first to file Jan. 17, when filing for the election opened.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
Rome  Amanda Knox, the American woman who spent nearly four years in an Italian prison after being convicted in 2007 of murdering her college roommate Meredith Kercher as they both studied abroad, was back on trial in Italy on Wednesday.

Kercher, a British student, was found dead in her bedroom in the apartment she shared with Knox in the Italian city of Perugia. She had been sexually assaulted and had multiple stab wounds.

Knox and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of the murder and depicted by prosecutors during the trial as sexual miscreants who'd killed Kercher in a sex game that went awry. But after flip-flop verdicts and with worldwide media attention, the two were eventually exonerated by a higher court in 2015.

One conviction against Knox still stands, however. She was found guilty of slander for falsely accusing Congolese bar owner Patrick Lumumba of killing Kercher. Knox worked part-time in Lumumba's bar in Perugia. It is that charge of slander that Knox is facing in the trial that opened Wednesday in Florence.

American student Amanda Knox (right), and her British roommate Meredith Kercher, who was murdered in 2007, are seen in file photos. / Credit: AP

Shortly after Kercher's murder, Knox, then 20, was subjected to 53 hours of interrogation  without a lawyer or official translator. Eventually, during that process, she accused Lumumba of killing Kercher. Police typed up the statements, which she signed.

Very soon after, however, she wrote a hand-written, four-page statement in English casting serious doubt on her testimony to the police.

"In regards to this 'confession' that I made last night, I want to make clear that I'm very doubtful of the veritity [sic] of my statements because they were made under the pressures of stress, shock and extreme exhaustion. Not only was I told I would be arrested and put in jail for 30 years, but I was also hit in the head when I didn't remember a fact correctly," she said in the statement. "It was under this pressure and after many hours of confusion that my mind came up with these answers."

She said she had "flashes of blurred images" of Lumumba in her mind, but added: "These things seem unreal to me, like a dream," and she was left "unsure if they are real things that happened or are just dreams my mind has made to try to answer the questions in my head and the questions I am being asked."

In 2016, the European Court of Human Rights declared that Knox's rights had been violated during the interrogation. At the request of Knox's lawyers, Italy's highest court then annulled the slander conviction and ordered a retrial.

The court also ruled then that the initial testimony typed up by the police would be inadmissible as evidence in the retrial. Only Knox's handwritten note can be admitted as evidence in the proceedings that opened Wednesday.

Knox is being tried in absentia and is not expected to appear in person for the trial. Her attorney Carlo Dalla Vedova told Italian news outlets that his client remained in the U.S., as "she is busy taking care of her two young children, one of whom was born recently."

After being accused by Knox, Lumumba spent two weeks in jail, despite having a solid alibi. He has since moved out of Italy.

The prosecutor asked the court on Wednesday to confirm the slander conviction and impose a penalty of three years, but even if she is convicted, Knox has already served sufficient time behind bars in Italy on the since-overturned murder conviction to avoid another custodial sentence.

Another man, Rudy Guede  whose footprints and DNA were found all over the crime scene  was convicted of murdering Kercher in 2008 and served 13 years in prison before being released in 2021.

James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of the Oxford High School shooter, are sentenced

O.J. Simpson's lawyer from 1995 trial reacts to his death

Remembering the O.J. Simpson murder trial
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) took aim at GOP lawmakers who criticized a court ruling Tuesday that held up an 1864 law that made performing an abortion a felony in the state.

Hobbs said in an interview with CNNs Anderson Cooper the decision was very harmful for the state, noting that Arizonians are reeling from the ruling issued earlier today. She said she called on the Legislature to repeal the archaic ban as soon as she took office.

I renewed that call at the beginning of this legislative session, Hobbs continued. The fact is that some of the Republicans right now, who are saying that this decision went too far, are the same politicians who celebrated the Dobbs decision, which paved the way for this court ruling today.

And the Speaker of the House and the Senate President both weighed in in this case with amicus brief, urging the court to do exactly what it did today, she added.

The Arizona Supreme Court rejected arguments on Tuesday that it should uphold the current 15-week abortion ban signed in 2022 by then-Gov. Doug Ducey (R) that was enforced after the end of Roe v. Wade. Instead, the court ruled that the 1864 law  passed before Arizona was even a state  should be enforced.

The Civil War-era law makes performing or helping a pregnant person receive an abortion a felony that is punishable by two to five years in prison. It also includes does not include exceptions in the cases of rape or incest, instead only giving exceptions for when it is necessary to save the pregnant persons life.

Some Republicans who have shown support for abortion bans, including GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake, have said they oppose the ruling.

Earlier on Tuesday, Hobbs called on the Legislature to do the right thing right now and repeal this 1864 ban and protect access to reproductive health care. She reiterated on Tuesday that an executive order signed last year that bars county attorneys from prosecuting women and doctors for receiving and performing abortions still stands.

It just prevents an extreme county attorney from using this ban to criminalize women and doctors for seeking the care of providing the care that their patients need and would provide consolidation with the Attorney General, she said, noting that the executive order has not been tested yet.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Nia Williams

(Reuters) -Canada risks another "catastrophic" wildfire season, the federal government said on Wednesday, as it forecasted higher-than-normal spring and summer temperatures across much of the country, boosted by El Nino weather conditions.

Last year Canada endured its worst-ever fire season, with more than 6,600 blazes burning 15 million hectares, an area roughly seven times the annual average. Eight firefighters died and 230,000 people were evacuated from their homes.

This winter the country experienced warmer-than-normal temperatures and widespread drought, setting the stage for another punishing summer.

"The temperature trends are very concerning. With the heat and dryness across the country we can expect that the wildfire season will start sooner and end later and potentially be more explosive," Harjit Sajjan, the minister for emergency preparedness, told a press conference.

Federal ministers warned climate change was contributing to more extreme weather events, including wildfires, drought and heat waves.

"Wildfires have always occurred across Canada, what's new is their frequency and their intensity," said Jonathan Wilkinson, the minister for energy and natural resources. "The science is clear. The root cause of this is climate change."

Ottawa is providing C$256 million ($187.15 million) over five years, a sum matched by the country's provinces and territories, to fund new equipment and has also committed to training an extra 1,000 community-based wildfire firefighters.

Last year Canada deployed 5,500 international firefighters from countries including South Africa and Spain and 2,135 armed forces members to help tackle the blazes.

Severe weather, including wildfires, caused over C$3.1 billion in insured damages in 2023, according to a government analysis.

The government of British Columbia warned in a separate update that the westernmost province's snowpack - an accumulation of snow that melts seasonally - is averaging its lowest level since 1970, measuring 63% of normal versus 88% of normal at the same time last year.

"Typically drought and wildfire go hand in hand," said Jonathan Boyd, a hydrologist at the province's River Forecast Centre. "It's not setting up to be a great season but it still depends on what the weather conditions are (this spring)."

($1 = 1.3679 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Nia Williams in British Columbia, editing by Deepa Babington)
Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with top Russian diplomat Sergey Lavrov in Beijing Tuesday, state media reported, in yet another sign of the importance China gives to its increasingly robust ties with Moscow.

Lavrov is making a two-day visit to the Chinese capital, which comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin last month suggested he was considering China for his first overseas trip after extending his one-man rule with a stage-managed election victory last month.

The Kremlin on Tuesday confirmed that such a visit was in the works, saying Lavrovs trip could be viewed as preparations for upcoming interaction at the highest level, state-run news agency Tass reported. But a spokesperson declined to provide exact dates.

During his meeting with Lavrov, Xi pledged to strengthen communication with Russia and said Beijing supports Moscow in maintaining social security and stability, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. Xi also noted the two countries shared drive to reform global governance  an allusion to their joint efforts to reshape what they see as Western-dominated world.

Lavrov said consolidating and enhancing relations with China was the priority of Russias foreign policy, according to Chinese state media.

It was Xi and Lavrovs first direct meeting in six years and notable as heads of state do not necessarily meet with visiting ministers. Their last meeting in 2018 came weeks before a state visit from Putin to China  his first such trip after winning another highly orchestrated Russian presidential election that year.

Since then, the two countries have ramped up their economic, trade and diplomatic relations  including in the wake of Putins war in Ukraine.

Beijing claims neutrality in the conflict but has emerged as a key economic lifeline for the isolated Russian economy and a staunch diplomatic partner for Moscow as both push back against what they see as containment from the West.

When a Russian lawmaker last month expressed his hope that Putins symbolic first overseas trip of his new term would be to China, Putin said he would take that into account.

Putin last visited Beijing in October for the Belt and Road Forum. Xi made a state visit to Moscow last March after entering his third term as Chinese president.

Lavrov also met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier Tuesday.

Wang touted the countries ties as being elevated to the highest level in history, and alluded to their shared views on the United States by saying they would oppose a Cold War mentality, according to comments made during a joint news conference following their meeting, cited by Chinese state media.

The two sides discussed Ukraine and agreed that international meetings on the war ignoring Moscows interests are futile, Lavrov told the conference, according to Tass.

Wang told his counterpart that China supports holding an international peace conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation by all parties and where all peace plans are discussed fairly, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

The remarks come as questions mount about how to end the war in Ukraine.

Previous rounds of international peace conferences have been backed by Kyiv and not included Moscow, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky seeks broad support for his peace formula, which calls for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops.

China has maintained dialogue with Switzerland about an upcoming international peace conference, according to state media, but previously said such talks should be recognized by both Ukraine and Russia.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Wayne Chang and Steven Jiang contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Its not easy leading a political party these days. In a world where the expectation is that political positions are binary, with nuance not allowed, trying to come up with a one-size-fits-all position, be it on Middle East policy or reproductive rights, is quite the challenge.

No longer can someone paper over an actual point of view with the spirit of a political position. President Joe Biden has long been a supporter of Israel, but that hasnt bought him much time with a Democratic base thats growing increasingly skeptical of the Israeli governments ability to carry out a just war.

And that brings me to former President Donald Trumps attempts to soften opposition to him over the rise of restrictive abortion laws around the country.

Ironically, Trumps controversial position shouldnt, in theory, be controversial in the GOP. Trump is simply espousing what the party said it supported for decades before the Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision: Leave it to the states. But abortion conservatives want to go further with a federal limit. As is now fairly clear, simply returning the decision over reproductive rights to the states wasnt really the goal of the anti-abortion movement pre-Dobbs. The goal was to roll back access to abortion, in whatever expedient way they could find.

Yet saying that last sentence as directly as I wrote it is unpopular. Had the GOP owned the idea of rolling back access more directly, instead of hiding behind its states-rights position, it would most likely been forced to reckon with its unpopular abortion position sooner.

But here we are, and Trump is learning the hard way that there is no middle ground on abortion inside the GOP, at least not in a post-Dobbs world. The country is quickly dividing into two camps on abortion rights: pro-access and anti-access. Pre-Dobbs, you could argue, there was a middle ground around access to abortion up until viability, which is about 24 weeks. But Dobbs changed the policy boundaries of what was possible, taking away elusive middle ground.

If states were debating access to abortion with 12- or 15- or 24-week limits as the different potential floors  deciding which of those three paths to take  then perhaps Trumps let the states decide position would be seen as trying to find a middle ground. But that isnt what has happened. A number of states, including large and diverse states like Texas and Florida, have passed unpopular and restrictive abortion laws  and it has led a lot of voters to suddenly feel like political activists. Before Dobbs, many Americans took for granted their equal right to reproductive health care no matter what states they lived in.

Its clear what Trump is trying to do. Hes hoping that he can separate himself from the most restrictive positions on the issue. Its striking that as nervous as Trump is that this issue could harm his chances at a second term, he didnt go as far as supporting the ballot initiative in Florida that would essentially codify the Roe v. Wade standard in the states constitution. Perhaps he eventually will, if he thinks the gender gap is growing the wrong way for him.

Theres no doubt Trump was trying to replicate the rhetorical inoculation he effectively pulled off on the issue of entitlements back in 2016. He has come out against proposals to limit or slow the growth of these programs even as his party, essentially, still sees itself as the keeper of the lets shrink government flame. With Trump in charge of the party, not touching entitlements is the GOP position  but its clear the position goes away the second Trump does, because so many elected Republicans decided to run for office under the guise of fiscal restraint.

Trump is clearly uncomfortable with any abortion restriction that is less than 15 or 16 weeks, but not enough to just say it that directly. He has hinted at it, saying he thought Floridas six-week ban went too far. As a Florida resident, Trump will be able to choose on the ballot this fall between either an unpopular restrictive law or what the law was before his remodeled Supreme Court decided to relitigate the issue.

Trump cant bring himself to even say something like I personally support this restrictive law, but the country/state isnt ready. He could also word it like I think Florida should change its law to 15 weeks, but I cant vote for restoring Roe.

Im not sure which would be worse for Trump. But ultimately, I do think he will use the Florida ballot measure as his own barometer for all of us to see how nervous he is about the issues costing him another term.

In 2016, voters who didnt trust the GOP on entitlements decided to trust Trump on the issue. There was enough cultural overlap for these older voters to give him a chance to keep the Social Security promise.

Are there enough women who care about abortion rights to trust Trump even if his party has acted another way? Im skeptical. And the less Trump fights the six- or eight-week bans publicly, the less credible his compromise position will look. When push came to shove, Trump aligned himself with the partys most restrictive abortion activists, and now he sees the political problem this has created. Im not sure this is a political trap that even Houdini himself could escape. How does he distance himself from the decision to appoint the three Supreme Court justices that led to the overturning of Roe? He can do that only if he admits the justices werent his idea but something he outsourced. But if he admits that, then hes admitting he somehow transacted judiciary seats for political support. Its quite the slippery slope!

Both candidates would love to avoid talking about Gaza, and Trump would love nothing more than to stop discussing abortion, as well. The more either candidate talks about these issues, the more trouble they end up in. Ultimately, as many readers already know, I view the Dobbs decision as existential  and its most likely papering over lots of other divides in this country, because many affected voters view abortion rights as fundamental. And when an issue is fundamental for the way people live, theyll vote on it over and above many other issues.

Why these abortion ballot measures will pass

As I was finishing up the column above, the Arizona Supreme Court was ruling that a 123-year-old abortion ban was now the law of the state. Meanwhile, the state is likely to have a referendum this fall to determine whether access to abortion should be guaranteed in the states constitution.

Knowing Arizona the way I do, I think this is as good as passed. The state might be culturally very conservative in some places, but it has a very strong libertarian streak in it  which translates to a my bedroom, my business attitude. As in Florida, the alternative to not passing a constitutional amendment in Arizona will be abiding by a very restrictive law. Given those two choices, its pretty obvious what voters will pick.

As I wrote last week, perhaps 15-week limits could become a tolerable restrictive floor for abortion. Perhaps. But theres tolerance and theres preference, and its pretty clear the public prefers to decide for itself whether to make this decision. It doesnt want the government to decide for it.

If youre wondering what these abortion propositions truly mean for the makeup of the general electorate, the biggest thing they do is motivate younger folks to show up. And if all these abortion propositions around the country do just that and juice youth turnout, they could be the difference between Biden carrying Arizona and Trump carrying it.
The boat of a missing man, Jeffrey Kale, was found off Wrightsville Beach on Tuesday.

The United States Coast Guard announced Tuesday it has resumed its search for missing boater off the coast of North Carolina after suspending the search on Monday.

Jeffrey Kale, 47, from Clover, South Carolina, was last seen around 4 p.m. Saturday aboard a white 32-foot Cape Horn center-console boat departing the Southport Wildlife Boat Ramp, according to the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard said the search resumed after a good Samaritan located a vessel matching the description of the boat Kale was aboard. This was located nearly 83 miles east of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina according to the Oak Island police.

"Coast Guard Sector North Carolina issued an urgent marine information bulletin to mariners in the area, requesting assistance locating Kale," the Coast Guard said in a news release Tuesday. "Multiple U.S. Navy ships in the area responded to the urgent marine information bulletin and are assisting the Coast Guard in the search."

The Coast Guard said the vessel had fishing gear engaged and was moving northeast at about six miles per hour. There was nobody aboard and no visible damage to the vessel. A commercial towing company will retrieve the vessel and tow it to shore, according to the news release.

Missing sailor found: Man sailing from California arrives in Hawaii after Coast Guard launched search for him

Search for Jeffrey Kale was previously suspended

Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders received a notification from Kale's family stating he was overdue from a fishing trip around 10:30 p.m. Saturday and the Coast Guard began its search Sunday between Blackjack and Steeples, North Carolina.

After searching for approximately 72 combined hours and covering over 7,000 square miles, the Coast Guard announced Monday it had suspended its search for Kale.

It is with heavy hearts that we suspend our active search for Mr. Kale, said Cmdr. Corrie Sergent, Sector North Carolina deputy commander, in a news release Monday. Our extensive search by air and sea with numerous crews, assets, and several good Samaritans, saturated the various areas we believed he may be."

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jeffrey Kale missing: Coast Guard resumes search for boater in NC
Councilor Retrosi: Why Dover needed to exceed tax cap

April 5  To the Editor:

I want to acknowledge the difficult decision we were facing in voting to override the tax cap this year. It was not a decision that I took lightly, as I understand the concerns of residents about increasing taxes.

However, in this particular year, due to factors like rising costs and reductions in state funding to our school system, simply maintaining the current level of funding requires us to exceed the limitations set by the tax cap. After careful consideration and thorough analysis, I firmly believe that this decision was necessary to address the pressing needs of our city and ensure its continued growth and prosperity.

This was necessary to prevent cuts to crucial services and programs that our community relies on.

I want to clarify the decision to override the tax cap in this instance was not primarily about increasing funding for schools, but rather about preserving the current level of funding to maintain the status quo. Difficult decisions were made during the recent budgeting process, resulting in cuts to various programs and services that we would have liked to have maintained. While these decisions were not taken lightly, they were necessary in order to address the financial challenges facing our community.

While I support overriding the tax cap in this instance, I agree that it should not become a recurring practice. It is important for us to strive for fiscal responsibility and explore alternative sources of revenue to fund essential services without placing a heavy burden on taxpayers.

Moving forward, I will continue to work diligently to advocate for prudent budgeting practices, prioritize spending, and seek out cost-saving measures to prevent the need for future tax cap overrides. It is crucial that we carefully consider the financial impact on residents and make decisions that are in the best long-term interests of Dover.

I appreciate the understanding and support of residents as we navigate these challenging circumstances and commit to continuously reevaluating our budget priorities to ensure that tax cap overrides are not a regular occurrence.

Tony Retrosi

City Council Ward 3

Dover

Councilor Retrosi: "I want to acknowledge the difficult decision we were facing in voting to override the tax cap this year."

A call to action for affordable housing in Portsmouth

April 8  To the Editor:

As a long-time resident of Portsmouth, I've witnessed firsthand the escalating challenges our community faces regarding affordable and worker housing. Recent discussions, notably the "Places to Live Study Circle Dialogue Report Out," have brought to light a critical need for diverse housing options to maintain our city's vibrancy and economic health.

Portsmouth prides itself on being inclusive, yet the reality is that many of our essential workers and young families find themselves priced out. The ripple effects are palpable, affecting local businesses and the fabric of our community. The study circles have provided actionable solutions, from zoning adjustments to innovative housing initiatives, highlighting the urgency for change and community-wide support.

It's time for our city leaders to take bold steps towards addressing this issue. We need more than discussions; we require actionable strategies that reflect our values of inclusivity and community support. By fostering collaboration between the city, developers, and community members, we can create sustainable solutions to ensure that everyone who contributes to Portsmouth has the opportunity to live here.

Let's not let another report sit on the shelf. It's incumbent upon us, as a community and its leaders, to move from conversation to action, making Portsmouth a truly "City of the Open Door."

Catherine Keenan

Portsmouth

The obstacle to peace is Palestinian hatred of Jews and Israel

April 5 -- To the Editor:

In their April 2 letters, Messrs. Odell and Turner demonstrate a total misunderstanding of the situation in the Middle East. Odell claims to know that Israel has killed tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians during the IDF campaign to eliminate Hamas. But how does he know? Is he simply parroting the casualty numbers fabricated by Hamas and accepted without critical review by CNN and the NY Times? Several statistical analyses have demonstrated that the casualty figures Odell "knows" are nothing more than propaganda inventions by Hamas.

Dr. Turner's letter is less fevered but demonstrates a serious lack of historical understanding about Israel and the Palestinians. The so-called Green Line has never been an international border. It was simply the truce line that was drawn after newly born Israel survived an invasion by several Arab armies in 1948. Before and after 1948, the Jews of Palestine repeatedly offered to share the land with the Arabs of Palestine. Those offers have been repeatedly rejected because the Palestinian (Arab) leadership cannot accept the existence of Israel on any parcel of land, no matter how small.

The Oslo peace accords permitted the creation of a Palestinian Authority to administer part of the "West Bank." Those accords also permitted Israel to administer the less populated portion of the "West Bank" and to use the IDF to prevent terrorist attacks launched across the Green Line. Despite the efforts of Bill Clinton to broker a two-state solution, the Palestinian Authority launched a campaign of terrorist attacks inside Israel that murdered hundreds of civilians. To this day, a major expenditure of the Palestinian Authority is payments to the families of terrorists who have died while attempting to kill Israeli civilians or who have been imprisoned for terrorist acts. Is it any wonder that a majority of Israelis, most of whom long for peace, now believe that a two-state solution won't happen anytime soon? The true obstacle to peace is not Benjamin Netanyahu. It is hatred of Jews lurking in the minds of many Palestinians.

Richard England

Durham

Remembering my first newspaper route

April 8  To the Editor:

As promised, my newspaper was in the mailbox by Sunday morning, and once again nostalgia struck. One of the things that Boomers growing up in the 1960s and 70s experienced were the numerous peers with paper routes. Competition for routes was pretty fierce, and as a kid who moved around a bit, those jobs were closed out as were snow shoveling jobs.

We now live in a nation where only children are seen as more of a new normal, if couples can even afford to raise one child. The days of four or more kids in a family are long gone. The small city my family lived in was where my first paper route was memorized. It wasnt my route, but that of an older friend, who would have me fill in for him when he couldnt do it.

It was a bit of a brotherhood, where some older man would pass out the counted stacks of newspapers to the paperboys and any route/customer changes would be discussed. The newspapers were folded and placed in a strapped canvas bag, printed with the newspapers name, and then diagonally slung over one shoulder. The delivery vehicle was typically a 20 bicycle with high handlebars and a banana seat. Sometimes, the strap was wound around the handle grips so the bag was hanging in front of the bike. Paperboys collected the money weekly, typically via envelopes behind storm doors, and brought it back to the meeting place after subtracting any tips. This is back when families living in apartments could save up to buy a house someday, as mine later did. Those days are also now long gone.

Don Cavallaro

Rye

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Dover tax cap override and Portsmouth's housing needs: Letters
Drake Bell has been overwhelmed by the reactions to him telling his story in the documentary series "Quiet on Set."

The "Drake and Josh" actor said he was "still reeling" from the response after opening up about the sexual abuse he faced as a child, he revealed during a panel at an Emmys For Your Consideration event in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

"Having to tell this sensitive of a story, something I held inside for so many years," said Bell, 37, according to Deadline and People. "I'm still reeling from the idea of bearing my soul to the world."

Bell said he was partly inspired to speak up now because he hadn't seen anything written about former Nickelodeon dialogue coach Brian Peck, 63, who was convicted in 2004 of lewd acts with a minor, revealed in the documentary to be then-15-year-old Bell.

"It was nowhere," the "Amanda Show" actor said. "I was so perplexed by that. This is the response that I feel should have happened so many years ago, the reaction that everybody is having now. This needs to change."

Drake Bell speaks onstage during the "Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" For Your Consideration event at Saban Media Center on April 9, 2024 in North Hollywood, California.

Bell said people have come up to him and sharing they now have the bravery to speak up, and call for laws to be changed.

"Hollywood is a beautiful place, full of fantasy and imagination and fun. But it's also a completely dark cesspool of disgusting waste," he said. "I'm hoping that we see shifts and changes inside the industry that are needed."

Bell appeared on the panel alongside "All That" stars Giovonnie Samuels and Bryan Hearne, who also speak out in the documentary, and filmmakers Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz.

Drake Bell, Giovonnie Samuels and Bryan Hearne attend the "Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV" For Your Consideration event at Saban Media Center on April 9, 2024 in North Hollywood, California.

Bryan Hearne defends parents of child stars, says he and mom are 'really good'

Samuels and Hearne appeared in "Quiet on Set" and discussed their experiences on the sketch show. The documentary series exposed several claims against the Nickelodeon series creator, Dan Schneider, of misogyny, racism and creating toxic work environments.

Hearne also defended the parents of child stars, saying they can only "do so much."

"I don't think it's on the parents," Hearne, 35, said. "I think that it's important that there are people on set  who are tasked to give care and caretake to the emotions of the children on set. That's the most important thing."

'Quiet on Set' new episode: Former 'All That' actor Shane Lyons says Brian Peck made 'passes' at him

The "Hardball" actor also addressed speculation about the state of his relationship with his mother, Tracey Brown, who also appears in the series to discuss her experience as a parent on set.

In the latest episode of the series, Hearne participated in an emotional discussion with his mother, and the two said the documentary helped repair their fractured relationship.

"I (want to) clear something up about the narrative about whether or not I've been in touch with my mom since then," Hearne said, according to Deadline. "I didn't leave 'All That' and my mom. We have had a tumultuous relationship. We're on again, off again ... Right now, we're on again, and it feels permanent, and that's really good."

Contributing: Brendan Morrow

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Drake Bell says 'Quiet on Set' response still has him 'reeling'
Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images

Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and his wife, Princess Rajwa, are expecting their first child this summer, the Jordanian royal family announced in a statement.

The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, Crown Prince, and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, are expecting, with Gods help and grace, their first child, in the summer of this year, the statement began on Wednesday, April 10. The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations to Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah on this occasion, and wishes Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa good health and joy as they welcome their baby.

Crown Prince Hussein, son of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, and Rajwa Al Saifl, both 29, were married last summer in a ceremony at Zahran Palace in Amman, in front of dignitaries from around the world.

Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton attended the wedding, along with Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, First Lady Jill Biden, Queen Sofia of Spain, Frederik X, King of Denmark, and his wife, Queen Mary, and Brunei Prince Abdul Mateen.

Watch Past Royal Wedding Highlights: Will and Kate, Charles and Diana and More

According to royal blog Gerts Royals, the baby will have the titles of His/Her Royal Highness and Prince/Princess. If the baby is a boy, he will also be second in line to the throne after his father, as the princes eldest son. A daughter would not be in line for the throne, as the Jordanian line of succession applies to males only.

The baby will also make Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, 62, and Queen Rania, 53, first-time grandparents.

Jordan Pix/Getty Images

Despite their star-studded wedding, the prince and princess have stayed relatively under the radar. Prince Hussein was born in Jordan and Princess Rajwa in Saudi Arabia, but both went to college in the United States. Prince Hussein graduated from Georgetown University in 2016 with a degree in international history and also attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England. Princess Rajwa graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in architecture in 2017, spending time in Dubai to study the citys sustainable developments.

22 of the Hottest Male Royals and Princes Around the World

The princesss pregnancy comes just two months after her father, Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Sai, died at age 71.

With profound sadness and sorrow, we bid farewell to my beloved father-in-law, Prince Hussein wrote via Instagram in February. We will always remember his kindness, generosity, and integrity. May God bestow mercy upon him and grant us patience and strength.

The Royal Hashemite Court announced three days of mourning in his honor.
NEW YORK (AP)  Nearly half a century after Francis Ford Coppola won the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or, he will return to the French Riviera festival to premiere his self-financed epic Megalopolis.

The premiere was confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday by a person close to the project who requested anonymity because they weren't authorized to make the announcement. Hollywood trade Deadline first reported that Megalopolis will screen in competition at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 17.

The French film festival didn't immediately respond to messages Tuesday. Cannes chief Thierry Fremaux is set to announce the competition lineup Thursday in Paris. Fremaux last week told Variety that he hoped to program Megalopolis at this years festival.

"Megalopolis is a project that he wanted to achieve for so long and he did it independently, in his own way, as an artist, Fremaux said. He built the legend of the Cannes Film Festival and it would be an honor to welcome him back, as a filmmaker who comes to present his new film.

That Megalopolis is to screen in competition means the 85-year-old Coppola will be eligible for Cannes' Palme d'Or 45 years after he won it for Apocalypse Now. Coppola split the Palme that year with Volker Schlondorff's Die Blechtrommel," but he won Cannes' top prize outright 50 years ago, for The Conversation.

In recent weeks, Coppola has screened Megalopolis for friends and family and begun shopping it to distributors. The project, which he first began conceiving in the early 1980s, cost a reported $120 million to make. Coppola put up his money with the help of his wine empire to realize a passion project about the rebuilding of a metropolis. It stars Adam Driver and Giancarlo Esposito, and includes a starry cast of Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Chloe Fineman, Kathryn Hunter and Dustin Hoffman.

The Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off May 14, has previously announced premieres for George Miller's Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Kevin Costner's "Horizon, an American Saga." Earlier Tuesday, the festival said George Lucas will receive an honorary Palme d'Or.
Vehicles along Woodlands Parkway make their way to Interstate 45 in January. A project to address the most congested stretch of Interstate 45 at the border with Montgomery and Harris counties by realigning freeway ramps is moving forward with an estimated 2027 competition date. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

A project to address the most congested stretch of Interstate 45 at the border of Montgomery and Harris counties by realigning freeway ramps is moving forward, with an estimated 2027 competition date.

The project targets I-45 where the Hardy Toll Road, Rayford Road, Springwoods Drive and the Grand Parkway meet.

Montgomery County Commissioners Court is expected to consider an advance funding agreement for the project this month. The cost of the project was not available.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Project targets road delays

This is a project to reduce congestion and improve safety in a very difficult stretch of I-45, said David Balmos, vice president of Minneapolis-based WSB & Associates. We have presented this project to (the Texas Department of Transportation), and their eyes are wide open.

Balmos said that area of I-45 is the single most congested stretch of the interstate. In 2017, the road carried 250,000 vehicles a day, and it is projected to carry 370,000 vehicles a day by 2045.

The need is clear, Balmos said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

TxDOT began studying the area of I-45 about five years ago. In July, it approved the project to realign the ramps. The state selected WSB as a provider of engineering consultant services for TxDOT's Houston District.

Our design we have created here is to eliminate some of the weaving movements causing the operational and safety issues, said Steve Lindsey, senior director of transportation design with WSB. We have done that by flipping the ramps and braiding them.

New ramps can ease traffic flow

According to the state, braided ramps separate traffic entering and exiting the freeway by having one ramp braid over the other, streamlining traffic flow for drivers.

Lindsey said this section of I-45 has 1.7 times the crash rate of a typical interstate in Texas.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack was spearheading the project but asked the court Tuesday to appoint County Judge Mark Keough and Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley after Noack lost his bid for reelection in March to former Shenandoah Mayor Ritch Wheeler. Wheeler will take office in January.

This is going to be a game changer for not just south Montgomery County but for all of Montgomery County, Noack said. We are fighting every day for economic development opportunities.

Balmos said one change will be that those wanting to exit I-45 to the Hardy Toll Road or Springwoods Village will exit the interstate before Rayford Sawdust Road and eliminate that traffic mixing with traffic continuing south.

Thats going to be great, Riley said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Noack called the project one on the most important for the county.
Heres a message to Congress, political candidates, and the whole nation: El Paso being at the epicenter of the national battle over immigration is a scenario that's costing us all money, time, and economic growth.

This crisis hurts our fair city far more than Americas media will ever tell you. But what if I told you that one of the worst things about the massive inflow of asylum seekers from Juarez, Mexico, through El Paso, Texas, was its impact on international shipping?

In early January, this was hammered home when Customs and Border Patrol (CBP)for a second timereassigned rail inspector agents from their normal work of inspecting trains to help process massive numbers of migrants.

Perhaps Washington had no idea that every 10-minute delay in processing the paperwork for railcars and trucks bringing goods across the border adds nearly $4 million a month to the cost of shipping those goods.

Consider, then, the impact of having to sit an extra hour a day at the border because too many CBP officers have been reassigned elsewhere. Do the math: Thats $4 million times 6 times 12 months a yearwell over $280 million. But the truth is that many trains wait a full day or even longerso multiply that $280 million by 24, and you begin to see the breadth and depth of the problem. And thats not including produce spoilage.

To put it bluntly, the closure of the rail gateway at Eagle Pass costs an estimated $2.32 million per day, and the rail shutdowns at Eagle Pass and El Paso last winter caused a $200 million daily loss for the U.S. economy.

Before the onslaught of millions seeking entry into the United States, the residents of El Paso and Juarez, most of whom have relatives on both sides of the Rio Grande, traveled freely between the twin cities that together are home to 2.5 million people. Juarez is flush with manufacturing, mostly of goods to be shipped north through El Paso bound for cities across the nation.

But today those routine border crossings have become nightmares for shippersand not just because of the extra cost (and pollution) from sitting in long lines at checkpoints. Truckers and trainmen spend more time away from home, delivery schedules are disrupted at factories and their products ultimate destinations. As a result, consumers pay more.

As CEO of the 125-year-old El Paso Chamber of Commerce, a big part of my job is to advocate for businesses that move goods and services across the border in both directionsand to encourage new businesses to locate in El Paso. The current border crisis is threatening our trajectory.

Despite being home to Fort Bliss, one of the nations largest military bases, El Paso is seemingly a forgotten city to the national press. One reason for this is its distance from just about anywhere else430 miles from Phoenix and much farther from other major Texas cities such as Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston. El Paso is not even on the main Texas power grid.

A fifth of all U.S.-Mexico trade crosses the border at El Pasoand yet the mainstream media darkens our doors only when migrants rush into barbed wire fences. Maybe they are just unaware of El Pasos importance to Americans hundreds, even thousands, of miles away.

Among the goods shipped through our city are the largest number of life-saving medical devices and microchips from the 17 factories crowded into Chihuahua State.

Trade just between Mexico and Texas alone rose to $285 billion in 2023, and the binational metroplex that includes El Paso, Juarez, and Las Cruces is the fifth largest manufacturing center in the Western Hemisphere, with over 500 manufacturing facilities.

The Hunt Institute at the University of Texas-El Paso has additionally come up with some startling statistics about the impact of overtaxed CBP personnel (and thus shipping delays). Hunts data show just how the suspension of train inspections at the border, which affects 10,000 railcars transporting crucial goods to American cities, harms the businesses we serve.

We in El Paso see rail traffic disruptions as part of a recurring pattern of knee-jerk reactions that impede international trade without achieving the primary goal of preventing contraband from entry into the United States.

Americas demand for labor has brought prosperity across the Rio Grande, such that there is no industrial space left to lease in the metropolis across the border. Even the industrial park in southeastern New Mexico is growing rapidly. However, El Paso has a hard time attracting industry, in part because the little national reporting we receive from both the Right and the Left pours gasoline on an increasingly hot fire.

Whats ridiculous about the public image of El Paso is that our city has a low crime rate, affordable housing, nearby mountains, and a plentiful workforce. What we are lacking is the investment from corporations and manufacturers to put our people to work.

Make no mistake: Much of the fault for that shortfall belongs to unserious politicians of both parties who have chosen El Paso as a focal point of the immigration debate.

Andrea Adkins-Hutchins is the CEO of El Paso Chamber Of Commerce.

More must-read commentary published by Fortune:

Glassdoor CEO: Anonymous posts will always stay anonymous

We analyzed 46 years of consumer sentiment dataand found that todays vibecession is just men starting to feel as bad about the economy as women historically have

90% of homebuyers have historically opted to work with a real estate agent or broker. Heres why thats unlikely to change, according to the National Association of Realtors

Intel CEO: Our goal is to have at least 50% of the worlds advanced semiconductors produced in the U.S. and Europe by the end of the decade

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Although China has seen economic pressures hurt demand, its relied on exports to reinvigorate trade. By upping subsidies, the Chinese government has managed to grow exports while reducing the price of goods it manufacturesand the EU has caught wind of the trend.

Brussels is now kicking up its scrutiny of Chinese suppliers in the European wind-turbine market thats estimated to be worth $4.3 billion.

The EU plans to dig into government subsidies given to Chinese turbine suppliers currently used in wind farms across Spain, France, Bulgaria, and more, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said in a Tuesday speech made in Princeton, N.J.

Vestager announced the move just days after the European Commission decided to launch a probe into subsidies given to Chinese companies for solar farms in Romania. Separately, the EU also opened an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese-made battery EVs last year.

We saw the playbook for how China came to dominate the solar panel industry, Vestager said, adding that Chinas power play had resulted in European companies making less than 3% of the solar panels installed in the region.

She outlined the steps China typically follows, starting with attracting foreign investment, acquiring technology, and offering generous subsidies to domestic players so it can make turbines at much lower prices than its rivals elsewhere.

We cant afford to see what happened on solar panels happening again on electric vehicles, wind, or essential chips, she said.

European majors like Siemens Energy still dominate the market for wind turbines, but have seen competition from cheaper Chinese alternatives, forcing them to slash costs and bear losses. Chinas bid to get a bite of the turbine-making market comes at a time when theres growing focus and investment into green technology.

Its unclear which Chinese companies will be investigated by Brussels.

Is it a subsidy issue?

The West has tried to bark at Chinese competition by pinning it to fostering overcapacity in industries like energy and EVs. But Beijing has denied these claims, calling them groundless as Chinas companies are flourishing because of innovation rather than subsidies, commerce minister Wang Wentao said this week.

If the ongoing EU probe into unfair subsidies results in findings against China, it could result in additional tariffs on EV imports.

As far as wind turbines go, Chinas Chamber of Commerce to the EU said it was dissatisfied with the probe by the bloc.

This action sends a detrimental signal to the world, suggesting discrimination against Chinese enterprises and endorsing protectionism, the group, which represents Chinese business interests in the European region, said in a statement.

The last time the EU launched a big probe into China, the Asian superpower hit back at the bloc with an antidumping probe over brandy imports. What will it be this time?

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
The first time Gili Raanan ever gave Assaf Rappaport a big check, it was in a gas station.

It was a convenience store in a gas station that didn't really have tables, and there were two seats we could occupy, said Raanan, a venture capital investor who was then at Sequoia Capital.

The unusual meeting point was a compromise of sorts, halfway between Tel Aviv, where Rappaport lived, and Raanans homebase in Mikhmoret, a coastal town 26 miles to the north.

Assaf said, I don't own a car. I live in Tel Aviv, and I have no idea where Mikhmoret is, Raanan recalls. So they closed the deal in the gas station. We had a conversation about terms, shook hands, and thats how the first investment in Assaf happened.

That was in 2012, for a startup called Adalloma company Rappaport and his cofounders Ami Luttwak, Yinon Costica, and Roy Reznik would ultimately sell to Microsoft for a reported $320 million in 2015.

And thats where the story moves into hyperspeed. About 12 years after sitting across from Raanan in that gas station, Rappaport is now handing out checks of his own. Rappaport isnt a VC though; hes the CEO of fast growing cloud security startup Wiz, and hes on the hunt for acquisitions.

In December, Wiz announced its first deal, buying developer-focused cloud platform Rafft for a reported $50 million. Now, Wiz is on to its second, even larger deal, closing the acquisition of Gem Security, the companies have exclusively confirmed with Fortune. Wiz and Gem declined to disclose the financial terms, but sources familiar with the matter told Fortune that its a $350 million transaction.

Gem, which was founded in 2022 and specializes in whats commonly termed cloud detection and response, or CDR, landed on Rappaports radar last year. I never got so many calls from so many investors saying: Hey, how can we get into Gem?" said Rappaport. That's when I knew something was happening.

Rappaport started calling Gem CEO and cofounder Arie Zilberstein. But until very recently Zilberstein wasnt considering a deal.

We weren't thinking about getting acquired at all, not even a month ago to be frank, Zilberstein said. But Gems CEO eventually came around as he considered the benefits of combining forces. From there, the deal moved quickly. This wasnt relatively fast, this was shockingly fast, said Nadav Zafrir, cofounder of Team8 and an investor in Gem.

The Gem acquisition, which was reported to be in the works in March by Bloomberg, marks another key milestone in Wizs rapid rise in the cyber industry. Rappaport founded Wiz in 2020 with his former Adallom cofounders, and the company is based in New York.

Wiz, which was among the Fortune Cyber 60, has raised $900 million from backers including Sequoia, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Index Ventures, Insight Partners, Salesforce Ventures, and Raanans Cyberstarts, and is reportedly valued at $10 billion.

The Financial Times reported in March that Wiz is looking to raise a new round for as much as $800 million valuing the company north of $10 billion. Though Rappaport declines to comment on the report directly, hes open about the inbound interest that Wiz has received.

Theres fundraising excitement, after weve crossed the $350 million, expanding in the U.S., AI, and now with the Gem acquisition thats publicI would say weve got a lot of interest from investors, Rappaport says.

2024 will be the year of acquisitions

The speed of the Gem acquisition can be in part attributed to the common language between Rappaport and Zilberstein. The two have a lot in common, in a way thats easy to see as they talk to each other on a Zoom callthey both sit with evocative art in the background (on Rappaports side, theres even a painting by his cofounder Costica) and theyre both very excited to let me know that they both have border collie mixes.

And then theres how they first metmore than a decade ago, Rappaport and Zilberstein were both in the elite cyber division of the Israeli Defense Forces, Unit 8200. Its a program that screens thousands of candidates and ends up recruiting the top 1%.

Rappaport also had his own experience to bring to the table, as a founder whose company was acquired. Assaf, being a former founder who sold his company, helped one hundred percent, said Zilberstein. It was a valuable part of the trust that weve been able to have as part of this deal.

To hear Rappaport talk, there will likely be more Wiz deals in the near future. The Wiz CEO calls 2024 the year of acquisitions, and hes currently asking himself: How do we copy and paste the success were addressing here? How do we look for the next amazing companies that are going to grow in our cloud security market?

Raanan, who founded VC firm Cyberstarts and was also an early investor in Wiz, says the M&A strategy is a sign of the startups maturity, despite being only four years old: getting to the point where you realize that you can acquire talent and technology that would accomplish things you couldnt or would take you a lot of time to accomplish.

Its quite a change for someone who, more than a decade ago, didnt have a car and met his VC in a comically tableless gas station convenience store. I ask Raanan what he knew, looking back on that moment; he thinks very seriously about the question before answering.

When I meet founders, I ignore the product ideas, I ignore the technology, and I ignore the market, he said. Back in 2012, everything was the pitch, the product, the market, but that whole setting, that whole interaction, there was something that was pure gold I sensed that I was looking at a young individual that can go the whole way.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Good morning. Fortune announced on Tuesday that Anastasia Nyrkovskaya would take over as CEO, becoming the first woman to lead the media brand, and continuing a trend of talented CFOs ascending to a firm's top job.

Anastasia joined Fortune in 2019 as finance chief and later added the role of chief strategy officer. She's succeeding Fortune mainstay Alan Murray, who's CEO stint began in 2018 and who announced in October that he planned to step down in April.

After beginning her career at KPMG in Russia, Anastasia continued her work for the firm in New York City before joining NBCUniversal, where she held senior roles in finance and accounting. She was part of the corporate strategy team handling M&Ashe oversaw major acquisitions such as MSNBC.com and The Weather Channeland helped with the formation of Hulu.

In our conversation on Tuesday, Anastasia shared, from an executive perspective, what's distinct about leading a media brand: The complexity of the businessunderstanding what drives each of the individual businesses within a media brand is very important.

The company is editorially driven, but how it markets itself to consumers can take on many different forms. But each of those forms relies on the same key dynamic: reputation. We are viewed as a trusted source, she added.

After her time at NBCUniversal, she served as CFO at companies including XpresSpa Group. A mix of experience between public and private companies is very important for people in the finance and accounting profession for their career advancement, she said.

Anastasia returned to the media industry and worked to maintain Fortune's trusted relationship with readers. As finance chief and chief strategy officer, she has played key roles in the 95-year-old magazine's digital transformation as it diversified revenue streams and expanded globally.

'Probably the biggest skill'

Her ascension to the CEO spot is part of a larger trend: Looking solely at the S&P 500, a study by Russell Reynolds Associates found that CFOs were three times more likely to transition into the top seat in 2023 than they were in 2021. And according to the most recent volatility report from Crist Kolder Associates, based on data from 674 Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies, last year 8.4% percent of CEO roles were filled by CFOs. In 2013, that figure was 5.8%.

As CFO, and as chief strategy officer, experience Anastasia shares with other finance chiefs making the same leap to chief executive is broadening skill sets, being a strategic partner to the CEO and board, understanding the stakeholder landscape, and looking into the future of the industry. But also the ability to focus on longer-term organizational goals and make decisions sometimes with incomplete information when the data isn't yet available.

Operating in that universe of unknowns is probably the biggest skill, Anastasia said. It's not enough just to look forward or just to look backward, you actually have to look at today, the past, and the future, and then try to make the best guess based on that.

As CEO, she said she's looking forward to everything, adding, but probably what I'm most excited about is really to see what we're going to do journalistically.

Sheryl Estrada

sheryl.estrada@fortune.com

Maria Soledad Davila Calero curated the Leaderboard and Overheard sections of todays newsletter.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told donors and supporters at a private retreat last weekend that he plans to help raise money for Donald Trumps presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

DeSantis told his allies about the move to help Trump during a private gathering Saturday at South Floridas Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, these people said.

He did say it in front of a group of people at the Hard Rock, a DeSantis adviser told NBC News.

The person emphasized that DeSantis had pledged to support Republicans up and down the ballot  including presidential  when he dropped his bid for president in January.

DeSantis remarks come after he was effectively in a political war with Trump, both before and since the governor dropped out of the presidential primary race. It remains unclear if Trump and his team want DeSantis to help them, or have him as an ally, even though the governor did endorse Trump in January.

Many of the bundlers who heard from DeSantis at the Hard Rock will likely follow his lead and start trying to raise money for the former president, according to a fundraiser who was at the event.

I would say the majority in the room would now be willing to help Trump, a DeSantis bundler who was at the recent meeting said.

Texas businessman Roy Bailey, who was a co-chair of DeSantis national finance advisory board, said in an interview Wednesday that hes planning to help raise money for Trump, as he did in 2020.

I will follow the governors lead and I will do anything that he or President Trump ask me to do to help him win this election, Bailey said.

I know where there are DeSantis supporters all over Texas and all over the country that will want to help President Trump. So thats what Ill try to make happen, he added.

A Trump campaign adviser said they were not aware that DeSantis was going to start raising money from them but added that everyone should be working towards defeating Joe Biden and electing President Trump.

DeSantis donor retreat happened on the same day as Trumps biggest fundraiser of the cycle, which his campaign said raised $50.5 million.

The two men were longtime political allies after Trumps endorsement helped DeSantis become governor in 2018. As it became clear DeSantis was considering running against Trump in 2024, the relationship publicly soured, and toward the end of DeSantis campaign, both sides regularly trashed each other.

Shortly after DeSantis dropped out of the race, Susie Wiles, his former political adviser turned Trumps campaign chief, posted a quip at the governor on social media: Bye, bye. DeSantis fired Wiles after she helped run his first gubernatorial campaign, adding a layer of personal rivalry to the feud.

In February, DeSantis shared his concerns with supporters about Trump, noting that he believed the former president should not play identity politics when picking a 2024 running mate. Trumps campaign subsequently ripped DeSantis.

Still, for Trump, getting DeSantis help could be a benefit as the former president has been behind President Joe Biden in fundraising.

DeSantis finance committee is full of fundraisers with massive networks that could help raise money for Trump.

Emil Henry, the CEO of Tiger Infrastructure Partners, was a member of DeSantis national finance board. Others on the finance committee included Republican donors John Childs, Jay Zeidman and Bob Giuffra.

The Trump campaigns announcement that it raised $50.5 million at investor John Paulsons home on Saturday was a single event record. That money would go to Trumps campaign, the Republican National Committee, a political action committee paying Trumps legal bills and over a dozen state party committees.

Biden announced his campaign and a collection of Democratic committees raised more than $90 million in March alone.

Trump and Republicans have acknowledged they are likely going to be at a money disadvantage throughout the 2024 cycle.
Five former Rankin County sheriffs deputies and one Richland police officer connected to the "Goon Squad" received state sentences Wednesday for their involvement in abusing and torturing two Black men, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker.

Former Rankin County Sheriff's deputies Brett McAlpin, Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke, and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield pleaded guilty to state charges in August 2023. The charges stem from an incident on January 24, 2023, when the ex-officers busted into a home without a warrant, called Jenkins and Parker racial slurs, beat them, assaulted them with a sex toy, and shot Jenkins in the mouth.

The Goon Squad state sentences

McAlpin, 53, former Rankin County Sheriffs Office Chief Investigator, was sentenced to 20 years in state prison.

Middleton, 46, former Rankin County Sheriffs Office Lieutenant, was sentenced to 20 years in state prison.

Dedmon, 29, former Narcotics Investigator of the Rankin County Sheriffs Office, was sentenced to 25 years in state prison.

Elward, 31, former Rankin County Sheriffs Office Deputy, was sentenced to 45 years in state prison.

Daniel Opdyke, 28, former Rankin County Sheriffs Office Deputy, was sentenced to 20 years in state prison.

Joshua Hartfield, 32, former Narcotics Investigator for the Richland Police Department, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison.

Time served for the state charges will run concurrently to the federal sentences they received in March 2024.

Me and Eddie in this event were called racist names. We were called [racial slur], we were called monkey, we were called boy, and we were accused of dating White women, Jenkin's statement said.

Shortly before a state sentence was handed down by Circuit Judge Steve Ratcliff, Jenkins and Parker described the trauma they endured at the hands of the former policemen in a statement read by Attorney Malik Shabazz.

After Hunter Elward shot me, they left me to die bleeding on the floor. And they tried to set up me up to be in prison, the statement continued. Your honor, they killed me. I just didnt die.

Parker's statement read, "I never knew the ones that were sworn to protect and serve would be the ones that needed protection from. ... They should be given what they gave me and Michael Jenkins, which is no mercy."

'Goon Squad' victim Michael Jenkins and his father Melvin Jenkins listen to lawyer Malik Shabazz during a press conference after the sentencing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon on Wednesday.

None of the officers or their attorneys provided a statement.

After the officers were sentenced in state court, Shabazz said to reporters the court has "given out justice." Shabazz said the judge has "set a new standard here in Rankin County, that police brutality will not be tolerated in Rankin County."

Here's a recap of each officer's federal sentencing handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Tom Lee which ranged from 10 to 40 years:

Read quote from Sheriff Bailey here: See the prison sentences of each ex-Mississippi officer connected to the 'Goon Squad'

The Goon Squad federal sentences

March 19: Elward, who shot Jenkins in the mouth, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. Judge Lee called Elward's crimes egregious and despicable.

March 19: Middleton, the alleged leader of the "Goon Squad," was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison. Judge Lee said he had "no hesitation" in concluding that Middleton's actions called for a sentence at the top of the guideline range.

March 20: Opdyke was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison. Judge Lee told Opdyke despite being "subjected to the corrupted influence" of his superiors, Opdyke knew about the excessive force and tactics of the "Goon Squad."

March 20: Dedmon received the longest sentence of all involved former officers  40 years in federal prison. Jenkins, one of the victim's, said Dedmon was the "worst example of a police officer in the United States of America."

March 21: McAlpin, who was the highest-ranking deputy on the scene of the January 24, 2023, incident, was sentenced to 27.25 years in prison. Prosecutor Christopher Perras described McAlpin as the mafia don of the group, stating that while the victims were "screaming in pain," McAlpin was "urinating in a closet."

March 21: Hartfield, the last to be sentenced in connected to the 'Goon Squad,' was handed down the shortest sentence of 10 years. Judge Lee took five minutes of deliberating outside the presence of the courtroom before the sentencing was imposed, which was the only time in the sentencings that Lee did not impose a sentence right away. Lee said he looked at Hartfield "in a different light."

About an hour after the last federal sentencing was imposed, Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey released a statement.

"In January of 2023, criminal conduct by individual former deputies injured citizens in our county and undermined the reputation of the Rankin County Sheriffs Department," Bailey's statement read, " Violations of established rules and regulations will not be tolerated by this department, and anyone who violates the law will be brought to justice."

Rankin County NAACP President Angela English said Bailey should be brought to "justice" as well.

Angela English, Rankin County NAACP president, speaks during a press conference after the 'Goon Squad' sentencing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon on Wednesday.

'Bailey, your days are numbered:' Rankin Co. NAACP, attorneys call for the resignation of Sheriff Bryan Bailey

"We have, in leadership, the sheriff who we consider the leader of the Goon Squad. So, we are going to continue our fight to remove him from office," English said. "We have asked for him to resign, and (Bailey) stated he was not."

English said the Rankin NAACP chapter has reiterated to the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a "clean sweep" of the county sheriff's office. The "clean sweep" includes reopening cases involving the five former officers and holding Bailey accountable for "any wrongdoing."

"You can either walk out on your own or you can walk out, the walk of shame," English said, directing her statement toward Bailey.

Following English's comments, some community members exited the courthouse and entered the county's sheriff's office to demand for Bailey to address their concerns.

Jason Dare, an attorney representing the Rankin County Sheriffs Office, told the Clarion Ledger he spoke with the members in the office's lobby.

Dare said the department would be "happy" to talk with the NAACP chapter.

"It's my understanding based on the conversation in the lobby today that they would like to schedule a conversation with the sheriff or representatives with the department, and we plan on doing that," Dare said. "We encourage community involvement, including from the Rankin NAACP, on improving law enforcement procedures moving forward."

Dare said based on his knowledge, he has not been made aware of the Justice Department potentially seeking Bailey's resignation.

"We are strongly focused on moving forward and making this department something the community can be proud of," Dare told the Clarion Ledger.

'Goon Squad' victim Eddie Parker listens to lawyer Malik Shabazz speak during a press conference after the sentencing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon on Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Goon Squad former officers sentenced by state of Mississippi
They call themselves Zeitouna  a group of six Jewish and six Palestinian women in Michigan that has been meeting twice a month for more than two years. The name is the Arabic word for olive tree, and their motto is "refusing to be enemies."

The safety of the group and their environment has allowed the women to remain committed to each other in the face of Oct. 7 and the war that followed.

"You absorbed my pain, as I absorbed your pain. It's important to just have a space, a place where everybody is there with open arms," Wadad Abed, one of the group's members, said during a meeting.



Diane Blumson, another Zeitouna member, told CBS News, "There's room in a humanitarian way to recognize the trauma of the other. And people have lost that ability right now."

The women of Zeitouna are spreading that message far beyond the rooms where they meet, including on college campuses  many of which have become deeply polarized since the events of Oct. 7.

At the University of Michigan, two students  one Palestinian and one Jewish  started the Arab-Jewish Alliance more than a year ago to foster better relations between the two cultures.



"I grew up Jewish, and the only time when I ever met Arab students was in my Arabic class," said cofounder Evan Rotker. "I was like, 'How can we bring Arab students and Jewish students together?' And, and this kind of set us down this path."

Welly Altaii, a student at the university, told CBS News the "dehumanizing rhetoric" he saw online following Oct. 7 prompted him to join the group.

He later added, "I thought, I want to find a club where I can actually interact with people on the other side, because I hadn't had a chance to interact with people on the other side."

Another student told CBS News, "I think that when you meet a group like Zeitouna, who's been around for so many years, I think it reassures you that this sort of, these friendships, they can last forever," one student said.

For the Zeitounas, those students embody the mission they've spent decades working on.

"As a Holocaust survivor, this is what I learned: All human beings are the same," said Zeitouna member Irene Butter. "And if we could only realize that, then I think we could build a better world."

NASA to launch rockets into total solar eclipse path

Largest dam removal project in U.S. history aims to help revive Americas salmon population

Total solar eclipse cuts path across U.S.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) said Tuesday he does not think Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) should be ousted from his position for doing the right thing by letting Ukraine aid to the floor for a vote.

Krishnamoorthi also predicted, in an interview with CNNs Jim Acosta, that enough Democrats would vote to save the Speaker if Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) followed through on her threat to force a vote on a motion to vacate.

Look, if Speaker Johnson brings Ukraine aid to the floor and other aid packages to the floor and does the right thing  and then Marjorie Taylor Greene seeks to remove him or moves to remove him  I think that Democrats would join in a motion to kill such a maneuver, Krishnamoorthi said.

Because he should not be punished for doing the right thing, he added.

Krishnamoorthis remarks come on the heels of other Democrats similarly signaling an openness to vote to save Johnson if Greene tries to oust him.

Greene filed a motion to vacate in late March, shortly before lawmakers returned home to their districts for a two-week holiday recess.

The measure did not force an immediate vote on Johnsons hypothetical removal, but Greene, throughout the recess period, has continued to threaten to force an ouster vote. She has warned Johnson explicitly against bringing Ukraine aid to the floor for a vote.

Krishnamoorthi said Tuesday he was not sure Greene would ultimately decide to force an ouster vote, noting some Republicans have indicated they did not have an appetite for another Speakership battle.

It could, he said, when asked about the likelihood of Greene forcing a vote on the motion to vacate. Although very interestingly  among my Republican colleagues, especially moderates and others  they feel that there isnt a lot of support for her motion, and therefore she may not make it.

But all that being said, we should be prepared for anything. And weve seen this movie before. And so, you know, well be, I think, not surprised if it happens, but Im hoping that if he does the right thing, he wont be punished for doing that, Krishnamoorthi said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Have a break. Have a doughnut.

Dotdash Meredith / Janet Maples

Were beginning to wonder if Krispy Kremes Original Glazed doughnuts are on the verge of an identity crisis. Krispy Kremes OG (figuratively and literally) doughnut has recently seen a lot of competition in the bakery. In the past month alone, the classic flavor has had to compete with St. Patricks Day- and Easter-themed doughnuts.

Earlier this week, the bakery offered the Total Solar Eclipse Doughnut, a collaboration with Oreo that celebrated the solar eclipse that wont be seen again here in the U.S. for another 20 years. Now that the celestial phenomenon has passed, Krispy Kreme is partnering with another fan-favorite candy brand: Kit Kat.

Krispy Kremes New Kit Kat Collection

Kit Kat's slogan is "Have a break. Have a Kit Kat." For a limited time, Kit Kat lovers can have a break and a Kit Kat doughnut with Krispy Kreme's new collection of three doughnuts packed with creamy chocolate and crispy wafers.

Krispy Kreme

The doughnuts show up at participating Krispy Kreme shops on April 10 for a limited time, available for pick up and delivery. The three new flavors include:



Kit Kat Crunch: an Original Glazed hand-dipped in Herseys Milk Chocolate icing and finished with chopped Kit Kat pieces and chocolate-flavored crispies.

Kit Kat Cookie Dream: an unglazed doughnut filled with cookie dough-flavored Kreme, hand-dipped in Hersheys Milk Chocolate icing and covered with Kit Kat pieces, cookie crumbles, semi-sweet Herseys chips, and a drizzle of cookie dough-flavored icing.

Kit Kat Salted Caramel Brownie: an Original Glazed doughnut topped with brownie batter-flavored buttercream, covered with chopped Kit Kat and brownie pieces, and finished with salted caramel-flavored ribbons.

The Kit Kat Crunch and the Kit Kat Salted Caramel Brownie doughnuts will also be available in a six-pack and delivered to select grocery stores, including participating Walmart, Kroger, Food Lion, Publix, and Stater Bros. Markets locations.

When its time for a Kit Kat break, you can have a doughnut break, tooat least for a limited time.



Read the original article on All Recipes.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) slammed fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) after she sent a letter to colleagues about her grievances with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).

Lawler joined CNNs Jake Tapper on Tuesday to discuss the letter, which he called a bunch of hogwash.

I mean, at the end of the day here, the American people elected a House Republican majority to govern, to serve as a check and balance on the Biden administration, not to fight amongst ourselves, Lawler said.

Earlier Tuesday, Green sent a five-page letter to GOP members laying out a list of issues she has against Johnson. Shes threatened to force a vote to remove Johnson from his leadership position, just months after the House ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in a historic vote that left the lower chamber in chaos without leadership for weeks.

Greene criticized Johnson for serving the Democrats and hit him on his handling of government funding, including aid for Ukraine in its war with Russia. She argued that Johnson is not properly serving the Republican Party and said she will not tolerate this kind of leadership.

Lawler said its mind-boggling that after eight far-right members teamed up with 208 Democrats to remove McCarthy and throw our majority into disarray Greene is threatening a motion to vacate, causing the party to stare down a similar situation.

To say that Mike Johnson is not a conservative, Lawler said of Greenes letter, I would hate to know what she thinks of me then.

Because, you know, obviously, Im representing a district that Joe Biden won by 10 points, right, thats home to Bill and Hillary Clinton and George Soros, he continued. Mike Johnson is in one of the most conservative districts in the country.

Lawler pointed to several issues, including immigration and the southern border, the affordability crisis, and the Israel-Hamas border, where Republicans are disagreeing most with Democrats.

Meanwhile, you know, we have Marjorie Taylor Greene now trying to make this all about a motion to vacate, he said. We have to work together, we have to get the agenda the American people [want] passed, and that includes supporting our allies.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Hungary-China investment summit focuses on renewable energy collaboration

Xinhua) 09:28, April 10, 2024

Peter Holicza, Deputy Secretary of State for European Union affairs and international relations at the Ministry of Energy of Hungary, speaks at the 2024 Hungary Renewable Energy Business Investment Summit in Budapest, Hungary, on April 9, 2024. Industry leaders and government officials from Hungary and China convened on Tuesday at the 2024 Hungary Renewable Energy Business Investment Summit to discuss collaboration opportunities, showcasing the deepening economic ties between the two nations. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

BUDAPEST, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Industry leaders and government officials from Hungary and China convened on Tuesday at the 2024 Hungary Renewable Energy Business Investment Summit to discuss collaboration opportunities, showcasing the deepening economic ties between the two nations.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary and the 10th anniversary of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA), Gergely Karbuczky, HIPA's deputy CEO and COO, expressed optimism about the future of Hungarian-Chinese relations.

Last year, Hungary received a record volume of 13 billion euros (14.1 billion U.S. dollars) in foreign direct investment, including 7.6 billion euros from Chinese investors, as figures published by HIPA indicate.

According to Peter Holicza, Deputy Secretary of State for European Union affairs and international relations at the Ministry of Energy, economic cooperation between China and Hungary has yielded 8.5 billion euros in investment, 33 projects, and over 13,000 jobs by Chinese investors in the past five years.

"We deeply appreciate the cooperation in the economic and energy sectors," Holicza said, mentioning the significance of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's visit to south China's Shenzhen last year and foreseeing Hungary's potential as an important player in the global battery manufacturing industry with China's support.

"The strength of quality relationships with China is crucial for helping us achieve our energy and climate goals," he added.

Sun Xiaoyu, chief representative of the Economic and Trade Office of Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality in Europe, stressed the growing trade relations between China and Hungary, as well as Shenzhen's contribution to Hungary's renewable energy sector.

"By 2023, the import and export between China and Hungary had reached 14.52 billion U.S. dollars. Last year, the total import and export volume amounted to 2.6 billion U.S. dollars," Sun said.

Chen Shou, president of the Shenzhen Renewable Energy Industry Association, underscored Shenzhen's leadership in China's renewable energy sector and the city's contributions to the global green transformation. "Green transformation has become an important trend... the Association will... promote the cooperation between Hungary and China to a new height."

Gergely Karbuczky, Deputy CEO and COO of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA), speaks at the 2024 Hungary Renewable Energy Business Investment Summit in Budapest, Hungary, on April 9, 2024. Industry leaders and government officials from Hungary and China convened on Tuesday at the 2024 Hungary Renewable Energy Business Investment Summit to discuss collaboration opportunities, showcasing the deepening economic ties between the two nations. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

People attend the 2024 Hungary Renewable Energy Business Investment Summit in Budapest, Hungary, on April 9, 2024. Industry leaders and government officials from Hungary and China convened on Tuesday at the 2024 Hungary Renewable Energy Business Investment Summit to discuss collaboration opportunities, showcasing the deepening economic ties between the two nations. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The crowd watches as Travis Scott performs at Astroworld Festival at NRG park on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. Several people died and numerous others were injured in what officials described as a surge of the crowd at the music festival while Scott was performing. Officials declared a mass casualty incident just after 9 p.m. Friday during the festival where an estimated 50,000 people were in attendance, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena told reporters at a news conference. (Jamaal Ellis/Houston Chronicle via AP) Jamaal Ellis, MBI / Associated Press

A Harris County District court judge whittled down the number of defendants named in a civil lawsuit seeking damages over the deaths and injuries caused by the 2021 Astroworld disaster.

Judge Kristen Hawkinss April 8 orders didnt let every company and person out of the massive civil case, however. Apple Inc., the technology giant, and companies affiliated with Astroworld headliner Travis Scott, were denied in their bids to be dismissed, according to court records.

The orders came ahead of a trial anticipated to begin in May seeking damages over the death of one of the 10 people killed in the crowd crush tragedy. That trial is expected to be a bellwether for the hundreds of other lawsuits filed in connection the concert.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

In recent months, some of the dozens of named defendants have sought to be dismissed from the matter, arguing that plaintiffs hadnt done enough to connect their role in the concert to the deaths and injuries.

Some of the defendants' lawyers made their cases for removal in court last week. Others, including Travis Scotts attorneys, are expected to seek similar judgments Monday.

Hawkins' first round of orders Monday didnt go into specifics about why some companies were dismissed and others remained.

She signed orders dismissing Eighteentwentysix, a company that produces concert tours; Re: Source Event Group, which designs concert stages; Epic Records, a record label and one of the producers for the concert; and Paradocs, a medical service provider.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Darryl Platt, Live Nations director of operations, was also dismissed from the lawsuit, according to court records.

Another order denied Apple Inc.'s motion for summary judgment. Also kept in the case, for now, were Front Gate Ticketing Solutions, a promoter and the concerts official ticket provider; and four concert security companies: Contemporary Services Corporation, Apex Security Group, AJ Melio and Associates, and Valle Services.

Travis Scott-connected businesses LaFlame Enterprises and Catcus Jack Enterprises also had their requests for summary judgement denied, according to court records.

Apple in a March filing argued that its role in planning the concert was limited, and said the company had only agreed to livestream Travis Scotts performance at NRG Park three days before the festival was scheduled to begin. The plaintiffs' lawyers objected to Apples arguments, saying the companys cameras crowded the already-packed concert area and contributed to the crowd crush.

The plaintiffs said LaFlame and Cactus Jack had critical roles in promoting the concert, and making it a financial success  and that they were involved in securing the streaming contract and in the design of the stage where the crush happened

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The original lawsuit had targeted three other Scott-owned entities, including his charitable foundation, but the plaintiffs told the court that that they had dropped those claims.

The first civil trial connected to Astroworld is expected to begin in May.
The Belmont has a new neighbor: Larchers Market  a sister concept that is part bar, part coffee shop, part restaurant and part specialty market  opened last week on the east side of Happiness Plaza, 3555 E. Douglas.

The new business has the same owners as The Belmont, but everything else is separate. It has its own menu, its own cocktail list and its own hours.

It also has its own chef. The owners, who all have ties to the Phoenix area, were able to lure one of their favorite Arizona chefs to Wichita and have hired him as Larchers operations manager and head chef.

Chef Kevin Lebron helps a customer decide what to order at the new Larchers Market, where he serves as operations director.

Kevin Lebron, a culinary school graduate with a long restaurant resume, moved with his wife, Maria, to Wichita in January and helped The Belmonts owners  brothers Anthony and Ryan Francisco and Tory DeMarce  open the new business. He also designed the Larchers menu, which offers an all-day upscale breakfast menu plus lots of lunch dishes, ranging from a soba noodle salad to a birria melt.

Lebron, who worked with DeMarce when both lived in Phoenix, said that before he came to check the place out, hed never been to Kansas. But he liked what he saw on a visit in November.

It was just a very big small city, he said. There was a growing food scene here, and it kind of reminded me of Phoenix in the early days, where people were really trying to create a new food scene and the local scene was growing. I saw an opportunity for myself to come out here and immerse myself in the community and really just put my stamp on the food scene.

Larchers Market opened last week in Happiness Plaza, 3500 E. Douglas.

Lebron, 42, grew up in Phoenix, and during his freshman year of high school, his class did a class project on careers. He had no idea what he wanted to do with his life at that point, but his friend wanted to be a chef and had done extensive research on what it took.

Something inside me said, Hey, that sounds interesting. I should go for it, Lebron remembers.

He started telling everyone he was going to be a chef, and during his senior year, he took cooking classes at a local technical school. His kitchen aptitude was apparent from the beginning, he said, and he realized the kitchen was where he belonged.

After high school, he attended the Art Institute of Phoenix, where he studied culinary arts, graduating in 2001. He started working in restaurant kitchens all over Phoenix, including at the Phoenix Country Club and at Eddie Matneys. He was working for a Phoenix restaurant group called Upward Projects, and he met DeMarce when both worked at the groups restaurant Windsor.

Four years ago, Lebron and his wife started a food business called Pachamama, which specialized in plant-based Mexican food. It started in a tent at the local farmers market then progressed into a brick-and-mortar restaurant and food trailer. The business, which started just as the pandemic hit, survived COVID, but it was emotionally tough, and it burned Lebron out, he admitted.

He decided to go back to work as a private chef and was doing that when DeMarce called him about the Larchers opportunity.

Larchers Market opened last week at Happiness Plaza, next door to The Belmont. It has a small specialty market plus breakfast, lunch, cocktails and coffee.

Lebron said he spent three weeks here, and by the end of the visit, hed decided to move to Kansas. Phoenix has in recent years become overpopulated, and the fentanyl epidemic is particularly bad there, Lebron said, adding that he even had problems in front of his restaurant.

Im a very in-tune person. Im very self aware, he said. So all the energy was just really wearing on me, and when I came out here, I just felt a sense of peace. I havent been stressed or anxious... Its like I was destined to be here.

Lebron, who is Puerto Rican, said his cooking style is eclectic. Though his specialties are Asian and Mexican fare, he also is well-versed in Italian, Japanese and Greek cooking. When he designed the Larchers menu, he said, he wanted to include dishes that were familiar but that featured his own twist. Diners will, for example, find biscuits and gravy on the breakfast menu, but the gravy is made with poblanos, and the dish is topped with crispy chicken, pico de gallo and a sunny side up egg.

The biscuits and gravy at Larchers Market feature poblano gravy, pico de gallo and fried chicken.

He said hes also excited about the birria melt, which he makes using his mother-in-laws recipe.

Among the other highlights on the Larchers menu: strawberry crepes, focaccia French toast made with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, a Croque Madame sandwich, and a smash burger served on a potato bun.

The country will get a closer look at Lebrons cooking style when he appears on a Food Network competition show, which should air sometime in the next few months. He hasnt yet been cleared to name the show, he said, but its a popular one, and he filmed the episode just before he moved to Wichita. (Stay tuned for more information on that when its available.)

Larchers name is an ode to Ryan Franciscos wife Lacys and sister-in-law Kelly Novacones great grandfather Frank Larcher, who opened a market called Larchers at Erie and Central in 1922. The store moved and evolved over the years but was a fixture in Wichita until 1989.

The new Larchers Market also has a smash burger on the menu.

The owners designed the business after similar places in Phoenix and Scottsdale that they loved. Customers can buy locally-made products, including cheeses from Elderslie Farm and pickles from Kan-Grow Hydro Farm, as well as local craft beer, wine and grab-and-go sandwiches and salads.

They also can stay for breakfast, lunch, coffee or cocktails. Seating is spread out in the adjoining two-story space that used to be home to Deans Designs and has in recent years served as a spot where people waiting for tables at The Belmont could hang out and enjoy a drink.

The market and the seating area are joined on the lower level by a bar, which also has an outside-facing pass-through window as well as bar stool seating inside.

The hours at Larchers are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 7a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Larchers Market menu
Gun locks will soon be available free to the public at local health department offices in Michigan as part of a new program that is to be announced Friday by the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The locks are to be given out at MDHHS county offices and many local health departments statewide to help Michiganders comply with a new secure gun storage law that went into effect in February.

The law now requires all unattended firearms to be unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or safe if a child could have access to it. Anyone who fails to properly lock a gun that a child later uses to injure themselves or another person can be charged with a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $7,500.

If an unsecured gun is used by a child to kill another person or themselves, the owner can be charged with a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

A cable lock, like this one seen on a 45 ACP pistol at Brown Bear Sporting Goods store in Chesterfield Township, Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, is among the devices that can be used to comply with a new Michigan law that requires all unattended firearms to be unloaded and locked or stored in a locked box if a minor is likely to be present.

The law passed in 2023  about 17 months after Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time, took a 9mm semi-automatic handgun his father had bought him to Oxford High School, killing four classmates and injuring six others and a teacher. He pleaded guilty to all charges against him and is serving life without the possibility of parole.

Jennifer and James Crumbley were the first parents in the U.S. to be charged and convicted in a mass school shooting committed by their child. Both were sentenced this week to 10-15 years in prison.

The rate of firearm deaths has skyrocketed nationally in recent years. Gun deaths were the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens in 2022 and were in the top five causes of death for all Americans through age 44, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Details about Michigan's new free gun lock program are to be announced at 11 a.m. Friday at the MDHHS Greydale Office, 27260 Plymouth Road, in Redford Township. Free cable gun locks will be distributed at the event.

More: Firearm safety device tax exemption shorter than anticipated

In the meantime, Michigan State Police posts have gun locks available now at no cost for anyone in need of one, said Lori Dougovito, a spokesperson for the MSP.

"No questions asked," she said.

Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan offers free gun locks to boost compliance with new laws
Despite dozens of prison staffers campaign to save him, Missouri on Tuesday executed Brian Dorsey for killing his cousin and her husband in 2006.

Dorsey, 51, was the first prisoner to be executed in Missouri this year. He was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m. local time at the state prison in Bonne Terre after a single-dose injection of the sedative pentobarbital, said Missouri Department of Corrections spokesperson Karen Pojmann.

In a letter asking Gov. Mike Parson to spare Dorsey's life, prison staffers had called Dorsey a model inmate who even cut the wardens hair after he was allowed to work as a barber. On Monday, Parson said the execution would go forward.

Dorsey, who had requested clemency, thanked those who tried to save his life.

"To my family, friends, and all of those that tried to prevent this, I love you!" he said in a handwritten note that he left as his last words. "I am grateful for you. I have peace in my heart in large part because of you and I thank you. To all those on ALL sides of this sentence, I carry no ill will or anger, only acceptance and understanding.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied last-minute attempts to halt the execution, including an application for a stay of execution and a request that it review a lower court's affirmation of the sentence.

Dorsey was convicted of murdering cousin Sarah Bonnie and her husband, Ben Bonnie, after he asked for their help because, he said, two drug dealers were at his door demanding he pay his debts.

Inmate Brian Dorsey at the Potosi Correctional Center, Washington County, Mo. (Jeremy Weis / Federal Public Defender via AP)

The pair took Dorsey home on Dec. 23, 2006, with plans for him to stay over, when he grabbed his cousin's shotgun and opened fire, killing the pair.

Their 4-year-old daughter, who was home, was physically unharmed. Dorsey pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, forgoing trial, but a jury was seated for sentencing in 2008.

It found seven aggravating factors that contributed to its recommendation of death, later ordered by the Missouri Supreme Court. Among the factors was Dorsey's assault on his cousin's body after she was shot, authorities said.

Dorsey apologized in his last words.

To all of the family and loved ones I share with Sarah and to all of the surviving family and loved ones of Ben, I am totally, deeply, overwhelmingly sorry," he wrote. "Words cannot hold the just weight of my guilt and shame. I still love you. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I am sorry I hurt them and you."

Dorsey had also apologized previously, saying he was in a drug-induced state of psychosis when he shot the couple. Later, he appealed his sentence on the ground that his lawyers presented insufficient defense because the state paid them a flat fee that disincentivized performance.

His defense presented a clinical psychologist who recited a history for Dorsey that included mental health issues, suicide attempts and drug addiction, according to the Missouri Supreme Courts affirmation of his sentence in March.

In recent months, Dorsey was joined by unexpected allies in his fight to live: dozens of Missouri Corrections Department employees who urged Parson to grant clemency.

I knew Brian Dorsey for many years, and I can say without hesitation that he was completely rehabilitated," Tim Lancaster, a retired state Corrections Department officer, said in a statement released ahead of the execution.

He continued: "Brian cut my hair, and we would talk, and I know he felt deep shame and remorse about what he had done. He was a good person who made a mistake and was working to do better. I thought that was what we hoped for by sending people to prison."

Jenni Gerhauser, a cousin of Dorsey's and Sarah Bonnie, joined those who wanted to see the execution thwarted by courts or clemency. She said in a statement before the execution Tuesday that contemporary justice "failed Brian."

"We are not so blinded by our love for him that we dont understand that he was convicted of committing a terrible crime against someone we loved just as deeply as we do Brian, but nor are we capable of rewriting history to convince ourselves that Brian still isnt the same loving, compassionate, helpful person he always was," she said.

She added, "We know that if he had been in control of his thoughts and actions whatsoever, none of us would be in this position today."
The bird and Staffordshire bull terrier have lived side by side for four years - Juliette Wells

A magpie and a Staffordshire bull terrier who struck up an unlikely friendship before being separated are to be reunited thanks to an intervention by an Australian state premier.

The magpie, called Molly, was taken away by Queenslands Department of Environment because it was being kept illegally by Reece Mortensen and Juliette Wells.

The couple had begun caring for the bird as a chick after it fell from a nest in a park on the Gold Coast four years ago. But the bird became attached to Peggy, the familys dog, and refused to leave.

For social media, it was a match made in heaven. The animals have an Instagram page called Peggyandmolly which, before they were separated by the authorities, offered a daily dose of happiness and fun with mumma Peggy (and) Molly the magpie. It has more than 800,000 followers.

Photos show Molly cuddling up with its canine companion on a couch, nibbling Peggys ear and lying on a rug alongside the dog. The two animals also feature in an Easter tableau complete with chocolate eggs, fluffy bunnies and bunches of flowers.

Molly and Peggy snuggling together on the couch - Juliette Wells

Last month, Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen were forced to hand over the bird because it was being kept without a licence.

Animals from the wild must stay wild, a spokesman explained at the time.

The forced removal triggered a petition by Mollys fans who called on environmental authorities to return it.

The demand struck a chord with Steven Miles, the premier of Queensland, who gave his backing to calls for the animals to be reunited.

Mr Miles revealed on Wednesday that the situation had been reassessed.

This morning the department has advised me that the couple can secure the appropriate licence, he said. The team will work with them now to do that.

He added: Its good news and means that Molly can be home very soon. Ive spoken to Reece and Juliette and reassured them Molly is in great spirits and receiving good care.

Australian magpies have a life expectancy of up to 30 years but by law are not permitted to live in captivity as a domestic animal.

The unlikely friendship inspired Ms Wells to write a book about the pair

The couple said they were delighted the animals would soon be reunited.

We are so relieved and excited . We actually spoke with the premier this morning, so its still all new, Ms Wells said.

The pair said they had been deeply touched by the level of public support.

It has blown our minds, we cant believe it ... these guys (the magpie and the dog) have certainly touched many, many hearts all around the world, Ms Wells said.

Mr Mortensen said the couple would meet with Queenslands Environment Department on Thursday to find out when Molly would be able to return home.

We still dont know how long it will take until we actually get Molly home, he said. Weve got a few hoops to jump through ... theres a gentleman on his way now with some paperwork with some terms and conditions.

Molly would often copy Peggy as they spent the day together.

As her canine fried lolled on her back with legs akimbo, the magpie would follow suit, her wings splayed while the pair rested.

Once awake they would stand to attention side by side, Mollys beak and Peggys jaws awaiting their next feed.

Their improbable friendship was dubbed a real life Winnie-the-Pooh story by local media.

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 mother of a Michigan school shooting victim said Wednesday that the sentencing of the gunman's parents sends a message to parents all around.

Nicole Beausoleil  mother of 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin, who was killed in the 2021 Oxford High School shooting  spoke with Savannah Guthrie on the "TODAY" show about Tuesday's sentencing of James and Jennifer Crumbley.

The Crumbleys each received 10 to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for what prosecutors say was their gross negligence in helping facilitate their son's shooting rampage.

"It sends a message to really listen to your children," Beausoleil said of the sentence. "There should be accountability for every action that we have."

Beausoleil sat through the majority of the trial, coming face to face with James Crumbley, 47, and Jennifer Crumbley, 46, while delivering her impact statement, which she said provided "almost a sense of relief."

"I played that day over and over in my head. It's a constant reminder of the events that I went through that day," she reflected. "I wanted to let the parents know exactly how I felt that day."

When asked about the apology statements made by both of the Crumbleys, Beausoleil dismissed them as disingenuous.

Nicole Beausoleil, mother of Madisyn Baldwin, reads her victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing for James and Jennifer Crumbley on April 9, 2024. (Mandi Wright / Detroit Free Press / USA Today Network)

"I felt like it was a way for them to again place blame on somebody else versus themselves," Beausoleil said. "In those statements, there was still no accountability for their actions."

The Crumbleys' sentencing marks an American first, as they are the first parents to be charged and convicted on charges related to a mass shooting perpetrated by their child.

The gunman, who was 15 when he killed four students at his school, is serving a life sentence.
The six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who tortured and abused two Black men in a racist attack were sentenced on Wednesday to 15 to 45 years in prison on state charges.

The men  former Rankin County Sheriffs deputies Brett Morris McAlpin, 53; Christian Dedmon, 29; Jeffrey Middleton, 46; Hunter Elward, 31; and Daniel Opdyke, 28' and a former police officer from the city of Richland, Joshua Hartfield, 32  had pleaded guilty to state charges in August.

McAlpin, Middleton, and Opdyke were sentenced to serve 20 years; Dedmon to 25 years; Elward to 45 years; and Hartfield to 15 years in federal penitentiaries. The sentences will be served concurrently with their federal sentences, and all were ordered to pay $6,431 within two years of release, and permanently surrender their law enforcement certificates.

Michael Corey Jenkins, left, and Eddie Terrell Parker at the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse in Jackson, Miss. (Rogelio V. Solis / AP)

Prosecutors said the white officers had nicknamed themselves the Goon Squad due to their willingness to use excessive force and cover up their brutal attack on Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker in January 2023.

In the attack, the men verbally abused Jenkins and Parker, beat them, assaulted them with stun guns and a sex toy, and one of them shot Jenkins in the mouth in a "mock execution."

The men had also pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with the assault and were sentenced to federal prison terms of 10 to 40 years.

The attack

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  the self-described The Goon Squad  that the Justice Department described as being known for using excessive force and not reporting it.

The group of men then went to that home without a warrant and assaulted Jenkins and Parker, punched and kicked them, called them racial slurs, forced them to ingest liquids, and assaulted them with a dildo, the Justice Department said.

Dedmon also fired his gun twice in an effort to intimidate the men, the department said.

In a mock execution, 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 it lacerated Jenkins' tongue and broke his jaw.

The officers then planned a cover-up and agreed to plant drugs on Jenkins and Parker, and those false charges stood against the men for months, The Associated Press reported.

Sentencing

In Wednesdays sentencing, attorneys read statements for the victims.

After Hunter Elward shot me, they left me to die bleeding on the floor and they tried to set me up to be imprisoned, a statement on behalf of Michael Jenkins said. January 24th, Your Honor, was the worst day of my life. I was brutally beaten and nearly killed by the Rankin County Sheriffs Department, also known as the Goon Squad. I never would have thought a night of hanging out with friends would nearly cost me my life.

They beat, kicked, tased, insulted, waterboarded and humiliated me over and over again, the statement said.

I can no longer do what I love to do and thats sing. I play the drums for my church. And because I was shot in the face, it affected my vision so I can no longer play. ... I wake it up at night covered in sweat because of the nightmares of my attack. Loud noises police lights, sirens, all give me extreme fear and anxiety. I am broken inside and I dont ever think Ill be the person I was, the statement continued.

A statement on behalf of Eddie Parker said the actions of that night of terror has left a scar on me that will last forever.

I never knew the ones that were sworn to protect and serve would be the ones I need protection from, the statement said. I am in constant fear someone will break into my home and terrorize me again  the humiliation and embarrassment from the sexual assault is too great to me to talk about.

My life was not perfect. But it was mine. I doubt if Ill ever experience it again ... They should be given what they gave me and Michael Jenkins  which was no mercy and I pray for the maximum sentence, his statement concluded.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said in a statement Wednesday, the actions of these six men did grave harm to these two victims, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, and violated the trust of all the citizens they swore to protect. These former officers also violated the trust of the other men and women who honorably wear the uniform.

Fitch called the sentencing the culmination of 15 months of cooperation between multiple agencies, adding, Together we worked to ensure justice for these victims in a horrific case of abuse.
By Casey Hall

SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma has penned a rare lengthy memo to employees that expresses support for the internet giant's restructuring efforts, a sign that he may be willing to take a more active role after spending the last few years out of the spotlight.

Alibaba's Hong Kong-listed shares surged 5% in morning trade after the post.

The post, made in an internal company forum, comes one year after Alibaba announced its decision to split into six units - the biggest shake-up in its 25-year history.

It has had a tumultuous time since then, installing a new CEO, announcing and then abandoning the listings of its cloud and logistics units. At the same time, it has lost ground in e-commerce to low-cost rivals such as PDD Holdings and ByteDance-owned Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

In the post, which was roughly a page long, Ma praised the leadership of CEO Eddie Wu and chairman Joe Tsai and said the split into six divisions had helped streamline decision-making, making Alibaba more agile and customer-focused.

He also said Alibaba had made many mistakes in the past.

"We must not only have the courage to admit and correct yesterday's problems in a timely manner but also make reforms for the future," he said, according to a copy of the post seen by Reuters and verified by a source who had viewed it on Alibaba's intranet.

The post was the longest made by Ma on Alibaba's intranet in five years.

Ma, China's best-known tech entrepreneur, publicly criticised Chinese regulators in a speech in October 2020, derailing a massive listing by fintech company Ant Group, which he also founded. That was followed by regulatory crackdowns on the Chinese tech sector, including a fine of $2.8 billion for Alibaba, with Ma largely withdrawing from public life.

Ma spends much of his time abroad, especially in Japan where he is a visiting professor at Tokyo College, a research institute run by the University of Tokyo.

(Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
(Reuters) -Apple Inc has assembled $14 billion worth of iPhones in India in fiscal 2024, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

Apple now makes as much as 14% or about 1 in 7 of its marquee devices from India, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Foxconn assembled nearly 67% while Pegatron Corp made about 17% of the India-made iPhones, the Bloomberg report added. Wistron Corp's plant in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, which the Tata Group took over last year, made the remaining.

Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Apple is increasingly looking to diversify its supply chain beyond China amid geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington, even as China remains the largest iPhone-making hub in the world.

Reuters reported on Monday that Pegatron is in advanced talks to hand over control of its only iPhone manufacturing facility, located near Chennai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, to the Tata Group.

The Indian consumer goods conglomerate is also building another plant in Hosur in Tamil Nadu, with Pegatron likely to emerge as its joint venture partner.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)
By Joseph Ax and Jarrett Renshaw

(Reuters) -Democrats wasted little time capitalizing on Tuesday's ruling from Arizona's high court upholding a 160-year-old abortion ban, organizing press conferences in swing states across the country and blaming former Republican President Donald Trump for eliminating a nationwide right to abortion.

The decision from the conservative Arizona Supreme Court sent a shockwave through the battleground state, which is poised to play a pivotal role in November's presidential election while also hosting one of the country's most high-profile Senate races.

Strategists in both parties said the ruling outlawing nearly all abortions would push moderate voters, even Republican-leaning ones, toward Democrats, while also mobilizing young voters and voters of color. President Joe Biden beat Trump in Arizona by a margin of less than 11,000 votes out of 3.3 million ballots cast in 2020.

"This was an earthquake of epic proportions in Arizona politics," said Barrett Marson, a Phoenix-based Republican strategist. "Anytime Republicans are talking about abortion, they're losing. Now, I think the only issue is going to be abortion."

Trump, seeking to distance himself from the ruling, said on Wednesday that the court had gone too far, even while defending the U.S. Supreme Court decision that permitted states to restrict abortion. He called on the state's Republican-controlled legislature and Democratic governor to amend the law.

"As you know, it's all about states' rights  that'll be straightened out," the Republican presidential candidate told reporters in Atlanta ahead of a local fundraiser. "And I'm sure that the governor and everybody else are going to bring it back into reason, and that will be taken care of I think very quickly."

Republicans in the Arizona statehouse shut down a Democratic effort to throw out the 1864 law on Wednesday. The legislature's Republican leaders urged patience, noting the law would not take effect for weeks and saying they would use that time to listen to voter concerns.

Democratic state Senator Anna Hernandez, whose motion to repeal the law was met by a Republican gavel to adjourn the session, vowed that reviving the ban would backfire politically on Republicans.

Jen Cox, senior advisor for President Joe Biden's campaign in Arizona, said the ruling should be laid squarely at Trump's feet.

"What's happening in Arizona is only possible because Donald Trump overturned Roe v. Wade - it's cruel and it's a direct threat to our health and freedoms," she said.

Democrats have made clear their intention to put abortion front and center in November, two years after the Supreme Court  powered by a conservative majority that Trump installed  overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and ruled that abortion was not constitutionally protected.

That decision galvanized Democratic voters and was widely credited with helping the party over-perform in the 2022 congressional midterm election.

Reproductive rights advocates are working to put a ballot measure before voters in November that would enshrine abortion protections into the Arizona state constitution. Organizers say they have already gathered the signatures needed to qualify the referendum for the ballot.

The campaign behind the ballot initiative, Arizona for Abortion Access, received a deluge of messages from residents asking how to help in the wake of Tuesday's ruling, crashing its website, spokesperson Dawn Penich said.

DEMOCRATS ON OFFENSE

Trump had attempted to neutralize the issue on Monday, saying abortion rights should be left up to individual states and reiterating his support for exceptions in cases of rape, incest and threats to the mother's life.

A day later, the Arizona Supreme Court threw out the state's 15-week limit in favor of an 1864 law that predates Arizonan statehood and bans abortions except when needed to save the mother's life.

"He said, 'Throw it to the states,'" Marson said. "Well, look what happened."

Following the ruling, Democrats held press events focused on reproductive rights in Arizona as well as other battleground states Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Arizona on Friday, the White House said.

The Biden campaign also bumped up its spending in Arizona on a searing advertisement released on Monday, in which a Texas woman tearfully describes almost dying after she was denied an abortion following a miscarriage. Across a black screen, the words "Donald Trump did this" flash as her sobs continue in the background.

Asked at the White House on Wednesday what he would say to the people of Arizona, Biden replied, "Elect me."

Gunner Ramer, the political director for the anti-Trump Republican Accountability political action committee, said the ruling would bolster Democratic efforts to portray Republicans as too extreme.

"This presents a great opportunity for Biden to go on offense against Trump," he said.

In a sign of how damaging the issue has become for Republicans, Kari Lake, the Republican frontrunner for the Arizona Senate race, disavowed the law, even though she called the 1864 ban a "great law" during her unsuccessful campaign for governor in 2022.

Her likely Democratic opponent, U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego, called Lake an "extremist" and blamed her and other similar Republicans for the ban.

State statistics show there were 11,407 abortions performed in Arizona in 2022, the latest year for which data was available. About half were done surgically and half through medication; both methods will soon be outlawed. More than 90% were done before 14 weeks of pregnancy.

Nearly 45% of abortions were given to Hispanic or Latino women, according to state data.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax and Jarrett Renshaw; Additional reporting by Daniel Trotta and Nathan Layne Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Diane Craft)
Samantha Ketterer is a Houston Chronicle reporter covering higher education. She can be reached at samantha.ketterer@houstonchronicle.com.

Since joining the staff in 2018, Samantha has also covered criminal justice and the Harris County courthouse. She is a former reporting fellow for the Dallas Morning News' state bureau and a former city hall reporter for The Galveston County Daily News.

Samantha, who is from Houston's suburbs, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and is a proud alumna of The Daily Texan.
A protester outside the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix on Sept. 23, 2022 (Matt York/AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

On Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled to ban abortions except in the case where it would save a mothers life, creating a path to prison for providers. Critics call the ruling, which upholds an 1864 law, a blow to reproductive rights in a state that already enforced a 15-week abortion ban after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.

Heres what the ruling could mean for women in the state.

 Whats happening?

In a 4-2 decision, Arizonas high court upheld a law called the Howell code that had been enforced nearly 50 years before Arizona became a state.

Physicians are now on notice that all abortions, except those necessary to save a womans life, are illegal, wrote Justice John R. Lopez IV in the court's majority opinion. Additional criminal and regulatory sanctions may apply to abortions performed after fifteen weeks gestation.

The ruling also mandated that anyone aiding an abortion would receive two to five years in prison.

In allowing the near-total abortion ban to take effect, the justices took the side of abortion rights opponents Eric Hazelrigg, an obstetrician, and Dennis McGrane, a county prosecutor. In opening arguments in December, they claimed Arizona should revert to the 160-year-old ban.

The court rejected arguments from abortion advocates, including Planned Parenthood of Arizona, which asked the court to uphold the states 2022 law that allowed abortions up to 15 weeks.

Arizona's Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes called the ruling unconscionable and an affront to freedom in a written statement and assured citizens that her office wouldnt enforce the law.

Make no mistake, by effectively striking down a law passed this century and replacing it with one from 160 years ago, the Court has risked the health and lives of Arizonans, Mayes said. Let me be completely clear, as long as I am Attorney General, no woman or doctor will be prosecuted under this draconian law in this state.

Arizonas Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs called for the Republican-controlled legislature to repeal the ban.

We are 14 days away from this extreme ban coming back to life, Hobbs said at a press conference. It must be repealed immediately.

 When does the law go into effect?

Arizona Supreme Court justices from left; William G. Montgomery, John R. Lopez IV, Vice Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer, Chief Justice Robert M. Brutinel, Clint Bolick and James Beene on April 20, 2021, in Phoenix. (Matt York/AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The abortion ban will officially go into effect 14 days from Tuesday.

During the 14-day hold, the court will send the case back to the lower trial court to weigh remaining constitutional challenges, including to the law to decide how to move forward.

The lower court could also request a longer pause to enforce the law if those challenges are unresolved.

 How are politicians responding?

Both Republicans and Democrats have criticized the ruling, which would make the battleground states ban one of the strictest in the nation ahead of an election where abortion is a key issue for many Americans.

Kari Lake, a Republican candidate for Arizona Senate who has called abortion the ultimate sin, revealed in a statement that she opposed the ruling.

I am the only woman and mother in this race, the statement read. I understand the fear and anxiety of pregnancy, and the joy of motherhood. I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump  this is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people.

Lake added that she would also oppose federal funding and bans on abortion if she is elected as Arizona senator in November.

However, in 2022, when Lake was running for governor of Arizona, she said that the 1864 law was a great law thats already on the books, according to the Associated Press.

Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who called the 15-week abortion ban bill that he signed a thoughtful conservative policy, expressed on X that the ruling was not his preferred outcome.

I call on our elected leaders to heed the will of the people and address this issue with a policy that is workable and reflective of our electorate, Ducey said in the post.

Arizona Congressman David Schweikert also used X to say he did not support the courts ruling.

This issue should be decided by Arizonans, not legislated from the bench. I encourage the state legislature to address this issue immediately, the post said.

President Biden slammed the law as part of an extreme agenda of Republican elected officials who are committed to ripping away womens freedom.

Arizonas Democratic State Sen. Eva Burch, who recently had an abortion after learning her pregnancy wasn't viable, also responded to the ruling.

This is outrageous that we would even dignify the consideration of this type of ban, Burch said in an emotional speech. This isnt what the people of Arizona or this country wants.  Republicans dont want this. Independents dont want this. Democrats dont want this.
Former attorney Michael Avenatti predicted Tuesday that former President Trump will be convicted in the New York hush money trial slated to begin next week.

In an interview from prison, Avenatti told MSNBCs Ari Melber that he believes Trump will be convicted in the hush money trial when asked what he thinks is wrong with the case.

You know, I think the case has a lot of problems. Now that does not I dont mean to suggest that that means that Trump will not be convicted because I think he will be convicted, Avenatti said.

The former president is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with a payment his ex-fixer, Michael Cohen, made to porn actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged affair with Trump.

Avenatti, who was Daniels former attorney, is currently serving time in prison for stealing book proceeds from his former client. An appeals court last month held up a 2022 ruling that sentenced him to four years in prison and required him to pay $148,000 in restitution and forfeit the roughly $297,000 that prosecutors say he stole from Daniels.

Avenatti said in the interview that the case should not be tried in state court.

And I think it rests on a legally tenuous theory, namely that the crime that was attempted to be covered up was a federal election crime. I think that could be a problem potentially on appeal for the state, he said.

The former attorney then reiterated that he thinks Trump will be convicted, but that it may not hold up once he likely appeals.

And I think its going be tested on appeal when Trump is convicted. And again, I think he will be convicted. That doesnt necessarily mean its going hold up, he said.

I believe if youre going bring a case against a sitting president or a former president, who tens of millions of people support, especially in todays day and age with how divided we are, I think it needs to be a rock-solid, lock tight, nearly perfect prosecuted case. Because otherwise, you run a huge risk as to what its going mean for the country, he added.

The hush money trial is still scheduled to begin April 15 after a New York judge rejected Trumps legal teams arguments to delay the trial even further.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When Monica Sanchez fills out official forms that inquire about race, she sometimes feels annoyed by the options.

Im like: No, Im not white. Im not Black or Asian. That is basically the only options Ive seen, including on medical documents, so I usually just choose other,'" the Seattle-based speech language pathologist told NBC News.

For Sanchez, who is of Mexican American heritage, the choices on government forms make Latinos seem like an afterthought. Choosing some other race or other feels like we are a P.S., like were not worth an actual category of our own  its like we are not being recognized as a human, as part of the human race, Sanchez said.

Its a little thing, but it is huge to me," she said. "Its offensive.

For the first time in decades, the government is changing its categories for race and ethnicity data. Under new standards adopted by the Biden administration, Hispanic or Latino will be listed as one racial/ethnic category, and people of Middle Eastern or North African descent will have their own checkbox on forms such as the census. While some advocacy groups and scholars applaud this change, others are concerned that it will dilute the data on racial differences among Latinos.

Previously, Latinos had a two-part question for their identity in federal forms: They were asked whether they were Hispanic or Latino and then asked to pick a race: white, Black, American Indian or "some other." The issue was that many Hispanics like Sanchez didnt see themselves as white or Black or Asian, but just Hispanic.

The updated method uses one question for race and ethnicity and allows people to check as many as apply to their identity.

For them, ensuring that people know they can choose multiple ways to identify, including "Hispanic" as a race as well as "Black," is key as the federal government adopts the new categories.

Many say that the old classifications weren't working well.

In the past, the large numbers of Latinos who said that they were 'some other race' likely resulted in a distorted view of the racial identification of Latinos and other populations, said Arturo Vargas, chief executive of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund. Vargas pointed out that in the last census, millions of respondents said that they were not white, Black, Native American or Asian.

Arturo Vargas. (NALEO)

That indicated that there was a problem with how that question was originally designed," said Vargas, who favors the revised federal approach because Census Bureau research has shown that it's a significant improvement in measuring how Latinos identify.

We want to see the bureau get out of the business of telling people what their race is, and that is what the bureau has wanted as well, Vargas said. We want people to find themselves on the census form and to decide themselves how they see themselves.

For the federal government, measuring the diversity of Latino identity has been difficult. On the 2020 census, 42 percent of Latino respondents marked some other race. It also undercounted Latinos, continuing a longstanding struggle for the bureau to accurately count historically underrepresented groups.

This points to another problem with the former system for classifying Latinos. People who choose some other race or do not respond to the race question on the census are assigned a race by the bureau, said Julie A. Dowling, associate professor of sociology and Latin American and Latino studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago. So basically we have nearly half of our community with a race that is imputed or assigned by the government, resulting in bad data.

Dowling, who served on the Census Bureaus advisory committee on race and ethnicity from 2014 to 2020, said that testing by the bureau showed that Latinos wanted to be able to identify as Hispanic/Latino on forms. For a lot of people, their racial identity is a function of how they are treated by other people and how they move through the world. So I absolutely think that this new format is going to be better, she said.

Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, believes that the changes are a step in the right direction, because the notion of a fixed scientific concept of race is outmoded.

However, Saenz said that the government has more work to do. We think that one (combined) question for race/ethnicity will facilitate more accurate data collection for the Latino community, he said. But whenever you have a new system, our view is you have to be very careful about giving people cues about the new system. We are in favor of more explicit suggestions to make sure that people know that if they are Afro Latino, they should check two boxes, not just one.

Thomas A. Saenz. (MALDEF)

The risks for accurate Afro Latino representation

The Pew Research Center reports that 6 million U.S. adults identify as Afro Latino, making up 12 percent of the adult Latino population.

The Census will be using these Office of Management and Budget categories, and its not going to be user-friendly for Latinos, said Tanya Kateri Hernandez, professor at Fordham University School of Law and the author of "Racial Innocence: Unmasking Latino Anti-Black Bias and the Struggle for Equality," which uses legal cases to examine the way Black Latinos have experienced discrimination in areas from housing to employment to education.

If someone just wants to check Latino or Hispanic, cool. If they want to put down their ethnicity, theyve got space to do that. The issues arise, Hernandez explained, when Latinos try to see themselves in the subcategories, which in her view hold the potential to erase Afro Latinos. By inserting Hispanic/Latino as a category equal to Black, it situates Blackness as foreign to Latino identity and ... discourages multiple box-checking.

Census data is extremely important, Hernandez emphasized, because it is used in enforcing Voting Rights Act protections, evaluating fair housing and lending practices, and in designing electoral districts.

Just marking Hispanic on a form can dilute important data on Latinos racial differences, which can then affect the collection of important information, like the gaps between rates of homeownership, income, employment and other factors between white and Black Americans, for example.

Asked if she had confidence that the federal government might tweak the census form to further improve it, Hernandez said no.

When it was time to really listen, they didnt. They took our commentary, they said they listened to it, and then did what they were going to do all along anyway," she said.

Hernandez pointed out, for example, that under countries of origin for Black or African American, they dont include Cuba or Dominican Republic, for example, which have large Black populations.

Tanya Kateri Hernandez. (Fordham Law School)

When the new categories were announced, the OMB said that its research has shown that Afro Latino population estimates were slightly higher with a combined race/ethnicity question that also provides detailed checkboxes and write-in fields.

But the working group that came up with the new categories did recommend that the issue be further studied, because about half of Afro Latinos interviewed during its research chose only Hispanic or Latino on a combined question, even though they had selected the Hispanic or Latino and Black or African American categories when they were recruited for the interviews.

A 'made-up' category?

Some conservatives are displeased with the new classifications, as well. Mike Gonzalez, senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, is against having more categories and boxes to check on government forms.

It balkanizes the nation. We dont need to put Americans in boxes, we need to reconsider the boxes we have now, which are synthetic and nonsensical," he said.

Hispanic is a made-up category, Gonzalez said. There is no Hispanic race. There is no Hispanic nation. There is no Hispanic DNA. So this is all a political construct, and thats the reason I am against it. Gonzalez described the changes as not a grass-roots thing, it is a grass-tops thing.

Researchers, however, have examined factors that may explain why many Latinos do not feel fully comfortable identifying as white, regardless of their skin color. In 2021, roughly a quarter of Latino Spanish-speakers said they had been criticized for speaking Spanish in public, and 20 percent of Latinos said that they had been called offensive names in the past year, according to a 2022 report from Pew Research. Among darker-skinned Latinos, the numbers reporting discrimination are much higher: About 4 in 10 Latinos said they experienced discrimination from non-Latinos as well as from other Hispanics.

About half (48%) of Hispanics in the Pew survey felt that discrimination based on race or skin color is a big problem in the U.S. Such factors likely contribute to a sense, among some Latinos, that they are not considered fully American, and thus they are reluctant to self-identify as white.

Also, hate crimes against Hispanics tend to rise when there is extensive media coverage of Latinos, particularly in the context of immigration, which can make some Latinos feel vulnerable to violence and ugly rhetoric.

A spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget declined to make anyone available to NBC News for an interview, pointing instead to a federal register notice and a White House blog post. The notice states that a combined question format on race/ethnicity results in higher quality and more useful data and that the office is prioritizing research into how to encourage the selection of multiple race options by Afro Latino respondents. OMB says it is establishing an Interagency Committee on Race and Ethnicity Statistical Standards.

Alexia Palomino-Cortez, a graduate student in Los Angeles, welcomes the census changes.

Its actually a really great thing," she said. "It will show a better representation of who we are and how we see ourselves, rather than the box weve been forced to check in the past because that was all that was available.

Palomino-Cortez, who identifies as Mexican American and Indigenous Mexican, said that when she visits with friends and family, organic conversations about race and ethnicity often arise. I hear that a lot of people identify as white on government forms because, to them, white equals American  but that is not how they really view themselves.

Palomino-Cortez is optimistic that the new census forms will give Latinos the chance to express their identities in all its intricacies.

This is a really big moment for us," she said.
Boeing is facing newly revealed whistleblower claims that its 787 Dreamliner planes have structural failings that could eventually cause them to break apart, adding to the unprecedented crisis facing the aviation giant.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating claims made by Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

In a lengthy response, Boeing strongly disputed the claims and said it was "fully confident" in the 787.

But the new allegations come at a bruising time for the Virginia-based company, two weeks after CEO Dave Calhoun and other senior executives announced they would step down following a series of damaging stories about the safety of its jets.

Calhoun said a door plug blowout on a Boeing 737 Max plane flown by Alaska Airlines in January was a "watershed moment for Boeing"  and now the company he leads until the end of the year is again forced to defend its safety record and protocols.

Salehpour, who has worked at Boeing for more than 10 years and has sent his allegations to the FAA, said that a change to the construction process had introduced shortcuts that caused parts of the plane's fuselage to be improperly fastened together. These parts could, he warned, fall apart after thousands of flights.

He told The New York Times that the plane's fuselage comes in several large pieces from different manufacturers that are fastened together on an assembly line.

In 2019, the Times spoke to other Boeing whistleblowers at the plant in Charleston, South Carolina, where the 787 is made. They alleged that workers were pressured to work quickly on the planes and that concerns were ignored.

One of those whistleblowers  John Barnett, a former Boeing quality inspector who raised safety concerns at the Charleston plant  was found dead in the city in March while conducting legal action against the company. A legal expert has said his lawsuit could continue posthumously.

A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner taxis after concluding its first flight at Boeing Field in Seattle (Stephen Brashear / Getty Images file )

It appears that Salehpour had previously sent his concerns to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who chairs the panel's investigations subcommittee, said Tuesday night that he received a whistleblower's allegations earlier this year and had invited Salehpour to speak at a hearing on "Boeing's broken safety culture" next week.

Blumenthal and committee ranking member Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., wrote to Boeing and the FAA in March to say they had received whistleblower claims from a Boeing engineer about "potentially catastrophic safety risks" with the 787, without naming Salehpour.

Launched after a series of delays in 2011, the 787 was the first commercial jet with a main structure mostly made from composite materials, primarily carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, which are lighter than metals such as aluminum.

Boeing said Salehpour's allegations were "inaccurate" and contrary to the findings of comprehensive testing that had found the 787 could operate safely before needing "conservative maintenance routines." A single plane could be in service for 40 to 50 years, the company said.

On the specific allegation about the possibility of newer materials failing under repeated stress of flight, the company said: "Another benefit of the 787s composite structure is the material does not fatigue or corrode like traditional metals, which reduces maintenance over many decades in service."

Debra S. Katz, a lawyer for Salehpour, told the Times that the engineer raised safety concerns with the company but was ignored and sidelined. She said he was transferred to work on another model, the 777, and found problems with the construction of that plane too.

"This is a culture that prioritizes production of planes and pushes them off the line even when there are serious concerns about the structural integrity of those planes and their production process," Katz said.

In its statement, Boeing said: "We continue to monitor these issues under established regulatory protocols and encourage all employees to speak up when issues arise. Retaliation is strictly prohibited at Boeing."

An FAA statement said: Voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal is a critical component in aviation safety. We strongly encourage everyone in the aviation industry to share information. We thoroughly investigate all reports."
Prosecutors described Chad Daybell as someone with a "desire for sex, money and power" and said he labeled people who stood in the way of his dreams as "zombies" and "dark spirits."

The remarks were made during opening statements Wednesday in Daybell's triple-murder trial. He and his current wife, Lori Vallow, were charged in connection with the deaths of Daybell's ex-wife, Tammy Daybell, and Vallow's children, Joshua 'JJ" Vallow and Tylee Ryan.

"Youll hear in the world Chad and Lori planned for themselves, they identified those who stood in the way of their dream as dark,'' Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood said.

"Their spouses, Loris own children and anyone who opposed them were labeled sometimes as dark spirits or even zombies. The evidence will show that it was a convenient narrative that dehumanized people who stood in their way," Wood added.

Daybells attorney, John Prior, asked the jury to focus on the facts of the case and to return a verdict of not guilty.

"Dont be distracted by speculation. Dont be distracted by guesses or assumptions or hunches," he said in his opening statement. "It all comes down to facts and evidence."

Daybell was arrested in June 2020 after police uncovered the remains of Joshua and Tylee on his property in Fremont County, Idaho.

His trial is expected to last 10 weeks.

Joshua Vallow and Tylee Ryan. (Fremont County Sheriff's Office)

Authorities have said they believe Daybell hid his stepchildren's remains sometime between September 2019 and June 2020. A formal search for Joshua, 7, and Tylee, 16, began in November 2019 after concerned family members contacted authorities because they had not seen or spoken to the children, the Rexburg Police Department said.

Court documents later revealed that Joshua's remains had been buried in a pet cemetery and Tylee had been dismembered and burned in a fire pit.

Daybell and Vallow were indicted in 2021 on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception.

They were also charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with the 2019 death of Tammy Daybell. In addition, Chad Daybell was charged with first-degree murder in her death.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty.

Vallow was convicted in May in the murders of her children as well as conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Tammy Daybell.

In July, Vallow received multiple life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole in the deaths.

Authorities had accused Daybell and Vallow of failing to cooperate with the investigation into the children's disappearance and lying to officers about their whereabouts. They initially told officers that Joshua, who was adopted and had special needs, was in Arizona with a family friend but police determined that was not true.

The couple later abruptly left Rexburg. They were found in Hawaii in January 2020, when Vallow was taken into custody.

As police continued their investigation into the children, several mysterious deaths connected to the couple began to surface.

On July 11, 2019, Vallow's fourth husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed by her brother, Alex Cox, a few months after he filed for divorce. Lori Vallow and her brother were questioned by police at the time and claimed self-defense.

A grand jury in Arizona, where Lori and Charles Vallow lived, charged her with conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree nearly two years after his death. Cox was never charged. He died in 2019 from a pulmonary embolism, a condition that causes one or more arteries in the lungs to become blocked by a blood clot.

In October 2019, a few months after Charles Vallow died, Tammy Daybell was found dead as a result of what was believed to be natural causes at the time. Investigators later exhumed her body and conducted an autopsy that ruled it a homicide.

Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married just two weeks after Tammys funeral, NBC affiliate KSL of Salt Lake City reported.

Prosecutors have said they believe Daybell, a self-published author of more than two dozen books about near-death and doomsday events, and Vallow became obsessed with apocalyptic beliefs that led them to commit the murders.

The indictments say the pair endorsed and espoused "religious beliefs for the purpose of encouraging and/or justifying the homicides" of Tylee, Joshua and Tammy.
BEIJING  At a restaurant in the Chinese capital that serves up low-cost meals to seniors, much of the crowd these days is decidedly less than senior.

For Wang Ran, a 27-year-old designer, lunch at the restaurant in Beijing costs about half what she would normally pay  which makes a big difference as she downgrades her spending amid an economic slump in China that could have global ramifications.

Previously, Wang said, I pretty much bought things whenever I saw something I liked. But this year, I might have to consider the financial aspect a bit more.

Decades of breakneck growth transformed China into the worlds second-largest economy and lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, swelling the middle class from 3% of the population in 2000 to more than 50% in 2018, according to the Pew Research Center, which defines middle class in China as living on $2 to $50 a day.

For decades, this modern economic miracle buoyed the ruling Chinese Communist Party, which promised the Chinese public security and prosperity in exchange for severe constraints on political freedom. But a new period of relatively slower growth has created uncertainty for the more than 700 million people in Chinas middle class, the largest in the world.

The Chinese economy is still growing, to the tune of 5.2% last year, according to official data. That compares with average annual growth of about 7% last decade, and more than 10% in the 2000s. Some economists say this years growth target of about 5% is overly ambitious.

The slowdown means middle-class Chinese can no longer assume continuous economic gains, or that their childrens quality of life will be better than theirs.

Economic concerns have driven Chinese President Xi Jinping to improve relations with foreign companies and governments, including the United States. At a meeting with a group of American CEOs in Beijing last month, he said the Chinese economy was healthy and sustainable, an achievement that cannot be separated from international cooperation.

But he has also made it clear that his top priority is national security, not the economy, pushing measures such as an expanded anti-espionage law that have alarmed foreign companies. His government has also been reluctant to provide consumer handouts that might boost spending, for fear of promoting welfarism.

Even as China reports stronger economic numbers, the public mood remains anxious, said Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington.

China is suffering from its own version of long Covid, he said in an interview in Beijing last month.

The countrys emergence from three years of pandemic isolation has been quite bumpy to say the least, Kennedy said.

Youve got the housing market which has run into mega headwinds, and youve got developers collapsing, prices falling in different cities, Kennedy said. Thats the primary asset that Chinese households have.

On top of the property crisis, China is also grappling with local government debt, a stock market rout, and a decline in exports and foreign direct investment amid geopolitical tensions.

Chinese officials recognize the need to shift the countrys development model away from the property sector and toward consumption, and have vowed measures to boost household spending. But the public doesnt appear to be on board: Data show the savings rate hit an all-time high in February, while consumer confidence is near a record low.

The reluctance of Chinese consumers could be a problem for the U.S. and other countries, which have voiced mounting worries that Chinese exports could flood their markets in a bid to find willing spenders.

In a visit to China that ended on Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen focused on what she calls manufacturing overcapacity, particularly in electric vehicles and solar panels, both sectors that U.S. officials are trying to develop at home.

Chinese officials say such accusations of overcapacity are groundless, and that foreign governments are trying to suppress Chinas development.

Reverse consumption

The economic anxiety is on display all over China.

On social media, users share hacks to save money. Public libraries are filled with working-age people who are searching job sites and polishing resumes or who just need somewhere to go.

Young urban professionals also appear to be driving a surge in sales of lottery tickets, which reached a record 580 billion yuan ($80 billion) last year, according to data from the Finance Ministry. About 85% of purchasers were ages 18 to 34, compared with about 55% in 2020, Chinese research firm MobTech reported.

Young people in China have to contend with a higher unemployment rate, which reached 14.9% in December for those ages 16 to 24 compared with 8% in the U.S., according to the Federal Reserve.

Chinese professionals who are further along in their careers are also facing job insecurity, some of them for the first time.

Many midcareer professionals worry that companies will shun them in favor of younger people. (Fred Dufour / NBC News)

Li Junwei, 39, lost her job as a manager at an internet company in Beijing early this year. Many people in the same position as me and within the same age group have already been laid off, she said.

Li, who said she was so dedicated to her job that she worked until the day her baby was born, discussed her experience in a video that was widely shared online. It resonated with midcareer professionals who worry that companies, particularly in the tech industry, will shun them in favor of younger people with lots of energy and fewer personal responsibilities, a concept referred to in China as the curse of 35.

The common concern is that after dedicating a significant part of our youth to a company, when it comes time for the company to reciprocate and support our families, theres a risk of being laid off, Li said.

Li is now exploring new possibilities for work, she said, but whether they can materialize or sustain my family is still unknown.

She said many of those who lost their jobs were leaving first-tier Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou for their hometowns, where making ends meet shouldnt be a problem given their work experience.

Li has also considered returning to her hometown in Shandong province, but leaving Beijing could mean missing out on educational opportunities for her 3-year-old.

If it doesnt work out, I might go back to my small city and accept an ordinary life for my child, she said. This would be the last resort.

Financial pressures are also fueling a trend called reverse consumption, in which consumers focus more on price and value for money than brand name. That has meant a hit for foreign luxury brands like Gucci, whose French parent company Kering warned of a steep drop in first-quarter sales last month due in large part to poor performance in the Asia-Pacific market.

Vika Chen, 29, said her current spending philosophy was to save where I can and spend where necessary.

When it comes to unnecessary expenses, I tend to prioritize items with better value for money or opt for cheaper alternatives, said Chen, who works in public relations in Beijing.

She and her friends exchange clothes, shop wholesale or discount platforms, and buy movie tickets from cheaper third-party sellers. Chen said she spends less on lunch these days and orders fewer items, but because her options are constrained by budgetary considerations she often eats from the same restaurant all week.

Chen said it was a matter of mindset, and that it was important not to compare oneself to others.

For me, having a good mood makes me happier than living a luxurious lifestyle, she said.

Janis Mackey Frayer reported from Beijing, and Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong.
By Bernard Orr

BEIJING (Reuters) -China's government on Wednesday labelled as "dangerous" comments by a senior U.S. diplomat that the AUKUS submarine project between Australia, Britain and the United States could help deter any Chinese move against Taiwan.

The project, finalised by the three countries last year, involves Australia acquiring nuclear-powered attack submarines as part of the allies' efforts to push back against China's growing power in the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking last week, the U.S. State Department's No. 2 diplomat, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, said the new submarine capabilities would enhance peace and stability, including in the strait that separates China and Taiwan.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, despite the objections of the government in Taipei, and is regularly angered by what it views as foreign inference in a domestic issue.

"His remarks are very dangerous," Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, told reporters in Beijing when asked about what Campbell had said.

"The establishment of the so-called trilateral security partnership between the United States, Britain and Australia is essentially to provoke military confrontation in the region through military cooperation in small circles," she added.

Any attempt to use military cooperation to "intervene in the Taiwan issue is to interfere in China's internal affairs" and is a threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region, Zhu said.

The U.S., Britain and Australia formed AUKUS in 2021, part of their efforts to push back against China's growing power in the Indo-Pacific region. China has called the AUKUS pact dangerous and warned it could spur a regional arms race.

None of the AUKUS countries have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

While the U.S. has long been Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, both Britain and Australia have stepped up support for the island and expressed concern at Chinese military pressure against it.

Speaking to Reuters while on a trip to Taipei as part of an Australian lawmaker delegation, Dave Sharma, a senator from the opposition Liberal Party, said AUKUS has "certainly been of interest to our Taiwanese counterparts".

Both AUKUS and the Quad - the group of the U.S., Australia, India and Japan - exert a stabilising presence in the region allowing cooperation, information sharing and joint exercises, Sharma said, following meetings with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen as well as defence and security officials.

"I think Taiwanese counterparts see this as reassuring because it sends a message to Beijing that these countries have a joint interest in maintenance of security across the Taiwan Strait," he added.

(Reporting by Bernard Orr; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Stephen Coates and Lincoln Feast.)
Its jarring to think that Arizonans today  thanks to a new state Supreme Court ruling  will soon be living under an abortion law from when Arizona was a frontier territory and that predates the light bulb and antibiotics.

But this is actually exactly the type of law that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito referred to in the majority opinion overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Roes failure even to note the overwhelming consensus of state laws in effect in 1868 is striking, Alitos majority wrote, noting the year the 14th Amendment was ratified. It was under the 14th Amendment that the court in 1973 created a womans constitutional right to obtain an abortion until a fetus was viable outside the mothers womb. It was in citing laws like that of the Arizona frontier that the court in 2022 took that national right away.

Civil War-era laws were an important part of the Dobbs decision

Laws from the 1860s in states and territories like Arizona, enacted decades before women in the US had won the right to vote, helped lead the 2022 Supreme Court to the inescapable conclusion  that a right to abortion is not deeply rooted in the Nations history and traditions.

And so, with the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision that replaced Roe, justices turned away from the 70s idea that women should have certain rights and returned to the 1860s idea that states should have them instead.

The patchwork of access created by the Dobbs decision has created abortion rights states and abortion ban states. The decision by Arizonas state Supreme Court to return to the 1864 law is just the latest evidence of the tortured fallout.

Trump: let the states decide

The patchwork approach to abortion access was blessed this week by former President Donald Trump when he promised to stay out of states way if reelected.

He may have been trying to neutralize what will be a top political issue in the coming presidential election and also in individual states like Arizona. Whatever states decide, Trump said, must be the law of the land. In this case, the law of the state.

Arizonas entirely Republican-appointed Supreme Court upheld the old law because the state legislature has never affirmatively created a right to, or independently authorized, elective abortion, but it stayed the decision for 14 days.

Dark day

Now, the states Republican-controlled legislature could try to find common ground with its Democratic governor, Katie Hobbs, who said the abortion decision made Tuesday a dark day in Arizona. She called on Republicans in the legislature to simply repeal the 1864 law.

But the state House and Senate leaders, Ben Toma and Warren Petersen, are both supporters of the 1864 law and were active in this court case.

What is the law in Arizona now?

The 1864 law in Arizona would ban nearly all abortions, except to save the life of the mother, in the key political battleground and carries a prison sentence for abortion providers, although the states Democratic attorney general said in a statement that her office will not enforce it. Read the full report on Tuesdays ruling from CNNs Cindy Von Quednow, Christina Maxouris and Lauren Mascarenhas.

One further complication in Arizona is that a Republican-controlled legislature and former Republican governor, Doug Ducey, actually enacted a 15-week abortion ban law in 2022, a few months before the Supreme Court overruled Roe, although they did not intend that 15-week ban to overrule the older law.

Abortion was already going to be a key political issue

In Arizona, supporters of abortion rights say they have gathered enough signatures for a November ballot measure to amend the states constitution and create a fundamental right to abortion in the state modeled on Roe v. Wade.

Abortion will also feature on the ballot in at least one other battleground state, Florida, where the states Supreme Court recently upheld a ban on abortions after six weeks of gestation that was signed into law by the states Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Voters will have the opportunity to overturn DeSantis and the Republican legislature on the abortion issue in November. In Arizona, voters would essentially be given the choice of overturning their frontier forebears.

Womens health advocates are warning of more immediate repercussions in both states as women face the prospect of suddenly losing access to care.

The abortion issue divides Republicans in Arizona and nationally. While the state House and Senate leaders support the 1864 law, Kari Lake, the controversial Republican Senate candidate, said her campaigns have shown her that Arizonans want a more modern law. She called on Toma and Petersen to work with Hobbs to repeal it  despite having previously praised the measure in a 2022 podcast, calling it a great law.

Nationally, Trump lobbed criticism at his normal ally South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who criticized the former president for not endorsing Grahams call for a nationwide 15-week abortion ban.

Neither a nationwide ban nor nationwide abortion rights protections seem likely to pass in the near future, as long as senators honor the custom that a 41-senator minority can block major legislation in the 100-person Senate. Democrats, nonetheless, are hoping to use the abortion rights issue to mobilize voters in November.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Claudia Greco and Francesca Landini

LAKE SUVIANA, Italy (Reuters) -Rescuers searched on Wednesday for four people still missing after an underground accident at a hydroelectric power plant in northern Italy, with workers planning to strike on Thursday in protest over safety issues.

At least three people were killed on Tuesday when a fire and explosion occurred at the plant owned by Enel Green Power, part of Enel Group, near the town of Camugnano, about 60 km(40 miles) from Bologna.

The deaths have stoked concerns already expressed by trade unions about workplace safety in Italy after a series of fatal accidents in factories and building sites.

Enel workers plan to strike for eight hours over the issue on Thursday, while workers in other sectors nationwide will stage a previously planned four-hour stoppage.

"Unfortunately the conditions for recovery are not good," said Bologna mayor Matteo Lepore, who was at the scene.

"They are very difficult - the depth of this blast is very deep, they are talking of 70 metres (230 feet) ... The fire is now out. Divers are also helping," he added.

One of the missing workers was from Voith Hydro, a German company that was one of the contractors that had been working on improvements to the plant, Voith said.

"The facts are still unclear. We ask for your understanding that we cannot make any further statements at this time," said Kristine Adams, vice president global corporate communication at Voith.

The power plant had been undergoing efficiency works, which Enel Green Power entrusted in late 2022 to three primary companies, Siemens Energy, ABB and Voith.

"This is a tragedy ... a tragedy that hits our company, our community and our sector," Enel Green Power CEO Salvatore Bernabei told reporters at the scene.

The board of Enel Group issued a statement on Wednesday to express its condolences to families of victims and solidarity with all those involved.

Enel Green Power said that testing of a first group of turbines had been completed in recent days and that work was ongoing to test a second group at the time of the accident.

Bernabei said Siemens Energy, ABB and Voith were among the leading companies in the field for such upgrade works.

In a statement to Reuters, ABB expressed its condolences to the victims and wished the injured a swift recovery.

"ABB is aware of the presence of an ABB employee onsite when the incident occurred. ABB will provide information as soon as available," it added.

A spokesperson for Siemens Energy also expressed the company's shock and sympathy for those affected.

(Additional reporting by Giancarlo Navach in Milan and Vera Eckert in Frankfurt; writing by Francesca Landini and Keith Weir; Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Alison Williams)
Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, was sentenced Wednesday to five months in jail after pleading guilty to two counts of perjury last month in his testimony during former President Donald Trumps civil fraud trial.

The sentencing matched Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's recommendation.

After Weisselberg's sentence was agreed upon by prosecutors and the defense, Judge Laurie Peterson asked him whether there was anything he would like to say.

Weisselberg replied, "No, your honor," and the judge handed down the sentence.

The hearing lasted only about two minutes.

In a statement after the sentencing, Weisselberg's attorney, Seth L. Rosenberg, said his client "accepted responsibility for his conduct and now looks forward to the end of this life-altering experience and to returning to his family and his retirement."

Weisselberg was accused of committing perjury in a deposition and during testimony in Trumps trial, including allegedly lying when he said in July 2020 that he learned Trumps triplex apartment had been overvalued from a Forbes report, but really knew about it well beforehand, Braggs office said.

Weisselberg received a separate five-month sentence in a criminal case last year, serving only 100 days, after pleading guilty in 2022 to tax fraud charges in a 15-year scheme involving the Trump Organizations business dealings. He agreed to pay nearly $2 million in taxes, interest and penalties for allegedly dodging tax payments on $1.7 million of his income with off the books benefits, including tuition for his grandkids, a luxury apartment and two Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Weisselberg was a witness and a co-defendant in the civil trial, in which Judge Arthur Engoron ruled in February that Trump, his company and current and former top executives including Weisselberg had to pay more than $350 million in damages and forbade the former president from running businesses in the state for three years  which ultimately became $464 million when pre-judgement interest was included.

Engoron wrote that Weisselberg lacked credibility on the stand, finding his testimony highly unreliable and intentionally evasive, with large gaps of I dont remember. His ruling ordered Weisselberg to pay the $1 million hes already received from his $2 million separation agreement from the company as ill-gotten gains.

The damages judgment is on hold while Trump appeals it.

A state appeals court last month reduced the size of the bond Trump needed to freeze the judgment while he appeals, ruling that he and his co-defendants could post a $175 million bond instead of the full amount in damages. Trump posted that bond with the help of Don Hankey, the billionaire chairman of Knight Insurance Group, but the state attorney general's office has questioned whether the bond conforms to New York standards. A hearing on the issue has been scheduled for April 22.
People wait to speak during a Houston ISD Board of Managers meeting at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Houston. HISD's appointed Board of Managers will consider a proposal Thursday to re-launch a program that would see the district partner with a Chinese university for an educational initiative. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Houston ISDs appointed Board of Managers will consider a proposal Thursday to re-launch a program that would see the district partner with a Chinese university for an educational initiative that has fallen out of favor in the United States under pressure from conservative critics.

The agenda for Thursdays board meeting includes an item to partner with the Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing, China, to establish a Confucius Institute, part of a network created by the Peoples Republic of China that provides Chinese-language and cultural instruction in countries around the world.

HISD officials said the agenda item serves to renew an expired agreement the district once had with the College Board and Confucius Institute, and includes the addition of a new Chinese university entity to improve supports for students and teachers. The district said the renewed agreement, this time between HISD and Southwest University in China, will allow the district to access grant funding to continue Mandarin Chinese courses at 11 HISD campuses, and open the door for enrichment experiences and opportunities such as language competitions, cultural activities and study abroad opportunities.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Confucius Institutes operates through the HISD central office and does not operate directly in HISD schools, the district said in a statement.

The Chinese government established Confucius Institutes across the world in the mid-2000s as a way to increase their global standing, or soft power, at a time when the Chinese Communist Party was beginning to promote more Chinese investment and trade activity overseas, said Jamie Horsley, a senior fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale University.

The country had established about 118 Confucius Institutes by 2017 at universities across the United States, which often partnered with nearby school districts to create Confucius Classrooms according to a Congressional Research Service report.

The institutes however, began to falter in the late 2010s under criticism from conservative lawmakers who accused the program of operating as a vehicle for Chinese communist officials to spread propaganda and spy on U.S. academics. Those struggles intensified after Congress passed legislation in 2019 that allowed the Department of Defense to withhold funds from universities that hosted a Confucius Institute.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

By the end of 2022, only seven Confucius Institutes still operated in the U.S., according to the research service. A Government Accountability Office report from October 2023 indicated that 61% of universities cited a loss of federal funding as a large factor in their decision to shutter their program,

Only 5% of schools cited concerns related to Chinese government policies as a factor in closing the institutes.

Horsley said that while concerns about transparency are well-founded, given that university agreements were generally made in secret, there was never any evidence to support fears of widespread espionage, academic theft or Communist brainwashing. She said the decline of Confucius Institutes around the country was largely tied to the worsening of the U.S.-China relationship.

People in Congress started worrying that education and culture were tied to the 'United Front,' an organization within the party that promotes a good image of China, and that was seen as nefarious, Horsley said.

HEARING SOUGHT: Houston lawmakers call for state hearing to address alleged violations of state law in HISD

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The agenda item for Thursdays meeting says HISD would be responsible for paying administrative salaries associated with program, while Southwest University would cover any other associated costs. The item also says that the agreement would allow the district to request qualified Chinese teachers from Southwest University, but HISD officials said they have no plans to exercise that right.

Under previous administrations, HISD hosted student teachers who served at the Mandarin Immersion Magnet School and in other Chinese language classes, but they were not considered classroom teachers, the district said in a statement.
Stossel TV

The Labor Department just imposed 300 pages of new regulations to reclassify many individual contractors as payroll employees.

CNBC claims this could help freelancers "recover lost wages."

That's just nonsense.

The new rules will make it harder for some freelancers to support a family. My new video shows how it will also make it harder for them to do what they want to do.

I know this because I saw what happened in California.

Four years ago, unions got then-Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (DSan Diego) to push through a new law that reclassified gig workers.

They were told they'd get higher wages, overtime, and other benefits.

Clueless media liked that.

Vox called the law "a victory for workers everywhere."

Ha! A few months later, Vox media laid off hundreds of freelancers.

"They expected that all these companies were going to reclassify independent contractors as employees," freelance musician Ari Herstand told me. "In reality, they're just letting them go!"

Herstand was dismayed to learn that when he wants other musicians to join him, he could no longer just write them a check.

"I have to put that drummer on payroll, W2 him, get workers' comp insurance, unemployment insurance, payroll taxes!" he complains. "I have to hire a payroll company."

California's anti-freelance law was supposed to protect "abused" Uber and Lyft drivers.

But many like the flexibility of being independent. "I don't want a boss to tell me when or where to drive!" one told us.

But union-funded politicians insist they know better.

Gonzalez said, "When you have to take a side job or a third or fourth gig, that's not flexibility; that's feudalism!"

What followed was what usually happens when politicians pass bad laws. Politically connected people pay lawyers and lobbyists to exempt them. Truck drivers got an exemption from California's new law. So did writers, photojournalists, graphic designers, illustrators, musicians (like Herstand), and more than a hundred other professions.

Uber and Lyft got exemptions, too.

"Why is that good law?" I ask. "Exemption for whoever's clever enough to get to the politicians."

"It's definitely not the solution," Herstand admits. "That doesn't seem like that's a way to legislate."

No. But that's how it's done.

When a reporter asked Gonzalez, "What do you have to say to those freelance journalists, those independent contractors, who have now lost their jobs because of your bill?"

The lawmaker sneered, "These aren't jobs. These are freelance positions that may be three hours a month."

The arrogance!

People chose these jobs. Most had other choices. Unemployment is low.

Freelancers like the flexibility that freelance work provides.

How dare politicians declare, for everyone, that those jobs aren't good enough?

"They're embarrassed that they made this huge mistake." Says Herstand.

"They aren't taking it back," I point out.

"No politician ever wants to admit that they did something wrong," he replies.

The results of California's mistakes are now in.

Even with all the exemptions for the politically connected, freelancers still lost jobs.

A Mercatus Center study found that employment fell by as much as 28 percent in professions where self-employment was common.

And that's not because most freelancers got staff jobs with benefits. Labor force participation fell, too.

Yet now the U.S. Department of Labor is forcing the rest of America to restrict freelance work, too? Insane! It's a reason we have 50 states. Not all of us want to be more like California!

Even worse, President Joe Biden wants to go further by getting Congress to pass a union backed bill called the PRO Act. It would reclassify workers the same way California did, but without any exemptions!

Don't politicians ever learn?

No.

Biden says he is eager to be "the most pro-union president in American history."

COPYRIGHT 2024 BY JFS PRODUCTIONS INC.

The post New Federal Rules for Independent Contractors Will Destroy Freelancers' Livelihoods appeared first on Reason.com.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  Fijian Drua scrumhalf Frank Lomani has been banned for six weeks for striking Melbourne Rebels lock Josh Canham's head with an elbow during a Super Rugby Pacific match last weekend.

Lomani was shown a red card by the on-field referee when Drua was trailing 34-20 in the second half. The Rebels won 41-20.

He was referred to Super Rugbys foul play review committee which found him guilty Wednesday of deliberate physical abuse of striking with an elbow to the back of the victim players head and causing injury."

It found Canham "was in an incredibly vulnerable position with limited ability, if any, to defend himself after clearing out from a ruck.

The entry-level penalty for the offense is 10 weeks but Lomani was granted a reduced ban because of an early guilty plea.

He will be sidelined until the last round of the regular season when Drua will host the Rebels in Lautoka, Fiji.

Drua prop Jone Koroiduadua has been suspended for two weeks but only one match for an attempted head butt. The Drua have a bye this weekend.

___

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
ORENBURG, Russia (Reuters) -Floods engulfed cities and towns across Russia and Kazakhstan on Wednesday after Europe's third-longest river burst its banks, forcing about 110,000 people to evacuate and swamping parts of the Russian city of Orenburg.

The deluge of meltwater overwhelmed scores of settlements in Russia's Ural Mountains, Siberia, Volga and areas of Kazakhstan after major rivers such as the Ural, which flows into the Caspian, rose more 70 cm (2 feet 3 inches) beyond its bursting point to over 10 metres (33 feet).

In Orenburg, a city with a population of 550,000 about 1,200 km (750 miles) east of Moscow, hundreds of homes were flooded and at least 7,700 people were evacuated as the Ural river rose swiftly beyond critical levels.

Whole areas of the city were under water. Residents in Orenburg paddled along roads that now resembled rivers and waters lapped at the windows of traditional wooden houses.

Russian news agencies quoted the Emergencies Ministry as saying 35 tonnes of aid - food, drugs and other necessities - had been flown into the region.

In Kurgan, a region which straddles the Tobol river, 4,500 people were evacuated and fears grew that thousands - or even tens of thousands - more would need to evacuated. Sirens in Kurgan warned people to evacuate immediately.

Kurgan region governor Vadim Shumkov, in a statement late on Wednesday quoted by Russian news agencies, said the city of Kurgan was threatened by surges of water caused by reservoirs emptying into the river system.

He said water levels in the city stood at 3.75 metres but could rise sharply as water flowed from the town of Zverinogolovkoye, 100 km (60 miles) away, where levels had risen to 9.8 metres (32 feet).

"And the mass of water is going with the current," Shumkov wrote on Telegram. "And flows from reservoirs are not stopping."

If the Tobol rose in the city to 9 metres (30 feet), then 17,800 people would have to be evacuated, Shumkov earlier said. If it rose to 14 metres (46 feet) then the figure would rise to 280,000 people.

"The forecast is unfavourable," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "The water level continues to rise in flood zones, large amounts of water are coming to new regions."

The flood situation was acute in parts of Western Siberia, the largest hydrocarbon basin in the world, where the peak is expected in three to five days, and some areas around the Volga, Europe's largest river, the emergencies ministry said.

Residents in Orenburg said it was the worst flooding in living memory while Russian officials said it was the worst flooding in the area since records began. Kazakhstan said more than 97,000 people had been evacuated.

Russia said 10,500 houses were flooded across 37 regions, most in the Orenburg region. Upstream on the Ural, which flows into Kazakhstan, floodwaters burst through an embankment dam in the city of Orsk on Friday.

BUILDING, STRENGTHENING DAMS

In Kazakhstan, people worked through the night to build up dykes and strengthen embankments. A state of emergency remained in effect in eight of the country's 17 provinces, down from 10 at the end of last week.

Unverified footage from the Aktobe region of northern Kazakhstan, through which the Ilek, a tributary of the Ural, flows, showed dead cattle, settlements covered in silt and scores of collapsed mud-brick houses.

Pope Francis expressed his sympathy for the victims.

"I also want to convey to the people of Kazakhstan my spiritual closeness at this time, when a massive flood has affected many regions of the country and caused the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes," he said during his Wednesday weekly audience in St Peter's Square.

Spring flooding is a usual part of life across Russia as the harsh winter snows melt, swelling some of mighty rivers of Russia and Central Asia. This year, though, a combination of factors triggered unusually severe flooding.

Russian emergency officials said the soil was waterlogged before winter and then was frozen under high snow falls which melted very fast in rising spring temperatures and heavy rains.

One Russian official, the Presidential Plenipotentiary in the Urals Region, Vladimir Yakushev, was quoted by Russian media as suggesting that Kazakhstan was to blame for not coordinating the discharge of water more effectively.

Kazakh officials have said much of the water was coming from Russia; there are rivers flowing in both directions between the two countries which share the world's longest land border.

President Vladimir Putin spoke to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan about the floods on Tuesday. The Kremlin said the worst was still to come for the Siberian region of Tyumen and the Urals region of Kurgan.

The Kremlin said Putin was getting updated on the situation but had no immediate plans to visit the flood zone.

(Reporting Reuters in Orenburg and Orsk, Russia; writing by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Lidia Kelly in Lisbon; Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Alison Williams, Ros Russell, Ron Popeski and Lincoln Feast.)
WASHINGTON  A band of hard-right agitators, backed by former President Donald Trump, revolted against GOP leaders on Wednesday, blocking renewal of a powerful surveillance program that is set to expire next week and throwing the GOP-led House into chaos once again.

Nineteen conservatives broke with Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and his leadership team and voted down a "rule"; the vote was 193-228. It's yet another example of a minority of Republicans using the otherwise procedural vote to prevent the House from debating their own party's legislation.

It marked the seventh time this Congress  and the fourth under Johnson  that Republicans have taken down their own rule, according to a review by NBC News.

Given the party's minuscule margin, Wednesday's Republican revolt effectively derailed  for now  carefully crafted compromise legislation to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act's Section 702.

After the vote, Johnson scheduled a special closed-door meeting of House Republicans for later Wednesday afternoon. It's unclear if Congress will be able to renew 702, which the administration says is a critical national security tool, before it expires on April 19.

"We will regroup and reformulate another plan," Johnson told reporters. "We cannot allow Section 702 of FISA to expire. It's too important to national security."

One option now is that the Senate could send the House a clean, short-term extension of FISA with no reforms. "It's a fact  if FISA goes down we'll likely extend current FISA. Stupid," said moderate Rep. Don Bacon, R-Iowa, a member of the Armed Services Committee. "They'll end up with the worst option."

The current FISA tool allows the government to conduct targeted surveillance of foreign nationals, without needing to obtain a warrant, with a higher bar for targeted American citizens. The new House Republican bill calls for a number of reforms but doesn't go far enough in the eyes of privacy and civil liberties advocates, on both the right and left.

Trump threw a wrench into things early Wednesday morning, posting on social media platform: "KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME AND MANY OTHERS. THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!!  an apparent reference to the FBI's bungled surveillance of former Trump aide Carter Page.

"We are killing FISA. As written, it wont make it off the floor," Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., wrote on X, responding to Trump.

Two other Trump loyalists, Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., also said before the vote they would cast no votes on the rule.

"We're throwing our Constitution and our Bills or Rights away with this history of abuse. It needs to be on the scrap heap," Burchett said in an interview. "They broke the law before. Whats going to stop them from doing so again? We need to remove that tool."

The contentious issue dominated a closed-door gathering of House Republicans on Wednesday morning. In that meeting, Johnson warned Republican lawmakers they would get jammed with a short-term FISA extension from the Senate, without the reforms included in the House GOP bill, if members vote down the rule, four sources told NBC News. He described that as the worst-case scenario because it would deny the Republicans the chance to make revisions to the law.

After the meeting, Johnson reiterated to reporters that Section 702 cannot be allowed to lapse, calling the spying powers essential to protecting Americans.

We have to strike the balance government always does, you have to ... jealously guard the fundamental liberty of American people, Johnson said. You protect the liberty, but at the same time, you got to protect your security. And we cant allow a critical tool like this to just expire and go out of use.

Although most Democrats and the White House support extending FISA, House Democrats don't intend to provide votes for the rule because of partisan language tucked into it. In addition to the FISA bill, the rule contains a Republican resolution on Israel that criticizes President Joe Biden for pressuring the country to change its war strategy after the strike on a World Central Kitchen aid convoy.

We have to reauthorize FISA. Unfortunately, the speaker has chosen to couple this rule vote with a bunch of other things, said Rep. Pete Aguilar, of California, the No. 3 House Democrat. It has partisan resolutions attached to it. And so I would not anticipate any Democrats supporting it.

While some Republicans are opposed to reauthorizing FISA outright, others are expected to support the rule in order to vote for a warrant requirement for the Section 702 program. Members of the House Intelligence Committee and the intelligence community warn that such a requirement could cripple the program.

Backers of the House FISA bill have argued that without renewing Section 702, another major terror attack could occur on American soil. Families of 9/11 victims sent a letter to the speaker urging Congress to reauthorize Section 702, according to a copy of the letter obtained by NBC News. The letter, from 9/11 Families United, was circulated to House Republicans inside their weekly conference meeting Wednesday morning.

It is our belief that the failure to renew Section 702 would be detrimental to American national security and would put Americans at risk of new terrorist attacks, the letter said.

The push to curtail the governments surveillance power has sparked an extraordinary left-right coalition.

The Rules Committee authorized a House floor vote on an amendment to curtail warrantless surveillance of U.S. persons under the FISA law, written by Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.; Pramila Jaypal, D-Wash.; Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y.; Warren Davidson, R-Ohio; Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif.; and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

Jordan, the chair of the Judiciary Committee, appeared on conservative host Mark Levins show and pressed his case for changing the current FISA law.

Gotta have a warrant requirement, Jordan said. Im all for surveilling foreigners who want to do us harm. But when you do that you inevitably pick up a number of Americans, many times innocently. And if youre gonna go search that database, you got to go through a separate equal branch of government and get a probable cause warrant. That is how it works.

The White House "strongly supports" the House's FISA bill, said national security adviser Jake Sullivan. But the administration is opposed to the Jordan amendment, which, Sullivan says, would "rebuild a wall around and thus block access to already lawfully collected information in the possession of the US government."

I cant imagine working in todays counterterrorism environment without FISA Section 702, and I dont know how we would replace it if it were gone," added Christy Abizaid, director of the National Counterterrorism Center. "Our No. 1 mission is to protect the United States homeland from a diverse array of threats, and speed is of the essence to fulfill this mission.
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Mike Johnson will travel to Mar-a-Lago Friday for remarks on election integrity with former President Donald Trump, two sources directly familiar with the plans confirmed to NBC News.

Asked by NBC News what his press conference with Trump will focus on, Johnson said, Youll have to see. ... I look forward to going down there."

When asked to elaborate on election integrity," Johnson said: free and fair elections."

The planned remarks were first reported by CNN. The House is set to be in session on Friday but votes are expected to be done in the morning.

Friday's meeting with Trump comes as Johnson, R-La., faces threats to his job from his right flank and scrutiny over his handling of thorny issues in a narrow Republican majority, including a military aid package for Ukraine and other U.S. allies that has been held up for months, despite his vows to pass new Ukraine aid.

Johnson is under tremendous pressure from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., another Trump ally, who has threatened to force a vote on a motion to oust the speaker over funding for Ukraine. Greene, who argues that congressional attention and funding should be turned to the southern border rather than Ukraine, last month filed a "motion to vacate" to depose Johnson but stopped short of forcing a vote to remove him.

Mike Johnson (Samuel Corum / Getty Images)

A Republican former senior congressional aide said that the meeting in Mar-a-Lago may send a message to Greene that Johnson is close to Trump and that Trump is supportive of his continued leadership of the House GOP. This seems to be more about motion-to-vacate mitigation than anything else, said the former aide.

Before he was elected House speaker, Johnson had boosted Trump's false claims of widespread election fraud in the 2020 presidential election and pursued legal efforts to invalidate President Joe Biden's electoral victory. In Dec. 2020, Johnson led an amicus brief signed by more than 100 House Republicans in support of a Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn Biden's wins in four battleground states.

Johnson endorsed Trump in November, not long after taking the speakers gavel.

Although Trump did not announce an outright endorsement amid the House speaker's race last year, the former president seemed to boost Johnson's bid, writing in a post to his Truth Social platform, My strong SUGGESTION is to go with the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST!

Days after he announced his endorsement of Trump, Johnson met with the former president at a fundraiser for Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla. in November at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
A traffic stop led to accusations that a man was dropping off kids by themselves to collect donations for a fake nonprofit, Florida authorities said.

The 36-year-old man with a child in the back of the van was pulled over in Alachua County the morning of April 6, according to a report from Florida Highway Patrol.

The trooper reporting smelling marijuana in the van and asked the driver to show his license. The man couldnt provide his license, and the trooper ran a search that showed the man had a suspended license, the trooper said.

He identified the child in the back as Justin, but the boy said his name was Brian, according to the report.

The trooper said he found a scale and marijuana in the van and believed the man intended to distribute it. The child said he was familiar with the substance found in the van.

The trooper said he learned the man was transporting four kids from the Orlando area to Alachua County, more than a 100-mile drive north, to get them to solicit donations for a fake nonprofit called Awareness Youth.

Troopers found the other kids in different locations.

It should be noted that the children were left unattended to roam the streets asking for money under the mans direction, the trooper said in the report.

For every $10 the children collected, they got to keep $4, authorities said.

McClatchy News reached out to the Florida Highway Patrol to learn the relationship between the man and the children but did not receive an immediate response.

The man faces possession charges, driving while license is suspended and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Alachua County records show. McClatchy News could not immediately get in contact with the mans attorney April 9.

The man was charged in a similar incident in 2013 when authorities said he took seven children from Orlando to Flagler County, roughly an 80-mile drive, to sell candy and cookies for an organization against drugs and alcohol, court documents show.

The report said he dropped the kids off in separate locations without food, water or supervision in 91- degree weather. He pleaded no contest and was ordered to pay a fine, in addition to doing community service, according to court documents.

Alachua County is in north Florida, and Gainesville is the county seat.

Buyers scammed out of $200,000 in closing costs for bogus property, Georgia cops say

Convicted felon in fake patrol car with sirens pulled over by real cops, NC police say

Ex-employee stole thousands from nonprofit to fund her lifestyle, Georgia cops say

Workers relocated for jobs at fake dog training business, feds say. Owner must pay $1.2M
The Republican-controlled Missouri Senate early Wednesday passed a bill to block Medicaid dollars from going to Planned Parenthood despite fears that the measure would hurt those who use the organization for a broad swath of services.

The legislation bars any public funds, including Medicaid reimbursements, from going to abortion facilities or their affiliates, including Planned Parenthood, despite the fact that abortion is illegal in nearly all circumstances in Missouri.

The Senate approved the bill, filed by Rep. Cody Smith, a Carthage Republican running for treasurer, on a party-line vote of 23 to 10. It now heads back to the House.

This bill is, again, one thats going to be putting into state statute to make sure that anyone who is affiliated with an abortion provider, that Planned Parenthood will no longer be eligible for the Medicaid program, said Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican who handled the bill in the Senate.

Coleman, who is running for secretary of state, told her colleagues Tuesday afternoon that she would not yield the floor until they agreed to pass the bill.

The bill is a continuation of Republican efforts to block Planned Parenthoods two affiliates in Missouri from receiving taxpayer dollars through the states Medicaid program. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled in February  for the second time in four years  that lawmakers cannot use the state budget to strip Medicaid funding from the organization.

Senate Democrats spent 11 hours filibustering the legislation, arguing that Republicans were targeting the wide array of health care services provided by Planned Parenthood for patients on Medicaid. The organizations services include birth control, cancer screenings and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections or STIs.

This is some kind of bizarre quest to just continue to, you know, punish Planned Parenthood, said Sen. Tracy McCreery, a St. Louis Democrat. But the reality isits not punishing Planned Parenthood. What this is doing is, this is hurting our very own constituents.

Missouri bans abortion in nearly all circumstances under a 2019 law that went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal right to the procedure in 2022. Missouri also has not sent state dollars to Planned Parenthood in roughly two years, according to Senate documents.

Coleman said on the floor that the fact that the Missouri clinics no longer provide abortions was not enough. She pointed to the fact that Planned Parenthood affiliates still provide abortions in neighboring Kansas and Illinois.

Dollars are fungible and that money that is not being used to support those clinics (in other states) is able to be money that they are spending on, many times, Missouri residents, she said.

Senate Democrats took shifts late into Tuesday evening chewing up floor time to block the legislation. They spoke about the negative impact the bill could have on Medicaid and at times shifted to other topics such as gun control. They ultimately sat down early Wednesday morning, letting it come to a vote.

Democrats were able to remove a line from the bill that described facilities barred from receiving funding as promoting eugenics as a means of limiting the procreation of such persons of such races, colors, or national origin, including, but not limited to, sterilization or the use of targeted abortions.

Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, an Independence Democrat, said in a statement to The Star that the legislation does nothing that (Republicans) werent already doing and is more than likely unconstitutional.

They wasted an entire day in the senate passing legislation that they in effect already do, Rizzo said, saying that Republicans were focused on the bill instead of legislation to keep rural hospitals open and a bill to keep the states health care system working.

Some in the Missouri Capitol view the bill as a way to appease a hard-right faction of senators who have attempted to attach similar anti-abortion language to a bill that would reauthorize a series of crucial taxes that fund the states Medicaid program.

Members of the hard-right Missouri Freedom Caucus in the Senate have vowed to use the tax bill, known as the Federal Reimbursement Allowance, or FRA, to block public funding from going to Planned Parenthood.

Lawmakers in both parties fear that adding the anti-abortion language to the FRA could result in the entire bill being struck down in court.

Not renewing the FRA would lead to an estimated loss of $4.3 billion in state and federal Medicaid funds in fiscal year 2026, according to an analysis by the Missouri Budget Project, a nonprofit that analyzes fiscal policy.

A loss of that magnitude would force lawmakers to make cuts across the board, including to education and other priorities, to keep Medicaid running.

Tuesdays hours-long debate also comes as a coalition of abortion rights groups are seeking to overturn the states abortion ban at the ballot box this year. The group is currently gathering signatures to place the measure on the ballot either in November or at an earlier election if called by Republican Gov. Mike Parson.

Sen. Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat, said in a statement that Missouri Republicans have made it crystal clear that they are against any and all forms of reproductive healthcare.

We began debating this issue back in February, and after two months and another 11 hours on the floor last night we recognized that because Republican lawmakers are never going to change their mind on this issue, it will be up to voters to change the law at the ballot box this November, she said.
Nicole Beausoleil, the mother of one of the four students killed in the Oxford High School shooting in 2021, called the apology from the parents of the shooter "a disgraceful thing."

James and Jennifer Crumbley, the first parents in the U.S. to be charged and then convicted in their child's mass shooting, were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison on April 9, weeks after jurors found both parents guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Both parents apologized to the victims' families after hearing victim impact statements at their sentencing hearing. Beausoleil said on TODAY April 10 that she didn't find James and Jennifer Crumbley's apologies to be genuine.

"I felt like it was a way for them to, again, place blame on somebody else versus themselves in those statements," Beausoleil said. "There was still no accountability for their actions. There was no remorse."

Beausoleil specifically referenced how James Crumbley interacted with the father of 16-year-old shooting victim Tate Myre as he spoke at the sentencing hearing.

James Crumbley (Bill Pugliano / Getty Images)

"It was just unacceptable, and it felt like almost a slap in the face to us once again, stating that we were, you know, pushing hard for the facts," she said. "It just felt like it was more of a disgraceful thing."

Beausoleil also spoke during the hearing, and said getting to say the words to the Crumbleys felt "almost like a sense of relief."

"It's a constant reminder of the events that I went through that day, and I wanted to let the parents know exactly how I felt that day after watching video surveillance of them," Beausoleil said. "Seeing their demeanors and the questions that they had and what they were worried about versus what I was going through."

She continued: "Really just showing the difference of parenting and the difference of a loving mother and a mother that really just cared more for herself. And that's exactly what the prosecution team was saying before too, is that you were neglecting your child."

Jennifer Crumbley (Bill Pugliano / Getty Images)

Beausoleil added she thought Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews' maximum sentences, which went beyond the state's guidelines, sent a message.

"I feel like it sends a message to really listen to your children. There should be accountability for every action that we have, and it sends a message to parents all around, and even grandparents and any kind of guardian that children come first and they should be the priority," she said.

Beausoleils 17-year-old daughter, Madisyn Baldwin, was killed during the shooting on Nov. 30, 2021, and she described her as a "kind soul."

"She really was that that heartbeat to our family. She just constantly put herself last. She always wanted everybody to smile," Beausoleil said. "She was a great student. She was incredible big sister, always looking out for her little siblings, especially her brother who has special needs  she just wanted to go out into society and make a difference."

"And that's exactly who she was," she added. "The wit and the charisma that she had was undeniable, and I miss her very much."

When were James and Jennifer Crumbley sentenced?

Matthews sentenced both James and Jennifer Crumbley to 10 to 15 years in prison on April 9, in their first joint court appearance since Matthews ordered for their trials to be separated last year.

These convictions confirm repeated acts that could have halted an oncoming runaway train, Matthews said.

Prosecutors had asked Matthews to sentence both parents to 10 to 15 years on four counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the students their son killed.

Prosecutors had added that felonies that arise out of the same event in Michigan must be served concurrently, according to Michigan state law, meaning the maximum sentence Matthews could have imposed was 15 years.

The couple would get credit for the days they have served in Oakland County Jail since their arrests in 2021, Matthews said.

Matthews said during the hearing the the family wouldnt be imprisoned together, and that the Michigan Department of Corrections had indicated James and Ethan Crumbley wouldnt be placed in the same facility, due to their relationship.

Ethan Crumbley is currently serving his sentence in a prison 17 miles from Oxford High School, NBC News reported.

Jennifer Crumbley would be sent to the only womens prison in the state to serve her sentence, Matthews said.

Before handing down their sentences, Matthews had victims read impact statements before the court, where many families of the victims asked for the maximum sentence to be imposed.

When you texted, Ethan dont do it, I was texting, Madisyn I love you, please call mom, Beausoleil told the Crumbleys in court. When you found out about the lives your son took that day, I was still waiting for my daughter in the parking lot.

Craig Shilling, the father of Justin Shilling, said he was troubled by Jennifer Crumbley's testimony that she wouldn't have done anything differently.

The blood of our children is on your hands, too, Craig Shilling said.

Before her sentencing, Jennifer Crumbley said she felt "deep remorse, regret and grief" for the shooting.

We were good parents, she said. We were the average family. We werent perfect, but we loved our son and each other tremendously.

James Crumbley said he would have acted differently prior to the shooting, and that he didn't know what his son was planning to do that day.

Please note that I am truly sorry for your loss as a result of what my son did, he told the families of the victims. I cannot express how much I wish I had known what was going on with him or what was going to happen.

During their trials, James Crumbley did not take the stand, while Jennifer Crumbley testified in her own defense.

Jennifer Crumbley told jurors she did not dismiss clear warning signs about her son leading up to the shooting. She described him as quiet and having few friends, but said she never thought he was a danger to others.

I wish he wouldve killed us instead, she testified.

James and Jennifer Crumbley's son, Ethan Crumbley, was sentenced in 2023 to life in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to killing Baldwin, Myre, Justin Shilling, 17, and Hana St. Juliana, 14.

Prosecutors have said they do not plan to charge anyone else in connection with the shooting.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Hospitality workers picket outside Hotel Figueroa in downtown LA on 5 April 2024. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images

The USs top labor lawyer has said her agency will not succumb to Amazon, Starbucks and SpaceXs attempts to legally challenge the National Labor Relations Board and its ability to enforce federal labor law.

Related: They are breaking the law: inside Amazons bid to stall a union drive

Jennifer Abruzzo, the NLRB general counsel, accused some of the USs largest corporations of jumping on the bandwagon in mounting legal challenges to the labor watchdog, which has found itself at the center of the ongoing battle between the companies and a wave of unionizing efforts by workers.

Attorneys representing Elon Musks SpaceX, Amazon, Trader Joes and Starbucks have all argued in recent months that the NLRB is unconstitutional and has overstepped its authority.

There is no way, despite our very limited resources and board agents being overwhelmed with quite a number of cases  that were going to succumb to the pressures imposed in addressing these challenges and in defending the constitutionality of our agency structure, Abruzzo said at a webinar event hosted by the Roosevelt Institute.

Abruzzo, who was appointed by Joe Biden in 2021, said the legal challenges against the NLRB had been launched in retaliation for the agency doing its job.

These esoteric arguments came about why? Because we dared to issue a complaint against SpaceX after it unlawfully fired eight workers for speaking about their workplace concerns. And then Amazon jumps on the bandwagon, Starbucks jumps on the bandwagon, Trader Joes, others get in on the action just because were trying to hold them accountable for repeatedly violating workers rights to organize and collectively bargain through representatives of their free choosing.

SpaceX filed a lawsuit in court against the NLRB over a complaint issued by the agency that the company fired workers in response to a letter they wrote about workplace concerns and comments made by Musk.

The NLRBs constitutionality was upheld in a 1937 ruling before the United States supreme court and it is not yet certain the court will revisit that ruling. But the legal fight could further delay union contract negotiations that have already been stalled by corporations including Amazon and Starbucks and stoked concerns over how the right-leaning supreme court would rule if it did decide to take up one of these cases.

Abruzzo noted there has also been an increase of employers seeking preliminary injunctions to try to delay or prevent the NLRB from engaging in enforcement actions against them. She cited several recent judgments the board obtained against SpaceX related to its severance agreements, against Starbucks over its prohibition of union-material distribution and a judgment against Amazon related to its employee off-duty access rules.

Unfortunately, it seems to me theyd rather spend their money initiating court litigation rather than improving their workers lives and their own workplace operations, added Abruzzo. Theres also this secondary goal, I think, which is to divert attention away from the fact that they are actually lawbreakers who need to be held accountable in a timely manner. And frankly, that strategy is working. Theres a lot of public reporting about the challenges as opposed to the law-breaking.

Biden has touted himself as the most pro-union president in history and the NLRB under his administration has reversed several policies and decisions implemented by the board under Trump.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic and continuing under the Biden administration, the US labor movement has been experiencing a resurgence in union organizing, strikes and other labor actions. The NLRB recently reported that in the first six months of the current fiscal year, October 2023 to March 2024, union election petitions rose 35% and unfair labor practice charge filings increased by 7% compared with the prior year.

Our congressional mandate is to encourage peaceful resolution of industrial disputes and that depends on an effective means to vindicate public rights. It means we have to be able to operate and frankly. Even some who focus on employer interests have publicly said that there would be chaos at the workplace without a functioning NLRB and I completely agree with that, Abruzzo concluded.
MANILA (Reuters) - The upcoming trilateral summit between the United States, Philippines and Japan will include an agreement to maintain security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.

Marcos is set to leave for Washington on Wednesday afternoon for talks with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

"(The summit) will contain more details in the sense of how cooperation will be implemented," Marcos told reporters.

Marcos is also set to hold a bilateral meeting with Biden ahead of the meeting among the three leaders.

The Philippines under Marcos has deepened military ties with both the United States and Japan as maritime run-ins with China in the South China Sea have escalated.

Marcos has allowed to nearly double Philippine bases American soldiers can access, and talks are underway with Japan for a reciprocal access agreement that will allow the presence of Japanese forces on Philippine soil.

At the same time, Marcos has also denied the existence of a so-called "gentleman's agreement" reportedly struck under predecessor Rodrigo Duterte with Beijing to keep the status quo in Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed maritime feature in the South China Sea.

A spokesperson for former Duterte confirmed last month that such an agreement was made, but Marcos said there are no records of the deal.

"I am horrified by the idea that we have compromised through a secret agreement the territory, the sovereignty and the sovereign rights of the Philippines," Marcos said.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, overlapping with territorial claims of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said China's claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected."

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles said he will recommend that the board of managers reverse the addition of an English-only pre-kindergarten track at Helms and Wharton dual-language schools at their meeting on April 11, 2024. In this Jan. 23, 2024, file photo, Miles speaks about the addition of schools to the NES program during a press conference in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer

Houston ISDs appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said Monday that he will ask the districts Board of Managers to walk back plans to add English-only pre-kindergarten tracks at the Helms and Wharton dual-language schools at the boards monthly meeting on Thursday.

The district had previously planned to open English-only tracks at the popular Spanish immersion schools as part of its efforts to expand pre-kindergarten offerings across the city, saying the move was necessary to accommodate families zoned to those campuses. The agenda for Thursdays board meeting, however, now includes items to designate Helms and Wharton as separate and unique schools, which would allow them to skirt those requirements by moving to an application-only model for all students.

HEARING SOUGHT: Houston lawmakers call for state hearing to address alleged violations of state law in HISD

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The superintendents recommendation comes after intense pushback from parents who insisted that the schools retain their unique Spanish-language immersion models. Over two dozen parents spoke at last weeks board workshop to defend their schools' dual-language programs and plead with district leaders to back down on the decision.

Im persuaded by some of the comments from the board meeting, but also others that Ive heard, that they have a great culture right now  a dual-language culture, not an English-only culture, and that they have really good programming and theyve been successful, theyve been thriving, Miles said.

While HISD offers dual-language options at 80 of its 274 campuses, Helms and Wharton are unique in that they offer school-wide immersion, in which native Spanish speakers are integrated with native English speakers in every classroom and share the same programming, which is split between the two languages. The majority of dual-language programs at other HISD campuses operate as an individual track within the broader school system, or serve only emergent bilingual students, meaning students whose first language is not English.

Parents celebrated the superintendents proposal to backtrack on the English-only pre-kindergarten classes, which they said would have further limited dual-language seats at the highly competitive campuses and diluted the immersion experience for current students. Miles' proposal for Helms and Wharton marks the second instance in the last month in which the superintendent has backed down on plans that drew the ire of parents at high-performing schools, many of whom threatened to vote no on a likely bond referendum this fall.

The first was Miles' reversal on his use of proficiency screenings to determine whether principals could keep their jobs next year.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Brooke Longoria, the PTO president at Helms, said that while she was cautiously optimistic about the development, the community was so appreciative of the board and Superintendent Miles responding to community feedback and recognizing the importance of Spanish immersion in Houston ISD.

THE REPORT CARD: Subscribe to the Houston Chronicles weekly newsletter recapping HISD news

Longoria, a critic of Miles' administration and frequent presence at HISD board meetings, was one of the dozens of parents who spoke at last Thursdays workshop. Others, however, were new faces.

Helms is a really tight-knit community, we really support one another and value our diversity of voices. We wanted to go out and say why our program is worth preserving, she said.

Miles said the initial implementation of English-only tracks was part of the districts pre-kindergarten expansion, which aims to add hundreds of more seats to the districts early childhood education program. He said the district will now look to shift those pre-kindergarten seats for zoned families to other schools near Helms and Wharton.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The district did not specify which schools would accept the neighborhood students previously zoned to Helms and Wharton.

Former HISD trustee Judith Cruz, the parent of an eighth-grader at Wharton, said the move to designate both schools as separate and unique is long overdue, given how competitive enrollment at both campuses has become, and said that school leaders at Wharton have been pushing for the distinction for years.

For whatever reason, the revolving door of (HISD) leadership has made it really hard (to get the separate and unique designation), so the fact that from one week to the next, this administration was able to present that recommendation to the board is really exciting, Cruz said.

Neither principal at Wharton or Helms returned a request for comment.

For zoned parents at the dual-language schools, however, the development is bittersweet. Elizabeth Carlson is the mother of a kindergartner who started at Helms this year because she was zoned to the school. While the separate and unique designation wouldnt affect current students, it could put her youngest childs enrollment in jeopardy when it comes time to apply for pre-kindergarten at Helms, since the school would no longer have to set aside seats for zoned students.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Though Carlson supports the pending removal of the English-only track at Helms, she questioned why the district felt the need to implement it in the first place, if zoned families were already being adequately served by the dual-language program. HISD data shows that emergent bilingual students in dual-language programs performed better on end-of-year assessments than their counterparts in other multilingual models, and had higher passing rates on the English-language STAAR test than the district average in both reading and math.

If they say we need to ensure quality education for zoned students, how is providing Spanish-language instruction not doing that? Carlson said. I do think that HISD is taking the wrong out here, they should be expanding zoned dual-language and immersion programs, not answering the call for more immersion by eliminating zones.

Miles said that there were policy implications to having a zoned school versus a separate and unique school, but did not elaborate on what specific policies the district might be breaking by continuing to solely offer dual-language programming at Helms and Wharton without first designating them as separate and unique.

Helms and Wharton are very unique schools, theyre dual-language and you have to want to be in a dual-language program and follow that programming, so thats why we think they should be separate and unique schools, Miles said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Phase I of the pre-kindergarten application closes April 22, and families will learn about their students placement by May 10, according to the districts website. They must accept their students placement by May 30.
Barring any last minute delays, Donald Trump is set to appear at a Manhattan courthouse on Monday for the historic start of his first criminal trial.

The case involves his alleged falsification of business records to cover up a hush-money payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. The trial will mark the first time in history that an ex-President is criminally prosecuted in court, and could take Trump away from the campaign trail for more than a month as he runs for a return to the White House.

Trump faces 34 felony counts in the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has accused Trump of doctoring financial records of his companies and orchestrating a scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied all wrongdoing and accused Bragg of carrying out a politically motivated witch hunt against him.

The unprecedented case is the first of Trumps four criminal cases to go to trialand may be the only one to wrap up before the November election. The trial is expected to last six weeks, starting with jury selection on Monday. Prospective jurors will be asked if they have ever attended one of Trumps rallies, if they belong to groups like the Proud Boys or Antifa, or if they volunteered with a political entity associated with the former President, according to a letter the judge provided attorneys.

Heres what to know about Trumps hush-money trial.

What are the legal questions?

Prosecutors will attempt to prove that Trump is guilty of maintaining false business records with the intent to hide a $130,000 hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels, an adult-film actress who claimed she had a sexual encounter with him in 2006. The payments allegedly were made to keep Daniels from speaking publicly about the affair in the final weeks of Trumps 2016 presidential campaign.

If convicted, Trump could face up to four years in prison for each of the 34 charges against him. While paying hush money is not always illegal, prosecutors allege that Trump reimbursed his then-lawyer Michael Cohen in a series of installment payments processed by his business, which prosecutors say were fraudulently disguised as corporate legal expenses in violation of New York law.

Under New York law, falsifying business records is usually a misdemeanor but it can become a felony when there is an intent to defraud that includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal another crime. Bragg has said that the alleged payment scheme was intended to cover up violations of New York election law, which makes it a crime to conspire to illegally promote a candidate. He also said the $130,000 payment exceeded the federal campaign contribution cap and violated state tax laws.

The charges Trump faces are all considered class E felonies in New York, the lowest tier of felony charges in the state. Prosecutors will need to show that Trump not only falsified or caused business records to be entered falsely, but that he did so to conceal another crime.

Will the trial be televised?

The trial is not expected to be televised since New York state is one of three jurisdictions that does not permit audio-visual coverage of trial-court proceedings. Federal judges sometimes make an exception to this long-standing rule barring cameras from their courtrooms, but the judge presiding over the hush-money case has already rejected past media requests for greater access and appears unlikely to change course.

Pictures of Trump in the courtroom, however, may be allowed. When Trump was arraigned in Manhattan last April, Judge Juan Merchan permitted photographers to record still images before the arraignment but ruled that they would have to leave once the arraignment began. He also approved TV cameras in the hallways of the Manhattan courthouse, but said reporters would not be allowed to carry electronic recording devices into the courtroom or overflow rooms, claiming that cameras could disrupt the dignity and decorum of the court and put the safety of those involved at risk.

Does Trump have to be there every day?

Under New York state law, Trump is required to attend his entire criminal trial in person, potentially limiting his ability to travel outside of the state as he campaigns for President. The trial is expected to last up to six weeks, depending on how long jury selection takes and whether the judge opts for half-day proceedings or days off to attend other cases.

But Trump may receive some leniency from the judge. The same day he is set to appear in court for the start of the trial, Trump is also scheduled to be deposed in one of the civil lawsuits stemming from the merger of his social media startup with a so-called blank check company. Judge Merchan could allow Trump to miss part of the hush-money trial to attend the deposition.

In the past, Trump has chosen to appear at some court proceedings he wasn't required to attend, often holding press conferences with reporters outside the courtrooms. Hes used those appearances to amplify both his campaign messages and his assertion that all of the charges he faces are politically motivated.

Who are the witnesses?

Daniels and Cohen are both expected to take the stand as witnesses for the prosecution, with Braggs office hoping that Cohen can directly tie Trump to the false business records.

Other witnesses could include Karen McDougala former Playboy model who received a $150,000 payment from the National Enquirer for rights to her story about an alleged affair with Trumpand members of Trumps inner circle, including his longtime assistant Rhona Graff, his former director of Oval Office operations Madeleine Westerhout, and former campaign and White House aide Hope Hicks.

Trumps lawyers are expected to attempt to undermine Cohens testimony by noting that he pleaded guilty to a variety of federal crimes in 2018including for his role in the hush-money paymentand that he and Trump had a falling out many years ago.

Its unclear if Trump will take the stand in his own defense, or if his lawyers will call any witnesses.

What happens if Trump gets convicted?

If Trump is convicted, he could face a sentence of up to four years in New York prison for each chargea maximum of 136 years. And since falsifying business records is a state crime, only the New York governorKathy Hochul, a Democratcould pardon him.

But given Trumps age, 77, lack of a prior conviction, the fact that hes the first former President to ever be criminally tried, and that he may become President again, legal experts say theres no guarantee that a conviction would result in jail time. The judge is not required to imprison Trump if hes convicted by a jury; most first-time offenders in non-violent cases are often sentenced to probation, and Trumps unique position could raise a host of extraordinary issues and considerations in sentencing.



Trump can still run for President if hes convictedor even inside a jail cellthough it would entail a range of unprecedented and untested legal questions if he wins the election after being convicted of a crime.

Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com.
A labrador retriever who failed to become a drug sniffing dog because he was overly friendly and playful has won hearts across Taiwan for his detection work in the aftermath of last weeks 7.4-magnitude earthquake.

Rescue dogs play a crucial role in helping to locate both stranded people and bodies, and teams of capable canines were quickly deployed by Taiwanese authorities after last Wednesdays deadly tremor.

The quake that hit the islands rugged eastern coast, Taiwans strongest in 25 years, triggered deadly landslides in a scenic national park and caused several buildings to partially collapse.

Roger, 8, was among the dogs put to work, helping to locate the body of one of the 13 people killed in the quake, according to authorities and local media.

He and his handlers ventured into the Shakadang Trail of the heavily damaged Taroko National Park and found the body of a missing 21-year-old woman, according to Taiwans official Central News Agency (CNA).

While other dogs also played similar roles and were paraded for the media, Roger captured the islands imagination  partly because of his backstory of an initial career failure.

Roger takes part in a search operation after last week's earthquake. - Kaohsiung Fire Department

Roger, seen here as a puppy, cuddles with his toys. - Kaohsiung Fire Department

Roger was born into a training center for drug-sniffing dogs. But his love for fun, food and people got the better of him, distracting his ability to pay attention and react to his trainers commands, CNA reported.

As a result, Roger failed to become a drug detective.

But his ebullient personality and intelligence made him a much better candidate to be a rescue dog, which was the career that was then chosen for him.

That excitedness was on full display during a media interview with his handler when Roger, tail wagging, lunged at a reporters microphone.

Roger plays with his toy on the lawn. - Kaohsiung Fire Department

Chen Chih-san, captain of the rescue dog unit of the Kaohsiung Fire Department, told reporters that Roger was transferred to the rescue training school when he was 1 year old.

Im not saying he was not good or that he didnt get along with others. But the requirement for narcotic detection dogs is that they cant be too restless and independent, Chen said.

But (these attributes) are what we want in rescue dogs.

The dogs have provided some much needed relief for Taiwans social media in the aftermath of the quake.

Keep it up, heroes and little heroes, one person wrote. Another said: Roger is the pride of Taiwan.

Roger is now something of an earthquake veteran. CNA said he had taken part in seven operations during his career, including a debut mission in the aftermath of a deadly 6.4-magnitude quake that hit the same region in 2018.

According to the Kaohsiung City Government, Roger was certified by the International Rescue Dog Organization in 2022, an accolade last achieved by a Taiwanese rescue dog in 2019.

But retirement is looming for Roger, with the Kaohsiung Fire Department sending rescue dogs to a suitable home once they reach age 9, CNA said, citing Chen.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Saudi Arabia and an end to military aid to the kingdom after the OPEC+ bloc announced a cut in daily oil production.

If Saudi Arabia, one of the worst violators of human rights in the world, wants to partner with Russia to jack up US gas prices, it can get Putin to defend its monarchy, the Vermont senator tweeted Friday. We must pull all US troops out of Saudi Arabia, stop selling them weapons & end its price-fixing oil cartel.

Sanders made similar comments Wednesday, tweeting the U.S. must end OPECs illegal price-fixing cartel, eliminate military assistance to Saudi Arabia, and move aggressively to renewable energy.

Numerous congressional Democrats have had similar reactions to the announcement, which is poised to counter sanctions on Russian oil and potentially drive up gas prices ahead of the midterm elections.

Legislation introduced in the House by Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.) and Susan Wild (D-Pa.) would remove U.S. troops and military hardware from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, the OPEC+ announcement has also prompted Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) to announce the Senate will continue the so-called NOPEC bill, which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in May. The bill would alter antitrust law in U.S. lawsuits against OPEC+ member nations and their state oil companies, potentially exposing both Russias Lukoil and the Saudis Aramco.

The No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), also called for the passage of the bill this week, and voiced support for a broader reevaluation of the Washington-Riyadh relationship, specifically alluding to unanswered questions about the role of the Saudi state in the 9/11 attacks.

The Saudi royal family has never been a trustworthy ally of our nation, Durbin said Thursday. Its time for our foreign policy to imagine a world without this alliance with these royal backstabbers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Democrat on the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee said on Tuesday he would not approve a massive arms transfer to Israel until he has more information about how Israel would use the weapons.

"I'm waiting for assurances," Representative Gregory Meeks told CNN. "... I want to make sure that I know the types of weapons and what the weapons would be utilized for," he said.

Reuters reported on April 1 that President Joe Biden's administration was weighing whether to go ahead with an $18 billion arms transfer package for Israel that would include dozens of Boeing Co F-15 aircraft.

The news came as Biden faced pressure from foreign partners, human rights groups and some of his fellow Democrats in Congress to impose conditions on arms transfers to rein in Israel's offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

Six months into Israel's air and ground campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, the devastated Palestinian enclave faces famine and widespread disease with nearly all its inhabitants now homeless.

U.S. law requires Congress to be notified of major foreign military sales agreements, and allows it to block such sales by passing a resolution of disapproval over human rights violations or other concerns, although no such resolution has ever passed and survived a presidential veto.

An informal review process allows the Democratic and Republican leaders of foreign affairs committees to vet such agreements before a formal notification to Congress, which means any of them can hold up an agreement for months or longer by asking for more information. Meeks is one of those four officials.

Meeks said there has been "enough of the indiscriminate bombing" in Israel's campaign in Gaza. "I don't want the kind of weapons that Israel has to be utilized to have more death. I want to make sure that humanitarian aid gets in. I don't want people starving to death and I want Hamas to release the hostages," Meeks said.

Meeks said he would decide whether or not he would approve the arms transfer after he had more information.

Israel is seeking to beef up its already formidable fleet of warplanes not just for its continuing fight against Hamas but to ward off any further threat from the Tehran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah on its northern border as well as from Iran, its regional arch-foe.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
The Arizona Supreme Courts ruling doused gasoline on the already-flickering fire of abortion politics Tuesday and threatened to upend the 2024 contests in the state by upholding a Civil War-era law that made performing an abortion a felony, putting Republicans on the back foot in the process.

The ruling, which makes abortion punishable by two to five years in prison for anyone who performs or helps someone obtain one, was the latest bombshell that will supercharge the fight over abortion rights, this time in a major presidential battleground state with a Senate race also on the ballot in November.

The news sent shock waves throughout Washington, with Democrats of all stripes wasting no time reacting. President Biden laid into the ruling, saying it was a result of the extreme agenda of Republican elected officials who are committed to ripping away womens freedom.

Millions of Arizonans will soon live under an even more extreme and dangerous abortion ban, which fails to protect women even when their health is at risk or in tragic cases of rape or incest, Biden said, calling it a cruel ban.

The White House also quickly announced Vice President Harris would head to the Grand Canyon State at the end of the week in response to the court ruling, which overturned the 15-week ban the state enacted in 2022 in response to the Dobbs ruling.

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) briefed Senate Democrats during their weekly luncheon moments after the ruling was handed down, and he appeared alongside Democratic leaders at their press conference to decry the decision, noting that the 1864 law came into existence 48 years before Arizona became a state.

This law may have been written 160 years ago, but its only being reinstated now because of politicians who worked to overturn Roe v. Wade, Kelly said, adding that the courts decision on Tuesday referenced the Dobbs decision 22 times. This is devastating for women in Arizona.

The arcane law, which also includes an extremely narrow exception for when it is necessary to save a pregnant persons life, will go into effect in 14 days unless the Legislature moves to repeal it. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) called for the 1864 ban to be repealed.

The ruling also is expected to have an outsized political impact, as Arizona voters likely will consider a ballot measure in November to reinstate abortion rights. Groups involved with the effort said in the past week they have exceeded 500,000 signatures, 120,000 more than the requisite number needed to put it on the ballot. The Tuesday decision is expected to further boost that total, with the deadline to hand in those signatures set for early July.

It could also follow the trend of recent elections, fueling Democratic turnout in a presidential contest that was razor-thin four years ago and help the party in the contested Senate race, which is one of the top ones on the map this cycle.

While Democrats loudly cried foul at the ruling, they were hopeful that it would give them a shot in the arm in a state that is crucial to their electoral hopes in November.

It just goes to show what happens when you put extremists in charge. People who want to take away womens reproductive freedom  people should understand they mean what they say, said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who ran the Senate Democratic campaign arm in 2018.

I think well see the same thing [as in 2022], he continued, pointing to the surge of voters who went to the polls in response to the Dobbs decision. Politically, it will be a huge hit to Republicans.

The GOP also seemed to realize the ruling could be a problem. Republican Kari Lake, who is running against Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) to replace Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) in the upper chamber, said she opposes the courts decision and called on Hobbs and the GOP-held Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support.

Ultimately, Arizona voters will make the decision on the ballot come November, Lake added in a statement.

The news also seemed to catch Republicans in Washington flat-footed. Senate GOP members largely declined to comment on the ruling, saying they hadnt heard or read enough about it or that it is a state issue. The National Republican Senatorial Committee referred The Hill to Lakes statement.

It also came a day after former President Trump declined to take a stance on a federal abortion ban and argued that the matter should be left to the states. He added he is proud to have ended Roe via the appointment of three conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices.

Nevertheless, party operatives in the state are worried the decision and the expected ballot measure will lead to a landslide that could not only hurt Trump and Lake, but also throw both chambers of the state Legislature up for grabs.

Its not good for Republicans at the ballot box, period, one Arizona-based GOP operative told The Hill, adding that its impossible for the party to defend the 1864 law, especially in swing districts in the battleground state.

It remains in question how the states leaders will handle the topic in the coming weeks. Hobbs last year handed Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) the power to enforce abortion laws, and Mayes has said she will not enforce any bans on the procedure, though those decisions could be challenged legally.

The seven members of the Arizona high court were all appointed by Republicans, including five by former Gov. Doug Ducey (R-Ariz.), who signed the 15-week ban into law two years ago.

The decision is also set to put the GOP in a difficult spot come November as it attempts to deal with abortion literally being on the ballot once again.

Since the Dobbs decision, voters in Michigan, California and Vermont cemented abortion rights in their state constitutions during the 2022 midterm elections. Ohio voters also passed an amendment enshrining abortion rights in November, and up to eight states could consider doing so later this year.

Florida, Maryland and New York all have items on the ballot aimed at abortion rights, while Colorado, Missouri, Montana and Nevada  in addition to Arizona  all could as well.

Brett Samuels contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
OMAHA, Neb.  Local Republicans joined conservative activist Charlie Kirk Tuesday evening to rally support for legislation that would shift Nebraskas allocation of electoral votes to a winner-take-all system, a change that could benefit Donald Trump in Novembers election.

While the bill has stalled ahead of the end of the states current legislative session on April 18, speakers at a rally at a church here hosted by Kirks Turning Point Action called on attendees to contact state leaders and demand a special legislative session to enact the change.

Nebraska and Maine are the only two states that dont use the winner-take-all system to award Electoral College votes. Nebraska doles out an electoral vote to the winner of each of its three congressional districts, while the other two go to the winner of the statewide vote. In 2020, Trump won four of the states five electoral votes, while Joe Biden took one from Nebraskas Omaha-based 2nd District.

Fly-over country has been insulted by the coastal elites for years. Theyve called you deplorables, clinging to your gun and clinging to your religion. Why on earth would we allow them to cling on to one of your electoral votes anymore? Kirk said.

If Massachusetts had a goofy electoral system where they were just the one red sliver of Massachusetts or California was giving [an] electoral vote to Trump, they would go into [a] special session immediately, he added.

Nebraska GOP Gov. Jim Pillen said Tuesday night that he would call a special session when there is sufficient support in the Legislature to pass it. Efforts to attach the Electoral College measure to other bills hit a roadblock last week in the states unicameral, technically nonpartisan legislature.

I am steadfast in my commitment to get winner-take-all over the finish line, thereby honoring our constitutional founding, unifying our state and ending the three-decades-old mistake of allocating Nebraskas electoral votes differently than all but one other state, Pillen wrote on X.

Nebraska state Sen. Loren Lippincott originally introduced a winner-take-all bill in January 2023, but it had been stalled in the legislature prior to the last-minute push from Trumps allies. Lippincott told the Lincoln Journal Star he now believes its impossible to pass the legislation in the current session, although he thinks it could be resurrected next year.

Still, Kirk and other Republicans on the national stage are not giving up on passing the change before the 2024 presidential election.

We were told by people in the unicameral [legislature] This thing is dead, this thing is over, Kirk said. We call this the Lazarus Project, we are bringing this thing back from the dead.

But even some Nebraska Republicans who have been proponents of the winner-take-all system say the national attention doesnt capture the totality of the legislative reality in the state.

They dont understand our system, they dont understand our process and they dont understand that this was such a poorly planned and orchestrated bill that  it is where it is because no one took care of the bill and did the things that needed to be done to have it prepped, said state Sen. Tom Brewer, according to the Lincoln Journal Star. Only because of Charlie Kirks comments did it get any momentum.

Arguing that Nebraska has the will to win, state Republican Party Chairman Eric Underwood called on voters to contact lawmakers about the winner-take-all push.

Every day, were going to wake up, and were gonna go one more phone call, one more dollar, one more door, one more candidate. And were going to do it in every way that we can with our local races and were going to do it in Nebraska, and we are going to make history together, Underwood said. And when we pass that one more electoral vote, when we get LB 764 across, were going to elect Donald J. Trump to be the next president.

Jerry Jorgensen, a Lincoln resident who attended Kirks rally, said he thinks lawmakers should have implemented the winner-take-all approach decades ago.

Nebraska is predominantly Republican in a very, very big way and theres no need to have a little blue dot of Omaha take an electoral vote, Jorgensen said.
Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the Arizona Supreme Court went too far in ruling the state's 160-year-old near-total abortion ban can be enforced.

Trump made the comment while speaking to reporters after landing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of a campaign fundraiser.

"Yeah, they did," Trump said about the court's judges when asked if they went too far. "That'll be straightened out, and as you know it's all about states' rights."

The former president predicted that Arizona's governor and others "are going to bring it back into reason."

While he said the court overstepped, Trump also reiterated his position that the issue of abortion should be left up to states.

"It's the will of the people," he said, adding that he would not sign a national abortion ban as president.

Under the law from 1864, anyone who performs the procedure or helps a woman access that care could face felony charges and up to two to five years in prison. The law includes an exception to save the womans life.

President Joe Biden's campaign said in response to Trump's remarks that the former president "owns the suffering and chaos happening right now, including in Arizona, because he proudly overturned Roe."

"Trump lies constantly  about everything  but has one track record: banning abortion every chance he gets," Biden campaign communication director Michael Tyler said in a statement.

"The guy who wants to be a dictator on day one will use every tool at his disposal to ban abortion nationwide, with or without Congress, and running away from reporters to his private jet like a coward doesnt change that reality," Tyler said.

During a stop at Chick-fil-A after his initial comments on the ruling, Trump was asked if doctors should be punished for performing abortions.

"Ill let that be to the states," he said. "You know everything were doing now is states and states' rights and what we wanted to do is get it back to the states because for 53 years its been a fight and now the states are handling it and some have handled it very well and the others will end up handling it very well."

Trump's remarks come after he said Monday that abortion laws and policies should be controlled by individual states. He did not take a position, however, on the possibility of a national abortion ban that has been pushed by conservatives in Congress, including many of his allies.

My view is, now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land, Trump said in a more than four-minute-long video posted on his Truth Social account.

His position has drawn blowback from some Republicans, who have wanted Trump to promote the possibility of a national ban. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., for example, criticized Trump in a statement. Dobbs does not require that conclusion legally and the pro-life movement has always been about the wellbeing of the unborn child  not geography, he said.

Some Arizona Republicans have distanced themselves from the ruling, including GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake who had previously called the statute a great law.

Trumps comments at the airport Wednesday came after he greeted a small crowd of supporters. While speaking to cameras, Trump blasted President Joe Biden and his leadership, saying that he has abandoned Israel and repeated a line he recently made.

Any Jewish person that votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined, he said.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  The Minnesota Twins acquired right-hander Michael Tonkin from the New York Mets to aid their injury-depleted bullpen on Tuesday, reuniting the 34-year-old with his original major league team.

The Twins placed right fielder Max Kepler on the 10-day injured list to make room on the 26-man roster. Kepler, who bruised his right knee when he fouled off a ball in the opener on March 28, has one hit in 20 at-bats with one walk.

The Twins sent cash to the Mets for Tonkin, who was designated for assignment on Friday. He took two losses in three games, with six hits and two runs allowed in four innings.

Tonkin went 7-3 with a 4.28 ERA over 80 innings with 75 strikeouts in 45 games last season for the Atlanta Braves, his first MLB action in six years. The 6-foot-7, 220-pound Tonkin, who was a 30th-round draft pick in 2008, debuted with the Twins in 2013 and pitched in parts of five seasons with a 4.43 ERA over 146 1/3 innings with 149 strikeouts.

Tonkin pitched in the Japanese, Mexican and independent Atlantic leagues as well three different Triple-A clubs between 2018 and 2023 before returning to the majors.

The Twins have eight pitchers on the 15-day injured list, including five relievers who were being counted on for bullpen roles: Jhoan Duran, Caleb Thielbar, Justin Topa, Josh Staumont and Daniel Duarte.

Tonkin was let go by the Mets to make room for right-hander Julio Teheran, who lasted only 2 2/3 innings in his debut and was designated for assignment on Tuesday.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
HONG KONG  The United States and Japan are set to announce a historic upgrade to their security alliance on Wednesday, as President Joe Biden hosts Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for an official visit that will highlight Japans role in countering China in the Asia-Pacific.

The official visit, the first by a Japanese leader in nine years, also comes amid differences between the two countries over the proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel by a Japanese company.

On Tuesday, the Bidens welcomed Kishida and his wife at the White House before having dinner. The Biden-Kishida summit on Wednesday will be followed by a formal state dinner featuring dry-aged rib eye steak, cherry blossoms and a performance by Paul Simon.

From left, Yuko Kishida, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden and Jill Biden at the South Portico of the White House (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP - Getty Images)

On Thursday, Kishida will address a joint meeting of Congress, only the second Japanese leader to do so after then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015. Then he will participate in trilateral talks with the U.S. and the Philippines that are the first of their kind.

Kishida concludes his trip with a Friday stop in North Carolina, where according to Japanese media he will visit the construction site of a new EV battery factory for Japanese automaker Toyota that is expected to generate 5,000 jobs for American workers.

In recent years, Japan has experienced a sea change in its perceptions of its security environment, as well as its role in it, said John Hemmings, senior associate director at the Pacific Forum research institute in Honolulu.

Theyve become this sort of key enabler for the evolution of our security architecture, he said.

Since taking office in 2021, Kishida has increased defense spending in Japan, a major shift in a country whose pacifist constitution has limited its military to self-defense since it lost World War II. Japan has also eased a postwar ban on the export of lethal weapons and has been a leader in establishing security groupings such as the Quad, which also includes the U.S., India and Australia.

The changes are driven by what Tokyo views as growing aggression by China as well as creeping doubts about U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific and its reliability as an ally.

The U.S.-Japan summit, which is focused primarily on security, is meant to reassure Tokyo about the U.S. commitment to the security alliance, said Rana Mitter, a professor of U.S.-Asia relations at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Its a very public signal that even though the Biden administration has been working to improve relations with China, it is not turning away from its allies in the region, he said.

Biden and Kishida are expected to discuss plans to upgrade the U.S. military command structure in Japan, which hosts about 54,000 U.S. troops, as Tokyo prepares for a new joint headquarters that will oversee all of its military operations. The two countries will also establish a military industrial council to explore what kinds of defense weapons the U.S. and Japan can produce together.

The idea, Hemmings said, is to make the U.S. and Japanese militaries much more capable of dealing with a near-peer adversary.

Senior administration officials said Tuesday that Biden and Kishida would enter into a major agreement on lunar exploration. They will also announce major research partnerships on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and clean energy.

The trilateral talks on Thursday come as relations between China and the Philippines have been strained by repeated scuffles between their coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, a strategically important waterway that Beijing claims virtually in its entirety. The U.S. has said that its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines would apply to such encounters, raising the prospect of U.S. intervention if they were to escalate.

On Tuesday, demonstrators outside the Chinese Embassy in Manila trampled on an image of Chinese President Xi Jinping as they protested what they called Chinese aggression against the Philippines in the South China Sea.

With the trilateral talks with the Philippines, Hemmings said, the U.S. and Japan are taking an extremely welcome step toward making sure that the Philippines is not alone in defending its sovereignty and that if anything, Chinas the isolated one.

China says its actions in the South China Sea are lawful and accuses the U.S., Japan and others of stoking tensions in the region by forging small circles of powers.

Mira Rapp-Hooper, senior director for East Asia and Oceania at the National Security Council, told reporters in Washington on Tuesday that the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy and its associated groupings and alliances are not about being against anyone or anything, theyre about what were for.

In Congress, Mitter said, Kishida is likely to argue that the U.S. is still very much needed in the Asia-Pacific region.

Theres general disillusionment amongst much of the U.S. electorate with the idea of too strong a U.S. security commitment around the world, he said. Prime Minister Kishida, I think, will be looking to push back against that and say, no, the U.S. presence is still really very important in the region, for Japan, for South Korea, for the Southeast Asian countries.

Hemmings said he also expected Kishida to double down on Ukraine, as Biden struggles to win support in Congress for continued U.S. aid. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in Feb. 2022, Kishida has warned that letting Moscow win would only embolden China in its aggression against Taiwan, a self-ruling island democracy that Beijing claims as its territory.

I think hes going to really make that case very passionately, Hemmings said.

U.S. lawmakers are also likely to be focused on the planned purchase of U.S. Steel by Japans largest steelmaker, Nippon Steel. Biden, who is highly dependent on labor unions for his re-election campaign, has come out against the deal, saying it is vital for U.S. Steel to remain an American steel company.

Senior administration officials said the dispute would have little impact on the overall U.S.-Japan relationship, which they described as a lot deeper and stronger and more significant than a single commercial deal.

On Monday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Kishida was traveling to North Carolina to convey to both Japan and the United States that Japanese companies are making significant contributions to the U.S. economy through investments and job creation.
A sign for a notice of variance request is shown outside the St. John's United Methodist Church, 2019 Crawford St., is shown Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A view from a park located catty-corner to the St. John's United Methodist Church, 2019 Crawford St., is shown Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A view of the I-45 Pierce Elevated next to the St. John's United Methodist Church, 2019 Crawford St., is shown Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A view from the I-45 Pierce Elevated to the St. John's United Methodist Church, 2019 Crawford St., is shown Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

A new Bread of Life apartment building next door to the upcoming Knowles-Rowland House aims to provide 13 floors of housing for those with low incomes and formerly homeless. To do so, the nonprofit is asking Houston for permission to build closer than 25 feet from the property line.

But lawyers representing the owners of a block of land nearby have protested, saying the variance would make the area less pedestrian-friendly, which is the purpose of the city rule limiting how close buildings can be to property lines. The permission could also curb the possibilities for any potential park that could take the place of the bordering Pierce Elevated, which is slated to be removed as part of the Interstate 45 expansion, they said.

Winther Investment's Frederic Gautier-Winther told the Houston Chronicle in 2018 that he planned to turn the block, which currently encompasses a fenced-in park not accessible by the general public, into a high-rise residential development. Winther Investment also developed the 2111 Austin, a 216-unit apartment complex on the adjacent block.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Bread of Life says that without the variance, the land is not large enough to accommodate a new apartment building for Houston's most vulnerable. Documents submitted to the Planning Commission show Bread of Life plans to provide pedestrians with landscaping on both sides of a 6-foot-wide sidewalk along Crawford Street. The first floor of the building would be between 15 and 33 feet away from the curb, with an overhang that would create more room for residences on the floors above.

At the past two Planning Commission meetings, representatives of the fenced-off park and neighbors voiced their opinions. Midtown is at an inflection point, they all agreed. Whether the neighborhood's future had space for the proposed housing for people earning between 60 and 80% of the Houston region's median income, along with the formerly homeless, was a thornier topic. The Planning Commission plans to vote on the variance on April 18.

Adam Nafaa of the law firm Hoover Slovacek, which represents the owner of the block at 1500 Gray St., argued that Houston's Walkable Places ordinance, which in some neighborhoods mandates wide sidewalks separated from the street with a landscaped buffer, was "not just a set of guidelines. It was a vision."

That vision, he said, was undermined by the new housing, which he called "not only incongruent with pedestrian-friendly goals, but actively harmful to them."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

One person who lived nearby said his job was attracting people to the Midtown area. He placed the new development in the context of three closures with the potential to transform the neighborhood. A McDonald's and a Greyhound station, both with reputations for being frequented by those without homes, have closed, raising speculation about their redevelopment potential. The Pierce Elevated, under which many people have historically sheltered, will be closed by the I-45 expansion. Some economic developers are proposing that the defunct section of highway be turned into a "sky park" similar to New York City's High Line.

That resident said he was "familiar with what the applicant does" but thought Bread of Life could focus on renovating existing properties instead of erecting another building.

Another Midtown resident said he was in support of the variance.

"I am extremely excited to have this kind of walkable development in Midtown," he said. "We need more housing."

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The building that would require the variance would be the second of a two-phase project to bring more permanent supportive housing to the block bounded by Crawford, Gray and Jackson streets and the Pierce Elevated, according to Planning Commission documents. The first involves renovating an existing gymnasium to become a 33-unit building, which will be called the Knowles-Rowland House. Both Beyonce and Kelly Rowland were baptized at St. John's United Methodist Church and have long had philanthropic ties with the church's sister association, Bread of Life. Since that phase is a renovation, it does not need a variance, according to a Bread of Life spokesperson, even though it is closer than 25 feet from the property line.

Phase two will replace a grassy corner of the block, currently dotted with picnic tables, with a 14-story building called the Crawford. The first floor would include a lobby, reception and package room, and the upper floors would have studios, each about 340 square feet.

The studios will be similar to Rasmus-Temenos, built by St. John and Bread of Life's sister organization and named after the church's pastors. When Rasmus-Temenos opened in February, Earnie "Chico" Duran fought back tears as he recounted his journey to housing, which started with attending a service at the church while homeless and asking for help.

Outside many of the Rasmus-Temenos apartment windows is a view that the apartments in question would share if they get built: Cars hurtling along the Pierce Elevated in front of the downtown skyline.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

That view will change radically in the coming years, though no one's sure exactly how.

Update (April 24, 5:15 p.m.): This story has been updated to include that the Crawford will offer workforce housing for people at 60-80% of the Houston region's median income, with some units reserved for permanent supportive housing for the formerly homeless.

Update (April 10, 2:30 p.m.): This story has been updated to include the name of the apartment complex asking for a variance.
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The top U.S. general in Europe told Congress on Wednesday that Ukraine will run out of artillery shells and air defense interceptors "in fairly short order" without U.S. support, leaving them vulnerable to a partial or total defeat.

In a sign of how scarce some weapons were, General Christopher Cavoli, commander of European Command, told the House Armed Services Committee that Russia was currently firing five artillery shells for every one fired by Ukrainian forces and that disparity could increase in coming weeks to 10 to one.

"If one side can shoot and the other side can't shoot back, the side that can't shoot back loses. So the stakes are very high," Cavoli said.

"They're really dependent this year on us, Mr. Chairman. And without our support, they will not be able to prevail," he added.

Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson is refusing to call a vote on a bill that would provide $60 billion more for Ukraine. The White House is scrambling to find ways to send assistance to Kyiv, which has been battling Russian forces for more than two years.

Some lawmakers voiced increasing frustration with lack of progress on funding for Ukraine, a measure passed by the Senate already.

During the hearing, Democratic U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin of Michigan said Johnson should put on his "big boy pants" and make a tough choice, even at the risk of losing his job.

"That's what leadership is," Slotkin said.

Russian air strikes on Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region on Wednesday afternoon hit a clinic and a pharmacy, killing at least three people.

Russian attacks have long targeted Kharkiv and the surrounding region, but the strikes have grown more intense in recent weeks, hitting civilian and energy infrastructure. President Joe Biden's administration has voiced concern about the lack of funding for Ukraine. Last month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that Ukraine's survival was in danger and sought to convince allies the U.S. was committed to Kyiv.

Officials say lack of funding available is already having an impact on the ground in Ukraine, where Russian troops are advancing and Ukrainian forces must manage limited resources.

European support has become more important with Biden struggling to get a big Ukraine aid package through Congress while devoting more foreign policy energy to the war in Gaza.

Yet U.S. officials say European support for Ukraine will not be enough. On Tuesday, the Biden administration announced that it had transferred to Ukraine thousands of infantry weapons and more than 500,000 rounds of ammunition that were seized over a year ago from an Iranian shipment to Houthi forces in Yemen.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by David Gregorio)
By Jarrett Renshaw and Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States and Japan on Wednesday announced a joint partnership to accelerate development and commercialization of nuclear fusion.

The partnership was unveiled as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was in Washington for a summit with President Joe Biden.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk and Japan's minister of education, sports, science and technology, Masahito Moriyama, met in Washington on Tuesday to discuss fusion.

The partnership will focus on the scientific and technical challenges of delivering commercial fusion and expand work between U.S. and Japanese universities, national laboratories and private companies, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

Scientists, governments and companies have been trying for decades to harness fusion, the nuclear reaction that powers the sun, to provide carbon-free electricity. It can be replicated on Earth with heat and pressure using lasers or magnets to fuse two light atoms into a denser one, releasing large amounts of energy.

Unlike plants that run on fission, or splitting atoms, commercial fusion plants, if ever built, would produce little long-lasting radioactive waste.

Last year, scientists using laser beams at a U.S. national lab in California repeated a fusion breakthrough called ignition where for an instant the amount of energy coming from the fusion reaction surpassed that concentrated on the target.

Scientists estimated, however, that the net energy output of that experiment was only about 0.5% of the energy that went in to firing up the lasers. Even if the science is eventually worked out, there are regulatory, construction and siting hurdles in creating new fleets of power plants to replace parts of existing energy systems.

Late last year, Japan set up a fusion industry forum to commercialize the technology, with participants in engineering and energy companies. The forum is expected to make recommendations to Japan's government about safety and technology standards and serve as a liaison for overseas projects.

A fusion industry group praised the partnership. "Fusion is too important for needless competition: like-minded countries should work together towards the common goal," said Andrew Holland, the head of the Fusion Industry Association based in Washington.

Last December in Dubai, then-U.S. special climate envoy John Kerry launched an international plan involving 35 countries to boost fusion.

Japan and the U.S. will also agree during the summit to support sustainable aviation fuel, two sources with knowledge of the talks between the countries said.

(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw in Philadelphia and Timothy Gardner in WashingtonEditing by Franklin Paul and Matthew Lewis)
It was quiet, grim work for a recovery team this week as it sifted through the rubble of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Shovels in hand, they unearthed what appeared to be a femur, a shoulder blade, the bones of a rib cage.

For two weeks in March, the Israeli military carried out a devastating raid at Al-Shifa, once the pillar of the Gazan medical system. The siege raised fears for the safety of hundreds of civilians trapped inside.

Since the Israel Defense Forces withdrew last week, Palestinian crews have so far recovered the bodies of more than 400 people from Al-Shifa, the surrounding neighborhoods and the southern city of Khan Younis, according to Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for the Gaza Civil Defense.

In a video recorded Monday by an NBC News crew, families watched as workers gathered remains, some of them little more than tattered clothing tangled around a cluster of bones and piled into white bags labeled unidentified body.

Palestinian forensic and civil defence recover human remains at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza (AFP- Getty Images)

Unfortunately, the bodies are rotten, are cut into pieces because of the bulldozers, said Khalil Hamada, the head of general forensics for the Ministry of Justice. Hamada said Israeli forces used bulldozers to bury the dead in the sandy soil of Al-Shifa.

There are numerous shallow graves, and many dead bodies were partially buried with their limbs visible, with other bodies uncovered and exposed to the heat, the World Health Organization said Saturday.

Safeguarding dignity, even in death, is an indispensable act of humanity, WHO said in a statement. In addition to those who were killed in the most recent offensive, in November, during the IDFs first raid on Al-Shifa, hospital staff had been forced to bury 179 patients in a mass grave.

Israeli forces alleged that the hospital was being used as a Hamas hub. Gazas Health Ministry said around 30,000 patients, medical staff members and displaced people were sheltering at the hospital, with both the IDF and Gazan authorities saying that hundreds were killed, and hundreds more taken into custody.

Where are they? We do not know if they were detained or buried underground. We want someone to help us. I appeal to all the world to stand with us, Maha Swelem, a nurse at Al-Shifa, told NBC News in an interview in Arabic on Monday.

During the siege, Swelem said that she was corralled into one of the hospitals buildings, along with about 15 others. After Israeli soldiers shot four people in front of my eyes, Swelem said, they then took her husband, a volunteer paramedic. I dont know what happened to him yet, she said. Did they kill him and bury him?

Dr. Mutasim Salah, a member of a health emergency committee in Gaza, said the smell of death permeated the charred ruins of the hospital. But they were determined to keep working to identify the corpses, perhaps bring closure to mourning families and document what he described as a war crime against innocent civilians.

A United Nations (UN) team visit as Palestinian civil defence recover human remains the grounds of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza (AFP- Getty Images)

The scene cannot be described, Salah said. Throughout history, we have never seen, heard or thought that one day we would witness such a crime that occurred inside the Shifa Medical Complex.

In a tweet on Saturday, the U.N. said Al-Shifa hospital was an empty shell following the latest Israeli siege with most of the buildings extensively damaged or destroyed.

In the six months since the start of the war, Israeli forces have repeatedly pummeled hospitals in Gaza, despite international law stating that hospitals should not be attacked during war. The IDF has said Hamas operates command centers at hospitals, uses ambulances to transport militants and funnels hospital-bound fuel to military efforts, all of which Hamas and hospital staff deny.

Israels military has drawn intense international condemnation for its military operations in Gaza, and many humanitarian groups have accused the country of breaching international law by exercising collective punishment.

Hamas terror attack in Israel on Oct. 7 left more than 1,200 people dead; Israels military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 33,000 people, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Amanda Knox faces a final trial in Italy before she is fully cleared of all charges stemming from the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Amanda Knox became a household name in 2007 after she and her then-boyfriend were arrested and charged with the death of her 21-year-old flatmate, British student Meredith Kercher. Unprecedented pre-trial media coverage painted her and her boyfriend as degenerate sex fiends who killed an innocent woman in a kink gone wrong.

She and her boyfriend were convicted and sentenced to more than two decades in prison. Another man, Rudy Guede, spent 13 years in jail for the murder and sexual assault of Meredith.

During her trial and subsequent jailing, Knox maintained her innocence. Later investigations found that police had not provided her with legal representation, coerced a confession, and made numerous errors in the investigation that led to Knox's conviction.

She was acquitted in 2011, and she returned to her life in the US, only to be re-convicted after her case was forced to retrial in Italy in 2013. Two years later, she was once again acquitted when the Italian Supreme Court tossed out her conviction.

With all of that behind her, Knox has one final legal wrinkle to iron out in Italy; a defamation case.

Her trial began in Florence on Wednesday.

Amanda Knox, left, talks to reporters as her mother, Edda Mellas, right, looks on outside Mellas' home in Seattle (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

What is Amanda Knox doing now?

Knox, now 36, is the mother of two small children and is married to a man named Christopher Robinson. She lives with her family in Seattle, Washington.

Her experiences in the legal system inspired her to begin campaigning for criminal justice reform and to highlight how police use their power to force confessions from suspects.

In addition to her campaign work, Knox has also recorded commentary for a meditation app that focuses on resiliency and launched a podcast with her husband. A mini-series focusing on her battles with the Italian legal system is in production at Hulu, with Monica Lewinsky as executive producer, according to People.

The public's perception of Ms Knox notably shifted after the release of the 2016 Netflix documentary Amanda Knox.

The documentary examined the charges brought against Knox and highlighted how she was presented in the media, especially by salacious tabloid writers in Italy, the US, and the UK.

Meredith Kercher murder and conviction

She was accused and convicted of the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher, a British student who shared a home with her in Perugia, Italy.

Meredith Kercher (AP)

Knox was studying at the University of Washington in 2007 when she decided to take a year to study abroad. She shared a four-bedroom apartment in Perugia with a pair of Italian women and with Kercher. A section of the house had also been rented out to a group of Italian men.

Kercher was a student at the University of Leeds who was also studying in Italy.

While studying in Italy, Ms Knox worked part-time at a bar called Le Chic, owned by a Congolese man named Diya "Patrick" Lumumba. She also began dating a man named Raffaele Sollecito.

On 2 November 2007, Ms Knox allegedly returned to her apartment where she found bloodstains inside, and Kercher's bedroom door closed.

She left the apartment fearing that something had happened to Kercher. Ms Knox showered at her boyfriend's home and the pair returned to look at the apartment. When Mr Sollecito found that Kercher's door was locked, he called the military police.

Knox speaks to her lawyer Carlo Della Vedova in the courtroom before a trial session (REUTERS)

When police opened the door they found Kercher's body lying on the floor, with a duvet over her remains. Police reports at the time said her throat had been cut.

Knox and her boyfriend were accused of killing Kercher in a sex game that went too far. She was jailed for two years in Italy before she went to trial. After a nearly year-long trial, a jury eventually found Knox and her boyfriend guilty.

She was sentenced to 26 years in prison. Sollecito was given 25 years.

Knox was freed in 2011 after an appeals court overturned the most serious of her charges. The Italian police who investigated the death were accused of blundering through the probe to rush to a conviction.

While the murder was overturned, one of her charges  a slander conviction  was upheld.

In 2013, Italy's Court of Cassation tossed out Ms Knox's acquittal and ordered a retrial. She was convicted again, and this time sentenced to 28.5 years in prison, while Sollecito's sentence remained 25 years.

Knox said she would never return to Italy, and two years after her second conviction the Italian Supreme Court overturned her second conviction.

The slander case

Knox was sued for defamation after she claimed that Mr Lumumba, the owner of Le Chic, killed Ms Kercher.

The trial began on 10 April. Knox chose not to attened the Florence-based trial. In Italy an individual does not need to be present to be tried.

Knox reportedly wanted to stay home with her children.

Knox, 36, was planning to attend the retrial on Wednesday at Florences appeals court but her lawyer, Carlo Dalla Vedova, told Ansa news agency that she remained in the US as

Carlo Dalla Vedova, Knoxs attorney in Italy, told the Ansa news agency that she is busy taking care of her two young children, one of whom was born recently, back in the US.

The trial proceeded for approximately four hours before recessing for the day. The trial will pick back up on 5 June for rebuttals and a final decision. Two professional judges and eight civilian jurors are hearing the case, according to the Associated Press.

Mr Lumumba provided police with an alibi and subsequently sued Ms Knox for suggesting he was a murderer.

Knox appealed the defamation conviction, as she had not only not been given legal representation as Italian police questioned her, but they warned her that getting a lawyer would make things worse for her.

She said she made statements regarding Mr Lumumba during the interviews where she was being questioned without requested representation.

Congolese pub owner Diya "Patrick" Lumumba who was originally jailed for the murder of Meredith Kercher (AP2008)

In 2023, the Court of Cassation ordered that the conviction be retried. That trial begins on Wednesday in Florence.

Knox said on her podcast, Labyrinths, that she hoped the ruling would clear her of wrongdoing and allow her to be free from any legal consequences of the 2007 murder.

She said any statements she made to police regarding Mr Lumumba were made under the pressures of stress, shock, and extreme exhaustion.

She also pointed out that police told her at the time she was facing 30 years in prison and that Sollecito had flipped on her, which was not true.

On the one hand, I am glad I have this chance to clear my name, and hopefully that will take away the stigma that I have been living with, she said.

On the other hand, I dont know if it ever will, in the way I am still traumatised by it. I am sure people will still hold it against me because they dont want to understand what happened, and they dont want to accept that an innocent person can be gaslit and coerced into what I went through.
Editors Note: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolexs Perpetual Planet initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action.

Wind power is vital to help decarbonize the energy industry. However, while the electricity it generates has a small carbon footprint, the towers of conventional wind turbines are predominately made using carbon-intensive materials like steel. Swedish company Modvion believes it has found a greener alternative  building turbine towers from wood.

Almost two tons of carbon dioxide are emitted for every ton of steel manufactured, and a modern onshore wind turbine contains around 120 metric tons of steel per megawatt of capacity, according to industry group WindEurope.

Instead of steel, Modvion uses laminated veneer lumber (LVL), made from multiple layers of wood stuck together with adhesives. The LVL boards are manufactured into modules which are then transported and assembled into cylinders on site, before being stacked on top of each other, and joined with glue, to create a tower.

The company says it uses Scandinavian spruce wood sourced from reforestation-certified sustainably managed northern forests in Sweden, and a typical tower uses between 300 to 1,200 cubic meters of wood.

A wooden tower module being put together. - Modvion

According to Otto Lundman, co-founder and CEO of Modvion, using wooden towers reduces the lifecycle emissions of a wind turbine by over 25%, and by 90% if you only compare the tower component of the turbine.

He adds that if you take into account the carbon dioxide absorbed by trees when they grow, the wooden towers can be considered to store more carbon that they emit. However, some researchers dispute the idea that building with wood can be carbon neutral.

Changing the perspective on wood

Modvion was founded in 2016 by Lundman and architect David Olivegren, and four years later, with some funding from the Swedish Energy Agency, Modvion launched a prototype 30-meter tower on Bjorko island, Sweden.

In 2023 the company installed its first commercial two-megawatt unit, a 105-meter-high (345 feet) wooden turbine tower, called Wind of Change, outside Skara, Sweden, for electric utility company Varberg Energi.

Besides the environmental benefits, Lundman says laminated wood has several logistical advantages. Wood has a higher strength per weight than steel, and tall steel towers need extra enforcement to hold their own weight, unlike wooden ones. That means Modvions towers can be 30% lighter than a steel one, according to Lundman.

The towers modular design means they can be transported using standard trucks and roads, and once the turbine is decommissioned, the wood can be taken down to be reused in the construction industry as high-strength beams. The company says that over time, its towers are cheaper than steel ones, with taller towers giving bigger savings.

We hope and we are seeing that we are changing the perspective on wood as a material, says Lundman. This is really natures carbon fiber, green steel that grows. It should be used a lot more.

Testing the towers

Dr. Abbas Kazemi Amiri, from the Wind Energy and Control Centre at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow in the UK, who is unrelated to Modvion, says that while wood has significant potential, there are many unknowns about laminated wood that could cause concerns.

Unlike steel, concrete, and synthetic composites, which have undergone extensive mechanical and fatigue testing over decades, this type of novel laminated wood lacks such comprehensive testing, says Amiri. Conducting thorough tests in the future will be crucial for the widespread commercialization of wooden towers.

He adds: The mechanical properties of wood can change with environmental conditions, potentially impacting the behaviour of wooden towers  Further research is needed to address these uncertainties.

Assembling the wooden tower modules on site. - Paul Wennerholm/Modvion

Lack of existing research and guidelines into the use of wood for giant structures like wind turbines were Modvions biggest challenges, says Lundman.

Were designing our towers that correspond to the standards in both wind power and wood construction, he explains. But in wind power standards, wood is not really considered for the towers, its mostly steel and concrete. And in the wood construction standards, they dont really get into the kind of dynamically loaded structure that a wind power machine is.

Hence, we needed to bridge this gap, and weve done a lot of testing of all the various parts in our towers to prove by showing in reality how these components work [over the] life of a turbine.

Modvion towers are coated with a thick, waterproof paint, and like steel towers, they have a lifetime of 25 to 30 years, according to the company.

Currently, Modvion is in the design phase for its first six-megawatt turbine, which will be installed next year. By 2027, it aims to start commercial production of the turbine in a new factory.

While the company is only focusing on the tower component, Lundman says turbine blades  which are traditionally manufactured from fiberglass bound together with epoxy resin, an incredibly strong material that is difficult and expensive to recycle  could also be made with wood.

Other start-ups have begun to tackle this issue, including German company Voodin Blades, which makes turbine blades from LVL, which it says are completely biodegradable.

Wind power is one of the most attractive renewable energy sources that we have, says Lundman. By enabling taller, more efficient towers both from an emissions and cost perspective, we make them even more attractive.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Fancy free? Burlington bus 11 to the citys airport has no fare (Simon Calder)

This column is coming to you from a sunny Tuesday afternoon in the impeccably pretty lakeside town of Burlington, Vermont. Despite the clear blue sky and sunshine dappling Lake Champlain right now, and the allure of churches and cafes in this good-natured New England city, people are leaving town.

Twenty-four hours ago the Great American Eclipse cast Burlington briefly into mid-afternoon darkness, much to everyones delight. But now the cosmic circus has moved on, with the next performance scheduled for northwest Europe in 2026.

At Burlingtons ambitiously named international airport, the small jets to the big cities are lining up: Philadelphia, Chicago OHare, New York La Guardia

As is common with minor regional airports in the US, fares are painfully high. On Friday, for example, the cheapest fare for the 90-minute hop to New York is $349 (275). But at least reaching the airport will not trouble your bank balance. Throughout the state of Vermont, no fares are currently charged on any public transport. Green Mountain Transits bus 11 will take you out to the airport for free.

New England has another example of benevolence towards the airline passenger: the handy Silver Line bus from Logan airport will whisk you into central Boston for nothing  and even provide a free transfer to the Red Line for the north or south of the Massachusetts capital.

In Europe, the six miles from Luxembourg airport into the city are covered eight times an hour by free buses, and thanks to the remarkable national policy of zero fares everywhere, you can of course transfer anywhere you wish in the Grand Duchy.

Other countries are not so kind to airline passengers: many transport operators take the view that if you can afford a flight youll pay dearly to reach the airport. In my new survey of the UKs 10 worst-value rail trips, half the journeys priced at 1 per mile or higher are airport links:

Hayes & Harlington to Heathrow Central  2.10 per mile

Stansted airport to Stansted Mountfitchet  1.31 per mile

Three Bridges to Gatwick airport  1.15 per mile

Stansted airport to Bishops Stortford  1.11 per mile

Stansted airport to Elsenham  1 per mile

You will spot that these are all short journeys (typically three or four miles), which tend to be proportionately more expensive. But the Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted expresses linking London with those three big airports all have premium prices. Even the Elizabeth Line, part of the capitals public transport system, costs disproportionately more to Heathrow. A trip from the central area to Slough is cheaper than a journey to the airport, even though it is four rail miles further.

To Luton, passengers might get a reasonable fare to Luton Airport Parkway station  but what awaits them is the demand for 4.90 for a three-minute, 1.2-mile journey on the Dart monorail link to the terminal. To be fair, East Midlands Railway rewards early bookers from London St Pancras with cheaper Luton Airport Express tickets that include the shuttle. But usually I stubbornly choose to walk up the hill, which takes around 20 minutes.

I am also occasionally to be seen striding purposefully from the tram stop at Ingliston Park & Ride to Edinburgh airport. All tram journeys elsewhere in the Scottish capital are 2  but this suddenly rises to 7.50 for the last half-mile to the airport.

Financially stressed local authorities and transport operators can hardly be blamed for extracting whatever they can from airport passengers; typically half of them are from overseas, and perhaps seen as fair game.

But there is a downside: the higher the cost of public transport to airports, the more travellers will switch to cars and taxis. Certainly, drop-off charges for private vehicles comprise a deterrent. But airline passengers need a carrot as well  and here in sunny Burlington, they get one.

Yet the canniest travellers to New York City will actually be aboard the daily train, costing just $105 (83) for a glorious all-day trip along the Hudson Valley.
The agave-based Mexican spirit is much more diverse than many drinkers realize.

Jose de Jesus Churion / Getty Images

Mezcal is a beloved spirit around the world, distinct in style and flavor, and often completely misunderstood. No, theres not just one type of mezcal, and no, its not smoky tequila. In fact, tequila is technically a type of mezcal  both spirits are made from agave plants, but tequila can only be made with Blue Weber agave, while mezcal can come from around 30 to 40 different varieties of agave.

Choosing which type of agave to use is just one of the many decisions a mezcalero (mezcal maker) has to make during mezcal production. To be considered true mezcal, it must be produced in Mexico in one of the certified states, which include Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi, Durango, Zacatecas, and Guerrero, with the vast majority produced in Oaxaca.

Emma Janzen, award-winning spirits writer and author of Mezcal: The History, Craft & Cocktails of the Worlds Ultimate Artisanal Spirit, says that every tiny decision a mezcalero makes during the process is what makes mezcal so varied.

The nitty-gritty details of how mezcal is made really differ by state, by region, and even by town, says Janzen. What tools and materials are being used by the mezcalero, and then also the way that they use them. All those tiny decisions  hundreds of tiny decisions that are made along the way  are going to change the flavor of the mezcal.

There are three categories of mezcal: mezcal, mezcal artesanal, and mezcal ancestral, each defined by the way the spirit is produced.

Marcos Elihu Castillo Ramirez / Getty Images

Ancestral mezcal is the most ancient  you have to cook [the agave] in earthen pits. You have to ferment in wood or clay, or tree trunks, and you have to distill in clay, says Janzen. Producers also must mill by hand or using a tahona: a large, heavy stone wheel that crushes the roasted agave, separating the pulp from the juice.

Comparatively, mezcal artesanal is more of a modern process. But not by a ton, Janzen adds. Producers can use earthen pits or ovens made from brick, clay, or stone, and can use a tahona, hand mallet, or mechanical mill. Mezcal artesanal must also ferment in wood, animal skins, earthen pits, tree trunks, or tanks made of stone or concrete.

Industrial mezcal, which is just labeled as mezcal, is the most quick, efficient, and commercially produced at large volumes. The mezcal that comes out of that process is probably going to have a lot more consistency, explains Janzen. They've streamlined everything to the point where the goal is to make this spirit with this kind of recognizable flavor profile. Now, if you get out of the industrial realm and back into artesanal and ancestral, thats where consistency is less important.

Regardless of category, the first choice a mezcalero must make is what agave to use. Different varieties of agave grow in different regions of Mexico, and depending on the areas soil composition, annual rainfall, and other agricultural factors, all affect the raw material. Janzen says to think of it like wine grapes grown in different regions.

It's a very terroir-driven spirit, Janzen says. An espadin thats made in Oaxaca is going to taste way different than one made in Durango. (Espadin is the most common type of agave used in mezcal production.) Based on the vessel the mezcalero uses during the fermentation process  leather, wood, clay, and so on  [this] will also impart specific characteristics into the final product: minerality, smokiness, spiciness, smoothness, florals, and more.

Related: 13 Mezcal Cocktails Our Editors Love

Of course, theres one more crucial aspect that mezcaleros can play with. One of the biggest factors in the development of flavor of the spirit is time, says Janzen, adding that some (but not all) producers let the distillate rest in glass before bottling. The more time that the spirit has to rest, the more the flavors kind of mellow and coalesce a little bit better. It's just one more step that producers can customize to have the final result that they're looking for.

Fermenting mezcal takes anywhere from one to four weeks, but some mezcaleros choose to let the final products age in barrels to develop even more complexity. Joven, meaning young in Spanish, is unaged mezcal. Reposado mezcal is aged between two months and up to one year, and anejo mezcal is aged between one and three years. Extra anejo mezcal is anything aged longer than three years.

All of these factors contribute to the spectrum of mezcals produced today, from the type of agave harvested to how its cooked, milled, fermented, distilled, and aged. Janzen believes the misunderstood spirit is well worth the time it takes to experience the breadth of flavors it can provide.

For those who dont know where to start, Janzen suggests going to a bar with a good collection of mezcals and asking the bartender questions or ordering a flight to try several next to one another. Because single bottles of mezcal can retail upwards of $100, if you arent sure what you like quite yet, that sort of investment can lead to discouragement quickly.

Related: Diving Deep into Mezcal, Sip by Sip

Mezcal can have a super bright jalapeno, waxy, lemon kind of flavor, and if that's not your bag, if you really want something that's got more of the roasted notes like chocolate, ash, and sweet potato, that's going to be a totally different bottle, says Janzen. There aren't really good, quick shortcuts in this category, so I would definitely recommend going to talk to a bartender.

The more you explore, the more youll discover, and theres almost certainly a mezcal for every type of palate out there. Mezcal is just so much more complicated than whiskey or vodka, Janzen says. I've been drinking mezcal for 15 years at least, and I still occasionally pick up bottles that are totally surprising, or maybe not what I thought they would be. Its precisely that unpredictability that keeps her coming back.

For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Food & Wine.
Petal Card, a fintech valued at $800 million as recently as January 2022 before suffering a cash crunch toward the end of last year, has finally found a buyer: Empower Finance.

Terms werent disclosed, but the deal is believed to be for but a sliver of its lofty valuation from just two years ago. Fortune reported in November that Petal was seeking a buyer amid rumors it could shut down without additional investment. Several venture and banking executives said Tuesday that the sale to Empower was likely for a comparatively small sum. It wont have been much, one VC said.

About 100 Petal employees will be joining Empower, according to a Petal spokesman, who denied that the transaction primarily was a so-called "acquihire." Empower also announced Tuesday that it had completed its buy of Cashalo, a consumer credit and lending company located in the Philippines. Both Petal and Cashalo will be folded into Empower and not operate as independent divisions.

Founded in 2016, Petal offers Visa credit cards geared toward consumers who are new to credit, a group that often skews younger and includes recent immigrants. So far, nearly 400,000 individuals have been approved for Petals three cards. Empower, by comparison, was also founded in 2016. It offers products and services such as cash advances, lines of credit, and debit cards, to underserved consumers in the U.S. and Mexico.

Empower Financenot to be confused with Empower Retirement, which acquired Prudential Financials retirement business for $3.5 billion in 2021 and Personal Capital in 2020charges customers $8 per month for its services. It says it has about 2 million active subscribers and achieved profitability in 2022.

Empower shares a mission similar to Petals. Warren Hogarth, a former Sequoia Capital partner, cofounded Empower in 2016 with the goal of making credit more equitable and inclusive. San Francisco-based Empower has raised $174.5 million, according to Crunchbase, with investors including Sequoia, SMVentures, and Icon Ventures.

Weve created a new, unique system of lending that backs human endeavor and credits the workingbecause we believe theyre good for it, Hogarth wrote in a LinkedIn post Tuesday. With over 45 million Americans and billions more globally experiencing credit insecurity, Empowers acquisition of Petal is vital and timely, leveraging our combined resources to provide better, more meaningful solutions.

There had been talk during Petals recent struggles that Jason Rosen, CEO of both Petal and Prism Dataa B2B-focused data firm spun off last yearwould step down from Petal. A spokesperson said hes still with Petal and is expected to remain in place until the sale closes later this quarter.

"This merger brings together two of the leading innovators in this arena, Rosen, also Petals cofounder, said in a statement.

Petal had raised more than $300 million in equity capital and over $680 million in debt financing, with investors including Peter Thiels Valar Ventures, River Park Ventures, and Core Innovation Capital. But with rates high and borrowing more expensive, lenders like Petal have suffered. Petal endured two rounds of layoffs, including cutting 20% of its employees in June. Staff numbered about 100 in November.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
A turbulent storm system barreled through Gulf Coast states on Wednesday, leaving major roads flooded and spawning suspected tornadoes. Multiple severe thunderstorms  which can be breeding grounds for twisters in certain climates  were forecast, with Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama facing the highest risks of dangerous weather. One death was reported, in Mississippi, in connection with the weather.

Meteorologists warned people to prepare for damaging, and potentially hurricane-force winds, as well as several possible tornadoes.

"Widespread severe thunderstorms are expected today across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. Tornadoes and widespread damaging winds are anticipated," the Storm Prediction Center said in an advisory posted around 6 a.m. EDT on Wednesday.

"All forms of severe weather will be possible, including tornadoes, some of which may be strong, and widespread damaging wind swaths with embedded significant severe gusts over 75 mph," the advisory said.

Widespread severe thunderstorms are expected today across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. Tornadoes and widespread damaging winds are anticipated. Stay weather aware by following your NWS office and media for the latest watches and warnings. pic.twitter.com/EEoVDmQ63R  NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) April 10, 2024

Hurricane-force winds must have sustained speeds of at least 74 miles per hour to fit that classification on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Even at that baseline speed, wind gusts are considered "very dangerous" and capable of producing some damage to buildings and infrastructure, like roads and power lines, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The tracking site PowerOutage.us showed that around 217,000 energy customers were without power Wednesday evening. As of 7 p.m. ET, outages were mostly affecting Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Louisiana reported roughly 112,000 customers were without electricity, which was the highest statewide total among those four.

Some of the most significant weather hazards on Wednesday were expected in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Various tornado watches and warnings were ordered in intervals on Wednesday across the Gulf states in the path of the storm. In the morning and early afternoon, more than 4 million people in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi were under a tornado watch that was expected to remain effective until 1 p.m. CDT, according to the National Weather Service. The watch area includes both states' capital cities, Baton Rouge and Jacksonville, and other major metropolitan centers like New Orleans. Meteorologists warned that places within the bounds of this advisory would likely see a few tornadoes and widespread wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour. Scattered hail, potentially as large as ping-pong balls, was also possible.

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Louisiana and Mississippi until 1 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/XpgA6sDlWH  NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) April 10, 2024

The weather service put out additional tornado watches and warnings in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida as the day went on. A tornado watch is issued when atmospheric conditions during a storm could potentially produce a twister, whereas a tornado warning is issued when one has been physically spotted or indicated by weather radar.

A suspected tornado was reported before 8 a.m. CDT in Louisiana, between the towns of New Roads and Saint Francisville, which are north of Baton Rouge in the state's panhandle. CBS News is working to confirm that the twister happened and learn more about it if it did. Another suspected twister was reported farther south in Slidell, outside of New Orleans, where meteorologists said that thunderstorms had caused flash flooding through the metro area.

The Slidell Police Department shared a video on Facebook Wednesday afternoon that showed debris characterized in the post as "tornado damage." But Michael Musher, a meteorologist and spokesperson for the National Weather Service, told CBS News on Wednesday afternoon that a twister had not technically been confirmed in that area. He said the same of another suspected tornado that local outlets reported on in Raymond, Mississippi, which is near Jackson.

However, the NWS later reported on social media that the damage from the storm in Slidell appeared to be consistent with a tornado.

"I've lived here all my life, this is the worst damage I've seen from an immediate storm like we had this morning," Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said in a news conference Wednesday night, adding that there were no major injuries or fatalities reported in the city.

Robin Marquez, project coordinator for E.C.O. Builders, walks past her son's heavily damaged car after they sheltered in place inside the business in the aftermath of severe storms that swept through the region in Slidell, Louisiana, on April 10, 2024. / Credit: Gerald Herbert / AP

Officials in St. Tammany Parish, which includes Slidell, reported the impact of the suspected tornado was catastrophic and extensive, with more than 100 buildings damaged. About 50 people had to be rescued after winds sheared the roof off a Slidell apartment building.

"While we were trying to pack a few things, my ceiling caved in, his ceiling caved in," a resident of the building told a local news outlet.

Flash flooding in New Orleans swelled roads, overwhelmed drivers and marooned vehicles.

The NWS also reported that a tornado with maximum winds of 115 miles per hour struck the city of Lake Charles in Southwest Louisiana. The tornado was responsible for "destroying the roofs of several homes," the NWS said.

As the storm moved east, it also flooded highways and causeways in Mobile, Alabama.

Because severe thunderstorms had only recently hit southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, Musher emphasized that the situation in those regions was "ever-changing," but storm survey teams in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Jackson would all likely begin to investigate the damage left behind later on Wednesday or early on Thursday.

"As of right now, the Storm Prediction Center shows no reports of tornadoes since this morning," Musher said of the reported twisters in Slidell and Raymond. "In addition to the possible tornadic thunderstorms, heavy rain is producing flash flooding across these areas, especially in and around the New Orleans metro."

Flash Flood Emergency including New Orleans LA, Chalmette LA and Meraux LA until 2:00 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/lUpMiJCRyh  @NWSFlashFlood (@NWSFlashFlood) April 10, 2024

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office said that the weather was observably destructive in that area. The office described "extensive damage from possible tornadoes in the city limits of Slidell ... and surrounding areas" in a statement" and noted that storms had caused flooding, downed trees and cut power lines throughout the parish.

"The full extent of the damage is not known at this time. We are asking for people to stay put and stay off the roadways," the statement read.

The bout of severe weather was not expected to let up even after striking the Gulf Coast states during the first half of Wednesday. Come afternoon, meteorologists said the storm would probably cause "weak destabilization" over Alabama and the Florida Panhandle while moving east. That means an atmospheric environment that lends itself to severe wind gusts, and potentially even tornadoes, is set to develop in those regions.

Densely-populated parts of southeastern Texas were at risk of damaging thunderstorms as well as possible tornadoes as the storm system blew through Houston and its surrounding areas before continuing to track east. The weather service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for more than 7 million people in that region overnight, warning that tornadoes were possible with destructive wind gusts potentially reaching 85 mph. That thunderstorm watch expired at 7 a.m. CDT, and trailed a a barrage of severe weather events in central Texas at the top of the week.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Texas until 7 AM CDT pic.twitter.com/hwsLY40s1C  NWS Severe Tstorm (@NWSSevereTstorm) April 10, 2024

There were no tornadoes confirmed within the latest watch area on Wednesday morning, but one was confirmed to have hit a community outside of Houston overnight. Preliminary evidence collected by the National Weather Service's forecast in Houston suggested that an EF-1 tornado had occurred in the city of Katy, said Musher. He added that the survey was still ongoing there, too.

The police chief in Port Arthur told KFDM that a suspected tornado had also damaged homes and some public buildings in that area, including a church.

Meanwhile, the storm did bring torrential rain to broad sections of southeastern Texas, causing flooding that in some places prompted evacuations and highway closures. In Kirbyville, a city near the Louisiana border about 60 miles north of Port Arthur, officials said all major roads were inundated and shut down, with rescue efforts underway in the area.

Largest dam removal project in U.S. history aims to help revive Americas salmon population

James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of the Oxford High School shooter, are sentenced

Americans turn to 211 helpline amid mounting economic hardships
Octavia Johnson is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at octavia.johnson@houstonchronicle.com.

Before joining the Chronicle, Octavia worked as a digital content producer at WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., where she became a leader in producing fast paced, audience-focused content.

Octavia graduated from UNC Pembroke with a bachelor's degree in journalism before earning her master's degree in media and communications at Norfolk State University.
Spartanburg residents and local businesses owners gathered at OneSpartanburgs building on North Pine Street Tuesday to get clarity on how to navigate South Carolinas new permitless carry bill that was signed into law last month.

Under the new law, South Carolinians 18 years and older who are not prohibited from owning firearms may now carry them, concealed or open, in most places.

Adam Whitsett, general counsel for the State Law Enforcement Division, led the conversation and advised individuals gathered at the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce on how to handle interactions with individuals carrying firearms. Whitsett explained certain exceptions to the law and what rights businesses, employers and property owners have on a case-by-case basis.

Here is a breakdown of what was discussed.

Officers with the Spartanburg Police Department take in, tag, and render inoperable, many guns and rifles during a gun buy-back initiative with the City of Spartanburg.

What rights do businesses and churches have regarding firearms?

As previously reported by the Greenville News, business owners retain the right to post a sign banning firearms on their premises. No government approval is needed to place a sign.

If a sign is not posted, individuals may assume its permissible to carry on the premises.

Whitsett advised businesses to err on the side of over-clarification for a sign. He said that the different scenarios like whether a weapon is concealable or not or if a person has a concealed weapons permit or not makes specific guidelines by a business ideal.

"My guidance to everybody is be as clear as you can on the sign. If you want no weapons, say No weapons," Whitsett said.

Conversely, under the law, firearms are not allowed in churches. However, the appropriate church official or governing body may give an individual permission to carry. Whitsett acknowledged that getting permission will look different case-by-case.

"My guidance is always to get it in writing, just to be safe," Whitsett said, though he added this is not a requirement. "With the rules, if you're worried about it, talk to the church officials, address it. It's just always best not to rely on someone's memory."

Employers can also decide whether their employees may carry or not.

Where cant weapons be carried?

Some places forbid carry across the board. These include law enforcement agencies, correctional and detention facilities, courthouses, most government buildings and polling places.

Like churches, places providing medical services and procedures, such as hospitals, clinics and doctors offices dont allow firearms unless expressly authorized by the "appropriate entity."

The Spartanburg Medical Center-Mary Black Campus.

In the same vein, individuals may not carry firearms into the personal dwellings of others unless the resident gives the carrier express permission.

Whitsett addressed multi-use spaces, such as a worship service meeting in a school building, or a church facility operating as a polling place on election day. He said that the laws intention is to judge the location by the activity taking place.

"Whatever it is that day, thats the rule that applies," Whitsett said.

Businesses that serve alcohol

An individual may carry their firearm on the premise of a business that serves alcohol if that business allows it, but they may not consume alcohol. Effectively, this does not change the pre-existing law pertaining to businesses that serve alcohol except that it now applies to permitless carriers and not just CWP holders.

A business that determines a customer has violated this law may remove them or contact law enforcement.

Can firearms be stored in cars?

Generally, firearms can be legally stored or secured in a vehicle. However, Whitsett stressed that just because something is legal doesnt mean an employer or business cant prohibit it as a matter of company policy.

An employers autonomy applies to situations involving company cars.

Spartanburg crime statistics: Over half of stolen guns came from vehicles

What about parks and public land?

Carrying at national parks is federally prohibited, but concealed carry at South Carolina state parks is allowed.

However, unlike many government buildings, Whitsett said firearm carry cannot be banned on public land belonging to local entities, such as city or county parks and recreation.

Local public bodies can use discretion for permitted events on this land, such as parades, Whitsett said.

Can law enforcement search someone openly carrying?

Law enforcement cannot legally search someone solely on the grounds that they are carrying a firearm. However, they may stop and search someone if they have an objective basis to suspect criminal activity.

Whitsett said the bills passage codified into law what courts have already said about search and seizure tactics.

"Just because you're openly carrying does not give law enforcement reasonable suspicion or probable cause to search, detain or arrest," Whitsett said.

Whitsett said nothing can stop law enforcement from walking up and talking to someone, but people are not required to engage.

After Senate passage: South Carolina permitless carry bill heads to Gov. McMaster's desk

Enhanced and graduated penalties, expungements and 'incentivized' CWP training

The permitless carry law also expanded the range of individuals who are not allowed to carry firearms to all individuals convicted of a felony, which is a crime punishable by at least one year imprisonment. Those convicted of misdemeanors that carry a sentence of more than five years are also prohibited from carrying a firearm.

"Historically, it was only violent felonies, which was only a small subset of felonies. Now, if you have a felony conviction of any kind on your record, you are prohibited from carrying in South Carolina," Whitsett said.

In addition, the Senate introduced graduated penalties which made punishment for violators "significantly more aggressive," Whitsett said. The first unlawful carry offense is a misdemeanor with one year imprisonment, the second offense is a three-year misdemeanor and third and subsequent offenses are felonies with five years' imprisonment.

The Senate also added enhanced penalties for those who commit a crime with a concealable weapon without holding a CWP.

More: Upstate law enforcement leaders react to new SC permitless carry law, stress training

However, those with past convictions rendered obsolete by the new law who wish to expunge the eligible charges have a five-year window to act, effective from March 7 of this year.

"If you know of anyone that has some old unlawful carry convictions out there, there are some new avenues for those that to seek expungements," Whitsett said.

In addition to permitless carry, the age to obtain a CWP was lowered from 21 to 18 under the new law.

To further incentivize training, SLED will conduct free CWP classes in every county throughout the state at least twice a month.

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: How should businesses navigate SC permitless carry law? SLED advises.
Credit - Photo-illustration by TIME; TAS Rights Management/Getty Images (3)

Call it the Five Stages of Grief (Taylors Version). Last week, ahead of the release of her album The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift shared five new playlists that sort her old songs into stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. These songs represent making room for more good in your life, she says in a brief audio message accompanying the final playlist, acceptance. Making that choice. Because a lot of time when we lose things, we gain things too.

In the two months since Swift announced her new album, which comes out April 19, fans have speculated that it will explore themes related to coming to terms with the loss of a long-term relationship. (The pop star revealed the end of her six-year relationship with actor Joe Alwyn last April; shes now dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.) Shes doing the same thing with grief that she did with the NFL, introducing the concept to a new audience, says Jason Holland, a clinical psychologist in Nashville who has researched grief, loss, trauma, and stress. Grief isnt a topic that gets talked about a lotso anything that someone can do to bring more attention to it, and get people thinking about it and talking about it, is a good thing.

But the five stages of grief is a contested concept among psychologists, as not everyone experiences them the same way. We asked experts what they like about the theoryand which limitations and caveats to keep in mind.

Grief is less predictable in reality

The five stages of grief were introduced by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in her 1969 book On Death and Dying. The theory, born out of her work with terminally ill patients, initially focused on how people grapple with their own mortality. She was a pioneer at the time, says Mary-Frances OConnor, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona and author of The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss. She described what people were telling her, and those descriptions are still accurate. Many people do feel angry; many people do feel depressed.

Read More: 7 Low-Stress Ways to Start Decluttering

Kubler-Ross later expanded her work to apply to people grieving a loved oneand, clearly, it resonated, evolving into a cultural touchstone. The problem, OConnor says, is that it became used not as a description, but as a prescription. People interpreted the stages strictly, assuming that mourners had to pass through each one sequentially. (That thinking has persisted, though in a book Kubler-Ross wrote shortly before her death in 2004, she noted it was not her intention, and that the stages do not have to happen in one particular order.)

Though little research has examined the theory, the studies that do exist offer mixed results. One study, for example, found that during the two years after someone lost a loved one, their experiences of grief did tend to follow Kubler-Rosss predicted order. Other research found that the pattern of grieving depended on the circumstances of how someone died, and that grief and acceptance rose and fell in an unpredictable way. We know now that it is a much more variable path, and that there isnt an end point where we stop feeling grief, OConnor says.

Not everyone goes through all of them

While many people experience some or all of the five stages of grief, others only relate to oneor none. Grief is complex, OConnor points out, and not a one-size-fits all process. Some people might skip a step, jumping straight from denial to bargaining (when you try to make deals with God or torment yourself with "what if" statements, no matter how irrational). Others will experience depression before they move on to anger. Research suggests that most people do eventually achieve some form of acceptance, but its like the stock market, OConnor says. It goes up and down.

Read More: Why Are So Many Young People Getting Cancer?

Grief hits us in all different ways and at different times, staying with us indefinitely and surging when we least expect it to, says Gina Moffa, a grief therapist in New York City and author of Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go. The idea that it can be wrapped up in a neat bow and that it has a clear beginning, middle, and end is a real disservice to people going through the grieving process, she says. Grief is messy. Its important to know that theres no timeline.

Grief isnt just emotional

The five-stages theory doesnt acknowledge the physical symptoms and anxiety that can accompany grief, Moffa points out. People who are bereaved often experience panic attacks, brain fog, sleep issues, a weakened immune system, gut issues, and headaches, among other issues, she says. After her mother died, she landed in the hospital with pancreatitis and a thyroid problem. This experience of five stages doesn't account for the fact that grief is a trauma to our bodies and to our nervous system, she says.

Read More: How Grief Upsets Your Gut Health

What particularly bothers Moffa is that when some people feel like their experience doesnt conform to the five stages, they become distressed. They think theyre doing it wrong, she says. When we talk about the five stages of grief, it becomes a right and wrong thing. And grief is not something that can be right or wrong.

A different way of thinking about grief

Many people who specialize in grief work prefer the dual process model of grief, which posits that grieving involves two tasks that can mostly only be handled one at a time: working through the emotions of grief itselfwhatever they are and whatever order they come inand rebuilding a life. The person grieving will oscillate between both modesat times mourning, and at times setting aside emotions to nurture new relationships or figure out the logistics of a different life without their loved one. Spending some time coping with the grief, and some time coping with the restoration, is actually a sign of mental health, OConnor says. Being able to put your grief aside for a time so that you can attend to your life is a mentally healthy thing to do.

Read More: Want to Give Your Life More Meaning? Think of It As a Heros Journey

Thats not to say there isnt a place for the five stages of grief. Hollands clients often bring it up, explaining that it resonates with them. Its a simple model that people can understand, he says. If youre in the midst of grief, youd like to think that theres some predictable road ahead. If people feel that the theory fits them, he says, why not talk about it in those terms? If it gives them hope, and a sense of empowerment, then I think thats very positive, he says.

Having a roadmap like the five stages provides a sense of comfort, he believes. Plus, it fits with our idea of a classic storyand Swift, of course, famously loves a good tale. Its this idea that were battling grief, that we go through this journey where we have to do battle with denial and bargaining and anger and depression, and we come out this renewed person with insight or knowledge we can share with others, he says. It fits with the way that we see human struggle.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Walid Daqqa, one of the longest-serving Palestinian prisoners in Israel, died of cancer on Sunday at the age of 63 after almost four decades of incarceration.

Daqqas case was unique. At the time of his death, he was the longest imprisoned Palestinian in Israel, with the second-longest sentence served overall, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society.

He was also one of the few Palestinian prisoners to have been continuously incarcerated since prior to the Oslo Accords, a series of agreements between Israel and the Palestinians in the 1990s that resulted in a number of Palestinians being released from Israeli prisons. Born in the Israeli town of Baqa al-Gharbiyye in the northern triangle region, Daqqa was a Palestinian citizen of Israel.

A spokesperson for the Israel Prison Service on Monday confirmed Daqqas death and said in a statement that his death will be investigated like any event of this nature.

In Israel, Daqqa was seen as a terrorist after he was convicted in connection with the killing of a soldier. But to many Palestinians, he was a symbol of their struggle for liberation from Israel.

Daqqa was arrested in March 1986 and sentenced to life in prison after an Israeli court convicted him of commanding the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) militant group, which abducted and killed 19-year-old Israeli soldier Moshe Tamam in 1984. Daqqa was not convicted of carrying out the murder but of commanding the group, which he denied, Amnesty International said. Tamams niece Ortal said on X that her uncle was subjected to torture before being killed.

In 2012, Israel reduced his sentence to 37 years, which he completed in 2023. He was then charged by an Israeli court with smuggling mobile phones to prisoners, and was given an added sentence of two years, according to the Palestinian Commission of Detainee Affairs. He died before his scheduled release date of March 24, 2025.

The Commission and the Palestinian Prisoners Society, based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, said in a statement that during his detention, Daqqa faced the policies of torture, assault, deprivation and isolation, in addition to successive medical crimes.

CNN has reached out to the Israel Prison Service for comment on the allegations.

Weight lifted from my chest: niece

The way he was murdered was so brutal and inhumane, Ortal, the niece of Moshe Tamam, told CNN on Tuesday.

Moshe had been returning from a weekend visiting his girlfriend in Tiberias when he was kidnapped at the Beit Lid Junction in Israel, according to Ortal.

When (Daqqa) died in jail, I was very happy, Ortal said, adding that she felt relief after she and her family had fought for years to keep Daqqa in prison rather than have his sentence reduced.

To be honest, Im a doctor, I spent my life helping people be healthy, she added. I save life, I try to make it better for my patients. Never in my life did I think Id be happy that someone died. But I was so happy, I felt like so much weight was lifted from my chest.

We fought hard to keep him in prison, and every moment of struggle paid off, Ortal wrote on X.

Rare form of cancer

Daqqas health had deteriorated in prison. In 2015, he was diagnosed with neuromuscular disease after suffering from various health conditions, said Addameer, a West Bank-based prisoner support and human rights association. And in 2022, he was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a rare form of bone marrow cancer and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

In 2023, Amnesty International called on Israel to release Daqqa so he could receive specialist medical care.

The persistent lack of medical attention throughout Daqqas imprisonment and the prison authorities neglect in conducting regular check-ups had a negative impact on his health, Addameer said, adding that prisoners have the right to receive adequate medical care under international conventions.

The group alleged that after the cancer diagnosis, negligence in providing urgent medical intervention meant the disease progressed and reached a critical level three notches above the danger threshold.

CNN cannot independently confirm the claims made by Addameer.

Amnesty International senior director Erika Guevara-Rosas said Daqqas death is a cruel reminder of Israels systematic medical neglect and disregard for Palestinian prisoners rights.

Citing Daqqas lawyer, she said in a statement, For Daqqa and his family, the last six months in particular were an endless nightmare, during which he was subjected to torture or other ill-treatment, including beatings and humiliation by the Israel Prison Service.

CNN has reached out to Israels Prison Service for response to Amnestys claims.

During his detention, Daqqa wrote a number of books, and earned two degrees in 2010 and 2016. Amnesty described his writings as an act of resistance against the dehumanization of Palestinian prisoners.

After his death, a tent set up for mourners to gather on Monday in Baqa al-Gharbiyye was stormed by Israeli police, according to a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners Society and CNN video.

Israeli police said they responded to the gathering after it took place without permission, according to a statement sent to CNN, adding that five people were arrested for alleged assault against law enforcement personnel.

Amnesty International on Monday called on Israeli authorities to return Daqqas body to his family so they could give him a peaceful and dignified burial and allow them to mourn his death without intimidation, said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty Internationals Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.

9,000-plus Palestinians in Israeli prisons

There are currently 9,400 Palestinians prisoners in Israeli jails, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society.

Daqqas death brings the number of Palestinians that have died in Israeli custody since 1967, the start of Israels occupation of the Palestinian territories, to 251, according to the Palestinian Commission of Detainee Affairs.

And since October 7 of last year, Daqqa is the 14th Palestinian prisoner to have died in Israeli custody, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society.

CNNs Benjamin Brown, Avery Schmitz and Nadeen Ebrahim contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Natalia Contreras for Votebeat

An hour after Gillespie County Republican Party Chairman Bruce Campbell declared the hand-counted primary election results completely accurate and certified them as final, he found another discrepancy.

"It's my mistake for not catching that," he said, sitting in front of his laptop inside the Gillespie County election administration office on March 14. "I can't believe I did that."

The late catch meant that Campbell had to ask the early voting ballot board chair, who had already left and lives 30 minutes away, to return to the elections offices, figure out how the error happened, and fix it.

According to a report by Votebeat, the election was a low-profile party primary, but stakes are high. Gillespie County Republicans, led by Campbell, decided months ago to hand-count more than 8,000 ballots. Experts agree and studies show the method is time-consuming, costly, less accurate, and less secure than using machines, but local Republicans, citing unsupported concerns about the accuracy of voting machines, were determined to try and show otherwise. Workers recruited and trained by the party counted until the early hours of the next morning, and declared the effort a success. Proponents of hand-counting are now touting Gillespie as a model.

But the county party had to fix a series of errors in the results reported from almost every precinct between the election and the canvass on March 14, though none of the discrepancies changed the outcome of a race. Travis County Republicans, who hand-counted some ballots as well, also had to fix discrepancies in their tally.

Texas requires partial recounts only for ballots that are tabulated electronically  there is no provision in state law to require the local GOP to recount these ballots or audit the results of the hand count. The Texas Secretary of State's election division does not have the authority to audit the election unless Gillespie is one of the counties the office randomly selects for an audit.

At least one precinct judge acknowledged mistakes were made during the count but said they were caught and corrected that night. Campbell, pictured below, left, said he has full confidence that the tallying of the votes was accurate, and the party will not voluntarily conduct an audit or recount to verify the results.

Natalia Contreras for Votebeat

All of the numbers didn't add up

But not everyone feels that way. Scott Netherland, the election judge for Precinct 6, turned in all of the necessary paperwork to the elections office just before midnight on election night, believing it all checked out. When he woke up the next day, he decided to double-check the results. He told Votebeat that 197 voters had cast ballots at his precinct on election day. For each race on the ballot, the total number of ballots cast should have totaled to 197, including, for example, instances when a voter skipped a race. But in one race, he'd reported only 160 votes. In another, 157. As he went down the list, he noticed he had 207 votes reported for a third race.

"My heart sank," Netherland said. He'd miscounted the totals in seven separate races.

Netherland said he immediately contacted Campbell, then rushed to the elections office to review tally sheets. In doing so, he realized that multiple other precincts also had reported clearly inaccurate totals.

If he hadn't done that, "we'd be still sitting on mistakes," Netherland, who's been working elections in Gillespie for more than a decade and did not support the hand count effort, told Votebeat.

Netherland said he still isn't confident the election results are accurate, based on the errors that he and others have found. On March 14, Netherland said the Republican Party in Gillespie has introduced human error into the election process with the hand count.

"We took something that worked and now broke it," Netherland said. "We failed to guard the purity of the election with this hand count. What we just did is evidence that this hand count was not accurate."

Other Republicans continue to tout the effort as a success.

One of them was David Treibs, a member of the Fredericksburg Tea Party who helped lead the effort to hand count. In a video interview posted on a social media platform created by Mike Lindell  a well-known election conspiracy theorist and the CEO of bedding company MyPillow  Treibs acknowledged he'd made errors but said they weren't a problem.

"So there were two ballots, and I just didn't add them up. So I would have had to add 450 and two, and it would have been 452 and I didn't. I just forgot to fill it in," Treibs said in the video posted just after the election. "So I don't really think that's something that's going to shut down the election and it's like, 'oh my gosh, he didn't add 450 and two and come up with 452 and now that means the whole election was a failure.' Well, that's ridiculous."

A long weekend reconciling errors

For his part, Campbell said he spent all weekend before the canvass going over tally sheets and double-checking vote totals on documents called precinct return sheets  reconciliation forms that election workers fill out with the number of votes cast for each race on election day. He repeatedly found errors. All but one of the county's 13 Republican precincts had reported incorrect totals on the official reconciliation forms.

Campbell, by Texas law, is in charge of the GOP primary election in the county and responsible for attesting that the results are correct. He said he put together a spreadsheet with all the numbers from each precinct and each race. He consulted with the Secretary of State's Office and local election officials. He highlighted the errors he found in red and sent the spreadsheet around to the precinct judges, telling them they needed to correct the errors at the canvass.

On March 14, during the election canvass  the official examination of votes cast in an election  all of the precinct judges, who supervised each polling place, gathered at the election office to correct their errors. One by one, they called out the correct totals.

According to the precinct return sheets from election night obtained by Votebeat, Precinct 2 and Precinct 6  Netherland's precinct  had the most errors with inaccurate vote totals reported in seven races. Precinct 12 reported errors in vote totals for six races. Precinct 9 was the only one with no reported errors.

Some judges quickly explained how errors happened during the canvass, reasons ranging from "poor penmanship" that was hard to read, to accidentally writing the wrong numbers, or miscalculations.

The short public meeting lasted around 30 minutes. After their mistakes were resolved and results were certified, some clapped and said, "We did it!" Soon after, all the precinct judges except for one went home. Campbell and the Gillespie County elections staff stayed behind to begin manually entering the official results into the state's reporting system.

That's when Campbell found yet another error, forcing him to call the early voting ballot board chair back to the elections office for another round of correction.

After that, entering the results in the state system posed yet another challenge. When ballots are scanned using voting equipment and software, a report of the totals is created in the same format the state uses. The state requires those results be manually entered, separated by candidate and proposition totals for the day of the election, early voting, and mail ballots. But in his spreadsheet, Campbell only had those totals broken out by candidate and propositions per precinct.

Natalia Contreras for Votebeat

Data entry errors found at this stage of the counting

Elections staff printed out the spreadsheets, laid them out across four tables, and read the totals out loud, adding them up with a calculator so they would be aggregated in the format the state requires, and then manually entered them into a computer.

This process took nearly three hours because they caught themselves making new data entry errors as they were reading the newly aggregated totals out loud and writing them down before entering them into the state system.

In Travis County, where Republicans hand-counted more than 1,000 mail-in ballots on the day of the election, there were also discrepancies. In an email, Travis County Republican Party Chair Matt Mackowiak said that in the race for U.S. House District 35, undervotes were inaccurately reported as overvotes. An undervote is an instance when a voter appears not to have marked as many choices as they're allowed to in a given race; an overvote is an instance when a voter selected too many choices in a given race. After resolving the errors, the party is "confident now" that the results are accurate.

Experts say these mistakes raise more questions about the accuracy of the vote tallies that can't be answered without an audit or a recount.

"This 100% is indicative that we know mistakes are going to happen every single time. And I don't know how anybody would feel confident, after that many errors were identified, that all their errors had been identified," said Jennifer Morrell, a former election official and an expert on election audits. Morrell is the CEO of the Elections Group, an elections consulting firm.

"The only way I can think to validate what they claim are the final vote counts is to run all those ballots through a voting system and compare the two outcomes."

Morrell added that the discrepancies found in Gillespie and in Travis don't typically occur in elections where voting equipment is used. Even in parts of the process where hand counting is used, such as audits or recounts (where only one or two races are counted rather than the entire ballot), "we find that it's easy for people to make mistakes," she said. And that's especially true when tallying undervotes.

In Gillespie, the Republican Party has no intention of doing any sort of recount, Campbell said. Neither do Travis County Republicans, Mackowiak said.

Campbell stressed that each hand-counting team had a caller of the votes, a watcher to ensure the caller was correct, and three people writing down the totals. "If it didn't match, they'd have to go back and count again," he said. "You have three people. Three of them are not going to make the same error."

Campbell said a committee was created by the party to study the hand count. The committee will survey every person who participated.

On the primary election night, Joy Smith, the Precinct 4 judge, was the last to bring election results to the county's elections office. It was Smith's first time as the precinct's supervisor. On March 14, she also had to fix an error. When writing the total number of votes for a proposition on the ballot, Smith wrote the number 451. It should have been 415. "I literally just switched the two numbers when I wrote it down on the form," she said, something she attributed to exhaustion in the wee hours of the morning after a long night.

Smith said the hand count made election day as a first-time election judge more difficult. "There were a lot of extra forms that we had to fill out that day, double check the tally sheets," Smith said. "There's just a lot more on your plate. But I am not giving up. I'm going to keep helping."

This story was produced by Votebeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
As Mike Johnson stares down a serious threat to his speakership, hes taking steps to show alignment with the most powerful figure in the Republican Party: Donald Trump.

Johnson has made plans to trek down to Mar-a-Lago on Friday to appear at a joint news conference with the former president to deliver remarks on election integrity  a topic Trump cares deeply about. The development was first reported by CNN.

Meanwhile, Johnsons allies have asked Trump to publicly support the speaker, or at least stay out all together of his back-and-forth with House Republicans, according to multiple sources close to both Johnson and Trump. And people have also been counseling Johnson to keep Trump in the loop on a yet-to-be-released Ukraine aid package  a politically perilous policy issue that could draw the ire of Trump, divide the House GOP and end Johnsons rookie speakership.

The effort to stay in Trumps good graces could provide Johnson some much-needed political cover as he tries to carefully navigate a tricky stretch of governing and fend off a possible right-wing revolt. Johnsons strategy also shows the continued grip Trump has on the House Republican Conference.

Johnson has long been a staunch Trump supporter and played an instrumental role behind the scenes in Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 election. CNN previously reported that after the election, Johnson sent an email from a personal email account to every House Republican soliciting signatures to support a long-shot Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate Electoral College votes from Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The lawsuit was eventually rejected by the Supreme Court.

But it may prove difficult for Johnson to prove he is moving in complete lockstep with Trump. Aside from promising to deliver some form of funding to Ukraine, which Trump has railed against, the speaker has also been trying to pass a contentious reauthorization of a foreign surveillance law. Those plans were thwarted after Trump encouraged Republicans to kill the bill and hard-liners tanked a procedural vote on Wednesday.

Johnson told House Republicans during a closed-door meeting Wednesday that he had spoken to the former president the previous day. But when asked by CNN if he had sought Trumps backing amid a potential vote to oust him, Johnson said: Im not going to comment on the conversations with President Trump.

Trumps team also declined to comment on the call.

Johnson added: It would be chaos in the House if a motion to vacate the speakers chair were to succeed.

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trumps most loyal supporters who is threatening to force a vote on Johnsons removal, also told CNN she had recently spoken to Trump but declined to reveal how he feels about her effort.

I dont speak for the president, Greene said, following a tense, 70-minute meeting in the speakers office Wednesday.

Asked about Johnsons upcoming news conference with Trump, Greene said: Things like that dont bother me.

For his part, Trump has said that he does not want to go through another speaker fight, one source told CNN.

Trumps support on anything would be helpful

Johnson  who has promised to address Ukraine as lawmakers return to Washington from a two-week recess  has so far kept his strategy close to his vest and plans to talk it over more with members of his conference this week.

But the speaker has publicly floated some ideas to make the proposal more appealing to conservatives, such as structuring the aid as a loan  an idea previously floated by Trump.

Several House Republicans told CNN they would feel more comfortable with any Ukraine package if they knew it had Trumps backing and encouraged Johnson to seek Trumps buy-in.

I would hope the speaker is consulting with Donald Trump on just about everything we do, said Texas Rep. Troy Nehls, a Trump ally. If hes not, he should be.

Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern, the head of the conservative Republican Study Committee, echoed a similar sentiment.

President Trumps support on anything would be helpful for the Republican Party, Hern told CNN.

Some Trump allies who support aiding Ukraine expressed cautious optimism after the former presidents meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron at Mar-a-Lago earlier this week. Cameron described the meeting as good and said he would continue to push for Ukraine aid during meetings in Washington with US lawmakers from both parties.

Cameron said he reiterated during the meeting with Trump that supporting Ukraine is an investment in US security and that the best thing we can do is to keep the Ukrainians in this fight.

Two sources close to Trump said there was no indication that the former president had shifted his stance on funding Ukraine.

Greene continued to encourage Johnson to drop his plans for both Ukraine aid and the surveillance bill.

Right now, he does not have my support, and Im watching what happens on FISA and Ukraine, she said. Those are the two things that well be watching.

This story and headline have been updated with additional reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Several daytime TV shows, including "The View," were rocked by a fire that broke out on the "Tamron Hall" set.

Hall appeared on a nearly empty stage with a black screen behind her to explain what happened during the taping of Wednesday's episode. "We've had something that's never happened in the five seasons of the 'Tamron Hall' show," she said. "We are not able to air the show that was scheduled today."

Though "everybody's OK," the crew, audience and others in the studio had to evacuate right before filming a segment for the 10 a.m. ET live broadcast due to "a grease fire in our kitchen."

"Everyone, again, is safe," the Daytime Emmy-winning host said. "We were able to evacuate out of our studio, and now we're in the cleanup phase of the show."

Tamron Hall revealed her show's scheduled episode would not air Wednesday after the studio was evacuated due to

According to a statement issued by the show, "Everyone, including staff, crew, guests and audience members, were safely evacuated from the area and no one was harmed. The show was able to return safely to the studio in time for Tamron to address the situation during a segment that aired live at the top of today's show."

Rather than the scheduled interview with TV personality Tahiry Jose and choreographer D'Nay B, the show  which airs in syndication weekdays on ABC  broadcasted a re-run of Monday's episode with guest Tiera Kennedy, who sang on Beyonce's "Blackbiird."

Tamron Hall talks to Reesa Teesa: Woman behind viral 'Who TF Did I Marry' series opens up

"We are, as they say, in show business, so the show will go on," Hall said before thanking the firefighters who arrived at the scene.

In a statement to USA TODAY, the New York Fire Department said that after receiving a call at 8:42 a.m., 12 NYFD personnel arrived at the scene and "discovered burnt food on the stove in the building." No injuries were reported.

'The View' hosts also evacuated due to 'Tamron Hall' set fire

The ladies of "The View" took to the stage with an appropriate song choice to confirm the incident wasn't due to one of their "Hot Topics" going awry.

"We walked out to Billy Joel's hit 'We Didn't Star the Fire' because it actually happened next door at Tamron Hall's studio," Whoopi Goldberg said. "This morning, we had to evacuate the studio because there was a fire that we did not start. We don't know who started it; we don't know what started it."

More: TV host, author Tamron Hall talks her writing process, new book and how she starts her day

As she was talking, the show shared photos of the evacuation, which included the co-hosts waiting outside on the streets of New York City for the all-clear.

Ana Navarro revealed she'd logged on to Zoom earlier for a "Hot Topics" meeting "and it was dark, empty, an alarm and flashing lights," she said. "I thought, 'Holy hell.'"

More: Tamron Hall's new book is a compelling thriller, but leaves us wanting more

Meanwhile, the emergency made Alyssa Farah Griffin aware of her priorities: Hair and makeup.

"Once I saw all the hosts were fine, I was like, 'Where is my glam team?'" she said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The View' crew evacuates after grease fire on 'Tamron Hall' set
The urban food shopping experience is about to change.

Whole Foods Market

Five years ago, Whole Foods quietly tested an idea.

The massively popular grocer rolled out a smaller-sized store, something along the lines of a New York City bodega  the kind of corner markets that sell everything from breakfast sandwiches to yogurt and paper towels. Turns out, customers liked the concept. But then the pandemic struck, prompting the upscale grocer to focus on its bigger locations.

Now, Whole Foods is returning to that idea. It will soon roll out the first in a new series of stores called Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, with the initial one in a space formerly occupied by a Food Emporium on Manhattans Upper East Side. The Austin-based company, which has 17 bigger locations in New York, says more are coming to the city  and in other urban areas across the country.

It knows it needs to skedaddle.

But what might have seemed innovative in 2019 is now mainstream. All manner of retailers  from DWS, the discount shoe store, to big stores such as Macys and Target, to grocers such as Publix, Trader Joes, and Aldi  are focusing on much smaller footprints than their enourmous suburban cousins.

Related: The Viral $2.99 Trader Joes Mini Tote Bag Costs as Much as $500 on eBay

Whole Foods new shops will be about 7,000 to 14,000 square feet, depending on the location, compared with about 40,000 square feet for a typical suburban grocery, filling roughly an acre. (For comparison, big warehouse chains like Costco average about 150,000 square feet.)

Whole Foods Market All manner of retailers are focusing on much smaller footprints than their enormous suburban cousins. Whole Foods is one of them  with an upcoming opening of a smaller-sized store, something along the lines of a New York City bodega.

You might think customers would balk at fewer choices, but Trader Joes and Aldi have helped grocery shoppers get used to smaller spaces. Their stores average about 20,000 square feet, enabling them to move into empty spaces in strip malls or build brand-new stores in less time than a big space would require.

These mini-shops provide retailers with three advantages, according to a white paper by Placer.ai, a location analytics company that follows food and retail trends.

Related: Whole Foods Is Adopting New Biometric Technology That Lets You Pay Using Your Palm Print

First, smaller shops mean more customers per square foot, a key factor in big cities where rents can be astonishingly high. Second, stores can tailor their merchandise to neighborhood demographics. For instance, Target  which has opened a flock of locations in a number of college towns  carries candy, bottled water, and snacks for students on the run. Third, small spaces encourage community engagement by including espresso bars, providing indoor and outdoor seating, and hosting events.

Thats already happened in Chicago, where the first Foxtrot Market opened in 2014. Stocked with coffee, prepared specialty foods, and beverages, its locations have become hangouts for locals on laptops. Its become so popular  and successful  that Foxtrot has expanded to Dallas, Austin, and Washington D.C., and it recently acquired a small fresh food-focused Chicago chain called Doms Kitchen & Market.

And in Manhattan, Trader Joes has started to test out a new concept: It recently opened Trader Joes Pronto  a 2,800-square-foot grab-and-go store that offers affordable ready-to-eat options such as sandwiches, salads, and snacks. Its already drawn in New York University students and office workers looking for a quick bite.

Related: Walmart Is Recalling More Than 50,000 Units of This Popular Vegetable Chopper Due to Increased Cutting Risk

Whole Foods nodded to all that in a press release: In bustling hubs like Manhattan where proximity matters, these stores will bring Whole Foods Market closer to existing customers, while extending the companys reach to others in surrounding neighborhoods, the company said.

Beyond all that, the new abbreviated format can provide valuable market research.

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, companies can use small-format stores to continue developing their brick-and-mortar channels, while adapting to shifting consumer behaviors, Placer.ai says.

In short, the urban food shopping experience will soon be a lot more tailored. And that's a good thing.

For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Food & Wine.
Wichita Habitat for Humanity will buy a city-owned building in northeast Wichita for just under half of its assessed value.

Sedgwick County Appraiser Mark Clark says the property at 2220 E. 21st Street is worth $1,392,930. The nonprofit housing organization will buy it for $682,500.

Habitat, which has built more than 100 homes in northeast Wichita, will use the building to expand its program offices and provide a construction warehouse space.

The sale was approved 5-1 by the City Council on Tuesday. Council member Brandon Johnson, who is married to Wichita Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Danielle Johnson, recused himself from the vote.

The agenda report erroneously stated that the sale will place additional value into the tax base. Habitat is a nonprofit organization, meaning it is exempt from paying property taxes.

The sale of the property will not add value into the tax base as stated on the agenda. It does, however, relieve the city of continued maintenance costs, city real estate analyst Gerri Ford said during the meeting.

The former Fundamental Learning Center was most recently converted into an emergency winter shelter between December and March.

The propertys value increased by 53% from $910,100 in 2023 to $1,392,930 in 2024 after the county appraiser noted that the warehouse assembly space had been converted into a gymnasium. That inspection took place in March 2023, before the building was converted into a shelter.

It reclassified the property and caused the property to go up in value, Ford said.

At the recommendation of a selection committee made up of city staff and a neighborhood representative, the council picked Habitat over three other contenders, including one that offered to purchase the property for $900,000 as a second option to leasing it for $56,850 a year.

That applicant was McAdams Academy, a nonprofit behavioral program that works with foster children and provides schooling for students who have been expelled from public schools. McAdams was only interested in buying the building if they could also have right of first refusal on four acres of public land along the west side of Opportunity Drive.

The other two nonprofit organizations that submitted bids were not named during the meeting or in supporting documents.

Is it common practice to not take the highest bid for a property? asked council member J.V. Johnston, who cast the sole vote against selling to Habitat.

Were always looking for the best opportunity and the most amount of money that we can bring in for the taxpayers, yes, Ford said. But were looking at other things though. Were looking at the compatibility and the ability to perform, in addition to a purchase price.

The Opportunity Drive corridor includes a TOP Early Learning Center, a Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas location and a United Methodist Open Door food pantry. All three organizations offered letters of support for Habitats bid, as did Wichita State University, HealthCore Clinic, the Kansas Food Bank and United Way of the Plains.

This move is supported overwhelmingly by your community  people who care about what happens in Wichita, who care about affordable housing and are aware of the work that were doing and want to support us in that work, Habitat Program Director Laurie Walker told the council.

The nonprofit has earmarked $300,000 to improve and modify the nearly 20,000-square-foot building. It sits on 115,852 square feet of land and was completed in 1996 through a development agreement between the city and Cessna. Cessnas lease was canceled in 2015, and the Fundamental Learning Center occupied the building through September 2023.

Under the purchasing agreement approved Tuesday, the city will pay all closing costs and charges, any escrow fees, costs to record the Deed, and costs for the Title Commitment. That agreement appears to be missing at least one page. The city did not immediately furnish a full copy of the agreement in response to an Eagle inquiry.

Win-win

The purchase agreement was initially listed on the consent agenda, meaning it could have been approved Tuesday without any council debate.

City Manager Robert Layton pulled it off that agenda for discussion to recommend that all proceeds from the sale go to support the citys planned multi-agency center (MAC) project, which would include a homeless shelter, transitional housing and a resource navigation center for people experiencing housing insecurity.

Im so glad that were able to have somebody step into this space whos actually doing great work in the community and also across Wichita, so I applaud [Habitat] for all the work that youre doing, and were also able to put some more funding into the MAC, council member Mike Hoheisel said.

He said the proposal is a win-win for everybody and sharply criticized several online commenters who have questioned the agreement.

Its unfortunate when you have some haters on the sideline who just like to kind of poke holes in every single good thing that people try to do, Hoheisel said. No members of the public spoke against the purchase agreement Tuesday.

I think my main concern is to make sure that we arent selling assets and never getting it back on the tax [roll] to provide revenue, Vice Mayor Maggie Ballard said. Thats my only main concern but I will be supportive of this. I think its awesome. Its just something that we need to think about.

Johnston, who said he volunteers with Habitat at least every other year, indicated that he would have rather supported the McAdams Academy proposal.

I love [Habitat for Humanity]. I just have a problem with leaving $217,000 on the table, Johnston said. You dont say youre going to pay $900,000 for it and not be able to do it, so I have a problem with that.

Chuck Knowles is the executive director of McAdams Academy, which has been operating its programs out of a gym on McCormick since pipes froze and flooded the space they were leasing at the Urban Preparatory Academy. He said the academy has had a waiting list of 20 to 30 students since the beginning of the pandemic and needs space to expand. Thats why he wanted right of first refusal to additional land on Opportunity Drive.

With the property to build on, we would have worked on raising funds to build a K-12 school and counseling center working with parents and families, and we would have then remodeled the existing building as a center for job learning and training, Knowles said.

Ford told council members there are no immediate plans for those four acres but indicated that giving McAdams the first right of refusal could tie the citys hands.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire speaks during a press conference about his water bill improvement plan in April 2024. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

As Houston Mayor John Whitmire marks his 100th day in office, he is celebrating the delivery of a major campaign promise that could have far-reaching consequences for how he tackles the remainder of his term.

Whitmires landmark settlement with the firefighters union gives him a signature win in his first three months, but it also compounds an already dire financial picture at City Hall that will come into stark focus during budget season this year.

Since announcing the deal, the new mayor has pitched a property tax hike and a garbage collection fee to help finance it, while creating breathing room for the citys budget. Both options would likely create political tests  either at the ballot box or around the City Council horseshoe.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Elected officials often use the 100-day mark to reflect on their successes, but they also look to see how those successes might impact the next steps they must take in office. In Whitmires case, his early priority  getting a firefighter deal  could have lasting effects, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a professor of political science at the University of Houston.

The public wants progress, and they expect to see it early, said Rottinghaus. We are conditioned to want to see movement quickly, especially when there was a pretty heavy landslide and the issues were fairly obvious that the mayor wanted to address.

The mayor did not mark the occasion, quipping at council Wednesday that he often does not know what day of the week it is, let alone how many days he has been in office. But he said he is proud of the improvements that city services have seen in three-plus months, pointing to reports from neighborhood groups that garbage and recycling bins are now being picked up on the same day.

Theres nothing significant to me about it being 100 days, Whitmire said. We operated today like we did the first day.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Heres a look at Whitmires first 100 days, as told by five key numbers.

$1.5 billion settlement

Marty Lancton, president of Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 341, is photographed coming out of 234th Harris County District Court on Monday, March 18, 2024, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The latest cost estimate for Whitmires deal to end the eight-year stalemate with the firefighters union is now $1.5 billion.

It includes $650 million in backpay to cover the years that firefighters worked without a contract. Under the terms of the deal, firefighters will receive backpay in lump-sum payments, based on a prorated basis for each day worked, according to City Attorney Arturo Michel. The city estimates it will spend about $400 million on interest paying off that debt over 25 to 30 years.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The deal also includes a 10% raise this year, with up to 6% raises in each of the next four years. That could bring the cost of those raises up to $428 million, according to city estimates.

$15 property tax hike

Even before the firefighter deal, the citys financial outlook was grim, with Controller Chris Hollins predicting a $160 million to $200 million deficit  similar to the deficits the city ran pre-pandemic. With debt repayments and interest on the firefighter deal factored in, that number could now be closer to $230 million to $280 million, Hollins said.

While Whitmires administration believes it will be able to cover this years shortfall with the remainder of federal pandemic funds from former Mayor Sylvester Turners administration, it will need new revenue sources as soon as next year.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Whitmire has said he plans to ask voters to amend the property tax cap to allow for more public safety spending. In a discussion last week, he said that could mean an extra $15 a month for the average taxpayer, or $180 per year, according to Chron.com.

Voters would have to approve any amendment to the cap and any tax rate that would exceed it. The city could ask voters to approve a higher tax rate as soon as November, though it would have to wait until 2026 to amend the property tax cap.

125,000 water meter readers

Houston Mayor John Whitmire speaks during a press conference about his water bill improvement plan held at City Hall Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

Whitmires administration hopes to replace 125,000 water meter readers by years end. The mayor said fixing broken meter readers will address the root cause of customers receiving exorbitant water bills.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

BIG BILLS: Houstonians battle soaring water bills as equipment failures and staff shortage complicate charges

In a plan announced last week, the mayor said the city would temporarily stop estimating customers usage until the meter readers were fixed. Instead, City Hall will use the average usage for each customer of up to the last three years, excluding droughts and freezes.

Once a customers meter has been fixed, they will get a credit if their actual usage is below that number, but they will not have to pay more if their usage exceeds the average.

Seven department directors

Whitmire has appointed seven new department directors at City Hall, turning over leadership for about a third of the citys government.

They include new directors for the citys airport system, business opportunity office, finance department, housing department, neighborhoods department, planning department and public library.

Notably, the leaders of the three largest departments  police, fire and public works  remain on the job, at least for now.

STAFF SHAKEUPS: All the major leadership changes made by Houston Mayor Whitmire as he shakes up City Hall

Whitmire has repeatedly said he supports Police Chief Troy Finner, even as the department finds itself embroiled in a scandal over more than 250,000 incident reports that were allegedly closed without investigation due to a lack of personnel.

Meanwhile, Fire Chief Sam Pena long has drawn the ire of the firefighters union, which requested a clause in their new contract saying the next chief must be hired from within the department.

Public Works has struggled recently with water leaks and billing issues. Whitmire has not commented publicly on his plans for that departments leadership.

Vision Zero

Curt Medill, 71, of Houston crosses Houston Avenue near Washington Ave. on Thursday April 4, 2024. In February, Mayor John Whitmire removed concrete medians, which were just installed in December along Houston Avenue to improve safety. Sharon Steinmann

Whitmire has drawn many critics among bicycle and pedestrian advocates when it comes to his approach to transportation planning.

Much of that discussion initially revolved around the mayors decision to remove curbs and medians recently installed on Houston Avenue. Whitmire said he made that call after Finner said they were presenting issues for public safety vehicles.

Whitmires administration has also expressed skepticism over Vision Zero, the aspirational target to end traffic fatalities by 2030 by prioritizing safety and accessibility for all motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Houston Public Media reported last month that the administration was deemphasizing the policy in its planning. Despite that, Whitmire told the Chronicles Editorial Board recently that he supports Vision Zero and the overall importance of pedestrian safety.
YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized in his address on Wednesday during the parliamentary debates on the performance of the Armenian government in 2023 that the further guarantee for the development of Armenia's sovereignty and statehood lies in the regulation and deepening of relations with its neighbors. However, Pashinyan stated that it faces both internal and external challenges.

"One of those challenges is, of course, the ongoing aggressive policy of Azerbaijan, which is expressed in rhetoric, border provocations, the continuous occupation of the sovereign territories of Armenia, acquisitions of weapons worth tens of millions, said Pashinyan.

According to the Prime Minister, Azerbaijan's statements about the reforms of the Armenian army, the formation of new defense structures, and the acquisition of ammunition are an inseparable part of that aggressive policy.

"In other words, what is Azerbaijan's presumption that the Republic of Armenia should not have an army to defend its own country?

I have stated, and I want to emphasize again, that having a combat-capable army is the sovereign right of every country. On the other hand, we also believe that provoking an arms race in the region cannot lead to positive outcomes. However, the reality is that we do not want to engage in an arms race with Azerbaijan.

And if Azerbaijan does not agree, we have a proposal for this situation, which we have previously discussed. We propose to establish a mechanism for mutual control of weapons and to carry out a mirror-like withdrawal of troops from the border line. This approach, by the way, would solve the issues concerning the four villages mentioned by Azerbaijan as well as our 31 villages.

We have suggested demilitarizing the border areas and entrusting the protection of the entire border to the border guard troops, while relocating units of the Ministry of Defense to their permanent bases. This can also be implemented in the case of the concept of a mirror withdrawal of troops, Pashinyan noted.

According to him, all these proposals from Armenia have gone unanswered by Azerbaijan. "We hope to receive a positive response regarding the 8th edition of the peace treaty, which was submitted to Azerbaijan on March 14," concluded Pashinyan.
Norwegian video technology vendor Neat has appointed Jason MacBride as its new regional director for Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ).

Based in Sydney, MacBride will focus on accelerating Neats growth across A/NZ and the wider Oceania region.

The impact of the last few years has led A/NZ organisations to adapt and re-adapt to rapid change. Optimising hybrid work with new technologies and processes remains a major investment focus and shows no signs of slowing down, MacBride said.

Were seeing huge growth driven by customers looking beyond traditional video conferencing setups for flexible and easier to operate devices that support hybrid working.

My focus will be on working closely with the team at Neat and our wider partner community to ensure our customers have access to the latest product innovation that delivers the best collaboration experiences possible.

MacBride joins Neat after more than seven years at Poly. His priorities include channel partner growth and expanding Neats customer footprint into new vertical industry sectors.

Energy and mining companies operate in extreme environments and there is a need for simple to deploy, simple to use and simple to manage video solutions like those delivered by Neat, he said.

Our focus will be on supporting these organisations as they adapt to meet the evolving demands of their hybrid workforces. Neat devices will help them stay better connected to their employers and customers.

Meanwhile has scored two significant customer wins  Atlassian in Australia and Hutt City Council in New Zealand.

According to MacBride, customers like Atlassian and Hutt City Council want simple, reliable meeting room solutions that just work, as well as the freedom to engage on video devices flexible enough to adapt to any situation.

Companies are no longer interested in spending tens of thousands of dollars on a single complex meeting space, he said.

As complexity is removed from the meeting room, so too is cost. Our customers are seeing value in how we have simplified the technology  removing unnecessary cables, programming and various licenses reduce the overall cost per room, allowing customers to video-enable more rooms.

MacBride said reducing the complexity of the technology, reduces the number of support calls or how often engineers need to go onsite.

This allows our partners to focus on more financially rewarding activities, reducing overheads and improving their bottom line. Our partner program also includes rebates for our top-tier resellers, as another way we work to help their business, he said.

Resellers and systems integrators that are willing to adapt and truly help their customers transform their office space, regardless of deployment size, are most successful. Remember, the reseller is still able to assist with professional services (installation, room remediation, acoustic improvement reports, etc.) and ongoing managed services.

To date, Neat has sold over 200,000 video devices to over 12,500 customers globally with more than 11,000 of them in A/NZ.
Mettupalayam/Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to the voters in Tamil Nadu to punish the DMK-Congress combine in the Lok Sabha election for their betrayal of the state's interests in the Katchatheevu issue and the DMKs utterances on the obliteration of "Sanatana Dharma. Later, at a rally in Nagpur, Maharashtra, he said the "Opposition is facing bankruptcy of new ideas" and therefore is spreading lies that if Modi is voted to power again, it will endanger democracy and Constitution.

Addressing a mammoth election rally at Mettupalayam, at the foothills of the Nilgiris, Mr Modi said the people of Tamil Nadu have begun to believe that the BJP is the real force to take on the DMK.

It has been proven that the Congress and the DMK betrayed the Tamils on the Katchatheevu issue and the Tamil Nadu fishermen are paying the price for it, Modi alleged.

The DMK is talking about the elimination of Sanatana Dharma. These are the examples to show their negative mindset and politics of hatred and separatist attitude, he said.

Addressing the Mettupalayam rally, Modi alleged that the DMK government tried to protect those involved in the attempts to conduct bomb blasts at the Sangameshwarar temple in Coimbatore.

The Congress and the DMK avoided the Ram temple consecration ceremony and even criticised his visit to various sacred places in Tamil Nadu, which are associated with Lord Ram, Mr Modi said, and alleged that the DMK did not appreciate the efforts taken to place Sengol in the new Parliament building.

The I.N.D.I.A. bloc has been talking about poverty eradication for decades, but it is interested only in dynastic and family politics to ensure that their kith and kin continue to stay in control of their respective parties and in governance, he said, adding that the Opposition alliance is certainly not interested in the development of the tribals and SC communities.

The NDA government at the Centre has over the past decade made endeavours for poverty alleviation and the development of the downtrodden, the Prime Minister said.

The INDIA bloc did not support the NDA move to make a tribal woman President of the country and it showed their mindset towards the poor and downtrodden, he added.

Stating that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc ridiculed Indian talents when the country began to produce vaccines to fight Covid-19 pandemic under the Make in India mission, Modi said that India proved to the world that it can produce world-class vaccines and supply them to other countries to save lives.

Targeting the Opposition, Modi pointed out that the Congress-DMK alliance predicted a meltdown of the Indian economy during Covid-19 pandemic, but the government provided all necessary help and financial assistance to the MSME sectors to withstand the challenge and sustain their trade.

The people of Tamil Nadu are immensely talented and have the potential to grow big in any field. However, the DMK government failed to provide them with the necessary opportunities and support for development in Coimbatore and in other parts of the state. The textile industry in Coimbatore is suffering due to the hike in power tariffs by the DMK rulers, Mr Modi alleged.

Highlighting his government's achievements, the Prime Minister said that the Union government introduced the Jal-Jeevan scheme to provide potable water to each household, but the DMK is misusing the scheme. He alleged that the DMK is giving connections only to its cadres, ignoring the common poor people.

At the rally, Modi also introduced the partys candidates -- K. Annamalai (Coimbatore), Union minister L. Murugan (The Nilgiris), A.P. Muruganantham (Erode) and K. Vasantha Rajan (Pollachi) -- and urged people to support them.

Addressing a rally at Kanhan town of Nagpur district in support of ruling alliance candidates from Nagpur, Ramtek, Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha seats of Maharashtra, the PM said chief Constitution maker B.R. Ambedkar's soul must be blessing him for nullifying Article 370, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi attacked the Opposition for saying that the Constitution and democracy will be in danger if he wins a third term in office. He said that even during the Vajpayee government's tenure, it was alleged that the Constitution will be changed and the same narrative now shows that the "opposition is facing bankruptcy of new ideas".

"When a poor man becomes PM, democracy comes under threat from the Opposition. It (the Opposition) cannot see a poor mother's son growing in stature. But Modi is committed to serving the people of India," he noted.
Russia is supposedly still able to procure advanced microchips for its military forces in its ongoing war against Ukraine despite trading sanctions imposed on the country, Voice of America reported.

According to a formal letter obtained by VOA, Russian microchip firm AO PKK Milandr was requested to provide 4,080 military grade to Russian forces in Feb. 10, 2023.

The sales order came amidst trading bans with the country, including supplies and materials needed to produce advanced microchips.

Washington has previously accused the same company for illegally procuring microelectronic components for the Russian government in November 2022 when the sanctions are already in effect.

Russia Accused of Using Front Companies to Obtain Advanced Microchips

According to reports, Russian tech companies are using fronts to illegally import the components to Moscow.

Bloomberg earlier reported that Russia allegedly was able to import more than $1.7 billion worth of computer chips last year amid US sanctions on the country.

Many Western countries first imposed trading bans to Russia following its invasion in Ukraine in 2022. Among the barred items are microchips and oil.

Also Read : Russia Imported $1.7 Billion Worth of Computer Chips Amid Trading Sanctions

Alleged Russian-Backed Cyberattacks, Surveillance Surge Amid Tech Sanctions

Reports of Russia still procuring advanced microchips come amidst concerns for the ramp up in cyberattacks and propaganda campaigns in the US and allied nations, many of which came from groups supposedly sponsored by the Russian government.

The British National Cyber Security Crime agency earlier reported an increase in alleged Russian-backed breaches and scams all across Europe

More recent attacks include a cyberattack in Kyiv as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared at the World Economic Forum last December.

Russia's access to advanced microchips also mean it has more leverage towards AI development as evidenced by Microsoft claiming Russian hackers are starting to use chatbots more for their operations.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is already working with other nation's anti-cybercrime groups to apprehend perpetrators responsible for the attacks.
New Delhi: In a major setback to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed his petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. The AAP said Kejriwal will move the Supreme Court against his arrest and the biggest political conspiracy to finish the party.

Asserting that judges are bound by law and not by political considerations, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said political considerations and equations cannot be brought to the court of law as they are irrelevant. This court is only concerned with upholding constitutional morality, she observed.

Hours after the High Court observed that the ED was in possession of enough material which led to Kejriwals arrest, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that the ED and the CBI have failed to recover even one rupee of illegal money in the so-called excise policy case.

Bharadwaj said, The entire matter is not related to money laundering. Rather its the biggest political conspiracy to crush and finish off Kejriwal and the AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab. We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will provide relief to Kejriwal in the same way it granted bail to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in the case.

Meanwhile, the BJP seized the opportunity to attack the AAP and claimed the movement that began with Indian against corruption has now turned into Kejri corruption kranti.

The saffron-fold reiterated its demand for the Chief Ministers resignation, with its Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva questioning if Kejriwal is left with any moral right to continue.

Earlier in the High Court, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma read out the judgment for about half-an-hour and also explained certain portions of her decision in Hindi. The court clarified that it was not dealing with Kejriwals bail plea but his writ petition challenging the arrest on certain grounds.

On the necessity of arrest, the High Court said the ED was in possession of enough material, which led them to arrest the accused. The judge also mentioned that not joining the probe is a contributing factor, but not the only factor behind Kejriwals arrest.

The High Court dealt with Kejriwals contention, questioning the credibility of the statement of approvers in the present case. The contentions were that the approvers had not implicated Kejriwal initially but only at a later stage in exchange for ensuring pardon and bail and thus the statements are unreliable.

The High Court said, Kejriwal will have a valuable right to cross-examine these witnesses as to why they have chosen to give a statement against him after initially giving statements in which they had not implicated him. The evidentiary value of that statement will have to be adjudicated by the trial court at that stage. This court cannot step into the shoes of the trial court and conduct a mini-trial in writ jurisdiction.
Guwahati: Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday claimed that China couldnt encroach even a single inch of land under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. He asserted that the BJP-led government at the centre also stopped infiltration and secured the border with Bangladesh.

Addressing an election rally at Lakhimpur, Shah said, People of Assam will never forget how Jawaharlal Nehru said bye-bye to Assam during the Chinese aggression. Under Modis government, China couldnt encroach even one inch of our land...Assam and Arunachal Pradesh can never forget 1962.

Launching an attack on the Congress, he said, A few days ago, Rahul baba was saying we need to save the culture of Assam. I want to remind him what his grandmother did to Assam. Thousands of youths were misguided and killed, whereas, Narendra Modi signed more than ten peace accords and brought stability to Assam, while adding that over 9,000 people have surrendered and joined the mainstream.

Accusing the Congress of neglecting Assams legends and failing to honour their contributions, Shah said, The BJP government honoured Bhupen Hazarika posthumously by awarding him with the Bharat Ratna. He said where the Congress ignored development and justice for the north-eastern state, the BJP under Modis leadership made transformative changes.

He said while Assam received only Rs 1,62,000 crore in funds from the Congress-led Union government from 2004-2014, the NDA government led by Narendra Modi has allocated Rs 4,15,000 crore in funds in the last 10 years. I am certain that in the upcoming years, Assam will become a developed state, the home minister said.

Shah, who concluded his speech with the slogan of Jai Shree Ram said, For years the Congress had left the Ram Mandir issue hanging. It was during Modis time that the judgment came, bhoomi poojan happened and finally on January 22, the pran pratishtha took place.

Lakhimpur in Assam will vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19. The northeastern state will also vote on April 26 and May 7, the second and third phases respectively. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed the Congress for making several bids to stall the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya and insulting Lord Rama by rejecting the invite for pran pratishtha ceremony in January. Addressing separate rallies in the Hindi heartland states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister also castigated the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty for pushing the country to backwardness.

Amid a back-to-back poll campaign schedule, Modi addressed public rallies in Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh during the day and took out a road show in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in the evening.

Addressing the first election rally in Uttar Pradeshs Pilibhit, Prime Minister Modi said that the I.N.D.I.A bloc partners SP-Congress do not care about Indias heritage and alleged that the Congress made several efforts to stall the construction of the Ram temple.

But when the people of the country made such a beautiful temple by contributing every penny, and when the temple people forgave all their (Congress) sins, and invited them for pran pratishtha, they insulted Lord Rama by rejecting the invitation and expelled leaders who attended it. I still cannot understand that there is so much venom in their mind, Modi said.

In a veiled reference to Acharya Pramod Krishnam, who was sacked by the Congress after he criticised the party for skipping the event, Modi said, Somebody worships Lord Rama, and he is expelled from the party, what type of party is it? Do not forget these people who had committed the sin.

The Prime Minister, referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhis remarks on Shakti, said, Today, the Shakti which is being worshipped in the country has been insulted by the Congress. The Shakti before which we bow our heads, the leaders of the Congress are speaking about uprooting that Shakti. No worshipper of Shakti will forgive the I.N.D.I.A. bloc for this insult.

The Prime Minister also said that the Congress is so immersed in the swamp of appeasement that it can never get out of it. The manifesto prepared by the Congress seems to be that of the Muslim League rather than that of the Congress. And owing to the pressure of appeasement, the Congress and SP are opposing the CAA as well, he said and asked many such families living in Pilibhit to apply for citizenship, and guaranteed that they will permanently be liberated from problems.

Addressing a second rally in tribal-dominated Balaghat, Modi said that even decades after independence, Congress functioned with an old mindset. The Congress had developed an ego over its participation in the freedom movement. Besides, the offspring of a small family dominated the Congress party and the attitude of the dynasty has pushed the country to backwardness, he said while referring to the Nehru-Gandhi family.

When BJP went ahead with its plan to make a tribal woman the President of India (Draupadi Murmu), Congress tried its best to defeat her. Congress does not want to give credit for independence of the country to any tribal freedom fighter. It wants to take all the credit and give it to its royal family, Modi said.

Later in the evening, the Prime Minister held a roadshow in Chennais T Nagar locality. He was joined by the partys state unit president K. Annamalai and its candidates for South Chennai, Central Chennai and North Chennai. Tamilisai Soundararajan has been fielded from South Chennai while Vinoj P. Selvam and R.C. Paul Kanagaraj are the partys picks from Central Chennai and North Chennai, respectively.

Standing atop a decorated car, the Prime Minister waved at his supporters who lined up on either side of the road and he also carried a small cutout of the BJPs symbol, the Lotus.
New Delhi: Observing that a voter does not have an absolute right to delve deeply into a candidates private life, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the election of Independent MLA Karikho Kri from the Tezu Assembly constituency of Arunachal Pradesh in 2019. A bench comprising justices Anirudhha Bose and Sanjay Kumar set aside the July 17, 2023 judgment of the Itanagar bench of the Gauhati High Court which declared the election of Kri from Tezu in Lohit district as null and void. The case relates to Kris alleged suppression of facts in the poll papers in 2019.

The top court allowed the appeal of Kri against the High Court verdict and held that the candidates contesting elections are not required to disclose each and every moveable property owned by them or their affidavits unless they are of substantial value or reflect a luxurious lifestyle. It is not an absolute right for any voter to delve deep into the private life of a candidate and each and every disclosure has to be of such nature which will impact the voting, the bench said.

The top court, however, clarified that the finding was not to be treated as a precedent as it was based only on the facts and circumstances of the case. The detailed judgment is awaited.

The High Court judgment had come on an election petition filed by the then Congress candidate, Nuney Tayang, challenging the declaration of the 2019 Assembly election result on the ground that Kri had made false declarations in his election nomination paper and failed to disclose information about his assets.

The High Court had further observed that Kri had not submitted his nomination paper in accordance with Section 33 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and, therefore, his nomination paper is liable to be rejected under Section 36 (2)(b) of the same Act.

Tayang had filed the petition under the Act, seeking a declaration that the election to the member of the Legislative Assembly from the Tezu Assembly constituency be declared void.

He had alleged that Kri made false declarations in his election nomination paper by not disclosing full details.
New Delhi: In a major jolt to the Aam Aadmi Party, Delhi minister Raaj Kumar Anand on Wednesday tendered his resignation from his post and the partys membership. Amid the ongoing investigation into the liquor policy-linked money laundering case, Mr Anand said he was dissatisfied over the AAPs policy on corruption and cant stay in the party in such a situation. The AAP lost no time in accusing the BJP of using the ED and CBI as part of Operation Lotus to break its ministers and MLAs. Hitting back, the BJP said that the resignation of the minister was the beginning of the end of the AAP.

Earlier in the day, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal approached the Supreme Court against the Delhi high court order upholding his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering matter. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the apex court that this is urgent and is regarding the chief minister whose arrest is based on an un-relied document, suppressed from us. Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud told Mr Singhvi: I will look into the e-mail (seeking early listing of plea). Please send the mail.

Mr Anand, who held about half-a-dozen portfolios including social welfare, SC/ST and labour, announced his resignation from the Delhi Cabinet and all party posts. Addressing a press conference, he took a swipe at the Delhi CM, saying: From the Jantar Mantar, Mr Kejriwal had said the country will change once politics changes. The politics hasnt changed but the politician has changed.

In response to a query on the timing of his resignation, Mr Anand said: It is not about timing. Till yesterday, we were under the impression that we are being framed, but after the high court verdict, it seems that there is something wrong at our end. The high court on Tuesday upheld Mr Kejriwals arrest. The court also cited the ED's claim that the CM had conspired and was actively involved in use and concealment of the proceeds of crime to reject his plea against his arrest.

Mr Anand, an MLA from the Patel Nagar constituency, also alleged that Dalits were not given representation in the party. He said: This party doesn't respect Dalit MLAs, councillors and ministers. In such circumstances, all Dalits feel cheated. We live in an inclusive society, but it is not wrong to talk about proportion. It is difficult for me to remain in the party with all these things, hence I am resigning from the post.

Reacting to Mr Anands resignation, senior AAP leaders claimed this had vindicated the partys stand that Mr Kejriwal's arrest was aimed at finishing the AAP. Addressing a press conference, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said the BJP was using the ED and CBI to break our ministers and MLAs. It is agnipariksha (trial by fire) of AAP ministers and MLAs, he said.

Mr Singh asserted that although the resignation may demotivate some party workers, the AAP will largely stand strong against attempts to break the organisation. Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that Mr Anand may have even been threatened to quit the AAP.

Mr Singh said that earlier the BJP used to call Mr Anand corrupt when a raid was conducted against him by the ED, but now the party will welcome him into its fold with garlands.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said Mr Anand, who was with the AAP since the Anna movement, has answered the call of his own conscience. His resignation is the beginning of the end of the AAP in Indian politics.

Mr Anand had replaced Rajendra Pal Gautam as a minister in the Delhi Cabinet in November 2022. Mr Gautam had to step down as a minister after the BJP targeted him for his alleged anti-Hindu statements. He faced flak over his presence at a religious conversion event where Hindu deities were allegedly berated.

A year after assuming the post of the minister, the ED had reportedly carried out searches at the premises of Mr Anand in connection with another money-laundering case. The ED probe was based on a prosecution complaint filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence alleging false declarations with respect to the import of goods from China to evade customs duty of over Rs 7 crores.
Kolkata/Gaya: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah also went all out against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday to counter her fierce opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 (CAA), which seems to have put the BJP and its key Lok Sabha election agenda on the backfoot in the state. Later in the day, at another rally in Gaya, Bihar, he accused both the Congress and the RJD of indulging in the politics of appeasement.

Launching a blistering attack from a party campaign rally at Balurghat in South Dinajpur on the Trinamul Congress supremo over her anti-CAA stand, Mr Shah accused Ms Banerjee of misleading the communities of Hindu migrants about the law to secure her vote bank of infiltrators in the polls.

The BJP heavyweight then passionately urged the refugees to apply under the CAA, ignoring Ms Banerjee's warnings. He also slammed the Bengal chief minister over the Sandeshkhali violence and an FIR against the NIA, but reduced his target of the BJP winning 35-plus seats out of 42 in Bengal to 30 seats.

In a speech of around 20 minutes, Mr Shah said, I have come here to make an appeal to you with folded hands. We have implemented the CAA. But Mamata Didi is misleading the people of Bengal. She is telling them that they will lose their citizenship if they apply for it. What does she know about citizenship?

Mr Shah claimed: I ask all the refugees who came here to apply for the CAA without any fear. None of them will face any cases or proceedings. This is the law of the Modi government. No one can change it. Mamata Didi, you can oppose it as much as you want. We will give citizenship to all the Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh refugees who came here. This is our promise.

The Union home minister asked the TMC chief, What is your problem if the Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh refugees get citizenship here? How can you give a red carpet welcome to infiltrators and Rohingyas here while misleading the refugees? Your plan will not succeed. Modiji has notified the CAA rules. All the refugees can apply without fear. You have as much right in this country as I do.

On the infiltration issue, Mr Shah pointed out, Can Bengal be strong while infiltration is underway in Balurghat? Will Mamata Didi stop the infiltration? She won't because infiltrators are her votebank. Only Narendra Modi and a BJP government can stop infiltration. Assam had a similar problem. But the people of that state took a decision and brought the BJP into power. Now no infiltration happens there.

On the BJPs goal, Mr Shah told the crowd, I am now telling you about a Modi Guarantee. Help us cross 30 seats and form a BJP government. No bird can set its foot here. He was heard repeating his revised target when he said, 30 seats for the BJP will result in the ouster of the Ms Banerjee government.

Castigating Ms Banerjee over the FIR against the NIA, the Union home minister remarked, Shame on you, Didi! You are trying to save those who are involved in the bomb blast in Bhupatinagar by registering a case against the NIA!

On the Sandeshkhali violence, Mr Sha told her, You, despite being a woman CM, are playing politics over such a shameful incident! The TMC goons unleashed atrocities on women for years under your nose. When the ED went there, stones were pelted. You are protecting the accused for your appeasement politics. Should someone like her be voted for? Press the button so hard that the current is felt in Kolkata.

At another election rally held in Guraru block of Gaya district in Bihar, Mr Shah accused the Congress party of creating a north-south divide to break the country and also accused the Congress and the RJD of indulging in appeasement politics.

The Congress party is creating a north-south divide to break the nation, which the NDA-led Central government and people of the country will not allow. Their leader, Rahul Gandhi, is maintaining a stoic silence on this, the Unin home minister said.

The people of this country have now made up their minds to give a befitting reply to such divisive forces in the Lok Sabha polls and will ensure 400-plus seats for the NDA, he said.

They (the Congress and the RJD) are indulging in politics of appeasement and that is the reason they are protesting the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir," Mr Shah said.

He also claimed that the Congress never wanted Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and never thought of conferring Bharat Ratna on former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur.
by Vladimir Rozansky

In an effort to re-read Russian history in the context of today's war effort, the case of a teacher who used a culinary example has gone viral on Russian social networks. 'Better to prepare pelmeny than to play with assault drones'.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - One of the most important tools of patriotic propaganda in Russia are school lessons, which are now attributed a meaning similar to that of Soviet schools, where teachers were entrusted with the task of "forming the consciences" of future generations .

The commitment was to "maintain a highly scientific and practical, and at the same time theoretical and ideological, level", according to a formulation recently reiterated by the instructions of the Ministry of Education. In particular, this concerns lessons on homeland history, which must not simply convey notions, but create an "educational effect" on students of all levels.

For this reason, a Soviet film from 1968, Let's Resist Until Monday, is very current in Russia, also due to the total lack of foreign films. In it the main character is the historian Ilja Mensikov, who teaches history at school according to textbooks, presenting the heroic figure of "Lieutenant Smidt", a symbolic character of the great Soviet victories in the Great Patriotic War against the Nazis.

During the questioning the student re-enacts the soldier's exploits by repeating the 15 lines of the book by heart, but the teacher asks more, to see if he has understood "the main talent" of the lieutenant: "that of having compassion for the suffering of others more than their own, because it is from here that revolutionaries and poets are born", assigning to heroism an added value that makes war a salvific act, just like the one that Russia is engaging in Ukraine today for the good of the whole world.

This is exactly the content of a note delivered in recent days by Nina Gorjanova, a history teacher, to a sixth-grade student in the Russian region of Tyumen in Siberia, who had been asked to write an essay on "Aleksandr Nevsky: commander , diplomat, Christian.

She entered into a series of tasks that continued with requests for comments on the medieval wars of Rus, the greatness of rule of Ivan IV the Terrible and other characteristics of the heroes of Russian history.

The proposed themes had the intention of arousing the passion of patriotism in adolescents, at the age that is easiest to indulge in suggestions and emotions. And as in the Soviet film, the teacher expresses his regret for the slavish answers, evidently compiled by generous parents or based on texts easily accessible on the internet, perhaps through artificial intelligence applications.

So the teacher from Tyumen resorts to a much more concrete and experiential approach: the preparation of pelmeny, the Siberian ravioli which constitute one of the main dishes of Russian cuisine, with an accurate preparation of the dough and a rather elaborate mix of meats, onions and fats, to obtain a truly "strong dish" that adults accompany with generous portions of vodka.

The story is learned by putting the elements together to obtain the real product, the Russian soul that can be enjoyed at the table, even if not necessarily with alcohol, by throwing frozen pelmeny on the windowsill into boiling water.

The Siberian teacher's initiative was criticized on some parents' chats, but received praise from the school management, so much so that they included the culinary experience in the programs of all classes.

As the historian Dmitry Volokhin, pro-rector for scientific research of the Razumovsky technical-scientific university (Mgutu), expressed it, how can we criticize such an approach? The teacher tried to address the students not as ignorant kids, but as adults in need of life practice, better to prepare pelmeny than play with assault drones." Not all educators of "war patriotism" supported the initiative, but for the kids it was a much more attractive moment than paramilitary exercises, substituting ravioli for bombs and culinary art for that of war.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

India ceded the atoll in 1974 when the Indian National Congress led by Indira Gandhi was in power. Experts believe the prime minister is using the issue to woo voters in Indias southern states ahead of national elections, set to start on 19 April.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  A small uninhabited island located between India and Sri Lanka is unexpectedly at the centre of a dispute between the two countries.

In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the opposition Indian National Congress (INC) in a statement dated 31 March for ceding Katchatheevu Island, in the Palk Strait, to Sri Lanka, saying the party did nothing to safeguard the states interests.

The issue has gained visibility as India's elections approach. The first round of voting is set to begin on 19 April to end in June. Many analysts believe Modi is using the controversial issue to court voters in Indias southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, which lies just north of the strait.

Reacting sharply to Modis comment, the INC said that the PM is raking up an issue ahead of elections in utter desperation.

India ceded the island in 1974 when the country was led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike was her Sri Lankan counterpart.

It was an act of generosity that preceded an exchange of letters between the two South Asian neighbours regarding their maritime border.

After the outbreak of civil war in Sri Lanka in 1983, the island was the scene of fighting between ethnic Tamil Indian fishermen and the Sinhala-dominated Sri Lankan Navy. Several Indians also lost their lives in accidental crossings of the border line.

From time immemorial, Katchatheevu periodically returns to attract attention, especially before elections in India, said political analysts Nishantha Tennakoon and Sachini Caldera speaking to AsiaNews.

Recently, Sri Lankan fishermen have started to fear that the government could cede the island to India. But the Katchatheevu dispute is a complex geopolitical issue and cannot be reduced to parochial anxieties.

According to experts Sampath Mendis and Mayantha Withannage, "the Indian parliament has been debating Katchatheevu for decades, even before the delimitation of maritime borders. The issue had also been addressed by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who recorded his annoyance in a file on 10 May 1961.

Later, in 1974, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Tamil Nadu's main party, publicly opposed ceding the island, but the party leader and chief minister gave his approval to the agreement between Gandhi and Bandaranaike.

Although the Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that in 1974 the two countries reached an agreement and drew the maritime border between the two countries, it is clear that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is against the decision taken by the INC.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda set the stage for another debate by stating that, in exchange for ceding Katchatheevu, India secured a marine area rich in petroleum and fishing grounds.
Fighting is still ongoing after the military junta bombed the city, in Karen State. Thai authorities said yesterday that they expect 100,000 displaced people. Struggling in the countrys border regions, the generals are betting everything on conscription, forcing civilians to enlist.

Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The latest reports from Myanmar note that dozens of regular troops who had attacked the city of Myawaddy, in Karen State on the border with Thailand, have surrendered to resistance militias.

In Thailand, the government said that it had granted permission for a special flight from Yangon to Mae Sot  the Thai city across the border  to transport passengers and cargo without giving further details.

In his weekly general audience in St Peters Square, Pope Francis mentioned Myanmars forgotten war again today.

The border crossing linking Myawaddy to Mae Sot saw more than US$ 1 billion in trade in the last fiscal year, a drop of 30 per cent over the previous year, according to Thai officials.

"We are concerned about border trade with Thailand and hope we can stabilize the situation quickly," said a source in the Karen National Union (KNU), the local ethnic militia.

KNU, along with the People's Defence Forces under the command of the exiled National Unity Government (NUG), defeated the regime's soldiers, about 600 according to local sources,

In other areas freed from the militarys control, local ethnic organisations have already set up independent administrations.

However, as in other occasions, after the surrender, the military junta launched bombing raids in the Myawaddy region in an attempt to regain control and force the local population to flee to neighbouring Thailand

Tai authorities expect in fact the number of displaced people to rise, up to 100,000 people, Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara said yesterday.

We have prepared for a while and we can accommodate about 100,000 people in Thailand's safe area temporarily," he explained.

Like other countries in the region, Thailand is not a signatory to the Geneva Convention on Refugees. But last month, it began shipping humanitarian aid to Myanmar, albeit deemed insufficient by some and linked to the logistical facilities of the military regime.

Over the past three years, the Thai government has often been criticised for supporting the junta. In reference to the flight from Yangon, the Thai Foreign Ministry issued a statement.

Upon considering the urgency of the situation and the possibility of an evacuation of Myanmar personnel and their families to safe areas, a decision was made at the government level to approve the request from Myanmar on humanitarian grounds.

The defeat in Myawaddy is further confirmation of the weakness of Myanmars military junta in the countrys border regions since it seized power in a coup in February 2021).

The current regime is starting to lose some strength, said Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin last week, acknowledging the juntas weakness; yet, even if they're losing, they have the power, they have the weapons.

Since Thailand would benefit from a stable and prosperous Myanmar, Mr Srettha noted that, Maybe it's time to reach out and make a deal.

Since October 2023, ethnic militias have captured large swathes of territory in several states: Shan (bordering China), Rakhine (bordering Bangladesh), and now Karen state.

In recent months, thousands of soldiers have been killed or deserted, forcing the military to impose the draft for both men and women to compensate for the losses.

As a result, people in their hundreds are trying to flee to neighbouring countries, to the point, writes Nikkei Asia, that the demand for foreign currency has further depreciated Myanmars national currency, the kyat.

According to some observers, it is likely that in the coming weeks, the military will intensify its harassment of civilians to force them into the ranks of the army.

Recruitment has so far not achieved the results the generals hoped for, which is why, according to some experts, "Military officials will need to rely on entrapment, arbitrary abductions, and other repressive methods to get people into battle dress.
by John Ai

Founder of a Chinese propaganda website. Meanwhile, the Czech Republic is considering expelling a Chinese diplomat for following Taiwanese Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim during her visit to Prague in March.

Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The Swedish authorities have ordered the expulsion of a Chinese journalist and a permanent ban on her return for national security reasons. The journalist was arrested by Swedish security services in October last year and removed from Swedish territory last week.

Swedish national broadcaster SVT did not release the journalist's name, but did disclose some information. The journalist is a 57-year-old woman who arrived in Sweden about 20 years ago. She married a Swedish man with whom she had children.

According to the report, the woman has established ties with the Chinese embassy in Stockholm and with some people linked to the Chinese government. The journalist has also worked in other Nordic countries, including Denmark and Finland.

According to the Swedish news site, Kinamedia, which covers China-related issues, the expelled journalist is Xuefei Chen Axelsson (), founder of the pro-Chinese government website, Green Post. The Swedish Security Service reportedly discovered that her website was paid by Beijing's embassy in Stockholm to publish articles supporting the Chinese government.

On the Green Post website you can find propaganda articles, such as a photo exhibition on Xinjiang in Stockholm. According to the site's presentation, Chen herself, as editor-in-chief, has worked in past years for China's official media, including China Radio International and Xinhua News Agency.

The website of the Chinese Embassy in Stockholm also did not name the journalist, but urged Swedish authorities to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens are not violated.

We oppose causing problems by spreading rumors  reads the note  we oppose ideologization, we oppose unfounded accusations and slander against China. Lawyer Leutrim Kadriu defending the woman insisted that she would not harm Sweden's national security, but her appeal was rejected.

Tensions between Sweden and China have lasted for several years now. In late 2015, Swedish citizen and publisher Gui Minhai disappeared while on vacation in Thailand.

Several employees of his Hong Kong publishing house, famous for selling books on Chinese politics, also disappeared into thin air. Chinese security agents are believed to have kidnapped them and taken them back to China.

Furthermore, in 2018, Tibetan Dorjee Gyantsan was sentenced to 22 months in prison for spying on the Tibetan community in Sweden on behalf of the Chinese authorities.

All this is happening as fears over China's aggressive presence grow in Europe. Taiwan's Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim was shadowed by a Chinese diplomat throughout her visit to Prague in March, according to reports from the Czech Republic.

At one point the car she suspects ran a red light and almost caused an accident. The police stopped it and discovered that the driver belonged to the military section of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Prague. The Czech government is considering placing the Chinese military diplomat on the list of unwanted persons, which would lead to permanent expulsion.
The criticism for the Cruise driverless taxis has just died down, and not yet completely. Still, people in the US will be seeing the cars around again soon as General Motors is gearing up to re-release them since it was suspended in October.

Cruise's Redeployment

A small number of self-driving cars would be released soon in Phoenix after General Motors announced that it would shut down operations back in October. This time around, the robotaxis will not be released as unmanned vehicles.

Now operating with human drivers, the company said that it is "a critical step for validating our self-driving systems as we work towards returning to our driverless mission." Cruise's eventual goal is to bring back automated driving for its cars.

There's not a lot of information about the redeployment, since General Motors did not disclose its plans for expansion for its human-driven taxis. It's also unclear when the company plans to bring back its driverless taxis without human supervision.

As mentioned in CNBC, Cruise paused operations so they could "focus on rebuilding trust with regulators and the communities we serve, and to redesign our approach to safety." With the incident that led to its suspension, this step was vital for the service.

"We've made significant progress, guided by new company leadership, recommendations from third-party experts, and a focus on a close partnership with the communities in which our vehicles operate. We are committed to this improvement as a continuous effort," Cruise added.

Read Also : Cruise Executives Leave the Company After Suspension Over Safety Concerns





Cruise Accident

There was already a string of minor incidents involving Cruise's robotaxis, but the accident that caused a pedestrian to be dragged across the road for 20 feet was the final nail in the coffin for the company. While the victim survived, she sustained major injuries from the crash.

Before the robotaxi made contact with the civilian, she was already hit by a human-driven car and was thrown into the path of the driverless taxi. What made the accident worse was that Cruise allegedly tried to downplay the extent of it.

Back in December, California regulators accused the company of covering up the details, which led to a potential $1.5 million fine. The initial report said that the robotaxi immediately stopped after making contact with the pedestrian.

The accident not only resulted in Cruise's operations being suspended, but it also caused several executives to be removed from the company. According to Electrek, nine executives were fired by General Motors after the poor handling of the situation.

The impacted staff included Chief Operating Officer Gil West, Chief Legal and Policy Officer Jeff Bleich, and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs David Estrada. The company believed that "new leadership is necessary" to rebuild trust and operate with the highest standards.

For now, Cruise will have to stick to human-driven operations to ease into the service. The company has huge stakes in redeploying the vehicles, especially since it already lost almost $2 billion last year between January to September, along with the $732 million loss in the third quarter.
By Lee Gyu-lee

Adopting a popular story with a strong fan base can be tricky, as it requires avoiding duplicating the original narrative while still pleasing its dedicated fans. However, director Yeon Sang-ho's new Netflix original series "Parasyte: The Grey" manages to strike the right balance, crafting something distinct while remaining faithful to the concept of the beloved Japanese horror manga series "Parasyte."

The new sci-fi action series, which hit the platform on April 5, follows a girl, Jeong Su-in (Jeon So-nee), who works at a supermarket. She has lived a lonely, secluded life, growing up with an abusive father.

One day, she is involved in a fatal accident and becomes the host to a parasite named Heidi, which survives by inhabiting a human body. As other parasites begin to take over human hosts in order to gain power, a task force known as "The Grey," led by Choi Joon-kyung (Lee Jung-hyun), is formed to eliminate those disguising themselves in human form.

With the help of a gangster named Seol Kang-woo (Koo Kyo-hwan), who lost his sister to parasites, Jeong must find a way to survive while learning to co-exist with Heidi.

Yeon, renowned for directing the apocalyptic film Train to Busan (2016) and the series Hellbound (2021), described the series as his fan fiction inspired by the original manga series by Hitoshi Iwaaki, emphasizing that it is more than just a straightforward adaptation.

Ive been a fan (of the manga) for a long time. So, I approached this project as if I were writing fan fiction about my favorite person. Since the beginning, I never even thought about whether creating a 'Parasite' spin-off would do well commercially, he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Jongno District, Seoul, Tuesday.

"The series shares the same universe as the original, but I wanted to create our own unique story," Yeon said. "The process was more enjoyable than feeling overwhelmed. The original creator was very open, allowing us to try different approaches. Rather than fashioning it as a simple Korean remake, I started out with the question: 'What if it happened in Korea?' and developed the story from there."

In the series, Heidi completely overtakes Su-in's consciousness, whereas in the original work, the main protagonist Shinichi Izumi can communicate and interact with the parasite on his arm.

Jeon, who had to play the dual roles of Su-in and Heidi, expressed her excitement about crafting a distinct narrative stemming from the original, despite the complexity of portraying both a human and a non-human character simultaneously.

I dont think you can satisfy any expectation 100 percent  So I was glad that its a new story. Because the original was flawless, instead of just portraying the same story differently, it was more rewarding and enjoyable with the changed setting, allowing us to add our own colors, she said.

When I first heard that I would be playing both roles (Heidi and Su-in), I was initially scared. I felt it was important to figure out how to effectively distinguish them. But as I contemplated this, I realized it was more important to create a convincing Su-in character.

Jeon focused on the differences between herself and Su-ins aloof personality.

While there are indeed some parallels between myself and the character, I find myself more intrigued by our differences. Unlike Su-in, I don't carry the same sense of loneliness or lack of enthusiasm for life. Consequently, I found myself reflecting on the ways in which she diverges from my own experiences, she said.

The event that unfolded was unfortunate, yet it served as a catalyst for her to experience a sense of connection for the first time as she begins to forge a relationship with someone. Thus, I focused on depicting how she gradually starts to regain her enthusiasm for life."

In addition to the action-driven VFX spectacle portraying parasites emerging from the human body and The Grey team's relentless battle against them, the series also encapsulates a profound philosophical message about co-existence and community.

"I embedded a message about the significance of coexistence and the interconnectedness of all creatures. I interpreted the term parasite as representing dependence. Therefore, I aimed to craft a narrative where Heidi relies on Su-in, ultimately leading them to coexist and survive together, the director said.

With Season 1, I aimed to delve into the story of the organization. I immersed myself in all aspects related to organizations. Thus, Gang-woo is depicted as a gangster from an organized gang, while the parasites are portrayed as members of a religious cult."

The series ends with a surprise guest appearance of Shota Sometani, who played Shinichi Izumi in the Japanese movie adaptation Parasyte, hinting at a possible Season 2.

The director noted that he does have the plot for the follow-up season, yet the production has not been determined.

I do have ideas for what happens after. I can tell you that Shinichi will appear if theres Season 2, he said.

"I have already written parts of the script for Season 2 and explained the setting to Shota (when filming the last scene).
Massive congratulations to RESN & GETTY for winning Site of the Month November 2023 with SCULPTING HARMONY, thanks for all the votes and tweets.

Sculpting Harmony is a digital exhibition from Getty celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Frank Gehrys iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. Presenting sweeping views of over 150 models, sketches, and photographs from the Frank O. Gehry papers, viewers can explore new interviews with Frank Gehry, interactive 3D media and novel scholarship. The digital exhibition provides a captivating glimpse into the innovative work that went into the design of a building that is sometimes called the living room of Los Angeles.

Background

In 2017, the Getty Research Institute (GRI) took a significant step by acquiring the Frank Gehry Papers. This extensive collection spans from 1954 to 1988 and encompasses a wealth of materials such as sketches, models, photographs, and videos. To preserve these invaluable resources, the GRI undertook a massive digitization effort, transforming hundreds of thousands of items into digital format. The goal was twofold: to protect an essential part of architectural heritage and to make it accessible to a broader audience, including scholars and enthusiasts in the field of architecture.

In 2023, Resn joined the project at the invitation of the GRI, an interactive exhibition focused on one of Gehry's most iconic creations, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The project represents the culmination of over seven years dedicated to archiving, 3D imaging, and digitization, combined with two years of thorough research and narrative development, all leading up to six months of focused design and development work. Unveiled in October 2023, the exhibition provides a deep dive into Gehry's creative process, offering visitors an engaging and immersive experience that highlights the intersection of art and innovation central to Gehry's enduring impact.

As one of the most celebrated architects of our era, Frank Gehry needs no introduction. He counts among the greatest architectural innovators of the last century and the Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of his most iconic creations. Sculpting Harmony takes a deep dive into the creative process behind the concert hall, revealing the insights, inspirations, and innovative techniques that helped shape the concert hall's unique form. One of the design goals was to infuse Frank Gehrys authentic style and trademark sketches into the site. We aimed to strike a balance between a vibrant celebration of Gehrys virtuoso architectural style and an elegant, editorial approach for a scholarly audience.

So, what I focused on when I designed the Disney Hall is the relationship of the audience to the performer and then the performer to the performer and the audience to the audience." - Frank Gehry

Capturing a Masterpiece

We gave the audience a fitting introduction to the WDCH through stunning aerial footage, allowing them to advance the camera as they scroll. To achieve this we prototyped a 3D replica of the building and mapped out the movement for seven cameras. The drone team in L.A. then used this data to precisely choreograph their flight paths around the building.

Typography

Typography became a vehicle to express ideas like the distinctive shapes of the concert hall, diverse orchestral sounds, and Gehrys playful personality. Beginning with Sharp Grotesk as a foundation, we played with its limits, infusing motion and mirroring Frank's innovative and challenging architectural style.

Technologies

The project leverages Resn's proprietary framework as its foundation. The base architecture is built on Nuxt and VueJs, with the addition of Storyblok CMS for comprehensive content management.

Animations

For dynamic animations, we predominantly used gsap's timeline animation. We paired this with the scroll trigger feature to control the flow and progression of the animations.

With the title animations, we used a blend of SVG components and GSAP's Scroll Trigger. This stretches and contracts the vertical scale in proportion to the scroll position to achieve a seamless and fluid motion.

We used Three.js to create the 3D from Getty's exquisite scanned photogrammetry models. These models provide an authentic depiction of Frank Gehry's concepts, represented through detailed scaled replicas.

Scroll-triggered Video

The project incorporates Scrolly Video for managing scroll-triggered video playback. Although this is a great tool for creating perfect video scrubbing behaviour, challenges arose when handling larger video files. The decodeVideo feature from the WebCodecs API led to significant memory issues and a decrease in performance. Consequently, the team decided to use a more basic, fallback approach to overcome these difficulties.

Company Info

About Resn:

Resn is an award-winning creative agency reimagining digital for the future. Since 2004, Resn has been a global pioneer of immersive digital experiences for the web and beyond. From its offices in New Zealand and the Netherlands, Resn partners with some of the world's most innovative brands to tell their stories and elevate their ideas for a global audience. Discover more about Resn at https://resn.co.nz/

About the Getty:

Getty is a cultural and philanthropic institution dedicated to the presentation, conservation, and interpretation of the worlds artistic legacy. Through the collective and individual work of its constituent programsGetty Conservation Institute, Getty Foundation, J. Paul Getty Museum, and Getty Research InstituteGetty pursues its mission in Los Angeles and throughout the world, serving both the general interested public and a wide range of professional communities in order to promote a vital civil society through an understanding of the visual arts. (copy from https://www.getty.edu/about/)

About Frank Gehry:

Frank Gehry is one of the world's most celebrated architects, renowned for his innovative and iconic designs. His portfolio includes the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, the Experience Music Project in Seattle, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, among many others. Resn is proud to announce the release of Sculpting Harmony. We worked with @GettyMuseum to create this digital exhibition showcasing the remarkable architectural journey behind Frank Gehry's iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Ani Chatinian, a lawyer for the Helsinki Citizens Assembly, said the organization learned of the arrest of Anatoly Shchetinin on April 9 and were trying to prevent him from being sent to Russia.

Shchetinin was transferred to the territory of a Russian military base in Armenias northwestern city of Gyumri and preparations were under way to fly him to Russia, according to human rights activists.

Artur Sakunts, the head of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly office in the Armenian city of Vanadzor, told the publication that first reported Shchetinins arrest, that it is not known under what circumstances he was detained. In a statement, the organization said that the abduction of the man violates the laws of Armenia.

The case is similar to one last year involving Russian citizen Dmitry Setrakov, who fled Russia to avoid mobilization to the war in Ukraine. Setrakov was detained in November.

Rights watchdogs said at the time that Setrakov was detained by Russian military police on Armenian territory.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in an interview with France 24 in February expressed concern over the detention of Setrakov, calling it an abduction and saying we cannot tolerate illegal actions on our territory.

Setrakov deserted from the Russian army and was also detained in Gyumri. Twelve days after his arrest, he was taken to Russia.

Chatinian said the actions of Russians in both cases were unauthorized and criminal.

Weve sent a report to the Chief Prosecutors Office about the crime, Chatinian said. The report says that in the territory under the jurisdiction of Armenia Russian law-enforcement agencies have no jurisdiction to carry out such an operation, and Anatoly Shchetinin should be transferred immediately to Armenian law enforcement agencies.

Shchetinins reason for draft evasion is not known. It is also not known how he arrived in Armenia.

What happened both in the case of Setrakov and in Shchetinins case is illegal and exaggerates the scope of the powers of the Russian military, Chatinian stressed.

She added that lawyers must act very quickly to avoid repeating what happened to Setrakov, who was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison and is now in the fourth month of that sentence in a prison in Rostov.

(Written by Margret Johnston, with reporting by Satenik Kaghzvantsian)
The session of the Council of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries is scheduled to be held in Minsk, Belarus, on April 12.

The CIS is a loose organization of a dozen former Soviet countries set up immediately after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.

In the past decades Georgia and Ukraine quit the Moscow-led organization because of Russian aggressions against their countries. And Moldova, having suspended its de facto participation, has said it plans to quit the organization by the end of 2024.

Mirzoyans decision to skip the CIS gathering comes several days after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian held a trilateral meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels. The meeting was focused on efforts to increase Armenias resilience and diversify its economy heavily dependent on Russia.

Russia denounced the Brussels meeting, accusing the West of trying to oust it from the South Caucasus.

According to Russian news agency TASS, at the Minsk meeting of CIS foreign ministers Armenia will be represented at the level of a deputy minister.

RFE/RLs Armenian Service could not immediately verify this information from the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

Armenia already lowered the status of its participation in CIS gatherings when it sent a peacekeeping brigade commander to a meeting of chiefs of armed forces general staffs of CIS member states in Moscow last week.

In 2022, Armenia effectively suspended its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan after accusing the Russia-led defense bloc of failing to respond to the security challenges facing Armenia, in particular, Azerbaijans incursions into sovereign Armenian territory in 2021-2022.

The Armenian government has also accused Russian peacekeepers deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 of failing to stop Azerbaijans lightning offensive in September 2023 that ended with Baku regaining control over the region that for three decades was under ethnic Armenians control.

Armenias parliamentary opposition has taken issue with the approach of the Pashinian government to boycotting post-Soviet gatherings.

Armen Rustamian, a lawmaker with the opposition Hayastan faction, said on Tuesday that not participating in the CIS meeting at the level of the minister is a continuation of confrontation with Russia.

He claimed that the West had demanded that Armenia become part of the anti-Russian front.

This is obviously changing allegiances during a war. They run from one trench to another during battle. We also see that there are many issues to be dissatisfied with regarding the activities of the CSTO and our strategic partners, but behaving in the manner of an offended person is incongruous with normal political processes and statesmanship, Rustamian said.

Armenian leaders have not officially announced immediate plans to quit either the CSTO or the Eurasian Economic Union, a trade grouping of five former Soviet nations, including Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. But Pashinian and members of his political team have made a case for a more balanced foreign policy to boost Armenias international standing in terms of both economy and security.

Hakob Badalian, a Yerevan-based political analyst, has doubted the wisdom of taking a confrontational way of doing that.

We are ready to deepen our relationship with the West and that is very important. But the question is whether we need to do that by taking a confrontational path in our relations with Russia. Yes, there are problems, but I think that these problems should be discussed, he said.

Meanwhile, pro-government lawmaker Vagharshak Hakobian downplayed the political implications behind Armenias decision to send a deputy foreign minister to the CIS gathering. He put it down to an organizational issue.

This does not mean that anyone wants to have confrontation with anyone. On the contrary, this is a working process, and we do participate in the CIS meeting, he said.

Hakobian, who is deputy head of the Armenian parliaments committee on Eurasian integration, said that Armenia has no intention of suspending its cooperation with the CIS. The Republic of Armenia adheres to all of its international agreements, he said.
The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia said the cross-border gunfire followed an incident with an Armenian shepherd inadvertently crossing into Azerbaijani-controlled territory while looking for his lost flock near the Armenian village of Nerkin Khndzoresk in the southern Syunik Province.

The events developed in such a way that a shootout occurred. As a result of the incident the Azerbaijani side suffered one wounded, it said.

The NSS said that its border troops were ready for a joint investigation with Azerbaijani counterparts.

Regardless of the joint investigation, the border troops of the Republic of Armenia are conducting their own investigation, and the results will be reported additionally. The question of how and why the shepherd and his flock crossed the border is also being clarified. We also note that the Azerbaijani side has returned the lost flock. The shepherd is also on the territory of Armenia, the NSS said, stressing that such incidents are undesirable for the Armenian side.

According to the Azerbaijani version of the events, the personnel of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan registered a violation of the state border by two Armenians who drove about 200 heads of sheep 300 meters inside Azerbaijani territory.

The border guards on duty, while trying to prevent the violation of the state border, came under fire from a combat post of the Armenian armed forces from the opposite side, as a result of which senior lieutenant Rovshan Mamedov was injured, it said.

According to the report, the serviceman was immediately taken to a medical facility.

Currently, the border situation is stable and is under the control of our units. Responsibility for this latest provocation by the Armenian side lies entirely with the military-political leadership of Armenia, Azerbaijans State Border Service said.

The latest incident comes after several days of heightened tensions along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border that both sides blame on each other.

Azerbaijans wounded soldier is the first casualty reported by either side in a series of border shooting incidents that have occurred since late last week.
10 April 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

With roots dating back over a century, the relationship between Azerbaijan and Italy has stood the test of time and evolved into a multidimensional strategic partnership. Even during the People's Republic era, Italy played a crucial role, holding the mandate for Azerbaijan. Following Azerbaijan's regaining state independence, the economic and political ties between the two nations continued to improve.

A significant milestone in this enduring partnership was marked on February 20, 2020, when President Ilham Aliyev visited Italy, underscoring the high level of relations between the two countries. During this visit, the Joint Declaration on Strengthening the Multidimensional Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Italy was signed in Rome. This declaration paved the way for enhanced cooperation not only in the oil and gas sector but also across various facets of the economy, encouraging Italian investments in Azerbaijan's industry, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, transport logistics, and more.

Delegations of Foreign Ministries discuss strategic partnership

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic have held another round of political consultations in Rome, Italy.

The delegations were led by Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fariz Rzayev, and Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli.

During the meeting, the sides explored multidimensional strategic partnership between the two countries based on traditional friendship and mutual trust and its strengthening, as well as the possibilities of solidifying relations in the political, trade-economic, energy, defence and security, transport, logistics, and humanitarian domains.

Both parties emphasized the importance of continuing high-level reciprocal visits, as well as holding the Strategic Dialogue and the next meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission for reinforcing the partnership.

The discussions also revolved around mutual interest on international and regional agenda, as well as expanding cooperation in multilateral formats.

The Italian delegation was briefed on the preparations for COP29, slated to take place in Azerbaijan this November, and the associated tasks. Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister provided an overview of the regional landscape, highlighting Azerbaijan's endeavors toward fostering lasting peace in the region, addressing the challenges posed by landmines and the ongoing restoration and reconstruction projects in the liberated territories. Discussions also focused on potential areas of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy in addressing these issues.

The parties underscored the importance of cultural, scientific, and educational exchanges between the two nations, particularly those within the framework of the Italy-Azerbaijan University in Baku.

During the visit, Fariz Rzayev also met with other Italian officials, and delivered a speech at the events arranged at prestigious think tanks in Rome.

Italy, Azerbaijan economic partnership

Italy currently stands as one of Azerbaijan's main trade partners, with a mutual trade turnover exceeding 15 billion US dollars. It has been a partner since 2020, and last year, according to the statistics of the State Customs Committee, products worth 15 billion 208 million dollars were exported from Azerbaijan to Italy. Besides, products worth $477 mln and 903 thousand were imported from Italy to Azerbaijan.

While the oil and gas sector has traditionally dominated economic relations, recent years have witnessed a diversification of cooperation into the non-oil sector. A total of 114 Italian companies operate in various sectors in Azerbaijan, including industry, construction, trade, agriculture, communication, and services.

Oil and gas firms, as well as non-oil companies, are active players in the Italian market. They are contractors on 277 projects totaling 9.9 billion dollars in the oil and gas industry, while they are involved in 37 projects totaling 708 million dollars in the non-oil industry.

Italy's large share in Azerbaijan's energy

Italy's position in Azerbaijan's energy environment is particularly significant concerning the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project. At the border between Greece and Turkey, TAP joins TANAP directly to transmit natural gas to southern Italy via the Adriatic Sea, Greece, and Albania. About 10 billion cubic metres of natural gas were delivered to Italy via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) in 2023. Additionally, the consortium stated that TAP will be able to supply an additional 1.2 billion cubic metres of gas annually starting in 2026.

Natural gas from the massive Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea's Azerbaijani region is transported to Europe by TAP. The 878 km pipeline spans the Adriatic Sea, Greece, Albania, and Southern Italy before connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border near Kipoi.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
10 April 2024 10:35 (UTC+04:00)

At the end of this year, a meeting of religious leaders will be held in Baku, Azernews reports, citing Haji Allahshukur Pashazade as saying in an interview with local journalists.

He said that the issue of inviting Catholicos of Armenians II Gareghi to the meeting will be considered.

"He did not pretend that I would invite him to Baku. I once invited him to Azerbaijan, and he came here and participated in a religious conference. Today, the Armenian Church, led by the Armenian Catholicos, is promoting revanchism all over the world.

Today, there is no agreement that Azerbaijan has liberated its lands. They still do not agree that Garabagh is Azerbaijani land. We suggested that he accept it. Life goes on, one day he will understand it," Allahshukur said.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
10 April 2024 13:15 (UTC+04:00)

Ramadan Eid prayer was performed in the city of Shusha, which was liberated from occupation, Azernews reports.

Prayers prayed for Azerbaijanis and Azerbaijan during the Eid prayer at Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque.

During the Eid prayer, the children of the Motherland who lost their lives in the struggle for the territorial integrity of the country were remembered.

It should be noted that this year the month of Ramadan in Azerbaijan began on March 11. According to the relevant decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, April 10 and 11, Ramadan holiday is celebrated in Azerbaijan.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Protection of Erhai Lake in SW China's Yunnan yields economic benefits

People's Daily Online) 09:42, April 10, 2024

Since 2015, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province has been rolling out strict measures to protect Erhai Lake, leading to the continuous improvement of the lakes water quality.

As the ecological environment of Erhai Lake continues to improve, the lake that boasts a picturesque scenery captivates throngs of tourists all year round. The ecological benefits of the lake have been transformed into economic benefits.

Photo shows the beautiful scenery of Erhai Lake from Xindi Coffee in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

Located near the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, Xindi Coffee in Xiamo village, Dali city of the prefecture opens at 6:30 a.m. these days to welcome tourists who come to watch the sunrise.

Tourists can also enjoy the suns rays penetrating the clouds, known as the Tyndall effect, rainbow, beautiful ottelia acuminata, an aquatic species endemic to China and a sign of high-quality water, and black-headed gulls at the coffee shop.

At the cafe's balcony, visitors often take photos with Erhai Lake in the backdrop. "We have a steady stream of visitors from morning till night. We received a maximum of over 4,000 tourist visits a day, 99 percent of whom came from other places," said Du Jie, owner of the cafe, which has become a popular destination.

"After the ecological corridor was built, our visitor numbers skyrocketed by more than 100 times," Du added.

In Xiamo village, many villagers have capitalized on their proximity to the ecological corridor by opening up snack shops, cold drink stores, inns, craft stores, and photo studios.

Benefiting greatly from the conservation efforts of Erhai Lake, Du said his cafe's success is inextricably linked to the lake. "The clearer the lake is, the better my cafe's business is," he noted.

Dali prefecture has taken measures to curb agricultural non-point source pollution, which used to be a major pollution source of the water in Erhai Lake.

Photo shows the stunning scenery of the Xizhou old town in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Fu Hao)

In the Xizhou old town facing Erhai Lake, the government has promoted the ecological planting of crops such as wheat and rice.

The implementation of pollution control projects for the lake effectively prevents irrigation water for agricultural activities from flowing into the lake. The building of water-saving irrigation facilities channels irrigation water into wetlands for natural purification and irrigation.

The vast expanses of wheat and rice fields offer breathtakingly pleasant views.

Duan Yufeng, the person in charge of a branch of Dali Tourism Ancient Town Development Co., Ltd., said that since 2017, the company has obtained nearly 3,000 mu (200 hectares) of land through the transfer of land-use rights from locals in the Xizhou old town for ecological planting. The expansive wheat and rice fields blend seamlessly with Erhai Lake, creating a romantic landscape that has drawn a significant influx of visitors to the town.

Records show that Xizhou old town, as an important tourist attraction along the shores of Erhai Lake, has seen the largest daily visitor flow of over 40,000.

In recent years, destination weddings, where ceremonies are held in tourist spots, have emerged as a new business form in Dali's tourism industry.

"Destination weddings started to emerge in Dali around 2019, and have since been growing by 200 percent annually," according to Zhao Canhui, head of the association for destination wedding ceremonies under the tourism association in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture.

In 2023, Dali was the chosen location for over 4,000 couples' wedding ceremonies, with at least 90 percent coming from outside the province, and the total output value exceeding 200 million yuan ($27.65 million), he added.

The breathtaking scenery of Erhai has played an indispensable role in the rise of destination weddings in Dali.

A wedding ceremony takes place beside Erhai Lake in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

Dali offers more than 30 types of wedding ceremonies and boasts of over 100 businesses dedicated to destination weddings and related services.

Last year, Dali city received over 60 million domestic and international tourist visits, a remarkable 72 percent increase from the previous year, generating total tourism revenue of more than 90 billion yuan, up by about 85 percent year on year.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Korea is currently Asia's fifth-largest data center market

By Anna J. Park

As Korea burgeons into a pivotal data center hub in the Asia Pacific region, the advancing frontier of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will function as a key factor for the nation's data center market growth in the coming years, Cushman & Wakefield's Korea data center advisory team lead highlighted.

In a recent exclusive interview with The Korea Times, John Pritchard, head of Cushman & Wakefield's Tenant Advisory Group and leader of the Korea Data Center Advisory Team, emphasized that both domestic and global data center markets are projected to retain their allure for investors due to the favorable business conditions prevailing in these markets.

"The more technology we use, the faster the technology is, the more data centers we need in order to absorb and to supply that information," Pritchard said, adding that demand for data will increase as AI technologies continue to proliferate, requiring larger and more capable data centers.

He explained that the growing trend of remote work, the rising popularity of streaming services on OTT devices, and the widespread adoption of AI-based chatbots and services by companies are collectively propelling a surge in the demand for data sourced from data centers.

"The recent emergence of AI and machine learning will remain a key demand driver for the Korea data center market in upcoming years. These applications and services require significant computing power to function and are best supported in new age data centers, which can accommodate high power requirements, necessitating further development of these facilities across the country," he underscored.

Historically, the data center market in Korea was mainly dominated and led by domestic operators and telecommunication businesses, including SK broadband, Lotte Data Communication, LG U+, and other Korean conglomerates and big tech firms, such as Naver and Kakao.

Recognizing the promising growth potential of the Korean market, buoyed by its robust digital economy and infrastructure network, prominent international players have recently made significant inroads. Notable entrants include Digital Realty and Equinix, alongside fund-backed colocation platforms like SC Zeus, Empyrion Digital, and Stack Infrastructure.

"Global trends, such as increased cloud adoption and migration, have seen international cloud service providers initiate expansion strategies across multiple markets, including Korea," Pritchard said.

Greater Seoul is premier data center market

Regarding the distinctive appeal of Seoul and its surrounding capital areas in attracting data centers, the lead of the global real estate service firm's Korea data center advisory team outlined several key factors. These include the region's robust infrastructure, sophisticated power grid, and its status as a thriving hub for commerce and industry.

"Approximately 50 percent of Koreas population lives near to Seoul and is the countrys principal city, the main hub for commerce and industry. From an operator perspective, it is the prime location in Korea to be close to end users and customers. Seoul hosts Koreas largest office market and is the hub for innovation," he said.

"The Greater Seoul area is supported by strong infrastructure, extensive fiber networks and a sophisticated power grid and transport network. In addition, the citys large population enables operators to benefit from a large pool of skilled labor," he emphasized.

Gov't decentralizes data centers

While Pritchard acknowledged that the greater Seoul area will remain as the essential target for hyperscale and colocation groups owing to the large population, customer base and strong latency profile, he said more attention is being afforded to secondary and tertiary cities, equipped with the requisite power, zoning and infrastructure.

The impetus behind such a move stems from the Korean government's policy directive aimed at decentralizing data center markets. This shift is necessitated in part by the mounting constraints facing the Greater Seoul area, including limited available land, escalating construction costs, constrained supply, and power restrictions. Consequently, this is poised to catalyze an uptick in the provision of regional data centers across the country.

"Government incentives have been created to encourage data center development to be directed into neighboring provinces, such as Gangwon Province, South Jeolla and North Jeolla Provinces. The incentives available vary from reductions on the electricity facility levy, support in land offerings, plus investment subsidies, which are being offered by select regional governments," he said.

"So moving forward there's probably going to be a decentralization into locations where the government is very pro-data center and pro-job creation, and also where there's potential new green energy," he added.

Locations such as Busan, Koreas second largest city, may also benefit from the policy direction, due largely to its strong cable connectivity, developed infrastructure and strong labor pool.

"The development of data center hubs outside of Seoul may bring about high efficiency, power security and stable grid networks. However, there may be associated latency challenges," he noted.

Currently, Korea is home to the fifth-largest data center market in Asia, trailing behind China, Japan, India, and Singapore. However, fueled by the ongoing development pipeline, Korea is estimated to potentially reach an operational capacity of 1,485 megawatts (MW) in the foreseeable future. This trajectory could see Korea surpassing Singapore, currently at 1,307 MW, to claim the title of the fourth-largest data center market in the Asian region within the next five to seven years.
10 April 2024 17:28 (UTC+04:00)

On April 10, around 15:20, it was discovered that two individuals from the direction of Nerkin Khnzoresk village of Armenia, opposite the positions of the frontier troops of the the State Border Service located in the Jijimli settlement, violated the state border, crossing approximately 300 meters into Azerbaijani territory, with about 200 heads of small livestock, Azernews reports, citing the Press Center of the State Border Service.

Shots were fired from the combat post of the Armenian Armed Forces towards our border patrol, which prevented the violation of the state border, resulting in the injury of First Lieutenant Rovshan Mammadov.

The military serviceman was evaculated to a medical facility without delay.

Currently, the operational situation remains stable and under the control of Azerbaijani units.

The full responsibility for this latest provocation by the Armenian side squarely falls on the military-political leadership of Armenia.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
10 April 2024 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

Armenia is not against the start of border delimitation from four villages in the Gazakh region of Azerbaijan, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said, Azernews reports.

"We are not opposed to starting the delimitation process from the Tavush region and four villages of the Gazakh region of Azerbaijan," he noted.

Meanwhile, Armenia's Parliament discussed the issue of delimitation and demarcation of borders with Azerbaijan on April 9 at the initiative of factions of opposition parties.

The discussion of the issue was held in closed mode. Armenia's former Defense Minister, head of the opposition Hayastan parliamentary faction, Seyran Ohanyan, and nine other members of the Armenian parliament were not admitted to the session.

To note, the seventh session of the State Commission on State Border Delimitation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on State Border Delimitation and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held on March 7 at the conditional border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

The sides exchanged views on delimitation issues and proceeded to the agreement of the draft Regulations on the joint activities of the State Commission on Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as discussed the drafts of the relevant instructions on the procedure of delimitation works.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
10 April 2024 20:25 (UTC+04:00)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday greeted Muslims worldwide on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the main Islamic festive that follows the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

"I wholeheartedly congratulate our nation and the Islamic world on the holy Eid al-Fitr. I hope that the Eid will lead to peace, tranquility and well-being for our country, our nation, the Islamic world and all humanity, Erdogan said on X.

Eid al-Fitr, which marks the beginning of Shawwal month in the Islamic calendar, is celebrated by Muslims all over the world following the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting in Ramadan.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
10 April 2024 20:55 (UTC+04:00)

A Chinese art troupe has been visiting North Korea to participate in an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pyongyang and Beijing, the North's state media reported Wednesday, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap.

The art troupe, consisting of around 300 artists, arrived in Pyongyang on Saturday and Tuesday to take part in a joint performance for the opening ceremony of the "DPRK-China Friendship Year," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The visit comes as the two nations mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship. China is the North's longtime ally and largest economic benefactor.

A Chinese delegation, led by Zhao Leji, the top legislator regarded as the No. 3 Chinese official, will pay an official visit to Pyongyang from Thursday to Saturday to attend the opening ceremony.

North Korea appears to be ramping up high-level exchanges with Beijing in the key year at a time when Pyongyang has been expanding cooperation with Russia in the military and other fields.
10 April 2024 21:31 (UTC+04:00)

China's Ministry of Finance said Wednesday that it is regrettable to see the decision by Fitch Ratings to downgrade the country's sovereign credit rating outlook, Azernews reports, citing Xinhua.

The ministry made the remarks in response to media queries after the agency decided to maintain China's sovereign credit rating, while on the same day revising its outlook on China's sovereign credit rating from stable to negative.

Fitch's rating system has failed to effectively reflect the positive effects of China's fiscal policies on boosting economic growth and stabilizing the macro leverage ratio in a forward-looking manner, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the plan to keep China's deficit-to-GDP ratio at 3 percent in 2024 is generally "moderate and reasonable," which will help stabilize economic growth, control the government debt level, and reserve policy space for potential future risks and challenges.

"In the long run, maintaining a moderate deficit and making good use of the valuable debt funds is conducive to expanding domestic demand, supporting economic growth, and ultimately helping maintain sound sovereign credit," it said.

The long-term positive momentum of the Chinese economy has not changed, and the Chinese government's ability and determination to maintain sound sovereign credit also remained unchanged, the ministry noted.

Regarding China's local government debt, the ministry said the risks have been mitigated as the country has taken active and prudent steps to resolve them. Payments of principal local government statutory debt and interest on this debt are guaranteed, while the size of hidden debt is gradually declining.

"The work on resolving China's local government debt is progressing in an orderly fashion, and the risks are generally under control," it said.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
A Chinese art troupe has been visiting North Korea to participate in an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pyongyang and Beijing, the North's state media reported Wednesday.

The art troupe, consisting of around 300 artists, arrived in Pyongyang on Saturday and Tuesday to take part in a joint performance for the opening ceremony of the "DPRK-China Friendship Year," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The visit comes as the two nations mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship. China is the North's longtime ally and largest economic benefactor.

A Chinese delegation, led by Zhao Leji, the top legislator regarded as the No. 3 Chinese official, will pay an official visit to Pyongyang from Thursday to Saturday to attend the opening ceremony.

North Korea appears to be ramping up high-level exchanges with Beijing in the key year at a time when Pyongyang has been expanding cooperation with Russia in the military and other fields. (Yonhap)
NOAA fabricates temperature data for more than 30 percent of the 1,218 USHCN reporting stations that no longer exist.

By Katie Spence at The Epoch Times

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts July, August, and September will be hotter than usual. And for those who view warmer temperatures as problematic, thats a significant cause for concern.

Earths issuing a distress call, said United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres on March 19. The latest State of the Global Climate report shows a planet on the brink.

Fossil fuel pollution is sending climate chaos off the charts. Sirens are blaring across all major indicators: Last year saw record heat, record sea levels, and record ocean surface temperatures.  Some records arent just chart-topping, theyre chart-busting.

President Joe Biden called the climate an existential threat in his 2023 State of the Union address. Lets face reality. The climate crisis doesnt care if youre in a red or a blue state.

In his 2024 address he said, I dont think any of you think theres no longer a climate crisis. At least, I hope you dont.

When recalling past temperatures to make comparisons to the present, and, more importantly, inform future climate policy, officials such as Mr. Guterres and President Biden rely in part on temperature readings from the United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN).

The network was established to provide an accurate, unbiased, up-to-date historical climate record for the United States, NOAA states, and it has recorded more than 100 years of daily maximum and minimum temperatures from stations across the United States.

The problem, say experts, is that an increasing number of USHCNs stations dont exist anymore.

They are physically gonebut still report datalike magic, said Lt. Col. John Shewchuk, a certified consulting meteorologist.

NOAA fabricates temperature data for more than 30 percent of the 1,218 USHCN reporting stations that no longer exist.

He calls them ghost stations.

Mr. Shewchuck said USHCN stations reached a maximum of 1,218 stations in 1957, but after 1990 the number of active stations began declining due to aging equipment and personnel retirements.

NOAA still records data from these ghost stations by taking the temperature readings from surrounding stations, and recording their average for the ghost station, followed by an E, for estimate.

The addition of the ghost station data means NOAAs monthly and yearly reports are not representative of reality, said Anthony Watts, a meteorologist and senior fellow for environment and climate at the Heartland Institute.

If this kind of process were used in a court of law, then the evidence would be thrown out as being polluted.

Critical Data

NOAAs complete record of USHCN data is available on its website, making it a vital tool for scientists examining temperature trends since before the Industrial Revolution.

Jamal Munshi, emeritus professor at Californias Sonoma State University, wrote in a 2017 paper that because many of the stations in the USHCN, and their data, date back to the 1800s, theyve been widely used in the study of global warming.

The fear of anthropogenic global warming has generated a great interest in temperature trends such that even minute changes in the temperature record are scrutinized, and controversial implications for their effects on climate, extreme weather, and sea level rise are weighed against the cost of reducing emissions as a way of moderating these changes, Mr. Munshi wrote.

Energy and development policy around the world are impacted by these evaluations.

Mr. Shewchuk said the USHCN data is the only long-term historical temperature data the United States has.

In these days of apparent climate crisis, you would think that maintaining actual temperature reporting stations would be a top prioritybut they instead manufacture data for hundreds of non-existent stations. This is a bizarre way of monitoring a climate claimed to be an existential threat, he said.

Observed data is real. Altered and fabricated data is not real. Period.

The website, noaacrappy, lists all of the ghost, or zombie stations, their location, how long theyve been closed and then links to NOAAs recordings.

Significantly, the map shows, not all of the stations used to interpolate temperature data are near the closed station. Thus, hypothetically, its possible that since Oklahoma Citys stations are all zombies, interpolation data is coming from as far away as Gainesville, Texas, which is more than 136 miles away, and Enid, Oklahoma, which is more than 100 miles away.

For various reasons, NOAA feels the need to alter this data instead of fixing equipment problems they think exist, Mr. Shewchuk said.

Fixing temperature reporting stations is not rocket science. If we can go up to space to fix the Hubble telescope, we can surely come down to earth to fix a few thermometers.

NOAAs use of ghost temperature stations isnt a recent phenomenon. In 2014, Mr. Watts raised the issue of ghost stations and bad data with NOAAs chief scientist at the National Climatic Data Center, Tom Peterson, and Texas state climatologist, John Nielsen-Gammon, who confirmed there was an issue.

Anthony  I just did a check of all Texas USHCN stations. Thirteen had estimates in place of apparently good data, Mr. Nielsen-Gammon wrote in an email to Mr. Watts, according to a report on the latters website.

Its a bug, a big one. And as Zeke [Hausfather] did a cursory analysis Thursday night, he discovered it was systemic to the entire record, and up to 10 percent of stations have estimated data spanning over a century.

At the time, Mr. Watts reported on his climate website, Watts Up With That, that NOAA was taking the issue seriously and expected them to issue a fix shortly.

That fix never materialized. Theyre still doing it, and its even worse he said.

NOAAs Cooperative Observer Program, which includes the USHCN stations, is a network of daily weather observations taken by more than 8,500 volunteers, its webpage states.

Mr. Watts said the process for volunteers is labor intensive.

It requires people to record high and low temperature, rainfall, the temperature at the time of observation, and do it at a very specific time, every day. And this has to then be recorded and sent to the National Climatic Data Center in Nashville, now known as the National Center for Environmental Information, he said.

Some of its still done on paper, some of its still done with touchtone over the telephone. It requires a lot of dedication and effort on the part of the observer. Its a thankless job. And as a result, observers have been disappearing. A lot of them have left due to attrition by death. And then theres no one to take on that job.

Mr. Watts explained that when that happens, instead of subtracting the unmanned station from the overall number of USHCN stations, NOAA creates a number from surrounding stations.

As a result, we end up with this milkshake of data that is basically a hot mess, and isnt real in most cases, Mr. Watts said.

Mr. Shewchuk said as a forensic consulting meteorologist, he produced expert witness reports for legal cases.

I only used official NOAA certified original weather data observations, he said. If I were to use altered or fabricated data, I would have been thrown out of court.

NOAAs Defense

NOAAs National Centers for Environmental Information confirmed to The Epoch Times that it uses ghost station data.

As an explanation, it said, NOAA provides estimates for missing monthly temperature values in the USHCNv2.5 dataset. The approach to estimating missing values is described in the USHCN v2 overview paper, and values that are estimated are noted with a specific flag as described in the USHCN readme file.

This flag is used to distinguish the observed values from estimated values. This attribute of providing estimated values to create uniform periods of record for monthly temperature stations is somewhat unique to the USHCN monthly data, which has provided estimates for several decades.

While these estimates are provided as a service to users who may benefit from the data completeness provided by USHCN, NOAA itself does not directly use the estimates for closed stations (or for early periods before the observed record begins) in its own climate monitoring activities.

Mr. Shewchuk didnt buy NOAAs response.

Its a shell game, he said. The USHCN data is now included in a variety of larger datasets of various names, so now some can officially claim that USHCN is not being used as a single entity.

However, all the USHCN data is actually used for all historic climate studies because the USHCN data is the only data that goes back over 100 years. Without this historical data, we are climate-change blind.

He added, If NOAA doesnt use USHCN data, then why do they use our tax monies to update the USHCN data files on a daily basis? Why do they use our tax monies to periodically go back and re-alter previously altered temperature data?

The Bigger Issue

According to Mr. Watts, ghost stations are problematic but are only part of a much bigger problem.

He explained that several different entitiessuch as the European Commissions Copernicus, NASAs Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), Berkeleys Earth Surface Temperatures (BEST), and NOAApublish monthly and yearly climate data and advertise themselves as having independent data.

That is a lie, Mr. Watts said about the independent data claim.

The USHCN data set and the [new] nClimDiv climate division data set [which uses the same stations and has the same problems] comes from the Cooperative Observer [Program] in the United States.

Similarly, in the rest of the world, there is a Cooperative Observer [Program] that suffers from the same problems of attrition and incompetence. And its called the GHCN; the Global Historical Climatology Network.

All these different entities out there, like NOAA, GISS, BEST, all the entities I listed, use the same data from GHCN. And they all apply their own set of special sauce' adjustments to create what they believe is true.

Its almost like each of these entities is creating their version of the real, true God. You know, its like a religion. Theyre using different mathematical and statistical techniques to produce their version of climate reality.

And it all goes back to the same original, badly-sited, badly-maintained ghost station dataset around the world. USHCN and GHCN are the same stuff. So, there is no independent temperature dataset. Its bogus that anyone claims this.

Mr. Shewchuk said the warming the earth has experienced since the 1800s is much less than has been reported, but even if it werent, warmer temperatures are naturalnot manmadeand not a cause for concern.

We are still thawing out from the Little Ice Age because the Bray and Eddy solar cycles are still in their warming phases, he said. [Carbon dioxide] is a greenhouse gas, but its contribution to todays warming is trivial. Whenever someone asks me how much man-made CO2 is increasing Earths temperature, I respond, Does the growth of a new eyelash increase your weight?

There is no climate emergency. In fact, all measures of severe weather are decreasingeven tornadoes and hurricanes. Furthermore, global warming (at least the little that there is) and increasing CO2 are good for life on Earth. History clearly shows us that life thrives during warm periods (like the Medieval Warm Period) and suffers during cool periods (like the Little Ice Age).

He pointed out that even NOAA and NASA report that increased CO2 has greened the planet and increased plant growth, which has benefited food production.

We should celebrate CO2not demonize it.
Kenneth Candido, MD, CEO and president of Chicago Anesthesia Associates, joined Becker's to discuss why private practice physicians don't have power in healthcare.

Editor's note: This response was edited lightly for clarity and length.

Dr. Kenneth Candido: Private practice physicians are becoming more and more rare in American healthcare. This is by design and is not random. Large systems are siphoning off private practice physicians and are buying or consolidating practices exponentially. Those who hold out find a shrinking referral base, as those formerly loyal to them are being compelled to exclusively refer within the system. It is a dirty business and a dirty, underhanded game that administrators are playing to monopolize their business models.

Physicians "in the system" are punished if they refer to outside, private practice physicians. They have bonuses cut or undermined or have other sanctions placed upon them. The referral process has been weaponized. The hospital systems have created a monopolized system that demands their own "growth" to the exclusion of any competition in their areas. This monopolization is largely tolerated by the enforcement of noncompete clauses and legal loopholes that in any event do not attract the government oversight, since they are in collusion with the major health systems to eliminate privatization or care and to move rapidly towards socialization of care. The private practitioner, unless they are in plastic surgery or dermatology, are essentially dinosaurs on the road toward extinction. The old mantra of "divide and conquer" has been expertly used by the major healthcare systems to pick off the lone or small group practitioners, and has been extremely lethal and effective.
BayCare and St. Joseph's Children's Foundation received a $50 million gift from a Tampa family.

The funds, donated by Tampa business leader and philanthropist Sidd Pagidipati, along with his brother Rahul and sister Srujani, will be used to build a new freestanding children's hospital in Tampa. The new hospital, to be opened by 2030, will be named Pagidipati Children's Hospital at St. Joseph's.

The gift is the largest publicly recorded gift to a hospital in Tampa Bay and one of the largest to healthcare in Florida, according to an April 10 system news release.
L.A. Care Health Plan is giving Avalon, Calif-based Catalina Island Health hospital a $2 million grant to help stay afloat as the hospital looks to make an affiliation arrangement.

Jason Paret, CEO of Catalina Island Health, told the Avalon City Council in January that the hospital was running out of money and might not be able to stay open past June, according to a Jan. 12 report from the Catalina Islander. Mr. Paret said the best option for the hospital was to become part of the University of California system.

L.A. Care, the largest publicly operated health plan in the U.S., said in an April 10 news release that it is also boosting Catalina Island Health's Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and urging other payers to do the same.

The hospital is isolated because it is on an island, but because it is part of Los Angeles County, it is considered an urban facility, making it ineligible for some state funding offered to rural facilities, according to the release. The island is home to 4,200 residents and 733 are L.A. Care Health Plan beneficiaries.

The grant will allow the hospital to stay open through December, according to an April 5 news release from Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed to mobilize all means to deal a "death-blow" to the country's enemy without hesitation should it opt for military confrontation with the North, state media said Thursday.

Kim made the remark during his visit to the Kim Jong-il University of Military and Politics on Wednesday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, calling the university named after Kim's late father a military training school for core commanding officers.

"He said that now is the time to be more thoroughly prepared for a war than ever before and that the DPRK should be more firmly and perfectly prepared for a war, which should be won without fail, not just for a possible war," the KCNA said, referring to the North by its formal name.

Kim was also quoted as instructing the university to nurture new military talents who are absolutely loyal to the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and are capable of overwhelming the enemy with "ideological, mental, militant, moral and tactical superiority," it added.

The KCNA said Kim inspected lecture rooms as well as dorms and a mess hall at the university and vowed to improve living conditions for students.

Photos released by the state media outlet showed Kim speaking to officials in a room filled with blurred maps and a topographic model that appeared to map major roads in South Korea and central Seoul.

Noting that the KCNA reported on how Kim inspected the living conditions of students and brought "various dishes" for them, an official at South Korea's unification ministry said the visit was likely aimed at shoring up unity of military officials.

"It appears that the focus of the visit is to encourage the military and thus induce loyalty and unity as observed in the March 24 visit to the Ryu Kyong Su Guards 105th Tank Division," the official said.

During the visit to the tank unit credited for being first to enter Seoul during the 1950-53 Korean War, Kim inspected its facilities such as the unit's cafeteria as soldiers had their meal.

North Korea has been dialing up tensions on the Korean Peninsula with weapons tests and harshly worded rhetoric this year after Kim defined inter-Korean ties as relations between "two states hostile to each other" in a year-end meeting.

In January, the North's leader called for revising the country's constitution to define South Korea as its "primary foe" and codify a commitment to subjugate the South Korean territory in the event of war.

Last week, it claimed to have successfully test-fired a new intermediate-range ballistic missile tipped with a hypersonic warhead, saying that all missiles the country has developed are solid-fuel, nuclear capable with warhead control capability. (Yonhap)




Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health appointed Craig Miller as its first system-level service line president.

He joins Steven Hao, MD, who was named Sutter's inaugural service line chief medical officer in November.

Together, Dr. Hao and Mr. Miller will lead the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurosciences, cancer, primary care, behavioral health, womens and pediatrics service lines.
Members from the Washington County (Pa.) legislative delegation have called on Gov. Josh Shapiro to work with the state Attorney General Michelle Henry to help complete the affiliation between Pittsburgh-based UPMC and Washington (Pa.) Health System.

UPMC and Washington Health signed a letter of intent to negotiate a deal to affiliate last June.

"Without the merger, Washington Hospital is at risk of closing," Rep. Tim O'Neal said in an April 9 news release. "The merger would allow all employees to keep their jobs, pay and benefits."

Mr. O'Neal, who leads the delegation, members Rep. Bud Cook, Rep. Josh Kail, and Rep. Natalie Mihalek have urged the attorney general to approve the deal so it can be finalized, regardless of "political pressures muddying the situation."

Manuel Bonder, a spokesperson for Mr. Shapiro, said in a statement shared with Becker's that the governor is committed to protecting healthcare access across the state.

"As is standard process, the Office of Attorney General is currently conducting an independent review of the proposed merger to ensure it complies with the Commonwealth's laws and regulations, and the Shapiro Administration hopes that review is prompt and thorough," Mr. Bonder said.

The attorney general's office had no comment to provide to Becker's at this stage.
An Iowa advanced registered nurse practitioner is accused of prescribing $1 million worth of unneeded medical devices to Medicare patients, ABC affiliate KCCI reported April 9.

The Justice Department alleges that Ashley Brown prescribed "unreasonable and medically unnecessary" durable medical equipment for 660 Medicare beneficiaries in return for illegal kickbacks between April 2020 and May 2021. The orders billed Medicare for a total of $1,055,672, and Ms. Brown allegedly received more than $17,000 in kickbacks.

Ms. Brown worked in a telemedicine position where she was paid to assess patient records and sign predetermined prescriptions for medical equipment. According to the Justice Department, the orders received were from telemarketers who made unsolicited calls to suspected Medicare beneficiaries, and Ms. Brown signed the orders without having any professional interaction with the patients.
The U.S. has an all-time record number of actively licensed nurses  5.6 million  but hospitals are struggling to recruit and retain enough. To discover missed opportunities, researchers surveyed 7,887 nurses who recently exited the healthcare industry.

Each nurse was asked to list the contributing factors for their decision. Planned retirement was the leading factor, with nearly 2 in 5 nurses selecting that factor, but burnout, exhaustion, staffing shortages and family obligations were also top reasons.

The nurses left their jobs between April 2018 and June 2021, and the researchers focused on RNs in New York and Illinois. On average, the respondents were 60 years old and had 30.8 years of experience.

Among the listed reasons, 39% of the former nurses selected planned retirement, 26% chose burnout or emotional exhaustion and 21% said insufficient staffing contributed to their exit.

About 60% of retired nurses indicated a planned retirement, suggesting that about 40% of retirements were unplanned, the researchers said. Among those employed by a hospital, other top contributing factors were family obligations, COVID-19 concerns and unsafe working conditions.

"They are struggling to recruit and keep staff because of the conditions versus compensation issue," a former hospital nurse, aged between 40 to 50 years old, said. "Patients are sicker and more complex than ever  I was constantly voicing concerns for patient safety because of frontline working conditions  Can I get another nursing job? Absolutely  Do I want to? Not really."

Based on the results, the researchers advised employers to address burnout, insufficient staffing and family obligations.

Findings were published April 9 in JAMA Network Open.
Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has retracted an additional study in the midst of an investigation into research that may include manipulated or duplicated images, NBC News reported April 9.

In January, the institute notified research journals that it desires to retract six studies and correct 31 papers  including those co-written by top executives  as part of an ongoing probe. The institute found errors in 37 studies, which led to corrections in 31 and six studies retracted.

The scientist blogger who brought the errors to light told NBC News he discovered an additional 30 studies from authors affiliated with the institute that he believes contain errors or image manipulation.

Dana-Farber said it had begun an investigation before the Wales-based scientist wrote his report and is continuing to make corrections.

"Dana-Farber is deeply committed to a culture of accountability and integrity, and as an academic research and clinical care organization we also prioritize transparency," Barrett Rollins, MD, PhD, the institute's integrity research officer, told NBC News. "However, we are bound by federal regulations that apply to all academic medical centers funded by the National Institutes of Health among other federal agencies. Therefore, we cannot share details of internal review processes and will not comment on personnel issues."

Six of the seven retracted studies had Kenneth Anderson, MD, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston and director of the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center at Dana-Farber, as a senior author. He declined NBC News' request for comment, but retraction notices indicate he agreed to the retractions of papers he wrote.

The retracted studies were published in the Journal of Immunology and in Cancer Research. Six of the studies focused on multiple myeloma.
The U.S. might soon see an approved respiratory syncytial virus vaccine for adults younger than 60.

On April 9, Pfizer said it found promising results for Abrysvo, its RSV vaccine the FDA approved in May 2023 for adults 60 and older. Abrysvo was well-tolerated and safe in a phase 3 study of adults aged between 18 and 49, the drugmaker said, adding that co-primary immunogenicity endpoints and primary safety endpoints were met in the trial.

Pfizer did not quantify the efficacy results, but the company said it plans to seek regulatory approval for the age group.

The other approved RSV vaccine, GSK's Arexvy, is indicated for patients 60 and older.
Many areas of the global spine device market are expected to grow in the coming years, researchers are anticipating.

Global spine device market

From a Future Marketing Insights report

1. The spine device market was valued at $13.1 billion in 2022, and it is projected to reach $21.96 billion in 2032.

2. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% between 2022 to 2032.

3. Spinal cord injuries have increased in recent years because of an increase in sedentary lifestyles, driving market growth.

4. Other factors driving market growth include increased use of spinal devices in older patients and patients with arthritis.

5. Therapeutics and ongoing drug research for surgery pain could hinder the growth of the spinal device market.

6. Hospitals are expected to have the highest market share in the global market for spine devices from 2016 to 2026.

7. North America holds the largest market for spine devices, and the availability of new technologies in the region will boost growth.

8. The Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest growing market from 2022 to 2032 as governments are increasing investment in developing healthcare infrastructure.

9. Key players in the spinal device market include Stryker, Vertiflex, RTI Surgical, Orthofix, Medtronic and CONMED.





Minimally invasive spine technology market

From a Mordor Intelligence report

10. The minimally invasive spine market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2021 to 2029.

11. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the minimally invasive spine surgery market after elective cases were canceled early on.

12. Market growth is driven by the increase of spinal disorders, rising number of ASCs and increase in the aging and obese populations.

13. Advancements in surgical technology and increasing product approvals and partnerships are helping with the minimally invasive market growth.

14. However regulatory frameworks and high procedure costs could impede market growth.

15. Major players include Johnson & Johnson, Zimmer Biomet, Medtronic, Boston Scientific and Sesculap.

16. The biomaterial segment is projected to see growth in the minimally invasive spine market. They play a role in developing devices and implants to support the spine and enhance healing.

17. North America is expected to see significant growth in the minimally invasive spine market.





Spinal non-fusion device market

From a Global Data report

18. The spinal non-fusion market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 5% from 2023 to 2033.

19. In 2023, the spinal non-fusion market was $884.8 million.

20. Spinal non-fusion surgery is used to treat conditions including spinal instability, degenerative disc disorder, and spinal stenosis while preserving the spine's natural motion.

21. Key segments in the spinal non-fusion market include annulus repair devices, artificial disc replacement systems, facet arthroplasty devices, interspinous process decompression devices and pedicle screw-based dynamic stabilization systems.

22. Market researchers expect a promising future for spinal non-fusion as more spine surgeons are adopting motion-preserving techniques.

23. Disc replacement accounted for the highest market share in 2023.

24. The U.S., Canada and Mexico are expected to see strong growth in volume of spinal non-fusion surgeries from 2023 to 2033.

25. Leading companies in spinal non-fusion include Medtronic, Globus Medical, Centinel Spine, Paradigm Spine and ZimVie (now Highridge Medical). Medtronic dominated the spinal non-fusion market in 2023.





Surgical navigation systems market

From a Grand View Research report

26. The global surgical navigation system market was valued at $8 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.2% to 2030.

27. Rising prevalence of osteoarthritis, brain cancer and ENT disorders and a growing aging population are expected to fuel market growth.

28. Another factor contributing to market growth is increased demand for minimally invasive surgeries. Minimally invasive procedures can improve patient recovery and are more economically viable.

29. Hospitals hold the largest share of the market in 2022, but ASCs are expected to see exponential growth.

30. The neurology segment holds the largest share of the surgical navigation market. In 2022, it held 36.6% of the market share.

31. North America had the largest revenue share of the market with 40.6% in 2022.

32. Key companies in the surgical navigation market include DePuy Synthes, Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, Medtronic and Smith+Nephew.

33. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions on elective procedures affected market growth. But factors such as the demand for better patient outcomes and more novel technologies are expected to support market growth.





Orthobiologics market

From a Market.Us report

34. In 2023, the orthobiologics market was $7.9 billion.

35. The orthobiologics market is expected to be worth $14.2 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6%.

36. The viscosupplement segment had the largest market share in 2023.

37. Key factors of market growth include a growing number of orthopedic injuries, an increased aging population and favorable medical reimbursement policies for orthobiologics.

38. Two key developments in the orthobiologics market are the introduction of the NorthStar cervical and Flash navigation lumbar facet fusion orthobiologics systems and the launch of the first injectable bone void filler.

39. Spinal fusions hold a market share of 72.9% in orthobiologics.

40. Hospitals and ASCs play a significant role in uplifting the orthobiologics.

41. North America leads the orthobiologics, and the Asia Pacific region has the fastest growing market.





Bone graft market

From a Precedence Research report

42. The bone grafts and substitutes market accounted for $3.2 billion in 2025.

43. The market is expected to grow to $3.38 billion in 2025 and then about $4.22 billion by 2029.

44. The allograft segment is expected to dominate the bone graft market. They can be used for a variety of spine and orthopedic surgeries, and medtech companies have launched more allograft products in recent years.

45. North America has the strongest reach in the global bone grafts market holding 47.7% of it in 2023.

46. The Asia Pacific region is expected to see the fastest growth between 2023 and 2032 with a CAGR of 6.4%.

47. Spinal fusions were the most common application in the bone grafts market, taking up 52.2% of the market share in 2023. About 300,000 lumbar spinal fusions are performed each year.

48. The trauma fixation segment is expected to see the fastest growth with a CAGR of 6.1%.

49. North America's bone grafts market size was $1.4 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $2.4 billion by 2032.

50. The European market surpassed $733.2 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% from 2023 to 2032.
A new hotel business under development in Belfast by Paddy McKillen jnr and his business partner has been sold as part of a deal of up to 355m (304m), according to reports.

Mr McKillen and Matt Ryan have sold the Dean Hotel Group to UK firm Lifestyle Hospitality Capital (LHC) and Elliott Investment Management in New York.

The deal, reported by the Irish Times, includes eight hotels already in operation and two which are under development in Belfast and Birmingham.

Last month, Bedford Way Ltd submitted a planning application for the 88-bedroom Dean hotel at 34 to 44 Bedford Street in the centre of Belfast. Mr McKillen jnr and Mr Ryan are directors of the firm.

A previous planning application was submitted last year.

The latest application proposes a change of use from office and restaurant to a hotel with 88 bedrooms, including a two storey rooftop extension, restaurant and bar offerings and gym facilities.

According to The Irish Times, the deal with LHC and Elliott Investment Management was finalised recently and values the hotels at about 355m, with LHC and Elliott given a stake of more than 70%.

Originally the deal was to include the Dean Dublin, the Mayson, the Devlin, the Dean Cork and the Dean Galway.

But The Clarence Hotel in Dublin, which was formerly owned by Bono and The Edge, with their business partner Paddy McKillen snr, was added to the deal, as well as the Leinster Hotel in Dublin and the Glasson Lakehouse near Athlone.

According to the Irish Times, ownership of the properties themselves is set to be retained by Mr McKillen jnr and Mr Ryans development company, Oakmount.

Paddy McKillen snr is a well-known property developer who is originally from west Belfast.
UTV presenter Pamela Ballantine has said she has hopefully had her final treatment for breast cancer  16 months after she was first diagnosed.

The UTV Life presenter announced last August in an article written for the Belfast Telegraph that she had been diagnosed with cancer.

I had no lump or any visible sign. If I had not gone when I was called for my regular breast screening, I would not have known I had tumours in my right breast and armpit, perhaps until it was too late, she wrote at the time.

It is very strange knowing there is something inside you, that you didnt know you had, that left untreated can kill you and the only way to get rid of it is to fill your body with poison.

In September 2023, she rang the bell to mark the end of chemotherapy and radiation therapy at Belfast City Hospital.

The broadcaster also underwent surgery to remove tumours in her breast and lymph nodes.

In a new post on Instagram, the UTV star said she is now celebrating another milestone, with Tuesday marking her final treatment.

I know after I rang the bell at the end of radiotherapy in August, people thought that was me done, but I have been getting further treatment every three weeks, she said.

Thank you so much to all staff [at Macmillan Cancer] and at the breast cancer unit at the Ulster Hospital for your kindness and support.

No offence, but I hope I wont be seeing you again unless its outside the hospital.

She ended her post by encouraging those called for a health check-up to to go and hash-tagged so grateful.

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

Last month, Ms Ballantine said she was shocked and surprised after the Princess of Wales released a personal video message which revealed her own cancer diagnosis.

I think its very brave of her to talk about what shes going through, Ms Ballantine told the Belfast Telegraph.

I didnt want to go public until I knew my prognosis, but I think her hand has been forced as a result of the intense speculation.

Ms Ballantine, who was born in Belfast, is also set to be awarded an MBE for her services to journalism and television next week. She will be accompanied by her partner, sister and niece at the ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Deacon Blue are set to play the upcoming charity concert in aid of Palestinians affected by the war (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Scottish musicians are to come together in solidarity with Palestinian families who have been affected by the Gaza conflict.

A concert will be held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall next month, with all profits going to the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, which provides medical services in the West Bank, Gaza, and advocates for Palestinians human rights and dignity.

Deacon Blue, Capercaillie, James Grant, formerly of Love and Money, and Siobhan Miller are among the line-up.

Also performing is Scots folk band Rura, Admiral Fallow, Duncan Chisholm and Kitti.

Poets Jim Mackintosh and Julie MacNeill will read some of their works to the crowd, as well as read new works from poets who are currently in Gaza.

Lorraine McIntosh of Deacon Blue said: Since the awful events of October 7 we have looked on in growing horror at the destruction of Gaza and its infrastructure and the senseless death of over 30,000 innocent people.

The only thing we can do to help in any small way is to raise money.

With the destruction of practically all medical facilities in Gaza, we have chosen to support the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians who have a long history of delivering emergency healthcare to the people on the ground in Gaza where help is needed most.

Our decision in no way lessens our horror at what happened on October 7, and we join millions around the world in calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

Donald Shaw of Capercaillie added: Capercaillie performed in the West Bank, Palestine back in the late 80s as part of a Middle East tour.

We felt honoured to be welcomed by such wonderful people full of pride in their culture and resilience in the face of conflict.

Performing on this gig for Gaza alongside these great artists on May 1 to raise even a modest offering feels like the least we can do to show our support in their hour of need.

The concert takes place on Wednesday May 1.

Tickets are available here.
South Korea is in talks with China and Japan to hold a long-stalled trilateral summit of their leaders around May 26-27, a news report said Wednesday.

The three countries have entered into final consultations about holding the three-way summit in South Korea late next month, according to the Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun.

The trilateral summit was last held in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu in December 2019.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese Premier Li Qiang are expected to visit Seoul to meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol as South Korea is the current rotating chair.

Seoul's foreign ministry said last week that the three countries are in discussions to hold the summit at the "earliest time convenient" for all sides.

Japan's Kyodo News earlier reported the three countries' leaders will likely discuss economic cooperation and regional issues, such as North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, if the summit takes place.

The summit has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and a deterioration in Seoul-Tokyo relations over the issue of compensating Korean victims of forced labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

Talks of reviving the summit gained momentum amid a dramatic warming of the Seoul-Tokyo relations after South Korea said in March last year it will compensate the Korean victims on its own without asking for contributions from Japanese companies. (Yonhap)
Lang Lang has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles (Lauren Hurley/PA)

Chinese pianist Lang Lang has said he was surprised by the success of the debut season of The Piano, with strangers later telling him the Channel 4 TV show touched their hearts.

The world-renowned classical musician received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on Wednesday, in the category of live performance, taking to the piano after his on-stage speech to play Jasmine Flower from his album Piano Book and Ritual Fire Dance by Manuel de Falla.

The 41-year-old shot to TV fame in the UK after his appearance as a judge on The Piano, which saw host Claudia Winkleman search for the UKs best amateur pianists before the show culminated in a concert at the Royal Festival Hall featuring four chosen finalists.

I couldnt believe how successful that this show became, a lot of new people that Ive never met before, they came to me and they said this show really touched their hearts and Im very happy to be part of this show, Lang Lang told the PA news agency.

Im actually flying to Manchester for the final, the second season is coming to air beginning of May so I hope you will like the second season.

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

The debut season saw a visually impaired 13-year-old girl called Lucy win the competition, having impressed the judges with her rendition of Debussys Arabesque.

Lang Lang, whose musical achievements are mirrored by his commitment to charitable causes including the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, said being honoured with a star was a dream come true.

Getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, its unbelievable, it is like the biggest dream you can dream in the world, he told PA.

Ive been very lucky to have this, being a musician, sharing my love and music with the world.

I hope this star that Im getting today will encourage the younger generation all over the world, also in Asia, to dream big because you can. You can deliver, you can achieve.

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

During his on-stage speech, Lang Lang thanked his parents for pushing him as a child but joked I dont know if I will push my son.

Lang Lang, a former child prodigy who performed at the 2008 Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing, thanked his parents in the audience for pushing him to work hard as a child, but joked: I dont know if I will push my son.

The truth is, music brought me here today, he said on stage.

The common ground is always music, whether you grew up in Beijing or Boston, it reminds us that we are not that different at all.

The world communicates through music, we see how the same music will have the same effect everywhere around the globe, because it is about emotions and intentions behind it.

I promise I will always play with both emotions and intentions  and some technique, he joked.

Lang Lang said there is nothing better than sharing the gift of music, describing it as something that both heals and inspires.

I love performing and recording, (but) my purpose is always to share music, share music education, and I really hope to teach and inspire as many people as possible to learn an instrument  whether it is piano or anything else.

To me, this honour is a reminder of the power of inspiration as well. I was inspired to play classical music and if I can inspire even more people to pick up an instrument and to play classical music I will be forever thankful.

Also I believe classical music is very exciting, very loving and it is a fantasy world  it is certainly not boring.
An IT expert charged with terrorism offences in connection with a major PSNI data breach cannot go on holiday to Benidorm, the High Court has ruled.
Is NI Tayto really better than the Republic version? Our foodies have their say...
A District Judge who dismissed a private security industry regulators prosecution against loyalist activist Jamie Bryson was wrong in law, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Legal errors were made in reaching the conclusion that Mr Bryson had no case to answer on allegations of making a false statement during an investigation into door staff operating in the north Down area.
Two staff sacked after inquiry into allegations of bullying, harassment and boozing

Claims of bullying and misconduct at Portadown Fire Station were reported over two years ago with action from a lengthy investigation only being taken now, a source told this newspaper.

Two people have been dismissed after the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service inquiry into allegations that also included employee harassment, sexual discrimination, and consuming alcohol on the job.

According to the BBC, it is understood at least one is appealing the decision.

The inquiry began in 2021 and ended in February, with the source revealing their dismay that the Fire Service sat on their hands while 12 staff went on the sick, reportedly due to stress caused by bullying and harassment.

I had waited a long time, thinking that the Fire Service would do the right thing and expose this massive problem, the source added.

The 12 staff were off sick within the period January 2023-24. It includes both short-term absence (one to 29 days) and long-term absence (29 days-plus).

Earlier this month it was confirmed six staff are still absent from work due to illness.

Another source said firefighters had taken sick leave due to massive stress, and it is one of the biggest investigations into bullying within the Fire Service.

Insiders further added investigators were told of staff members consuming alcohol at the station while on duty, and attending calls under the influence.

Some on-call firefighters also allegedly took a fire engine to a local pub, where they drank in their uniforms while the tender was parked outside.

A source added that, at one point, the station was sitting at very dangerously low numbers to the point where fire appliances could not get out the door to calls.

The Fire Service previously confirmed a robust internal investigation into allegations of misconduct at Portadown Fire Station has concluded.

The appropriate action has been taken in line with NIFRS policy, it added.

We do not comment on individual employee matters.

Ongoing support is being provided.

We want to reassure the local community that an effective emergency response in the Portadown area is being maintained. Your Fire and Rescue Service is ready to respond when you need us most.

It added it could not comment on or give details specific to individual cases.

The Belfast Telegraph contacted the Fire Service again for further comment.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart described the allegations as very serious.

She told the BBC: I believe its important now that we restore confidence within the Portadown area and that people know and feel that their Fire Service is adequately resourced.

I will certainly be making representation in that regard to ensure that people have the cover in that area that is required.
A Belfast bakery operator was fined for food hygiene offences which also prompted voluntary closure. The premises have since been re-rated following a further inspection where hygiene conditions within the premises were deemed to be at a satisfactory standard.

The operator of a Belfast bakery has been fined for food hygiene offences linked to an infestation of mice.

Aleksanders Bakery Ltd was penalised 2,250 at Belfast Magistrates Court this week.

The prosecution was taken by Belfast City Council against the food business operator, based of Springbank Industrial Estate.

It followed a routine hygiene inspection of the premises on March 24 last year.

During inspections, environmental health officers found Aleksanders Bakery was not pest proofed and there was an active mouse infestation. The premises was not kept clean or maintained to an acceptable standard.

The premises was rated one indicating major improvement necessary to comply with the food hygiene requirements.

The food business operator agreed to close voluntarily. The premises re-opened on March 27 2023 as officers were satisfied sufficient measures had been taken to remove the imminent risk to public health.

News Catch Up: Wednesday 10th April 2024

The food business operator Aleksanders Bakery Ltd was fined 2,250 and ordered to pay 127 legal costs.

The premises has since been re-rated following a further inspection where hygiene conditions within the premises were deemed to be at satisfactory standard and a food hygiene rating of 4 (good) issued.
The third module of the Covid-19 Inquiry will explore the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems, patients and health care workers (Jeff Moore/PA)

The chair of the Covid-19 Public Inquiry has faced calls to explain when the probe will examine the impact the pandemic had on mental health.

It comes after inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett was accused of making a U-turn on the issue.

Mental health charity Mind had called for Module 3, which looks at how the pandemic affected healthcare systems, patients and healthcare workers, to explore the impact on wider mental health services, and not just inpatient psychiatric care for children.

After consideration, Lady Hallett ruled that the portion of the inquiry cannot include the issue of the impact of the pandemic on adult mental health services within its broad provisional outline of scope and the hearing time available.

Speaking at a preliminary hearing for Module 3 in London on Wednesday, Rheian Davies, head of legal at Mind, said that there were many predictable mental health issues during the crisis, adding: There appeared not to be a public mental health plan to address what we say were these population health predictable issues. And why is that? And I say a perfectly proper question for this inquiry to examine.

She said that the response from Government for the less predictable mental health issues was not to learn lessons or intervene.

Ms Davies also pointed to issues which arose in mental health inpatient and community services, including how people in hospitals were locked in their rooms for five days at a time and denied access to showers.

Could this have been handled better? Is this something we could do different? These, we say, are perfectly proper questions this inquiry could answer, she said.

We want the Covid inquiry to succeed, we want its legacy to be that of a forward-looking inquiry that breaks with the tired tradition of excluding those of us with mental health problems because its often easier to do so, Ms Davies said.

Adam Straw, representing Johns Campaign and the Patients Association, also called for clarity on when the impact on mental health will be explored.

Its not clear which module will examine this important issue, or why it doesnt fit, most obviously, within this module, he said.

At the end of the hearing, Lady Hallett said: Because an issue is not included in a specific module does not mean the inquiry will not be considering it at all.

Please do not think that because you do not see the express words X, Y, Z a specific module that means that X, Y, Z will not be considered.

It comes after Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, the Centre for Mental Health, the Association of Mental Health Providers and other groups urged Lady Hallett to reconsider her ruling.

An open letter shared with the PA news agency said the refusal to examine the pandemics impact on mental health risks failing the people with pre-existing mental health conditions who died at five times the rate of the general population.

Baroness Heather Hallett is overseeing the Covid-19 UK inquiry (James Manning/PA)

An inquiry spokesman said Lady Hallett has explained that the inquiry will cover the pandemics impact on the mental health of the population throughout our investigations, including Module 3, as well as our UK-wide listening exercise, Every Story Matters.

Meanwhile, lawyers at the preliminary hearing also raised concerns about so-called spotlight hospitals, facilities that have been selected to assist the inquiry in gathering evidence of the impact of Covid-19.

The inquiry sent requests to 22 hospitals across the country in order to gauge what steps were taken in response to the virus and the challenges they faced.

However, Pete Weatherby, who is representing the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, told the probe he understands the approach and its design to get a spread of evidence from across the UK but urged further consideration on a number of key issues.

He noted that the selection of hospitals in Northern Ireland are in main cities, but not rural areas, while hospitals in Wales are located in the south, which Mr Weatherby said excludes the health care experience from across the rest of the country.

Speaking about the Welsh hospitals selected, Aswini Weereratne, representing Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru, said large swathes of Wales  the rest of South Wales for example, north Wales and rural areas  are not covered by the selection made.

Jacqueline Carey, lead counsel for Module 3 of the Inquiry, said: The purpose of the spotlight is not to identify hospitals most severely affected by the pandemic.

Nor was it to conduct an examination nation by nation, region by region, or hospital by hospital. It is not a comparative exercise comparing one hospitals response against another, nor could it be.
Royal connections with Ballymena deemed not strong enough

Ballymena doesnt have a strong enough royal connection to justify re-naming its town hall in memory of the late Queen, the Government has said.

The Cabinet Office has refused Mid and East Antrim Borough Council permission to rename its headquarters in memory of Elizabeth II.

The motion to rename The Braid was brought by TUV councillor Matthew Armstrong, and seconded by party colleague councillor Timothy Gaston.

The motion was also backed by the council.

In November 2022, Mr Armstrong proposed The Braid and town hall complex be renamed The Queen Elizabeth II Civic Centre and to invite King Charles to perform its rededication in his coronation year.

He said at the time it was fitting and proper after an exemplary 70-year reign and the council takes steps to ensure an enduring legacy to Her late Majesty.

Sinn Fein councillors James McKeown and Ian Friary voted against the motion.

A report presented at last weeks council meeting said: Council followed the relevant protocols and contacted The Royal Names Team at the Cabinet Office for the renaming of The Braid to be considered.

However, the council was advised: Permission to use the title Royal and other protected titles is granted by His Majesty the King on the advice of his ministers. The title Royal is very sparingly granted and strict standards are applied.

Memorialisation guidance provides that the full title of Queen Elizabeth II will be closely protected and only be granted for applications with strong Royal connections.

We have carefully considered your request, unfortunately your application does not demonstrate the level of Royal connection necessary in order to make a favourable recommendation to His Majesty the King in this matter.

The Braid in Ballymena

The reply was noted at the meeting without any comment.

Meanwhile, the council has agreed to proceed with the purchase of plaques commemorating the late Queen and Prince Philip. Alliance councillor Aaron Skinner asked why a report was not included in councillors papers.

Interim chief executive Valerie Watts indicated that at the time the reports for the meeting were being prepared, it was not known where the money was coming from for the purchase.

However, she reported funding will come from the local authoritys facilities maintenance budget.

Mr Skinner asked if the matter could be deferred until the next council meeting.

It is more important to have democratic oversight, he said.

DUP councillor Billy Ashe said: As somebody who made the proposal, would it not be just courtesy that the officers keep them informed about what is happening as it goes along?

DUP councillor Beth Adger requested one of the plaques be placed at a main entrance to The Braid where they can be seen.
Two men are to stand trial on charges connected to hoax warnings about bombs at Sinn Fein representatives houses and party offices, a judge ordered on Wednesday.

Finton Geraghty (45) is accused of making false claims that explosive devices had been left at the homes of North Belfast MP John Finucane and city councillor Seanna Walsh.

Co-defendant Christopher Maxwell (46) was allegedly behind a bogus alert that a bomb had been left at Connolly House, Sinn Feins former headquarters in west Belfast.

Both men are also accused of involvement in a similar hoax at an Eleventh Night bonfire site.

At Belfast Magistrates Court, District Judge Steven Keown ruled there is enough evidence for the cases to proceed to trial.

Geraghty, of Ivy Hill in Lisburn, is charged with two counts of communicating false information causing belief of an explosion.

It is alleged that he contacted a priest on July 1, 2019 with the intention of inducing a bogus belief that bombs were present at the homes of Mr Finucane and Mr Walsh.

He is also accused of falsely informing a PSNI operator ten days later that an explosive device had been left at Avoniel Leisure Centre in east Belfast.

Maxwell, of Blackstaff Mews in the city, faces two counts of communicating false information causing belief of an explosion and a further charge of placing an article causing a bomb hoax.

The allegations against him relate to the leisure centre incident on July 11, 2019 and another fake warning the following year.

Maxwell communicated bogus information to a member of Sinn Feins staff that a bomb had been left at Connolly House and placed a hoax article at the party offices on August 9, 2020, according to the charges.

Proceedings were previously on hold amid efforts to obtain information on a report from a voice expert.

But both accused attended court today for a preliminary enquiry into the charges.

During the brief hearing Geraghty and Maxwell declined to give evidence or call any witnesses at this stage.

Defence solicitors Mark Austin and Paul Farrell did not contest Crown submissions that their clients have prima facie cases to answer.

Granting the prosecutions application, Judge Keown returned the two accused for trial at Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Geraghty and Maxwell were both released on continuing bail.
Two people have been released on bail after they were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was stabbed multiple times in west Belfast.

The victim suffered injuries to his face, body and arms during the incident in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The PSNI said: "Just after 2.45am, we received a report from our colleagues in Northern Ireland Ambulance Service that a man had been stabbed in the St Bernadette's Avenue area.

Locator: St Bernadette's Avenue

"When officers arrived at the scene, a man aged in his 20s was found with multiple wounds to his face, body and arms.

He was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries, which are not believed to be life threatening at this time.

"A 38-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. They remain in police custody.

"Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious to contact police on 101 quoting reference 135 of 10/04/24.

Forensic officers remained at the scene on Wednesday morning, examining several items at the scene.

Police and forensic officers at the scene of a stabbing incident in the St Bernadette's Avenue area of west Belfast on April 9th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

SDLP west Belfast councillor Paul Doherty said there is concern in the local community after the incident.

My thoughts are with the victim who is currently receiving treatment in hospital for their injuries and I hope they make a quick and full recovery, he said.

The use of a knife in this attack is extremely sinister and there is no place for anyone to be carrying weapons on our streets.

"We know from bitter experience that knife crime can often have tragic consequences leaving devastated families behind and this is not something we want to see take hold in this community.

I would urge anyone with any information about what happened here to come forward to police. This is a close-knit community and the last thing anyone wants to see is something like this happening on their doorstep.
The United States, Britain and Australia are considering Korea, Canada and New Zealand as potential partners for cooperation on advanced capability projects of their AUKUS security partnership, a senior U.S. official said Tuesday.

The remarks came a day after the defense chiefs of the three countries issued a joint statement noting their consideration of Japan as a partner for Pillar II projects of the partnership.

Launched in September 2021 in an apparent move to counter China's assertiveness, AUKUS consists of two key pillars. Pillar I is to support Australia in acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, while Pillar II is for cooperation in high-tech areas, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence and hypersonics.

"The AUKUS partners are considering a range of additional partners who may bring unique strengths to Pillar 2, including the ROK, Canada and New Zealand, in addition to Japan," the official said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency. ROK stands for Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

"Additional partners will only be added with full consensus, however, and through a consultation process that will take some months," the official added.

In their joint statement, the AUKUS defense chiefs highlighted their confidence that "engaging like-minded partners in the work of Pillar II will only strengthen" their pursuit of the shared objective to deliver advanced capabilities in support of regional stability.

Beijing has criticized AUKUS, arguing that "bloc confrontation and exclusive groupings" go against "the trend of the times" and worsen an arms race in the region. (Yonhap)
Mary Lou McDonald calls out Simon Harris for Dail no show  but new Taoiseach was on phone with NI leaders

Mary Lou McDonald calls out Taoiseach Simon Harris for Dail no show

Senan Molony and David Young Wed 10 Apr 2024 at 19:03







Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has criticised new Taoiseach Simon Harris for failing to appear before the Dail for questions  although it later emerged that he was on the phone with the Sinn Fein deputy leader at the time.
South Armagh watchtowers had function so secretive that security agencies wouldnt even tell America

Secret Army assessment given to Downing Street before major meeting with Chief Constable and General Officer Commanding, as Sinn Fein pressed for reduction in military installations

An Army helicopter crewman leans out of a Puma to look at the Romeo 101 observation post near Camlough in south Armagh in October 2001 as it started to be dismantled. Photo: Paul Faith/POOL/AFP via Getty

Sam McBride Wed 10 Apr 2024 at 07:30

The south Armagh watchtowers had a function which was so secretive that British security agencies did not even tell America what they really did, according to declassified Government files.
Palestinian ambassador Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid welcomed Irish deputy premier Micheal Martins assertion that Ireland will formally recognise Palestinian statehood, but said it should have already happened (Niall Carson/PA)

Ireland should have already recognised Palestine, its ambassador in Dublin has said.

Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid welcomed comments from Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin that Ireland will formally recognise Palestinian statehood, but said it should have already happened.

On Tuesday, Mr Martin said he is bringing a formal proposal to the Government after working with other countries on a joint declaration.

He said: For the past six months, Ive maintained ongoing discussions with ministerial colleagues and other countries about how a joint formal recognition of Palestinian statehood could be a catalyst to help the people of Gaza and the West Bank, and in furthering an Arab-led peace initiative.

Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin said he is bringing a formal proposal to the Government (Oliver McVeigh/PA)

Weve agreed that the undermining of the Oslo Accords, and therefore the agreement to create two states, has reached the point where the accords approach with recognition after a final agreement is not credible or tenable any longer.

Ive discussed this with those in the region who are working on peace initiatives and co-ordination with other countries continues intensively.

Weve discussed this between the Government parties and it is my intention to bring to Government a formal proposal on recognition when these wider international discussions are complete.

Mr Martin, who is also Irish foreign minister, added: But be in no doubt, recognition of a Palestinian state will happen.

The Palestinian Embassy in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA)

On Wednesday, Dr Wahba Abdalmajid welcomed the comments.

I hope that this recognition by Ireland will be a reality soon, and Ireland will lead other EU states to follow suit, she said.

Ireland has always stood on the right side of history, justice, humanity international law  so I expected that Ireland will lead in the recognition of the State of Palestine.

However, asked whether Ireland should have moved to recognise Palestine a long time ago, the ambassador said: Yes.

She told RTEs Morning Ireland radio programme that the right to a Palestinian state is an entitlement that arose from the 1947 Partition Plan which also led to the creation of Israel.

The Palestinians deserve this. In 1947, when the Partition Plan gives these rights to the Israelis and the Palestinians  to the Arabs who live in Palestine, the homeland of the Palestinians

(To give recognition) is not helping the Palestinians  its something that they have the right to.

Dr Wahba Abdalmajid added: The whole world  the international community  should acknowledge and recognise the rights of the Palestinians who have their own free state of Palestine.
Taoiseach Simon Harris told his partys parliamentarians they can win the next general election after completing his junior ministerial reshuffle.

He also spoke to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on his first full day as Irelands premier.

At his first parliamentary party meeting since becoming both Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach, Mr Harris told TDs and Senators their party can win the next general election and have a major role in the formation of the next government.

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

Fine Gael is polling at about 21%, behind Sinn Fein on 26% but ahead of coalition partners Fianna Fail, which has 16% support, according to a survey by Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks at the weekend.

On Wednesday, Mr Harris promoted three backbenchers to junior ministerial level as he made further changes to portfolios held by Fine Gael.

Neale Richmond has become the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, which was left vacant on Tuesday after Jennifer Carroll MacNeill was appointed as the junior minister for European Affairs.

Mr Richmonds old role of Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise has been given to first-time junior minister Emer Higgins.

Emer Higgins, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise (Brian Lawless/PA)

In another first, Colm Burke has been appointed as the Minister of State for Wellbeing and Drugs Strategy, after Hildegarde Naughton was moved from the role to be given responsibility for special education on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Kieran ODonnell has been been moved from junior minister at the Department of Housing to take on the Minister of State for the OPW role that became free when Patrick ODonovan was promoted to Cabinet.

Mr ODonnells old role will be taken on by Mayo TD Alan Dillon, who becomes a minister of state for the first time.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael has dropped the Gaeltacht portfolio following the promotion of Patrick ODonovan.

Alan Dillon (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mr ODonovan, who held that junior minister role, was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Further Education on Tuesday.

In the reshuffle of junior minister positions on Wednesday, no Fine Gael appointee inherited the role.

Instead, Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne added the job to his existing responsibilities as Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education.

The Gaeltacht job is normally held by a minister who can speak Irish, as Mr Byrne does.

Asked why Mr Harris had ceded the responsibility to Fianna Fail, a spokesman said that the three coalition party leaders had decided the role should sit with a minister within the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

The spokesman rejected the suggestion there was no Fine Gael TD with proficiency in Irish to take the role.

Coalition party leaders with junior ministers (Brian Lawless/PA)

At a photo opportunity with the new junior ministers on Wednesday, Mr Harris said he had a very good team.

He added that his first full-day as Taoiseach was a busy one.

The Taoiseach chaired a Cabinet meeting in which the junior ministers were appointed and went on to established Cabinet subcommittees, including a newly formed committee on disability, education and children which was described by a spokesman as a priority for the new premier.

In addition, coalition leaders agreed it was necessary to expand the remit of Cabinet subcommittee on Ukraine to include migration and integration.

Neale Richmond, Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Brian Lawless/PA)

Really looking forward to trying to break down silos to improve disability services in this country, Mr Harris said.

The Government also decided that the National Economic Dialogue will take place on May 27, which is an event seen as the first step of the annual Budget process.

Mr Harris held productive and engaging phone calls with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Today is the 26th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and I think it is so fitting today that I would engage with the Prime Minister, looking forward to having a conversation with the prime minister of our nearest neighbour.

He reiterated Irelands full and total support for Ukraine in the call with Mr Zelensky.

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

The Ukrainian president congratulated Mr Harris on his election and thanked him for Irelands support for Ukraine.

He also invited the Taoiseach to attend the upcoming Global Peace Summit on Ukraine.

Mr Harris also spoke to Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, and emphasised how important he sees his role as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

There was consternation in the Dail when the Government chief whip said Mr Harris would be unavailable for Leaders Questions due to these scheduled calls.
It is wholly unacceptable that new Taoiseach Simon Harris did not attend the resumption of the Dail following his appointment, Sinn Fein has said.

Opposition parties criticised the Government for voting through changes to the Dail order of business for Wednesday which meant that Leaders Questions was among the items dropped from the schedule.

Asked where Mr Harris was for the Dail sitting, Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughton replied: The Taoiseach is not available to take Leaders Questions today because hes speaking with the UK Prime Minister.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described the new Taoiseach as a no-show (Damien Storan/PA)

She said he also had to conduct phone calls with Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelensky as well as Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

Additionally, she said he is preparing to travel to Brussels and Warsaw on Thursday, when he will meet president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described the new Taoiseach as a no-show, and noted that he had ended a contribution on Tuesday with the words: Lets get to work.

Ms McDonald said: We have a lot of work to do, the Government has a lot of questions to answer, and yet the Taoiseach has not shown up  this is wholly unacceptable.

She added: That is an absolute disgrace.

Ms McDonald added: Weve shown up to do our job. We are here, weve shown in for work; where is the Taoiseach? He ought to be here taking questions and dealing with the issues that matter to the people.

Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughton (Brian Lawless/PA)

It later emerged that the first phone call on that agenda took place at 3.30pm, while Dail business began at 2pm on Wednesday.

A spokesman for Mr Harris said he had a busy work schedule for Wednesday starting at 7.50am, including Cabinet meetings and the appointment of junior ministers, and that the Dail usually rises for a week following the appointment of a Taoiseach.

The spokesman added that he had briefings and had to prepare for the engagements and calls with Mr Zelensky, Mr Sunak and Ms Von der Leyen.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik expressed disappointment with the changes to the schedule for Wednesday.

It is simply unacceptable that we have business not ordered properly and what looks  if I may say  somewhat like made-up business over the next two days when theres so much important work to be done.

Social Democrats TD Catherine Martin said the Business Committee, which decides the Dail schedule, had become a facade.

Newly elected Taoiseach Simon Harris leaving the Dail, in Dublin, following the vote by Irish parliamentarians to elect him (Maxwell Photography/PA)

Ms Martin said: This is the business of the Dail, not the business of the Government exclusively.

Independent TD Mattie McGrath described this weeks running order as a shambles and an absolute insult.

Noting the absence of the Taoiseach and Tanaiste, Mr McGrath said: This is total disrespect for the house. We should go over to the wax museum and get a model made.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle said the Business Committee was fake.

He said: The Business Committee is a joke and a waste of time, I believe, because the Government doesnt pay any attention to it.

The Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail, who chairs the Business Committee, rejected the characterisation that it was a charade.

He said: The truth of the matter is, the Business Committee is far from perfect, but it has worked pretty effectively.

Mr O Fearghail also said Ms Naughton was the best Government whip he had seen.

She continuously takes on board points that are raised by people on the opposition and tries to work them into the business programme.

So it is not the case that the Business Committee is a charade.

Ms Naughton said she will continue to endeavour to work with opposition parties on Dail business.

We in Government have to set the agenda  the legislation.

But we have always  and I have and I will continue to do so  to listen to your suggestions around other statements or whatever you might want to discuss into the future.

The Government won a vote on the proposed changes to the Dail business. Mr Harris did not attend the vote.

Leaders Questions are often taken by Tanaiste Micheal Martin, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan or other Cabinet ministers.

Mr Harris is scheduled to take Leaders Questions as Taoiseach for the first time on Tuesday.
Research suggests the majority of clinical guidelines on gender care have not followed international standards (Alamy/PA)

The pillars of gender medicine are built on shaky foundations the chair of a review into NHS care for children has said, as evidence was found to be severely lacking on the impacts of puberty blockers and hormone treatments.

Dr Hilary Cass said healthcare for people questioning their gender needs to be improved across the board but added that there is a distinction between having a trans identity and medically transitioning.

Dr Cass, who chaired the Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for children and young people, said that many people with gender diverse identities dont want to go down a medical pathway but will still be in need of support.

Her comments came alongside a piece she wrote for the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in which she said that while medicine is usually based on the pillars of integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values and preferences, she had found that in gender medicine those pillars are built on shaky foundations.

Research by the University of York was commissioned to inform the reviews final report, including on social transitioning and current evidence around medical interventions.

A review of 50 studies into puberty blockers concluded that there is a lack of high-quality research assessing their use in adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria or incongruence and that no conclusions can be drawn about the impact on gender dysphoria, mental and psychosocial health or cognitive development.

It also notes: Bone health and height may be compromised during treatment.

Dr Cass said while the rationale for puberty blockers remains unclear, the clearest indication is they can help birth-registered males to pass  look less male  in adult life by preventing the irreversible changes of male puberty.

Her report added that it had heard that widespread claims puberty blockers reduce the risk of death by suicide may place pressure on families to obtain private treatment and that some GPs had been put under pressure to continue prescribing such treatments on the basis that failing to do so will put young people at risk of suicide.

But the University of York systematic review found no evidence they improve dysphoria, and very limited evidence for positive mental health outcomes.

Another review of 53 studies looking at hormone treatments  masculinising and feminising hormones testosterone and oestrogen  found a lack of high-quality research assessing their use in adolescents.

While it found there is moderate-quality evidence suggesting mental health may be improved during treatment, researchers said robust study is still required.

On the suggestion that hormone treatment reduces risk of death by suicide in children seeking gender care, the evidence found did not support this conclusion, the review said.

Most of the 23 guidelines  comprising international, regional and national  for managing children with gender dysphoria or incongruence lacks an independent and evidence-based approach and information about how recommendations were developed.

They warned that this should be considered when such guidelines are used to inform service development and clinical practice.

Writing in the BMJ, Dr Cass said: The findings of the series of systematic reviews and guideline appraisals are disappointing.

They suggest that the majority of clinical guidelines have not followed the international standards for guideline development.

She said the World Professional Association of Transgender Healthcare (WPATH) had been highly influential in directing international practice, although its guidelines were found by the University of Yorks appraisal to lack developmental rigour and transparency.

In the foreword to her report, Dr Cass said while doctors tend to be cautious in implementing new findings quite the reverse happened in the field of gender care for children.

She said a single Dutch study, suggesting puberty blockers may improve psychological wellbeing for a narrowly defined group of children with gender incongruence, had formed the basis for their use to spread at pace to other countries.

Subsequently, there was a greater readiness to start masculinising/feminising hormones in mid-teens.

She added: Some practitioners abandoned normal clinical approaches to holistic assessment, which has meant that this group of young people have been exceptionalised compared to other young people with similarly complex presentations. They deserve very much better.

Dr Cass said her recommendation for an expanded service grounded in paediatric services and delivered in a consistent way should be able to evolve and adapt as new research emerges.

She has recommended care must be much more holistic and consider a child as a whole person and not just through the lens of their gender identity.

The overall review noted a higher proportion of birth-registered females presenting to gender services in adolescence, and Dr Cass said there is a lack of follow-up data on this group who frequently have a range of co-occurring conditions including adverse childhood experiences, autism, and a range of mental health challenges.

She said: Filling this knowledge gap would be of great help to the young people wanting to make informed choices about their treatment.
Members of the European Parliament participate in a series of votes as they attend a plenary session at the European Parliament in Brussels (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP)

European Union legislators have approved a major revamp of the blocs migration laws aimed at ending years of division over how to manage the entry of thousands of people without authorisation and depriving the far right of a vote-winning campaign issue ahead of June elections.

In a series of 10 votes, members of the European Parliament endorsed the regulations and policies that make up the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The reforms address the thorny issue of who should take responsibility for migrants when they arrive and whether other EU countries should be obliged to help.

The proceedings were briefly interrupted by a small but noisy group of demonstrators in the public gallery who wore shirts marked This pact kills and shouted Vote no!

Demonstrators wear a message on their shirts which reads This pact kills while standing in the visitors gallery at the European Parliament in Brussels (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP)

The 27 EU member countries must now endorse the reform package, possibly in a vote in late April, before it can enter force.

European Parliament president Roberta Metsola, a former lead legislator on migration who helped pave the way for the reform package, posted History made on X, formerly Twitter, after the votes.

It has been more than 10 years in the making. But we kept our word. A balance between solidarity and responsibility. This is the European way, she wrote.

German interior minister Nancy Faeser described the result as a major and very important success.

After years of tough negotiations, we have agreed on this comprehensive package. We have thus overcome a deep division in Europe, said Ms Faeser, whose country has been a top destination for people seeking refuge, in a written statement.

We continue to protect people fleeing terrible wars, terror, torture and murder. But this responsibility for refugees will be spread across more shoulders in future, she added.

The plan was drawn up after 1.3 million people, mostly those fleeing war in Syria and Iraq, sought refuge in Europe in 2015.

The EUs asylum system collapsed, reception centres were overwhelmed in Greece and Italy, and countries further north built barriers to stop people entering.

European Parliament president Roberta Metsola, centre right, chairs as Members of the European Parliament participate in a series of votes during a plenary session in Brussels (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP)

But few have admitted to being happy with the new policy response to one of Europes biggest political crises, and even the legislators who drafted parts of the new regulations are unwilling to support the entire reform package.

Im not going to open a bottle of champagne after this, Dutch legislator Sophie int Veld, who drew up the assemblys position on migrant reception conditions, told reporters on the eve of the plenary session in Brussels.

She said she planned to abstain from some of the votes.

Ms Int Veld described the pact as the bare minimum in terms of a policy response, but she does not want to torpedo it by voting against.

We will not have another opportunity to come to an agreement, she said.

Swedish parliamentarian Malin Bjork, who worked on refugee resettlement, said that the pact does not respond to any of the questions it was set to solve.

She said the reform package undermines the individual right to seek asylum in Europe because it would build on plans that some EU countries already have to process migrants abroad.

Italy has concluded one such deal with Albania.

Members of the European Parliament participate in a series of votes in Brussels (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP)

We cannot have a situation where people systematically, in their thousands, die on their way seeking protection and refuge in Europe, Ms Bjork told reporters.

The new rules include controversial measures: facial images and fingerprints could be taken from children from the age of six, and people may be detained during screening.

Fast-track deportation could be used on those not permitted to stay.

On the other side of the ledger, countries can be obligated to help their EU partners by offering to house people eligible for asylum or, failing that, to pay the costs of lodging them elsewhere.

Migrant and human rights groups mostly condemned the reform package.

In a joint statement, 22 charity groups, including the International Rescue Committee and Oxfam, said the pact leaves troubling cracks deep within Europes approach to asylum and migration, and fails to offer sustainable solutions for people seeking safety at Europes borders.

However, they did note that part of the reforms governing the resettlement of migrants to Europe from outside the bloc offers a glimmer of hope for many refugees across the globe.

Eve Geddie, from Amnesty International, described it as a failure to show global leadership.

For people escaping conflict, persecution, or economic insecurity, these reforms will mean less protection and a greater risk of facing human rights violations across Europe  including illegal and violent pushbacks, arbitrary detention, and discriminatory policing, she said.

Mainstream political parties wanted to secure agreement on the pact ahead of Europe-wide elections on June 6-9.

Migration is a likely campaign issue, and they believe the reforms address concerns about an issue that has been a consistent vote-winner for far-right parties.

In a post on X, Beata Szydlo, a member of Polands nationalist Law and Justice party and a former prime minister, criticised the pact on Wednesday.

The migration policy of the EU is wrong and needs to be changed. But you cant put out the fire by adding more oil to it, she said.

The outcry over migrants in Europe focuses largely on the tiny minority of people who enter on unseaworthy boats or cross Europes borders on foot.

Millions enter legally each year.

Less than 10% are living in Europe illegally, and the majority of those entered with permission but refused to leave when their visas expired.

The main issue, once the regulations are completely endorsed, is whether the member countries will ever fully implement them, and whether the EUs executive branch, the European Commission, will enforce the rules when it has chosen not to do so to avoid exacerbating the political crisis in recent years.
The Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is being celebrated by Muslims with family reunions, new clothes and sweet treats.

In Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim nation, nearly three quarters of people were travelling for the annual homecoming known locally as mudik that is always welcomed with excitement.

Mudik is not just an annual ritual or tradition for us, said civil servant Ridho Alfian, who lives in the Jakarta area and was travelling to the province of Lampung at the southern tip of Sumatra. This is a right moment to reconnect, like recharging energy that has been drained almost a year away from home.

A Muslim woman shows her daughter how to pray as they attend a mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Vincent Thian/AP)

Before the Eid al-Fitr holiday, markets teemed with shoppers buying clothes, shoes and sweets.

People poured out of major cities to return to villages to celebrate the holiday with their loved ones. Flights were overbooked and anxious relatives weighed down with boxes of gifts formed long lines at bus and train stations for the journey.

For Arini Dewi, Eid al-Fitr is a day of victory from economic difficulties during Ramadan.

Im happy in celebrating Eid holiday despite the surge in food prices, said the mother of two.

Muslims perform prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at a field in Bali (Firdia Lisnawati/AP)

Former vice president Jusuf Kalla was among Jakarta residents offering prayers at the Al Azhar mosque.

Lets celebrate Eid al-Fitr as a day of victory from many difficulties of course there are many social problems during fasting month of Ramadan, but we can overcome it with faith and piety, he said.

On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, Jakarta residents set off fireworks on streets that were mostly empty after city residents travelled home.

On Wednesday morning, Muslims joined communal prayers shoulder-to-shoulder on the streets and inside mosques. Jakartas Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, was flooded with devotees offering the morning prayers.

People try to catch free balloons distributed during Eid al-Fitr in Cairo, Egypt (Amr Nabil/AP)

Preachers in their sermons called on people to pray for Muslims in Gaza who were suffering after six months of war.

This is the time for Muslims and non-Muslims to show humanitarian solidarity, because the conflict in Gaza is not a religious war, but a humanitarian problem, said Jimly Asshiddiqie, who chairs the advisory board of the Indonesian Mosque Council.

In Pakistan, authorities have deployed more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces to keep security at mosques and marketplaces. People were shopping as usual on Tuesday, with women buying bangles, jewellery and clothes for themselves and their children.

In Malaysia, ethnic Malay Muslims performed morning prayers at mosques nationwide just weeks after socks printed with the word Allah at a convenience store chain sparked a furore. Many found it offensive to associate the word with feet or for it to be used inappropriately.

Muslim children share Eid greetings in Karachi, Pakistan (Fareed Khan/AP)

Malaysias Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, called for unity and reconciliation in his message on the eve of Eid, saying no groups should be sidelined based on religion or any other reason.

We must be firm, resolute and unwavering in our commitment to foster values and build a dignified nation, he said. However, let us not take this as a licence or opportunity to insult, undermine, or damage the cultural practices and way of life of others.

The owners of the KK Mart chain and representatives from one of its suppliers were charged with offending the religious feelings of Muslims.

KK Mart Group said the supplier sent items the company had not agreed to stock. The supply company founder apologised for being careless in the inspection of the imported items.

Palestinians gather for Eid al-Fitr prayers in Jerusalem (Mahmoud Illean/AP)

In Turkey, thousands of worshippers gathered at the Aya Sofya Mosque in Istanbul for morning Eid prayers, some carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in support of people in Gaza.

Many laid their prayer rugs in the square in front of the former Byzantine cathedral, which was reconverted to a mosque four years ago, as space inside quickly filled.

In a holiday message, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent support to Gaza, which he called a bleeding wound on the conscience of humanity.

I hope that the Eid will lead to peace, tranquillity and wellbeing for our country, our nation, the Islamic world and all humanity, he added.

The war in Gaza was also the focus of prayers at a mosque in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

We should not forget our brothers and sisters in Palestine, Imam Abdulrahman Musa said.
Two tribal nations are accusing social media companies of contributing to the disproportionately high rates of suicide among Native American young people (PA)

Two tribal nations are accusing social media companies of contributing to the disproportionately high rates of suicide among Native American youth.

Their lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Los Angeles county court names Facebook and Instagrams parent company Meta Platforms; Snapchats Snap Inc; TikTok parent company ByteDance; and Alphabet, which owns YouTube and Google, as defendants.

Many US teenagers use social media, and roughly one in six describe their use as almost constant, according to the Pew Research Centre.

But Native youth are particularly vulnerable to these companies addictive profit-driven design choices, given historic teen suicide rates and mental health issues across Indian Country, chairperson Lonna Jackson-Street of the Spirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota said in a press release.

Enough is enough. Endless scrolling is rewiring our teenagers brains, added Gena Kakkak, chairwoman of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. We are demanding these social media corporations take responsibility for intentionally creating dangerous features that ramp up the compulsive use of social media by the youth on our reservation.

Their lawsuit describes a sophisticated and intentional effort that has caused a continuing, substantial, and long-term burden to the tribe and its members, leaving scarce resources for education, cultural preservation and other social programmes.

A growing number of similar lawsuits are being pursued by US school districts, states, cities and other entities, claiming that TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube exploit children and adolescents with features that keep them constantly scrolling and checking their accounts.

New York City, its schools and public hospital system accuse the platforms of fuelling a childhood mental health crisis that is disrupting learning and draining resources.

School boards in Ontario, Canada, claim teachers are struggling because platforms designed for compulsive use have rewired the way children think, behave, and learn.

The Associated Press approached the companies for comment. Google said the allegations in these complaints are simply not true.

Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work, Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said in a statement. In collaboration with youth, mental health and parenting experts, we built services and policies to provide young people with age-appropriate experiences, and parents with robust controls.

Snap Inc said it provides an alternative to a feed of online content. We will always have more work to do, and will continue to work to make Snapchat a platform that helps close friends feel connected, happy and prepared as they face the many challenges of adolescence, the companys statement said.

Native Americans experience higher rates of suicide than any other racial demographic in the US, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, jumping nearly 20% from 2015 to 2020 compared with a less-than 1% increase among the overall US population.

Mental health care is already difficult to access from remote locations, and generations of colonisation and social stigma create more barriers, particularly when the care is not culturally appropriate, advocates say.

About 87% of people who identify as Native American do not live on an Indian reservation, according to the 2020 US Census, and social media can help them connect with tradition, culture and other tribal communities.

But they also might experience discrimination online. And social media companies dont always have great, helpful policies for managing that, said Andrea Wiglesworth, an enrolled member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation and Shawnee Tribe who researches stress in Native populations at the University of Minnesota.

Native American identity is a complex mix of political and cultural experiences that varies from tribe to tribe and within indigenous communities, adding a unique layer of stress onto other social pressures, Wiglesworth said.

I wont speak for all Native people, but from my lived experience there is this sense of shared responsibility for the wellbeing of our community and community members, she added. She said indigenous people need to think about how they carry that commitment into the digital world.

In Congress, a bipartisan group of senators is supporting the Kids Online Safety Act, which in part would require platform design changes to prevent harm.

Tech industry groups have opposed the Bill, and the American Civil Liberties Union has raised censorship concerns.
Korea's opposition bloc, including the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was expected to sweep as many as more than 200 seats in Wednesday's parliamentary elections in what would be a crushing defeat for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The results, if materialized, would give the opposition bloc more than a two-thirds majority in the 300-member National Assembly that is powerful enough to override presidential vetoes, revise the Constitution and impeach the president.

Yoon is sure to fall into a lame duck situation.

TV exit polls showed that the DPK and its sister Democratic United Party that only targets proportional representation seats would win 168-197 seats, while the PPP and its sister People Future Party were expected to win 85-111 seats.

The new Rebuilding Korea Party, led by the scandal-tainted former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, was projected to win as many as 15 proportional seats, after campaigning with calls for bringing an early end to the Yoon government.

If confirmed, the predictions would deal a severe blow to Yoon, whose administration has struggled with challenges due to low approval ratings and the opposition-controlled National Assembly over the past two years.

This year's vote carried extra weight for the PPP as a failure to regain a majority could potentially render the Yoon administration a lame duck for the remaining three years of his single five-year term, ending in 2027.

The PPP has pleaded for voter support, imploring that the Yoon administration has been unable to push its reform agenda properly forward for the past two years due to the uncooperative parliament under opposition control.

The DPK, on the other hand, has urged voters to pass stern judgment on what it calls the "incompetent" Yoon administration, accusing it of causing the economy and the livelihoods of the people to worsen seriously and mishandling a series of controversial issues for the past two years.

Following the release of exit poll results, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon expressed disappointment.

"The PPP did its best to do politics that uphold the will of the people, but the exit poll results are disappointing," Han said after watching the results at the National Assembly with party members. "We will watch the results of vote counting until the end."

The DPK celebrated the exit poll outcomes, with leader Lee Jae-myung applauding alongside party members at the National Assembly.

"We will watch people's choices until the end with a humble heart," Lee said.

Cho, the former justice minister, hailed the exit poll results as victory for the people.

"The people have won," Cho said after watching the exit polls. "The people have made their intent clear that it is a verdict handed down to the Yoon Suk Yeol government."

Cho said the results showed that the people can "no longer put up with the regression" of the government, urging Yoon to humbly accept the election outcome.

Observers have emphasized the significance of the 48 constituencies in Seoul, regarding them as the primary battlegrounds that will ultimately shape the election outcome, as historical data suggests that results in Seoul often closely reflect the overall election results.

According to exit polls conducted by three broadcasters, in the Gyeyang-B district in Incheon, just west of Seoul, 56.1 percent of voters cast their ballots for DPK Chairman Lee, while 43.8 percent voted for PPP rival Won Hee-ryong, who previously served as the country's land minister.

In Seoul's Dongjak-B district, DPK candidate Ryu Sam-young emerged victorious in a closely contested race against four-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won of the PPP, according to the polls.

Final results are expected early Thursday.

Voter turnout recorded the highest in 32 years.

A total of 14,259 polling stations across the nation closed at 6 p.m., after some 29.66 million, or 67 percent, of the total 44.28 million eligible voters had cast their ballots for 12 hours, according to the National Election Commission. The results were tentative.

The turnout was 0.8 percentage point higher than the 2020 tally of 66.2 percent, marking the highest turnout for general elections since 1992, when the turnout came in at 71.9 percent. (Yonhap)




The top general for US forces in Europe has told Congress that Ukraine will be outgunned 10 to one by Russia within a matter of weeks if Congress does not find a way to approve sending more ammunition and weapons to Kyiv soon.

The evidence from Army General Christopher Cavoli, head of US European Command, and Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs, comes as Congress enters pivotal weeks for voting for aid for Ukraine, but there is no guarantee funding will be approved in time.

Ukraine has been rationing its munitions as Congress has delayed passing its 60 billion dollar (48 billion) supplemental Bill.

They are now being outshot by the Russian side five to one. So the Russians fire five times as many artillery shells at the Ukrainians than the Ukrainians are able to fire back. That will immediately go to 10 to one in a matter of weeks, Gen Cavoli said.

Were not talking about months. Were not talking hypothetically.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has been trying to find a way forward for the Bill that would fund new rounds of munitions production at US firms to enable the Pentagon to then rush more munitions to Ukraine.

Mr Johnson is trying to bring it to the floor for a House vote, but he is facing concerns from members who cite domestic needs, including border security.

The speaker is also facing a threat to his leadership role from his far-right flank by Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has called for his ousting over the issue.

While the political battles on Capitol Hill continue, the dire battlefield situation in Ukraine worsens.

Gen Cavoli told the legislators that in this conflict the US flow of 155mm artillery shells has been a lifeline.

The biggest killer on the battlefield is artillery. In most conflicts, but in this one definitely. And should Ukraine run out, they would run out because we stopped supplying  because we supply the lions share of that, Gen Cavoli said.

Russias own production of missiles has ramped up and can launch large-scale attacks every few days.

If Ukraines air defence stocks run out, those attacks would absolutely cripple the economy, and the civil society as well as the military of Ukraine if they were not defended against without a US provision of interceptors, Gen Cavoli said.

Their ability to defend their terrain that they currently hold and their airspace would fade rapidly, will fade rapidly without the supplemental, Gen Cavoli said.

US Army leaders offered similar dire warnings to the House Defence Appropriations Subcommittee later in the day, saying that the lack of the supplemental is a critical problem for both Ukraine and the US Army.

The side that cant shoot back loses, and at this point Ukraine is really starting to be pressed to be able to shoot back. So I am very concerned, said army secretary Christine Wormuth.

We saw Ukraine lose some territory a couple of months ago. And I think there is a real danger that the Russians could have a breakthrough somewhere in the line.

General Randy George, chief of staff of the army, added that the funding is needed to help send Ukraine long-range weapons and air defence systems so they can defend their critical infrastructure and their troops on the front lines.

At the same time, Ms Wormuth and Gen George said that unless Congress approves the supplemental soon, the army will not have enough money to bring home the troops currently serving in Europe, or funding to train units in the US.

We dont have the transportation money to have them redeploy, said Ms Wormuth, referring to army units that are deployed across Europe.

We dont have the transportation money to send units to backfill them.

She and Gen George said they also need the money to continue sending units to the national training centres.

To avoid outright cancellation of the training rotations, Ms Wormuth said they can try to reduce participation or shrink their size.

But those are the kinds of hard choices were looking at. If we dont see the supplementals come across, she said.

If Kyiv falls, it could imperil Ukraines Baltic Nato member neighbours and potentially drag US troops into a prolonged European war.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

At a Capitol Hill press conference on Wednesday, Mr Johnson said: House members are continuing to actively discuss our options on a path forward.

Its a very complicated matter at a very complicated time. The clock is ticking on it, and everyone here feels the urgency of that, but whats required is that you reach consensus on it, and thats what were working on, Mr Johnson said.

Michigan Democrat Representative Elissa Slotkin urged a vote.

Speaker Johnson has a choice to make. I accept that its a complicated choice. I accept that hes at risk of losing his job over that choice, Ms Slotkin said.
Just before midnight on Feb. 25, Ali opened his door to see junta soldiers pointing guns at him. Myanmars military had been making its way through Rakhine state, as part of a newly launched forced conscription campaign and the young Rohingya man was their latest victim.

Ali (whose name has been changed for security reasons) said the soldiers pushed him into a car and brought him to the Light Infantry Battalion No. 535 military camp in Buthidaung. The next day, a tactical operation commander urged the new recruits to take their military training seriously, offering them a deal.

If these Rohingya men formed a militia and held off the Arakan Army (AA), which had recently made significant gains against the junta in Rakhine state, Ali and his fellow conscripts would be given legal status. They promised him a salary of 1,000,000 kyats (U.S. $476) along with rations.

They demonstrated how to shoot the gun, how to walk and how to avoid [injury] during the battle, he said. They told him the training would last 14 days, after which he would be prepared to be part of a militia to fight the AA.

Rohingya in Myanmars Rakhine state undergo weapons training led by junta military personnel, March 10, 2024. [Screenshot from citizen journalist video]

He tried to persuade us, saying that we were brought there in consideration of our religion. He also quoted the Prophet Muhammad, saying that we need to fight for our faith, said Ali, who managed to escape after 10 days.

The invocation of the prophet likely came as a bitter irony for the Rohingya conscripts, who are not legally recognized as citizens and whose ethnic and religious identity has long made them the targets of violence, particularly from Myanmars military, or Tatmadaw.

Seven years after the Tatmadaw tortured, raped and killed thousands of Rohingya and sent about 740,000 fleeing into neighboring Bangladesh, soldiers are pressing those who remain in a patchwork of villages and IDP camps into service to prop up their struggling military campaign.

Myanmars military, which came to power in a February 2021 coup, has faced mounting battlefield losses since October 2023. Earlier this year, the military announced a draft law that would see 50,000 young men and women forcibly recruited each year.

Since then, thousands of civilians across the country have been pressed into military service, while countless more have fled.

But the military appears to be forcibly conscripting Rohingya in particularly large numbers, according to accounts given to Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews, by village residents and those who escaped training.

These Rohingya are being forced into military service. They are being unlawfully detained, thrust into frontline combat, and compelled to participate, said Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition. Thus, the ongoing genocide against our people persists.

Replenishing its ranks

In late October, the Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Taang National Liberation Army  in partnership with other ethnic armed groups and anti-junta forces  began making significant gains against the leadership. Operation 1027 launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance initially saw mass surrenders and a number of key cities taken over in northern Shan state.

In March, an ethnic army captured a major trade route near the China border. And most recently, the AA has captured six of Rakhine states 17 townships. By early April, the AA held 170 junta camps.

Faced with mounting losses in Rakhine, the junta have been forcibly recruiting Rohingya in high numbers from the internally displaced camps in which they have been forced to live for years. In exchange for their service, the junta has promised would-be fighters freedom of movement as well as small amounts of food and money  intended to appeal to a desperately poor population.

Initially enticed by a bag of rice and 50,000 kyats, they volunteered for the first round of training, said a Rohingya man who had familiarity with the situation and asked to remain anonymous for security concerns. Some even returned for a second session. However, after witnessing fatalities among those deployed to the frontline during battles, many hesitate to participate for a third time out of fear.

In the Rohingya camps, young men apparently are being forced into service by the hundreds  far more than the estimated two or three youths called up per village elsewhere in the country.

Starting in late February, residents reported forcible enlistments of Rohingya from Kyaukphyu, Sittwe and Buthidaung townships. Among those coerced into military service are Rohingya residing in IDP camps including South Ohn Taw Gyi, North Ohn Taw Gyi, Baw Du Pha I, Baw Du Pha II, Hman Si Taung, Thea Chaung, and Thet Kay Pyin.

Over the span of a single month, nearly 1,000 Rohingya underwent military training in three separate batches, according to residents. RFA has previously reported that captives are threatened with violent deaths if they refuse to take part in the training and told their families would be targeted if they flee.

Given the scant training, once they are sent to the frontlines, the Rohingya fighters appear to be little more than human shields. The Rohingya witness said that those sent off to fight were dying at an extraordinarily high rate.

Out of about 100 trainees, 61 died while 41 sustained injuries and are currently hospitalized.

The AA, too, has reported large numbers of Rohingya fighter casualties. In a March 17 press statement, the group said that when they took control of the junta camps in Rathedaung, they discovered the bodies of several Rohingya who had undergone brief military training and were deployed to the front lines. The release included photos of the killed men.

About 600 of the nearly 1,000 Rohingya who underwent military training were sent back as reservists to their respective refugee camps in the second week of March.

The status of the remaining Rohingya is unknown, according to another witness who asked not to be named for security reasons. He also said that because the junta is calling back the Rohingya who were returned to the camps, some of them are fleeing because they are afraid of being sent to the battlefield again.

Breaking the law

The night Ali was taken was a busy one for the Myanmar militarys conscription drive in Rakhine.

According to accounts provided by IDP camp residents, on Feb. 25 and 26 alone, 39 Rohingya from four villages and wards in Buthidaung township were forced into training by the Light Infantry Battalion No. 535.

In Kyaukphyu, the Light Infantry Battalion No. 542 trained around 100 Rohingyas from Kyauk Ta Lone Rohingya IDP camp for a period of 14 days, commencing at the end of February, according to locals.

Fifty of them were outfitted with military uniforms and weaponry on March 28 and were assigned security duties at four army camps within the township, said a young woman from Kyauk Ta Lone village who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.

Given their lack of citizenship status, Rohingya legally should not be eligible for conscription, lawyers have told RFA. And the junta seems to be skirting its own conscription law in other ways.

The military draft law stipulates that those eligible for direct service are men ages 18 to 35 and women ages 18 to 27. Professionals  such as doctors, engineers and technicians  ages 18 to 45 for men and 18 to 35 for women must also serve. But the Kyauk Ta Lone resident said Rohingya far outside that age range were drafted.

They brought young people from 18 to over 40. People up to 55 years old were also called up for training, she said. All are Muslims.

RFA could not independently confirm these accounts. An official from the Rakhine State Committee on Summoning Peoples Military Service said he was not the right person to speak to about the matter while Hla Thein, the Rakhine state attorney general and spokesperson of the junta, did not respond to calls.

For Ali, who remains in hiding lest he be killed for desertion, the forced recruitment represents only the latest brutality levied by the military.

They carried out attacks [against us in 2017] and now they are trying to use kind words to persuade us. I really hate them because they have destroyed our lives.
Expatriates from Gaza say they lost loved ones in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Abdalrahim Shehab (second from right), a Palestinian expatriate from Gaza, sits with his children during an interview at their home in Putrajaya, Malaysia, April 7, 2024.

Palestinians living in Malaysia are celebrating Eid al-Fitr with heavy hearts this year as the war in Gaza looms over the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

A handful of Palestinian expatriates interviewed by BenarNews said they had lost dozens of relatives and members of their extended families in the conflict raging in the Gaza Strip.

The fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants has entered its seventh month with no end in sight. The warring sides also failed to reach a Ramadan-time truce amid reports that Gazans were desperately in need of food aid during the fasting month.

Abdalrahim Shehab, a Palestinian expat and postdoctoral researcher who hails from Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, said he and his wife had lost about 90 members of their combined extended families during Israels military airstrikes and ground invasion in the territory.

During the final days of Ramadan, he and his family usually bake maamoul cookies and kaak bread in preparation for a feast to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

These culinary delights along with rummaniyeh  a lentil and eggplant stew  are a must-have on the familys dinner table to mark the special occasion and reminds us of the Eid atmosphere in Gaza, Shehab told BenarNews.

But this year, no one in the family requested it. We, however, are still going to perform the salat Eid al-Fitr [prayers] on the day itself and we will see the Palestinian community at the campus. It is just that this year we are all filled with sadness, he said.

The 46-year-old emigrated to Malaysia in 2003. He and his wife, Jehad Mohammed Abdul Hadi, and their five children live in Putrajaya, Malaysias administrative capital.

A plate of maamoul biscuits is seen at Abdalrahim Shehabs home in Putrajaya, April 18, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Abdalrahim Shehab]

Health authorities in Gaza said that at least 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in the enclave since Israel launched devastating military strikes in retaliation for a wave of attacks by Hamas militants that killed at least 1,100 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023.

Included in that toll are more than 13,000 children in Gaza who have been killed since this chapter of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict began, according to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF).

In Malaysia, the Palestinian immigrant community traditionally gathers for the Eid prayers at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) in Gombak, near Kuala Lumpur. The expats will bring a variety of traditional home-cooked Palestinian foods, including soups and pastries.

At the campus, we will wish each other well and spend a joyful time drinking and eating. After that, we go back home to rest and we will visit our loved ones in the evening, said Shehab, who works at the Islamic Science University of Malaysia.

His family also enjoys eating Malaysian food during Eid.

Now, all of my children are accustomed to Malaysian Eid dishes and celebrations. They love the rendang and lemang so much, he said, referring to the traditional dishes of meat cooked in coconut milk and sticky rice in bamboo.

Haya Abu Nasser, a Palestinian activist, speaks about her experience of the war in Gaza during an interview with BenarNews near her residence in Kuala Lumpur, April 7, 2024. [S. Mahfuz/ BenarNews]

Shehab has not returned to Gaza since he left 21 years ago.

When he was living there, Shehab recalled, he and his family would spend entire nights praying at the mosque toward the end of Ramadan.

[In Gaza], we also have decorations in the streets since the beginning of Ramadan. Me and my family used to clean the roads in front of our houses. I miss those vibes in Gaza, he said during the interview conducted in English.

People are suffering from starvation

Haya Abu Nasser, a Palestinian activist who arrived in Malaysia from Gaza on March 13, said she missed the atmosphere of Eid al-Fitr back home.

In Gaza, we have extended families whom we spent the Eid holiday visiting. The children will collect money packets. Theres singing and celebration on the streets. We love life, we love being engaged in festivals and events.

On Eid day, we wear new clothes and enjoy our traditional dishes, said the 26-year-old who had been working as a fundraising officer for an NGO based in Gaza.

Parachutes drop supplies into the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, April 9, 2024. [Leo Correa/AP]

The Gaza Strip is a 365 square-km (141 square-mile) Palestinian territory sandwiched between Israel and Egypt. Its population of about 2.1 million people makes it one of the worlds most densely populated spaces.

Last year, Nasser celebrated Eid with her family in Deir-Sneid.

They, too, prepared maamoul to be served on the morning of Eid. They also enjoyed al-Fesikh  a dish of fermented and salted mullet.

This year, Nasser had no special plan for Eid because, she said, the safety and welfare of her family members who had fled to Rafah were foremost on her mind. Fourteen members of her extended family have been killed in the Gaza war.

Amid the fighting and destruction in Gaza, Nasser said that she and her family had to flee to the Al-Nuseirat Camp and then to Khan Younis. They stayed there for two months before having to go to Rafah, a two-hour walk from Khan Younis, on the orders of Israeli soldiers.

The war has left Gaza in ruins and destroyed this years Eid celebration, Nasser said.

The people are suffering from starvation. Ramadan was already difficult. Its disappointing that Eid comes in these circumstances, said Haya, who is pursuing a masters in international relations at Lincoln University College in Petaling Jaya.

Anas Kamal Abuatta, a Palestinian student at the International Islamic International University Malaysia, shows a photo of his younger brothers in Gaza during an interview with BenarNews at the campus in Gombak, Selangor state, April 5, 2024. [S. Mahfuz/BenarNews]

For another Palestinian student, Anas Kamal Abuatta, 23, who is pursuing a degree in economics at IIUM, this years Eid is bleak because of what happened to his hometown in northern Gaza.

Every one of my friends has someone in their families who was killed in the war. We are all sad, he told BenarNews.

He said he had lost 20 members of his extended family in the destruction and devastation of Gaza.

Abuatta, who has been living in Malaysia since 2020, bought himself a pair of Baju Melayu  a traditional Malay outfit to wear for Eid.

Although he expressed sadness about the situation of his parents, siblings and close relatives in Gaza, Abuatta said he was determined not to be beaten by a sense of hopelessness.

He also intends to earn his bachelors degree with flying colors.
President Joe Biden (right) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands after holding a joint news conference in the Rose Garden at the White House, in Washington, April 10, 2024.

U.S. President Joe Biden and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday they would establish stronger military ties in the face of Chinas expansive claims to Taiwan and the South China Sea.

But Japans entry into the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States is still pending, they said as the two leaders met at the White House.

After meeting with Biden, Kishida said the two leaders confirmed that unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion in the Asia-Pacific region or elsewhere in the world were unacceptable and would be met with resolute action.

From such a perspective, we agreed that our two countries will continue to respond to challenges concerning China through close coordination, said Kishida, who was making a state visit to the American capital. At the same time, we confirmed the importance of continuing our dialogue with China.

The Japanese prime minister said that Tokyo also stood with the U.S. against Russias aggression against Ukraine, based on a recognition that Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.

Kishida called for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and encouraged Beijing, which claims the democratic island of Taiwan as part of its territory, to pursue peaceful resolution with Taipei.

But with Beijing taking an increasingly assertive stance on its vast territorial claims  including firing water cannons at Philippine vessels  the leaders pledged greater deterrence.

Wearing aviator sunglasses throughout the press conference, Biden said he and Kishida agreed to improve security cooperation, including modernizing command and control structures to increase the interoperability and planning of our militaries.

He called the planned upgrade of security ties with Tokyo the most significant change in relations since the U.S.-Japan alliance was inked in 1951. It will include a new shared air-missile defense architecture that would also be available to Australia, the president said.

Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom would soon begin holding trilateral military exercises, Biden added. But he maintained that the moves were not aimed at any one nation.

In our alliance we have with Japan, its purely defensive in nature, he said. The things we discussed today improve our cooperation, and are purely about defense and readiness.

AUKUS pact

In the lead-up to Wednesdays summit, there were suggestions that Japan would be unveiled as a new partner in the AUKUS security pact.

The U.S. ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, wrote in an op-ed last week that Tokyo was set to become the first outside partner of Pillar 2 of AUKUS, which aims to establish a single defense-industrial base across the three countries at the heart of the security pact.

However, there were no announcements after the summit, with Biden saying only that our AUKUS defense partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom is exploring how Japan can join our work in the second pillar, which he called a benchmark in cooperation.

Kishida noted Japan already enjoyed close bilateral relations with the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia  including taking part in recent joint military exercises  and so would continue to work closely with each, even if not as a formal partner of AUKUS.

We want to contribute to peace and stability in the region, and therefore we have consistently supported AUKUS, he said. We have established various relationships, but for Japan to have direct cooperation with AUKUS, nothing has been decided.

The United States Steel factory in Braddock, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 2024. [Gene J. Puskar/AP]

To join Pillar 2 of AUKUS, Japan would have to put in place export-control and secrecy measures to ensure that American defense technology secrets do not fall into the wrong hands, with U.S. officials still reviewing recent changes by Canberra and London.

A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of Biden and Kishida summit, said that while Japan could potentially bring a great deal to AUKUS Pillar 2, it was still early days, with Biden still not having signed-off on Australian and British participation.

We expect the consultations will take a period of months, and it will take a portion of the 2024 calendar year before the AUKUS Pillar 2 vision is fully fleshed-out, and with that [the ability] to assign specific partners to specific Pillar 2 projects, the U.S. official said.

Japan brings a great deal to the table  that's why we are announcing that the AUKUS partners want to begin consultations with Tokyo as soon as possible, the official said. But we have a way to go.

Differences of opinion

Kishida and Biden also touched on some differences of opinion, such as the U.S. presidents recent decision to oppose the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japans Nippon Steel for U.S. $14.9 billion.

Biden said last month that U.S. Steel must remain domestically owned, creating some backlash in Japan given the countrys long alliance with the United States.

While on his way to Washington, Kishida called the dispute a private matter between Nippon Steel and American regulators, and he reiterated that during the press conference on Wednesday.

We understand that discussions are underway between the parties, he said. We hope these discussions will unfold in directions that would be positive for both sides. Japan believes that appropriate procedures based on law are being implemented by the U.S. government.

Kishida and Bidens summit comes a day before the pair meet with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in what has been billed as the first trilateral meeting between leaders of the three countries.

Analysts say the meeting at the White House is set to further bolster U.S. security ties in the South China Sea with its two major allies amid the ongoing dispute between China and the Philippines over a remote Philippine outpost at the seas Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal).

Beijing has said the cooperation among the U.S. allies is stoking bloc confrontation and escalating an arms race in the Asia-Pacific.

Radio Free Asia, a news organization affiliated with BenarNews, produced this report.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he is horrified by the idea that his predecessor compromised Philippine sovereignty.

Filipino Marines raise the Philippine flag on the first day of their deployment on the dilapidated navy ship BRP Sierra Madre at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the South China Sea, March 30, 2014.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday denied the existence of a gentlemans agreement between his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, and China that Manila would not make repairs to a rusting military outpost in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

Dutertes former spokesman, Harry Roque, has said that the previous Philippine government entered into a deal with Beijing to keep the status quo in the waterway, which has become the scene of increasingly tense confrontations between the two nations.

As part of the deal, Duterte allegedly agreed that the Philippines would not send construction materials to repair the BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated World War II-era naval ship that was deliberately run aground on Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal) in 1999.

We dont know anything about it, Marcos told reporters before leaving for talks in Washington with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. There is no documentation, no record. We were not briefed [about it] when I came into office, no one told us that there was that agreement.

Marcos said his staff was demanding information from ex-officials in the Duterte administration, but we still havent got a straight answer.

I am horrified by the idea that we have compromised through a secret agreement, the territory, sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Philippines, Marcos said.

Since taking office in June 2022, Marcos has reversed Dutertes pro-China policies, realigning with the United States and granting American troops greater access to Philippine bases.

Duterte has not directly commented on the supposed deal, but the Chinese embassy in Manila alluded to it on a number of occasions after Chinese vessels were accused of harassing Filipino supply boats heading to the Sierra Madre.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, while disregarding overlapping claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Manila has been going back on its words and provoking China over Second Thomas Shoal, without directly mentioning any agreement.

Roque did not immediately reply to requests for comment from BenarNews, but he has been quoted widely in local media saying he stands by his earlier statement.

The gentlemans agreement is to respect the status quo on the entire West Philippine Sea dispute, he said, referring to the portion of the South China Sea within Manilas exclusive economic zone.

As Marcos left on Wednesday afternoon for Washington, the Philippine military reported that some 48 Chinese vessels  mostly from its maritime militia  were being monitored near another disputed outcrop, Scarborough Shoal, and three Philippine-occupied features in the South China Sea.
More than 1,000 in Myawaddy have crossed into Mae Sot in a single day.

Myawaddy, Myanmar, residents line up at Friendship Bridge No. 1 to cross into Thailand, April 9, 2024.

More than 1,000 residents on Myanmars border have fled to neighboring Thailand since Wednesday morning amid escalating armed clashes and junta airstrikes near the important trade town of Myawaddy, residents told Radio Free Asia.

Airstrikes were conducted all of Tuesday night, and one jet fighter dropped at least eight bombs in an hour early Wednesday morning, a woman in Myawaddy said on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

The explosions were louder than before in the town, she said.

One man in Myawaddy said normally only about 100 people use Friendship Bridge No. 1 between Myawaddy and the Thai border city of Mae Sot in one day.

But this morning, there were more than 1,000 people, he said, declining to be named for security reasons. Of course, they are worried about the battle. So, all are fleeing to their relatives in Mae Sot.

A Myanmar citizen who fled to Mae Sot said junta helicopters hovered over the crammed bridge as people streamed across the border while bombs exploded nearby.

Smoke was seen in the sky, he said. All the people ran into Mae Sot. A huge crowd could be seen at the border bridge.

Thailands army has increased security in Mae Sot, according to Myanmar nationals living there. Thai military vehicles and soldiers observing the border were seen under Friendship Bridge No. 1.

Myawaddys trade zone

The Karen Nation Union, or KNU, and allied guerrilla armies began their attack on junta troops in Myawaddy on Saturday.

On Sunday, junta troops requested evacuation of over 600 soldiers and their families through Mae Sot, as well as administrative documents, according to Thailands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Thai soldiers patrol near Friendship Bridge No. 1 in Mae Sot, April 10, 2024. [RFA]





One flight left Mae Sot International Airport on Sunday night, but subsequent flights scheduled for Monday and Tuesday were canceled at the request of Myanmars military. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Myanmars junta have not released any information on how many boarded the flight.

Karen National Union joint forces stormed the juntas Infantry Battalion 275  located two miles from Myawaddy  on Tuesday, but junta forces have put up a strong resistance, the Myawaddy man told RFA, a news service affiliated with BenarNews.

Junta airstrikes demolished some homes near a highway bus station close to Infantry Battalion 275, civilians living in Myawaddy said.

Forces aligned with the junta have been patrolling Myawaddys downtown area, residents said. While most government offices have closed, the juntas immigration office was issuing border passes on Wednesday to those who wanted to enter Thailand.

The Karen National Union would become much more powerful if it captures Myawaddy and gains control of the areas crucial border trade, according to Than Soe Naing, a political commentator.

It is about to capture the special trade zone, he said. If Myawaddy township is captured, the resistance forces and people in Myanmar could enjoy new opportunities for the resistance forces and civilians.

KNU officials did not immediately respond to RFA requests for comment about Wednesdays fighting.
By Kim Hyun-bin

First lady Kim Keon Hee was found to have cast her ballot under the radar last week, as revealed by the presidential office.

According to the presidential office, Tuesday, Kim voted at a polling station near the presidential residence in Yongsan, Friday, the first day of the two-day early voting period. President Yoon Suk Yeol also voted by himself during his trip to Busan for an official event on the same day.

Whether the first lady would show up to the polls has been a noteworthy issue, as she had been absent from public view since mid-December amid a series of scandals linked to her.

A mask-wearing Kim is said to have been accompanied by bodyguards. The presidential office had not previously disclosed her participation in the voting process and no images of her at the polling station were released.

Criticism arose from the opposition bloc, with Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, questioning Kim for voting in secrecy.

"I have never seen a first lady not voting publicly in the history of Korea. What is shameful and what is there to fear?" Cho said.

The lack of publicity around Kim exercising her electoral right is seen as an attempt to prevent the allegations surrounding her from negatively affecting the elections.

Kim's absence from public view in recent months has drawn attention, particularly since allegations emerged regarding a luxury bag that was gifted to her. She last made a public appearance on Dec. 15, when she returned from a state visit to the Netherlands with President Yoon.

The first lady has been embroiled in controversy after a liberal YouTube-based news channel, Voice of Seoul, alleged in November that she received a Dior handbag worth about 3 million won ($2,250) from a Korean American pastor in September 2022. The pastor secretly filmed the exchange using a camera embedded in his watch.

During the previous presidential election, President Yoon and Kim had voted separately, with Yoon casting his vote in Busan and Kim near her residence in Seoul. Kim's limited public engagement during that period was attributed to various controversies, including allegations of a falsified career background.
A Pittsfield man is in jail on high bail as he awaits trial on allegations he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl.
You are the owner of this article.
Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter

NORTH ADAMS  A rail line connecting North Adams and Boston is inching toward fruition, but still has years, and hundreds of millions of dollars, to go.

During a public hearing on March 28, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and a contractor presented an overview of the Northern Tier Rail conceptual planning study, as well as a draft version of an implementation plan for putting in the rail. The plan laid out six possibilities for the route, with the different paths falling on either end, or in-between, a price range of just under $900 million to $2.9 billion.

Of the about 240 people who joined the remote public hearing, many shared their excitement about the possibility of trains going back and forth between North Adams and Boston, with stops at other communities in Western Massachusetts. But there were plenty of questions about cost and timeline, and some wondering what was taking so long in this initial step in the process.

Makaela Niles, who is managing the Northern Tier Rail Project for MassDOT, outlined a six-step process before train service can begin. The project is still currently in the first stage of systems planning, which involves coming up with different ways to install the rail and run the trains. Still remaining are project planning, project development, final design, construction and operation.

Niles also explained a 12-year sample timeline to show how the project could move forward. Construction wouldn't begin until year eight of the process and would last four years. Passengers wouldn't be on the trains until year 12. This is not the exact timeline for Northern Tier Rail, but rather an outline.

Paul Nelson, a planning manager for HNTB Corp.  which is under contract with the state to study the possible rail line  outlined a slew of different federal, state and local funding options, many of which are tailored to specific parts of the project.

Six options Alternative 1 is the lowest investment. It would be a basic service of five trains a day making stops in Boston, Fitchburg, Greenfield and North Adams. It includes basic improvements such as updated tracks, bridge rehabilitation and a layover in North Adams where trains could park overnight before going to Boston. Projected cost: $878,593,696 Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Three hours 48 minutes Additional jobs predicted: 2,679 Alternative 2 involves the same number of trains making the same number of stops but includes additional infrastructure improvements, such as double tracking in Florida, Charlemont and Westminster, and further improvements to crossings/bridge rehab. Projected cost: $1,571,101,755 Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Two hours 48 minutes Additional jobs predicted: 3,763 Alternative 3 is the most expensive option because it would involve electrified service, with overhead wire between Fitchburg and North Adams. It again includes five trains a day making the same stops, but with additional stops in Athol, Ayer and Porter Square. Projected cost: $2,926,449,410 Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Two hours 50 minutes Additional jobs predicted: 7,167 Alternative 4 is more expensive than alternative 1 because it encompasses full local service, with additional stops in Shelburne Falls, Athol, Gardner and Porter Square. This path is a result of MassDOT incorporating suggestions from past public hearings into its study. Projected cost: $1,590,465,076 Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Two hours 59 minutes Additional jobs predicted: 3,980 Alternative 5 was also a result of public interest  it includes an extension that carries through to Schenectady and Albany, N.Y. MassDOT would make the same improvements it plans for other alternatives in Massachusetts for this option, but would only make improvements to tracks in New York where its required to operate additional trains. Projected cost: $1,963,234,923 Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Two hours 49 minutes Additional jobs predicted: 4,745 Alternative 6 would connect to the MBTA system at Fitchburg, and people could change trains in Fitchburg to go into Boston, North Adams, Greenfield and Athol as well. Projected cost: $1,557,714,406 Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Three hours 22 minutes Additional jobs predicted: 3,857

A 2019 bill co-sponsored by state Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, commissioned the study of possible rail service between North Adams, Greenfield and Boston. Funding for the study was approved in 2021. Barrett said Monday that during a meeting between Gov. Maura Healey and the Berkshire delegation last month, he asked why the project wasnt moving forward.

We are now almost two years removed from when the study began, it was supposed to be done in 18 months, Barrett said Monday. Theres a lot more to do."

A draft of the final study was originally supposed to come out in spring 2023. The March hearing was the newest iteration of the study, but no draft has been published yet.

Barrett said that at this point, there should already be a defined path ahead, rather than still deciding between six options.

When asked how the public can help usher this process along, MassDot and its contractors said communities should start planning now for what could be a new rail line in the near future.

Several comments during the hearing from members of the public expressed support for putting a stop in at Williamstown, though no answer was given as to whether thats on the table.

State Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, called the hearing "rather momentous.

This is certainly not the end of the conversation, but its a precipitous moment where were getting information youve gathered from stakeholders and through your own research," Comerford said.

Alternative 1 is the lowest investment. It would be a basic service of five trains a day making stops in Boston, Fitchburg, Greenfield and North Adams. It includes basic improvements such as updated tracks, bridge rehabilitation and a layover in North Adams where trains could park overnight before going to Boston.

Projected cost: $878,593,696

Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Three hours 48 minutes

Additional jobs predicted: 2,679

Alternative 2 involves the same number of trains making the same number of stops but includes additional infrastructure improvements, such as double tracking in Florida, Charlemont and Westminster, and further improvements to crossings/bridge rehab.

Projected cost: $1,571,101,755

Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Two hours 48 minutes

Additional jobs predicted: 3,763

Alternative 3 is the most expensive option because it would involve electrified service, with overhead wire between Fitchburg and North Adams. It again includes five trains a day making the same stops, but with additional stops in Athol, Ayer and Porter Square.

Projected cost: $2,926,449,410

Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Two hours 50 minutes

Additional jobs predicted: 7,167

Alternative 4 is more expensive than alternative 1 because it encompasses full local service, with additional stops in Shelburne Falls, Athol, Gardner and Porter Square. This path is a result of MassDOT incorporating suggestions from past public hearings into its study.

Projected cost: $1,590,465,076

Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Two hours 59 minutes

Additional jobs predicted: 3,980

Alternative 5 was also a result of public interest  it includes an extension that carries through to Schenectady and Albany, N.Y. MassDOT would make the same improvements it plans for other alternatives in Massachusetts for this option, but would only make improvements to tracks in New York where its required to operate additional trains.

Projected cost: $1,963,234,923

Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Two hours 49 minutes

Additional jobs predicted: 4,745

Alternative 6 would connect to the MBTA system at Fitchburg, and people could change trains in Fitchburg to go into Boston, North Adams, Greenfield and Athol as well.

Projected cost: $1,557,714,406

Estimated time from North Adams to Boston: Three hours 22 minutes

Additional jobs predicted: 3,857
Ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon expressed disappointment after exit polls predicted a crushing defeat for the party in Wednesday's general elections.

TV exit polls showed that the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea and its sister party would win 168-197 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, while the PPP and its sister party were expected to win 85-111 seats.

"The People Power Party did its best to do politics that uphold the will of the people, but the exit poll results are disappointing," Han said after watching the results at the National Assembly with party members.

"We will watch the results of vote counting until the end," he said. (Yonhap)
"Gender Queer," by Maia Kobabe, shown above, was at the center of a complaint and police search in a Great Barrington middle school recently. Attempts to ban or restrict books, including in school and public libraries continue to surge, according to a new report from the American Library Association.
John 19

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life (Leviticus 17:11).

These words from the Levitical Law guided the life of the Israelites, and anyone else who followed the living God, for centuries. Only blood can atone for sin. Yet under the Law, no one could fully atone for their sins, having to return to the Temple over and over again.

To take care of the issue of sin and atonement once and for all time, God had a plan. God the Son, Jesus Christ, came down and took physical form, and lived a life without sin. Because of His righteousness, His death could pay for the sins of all others.

He died on a cross, suffering tremendous pain and torture. He was beaten, abused, humiliated, and mocked. God the Father, unable to be in the presence of sin, turned His face away from Jesus while He hung on that cross. Through this act of sacrifice, Jesus made it possible for all people to repent once, to be forgiven, and to have an eternal relationship with God. It was a great victory, and three days later, He won another one by rising bodily from the dead, conquering sin, death, and the grave for all time.

Before His death, Jesus said these encouraging words, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). His sacrifice secured salvation for anyone who will confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead.

When following God, people will have to make sacrifices. Sometimes it will be the hardest thing they will ever do. Because of these examples of Christ-like sacrifices, as well as one or two that show what kind of sacrifices not to make, believers can walk confidently through the difficulties of life, including sacrifices. Faith is the victory given to each believer. Every sorrow will seem small in comparison to having our faith made sight when we enter into the presence of the Lord Jesus and He says, well done.

Sources

Hardinge, Leslie. Shadows of His Sacrifice. Brushton: TEACH Services, Inc., 1959

Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Old Testament and New Testament. United States of America: Victor Books, 1987.

Wilmington, H.L. Wilmingtons Guide to the Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1981.

Photo credit: Getty Images/artplus
Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
Cho Kuk, the leader of the new Rebuilding Korea Party, declared a "victory of the people" Wednesday after exit polls for the parliamentary elections showed that his party was projected to win as many as 15 proportional seats.

Cho's party, only formed a month before the elections, has drawn attention as Cho, the scandal-tainted former justice minister, vowed to stake his all on bringing an early end to the Yoon Suk Yeol government.

"The people have won," Cho said after watching the exit polls. "The people have made their intent clear that it is a verdict handed down to the Yoon Suk Yeol government."

Cho said the tentative polls also reflect that the people can "no longer put up with the regression" of the government, urging Yoon to humbly accept the election outcome.

Cho called on the president to "apologize for the numerous misdeeds and corruption," and to come up with measures to rectify the situation.

Cho vowed to table a special investigation bill against ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon as soon as the new parliament is formed.

"The change in politics that the Rebuilding Korea Party will bring on is just beginning," Cho said.

Cho, once a rising star in politics under the preceding Moon Jae-in government, fell from grace after facing a string of corruption scandals involving his family.

Cho has appealed to voters who dislike the Yoon government or the conservatives, vowing to make the president pay for his "incompetence" and make him a "lame" or "dead" duck.

Cho's family underwent prosecution investigation and faced trials under the Yoon government, leading to the conviction of his wife for forgery related to their daughter's college admissions. (Yonhap)


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.
Rebuilding Korea Party likely to stand as No. 3 party

By Nam Hyun-woo

Disgraced former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, leader of the liberal minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP), is rising as a political phenom, as the exit polls of Wednesday's general elections showed that his party will claim a significant portion of proportional representation seats in the next National Assembly.

His rise is expected to pose a new threat to the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, as the party has made it clear during the election campaign that its goal is to punish the "autocratic" administration which it claims is controlled by former prosecutors including Yoon.

According to exit polls by three public broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS, the RKP is anticipated to secure 12 to 14 seats out of 46 reserved for proportional representation. The RKP did not field any constituency candidates.

If the final election results, which will be confirmed early Thursday morning, stand within the exit poll range, the RKP will be the third-largest political party in Korea, following the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and its satellite Democratic United Party with 178 to 197 seats, and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and its satellite People Future Party with 85 to 105 seats.

After the exit polls were revealed, Cho said, The people have clearly shown their hopes for a verdict on the Yoon administration ... Yoon should humbly accept the outcome, and apologize to the public for his wrongdoings and corruption.

The minor liberal party was created just a month before the elections and quickly rose above a slew of newly created parties, scoring double-digit support ratings in multiple surveys. It was buoyed by Chos personal political background and the partys aggressive catchphrase: three years are too long, referring to Yoons remaining presidential term.

Cho, who was the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs and justice minister during the previous Moon Jae-in administration, is widely described as one of the major antagonists in Yoons saga to the presidency.

He has been standing trial for years over allegations that he and his wife fabricated academic documents to get their daughter admitted to a medical school. Yoon, who was prosecutor-general at the time, butted heads with Moon in 2020 by insisting on investigating Cho. This propelled Yoon to become a political star among conservatives and eventually be elected president.

While Yoon clinched the power, the investigation continued and courts found Cho, his wife and daughter guilty. Cho lost his job as a professor at Seoul National University, his wife went to prison and the daughter lost her medical license.

Under the Yoon administration, Chos family literally has lost everything, and this background styled him as a political champion who lost everything and is standing against the administration, said Lee Jae-mook, a politics professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

An interesting point is that many RKP supporters are sympathizing with Chos predicament, saying they feel guilty about what happened to him. And this tendency is noticeable among those in liberal strongholds who have experiences of suffering suppression by conservative governments.

With Cho highlighting his partys clear goal of ending the Yoon administration early, the public sentiment against the president apparently helped the RKP enjoy its rise.

Chos message of 'three years are too long' implies a negative idea, yet it resonated powerfully with the people, because it was more positive than blatantly saying we need to oust the president right now, said Cho Jin-man, a politics professor at Duksung Womens University.

Political positioning

The focus now is on how the party will position itself in the upcoming political landscape.

Despite sharing common criticisms of the Yoon government, the RKP stands apart from the DPK in terms of members.

During the candidate nominations for the elections, the DPK suffered serious factional infighting and established its mainstream with loyalists to Chairman Lee Jae-myung, marginalizing many party seniors of other factions.

The RKP is leaning toward supporters of the former president. The RKPs top candidate, Park Eun-jeong, had been a prosecutor during the Moon administration and served as an auditor of then-Prosecutor General Yoon. Candidate No. 2 Cho was Moons closest aide, and candidate No. 6 Kim Joon-hyung had been chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy during the Moon government.

The RKPs rise can be interpreted as a reaction to the DPKs factional infighting during the candidate nominations, said Ha Shang-eung, a politics professor at Sogang University.

Political commentator Rhee Jong-hoon also said many liberal voters opted to support Cho during the DPKs infighting, consolidating his position within the liberal bloc.

The RKP and the DPK are anticipated to maintain their cooperation to contain the Yoon government, though the possibility of a merger or close coalition remains elusive.

On the campaign trail, Tuesday, Cho said, There will be no merger with the DPK and added, Our policies are more progressive and reformative than the DPK's, and a merger will water down those goals.

Lee at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies also said a merger between the DPK and the RKP is unlikely, given the exit poll results.

The DPK alone can secure more than 180 seats in the Assembly, and it will be able to dismiss the ruling partys opposition during the legislative process, Lee said. Why would the DPK need the RKP? A hasty merger will end up bringing unnecessary rivalry between the DPK chairman and Cho over the next presidency.
Kirsten Dunst has said her new film about a civil war that breaks out in the US is a warning not to take your democracy for granted.

The Spider-Man star, 41, plays a photojournalist in Civil War, which is set in a dystopian near future where the country has become a dictatorship under a president in his third term.

Advertisement

Written and directed by British author Alex Garland, the film follows a group of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach Washington DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.

Asked if she feared this kind of story could become a reality, Dunst told the PA news agency: Theres discourse all over the world, so it felt real the way we were making the film.

Advertisement

This is like dont take your democracy for granted and really about humanity and seeing each other as people rather than taking these extreme positions behind your phone or computers.

I think that this is a warning, in a way, and an anti-war film, for me.

Garland said he wanted to put journalists at the centre of the film because he wanted to make them the heroes.

He added: I felt journalists have been under attack in a really complicated way for quite a long time and people, in many ways, dont trust them anymore.

Advertisement

Kirsten Dunst and Alex Garland (Aaron Chown/PA)

But there are journalists out there doing incredibly good work, and the question is not whether theyre doing good work or not, its why is their good work not getting traction?

And why are they being attacked in the way theyre being attacked? So I wanted just to put them at the heart of it.

Advertisement

I grew up around journalists, my dad worked on a newspaper. So I like journalists, and I think theyre necessary and important.

Civil War is released in Irish cinemas on April 12th.
The publication of the final report by Dr Hilary Cass in the UK raises profound issues for the treatment of trans-identifying children in Ireland, according to Senator Michael McDowell.

The Cass Reviews final report, published on Wednesday, said children have been let down by a lack of research and evidence on the use of puberty blockers and hormones, in a debate that it said has become exceptionally toxic.

Advertisement

In 2020 Dr Cass was commissioned to examine The NHS Gender Identity Development Service and her key findings include a recommendation to reject the practice of prescribing puberty blockers which are hormones prescribed to under 18s for the purpose of halting puberty in children wishing to change gender.

Reacting to its publication, British prime minister Rishi Sunak said the report shone a spotlight on the need to exercise extreme caution in this area.

Here, Senator McDowell said: "I have for a number of years publicly raised grave concerns about this practice for which Dr Cass has now found no good evidence to support its continued use as a treatment pathway for vulnerable gender-questioning children. Similar concerns have been raised in Ireland by the National Gender Service.

"I am today calling on the Minister for Health and the HSE to immediately discontinue in the public health service the prescription of puberty blockers."

Advertisement

"The UK experience must now act as an urgent wake-up call to Irish lawmakers, medical professionals, parents and all who care for and about Irish children."

Advertisement

The recommendations in the lengthy and long-awaited report have prompted NHS England, which had already stopped puberty blockers being given to under-16s, to announce a review into the use of hormones.

Advertisement

It has also written to local NHS leaders to ask that they pause first appointment offers at adult gender clinics to young people before their 18th birthday, as it also intends to carry out a major review of these services.

Dr Cass had, among her 32 recommendations, called for a follow-through service for 17 to 25-year-olds rather than this vulnerable group going straight into adult clinics, saying teenagers are falling off a cliff edge in their care when they reach 17.

Her report concluded that gender care is currently an area of remarkably weak evidence and young people have been caught up in a stormy social discourse.

Her report, first commissioned in 2020, called for gender services to operate to the same standards as other health services for children and young people, with a holistic assessment of people referred, including screening for neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, and a mental health assessment.

Advertisement

She said that for the majority of young people, a medical pathway may not be the best way to address their needs.

In Britain, the Childrens Society has called for the report to mark a watershed moment in fostering an environment which places the wellbeing and safety of all children at its heart, while the Royal College of Psychiatrists said all gender-questioning children must get timely access to services that are holistic and respond to their individual needs.

In a letter to Dr Cass, NHS England officials said a planned review of adult services will be brought forward and now be undertaken in the context of a broader, systemic review of the operation and delivery of the GDCs (gender dysphoria clinics).

NHS England said it will provide details very soon but it is understood it will be a Cass-style review led by an independent expert.

Dr Cass welcomed the reaction to her recommendations, saying it was good to hear that they are taking note, adding that adult services are now predominantly seeing under-25s who have significant complexity, and deserve to have the breadth of their needs addressed.

Dr Hilary Cass published her review into childrens gender services on Wednesday (Yui Mok/PA)

She said children questioning their gender had been marginalised from local services as professionals anxious about what the appropriate course of action is tended to bypass them straight to the Gender Identity Development Service (Gids), which could not cope due to a rise in numbers, with children then waiting for an inappropriate length of time.

Dr Cass said: I think its definitely the case that ideology on all sides has directed care, rather than care being directed by normal principles of paediatrics and mental health.

I mean, certainly professionals are afraid to do the things that they would normally do in any other consultation with a young person, and that cant be right.

Mermaids, a transgender youth support charity, said the current system is failing trans youth and called for the NHS to resist pressures from those who seek to limit access to healthcare and instead act urgently to provide gender services which are timely, supportive and holistic.

All young people using gender services should be asked to be part of research, Dr Casss report said, in a bid to build a better picture of the long-term outcomes for patients.

Research by the University of York carried out alongside the report found evidence to be severely lacking on the impact of puberty blockers and hormone treatments, while the majority of clinical guidelines were found not to have followed international standards.

Dr Cass said it was extremely disappointing to find World Professional Association of Transgender Healthcare (WPATH) guidelines, which were taken as an industry standard and adopted very widely internationally, were very, very poorly evidence-based.

She said she believes the review has certainly brought forward an international conversation in an area which has been toxic and polarised.

While there was no clear evidence that social transition  such as changing names and pronouns  in childhood has any positive or negative mental health outcomes, the review said a more cautious approach should be taken for young children and a separate pathway for care, with families prioritised for early discussion with a professional with relevant experience.

Welcoming the review, British prime minister Rishi Sunak told LBC Radio the conclusions shine a spotlight on the need to exercise extreme caution when it comes to gender care for children.

He said: We care above all about the wellbeing of children and its clear that these things are not neutral acts, whether thats social transitioning, any kind of medical intervention, we simply do not know the long-term effects of these things.

And thats why anyone involved in considering these issues, of course, has to treat people with sensitivity and compassion, but also have to be extremely cautious when it comes to taking any action.

He said the report is very supportive, I think, of the direction of travel weve taken, particularly in our schools where weve issued guidance recently so that teachers know how to deal with these things.

The Cass Review has been described as the most comprehensive piece of work thats ever been conducted into gender identity by victims and safeguarding minister Laura Farris (Yui Mok/PA)

Britain's Victims and safeguarding minister Laura Farris described the Cass Review as the most comprehensive piece of work thats ever been conducted into gender identity.

NHS England has said it will set out a full implementation plan following careful consideration of this final report and its recommendations.

Two new regional hubs for childrens gender care opened earlier this month following the closure of the Gids at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

A spokesperson for the new London-based regional service said it would be closely following NHS England guidelines informed by Dr Casss interim report.

Labours shadow health and social care secretary Wes Streeting committed to working constructively with the Health Secretary on the reports recommendations to put childrens health and wellbeing above the political fray.
New York judge rejects Trump's request to delay hush money trial

Xinhua) 09:51, April 10, 2024

NEW YORK, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A judge from the New York Court of Appeals on Monday rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump's emergency request to delay a criminal trial on his hush money payments to an adult film star during the 2016 presidential campaign, according to media reports.

Associate Justice Lizbeth Gonzalez from an appellate court in Manhattan denied Trump's bid to delay the criminal trial scheduled for April 15 following a hearing.

Trump's legal team asked the judge to postpone the trial indefinitely as efforts are made to change the venue of the trial.

Seen as the first of this kind facing an ex-U.S. president, the criminal trial against Trump regarding election interference would begin on April 15 with jury selection, another New York judge, Juan Merchan said earlier.

Judge Merchan continued to proceed with the preparatory work and sent a letter to Senior Trial Counsel Joshua Steinglass from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and Todd Blanch, a former federal prosecutor and Trump's lead counsel in the case on Monday regarding issues on jury selection.

Arraigned in the case in early April 2023, Trump faces charges that he falsified business records during the 2016 presidential campaign to make "hush-money" payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and keep her quiet about an alleged past sexual encounter with Trump.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
All 17 major cities and provinces display turnouts of over 60%; Sejong leads with 70.2%

By Jung Da-hyun

The April 10 general elections saw the country's highest voter participation in 32 years, following a record high in early voting, as announced by the election watchdog on Wednesday.

According to the National Election Commission (NEC), the overall voter turnout reached 67 percent, marking a 0.8 percentage point increase compared to the 2020 general elections, which recorded a turnout of 66.2 percent.

Out of 44.28 million eligible voters, approximately 29.66 million people cast their ballots at 14,259 polling stations to elect 300 lawmakers for the 22nd National Assembly. On Wednesday alone, 15.64 million people cast their votes, excluding those who voted early.

Voters cast two ballots, one for the 254 single-member constituencies and another for the remaining 46 proportional representation seats. A total of 21 parties contested the election based on districts, while 38 political parties vied for proportional representation.

All 17 major cities and provinces nationwide showed a turnout of over 60 percent. While Sejong is the only city where the turnout exceeded 70 percent, at 70.2 percent, the self-governing island province of Jeju had the lowest at 62.2 percent.

Seoul came in second with 69.3 percent, followed by South Jeolla Province with 69 percent and Gwangju with 68.2 percent.

The voter turnout was notably high in the following order: South Gyeongsang Province, Busan, North Jeolla Province, Ulsan, Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, Daejeon, Incheon, North Chungcheong Province, North Gyeongsang Province, South Chungcheong Province, Daegu and Jeju.

The turnout for early voting from Friday to Saturday reached 31.28 percent, marking the highest early voting turnout for general elections since its introduction in 2014. Since then, early voting turnouts have exceeded 30 percent only twice  during the 2022 presidential election and this years general elections.

Meanwhile, the NEC introduced a checking procedure for the general elections, whereby personnel inspect each ballot individually. After the ballots were initially processed by machines, personnel conducted a second manual check. This procedure aimed to prevent any suspicions of vote-counting manipulation.

Due to the ballot paper's length of 51.7 centimeters, the proportional representation ballots by machine couldnt be processed. The length of the ballot paper was due to a significant increase in the number of political parties.

Consequently, all proportional representation ballots were hand-counted. Approximately 76,000 personnel dedicated solely to managing the counting process were deployed.

As it takes considerable time to hand-count ballots, the NEC expected the election results for proportional representation seats to be determined early Thursday morning.
Convicted killer Graham Dwyer may have to wait until the summer to hear the outcome of his last-ditch appeal to overturn his conviction for the murder of Elaine OHara.

The judgment by the Supreme Court is to be delivered after it has given a ruling in two appeals raising similar issues about the admissibility of phone data at trials.

Advertisement

Dwyer has embarked on a protracted bid to overturn his 2015 conviction for the murder of childcare worker Elaine OHara. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in March 2023.

In January, the seven-judge Supreme Court heard legal submissions on the latest bid by Dwyer, who has already served nine years of a life sentence for the murder of the 36-year-old woman.

On Wednesday, Chief Justice Donal ODonnell said he anticipates a decision in Dwyers latest Supreme Court bid will follow at some point after judgment is given in appeals by Caolan Smyth (31) and Gary McAreavey (56).

Smyth, formerly of Cuillean Court, Donore, Co Meath, is appealing against his conviction for the attempted murder of James Mago Gately and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. McAreavey, formerly of Gort Nua, Castlebellingham, Co Louth, is seeking to overturn his conviction for the offence of assisting an offender. Both deny the charges.

Advertisement

Rulings in those cases were very close to being circulated among the judges of the top court, Chief Justice O'Donnell said, and he hoped they were very close to being agreed. The Chief Justice said he anticipated this decision would be given before the Supreme Court holds its next list for updating judgment progress.

He said he hoped a decision in the Dwyer case would be given within a reasonable time after the next update list, which, it is understood, will likely be held in June.

Dwyer is serving a life sentence after he was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of Ms OHara. He denies the charge.

The 36-year-old childcare worker was last seen in August 2012 in a park in Shanganagh, south Dublin. Some of her remains were found on Killakee mountain just over a year later, and she was identified from dental records.

Advertisement

Dwyers trial was told a Nokia phone found in Vartry Reservoir in Co Wicklow in 2013 was used to send Ms OHara messages, including one about stabbing, culminating in a text dated August 22nd, 2012  the last day she was seen  to go down to the shore and wait.

Dwyers lawyers argued before a seven-judge Supreme Court that phone call data evidence should not have been admitted to his criminal trial because it was gathered and retained under a 2011 Irish law that was struck down by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in an earlier leg of Dwyers case.

The Director of Public Prosecutions contested the appeal, submitting the court must strike a balance between the competing interests of protecting the constitutional rights of citizens and ensuring the administration of justice is not brought into disrepute by refusing to admit highly probative evidence.

Central to the Supreme Court appeals of Smyth and McAreavey is an argument that certain telephone data evidence, obtained under the same 2011 law, was inadmissible due to legal breaches.

Advertisement

They pleaded not guilty to their respective charges but were convicted by the Special Criminal Court in January 2021.

Mr Gately, who the Criminal Assets Bureau alleges is heavily involved with an organised crime group, was shot five times by the driver of a car that pulled up beside him at a petrol station on Clonshaugh Road on May 10th, 2017.

Smyth was alleged to be the shooter, while McAreavey was alleged to have purchased petrol to destroy the vehicle, which was later found burnt out.

Neither man conceded ownership of two unregistered phones used to correlate movements of a car with cell sites.

Smyth and McAreavey were convicted by the Special Criminal Court before the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) upheld Dwyers challenge to Irelands metadata regime as set out in the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011.

Their appeals to the Court of Appeal were dismissed after the CJEU ruled in Dwyers case. That court held that the 2011 Act was still the law of the land when the investigation into the attempted murder was carried out and thus it enjoyed a presumption of constitutionality.
It is wholly unacceptable that new Taoiseach Simon Harris did not attend the resumption of the Dail following his appointment, Sinn Fein has said.

Opposition parties criticised the Government for voting through changes to the Dail's order of business for Wednesday, which meant Leaders Questions was among the items dropped from the schedule.

Advertisement

Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughten said Mr Harris was unable to take Leaders Questions as he had to conduct phone calls with Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelenskiy, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak, and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

Ms Naughten said the Taoiseach is also preparing to travel to Brussels and Warsaw on Thursday.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described Mr Harris as a no-show, and noted that he had ended a contribution on Tuesday with the words: Lets get to work.

Ms McDonald said: We have a lot of work to do, the Government has a lot of questions to answer, and yet the Taoiseach has not shown up  this is wholly unacceptable.

Advertisement

She added: That is an absolute disgrace.

Weve shown up to do our job. We are here, weve shown in for work; where is the Taoiseach? He ought to be here taking questions and dealing with the issues that matter to the people, Ms McDonald said.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (Damien Storan/PA)

Advertisement

Ms Naughten replied: The Taoiseach is not available to take Leaders Questions today because hes speaking with the UK prime minister.

He also has calls with the Northern Ireland First Minister, the deputy First Minister, and also the President of Ukraine today.

Tomorrow, hes in Brussels as well as Warsaw and he will be back to take Leaders Questions next week.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik expressed disappointment with the changes to the schedule for Wednesday.

Advertisement

It is simply unacceptable that we have business not ordered properly and what looks  if I may say  somewhat like made-up business over the next two days when theres so much important work to be done.

Social Democrats TD Catherine Martin said the Business Committee, which decides the Dail schedule, had become a facade, while independent TD Mattie McGrath described this weeks running order as a shambles and an absolute insult.

Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughton (Brian Lawless/PA)

Advertisement

Ms Martin said: This is the business of the Dail, not the business of the Government exclusively.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle said the Business Committee was fake.

He said: The Business Committee is a joke and a waste of time, I believe, because the Government doesnt pay any attention to it.

Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail, who chairs the Business Committee, rejected the characterisation that it was a charade.

The truth of the matter is, the Business Committee is far from perfect, but it has worked pretty effectively, he said.

Mr O Fearghail also said Ms Naughten was the best government whip he had seen.

She continuously takes on board points that are raised by people on the opposition and tries to work them into the business programme.

So it is not the case that the Business Committee is a charade.

Ms Naughten said she will continue to endeavour to work with opposition parties on Dail business.

We in Government have to set the agenda, the legislation, but we have always  and I have, and I will continue to do so  to listen to your suggestions around other statements or whatever you might want to discuss into the future.

The Government won a vote, which Mr Harris did not attend, on the proposed changes to the Dail business.

Leaders Questions are often taken by Tanaiste Micheal Martin, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan or other Cabinet ministers.
New Taoiseach Simon Harris has emphasised his commitment to Anglo-Irish relations and support for Ukrainian sovereignty, after calls to UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Mr Harris and Mr Sunak discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, the resumption of powersharing in Northern Ireland, developments since Brexit and the recent North-South Ministerial Council.

Advertisement

Mr Harris said that the British-Irish relationship is of huge importance and he would continue to develop it.

Mr Harris also spoke by phone to Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, saying how important he views his role as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

Wednesday marks the 26th anniversary since the historic peace deal was signed.

With this weeks re-establishment of the North South Ministerial Council, the Taoiseach and the First Minister and deputy First Minister looked forward to renewed, positive North-South engagement in the months ahead, a statement said.

Advertisement

Mr Harris also spoke by phone to Mr Zelenskiy, and said he is fully committed to supporting Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Productive and engaging call with UK PM @RishiSunak this afternoon.

The British-Irish relationship is of huge importance and I will continue to develop the strong links that exist between both nations. pic.twitter.com/7Qs6JL9Wed  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 10, 2024 Advertisement

During the 20-minute phone call to Mr Sunak, the two leaders committed to holding a bilateral meeting in person in the future, and began with a warm discussion about their roles and families.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Mr Sunak congratulated Mr Harris on his appointment.

Advertisement

The Prime Minister and Taoiseach began by reflecting on the strong UK-Ireland bilateral relationship and the shared importance of stability in Northern Ireland, the spokesperson said.

They agreed that the restoration of the devolved institutions underpinned and deepened the British-Irish bilateral relationship.

They discussed the strengthening of the economic ties and growth in bilateral trade between the UK and Ireland as the closest of neighbours.

Turning to the Middle East, they agreed that Hamas should unconditionally release the remaining hostages from the deplorable 7th of October attack on Israel and expressed their grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation and the need for Israel to accelerate the scale of aid delivered to Gaza.

Advertisement

The Prime Minister reiterated his position that a two-state solution provided the best basis for a political settlement.

On Ukraine, the leaders agreed on the vital importance of supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression to defend Ukraines sovereignty and protect European security.

The Prime Minister looks forward to working more closely with the Taoiseach on this important shared priority.

The leaders agreed to stay in contact in the coming months and the Prime Minister said he looked forward to welcoming the Taoiseach to the UK-hosted European Political Summit in July.
Simon Harris has appointed his junior ministers on his first full day as Taoiseach.

Alan Dillon is the new Junior Minister at the Department of Housing, Emer Higgins is the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, while Colm Burke is the new Junior Minister with Responsibility for Public Health and Drugs Strategy.

Advertisement

The Taoiseach yesterday appointed Jennifer Carroll MacNeill as Minister of State for European Affairs, which left an opening at the Department of Finance.

Neale Richmond is to fill that vacancy, and Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said he looks forward to working with him, while paying tribute to his predecessor.

Mr McGrath said: "The overall message is one of stability. This is a government that will continue to quarter one of next year, we are focused on the major challenges that we face.

"I look forward to having a new colleague [Neale Richmond] in the Department of Finance. I want to pay tribute to Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, she was a great colleague... did fantastic work."
A man has told a court that the abuse he suffered as a young child broke him as a boy and as a man until he finally found help.

Alan Dunne waived his anonymity in order to have his abuser, 74-year-old Bernard Swaine, named.

Advertisement

Swaine was convicted by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 31 counts of indecent assault following a six-day trial last January. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to six years in prison.

Swaine of Ballyneety Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent assault on dates between 1983 and 1986. He had one previous conviction for assault which dated back to 1968.

Mr Dunne was aged between seven and ten years old at the time. Swaine was 26 years older.

Mr Dunne told the jury during the trial that on the first incident of abuse he was staying the night in Swaines home when he got behind him in a bed and anally raped him.

Advertisement

He recalled regularly visiting Swaines home afterwards and said Swaine would abuse him by touching his genitals while he masturbated. He said this pattern of behaviour went on for about three years.

Garrett McCormack BL prosecuting told the court that the first offence relates to the first incident while the remaining counts were sample charges which represented the continued abuse on a regular basis.

Victim impact statement

Mr Dunne (48) read his own victim impact statement to the court, which said: How do you measure the impact of rape and sexual abuse can have on a person and then imagine that abuse is being perpetrated against a child.

To say it crushes your soul and well-being is an understatement.

Advertisement

Your mind never lets you forget, and that is the kicker.

The abuse took everything from me. It broke me as a boy, and it broke me as a man until I finally found help.

Mr Dunne described how he has suffered from depression, anxiety, and self-loathing which I put on myself for not speaking up sooner.

He said, I really would not be here today if it werent for my wife and children.

Advertisement

Mr Dunne told Swaine, You took the most precious thing  you took my childhood, and I will never get that back.

Passing the sentence on Wednesday, Judge Crowe praised the eloquence of what Mr Dunne had described as his survivor statement.

She acknowledged evidence that as a child Mr Dunne had complicated feelings for Swaine.

Before the abuse, he had found Swaine to be jovial, friendly and engaged with children and in the aftermath of the abuse he remained in contact with him due to complicated feelings of what he said was a sense of love and fear, the judge said.

Advertisement

Judge Crowe said that through therapy Mr Dunne now understands that at the time he was desperate for a father figure which led to him staying in touch with Swaine.

Feelings of dispair

The judge further acknowledged that the abuse took everything from Mr Dunne and left him with feelings of despair and self-loathing. She said his statement was the most eloquent description of the impact on this man who was a blameless and innocent child at the time.

Judge Crowe said Swaines crimes represented a wholesale violation of a childs bodily integrity adding that it had long-term serious implications for Mr Dunne.

She said Swaine had insinuated himself into the confidence of this child and his parents and had created a situation where Mr Dunne could stay in his home. She said Swaine had abused the trust placed in him repeatedly and regularly.

Judge Crowe said the abuse had far reaching and deeply serious consequences for Mr Dunne whom she had shown considerable dignity in the way he dealt with the case.

She accepted Mr Dunne had strived to escape the memories of the abuse but had to overcome this to ultimately report Swaine to the gardai.

She accepted evidence from Garnet Orange SC defending that Swaine will have to forgo the council house he had lived in all his life if incarcerated and that he suffers from many medical conditions.

Judge Crowe also accepted that Swaine has suffered psychiatric difficulties as result of the case.

She said the seriousness of the case must be marked by the imposition of a considerable custodial sentence before she noted that the maximum sentence available to the court was 10 years.

Judge Crowe said a headline sentence of nine years was appropriate for the first offence in the case and reduced this sentence to six years having taken into account Swaines mitigating and personal circumstances.

She imposed concurrent terms of four and half years for the remaining offences, having set an initial headline sentence of six years for these counts.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
A man has been questioned by police over the suspected murder of a man in west Belfast last month.

A man named locally as Joseph Brennan died in hospital after an incident outside licensed premises in the Cupar Street area on Wednesday March 6th.

Advertisement

Police said he was found unconscious after they received a report of a serious assault just after 8pm.

A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and was later released on bail.

After the mans return for police questioning on Tuesday, he was released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

Police have asked anyone with information to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference 1768 of 06/03/24.
A retired garda superintendent has told the High Court that a search of the business yard of a brother of late gangster Cyril 'Dublin Jimmy' McGuinness was part of a major investigation into millions of euro in damage to former Quinn Group property.

Retired Supt Fergus Treanor said a search carried out at the Swords premises of Fran McGuinness (62) in August 2014 arose specifically out of the sighting of a Cherokee jeep at the yard shortly before the vehicle was used in an arson attack on the Quinn Packaging Plant in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, on March 13th, 2014.

Advertisement

Truck dealer Mr McGuinness, originally from Pinnock Hill, Swords, and currently living on the Dublin Road, Newry, Co Down, claims he has been the victim of garda harassment over several years simply because of his brother Cyril, who was the suspected mastermind behind a series of attacks on former Quinn premises in 2013/2014.

The court heard 'Operation Larissa' was set up by gardai to investigate those behind the attacks.

Cyril McGuinness died of a cardiac arrest shortly after he collapsed during a police search of his home in Derbyshire, England in 2019.

Fran McGuinness told the court he had been estranged from his brother for many years.

Advertisement

Search

Mr McGuinness is suing the Garda Commissioner and the State over what he says was the unlawful search in August 2014 of his truck dealing business premises next door to the house where he grew up at Pinnock Hill in Swords.

He claims Gardai wrongly associated him with the Quinn attacks, and that information used to swear the warrant for the search was untrue.

He claims gardai caused unnecessary damage to two gates to the premises by using an acetylene torch and seized important documents for his UK truck trading companies.

They also took envelopes containing 2,000 and 1,800, which were commission payments for other traders which he later had to make up for, he said.

Advertisement

The defendants deny the claims, saying the search was lawful, that there were no envelopes containing money, and that copies of other documents seized were returned to him.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, Mr Treanor said some 600,000 damage was done to the Quinn Packaging plant and the lives of 30 employees there were put in danger.

Mr Treanor, who was the lead officer looking into the Quinn attacks at the time, said it was one of a number of incidents which were happening around this time, almost every fortnight.

The frequency and nature of the attacks would suggest they were done by highly organised criminals, Mr Treanor said.

Advertisement

Danger

The Cherokee jeep attack involved the roof of the vehicle being cut off and packing it with burning tyres before driving it into the lobby of Quinn Packaging.

Gardai were able to establish the jeep had been seen in Fran McGuinness's yard in Swords at a specific time and date, he said.

A warrant was obtained for the premises to search for any evidence that might develop towards a criminal prosecution, he said.

Asked by Gerard Clarke SC, for the defendants, if he apprehended any danger at the Pinnock Hill search, Mr Treanor said he was personally aware of the McGuinness family for over 30 years.

Advertisement

Mr Treanor said he briefed Det Sgt James Fraher, who led the search, of the dangers, including the risk of violence, obstruction and the possibility for a major confrontation.

Under cross-examination by Eanna Mulloy SC, instructed by solicitor John Geary, Mr Treanor rejected the suggestion Gardai were heavy-handed or excessive in their approach to the search.

He had been investigating crimes where there had been property damage of 6 million, and people's lives were put at risk, he said.

Mr Teanor said he was quite satisfied the search was carried out properly.

The case, which is being heard by Mr Justice David Nolan, was adjourned to Thursday for legal submissions.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill has warned Taoiseach Simon Harris that he cannot hide his head in the sand on Irish unification.

The Sinn Fein vice president and was responding to Mr Harris assertion that pressing for unity was not currently a priority for him.

Advertisement

Ms ONeill said the debate on constitutional change was a very live one and the Government needed to commence preparatory work in advance of any future border poll.

Newly elected Taoiseach Simon Harris leaves the Dail in Dublin following his nomination (Niall Carson/PA)

Asked for her response to Mr Harris recent remarks on unity, she told reporters in Belfast: I think that theres no escaping the fact that the debate around constitutional change is a very live one, and more and more people are entering into that conversation, which is a healthy thing.

Advertisement

Lets have the maturity in which to deliver good public services, do what we have to do in government, but also have the maturity to alongside that have a very pragmatic conversation about constitutional change  what that might look like and Fine Gael shouldnt put their head in the sand on that.

They need to be engaged in the conversation and I would encourage the Taoiseach now that he is in post now to bring about the work in terms of planning for constitutional change. Lets have the citizens assembly (on unity). Lets have the debate around education, health, what does the future look like for our economy across the island?

While new Fine Gael leader has said the reunification of Ireland should not be a priority at the present time, he has insisted he remains committed to the objective and hopes he will see it achieved in his lifetime.

Attending the launch of a new Sinn Fein paper on tackling sectarianism and segregation on Wednesday, Ms ONeill was also asked by reporters whether she had concerns over Mr Harriss perceived relative lack of ministerial experience dealing with issues related to Northern Ireland.

Advertisement

Michelle ONeill has called for Simon Harris to visit north of the Border in the near future (Oliver McVeigh/PA)

She said it was really important that Mr Harris made a visit north of the Border in the near future. Ms ONeill said she intended to speak to the Taoiseach within 24 hours.

Weve had some experience in this over the past number of years in terms of the changes of taoiseach, she added.

Advertisement

But, for me, whats important here is that the Taoiseach, as head of the Irish Government, is responsible as co-guarantor for the Good Friday Agreement. So its really important that the Taoiseach is here in the north, that he is here to further the work that we discussed at the North South Ministerial Council meeting on Monday past.

So there are huge opportunities, I think, now for a refresh of the north-south relations and for that co-operation across the island. So I would be looking forward to speaking to the Taoiseach in the next short while and to inviting him to the north in terms of being able to further some of that conversation.

Simon Harris arriving at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in Armagh on Monday (Oliver McVeigh/PA).

Advertisement

Addressing the Dail on Tuesday, Mr Harris pledged to honour his role as a protector of the Good Friday Agreement as he stressed that peace on the island should never be taken for granted.

He said he looked forward to working with counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive.

In one of his last engagements as higher education minister, Mr Harris joined colleagues from the Irish cabinet and Stormont ministers at the meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh on Monday.

He referenced the gathering in his address to the Dail after being nominated as Irelands new premier.

As Taoiseach, I pledge to guard and honour my role as protector and guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, he added.

We have so much more to achieve for all communities on this island, and I look forward to working very much with the Northern Ireland Executive because Ireland must never take peace or freedom for granted.

In remarks on unity at the weekend, Mr Harris said cost should not be the overbearing factor in consideration of a United Ireland.

On Sunday, he was asked about the findings of a new study from the Dublin-based Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) that suggested unification could cost the Irish government 20 billion a year for 20 years, with a 25 per cent increase in taxation potentially needed to shoulder the costs of uniting Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Instinctively, I want to see a united Ireland and cost isnt the overbearing factor, Mr Harris told RTE in response to the reports findings.

But he stressed his priority was harnessing the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement and building better cross-border relations.

Mr Harris said he would not be dismissive of the IIEA report but said its findings had prompted a lot of scrutiny.

Theres a dynamic effect to any economic change, but the point is the Good Friday Agreement provides a way forward for peoples political aspirations, he said.

The priority right now, in my view, for the people on the island of Ireland is to live in peace, live in prosperity, get to know each other better.
The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilian Wahba Abdalmajid has welcomed comments by Tanaiste Micheal Martin in the Dail on Tuesday about Ireland recognising Palestine as an independent State and urged that such recognition would happen soon.

Speaking on RTE radios Morning Ireland, Dr Wahba Abdalmajid, said that Ireland had always stood on the right side of history, justice, humanity and international law, so she had expected that Ireland would lead in the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Advertisement

I hope that this recognition by Ireland will be a reality soon and Ireland will lead other EU states to follow suit.

Palestinians deserved such recognition since the partition of 1947. It was time to recognise and acknowledge the right to self determination and the State of Palestine for the Palestinians, she added.

Recognition of the State of Palestine has long been on the Government programme said Dr Wahba Abdalmajid.

"International recognition of the State of Palestine would not change circumstances on the ground, she acknowledged, it was something that would allow full membership of the United Nations and something to which the people of Palestine were entitled.

Advertisement

"It would also give hope to Palestine that the international community recognised their right to self-determination.

If the international community wanted real peace in the region, the Palestinians should be acknowledged and recognise their rights, the rights to self-determination. Without recognising the State of Palestine, without recognising the rights of the Palestinians, this region will be flaming forever.

Dr Wahba Abdalmajid said that the events of October 7th did not happen out of thin air. The root cause of the problem was the denial of the rights of Palestinians.

So as long as the whole world and Israel are denying the rights of the Palestinians, this area, this region will continue to be flaming.

"Stability would be good for the region. Palestinian people were fighting for their freedom, for the acknowledgement or recognition of their rights and that their rights be respected."

Dr Wahba Abdalmajid added that she was sure that every Palestinian would abide by and respect international law, but the most important thing was that the international community recognise the rights of Palestinians to have their own free State of Palestine.
Marian Keyes is back with her latest novel, travelling from New York to a small town in Ireland

Fiction

1. My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes is published in hardback by Michael Joseph. Available April 11th

Advertisement

 THERE'S ONLY 1 MONTH TO GO UNTIL YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON THE BRAND NEW @MarianKeyes 



Small town, big mistake? After a minor mid-life crisis, Anna just swapped New York for rural Ireland. Discover Marian Keyes brilliant, brand-new novel, My Favourite Mistake  a story of pic.twitter.com/BPU25RTmTj  Penguin Michael Joseph (@MichaelJBooks) March 11, 2024

Advertisement

Long-standing fans of Irish bestselling author Marian Keyes will be thrilled that her new novel focuses on one of the Walsh sisters  the large fictional family several of her books are weaved around. This time, fuelled by what was dubbed the great resignation after the height of the pandemic, Anna, now in her late forties, has quit her dream New York job in beauty PR to move back to Ireland with no plan, eventually helping a friend set up a fancy coastal retreat in a small town (an idea locals hate). My Favourite Mistake expertly tackles issues of gentrification, perimenopause and bereavement, while also managing to stay humorous and heartwarming, and of course theres a central romance thatll keep you guessing  classic Keyes traits. It takes a little longer to get going than some of her previous bestsellers, but with a bit of patience, readers will fall just as in love with her flawed, relatable characters and enjoy Keyes skillfully comical observations of family life and love.

7/10

(Review by Lauren Taylor)

2. Caledonian Road by Andrew OHagan is published in hardback by Faber & Faber. Available now

Advertisement

New from Andrew O'Hagan, author of Mayflies, Caledonian Road is an irresistible, unputdownable, state-of-the-nation novel - the story of one mans epic fall from grace.



Coming April 2024. Pre-order now. https://t.co/2uDeIziQRx pic.twitter.com/JQ0Qhl1Gcm  Faber Books (@FaberBooks) September 20, 2023

Advertisement

Caledonian Road is a funny, tender and at times devastating deep dive into modern society and the murky worlds of money-laundering, street gangs and corruption. Award-winning author Andrew OHagans latest novel is based around the arterial road bisecting some of north Londons poorest and most affluent neighbourhoods. It is here that Campbell Flynn, academic and celebrity pundit, has a seemingly comfortable life in an upmarket townhouse. Things begins to unravel after his path crosses with provocative student Milo Mangasha, a young man with a plan. As Campbell becomes increasingly drawn in, an interwoven plot thickens with disastrous consequences for friends, family and acquaintances. It appears that no-one is safe. Meanwhile, there is something rotten under the floorboards in Campbells house that no amount of expensive scented candles can mask. Glasgow-born OHagan has been nominated for a Booker Prize three times  could this be fourth time lucky? Caledonian Road is a massive page turner.

Score 10/10

(Review by Emily Pennink)

3. The Morningside by Tea Obreht is published in hardback by W&N. Available April 11th

Advertisement

MORE SIGNED BOOK NEWS!



The Morningside by Tea Obreht is published in April.



It's the brand new novel from the author of the bestselling Tiger's Wife.



I have a few SIGNED copies available.



Order a copy HERE!https://t.co/jtQnEGkqU4 pic.twitter.com/4wYspQfCHX  Big Green Bookshop (@Biggreenbooks) March 20, 2024

Tea Obrehts The Morningside follows in a similar vein to her previous novel, The Tigers Wife, examining the experience of displacement and how stories, friendship and family bind us; all laced with a liberal dose of magic realism. In a post-apocalyptic world where rising tides have claimed cities and war has claimed communities, eleven-year-old Sil and her mother join her aunt in the dilapidated Island City, moving into the former luxury high-rise apartments  The Morningside. Lonely, curious and fuelled by her aunts fantastical stories about her homeland, Silvia begins to wonder who the enigmatic occupant of the buildings penthouse really is, setting out to discover the truth. This isnt recommended if youre after a gritty dystopian imagining of a collapsed future society, but it entertains as a character-driven saunter through myth and worlds beyond the veil of our own reality, ultimately revealing the truth about who we really are.

7/10

(Review by Amanda Willard)

Non-fiction

4. Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen is published in hardback by Torva. Available now

(Torva/PA)

There are no winners and we blast ourselves back to the Stone Age is the terrifying outcome of the nuclear war scenario presented by 2016 Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen in her new non-fiction thriller, Nuclear War: A Scenario. North Korea goes rogue and fires a nuclear missile at Washington DC, giving the President of the United States just six minutes to decide how to respond. With the help of impressive expert interviews, Jacobsen examines what happens over the next 26 minutes and 40 seconds in painstaking detail, the time it takes for the worlds most dangerous weapon to travel across the globe and strike its target. What she discovers is a series of risky policies and protocols fraught with pitfalls that leave the door wide open for mutual destruction. Her captivating investigation swings back and forth between the sequence of events as the clock counts down to nuclear detonation and descriptions of the mindboggling scale of human suffering it will cause. A book not for the faint-hearted.

8/10

(Review by Tom Campbell)

Childrens book of the week

5. Dance With Oti: The Turtle Tango by Oti Mabuse, illustrated by Samara Hardy, is published in paperback by Walker Books. Available now

(Walker Books/PA)

This is the latest in former Strictly pro Oti Mabuses charming picture book series, starring the dancer as teacher Mrs Oti showing a new dance to her students. This time round, the book is inspired by the tango, and sees Mrs Oti take her kids to the local aquarium, teaching them the dance, which they then perform at the grand opening. As well as mastering the steps, the kids also learn about how turtles never leave each other behind  and how theres always joy to be found in dance. While the book is somewhat overly saccharine  older kids and parents might not find it quite so engaging  its still an upbeat, positive read, with a lovely addition of how to do the turtle tango yourself at the end of the book.

6/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 6th

HARDBACK (FICTION)

1. Caledonian Road by Andrew OHagan

2. The Last Murder At The End Of The World By Stuart Turton

3. The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas

4. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

5. Medea by Rosie Hewlett

6. Carrie (50th anniversary edition) by Stephen King

7. The Gentleman From Peru by Andre Aciman

8. Until August by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

9. A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

10. The House of Mirrors by Erin Kelly

(Compiled by Waterstones)

HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. Our Fight: by Ronda Rousey

2. Easy Wins by Anna Jones

3. The Trading Game by Gary Stevenson

4. A Very Private School by Charles Spencer

5. Bored Of Lunch Healthy Slow Cooker: Even Easier by Nathan Anthony

6. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

7. Blossomise by Simon Armitage

8. WHAT by John Cooper Clarke

9. Crypt by Alice Roberts

10. The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl by Becky Lynch

(Compiled by Waterstones)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)

1. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu and Ken Liu

2. Prima Facie by Suzie Miller

3. Atomic Habits by James Clear

4. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

5. The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu and Joel Martinsen

6. Unruly by David Mitchell

7. The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

8. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

9. The Trading Game by Gary Stevenson

10. The Women by Kristin Hannah

(Compiled by Audible)
Political deadlock between gov't and opposition party likely to continue

By Nam Hyun-woo

The exit poll results of Wednesday's general elections, indicating a landslide victory for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), are anticipated to deal a critical blow to President Yoon Suk Yeols control over state affairs. This outcome dashes his hopes of securing parliamentary support to pursue key policies during the remainder of his presidency.

Exit polls conducted by the nation's three major terrestrial broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS projected the DPK to secure 178 to 197 seats when combining constituency wins with proportional representation seats obtained by its satellite party.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) is expected to retain between 85 and 105 seats, including those obtained through proportional representation by its satellite party. Among minor parties, the liberal Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP) excelled, and is anticipated to claim between 12 to 14 seats.

If the election outcome falls within the anticipated ranges, the opposition bloc can secure more than 200 seats in the 300-seat Assembly. In such a scenario, the opposition would have the ability to unilaterally enact contentious bills, effectively neutralizing Yoon's presidential veto power. Furthermore, it could even pass a bill on impeaching the president.



Yoon has already been facing stumbling blocks in exercising his power for the past two years, because the DPK, which has held a majority throughout his presidency, has been opposing many of the presidents policies and Cabinet confirmation hearings requiring parliamentary approvals.

Due to this political landscape, Yoon has been relying on presidential decrees to fulfill several of his policy promises without revising laws. Additionally, he has been unilaterally vetoing contentious bills passed by the DPK. However, several of Yoon's major initiatives, including the abolition of the investment income tax and the relaxation of the inheritance tax, have remained pending due to the necessity of law revisions.

With the opposition likely to regain the majority once again, the policy gridlock is expected to persist until Yoon leaves office.

During the past two years, Yoon has faced constraints due to legislative limitations, forcing him to rely on presidential decrees to pursue policies, political commentator Rhee Jong-hoon said.

And for the next three years, the president may face difficulties in using decrees, because ranking government officials will start distancing themselves from his administration.

Wednesdays election result is widely interpreted as a midterm assessment of Yoon's presidency. Another potential majority for the DPK is seen as a manifestation of public distrust toward his administration. With Yoon's job approval ratings largely remaining below 50 percent over the past two years, the prospects for him to reverse his declining influence on state affairs midway through his five-year term appear slim.

Yoon has struggled to maintain strong control over state affairs, and the defeat of the ruling party will further marginalize the president in every aspect, including the PPP's prospects for future political power, said Cho Jin-man, a politics professor at Duksung Womens University.

And the defeat will force the ruling party to reassess its relationship with the president, bicker over who is responsible for the defeat and shift the focus to the partys next leadership. All of these factors are poised to create difficult circumstances for Yoon."

While the standoff between Yoon and the DPK is predictable, the president's veto power is on the line depending on the election result.

Once the president vetoes a bill, it returns to the Assembly for a second vote, and to be passed again, it requires the attendance of more than half of all lawmakers and approval by two-thirds of attending legislators. If the liberal side secures more than 200 seats, Yoon's veto will become meaningless.

Yoon has already vetoed nine contentious bills passed unilaterally by the DPK. One of them was about launching a special counsel probe into stock manipulation allegations involving Yoons wife, Kim Keon Hee.

That bill was scrapped in February because Yoon vetoed it in January and the Assembly failed to gain approval by two-thirds of attending lawmakers at the second vote.

The opposition is set to introduce a similar special counsel bill targeting the first lady during the 22nd Assembly if the DPK and other liberal opposition parties together secure more than 200 seats.

Ha Shang-eung, a politics professor at Sogang University, said such a tug-of-war between the Yoon administration and the DPK will continue throughout the presidents remaining term.

It might be premature to label the president as a lame duck at this stage, as three years constitute a significant and unpredictable period. The designation of a lame duck typically arises when the ruling party starts preparing for the next presidential election, Ha said.

However, what is evident is that the political stalemate witnessed over the past two years is likely to persist for the next three years, characterized by the DPK unilaterally passing bills and Yoon subsequently vetoing them.








President Joe Biden could be left off the ballot in Alabama, the states elections chief said on Tuesday, because the states certification deadline comes several days before the Democratic Partys convention.

Alabama secretary of state Wes Allen, a Republican, made the statement on Tuesday, a day after a similar concern was raised in Ohio that Mr Biden could be left off the ballot in that state.

Advertisement

Mr Allen sent a letter to Alabama Democratic Party chairman Randy Kelley saying that the states August 15 certification deadline is four days before the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is set to begin.

Mr Allen indicated that Mr Bidens name will not appear on the ballot unless the deadline is met.



Alabama secretary of state Wes Allen (Butch Dill/ AP)

Advertisement

If this Office has not received a valid certificate of nomination from the Democratic Party following its convention by the statutory deadline, I will be unable to certify the names of the Democratic Partys candidates for President and Vice President for ballot preparation for the 2024 general election, Mr Allen wrote.

Mr Kelley told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that he had contacted the DNC about the matter to see what could be done. An option could be for the party to send in a provisional certification.

Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states, the Biden campaign said in a statement.

State officials have the ability to grant provisional ballot access certification prior to the conclusion of presidential nominating conventions. In 2020 alone, states like Alabama, Illinois, Montana, and Washington all allowed provisional certification for Democratic and Republican nominees.

Advertisement

Alabama law requires the names of presidential nominees to be submitted 82 days before the election.

The Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature in 2020 passed legislation to change the certification deadline for the 2020 election. The bill stated that the change was being made to accommodate the dates of the 2020 Republican National Convention.

The deadline was pushed forward about a week that year. It was a one-time change that only applied to that year.
A police officer accused of attempting to rape a fellow officer in a hotel room said he believed she was playing hard to get with him, a court has heard.

Sussex Police officer Daniel Julian, 46, denied using force or trying to rape the woman at a hotel in Kent on August 17th, 2021, adding that it wasnt my plan to have sex with her that night.

Advertisement

At a trial at Lewes Crown Court, prosecutors had said Julian shoulder barged his way into her room wearing only a towel and pinned her against the wall and tried to kiss her, before getting on top of her and trying to pull down her jogging bottoms.

Jurors heard from the alleged victims interview that she was scared and kept telling him no, but he didnt listen.

She then secretly recorded part of the alleged attack as she saw her phone under the bed and she feared she was going to be raped, the court heard.

Julie Whitby, prosecuting, said: At times she was laughing because she didnt know what else to do, it was her way of coping.

Advertisement

She managed to push him off, she kicked his towel after him.

On Wednesday Julian said the woman let him into her room and he kissed her neck and gave her massage, which he believed she was consenting to.

He was also asked about comments heard in the recording, including hearing the woman saying hes got to go.

Asked if he thought at that point he should leave, Julian said: No because shes still laughing, still making jokes and still being playful with me as if to be playing hard to get in a flirtatious way.

Advertisement

The former blacksmith also said he was just being playful when he asked to see her breast, adding: In hindsight obviously I regret it, but at the time it was two people having fun.

He also denied bruising the woman, pinning her down or forcing her to engage in sexual activity with him during the incident.

Julian, of Pulborough, West Sussex, denies all charges of sexual assault, sexual activity without consent and attempted rape.

The trial continues.
Israeli aircraft have killed three sons of Hamass top political leader in the Gaza Strip, striking high-stakes targets at a time when Israel is holding delicate ceasefire negotiations with the militant group.

Hamas said four of the leaders grandchildren were also killed.

Advertisement

Ismail Haniyehs sons are among the highest-profile figures to be killed in the war so far.





Advertisement

Israel said they were Hamas operatives, and Haniyeh accused Israel of acting in the spirit of revenge and murder.

The deaths threaten to strain the internationally mediated ceasefire talks, which appeared to gain steam in recent days even as the sides remain far apart on key issues.

The killings also come as Israel is under intensifying pressure  increasingly from its top ally, the US  to change tack in the war, especially when it comes to humanitarian aid for desperate people in Gaza.

Haniyeh said Hamas would not cave to the pressure levelled by the strike on his family.

Advertisement

The enemy believes that by targeting the families of the leaders, it will push them to give up the demands of our people, Haniyeh told the Al Jazeera satellite channel.

Anyone who believes that targeting my sons will push Hamas to change its position is delusional.

Hamass Al-Aqsa TV station aired footage of Haniyeh receiving the news of the deaths through the phone of an aide while visiting wounded Palestinians who have been transported to a hospital in Qatar, where he lives in exile.

Haniyeh nodded, looked down at the ground and slowly walked out of the room.

Advertisement





Hamas said Hazem, Amir and Mohammed Haniyeh were killed in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, where Ismail Haniyeh is originally from.

Advertisement

Hamas said three of Haniyehs granddaughters and a grandson were also killed.

Hamas did not disclose their ages.

The brothers were travelling with family members in a single vehicle targeted by an Israeli drone, Al-Aqsa TV said.

The Israeli military said Mohammed and Hazem were Hamas military operatives and that Amir was a cell commander.

It said they had conducted militant activity in the central Gaza Strip, without elaborating.

It did not comment about the grandchildren killed.

The strike on Haniyehs family is the latest bloodshed in a war with no end in sight.



Palestinians visit the graves of their relatives who were killed in the war between Israel and the Hamas militant group on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

Earlier, Israeli War Cabinet minister Benny Gantz claimed Hamas has been defeated militarily, although he also said Israel will fight it for years to come.

From a military point of view, Hamas is defeated. Its fighters are eliminated or in hiding and its capabilities crippled, Mr Gantz said in a statement to the media in the southern Israeli city of Sderot.

But he added: Fighting against Hamas will take time. Boys who are now in middle school will still fight in the Gaza Strip.

Mr Gantz reiterated the Israeli governments commitment to go into Rafah, the city at the far southern tip of the Gaza Strip where more than half the territorys 2.3 million people are now sheltering.

For Palestinians, the strike on Haniyehs family darkened an already grim Eid al-Fitr holiday, which ends the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Palestinians marked the holiday by visiting the graves of loved ones killed in the war.

In the Jabaliya refugee camp near Gaza City, people sat quietly by graves surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israels offensive, which was launched in response to the deadly Hamas attack on October 7.

As misery in Gaza lingers, Israel has faced increasing pressure, including from its own top ally, the US, to change tack in the war, especially in regards to the delivery of humanitarian aid.





On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the war in Gaza a mistake and urged his government to flood the beleaguered territory with aid.

He repeated that call again on Wednesday, saying the efforts to boost aid were not enough and demanding another entry point for trucks in northern Gaza.

Mr Gantz said Israel would soon open a new crossing to serve hard-hit northern Gaza, an early target of Israels in the war.

After months of supporting the war against Hamas, the White House has ramped up pressure on Israel to reach a ceasefire and taken a sterner line that has rattled the countries decades-old alliance and deepened Israels international isolation over the war.

The most serious disagreement has been over Israels plans for an offensive in Rafah.

The rift was worsened by an Israeli air strike last week on an aid convoy that killed seven workers with the World Central Kitchen charity, most of them foreigners.

Israel said the deaths were unintentional, but Mr Biden was outraged.

Mr Bidens latest comments highlight the differences between Israel and the US over humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, where the war has led to warnings of imminent famine for more than a million people.



Parachutes drop supplies into the northern Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel (Leo Correa/AP)

What hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, Mr Biden told Spanish-language broadcaster Univision when asked if Mr Netanyahu was prioritising his political survival over Israels interest.

Israel halted aid deliveries to Gaza in the early days of the war, but under US pressure has slowly increased the number of trucks allowed to enter the territory.

Still, aid groups say supplies are not reaching desperate people quickly enough, blaming Israeli restrictions and noting that thousands of trucks are waiting to enter Gaza.

Countries have attempted less efficient ways to deliver aid, including airdrops and by sea.

Israel says it has opened up more entry points for trucks to enter, especially for northern Gaza.

Israel also accuses aid groups of being too slow to deliver aid once it is inside Gaza.

Aid groups say logistical issues and the precarious security situation  underscored by the strike on the aid workers  complicate deliveries.

Mr Netanyahu has vowed to achieve total victory, pledging to destroy Hamass military and governing capabilities to prevent a repeat of the October 7 attacks and to return hostages captured by Hamas and others that day.



Relatives of hostages held in Gaza and their supporters move into an intersection to protest outside the Prime Ministers Office in Jerusalem to call for an immediate release of the captives for the Jewish holiday of Passover (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

He says that victory must include an offensive in Rafah.

Israel launched the war in response to Hamass cross-border assault in which militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took roughly 250 people hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

More than 33,400 Palestinians have been killed in the relentless fighting, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says most of the dead are women and children.

Israel says it has killed some 12,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The war has ignited a humanitarian catastrophe.

Most of the territorys population has been displaced and with vast swathes of Gazas urban landscape levelled in the fighting, many areas are uninhabitable.
The US is considering dropping the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, following a request from the Australian government, US president Joe Biden has said.

Assange faces prosecution in the US over an alleged conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information following the publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

Advertisement

Mr Biden responded were considering it, when asked about the request from the Australian government by reporters at the White House on Wednesday.

It comes one day before the fifth anniversary of the 52-year-old being held in prison amid his fight against extradition to the US.

Joe Biden has said the US is considering dropping the prosecution of Assange (Niall Carson/PA)

Advertisement

In a January 2021 ruling, then-district judge Vanessa Baraitser said that Assange should not be sent to the US, citing a real and oppressive risk of suicide, while ruling against him on all other issues.

Later that year, US authorities won their High Court bid to overturn this block, paving the way towards Assanges extradition.

During a two-day hearing in February, lawyers for the 52-year-old asked for the go-ahead to challenge the original judges dismissal of other parts of his case to prevent his extradition.

In a judgment in March, Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Johnson dismissed most of Assanges legal arguments but said that unless assurances were given by the US he would be able to bring an appeal on three grounds.

Advertisement

These assurances are that Assange would be protected by and allowed to rely on the First Amendment  which protects freedom of speech in the US, that he is not prejudiced at trial because of his nationality, and that the death penalty is not imposed.

The judges said the US authorities had three weeks to give those assurances, with a final hearing potentially taking place in late May.
Russian officials have scrambled to help homeowners displaced by floods as water levels rose in the Ural River.

Floods in the Orenburg region near Russias border with Kazakhstan sparked the evacuation of thousands of people following the collapse of a dam on Saturday.

Advertisement

Russias government has declared the situation a federal emergency.

Although Russian president Vladimir Putin is frequently shown on Russian state television meeting officials and travelling across the country, the Kremlin said he is not yet planning to visit the flood-hit region.

A man pushes an inflatable boat in a flooded area in Orenburg, Russia (AP)

Advertisement

The rivers water level in the city of Orenburg was above 10 metres on Wednesday, state news agency Ria Novosti reported, citing the regional governor.

Photos shared by Russian news outlets showed roads covered in water, submerged fields and partially submerged houses.

The water was approaching high-rise buildings, Ria Novosti said, and more than 300 homes were flooded overnight, according to state news agency Tass.

People in the city of Orsk gathered in a rare protest on Monday, calling for compensation after their homes were damaged.

Advertisement

Protests are unusual in Russia, where authorities have consistently cracked down on any form of dissent following Mr Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Rescuers use a boat in a flooded area of Orenburg, Russia (AP)

Hundreds of people gathered in front of the administrative building in Orsk, and videos posted on Russian social media showed people chanting Putin, help us and shame.

Advertisement

Other videos on social media showed angry Russians refusing to leave the areas near their homes because they said thieves were looting abandoned houses with boats.

The floods prompted the Orsk oil refinery to suspend operations, Interfax said.

The floods had forced more than 4,000 people, including 885 children, to evacuate in the Orenburg region, the regional government said on Sunday.

Tass said on Monday that around 10,000 homes, including some 7,000 in Orsk, were flooded.

Advertisement

Following the protest, Tass reported that the governor of the Orenburg region, Denis Pasler, promised compensation payments to those affected.

The Ural River flows from the southern section of the Ural Mountains into the north end of the Caspian Sea, through Russia and Kazakhstan.
George Case | INOV8 Public Relations

NASHVILLE, TN (April 9, 2024) - Today marks the radio release of Youll Never Take Him From My Heart, the latest single from independent Christian artist George Case. The song, written, produced, and performed by George Case himself, is now available for airplay on Christian AC and Christian Country radio formats. Through this release, George Case aims to offer a message of hope and resilience to believers everywhere, reminding them of the indomitable presence of faith in their lives.

Inspired by historical events during the French Revolution and drawing parallels to modern-day challenges faced by Christians in America, the song speaks to the attempts to remove Christian symbols and expressions from public life. Despite these efforts, Youll Never Take Him From My Heart affirms the unshakable truth that Christs presence in the world and in the hearts of those who believe cannot be erased.

George Cases life journey, from serving globally with the military to engaging deeply in a music ministry rooted in his unwavering faith, enriches his music with authentic experiences and a profound spiritual connection. This latest single builds on the success of his previous release, There is a Place, which garnered over 500K YouTube views and reached listeners in over 111 countries.

Youll Never Take Him From My Heart is not just a single; its a rallying cry for faith, perseverance, and the visibility of Christian beliefs in the modern world. As the song makes its way to radio listeners today, it serves as a reminder of the eternal bond between the believer and the divine, unbroken by societal shifts or challenges.

George Case invites listeners to embrace the message of Youll Never Take Him From My Heart, available on Christian radio stations starting today. This release is a testament to Georges commitment to spreading hope and encouragement through his music, inspiring listeners to stand firm in their faith.

Watch the Music Video:

https://youtu.be/VTzUqQbzykU

Connect with George Case:

https://georgecasemusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeCaseMusic/

https://www.instagram.com/georgecasemusic/
Dart Mining has extended the lithium strike length at its promising Boones Dyke prospect which forms part of its Dorchap lithium project in Victoria to over 1km where field exploration unearthed rock channel samples grading as high as 2.35 per cent lithium.

A subsequent LIDAR airborne laser mapping program provided further encouragement with the projects prospectivity appearing to increase towards the north.

Dart Mining is using LIDAR airborne laser mapping to generate drill targets at its Vic Dorchap lithium project

As a result of the companys successful LIDAR program, 357 sites were subjected to field reconnaissance in a search for pegmatite outcropping.

A total of 111 rock chip samples from positively identified pegmatite dyke outcrops were collected and sent for assaying, with 88 sample results returned to date.
In Japan meanwhile, TSMC is investing more than $US20 billion to build chip factories, with some minority investments from Japanese companies and more than $US3 billion of support from the government. Japan has also provided more than $US1 billion of funding for flash memory chip plants being built by Western Digital, a US company. Rapidus, a new government-backed entity, and Americas Micron Technology are also building chip factories with government support. America is determined to deny China access to the leading edge chip technologies. Credit: Bloomberg There are a number of reasons for the massive government interventions in the semiconductor market, with China and its ambitions at the forefront. Semiconductors are essential for most technologies, whether for consumer products or the military. Yet one company, TSMC, manufactures about 90 per cent of them.

Whether its Chinas openly stated ambition of absorbing Taiwan, by force if necessary, or its location in an earthquake-prone region  it was hit by a 7.4 magnitude event last week  that creates a massive point of vulnerability for the global economy and for the US and Europe, given Chinas larger ambitions, its increased military capabilities and the multiplying tensions and potential flash points between China and the West. The pandemic and the disruptions to global supply chains it generated  including a severe shortage of semiconductors that had a particularly significant impact on the global auto industry  underscored the vulnerabilities created by an over-reliance on a single manufacturer. Loading The re-shoring of chip-making capabilities (the US once had a market share approaching 40 per cent) is a key part of the larger effort by the US and its allies to reduce their reliance on China, where TSMC, some US companies and Chinas own are major manufacturers of relatively low-end chips while constraining Chinas own efforts to compete in more advanced technologies. The US has imposed a raft of sanctions on Chinese companies and shut off access to sensitive US intellectual property and technologies while also pressuring its allies  the EU, Japan and South Korea  to do the same.

It pressured the Netherlands to ban sales to China of the most sophisticated chip-making machines made by ASML, the dominant manufacturer of the machines needed to make the leading-edge chips. It has asked Japan and South Korea to restrict their technology sales to China of high-end logic and memory chips while also asking its allies to limit their servicing of chip-making equipment in China. South Korea is a major producer of chips and spare parts for the machines that make them. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is opening factories around the world. Credit: Reuters China has its own goal of achieving semiconductor self-sufficiency and has been adding to its previous $US150 billion of subsidies with new tax credits and subsidised funding. It lags the West, however, in designing and manufacturing the more advanced chips  its several generations of technology behind what is a continually moving target. It stockpiled semiconductors and manufacturing equipment in recent years to get ahead of the US sanctions but doesnt have access to the chip-making tools needed to produce the 2 nm chips that are the current frontier of the technology and which will power the next generation of artificial intelligence. It takes tens of thousands of advanced chips to train one of the latest AI models, like GPT4.

Artificial intelligence will be central to future economic development and military supremacy, hence Americas efforts to deny China access to cutting-edge chip technologies. The Americans did get a shock last year when Huawei unveiled a new smartphone last year powered by an advanced 7 nm 5G-capable chip. That set off a scramble by the Americans to find out how China had managed to develop a chip that, while several generations behind the US, was more advanced than Americas sanctions were designed to allow. It appears that the chips and equipment China stockpiled in advance of the layers of sanctions played a role in the development and manufacturing of the chip, but Chinas Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) is reported to be close to mass production of a new 5 nm chip developed by Huawei. It appears that the technologies used by SMIC are not the most sophisticated or efficient  it cant get access to the leading edge ASML machines  which means that the chips will be costly. SMIC is said to charge up to 50 per cent more for its chips than TSMC. Loading
On the deadly battlefields of Tobruk during World War II, the colour of Archibald Arch Driscolls skin counted for little when it came to the bonds he forged with some of Australias 14,000 rats who  through blood and sheer grit  earned their place in our history books.

But coming home, things were vastly different for First Nations men like Driscoll, one of at least 59 confirmed Black Rats of Tobruk, a term proudly coined by Indigenous veterans seen as a badge of honour within the wider Rats of Tobruk Association.

Black Rat of Tobruk Archibald Driscolls daughter-in-law Colleen Hurley and granddaughter Angelina Hurley with the movie poster he features in. Credit: Jamila Toderas

Yet, despite their service, they returned to a deeply segregated Australia. They were not entitled to vote, let alone walk into a pub with their white brothers-in-arms and share a beer.

Australian War Memorial Indigenous liaison officer Michael Bell said descendants of servicemen such as Driscoll see the Black Rat moniker as a source of considerable pride. Poet Iris Clayton, whose father counted himself among the Black Rats, wrote a poem in their honour in 1988. It says: He fought for this land so that he could be free. Yet he could not vote after his desert melee.
Lee Jae-myung projected to defeat ex-land minister

By Kwak Yeon-soo

With the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) projected to secure a majority of seats in the National Assembly in the general elections, Wednesday, its chairman Lee Jae-myung is highly likely to establish himself as the party's leading presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

According to exit polls by the nation's three major terrestrial broadcasters  KBS, MBC and SBS  Lee was projected to defeat former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) in Incheons Gyeyang-B constituency.

Lee, who lost by a small margin to President Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 presidential race, is widely expected to run for president again in 2027, according to political analysts.

Lee would be seen as the main opposition partys presidential candidate if his party wins by a landslide, said Eom Kyeong-young, director of the Zeitgeist Institute, a private political think tank.

The exit polls found that the DPK, and its satellite Democratic United Party could earn about 178 to 197 of the 300 seats, while the PPP and it satellite People Future Party are projected to win 85 to 105 seats.

"With humble minds, we will watch the people's choice until the very end," Lee said after exit polls predicted his partys landslide win.

However, some say Lees legal troubles will continue to weigh on him regardless of the election results.

Lee faces a series of criminal allegations, several of which have gone to trial. These include accusations of Lee providing unlawful favors to private developers who gained substantial profits from a scandal-ridden land development project in Daejang-dong, a neighborhood of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, during his tenure as mayor of the city. Additionally, he is implicated in the transfer of illicit funds to North Korea. Lee vehemently denies all charges, and the trials are currently ongoing.

What matters to Lee is the court rulings of his legal wrongdoings. If he is found not guilty, Im pretty sure he will become a major presidential candidate for the 2027 election. However, if found guilty, his fate will change, said Kim Sang-il, a political commentator.

Lee Kang-yun, a political commentator, also said the criminal charges carry far more serious repercussions for the opposition leader.

Sooner or later, Lee will be getting his first trial ruling for violating the election law among many other criminal cases. If they turn out bad, it would be difficult for him to exert power as the party leader. The presidential election is three years away, but his trials are right around the corner, he said.

Voter turnout was 67 percent, with a record-high early voting of 31.2 percent. About 44 million Koreans aged 18 or older were eligible to vote, out of the countrys 52 million people. About 14 million cast ballots during the early voting period last week.

The National Election Commission said it may take longer than usual to count the votes because it is being done by hand, and that the outcome may not be clear until early Thursday.






LOIS BRYSON October 5, 1937-January 7, 2024

Emeritus professor Lois Bryson, whose active intellectual life spanned teaching, feminism, leadership, policy development and research, has died in Carlton aged 86. She was born in the Victorian town of Bunyip, one of four surviving children of a mother who was a teacher and father who was a sometime musician; she matriculated at Mac.Robertson Girls High School. Lois is remembered as one of the Australian universities most inspiring teachers and a fine administrator.

Perhaps Lois best-known research achievement was as co-founder of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Womens Health, which she jointly established in 1994. The study, now with more than 57,000 women as participants, explores the factors that influence health and wellbeing. The project continues to contribute to government policy responses.

That initiative is emblematic of how Lois worked, one of the many instances of her influence in organisations involved in understanding, and responding to, issues of public significance. For her, a feminist with a strong commitment to equity, rights and social justice, research always had a practical, actively engaged edge that could influence policy.

In 1959, Lois graduated from the University of Melbourne with a bachelor of arts and a diploma of social studies. She worked at Melbourne University, then in school education, before taking a position at Monash Universitys Department of Anthropology and Sociology in 1965. She completed a PhD (1970), and had two children, Fran (1968) and Matt (1971), with John Bryson, the lawyer and author she had met at university.
Lane, who was educated at Sydneys private Newington College, will be sentenced after pleading guilty to a raft of child abuse material charges, including two counts of procuring a child for sex outside Australia.

The caravan in Stanhope that Timothy Lane used as his base to procure young girls for sex overseas.

As the 52-year-old left his mobile home in picturesque Stanhope, in the Hunter Valley, en route to Sydney International Airport, he left what had been the centre of a web of horror intent on spreading its tentacles further abroad.

Timothy Lane emerged from his battered caravan in secluded NSW bushland to begin his journey to bustling Bangkok.

An agreed statement of facts paint a picture of a troubled recluse who, in the months before he flew to Thailand on March 23 last year, used his caravan as a base to chat on social media with several girls from Thailand and the Philippines aged nine to 12.

Timothy Lane has pleaded guilty to a raft of child abuse offences. Credit: Facebook

He sent or offered to send them pocket money via PayPal  which family members said went to new shoes or dresses  in exchange for sexual videos of them. When one girl said she was at school, Lane did not leave her alone, instead responding with a sexual request.

Lane faced a sentencing hearing at Sydneys Downing Centre District Court this week before Judge Nanette Williams, where the defence argued mental health issues contributed to the offending, but the prosecution argued this was not a reason to lessen his sentence.

Summing up Lanes twisted intentions, Williams said: Hes talking about going to Thailand and meeting up with these girls, not for anything else, but for sexual gratification.
Police have halted a fresh search for the body of missing woman Samantha Murphy after scouring a new area of bushland south of Ballarat on Thursday.

Cadaver dogs were used to comb Enfield State Park and its surrounds for the remains of the mother of three, who police allege was murdered in early February.

Police use a cadaver dog during the search for the body Samantha Murphy near Enfield State Park on Thursday. Credit: AAP

Investigators began to return to the makeshift headquarters in the small town of Napoleons after 4pm.

Murphys remains, which police believe are concealed somewhere in the vast bushland, were not recovered. Searching is due to resume on Friday, with a smaller team.
This is simply a description of what some other countries are mooting. Wong quoted Britains Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, saying the UK will look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations which, he said, could make the two-state solution irreversible. And thats as specific as she got. It was a description of the landscape, not a route plan. It created an impression that she might have been thinking about making a trip, but that was about it. Wong proposed no process, no preconditions, no sequencing, no timing. Shed engaged in no consultations nor any of the diplomatic legwork needed to win support for a serious proposal.

On a subject as sensitive as this, however, an impression was enough to make news. Australian Muslims preparing to celebrate Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan on Wednesday might have formed the impression that Wong was giving them a small token. Australian Jews certainly formed the impression that she was handing them a studied insult. We profoundly disagree with Senator Wongs implications [that] recognition of Palestinian statehood in the near future could be a way of building momentum towards a two-state solution, fumed Colin Rubenstein of the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council. It would merely be seen as a reward to Hamas for its terrorist attack on October 7, he said.

But Wong said nothing about the near future. It was only, as Rubenstein conceded, an impression. The moment she was questioned about it, Wong ran a mile. Loading Penny Wong, the ABCs Sabra Lane asked her on Wednesday morning, is Australia ready and willing to recognise Palestine as a state? Wong: Look, weve made no such decision. The discussion I want to have is to look at what is happening in the international community. The cloud had dissolved into nothing.

Only under questioning did the foreign affairs minister set out preconditions for any recognition of a Palestinian state: Obviously, we have the immediate conflict. We need to see Hamas release hostages, we need to see a revitalised Palestinian Authority, we need to see an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. We need all of these things immediately. And the magic words appeared: Long term. Her point, Wong insisted in her appearances, was that: Long-term peace will require a two-state solution. Weve said that for years. That is a bipartisan position, a position that the Labor government has had for many years. And we have reiterated that again last night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese simply stated that there was no change of policy. So what was Wongs speech all about? Was it carelessly worded? (No scripted speech on this topic, and to an expert audience, would be slapped together by the office intern.) Was she striking a pose?

The clue is in her speech when she criticised the Greens for being willing to purposely amplify disinformation, exploiting distress in a blatant and cynical play for votes. With no regard for the social disharmony they are fuelling. This is not some game. There are consequences. Loading And she disparaged the Coalition: Mr Dutton reflexively dismisses concern for Palestinians as Hamas sympathising. On this, and in his approach to the world, Mr Dutton needs to decide if he wants to be a leader in difficult times  or if he wants to continue being a wrecking ball, making those times even more difficult. Australians know our country needs mature leadership for serious times. So Wong was making a contrast with opponents left and right. She set out to create the impression that she was constructively proposing a new policy in apparent sympathy for the Palestinians when, in fact, she was merely striking a pose to impress her constituency on the Labor left. Wong thought she was simply enjoying the prerogative of the powerless; nothing she says will make the least difference to the war in Gaza. May as well try to give a sly wink to my supporters. Use the Securing Our Future conference to secure her base. And was caught out.
Sacked former minister Tim Crakanthorp will not immediately be returned to cabinet despite the NSW anti-corruption watchdog announcing it had terminated its investigation into his failure to declare his familys substantial property holdings because there was no reasonable prospects he would be found corrupt.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption on Wednesday issued a statement confirming it had conducted a preliminary investigation into whether Crakanthorp failed to declare a conflict of interest over his familys property holdings in the Hunter region.

Chris Minns and Tim Crakanthorp (right) in November. Credit: Kate Geraghty

In its statement the ICAC said it had prepared a report laying out its factual and other findings over Crakanthorps conduct in relation to the NSW Ministerial Code of Conduct.

It did not reveal the findings of that report, but said it was satisfied that there are no reasonable prospects of finding Mr Crakanthorps conduct is sufficiently serious to justify a finding of corrupt conduct. As a result, the watchdog said it had terminated its investigation.
Public schools in NSW have an image problem. As a parent of children who attend public schools, I know this all too well. I am often looked at with wide-eyed amazement when I reveal that my eldest  who is academic and sporty  attends a comprehensive high school. But the surprise from my revelation seems to subside a little when I add that my son is in a selective stream at a school with an excellent principal and dedicated staff. The school even has a therapy dog. Perhaps our education choice for him isnt so bad after all.

Aside from endless property chatter, there is nothing more Sydney than discussing either which school you went to, or which school your offspring will attend. As a product of a comprehensive regional school, I have always found this odd. But the longer I spend in the schooling system as a parent, I have come to appreciate parental anxiety a little more.

Prue Car at Fairfield West Public school earlier this year. Credit:

Public schools too often get a bad rap. Violence against teachers, crumbling buildings and classes merged with only minimal supervision. Is there any wonder we get jittery about schooling choices? Unsurprisingly, amid this swirling negativity, enrolments at public schools have been dropping and this is cited as a key reason behind a slashing of schools budgets, revealed to principals in an all-staff note earlier this week.

In his message, the head of the Education Department Murat Dizdar (himself a former principal at Punchbowl Boys) said public schools had lost 25,000 students in just four years. The proportion of students fell to 62.9 per cent last year, the lowest share in two decades of reporting. As a result, Dizdar told principals, school budgets would be reduced by 1.25 per cent  about $148 million  and any unspent discretionary funds frozen over the next year.
Perths rental crisis has worsened as unit and house rents reach fresh highs off the back of a record-low vacancy rate, prompting the WA Liberals to call for immediate action from the state government to address the crisis.

The median asking rent for houses jumped 18 per cent to $650 a week in the year to March  the biggest increase across the capitals  the latest Domain Rent Report, released on Thursday, shows.

The report shows house rents are at record highs across the combined capitals and all cities, apart from Canberra.

House rents across the combined capitals have surged by 5 per cent in the March quarter, marking the steepest quarterly gain in 17 years and the second-highest on record.
Today, a million users and 15,000 paying customers trust the PagerDuty Operations Cloud to run modern digital operations.

Aussie giants make the shift

Two Australian industry leaders, REA Group and Telstra, faced distinct challenges that threatened their operational stability and customer satisfaction.

While REA Group struggled with an antiquated notification system in its quest to provide real-time real estate listings, Telstra grappled with the complexities of maintaining a robust telecommunications network across Australia.

Both companies turned to PagerDutys Operations Cloud for solutions tailored to their unique ecosystems, seeking to streamline their incident response protocols and enhance their overall digital operations.

REA Group: revolutionising real estate with rapid response

REA Groups journey with PagerDuty began with the need to modernise their incident management system. The goal was to improve agility and maintain reliability for their global audience.

PagerDutys seamless alert system was pivotal in transforming REA Groups incident response times and operational efficiency, says Fair.

Natalie Fair, PagerDutys APJ regional vice president.

Through PagerDutys comprehensive platform, REA Group optimised their incident response, ensuring their customers experienced minimal disruption while searching for properties, thus supporting the companys growth and market presence.

Telstra: securing communication with streamlined operations

For Telstra, the challenge lay in overhauling their infrastructure to bolster security and reliability. They need to ensure uninterrupted digital services for their vast customer base while also managing internal operations effectively.

PagerDuty elevated Telstras event detection and response, streamlining security compliance, cutting through the alert noise, and giving greater visibility on the on the platform events that required immediate intervention. This was critical to meeting their resiliency goals. Fair says.

The implementation of PagerDutys software not only fortified Telstras incident management but also positioned them to advance further in automated workload management and maintain stellar service uptime.

Driving efficiency through automation

PagerDutys platform offers a wide range of features and integrations, including incident management, AIOps for reducing alert noise, process automation, customer service operations, and more.

These capabilities are designed to ensure businesses can automate more work, consolidate software to reduce spend, resolve incidents faster, build resilience and reduce risk, and improve customer experiences, says Fair.

Given the challenges faced by many leading Australian enterprises with outages and the need for robust digital resilience, PagerDutys proven track record in aiding companies like REA Group and Telstra in navigating digital operations challenges highlights our potential as a strategic solution for ensuring operational excellence and resilience.

Reducing noise

How does it do this? David Ridge, PagerDutys head of solutions for APJ explains: PagerDuty reduces noise and delivers actionable alerts by grouping alerts based on custom rules, allowing teams to better understand incident scopes for faster resolution.

This functionality significantly reduces downtime and fosters innovation. AI-powered alert management and event-driven automation enhance operational processes and decision-making.

Crucially, PagerDuty employs AI and machine learning to detect, diagnose, and respond to disruptive events rapidly and accurately.

AI-generated incident postmortems and status updates streamline incident resolution, ensuring timely and relevant analysis while enabling continuous learning, says Ridge.

This integration of intelligent automation with human oversight ensures swift, accurate incident responses.

95% faster resolution time

Diving deeper, PagerDutys machine learning capabilities automate the diagnosis and remediation of incidents, reducing human intervention and enabling faster resolution.

Machine learning algorithms identify patterns, predict potential issues, and automate responses for well-understood incidents, reducing downtime and support costs significantly, says Fair.

Cost containment and efficiency during incident management comes from PagerDuty automating repetitive tasks, enabling faster, more accurate responses to incidents.

AI-generated summaries and status updates streamline communication and post-incident analysis, cutting down on labour costs and improving operational efficiency, says Fair.

This optimises operational processes and achieves significant cost savings through reduced downtime, streamlined incident management processes, and enhanced operational efficiency.

AI and automation capabilities lead to up to 95 per cent faster resolution times, significantly reducing planned downtime and support costs, she says.

These insights into PagerDutys Operations Cloud and its impact on businesses underscore the crucial role of advanced digital operations management solutions in fostering resilience, efficiency, and innovation in the digital era.

The role of AI and machine learning

Leveraging AI and machine learning, the platform ensures that relevant alerts are routed to the right person in seconds, enabling swift responses.

PagerDutys Operations Cloud equips Australian firms with the capabilities they need to stay ahead of the curve, says Fair.

As organisations gear up for incidents, mobilising the appropriate response becomes paramount. Implementing automated on-call management systems reduces mean-time-to-acknowledge (MTTA) and expedites initial responses.

Modern organisations require an automated solution to mobilise the appropriate response to an incident. This system needs to be aware of the service ownership model within the organisation but also flexible enough to deal with the ever-developing blast radius of an incident, says Fair.

Moreover, streamlined incident status updates ensure effective communication with stakeholders.

Persona-based communication channels cater to the diverse needs of internal and external stakeholders, allowing organisations to manage the incident narrative effectively.

Regular updates to various stakeholder groups are a must. Without them, stakeholders go looking for their own updates, and the official channel loses control of the narrative, says Fair.

Ready for emerging challenges

Looking ahead, PagerDuty remains committed to empowering Australian firms with innovative solutions to navigate incidents effectively in the digital age.

As organisations continue to face evolving challenges, PagerDuty Operations Cloud stands ready to reinforce resilience and secure a competitive edge in todays demanding digital marketplace.

And the future?

The future in digital operations management will likely see further advancements in AI and automation to enhance operational resilience and innovation, says Fair.

The demand for solutions providing comprehensive, real-time insights into operations and optimising performance will grow, emphasising cost savings and comprehensive, integrated platforms.

To fortify their digital operations, Australian businesses can take immediate action by integrating PagerDutys Operations Cloud into their incident management strategies.

A thorough assessment of existing processes will reveal opportunities for leveraging PagerDutys AI capabilities to bolster operational resilience, ensuring that they can withstand and quickly recover from any disruptions.

Cutting-edge platform

By adopting this cutting-edge platform, companies can significantly reduce downtime and operational noise, thereby safeguarding revenue and customer relationships in an era where digital reliability is synonymous with business continuity.

Moreover, the adoption of PagerDutys AI-driven solutions is a step towards future-proofing Australian enterprises against the unpredictability of the digital landscape.

The automation of incident management not only streamlines response times but also empowers organisations to proactively address potential issues before they escalate.

This shift towards a resilience-centric approach in digital operations is crucial for maintaining competitive advantage and fostering long-term stability. Australian companies that prioritise resilience through intelligent technology will set new standards for operational excellence and customer satisfaction in the digital domain.

Discover firsthand how PagerDutys Operations Cloud can transform your businesss response to a wide array of incidents, fostering true operational resilience that will help mitigate risk, reduce cost and grow revenue. Please visit PagerDuty for more information or to arrange a personalised demonstration.
Just before I left, one of the workers told me that the manager wanted to see me in his office, the activist said. The [manager] wasnt sure I was who I claimed I was. He said this particular [facility] had been infiltrated before and footage spread to the media, so they were being extra cautious. The manager asked to photocopy his identification card, which was outside in the car. I took out my ID card [at the car], but then I changed my mind, he said. I opened the window and I told them, Actually, I didnt bring my ID card, Im just going to leave now. But before long, my car was surrounded. I had a driver at the time, but because we were surrounded he didnt dare move the car. And it happened so fast. They were shouting and demanding that I come out, and they opened the door and they pulled me out.

Loading More workers came from the neighbouring plants, he said, until it was a mob with a mob mentality. They took his phone and also found his hidden camera, which did not record any of what allegedly happened next. The activist claimed his hands and feet were tied to prevent his escape. He said he was punched and burnt with a cigarette. Blood was smeared across his face, and workers allegedly threatened to drown him in animal excrement. Hospital records showed he suffered a broken nose, but he has now recovered. Before receiving treatment, he was taken to the police station, where officers noted his injuries and began their questioning. At some point, a family member turned up and helped broker a peace deal: the abattoir would not sue for trespass, and the activist would not sue for torture.

Loading Looking back, I think I [agreed] because I was still in a delirious state, and I just wanted to end it, he said. But now I think I had more of a case than them. Imron, a part-owner of one of the linked abattoirs, said staff became wary when their guest wandered into the slaughter area. Their suspicions were confirmed when he later tried to escape rather than provide his ID. He did not want to say where he came from and it made my staff unhappy, said Imron, adding he was not there at the time. Imron, who goes by one name, said the deal at the police station was made because he admitted [wrongdoing] and we also felt guilty for taking the law into our own hands.

But the matter was not strictly finished. According to the activist, police officers asked to temporarily keep the cameras memory card to review the treatment of cattle. Some time later, he claimed, they asked if they could delete the contents. I said it was not their property and, second, it would be tampering with evidence and be unlawful, he said. Eventually, we got the memory card back with the help of a lawyer. But footage related to the slaughterhouse was missing. We still managed to retrieve some of it with software. A police spokesman strongly denied he or any of his officers did anything to the card. As for the footage in hand, PETA wrote to the Indonesian government saying it contained evidence of cattle, alleged to be Australian, being inhumanely slaughtered in breach of regulations. A [PETA-employed] veterinarian who reviewed the footage concluded that the cows show evidence of being conscious while slaughtered due to improper stunning and cutting of the animals arteries, the submission read.

Loading The PETA vet argued the animals movements were not consistent with post-mortem convulsions often witnessed in slaughtered cattle. Blood is also seen to be pulsing out of their necks during slaughter, indicating that they still had a heartbeat that could support the nervous system if they were not stunned properly, the vet said. This masthead asked Dr Bidda Jones, a former RSPCA chief scientist now working for the Australian Alliance for Animals, to review the footage. If those two animals were conscious, that would be really disturbing. I think on balance its probably unlikely. But without being there to check, you just dont know, she said.
Deir al-Balah: Stunned Palestinians found their home city unrecognisable as they filtered in to salvage what they could from the vast destruction left by Israeli troops who have withdrawn from southern Gazas Khan Younis after months of fighting and bombardment.

Thousands of buildings have been destroyed or damaged, and families have this week tried to find their homes along streets bulldozed down to the dirt, surrounded by landscapes of rubble and debris that were once blocks of apartments and businesses. Elsewhere, buildings still stood but were gutted shells, scorched and full of holes, with partially shattered upper floors dangling off precipitously.

Palestinians return to Khan Younis, which has been destroyed by an Israeli air and ground offensive. Credit: AP

The scenes in Khan Younis underscored what has been one of the worlds most destructive and lethal military assaults in recent decades, leaving most of the tiny coastal territory unliveable for its 2.3 million people. The scene also foreshadowed what is likely to happen in Gazas southernmost town of Rafah, where half of Gazas uprooted population is now crowded, if Israel goes ahead with plans to invade it.

Magdy Abu Sahrour was shocked to see his house in Khan Younis flattened.
Broader opposition bloc may secure 200 out of 300 seats

By Lee Hyo-jin

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is poised to achieve a decisive victory in Wednesday's general elections, with the broader liberal opposition bloc expected to secure as many as 200 seats in the 300-member National Assembly. This projection deals a significant blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Exit polls conducted by the nation's three major terrestrial broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS indicated that the DPK was projected to secure 178 to 197 seats when combining constituency wins with proportional representation seats obtained by its satellite party, the Democratic United Party. This outcome, if confirmed, will solidify the DPK's hold in the current opposition-controlled Assembly for the next four years.

Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) was projected to secure 85 to 105 seats, including those obtained through proportional representation by its satellite party, the People Future Party.

The Rebuilding Korea Party, a minor progressive party led by former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, was on track to secure 12 to 14 seats, marking a notable debut in the first election since its launch in March. The party chose not to field constituency candidates, but focused solely on proportional representation seats.

Among other minor parties, the Reform Party, led by former PPP leader Lee Jun-seok, was projected to secure one to four seats. The Saemirae Party, headed by former DPK leader Lee Nak-yon, was expected to grab as many as two.

The final result of the elections will be confirmed Thursday morning, as the vote counting for proportional representation ballots should be completed manually due to the ballot papers being too long for automatic counting machines.

"I'll watch the vote counting results until the end with a humble heart," DPK Chairman Lee Jae-myung said after the exit poll results were announced.

Contrary to the DPK's victorious mood, PPP members appeared visibly disappointed.

"Our party did our best to engage in politics that reflect the will of the people, but the exit poll results are disappointing," PPP's interim leader Han Dong-hoon told reporters shortly after watching the exit poll results with fellow party members at the National Assembly.

The PPP had faced an uphill battle throughout the election campaign, as negative public sentiment toward the Yoon government intensified in the lead-up to the elections, presenting challenges for the governing party.

The opposition parties used this momentum to mobilize voters, urging them to deliver a decisive verdict on the government's perceived failures in state affairs. Cho's party adopted more aggressive tactics, pledging to launch a special counsel probe into Yoon and his wife Kim Keon Hee as its top priority in the Assembly.

The DPK, which was likely to secure 180 seats or more on its own once again, is expected to wield formidable legislative power in the 22nd Assembly.

The liberal party would have the capability to initiate standalone processing for "fast-track" bills, or bills that require expedited deliberations, which need support from at least three-fifths of total Assembly members.

According to the exit polls, opposition parties were expected to collectively secure as many as 200 seats, which means they would be able exert collective power over Yoon through concerted legislative action.

In theory, the broader opposition bloc could undertake legislative endeavors to amend the Constitution, as such an amendment necessitates approval from at least two-thirds of the total members of the Assembly. Furthermore, it would be feasible for opposition lawmakers to initiate legislative actions to impeach Yoon, as impeachment motions against the president also mandate the support of at least 200 lawmakers.

Also, the opposition coalition could neutralize Yoon's veto power. Bills rejected by the president and returned to the Assembly can be passed again with the attendance of a majority of lawmakers and the support of over two-thirds of the attending members.

Wednesday's election was widely regarded as a critical midterm assessment of Yoon, who is approaching his two-year mark in office next month.

The election results thus may deliver a fatal blow to the Yoon government and his party. With an opposition-controlled Assembly for the remainder of his term, which ends in May 2027, the fate of his major reform plans  in the health care, labor and education sectors  now hang by a thread.

According to the National Election Commission, 67 percent of 44.28 million eligible voters cast their ballots at 14,259 polling stations nationwide, higher than 66.2 percent recorded in the previous general elections in 2020.
Senior FBI official warns US states about threat posed by Chinese hackers (Photo: Yuri Gripas/Reuters)

Federal authorities have arrested Alexander Scott Mercurio, an 18-year-old student from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, for allegedly plotting to attack more than 21 churches in his hometown on behalf of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization. Mercurio has been charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS and pledging his allegiance to the group.

According to court documents filed in the District of Idaho, the FBI began investigating Mercurio after he reached out to confidential human sources online and expressed his support for ISIS and other terrorist organizations. Mercurio allegedly spread ISIS propaganda online, solicited the group's approval for his efforts, and discussed various ways to support the organization, including traveling to join them and planning attacks.

"Mercurio's behavior escalated at the beginning of 2024 when he began planning a suicide attack on churches in Coeur d'Alene," court records show. His plan involved using flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives, a machete, a pipe, and firearms to inflict "maximum casualties" during the attack, which he intentionally scheduled to take place before the end of Ramadan on April 7.

As part of his plan, Mercurio allegedly intended to incapacitate his father with a metal pipe, handcuff him, and steal his guns from a locked closet. He purchased butane canisters and a metal pipe in preparation for the attack. Authorities also found an ISIS flag in Mercurio's bedroom during a search of his family's home on Saturday.

Mercurio, who attended school online, used a school-issued laptop to communicate with ISIS supporters and store files confirming his commitment to the terrorist group's ideology. In an online conversation with a confidential human source, Mercurio detailed his plan to attack the churches, writing, "Stop close by the church, equip the weapon(s) and storm the temple, kill as many as possible before they inevitably scatter, then burn the temple to the ground and flee the scene, then move onto the next church, rinse and repeat for all 21+ churches in the town until killed."

The FBI managed to thwart Mercurio's plan before he could harm his father or carry out the attacks. If convicted, Mercurio could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the investigative efforts of the FBI, stating, "Thanks to the investigative efforts of the FBI, the defendant was taken into custody before he could act, and he is now charged with attempting to support ISIS's mission of terror and violence. The Justice Department will continue to relentlessly pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who would commit acts of terrorism against the people and interests of the United States."

U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit emphasized the importance of protecting communities from terrorism, while Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI warned of the dangers of self-radicalization and encouraged the public to report suspicious activities to law enforcement.
China's President Xi Jinping attends a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (Photo: Reuters / Yukie Nishizawa)

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a rare meeting with former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing on Wednesday, emphasizing that outside interference cannot stop the "family reunion" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. The highly unusual meeting, which took place just weeks before Taiwan swears in a new leader openly loathed by Beijing, is steeped in political symbolism and highlights the widening political divide across the Taiwan Strait.

During the meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People, Xi praised Ma for opposing "Taiwan independence," promoting cross-strait exchanges, and agreeing that both sides of the strait belong to "one China." Xi stated, "Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese people. There is no grudge that cannot be resolved, no issue that cannot be discussed, and no force that can separate us. External interference cannot stop the historic trend of the reunion of the family and the country."

Ma, who remains a senior member of Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), responded by saying that although the two sides of the strait developed under different systems, the people both belong to the Chinese nation. He cautioned, "If a war breaks out between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, it will be an unbearable burden for the Chinese nation. I sincerely hope that both sides respect the values and way of life treasured by the people and maintain peace across the strait."





Xi meets with former Taiwanese president Ma Ying-Jeou. Washington has an aneurysm:Xi meets with former Taiwanese president Ma Ying-Jeou. pic.twitter.com/NH1BTt24GG  The Sirius Report (@thesiriusreport) April 10, 2024

However, the appeal of a shared Chinese identity has waned considerably in Taiwan as Xi ramps up military, economic, and diplomatic pressure on the democratic island. This trend was underscored in January when Taiwanese voters elected Lai Ching-te, who has long faced Beijing's wrath for championing Taiwan's sovereignty, as the island's next president.

Beijing's pressure tactics are intended to nudge Taiwan's incoming Lai administration toward a more accommodating political stance toward China. China has cut off high-level official contacts with Taipei since President Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office in 2016. Unlike the KMT, the DPP rejects Beijing's precondition for official talks - an agreement under which both sides accept there is "one China," with their own interpretations of what that means.

Ma's meeting with Xi coincides with a frenetic week of diplomatic activity in Washington, where President Joe Biden will host the first-ever leaders' summit between the US, Japan, and the Philippines. Joint concerns over China's increasing assertiveness under Xi, including toward Taiwan, are a key driver of that summit.

Reactions to the meeting in Taiwan have been mixed. The DPP is likely to downplay the significance of Ma's visit, while the KMT may be hesitant to flaunt the meeting in the face of the Taiwanese electorate, which remains wary of closer cross-strait ties. Experts believe the meeting is unlikely to result in any substantial change to the status quo in cross-strait relations, with its value primarily lying in its symbolism.

Ma, who is traveling in a personal capacity, called his trip a "journey of peace and friendship." However, his emphasis on a shared Chinese identity is increasingly out of tune with mainstream sentiment in Taiwan, where less than 3% of the population now identify primarily as Chinese, and under 10% support an immediate or eventual unification.

The meeting between Xi and Ma serves as a message to the Chinese public that unification with Taiwan is still possible, despite the DPP's historic election victory. It also signals to Taiwan and others that peaceful unification through winning over hearts and minds remains Beijing's preferred option, at least for now, despite festering cross-strait tensions.
TSMC said it is reviewing a plan to set up a fabrication plant in Arizona

(Photo: Ann Wang/Reuters/file photo)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world's premier contract chipmaker, has experienced a notable surge in its monthly revenue, the most rapid since November 2022, primarily fueled by the burgeoning demand for artificial intelligence (AI) chips. March saw the company's revenue climb to NT$195.2 billion ($6.1 billion), a significant 34.3% increase from the previous year, with the first quarter's total reaching NT$592.6 billion, up 16.5% year-on-year.

TSMC, known for manufacturing chips for tech giants such as Apple and Nvidia, is at the forefront of the AI revolution, with its semiconductors playing a crucial role in the development of AI applications. This AI boom has intensified competition in the semiconductor industry, with companies like AMD and Intel unveiling rival AI chips, alongside numerous startups entering the fray, many of which rely on TSMC for manufacturing.

The company's stock has seen a remarkable upswing, with a nearly 40% increase year to date, reflecting investor confidence in the sustained demand for AI chips. This optimism is underpinned by TSMC's own projections, which in January stated that AI revenue is expected to grow by 50% annually. Analysts are also forecasting a substantial 23.7% increase in TSMC's total revenue for the year, following a downturn in 2023.

Adding to TSMC's growth trajectory is the federal CHIPS and Science Act in the U.S., from which TSMC is set to receive $6.6 billion in grants and up to $5 billion in loans. This funding will support TSMC's ambitious chipmaking hub in Phoenix, Arizona, with two facilities slated to start production in 2025 and 2028, respectively. A portion of this investment will be allocated to constructing a third facility dedicated to producing chips with 2-nanometer or more advanced technology, significantly enhancing the U.S.'s capacity to produce advanced chips.

This strategic expansion aligns with the Biden administration's goal to increase the U.S.'s share of global advanced chip production to 20% by 2030, up from the current figure of less than 10%. TSMC's investments in the U.S. not only signify a shift in the geopolitical landscape of chip manufacturing but also underscore the critical role of AI chips in driving the next phase of technological advancement.

As TSMC navigates this period of intense growth and competition, its strategic moves, backed by significant financial investments, are set to solidify its position as a key player in the global semiconductor industry, powering the AI innovations that will shape the future of technology.
Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh's Sons and Grandchildren Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Gaza (Photo: Federation Council/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0))

In a devastating blow to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza has claimed the lives of three of his sons and at least two grandchildren. Speaking from his base in Doha, Qatar, Haniyeh confirmed to Al Jazeera that his children Hazem, Amir, and Mohammad, along with several of their children, were killed while visiting relatives for Eid at the Shati refugee camp.

The Hamas political leader revealed that around 60 members of his family, including nieces and nephews, have been killed since the start of the war on October 7. Despite the personal tragedy, Haniyeh maintained that the attack would not change Hamas's demands for a permanent ceasefire and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in ongoing negotiations mediated by Doha and Washington.

"If they think that targeting my children at the peak of these talks before the movement's [Hamas's] response is submitted will cause Hamas to change its positions, they are delusional," Haniyeh said, referring to Israel. "The blood of my children is not more valuable than the blood of the children of the Palestinian people ... All the martyrs of Palestine are my children."

The Israeli military later described Haniyeh's sons as Hamas military operatives who were on their way to "carry out terrorist activities in the central area of the Gaza Strip." However, the statement did not mention the grandchildren who were killed in the attack.

The war, which began after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, has claimed the lives of more than 33,400 Palestinians. Israel has also leveled large parts of Gaza and imposed a strict blockade on the territory, bringing its more than two million inhabitants to the verge of famine.

US President Joe Biden has recently shifted his stance on the conflict, calling for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. In an interview with Univision, Biden described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions in Gaza as a "mistake," stating, "I don't agree with his approach."

Biden's comments came a day before a tense phone call with Netanyahu, in which he sought answers about an Israeli drone strike that killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen and extracted promises that Israel would do more to protect civilians and allow more desperately needed aid into Gaza.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted growing domestic and international pressure on the Biden administration to take action. Washington has provided strong diplomatic and military support to Israel since the start of the conflict but has been forced to belatedly shift its stance in light of the deteriorating situation in the besieged strip.

Despite Israel's announcement that it had pulled all of its ground troops out of southern Gaza for "tactical reasons," ground battles continued to rage in several areas of the strip on Wednesday, killing at least 127 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

The war in Gaza has also raised fears of a regional conflict, particularly following the killing of Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior figure in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards, in an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus, Syria. Iran has vowed to retaliate, prompting Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz to warn that Israel would strike Iran directly if it launched an attack from its territory.
The main opposition Democratic Party (DPK) retained a majority in the National Assembly in Wednesday's general elections in another major setback for the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and President Yoon Suk Yeol.

With almost all votes counted, the DPK won 161 out of 254 directly contested seats, while the PPP won only 90 seats. Including proportional seats, the DPK and its satellite party were expected to win 176 seats and the PPP and its satellite party 109 seats in the 300-member National Assembly.

The wider opposition bloc, including the Rebuilding Korea Party led by scandal-tainted former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, is expected to win more than 180 seats combined, as Cho's party is expected to secure 12-14 proportional seats.

The New Future Party (Saemirae), formed by former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, and the New Reform Party led by ousted former PPP leader Lee Jun-seok are expected to secure one and three seats, respectively.

The results illustrated the seriously soured public sentiment toward the Yoon administration just two years after he came into office, with the PPP barely managing to prevent the broader opposition bloc from taking a two-thirds majority.

In the previous elections four year ago, the then ruling DPK also clinched a landslide victory by securing a combined 180 seats with its satellite party while the United Future Party, the PPP's former name, and its sister party got 103 seats.

Of the votes cast for the 46 proportional seats, more than 93 percent have been counted.

In the proportional race, the PPP's sister People Future Party was leading with 37 percent, followed by the DPK's sister Democratic United Party with 27 percent and Cho's Rebuilding Korea Party with 24 percent.

This year's vote carried extra weight for the PPP as a failure to regain a majority could potentially render the Yoon administration a lame duck for the remaining three years of his single five-year term, ending in 2027.

The PPP has pleaded for voter support, imploring that the Yoon administration has been unable to push its reform agenda properly forward for the past two years due to the uncooperative parliament under opposition control.

The DPK, on the other hand, has urged voters to pass stern judgment on what it calls the "incompetent" Yoon administration, accusing it of causing the economy and the livelihoods of the people to worsen seriously and mishandling a series of controversial issues for the past two years.

Following the release of exit poll results Wednesday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon expressed disappointment.

"The PPP did its best to do politics that uphold the will of the people, but the exit poll results are disappointing," Han said after watching the results at the National Assembly with party members. "We will watch the results of vote counting until the end."

Han is set to make an announcement regarding the election outcome later, probably after the final outcome, contrary to the tradition of the party leader making the announcement amid the voting count.

Following the announcement of his victory against former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong of the PPP in Incheon's Gyeyang-B district early Thursday, DPK Chairman Lee emphasized that he will stop the regression of the country's state affairs and make it move toward the future once again.

Cho, the former justice minister, also hailed the exit poll results as a victory for the people.

"The people have won," Cho said after watching the exit polls Wednesday. "The people have made their intent clear that it is a verdict handed down to the Yoon Suk Yeol government."

Cho said the results showed that the people can "no longer put up with the regression" of the government, urging Yoon to humbly accept the election outcome.

In the wider Seoul area, considered the primary battleground that ultimately shapes the election outcome, the DPK swept 102 out of 122 constituencies.

The DPK also grabbed 53 seats in Gyeonggi Province with 60 seats at stake. The region is traditionally considered a stronghold for the party.

In contrast, some PPP candidates emerged victorious in some districts in the region after closely contested races.

In Seoul's Dongjak-B district, Na Kyung-won of the PPP secured a victory against DPK candidate Ryu Sam-young.

In a surprise outcome, Lee Jun-seok, an ousted former leader of the PPP, also secured his first-ever parliamentary seat in the Hwaseong-B district in Gyeonggi Province.

Voter turnout recorded the highest in 32 years.

A total of 14,259 polling stations across the nation closed at 6 p.m. Wednesday, after some 29.66 million, or 67 percent, of the total 44.28 million eligible voters had cast their ballots for 12 hours, according to the National Election Commission. The results were tentative.

The turnout was 0.8 percentage point higher than the 2020 tally of 66.2 percent, marking the highest turnout for general elections since 1992, when the turnout came in at 71.9 percent. (Yonhap)
By Arthur I. Cyr

Baltimore's famed Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed quickly after being struck by an enormous ocean-bound container ship. The disaster took lives, and the aftermath will continue to reverberate for a long time.

The collision of a massive ship carrying 4,700 containers with one of the vertical supports of the bridge resulted in almost immediate collapse. The bodies of two maintenance workers working on the bridge have been recovered, while four more are presumed dead. The rapid, effective warning to authorities by the vessel's pilot led to immediate closure of the bridge to traffic, doubtless saving far more lives.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now clearing the vast debris. Work centers on a giant crane capable of lifting 1,000 tons, plus seven other cranes, 10 tugboats and nine barges.

Infrastructure involving highways, waterways and railroads is literally the framework that integrates and supports the enormous economy of the United States and our society as well. Modernizing this generally aging foundation is a priority of the Biden administration, with powerful bipartisan support from both parties in Congress.

In November 2021, Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides over $427 billion for infrastructure.

In specific terms, the law will substantially strengthen and modernize the nation's bridges and roads, highways and waterways, railroads and ports. There is sensible inclusion of communications infrastructure, in particular, cybersecurity.

The physical transportation infrastructure of the nation is sadly in need of repair and upgrade. The other side of this situation is that in the 1950s and 1960s our federal government wisely, indeed brilliantly, greatly expanded our national transportation capabilities.

The centerpiece of the framework is the Interstate Highway System. Think of what your life would be like if you could not take long trips on this remarkable nationwide network, as well as hop on and off at will.

Please thank former President  and U.S. Army General  Dwight D. Eisenhower. In the 1950s, with characteristic foresight and thoroughness, he launched and carried through this enormous national project.

Ike outflanked opposition, especially in rural areas among parochial interests, by emphasizing national security during the height of the Cold War. Americans knew Nazi Germany built an extraordinary highway system central to its integrated defense. In 1950s America, a decade after World War II, that resonated.

Defense justification helped reinforce the vision and pay for the work. In those years, national defense accounted for more than half of the entire federal budget, far more than today. Eisenhower emphasized defense to secure highway funds, and also support education and research.

National defense, national security and  less obviously  international cooperation are all present in the current ambitious infrastructure initiative. Cybersecurity, a complex subject rightly at the center of our current security concerns, is included in significant ways. By definition, such threats encourage international cooperation to limit the threat.

Early in 2015, Republican Governor Mike Pence of Indiana proposed a one-billion-dollar highway improvement program. The state was relatively strong fiscally. Democrats made even more ambitious transportation proposals.

The Middle West is a political swing region and a central region for infrastructure. An extremely large share of long-distance truck traffic in the United States travels along the busy interstate highway corridors through and around metropolitan Chicago.

The Baltimore disaster, including the tragic loss of lives, provides a reminder that the world remains dangerous. This terrible incident also underscores the vital foundation of national infrastructure.





Arthur I. Cyr (acyr@carthage.edu) is the author of the book After the Cold War (NYU and Palgrave/Macmillan).




This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available.

This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available.

Indore Wire Co. A part of the well-known Indore-based Shri Ishar group, Indore Wire Company was orginally promoted by Morarka & Tibrewalla. Hukumchand Mills took charge of the loss-making company but was unable to revive it. The present management took over the sick unit in 1979. In a span of two years, the company managed a turnaround and has consistently shown profits since. Its product range consists of a variety of high-carbon steel wires, MS pipes, PC wires and earth/stay wires, with applications ranging from railway sleepers and bridges to electricity transmission. The current installed capacity is 20,400 tpa. It recently started exporting to Nepal and Sri Lanka. IWCL, which went public in 1993, ... Read More

This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available. This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available.

Indore Wire Co. - Key Fundamentals PARAMETER VALUES Funds Owning this Stock Scheme Name Amount Invested ( Cr) No Of Shares Net Asset (%) Research Reports Date Broker Action Prices() Report Data Not Found

Stock Strength Y ear Low/High () 0.00 0.00 A ll time Low/High () 1.05 130.00 Share Price Returns Period BSE NSE SENSEX NIFTY % % %

This stock has been delisted. Data presented here are the latest available.
Enables persistent protection of the most sensitive enterprise workloads in the cloud through customer-controlled data security, not observable by non-authorized parties

Protects against malicious actors accessing code and data at rest, in transit and while in use

Thales, the leading global technology and security provider, today announced a collaboration leveraging its CipherTrust Data Security Platform (CDSP) to support End-To-End Data Protection (E2EDP) on Google Cloud, using Confidential Computing (CC) from Google Cloud and trusted cloud independent attestation provided by Intel Trust Authority (ITA).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410848317/en/

Thales

The effort is a step forward in data security, giving enterprises additional controls to protect their data at rest, in transit, and in use.

As more enterprises migrate their data and workloads to the cloud, there is an increasing demand to safeguard the privacy and integrity of the data, especially those sensitive workloads that include intellectual property, AI models and valuable personal information. This collaboration enables enterprises to protect and control their data at rest, in transit and in use with fully verifiable attestation. Our close collaboration with Google Cloud and Intel increases our customers' trust in their cloud migration, said Todd Moore, Vice President of Data Security Products at Thales.

A majority of the 2023 Thales Cloud Security Study respondents reported having a significant amount of sensitive data stored and in use in the cloud. Consequently, safeguarding sensitive data and associated workloads when stored or in use, is an increasing priority, especially for highly regulated industries such as financial services and healthcare. Thales's collaboration with Intel and Google Cloud provides certifiable controls for enterprises to fully protect their data end-to-end.

Purnam Sheth, Vice President and General Manager: Trust and Security Products, SATG at Intel: Creating this groundbreaking, seamless data security platform in Google Cloud meets customers complex requirements for data protection, controlled access and security, and adherence to compliance for data at rest, in transit and in use. Foundational Intel Trust Domain Extensions Confidential Compute and Intel Trust Authority gives enterprises assurance of the integrity of their workloads and guards at all stages of data management. This valuable collaboration between Thales, Google Cloud and Intel makes this possible.

This security platform is based on the principle of separation of duties, where the customer remains in control of the encryption keys and their location. This approach enhances trust by holding each stakeholder responsible for their respective roles and reduces the ability for a malicious actor to access code and data at rest, in transit and while being executed.

Customers can migrate existing workloads with sensitive data or create new workloads needing zero trust, confidential computing and Confidential AI to this security platform in Google Cloud to broaden data security, attestation and set the right authorizations. With end-to-end data protection, multiple parties can securely collaborate on various use cases, such as Confidential AI datasets and models as needed while preserving privacy, confidentiality, and compliance with privacy regulations.

The Thales CipherTrust Data Security Platform uses Intel Trust Authority as a zero-trust, independent attestation service for advanced security and scalable confidential computing. Consistent attestation to Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) that are based on Intel Trust Domain Extensions. This single, consistent attestation process provides assurance to any relying party that the TEE and any data and workloads running within it have not been compromised.

Brian Roddy, VP, Product Management, Google Cloud: Google Cloud is committed to providing our customers secure, private and reliable environments for their workloads, and our Confidential Computing portfolio plays a critical role in this effort. Offering our customers solutions like Thales encryption key management expertise, combined with Intels Trust Authority attestation, enables the choice of even stronger privacy controls.

The collaboration comes as Thales is recognized for its achievements in the Google Cloud ecosystem. For the second year in a row, Thales has received the 2024 Google Cloud Technology Partner of the Year Award for Security - Data Protection.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies within three domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Cybersecurity and Digital Identity. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

The Group invests close to 4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key areas such as quantum technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Edge computing, 6G and cybersecurity.

Thales has 81,000* employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of 18.4 billion.

* These figures exclude the ground transportation business, which is being divested

PLEASE VISIT

Thales Group

Cloud Protection & Licensing Solutions | Thales Group

Cybersecurity Solutions | Thales Group

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410848317/en/
By John J. Metzler

Myanmar is no stranger to conflict or endemic ethnic clashes. Tragically, the isolated Southeast Asian state has been in the crosshairs of strife for generations as a churning cycle of violence creates civil confrontation and refugee exodus, and a widening humanitarian disaster plagues this Texas-sized country.

Now, three years after the Myanmar military seized power in one of the country's periodic coups, which toppled a reasonably democratic government, the situation has gone from bad to much worse. The conflict's regional spillover has tragically seen more than a million refugees pushed into neighboring Bangladesh.

Since the most recent military coup in 2021, "Some 2.8 million people have been displaced, 90 percent of them since the military takeover," Lisa Doughten of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. Addressing the U.N. Security Council, she implored, "In 2024, 18.6 million people will need humanitarian assistance across the country, a 19-fold increase from February 2021  Only an end to the conflict will pave the way for an end to the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar."

Myanmar, a resource-rich multi-ethnic state of 55 million people and eight major ethnic groups, has been beset by violence and military rule. Between 1962 and 2011, the Beijing-backed military ruled the country like a fiefdom. A cautious political opening followed, leading to free elections in 2015, which saw the election of longtime pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Regarding this former British colony, Britain asserted, "We will not allow Myanmar to become a forgotten crisis." But has it?

Though 88 percent Buddhist, Myanmar hosts Christian and Muslim minorities. It's the Rohingya Muslims who face the most recent rounds of persecution.

The recent troubles revolve around the Rakhine State. Its Arakan Army militias often clash with the Myanmar military. In 2017, Myanmar's junta initiated large-scale ethnic cleansing and evictions of the Muslim Rohingya. More than a million were pushed into neighboring Bangladesh.

This crisis festered even before the most recent military takeover in 2021, but the current problems go beyond the tragic humanitarian crisis inside Myanmar.

Addressing the U.N. Security Council, Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari stated, "Myanmar's crisis continues to spill over as conflicts in key border areas have weakened transnational security and the breakdown in the rule of law has allowed illicit economies to thrive." He warned, "Myanmar has become a global epicenter of methamphetamine and opium production, along with a rapid expansion of global cyber-scam operations."

Equally, Khiari remarked that in Rakhine State, fighting between the Myanmar military and the separatist Arakan Army has reached "an unprecedented level of violence."

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood followed up on the growing threat to international security, saying, "Myanmar has become the world's largest opium producer, a hub for transnational organized crime and a driver of several major refugee crises."

As importantly, he stated, "In the past five months, Myanmar's military carried out 588 airstrikes across the country, with such attacks on civilians increasing five-fold."

Recently, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed former Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop as his new envoy for Myanmar to hopefully revive the moribund peace process.

Myanmar's military, the powerful Tatmadaw, is supported by both Russia and China. Moscow's U.N. delegate expressed regret that holding an open meeting on Myanmar prevents the council from "having a tranquil non-politicized discussion focused on seeking solutions to the problems." China, long the political patron to the Myanmar junta, added, "The conflict in Rakhine State is Myanmar's internal affair. As a friendly neighbor of that country, China has continued to promote peace and dialogue."

Beijing has pressured the "Brotherhood Alliance" of three ethnic armies not to attack Chinese interests. Interestingly, Beijing's moves aim to sponsor some sort of peace deal between various Myanmar militants and the central government to smooth the path for its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Myanmar shares a long border with China, along which both illicit border trade and official commerce thrive.

A Chinese delegation is currently visiting Myanmar to carry out communication and mediation efforts on the Rakhine situation. Through Beijing's BRI, Myanmar is closely linked to China. The junta and Beijing officials are developing a special economic zone and deep-sea port project in western Rakhine at Kyaukphyu, allowing China's landlocked Yunnan province to access the Indian Ocean. China already has oil and gas pipelines running to the Bay of Bengal.

Will China's geo-strategic moves outflank India and the United States in the Indo-Pacific region?





John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism: The Diplomacy of Separated Nations; Germany, Korea, China" (1996).
By Baek Byung-yeul

Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics took up 40 percent of the home appliance market in the United States last year, proving that their technological and product design prowess is more than enough to entice U.S. consumers  known for having some of the highest purchasing power in the world  according to industry data and companies, Wednesday.

In the U.S. home appliance market in 2023, Samsung Electronics secured first place with a 21 percent market share based on sales, while LG Electronics took second place with a 19 percent market share, followed by GE with 18 percent and Whirlpool with 15 percent, according to data by market research firm TraQline. Combined, Samsung and LG accounted for 40 percent of the market.

In terms of quantity, Samsung also ranked first with a 19 percent market share, followed by GE with 17 percent, LG Electronics with 16 percent and Whirlpool with 16 percent.

The two Korean manufacturers also ranked first and second respectively in terms of the brands considered by consumers when purchasing new home appliances, with Samsung at 32 percent and LG at 29 percent. GE and Whirlpool each had 28 percent.

Samsung and LG plan to continue expanding their market share in the U.S. by launching new products that enhance connectivity and usability based on AI technology.

Samsung's strategy for its 2024 Bespoke home appliances brand includes equipping high-performance AI chips, cameras and sensors to allow consumers to experience various AI functions.

"The Bespoke AI Family Hub refrigerator features AI Vision Inside, which uses an internal camera to recognize ingredients being stocked or removed. The Bespoke AI Combo all-in-one washer-dryer detects the weight, type and level of dirtiness of the laundry using AI. The product also offers a custom AI dry mode that detects the interior dryness to dry laundry in an optimal condition," Samsung said.

Samsung added that its Bespoke AI Steam robot vacuum cleaner offers enhanced floor, object and space recognition capabilities courtesy of its AI technology.

"The robot vacuum cleaner uses a deep neural network (DNA) model based on 1.7 million object data, utilizing a frontal camera sensor to recognize and avoid various objects," the company said.

LG, which was the first company in the home appliance industry to emphasize wireless connectivity by equipping Wi-Fi modules in its products in 2011, emphasized that its products' AI features offer "affectionate intelligence" that is more considerate and empathetic toward users.

"LG plans to lead the global AI home appliance market by developing its own on-device AI chip DQ-C for home appliances, applying it to major products to implement affectionate intelligence, the company said.

Based on this, LG plans to expand its market share in AI-based home appliances that provide a better customer experience, including in the U.S. market. LGs focus lies in how AI can actually make a difference in the real world, providing tangible benefits to our customers, LG CEO Cho Joo-wan said at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, January.

LG is expanding its product lineup featuring affectionate intelligence to air conditioners, washing machines, dryers, styler steam closets, air purifiers, robot vacuum cleaners and refrigerators.
Indie animation distributor Viva Pictures, whose recent U.S. feature animation releases include Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow and The Amazing Maurice, announced a new initiative at Cinemacon today called the Kiddo Kompanion Pass, which is essentially a buy one, get one free ticket for children.

The goal of the program is to make the theatrical experience more affordable for families. For every childrens ticket purchased to a Viva film, movie theaters will provide a second childrens ticket at no additional cost.

We believe that our stories should be shared and enjoyed together, and with our Kiddo Kompanion Pass offer we are making it easier for families to create lasting memories at the movie theater said Victor Elizalde, CEO of Viva Pictures. With Kiddo Kompanion Pass, we are also fostering long-term partnerships with exhibitors, while ensuring that our enchanting films reach as many viewers as possible.

The Kiddo Kompanion Pass will become available with the companys next theatrical release, the Spain/China co-pro Dragonkeeper (trailer below), which launches May 3. The offer will also apply for the distributors next release, 200% Wolf on August 23, a sequel to the 2020 Australian film 100% Wolf.

Vivas latest release, Epic Tails from Frances Tat Productions, opened in theaters last weekend and pulled $355K from 773 theaters. The films per-theater average of $459 was higher than Disneys recent theatrical releases of Luca, Turning Red, and Soul.
By Ko Dong-hwan

Hanjin Group has published a biography of its late chairman and former CEO of Korean Air Cho Yang-ho to commemorate his life, after he passed away five years ago at age 70, and celebrate his role in building the airliner into a global carrier, according to the family-owned conglomerate, Wednesday.

The group on Monday held a commemorative gathering for the late Cho in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and revealed the completed biography to some 130 guests. It was penned by Lee Im-gwang, a former Forbes Korea journalist, based on interviews with Cho's friends and those who worked with him.

The book's 10 chapters portray Cho's business principles, perspective toward his employees, process of decision-making and delves into both the business and personal areas of his life.

Readers can learn how the late Cho developed Korean Air into a global airliner and how he introduced the company's unique Systematic Management method to maximize an individual employee's capabilities. Undisclosed episodes about his contribution to the country overcoming the nationwide financial crisis in 1997, the hosting of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, as well as a collection of photos he took as a hobbyist, are also included in the new book.

Korea Enterprises Federation Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, known as one of Cho's close friends, wrote a preface in the biography. Praising Cho's leadership as "standing out in the history of the global aviation industry," Sohn referred to his late friend as "a once-in-a-century aviation expert."

"Even after his death, Korean Air and Hanjin Group have been sustaining their businesses without many tremors. It proves the sturdiness of the system he built, which has supported both establishments," Sohn said in the book. "The book is full of episodes that have never been disclosed either before or after his death. He is portrayed as a busy bee, just as he was during his lifetime."

Cho started working for Korean Air in 1974, which was founded by his father Cho Choong-hoon. He became president in 1992 and chairman of Hanjin Group in 2003. After his death, his eldest son Cho Won-tae took on the leadership role of the Hanjin Group.

Cho was at the forefront of establishing SkyTeam in 2000, which consisted of just four carriers  Korean Air, Delta Air Lines, Air France and Aero Mexico  at the time, but now has expanded to 19 airlines from five continents.
Decarb in Dubai

ICR Research By

Published 10 April 2024

Cemtechs annual meeting for the Middle East & Africa saw the regional industry gather once again in Dubai at the stunning Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk on 18-21 February 2024. The event offered delegates from over 40 countries two days of insightful presentations and discussions, networking and broad exploration of decarbonisation technologies.

Cemtech MEA 2024 drew in cement professionals from across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region for another dynamic two-day conference, busy exhibition and well-attended presentation programme, all of which offered valuable face-to-face time, networking opportunities and knowledge exchange.

To set the scene, UK-based industry analyst Yuri Serov provided a long-term projection of global cement demand, which he sees now peaking at around 4bnta. Chinas anticipated fall in demand will be offset by growth in emerging countries, led by India, making for a more balanced distribution of demand worldwide. In 2050 global cement demand will be at approximately todays level, although this figure could be lower if decarbonisation efforts to reduce clinker in cement, and cement in concrete, are successful.

Global industry stocktake
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated concerns Tuesday over military support for Russia's defense industrial base from North Korea, Iran and China, as Moscow continues its protracted war against Ukraine.

Blinken made the remarks during a joint press conference with his British counterpart, David Cameron, in Washington, where they dealt with a range of bilateral and global issues, including what he termed, the "imperative" to get assistance to a war-ravaged Ukraine.

"We talked about ways to strengthen efforts to prevent the transfer of weapons of material to Russia for use in Ukraine. And this is an ongoing challenge," Blinken said.

"We see weapons. We also see technologies to support the defense industrial base in Russia coming from North Korea, from Iran, from China. This is an area of particular concern for not only the United States and the United Kingdom, but many of our allies and partners throughout Europe," he added.

Washington has continued to shine a light on arms transactions between Moscow and Pyongyang due to its profound security implications in Europe, on the Korean Peninsula and elsewhere.

Pyongyang has shipped over 10,000 containers of munitions or munition-related materials to Russia since September 2023, as well as several dozen ballistic missiles, according to the U.S. government, as Moscow strives to replenish its weapons stockpile for use in Ukraine.

Seoul officials have voiced concerns that the use of North Korean weapons in Ukraine could provide the North with technical and military insights, while accusing Pyongyang of using the war-torn nation as a "test site" for its weapons.

During their talks, the two sides also touched on issues concerning efforts to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea and on the Korean Peninsula, where Blinken said Washington and London are "aligned." (Yonhap)
China moves to raise public awareness of schistosomiasis

Xinhua) 10:20, April 10, 2024

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese disease control authority has launched a week-long campaign to increase public awareness of schistosomiasis, an infectious parasitic disease caused by blood flukes.

According to a statement issued by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration (NDCPA), the campaign, running from April 8 to 14, focuses on publicity efforts targeting key regions and key population groups vulnerable to schistosomiasis infection.

Schistosomiasis, a Class B infectious disease in China, was previously commonly recorded in 12 provincial-level regions in the Yangtze River Basin and to the south of the river. People become infected after contact with water infested with larval forms of blood flukes.

An outline for "Healthy China 2030," issued in 2016, called for eliminating schistosomiasis in all endemic counties nationwide by 2030.

Last year, the NDCPA and 10 other departments issued an action plan to accelerate the elimination of schistosomiasis during the period from 2023 to 2030. The plan mapped out three phases for the prevention and control of the disease in order to achieve the ultimate goal.

According to the NDCPA, China has made remarkable progress on schistosomiasis control after years of unremitting efforts. By 2022, 75 percent of the 452 endemic counties in the country have reached the standard of schistosomiasis elimination.

In addition, China is committed to the global control and elimination of schistosomiasis by sharing its experience, especially in African countries.

In 2014, China signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct international cooperation on schistosomiasis prevention and control in Tanzania.

In 2017, an expert team from Jiangsu Province in east China brought the "Chinese plan" to Pemba Island in Zanzibar, Tanzania, to aid the local fight against the disease.

The island once had a high prevalence of schistosomiasis, but has witnessed a significant decline in recent years, thanks to Chinese medical expertise and collaboration with local health authorities.

Official data shows that the morbidity rate of schistosomiasis in Zanzibar has dropped from 8.92 percent to 0.64 percent.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Federal aviation authorities are investigating claims by a Boeing engineer that the 787 Dreamliner suffers from assembly defects that threaten safety, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

Attorneys for the whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, accuse the company of putting profit over safety and retaliating against him after he raised concerns by "involuntarily" transferring him to the 777 program.

At the 777 program, he raised more issues, for which his attorneys say he was threatened with termination.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the investigation after the claims were outlined in a New York Times article describing charges from Salehpour, who has been at Boeing more than 10 years.

"Rather than heeding his warnings, Boeing prioritized getting the planes to market as quickly as possible, despite the known, well-substantiated issues Mr. Salehpour raised," said attorneys Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, who pointed to "critical defects" on nearly 1,500 Boeing planes.

Boeing, which has been under scrutiny following recent safety problems, released a detailed defense of the aircraft, saying it is "fully confident" in the Dreamliner and denying charges it retaliated against the worker.

A Senate investigative committee has scheduled a hearing for April 17 titled "Examining Boeing's Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts," said a spokesperson for Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.

"Voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal is a critical component in aviation safety," the FAA said.

Fewer plane deliveries

Salehpour has pointed to "shortcuts" in Boeing's assembly processes leading to excessively large gaps between different plane parts that could "ultimately cause a premature fatigue failure without any warning, thus creating unsafe conditions for the aircraft with potentially catastrophic accidents," according to an FAA complaint released by Salehpour's attorneys.

"Our client's concerns about the 'schedule over safety' culture at Boeing has been made all the more urgent as a result of the recent incidents involving defects in Boeing's 737 MAX 9 airplanes," the complaint said.

In its statement, Boeing said the issues raised by the critic "have been subject to rigorous engineering examination under FAA oversight," adding that retaliation is "strictly prohibited" at the company.

The manufacturer also said that accusations relating to the 777 were "inaccurate."

Boeing said it incorporated "join verification" into production processes after slowing output and halting deliveries for nearly two years in response to employees who identified "conformance" issues on the 787.

"For the in-service fleet, comprehensive Boeing and FAA analysis determined there is no near-term safety of flight concern," the plane maker said. "Based on the analysis and any future inspection, the 787 will maintain its strength, durability and service life."

The whistleblower allegation comes on the heels of a January Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 flight that made an emergency landing after a fuselage panel blew out mid-flight.

In the wake of that incident, the FAA has frozen Boeing's MAX production output, while insisting the plane maker demonstrate improvement in operations and quality control. Boeing announced a leadership shakeup last month that includes the planned departure of CEO Dave Calhoun at the end of 2024.

Earlier Tuesday, Boeing reported sharply lower first-quarter plane deliveries. Company officials have pointed to production halts as part of enhanced safety actions following the January Alaska Airlines incident.

In the first quarter, Boeing delivered 83 commercial jets, down 36 percent from the year-ago period.

Shares of Boeing fell 1.9 percent. (AFP)
The development office for Cambridge Square in Ooltewah has announced the addition of seven new and two expanding restaurant and retail concepts - all of which will be opening in the spring and early summer of 2024. The additional concepts, which are locally owned, brings the total tenant count at Cambridge to 45.

Cambridge Square is a commercial and residential community located off Lee Highway in Ooltewah, less than a quarter mile east of I-75. Development began on the project in 2013. Since that time, 17 commercial buildings and 57 single-family residences have been constructed. In addition to its restaurants and retailers, Cambridge has attracted medical office users, corporate headquarters, health and wellness practitioners, and professional service firms.

After more than a decade of activity, weve reached a point in the cycle where our long-term tenants have fully established themselves while we have also been able to attract additional business owners who will make Cambridge even more relevant and exciting in the years to come, said Jim Cheney, who overseas marketing and leasing. Its very rewarding on a number of levels, and we have the community-at-large to thank for their consistent commitment to supporting local business owners concepts and helping them to thrive.

The expanding and new tenants include the following concepts, along with their anticipated timelines:

Barn Door Boutique  expanding spring of 2024

Sweet Es Childrens Boutique  expanding spring of 2024

Morning Brew Coffee Company  opening spring 2024

Acme Fusion Cafe  opening spring of 2024

Marthie Anns Tennessee Blue Plate  opening early summer of 2024

Savannah Taylor boutique  opening early summer of 2024

Zen Nail Spa  opening early summer of 2024

Molcajete Mexican Restaurant  opening early summer 2024

Chene Blanc Gifts and Home Decor  opening early summer 2024

The addition of the new concepts brings Cambridge Squares occupancy to almost 100 percent with the current remaining space allocated as class-A, flex office. The flex office model has been productive for Cambridge developers as it caters to small start-up companies that do not require a large footprint for operations.

Anyone in commercial development knows that the last 10 years presented some significant challenges, the pandemic being principle among them, Mr. Cheney said. But we were able to weather that storm by working alongside our tenants to ensure that they could remain open and be positioned to come out the other side in good shape. We recognize that to retain tenants and attract new ones, there cant be an inflexible delineation between landlord and tenant. We are in this together and we plan to carry that philosophy into the future so that Cambridge continues to attract patrons from throughout the region.
Rhea County property owners received a big shock in the mail this past week when reappraisals of their property were received in the mail.

Property Assessor Debbie Byrd addressed them as well as the Rhea County Commission Tuesday night about the state-mandated reappraisal. She said that some of the appraisals ran from 40 to 60 percent of what the current appraisal was. She added that property owners had recourse to appeal the appraisal by going to the County Board of Equalization which will meet the first two weeks of June. Her office will accept appointments in the last two weeks of May after final appraisals are mailed out.

She pointed out to the public and the Commission that the reason for such high reappraisals is the big sales of property in the county. She had five examples from across the county showing recent property sales - some triple the 2023 appraisal rate.

She said, The Tennessee Comptrollers office and Tennessee state law requires every county to do a reappraisal every five years. Now this doesnt necessarily mean a tax increase because the law requires adjustment of the county property tax rate to bring in the same amount of money that it did in the previous year.

Rhea County Executive Jim Vincent agreed with her and said that he has been working with Mrs. Byrd very closely during the reappraisal and, depending on the final figures after the Board of Equalization acts, the county could be looking at the certified tax rate between $1.37 to $1.40. It could be that or a little more or a little less, but the rate will come down. He said that rate "is what the state thinks we need to be set at.

Commission Chairman Jim Reed stated to the commission and the audience, Please understand that the reappraisal is set by the realtor industry and the state (not the commission or the property assessor)."

Community Activist June Griffin spoke before the commission on the reappraisals. We are victims of the state. CTAS, a non-elected group, tells us what to do. In Tennessee we do have the right to refuse not to do what they say - under the U.S. Constitution, state Constitution and the Tennessee Bill of Rights.

Mrs. Griffin, who has gone to all 95 counties delivering copies of the Ten Commandments along with the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, told the commissioners that the property assessor in Rutherford County was trying to stop all persons over the age of 65 from having to pay property taxes. He couldnt get any help from the state or Governor Lee. Governor Lee needs to be recalled, said Mrs. Griffin.

She said she called one of Governor Lees community specialists and, when asked he didnt know about the Tennessee Constitution or the Tennessee Bill of Rights. Mrs. Griffin has not been at the commission meetings in almost a year due to health problems.

Tina Pierce said she had talked to 27 veterans, and they were all concerned of losing their houses from the actions of the reappraisal.



Some of these have to decide between buying medicines they need or food, said Mrs. Pierce. She said she personally was having problems with where the road by her house was put in incorrectly and when it rains it floods her property on Morgan Spring Road. She said it is washing away part of her property.

Its even affecting the buildings where Im storing items to fix my house and I cant get any help. No one would want to buy my place at what it was appraised at, said Mrs. Pierce.

County Road Superintendent Glenn Varner and County Executive Vincent have both been out to Mrs. Pierces residence and told her at several commission meetings since the roadway was on the property of the Morgan Springs Baptist Church and it was private property, the county could not do anything about it.




Chinese President Xi Jinping told former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Wednesday that outside inference could not stop the "family reunion" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and that there are no issues that cannot be discussed.

Since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's communists, no serving Taiwanese leader has visited China.

Ma, president from 2008 to 2016, last year became the first former Taiwanese leader to visit China, and is now on his second trip to the country, at a time of simmering military tension across the strait.

Ma had been widely expected to meet Xi this time around, having first met Xi in Singapore in late 2015 for a landmark summit shortly before the current Taiwan president, Tsai Ing-wen, won election.

Meeting Ma in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, where foreign leaders normally hold talks with top Chinese officials, Xi said that people on both sides of the strait are Chinese.

"External interference cannot stop the historical trend of reunion of the country and family," Xi said, in comments reported by Taiwanese media.

Xi did not elaborate but in Chinese terminology referring to external interference over Taiwan is generally aimed at the support Taipei gets from Western countries like the United States, especially arms sales which infuriate Beijing.

People on both sides of the strait are Chinese, Xi said.

"There is no rancor that cannot be resolved, no problem that cannot be discussed, and no force that can separate us."

China has never renounced the use of force to bring democratically-governed Taiwan under its control, and has ramped up military and political pressure to assert its sovereignty claims.

Ma told Xi that tensions have caused unease for many Taiwanese.

"If there is a war between the two sides, it will be unbearable for the Chinese people," Ma said, using a term that refers to people who are ethnically Chinese rather than their nationality.

"Chinese on both sides of the strait absolutely have enough wisdom to handle all disputes peacefully and avoid heading into conflict."

Responding to the meeting, Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said it deeply regretted that Ma did not publicly convey Taiwan's people's insistence on defending the sovereignty and democratic system of the Republic of China, which remains Taiwan's formal name.

Beijing should stop intimidating Taiwan and resolve its differences with Taipei through respectful, rational dialogue, it added.

"Mr. Ma Ying-jeou "

Xi called Ma "Mr. Ma Ying-jeou" rather than former president, given neither the Chinese nor Taiwanese governments formally recognize the other. Ma called Xi by title as head of the Communist Party - general secretary.

Tsai and her government reject China's territorial claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.

China says it will only talk to Tsai if she accepts that both sides of the strait are part of "one China", which she has refused to do.

Xi has only rarely made public remarks about Taiwan in recent months.

Speaking to U.S. President Joe Biden in early April, Xi urged Washington to translate "Biden's commitment of not supporting 'Taiwan independence'" into concrete actions.

Xi has also not commented publicly on Taiwan's January presidential election, won by current Vice President Lai Ching-te, viewed by Beijing as a dangerous separatist and who takes office on May 20.

Ma remains a senior member of Taiwan's main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT), which in January lost the presidential election for the third time in a row, but has no official party position.

The KMT advocates close ties with China and dialogue, but strongly denies being pro-Beijing. (Reuters)
For many in the Dayton City School community, the annual eighth grade field trip to Washington, D.C. is considered a rite of passage. However, due to COVID-related closures and rising costs, the tradition had been put on hold since 2019.For many of our families, this trip is considered to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, said DCS Teacher Candice Tilley. And yet the cost was prohibitive to many of them.This year, SouthEast Bank partnered with DCS to revive this opportunity by donating more than $63,000 to fund the trip.During the eighth grade pep rally and check ceremony in January, Loan Officer Randy Wells spoke about SouthEast Banks focus on empowering local students to and through education.As a local institution deeply rooted in Middle and East Tennessee, SouthEast Bank sees education as a cornerstone for community development, Mr.Wells said. Thats why we are excited to partner with Dayton City School in providing this impactful and educational experience, as it marks a significant opportunity to contribute to a well-rounded and inspired future generation and ease the financial burden on family and school resources.The field trip to Washington, D.C. took place over three days in early March 2024, designed to edify students in-class history and science learning curriculum, including visits to the Capitol Building, National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery, numerous war memorials and Smithsonian exhibits, as well as the National Zoo.When reflecting on the impact of their trip, student Cristian Rios-Aguilar said, Some of my favorite things were the Lincoln Memorial, because of how big it was, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, because hes my favorite president. Also Arlington, because its something Ill probably never see again.Callie Songer loved the Natural History Museum, saying, Seeing all the fossils was super cool.Aceon Riggs said his favorite memory was the silence and the respect at the memorials in D.C., and the feeling that you get when youre there.Simeon Toliver echoed, When I saw the [Vietnam] memorial, I felt something different. The names on that wall have changed my life and the way I see veterans and how I greet them.Taking a trip to our nations capital allows students to better understand their future role as a citizen in our government and see the places where our government leaders work, said Ms. Tilley. The financial donation from SouthEast Bank made this trip a reality that these kids will never forget."SouthEast Bank is proud to invest in local educational initiatives by fostering foundational skills and opening doors to opportunity," officials said.
County Mayor Weston Wamp on Wednesday proposed more than $3 million towards Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Hamilton County high schools.

He said, "The investments benefiting six area high schools will bolster existing programs, significantly expand student capacity, and create an all-new career pathway in partnership with Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Each of these opportunities to expand career and technical education was identified over the last year and a half as I visited these programs firsthand.

Its encouraging to see more and more students pursue a skilled trade through our local schools, and I look forward to working alongside the County Commission and Hamilton County Schools to further expand career pathways for students across Hamilton County."

Officials said the county mayors office worked with leaders at the local technical college, TCAT-Chattanooga, and CTE leaders with Hamilton County Schools to identify investments that would improve the connectivity from the high school experience to the technical college experience.

The $3+ million proposal will fund capital improvements to four different programs, affecting six public schools, and 20 different CTE pathways.

The countys commitment to ensure Southeast Tennessee is future workforce-ready complements the HCS just cause of seeing all students thrive and experience a future without limits, said HCS Superintendent, Dr. Justin Robertson. The CTE programs at East Ridge High School, The Howard School, and Harrison Bay Future Ready Center have a long history of preparing our students for existing and emerging career paths. Receiving an investment at these schools will help our district continue its groundbreaking work to immerse middle and high school students in the principles, technologies, and skills they will encounter following graduation."

Proposed Investments

- Harrison Bay Future Ready Center: $1.5 million (Serves students at Central High School, East Hamilton High School, and Ooltewah High School) -With a waiting list of more than 100 students, this investment will create four new classrooms, enabling enrollment to double from 250 to 500 students over the next three to five years. -Installation of an elevator guaranteeing accessibility for all students -Upgrading equipment for Advanced Manufacturing and Architecture and Construction pathways ensuring students train on the latest technologies so they are prepared to enter the workforce

- The Howard School: $1 million -Addition of a state-of-the-art ventilation system for welding classrooms, enhancing the health and safety of students and teachers while expanding the number of students who are able to participate in the program

- East Ridge High School: $500,000 -Providing industry-standard construction and automotive equipment to ensure the schools growing CTE pathways provide students with the proper hands-on training that will prepare them to enter the workforce upon completion of programming

- Hixson High School: $250,000 -Hamilton County Schools first pipeline partnership, in which students in a CTE program can receive hands-on training with Hamilton County Emergency Medical Service and an opportunity to earn a job with the agency upon graduation.

Our local workforce is guaranteed to benefit from the elevation of traditional CTE pathways to cutting edge programming, ensuring students are ready for higher education or the high-wage, high-demand jobs in Southeast Tennessee, said Commissioner Mike Chauncey, who represents East Ridge. I appreciate Mayor Wamps bold investment into vocational education, which will attract employers to the region knowing our public schools are producing highly-skilled individuals ready to get to work.

The Hamilton County Commission will vote on the proposal next Wednesday.
Hamilton County is one of five counties in Tennessee with the highest prescription rate for opioid pain medication, underscoring the need for more resources in the area, said officials. In response, ReVIDA Recovery Centers has opened a new location just outside of Chattanooga, offering Medications for Opioid Use Disorder along with comprehensive therapeutic services to help Hamilton County residents reclaim their lives from addiction.

Individuals from the recovery community joined together Wednesday to welcome the new treatment facility. Lee Dilworth, CEO of ReVIDA Recovery Centers, shared his expertise and insight on the challenges of fighting the opioid crisis in Tennessee. The event addressed the specific needs of Hamilton County and emphasized the need for more recovery options in the Chattanooga area.

Recovery centers hold a special place in the community, Mr. Dilworth said. We are proud to be able to work with patients and empower them to take their life back. We pride ourselves in tailoring recovery pathways to each individual, giving them the best chance at recovery and bringing a positive impact to the community. I know that ReVIDAs treatment team here in Hixson care about Hamilton County will do everything they can to help residents here who have been impacted by opioid addiction.

Jennifer Cooke, program director, has been a part of the recovery community in Chattanooga for years, bringing firsthand experience with the addiction crisis in Hamilton County. Ms. Cooke previously served as the practice manager for Renu Chattanooga. ReVIDA Recovery Centers acquired Renu in December of last year.

Data from the Tennessee Department of Health reinforces the severity of the opioid crisis in Hamilton County. The percentage of fentanyl-related deaths has increased by over 30 percent in the past six years. MOUD is proven to improve chances of survival, keep individuals in treatment, improve employment opportunities, and decrease opioid consumption, said officials.

Everything we do is based on data, evidence, and the latest addiction science, Mr. Dilworth said. Everyone who walks in to one of our facilities is going to receive quality, personalized care that gives them the best chance to succeed.

Hamilton County residents struggling with opioid use disorder are encouraged to reach out to ReVIDA Recovery Centers Chattanooga to ensure that they receive the care they need. ReVIDA Recovery Centers accepts most major health insurance, including TennCare.
Sculpture Fields at Montague Park announce the date for its annual event, Sculptures in the Sky. Scheduled for Saturday, April 20, from noon  5 p.m. at 1800 Polk St., this free community event is soaring back for its sixth year. The community and visitors to Chattanooga are invited to gather to celebrate Earth Day two days early.

In collaboration with River City Kites, officials will welcome kite enthusiasts from as far as Boston, Philadelphia, and the Southeast to join in the event. Across the expansive 33 acres of Sculpture Fields of Montague Park, the skies will be adorned with colossal and colorful kits.

Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy a variety of activities, including kite stunts, Rokkaku kite battles, music and food and beverages that can be purchased at various food trucks. Parking is also free. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for seating.

To learn more or to make a donation to Sculpture Fields at Montague Park to support the nonprofits conservation efforts and education programming visit www.sculpturefields.org.
An Orange Grove Center employee who was arrested on multiple state charges of sexual exploitation of a minor is now facing federal charges.

A federal indictment says Quentin Anthony Williams, of 8682 Don Ray Way, Collegedale, sought to persuade "Victim 1" to engage in sexually explicit conduct that would be visually depicted.

It also says Williams, 27, received child pornography.

The indictment says the actions began as early as 2022 and continued until Feb. 8 of this year when he was arrested.

The state charges say it was learned that Williams had asked young boys to send him naked photos.

The state charges say Collegedale Police were contacted by a Texas man who said his eight-year-old son had been corresponding via SnapChat with Willaims. The chats went back and forth as far back as last August.

The father said he learned that the man involved lived in Collegedale. He emailed police there copies of several chats and two video recordings of conversations his son had with the man.

It was agreed that a federal online officer would take the place of the boy on the chats. Williams told the person he thought was still the boy he wanted him to "get out of his comfort zone" and send him naked pictures.

After police confronted him, Williams admitted the contacts with the Texas boy and said he was also in touch with a 10-year-old boy in Tennessee. He said he had naked photos of that boy on the hidden folder on his phone.

Police found that folder and saw that the 10-year-old was completely naked in all the photos.
Over the years Ive seen NPR defended when theyve been called out for bias, some even in this forum. April 9, The FreePress, a news company in LA, posted a column by Uri Berliner who describes himself as an EV-driving, coastal elite. For the past 25 years he has been employed at NPR, now a senior editor. What he said may shock while others say it confirms what they knew.

He calls the focus at NPR now the distilled worldview of a very small segment of the U.S. population. He says the reporting on Trump stopped being coverage but instead became efforts to topple his presidency. He said NPR hitched their wagon to Rep. Adam Schiff, D-CA of the Ive got the evidence of Trumps collusion with Russia fable. Schiffs talking points became the drumbeat of NPR news. Then when Mueller found no evidence, it faded from NPR reporting.

Berliner took issue with NPRs handling of the NYPosts revelations on the Hunter Biden laptop with the NPR managing editors decision to not waste listeners time with distractions. That made it easier to later spin the narrative as Russian disinformation didnt it?

His explanation of how NPR dealt with COVID origins should be of concern to listeners. Team Natural Origin supported the wet market theory. Team Lab Leak leaned to the idea the virus escaping from the lab in Wuhan, China. Berliner said the lab leak came under rough treatment dismissed as racist or a right-wing conspiracy theory. NPR reported the lab leak was debunked by scientists, a catchphrase used when the left wants to shut down debate.

I encourage all to read his words in their entirety especially in light of Juan Williams comments on why he was fired from NPR after appearing on FOX (FOX 4/9/24) and Sen Rand Pauls (R-KY) revelations that 15 organizations knew the details of viral research at the Wuhan Lab and its similarities to COVID-19 (Hindustan Times 4/10/24). Then decide for yourself who is telling the truth.

Ralph Miller






In the context of its extensive growth and internationalization strategy, the BASSETTI Group announces the acquisition of the German software provider MAQSIMA. This strategic acquisition is a further chapter in BASSETTIs dynamic external expansion, which aims to strengthen its market presence in France and abroad.

Founded in France in 1992, the BASSETTI Group has become a world leader in software solutions for the management of technical and scientific data for industry and research. With an excellent reputation for innovative solutions in quality management, regulatory compliance and data security, the BASSETTI Group has significantly expanded its global footprint through strategic partnerships and targeted acquisitions, with the support of its minority shareholder Siparex Midcap since 2022.

The acquisition of MAQSIMA represents a further decisive step in BASSETTIs external growth strategy. Founded in 1999 and based in Sulzbach (Germany), near the French border, the Saarland-based company is known throughout Germany for its expertise in the development of state-of-the-art LIMS and TMS solutions. In its 25-year history, the company has developed into the market leader for solutions in the pharmaceutical/life science sector. With this acquisition, BASSETTI strengthens its position in the European market by expanding its product portfolio and drawing on MAQSIMAs technological know-how. The MAQSIMA LAB+, MAQSIMA TMS, and MAQSIMA myFM software solutions, combined with BASSETTIs data management ecosystem, will represent the most comprehensive suite of tools on the market for laboratory process optimization, regulatory compliance and product quality improvement.

Moreover, the acquisition will allow BASSETTI to expand its presence specifically in the German market, which is not only the largest in Europe, but also represents an important innovation center for laboratory technology. By integrating MAQSIMAs team of highly qualified employees, BASSETTI further strengthens its research and development capabilities, which will enable the company to drive continued innovation and meet changing customer needs at all times.

David Bassetti (Founder & Managing Director  BASSETTI Group): I am more than happy that with MAQSIMA we were able to win a renowned software provider and German market leader in the pharma/life science sector for the BASSETTI Group. With this acquisition, we are enhancing our product portfolio with a strong solution for validation-critical industries and can offer our customers the most comprehensive software suite on the market. The acquisition also enables us to further expand our market position in Germany  the largest industrial nation in Europe with enormous potential  and gain strategic resources and expertise in a competitive labor market. From the very first meeting, it was clear to me that there is a very strong fit in terms of products, people and corporate culture, which will create far-reaching synergies between MAQSIMA and the BASSETTI Group.

The takeover was also eagerly awaited by the management of MAQSIMA, as the mutual benefits and synergies are clear to see: Christoph Niewohner (Managing Partner  MAQSIMA): In all the talks and meetings Ive had so far, Ive gotten to know BASSETTI and its employees as a company with fantastic and likable people. This positive feeling turns into strong excitement when I look at the opportunities and synergies that will arise for us by becoming part of the BASSETTI Group. As a company that is only a 10-minute drive from the French border and possesses a strong market penetration in Germany, future internationalization is the next important step for us to grow further. BASSETTIs international network with branches in Europe, America, Asia and Africa is the perfect partner to better serve existing and future customers with worldwide locations. I particularly see the collaboration and use of synergies in the research and development departments as a great opportunity, especially in the areas of cloud and artificial intelligence, which will be the most important future topics in the coming years.

The acquisition was furthermore brought about by a very close exchange and pragmatic negotiations with the former owner CERTINA Group. Giovanni Santamaria (Managing Partner IT  CERTINA Group): We are very pleased that the acquisition has come to fruition and are convinced that MAQSIMA will continue to develop successfully within the BASSETTI Group. We have accompanied the company in its growth over the last 18 years and can hand it over to BASSETTI with a clear conscience. By grouping together specialist software from Europe and worldwide, we see enormous growth opportunities in BASSETTIs network, both geographically and in terms of the product portfolio. We believe that MAQSIMAs solutions fit perfectly into BASSETTIs product and development strategy, particularly due to their extensive expertise in the pharmaceutical sector. We would like to thank everyone involved for the extremely pleasant, goal-oriented and pragmatic discussions and would welcome the opportunity to do business with Bassetti again at any time.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida began a summit in Washington on Wednesday with a shared aim to cement the two countries' evolving alliance in the midst of China's assertiveness, Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea's persistent threats.

The high-profile summit comes as the Biden administration seeks to leverage its alliance network to confront global challenges and highlight its steady security commitment to the Indo-Pacific despite the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Biden and Kishida will produce over 70 "deliverables" or agreements, including on the modernization of the force structure, the launch of a military industrial council on weapons co-production, lunar exploration and technological research partnerships, according to a senior U.S. official.

The high-profile meeting is expected to underscore Japan's pursuit of a greater security role and America's backing for it as Tokyo decided to double its defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product, adopted "counter-strike" capabilities, relaxed arms export curbs and bolstered security cooperation with South Korea.

The agenda for the summit includes North Korea's threats, according to a White House official, as the recalcitrant regime's security challenge has come sharply into focus due to its continued weapons tests and burgeoning military cooperation with Russia.

At a ceremony welcoming the arrival of Kishida at the White House, Biden celebrated what he called the "unbreakable" and "global" alliance between the United States and Japan, while touting Tokyo's efforts to reinforce its own defense capabilities and the alliance, as well as its support for Ukraine.

"The alliance between Japan and the U.S. is a cornerstone of peace, security, prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and around the world," Biden said, calling Kishida a "visionary and courageous" leader. "Ours is truly a global partnership. For that, Mr. Prime Minister Kishida, I thank you."

Biden also took note of the improvement in relations between Seoul and Tokyo, which has led to a strengthening of America's trilateral cooperation with the Asian allies highlighted by the three countries' standalone summit at Camp David in August.

"Last year, the prime minister took one of the boldest steps yet when he and President Yoon (Suk Yeol) of the Republic of Korea decided to heal all wounds and start a new chapter of friendship," he said.

"Our historic summit that I hosted at Camp David marked the start of an entirely new era infused with hope, shared values and focus relentlessly forward because these leaders know that the divisions that defined us in the past do not need to define us in the future," he said.

Kishida underscored his commitment to furthering the alliance.

"Today, the world faces more challenges and difficulties than ever before. As a global partner, Japan will join hands with our American friends," he said.

"Together, we will lead the way in tackling the challenges of the Indo-Pacific region and the world while tirelessly developing the relationship between our countries with a view to the world 10 and even 100 years from now," he added.

Kishida arrived in the U.S. on Monday for an official visit  equivalent to a state visit, a technical term for a head of state rather than a premier  in an invitation that capped state visits by leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad that consists of the U.S., Australia, India and Japan.

His trip marks the first official visit by a Japanese leader since then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015.

"It should not be lost on you that this is our fifth state visit and state dinner (during Biden's presidency). But four of the five  this is the crowning partnership of the Quad," the official said.

On Thursday, Kishida is set to deliver a speech to a joint meeting of Congress and attend the first-ever trilateral summit with Biden and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Yonhap)
The dark, quiet, swampy waters of the Black River Preserve in North Carolina are where North Americas oldest trees east of California stand tall.

A cypress tree growing in Bladen County was dated at 2,624-years-old. The property where the tree was found had been purchased by the Nature Conservancy.

The ancient tree was first discovered in the 1980s when David Stahle, a dendrochronologist, professor, and researcher at the University of Arkansas, visited the Black River Preserve along with a retired biologist named Julie Moore.

Even back then, Stahle was sure that the cypress tree was over 1,000-years-old, and decades later, his hunch was confirmed.

Not only has the tree been identified as the oldest cypress tree, but it is also the fifth-oldest tree in the world.

At the time, I figured [there are] 1,000-year-old trees all around here, which is extraordinarily rare anywhere but California and Chile, too, Stahle said. Its very rare worldwide to find trees that are over 1,000-years-old.

In 2011, one of Stahles graduate students wanted to return to Black River to study the trees. Angie Carl, a guide at the Nature Conservancy, took them downstream toward the cypress trees.

The ages of the trees were measured using dendrochronology, a scientific method of dating trees through their rings.

It is done by twisting a hollow borer into a tree trunk to retrieve a small, pencil-sized sample of the trees core. To verify the ages, radiocarbon dating is used as an additional measure.

Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
Whenever youre in need of a quick and easy meal, a bowl of ramen is the thing to turn to. Ramen is also endlessly customizable, which makes it suitable for a wide variety of palates. There are beef, chicken, seafood, and even vegetarian versions.

The noodle soup is very popular in America, but as often as we slurp up a bowl, we rarely think about where ramen came from. So, lets recount the history of ramen for no purpose other than to make your next batch of noodles taste even more delicious.

Ramen is known as a Japanese dish, but its roots can be traced back to around 400 CE when Chinese immigrants arrived in Japan.

They introduced wheat noodles to Japan, known as shina soba, a term that refers to any noodles found in Japan at the time.

Eventually, the term was replaced by ramen, which most likely came about from the Chinese word lamian, a type of hand-pulled noodle.

After World War Two, Japan was suffering from food shortages. Street food vendors were banned in order to conserve rations. The working class needed something cheap and filling to keep them going, and ramen was the best solution.

However, ramen was usually purchased from food stalls, so after they were outlawed, the only way to access ramen was through the black market.

Even though ramen was basically prohibited during the period right after the war, Americas presence in Japan helped make ramen more popular and accessible.

During the post-war food shortages, America sent wheat to Japan, partly to help feed the hungry and partly because they were worried about Japan turning to communism. By providing Japan with imported wheat, America made sure that its relationship with the East Asian country stayed strong.

Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
When you go on vacation as a couple, you usually leave home excited for whats to come. However, some people may leave home as a happy pair but end up returning single.

Michelle (@michi_smallz) is a TikTok creator based in Los Angeles, and shes sharing a story about the time she went on a vacation with a 30-year-old guy she had been dating for only two months, which turned out to be a horrible mistake. By the second day, she was ready to go home so she could dump him.

Two years ago, she went on an all-expenses-paid company trip to the Dominican Republic with a guy who was her coworker.

However, he got fired before the trip, so his invitation was revoked. She felt really bad since they were both looking forward to spending time with each other during the trip. So, she invited him to be her plus one.

When they first arrived, he downed 12 espresso shots throughout the day, alternating between tequila shots.

On the second day, she suggested that they go for a nice, calming soak in the hot tub. However, the experience was anything but relaxing. He accidentally got into the hot tub with his electronic cigarette still in his pocket, and it started sizzling right away.

Once he realized what he had done, he freaked out and jumped out of the water, testing it to see if it still worked.

This was also his backup e-cigarette since the first one ran out of battery. He continued throwing a fit for hours.

At one point, he went to the bathroom. Suddenly, he came out, screaming about how there was a huge bruise on his arm.

Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
When a large dinosaur-killing asteroid struck the Earth approximately 66 million years ago, the Chicxulub crater was formed. It is buried underneath the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and has been identified as one of the largest impact craters on the planet.

Within the crater, samples of rock were taken, and their temperature at the time of the asteroid collision was measured using a paleothermometer. Researchers found that the craters temperature reached 625 degrees Fahrenheit at the end of the Cretaceous period, which occurred 145 million to 66 million years ago.

The new finding also indicates that the asteroid impact did not unleash as much carbon dioxide as initially believed. This revelation has the potential to reshape scientists perspectives on the mass extinction event that came afterward.

The asteroid came barreling toward Earth at speeds of around 27,000 miles per hour. When it crashed into the ground, it created a cavity in what is now the Gulf of Mexico, which is roughly 124 miles wide. Shortly after the strike, tsunami waves filled the crater with sediment. In the millions of years since, it became buried beneath layers of rock.

You cannot access it that easily, but on the other hand, its very well-preserved, said Pim Kaskes, the lead author of the study and a geologist at Universite libre de Bruxelles in Brussels. You just have to find the right rocks, the right material, and apply the right techniques to unravel its mysteries.

In 2016, Kaskes and his team studied rock samples from the peak ring region in the center of the crater. They used a paleothermometer on the rocks, a methodology that provides an estimate of the temperature at the time a natural material was formed. It works by detecting the presence of carbon-13 and oxygen-18 isotope bonds in carbonate minerals.

They initially discovered that the heat produced by the asteroid impact would have reached temperatures ranging from the thousands to tens of thousands of degrees. However, Kaskes noted that the rocks were probably vaporized, so they couldnt give an accurate measurement. Instead, they looked for temperatures in rocks from when the asteroid first hit the Earth.

The highest temperature of 625 degrees came from rocks that were more than 2,300 feet below the ocean floor. Following the asteroid strike, these rocks had been significantly warmer than the maximum temperature of the ocean during the late Cretaceous period, which would have been 95.9 degrees Fahrenheit.

To the researchers, that clearly meant some other activity was occurring. According to Kaskes, thermal decarbonation and rapid back reaction may have been taking place. The processes involve highly reactive calcium oxide recombining with carbon dioxide that was set free from vaporized rocks. As the chemical compounds came together, they formed new calcium carbonate crystals.

Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
As the global population increases, so does the demand for food. By 2050, we will need 60 percent more food than what is currently being produced.

Agriculture faces a number of challenges in the 21st century, such as climate change and other environmental factors, which can affect the food supply.

Farmers are searching for ways to boost crops without harming the environment, and its no easy task.

Rainstick, an Australian startup, is addressing the issue with a new approach: electrical horticulture. The company aims to use electricity to zap plants and speed up the growth of crops without the need for pesticides.

This works by mimicking the natural effects of lightning to create charged particles in the air, which are then pushed onto the plants, stimulating better growth.

If the method is successful, it can help combat the global food crisis by increasing crop yields and reducing the environmental consequences of mass-scale agriculture.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, modern agriculture contributed to about 22 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2010.

Rainstick is inspired by the techniques of the Maiawali, an indigenous people of Queensland, Australia.

Around 10,000 years ago, Maiawali grain farmers practiced traditional rain dance ceremonies. They would bury a rainstick covered with metal oxide to draw in lighting, and the electricity would signal to plant cells to grow faster.

Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
Christian writers and artists need communities of like-minded creatives so we can best serve both the church and the world.

Blend Images / Walter Zerla / Getty

I can remember the moment small literary magazines entered my life and established a subtle but dominating influence. I was talking with my dad about some classes I was taking at the end of my undergraduate years, and I shared an idea that had recently popped into my head: I want to start a magazine. Ill invite some friends who like to write and are into photography to feature their work. Ill print 10 or 20 copies and see what happens.

Surprised, he pointed at a maroon-covered, finely printed journal lying on his desk, the word Image emblazoned across the top. Below the title, a description: Art. Faith. Mystery. As the dean of students at a Christian liberal arts university, he knew his way around a landscape that I was just beginning to roam.

The direction of my life was permanently altered at that moment. I found a world that took seriously the things I loved: faith, books, imagination, the creation of culture, and the development of craft. It lit a fire in my chest. But ten years later, it feels like that world is crumblingor is at least on quaking ground. In February, Image announced it was shuttering after 35 years of operation for financial reasonsand then, in March, joyfully reversed its announcement after an outpouring of support. Other small magazines and presses havent made the same comeback, and Christians in the Visual Arts announced it was disbanding last year.

Sign up for CT Books Each issue contains up-to-date, insightful information about today's culture, plus analysis of books important to the evangelical thinker. Email* Sign Up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thanks for signing up. Please click here to see all our newsletters. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again.

From my vantage, these closures dont demonstrate a lack of energy, talent, or interest in arts and literature in the church. In some ways, the arts and faith movementled by writers, painters, poets, and photographers who live by a drumbeat not usually highlighted in Christian communityseems to be swelling to a crescendo.

But the lack of institutional viability and support is palpable. Major streams that watered the literary and artistic ecosystem of the American church seem to be drying up all at once.

Budding artists and seasoned writers feel left to fend for themselves, as seen in widely discussed reflections from Lore Ferguson Wilbert and Jen Pollock Michel on the publishing world. Creative gatherings for Christians are often difficult to fund and organize; theres a precarious feeling that their existence must be constantly justified. Its no coincidence that so much Christian writing today is in a personal and confessional modetheres a quiet cry going up from artists in our pews to have genuine spiritual and aesthetic community.

Small magazines can fill that need, serving as experiential labs and community hubs for rising and established writers and thought leaders, said Sara Kyoungah White, a former editor at the Lausanne Movement who is now a copyeditor at Christianity Today.

White found community, she told me, in small magazines like CTs Ekstasis (the magazine that came out of that conversation with my dad), Foreshadow, and Fathom. Writing in those pages allowed her to explore her faith through the kind of nuance and poetry that have grown rare in these didactic times. She could engage with the works of like-minded creatives and re-enter the literary and cultural landscape with a Christocentric lens. Such communities evoked those of artistic and literary greats like Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and James Joyce, who gathered in the salons of Paris.

But you dont have to be a writer or artist yourself to benefit from flourishing Christian literary and artistic communities. The best way to think about literary publications is as part of a larger ecosystem of ideas, said Paul J. Pastor, senior acquisitions editor at Zondervan, in an interview.

Any ecologist will tell you that the resilience and vibrancy of an ecosystem depends on the little guys just as much asand sometimes more thanthe big guys, explained Pastor. Just like in a forest, where the keystone species holding an ecosystem is often a type of creature overlooked or invisible to most people, so there is a specific and important contribution of the small literary publication that may well be essential and irreplaceableand only fully seen by the wider collapses that follow when it goes away.

Without that hindsight, though, institutional support for this kind of community can be a tough sell in the church. A literary magazine may not bring in new converts or keep the church lights on. Why should we financially support work that doesnt have quantifiable, utilitarian value?

Most succinctly, we should do it to foster a vibrant and beautiful culture in the church. God has embedded a hunger for beauty in the human spirit, and Gods own interest in beauty is evident in his Word. We see it in the artistic call of Bezalel to weave pomegranates with red, purple, and blue thread onto the robes worn into the Holy of Holies (Ex. 28:3135; 35:3035); in the masterful poetic structure of the Psalms; in the epic language of apocalypse and prophecy.

As Christians, it is our responsibility to be aware of how we are satiating our hunger for beauty. Are we developing a taste for what is good and an aversion to the acrid flavor of evil? Are we more influenced by beauty that orients us to the strange and unexpected work of God in the worldor by political slogans and self-help books?

The power of the small literary magazine is in its ability to confront us with new ideas, to expand our palates to the overlooked, the strange, the serendipitous, the delightful. This will never be very measurable, but that does not make it unnecessary. The contributions of small writers and literary publications are immense, but their influence can be difficult to trace, Pastor told me. You cant know how an image or idea developed in a poem or short story may awaken something in a reader who, years later, will write or paint or talk or sculpt it out, perhaps for an audience of millions, perhaps just for one person whose life may be saved, and in turnwho knows?

But, he added, what such artists need, what such a movement needs, always, is a passionate and supportive audience.

Groundbreaking storytelling requires backing and bulwarks. In the mid-20th century, that looked like grants, residencies, affiliations, and academic positions. In the Renaissance, it was elite patronage. Perhaps now, we need a new model to make room for what Anne Snyder, editor of Comment, in an interview called the necessary wrestling with tougher stuff: arguments, substantive debates, being unafraid to be political when necessary, the hard calls that choosing the Jesus Way necessitates  a combination of cultural chutzpah and a delight in the imago Dei.

That may seem like a daunting or even risky proposition, but Pastor is hopeful. There is a new generation producing absolutely remarkable work, he said, and while the organizations that support us are fragile, it has always been that way. A century from now, he predicted, ours will be remembered as a renewal moment in Christian literature. And all of us get to participate in it.

The ceaseless work of creation, education, and tending to the depths of the human spirit will continue. But we can advance it with bold and creative institutions tasked with bridging image and word, mind and spirit, for the sake of the church.

Humans will satisfy this hunger for beauty one way or another. As Gods people, we should host the feast.

Conor Sweetman is the director of innovation and collaboration at Christianity Today and editor of Ekstasis.
CTs outgoing Asia editor recalls how God led him to America, toward the Christian faith, onto the internet, and outward to serve the global Chinese church.

Courtesy of Sean Cheng

I was born in southwest China, in the Ganzi (Garze) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province. Only a few days after birth, I was sent to Chengdu, the provinces capital city. My sister and I were raised by our grandmother while my parents, both medical doctors, were sent by the Communist Party to the rural Tibetan area many high mountains away from the city, where children could not get a decent education.

I knew at a very young age that I had to get outstanding grades to enter college and avoid living in the cold and poor mountainous area. I studied hard and excelled in school.

At age 16, I went to Shanghai to study chemistry at Fudan University, one of Chinas top schools. This was in the 1980s, after China had opened its door to the world. At this time, Chinese universities were quite liberal and tolerant of free thinking, and Fudan was known as one of the most Westernized universities.

Sign up for Moore to the Point Join Russell Moore in thinking through the important questions of the day, along with book and music recommendations he has found formative. Email* Sign Up This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thanks for signing up. Please click here to see all our newsletters. Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again.

In college, I began to rebel against indoctrination into official Communist ideology, and I wanted to learn more about Western thought and culture. But my worldview had been influenced by years of atheist education. I thought I did not believe in anything and had no interest in any religion.

After graduation, I went back to Chengdu and started to work in a research institute as a polymer scientist. After work, I played a lot of mahjong, gambling late into the night, but I was unhappy in my heart. After the crackdown on the student movement in Tiananmen Square in 1989, I was heartbroken and lost. (I witnessed similar forms of violent suppression on the streets of Chengdu.) I sank into deep darkness and hopelessness. I could not find an answer to my hearts questions, and life became meaningless and unbearably painful. I decided that I would leave China and go to America for graduate study, and I began preparing for the relevant tests.

Meanwhile, I started reading a lot of books on philosophy and religion. Most of the books I found on Christianity treated it negatively, but I also became friends with a few Christians at the English corner by the Jinjiang River in the center of Chengdu.

Arriving in America

In 1990, to make some extra money, I went with a British expedition team to the source of the Yangtze River in the Tibetan areas of Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai Provinces, serving as their interpreter. Out of 30 people on the team, 27 were Christian, and they used hovercrafts to go upstream on the Yangtze and access remote Tibetan villages, where they would do charity work. I spent more than a month with them on the Tibetan plateau.

We traveled on dangerous roads, braving snowstorms, mudslides, and other forms of severe weather. The teams official Chinese hosting company, whose primary interest was making money for themselves, created additional difficulties on top of cultural, political, and natural challenges. But I observed how the British Christians prayed when facing adversity, and how they worshiped God joyfully, singing guitar-led hymns in their tent. I was moved by their genuine and selfless love for the Tibetan people, and I found myself wishing for their kind of life and faith.

In the summer of 1992, I received a graduate school admission letter from the University of Alabama, and I waited outside the US consulate in Chengdu for four days and four nights to apply for a student visa. The I-20 paperwork certifying my admission was lost when the school mailed it the first time. I had to make a very expensive international phone call to request another copy, which I finally received on the third day in line outside the consulate.

In August 1992, I arrived in America with $42 in my pocket (that was all my savingsone of my relatives bought me the flight ticket). I was ready to start pursuing the American dream of freedom, democracy, happiness, and scientific achievement.

But what I found was salvation in Christ. I joined a Chinese Bible study group on campus and became a Christian soon thereafter. Because I had no car, I relied on Chinese friends to take me around for shopping and other things. Christians from the fellowship offered their help, and on Friday nights they would take me to their Bible study, even though I was there mostly for the Chinese food.

Early on, I often debated with the Christians about theories of creation and evolution. Yet I was increasingly moved by the Christian charity these friends showed to me, especially because of the sharp contrast between Christian love and the we should hate our enemy teachings I had absorbed from my Communist education. I realized that their ability to act out sacrificial love came from faith in God, the same faith that inspired the British Christians love for the Tibetan people.

I also began to realize the hatred and other darkness in my own heart, and my need for salvation. On a Sunday in October 1992, I was sitting in a pew at Tuscaloosa First Baptist Church. The pastor preached an evangelical sermon about Christs cross and Gods love. I was moved to tears. When the pastor asked if anyone would believe in Christ and go forward to the pulpit, I stood and walked to the front, and the pastor held my hands as we prayed. I was baptized in that church only two months after arriving in the US.

Internet evangelism

After I graduated with my masters degree in 1995, I started working in the US chemical industry, first as a scientist, then as a research and development manager. The work brought me to Arizona, then New Jersey, and then Maryland. At the same time, I grew spiritually and served in local Chinese churches.

It was also in 1995 that I started writing about Christianity on the primitive Chinese internet. Pretty soon I began engaging online with non-believing Chinese intellectuals in China and overseas. This made me one of the earliest Chinese Christian apologists on the internet.

Even though there were only a few online Christians then, Christianity was one of the hottest debate topics on the early forums that sprang up on the Chinese internet during its infancy. Debates about science and Christianity appeared on a list of Top 10 Chinese Internet News in 1996 and 1997, and I was one of the few Christians named on the list.

In 1996, I became one of the earliest volunteer coworkers for the ministry Chinese Christian Internet Mission. We uploaded apologetic and evangelistic materials on our website for people in China (the government hadnt yet erected its Great Firewall of censorship). I also started my own personal gospel website, Jidians Links, in 1998. (Jidian is my penname, and in Chinese it is the name of the biblical figure of Gideon.)

At the end of the1990s, many Chinese online forums became popular. Christians, including myself, were active on those platforms, dialoguing with intellectuals in China about Christian faith. Many influential Chinese intellectuals were involved in such conversations.

When more useful internet platforms such as blogs, Douban, Weibo, Zhihu, and WeChat became popular in the 2000s and 2010s, Chinese Christians quickly took them up for evangelistic purposes. I started writing blogs, gradually expanding my focus beyond apologetics to cover culture and current affairs. In 2012, a collection of my blog essays, The Search and the Return, was published in China. In an official Chinese Communist Youth League journal article published that year, the author called me one of the most influential internet missionaries that Chinese youth should be aware of.

Protection and providence

But my evangelism in China was not limited to online writing. Before the Chinese government tightened its control on religions in 2018, there was a golden window of 10 or 15 years when evangelism was possible inside the nation itself. During this period, I went back to China two or three times each year, giving evangelistic free and public seminars at Christian bookstores and coffee houses run by house churches while meeting Christians and seekers in many Chinese cities.

In 2011, I became a full-time Christian worker. I joined the Chinese media ministry Overseas Campus Ministries (OCM), based in California, to serve as director of its evangelism division and chief editor of its magazine and media platforms. Through our WeChat account, we reached more than 70,000 subscribers before government censors blocked and deleted it. And we organized a Christian blogger circle in China to inspire and foster more Christian authors. I answered nearly 300 faith-related questions on Zhihu before my account was censored in January 2020.

While with OCM, I also served diaspora Chinese churches in North America, Asia, and Europe as a speaker and preacher. In 2019, I joined an international mission organization as a diaspora and returnee missionary. In January 2022, I was seconded to Christianity Today to serve as Asia editor. In my two years at CT, we have published not only hundreds of Chinese translations from English, but also dozens of articles originally written in Chinese. I will continue to serve the global Chinese churches through my mission work as well as my media ministry.

When I came to the US 32 years ago, my parents expected that I would become an outstanding scientist. I did well as a scientist in the chemical industry, but my parents never anticipated that I would give up that career and become an internet missionary writer and editor. Many of the Chinese forums I frequented no longer exist today, but occasionally I still get direct messages from Chinese Christians who say they knew me through my online presence when they were still atheists. Some have gone on to become full-time ministers or missionaries. They are amazed that I am still actively evangelizing on the internet and through Christian media.

Thinking back on my journey of life, I am more convinced than ever before that I have nothing to boast in except Gods grace. He worked in my heart when I was struggling in China. He led me onto the internet, and into apologetics and missions, in his own timing. My journey has been full of his protection and providence. As one hymn puts it, in words I can heartily affirm, by his own hand he leadeth me.

Sean Cheng is a Christian writer, media editor, and diaspora Chinese missionary based in Maryland. In 2022, he published a book in Chinese, Above All Things, on the topic of science and Christianity.
The author and journalist reflects on her own life and the American landscape.

God is never going to betray youeven if the church does. So says Nancy French, best-selling author and investigative journalist, on this episode of The Russell Moore Show. French, who is known for her groundbreaking reporting on abuse at one of Americas largest Christian camps, joins Moore to discuss her new memoir, Ghosted. French talks about growing up in the Bible Belt, where she was sexually abused as a child by her Vacation Bible School teacher. She and Moore discuss the importance of righteous responses to people who have been harmed, the ways institutions too often cover up abuse, and how all of this shows up in partisan politics. Their conversation highlights the power of lovespecifically in the case of Nancys marriage to David Frenchin healing from trauma. Moore and French also talk about Frenchs experiences ghostwriting for high-profile families such as the Palins and the Romneys. They talk about shifts in political culture, the state of racism in America, and what its like to be part of a church family that is primarily made up of people outside of ones ethnic culture. Their conversation also touches on adoption, online discourse, and the incredible work that God can do through personal relationships. Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com. Special offer for listeners: Russell Moore will join friends David French and Curtis Chang in Washington, DC, for The After Party LIVE! on April 19. As a faithful listener to the podcast, wed love for you to join us and use this $20 off offer just for listeners! The After Party is a free six-part video curriculum designed for people and pastors alike, and offers a better way for Christians to engage in politics. Learn more and buy tickets hereweve saved a seat for you! Click here for a trial subscription at Christianity Today.

The Russell Moore Show is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper Host: Russell Moore Producer: Ashley Hales Associate Producers: Abby Perry and McKenzie Hill Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens Audio engineering by Dan Phelps Video producer: Abby Egan Theme Song: Dusty Delta Day by Lennon Hutton
Home News Florida woman claims God told her to shoot drivers because of eclipse: police

A woman was arrested Monday in Florida for allegedly shooting at motorists on the interstate, which she reportedly claimed was at God's direction because of the solar eclipse.

Taylon Nichelle Celestine, 22, shot randomly at drivers on Interstate 10 in Holmes County while careening down the highway in a purple Dodge Challenger with Georgia plates, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Within 5 miles of getting onto the interstate approximately 115 miles from the Alabama border, Celestine grazed one motorist when she fired multiple shots into the victim's window, police 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 victim, who was also struck with glass from the shattered window, was able to steer away from Celestine by moving to the shoulder of the highway.

As she drove west, Celestine allegedly shot another driver in the neck, who was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital, where the victim was treated for injuries.

Responding to reports of an active shooter, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said they conducted a felony traffic stop at around the 96-mile mark, where they conducted a search of Celestine's car and found a 9mm handgun and an AR-15.

Celestine was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Holmes County Jail, where she was charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and improper discharge of a firearm, according to police.

Authorities later learned that as she was checking out of a local hotel, Celestine told staff that she was about to embark on a shooting spree because God told her to in relation to Monday's solar eclipse.

The Florida Highway Patrol Bureau of Investigations and Intelligence (BCII) is conducting an ongoing investigation.

Florida was not in the eclipse's path of totality Monday, though people in the state could see a partial eclipse. Experts did not warn of an increased crime risk because of the eclipse, but cautioned that it could lead to an increase in fatal car crashes, according to CBS News.
Home News Idaho man planned suicide attack on churches to support ISIS: FBI

An 18-year-old Idaho man who pledged his support to the Islamic State and planned a suicide attack on churches in Coeur d'Alene has been charged with attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization after his plan was thwarted by federal authorities Saturday.

According to a 48-page complaint released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Alexander Scott Mercurio, who rejected the faith of his Christian parents and adopted the Muslim faith, planned to use explosives, knives and ultimately firearms in his attack on local churches this past Sunday before the end of Ramadan.

Islam's celebrated month of fasting ended on Tuesday.

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 attack plan involved using flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives, a machete, a pipe, and ultimately firearms. His plan grew more precise as he eventually identified the specific church and date on which he planned to attack," says the complaint.

"Mercurio planned to attack the church on April 7, 2024, a date intentionally selected by him so his attack would occur before the end of Ramadan. As the date drew near, MERCURIO devised a plan to incapacitate his father, restrain him using handcuffs, and steal his firearms to use for maximum casualties in his attack."

Investigators with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force who conducted the investigation said Mercurio purchased items like butane canisters and a metal pipe in planning the attack. He also "made a ba'yah statement, pledging his allegiance to ISIS and stating his intention to die while killing others on behalf of ISIS."

Law enforcement stepped in before Mercurio could cause any harm. The suspect was arrested on Saturday.

"As alleged in the complaint, the defendant swore an oath of loyalty to ISIS and planned to wage an attack in its name on churches in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho," Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement.

"Thanks to the investigative efforts of the FBI, the defendant was taken into custody before he could act, and he is now charged with attempting to support ISIS's mission of terror and violence. The Justice Department will continue to relentlessly pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who would commit acts of terrorism against the people and interests of the United States."

Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI said the case is an example of how people can be self-radicalized.

"This case should be an eye-opener to the dangers of self-radicalization, which is a real threat to our communities," Sinha said. "Protecting the American people from terrorism remains the FBI's number one priority, and we continue to encourage the public to report anything suspicious to the FBI or your local law enforcement."

Mercurio is facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison if he is convicted.
Home News Librarians struggling to cope with patrons rampant drug use, violence and public sex acts

Librarians are struggling to navigate a series of dangerous situations, including rampant drug abuse and sexually inappropriate or violent behavior from patrons at multiple libraries throughout the country.

As the New York Post reported Monday, the issue has only worsened in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several librarians bemoan that these problems are occurring in close proximity to children.

We want to do our jobs, one librarian told The New York Post. In a lot of communities, people have nowhere else to go. Most of the people who come here dont cause any problem at all. But there has to be more support, more of a plan to deal with whats happening.

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 KTVU reported in February, a branch of the Contra Costa County Library in Antioch, California, was forced to shut down in February after multiple robberies and public sexual intercourse. The Antioch-based library later reopened after making plans to hire a security guard and upgrade surveillance cameras.

Weve also had drug activity and drug use both inside the library and on library property, Brooke Converse, a spokeswoman for the Contra Costa County Library System, said in a statement at the time. People having sexual intercourse inside the library or on property in full view of patrons and staff. We found bullet casings on library property.

According to a study cited by The San Diego Union-Tribune last year, the San Diego Central Library has made 1,800 calls to the police over the last five years. The incidents that prompted the library to call the police included drug overdoses, thefts, assaults and concealed weaponry.

These types of incidents at libraries are not unique to California, however.

As KGW reported earlier this month, police arrested almost 20 people around the Central Library in Portland, Oregon, which has seen an influx of people gather around the location. Many of the people gathered on the sidewalk smoke fentanyl. The library is working with the police to improve safety measures.

Last month, Jennifer Goulden, a former librarian at the Des Moines Public Librarys North Side branch, filed a lawsuit against the city and the library system. As the Des Moines Register reported on April 3, Goulden alleged that the library leaders refused to address her concerns and retaliated against employees who spoke out.

According to the report, one example of inappropriate behavior that Goulden witnessed took place in August 2022. The librarian saw a man masturbating while sitting a few feet away from a child at one of the computer terminals. While the man stopped after he was told the police had been called, the officers who responded said they could not do anything because they didnt witness the mans actions.

The man returned the next day and began masturbating while staring at Goulden, according to the Des Moines Register. It took an hour for the police to arrive and when they did, authorities issued a trespass notice. They did not arrest the man, saying that he had not committed any crimes.

Reports of librarians having to handle a series of tense emergencies come a year after The American Library Association released a statement condemning an increase in violence and threats targeted at libraries across the United States. The ALA called on elected officials and community leaders to protect their community libraries.

Libraries are meant to be a safe haven for our communities, welcoming of people everywhere who believe in the peaceful exchange of ideas. These ongoing and rising attacks on Americas libraries pose an existential threat to the cornerstone of our democracy, the ALA said in a September 2023 statement.

Libraries are committed to upholding and defending the core values of inclusion and free and equal access to ideas and information, which are essential to an informed democratic society, the ALA continued. The freedom to read is a constitutionally protected right, and reading choices must be left to the reader, and in case of children, their parents. Threats of physical harm and harassment are not, and never have been, protected speech.
Home News Master portrait artist Zimou Tan revives the Gospel in art but wont depict the face of Jesus

POUGHKEEPSIE, New York  About a month before his solo exhibition billed The Lord was there opened at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie on March 1, master portrait artist Zimou Tan had a completely different vision of what the show would look like.

Initially, Tan planned to display 15 pieces from his portfolio split between his religious paintings and his portraits. But God, he said, interrupted everything.

After a sermon that I heard about, maybe two months ago during our Sunday service, the pastor mentioned that the Lord was there. The whole sermon revolved around the idea that the Lord was there. Every part [of what] we do, Jesus is with us, Tan explains.

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

Tears came out my eyes, nonstop. My heart felt that I was called to do something different for the Lord. And I decided at that moment the whole show is dedicated [to the Lord].

Tan, an award-winning traditional fine artist specializing in portrait and narrative figurative painting and drawings, would later find out that instead of getting space at the museum to display 15 paintings from his religious collection, he could only put 10 pieces on display.

And the 10 he selected reflect how deeply his work is inspired by his faith and Scripture from the titles to the narratives behind them. There is Valley of Dry Bones, inspired by Ezekiel 37:1-10; The Lion, the lamb, and the King, inspired by Revelation 5:5 and Isaiah 53:7; Forgiveness, inspired by John 8:3-7; Temptations, inspired by Matthew 4:1-11; Faith, inspired by Genesis 22:1-19; 40 Days, inspired by Matthew 4:1; Blessing, inspired by Luke 6:20-23; Seeking Sanctuary, inspired by Romans 11:33-36; "Carrying the cross together," inspired by Matthew 27:31-32; and Receiving the Paraclete, inspired by John 16:13.

About 10 years earlier, Tan, 50, says he converted to Christianity. Though he was always a spiritual person with Buddhist influences, his work was mainly rooted in a philosophical exploration of life without any specific faith tradition. Since his conversion to Christianity, he says he has been on a different journey with his art.

It is a crisp, sunny, spring day in late March when Tan recalls the story of Gods divine interruption that set the stage for The Lord was there, which ends on April 28 at the museum about 200 miles outside New York City.

He is comfortably dressed in jeans, a stylish sweater, a trilby hat, and glasses with photochromic lenses that change color in the sun. He introduces himself warmly in the parking lot of a historic building in Wingdale. He reveals that he and his wife are working to fulfill another vision to convert the building into a hub for artists. It will include a gallery where Christian artists especially can find a home to display their work.

This gallery can also open a door, a window for Christian artists, because not too many places are willing to host just for religious art, Tan says.

He recalls the history of the building as he enters. It once housed a hotel. Most recently, it was a showroom for Hunts Country Furniture. A sign for the furniture company still hangs at the front. It isnt hard to imagine the building as a hotel near the bank of the Tenmile River across the street. Its quiet and rustic.

Tan gives a quick tour of the building while casting his vision of each room inside. Its easy to see as he describes it in painterly tones.

He eventually stops next to the sill of a bright picture window just above the main stairway on the second floor of the building where he shares a bit of his origin story as an artist. It started in China.

I always joked around that I was made in China and improved in the United States, he quips.

He recalls the first time he went to school at age 8. He remembers when his teacher asked what he wanted to be as an adult and how he never hesitated to tell it.

People say, I want to be an astronaut, I want to be a doctor, I want to be a lawyer, I didn't want to be a scientist, Tan recalls. I was the only one with my hand raised, saying, 'I want to be an artist.' I remember that because that was the first time I went to school.

Tan had never been able to attend school before then. He recalls being separated from his parents at one point and put in the care of his grandmother.

Though he never had everything he needed to practice art in his earlier years, Tan explains how a lack of formal tools for the trade wasnt able to stop him from being creative.

I was using a twig on the ground. During that time kids had nothing. I was just using rocks and twigs on the ground. Drawing and cutting, copying things I see, he says.

People in his community noticed his talent. By the time he was about 12, Tan says he began learning about portraiture. He started sketching members of his family even though his work at that time was not very good. He also became an apprentice to a 93-year-old master artist in China.

When Tan was 14, he immigrated to the United States with his family and quickly took advantage of all the access to formal art training.

He would eventually graduate from the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, California, in 2001, with degrees in both fine arts and traditional illustration. Following his graduation he spent 13 years as a professor of Fine Arts until he left teaching to focus on his portraiture commissions. He returned to teaching in 2015 as associate dean at Olivet School of Art and Design.

He explains how he was drawn to portraiture because of the various physical and spiritual elements involved in creating a portrait including the aura of a persons soul.

The hardest part for the portraiture, is capturing the people's soul. The likeness is the foundation of what we do but capturing the soul of the person is different, Tan says.

When you look at a painting, it looks like the aura is engaging with you, communicating with you, and has some time feeling [like] somebody's looking at you. Right? And when you look at a portraiture, that's more than just copying the subject.

How does he see Jesus?

Religious art by famous artists such as Michelangelos The Creation Of Adam, Leonardo Da Vincis The Last Supper, Rembrandts The Return of the Prodigal Son, and Raphaels The Transfiguration have held the worlds gaze in galleries for centuries.

In Tan's "Temptations," which depicts Jesus' deep spiritual journey as told in Matthew 4:111, he presents a culturally Westernized image of Jesus shrouded in a bit of mystery. The Christian Post recently highlighted viral videos on TikTok that claim Russian President Vladimir Putin opened up a vault revealing historic icons depicting Jesus, the Virgin Mary and his disciples as black.

Acknowledging the debate, Tan replied, I don't want to put my own opinion into who Jesus really was as a physical person.

He explains its one of the reasons he's never painted a portrait of Jesus.

It's kind of ironic in the way that I painted Jesus because I never painted Jesus with a straight on portrait, he says.

A lot of times I either put Him under shade, under the shadow or thinking really small, the face is not clear enough. I'm a portrait specialist. Portrait is my specialty, but I do not have that courage. I don't think that I have that right to narrow down how Jesus looked like, he adds.

Tan thinks God is too big for his canvas but suggests that perhaps Jesus looks different to people based on cultural context.

Reflecting faith

Though Tans previous work has attracted some acclaim in the art world over the years he doesnt see himself as famous, nor does he seek to be. Since he converted to Christianity, Tan says he has been on a journey to reflect more of his faith in his work.

I was [leaning] more towards Buddhism before. And then 10 years ago, I had an encounter with Christianity, he says.

At the beginning, I was searching for an answer. Why do people actually believe in Christ, in the Bible? I couldn't find the answer. Even one pastor he tried really hard to convince me that the Bible is actually legit  I couldn't connect at the time.

It was about a week later at a Bible study a pastor at a church he visited told him about Gods love.

That day, he [Pastor Mark Spisak from World Olivet Assembly] opened up a topic, God is love. All of a sudden everything made sense to me because God you cannot touch, you cannot smell, you cannot see. God is invisible. Love too. You can only feel love, but you cannot touch love, right? And then, you cannot see love. But it's all in your heart. After that, that connection, everything made sense to me, Tan recalls. The whole Bible started to open up.

The master artist who sees God as the ultimate artist, says he believes that everything he has experienced was designed by God to lead him to his current focus.

The exhibition is all about concluding everything that I have done before and combining [it] with the Gospel. I believe that that's something that I was being called to do, he says.

Not an easy road

Tan admits that the life of an artist is never easy, and that in the early years after his Christian conversion he got a lot of backlash from fans when he began incorporating his faith in his art.

The road is not easy. It's never been easy for an artist. First of all, you might have to worry about your bread on the table. Second of all, people may start criticizing you with everything that you do, just because sometimes they don't like the subject matter, he says.

When I first showed [my] work connected with the Christianity  some of my followers on Facebook, they say that what a shame that you waste all your talents and go into that direction and involved with religious art, he recalls.

Tan, though, remains undaunted.

I'm walking a narrow path just like the Bible said.  It's not easy. I respect all types of creations, even though following the Gospel won't be easy. I will continue to walk this narrow path to create more art to share with the public."

God is the first creator, the first artist. He's the most amazing artist. He made the life form become alive. The whole earth, everything, he made everything. He designed everything, he adds.

I just need to use [the gift he gave me] as much as I can to spread the gospel to help other people. I think that is my commission. That's what I believe. This is a not an easy path, but that's my commission.
Home News Pastor Robert Jeffress identifies misconceptions about End Times, next event on biblical prophetic timeline (part 1)

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Amid worldwide tumult, Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, weighed in on how Christians should prepare for the End Times, common misconceptions about the event and what he believes is coming next on the biblical prophetic timeline.

In a sit-down interview with The Christian Post, Jeffress, whose latest book is titled Are We Living in the End Times?: Biblical Answers to 7 Questions about the Future, said that though we are not technically living in the End Times, according to the Bible, we are in what the Bible calls the last days.

We've been in the last days for 2,000 years, and I think you can make a case that we're in the last days of the last days before the rapture of the Church, he said. The most important thing is not trying to guess when Jesus is coming back again, but realize He is coming back again, and it makes sure we're prepared.

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

Emphasizing preparation over prediction, Jeffress offered several suggestions. First, he encouraged believers to don the "right spiritual clothes," a metaphor for embracing the righteousness of Christ over one's own.

There are two different garments we can choose to put on to meet the Lord, he said. We can use the garment of our own righteousness, our own good works, and the Bible says that's nothing but a filthy rag in God's sight, or we can choose to be dressed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And that's what becoming a Christian is.

The bestselling author cited 2 Corinthians 5 to underline his point: "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This transformation, he contended, is the essence of Christian faith, where believers are seen as faultless before God, not through their own deeds but through the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ.

Thats the first thing we do to make sure that we're Christians that were saved, that we'll be welcomed into God's presence, he said.

Second, Jeffress urged Christians to work tirelessly to further the Gospel, adding: We need to do the work while its still day, because the time is coming. The night is coming when no man can work. The fact that Christ is coming back ought to motivate every Christian, every Church to share the Gospel with as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

According to Jeffress, misconceptions surrounding the End Times are prevalent across Christian denominations and perspectives on the matter. He identified three prevalent attitudes: fanaticism, fatalism and cynicism, each posing a unique danger to the Christian understanding of the event.

Fanaticism is trying to set the date for the rapture or for the Second Coming of Christ, trying to read a prophetic significance into every headline in the paper, he said. Jesus was very clear in Matthew 24 and 25. Nobody knows the hour, the day, of the Lord's return, which is why we need to be ready at all times.

Fatalism, the most dangerous place for Christians to land, Jeffress said, is the belief that Jesus is coming back whenever He's going to come back, and I don't need to do anything different in my life.

As much as the Bible talks about prophecy, the Bible never separates biblical prophecy from everyday life, he explained. In 2 Peter 3, the apostle said, Since all these things are to be burned up in this way since the world is going to end, what sort of people are we to be? In holy conduct and godliness.

Cynicism, Jeffress said, is the belief that People have been saying for thousands of years, Jesus is coming back and He hasn't come back yet.

Peter said scoffers will come with that message, and 2 Peter 3 says, They will come saying, where's the promise of this coming? We need to realize the theme of Scripture is consistent: Jesus is coming back again, and we need to be ready," he said.

Jeffress, who has dedicated much of his scholarly and pastoral career to the study of eschatology  the part of theology concerned with death, judgment and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind  said the next prophetic event on the timeline is the rapture of the Church.

He pointed to 1 Thessalonians 4 as evidence for this belief, a passage describing a future moment when Christians "shall be caught up together ... to meet the Lord in the air."

This event, he said, is distinct from, yet precursory to, the Second Coming of Christ, which he said will occur seven years later, marking the return of believers with Christ to Earth, specifically to the Mount of Olives as detailed in Revelation 19.

The interesting thing about the Rapture is there are no prophecies that have to be fulfilled for the rapture to occur. It could happen before we finish this interview, which is, again, why we need to be ready, he said.

According to a 2022 study from Pew Research, nearly two in five Americans, including half of self-identified Christians and a quarter of the religiously unaffiliated, agree we are living in the End Times.

Another study of 1,000 Protestant pastors conducted between Aug. 20, 2019, and Sept. 24, 2019, by Lifeway Research, found that church leaders believed Christians could speed up the return of Christ by sharing the Gospel rather than by backing certain geopolitical changes mentioned in biblical prophecy.

Jeffress radio program, Pathway to Victory, is heard on more than 1,000 stations nationwide, and his weekly television program is seen in 195 countries around the world. He said that since discussing his views on the End Times, countless listeners have shared how theyve been encouraged by his insights.

If you think about it, the coming of Christ is good news for the righteous; its terrible news for the unrighteous, but it is good news, its what the Bible calls the blessed hope, he said. Yet, so many Christians are silent about the Second Coming, so many churches are silent.

The pastor recounted a story from his book about a conversation between John F. Kennedy and evangelist Billy Graham, which he said underscored the danger of this silence.

"President-elect Kennedy pulled the car off to the side, stopped the engine, looked Billy Graham in the face and said, 'Billy, do you believe Jesus is coming back to Earth one day?' And Billy Graham said, 'Yes sir. I certainly do.' And then President Kennedy said, 'Well, why do I hear so little about it?'" he said.

Too many churches are keeping this a secret, that yet the consistent message of the Bible is, Jesus is coming back again, Jeffress said.

Are We Living in the End Times?: Biblical Answers to 7 Questions about the Futureis now available.
Home News California school investigates distribution of AI-generated nude photos of students

A California high school is investigating reports of students sharing nude or inappropriate photos created with artificial intelligence only one month after another Southern California school district expelled five students for distributing AI-generated nude photos of classmates.

Laguna Beach High School, part of the Laguna Beach Unified School District, is the latest school to be involved in an incident surrounding the distribution of inappropriate images generated by AI. The high school has not revealed the names of the students responsible for the photos.

Principal Jason Alleman notified parents in a letter last Monday about the investigation, stating that these incidents can have far-reaching impact on our campus culture," according to The Los Angeles Times. The Laguna Beach Police Department is assisting the school with its investigation.

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

These actions not only compromise individual dignity but also undermine the positive and supportive environment we aim to foster at LBHS, Alleman wrote.

Students reportedly shared the AI-generated photos through text messages, according to The Los Angeles Times. The father of one of the students suspected of creating the images defended his son, claiming that the 17-year-old suffered a brain injury while he was snowboarding in 2019.

Hes really, really sorry, the father said, explaining that the teenager struggles with impulse control as a result of the brain injury.

The familys attorney, Jacqueline Goodman, called it appalling that news vans are parked outside of the school and requested journalists refrain from publicizing the incident.

Let the system take care of it as it ought to. Were all in a sort of fact-gathering situation and its just not appropriate to be outing him, staying at his school and essentially convicting him before authorities have any way to consider this, Goodman told reporters. It would be unfortunate to treat an adult like this, but particularly appalling to treat a disabled child like this.

Anakaren Cardenas Ureno, the director of communications for Laguna Beach Unified School District, told The Christian Post that schools are required by law to "keep student discipline matters confidential to protect the privacy and well-being of our students."

"The safety and privacy of our students is our top priority and each incident is handled on a case-by-case basis considering the individual circumstances of the situation," the spokesperson stressed.

In a statement shared with the media, the school district recognizes "the profound impact that recent incidents can have on school culture" and is focused on providing "immediate support to our students." Last week, the school hosted panel discussions for students across grade levels "to cultivate an open, ongoing conversation on these critical issues."

"The school leadership team received hundreds of questions from students and is developing an FAQ with relevant resources that will be shared with students and families to continue these discussions," the statement reads. "Students also requested ongoing social-emotional support on campus to help process these experiences and continued education regarding the appropriate use of AI, including how to ethically integrate its use into schoolwork and homework assignments."

The incident comes after the Beverly Hills Unified School District voted in March to confirm the expulsion of five students accused of using AI to create and share nude images of their classmates.

The five students attended Beverly Vista Middle School, The Los Angeles Times previously reported. According to Superintendent Michael Bregy, the five students were the most egregiously involved in the incident.

The AI-generated images reportedly featured the faces of real students on simulated nude bodies. The district said that the 16 victims were in the eighth grade, and the images circulated among students at the middle school in February.

California laws concerning child pornography possession and sharing nude photos without consent do not apply to AI-generated images, an issue groups like the National Center on Sexual Exploitation have highlighted, the newspaper notes.

In a February blog post, the anti-sexual exploitation group urged Congress to pass legislation to protect people against AI-generated pornography, also known as deepfake pornography. According to a December 2023 Home Security Heroes study cited by NCOSE, the availability of deepfake pornography increased by 550% between 2019 and 2023.

Last month, a Christian school teacher in Florida was arrested for allegedly using yearbook photos to create sexually explicit content featuring children.
Home News Trump's current, former rivals condemn his position on abortion

Former President Donald Trumps current and former rivals in the 2024 presidential election are criticizing his position on abortion while differing as to whether it is too restrictive or not restrictive enough.

On Monday, Trump posted a video on the social media platform Truth Social outlining his position on abortion heading into the 2024 election in which he is expected to be the Republican presidential nominee.

While expressing gratitude for the 2022 overturning of the U.S. Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide, a move that has led to several states banning or restricting abortion to the earliest stages of a pregnancy, the former president suggested that abortion laws should be decided on a state-by-state basis.

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

President Joe Biden, Trumps expected Democrat rival in the 2024 presidential election, released a video response to his opponents declaration that with Roe overturned, the states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land, in this case, the law of the state. Biden maintained that Donald Trump just endorsed every single state ban on reproductive care nationwide.

All across the country, women are being turned away from emergency rooms, or being forced to travel hundreds of miles or ask a judge just to get the basic care they need, Biden claimed about access to abortion. He further condemned Trumps vision for this country, warning that if MAGA Republicans put a federal ban on his desk, hed sign it.

Describing Trump as the reason Roe was ended, Biden promised voters, If you re-elect me, Ill be the reason why its restored. In a subsequent post on X, Biden suggested that Donald Trump is worried that since hes responsible for overturning Roe, the voters will hold him accountable. The president expressed confidence that they will.

Terrisa Bukovinac, who is seeking the Democrat nomination for president on a pro-life platform, released a statement on Facebook after Trumps Truth social post proclaiming that Trump and Biden are both baby killers and if you vote for either of them you will be a collaborator with blood on your hands!

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who served alongside Trump as his vice president for four years and briefly sought the Republican nomination for president in the 2024 primary before becoming the first major GOP candidate to drop out of the race last year, took to X Monday to condemn what he described as President Trumps retreat on the Right to Life as a slap in the face to the millions of pro-life Americans who voted for him in 2016 and 2020.

By nominating and standing by the confirmation of conservative justices, the Trump-Pence Administration helped send Roe v. Wade to the ash heap of history where it belongs and gave the pro-life movement the opportunity to compassionately support women and unborn children, he recalled.

Pence suggested that the federal government had an obligation to enact pro-life legislation: The American people elect presidents, senators and congressmen, and a majority of Americans long to see minimum national protections for the unborn in federal law.

Additionally, Pence lamented that today, too many Republican politicians are all too ready to wash their hands of the battle for life, adding, Republicans win on life when we speak the truth boldly and stand on the principle that we all know to be true  human life begins at conception and should be defended from womb to tomb.

However much our Republican nominee or other candidates seek to marginalize the cause of life, I know pro-life Americans will never relent until we see the sanctity of life restored to the center for American law in every state in this country, Pence added.

As it stands, states have widely divergent policies in place on abortion following the overturning of Roe. Data compiled by the advocacy group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America show that 15 states have prohibited abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy with limited exceptions, two states ban abortions after six weeks gestation, two states restrict abortions to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and one state has a 15-week abortion ban in place. Four other states have pro-life protections in litigation.

On the other hand, the pro-abortion advocacy group the Guttmacher Institute has identified 13 states where a right to obtain an abortion is protected prior to viability, referring to the stage in pregnancy where the baby has the ability to survive outside the womb. Four additional states and the District of Columbia ensure a right to abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy, while Michigan has a constitutional amendment in place that explicitly secures the right to an abortion.

Voters in Ohio approved a similar measure last year.
Home Opinion The death toll of Bidens illegal alien bloodbath

Former President Donald Trump used political jujitsu to grab a left-wing anti-Trump lie and turn it against his opponent, President Joe Biden.

Trump told Ohio voters on March 16 that if he lost his comeback bid in the November election, Biden would welcome imports of Chinese-designed, Mexican-built electric vehicles. This, Trump said, would trigger an economic bloodbath in the auto sector.

Biden and other leftists disinformed Americans by claiming that Trump threatened to unleash a political bloodbath if Biden won. Trump did no such thing.

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

Trump got even in Michigan last Tuesday when he unveiled a slogan that electrifies Americas No. 1 issue: Angst over the hordes of illegal aliens who Biden welcomes daily.

Its a border bloodbath, and its destroying our country, Trump said. Its going to end on the day that I take office.

Bidens Border Bloodbath correctly describes the mayhem fueled by Bidens deliberate demolition of Americas southern frontier.

Because illegal aliens often are shadowy, the problem is tough to gauge precisely. Nonetheless, Customs and Border Protection counted eight foreign-citizen criminals convicted of homicide or manslaughter from fiscal Year 2017 through fiscal 2019, under Trump. During Bidens first three fiscal years, the CBP has tallied 151 such convictions  up 1,787.5%.

Consider these cases, thanks largely to documentation by the Federation for American Immigration Reform:

Brazilian illegal Everton Candido breached the border at Tecate, California, in May 2021. Police say that he drove without a license in Medford, Massachusetts, on Oct. 23, 2022, when he struck and killed Army veteran Walter Wishoski Jr., 77.

Bidens Department of Homeland Security released Venezuelan illegal Eddy Jose Ortega Alvarado on May 20, 2023. The next day, he reportedly killed Honduran illegal Carmen Unilda Navas Zuniga and stole her cash in El Paso, Texas.

Bidens officials released Guatemalan illegal Juan Carlos Garcia-Rodriguez, 17, at the southwest line in January 2023. Last August, he allegedly raped and strangled Maria Gonzalez, 11, in Pasadena, Texas, then packed her into a laundry basket, and stashed her beneath his bed.

Bidens agents released Haitian illegal Hermanio Joseph after he broke into America in August 2022. Police say that he crashed into a school bus in Clark County, Ohio, last Aug. 22. The bus flipped, killing Aiden Clark, 11.

Endrina Bracho, a Venezuelan illegal alien, reportedly struck Travis Wolfe in a head-on collision in Hazelwood, Missouri. She reportedly drove unlicensed, against traffic, at 70 mph in a 40 mph zone. That happened Dec. 20, the day before Travis 12th birthday, which he spent in critical condition.

He wasnt awake for it, his sister, Taylor, told Fox News anchor Steve Doocy. He didnt get to experience anything. So, did he really actually make it to 12?

Travis was on life-support until March 6, when his catastrophic brain injuries finally killed him.

Travis Wolfe, a 12-year old Missouri boy killed by an illegal migrant. This is what an open border does. Say his name https://t.co/zjllQKRwTa  Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) March 11, 2024

Venezuelan Jose Antonio Ibarra arrived illegally in September 2022. Authorities say that he fatally bashed the skull of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley on Feb. 22, while she jogged near campus, triggering a national uproar.

This lethal crisis began the day Biden took power. His 94 executive actions shredded Trumps effective border-tightening initiatives.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, told Fox News on Wednesday: Bidens border policy is as effective as a screen door on a submarine.

The Border Patrol has caught 7,444,297 illegal aliens on the U.S.-Mexico boundary through February, Bidens 37th month as president. Trumps analogous number was 2,138,696. Biden trounces Trump by 348%. These apprehensions included 351 people on the terrorist watch list during Bidens return to normal, versus just 11 under Trump  up 3,090%.

Add 1.6 million gotaways (including terrorists) who The Washington Post estimates were detected, but not detained, and at least 9 million illegal aliens have cascaded through the border under Biden.

Trump and his supporters should remind voters constantly about the victims whom illegal aliens are killing while Biden snores. These deaths remain 100% preventable, if Biden simply keeps these killers out.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
Home Opinion The two-state solution misses the real problem

Senator Chuck Schumer endorsed in March the Biden/Blinken two-state solution to the long-standing Israeli/Palestinian dispute, with subsequent greatly heightened American pressure on Israel. Alas, paper agreements are hardly magic wands and ignore realities on the ground, the most important of which is hatred. Signed documents will not melt hate away, nor will they soften the malice and anger that has been so deeply ingrained by Palestinian textbooks, preachers, teachers, and Middle East media. Addressing hatred should be our mandate, not rewarding barbaric behavior.

Some background is relevant. It was a result of the 1967 war that Israel gained control over many areas, including Gaza. In the land-for-peace negotiations which led to the Egypt/Israel peace treaty in the late 1970s, Egypt obtained the Sinai but refused to take Gaza. Yitzhak Rabin, Israel's former prime minister, often lamented this  but there was no deal without it. Subsequently, Israels policing/occupying status became quite costly, as Rabin had feared. In 2005, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided to end the occupation, expecting that self-rule and no Israeli presence would bring peace, a vacuous hope that ignored the role of hatred. Israel dragged uncooperative settlers out, with Palestinians potentially gaining millions of dollars of Israeli greenhouses, a sure source of employment and export revenues. Gazans, in seemingly victorious rage, attacked the greenhouses and destroyed them. Hate clearly drives irrational and self-destructive behavior.

After Israels 2005 exit, wars followed at the end of 2008, in 2012, and 2014, almost all centering on rockets being fired into Israel. Each ceasefire was broken by Hamas, so Oct 7 was really nothing new, except in its sickly viciousness and Israels determination to finish the job this time.

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

Once hatred is embedded, it can easily attach to other groups. Palestinians danced in the streets after the 9/11 attacks on the U.S., merrily celebrating our American tragedy. Last October they celebrated again and even walked over the border to kick the bodies of dead Israelis. It is so blinding that Hamas terrorists even murdered pleading Arab Muslims who were in the wrong place on October 7. Hatred is indeed incredibly powerful, a feeling not quickly dispensed by a handshake or statehood.

So, what is the current average Israelis mindset? The anger is boiling over. You can feel it in every corner of this country. People want someone to pay a price for this, even if it means protracted war. While this would seem like an Israeli response, it was actually said by American political commentator, Tim Russett, to TV newsman, Mat Lauer, after the World Trade Center/Washington D.C. attacks in 2001. We lost about 3,000 people. Our response was a global war on terror. Adjusting for the huge population difference between Israel and the U.S., Israels October loss of 1,200 was equivalent to our losing 44,000! How would we react to an October 7 here? Would there be parades supporting Hamas or recommendations for Palestinian statehood? Indeed, had American babies been beheaded or infants burned to death while parents were forced to watch, had our women been raped or sexually mutilated, American anger would be unimaginable. A two-state solution now? It is madness to reward sick, criminal behavior.

In the early 2000s, the State Department heavily pressured the UAE to stop hate propagation. It did, so it is hardly surprising that the UAE several years ago reached out to Israel and there is now a budding relationship. So, hatred can be dispensed, but hate does not die in a day and no decree or agreement immediately erases it.

Rewarding hateful actions will only guarantee more. Hate is so embedded in Palestinian society that a March 2024 poll found that, 70% of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank said they are satisfied with Hamas actions  and  63% said they prefer a day after scenario in which Hamas remains in control of Gaza rather than the Palestinian Authority.



And why should we welcome a Palestinian state now, one that will be authoritarian, misogynist, anti-American, and a source of future conflagrations? Hate is completely embedded in Palestinian culture, purposefully inserted through every medium possible, which includes the honoring and celebration of terrorists. Alas, the only role models in Palestinian society are murderers, euphemistically called "shahids" (martyrs).

This cannot continue. The Palestinians must change; they cannot be rewarded for their barbarism. They must embrace civilized norms. But that will not happen until hate is taken out of the equation.
Home News Can caffeine be harmful to a Christians spiritual life? John Piper answers

Notable Bible teacher John Piper recently addressed the question of whether caffeinated drinks like energy drinks can have a negative influence on a Christians spiritual life.

In Monday's episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, a listener identified as Jose told Piper that caffeinated drinks were controversial in our youth group.

As someone who likes them, I was wondering if there are any negative effects or reason to not drink them, Jose asked. They help me focus and have energy during my work shift. I only drink one every two or three days, but I would like to have some spiritual insight in order that I might run this race without being slowed down.

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 part of his response, Piper focused on 1 Corinthians 6:1213, which reads: "'I have the right to do anything, you say  but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything  but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both. The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

So, the body matters to God morally. And, in particular, foods matter and sex matters. And so, the guidelines he gives matter, Piper said.

Piper added that the question was part of a much bigger issue, specifically a question about the proper use of not just caffeine but other stimulants, medications.

Are energy drinks, or whatever Im taking, are they masking deeper problems that Im not dealing with, because Im masking them, or are they helping me really address and be freed from the deeper problems that I may have? he said.

If Jose or any of us is masking deeper problems with stimulants, then theyre not being used as a gift from God for our good; theyre being used as a flight from truth and from the good that God wants to do deeper down.

Piper went on to offer three summary guidelines regarding the consumption of caffeinated drinks: Are they truly helpful? Are they dominating me, mastering me, and obscuring that Jesus is my real master? And, Am I using them in love? Am I building others up? Am I seeking to build my own faith and the faith of others?

I have a box of energy drinks in my office, Piper acknowledged. If Ive got a pressing task and I cannot stay awake, yes, Ill go there.

If my real problem is that John Piper doesnt have the discipline to go to bed at night and therefore get six hours instead of eight hours of sleep, and therefore hes always falling asleep at his tasks, and thus he resorts to an artificial stimulant, thats masking, thats hiding, thats running away from God.

Last September, Piper garnered controversy when he wrote a post on X about whether congregations should "reassess whether Sunday coffee-sipping in the sanctuary fits."

"Considering the New Testament church primarily met in folks' homes, and often shared a common meal together, sipping coffee in the sanctuary should not only be practiced, but encouraged," replied Evangelical podcaster Jimmy Humphrey.

In a January podcast episode, Piper elaborated on his sentiments, believing that "sipping coffee in the holiest hour of congregational worship does not fit with the reverence and awe that Hebrews 12:28 calls for.

"Sipping coffee is not the heart of the matter. The heart of the matter is that people and leaders don't have a heart that resonates with what I mean by 'reverence and awe' and the holiness, the sacredness of that hour of congregational worship on Sunday morning (usually)," Piper stated back in January.

"Those realities are not prominent in their mind and heart, those reverent realities. They know those words: reverence, awe. They know the words, but the words don't have compelling existential content, with the kind of serious joy that makes people eager for reverence and awe. They're just words."
Home News Megachurch pastor apologizes for 'careless words' after backlash to wedding night joke

A megachurch pastor apologized for what he characterized as "careless words" when he joked that women should do whatever their husbands want on their wedding night, even though he insisted that his remarks were taken out of context.

During service on Sunday, Josh Howerton, pastor of Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, Texas, addressed comments he made during a Feb. 26 sermon that generated backlash online.

"A couple of weeks ago  the week after Marriage Night, I tossed out a joke," 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

"I tossed out a joke at the beginning of a message about men and women planning their wedding days and wedding nights, and it became a thing."

The remarks he made on Feb. 26 suggested that women have been planning their wedding days for their "entire life" and that by electing to "stand where she tells you to stand, wear what she tells you to wear and do what she tells you to do," the man marrying her has the opportunity to "make her the happiest woman in the world."

At the same time, he told women in the audience that the man they will marry has been planning for the wedding night for his "whole life" and that if they "just stand where he tells you to stand, wear what he tells you to wear and do what he tells you to do," they will "make him the happiest man in the world."

On Sunday, Howerton reiterated that "somebody grabbed that clip of that joke" and took it out of context.

Sheila Gregoire, host of the "Bare Marriage" podcast with over 41,000 followers on X, shared a 22-second clip of what she characterized as his "advice to women" on the social media platform on March 28. The clip has received over 1.7 million views as of Wednesday. Gregoire also devoted an episode of her podcast to discussing the remarks.

Howerton maintains, however, "they clipped off the part of the joke to men, kept the part of the joke to women and then clipped off the end of the joke before you could tell it was a joke."

He also took issue with the fact that the clip was presented as his "advice to women," adding, "You can't trust the internet."

After expressing gratitude to the "hundreds and hundreds of you that provided context for people who were posting that," Howerton acknowledged that some members of his congregation told him that the joke "may have just landed on you wrong."

He summarized a passage from the Book of Proverbs stating, "careless words can stab like a sword but that wise words lead to healing."

"What that means is that  sometimes even jokes can be a careless word," he declared. "I like to have fun around here. I want this to be a place where you have a little fun. I like to do that. At the same time  I never wanted to  toss something out there that feels like a careless word."

Howerton elaborated on the meaning of the Bible verse, comparing it to someone who "had a steak knife and they like had the intent to cut their steak and their hand slipped and accidentally stabbed you in the face." He contended that in such a scenario, "I still need to own that."

Saying he has a "very sincere heart," Howerton delivered a message to his congregation: "I'm sorry for careless words. I'm sorry about that."

He thanked the congregation for the "grace" they have shown him, assuring the audience that "I love you."

Howerton's initial commentary about the importance of wedding nights to men first gained widespread attention after Gregoire's tweet and podcast. She discussed her concerns about Howerton's remark, which she interpreted as a signal to men that "at the wedding night, you get to act like a porn director and direct her every move so you get exactly what you want." She wrote, "the number of men commenting 'it was just a joke' is so telling."

"Marital rape is not funny. Normalizing sexual coercion is not funny. Not caring at all about female pleasure is not funny. If you think this is funny, you might want to ask the women in your life if they find you safe and kind."

Gregoire acknowledged in her X thread that Howerton also spoke about the significance of wedding days to women and remarked that "the broader context [of it being a joke] makes this worse than only looking at the advice to women."

She criticized the implication that men "don't have to take on ANY of the mental load, emotional involvement, or work of the wedding" because "it's all on her."

Gregoire reacted to Howerton's apology on X Monday.

"I understand Josh Howerton apologized in the services yesterday to anyone who may have been hurt. That's great," she wrote. "But he still complained that his remarks were taken out of context, and it was just a joke. I didn't hear acknowledgment that his words were shameful and wrong."

In a subsequent post on X Tuesday, Gregoire described Howerton's apology as "so bad I don't even know where to begin."
Home News Robert Jeffress says 'biblical Christians' will know how to vote in November: 'There is no perfect candidate' (part 2)

Read part 1 of Jeffress' interview with The Christian Post here

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Ahead of a contentious election season, Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas and former spiritual advisor to Donald Trump, is emphasizing the responsibility of Christians to vote based on biblical principles rather than party lines.

[Pastors] ought to talk about issues and not candidates, Jeffress told The Christian Post during a sit-down interview at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention. If you remind Christians that they have not only the right but the responsibility to vote, and then you teach biblical principles, they'll know how to vote for the right person without pastors trying to push them toward one party or another party.

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

Jeffress, who was one of the first Evangelical leaders to publicly support Trump and attend his rallies during the 2016 primary election, said Christians need to remember that the ability to vote is a gift from God and stewardship. He cited John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States, who once stated that God has given U.S. citizens the privilege of choosing their leaders.

Remember, the leaders who we elect determine the policies we follow, and the policies we follow as a nation determine the moral and spiritual direction of a country, he said. That's why every Christian has an obligation to vote. When we go into a voting booth, we're either voting for righteousness or unrighteousness. There are no perfect candidates, but we vote by policies. And if we'll take a biblical view of the world, I think we'll know how to vote.

A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that overall, two-thirds of white evangelical Protestants say they have a favorable view of the former president, including 30% who have a very favorable opinion of him. Trumps favorability rating was also found to be similar among Christians who attend church regularly and those who dont.

But to professing Christians who are uncomfortable voting for either President Joe Biden or Trump, Jeffress pointed to the consequential nature of elections, citing the significant role the 2016 presidential election played in shifting the composition of the U.S. Supreme Court and ultimately overturning Roe v. Wade.

I would tell people, 'Remember how serious elections can be and how important your vote is.' I wouldn't throw away a vote. But again, I think Christians have to follow their own conscience, he said.

When asked about American exceptionalism, Jeffress  who last year publicly rejected the label of Christian nationalist"  acknowledged the blessings the U.S. has received but rejected the idea of an unconditional divine favor. He quoted Psalm 33:12 to support his assertion that any nation's success is contingent upon its reverence for God.

I believe any nation that reverences God will be blessed by God, he said. Any nation, including the United States, that rejects God will be rejected by God. Never forget, in the End Times, Israel will still be a nation. But in the book of Revelation, there is no mention of the United States of America. So no, there's no unconditional promise of blessing.

Reflecting on whether the U.S. is a Christian nation, Jeffress pointed to the country's founding principles and the Judeo-Christian values that have historically informed its laws and culture.

I believe we were established as a Christian nation, he emphasized. I'm not saying that all of our founders were Christians. Some were atheists, some were deists, but the vast majority were Christians. The fact is, our laws were based on the Judeo-Christian faith. It's interesting how many times in the first 150 years of our history, the Supreme Court review referred to America as a Christian nation. So that idea is not fantasy. It's not fiction. It's historical fact.

Whatever outcome the 2024 election brings, Jeffress offered the reminder that Jesus told His followers that while tribulation is a certainty in this world, so too is the ultimate victory of Christ and those who follow Him.

I would just remind people that although the world seems out of control from our vantage point, everything's running on schedule from God's point of view, he said. You know, Jesus was very honest in John 16:33. He said, In this world, you will have tribulation. Don't be surprised by it in this world, you're going to have tribulation, but then He added, Be of good courage, for I have overcome the world. Not only has Jesus overcome the world, but those of us who are His followers will also overcome in the end.

Jeffress comments on Christianity and politics were made last month at NRB's International Christian Media Convention, where Trump also spoke.

In his speech, Trump contended that the government under the Biden administration has grown hostile to Christians and vowed to address the issue with a special task force should he be elected in November.

"This time, the greatest threat is not from the outside of our country, I really believe this," he said. "It's from within. It's the people from within our country that are more dangerous than the people outside. We can handle China, we can handle Russia, we can handle all of them if you have a smart leader, but the inside people are very dangerous. They're very sick people, in my opinion; in many cases, they're sick."


Home News Trump, Kari Lake oppose Arizona abortion ruling while pro-life leaders praise it

Tuesday's decision from the Arizona Supreme Court allowing the state to outlaw elective abortions except in cases where the mother's life is in danger has prompted differing responses from pro-life leaders and former President Donald Trump.

The Arizona high court reversed a lower court ruling in a Tuesday decision and upheld a state law established in 1864, later reenacted in 1977 and re-affirmed in 2022, according to a summary of the case posted by the conservative legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom.

While many leaders in the pro-life movement praised the decision, Republican leaders like Donald Trump and Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake criticized the law enacted before Arizona was a state.

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 following pages highlight eight reactions to the Arizona Supreme Court's abortion ruling.
Home Opinion Traipsing in the cultural Christianity of Richard Dawkins

What is Cultural Christianity? It seems difficult to define without paradox. Can it be defined by the trends of a particular culture? How is Christian understood? A cultures thinking may provide answers but what makes them offer anything special to humankind? That seems to be the paradox: it offers a sense of Christian without it being Christian. Cultural Christianity can freely reinterpret the Christian faith to accommodate cultural trends, one today, another tomorrow, and yet another next week. So, what was the point of the worlds most famous atheist when he recently complained about the decline of cultural Christianity in the UK?

During Easter, Richard Dawkins said in an interview, I call myself a cultural Christian ... Im not a believer, but theres a distinction between being a believing Christian and a cultural Christian. And so, I love hymns and Christmas carols, and I sort of feel at home in the Christian ethos. The sobriety of Dawkins is commendable, and we certainly witness a tone far removed from the iconoclasm of The God Delusion. There definitely seems to be an experience of something about Christianity, and its intriguing to witness a staunch atheist speak of feelings towards the Christian ethos.

Dawkins seemed to embrace something about Christianity while declining belief in its actual faith. He mentioned that he loves hymns and Christmas carols. What does he love about them? Most lyrics are theological, Christological, and doxological. Does he have an inner feeling that desires Christian faith but is suppressed by empirical demands? The feeling to love hymns and Christmas carols is not uncommon for a human being. Is the sentiment compelled by believing Christianity and substituted by artificial exercises?

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, when Dawkins lamented the decline of cultural Christianity in the UK, what is the antidote that would benefit the UK if the trend reversed? I believe the cultural Christianity of Dawkins could pass as a tenet of Secular Humanism. Even a humanist could identify as a cultural Christian without accepting Christian faith. It becomes a preferred identity that could appreciate a moral ethos of love your neighbor teachings of Christianity and participate in an occasional hymn singing to get the feeling of something.

The real antidote for humankinds predicaments is what distinguishes a believing Christian, particularly belief in grace, repentance from sin, and regeneration. Jesus said, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture (John 10:9). This is the door that allows entrance into the home of Christianity. Through this door, a believer receives grace and experiences the joys of sins forgiven with a peaceful relationship with God. This is the real distinction. So then, I wonder what makes Dawkins believe that his identity as a cultural Christian should be preferred over that of a believing Christian?

As a believer, I submit that the Gospel is a hard message that makes everyone uncomfortable. It certainly can provoke antagonism from people. That is why believers are commanded to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt. 10:15). The Gospel is an all-or-nothing message. For a contemporary natural person, its simply not part of the cultural way of thinking. Yet the Gospel continues to invite people to experience the grace of God, and regeneration provides a substantially new manner of appreciating the Savior.

Humanity is the ultimate object of our interpretations of the Christian faith. Whatever question one asks about the Lord Jesus, the object of the answer will always be the human mind, heart, and will. This is why inquirers can become contrarian and often emotional, as answers provide implications that challenge lifestyles. Cultural Christianity can provide artificial fillers that suit ones preferences, but I believe its misleading and not a bona fide worldview.

To amplify the real distinction and eliminate paradox, a questioner should consider sympathetically what the High Priest of Christianity taught. What I mean by sympathetically is genuinely seeking to understand what Jesus Himself wanted humanity to know. A seeker can always disagree, but at least it will be an intelligent disagreement. The distinction between cultural Christianity and Christian faith should reveal a clear understanding of both so that people can decide intelligently.

Jesus began His ministry by uttering this initial directive, repent and believe in the Gospel (Mark 1:14). He then taught humankind that, the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matt. 7:13). This message shocks cultural thought, but makes people feel something about the Lord Jesus. As He said, The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe (John 6:63-64). A natural person considers the message but evaluates it as too counter-cultural, and not realistic to how modern people should live their lives. Nevertheless, the convictions are real and so is the call to repentance. Thus cultural thought embraces an appearance of godliness, but denying its power (2 Tim. 3:5).

Perhaps Cultural Christianity is not all meaningless, but I am still thinking about whether Dawkins has any common ground with the Christian faith. Would he feel comfortable standing around a piano at Christmas time with me and my believing Christian friends and singing, Joy to the World? Would he be open to joining a Bible study on the Sermon on the Mount with evangelical scholars? When someone says they feel at home with something there is usually some willingness to participate in that home. Nevertheless, I can appreciate these sentiments of Dawkins towards Christianity, even though his interpretation borrows what he likes but cant offer an antidote of his own.

Christian faith remains an intelligent worldview as it demonstrates competent engagement with reality and offers a unique antidote to humanitys predicaments, one which people of all socio-economic, educational, and political groups continue to experience. The grace of God is beautiful as it doesnt discriminate against anyone. The Gospel continues to prod people by the Spirit to enter the Door. This prodding is felt by many, but unfortunately, cultural thought often makes the decision for them and so they settle with cultural Christianity.
Scotland's destiny and the rewriting of history

"Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right." - George Orwell 1984

Orwell's 1984 is more and more sounding like a handbook for Western 'progressive' society in the UK. As a small example of this, take the re-opening last week of the 27 million refurbished museum in Perth, Scotland.

A friend of mine went along and was somewhat shocked to find the following.

The return of paganism

In Scotland, the land of the Enlightenment and the Reformation, the land of learning and science, the government are now sponsoring an exhibition which informs us as fact that, "The River Tay has always been Perth's main artery, shaping the land, providing food resources, and acting as a portal to the supernatural world" (under the heading 'Sacred Waters').

I lived beside the Tay for many years and had no idea that it could take me through the wardrobe into Narnia, or through the Looking Glass, or that it was a portal to another dimension! And none of the good people of Tayside ever thought that either. But the pagans who are re-writing Scottish history and culture don't care. Is it any wonder that so many Scottish children are scientifically illiterate if this is the nonsense that the government and local councils are teaching.

The exhibit goes on to talk about daggers and axes 'thought' to be used as offerings. When my friend asked about the Maori costume, they were told that some of the staff had got up at five in the morning to bless it, before the museum opened.

The demonisation of Christianity

There is one mention of John Knox preaching a sermon which was followed by a riot  but the plaque goes on to say, "Knox became an icon and objects associated with him became almost relic like." As an example of historical and theological illiteracy that is hard to beat. Knox's sermon was against idols and icons. The Scottish Reformation was opposed to idols and icons. There is no evidence at all that Knox was ever considered an icon.

Of course, the purpose of this is to rewrite history and to imply that Scotland's Reformation was really just a takeover by a cult  which thankfully we have now got rid of. Once the Calvinists are gone, we can get rid of the Catholics too  and return to the purity of our pagan past  where we happily portalled into other worlds ...

My friend decided to enquire why there was so little about Christianity in the museum - after all, Perth, Dundee and St Andrews were the heart of the Scottish Reformation. The response was revealing: "That was in the past  this is now. You've had 2,000 years to showcase Christianity."

Apart from the fact that a museum is supposed to showcase the past, and the historical ignorance of the staff member, what is even more shocking is the triumphalist attitude: we've taken over now! We will decolonise the past.

The National, the house newspaper of the Scottish National Party, went so far as to boast about this re-writing of history. "Perth Museum breaks a lot of new ground; it expands on the rewriting of so many wrongs much in need of rewriting and quite brilliantly shows off our much-cherished stone."

Of course, when Christianity goes you have to replace it with another religion. As well as the return to paganism and the Green religion, the third part of this new unholy trinity is the LGBTQI+ ideology. There is a whole floor given over to this. As the museum website explains, "Across four themed galleries, discover the unicorn's enduring presence throughout history and its role as a symbol of Scotland's changing heritage and identity, through iconic loans from around the world, interactive displays, and seven newly-commissioned artworks exploring the unicorn as a modern symbol of the LGBTQI+ community." They conveniently forget that the unicorn was chosen as Scotland's national animal at least partly because of its perceived 'masculinity'. But that's toxic now, so let's rewrite it to be a sexual symbol.

The colonisation of a museum by progressive imperialists who are determined to remake everything in their own image and rewrite history so that it fits their fantasies and current political and social ideologies is not confined to Perth Museum. This is happening all over Britain, funded by the governments (I wonder if the UK government knows that over 10 million of its money is being used to promote this kind of ideology).

Another example is brought to us by Pink News, who tell us that the Hastings Museum and Art gallery has an exhibition which shows that a pair of stuffed pheasants demonstrates 'queer' transgender behaviour in animals!

The Perth Museum has been rebuilt in order to house the famous Stone of Destiny  the stone on which Scotland's kings were crowned and which was recently returned from Westminster Abbey in 1996. But the museum is more about pushing a current progressive agenda than it is about giving an accurate account of Scotland's history.

As the parties of school pupils are shown round and taught the pagan, progressive, sexual ideology of today's cultural imperialists it may appear inevitable that this nightmare will be Scotland's destiny. Yet perhaps there is a sign in the Scottish Highlands which points to something different?

In 1827, in the small community of Glenmoriston, a preacher called Finlay Munro was preaching the word of God. He was receiving a great deal of abuse (he should be thankful  in today's Scotland he would be reported for hate speech!). Munro responded to this abuse by declaring that the very clay in which he stood would testify to the truth of his words and that his footprints would last until his hearers met their judgement, or according to some witnesses until the Day of Judgement. Almost 200 years later you can still visit Glenmoriston and see those footsteps.

Whether or not you believe that story, what is certain is that the Church in Scotland has been through far worse times and survived. That is why the symbol of the Church is the burning bush  'burning yet not consumed'. The politicians and ideologies of this world will fade away, but Christ is the One who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Long after the plaques on Perth Museum are gone and forgotten, the Word of God will continue. As Jesus promised, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35).

David Robertson is the minister of Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church in Newcastle, New South Wales. He blogs at The Wee Flea.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Shutterstock

A 300-year-old charity has been unable to access its banking services for three years, despite support from the Charity Commission.

Diane Semley, administrator at William Ashwins Charity, told Civil Society the charity has been unable to access its NatWest account for almost three years since the person who had been dealing with the bank died.

The charity, which has existed since 1724 and provides grants to the local community in Lincolnshire to help those experiencing poverty, appointed new trustees and then tried to regain access to its account.

Semley says that despite sending documentation to prove that those in touch with the bank are the current trustees, the charity still cannot access funds.

She added the charity was going to have to go down the legal route, which would cost the organisation further.

The Commission, which has provided assistance to the charity, called on all high-street banks to resolve the widespread problems in the way they engage with their charity customers.

Meanwhile, a NatWest spokesperson said: Apart from a mandate amendment request in June 2022, which was refused as the form wasnt signed by an existing trustee, we dont have any record of the charity contacting us about trouble accessing the account and have been unable to reach them to date.

We want to help the charity as soon as possible so encourage them to get in touch with us and we will resolve any issues as quickly as possible.

4,000 stuck in the bank

William Ashwins Charity was told it needed to send a deed of governance, which the Commission advised was an extract of a will from 1724, to the bank, which Semley said it did.

Despite the charity regulator supporting the charity, the bank has not accepted the documents.

Semley said: Theyre disputing that and I cant give them any details of signatories, because we dont know the signatories.

So, weve now had a charity that weve not been able to administer financially for three years, because we cannot access the bank.

Semley said her charity was stuck in the middle between the Commission and NatWest.

Its just become a bit of a mess. Ive been tearing my hair out; we are having to go down another route which is to create what we call a statement of truth with a solicitor which is a cost to the charity.

William Ashwins Charity rents some land out, and the person who rents the land has been putting money into the bank, but the charity cannot operate the bank account.

Semley said the charity has been prevented from using the money stuck in its bank account to help its local community.

I think weve got about 4,000 in the bank. So were not a big, big mega charity. Were a tiny little charity that just wants to do a little bit of good for people in the village.

It is a frustrating situation, and one that I dont think the banks should be empowered to put anybody under.

Commission: Trustees should not have to face unnecessary obstacles

Semley said the Commission has been brilliant and told her you are not the only one, there are others in your position, which are often other older charities.

Sam Jackson, assistant director of policy at the Commission, said: Charity trustees, who give their free time to serve society, should not have to face unnecessary obstacles to managing charity money.

It can make a challenging time even more difficult for trustees, as the experience of William Ashwins charity illustrates.

William Ashwins Charity has existed in some form since 1724  and is an example of the long tradition of charitable spirit in the UK.

This spirit of goodwill should be nurtured and supported which is why we continue to press this matter and continue to engage with the Financial Conduct Authority, high-street banks and UK Finance.

The charity regulator recently criticised the banking sectors response to its calls for improvements, after 42% of trustees reported experiencing bad service.

Its survey found 6% of respondents had experienced account freezes or being blocked, while 7% said their bank had lost their records.
Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter.

This past weekend, the Brown Institute at Columbia and Hacks/Hackers, a nonprofit, put on a three-day event called the Open Source AI Hackathon. The idea, according to Burt Herman, the board chair of Hacks/Hackers and one of the founders of the organization, was to get journalists and coders into a room to talk about what they could build together. There were students, reporters, engineers, and AI-curious participants of different stripes. Some came with specific ideas about things they wanted to build. Others just wanted to find people with complementary skill sets and learn about building tools with AI.

Much has been made of the impact that AI-powered technologies could have (and, in some cases, are already having) on newsrooms. The technology has raised concerns among journalists about whether text-generating machines could produceor at least passably mimicwhat human professionals do. But there is something different about the challenge for the news media, an industry already casting around for any kind of foothold. The thesis of the Hackathon was that large-language-model tools actually have many potential applications in journalism. Broadly, the projects fell into two categories: those exploring the ways AI can be used as a journalistic or investigative tool and those experimenting with new ways of delivering media to consumers.

Technology is how people consume media, Herman said. In some ways, were still basically printing paper on the internetwriting x thousand words and putting it on a page. Theres a place for that kind of traditional journalism, he said, but there are so many more possibilities. I think about how many more things we can do now, because you have this device thats interactive.

The event was capped at around a hundred participants because of limited space. On Friday, they gathered for dinner and a pitch session at the Brown Institute, housed within the Columbia Journalism School in a room with long wooden tables and an elaborate AV setup. Over dumplings, they heard project proposals: a bot to monitor the agenda at local council meetings, so as to flag newsworthy items; data visualization for mapping influencer networks; a system to read story drafts and identify potential gaps in reporting.

The next day, participants sorted into teams and got to work. Available for consultation were a handful of engineers from two additional cosponsors, Hugging Face and Codingscape, companies whose models could be used by participants in their tinkering. This, along with the opportunity to find collaborators, seemed to be the main appeal of the event. There was no competitive element and no prize money; there was ample food (though the coffee ran out quickly).

In the back corner of one of the rooms used for the Hackathon, I met Melanie Evans, a veteran reporter who writes about hospitals and healthcare for the Wall Street Journal. Because her work so often intersects with data, Evans had become interested in the use of computational tools in journalism. She set up a Google Alert for Hacks/Hackers and learned about the Hackathon that way.

When I sat down with her group, Evans was doing some programming practice exercises on her laptop while the more experienced coders on her team worked intently on the tool they had designed together. Her part, Evans explained, had been helping the team think through how their idea could be most useful to a working journalist like her. Evanss research often involves poring over complicated academic studies. Sometimes she doesnt know whether a paper is relevant or useful until she has already spent significant time reading it. So the group decided to build a tool that could produce article summaries, with language customized to a particular journalists level of understanding of the topic at hand. The tool would also help surface studies based on newsworthiness, which Evans had helped the group define: Is a given study novel? Does it have the potential to affect a large number of people? Is it cited frequently by other studies? Does it reference wrongdoing or offer a viable solution to a problem?

Sign up for CJRs daily email

Amina Mehti, a soft-spoken but enthusiastic member of the team, explained that one of the technical challenges of building this kind of tool is teaching it to detect cues about these parameters. Mehti, twenty-three, is currently pursuing her MFA in design and technology at Parsons. She and a classmate joined the Hackathon after hearing about it in an email from a professor. One of the things that excites her about large language models is that they can remove barriers for people with fewer technical skills by making it possible to give commands in plain English. Mehti can code, but she said that these days you can do a lot just by understanding the logic involved in giving commands to a computer. An application like ChatGPT, Mehti explained, can help take care of the syntax, allowing her to focus on the more creative aspects of a project. Im a designer, she said. Im more of a thinker and strategist. I look at the functionality of the code that were building.

This was a sentiment I heard often throughout the weekend: that large language models make programming more accessible. I mentioned to the team that Mark Hansen, director of the East Coast branch of the Brown Institute (the West Coast outfit being at the Stanford School of Engineering), was teaching students in his computational journalism class to use ChatGPT to help them write code.

My heart sank a little when you said that, said Evans, her practice exercises still open on the screen. Im really enjoying learning to code. It feels like the end of an era, though also the beginning of a new one.

There is, of course, still value in technical skills, as evidenced by the tremendous amount of coding that needed to happen to bring the teams program to life. But Mehti believes AI will continue to chip away at the more mundane aspects of the process, which is why she sees so much promise in the technology. It gives you the freedom to do the things that people do best and machines could never do, she said. Like imagination, creativity, and innovation.

Like Mehti, many attendees of the Hackathon seemed rather bored by the idea that AI would be another nail in the coffin of journalism. Sure, Mehti conceded, it can be used in inappropriate ways. A machines fundamental nature is very binary and calculative, she said. It cant substitute emotionality, which is so fluid. That doesnt mean, however, that the technology is fundamentally threatening. I think that the best applications of AI are to replace the robotic parts of human life.

Within limits! Eric Grachev, a recent computer science graduate from CUNY Hunter College and another member of the team, chimed in.

After the Hackathon, I asked Hansen and Herman about the open-source models many of the participants used to build their tools. Open source means users have direct access to the code, which allows them to run it on their own machines and, to some degree, to make customizations.

When you make that precious FOIA request, and that bundle of documents comes back, the first thing you dont want to do is give them away to somebody else, Hansen said, using the acronym for the Freedom of Information Act. He explained that using tools through companies like OpenAI requires journalists to upload potentially sensitive documents to a third-party server. Being able to run a model on your own means that you dont have to give your data away, he said.

According to Herman, another advantage of open-source AI is that it allows transparency into, and some control over, how the model youre using is trained. You know what data is used, he said. Not only does this offer insight into whether a model is suited for a particular taskit aligns with the ethos of journalism, Herman said. Were not working in secret.

But there is another reason to empower individuals to develop the tech themselves, according to Hansen. The capacity to evolve a model and the capacity to tailor it means that there are more players than just the super-big companies, he said. And I think that its important that theres somebody else setting expectations.



Other notable stories:



Yesterday, The Free Press, a site founded by the former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss, published an essay that excoriated NPR for moving to the left and abandoning curiosity and viewpoint diversity in its newsroom in recent years, singling out the broadcasters reporting on the Mueller probe, Hunter Bidens laptop, and the origins of the pandemic for particular criticism. If the essay wasnt surprising, the identity of its author was: Uri Berliner, who works as a senior editor on NPRs business desk. In response, Edith Chapin, the broadcasters top news executive, strongly defended its output, while several NPR journalists questioned whether they can trust Berliner going forward given his recounting of private editorial conversations. NPRs David Folkenflik has more.

In related news, the media reporter Paul Farhi notes that NewsGuard, a company that rates the credibility of news organizations, has downgraded its score for the Times, which used to be perfect. NewsGuard still considers the Times to be generally credible but no longer believes that it meets the companys standards for separating news and opinion, arguing that the paper frequently publishes opinionated content in its news section without flagging it as such, that derision of Trump courses through basic news stories, and that an impression of partisanship lingers, especially among conservatives. Farhi has more details in a thread on X, which you can find here.

In media-jobs news, Fortune appointed Anastasia Nyrkovskaya as its chief executive, making her the first woman ever to run the publication. Elsewhere, Axios reports that Campbell Brown, a former news anchor who previously oversaw partnerships with news organizations at Facebook, will be a senior adviser to Tollbit, a startup that aims to broker deals between media outlets and AI companies. Axios also reports that Puck has acquired Artelligence, Marion Manekers newsletter on the global art market, from Substackthe first time Puck has bought a newsletter rather than building one itself.

Yesterday, Robinhood, a financial-services company that operates a trading platform, launched Sherwood News, a new media outlet, led by the veteran journalist Joshua Topolsky, that will operate independently of Robinhood and cover a range of financial and cultural subjects. Topolsky sees a market opportunity for a news brand to cover business in social mediafirst formats and a voice native to a younger generation of investors, Sara Fischer reports for Axios. The site already has some three dozen staffers.

And the Daily Beasts Roger Sollenberger and Mini Racker report that Texas senator Ted Cruz, who is up for reelection this year, appears to have turned a super PAC supporting him into a media company by affiliating it with a podcast he hosts in partnership with iHeartMedia. Campaign finance experts have raised questions about the arrangement, the Beast reports, noting that Cruz is a notorious Federal Election Commission troll.

ICYMI: #FreeAlsu

Correction: The names of Hugging Face and Codingscape have been corrected.

Yona TR Golding was a CJR fellow.
Norfolk Southern Corp. said it will pay $600 million to settle a proposed class action lawsuit targeting the rail company over the 2023 train derailment in Ohio that spilled more than 1 million gallons of toxic chemicals and sickened residents, according to court filings.

Officials of Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern said Tuesday they agreed to resolve consolidated legal claims pressed by as many as 500,000 residents, property owners and businesses in the East Palestine, Ohio, area over the disaster.

Top photo: This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire at mid-day Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar).

Related:

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
Autonomous vehicle deployment in the U.S. will lead to the creation of more than 114,000 jobs over the next 15 years to meet production, distribution, maintenance, upgrades and repair needs, a new report by a tech-industry policy coalition shows.

The report from Chamber of Progress, which refers to itself as a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technologys progressive future, forecasts the number and types of jobs the AV industry will create.

The report states that up to 455,000 workers could be employed in an optimistic scenario, finding that for every 1,000 autonomous vehicles produced and deployed annually, roughly 190 workers will be needed for manufacturing and servicing these vehicles.

The report was developed by Steer, a consultancy that combines commercial, economic, technical, and planning expertise, and Fourth Economy, a national strategy firm focused on community and economic development.

The report found that AV-related jobs will be high-paying and accessible to workers without a college degree, with 82% of AV workers overall and 59% of those without a college degree earning more than the national median wage.

Other findings in the report include:

In a moderate economic scenario, the report anticipates the deployment of 9 million autonomous vehicles over the next 15 years, with 114,000 jobs created.

In an optimistic scenario, the report forecasts deployment of 36 million AVs deployed over the next 15 years with 455,000 jobs created.

AVs can support the resiliency of the US auto industry where it is strong today and create new centers for AV-related jobs in places with strong tech sectors.

To take advantage of AV economic and job opportunities, the US must encourage further technology development, increase capital investment, and establish a favorable regulatory framework.

Top photo: In this Jan. 16, 2019, file photo, Cruise AV, General Motors autonomous electric Bolt EV is displayed in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File).
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Officers checked on a man walking along the southbound lanes of Interstate 271 around 8 a.m. April 7 and learned that his vehicle had run out of gas.

They identified him and found that he had a warrant out of Fairport Harbor. They arranged to turn him over to officers from that city.

Upon checking the man for weapons, they discovered a film canister containing a white, powdery, crystal substance.

The meeting with Fairport Harbor police was put on hold while the Willoughby man, 46, was arrested and returned to the Highland Heights police station for booking.

After that, he was turned over to a Fairport Harbor officer at a central meeting location.

The suspected drugs were sent for testing, with possible drug charges pending.

Read more news from the Sun Messenger.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Cleveland is one of 14 cities suing the state of Ohio over a state ban that prohibits local tobacco regulations.

The suit, filed Tuesday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, argues the state ban is unconstitutional, because it treads on home-rule powers granted to Ohio cities by the state Constitution.

This lawsuit represents a united front in standing up for what is morally right and is an imperative next step to ensure that we are prioritizing the health of Ohioans above profits for the tobacco industry, Mayor Justin Bibb said in a statement. We cannot and will not remain silent.

At issue is a new state law that prohibits local governments, like Cleveland, from enacting tobacco policies that are stricter than those of the state. Gov. Mike DeWine had vetoed the law, characterizing it as a win for big tobacco. But state lawmakers overrode his veto in January and moved forward with the ban, which is set to go into effect in two weeks.

The city of Columbus -- which has a local law on the books that prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products -- led the charge on the lawsuit. Cleveland and Cincinnati joined in as plaintiffs, as did smaller Ohio cities like Dublin, Bexley and Oxford.

The suit seeks a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to stop the state ban from going into effect, said Cleveland Director of Public Health Dave Margolius.

The number one leading cause of preventable death in our community is tobacco. Our smoking rate is 35%, compared to the national average of 11%. And because the state passed a pre-emption, our hands are tied in our ability to help people in our community quit smoking, Margolius said.

The lawsuit argues that the existence of the state ban has chilled any further action by City Council on Bibbs proposed law.

While it appears City Council is not open to passing such a ban, Margolius said some council members may have some appetite to pass a different provision of the proposed law that would give the health department more ability to inspect local tobacco retailers, and enforce age restrictions for tobacco buyers.

The state ban threatens those potential regulations in Cleveland, and others that are already in effect, Margolius said.

The complaint lists at least seven current regulations in Cleveland that could be affected by the state ban, such as laws that prohibit smoking on city property, and giving tobacco products to children.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Three national groups have filed a Title IX complaint with the U.S. Department of Education against Ohio State University, claiming the school has not done enough to address incidents of antisemitism on its campus.

The Anti-Defamation League, StandWithUs and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law made the filing Tuesday with offices for the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights in Washington, D.C., and Cleveland.

OSU has contributed to a hostile climate for Jewish and Israeli students through inconsistent or deliberate inaction, refusal to enforce its own policies, dismissiveness toward Jewish students concerns, and at times unequal treatment of its Jewish and Israeli students as compared with other minority groups on campus, says the complaint. As a result, Jewish students have been deprived of the ability to fully and equally participate in the educational opportunities available to other OSU students.

The complaint say 73% of college students in the U.S. have witnessed or been victims of antisemitism since the beginning of the school year, according to a survey released in March by the ADL and Hillel International. It says the war in the Gaza Strip, which started with Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, has led to increased harassment.

Since Oct. 7, antisemitism on and around OSUs campus has run the gamut, including: outright physical assault of Jewish students; antisemitic and threatening graffiti in classrooms and other university facilities; disruption of classrooms, walkway and library spaces; removal of posters and photos of kidnapped Israelis; and antisemitic verbal taunts and threats directed at individual OSU Jewish students, the complaint says.

In a statement released to the Columbus Dispatch, university spokesman Ben Johnson said Ohio State has never  and will never  tolerate discrimination or harassment of anyone based on their religious beliefs, nationality or identity.

WCMH Channel 4 reports that Ohio State officials said in a letter to StandWithUs that the complaint did not accurately describe the universitys response to antisemitic incidents. OSU has been focused on supporting members of our university community since the Oct. 7 attacks, the letter reportedly says.

The U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights opened a Title VI investigation on Ohio State on Jan. 16 after the agency received a complaint that the university did not respond to incidents of harassment involving Jewish students in the fall.

The most recent filing is asking for mediation in regard to the groups complaints. It also wants the Office of Civil Rights to have Ohio State take several actions, including issuing a statement condemning antisemitic hostility on campus, increasing security measures for Jewish and Israeli students, and providing mandatory antisemitism training to university administrators, faculty, students and staff.
KANSAS CITY, Missouri  A fearless mountain goat named Jeffrey is safely on the ground after it got stuck on the supports under a bridge about 80 feet above the ground.

The rescue of the goat managed to capture the attention of people watching from below, stealing some of the thunder from Mondays solar eclipse.

Move over solar eclipse, theres a new star in town and its not a Hollywood celeb or a viral TikTok sensation its a daring goat from Kansas City! KC Pet Project writes in a social media post on the rescue. KC Pet Project is a nonprofit that handles animal control for the city and operates shelters.

This guys got more moves than Jagger and more daring escapades than a spy movie. But fear not, folks, our caprine hero is safe and sound today, all thanks to the valiant efforts of a small army of rescuers.

The post says the goat managed to climb up the bridges platforms before it reached an oh no point, where it got stuck.

Hoping to guide it to safety, a driver managed to get a rope around the goats neck, but that only added to the danger, Tori Fugate of KC Pet Project tells the Associated Press. When firefighters tried to rappel over the side of the bridge to capture the goat, he spooked and tried to jump to the next platform. But his hooves slipped and the rope caught, causing the goat to hang from his neck, not moving.

Firefighters managed to undo a snag in the rope, creating slack in the line. The goat then fell as much as 15 feet to the ground, landing in a spot where crews had added padding in an attempt to soften the impact, Fugate said.

This photo provided by the KC Pet Project shows a goat after it was rescued from a bridge Monday in Kansas City, Mo.(Tori Fugate, KC Pet Project via AP)

A waiting veterinarian sedated the goat and crews carried him in a sling to the top of a rocky hill, where firefighters gave him oxygen. Jeffrey survived the fall without serious injuries.

Despite his brush with danger, Jeffreys bouncing back like a champ, the post says. Right now hes living the high life  rolling in the hay and soaking up the sunshine in our luxurious livestock barn.

The group is hoping to reunite Jeffrey with his owners, the post says. He was brought to the shelter in March and was adopted, but quickly escaped when he jumped a fence. KC Pet Project says the family that originally owned Jeffrey recognized him from TV coverage and has contacted the shelter, saying he had been missing since February.
ORIENT, Ohio  A lieutenant with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction who recently was named employee of the year died Tuesday when he was shot during a training exercise at a firing range in Pickaway County, reports say.

Lt. Rodney Osborne, who had worked with ODRC for 13 years at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Scioto County, died in the shooting just before 11:30 a.m. at the Corrections Training Academy, WCMH Channel 4 reports. Last month, Osborne was named employee of the year at the prison.

The incident appears to be a tragic accident but is being investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith in a statement to the Columbus Dispatch.

The patrol and the ODRC did not release additional details on the shooting, according to reports.

We ask that you keep Lt. Osbornes wife, children, loved ones, and team members in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, ODRC wrote in a statement to WBNS Channel 10.

Osborne was part of the prisons honor guard and a member of the special response team and the statewide special tactics and response team, WBNS reports.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  State authorities are investigating the shooting death of a prison guard during a training exercise Tuesday, an incident that authorities called a tragic accident.

Lt. Rodney Osborne died at the firing range at the Correctional Training Academy in Orient, south of Columbus. He had been accidentally shot in the chest, according to 911 callers. Officials, however, would not discuss the circumstances.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Gov. Mike DeWine says that Ohio K-12 schools should ban or at least limit in-school smart phone use by students, and is throwing his support behind a legislative push aimed at the issue.

DeWine said Wednesday he supports a new law thats being developed by a Republican state senator that would require schools to develop policies aimed at limiting in-school phone use by students. The details arent yet available, but DeWine said school districts would be required to make these policies available to the community.

Beyond a state law though, DeWine said school districts, which are locally controlled, should ban cell phone use during school hours. He praised those that have already done so.

These phones are detrimental to learning, DeWine said. They are detrimental to our kids mental health and they need to be removed from the classroom.

DeWine brought up phone use by students during his annual State of the State address on Wednesday, delivered in the Ohio House chamber in Columbus in front of the state General Assembly, state elected officials, cabinet members and Ohio Supreme Court justices.

The annual address provides an opportunity for governors to tout their achievements while rolling out new initiatives and law changes. DeWines address on Wednesday was no different.

DeWines new initiatives included a variety of efforts targeted at helping children and families, a signature legislative focus for the governor. Among them were a new pilot program aimed at reducing infant mortality by assigning nurses to visit mothers who recently gave birth, and a program through which the state Medicaid department, the healthcare program for the poor and disabled, would work with childrens hospitals to target helping children with asthma and sickle-cell disease, two maladies that disproportionately affect African-Americans.

One notable proposal called for making state subsidies available to help poor families pay for childcare for their children. DeWine said families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level, or about $60,000 annually for a family of four, would be eligible for what he called the Childcare Choice Voucher Program. He didnt share details, such as what the value of the vouchers would be, but said it would help up to 8,000 children. He also said his administration will reallocate $85 million in federal funding to help childcare centers expand or update their facilities.

By doing all of these things, we will help more families. Businesses will find more workers. And, Ohios economy will thrive, DeWine said.

DeWine also called renewed attention to some outstanding issues, including calling on state legislators to ban Delta 8  an alternative to marijuana thats emerged in legal grey area created by the federal law change meant to encourage hemp production, and to take action to revise the recreational marijuana law voters approved in November.

DeWine also renewed his call for lawmakers to make the failure to wear a seatbelt a primary offense, meaning police officers could pull someone over for that reason alone, rather than citing them after pulling them over for something else.

Something notable from DeWines speech was a topic he didnt mention: passing new restrictions on guns or otherwise strengthening gun-related laws. The governor called for a package of gun reforms in 2019 following a mass shooting in Dayton, but the proposals have stalled in the Republican-controlled legislature. DeWines only reference to gun violence Wednesday was his touting of a state program through which hes made state resources available to communities dealing with gun violence.

We cannot talk about the health of children without talking about gun violence, DeWine said.

Democrats keyed in on DeWines lack of focus on gun violence in their comments to reporters following the governors speech.

I appreciate the governors focus on children in the State of the State, said House Minority Leader Allison Russo, an Upper Arlington Democrat. But what Im supremely disappointed in is this. The number-one killer of children in this state and in this country is guns. And the governor spent less than one minute talking about gun violence.

Governor focuses on social media, smart phones

A highlight from DeWines speech was his focus on the effects of cell phone use by children. The governors spotlighting of the issue is an assist to Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, a Republican who has used the issue to raise his profile as he lays the groundwork to become governor when DeWine leaves at the end of 2026 due to term limits.

In his speech, DeWine referred to the push by Husted and his wife, Ohio Second Lady Tina Husted, as a crusade and urged lawmakers to give them a round of applause. He also referenced a recent visit he and Husted made to a school in suburban Columbus where school administrators from around the state gathered to share what they described as successful policies limiting phone use.

We need to go after the social media companies that are targeting our kids, addicting them and then monetizing that addiction. What they are doing is shameful, DeWine said.

State Sen. Andrew Brenner, the Republican lawmaker working on the school cell-phone use proposal, said in an interview following DeWines speech that his bill will be coming out soon. He said it will include model legislation that will be developed by the Department of Education and Workforce, an agency under the governors office, but ultimately will allow schools to come up with their own policies.

He said the flexibility is meant to address any concerns about local control, since K-12 school districts in Ohio are controlled by local elected representatives. He said the law also is being designed with concerns about students having access to their phones in case a safety issue comes up.

They may have access to their phones, but they may not be able to use their phones, Brenner said. Thats part of what weve been working on.

DeWines backing of increased restrictions on student cell phone use comes months after the state legislature passed a law banning those 16 and younger from signing up for social media accounts without permission from a parent or legal guardian. A federal judge temporarily blocked the law from going into effect in February while a lawsuit brought by a trade association of social media platforms like Meta, X, Pinterest, Snapchat and TikTok plays out in court.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley of the Southern District of Ohio said the law restricted students and the companies First Amendment rights, disagreeing with arguments from state lawyers that it merely regulated commercial activity.

DeWine said Wednesday that the legislature should come up with a new law that addresses some of Marbleys concerns.

Lets take the lessons we are learning from court rulings across our country and develop a plan for Ohio that can be a blueprint for putting parents  not social media companies  back in charge of the digital lives of their children, DeWine said.

DeWine tries again on flavored tobacco

On Wednesday, DeWine made a repeat attempt at another issue where hes been out of step with the Republican-controlled legislature: banning flavored tobacco products, which the governor said are targeted toward addicting children.

GOP lawmakers recently overturned a DeWine veto of a bill that bars communities from banning sale of flavored tobacco products within their city limits. One of the arguments cited by supporters of the bill is that allowing cities to create their own regulations makes things too complicated for businesses that operate in different places.

So, DeWine on Wednesday proposed a statewide ban. The proposal came the same day that cities, including Cleveland, sued the state over the law, citing home-rule powers that cities are supposed to have in Ohios constitution.

Afterward, House Speaker Jason Stephens, a Lawrence County Republican, still didnt seem enthused about the idea. He said lawmakers have been discussing the issue for months, including a House veto override vote in December, and indicated the issue comes down to personal responsibility that adults have to make their own choices.

I think its very clear where the General Assembly stands, Stephens said.

Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer
COLUMBUS, Ohio  State regulators could approve the first round of recreational marijuana dispensaries within days of receiving applications, allowing the businesses to open their doors in early-to-mid-June, said state Rep. Jamie Callender, a Lake County Republican.

However, a spokesman for the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control didnt promise dispensaries by June. The initiated statute gives the division until Sept. 7 to award licenses.

Callender is specifically talking about the roughly 130 licensed medical marijuana dispensaries that are allowed to apply for dual-use licenses to also serve Ohioans aged 21 and older under the initiated statute that Ohio voters passed in November.

Callender said the approval wont take long because the medical dispensaries already comply with state specifications, such as rules about the businesses staying at least 500 feet from churches and schools, and their owners previously passed state inspections and demonstrated that they can comply with other Ohio marijuana laws and rules.

The dual-use application is going to be very simple because all the tougher parts were done when they got their medical licenses, said Callender, a longtime proponent of regulated, legal cannabis. They already have a brick-and-mortar facility. They already proved the financial ability (state rules require owners to demonstrate they have the finances to start a business.) Theyve gotten through all the local zoning.

Callender plays a key role in the regulation of recreational marijuana. The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control is creating rules for the adult-use program, and Callender chairs a committee that reviews the rules. He said he regularly talks with Jim Canepa, the supervisor of the Division of Cannabis.

READ MORE: Ohio recreational marijuana: Proposed rules would expand dispensary hours, OK internet order-ahead, self-serve kiosks, drive-throughs

Callenders committee is expected to approve several rules packages submitted by the Division of Cannabis Control at its May 9 meeting, including rules about dual-use licenses, he said.

The Division of Cannabis Control has proposed rules that would require it to have the applications for dual-use licenses published online no later than June 7.

But Callender notes that June 7 is a deadline. The division could put the applications online earlier, after Callenders committee OKs them, he said.

James Crawford, a spokesman for the Division of Cannabis Control, reiterated that the dual-use permit applications will be available to licensees no later than June 7.

It would be inappropriate for us to engage in hypotheticals as it relates to what the final timeline might look like, since it could be accelerated in the event of legislative action, Crawford said in an email. Its important to emphasize the DeWine Administration has endorsed proposed legislation that would make non-medical adult-use cannabis legal in medical dispensaries as soon as it can take effect, even if it were to occur prior to the timeline stated in the voter-initiated statute.

When the state was standing up the medical marijuana program, regulators blew the deadline to have the program operational due to scoring of applications and awarding licenses. Callender said that today, times are different.

Callender noted that Gov. Mike DeWine has previously called on the legislature to pass a law to stand up parts of the program faster than what the initiated statute requires. Since possession of marijuana is legal, hes concerned about the black market taking off before state-regulated businesses open their doors for recreational customers.

Laura Hancock covers state government and politics for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  FirstEnergy Corp., at the onset of what would become one of the biggest public corruption schemes in state history, gave a $1 million dark money contribution to a nonprofit backing Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, new records show.

The contribution, which has not previously been reported, came from the company in 2017 to Freedom Frontier, a political 501(c)(4) nonprofit that can accept unlimited funds from corporations without disclosing the source. FirstEnergys internal records classify the payment as for the Husted campaign. In 2017, Husted was a top contender for the Republican nomination to become Ohio governor before he agreed to the join the ticket of now-Gov. Mike DeWine. The move avoided an expensive GOP primary, cemented their front-runner status and gave the pair a formidable war chest.
Rotunda Rumblings

Cantidate? President Joe Bidens potential disqualification from Ohios general election ballot this year, if it happens, would be the first time in modern history that a major-party presidential nominee has been unintentionally excluded from any states ballot, writes Jeremy Pelzer. However, the technicality that could trip up Biden is not new: its been flagged in Ohio and nationwide as a potential problem for years.

Randazzo dead: The states former top utility regulator, accused of taking a $4.3 million bribe from FirstEnergy, has been found dead. Jake Zuckerman reports that Sam Randazzo, the ex-chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, was found by police unresponsive just before noon Tuesday at a Columbus property. A Franklin County Coroner spokesman described it is a suspected death by suicide that will be confirmed via autopsy.

Speech time: Gov. Mike DeWine is set to deliver his annual State of the State address today. Per Andrew Tobias, the speech is set to begin at 12 p.m. in the Ohio House chamber. DeWine has flatly declined to offer a preview of what he might say, but governors typically use the occasion to recap their achievements from the previous year and to roll out new initiatives.

Trump punts: A spokesperson for Republican Ohio U.S. Senate nominee Bernie Moreno said his position on abortion is unchanged after ex-President Donald Trump said Monday that it should be left to the states to deal with. Per Tobias, Moreno called for national legislation banning abortion 15 weeks into pregnancy during his campaign for the Senate GOP nomination, but a spokesperson pointed out that Moreno also has said abortion should be largely left up to the states. The development is the latest example of Republicans trying to find a stance on abortion thats politically palatable ahead of the November election.

Return to sender: A pension plan with a large Ohio presence that got $36 billion in American Rescue Plan money to prevent drastic pension cuts to more than 350,000 union workers and retirees has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the Justice Department to repay almost $127 million it got in relief overpayments, Sabrina Eaton writes. Republican members of Congress were pressing the Central States Pension Fund, which is primarily made up of Teamsters union members and retirees, to repay the extra relief money that was mistakenly sent to bolster pensions of at least 3,479 deceased participants.

Off the rails: Norfolk Southern has agreed to pay $600 million in a settlement over the train derailment in East Palestine that spilled toxic chemicals across the city, writes Adam Ferrise. U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson in Youngstown must sign off on the proposed agreement before it goes into effect. Both the train company and plaintiffs attorneys asked the judge to approve the deal. The settlement, filed in federal court on Tuesday, would resolve claims by businesses within a 20-mile radius over the derailment site and personal injury claims by residents who live within a 10-mile radius.

Numbers game: U.S. Sen. J.D. Vances assertion that much of the job growth from the Biden administration has gone to the foreign-born, many of whom are illegal aliens came under fire in an analysis by The Washington Post, which branded the Cincinnati Republicans statements deceptive. It pointed out that foreign born people are overrepresented in the workforce relative to their total population because around 58% of the native-born population is working-age compared with more than 75% of the foreign-born population. If you didnt have people coming to our country, the United States would lack the workers we need to fill jobs and pay into systems required to support Americas retirees, it said.

For the birds: The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by South Russell Republican Rep. Dave Joyce called the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023 which would reauthorize a program that has provided nearly $75 million since 2002 to support bird conservation. Americans from across the country come to Ohio to see the states diverse and expansive migratory bird population, said a statement from Joyce.

Sound and fury: U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, the Champaign County Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee on Monday denounced the Justice Department for refusing to turn over audio files of President Joe Bidens interviews with the special counsel who examined Bidens mishandling of classified documents. The Justice Department said it already provided all of the information sought in a congressional subpoena, including transcribed interviews from Special Counsel Robert Hurs investigation. and suggested the committee wanted the audio files for political reasons. Jordan denied that, telling Fox News you can get more from that than you can just the transcript alone. House Republicans have warned they could hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress if the Justice Department doesnt provide the information they want.

Fact check: Spectrum Newss Taylor Popeilarz reports that auto dealers that Moreno previously owned sold a Buick SUV model manufactured in China, despite the Republican Senate nominee touting his refusal to do so during campaign appearances. The issue has to do with the Buick Envision, which Morenos dealerships promoted and sold from 2014 until 2019. A campaign spokesperson said Moreno stopped selling the vehicles after General Motors closed its plant in Lordstown in March 2019, although the article posted a social media post from a Moreno dealership promoting the sale of an Envision the following June. Moreno has not previously offered that explanation when describing the issue, Popeilarz reported.

Lobbying Lineup

Five organizations lobbying on House Bill 70, which requires public and private schools to adopt policies on the dispensing of over-the-counter drugs, who is allowed to dispense them and whether parents need to give permission before their children receive them.

1. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, also known as PhRMA

2. Ohio Association of School Business Officials

3. Alliance for High Quality Education Consortium of School Districts

4. Cincinnati Public Schools

5. Horizon Therapeutics

On the Move

Rachel Selby has been hired as executive director for Ohio Kids First, a political nonprofit focused on policy issues regarding children and families. Selby, a Republican candidate for a Dayton-area state Senate seat in 2020, previously worked as a fundraiser for Dayton Childrens Hospital and as state liaison for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Youth and Family Ombudsmen Office.

Terry Holecek began Tuesday as the new superintendent at the Ohio Veterans Homes, which runs facilities in Sandusky and Georgetown in Brown County. He replaces Ross Matlack, resigned for other opportunities.

Straight from the Source

The real state of the state here in Ohio is that theres a lot of dysfunction in this general assembly because of political infighting amongst the majority party. ...So we end up with not a lot of productivity in terms of the things that need to get passed, and instead we get a lot of things that shouldnt be passed.

-State Rep. Allison Russo, a Columbus-area Democrat and leader of the Ohio House Democrats, on Tuesday during a press conference ahead of Gov. Mike DeWines official State of the State speech Wednesday.

Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government.

Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Gov. Mike DeWine will address state lawmakers on Wednesday in his 2024 State of the State.

The speech is scheduled to begin at noon before a joint-session of the Ohio House and Senate at the Ohio Statehouse. You can watch it here live via the Ohio Channel.

The annual speech is a chance for the governor to lay out policy priorities for the year ahead. DeWine, a Republican, hasnt offered any hints about what he plans to cover in his speech, but last year included several policy priorities related to education, children and families.

Advancing those priorities, however, could be a challenge as lawmakers barrel toward an election and as Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens is locked in a cold war with Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman over control of the House in 2025. Last year, most policy making was done in the biennial state operating budget  a statutorily required bill that wont be on the table again until next year.

Check back after the speech to read Cleveland.coms coverage.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Exclusionary discipline, or out-of-school suspensions and expulsions, is a form of punishment linked to increased rates of incarceration, according to public health experts. At Childrens Defense Fund-Ohio, we call this concept the community-to-prison pipeline. Unfortunately, our newest report, The 2024 State of School Discipline in Ohio finds that pipeline is being disproportionately fueled in our state with students who are Black, economically disadvantaged, and disabled. We believe now is the time to turn the spigot off and shut down the flow to that line once and for all.

We analyzed data from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights to construct our report. We learned, in Ohio, during the 2022-2023 school year, out-of-school suspensions and expulsions rose in every grade level compared to the previous school year. Students who are economically disadvantaged comprised 83% of all out-of-school suspensions imposed in Ohio public schools during the same period. And Black females in Ohio were also six times more likely to receive out-of-school suspensions than their white female peers, while Black males were 4.3 times more likely to be suspended or expelled compared to their white male counterparts.

So, how did we get here? Well, the coronavirus pandemic poured fuel on a fire already raging in our state.

Systemic community disinvestment, where a childs ZIP code significantly influences the opportunities available to them, has perpetuated generational poverty and opportunity gaps across Ohio. Meanwhile, a loss of social skills and increased mental health challenges caused by extended periods of remote learning made the return to school even more of a challenge for students who already had fewer resources than their peers. Combine that with the fact teachers have been expected to help students overcome all those new challenges without additional compensation and you get the situation we find ourselves in today; schools excluding disruptive students from classrooms in the most inexpensive and expeditious ways possible.

Fortunately, we can correct this equity issue which robs students of their learning.

In Ohio schools, we need to conduct more culturally responsive training, hire more behavioral and intervention specialists, and address student needs through investments in community and student supports. That means providing free school meals to all Ohio students, expanding school Medicaid, and adopting the Community Learning Center Model where we increase access to school-based and community-connected health care.

Kim Eckhart is research manager of the Children's Defense Fund-Ohio.Megan Leigh Barnard

Additionally, we must fund and expand the SAFE Act. In 2018, the Ohio General Assembly strengthened requirements for school districts to implement more positive behavioral interventions, social-emotional learning supports, and trauma-informed practices. The legislation also prohibited exclusionary discipline from being used on students, pre-kindergarten through third grade, under most circumstances. We were encouraged state data showed out-of-school suspensions and expulsions for students in that group declined after the laws passage. However, some educators told us they still consider the SAFE Act to be an unfunded mandate, where schools have not been given the funding or resources needed to implement it successfully.

Now, we believe discipline, at times, is necessary in school. A high school student we interviewed for our report agreed. But as that same student pointed out, the zero-tolerance policies, usually carried out in low-income communities, hinder opportunities for Ohio youth.

Katherine Ungar is senior policy associate at Children's Defense Fund-Ohio.Megan Leigh Barnard

The disciplinary practices used in most schools seem to impose life sentences rather than provide opportunities for students to transform their lives, they said.

If we get the states leaders to act now on all the recommendations we have provided, the payoff is an equitable society that doesnt leave students behind or place them into a pipeline to prison. We can really help children and young people get on the pathway to success if we address it correctly. Lets help them thrive.

Kim Eckhart is research manager of the Childrens Defense Fund-Ohio. Katherine Ungar is senior policy associate with the Childrens Defense Fund-Ohio.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns roster is in good shape with the draft approaching but, just like any other roster in the NFL, it has question marks. Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe discuss their remaining concerns with the roster and the things theyre keeping an eye on.

They discuss the state of the defensive line and if theres room for the Browns to find more pass rush help. They also get into the wide receiver room and the production they expect from Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore plus the guys behind them.

Then they look at the linebacker position to determine if theres enough there and if it even matters that much in Jim Schwartzs scheme.

We were voted best podcast by Cleveland Magazine readers!

Listen using the player below.

You can also listen using your preferred podcast app. Subscription information is below.

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Residents of a Cleveland apartment building are calling out a local landlord for unsafe living conditions.

On Wednesday, residents of St. Clair Place on East 13th Street and St. Clair Avenue held a press conference calling for their Bedford Heights-based landlord, Owners Management Co., to take responsibility for the problems. The apartment is for low-income residents 62-years-old and up, along with people with disabilities.

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, a nonprofit organization that provides legal services at no cost to low-income clients, filed a complaint against Owners Management with the Cleveland Municipal Court Housing Division in December on behalf of the St. Clair Place Tenants Association, which formed in 2022.

The complaint lists both the tenants association and resident James Barker as plaintiffs.

Among the claims is that Owners Management returned rent payments and charged late fees to Barker and other members of the association, claiming they were under eviction, when ledgers showed they were in good standing with their landlord.

The complaint also says the landlord has failed to address unsanitary conditions. The filing references a 2023 report made by the Cleveland Division of Police Bureau of Community Policing that notes a strong odor of urine in the stairwells and noticeable fecal stains on the landings.

Others issues that have been raised include unsecured entrances, limited security personnel and non-working security cameras, and that non-residents have been documented using drugs in the stairwells, overdosing in the buildings common bathrooms and engaging in sexual activity on the fire escapes.

Owners Management denies the claims in an answer filed with the court. The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com reached out to Owners Management for comment.

Marlon Floyd, a five-year resident of St. Clair Place and a leader of the tenants association, said living in the apartment building has been like being in jail.

Security is only eight hours a day, he said. Peoples doors getting pushed in. People sneak in these exits and set the alarms off. Cars get broken into. The people who want to use the exercise machine cant use the exercise machine. We have bathrooms we cant use.

Floyd added that he does his best to bring some sense of security to the building as residents come to him to deal with the people that sneak in.

If somebody knock on my door and say, Marlon, just somebody in the hallway, I say, what floor? I go and wake them up. I constantly go through that five straight years waking somebody up or forcing them mount. So thats just something I do because I feel like, well, if I dont do it, its going to get worse, he said.

The landlord states on its website that its committed to bettering residents lives and lives of the senior, disabled and multi-family communities, said Lauren Hamilton, a Legal Aid Society attorney. And were really just asking them to uphold that commitment. Some of the residents here are some of the most vulnerable among us and deserve to live in safe, and suitable housing.

Owners Management owns 17 apartments across Ohio, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan and New York. Most of its properties are located in Ohio. In addition to St. Clair Place, it owns Regency Apartments in Parma, Presidential Apartments in Rocky River, Westwood Place in Strongsville and others.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  There was no complaining about cramped seating on this Frontier Airlines flight. Every passenger en route from Cleveland to Montego Bay, Jamaica, had a full row to stretch out.

The return trip too, was less than half full, which could not have pleased airline executives, but sure made the four-hour flight home very comfortable for the 35 or so of us who flew back to Cleveland from Jamaica on a Monday afternoon last month.

Frontier Airlines in March launched new nonstop service between Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Montego Bay, Jamaica, the first of more than a dozen new routes that the carrier is adding in Cleveland this spring and summer.

Im guessing that not all will succeed. So if youve been eager to see Jamaica and prefer not to connect in Charlotte (or Atlanta or Washington, D.C.), dont delay.

The new flight operates three times per week  Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing Cleveland at 9 a.m., arriving in Montego Bay at 11:56 a.m. (note  you gain an hour during travel). The return flight departs from MBJ at 1:16 p.m., landing in Cleveland at 6:08 p.m.

Prices start at about $400 roundtrip, with luggage fees and advanced seat assignments extra.

The route is currently scheduled to run through mid-August, although a spokesperson for Frontier couldnt guarantee that the flight would last until then.

We are currently evaluating consumer demand for the route and potential impact of the travel advisory, said Jennifer De La Cruz, senior director of corporate communications.

In late January, about two months before the flight started, the State Department updated its travel advisory for Jamaica, urging Americans to reconsider travel to the Caribbean nation due to crime and medical services.

The advisory is causing some travelers to rethink travel to the island, according to travel experts.

A flight attendant on my plane said the carriers flights from St. Louis to Montego Bay were also running less than half full. (Note: I did talk to a couple of Cleveland travelers in Jamaica, who said their Saturday flight in late March to the island was full, so maybe it would work as a weekly route?)

Frontiers expansion in Cleveland is partly the result of the opening of a new Frontier crew base at Cleveland Hopkins in March, which has brought hundreds of new jobs to town, including 250 flight attendants, 110 pilots and 50 maintenance workers.

Other new Frontier destinations set to debut from Cleveland this spring include Salt Lake City, Austin, Charleston, New Orleans, Pensacola and New York City LaGuardia, among many others.

Montego Bay, however, is the only new international destination on the roster.

Frontier also flies internationally from Cleveland to Cancun and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

Apart from my flight from Ireland last spring, this was my first international arrival into Cleveland Hopkins since early 2019, when I flew Frontier to Punta Cana. I had forgotten how cumbersome the customs process at Cleveland Hopkins can be.

Reminder: Travelers landing in Cleveland on international flights have to go through TSA screening before exiting the airport because the international arrivals gate is at the far end of the A Concourse, forcing passengers to walk through the secure side of the airport before leaving.

It wasnt a big hassle for those of us on the Jamaica flight because it wasnt full. But the additional TSA screening can add considerable time to the process if youre on a full flight or seated in the back of the plane. (Note: International flights to Cleveland from Toronto and Dublin, Ireland, are exempt from the extra screening because passengers go through customs in those departure cities, part of the U.S. governments Preclearance program.)

Another reminder: If youre bringing home alcohol from duty-free shops abroad, youll need to place the bottles in your checked bag after customs and before security screening. I had to do this with the couple of bottles of rum I bought in Jamaica  even though the cashier wrapped them tight before departure. Security agents in Cleveland said the wrapping job wasnt good enough, and instructed me to add the bottles to my checked bag.

Finally, a word about Sangster International Airport: I had heard horror stories about the customs and immigration process at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, but the place was a breeze. The airport recently installed facial recognition software in its arrivals hall, which made the process fast and easy. My husband and I were in and out of the terminal in about 15 minutes.

Read more:

5 days in Jamaica, from Negril to Montego Bay, beaches, bamboo rafting and waterfalls

Is Jamaica safe? State Department advisory raises concerns; heres what to know

How a guy from Shaker Heights built a 30-year tourism career in Jamaica

Frontier Airlines adds nonstop flights to 10 new destinations from Cleveland Hopkins

Commute-weary flight attendants, pilots celebrate new Frontier Airlines crew base at Cleveland Hopkins
Chinese peacekeepers to DRC awarded UN Peace Medal

Xinhua) 10:26, April 10, 2024

BUKAVU, DRC, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The 27th Chinese Peacekeeping Contingent to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) was awarded the UN Peace Medal on Tuesday.

The awarding ceremony took place at the camp of the engineering company of the Chinese contingent on the outskirts of Bukavu, the capital of the eastern province of South Kivu.

Over the past 21 years, the Chinese peacekeepers have exemplified dedication and professionalism through their mission, said Bintou Keita, the top UN envoy in the DRC, heading MONUSCO, in her remarks. She also thanked the Chinese government for sending peacekeepers to South Kivu Province since 2003.

The Chinese peacekeepers have helped defend peace and development in South Kivu and made significant contributions to MONUSCO's disengagement process, Keita added, expressing her pride in the Chinese peacekeepers.

Through medical care and road construction, the Chinese peacekeepers have contributed to maintaining peace and fostering friendship, winning high praise from MONUSCO, the Congolese government and the people of South Kivu, said Zhao Bin, the Chinese ambassador to the DRC.

As a reliable friend and comprehensive strategic partner of the DRC, China has always firmly supported the DRC's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Zhao stressed, noting that China has always done its best to help the DRC strengthen its security capacity.

Since their deployment in September 2023, the 27th batch of Chinese peacekeepers has fulfilled the mission of maintaining peace in eastern DRC. The engineering company has organized 13 engineering surveys and completed 16 projects to high standards, while the medical company has received about 500 patients, providing medical support for MONUSCO members based in Bukavu.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
In this article 7203.T-JP

TM Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Toyota

Toyota Motor revealed a new 4Runner SUV for the first time in nearly 15 years  completing a recent redesign of the automaker's current trucks and SUVs. Aside from its new looks, which are similar to the recently redesigned Toyota Tacoma pickup, the 2025 4Runner will be offered with a hybrid engine for the first time as well as new "Platinum" and "Trailhunter" high-end trims. "This all-new 4Runner has incredible versatility and capability that nicely rounds out our truck family," Dave Christ, Toyota group vice president and general manager, said in a release. "We've sold over 3 million 4Runners over the past 40 years, and this sixth-generation model offers a cool new look and incredible features yet retains the rugged style and capability our customers love about this adventure icon." Toyota's "truck family" is also known as the "five brothers": the Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks and the 4Runner, Land Cruiser and Sequoia SUVs. The 4Runner is the last to be redesigned and built on Toyota's global truck platform, which debuted with the Land Cruiser and Tundra in 2021.

2025 Toyota 4Runner Trailhunter Toyota

Toyota said pricing of the 2025 4Runner will be released closer to its on-sale date. Starting prices for the 2024 model range from about $41,000 to more than $55,000. While Toyota is known for its fuel-efficient vehicles such as the Prius, its larger "brother" SUVs, including the 4Runner, had much worse fuel ratings prior to being updated  at 17 mpg combined or less, according to federal ratings. The current 4Runner has been on sale, with some updates, since 2010. Toyota said miles per gallon ratings for the new 4Runner will be released closer to the vehicle arriving in showrooms in the fall. Toyota's other redesigned trucks and SUVs have notably improved fuel economy. Jack Hollis, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America, last month told CNBC that the company continues to balance out its truck and SUV portfolio, including potential hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric models. "Those brothers, they all have a lot of similarities, and they have a lot of differences," he said. "How do we curb carbon emissions fastest with everyone, everywhere? It's having the right mix between those five products."

2025 Toyota 4Runner Limited Toyota

The 4Runner's available hybrid engine is a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with a 48-horsepower electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission to produce up to 326 horsepower and 465 foot-pounds of torque. The vehicle's standard turbocharged 2.4-liter engine produces 278 horsepower and 317 foot-pounds of torque. The 2025 4Runner will be offered in nine models: SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter. The new Trailhunter model features additional off-road styling and equipment including rock rails and high strength steel skid plates, while the Platinum model is geared toward more convenience and luxury features. Production of the 2025 4Runner is taking place at Toyota's Tahara plant in Japan. Correction: The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is the first new version of the vehicles in 15 years. A previous version of the article misstated how many years it had been.
Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, reappeared in the public view in China for the first time in months. Alibaba then announced a huge reorganization of its business. Experts see the move as a signal that the Chinese government is softening its stance toward tech giants after a crackdown that began in late 2020.

"Over the past year, amid external and internal doubt and pressures, I have witnessed the birth of a strong and courageous Alibaba team," Ma wrote in an internal memo to employees, a translated version of which was seen by CNBC.

In the past year, Alibaba underwent a historic overhaul and sweeping management changes in a bid to return the Chinese technology giant to growth.

Alibaba founder Jack Ma on Wednesday praised the company's reorganization and change over its tumultuous past year, marking the billionaire's second major public statement to employees in just a few months.

Ma all but disappeared from public life at the end of 2020, after Chinese regulators pulled the plug on the massive listing of the founder's financial affiliate Ant Group, sparking a crackdown on his empire.

Alibaba, whose business spans everything from e-commerce to cloud computing, has seen billions of dollars wiped off of its value in the past few years, thanks to tougher regulation from Beijing and rising competition from rivals like PDD and TiKTok owner ByteDance.

Last year, Alibaba underwent its biggest overhaul in its history, which split the company into six business groups in a bid to make each unit more agile.

This was accompanied by sweeping management changes. Daniel Zhang, longtime CEO of Alibaba Group, unexpectedly quit and then stepped down as CEO of the company's cloud unit. Alibaba veterans Eddie Yongming Wu took over as CEO, while Joe Tsai became chairman in September.

Alibaba has since scrapped the initial public offerings of both its cloud division and Cainiao, its logistics unit.

Ma is reemerging at a time when Alibaba employees are likely in need of a morale boost. He praised both Tsai and Wu for their "future-oriented transformations."

The Alibaba founder also said Alibaba needs to think what e-commerce looks like in three years' time, especially since the arrival of artificial intelligence.
(This is CNBC Pro's live coverage of Wednesday's analyst calls and Wall Street chatter. Please refresh every 20-30 minutes to view the latest posts.) Nvidia and a major electric vehicle maker were in focus as part of Wednesday's analyst chatter. Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Nvidia, calling for more than 15% upside going forward. Jefferies, meanwhile, cut it 12-month forecast on Tesla. Check out the latest calls and chatter below. All times ET. 8:15 a.m.: Morgan Stanley raises price target on GM, says it could benefit from EV slowdown Morgan Stanley raised its price target on GM to $46 from $43 and said that the current slowdown in EVs could be positive for the auto maker. It has an overweight rating on the shares. Analyst Adam Jonas said a doubling of its full-year restructuring/impairment charges to $3 billion, related to electric and autonomous vehicles should "lower the bar on big investments in EVs that will not deliver on expected volume." The firm also trimmed its capex estimates to the low end of GM's guidance and raised its earnings estimates by 9%. He also noted that although GM has acknowledged the momentum in hybrids, it "virtually gave up on hybrids in its push towards pure [battery electric vehicle] architectures," and "may have to spool up investment in hybrids from here." GM shares were little changed in premarket trading. Tanaya Macheel 8:14 a.m.: Block shares could rally more than 30%, Mizuho says Mizuho sees more upside in store for shares of Block . Analysts Dan Dolev lifted the firm's price target to $106 from $99, citing the potential for gross profit to exceed 20% in 2024. The updated target implies about 33% upside from Tuesday's close. "Reinvigorated management focus on Cash App and Square ecosystems could potentially drive meaningful upside to 2024 guide," he wrote. "Management guided to 15%+ gross profit growth, but we see potential for > 20%." Underpinning this upside potential is a bet that the company can convert 1 million cash card users to direct deposit and reach higher-income customers. Other critical components include the expansion of the company's Cash App borrow product and a recovery in point-of-sale momentum within the U.S. restaurant industry. "We are raising our estimates to reflect more optimism around SQ's gross profit potential," he wrote, and ahead of the 15% guide and 16% consensus estimate.  Samantha Subin 7:44 a.m.: Truist downgrades Deckers to hold It's time to step to the sidelines on footwear company Deckers Outdoor , according to Truist. Analyst Joseph Civello downgraded Deckers to hold from buy, and lowered his price target, citing card data showing softening demand for the footwear company's popular Hoka brand. On the other hand, the analyst noted trends for UGG shoes remain strong. "Truist Card Data indicates that HOKA's Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) growth decelerated in mid-Feb and remained softer through March. We lowered our segment growth forecast from ~40%E (where the Street currently is) to 25%E," Civello wrote. "Truist Card Data for UGG looks very strong and we are raising ests for the segment." To be sure, the analyst said he remains optimistic over Hoka's long-term potential, but noted the risk/reward for the stock "looks balanced" from here after its outperformance. The stock is up about 30% this year. The analyst's $864 price target, lowered from $983, is just slightly lower from Tuesday's closing price of $867.81. Shares fell 2% in premarket trading.  Sarah Min 7:42 a.m.: Goldman Sachs initiates Alcon at a buy rating, sees 21% upside ahead An attractive valuation and strong growth drivers make Alcon a good investment, according to Goldman Sachs. The bank initiated shares of the contact lens solutions maker at a buy rating. Analyst Richard Felton also set a price target of $100, which corresponds to a 21% rally for the stock. Shares of Alcon are up nearly 6% this year. "We believe current valuation represents an attractive entry point ahead of potential upgrades and an FCF inflection," Felton wrote. The analyst added that additional gains are supported by attractive growth across multiple sectors. "Alcon's core businesses are delivering solid growth, supported by what we see as strong market positions and attractive end markets. We also see multiple opportunities to drive incremental growth," he said. Specifically, Felton highlighted volume-based procurement in the Chinese market as one driver of incremental growth. This could increase both Alcon's procedure volume and current market share. Another factor that has yet to be fully reflected in consensus estimates is the potential for further share gains in Alcon's contact lenses market. "Looking ahead, we see scope for further share gains in Dailies and see upside in reusable lenses, where Alcon's share is relatively underweight," Felton said. Finally, an opportunity also exists within the dry eye category, with Felton predicting a strong growth runway for Alcon's artificial tears brand, as it increases its penetration in the market.  Lisa Kailai Han 7:28 a.m.: Bank of America upgrades Albemarle to buy on the back of increasing lithium prices Improving lithium prices will lift up shares of Albemarle , according to Bank of America. Bank of America analyst Steve Byrne upgraded shares of the chemical manufacturer to a buy rating from neutral. He accompanied the move by lifting the stock's price target to $156 from $137. This updated forecast implies that shares could rise 21%. Albemarle stock is down 11% for the year. One major catalyst that could drive the stock upwards is the improvement in market fundamentals as the prices of lithium rise from here. "Given recent pricing improvement in spodumene and lithium salts, we believe it is likely to see a near-term reduction in lithium inventory levels in China, which would reinforce the upward move in lithium chemical pricing," Byrne wrote. "We have raised our global lithium chemical and spodumene concentrate price expectations." He added that improving lithium prices would also drive Albemarle's near-term and future earnings.  Lisa Kailai Han 7:01 a.m.: Citi upgrades International Flavors & Fragrance to a buy rating International Flavors & Fragrance could rise as the firm re-centers its focus around a new CEO, according to Citi. The bank upgraded shares of the food, beverage and scent manufacturer to a buy rating from neutral. Citi also lifted its price target for the company to $100 from $81, implying that shares could rally nearly 16% from their current price. "Most of the news flow is behind IFF (dividend cut, Pharma business sale), and we see a compelling pathway towards volume recovery and deleveraging, which should drive performance for shares," wrote analyst Patrick Cunningham. The analyst underscored new CEO Erik Fyrwald's focus on sales execution and balance sheet management. Management has also proven its commitment and ability to strengthen the capital structure by reducing debt, the analyst remarked. As another catalyst, he cited the company's potential carry over of 2023's improved volume levels. "The cadence of volume improvements will likely carry through to FY24, with sequential volume growth in Health & Biosciences and Scent in 1H24, based on comments in 4Q23 earnings," Cunningham wrote. "We think the prospects for volume recovery in the industry will be driven by improving prospects for consumer goods companies with some upside potential from restocking." Shares of International Flavors & Fragrance are up nearly 7% this year.  Lisa Kailai Han 6:44 a.m.: Jefferies names Zillow a top pick Jefferies sees a "one in a Zillow opportunity" when it comes to Zillow . The investment firm named Zillow as its new top pick, a designation that was previously rewarded to DoorDash. While shares of the real estate marketplace have already slid 17% this year, Jefferies' price target of $75 means there could be more than 56% upside potential for the stock. Zillow stock has tumbled recently since the National Association of Realtors announced a settlement to potentially lower real estate commission rates on March 15. But Jefferies believes that investors have overestimated the potential drawbacks of the settlement. "As long as buyer agents can see the commission split for a given listing before presenting a buyer, we believe sellers will remain incentivized to offer compensation," wrote analyst John Colantuoni. "The pullback in Z's stock following NAR's proposed settlement creates a more attractive entry point given we expect no impact on fundamentals." Additionally, Colantuoni also believes that Zillow's plans to expand its products and services could lead to revenue upside. Low variable costs should help drive these margins up even higher, increasing Zillow's overall profit-taking.  Lisa Kailai Han 6:26 a.m.: KeyBanc upgrades GoodRx to overweight, sees room for subscription growth KeyBanc Capital Markets sees an increasing subscriber base propelling GoodRx's stock in the future. The firm upgraded shares of the telemedicine company to overweight from sector weight. The bank also lifted its price target to $9, implying shares could rally 34% from Tuesday's close. "We are upgrading shares of GDRX to Overweight as we get more constructive for this re-accelerating high-growth, high-margin company trading at a discount to peers and historical average given positive recent data trends," wrote analyst Scott Schoenhaus. Besides increased estimates, Schoenhaus also listed increased app downloads and monthly active customers as additional catalysts. Downloads of the GoodRx app accelerated in February and have proved to hold up in March as well, despite a more challenging backdrop. Additionally, the analyst noted a 2% increase in GoodRx's gold subscription customers from February to March. With the new Publix membership rollout unveiling GoodRx's gold membership across 1,200 locations, even more unique customers could be subscribed to the program going forward. "Our favorite names into 1Q earnings are CERT, GDRX, PHR, and SDGR, where we see the biggest opportunities for beat-and-raises this quarter and throughout the year, and we support our thesis with data in the following pages." GoodRX shares have struggled this year, rising less than 1%. GDRX YTD mountain GDRX in 2024  Lisa Kailai Han 6 a.m.: Barclays views Chevron stock as attractive both with or without Hess deal Barclays sees a bright future ahead for Chevron . The bank initiated coverage of the oil and gas giant at overweight, setting a price target of $203. This implies that Chevron could soar another 25%. Year to date, the stock is up 9%. Analyst Betty Jiang thinks Chevron looks attractive, both with or without its potential acquisition of fellow energy company Hess . "After a period of challenging mega-project developments over the last decade, CVX is finally shifting into a development that's lower capital intensity, lower execution risk, and more flexible short-cycle production," she wrote. Meanwhile, Chevron has also managed to finetune a balanced portfolio, consisting of both long- and short-cycle assets, which helps mitigate potential base production decline, Jiang said. Additionally, she sees Chevron's potential cash return of over 10% post-Hess deal as another catalyst. "We believe CVX offers outsized cash return (second highest in our coverage universe), free cash flow inflection from start-up of the TCO expansion, and a high return legacy position in the Permian," she added. As an added bonus, Chevron is also actively contributing to the renewable energy transition. Jiang also viewed possible upcoming asset sales as another catalyst for the energy firm.  Lisa Kailai Han 5:53 a.m.: Jefferies lowers Tesla price target, cites 'self-inflicted' wounds Tesla's troubles may not be over yet, according to Jefferies. The investment firm kept its hold rating on the electric vehicle maker and lowered its price target to $165 from $185. The new forecast implies shares could slide nearly 7% from Tuesday's close. Tesla has already had a tough year, weighed down by waning sales in China and slowing demand for electric vehicles. The stock has lost nearly 29% in 2024, making it one of the worst performers in the S & P 500. Jefferies analyst Philippe Houchois also said Tesla is plagued by shifting product priorities. He cited reports of production of the company's low-cost Model 2 being canceled . "Most issues affecting core auto performance appear self-inflicted and should keep returns well below potential for the coming 24 months," he wrote.  Lisa Kailai Han 5:53 a.m.: Morgan Stanley raises Nvidia price target Nvidia has already rallied more than 72% in 2024. Morgan Stanley sees even more gains ahead. Analyst Joseph Moore raised his price target on the artificial intelligence darling to $1,000 per share from $795. The new forecast points to 17% upside from Tuesday's close. "Preferring NVIDIA seems unimaginative, as it was the best performing stock last year ... and it has risen to market caps that we would have thought of as unfathomable a few quarters ago," Moore wrote. "That said, the peers have not been undiscovered either, with stocks with direct exposure to these markets, such as AMD and MRVL, having risen to new multiple highs." NVDA YTD mountain NVDA year to date The analyst highlighted several factors in favor of Nvidia, including strong pricing and robust orders for its semiconductors. "We expect NVDA's Data Center business to drive much of the growth over the next 5 years, as enthusiasm for generative AI has created a strong environment for AI/ML hardware solutions - NVDA's being one of the most important," Moore wrote.  Fred Imbert
Iranian people are standing in front of an anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli banner during a rally commemorating International Quds Day, also known as Jerusalem Day, and attending a funeral for members of the IRGC Quds Force who were killed in an Israeli air strike in Syria, in Tehran, Iran, on April 5, 2024.

Crude oil futures rose 1% on Wednesday as the U.S. is reportedly bracing for an "imminent" strike by Iran or its proxies against Israel.

The West Texas Intermediate contract for May delivery rose 98 cents, or 1.15%, to settle at $86.21 a barrel. June Brent futures gained $1.06, or 1.19%, to settle at $90.48 a barrel.

The U.S. and its allies see a major missile or drone strike by Iran or its proxies against Israel as imminent, people familiar with the intelligence told Bloomberg News. The possible attack could happen in the coming days, the people told Bloomberg.

Tensions in the Middle East are red hot with Israel warning OPEC member Iran Wednesday it would attack the Islamic Republic if Tehran strikes Israel.

"If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack Iran," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on the social media platform X, tagging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei has threatened to punish Israel after Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, was destroyed in a missile attack last week, killing seven Iranian military officials. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the strike, but the U.S. has assessed that Israel is responsible.
Former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg (C) arrives for sentencing at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 10, 2024, in New York City.

Former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg on Wednesday was sentenced to five months in jail for lying under oath during the civil business fraud trial of former President Donald Trump.

Weisselberg declined to speak before the judge in a brief hearing in Manhattan criminal court. The 76-year-old former executive is expected to head directly to New York City's Rikers Island to begin serving the sentence on two counts of perjury in the first degree.

It will be Weisselberg's second time behind bars in two years in connection with his work for Trump's company. He spent three months in jail at Rikers last year after pleading guilty to helping orchestrate a tax fraud scheme at the business.

"Allen Weisselberg accepted responsibility for his conduct and now looks forward to the end of this life-altering experience and to returning to his family and his retirement," said his attorney, Seth Rosenberg, in a statement later Wednesday.
Lufthansa planes are seen parked on the tarmac of Frankfurt Airport, Germany June 25, 2020.

Germany's Lufthansa said on Wednesday it suspended flights to and from Tehran from April 6 until probably April 11, "due to the current situation in the Middle East".

Countries in the region and the United States have been on high alert and preparing for a possible attack by Iran in response to a suspected bombing by Israeli warplanes of the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1.

"We are constantly monitoring the situation in the Middle East and are in close contact with the authorities. The safety of our guests and crew members is Lufthansa's top priority," a spokesperson for the company told Reuters.

The spokesperson said the company did not proactively announce the suspension when it went into effect on Saturday.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday that Israel "must be punished and it shall be" for attacking the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus.

In an apparent response to Khamenei, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israel will respond if Iran attacks Israel from its own soil.

The United States and its allies believe major missile or drone strikes by Iran or its proxies against military and government targets in Israel are imminent, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday evening, citing U.S. and Israeli security sources.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards shot down a Ukraine International Airlines passenger flight on Jan. 8, 2020 shortly after it took off from Tehran Airport at a time of heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over the killing of a top Iranian Guards commander in a U.S. drone strike at Baghdad airport.

Later, Tehran said that the shooting-down of the Ukrainian was a "disastrous mistake" by forces who were on high alert.

In retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani, head of an elite overseas unit of the Guards, Iranian forces fired missiles at military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq on Jan. 3.

Iran backs groups that have entered the fray across the region since Israel launched its invasion of Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas.

More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in six months of Israeli bombardment of Gaza, according to the health ministry in Gaza. Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
Populations in developed markets around the world are getting older, bringing certain opportunities for investors, according to BlackRock. The same goes for markets that have growing populations, leading to what the firm is calling demographic divergence. It is one of the five so-called mega-forces affecting investing that BlackRock is tracking. While the trends may seem predictable, they are slow-moving, and investors aren't necessarily hopping on them just yet, said Wei Li, BlackRock's global chief investment strategist. "Even though everybody may think that they have demographic trends figured out, markets do not move until the trends are obvious in the economy," she said. "There are some really exciting opportunities here." Not only are people living longer , but there have also been fewer births in recent years. Global life expectancy was 73.3 years in 2019, up from 66.8 years in 2000, according to the World Health Organization . Meanwhile, fertility has fallen from an average of 5 births per woman worldwide in 1950 to 2.3 births per woman in 2021, according to the United Nations . Of course, there will be an impact to those economies as the number of people of working age  between 15 and 64  dwindles, BlackRock said in a recent report. The firm analyzed data from the United Nations and Haver Analytics. The working age population is expected to continue shrinking over the next 20 years. That said, there are variables, such as the number of migrants, women and those over 60 entering the workforce, that can affect how much aging impacts economic growth, Li explained. With that in mind, BlackRock looked at which sectors and countries can benefit from demographic divergence. The key is being selective and thinking long term, Li noted. Aging population plays In developed markets with aging populations , health-care needs will rise, creating an investment opportunity in the sector, Li said. Again, while it is predictable, it is still underappreciated, she pointed out. "The relative outperformance of the health-care sector is to be expected in the context of an aging population," Li said. "But outperformance is realizing slowly as economies age, rather than an instant repricing of a very predictable trend." For instance, in Japan, the growth in its retired population was well documented years in advance. However, the value of its health-care stocks  relative to the broader market  has risen in step with the growth of its retired population, the report pointed out. The firm sees the entire sector benefiting. "It's not just about biotech and drug discovery and innovation, but even just maintenance," Li said. One way investors can get exposure to the sector is through health-care exchange-traded funds. The largest is the Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) , which has a total return of 5.43% this year. It tracks the health-care sector of the S & P 500 . Investors can get global exposure through funds like the iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) . Artificial intelligence also plays a big role. As countries look to boost productivity amid a shrinking workforce, they'll turn to new technologies, Li said. What it boils down to is how much AI can come to the rescue, she said. Already in the U.S. the market is hoping for and somewhat expecting an economy-wide productivity boost thanks to AI, she said. "An economy-wide, sustained productivity boom is very hard to achieve, especially in the context of the supply constraint coming from, among other things, demographic shortage, aging population," Li said. "This is where AI comes in." Growing population opportunities Then there are countries that are expected to grow their population, such as Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and India. India stands out due its size and the fact that its working age population is expected to increase by 120 million over the next 20 years, Li said, citing World Bank data. In comparison, China is aging and is projected to see a decline of over 140 million people over the same period, she said. "These are meaningful, meaningful numbers," she said. "Because markets can only focus on one thing at a time, it's not quite grasping the magnitude right now." India has also seen a boost in its female workforce, but it still has a lot of room to move higher. "If India is able to bring more people into the working population, especially women, that will significantly boost its growth trajectory," she said. With that comes more investment into productive capital, like machinery, transportation infrastructure, housing, schools and hospitals, Li pointed out. People will move from rural areas into urban ones. The energy sector will benefit as demand increases, she said. U.S. investors can typically get access to foreign companies through mutual funds or ETFs, as well as American depository receipts, or ADRs. Some may have U.S.-listed stocks, as well. Here are some ETFs that are focused on India. Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that global life expectancy in 2019 was 73.3 years. An earlier version misstated the figure.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a graduation ceremony for armed forces officers at the Imam Ali academy in Tehran, Iran, on Oct. 10, 2023.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday that Israel "must be punished and it shall be" for attacking the Iranian embassy compound in Syria.

In a major escalation of Israel's war with regional adversaries, suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Iran's consulate in the Syrian capital on April 1 in a strike that Iran said killed seven military advisers.

"When they attack the consulate, it is as if they have attacked our soil," Khamenei said in a speech marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be," he added.

In an apparent response to Khamenei, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israel will respond if Iran attacks Israel from its own soil.

"If Iran attacks from its own territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran," Katz said in post on the social media platform X.

Iran backs groups that have entered the fray across the region since Israel launched its invasion of Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas.

Some 33,360 Palestinians have been killed in six months of Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.

The Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah group has exchanged fire on a daily basis with Israel, while Iraqi groups have fired on U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq and the Houthis of Yemen have targeted shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Jim Cramer's daily rapid fire looks at stocks in the news outside the CNBC Investing Club portfolio. Delta Air Lines : Delta on Wednesday reported better-than-expected first quarter results and issued second-quarter guidance that shows that demand for travel is still strong. "We said on Friday that we thought [CEO] Ed Bastian was going to pull the rabbit out of the hat, and that's what this is," Jim Cramer said. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company : The chipmaking giant's March revenue jumped a 34.3% year over year, its fastest monthly growth rate since 2022 amid the boom in artificial intelligence processors. Nvidia , which Cramer's CNBC Investing Club has long owned, is a key customer of TSMC. "When Taiwan Semi reported  Nvidia dropped $8 [per share in premarket trading]," Cramer said. "Here's the two things you can do: If you know Nvidia you can say, 'Oh, well that's wrong.' If you don't know Nvidia, you would say, 'Oh my god, what do I do?' That's why you need to know what you own." Cava Group : Analysts at Argus upgraded the Mediterranean restaurant chain's stock to a buy rating from hold after a period of weakness. Shares jumped 4% Wednesday. "I love this one Stay long Cava if you own it. If you don't own Cava, consider it," Cramer said. Albemarle : Bank of America upgraded shares of the lithium producer to buy from neutral, arguing prices of lithium have bottomed. "Lithium is a commodity. ... This went from secular to cyclical. Stay away," Cramer said. Alibaba : Shares rose more than 1% in an otherwise down market. In an internal memo, Alibaba founder Jack Ma struck a positive tone on the Chinese tech giant and AI more generally. The Chinese government is "trying to figure out how to revive capitalism," Cramer said.
A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant during the visit of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert mission in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict outside Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, June 15, 2023.

Officials at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine on Tuesday accused Kyiv of a further drone attack, after an unmanned aerial vehicle allegedly fell onto the roof of its training centre.

Kyiv has denied that it is behind a series of strikes on Europe's largest nuclear plant in recent days that prompted the International Atomic Energy Agency to sound the alarm over nuclear safety, and has instead accused Moscow of using the seized facility as a propaganda platform.

U.S. State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller on Tuesday called on Russia to end its militarized occupation of the facility and said Moscow is "playing a very dangerous game,"

Meanwhile, Russian authorities continue to battle historic flooding in the southern region of Orenburg. More than 300 homes have been flooded and there's an order in place to evacuate more than 100,000 people as water levels in the Ural River continue to rise rapidly.

Elsewhere, the European Court of Justice on Wednesday removed Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven from the list of individuals subject to EU sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Check out the companies making headlines in premarket trading. Nvidia  Stock in the chipmaker slipped less than 1% before the opening bell, but the artificial intelligence play and "Magnificent Seven" leader officially entered correction territory on Tuesday. Shares have fallen 10% from an all-time closing high of $950 per share on March 25. Alibaba Group  The China-based e-commerce stock rose nearly 3% on media reports that co-founder Jack Ma touted the company's management in an internal memo to employees. Ma's upbeat note also talked about the potential for AI. Albemarle  Shares gained about 2% after Bank of America upgraded the chemicals manufacturing company to buy on the back of rising lithium prices, and raised its price target. GoodRx  Shares climbed nearly 4% after KeyBanc upgraded the telemedicine stock to overweight on the heels of a strong subscriber growth forecast. Deckers Outdoor  Shares slipped more than 2% after Truist downgraded the footwear stock to hold over concerns that demand for core products including Hoka is declining. Delta Air Lines  The air carrier gained 4% premarket after it posted adjusted earnings per share of 45 cents for the first-quarter, topping expectations by 9 cents, according to LSEG. CEO Ed Bastian cited strength in both leisure and business travel ahead of the peak travel season, speaking to CNBC Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing  Shares rose 2% after strong demand for artificial intelligence-powering chips helped expand the company's monthly revenue 34.3% year-on-year in March.  CNBC's Sarah Min and Tanaya Macheel contributed reporting
Here are Wednesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Morgan Stanley reiterates Nvidia as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $1,000 per share from $795. "Even given strong YTD appreciation, we make the case for maintaining outsized exposure to AI - and that, increasingly, NVIDIA is the best way to get that exposure in our coverage. Reiterate OW, PT to $1000." Bank of America reiterates Nvidia as buy Bank of America said it's sticking with the stock as a top pick. "While there is always the potential for near-term summer consolidation in NVDA stock (such as we saw from Aug-Dec last year), we believe the fundamentals are solidly on track and periods of consolidation (trading sideways) tend to set the stock up for strong moves later. Maintain Buy, top pick, $1100 PO." Piper Sandler reiterates Tesla as overweight Piper lowered its price target on Tesla to $205 per share from $225 but said it's sticking with its overweight rating. "First, we're cutting our estimates and DCF based price target, to reflect weaker-than-expected Q1 deliveries, as well as a challenging demand outlook in 2024/2025. Second, as highlighted on pages 2-26, we're updating our proprietary forecast for full self-driving (FSD) software." Jefferies names Zillow a top pick Jefferies said the online housing website company is a new top idea at the firm. "A One in a Zillion Opportunity; Moving Z to Our Top Pick." Mizuho reiterates Block as buy Mizuho raised its price target on the payment company to $106 per share from $99. "Reinvigorated management focus on the Cash App and Square ecosystems could potentially drive meaningful upside to the 2024 guide. Management guided to 15%+ gross profit growth, but we see potential for > 20%. Bank of America reiterates Coinbase as underperform Bank of America raised its price target on Coinbase to $110 per share from $92. "We maintain our Underperform rating given crypto market unpredictability, lack of revenue diversification, valuation and potential risks related to SEC litigation." Barclays upgrades Visteon to overweight from equal weight Barclays said it sees "outgrowth narratives" for the auto manufacturer. "Our VC upgrade reflects our view that outgrowth narratives should accelerate in a flat production environment, supporting a mid-teen EBITDA CAGR through 2026." Bank of America reiterates Alphabet as buy Bank of America said "AI innovation [was] on display" at the company's Google Cloud Next event. " Google kicked-off its annual Cloud Next event with a keynote announcing new custom AI chips, platform-wide Gemini integration, strategic partnerships, and customer traction." Citi upgrades International Flavors to buy from neutral Citi said the scent manufacturer is a "turnaround story with compelling industry setup." "With most of the news flow behind the stock (dividend cut, Pharma sale), we see IFF as well positioned to recover volume and expand margins in FY24." Goldman Sachs initiates Alcon as buy Goldman said the ophthalmology company has "diverse drivers of growth." " Alcon 's core businesses are delivering solid growth, supported by what we see as strong market positions and attractive end markets." Barclays initiates Chevron and Exxon as overweight Barclays said in its initiation of Chevron and Exxon that the "sector offers a better value proposition than ever before." "We prefer companies that have: 1) a high rate of growth for cash flow per debt-adjusted share, 2) significant cash return to shareholders, 3) under-levered balance sheets." TD Cowen upgrades Firstcash to outperform from market perform TD Cowen said the pawn shop operator is in a "strong operating environment." "We also recognize the scarcity value in FCFS, with strong counter-cyclical growth and low credit risk." William Blair initiates Vital Farms as outperform William Blair said Vital is "well positioned in the large and growing U.S. clean label food industry." "We are initiating coverage of Vital Farms with an Outperform rating." Canaccord initiates Hims and Hers as buy Canaccord said in its initiation of the telehealth company that it's bullish on shares of Hims and Hers. "Despite the stock's recent move higher following strong Q4 results, we see a healthy long-term opportunity supported by a recurring and rapidly growing online subscription revenue stream, expanding margins, and positive FCF." Argus upgrades Cava to buy from hold Argus said investors should buy the dip in the Mediterranean food chain. "We have been waiting for a sell-off in the CAVA stock in order to move this high-flier to the BUY list. In the last two weeks, that opportunity has materialized, as the shares are down some 17% from 52-week highs." Truist downgrades Deckers to hold from buy Truist said its survey checks show Hoka trends are softening for Deckers. "Downgrading to Hold as Truist Card indicates HOKA DTC [direct to consumer] trends softened in Feb." Morgan Stanley reiterates General Motors as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $46 per share from $43. "Ahead of 1Q, we wanted to 'mark to market' our GM model where we double our FY restructuring/impairment charges to $3bn trim capex to low-end of guide and raise EPS by 9%." Bank of America upgrades Albemarle to buy from neutral Bank of America said in its upgrade of the lithium company that lithium pricing has "troughed." "We are upgrading Albemarle to Buy from Neutral, based on our view that lithium pricing troughed in 1Q24, and market fundamentals could improve from here." Deutsche Bank reiterates Amazon as buy Deutsche said the company is a top pick heading into earnings. " Amazon remains our favorite name across our e-commerce coverage heading into earnings given: healthy underlying industry and credit card data trends that should be supportive of 1Q revenue upside and 2Q revenue expectations that are well within reach." KeyBanc upgrades GoodRx to overweight from sector weight Key upgraded the telemedicine platform company on improving data trends. "We are upgrading CERT to OW on improving end markets and upgrading GDRX to OW on more positive data trends." Goldman Sachs initiates PG & E as buy Goldman said the utility company has earnings growth potential. "Buy PG & E Corp (PCG) for peer leading earnings growth, driven by positive thematic leverage and cost discipline, at a discount." Bank of America upgrades Canadian National to buy from neutral Bank of America upgraded the rail company after it said the "grain crop is not as bad as originally feared." "We raise our rating on Canadian National to Buy from Neutral as volumes are trending slightly ahead of our expectations, the grain crop is not as bad as originally feared, and CN appears on track to achieve its near-term double-digit earnings growth objective."
This photo illustration shows an image of former President Donald Trump next to a phone screen that is displaying the Truth Social app, in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2022. Stefani Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images

Investment firms led by the former CEO of the SPAC that merged with Donald Trump's media company allege that their files were hacked and stolen by a current member of the media company's board of directors. In a federal civil lawsuit filed in South Florida last month, the firms accuse board member Eric Swider of plotting a coup in early 2023 to replace Patrick Orlando as CEO of the special purpose acquisition company, Digital World Acquisition Corp. As part of that attempted ouster, Swider and others allegedly "stole access" to the firms' computer systems and then "used the stolen information to attack" Orlando, according to the lawsuit. It was "an audacious scheme to seize control of and enlarge their holdings," claims the suit, which was filed by Benessere Investment Group and ARC Global Investments II. The suit seeks damages and an injunction "prohibiting the use of the stolen information and to stop the Defendants hacking" the firms' files. Orlando was fired from Digital World in March 2023 and replaced by Swider. That blank check company last month completed a merger to take Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. public, allowing it to trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The company, which owns the Trump-centric social media app Truth Social and trades under the ticker DJT, soared in its stock market debut but those gains have since erased. On Wednesday alone, the share price fell nearly 9%. Since April 1, the stock has lost almost 45% of its value.

The Florida lawsuit is just one in a series of messy and dramatic legal disputes that have come to define Trump Media's rocky road to an IPO, and its equally turbulent first weeks as a public company. DWAC in July settled fraud charges with the Securities and Exchange Commission, though the agency found the SPAC had submitted "materially false and misleading" filings. Trump Media in late March sued its co-founders over alleged mismanagement of the merger, and is seeking to bar them from owning the company's stock. Those co-founders have sued Trump Media in Delaware Chancery Court over their stake in the company. Critics, meanwhile, have labeled the company a meme stock and a "scam." They point to the company's reported net loss of $58.2 million on revenue of just $4.1 million in 2023. Trump Media did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment on the lawsuit. Emails sent to addresses that belonged to Swider and co-defendant Alexander Cano, DWAC's former president, did not immediately receive responses. In an interview with Wired, which first reported the lawsuit earlier Wednesday, Swider denied all of the allegations against him. "I just think he's never let go [of] the fact that I replaced him," Swider told the outlet. "I don't know why it offends him so bad."

The alleged hack

The Florida lawsuit, which was filed shortly before the late March merger, presents Orlando as successful in his efforts to bring DWAC into a merger agreement with Trump Media. It alleges that Swider misled DWAC's directors and business partners by publishing "false and misleading representations of what was occurring" at the company. He also allegedly "offered outsized compensation to the other directors he enlisted to collude with him in exchange for supporting his coup d'etat." Swider stood to massively increase his compensation through his accession to CEO of DWAC  but he also wanted to take control of ARC II, which owned about 19% of DWAC prior to the merger, according to the lawsuit. Trump Media in an April 1 regulatory filing reported that ARC II owns 6.9%, or about 9.5 million shares, of the post-merger company. Information about ARC II was held in an account on an electronic file storage website owned by Benessere, the suit says. To access the account, which "stores the lifeblood" of both investment firms, Swider allegedly enlisted Cano, Orlando's former assistant. The firms accuse Swider of promising to make Cano the president of DWAC in exchange for access to the account.

A woman uses her phone in front of screens displaying trading information about shares of Truth Social and Trump Media & Technology Group, outside the Nasdaq Market site in New York City, U.S., March 26, 2024. Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters
The U.S. and China flags are seen at the People's Bank of China prior to the arrival of U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Beijing on April 8, 2024. Pedro Pardo | AFP | Getty Images

The U.S. is considering easing advisories against its citizens traveling to China, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said on Tuesday, acknowledging concerns that the warnings may have curtailed exchanges between Americans and Chinese people. Communication channels between Washington and Beijing had largely normalized after months of heightened tensions, Campbell told an event hosted by the non-profit National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. However, he also warned that Chinese support for Russia's war in Ukraine put stabilizing ties at risk. The State Department has periodically issued tiered warnings for Americans traveling to China, calling on them to reconsider visits or exercise increased caution due to risks of "arbitrary enforcement of local laws," exit bans and wrongful detentions.

But the two countries' presidents have sought to rebuild people-to-people exchanges as a pillar for managing increasing geopolitical competition between the superpowers. "I don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but I would just simply say that this is certainly an issue under active consideration," Campbell said when asked if the U.S. would ease the advisories. He said he accepted the premise that they had acted as an inhibition to academic and other exchanges. China has issued its own travel warnings for the U.S., and criticized what it says is increasing harassment of Chinese nationals by U.S. agents at ports of entry, accusations U.S. officials have rejected. Despite China's warnings, hundreds of thousands of Chinese students study in the United States compared with only a few hundred Americans in China. But the State Department's No. 2 diplomat, who has said China helped Moscow "retool" and reconstitute its military after early setbacks in its war in Ukraine, cautioned Beijing in stark terms about its "substantial" support for Russia's war effort. "We have told China directly if this continues, it will have an impact on the U.S.-China relationship. We will not sit by and say everything's fine," Campbell said.

watch now
Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) bids farewell to China's President Xi Jinping after their meeting at the Government Office in Hanoi on Dec. 13, 2023.

Vietnam aims to start building two high-speed railway lines linking its capital Hanoi with China before 2030, the Ministry of Planning and Investment said, another sign of a recent warming of ties between the two Communist-ruled neighbors.

China is Vietnam's largest trading partner and a vital source of imports for its manufacturing sector. The two countries are already connected via a system of highways and two railway lines that are old and need upgrading on the Vietnam side.

One of the planned high-speed lines would run from Vietnam's port cities of Haiphong and Quang Ninh through Hanoi to Lao Cai province, which borders China's Yunan province, the ministry said in a statement released late on Tuesday.

The other would run from Hanoi to Lang Son province, which borders China's Guangxi region, passing through an area densely populated with global manufacturing facilities, including some owned by Chinese investors.

The ministry didn't provide further details about the projects.
NSE

Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd shares gained more than 2% in morning trade on Wednesday, April 10, after the company said it was expanding its presence to Nepal with the opening of Lemon Tree Premier at Budhanilkantha in Kathmandu.This also marks the Lemon Trees inventory crossing the 10,000 rooms milestone, the hotel chain said in a stock exchange filing.This first property comprises 102 rooms and suites, a multi cuisine coffee shop, Asian restaurant, a recreation bar and a tea lounge. Also, the hotel has banquet spaces and conference facilities, besides extensive outdoor event spaces. It offers a fitness centre, a spa and a pool.Budhanilkantha, in Kathmandu district has the famous Budhanilkantha Temple, which is sacred for Hindus and Buddhists. Budhanilkantha encompasses a vast suburban area that extends into the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, housing leopards, monkeys, bears, and various local and migratory bird species, the company informed the bourses."We are very pleased to start FY25 on a high note, with both the launch of our first hotel in Nepal - Lemon Tree Premier, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, and also crossing the 10,000 room mark," Patanjali Keswani, Chairman and Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels, said.Additionally, he said that the company is going to expand its footprint in Bhutan further this fiscal, with the opening of a resort in Thimphu.Last month, Keswani told CNBC-TV18 the hospitality major intended to launch a 200-room property in Ayodhya. Currently, Lemon Tree Hotels operates over 10,000 rooms across 102 hotels, with an additional 3,000 rooms and 60 hotels in development.Between 2025 and 2026, the company aims to reach 12,000 operational rooms in 2025 and 14,000-15,000 rooms by 2026. Additionally, it plans to add another 4,000 rooms in 2025 and 5,000 rooms in 2026 to their pipeline. Over the next five years, Lemon Tree Hotels anticipates surpassing 20,000 rooms in total, Keswani said.Shares of Lemon Tree Hotels were trading 1.7% higher at 140.1 apiece on the BSE at 9:53 am.


Homegrown online travel company MakeMyTrip, on Wednesday, launched an exclusive charter service connecting Mumbai to Bhutan. This new service is part of the companys holiday packages offering and aims to bring the Himalayan Kingdom closer to travellers.Bhutan, known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, is a top international destination for Indian travellers. It is one of the five most searched emerging destinations on the MakeMyTrip platform, with a year-on-year growth of over 200%.The latest offering from MakeMyTrip aims to bridge the connectivity gap and ensure seamless travel experiences. Travellers can enjoy spiritual excursions, brewery tours, and explorations of hidden gems, all while experiencing Bhutanese traditions.Jasmeet Singh, Senior Vice President of Holidays & Experience, MakeMyTrip, said, The appeal of Bhutan continues to captivate travellers from across India We collaborate closely with key stakeholders in ground transportation, hospitality, and tourism to curate offerings as we continue to deepen our ties with the land of happiness.MakeMyTrips latest offering is one of about ten such curations by the company. The Bhutan exclusive charter will depart once a week. The 7N/8D exclusive charter package is available from April 27, 2024 onwards, with prices starting from59,990 per person.The package includes direct return charter flights to Paro, accommodation at iconic properties, airport transfers, sightseeing, curated Bhutanese experiences, meals, travel insurance, local SIM cards, and 24/7 guest service support from the Bhutan and India offices.




























Morgan highlighted that in India, there exists a diverse range of terrorist activities, encompassing various armed extremist groups. These include terrorism driven by religious ideologies as well as politically motivated separatist terrorism.





























Terrorism remains one of the most pressing issues in the world. The latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) highlights deaths due to terrorism were at the highest level since 2017  increasing by 22% in 2023 from 2022. While terrorism in the West has fallen to the lowest levels since 2007, the South Asian countries Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have a bigger problem.According to the GTI data released in March 2024, South Asia had the "highest regional average impact from terrorism". Of the seven countries forming part of the South Asian region, Bhutan is the only country with a GTI score of zero recording no terrorist attacks in the past five years.The regions peacefulness also had only improved marginally as per the last Global Peace Index (GPI) released in June 2023, which put the economic impact of violence at $1,395 in South Asia. And, Afghanistan was one of the least peaceful countries with a colossal impact of violence on its GDP at 46.5% in 2022.Of the South Asian block in the GTI report, Pakistan has been the worst hit. The country saw 490 attacks in 2023. Pakistan jumped three spots to move to a GTI ranking of fourth this year, its worst rank since 2016.Pakistan has had a consistently high level of terrorism every year. It may be the only country that has been in the top 10 of the index for every year that we've been doing it. And, every year, the majority of that terrorism takes place along the border regions (like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), said Thomas Morgan, Chief Of Research, Global Terrorism Index.India has marginally improved its position in the GTI to reach a rank of 14 but challenges are prominent. Over the past decade, there have often been fluctuations in India year-on-year. It's hard to draw a strong conclusion based on the change from one year to another. Having said that, the trend over the past decade is for a lower level of terrorism, said Morgan, adding that the country still has the second-highest number of terrorist attacks in South Asia.It's also a tricky situation for India as neighbours face high terrorist activities.Compared to its global peers, South Asia witnessed a decline in the index in 2023, led by a massive fall in terrorist activity reported in Afghanistan. Highlighting the shift in Afghanistans ranking in GTI to sixth against the last five years before 2023, Morgan said, "Since the withdrawal of US troops and the Talibans takeover, just the overall level of conflict is much lower than it was. That's not to say that there aren't other issues like human rights abuses, associated with the Taliban.The report added a caveat that terrorism-related incidents by state actors do not come under the ambit of the GTI scoring mechanism.But this turbulence in Afghanistans political regime is bad news for Pakistan and, in turn, for India. The GTI report states terrorist attacks in Pakistans border regions have seen intense involvement of militant groups from Afghanistan. Terrorism-related conflicts in Pakistans border regions contributed to the majority of attacks in the country and accounted for 96% of Pakistans terrorism-related deaths in 2023.On assessing the average impact of terrorism globally, South Asia remains the worst affected as per GTI. It's difficult to estimate the impact of terrorism just by the total number of deaths. Going from say 0 to 100 deaths will increase a countrys score a lot whereas going from 100 to 1,000 deaths won't increase it by as much. The reason why it's done that way is to capture the fact that terrorism has this outsized psychological impact, so that in a country which usually experiences no terrorism, having one or two attacks will have an outsized impact on society, said Morgan.Overall, the Islamic State (IS) remains the deadliest terrorist organisation. IS was responsible for several attacks globally and largely operates via affiliates. Many attacks in places like Pakistan though have occurred without a terrorist group taking responsibility.Organisations like the(TTP) and Deobandi are becoming stronger in Pakistan than IS in the region, said Adil Rasheed, Research-Fellow & Coordinator Of Counter-Terrorism Centre, Manohar Parrikar Institute For Defence Studies & Analyses.He added that such non-state actors are increasing engagement in global conflicts with groups of non-Wahhabi orientation like Hamas, and Taliban, among others, becoming more influential.The report distinctively shows a strong correlation between terrorist groups and organised crime. Terrorist organisations like IS have been observed to harbour organised crime as a source of funding or logistical support. Unlike Wahhabi groups, organisations like the Taliban are seen carrying out trade with China. Similarly, Hamas is seen trading with Iran and Chechen groups are engaging financially with Russia and Ukraine, depicting the role of morphed non-state actors, said Rasheed.Although the Taliban is not characterised as a terrorist organisation under the GPI, too, the report says that groups like theor ISK present a strong possibility of conflict escalation with theregime in Afghanistan.The report suggests that nations with weak state capability are most likely to see organised crime by terrorist groups. Countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are all wrestling economic turmoils, a phenomenon which is considered a contributing factor towards the proliferation of terrorism."Pakistans economy is in shambles. The country is imploding politically and socially. Remote areas are susceptible to non-government forces becoming more violent and taking over such areas," said Rasheed.The GTI score for South Asia has also improved, in part, due to a reported decline in terrorism-related deaths and attacks in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka went down two spots to get a better GTI position of 33 in 2024 and Nepal went down eight spots to get a GTI rank of 45 in 2024.The situation in another of India's neighbours, Bangladesh, deteriorated in the index. Bangladesh jumped 14 spots to get a worse GTI rank of 32 in 2024.A marginal shift in the GTI index for most countries in the South Asia bloc has raised concerns as the region sustains two of the worst 10 GTI score countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.Amidst the complex landscape of South Asia, geopolitical dynamics, regional conflicts and economic challenges underscore the nature of the regions struggle with terrorism. Addressing activities related to terrorism to ensure the regions sustained development and political stability has become both inevitable and paramount.
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.
Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
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.
TOKYO, Apr 10 (News On Japan) - The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita paid their respects at the Meiji Shrine, marking the 110th anniversary of the passing of Empress Shoken, consort to Emperor Meiji. This visit was the couples first public appearance in approximately five months.

Around 11:30 AM, the Emperor Emeritus arrived at the shrine and exchanged greetings with the welcoming chief priest. He then proceeded to the main sanctuary, offering a ceremonial branch and paying his respects.

Despite the rain, the Empress Emerita arrived shortly after. A moment of concern arose as she appeared to stumble while ascending the stairs to the main sanctuary. Promptly, an Imperial Household Agency security officer was at her side to assist, and she continued to the sanctuary for her visit.

This public appearance by the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita is their first since November of the previous year, marking roughly five months. Prior to their visit, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress also paid their respects at the shrine, followed by visits from Prince Akishino and his wife in the afternoon.

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Apr 10 (News On Japan) - Erika Ikuta released her solo debut EP "capriccioso" on Wednesday, with a track provided by Ryota Yanagisawa (SUPER BEAVER), which she performed at CLUB251 in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo.

The monochrome footage expresses Ikuta's strong feelings about her solo debut. The video is directed by Takuro Okubo, who also directed "Laundry". Ikuta commented on the highlight of the music video, saying, "The a cappella at the beginning was actually the first take, which was thrilling."

Source: Natalie
Body of the deceased being handed over to Bangladesh authorities



Why did the BSF take 22 hours to inform the police?

In the FIR format, the column for Reasons for delay in reporting by the Complainant information is blank and in other words, is silent over the reason for delay. The police of Sitai, intentionally gave false information about the timing of the incident to save the culprits. While drawing FIR, Sitai police put some information, knowingly, as false.

The picture of the victim, Liton, lying in the MJN district hospital bed, clearly shows that no treatment was provided at the hospitals over the injuries.

In between, the BSF brought Liton to three different hospitals; Sitai BPHC, Dinhata SD Hospital and Cooch Behar MJN Hospital and at MJN Hospital at Cooch Behar. The injured person succumbed to his injury at 3:00 pm on March 26, 2024, but all this occurred without any information to police. How did the attending doctors treat the injured person without informing the same to the corresponding police station?

The FIR book (West Bengal Form No 27), page 071, used in this case, clearly shows that the signature of the complainant is missing. That is, the complainant sent his complaint by someone, which is not shown in the FIR.

The written complaint appears to be concocted in nature, and that is manifested by its content. As usual the BSF complaint mentioned that there was a group of men involved in cross border smuggling and they attacked the BSF party while restricted and in self-defence two BSF personnel shot from their service weapons.

But Haydar Miya of the Barthar village, where the incident took place, informed the fact-finding mission that the BSF personnel were chasing the smugglers and the Bangladeshi illegal entrants were trying to flee from the place of incident. At that very moment, the BSF personnel started firing from their weapons and Liton received bullet and pellets shots.

It was further corroborated by the BSF complaint that two of their personnel received minor injuries of cut and bruise, and got treatment at the Block level healthcare facility, so it can be said that these injuries are also self-inflicted.

In subsequent incidents, BSF in their complaints to police against the so-called intruders have mentioned that the miscreants made attack with machete on the butts of their service weapon, which is a stereotype story, as it is very easy to damage the butts to have an excuse to kill a person.



An impartial and urgent investigation by the Commissions own investigation team over the incident as well the ongoing incidents of brutal torture and killing at India Bangladesh bordering areas by BSF personnel.

Forensic examination of used weapons and expert opinion of the injured BSF personnel to be done.

A specific case of murder must be registered against the involved BSF personnel and the trial to be held in open court of law.

Monetary compensation must be provided to the deceaseds family.

Witnesses must be protected from threat and allurement



There was yet another incident of the killing of a Bangladeshi youth by the Border Security Force personnel attached with Barthar BOP of G Company of 75 BSF Battalion. In last five years several incidents of killings happened under this police stations jurisdiction and the cases will get the award as Not Guilty as usual.This incident took place on March 25, 2024; incidentally it was the Independence Day of Bangladesh, achieved with active support of the Indian state as well the people. This unending and unjustified killing spree on the Indian border is not only ruthless but treacherous as the BSF always make promises in bilateral dialogues as well international fora that they intend to low down the causality of Bangladeshis to zero at bordering area.Earlier, I made a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission on 13th of March 2024, which is registered as NHRC Case No 558/25/6/2024-PF. I think this is hay time for initiatives from Commissions side to stop these ruthless killings which is fetching ill repute for our country.It was reported that on the fateful day, March 25, 2024 at around 11:20 pm, a Bangladeshi youth named Liton Miya, aged about 19 years, son of Maksedul Miya and resident of Dighaltari Ward No 4, Post Office Shatibari and Police Station Aditmari, District Lalmonirhat of Bangladesh illegally entered India with an intention to smuggle cattle to Bangladesh.While he was returning to Bangladesh, BSF personnel attached with Barthar BOP of G Company of 75 BSF Battalion fired upon him from their pellet gun and then from their regular gun. It was reported A sub-inspector and a constable of the BSF unit did the firing.At the time of the incident, the deceased was 75 meters inside the Indian territory or from the border pillar number 923. Young Liton received pellet and bullet injuries on his chest and abdomen, though in BSF complaint to the Sitai police station, they claimed that they fired bellow the belt.It has been learned from the villagers that at the time of incident, Liton was with five Bangladeshis; they fled from the place while Liton received the gunshot and fell down. BSF personnel brought him to Sitai Block Primary Health Centre. From there he was referred to the Dinhata Sub-Divisional Hospital and then to the Cooch Behar MJN Medical College and Hospital.At the MJN Hospital, surgery was done to his abdomen to remove the bullet, but he succumbed to his injuries at around 3 pm on March 26, 2024. Kotwali Police Station of Cooch Behar initiated an unnatural death case. On March 27, 2024 at around 2 pm post mortem examination was done and the body was handed over to his family on March 28, 2004 through Kaiter Bari area under the Sitai police station.A Company Commander of G Company of 75 BSF Battalion, perpetrator and complainant, submitted a written complaint to the Sitai PS and his complaint was registered the Sitai PS Case No 71/24 dated March 26, 2024 under sections 143/ 341/ 186/ 188/ 189/ 332 /353/ 307/ 34 of the Indian Penal Code and 14 (A)/ 14 (C) of the Foreigners Act.Apart from the four Bangladeshis, four Indian nationals are also named as accused -- Milon Bhui Mali, son of Ruidas Bhui Mali; Saddam Miya, son of Malpoka; Mister Miya, son of Suban Miya; and Jeevan Burman, son of Nepun Burman, all residents of village Barthar, Post Office Chorkhana, Police Station Sitai, district Cooch Behar.Our fact-finding mission found that the co-accused belonging to India are peace-loving bonafide Indian citizens, have no involvement with cross border smuggling. Their only fault was that they are residing at the adjacent area of the place of occurrence. It was a clear intention of BSF to make them accused and force them to keep quiet on the incident.The inspector in-charge of the Sitai Police Station was so callous that in the written (typed) complaint of BSF -- he mentioned the case number as 70/24 while it was registered as case no. 71/24.Intriguingly, the incident took place at around 23:20 hours of March 25, 2024 but the record of the Sitai police station is showing that the General Dairy Reference Entry Number 1017 has been made at 21:40 hours on March 26, 2024 and FIR registered on the same date. This only create specific doubts, as follows.This incident not only confirms the fact that another Bangladeshi youth has been killed by the trigger happy BSF personnel without any justified reason and in contrary to their official stance of minimizing killing at Indo-Bangladesh border but also intensifying a reign of terror at the Indo-Bangladesh bordering areas of West Bengal.The incident violates the rights guaranteed under Article 21 of Indian Constitution to every person inside the Indian territory and the premise of Articles 2, 6 and 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, an international instrument. The Government of India is a party and have agreement.Hence, my demands to the NHRC are:---
You might think of your bed as your happy place, but this is a spot fraught with danger. Maybe youll wake up to terror, or maybe youll fall asleep to disaster. Or maybe, as with the following stories, youll discover something shocking that doesnt require you to sleep at all. And were not talking about mild annoyances, like bedbugs or an errant turd. We mean something truly chilling, like...

5 A Meteorite That Missed You By Inches Earlier this week, if you were in the right spot, you experienced a brief spell of darkness when the moon came between us and the sun. You might have felt awe and wonder, but the birds around you felt confused terror. Celestial events are strange and scary. For example, sometimes a rock will fall from space and hit you. Don't Miss Sure, you might think its irrational to fear meteorite strikes. Only one person in recorded history has ever been struck by a meteorite, and even she escaped with just a mean bruise. That happened 70 years ago. A couple years ago, another woman narrowly escaped a strike of her own. This 2.8-pound rock smashed through her roof and hit her bed, with freakish precision. Ruth Hamilton Wed call it with lightning precision, but lightning cant do this. That meteorite barely missed the head of this Canadian woman, who found herself covered in debris from the breached roof. That 1954 meteorite also smashed its way through someones roof. And one year before the 2021 strike, a meteorite went through the roof of a coffin-maker in Indonesia. For your own safety, we recommend moving to an apartment building, with at least three buffer floors between you and the sky.

4 A Bunch of Pigs Eating Your Sheets Advertisement In 1841, a French diplomat was spending some time in Austin, Texas. His name was Alphonse Dubois de Saligny, and the inn where he was staying didnt meet his expectations. The problem was a drove of pigs, which broke their way into the stables and attacked de Salignys horses and corn. He might have swallowed that insult, but the pigs next penetrated the hotel itself, reached his room and ate all the linens on his bed. Maria Chenu You do not mess with a Frenchmans duvet. De Saligny ordered a servant to slaughter the pigs. The innkeeper, Richard Bullock, wasnt a huge fan of this move, so he gave the servant a beatdown, Texas-style. De Saligny wasn't a huge fan of that move, so he reached out to the Texas government, asking them to punish Bullock. No one in the government liked him, so they refused. De Saligny now exercised his authority to break off diplomatic relations between France and Texas. France undid this move eventually, but for a while, this dispute was known as the Pig War. Thats not to be mistaken for the other Pig War that broke out between America and Britain the following decade. There are a lot of pigs out there, and statistically, theyre bound to spark multiple wars. Advertisement

3 A 111-Year-Old Dead Man In 2010, Tokyo officials decided it was time to pay a visit to Sogen Kato. Records said he was the nations oldest person, and they had a special holiday called Respect for the Aged Day for saying high to these old-timers. When they reached his room, they discovered him dead in his bed. This is actually something you expect to happen now and again when its your job to check in on centenarians, but the issue here was they discovered hed been dead and in that bed for 32 years. Earlier, the city had contacted Katos family about meeting him, and the Katos kept making excuses. So, these officials who came to his room werent merely a bunch of smiling volunteers with balloons but a group of police officers who broke their way in. They found the mans body in a mummified state. They also reported that the body was wearing underwear and pajamas, which is just a weird way of describing anyones state of dress. They could have just said pajamas. We would have assumed he had underwear on as well. Advertisement Advertisement Jkwchui/Wiki Commons Heres a diagram highlighting the bed. Underwear isnt highlighted here. Hed died in 1978, and his family figured theyd keep the news to themselves, enabling them to go on collecting his pension for the next several decades. His daughter received a suspended sentence as a punishment, along with having to return the ill-gotten gains, which totaled some $120,000. The Japanese have a reputation for longevity, but number munchers now had to concede the average was being thrown off by a bunch of geriatrics like Kato who werent really alive at all. Scouts now went out to track down the countrys many centenarians. They hoped to find around 270,000. They failed to find 230,000 of them. Either these missing old folk had all died and remained on the books, or theyre hiding together and waiting to attack. Advertisement

2 Your Mom Having Sex With David Bowie Countless people have suffered the trauma of walking in on their mom having sex with David Bowie. The threat of this happening on any given day has dropped only slightly since the mans death eight years ago. Its happened to the best of us, and in the early 1970s, it happened to Slash. Slashs mother, Ola Hudson, designed costumes, which gave her a professional connection with Bowie. Inevitably, this turned into sex, as Slash discovered when he walked in on them naked one day. Well, he didnt actually discover they were having sex from this sight, as he was eight years old and didnt understand what he was seeing. That much was a blessing. Advertisement Advertisement To this day, Slash wears sunglasses to shield his eyes. We also have to imagine he spent the rest of his life deeply resenting Bowie, an assumption totally undermined by his own later comments (I liked David a lot, says Slash), and by the following 1989 pic of them looking like friends.
After Seth Meyers and Saturday Night Live repeatedly roasted the dangerous and disastrous Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, its music composer Bono begged them to stop busting his balls. The shows actors probably had similar complaints about their flight harnesses.

The beginning of summer 2011 brought with it a pop-culture phenomenon that hasnt been repeated by a Broadway production since, with the possible exception of Hamilton for very different reasons: across the country, even the most theater-averse Americans couldnt stop talking about a musical at the historic Lyric Theatre in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan. The mega-budget Marvel musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark was frontpage news for its spectacularly stupid title, its score from the worlds foremost mall-rockers, U2s Bono and The Edge, and, of course its recklessly ambitious set design and stunt choreography, which resulted in serious injuries to six different actors and stunt doubles during the making of the disastrous show.

Don't Miss

As such, it was the honor and duty of the SNL writing staff at the time, along with its head writer Meyers, to ruthlessly ridicule Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark every time news (and bones) broke that another actor suffered an accident during an absurd aerial fight scene. But with great power comes great responsibility, and, as Meyers admitted during the recent inaugural episode of The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast, Bono didnt feel that the constant criticism of his precious play was particularly conscientious. Somehow, that excuse didnt fly with the shows insurance adjuster.

I wrote way too many sketches about it," Meyers said of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark to co-hosts Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, I was completely enamored with the story that people were hurting themselves, especially people dressed like Spider-Man hurting themselves in Broadway theaters. Specifically, Meyers recalled, I wrote a sketch for Fred (Armisen) called 'Gublin and Green,' where he was a lawyer who only dealt with personal injuries that happened in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, and then I got an email that seemed like a joke email, but it wasnt."

Advertisement

Meyers said of the embarrassingly earnest missive, "I got an email from Bono, this is not a joke, inviting me to the premiere of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark." Somehow, the U2 front man didn't see the irony that he was responding to a sketch in which people injured by his musical's negligence were paid out in tickets to that same musical, as Meyers recalled of the email, (Bono) said something along the lines of, Youve had your fun, youve told your jokes, now come see the real thing.'

Thinking like once you see it, youll understand theres nothing to joke about, Samberg surmised of the letter. Meyers accepted the invitation, only to find Samberg's theory to be true when he attended the musical's premiere like a NASCAR fan going to the Indy 500 hoping to see some crashing and/or burning.

Advertisement

I went to opening night, and my memory of opening night of Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark  which I should say went smoothly and none of the Spider-Men, none of the Green Goblins, none of the audience, everybody walked out as they entered, Meyers recalled. I will say, half of the audience, and Im not gonna say which half I was in, I think was a little bummed out that nobody fell from the rafters.

Advertisement

Sadly for Meyers and thankfully for the perpetually endangered actors and stuntpeople, no further sketch material was mined from the musical the night Meyers attended the opening, and the joke ended up being on the Late-Night host  instead of seeing the Broadway equivalent of a car crash, he had to suffer through three and a half hours of Bono's music. That still should have earned him a settlement.
Jeff Schaffer, the shows longtime producer and director, says the twist ending is something he and Larry David have been keeping quiet for years

It was something of a bait-and-switch. Up until the last minute or so, the Curb Your Enthusiasm finale closely mirrored the oft-maligned Seinfeld finale, which Larry David had returned to Seinfeld to write back in 1998. There was a trial for Larry having violated an obscure law in another state, and character witnesses from beloved moments of the series who went on the stand to impugn Larrys character. Larry was also found guilty and received the same sentence as the Seinfeld foursome: a year in prison. From there, Larry was in jail, and the camera slowly began to pull back from his cell.

But then, there was an immensely satisfying twist. An officer opens Larrys cell door, and Jerry Seinfeld arrives to tell Larry that hes a free man. Seinfeld caught one of the jurors  who were supposed to be sequestered  out at a restaurant, which caused a mistrial, overturning Larrys conviction. From there, they engage in some very meta dialogue. Like when Jerry points to the jail cell and says, You dont want to end up like this. Nobody wants to see it. And, as the two are walking out, Larry says, This is how we shouldve ended the finale!

To mirror the Seinfeld finale so closely was certainly a gamble, yet it seems to have paid off as the day-after reactions have been largely positive (in stark contrast to the reactions to the Seinfeld ending). All of which was a relief to Jeff Schaffer, the director of the Curb finale as well as a longtime producer of the series, but it also wasnt the only thing he was hoping the finale  as well as the final season overall  would accomplish.

Don't Miss

How does it feel, a day after the Curb Your Enthusiasm finale aired?

We were always very happy with it, now were doubly happy that people are happy with it. Everyones hopped on board, which is great. Larrys even happy!

When did Larry decide on the story for the Curb finale?

It was in June or July of 2022 when we decided, This is how were going to end the show. It wasnt that we were sitting there thinking, How are we going to end the show? We were just working on the show episode by episode. We knew we were starting with the Georgia water stuff and that could, in one of the many possibilities, lead to some sort of courtroom, but we hadnt been focusing on that.

We were just talking about a story where Larry doesnt want to get involved in teaching this kid a lesson, and as we were talking about how Larry is 75 years old and never learned a lesson in his life, we were like, Oh, there is a way we could do this in a bigger way. If we just keep telling the audience Larrys never learned a lesson in his life, then we can just straight up do a trial and do the Seinfeld finale and do this meta joke. That was very appealing, and it worked out. In the end, it was sort of singular in its repetition.

Advertisement

So its a secret that weve been keeping for almost two years.

Why do you think it worked, in contrast to the way Seinfelds finale maybe didnt?

I think this worked because it was funny. It was funny on a scene-by-scene level, and it was funny as a Curb episode with Curb stories weaving in through the trial. It wasnt a clip show. It wasnt a retrospective. It was an episode of Curb with Curb stories moving the plot forward.

On top of that, youve got this broader context  this sort of big swing  thats really not about Curb as much as its about Larry, and thats what I love about it. Its bigger than the show. Its about Larry, the creator of Curb, saying, Hey, you didnt like what I did before? Fuck off. Here I come again. But you dont get credit for that meta joke if the scenes arent funny.

Advertisement

So many outlets have taken this as a Fuck you to the people who didnt like the Seinfeld finale. Is that what it is?

I take it as being about Larry. He did what he thought was funny, and now hes doing it again. And he thinks its funny, and hes right. He thinks it was funny the first time, and he was right, and doing it a second time is also funny.

Advertisement

But there are some key differences between this finale and the Seinfeld finale that suggest that Larry did hear some of the criticisms the first time around and he either fixed them or subverted them. Or am I reading into this too much?

When we knew we were going to do the trial and this sorta meta joke, there were a few things that were very important. One was that there were lots of Curb stories, that our main characters werent passive, that Larry was active. We didnt want Larry just sitting in the trial, taking it with a sour look on his face. Thats not fun.

Advertisement

In the Seinfeld finale, our beloved characters who had been so active in their demise, were pretty passive once they were in court. So, we made sure that all of our characters had Curb stories and that those Curb stories intersected in court at the worst possible time. We put a lot of work into that because you have to balance that overarching joke with the scene-by-scene jokes. That was something that was very important to us.

The other thing was that we wanted to jerk the audience around a bit so theyre thinking, How far are they going to go with this? Okay, were in a trial. Oh my gosh, hes been convicted? Hes been sentenced? Hes going to jail? Hes in jail, saying lines from the first episode of Curb, the way they said lines from the first episode of Seinfeld? Wait, the cameras pulling back? Theyre really going to end like this?

Then we dont. We wanted to bring everybody right up to the edge of thinking, Holy shit, theyre just doing this. But then we wanted to do more. We wanted to make you think we were doing the same thing and get all we could out of that, but then we had more to say.

Advertisement

A criticism of the Seinfeld finale is that, while the series was about not learning lessons, the finale seems intent on teaching them a lesson. Whereas, with the Curb finale, there are no consequences, so Larry doesnt need to learn anything. Which suggests the real Larry learned a bit about what might have been wrong with the previous finale.

Advertisement

Thats one way to look at it, but the other way to look at it is how we build things more from a comedy perspective, less than a historical perspective. For us, it was important, not because of how the Seinfeld finale was received. It was important to pull the rug out and have this great scene with Larry and Jerry. When Jerry says, You dont want to end up like this. Nobody wants to see it. Trust me, that was a great line for Jerry to say.

By the way, we didnt figure out the line This is how we should have ended the finale until we were shooting with Jerry.

Advertisement

Jerry was so excited about this and loves the episode  he was just thrilled. That day, when we were done shooting, Jerry said, You dont get it, this is a joke thats 25 years in the making. Youll never get another chance to do a joke like this.

Because these two shows are intertwined, do you think this episode will change how the Seinfeld finale is perceived going forward?

I sort of subscribe to the Larry David philosophy that used to be, If they werent watching on Wednesday, I dont care if they watch on Thursday. So, if you didnt like it before, I dont really care that you didnt like it then and I dont care if you like it now, to be honest.

Larry and I watched the Seinfeld finale again when we knew we were going to do this. We watched it, and its pretty funny. I hadnt seen it in a long time, and I was like, That was actually pretty good. Everyones entitled to their own thoughts, weve just never been that interested in them.

Advertisement

As a director, was there anything from that finale that made you say, I need to match this exactly?

Advertisement

The pull-out shot. That had to be right. We even toyed with playing the Curb music during that pull out, but it felt too heavy-handed. Larry felt  and he was right  that you could see our hand in it. It was too cute.

There were little things too. Like, Why is there a dart board? Because theres a dart board in the Seinfeld one.

One other thing, directing-wise. The show could have ended with Larry and Jerry going Oh! and putting their arms up, but it was very important for us to end by saying goodbye to the whole cast. As written, the final scene had everyone arguing, then we sort of found Larry for a final shot. We had a few different ideas of how wed find him, what the camera move was going to be and what his expression was going to be, and we shot a lot of different versions.

Then, we were in the edit room, and Larrys like, This doesnt feel right. We shouldnt end on me. Weve got to end on everybody. He was 100 percent right because, whatever Larrys expression was  and there were a lot of great ones  it felt sappy. It had this sentimental tinge to it that we didnt want. Whereas, ending on them being active and being like they always are and always will be forever and ever, felt right. The cameras may be gone, but theyre going to be doing this for the rest of their lives. It was a much better way to go out.

Advertisement

Leons story, with him watching Seinfeld for the first time, is great. I love when he goes to Larry, Heard you fucked it up.

At that point, the gloves were off. Weve been hinting at this and hinting at this, then it was like Lets just hammer it home.

I love how you see that joke coming. As Leon progresses in watching Seinfeld, you know hes going to say something about the finale, and when he finally does, its hilarious.

Advertisement

This whole season ends up, in a good way, playing out like that. You think you know where its going. We thought we were hiding the ball a little better than we were, but once we mentioned a trial in those earlier episodes, people started to think about it. That surprised us, but then we were like, Thats okay. Its totally okay for people to wonder, Are they really going to do this? And its okay that that wonder, in this episode, turned into a stark reality: Oh my god, theyre going to do this.

Advertisement

For the trial, were there certain must-haves in terms of the witnesses to bring back?

If youre starting to compile a list of the people Larry has wronged, its a long list. So, we wanted to winnow it down for pace  we wanted to make sure this didnt feel like a clip show  but like a show show. Mocha Joe, must have. Takahashi, got to have him. Then there were some that were around, like Oh, lets get Vindman. Having Vindman say I will not tolerate corruption from Trump, Putin or Larry David was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Advertisement

Everyone we wanted, we got. Iris Bahr came from Israel to do it. Larry had done an event at The Greek, and Bailey Thompson, who played the little girl from The Doll, was there and she now, obviously, was an adult. Larry had mentioned this to me, and I said, Weve got to bring her in. Weve been around so long, we can actually do this joke of this adult saying theyve been in therapy for 22 years because of this thing that happened back in Season Two.

Was Jerry always a part of this finale?

Advertisement

Yes. It was vital to have him. If youre going to recapitulate the Seinfeld finale, you want to have Seinfeld there to comment on it. We wanted him there for Nobody wants to see this, trust me, but we also wanted Larry and Jerry together again. Watching the two of them shooting the shit over hypotheticals, like a coffee shop scene in Seinfeld  I knew when we were shooting that, that that was going to end with those two friends laughing. You get to see how Seinfeld got created, with two really funny people just breezily chatting about crazy hypotheticals.

Is that scene vital for the show? Not in a story sense. But it felt really important from an emotional sense. This is a show about Larry and writing and his comedic legacy. We thought, Lets treat the world to seeing Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld riff on something again.

Advertisement

What were the scenes that you went back in February to shoot?

Advertisement

Again, it was important for everybody to have their own fun scene, and we had this other storyline for Susie. It was a big, fun thing, but it wasnt fitting with the rest of the show  it was too outside of the main thrust. We realized that was wrong, and we wanted to bring her story back into the court. So, the reshoot was putting her in the wheelchair. Then we had the intersection of the stealing of the salad dressing and Leons Big Johnson Community friend, Horsecock Williams sympathy-snatching story, and then having it come to a head in court at the worst possible time with Auntie Rae just exploding. She says a sentence that I know that has never been said in the English language before, which is Fuck you and your monkey ass friend, Beersheba Munderman.

That scene with Ellia English as Auntie Rae on the phone, messing up the name is so funny.

Advertisement

It was so funny. We were shooting her side of the phone call first, long before we shot the other part, and she was getting so worked up and she couldnt remember the name. It was Journey Gunderson, which is a weird name anyway. She was messing the name up and she goes, Im sorry, whats the name? And I go, Im not telling you the name. Whatever the name is, thats the name, because it was so goddamn funny. We were laughing so hard. Larry and Jeff Garlin were on the other side of the camera, reading with her, and they were dying laughing.

I dont know if Ive seen everybody laugh so hard ever on the show. When she was done with that whole thing, nobody had yelled cut yet, and everybody in the crew gave her an ovation.

Do you have a favorite moment from the finale?

Advertisement

I love that opening scene on the plane. It doesnt matter what episode youre in, its just a really funny scene. Larry turning on his friends on a dime, but still leaving his phone on. I just love really love that scene. That was the last day of filming. We had the plane for one day, and we shot the beginning and the end together while we had the plane.

Im really just happy that its a funny episode of Curb. Thats the most important thing. Finales are hard and the press loves to eventize things where the finale somehow weighs more than all the other ones. Everyones worried all season about Hows it going to end? Dont worry about how its going to end. Enjoy the journey  its a good season.

The most important thing about the finale, though, is that its a really funny episode of the show you loved. Thats why Larrys happy and Im happy, and its been great to see today just how many people have watched it and are talking about it. It's just something that doesnt happen anymore in our fractured TV universe.
This Thursday, Conan OBrien will take the Hot Ones challenge and face the Wings of Death, hopefully with a Catholic priest on call  Father OSchlansky should be able to give him his last rites.

Leading up to the April 18th release of his travel show, Conan OBrien Must Go, the late-night great and podcasting king is stopping by a great many places he probably did not intend to visit when he first pitched the vacation docuseries. Last night, Conan appearred on The Tonight Show 14 years after his acrimonious exit following a public power struggle with Jay Leno. But, for all the possible discomfort and odd feelings he may have experienced in his return to the setting of his most disappointing career setback, the complicated emotions of his interview with Jimmy Fallon will be nothing compared to what Conan and Sean Evans will undertake when Conan hops on the show with hot questions and even hotter wings later this week.

Don't Miss

Hot Ones production company First We Feast formally announced Conan as the guest for this weeks episode in a tweet on Monday afternoon. Though fans of both Conan and Evans celebrated the booking, we gotta wonder whether First We Feast has considered the liability issues and melting potential posed by serving the hottest wings in the world to an 8-feet-tall stick of Kerrygold butter.

This is not the first time some producer or publicist has had the bright idea to punish Conan with spicy food for the amusement of strangers, nor will it likely be the last now that he has his own Anthony Bourdain-esque series. In the first-ever episode of Will Arnetts improvised murder-mystery comedy series Murderville, Arnett fed his guest star the sloppiest of sloppy joes drenched in fiery hot sauce, inspiring the half-vomited lamentation from Conan, Im gonna die between burning bites. In that same episode, Conan also admitted to having high blood pressure, the treatment for which has never included Da Bomb: Beyond Insanity hot sauce.

Advertisement

Also, in a 2017 episode of Conan, the titular host traveled to Mexico near the U.S. border where he ate a spoonful of house-made hot sauce at a local restaurant to the horror of his fellow patrons. Conan was heard to remark, Now, I am Mexican. I am also dying.

Advertisement

With that kind of track record, its hard to be optimistic about Conans chances of surviving the ordeal hell face on Hot Ones, but its not impossible for paddy to pass the test. Two years ago, actual Irish national Colin Farrell completed the entire challenge down to the last dab, even chuckling as he took the final bite.

So, should Conan fail his upcoming trial, he wont be able to blame his Irish ancestors  though he may meet them.
Youll move on and someone else will be in this studio, Conan warned Fallon

Its been 14 bitter years since the ravenous Jay Leno snatched The Tonight Show back from Conan OBrien, but the towering redhead finally made his return to the shows studios last night. Jimmy Fallon led a standing ovation for OBrien, who was in a nostalgic mood about his 10 minutes hosting the show.

Memories flooded back for OBrien, not only about his abbreviated run on The Tonight Show but for his many seasons hosting Late Night with Conan OBrien, which filmed in the studio across the hall from Fallons current home. The first thing that will hit you -- and it will hit you too because one day, you'll have this show as long as you want it, but when you're 98, you'll move on and someone else will be in this studio, OBrien told Fallon. When someone else is in your studio, it feels weird.

Whos in OBriens old studio these days, once home to David Lettermans original late-night king? Turns out its currently occupied by Kelly Clarkson. I love Kelly Clarkson, OBrien said. Who doesn't love Kelly Clarkson? But still, I felt like, IT'S NOT RIGHT! BLASPHEMY! THEY SHOULD HAVE BURNED IT TO THE GROUND!

Don't Miss

It should be a museum! Fallon agreed.

Then Kelly came out to say hi and I said, Don't talk to me! You make me feel sick!" OBrien (probably) joked.

OBrien shared more memories about his early days as a talk show host, including a dressing room near the set of a New York news program called Live at Five. Aging celebrities would guest on the local show and then stop by Conans dressing room on their way out. I'm talking 70-, 75-year-old actors who are now doing local theater, he said. They would bang on my dressing room door and they'd be like, Come on, put me on the show! In particular, OBrien remembered a visit from comic Frank Gorshin, who played the Riddler on the 1960s Batman show. Gorshin would be doing voices outside the door. You let me in, you dirty rat, like voices from the 1930s. Now see here, kid, you're gonna let me on the show."

Fallon and OBrien also waxed nostalgic about Fallons first ever talk-show appearance, a jittery spot on Conans Late Night back in 1999.

Advertisement

The thing Conan remembered most about Fallons nervous rookie turn? I come out in the hallway, and your parents are in the hall. And they were like, How did Jimmy do? And I said, That kid's going all the way!

Advertisement

Yeah! shouted Fallon, clapping his hands.

And your parents were like, Conan says he's going all the way!"

Yes! exclaimed Fallon.

And then I realized, said OBrien, I say that to everybody.
KAGOSHIMA, Apr 10 (News On Japan) - A precious rodent species, classified as endangered and a national natural monument, has been put on display for the first time.

The Amami Spiny Rat, found only on Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, is now being exhibited at four zoos across Japan, including Hirakawa Zoological Park in Kagoshima and Kobe Animal Kingdom.

This rat, measuring between 10 to 15 cm in length, is distinguished by its spiny fur, approximately 2 mm in length covering its body. Notably, males of this species do not possess the "Y chromosome" typically found in males, making them particularly unique.

But what prompted this first-time public exhibition?

Hiroshi Samejima, a zookeeper at Hirakawa Zoological Park, shared, "We've made gradual progress in establishing breeding techniques, prompting us to initiate this exhibit now to spread awareness about our efforts. Currently, there's a significant decline in their population, and we want the public to understand the background of this issue."

Source: ANN
The success of Alex Edelmans shows like the current HBO special Just for Us has allowed him to meet many of his comedy heroes. Steve Martin, Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Crystal have all weighed in with encouragement and helpful advice. In a conversation on The Last Laugh podcast, Edelman shared a story about meeting another one of his biggest comic idols, Mel Brooks.

A few years ago, Edelman went to a screening of Blazing Saddles, with Brooks on hand for a question and answer session. During the Q&A, someone asked Brooks why Richard Pryor co-wrote the film comedy with him. Well, I didnt know anything about being Black in the United States, said Brooks. And Richie knew everything so I went, Richie, why dont you co-write this movie with me?

Edelman met up with Brooks after the session and told the director, Mel, thats very woke of you.

Don't Miss

Brooks response was a shocked, What?

Mel, thats representation, Edelman replied. That's a really wonderful thing.

Brooks brushed off any ideas of wokeness. Ah, it was just the right thing to do.

Mel Brooks understands all of the right ways to do comedy, Edelman argues, but he doesn't think of it in terms of being woke or politically correct. It's just a different vocabulary for him, says the younger comic.

Interviewer Matt Wilstein found the notion of a woke Brooks funny, especially because he's always accused of being anti-PC, right? I mean, Blazing Saddles and the way people talk about that movie.

Thats the funny thing about the 1974 comedy-western, Edelman says. I'm of the opinion that Blazing Saddles is actually extremely PC. It requires a really fine-tuned understanding of who the joke is on and who the joke is about. Because they're not the same thing.

Edelman offers up an example. In the beginning, the dumb white guys are forcing the minorities on the railroad to sing and they sing a beautiful (song). And the guys are like, Nah, sing Camptown Races! and (the dumb white guys) sing the really stupid song in a really dumb way. You get right away who the joke is on. It's actually really beautiful.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Thats right in line with what Edelman told The Atlantic last year. Watching Blazing Saddles as a comedian, you can go, I cant believe how clear it is. I cant believe how funny it is. I cant believe how many different perspectives there are. I cant believe how off-the-wall it is. I think every show that you watch, you should walk out marveling at it.

The film influenced Edelmans own work, he told Jewish Rennaisance, especially around the idea of heavy things worn lightly. In my routines Ive had jokes about the Pittsburgh shootings, the Nixon tapes or a friends funeral. If you asked Brooks if its OK to joke about anything, he would say yes  and you should.

Brooks would likely eat up all of the adoration Edelman has shared about Blazing Saddles over the years. But maybe just leave out the part about calling him woke.
Scarcely a week goes by in which one security service or another reveals they have discovered that the Peoples Republic of China has been engaged in some sort of skullduggery, be it cyber or human operations targeting individuals, intellectual property, or infrastructure.

Chief information security officers (CISO) do not have the luxury of self-selecting out and declaring that this is of no importance to them or that attacks by these advanced persistent threats (APT) are above their pay grade.

The reality of nation-state espionage activities is that we dont choose if we, our infrastructure, trade secrets, intellectual property, or personnel are the targets of a hostile nation intent on achieving its goals. The nation-state  in this case China  makes that determination, and we have the option of choosing to be either willfully ignorant or prepared.
Washington D.C., Apr 10 (News On Japan) - Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended an informal dinner with President Joe Biden and the First Lady at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.

For the dinner, both leaders traveled to the restaurant in Washington, sharing a ride in the presidential limousine, known as "The Beast."

President Biden posted a photo on social media showing both leaders smiling inside "The Beast." A Japanese government official commented, "It is extremely unusual for a head of state from another country to be invited to ride in 'The Beast.' It signifies the close relationship between the two leaders."

A reporter noted, "After finishing the dinner with President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida exited the restaurant in Washington. He was seen shaking hands with Mrs. Jill Biden. President Biden also made his appearance."

Before the dinner, there was an exchange of gifts. President Biden gave Kishida records by Billy Joel, among other items, while Kishida gifted Wajima lacquer coffee cups and plush toys of popular game characters to the President.

Source: TBS
Commentary: "Money rules" in American elections

Xinhua) 10:29, April 10, 2024

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has clinched the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, announced that his campaign had raised 50.5 million U.S. dollars at a major fundraiser in Florida last week.

This figure broke the record of 25 million dollars in fundraising in a single political event set by incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat.

For a long time, money has been the dominant factor in American elections, and whoever raises more money has a greater chance to win. The power of capital permeates and affects all aspects of American society through political power, forming an "American democracy" that is very much dependent on money.

In recent years, the cost of elections in the United States has skyrocketed, and money and politics have become more closely intertwined.

The total spending of the 2020 U.S. election was as high as 14 billion dollars, twice that of 2016, with 6.6 billion dollars spent on the presidential election and more than 7 billion dollars on the Congressional elections, according to statistics from the Center for Responsive Politics.

Some American research institutions predict that 2024 will be the most expensive election cycle in American history, with candidates spending more than 10 billion dollars on political advertising alone.

The financial threshold for participating in elections is getting increasingly higher.

Although people have the right to vote, they cannot exert a real influence over politics, which makes the "free election" that American democracy claims an empty slogan.

"The Irony of Democracy: An Uncommon Introduction to American Politics," co-authored by Louis Schubert, Thomas R. Dye and Harmon Zeigler, argues that the American people no longer believe that the government serves the common good, and most people think that a few large interest groups control the American political system, and often neglect the public interest to serve their own interests.

The intensification of partisan rivalry is an important factor driving rising election costs.

In recent years, American society has become increasingly polarized and so has public opinion. The two major political parties and their supporters compete for votes in an extremely fierce manner.

To "buy" the political power that will dominate resource allocation in the future, additional bets have been continuously added, thus pushing up campaign costs.

Politicians are particularly good at turning social tensions, which involve issues of climate change, abortion, trade, immigration and other aspects of the economy and people's livelihood, into tools to win over public opinion.

With more and more issues involved in party rivalry, the two parties are under increased pressure to invest more money in policy-making and advertising to win public opinion.

In addition, in the context of intensified party rivalry, the cost of candidates attacking and slandering each other and the two parties fighting each other is also high.

Japan's business newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun said in an article that the advertising industry predicts the cost of political advertising in this year's U.S. presidential election has surged, of which 70 percent are "negative advertisements" used to attack political opponents, and that expensive "slander campaigns" will intensify.

Money runs deep on all levels of the American political system.

The rampant gun violence is inseparable from the fact that gun interest groups invest heavily in supporting politicians who are in favor of protecting the right to own guns and blocking the passage of gun control bills.

Behind the epidemic of drugs, there are also a lot of lobbying and political donations from large pharmaceutical companies.

While campaign spending is seeing an incredible rise, investment in the country's dilapidated infrastructure is quite small. The recent bridge collapse tragedy in Baltimore, Maryland revealed the true state of dilapidated infrastructure across the United States.

The many social and economic problems in the United States today are the result of power serving money, and politicians turning a deaf ear to public opinion and being indifferent to people's livelihood.

For a long time, military-industrial enterprises have funded members of Congress to achieve personal political goals, and lawmakers have approved huge military expenditures to reciprocate and take advantage of the opportunity to make profits.

Senior U.S. defense officials have provided a steady stream of military contracts, arbitraged through the "revolving door" between politics and business.

To maintain the operation of this huge interest chain, this interest group formed by the military, military industrial enterprises and politicians has constantly provoked conflicts and created wars around the world, plunging many countries and regions into wars and turmoil.

As Boaventura de Sousa Santosone, a Portuguese expert on international issues, once pointed out, U.S. foreign policy and democracy are dominated by three oligarchies: the military-industrial complex; the gas, oil and mining complex; and the banking and real estate complex. One of their ways to gain exorbitant profits is to keep the world at war, and they are increasingly dependent on US arms sales.

In today's American political reality, the U.S. dollar controls the power and money truly dominates election campaigns.

Under the influence of money, American politics shows the disconnection between elite politics and public opinion, policy-making and social reality.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Who wouldn't be charmed by the Swiss grannies of the KlimaSeniorinnen  the 'Climate Seniors'  who have just won a signal victory in the European Court of Human Rights?

Perhaps that's what Greenpeace calculated when it helped form the women's campaign a few years back. If so, it's a tactic that has richly borne fruit.

Yesterday, the ECHR ruled that the Swiss government can be sued because its climate policies breach the 'human rights' of the group's 24,000 members. As heartfelt and well-meaning as the grey-haired seniors might have seemed on last night's television news, this is a deeply troubling judgment.

For a start, it opens the door to a stream of similar cases against nation states including Britain (which, despite Brexit, remains subservient to the ECHR). And, to judge from this ruling, governments are bound to lose many or most of these legal actions.

People really will start to believe that countries are responsible for 'eco-crimes' against a galaxy of other presumed rights: a perversion of law and politics that will prove costly and disruptive.

Activists of Climate Seniors from Switzerland pose with protest banners in front of the European Court of Human Rights

Activists of Climate Seniors wait in the courtroom during the judgement in a case against different European countries accused of climate inaction

Outside view of the European court of Human Rights

The Climate Seniors had argued that, as older women, they were more 'vulnerable' to heatwaves than the rest of the population, and that the Swiss government had somehow 'discriminated' against them by failing to do more to stop the planet from warming. The ECHR, in its pampered wisdom, agreed.

What a grotesque legal land-grab. An international-rights framework, shaped in the dark aftermath of World War II to prevent atrocities such as the Holocaust from re-occurring, had been extended to stop grannies in one of the richest countries from feeling the heat.

But the ruling is more than merely absurd: it poses a threat to democracy. Greenpeace, the Climate Seniors and the phalanxes of lawyers and judges enabling them represent nothing less than an insurgency. A powerful movement determined to effect political change while bypassing awkward things like democratic debate.

And their methods are underpinned by what I call 'critical law theory'  in which an intractably woke legal system is used to determine how the rest of us should run our lives.

You've probably heard of 'critical race theory', that discredited doctrine of academia and the Black Lives Matter movement which holds that the West is irredeemably 'white supremacist' and must be overhauled to favour minorities. Critical law theory, peddled as it is by powerful, yet unaccountable, lawyers and judges on the backs of equally progressive lobbyists, is more far-reaching and destructive still.

Consider, for example, the charities and law firms devoted to thwarting the Government's meek attempts to control its borders by mounting endless taxpayer-funded legal manoeuvres to keep foreign criminals on British soil, on the laughable grounds of their 'human rights'.

Activists of Climate Seniors from Switzerland celebrate as they leave the European Court of Human Rights

Activists of Climate Seniors and young Portuguese activists wait in the courtroom, during the judgement in a case against different European countries accused of climate inaction, at the European court of Human Rights

Or look at the trans-activist charity Stonewall and its attempts both to assign to history Britain's traditional understanding of biological sex and to peddle a disputed ideology in the classroom.

Stonewall seeks seismic social changes by lobbying Government, business and the civil service. It scorns the ballot box. And its techniques have been chillingly effective  the suppression of free speech when it comes to gender identity, ironically by those who are all too happy to exploit the language of rights and the law of 'hate crimes' to enforce their will.

Most of all, however, I see critical law theory operating in Brussels, where I live and work: the capital of rights-based advocacy and home to an army of lawyers growing fat on the proceeds. The theory maintains that courts exist not to interpret statute, as has traditionally been the case in continental Europe, but to change the law according to the thoughts and prejudices of the presiding judges, and the lawyers and campaigners who brief them.

As the head of a think-tank in the Belgian capital, I come across these professional advocates every day. Filling conference rooms, corridors and bars, they are young, mostly in their 20s and 30s.

They are well-meaning and plausible. They are committed to their cause, be it climate change or trans ideology. And they hold an unshakeable belief that they alone possess the truth.

Most people don't realise it, but campaigns, charities and other non-governmental groups  'stakeholders' to use the dismal language of the human-rights industry  are responsible for the bulk of the cases considered by the ECHR, not individuals. The Swiss Climate Seniors are a case in point: a media-friendly front for the massive lobbying power of Greenpeace.

The Strasbourg-based court was asked to rule in a trio of cases brought by a French mayor, six Portuguese young people, and more than 2,000 members of Switzerland's Senior Women for Climate Protection

Judges ruled on complaints brought against Portugal, Switzerland, and France over carbon emissions

Bypassing democratic politics, such groups view the ECHR not as a neutral arbiter but as a handy agent of political change.

So let me be clear: hijacking the law in this way is secretive, coercive and profoundly dangerous. We have allowed a small number of people to gain grotesquely disproportionate power over the lives of others: people who misuse the concept of 'human rights' to legitimise their worldview.

In 2019, former Supreme Court judge Jonathan Sumption issued a warning in his powerful Reith Lectures. The most distinguished legal mind of his generation argued that we are allowing judges and the courts to govern our lives while, at the same time, watching politics retreat.

It is impractical, it is dangerous and, ultimately, in ignoring political debate, it is inhuman. And yet the march of critical law theory continues  with 'human rights' at the heart of it. First established as a set of laudable principles following the conflagration of two world wars, such rights have exploded in number and scope.

A vast and still-expanding industry has been spawned, creating its own dynamic and weighing down upon the legal system.

But today, most people in Britain still instinctively think of responsibilities, not 'rights'. We understand the compromises needed in a complex society with a long history, and the sacrifices that individuals must make.

Activists of Climate Seniors from Switzerland give statements to the press in front of the European Court of Human Rights

The ECHR judgments are not legally binding for all 46 of the European Council's member states, but could set a legal precedent against which future lawsuits would be judged

Yet despite our departure from the EU's stranglehold, our lives are ever more constrained by 'human rights' laws minted in Brussels and applied, without discussion or consent, by our own courts.

The people behind this campaign are all the more effective because many are  like the Climate Seniors  sincere in their beliefs. It is therefore a profound irony that their 'non-political' image has proved an advantage. Because they are profoundly political.

Many, particularly in the legal profession, project themselves as moral gods. And we stupidly take them at their own estimate.

Having seen this trend for what it is, I am in no doubt that Britain must withdraw from the ECHR. We have no need of it. We have our own courts, our own judges  and centuries of our own law, thank you very much.

It is we who must determine what is in our own interests, not lawyers, and certainly not judges in a foreign capital.

This week's ruling is not only bad in its own right; it shows how irredeemably political the ornate structure of European 'justice' has become.

A general election is approaching. If Rishi Sunak really does wish to withdraw from the ECHR  and I profoundly hope he does  he is leaving it very late indeed.

This latest insanity from Brussels makes it more than clear: the time for action is now.

FRANK FUREDI is emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent and director of European policy think-tank MCC Brussels.
Kate Winslet's daughter Mia, in her cameo appearance in Scoop as a palace maid yelled at by Rufus Sewell's Prince Andrew over her misplacing one of his bedtime teddy bears, was spared the reality of the Duke's party trick.

Before his exile from royal duties, Andrew tormented junior servants by removing his toy monkey from his collection and hiding it in various locations in Buckingham Palace to see if staff would spot it.

Woe betide them if they didn't, as that meant they hadn't been doing their jobs properly. That particular avenue of pleasure is now lost to him.

But at least, in the absence of anyone to meet and greet, he has the monkey and 71 other cuddlies for company.

Kate Winslet's daughter Mia, pictured, made a cameo appearance as a palace maid in Scoop

She was yelled at by Rufus Sewell's Prince Andrew over her misplacing one of his bedtime teddy bears

When Lord Cameron met Donald Trump over dinner in Florida, did they discuss the possibility of Trump's return to the White House next year?

Options for the UK schmoozing a re-elected President Trump will be limited. He has already received a state visit to London and had a ceremonial visit to Windsor for tea with the late Queen.

But what he would really like, says a source, is a gong. Trump loves shiny things and receiving an honorary knighthood (only bestowed, so far, on Presidents Eisenhower, Bush Snr and Reagan) would, as Cameron might say, make him purr.

Florence Pugh's famous falling out with Don't Worry Darling's director Olivia Wilde  the actress missed a press conference to promote the flick at the Venice Film Festival  is celebrated by Chloe Sevigny, star of a new TV series about the feud between writer Truman Capote and a coterie of New York socialites.

'When Florence was upset with Olivia, that whole scandal was pretty exciting,' Chloe tells Radio Times. 'I liked that she didn't attend and was seen walking around with a cocktail [somewhere else] instead  if you're going to do it, go big like that.'

Florence Pugh's famous falling out with Don't Worry Darling's director Olivia Wilde is celebrated by Chloe Sevigny

Lamenting his failure to play the romantic field, Gyles Brandreth recalls in his 1969 Oxford student diary one damsel he would have thrown caution to the wind for.

Meeting DJ Simon Dee at the Randolph Hotel, he writes: 'I found him drinking champagne with a beautiful actress/model, Joanna Lumley. She is very lovely: I glimpsed her in her crisp white bra and panties.'

GB News boss Angelos Frangopoulos, using a studio microphone to tell assembled staff at the channel's Paddington offices of forthcoming redundancies, suddenly had the sound turned off when irate technicians attempted to ask questions. What's happened to the home of free speech?

New royal book Power And Glory mentions Canadian beauty Osla Benning, who stepped out with Prince Philip before he set his cap at the late Queen.

She once 'complained loudly' in a disco about a boyfriend (presumed to be Philip) whose habit was 'to always carry his torch in his pocket' which was 'so uncomfortable when dancing'.
A new Netflix true crime documentary released this week looks into the chilling case of a doting daughter who became a cold-blooded killer.

'What Jennifer Did' lays bare the sinister case of a woman who murdered her own parents after they uncovered her twisted web of lies about failing grades and forbidden romance.

In 2010, the then 24-year-old, Jennifer Pan, carried out a plot to execute her parents in the quiet Canadian neighborhood of Markham, Ontario.

Her boyfriend at the time, Daniel Wong, helped his girlfriend hatch the gruesome murder plan and even introduced Pan to one of the hit men who she later paid $10,000 to stage a home invasion.

But, who is the Canadian killer's ex-boyfriend and what happened to him? Here, FEMAIL lays out what Daniel Wong did and where he is now.

In 2010, the then 24-year-old, Jennifer Pan (ABOVE), carried out a plot to execute her parents in the quiet Canadian neighborhood of Markham, Ontario

Her boyfriend at the time, Daniel Wong (RIGHT), helped his girlfriend hatch the gruesome murder plan and even introduced Pan to one of the hit men who she later paid $10,000 to stage a home invasion

Who is Jennifer Pan's boyfriend Daniel Wong?

Daniel Wong was a high school friend of Pan's who had already dabbled in crime - he had a criminal record and had previously dealt drugs.

She began dating him in the 11th grade, despite her parents, Bich Ha and Huei Hann, who had arrived in Toronto as refugees from Vietnam, disapproving of their relationship.

Pan on the other hand, who was a first-generation Canadian, had excelled both as a student and as an ice skater in her formative years, according to school friends who previously spoke to Toronto Life.

However, she later stopped dedicating herself to her studies when she was 'snubbed' for a valedictorian award for her eighth grade class.

Her grades began to slide to the point where she was averaging 70 per cent in all of her classes except music by the first year of high school - but she kept her parents in the dark.

She decided to forge her report cards to show straight As using old progress reports, scissors, glue and a copy machine.

Her grades were good enough to get her into Ryerson University on early admission, and she told her parents that she would spend two years there studying science before transferring to the more prestigious University of Toronto to study pharmacology like her father had always wanted.

Pan began dating Wong in the 11th grade, despite her parents, Bich Ha (RIGHT) and Huei Hann (LEFT), disapproving of their relationship

However, in her last semester Pan failed calculus, which kept her from graduating and Ryerson withdrew their admission offer.

Instead of telling the truth, Pan continued to go about as if nothing was wrong, keeping up this lie for two whole years and even getting the bus downtown to pretend to go to lectures.

What did Daniel Wong do?

When it was time for Pan to 'graduate' from University of Toronto, which she never attended, Wong helped her to find someone who would forge a straight-A college transcript.

Pan then told her parents that she had gotten a volunteer job working in the blood-testing lab at SickKids hospital.

However, her father Huei Hann grew suspicious after he noticed she had neither a uniform nor a key card to get into the building.

Hann decided to take matters into his own hands and one day insisted on dropping her off at work before having his wife tail Pan inside the hospital where she was nowhere to be found.

The next morning, he then called the friend that Pan was supposed to be living with and found out that she never stayed there.

Ultimately, the Pans confronted their daughter and she conceded that she had never attended the University of Toronto and had been staying at Wong's house.

The then 24-year-old shelled out $10,000 for assailants to enter the family home (pictured) and shoot her parents in the head - but miraculously her father survived

Eric Carty (left) and David Mylvaganam (right) were both found guilty of their involvement in the crime and sentenced to time behind bars

After her parents found out about her web of lies, Pan was banned from seeing her boyfriend and their relationship began to fall apart - Wong started seeing someone new.

Pan was left furious but, after briefly rekindling things with Wong, they schemed to have both her parents killed so the young couple could move in together and collect a $500,000 inheritance.

Wong introduced Pan to one of the hit men, Lenford Crawford, who agreed to do the hit for $10,000.

But the accomplice soon decided to return to his other girlfriend and asked Pan if she still wanted to go through with the hit, to which she replied: 'I want it for me.'

On November 8, 2010, Pan's mother had been watching TV and her father was sleeping in his room.

It was at this point that she is said to have texted the killers and signaled for them to come into the house.

Crawford and his associates David Mylvaganam and Eric Carty walked in through the unlocked front door - each bearing their own gun.

The intruders dragged Hann out of his room and down into the living room, while pretending to be staging a home invasion by tying Pan's hands to a bannister.

Netflix's What Jennifer Did is set to be released on April 10

The group stole some money hidden around the home and then led the parents to the basement where each was shot multiple times

Police found splatters of blood trailed throughout the house as one investigator branded it as 'something we had never seen before'

Pan told police in interviews: 'All I could hear was my dad screaming on the street. I was yelling at him but he wouldn't come in'

The group stole some money hidden around the home and then led the parents to the basement where each was shot multiple times.

Her mother died of a point-blank gunshot wound. Her father was shot in the face - but miraculously survived.

The killers fled and Pan pulled out a cellphone from her waistband to call 911.

She sounded panicked and out of breath as she told the operator: 'Help me, please. I need help. I don't know where my parents are.'

What happened to Daniel Wong and where is he now?

When Hann woke up from a medically-induced three-day coma, he told investigators details of the home invasion that put the eye of suspicion on Pan.

He said that he saw his daughter talking to one of the men 'like a friend' and that her arms were not tied behind her back while she was being led around the house.

Investigators bought the then 24-year-old in for questioning and she quickly admitted to hiring the men to kill both her parents.

However, she claimed that her relationship with her dad mended and she called the murder-suicide plot off and had nothing to do with what happened.

Police did not believe her story and she was ultimately charged.

Pan, 28, was convicted of first-degree murder as well as attempted murder in December 2014.

Alongside Pan and the two thugs she hired to help carry out her plot, Daniel Wong was also found guilty.

In 2015, all four got life sentences on the murder conviction and life for attempted murder with the sentences to be served concurrently.

Daniel Wong is currently in prison but, like Pan, he will be eligible for parole after 25 years, in 2035.

Netflix's What Jennifer Did is released on April 10
The Spanish royal household have sent a message of modernity with new hire

Queen Letizia of Spain has made history after hiring a female secretary for the first time.

The European monarch, 51, and her husband King Felipe, 56, have appointed Maria Dolores Ocana Madrid to the important position, breaking tradition in the royal household.

Maria, a state lawyer, will take over the position as Letizia's right-hand woman from April 30.

It means that a woman will be at the Head of the Queen's Secretariat for the first time in history, sending a message of modernity from the Spanish royal household.

Maria has previously been pictured with the monarch at the Inauguration of the World Healthy Food Centre in Valencia in 2019, demonstrating that the two clearly have a long-term and close bond.

Queen Letizia of Spain has hired Maria Dolores Ocana Madrid as her first female secretary (pictured together in Valencia in 2019)

She is currently the Chief State Attorney at the Ministry of Education and previously worked in the Ministry of Agriculture after studying law at Complutense University.

Maria will be in charge of every detail of the Queen's agenda, as well as offering advice and accompanying her during public appearances.

She will take over the role from General Jose Manuel Zuleta, Duke of Abrantes, who has held the position for more than decade and is clearly held in close confidence by the Spanish royal.

Zuleta, 63, has always been discretely in the background to support Letizia at events events and began working for the royal household in the mid 1990s.

He is the son of Jose Manuel de Zuleta de Reales y Carvajal, 13th Duke of Abrantes and Virginia Alejandro y Garcia and was appointed head of the Queen's Secretariat shortly after Felipe became king in 2014.

The switch-up comes alongside a series of changes at Spain's Zarzuela palace.

Maria, a state lawyer, will take over the position as Letizia's right-hand woman from April 30

Maria will take over the role from General Jose Manuel Zuleta, Duke of Abrantes (pictured with Letizia in 2017), who has held the position for more than decade

Zuleta, 63, has always been discretely in the background to support Letizia at events events. Pictured arriving at the Santander Women Now Summit in 2021

King Felipe's own cabinet has experienced a recent shake-up, as Camilo Villarino was appointed head of the royal household in January, replacing Jaime Alfonsin - who had served for over 30 years.

The announcements of the new appointments follow Letizia cutting a demure look as she and her husband King Felipe arrived at the funeral of Fernando Gomez-Acebo on Monday.

The royal couple looked sombre in navy blue and black as they paid their respects to the king's cousin at the mass at Castrense Cathedral in Madrid.

Fernando Gomez-Acebo passed away aged 49 on March 1 from Covid-19.

He was the Spanish monarch's first cousin and King Juan Carlos's nephew. He is also the youngest son of Infanta Pilar and Luis Gomez-Acebo.

Felipe and Letizia arrived at the funeral mass to a waiting crowd of royal supporters and fans.

An air of melancholy could be seen around them as they walked hand-in-hand through the building's grounds.

Zuleta is clearly held in close confidence by the Spanish royal after being appointed when Felipe came to the throne in 2014 (pictured in 2016)

For the moving occasion, the Queen donned a form-fitting black frock which featured frayed detailing at the waist and sleeve ends.

The mother-of-two paired the look with a black leather handbag and stunning pearl brooch.

As the Queen was in mourning, she kept her make-up subtle. Meanwhile her brunette locks were swept downwards and rested just above her shoulders.

The King paid respects to his cousin in a navy blue double-breasted blazer and matching trousers. He paired the suit with a crisp white shirt and a black tie.
Jennifer Pan was at the center of cold-blooded murder plot to kill her parents - but what happened to her in the aftermath as her sordid web of lies unraveled?

The seemingly doting daughter, who lived in the upscale neighborhood of Markham, Canada, had spent nearly a decade deceiving her family in a bid to cover up her falling grades and forbidden romance until her parents began to untangle the truth.

Her mother Bich Ha and father Huei Hann, who had arrived in Toronto as refugees from Vietnam, eventually confronted her before Jennifer plotted to have them killed in a fake home invasion.

In November 2010, the then 24-year-old shelled out $10,000 for assailants to enter the family home and shoot her parents in the head - but miraculously her father survived.

But why did Pan go to such extremes? What happened to her after the crime? And where is she now? Here, FEMAIL has revealed all.

Jennifer Pan, who lived in the upscale neighborhood of Markham, Canada, had spent nearly a decade weaving a web of lies to cover up her falling grades and forbidden romance - until her parents began to untangle the truth

What did Jennifer Pan do?

Jennifer, who was a first-generation Canadian, had excelled both as a student and as an ice skater in her formative years, according to school friends who previously spoke to Toronto Life.

However, she later stopped dedicating herself to her studies when she was 'snubbed' for a valedictorian award for her eighth grade class.

Her grades began to slide to the point where she was averaging 70 per cent in all of her classes except music by the first year of high school - but she kept her parents in the dark.

Karen Ho, who went to the same elementary school as Jennifer, told the outlet that Hann was the 'classic tiger dad' who gave up everything to move to the US and labored at a tool manufacturing job so that his two children could have a better life.

Like many immigrant parents, he expected his children to perform at the top of their class so that they could get into the best colleges that would lead them to high-paid careers.

Afraid for her parents to find out that she was slipping, Jennifer decided to forge her report cards to show straight As using old progress reports, scissors, glue and a copy machine.

For the most part, Jennifer was actually getting Bs which was 'respectable for most kids but unacceptable in her strict household,' according to Ho.

Her grades were good enough to get her into Ryerson University on early admission, and she told her parents that she would spend two years there studying science before transferring to the more prestigious University of Toronto to study pharmacology like her father had always wanted.

Her mother Bich Ha and father Huei Hann, who had arrived in Toronto as refugees from Vietnam, eventually confronted her before Jennifer plotted to have them killed in a fake home invasion

The then 24-year-old shelled out $10,000 for assailants to enter the family home (pictured) and shoot her parents in the head - but miraculously her father survived

However, in her last semester Jennifer failed calculus, which kept her from graduating and Ryerson withdrew their admission offer.

Instead of fessing up, the student continued to go about as if nothing was wrong. She accepted her father's offer of a new laptop, started buying used biology and physics textbooks and even pretended to attend freshman week in September.

As for questions about how she was paying for college, Jennifer doctored papers saying she had received a loan and told her parents she had won a $3,000 scholarship.

When classes started, Jennifer took public transport downtown every day, where instead of attending lectures, she would go to public libraries and take notes on topics she thought she would be learning in her first-year science classes.

And it was a pretense that Jennifer kept up for two whole years.

He r father started asking about transferring to the University of Toronto and she again fed her parents a lie by saying she had been accepted.

She convinced them to let her stay with a friend downtown a few days of the week when in fact she was living at her high school sweetheart's house.

Another two years passed, and it was time for Jennifer to 'graduate' from University of Toronto.

This time, she and boyfriend Daniel Wong found someone to forge a straight-A college transcript.

She then told her parents that because of over-crowding at the school, each student was only allowed one guest at graduation, so she gave her ticket to a friend, not wanting to make one of her parents feel left out.

But her near-decade of deceit eventually came crashing down when she told her parents that she had gotten a volunteer job working in the blood-testing lab at SickKids hospital.

The intruders dragged Hann out of his room and down into the living room, while pretending to be staging a home invasion by tying Jennifer's hands to a bannister

The group stole some money hidden around the home and then led the parents to the basement where each was shot multiple times

Her father grew suspicious after he noticed she had neither a uniform nor a key card to get into the building.

Hann decided to take matters into his own hands and one day insisted o n dropping her off at work before having his wife tail Jennifer inside the hospital where she was nowhere to be found.

The next morning, he then called the friend that Jennifer was supposed to be living with and found out that she never stayed there.

Ultimately, the Pans confronted their daughter and she conceded that she had never attended the University of Toronto and had been staying at her boyfriend's house.

Hann felt betrayed and had initially banished his daughter from the house before his wife convinced him to let her stay with a strict set of ground rules.

For the first two weeks, Jennifer was banned from using her computer and cellphone and after that time was up her parents had to be in her presence when using them.

Forbidden from seeing her boyfriend, their relationship began to fall apart and Wong started seeing someone new.

Jennifer was left furious but, after briefly rekindling things with Wong, they schemed to have both her parents killed so the young couple could move in together and collect a $500,000 inheritance.

Wong introduced Jennifer to one of the hit men, Lenford Crawford, who agreed to do the hit for $10,000.

But Wong soon decided to return to his other girlfriend and asked Jennifer if she still wanted to go through with the hit, to which she replied: 'I want it for me.'

What were Jennifer Pan's crimes?

On November 8, 2010, Jennifer's mother had been watching TV and her father was sleeping in his room.

It was at this point that she is said to have texted the killers and signaled for them to come into the house.

Crawford and his associates David Mylvaganam and Eric Carty walked in through the unlocked front door - each bearing their own gun.

The intruders dragged Hann out of his room and down into the living room, while pretending to be staging a home invasion by tying Jennifer's hands to a bannister.

The group stole some money hidden around the home and then led the parents to the basement where each was shot multiple times.

Her mother died of a point-blank gunshot wound. H er father was shot in the face - but miraculously survived.

Boyfriend Daniel Wong (pictured) introduced Jennifer to one of the hit men who agreed to do the hit for $10,000

Eric Carty (left) and David Mylvaganam (right) were both found guilty of their involvement in the crime and sentenced to time behind bars

The killers fled and Jennifer pulled out a cellphone from her waistband to call 911.

She sounded panicked and out of breath as she told the operator: 'Help me, please. I need help. I don't know where my parents are.

'Some people broke into our house and stole all this money. I could hear my parents yelling. Please send help.'

Police found splatters of blood trailed throughout the house as one investigator branded it as 'something we had never seen before.'

When Hann woke up from a medically-induced three-day coma, he told investigators details of the home invasion that put the eye of suspicion on Jennifer.

He said that he saw his daughter talking to one of the men 'like a friend' and that her arms were not tied behind her back while she was being led around the house.

What did Jennifer Pan say in police interviews?

Investigators bought the then 24-year-old in for questioning where Pan lied to police with an elaborate cover story.

In footage from the interview, she could be seen sitting in an interrogation room in a gray sweater with her hair swept in front of her shoulder in a braid.

She began by recounting her version of events in a very softly spoken voice.

'Suddenly, I just heard my mom calling for my dad to come down and that's when I lowered the volume on my TV,' Pan started.

'I could hear the voices weren't any voices I was very familiar with and so I was scared and I couldn't move. I just sat in my room for a while.

'And then I thought I heard them all leave the top floor and I peered out of my bedroom door and a guy was there and he came at me and had string in his hands.

The seemingly doting daughter could be seen sitting in an interrogation room in a gray sweater with her hair swept in front of her shoulder in a braid

'He tied my arms back and said, "I have a gun behind your back. Do what I say. If you do what I say then no one will get hurt. Where's the money? Show me where your money is."'

She explained: 'I had a bit of money put aside from when I was waitressing - cash. So I showed him where it was and he took it and put it in his pocket I think.

'And then they pushed me to my parents room and asked me where the money was there and I didn't really know.

'So they kind of like... one was right beside me blocking my way to the door while the other one has turned over the bed to find some more cash in my mom's bedside table.

'At which then they dragged me downstairs and made me kneel at the bottom telling me to lay face down on the floor while the other guy had a gun behind my head and asked my mom where her purse was.'

Pan continued reeling off her version of events and appeared to be choking back tears as she elaborated: 'My mom kept trying to get up and they kept telling her "sit down" and so I didn't want her to get hurt so I told her "mom, sit down."

'They were trying to find her wallet and they kept pushing her down onto the chair.

'And then one of the gentlemen asked my father if he had money in his wallet and where his wallet was.

'So they took me - because I was next to the stairwell - they took me up the stairs to show them where my father's wallet was but I didn't know.

'They had turned the room upside down I didn't know where his pants were at that time and then they had taken me and they tied me to the top of the bannister just with one string.

'I could still move. I was afraid to because one guy had that gun so next thing I know I think I heard my parents going down the stairs and my mom was asking them for me to come with them. They wouldn't let me come with them.'

Pan then ramped up her performance by bursting into tears but managed to continue telling her fabricated story.

'The last things I heard them say was "you lied, you lied to us, you lied to us" - and then I heard two pops.

Pan's interview tape was released at the time but has recently resurfaced as Netflix's What Jennifer Did gets set to unravel the case

'My mom screamed, I yelled out for her and then a couple more pops.'

She thrust her head into her hands as the investigator reached out to offer comfort, sliding a box of tissues across to Pan and telling her to take her time.

'I think I heard my mom say or moan or something and then they did one more before they left and then one of the guys said "we have to go now, it's been too long" and then they ran out the door.

'I think once they were out the door I heard my dad come up the stairs and at that point I had my phone in my pocket - on me, behind me - that I had hidden there that they didn't know about.

'So when I thought that I had heard them all leave and my dad ran up the stairs. I whipped out the phone and I called 911 but I still hadn't heard anything from my mom.

'All I could hear was my dad running on the street - moaning and making sounds. That's pretty much what I...'

The investigator interjected and asked her to elaborate further on what happened up until the police arrived.

Pan continued: 'I was just on the phone to the secretary or the operator and I begged her not to leave me alone. My dad was outside and I was yelling at him but he wouldn't come in.

'I don't know if he could hear me. He didn't come in. I think he went to look for help. I didn't get to see my dad at all before I left the hospital just now.'

The final question on the tape from the cop was: 'How did you get free?'

To which, Pan responded: 'The cop came and he snipped the two strings off for me. I was out asking them for so long. They said they couldn't untie me until they knew how to properly untie the strings.'

What happened to Jennifer Pan? Where is she now?

Pan later admitted to hiring the men to kill both her parents.

However, she claimed that her relationship with her dad mended and she called the murder-suicide plot off and had nothing to do with what happened.

Police did not believe her story and she was ultimately charged.

Pan, 28, was convicted of first-degree murder as well as attempted murder in December 2014.

She was found guilty alongside boyfriend Wong and two thugs she hired to help carry out her plot - Crawford and Mylvaganam.

All four got life sentences with no chance of parole for 25 years on the murder conviction and life for attempted murder with the sentences to be served concurrently.

Judge Cary Boswell said at the time that he handed down the maximum sentence for attempted murder because Hann only survived the 'crime of terrifying violence' through sheer luck.

'Each of the offenders knew that he or she was involved in a murder plot,' and understood the 'abject immorality' of it, Boswell said.

Pan's family members did not attend the trial but both her father and brother sent written statements.

Hann wrote: 'When I lost my wife, I lost my daughter at the same time. On the day Bich died, I feel I died too.'

He said he could no longer work and had been unable to return to the family home since the attack - adding that it was also impossible to sell the house because the murder case was so widely known.

'I hope my daughter Jennifer thinks about what happened to her family and can become a good, honest person someday,' he added.

Pan's brother Felix said the murders would follow him the rest of his life.

Carty was tried later but was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder after co-operating with the Crown and admitting to the plot. He was given 18 years.

Following his sentencing he was fatally stabbed in prison, according to reports.

Netflix's What Jennifer Did is set to be released on April 10
A mother has been slammed by viewers on This Morning for her tips and tricks on how to meal prep school lunches.

Food writer Suzanne Mulholland, known as 'The Batch Lady', from the Scottish Borders, went onto the television show today to discuss how parents can save cash by batch-cooking their children's packed lunch.

The former time management consultant told Dermot and Alison about the cheapest foods to include in the lunches, advising parents to make pasta ahead of time, freeze hummus and yoghurts and send their children to school with crumpets.

Suzanne is a fan of freezing various foods and defrosting them as and when needed, and told parents to clear a drawer out to dedicate to school lunches - admitting that she had a large freezer to store all her items in.

However, her tips didn't go down well with viewers who said they wouldn't give their children three day old pasta and questioned how they were supposed to toast crumpets at school.

'The Batch Lady' Suzanne Mulholland, from the Scottish Borders, went onto the television show today to discuss how parents can save cash by batch-cooking their children's packed lunch

She told Dermot and Alison about the cheapest foods to include in the lunches, including pasta, hummus and crumpets

Suzanne Mulholland's top tips for saving cash when packing your child's packed lunch box 'The Batch Lady' went on This Morning today and spoke about her tips and tricks on how to save your pennies by meal-prepping lunch. Bake your own cakes Instead of buying processed cakes to put in lunchboxes, bake your own when you're making other elements of the packed lunch. She said sweet treats are cheaper this way and you are not feeding your kids highly-processed food out of a packet. Make hummus from scratch The chickpea-based dip is cost-effective and can last days in the fridge, making it perfect for packed-lunch boxes. Suzanne recommended to bake cakes fresh and freeze them because it works out cheaper But Suzanne says to make it yourself rather than using store-bought hummus, as it only contains a couple of ingredients and is therefore cheaper. Hummus can be used with vegetables such as carrot, celery or cucumber sticks, making it an easy way to incorporate vegetables into packed lunch boxes, she said. She said you can also freeze hummus and yogurt to consume at a later date. Buy your breads in advance Suzanne said if you want to switch up the type of bread you use in your sandwiches, buying the packets at the start of the month and storing them in the freezer means you can defrost and mix and match easily. Dedicate a freezer drawer to packed lunches Because Suzanne's tips contain a lot of freezing of foods, she says dedicating freezer drawers to school packed lunches allows you to have the space to plan. Buy in bulk The Batch Lady said to avoid buying things advertised as lunch or bite-sized and instead buy things in bulk. That way you can portion out what you need and it works out cheaper than buying convince items. Avoid juice boxes Suzanne advised parents to avoid juice boxes because they can be quite costly and instead use squash, which gives the same effective of fruity flavour but it is cheaper. Advertisement

The Batch Lady said: 'If you're not using your freezer right now, clear it out and have one drawer just for school lunches.'

She added later on in the show: 'If you've got a few things you've pulled out the freezer you can put them in still cold and then it's going to keep it cold going forward in the summer.'

But one user wrote: 'You can't just have one freezer drawer full of kid's lunches, what's she on?'

She then moved on to say that you can easily freeze hummus and yogurt, much to Dermot and Alison's surprise.

But others questioned how true this was, with one user claiming that the dishes would come out watery if frozen and then defrosted.

Suzanne's segment didn't go down well with fans of the show who hit out at her freezing methods

'Who freezes hummus???? Who??? Ridiculous item. Yogurt comes out watery if you freeze it,' they said.

Suzanne also suggested parents bake cakes while batch-cooking the lunches to use time more effectively, adding that the sweet treats could be stored in the freezer and taken out at a later date, ensuring that no food goes to waste.

The mother said that cooking tons of pasta allows parents to portion it out throughout the week and she estimated that servings can cost as little as 7p.

She said: 'Things like pasta are really good to do. You can do it at the start of the week, it lasts a couple of days in the fridge, about three days. If you're on a budget pasta is a great way to do [lunches].'

But one viewer took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say that they wouldn't eat three-day-old pasta.

Another person wrote: 'Who puts buns in the freezer? Just eat them.'

Suzanne also told parents to buy crumpets for school-packed lunches if they are on a strict budget as they are only '20p per portion and are really filling and nice'

One user said they wouldn't eat three-day-old pasta, as the Batch Lady recommends

She then told parents to go for non-nut pesto and chocolate spread, in case there are children with allergies nearby, which angered some viewers and left them questioning how they coped in their school days.

'Why should you go for non-nuts? Ffs, how did we survive childhood before all this b*****ks,' one commented.

Suzanne also told parents to buy crumpets for school-packed lunches if they are on a strict budget as they are only '20p per portion and are really filling and nice'.

But watchers of the show questioned how their child would be able to eat a crumpet when it has to be warmed up.

They wrote: 'Right a crumpet needs to be heated or toasted. What f****** school will heat up a crumpet?'

She then finished her segment by advising parents not to buy juice boxes because they are too expensive, but instead use squash diluted with water.
Princess Sofia of Sweden looked radiant in an all-white ensemble on Wednesday as she met with representatives at the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss children's rights.

The royal, 39, was impossibly elegant in a light silk shirt and matching tailored trousers, giving a fresh and modern appearance.

She was joined by her husband Prince Carl Philip - who is the only son of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, and is currently fourth-in-line to the Swedish throne.

Sofia's ensemble almost gave the impression of wearing a stylish trouser-suit thanks to her singular use of white, and she added a dainty brown belt to emphasise her waist.

She complemented her look with gold metallic detailing throughout her outfit, such as on her belt buckle, her jewellery and the hardware of her stylish leather bag.

Princess Sofia of Sweden looked radiant in an all-white ensemble on Wednesday as she met with representatives at the European Parliament in Brussels

The royal, 39, was impossibly elegant in a light silk shirt and matching tailored trousers

The princess was pictured getting down to business as she arrived at the summit carrying a bright blue folder.

She then engaged in discussions alongside Carl Philip, who was smartly turned out for the occasion in a navy suit.

The royal couple has travelled to Belgium to attend the European Parliament Intergroup on Children's Rights, which is co-charied by Swedish politician David Lega of the Christian Democrats.

The cross-party and cross-national group of MEPs promotes childrens rights and works to ensure their wellbeing is put to the forefront of EU policy.

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia were joined by representatives from their Foundation, which was set up when they married in 2015 and is focused on campaigning against bullying.

The couple share three children Prince Alexander, 7, Prince Gabriel, 6, and Prince Julian, 3.

In 2019, King Carl XVI Gustaf decided that Princess Sofia's sons, as well as those of Prince Carl Philip's sister Princess Madeline, will not have HRH titles.

Although they will still go by prince and princesses they will not receive taxpayer funds.

Sofia was joined by her husband, Prince Carl Philip and representatives of their foundation to attend the European Parliament Intergroup on Children's Rights

Prince Carl Philip (pictured) is the only son of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia and is currently fourth-in-line to the Swedish throne

Sofia's ensemble gave the stylish impression of wearing a trousersuit, and she added a dainty brown belt to emphasise her waist

The princess was pictured getting down to business as she arrived at the summit carrying a bright blue folder

At the time of the announcement Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip said it would allow their children to have more freedom when they get older.

When asked by Royal Central if she had ever considered stepping back from royal life, Sofia said: 'No. Not really. I think I have found such a fantastic balance, and I really see it as positive that I have made it through these stormy years.

'It is such a huge advantage, in that we have the opportunity to stand a little in both worlds.'

The Duchess of Varmland, who once modelled topless with only a snake wrapped around her torso, now preserves her modesty.

Princess Sofia then went on to star on a Love Island-style reality television show before moving to New York where she became a yoga teacher and studied accountancy.

When Princess Sofia joined the royal family back in 2015 there was something of a backlash

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia 's Foundation was set up when they married in 2015

The Duchess of Varmland, who once modelled topless with only a snake wrapped around her torso, now preserves her modesty

She complemented her look with gold metallic detailing throughout her outfit, such as on her belt buckle, her jewellery and the hardware of her stylish leather bag

Sofia engaged in discussions alongside Carl Philip and members of their foundation

Sofia is now one of the best-loved members of the Swedish royal family

When she joined the Swedish royal family in 2015, there was, as you might expect, something of a backlash.

Since then, however, she has become one of the best-loved members of the Swedish royal family, praised for working in hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic Princess Sofia undertook a three-day medical course at Sophiahemmet University College in Stockholm, where she is an honorary chair member.

This meant she was able to assist with healthcare work. Photos surfaced of her scrubbed in and posing with other staff members, who worked at the Sophiahemmet hospital.
Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and his wife Princess Rajwa are expecting their first baby this summer.

The couple - who got married in a prestigious wedding last June - will soon be parents, the royal household has revealed.

The happy occasion is also set make Queen Rania, 53, a grandmother and King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, 62, a grandfather, for the first time.

'The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, Crown Prince, and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, are expecting, with Gods help and grace, their first child, in the summer of this year,' a statement on the website reads.

'And the Royal Hashemite Court, congratulating His Majesty King Abdullah II, son of Al Hussein, and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, on this occasion, to wish Their Royal Highnesses the good offspring a good health.'

Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and his wife Princess Rajwa are expecting a baby this summer. Pictured at their wedding in June

The joyous announcement comes after Rajwa's tragic loss of her father in February - just months after she married into the Jordanian royal family.

Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif died at the age of 71.

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Prince Hussein shared a picture of him embracing Khaled, who became his 'beloved' father-in-law after marrying Princess Rajwa last June.

'With profound sadness and sorrow, we bid farewell to my beloved father-in-law. We will always remember his kindness, generosity, and integrity. May God bestow mercy upon him and grant us patience and strength,' he wrote.

Hussein, 29, and high-flying architect Rajwa, 29, were married in June last year at Zahran Palace in Amman.

Following a short service, Abdullah II and Rania hosted a lavish reception at the Al Husseiniya Palace, which was attended by more than 1,700 guests - including the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Rajwa dazzled in a white gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, which featured a lengthy train embroidered with flowers, and a sparkling diamond tiara.

Abdullah II and Rania proudly watched as their son was wed during an Islamic ceremony known as a 'katb ktab' held in a gazebo and conducted by the Royal Hashemite Court Imam Dr Ahmed Al Khalaileh.

The happy occasion is also set make Queen Rania , 53, (pictured) a grandmother and King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, 62, a grandfather, for the first time

The couple - who got married in a prestigious wedding last June - will soon be parents, the royal household has revealed

Kate Middleton, who lived in Jordan for a short period during her childhood, led the glamorous guests at the event in a blush pink lace dress also by Elie Saab. Princess Beatrice wore a silver sequined gown from British label Needle & Thread for the occasion.

Rajwa was educated in Saudi Arabia before then moving to the US for university.

While living in New York, she studied Architecture at Syracuse University - obtaining her Bachelor of Arts.

During her undergraduate degree, Rajwa flew to Dubai with her class to study the city's sustainable developments.

Following her graduation, she then went on to study Visual Communications at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles - where reality star Lauren Conrad and fashion designer Monique Lhuillier also studied.

Pictured: Abdullah II (right) and Rania (left) stand with Hussein during his engagement to Rajwa

She then went on to work at an architecture firm in Los Angeles and was employed by Designlab Experience design studio in Riyadh last year.

Along with her passion for horseback riding, Rajwa also has a creative streak - and is said to enjoy drawing and making art in her spare time.

Despite Hussein's public profile, the couple largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight to begin with.

The Crown Prince announced his engagement to Rajwa in August 2022 - after the heir to the throne proposed at his future wife's home in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The future King of Jordan picked a show-stopping pear-shaped diamond set on a pave band to propose with.

At the time, Hussein confirmed that both his and Rajwa's families were present for the special moment.
They were ordered to pay a $17.2 million fine as well as being sentenced to jail

Todd Chrisley has been ordered to pay a Georgia investigator a staggering $755,000 in damages after a jury found him guilty of defaming her by repeatedly accusing her of carrying out an 'illegal and improperly motivated' case against him.

Todd, 55, and his wife, Julie Chrisley, 51, were found guilty of taking part in a $30 million tax fraud scheme in 2022, and were sentenced to 12 and seven years behind bars respectively.

But the disgraced Chrisley Knows Best star's legal woes have only continued to pile up in the wake of the sentencing - with a jury now ruling that he must hand over more than half a million dollars in compensatory and punitive damages, as well as legal fees, to one of the women who led the case against him.

Georgia Department of Revenue investigator Amy Doherty-Heinze sued Todd for defamation in July 2021, claiming that he had wrongly accused her of 'a multitude of crimes and wrongdoing' on his podcast and social media accounts, per the Los Angeles Times.

Todd Chrisley (left) has been ordered to pay a Georgia investigator (right) $755,000 in defamation loss - after he claimed her investigation against him was 'improperly motivated'

Todd, 55, and his wife, Julie Chrisley (seen in 2017), 51, were found guilty of taking part in a $30 million tax fraud scheme and sentenced to 12 and seven years respectively in 2022

Georgia Department of Revenue investigator Amy Doherty-Heinze (seen) sued Todd for defamation in July 2021, after she claimed that he accused her of 'a multitude of crimes and wrongdoing' on his podcast and social media accounts

Her suit also said that he spread 'false accusations that she engaged in various criminal misconduct in her post as an investigator for the Georgia Department of Revenues Office of Special Investigations.'

Back in 2020, after her agency began investigating Todd, he went on a fierce tirade against Amy on his Facebook and Instagram.

He made a slew of accusations against her, including that she stole thousands of dollars from the GDOR evidence room, went to Disneyland on the taxpayers' dime, and generated false case numbers to illegally run the plates of his and family members' vehicles.

He also alleged that she an extramarital affair with her then-boss, the Director of GDOR's Office of Special Investigations, Joshua Waites, and that she even made a sex tape with him and one other colleague.

In his sworn deposition, however, made in 2022 and seen by DailyMail.com, Todd was forced to admit that he did not possess any sex tape, nor could he produce any evidence to substantiate his claims that Amy was 'a crook' who had acted in any way illegally.

Both she and Joshua have vehemently dened that they had an affair or made any sex tape.

DailyMail.com also learned that Amy's sister works for Disneyland and provided her with free passes to the park on the day Todd claimed taxpayers footed the bill.

Todd and Julie rose to fame after they began starring in the USA reality show Chrisley Knows Best in 2014.

Back in 2020, after her agency began investigating Todd, he went on a fierce tirade against Amy on his Facebook and Instagram

He made a slew of accusations, including that she stole thousands of dollars from the GDOR evidence room and generated false case numbers to illegally run the plates of his vehicles

He also alleged that she an extramarital affair with her then-boss, the Director of GDOR's Office of Special Investigations, Joshua Waites (seen), and that she even made a sex tape with him and one other colleague

It documented their day-to-day lives alongside their children, and went on for nine seasons before it was recently canceled amid the scandal.

In the series, the couple worked hard to portray the image of devoted parents and devout Christians - but they saw their picture-perfect on-screen images ripped apart when it was brought to light that they had scammed the bank by submitting fake documents when applying for loans.

They were ultimately found guilty of 12 counts of conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion.

Both Todd and Julie have maintained their innocence and have since launched numerous appeal against their verdicts.

They have also denied Todd's former business partner Mark Braddock's shocking claims that he and Todd had an affair, branding him as a 'liar' and insisting that he fabricated 'everything' in appeal documents.

In July 2023, their appeal was denied, but they quickly filed another one - their last attempt before having to turn to the Supreme Court, something their lawyer said they are certainly willing to do if needed.

'Todd and Julie Chrisley will take this to the Supreme Court if their appeal is denied by the 11th Circuit court. Absolutely. 100 per cent,' their lawyer, Jay, said at the time.

'If the Supreme Court agrees to hear their case, it will take anywhere from six months to 18 months. But it is very difficult to get a case there.

'And if the Supreme Court denies their appeal than that is that. They have no more options. That is how our legal system works, unfortunately.'

A jury ruled last week that he must give Amy over half a million dollars in compensatory and punitive damage, as well as legal fees. Part of the lawsuit is seen

Both Todd and Julie have maintained their innocence and have since launched numerous appeal against their verdicts

Julie will now serve five and a half years in Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky (left), while Todd will serve out 10 years in a federal prison in Pensacola, Florida (right)

He said his clients' eighth amendment rights were 'clearly violated' during the appeals process, and insisted that the Chrisleys' home confinement application 'wasn't even processed.'

He also claimed that they are being subjected to 'cruel and unusual punishment' as a result of their unfavorable prison conditions, which they say include a lack of air conditioning, mold, and plumbing issues.

Their latest appeal will be heard by the federal appeals court in Atlanta this month.

After Todd and Julie were found guilty of $30 million worth of tax fraud at the end of last year, the couple was ordered to pay a $17.2 million fine - with reports at the time suggesting that they would be forced to sell their two mansions, worth a total of $9 million, in order to pay the restitution.

In January 2024, it was then reported that the pair had sold their sprawling Tennessee home for a whopping $5.2 million - carrying out the sale while remaining behind bars.

The pair have had at least one piece of positive news however.

Last fall, it was revealed that they had their sentences reduced; Julie will now serve five and a half years in Federal Medical Center Lexington in Kentucky, while Todd will serve out 10 years in a federal prison in Pensacola, Florida.

Earlier this year, the couple secured a $1 million settlement from the state of Georgia after alleging misconduct in the investigation into their tax evasion scheme.

The Chrisleys filed a suit against Joshua in October 2019, accusing him of illegally sharing confidential grand jury and tax information with their estranged daughter Lindsie.

The suit also alleged that Joshua's behavior was a 'shocking' demonstration of how an 'out-of-control public servant can abuse his office and violate the rights of innocent citizens for reasons that have more to do with securing publicity and money for his office than with enforcing the law.'

An investigation in 2021 found the couple had been 'unfairly targeted' in their tax evasion case due to their celebrity status.

The investigation uncovered pictures of the investigator posing on Todd and Julie's seized furniture and filing an improper request with the US Treasury to access their bank accounts.

Joshua resigned from his $107,000-a-year position last year after lying about having a degree in criminal justice.
It's been three and a half years in the making but at last the Cass Report, a deep investigation into the most controversial issue of recent years  the medical treatment of those who feel they are living in the wrong gender  has finally been published.

There's a long-standing approach to reports of this kind. Find someone highly respected in their field. Pay them to make their enquiries and write a report. Publish and read the report. Put it on a shelf and forget about it.

This must not happen with the Cass report. The subject matter is far too important to ignore.

Hilary Cass is a paediatric consultant. Her concern is children, their treatment and the way they've been influenced by what they've been told about being a girl or a boy and changing sex.

Of equal concern is the way the medical profession and other adults charged with the care of the young have dealt with the pressure from the trans lobby from as long ago as 2010 when the Equality Act included gender reassignment as a protected characteristic.

Keira Bell sued the Tavistock for its haste in giving her puberty blockers and hormones to become a boy, which led to her having a double mastectomy

London's Tavistock clinic finally closed last month, and a few weeks ago NHS England confirmed gender identity clinics would no longer prescribe puberty blockers

When former Minister for Women and Equalities Maria Miller took over the newly-formed Women and Equalities Committee in 2015, the first subject they chose to tackle was 'equality issues affecting transgender people'.

Why, I asked at the time, when trans people are such a tiny minority? Surely, she should be concerning herself primarily with women  with violence in the street and at home, with equal pay, discrimination, lack of childcare. The list was long and familiar, but it was brushed away. It was trans people who experienced widespread suffering she'd been told. She must consider their needs first.

It was the first hint I had of a powerful lobby, concerned with those who were not happy with the sex they'd been born with. No-one was talking then about children suffering from 'gender dysphoria'. And no-one thought children needed special services. In 2009 only 97 children were referred to GIDS  The NHS gender development service, based at the Tavistock Centre. By 2021 over 5,000 children were referred. What was going on?

My anxiety grew after an interview on Woman's Hour with the trans activist India Willoughby. What influence was Stonewall having on the NHS and the seeming erasure of women in maternity care? Why were trans women calling themselves real women? Why were so many kids seeking treatment after 'being born in the wrong body'?

My anxiety grew after an interview on Woman's Hour with the trans activist India Willoughby (pictured on BBC Question Time in February)

In my research for an article I spoke to Stephanie Davies- Arai, director of Transgender Trend. She was desperately worried about young children being given puberty blockers  drugs that had not been properly tested  which seemed to be leading young people towards surgery to change their gender. I was appalled and expressed my horror in an article I wrote.

Friends had warned me not to get involved in this toxic debate. I could not ignore the damage that was being done to women and children but, inevitably, like so many others who were equally shocked, I suffered the full onslaught of the trans lobby.

Awe-inspiring power of the solar eclipse

The solar eclipse bypassed Britain this year, but in 2001 we happened to be on holiday in northern France for the first total eclipse of the 21st century. It was awe-inspiring. The world darkened. The birds stopped singing. The gathered crowds were silent. Then the light came on and the birds sang again. Catch one if you can. The eclipse seen from Ohio on Monday Advertisement

There were threats of murder and rape. My alma mater, Hull University, was told it must not name a lecture theatre after me. (The vice chancellor was brave enough to ignore them.) The BBC ignored demands to sack me but became terrified of discussing the issue. I was not sacked. I cancelled myself by quitting. Of course, the bullying from the trans activists hasn't stopped.

Dr Cass has suffered just as I have. In the introduction to her report, she writes of the criticism she's faced for talking to people on both sides of the debate  those who advocate for gender affirmation and those who urge more caution. The knowledge of experienced clinicians was sometimes dismissed. 'There are,' she writes, 'few areas of healthcare where professionals are so afraid to openly discuss their views, where people are vilified on social media, and where name calling echoes the worst bullying behaviour. This must stop.'

It's a brave woman who's endured such nonsense for nearly four years of her life.

It was the appearance in court of Keira Bell that brought damage to children to the forefront. She was suing the Tavistock for their haste in giving her puberty blockers and hormones to become a boy which led to her having a double mastectomy. She'd been only 16 when she was treated at the Tavistock and argued in court that it had been too young to give informed consent.

In 2021 she lost the case, but it was her bravery in speaking out and the actions of the Tavistock's whistleblower, the psychiatrist Dr David Bell, that fatally undermined the power the Tavistock had enjoyed. Dr Bell reported that too many children who had come as patients were not fit to make an informed choice. Some were simply too young, some suffered from autism, some were gay. What they needed was talking therapy, not powerful drugs.

Since Dr Hilary Cass began her investigation some of what Dr Bell said has been taken on board  albeit belatedly. The Tavistock finally closed at the end of last month. And a few weeks ago NHS England finally confirmed gender identity clinics would no longer prescribe puberty blockers.

Two new gender clinics are scheduled to open this month in London and Liverpool where the emphasis will be on talking about gender dysphoria. What psychological difficulties is a child facing, what effect is home life having on a girl or a boy? It is surely better to talk about anxieties with an informed professional than take powerful drugs that will change your life forever.

Dr Cass is not only concerned with medical intervention, but 'social transitioning'. It is, she says, 'an active intervention because it may have significant effects on the child or young person in terms of psychological functioning...it is not a neutral act and better information is needed about outcomes.'

I'm hoping this means no more primary school teachers being encouraged to allow kids to change their name without informing parents. They are teachers not psychiatrists.

And if you have a five-year-old son who wants to go to school in his sister's skirt, just let him do it. It's about style, a bit of fun, maybe jealousy or maybe, as in my case, defiance. My son, aged six, trying on shoes for school, opts for widely advertised Princess shoes. 'No,' said the shopkeeper, 'they're for girls'. 'Don't care,' my son replied.

I bought them. One week later, 'Mum,' they're uncomfortable. Can I get some trainers?' Of course. No need to make such a fuss about it.

And Cass must be cheered for her courage and common sense.

Nicola's my kind of leading lady

Why on earth would Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan be surprised to be the romantic lead in the Netflix drama? Why do people assume she finds herself 'hideous', as she asked in a recent interview?

Coughlan is talented, lovely and attractive. As Penelope Featherington, she'll make a fine leading lady in the forthcoming third series of Bridgerton  and give the rest of us hope that you no longer have to be tall and thin to be a sex symbol.

Nicola Coughlan gives us hope that you don't have to be tall and thin to be a sex symbol

The worst hospital? It's mine!

It's a worry to find nationwide data places your local hospital as the worst place in the country to break a bone. Especially when the report, produced this week, is by the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS).

Twelve years ago, I was rushed to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead with an agonisingly painful left arm after I'd slipped on the ice outside my house.

I had an X-ray. A nurse said he wasn't sure what state my humerus was in and sent me home in a sling. A week later, it was found to be so badly broken I needed surgery.

Then last November I fell at home and was rushed to the Royal Free only to find, eventually, that I'd broken a vertebra. After a long wait, they decided to let it heal itself.

On neither occasion was I offered a bone scan. The ROS says every hospital should have a Fracture Liaison Service to ensure bones are tested after the first break and medication given if osteoporosis is detected.

Let's hope I don't break anything else before the change is implemented.
A killer flesh-rotting animal tranquiliser is now rife in cocaine sold in Britain, warn experts.

Xylazine, nicknamed 'tranq', has helped turn US cities like Philadelphia and New York into 'zombielands', leaving users lifeless.

But the potent drug  strong enough to knock out elephants  is now widespread on UK streets.

It has already been linked to 11 deaths, but experts say this could be the tip of the iceberg and that hundreds more could die in the coming years.

Researchers found tranq laced in supplies of hard opioids like heroin and fentanyl.

Karl Warburton, 43, (pictured) died in May 2022 from the effects of xylazine combined with other drugs including heroin, fentanyl and cocaine

Dealers use the substance as a cutting agent to make drugs even more potent than they already are as well as stretch supplies.

King's College London academics also found tranq in cocaine, counterfeit codeine and Valium tablets, and some cannabis vapes.

Experts warned this showed the extent to which tranq has penetrated Britain's drug supply with users unaware they buying drugs laced with the tranquilliser.

Tranq can rot the body from the inside out causing ulcers to in people who inject the drug directly into their blood.

Analysis of toxicology report has linked tranq to 11 deaths in the UK since 2022, the majority of which occurred last year.

A powerful animal tranquiliser that has helped turn some US cities into 'zombielands' is being added to UK cocaine supplies, experts have warned

This is thought to include Karl Warburton, a 43-year-old factory worker who became the UK's first known tranq victim in 2023.

Researchers warned the 11 figure is likely to be an a 'gross underestimation', given how UK labs have not routinely been testing for the drug.

Many of the people included in the toxicology reports also tested positive for cocaine use.

Writing in the journal Addiction, experts warned that if tranq exploded in use like in the US hundreds of Brits could die.

'If the UK were to experience the 20-fold increase in deaths seen in the US since 2015, deaths following xylazine use could be anticipated to exceed 220 deaths by 2028,' they said.

Xylazine was originally developed as an animal tranquiliser in the 60s, typically for large animals like cows and horses.

It binds to and blocks adrenergic receptors in the brain, which release the stress hormones norepinephrine and dopamine, effectively slowing brain activity.

The result is a reduction in pain and stress, as well as a sense of euphoria similar to that of opioids.

As such, its powerful narcotic effects can dangerously lower people's heart rate and breathing.

Senior author Dr Caroline Copeland, an expert in toxicology, said: 'We now know that xylazine has penetrated the UKs illicit drug market.

This map shows the locations where xylazine has been detected in the UK in a combination of toxicology reports in people, as well as samples taken from drugs tested or seized by authorities. Locations are approximated to the county or city reported. Five toxicology cases where location was completely redacted are placed to the right of the map, and two cases with the location only listed as Scotland are randomly placed in the country

Xylazine depresses the central nervous system, causing users, such as these in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, to exhibit a zombie-like appearance

The flesh-eating drug can affect someone's skin in places separate from the injection site. This patient often injected the drug into his neck with gruesome effects

'This is cause for alarm as a much wider population of people who use drugs beyond heroin users will be exposed to its harms.'

She called for the UK to implement three measures to prevent a similar tranq 'epidemic' as that which has struck the US.

'Cheap xylazine test strips should be made available, healthcare providers need to be aware of the signs that chronic skin ulcers are due to xylazine use, and pathologists and coroners should specifically request toxicology testing for xylazine in relevant cases to understand the true prevalence of the drug,' she said.

In addition to looking at toxicology reports, Dr Copeland and team also looked at 14 drugs samples which had tested positive for tranq.

Two of these were for THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) vapes, with the rest being counterfeit painkillers, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medications.

Tranq's rise in the US, where the powerful sedative is mixed with stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, has been credited with creating 'zombies' on the streets of major cities like Philadelphia, New York, Sacramento and Portland.

The combination of sedative and stimulant turns users into human statues that exist in a zombie like state rather than passing out completely.

Its other famous effect is a 'flesh rotting' quality observed among people who take it.

While not fully understood, the theory is that tranq constricts blood vessels, slowing down or blocking oxygenated blood from flowing throughout the body.

This can prevent major and minor injuries, including drug injections, from healing properly increasing the risk of infection.

Its presence in cocaine is particularly worrying for the UK, with Britain having the highest usage of the drug in Europe.

One in 40 adults (2.7 percent) in the UK take the class A drug, more than any other country in Europe, according to figures from the The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Once the preserve of high society, cocaine is now widely used across British society.

This is, in part, thanks to its price falling in real terms over the past decade and how in many places in the country it can be delivered 'as quickly as a pizza'.

Separate data from the Office for National Statistics shows deaths involving cocaine have increased eight-fold over the past decade and have risen for ten consecutive years.

In 2021, 840 people died in England and Wales due to cocaine, up from 112 deaths in 2011.

Your browser does not support iframes.

One in 40 adults in the UK take the class A drug, which is more than any other country in Europe and behind only Australia globally

Your browser does not support iframes.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Meanwhile, the number of older people treated for cocaine abuse in hospital in England rose sharply in the past year, according to NHS data.

Over-60s  dubbed 'silver snorters'  were admitted 540 times. They included 85 aged 70 to 79, 11 in their 80s and three in their 90s.

Experts have said the UK high rate of cocaine use is fuelled by Britain's drinking culture, with many taking the stimulant to counteract the sedative effects of alcohol.

Tranq which is cheaper than many other illicit substances, costing as little as 5 per kg, is often added to provide a more powerful kick for users.

Mixing this way also allows dealers to stretch their supplies and get users hooked more easily, providing a cruel and profitable cycle of repeat customers for dealers.

There is no approved antidote for tranq overdoses in humans, with treatment instead focused on counteracting the drug's effects.
She's undeniably one of the most influential paediatricians of her generation and, perhaps most importantly, is no stranger to raising the alarm about patient safety concerns.

So it's no wonder that Dr Hilary Cass was tasked with overhauling care for gender-questioning children in the UK.

Appointed by NHS bosses in the wake of the Tavistock scandal, Dr Cass has sorted fact from fiction in a debate which has become exceptionally toxic.

Her damning review of gender identity services for young people spans nearly 400 pages and has been close to four years in the making.

Dr Hilary Casss final report on NHS care for gender questioning children has now been published

Retired consultant paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass speaking about the publication of the Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People

It says children have been let down by a lack of research and evidence on medical interventions, specifically puberty blockers and hormone drugs.

Guidelines themselves aren't evidence-based, she ruled.

As Dr Cass herself bluntly puts it, the entirety of gender medicine is 'built on shaky foundations'.

Dr Cass, in her 60s, is no stranger in raising concerns to those in power.

In 2013 it was revealed she left Great Ormond Street Hospital after raising concerns about patient safety.

She warned bosses that inadequate staffing, poor morale and a lack of co-operation between departments was putting patients at risk.

After emailing managers an account of her concerns, GOSH used a confidentiality agreement to settle a long-running dispute with her which saw her demoted and led to her departure.

It sparked a national conversation about the use of so-called 'gagging clauses' in the NHS.

Dr Cass, who went to a prestigious London private school for girls before studying medicine at the University of London, herself is a recognised leader in the field of medical care for children, having served as president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health from 2012-2015.

On top of that, she was chair of the British Academy of Childhood Disability between 2017 and 2020.

While no longer working clinically, she remains an honorary consultant paediatrician at Evelina London Childrens Hospital  part of Guys & St Thomass NHS Foundation Trust.

While at Evelina she worked on the development of paediatric palliative care services for extremely ill children and their families.

Dr Cass, who has previously described her ideal guilty pleasure as eating a Snickers while watching an episode of The Thick Of It, is respected figure in the filed of paediatrics

Dr Cass, who has previously described her ideal guilty pleasure as eating a Snickers while watching an episode of The Thick Of It, has also published multiple articles of the care of children with neurodisability.

Previous work of hers involves children with autism, cognitive and visual impairment as well as those with multiple disabilities.

The care of children is clearly a subject close Dr Cass's heart, as even after stopping clinical practice she has worked with charities dedicated to helping youngsters with complex medical conditions.

These include being an ex-chair of the children's palliative care charity Together for Short Lives and a trustee for the Noahs Ark Childrens Hospice.

Dr Cass, an avid fan of the theatre, has been recognised multiple times for her work, including receiving an OBE for her services to child health in 2015.

She has also been granted honorary fellowships by the Royal College of Nursing and Royal College of General Practitioners

Dr Cass has form for wading into controversial medical topics, previously speaking in 2013 on her support for doctor assisted suicide, otherwise known as medical euthanasia.

When she retires, she plans a 'gap year for grown ups', according to an interview she did with the British Medical Journal in 2013.

In that same piece, she spoke of her love of 'crispy duck from the local Chinese takeaway'.

Her parents 'always thought that I was argumentative and perverse enough to be a lawyer', Dr Cass also said.
An eagerly-awaited review into the care of gender-questioning children in England and Wales today tore apart current practices.

Dr Hilary Cass's near 400-page report states children have been let down by a lack of research on medical interventions like powerful puberty blockers.

And guidelines for treating children who want to swap gender also aren't evidence-based, the respected paediatrician said.

Her catalogue of damning findings will be used as ammunition to overhaul one of the most controversial areas of modern medicine both in the UK and the rest of the world.

Here, MailOnline, answers your questions on the Cass report, from what it found, what the next steps are, to how it started in the first place.

Dr Hilary Casss final report on NHS care for gender questioning youth has now been published

Retired consultant paediatrician Dr Cass speaking about the publication of the Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People, April 9

What did the Cass report broadly find?

The major review of care for gender questioning youth in England found youngsters were being let down by a lack of research and evidence on the medical interventions that had become standard in the field.

As Dr Cass herself bluntly put it, the entirety of gender medicine for young people is 'built on shaky foundations'.

These included the use of controversial puberty blockers, which pause the physical changes of puberty such as breast development and facial hair growth.

It also took aim at the evidence, or lack thereof, on social transitioning, where a child is treated as if they had switch genders, for example changing pronouns and the use of cross-sex hormones in teenager.

Among the reports 32 recommendations are a call for gender services to operate 'to the same standards' as other health services for children and young people, with 'a holistic assessment' of people referred.

Such a holistic approach would include screening for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, and a mental health assessment.

The Cass report also urged the NHS to change some other standards of its gender care.

This includes a review of its policy on giving children masculinising or feminising hormones from the age of 16, with the report urging 'extreme caution'.

Dr Cass said there 'should be a clear clinical rationale for providing hormones at this stage rather than waiting until an individual reaches 18'.

The use of such hormones, the review said, should be part of a research programme alongside a previously reported puberty blocker trial which is expected to be in place by December.

What did it say specifically about social transitioning?

Dr Cass's report also warned a 'more cautious approach' must be taken for children than for adolescents when it comes to social transitioning, which is where someone might change their pronouns, name and/or clothing.

When families are making decisions about social transitioning, it is important 'parents are not unconsciously influencing the childs gender expression', the review said.

The Tavistock Centre closed a couple of weeks ago after it was found not to be 'a safe or viable long-term option'

What has the Cass report recommended? Dr Hilary Cass made 32 recommendations in total on multiple aspects of gender care for child. Here is the summary of what they are... Research The NHS should put in place a 'full programme of research' looking at the characteristics, interventions and outcomes of every young person presenting to the NHS gender services, with consent routinely sought for enrolment in a research study which follows them into adulthood. Gender care is 'an area of remarkably weak evidence', the review stated, but results of studies have been 'exaggerated or misrepresented by people on all sides of the debate to support their viewpoint'. Dr Cass said there is currently 'no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress'. Alongside a puberty blocker trial, which is expected could be in place by December, there should be research into psychosocial (therapeutic) interventions and the use of the masculinising and feminising hormones testosterone and oestrogen. On the latter, the review warned giving such hormones to 16-year-olds should be an approach taken with 'extreme caution'. Care must be holistic The care of children and young people questioning their gender identity or experiencing gender dysphoria 'needs to be holistic and personal'. Services 'must operate to the same standards as other services seeing children and young people with complex presentations and/or additional risk factors'. The review says assessments of needs with a view to informing 'an individualised care plan' should include screening for neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, as well as a mental health assessment. Age The approach to care for the youngest children should be different to that for teenagers. There should be no lower age limit to accessing help and support and parents and families should be helped to ensure options 'remain open and flexible for the child'. For those yet to hit puberty, there should be a 'separate pathway' of care within each regional network of services, and young children and their parents should be prioritised for 'early discussion with a professional with relevant experience'. There should be 'follow-through services' for 17 to 25-year-olds, rather than being transferred straight into adult services, with regional centres either extending the age range of their patients or through 'linked services, to ensure continuity of care and support at a potentially vulnerable stage in their journey'. The review said all children should be offered 'fertility counselling and preservation' before going down the route of medical intervention. Approach to referrals Referrals into the now-closed Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust were 'unusual' in that they were accepted directly from GPs and from non-healthcare professionals including teachers and youth workers. Dr Cass said she supports the NHS England proposal for all referrals to come via secondary care. Social transitioning There was 'no clear evidence' that social transition in childhood has any positive or negative mental health outcomes and 'relatively weak' evidence for effects in adolescence. But children who socially transitioned  changing names, pronouns etc  at an earlier age or before being seen in clinic 'were more likely to proceed to a medical pathway'. Partial transition 'may be a way of ensuring flexibility', the review said, adding that appropriately-trained clinical staff should advise on the risks and benefits of social transition 'referencing best available evidence'. It warns parents must be careful not to unconsciously influence the childs gender expression. Workforce Professionals have been reluctant to engage in the clinical care of gender-questioning children and young people due to the weak evidence in the area, a lack of consistent professional guidance and support, and long-term implications of making the wrong judgment about treatment options, the review said. There is a need for the 'appropriate skill mix to support both individuals who require medical intervention and those who do not as work continues to increase the available workforce. The workforce should include a wide range of specialists including paediatricians, psychiatrists, clinical nurse specialists, social workers, specialists in neurodiversity, speech and language therapists and occupational health specialists. Endocrinologists and fertility specialists should also feature 'for the subgroup for whom medical treatment may be considered appropriate'. The review said NHS England must identify gaps in professional training programmes and develop training materials 'to supplement professional competencies, appropriate to their clinical field and level'. Detransition NHS England should consider whether a separately commissioned service is needed for people who wish to detransition  where someone discontinues or reverses a medical gender transition  given that people who regret going through this process might be hesitant to return to the same service they had previously used. The review states that 'better services and pathways' are needed for a group of whom many are 'living with the irreversible effects of transition and no clear way to access services'. The percentage of people treated with hormones who then detransition remains unknown because of the lack of long-term follow-up studies, but the review stated there is suggestion numbers are increasing. Anyone detransitioning should be carefully monitored in a supportive setting, especially when coming off hormone treatments. Private healthcare With puberty blockers no longer being prescribed to children on the NHS, the review stated that no GP should be expected to 'enter into a shared care arrangement with a private provider' if a young person has been given access to them via that route. The review said GPs had 'expressed concern about being pressurised to prescribe hormones after these have been initiated by private providers and that there is a lack of clarity around their responsibilities in relation to monitoring'. Dr Cass said the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England must 'consider the implications of private healthcare on any future requests to the NHS for treatment, monitoring and/or involvement in research', noting that a young persons eligibility to take part in the NHS study into puberty blockers could be affected if they took puberty blockers outside the study. Advertisement

It added that there was no clear evidence that social transition in childhood had any positive or negative mental health outcomes.

But it noted that 'those who had socially transitioned at an earlier age and/or prior to being seen in clinic were more likely to proceed to a medical pathway'.

Has there been any reaction to report?

Responding to the report, NHS England said it had written to local NHS leaders to pause first appointment offers at adult gender clinics to young people before their 18th birthday, and is 'bringing forward its systemic review of adult gender services'.

More broadly, the health service said it was 'very grateful to Dr Cass and her team for their comprehensive work on this important review', and that it would 'set out a full implementation plan following careful consideration of this final report and its recommendations'.

Most trans rights groups have not yet seen the report, but the findings and concerns highlighted are likely to be disputed by some.

Robbie de Santos, director of campaigns and human rights at LGBTQ+ rights organisation Stonewall, had a mixed response.

'What is important, above all, is that trans and gender-diverse children get the quality healthcare that they need and deserve,' he said.

'The Cass Review can play a vital role in achieving this aim if its recommendations are implemented properly.

'Many recommendations could make a positive impact  such as expanding the provision of healthcare by moving away from a single national service towards a series of regional centres while recognising that there are many different treatment pathways that trans young people might take.

'But without due care, training or further capacity in the system, others could lead to new barriers that prevent children and young people from accessing the care they need and deserve.'

Dr Cass herself, perhaps anticipating some negative reaction, included the following notes in the report itself.

She insisted her review was 'not about defining what it means to be trans, nor is it about undermining the validity of trans identities, challenging the right of people to express themselves, or rolling back on peoples rights to healthcare'.

Instead, and addressing gender questioning children directly, she said: 'I have been disappointed by the lack of evidence on the long-term impact of taking hormones from an early age; research has let us all down, most importantly you.'

What do other doctors think?

Medical experts have broadly welcomed Dr Cass's findings.

Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: 'Dr Hillary Cass has published a rigorous independent review.

'Crucially, it is informed by the views of people with lived experience, but also a broad range of views from stakeholders, healthcare professionals, social workers and of course, parents.

The College will now review, in detail, the recommendations of this important report and what they mean for patients, psychiatrists and mental health services. Once this work is complete, we will respond in full to its findings.'

Professor Steve Turner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), said the review was a 'massive undertaking' and the college will 'closely consider the reports recommendations'.

'It is essential that NHS England now provides the necessary additional guidance and support needed for paediatricians and the wider child health team to undertake their important role of caring for children who are gender questioning or experiencing gender dysphoria,' he said.

Professor Ashley Grossman, an expert in endocrinology at the University of Oxford said the new report shone a much-needed light on the use of puberty blockers in gender care.

'For many years we have been using puberty blockers in young children who are going into early puberty to delay puberty to a normal time  this has been very successful with much detailed evidence,' she said.

'This is a different situation  this set of reviews is looking at using these drugs to delay normal puberty.

'This very detailed set of analyses now suggests that there are not enough good data showing the long-term effects in children with gender dysphoria.

'More carefully run clinical trials are needed so that we can understand how and when such agents are justified and of benefit.'

Some charities have also welcomed the findings.

These include The Childrens Society, a charity allied to the Church of England which called it a 'watershed moment'.

Mark Russell, the charity's chief executive said: 'Children and young people exploring their gender identity still face unacceptable barriers in getting the support they critically need, highlighting that there are numerous oversights in how gender identity services are currently designed and delivered.

'This report should mark a watershed moment; an opportunity to dismantle the existing barriers and foster an environment which places the wellbeing and safety of all children at its heart.'

What happens now? Are NHS gender care services for children still running?

Gender care services for young people in England and Wales will continue as usual, while the NHS considers the Cass report.

Just weeks before final report came out, the NHS restricted the use of puberty blockers citing a lack of evidence on their 'safety or clinical effectiveness'.

However, NHS England's decision is not an outright ban on the puberty blockers completely.

Some 100 children currently on the drugs via the NHS will be allowed to continue their treatment to its conclusion and there are plans, as supported by the Cass report, for a clinical trial in their use in the future.

Additionally, in a sign of changes being underway the NHS's old Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust shut its doors two weeks ago.

This was followed by two new regional hubs opening in London and the north of England in an effort to move away from a single-service model.

NHS bosses hope to open seven or eight such centres in the future.

Will the report change how private gender clinics operate?

No, at least not directly.

As they are not under NHS purview, private clinics in England can still dish out puberty blockers and hormones to children as they have done in the past.

However, the Cass report's findings on a lack of evidence on the safety and effectiveness of such treatments will likely be used by campaigners who are calling for such private gender clinics to be restricted.

Your browser does not support iframes.

The review itself has stated that no GP should be expected to 'enter into a shared care arrangement with a private provider' if a young person has been given access to puberty blockers via that route.

It added GPs had 'expressed concern about being pressurised to prescribe hormones after these have been initiated by private providers and that there is a lack of clarity around their responsibilities in relation to monitoring'.

Dr Cass said the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England must 'consider the implications of private healthcare on any future requests to the NHS for treatment, monitoring and/or involvement in research'.

Her review also noted that a young persons eligibility to take part in the NHS study into puberty blockers could be affected if they took puberty blockers provided by an external source.

Is the report for England and Wales only?

Yes, the report was commissioned by NHS England which also runs gender care services for under 18s in Wales.

Therefore, gender care services in other parts of the UK, like those in Scotland, are not in its purview.

However, it will likely be referenced in debates about those services in the future.

Indeed, Northern Ireland has already said it will follow England's lead on the use of puberty blockers following the announcement of the change last month.

How did the Cass report get underway?

The Cass report was commissioned by NHS England in September 2020 to make recommendations about NHS services for gender-questioning children and young people.

It was led by Dr Hilary Cass, former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

NHS England said at the time that the review has been established 'in response to a complex and diverse range of issues'.

One of these was a massive surge in referrals to the NHS Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) over the previous decade.

Referrals for GIDS, hosted at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, went from just under 250 in 2011/12 to more than 5,000 in 2021/22.

During the same period wait times for patients in the system ballooned, with some waiting years to access care.

At the same time practices at GIDS were coming under increasing scrutiny after former patients and whistleblowing staff claimed youngsters were being rushed onto medication like puberty blockers despite concerns over their use.

This included Keira Bell who previously took the clinic to the High Court, claiming she had not been challenged enough, before being prescribed puberty blockers at just 16.

These concerns, which have been largely validated by the Cass review, surrounded a lack of evidence regarding the safety of their use in patients and uncertainty about their long-term impact on patients' health.
The independent review of gender services for children and young people was commissioned nearly four years ago.

An interim report was produced by Dr Hilary Cass, who led the review, in February 2022  she has now published her final findings.

At nearly 400 pages, the review examined the challenges facing NHS England's gender services for children and young people and made more than 30 recommendations.

These are some of the key themes Dr Cass's report addressed...

An interim report was produced by Dr Hilary Cass (pictured), who led the review, in February 2022  she has now published her final findings. At nearly 400 pages, the review examined the challenges facing NHS England's gender services for children and young people and made more than 30 recommendations

Keira Bell (pictured) took Tavistock and Portman NHS foundation trust to the High Court, claiming she had not been challenged enough, before being prescribed puberty blockers at just 16 called it 'a step in the right direction'

TOXIC DEBATE

In her forward to the review Dr Cass warned 'the toxicity of the debate is exceptional'.

She reported being criticised for engaging with all sides of the debate for her review which was so vicious 'professionals are so afraid to openly discuss their views'.

Dr Cass said while there was little reliable evidence on trans-healthcare 'results of studies are exaggerated or misrepresented by people on all sides of the debate'.

She issued a rallying cry to clinicians that 'we have to cut through the noise and polarisation' to provide trans-children with the same standard of care as others.

SCHOOLS

Dr Cass could only make recommendations for NHS England, with classrooms outside of her remit.

But the review sought to lay the groundwork for Government to introduce clearer guidelines of social transitioning in schools.

Dr Cass said 'the importance of what happens in school cannot be under-estimated', in a veiled reference to recent non-statutory guidance.

The systematic review found there was no clear evidence social transition had a positive or negative on a child's mental health.

But it found those who socially transitioned 'at an earlier age' or before seeing a medical professional 'were more likely to proceed to a medical pathway'.

It also issued a warning to those seeking to exclude parents stating they 'should be actively involved in decision making unless there are strong grounds to believe that this may put the child or young person at risk'.

PRIVATE CLINICS

The review found that young people had been driven to private providers having sat on the NHS waiting list.

Focus groups told Cass they felt there was a 'forced choice' to use private clinics as NHS provision took too long to access.

Dr Cass also said she was concerned over the use of unregulated medications by 'providers that are not regulated within the UK'.

She had been told GPs were concerned they had been 'pressurised to prescribe hormones after these have been initiated by private providers'.

But the review concluded GPs should not 'be expected to enter into a shared care arrangement provider, particularly if that private provider is acting outside NHS guidance'.

Retired consultant paediatrician Dr Cass speaking about the publication of the Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People, April 9

The former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health was appointed to lead the Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People in 2020

GEN Z

A large amount of work went into understanding the characteristics of trans-children and young people.

The review found Generation Z and some younger Millennials had different beliefs about the fluidity of gender, compared to older generations.

It cited a US survey which showed Gen Z adults were the first generation to respond negatively to the statement 'there are only two genders'.

The survey found the attitudes had changed quickly  within a six-month period between early 2020 and late 2020-early 2021.

Dr Cass's forward also referenced those who identified as non-binary, describing it as 'the fastest growing group identifying under the trans umbrella'.

Your browser does not support iframes.

in a sign of changes being underway, the NHS's old Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust shut its doors two weeks ago

TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES

The systematic review found there was little research on 'adverse childhood experiences'. But the studies they did find showed high rates among children referred to gender services.

They found between 11 to 67 per cent had suffered combined neglect or abuse; 15-20 per cent had been physically abused; 5-19 per cent sexually abused; and 14 per cent emotionally abused.

Traumatic experiences to family members were also a contributing factor, with maternal mental illness or substance abuse cited in between 53 per cent and 49 per cent of cases respectively.

Paternal mental illness or substance abuse was found to exist in 38 per cent of cases.

THE CASS REPORT TIMELINE Here is a timeline of events since it the Cass report was launched almost four years ago. 2020 September: The Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People is commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement to make recommendations about NHS services for gender-questioning children and young people. Led by Dr Hilary Cass, former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, it is known as the Cass Review. NHS England says it has been established 'in response to a complex and diverse range of issues' including the significant rise in referrals to the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust from just under 250 in 2011/12 to more than 5,000 in 2021/22. October and November: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects GIDS, which is the only service available in England for children and young people with gender dysphoria, also treating children and young people from Wales. 2021 January: The CQC publishes its inspection report which rates the service inadequate overall. The watchdog says the service is difficult to access, with young people waiting more than two years for their first appointment, and that staff do not develop holistic care plans for patients, with 'significant variations in the clinical approach of professionals' and no clarity in records on why decisions had been made. 2022 March: Dr Cass publishes her interim report, saying a 'fundamentally different service model is needed which is more in line with other paediatric provision', and concluding that a sole provider of such services is 'not a safe or viable long-term option'. July: The NHS announces GIDS will close and be replaced with a regional network, aimed to be up and running by spring 2023. 2023 The deadline for the regional clinics to be operating is pushed back amid what NHS England describes as the 'complex' set-up of the 'completely new service'. The new aim is spring 2024. 2024 March: NHS England confirms children will no longer be prescribed puberty blockers at gender identity clinics, saying there is not enough evidence to support their 'safety or clinical effectiveness" and that they would only be available to children as part of clinical research trials. April: New regional hubs open as the GIDS at Tavistock officially closes. Led by London's Great Ormond Street Hospital and Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, NHS England hopes they will be the first of up to eight specialist centres as part of the north and south hubs over the next two years. The Cass Review's final report is published. Advertisement

Exposure to domestic violence was present in between 23-25 per cent of cases and death or permanent hospitalisation of a parent in 8 per cent to 19 per cent of cases.

While the data had limitations a review of the first 124 cases at the NHS Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) found over a quarter of all referrals had spent some time in care.

Nearly half of all referrals had experienced living with only one parent.

DE-TRANSITIONING

One of Cass's recommendations was people thinking about de-transitioning should be cared for by a separate service.

She noted NHS England should recognise 'they may not wish to reengage with the services whose care they were previously under'.

The recommendation had been informed by experiences of people who told the review they regretted transitioning.

It found they may 'be hesitant to engage with the gender services that supported them through their initial transition'.

Perhaps the most high profile case of de-transitioning is that of Keira Bell.

She began taking puberty blockers at 16-years-old before transitioning to a male  she has said in the past the Tavistock clinic should have done more to challenge her.

LACK OF CO-OPERATION

The Cass review published a series of appendices, including an exchange of letters between Dr Cass and John Stewart the national director for special commissioning at NHS England.

He manages the 150 specialised services directly commissioned by NHS England's national and regional teams.

In January this year (2024) Mr Stewart wrote to Dr Cass over the research programme, led by the University of York. The goal was to track the experiences of patients at Gids and NHS adult gender clinics.

But it transpired the researchers' efforts was scuppered because 'the necessary cooperation from the clinical leads within those services has not been forthcoming'.

He described the refusal by clinicians as 'clearly very disappointing and if left this way would represent a missed opportunity for the NHS'.

WPATH guidelines

Some of the fiercest criticism in Cass's review was reserved for the World Professional Association of Transgender Health and the 'Standards of Care' it produced.

Cass concluded WPATH had been 'highly influential' on shaping what was considered international best practice but the University of York reviewers found it 'to lack developmental rigour'.

By tracing a number of international guidelines the reviewers found WPATH's 'Standards of Care 7' and an Endocrine Society guideline, 'influenced nearly all the other[s]'.

The reviewers also found that WPATH's 'Standards of Care 8' then went on to cite those other guidelines to justify its latest recommendations, despite 'having been considerably influenced by WPATH 7'.

The review concluded: 'The circularity of this approach may explain why there has been an apparent consensus on key areas of practice despite the evidence being poor.'

PUBERTY BLOCKERS

The University of York was commissioned to conduct a systematic review of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

It found multiple studies showed puberty blockers fulfilled their purpose in pausing physical changes but also compromised bone density.

But the reviewers concluded puberty blockers did not change a patient's body dissatisfaction or gender dysphoria.

There was no evidence to show puberty blockers 'buy time to think' for trans-children to decide on their continued treatment.

The reviewers voiced concern treatment 'may change the trajectory of psychosexual and gender identity development'.

There was a lack of high-quality evidence on cross-sex hormones with reviewers unable to draw any conclusions.

They said claims cross-sex hormones helped reduce suicide risks were not borne out by the evidence.
Vulnerable children questioning their gender have been 'let down' by medics who have used 'remarkably weak evidence' to dole out life-altering treatments.

That is one of the most damning findings of the scathing Cass review investigating the 'shaky foundations' of NHS transgender treatment.

Led by renowned paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass, the study, commissioned nearly four years ago, made 32 recommendations to overhaul NHS trans services to improve the care children receive.

The mammoth 400-page report was welcomed for bringing much needed clarity to the controversial, exceptionally toxic and murky area of modern medicine.

But who are the medics at the heart of the scandal that sparked the need for the NHS Cass report in the first place? And which among them are still promoting treatments that Dr Cass has called into question?

Dr Polly Carmichael

Dr Polly Carmichael was the most recent and last director of the NHS's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) hosted at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Polly Carmichael was the most recent and last director of the NHS's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) hosted at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust

GIDS shut its doors last month in the wake of Dr Cass's interim 2022 report which recommended the NHS move away from a single-service model and open a number of centres in different parts of the country.

Dr Carmichael was instrumental in the roll-out of puberty blockers at GIDS, having been director since 2011.

She led a three-year trial of doling out the drugs to 12-14 year olds, an experiment that eventually saw children as young as nine get them.

Puberty blockers pause the physical changes of adolescence, such as breast development or the growth of facial hair.

In theory, this gave gender dysphoria sufferers time to 'consider their options' and 'explore their developing gender identity' before potentially starting more permanent forms of treatment like sex hormones.

But in practice, as Dr Cass identified, they acted merely as a pathway to full medical transition rather than time to think.

Dr Cass's report also identified the evidence on the use of puberty blockers, both in positive outcomes and if they were safe to use, was lacking.

In fact, there are concerns their use may 'change the trajectory of psychosexual and gender identity development' among patients.

But the use of puberty blockers continued at GIDS even as critics noted the lack of evidence and concerns over the long-term side effects.

Dr Carmichael also oversaw GIDS during a wave of whistleblowers raising concerns about the service and a deterioration in its ratings.

In 2021 social worker Sonia Appleby won 20,000 in damages after being shunned when she raised concerns about puberty blockers.

Dr Carmichael was said to have told her team that Ms Appleby had 'an agenda', and discouraged staff from telling her about any safeguarding concerns.

And in 2019 a fellow director at Tavistock, psychotherapist Marcus Evans, stepped down after 30 years, stating he had 'serious concerns with what is going on in the gender identity world'.

He said that offering children the 'quick solution' of allowing them to begin medical treatment to change gender was 'exactly the opposite of what needs to be done'.

Former patients also had GIDS in their sights during Dr Carmichael's tenure.

Keira Bell was just 16 when she was given puberty blockers by clinicians at GIDS.

She would later take the clinic to court claiming she had not been challenged enough and that she had been treated like a 'guinea pig' at the clinic.

As concerns mounted so did the patients, with referrals to GIDS going from under 250 in 2011/12 to more than 5,000 in 2021/22.

During the same period, wait times for patients in the system ballooned, with some waiting four years to access care.

This culminated in GIDS being given an 'inadequate' rating by the health care watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after an inspection in 2020, the same year the Cass review was launched by the NHS.

Dr Carmichael is understood to be getting a payout of least 80,000 after leaving GIDS, The Times reports.

But she's not too far from one of the NHS's replacements for GIDS.

Dr Carmichael is on the books at Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as part of its psychological team. The trust is involved in the launch of a new service called NHS Children and Young People's Gender Service (London).

Dr Aidan Kelly

Dr Aidan Kelly is now director at Gender Plus, a private provider of gender treatment in the UK which operates next to a chicken shop in Hackney, London.

He's one of a number of former Tavistock gender care specialists who have gone on to set up their own private practice.

While the clinic doesn't offer puberty blockers, it does offer sex hormone injections to adolescents, aged over 16, wanting to change gender.

It also offers 'gender assessment appointments' for 'children, adolescent and adults'.

Dr Aidan Kelly is one of a number of former Tavistock gender care specialists which have gone up to set up their own private practice

Dr Kelly is one of three former GIDS staff on the books at Gender Plus but is the most senior, acting as the clinic's clinical director.

The psychologist previously worked at GIDS from 2016 to 2021 and is also a member of the controversial organisation, World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), a highly influential group of medics in gender care.

Despite only opening last year, Gender Plus has already faced safety concerns.

Within just a month of opening its doors the clinic faced an investigation by the CQC.

A source at the watchdog said: 'Based on the information available on this company's public website, the registration team has referred Gender Plus to the national enforcement team as an unregistered provider for further review of these services.'

The CQC website today states it has not inspected Gender Plus.

Gender Plus states that its practice is 'guided' by both WPATH and NHS standards for transgender care.

However, it also issued a statement questioning NHS England's decision to ban the use of puberty blockers for children as lacking 'a clear rationale'.

Dr Heather Wood

Psychologist Dr Heather Wood worked at the GIDS satellite clinic in Leeds and is believed to be one of number of staff receiving significant golden farewells.

A former colleague told The Times that Wood based a teenage girl's early childhood interest in a Thomas the Tank Engine train toy as a reason she should go on to puberty blockers.

The anonymous clinician said: 'I don't believe that a child's early interest in a certain toy should have any bearing on whether they are diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

'When I challenged this, I was called transphobic.'

Dr Wood has also been noted for extreme social media posts comparing those critical or concerned about aspects of the trans movement to 'racists'.

Psychologist Dr Heather Wood worked at GIDS satellite clinic in Leeds and is believed to be one of number of staff receiving significant golden farewells following its closure

'Would you expect migrants in this country to be engaged in any kind of meaningful debate with a racist like Tommy Robinson? Then why the expectation that trans communities should engage in debate with those whose opinions and actions cause harm to trans people?,' she is said to have written.

In another post she likened women calling for protected access to single-sex spaces, and therefore excluding trans women who are biologically male, to 'apartheid'.

In a Facebook post in February, she appeared to be preparing well for departure from GIDS stating she was buying a campervan for a road trip before embarking on '100 per cent' private practice.

Dr Helen and Michael Webberley

Dr Helen Webberley is the face of private care for gender questioning youth in the UK, an area of increasing controversy in the wake of the Cass review.

Her business, GenderGP, offers a range of treatments, including puberty blockers, to youngsters experiencing doubts over their gender identity.

Its website states that it doesn't enforce a strict age criterion for assessment and doesn't require parental consent, though does add children don't need medical intervention until they reach a particular stage of puberty.

Dr Webberley herself celebrated news that in December 70 children aged three and four had been referred to GIDS for gender treatment.

The GP wrote on social media: 'That shows just how young you are when you first start to understand and realise your gender identity.'

GenderGP, like Gender Plus, has taken a defiant stand against NHS England's decision to ban the use of puberty blockers.

In a statement it said: 'The decision by NHS England to ban puberty blockers for trans adolescents is empirically unjustified, ethically unacceptable, and is based on assumptions that are inaccurate and unsupported.'

Dr Webberley herself, as well her husband ex-medic Michael Webberley, have come under scrutiny and faced legal and regulatory proceedings over Gender GP.

In 2018, she was convicted of running an independent medical agency without being registered and fined 12,000.

Dr Helen Webberley is the face of private care for gender questioning youth in the UK an area of increasing controversy in the wake of the Cass review

And in 2022 she was suspended by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) over a range of charges that included failing to provide good clinical care in 2016 to three female patients, aged 11, 12 and 17, who were transitioning to boys.

In its determination the panel found 36 allegations, including failing to provide adequate follow-up care to a 12-year-old who was prescribed testosterone, were proved.

Dr Webberley was suspended for two months by the MPTS but vowed to fight the ruling.

A year later in 2023 the suspension was overruled by the High Court who found the MPTS panel to be 'confused, clearly wrong in places, and it omitted reference to important evidence'.

Investigations meant Dr Webberley had been suspended on an interim basis since May 2017 on patient safety grounds.

The appeal allowed Dr Webberley to continue practising without restriction.

But the same isn't true for Mr Webberley.

An MPTS tribunal in 2022 struck him off the UK medical register for what it called a 'catalogue of failings' in relation to his care of the seven patients between February 2017 and June 2019.

One was aged just nine-years-old with another, a teenager, killing themselves in the months that followed.

Mr Webberley was found, with all seven patients, to have provided treatment that wasn't clinically indicated or had been prescribed without adequate tests, examinations or assessments.

He'd reached diagnoses of gender dysphoria - 'a sense of unease a person may have because of mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity', according to the NHS - based on inadequate information and failed to gain informed consent from patients.

Michael Webberley was struck off the UK medical register for a 'catalogue of failings' in relation to his care of the seven patients between February 2017 and June 2019

The tribunal also found he had acted 'outside the limits of his expertise' as a consultant gastroenterologist and had failed to establish multi-disciplinary teams.

In a number of cases, Mr Webberley had taken care of the patients after restrictions had been placed on his wife's practice.

The most concerning case was for a 17-year-patient referred to in the proceedings as 'Patient W' who contacted Mr Webberley in 2018.

They had become unhappy at the long waiting lists for NHS treatment and said in an email that they wanted to transition as soon as possible as it would have a 'massively positive impact' on their mental health.

'I have been waiting to go on hormones so long now and it means so much to me,' they added. 'I am so happy it is finally happening.'

Dr Webberley diagnosed Patient W as gender dysphoric without checking information with their GP.

The tribunal also found that he prescribed testosterone when it wasn't clinically indicated and without establishing whether the risks were lower than the risks to the patient's mental and physical health.

Patient W had been diagnosed with Asperger's and had 'complex' and long-standing mental health issues but it 'did not appear' that Mr Webberley was aware of them, and he'd failed to obtain the patient's medical records, the tribunal concluded.

Patient W died by suicide just three months later.

GenderGP is likely to come under increased scrutiny following the Cass review.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 this morning Dr Cass said: 'Everybody should be getting the same standard of care and I do have concerns about private provision which is not providing the level of assessment that I'm recommending in the NHS'.

Her review itself targeted private gender clinics directly stating how family doctors had 'expressed concern about being pressurised to prescribe hormones after these have been initiated by private providers'.

It added that no GP should be expected to 'enter into a shared care arrangement with a private provider', especially one acting outside NHS guidance.

Campaigners have repeatedly called for private clinics to be brought to heel and be banned from dishing out puberty blockers similar to how the NHS has dome.
Experts said the drug - a potent form of ketamine - was 'extraordinarily safe'

Giving mothers a ketamine-based drug immediately after childbirth reduces their risk of postnatal depression, a trial has found.

A single low dose of esketamine, a high-strength form of powerful hallucinogenic, decreased the number of major depressive episodes 42 days after birth by about three-quarters.

The study suggests the medication, used as an anaesthetic and antidepressant, should be considered for new mothers who show symptoms of depression during pregnancy.

A single low dose of esketamine, the active ingredient in ketamine, decreased major depressive episodes 42 days after birth by about three-quarters

Researchers in China and the US ran a trial with 361 pregnant women considered 'at risk' of postnatal depression.

Some were given the drug while others received a placebo.

At 42 days after giving birth, just 6.7 per cent of mothers given the esketamine experienced a major depressive episode compared with 25.4 per cent of those given a placebo.

Those who had received the drug also had fewer depression symptoms across the board.

The women were injected 40 minutes after childbirth.

Some suffered side effects of dizziness and double-vision, but these subsided within a day.

Dr Camilla Nord, of Cambridge University, said the study provides 'convincing evidence' that esketamine could prevent postnatal depression in women with early symptoms.

Dr Rupert McShane, of Oxford University, added: 'A single dose of intravenous esketamine is extraordinarily safe, effective and cheap for women at risk of worsening depression after childbirth.

Last year it was reported that billionaire Elon Musk was taking ketamine to manage depression. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Tesla CEO had been seen using the drug

'The challenge for us in the UK is to find the funding for monitoring so that the benefit can be maximised and the risks brought to a minimum.'

Postnatal depression affects one in ten women after they give birth.

It involves intense feelings of sadness, anxiety and exhaustion that usually begin two to three days after the birth and can last months.

Other symptoms include insomnia, loss of appetite, intense irritability and difficulty bonding with the baby.

In rare cases, an extreme disorder called postpartum psychosis may develop.

Existing treatment includes talking therapy or traditional antidepressants, but these can take weeks to kick in.

Scientists have long looked at ketamine's potential use as an antidepressant, but studies show that stopping it after regular use can trigger withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and tremors.

But as esketamine is more potent, smaller amounts are needed to have an effect on the brain.

Last year it was reported that billionaire Elon Musk was taking ketamine to manage depression.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Tesla CEO had been seen using the drug.

Musk is said to have told people he microdoses ketamine for depression and takes full doses while at parties.
An eminent paediatrician tasked with overhauling care for gender-questioning kids has told how she was vilified while compiling her review.

Dr Hilary Cass faced criticism solely for engaging with all sides of the 'exceptionally toxic' debate.

The topic of trans healthcare has become so vicious that medical professionals are 'afraid to openly discuss their views', wrote the ex-president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in her bombshell 388-page report.

In a plea to 'people on all sides', Dr Cass urged those engaging in the 'worst bullying behaviour' to stop, warning the 'stifling of debate' by adults has not only let children down but hampered scientific progress in the area.

Her landmark report published today ruled children given NHS trans treatment have been set on a path of irreversible change despite scant medical evidence.

Dr Hilary Cass (pictured on April 9) faced criticism solely for engaging with all sides of the 'exceptionally toxic' debate. The topic of trans healthcare has become so vicious that medical professionals are 'afraid to openly discuss their views', wrote the ex-president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in her bombshell 388-page report

Puberty blockers, known medically as gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues, stop the physical changes of puberty in teens questioning their gender. Pictured one example of these drugs, called Triptorelin

NHS gender identity services for children and teens have been based on 'remarkably weak evidence', it said as it took aim at powerful puberty blockers and hormones.

In its foreword, Dr Cass said: 'Despite the best intentions of everyone with a stake in this complex issue, the toxicity of the debate is exceptional.

'I have faced criticism for engaging with groups and individuals who take a social justice approach and advocate for gender affirmation, and have equally been criticised for involving groups and individuals who urge more caution.

'The knowledge and expertise of experienced clinicians who have reached different conclusions about the best approach to care are sometimes dismissed and invalidated.

'There are few other areas of healthcare where professionals are so afraid to openly discuss their views, where people are vilified on social media, and where name-calling echoes the worst bullying behaviour. This must stop.

'Polarisation and stifling of debate do nothing to help the young people caught in the middle of a stormy social discourse, and in the long run will also hamper the research that is essential to finding the best way of supporting them to thrive.'

She also accused 'people on all sides of the debate' of misrepresenting studies to support their own viewpoint.

Dr Cass urged clinicians to 'cut through the noise and polarisation' to provide trans-children with the same standard of care as others.

Her review, commissioned four years ago, made 32 recommendations to overhaul NHS trans services to improve the care children receive.

Among them were calls for GPs to resist attempts by private providers to prescribe puberty blockers or hormones, 'particularly if that private provider is acting outside NHS guidance', she said.

The powerful body-altering hormones, which can permanently weaken bones, were banned last month on the NHS for children.

They are, however, still available, prescribed privately 'off-label' by some medics at non-NHS-based gender clinics.

Dr Cass concluded: 'The reality is that we have no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today welcomed her findings and said the lack of knowledge about long-term impact of medical interventions meant people should proceed with 'extreme caution'.

Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, meanwhile, called on the report to 'provide a watershed moment for the NHS's gender identity services'.

He added: 'Children's healthcare should always be led by evidence and children's welfare, free from culture wars.'

Sallie Baxendale, a professor of clinical neuropsychology at University College London, also said: 'Exceptionalism often lies at the heart of medical scandals when services go rogue and start to operate outside the normal parameters of clinical practice.'

Previous research by the world-renowned expert has alarmingly found young girls seemingly lost between seven and 15 IQ points while taking puberty-blockers.

But in February, Professor Baxendale revealed academics had accused her of 'bias' by questioning if puberty blockers were safe.

In a plea to 'people on all sides', Dr Cass urged those engaging in the 'worst bullying behaviour' to stop, warning the 'stifling of debate' by adults has not only let children down but hampered scientific progress in the area

Today's 388-page review follows Dr Cass' damning interim report, published in 2022, which criticised the country's only child transgender service, at the Tavistock Clinic in London , as 'not a safe or viable long-term option'. The controversial service eventually closed last month, replaced by two regional hubs in London and Liverpool that opened this month

Today's 388-page review follows Dr Cass' damning interim report, published in 2022, which criticised the country's only child transgender service, at the Tavistock Clinic in London, as 'not a safe or viable long-term option'.

The controversial service eventually closed last month, replaced by two regional hubs in London and Liverpool that opened this month.

Dr Cass herself is no stranger in raising concerns to those in power.

In 2013 it was revealed she left Great Ormond Street Hospital after raising concerns about patient safety.

She warned bosses that inadequate staffing, poor morale and a lack of co-operation between departments was putting patients at risk.

After emailing managers an account of her concerns, GOSH used a confidentiality agreement to settle a long-running dispute with her which saw her demoted and led to her departure.

It sparked a national conversation about the use of so-called 'gagging clauses' in the NHS.

Dr Cass, who went to a prestigious London private school for girls before studying medicine at the University of London, herself is a recognised leader in the field of medical care for children, having served as president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health from 2012-2015.

On top of that, she was chair of the British Academy of Childhood Disability between 2017 and 2020.

While no longer working clinically, she remains an honorary consultant paediatrician at Evelina London Children's Hospital  part of Guy's & St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust.

While at Evelina she worked on the development of paediatric palliative care services for extremely ill children and their families.

Dr Cass, who has previously described her ideal guilty pleasure as eating a Snickers while watching an episode of The Thick Of It, has also published multiple articles on the care of children with neurodisability.

Keira Bell (pictured) took Tavistock and Portman NHS foundation trust to the High Court, claiming she had not been challenged enough, before being prescribed puberty blockers at just 16 called it 'a step in the right direction'

Previous work of hers involves children with autism, cognitive and visual impairment as well as those with multiple disabilities.

The care of children is clearly a subject close Dr Cass's heart, as even after stopping clinical practice she has worked with charities dedicated to helping youngsters with complex medical conditions.

These include being an ex-chair of the children's palliative care charity Together for Short Lives and a trustee for the Noah's Ark Children's Hospice.

Dr Cass, an avid fan of the theatre, has been recognised multiple times for her work, including receiving an OBE for her services to child health in 2015.

She has also been granted honorary fellowships by the Royal College of Nursing and Royal College of General Practitioners.

Dr Cass has form for wading into controversial medical topics, previously speaking in 2013 on her support for doctor assisted suicide, otherwise known as medical euthanasia.

When she retires, she plans a 'gap year for grown ups', according to an interview she did with the British Medical Journal in 2013.

In that same piece, she spoke of her love of 'crispy duck from the local Chinese takeaway'.

Her parents 'always thought that I was argumentative and perverse enough to be a lawyer', Dr Cass also said.
Private clinics treating transgender children must be banned after they were strongly criticised in a landmark medical review, campaigners have warned.

Ministers have pledged to 'look carefully' at a ban on private clinics after an independent report by expert paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass expressed concern over their behaviour.

Dr Cass's review found GPs were 'pressurised to prescribe hormones' by patients who had seen a private clinician.

The report, which ran to nearly 400 pages, issued a stern warning over 'the use of unregulated medications and of providers that are not regulated within the UK'.

And Dr Cass said GPs should resist attempts by private providers to prescribe puberty blockers or hormones, 'particularly if that private provider is acting outside NHS guidance'.

Dr Hilary Cass's review found GPs were 'pressurised to prescribe hormones' by patients who had seen a private clinician. Pictured, Dr Cass speaking about the publication of the Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People, April 9

Dr Cass's comments have been seen as a warning shot to GenderGP, a private clinic which operates in the UK, but is based in Singapore. Run by Dr Helen Webberley (pictured), the clinic has taken a defiant stance against NHS guidance and only days ago issued a statement denouncing the NHS's ban on puberty blockers

Puberty blockers, known medically as gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues, stop the physical changes of puberty in teens questioning their gender. Pictured one example of these drugs, called Triptorelina

There was no good evidence to support the use of puberty blockers, with gender medicine 'built on shaky foundations', the review said.

Home Office minister Laura Farris said the Government was 'looking carefully' at the Cass review when asked whether it would legislate to ban people accessing prescriptions to gender-blocking drugs from private clinics and online.

She told Times Radio: 'We are absolutely clear that there should not be obtaining of any drugs that haven't been prescribed and she's given very strong conclusions on puberty blockers.

'So we will be looking carefully at what she said and acting accordingly.'

Campaigners said the 'cowboy clinics' must be closed and called on the Government to legislate against them.

Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at charity Sex Matters, said: 'It's scandalous that rogue private "gender" clinics in the UK and abroad are still free to supply British children with off-label puberty blockers.

'Worried parents have been misled by false claims about child suicide, so they think they have no choice but to allow their children to use these powerful drugs, for which there's zero evidence of benefit.

'Dr Hilary Cass has done everything she can to close this dangerous loophole, including by warning GPs not to get involved in shared care with private providers.

'She also reminded pharmacists of their responsibility for the safety of patients and that they could be criminally liable if they fall short of professional standards.

'Dr Cass has done her best, but shutting down cowboy clinics is beyond the scope of her review.

'Ministers must now act urgently, and prevent overseas and private clinics from prescribing these dangerous drugs to gender-distressed children.'

Dr Cass's comments have been seen as a warning shot to GenderGP, a private clinic which operates in the UK, but is based in Singapore.

Run by Dr Helen Webberley, the clinic has taken a defiant stance against NHS guidance and only days ago issued a statement denouncing the NHS's ban on puberty blockers.

A statement issued by GenderGP earlier this week read: 'The decision by NHS England to ban puberty blockers for trans adolescents is empirically unjustified, ethically unacceptable, and is based on assumptions that are inaccurate and unsupported.

'The systematic reviews by NICE which informed NHS England's decision not only fail to acknowledge several relevant studies, but also use an inappropriate evaluative framework that unduly minimises several important sources of evidence.'

Last month NHS England announced it was banning the routine prescription of puberty blockers to children, following the recommendations made in Cass's interim review.

Keira Bell (pictured) took Tavistock and Portman NHS foundation trust to the High Court, claiming she had not been challenged enough, before being prescribed puberty blockers at just 16 called it 'a step in the right direction'

Your browser does not support iframes.

in a sign of changes being underway, the NHS's old Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust shut its doors two weeks ago

In the days following the announcement Dr Webberley said her clinic 'GenderGP will not be following the NHS guidance, it will be following International Guidelines and best practice'.

She cited WPATH international guidelines, which were discredited in Dr Cass's review having created 'an apparent consensus on key areas of practice despite the evidence being poor'.

Dr Webberley didn't want to comment.

Dr Cass said in her review: 'GPs have expressed concern about being pressurised to prescribe hormones after these have been initiated by private providers and that there is a lack of clarity around their responsibilities in relation to monitoring.

'The Review understands and shares the concerns about the use of unregulated medications and of providers that are not regulated within the UK.

'Any clinician who ascertains that a young person is being given drugs from an unregulated source should make the young person and their family aware of the risks of such treatment.

'Specifically, no clinician should prescribe outside their competence, nor should GPs be expected to enter into a shared care arrangement with a private provider, particularly if that private provider is acting outside NHS guidance.

'The Review has been told that a number of young people have sought private provision whilst on the waiting list for GIDS, and about families trying to balance the risks of obtaining unregulated and potentially dangerous hormone supplies over the internet with the ongoing trauma of prolonged waits for assessment.

'Feedback from the lived experience focus groups presents this as 'a forced choice rather than a preference'.'

Dr Cass was appointed to lead a review into NHS England's gender identity development services in 2020, after a sharp rise in the number of patients questioning their gender.

Whistleblowers had raised concerns about the standards of care offered by the service  known as Gids and based at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

The claims ultimately saw the Tavistock clinic closed and two replacement regional hubs in London and Liverpool opened this month (APR).

Dr Cass's review made 32 recommendations in her final report.
President Biden has set the first ever limit to dangerous 'forever chemicals' found in nearly half of America's drinking water in what is considered as a huge breakthrough.

His administration finalized the strict limits today, which will require utilities to reduce the chemicals to the lowest level they can be reliably measured.

Officials say this will reduce exposure for 100 million people and help prevent thousands of illnesses, including cancers.

The rule is the first national drinking water limit on toxic PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are widespread and long lasting in the environment.

Health advocates praised the Environmental Protection Agency for not backing away from tough limits the agency proposed last year and EPA Administrator Michael Regan called the rule 'life-changing'.

The rule is the first national drinking water limit on toxic PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are widespread and long lasting in the environment (file image)

The Biden administration finalized the strict limits today, which will require utilities to reduce the chemicals to the lowest level they can be reliably measured

But water utilities took issue with the rule, saying treatment systems are expensive to install and that customers will end up paying more for water.

Water providers are entering a new era with significant additional health standards that the EPA says will make tap water safer for millions of consumers - a Biden administration priority.

The agency has also proposed forcing utilities to remove dangerous lead pipes.

Utility groups warn the rules will cost tens of billions of dollars each and fall hardest on small communities with fewer resources. Legal challenges are sure to follow.

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

EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the rule is the most important action the EPA has ever taken on PFAS.

'The result is a comprehensive and life-changing rule, one that will improve the health and vitality of so many communities across our country,' said Regan.

PFAS chemicals are hazardous because they don't degrade in the environment and are linked to health issues such as low birth weight and kidney cancer.

They've been used in everyday products including nonstick pans, firefighting foam and waterproof clothing.

Although some of the most common types are phased out in the US, others remain. Water providers will now be forced to remove contamination put in the environment by other industries.

'It's that accumulation that's the problem,' said Scott Belcher, a North Carolina State University professor who researches PFAS toxicity.

'Even tiny, tiny, tiny amounts each time you take a drink of water over your lifetime is going to keep adding up, leading to the health effects.'

PFAS is a broad family of chemical substances, and the new rule sets strict limits on two common types - called PFOA and PFOS - at 4 parts per trillion.

Three other types that include GenEx Chemicals that are a major problem in North Carolina are limited to 10 parts per trillion.

Water providers will have to test for these PFAS chemicals and tell the public when levels are too high. Combinations of some PFAS types will be limited, too.

Regan will announce the rule in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Wednesday.

Environmental and health advocates praised the rule, but said PFAS manufacturers knew decades ago the substances were dangerous yet hid or downplayed the evidence. Limits should have come sooner, they argue.

'Reducing PFAS in our drinking water is the most cost effective way to reduce our exposure,' said Scott Faber, a food and water expert at Environmental Working Group.

'It's much more challenging to reduce other exposures such as PFAS in food or clothing or carpets.'

PFAS foam gathers at the the Van Etten Creek dam (pictured) in Oscoda Township, Michigan in 2018

Over the last year, EPA has periodically released batches of utility test results for PFAS in drinking water. Roughly 16 per cent of utilities found at least one of the two strictly limited PFAS chemicals at or above the new limits.

These utilities serve tens of millions of people. The Biden administration, however, expects about six to ten per cent of water systems to exceed the new limits.

Water providers will generally have three years to do testing. If those test exceed the limits, they'll have two more years to install treatment systems, according to EPA officials.

READ MORE: Alarm over forever chemicals as scientists find 'clear' proof the toxic chemicals lurking in our blood can harm the heart Advertisement

Some funds are available to help utilities. Manufacturer 3M recently agreed to pay more than $10 billion to drinking water providers to settle PFAS litigation.

In addition, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes billions to combat the substance. But utilities say more will be needed.

For some communities, tests results were a surprise. Last June, a utility outside Philadelphia that serves nearly 9,000 people learned that one of its wells had a PFOA level of 235 parts per trillion, among the highest results in the country at the time.

'I mean, obviously, it was a shock,' said Joseph Hastings, director of the joint public works department for the Collegeville and Trappe boroughs, whose job includes solving problems presented by new regulations.

The well was quickly yanked offline, but Hastings still doesn't know the contamination source. Several other wells were above the EPA's new limits, but lower than those the state of Pennsylvania set earlier.

Now, Hastings says installing treatment systems could be a multi-million dollar endeavor, a major expense for a small customer base.

The new regulation is 'going to throw public confidence in drinking water into chaos,' said Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO, a water industry communications firm.

The American Water Works Association, an industry group, says it supports the development of PFAS limits in drinking water, but argues the EPA's rule has big problems.

A water researcher pours a water sample into a smaller glass container for experimentation as part of drinking water and PFAS research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Center For Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response on February 16, 2023

The agency underestimated its high cost, which can't be justified for communities with low levels of PFAS, and it'll raise customer water bills, the association said.

Plus, there aren't enough experts and workers - and supplies of filtration material are limited.

Work in some places has started. The company Veolia operates utilities serving about 2.3 million people across six eastern states and manages water systems for millions more.

Veolia built PFAS treatment for small water systems that serve about 150,000 people. The company expects, however, that roughly 50 more sites will need treatment - and it's working to scale up efforts to reduce PFAS in larger communities it serves.

Such efforts followed dramatic shifts in EPA's health guidance for PFAS in recent years as more research into its health harms emerged.

Less than a decade ago, EPA issued a health advisory that PFOA and PFOS levels combined shouldn't exceed 70 parts per trillion. Now, the agency says no amount is safe.

Public alarm has increased, too. In Minnesota, for example, Amara's Law aims to stop avoidable PFAS use.

It's been nearly a year since the law's namesake, Amara Strande, died from a rare cancer her family blames on PFAS contamination by 3M near her high school in Oakdale, although a connection between PFAS and her cancer can't be proven.

Biden administration officials say communities shouldn't suffer like Oakdale. 3M says it extends its deepest condolences to Amara's friends and family.

Losing Amara pushed the family towards activism. They've testified multiple times in favor of PFAS restrictions.

'Four parts per trillion, we couldn't ask for a better standard,' Amara's sister Nora said. 'It's a very ambitious goal, but anything higher than that is endangering lives.'
The school versions were also found to contain more salt than the ones in stores

Analysis of a popular kids' favorite snack has prompted a campaign to ban it after it was found it contained dangerous levels of toxic metals which have been linked to kidney and bone disease and cancer.

The watchdog group Consumer Reports tested 12 store-bought versions of Lunchables and other ready-meal kits, including from Armour LunchMakers, Good & Gather, Greenfield Natural Meat Co. and Oscar Mayer.

All had contained the metals lead, cadmium, or both, as well as high levels of sodium. According to the CDC, there is no safe level of lead for children, and the effects on brain development can show up years later.

Lead accumulates in the body, meaning it does not leave your system and builds up over time, so long-term exposure to even low levels can become toxic.

As a result, the non-profit consumer group has petitioned the US Department of Agriculture, which heads up the federally assisted school meal program, to get rid of the Lunchables snack kits from school cafeterias.

A cafeteria worker prepares Lunchables for lunch at a school in Pembroke, North Carolina

Lunchables are made by Kraft Heinz, who launched the school version of the snack kits in K-12 school lunchrooms across the US last year: Lunchables Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers and Lunchables Extra Cheesy Pizza

'Lunchables are not a healthy option for kids and shouldn't be allowed on the menu as part of the National School Lunch Program,' Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said.

'The Lunchables and similar lunch kits we tested contain concerning levels of sodium and harmful chemicals that can lead to serious health problems over time.'

'The USDA should remove Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program and ensure that kids in schools have healthier options,' he added.

Lunchables created two new versions of its kit especially for school lunch programs across the US last year, but the new report found they contain even more salt than the Lunchables kits customers can get in grocery stores.

The school cafeteria version of the Lunchables was found to contain between 460 to 740 milligrams per serving, which is 'nearly a quarter to half of a childs daily recommended limit for sodium' - no more than 1,500 mg per day for four- to eight-year-olds.

Consumer Reports found that the turkey and cheddar school variety of Lunchables contained 930 mg of sodium, while the store-bought version contained 740 mg.

None of the kits tested exceeded any federal limits, but five of the 12 kits exceeded Californias maximum allowable dose level (MADL) for lead or cadmium, which was used because there are no federal limits for heavy metals in most foods, and California's are the most protective available.

Children are at a higher risk than adults because a smaller amount of lead can have a larger health effect on them.

A review of 17 studies found that being exposed to lead early in life is linked to a higher risk of criminal behavior in adulthood.

*Also contains more than 50 percent of California's maximum allowable dose level for cadmium, based on Consumer Reports testing

Consumer Reports found that the turkey and cheddar school variety of Lunchables contained 930 mg of sodium, while the store-bought version contained 740 mg

The metal is toxic to the body and has been linked to a host of health issues including kidney disease, infertility and delays in mental development.

Lead travels in the bloodstream and accumulates in soft tissue  such as the kidneys, liver and lungs  which can over time lead to problems for these organs.

The majority of people will have no obvious symptoms of lead exposure at the start.

Over time this can lead to a lower IQ, decreased ability to pay attention and underperformance at school for children, behavioral concerns and learning disabilities.

Lunchables are made by Kraft Heinz, who launched the school version of the snack kits in K-12 school lunchrooms across the US last year through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP): Lunchables Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers and Lunchables Extra Cheesy Pizza.

The NSLP gives daily lunches to almost 30 million students in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions.
A veterinarian in Kansas has become the third American to catch a rare fungal infection - after she was scratched by a pet cat.

She was left with gruesome sores that extended up her arm and one of the cats had to be put down when the lesions worsened and extended to the other three limbs.

The incident happend in Kansas, when the cat was brought into the woman's clinic presenting with a lesion on its paw, and the veterinary technician tended to it.

It was the second cat in the area to come down with sporotrichosis, making this officially a 'cluster' that the CDC saw fit to warn other vets about.

She was scratched by the cat through a puncture in her glove and came in direct contact with with lesions on the cat's paws found to be caused by the Sporothrix fungus.

The first cat was humanely euthanized and cremated after she did not improve

The first cat's lesions worsened and had to be euthanized humanely

This was the third human case in the US, but infections are far more common in South America where the fungus is more prevalent in the soil and on plants.

The specific fungus that caused the lesions, Sporothrix schenckii, is typically seen in tropical climates, particularly in soil and decayingplants.

It causes sporotrichosis when it comes in contact with breaks in the skin or puncture wounds. In the vet's case, it caused ulcers on her fingers at first, which, if they had gone untreated, could have led to tissue death there.

According to the CDC: 'Sporotrichosis usually affects the skin or tissues underneath the skin. The first symptom...is usually a small, painless bump that can develop any time from 1 to 12 weeks after exposure to the fungus.

'The bump can be red, pink, or purple, and usually appears on the finger, hand, or arm where the fungus has entered through a break in the skin. The bump will eventually grow larger and may look like an open sore or ulcer that is very slow to heal.'

The vet tech's scratch resulted in an ulcer on her hand two weeks later.

She had to undergo treatment with antifungal medication for eight months before the lesions on her arm healed.

Cat-transmitted cases of fungal infections from S. schenckii are rare in the US and the disease is typically caused by a fungus native to Brazil. The rate of infections in the US difficult to diagnose because there is no national surveillance.

Risk factors for cats contracting sporotrichosis are similar to those in humans, including wound contamination with hay, roses, or sphagnum moss, or bites or scratches from other cats.

The incident occurred in 2022 in two cats. The first cat that doctors saw was the one that caused the infection in the vet tech.

The infection caused gruesome sores to appear on the vet tech's finger and spread up her arm

The cats contracted the illness after fighting. Tts more common among cats that spend time outside.

The CDC recommends keeping them indoors as much as possible to avoid infection and transmission.

The first cat was humanely euthanized and cremated.

The second cat, brought in by the same owners, was found to have an infection from the same fungus.

CDC-affiliated researchers wrote: The disease course of cat 1 highlights the potential severity of feline sporotrichosis.

Early diagnosis of sporotrichosis and early treatment initiation with appropriate antifungals can improve outcomes and help prevent transmission to other cats or humans.

About two weeks after the vet techs glove was punctured, a small blister formed on her hand and tissue there died.

She began treatment with cephalexin, an antibiotic commonly used to treat skin infections, but was switched to itraconazole, an antifungal, and doxycycline, an antibiotic.

She took those medications for eight months and recovered.

Researchers added: In conclusion, increased awareness of sporotrichosis in cats and the potential for zoonotic transmission could help veterinary professionals more quickly recognize and treat feline cases and take precautions to prevent human acquisition in the veterinary setting.

Wounds from scratches or bites from infected cats should be washed immediately, and people who come in contact should seek health care promptly.

Some people are known to get sporotrichosis just from touching an infected cat and then touching their eyes. Scratches or bites dont always cause it.

The CDC has warned about the zoonotic spread of sporotrichosis in the past, though the infections have primarily been seen in South America. A March 2023 study showed three known human cases of the illness in the UK for the first time.

The UK cases involved a 63-year-old woman, her 30-year-old daughter, and a veterinarian in his late 20s. All three individuals had been in contact with a 9-year-old male domestic cat that the mother and daughter, originally from southeastern Brazil, had rescued and brought to the U.K. three years prior.

The woman, her daughter, and the veterinarians symptoms  small lesions either on their arms or fingers  resolved completely following itraconazole treatment.

Sporotrichosis is typically not fatal, though if left untreated could lead to whole-body inflammation or infection in the organs. People with weakened immune systems and those living with HIV may be at higher risk of developing more severe diseases.
New Yorkers are being urged to keep their distance from wildlife after bird flu was discovered in NYC  amid fears the disease could jump to humans.

Geese, falcons and hawks living in Manhattan's parks and green spaces have tested positive for the virus, officials say, warning cases could be more widespread.

Residents and visitors are being warned not to chase or try to catch birds and to wash their hands after any contact with droppings.

It is feared humans could become infected after a farmer in Texas tested positive for the virus at the start of this month, becoming the second case in the US in history.

Experts say that every case in people raises the risk of the virus gaining mutations allowing it to better infect and spread between humans.

Geese, falcons and hawks living in Manhattan's parks and green spaces have tested positive for the virus, officials say, although cases could be more widespread (stock image)

The birds  also including a chicken  tested positive for the virus in Marcus Garvey Park based in Harlem, in the north of Manhattan.

Warning people to be careful around animals, Mount Sinai microbiologist Philip Meade said: 'You are got going to walk past a sick goose and get the bird flu, it won't work like that.

'[But] precautions that everybody should be taking would be just to limit contact with wildlife.

'You shouldn't be running up to a Canada goose and trying to catch it, [for example].'

Bird flu has been detected in 12 flocks of wild birds across seven states over the past month  with half of these being in Texas.

Five domestic poultry flocks in four states  with two in Texas  have also reported the virus. This includes a large chicken farm and a turkey farm.

But there is major concern over it spreading to animals in close contact with humans including cattle, with 20 herds now infected, as well as cats and dogs.

The above map shows states where bird flu has been detected in wild flocks in March

The above map shows states with cattle herds that have been diagnosed with bird flu

This has raised concerns that the virus could infect people more often and potentially gain mutations making it better able to infect humans.

The patient in Texas was described as suffering from a 'mild illness' with only one symptom, inflammation of the eyeball.

They were isolated and reported to be recovering well at home. There is no sign that they passed on the disease to others.

Doctors have been told to be on high alert for more cases among farm workers, however, with some saying the mild symptoms mean infections could be missed.

There was one mutation recorded in the Texas case, but this did not alarm officials and has been recorded previously in cases where the virus infected mammals.

Of the 20 herds of cattle infected, most are in Texas.

Herds in Idaho, Kansas, Michigan. New Mexico and Ohio have also tested positive for the disease.

Experts are not clear how the virus spread into cattle, but there are suggestions this may be from cattle eating feed created from crushed chicken carcasses.

They fear it may have been transmitted to cattle via the feed 'poultry litter'  which is a mix of poultry excreta, spilled feed, feathers and other waste scraped from the floors of industrial chicken and turkey production plants.

Other theories have suggested the virus may have spread among herds via milking machines for cows which were not disinfected between uses.
READ MORE: Helicopter parents put kids at risk of eating disorders , study says

A man in Canada has had two of his fingers amputated to cure his body dysmorphia.

The unnamed patient, 20, said that ever since childhood he had 'incessant,' intrusive thoughts about the fourth and fifth fingers on his left hand.

His doctors at Universite Laval in Quebec wrote that while he understood that the fingers were his own, he felt 'they should not belong to his body.'

The sawmill worker was plagued with nightmares of the digits burning or rotting, and he even considered building a small, makeshift guillotine because 'he couldn't imagine himself living for the years to come with those fingers.'

The medical team said that the patient was pursuing surgical amputation because he would otherwise do it on his own, 'aiming to alleviate his intense suffering.'

An unnamed patient in Canada had two fingers removed because he felt 'they should not belong to his body,' his doctors wrote in a case report

Australian man Robert Vickers (above) famously suffered from BIID and twice used dry ice to damage his leg beyond repair so doctors were forced to amputate it

However, after doctors removed both fingers, the man's emotional distress immediately dissipated.

Doctors diagnosed him with body integrity identity disorder (BIID), a rare form of body dysmorphia that causes patients to want to have at least one healthy limb amputated or become paralyzed.

BIID can affect any part of the body, including legs, arms, fingers, toes, eyes, ears, and teeth.

A 2023 study in the journal Healthcare found that most patients opt to remove their left leg. Some participants said they chose left over right because they needed their right leg to drive.

Just 200 cases have been reported in medical literature so far, and experts are still working to find the cause of the bizarre condition. However, it's believed to be driven by a mismatch between someone's mental image of their body and their actual appearance.

A 2020 study in the journal Cell, for example, recruited 16 men who wants to remove their healthy left legs from an online support group,

The team found that those with BIID had noticeable changes in their brain structure, such as the paracentral lobule, which controls how we feel and interpret feedback from the lower limbs.

These patients had reduced connectivity between the paracentral lobule and others areas of their brains.

Additionally, the right superior parietal lobule, which is responsible for someone's total body image, had reduced connectivity and lower gray matter density. Gray matter is needed to help regulate emotions.

The researchers in the case report said that distress caused by BIID could lead patients to 'attempt self-amputation, risking their lives.'

'The limited literature on this condition poses challenges in establishing clear guidelines and recommendations,' the team wrote.

'Patients often hesitate to seek help from healthcare professionals, turning to internet forums for advice, complicating the assessment of BID's actual prevalence.'

'Nevertheless, surgery as a treatment option for this lesser-known disorder should be carefully considered.'

According to Cleveland Clinic, patients engaging in 'self-harm' by amputating their own limbs can suffer uncontrolled bleeding, infection, nerve damage, severe pain, and phantom limb pain - the perception of pain or discomfort in a limb that is no longer there.

Though many patients choose to keep their symptoms secret, others have spoken out about their intense desire to amputate their own limbs.

Robert Vickers of Australia, for example, told the Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC) that from the time he was just 10 years old, he felt his left leg below the knee didn't belong with the rest of his body.

This led him to twice use dry ice to damage his leg, though neither attempt worked.

'I'd appreciate it if a surgeon or hospital in the Sydney area could come forward and potentially offer me their services,' he said. It's unclear if any doctors eventually followed through.

The case study was published in the journal Clinical Case Reports.
Capita shares rose on Wednesday after the group confirmed it had extended its contract with a 'leading' European telecoms company.

Shares in Capita rose 3.15 per cent or 0.44p to 14.38p on Wednesday, having fallen over 59 per cent in the last year.

In a deal worth more than 95million over four years, Capita said it would continue to deliver 'customer experience services' for the client, including receiving customer enquiries, chatbots, 'social media engagement' and management technical support.

Extension: Capita has extended its contract with a European telecoms company

Corinne Ripoche, chief executive of Capita Experience, said: 'We are very proud to extend this contract, which builds on the success of our long-standing strategic partnership since 2008.

'We will be focused on delivering a customer-centric approach which anticipates customer needs, through a seamless and personalised experience.

'We'll continue to leverage technology to meet our customer's very high-quality requirements.'

Last month, Capita said it was earmarking an additional 100million of annual spending cuts, as the group's new boss vowed to boost its competitive edge after swinging to a loss.

The group posted a loss of 106.6million for 2023, down from a 61.4million profit the prior year and 'reflecting business exits, cost reduction programme expenses and 2023 cyber incident costs'.

Chief executive Adolfo Hernandez told investors last month he would plough ahead with a 'rapid reduction' in costs, following a separate 60million-a-year savings drive announced at the end of 2023.

Capita, which operates London's Ultra Low Emission Zone, did not say last month whether the latest round of savings would result in a further headcount reduction, after announcing plans to axe 900 jobs in November.

Capita is one of the UK's biggest employers, with a 43,000-strong workforce, offering staff for many Government functions, including a large amount of NHS support staff.

On an adjusted basis, its revenue edged up 1.3 per cent to 2.6billion last year. On a reported basis year-on-year, revenue fell 6.6 per cent.

Capita said 2023 revenues were lifted by growth in its Personal Independence Payments unit, as well as 'benefit from indexation and a commercial settlement in the closed book Life & Pensions business in Experience'.
Nearly-six-in-ten voters say Joe Biden should accept an invitation to testify before his impeachers, our poll shows  something the president is very unlikely to do.

Fully 57 percent of US adults say Biden should accept House Oversight Chair James Comer's request to sit for questions about his son Hunter Biden and the family's business dealings.

Another 23 percent said the president shouldn't appear, and 19 percent were not sure.

The nationwide DailyMail.com/TIPP poll of 1,432 adults makes for troubling reading for the White House, which is all but certain to reject the request to show up on April 16.

The poll makes troubling reading for a White House that has little to gain from a congressional grilling

James Comer says the panel needs to hear everything about the 'Biden crime family'

The invitation was an extraordinary ask of a president, who typically only appears before Congress once a year for the State of the Union address.

He will be keen to avoid a potentially embarrassing made-for-TV-moment that could lend credibility to Republican impeachment efforts.

Poll Should President Biden testify to his impeachment panel? Yes No Not sure Should President Biden testify to his impeachment panel? Yes 1 votes

No 1 votes

Not sure 0 votes Now share your opinion





Comer most recently on April 3 said he was still waiting for Biden to respond.

'We have not heard back from President Biden,' he told Fox News.

'But the White House is spending, every second of their free time trying to attack me.'

They 'do everything they can to discredit the investigation and to intimidate,' he added.

Comer, of Kentucky, insists his investigation has 'proven the crimes'  even as he refuses to commit to holding a vote to impeach the president.

'We need to hear from Joe Biden because we're at the point now to  provide accountability,' he said.

Comer last month sent a fundraising email suggesting he would send criminal referrals to the Department of Justice instead of impeaching the president.

Top Oversight Republican James Comer said President Biden has not responded to an invite to testify on Capitol Hill and said the White House spend every second trying to 'attack' and 'discredit' him

That would pave the way for a prosecution of the 'Biden Crime Family' once former president Donald Trump wins the November election and takes charge again in 2025, Comer wrote.

The invitation to testify came after Republicans scoured the president and his family's bank accounts to find evidence of wrongdoing.

More than $24 million flowed from China, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakstan and other foreign sources to Biden, his family and their business associates, they found.

The saga has included testimonies from Hunter and the president's brother, James Biden.

Republicans see the president's potential testimony as the crown jewel of their probe.

The Biden administration shows no signs of complying.

The impeachment saga has included testimonies from the president's son, Hunter Biden, and his brother, James Biden, among others, and Republicans see the president's potential testimony as the crown jewel of their probe

'Comer knows 20+ witnesses have testified that POTUS did nothing wrong,' a White House spokesman posted

'He knows that the hundreds of thousands of pages of records he's received have refuted his false allegations,' Ian Sams wrote.

'This is a sad stunt at the end of a dead impeachment.'

US adults, however, do not agree, and want transparency on the matter, according to our survey.

A majority of people across all parts of the country and all age groups say Biden should testify.

Republican voters overwhelmingly want to see the president answer questions, but even a solid 45 percent of Democrats say he should appear.

Men are slightly more keen on Biden appearing than are women, by a 61-54 percent margin.

The survey has a +/-2.7 percent error margin, and was carried out earlier this month by TIPP, which has been noted for its accuracy by major US publications.
It was a small but courageous act of human kindness - one whose galvanising effect rippled across the world and can still be felt today.

On 9 April 1987, at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Princess Diana agreed to open Britains first specialist unit for patients with the disease at the London Middlesex Hospital.

At a time of great fear and uncertainty about HIV, which was then being demonised as the gay plague, the Princess was secretly determined that her visit would have far more impact than the usual Royal ribbon-cutting exercise.

Ivan Cohen, agreed to be photographed, but only on condition that the picture was taken from behind him - with only his back in shot. So in April 1987, with the press and TV cameras trained on her, Princess Diana sat down at the bedside of a gay man who had been diagnosed with AIDS - and publicly shook his hand

Princess Diana arrives at the Broderie AIDS ward at the Middlesex Hospital

Diana was seen chatting and shaking hands with all the staff of the first purpose-built ward for patients with AIDS and HIV related diseases

With her dazzling smile and unforgettable star quality, the Princess of Wales strolled through the unit in private, talking to staff and patients alike. Crucially, she shook hands with them all.

At a stroke, she punctured the widely-held belief that HIV could be spread by skin-to-skin contact - a prejudice that had led to AIDS sufferers being treated like pariahs.

Indeed, such was the stigma surrounding the disease that nine of the ten patients she spoke to and shook hands with refused to be photographed for fear of having their identities revealed.

Just one, Ivan Cohen, agreed, but only on condition that the picture was taken from behind him, with only his back in shot. So with the press and TV cameras trained on her, Princess Diana sat down at the bedside of a gay man who had been diagnosed with AIDS - and publicly shook his hand.

Princess Diana was said to have been nervous about the public reaction to her display of kindness, but her message was clear and concise. 'HIV does not make people dangerous to know, she told waiting reporters. You can shake their hands and give them a hug. Heaven knows they need it.

It is a testament to the very real power of the Royal family that the image and her words flashed across the world and did more than anything else at the time to convince the public that HIV/AIDS - and more particularly people with the disease - were nothing to be afraid of.

The Princess continued her to work to de-stigmatise HIV/AIDS for the rest of her life.

Diana, Princess of Wales at an AIDS conference

Princess Diana in Sao Paulo holding a small child with AIDS in 1991

The Princess continued her to work to de-stigmatise HIV/AIDS for the rest of her life

She often made secret visits both to the London Lighthouse centre and the pioneering HIV unit at the Mildmay Hospital in East London - which now has one of the lines of the London Overground rail network named after it.

She also made a point to visiting AIDS/HIV units whenever she went on foreign tours - a visit to an HIV clinic in downtown New York is featured in series 4 of The Crown.

She became the patron of the National AIDS Trust, regularly speaking at their events. In 1993, she gave a speech on the effects of HIV on mothers and children, further dispelling the myth that HIV/AIDS exclusively infected the homosexual community.

Dianas crusading work with AIDS patients helped cement her public image as the Princess of Hearts.

She summed up her attitude in a 1995 TV interview: Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life, a kind of destiny.

But more importantly, she had a real effect on the way the whole world thought about AIDS and HIV.

In the days following her fatal car accident in 1997, Gavin Hart of the National AIDS Trust told the BBC: In our opinion, Diana was the foremost ambassador for AIDS awareness on the planet and no one can fill her shoes in terms of the work she did.'

She did, however, pass on her passion for helping the vulnerable to her sons, taking them with her on her anonymous late-night jaunts to raise the spirits of HIV patients.

Both William and Harry have since carried on her work, Harry in particular has spoken at international AIDS events and has even been publicly tested for the disease in a further attempt to spread the idea that HIV is not a dreaded plague but a treatable infection.

Such was her impact that Martyn Butler, a co-founder of HIV charity the Terence Higgins Trust, paid tribute to Diana earlier this year when he was awarded the OBE for his voluntary work.

He confirmed that Diana had been well known in the charity for 'creeping' into hospices to chat with patients in the early hours of the morning.

Recalling the difficulty of the work in the 1980s when stigma and homophobia were rife, Mr Butler said: 'Having an advocate like Diana made me feel as if we weren't insane - we were doing the right thing.'

'From Princess Margaret, to Princess Diana, to Prince Harry to Prince William, they have all supported the Terrence Higgins Trust over the past 40 years and we still to this day feel the effect that Diana had in the way that we treat and look after people with HIV.'

He added that he valued the opportunity the OBE ceremony at Windsor Castle had given him to publicly thank the royal family for the way they supported the trust and people living with HIV.

'There were whole periods when the government weren't interested but the Royal Family were there for us,' he added.

History will record that Princess Diana's bold gesture did indeed prompt a sea-change in public attitudes towards AIDS and HIV.

Less than a month later, President Ronald Reagan made an impassioned speech on the subject, saying that HIV was a disease and it was our duty to find a cure, rather than pass judgment on our fellow man.

Prince Harry makes faces and blows a raspberry at Lintle, an AIDS orphan in Lesotho

Harry with four-year-old AIDS orphan Mutsu during his gap year doing voluntary work in Lesotho

Prince Harry plays with an old friend, Mutsu Potsane aged six, an Aids orphan in Lesotho in the grounds of the Mants'ase children's home, while on a return visit to Lesotho in southern Africa

A year or so later, the TV soap EastEnders featured its first HIV-positive character when Mark Fowler was revealed to be infected with the virus.

There was also a more practical effect. Such was the stigma attached to AIDS/HIV that scientists searching for effective treatments had found it difficult to secure funding.

Today, although there is still no cure for HIV, infection is not an automatic death sentence. New drugs mean the condition can be successfully managed without long-term ill-effects.

And in no small part, all this is due to a simple handshake which at the time was a bold and courageous decision. The Princess of Hearts would surely be proud of her legacy.
Whats the main ingredient of a Naked pineapple and passion fruit smoothie? You might think it was pineapple or passion fruit. Well, it isnt. It is apple juice.

How about a Pret a Manger cold-pressed Hot Shot with a warm burst of orange, spiced with turmeric, ginger and cayenne? The main ingredient must be orange, right? Wrong, it is apple juice again.

It turns out that a huge number of fruit juices, smoothies, gut-boosting shots and cold-pressed drinks are made up predominantly of apple juice  even ones that never even mention the fruit on the front of the bottle.

Some have called it Applejuiceification: the fact that many of the fancy-sounding ingredients, different coloured labels and funky names for the drinks on our shelves hide the fact most are as much as 80 per cent apple juice.

One internet user found six different Innocent smoothie drinks to prove their point. The post went viral, with 19million viewers seeing it.

But it is not just Innocent  the drinks company now owned by Coca-Cola  that adopts this practice. Naked, part of the Tropicana stable, is also a huge user of apple juice; so, too, Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer.

All of the brands do it. Even the smaller, niche gourmet brands use predominantly apple juice. Mockingbird Raw Press, for instance, boasts about harnessing the power of over 30 varieties of nutritionally rich fruit, veg and superfoods to carefully craft our award-winning recipe blends, but many of their drinks consist of more than 50 per cent apple juice.

There is a reason for this  beyond the fact that apple juice is often cheaper than pineapple or passion fruit juice. And the reason is that apple juice is very sweet, usually containing about 10g of sugar per 100ml of juice. Full-sugar Coca Cola only contains slightly more, with 10.6g.

This means that any smoothie or gut-shot maker can say  truthfully that their products have no added sugar.

If you are using ginger, lemon, kale and spinach, add lots of apple juice and the end drink will end up tasting sweet, rather than like a whizzed-up salad.

Some manufacturers argue that many of their fruit-juice blends would taste too acidic without the addition of apple juice.

The downside for the consumer is that you are left with a product which contains a lot of sugar, but has only some of the nutritional benefit you would get if you ate the whole fruit.

Innocent Drinks said their reliance on apple juice was not a company-specific issue and referred the Daily Mail to the industry union, British Soft Drinks Association (BDSA).

A spokesperson for the BDSA says: The use of apple juice as a base in some juice and smoothie products is common practice and has been for several decades, primarily to help balance the flavour . . . BSDA members comply with all relevant regulations and list ingredients on pack.

So which fancy fruit drinks are made up of more apples than anything else? Here, the Mail pulls together a selection of products that all comprise more than 50 per cent apple juice:

Pret Hot Shot

110ml, 2.90

Apple juice: 60 per cent

Add a kick to your day with a burst of orange, spiced with tumeric, ginger and cayenne is how this tiny bottle is promoted on the shelf. Apple is not mentioned, but it makes up nearly two-thirds of the content.

Naked Ruby Machine Super Smoothie

300ml, 2.60

Apple juice: 58 per cent, plus apple puree (unknown quantity)

This is red in colour and is described on the front of the bottle as Raspberry, Pomegranate & Strawberry; Natural Energy boosted with B,C & E vitamins. Apple, however, is the biggest ingredient, which explains why it has more sugar (11g) per 100ml than Coca-Cola.

Naked Pineapple & Passion fruit smoothie

750ml, 3

Apple juice: 54 per cent, plus apple puree (unknown quantity)

Full of delicious punchy and exotic flavours, it says on the Naked website. That may be so, but the main ingredient is apple partially from concentrate. With 11g of sugar per 100ml, a serving contains the equivalent of 4 teaspoons of sugar.

Naked Gold Machine Super Smoothie

750ml, 4

Apple juice: 71 per cent, plus 12 per cent apple puree

This super smoothie is packed with tropical passionfruit, mango, and guava. Its a colourful blend that tastes like sunshine, the Naked website says. Apple is not mentioned, but it is the biggest ingredient by some margin. And at 11g per 100ml, it too contains more sugar than Coca-Cola.

Innocent Apple & Raspberry

330ml, 1.65

Apples: 92 per cent

Innocent clearly labels this as an apple-based drink. There is no subterfuge here. But some consumers might be surprised that the bottle is almost entirely apple juice, at 92 per cent. One Meal Deal-sized bottle, as a result, contains 32g of sugar, double the amount found in a can of Sprite or Fanta (both of which have 15g in a can).

Innocent Bolt From The Blue

330ml, 2.15

Apple juice: 66 per cent

A blue drink! Weird. Innocent says on the bottle that this helps give you some oomph and explains it is blue spirulina that gives it its colour. Apple is listed on the front as the third ingredient after guava and lime, but it is two-thirds of the entire bottle.

Innocent Berry Set Go

330ml, 2.15

Apples: 82 per cent

Helps you go, go, go says the bottle, saying it contains: raspberry, cherry, apple, goji, guarana + vitamins. It contains a mere 3 per cent raspberry, 3 per cent cherry and 2 per cent goji but a whopping 82 per cent apple.

Innocent Power To The Purple

750ml, 3.80

Pressed apples: 83 per cent

A win for your skin is how Innocent describes this drink on the bottle. On the front the main ingredients are listed: pomegranate, raspberry, apple, rose water. But apples, in fact, completely dominate at 83 per cent, with pomegranate coming in at 8.6 per cent and raspberries at just 3.3 per cent. A small Meal Deal sized bottle contains 14g of sugar  more than you will find in a Krispy Kreme original doughnut (12g).

Mockingbird Raw Press Raw Boost

750ml, 4.50

Apples: around 69 per cent

On the front of the bottle this drink is billed as a virgin smoothie crafted with strawberry, blackcurrant, acai berry, beetroot, spinach, kale, vitamins B6 + C. Apples are not mentioned, but they make up at least two-thirds of the ingredients. The exact percentage is not clear, but the other ingredients added together make up just 31 per cent, suggesting that the drink is 69 per cent apple.

Sainsburys Pineapple, Banana & Coconut Smoothie

750ml, 1.80

Apples: around 57 per cent

Apples are not mentioned on the front of this bottle, and you would not expect them in such a yellow concoction. But they are listed as the main ingredient on the back  without a percentage declared. Adding up all the other ingredients suggests that well over half the bottle is apple juice. At 11g per 100ml, this again contains more sugar than a Coca-Cola.

Tropicana Kids Smoothies  Strawberry and Banana

150ml x 4, 3.60

Apples: 79 per cent

Great for lunchboxes, no added sugar, 1 of 5 a day is how this kids smoothie is promoted on the box. But with nearly four-fiths of it being apple juice and puree from concentrate and with zero fibre, it is of limited nutritional benefit  apart from a dose of vitamin C. With 15g of sugar per carton, it has more sugar than you will find in a Krispy Kreme original doughnut (12g).

M&S Smoothie, Mango, Kiwi & Kale

350ml, 2

Apple: around 57 per cent

The front of the bottle does say (in smaller writing) blended with apple, but you might not have presumed apple juice and apple puree make up over half the ingredients. The exact percentage is not listed, but all the other ingredients add up to 42 per cent so it is likely to be 57 per cent or more. At 10.3g of sugar per 100g, this is very sweet.

Tropicana Pure Tropical Fruit Juice

1.5l, 4

Apples: around 73 per cent

The juice of five tropical fruits is what this bottle says on the front, with a picture of mango, a pineapple, passion fruit and mandarin on the front. The missing fifth fruit not pictured? It is not very tropical: an apple, making up about 73 per cent of the ingredients (the others add up to 27 per cent).

Tropicana Sensations Pineapple & Pink Guava Crush

850ml, 3.50

Apples: 83 per cent

Tropicana does at least picture an apple on the carton, just behind the image of the pineapple and guava. Many consumers, however, might be surprised to learn that more than four-fifths of this exotic blend (according to the website) is just apple juice. At 11g per 100ml, this contains more sugar than Coca-Cola.

Press Berry Boost

250ml, 4

Apples: 78.8 per cent

Why our juice is worth The Squeeze? Up to 1/2 kilo of fruit & veg used in every bottle (thats the magic of cold-pressed juice) is the marketing blurb it supplies to supermarket websites. Thats a lot of fruit for a small bottle, but four-fifths of the berry boost is, in fact, apple  not a berry at all.

Don Simon mango, passion fruit and orange smoothie

330ml, 1.50

Apple: 52 per cent

Although this looks like an orange-based drink and it says it is an orange-based drink, oranges make up only 10 per cent of the ingredients. Apples  which are not mentioned on the front of the bottle  make up more than half. It is also very sweet at 12.4g of sugar per 100ml. One Meal Deal-sized bottle contains the equivalent of ten teaspoons of sugar.

Daily Dose Framboise

750ml, 3.90

Apples: 70 per cent

Even those who struggled with GCSE French will know that framboise means raspberry. But this drink  a cold-pressed blend of fruit and herbs, according to the Waitrose website  is made up of just 4 per cent raspberry. A bigger ingredient is strawberries at 22 per cent  but the biggest by far is apples at 70 per cent.

Asda Blast of Blue Super Juice

750ml, 2

Apples: 67 per cent

On the front of this unpleasantly blue bottle it says the ingredients are: coconut water, guava, passion fruit, spirulina and lime, with added vitamins your immune system will love. It is only when you turn it over that you realise more than two-thirds of the bottle is apple juice.
The Tories have doubled down on claims Sadiq Khan is plotting a 'pay-per-mile' charging scheme for London drivers with a new attack advert.

In a video seen by MailOnline and to be shared across social media, the Conservatives highlight how London's mayor previously ordered transport bosses to work on plans to charge motorists for every mile they drive.

It comes amid a furious row between Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall and Mr Khan over future plans for the capital's roads if he is re-elected on 2 May.

The London mayor has angrily denied he is planning to introduce a 'pay-per-mile' scheme while he is mayor and blasted Tory 'lies' and 'scaremongering'.

But the Conservatives have compiled a dossier of 17 occasions a possible 'pay-per-mile' scheme has been referenced by Mr Khan or senior City Hall figures during his mayoralty.

The Tories have doubled down on claims Sadiq Khan is plotting a 'pay-per-mile' charging scheme for London drivers with a new attack advert

It comes amid a furious row between Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall and Mr Khan over future plans for the capital's roads if he is re-elected on 2 May

This includes Mr Khan writing in his book Breathe, published in May last year, of his 'plans to introduce a new, more comprehensive road-user charging system, to be implemented by the end of the decade at the latest'.

Ms Hall has also pointed to how Mr Khan, shortly after the last mayoral election in 2021, said he had 'no plans' to extend the capital's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to outer London.

He then controversially extended ULEZ to all London boroughs in August last year.

The new Tory attack video features an audio clip of Mr Khan speaking to an Evening Standard podcast in January 2022.

The London mayor told the podcast at the time: 'I have asked TfL (Transport for London) today to start working on... what can TfL do in the medium to long-term about moving us towards a smart road user charging scheme to replace the congestion charge, the ULEZ... with one simple scheme where people pay per mile depending on what time of day they drive, what their vehicle is, what the alternatives are to driving their car and so forth.'

Within the dossier put together by the Tories are also the results of a Freedom of Information request from December last year.

This revealed TfL had set aside up to 150million for 'Project Detroit', which is work on 'a new core technology platform for existing road user charging schemes to replace the currently outsourced system as the current contract expires in 2026'.

A previous FoI request to TfL revealed the platform being built under 'Project Detroit' has 'the capability to be extended and we will be looking to build the system flexibly so that other forms of charging based on distance, vehicle type, etc., could be catered for if a decision was made in future to do so'.

Ms Hall, pictured out campaigning with PM Rishi Sunak this week, is bidding to replace Mr Khan as London mayor at the upcoming election

The Tory mayoral candidate accused Mr Khan of 'treating Londoners like fools' over pay-per-mile plans

Ms Hall last week engaged in a bitter social media spat with allies of Mr Khan after she posted on Twitter/X a mocked-up photo of a 'pay-per-mile' traffic sign on a London street

Ms Hall, who is bidding to replace Mr Khan as London mayor at the upcoming election, said: 'Sadiq Khan told us he had no plans to expand ULEZ at the last election, then did it a few months later.

'Now after he spends 150m on the technology for pay-per-mile, he expects us to believe he won't bring it in? He is treating Londoners like fools.

'I am listening to Londoners, which is why I will scrap Sadiq Khan's ULEZ expansion and pay-per-mile plans on day one of my mayoralty.'

Ms Hall last week engaged in a bitter social media spat with allies of Mr Khan after she posted on Twitter/X a mocked-up photo of a 'pay-per-mile' traffic sign on a London street.

London Labour shot back: 'This sign does not and will never exist. Sadiq has been clear - ruling out pay per mile categorically while he is mayor. This is a photoshopped image and is a lie.'

Labour have also pointed to how Boris Johnson, when he was London mayor prior to Mr Khan, explored plans to charge motorists for each mile they drive in a bid to improve air quality in the capital.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was also reported to be considering 'pay per mile' proposals when he was Chancellor, as Britons make the switch to electric cars and leave the Treasury with a massive tax shortfall due to plummeting revenue from fuel duty and vehicle excise duty.

A Conservative source in Ms Hall's campaign team hit back at Mr Khan's forceful denial that he is planning to introduce a 'pay-per-mile' scheme for London motorists in the future.

They told MailOnline: 'Sadiq Khan doesn't get to decide how the public judge him, nor does he get to demand people take him at his word.

'Assuming Mr Khan wrote his own book, it's there in black and white for all to see.

'And that's only one example in the latest instalment of his anti-motorist blueprint for London'.

A London Labour spokesperson said: 'Sadiq has repeatedly and categorically ruled out introducing 'pay per mile' for as long as he is Mayor.

'Claims by the Conservatives that Sadiq will introduce pay per mile are lies designed to mislead Londoners.

'Such a scheme was first proposed by Boris Johnson as London Mayor and was also planned by Rishi Sunak as Chancellor.

'Sadiq has always been clear that any such scheme was unnecessary following the decision to expand the ULEZ to the whole of London and has repeatedly ruled out introducing it while he is mayor including in a letter to the TfL Commissioner last month.'
A possible Republican presidential administration could be 'friendly' to Paul's investigation unlike the agencies under Biden, he said

He claimed Fauci frequently made 'off the books' visits to the spy agency

Sen. Rand Paul revealed to DailyMail.com that he is continuing his investigation into the origins of COVID-19 by probing Dr. Anthony Fauci's visits to the CIA

Sen. Rand Paul told DailyMail.com he will continue his probe into the origins of COVID-19 by investigating Dr. Anthony Fauci's secret 'off the books' trips to the CIA.

The Republican from Kentucky - who is also a doctor - has been investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic for years.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Paul disclosed that Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), was friendly with the CIA - which is notably one of the few federal agencies that still has not clearly established COVID-19 origins.

'The CIA officially still says [COVID-19 is] probably from animals,' Paul said. 'We also have stories, rumors and innuendo that Fauci was a frequent visitor off the books to the CIA.'

He pointed to how the CIA disagrees with findings from the Department of Energy and FBI that have said the the pandemic likely originated from a leak at a Wuhan, China, lab.

And that though an initial CIA assessment found the lab leak theory was likely, senior officials in the agency overruled their findings.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., announced his investigation into the origins of COVID-19 has uncovered that at least 15 government agencies were aware of the Wuhan Institute of Virology's effort to create a novel strain of coronavirus

Former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci likely knew about the Wuhan Institute of Virology's desire to create a coronavirus as early as 2018, Paul claims

Paul sent a letter to the 15 agencies, including the CDC, requesting further information about the DEFUSE Project - which was an effort by the Wuhan lab to create a novel coronavirus

'We have another whistleblower from the CIA that says that the scientific committee that was commissioned to look into the origins of the virus actually voted six to one that it came from the lab and that they were overruled by superiors at the CIA,' the senator told DailyMail.com.

The agency's reversal and its secretive meetings with Fauci are suspicious, Paul said.

Still, the official stance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is that the origin of the Earth-stopping COVID-19 pandemic likely came from bats.

'We do not know the exact source of the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but we know that it originally came from an animal, likely a bat,' the CDC website states.

But Paul is calling that response 'batty,' revealing Tuesday that the CDC and 14 other agencies had known a about proposal from the the Wuhan lab aiming to create a novel coronavirus in 2018 - similar to the COVID-19 virus that has killed just under 1.2 million Americans and millions more globally.

The DEFUSE Project - a joint venture between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the U.S.-based pandemic prevention non-profit EcoHealth Alliance - floated the creation of a novel coronavirus during a 2018 meeting featuring representatives from at least 15 federal agencies.

The proposal sent to the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) outlined how the Wuhan lab and EcoHealth intended to 'manipulate known viruses with spike proteins of novel viral strains,' according to Paul.

Their proposal went to DARPA's PREventing Emerging Pathogenic Threats (PREEMPT) program.

The NIAID Rocky Laboratory was also listed as a partner in the DEFUSE proposal alongside the Wuhan Institute of Virology and EcoHealth.

That means, according to Paul, Fauci almost certainly knew about the Chinese labs' desire to create a novel coronavirus, as NIAID was a partner on the proposal.

NIAID did not return a request for comment.

'So in January and February of 2020, instead of Anthony Fauci piping up and saying 'Oh, wow, they briefed us on this. It looks like they ended up doing what they briefed us on' instead of saying that, he commissioned people to say the opposite,' Paul told DailyMail.com.

'It makes me think there's really something there that they're hiding.'

Security personnel stand guard outside the Wuhan Institute of Virology as members of the World Health Organization team investigate the origins of COVID-19

Francis Collins (Left), head of the National Institutes of Health, and Anthony Fauci (Right), head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases could have known about the Wuhan lab's proposal to create a new coronavirus, according to Paul

Later, on January 30, 2018, DARPA hosted the 'PREEMPT Proposers Day' where the 15 federal agencies were in attendance.

Paul claims that officials from these agencies had to be aware that the Wuhan lab, in conjunction with NIAID and EcoHealth, was mulling the creation of a coronavirus engineered to infect humans.

'The fact that 15 agencies knew about this when the virus structure came out in January 2020 should have [said] 'I can't believe that the virus looks like exactly what they were proposing to do in research in 2018,'' Paul said.

'Anybody that was associated with any funding that went to Wuhan is concerned that they'll get blamed basically for the pandemic.'

'And so they're trying to obscure any connections they had with this.'

Paul also mentioned how the NIAID budget for 'biomedical weapons research' was drastically increased under Fauci's leadership, which is something he also will continue to investigate.

'I think there's still something here to be found. I think that there's something worth hiding.'

He described how federal agencies under Biden have not been helpful in his investigation.

But, he said, there is still hope.

Scientists wear protective gear while working in a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology

'I sort of salivate at the notion that we can get a friendly administration who would have a friendly Secretary of Health and Human Services that oversees NIH,' Paul said, alluding that a Trump presidency would give him better access to sealed documents.

Still, despite November being a ways away, he will continue working 'to try to make sure this doesn't happen again.'
David Cameron was snubbed by the speaker of the US House of Representatives after asking to discuss Ukraine aid on his trip to Washington.

Mike Johnson, a staunch ally of Donald Trump who has refused to table a vote on a bill that would send $60 billion of weapons shipments to Kyiv, reportedly claimed he could not find time in his diary for a sit-down with the Foreign Secretary yesterday.

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton was in the US for talks with former President Donald Trump on Monday and with his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, yesterday.

The discussions with Mr Blinken centred on what can be done to help Palestinians if the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) invade Rafah, in southern Gaza.

The meeting came after hopes were dashed of a breakthrough in peace negotiations, six months after Hamas's deadly terrorist attack on Israel prompted reprisals that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron holds a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2024

Mike Johnson, a staunch ally of Donald Trump who has refused to table a vote on a bill that would send $60 billion of weapons shipments to Kyiv, reportedly claimed he could not find time in his diary for a sit-down with the Foreign Secretary yesterday

Lord Cameron was in the US for talks with former President Donald Trump on Monday

Despite the face-to-face meeting, it is understood that Lord Cameron and Mr Johnson are personally messaging each other, with those UK delegates believing a conversation could be arranged later down the line.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators handed Hamas the proposal which called for a temporary pause in hostilities, to get Israeli hostages out of Gaza and aid in, before both sides negotiate a lasting peace.

But an official from the terror group said: 'The Israeli position remains intransigent and it didn't meet any of the demands of our people.'

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Lord Cameron said the West is drawing up a 'Plan B' if a ceasefire cannot be agreed.

He said: 'We have a clear Plan A for how we bring this conflict to an end. We have a temporary pause, we turn that into a sustainable ceasefire.

'But we have to think about what is Plan B... I think that's something we are going to have to be looking at and we were talking about today.'

The former PM also rejected growing calls to suspend arms deals to Israel but insisted he had 'graver concerns' over the humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza.

When asked, he also refused to publish any legal advice that had been given to the UK Government over sales, adding that he had 'reviewed the latest advice' and the UK's position 'is in line with international partners'.

'On Israel and international humanitarian law, and as required by the UK's robust arms export control regime, I have now reviewed the most recent advice about the situation in Gaza and Israel's conduct of their military campaign,' Lord Cameron said.

'The latest assessment leaves our position on export licenses unchanged,' he added. 'Let me be clear, though, we continue to have grave concerns around the humanitarian access issue in Gaza.'

Pressure has been mounting in recent days after three Britons and one US-Canadian dual citizen were among seven aid workers for World Central Kitchen who were killed last week in an Israeli strike, which the military called an accident.

In a recent letter, more than 600 British lawyers, including former Supreme Court judges, said that Britain risked breaching international law by exporting weapons to Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, February 18, 2024

While speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Blinkin, Lord Cameron compared Ukraine's war with Russia to the allies D-Day landings to defeat the Nazis in 1944

Lord Cameron met former President Donald Trump in Florida on Monday at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort inb Palm Beach.

The Foreign Secretary became the first UK minister to meet Mr Trump since his dramatic departure from the White House three years ago.

The pair discussed Ukraine aid, the upcoming elections in the UK and US, NATO, Brexit  and their admiration for the late Queen.

Lord Cameron is expected to have been rebuffed in his lobbying, however, as the Republican presidential candidate is strongly opposed to giving Kyiv more money.

The foreign secretary previously stressed that he had not made the trip to the US to 'lecture' its politicians on giving more money to Ukraine, however, said he could get 'emotional' when speaking of Ukraine's plight.

While speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Blinkin, Lord Cameron compared Ukraine's war with Russia to the allies D-Day landings to defeat the Nazis in 1944.

He said: 'To me this is so fundamental to how Britain and America have worked together over the years, over the decades, to keep our world safe and to enhance our security.

'I think of my grandfather landing on the Normandy beaches under the cover of an American warship. I think of how I worked together with President Obama to deal with the Isil threat in Syria and Iraq.

'How we hunted down those terrible killers of British and American hostages in the Syrian desert. Jihadi John and the like.

'To me this is the same thing. We face a huge threat from an aggressive Putin taking other countries' territory by force and it is so important that we stick together.'

In Lord Cameron's memoirs, published in 2019, he said Mr Trump had won the Republican nomination because of his 'protectionist, xenophobic, misogynistic interventions'

The White House said it had been aware of Lord Cameron's meeting with Mr Trump before it took place

His meeting with Mr Trump meeting is likely to have difficult, as Lord Cameron has made a string of critical comments about the former Republican leader.

In 2016 he called the former President 'divisive, stupid and wrong' leading Mr Trumpt to respond: 'It looks like we're not going to have a very good relationship.'

In Lord Cameron's memoirs, published in 2019, he said Mr Trump had won the Republican nomination because of his 'protectionist, xenophobic, misogynistic interventions'.

The White House said it had been aware of Lord Cameron's meeting with Mr Trump before it took place.

The Us national security adviser Jack Sullivan, declined to say whether Biden's government thought the discussion would be helpful, according to the Times.'
Counne is accused of scamming at least five women out of over $1.8 million, posing as an art dealer and convincing them to invest in his start-up company

His trial date was adjourned to May 18 as his lawyers attempt to recover key evidence in the form of deleted text messages

Nelson Counne appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday to face grand larceny and fraud charges

An elderly man deemed 'the worst boyfriend on the Upper East Side' has appeared in court in shackles ahead of his trial for scamming several women out of nearly $2 million.

Nelson Counne, 71, appeared at Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday to face multiple counts of second-degree grand larceny, third-degree grand larceny and fraud.

His trial date was ultimately adjourned to May 18, allowing his lawyers time to recover the phone records of several witnesses who claim key evidence in the form of text messages was deleted.

He is accused of posing as a wealthy art dealer and scamming at least five women out more than $1.8 million after meeting them on a dating site and striking up a romantic relationship with each of them.

Counne has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held in jail on $150,000 cash bail or a $350,000 insurance bond.

Nelson Counne, 71, appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday. The man stands accused of defrauding at least five women out of more than $1.8 million

Counne's trial date was ultimately adjourned to May 18, providing his lawyers more time to recover the phone records of witnesses who claim their texts were deleted

The elderly man has pleaded not guilty to several counts of second-degree grand larceny, third-degree grand larceny and fraud

He failed to appear for a hearing in February, with defense attorney Danielle Von Lehman claiming he was feeling unwell due to his age.

The 71-year-old's criminal racket was exposed in a New Yorker article dubbing him 'the worst boyfriend on the Upper East Side'.

Prosecutors allege the accused con artist would meet unsuspecting victims on Our Time, a dating site for people aged 50 or over.

He presented himself as a wealthy art collector and investor with an impressive real estate portfolio including property in London, Florida and Saint-Tropez, as well as an imposing apartment near Central Park.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg claimed the instances of fraud date back to December 2012, but Counne, who was arrested last March, has denied the allegations.

The 71-year-old requested to be released on his own recognizance in May 2023, but the effort fell short as the judge deemed him a flight risk.

Prosecutors allege he used the aliases 'Nelson Roth' or 'Justin Roth' as he spun a tale about co-owning a fake start-up company alongside a former Google executive.

Soon into the relationships he would allegedly start pitching the women investment opportunities.

But he 'refused to provide details, sometimes telling the women that the investment existed in a "gray area between legal and illegal",' Bragg wrote in a press release last year.

The accused con artist gained notoriety through a New Yorker article dubbing him 'the worst boyfriend on the Upper East Side'

Prosecutors allege he used the aliases 'Nelson Roth' or 'Justin Roth' and presented himself as the co-owner a fake tech start-up

After the initial investment, Counne would seek even more money, claiming it was needed for 'investment-related expenses' as well as 'salaries and housing costs for the staff of the tech start-up,' according to Bragg.

Conne promised to repay each of the victims their original investments plus a substantial profit on top, but this never panned out, as the 71-year-old claimed his funds were tied up in the investments, or his accounts were frozen due to investigations into his financial activities.

'Ultimately, almost all of Counne's claims were false,' Brag wrote. 'Not only did he not own homes in London and the South of France, he has never traveled internationally and does not have a passport.

'He was not independently wealthy, and the only funds in his accounts were from victims of his romance scams.

'Instead of being invested, the victims funds were used to make Counne appear wealthy to new victims, and to repay previous victims who had detected his fraud.'

One woman identified in the New Yorker piece as Kristie claimed she lost $5,000 to the alleged conman.

Their entanglement began when she met Counne at Campagnola, a pricey Upper East Side Italian restaurant, in 2000.

Kristie, who was working through a breakup at the time, said Counne presented himself as an English art dealer who was visiting New York to complete a deal.

Counne, pictured during his March 2023 arrest, convinced his unsuspecting victims to dole out thousands of dollars at a time for 'investment opportunities'

After the initial investment, Counne would seek even more money, claiming it was needed for 'investment-related expenses' and the salaries of his employees

Some women even accused him of stealing their jewelry, which led to Counne being convicted and sentenced to one year in prison

As their relationship dragged on, he later proposed to her with a diamond ring he told her not to wear until it was insured.

When a jeweler told Kristie that the diamond was not real, she confronted her beau, though the pair stayed together.

Counne later invited her on a Christmas vacation to Europe, but cancelled when he supposedly had to receive treatment for colon cancer, Kirstie recalled.

When she attempted to visit him at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where he claimed to be staying, staff told the bewildered woman that Counne had never checked in.

The 71-year-old managed to swindle her out of $5,000 over the course of their relationship, Kristie said.

She later realized that her $2,000 diamond ring was missing and immediately suspected Counne.

He denied the accusations, but his con began to unravel when Kristie received a call from another woman named Elaine who had lost a necklace while dating him at the same time.

The pair met a third woman in Philadelphia who realized she was also being tricked.

The women reported the stolen jewelry to authorities and Counne was slapped with a year-long prison sentence, of which he served eight months.

Among his victims are a Greenwich, Connecticut woman he defrauded out of $500,000 in 2022

The 71-year-old would brag that he was a wealthy art collector and investor with an impressive swathe of properties including an apartment near Central Park (pictured)

But Counne was undeterred, and in 2018, he was caught scamming other women under the name Nelson Roth.

That year, Counne began speaking to an Upper East Side woman online, claiming he was an art dealer with homes around the world.

He allegedly borrowed $7,000 from the woman's daughter, Julia, which the woman later paid back herself.

When Julia read text messages exchanged between the pair, she learned that Counne owed her mother at least $60,000.

After confirming his identity with the help of a private investigator, Julia contacted the District Attorneys office, which lodged a case against him.

The 71-year-old was also charged with defrauding a Connecticut woman out of $500,000 in 2022.

According to an affidavit, the woman contacted Greenwich police in March 2021 after providing a certain 'Nelson Roth' with $75,000 that had vanished into thin air.

The swindler had promised not only to recoup the money, but to 'return her investment 10 times the amount she had provided,' the affidavit states.

The Greenwich woman stopped cooperating with Greenwich police, stating that she and Counne were in a romantic relationship, according to the affidavit. The two wed in Virginia the same year.

But a Greenwich detective contacted the Manhattan District Attorney's office and was advised that investigations into the man were ongoing, 'with a total loss reported by the victims nearing $1 million dollars'.

Investigators were unable to find any commercial licensing or business activity of any kind and deduced that Counne had no source of income other than the scam.

The case was reopened in September 2021 when the Greenwich woman reached out to police once more, saying she was 'always in fear' for her physical safety. She claimed to have given Counne a total of $500,000.

Investigators obtained a search warrant and discovered that Counne had spent thousands of dollars dining at upscale restaurants and paying off his bills.

In addition to the numerous allegations of fraud and larceny, violence has frequently cropped up in Counne's criminal past.

At just 34 years old, he was charged with, and later acquitted of, second-degree murder. The charges stemmed from the shooting death of a jeweler in Queens.

Counne was also charged with assault in Connecticut in June 2020 for allegedly hitting a woman during an argument. That charge was ultimately dropped.

Three years later, he was shot multiple times in the chest in a suspected contract killing. No one was ever charged in the shooting.
A disgruntled Aussie has launched a fiery rant at cafes that use QR codes for ordering, sparking a huge debate on social media.

The customer spoke out after visiting a cafe in Bondi, Sydney, where QR codes were the exclusive method for placing food and drink orders.

They vented about the absence of face-to-face table service and criticised the cafe for having the 'audacity' to request tips through the QR system.

A customer of a cafe in Bondi, Sydney, slammed the venue for asking to be tipped, despite using a QR code ordering system (stock image)

'In this day and age, you go to a cafe in the city, and most will have QR codes to scan and order your food at the table. Quick, easy and convenient, right?' they explained.

'So I was in Bondi at a cafe on the beach. They had no table service - where a waiter would take your order - only the QR code.

'So I bring it up, make the order, get ready to pay and the cafe had the absolute audacity to ask if I would like to leave a tip.

'At this point I've had no interaction with anyone and I'm thinking to myself, "What BS."'

The customer then offered some advice to cafes switching to a QR code ordering system.

'If you switch to technology and your staff aren't interacting with customers while they are seated and making their orders - don't be so rude as to ask those customers to leave a tip,' they said.

'For what? I paid $9 for a fruit juice and it tasted like blended broccoli water. WTF.

'I seated myself. I made the order myself. I might as well have cooked it myself.

'People go out for a meal because it's an experience and they want quality customer service and interaction, not QR code service and asking for a tip before I've even eaten. How rude.'

The customer joked they 'might as well have cooked [the food] myself' and questioned why they should tip when there was little to no customer service involved

Hundreds of Aussies agreed.

'I used to tip for good service, or if something was extra special, but asking for a tip before I've had anything... how do I know if it's going to even be good?' one wrote.

'I do not tip the staff; they get wages. Nobody should be made to feel they have to tip,' another said.

'Completely agree! The whole hospitality industry needs a reset,' a third added.

'Same as the self-checkout at the major supermarkets. All of sudden I work at Coles now. Nobody invited me to the Christmas party though,' another said.

A fourth said: 'I much prefer customer service. I usually like to change things/add things to a meal which can't be done with a QR [code order]. I certainly agree with your tipping comment.'

A fifth added: 'I went to a bar with QR codes on the table. Walked up to the bar, ordered and got my drink, got back to my table and my friends were still trying to work out how to order using the QR code.'

However, others thought the Bondi customer was overreacting.

'It's pretty simple: you can just say no to the tip. No point getting angry over it,' one said.

'I just take it that it's a built-in feature of the QR system they use. Not necessarily the cafe asking for a tip,' another wrote.
Annabel Crabb has waded into the row over the appointment of Australia's new Governor-General, writing a lengthy essay defending Sam Mostyn and attacking her critics.

Ms Mostyn, 58, is a businesswoman who was appointed to a vast number of corporate boards through her championing of feminist and indigenous causes as well as climate change initiatives.

She was criticised as a 'woke' appointment by conservative critics who decried her long history in identity politics, and sensitivity over that prompted the deletion of many of her past social media posts.

Now Crabb has hit back at the 'vicious denunciations', notably the News Corporation columnists Andrew Bolt and Janet Albrechtsen.

Crabb mocked the writing ability of Ms Albrechtsen, a columnist at The Australian, before attempting to defuse her 'fusillade of indignation'.

The appointment of Annabel Crabb (pictured) to the role of Governor-General sparked widespread criticism after deleted social media posts emerged in which she had spruiked 'woe' causes

But now ABC star Annabel Crabb (pictured, left) has penned an almost 1,500-word piece in Ms Mostyn's defence

READ MORE: Backlash erupts over Anthony Albanese's new governor-general as Andrew Bolt and the Voice No campaign lash out after old Australia Day tweets were revealed The Prime Minister (right) announced last week that Australian businesswoman Sam Mostyn (left) will replace Governor-General David Hurley when his term ends on July 1 Advertisement

The ABC veteran took issue with Ms Albrechtsen's central argument that Ms Mostyn did not have the business credentials for the role and only landed it because she was a woman.

'There have to date been 27 governors-general of this federation. One of them, Dame Quentin Bryce, has been female,' wrote Crabb.

'The addition of another does not, to a rational eye, even faintly confirm an emerging new underclass of judicial and military gentlemen crushed under the merciless Jimmy Choos of a new skirtocracy.'

Crabb then spruiked Ms Mostyn's relative youth, arguing that her strength lay in her difference to past Governor-Generals who had normally risen through the ranks in law, industry or the military.

'She's more of a sole trader than a company man,' wrote Crabb.

'Her opinions have been hers to share, not constrained by the structural requirements that come with judicial or religious robes, or military garb.'

She added: 'All four of the feeder institutions for the governor-generalship  courts, clergy, military and parliament  have proven to be fallible.

'So why would we continue to regard them as monopoly suppliers of viceregal talent?'

Crabb then turned her fire on Sky News host Bolt who had dismissed Ms Mostyn's appointment as 'the triumph of affirmative action over talent or accomplishment'.

'Ms Mostyn has had many jobs in many organisations,' Crabb wrote.

'There is much evidence of her values, beliefs and practices in those jobs.

'There is very little evidence of her ever behaving in a way as to embarrass or bring into disrespect any organisation with which she is aligned.

'Or of using any public platform to mouth off at those who disagree with or slight her.'

Ms Mostyn, who was the AFL's first-ever female commissioner, has a long track record of supporting progressive causes.

She backed the Voice referendum, describing herself as 'completely untethered' when it was resoundingly defeated, and had also described Australia Day as 'invasion day' in a now-deleted social media post unearthed by Daily Mail Australia.

Kitchen Cabinet presenter Crabb (pictured) spruiked Ms Mostyn's relative youth, arguing that her strength lay in her difference to past Governor-Generals who had normally risen through the ranks in law, industry or the military

Australia's new Governor-General referred to Australia Day as 'invasion day' (pictured above), while the banner picture on her X profile was a poster which declared 'we support the Uluru Statement' (pictured below)

Daily Mail Australia previously revealed how Ms Mostyn advocated the Voice to her 22,000 followers on X, before suddenly disabling her account.

The banner picture of her X account was, for a lengthy period of time, a poster which declared, 'We support the Uluru Statement'.

The 58-year-old, who will officially start the role in July 2024, also previously made statements in favour of Australia becoming a republic.

Her commitment to that cause has not stopped her taking the job as the Crown's highest representative in Australia.

'Sam Mostyn is an exceptional leader who represents the best of modern Australia,' Anthony Albanese said after her appointment.

'(She) has had an extensive career in the Australian business community, including working at senior levels in telecommunications and insurance companies in Australia and globally.'
Sadiq Khan has been dealt a fresh ULEZ blow, after new figures revealed that congestion in London is worse than it was five years ago.

Daily average congestion levels in the capital was 45% last year, up from 37% in 2019 when Khan launched the ULEZ scheme, which was designed to lower congestion levels in London.

TomTom, the location tech company, said it figured out the 'congestion level percentage' by calculating the time a driver sat in traffic on a given journey and comparing it to the time it would take with free-flowing traffic.

While the Mayor of London has insisted the ULEZ was implemented to improve air quality, as it would force Londoners to buy cleaner vehicles, just a year after it was launched in central London, his office said it 'had already helped reduce traffic in the central zone by approximately 10%.'

Andy Marchant, a traffic expert at TomTom, told the Times green programmes like ULEZ 'remain essential to supporting the UK's ambition to reach net zero by 2050'.

Sadiq Khan (pictured) launched the ULEZ scheme in 2019

Congestion in London has gone up since 2019, when the ULEZ scheme was launched (File image)

ULEZ was meant to increase air quality in London, but the Mayor's office showed off how it had reduced congestion in 2020

However, he added: 'It should be coupled with long-term action. Our analysis shows that five years on from the introduction of ULEZ, London remains the world's slowest city to drive through.

'The capital's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions inevitably increased at the same time, with London's petrol vehicles having the highest CO2 impact in 2023, emitting 3.56 tonnes of CO2 per 10,000 miles driven.'

Londoners have long clashed with the Mayor over the increasing role ULEZ plays in their lives.

Yesterday, a crowd of anti-ULEZ protesters clashed with Metropolitan Police officers in furious scenes after they were prevented from demonstrating outside Sadiq Khan's south London home.

The activists reacted with fury after officers stopped them from marching close to where the Mayor of London lives.

Furious anti-ULEZ protestors have accused police of 'an abuse of power' for preventing them from walking down Sadiq Khan 's home street

This group of demonstrators reacted with fury after police stopped them from marching close to where the Mayor of London lives in the south of the capital

In one video a man who appears to be leading the group (right) complains: 'Sadiq Khan said 'I've got no problem with people (being here).' '

The group were protesting Khan's much-hated road charge, which forces motorists whose vehicles are non-compliant with emissions rules to pay 12.50 a day to drive in London.

Khan is facing a backlash from motorists after expanding the ULEZ zone last year to cover all London boroughs, with hundreds of the ULEZ cameras being vandalised by so-called 'Blade Runners'.

Video shows that they were told by Met Police they were 'too close to his house' - prompting an outcry and mockery as the demonstrators accused the officers of an 'abuse of power'.

Footage posted on the social media platform shows police being heckled whilst a female cop orders the protestors to disburse.

People during an anti-ULEZ protest in Trafalgar Square, London, on January 27, 2024

People during an anti-ULEZ protest in Trafalgar Square, London, on January 27, 2024

In one video, entitled 'It's now illegal to walk down Sadiq Khan's road', a man who appears to be leading the group complains: 'Sadiq Khan said 'I've got no problem with people (being here).' '

The woman officer can be heard telling the crowd: 'As I have already explained to you, the current location where you are is too close to his house. You are not allowed under Section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001...'

She continues: 'It's well within the legislation otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation.'

When the protestors insist on being allowed to pass, the cop says 'no no' and starts quoting legislation.

A member of the crowd mimics and mocks the officer by saying, 'No no... we make the rules up as we go!', while another pleads: 'Surely you've got to have some common sense here.'

Another person taunts the officers by shouting: 'Check me out, I'm Billy big b****cks! I am above the law. I've got a bit of power.'
A report by the Welsh Labour government has decreed that four-day work weeks might be racist as they 'discriminate' against ethnic minority groups working in front-line public sector roles.

A trial, which will start after a consultation that took a year, in Wales will see the working hours of some public sector staff cut by one-fifth with no reduction in salary.

Artificial intelligence (AI) could lower workloads for staff and mean they are less likely to suffer from burnout - but the four-day work week that results could exacerbate 'existing inequalities' between office-based and front-line workers.

The reduced week could indirectly discriminate against ethnic minority groups that work in parts of the public sector which operate 24/7, but white-collar workers could benefit more.

The kinds of workers who would be hit negatively by the four-day work week are not listed in the report.

A report by the Welsh Labour government has decreed that four-day work weeks might be racist as they 'discriminate' against ethnic minority groups working in front-line public sector roles

A trial, which will start after a consultation that took a year, in Wales will see the working hours of some public sector staff cut by one-fifth with no reduction in salary

On the subject of 'equality risks', the report says there is a 'risk of widening existing inequalities between groups of workers i.e. office workers versus those on the frontline, particularly in 24/7 operations.'

It adds: 'Given the different gender, race and other characteristics of different workforces in the public sector, there is potential for negative and differential impacts on particular protected characteristics. In some circumstances, worker entitlements to welfare benefits may also be put at risk.'

Other drawbacks listed in the consultation, made with senior Welsh government civil servants and public sector chiefs, include the potential need to hire an additional 179 full-time equivalent staff to keep service levels up to standard.

Other risks included workers spending more money on leisure activities and heating while spending extra time away from work.

However the report concluded that the four-day work week could have benefits to productivity and staff retention.

Welsh Tory leader Andrew Davies (pictured) told The Telegraph the plans for a four-day work week should be 'should be dropped, and services for users should be prioritised instead'

Welsh Tory leader Andrew Davies told The Telegraph the plans for a four-day work week should be 'should be dropped, and services for users should be prioritised instead'.

He said that progressing with the plan, which he says has failed elsewhere in the world, is the 'wrong decision' for the Welsh Labour government to make.

A Welsh government spokesman told The Telegraph: 'There are no plans to introduce a four-day week across the public sector in Wales.

'Whilst the working group identified a range of potential benefits, they also highlighted the many complexities involved in adopting a four-day week and the impact these could have on a range of groups and individuals.'
French spies are immune to honeytrap schemes as their wives already know that they are having affairs, the French counterpart to MI6 has revealed.

Russians realised that generating blackmail by entering into illicit relationships with French spies did not work, according to intelligence agents for the Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE).

'Go ahead, my wife already knows,' was a standard reply according to an agent in a documentary the Making of Secret Agents which examined the French spy agency.

It aired on French television channel France 2 on Tuesday night.

The agent, 'Nicolas', who appeared anonymously on the show said that Soviet Union defectors talked of the 'French paradox'.

He said the phenomenon was if you tell a Frenchman with a mistress 'we've caught you red-handed with a 22-year-old called Tatyana, work for us or we'll tell your wife, it didn't work', The Telegraph reports.

French spies are immune to honeytrap schemes as their wives already know that they are having affairs, the French counterpart to MI6 has revealed (stock photo)

This is because they would normally say 'she already knows about it' or 'Go ahead, show her, she'll understand'.

It comes after senior Tory MP William Wragg quit top party and Commons jobs after revealing he gave away colleagues phone numbers after being honeytrapped on a gay dating app.

William Wragg stepped down as vice-chairman of the 1922 Committee, the backbench Conservative organisation, and as chairman of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC).

The MP for Hazel Grove in Greater Manchester admitted last week that he had given his colleagues' phone numbers away to a Grindr contact for fear of intimate images of himself being leaked.

Scotland Yard has said it is investigating reports of the so-called 'honeytrap' scam after it was suggested that at least 12 men in political circles - including journalists - received unsolicited messages, raising security concerns.

It came as Mr Wragg was criticised by more of his Tory colleagues for his actions, amid some calls for him to be suspended by the party.

Bernard Emie, 65, France's spy chief until December last year says that the nation's secret service is staffed by 'ordinary people doing extraordinary things using exceptional means'.

The access into the spy agency was granted after recent negative press.

IMP William Wragg admitted passing on phone numbers of MPs due to fears about blackmail after being honeytrapped

In a section of the documentary, Mr Emie vigorously rebuffs claims that French spies were not aware of the forthcoming Russian invasion of Ukraine when Putin's troops lined up on the border in February 2022.

Britain and the US had warned that Putin was planning on starting his invasion 'in the coming days' - but the French said it was not happenin. And President Emmanuel Macron was criticised for continuing to talk to the Russian president.

The documentary hit out at 'Anglo-Saxons' who claimed that they had photos that Iraq dictator had missiles which could carry WMDs, but that confused rolled-up carpets in a factory for petrol pipeline tubes and missiles.

It added that the 'Anglo-Saxons' were more likely to 'throw more money at seeking to make contacts' but the French spies focus on targets' ulterior motives.
An ex-tech CEO accused of forcing his assistant into a 'slave contract' that saw her sex trafficked around the world has claimed the accusations only surfaced after a powerful lawyer attempted to extort him for $10million.

Christian Lanng, the 45-year-old who left Silicon Valley's Tradeshift in September of last year when the allegations surfaced, made the claims in a countersuit filed Tuesday in Northern California District Court.

The suit cites text messages sent from high-profile Hollywood attorney Bryan Freedman to Lanng in September as supposed proof of the alleged extortion plot.

A month before, the lawyer - who's represented the likes of Don Lemon and Bethenny Frankel - appeared on TMZ, touting up a copy of a document emblazoned with the phrase 'slave contract'.

The document had names on it redacted, and was produced as Freedman spoke about a separate case. Lanng's lawyers, however, claim the display was 'a clear threat to counterclaimant,' one made before the alleged extortion attempt.

Langg says the lawyer threatened to leak the story to TMZ if the sum was not paid.

Fallen San Francisco CEO Christian Lanngcall allegedly made a woman call him 'Master' while trafficking her around the world. He stepped down in October of last year when the allegations surfaced, and says the claims only came when he refused to play ball with a lawyer handling the case

Enter high-profile Hollywood attorney Bryan Freedman, who appeared on TMZ back in August touting a document emblazoned with the phrase 'slave contract'. Lanng's lawyers claim the display was 'a clear threat to counterclaimant,' one made before an outright extortion attempt

'I have been asked by a major media outlet if you would appear to explain your side of the story this week in conjunction with the claims being filed,' Freedman told Lanng in a September 4 text, introducing himself as the counsel representing the woman who filed the initial suit exactly a month after the TMZ clip aired.

'They can have you appear by [Z]oom,' he continued.

'It is unfortunate that your former lawyer allowed it to get to this point.

'But your failure to resolve this has led to permanent and irreparable harm to all that have been harmed.

'Throwing away your future and the mental well being of these victims never needed to happen.'

Sent just before 6pm PT, Lanng responded later that night.

'Bryan I will get back ASAP with new counsel,' wrote the founder of a firm that's raised $1.1billion from investors like Goldman Sachs, PayPal Ventures, West River, and Koch Industries since its founding.

'Any kind of media will not help achieve any outcome I'm afraid.'

Another text from Freedman came a little more than 12 hours later, the lawsuit indicates, attaching screen grabs of the exchange.

It was in this correspondence that Lanng says the lawyer broke the law.

'Christian, I don't control media as you know but once filed[,] cases take on lives of their own,' the lawyer wrote on September 5, looking for a settlement.

'Obviously making payment avoids the filing. Is that happening today?'

He goes on to claim that a previous party by the name of Bruce 'offered 10m paid by 8/15.

'If that happened there would be no reason to file,' he asserted.

'Let me know if you want to avoid this being much more difficult as out papers are ready to go.'

Within minutes, Lanng responded: 'Payments can only happen if I close my secondary deal, that's the reality.

'I have no other assets and any media will take it

'Happy to explain in detail.'

Seemingly incensed, Freedman offered one final reply to Lanng before the correspondence cuts off, the counter suit shows - before becoming embroiled in the bitter case.

The suit cites text messages sent from the high-profile Hollywood attorney to Lanng in September as supposed proof of the alleged extortion plot

'There is a different story all the time,' Freedman wrote, still on September 5.

'I would rather not see your future compromised by how many promises can be broken without action being taken.

'I imagine you understand the mental state I am dealing with,' he went on, citing Lanng's former staffer's alleged state of mind at the time.

'Obviously better for lawyers to get clients money[,] but ethically I have no choice but to follow my clients[sic] decisions.

'I was brought in for a conclusion,' he concluded. 'The unfortunate part is the lasting effect on your ability to do business

'[I]t's a shame that you make this go away instead of permanent destruction.'

Weeks later, the suit was filed, by a woman who says she was forced to sign the same 'sex slave contract' Freedman flaunted back in August.

The 'shocking and repulsive' document was aired in full in the initial lawsuit, which claimed the staffer, just several months into her employment, was forced to sign it.

Containing stipulations like having to call Lanng 'Master', the arrangement caused her work and personal life to spiral into "a dark abyss of unwanted sexual horror,' the original lawsuit claims.

Weeks later, the suit was filed, by a woman who says she was forced to sign the same 'sex slave contract' Freedman flaunted back in August

Containing stipulations like having to call Lanng 'Master', the arrangement caused her work and personal life to spiral into "a dark abyss of unwanted sexual horror,' the original suit claims

That suit was filed after Lanng already agreed to pay the victim, referred to only as Jane Doe, the $10 million 'despite his innocence' - as part of a May 2022 settlement agreement reached 'for the sake of trying to salvage the potential sale of Tradeshift.'

The texts from Freedman, meanwhile, arrived month after banking firm HSBC announced it had made a $35 million investment into Tradeshift as part of a new joint venture.

The plaintiff claims her employment was terminated at the $2.7 billion company came to an end in May 2020, after she complained to the company's HR department, its co-founders and members of its board of directors about her 'suffering at the hands' of Laang.

'Rape, sexual abuse, torture and assault' are among some of the things she said seh was subjected to under the slave contract - a document that Lanng claims in his countersuit was 'merely a sexual prop downloaded from the internet.'

Lawyers for the CEO said the NSFW document was 'merely a sexual prop downloaded from the internet,' and was 'by no means intended to be enforceable' in the workplace.

He further alleged that Freedmans Los Angeles-based Freedman Taitelman + Cooley LLP 'hired third parties to develop fake websites and Twitter accounts to fabricate accounts of misconduct by Lanng in early 2023,' attaching tweets from the phony profiles as proof,

Lawyers for the CEO said the NSFW document was 'merely a sexual prop downloaded from the internet,' and was 'by no means intended to be enforceable' in the workplace

He further alleged that Freedmans Los Angeles-based Freedman Taitelman + Cooley LLP 'hired third parties to develop fake websites and Twitter accounts to fabricate accounts of misconduct by Lanng in early 2023,' attaching tweets from the phony profiles as proof

Lanng was fired from Tradeshift in September for 'gross misconduct on multiple grounds' following 'serious allegations of sexual assault and harassment', brass from the $2.7billion firm he founded said

One such post, published two months after the suit was filed, read: 'To Christian and the entire Tradeshift board: Im not going anywhere. None of us are. This is just the beginning.'

The motive for this was 'embarrassing and intimidating Lanng so that he would agree to pay even more money than the sum already paid,' the countersuit claims.

Both suits, as of writing, remain ongoing.

A spokesperson for Freedman slammed the countersuit as an attempt by Lanng 'to play victim.

'Its nothing but further abuse and a desperate attempt to deflect from his own illegal conduct,' he told The New York Post.
Ministers are considering banning mobile phone sales to children under 16 years old, it has emerged.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology are discussing the measure - backed by the majority of parents and some Tory MPs - to enable greater parental empowerment, according to government insiders.

Mobile phones have already been banned in schools in a bid to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms.

But ministers are now considering going further as part of a range of measures to protect children, with discussions believed to be in their early stages before a consultation.

A Government source said: 'There is increasing evidence that technology and social media is changing childhood. The Cass review shows that children's early exposure to pornography might be one of the things that is driving the rapid rise in children wanting to change gender.

'The Prime Minister's view is when it comes to our children, we should take a precautionary approach and be more vigilant than we would be with adults.'

Ministers are considering banning mobile phone sales to children under 16 years old (Stock image)

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is 'forming views' about what he should do with his own children

Last week the Prime Minister admitted his two daughters have smartphones - but warned parents about the dangers of social media.

'I talked to my wife about this a lot,' he told SunTV.

'And we're trying to juggle that like all parents are. I'm forming my views about what the right to do with my wife.

Last month a Parentkid poll revealed that 58 per cent of parents believe the Government should introduce a ban on smartphones for under-16s. Another survey for More in Common put the figure at 64 per cent.

The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey has also called for smartphones to be made available for under-16s without social media apps.

In January, Tory MP and former teacher Miriam Cates asked the Prime Minister to take the measure forward, noting that the UK 'has a strong tradition of legislating to protect children from serious threats to their safety and welfare.'

A government spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on speculation. Our commitment to making the UK the safest place to be a child online is unwavering, as evidenced by our landmark Online Safety Act.'
Hundreds of veterans answered a call to attend the military funeral of a lonely paratrooper who died with no known friends or family.

Lance Corporal Terence 'Paddy' Purcell was due to be buried at Kingston upon Thames Crematorium, in southwest London, yesterday with just two people attending his funeral.

But after a fellow veteran put a call-out on social media, hundreds soldiers who served with 2 Para and 3 Para, Paddy's regiments, attended his funeral.

Along with the paratroopers, fellow servicemen from The Welsh Guards, the Royal Navy including a submariner, the Armed Forces charity SSAFA and the local branches of the Royal British Legion from Surbiton and Croydon joined them to pay their respects, the Sun reported.

The post read: 'He has no family, no-one should take their final journey alone, please retweet. RIP Sir.'

Lance Corporal Terence 'Paddy' Purcell was buried at Kingston upon Thames Crematorium, in southwest London, yesterday

Funeral celebrant Bob Craft, a veteran of 1 Para and 22, who conducted the ceremony told those gathered: 'The outpouring of support and energy from the veteran community has demonstrated the unwavering brotherhood, comradeship, compassion and love that exists among us, especially for a fellow veteran like Terence Purcell.

READ MORE: New campaign urges veterans to seek help from their GP

Advertisement

'Although many of you may not be acquainted with each other, you are all connected through the service for our Queen, now King and Country.

'Regardless of your cap badge, you have chosen to pause your usual routines today to honour the emotions that accompany us when we experience the loss of a veteran.'

As The Last Post sounded the celebrant added: "Terence's time is now over, a veteran whose battles have come to an end.

"With hearts heavy with sorrow, yet light with gratitude. May his spirit soar with the Valkyries as he joins the noble ranks of warriors who have gone before him.

"We commit the body of Terence Purcell to its end with nature and to be cremated. Rest peacefully and enjoy being welcomed into the halls of heroes."

He said of the dead paratrooper: 'Maybe you were lonely, maybe you were sad, but maybe and hopefully you were happy, either way your final journey is well underway and everyone here can visualise that journey that we all expect to take one day.'

Terence, from South Armagh, Northern Ireland, last lived in a care home in Worcester Park, Kingston.

His ashes are set to be scattered under a parachute at Peterlee airfield in Hampshire, as well as atop Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons in May.

Craft said on social media that he was aware of at least three similar veteran funerals, where no one was likely to attend, happening this week.

'This is a growing problem and we want to make all those people who work in care homes and hospitals where veterans may be living or receiving end-of-life treatment contact regimental associations to ensure that we can give these veterans and heroes the send-off they truly deserve.'
Horrifying footage shows a ten-year-old autistic boy being beaten by his teaching aide, who allegedly abused at least three children for months, leaving them with bruises and marks.

Kiarra Jones, 29, has been charged with third-degree assault on an at-risk person last week and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 3.

In the video provided by Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC Attorneys at Law, the firm representing three families, Jones can be seen repeatedly punching the child, who has severe autism and no verbal ability, while they sat together on the school bus.

Heartbroken parents of children at the Joshua School in Englewood spoke out on Tuesday, alleging that the abuse on the school bus had persisted for months.

'How dare you fail my son in such an astonishingly preventable way?' Jessica Vestal, mother of Dax, who was seen being cruelly beaten in the school bus video, said as she wiped away tears.

Horrifying footage shows a ten-year-old autistic boy being beaten by his teaching aide, who allegedly abused at least three children for months, leaving them with vicious bruises and marks

Kiarra Jones, 29, has been charged with third-degree assault on an at-risk person last week and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 3

Three kids were allegedly abused by Jones when they traveled on a specialized school bus operated by Littleton Public Schools

Three kids were allegedly abused by Jones when they traveled on a specialized school bus operated by Littleton Public Schools.

They were on the bus every day between their homes and the Joshua School, a specialized school offering one-on-one instruction for autistic students.

According to Cyndy Lystad, executive director of the Joshua School, the Joshua School operates independently from Littleton Public Schools.

A video from the school bus on March 18 shows Jones elbowing Dax in his stomach first, then striking him in the face before slamming the ten-year-old's head into the bus window.

The boy was beaten so hard that his head flung back to hit the seat, investigators who watched the video wrote in documents.

In photos released by the family's attorney, the autistic child had serious bruises on his feet from the March 18 incident, but further evidence shows he suffered cuts on his lips and bruises on his neck two months prior.

Vestal said she contacted the school and texted Jones immediately after noticing injuries on her son's foot and thigh.

The next day, she was told that Jones would be charged with abuse given surveillance footage from the school bus to and from the Joshua School.

Heartbroken parents of children at the Joshua School in Englewood spoke out on Tuesday, alleging that the abuse on the school bus had persisted for months

'How dare you fail my son in such an astonishingly preventable way?' Jessica Vestal(pictured with her husband Devon), mother of Dax, who was seen being cruelly beaten in the school bus video, said as she wiped away tears

Beginning in around September, the three families noticed unexplained injuries on their kids including scratches, bruises, a lost tooth, a broken toe, a black eye, and other deep bruises on their bodies and feet, their attorney said. Pictured: Brittany Yarborough (right) and Jessica (left) whose kids were on Jones' bus

Vestal said she was in shock and could not even finish watching the video, as reported by the Denver Post.

'I was immediately thrown into disbelief - how could someone that I trusted, someone that I was so friendly with do this to my little boy,' Vestal said after playing the video at the conference.

The devasted mother said she bought Jones Christmas gifts, made her tea when she felt unwell, and the two texted each other from time to time.

Between last September to March this year. Vestal has a record of 15 dates when she found Dax suffering injuries, and she was told that three of those dates coincide with footage of Jone's alleged abuse, she said.

But Dax is only one of multiple kids who came home from school injured, as three families have now spoken out, detailing their experiences and demanding justice for their autistic children.

'My son does not have the ability to tell me when someone is hurting him. My son does not have the ability that he was forced to watch someone hurting his friends,' said Kevin Yarbrough, father of an 11-year-old severely autistic, non-verbal boy on Jones's bus.

'My son was abused by the people who were put into place specifically to protect him,' he said in a trembling voice.

In one of the photos made available by the family's lawyer, the child's right ear can be seen bleeding after he got off the bus one day in October.

A month prior, the boy, who suffered life-threatening autism, had his toe broken and was taken to hospital, the parents said.

'My husband and I have struggled to find words to adequately express how incredibly horrified and appalled we are,' the third mother alleging Jones of abuse said.

Parents said sometimes autistic children could hurt themselves from time to time, and they all attributed the mysterious, unexplained injuries to accidents.'

'He is a self-injurious child. We usually, unfortunately, make the assumption that he has done it to himself,' Yarbrough said.

She added: 'I feel betrayed. We fight so much with districts and schools and teachers to make sure the kids have everything with their IEP (individualized education program) they need.

'I never considered the bus for a second because it seems so basic We have this assumption theyre keeping our kids safe because thats their duty. Now I feel like were going to question everyone forever.'

'I'm sure a lot of people would be like, 'Why would you put this video of your kid out there?' If you don't look at it, the words don't encompass it,' Vestal said.

'If he had to live through it, the least everybody else could do is pay attention to it so that it doesn't happen again.'

Three families noticed unexplained injuries on their kids including scratches, bruises, a lost tooth, a broken toe, a black eye, and other deep bruises on their bodies and feet, their attorney said

In photos released by the family's attorney, the autistic child had serious bruises on his feet from the March 18 incident, but further evidence shows he suffered cuts on his lips and bruises on his neck two months prior.

Beginning in around September, the three families noticed unexplained injuries on their kids including scratches, bruises, a lost tooth, a broken toe, a black eye, and other deep bruises on their bodies and feet, their attorney said in a statement.

They also observed significant shifts in their children's behaviors and brought up their concerns to the school.

In an email to the Joshua School in January, Vestal asked about bruises on her son's arm, neck and thigh.

'We reviewed the video and there is nothing out of the ordinary that occurs during the ride home,' Michelle Molina, the Littleton district's transportation operations supervisor, wrote in an email.

According to the lawyer representing the families, the Joshua School raised its belief that abuse was occurring on the bus with Littleton Public Schools (LPS).

'LPS looked at a single bus ride and determined there was nothing to be concerned about and provided no further monitoring, allowing months of uninterrupted abuse to continue,' the statement reads.

After Jones was arrested this month, the Littleton Public Schools released a statement, saying Jones was hired in August after 'satisfactory reference checks and after passing a thorough background check'.

'She had very limited access to students during her employment with LPS. She has had no contact with students since March 19, the day her employment was terminated,' the statement reads.
He and three other passengers were rescued from the water

The Fresno man drove the wrong way down a one-way street before turning onto the wharf and plunging into the ocean

Martin Urroz, 21, has been arrested and charged with DUI and evading an officer

A California man has been arrested after driving off a Monterey wharf in an attempt to evade police during a high-speed drunk driving chase.

Martin Urroz, 21, of Fresno, was booked at the Monterey County Jail on multiple charges including driving under the influence of alcohol and evading a police officer.

Monterey Police Department officers were walking down Alvarado Street on Sunday when they spotted a green 1997 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck roaring around a corner, heading the wrong way on a one-way street.

As the truck turned onto Municipal Wharf II, a bustling pier teeming with restaurants, another MPD officer turned on his police cruiser's overhead lights to initiate a traffic stop.

The driver, later identified as Urroz, pulled to the right of the wharf and stopped. As the officer approached the vehicle on foot, the truck resumed driving, heading towards the end of the wharf 'at a high rate of speed,' according to police.

A California man has been arrested after driving his pickup truck down a Monterey wharf and crashing into the ocean in a desperate bid to evade police

Martin Urroz, 21, of Fresno, was charged with driving under the influence of the alcohol after driving the wrong way down a one-way street, turning onto the pier and plunging into the ocean

According to police, the three other people in the car sustained minor injuries, while Urroz was taken to a local trauma center for treatment

Officers spotted the four occupants of the vehicle in the ocean and suspected they'd jumped in to evade police before realizing the Chevrolet Silverado was underwater

The officer called other officers for assistance and climbed back into his patrol car. He drove to the end of the wharf, where he suspected the truck was hiding behind a building.

Other officers arrived and parked their patrol cars to block the truck's exit. As they began to walk towards the end of the wharf, they heard calls for help from the ocean below.

Assuming the four people had jumped in to evade capture, police tossed flotation devices into the water and instructed them to hold on as they called fire rescue.

But when the pickup truck was nowhere to be found, police realized the truck had careened off the wharf and vanished underwater.

All four people were rescued from the water in a collaborative effort by MPD, the Monterey Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard.

Urroz was taken to the Natividad Trauma Center for treatment, while the three passengers only sustained minor injuries, police said.

The scene was eerily reminiscent of an incident two months ago, when a car plunged off a 650-foot-long Virginia Beach pier in the early hours of January 27.

The scene mirrored an incident from earlier this year, when a 57-year-old man drove off the end of a Virginia Beach pier in a suspected suicide

The driver roared down the 650-foot-long boardwalk and appeared to brake briefly before slamming through a wooden railing and into the ocean

The vehicle left a scene of destruction in its wake and appeared to nearly collide with a pedestrian

The medical examiner identified the driver as a Virginia Beach local, but declined to release his name

The driver appeared to brake before plowing through a wooden railing at the end of the boardwalk, leaving a jumble of mangled barriers in its wake.

The moment the car toppled over the edge was captured by a witness filming from a nearby beach.

Footage taken from a different angle depicted the vehicle nearly colliding with a passenger.

Police released underwater video of the wreckage amid their investigation, showing the car rolled onto its roof at the seafloor.

The vehicle was pulled from the water days later, but the medical examiner declined to release the driver's name, noting only that he was a 57-year-old local to the area.

Virginia Beach police indicated the man likely died by suicide.

'While we cannot presume to fully know what motivated this individuals actions, they do appear to have been deliberate,' the department wrote in a press release.
Two students in their late teens had their pictures used by a honeytrapper as bait to lure MPs into exchanging explicit photographs, it is claimed.

The pair, who are now in the late 20s, had decade-old images of themselves used by a suspected scammer who targeted more than 20 members of parliament, researchers and journalists.

The people behind the plot contacted potential victims on messing app WhatsApp or the gay dating app Grindr, posing as a man called 'Charlie' or a woman called 'Abi' depending on who they were talking to.

The scammers would claim to have met the targets, most of whom were men in their 20s or 30s, on a previous occasion and sent explicit pictures in a bid to obtain similarly sexual photos in return.

It is claimed that at least two Conservative MPs are believed to have sent explicit images of themselves to the people behind the plot.

Photos of two students in their late teens are believed to have been used by honeytrap scammers in a bid to get MPs to send explicit photos of themselves. Pictured: One of the photos used by the perpetrators

The students, who are now in the late 20s and have no link to politics, are not believed to have been involved in the plot. Pictured: One of the photos used by the honeytrappers

It was claimed yesterday that the suspected scammers used profile pictures for 'Charlie' and 'Abi' that were actually taken from the Facebook pages of two 28-year-old's who have nothing to do with politics.

The pair, a financial analyst in London and a lawyer in Birmingham, attended the same sixth form in their teens, with the male contacting police over the use of his photos, The Times reported.

He deleted his professional and social media profiles after being contacted by the publication for comment, while the woman did not respond to a request for comment.

There is no suggestion either of the pair are involved in the scam and the explicit photos sent to parliamentarians are not of them.

It is not known yet who the people behind the plot are, and police are investigating the suspected 'spear fishing' attack with concerns it is a deliberate attempt to compromise Westminster.

The plotters gained access to the phone numbers of people working in Westminster through William Wragg, the Member of Parliament for Hazel Grove in Greater Manchester.

Mr Wragg admitted to providing the numbers after becoming fearful the perpetrators 'had compromising things on me' after interacting with them Grindr and exchanging pictures.

He has since given up the Tory whip and resigned from his roles on the Public Accounts and 1922 committees.

The former vice-chairman of the 1922 Committee spoke to The Times on Friday, admitting he shared colleagues private contact details after sharing intimate pictures of himself online.

File photo. William Wragg stepped down from key roles after admitting to talking to a man on an app, suspected to be involved in a honeytrap plot

Scotland Yard on Monday said it has launched an inquiry into the scandal (Stock Image)

Those colleagues, including MPs, staffers and a journalist, were then allegedly sent flirtatious messages from people claiming to be 'Charlie' or 'Abi'.

Since then, POLITICO has claimed to have verified that 'at least 20 people in UK politics' have been sent unsolicited WhatsApp messages from numbers linked to both the Westminster 'honeytrap' plot and a second alleged targeting aimed at Lib Dem conferencegoers last year.

Multiple Liberal Democrats admitted they had received strange messages while at their party's conference in Bournemouth, The Express reported.

Attendees told the newspaper an account posing as a man his late 20s had asked at least six people for 'political intelligence' about MPs.

And a Scottish Labour official said he also received an unsolicited WhatsApp message from 'Charlie' while at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool last October.

In light of Mr Wragg's admission, Luke Evans, MP for Bosworth, and Andrea Jenkyns, MP for Morley and Outwood, have also since said publicly that they have received suspicious messages.

Leicestershire Police have confirmed they are investigating after receiving a complaint of 'malicious communications' against a parliamentarian.

Mr Wragg stepped down from the role of vice-chair of the 1922 Committee on Monday evening, and told the Speaker he would resign as chair of another Commons committee he sits on in light of the scandal.

Speaking to The Times last week, he acknowledged fault, saying he was 'so sorry my weakness has caused other people hurt'.

'We were meant to meet up for drinks, but then didn't,' he explained. 'Then he started asking for numbers of people. I was worried because he had stuff on me.

'They had compromising things on me. They wouldn't leave me alone.

'They would ask for people. I gave them some numbers, not all of them. I told him to stop. He's manipulated me and now I've hurt other people.'

Mr Wragg remains MP for his constituency.

William Wragg MP, member of the United Kingdom Parliament for Hazel Grove, speaking at the Grassroots Out campaign event in Manchester, February 5, 2016

Henry Zeffman was the second journalist in as many days to reveal that they were targeted

Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden has said it was 'right' for William Wragg to resign the Conservative whip.

Mr Holden told Sky News: 'He has issued a fulsome apology, he has resigned from the 1922 Committee executive, he has resigned a role as chair of PACAC, which is an important committee in Parliament, and he has also given up the Conservative whip.

'I think we already knew he wouldn't be standing at the next election, he is standing down, so yes, I think that's the right thing to have done.'

Asked whether Mr Wragg had jumped or been pushed, Mr Holden said the now-Independent MP had 'made his decision'.

He added: 'It's quite clear his career in public life is at an end.'

Pat McFadden MP, Labour's National Campaign Coordinator, commenting on William Wragg MP resigning the Conservative whip, said: 'The fact it was left to William Wragg to resign is another indictment of Rishi Sunak's weakness.

'His MPs were left yet again being sent out to defend a position that has collapsed.

'Rishi Sunak puts party management first every time - and he can't even do that properly. It is no way to run a country.

READ MORE I was also targeted in the Westminster honeytrap sexting scandal, says BBC journalist as MP who admitted passing on phone numbers 'quits' committee job Advertisement

'Britain deserves so much better than this endless Tory chaos. the only way to get it is to vote Labour on May 2nd.'

Following Mr Wragg's revelations in The Times newspaper, Conservative MP for Bosworth Luke Evans claimed he was the victim of 'cyber flashing' and was the member who first alerted police to the issue.

In a video posted to Facebook on Friday, Dr Evans said: 'The first set of messages I got was on a day I was with my wife and I got a one time open photo on WhatsApp of an explicit image of a naked lady. As soon as I got these the next day I reported it to the police, the authorities and the chief whip.

'Ten days later I got another set of messages, this time, however, I was sitting with my team in the constituency office, so we were able to record the conversation and catch photos and videos of the messages coming through including another explicit female image.'

A BBC journalist revealed on Monday that he too was targeted in the Westminster sexting honeytrap scandal.

Henry Zeffman, the corporation's chief political correspondent, went public about being contacted in a so-called 'spear phishing' attempt over WhatsApp.

He was the second journalist in as many days to reveal that they were targeted after Harry Yorke, a journalist at The Sunday Times, also said he received flirtatious messages from a WhatsApp user calling themselves 'Charlie'.

Mr Zeffman broke his silence yesterday by writing about his experience for the BBC's website, revealing he was contacted by both 'Abi' and 'Charlie'.

He wrote: 'It started with a WhatsApp on a Sunday morning in March. Coming from a number I did not have saved in my phone, it read: 'Henry! Long time no speak  how're you doing? Miss seeing you around Westminster x.'

'V sorry,' I replied. 'Who is this?' The response was instant. 'Haha it's Charlie! I used to work in Parliament and we swapped numbers after drinking one night.'

Mr Zeffman said he found the messages odd and did not reply, only to get another message a few minutes later saying: 'Random Sunday message I know.'

Then 'Charlie', within minutes, added: 'I'm going to guess you aren't still single  should I bow out gracefully? Lucky girl x.'

He blocked the sender. However, around 24 hours later another message arrived in his WhatsApp inbox from 'Abi'.

Mr Zeffman wrote: 'Instantly I was sure this was the same person as the day before.'

'Who is this?' I replied. 'Abi Miller x.' They claimed to have previously been an intern at The Times, where I worked until last year.'

Mr Zeffman said he was 'flustered' and also blocked this sender.

Scotland Yard yesterday said it has launched an inquiry into the scandal.

The force said its Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command was 'carrying out an investigation following reports that a number of unsolicited messages were sent to MPs over recent months'.

It is the second force to investigate the scandal after Leicestershire Police announced on Thursday that it had received a report of 'malicious communications' involving a local MP.
Barnaby Joyce has lashed out at the Albanese government after he forced a minister to admit that no military veteran has received as much compensation as Brittany Higgins for injuries or impairment since Labor took office.

Ms Higgins, a former political staffer, received a $2.4million compensation payout from the Federal Government in December 2022, ten days after the ACT's top prosecutor dropped a sexual assault charge against Bruce Lehrmann.

She sued over the way she was allegedly treated by her former bosses, Coalition senators Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cash, after she disclosed her rape allegations to them.

Her allegations have never been proven in court, but the Labor government settled her claim after just one day of mediation, with the amount of compensation she received only disclosed in a defamation case in the Federal Court last year.

That prompted Mr Joyce to hit Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh with four questions in Parliament over the sums injured and impaired former soldiers have received in compensation.

Mr Joyce asked Mr Keogh whether any veterans with physical or mental injuries had made successful claims for an amount close to Ms Higgins $2.4million payment in the 18 months since Labor took office in 2022.

On Wednesday, Mr Joyce told Daily Mail Australia: 'The idea that you can go into a meeting and walk out a few hours later with upwards of $2.4million is just incredible.'

Barnaby Joyce has lashed out at the Albanese government over compensation payments

Brittany Higgins, pictured centre, landed a $2.4million payment over her alleged rape in Parliament House

'A lot of veterans find it incredibly galling that a payout can be made so quickly for such a large amount for an alleged event in Parliament House, while they wait years and don't receive an amount within sight of anything like that.'

He said some of those veterans include those who have seen active service and have crippling and life-changing wounds.

'What's been brought up to me over and over again by servicemen and women is that the government shows it can move quickly when it chooses to,' he continued.

'Why is working in Parliament House different to serving our nation in uniform on the battlefields?'

In December, Mr Joyce had asked: 'For each month, how many veterans or dependents received compensation since the current Government took office? How many veterans or dependents received compensation or other forms of payments totalling at least $2.3 million?

'In each case, what was the timeframe from the lodgment of the claim, to approval for payment? Without requesting identifiable personal information, to what injuries, conditions or circumstances did each payment relate?'

Mr Keogh's office responded to those questions on February 14 - a whole 12 days after the response was due.

He revealed 'no single veteran or dependent has received compensation totalling $2.3million or more' between June 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023.

Barnaby Joyce asked Veteran's Affairs Matt Keogh (pictured with his wife, Annabel) whether any former service men or women received a payment worth $2.3million

The number of compensation claims by military veterans between June 2022 and December 2023 was also listed. Within that timeframe, there were 4,170 veterans receiving defence-related compensation and 64,934 veterans receiving compensation for military rehabilitation.

There were also between 77,967 and 77,025 veterans per quarter who were receiving a fortnightly disability compensation pension.

In December 2022 alone, the month Ms Higgins' $2.4million claim was settled, there were 169 veterans on defence-related compensation and 3145 veterans who were on compensation for military rehabilitation.

Mr Joyce had also asked, in the event that any diggers did receive a payment akin to Ms Higgins, what their injuries and circumstances were, and what the timeframe of approval was.

However, those questions were not applicable because no veteran has received that much.

According to Ms Higgins' settlement deed, her $2.445million payment included $1.48million to cover lost earning capacity; $400,000 for hurt, distress and humiliation; $220,000 for medical expenses $100,000 for past and future domestic assistance; and $245,000 for her legal costs.

Senator Reynolds and Senator Cash were barred from mediation talks, despite Ms Higgins claims that they didn't support her in the aftermath of her alleged rape.

Linda Reynolds (pictured with her lawyer Martin Bennett) was not invited to Brittany Higgins' mediation session in December 2022

Ms Higgins was forced to divulge the value of her payment in the Federal Court, while under cross-examination in her alleged rapist Bruce Lehrmann's defamation trial against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.

She mistakenly told the court the whole payment was worth $2.3million but that she personally received about $1.9million after lawyer fees and taxes, even though compensation payments are not taxed.

However, the deed of settlement showed the whole amount was worth $2.445million - which is about $145,000 more that she said it was.

Following her payout, Ms Higgins rented on the Gold Coast for a year with her fiance David Sharaz, before they bought a house in the south of France and permanently relocated.

Ms Higgins had alleged Mr Lehrmann raped her in Senator Reynolds' office in Parliament House in March 2019. He denies the allegations.

She went public with her allegations in an interview with Wilkinson on The Project in February, 2021.

Mr Lehrmann was not named in the broadcast, but claims colleagues and friends were able to identify him as the alleged rapist.

His defamation case was heard before Justice Michael Lee over about a month in the Federal Court in December,.

One of the key arguments by the network and Wilkinson was a truth defence, which means they sought to prove Mr Lehrmann did rape Ms Higgins on a balance of probability.

Justice Lee will hand down his decision on Monday.
A sketch of an Indigenous man that hung on the wall of a family's home for years was hiding behind its frame a disturbing secret about the murder of two young children.

A Reddit user recently shared a photo of the drawing - depicting an unidentified Aboriginal man with long hair, a beard and traditional face paint - which their brother had bought from an op-shop for a few hundred dollars.

The portrait had been hanging in their dining room for a year or more before they recently took it down while renovating.

It was then they discovered a handwritten letter from March 1996 that had been attached to the back of the frame.

The letter detailed the horrendous crimes committed by child murderer Dexter Wilkinson and his wife Kathleen Lister in the rural town of Bell in Queensland.

It's understood neither the drawing nor the man pictured had any relation to the letter, which was penned by a woman named Germaine Blair-Quigg.

Ms Blair-Quigg appears to have been a campaigner for tougher sentences for serious violent offences.

She would often write letters to newspapers complaining about lenient sentences, and the letter seems to be a draft version as it contains corrections and marginalia.

A sketch of an Indigenous man that hung on the wall of a family's home for years was hiding a dark and disturbing history of the murder of two young children

On the back of the framed sketch was a letter from a woman complaining about the sentence handed down to Kathleen Lister. Lister was found guilty of being an accessory to murder after her husband killed her two young children in 1994

Reddit users surmised Ms Blair-Quigg's letter was intended to be sent to a journalist, complaining about the light sentence handed down to Lister.

'What she and her partner did to those two children was monstrous and far beyond my comprehension,' Ms Blair-Quigg wrote.

'Before I came to Australia I was told about the covert side of Australian society the wife bashing/syndrome; the child cruelty; the statistics on rape; the alcoholism: the deeply ingrained racism; the inherent weakness of character masquerading as camaraderie.

'And I was sceptical. I chose to believe that the gentle larrikins who had tamed that vast sun-burnt land had to be basically a good people. Matter-of-fact, down-to-earth, good. And kind.'

The horrific case the letter details

The Supreme Court of Queensland heard that Lister had been living with Wilkinson for a year before he killed two of her children, Jimmy, 11, and Kimberley, nine, just before Christmas in 1994.

Wilkinson was not Jimmy and Kimberley's father and was described as being an 'extremely violent, mentally unstable man' who physically abused everyone in the home, especially the children, according to court documents.

Wilkinson violently assaulted Jimmy on December 22, 1994, throwing him around the house, which made him hit his head on the floor, causing him to lose consciousness.

Jimmy was put to bed and was not given medical treatment, dying from his injuries the next day.

Lister had claimed she went into town to get medical assistance for Jimmy but was told not to do so by Wilkinson, and instead returned with booze and cigarettes.

That night, Lister helped her husband bury Jimmy in a grave.

Kimberley was killed just one day later.

Wilkinson had ordered Kimberley to complete a task in the backyard, but he told her she was doing it too slowly and started to yell at her.

He then threw Kimberley across the ground near a concrete path and kicked her in the stomach.

She died almost immediately.

'Lister wiped Kimberley's face and tried to revive her, but there was no pulse and no response,' the court heard.

'Wilkinson said, "Leave the f**king b***h where she is, she got what she deserved. She should have been the one to go first." According to Lister, Wilkinson hated Kimberley and called her "the devil's child".'

Lister and Wilkinson buried Kimberley in a shallow grave on Christmas morning, later having guests to the house and seemingly acting like everything was fine, telling them the children were away with their biological father.

Kimberly and Jimmy (pictured above) were killed by Dexter Wilkinson as their mother watched

Some of those guests even slept in the bed bunks belonging to the children.

'Two or three days later, odour emanated from the graves, particularly the shallower grave in which Kimberley's body was buried,' the court heard.

'Wilkinson decided that the bodies would have to be burned and he, his father and Lister set about exhuming and burying them.'

Even while the children's bodies were burning, Wilkinson ordered Lister to fetch him beers from the house.

Jimmy had a crack on his skull and Kimberley's body was already 'partly decayed' by the time they were set alight. Wilkinson was also understood to have cut Kimberley's legs off before dumping her in a drum bin.

The crimes only came to light when Lister accidentally let them slip while speaking to a friend in February 1995.

It was right after Wilkinson, who was never held accountable for his crimes, was fatally killed in a car crash.

The friend reported what had happened to the children to the local pastor, who then spoke with Lister, who later came clean to police.

The judge found Lister had 'assisted [Wilkinson] over an extended period and in substantial ways to escape punishment knowing that he had committed two killings'.

'You made no attempt whatsoever to leave him and report the matter after the children died.

'You continued to cover up in every respect with him until the stage when he could never have been apprehended because of his death and indeed some time afterwards.

'The inference is that it would probably have continued if he was not killed.'

The judge noted Lister had been dominated by Wilkinson and had shown remorse for her crimes.

Lister was jailed after being found guilty of being an accessory after the fact to manslaughter and an accessory after the fact to murder.

Lister, who would now be aged 75, was sentenced to two years for the manslaughter offence and nine for the murder offence, which were ordered to be served concurrently following a trial in 1996.

Her prison sentence was backdated to March 1995, and the Attorney-General ruled she would need to serve five years before she was eligible for parole.

Lister's current whereabouts are unknown.
Queensland's third-term Labor government has agreed deals with the construction unions that include extraordinary levels of remuneration and working conditions.

Under the state's Best Practice Industry Conditions policy, workers get double time when it rains and an extra $1000 a week for working on a project 50km or more from the employer's address.

'Government should be an employer of choice, and working on our projects should be one of the best jobs you can get,' Premier Steven Miles said on Tuesday as he justified the use of taxpayer money.

Pay increases across the trades boost the pay packets of 700-plus-tonne crane operators to $2394/week and fourth-year adult electrical apprentices to about $44/hour or $1585 a week.

Queensland's third-term Labor government has inked astounding deals with the construction unions (stock image)

Those wages are the first year of four successive 5 per cent pay increases across the board (stock image)

Those wages are for the first year, with four successive 5 per cent pay increases each year.

Stacked on top of the locked-in wage increases are the myriad loading and allowance payments, such as 300 per cent loading for working on and between Christmas Day and New Year's Day or Good Friday and East Monday.

A 'picnic day' on the first Monday of December will be observed; anyone who has to work on picnic day gets double time-and-a-half pay.

In the wake of Annastacia Palaszczuk's resignation in December, Mr Miles ultimately got the nod following a deal struck with union powerbrokers, the Courier Mail reports.

Like all states and territories, Queensland businesses and agencies are duelling to lure tradies to their projects, with the Sunshine State's impetus greater than others as it builds infrastructure for the 2032 Olympics.

'We are paying what it costs to get the workers to deliver the projects that Queensland needs, Mr Miles said.

Stacked on top of the locked-in wage increases are the myriad loading and allowance payments, such as 300 per cent loading for working on and between Christmas Day and New Year's Day or Good Friday and East Monday (stock image)

The union deal will also have generous provisions for weather, both hot and cold, despite demands from both the public and private sectors to work through it.

The new rules dictate that work will cease when conditions reach 35C, or 29C and 75 per cent humidity.

Employees required to work in the rain will be paid double 'for all work performed in the rain and such payment will continue until they cease work'.

'Where employees are in the sheds because they have been rained off, or at starting time, morning tea, or lunch time, and it is raining, they shall not be required to go to work in a dry area or to be transferred to another site unless: the rain stops, a covered walkway has been provided, the sheds are under cover and the employees can get to the dry area without going through the rain; or adequate protection is provided,' the new deal states.

Master Builders Queensland chief executive Paul Bidwell told The Courier-Mail that contractor's criticism of the deal was not about shortcutting safety or undermining workers' rights.

'It's about 'can we get on and build'?' he said.

The new rules dictate when conditions reach 35C, or 29C and 75 per cent humidity, in South East Queensland, work should cease

'Because if we don't, we are not going to deliver all these houses plus the other projects that are needed.'

Major projects run by private building firms in Queensland's southeast have been the sites of multiple deaths in recent months.

Surveyor Brad Arnold, 56, was fatally crushed by a truck at Victoria Point near Brisbane in September.

'This tragic event serves as a potent reminder of the risks we face daily in the construction industry,' a fundraiser for Mr Arnold said.

Days later, apprentice Tyler Whitton, 17, fell through a hole at a Brisbane worksite and later died in hospital.

Daniel Sa'u, 29, died showing 'signs of heat stress', the CFMEU said, after leaving work at the major Cross River Rail project in Brisbane's south in December.
An alleged home invader has been stabbed to death while the occupant of the house was left with a partially severed arm after being attacked with an axe.

Emergency services were called to a home on Oxford Street in Kingscliff, on the NSW North Coast, just after 8pm on Tuesday night.

Officers from Tweed/Byron Police District arrived at the scene to find two men seriously injured.

Trae Laurie, 29, was found on the front verandah of the house wearing a 'face covering' with a stab wound to his chest.

Trae Laurie was found on the front verandah of the house wearing a 'face covering' with a stab wound to his chest

Grandfather Allan Kerr, 66, was discovered inside his home with a partially severed arm

Mr Laurie was treated by paramedics, but died at the scene.

Police discovered 66-year-old grandfather Allan Kerr inside his home with a partially severed arm after he was attacked with an axe.

He was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

Detective inspector Matt Zimmer said officers would allege Mr Laurie and another man had broken into the house before striking the homeowner with an axe.

'There is evidence of a significant and violent confrontation that has taken place in the residence,' he said.

'That male was located in the hallway in a semi-conscious state and he was suffering from a significant injury to his left arm, which was partially severed.'

Mr Kerr then allegedly stabbed one of the men in the chest in self-defence.

Police are conducting a manhunt for the second man who broke into the house.

'We will also be examining the circumstances surrounding the actions of the occupant, and if his actions were lawful and reasonable in relation to the threat that was posed against him,' detective inspector Zimmer said.

He added detectives would be speaking to Mr Kerr once he was released from surgery.

'We only got very limited information last night from the occupant,' he said.

'He's now out of surgery, so our detectives will speak to him today and try and ascertain some more information and try and identify any links between the deceased and the occupant.'

Shocked local Suzanne Holland told the Herald Sun she was woken by screaming, as neighbours rushed to assist the injured man.

'The lady that lives a couple of doors down was the first there,' Mrs Holland said.

Police have established a crime scene around the home and are scouring the area for evidence

'The unicorn town' of Kingscliff on the NSW north coast

'She's seen something and came outside with her six-year-old daughter. She started screaming for someone to call triple-0 and was covering her daughter's face.'

Ms Holland expressed her disbelief at the horrific incident.

'We are called the unicorn town because it's magical living here. Just can't imagine why this happened,' she said.

Police have established a crime scene around the home and are scouring the area for evidence.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
An Arizona woman and wife of a US Air Force employee has admitted to poisoning her husband by repeatedly pouring a liquid he said was bleach into a coffee machine.

Melody Felicano Johnson was arrested in August and charged with attempting to murder Roby Johnson. She had filed for divorce but they still lived together while the process was finalized: he noticed his coffee tasted odd, and began to suspect she was trying to kill him to claim his life insurance policy.

On Monday, Johnson pleaded guilty to two charges of poisoning food or drink, admitting to putting the bleach in her husband's coffee pot on July 11 and July 18 of last year.

Johnson faces sentencing on May 10 and could get as long as four years in prison, though her sentence could be limited to time served, according to 13 News.

Roby Johnson put a series of hidden cameras inside their home, and the footage was obtained on Friday by ABC News.

An Arizona woman and wife of a US Air Force employee has admitted to poisoning her husband by repeatedly pouring a liquid he said was bleach into a coffee machine

Melody Felicano Johnson was arrested in August and charged with attempting to murder Roby Johnson (pictured)

One camera caught Melody in the laundry room, pouring bleach from a large bottle into a small container.

Another caught her looking over her shoulder as she poured liquid into the coffee machine in their kitchen.

Roby Johnson also filmed himself testing the water inside the coffee machine with a swimming pool chemical test kit. He displayed the results on camera, showing there was an extremely high level of chlorine in the water - and he said it 'stinks' of bleach.

Melody Johnson is being held in custody, with the judge ruling that she was a flight risk as she had recently bought a house in the Philippines.

She has not entered a plea, and is due back in court on November 6.

She was indicted by a grand jury on charges of first-degree attempted murder, attempting to commit aggravated assault and poisoning food or drink.

Johnson was stationed in Germany for work in March 2023 when he thought his coffee started tasting 'very bad.'

His wife would prep his coffee the night before, so in the mornings he just had to turn the machine on.

Johnson faces sentencing on May 10 and could get as long as four years in prison, though her sentence could be limited to time served

Melody Felicano Johnson is seen looking over her shoulder as she pours a liquid into the coffee machine in the Arizona home she shared with her husband. He had installed secret cameras after he became concerned at her behavior, and worried he was trying to poison him

A liquid was poured into the coffee pot in the footage obtained by Roby Johnson inside his home

New surveillance video obtained in case of Arizona woman accused of trying to poison husband. @evapilgrim reports. pic.twitter.com/ljAid52Sq9  Good Morning America (@GMA) September 29, 2023

Melody Johnson is seen decanting bleach into a smaller container inside the laundry room

According to the report, he continued to pretend to drink the coffee but did not file a police report until he arrived back in the Davis Monthan Air Force Base in the US in July.

After collecting all the footage, Johnson went back to the police and showed them his evidence.

Police then arrested Melody at the home, and a search warrant reported that the coffee pot smelt like bleach.

The documents also revealed that the husband thought she was trying to kill him 'to collect death benefits.'
The family of Hannah McGuire have sifted through the charred remains of her burnt-out car after staring down her alleged killer in court.

Glenn and Debbie McGuire and Hannah's brother made a private visit on Tuesday to the remote spot where her ex-partner Lachlan Young allegedly set fire to her body.

The grieving family reportedly inspected the wreckage at the eerie forest location before picking up pieces of the debris as they grappled to come to terms with the tragedy.

Earlier, the family had attended Ballarat Magistrates' Court to watch Young, 21, formally charged with the 23-year old's murder.

On Wednesday, debris remained off Victoria Road near State Forest Road in Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, where Young allegedly torched Hannah's body and her car on Friday night.

Bouquets of flowers now mark the eerie location - surrounded by charred trees from a recent bushfire - where police allege Young attempted to make it look like his former lover had killed herself.

Flowers sit on a log where the body of Hannah McGuire was found on Friday night

A poster stuck to the wall of the National Hotel in Clunes where Hannah McGuire worked with her parents in between her teaching job

The McGuire family took control of Clunes' National Hotel just before Christmas last year

Hannah's death had rocked the small country town of Clunes, 36km north of Ballarat, where her parents run the town's only pub, the National Hotel.

When rumours hit the owners had suffered a personal tragedy, offers flooded in from generous locals offering to continue pouring beers free-of-charge to keep the business ticking over.

Almost a year ago to the day, the proud parents had watched Hannah pose for a photograph outside the Sebastopol home she had purchased with her then partner.

As Hannah's parents faced the media pack on the steps of the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, they struggled to hide their devastation.

Tragedies like this should not happen among small close-knit communities like Clunes.

In 1979, the town was used as a backdrop to the Australian classic Mad Max - a landmark sci-fi film depicting ruthless bikies going up against a young Mel Gibson.

Hannah McGuire and Lachlan Young bought a house together just on a year ago

In reality, the remote country town consists of under 2,000 people, most of whom have settled there in an attempt to leave the violence, hustle and bustle of the city.

Inhabitants include everyone from former Wall Street Journal executives to retired bankers and tradies.

It is a quiet, peaceful community that locals love for embracing what outsiders might class as boring.

Today Clunes remains largely unchanged in its architecture as if frozen in time.

The alleged murder of Hannah has rocked the town to its core, although walking along its main street it is hard to gauge.

The local butcher - a farmer who sells his own product from just around the corner of the pub owned by Hannah's parents - claimed not to even know her.

Clunes, pictured here in the 1979 movie Mad Max, remains almost identical today

Clunes (pictured on Wednesday) has remained largely untouched by time

Hannah's uncle John Hind opened the National Hotel again just after 2pm on Wednesday

Most of the shops that line the main street don't even open during the week.

This weekend a local farmers' market is planned, which usually brings in a few more customers, they say.

The pub itself is closed on Monday and Tuesdays.

It had remained shut over the weekend as the McGuires' lives were rocked by the gut-wrenching heartbreak.

On Wednesday, a photo of Hannah was posted on the outside of the pub's wall alongside a notice declaring she had been the 22nd Australian woman killed this year.

Beneath it sat bouquets of flowers with notes of support for Hannah's family.

The McGuires had only taken charge of the pub a few months ago at Christmas, with Hannah working behind the bar when not working as a teacher and studying.

The family had made an immediate impact on the community, raising money for charity while pouring beers for thirsty souls.

At Easter, the pub helped raise more than $30,000 for the Royal Children's Hospital.

'Glenn and I would like to thank everyone for making us feel so welcome, we truly have been blessed with a great start to pub life,' the couple posted to an online community group before Christmas.

The lonely forest where the burnt car of Hannah McGuire was found

Debris still litters the area where police found the body of Hannah McGuire

Flowers sat outside the National Hotel on Wednesday before it opened back up

It is within this closed social media community the true impact of Hannah's alleged murder is on display.

In announcing there the pub would reopen on Wednesday afternoon, the McGuire's provided another insight into their torment.

'Thank you everyone for your love, support and kind words. Our hearts are broken,' they wrote.

You werent just a star to us. You were our whole damn sky. Miss you Princess!'

The tragic message opened a floodgate of despair from those too proud or worried to express their emotion to the reporters who now wander the town.

The page reveals a community that rallies around one another, from returning lost sheep to helping strangers move house.

And as the pub finally flung open its doors at 2pm, they showed their support.

Behind the bar was Mrs McGuire's uncle, John Hind, who sold the pub to his niece last year.

Residents touched by the tragedy made the trip to Clunes from distant towns to have a drink upon the doors of the historic pub being flung open.

'We just wanted to come and show our support for the family,' an elderly couple from Creswick said.

'We've had Samantha Murphy, Daylesford and now this.'

The pub expected at least 80 people to walk through the doors on Wednesday night due to the local darts tournament.

Inside, a few young locals had started early, throwing a few darts and downing a few beers.

The numbers will likely be far higher than expected.

'This is a great community and we look after our own,' Mr Hind said.

Parts of the destroyed car remain at the location where Lachlan Young is accused of burning the body of his ex-girlfriend
Dozens of residents embroiled in an ugly zoning dispute remain in limbo, despite the council hitting pause on mass evictions.

More than 100 residents at the Techno Park complex at Williamstown in Melbourne's inner-west were given a six-month deadline in May last year to move out or be threatened with legal action.

The order was from Hobsons Bay Council after it suddenly decided to enforce industrial zoning rules that have been around for more than 30 years.

The council claimed residents in the industrial area were 'at risk' due to their close proximity to a Mobil fuel storage site, which ceased operations in 2021.

Affected residents faced the threat of homelessness in the middle of a national housing crisis, before internal documents revealed that prior to evictions being issued, the council knew that residents had been living at Techno Park for more than 15 years.

A change in Victoria's planning laws implemented in February meant that councils must now recognise residents' 'existing use' rights after 15 years.

Residents had until mid-May to move out until the council announced last Friday that evictions have been paused as it examines its legal options.

More than 100 residents call the Techno Park estate home, which is in the middle of an industrial area

READ MORE: Premier steps in as locals slam 'crazy' neighbours who complained about cafe noise in ritzy suburb A political row has erupted over the new Joey diner on Palm Beach Advertisement

But with no timeframes provided, the residents' desperate fight to stay continues.

'It's a welcome first step and a big relief,' Techno Park resident Lara Week told Daily Mail Australia.

'But we need an end to the stress and heartache caused by the uncertainty.'

She has accused the council of 'deliberately' trying to extinguish residents' rights by issuing evictions.

'The amount of harm it's had on people has been unbearable and it's time to put a stop to it,' Ms Week added.

'The ball is in the council's court.'

Thousands of residents have called the complex home since 1969.

The Wiltona Migrant Hostel originally housed migrants and refugees post-World War II.

The hostel also accommodated Darwin residents displaced by the devastation of Cyclone Tracy at Christmas 1974.

The complex was sold into the private market in 1989 and is now home to residents from all walks of life, from owner-occupiers and renters to young families, migrants and the elderly.

Techno Park residents (pictured) have spent the last 11 months fighting to stay in their homes

The complex built in the 1960s (pictured) initially housed newly arrived migrants

While a handful of residents complied with eviction notices, many have vowed to stay and fight, including Mike Rowan who has advanced aggressive prostate cancer.

He described the council's eviction letter as horrifying.

'It said you must immediately leave,' Mr Rowan told The Project this week.

'It was awful and really frightening.

'I would really love to find out why the council is trying to do this.

'I would love to get a private eye into one of their meetings and find out. It's so frustrating.'

Ms Week added: 'They have absolutely no grounds to evict us and we're still in this weird, like hostile relationship with the council, whose role it is to look after the community and to look after people who live here.'

Residents were five weeks away from being evicted when the council released an update which conceded that the ministerial amendment enacted in February 'significantly changed' planning provisions.

The council added it had 'empathy about the current situation'.

'These changes could have legal implications for the Techno Park enforcement and therefore, council immediately commenced an external legal review in February 2024,' Friday's update states.

'This review has not yet been completed.

'Consequently, council will not take any further enforcement action at Techno Park until it has fully considered its obligations following ministerial changes to State planning rules and determined its next steps.'

Lara Week (pictured) is leading the fight for residents to stay in their homes

The community fight continues, despite Hobsons Bay Council pressing pause on mass evictions

Dozens braved the rain to join a community rally at the council chambers on Tuesday night.

Residents who managed to snare one of 40 tickets to attend the council meeting left with their questions unanswered to ensure 'there's no prejudice to the council or to any person's current or future rights'.

Ms Week remains hopeful that people power will prevail.

'As long as we all stick together, I think we will win,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

She bought a two-bedroom home advertised as a home office four years ago and has lived there ever since.

She also insisted residents are safe, despite living opposite fuel refinery tanks.

'It's an amazing place to live,' she said.

Affected residents issued with eviction notices range from young families to the elderly

A large community rally was held outside Hobsons Bay Council on Tuesday night

Mobil is focused on operating its sites to deliver critical fuel supplies to Victoria.

'Mobil supplies around 40 per cent of the fuel Victorians need through our Melbourne Terminal operations and we continue to play a vital role in Australias fuel security, including the storage tanks that are in use in proximity to Techno Park Drive,' a spokesman said.

'As a safe and responsible operator, Mobil remains focused on operating its sites, in accordance with state and Federal regulations to deliver critical fuel supplies to Victoria.

'We appreciate that it is a difficult situation for the residents and while this is a planning matter for the council, we are willing to engage with the community, the council and regulators and assist where we can.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Hobsons Bay Council for further comment.

The fight to save the techno Park development continues
A small-business owner who was saving $10,000 for a rainy day has had the entire amount stolen in a crafty phone-hacking scam.

Townsville man Andrew Ryder's bank account and digital identity was destroyed within 24 hours after a scammer attacked his phone on March 19.

Mr Ryder, who is a retired veteran and runs a boat and jet ski licensing business, was the victim of a phone porting and SIM-card swapping scam.

Phone porting is a legitimate practice used to transfer a person's phone number from one telecommunications company to another.

However, with enough information a criminal is able to set up an account with a telco company in a person's name and have their number transferred.

Townsville man Andrew Ryder had $10,000 stolen from his bank account in a crafty phone scam

Mr Ryder was the victim of a SIM-card swap and phone porting scam, where the fraudster was able to transfer his mobile number to a new SIM-card and impersonate him when calling his telco company and bank

A SIM-card swapping scam happens when the fraudster contacts the victim's telco provider and asks to activate a new SIM-card with their number.

Mr Ryder realised something was wrong when he received a text message from Optus advising him that his request to move his phone number to a new SIM-card was being processed.

What to do if you suspect you have been scammed If you suspect you're the victim of a SIM-card swapping or phone porting scam there are number of things you should do 1. Immediately contact your telecommunications provider 2. Report the scam to your bank or financial institution, local police and ASIC 3. Report the scam to ACCC's Scamwatch The ACCC cannot help recover money or track down a scammer but a report could help prevent future scams Advertisement

He immediately called Optus but was reluctant to give information over the phone as he was unsure if he was speaking with the scammer or his provider.

Mr Ryder's phone lost service - indicating his phone number was transferred to another SIM-card - and almost immediately had $10,000 taken out of his bank account.

'I contacted my banks and asked them to shut my account and they investigated it and said there appears to be $10,000 taken out,' Mr Ryder told ABC.

Mr Ryder discovered the scammer had called his bank impersonating him and used his phone number to access security codes sent via a text message.

He added the bank also asked what Mr Ryder did while serving in the army, however that did not stop the scammer.

'That's easily found online. You just have to Google my name and that information comes up so that should have been an alarm for them, but it wasn't,' Mr Ryder said.

Mr Ryder explained the criminal opened a credit line in his name and also locked him out of his email, Google and Facebook accounts.

His digital identity has been 'completely trashed' and he was unsure what other personal information the scammer might have before hacking his phone.

'I've had to reassess my whole concept of what information I keep online. I'm just trying to get secure so I can lay down at night not thinking I'm going to wake up with no money in my account,' Mr Ryder said.

Mr Ryder, who is a veteran and runs a Boat and Jet Ski Licensing business, said he has had to reassess how much information he keeps online

The bank, which Mr Ryder did not name as he wanted to protect his personal information, reimbursed him the $10,000 stolen by the scammer.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority instituted rules in mid-2020 requiring telco companies to use multifactor ID authentication and that mobile porting scams dropped by 95 per cent as a result.

Last year, Aussies reported 19,895 cases of identity theft scams, which cost victims more than $8.59 million, according to the ACCC's Scamwatch.

More than $826,000 was lost via phone scams, accounting for more than 12,200 cases reported.
Footage shows how a repeat subway offender was chased downed and arrested by some well-placed police after snatching a womans purse in New York.

The incident occurred as the 6 train pulled into the 59th Street Station in Manhattan Saturday, and saw a suspect, 41-year-old Alex Martinez, swiftly arrested.

It happened around 1am, after the accused got into a struggle with the 23-year-old victim while attempting to make off with the bag.

He made the attempt as the southbound train pulled into the station, cops said, but was instantly thwarted by some 'strategically deployed' officers on patrol.

They are seen chasing Martinez as he looks to flee the station, before subduing him on the stairs and returning the purse to its rightful owner. The official X account of the New York City Police Department on Monday shared the shocking footage, while touting the successful arrest.

'In a matter of seconds, a recidivist thief, who had been arrested last year for a similar incident, recently snatched a woman's purse while she was riding the train,' brass for the NYPD wrote.

'Fortunately, @NYPDTransit officers who were strategically deployed gave chase & arrested the man.

'Watch the vid [below],' officials instructed.

In a subsequent post, The NYPD Chief of Transit, Michael Kemper, celebrated the officers' actions, asserting they did an 'outstanding job.'

He also revealed how Martinez 'is WELL KNOWN to the NYPD,' stylizing the latter part of the revelation in all-caps.

'This past Saturday  just after 1:00am  the 59th Street station in Manhattan: Transit (TPF) cops were patrolling the station when they observed a male running off a train with a woman in pursuit,' the top transit cop wrote.

'Turns out, the male just snatched the womans purse from her as the train pulled into the station.

'Without hesitation, [the officers] gave chase  apprehending him & arresting him,' Kemper continued.

He went on to reassure: 'And yes, [the victim's] stolen purse was returned to her,'

'In a matter of seconds, a recidivist thief, who had been arrested last year for a similar incident, recently snatched a woman's purse while she was riding the train,' brass for the NYPD wrote in a post to X sharing the footage

'Fortunately, @NYPDTransit officers who were strategically deployed gave chase & arrested the man

. 'Watch the vid [below],' officials instructed.

This past Saturday  just after 1:00am  the 59th Street station in Manhattan:



Transit (TPF) cops were patrolling the station when they observed a male running off a train with a woman in pursuit. Turns out, the male just snatched the womans purse from her as the train https://t.co/rrusbMzQ0H  NYPD Chief of Transit (@NYPDTransit) April 8, 2024

As for the perpetrator, Kemper confirmed Monday that he had an active bench warrant for his arrest, along with a pending court case for a different grand larceny arrest that occurred in another Manhattan subway station in October of 2023.

For this case, he was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, the NYPD said - after he was filmed dropping the bag as officers gave chase.

The heart-pounding footage shows how officers managed to catch up to the thief in seconds, chasing him across the length of the platform and over turnstiles, before stopping him halfway up one of the stations stairwells.

'Hey, get down!' one of the officers exclaims in the clip, which lasts a total of 48 seconds and is sure to inject any viewer with a not-so-healthy does of adrenaline.

'What did I do?' Martinez asks - an inquiry the cops look to ignore as there put him in bracelets.

Records indicate that he has since been transferred to the Eric M. Taylor Center on Riker's Island, with bail currently set at $20,000.

He currently has a court date slated for Thursday, where he will be arraigned on the two felony charges.

The incident is only the latest to plague the city's notoriously embattled transit system, with subway crime in particular being labeled one of the city's major crises.

In a subsequent post, The NYPD Chief of Transit, Michael Kemper - seen here after another incident involving a repeat offender late last year - celebrated the officers' actions, asserting they did an 'outstanding job'

Statistics suggest transit offenses are down slightly, but even progressive Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had some choice words about the state of the city's platforms and tunnels when asked late last year.

'I know the statistics, that transit crime is down, but when one of my family members gets on the train, I, too, get a knot in my stomach,' he told FOX 5 News when asked about the perception that the subway system is becoming increasingly unsafe.

'I live here, I'm raising my family here, so we have a lot more work to do,' the lawmaker often criticized for lax laws that may embolden repeat offenders declared at the time.

Months later, unsolved subway-related incidents remain an issue, such as an assault that took place a day later a station away.

There, at 4:45 am as a northbound E train approached East 53rd and Lex on Sunday, several suspects were seen stabbing a victim with a knife before fleeing on-foot.

A surveillance still of one of the at-large men was posted on the department's social media accounts.

Months later, unsolved subway-related incidents remain an issue, such as an assault that took place a day later a station away.

In another incident, which occurred early last month, another male suspect approached a 49-year-old woman on a southbound 4 train as it arrived at the 86th and Lexington subway station, putting his penis on her arm

In October, another repeated offender in Sabir Jones, 39, punched and pushed a woman on to the subway tracks at 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The victim suffered a critical head injury. Jones managed to avoid officers for a few days, but was arrested that month. He also now resides at Ryker's Island

In another incident, which occurred early last month, another male suspect approached a 49-year-old woman on a southbound 4 train as it arrived at the 86th and Lexington subway station, putting his penis on her arm.

In that case, a surveillance image of the suspect was recorded, but he remains at large.

In October, another repeated offender in Sabir Jones, 39, punched and pushed a woman on to the subway tracks at 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

The victim suffered a critical head injury. Jones managed to avoid officers for a few days, but was arrested that month. He also now resides at Ryker's Island, records show.
A man who had his identity stolen and spent two years behind bars has said he was put in jail 'for nothing', as his former colleague pleads guilty to using his personal information.

William Woods, 55, was arrested and charged with identity theft and unauthorized use of personal information in 2019.

He went on to plead no contest in a Los Angeles court in exchange for a time-served sentence and immediate release from custody.

Last week, Matthew David Keirans pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, after stealing critical personal information from Woods in 1988 when they worked a hot dog stand together.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Woods told the outlet he is considering a lawsuit for the years he spent in prison for a crime he did not commit.

William Woods, 55, was arrested and charged with identity theft and unauthorized use of personal information in 2019

Matthew David Keirans pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, after stealing the identity of Woods in 1988 when they worked a hot dog stand together

He told the outlet: 'They should pay for every day I had to stay there. It isnt right to be putting me in jail for nothing.'

The two had worked together at the stand in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1988 and did not interact until Woods' wallet went missing, he told the outlet.

After Woods questioned Keirans' over the disappearance, the other man did not respond.

He added: 'I put my fist in his face, and he decided to hand me back my wallet.'

Checking the contents, he said he noticed his Social Security and birth certificate were still safely inside.

He continued: 'I didn't think anything of it. I didn't think he was actually going to do anything.'

Despite this, Kierans went on to steal his name and identity and used it 'in every aspect of his life' for the next three decades, according to court documents.

In 1990, Keirans got a fake Colorado ID under Woods name and birthday and used it to get a job at a fast-food restaurant and a Colorado bank account.

He then bought a car for $600 in 1991, also using Woods' name, with two $300 checks that bounced.

Kierans went on to steal his name and identity and used it 'in every aspect of his life' for the next three decades, according to court documents

After Woods questioned Keirans' over the disappearance of his wallet, the other man did not respond

Keirans drove to Idaho where the stolen car broke down and abandoned it, withdrawing all of his money from the Colorado account and leaving the state.

From there, his fraud ramped up and in 1994, still using Woods' name, Keirans got married and had a child, who he gave the surname Woods.

He then moved to Wisconsin and obtained a copy of Woods' birth certificate using information about his family he found on Ancestry.com.

In 2013, he got a job as a systems architect in the the University of Iowa Hospital's IT department.

He worked there for the next 10 years, earning more than $700,000 in total, and by 2023, his salary was $140,501, according to the hospital.

Over the years he took out multiple vehicle and personal loans from Iowa credit unions under Woods' name, worth more than $200,000.

Meanwhile, the real Woods was living homeless in Los Angeles.

In 2019, Woods went to a branch of the national bank and said he had discovered someone was using his bank accounts and had accumulated debt, and asked to close the accounts.

He gave the bank his ID and his social security number, which matched the information the bank had, but he couldn't answer the security questions that Keirans had set up.

The bank called the number they had on file for him - Keirans' number - and Keiran answered the security questions, telling the bank employees that no one in California had permission to access his accounts.

The bank employee called LAPD who questioned Woods and Keirans. After Keirans sent LAPD officers a copy of his Social Security card, Woods was arrested.

According to court transcripts obtained by the outlet, Woods told a judge: 'I'm not Matthew Keirans at all.'

Two months after that initial appearance, Woods again told the court: 'No, I'm not Keirans at all.'

In February 2020, he was found to be not mentally competent to stand trial and was ordered to a psychiatric hospital. It was also ordered that he receive psychotropic medication.

He added: 'People didnt listen, and they didnt know I was who I said I was. They were painting it like I was crazy.'

After being eventually released from custody, Woods was determined to get to the bottom of what had happened.

The two had worked together at the stand in Albuquerque, New Mexico, not pictured here, in 1988 and did not interact until Woods' wallet went missing

After the real Woods tried to reclaim his identity, he was arrested and charged with identity theft and false impersonation

Meanwhile Keirans had landed a job as a systems architect in the the University of Iowa Hospital's IT department.

He worked there for the next 10 years, earning more than $700,000 in total, and by 2023, his salary was $140,501, according to the hospital.

He managed to find out where Keirans was working and in January 2023 he contacted the hospital's security department.

The hospital referred his complaint to the University of Iowa Police Department, where Detective Ian Mallory opened an investigation.

Mallory found Woods' biological father and tested his DNA against Woods' and Keirans'.

The DNA proved Woods was who he said he was and Keirans was a fraud.

In July 2023, more than 30 years after Keirans first stole Woods' identity, Mallory interviewed him.

He asked him what his father's name was and Keirans accidentally gave the name of his own adoptive father.

Mallory then confronted Keirans with the DNA evidence and he responded saying 'my life is over' and 'everything is gone'.

He then confessed to prolonged identity theft, according to court documents, and was taken into custody on July 18 2023.

Keirans pleaded guilty to false use of birth certificate and the other charge was dropped.

He was then indicted in federal court on December 12, on five counts of false statement to a National Credit Union Administration insured institution and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

He pleaded guilty to one count of each charge and the other counts were dropped.

A sentencing has not yet been scheduled, he is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 32 years imprisonment, a $1.25 million fine, and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

Last year, Woods moved back to Albuquerque where he lived in a hotel and now stays with a friend in El Paso.

His former boss at the hot dog business Eric Kilmer told the Times that Woods was the 'most innocent type fellow youll ever want to me.'

Woods added: 'Whats next for me?' he asked. 'I guess I have to regain all my stuff back and just rebuild what I was.'
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Harris County, where Houston is located, over its guaranteed income program aimed to help thousands of impoverished households in the county.

Paxton contends that the program, named 'Uplift Harris', which will provide families in need with $500 a month for 18 months, violates the Texas Constitution.

More than 1,900 eligible individuals and families were selected from the ten of the poorest zip codes in the county in February, with the first payment scheduled to go out in late April.

With the attorney general now calling the program unlawful, the program could be halted just weeks before the first payment is set to roll out.

County leaders have since slammed Paxton, describing his decision as 'surprising, shocking, and disheartening'.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Harris County, where Houston is located, over its guaranteed income program aimed to help thousands of impoverished households in the county

Paxton contends that the program, named 'Uplift Harris', which will provide families in need with $500 a month for 18 months, violates the Texas Constitution

The controversial program approved by county commissioners last year allocated $20.5million from American Rescue Plan funds and selected registered individuals by lottery.

Paxton blasted the program in his lawsuit, stating that the funds were specifically intended to be used for COVID-19 relief initiatives.

'There is no such thing as free money - especially in Texas. The Texas Constitution expressly prohibits giving away public funds to benefit individuals - a common sense protection to prevent cronyism and ensure that public funds benefit all citizens,' Paxton's lawsuit states,' the filling reads.

The lawsuit also deems the program as a 'socialist experiment by Lina Hidalgo and progressive democrats.'

County leaders have since taken to social media to express their disappointment, as they are expected to hold a press release about the lawsuit on Wednesday.

Commissioner Rodney Ellis wrote on X: 'This isn't about constitutionality. This is about maintaining a system that favors billionaires and starves working families.

County Attorney Christian D. Menefee agreed, as he wrote: 'This nothing more than an attack on local government and an attempt to make headlines.'

'I will vigorously defend the county and this program in court,' he added, saying the county will keep moving forward with the program until a court order blocks it.

He told KHOU11:'It's incredibly surprising, shocking and disheartening. More than 1,900 families right here in Harris County were slated to get $500 a month to help them deal with economic issues here in our county.

'But instead, because of actions of a bunch of politicians out in Austin, these folks are now going to be put on hold,' he added.

County Attorney Christian D. Menefee said: 'This nothing more than an attack on local government and an attempt to make headlines.'

NEW: Texas Republicans sued Harris County over our guaranteed basic income pilot program, which uses federal funds to provide $500 per month to some of the lowest income families in the county



This nothing more than an attack on local government and an attempt to make headlines pic.twitter.com/FVzW3Vr1u8  Christian D. Menefee (@CDMenefee) April 9, 2024

This Ken Paxton lawsuit against our guaranteed income program reads more like a MAGA manifesto than a legal document.



This isn't about constitutionality. This is about maintaining a system that favors billionaires and starves working families. pic.twitter.com/sGsOilkVaK  Rodney Ellis (@RodneyEllis) April 9, 2024

More than 82,000 applications were submitted for the program, and the lottery system narrowed it down to 1,928 eventually, according to Menefee.

A 2023 Kinder poll shows more than 775 percent of respondents support the idea of universal basic income for low-income, working adult.

But the program was met with backlash from conservatives after it was approved in June, last year.

State Senator Paul Bettencourt celebrated Paxton's court filling Tuesday, as he dubbed the guaranteed income program 'lottery socialism' in an X post.

'I call it 'Lottery Socialism' and am glad to see the OAG taking this seriously to the point of not just responding to my opinion request but actually filing a suit against Harris County's 'Uplift' Program!',' he wrote.

'AG is right; this violates the 'gift cause' of the Texas Constitution and it employs a random lottery as opposed to a rational classification,' he added.

In a statement announcing the filling, Paxton said the lottery-based handout is in violation the state's constitution 'because the selection of recipients is inherently arbitrary'.

'Taxpayer money must be spent lawfully and used to advance the public interest, not merely redistributed with no accountability or reasonable expectation of a general benefit,' he said.
The gunman, Joseph Houston II, claimed he was dying of cancer just days earlier

Dennis Prince, 57, and his wife, 30-year-old Ashley, were gunned down Monday

The Las Vegas attorney and his wife who were killed in a shooting at his offices were gunned down by a fellow lawyer diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Dennis Prince, 57, and Ashley Prince, 30, were fatally shot during a deposition involving Ashley's ex-husband, Dylan Houston, on Monday morning. Prince was representing his wife in the case.

Dylan was represented by his father, 77-year-old Joseph Houston II, who opened fire during the proceedings before turning the gun on himself.

Now, Robert Eglet, a Las Vegas trial lawyer and close friend of Prince for several decades, has revealed Houston had confided that he was dying of cancer just days earlier in an interview with Fox News Digital.

'Joe told me this not long before the shooting, that he was dying of terminal cancer. Makes me wonder if he felt like he had nothing to lose?' Eglet said.

'I really don't know though, I can't make any sense of this all.'

Dennis Prince, 57, and wife Ashley Prince, 30, were killed in a shooting at his law firm on Monday morning by another attorney, 77-year-old Joseph Houston II

According to a close friend of Prince, Houston had confided that he was dying from terminal cancer just days before the shooting

According to Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill, gunshots broke out at around 10 a.m. inside the Prince Law Group's Summerlin office.

'You know, it's just so tragic, I can't even put it into words,' Eglet said.

Court documents filed hours later detailed the moments preceding the senseless violence.

Five minutes after the deposition began, Houston 'stood up, had a very glazed and rattled look in his eyes, pulled out a handgun and shot Prince four times,' the documents state.

As the shots rang out, Houston appeared to take notice of a pregnant lawyer who was in the room - and spare her life.

The woman, identified as Shannon Wilson, 'immediately ducked and hid under the conference room table.'

Michele LoBello, another one of Ashley Prince's attorneys, alleged that Wilson had pleaded with the gunman not to hurt her baby.

'She explained to me that Mr. Houston allowed her to leave the conference room and following her quick departure and taking cover elsewhere in the office, she heard additional shots fired,' LoBello stated.

Prince was representing his wife in an ongoing custody case involving her ex-husband, Houston's son Dylan

Gunshots broke out during a deposition Monday morning, with Houston pulling out a handgun and shooting Prince in the chest four times

Before turning the gun on himself, Prince appeared to spare the life of a pregnant lawyer who pleaded with him not to hurt her baby

Dylan Houston himself was not present at the deposition, but the documents note that a private investigator had recorded 'concerning information regarding Plaintiff's drinking and dangerous behavior' a month earlier.

The investigator allegedly observed Dylan driving home from a bar on March 29 while swerving around the road.

Dylan, who is a partner at Resnick & Louis in Las Vegas, filed for divorce from Ashley in October 2021 following four years of marriage.

According to social media posts, the pair were together for several years before they wed, with Ashley announcing that she and Dylan were moving in together in 2014.

She was identified as Ashley Prince in court records as recently as last month.

A divorce decree issued in November 2021 granted the pair joint custody of their children, a son and daughter aged 5 and 4 - however, this remained in dispute.

Divorce filings allege Dylan grappled with substance abuse while he had custody of their children.

Another one of Ashley's lawyers, John Jones, made reference to 'a positive drug test for cocaine' as well as 'a positive alcohol test during his custodial time' as well as 'a missed alcohol test'.

Dylan Houston was not present at the deposition, but records show Ashley had filed for sole custody of the pair's young son and daughter the very morning of the shooting

Divorce filings allege that Dylan, who was arrested on a DUI charge in 2020, grappled with substance abuse while he had custody of the children

Gunshots erupted at around 10 a.m. Monday at the Prince Law Group's Summerlin office

Records show Dylan was arrested on a DUI charge in October 2020, but later pleaded it down to a misdemeanor reckless driving charge.

Following his no contest plea in February 2022, Dylan was ordered to complete community service and DUI classes.

The records also claim he would send abusive texts to Ashley, who filed for sole custody of the pair's children the very morning of the shooting.

Within hours of her death, Ashley's lawyers filed an emergency motion requesting that sole custody of the children be given to her sister. The motion was granted.

In that document, LoBello alleged Dylan 'knew or must have known of the intentions of his father prior to the commission of these heinous acts.'

She cited an attempt to pick up his children 'in the middle of the school day, despite the details as to (Ashley's) status of dead or alive not being made public at this time'.

Dylan hit back at the accusations in a response.

'The motivation of the tragedy of April 8, 2024, is unknown to anyone but Joseph W. Houston himself. The Defense's suggestion that this was a 'planned attack' with the Plaintiff is insulting and quite speculative,' he wrote.

He asserted that his actions were 'not indicative of a co-conspirator as the Defense callously would like the Court to believe, rather that of a concerned father wanting to protect, console, love and support his children from any unnecessary discussion regarding this tragedy'.

Prince was the founding member and lead trial counsel on all major cases, according to a bio on the firm's website

The 57-year-old and his wife, who was identified as Ashley Prince in court records last month, had recently welcomed a child together

According to a biography on the law firm's website, Prince was the founding member and lead trial counsel on all major cases.

He was recognized as the Nevada Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2016 by the Nevada Justice Association and tried more than 100 cases to jury verdict at the time of his death.

He and Ashley had also recently welcomed a child together.

The law group released a statement hours after the murders, thanking 'everyone who has reached out to us with heartfelt messages of concern and sympathy over the tragic violence that occurred this morning in our offices'.

The Houston family released their own statement through a public relations firm on Tuesday.

'Our family is in a state of profound shock and sadness at yesterday's events. We ask for prayers and privacy as we try to navigate the coming days,' it read.

'The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is still conducting their investigation and as that continues, speculation about details of the incident only serves to add trauma to our already grieving and overwhelmed families.

'We have full faith in Metro's efforts and will leave all future comment to them as their investigation unfolds.'
An American Staffordshire Terrier accompanying an alleged car thief has been shot and killed by police after it attacked two smaller dogs during an arrest.

Western Australia Police were called to Trigg Beach, in Perth's north-west, shortly before 7pm on Tuesday for a welfare check.

When officers arrived, they saw a grey Toyota RAV4 which was allegedly stolen from a Victoria Park house in the city's centre just hours earlier.

Police attempted to speak with the 39-year-old driver but she fled down a beach track.

The staffy accompanying the woman became aggressive towards the officers, forcing the officers to use capsicum spray.

Police shot and killed a staffy after it attacked two smaller dogs during an arrest at a beach north-west of Perth

The woman was arrested on the beach and taken back to the car park.

'At this time, the dog approached and attacked two small dogs who were walking nearby,' police said.

'An officer then fatally shot the larger dog to prevent further injury to those present.'

One of the smaller dogs, which were both dachshunds, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a nearby vets for emergency medical treatment.

The woman from East Perth was charged with stealing a motor vehicle, having no authority to drive and breaching bail conditions.

She is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Premier Roger Cook said the shooting 'would have been very distressing, and I thank them for their work.'
A pack of wolf-dog hybrids have terrorized a neighborhood for months, cops say - killing at least two area pets.

The seven 'feral' animals - who actually have an owner - attacked and killed a medium sized pet dog on March 26, and struck again last week, local police said.

The crisis is occurring in Shingeltown, California, a small town located along California State Route 44 in the hills just below Mount Lassen.

There, residents claim that spotting the roving pack is an almost daily occurrence, and are now demanding action.

Officers have already taken one of the dogs into custody, after the owner surrendered it. In a statement, cops in the town of just over 2,000 said they are aware of and looking into the incidents.

A pack of wolf-dog hybrids in Shingeltown, California, have terrorized a neighborhood for months, killing at least two other dogs belonging to residents.

The dogs are seen mauling the first of two domesticated canines to fall victim to the crisis - an attack that occurred right in the family's driveway

'The Shasta County Sheriff's Office is aware of, and is actively working to address, an issue involving a pack of dogs roaming the Shingletown area,' wrote Tim Mapes, the force's Public Information Officer

'[They] killed another dog last week.'

He continued: 'The dogs, originally reported as a pack of wild "wolf-type" animals, were determined to be wolf/husky/malamute hybrids that belonged to a local resident and had gone feral.

'Since initial reports last week, Animal Regulation Officers have been in the area and cited the owner of the animals for having unlicensed and unvaccinated animals, strays, as well as kennel violations,' he went on to reveal.

'One dog was able to be voluntarily turned over,' he said, citing how after the owner surrendered it, the unnamed owner told officers the animal was the alpha that led the initial attack.

That strike saw three year old Australian-Pyrenees mix Chief mauled by five dogs right in his family's driveway, with all the canines belonging to the nearby neighbor.

'But finding and catching the remaining six animals is challenging,' conceded Mapes, adding Animal Regulation Officers have set traps in the area and are routinely patrolling.

The seven 'feral' animals - who actually have an owner - attacked and killed three-year-old Chief 9pictured) on March 26, and struck again last week, local police said

His owner buried Chief in the family backyard, picking the spot because it was his favorite spot to nap

'I don't want anyone to get hurt and this is a community of elderly people,' owner Sharina Clark said, asking her face not be shown out of fear the owner of the mutts might exact revenge

She went on to add: 'We're the youngest family here. 'The very next day, [the pack] came back, and my daughter was outside 10 minutes before'

'Sheriff's Deputies are also performing extra patrols in the effort to catch the animals,' he insisted, as the dogs too roam the area.

'Our Animal Regulation Officers have communicated with residents in the immediate area and advised them of their legal rights to protect themselves, their pets and livestock, and their property, in the event they encounter the dogs.

'We will continue to address this issue until it is resolved,' he concluded, as officers attempt to capture the rest.

Meanwhile, in an emotional interview, Chief's owner Sharina Clark lamented her loss, recalling to KRCR-7, 'For the first week, we were pretty much here grieving, and then had to bury our dog

'And after we buried him I started looking into what was happening.'

This attentiveness led her to her neighbor, whom she did not name, and the conclusion that the pack is not feral, but just vicious and uncontrolled.

'I don't want anyone to get hurt and this is a community of elderly people,' Clark continued, asking the station not show her face out of fear the owner of the mutts might exact revenge.

She also shared their security camera footage showing the pack coming up their doorstep following the fatal attack, trying to get her other dog who was still inside.

Officers have already taken one of the at least dogs into custody, after the owner surrendered it. That undertaking, which happened on March 25, is seen here

Chief's owner also shared their security camera footage showing the pack coming up their doorstep following the fatal attack, trying to get another dog that was still inside

In the meantime, police said that residents have the right to protect themselves and their pets, as recent footage of the animals behind their owners' fence shows they are far from at-large

Shingletown is roughly a 175-mile drive north from Sacramento. Noted for its timber industry, it was once a camp for workers who cut roofing slats to supply miners during the Gold Rush era

She went on to add: 'We're the youngest family here.

'The very next day, [the pack] came back, and my daughter was outside 10 minutes before.'

Russel McCoy - a resident who lives two doors down from the sometimes fenced in pack - added his yard has also been imposed on by the pack, which he said are let loose 'Every time [the owner] leaves the house.

'Generally he leaves every day somewhere between 10 and 11 o'clock in the morning,' he said.

'And within minutes after he's gone, there's at least two out, if not four or five.'

Despite these infections - and the accompanying public outcry - the Shasta County Sheriff's Office said their hands, at least for now, are tied because of laws that require officials to vet the dogs' habitat and situation.

'That's what we keep wanting to try to impress with the public,' Mapes told the station in his own interview. 'That this is an issue that is being actively worked on.

Russel McCoy - a resident who lives two doors down from the sometimes fenced in pack - added his yard has also been imposed on by the pack, which he said are let loose 'Every time [the owner] leaves the house.

Despite these infections - and the accompanying public outcry - Shasta County Sheriff's Officer Tim Mapes said the force's hands, at least for now, are tied because of laws that require officials to vet the dogs' habitat and situation.

'There are things being done,' he asserted. 'And we will continue to do so and hopefully resolve this issue sooner rather than later'

'There are things being done,' he asserted. 'And we will continue to do so and hopefully resolve this issue sooner rather than later.'

In the meantime, he said that residents have the right to protect themselves and their pets, as footage of the animals behind the fence shows they are far from at-large.

Shingletown, meanwhile, is roughly a 175-mile drive north from Sacramento. Noted for its timber industry, it was once a camp for workers who cut roofing slats to supply miners during the Gold Rush era.

As for the Clarks, they have since buried Chief in the family backyard, picking a certain patch was his favorite spot to nap.

The other dog mentioned in the statement, who also died, has not been identified.
The remains of a Utah farmer have been found on his property two years after he was murdered by his neighbor.

Dylan Rounds, 19, was killed by neighbor James Brenner, 60, who was squatting on land near the teenager's farm in 2022.

Box Elder County Sheriff's Office said that on Monday they recovered skeletal remains that they believe belong to Rounds.

Brenner is charged with aggravated murder and abuse or desecration of a human body.

He led authorities to the location of his burial site on Tuesday as part of a plea agreement.

No motive for Rounds' killing has ever been shared. Rounds family and Brenner were considered friends - and the murdered teen's father previously told The US Sun that his son may have upset Brenner by backing into his horse gate.

Rounds, 19, was allegedly murdered by his neighbor James Brenner, 60, who was squatting on land near the teenagers farm in 2022

Brenner is charged with aggravated murder and abuse or desecration of a human body

The youngster disappeared from the town of Lucin in the state over Memorial Day weekend in 2022.

In a statement, the Sheriff's Office said: 'On April 9, 2024, skeletal remains presumed to belong to Dylan Rounds were recovered in the remote western Box Elder County area of Lucin.

'The FBI assisted the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office by processing the area for evidence and recovering the remains.

'The remains are in the possession of the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner for confirmation of identity.

'Our hearts go out to the family of Dylan Rounds. We offer our sincerest condolences for the loss of their family member.

'We understand that the pain of their loss is immeasurable, and we want to express our deepest sympathies to them. It is our hope that they can find peace moving forward.'

Candice Cooley, Rounds mother, told EastIdahoNews.com: 'We thank everyone for their support and love. We are grateful we now have Dylans body and can bring him home as we continue our fight for justice.'

Rounds' boots had been discovered near a dirt mound and his phone was at the bottom of a pond near Brenner's trailer.

On Tuesday, Box Elder County Sheriff's Office said that on Monday they recovered skeletal remains that they believe belong to Rounds

The youngster disappeared from the town of Lucin in the state over Memorial Day weekend in 2022

After Brenner was charged with his murder, KUTV reported that blood stains were found on his arms and shirt, which is said to belong to Rounds

Brenner has a violent criminal history and was arrested in June 2022 on outstanding warrants as the investigation into Rounds' disappearance picked-up steam.

The outlet reported that he had previously booked into the Weber County Jail on federal charges.

According to a probable cause statement, Rounds' last signal to his phone was pinged to a Lucin pond not far from where Brenner was staying.

Brenner is not set to go on trial until May 2024, according to The Sun - due to a scheduling issue with Brenner's attorney.

After Brenner was charged with his murder, KUTV reported that blood stains were found on his arms and shirt, which is said to belong to Rounds.

Prosecutors asked a judge in 2022 to keep Brenner in custody before trial, labeling him a 'serious risk' and cited his previous criminal history.
Three men have been arrested while guns, drugs, cash, luxury watches and a Lamborghini allegedly seized in multiple raids targeting an alleged drug syndicate.

Officers from State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad and the NSW Crime Commission targeted an alleged high-profile drug syndicate in August last year.

The joint investigation, known as Strike Force Lavington, closed in on the alleged syndicate which was running out of Harrington Park, in Sydney's Macarthur Region, about 70km west of the CBD.

Strike force officers raided four properties in Harrington Park, Ingleburn, Abbotsbury and Bondi on Tuesday allegedly seizing more than $4 million in assets, weapons and drugs.

During the raids, police allegedly seized about 1.3kg of methylamphetamine - which has a street value of $1million.

Strike force officers closed in on an alleged drug syndicate and raided four homes in Harrington Park (pictured) Ingleburn, Abbotsbury and Bondi on Tuesday

Police seized more than $4million dollars' worth in assets, including a $300,000 Lamborghini (pictured)

A $300,000 Lamborghini and a special edition VK Commodore Brock racing car worth $500,000 was also seized.

Detectives, with the assistance of NSWCC, were also able to freeze $3.2million dollars' worth of property.

Commander of State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said targeting assets enabled police to 'disrupt' alleged illegal activity.

'Targeting and seizing assets is such an important part of our work because it enables us to completely disrupt the activity of alleged criminals and put the onus back on them to prove their goods have been legally obtained,' he said.

Executive Director Operations of the NSW Crime Commission Darren Bennett said detectives were determined to strip alleged criminals of their wealth.

'The raids today are only the start of the hard work, and a civil process will now commence, aimed at stripping alleged criminals of their wealth that we can establish has been illegally obtained,' he said.

Police also seized luxury watches (left) worth more than $400,000 and a number of guns (right) during the crackdown

Mr Bennett added police had numerous ongoing investigations aimed at taking unexplained wealth from alleged criminals.

He added the public should expect to see more operations, such as the raids, in coming months.

It comes after strike force detectives stopped a vehicle on the M1 at Brooklyn in August last year and allegedly found 70grams of cocaine after searching the car.

The 66-year-old male driver was arrested and charged with drug supply related offences. He was refused bail and appeared in Hornsby Local Court on August 28.

In September last year, officers stopped a vehicle near Harrington Park and allegedly found 14grams of cocaine after searching the car.

The male driver, 49, was also arrested and charged with drug supply related offences and was granted conditional bail. He faced Campbelltown Local Court on October 19.

Detectives also found a rifle (left) and a large knife (right) during the raids

A search warrant was then executed at an address in Harrington Park the next day, where a 47-year-old man was arrested.

Police allegedly seized 100grams of cocaine, 60grams of methylamphetamine, luxury watches worth more than $400,000, a Dodge Ram and $7,200 worth of cash.

The man was taken to Narellan Police Station and was charged with four counts of supplying prohibited drugs, recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and failing to comlpy with digital evidence access order direction.

He was refused bail and faced Picton Local Court on September 27.
A YouTuber and former Howard Stern show personality has issued an apology after a video of her battering her boyfriend went viral and led to her arrest.

Elisa Ann Schwartz, who goes by the pseudonym Elisa Jordana, posted a livestream to YouTube on Monday as she drove through Palm Beach County, Florida.

During the broadcast, she and a man described as her boyfriend - who has not yet been named - were wrapped up in a violent altercation, with Schwartz repeatedly punching him as she confronted him about an alleged infidelity.

The dramatic footage shows her smacking the man in the face and threatening him.

He retaliates, grabbing her head and chasing after her on the road, before returning to the car and turning off the livestream.

Hours after the video was uploaded, Schwartz was arrested by the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office and charged with felony battery.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, the influencer apologized for her actions and insisted she had misrepresented herself.

'I just want to say Im so sorry for what I portrayed on my livestream that everyone saw,' Schwartz said.

Live-streamer and former Howard Stern show personality Elisa Ann Schwartz has apologized after a video of her repeatedly striking her boyfriend went viral

Schwartz is seen smacking the man and swearing at him as they drive through Palm Beach County, Florida. She was later arrested and charged with felony battery

'This is not what I want to give to the world and it sucks that I got into such a sadness and anger - it was a really negative representation of who I am.

'Im going to do everything I can to have better relationships with people that are good for me, and people that Im also good for.'

She deemed the controversy and subsequent arrest 'the most challenging time of my life,' adding, 'if I can get through this time I will definitely be proud'.

The two-hour-plus livestream had garnered more than 150,000 views on YouTube at the time of writing.

The couple's dramatic fight stemmed from a confrontation over the man's alleged unfaithful behavior.

Earlier in the stream, Schwartz cried about the man sending thousands of dollars to another woman. Violence unfolded after the woman, identified only as Sara, called in.

Schwartz threatened to leak Sara's nudes and phone number online, which the other woman begged her not to do.

Her boyfriend attempted to weigh in, which prompted the streamer to punch him repeatedly in the arm and shoulder.

'Sara, I'm sorry about this,' he said, prompting Schwartz to strike him in the face with an open palm.

'Don't f***ing talk,' she barked.

The man lobbed insults at her while attempting to explain to viewers that she had discovered the texts between him and Sara in the middle of a couples therapy session.

As the conversation with Sara dragged on, Schwartz proclaimed that her boyfriend had described his mistress as a 'dumb Mexican' who had a child at 16.

She then grabbed her boyfriend's ear, which triggered him to grab her hair and drag her head into the passenger seat.

'Pull over dumb c***,' the man repeated, grabbing at the steering wheel, as Schwartz screamed, apologized and wailed that he was killing her.

The violence unfolded when her boyfriend's alleged mistress called into the livestream. Schwartz began hitting the man, who eventually retaliated by yanking her hair

Schwartz was arrested Monday evening and booked into the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Schwartz apologized and vowed to reevaluate her relationships with other people

The streamer was previously engaged to comedian Andy Dick as part of an Internet stunt

Before pursuing a career on social media, she wrote for the Howard Stern Show and sometimes appeared on the show herself

The man instructed his alleged mistress to call 911 before forcing Schwartz out of the car.

She appeared to run toward a vehicle that had stopped on the highway as her boyfriend climbed into the driver's seat and promptly ended the live stream.

The video was posted to Schwartz's YouTube page on Monday with the title 'Not Doing Good,' followed by her call-in number.

Following her arrest, a mugshot began to circulate online, only stoking the controversy.

Before finding notoriety online, Schwartz spent six years working for the Howard Stern show as a writer and even made occasional appearances on the show.

She was in a well-documented relationship with comedian and actor Benjy Bronk for years before she moved to Los Angeles.

In 2021, she was briefly in a relationship with, and temporarily engaged to, comedian Andy Dick.

Schwartz is also a former member of the band Cobra Starship, which enjoyed moderate success more than a decade ago.

In addition to documenting her personal life, Schwartz hosts a show called 'Kermit and Friends,' which she describes as 'a live comedic spiritual interactive variety show.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office for comment.
Texas Democrat Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett called for black Americans to be exempt from paying taxes when asked about reparations for slavery.

The 43-year-old then went on to suggest it may not succeed because many poorer black people 'aren't really paying taxes in the first place'.

Crockett, a liberal freshman in the House who has called Texas GOP Governor Greg Abbott's immigration policy 'insane' and that his new laws aim 'to kill people,' made the statement on 'The Black Lawyers Podcast' last week.

When the host asked her about reparations - often on many far left politicians and activists wish lists - she made the bizarre suggestion after hearing about the plan from a celebrity and thinking it 'I don't know that that's necessarily a bad idea'.

'One of the things they propose is black folk not have to pay taxes for a certain amount of time because then again, that puts money back in your pocket,' Crockett explained.

Texas Democrat Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett made the extreme call for black Americans to be exempt for a period of time from paying taxes when asked about reparations for slavery

Crockett, a liberal freshman in the House who has called Texas GOP Governor Greg Abbott 's immigration policy 'insane' and that his new laws aim 'to kill people,' made the statement on 'The Black Lawyers Podcast' last week

While Crockett could not recall which celebrity she heard say that, most recently Tiffany Cross, the author and television host, and other presenters of her Native Land Pod, this week tried to reboot America's flagging reparations efforts with a call for tax breaks for African Americans.

Crockett said that the plan 'may not be as objectionable to some people' but that the problem may be that 'so many black folk, not only do you owe for the labor that was stolen and killed and all the other things but the fact is we end up being so far behind.'

That's when she suggested that the biggest problem may be that some black people aren't paying their taxes currently.

'If you do the no tax thing, for people that are already say, struggling and not really paying taxes in the first place...' she says, before the host interrupts and says that they 'may want those checks' instead from the government.

'Exactly,' Crockett responded.

Earlier in the conversation, Crockett said that there needs to be consistency at both the federal and state level on reparations because if not, 'everybody's gonna' run to whichever state and be like, ''Yo, I need mine''.'

She said that 'we need to have a full understanding' about the issue and slammed those who 'aren't even willing to do the studies, willing to invest to make sure we can roll this out the right way'.

Crockett recently cruised through a primary in her heavily blue Dallas County district and faces only a libertarian opponent in November as she seeks a second term.

Crockett said that the plan 'may not be as objectionable to some people' but that the problem may be that 'so many black folk, not only do you owe for the labor that was stolen and killed and all the other things but the fact is we end up being so far behind'

Crockett recently cruised through a primary in her heavily blue Dallas County district and faces only a libertarian opponent in November as she seeks a second term

DailyMail.com has reached out to Congresswoman Crockett for comment.

Campaigners have already erected billboards for Cross' plan in Chicago, pushing for black-only carve-outs on the $6,000-a-year property taxes that are typical in the Illinois city.

They also spotlight Empire star Terrence Howard, who was recently outed for refusing to pay years' worth of income dues as he felt it was 'immoral' to tax the descendants of slaves.

Cross, a former MSNBC host, praised Howard in her podcast, which looks at the 'ancestral struggles' of African Americans.

'This brother was making a legitimate point,' Cross said.

'I don't know how we would make this happen, but I would be completely down for some sort of policy that says 'Yes, you are exempt from paying taxes'.'

According to Cross, black labor on Southern plantations made America the 'superpower' it is today, but the descendants of those slaves have 'never been repaid  we built this joint for free.'

The focus on tax breaks for blacks comes after momentum behind the reparations movement has started to flag.

Author and former MSNBC host Tiffany Cross says black people shouldn't pay the same taxes as whites

Billboards have gone up over Chicago in a push to waive property taxes for hard-up black households

After the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020 and the Black Lives Matter protests, cities and states across the country launched task forces to tackle modern-day inequality rooted in the slavery era.

Reparations campaigners say it's time for America to repay its black residents for the injustices of the historic Transatlantic slave trade, Jim Crow segregation and inequalities that persist to this day.

The sums are eye-watering  black lawmakers in Washington seek at least $14 trillion for a federal scheme to 'eliminate the racial wealth gap' between black and white Americans.

Critics say payouts to selected black people will inevitably stoke divisions between winners and losers, and raise questions about why American Indians and others don't get their own handouts.

Places like Boston, Massachusetts, St Paul, Minnesota, and St Louis, Missouri, as well as the California cities, San Francisco and Los Angeles, all set up task forces and panels to hatch their own reparations plans.

But early calls for multi-million dollar payouts to the descendants of slaves have fizzled out  as politicians realized they were unpopular among the whites, Asian and others who would foot the bill.

Tennessee has gone so far as to have a bill in the state senate that would forbid the study of reparations for the descendants of slaves.

The bill, which will be voted on in the House next Wednesday, has created some blowback in the state.

Empire star Terrence Howard has been ordered to pay years' worth of income taxes, after reportedly saying it was 'immoral' to tax the descendants of slaves

Reparations campaigners have struggled to make cash payouts to blacks a reality, faced with stiff public opposition

The reparations task force in Detroit  a hub for African-American culture  has descended into a 'shambles' of quitting and in-fighting.

And in February, California's black lawmakers backtracked on plans to pay $1.2 million to each resident.

While many black voters are keen to get checks in the mail, only a fraction think they'll see such a day in their lifetimes.

Mike Gonzalez, an analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said support for reparations peaked amid the protests over the police killing of George Floyd in 2020.

Now, it is waning, he added.

'Like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Critical Race Theory, anti-racism trainings, and other features of the collective hysteria, the call for reparations has begun to fall apart under intense opposition by the American people,' he told DailyMail.com.
A Melbourne software company has sacked its chief executive for the 'likely' unauthorised use of $30m that went missing from the company.

Dubber is a call recording software company, founded by ousted chief executive Steve McGovern and two other 'friends' in 2011, a now pulled-down version of its website says.

But an audit late last year found $30m supposedly being held by Christopher William Legal in a term deposit was missing.

Last month, the company told the ASX about $3.4m had been recovered, with $26.6m outstanding.

The funds might have been misused by either or both Mr McGovern and the trustee, the company announced.

A Melbourne software company has sacked chief executive Steven McGovern for the 'likely' unauthorised use of $30m that went missing from the company.

Dubber is a call recording software company, founded by ousted chief executive Steve McGovern and two other 'friends' in 2011, a now pulled-down version of its website says

This week, Mr McGovern, who was managing director and chief executive, was sacked.

'From the investigation conducted to date, it is alleged that Mr McGovern and the trustee were likely involved in the unauthorised use of those funds, including for purposes which were not for the company's benefit,' the company announced on Tuesday.

Between mid-2019 and August 2021, Dubber deposited $60m into a trust account for term deposits, but a ledger provided by Christopher William Legal 'revealed many unauthorised transfers in and out of the account', Dubber announced on Tuesday.

'Documents that were likely falsified were presented to the company and its external auditor to support the ongoing existence of the term deposits,' the ASX was told.

Last month, the company told the ASX about $3.4m had been recovered, with $26.6m outstanding

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission and Dubber are running their own investigations.

Mr McGovern and Christopher William Legal principal Mark Madafferi have been slapped with bans on leaving the country, sought by ASIC.

Thorney Investment Group executive chairman Alex Waislitz said he was 'shocked' by the developments at Dubber.

Nonetheless, Thorney Investment Group, which part-owns Dubber, provided a secured bridging loan of up to $5m in March.

Dubber also launched a $24m capital raise on Tuesday.

Lawyers for Mr McGovern and Mr Madafferi have been approached for comment.
A go-karting company has been ordered to pay nearly 120,000 after a Muslim schoolgirl died when she was strangled by her own hijab.

Ruwaida Adan, 15, choked to death after her headscarf became caught minutes into a race with her friends at Capital Karts in Barking, East London, on August 6, 2021.

The end of her scarf was said to be hanging out of her helmet and suit before it wound itself round axle of the go-kart and strangled her.

Emergency services were called to the scene and resuscitated the teenager, who was then taken to hospital. She died four days later after suffering a hypoxic brain injury and asphyxiation.

Capital Karts Trading, a company owned by Capital Karts, has now been ordered to pay a 90,000 fine following the tragic incident, as well as costs of 29,021.18 and a victim surcharge of 190.

Ruwaida Adan, 15, who choked to death after her headscarf became caught minutes into a race with her friends on August 6, 2021

A probe into Ruwaida's death in 2022 found that the teenager should have been told to remove her headscarf but checks at the venue missed it.

There were posters at the venue telling racers to remove any loose clothing and long hair tied back, although Ruwaida and her friends were not told to read them.

The jury at Walthamstow Coroners' Court said at the time: 'No safety check ensured that Ruwaida removed her headscarf before getting into her go-kart.

'No daily mechanics check was carried out on August 6, 2021. In Ruwaida's cart the plastic drive belt guard to the rear axle was absent and the rear seat shield was damaged.

'Both should cover exposed moving parts. Ruwaida's scarf became entangled in the moving parts resulting in her asphyxiation and her death on August 10, 2021.'

Meanwhile an investigation by Barking and Dagenham Council found none of the karts had been checked prior to the race, as was meant to happen every day.

It also found that Ruwaida's kart was itself faulty and was missing a guard that should have covered the mechanical parts where her headscarf got caught.

Her kart might not have been looked at by a mechanic for over a month, while the guard could have been missing 'for some time', investigators found.

The teenager died after racing with her friends at Capital Karts in Barking (pictured)

Ruwaida's mother Amina Mohamed, paid tribute to her daughter following the verdict at Romford Magistrates' Court earlier this month.

She said: 'In the wake of the tragic loss of our beloved Ruwaida, we are relieved to finally see Capital Karts held accountable for what happened on August 6, 2021.

'We express our heartfelt gratitude to the presiding judge, and to Barking and Dagenham Council for bringing this prosecution.'

'Ruwaida had so many plans and wishes for the future that will now never happen. Her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives.'

'Ruwaida's memory will forever live on in our hearts, and we pray that her tragic loss serves as a catalyst for positive change in safety regulations within the go-karting industry.'

Capital Karts closed its Barking site in June 2022, and has opened another facility at Cabot Square in Canary Wharf under Capital Karts London Limited, which operates within the same group.

The company had previously pleaded guilty to an offence under s3(1) Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 on March 14, 2023.

MailOnline has contacted Capital Karts for comment.
The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the independent policing watchdog after it took hours to respond to concerns for a woman later found stabbed to death in a 3.1m house near Hyde Park.

Officers forced entry into a house in Stanhope Place, Bayswater at 8.30am on Monday and found the woman, who has not been named, with fatal stab wounds; she was pronounced dead at the scene and police are treating the death as murder.

Met chiefs previously said the force had been made aware of concerns for the woman's welfare the night before - but now admit there were two phone calls made by a concerned friend on Sunday within two and a half hours.

It has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in relation to the 'initial contact' from the friend, who first phoned police more than 13 hours before the body was discovered.

The force has also informed the Met Directorate of Professional Standards, its own internal regulatory team.

Police at the scene on Stanhope Place in London's plush Bayswater area near Hyde Park after a woman was found with fatal knife wounds on Monday

The Met Police has referred itself to the watchdog regarding its response to an initial call from a friend of the woman concerned for her welfare (pictured: a police van at the scene)

The force has admitted it received two calls regarding the woman's welfare from the same person (pictured: the police cordon)

Local residents say they heard 'screams' from somewhere in the street on Sunday evening

Forensic officers throw items into a bag outside the house in London's plush Bayswater district, within the borough of Westminster

In a statement, the Met said it had first been called by the woman's friend at 7.05pm on April 7, grading the call as a 'medium risk missing person'.

It then received a further call two and a half hours later at 9.34pm. But it was not until 8.30am on April 8 that police were seen forcing the door at the property on the edge of Hyde Park and sealing off the scene.

The force said: 'Police received two calls from the same person on Sunday, 7 April raising concerns for the welfare of the woman  one at 19:05hrs and one at 21:34hrs.

'The woman was initially graded as a medium risk missing person prior to the discovery of her body.

'The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and a mandatory referral will be made to the IOPC in relation to the initial contact from the woman's friend.'

The IOPC said: 'We can confirm that we have received a referral from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) after a woman was found dead by officers at a property in Stanhope Place, W2 on the morning of 8 April 2024.

'The referral relates to previous contact after two calls were made to police on Sunday evening (7 April) by a friend of the woman to report her missing.

'We will assess the referral and decide what further action may be required from us.'

News of the referral was first reported by the Standard.

Locals in Stanhope Place previously told how they heard 'two high-pitched screams' on Sunday night.

A neighbouring resident of the home where the woman was found said she heard 'a series of screams' coming from somewhere in the street, followed by 'silence'.

The neighbour, who has lived on the street for over half a century, said: 'I did hear very, very high-pitched screams on Sunday evening coming from that direction.

'A series of screams. I recall two  Im very sensitive to sound. They were very unusual. There was no other sound other than the screams, then silence after.

'I was in my room and I thought, "Thats very strange". Then I recall there was a sound from the other side of my house.

'What could I do? If it had continued I would have stuck my head out.

'Apparently theyve turned the rooms into Airbnbs. My neighbour was leaving her flat yesterday (Monday) morning and saw the police beating the door down.

'We saw two forensics trucks and we knew it was serious... We knew it was murder. Ive always been so paranoid living here, but nothing like this has ever happened before.

'Things have gotten worse in London recently. Its becoming dangerous.'

The front door of the house in Stanhope Place. Eyewitnesses say police forced the door open to gain access to the property after receiving concerned calls from friends of the woman

A cordon was established outside the house in Stanhope Place, which locals speculated may have been converted into an Airbnb

A police officer tends to the cordon at Stanhope Place in London - yards away from the capital's landmark Hyde Park

Forensic officers duck under the cordon in Stanhope Place as police officers speak to some of their colleagues

After attending at the house on Monday, police sealed off the scene, with forensic officers seen removing items from the house throughout Tuesday morning.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and while police chiefs say they are 'keeping an open mind' as to the motive, they have vowed to work '24/7 to establish what happened... and to identify and arrest whoever may be responsible'.

The five bedroom terraced home - which dates from the 1820s and is Grade II-listed as being of historic interest - is set over three floors.

A hotel owner in the street said the property was rented but was unaware of the identity of the occupier. Some locals thought it may have recently been converted into an Airbnb holiday let.

Scotland Yard said it is working to trace and inform the woman's next of kin, with a post-mortem examination to be held in due course. No arrests have been made.

Detective chief inspector Adam Clifton, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said yesterday: 'I understand this news will be concerning, and that local women especially may be worried.

'Our inquiries are in the very early stages and we are keeping an open mind as to the motive, however I can assure people that my team are working 24/7 to establish what happened to the woman, and to identify and arrest whoever may be responsible for this attack.'

Chief superintendent Louise Puddefoot, lead for policing in Westminster, added: 'Our thoughts are with the woman and her family. My officers will do everything we can to support the investigation and they will be stationed in the area to speak to anyone who has any information or concerns they want to share with us.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101 or via the @MetCC account on X, formerly Twitter, quoting the reference CAD 6784/7 Apr.

Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
London Underground passengers today endured a fresh strike by customer service managers which could see stations across the network close at 'very short notice'.

Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) who are responsible for running the stations are walking out today and tomorrow in a dispute over pay.

The TSSA had threatened that 'many' stations could shut today due to staffing issues - and by 7am today, six were listed as closed due to staff unavailability: Bermondsey; Caledonian Road; Goodge Street; Manor House; Pimlico; and Russell Square.

Shortly after 9am, the TSSA issued its own list of nine stations that were 'closed or severely disrupted' - adding Angel; Camden Town; Euston Square; Hampstead and Tottenham Hale to the Transport for London (TfL) list, and bringing the total affected to 11. TfL later claimed only Pimlico, Caledonian Road and Russell Square were shut due to the strike.

All Underground lines were operating a good service this morning apart from the Northern line, which had a planned part-closure between Golders Green and Edgware due to engineering works. It also had no service between Kennington and Morden due to a fire alert at Balham, with severe delays on the rest of the line.

A picket line began at Liverpool Street station from 8am today, with another due from 12.30pm at Embankment - but these did not appear to have shut either station.

TSSA sources told MailOnline that they expect 'many stations will potentially be left unstaffed for long periods, and many may well close at very short notice as the customer service managers run the station'. However, TfL officials have insisted that they do not expect any 'significant' issues on the network.

Meanwhile there were 15 different issues across the National Rail network causing delays today including flooding, landslips, signalling faults and derailed trains.

Members of the TSSA union on the picket line at London Liverpool Street station this morning

Bermondsey is among the London Underground stations shut today due to staff unavailability

Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association are on strike at Liverpool Street today

In London, the TSSA claimed its members are concerned about potential changes to their terms and conditions, job role and location.

Upcoming train strike action dates in Britain Today and tomorrow : TSSA strike by customer service managers on London Underground

: TSSA strike by customer service managers on London Underground Saturday, April 13 : RMT union industrial action at CrossCountry

: RMT union industrial action at CrossCountry Monday, April 15 until Saturday, April 20 : Aslef 'action short of strike' on Northern services

: Aslef 'action short of strike' on Northern services Saturday, April 20 : Aslef strike on LNER

: Aslef strike on LNER Friday, April 19 and Monday, April 21 : Aslef overtime ban on LNER Advertisement

The union's general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: 'Our customer service manager members are united and determined to take strike action this week in defence of their terms and conditions.

'This strike could have been avoided if London Underground had negotiated with us in good faith.

'Instead, we have been left in a position where London Underground is still unable to explain the impact of its 'Stations Changes' proposals.

'We cannot allow the continued threats to our members' roles, locations, terms and conditions to stand unchallenged, that is why our members are taking strike action this week.

'We'll see how quickly London Underground get back round the negotiating table when they see the strength and determination of our members.'

But a TfL spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are disappointed that TSSA has announced this strike action following a consultation process.

'While we don't expect this action will cause significant disruption, we urge TSSA to continue to work with us to help find a resolution.

Commuters walk on a platform after a train arrived at London Waterloo during Monday's strike

'There are no planned job losses as part of these vital changes which will improve the service we provide to customers at our stations.'

Issues across Britain's National Rail network causing delays today Southern and South Western Railway: Fault with the signalling system at Hilsea

Greater Anglia: Fault with the signalling system at Bury St Edmunds

ScotRail: Fault with the signalling system at Bellgrove

Transport for Wales: Trespass incident between Bridgend and Barry

c2c: Train late from the depot at Shoeburyness

Transport for Wales: Fault with the signalling system between Welshpool and Shrewsbury

Transport for Wales: Flooding between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog

Transport for Wales: Flooding between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth

Thameslink: Shortage of train crew between St Albans and Sutton

Northern: Urgent repairs to the track between New Mills Central and Chinley

Southern: Urgent repairs to a landslip between Edenbridge and Tonbridge

Northern: Train derailed between Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster

Northern: Landslip between Pontefract Monkhill and Knottingley

Northern: Landslip between Shipley and Ilkley

ScotRail: Fire between Ayr and Kilmarnock Advertisement

On the National Rail network today, flooding affected Transport for Wales services between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog; and between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth.

Signalling faults were causing issues for South Western Railway at Hilsea; Transport for Wales between Welshpool and Shrewsbury; Greater Anglia at Bury St Edmunds; and ScotRail at Bellgrove.

There were delays on Transport for Wales due to a trespass incident between Bridgend and Barry; on c2c services after a train was late leaving a depot; and on Thameslink between St Albans and Sutton due to a train crew shortage.

Other issues in recent weeks were also continuing to have an impact on services today  including urgent repairs to the track on which Northern services run between New Mills Central and Chinley; and between Edenbridge and Tonbridge for Southern trains.

Northern also had continued issues due to a train derailment between Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster in March; and landslips between Pontefract Monkhill and Knottingley over the weekend and between Shipley and Ilkley in February.

ScotRail also still had disruption due to works following a major fire between Ayr and Kilmarnock last September.

It comes after planned strikes by Underground drivers belonging to another union, Aslef, were called off last Thursday.

Members of Aslef were due to walk out both on Monday this week and then on Saturday, May 4.

But the union said that after a series of meetings at the conciliation service Acas, its negotiating team received a proposal that resolved the key issues in the dispute.

It comes after National Rail commuters endured yet more disruption yesterday after an overtime ban saw trains cancelled across Britain.

Passengers suffered last-minute timetable changes on the final day of the latest overtime ban by train drivers belonging to Aslef at 16 rail operators.

It came after three days of strike action over a four-day period between last Friday and this Monday that saw different parts of the country left with no train service on different days.

Passengers try to board a train at Clapham Junction station in London during Monday's strike

Another Aslef strike is expected on LNER on Saturday, April 20.

Aslef has also announced additional 'action short of strike' on Northern services between Monday, April 15 and Saturday, April 20.

And the RMT union has announced industrial action at CrossCountry this Saturday, April 13.

While there are no National Rail strikes currently scheduled, Aslef has threatened to hold more action as its pay dispute continues.
This is the moment a thug who raped his partner, burned her with a cigarette after she refused to have sex with him and punched her in the face wails as he's arrested.

Prolific abuser Marcelino Goncalves, 55, from Acton, subjected the woman to a litany of vile offences including rape, assault by beatings and actual bodily harm, stalking and controlling coercive behaviour, while they were together.

He was identified by cops as a 'high-harm offender' after a member of the public saw him assault his now ex-partner, who then later disclosed the long history of abuse she suffered at his hands.

Police bodycam footage shows the moment the thug was arrested as he is seen wailing and pleading with officers that he is innocent. He repeatedly tells the cops 'I haven't done anything' and claims his ex is lying.

After being convicted, Goncalves continued to target the woman while on remand, making 15 calls from prison before he was reported and his harassment was finally put a stop.

Marcelino Goncalves, 55, who subjected his partner to a litany of vile offences including rape, assault by beatings and actual bodily harm, stalking and controlling coercive behaviour

Police bodycam footage shows the moment 'high-harm offender' Marcelino Goncalves, 55, was arrested as he is seen pleading with officers that he is innocent

He repeatedly tells the cops 'I haven't done anything' and claims his ex is lying

Goncalves was convicted on Friday 22 March for rape, assault by beating, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalking and controlling coercive behaviour.

He will be sentenced on Friday 7 June.

Goncalves came to police attention when a member of public saw him assault a woman known to him.

The victim then disclosed her long history of abuse she faced  threatening her at her home, burning her with a cigarette because she did not want to have sex with him and punching her in the face.

Goncalves was arrested as part of a the Met's 'V100' initiative, which uses data analytics to identify and target the top men and women who pose the most risk of violence against women and girls.

It uses existing police data from victim reports of crime alongside the Cambridge Crime Harm Index, a tool which helps police measure the seriousness of harm to victims.

This enables the Met to prioritise police interventions to have the biggest impact, reducing the threat perpetrators pose and the harm they cause.

Commander Ben Russell, who leads on V100 for the Met said: 'Violence against women and girls is totally unacceptable and the Met is determined to stop predators and bring them to justice.

'We're using data to identify the most predatory offenders in London who pose the greatest threat to women and girls where evidence shows a disproportionate amount of crime is committed by a comparatively small number of people in society.

Goncalves was pounced on by officers as he appeared on the street carrying a bag of shopping

He was swiftly handcuffed by a non-uniformed police officer

During his arrest Goncalves repeatedly tells the cops he is innocent and claims his ex is lying about the abuse he dealt her

'The results show our approach is working in targeting the most dangerous suspects. I am proud of the progress we are making in using innovative, precise techniques to take dangerous offenders off the streets of London and we will ensure the most harmful will be brought to justice. '

Professor Lawrence Sherman, the Met's Chief Scientific Officer said: 'This highly precise approach works by taking the names of suspects provided by victims and witnesses and uses the Cambridge Crime Harm Index to rank them in order, to give priority to those causing the greatest harm to women and girls.

'We are the first police service to use this targeting method to tackle this issue, which highlights the power of systematic tracking of every suspect in London.'

If you have been a victim of sexual violence and not yet reported it  please contact your local police service. If it's an emergency  dial 999.

The Met said since August 2023, officers have arrested a total of 60 of these most harmful suspects, with 24 convicted so far.
Film producers toyed with the idea of a female James Bond before casting Sean Connery, according to a new biography.

Russian-American film director Gregory Ratoff pushed the idea after buying the rights to Casino Royale for around 50,000, and even considered casting US starlet Susan Hayward as the British spy, it is claimed.

The book, Ian Fleming: The Complete Man, details how producers believed casting a woman to play 007 might give the film greater appeal.

However, Bond author Fleming was apparently opposed to the idea - and eventually Connery was hired for the role.

Writing in the biography, author Nicholas Shakespeare says: 'Since the mid-1950s, many well-known actors had been approached. Gregory Ratoff had the arresting idea of having Bond played by a woman, Susan Hayward.'

Hayward was an Academy-award winning actress best known for her portrayal of convicted murderer Barbara Graham in I Want To Live!, as well as the troubled 1930s Broadway star Lillian Roth in I'll Cry Tomorrow.

Her acting career began after she was invited to audition for the role of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind.

American actress Susan Hayward (pictured in 1945) who was considered to play the role of Bond

Sean Connery (pictured) as Bond in Dr.No which was released in 1962 and directed by Terence Young

Ian Fleming: The Complete Man biography can has been described as a 'fresh portrait of the man behind James Bond', written by Nicholas Shakespeare

Ratoff recruited screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr to draft a script for the film. Speaking to Variety back in 2012, Semple said that Ratoff was interested in Hayward because 'frankly, we thought [Bond] was kind of unbelievable and as I recall, even kind of stupid'. So Gregory thought the solution was to make Bond a woman, 'Jane Bond' if you will.'

It was alleged that Hayward had previously been in a relationship with Ratoff and therefore would be more willing to agree to play the part.

Before the pair could make the film, Eon Productions bought the rights to the other books and brought out Dr.No in 1962 starring Sean Connery as Bond.

When Ratoff died in 1960 his rights to Casino Royale were sold by his widow and this led to the making of the film in 1967.

British actor Aaron-Taylor Johnson has reportedly been offered the chance to play 007, with sources claiming bosses have already taken extraordinary lengths to secure him.

Hayward was best known for her portrayals of convicted murderer Barbara Graham in I Want To Live!, as well as the troubled 1930s Broadway star Lillian Roth in I'll Cry Tomorrow

Sean Connery pictured as Bond in Goldfinger in 1964, which was directed by Guy Hamilton

Susan Hayward pictured for the 1964 film Where Has Love Gone

John Wayne and Susan Hayward (pictured left) holding their academy awards

Producer Barbara Broccoli, 63, is not considering anyone else, according to insiders, who have claimed costume fittings for Aaron are already underway.

According to the insider, an event will be held where the remaining living Bonds  including George Lazenby, 84, Timothy Dalton, 78, Pierce Brosnan, 70, and Daniel Craig, 56  will be asked to attend to pass on the torch.

On top of going all out for the hotly anticipated official cast announcement, Bond execs are also hoping to take the beloved franchise into a new genre.

The insider added: 'They would like it to be a little more of a fantasy, with interesting and iconic bad guys and over the top action and not as real as Daniel Craig's films were.

Johnson has reportedly been offered the chance to play 007, with sources claiming bosses have already taken extraordinary lengths to secure him

'They are looking to steer it more towards the Pierce Brosnan films in terms of tone and referencing Bond's past that people loved, but still incorporating moments to move the films forward.

'There is a set plan, and Aaron has had endless discussions. They don't want anybody else.'

DailyMail.com previously contacted representatives for Aaron for comment.
US President Joe Biden issued some of his sternest criticism yet of Israel's war on Hamas, calling its approach a 'mistake' as the country faces a court deadline to prove it is not throttling aid to hunger-stricken Gaza.

With global outrage over the toll inflicted by the six-month-old war growing, Biden slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the conflict and reiterated the need for a ceasefire.

'I think what he's doing is a mistake. I don't agree with his approach,' Biden told Spanish-language TV network Univision in an interview that aired Tuesday night.

He urged Netanyahu 'to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country'.

And he condemned again IDF drone strikes on a food aid convoy that killed 7 aid workers, including three Brits, describing the attack as 'outrageous' in remarks that underscored the dramatic shift in tone from Israel's main ally and military backer.

Biden slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's handling of the conflict and reiterated the need for a ceasefire

Palestinians walk through the destruction in the wake of an Israeli air and ground offensive in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, April 8, 2024

Despite finding himself internationally isolated, Netanyahu on Tuesday told military recruits that 'no force in the world' would stop Israeli troops from entering the southern Gazan city of Rafah

Biden's criticism comes as Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is expected to clarify before parliament later today plans to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

Sanchez has been one of Netanyahu's staunchest critics, issuing a series of statements condemning the IDF's bombing of Gaza and urging the EU to examine whether Israel was complying with human rights obligations.

But despite finding himself internationally isolated over the bloodiest-ever Gaza war, Netanyahu on Tuesday told military recruits that 'no force in the world' would stop Israeli troops from entering the southern Gazan city of Rafah.

'We will complete the elimination of Hamas's battalions, including in Rafah,' he said, after earlier declaring a date for the operation had been set.

Biden's comments come as US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators seek progress on a truce and hostage release deal that also proposes ramping up aid deliveries to address a worsening hunger crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Israel insists it is not limiting aid and has complied with US and United Nations demands to scale up the deliveries.

The government faces a deadline later today from the country's Supreme Court to demonstrate it has taken steps to increase the flow of humanitarian goods.

The case was brought by five NGOs that accuse Israel of restricting the entry of relief items and failing to provide basic necessities to Gazans.

The UN's agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said Tuesday that following reports of imminent famine, more than 40 percent of food delivery missions were denied in February and March.

None of the UNRWA food convoys have been approved since March, it added.

Humanitarians have accused Israel of using starvation as a method of war in Gaza, where UN experts say 1.1 million people - half the population - are experiencing 'catastrophic' food insecurity.

The Israeli agency that oversees supplies into the territory, COGAT, said 741 aid trucks had crossed into Gaza on Sunday and Monday, with another 468 entering on Tuesday.

Before the October 7 start of the war, about 500 trucks supplied Gaza daily.

Samantha Power, administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), said recent days have seen a 'sea change' in deliveries to Gaza, but added that Israel needs to do more.

'We have famine-like conditions in Gaza and supermarkets filled with food within a few kilometres away,' she told US lawmakers during a Tuesday hearing.

The White House has said Israel has taken 'some steps forward' in securing a truce, while Hamas's response has been 'less than encouraging'.

Under the latest proposal, fighting would stop for six weeks, about 40 women and child hostages in Gaza would be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and up to 500 aid trucks would enter Gaza per day, according to a Hamas source.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has accused Israel of failing to respond to demands for an end to the war, while Netanyahu maintains Israel must achieve the twin goals of bringing home 'all our hostages' and eliminating militants from the strip.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks at a press conference during his visit to an UNRWA school, at the Jabal el-Hussein camp for Palestinian refugees in Amman, Jordan April 2, 2024

A person looks at a vehicle where employees from the World Central Kitchen (WCK), including foreigners, were killed in an Israeli airstrike

Palestinians walk through the destruction in the wake of an Israeli air and ground offensive in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, April 8, 2024

Palestinians react at a hospital where casualties of Israeli bombardment on al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip were transported on April 8, 2024

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had no indication of an 'imminent' assault on the city of Rafah, the last in Gaza to be the target of a ground invasion and where around 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering.

Blinken added that he doubted Israel would attack Rafah before next week, when a delegation is set to visit Washington.

US officials have repeatedly aired objections to such an attack, including during Biden's call last week with Netanyahu.

'A full-scale military invasion of Rafah would have an enormously harmful effect' on civilians trapped there and 'would ultimately hurt Israel's security', said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

Israel has invited tenders for 40,000 large tents, according to a document on the defence ministry website - part of its preparations to evacuate Rafah ahead of an offensive, a government source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The war broke out with Hamas's October 7 attack against Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.

Palestinian militants also took more than 250 hostages, 129 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli army says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 33,360 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

The carnage wrought by the war was on full display at the destroyed Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where relief teams and relatives have been scouring for human remains among piles of concrete and twisted rebar.

Health workers in white hazmat suits wandered between bombed-out buildings as diggers plied mounds of rubble.

'The stench of death is everywhere,' said Motasem Salah, director of the Gaza Emergency Operations Centre.

The World Health Organisation said Israel's two-week raid had transformed Gaza's largest medical complex into a ruin.

'When the dead are buried properly, they can be identified later with forensic examinations, giving loved ones some consolation,' WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on social media on Tuesday.

'This war is a moral failure of humanity.'
Dick Smith has taken out alarming full-page ads in newspapers around the country to ask the government if it has a population plan and whether it's sustainable.

Taking to X on Wednesday with a copy of the ad, the colourful businessman said it will be running this week in The Australian, Daily Telegraph and The Sydney Morning Herald.

'I believe it's important our leaders tell us where we will end regarding population growth,' he wrote.

'Most people agree that we should have a plan. It will be interesting to see if we get any reaction.'

A record 518,100 migrants moved to Australia during the last financial year, with Treasury's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook predicting 1.625million migrants moving to Australia in the five years to June 2027.

Many experts fear the massive influx will put immense pressure on the nation's cost-of-living and already stretched government services.

Smith's advertisement addressed to the Prime Minister and Premiers asks 'what's your population plan'?

The advertisement (pictured) will appear in The Australian, Daily Telegraph and The Sydney Morning Herald

Businessman Dick Smith (pictured) has taken out full-page ads asking the Prime Minister and Premiers what their plan is for population growth

It then goes on to say that First Nations people existed in Australia for 60,000 years, and never exceeded one million people.

'Clearly [they] knew there was a limit to growth in this finite land.'

The ad then poses the question: 'Do you too believe there is a limit to growth?'.

The population plan of every Australian was then discussed, saying that although people can have 20 children, 'none do'.

'They wisely have the number of children to whom they can give a good life.'

The confronting ad then asks politicians: 'How many people can Australia give a good life to?"

'Where is the extra fresh water, food and power to come from?'

Many Australians agreed with Mr Smith for taking the government to task on the hot-button issue.

'Thanks for trying to keep them accountable,' one wrote.

Another said: 'Spoiler alert: they have no plan.'

'Excellent question and good on you for calling the government out to present a plan. Its all very chaotic at the moment,' a third added.

Others disagreed with the entrepreneur and explorer, saying his question was 'rubbish' and told him to stay in his 'lane'.

A record 518,100 migrants moved to Australia during the last financial year

Dick Smith and wife Pip are pictured

Planning Institute of Australia's WA president Amanda Sheers told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Smith was right in asking the government for a plan so he can know what the ultimate goal is.

However, the town planner added that there can be massive benefits from a growing population.

'We wouldn't have Optus Stadium [in Perth], for example. You only seem to get benefits like that when the population increases,' she said.

'We wouldn't have had Coldplay come and do a concert. Perth is just breaking into that arena and benefitting now because of the population we have that we didn't have ten to 15 years ago.'

Ms Sheers agrees with Dick Smith asking the Prime Minister about a national population goal.

The planning institute have lobbied for a national strategy for some time because there is not one over-arching settlement strategy.

'We all need to know where growth is going and it should be priority,' Ms Sheers explained.

'Plans need to be realistic and evidence-based plans in the first instance because people don't want to live where there are no jobs, services and infrastructure.'
A man who fell to his death at a popular waterfall has been identified as a marine biologist and volunteer teacher from Israel.

Yaar Stav, 26, fell from the rocks at Isabella Falls near Edmonton, southwest of Cairns, on Sunday at about 4pm.

Paramedics performed CPR but sadly Mr Stav could not be saved.

Mr Stav had moved to Cairns two years ago and found a job as an aquaculture technician researching fish and other marine creatures.

He also took on a role as a volunteer mathematics teacher for at-risk youth and made many friends in his newfound home in North Queensland.

Yaar Stav, 26, fell from the rocks at Isabella Falls near Edmonton, southwest of Cairns

Mr Stav is understood to have been climbing the rocks before he fell into the water below

Friends and loved ones who are reeling from Mr Stav's death said he had made plans to live in Australia permanently.

'He was working through his skills visa. He wanted to buy a boat and property here in Cairns. To live as an Australian citizen,' his friend Neta Rosenkrontz told the Cairns Post.

'Everybody loved him.'

Mr Stav is understood to have been climbing the rocks before he fell into the water below.

Ms Rosenkrontz said Mr Stav was a friendly and caring person who loved to have a good time.

'He brought a lot of light to every room he came into. He loved to dance. He was always going to festivals and dancing with his friends,' she said.

Mr Stav (pictured) moved to Cairns from Israel two years ago and found a job as an aquaculture technician and took up a role as a volunteer mathematics teacher

Friends said Mr Stav (pictured) had plans to settle in Australia and loved to go fishing and surfing in his spare time

Mr Stav also loved being on the water and would spend his spare time fishing or going for a surf.

His death is the third fatality at Isbaella Falls over the last two years.

A 17-year-old teenager, Christian Laska, died at the same spot just four months ago and a 19-year-old woman was also killed in the water in 2022.

Brett Moller, who is the councillor at Cairns Regional Council said on Tuesday, that access to the waterfall should be limited but said the tourist spot should not be closed off.
She was hit by a truck four days earlier

A mother-of-two has tragically died after being hit by a truck at a pedestrian crossing.

Tammy Carter, 45, was struck while crossing Grand Junction Road in Wingfield, Adelaide, on March 22 at about 3.30am.

Ms Carter, who was from Kilburn, was rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital with life-threatening injuries but later died on March 26.

Her identity was revealed for the first time on Wednesday by a family friend who remembered Ms Carter as a 'cherished partner and treasured family member'.

Alex Vanrenen, who used to work with Ms Carter at Liaise Marketing, has since started a GoFundMe to support her partner and children.

Tammy Carter, 45, was hit by a truck in Adeliade on March 22 and died four days later

The mother-of-two has been remembered by family and colleagues as a 'vibrant spirit'

Mr Vanrenen remembered his former colleague as a 'vibrant spirit'.

'Tammy leaves behind a loving partner and two young children who are now facing the immense challenge of navigating life without her,' Mr Vanrenen wrote.

'In memory of Tammy's vibrant spirit and unwavering love for her family, myself and the team at Liaise Marketing are coming together to raise funds to support her family during this incredibly difficult time.

'As we mourn the loss of Tammy, let us also rally around her family with love, compassion, and support.'

All money raised will cover the costs of Ms Carter's funeral service and provide her family financial assistance as they cope with her loss, Mr Vanrenen said.

The incident is still under investigation and no charges have thus far been against the truck driver.

Ms Carter's death was the 20th on South Australian roads this year.

Ms Carter was hit by the truck at 3:30am while she was walking along a pedestrian crossing

A fundraiser has been launched by a co-worker to cover her funeral costs and support her family
More than 250 areas of Britain were on flood alert today as rail lines were shut and wet weather continued with further 'very heavy and persistent' rain.

Severe downpours and strong winds brought by Storm Pierrick brought flooding chaos to the UK yesterday as more than 200 people were evacuated in West Sussex.

As the deluge carried on today, the Met Office issued a rain warning for Scotland for up to 2.4in (60mm) to fall over a 13-hour period between 9am and 10pm.

Flooding continued to caused rail chaos, with Great Western Railway trains cancelled between Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall after the line became blocked.

Transport for Wales services were axed between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog in the north; and between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth in the west.

The Environment Agency imposed 182 alerts for 'possible' flooding and 33 warnings for 'expected' flooding in England. Natural Resources Wales activated 19 alerts and two warnings, while environment officials in Scotland had 14 alerts and six warnings.

An aerial view of a large cliff fall at Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock, Dorset, this morning

Debris this morning following a large cliff fall at Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock, Dorset

Colourful skies at dawn over the Oxfordshire countryside at Dunsden this morning

The Milky Way arcs over Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland in the early hours of today

Your browser does not support iframes.

Met Office forecasters say heavy rain will continue to batter parts of the UK throughout today

The Met Office issued a rain warning for Scotland for up to 2.4in (60mm) to fall over 13 hours

The Met Office yellow rain warning for western Scotland runs between 9am and 10pm today

Forecasters said heavy rain would continue to batter parts of the UK today, particularly Northern Ireland, northwestern England and western areas of Scotland.

READ MORE Trains chaos during morning rush hour: London Tube strike forces six stations to shut in fresh wave of walkouts while National Rail network is disrupted by flooding and signalling faults Advertisement

But much of central England and Wales will experience a milder day after yesterday's storm, which was named Pierrick by Meteofrance.

Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said: 'Most areas are going to feel on the chilly side to start the day (on Wednesday).

'There will be a good deal of sunshine particularly across eastern areas through the morning, the South East seeing the longest-lived sunshine tomorrow morning, but across the West it's really going to deteriorate through the day.

'Some very heavy and persistent rain will push through Northern Ireland into northwestern England and western areas of Scotland - that's where there is a rain warning in force.

'There could be 60mm of rain falling through the day on Wednesday.'

She continued: 'Further south across much of central England and Wales and the South Coast too it will be a much cloudier afternoon.

The Environment Agency has 182 flood alerts (in amber) and 33 warnings (in red) for England

Flood water inundated a caravan park near Braclesham on the West Sussex coast yesterday

Floodwater rises up around a parked car at New Brighton in Merseyside yesterday afternoon

Flooding affected LNER trains between Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed yesterday

Flooding at Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex yesterday as heavy rain hit England's south coast

'There will be some rain from time to time but I think if you're away from the West and from coastal areas, rain will be fairly limited and it's actually going to be a significantly milder day tomorrow with this southerly wind bringing with it this mild air.'

It comes after more than 200 people were evacuated in West Sussex yesterday after the River Arun burst its banks.

They included about 180 people rescued overnight from Medmerry Holiday Park in Earnley and about 15 from Ferry Road and Rope Walk in Littlehampton, West Sussex County Council said.

One person showing signs of hypothermia was taken to hospital. Residents described the flooding as 'scary and unprecedented'.
A woman has been sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting cutting off her lover's penis by tricking him into thinking she was going to perform a sex act on him.

The 38-year-old was handed her jail sentence after striking a last-minute deal with prosecutors at the start of her trial at a court in Barcelona yesterday.

She convinced her partner, also her boss, to cover his eyes with a napkin after promising him to give him oral sex, claiming she didn't want him to look because it made her feel embarrassed.

She then took out a knife she had hidden into her pocket and sliced off his manhood.

As well as dating the man she mutilated, he was also her boss at a bar in Sant Andreu de la Barca near Barcelona. They had been seeing each other for four years.

The convicted woman, known only as Tanya, 38, was handed a seven-year prison sentence after cutting off the penis of her lover. The victim was also her boss at a bar in Sant Andreu de la Barca near Barcelona (file image)

The amputation was complete and the victim, who comes from Bangladesh where he has a wife and children and has been identified only as Abdul, is still waiting for a prothesis.

Prosecutors believe his mistress could have acted out of jealousy because he was planning to return to his homeland.

They were demanding a 10-year prison sentence for a crime of aggravated wounding before yesterday's plea bargain deal.

The convicted woman, known only as Tanya, has also been ordered to pay her former boss and partner 250,000 (215,000) in compensation.

She initially indicated she was pleading innocent at the start of her trial at Barcelona's Audiencia Provincial court, before changing her mind and admitting her guilt following a brief chat with her lawyer.

The penis slicing incident took place on May 31, 2021.

The victim ran to a nearby police station to raise the alarm and was rushed to hospital for an emergency op to reattach his manhood which was unsuccessful.

The woman subsequently arrested initially claimed self-defence, prompting reports at the time her boss could be detained.

Local police chief Oscar Carreras said immediately after the incident when the investigation was still at an 'early stage': 'The investigation is focused on discovering what happened inside the bar.'

'The injured man went to a police station in Sant Andreu de la Barca.

'A woman subsequently appeared at the same police station and made a series of comments in relation to this incident.

'We have aided the injured person and he was taken to hospital to be operated on for the serious wounds to his genital area.

'The woman was questioned and in her initial statement said she had been the victim of a sexual crime and that is something we are investigating.

'The man is the owner of the bar and the woman was working in that bar.'

Her claims she acted to protect herself during a sexual assault were dismissed, and the true story came out, thanks to CCTV camera footage.

The female attacker had already served two years behind bars as a remand prisoner before being bailed ahead of yesterday's scheduled trial.

The time she served will be taken into account in determining how long she has to go back to jail for.

The court heard the knife slash victim is now living with a relative and working part-time in a supermarket and surviving on a fraction of the amount he was previously earning as the owner of two bars.

A Brazilian woman confessed to cutting off her husband's penis during sex late last year and flushing it down the toilet.

The 34-year-old told cops she acted out of revenge after tying her partner's hands together using a pair of knickers and slashing his manhood while it was erect with a knife.

She is said to have taken a photo of the dismembered organ before getting rid of it down the loo.

The unnamed woman told officers when she handed herself in at a police station near the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo: 'Good night, I'm here because I've just cut my husband's penis off.'

An online fundraiser was later organised for Gilberto Nogueira de Oliveira for the prosthetic penis he wanted after Daiane dos Santos flushed his own pride and joy down the loo in a fit of jealous rage.
The Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is being celebrated by Muslims around the world today, with family reunions, new clothes and sweet treats.

Almost four million Muslims in Britain began their celebrations today after the first sighting of the new crescent moon, bringing to an end their month of fasting.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shared a video message to Muslims across the UK on X, saying: 'After the long month of fasting, I wish you all the joy of this festival that brings people together for thanks and reflection.'

Muslim countries saw the streets of their capital cities flooded with worshippers, with stunning images showing crowds of tens of thousands gathering to celebrate the holiday together in Cairo, where flares were set off in jubilant scenes.

But the usually joyous celebrations have been far more muted in many parts of the Muslim world, with the holiday overshadowed for many by the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza as the war grinds on.

Thousands of Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt

Worshippers gather for morning prayers at Green Lane Masjid in Birmingham, as the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end

Displaced Palestinians offer a special morning prayer to start the Eid al-Fitr festival, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at a school-turned-shelter in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip

Muslims gather to perform Eid al-Fitr prayer at Imam Ali Holy Shrine in Najaf, Iraq

Worshippers participate in Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, outside the Lakemba Mosque in Sydney

An aerial image shows Muslims attending Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at Parangkusumo sand dunes in Bantul, Yogyakarta

Muslim women and girls take part in Eid al-Fitr prayers at Parangkusumo sand dunes in Bantul, Indonesia

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt

People take pictures in Sultanahmet Square in front of the Hagia Sofia Mosque in Istanbul on Eid al-Fitr

In the war-torn enclave, displaced Palestinians marked the holiday amid the ruins of a bombed-out mosques, including in Rafah, where around 1.5 million people are seeking shelter.

'There is no joy or appetite for celebrating the holy occasion,' Ahmed Ismail, a shopkeeper in Rafah, told Qatari outlet Al Jazeera.

'Even children have no interest in toys as they did in the past. This is the worst season we have ever lived.'

In his statement, Mr Sunak said: 'I know many will be thinking particularly of those in Gaza . The bloodshed and suffering are unbearable,' adding that the UK government is working 'to bring the conflict to an end.'

US President Joe Biden said his thoughts were with those in Gaza in his Eid message.

'As Muslim families and communities come together for Eid al-Fitr, they are also reflecting on the pain felt by so many. My thoughts are with those around the world enduring conflict, hunger, and displacement, including in places such as Gaza and Sudan,' he wrote on X.

'Now is the time to recommit to the work of building peace and standing for the dignity of all.'

Muslim Americans will observe the holiday today with morning prayers along with events hosted by mosques and Islamic organizations.

Thousands of worshippers gathered at Sydney's Lakemba Mosque, Australia's largest, for morning prayers today.

The mosque typically invites politicians, including the prime minister and MPs, to join in the Eid celebrations, but none were asked to attend this year, with organisers citing concerns over the government's response to Israel's war in Gaza.

Muslim women perform Eid al-Fitr prayer at Imam Ali Holy Shrine in Najaf, Iraq

A little boy is seen among worshippers as they gather to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at Turkish Mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan

Worshippers in Sydney gathered at the Lakemba Mosque, officially the Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb Mosque

A boy carries a balloon on a motorbike after offering Eid al-Fitr prayers in Karachi

A man sorts colourful balloons outside a shop on Brick Lane in London as Ramadan comes to an end

A drone view of Albanian Muslims attending Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania

In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, nearly three-quarters of the population were traveling for the annual homecoming known locally as 'mudik' that is always welcomed with excitement.

'Mudik is not just an annual ritual or tradition for us,' said civil servant Ridho Alfian, who lives in the Jakarta area and was traveling to Lampung province at the southern tip of Sumatra island.

'This is a right moment to reconnect, like recharging energy that has been drained almost a year away from home.'

Before the Eid al-Fitr holiday, markets teemed with shoppers buying clothes, shoes, cookies and sweets.

A worshipper participates in Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, outside the Lakemba Mosque in Sydney

A little boy can be seen among the crowd of male worshippers outside Australia's biggest mosque

People poured out of major cities to return to villages to celebrate the holiday with their loved ones.

Flights were overbooked and anxious relatives weighed down with boxes of gifts formed long lines at bus and train stations for the journey.

Video shows thousands piling into boats to depart the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka yesterday as they headed home for Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

In Pakistan, authorities have deployed more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces to keep security at mosques and marketplaces.

A rainbow is seen overhead as young girls perform Eid al-Fitr prayers next to their families tents at the Rafah camp in the southern Gaza Strip

A drone view shows Palestinians holding Eid al-Fitr prayers by the ruins of al-Farouk mosque

Palestinians hold Eid al-Fitr prayers by the ruins of al-Farouk mosque in Rafah

People were shopping as usual Tuesday, with women buying bangles, jewelry and clothes for themselves and their children.

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the financial turnover during the Eid holiday this year will reach nearly $10 billion and cross sectors including retail, transit and tourism.

For Arini Dewi, a mother of two, Eid al-Fitr is a day of victory from economic difficulties during Ramadan.

'Eventually I'm happy in celebrating Eid holiday despite surge of food prices,' she said.

Former Vice President Jusuf Kalla was among Jakarta residents offering prayers at the Al Azhar mosque yard.

A group of girls in Egypt pose for a photo at the village of Abu Sir, an ancient Egyptian necropolis Pyramids Complex, as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr

Festivities marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan are being celebrated starting today in most Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar

Muslim devotees offer Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Karachi

'Let's celebrate Eid al-Fitr as a day of victory from many difficulties... of course there are many social problems during fasting month of Ramadan, but we can overcome it with faith and piety,' Kalla said.

On the night before the holiday, called 'takbiran,' Jakarta residents celebrated the eve of Eid al-Fitr by setting off firecrackers on streets that were mostly empty as city residents traveled home.

On Wednesday morning, Muslims joined communal prayers shoulder-to-shoulder on the streets and inside mosques.

Jakarta's Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, was flooded with devotees offering the morning prayers.

Preachers in their sermons called on people to pray for Muslims in Gaza who were suffering after six months of war.

'This is the time for Muslims and non-Muslims to show humanitarian solidarity, because the conflict in Gaza is not a religious war, but a humanitarian problem,' said Jimly Asshiddiqie who chairs the advisory board of the Indonesian Mosque Council.

Muslims offer special morning prayers to start the Eid al-Fitr festival, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem

Muslim worshippers exchage greetings after the Eid al-Fitr morning prayer in the Fanja district in Oman's governorate of al-Dakhiliyah

Worshippers gather for morning prayers at Green Lane Masjid in Birmingham, as the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end

Muslims gather to perform Eid al-Fitr prayer at Imam Ali Holy Shrine in Najaf, Iraq

In Malaysia, ethnic Malay Muslims performed morning prayers at mosques nationwide just weeks after socks printed with the word 'Allah' at a convenience store chain sparked a furor.

Many found it offensive to associate the word with feet or for it to be used inappropriately.

In Afghanistan's capital Kabul, the third Eid al-Fitr festivities under the Taliban government were marked under heightened security.

Extra checkpoints were erected around mosques as morning prayers began, with police and Taliban government security forces deployed and mobile phone signals disrupted.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the Muslims holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Tehran, Iran

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad attends Eid al-Fitr prayers at a mosque in Damascus, Syria

Worshippers gathered in the thousands, spilling out into the streets as mosques were packed to capacity.

The Taliban's hyper-reclusive supreme leader made a rare public appearance Wednesday, an Afghan government spokesman said, leading thousands of worshippers in prayers marking Eid al-Fitr.

Akhundzada has made only a handful of public appearances since inheriting leadership of the Taliban in 2016 and leading the movement back to power with the withdrawal of US forces in 2021.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said prayer in the largest mosque in Kandahar was 'performed under the leadership of the supreme leader'.

In a statement on social media platform X, he said the early-morning service 'was attended by thousands of compatriots' in the southern province considered the birthplace of the Taliban movement.

A group of worshippers pose for a photo after Eid al-Fitr prayers in Peshawar, Pakistan

Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at a park in Manila

There is only one photograph of Akhundzada. He previously appeared in Kandahar marking 2022's Eid al-Fitr with a speech congratulating Afghans 'on victory, freedom and success', his back to the crowd to preserve his anonymity.

Kabul's religious affairs ministry on Tuesday issued instructions that imams across the country should read aloud a message published by Akhundzada earlier in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

In it, Akhundzada urged Afghans to respect sharia law and called for good relations with the international community. 'Injustice and being opposed to Sharia leads to insecurity,' the statement said.

In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad was among those attending Eid al-Fitr prayers at a mosque in the capital Damascus.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended a prayer ceremony in Tehran, where he used his appearance to condemn Israel over the killings of Iranian generals in a strike on its consulate in Syria last week.
An art gallery in Germany has fired an employee who hung up his own artwork in a bid for glory and banned him from the exhibition for life.

Munich's Pinakothek der Moderne, which exhibits some world-famous works from the likes of Picasso, Dali, Warhol and Kandinsky, immediately dismissed the 51-year-old staff member after it was discovered he had drilled fresh holes in the gallery wall.

He mounted a 23x47-inch artwork in one of the modern art museum's hallways - but gallery officials said it was spotted and removed within just eight hours.

'The supervisors notice something like this immediately,' spokesperson Tine Nehler told German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

'The employee considers himself as an artist and most likely saw his role in the museum's installation team as a day job to support his true calling,' the gallery told The Guardian.

Munich's Pinakothek der Moderne, which exhibits some world famous works from the likes of Picasso, Dali, Warhol and Kandinsky, immediately dismissed the 51-year-old staff member after it was discovered he had drilled fresh holes in the gallery wall

General view during the PIN Party at Pinakothek der Moderne

The unnamed employee, who described himself as a freelance artist, was reported to the police and upon questioning reportedly told officers he had smuggled his work into the building out of hours.

He hoped that getting his painting noticed at the gallery would lead to his 'artistic breakthrough', police told German media.

The sneak installation was conducted on February 23, was not made public until this week.

Now the unfortunate artist is being investigated for causing damage to property after drilling the holes in the gallery wall.

But his audacious attempt to display his work is not technically a criminal offence and he is unlikely to face any legal action - though his employment was terminated for misconduct.

His artwork was reportedly returned to him, but no details of the piece were given by the gallery to avoid 'encouraging copycat pranksters'.

'All I can say is that we did not receive any positive feedback on the addition from visitors to the gallery,' the spokesperson said.

It comes months after a Danish court in September ordered an artist to refund a museum which gave him 70,000 euros in cash for art - only for him to deliver blank canvasses.

Jens Haaning was commissioned by the Kunsten Museum in the western city of Aalborg to reproduce two works using the cash - Danish kroner and euros - to represent the annual salary in Denmark and Austria.

But Haaning simply returned empty canvasses to the museum and said his work was entitled 'Take the Money and Run'.

Museum director Lasse Andersson previously said he laughed out loud when he first saw the two blank canvasses in 2021, and decided to show the works anyway.

He said they have a 'humoristic approach' and were 'a reflection on how we value work', but confirmed the museum would take Haaning to court if he didn't pay back the money, which he refused to do.

A Copenhagen court ordered the artist, 58, to refund the museum equivalent to the sum it had given him minus the artist's fee and the mounting cost.

But in an interview with TV2 Nord television, Haaning said the museum had made 'much, much more' money than what it invested thanks to the publicity surrounding the affair.

'It has been good for my work, but it also puts me in an unmanageable situation where I don't really know what to do,' he added.

The museum initially thought the artist planned to include the bank notes they provided him in an installation they had commissioned him to create.

But when the artwork was revealed for the first time, museum staff were horrified to find nothing but a big, empty frame.

Speaking shortly after the canvasses were revealed for the first time, Haaning said: 'It's not theft. It is a breach of contract, and breach of contract is part of the work,' he said.

'The work is that I have taken their money.'

Haaning, who was born in Hoersholm in 1965, gained popularity in the 1990s for his art which focuses on power structures and differences between social groups, and had previously created artwork in which he used banknotes to represent workers' annual salaries.

The museum expected Haaning to use the money it lent him to recreate his previous artwork by arranging the bank notes into two picture frames, which would visualise the average annual income of a person in Denmark and Austria and form part of the 'Work It Out' exhibit.

But just as the installation was set to open for the first time, the museum received an email from Haaning who confirmed he had taken the money and would not pay it back.

'Subsequently, we could ascertain that the money had not been put into the work,' a museum spokesperson said.

In 2021, Kunsten director Lasse Andersen told DR that he agreed Haaning had created an interesting artwork and that the museum would continue to display the empty frames, but would take legal action if the artist did not return the money by the contracted date of January 16, 2022.

'I would agree with Jens that a work in its own right has been created, which actually comments on the exhibition we have. But that's not the agreement we had,' he said.

'Right now we wait and see. If the money is not returned on January 16 as agreed, we will of course take the necessary steps to ensure that Jens Haaning complies with his contract.'

Andersen claimed the artist's contract with the museum included a display fee for his work of around 1,340, but that the museum would cover any expenses up to 6,000.

FILE: A set of monumental shelving of The Design Museum of The Pinakothek der Moderne (Gallery of the Modern), Munich, Germany - 4 Feb 2016

For his part, Haaning said that he took the money in response to his poor working conditions, alleging that the museum's paltry pay meant he would've had to sacrifice are 2,850 of his own money to complete the installation.

'[Returning the money] is not going to happen. The work is that I have taken their money,' he told Danish broadcaster DR.

'I encourage other people who have working conditions as miserable as mine to do the same.

'If they're sitting in some sh***y job and not getting paid, and are actually being asked to pay money to go to work, then grab what you can and beat it,' he said.
London faces a shortage of Italian waiters as strict new post-Brexit rules are set to prevent thousands from moving to the capital to work in restaurants.

For decades, countless young Italians have travelled to London to chase their dreams, learn English and serve diners in restaurants dedicated to their homeland.

However, this well-trodden path was seemingly closed off on Tuesday after new British regulation raised the minimum salary threshold for a skilled work visa from 26,000 to 38,700.

The changes were announced by Home Secretary James Cleverly last year as part of a five-point plan to curb net migration, which he said was 'far too high'.

According to Italian daily La Repubblica, the threshold changes will likely quash Italian participation in London - which dates back to the Romans founding the city in AD 43.

But it is not just young Italians who will be affected by the salary hike, as London restaurants will now struggle to stay open due to staff shortages, due to 15 per cent of jobs in the UK hospitality sector being taken up by foreign workers.

For decades, countless young Italians have travelled to London to chase their dreams, learn English and serve diners in restaurants dedicated to their homeland (file image)

According to Italian daily La Repubblica, the threshold changes will likely quash Italian participation in London - which dates back to the Romans founding the city in AD 43 (Pictured: Bar Italia in Soho)

'Little Italy': Italian migration to London The first Italians to arrive were merchants and businessmen from Northern Italy during the fourteenth century. They docked in Southampton and settled in London Over the next centuries, a steady stream of Italians arrived from different walks of life. From the 1880s, this number grew rapidly. This rise of fascism in Italy caused British Italian fascist groups to emerge across Britain and London. When Italy declared war on Britain in June 1940, sparked a night of anti-Italian street rioting in the capital. Relations improved after the war, as London needed more workers. In 1945, an agreement was reached between the British Ministry of Labour and the Italian Government, allowing Italian migrants with permits to come to Britain through various schemes. Advertisement

Today, London is home to up to 500,000 Italians, more than Bologna, which would make it Italy's seventh largest city by population.

Despite the new rules, highly qualified Italians offered more than the new minimum salary will continue to arrive and workers can apply for a visa for jobs with a lower salary threshold if their role is on the UK Immigration Salary List.

But even before the new minimum salary hike, many companies were put off hiring Italian waiters and lower-paid workers , due to the high administrative costs of obtaining a work visa for them.

Francesco Ragni, founder of the Italian expat website Londra Italia, told the Times: 'It was already complicated  I don't think many waiters were coming over with that visa. More likely it was chefs and pizza makers who are hard to find in the UK.'

London restaurants will now face a problem of staff shortages, as the 120,000 unfilled roles across the UK hospitality sector is expected to get worse in the future.

According to recent research, more than 90 per cent of the 8,500 migrants recruited in industry last year would not qualify under the new 38,700 threshold.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said the hospitality sector has had labour shortages of between 8 and 12 per cent since coming out of Covid.

She added: 'The successive tightening of the skilled worker visa means that the route from Europe to fill those skilled jobs have all but been eliminated.'

Since the Romans founded the city in AD43, Italian involvement in London has always been significant, seen by the 14th-century presence of bankers from Lombardy in what is now known as Lombard Street.

Italians were also responsible for introducing cafe culture to Soho after the Second World War with the opening of Bar Italia on Frith Street, before showcasing pizzas, parma ham and chianti bottles wrapped in raffia via traditional restaurants.
Drone pictures show the horrific scale of a landowner's rubbish-strewn tip at a beauty spot - which has left taxpayers with a bill of more than 40k following a 10-year battle.

Maidstone Council has spent significant sums and almost a decade pursuing Langley Beck over his 14-hectare plot which is part of the North Downs in Kent.

The authority started enforcement action in 2014 after it found the land littered with broken vehicles and waste.

Beck was previously described as having a 'hoarding disorder' in a parallel contempt of court case, for which he was given a suspended prison sentence.

He was due to be sentenced over his plot in Boxley Woods, to the north of Maidstone in Kent, on April 5 last year, after being convicted of breaching planning regulations.

Maidstone Council has spent significant sums and almost a decade pursuing Langley Beck over his 14-hectare plot at Boxley Woods

The land - located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - is littered with broken vehicles and waste

Langley Beck (pictured) was previously described as having a 'hoarding disorder' in a parallel contempt of court case

The site (pictured) is located several miles outside of Maidstone in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

But he turned up to the hearing at Maidstone Crown Court unrepresented by a solicitor and asked for a postponement.

He said he was unable to afford representation and was waiting on his application for Universal Credit to come through.

Another hearing has been set, where Beck faces an unlimited financial fine.

Maidstone Borough Council has already spent 43,000 of taxpayers' money pursuing Beck through the courts.

Scott Stemp, prosecuting, told the Friday hearing that Beck had previously been represented at hearings by Irwin Mitchell solicitors.

But the firm has since withdrawn its services because it was not being paid.

Maidstone Borough Council started enforcement action in 2014 after he left the land (pictured) littered with rubbish

Household rubbish can be seen littered amongst the trees at Boxley Woods

Various vehicles including lorries, vans and cars can be seen at the site

An overview of the site at Boxley Woods located in the North Downs in Kent

Mr Stemp pointed out that as well as the land in dispute, Beck also owned 11 acres and a nearby cottage at Westfield Sole Farm in Harp Farm Road.

The sentencing hearing had already been postponed twice - once because of difficulties finding a courtroom, and once because Beck had failed to show up.

Beck told the judge, Mr Recorder Fowler, that it was his intention to take his case to the Court of Human Rights.

Beck said he had suffered '21 years of persecution by those dirty, lying, sons of b*****s (the council)' and he described the hearing as 'an invitation to a neck-tie party'.

Your browser does not support iframes.

In a parallel case, in which Beck had appeared in the High Court for contempt of court, his defence had claimed that he was unfit to plead because he suffered from a 'hoarding disorder'.

That was rejected at the High Court last April by Mr Justice Sweeting, and Beck was convicted of contempt of court for failing to comply with a previous order to clear up the land and he was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Mr Recorder Fowler said he was prepared to give Beck five weeks to find legal representation.

He said: 'I am aware that there are certain psychiatric issues that would make it undesirable for Mr Beck to speak on his own behalf.'

It is also alleged that Beck has also been living in a temporary building on the plot (pictured) without planning permission

Tyres littered amongst trees at Boxley Woods near Maidstone

Mr Beck was previously ordered to start clearing the land and move away but had continued his dumping of waste

Mr Beck has been using the site as a dumping ground for old vehicles and other items

He told Beck: 'I give you this one opportunity to get representation. But if you come back without representation, the case will proceed anyway.

'If you do not appear, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.'

Beck has also been living in a temporary building on the plot without planning permission, it was said.

He was previously banned for life from keeping animals after locking up dogs in their own filth - and failing to let ducks have water.

A Maidstone Borough Council spokesperson said: 'The Bell Lane site stretches across 36 acres and is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which has been blighted by the landowner after being littered with commercial and industrial waste for many years leaving the area contaminated as a result of illegal dumping and burning.

'The Council has worked hard to try and resolve the situation with the landowner. However, he continued to ignore requirements of Enforcement Notices to stop living on the land and the unlawful disposal of waste/car parts etc and to restore it. Therefore, the Council has had to proceed with legal action.'
A 20-stone thug who murdered his ex-lover just five days after she asked police to arrest him - then caused a scandal by demanding the right to have sex in his cell - has been freed from jail.

Delivery driver Andrew Millard, then 42, was jailed twice in 10 years for attacks on women, was under a harassment order when he killed Julie Harris, 47, in October 2004.

He broke into her home after sending abusive text messages. Millard, of Tewkesbury, Glos, stabbed Julie, a mother of one, seven times in the chest at her property in River Leys, Cheltenham.

Millard was convicted of murder at Bristol crown court in 2005 and told that he would serve a minimum of 18 years before being considered for parole. Judge Mr Justice Fulford told him: 'You pose a grave risk to women.'

Millard caused outrage in 2007 when it was revealed that the pervert was demanding to have sex with a pen pal in his cell and that being denied was breaching his human rights.

Delivery driver Andrew Millard, then 42, (pictured) was jailed twice in 10 years for attacks on women, was under a harassment order when he killed Julie Harris, 47, in October 2004

READ MORE: Double child killer Colin Pitchfork who raped and strangled two 15-year-olds to get another bid for freedom after successfully challenging Parole Board Advertisement

It emerged that he wanted taxpayers to foot the bill for legal aid so he could take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.

He wrote to the governor of Bristol prison: 'Can someone explain to me why it is that sex between homosexuals in prison is not only accepted but almost encouraged with the handing out of condoms and lubricants?

'But heterosexual prisoners are denied the human right of physical contact with their partners.'

He added: 'Will there ever be a time when prisoners will be allowed the right to have sex with a partner, as surely this would go a long way towards keeping relationships together?'

Horrified bosses rejected his plea and said: 'Prisons in England and Wales do not permit conjugal visits and there are currently no plans to change policy on this.

'The Prison Service does not encourage sexual activity between prisoners.

'However, sexual activity does take place and the Prison Service has a duty to ensure prisoners are protected from associated risks.'

It emerged during Millard's trial in June 2005 that he had made thousands of abusive phone calls or texts in the run up to killing Julie, who had begged police to intervene.

He broke into her home after sending abusive text messages. Millard, of Tewkesbury, Glos, stabbed Julie, a mother of one, (pictured) seven times in the chest at her property in River Leys, Cheltenham

Bristol Crown Court was told that one - sent after Millard learned Ms Harris had a new lover - said: 'You deserve to die.'

Despite being given a harassment order by Gloucestershire police in October 2004, he failed to stop and Julie rang police on the 19th October 2004, after Harris kept phoning her at work.

Sarah Munro, QC, prosecuting, said: 'She wanted him to be arrested but the police had other commitments so they didn't attend.'

The next day, the court was told, Mr Millard broke into Ms Harris's home and stabbed her seven times with a steak knife.

Mrs Munro said: 'This man clearly wanted to kill her. He was obsessed.'

The court heard a chilling 999 call of the victim's last moments as she screamed over and over again.

The defendant could be heard on five occasions shouting that he was 'going to kill her.' Her 19-year-old daughter and boyfriend, who were both in the house, ran out and phoned the police.

Millard admitted manslaughter, but denied the murder. However, he was found guilty of murder by the jury.

It emerged after the trial that Millard launched his frenzied attack after he was freed from a three-year sentence for knifing another girlfriend.

Millard admitted manslaughter, but denied the murder. However, he was found guilty of murder by the jury. Pictured: The Daily Mail report on his sentencing on September 6, 2005

He had earlier been sentenced to five years jail for stabbing a woman.

After sentencing, The Independent Police Complaints Commission launched an investigation into Gloucestershire Police's handling of the case.

A statement by Gloucestershire Police regarding the IPCC investigation said at the time: 'Following the death of Julie Harris it was identified by officers that there had been a history of incidents reported to the police by both Julie Harris and Andrew Millard.

'The Constabulary made the decision to make a voluntary referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

'The outcome should be known shortly and further information will be made public at that time.'

Millard, now 60, appeared before the Parole Board in September 2023, who recommended he be released on licence.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Millard was freed a few weeks later.

A spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that Andrew Millard has been released from prison.'
A senior Donald Trump ally last night snubbed David Cameron, turning down a meeting him to explain why he is holding up $60billion-worth of US war aid for Ukraine.

Lord Cameron last week posted a video saying he was to meet Mike Johnson to tell him that 'Ukraine needs that money' and it was in the interests of US security to release it.

But the Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives declined to meet the Foreign Secretary, despite the peer having a sit-down with Mr Trump himself.

Mr Johnson, who is nicknamed 'Maga Mike', is refusing to table a vote in the lower chamber of Congress in a dispute with the Biden administration over domestic policies.

He reportedly claimed he could not find time in his diary for a sit-down with the Foreign Secretary yesterday, although there are some hopes a meeting could still take place, as they are said to remain in contact.

Last week, in a video recorded at a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Brussels, Lord Cameron highlighted a meeting with Mr Johnson, saying: 'Im going to see him next week and say we need that money, Ukraine needs that money. It is American security, it is European security, It is Britains security that is on the line in Ukraine, and they need our help.'

But the peer has a checkered history with Mr Trump, having called him 'divisive, stupid and wrong' when he was Prime Minister in 2016. He later accused the former president of being 'protectionist, xenophobic, [and] misogynistic.'

Lord Cameron last week posted a video saying he was to meet Mike Johnson to tell him that 'Ukraine needs that money' and it was in the interests of US security to release it.

Mike Johnson, a staunch ally of Donald Trump who has refused to table a vote on a bill that would send $60 billion of weapons shipments to Kyiv, reportedly claimed he could not find time in his diary for a sit-down with the Foreign Secretary yesterday

Lord Cameron was in the US for talks with former President Donald Trump on Monday

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron holds a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2024

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton was in the US for talks with former President Donald Trump on Monday and with his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, yesterday.

The discussions with Mr Blinken centred on what can be done to help Palestinians if the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) invade Rafah, in southern Gaza.

The meeting came after hopes were dashed of a breakthrough in peace negotiations, six months after Hamas's deadly terrorist attack on Israel prompted reprisals that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Despite the face-to-face meeting, it is understood that Lord Cameron and Mr Johnson are personally messaging each other, with those UK delegates believing a conversation could be arranged later down the line.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators handed Hamas the proposal which called for a temporary pause in hostilities, to get Israeli hostages out of Gaza and aid in, before both sides negotiate a lasting peace.

But an official from the terror group said: 'The Israeli position remains intransigent and it didn't meet any of the demands of our people.'

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Lord Cameron said the West is drawing up a 'Plan B' if a ceasefire cannot be agreed.

He said: 'We have a clear Plan A for how we bring this conflict to an end. We have a temporary pause, we turn that into a sustainable ceasefire.

'But we have to think about what is Plan B... I think that's something we are going to have to be looking at and we were talking about today.'

The former PM also rejected growing calls to suspend arms deals to Israel but insisted he had 'graver concerns' over the humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza.

When asked, he also refused to publish any legal advice that had been given to the UK Government over sales, adding that he had 'reviewed the latest advice' and the UK's position 'is in line with international partners'.

'On Israel and international humanitarian law, and as required by the UK's robust arms export control regime, I have now reviewed the most recent advice about the situation in Gaza and Israel's conduct of their military campaign,' Lord Cameron said.

'The latest assessment leaves our position on export licenses unchanged,' he added. 'Let me be clear, though, we continue to have grave concerns around the humanitarian access issue in Gaza.'

Pressure has been mounting in recent days after three Britons and one US-Canadian dual citizen were among seven aid workers for World Central Kitchen who were killed last week in an Israeli strike, which the military called an accident.

In a recent letter, more than 600 British lawyers, including former Supreme Court judges, said that Britain risked breaching international law by exporting weapons to Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, February 18, 2024

While speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Blinkin, Lord Cameron compared Ukraine's war with Russia to the allies D-Day landings to defeat the Nazis in 1944

Lord Cameron met former President Donald Trump in Florida on Monday at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

The Foreign Secretary became the first UK minister to meet Mr Trump since his dramatic departure from the White House three years ago.

The pair discussed Ukraine aid, the upcoming elections in the UK and US, NATO, Brexit  and their admiration for the late Queen.

Lord Cameron is expected to have been rebuffed in his lobbying, however, as the Republican presidential candidate is strongly opposed to giving Kyiv more money.

The foreign secretary previously stressed that he had not made the trip to the US to 'lecture' its politicians on giving more money to Ukraine, however, said he could get 'emotional' when speaking of Ukraine's plight.

While speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Blinkin, Lord Cameron compared Ukraine's war with Russia to the allies D-Day landings to defeat the Nazis in 1944.

He said: 'To me this is so fundamental to how Britain and America have worked together over the years, over the decades, to keep our world safe and to enhance our security.

'I think of my grandfather landing on the Normandy beaches under the cover of an American warship. I think of how I worked together with President Obama to deal with the Isil threat in Syria and Iraq.

'How we hunted down those terrible killers of British and American hostages in the Syrian desert. Jihadi John and the like.

'To me this is the same thing. We face a huge threat from an aggressive Putin taking other countries' territory by force and it is so important that we stick together.'

In Lord Cameron's memoirs, published in 2019, he said Mr Trump had won the Republican nomination because of his 'protectionist, xenophobic, misogynistic interventions'

The White House said it had been aware of Lord Cameron's meeting with Mr Trump before it took place

His meeting with Mr Trump meeting is likely to have difficult, as Lord Cameron has made a string of critical comments about the former Republican leader.

In 2016 he called the former President 'divisive, stupid and wrong' leading Mr Trumpt to respond: 'It looks like we're not going to have a very good relationship.'

In Lord Cameron's memoirs, published in 2019, he said Mr Trump had won the Republican nomination because of his 'protectionist, xenophobic, misogynistic interventions'.

The White House said it had been aware of Lord Cameron's meeting with Mr Trump before it took place.

The Us national security adviser Jack Sullivan, declined to say whether Biden's government thought the discussion would be helpful, according to the Times.'
The child sexual assault charges have been dropped against Camp Pendleton Marine Avery L. Rosario.

Private First Class Rosario was charged by military prosecutors last year after the teenage girl, who had been missing for 18 days, was found at Camp Pendleton.

The unnamed girl went missing on June 10 and her family has claimed she was sold to a Marine stationed at the base as a sex slave.

But Rosario's defense said he met the girl on Tinder and her profile said she was 21 years old.

The charges against Rosario have now been dropped, just one week before his general court-martial was expected to start, NBC San Diego reports.

Private First Class Rosario (second from right) was charged by military prosecutors last year after the teenage girl, who had been missing for 18 days, was found at Camp Pendleton

The unnamed girl went missing on June 10 and her family has claimed she was sold to a Marine stationed at the base as a sex slave

Rosario, seen handcuffed in July, claimed he met the girl on Tinder and that her profile said she was 21 years old

He entered a plea agreement, which saw military prosecutors re-refer him to a special court martial for a charge of 'breach of restriction' for leaving the base without permission on June 27 to meet the teenager using a privately owned vehicle.

At the time, Rosario had been 'placed on restriction' after being tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, his attorney confirmed.

He has now been released from confinement after serving more than twice the maximum sentence for breach of restriction, which would only be one month.

Rosario was sentenced to a reduction of rank forfeiture of two-thirds of pay for one month - in line with the punishment for breach of restriction.

As part of the plea agreement, Rosario will be discharged from the Corps, which could take up to 120 days.

Rosario matched with the girl on Tinder on June 26 after she created a profile under the pseudonym 'Kayla', his lawyers told an Article 32 hearing, which is the military equivalent of a civilian preliminary court hearing.

Rosario's lawyers emphasized Tinder is for casual sex. They said Rosario and the girl began messaging and the teen suggested they move their conversation to Instagram and even proposed they get a hotel room.

Rosario claimed he drove to pick up the girl on June 27 and the two had consensual sex at the barracks.

The next day, Rosario left her at the barracks, where she was eventually discovered.
A leading Harley Street surgeon accused of botching a facial reconstruction operation that left a woman with a split in her face has been cleared of wrongdoing after a fellow senior doctor hired as an 'impartial' expert witness was caught complaining about him to another patient.

Consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon Luke Cascarini, 52, had faced severe reputational damage after a woman claimed he had bungled surgery on her jaw and chin which left her with a split to the right side of her face.

But during a disciplinary hearing it emerged another male consultant instructed to investigate the operation and compile a report on it was 'biased' against Cascarini following a previous probe and had 'negative preconceptions' about him.

In one incident the unnamed surgeon - known as Mr F - was said to be 'rude and arrogant' when treating another patient of Cascarini.

He is said to have claimed his fellow consultant was 'not good' at his job and alleged he had carried out unnecessary surgery for money.

Consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon Luke Cascarini, 52, (pictured) had faced severe reputational damage after a woman claimed he had bungled surgery on her jaw and chin which left her with a split to the right side of her face

During a disciplinary hearing it emerged another male consultant instructed to investigate the operation and compile a report on it was 'biased' against Cascarini (pictured) following a previous probe and had 'negative preconceptions' about him

He was also said to have been 'disparaging' about Cascarini and highlighted unrelated cases when subsequently discussing the investigation with a colleague.

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, Cascarini who was practising privately as a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon at the Harley Street Specialist Hospital in Marylebone, London, faced misconduct charges.

But he was cleared after a disciplinary panel condemned Mr F for making 'inappropriate comments' and said his evidence could not be relied upon.

The woman - known as Patient A - is believed to be currently pursuing a medical negligence claim against Cascarini who is said to be one of the UK's top specialist mouth, jaw and face surgeons and an honorary consultant at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust.

He was found guilty of failing to maintain adequate patient records but no action was taken against him.

The investigation began in 2021 - two years after Cascarini carried out the UK's first jawbone replacement using a 3D-printed mandible incorporating a titanium frame.

Patient A had undergone a bilateral maxillary osteotomy and a genioplasty procedure after complaining of facial pain due to the misalignment of her teeth.

But the Manchester hearing was told the operation 'did not run as smoothly as hoped' when usual cuts applied to the jaw by Cascarini resulted in an 'adverse split' which required further treatment.

In one incident the unnamed surgeon - known as Mr F - was said to be 'rude and arrogant' when treating another patient of Cascarini (pictured)

Initially Cascarini was said to have described the procedure as a 'success' but then carried out further surgery after Patient A developed a hole in her gum and he was reported to the General Medical Council.

Mr F, also a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon, was instructed by GMC to provide an expert report and in addition he provided four supplemental expert reports in which he stated: 'I confirm that I do not have a conflict of interest, and see no reason why I am unable to prepare this report. I have not met nor do I know Mr Cascarini.'

But trouble began when it emerged Mr F had been making derogatory remarks about his fellow surgeon whilst treating another patient who had been referred to Dr Cascarini in 2020.

The patient - known as Patient C - had been involved in an unrelated personal injury claim following a road accident and was examined by Mr F over issues with her jaw and came forward to give a statement.

Patient C said: 'Mr F started asking me a series of questions including who had referred me to Dr Cascarini and why they had referred me to him.

'Mr F then said Dr Cascarini was not good at his job and that he had operated on me unnecessarily as there was nothing wrong with my jaw.

'I told Mr F that Dr Cascarini had advised that I may potentially need jaw replacement surgery. But he said Dr Cascarini was only saying that in order to take my money.

'I found Mr F rude and arrogant and his comments about Dr Cascarini wholly unprofessional.'

The woman - known as Patient A - is believed to be currently pursuing a medical negligence claim against Cascarini (pictured)

The hearing was also provided with a statement from a consultant colleague Mr F - known as Mr G - who had also been asked to provide an expert report.

Mr G said: 'It became apparent during my discussions with Mr F that he has a history with Dr Cascarini which has caused him to have a pre-conceived view of him which appeared overwhelmingly negative to me.

'Even before we began discussing the allegations for this matter, Mr F explained to me that he had come across Dr Cascarini in the past following a previous GMC investigation.

'He also told me that he knew Patient A had issued a separate medical negligence claim against Dr Cascarini but he did not divulge how he came about this information.

'Mr F went on to say that he knew a couple of professional colleagues who are involved in medico-legal work where they have dealt previously with civil cases involving Dr Cascarini.

'I was concerned Mr F was quite disparaging of Dr Cascarini. I told Mr F that I take every case on its merit and I do not want to be influenced by what I had heard from others about previous cases or investigations.

'Mr F spent a lot of time discussing his concern over the sum of money Dr Cascarini had charged Patient A for the procedure.

'I feel Mr F let his personal opinion of Dr Cascarini dictate his response to the allegations we are considering in this matter.

'I felt that he had a very negative opinion of Dr Cascarini, his surgical ability and professional motivation which was based not on the facts of this matter but rather a historic view.'

In evidence Mr F said he could not recall the remarks and attitude attributed to him by Patient C and denied having a preconceived view of Dr Cascarini.

However, he admitted that during his conversation with Mr G he wanted to know if his colleague was aware of Dr Cascarini's history.

But the hearing was told that whilst Mr F had said in his report the jaw position achieved at the end of Patient A's operation was 'incorrect' he then admitted 'assuming' that was the case after seeing photographs. He also made other criticism of the procedure without providing evidence to back up his claims.

Dr Cascarini acknowledged that part of the operation 'was difficult' but insisted he and a colleague had carried it out correctly and was 'pleased under the circumstances.'

His counsel Christopher Geering said: 'The Tribunal should disregard the entirety of Mr F's evidence. His opinions can only have evidential value if he is demonstrably impartial.

'Mr F has demonstrated real and tangible bias which had been compounded by a lack of professionalism and lack of preparedness.'

MPTS chairman Ms Margaret Obi said: 'The tribunal concluded that it was highly unlikely that Patient C and Mr G who have no connection would both independently form the view that Mr F had a negative opinion of Dr Cascarini unless their accounts were true and accurate.

'The Tribunal was satisfied that Mr F had made the comments that were attributed to him by Mr G and Patient C and concluded the comments made were inappropriate, and he ought to have known they were inappropriate.'

'Experts must be able to provide impartial, unbiased, objective evidence on matters within their field of expertise.

'Any potential conflict must be disclosed as soon as possible so that an informed decision can be made as to whether the expert is impartial.

'Although Mr F stated that his opinion evidence was not influenced by his prior knowledge of Dr Cascarini, the Tribunal concluded that the appearance of bias was sufficient to significantly undermine his opinion evidence.

'This view was reinforced having noted that Mr F only made concessions in Dr Cascarini's favour when he was compelled to do so because his original opinion could not be substantiated.

'The Tribunal also noted that at the outset of Mr F's oral evidence, he stated that he had not recently read his reports prior to giving evidence before the Tribunal and at times his expert evidence fell short of the standards expected.

'The issues referred to led the Tribunal to conclude that Mr F did not have a sound evidential basis for some of his opinions and overall was concerned by Mr F's professional conduct and deficiencies in his preparedness.

'As a consequence of these concerns, the Tribunal was unable to rely on Mr F's evidence when it conflicted with the opinion evidence of Mr G which was clear, evidence-based, and impartial.'
Former CIA director John Brennan has warned that if Donald Trump is elected again in November, he cut severely cut military aid funding to Ukraine which would serve as a 'green light' for Putin's expansion plans throughout Europe.

Those comments, made in an interview with Belgian TV, comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tells Politico that he has publicly and non-publicly invited Trump to come and visit the front lines of the war.

Zelensky told the website that Trump is interested in the idea but that he isn't sure when he could make the visit. The president rejected the notion put forward by many, including Trump, that the invasion by surrendering parts of Ukraine to Putin.

'If the deal is that we just give up our territories, and thats the idea behind it, then its a very primitive idea,' Zelensky said.

'We said that we would like Donald Trump to come to Ukraine, see everything with his own eyes and draw his own conclusions. In any case, I am ready to meet him and discuss the issue.'

Zelensky has met with US President Joe Biden numerous times since Russia's invasion began, the pair are shown here in February 2024

Zelensky has said that Trump expressed interest in coming to Ukraine to see the frontlines but that a date has not been set for any proposed visit

Meanwhile Brennan illustrated how Trump could disable Ukraine's war effort by instructing US intelligence officials to cease helping their counterparts in addition to cutting aid.

'And that would give Vladimir Putin the green light to try to almost swallow up Ukraine. And unfortunately, I think it will encourage Vladimir Putin to look hungrily toward the rest of Europe,' Brennan said.

'The future of Ukraine and Europe is more secure if Joe Biden is elected. If Donald Trump is elected, that changes everything and serious questions will arise about the will of the United States to resist to Russian aggression in the future.'

Just this week, British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron appeared to fail in his mission to convince Trump to tell the pro-Putin wing of the Republican party to support the most recent Ukrainian aid package that has stalled in Congress.

In the past, Cameron has insulted Trump's intelligence and called him a 'misogynist' and a 'xenophobe.'

Brennan, who was relieved of his position shortly after Trump took office in 2017, went on to say that the Republican frontrunner doesn't understand the importance of NATO.

'We could see in particular that he did not understand the importance of the United States' relations with our foreign allies and partners. He has little recognition for the transatlantic relationship, for NATO.'

At a campaign rally in February, Trump made it clear that he would not protect fellow NATO members from Russian aggression, going so far as to say he would encourage Putin to 'do whatever the hell' he wanted.

Former CIA Director John Brennan was ousted by Trump in 2017, he says the former Apprentice host doesn't understand the importance of the US/Nato relationship

Brennan says that is the US pulls back its funding for Ukraine, it will serve as a 'green light' for Putin to do whatever he wants

In his Politico interview, Zelensky said that he was optimistic that the aid package would come to pass.

Brennan also brought up President Joe Biden's age and recent gaffes but said that the recent State of the Union address allayed any fears about his mental competence.

The former CIA director went onto say that Biden is 'increasingly frustrated and less and less tolerant of Israeli military aggression in Gaza' and said that Scranton-native would put pressure on Netanyahu's government to seek out a peace deal.

'Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed or injured in this conflict,' Brennan said.

Finally, Brennan said that he was 'appalled' by 'dishonest' Republicans who continue to support Trump despite his violent and divisive rhetoric.

'Unfortunately, Donald Trump and some of his supporters continue to use flowery language which sometimes incites violence. Donald Trump, for example, spoke of a bloodbath if Joe Biden was re-elected.'

'In the United States, the potential for violence is fueled by politicians who try to instill fear in citizens. This worries me and others in the national security community.'

Earlier in the interview, Brennan said that back in 2016, Trump refused to believe that Russian operatives had impacted the results of the presidential election.

In his interview with Politico, Zelensky also took on that issue arguing that Russia is warping 'the information field of the world.'

'They pump their narratives through the media. These are not Russian citizens or natives of Russia, no. They are representatives of certain media groups, citizens of the United States. They are the ones in the media with the appropriate messages, sometimes very pro-Russian,' the president said.
Help is available with LIFELINE on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Days later Joe took his own life and changed Ashlee's life

A mother-of-two who began the new year by getting engaged is now in the process of picking up the pieces after losing the love of her life to suicide.

Ashlee Bunker, 35, from Bribie Island in Queensland, got engaged in February after her long-term partner Joe Bloomfield, 42, popped the question.

Ms Bunker woke up to an engagement ring on her bedside table and a note from Mr Bloomfield asking her to marry him.

But tragedy struck the following week when Mr Bloomfield suddenly and unexpectedly ended his own life on February 26 - before Ms Bunker even had time to re-size the ring.

Two days beforehand they were out shopping for wedding dresses and beginning the preparations for the big day which was scheduled for August 31.

A heartbroken Ms Bunker told Daily Mail Australia that she wished Mr Bloomfield had asked for help when he needed it most.

Ashlee Bunker, 35, from Bribie Island in Queensland, got engaged in February with her long-term partner Joe Bloomfield, 42, in February

Days after their engagement Mr Broomfield took his own life before Ms Bunker even had time to re-size the engagement ring

'No one has ever loved me like he did, I don't even know how I will remember him because the truth is I just want him back,' she said.

'This was so out the blue, we had the most amazing time together and I just wish he had asked for help.

'He was literally the happiest person I knew and he just loved everyone. So much I just think he forgot to live himself.

'It's so important to be nice to people and appreciate people for who they are.'

Shortly after the two met in July 2021, they began running a property maintenance business sprucing up houses together.

Since Mr Bloomfield's passing, Ms Bunker has been left to care for her daughters, Ellie, 12, and Annaliese, 10, while she looks for new work.

'I lost him and my job,' she said.

'My kids lost the best stepfather I could have ever have asked for.'

The pair met each other in July 2021 before starting a business together

Ms Bunker and Mr Broomfield were supposed to get married on August 31, 2024

A close friend of the couple, Simone Angus, launched a GoFundMe in the wake of Mr Bloomfield's death which raised more than $7,000.

The money was used to cover funeral expenses and provide financial support to Ms Bunker who was left 'completely heartbroken'.

Ms Bunker and Mr Bloomfield shared many happy memories together online and were always tagging each other in their own posts.

Last June the pair visited Italy and took photos in front of the Trevi Fountain which prompted a friend to comment that they looked like a couple from the movies.

'More glamorous that Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni,' they wrote below Mr Bloomfield's new profile picture.

In the picture Mr Broomfield is wearing a blue Bondi Beach shirt that Ms Bunker said was his favourite.

Since his passing Ms Bunker has said that he had two other spares of the shirt that she and her children now choose to sometimes sleep in to remember him.

To bookend their trip to Italy Mr Bloomfield shared a photo from the Bacaro Jazz Bar in Venice where it is the norm for patrons to leave a memento of their time there.

Mr Bloomfield and Ms Bunker signed one of her bras which was left at the bar to commemorate the trip and express their love.

'Ashlee Bunker is now immortalised ... If you ever visit here, please check this bar out and enjoy a cold mail tai and give up your bra,' he wrote in the caption.

The loving couple visited Italy together in June 2023 and frequently posted about each other online

To bookend their trip Mr Bloomfield shared a photo from the Bacaro Jazz Bar in Venice of a memento that the couple chose to leave behind

Ms Bunker also shared that the note Mr Bloomfield left by her bedside simply read: 'Will you marry me?'

'You knew my answer was always yes but you just loved asking me. I guess you knew that was your last chance to ask,' she wrote.

'I got it resized and finally get to wear it. It's beautiful, you picked well.'

Ms Bunker is still coming to grips with what happened and said the couple had so much to look forward to.

'I don't think I will ever understand why you choose in that moment to give up your whole life. You had so much life left to live,' she wrote on Facebook.

'We were looking forward to our cruise for your birthday. We had a surprise wedding in August. All you wanted was to be able to call me your wife and now that can never happen.

'I will wear the ring every day and know that's the last thing I ever got from you.'

Lifeline 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 46

Ms Bunker said that since the tragedy she has lost the love of her life and her job

A fundraiser set up by a family friend helped Ms Bunker afford Mr Broomfield's funeral costs
This is the shocking moment a gang of thieves nearly run down a police officer whilst ramming his car - after using stolen firefighter tools to slice their way into a cash machine.

The crooks - Justin Buckley, Chris Hands, Reece Pedley and John OShaughnessy - were linked to more than a dozen burglaries across England in the space of a year, using tools stolen from a fire station and burgled cars to carve their way into ATMs.

In one raid on a Tesco supermarket in Cheltenham, the quartet used a saw and crowbars to prise open a bank machine - hurling bricks and rocks at police as they arrived before driving into the parked response car as they made their escape.

And a run on another Tesco in Kenilworth an hour away caused 1million of damage to the store and a neighbouring bakery, as sparks from the angle grinder they used to break into the cash machine started a fire.

The quartet have now admitted taking part in a total of 17 offences amongst them - and none admitted to roles in every single run on the machines.

The gang used stolen equipment from a fire station to carve open bank machines across England

Wearing masks, the gang are seen breaking into a Tesco Express in Cheltenham in order to raid its cash machine

As police arrived to confront them they began hurtling rocks and missiles at the officers before ramming their unmarked car as they escaped

Justin Buckley (left) was jailed for eight years and four months for his role in the raids. Chris Hands (right) was hailed for nine years and six months

Reece Pedley (left) was jailed for seven years and seven months. John O'Shaughnessy (right) was locked up for eight years

They admitted charges of conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to handle stolen vehicles and goods.

West Midlands Police said the gang, which hailed from Birmingham, was linked to more than a dozen attacks on automated bank machines in 2022 and 2023.

Among the offences admitted was the handling of stolen fire service cutting equipment - of which was traced to a break-in at a Warwickshire fire station in 2022 where 50,000 of gear was nicked.

On August 31 last year, Pedley was fingered as one of those who arrived at the Snappy Tomato Pizza takeaway in Coventry and using cutting equipment to steal thousands from the bank machine inside.

Then on September 7 all four men struck at Tesco on Hewlett Road in Cheltenham, with three of the gang attacking the device while a fourth acted as a lookout.

And as police arrived in an unmarked car they hurled rocks at the officers before leaping into a stolen BMW on false plates and ramming the car as they made off.

Police launched a huge investigation in collaboration with five other police forces: West Mercia, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Thames Valley and Wiltshire.

Using a combination of mobile phone data, CCTV, vehicle tracking and eyewitness accounts, the quartet of crooks was identified and arrested at the end of 2023.

At Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, Justin Buckley, 40, of Hall Green, Birmingham was jailed for eight years and four months.

Chris Hands, 37, of Kings Heath, was locked up for nine years and six months after admitting an additional charge of burglary; Reece Pedley, 34, of Yardley Wood, was given seven years and seven months.

And John O'Shaughnessy, 36, of Kings Heath, was imprisoned for eight years.

A raid in Kenilworth started a fire that caused 1million of damage to a Tesco supermarket and an adjoining bakery

Fire damage to the Tesco and adjoining bakery in Kenilworth after the gang cracked open an ATM and started a fire

Sparks from the cutting tools used to break open the machine started a fire inside the shop, causing an estimated 1million of damage

DC Edward Costello, of West Midlands Police, said: 'This was a professional and organised criminal gang who stole hundreds of thousands of pounds from businesses, and werent afraid to use force to get what they wanted.

'They threatened and used significant force against civilians and police who tried to intervene, and they were persistent.

'On one day, they broke into a Tesco Express near Oxford, but found the cash machine empty. Two hours later, they struck at a Tesco Express in Warwickshire.

'They knew where these machines were and how to access them.Everyone knew their role, whether it was acting as a lookout or cutting into the machines.

'The theft of the equipment obviously compromised the ability of the fire service to protect communities.

'Thankfully, weve now brought them to justice and they will be spending many years behind bars.'
Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia has penetrated western politics and rejected the idea that Vladimir Putin's invasion of his Ukraine could be ended quickly with territorial concessions by his country.

The Ukrainian president also predicted that Putin would demolish cities and slaughter hundreds of thousands of people if Moscow's armies were to prevail in their ongoing war, launched by Putin in February 2022.

His comments come as a vital $60 billion aid package continues to be held up in the United States Congress, and as Russian forces - with greater manpower and firepower than Ukraine - continue to make advancements in the east of the country.

In recent weeks, Republican lawmakers who support the aid package for Ukraine have sounded the alarm over pro-Russian propaganda, saying it has filtered through to other members of Congress who are blocking the package.

Asked about the claim on Tuesday, Zelensky said Russia's influence over western democracies - including Britain and the United States - was being understated.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured Tuesday) has warned that Russia has penetrated western politics and rejected the idea that Vladimir Putin 's invasion of his Ukraine could be ended quickly with territorial concessions by his country

'[Russia has] lobbies everywhere: in the United States, in the EU countries, in Britain, in Latin America, in Africa,' Zelensky told Axel Springer media outlets - which owns publications including Politico, Business Insider and Germany's BILD.

He said that Russia had warped 'the information field of the world' by pumping 'their narratives through the media'.

'These are not Russian citizens or natives of Russia, no. They are representatives of certain media groups, citizens of the United States. They are the ones in the media with the appropriate messages, sometimes very pro-Russian.'

Despite the opposition to the aid package, Zelensky said he still believed it would pass through Congress in what would be a vital step towards getting the ammunition it needs to hold back the Russian advance.

In the wide-ranging interview, Zelensky also took aim at former US president Donald Trump and likely Republican candidate for this year's US presidential election.

Trump has said he would end the war in Ukraine were he to be reelected in 2024.

The Ukrainian leader said he had privately urged Trump through back channels to travel to his country, and that the controversial business mogul had expressed an interest in taking him up on the offer - but had not yet committed.

'We conveyed the messages and the context through the appropriate people,' he said. 'We said that we would like Donald Trump to come to Ukraine, see everything with his own eyes and draw his own conclusions.

'In any case, I am ready to meet him and discuss the issue.'

Zelensky said that while he is open to hearing Trump's proposals for the war, he said he was highly skeptical about the plan.

The Ukrainian leader said he had privately urged Donald Trump (pictured) through back-channels to travel to his country, and that the controversial business mogul had expressed an interest in taking him up on the offer - but had not yet committed

Zelensky explicitly faulted Germany - taking aim at politicians, including figures within Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party. Pictured: Scholz is seen on March 21

'If the deal is that we just give up our territories, and that's the idea behind it, then it's a very primitive idea,' he told the interviewer. 'I need very strong arguments. I don't need a fantastic idea, I need a real idea, because people's lives are at stake.'

A deal that gave up land to Putin's advancing forces, he said, would just open the door to more Russian conquests in the future.

Any negotiated peace must leave the Russian leader 'no room to carry out his plans' which, Zelensky said, which would see Ukrainian cities demolished and Russian forces slaughter hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Many western officials also fear Russia could launch further invasions into Europe - possibly even against NATO members.

Trump has often expressed his own scepticism over Ukraine's war effort, the sending of aid, and NATO - and has also been a long-term critic of Zelensky.

He has also boasted that he could quickly broker an end to the war in Ukraine as president and recently suggested he would encourage Russian aggression against NATO members who do not meet the alliance's military spending expectations.

This has been a sharp contrast to President Joe Biden's vow to support Kyiv for as long as it takes to defeat Russia.

Zelensky has repeatedly rejected calls to surrender territory to Russia as part of any peace deal, including Crimea, which Moscow seized in 2014.

However, Ukraine has warned in recent months that it risks losing ground and is rationing ammunition as Russia, sensing an advantage more than two years into its invasion, ramps up attacks.

Biden has attacked Trump and those who are holding up aid to Ukraine as being useful stooges for Putin, and as a threat to global stability and democracies.

Many fear that the fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance of America's 2024 election, as well as European election in the summer.

Zelensky's interview came after British foreign secretary David Cameron met with Trump in Florida in a bit to persuade him to support Ukraine.

'I come here with no intention to lecture anybody, or tell anybody what to do or get in the way of the process of politics,' Cameron said during his US visit.

'I just come here as a great friend and believer in this country, and a believer that it's profoundly in your interest,' he said, 'to release this money.'

'There will be people in Tehran, in Pyongyang, in Beijing, looking at how we stand by our allies, how we help them, how we stop this illegal and unprovoked aggression, and working out whether we are committed,' he said.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (second left) visits the construction site of a defence line in Kharkiv region

Zelensky said in an interview on Tuesday that Russia's had infiltrated western democracies - including Britain and the United States

Zelensky mostly withheld his impatience with Ukraine's western allies over delayed military aid, but admitted Kyiv was under pressure to show progress in the war.

Politico reported that Zelensky said he was concerned that thoughts about peacemaking might lead other allies in the West to make damaging political and diplomatic mistakes, without naming names.

He did, however, explicitly fault Germany - taking aim at politicians, including figures within Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party.

Zelensky specifically called out Germany for withholding TAURUS missiles, and for fantasising of a 'frozen' war that would bring an end to Russia's invasion without denting Moscow's capacity for war in the future.

'A frozen conflict is like a pause, like in a film,' he told the publications. 'Only it's not a film, it's reality. It's just a pause, but it's a pause for Putin.'

He said Scholz was withholding the TAURUS missiles from Ukraine for reasons that made no strategic sense, saying the German Chancellor had told him he didn't want to leave his country without the powerful weapon in its arsenal.

Zelensky said this way of thinking appeared to come from a fear over Russia's nuclear capabilities, and that Germany having such a missile would would help in the event of a full-scale war with Russia.

'But I don't think it will save the world from the nuclear threat from Russia either,' Zelensky said. 'Any missiles, TAURUS, ATACMS, F-16s will not protect a single person from nuclear strikes, if a nuclear war breaks out, God forbid. It won't.'

He also acknowledged Ukraine's attempted 2023 counteroffensive was 'not so successful' and vowed that his military's next strike would be more effective.

Without going into further detail, he claimed Ukraine's last attempt was sabotaged from within its own ranks, saying Russian 'knew where we were going to attack' adding that 'history will tell' how this was the case.

Ukrainian soldiers attend military training as the Russia-Ukraine war continues, in the regions close to the front line in the Donetsk region, Ukraine on March 15, 2024

Zelensky's comments came as the United States agreed to sell $138 million worth of urgently needed military equipment to Ukraine to repair and upgrade its HAWK missile systems. The $60 billion package remains stalled.

Ukraine's air defenses, which largely consisted of Soviet-era planes and missile systems when Russia invaded in February 2022, have been vastly improved with US equipment and aid since the start of the war.

Washington has provided Ukraine with several advanced air defense systems to help counter Russian aerial attacks, including US-made Patriot missiles and older equipment such as the HAWK.

Ukraine has made increasingly urgent calls for the United States to start sending the proposed $60 billion package that has been blocked for months.

The support package would allow the delivery of crucial weapons and ammunition to Ukrainian troops on the front lines.

With Russian forces ramping up attacks of late, Zelensky said last Sunday that his country would lose the war if the US Congress did not approve the package.

Moscow launched in late March its largest aerial attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since the war began two years ago.

A man carries bottled water and looks at a residential building damaged by Russian shelling on April 9, 2024 in Selydove, Donetsk Oblast

The attacks saw power cut to more than a million homes and took the country's largest hydroelectric plant offline.

Moscow has also stepped up attacks on Chasiv Yar as it seeks to build on territorial gains in recent months. Chasiv Yar is less than 18 miles from Kramatorsk, an important rail and logistics hub for the Ukrainian army.

Washington has been Kyiv's key military backer since Russia invaded.

But with the new aid package held up by wrangling inside the Republican party over President Joe Biden's immigration policies, Ukrainian soldiers have been forced to ration ammunition amid uncertainty over when the next delivery might arrive.
Farmers issued an urgent warning over food shortages today after record rainfall threatened the first year without harvest since the end of the Second World War.

Fields across England remain underwater following a record amount of rainfall in the year-and-a-half to last month and 11 named storms hitting the UK since September.

Farmers said heavy rain has left agricultural land saturated, and often still under water, with arable farmers unable to plant spring crops and losing winter planting.

Wheat yields are expected to be drop by 15 per cent, winter barley down 22 per cent and oilseed rape down 28 per cent - which would be the biggest fall since the 1980s.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) revealed 40 per cent of crops are in a 'poor or very poor condition' with many roots still sitting in water.

And the National Farmers' Union (NFU) fears crops planted during the autumn will not survive the floods after 1,695.9mm of rain fell from October 2022 to March 2024.

The NFU also warned that a 'crisis is building' in the farming sector, with continued bad weather adding to soaring costs of inputs such as fertiliser, and said consumers could see the effects because produce 'simply doesn't leave the farm gate'.

A flooded field of brussels sprouts at TH Clements and Son in Lincolnshire in January

Brussels sprouts are harvested in a flooded field near Boston in Lincolnshire in January

Brussels sprouts are harvested in January at TH Clements and Son Ltd in Lincolnshire

David Eudall, economics and analysis director for the AHDB, told the BBC's One Show last night: 'Farmers basically haven't been able to get out and plant as much wheat in the fields as they would normally have.

READ MORE Britain on flood alert with dozens of warnings in place across the country and rail lines shut after Storm Pierrick's downpours sparked flooding chaos - with Met Office yellow warning for heavy rain issued Advertisement

'With those roots sitting in the water, we're seeing around 40 per cent of the crop in the country in a poor or very poor condition at the moment.

'It isn't just the cereal farmers that are being impacted. Around 60 to 70 per cent of the cost of rearing a pig is in the feed costs. And so if we see a significant impact in the feed, there needs to be an increase in the price of pork to be able to compensated. Dairy is similar.'

Asked whether there would be an impact on prices in supermarkets, he said this most likely in the longer-term because 'we're going to have to import more into the country, we're opening ourselves up to the global market more, and that means more price volatility'.

Mr Eudall added: 'It is a real risk that we're not producing as much ourselves, so there may be an impact on price.'

The NFU said relentless heavy rain since October 2023 has left 'vast swathes of agricultural land saturated and in many cases still under water, with many arable farmers unable to plant crops and losing those that were in the ground'.

The downpours, combined with unseasonal low spring temperatures, are also having an impact on livestock farmers, with a 'bleak attrition rate for lambs born this spring already clear'.

Met Office data shows that overall, the UK saw 27 per cent more rainfall than average last month, at 107.8mm, which is enough to rank as the 31st wettest March for the whole country

The Environment Agency has 182 flood alerts (in amber) and 33 warnings (in red) for England

Joe Stanley, an arable and livestock farmer in Leicestershire, said he faced the first year without a harvest since the land was first farmed after the Second World War.

Where will farmers be able to claim Farming Recovery Fund cash? Under the Farming Recovery Fund, eligible farmers can access grants of between 500 and 25,000 to return their land to the condition it was in before flooding due to Storm Henk. This fund is initially open in these nine local authority areas: Gloucestershire

Leicestershire

Lincolnshire

Nottinghamshire

Somerset

Warwickshire

West Northamptonshire

Wiltshire

Worcestershire Eligibility for funding is under review by Defra for these eight counties: Berkshire

Derbyshire

Herefordshire

Norfolk

Oxfordshire

Staffordshire

Surrey

Yorkshire Advertisement

He told the Daily Telegraph: 'Unless it basically stops raining today and then it becomes nice and sunny and windy, we're not going to get any crops in this year. That's a real danger. Many farmers will be in the same situation.'

And the NFU's vice president Rachel Hallos said: 'People should be in no doubt about the immense pressure UK farm businesses are under thanks to this unprecedented and constant rain.

'It's no exaggeration to say a crisis is building. While farmers are bearing the brunt of it now, consumers may well see the effects through the year as produce simply doesn't leave the farm gate.

'Combined with input costs which have been soaring for two years, the awful impact of this extreme weather on farmers cannot be overestimated.'

In response to the issue, the Government has said farmers will receive grants of up to 25,000 to restore land hit by the severe weather.

And Ms Hallos welcomed the launch of the Farming Recovery Fund, which aims to support farmers who suffered 'uninsurable damage' to their land from severe flooding.

However, she also said she has 'real worries' not just for the financial situation of many NFU members, but the effect it is having on them personally, and warned it is 'also a growing issue for UK food security'.

'The recovery fund is very welcome against this background,' Ms Hallos added. 'Defra ministers who have driven this forward will have the thanks of many of our members for whom it will be a lifeline.

'I'm also very pleased that ministers have taken the decision to keep eligibility for the fund open for others affected.'

Jack Watts, head of economics strategy at the AHDB, told MailOnline: 'The prolonged wet weather has created serious challenges for farmers, who were hoping for recovery in 2024 after costs had risen sharply.

The Met Office issued a rain warning for Scotland for up to 2.4in (60mm) over 13 hours today

'However, they will now need to be even more resilient to get through this year, which may mean tough decisions on future investment and involvement in the industry  and on top of this, policy reform in England has seen direct payments to farmers reduced.

'As a result, the nation may well rely more on imported raw food materials - particularly grain, which can be sensitive to geopolitical influences as well as international weather.

'Food shortages are unlikely - but we should not discount the costs and risks of relying more on imports.

'Importing raw materials costs more than transporting domestic produce. This, combined with heightened international anxieties caused by the war in Ukraine, could make it difficult for food prices to return sustainably to pre-2022 levels.'

The Government said the new funding will help farmers restore land to the condition it was in before heavy flooding due to Storm Henk in early January.

Met Office forecasters say heavy rain will continue to batter parts of the UK throughout today

Grants of between 500 and 25,000 will initially be open to farmers in areas where a wider support scheme known as the 'flood recovery framework' has been activated, to help farms which have experienced the highest levels of flooding, the Environment Department (Defra) said.

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE The true cost of leaves on the line: Extreme weather is causing 1,075 days of train delays every year says Network Rail as they announce 2.8billion plan to protect trains Advertisement

These are Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, West Northamptonshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.

Eligibility for funding in Berkshire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Staffordshire, Yorkshire, Norfolk and Derbyshire is under review, Defra added.

Eligible farmers are being contacted directly by the Rural Payments Agency, outlining the support available and how they can make a claim.

It comes as parts of the UK are being hit by more flooding caused by heavy rain and strong winds.

The latest bad weather is forecast to continue battering parts of southern England, western Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland over the next few days.

Farming minister Mark Spencer said: 'I know how difficult this winter has been for farmers, with extreme weather such as Storm Henk having a devastating impact on both cropping and grazing, as well as damaging property and equipment.

'The Farming Recovery Fund will support farmers who suffered uninsurable damage with grants of up to 25,000, and sits alongside broader support in our farming schemes to improve flood resilience.'

Last week, the Met Office revealed England saw a record amount of rainfall in the 18 months to March 2024, with 1,695.9mm ranking as the highest level for any 18-month period in England since comparable data began in 1836.

It beats the previous record of 1,680.2mm, which had been set only the month before and covered the 18 months from September 2022 to February 2024. The third highest figure on record, 1,668.4mm, was set in the 18 months to January 2021.

Last month saw England experience 62 per cent more rainfall than an average March, though the total for the month, 94.3mm, was not close to record levels, ranking as the 19th wettest March for the nation since data began.

Overall, the UK saw 27 per cent more rainfall than average last month, at 107.8mm, enough to rank as the 31st wettest March for the whole country.
A convicted sex offender has won the right to remain in the UK despite doctors saying he still 'acts inappropriately towards females' - because judge said he faced the risk of 'mob violence' if he was sent back to Afghanistan.

The man was convicted of 'outraging public decency and exposure' in 2017 but was still given permission to stay in the UK.

This is despite doctors saying he 'continues to act inappropriately towards females' at his asylum appeal hearings.

But in immigration tribunal judge said he could not go back to Afghanistan in 2020, because his 'risky behaviours' would would put him at risk of 'ill treatment'.

It comes after Home Secretary James Cleverly called for a light to be shone on tribunal decisions, many of which are shrouded in secrecy because judges often impose draconian reporting restrictions.

The tribunal courts have allowed more than half of asylum seekers to stay in country since 2021 - with most of the unsuccessful candidates staying illegally.

The man was convicted of 'outraging public decency and exposure' in 2017 but was still given permission to stay in the UK. Pictured: The Home Office

Immigration adviser Jayne Mercer said there were as many as 500 living in Hull alone who are living 'in plain sight'.

She told the broadcaster: 'It costs a lot of money to deport people. So they're left in a situation of limbo.

'Quite often, after a few attempts, they do get status.

This is funded by an average of more than 34million of taxpayers' money since 2017, analysis of legal aid figures by the broadcaster reveal.

Director of public law at Duncan Lewis Ahmed Ayeed, whose company respresented the sex offender, slammed the suggestion lawyers are to blame for the crisis- saying the British public would be left furious if they knew the extent of the system's failings.

'The asylum system is broken, that's the reality of it,' he told Sky News. 'Lawyers only work within the system created I think the public would be greatly angered by the way this whole system works.'

One asylum seeker, Sakhile, said she had been living illegally in the UK for 18 years after coming over from Zimbabwe, applying five times for asylum.

The 47-year-old, who said her politics put her at risk of persecution, told Sky News: 'They just send letters and ask you if you want to go voluntarily you need to tell them. It is surprising.'

Reacting to the asylum cases, director of public law at Duncan Lewis Ahmed Ayeed (pictured) slammed the system - saying the British public would be left furious if they knew the extent of its failings

It comes after the Mail on Sunday revealed a foreign sex offender who raped a teenage girl avoided deportation after winning a ten-year asylum battle to remain in the UK.

Judges ruled that deporting the rapist to Eritrea, East Africa, would breach his human rights because he had previously dodged military conscription and was at risk of being punished if he returned.

The hugely controversial decision was one of more than 360 immigration rulings made in February and March by the Upper Tier Tribunal, which examines asylum and deportation appeals.

The cases over those two months included:

A Jamaican drug dealer who has been deported from the UK three times  only to then repeatedly sneak back into the country  who won his bid to stay.

An alleged crime boss accused by the Indian government of money laundering won his appeal against a Home Office decision to deny him asylum.

A Jamaican woman twice convicted of possession of drugs with intent to supply who is still fighting deportation 22 years after she entered the UK.

An Italian drug dealer who won an appeal against deportation  despite being described as having 'operational control' of a telephone line used to supply Class A drugs.

47 of the 110 decisions made by the Upper Tribunal during the first two weeks of March involved cases where asylum seekers or foreign criminals were granted anonymity via court orders.

Among them was the sex attacker who the Home Office had been trying to deport from Britain since 2014 after he was jailed for raping the teenage girl.

The tribunal ruled he cannot be identified and is instead known only as 'LF'.

Court papers reveal that prison and probation officials said he still poses a 'medium risk of harm to the public'.

But a judge confirmed an earlier ruling which upheld his appeal against the Home Office's refusal to let him stay in the UK.

Tory MP Nigel Mills said: 'These decisions sound like they are completely out of touch with the public mood.

'The idea that somebody who has sexually assaulted a young person should ever be allowed to stay is utterly ludicrous.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We stand firm on our longstanding policy that those without a right to stay in the UK will be removed.

'Our Illegal Migration Act makes this possible, as people who enter the UK illegally will have their asylum claims and human rights claims declared inadmissible, and they will not be able to make a life here.

'Each asylum application is individually assessed, including decisions on removal of individuals.

'Where people have previously been refused asylum in the UK, a fresh asylum claim can be made through legal representation.'
A Tory councillor who said Islam was a dangerous religion in a number of vile social media posts has claimed he was 'not aware of what he tweeted' due to 'mental health issues'.

Rick Payne, 59, who represents the ward of Kingstanding on Birmingham City Council, is facing calls to resign over a series of messages on X, formerly Twitter.

They include him referring to Pakistanis as 'disgusting inbred medieval filth' and 'dirtier than pigs' during a tweeted exchange with disgraced extremist Tommy Robinson

In a blitz of extreme right wing posts, he also pressed for people to 'take Britain back' and spoke of a 'civil uprising' being on the way, in which 'blood will spill'.

Today, in response to inquiries first unearthed by BirminghamLive, a 'deeply sorry' Mr Payne said he had been 'suffering from mental health issues'.

In a tearful statement, he also pledged to take up offers of support and said he has deleted the account. He has been suspended by the Conservative group on the council, which says it is offering specialist support.

Rick Payne (pictured at a Birmingham City Council meeting) has shared multiple messages on the platform X, formerly Twitter , referring to Islam as a dangerous religion and pressing for people to 'take Britain back'

In one tweeted exchange with disgraced extremist Tommy Robinson he shockingly refers to Pakistanis as 'disgusting inbred medieval filth' and 'dirtier than pigs'

Mr Payne provided a statement via the Conservative group, saying: 'I have been suffering with mental health issues and at times have not even been aware of what I have tweeted.

'I am deeply sorry for anything offensive on the account and I have therefore deleted the account. I am taking up offers of support and will not be commenting further while I am seeking help.'

In a barrage of vile social media posts, Mr Payne speaks disparagingly of Muslims, the religion of Islam and pro Palestine protests, with repeat references to the need to 'relieve UK of its medieval cult and its filth'.

The discovery of his comments today prompted calls from the anti-extremism group Hope Not Hate for him to resign 'with immediate effect'.

Georgina Laming, Hope Not Hate's director of campaigns and communication, said of the findings: 'Rick Payne's vile Islamophobia online proves that he is unfit for public office. The Conservatives need to examine why someone with such extreme views would feel welcome in their party.'

His twitter account repeated multiple far right tropes about immigrants and calls for 'a revolution'. He also expresses his admiration for Tommy Robinson in retweets and messages.

This commentary is interspersed with tweets about his beloved Aston Villa FC and selfies, including one outside the House of Commons on January 15 this year, when he says he was 'shown around by an MP'.

He also praises vandals who have broken or removed cameras linked to the Ultra Low Emission Zones in London as 'fantastic'. Other tweets are sexually explicit.

On the day after the Spring Budget, he tweeted: 'In the 21st century are there any legitimate grounds for the state assassination of high profile figures considered to be an absolute danger to that state?'

A 'deeply sorry' Mr Payne said he had been 'suffering from mental health issues'

Mr Payne did not directly reveal his identity as a Conservative city councillor on the Twitter profile, nor use his name, but freely shared it with contacts

He also praises vandals who have broken or removed cameras linked to the Ultra Low Emission Zones in London as 'fantastic'. Other tweets are sexually explicit

Some of Mr Payne's tweets do reference his battle with depression and personal struggles. He regularly messages about the plight of service veterans, including calling for people to show up at the funerals of former servicemen and women.

He also speaks with reverence about the late Her Majesty the Queen, is opposed to big game hunting and criticises immigration policies.

The investigation into Mr Payne's online commentary was carried out with the support of Hope Not Hate. The organisation is focused on exposing the influence of far right extremism in local communities.

It has also vowed to expose any local or national candidates who 'cross our red lines', which it says are 'those with a history of hateful politics, dividing communities or being part of the growing Radical Right in this country. Our campaign is driven by values, not personalities.'

An opinion poll of Conservative Party members released in February by Hope Not Hate found that more than half (58 percent) believe Islam is a 'threat to the British way of life.' A further 40 percent of members said they have a 'negative' view of Muslims.

Mr Payne did not directly reveal his identity as a Conservative city councillor on the Twitter profile, nor use his name, but freely shared it with contacts. Posting as 'Ryk and the Los Palmas 7' and using the name @Ofpalmas, he posted regular selfies of himself and shared his birthdate in his bio.

His X/Twitter biography reads 'Madness and Villa, REME Veteran. Spes optima, consilium pessimi. If there's one thing worse than a murderer, it's a dirty, rotten, stinking grass.' REME stands for Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, which Mr Payne previously served in, while the Latin phrase roughly translates to 'hope for the best, prepare for the worst'.

In recent tweets he encouraged followers to join imminent right wing marches and rallies in London - in one retweeting a meme stating: 'The days of walking on pins and needles are over.

'The days of worrying about feelings have ended. It 's time to step on some toes and take our country back!' He backs calls for a 'true English nationalist movement against Islam'.

His growing disconnect from the Conservative Party is explored in tweets including one stating: 'As a member of the Tory party through necessity, is it still possible to vote Reform?'

Some of Mr Payne's tweets do reference his battle with depression and personal struggles

Mr Payne was elected as a Conservative councillor in the 2022 local election, representing Kingstanding.

He received 1,286 votes in the ward election, standing as a Local Conservative, coming in second to Labour candidate Des Hughes.

Mr Payne is also a member of the Erdington Conservative Association. His declared interests as a councillor, and a Companies House entry reveals he teaches apprentices as a director of his own automotive training firm.

Kingstanding is among the most challenged areas of Birmingham, ranking 12th out of 69 wards on deprivation measures.

Roughly one in ten of the working population is out of work. It is a predominantly white, Christian ward, according to the latest city council ward profile. One in ten Kingstanding residents is Muslim.

The 2021 Census revealed that Birmingham is now a 'superdiverse' city, with 51% of the population being from Black, Asian or other minority ethnic groups.

A spokesman for Birmingham Conservatives Group said: 'We have been made aware of allegations that Cllr Payne has an anonymous twitter account which has tweeted offensive content as well as making various potential self harm references.

'As many of you will know Cllr Payne is a former soldier, who has in the past talked about his time on active duty, about the 'absolute horrors' soldiers like him have seen, been through and the mental health scars it leaves on veterans.

'We are reaching out to speak to him to discuss the allegations and to offer specialist veterans' support while the matter is investigated. During this time Cllr Payne will be suspended from the group. For safeguarding reasons the group will not be commenting further at this time.'
Masterchef judge Monica Galetti has revealed she is closing her London restaurant Mere seven years after it opened - becoming the latest celebrity to shut down amid Britain's hospitality crisis.

She and her husband David Galetti will serve for the last time at the eatery in Fitzrovia, central London, next Tuesday, they announced today.

The move comes amid warnings about the struggles faced by Britain's hospitality industry, following a series of similar closures.

Galetti, 48, said the couple had taken the decision 'with heavy hearts' but insisted it was 'the right time' to bow out.

The restaurant was recommended in the latest Michelin Guide published in February.

David and Monica Galetti, co-owners of Mere (pictured), today announced its closure

The restaurant in Fitzrovia, central London, opened in 2017 but shuts next Tuesday

The move comes as hospitality leaders warned many operators were running out of money and other TV chefs including Simon Rimmer have also closed venues.

In a statement on the restaurant's website and on Instagram, Mere's owners today said: 'It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of Mere restaurant- but we feel this is the right time after seven years.'

They thanked catering company Westbury Street Holdings' chairman Alastair Storey for backing Mere, as well as 'everyone who has supported us and our loyal patrons and dedicated staff throughout this journey'.

They added: 'To our customers we thank you for your loyal and joyous visits. We hope to raise one last glass together before we close.'

The couple met when working together at Le Gavroche in Mayfair and Mere was to prove their first major joint project of their own.

Since last September, Mere's head chef has been Sven-Hanson Britt after his Oxeye restaurant in London finished trading.

Galetti spent 14 years as a judge on the BBC's Masterchef before quitting in 2022.

She revealed at the time she felt as if she needed to 'split into four people' in order to juggle her work and family commitments.

She told Good Housekeeping: 'I was in tears over it because it's been 14 years of my life. Something had to give, though.'

In an earlier statement in April that year, she told of wanting to focus more on Mere as well as her family - including her daughter Anais, then 14, and 15-year-old nephew Otis who was being treated for cancer.

She said then: 'It is with a heavy heart that I've made this decision to step back from filming this year's series of MasterChef: The Professionals.

Monica Galetti spent 14 years as a Masterchef judge before quitting in April 2022

She had first joined the BBC show first with Michel Roux Jr and Gregg Wallace (centre) and then with Marcus Wareing (left) from 2014

'My family need me, my restaurant needs me and trying to balance long filming days over the next three months with all these commitments meant that something had to give.

'So, for the moment, my focus has to be 100 per cent about my loved ones and rebuilding my kitchen team who have had a battering over the last few months especially.

'Those in the hospitality industry know just how tough it is at the moment.'

American Samoa-born Galetti did return to Masterchef last year, and has also presented Amazing Hotels: Life Behind The Lobby with Rob Rinder and Giles Coren.

No reason was given for the closure announced today, though a recent hospitality industry survey suggested a quarter of operators no longer had any cash reserves.

Pressure in recent years has come from the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced venues to shut or impose restrictions in lockdown, as well as the rising cost of living.

A joint poll by UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association, British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster revealed last month the increased cost challenges.

Sunday Brunch host and Strictly star Simon Rimmer told in January of being 'heartbroken' to be closing his vegetarian restaurant after more than three decades.

The celebrity chef, 60, took to social media to announce he was closing one of his Greens eateries in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, after landlords hiked his rent by more than a third and costs rendered the business 'unviable'.

Nico Simeone founded his concept restaurant chain Six By Nico in 2017 but shut his Liverpool venue in 2022 and has since filed a High Court claim over its closure.

Former Bake Off: The Professionals host Tom Kerridge has warned almost every UK food business was on the brink of going bust, including his Michelin-starred outlet - blaming unprecedented inflation.

Monica Galetti was born in American Samoa and raised in New Zealand, where she trained

Not only do 25 per cent of those surveyed have no cash reserves but a further 29 per cent said they only have enough for three months.

Almost as many pubs shut for good during the first half of this year than throughout 2022, according to real estate services provider Altus Group.

Figures from accountancy firm Price Bailey also showed restaurants closed at their fastest rate for a decade between January and the end of March.

Last year, 6,180 hospitality venues shut their doors for good, according to figures revealed last month by CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners.
A mother has revealed her fears that her son's 'werewolf syndrome' condition was caused by her eating a cat during pregnancy as she attempted to satisfy her cravings.

Jaren Gamongan, two, from Apayao in the Philippines, was born with a full head of hair, black sideburns, and patches of hair that filled his face, neck, back, and arms, as a result of a 'one-in-a-billion' medical condition.

But his superstitious mother, Alma, believed the boy's appearance was due to a curse wrought upon her when she ate a wild cat while pregnant with her son.

She said that during her pregnancy, she had uncontrollable cravings for wild cats, an exotic dish that is found in the remote mountain region where she lives.

Alma said she sought out a black feline from village friends and ate it - sauteed with herbs - which she later regretted when Jaren was born.

Jaren Gamongan, two, from Apayao, the Philippines, was born with 'werewolf syndrome' but his mother believes it was because she ate a wild cat during her pregnancy

His mum, Alma, said doctors this month revealed her son had a medical condition called hypertrichosis

When Alma was pregnant with Jaren, she ate a cat - sauteed with herbs - to cure her cravings

To her horror, fellow locals encouraged her ideas about a curse.

However, when she finally took Jaren to the qualified doctors this month, they found out he had a medical condition called hypertrichosis, an incredibly rare syndrome with only 50 to 100 reported cases worldwide since the Middle Ages.

Footage of the adorable 'werewolf' boy show him playing around a building and their home despite having a medical condition that gave him his excess facial hair growth.

Alma said: 'I worry so much for him when it's time for him to go to school. He might get bullied for being different.

'I blamed myself when he was born because of the cravings I had. I felt very guilty. But then recently the doctors told me it was not related.'

Out of Alma's three kids, the middle child, Jaren, was the only one born with the condition.

His older sister and baby brother were born with no complications.

At two-years-old, Jaren already has a back full of hair that travels down his arms and up his neck

The toddler's two other siblings were all born healthy, Jaren is the only one who was born with the rare condition

Dr Ravelinda Soriano Perez, who checked Jaren, said: We believe this was an inherited condition, but it is very rare'

Although Alma worries about bullying at school due to his unique appearance, she said he os a happy and playful boy

Alma said Jaren was a happy and playful boy but he complains about having itchy rashes when the weather becomes hot.

Alma said: 'I will give him a bath when it's hot. We even tried to cut the hair, but it would just grow back even longer and thicker, so we stopped doing it.'

Alma finally had a consultation with a dermatologist this month.

They confirmed that Jaren's condition was ultra-rare hypertrichosis, also called werewolf syndrome' that only affects an estimated 'one in every one billion people'.

Dr Ravelinda Soriano Perez, who checked Jaren, said: We believe this was an inherited condition, but it is very rare. One in only one billion people could have it.'

The medic added that while hypertrichosis did not have a cure, treatments such as laser hair removal could help the condition.

She said: 'We will try to do ten sessions in four to six weeks and then observe.'

Mum Alma is now pleading for help since each session would cost the family 2,500 Philippine Peso (35).

She said: I am very thankful to those who already helped us. I hope my son could have a better chance in life with your help.'
A TV doctor could be struck off after a tribunal found he gave free Botox to a patient in return for sex at one of his clinics.

Dr Tijion Esho, who has featured on ITV's This Morning, BBC's Morning Live and E4's Body Fixers, also told the woman he could 'get away' with giving her more Botox in exchange for sexual services, a medical tribunal found.

The father-of-two, 42, who boasts of treating a host of high-profile clients, admitted having an 'improper emotional relationship' lasting almost three years with the woman, a sex worker who offers services on Only Fans and webcams.

He also admitted he 'behaved inappropriately' after they exchanged X-rated messages on Instagram and that his conduct was 'driven by sexual desires'.

But the cosmetic doctor - also known as Dr Oluwafemi Esho and dubbed 'the King of Lips' - denied their relationship became physical after the woman claimed he'd 'hounded' her for sex.

Dr Tijion Esho, who has featured on ITV's This Morning, BBC's Morning Live and E4's Body Fixers

Dr Esho with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on ITV's This Morning in June 2019

The medical tribunal, in Manchester, heard how the woman - known as Patient A - went to him for a designer lip procedure, which he provides at his clinics in London, Liverpool, Newcastle and Dubai.

After an appointment in July 2019, she started following him online and he would respond to her posts with 'strong, sexual content', with some of his sexually explicit messages discussing him performing sex acts on himself or acting out his sexual fantasies with the patient.

The patient had felt 'taken aback' by his responses but had believed he wanted to become a customer of hers and she would send him pornographic videos and photos and other images showing her in 'states of undress'.

On one occasion, she sent him 30 photos of her bottom after she messaged him about her cheeks being in pain due to a filler treatment, and he'd responded: 'OK I'll help if I get the booty.'

Chloe Hudson, for the GMC, told the tribunal that the messages showed how Dr Esho had 'built' his sex chat with the patient and he was 'keen to receive' the services she was offering at the same time he was treating her.

She said he was 'aware of the difficulties' this presented because he told the patient in one message: 'But if we do for mls I break the doctor's code and I'd be a dead man.'

The patient claimed she had talked about doing a 'skills swap' with Dr Esho, in which she would provide 'booty' and 't****' in return for 'mls' - a reference to milliliters of filler.

Giving evidence, the woman said she had provided 'free sexting' to the doctor and she accused him of being a 'freeloader' for not wanting to pay for any of her services.

She said she'd felt 'sexually objectified' and 'exploited', and while she did sometimes give clients free content for a limited time, it had continued with Dr Esho 'because he was my doctor'.

While the doctor was 'attracted' to her, she claimed, she said she wasn't attracted to him, nor was she interested in a relationship with him.

This Morning TV doctor Tijion Esho (Pictured: Dr Esho on left outside the St James Building, Manchester)

Dr Esho (pictured in 2017) admits having an improper emotional relationship with patient, but claims the relationship did not become physical, and denies they had sex in return for free Botox

Dr Esho, who had denied six of the ten charges against him, claimed that his sex chats with Patient A were just a way of 'distracting' himself and he had been 'joking around' and had never wanted to take it further.

He said he had never taken the chats seriously and he'd regarded the woman as a 'friend'.

Although he admitted his conduct had been 'driven by sexual desires', he denied agreeing to any 'skills-swap' with the patient or having any physical sexual contact with her.

But the tribunal found him guilty of charges that he gave Patient A free Botox in exchange for having sex with her at his Newcastle clinic in August 2021, and that he told her he could 'get away' with giving her more Botox in exchange for further sexual services.

Further charges that he made inappropriate comments about the patient's bottom during one appointment, rubbed himself against her, and took his penis out of his trousers and allowed her to perform a sex act on him were also found proved.

Dr Esho admitted behaving inappropriately by exchanging messages with the patient and engaging in an 'improper emotional relationship' with her between July 2019 and May 2022.

A charge that the patient was vulnerable due to her profession was found not proved.

The tribunal will decide later this month if Dr Esho's fitness to practise has been impaired.

If so, it could decide to impose a sanction which could include him being suspended or erased from the medical register.

In a statement provided to MailOnline, Dr Esho said: 'I am disappointed that the MPTS has today found against me in relation to the charges which I denied.

'Throughout the hearing and investigation, with which I have cooperated fully, I stressed that I deeply regretted the mistakes which I made in engaging in communications with Patient A, and I admitted to the charges which related to those serious errors of judgement.

'I am truly sorry for those actions, and apologise to everyone I let down as a result.

'However, I have always been clear that whilst my conduct in communicating with Patient A was wrong, I repeat categorically that it never crossed over into any physical sexual contact.

'Whilst I respect the MPTS and the process, I do not agree with its decision.

'My life's work has been and will remain focused on helping people. I remain dedicated fully to this purpose. I am incredibly grateful to my patients and friends who supported me throughout this incredibly difficult period.'
Men are fighting back against a women's Facebook page which exposes 'red flags' about ex-partners - as anonymous female members are warned they could still be unmasked and sued if their posts make 'false and damaging allegations'.

'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' was set up in New York in 2022 as a private forum for women to warn each other of 'men who might be liars, cheaters, abusers or exhibit any type of toxic or dangerous behaviour'.

And while it is used primarily as a way for women to help each other, some men have launched lawsuits in the US over false allegations that were made about them on the group.

In the past two years, the popular female-only group has spread across the world, with woman in London, LA, Chicago and Brisbane, prompting men to launch their own equivalent groups to expose cheating partners.

A public group called 'Are We Dating the Same Girl?' has racked up just under 24,000 members in the last year, while another named 'Are We Dating the Same Woman? was set up just 14 weeks ago.

A third group called 'Victims of Are We Dating the Same Person (guy/girl)' was also launched in September as a 'place to defend yourself' against defamatory posts.

The original female page was set up as place where women could post screenshots of men they have matched with on dating apps as they call on others to 'dish the tea' - Gen Z slang for 'dishing the dirt', 'spilling the beans' or sharing gossip.

Women have the opportunity to post anonymously but Rory Lynch, defamation lawyer at Gateley, told MailOnline: 'It is possible for women in the UK to be sued over Facebook posts that make false and damaging allegations about a former date.

'A word of warning: an anonymous profile may not protect the poster  specialist cyber firms can often unmask the real identity of the anonymous poster, then allowing them to be sued.'

A Facebook group called Are We Dating the Same Guy? has taken the UK by storm. It has gathered more than 88,000 followers

But men are fighting back with a Facebook page of their own called 'Are We Dating The Same Girl? They share photos of women and write posts such as: 'Be cautious about this one.'

It comes as men in the US have launched lawsuits over the women's page. Nikko D'Ambrosio, 33, has filed a lawsuit after a 'Are we dating the same guy?' Facebook page outed him for his alleged red flag behaviour

Dan Jennings, partner and defamation expert at law firm, Shakespeare Martineau, added that 'although the internet may seem like the wild west at times, real world laws still apply'.

He told MailOnline: 'Users can't hide behind fake profile pictures or indecipherable usernames when it comes to personal comments, and everybody should be sure that what they post online is the truth.'

'With a variety of claims made on this webpage, ranging from cheating allegations to accusations of serious crimes such as rape and abuse, the outcome for a defamation case could include many thousands of pounds in damages plus legal costs.'

Can you be sued for your Facebook posts?

In UK law, the Defamation Act 2013 states: 'A statement is not defamatory unless its publication has caused or is likely to cause serious harm to the reputation of the claimant.' The two most appropriate defences for defamation in this situation are truth and honest opinion. The defendant would have to prove that the statement is 'substantially true' to have a defence. For the honest opinion defence, the defendant must show that they actually held that opinion. It can only be relied upon if the basis of the opinion is set out in the statement and is an opinion that could have been held by an honest person on the basis of facts at the time.

Advertisement

Other members of the group have also used the page in a desperate plea for help, including an American woman who accused her British husband - former reality star chef Charles Withers - of 'ghosting' her and their two children while she was pregnant.

The 'Are We Dating The Same Girl?' page follows a similar format to the women's equivalent. Men share screenshots of women and write things such as: 'Be cautious about this one.'

A victims page for men and women has also been created. It says: 'This is not AWDTSG [Are We Dating The Same Guy?], we don't do tea and toxicity. This is a place for people who have had their reputation unfairly ruined by AWDTSG groups that allow anyone to say anything they want without proof.'

It comes after British legal experts told MailOnline that women in the UK must be 'very cautious' with what they write - and that false allegations could land you with a hefty legal bill.

Examples of posts include members sharing photos of men and writing: 'Any red flags?' This has prompted other women to share their stories and tell one another to 'avoid'.

One man, whose picture was shared on the London page with the caption 'any tea?', told his followers in a TikTok video: 'What in the name of GDPA, gender data protection breach is going on here. Because what buffoon is putting me on this 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?'

'They're not even dating me! I'm not dating at this moment of time, I'm pretty much single, not talking to nobody so who in their right mind has done this?'

Another 27-year-old man from London was alerted to posts on the group about him which said he was 'too pushy'. He said a woman came back to his house and 'acted weird' before leaving.

He told Vice last year: 'I knew I was in that group because I heard it from multiple sources and obviously her side doesn't match my side. We had a miscommunication and then I'm hearing from girls I grew up with that I'm a creep or that I did something. I don't think these groups are helpful to anyone.'

Media law expert Jay Joshi of Taylor Hampton Solicitors told MailOnline if the allegation causes 'serious harm to the reputation' of the man, they could be exposed claims of libel and misuse of private information.

'It's no different to whether it's on this Facebook page or some other group,' he explained. 'It's the same thing applies to any statements published on social media platforms.

'If you make statements that are untrue and it affects one's reputation in a serious way, then they are going to be exposed.'

There are various defences individuals can rely on in the UK which are truth and honest opinion. The former is if the publisher can show a statement published is 'substantially true' and the latter is if they can prove that it is true.

Mr Joshi said the same principle of defamation applies to users who comment on posts, adding: 'If the statements are untrue - in other words someone's claiming that they went on a date with someone when in fact that in itself is wholly untrue - then that's a statement that could potentially be libellous.'

The senior associate warned women 'have to be very cautious', adding: 'The more serious the allegation, the more serious the claim could be. The reality is no one should be publishing statements that are serious and untrue about an individual and by simply doing that you're already exposing yourself to a claim.'

He also said users 'can't hide behind' the fact they are making posts on social media platforms - even if it is a less informal setting.

Speaking about the financial repercussions, he added: 'There's no sort of science approach to this, it very much depends on the extent of the impact and the gravity of the statements, and, moreover, the sort of general conduct of the maker of the statements.

'Is this just one statement? Is it several statements? Repeating allegations or the same allegations through a course of conduct... all of these factors can play to it. And of course it will be down to the the claimant to tell the court or to give to show evidence of the impact it's had on them and their reputation.

Ashley McGuire, from Massachusetts, took to Facebook's popular Are We Dating The Same Guy? group to make several shocking claims about famous chef Charles Withers

Mother-of-two Ashley claimed that he was 'gone without a trace' and said that she now wants to harness the 'power' of social media to track him and finalise a divorce

Above are examples of the kind of posts that women - often anonymous - put in the group. Lawyers have warned that they could still be unmasked and sued despite being anonymous. MailOnline has muzzed the faces of the men

'And the greater the impact again, that's going to be a factor that plays into the size of the award.' He said it can be 'in the thousands' but that it is 'very difficult to assess'.

Kishan Pattni, specialising in defamation and reputation management at national law firm Freeths, told MailOnline that a breach of libel and privacy will depend on 'what is said exactly and the size of the Facebook audience'.

He explained: 'For example, if a serious allegation in the group, say sexual assault, is factually put to a lot of people but cannot be proven, that could expose the discloser to a libel claim because it will have caused serious harm to her date's reputation.'

Speaking about the financial burden posters could face, he said: 'The compensation figures for successful libel/privacy claims in England are significantly lower than in the US. Here, the award will broadly depend on the gravity of the disclosure in its full context.

'Privacy damages tend to be lower than libel generally, but being on the wrong side of a claim or defence could cost thousands of pounds, not just in compensation but legal fees too.

'In libel especially, the compensation will help to vindicate an injured reputation but for the date who sues and loses, that reputation could be irreparably damaged under the glare of a public court process.'

Alanah Tannous, a legal expert on reputation and privacy at Vardags, told MailOnline: 'Seeking camaraderie and comfort in an online group is understandable and may even help expose disreputable conduct, but... the same rules apply on the internet as they do in the real world - so staying within the law, sticking to the truth and speaking honestly about your experiences - is critical. If not, users could find themselves exposed to a claim in defamation.'

With the Facebook page now reaching hundreds of thousands of women across the world, American bachelors are now hitting back with lawsuits.

Stewart Lucas Murrey, from Santa Monica, alleged that he was subject to a barrage of false and defamatory posts and comments on the forum. But his case was dismissed by a judge

The lawsuit stems from the social media group, which currently has more than 52,500 members, where daters issue warnings about potentially harmful or deceitful men

Stewart Lucas Murrey, from Santa Monica, Los Angeles, sued more than 50 female members of the group over claims he was labelled a murderer and accused of having STIs in a series of brutal posts.

He alleged that he was subjected to a barrage of false and defamatory posts and comments in the online group.

He sued dozens of potential suitors on a variety of charges including defamation, sex-based discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, libel, invasion of privacy.

However, on Tuesday afternoon a judge dismissed the lawsuit, ruling in favour of Vanessa Valdez - a woman Murrey had connected with on Hinge.

The women argued they had done nothing wrong by posting their personal opinions in a private online group on social media.

The judge found no evidence of conspiracy on the women's part and granted an Anti-SLAPP motion - which protects those who speak out on matters of public interest against abusive lawsuits made to silence them.

'Just feels really good to be dismissed from all counts, it wasn't just the two counts of defamation, but all 11 counts be filed against me,' Valdes said during a press conference.

Olivia Berger was another one of the defendants being sued after matching with Murrey on Tinder in 2021. The pair met up but she told KTLA that he 'ranted about conspiracy theories' and appeared 'arrogant and smug'.

Olivia, who said it was 'the typical bad date behaviour,' then took to the private Are We Dating The Same Guy? group to share her experience with other women.

Elaborating further at a recent press conference, she claimed the posts 'were factual and they were based on our true experiences'. 'He found those comments and decided to come forth with this lawsuit,' she added.

She also alleged that the majority of the 50-plus women named in the lawsuit had not ever met Murrey in person - and instead had only made passing comments or 'reacted' to posts about him.

Murrey had previously shared a written statement with the local news outlet with extracts including: '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.'

The lawsuit claims that Murrey had tried to join the group to defend himself on multiple occasions but was consistently denied entry.

In January, a man from Chicago also sued members from the 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' Facebook page after the group outed him for his alleged red flag behaviour.

Nikko D'Ambrosio, 33, filed a lawsuit after a 'Are we dating the same guy?' Facebook page outed him for his alleged red flag behaviour

D'Ambrosio was posted about on the Chicago page by multiple women - who all agreed he was not a great guy to date - some calling him 'clingy' and others claiming he 'ghosted' them after sex

Along with defamation - D'Ambrosio is claiming intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy by false light, civil liability for doxxing, misappropriation, unjust enrichment and public disclosure of private facts

Nikko D'Ambrosio, 33, had his name and photo included in some harsh posts on a Facebook group used by women to warn each other about men on the dating scene.

D'Ambrosio was posted about on the Chicago page by multiple women - who claimed he was not a great guy to date - with some calling him 'clingy' and others claiming he 'ghosted' them after sex.

He has now enlisted the help of lawyers, and they are building a defamation lawsuit against over 27 women, one man, Meta and other social media companies, according to documents seen by Today.

Along with defamation - D'Ambrosio is claiming intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy by false light, civil liability for doxxing, misappropriation, unjust enrichment and public disclosure of private facts.

Among the defendants named are dozens of women and moderators in the groups.

'The defendants broadcast their outrageous, cruel, and malicious lies about the plaintiff with knowledge that the statements were false or with reckless disregard as whether or not they were true,' the complaint reads.

Are We Dating the Same Guy? is also used to seek general dating advice, with the option of being anonymous offered.

Ashley McGuire, from Massachusetts, has used the Facebook page to make several incredible accusations about ex-reality star chef Mr Withers.

The mother-of-two accused her husband of 'ghosting' her and their two children, claiming that he fled to a different state to start a new life while she was pregnant with their second baby.

Using the Facebook group to enlist the help of internet sleuths to track him down, she said: 'He has one baby he hasn't seen in over a year and one he's never met.'

She wrote that he was 'gone without a trace' and that she now wanted to harness the 'power' of social media to track him down and finalise a divorce.

After internet sleuths came to her rescue, she revealed in a follow-up post: 'I've gotten MORE than enough information to locate him.'

Are We Dating The Same guy has not only taken off across major cities such as London and LA, but there have also been regional groups created as well.

These include groups covering Bristol, Cardiff, Swindon, Nottingham, Derby Leicester, Hampshire, Bournemouth, Leeds and Norfolk to name a few.

The London group states: 'This group is a place for women to protect and empower other women while warning each other of men who might be liars, cheaters, abusers, or exhibit any type of toxic or dangerous behaviour.

'We strive to cultivate an atmosphere of female empowerment, acceptance, and support and will not tolerate any bullying, gaslighting, shaming, victim blaming, or aggressive behaviour towards any other girls in the group.'

The group's rules also highlight that 'mean spirited or judgmental comments' will not be tolerated, especially in relation to a person's appearance.

'This group is not about hating men,' it emphasises.

There is a list of 10 strict rules which include users being forbidden from screenshotting or sharing content from the group.

It states: 'You will be permanently banned from this group and all affiliated groups if you: Tell any men about them being posted in this group, Share anything posted in this group outside of this group, Mention this group or the existence of groups like this on social media, on a podcast, on the radio, to the media, anywhere in public, or to any male friends.

'We do all we can but there is always risk in speaking up. Be mentally prepared for the things you say here to get back to who you wrote about.

Users are also told to not include a 'single remotely negative word or phrase' in the actual post. They are told to be 'vague' and 'then put all of the details in the comments'.

The page also says it is about 'protecting women, not judging men' and that 'mean, judgmental, or unnecessary comments' will get you banned. Users are also warned against infringing libel, defamation and copyright.
Feature: 21 years after fall of Saddam Hussein's statue, Iraqis still grapple with repercussions of U.S. invasion

Xinhua) 10:33, April 10, 2024

BAGHDAD, April 9 (Xinhua) -- On April 9, 2003, the fall of a statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad's Firdos Square marked a symbolic end to the regime of the former Iraqi leader.

The event occurred amidst the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, initiated by then-President George W. Bush under claims that Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), which were never substantiated.

More than two decades later, the impact of the invasion is still felt in Iraq and beyond. Ali Moussa, a political analyst, reflects on the profound changes since 2003, highlighting the radical ramifications not only within Iraq but also regionally and globally. The promise of democracy, once seen as a beacon of hope, has been overshadowed by the ensuing conflicts, sectarian violence, and political stalemate.

"If anyone should be blamed for the chaos and bloodshed in Iraq, it is the U.S. administration which invaded the country and substantially decimated the fabric of its society, deepening ethnic and sectarian divisions, spreading chaos, instability, and large-scale displacement," Moussa said.

The sentiment is echoed by many Iraqis who initially welcomed the prospect of change but now advocate for the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

"After those difficult years, the Iraqis have gained nothing but devastation, blind killing, displacement, sectarianism, systematic corruption, and a deterioration in public services," Moussa said.

Yasir al-Jubouri, head of the Fawasel Foundation for Research and Studies, said the United States created a power vacuum in Iraq that resulted in the country's current chaos.

"The U.S. invasion of Iraq caused extensive damage in Iraq and the wider region, and after over two decades, my people paid a high price for the false promises of democracy made by the U.S.. It seems that it will take more decades for us to undo the damage," he said.

"Security and stability in Iraq are inversely proportional to the American presence," said Mohammed al-Jubouri, professor of media at the Baghdad-based al-Iraqia University.

As Iraqis contemplate the events of the past 21 years, there is an increasing support for groups like the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which opposes U.S. military presence, said al-Jubouri.

"I was in my twenties when U.S. forces entered Iraq, and I once dreamed that Iraq would turn into a prosperous country. However, the Americans did not fulfill their promises, and they did everything just for their own interests," said Hussein Kadhim, a 44-year-old Baghdad resident.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Energy Secretary last night criticised Europe's top human rights court after it ruled governments have a duty to protect people from climate change.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) judged that Switzerland's weak climate policies violate fundamental human rights  its first such verdict against a state on the issue.

The case was brought by around 2,500 Swiss women with an average age of 74, who argued they were at greater risk of death from heatwaves. The ruling opens the door to further legal challenges in countries that are members of the Council of Europe, which includes the 27 EU nations as well as Britain and Turkey.

Claire Coutinho, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said she was 'concerned' about the court's judgment and warned it should be elected politicians who make such decisions.

'How we tackle climate change affects our economic, energy and national security. Elected politicians are best placed to make those decisions,' she said.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) judged that Switzerland's weak climate policies violate fundamental human rights  its first such verdict against a state on the issue.

Claire Coutinho, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said she was 'concerned' about the court's judgment and warned it should be elected politicians who make such decisions.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was in court for the ruling, said it was a 'call to action' and underscores 'the importance of taking our national governments to court'.

'I am proud of our achievements on climate change to date. The UK will make sure we play our part but in a pragmatic way that protects British families.' It comes nearly two years after the same court blocked Boris Johnson's plan to send an inaugural flight of asylum seekers to Rwanda at the 11th hour.

And last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told The Sun that Britain could quit the ECHR to get a grip on the small boats crisis. The ruling has prompted outrage from MPs and academics, who said the court is 'blatantly politicised' and that the decision sets a 'worrying precedent'. The court ruled that Switzerland  which is committed to becoming climate neutral by 2050  'had failed to comply with its duties' to combat climate change and meet emissions targets. That, it said, was a violation of the rights of the group known as Senior Women for Climate Protection.

Judge Siofra O'Leary, the court's president, said it would be up to governments to decide how to approach climate change obligations. Switzerland said it would study the decision to see what steps are needed.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was in court for the ruling, said it was a 'call to action' and underscores 'the importance of taking our national governments to court'.

Tim Eicke KC, the ECHR representative judge for the UK, said: 'I fear that in this judgment the majority has gone beyond what is legitimate and permissible for this court to do and, unfortunately, in doing so, may well have achieved exactly the opposite effect to what was intended.'

David Bannerman, ex-Tory MEP for the East of England, described the ruling as 'ridiculous' and said the ECHR is 'now blatantly politicised and not confined to justice'.

Danny Kruger, Conservative MP for Devizes, said the ECHR is 'setting itself up as a legislator in place of elected governments', adding: 'We should leave.'

The court rejected two other similar cases on procedural grounds  one brought by young Portuguese people, and another by a French mayor that sought to force governments to reduce greenhouse gases.
Another whistleblower has come forward to accuse airline making behemoth Boeing of taking shortcuts when building the 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets and of retaliating against him when he raised concerns with management.

Sam Salehpour's allegations come just a month after the mysterious suicide of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, a long time employee who made similar claims, including those of retaliation in a still unresolved lawsuit.

Salehpour will now take part in a government hearing on Boeing's safety record amid numerous public near-disasters this year. The company's outgoing CEO David Calhoun has also been summoned to appear before the panel on April 17. It has not been confirmed if he will in fact appear.

Salehpour is expected to detail safety concerns involving the manufacture and assembly of the 787 Dreamliner. The subcommittee said in a letter that those problems could create 'potentially catastrophic safety risks.'

On Tuesday, Salehpour said during a conference call involving his lawyers that he 'literally saw people jumping on the pieces of the airplane to get them to align,' reports CNN. These observations were made in 2021.

In a 1,500 word statement, Boeing said it was 'fully confident' in the 787 and called concerns about structural integrity 'inaccurate.' Boeing added that the issues raised in the Times story 'do not present any safety concerns' and said the 787 'will maintain its service life over several decades.'

'Retaliation is strictly prohibited at Boeing,' the company added in the statement, noting that it encourages employees to 'speak up when issues arise.'

Boeing's outgoing CEO David Calhoun is being called for testify before a government panel as part of its investigations into Boeing

Boeing 737 Southwest Airlines had to Make a Emergency Landing after parts of the Engine Cowling Detaches in Denver on Sunday

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

'Rather than heeding his warnings, Boeing prioritized getting the planes to market as quickly as possible, despite the known, well-substantiated issues he raised,' attorneys Debra Katz and Lisa Banks said in a statement on Tuesday.

'I am doing this not because I want Boeing to fail, but because I want it to succeed and prevent crashes from happening. The truth is Boeing cant keep going the way it is. It needs to do a little bit better, I think,' Salehpour said.

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) said Salehpour is a member who works at Boeing's plant in Everett, Washington. The engineering union said it could not comment on Salehpour's specific concerns.

A Boeing spokesperson said that the company is cooperating with the subcommittee's inquiry and has 'offered to provide documents, testimony and technical briefings.'

The Federal Aviation Administration has also been investigating Salehpour's allegations since February, according to the subcommittee. The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Salehpour, whose concerns were featured in a New York Times article Tuesday, is also expected to describe retaliation he faced after bringing his concerns forward.

According to that account, Salehpour worked on the 787 but grew alarmed over changes to the assembly of the fuselage, the main body of the aircraft.

That process entails fitting together and fastening giant sections of the fuselage, each one produced by a different company, according to Salehpour's account.

Salehpour told the Times he believed Boeing was taking shortcuts that led to excessive force in the assembly process, creating deformations in the composite material used in the aircraft's outer skin.

Original whistleblower John 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

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 Max flies over Boeing's manufacturing facility in Everett where Salehpour worked

Wreckage of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-MAX plane is seen on March 11, 2019

A Boeing 737 MAX-8 that plunged into the sea 13 minutes after taking off from Tangerang, Indonesia, on October 29, 2018. The crash killed all 189 people on board

Such composites often consist of plastic layers reinforced by a mesh of carbon or glass fibers, increasing tensile strength and making them a useful substitute for heavier metals.

But composites can lose those benefits if they are twisted or otherwise deformed. Salehpour alleged that such problems could create increased material fatigue, possibly leading to premature failure of the composite, according to the Times account.

Over thousands of flights, those pieces of fuselage could risk breaking apart mid-flight.

According to Salehpour's account, Boeing not only failed to take his concerns seriously, it silenced him and transferred him to work on a different jetliner, a move he took as retaliation.

Boeing's safety record has been under a microscope since a door panel on a 737 Max 9 jet blew out over Oregon in early January.

The panel plugged a space left for an extra emergency door on the jet, which was operated by Alaska Airlines. Pilots were able to land safely, and there were no injuries.

But accident investigators' subsequent discovery of missing bolts intended to secure the panel rocked Boeing, which once boasted an enviable safety culture.

Alaska Airlines and United Airlines  the two U.S. carriers that fly the Max 9  also reported finding loose bolts and other hardware in other panels, suggesting that quality issues with the door plugs were not limited to one plane.

Boeing was in such a 'cozy' relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration it was able to push back on any criticism, it has been alleged

Both the 787 and the 737 Max have been plagued by production defects that have sporadically held up deliveries and left airlines short of planes during busy travel seasons.

Calhoun, the CEO, announced in March that he will retire at the end of the year. That followed the departure of another high-ranking Boeing executive and the decision by Boeing's board chairman not to stand for reelection in May.

'Voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal is a critical component in aviation safety,' the FAA said. 'We strongly encourage everyone in the aviation industry to share information. We thoroughly investigate all reports.'

An agency source said the FAA has met with the whistleblower.

Senator Richard Blumenthal's office said his investigation subcommittee will hold a hearing on Boeing issues with Salehpour on April 17 titled 'Examining Boeing's Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts.'

Blumenthal added he wants Calhoun, who said last month that he will step down by year-end, to testify at a future hearing. The panel had initially sought to have Calhoun testify at next week's hearing according to a March 19 letter.

'We want to provide Boeing the opportunity to explain to the American people why, in light of recent apparent safety failures, the public should feel confident in Boeing's engineering and assembly processes,' Blumenthal and Senator Ron Johnson, the top Republican on the panel, wrote.

Boeing has offered to provide documents, testimony and technical briefings to the senate sub-committee, the company said in an emailed statement to Reuters on Tuesday.

Separately, the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Boeing violated a 2021 settlement that shielded the U.S. plane maker from prosecution following two fatal MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019.

That January 2021 agreement, known as a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA), gave the plane maker an avenue to avoid prosecution on a charge of conspiring to defraud the FAA.

In determining whether Boeing violated the settlement, prosecutors are expected to lean heavily on findings from the FAA's investigations, a person familiar with the matter previously told Reuters.

The FAA in August 2022 approved the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner for delivery since 2021 after the manufacturer made inspection and retrofit changes needed to meet certification standards.

There are currently about 1,100 Dreamliners in service, Boeing said.
This is the shocking moment a drunk driver forgets her ABC during a sobriety test after cops pulled her over for driving erratically.

An off-duty cop spotted a vehicle driving erratically on a road in Ocala, Florida, on Friday. The driver, Tammy Angel, showed signs of impairment, so officers called to the scene conducted seated Field Sobriety Exercises due to her level of intoxication.

When Angel was asked to say the alphabet from A to Z, she only responded with: 'A, B, C... It was so many years ago.'

She tried again but failed as she said: 'A, B, C, E, F, G, H, Y, O, I' before mumbling gibberish.

When she was told she would be placed under arrest for driving under the influence, Angel attempted to formulate sentences, but only managed to string together some incoherent words.

When Tammy Angel (pictured) was asked to say the alphabet from A to Z, she only responded with: 'A, B, C... It was so many years ago'

Angel was so intoxicated that she had to be evaluated at the hospital before going to jail

When she was told she would be placed under arrest for driving under the influence, Angel attempted to formulate sentences, but only managed to string together some incoherent words

Angel was so intoxicated that she had to be evaluated at the hospital before going to jail.

This comes after a Florida man drove his white pickup truck into the water at a beach before he was arrested - claiming it wasn't his fault 'the truck don't surf'.

Jason Brzuszkiewicz, 49, decided to take his truck for a spin in the ocean in February in New Smyrna Beach.

Brzuszkiewicz accessed the beach by driving around a closed gate that had a 'DO NOT ENTER' sign on it and declined to pay the toll fee to have his car there.

The beach was closed at the time due to high tide as witnesses captured the man's truck being driven in the rough waves.

Police from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office eventually caught up to Brzuszkiewicz as he told them: 'It's not my fault the truck don't surf,' and laughed about it.

He was charged with failure to pay vehicular access fee and was taken to Volusia County Branch Jail and is being held on a $200 bond.
Labour's lead over the Tories has fallen by six points in a fortnight, according to a new poll that may offer Rishi Sunak a glimmer of hope ahead of the general election.

Support for the Conservatives has risen by three points to 27 per cent at the same time as Labour and Reform have both dropped back.

It comes at a relatively quiet time in UK politics, with Parliament on its Easter break and Tory backbenchers largely taking a break from visibly plotting against the PM.

But the findings of the poll by Savanta offer only a partial respite for Rishi Sunak. Labour is still 15 points ahead, and if the lead does not narrow further, Sir Keir Starmer could still win a majority of up to 188.

Additionally, a poll released yesterday suggested the Tory lead over Reform was the narrowest it has ever been, at just six points.

Mr Sunak was today typically coy about when the election may happen. He has spoken about the second half of this year, but his deputy Oliver Dowden at the weekend suggested January 25 was still in play.

Support for the Conservatives has risen by three points to 27 per cent at the same time as Labour and Reform have both dropped back.

But the findings of the poll by Savanta offer only a partial respite for Rishi Sunak. Labour is still 15 points ahead, and if the lead does not narrow further, Sir Keir Starmer could still win a majority of up to 188.

Speaking to LBC Mr Sunak said: 'I said at the beginning of this year, very clearly that my working assumption was that we would have an election in the second half of this year.'

Chris Hopkins, Savanta's political research director, said: 'It has been a relatively quiet period in Westminster, with the government looking sure-footed on the main issue of the day, the Israel-Gaza conflict.

'When the Conservatives aren't battling rolling headlines of scandal and disunity, that will almost certainly be helping them in the eyes of the electorate.'

'This is only one poll, which may be an outlier and therefore taken with caution. A 15-point lead for Labour would simply be the difference between an electoral battering and an absolute wipeout for the Conservatives.

'That being said, these results will likely hearten Rishi Sunak weeks ahead from crucial local elections.'

Suella Braverman warned the Tories are 'heading for a defeat' at the general election as she reiterated her demand for Rishi Sunak to 'change course'

The latest Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll showed Reform UK were supported by 15% of voters. This compared to Labour on 44%, the Tories on 21%, and Lib Dems on 10%

Suella Braverman yesterday warned the Tories are 'heading for a defeat' at the general election as she reiterated her demand for Rishi Sunak to 'change course'.

The former home secretary, who was sacked by Mr Sunak in November, urged the Prime Minister to 'improve the offer' to British voters before they go to the polls.

Mrs Braverman called for further tax cuts, a greater clampdown on migration, and fresh measures on national security, social cohesion and extremism.

She claimed Mr Sunak's current approach in all these areas was 'insufficient'.

The ex-Cabinet minister is regularly touted as a possible replacement for Mr Sunak as Tory leader.

But, speaking to LBC Radio, Mrs Braverman ruled herself out of a leadership bid for the time being.
The shattered husband of missing jogger Samantha Murphy has expressed his deep sorrow for the family of Hannah McGuire.

Both women were allegedly murdered in the Ballarat area, with Ms Murphy, 51, going missing on her morning run on February 4 and Ms McGuire, 23, being found dead inside a burnt-out car on Friday.

There has been an outpouring of grief across the country with the tight-knit community in regional Victorian, west of Melbourne, struggling to come to terms with the twin tragedies.

Ms Murphy's husband Mick Murphy said in a statement to 9News: 'It's very sad. I feel for the family.'

He added that he would like to see tougher laws for those convicted of violence against woman.

'More needs to be done in the country,' he said. 'Penalties need to be a lot harsher.'

Ms Murphy's husband Mick Murphy (pictured with daughter Jess) said in a statement, 'It's very sad. I feel for the family' of Ms McGuire

Samantha Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her home in East Ballarat for a run on the morning of February 4

Hannah McGuire was found dead in a burnt out car on Friday, southwest of Ballarat

The two men who are separately accused of murdering the mother-of-three and Ms McGuire, are understood to have been raised in supportive households.

Ms Murphy's disappearance sparked a significant local effort to find her which continued up until the arrest of local man Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, on March 6.

He has been charged with her murder and remains behind bars in Melbourne until his next court appearance in August.

Stephenson is the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, who played 15 games for Geelong and Richmond between 2012 and 2014.

He was also living locally in the area in Scotsburn, just 15 minutes away from East Ballarat.

Lachlan Young, 21, has been charged with the murder of Ms McGuire.

It is understood the pair had recently broken up after having lived together for the past year.

Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, has been charged with Ms Murphy's alleged murder

Lachlan Young, 21, has meanwhile been charged with the alleged murder of Ms McGuire

Daily Mail Australia revealed on Monday that Ms McGuire had desperately attempted to obtain an intervention order against a man in the days before she was killed.

It is understood her death had initially been dismissed as a suicide before a coroner's report indicated she had sustained deadly injuries before her supposed death inside a car.

The remains of that car had been found near State Forest Road, close to Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria on Friday.

It can further be revealed Ms McGuire had been friends with Young's sister Bek Young.

Images of Young obtained off social media indicate he enjoyed a good upbringing and remained close to his parents.

His parents' family home is situated a stone's throw from the Sebastopol home where detectives arrested him on Sunday.

Young faced the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday where he was told he would be kept behind bars until his next court date in September.

Outside court, Ms McGuire's devastated parents Glenn and Debbie and her brother, stood back in grief as Ballarat lawyer Brook Tamanika issued a statement on their behalf to the waiting media pack

Outside court, Ms McGuire's devastated parents Glenn and Debbie and her brother stood back as lawyer Brook Tamanika issued a statement on their behalf to the waiting media pack.

'As you can imagine this is a very devastating time for the family, for Hannah's loved ones and for our community as a whole,' she said.

'The family have been assisting the police however I cannot comment on the status of the matter.'

The charges laid against both Stephenson and McGuire saw them being held in custody for the first time each.

Both men are also understood to have been raised in supportive and loving families.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
American conservative commentator Candace Owens last month took to Twitter to tout the controversial theory that the First Lady was born a man

Brigitte Macron's lawyer Jean Ennochi highlighted the rumours were making their way out of France and into the United States

Brigitte Macron has brought forward her libel trial against Natacha Rey, who made bizarre claims that the French First lady was born a man.

The hearing has been moved from March 2025 to June 19, 2024, at the request of Macron's lawyer following Rey's claims that she was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux.

Since the interview with Rey, 48, on a YouTube channel at the end of 2021, lawyer Jean Ennochi said the rumours surrounding French President Emmanuel Macron's 70-year-old wife had continued to be fuelled.

Ennochi therefore requested the hearing to be sped up, as concerns around how the rumours have spread beyond France and into the United States have arisen.

He also said: 'In recent weeks, particularly internationally, via the Trumpist influencer Candace Owens, who relayed, I felt that the harm to my clients was increasing day by day'.

Brigitte Macron has brought forward her libel case against Natacha Rey after she claimed the French First Lady was born a man, before transitioning at the age of 30

Last month American conservative commentator Candace Owens took to Twitter to tout the controversial theory after briefly speaking about it on an episode of her Candace Owens Podcast.

She said she will 'stake her entire professional reputation' on the already debunked theory that Brigitte Macron was born a man.

The tweet claimed that the First Lady transitioned at the age of 30, as well making outlandish claims that she did not give birth to any of her three children, and that her first husband, a 69-year-old retired banker said to have died a recluse in 2020, never existed.

The conspiracy stems from an completely false claim made by far-right magazine Faits et Documents (Facts & Documents), after Macron, 46, was elected.

But the debate was reignited last month after Emmanuel Macron's step-daughter, Tiphaine Auziere, gave an interview to Paris Match in which she addressed claims that her mother Brigitte was born male.

Auziere was just 10 when she found out that her teacher mom was involved with a student who was 25 years her junior.

'I have concerns about the level of society when I hear what is circulating on social networks about my mother being a man,' she said.

Speaking to Le Nouvel Obs, Rey said she will not be able to travel in June due to being 'very weakened by cancer'.

Her lawyer, Mr Danglehant, confirmed that on the day of the new hearing, he will request a medical certificate - which can be rejected.

It comes after two women - including Rey, who falsely claimed Brigitte Macron was born a man were punished with 'symbolic fines' reduced on appeal, it emerged at the beginning of last month.

In turn, both claimed they were subjected to 'intimidation by the authorities' as 'ultra protected' members of the Paris establishment tried to cover up a 'state secret'.

Details of the bizarre case focused on Macron's wife were revived on March 1 after her own daughter talked publicly about the accusations for the first time.

The future politician was just 15 when he began a relationship with the then married mother-of-three Brigitte Auziere, who was 40 at the time, and teaching drama at La Providence high school in Amiens, northern France.

As the French debated the unconventional personal life of their head of state, MailOnline obtained details of a judgement handed down at the Caen Appeal Court last June.

It referred to two defendants  Amandine Roy, a 52-year-old clairvoyant, and Rey.

Both had appeared on a four-hour YouTube video in December 2021 in which they claimed that Brigitte was born as a baby boy called Jean-Michel Trogneux in 1953.

This is infact the name of Brigitte's brother, and Ms Macron was called Brigitte Trogneux before her first marriage.

A judge sitting at Lisieux, in Normandy, originally fined the two women the equivalent of 1,700 each, after finding them both guilty of libel.

Emmanuel Macron was just 15 when he began a relationship with the then married mother-of-three Brigitte Auziere, who was 40 at the time

But, following appeals, Roy was fined the equivalent of just 850, and Rey had 1,300 of her 1,700 fine suspended, meaning she had to pay just 400.

Witnesses called to court included Catherine and Jean-Louis Auziere, a childless couple living in Deauville, Normandy.

Jean-Louis Auziere was once Brigitte Macron's uncle, when Brigitte was married to Andre-Louis Auziere.

Natacha Rey claimed that Jean-Louis Auziere had falsified administrative documents to hide a 'state secret'  namely that his wife had given birth to all of Brigitte's three children, including Tiphaine Auziere.

But Jean-Louis Auziere told the court: 'I worked with Brigitte until the end of the 1980s, I can confirm to you that she is not a man.'

The original complaint against Rey and Roy was for invasion of private life, violation of image rights and infringement of personality rights,' but the final case was for defamation.

Frederic Pichon, Rey's defence barrister, said her investigation about Ms Macron had been 'carried out in good faith' and in line with Article 10 of the European Court of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression.

He expressed outrage that his client was 'placed in police custody twice during the case', saying: 'I am shocked by the disproportionate means deployed by the authorities to silence her.'

Mr Pichon added: 'This looks like intimidation coming from ultra-protected people. If the theses she develops are so far-fetched, why go after her like this?

'My client is not very wealthy, at least much less than those who are angry with her.'

All parties to the case accepted the 'symbolic fines' handed down on appeal as a final settlement to what had become a huge embarrassment to Mr and Mrs Macron.

The transphobic rumours about Mrs Macron were picked up by the far-Right in 2022, while the President was campaigning for re-election.

Groups including the Yellow Vests (Gilets Jaunes) and those protesting against Covid vaccines all used the claims to attack Mr Macron.

The video produced by Rey and Roy has since been removed from YouTube.

The Elysee Palace has yet to react on the comments by Tiphaine Auziere, who is promoting her new novel  a legal drama entitled 'Assizes', in reference to a criminal court.

This was despite lurid headlines across France, such as one in Gala, which reads: 'Transphobic rumour about Brigitte Macron: why her daughter Tiphaine is worried'.

Emmanuel Macron's step-daughter Tiphaine Auziere, 40, told Paris Match: 'I have concerns about the level of society when I hear what is circulating on social networks about my mother being a man'

'I learned a lot about human nature,' Ms Auziere said in the interview published on Thursday, in which she also discussed learning of her mother's relationship with Macron, resulting in the divorce of her parents.

'I know that, in these moments, we must focus on the essential and move forward without taking into account criticism,' she said of the transphobic rumours.

'The attacks, the backbiting, the judgements. It was not yet the era of social networks, but we were in a small provincial town. Everything is known.

'Despite all this, they stood tall. I gained an open mind, the desire to move forward without listening to peripheral noise, and gained greater tolerance.'

Ms Auziere said was particularly upset that her humiliated father, Andre-Louis Auziere, was forced to leave the family home in 1994, even though he did not divorce Brigitte until 2006, allowing Mr Macron to marry her a year later.

'A family separation can be a sorrow and an opportunity,' said Ms Auziere. 'Recomposition can prove to be an enrichment.

'I have a beloved father and stepfather,' she added.
A multimillion pound investment will go into facial recognition technology as part of the government's crackdown on shoplifters.

The government has announced a 55million boost to enhance facial recognition systems, including the use of mobile units to scan the streets for law breakers, alongside harsher punishments for anyone who assaults retail workers.

It marks a u-turn for the Conservative party, who previously blocked a Labour-backed amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill that would have made the assault of a retail worker a specific criminal offence, as they insisted it was not 'required'.

'I am sending a message to those criminals - whether they are serious organised criminal gangs, repeat offenders or opportunistic thieves - who think they can get away with stealing from these local businesses or abusing shopworkers, enough is enough,' Mr Sunak said on LBC.

The government has announced a 55m boost to enhance facial recognition systems, including the use of mobile units to scan the streets for law breakers

It marks a u-turn for the Conservative party , who previously blocked a Labour-backed amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill that would have made the assault of a retail worker a specific criminal offence

Live Facial Recognition technology utilised in Southend High Street, Essex last year

Under the new law, which will be introduced as an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, criminals could receive up to six months in jail or an unlimited fine.

The investment will be implemented over the next four years, as will use vans in particularly crowded areas to help identify any wrong-doers or repeat shoplifters.

This comes after the apparent success of Project Pegasus. In October last year the Metropolitan Police wrote to 12 leading retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Boots and Primark asking them to send CCTV images of their 30 most prolific but unidentified offenders.

Of the images received, 302 were suitable to be uploaded and cross referenced with the custody database.

And the force is confident that the vast majority of the 149 matches found through FRT will allow officers to track the suspects down and build a case against them.

The Met's director of intelligence, Lindsey Chiswick, said the accuracy of the algorithm had rapidly progressed over the past few years. The technology is now so advanced that even if a subject was wearing a hat or mask and facing at an awkward angle, it can still create an accurate biometric template that could match a photo in the custody database.

'The alternative to using facial recognition would be an officer manually checking CCTV against custody images, which could take hundreds of hours,' Ms Chiswick said.

Silkie Carlo, director of civil liberties at campaign group Big Brother Watch, said the government's investment in facial recognition technology was 'an abysmal waste of public money'.

This comes after the apparent success of Project Pegasus. In October last year the Metropolitan Police wrote to 12 leading retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Boots and Primark asking them to send CCTV images of their 30 most prolific but unidentified offenders

She said: 'This Orwellian tech has no place in Britain. Criminals should be brought to justice, but papering over the cracks of broken policing with Orwellian tech is not the solution.

READ MORE: Police use facial recognition technology to catch prolific shoplifters with state-of-the-art system which can identify potential suspects in just 60 seconds Advertisement

'It is completely absurd to inflict mass surveillance on the general public under the premise of fighting theft while police are failing to even turn up to 40% of violent shoplifting incidents or to properly investigate many more serious crimes.'

Last year, shoplifting offences surged to the highest level in 20 years, surpassing figures seen before Covid for the first time.

Some 402,482 offences were recorded by police in England and Wales in the year to September 2023, up nearly a third (32%) on 304,459 in the previous 12 months.

The Co-op claims that last year they recorded almost 1,000 incidents of shoplifting every day across its 2,400 stores, a 44 per cent increase on the previous year.

In the same period there were over 1325 physical assaults against its staff, which is up by a third on previous levels and equates to three to four workers being attacked every day.

Professor Taylor said: 'Retail crime not only impacts on a business's ability to operate safely and profitably but as my report demonstrates it also causes serious harm to shop workers, both physically and mentally, and to communities that are blighted by persistent offending.

'The police in England and Wales have lost grip on the scale and severity of acquisitive crime, and, in turn, retailers have lost confidence in them and the wider criminal justice system.

'By taking decisive action to tackle high-volume, high-impact retail crime, the police and retail industry can work together to create safer communities in which to live, work and shop.'
A woman found stabbed to death at a 4m home near Hyde Park shortly after neighbours heard screaming may have let her killer into her home, it emerged today.

Results of a post-mortem have not been revealed but police investigating the death in Stanhope Place, Bayswater, said the victim died from stab wounds.

It is thought the victim may have known her attacker as the five-storey house has a video entry system at the front door - and there was no sign of forced entry before police entered on Monday morning.

The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to watchdog the IOPC over how it responded to an initial report of concern by the woman's friend 13 hours before she was found dead at the plush home. The IOPC is considering the referral.

Meanwhile, more than 48 hours after the body of the woman was found inside the property, murder squad detectives have yet to make contact with the next of kin. The hunt for a suspect continues.

Police and forensic scene of crime officers outside a home in Stanhope Place, London, yards from the city's iconic Hyde Park

Forensic officers in blue overalls, hairnets and gloves speak outside the house, where a woman was found with fatal stab wounds on Monday

Investigators are said to be focusing their efforts inside the house rather than at the front door (pictured), with no signs of forced entry before police had to smash their way in

The Met Police has referred itself to the watchdog regarding its response to an initial call from a friend of the woman concerned for her welfare (pictured: a police van at the scene)

A forensic officer carrying a bucket full of investigative equipment walks towards the house near Hyde Park

A Met Police spokesperson said they are still working to contact the victim's next of kin which suggests they are not in the UK. Until next of kin have been informed police cannot reveal the name of the deceased under police protocols.

The spokesperson said: 'The next of kin are not yet aware of the death.'

Forensic teams at the house concentrated their examination inside the property rather than at the black painted front door.

READ MORE: Met Police investigating Hyde Park murder refers itself to watchdog as woman found stabbed to death

Advertisement

Neighbours said the house had been rented. A builder working opposite claimed he had been told it was an Airbnb - although there was no listing on the short let website for a property in Stanhope Place.

The Met has reported itself to the police watchdog over its response to the incident.

Met chiefs previously said the force had been made aware of concerns for the woman's welfare the night before - but now admit there were two phone calls made by a concerned friend on Sunday within two and a half hours.

But it was not until 8.30am on April 8 that police were seen forcing the door at the property on the edge of Hyde Park and sealing off the scene.

It has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in relation to the 'initial contact' from the friend, who first phoned police more than 13 hours before the body was discovered.

The force said: 'Police received two calls from the same person on Sunday, 7 April raising concerns for the welfare of the woman  one at 19:05hrs and one at 21:34hrs.

'The woman was initially graded as a medium risk missing person prior to the discovery of her body.

'The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and a mandatory referral will be made to the IOPC in relation to the initial contact from the woman's friend.'

The IOPC said: 'We can confirm that we have received a referral from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) after a woman was found dead by officers at a property in Stanhope Place, W2 on the morning of 8 April 2024.

'The referral relates to previous contact after two calls were made to police on Sunday evening (7 April) by a friend of the woman to report her missing.

'We will assess the referral and decide what further action may be required from us.'

Residents in the street were unaware of the murder until several police cars arrived and blocked off the road.

Local residents say they heard 'screams' from somewhere in the street on Sunday evening

Forensic officers throw items into a bag outside the house in London's plush Bayswater district, within the borough of Westminster

A cordon was established outside the house in Stanhope Place, which locals speculated may have been converted into an Airbnb

A police officer tends to the cordon at Stanhope Place in London - yards away from the capital's landmark Hyde Park

One neighbour said she heard two high pitched screams coming from the direction of the house which until four years ago was rented by the Ethiopian Embassy.

The neighbour, who has lived on the street for over half a century, said: 'I did hear very, very high-pitched screams on Sunday evening coming from that direction.

'A series of screams. I recall two  I'm very sensitive to sound. They were very unusual. There was no other sound other than the screams, then silence after.

'I was in my room and I thought, 'That's very strange'. Then I recall there was a sound from the other side of my house.

'What could I do? If it had continued I would have stuck my head out.

'Apparently they've turned the rooms into Airbnbs. My neighbour was leaving her flat yesterday morning and saw the police beating the door down.

'We saw two forensics trucks and we knew it was serious... We knew it was murder.

'I've always been so paranoid living here, but nothing like this has ever happened before. Things have gotten worse in London recently.'

Detective chief inspector Adam Clifton, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, is leading the investigation.

He said: 'I understand this news will be concerning, and that local women especially may be worried.

'Our inquiries are in the very early stages and we are keeping an open mind as to the motive, however I can assure people that my team are working 24/7 to establish what happened to the woman, and to identify and arrest whoever may be responsible for this attack.

'My officers now need support and information from the public. I want to ask local people to check doorbell cameras, and for drivers in the area to think about whether they've seen anything unusual that might have been captured on dash cam.

'Did you notice any unusual activity at the address? If you did then it is imperative that we hear from you.'

Chief superintendent Louise Puddefoot, lead for policing in Westminster, added: 'Our thoughts are with the woman and her family. My officers will do everything we can to support the investigation and they will be stationed in the area to speak to anyone who has any information or concerns they want to share with us.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101 or via the @MetCC account on X, formerly Twitter, quoting the reference CAD 6784/7 Apr.
Israel's Defence Forces have released a clip of an alleged member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad admitting militant groups in Gaza attempted to pin the blame for last year's al-Ahli hospital bombing on Israel.

The clip shared on IDF official channels shows the interrogation of a man named as Tarek Abu Shaluf, who Israel claims is a PIJ spokesman and was among 500 militants arrested amid the IDF's operation in Gaza's al-Shifa hospital last month.

It is unclear whether he was aware the conversation was being recorded, or whether he was speaking under duress.

Abu Shaluf is seen telling officers from Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate that the blast at al-Ahli hospital in October was caused by 'a local rocket', before going on to declare: 'We said it was Israeli.'

He continued: 'To erase this story, the movement (Islamic Jihad) made some moves  it made up a story that the rocket belonged to the occupation (Israel) and that the target was the [hospital] building.'

The clip shared on IDF official channels shows an interrogation with a man named as Tarek Abu Shaluf, who Israel claims is a PIJ spokesman and was among 500 militants arrested amid the IDF's operation in Gaza's al-Shifa hospital last month

It is unclear whether he was aware the conversation was being recorded, or whether he was speaking under duress.

The scene of destruction at the parking lot of Al-Ahli Hospital after an explosion in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, 17 October 2023

Israel published a slew of evidence thoroughly reviewed by MailOnline in the days after the October 17 blast to exonerate its forces after many international media outlets reported the hospital was struck by an IDF bomb.

The true origin of the blast is largely believed to have been a misfiring Palestinian rocket but this remains disputed, with Human Rights Watch calling for further investigation.

The detainee went on to claim that Palestinian militant groups routinely fabricate stories to garner sympathy in international press.

'They see that there is a certain interest in leveraging a narrative and they implement it. The Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhala decides, then the communications department discusses on WhatsApp, and even though the story is not true, they promote it,' he told officers.

Abu Shaluf also told interrogators that Hamas and other militant groups are present at 'all the hospitals' in Gaza - something the IDF claims justifies any aerial attacks or troop incursions into medical facilities.

'Decisions are made in these rooms, for example, if they want to attack Israel,' Abu Shaluf said.

'There is internet and electricity there 24 hours. You can take a room from the X-ray, emergency, internal, or specialist department without closing the entire department.

'There is a guy who has connections with one of the ambulance managers, so he uses him to transfer leaders, and wanted or injured people and travels with them,' he said.

The publication of the IDF video comes as US President Joe Biden issued some of his sternest criticism yet of Israel's war on Hamas, calling its approach a 'mistake' as the country faces a court deadline to prove it is not throttling aid to hunger-stricken Gaza.

With global outrage over the toll inflicted by the six-month-old war growing, Biden slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the conflict and reiterated the need for a ceasefire.

'I think what he's doing is a mistake. I don't agree with his approach,' Biden told Spanish-language TV network Univision in an interview that aired Tuesday night.

He urged Netanyahu 'to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country'.

And he condemned again IDF drone strikes on a food aid convoy that killed seven aid workers, including three Brits, describing the attack as 'outrageous' in remarks that underscored the dramatic shift in tone from Israel's main ally and military backer.

But despite finding himself internationally isolated over the bloodiest-ever Gaza war, Netanyahu on Tuesday told military recruits that 'no force in the world' would stop Israeli troops from entering the southern Gazan city of Rafah.

'We will complete the elimination of Hamas's battalions, including in Rafah,' he said, after earlier declaring a date for the operation had been set.

Biden's comments come as US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators seek progress on a truce and hostage release deal that also proposes ramping up aid deliveries to address a worsening hunger crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Israel insists it is not limiting aid and has complied with US and United Nations demands to scale up the deliveries.

The government faces a deadline later today from the country's Supreme Court to demonstrate it has taken steps to increase the flow of humanitarian goods.

Israeli army spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari speaks to the press on October 18, 2023, a day after a blast at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza killed dozens of Palestinians

A girl tries to collect usable belongings amid wreckage of vehicles after Al-Ahli Hospital was hit in Gaza City, Gaza on October 18, 2023

The case was brought by five NGOs that accuse Israel of restricting the entry of relief items and failing to provide basic necessities to Gazans.

The UN's agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said Tuesday that following reports of imminent famine, more than 40 percent of food delivery missions were denied in February and March.

None of the UNRWA food convoys have been approved since March, it added.

Humanitarians have accused Israel of using starvation as a method of war in Gaza, where UN experts say 1.1 million people - half the population - are experiencing 'catastrophic' food insecurity.

The Israeli agency that oversees supplies into the territory, COGAT, said 741 aid trucks had crossed into Gaza on Sunday and Monday, with another 468 entering on Tuesday.

Before the October 7 start of the war, about 500 trucks supplied Gaza daily.

Samantha Power, administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), said recent days have seen a 'sea change' in deliveries to Gaza, but added that Israel needs to do more.

'We have famine-like conditions in Gaza and supermarkets filled with food within a few kilometres away,' she told US lawmakers during a Tuesday hearing.
FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a stark warning at an event in Washington DC on Tuesday in which he claimed that ISIS and Al-Qaida have adopted 'mafia-like' tactics as part of plans to launch a new attack on the US.

Wray was speaking at the American Bar Association luncheon when he made the warning while adding that the FBI is actively working to stop such attacks.

'Foreign terrorists, including ISIS, al-Qaida and their adherents, have renewed calls for attacks against Jewish communities here in the United States and across the West in statements and propaganda,' Wray said, according to ABC News.

'The foreign terrorist threat and the potential for a coordinated attack here in the homeland, like the ISIS-K attack we saw at the Russian Concert Hall a couple of weeks ago, is now increasingly concerning.'

That massacre, which took place at the Crocus City Hall, saw 144 people killed by Tajik nationals who were members of an Islamic State group, security officials in Russia have said. The victims were waiting for a concert to start.

Following the shooting, the perpetrators set fire to the building.

FBI Director Christopher Wray was speaking at the American Bar Association luncheon when he made the warning while adding that the FBI is actively working to stop such attacks

An affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Crocus City Hall attack, the deadliest on Russian soil in years

In Russia, a total of nine suspects have faced court so far and were remanded in pre-trial detention

Wray added that thanks to Hamas' brutal assault on Israel on October 7, there is likely to be 'a pipeline of radicalization and mobilization for years to come.'

The director, a Trump appointee, named Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, as the biggest 'bad actors' the US currently faces in the world.

Wray also also alleged that Russia was targeting 'underwater cables' in order to destabilize worldwide communications.

He added that the Kremlin doesn't care if their operations impact the lives of civilians and that since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, operatives 'continue to target critical infrastructure' in the US.

Meanwhile, Wray said that China is more likely to 'play the long game.'

He compared China to terrorist groups saying that they too have adopted 'mafia-like' tactics with a cyber attack division that outnumbers its US counterparts 50 to one.

When asked about a GOP proposal to cut the FBI's $500 million budget, he responded: 'China ain't cutting their budget.'

Wray said that budget cutting would help 'violent criminals, the child predators, the Chinese government, cyber hackers and ransomware actors, the cartels and terrorists.'

'It hurts our law enforcement partners, state local law enforcement partners who depend on us every day and all whole host of ways, and ultimately hurts the American people in the neighborhoods,' Wray went on.

Last month, Wray said that the FBI was actively working to thwart any foreign attempts to influence the 2024 presidential election

The U.S. has confronted foreign malign influence threats in the past,' Wray told a national security conference. 'But this election cycle, the U.S. will face more adversaries, moving at a faster pace, and enabled by new technology'

Last month, Wray said that the United States expects to face fast-moving threats to American elections this year as artificial intelligence and other technological advances have made interference and meddling easier than before.

'The U.S. has confronted foreign malign influence threats in the past,' Wray told a national security conference. 'But this election cycle, the U.S. will face more adversaries, moving at a faster pace, and enabled by new technology.'

Wray singled out advances in generative AI, which he said had made it 'easier for both more and less-sophisticated foreign adversaries to engage in malign influence.'

The remarks underscored escalating U.S. government concerns over sometimes hard-to-detect influence operations that are designed to shape public opinion.

Though officials have not cited successful efforts by foreign governments to directly alter election results, they have sounded the alarms over the past decade about foreign influence campaigns.

Wray suggested the FBI would share information this year about threats that it sees.

'As intelligence professionals, we've got to highlight threats in specific, evidence-based ways so that we're usefully arming our partners and, in particular, the public against the kinds of foreign influence operations they're likely to confront,' he said.

In 2016, Russian operatives sought to boost Republican Donald Trump's election chances by stealing and leaking Democratic emails and by using a hidden but powerful social media campaign to sow discord among American voters.

In 2020, U.S. intelligence officials have said, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized influence operations to denigrate Democrat Joe Biden and help Trump in that year's election.

China 'considered but did not deploy' influence operations, while aggressive efforts by Iran sought to exploit vulnerabilities in state election websites as Tehran sought to hurt Trump's reelection chances, officials have said.

Despite those threats, according to intelligence officials, there was ultimately no evidence that any foreign entity changed votes or otherwise disrupted the voting process.
King Charles III has been spotted waving to royal fans as he left Clarence House in London today.

The monarch was pictured greeting well-wishers outside the royal residence as he was driven out in his state Bentley limousine.

It is not known where His Majesty, who wore a grey suit and blue tie, was going at the time and he was not accompanied by the Queen.

The King is currently being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer after being diagnosed with a large prostate earlier this year.

It comes as the Charles yesterday greeted the governor of the Bank of England for a historic meeting where he was presented with the first banknotes bearing his portrait.

King Charles III has been seen waving to royal fans as the left Clarence House in London today

The monarch was pictured greeting well-wishers outside the royal residence as he was driven out in his state Bentley limousine

The King praised the notes as 'very well designed' and expressed his surprise at being only the second monarch to feature.

He received a leather-bound booklet containing the historic legal tender from Andrew Bailey at Buckingham Palace.

It was a milestone moment for the monarch, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer.

'Good morning Governor. I'm sorry it's a bit delayed this. I hope it isn't too delayed,' Charles said.

But Mr Bailey replied: 'Not at all. We're still in advance of launching them.'

Charles remarked: 'Oh you are? Great.'

King Charles III (left) is presented with the first bank notes featuring his portrait from the Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey at Buckingham Palace

The King and Mr Bailey were joined by Sarah John (right), the Bank of England's Chief Cashier, whose signature appears on the currency

Charles and Mr Bailey were joined by Sarah John, the Bank of England's Chief Cashier, whose signature appears on the currency, and the King gave a broad grin as he greeted his guests in the 1844 Room.

Ms John told the King they were the number 1 notes in the series and that the general public would start to see them early in June.

The King replied: 'I wondered how it would come out.'

Charles inspected the four 5, 10, 20 and 50 notes - the first low-numbered note of each denomination with 01 000001 serial numbers - and pointed and smiled at the details as Mr Bailey turned the pages, showing the front and back.

King Charles is only the second British monarch to grace the Bank of England's notes - and it is the first time one sovereign's image has been replaced with another.

Although notes began to be issued from the late 17th century, Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the first British sovereign to be given the honour in 1960 on a 1 paper note. Before this, Britannia was the only character to have appeared.

A view of the 5 and 10 bank notes bearing a portrait of King Charles III, which will enter circulation on June 5

The other side of the 5 and 10 bank notes can be seen on the left, while the 20 and 50 notes bearing the King's face can be seen on the right

Mr Bailey said as he prepared to hand over the book: 'We have come to present you with your bank notes.'

It prompted Charles, who was stood with his hands behind his back, to chuckle and remark: 'Oh right.'

Mr Bailey told him: 'This is quite a big moment because we've never changed the sovereign on the bank notes because the Queen was the first sovereign to be on the bank notes.'

Charles replied: 'This is what is so surprising. You would think that it goes back.'

The King inspected the notes and praised the intricate features incorporated to prevent counterfeits, saying: 'A lot trouble taken in on the security side.'

'They're very well designed I must say,' he added.

The meeting between the Governor of the Bank of England and King Charles took place this morning

King Charles III reacts to the first bank notes featuring his portrait as Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey shows him the leather-bound booklet

The money will be issued gradually into circulation from June 5 - with Charles's portrait featuring on the front of the banknotes, as well as in cameo in the see-through security window, visible on the front and back.

The reverse side characters remain unchanged from previous editions - with Sir Winston Churchill on the 5, Jane Austen on the 10, JMW Turner on the 20 and Alan Turing on the 50.

Charles expressed his admiration of the artistry, saying of the 5: 'It's a very good photograph of Sir Winston.'

And he took a particular liking to the back of the 20 and the 50.

'They're very elegant these ones, I must say,' he said.

Existing notes featuring the portrait of the late Queen will continue to be legal tender, so the Elizabeth II and King Charles III notes will co-circulate.

New notes will only be printed to replace worn-out ones and to meet any overall increase in demand in order to minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change - in keeping with the Royal Household's request.
Sir Keir Starmer's wife was 'forced out of her own home' after pro-Palestine activists launched a protest outside it, a court heard.

It was heard that campaigners from Youth Demand arrived at the Labour leader's home yesterday to demand that the Labour leader use his influence to halt arms exports to Israel.

On Tuesday, demonstrators hung a banner outside Sir Keir's house that read: 'Starmer stop the killing,' surrounded by red hand prints.

The group also placed rows of children's shoes - representing the deaths of children in Gaza - up the pathway leading to the front door of the north London property.

Leonorah Ward, 21, of Leeds, Zosia Lewis, 23, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Daniel Formentin, 24, of Leeds, have been charged with harassing a person in their home under section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 and for breaching court bail.

Sir Keir Starmer 's wife was 'forced out of her own home' after pro-Palestine activists launched a protest outside it, a court heard (pictured: Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, on October 10, 2023)

Left to right: Leonorah Ward, 21, from Leeds, Daniel Formentin, 24, from Leeds and Zosia Lewis, 23, from Newcastle upon Tyne, outside Westminster Magistrates' Court today

The group that carried out the demonstration, known as Youth Demand, describes itself as a 'new youth resistance campaign fighting for an end to genocide'.

Prosecutor David Burns told Westminster Magistrates' Court the incident had 'really affected' Sir Keir's wife, Victoria, who was 'effectively forced out of her own home' after she had 'returned from a shopping trip with her son'.

The protest meant she could not return to her home because she 'felt intimidated', Mr Burns said.

At Westminster Magistrates Court today, Ward and Formentin were dressed all in grey during the hearing on Wednesday, while Lewis appeared wearing a Youth Demand T-shirt.

In a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, Youth Demand called for a two-way arms embargo on Israel, saying that weapons manufactured in the UK were being 'used to cause genocide'.

The same group sprayed Labour HQ with red paint on Monday and later claimed that 11 people had been arrested in relation to that incident.

The protest has led to condemnation from senior politicians including Rishi Sunak.

After the demonstration, Home Secretary James Cleverly tweeted: 'There is no excuse for harassing and intimidating politicians and their families in their homes.'

The group placed children's shoes - representing the deaths of children in Gaza - up the pathway leading to the front door of Sir Keir's home

Youth Demand said its members took part in the protest over Labour's refusal under Sir Keir to back an arms embargo on Israel. It led to condemnation from senior politicians including Rishi Sunak

On Tuesday Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose home was targeted by climate protesters last year, tweeted: 'I don't care what your politics are, no MP should be harassed at their own home. We cannot and will not tolerate this.'

District Judge Stephen Leake set a trial date of June 19 at the same court.

All three were granted conditional bail, ordering them not participate in any further protests, or to leave the county in which they live.

The Government has faced increasing pressure to suspend arms export licences to Israel after seven aid workers, including three British nationals, were killed by an Israeli air strike.

Many MPs have also called on the Government to publish legal advice it has received on whether Israel is violating international law in Gaza, where more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7.

Sir Keir has reiterated calls for the Government to publish the advice, and the party's shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, has said arms sales should be halted if there has been a 'serious breach' of international law.
Police Scotland received nearly 7,800 reports of hate crime under Scotland's new law in the first week of operation - with three per cent of the reports resulting in a recorded offence, the force has said.

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act was enacted on April 1 and since then police say they have logged 7,152 reports of hate made online, alongside 400 police logged hate reports and a handful of complaints made by phone or email.

Police say the vast number of reports of online hate received during the first week - many of which were targeted at JK Rowling and First Minister Humza Yousaf - were anonymous. They were assessed against the legislation and no action was taken.

The force intends to publish data on the new legislation weekly. It says there has been a 'substantial increase' in the number of online hate reports it has received compared to before the legislation came into effect.

However, police chiefs insist that the impact of the law on frontline policing and its ability to respond to calls regarding other crimes has been 'minimal'.

Protesters at a protest against the new Hate Crime Act in Edinburgh on April 1. Police say over 7,700 reports were made in the first week, including 7,152 reports of online hate

Many of the complaints were made against Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, for a video circulated by far-right accounts on social media that sought to portray him as racist

JK Rowling was also the subject of many complaints for a series of tweets she made targeting high-profile trans women, including convicted criminals

The law has sparked protests from gender critical campaigners and political opponents (pictured: a protest outside the Scottish Parliament on April 1, when the law came into effect)

Your browser does not support iframes.

Scotland's justice secretary Angela Constance (pictured) said the rise in the number of hate crimes recorded because of the new law justified its existence

Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer has defended the law, saying it has not outlawed 'being an a**hole'

A breakdown of the figures published on Wednesday shows 3,419 online hate reports were made on April Fools' Day, the day the law came into effect.

The number of reports then drops off substantially: on April 2, 1,359 reports were made - followed by 586, 961, 304, 180 and 343 on April 3 through to April 7.

There were also 430 police incidents that were labelled as hate crimes, 34 hate crime related calls on 999 or 101 phone numbers, and 141 reports made via email.

Of the reports made, 240 were recorded as hate crimes - almost double that of the same time period for recent years, when 139 were recorded in the week of April 1-7 in 2021. Two of those were raised at the Celtic v Rangers match on Sunday April 7.

A breakdown of the alleged aggravating factors in recorded hate crimes reveals that 120 crimes were alleged to stir up hate based on age, while another 42 were said to target people based on their sexual orientation.

Police claim 38 of the reported hate crimes were based on disability, 21 apiece for age and religion, and another eight crimes were said to have transgender hate as an aggravating factor.

Scotland's justice secretary Angela Constance says the rise in the number of hate crimes recorded under the new law justified its existence.

She told the PA news agency: 'It is important when we look at the number of hate crimes recorded - 240 - by Police Scotland in one week alone, I think that demonstrates that this legislation is required and needed to protect marginalised and vulnerable communities most at risk of racial hatred and prejudice.'

Another 30 of the 7,757 reports made to police resulted in the recording of an NCHI - meaning they were not considered to meet the criminal threshold, but assessed as running the risk of stirring up hate in communities.

As with the recording of potential offences, there were more NCHIs logged last week than for the same time period in previous years.

Preliminary data also suggests more than four out of five Police Scotland officers have completed the two hour training on the new law as of the end of last week.

The force also received 100 freedom of information requests and 46 personal Subject Access Requests from members of the public in relation to the new law.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'This data highlights the substantial increase in the number of online hate reports being received since 1 April.

'This significant demand continues to be managed within our contact centres and so far the impact on frontline policing, our ability to answer calls and respond to those who need our help in communities across Scotland has been minimal.

'All complaints received are reviewed by officers, supported by dedicated hate crime advisers, and dealt with appropriately, whether that is being progressed for further assessment, or closed as they do not meet the criteria under the legislation'.

Some of the posts made by JK Rowling on X/Twitter on transgender women, which police say did not meet the criminal threshold when assessed under Scotland's new hate crime laws

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has accused Police Scotland of 'making it up as they go'

Police recorded a non-crime hate incident against Mr Fraser for this tweet, in which he said choosing to identify as non-binary was 'as valid as choosing to identify as a cat'

When the law was enacted on April Fools' Day, police were inundated with what Scottish community safety minister Siobhian Brown described as 'fake and vexatious complaints', including a hoax made in her own name.

Among the high-profile targets of many complaints were Mr Yousaf, a video of whom was circulated by far-right accounts on social media.

The clip, of a 2020 speech made in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests in which he lamented the lack of non-white people in Scottish public offices, was taken out of context in a manner that sought to portray him as racist.

It prompted Elon Musk, under whom troubled social network X, formerly Twitter, has recorded a notable rise in hate speech, to label Mr Yousaf a 'blatant racist'.

JK Rowling was also reported for a series of tweets she made targeting high-profile trans women, including convicted criminals, whom she labelled 'men'. She challenged Police Scotland to arrest her in the series of posts on April 1.

She won support from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said: 'We should not be criminalising saying common sense things about biological sex.'

Neither incident was considered a hate crime by police, nor logged as an NCHI.

This prompted fury from Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, who accused the police of 'political bias' after remarks he made about non-binary people, claiming that identifying as such as 'as valid as choosing to identify as a cat', were slapped with an NCHI label.

Trans newsreader India Willoughby, one of those targeted by Rowling's tweets, later accused police of having 'stardust in their eyes' by not treating her remarks as hateful.

Today's figures broadly align with warnings earlier this week from the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, that around 8,000 complaints were made in the first week of the law taking effect.

Building on existing race hate crime laws, the new legislation also outlaws 'stirring up' hatred against protected characteristics such as age, disability, religion, transgender identity and those who are intersex.

Campaigners have claimed the law threatens to infringe on the right to freedom of speech - but Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer says the law has not outlawed the ability to 'be an a**hole'.

Speaking to the BBC Scotland Podlitical podcast, Mr Greer said it had not been made illegal to be unpleasant or offensive.

'It's not illegal to be an a**hole now,' he said.

'It was not illegal to be an a**hole before and for the last week it has still not been illegal to be an a**hole.'

He added: 'That doesn't mean that you should be.'

Judy Murray, who has backed JK Rowling in an ongoing trans rights row

JK Rowling has previously warred with the SNP over its stance on transgender people - branding Humza Yousaf's predecessor Nicola Sturgeon a 'destroyer of women's rights'

Responding to Rowling's post, defining a woman as 'a human being...that produces large gametes', Murray said: 'Preach'

David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, has warned police are being called in to do overtime to keep up with the hate crime reports being made

Police Scotland itself maintains that it is coping with the additional demands put upon it by the new legislation despite almost 8,000 complaints being made in the first week

Multi-millionaire author Rowling - who also writes under the male pen name Robert Galbraith - has continued to blast the SNP's new law on X, where she has 14.1 million followers.

In a 709-word tweet later hailed by Judy Murray, mother of tennis star Andy, the Harry Potter writer defined a woman as a person 'who belongs to the sex class that produces large gametes'.

Rowling, who has denied previous claims she is transphobic, said in the essay that she felt 'nothing but sympathy for anyone' suffering from gender dysphoria - the mismatch someone can feel between their birth sex and their chosen gender.

David Threadgold, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), previously warned that Police Scotland's vow to investigate every report of hate crime would create a 'simply unmanageable' situation.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'When you have vexatious complaints, people who look to weaponise this legislation or who make these complaints for personal gain or political point scoring, then that creates a problem for the police which can affect public satisfaction in my organisation.

'Now, the First Minister in Scotland can talk about his confidence, and Police Scotlands ability to deal with vexatious complaints as he has done, but what we have never seen before is the scale of the complaints coming in around one piece of legislation.'

David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, had previously described the new law as a 'disaster', claiming less than one per cent of the complaints made were resulting in 'actual hate crime investigations'. The real figure is roughly 3.3 per cent.
Footage has revealed the harrowing aftermath of the Bradford knife attack after a mother was stabbed to death in front of her baby son.

Kulsuma Akter, 27, was ambushed in a shocking daylight attack while she walked with her five-month-old son during a shopping trip on Saturday.

Shocking footage from the scene in Westgate just minutes after the stabbing shows police and Ms Akter's friends looking after her child as he lies unharmed in a pram.

Police are currently questioning Habibur Masum, 25, over the incident after he was arrested on Tuesday following a major manhunt.

Masum, from Oldham, was arrested in the Aylesbury area - 180 miles away from Bradford. He is believed to be the father of the child - according to locals - and his Facebook says he is married.

This is the harrowing aftermath of the Bradford knife attack after Kulsuma Akter, 27, was stabbed to death in front of her baby son

Footage shows police and members of the public gathered round the pram holding Ms Akter's unharmed child

Habibur Masum, 25, who is currently being questioned by police over the incident after he was arrested on Tuesday

Masum appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court accused of assaulting and threatening to kill Ms Akter last November but was released on bail.

Prosecutors argued for Masum to be remanded in custody after he pleaded not guilty to the charges, it emerged today.

However, his solicitor argued he should not be jailed and magistrates agreed to grant Masum conditional bail, on the basis that he was to have no contact with the victim and another relative, and not to go to a particular address in Oldham.

The case was adjourned for 10 months, with Masum next ordered to appear before JPs on September 30.

Police have arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Greater Manchester Police and West Yorkshire Police have both referred themselves to the Independent Officer for Police Conduct due to their previous contact with Masum and Ms Akter.

Ms Akter's family paid tribute to the 'lovely' mother following the tragic incident.

Her brother Hossain emotionally said the family had been 'completely devastated' by her loss and revealed he had to call their mother who lives in Bangladesh to deliver the news of her death.

Speaking to MailOnline, he said: 'We are heartbroken and completely devastated. We are not even able to speak and have been crying all the time since this happened.

'We had to call our mother in Bangladesh to tell her the news. Can you imagine what this was like for us? I can't believe my sister is dead. I'm sorry, I can't speak any more.'

Ms Akter's cousin, Aftab Miah, also revealed that she did not work, spoke limited English and relied on her husband for her financial survival.

Kulsuma Akter's cousin, Aftab Miah (pictured), paid tribute to the mother, calling her a 'lovely girl' who was 'always smiling'

The scene Westgate, Bradford, on Saturday after Ms Akter was brutally stabbed to death in broad daylight while pushing her son in a pram

Masum, from Oldham, was arrested in the Aylesbury area - 180 miles away from Bradford

Mr Miah, 53, added: 'She was a lovely girl and had a great personality. She was always smiling and liked to make people laugh.

'We will miss her a lot and her death has hit us all really hard. But married life became quite difficult for her.'

He revealed that Ms Akter lived in the village of Singerkach, Sylet, eastern Bangladesh before coming to the UK. Her mother still resides there but her father works in Saudi Arabia.

He added: 'The family are spread across the world and are not even able to come together at this very difficult time. I can't put into words the pain they are going through. It's horrific.'

Masum, who is from the city of Sylhet in eastern Bangladesh, studied for a masters in digital marketing at the University of Bedfordshire, and shares travel vlogs of his 'adventures' and life in the UK to his 14 YouTube subscribers.

Announcing the arrest yesterday, detective chief inspector Stacey Atkinson, of West Yorkshire Police's homicide and major enquiry team, said: 'This is a tragic incident in which a mother has lost her life in the most horrific of circumstances.

'We understand that this has caused a considerable amount of concern in the local community. Local neighbourhood policing teams are patrolling the area conducting reassurance to the community.

'We would like to thank Thames Valley Police for their support and assistance in this matter.'

Officers had appealed to members of the public to report any sightings of Masum

Online, Masum presents an image of himself as an enthusiastic traveller who enjoys discovering new cultures

One video shows him admiring the wide range of of Bangladeshi made clothes in Primark before filming a children's offer and leaving with two full bags

A witness at a nearby fruit and veg shop in Bradford revealed Ms Akter's death was caught on their CCTV, with footage showing a seemingly peaceful conversation being shattered by the horrific attack.

The bystander told The Sun: 'He walked up Westgate from town with the mother and baby. They then were chatting outside the shop for about five minutes, just talking together.'

According to another eyewitness, the mother was stabbed 'four to five times' in the neck while shopping with a friend. The baby was not harmed.

Geo Khan, 69, who runs the shop, tried to resuscitate Ms Akter, who was one of his customers.

Mr Khan said he was sitting in his store on Saturday afternoon when he was alerted by screams on the other side of Westgate, in central Bradford.

He said he rushed over to Ms Akter, who was with a friend outside a convenience store on Wigan Street, and was joined by a doctor as others called the ambulance.

'I was sitting in my shop and heard screaming,' Mr Khan said on Monday. 'I came out and I tried to check the pulse. There was no pulse.'

He said: 'Blood was all over on the floor and there were stab wounds in her neck.'

Mr Khan said he was joined by the passing doctor who took over trying to help Ms Akter, but agreed there was no pulse.

'Him and me and another guy tried to rescue her, but she was already gone,' Mr Khan said. 'I don't think she was there any more.'

He said: 'Whatever happened, it's a very sad thing.'

Mr Khan said Ms Akter came into his shop the day before the incident, and he believes she only came to the area a few weeks ago.

He said the baby is about four or five months old. Mr Khan said he believes she is from Bangladesh.

He said: 'She was a very, very innocent person - the smile on her face.'

It is understood Masum is a master's student at the University of Bedfordshire studying Digital Marketing

Masum giving a peace sign as he celebrates his graduation from the University of Bedfordshire

The student was filmed dancing at an event in a TikTok video shared last year

At a press conference yesterday, assistant chief constable Damien Miller of West Yorkshire Police said Ms Akter was from Oldham, Greater Manchester, where she had been in contact with police prior to moving to Bradford.

He added that Masum was also known to police in Greater Manchester.

'On Saturday April 6, shortly before 3.20pm Kulsuma Akter was walking in Bradford city centre,' he said.

'Kulsuma was with her young baby at this time, and was walking along Westgate when she was attacked and stabbed multiple times.

'The emergency services were called at 3.21pm. However, despite the best efforts of members of the public, ambulance crews, and hospital staff, Kulsuma sadly lost her life due to the injuries. Her baby is safe and well and was not harmed in this incident.'

Detective superintendent Jude Holmes, from GMP, said: 'We share the shock and concern that our communities feel in the wake of this tragic incident, and our thoughts are with Kulsuma Akter's family at this truly distressing time.'

'Due to previous police contact with Habibur Masum and Kulsuma Akter, Greater Manchester Police has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.'
A museum in Margaret Thatcher's hometown has rejected calls to be renamed after the late former Conservative prime minister.

Cllr Ashley Baxter, the independent leader of South Kesteven District Council, called for the renaming of the Grantham Museum which holds one of her handbags and Spitting Image puppet among its exhibits.

But the museum said it existed to promote 'all of Grantham' and not just Britain's first female prime minister.

A statue of Mrs Thatcher has stood outside the museum, which is devoted to the history of the town and the surrounding area, since 2022.

But Cllr Baxter said the town had to go 'a step further' in 'honouring its most famous daughter.'

Margaret Thatcher, the UK's first female PM, was raised in Grantham, Lincolnshire

Cllr Ashley Baxter, South Kesteven District Council's leader, called for the renaming of the Grantham Museum

The newly installed statue of the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in May 2022

Speaking at a recent council meeting, he said: 'Far more people will be looking up the name Margaret Thatcher compared to searching for Grantham Museum. Some people are fond of her legacy, and some despise it.'

He added: 'If we tell the story with different perspectives, far more people will be likely to come to Grantham to see the statue and visit the museum.'

Cllr Baxter went on to say the renaming could help Lincolnshire attract as many visitors as tourist hotspots like Devon and Cornwall.

He continued: 'We're better than Devon and Cornwall and we should be drawing some of those visitors away.'

However, a spokesperson for the museum said of any potential renaming: 'It is not something we would support or consider.

'We remain committed to promoting all of Grantham, its rich history and its heritage.'

Cllr Graham Jeal, a Conservative who sits on the museum's board, said the renaming would be 'wrong'.

He added: 'In spite of what Cllr Baxter said, many thousands of tourists do find their way to the Grantham Museum.

'I think it would be wrong to focus our town's rich history around one figure  important though she was in putting Grantham on the map.'

He pointed to other figures such as scientist Sir Isaac Newton, who was born in Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth, a hamlet near Grantham.

Mrs Thatcher was born on October 13 1925 and spent her childhood in the Lincolnshire market town before heading off to Somerville College, Oxford, at the age of 18 to study chemistry.

It comes as a pensioner was captured on CCTV seemingly etching a slur in bright red paint on the Thatcher statue.

The 300,000 monument of the Iron Lady was defaced with the word 'b******' in what has become the latest offence in a string of vandal attacks against the statue.

A pensioner has been captured on CCTV seemingly etching a slur in bright red paint on the Margaret Thatcher statue in her hometown

Police are now investigating this latest attack which is believed to have taken place overnight on March 5 and 6, at around midnight.

The latest attack in the week of the 40th anniversary of the miners' strike, which began in 1984 and lasted until the following year.

The late Conservative Prime Minister led the country from 1979 to 1990.

The argument about how or even whether Mrs Thatcher, who died aged 87 in April 2013 after suffering a stroke, should be recognised in Grantham has rumbled on for nearly two decades.
President Joe Biden is considering taking a page from Donald Trump's book by taking executive action by the end of April to dramatically limit how many asylum seekers can cross the southern border.

The action would see Biden finally addressing the border and would attempt to send a massive message ahead of November's election that he takes illegal immigration seriously after years of criticism for largely ignoring the migration crisis.

Under Biden's leadership, the U.S. has experienced all-time-high levels of illegal immigration crossing into the country by way of the southern border with Mexico.

Currently, the White House is exploring whether the president can restrict immigrants claiming asylum at the southern border without first gaining congressional approval.

'We're examining whether or not I have that power,' Biden told Univision's Enrique Acevedo in an interview taped last week that aired on Tuesday.

President Joe Biden revealed in an interview with Univision aired on Tuesday that is eyeing executive order to restrict the number of migrants who can claim asylum at the southern border as a way to quell the massive surges ahead of November's election

Migration has hit all-time-highs during Biden's time in office. Pictured: Migrants camp out on the Mexico side of the border with El Paso, Texas

'Some are suggesting that I should just go ahead and try it,' the president said when speaking with the Spanish-language broadcaster. 'And if I get shut down by the court, I get shut down by the court.'

Hundreds of thousands of migrants cross every month at the southern border and states bordering Mexico are struggling to address the crisis without federal-level action.

Indicative of how big the southern border issues is to Americans  and specifically Republicans  the House passed impeachment articles against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and they are going to the Senate on Wednesday, where the Biden official will likely be acquitted.

The Biden administration has implemented programs that allow other ways for migrants to gain access into the country without documentation or legal status other than through just the southern border.

For example, the Cuba, Haiti, Niicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program allows for 30,000 asylum-seekers each month from these four countries to apply to be flown into U.S. airports and released into the country without legal status for a two-year grace period.

Widespread criticism ensued for the program after it was revealed that more than 320,000 undocumented migrants were flown into the U.S. from January 2023 through February 2024. An analysis from the Center for Immigration Studies found that the vast majority of these foreigners were flown into Miami, Florida.

Migrants set up camps to rest after arriving in the Rio Grande in Juarez, Mexico on April 9 and being prevented by Texas enforcement from crossing the border into the U.S. to claim asylum

Biden told Univision host Enrique Acevedo, 'Some are suggesting that I should just go ahead and try it' and said he could use the courts, if needed, to shut down the border

While Biden says he will lean in on the plan to restrict migration at the border, he acknowledges that there is 'no guarantee' that he has the power to take this unilateral action at the border without congressional legislation first hitting his desk.

The order could come by the end of the month, according to Axios.

Despite internal debate over politics and legality of the move, Biden wanted to take a dramatic step after he was briefed on rising voter anger over the crisis at the southern border.

Some close to the president told Axios they are worried shutting down the border in any way would create optics of a Trump-like move.

Trump tore into the president's impending move on immigration, claiming it's too little, too late and that Biden is lying about implementing any policies that would quell the southern border crisis.

'For 3 years, Crooked Joe Biden has flooded our Country with tens of millions of Illegal Aliens, while insisting he could do nothing to stop it,' Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social on Wednesday.

Migrants gather to enter the U.S. through razor wire fencing between Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico and El Paso, Texas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law allowing his officials to arrest, detain and deport migrants, which has slowed fluxes at certain crossings where law enforcement prevents migrants from illegally coming into the country. Pictured: Groups of migrants set up camp in the Rio Grande on April 9, 2024

'Do NOT be fooled by any phony Biden Executive Order,' the former president added. 'Crooked Joe opposes Deportations, and he wants to turn his Illegal Migrants into Voting Citizens. He is giving them Free Welfare, Healthcare, and Housing, and he's letting them crash our Hospitals, our Education System, and Social Security and Medicare, while our Communities are under siege from Migrant Crime.'

'Crooked Joe Biden's Illegal Invasion is a crime against the United States of America.'

Trump concluded in his social media rant that he would 'deport Crooked Joe's Illegals and SHUT THE BORDER DOWN!'

Biden is eyeing using authority granted in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which provides presidents leeway in blocking entry of certain immigrants if it would be 'detrimental' to national interests.

Former President Trump repeatedly leaned on that section of the law to shut-out certain immigrants crossing illegally and seeking asylum at the southern border.

Presidents using section 212(f) to restrict migration does not require congressional approval.
The disastrous Willy Wonka experience that sent the internet wild after it bombed in Glasgow is set to hit Hollywood.

Los Angeles Wonka fans can expect an array of fantastical attractions in a 'nondescript warehouse' in the city's downtown, including two whole jelly beans with a $44 ticket.

Actress Kirsty Paterson, who sparked a wave of memes with her forlorn look at the Glasgow edition, is also billed for a Q&A and photo session.

But Paterson may be outshone in Tinseltown as the event teases that 'Wonka' heartthrob Timothee Chalamet 'has perhaps maybe expressed interest in attending.'

Actor and yoga teacher Kirsty Paterson (pictured), 29, who became a viral hit after pictures emerged of her as a 'sad Oompa Loompa', will be the star of the Los Angeles event

When the original event was held in Glasgow in February, furious parents demanded refunds and even called the police after the 'wondrous' Wonka experience turned out to be a disaster

'Wonka' actor Timothee Chalamet is satirically teased as 'perhaps maybe' attending the event's Los Angeles rendition

Guests at the Los Angeles event can expect two 'complimentary' jelly beans, a DJ set, and a Q&A with the infamous 'sad Oompa Loompa'

When the Glasgow edition of the event was held in February, it was such a calamity that even police were called by furious parents.

But after images of Paterson as the sole 'sad Oompa Loompa' alongside scattered decorations and empty floors went viral, the event's organizers are trying to springboard into America.

The new event will be held on April 28, and promises to 'kickstart the sweetness' with two complimentary jelly beans.

From there, guests can expect a DJ set and live comedy performances, and an immersive 'tiny cinema' installation screening silent films.

In Scotland, attendees were left seething after promises of unlimited chocolates and sweets turned out to be just a few morsels.

But in Los Angeles the organizers have enlisted local vendors, which they say will be able to 'satisfy every craving.'

There is no mention, however, at of any appearance of 'The Unknown', a haunting made-up character that sent kids screaming in terror after it emerged from behind a mirror in the viral February stunt.

While Chalamet's appearance may be satirical as the organizers only note he has 'perhaps maybe' expressed interest, they claim that renowned comedians are vying for the hosting spot at Paterson's Q&A.

In Glasgow, families were left stunned when they arrived and were greeted with a near-empty factory with a few Wonka-themed props and a small bouncy castle

Children were left screaming in terror at the Glasgow event at the emergence of 'The Unknown', a haunting made-up character for the Wonka themed event

The Glasgow event was cancelled and furious parents even called the police as its calamitous setup left much to be desired

Irate parents slammed the 35-a-ticket event in Glasgow as 'an absolute shambles' after being promised 'a universe where your dreams come true' and would 'make memories that will last a lifetime'

Billed as the 'notorious Scottish Oompa Loompa', Paterson told the Daily Record that the opportunity to entertain on America's West Coast is a 'modern day fairytale.'

Since her viral fame earlier this year, she said she received messages of support from celebrities across the world, and has plans to launch a career as a children's television presenter.

Ms Paterson added: 'I didn't really expect to end up in the USA or to go as big as this because the USA is on a different level. I've not been to America before. As a trained actor it's really exciting for me to go over there.

'I'm doing a lot of meetings and a lot of networking out there. As a trained actress it's not an impossibility that I'll be doing movies.'

After meeting film moguls in Hollywood, Ms Paterson will appear at the former Studio 54 nightclub in New York, now named 54 54 54, in May, the Record reported.

Paterson said the opportunity to star in the Los Angeles edition of the event is 'like a modern day fairytale'

The Glasgow event was hosted by House of Illuminati and businessman Billy Coull, but Paterson clarified: 'The House of Illuminati LA name is a joke. It's not Billy Coull. I don't do any work with him and steer clear of that for a reason. After LA I'm off to New York.'

Halston Bruce, an event producer in Los Angeles, told the Record: 'There will be a meet and greet experience in Los Angeles with tongue-in-cheek versions of the original Glasgow Wonka experience.

'This event will include live music, DJs and food vendors, and will be celebrating her humour and wit as she has demonstrated in all of the live news interviews.'
A former assistant principal at a Virginia elementary school has been charged with felony child neglect more than a year after a six-year-old boy brought a gun to class and shot his teacher.

A special grand jury in Newport News found that Ebony Parker showed a reckless disregard for the lives of Richneck Elementary School students on Jan. 6, 2023, according to indictments unsealed Tuesday.

Parker, 39, faces eight felony counts, each of which is punishable by up to five years in prison - meaning she could face a maximum of 40 years behind bars.

Along with other school officials, Parker also faces a separate $40 million negligence lawsuit from the teacher who was shot, Abby Zwerner.

She accuses them of ignoring multiple warnings the boy had a gun and was in a 'violent mood' the day of the shooting.

A special grand jury in Newport News found that Ebony Parker (right) showed a reckless disregard for the lives of Richneck Elementary School students on Jan. 6, 2023, according to indictments unsealed Tuesday. (Pictured: Parker, right, with principal Briana Newton, left)

Parker and other school officials already face a $40 million negligence lawsuit from the teacher who was shot, Abby Zwerner (pictured)

Pictured: the mom of the six-year-old boy Deja Taylor arriving to the United States Courthouse in Newport News, Va., on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023

Court documents filed Tuesday reveal little about the criminal case against Parker, listing only the counts and a description of the felony charge.

It alleges that Parker 'did commit a willful act or omission in the care of such students, in a manner so gross, wanton and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life.'

Newport News police have said the student who shot Zwerner retrieved his mother's handgun from atop a dresser at home and brought the weapon to school concealed in a backpack.

Zwerner's lawsuit describes a series of warnings that school employees gave administrators before the shooting.

The lawsuit said those warnings began with Zwerner telling Parker that the boy 'was in a violent mood,' had threatened to beat up a kindergartener and stared down a security officer in the lunchroom.

It alleges that Parker 'had no response, refusing even to look up' when Zwerner expressed her concerns.

When concerns were raised that the child may have transferred the gun from his backpack to his pocket, Parker said his 'pockets were too small to hold a handgun and did nothing,' the lawsuit states.

Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, where the shooting occurred

Parker and other school officials already face a $40 million negligence lawsuit from the teacher who was shot, Abby Zwerner (pictured)

A guidance counselor also asked Parker for permission to search the boy, but Parker forbade him, 'and stated that John Does mother would be arriving soon to pick him up,' the lawsuit stated.

Zwerner was sitting at a reading table in front of the class when the boy fired the gun, police said.

The bullet struck Zwerner's hand and then her chest, collapsing one of her lungs.

She spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and has endured multiple surgeries as well as ongoing emotional trauma, according to her lawsuit.

Despite her brush with death, Abby said she was excited to return to teaching

Parker and the lawsuit's other defendants, which include a former superintendent and the Newport News school board, have tried to block Zwerner's lawsuit.

They've argued that Zwerner's injuries fall under Virginia's workers' compensation law. Their arguments have been unsuccessful so far in blocking the litigation.

A trial date for Zwerner's lawsuit is slated for January.

The Associated Press left a message seeking comment Tuesday with Parkers attorney, Curtis Rogers.

Criminal charges against school officials following a school shootings are quite rare, experts say.

Prosecutors had said a year ago that they were investigating whether the 'actions or omissions' of any school employees could lead to criminal charges.

Howard Gwynn, the commonwealths attorney in Newport News, said in April 2023 that he had petitioned a special grand jury to probe if any 'security failures' contributed to the shooting.

Gwynn wrote that an investigation could also lead to recommendations 'in the hopes that such a situation never occurs again.'

It is not the first school shooting to spark a criminal investigation into school officials.

For instance, a former school resource officer was acquitted of all charges last year after he was accused of hiding during the Parkland school massacre in 2018.

Chuck Vergon, a professor of educational law and policy at the University of Michigan-Flint, told The AP last year that it is rare for a teacher or school official to be charged in a school shooting because allegations of criminal negligence can be difficult to prove.

More often, he said, those impacted by school shootings seek to hold school officials liable in civil court.
The SNP have been dealt a fresh blow after a new poll revealed they have been overtaken by Labour for the first time since the 2014 independence referendum.

In the latest YouGov survey, Labour won the support of one-third (33 per cent) of Scottish voters when they were asked who they would back at a general election.

This put Sir Keir Starmer's party a two-point lead over the SNP, who were backed by 31 per cent of Scottish voters when it came to a Westminster election.

The two parties were ahead of the Tories (14 per cent), Liberal Democrats (7 per cent), Reform UK (7 per cent) and Greens (5 per cent).

The poll will be seen as a major milestone in Labour ranks as Sir Keir continues his bid to become PM, with winning back Scottish seats seen as a key part of the party's path to power.

YouGov's previous poll in October had the SNP a single point ahead of Labour (33 per cent to 32 per cent).

In the latest YouGov survey, Labour won the support of one-third (33 per cent) of Scottish voters when they were asked who they would back at a general election

The YouGov poll revealed the SNP have been overtaken by Labour for the first time since the 2014 independence referendum

When asked if they would support Scottish independence, 53 per cent of voters said 'No' compared to 47 per cent who would said 'Yes'

The pollster's latest survey found a fifth of the SNP's voters from the 2019 general election had now been lost to Labour.

Humza Yousaf's party were shown to have only retained the support of two-thirds (66 per cent) of voters who backed them previously.

There was grim news for the Tories after their vote share in Scotland was found to have dropped six points since October.

YouGov found, as with polling of the wider country, the Tory decline 'is in part due to the growth in Reform UKs appeal'.

The Nigel Farage-backed outfit increased their vtoe share by five points from October, from 2 per cent to 7 per cent.

The Conservatives were shown to have retained little more than half (54 per cent) of Scottish voters who backed them in 2019, with 19 per cent switching to Labour and 22 per cent to Reform.

When asked if they would support Scottish independence, 53 per cent of voters said 'No' compared to 47 per cent who would said 'Yes'.

This was the same split as the last time YouGov polled the issue in September last year.

A recent YouGov MRP study showed Labour were on course to win 28 Scottish seats at the general election compared to the SNP's 19

Mr Yousaf has seen a continuing collapse in the SNP's polling ratings since he succeeded Nicola Sturgeon as party leader and First Minister a year ago.

The latest polling blow comes after a recent YouGov mega-poll of nearly 19,000 voters showed Labour were on course to overtake the SNP as Scotland's largest party in terms of seats in the House of Commons.

The MRP study, based on detailed seat-by-seat polling and published last week, found Sir Keir was set to win 28 Scottish seats at the general election compared to the SNP's 19, while the Tories and Lib Dems would win five each.
Furious shoppers have branded the cost of olive oil 'disgusting' after prices almost tripled in three years.

In January 2021, the average price of a bottle of olive oil was 3.54. Today, research by MailOnline found the average is 9.49, an increase of more than 168 per cent.

The most expensive bottle of olive oil is 22 for 500ml from Waitrose. It's almost double the price of a 750ml bottle of Whispering Angel Provence Rose, which is just 11.49 from the same supermarket.

The cheapest place to buy a 500ml bottle of olive oil is Aldi, where you can get your hands on one for just 4.59. Iceland had the cheapest bottle on average at 5.50, although it only offered a single type.

Comparing all the cheapest 500ml bottles from each shop, the Co-Op came out with the most expensive, of 7.35.

Pictured: The price of the cheapest bottle of 500ml olive oil in each UK supermarket.

The most expensive bottle of olive oil is 22 for 500ml from Waitrose (pictured). It's almost double the price of a 750ml bottle of Whispering Angel Provence Rose, which is just 11.49 from the same supermarket

Appalled shoppers in London told MailOnline they were horrified by the prices.

Pensioner Lynn Valentine, 70, from Oval, said it was 'robbery' but 'people are paying so they are getting away with it'.

She told MailOnline: 'That's ridiculous. That's absolute extortion. It's disgusting.

'The only thing that comes down in England is the rain.

'The fat cats get fatter. The pensioners have to get on with it.'

Standing by the olive oil aisle in Edgware Road's Tesco, recent widow Shirley McNamara, 73, said: 'They are just robbing us on everything. I like to get a glass bottle but that's 15 and that's ridiculous.

'You could sit down and cry but that won't changed anything.'

The increase is down to a mixture of droughts and wildfires in Italy combined with increased post-Brexit trade tariffs and a spate of olive tree thefts in Spain by crime gangs who want to profit from the high prices.

Furious shoppers have branded the cost of olive oil 'disgusting' after prices almost tripled in three years. Pictured: The olive oil shelves in Tesco

Aldi 's Specially Selected PDO Terra Di Barri is just 4.59 (pictured), the cheapest on offer

Supermarkets in the UK have even taken to slapping security tags on olive oil in a bid to prevent shoplifting.

Harvir Dhillon, an economist at the British Retail Consortium, said: 'Olive harvests have been badly affected by weather conditions in several Mediterranean countries, including Spain, where the UK gets most of its supply.

'This has reduced the supply of olive oil, increasing prices. Weaker exchange rates have further increased the cost of importing olive oil.'

The chief executive of Filippo Berio, Walter Zanre, told The Grocer: 'People are leaving and the concern is that the consumption isn't going to come back when the next big harvest happens.'

He admitted that even he would understand consumers balking at paying the high shelf prices being demanded and said many shoppers appear to have rejected olive oil completely rather than trading down to cheaper supermarket brands.

Here, MailOnline can reveal just how expensive olive oil has become in Britain's supermarkets in this list of shops arranged by most to least average price:

Waitrose, Wimbledon

Cheapest 500ml price: 5.50, Essential Waitrose Light In Colour Olive Oil, 500ml

Most expensive bottle: 22, Margues de Valdueza Extra Virgin (500ml) and Terre di San Vito Extra Virgin (500ml) olive oils, both the same price

Average price: 13.75

Coming in at the top of the list with the highest average price for a bottle is Waitrose.

When MailOnline visited its store in Wimbledon, the shop offered a 1L bottle of olive oil costing 7.50 as part of its 'everyday value' section.

Meanwhile, under its 'offers' section, Waitrose advertised a 1L bottle of Filippo Berio for 11.

Waitrose refused to comment.

When MailOnline visited Waitrose's store in Wimbledon, the shop offered a 1L bottle of olive oil costing 7.50 as part of its 'everyday value' section. The most expensive bottle costed a whopping 22

Under its 'offers' section, Waitrose advertised a 1L bottle of Filippo Berio for 11

Pictured: Waitrose's Wimbledon supermarket, where the UK's most expensive bottle of olive oil can be bought

Tesco, Edgware Road

Cheapest 500ml price: 6.60, Tesco Olive Oil

Most expensive bottle: 15.50, Il Casolare Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1L

Average price: 11.05

Tesco has the second most expensive bottles of olive oil on average, at 11.05 each.

Shoppers at the store were shocked by the prices.

Standing by the olive oil aisle in Edgware Road's Tesco, recent widow Shirley McNamara, 73, said: 'They are just robbing us on everything. I like to get a glass bottle but that's 15 and that's ridiculous.

'You could sit down and cry but that won't changed anything.'

Since her husband died, she has struggled financially and relies on her son to give her money for shopping.

'It's only my income coming in now.'

She added she wouldn't be able to afford to go shopping 'If it weren't for my son - he comes and gives me money.'

Another shoppers, Harriet Mitchell, 28, admitted she avoids olive oil and said she was shocked at how 'expensive' it would be to buy.

Standing by the olive oil aisle in Edgware Road's Tesco (pictured), recent widow Shirley McNamara, 73, said: 'They are just robbing us on everything. I like to get a glass bottle but that's 15 and that's ridiculous'

Tesco has the second most expensive bottles of olive oil on average, at 11.05 each

Co-Op, Wimbledon Park

Cheapest 500ml price: 7.35, Co-op Olive Oil, 500ml

Most expensive bottle: 12.50, Filippo Berio, 500ml

Average price: 9.93

The Co-Op came in with the third highest average for a bottle of olive oil.

At 9.93, it is 180 per cent more than the average cost of a bottle in January 2021.

The Co-op's Extra Virgin Olive Oil (500ml) costed 7.65 at its Wimbledon Park store, even though the same product was just 5.49 up the road at Nisa in Southfields.

The Co-Op came in with the third highest average for a bottle of olive oil

The Co-op's Extra Virgin Olive Oil (500ml) costed 7.65 at its Wimbledon Park store (pictured), even though the same product was just 5.49 up the road at Nisa in Southfields

Sainsbury's, Southfields

Cheapest price (no 500ml bottle)*: 8.95, Sainsbury's Olive Oil, 1L

*Online, the Sainsbury's site offers 5.75 for a bottle of 500ml olive oil

Most expensive bottle: 9.90, Filippo Berio, 500ml

Average price: 9.43

At this Sainsbury's in Southfields, the cheapest bottle of olive oil for sale costed 8.95.

The most expensive bottle was around a pound more expensive, with a 500ml bottle of Filippo Berio being 9.90.

Sainsbury's in Southfields offered just two types of olive oil when MailOnline visited the store

The most expensive bottle was around a pound more expensive, with a 500ml bottle of Filippo Berio being 9.90. Pictured: Sainsbury's in Southfields

Nisa, Southfields

Cheapest 500ml price: 5.49, Co-Op Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500ml

Most expensive bottle: 12.99, Filippo Berio, 750ml

Average price: 9.24

Coming in at the centre of the pack, Nisa, whose parent company is the Co-Op, sold bottles for an average of 9.24.

The cheapest bottle it sold was Co-Op's Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500ml, which is priced at 5.49.

That price made it 2.16 cheaper than at the nearby Co-Op in Wimbledon Park.

Coming in at the centre of the pack, Nisa, whose parent company is the Co-Op, sold bottles for an average of 9.24

The cheapest bottle the store in Southfields (pictured) sold was Co-Op's Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500ml, which is priced at 5.49

Asda, Clapham Junction

Cheapest 500ml price: 5.75, Asda Olive Oil

Most expensive bottle: 11.50, Filippo Berio, 1L

Average price: 8.63

At the Asda in Clapham Junction, mother-of-one Gemma Fountain, 36, slammed the prices.

She said: 'It's very expensive. I don't know how people can afford to be paying for olive oil. They all taste the same.'

However, fellow shopper Charlie Gent, 29, said he wasn't surprised at the price.

He said: 'Everywhere is expensive. I don't really use enough to notice the day-to-day impact.'

At the Asda in Clapham Junction, mother-of-one Gemma Fountain, 36, slammed the prices

Speaking to MailOnline while shopping at the store in Clapham Junction (pictured), she said: 'It's very expensive. I don't know how people can afford to be paying for olive oil. They all taste the same'

Marks & Spencer, Southfields

Cheapest 500ml price: 5.75, M&S Olive Oil

Most expensive bottle: 11, M&S Collection Toscano Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500ml

Average price: 8.38

At Southfields' Marks & Spencer, there was a large array of olive oils, included those infused with garlic.

However, the average price remained high at 8.38.

The most expensive bottle for sale was a whopping 11, still more expensive than many fine wines.

At Southfields' Marks & Spencer, there was a large array of olive oils, included those infused with garlic

While other oils are less expensive, olive oil is far more dear, with the most costing 11 for a bottle

The average price remained high at 8.38 at Marks & Spencer's store in Southfield (pictured)

Morrisons, Wimbledon

Cheapest 500ml price: 6.50, Morrisons Olive Oil

Most expensive bottle: 8.99, Filippo Berio, 750ml

Average price: 7.76

At Morrisons, the average price of a bottle was slightly less, at 7.76.

Compared to the average price of a bottle three years ago, the increase is only 119 per cent.

However, it still means the cost has more than doubled.

At Morrisons, the average price of a bottle was slightly less, at 7.76

Included in its 'Big Brands, Low Prices' section were bottles of Filippo Berio for 8.99

Compared to the average price of a bottle three years ago, the increase is only 119 per cent. Pictured: Morrisons in Wimbledon

Lidl, Clapham Junction

Cheapest 500ml price: 4.79, Lidl Primadonna Olive Oil

Most expensive bottle: 6.49, Lidl Primadonna Olive Oil, 1L

Average price: 5.64

Outside Lidl's Clapham Junction shop, Australian tourist and cross country runner Haney Mokonen, 18, said: 'It's absolutely crazy. It's just ridiculous here.'

Meanwhile, Lynn Valentine, 70, from Oval, said she was shocked at prices at supermarkets.

She said: 'Thank God I don't use it. That's ridiculous. That's absolute extortion.

'That's robbery, it's disgusting and people are paying so they are getting away with it.

'The only thing that comes down in England is the rain.

'The fat cats get fatter. The pensioners have to get on with it.'

Outside Lidl's Clapham Junction shop, Australian tourist and cross country runner Haney Mokonen, 18, said: 'It's absolutely crazy. It's just ridiculous here.' (Prices at Lidl are above rather than below the product)

The cheapest 500ml bottle of olive oil costed just 4.79 (pictured)

Lynn Valentine, 70, from Oval, said she was shocked at prices at supermarkets. Pictured: Lidl in Clapham Junction

Aldi, Edgware Road

Cheapest 500ml price: 4.59, Specially Selected PDO Terra Di Barri

Most expensive bottle: 6.49, Solesta Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1L

Average price: 5.54

Aldi has the second cheapest average price for a bottle of olive oil.

It also has the cheapest bottle overall of olive oil. Its Specially Selected PDO Terra Di Barri is just 4.59.

Even so, Aldi shopper Timothy Betton, 25, said: 'It's just so expensive. I always dread buying olive oil. It's just crazy.'

Aldi has the second cheapest average price for a bottle of olive oil. It also has the cheapest bottle overall of olive oil. Its Specially Selected PDO Terra Di Barri is just 4.59

Even so, shopper Timothy Betton, 25, said outside Aldi's store in Edgware Road (pictured): 'It's just so expensive. I always dread buying olive oil. It's just crazy'

Iceland, Waterloo

Cheapest 500ml price: 5.50, Borges Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Most expensive bottle/average price: The same as there was only one type on offer.

Iceland had the least expensive average bottle, although the result was slightly skewed as the store only offered one type of olive oil.

When MailOnline visited the store in Waterloo, there were no bottles of olive oil left to buy.

MailOnline has contacted all the supermarkets mentioned for comment.

Iceland had the least expensive average bottle, although the result was slightly skewed as the store only offered one type of olive oil
Vice President Kamala Harris is heading to Arizona on Friday just days after the state's Supreme Court ruled a 1864 law banning nearly all abortion could be enforced.

Harris has been a leading figure in the Biden administration advocating for abortion rights since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

The White House announced she would be traveling to Tucson later this week shortly after the Arizona Supreme Court upheld the 160-year-old law banning abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest.

The White House said the visit would be to 'continue her leadership in the fight for reproductive freedom.'

It is her second trip to the battleground state of Arizona this year and her fifth time since being sworn into office.

'Last month, the Vice President visited Phoenix, AZ to highlight how extremists in states across the country have proposed and enacted abortion bans that threaten womens health, force them to travel out of state to receive care, and criminalize doctors,' the White House said.

Vice President Harris at the White House on Wednesday. On Friday, Harris will head to Tucson, AZ as part of her continuing 'fight for reproductive freedom'

Harris became the first sitting vice president or president to visit an abortion clinic last month

Harris on April 10 at the White House alongside Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the arrival ceremony for the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida

Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday the state can enforce its long-dormant law criminalizing all abortions except when a mother's life is at stake. Pictured: Thousands protest at the Arizona State Capitol after the Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade

The Arizona court's 4-2 decision on Tuesday paved the way for enforcement of one of the strictest abortion bans in the country.

The civil war era law was written nearly fifty years before Arizona became a state and more than fifty years before women had the right to vote.

It mandates two to five years in prison for anyone aiding an abortion, unless the procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother.

Harris has been on a 'Fight for Reproductive Freedom' tour across the country that has included stops in Wisconsin, California, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona and Minnesota.

Last month, she became the first sitting vice president or president to ever visit an abortion clinic with a trip to a Planned Parenthood facility in Minnesota.

'This even more extreme and dangerous ban criminalizes almost all abortion care in the state and puts womens lives at risk,' Harris said in a statement following the Arizona decision.

Harris slammed former President Trump for his role in nominating three Supreme Court justices that helped overturn Roe with the Dobbs decision in 2022 which returned the issue of abortion to states.

'Arizona just rolled back the clock to a time before women could vote  and, by his own admission, theres one person responsible: Donald Trump.'

'The American people believe that health care decisions should be made between women and their doctors, not politicians, and we are ready to stand up to fight for our most fundamental freedoms,' she added.

'This is what leaving it to the states looks like,' wrote Biden campaign rapid response director Ammar Moussa on X following the Arizona ruling.

The 4-2 decision could influence other states looking to restrict abortion and could have wide-reaching impacts going into the 2024 election. Pictured: Arizona Supreme Court Justices from left; William G. Montgomery, John R Lopez IV, Vice Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer, Chief Justice Robert M. Brutinel, Clint Bolick and James Been

On Monday, Trump said his stance on abortion is that it should be left to states.

He made the announcement in a four-and-a-half minute video posted on Truth Social. His remarks signaled a shift away from his previous suggestions he would consider a federal abortion ban.

Trump also said he supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.

The timing of the Arizona court decision one day after his announcement could put the ex-president back on defense on the issue after he dragged his feet for months to even state where he stands.

Abortion has proven to be a motivating issue that helped Democrats in midterms and a series of special elections since the Dobbs decision ended the federal right to abortion.

Some Republicans in tough races have struggled to articulate a stance on the issue which could hurt them politically. Others have walked back past remarks.

Donald Trump released a video on Monday in which he praised the overturning of Roe v Wade and said he believes the issue of abortion should be left to states to decide.

Arizona passed a 15 week abortion ban in 2022, but the state Supreme Court upheld the Arizona 1864 abortion law which bans nearly all abortion without exception for rape or incest. It could be several weeks before the new decision goes into effect

Several Arizona Republicans came out against the state Supreme Court's decision on Tuesday.

GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake said she has traveled the country and 'it is abundantly clear that the pre-statehood law is out of step with Arizonians.'

'I oppose today's ruling and I am calling o Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support. Ultimately, Arizona voters will make the decision on the ballot come November,' Lake said in a statement.

Back in 2022 before Roe fell, Lake as a candidate for governor said Arizona has 'a great law on the books' should Roe fall. On Monday, Lake backed Trump's stance on abortion as a state issue.

Republican Arizona Congressman Juan Ciscomani, who supports the state's 15 week abortion ban, called Tuesday's ruling a 'disaster for women and providers.'

'The territorial law is archaic. We must do better for women and I call on our state policymakers to immediately address this in a bipartisan manner,' he said.

But other Republicans in the state support the move. Ahead of the decision, Phoenix based political strategist Tony Cani posted video of lawmakers praying on the floor of the chamber.

'Its footage of GOP Sen Anthony Kern & his prayer team of anti-abortion extremists praying in tongues (thats not an audio issue) that an 1864 law banning nearly all abortion becomes law again,' he wrote in a post on X.

I put this on TikTok yesterday & it now has over 900k views + however many came from the hundreds of others (many with huge accounts) that downloaded it and put it on their own social. Here is a version without any text on it, just in case someone wants to put it on TV.



Its pic.twitter.com/NuwxTd30YH  Tony Cani (@tcani) April 9, 2024

An effort to get abortion access directly on the ballot in Arizona the form of a constitutional amendment has been well underway.

Last week, a coalition of advocates announced they had already gathered more than 500,000 petition signatures. The threshold to put a measure on the ballot is 383,923 and the deadline is is still three months away on July 3.

Arizona for Abortion Access said the amendment appears on track to go before voters this fall.
Frayza Ryan, 32, died while at work on March 3

A father-of-three who died in a freak workplace accident was due to get married in just a few months' time.

Frayza Ryan, 32, was crushed while working in the basket of an aerial work platform in the Perth suburb of O'Connor at a site managed by Sarich Building on March 3.

Other workers were present at the site when Mr Ryan was critically injured but were unable to help him.

Mr Ryan has been remembered as 'an extremely proud father' who was looking forward to his wedding.

Frayza Ryan, 32, (left) was crushed to death at work in the Perth suburb of O'Connor on March 3

Mr Ryan was due to marry his fiancee Maddy Rickson in a matter of months

Family friend Bruce Bennett launched a GoFundMe for Mr Ryan to help his fiancee, Maddy Rickson, and his three children.

'Frayz was a very popular guy and an extremely proud father of three amazing children,' Mr Bennett wrote.

'He was due to be married in a few months to his loving partner.

'Unfortunately, due to a workplace accident, his life has been cut short.'

Police arrived to the O'Connor site who confirmed his death and WorkSafe has since launched an investigation into what went wrong.

Sarich Building general manager, Patrick Chaney, extended his sympathies to Mr Ryan's family at the time.

'Our thoughts are with the family, friends and workmates at this time,' Mr Chaney said.

'We're working with authorities to assist with their inquiries and we're not able to provide any further details of the incident.'

The worksite was closed on the day after Mr Ryan's death.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted WorkSafe for comment.

Two hours before Mr Ryan's death, another worker died in Dalwallinu, in the Wheat Belt, in an incident that involved a forklift carrying a heavy load.

Mr Ryan leaves behind three children and a GoFundMe has been launched to help them and Ms Rickson in the wake of his death
Three Washington police officers dove into a freezing lake to rescue a drowning teen - and the harrowing moments were caught on police body cameras.

The three cops jumped into the waters of Wapato Lake on Monday to save a juvenile struggling to stay afloat. The officers were eating lunch at a nearby substation when they got the call at 2:11 p.m. that a 15-year-old girl had fallen into the water, reported The News Tribune.

'There's no training scenario I've been through to just run into a lake, but I know that if it was my family or my daughter, that's what I'd be doing,' officer Steve O'Neal said.

Now, thanks to the officers' heroic efforts, the girl is alive and recovering from the ordeal.

Tacoma Police Officer Steve O'Neal jumped into Wapato Lake on Monday to rescue a drowning girl

Tacoma Police Department said the girl was in the water 20 to 30 feet from the shoreline when help arrived.

Video shows the officers, fully clothed in heavy police gear, rush into the water to bring the teen to shore.

The camera shakes as the cops sprinted from their vehicles to get to the lake, as sirens are heard in the background and a bystander is shouting from the shoreline.

Without hesitation, the officers jumped into the waters and worked together to bring the girl to safety.

O'Neal was neck deep in the water as he swam to the girl and dove under to push her body forward to the other officers.

'It was very shallow when I walked in, and as I got closer to her it was a drop off,' O'Neal told reporters.

Bubbles formed as he treaded through the lake and back to the shore where he helped lift the teens limp body to the earth.

The officers rendered medical aid to the girl until the Tacoma Fire Department arrived and took her to the hospital

O'Neal (pictured) said the decision to go into the waters was an instinct and that everyone in his department would do the same

The officers rendered medical aid to the girl until the Tacoma Fire Department arrived.

'My biggest thing was just to get her back to shore, and you don't practice this kind of stuff. So I had no idea how difficult it was to move somebody out of water while you're in water,' O'Neal said.

Police said the circumstances leading up to her falling into the water is unclear, but she was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition.

'I just remember playing with my kids in the pool and getting underneath, hitting the ground and jumping up to push them up,' O'Neal said.

He then added: 'Just going in there  it's just an instinct, and I know that anybody in our department would have done the same thing.'
Comics have been forced to pull out of Edinburgh Festival Fringe or accept they will 'operate at a loss' after being priced out of the Scottish capital - with the cheapest hotels charging more than 1,000-a-week for a room.

Television presenter and actress Gail Porter has said she is unable to perform at this year's festival because of the 'soaring costs of B&Bs' in her home town.

Meanwhile comedian and presenter Jason Manford branded the price of accommodation in Edinburgh an 'absolute joke', admitting that he will be making a financial loss.

Edinburgh Fringe, which takes place from August 2-26, is in its 77th year with over 1,600 shows confirmed.

MailOnline analysis has found that the cheapest hotel room for one adult between August 2-9 via Booking.com is Edinburgh 37, where performers and visitors can expect to pay 1,115 for a week - 159 per night.

It then jumps up to 1,341 to stay at the Corstorphine Lodge Hotel, which works out at 191 per night despite being situated 3.8 miles outside of the centre.

The next cheapest hotel is the Toby Carvery Edinburgh West by Innkeeper's Collection, which will set hard-pressed Brits back 1,371 for a week (196-a-night), while the Northumberland Hotel is a staggering 1,495 (214-a-night).

The cheapest hotels for a week are around 1,115 in Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival. The various locations where artists will perform are also on the map

Comic Jason Manford and presenter Gail Porter have both hit out at the cost of staying in Edinburgh

Mandford described the situation in Edinburgh as 'pure greed' and fears the costs are prohibitive to new artists

Venues can cost up to 10,000 per week and artists must also find money for Fringe registration fees, ticket commission, marketing and advertising, equipment hire and transportation, public liability insurance, and accommodation for themselves.

It is estimated total costs for a theatre show in a 150-capacity space could be 25,000 for 23 performances, while a comedy show in a 30-capacity venue for 23 afternoon performances may be 2,000.

READ MORE: Gail Porter hits out at Edinburgh Fringe Festival bosses as she claims she can't perform this year after venue and accommodation prices skyrocket Advertisement

Mandford described the situation in Edinburgh as 'pure greed' and fears the costs are prohibitive to new artists.

He wrote on X: 'Edinburgh Festival prices especially for accommodation are an absolute joke! No idea how anyone starting out is managing to get up there and showcase their talents!

'I've just priced up a week up there and even if every show sells out, I'm still operating at a loss.

'Part of me thinks is it fair after years of doing it for nowt/at a loss, shouldn't you be able to come up and smash it and finally make some dosh there?

'Personally I only do one week, mid afternoon in a smallish venue as a working progress (sic) for my tour.'

A spokesperson for the Fringe replied to his tweet: 'It's a real issue. We're doing what we can to provide affordable accommodation and other support for artists, including our new Keep it Fringe fund.'

Gail Porter says she is unable to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year as it is too expensive (pictured in the city)

The television presenter, 53, has put on a number of sold-out stand-up comedy shows at the festival held in her home town in the past but this year claims she has been 'priced out'

A festival handbook for new artists says performers may need to invest some of their own money to fund their shows, adding 'very few artists and companies are able to fundraise the full cost of a Fringe run from external sources'.'

Manford was speaking out after Porter, who made her Fringe debut in 2023, said she was 'gutted' to be priced out of performing this year.

She said: 'Was so excited to go the edfringe this year. But I have been priced out by the soaring costs of B&Bs.

'My home town. I feel so sorry for new young performers that won't be able to afford accommodation.

'I'm gutted Edinburgh has done this. Greed is awful.'

A response from the festival's official Twitter account read: 'Totally understand your frustration, Gail - please know we're doing what we can to find solutions, be it through discussions with govt or negotiating affordable options for artists.'

Gail replied: 'Thank you for your response. I just feel for so many people I know that are not coming to my home. Just really upsetting x x.'

During the second week of the Fringe (August 10-17), the cheapest option is to stay at the same Toby Carvery, which is 1,407 for the week - 201 per night.

A street performer on Edinburgh's Royal Mile during the city's Festival Fringe last year

Tjimurdance theatre perform in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on the Royal Mile on August 14, 2014 in Edinburgh

Social media users have also been critical of the cost of attending the festival this year

The second cheapest option is to stay at the Britannia Edinburgh Hotel which will set performers back 1,449 for a week - 207 per night. And the third cheapest is the Ibis Budget Hotel Edinburgh Park which is 1,494 (213 per night).

In the final week of the fringe (August 18-25), the Edinburgh House Hotel is the second cheapest option at 1,038 for a week - 148 per night. The second best option is the Corstorphine Lodge Hotel at 1,341 for the week - 191.50-per-night.

While the third cheapest is the Toby Carvery again, this time at 1,362 for the week - 194.50 per night.

Those hoping to attend the festival have also hit out at the cost of travelling up and staying in Edinburgh on social media.

Laurence Josephson said: 'The ridiculous prices are obviously an issue for artists, and that needs addressing. But it also prices out visitors, and it's a real shame that so many people who would want to experience the Fringe just can't.'

Gareth Bird said: 'Accommodation in the city, across the board, is stopping me from returning. Every aspect of the Fringe is now much too expensive to actually enjoy.'

And Jill O'Halloran fumed: 'It's just a playground for rich kids now.'

MailOnline analysed the cheapest hotels - not including hostels and student accommodation - on Booking.com during the three weeks of Edinburgh Fringe for one adult.
A judge has handed the Trump Organization's longtime Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg a five month sentence for what will be his second stint on Riker Islands.

The usually dapper Florida retiree turned up in court in comfortable sweats, having ditched his sharp suits.

It was comes after Weisselberg, 76, pleaded guilty to perjury over statements related to Trump's New York civil fraud trial.

The loyal Trump executive, who worked for the family for 50 years, was last month convicted of lying under oath.

He had told the court he didn't know how Trump's Manhattan penthouse ended up being listed as three times its actual size in the company's financial statements.

Allen Weisselberg is sentenced to 5 months in prison for perjury from when he testified in the Trump trial

Former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg attends his sentencing at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 10, 2024, in New York City

Weisselberg leaves court after being sentenced at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 10, 2024, in New York City

At the end of the hearing Weisselberg was handcuffed and taken away as District Attorney Alvin Bragg looked on.

He will be sent to the North Infirmary Command on Rikers Island which includes inmates with serious medical conditions.

Instead of his usual smart attire Weisselberg was dressed in an olive-colored North Face jacket and sneakers.

The offenses for which he was charged carried prison terms of up to seven years, according to the plea document.

Weisselberg was jailed less than a week before Trump is due to go on trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments to hide a sex scandal involving porn star Stormy Daniels.

The penthouse was a key piece of evidence in the Trump civil fraud case.

Trump valued the penthouse apartment on financial statements as being 30,000 square feet. But internal documents put its actual footage at 10,996 square feet.

When Forbes published an article taking on the size of the apartment, Trump's financial statements dropped the value from $327 million to $117 million.

Weisselberg will now go through his second stint behind bars, but could be eligible for release in three months for good behavior.

Former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg is handcuffed after he was sentenced by Judge Laurie Peterson to five months in jail, after pleading guilty last month to perjury charges for lying to investigators and a judge about Donald Trump's finances, in Manhattan Criminal Court, New York City, U.S., April 10, 2024

Weisselberg was sentenced to a second stint on Rikers Island

Trump Organization's former Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg at a previous hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, U.S., March 4, 2024

He served 100 days last year for dodging taxes on $1.7 million in company perks, including a rent-free Manhattan apartment and luxury cars.

Prosecutors agreed to the lighter sentence because of Weisselberg's age and willingness to admit wrongdoing.

In New York, perjury is a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison.

His deal with prosecutors also means he won't be charged with any other crimes he may have committed while working for the Trump Organization.

Weisselberg has remained steadfastly loyal to him throughout his legal troubles that ended in a more than $300million fine for Trump, and insisted his boss didn't do anything wrong.

An appeals court knocked the court judgment down to $175 million while Trump appeals Judge Arthur Engoron's decision.

Weisselberg also won't be forced to testify in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial, which begins on Monday in the historic first criminal trial for a former president.

Trump's lawyers took issue with Weisselberg's perjury prosecution, accusing the Manhattan district attorney's office of deploying 'unethical, strong-armed tactics against an innocent man in his late 70s' while turning 'a blind eye' to perjury allegations against Michael Cohen, the former Trump lawyer who is now a key prosecution witness in the hush money case.

Weisselberg pleaded guilty March 4.

The Trump penthouse which was part of the case

A cell on Rikers island where Weisselberg has been sent for a second time

The Trump Organization's former Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg arrives at the criminal court in New York City, U.S., April 10, 2024

The Florida retiree in a suit at a previous hearing

The Trump executive who worked for the family for 50 years was found guilty of lying under oath during the former president's New York fraud trial

He told the court he didn't know how Trump's Manhattan penthouse ended up being listed as three times its actual size in the company's financial statements

He admitted lying under oath on three occasions while testifying in New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit against Trump: in depositions in July 2020 and May 2023 and on the witness stand at the trial last October.

To avoid violating his tax case probation, however, he agreed to plead guilty only to charges related to his 2020 deposition testimony.

The size of Trump's penthouse was a key issue in the civil fraud case.

Trump valued the apartment on his financial statements from at least 2012 to 2016 as though it measured 30,000 square feet (2,800 square meters).

A former Trump real estate executive testified that Weisselberg provided the figure. The former executive said that when he asked for the apartment's size in 2012, Weisselberg replied: 'It's quite large. I think it's around 30,000 square feet.'

However, state lawyers noted, Weisselberg got an email early in that year with a 1994 document attached that pegged Trump's apartment at 10,996 square feet (1,022 square meters).

Weisselberg testified that he remembered the email but not the attachment and that he didn't 'walk around knowing the size' of the apartment.

After Forbes magazine published an article in 2017 disputing the size of Trump's penthouse, its estimated value on his financial statement was cut from $327 million to about $117 million.

As Weisselberg was testifying last October, Forbes published an article with the headline 'Trump's Longtime CFO Lied, Under Oath, About Trump Tower Penthouse.'

The civil fraud trial ended with Judge Arthur Engoron ruling that Trump and some of his executives had schemed to deceive banks, insurers and others by lying about his wealth on financial statements used to make deals and secure loans.

The judge penalized Trump $455 million and ordered Weisselberg to pay $1 million. They are both appealing.

Weisselberg served 100 days on Rikers Island (above) last year for dodging taxes on $1.7 million in company perks, including a rent-free Manhattan apartment and luxury cars

In his decision, Engoron said he found Weisselberg's testimony 'intentionally evasive' and 'highly unreliable.'

Weisselberg is likely to factor into Trump's hush money trial  even if he's in jail and not on the witness stand while it's happening.

Trump is accused of falsifying his company's records to cover up payments during his 2016 campaign to bury stories of marital infidelity.

It is the first of Trump's four criminal cases scheduled to go to trial. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies wrongdoing.

Cohen has said Weisselberg had a role in orchestrating the payments. Weisselberg, who lives in Boynton Beach, Florida, has not been charged in that case, and neither prosecutors nor Trump's lawyers have indicated they will call him as a witness.
A Marine veteran was struck and killed by a truck while he changed his tire on the shoulder of Chicago freeway on Sunday night.

Nikolas Hutto, 28, was on his way to grab deep dish pizza after a Blackhawks game with friends when his car hit a pothole and got a flat tire.

He pulled to the right shoulder on I-55 near Cicero Avenue and Garfield Ridge and got out of the car with his friends to change the tire around 6.40pm.

As they did that, a pickup truck, driving on the shoulder, came charging at them and hit the three of them.

Nikolas died on impact and his two friends were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the truck was also taken to the hospital.

'I was worried that I would have to feel this way years ago, but now, now it's happened,' Jeffery Hutto, Nikolas's dad told ABC 7 Chicago.

Nikolas Hutto, 28, was on his way to grab food after a Blackhawks game on Sunday night with friends when he was mowed down by a pick-up truck on the should of I-55 in Chicago

Nikolas died and his two friends was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the truck was also taken to the hospital

The pick-up driver has not yet been identified and it is unclear why he drove on the shoulder that night.

The Illinois State Police told DailyMail.com that the crash is still being investigated and 'only preliminary information' is available for now.

Nikolas's friends, who were visiting him from Florida, were released from the hospital on Monday.

Nikolas's relatives said that he had just moved to the south suburbs of Chicago a few months ago after retiring from the service in 2020.

He joined the Marines in 2015 after high school and served in the Middle East. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 2020.

'He was satisfied walking away from it. He felt like he accomplished what he set out to do during his time there,' his mother, Tammy Hutto told the Chicago Sun Times.

Once he left the Marines, he got a job in the information technology field and set out to earn his master's degree at Penn State University.

He moved from Tampa, Florida to Tinley Park in November after he and his girlfriend, Monica Czajkowski bought a home together in September.

'I was worried that I would have to feel this way years ago, but now, now it's happened,' Jeffery Hutto, Nikolas's dad told ABC 7 Chicago

He moved from Tampa, Florida to Tinley Park in November after he and his girlfriend, Monica Czajkowski bought a home together in September. His father said he was just 'weeks away from proposing' to her

He joined the Marine in 2015 after high school and served in the Middle East. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 2020

His father told ABC 7 Chicago that Nikolas was just 'weeks away from proposing' to Monica.

On Monday, Monica posted a photo of her and Nikolas and said: 'Heaven gained the sweetest angel.'

Nikolas was one of six kids, and was the first to join the military. After him, three of his brothers joined the service.

'Nik was the man. If they has questions, he was who they asked. Everyone that met Nik loved him,' Tammy said.

Jeremy Eckert, one of Nikolas's friends from the Marines recalled some of his fondest moments with him.

'I'll always remember every time I hugged him, every time we slept in the same room in the barracks, and I'm just honored to meet him,' Eckert said.

A GoFundMe, created by another friend, Matthew Kahl, was set up in honor of Nikolas.

'Nik was the man. If they has questions, he was who they asked. Everyone that met Nik loved him,' Tammy Hutto, Nikolas's mother said

Nikolas was one of six kids, and was the first to join the military. After him, three of his brothers joined the service

Donations are set to go toward his family and girlfriend 'in this most troubling time,' and as of Wednesday morning, more than $13,000 was raised.

'Nikolas was motivated not only in his professional career but also in his inherent dedication to self-improvement,' Kahl wrote.

His friend also mentioned that even though Nikolas went to Penn State, he was a 'die-hard' Michigan fan.

'Nikolas was the embodiment of a perfect son, brother, and friend. Nikolas was taken too early from us and will never be forgotten,' Kahl added.

His father said that he and his family have been overwhelmed with the support that they have received following his son's death.

'Im overwhelmed and I'm humbled at the support that has come in from our friends from every corner of our life. Without all of this support, we would be a mess,' he said.
NATO fighter jets were dispatched yesterday to intercept a Russian reconnaissance aircraft that infringed on Swedish airspace in the Baltic Sea.

The Ilyushin Il-20 electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) aircraft was registered breaking into the Swedish flight information region close to the island of Gotland, which is widely seen as the most strategic location in the Baltic Sea.

A pair of Eurofighter Typhoon jets were scrambled from an airbase near the German town of Laage to meet the Il-20, which NATO Air Command declared was not responding to requests for identification.

Codenamed 'Coot-A' by NATO, the Il-20 ELINT plane is packed with radar arrays and sensors designed to gather intelligence and help other aircraft and armed forces identify key vulnerabilities in their adversaries' defence networks.

Germany's air force, the Luftwaffe, shared unsettling images of the fighter jets closely flanking the Russian plane.

'A deployment of our alert squadron of the Tactical Air Force Wing 71 ''Richthofen'' out of Laage. Together with our [Swedish] partners we checked a [Russian] reconnaissance aircraft at Gotland,' a post by the Luftwaffe read.

NATO Air Command later shared an update that said Italian Eurofighters were also involved in escorting the Il-20.

The Ilyushin Il-20 electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) aircraft was registered breaking into the Swedish flight information region close to the island of Gotland

NATO jets were scrambled to intercept - the Il-20 is seen from the cockpit of a Eurofighter

Codenamed 'Coot-A' by NATO, the Il-20 ELINT plane is packed with radar arrays and sensors designed to gather intelligence

City view of Visby on the Swedish island Gotland

Russia's air force regularly conducts sorties that see their aircraft enter into the flight information region (FIR) of NATO nations, without entering the airspace proper.

Unlike an unauthorised infringement of a country's airspace - which would be seen as a direct violation of its sovereignty - an infringement of the FIR is seen as a less serious, but still alarming, breach of airspace rules.

But the Russian spyplane's flight path close by Gotland will be seen as additional cause for concern, given the island's importance.

Described by analysts and commentators as a 'giant aircraft carrier', Stockholm-administered Gotland lies just 120 miles off the coast of NATO's Baltic triad of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, but also just 230 miles north of the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

Its prime location offers huge advantages in the deployment and control of air and sea traffic in the Baltic Sea, and has been referenced regularly by military analysts and commentators in Russian media as a highly desirable target.

Sweden maintained a military presence on Gotland during the Cold War and the island at its peak housed up to 25,000 troops, but in 2005 it was almost completely demilitarised.

But now, with Sweden's accession to NATO complete and amid increased tensions with Russia, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the prospect of re-arming Gotland was 'one obvious thing to be discussed with our new NATO allies' as part of a wider ramping up of military readiness in the Baltic.

'Everything to do with the Baltic is such an obvious candidate (for the deployment of military resources),' Kristersson said last month.

'That goes in terms of presence on Gotland, but also in terms of surveillance, in terms of submarine capabilities.'

Russian military analyst and retired Navy Captain Vasily Dandykin told Russian newswire Sputnik that a remilitarisation of Gotland would be seen as a major problem in the halls of the Kremlin.

'The size of this island makes it possible to put aviation, airfields, and naval bases... (to serve) the dream of both NATO bloc and the Americans to turn the Baltic Sea into a NATO sea... We understand what kind of threat this is,' Dandykin said.

'In any case, more intensive [Russian] exercises will take place in the Baltic. We have to understand that Finland too is already a NATO member. Therefore, our actions will be adequate  both from Kaliningrad, where the Baltic Fleet is based, and from the rest of Russia.'

NATO Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets are seen taxiing on the runway

FILE PHOTO: A Swedish JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jet flies over Sweden's Gotland island in the Baltic Sea, May 11, 2022

Soldiers from Gotland's regiment patrol Visby harbour, amid increased tensions between NATO and Russia over Ukraine

Pictured: Two Swedish Airforce JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft in close formation. Sweden will bring state of the art submarines and a fleet of highly capable Gripen fighter aircraft to NATO's forces

Sweden has not gone to war in more than two centuries and until recently had drawn down its military capabilities to such an extent that its population, so poorly prepared for the possibility of conflict, even developed a term for it: 'fredsskadad', or 'peace-damaged'.

Sweden's demilitarisation of Gotland in 2005 prompted alarm among NATO allies, particularly the Baltic states which had only just become members of the alliance one year prior.

War planners have long struggled to work out how to stop those countries from being cut off from their allies if Russian land troops were to seize the 40-mile Suwalki Gap between Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

If the Kremlin were also to gain control of Gotland, it would leave Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania sandwiched between the Russian mainland to the East, Kaliningrad to the West and yet another strategic location to the North.

NATO repeatedly urged Stockholm to recognise the strategic importance of Gotland, but the government pressed on with its demilitarisation and Sweden's armed forces effectively abandoned their 'giant aircraft carrier'.

Baltic fears were justified in 2013 when Russia conducted a widely condemned military drill which saw two of Moscow's Tu-22M3 nuclear bombers, along with an escort of Su-27 fighter jets, perform dummy bombing manoeuvres that brought their wings within just 24 miles of the island.

This shock prompted Stockholm to re-embark on a programme of steady rearmament, but it was not until Russian tanks and warplanes tore across the Ukrainian border on February 24, 2022 that militarisation of Gotland picked up pace.

The invasion of Ukraine constituted a watershed moment in Swedish foreign policy, prompting the government to abandon its two-century-long policy of military neutrality and non-alignment and submit an application to join NATO.

Two years on, Sweden's flag was raised at NATO's Brussels headquarters on Monday, cementing the Nordic country's place as the 32nd member of the security bloc.
At a pride-flag raising a furious protestor screamed 'he's not a woman' at the mayor before kicking Urena's dad

Mayor Raul Urena, 26, came out as transgender in 2022 after his re-election to public office and started wearing dresses and makeup

Calexico's first transgender mayor is facing recall as angry residents said they feel duped by her transition as they voted for a 'gay cisgender male'

Calexico's first transgender mayor - who flamboyantly wears dresses and makeup - is facing recall after voters complained they thought they were voting a man into office.

Mayor Raul Urena, 26, was recently heckled by a protestor at a pride flag-raising ceremony in Jube.

The protestor, Rebecca Lemon, had to be ripped away by three police officers as she lunged at the city's mayor and spewed profanity. Lemon screamed: 'He's not a woman! He's not a woman!' Then she shockingly kicked the mayor's dad.

Urena was elected into office in 2020 at the age of 23 and came out as gender-fluid and transgender in 2022 - after her re-election.

Lemon is now leading a recall effort to remove Urena from office, with a vote set for next week on the mayor's fate.

Calexico's first transgender mayor is facing recall after voters complained they thought they were voting a man into office

Mayor Raul Urena, 26, was elected into office in 2020 at the age of 23 and came out as gender-fluid and transgender in 2022 - after her re-election

In June, she was heckled by protestors at a pride flag-raising ceremony in Jube where an avid Urena hater screamed 'he's not a woman!'

Urena eventually started wearing dresses and makeup in official appearances, which riled up voters who felt duped because they believed they were voting for a gay cisgender man and not a transgender woman.

Urena was slammed with recall papers the next spring - but Urena was nevertheless elected to become Calexico's mayor in November 2022.

Lemon has long been the face of a campaign fighting to remove Urena from office, and she had personally served her the recall papers.

The transgender public official ripped the papers in half.

Despite the other members of the recall campaign distancing themselves from Lemon after her outburst, they have marched on with their efforts to oust Urena from public office.

They successfully forced a recall election for Urena and a fellow progressive council member, Gilberto Manzanarez.

Both of the young and liberal public officials are set to face a vote on April 16 to determine their political fate.

Protestors successfully forced a recall election for Urena and a fellow progressive council member, Gilberto Manzanarez

'This man is the mayor of Calexico, his name is Raul Urena and we are watching him in protest with Black Lives Matter. Those people don't even belong here in this city. Here, a city of Mexican people, we are doing a recall. Go and look for him here on Tiktok so you can see that we don't occupy a person like that that represents us,' the caption reads in Spanish

Calexico is a city in southern Imperial County that sits on the border of Mexico and California.

The city's population of about 38,000 is largely made up of mostly Democrat voters - but from the 2016 to the 2020 election, Republican voters increased from under 10 percent to almost 27 percent.

Those pushing for the removal of Urena from office have stated that 'During this recall, we want to remind all to be respectful towards personal sexual preferences as this is not the platform.'

However, the actions of their former campaign leader suggest otherwise.

After Lemon's attack, former mayor Maritz Hurtado became the new public face for the campaign.

Residents of Calexico took to social media when Urena became mayor to bash the politician for his appearance.

When images surfaced of Urena wearing a dress - people said 'how gross' and 'this must be a joke.'

Urena opened up about her struggles as a member of the LGBTQ+ community - and admitted her parents told her to hide her sexual orientation when she came out at the age of 17

Urena opts for dresses that reveal her hairy chest, bold makeup, bright colors, jewelry and high heels - making her stand out for better or for worse

Urena was slammed with recall papers in Spring 2022 - but Urena was nevertheless elected to become Calexico's mayor in November 2022

Calexico resident Diana Silva said she felt uncomfortable with the image Urena is portraying but she is also not happy with his work in the city council, according to Beyond Border News.

Urena opened up about his struggles as a member of the LGBTW+ community - and admitted his parents told him to hide is sexual orientation when he came out at the age of 17.

'My parents wanted me to keep it to myself because they were worried about my safety,' he said. 'My dad was not very happy with me being public about my sexual orientation so I decided to leave and go to school.'
In a rescue attempt that had a devastating end, a family of five all died one after the other after jumping into an abandoned well to save a pet cat.

The five men lost their lives on Tuesday night after piling into a well that was reportedly used as a biogas pit containing animal waste in Wadki village, Maharashtra, India.

According to local media, the cat had fallen into the large well at around 5pm while members of the Kale family entered the poisonous space in a bid to rescue the feline.

One of the family members had climbed into the well first before four more followed suit, but ultimately they were left trapped.

The victims have been identified as Manik Kale, 65, Manik's son Sandeep, 36, Anil Kale, 53, Anil's son Bablu, 28, and Babasaheb Gaikwad, 36.

Footage shows concerned villagers gathering around the bio waste pit in India after six people climbed inside to save a cat that had fallen in

Five members of the Kale family died while one survived. Vijay Manik Kale, 35, was rushed to hospital for treatment

Dhananjay Jadhav, Senior Police Officer of Nevasa Police station, Ahmednagar, said: 'A rescue team recovered the dead bodies of five of the six people who jumped one after another into an abandoned well-having animal waste stored while trying to rescue a cat'.

Following the five Kale family members' descent into the pit, a sixth person joined the rescue mission, and miraculously survived.

'After that, the sixth person, who also in an attempt to save the others, entered the well with a rope tied around his waist and survived,' the police added.

'He was injured during the rescue process and taken out and rushed to hospital for treatment'.

The sole survivor was identified as Vijay Manik Kale, 35, also a member of the family who died in the tragic accident.

He is reportedly in a stable condition following medical treatment at a government hospital.

Authorities suspect that group-of-five fell unconscious due to the poisonous gasses emanating from the animal waste filling the well.

Local reports state that people nearby in the village heard the family's groans and yells as they complained of suffocation.

According to Times of India, one body was pulled out of the toxic sludge at around 11pm on Tuesday night, while the remaining four bodies were removed over the next one-and-a-half hours.

Senior officials said that two large suction pumps from the Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation were deployed to remove the slutty to reach the victims, with five ambulances kept ready at the scene.

Police said an investigation into the matter is now underway.
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner broke cover on the election trail today as the Tories heaped more pressure on her to answer questions about her tax affairs.

Ms Rayner joined shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves in the north east this morning.

She is facing questions over whether she paid the right amount of tax on the 2015 sale of her ex-council house because of confusion over whether it was her main residence.

She has denied allegations that she avoided capital gains tax on the sale of her own house or broke electoral law by falsely declaring where she was living.

She has been backed by Ms Reeves and party leader Sir Keir Starmer. But Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today insisted there are still questions for the opposition to answer.

Facing questions about his own 'weakness' in an LBC interview this morning the PM said: 'When it comes to weakness, I know Keir Starmer still hasn't answered any questions properly about what's going on with Angela Rayner.

'When it comes to me and my affairs, people are very happy to ask lots of questions, including Angela Rayner herself.'

Ms Rayner joined shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves in the north east this morning.

Ms Rayner (right) is facing questions over whether she paid the right amount of tax on the 2015 sale of her ex-council house because of confusion over whether it was her main residence.

Amid questions over the Labour deputy leader's property dealings, Ms Reeves yesterday said she has 'every faith' in her 'friend and colleague'.

She has been backed by Ms Reeves and party leader Sir Keir Starmer. But Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today insisted there are still questions for the opposition to answer.

Polling shared with the Mail found two-thirds of voters believe Ms Rayner should make the tax advice on her house sale public.

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the public are 'more interested' in other issues, but a More in Common survey similarly found that 67 per cent wanted Ms Rayner to publish the advice.

The Labour leader said he has not seen the advice  which Ms Rayner says is 'categoric that I do not owe any capital gains tax on that'  but his team has.

In an interview last night with Sky News, Ms Reeves was asked whether she thought her colleague had 'dodged any tax'. She replied: 'No, and Angela Rayner has taken tax advice.'

On whether she had seen that advice, she said: 'No, I haven't seen the tax returns or the tax or legal advice of any colleagues. I wouldn't treat Angela Rayner different to other colleagues.

'She has taken that advice as she is confident, and I have every faith and trust in my friend and colleague.'

Before becoming an MP, Ms Rayner used Margaret Thatcher's Right to Buy scheme to purchase her former council home in Vicarage Road, Stockport, in January 2007.

She married Mark Rayner in September 2010 and the couple re-registered the births of their two sons that year, providing Mr Rayner's address in nearby Lowndes Lane.

But Ms Rayner remained on the electoral roll at Vicarage Road until 2015, when she sold the house at a profit of 48,500.

Knowingly providing false information on an electoral registration form is an offence, which can carry a six-month prison sentence or an unlimited fine.

A married couple can also normally have only one main residence, with capital gains tax due on the sale of a second home.

Ms Reeves' comments came as economists questioned her claims yesterday that Labour would raise 5billion a year by cracking down on tax dodgers.

Deputy director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Helen Miller said there was 'uncertainty' around how much this would raise.
Blog Archive: Oct 2024 (65) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) 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)
Arkansas officials have unveiled plans for a 'monument to the unborn' to commemorate fetuses aborted in the years before the procedure was outlawed in the state.

The monument will be situated at the state's Capitol to mark pregnancies terminated from 1973 to 2022 when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Arkansas made abortion illegal except to save a mother's life.

Proposals for the memorial included a bronze statue of a blindfolded baby sat atop an umbilical chord and placenta, an empty tomb and a monument incorporating facts about children in the care system.

Nine submissions were received in total, with the Capitol Arts and Grounds favoring a living wall composed of flora and fauna designed by local artist Lakey Goff.

Secretary of State John Thurston will make the final decision on the $55,472 monument.

Arkansas officials have unveiled plans for a 'monument to the unborn' to commemorate fetuses aborted in the years before the procedure was outlawed in the state

Proposals for the memorial included a bronze statue of a blindfolded baby sat atop an umbilical chord and placenta, an empty tomb and a monument incorporating facts about children in the care system

The memorial was proposed by Republican state senator Kim Hammer under Act 310, which permits Thurston to commission 'a suitable monument commemorating unborn children aborted during the era of Roe v. Wade.'

The plans have faced cross-party opposition, with many representatives concerned about whether an abortion monument could be 'tasteful'.

Commission member Tony Leraris previously said he was 'dumbfounded' at the suggestion and was the only member to abstain from voting stating he found many of the suggestions, 'repulsive'.

'Personally, I just don't know how you tastefully immortalize an aborted fetus,' he told NPR.

'I just find the whole subject matter almost unspeakable and to think that we've got to put a monument up on the Capitol grounds to immortalize this. I just can't see that this subject matter is something that we need to be doing.'

Commissioner Beth Gipe for the living wall from the proposals and said it should 'at least be beautiful and not tragic.'

'It's the least offensive if we have to answer this charge,' Gipe told the outlet.

The living wall was designed by Goff who pointed to a similar installation at Liberty Park in New York City, the site of the 9/11 attacks.

The memorial was proposed by Republican state senator Kim Hammer under Act 310 which allows the Secretary of State to commission 'a suitable monument commemorating unborn children aborted during the era of Roe v. Wade'

The monument will be situated at the state's Capitol to mark pregnancies terminated from 1973 to 2022, when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade

Goff stated in her submission that living walls are 'healing, innovative and inspiring'.

Her design is comprised of four, 10-by-33.3-foot concrete panels covered with plants.

The concept also features seating, lights and speakers playing waterfall sounds.

However, concerns about cost mean the finalized version of her design is still up for debate.

Use of perennial plants such as English Ivy has been proposed as a way to keep maintenance costs down.

'One thing that we do always keep in mind, you know, up here when we're building a new monument or really anything around the Capitol is we've got to understand it's going to have to withstand the test of time,' Brent Stamp, director of capitol facilities told Arkansas Online.

'It's going to be there long after we're gone. And maintenance and recurring costs are a big issue, something that is always at the forefront of our mind.'

Capitol Arts and Grounds is due to vote on its selection on May 14.
California spent $24 billion tackling homelessness over five years but didn't track if the money was helping the state's growing number of unhoused people, a damning report says.

The audit slams the state's homelessness tsars for spending billions across 30 programs from 2018-2023, but gathering no data on why the cash wasn't tackling the crisis.

It confirms what's clear to many residents  the homelessness crisis is out of control, and that tent encampments and troublesome vagrancy across major cities is bad and getting worse.

Homelessness jumped 6 percent to more than 180,000 people in California last year, federal data show. Since 2013, the numbers have exploded by 53 percent.

Volunteers help to clean up belongings at an encampment of homeless people near the Nimitz Freeway in Oakland after the city ordered a clean up

Gov Gavin Newsom has made tackling homelessness a priority, but the results have been poor

California is home to nearly a third of America's entire homeless population.

State Auditor Grant Parks wrote in a letter to Gov Gavin Newsom and lawmakers that the 'state must do more to assess the cost-effectiveness of its homelessness programs.'

Poll Do you think the homeless should be relocated to official camps outside towns and cities? Yes No Not sure Do you think the homeless should be relocated to official camps outside towns and cities? Yes 2013 votes

No 497 votes

Not sure 204 votes Now share your opinion





Auditors probed five schemes that received a combined $13.7 billion in funding.

Only two of them were 'likely cost-effective,' including one that converts hotel and motel rooms into housing and another that helps to prevent families from becoming homeless, they found.

The remaining three programs, which have received a total of $9.4 billion since 2020, couldn't be evaluated due to a lack of data.

Thomas Wolf, a San Francisco-based consultant and former homeless drug addict, called the findings a 'scandal.'

'The state has spent billions on homelessness, and it's worse,' Wolf posted on X/Twitter.

'Outcomes literally mean everything when it comes to homeless services, and unsurprisingly, they have no data.'

Homeless people wait in line for dinner outside the Midnight Mission in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles

For some, the audit confirms fears of a 'homeless industrial complex'  a gravy train of funders, officials, shelter owners and charities more keen on swallowing public funds than solving the problem.

Entrepreneur Adam Rossi posted that the 'purpose of the homeless industrial complex in California is to perpetuate homelessness while extracting funds from the state.'

California State Auditor Grant Parks

'This is what the system does,' he added.

Democratic state Sen. Dave Cortese, who requested the audit last year after touring a large homeless encampment in San Jose, complained of a 'data desert' and lack of transparency.

Republican state Sen. Roger Niello called the lack of accountability troubling.

'Despite an exorbitant amount of dollars spent, the state's homeless population is not slowing down,' Niello said in a statement.

'These audit results are a wake-up call for a shift toward solutions that prioritize self-sufficiency and cost-effectiveness.'

Newsom has made tackling homelessness a priority, and the growing crisis is sure to dog him should he ever set his sights on a national elected office.

The Democrat has pushed for laws that make it easier to force people with behavioral health issues into treatment.

San Francisco police clear the streets downtown of homeless people ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade summit in November

He also campaigned hard for a proposition that voters passed in March to make counties spend on housing and drug treatment programs to help fight homelessness.

Among other things, the audit found that the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, which oversees programs, hasn't tracked spending or whether its schemes were working since June 2021.

California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr Mark Ghaly

The body has no consistent method to collect outcome data for these programs, and it doesn't verify the accuracy of the data submitted by municipalities, auditors found.

State database include deleted records and test entries, and some data on the number of program participants might be overstated, they added.

The council, which lawmakers created in 2017, has only reported on homelessness spending once, according to the audit.

Without reliable and recent data on its spending, the 'state will continue to lack complete and timely information about the ongoing costs and associated outcomes of its homelessness programs,' the report says.

The council consists of state officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Jeff Macomber.

In a written response to the auditor's office, Meghan Marshall, who heads the council, agreed with the audit's findings and vowed to implement its recommendations 'where possible.'

Donald Trump has vowed to 'ban urban camping' and create 'tent cities' on 'inexpensive land' for homeless people, if elected again in November

More than two thirds of Americans say homelessness, which surged by 12 percent last year, is out of control

But the council has limited resources to put toward collecting data, she added.

The council in a statement said the audit 'underscores a need to continue to hold local governments accountable.'

The state auditor also reviewed homelessness spending in two major cities, San Jose and San Diego, and found that both failed to track revenue and spending due to a lack of planning.

The report spotlights how officials are battling a surge in homelessness in California and beyond.

A recent DailyMail.com/TIPP Poll showed that more than two thirds of US adults said homelessness was out of control and that officials needed to move those sleeping rough into tented encampments outside towns and cities.

The survey revealed that 67 percent of Americans are fed up with the country's fast-rising number of homeless people and want mayors to take drastic steps to tackle the scourge.

Former President Donald Trump making it part of his re-election campaign.

In a video on homelessness released by his campaign, Trump said that 'hardworking, law-abiding citizens' were being sidelines and made to 'suffer for the whims of a deeply unwell few.'

He vowed to 'ban urban camping' and create 'tent cities' on 'inexpensive land' for homeless people that will be staffed with doctors and social workers to help people address systemic problems.

With agencies.
The Neo-Nazi man accused of murdering his gay Jewish former classmate was 'struggling with his sexuality' after growing up in a strict Catholic household, his lawyers have said.

Samuel Woodward, 26, is charged with stabbing 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein 28 times while the teen was visiting his family in Southern California.

Woodward, of Newport Beach, previously attended the same Orange County school as Bernstein, who was a UPenn sophomore at the time.

The suspect, an associate of the Atomwaffen Division Neo-Nazi group, appeared in court Tuesday with long unkempt hair and a scraggly beard.

His defense attorney Ken Morrison did not dispute that he carried out the fatal attack, but denied it was a hate crime.

He lamented Woodward's troubled upbringing as a young autistic man confused over his own sexuality in a devout Catholic family.

Samuel Woodward, 26, is charged with murdering Blaze Bernstein, 19, in Southern California on January 10, 2018

Blaze Bernstein (pictured) went missing after a trip to a park in Lake Forest with Woodward. The pair had both attended the Orange County School of the Arts and connected via Snapchat

Pictured: Woodward with a markedly different appearance at a court hearing in January 2018

The trial has taken more than half-a-decade to begin, primarily due to questions about Woodward's mental fitness to stand trial.

It will center around whether Woodward's bloodthirsty act was driven by homophobia, with lawyers for the killer suggesting that he wasn't motivated by hate because he too is gay.

Opening statements took place in a Southern California court room on Tuesday, two years after Woodward was deemed competent to face a jury in 2022.

The lead prosecutor said the state will argue Woodward 'killed Blaze Bernstein because he was gay'.

Prosecutor Jennifer Walker said Woodward had joined a violent, homophobic and anti-Semitic group known as Atomwaffen Division.

She claimed he repeatedly targeted gay men online by reaching out to them and then abruptly broke off contact while keeping a hateful, profanity-laced journal of his actions.

Weeks before the killing, Woodward, who was then 20 years old, showed an interest in moving from words to violent actions, she said, and it was then that he contacted Bernstein via Snapchat.

In one journal entry of Woodward's titled 'diary of hate,' he described threats he claims to have made against gay people online, according to a brief by the prosecution.

'The defendant is guilty of killing Blaze Bernstein because he was gay,' Walker told jurors, adding that the victim was stabbed 28 times. 'You will see that Blaze fought for his life as best he could.'

Morrison said his client faced challenges in personal relationships due to a long-undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder and was confused about his own sexuality.

'We agree the evidence will show that Samuel Woodward is guilty of homicide,' Morrison told jurors, but he added later that 'what happened that night, plain and simple, was not a hate crime.'

Morrison said he believes Woodward will testify during the trial, which is expected to last several months.

Woodward has also been linked to a white supremacist group - Atomwaffen Division - and kept troves of anti-gay and anti-Semitic material on his cell phone, which investigators were able to hack

Blaze Bernstein, a 19-year-old student at the University of Pennsylvania , was gay and Jewish. In January of 2018, he was home in Orange County visiting his family when he was killed

Bernstein went missing after a trip to a park in Lake Forest with Woodward. The pair had both attended the Orange County School of the Arts and connected via Snapchat after matching on Tinder while Bernstein was home.

The teen's parents later found his glasses, wallet, and credit cards in his bedroom after he missed a dentist appointment on January 3 and wasn't responding to texts or calls.

Several days later, Bernstein's body was discovered in a shallow grave at the park close to his parents' home.

Authorities say Woodward picked Bernstein up from his parents' house and later stabbed him 28 times in the face and neck.

DNA evidence connected Woodward to the murder, a theory bolstered by the trove of anti-gay, anti-Jewish material found on his phone.

Woodward was arrested two days after a bloody blade was found in his room at his parents' house in the upscale enclave of Newport Beach.

The case has taken years to come to trial because of questions about Woodward's mental state and ability to stand trial.

Multiple public defenders have quit on Woodward, and the lead prosecutor on the case at one point became a judge.

In late 2022, he was deemed competent. He has also gone through a number of defense attorneys, one of whom claimed Woodward has Asperger's syndrome, which generally causes difficulty with social interactions.

In February, when the jury selection process began, a courtroom outburst from Woodward forced the process to begin again. The defendant reportedly threw a cup of water at Judge Menninger.

The alleged murder weapon submitted to evidence in Orange County Superior Court

Woodward is being defended by public defender Kenneth Morrison, who is arguing that Woodward killed Blaze because of something he found out the night the latter died

Bernstein's body was discovered in a shallow grave at the park close to his parents' home

Samuel Lincoln Woodward, 20, of Newport Beach, right, a suspect in the murder of 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein, consults with his attorney in January, 2018

Blaze Bernstein's parents read a statement at a press conference in front of the Orange County Sheriff's department after their son's body was found a week after he had disappeared from their family home

Judge Kimberly Menninger is presiding. In February, Woodward threw a cup of water at her, which led to the process of jury selection beginning over again

The Bernstein family has reportedly been frustrated with the trial delays. They hope that the beginning of the trial will get them one step closer to justice for their son's killing.

Ahead of trial, Morrison said: 'For the past six years, the public has been reading and hearing a prosecution and muckraking narrative about this case that is simply fundamentally wrong.'

'I caution everyone to respect our judicial process and wait until a jury has been able to see, hear, and evaluate all of the evidence,' he said.

The defense framed their strategy Tuesday around the notion that Blaze Bernstein was killed by Woodward 'because of what Sam learned that night about what Blaze had been doing over the previous six months.'

The implication of the argument being that it was Bernstein who lured Woodward to the park that night, as opposed to the opposite, according to journalist Louis Keene, who has been watching the trial.

Morrison has also said that one of his primary goals will be to separate the crime his client is accused of committing from his association with the Atomwaffen Division.

The attorney has previously attempted to have references to Adolf Hitler and Nazis excluded from testimony during trial due to their inflammatory nature.

He has also said that, despite media interest, having cameras in the courtroom during the trial could 'be traumatizing' to some of the 56 witnesses slated to testify.

'Is it simply because the news media loves the salacious narrative that they created?' asked the public defender.

Judge Menninger, however, determined the trial involves 'great issues of public interest.' She will therefore allow cameras in the courtroom on a limited basis.

'I need to be sure people trust us. I need them to see that we are not hiding the ball,' she said.

The trial is expected to take two-to-three months, potentially running through the end of June.

Orange County Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker speaks in Orange County Superior Court for Opening Statements of the murder trial for the stabbing death of Blaze Berstein on April 9, 2024 in Santa Ana, California

Orange County Deputy Sheriffs escort Samuel Lincoln Woodward into Orange County Superior Court for Opening Statements of his murder trial

Woodward, who looked disheveled and disturbed in court on Tuesday, has cycled through a handful of defense attorneys in the six years since his arrest

At a preliminary hearing back in 2018, the OC Sheriff's Department worked hard to crack open the contents of Woodward's iPhone.

Their successful efforts yielded a goldmine of suspicious material, including emails the young man had written and sent to himself under the heading 'Sam's Diary.'

'I tell sodomites that I'm bi-curious, which makes them want to 'convert' me  Get them hooked by acting coy, maybe send them a pic or two, beat around the bush and pretend to tell them that I like them and then kabam, I either un-friend them or tell them they have been pranked, ha ha,' he wrote in one such email dated May 2017.

In another email he sent from July 2017, Woodward wrote about downloading the gay dating app Grindr.

'LMAO. They think they are going to get hate crimes and it scared the s*** out of them ... Priceless.'

Investigators say that Woodward admitted to being with Bernstein on the night he vanished, but said the victim walked alone through the park, leaving him waiting.

Woodward also said that Bernstein made a pass at him, but the suspect believed homosexuality to be 'gross.'

On Tuesday, the prosecution introduced new messages between Woodward and Bernstein, in which Woodward told Blaze he was still straight, but 'I might make an exception for you.'
Rishi Sunak today warned that voting for Reform UK would only help put Labour's Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street as he was confronted by a disgruntled former Tory.

The Prime Minister stressed that only 'one of two people' would be in No10 after the general election - either him or the Labour leader.

There is growing panic in Conservative ranks about the rising popularity of Reform, with fears the insurgent party will split the right-wing vote at the election and prompt a Tory wipeout.

A new poll this week showed the Nigel Farage-backed outfit are now only six points behind the Conservatives after surging to their highest vote share.

Mr Sunak was challenged directly about the threat posed to Tory fortunes by Reform when he was quizzed on a radio phone-in show this morning by a voter called Jerry, from Whitley Bay in the North East.

He told Mr Sunak he had voted for the Conservatives ever since 1979, the year that Margaret Thatcher became PM, but had now switched to Reform due to his unhappiness with the Government's handling of Net Zero and immigration.

Rishi Sunak was challenged directly about the threat posed to Tory fortunes by Reform when he was quizzed on an LBC Radio phone-in show

There is growing panic in Conservative ranks about the rising popularity of Reform, with fears the Nigel Farage-backed party will split the right-wing vote and prompt a Tory wipeout

Mr Sunak warned that voting for Reform would only help put Labour's Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street

A new Redfield & Wilton poll this week showed Reform are now only six points behind the Conservatives after surging to their highest vote share on 15 per cent

Responding to Jerry on LBC Radio, Mr Sunak told him: 'Jerry, first of all, thanks for your support for the party over so many years. That's fantastic.

'And I'm sorry to hear about it. But all I'd say is next election, there's going to be one of two people prime minister at the end of it - me or Keir Starmer.

'On the two issues that you mentioned, you should just come to a view on who you think it's more likely to deliver for you.'

Mr Sunak went on to highlight how he had 'changed our approach' to Net Zero last year by watering down key climate targets.

'I was very clear that we can't rush to it in an ideological way that saddles costs of 5,000 10,000, 15,000 on ordinary families like yours.

'I didn't think that was right, I changed the policy on it. Of course, we're gonna get there.

'I've got young kids, I care about the environment. But we should do that in a sensible way, especially when we're doing a better job on it than pretty much anyone else.

'I got an enormous amount of flak from people for that. But I think it's the right thing for the country. So I think you and I are aligned on that.'

The PM also acknowledged, in terms of immigration, 'the numbers are too high' but suggested he had 'inherited' the issue from his predecessors in No10.

'I've taken more action on this issue than anyone else,' Mr Sunak added.

'And when it comes to tackling illegal migration, I'm battling the Labour Party and everyone else to get our Rwanda Bill through Parliament.

'Those are the issues that you care about, I care about them too. I've already showed that I'm delivering on them.

'If you vote for Reform, all you're going to do is put Keir Starmer in power. And then we're going to get no action on those things that you care about.

'Migration is not going to come down, the boats will not be stopped. And he will adopt an ideological approach to Net Zero, reverse the changes I've made, and that's going to cost you and everyone else.

'You don't need to even believe me; just look at what Sadiq Khan is trying to do in London with ULEZ and it should give you all the evidence that you need.'
It's a bitingly cold day in mid-December 2027. China is blockading Taiwan and Britain is poised to join the United States in rallying to the beleaguered island democracy's defence - a move that could presage World War III.

And then comes a brutally blunt message: every one of the hundreds of thousands of Chinese-made electric cars on UK roads stops dead.

Drivers frantically hit the controls, but to no avail. They try to get out. But the doors refuse to open.

Then the pile-ups begin, as other vehicles plough into the suddenly stationary cars. Crippling traffic jams prevent emergency services reaching the scenes of accidents and thousands of injured victims die in agony.

As time goes by, people imprisoned in their cars become increasingly desperate and implore passers-by to break the windows to help them escape suffocation or hypothermia. Some are lucky, others not.

Netflix's apocalyptic film Leave The World Behind depicts a dramatic scene in which hundreds of electric vehicles pile up on a motorway after being remotely hijacked

A Chinese electric car dramatically bursts into flames on a street in the communist state

Commerce is throttled too. Even with every breakdown lorry in the country mobilised, it is weeks before our transport system returns to normal.

The economic and human cost is colossal. Our decision-makers, and those in other countries, all too readily draw the conclusion that this is no time for a military entanglement in a faraway land.

The bullies of Beijing have just won a decisive early battle in the struggle for global domination.

Only last month, the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo raised exactly this danger. 'Imagine if there were thousands or hundreds of thousands of Chinese-connected vehicles on American roads that could be immediately and simultaneously disabled by somebody in Beijing,' she said.

But why would business-minded car makers risk destroying their brands by potentially allowing them to be used for sabotage? No foreign customer would ever trust a Chinese-made product again.

The answer is simple. The Chinese Communist Party enjoys absolute control over its subjects, at home and abroad. If it deems a cyber-attack necessary for geopolitical purposes, then that attack will happen, regardless of any transient commercial cost.

We should be in no doubt of the peril posed by China. The Government's keystone Integrated Review of our national security calls it an 'epoch-defining challenge to the international order' and MPs were briefed last month about a new wave of interference aimed at undermining our democracy.

Only this week, the scale of China's ambitions became clear as pictures emerged showing specialised trains that can transport EVs across the Eurasian landmass. Unlike the old, slow method of shipping by sea, transportation by rail allows the vehicles to reach Europe in just twenty days.

We have already moved to counteract some of the dangers threatened by this tsunami of Chinese technology. Huawei components were stripped, albeit belatedly, from our next-generation 5G mobile phone system, for example.

But we have been naive, greedy and complacent when it comes to other threats.

What we fail to understand is that China's relentless data harvesting in the West provides Beijing with the raw material to understand, penetrate and control foreign countries.

Artificial intelligence software running on the world's most powerful computers sifts and scans every particle of information, looking for patterns and anomalies to exploit.

The biggest new vulnerability relates to the so-called 'Internet of Things' (IoT). This is the interconnection of swathes of kit, from thermostats, smart meters, doorbells and household audio devices to video equipment and lighting systems across industry, commerce and public services.

At the IoT's heart are the small 'modules' that connect the equipment to the internet. Chillingly, China provides more than three-fifths of these cheap and ubiquitous data-transfer gadgets. They are by their nature remotely controlled and can be updated by the manufacturer whenever necessary. They also run software that is rarely if ever subjected to a security review.

Chinese car makers such as BYD and Geely are on track to dominate the global market for electric vehicles. Pictured: Chinese vehicles due to be taken to Europe by freight train

Chinese car manufacturer BYD began selling its cars in the UK last year

The gain in convenience is enormous. Who would complain about life being made cheaper and easier?

But we are ignoring the downside. Just one compromised device can be used to infect others, enabling a distant foe to steal data or wreak havoc.

Electric cars add a new dimension to the threat, adding what are, in effect, mobile surveillance devices to the picture.

The result of China's ravenous appetite for our data will be that every commercial, political, military and intelligence secret in every Western country is potentially compromised. So too is every facet of our personal privacy, making us vulnerable to blackmail and bullying.

Following US Commerce Secretary Raimondo's warning, Washington has launched an investigation into the security dangers of 'foreign-made' (ie Chinese) vehicles connected to the internet.

This is a welcome development but one which has come dangerously late. Unhindered by environmental rules and labour standards, and with the full backing of their government, Chinese car makers are on track to dominate the global market for electric vehicles.

Working to a plan that is as canny as it is ruthless, they have secured huge advantages in the world market for lithium  vital for batteries  and the rare minerals required in the production of high-tech devices.

Though their products may lack the polish and pizazz of Western marques like Tesla, they benefit from a huge home market, which offers them economies of scale and a chance to hone their technology and expertise.

That helped China to become the world's biggest car exporter last year, with its competitive advantage in electric vehicles set to increase further as it builds factories abroad.

Yes, electric vehicles' market share fell last month but, with Chinese electric cars costing around 9,000 less than their western-made counterparts, it seems likely that firms such as Tesla will bear the brunt of this downturn.

Tens of thousands of Chinese cars will be sold in Britain this year. This doesn't just create an economic bonanza for Beijing, it gives it a geopolitical advantage too.

READ MORE: SARAH VINE: The grim truth about our relationship with China and why they are laughing at us Advertisement

For modern electric cars are computers on wheels. To function properly, they must be constantly connected to the internet, so that they can receive, gather and share data on their performance and surroundings.

This is a recipe for mayhem. Hackers demonstrated years ago how easy it was to remotely disable a single vehicle. With the full weight of a state cyber-warfare agency behind it, such attacks would be far more devastating and widespread.

And sabotage is not the only threat. Like our phones and computers, computerised cars give enormous insight into our daily lives, as they collect data on everything from our location and driving behaviour to our taste in music, our mobile phone usage and our 'voice-prints' (graphic representations of a person's voice that show its component frequencies).

A Chinese-made tracking device was found embedded in the electronics of at least one Downing Street vehicle last year but, in a Chinese-made car, there would be no need to plant a bugging device. The car is the bug.

It is no coincidence that the Chinese authorities strictly control the movement of Western-made electric vehicles such as Teslas, banning them from going near sensitive government and military sites. We impose no such restrictions.

In July, MPs and peers on the cross-party Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) reported that China was targeting the UK 'prolifically and aggressively' but that our Government lacked the 'resources, expertise or knowledge' to respond.

The truth is that, when it comes to Chinese EVs, our decision-makers are still asleep at the wheel.
Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas testified Wednesday that the U.S. immigration system is 'fundamentally broken' and the migrant rush could be considered a 'crisis' while refusing to provide lawmakers with the number of known illegal 'gotaways.'

The admission came as the embattled secretary is testifying in both the House and Senate Wednesday to make the case for why the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should receive more money than last year.

DHS's 2025 budget totals $108 billion, a four percent increase from the year before.

'Our immigration system ... is fundamentally broken, including our asylum system that so significantly impacts the security of our borders and the processes we administer at it,' Mayorkas said in his opening remarks in the House.

'Only Congress can fix our broken and out dated system and only Congress can address our need for more border patrol agents, asylum officers and immigration judges,' he continued.

DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas is expected to testify before House and Senate appropriators today explaining why his agency needs $108 billion

His plea for cash comes while record illegal immigration has thrown his agency in turmoil

Shortly after when pressed by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, how many 'gotaways' have entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, Mayorkas could not come up with a number.

'I don't have the number,' Mayorkas replied, saying he would provide that data to lawmakers later.

Hinson shot back '1.7 million gotaways.'

She also pressed him on whether he would label the millions of migrants entering the U.S. under Biden illegally a 'crisis.'

'Yes, I would,' Mayorkas responded. 'And as a matter of fact, I work every single day with the Department of Homeland Security to only strengthen the security of our southern border as well as the northern border.'

He also said that sanctuary cities - cities that disallow local law enforcement from collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain and deport illegal immigrants (ICE) - should work with with federal officials.

'I believe that when an individual poses a threat to public safety or national security, their local or state jurisdiction should co-operate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the swift detention and removal of that individual,' Mayorkas said.

His rebuke of sanctuary cities is surprising given there are hundreds of them across the country and generally they are Democrat-led.

Mayorkas' budget request comes after the House voted to impeach him in February for high crimes and misdemeanors related to his handling of the southern border and for lying to lawmakers.

Speaker Mike Johnson's office originally planned to send the articles over to the Senate Wednesday hoping to immediately begin a trial.

But Tuesday afternoon GOP Senators asked that Johnson hold off on sending the articles to give the upper chamber more time.

A spokesperson for Speaker Johnson said that 'to ensure the Senate has adequate time to perform its constitutional duty, the House will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate next week.'

'There is no reason whatsoever for the Senate to abdicate its responsibility to hold an impeachment trial,' Taylor Haulsee told DailyMail.com.

Mayorkas has overseen consecutive years of record illegal immigrant apprehensions

Whether Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer actually decides to hold a trial, however, is up in the air.

Some Republicans had concerns that Schumer would use the late Wednesday delivery to try and send senators home over the weekend without holding a trial at all.

'Many House and Senate members think Johnson's timing is dumb, because a Wednesday night delivery [and] Thursday afternoon floor fight aren't enough time to win the news cycle and to hammer the fight in Washington,' a senior Senate aide told DailyMail.com earlier Tuesday.

The two articles of impeachment accuse Mayorkas of failing to enforce immigration law and lying to Congress about the state of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mayorkas, 64, is now only the second cabinet secretary to be impeached and the first in nearly 150 years.

The DHS chief has overseen consecutive record breaking years for migrant apprehensions.

Apprehension records were set in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Last year alone, over 2.4 million migrants were apprehended while crossing into the U.S., according to Customs and Border Protection data, yet another record.

'Our immigration system ... is fundamentally broken, including our asylum system that so significantly impacts the security of our borders and the processes we administer at it,' Mayorkas said in his opening remarks.

'Only Congress can fix our broken and out dated system and only Congress can address our need for more border patrol agents, asylum officers and immigration judges,' he continued.

The White House, meanwhile, has called Republican-led impeachment effort a 'petty political' move, saying 'history will not look kindly on House Republicans for their blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship.'

Migrants mostly form Central America wait in line to cross the border at the Gateway International Bridge into the US from Matamoros, Mexico

House GOP Whip Tom Emmer told DailyMail.com that if Senate Democrats dismiss Mayorkas impeachment articles before even holding a trial, 'they will be defying their Constitutional duty to their constituents and betraying Americans who have suffered under the worst border crisis in our history.'

'Voters won't forget this dereliction of duty, and we will remind them of the Schumer Senate's negligence every day until Election Day.'

With impeachment on their mind, though, it is yet to be seen how lawmakers will receive Mayorkas' budget request.
Comes after Iran's Supreme Leader today vowed to 'punish' an 'evil' Israel

Israel's foreign minister today declared his nation's armed forces would launch direct retaliatory strikes on Iran should the Islamic Republic carry out an attack against Israel - the latest step in escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Writing in both his native Hebrew and Farsi, Israel Katz said on X: 'If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran.'

The blunt and threatening remark came after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei early this morning reiterated a promise to 'punish an 'evil' Israel following a suspected IDF strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria that killed 12 people, including two top generals, on April 1.

Tehran held Israel responsible for the strike and immediately vowed to exact retribution.

Khamenei also criticised the West, particularly the US and Britain, for supporting Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

'It was expected they (would) prevent (Israel) in this disaster. They did not. They did not fulfil their duties, the Western governments,' he said.

Israel has not acknowledged its involvement in the strike, but has been bracing for retaliation as it continues to battle Hamas and Hezbollah - both militant groups that are funded and supported by Iran.

Writing in both his native Hebrew and Farsi, Israel Katz said on X: 'If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran'

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the Muslims holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Rescue workers search in the rubble of a building annexed to the Iranian embassy a day after an air strike in Damascus on April 2, 2024

Iran warned arch foe Israel on April 2 that it will punish an air strike that killed seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals

Khamenei spoke this morning at a prayer ceremony celebrating the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan , saying the airstrike was 'wrongdoing' and akin to an attack on Iranian territory

Khamenei spoke this morning at a prayer ceremony celebrating the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, saying the airstrike was 'wrongdoing' and akin to an attack on Iranian territory.

'When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory,' Khamenei said, in remarks broadcast by Iranian state TV.

'The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished.'

Neither Katz nor the Ayatollah elaborated on the exact form such retaliation would take.

Among 12 killed in the blast on April 1 were seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, four Syrians and a Hezbollah militia member.

One of the slain generals, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, had held a succession of commands in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' foreign operations arm, the Quds Force, over a career spanning more than four decades.

His deputy, General Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi, was also killed.

The day after the attack, Khamenei, who attended the funeral ceremonies of the Iranian victims last week, declared: 'The evil Zionist regime will be punished at the hands of our brave men.

'We will make them regret this crime and the other ones.'

Israeli diplomats serving abroad expressed concern their embassies could be the target of Iranian retaliation, and some were informed not to attend public events as a precaution, diplomatic sources told JPost and other Israeli media outlets.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Iran has been acting against Israel for years, and defended any operations launched by Tel-Aviv against Tehran.

'For years Iran has been working against us directly and through its proxies, and therefore Israel is working against Iran and its proxies, both defensively and offensively,' Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting.

'We will know how to defend ourselves and we will act according to the simple principle that whoever hurts us or plans to hurt us, we will hurt them,' he said.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, greets families of the Revolutionary Guards members who were killed in an airstrike in Syria

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and relatives of the victims attend the funeral ceremony held for victims who lost their lives in attack on Iran's consulate building

April 1, 2024, Tehran, Iran: Iranians burn Israel and US flags during an anti-Israeli demonstration at Palestine Square in Tehran

'For years Iran has been working against us directly and through its proxies, and therefore Israel is working against Iran and its proxies, both defensively and offensively,' Netanyahu said

Netanyahu's announcement last week came as the IDF announced they were suspending leave for all combat units, a day after they said they were mobilising more troops for air defence units.

'The State of Israel is prepared for every scenario. We will respond with force to any attempts to attack us,' government spokesperson Raquela Karamson said in a briefing.

'In accordance with the situational assessment, it has been decided that leave will be temporarily paused for all IDF (Israel Defence Forces) combat units,' the military said in a statement.

'The IDF is at war and the deployment of forces is under continuous assessment according to requirements.'

Israel has been pressing its war on Hamas in Gaza since the Palestinian Islamists led a cross-border killing and kidnapping spree on October 7, and has also been trading fire almost daily with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Yemen's Houthi rebels, which are aligned with Tehran, have launched occasional long-range rockets at Israel's Eilat port.

Until now, Iran has avoided directly entering the fray, while supporting allies' attacks on Israeli and US targets, but the strike that eliminated General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi only added to fears that the Israel-Palestine war could spill over and spread violence throughout the Middle East.

However, many diplomats and analysts say Iran's clerical elite does not want any all-out war with Israel or the US that might endanger its grip on power, and would prefer to keep using proxies to carry out selective tactical attacks on its foes.
Two dozen residents of 194-unit building are vehemently opposed to changing it

A group of homeowners are fighting to keep Donald Trump's name on their apartment building after the condo board decided to remove it.

Residents voted 70 per cent to 30 to dump the ex-president's name at a ballot on 2022, but that fell short of the required supermajority because not many showed up.

Now the board of Trump Plaza in New Rochelle, New York, north of NYC, is moving to change the name anyway, fearing a dive in property values.

About two dozen residents in the 40-story, 194-unit building oppose it and claim the board is 'hardcore political' and on a 'mission to destroy the man'.

Residents of Trump Plaza in New Rochelle, New York, voted 70 per cent to 30 to dump the ex-president's name at a ballot on 2022, but that fell short of the required supermajority because not many showed up

Trump Plaza is one of only two major apartment buildings in Westchester County to still have the name, and others in New York City also voted to remove it.

This one bears his name as it used his management company from when it was built in 2007 to when the board voted in 2021 to dump it in favor of AKAM.

Al LePore, 65, who lives there with his wife Gina, claimed the condo board 'won't stop until they get their way' despite not getting the votes.

'The board is hardcore. They won't talk to us because we are Trump supporters. You have to keep your political views to yourself in something like this,' told the New York Post.

'They hate the man, and they're on a mission to destroy him in New York.'

Board president Gerg Root said a 'silent majority' of residents supported the name change, at it was a just a 'small and very vocal group' who didn't.

Al LePore, 65, who lives there with his wife Gina (pictured together), claimed the condo board 'won't stop until they get their way' despite not getting the votes

'After carefully studying the issue, we believe it is financially in the best interest of unit owners' property long-term values,' he said.

Root conceded the high supermajority threshold was not reached at the 2022 vote, but said that was only due to a poor turnout.

Since then, Trump's mounting legal woes and controversial statements during the election campaign has even more residents thinking it's time to move on.

A study found properties bearing Trump's name fell in value by a quarter - in one case 49 per cent - over the past decade, while those that dumped it rose nine per cent.

The rebel homeowners are circulating a letter and talking to their neighbors to get the two-thirds support required to overrule the board.

About two dozen residents in the 40-story, 194-unit building oppose it and claim the board is 'hardcore political' and on a 'mission to destroy the man'

Al's wife Gina LePore, 68, doesn't buy the board's claim that property values would be hurt by association with the Trump name.

'I don't see a reason why. They can't convince me why. We don't all necessarily love Trump - some of us do. I'm a Trump supporter - but I don't allow that to cloud my vision,' she said.

'Just give me the facts. The so-called facts they've given us weren't facts, they were opinions.

'I don't think it has anything to do with the value of the property. There's no glut of apartments for sale here, as soon as they come on the market they're sold quickly.'

LePore said she and her husband moved into the building because of it was named after Trump, before the real estate mogul entered politics.

'His buildings were luxury buildings and everything he touched he made beautiful,' she said.

Trump, with his lawyer Todd Blanche, arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court for a hearing in his case of paying hush money to cover up extramarital affairs

The review found that across the seven Trump buildings in Manhattan, condo values dropped by 23 percent between 2013 and 2023, according to CityRealty.

Condos in four buildings which removed the Trump name saw values rise by nine percent across the same period, while the market as a whole in Manhattan was up eight percent.

Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh, a professor of real estate at Columbia University, said the analysis cleanly identifies that it was the Trump brand that was responsible for the value deterioration.

'Removing the Trump name from the building removes the loss associated with the name.'

The average price per square foot of a condo in a Trump building in New York today is slightly more than $1,500, compared with a little over $1,750 in non-Trump properties.
The sorority sisters got the boys out and performed CPR, saving their lives

Cori Craft and her two sons fell 135 feet into a creek leaving the car submerged

Five University of Georgia students rescued the family after seeing them crash

Five heroic University of Georgia sorority sisters recused a mother and her two sons from drowning after watching their car fall off a bridge.

Molly McCollum, Jane McArdle, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones and Kaitlyn lannace were road-tripping from Athens to Savannah on March 15 when they witnessed the crash.

The Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters had been driving along Murray Hill Road in Burke County when they approached the Brier Creek bridge and saw mother-of-two Cori Craft lose control of her vehicle.

'In our peripheral vision, we just see this spark of white, a little cloud of dust and kind of like a big old crash,' McCollum told Good Morning America.

'That's when we decided to pull over, and that's when we saw the car in the water,' Jones said.

Molly McCollum, Jane McArdle, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones and Kaitlyn lannace (all pictured) jumped into the water to save a mom and her two sons after their car fell of a bridge

EXCLUSIVE: Every second mattered in that situation.



A group of sorority sisters at the University of Georgia helped save a mom and her kids from drowning after her car fell off a bridge. @evapilgrim has more on their heroic rescue. pic.twitter.com/qSKSEiyHYd  Good Morning America (@GMA) April 10, 2024

Cori Craft had been driving with her two young sons when she accidentally veered off the road, falling 135 feet and submerged her car

Craft had been driving with her two young sons when she accidentally veered off the road, falling 135 feet submerging her car, reported WRDW.

'I was thinking, I'm like, "I don't even know where my phone is. I don't have my glasses. I don't know how I'm going to call for help,"' Craft said.

'Then I just heard them over on the bank, and they shouted [asking] if I was OK. And I'm like, "No, my kids are in the car."'

The group of college freshmen called 911 and jumped in cold water to help the family.

McArdle said, 'I think the mom was so frantic that, like, I don't know, I feel like I didn't have a choice but to help.'

The sisters managed to open one of the car doors and lift Craft's eight-year-old son out of the vehicle, but her four-year-old son was still trapped and buckled into his car seat.

'Time is ticking. It had been like four to five minute, it was just, like, every second mattered,' McCollum said.

The group was able to lift the four-year-old out of the car, but he was unresponsive.

'We all together, like, just pulled him out of the vehicle and then, yeah, [he] was like fully unconscious and it was terrifying,' said McCollum.

lannace said, 'His lips [were] completely blue, like his eyes were closed. He was not breathing.'

The Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters lifted Craft's eight-year-old son out of the vehicle, but her four-year-old son was still trapped and buckled into his car seat

Clarke Jones (pictured) used her experience as a lifeguard to administer CPR to the four-year-old boy

The group of college freshmen called 911 and jumped in cold water to help the family

The Burke County Sheriff's Department made the five women honorary deputies for their bravery

The group pulled the four-year-old (right) out of the vehicle and one sister, who had worked as a lifeguard, performed CPR and saved his life

Craft credits the women with saving their lives and said, 'Without them stopping, I would not have my youngest here'

Jones moved the boy to the side of the car, began administering CPR and got the boy breathing again.

'I was a lifeguard in high school for one summer, so I just remembered it from then,' Jones said.

'We had no clue if he was going to survive at all. And so I'm like, "This is the one thing I know how to do that I can help. And so I'm just going to give it my best try."'

Craft said, 'Without them stopping, I would not have my youngest here because I know I would not have been able to get to him in time.'

The Burke County Sheriff's Department made the five women honorary deputies for their bravery.

'They quickly turned around, went to the crash site, and without hesitation jumped in the water and pulled the driver and two children out of the vehicle. The quick thinking and bravery of these women is absolutely admirable,' the sheriff's office said.
Police are hunting arsonists who are believed to have started six heath fires in four days, as the latest one comes within feet of homes and a school.

Last night firefighters were forced to battle a 100ft wall of flames on the sensitive heathland in Poole, Dorset, after receiving 31 calls at around 7.30pm regarding the blaze which covered five acres of ground.

Fire services believe the blaze was started deliberately because the amount of rain the area has had recently means the ground is very saturated.

Responders from Poole, Wimborne, Westbourne and Redhill Park attended the incident close to Corfe Hills School in Broadstone and extinguished the fire by 8:59pm.

Police are hunting arsonists who are believed to have started six heath fires in four days, as the latest come within feet of homes and a school

In the latest incident firefighters were forced to battle a 100ft wall of flames on the sensitive heathland in Poole, Dorset last night

Fire services believe the blaze was started deliberately because the amount of rain the area has had recently means the ground is very saturated.

Firefighters from Poole, Wimborne, Westbourne and Redhill Park attended the incident close to Corfe Hills School in Broadstone and extinguished the fire by 8:59pm

The aftermath of one of the heath fires earlier this week. Five fires were started over the weekend, with 104 firefighters brought in to tackle the incidents

It is the most recent wildfire in a worrying spate in the area.

Five fires were started over the weekend, with 104 firefighters brought in to tackle the incidents.

Three were on the Bourne Valley Nature Reserve on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

There were further fires on Talbot Heath and Turbary Common in Bournemouth on Sunday.

The heathlands are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and home to sand lizards, ground-nesting birds and a diverse range of insects.

A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: 'These avoidable fires can devastate our beautiful countryside and wildlife whilst also tying up many of our resources, potentially impacting our response to other emergencies.'

A spokesperson for Dorset police said: 'Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team are aware and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.'
Pennsylvania Judge Travis Livengood said Cooley showed 'no remorse whatsoever' for the 'heinous' crime

The callous killer stuffed eight wet wipes down his throat while she was watching him in May 2022

An evil Pennsylvania woman has been jailed for 40 years for killing her three-year-old step son by stuffing baby wipes down his throat.

Chelsea Cooley, 33, pleaded guilty to murdering Travis Young Jr. while she was watching him at her boyfriend's home in 2022.

The youngster died in agony after Cooley shoved eight wet wipes so far down his throat that medics needed forceps to remove the bloodied rags.

Cooley pleaded guilty to the horrific crime as part of a plea bargain on Monday.

At sentencing, the cowardly killer unsuccessfully begged to be excused from the court room as harrowing victim impact statements were read.

Pennsylvania step mom has been jailed for 40 years for killing her three-year-old step son Travis Young Jr by stuffing baby wipes down his throat

Chelsea Cooley, 33, pleaded guilty to murdering Travis Young Jr. while she was watching him at her boyfriend's home in 2022

Travis died in agony after Cooley shoved eight wet wipes so far down his throat that medics needed forceps to remove the bloodied rags

'How could you betray my boy's trust?' Travis' father Travis Young Sr wrote in his statement, the Bedford Gazette reports. 'How is it right you destroyed my life?'

'The worse is slowly forgetting the sound of his voice. I hope he haunts you every single second of your life.'

'I lost my first born, my little best friend,' Travis' mom Rachel Reuter told the court. 'I lost the honor of being able to watch him grow.'

She said she has forgiven her son's killer, but 'will never be able to forget what happened'.

I hope one day you will be able to find the peace I'm sure you need,' Reuter said.

Despite asking to leave, Judge Travis Livengood said Cooley showed 'no remorse whatsoever' as she listened to their words.

The judge called the case, 'one of the most heinous acts I've ever sentenced someone for'.

'You have earned every single day of the 40 to 80 years you are going to get,' he told Cooley.

Travis Young Jr. with his mom Rachel Reuter who told the court Cooley had robbed her of 'the honor of being able to watch him grow'

Travis is survived by his parents, younger brother and extended family. Pictured: Devastated mom Rachel Reuter with Travis (left) and his sibling

Travis' nightmare began on May 28, 2022 while Cooley was watching him while his father was at work.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry described how Cooley took a photo of the tot lying unconscious at 8:41pm but did not call 911 until 9:07pm.

She reported that Travis had choked on something but was hesitant to follow the dispatchers instructions, Lowry said.

Eventually she pulled two wet wipes from the boy's mouth, but insisted on putting on gloves to touch him, Lowry added.

EMS workers removed a further four wipes as they rushed him to UPMC Childrens Hospital in Pittsburgh with medics at the facility using ten inch forceps to remove the remaining wipes.

They noted the wipes were 'tightly packed' and 'soiled with blood'. Tragically Travis succumbed to his injuries and died the next day.

All the while, Cooley never once inquired about his wellbeing and kept reiterating that he had been badly behaved, Lowry said.

At sentencing, Cooley unsuccessfully begged to be excused from the court room as harrowing victim impact statements from Travis' family were read

Travis' death was ruled as a homicide after it was determined there was no way he could have stuffed the wipes in himself.

The victim had 'extensive bruising' and 'signs of petechia', spots due to bleeding, on his chest and neck, Law and Crime reports.

Medics also found evidence of feces on his hands while Cooley had apparently sustained bite marks.

When asked why she had taken so long to call for help, Cooley stated her phone was 'acting up' and told police the boy needed to be put in a 'group home' the outlet reports.

Travis is survived by his parents, younger brother and extended family.

'Travis loved his chocolate, and enjoyed playing outside with his cars, cuddling while watching TV; especially his favorite cartoon P.J. Masks,' his obituary states.

'He loved being with his family and spending time with cousin Aiden.'

A GoFundMe for the family states Travis' loved ones hearts are 'completely shattered'.
The white Missouri man who shot a 16 year-old black boy after he accidentally rang the wrong doorbell has hobbled in to court to face assault charges.

Andrew Lester, 85, was seen at the Clay County courthouse on Tuesday. Cameras weren't allowed inside, but he was seen hobbling into a courtroom on a cane last year, KSN reported.

Footage captured last year showed him using the walking aid for an earlier hearing.

Ralph Yarl, now 17, was shot by Lester on April 13, 2023 after he went to the wrong address while going to pick up his twin younger brothers from their friend's house in Kansas City, Missouri.

Yarl was blasted with a bullet on ringing Lester's doorbell, with the teenager's shooting sparking nationwide outrage.

Lester was released on $200,000 bail after being charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

Andrew Lester, 85, appeared at the Clay County courthouse. Cameras weren't allowed inside, but he was seen hobbling into a courtroom on a cane last year (pictured)

Ralph Yarl, now 17, was shot by Lester on April 13, 2023 after he went to the wrong address while going to collect his twin younger brothers from their friend's house in Kansas City, Missouri. (pictured: Yarl, then 16, in the hospital after the shooting)

The elderly man has pleaded guilty to the charges as his attorney has argued that Lester acted in self-defense.

Yarl miraculously made a full recovery 10 weeks after the near-fatal incident- but he said mentally there is still a strain following the ordeal.

In June, the teen spoke for the first time following the shooting and revealed the five sinister words that the gunman said to him before shooting in his head and arm on his porch.

Recalling the moments before he was shot by the homeowner, Yarl told Good Morning America: 'I go into the driveway, I walk up the steps, I rang the doorbell.'

Ralph, center, was said to be trying to pick up his his twin younger brothers from a friend's house but went to the wrong address

'I didn't even know their family at all...so I think this is their house.'

'I actually waited a long time. I hear the door open. I see this old man, and I'm assuming his must be their grandpa, and then he pulls out his gun.'

'I'm like woah, so I back up. He points it at me so I brace and I turn my head.'

'Before that I'm thinking, there's no way he's actually going to shoot, the doors even open, he's going to shoot through his door and glass is going to get everywhere.'

'And it happened. I'm on the ground, I fall on the glass, the shattered glass. Before I know it I'm running way shouting help me help me.'

'I was bleeding from my head. I was thinking, how is this possible.'

'He only said five words: "Don't come here ever again",' Yarl recalled.

His mother Cleo Nagbe said 'it was traumatizing' when she first saw her son in the hospital bed after being shot twice.

On the day of the shooting, the teen approached the door but did not 'cross the threshold' into the house, prosecutors said. (pictured: Lester's home where Yarl was shot)

On Tuesday, almost a year since the nearly-fatal incident, Lester's pre-trial and jury trial date have been set for the case that triggered national outrage

In June, the teen spoke for the first time following the shooting and revealed the five sinister words that the gunman said to him before shooting in his head and arm on his porch

Since the frightening encounter, Yarl said that even though he has recovered physically, mentally, his mind 'is just foggy' and it is hard for him to concentrate.

The teen, who took his SATs when he was just in the eighth grade, now struggles with daily tasks which would normally be easy to him.

'I'm just a kid. I going to keep doing all the stuff that makes me happy and just living my life the best I can and not let this bother me,' Yarl added.

MISSOURI 'STAND YOUR GROUND' LAWS Missouri is one of twenty US states which has stand-your-ground laws, which removes the duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense. The law permits homeowners to protect themselves, or a third party (with exceptions) with deadly force should a person feel it is necessary. According to Missouri Revised Statutes 563.031 residents must be faced with a threat before shooting trespassers on the property. It states: '[Protective] force is used against a person who unlawfully enters, remains after unlawfully entering, or attempts to unlawfully enter a dwelling, residence, or vehicle lawfully occupied by such person.' 'Stand-your-ground' laws roughly define how an individual can defend themselves when faced with an imminent threat anywhere else; imminent being a keyword here because even threatening words towards a defending person can lead to a justified homicide. Advertisement

'Justice is the rule, the law, regardless of race, ethnicity and age. He should be convicted for the crimes he made. I'm past having any personal hatred for him.'

'He should suffer repercussions because that's what our society is made of, trust in each other and reassurance that we can coexist together in harmony.'

On the day of the shooting, the teen approached the door but did not 'cross the threshold' into the house, prosecutors said.

Lester was said to have opened the door and fired two .32-caliber rounds from a revolver that struck Yarl on the forehead and the arm. Prosecutors previously said there was no indication any words were exchanged.

After shooting Yarl, Lester told police that when he saw a black man 'pulling on the exterior storm door handle,' he believed the person was attempting to break in.

During an interview with a detective Yarl said that he only rang the doorbell and did not pull on the door.

Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson confirmed there was a racial factor in the attack.

'I can tell you there was a racial component to the case,' Thompson said.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves also acknowledged the 'racial components' at play in the case.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said that Ralph was 'shot because he was existing while black'.

After Yarl, then 16, was shot, a Good Samaritan rushed over to help him after he heard gun fire outside his home.

Jason Lynch, 42, said he was ready to go to bed after a shower when he heard the shots and somebody screaming: 'Help, help, I've been shot!'

He went over to his kitchen window and saw Yarl banging on the door of a nearby home, before lying down on the ground, bloody and motionless.

I thought he was dead,' Lynch admitted. 'He didn't deserve to get shot.'

The father of three sprung into action, ran outside and hopped a fence before racing across the street to meet Yarl.

The elderly man has pleaded guilty to the charges as his attorney has argued that Lester acted in self-defense

The teen had received a letter from Yale Undergraduate Admissions Board identifying him as a 'good candidate' for the prestigious university

Lynch told NBC News that Yarl's face and arms were covered in blood and he thought the boy had a hole in his head from being shot.

He approached Yarl and told him: 'I'm going to grab your hand really tight,' citing training from when he was a Boy Scout.

Yarl struggled as Lynch asked him to repeat his name, age and school as a fellow neighbor raced out with towels to try and get the blood flow under control. Paramedics eventually arrived.

Yarl is known among his peers for his intellect and for being a 'musical genius.'

The teen had received a letter from Yale Undergraduate Admissions Board identifying him as a 'good candidate' for the prestigious university.

Yarl is part of his high school's Technology Student Association and Science Olympiad Team, plays in the marching, jazz, and competition band, and is one of the top bass clarinet players in Missouri.

He had big dreams of attending college after being recognized as a Missouri scholar academy alumni in 2022.

Yarl's attorneys specialize in civil rights and previously represented the families of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Cameron Lamb.

Lester's pre-trial will be held on September 6 and the jury trial is set for October 7.

Missouri is one of twenty US states which has stand-your-ground laws, which removes the duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense.

The law permits homeowners to protect themselves, or a third party with deadly force should a person feel it is necessary.
Britons will enjoy three days of 20C warmth from tomorrow as conditions finally switch from stormy to settled after a run of heavy rain and strong winds.

The Met Office said much of the UK will have above-average temperatures for the time of year with eastern England expected to see the brightest conditions.

Thermometers will make it up to 16C (61F) today before the 20C (68F) run from tomorrow until Saturday. Highs then return to a more average 14C (57F) by Sunday.

The change will be a relief to flood-hit communities which have endured torrential downpours in recent days that led to 200 people being evacuated in West Sussex.

It comes after further downpours today with very heavy and persistent' rain across parts of the UK and a warning in place for western Scotland until 10pm tonight.

Forecasters said heavy rain would continue to hit north-western areas of Britain today, but much of central England and Wales would experience a milder day.

Wind and heavy rain on the seafront at South Shields in South Tyneside this afternoon

An aerial view of a large cliff fall at Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock, Dorset, this morning

Your browser does not support iframes.

Met Office forecasters say heavy rain will continue to batter parts of the UK throughout today

The Met Office yellow rain warning for western Scotland runs between 9am and 10pm today

The Met Office issued a rain warning for Scotland for up to 2.4in (60mm) over 13 hours today

And temperatures will rise further into tomorrow to a level close to last Saturday, which was the warmest day of the year so far with 20.9C (69.6F) at Santon Downham in Suffolk. This beat the 19.9C (67.8F) high at Achfary in Scotland on January 29.

READ MORE Britain on flood alert with dozens of warnings in place across the country and rail lines shut after Storm Pierrick's downpours sparked flooding chaos - with Met Office yellow warning for heavy rain issued Advertisement

Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth said today: 'It's really clouded over and the rain has arrived for many of us this afternoon.

'However Thursday will be a much drier and brighter day for most of us. But for the time being we're going to have to put up with this rain and it will turn quite heavy and persistent for some areas.

'As it pushes into parts of central areas it will start to fizzle away but I think most places will see at least some outbreaks of rain through this afternoon.'

She added that parts of Suffolk as well as Kent could hold onto drier weather into this evening, and while it would also become drier across the West there would still be plenty of cloud there.

The heaviest rain today fell across western areas of Scotland where the weather warning was in place, with forecasters warning motorists to 'check before you travel'.

Ms Shuttleworth added that despite the cloud and rain it would still be milder today compared to yesterday  with highs of up to 16C (61F) this afternoon which are above average for the time of year.

The Met Office said temperatures will be above average for the time of the year tomorrow

Daytime maximum temperatures are set to get up to 20C (68F) in eastern areas tomorrow

Minimum temperatures tomorrow will be not far off the average maximum for the time of year

She said minimum temperatures for tonight would be more like daytime maximums for the time of year, so it is 'going to be a very mild night'.

READ MORE Farmers warn of food shortages after wettest 18 months on record threatens to bring first year without harvest since the end of WWII Advertisement

Tomorrow is set to be breezy but there will also be plenty of dry and bright weather for many northern and eastern areas, particularly in eastern Scotland, North East England and parts of Norfolk.

She continued: 'It's also going to probably stay quite cloudy, probably a bit drizzly particularly across the South West - potentially further east along the south coast as well.

'But for many of us it's going to be a much drier brighter and warmer day. We could actually see 20C (68F) across some eastern areas of England.

'Widely across many northern areas, temperatures are going to be climbing up towards the high teens that's well above average and we'll be feeling and it will feel much better than it has done lately.'

Tomorrow evening a band of rain will push into Northern Ireland and up towards Scotland, while elsewhere it is likely to stay dry but cloudly.

Colourful skies at dawn over the Oxfordshire countryside at Dunsden this morning

The Milky Way arcs over Bamburgh Lighthouse in Northumberland in the early hours of today

Flood water inundated a caravan park near Braclesham on the West Sussex coast yesterday

Floodwater rises up around a parked car at New Brighton in Merseyside yesterday afternoon

Mr Shuttleworth also said: 'Looking ahead to Friday, this weather front that brings the rain through Thursday evening is going to continue to push up into north-western areas, so there'll be further rain likely for Northern Ireland, parts of Scotland.

'In the South though high pressure's not too far away, so that should hold on to the dry weather for these areas and it will be staying mild at least until the start of the weekend.'

It comes after more than 200 people were evacuated in West Sussex yesterday after the River Arun burst its banks.

They included about 180 people rescued overnight from Medmerry Holiday Park in Earnley and about 15 from Ferry Road and Rope Walk in Littlehampton, West Sussex County Council said.

One person showing signs of hypothermia was taken to hospital. Residents described the flooding as 'scary and unprecedented'.
A 55-year-old Colombian actress and her actor husband, who is 31 years younger, recently revealed that they are expecting their first child.

Alina Lozano and Jim Velaszuez raised some eyebrows after they shared the news on social media, leading many of their followers to believe that the actors, who often record skits, were in the midst of a prank.

The couple, who wed in September 2023, revealed the results of a pregnancy test last week before one follower quipped that 'there are no babies with menopause.'

Lozano and Velaszuez recorded a video Monday and once again showed off their positive test strip.

'The pregnancy test is fake. No!,' they said.

In the recording, Velaszuez said, 'We make this video because we have been filled with comments saying that we bought this pregnancy test'

55-year-old Colombian actress Alina Lozano and her actor husband, Jim Velasquez, shocked their fans last week when they revealed that they are expecting their first child

Colombian actors Jim Velasquez (left) and Alina Velazquez (right) tied the knot in 2023

Lozano then interrupts him and sarcastically agrees with their followers indicating they purchase the test 'in the black market, in the smuggling of positive tests. Oh please!'.

Velaszuez and Lozano subsequently approach the camera and offer a closeup look of the test strip.

'No more! No more, ultimately why do we do this?' Lozano said. 'We are sharing good, beautiful news for the people who love us and those who don't love us, so don't follow us, don't look at us. I'm already bored with this, I don't have to explain my life.'

The couple shared another video Tuesday in which Velasquez claimed they spent 100 million pesos, a little over $26,000, in the process.

In a separate video, Lozano explained how she became pregnant despite being in the menopause stage.

Colombian actress, 55-year-old Alina Lozano, with her husband, Jim Velasquez, who is 31 years younger than her. The couple recently revealed that she became pregnant after through assisted reproduction

The couple married on a beach in Colombia in September 2023 and last week surprised fans by announcing they will be having their first child

'There are people who have told us that we are stupid, they believe we are stupid,' she said. 'A menopausal woman cannot get pregnant naturally, but it seems that way to her.

'Naturally it is very difficult because the eggs are not there, but with assisted reproduction, fertilization it is totally possible and million on women in the world do it. So, when a menopausal woman no longer has eggs, she has to find an egg donor and go through the entire process, which, well, is long. We have been doing this for a long time.'

Lozano indicated the process was 'challenging' and that she found out she was pregnant following a third test.

'I want to motivate all the women who desire to become pregnant at this age,' she said.

Lozano has appeared in over 40 network soap operas and series in Colombia and was previously married to Cuban actor Mijail Mulkay.

According to Health.com, the chance of a women becoming pregnant decreases at 30 years old. The majority of women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, although it can occur much earlier or later.

During menopause, those who are still interested in becoming pregnant are advised to talk to their doctors about it.

Women, like Lozano, can become pregnant through in vitro fertilziaiton (IVF).

People in the post menopausal stage can use their own eggs or embryos if they were previously frozen or use eggs that are donated. The IVF process includes merging an egg with sperm. The embryo is later transferred to the uterus after fertilization.
Lord Cameron took aim at Donald Trump's US Republican allies today as he warned against the 'appeasement' of Vladimir Putin in a burgeoning transatlantic row over war aid for Ukraine.

In a message aimed at the former president and his close circle, who are cool on helping Kyiv, the Foreign Secretary said a stalled $60billion funding package would be good for US security and jobs and show the West was prepared to stand up against 'bullies'.

His remarks in a US television interview came after he was snubbed by a major Trump supporter who is holding up the cash in a row over US domestic policy.

Lord Cameron last week posted a video saying he was to meet Mike Johnson to tell him that 'Ukraine needs that money' and it was in the interests of US security to release it.

But the Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives declined to meet the Foreign Secretary, despite the peer having a sit-down with Mr Trump himself.

Mr Trump, who hopes to return to the White House following November's US election, is reportedly ready to pressure Ukraine to cede Crimea and the Donbas border region as a price for peace with Russia.

But Lord Cameron told CNN during his visit to Washington: 'Everyone wants to see an end to the killing and an end to the war. But you only get that by backing Ukraine, by showing strength.

'Peace comes through strength, not through appeasement and weakness.'

Lord Cameron told CNN during his visit to Washington: 'Everyone wants to see an end to the killing and an end to the war. But you only get that by backing Ukraine, by showing strength. 'Peace comes through strength, not through appeasement and weakness.'

Lord Cameron last week posted a video saying he was to meet Mike Johnson to tell him that 'Ukraine needs that money' and it was in the interests of US security to release it.

Mike Johnson, a staunch ally of Donald Trump who has refused to table a vote on a bill that would send $60 billion of weapons shipments to Kyiv, reportedly claimed he could not find time in his diary for a sit-down with the Foreign Secretary yesterday

Lord Cameron was in the US for talks with former President Donald Trump on Monday

Asked about the reported Trump peace plan, he said: "I don't think we should be discussing those things right now, we should be discussing how do we get Ukraine back on the front foot.

"They've showed incredible bravery. They've showed that they can win against Putin, they're not going to lose for lack of morale, they're not going to lose for lack of ingenuity on the battlefield.

"The only way they can lose is if we don't give them the support they deserve."

He added that Europe was doing more to fund its own defence - a key demand of Mr Trump during his tenure in the White House - and "Europe and America sticking together and standing up against bullies and dictators, that's good for both of us".

A vote in Congress on the Ukraine funding package has been held up by political wrangling, with House speaker Mike Johnson's own position in jeopardy in the face of opposition from the Republican right.

Mr Johnson, who is nicknamed 'Maga Mike', is refusing to table a vote in the lower chamber of Congress.

He reportedly claimed he could not find time in his diary for a sit-down with the Foreign Secretary yesterday, although there are some hopes a meeting could still take place, as they are said to remain in contact.

Last week, in a video recorded at a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Brussels, Lord Cameron highlighted a meeting with Mr Johnson, saying: 'I'm going to see him next week and say we need that money, Ukraine needs that money. It is American security, it is European security, It is Britain's security that is on the line in Ukraine, and they need our help.'

But the peer has a checkered history with Mr Trump, having called him 'divisive, stupid and wrong' when he was Prime Minister in 2016. He later accused the former president of being 'protectionist, xenophobic, [and] misogynistic.'

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron holds a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2024

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton was in the US for talks with former President Donald Trump on Monday and with his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, yesterday.

The discussions with Mr Blinken centred on what can be done to help Palestinians if the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) invade Rafah, in southern Gaza.

The meeting came after hopes were dashed of a breakthrough in peace negotiations, six months after Hamas's deadly terrorist attack on Israel prompted reprisals that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Despite the face-to-face meeting, it is understood that Lord Cameron and Mr Johnson are personally messaging each other, with those UK delegates believing a conversation could be arranged later down the line.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators handed Hamas the proposal which called for a temporary pause in hostilities, to get Israeli hostages out of Gaza and aid in, before both sides negotiate a lasting peace.

But an official from the terror group said: 'The Israeli position remains intransigent and it didn't meet any of the demands of our people.'

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Lord Cameron said the West is drawing up a 'Plan B' if a ceasefire cannot be agreed.

He said: 'We have a clear Plan A for how we bring this conflict to an end. We have a temporary pause, we turn that into a sustainable ceasefire.

'But we have to think about what is Plan B... I think that's something we are going to have to be looking at and we were talking about today.'

The former PM also rejected growing calls to suspend arms deals to Israel but insisted he had 'graver concerns' over the humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza.

When asked, he also refused to publish any legal advice that had been given to the UK Government over sales, adding that he had 'reviewed the latest advice' and the UK's position 'is in line with international partners'.

'On Israel and international humanitarian law, and as required by the UK's robust arms export control regime, I have now reviewed the most recent advice about the situation in Gaza and Israel's conduct of their military campaign,' Lord Cameron said.

'The latest assessment leaves our position on export licenses unchanged,' he added. 'Let me be clear, though, we continue to have grave concerns around the humanitarian access issue in Gaza.'

Pressure has been mounting in recent days after three Britons and one US-Canadian dual citizen were among seven aid workers for World Central Kitchen who were killed last week in an Israeli strike, which the military called an accident.

In a recent letter, more than 600 British lawyers, including former Supreme Court judges, said that Britain risked breaching international law by exporting weapons to Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, February 18, 2024

While speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Blinkin, Lord Cameron compared Ukraine's war with Russia to the allies D-Day landings to defeat the Nazis in 1944

Lord Cameron met former President Donald Trump in Florida on Monday at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

The Foreign Secretary became the first UK minister to meet Mr Trump since his dramatic departure from the White House three years ago.

The pair discussed Ukraine aid, the upcoming elections in the UK and US, NATO, Brexit  and their admiration for the late Queen.

Lord Cameron is expected to have been rebuffed in his lobbying, however, as the Republican presidential candidate is strongly opposed to giving Kyiv more money.

The foreign secretary previously stressed that he had not made the trip to the US to 'lecture' its politicians on giving more money to Ukraine, however, said he could get 'emotional' when speaking of Ukraine's plight.

While speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Blinkin, Lord Cameron compared Ukraine's war with Russia to the allies D-Day landings to defeat the Nazis in 1944.

He said: 'To me this is so fundamental to how Britain and America have worked together over the years, over the decades, to keep our world safe and to enhance our security.

'I think of my grandfather landing on the Normandy beaches under the cover of an American warship. I think of how I worked together with President Obama to deal with the Isil threat in Syria and Iraq.

'How we hunted down those terrible killers of British and American hostages in the Syrian desert. Jihadi John and the like.

'To me this is the same thing. We face a huge threat from an aggressive Putin taking other countries' territory by force and it is so important that we stick together.'

In Lord Cameron's memoirs, published in 2019, he said Mr Trump had won the Republican nomination because of his 'protectionist, xenophobic, misogynistic interventions'

The White House said it had been aware of Lord Cameron's meeting with Mr Trump before it took place

His meeting with Mr Trump meeting is likely to have difficult, as Lord Cameron has made a string of critical comments about the former Republican leader.

In 2016 he called the former President 'divisive, stupid and wrong' leading Mr Trumpt to respond: 'It looks like we're not going to have a very good relationship.'

In Lord Cameron's memoirs, published in 2019, he said Mr Trump had won the Republican nomination because of his 'protectionist, xenophobic, misogynistic interventions'.

The White House said it had been aware of Lord Cameron's meeting with Mr Trump before it took place.

The Us national security adviser Jack Sullivan, declined to say whether Biden's government thought the discussion would be helpful, according to the Times.'
An angry Portland woman has slammed the city for forcing her to kick her disabled son out of his trailer while mobs of vagrants are allowed to live in RVs nearby.

Virgie Williams, 72, is facing off against Portland officials who have said she must relocate the trailer in her front yard where her oldest son, who has a disability, currently lives.

Williams revealed her two sons and their two boys have been living on her property for the past five years, with two cramming in the trailer and the others squeezing inside of her property.

She only has 936 square feet of house on her 122nd street land and, according to the 72-year-old, it's full.

Now, the City of Portland is issuing Williams citations for violating city code related to where the trailer is placed.

'I got a bill for $363 a month until it's gone; and they're going to put a lien on my house,' Williams explained to KOIN. 'My house is all I've got to give to my kids when I pass. I'm scared to death they're going to take it from me.'

An angry Portland woman has slammed the city for forcing her to kick her disabled son out of his trailer while mobs of vagrants are allowed to live in RVs nearby

Virgie Williams, 72, is facing off against Portland officials who have said she must relocate the trailer in her front yard where her oldest son, who has a disability, currently lives

Williams revealed that her two sons and their two boys have been living on her property for the past five years, with two cramming in the trailer and the others squeezing inside of her property

According to city code - trailers can't in the front street-facing facade of the house, but they are allowed to be hidden in backyards.

Her son, who has been living in the trailer for the past five years, is preparing for heart surgery in June.

Williams barely makes ends meet as it is through Social Security and a pension, so she can't afford the monthly payments of $363 that the city is demanding.

'It's just so silly  me paying rent on my own property,' Williams said.

She is hoping that her son can continue to pay the fine being asked so that he can stay in his trailer home.

Just around the corner from where Williams has lived for the past two decades, a whole line of run-down RVs have parked permanently.

'I think the city should work a little harder on finding a way to help the homeless people and not create more,' Williams said.

She only has 936 square feet of house on her 122nd street land and, according to the 72-year-old, it's full

Just around the corner from where Williams has lived for the past two decades, a whole line of run-down RVs have parked permanently

The mobs of RVs lining up Portland's streets comes amidst the city's crippling homelessness crisis which is driving residents out of the city due to an increase in crime and lawlessness.

There are over 6,000 people living unsheltered on Portland's streets, according to a 2023 census,

Along with a drastic increase in homeless people (65 per cent increase from 2015 to 2023) there has been a drastic rise in crime, drugs and theft.

Portland lost its only two Walmart stores last year, along with multiple Starbucks locations, REI, Buffalo Wild Wings and even an iconic Nike store.

Portland's business exodus: Top firms flee the 'crown jewel of the West' Walmart

Daimler Trucks North America

Nike

Airbnb

Banana Republic

Microsoft

Saucebox

Google

US Postal Service

Umpqua Bank

Salt & Straw

Walmart

Nike Community Store Advertisement

Portland has one of the worst crime rates in America, with over 63,000 property thefts littering the city over the last year, per official police statistics.

In 2020, Portland became one of the first regions in America to fall foul of the 'defund the police' movement, slashing $15 million from its budget.

The move led Mayor Wheeler to issue a desperate plea to renew the department's funding after it led to a disastrous crime spike.

But two years on, with rampant crime continuing to rip apart the city including a surge in homelessness and serious offenses such as homicides and robberies, officials are again attempting to stop the bleeding.

The twin task forces are expected to be bolstered by the introduction of new deputy DAs and investigators, who are reportedly tasked with building and prosecuting cases, according to Oregon Live.

However, Portland residents have slammed officials for their lack of effort to prosecute criminals in recent years.

Fed-up Portland residents have dealt with waking up to find tents on their lawns and seeing drug dealers on every corner as homelessness surges out of control in Oregon's largest city.

This follows news that Democrat lawmakers in Oregon want to decriminalize homeless camps with a law that would allow the people who live in them to sue for $1,000 if they're harassed or told to leave.

The hugely-controversial bill claims 'decriminalization of rest' would allow city leaders to 'redirect' cash from law enforcement into measures that 'address the root causes of homelessness and poverty'.

Portland saw some of wildest riots in the aftermath of George Floyd's death - and then again on the anniversary - and things haven't calmed down since.
Ukraine will send prisoners to the front line to fight Russian troops - but there are key differences to Putin's policy on mobilising convicts.

Lawmakers approved the bill designed to help replenish and rotate Ukrainian troops, which will see convicts given the choice whether they want to spend part of their prison sentence on probation as a soldier on the front lines against Russia.

'The law will give prisoners the opportunity to serve minor charges [in military service]. The convicts must be given the opportunity to fight if they want,' lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko said on Telegram.

He added that those convicted of crimes against humanity, sexual violence, murder or crimes against national security would not be allowed to serve.

This will be a crucial difference to Putin's policy, as the Russian leader's recruitment drive in prison also took on rapists and murders as soldiers.

Desperate for soldiers for his faltering war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin in 2022 recruited troops out of Russian prisons, promising pardons to thousands of convicts. Pictured: Wagner Warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin speaking to convicts in a prison

A screenshot from a video shared on June 28, 2023, by Russian prisoners' rights campaign group Gulagu.net. It shows fighters from a Storm-Z squad explaining they will no longer fight in Ukraine, in protest at treatment by their commanders

In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, a Russian tank fires its cannon at Ukrainian troops from a position near the border with Ukraine in the Belgorod region, Russia

In a first reading of the bill this afternoon, 281 of 346 Ukrainian MPs voted for the law, part of which will likely be revised before the final reading in order the eliminate the risk of corruption, another lawmaker, Yaroslav Zhelezniak, said.

No date has been set for the final reading after it is further discussed by a committee of lawmakers.

A separate bill setting out large fines for citizens who fail to abide by mobilisation rules was also passed at the first reading.

It is not clear how many extra personnel would be eligible to join the military if the steps become law.

The most recent figures on prisoner numbers in Ukraine are from 2020, when around 52,000 Ukrainians were jailed.

Ukraine's Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska previously said that the law was for prisoners 'who are motivated' to join the army.

She added: 'We are looking for legal options to release such people so that they help stop the aggression.'

Kyiv troops have been fighting against the better equipped Russian military, with vast mobilisation potential, since the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukraine's parliament has also started reviewing the final reading of a complex bill amending the army mobilisation process after months of criticism and discussions, with a vote on that expected on Thursday.

It is expected to widen Kyiv's capability to call up new servicemen amid significantly fewer volunteer fighters and numerous cases of draft evasion as the war has dragged on.
The husband of the Long Island pediatrician who fell to her death from a moving Airstream RV on their way to watch the solar eclipse returned to their Long Island home to grieve his family's loss.

Dr. Robert Woroniecka, a pediatric kidney disease specialist at Stonybrook Medical Center, answered the door at the family's Stony Brook home on Wednesday morning, with his two daughters standing behind him days after his wife, Monika, 58, was thrown to her death along a New York road when the door opened to the Airstream.

The Airstream, which was parked in their driveway, showed no signs of damage and was a solemn reminder of her death.

Though Richard, 59, did not elaborate on the details surrounding his wife's death, he agreed with a DailyMail.com reporter calling it a 'tragedy.'

'It is, he said. There is too much news already. I don't want to say anything else.'

Monika Woroniecka is seen here alongside her husband Dr. Robert Woroniecka and their two daughters Alexandra and Helena. Monika, 58, died on Saturday after falling out of the family's moving Airstream RV

The Airstream driven by Richard where Monika flung out an open door to her death is seen parked at their Stony Brook, New York , home on Wednesday

He said Stonybrook University Medical Center had a statement on their website about their revered colleagues passing.

Two young women, dressed in pajamas with grief stripped across their faces, were standing in the hallway of the family home. One of the young women was clutching a small black furry dog and said softly, she was a very beautiful person.

The Airstream was intact as it sat on the drive. The passenger door that flung open did not appear to have any visible scratches or dents.

The Woroniecka family returned to the home Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.. Monika died on Saturday during the family trip and New York State Police continue to investigate her death.

Monika Woroniecka, 58, had just stopped for ice cream at a gas station with her family en route to their AirBnb in Cape Vincent, New York, before falling to her death.

Woroniecka and her daughter Helena decided to ride the last 20 minutes of their trip in the $130,000 Airstream camper.

While Woroniecka was trying to secure the passenger side of the camper, she was thrown from the Airstream and died in front of her horrified family.

Speaking to the New York Post, Helena said that while her mom's death was 'pure accident', the design of the trailer suffered a 'significant safety oversight' due to the door's rear hinge which means it opens against the wind.

Rear-hinged doors such as these are also known as 'suicide doors' because they are easier to open during motion. Most passenger vehicles have the opposite mechanism and are hinged at the front.

The Woroniecka family returned home to Long Island days after the tragedy that claimed the life of Monika

Richard was driving the truck that was pulling the Airstream

The scene on State Route 12E near Watertown, New York, on Saturday afternoon

The caravan's doors are rear-hinged meaning they open towards the back of the vehicle, making them more liable to being picked up by the wind especially while in motion

She told the outlet: 'The doors on the Airstream open the opposite way that you would expect.

'It doesnt take an engineering degree to know that on any moving vehicle, whether a bus or a car or a trailer, doors should open against the wind, not towards it.

'That seems like a significant safety oversight to me and seems like the only reason they do open that way is to protect the awning of the trailer.'

Witnesses behind the Airstream claimed they saw the passenger side door of the Airstream open, and Woroniecka's arm hanging on the door after the wind caused the door to swing ajar.

When emergency personnel arrived, she was transported to Samaritan Medical Center where she died.

Helena also told the outlet that her mom had named the caravan Nebula, as 'it represented adventure and exploration'.

She said: 'She loved that trailer so much and poured her soul into it. She would go in there even just to sleep at home when it was rainy and put so much love into it.

'She did also love to travel and explore, which is why my parents bought the trailer  they were planning to take an early retirement and travel to national parks and spend time exploring together.

'My mom loved her family above everything else, so the fact that my sister and I were coming home so everyone could go see the eclipse together  thats what she was most excited for was spending time with everyone.'

Woroniecka and her daughter Helena decided to ride the last 20 minutes of their trip in the $130,000 Airstream camper

The family had recently stopped for ice cream moments before the deadly accident

Monkia Woroniecka (far left) poses with her family

In a statement to DailyMail.com on Tuesday, Airstream said that the family should have not been in the back of the caravan while it was being towed.

'Airstream is saddened to hear about the death of Dr. Monika Woroniecka on April 6, 2024, and our deepest sympathies go out to her family, friends and community,' a spokesperson said.

'Airstream travel trailers are not designed to carry passengers while in motion. The safety protocol detailed in Airstreams operating manuals and shared on Airstreams website advises owners that they cannot tow an Airstream with people inside.

'Many states prohibit carrying passengers in a travel trailer or fifth wheel, and we advise owners to consult their states Department of Motor Vehicles for up-to-date regulations.'

Helena added: 'This was an accident. Pure accident, and theres nobody to blame. This is nobodys fault.

'Sure, maybe Airstream doesnt advise traveling inside the trailer. But we thought maybe that the last 20 minutes of an eight-hour drive on very quiet and slow country roads would be fine.

'And its perfectly legal to do so in some states. It was just a crazy accident. She was the most loving, generous, and golden-hearted person Ive ever known.

'She was always, always thinking about how to lend a helping hand to someone, whether her family or patients or friends that had medical questions or strangers on the street.'
Reno 911 star Michael Ian Black has said he's considering leaving the US because it's plagued with rampant racism, a cost of living crisis and gun crime.

The 52-year-old actor's blistering evisceration of the states comes despite him once penning a patriotic book called 'America, You Sexy Bitch' in 2012.

Twelve years later, Black has written a piece in the Daily Beast admitting 'Im not sure I ever understood America to begin with' while outlining the reasons why he believes the nation 'is letting so many of us down'.

Below an image of a sobbing eagle, Black paints a picture of America as 'a war machine sponsored by Ronald McDonald' whose infrastructure, education and health care services are crumbling.

The liberal Chicago-born and New Jersey-raised comedian says America is such a 'dysfunctional mess' that he's considering leaving regardless of whether Joe Biden or Donald Trump wins the November presidential election.

Reno 911 star Michael Ian Black has said he's considering leaving the US because it's plagued with rampant racism, the cost of living crisis and gun crime

The 52-year old actor's blistering evisceration of the states comes despite him once penning a patriotic book called 'America, You Sexy Bitch' in 2012

'Can any person reorient this hobbling and sclerotic nation in four years? In eight?' father-of-two Black questions.

'What can be done to reinvigorate/redefine our national identity? Must we have another goddamned world war for Americans to find purpose?'

The liberal Chicago-born and New Jersey-raised comedian says America is such a 'dysfunctional mess'

'Why are health care costs out of control?' Black continues later.

'Why are students starting their professional lives saddled with a hundred thousand dollars or more in student loan debt? Why cant families survive on a single income? Why doesnt the nation offer daycare for working mothers?

'Why are educational outcomes in this country so bad for so many people? Why do minorities die at a higher rate than the majority population?

'Why does the richest nation in the world have falling life expectancy while other nations are seeing their citizens live longer lives?'

Black says that JFK 'got it wrong' when he famously declared: 'Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.'

Turning the question on its head, he concludes: 'Above all, Im asking this: What can my country do for me?'

Black regularly pens opinion pieces for the Daily Beast, mostly on the topic of his political bete noire: former President Donald Trump.

The comedian, actor and writer was born in Illinois as Michael Schwartz, which derives from the German word for black. He changed his name to avoid confusion with the actor Mike Schwartz.

Reno 911 star Michael Ian Black has said he's considering leaving the US because it's plagued with rampant racism, the cost of living crisis and gun crime

Black regularly pens opinion pieces for the Daily Beast, mostly on the topic of his political anathema: former President Donald Trump

Black co-wrote his 2012 'love letter' to America with Meghan McCain (pictured)

Black has starred in several comedy series including The State, Viva Variety, Stella, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, Michael & Michael Have Issues, and Another Period.

He was also the puppeteer and voice actor for the Pets.com sock puppet dog in the 1990s and 2000s, and played a supporting character on the TV series Ed.

Black has penned several books including co-writing America You Sexy Bitch: A Love Letter To Freedom with senator John McCain's daughter Meghan McCain in 2012.

The pair were an unlikely cross-over but got along well - Black is an atheist, 'gun-fearing' Democrat comedian while McCain is a pro-gun Christian Republican.

Their book chronicles their tour of the states, from 'visiting cultural touchstones as Graceland and Branson' to 'partying in Las Vegas and New Orleans' and 'pretending to be Mormon in Salt Lake City'.
Two suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) group have been arrested in Germany accused of enslaving and sexually abusing a pair of Yazidi girls in Syria and Iraq, prosecutors said today.

The Iraqi suspects, identified only as Twana H. S. and Asia R. A., are accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and membership of a foreign terrorist organisation, the federal prosecutor's office said.

Twana H. S. repeatedly raped both children, with the help of Asia R. A., who prepared a room and put make-up on one of the girls, they said.

The girls were punished with 'harsh physical violence' when they made what the suspects viewed as mistakes. The elder girl was beaten with a broomstick while the younger one's hand was scalded with hot water, the prosecutors said.

The suspects were arrested Tuesday in Regensburg and the Roth district, both in the southern state of Bavaria.

Last year, a German woman who joined the jihadist group was handed a 14-year jail term by a Munich court for enslaving a five-year-old Yazidi girl and letting her die of thirst

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 pair were married under Islamic law and were members of IS in Iraq and Syria from 2015 to 2017.

During this time they held two Yazidi girls, aged five and 12, as slaves, according to prosecutors.

The Yazidis are a Kurdish-speaking group hailing from northern Iraq.

They have for years been persecuted by IS militants who have killed hundreds of men, raped women and forcibly recruited children as fighters.

The suspects are accused of exploiting the children by forcing them to do housework.

They also allegedly stopped them from practising their own religion, forcing them instead to follow Islam.

Before leaving Syria in November, 2017, the suspects handed the girls over to other members of IS, the prosecutors said.

'All of this served the organisation's objective to destroy the Yazidi religion,' they said in a statement.

The suspects are being held in pre-trial detention.

In another case, a German woman who joined the jihadist group was last year handed a 14-year jail term by a Munich court for enslaving a five-year-old Yazidi girl and letting her die of thirst.

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 it rejected her appeal as 'manifestly unfounded'.
Three sons and 'several' grandchildren of Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, relatives and official Hamas media said today.

Reports state that Hazem, Ameer, and Mohammed Haniyeh were killed alongside family members in a fatal strike near the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City.

The Hamas political chief confirmed the deaths to Al Jazeera.

'I am grateful to God for the honor he has given me in the deaths of three of my children and a few of my grandchildren,' Haniyeh said, from Qatar.

'My sons were awarded this honor. They remained with our Palestinian people in Gaza, did not leave and did not run,' he added.

The terror leader hit out at Israel, stating they are 'driven by the spirit of revenge' as he claimed around 60 members of his family have been killed since the start of the war.

He claimed his family was targeted while driving in a car near the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City.

Three sons and 'several' grandchildren of Hamas' supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip

The Qatar-based leader hit out at Israel , stating Israel are 'driven by the spirit of revenge' as he claimed around 60 members of his family have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war

The Qatar-based political head of the Palestinian militant group confirmed to Al Jazeera 'the martyrdom of my three sons and some of my grandchildren'.

The terror chief said: 'Through the blood of the martyrs and the pain of the injured, we create hope, we create the future, we create independence and freedom for our people and our nation,' the terror chief said.

The three brothers - Hazem, Ameer and Mohammed - were travelling with family members in a single vehicle targeted by an Israeli drone, Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV said.

It revealed a total of six people were killed, including a daughter of Hazem Haniyeh, and a son and daughter of Ameer.

Ismail Haniyeh, who now lives in exile in Qatar, is originally from Shati.

The deaths were confirmed by Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV station as well as Haniyeh family members on social media.

However, Haniyeh stated that the killing of his three sons ands grandchildren would not affect Hamas' demands in ceasefire negotiations with Israel.

'The enemy believes that by targeting the families of the leaders, it will push them to give up the demands of our people,' he said.

'Anyone who believes that targeting my sons will push Hamas to change its position is delusional.'

There was no immediate comments from the IDF.

It comes after the Hamas Chief said last Wednesday that his Palestinian Islamist movement at war with Israel was sticking to its conditions for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, including an Israeli military withdrawal.

Israeli officials visited Egypt at the start of last week in a bid to secure a deal, but a Palestinian official close to the mediation procedure said there had been no signs that a breakthrough was underway.

The IDF are yet to comment on the multiple deaths within the Haniyeh family

'We are committed to our demands - the permanent ceasefire, comprehensive and complete withdrawal of the enemy out of the Gaza Strip, the return of all displaced people to their homes, allowing all aid needed for our people in Gaza, rebuilding the Strip, lifting the blockade and achieving an honourable prisoner exchange deal,' Haniyeh said in a televised speech marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day.

The 'exchange deal' the supreme leader mentioned would be the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in return for Israeli hostages being held by militants in Gaza since the deadly October 7 massacre on the Supernova music festival in Israel, led by Hamas.

Israel responded saying it was only interested in a temporary truce to free hostages, but Hamas said it will only let them go as part of a deal to permanently put an end to the war.

Netanyahu's Security Cabinet met late Tuesday to discuss the hostage negotiations but did not appear to make any decisions.

US President Joe Biden also commented on Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza - calling it a 'mistake'.

Issuing some of his sternest criticism to date of Israel's war on Hamas, Biden slammed Israeli PM and reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire.

He urged Netanyahu 'to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country'.

The US President also condemned again IDF drone strikes on a food aid convoy that killed seven workers - including three Brits.

He described the attacks as 'outrageous' as his patience seemingly begins to grow thin with Netanyahu.

Biden's administration has taken a more stern line with Israel, rattling the countries' decades-old alliance and deepening Israel's international isolation over the war.

The most serious disagreement has been over Israel's plans for an offensive in the southernmost Gaza city of Rafah.

Biden slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's handling of the conflict and reiterated the need for a ceasefire

A person looks at a vehicle where employees from the World Central Kitchen (WCK), including three Brits, were killed in an Israeli airstrike

The rift was worsened by an Israeli airstrike last week on an aid convoy that killed seven workers with the World Central Kitchen charity, most of them foreigners.

Israel said the deaths were unintentional but Biden was outraged.

Biden's latest comments, made in an interview that aired late Tuesday and recorded two days after the World Central Kitchen strike, highlight the differences between Israel and the US over humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, where the war has led to warnings of imminent famine for more than a million people.

'I think what he's doing is a mistake. I don't agree with his approach,' Biden told Spanish-language TV network Univision in an interview that aired Tuesday night.

Israel halted aid deliveries to Gaza in the early days of the war, but under US pressure has slowly increased trucks allowed to enter the territory.

Still, aid groups say supplies are not reaching desperate people quickly enough, blaming Israeli restrictions and noting that thousands of trucks are waiting to enter Gaza.

Countries have attempted less efficient ways to deliver aid including airdrops and by sea.

Israel says its has opened up more entry points for trucks to enter and reach especially hard-hit areas like northern Gaza, an early target of Israel in the war.

Israel also accuses aid groups of being too slow to deliver aid once it's inside Gaza.

Netanyahu has vowed to achieve 'total victory' in the war, pledging to destroy Hamas' military and governing capabilities to prevent a repeat of the October 7 attacks and to return the hostages.

He says that victory must include an offensive in Rafah, which Israel says is Hamas' last major stronghold, but more than half of Gaza's 2.3million people are currently seeking shelter there.

Six months into the war, Israel is growing ever more isolated, with even its closest partner increasingly vocal about its discontent in the war's direction and longtime trading partners like Turkey taking potentially painful economic steps to express dismay.

Netanyahu, who is on trial for alleged corruption, is under pressure to decide on a postwar vision for Gaza.

But critics say he is delaying because he doesn't want to anger his ultranationalist governing partners, who support resettling the Gaza Strip, which Israel withdrew from in 2005 and an idea Netanyahu has ruled out.

Netanyahu's governing partners also oppose making significant concessions to Hamas in the ongoing negotiations.

They have threatened to exit the government - a step that would cause the ruling coalition to collapse and trigger new elections.

'If the prime minister thinks that there's going to be a reckless deal here, it isn't going to pass,' Limor Sonn Har Melech, a lawmaker in the hard-line Jewish Power party, said in an interview to an Israeli radio station.

'If we realize that the meaning of stopping this war is capitulation to Hamas, we won't be there.'

Israel launched the war in response to Hamas' cross-border assault, where militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took roughly 250 people hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

More than 33,400 Palestinians have been killed in the relentless fighting, according to Gaza's Health Ministry which doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says most of the dead are women and children.

Israel says it has killed some 12,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The war has ignited a humanitarian catastrophe.

Most of the territory's population has been displaced and with vast swaths of Gaza's urban landscape leveled in the fighting, many areas are uninhabitable.
A key vote to advance reauthorization of a controversial spying tool failed on the House floor Wednesday after Donald Trump urged his allies to 'kill' it.

Nineteen far-right Republicans banded together to tank the vote, dealing another blow to Speaker Mike Johnson who had called on his conference to move the bill forward.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) has been credited for helping intelligence officers thwart terror attacks on U.S. soil, but has also been prone to abuse with spying on U.S. citizens.

The so-called 'compromise' bill included new guardrails for the FBI's 'spy tool' -Section 702 that expires next week - but hardliners said did not go far enough.

Another part of the law that is not up for reauthorization - Title 1 - was used to spy on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page in 2016 when he was suspected of communications with the Russians.

'KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!! DJT' Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday morning.

Nineteen Republicans voted 'no' on the rule to advance the reauthorization of Section 702 in a major blow to Speaker Mike Johnson

A key vote to advance reauthorization of a controversial spying tool failed on the House floor Wednesday after Donald Trump urged his allies to 'kill' it

Section 702 specifically allows the U.S. government to surveil foreign nationals with suspected terror ties who are not on U.S. soil, even if the party on the other side of such communications is a U.S. national in America.

All Democrats voted 'no' on the rule and typically always do so, even if they support the bill, bringing to the total vote to 193-228.

It was the seventh rule vote to fail this Congress, fourth under Speaker Mike Johnson.

A rule hadn't failed in over 20 years before this Congress as the majority party usually didn't resort to such tactics to paralyze House business.

It was also the speaker's third attempt to renew and reform FISA that has failed.

Johnson shot back to Trump's message ahead of the vote: 'Trump used the intel from this program to kill terrorists.'

The speaker claimed the bill as it stands now 'kills the abuses' that took place under FISA in the past.

He's warned that if the compromise bill fails, the Senate will 'jam' the House with a clean reauthorization without oversight reforms before FISA's expiration on April 19.

House Republicans will huddle behind closed doors to discuss the path forward on FISA at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Johnson could bring the FISA bill back up under suspension - meaning he wouldn't need all his Republicans to pass a rule but he would need two-thirds of the House to pass a final bill.

This could further rankle Johnson's detractors, and push them into the arms of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's motion to vacate threat.

If Greene called her motion to vacate to the floor, there would be a vote to oust Johnson from the speakership that would only need a small handful of Republicans to sign on, if all Democrats again vote to boot a Republican speaker.

One senior GOP aide told DailyMail.com there is a 'strong' likelihood anti-FISA bill Republicans would embrace the motion to vacate [MTV] if Johnson put the bill back on the floor under suspension.

'Bringing it under suspension is another slap in the face to members who are already thinking about MTV.'

Hardliners on the right and left have become strange bedfellows over accusations that FISA has trampled on Americans' civil liberties.

They are advocating for an amendment that would require intelligence officers to get a warrant before picking up communications of any U.S. citizens who are talking with foreign nationals under suspicion.

That amendment pits the Judiciary Committee and its allies against the Intelligence Committee and national security hawks who say the intel community should not be bogged down trying to get warrants when potential terror plots involve communications with Americans.

If an intelligence officer queried Section 702 to pick up communications of a suspected terrorist, and they were talking with a U.S. citizen in the states, they would only be able to see the terrorists' half of the conversation without a warrant to look at the U.S. national's.

Johnson said he would not whip members to vote one way or the other on the amendment requirement, but privately told people he opposes it.

The House-led bill released last week would extend the program while also adding new changes that are meant to bolster oversight and training and ensure the program's transparency.

Johnson shot back to Trump's message ahead of the vote: 'Trump used the intel from this program to kill terrorists'

It won't include an amendment from Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, barring federal agencies from buying information on Americans from private data companies, rankling conservative hardliners, but leadership said that could get a standalone vote this week.

In March a compromise bill that was put together by negotiators on the Judiciary and Intelligence Committees was abruptly yanked from the House floor schedule over concerns from the Intel Committee over an amendment that would have forced law enforcement to seek a warrant before obtaining communications that involved a U.S. citizen.

A report from May 2023 detailed how the FBI used Section 702 to 'query' - or search - names of individuals who were suspected of being on the Capitol grounds during the January 6, 2021 riot, Black Lives Matters protestors, victims of crime and their families and donors to one congressional campaign.

In total, the FBI misused Section 702 over 278,000 times - according to the document.

While many of Section 702's uses remain classified, intelligence officials leaked late last year that they had used the controversial tool to thwart weapons sales to Iran.

The CIA and other intelligence agencies had used information gathered through monitoring the electronic communications of foreign weapons manufacturers and stopping several shipments of advanced weapons to Iran.
Advertisement

Deadly storms are battering the Gulf Coast, bringing flash floods that are drowning New Orleans streets and putting millions from Texas to the Florida panhandle.

In Mississippi, at least one person is confirmed dead from the storms, one person is injured and dozens of properties have been damaged as the storms wreck havoc on the south. The name of the person killed has not been released.

Downpours bringing between five to eight inches of rainfall have caused flooding in New Orleans, putting traffic to a standstill.

Heavy rain, flash flooding and severe weather threat associated with an intensifying low-pressure system is forecast to sweep across the region, according to the National Weather Service.

'We believe there will be double-digit tornadoes produced by the severe weather outbreak, and multiple tornadoes could be on the ground at the same time on Wednesday despite less-than-perfect atmospheric conditions,' AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

Forecasters said strong damaging winds, which may exceed 75 mph, could wreak havoc across the region knocking down trees and poles.

A tornado reportedly touched down in Slidell, Louisiana, destroying property and cars

The National Weather Service issues a flash flood emergency in New Orleans as the heavy rain inundated the roads

Rare: Tesla Truck

Not rare: New Orleans flooding. pic.twitter.com/yh3PPFvady  Dan (My "I" is not "A") (@Dan_5DotOh) April 10, 2024

As of 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, 122,148 customers are without power in Louisiana, 55,059 in Mississippi, 41,321 in Texas and 9,517 in Alabama, according to Poweroutage.us.

Here is what is happening across the Gulf Coast

TEXAS

In the Lone Star State, several people were rescued from homes and vehicles Wednesday morning when flooding inundated parts of Jasper County, near the Louisiana line, authorities said.

'The City of Kirbyville remains under water and is still the major concern at this time,' the Jasper County Sheriff's Office said on social media.

All major roads into Kirbyville, a town of about 2,000 people, were shut down early Wednesday due to the flooding, the sheriff's office said.

Damage from a tornado on Wednesday in in Katy, Texas

Authorities work at the scene where a tornado damaged several businesses

Several people were rescued from homes and vehicles Wednesday morning in Texas

All major roads into Kirbyville, a town of about 2,000 people, were shut down early Wednesday due to the flooding

In the Houston suburb of Katy, strong thunderstorms that passed through the area around 2 a.m. Wednesday collapsed part of the roof of a Firestone repair shop.

Storms also damaged businesses and cars in a nearby strip mall, including sending a large air conditioning unit that had been on the roof crashing to the parking lot, officials said.

LOUISIANA

In Louisiana, state office buildings closed Wednesday since the storms were expected to blast the state during rush hour, the governor's office announced.

Officials also asked drivers to limit travel if possible and warned that high winds were expected to affect large trucks.

The National Weather Service issues a flash flood emergency in New Orleans, Chalmette and Meraux until 2 p.m. CT, as heavy rainfall made it impossible to cross roads.

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans told CNN that four inches of rain and exceptional rainfall rates nearing five inches per hour were reported at some pumping stations - overwhelming the city's drainage systems.

'This means 5 inches of rain could take up to 3 hours to drain, depending on rain intensities and the ability for storm water to quickly drain toward our pumping stations,' SWBNO spokesperson Grace Birch said. 'This is a significant rainfall event.'

Video posted on social media showed a Tesla truck attempting to drive through flooded New Orleans streets

In Slidell, just outside New Orleans, multiple people were injured and first responders were scouring neighborhoods after reports of a tornado touching down

People walk past their heavily damaged cars after they sheltered in place in Slidell due to a reported tornado

In New Orleans, floods had washed out downtown making it difficult for cars to traverse the roads

Severe storms are battering the Gulf Coast, bringing flash floods and tornado warnings for millions from Texas to the Florida panhandle - including in New Orleans where rain has flooded downtown

Storm clouds roll across New Orleans as water rises in the Treme neighborhood on Wednesday

Louisiana State University announced its campus would close Wednesday

Similarly in December, breakdowns in the New Orleans sewerage system led to flooding that reminded citizens of the flaws in the of drainage system that have been problematic since Hurricane Katrina, reported Nola.com.

In Slidell, just outside New Orleans, multiple people were injured and first responders were scouring neighborhoods after reports of a tornado touching down Wednesday morning.

'They had businesses that partially collapsed, apartment complexes. Trees are down everywhere, power lines are down everywhere,' said Daniel Suezeneau, a spokesperson for Slidell police.

Police reported over 50 rescues and said there are some people with minor to moderate injuries after Slidell experienced the brunt of the storm.

One of the nations largest universities - Louisiana State University - announced its campus would close Wednesday due to 'the developing severe weather situation.'

By 1:30 p.m., the National Weather Service recorded nearly seven inches of rain in Mandeville, over six inches in Slidell and four inches in Covington, according to Nola.com.

MISSISSIPPI

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency confirmed one person has died in Scott County as a result of the storm and one person has been injured in Grenada County.

Video shows hail storms pounding down through central Mississippi Tuesday night, reported WJTV.

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said multiple trees and power lines are down throughout western and northern Hinds County, including Learned, Raymond, Old Port Gibson Road and Pocahontas.

Governor Tate Reeves said at least 72 homes have been either damaged or destroyed in Grenada, Hinds, Marshall, Scott, Warren and Yazoo County.

Severe storms damage a home in Pelahatchie, Mississippi.

Video shows hail storms pounding down through central Mississippi Tuesday night

Downed trees have resulted in multiple roads being closed in Hinds and Yazoo County

Downed trees have resulted in multiple roads being closed in Hinds and Yazoo County.

'It's extremely important to keep in mind that our state is expected to experience more severe weather today,' the governor said.

'There's a real possibility that the situation could get worse before it gets better. Please prepare in advance of today's storms  it can be the difference between life and death and keeping your family safe.'

ALABAMA

The Alabama Department of Transportation reported a flooded roadway on eastbound Interstate 90 near the I-10 interchange in Spanish Fort that is causing moderate delays Wednesday morning.

Dozens of school districts announced early dismissals due to the risks of tornadoes, according to AL.com.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for Sumter, Marengo, Dallas, and Lowndes counties until 5 p.m.

Severe storms are battering the Gulf Coast, bringing flash floods and tornado warnings for millions

Forecasters said the main flooding threat is across southern Alabama where they predict two to four inches of rain is possible.

Waterfront Rescue Mission opened its severe weather shelter for individuals seeking temporary shelter from the storm, reported WEAR.

FLORIDA

As the severe storms approach the Florida panhandle, one school district closed and two are having an early dismissal, reported Pensacola News Journal.

Escambia County Public Schools and district offices closed, the Santa Rosa School District will follow an early release schedule and Okaloosa County schools will dismiss one hour earlier.

A tornado watch was issued for Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties until 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service forecasted storms could bring wind gusts up to 80 mph, strong tornadoes and quarter-sized hail to the area.
The male companion of YouTuber and former Howard Stern Show personality Elisa Jordana, who was shown being beaten up in a car on a livestream, is the playboy son of a mega-rich Beverly Hills businessman.

Bahram Alipour, 41, is the man featured in Jordana's unhinged livestream, which went viral Tuesday because of a violent altercation that unfolded between the pair.

The episode, which included Jordana punching and hitting Alipour many times before he ultimately became physical with her, ended with the YouTuber's arrest for felony battery.

Alipour, who viciously yanked Jordana's hair as he called her all sorts of ugly names, was not arrested. It is not clear if he will be charged - Jordana tells DailyMail.com she is not sure why he avoided arrest.

The focus of Jordana's two-hour-plus livestream was Alipour's alleged infidelity and her subsequent attempts to confront him and punish him.

The man with whom YouTuber Elisa Jordana got into a violent altercation with has been identified as Bahram Alipour

Alipour and his father have been linked to a 20,000 square-foot Beverly Hills mega-mansion, which went on the market last year for $45million

Jordana briefly flashed the now-deleted Venmo account of the woman with whom claims her boyfriend was cheating on her

The YouTuber claimed her boyfriend was cheating on her with a young woman named Sara, and accused him of paying her thousands of dollars.

Jordana held up Sara Rodriguez's Venmo account to the screen. She said she could see various instances when her boyfriend sent Sara payments of a few-thousand dollars.

Jordana has also claimed that Alipour, who goes online by the name 'Zscorro,' has paid her throughout their relationship.

It is not clear if Alipour is employed, but his father, Mohammad Alipour, is the owner of a $45million mansion in Beverly Hills, according to public records.

Both Bahram and his father are connected to the mansion's address, which according to Robb Report, was designed by the 'King of Megamansions,' architect Richard Landry.

The 20,000 square-foot home, outfitted with a 12-car garage, 400-bottle wine room, and spa, in addition to four massive suites and a fifth bedroom, was listed in 2023 for $45million.

The family business appears to be technology software sold to a national and international client base.

Bahram Alipour's relationship with Jordana appears to date back some number of months.

DailyMail.com has reached out multiple times to Alipour for comment.

Street view of the Beverly Hills mansion, which Alipour's father built in 2010

The family business appears to be technology software sold to a national and international client base. Bahram Alipour is shown here several years back

Following her arrest on April 8, Jordana - whose legal name is Elisa Ann Schwartz - was issued a no contact order, which prohibits her from contacting Alipour in any way.

She is scheduled to appear in court next Friday and said she is currently working with attorneys to figure out her next steps. She is unsure if she will press charges against Alipour.

She also told Bored Panda that she isn't sure police saw the entirety of the livestream that resulted in her arrest.

Before Alipour killed the stream, he violently dragged Jordana out of the car by her hair after putting her in a headlock as she drove.

In a statement to DailyMail.com following her arrest, Jordana apologized for her behavior.

'I just want to say Im so sorry for what I portrayed on my livestream that everyone saw,' she said.

'This is not what I want to give to the world and it sucks that I got into such a sadness and anger - it was a really negative representation of who I am.

'Im going to do everything I can to have better relationships with people that are good for me, and people that Im also good for.'

She deemed the controversy and subsequent arrest 'the most challenging time of my life,' adding, 'if I can get through this time I will definitely be proud.'

The stream has so far accrued nearly 230,000 views on YouTube alone. Her videos generally received between five-and-ten thousand views on the video sharing platform.

Live-streamer and former Howard Stern show personality Elisa Ann Schwartz has apologized after a video of her repeatedly striking her boyfriend went viral

Elisa 'Jordana' Schwartz was arrested Monday evening and booked into the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center

The violence unfolded when Alipour's alleged mistress called into the livestream. Jordana began hitting 'Zscorro,' who eventually retaliated by yanking her hair

The pair's dramatic fight stemmed from a confrontation over Alipour's alleged unfaithful behavior.

During the climax of the stream, Jordana got Sara on the phone after threatening to leak her nudes and posting her personal contact information on her discord channel.

'Sara, I'm sorry about this,' Alipour said, which prompted Jordana to strike him in the face with an open palm.

'Don't f***ing talk,' she barked.

Alipour lobbed horrible insults at her while attempting to explain to viewers that she had discovered the texts between him and Sara in the middle of a couples therapy session.

As the conversation with Sara dragged on, Jordana declared that her boyfriend had described his mistress as a 'dumb Mexican' who'd had a child at 16.

She then grabbed Alipour's ear, which triggered him to grab her hair and drag her head into the passenger seat.

'Pull over dumb c***,' the man repeated, grabbing at the steering wheel, as Jordana screamed, apologized and wailed that he was killing her.

Eventually, she got out of the car and appealed to the driver of a different vehicle on the Palm Beach road. She would be arrested hours later.
Around 100 protesters gathered outside CPD's 11th district shortly after the footage was released

BLM activists have seized on his death after video showed cops shooting 96 times

Furious BLM activists have clashed with cops outside a Chicago police station after a video was released showing a deadly officer-involved shooting of a black man.

Dexter Reed, 26, was killed during a traffic stop which erupted into a huge shootout also injuring an officer and which cops say Reed started.

On Tuesday, Chicago Police released footage of the March 21 encounter which showed them firing 96 shots at Reed, even as he lay motionless on the ground outside his vehicle.

The aspiring broadcaster's death has reignited conversations around excessive police force against black people, though officers maintain Reed opened fire first.

Shortly after the footage was released, around 100 protesters gathered outside CPD's 11th district, blocking the streets and jostling with police.

Furious BLM activists have clashed with cops outside a Chicago police station after a video was released showing a deadly officer-involved shooting of a black man

Dexter Reed, 26, was killed during a traffic stop which erupted into a huge shootout also injuring an officer and which cops say Reed started

Chicago Police released footage of the March 21 encounter which showed them firing 96 shots at Reed, even as he lay motionless on the ground outside his vehicle

'We don't need armed police officers to tell someone to put their seat belt on,' one protester told the crowd in a video captured by Fox.

'Dexter Reed's vehicle had tinted windows, so the argument that they were enforcing seat belt laws doesn't make sense,' another added.

Police said they pulled Reed over in Humboldt Park for allegedly not wearing a seatbelt.

But Andrew Stroth, an attorney for Reed's family, branded the police stop 'unconstitutional', claiming the plainclothes cops did not announce they were police.

Bodycam footage showed a plain clothes tactical unit approaching Reed's SUV and ordering him to roll his window down with their weapons drawn.

Reed is seen resisting orders to roll down his window. Suddenly a volley of shots is heard and the officers immediately return fire.

Chaos ensues and at one point one of the cops is hit in the hand. Several other police were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said preliminary evidence showed Reed fired first, however, this is not clear from the footage. A gun was later recovered from the passenger side of Reed's vehicle.

Dexter Reed, center, along with his mother Nicole Banks and sister Porscha Banks in 2019

Activists seized on the death as another example of racist police brutality, with lawyers for Reed's family branding the stop by plain clothes police 'unconstitutional'

Reed, 26, was killed following a traffic stop on March 21 after police pulled him over in Humboldt Park for allegedly failing to wear a seatbelt

At a press conference before the protests on Tuesday, Reed's mom Nicole Banks told the crowd her son had bought his car just three days before the deadly traffic stop.

'He was just riding around and they killed him, they killed him,' she wailed before collapsing to the ground.

The incident came just days after Reed had appeared in court on fire arms charges after cops allegedly discovered him carrying a loaded handgun without a concealed carry license and after his firearms identification had expired.

His shooting is currently being probed, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vowing to conduct a full and transparent investigation.

On Tuesday, police spokesperson Thomas Ahern said the department was cooperating with the investigation.

'We cannot make a determination on this shooting until all the facts are known and this investigation has concluded,' he said.

State's Attorney Kim Foxx said her office will determine whether the officers' use of force was warranted or necessitated criminal charges.

Prior to his death, Reed has been charged with a misdemeanor count of retail theft in April 2023 for allegedly stealing a $950 shirt before the charge was tossed.

He was arrested again on July 13, 2023 when police allegedly discovered him carrying a loaded handgun at a music festival despite having no concealed carry license and after his firearm owners identification card had been revoked.
Amanda Knox sent 'an innocent man and father of two to jail' a lawyer told a court today after she falsely claimed he was involved in the murder of British student Meredith Kercher.

Carlo Pacelli made the dramatic statement about his client Patrick Lumumba, after Knox's trial for slander reopened in the Italian city of Florence almost 20 years after Meredith's murder.

It comes as one of Knox's lawyers fired back, today insisting she 'was a victim' whose rights had been violated'.

Meredith had been found semi naked and with her throat slit in the bedroom of the house she shared with Knox in November 2007 in Perugia, and shortly afterwards she claimed Mr Lumumba 'had killed her'.

Her false testimony led to the Congolese bar owner being jailed for two weeks until a Swiss professor contacted police to tell them he had been served by him the night of the murder and he wasn't involved.

Amanda Knox's lawyer claims 'she is a victim' as she fights new slander trial in Italy after she falsely accused father-of-two bar owner Patrick Lumumba of killing her roommate Meredith Kercher (Knox is pictured in June 2018)

Lawyer Carlo Pacelli said Knox's comments had sent his client Patrick Lumumba (pictured), 'an innocent man and father of two to jail'

Knox falsely claimed Mr Lumumba was involved in the murder of British student Meredith Kercher (pictured)

At a later trial Knox - who was initially convicted of murdering Meredith but the cleared - was also convicted of slander, sentenced to three years and ordered to pay Mr Lumumba compensation.

But in 2019 she successfully won a court in the European Court of Human Rights arguing her defence rights had been violated by police during the questioning regarding Mr Lumumba.

As a result the Italian Supreme Court ordered a retrial for the slander conviction in October and on Wednesday the trial started but without Knox, who has remained in her native Seattle.

Prosecutor Ettore Squillace Greco called for the conviction to be reinstated as he opted the case arguing that Knox 'knew of Lumumba's innocence and knew that by naming him he had nothing to do with the murder'.

He added:' It was only thanks to a Swiss man, as accurate as the watches the country makes, to clear him as he remembered going to the bar and was able to prove that Mr Lumumba has nothing to do with the murder.'

Mr Lumumba was also not present for the start of the case, although he and Knox are expected to turn up for later dates.

In response Mr Pacelli said:' She sent an innocent man and father of two to jail. He lost his job as a result, and Knox has never apologised for what she said or paid him any compensation.

'Until she mentions his name, no-one had ever heard of my client and the slander was clear for everyone to see in the judicial documents.'

At a later trial Knox - who was initially convicted of murdering Meredith but the cleared - was also convicted of slander, sentenced to three years and ordered to pay Mr Lumumba compensation (Knox is pictured in 2008)

But in 2019 she successfully won a court in the European Court of Human Rights arguing her defence rights had been violated by police during the questioning regarding Mr Lumumba (pictured left in May 2015)

Key to the case is a four page memorandum Knox - who worked in Mr Lumumba's bar - wrote while in custody, in which she said she 'remembered Patrick' killing Meredith but she claims this was written under duress.

She claims she only spoke basic Italian and was not allowed to consult a lawyer or interpreter during her questioning and she also says she was hit by police.

Knox's lawyer Carlo Della Vedova, said of Knox:' She is in the United States, she is busy taking career of her two children, one of whom was born recently.'

When details of the retail were announced Knox had said:'I'm not afraid of returning to Italy to defend myself, I was unprepared 20 years ago but after all these years I'm ready.

'And I want my children to see what it means to fight for the truth.'

Knox, now 36, was cleared of 21-year-old Meredith's murder in 2015, along with her boyfriend from 2007, Raffael Sollecito and the only person convicted was drifter Rudy Guede.

Knox, now 36, was cleared of 21-year-old Meredith's murder in 2015, along with her boyfriend from 2007, Raffael Sollecito and the only person convicted was drifter Rudy Guede

He was released in November 2011 after serving 13 years of a 16 year sentence but is now under investigation for sexually assaulting an ex girlfriend.

In his opening remarks another of Knox's lawyers, Luca Luparia Donati said:' Amanda Knox is a victim, from the violation of her rights to her trial by media.

'She was proclaimed innocent of murdering Meredith Kercher, which she always said she had nothing to do with, and the same must be done for the slander convection, give her justice for an unjust conviction.'

He added:' There was a very serious error, her defence rights were violated, and this is fundamental.

'Italy was condemned at the European Court of Human Rights for psychological torture and my client is a wife and young mother, she wanted to be here but remained with her children.

'Our objective is to give her back serenity.'

The case was adjourned until June 5.
The Home Office has revealed 150 migrant hotels will have closed by next month after new figures showed 4.3billion of Britain's overseas aid budget was spent on hosting refugees and asylum seekers last year.

There are now 20,000 fewer people staying in the accommodation than six months ago, down from more than 56,000 at the end of September, the department announced today.

The Home Office spent around 8 million a day last year for tens of thousands of asylum seekers to be put up in hotels while the introduction of alternative housing plans faced a series of setbacks.

This comes after a Tory mayoral hopeful launched a bid to buy Scarbrough's notorious Grand Hotel - once branded 'a slug-infested s***hole' - and restore it to its former glory.

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick announced last October that the Government would be 'exiting' 50 hotels by the end of January, with more to follow.

The process will continue 'until the last hotel is closed,' Home Secretary James Cleverly said on Wednesday.

A group of locals gather outside a hotel in east London in January which evicted 400 asylum seekers as part of government drive to reduce accommodation spending

An asylum seeker leaves the hotel in Walthamstow on January 26

Asylum seekers load up a white van outside the hotel they are being moved out of

'We promised to end the use of asylum hotels and house asylum seekers at more appropriate, cheaper accommodation; we are doing that at a rapid pace,' he said.

'These closures deliver on the Government's plan to cut the use of hotels in the asylum system and we will keep going until the last hotel is closed.'

READ MORE: Last of 400 asylum seekers are evicted from Walthamstow hotel in white vans as part of government drive to reduce accommodation spending Advertisement

The announcement comes shortly after the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) said it had found the amount of aid spent on hosting refugees and asylum seekers in the UK soared last year to 4.3 billion.

'Far from reducing as the costs of schemes for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees fell, the amount of aid spent within the UK was driven up further by the Home Office's spending on hotel accommodation for asylum seekers,' the watchdog said.

Some 2.5 billion of this was spent by the Home Office on asylum accommodation, according to ICAI, raising concerns about value for money.

It comes after Whitehall's spending watchdog found that Government plans for other accommodation will cost tens of millions of pounds more than using hotels.

The National Audit Office (NAO) said around 1.2 billion is expected to spent on housing migrants in large sites.

By the end of March, the Home Office expected to have spent at least 230 million developing four major projects - the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset, the former RAF bases at Scampton in Lincolnshire and Wethersfield in Essex, and ex-student accommodation in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

But so far, just two of the sites are open and were only housing around 900 people by the end of January, according to the watchdog's findings.

The last family left the hotel from a side entrance in a white transit van

Asylum seekers carry their belongings as they are moved from a UK Home Office contracted London hotel

As they prepared to leave, staff were heard telling the asylum seekers they could only take two bags with them

Asylum seekers had stayed in the hotel for two years

A migrant dinghy is escorted on the English Channel by French Warship A603 on January 17

Bibby Stockholm is now housing migrants following a temporary evacuation last year when Legionella bacteria was found on the vessel, and Wethersfield is in use after the local council lost a legal challenge against the Government's plans for the site.

However, both were accommodating just under half the number of migrants the Home Office expected would be the case at the end of January.

Ministers have also scaled back the number of asylum seekers due to be housed at the former home of the famed 617 'Dambusters' Squadron and the Red Arrows near Lincoln from 2,000 to 800.

But the Home Office has insisted its plan is better value for money for the taxpayer than continuing to use hotels.

Its efforts mean the cost of hotels will fall, the Home Office has promised, adding: 'But we have further to go, which is why we are passing the Safety of Rwanda Bill, deterring Channel crossings and get flights off to Rwanda - because it is only when people are discouraged from taking those journeys that we can end asylum hotel use for good.'

Keane Duncan, 29, said that as part of his campaign to become North Yorkshire's first citizen, he would use public cash to 'wrestle the hotel free' from the grip of current owners, Britannia Hotels.

The towering 413-bed coastal venue was built in 1867, with its striking design once leading to it being dubbed one of seven wonders of the English seaside by Historic England.

But in recent years the Victorian behemoth has been slammed by customers for its dated, 'filthy' rooms - and now holds the ignominious title of Yorkshire's most complained about hotel, with more than 4,100 terrible reviews on Tripadvisor.
The American woman reported to have died in Spain after 'extreme sex' had fled to the country to get away from her common law husband, a close friend has told DailyMail.com exclusively.

Bianca Pitman, 43, secretly vanished from her home in San Antonio, Texas, in November in a bid to break from her long-term common-law husband, construction boss Jose Betancourt  who is now in jail being investigated over her death.

First reports said art teacher Pitman died after 'drug-fueled extreme sex' in a luxury vacation apartment in the tourist hotspot of Malaga on Spain's Costa del Sol early Saturday morning.

However investigators are now treating the case as 'gender violence' and homicide.

Betancourt, 50, is languishing in the city's Alhaurin de la Torre prison after a judge on Monday ruled he should be detained without bail.

Bianca Pitman, 43, secretly vanished from her home in San Antonio, Texas, in November allegedly to escape from her husband Jose Betancourt, DailyMail.com can reveal

Betancourt, 50, is languishing in prison in Spain after a judge on Monday ruled he should be detained without bail

Pitman's body was found in an apartment in Malaga, Spain, with cops initially believing 'extreme sex' had led to her death

Pitman fled the United States for a new life 5,000 miles away in the city of Xatvia in Valencia in a hush-hush operation to get away from her partner of ten years, according to best friend Valerie Dullnig, 55.

'I was with her the day she left. She could not share it with many people,' Dullnig, also from San Antonio, told DailyMail.com exclusively.

'She and Jose were not married but as they were together so long, they had a common law marriage.'

Dullnig said Betancourt was blindsided by Pitman leaving, having no idea of her plans. Her friend said she found a new life giving English lessons to children where she had settled.

'I'd been in touch with her. She had to get a new phone that she didn't share with many people,' said Dullnig. 'We communicated mostly by Snapchat, because that was safer.

'I got a message last week. She was showing me a new tattoo that she got. She was so happy there. She was sending fun videos of her new life. I can't believe she's gone.

'My daughter went to visit her for spring break in Valencia and she showed her around.

'I don't know how Jose found out where she was or why they met up. But he has a lot of manipulative tactics.

Dullnigs husband Dave added: He was also financially manipulative. He had control over her phone.

The couple had three adult children between them. Pitman used the name Betancourt on mortgage documents for the home she bought with her alleged killer.

Pitman fled to the city of Xatvia in Valencia  350 miles north of Malaga  in a secret operation to get away from her partner of ten years, according to best friend Valerie Dullnig, 55 (left)

Bianca had posted in late March showing that she was in Valencia, Spain

'She was my best friend,' Dullnig told DailyMal.com. 'She was happy and smart and encouraging, everybody loved her.'

The accused man's son Gavin Betancourt, 20, declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com. There is another son, 25-year-old Zachary Betancourt, and a daughter Promise Pitman, 22. Betancourt's brother Israel, 48, said: 'We have no comment at this time.'

According to early reports, the former couple had spent several days in the Mediterranean coastal resort before the tragedy in the historic Plaza Enrique Garcia Herrera area.

Pitman's body was discovered by medics in the Airbnb-style apartment after Betancourt made a desperate call to emergency services at 5.30am when she became unresponsive. Police then arrived and he was immediately arrested.

His art teacher ex was transferred from the apartment to the Institute of Legal Medicine for an autopsy and other forensic studies.

Spanish police reportedly believed early in the investigation that Pitman and Betancourt were performing 'extreme' or risky sex games while high on drugs. It was also reported that drugs were found in the apartment. However, it is now unclear where that reported line of inquiry stands.

Pitman died inside The Clock House, a luxury apartment complex in the heart of the historic center of Malaga, where rooms cost up to $430 a night.

Dullnig said she had no idea why her friend was in Malaga  350 miles south of Xatvia.

'I don't know why she was there. She didn't tell me she was going to Malaga,' said close friend Dullnig.

'She was an art teacher in San Antonio and a photographer. She was my best friend, she was happy and smart and encouraging, everybody loved her.

'Everyone who met her felt better for being part of her life.

'Her students loved her and kept in touch with her after they graduated, she was such a popular figure.'

Dullnig said: 'She was very close with her children. Her daughter is best friends with my daughter. She had a great relationship with them.

'It was the four of us, we were like a team. Everybody is shocked by this.'

Addressing the early reports of drugs being involved, she said: 'I don't know Jose well enough to know about the drugs and I was surprised to read that.

'That was not part of our friendship. That's not the friend that I know and I don't ever think she would do drugs.

'Her daughter Promise is flying in to San Antonio. Her brother is here and her half-brother. They have a lot to figure out.

'Promise has a good friend that has been fielding her phone calls and I've been in touch with them, but I know that she's just broken.'

Pitman and Betancourt had three children between them, Promise, 22 (left), Gavin, 20 (right) and Zachary, 25

Pitman spoke warmly of her family, saying: I like spending time with my kids, going to see movies, reading books and playing with animals 'I really like helping my daughter with her speech and debate stuff. I always love making art, that's a given'

Speaking of Pitman's dedication to her job as an educator in San Antonio, the friend continued, speaking in the present tense: 'Bianca is a very beloved art teacher.

'She actually started teaching about 10 years ago maybe 12 at the school in San Antonio.

'She had lots of dogs, cats and a pet goat. She was such an animal lover. She brought the goat to a property outside San Antonio for people to care for it. She loved photography and hanging out with friends.

'I want people to know that she was full of life. She was a talented beautiful friend. I just want her to be remembered for who she was, everybody loved her.'

Pitman worked at San Antonio's MacArthur High School as an art teacher where she gave a Q&A interview to its online newspaper when she joined in 2016.

The mom said she picked MacArthur because it was 'close to home' and 'I know so many of the students here' following a stint at the city's Garner Middle School.

Tragically, asked what is the one thing she really wants, she replied: 'I don't long for material things; that's not important to me.

'I really want to grow old comfortably and to have an uneventful tragedy-free rest of my life.'

Pitman worked at San Antonio's MacArthur High School as an art teacher where she gave a Q&A interview to its online newspaper when she joined

Pitman spoke warmly of her family, saying: I like spending time with my kids, going to see movies, reading books and playing with animals

'I really like helping my daughter with her speech and debate stuff. I always love making art, that's a given.'

She reinforced the message with the words: 'I love Thanksgiving because I get to spend quality time with family; food is always a great part of that holiday.'

Speaking of her pets, she said: 'I have several dogs including my gorgeous Great Dane, Sir Elliott; I have my best buddy June Bug, who is a Nubian goat we had rescued and raised.'

Asked for her idea of fun, she said: 'When you have a great time and you laugh so hard your stomach hurts; usually when you are just hanging out with friends.'

Cops in Malaga have refused to give further details of the case. A spokesperson for Policia Nacional told DailyMail.com: 'The case is still open and we cannot comment on specifics.'

A worker at a cafe next door to the apartment building where the tragedy happened, who would only give her name as Mina, told DailyMail.com: 'It's crazy. Stuff like this does not really happen around here.

'I'm from Argentina where violence like this is more common. If he did kill her, I hope they keep him behind bars.'

Antonio Fernandez, 40, who runs a key cutting store across the square, said: 'I read it was a sex game gone wrong. Everyone is talking about this, because this is something that just doesn't happen here.'
Eighteen Republican led states are attempting to block President Biden's student loan forgiveness effort to cancel billions in student loan debt.

On Tuesday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced he is leading a coalition of seven states in a lawsuit against the Biden administration over its SAVE plan.

The lawsuit comes after eleven other states led by Kansas recently filed another lawsuit against the Biden administration over the program that began forgiving student loan debt earlier this year.

'With the stroke of his pen, Joe Biden is attempting to saddle working Missourians with half trillion dollars in college debt,' the Missouri attorney general said in a statement.

'The United States Constitution makes clear that the President lacks the authority to unilaterally "cancel" student loan debt for millions of Americans without express permission from Congress,' he added.

The Penn Wharton Budget Model estimated the SAVE plan could cost as much as $474.9 billion over then years.

Two lawsuits have been filed by Republican state attorneys general against the Biden administration's income-driven repayment program known as the SAVE plan

Missouri is joined in the lawsuit by the Republican Attorneys General of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Dakota, Ohio and Oklahoma.

The lawsuit filed in the district court for the Eastern District of Missouri states the latest attempt to 'sidesteps the Constitution is only the most recent instance in a long but troubling pattern of the President relying on innocuous language from decades-old statues to impose drastic, costly policy changes.'

Last month, Kansas was joined by Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and Utah in another lawsuit filed in Kansas.

President Biden at an event to address student loan debt in Madison, WI on Monday

Protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court as the court blocked President Biden's previous student loan relief plan last June

The Republican Attorneys General take issue with the SAVE program which was announced last summer after the Supreme Court blocked Biden's $400 billion plan to wipe out debt last June.

Biden Administration Student Loan Debt Forgiveness August 2022: Biden announces original plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt June 2023: Supreme Court blocks Biden's first student loan forgiveness plan August 2023: Biden announces income driven repayment SAVE plan February 2024: Biden administration begins canceling debt under the SAVE plan March 2024: 11 states sue to block the SAVE plan April 2024: Biden unveils 5 new actions as second massive attempt to cancel student loan debt April 2024: 7 more states sue over the SAVE plan Advertisement

Like other income driven repayment plan, the SAVE plan calculates monthly payments based on income and family size, but it decrease payments for most borrowers.

The program cuts payments from 10 percent of discretionary income to five percent and many borrowers would pay $0 per month.

Those who had original balances of $12,000 or less would have loans forgiven after 10 years. All borrowers would receive forgiveness after repayment of 20 to 25 years.

In February, the administration began canceling debt under the plan for the first time including $1.2 billion for 153,000 borrowers.

The administration has said nearly 8 million borrowers have enrolled in the plan, and more than 4.5 million borrowers have payments of $0 while another one million borrowers have monthly payments of less than $100.

The Education Department said it would continue to identify borrowers who qualify for their debt to be forgiven on a continuing basis.

While states are challenging the SAVE program, the Biden administration announced on Monday another set of actions it was taking which could when combined with the SAVE program could help wipe student loan debt for 30 million Americans.

Those actions include efforts to cancel interest for borrowers who owe more than their original balances, for those who would qualify for other programs but have not yet signed up, for borrowers who have been in repayment for 20 or 25 years and for those facing financial hardship.

The Biden administration said it's confident in its new effort which relies on the Higher Education Act, not the HEROES Act which was used in the first attempt to cancel student loan debt.
Joe Biden declared he hopes his legacy is that he reduced the chances of war and said he was motivated to do so 'because of Vietnam'.

Biden, 81, was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972 at the age of 29, when the Vietnam War was raging and hundreds of thousands of Americans were being conscripted into the military.

He himself never served in the conflict, instead receiving five student deferments and then a disqualification on medical grounds.

The disqualification was for having suffered asthma as a teenager, although he was a student athlete.

Asked about his legacy during an interview with Univision on Wednesday, the President said: 'Well, I hope the legacy is that I kept my word, that - I said that the reason I was running was to help the life of ordinary people and reduce the prospect of war and...because of Vietnam.'

President Biden in an interview with Univision said he first ran for office to 'reduce the prospect of war... because of Vietnam.' He said he hopes his legacy after more than 50 years of public service is that he kept his word

President Joe Biden at the age of 25. Biden went to University of Delaware as an undergraduate and then Syracuse for law school. He received five student draft deferments and one medical exemption

Biden as newly-elected Democratic Senator of Delaware in December 1972

He went on: 'The secret youve got to ask yourself is, what are you willing to lose over? You figure out what youre willing to lose over, youve got an idea of what you should be doing. And so, I hope my legacy is that I was honest, straightforward, and did what I said.'

Biden's comments about the Vietnam War revived scrutiny of his own decisions and positions at that time.

Democrats have frequently criticized Donald Trump for not serving in Vietnam, but Biden did not either.

In 1972 he ran for the Senate on a platform of opposing President Richard Nixon's escalation of the war and said the U.S. should have left Vietnam years earlier.

Biden had already received five student draft deferments, first as an undergraduate at the University of Delaware, and later as a law student at Syracuse University where he graduated in 1968.

A month after undergoing a physical exam in April 1968, Biden then received a '1-Y' classification, meaning he was available for service only in the event of national emergency.

In 2008, officials with the Obama campaign released Biden's Selective Service records to the Associated Press as a then-vice presidential candidate.

An Obama spokesperson at the time said the exemption was 'because of asthma as a teenager.'

It came despite him stating in his own book that he was a star athlete in high school and in college and often mentioning his time as a lifeguard in the summer.

Biden's Selective Service System registration card from 1961. After getting a draft card, Biden received five student deferments and a medical exemption to avoid serving in Vietnam

While he opposed the war during his first Senate campaign he was also not one to attend anti-Vietnam War protests.

Biden once said in a press conference by the time people were marching and carrying banners, he was in Washington voting against the war and before that he was in law school and married.

'Im not a joiner... I was out of sync with, by the time the war movement was at its peak, when I was at Syracuse, I was married. I was in law school. I wore sport coats. I was not part of that,' Biden said in 1987.

Donald Trump at the New York Military Academy in 1964. He received five deferments and a medical exemption during the Vietnam War

Former President Donald Trump, who was born in 1946, also did not serve in the Vietnam War, unlike many members of his generation.

The ex-president received four draft deferments while an undergraduate at Fordham and then University of Pennsylvania.

After graduating in 1968, he received a medical exemption. The reason was bone spurs in his heels.

It gave him the same '1-Y' classification as Biden.

Trump told a newspaper in 2016 the bone spurs were 'temporary' and 'minor.' He also said he could not recall when he was no longer bothered by them.

Former President Bill Clinton also came of age during the Vietnam War but also did not serve.

He received educational deferments as well and then received permission to join the ROTC at the University of Arkansas law school.

That allowed him to go to Oxford University and he did not serve in the ROTC.

President George W. Bush graduated from Yale in 1968, enlisted in the Texas Texas Air National Guard and did not go to Vietnam.
Jurors have been sent out to consider the fate of a Wisconsin engineer who stabbed a 17 year-old to death while tubing on a river, as prosecutors and defense attorneys battled over whether it was self-defense.

Nicolae Miu is a murderer who did not act in self defense, DA Karl Anderson told jurors in his closing arguments Wednesday - and said video of Isaac Shuman's July 2022 killing proved his point.

'One of the things the defense said at the beginning of trial and in their opening was theyre glad theres a video,' he said. 'So are we.'

Anderson also rubbished claims Miu, originally from Romania, was scared when he stabbed Shuman - and said his behavior was the result of a bad temper.

'Nikolae was not in fear, he snapped.' Anderson said. The confrontation began when Miu began hunting for a friend's phone while tubing on the Apple River - only to be accused of pedophilia by Shuman's friends.

During closing arguments on Wednesday, prosecutors said that Nicolae Miu 'did not act in self-defense' when he stabbed a group of teens in the Apple River in July 2022. (pictured: Miu in court on Tuesday)

Isaac Shuman, 17, died after Miu stabbed him in his chest in the river. Miu also stabbed four of Schuman's friends

Anderson added that Miu could have brandished the knife as a threat and scared Shuman and his friends off without resorting to violence, which saw four others stabbed and injured too.

He sought to play down assertions Miu had been cornered, saying: 'He's not in an alley with no way out, people blocking his exit

Corey Chirafisi, Miu's lawyer, insisted his client had been rounded on and threatened by a fearless mob and that the stabbings were justified.

He said: 'They got in his face, they screamed at him, they called him names, they swore at him.

'They put their hands on him and the group of six, they became brave.

'The group of six became brave to the point that they circled him and start taunting him.

'They do this to a man who has done nothing, absolutely nothing to them.

'Then, when that man, Mr. Miu, tries to create some space between him and Madison Coen, they pounce.

'They punch him. They push him. They slap him. They hit him again.

'They choke him. From, all directions. And Nic Miu acts in self-defense.'

Chirafisi highlighted how unafraid the boys seemed during the attack, their lies about him being a pedophile and that one was heard saying to Miu 'You got 10 seconds.'

'In your everyday experiences in life, when someone tells you that you have 10 seconds, what normally comes after that?' Chirafisi continued. 'Nothing good is coming after that. It's reasonable in our experiences as adults to take that as a threat.'

Miu, of Prior Lake, Minnesota, claimed that he stabbed them in 'self-defense' after the group of tubers claimed that he was 'looking for little girls' and 'taking pictures of girls' in the area.

Late Tuesday, prosecutors added five additional charges - four counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count in misdemeanor battery.

That could be interpreted as a sign that they know their case is in trouble. In Wisconsin, if jurors agree on a guilty verdict for the most serious charge, they do not have to consider verdicts for lesser charges.

Also on Wednesday, prosecutors sought to have a female juror they alleged was sleeping removed from the trial - but were unable to do so.

Judge Michael Waterman determined that there wasn't enough evidence to strike the juror and denied her removal.

On Tuesday, Miu took to the stand and described how he feared for his life after they 'surrounded him like wolves' on the day of the attack.

Video of the chilling moment showed a member of the group stumbling into the river while a pool of red water emerged around him

Miu of Prior Lake, Minnesota, claimed that his lethal stabbing was 'self-defense' after the group of tubers claimed that he was 'looking for little girls' and 'taking pictures of girls' in the area

As he was shown pictures and video from that day, Miu said that he was touched by Madison Coen and Ryhley Mattison (pictured), two girls in the teen group, before the knife was drawn.

When asked about the violent confrontation, Miu said that he had 'tunnel vision' and was 'in a fog' during the heated situation.

He said that prior to interacting with the group, he had 'volunteered' to look for a friend's lost phone in the water before he interacted with the teenagers.

As he was shown pictures and video from that day, Miu said that he was touched by Madison Coen and Ryhley Mattison, two girls in the teen group, before the knife was drawn.

He then said that as the interaction with the teens continued, his fear 'crept up' as they started to laugh and yell around him.

'They were very close, they were really close to me. I could feel and hear them,' Miu said.

Miu described how he reached for his pocket knife as his fear got 'really high' just before Madison placed her hand on his upper arm.

His reasoning for having the knife on him was that he was told to bring it to use to 'tie' the 'tubes together' while he hung out on the river with friends.

'I was surrounded, they were yelling, they had just pushed me, and it seemed like they were not backing away,' Miu said on the stand.

Miu added that during the 'horror situation' he was punched in the face by one of the teens and was pushed down in the water to 'drown.'

In recorded interviews, Miu said: 'All of a sudden, they were like wolves around me and they were attacking me from all directions and I truly, truly, feared for my life.'

'They came on to me. They hit me, they got on top of me, and I don't remember anything after that.'

During his testimony, he said that he didn't know how many people were attacking him but he knew that there were more than he could handle' and that he has had 'nightmares' since.

He was charged with first-degree intentional homicide after Shuman died and four others were injured. He was charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for their injuries.

A witness, Larrion Davis later told investigators that he saw the attacker 'taking pictures of girls' in the area.

Witness Larrion Davis was grilled by accused murderer Nicolae Miu's attorney over his claims that he saw him 'taking pictures of little girls' before the horror stabbing

Miu's then wife Sondra told detectives that the violent altercation began after Miu, whose group was farther up the river, went back to find a 'phone that was lost' while wearing snorkeling gear

However, as he took the stand last week, Davis appeared confused over this claim, and admitted he wasn't sure what he saw because 'there was a lot going on.'

Davis was questioned by Miu's attorney over his statement to investigators during a March 2024 interview, almost two years after the attack took place.

'You also said to the police, (Miu) came out of the bushes and he was taking pictures of little girls?' the prosecutor asked.

'Yes, I said that,' Davis responded. When asked if he 'saw that', he responded, 'I said that.'

'I understand you said it, did you see it?' they asked again.

Seemingly confused, Davis responded 'Yes', before the attorney asked him to clarify whether he witnessed Miu 'with his camera that afternoon, taking pictures of little girls... that's what you're telling this jury?'

David responded: 'Oh, no, no, no, that's what I said.'

'Like I said, I understand you said it, is it true?' the attorney continued, to which David replied: 'Oh, I don't know.'

The attorney repeats the version of events again in an attempt to clarify his remarks, asking Davis: 'That's not true is it?'

At that point, Davis admits, 'I guess so.'

On Monday, Owen Peloquin, 19, testified in court as he detailed the moment Miu attacked his friend group.

'He just weirdly like sprinted at us, just made us all super uncomfortable,' Peloquin said.

Peloquin was heard in the video saying 'Yo, get away,' but he said that Miu didn't listen and instead grabbed onto their water tubes.

During his testimony, Peloquin said that he regretted calling Miu a 'pedophile' and wished that he and his friends acted differently that day.

When Shuman was attacked by Miu, Peloquin said that he didn't see him get stabbed but rushed over to him and brought him to shore with his other friend Alex.

'I tried my hardest to stop the bleeding,' Peloquin said as he became visibly emotional.

Schuman was taken in an ambulance to the Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater where he was pronounced dead.

Ryhley Mattinson, A.J Martin, Dante Carlson and Tony Carlson were the other four teenagers stabbed that day

When asked about the violent confrontation Miu said that he had 'tunnel vison' and forgot what happened after the situation got heated

Ryhley Mattinson, A.J Martin, Dante Carlson and Tony Carlson were the four other teenagers stabbed that day.

Mattinson had to have emergency surgery and when she arrived her blood alcohol level was at 0.09.

Carlson suffered penetrating trauma from his stab wounds and had to have a hernia repaired and his blood alcohol level was also 0.09.

Miu's then wife Sondra told detectives that the violent altercation began after Miu, whose group was further up the river, went back to find a 'phone that was lost' while wearing snorkeling gear.

While he was looking, Sondra said a 'group of guys got off their tubes and started hitting' him.

Miu pleaded not guilty to the charges in September 2022 and his attorney's have continued to argue that the man stabbed the teens in an act of self-defense.

He was originally born in Romania and immigrated to the US when he was a teenager.

Sondra and Miu got divorced after the incident and he was 'living a peaceful, quiet life in Minnesota' and 'had never been in trouble before.'
President Joe Biden's reelection campaign on Wednesday unleashed a new organizing weapon in their arsenal, in an effort to rally LGBTQ+ support for their campaign.

Campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez described LGBTQ+ voters as a secret weapon for the upcoming election.

'LGBTQ+ voters are a force to be reckoned with,' she said in a statement to the Advocate. 'They were critical to our victory in 2020, and they will be critical to winning again this November.'

The campaign drafted new messaging to appeal to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer voters, urging them to unite behind the 'Out for Biden-Harris' program.

They also released a new video featuring Vice President Kamala Harris, urging LGBTQ+ voters to come 'Out' for Joe Biden.

Harris praised Biden for elevating gay, lesbian, and transgender officials in his administration, featuring gay Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, lesbian White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre , transgender Assistant Secretary of Health Admiral Rachel Levine, and gay State Department Spokesman Ned Price.

Harris praised Biden for elevating gay, lesbian, and transgender officials in his administration

Harris praised Biden for elevating gay, lesbian, and transgender officials in his administration

The video also features old footage of Harris' remarks from a 2022 LGBTQ+ Pride event at the White House.

'We will do what we have always done in this movement, in this community, which is, collectively, we will continue to build unity. We will continue to build coalition,' she says in the video. 'We will always be fueled by knowing we have so much more in common than what separates us.'

Harris urges LGBTQ+ voters to text 'OUT' to the campaign to join their effort to rally voters.

The campaign released a new video featuring Vice President Kamala Harris , urging LGBTQ+ voters to come 'Out' for Joe Biden.

A poll released in March by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) showed that LGBTQ likely voters preferred President Joe Biden over Donald Trump by 53 percentage points nationwide.

The poll revealed that LGBTQ likely voters supported Biden by 68 percent and only 15 percent for Trump.

That's a six-point drop for Biden in the LGBTQ community since the 2020 election.

An October 2020 GLAAD poll showed that 74 percent of LGBTQ likely voters supported Biden with 17 percent supporting Trump.

Chavez Rodriguez warned LGBTQ+ voters that former President Donald Trump would hurt their community if he was reelected as president.

'LGBTQ+ Americans couldnt have more at stake this election: Donald Trump and his extremist allies are running to gut LGBTQ+ rights and erase history as their top priorities,' she said.
Lawyers for Donald Trump launched a last-ditch effort Wednesday to delay the start of his hush money trial on Monday, filing yet another appeal.

It marks the latest round in a blitz to stop the first of four criminal trials starting next week.

Twice this week, New York appeals courts have rejected other attempts to postpone the case.

The latest filing is a petition against Judge Juan Merchan, challenging his decision not to recuse himself from the case as well as his refusal to hear arguments about presidential immunity, according to ABC News.

The former president is due to appear in new York court on Monday when jury selection will begin in his business fraud trial.

'The one in New York is totally discredited,' Donald Trump told reporters as he arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, for a fundraiser. 'Every legal scholars said they have no case'

Trump is due in New York court on Monday for the start of his trial. He pleaded not guilty to 34 counts related to falsifying business records in connection with a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election campaign

Trump, 77, has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts related to falsifying business records in connection with a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election campaign.

It may be the only one of his four cases that will be completed before November's presidential election, and his lawyers have stepped up efforts in recent weeks to throw it off track.

Arriving in Atlanta, Georgia, Trump repeated his claim that he was the victim of a weaponized legal system.

'The one in New York is totally discredited,' he told reporters. 'Every legal scholars said they have no case.

'It's a horrible thing. But it's election interference. It's all run by the White House.'

There was no immediate indication Wednesday when the latest petition would be heard.

It revolves around questions of presidential immunity. Merchan has previously said Trump failed to raise the claim in time.

'This court finds that defendant had myriad opportunities to raise the claim of presidential immunity well before March 7, 2024,' he wrote earlier this month.

Judge Juan Merchan last week denied Trump's motion that he was entitled to presidential immunity, writing he had 'myriad opportunities' to raise the issue earlier

Legal scholars have said that the New York case may be one of the weaker ones facing Trump.

Yet a new poll found that a sizeable majority of voters see them as serious.

Almost two thirds of registered voters described the charges as at least 'somewhat serious,' compared to 34% who said the charges lacked seriousness in Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Trump faces a busy legal timetable even as the clock ticks down to Election Day.

Also on Wednesday, former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg was sentenced to five months in prison after admitting to perjury charges for lying to investigators and a judge about Trump's finances.

It will be his second stint behind bars after spending three months at New York's Rikers Island jail last year for his part in a 15-year tax fraud.
President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he's considering ending the prosecution of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

In February, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese requested that the yearslong prosecution of Assange be ended and that he be returned to his native Australia.

Biden is entertaining a fellow member of the Quad, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, at the White House Wednesday for an official state visit.

'We're considering it,' Biden told reporters when asked about Assange as he walked with Kishida along the colonnade of the White House after Wednesday's welcome ceremony on the South Lawn.

Assange is in custody in the United Kingdom.

President Joe Biden (right) said he was 'considering' ending the prosecution of Julian Assange at Australia's request He answered a question about it as he walked Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left) into the Oval Office Wednesday

In February Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) requested that the U.S. drop its charges against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange (right) and return him to his native Australia. He's in jail in the United Kingdom currently

Thursday will mark five years since Assange has been in British custody.

Assange is facing espionage charges in the United States after his 2010 publication of classified United States Army intelligence material, including footage of U.S. airstrikes in Baghdad, diplomatic cables and classified communications from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

One video showed a U.S. military helicopter killing civilians in Baghdad including two Reuters journalists, mistaking camera equipment for weapons.

Wikileaks was provided the information by former U.S. Army intelligence officer Chelsea Manning, who initially was sentenced to 35 years in prison, but was released in 2017 when President Barack Obama commuted her sentence.

Biden, then the vice president, referred to Assange as a 'high-tech terrorist' in a December 2010 interview on Meet the Press.

Assange was first arrested in London in 2010 as he was wanted for questioning by the Swedish, accused by two women of rape and sexual assault.

In 2012, he was granted political amnesty at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and stayed there - essentially imprisoned in the house - until 2019, when the Ecuadorians revoked his amnesty.

Supporters of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange protest outside the Australian High Commission in central London on Wednesday, on the eve of the fifth anniversary of his arrest by British police

At that time, members of the London Metropolitan Police entered the residence and arrested Assange.

He was charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion related to his involvement with Manning, a 2018 charge that had previously been unsealed.

The Department of Justice added 17 espionage charges to the case in May 2018.

The charges carried a maximum sentence of 170 years in prison.

And in June 2020 a grand jury expanded the indictment of Assange, alleging he recruited and conspired with hackers to get information for Wikileaks.

Since then, Assange and his legal team have fought efforts to have him extradited to the U.S. to face these charges.

In February, Australia's Parliament approved a motion for Assange to be returned to Australia instead of being sent to the U.S.

Albanese backed the move and had previously expressed frustration that Assange remained jailed while Manning, his source, has been free since 2017.

'I hope this can be resolved. I hope it can be resolved amicably. Its not up to Australia to interfere in the legal processes of other countries, but it is appropriate for us to put our very strong view that those countries need to take into account the need for this to be concluded,' Albanese said in February. 'Regardless of where people stand, this thing cannot just go on and on and on indefinitely.'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again wading into U.S. politics, joining a campaign to warn American voters against misinformation in the upcoming presidential election.

Their Archewell Foundation and other Hollywood political players are supporting an initiative to prepare U.S. voters for a possible onslaught of AI deepfake information, Axios reported.

Specifically, the Archewell Foundation is helping brainstorm new content for the campaign.

It is the second time around the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have gotten involved in a presidential election. In the 2020 contest, they urged Americans to sign up to vote and reject misinformation.

In the aftermath, Republicans and other critics called on the Royal Family to strip the couple of their titles, calling the interference of the Duke and Duchess inappropriate.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again wading into U.S. politics - above the couple at the Invictus Games in Germany in September

This year's campaign is being coordinated by Miles Taylor, chief policy officer of The Future US. Taylor was chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security during Donald Trump's presidency and was the anonymous author of a New York Times op-ed revealing the dangers of the Trump presidency.

He's now ringing alarm bells about the use of fake videos and images.

'This is a disaster waiting to happen  no one's doing the public inoculation,' he told Axios.

With the advent of cheap generative AI and a plethora of social media platforms available, experts are warning manipulated images, edited videos, and misleading robocalls could dominate this year's politics.

Compounding matters is a lack of regulation and coordination between the relevant federal agencies and social media companies.

'The government isn't talking to social media companies. Many of the social media companies don't want anything to do with the government  which means novel AI threats could get missed,' Taylor noted.

Google, Meta, and OpenAI have pledged to combat deceptive AI election content, while two advertisements have been produced by Jesse Dylan, Bob Dylans son, to raise awareness for the issue. The ads will run this spring in battleground states.

The involvement of the Sussexes will restoke questions about Meghan's political ambitions.

A representative for the Duke and Duchess did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Both Joe Biden (left) and Donald Trump (right) have been victim of AI generated deep fakes

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spoke out about politics in the 2020 presidential election

But Meghan's ambitions have been talked about since she and Harry emigrated from Britain during the 'Megxit' crisis, including claims that she would 'seriously consider' running for president if her husband dropped his royal title.

The couple also hired top former aides to Barack Obama for their foundation, fueling the speculation about their political futures.

And, a few years ago, a friend of the Duchess told Vanity Fair magazine that one of the reasons Meghan did not give up her American citizenship when she married into the Royal Family was to allow her to keep open the option of entering politics.

She has already gotten involved in policy issues.

The Duchess was a vocal critic of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade and threatened to go to Washington D.C. to march in the protests.

She also lobbied members of Congress to approve mandatory paid parental leave, writing to then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Shumer, as well as cold-calling senators to ask them to support the measure.

She signed her letters to the lawmakers with her royal title: 'Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.'

But, in 2020, the Sussexes were accused of 'violating' the terms of the 'Megxit' deal after repeatedly urging Americans to vote in the presidential elections.

In a video they posted online a few months before voters went to the polls, Harry and Meghan delivered a message that was widely interpreted as an endorsement of Joe Biden.

The Duke of Sussex urged people to 'reject hate speech' while the Duchess called it the 'most important election of our lifetime,' urging Americans to the polls.

The comments caused a stir on both sides of the Atlantic although their spokespeople argued their message was not directed at any particular candidate but was the Sussex's way of expressing their concern about the tone in politics.

Then-President Trump wished Harry luck in response.

'I'm not a fan of hers,' Trump said of Meghan. 'I would say this - and she has probably heard that - I wish a lot of luck to Harry because he's going to need it.'

Questions have arisen about the Duke and Duchess' political plans - above Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at the United Nations headquarters in New York in July 2022

Some Republicans and critics of the couple have called on the Royal Family to remove their titles because of their interference in American elections - above Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in July 2018 before they left the Royal Family

Royal insiders voiced concern in Britain where the royal family are expected to remain politically neutral at all times, with one saying that Harry and Meghan had 'crossed a line'.

Buckingham Palace also distanced itself from Harry's remarks by saying that 'the Duke is not a working member of the royal family' and describing his comments as 'made in a personal capacity'.

Although British law does not explicitly forbid members of the royal family from voting, the expectation that royals remain apolitical is considered sacrosanct, and in practice they never participate in elections, by voting or otherwise.

After the incident, Congressman Jason Smith of Missouri sent a letter British Ambassador to the United States, asking for Meghan and Harry to lose their titles.

'As you know, the British Royal Family has long observed a policy of strict neutrality in regard to political matters. I am therefore concerned by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's recent comments regarding the United States Presidential Election, especially given international conversations surrounding foreign interference in our elections and the Duke's status as a guest of the United States,' he writes in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by DailyMail.com.

In 2020, Meghan Markle joined Gloria Steinem for a 'backyard chat' in which she indicated who she was supporting in the election

King Charles controls Harry and Meghan's titles but acts on the advice of the government - meaning it would be up to him to act against the couple, but would likely only make such a move on the advice of the prime minister's office.

Also in the runup to the 2020 election, feminist activist Gloria Steinem revealed that Markle had joined her in cold-calling Americans and urging them to vote.

Steinem told Access Hollywood: 'She came home to vote. The first thing we did, and why she came to see me, was we sat at the dining room table where I am right now and we cold-called voters.'

'Said 'hello I'm Meg' and 'hello I'm Gloria' and 'are you going to vote?' That was her initiative.'

Before marrying Prince Harry in 2018, Markle was no stranger to politics, ridiculing then-presidential candidate Donald Trump during a 2016 appearance on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.

She said Trump was 'misogynistic and divisive' and indicated her support for Hillary Clinton.

Harry is a friend of former president Barack Obama, interviewing him on a guest-edited episode of BBC Radio 4's Today Programme in 2017.

'Part of my role and part of my job is to shine a spotlight on issues that need that spotlight, whether it's people, whether it's causes, issues, whatever it is,' Harry said at the time.

'So I will continue to play my part in society and do my job to the best of my abilities so that I can wake up in the morning and feel energized.'
Italian restaurants are struggling to recruit 'authentic' waiters and kitchen staff due to new Brexit rules, with bosses claiming their British replacements aren't up to scratch.

For decades, countless young Italians have travelled to the UK each year to learn English and serve in restaurants dedicated to their homeland.

But post-Brexit rules have disrupted this ritual, meaning that foreign staff have to earn at least 38,700 for a working visa - in turn causing a huge strain on the hospitality industry.

The new rule will likely significantly reduce the number of Italian's living in London, according to local media in the European country, in turn affecting staffing at pasta and pizza restaurants in the UK.

And for many of these restaurants, having authentic Italian workers is fundamental, with bosses claiming those native to the Roman country are much more dedicated to hospitality work than the British teenagers taking their place.

Nicola Mewitt, 35, who has been a manager at Padella in Borough High Street for a year said the number of people applying from jobs in Europe has 'fallen massively'

Emilio Balone, 26, who is an Italian chef from the restaurant Pulia near London Bridge station said Italian workers simply know more about Italian food.

Max Ricciard, 53, said he does not hire a lot of new staff at Giuseppe's , but he believes having Italian workers is very important.

Nicola Mewitt, 35, who has been a manager at Padella in Borough High Street for a year said: 'The number of people applying from Europe in general has fallen massively. They can't come here to work anymore.

'It has been hard to find team members. I haven't been able to hire any Italian people since I have worked here. Now all of our waiters are younger British people. It doesn't feel fair to say but they aren't as good as the Italian and Spanish staff were.

'They are all living at home, so they don't really need the money or care about hospitality. They don't have any passion for it.'

The manager said she thinks the Brexit rules have taken away opportunities from hard working people.

'Lots of the people who left during Covid weren't able to come back. People used to be able to come here and live their lives but now they can't. It is such a shame,' she added.

'I used to love working with lots of different people from across the world and different backgrounds.

'You used to get people of different sexualities who weren't accepted in their own countries, and they would come here and be accepted. That happens a lot less now.'

Today, London alone is home to up to 500,000 Italians, more than Bologna, which would make it Italy's seventh largest city by population.

Despite the new rules, highly qualified Italians offered more than the new minimum salary will continue to arrive and workers can apply for a visa for jobs with a lower salary threshold if their role is on the UK Immigration Salary List.

But even before the new minimum salary hike, many companies were put off hiring Italian waiters and lower-paid workers , due to the high administrative costs of obtaining a work visa for them.

A family run restaurant near Borough Market called Alma's said that they have lost all their staff to the new rules and have been left to run the restaurant by themselves.

For decades, countless young Italians have travelled to the UK each year to learn English and serve in restaurants dedicated to their homeland. Pictured: Staff working at Padella in London Bridge

Domenico Quintiero, head of operations at 'O ver in Southwark, moved to England from the Amalfi Coast 12 years ago and has been working in hospitality ever since

Fabio from Baccala in Bermondsey Street however said he does not think Italian restaurants need Italian employees to run.

The shortages led the owners' daughter, Arilla Mlaj, having to quit her job and come back to waitress for her parents full time.

She said: 'We have no kitchen staff and no waiters anymore. The era of Italian workers in London restaurants has gone.

'Since Brexit there have been no Spanish or Italian workers at all. Staffing has been a really serious issue. I had to leave my job to come back and work at the family restaurant after Covid because there is no staff.

'It is just me and my parents and they are getting older. My mum is having health issues. If we go on holiday we have to close the restaurant because there is just no one to run it.'

Domenico Quintiero, head of operations at 'O ver in Southwark, moved to England from the Amalfi Coast 12 years ago and has been working in hospitality ever since.

He believes that it is crucial to have authentic Italian staff in their restaurant.

He said: 'We have a sponsorship, so we can still get staff, but it is still super difficult. We have a lot of Italian staff, but it is still not enough. We are struggling to have as many as we used to.

'It is absolutely important to have people who know the products and our products come from Italy. I am all for hiring people of all nationalities, but it is hard to learn about buffalo mozzarella from someone who has never been to the country.

'We need Italian people working in Italian restaurants. Hospitality was made by Italian and Spanish people. We only have one English person working here.'

Emilio Balone, 26, who is an Italian chef from the restaurant Pulia near London Bridge station agreed with this sentiment that Italian workers simply know more about Italian food.

Mr Balone, who moved to England from Sicily in 2016, said: 'You can teach people about Italian food, so it is not a huge issue for us. We haven't been too badly affected by it but lots of other restaurants around here have.

Due to the new laws, London restaurants will now face a problem of staff shortages, as the 120,000 unfilled roles across the UK hospitality sector is expected to get worse in the future. Pictured: Pulia in Borough Market

According to Italian daily La Repubblica, the threshold changes will likely quash Italian participation in London - which dates back to the Romans founding the city in AD 43 (Pictured: Bar Italia in Soho)

For decades, countless young Italians have travelled to London to chase their dreams, learn English and serve diners in restaurants dedicated to their homeland (file image)

'We are trying to keep that Italian touch here, but it is difficult without the produce or staff coming from Italy.

'It is much better to have Italian staff because they know about the food and can explain it to English customers. British waiters need a lot more training to understand these things.'

Over at the family run Giuseppe's Max Ricciard, 53, said his restaurant does not hire a lot of new staff but believes having Italian workers is very important.

'Little Italy': Italian migration to London The first Italians to arrive were merchants and businessmen from Northern Italy during the fourteenth century. They docked in Southampton and settled in London Over the next centuries, a steady stream of Italians arrived from different walks of life. From the 1880s, this number grew rapidly. This rise of fascism in Italy caused British Italian fascist groups to emerge across Britain and London. When Italy declared war on Britain in June 1940, sparked a night of anti-Italian street rioting in the capital. Relations improved after the war, as London needed more workers. In 1945, an agreement was reached between the British Ministry of Labour and the Italian Government, allowing Italian migrants with permits to come to Britain through various schemes. Advertisement

The manager who has been working at the restaurant for 21 years after moving from Bergamo, said: 'We are a family restaurant so we aren't looking for more people, but I have heard that it is not easy to find good workers any more.

'If you go into a Chinese restaurant, you want to see Chinese people working there. It is the same here. We have mostly Italian staff.'

He said: 'After Covid we lost lots of people from other countries and they weren't able to come back because of Brexit.

'It was hard to find people for a while but it has gotten much better recently.

'We don't really think that it matters if our staff are from Italy or not as long as they are professional and they work hard.'

Due to the new laws, London restaurants will now face a problem of staff shortages, as the 120,000 unfilled roles across the UK hospitality sector is expected to get worse in the future.

According to recent research, more than 90 per cent of the 8,500 migrants recruited in industry last year would not qualify under the new 38,700 threshold.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said the hospitality sector has had labour shortages of between 8 and 12 per cent since coming out of Covid.

She added: 'The successive tightening of the skilled worker visa means that the route from Europe to fill those skilled jobs have all but been eliminated.'

Since the Romans founded the city in AD43, Italian involvement in London has always been significant, seen by the 14th-century presence of bankers from Lombardy in what is now known as Lombard Street.

Italians were also responsible for introducing cafe culture to Soho after the Second World War with the opening of Bar Italia on Frith Street, before showcasing pizzas, parma ham and chianti bottles wrapped in raffia via traditional restaurants.
Donald Trump said Wednesday that the Arizona abortion ban upheld by the state's Supreme Court this week 'goes too far.'

He reiterated that his stance on giving states the right to create their own laws surrounding pregnancy termination is the best policy and claimed Arizona will 'straighten out' the law from 1864 that bans all abortions except when the mother's life is at risk.

Speaking on the tarmac in Atlanta, Georgia when arriving for a fundraiser, the former president answered a wide-ranging series of questions from reporters  including on the Israeli war with Hamas.

Trump, 77, then went to a Chick-fil-a where he spoke with workers and ordered 30 milkshakes and chicken, paying for everyone in the restaurant.

After deplaning, Trump said that President Joe Biden has 'totally lost control of the Israel situation' and has abandoned the U.S. ally in its conflict with terrorists operating out of Gaza.

Despite repeatedly lauding his Supreme Court justice appointment leading to the overturn of landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade, Trump appears to be backpedaling on some of his most pro-life stances.

Former President Donald Trump walks off his plane in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday for a fundraiser in the critical swing state where he is facing a charges for a 2020 election subversion lawsuit

Trump stopped to speak with reporters on the tarmac in Georgia and said Arizona went 'too far' with its ruling to uphold an 160-year-old law that bans almost all abortion except in cases where the mother's life is at risk

On Monday he said abortion laws should be left to the states, which was criticized by some hard-line pro-lifers like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). And now he is saying Arizona and Florida are likely to have to adjust their laws to be more in line with what people want.

After deplaning on Wednesday in Georgia, Trump said that President Joe Biden has 'totally lost control of the Israel situation' and has abandoned the U.S. ally in its conflict with terrorists operating out of Gaza.

Meanwhile, he also discussed the Arizona Supreme Court ruling that has abortion activists, and even pro-life Republicans, reeling.

The ruling reversed a new law putting a 15-week ban on abortion that was enacted after the Dobbs Supreme Court ruling in June 2022 reversed longstanding landmark Roe v. Wade, which put federal protections on abortion.

Now, Arizona has 14 days before it goes back to a 160-year-old law that outlaws all abortion without exceptions for rape or incest.

'Did Arizona go too far?' a reporter asked the former president, to which he replied: 'Yeah they did and that will be straightened out.'

'And as you know, it's all about states' rights  that will be straightened out,' he vowed.

Trump added: 'And I'm sure that the governor and everybody else are going to bring it back into reason and that will be taken care of rather very quickly.'

But he also said that Florida, where the former president now resides with wife Melania and their son Barron, will have to take another look at their abortion laws.

'Florida's probably maybe going to change also,' Trump said. 'It's all about the will of the people. This is what I've been saying  it's a perfect system.'

Trump stopped at a Chick-fil-a in Gerogia where he joked with young workers: 'Is business good?' Making a lot of money? Everybody getting rich, right?'

Trump also touched on the war between Israel and Hamas terrorists in Gaza, saying: 'Any Jewish person that votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined'

Pro-abortion activists gather in Tucson, Arizona on Tuesday to protest the state's Supreme Court upholding a law from 1864 that enacts some of the most strict abortion laws in the country

'So for 52 years, people have wanted to end Roe v. Wade to get it back to the states. We did that. It was an incredible thing, an incredible achievement,' he said. 'And now the states have it. And the states are putting out what they want. It's the will of the people.'

'So Florida is probably going to change, Arizona's going to definitely change  everybody wants that to happen. And you're getting the will of the people, it's pretty amazing,' he concluded.

Trump's long-awaited abortion policy platform announcement on Monday was largely a dodge of the controversial issue.

The former president said he thinks the issue should be up to the states to determine, which is exactly what the overturn of Roe v. Wade paved the way for two years prior to the Arizona ruling.

Trump is in Georgia on Wednesday for a fundraiser, but stopped at an Atlanta area Chick-fil-a beforehand.

Trump stopped at a Georgia Chick-fil-a on Wednesday where he ordered 30 milkshakes and paid for everyone's chicken in the restaurant as he praised the franchise's owner who 'is a member of one of my clubs'

Trump is in the swing state of Georgia for a fundraiser as he also faces criminal prosecution in the state for a 2020 election subversion case in Fulton County, which encompasses Atlanta

'It's a great franchise,' Trump told reporters after ordering a few dozen milkshakes. 'The owner is a great man who is a member of one of my clubs and he's fantastic. And they do very well and, yeah, they're closed on Sundays.'

'It's the Lord's Chicken,' he joked.

Speaking with young workers behind the counter, Trump said: 'So, can I have 30 milkshakes? And also some chicken  and we're going to take care of the customers.'

'Is business good?' Making a lot of money?' he questioned to nods then joked: 'Everybody getting rich, right?'
Haiti police have regained control of a hijacked cargo ship following a deadly five-hour shootout with gangs lead by two bloodthirsty warlords.

Two police officers were injured and an undetermined number of gang members were killed in the gunfire which took place on Saturday off the coast of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Police said those responsible for the hijacking were members of two mobs, named the 5 Seconds, run by Johnson Andre, known as Izo and the Taliban gang led by Jeff Larose.

The gangs seized the transport ship Magalie along with everyone on board as it left the port of Varreux for Cap-Haitien in the north on Thursday.

Radio Tele Metronome reported that the gangs stole 10,000 out of the 60,000 sacks of rice it was carrying.

It comes as the country has been plunged into the throes of civil war with lawless gangs running riot.

Haiti police have regained control of hijacked cargo ship 'Magalie' following a deadly five-hour shootout with gangs

Two police officers were injured and an undetermined number of gang members were killed in the gunfire which took place on Saturday off the coast of the capital, Port-au-Prince

Police said one of the gangs responsible for the hijacking was the 5 Seconds, run by Johnson Andre, known as Izo

It was a rare victory for an underfunded police department that has struggled to quell gang violence following a spate of attacks that began on February 29 led by Jimmy Cherizier, better known as Barbecue.

The most recent gun battle between police and gangs comes more than a month after gunmen began targeting key government infrastructure.

They have burned down multiple police stations, opened fire on the main international airport that remains closed and stormed Haiti's two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

On Sunday, news site Radio graphie reported that the Taliban gang used a front loader to demolish a police station in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Canaan where at least four police officers were killed in a recent attack. The station was no longer operational.

The ongoing violence forced Prime Minister Ariel Henry to announce he would resign once a transitional presidential council is formed.

Henry was in Kenya to push for the UN-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country when the attacks began and remains locked out of Haiti.

In the weeks since he resigned, Haiti has become an 'open-air prison' with 'apocalyptic' violence, the UN warned.

Gang members who now run the streets in the war-torn Caribbean nation are equipped with military-grade guns which have been illegally shipped from the US.

The other warlord said to be responsible for the hijack is Taliban gang leader Jeff Larose

Gang violence erupted in Haiti on February 29 in a series of coordinated attacks led by Jimmy Cherizier, better known as Barbecue

Supplies of food, fuel and medicine have grown sparse amid the infighting, with 18 hospitals forced to close their doors

Weeks of gang violence have forced some 18 hospitals to stop working and caused a shortage of medical supplies as Haiti's biggest seaport and main international airport remain closed, aid workers with The Alliance for International Medical Action, warned.

'The situation is really challenging and affects our movement on a daily basis,' said Antoine Maillard, the organization's medical coordinator based in Port-au-Prince.

The gang violence has driven about 17,000 people in the capital from their homes. Many are crammed into abandoned schools and other buildings where they often share a single toilet.
A Malaysian beauty queen has been stripped of her title following backlash of a video of her dancing suggestively with male dancers while on holiday in Thailand.

Stunning Viru Nikah Terinsip was seen 'dancing suggestively with scantily clad male dancers' in footage that went viral on social media, according to Asia One.

The 24-year-old, who last year won an award representing a mythological spirit of kindness and wisdom, made a public apology for the video on Monday and offered to return her title hours before officials confirmed she would lose her honours.

The Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) formally withdrew her Unduk Ngadau Johor title, president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan noting 'this would not be an issue if she was just an ordinary person'.

'We were made to understand that she went on a private holiday with her family to Thailand,' he explained. 'We do silly things and get carried away when holidaying.'

'There were a lot of mixed reactions, some saw the humour in her video, some sympathised, others were unhappy and complained,' he added, according to The Star. 'We [KDCA] do not want to be the target and attract unnecessary attention.'

Viru Nikah Terinsip was stripped of her title after viral video showed her dancing on holiday

The model from Malaysia shares content with more than 100,000 fans on social media

Earlier on Monday, Ms Terinsip had said she would like to return the title 'with honour and humbleness', adding that she 'joined the Unduk Ngadau competition by my own will and returned this title without coercion'.

'The title is not everything. It is about believing and valuing myself,' she continued, according to The New Strait Times.

'I am not perfect... Everyone makes mistakes.'

The young model thanked the public for their support and said everyone should 'focus on other issues and move forward' from the furore.

She also requested people not target her family and friends, as they are 'not involved in this matter'.

'It is up to you whether you would accept [my explanation] or not, but this comes sincerely from my heart. Thank you for listening,' she said.

President Kitingan said in his statement: 'We hope that she will accept this decision well. Let this serve as a warning to all Unduk Ngadaus to not repeat the mistake.'

Ms Terinsip won the Unduk Ngadau Johor title last year, a pageant event featured at the annual harvest festival in Sabah, northern Borneo.

The competition is held to commemorate the spirit of Huminodun, a mythological character representing kindness and wisdom.

Ms Terinsip is a popular figure, sharing music videos and makeup videos with more than 100,000 fans on YouTube, as well as with audiences on TikTok.

In February, the Ukrainian-born winner of Miss Japan was dethroned after it was revealed she was having an affair with a married influencer.

Karolina Shiino's win had prompted fierce debate online, critics suggesting she 'shouldn't have won to begin with' due to her heritage.

Ms Shiino moved to Japan at the age of five, where she was raised after her Ukrainian mother remarried a Japanese man.

In light of the scandal, pageant organizers said Ms Shiino was not aware Dr Tamuka Maeda was married.

Carolina Shiino, 26, walked away with the pageant's top prize in Tokyo earlier this year

Ms Shiino had said she was sorry for being misleading, and organisers had accepted her giving up the title, the Miss Japan Association said

The former beauty queen apologized to fans and the public in a statement on Monday, stating that her response was due to fear and panic about the report.

She said: 'I am truly sorry for the huge trouble I have caused and for betraying those who supported me.'

Ms Shiino also apologized to the man's partner and his family, as well as other parties involved.

Dr Maeda took to Instagram to declare that he would not be divorcing his wife, whilst also apologizing for the issues he caused Ms Shiino and others.

The Miss Japan title will not be taken up for the rest of the year.
'America's worst mayor' was booed at a town hall meeting as she claimed citizens of the small Illinois town were asking her an 'unfair amount of questions.'

'Everybody wants it [to] continue to be a s*** show and not really show facts as it relates to what is really going on in our townships,' Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard said at the Tuesday meeting.

Henyard, the scorned 40-year-old mayor, faced challenging questions from board members and local residents throughout the meeting.

As the crowd booed loudly at Henyard, she didn't hold back as she expressed her frustration, saying it was 'unfair' that she was getting slammed with questions when residents don't ask as many in other communities.

Her outburst at the township meeting comes amidst a slew of bad press and scorn for Henyard. She currently faces an embezzlement scandal, sexual harassment claims and mounting ethics violations against the mayor as she clings to her nearly $300,000 salary.

'America's worst mayor' was booed a town hall meeting as she claimed citizens of the small Illinois town were asking her an 'unfair amount of questions'

Self-described 'Super Mayor' Tiffany Henyard, 40, has been accused of embezzling taxpayer funds and retaliating against a victim of sexual assault - and last month vetoed an investigation into the allegations

'Everybody wants it [to] continue to be a s*** show and not really show facts as it relates to what is really going on in our townships,' Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard said at the Tuesday meeting

As the list of allegations grows against Tiffany Henyard, critics and some of her own constituents are asking how she still remains in position.

The litany of accusations against Henyard, who is also supervisor of Thornton Township immediately south of Chicago, include misspending taxpayers' money on lavish trips, employing a convicted sex offender to a public role and firing staff who refuse to support her.

Henyard is being investigated by the FBI for corruption and the Dolton board of trustees appointed former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot to lead another probe into the scorned mayor on Monday.

Lightfoot's appointment, at a cost of $400 an hour, has also proved controversial after her disappointing stint as Chicago mayor.

Repeated efforts to oust Henyard have failed. A recall vote in favor of removing her from office was overturned by an appeals court and opponents are now hoping the slew of investigations will trigger her downfall and possibly even criminal charges.

The FBI is now investigating spending on limos, first class flights and a professional hair and makeup team

Tiffany Heynard, the first female and youngest mayor of Dolton, Illinois, is under fire for hiring her former campaign worker Lavelle Redmond (pictured together, left) as a code enforcement officer. The 46-year-old is a registered child sex offender

Henyard posted a video of herself with President Joe Biden at the White House in January after coming under fire for her high salary and questionable spending

She was elected mayor of the village, population around 21,000, in 2021 but quickly gained notoriety and the label 'America's worst mayor' for her lavish personal spending and bombastic approach to politics, which has included recruiting DJs to perform at village meetings.

Henyard is paid nearly $50,000 for her role as mayor, plus a further $224,000 as supervisor of Thornton Township.

The high-rolling mayor has spent thousands on first class trips, a professional hair and makeup team and a security detail.

She has been accused of unlawfully signing off contracts as dozens of unpaid suppliers threaten to take the town to court.

Henyard has also been accused by a former employee of sexual harassment and retaliation.

The former employee claims the mayor fired her after she said she was sexually assaulted at a work trip in Las Vegas.

'You know what happened in Vegas. You know what happened. And you should be addressing it,' one resident said at a meeting on Monday.

The town board had voted through a motion to ask agencies including the FBI, the US attorney, the Cook County sheriff and Cook County state's attorney to investigate Henyard earlier this year.

Henyard vetoed the invitation, but FBI agents were already talking to dozens of people in the town of 20,000 about the unpaid bills.

The mayor has admitted a $2 million deficit, blaming the trustees for incompetence, but some fear the true figure could be as high as $5 million.

The town owes more than $427,000 to a company that repaved its streets, and another $400,000 to a tree-trimming company that worked for it last year.

Henyard had her charity 'Tiffany Henyard Cares' shut down last month by the Illinois Attorney General amid claims it used taxpayer money and the services of public employees.

The first female mayor in the town's 128-year history was at the White House meeting President Joe Biden in January, but she has been accused of shutting down businesses that refuse to donate to her campaign.

After a recall bid failed, Henyard posted this defiant image on Instagram declaring she 'forever will be Dolton's mayor'

The mayor was slammed for hiring her former campaign worker as the town's code enforcement officer despite the fact he is a convicted child rapist.

She also raised eyebrows after spending hundreds of thousands of tax dollars on security details, including one occasion where she pulled cops off the street to perform a protection outfit.

A successful recall vote was overturned on a technicality last year prompting her to dance on a podium at the subsequent board meeting to the strains of Rihanna's 'B***h Better Have My Money'.

'I am and forever will be Dolton's Mayor,' she posted on Instagram, prompting some to call her the 'Dolton Dictator.'

She has not been charged with an offense and is defiant against critics she claims 'should be ashamed of themselves.'

Now, comes in former Chicago Mayor Lightfoot to investigate possible illegal activity in the town.

Lightfoot - who was ousted as mayor of Chicago last year - was approved by the village's board of trustees to investigate Henyard's alleged corruption at the cost of $400 per hour.

'I bring expertise in leading investigations of this kind and understand the complex challenges of governing. I will follow the facts where they lead, without bias, and reserve comments until the work is complete,' Lightfoot told the board Monday.

She may not get very far, however, as Henyard's mayoral powers extend to potentially vetoing the probe.

Henyard was not present for the meeting Monday where Lightfoot's investigation was approved.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot may have a new job very soon, as she's been hired by the nearby village of Dolton, Illinois to investigator their mayor, whom many have called 'America's worst'

'I bring expertise in leading investigations of this kind and understand the complex challenges of governing. I will follow the facts where they lead, without bias, and reserve comments until the work is complete,' Lightfoot said

Lightfoot is a former prosecutor who has been tasked by the board with 'All allegations of misconduct, and all internal investigations, if any, along with any village state and federal law violations,' Dolton Trustee Jason House said.

However, even if Henyard does allow the investigation, none of Lightfoot's findings have any authority to bring charges or impeachment against the Dolton mayor.

Henyard has long defended her decision and shot back at critics. She has shown no signs of resigning or changing her ways.

'You all should be ashamed of yourselves because you all are black. You all are black! And you all sitting up here beating and attacking a black woman that's in power,' she said ion February.

Henyard also tried to lay down the law against village trustees who say she's misusing funds.

'You all forget I'm the leader. They want to hear from the mayor. You all ain't learned that yet,' she said. 'The mayor, not the trustees that don't do nothing. They only run their mouth. You all don't do no work, no work!'

Henyard doesn't understand the criticism, as she believes she's working to better everyone's lives.

'Everything we do is for the people. But we're under attack. We get scrutinized by the media,' she said. 'For what? Loving on the people? Showing that they matter to us? We going through the fires for you all.'
A gray whale drags netting and buoys entangled around its tail in the waters off Pacifica on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in this frame grab from drone video. Courtesy Tony Corso

Rescuers on Wednesday were hoping to locate and free a gray whale entangled in fishing nets and buoys off the Bay Area Peninsula coast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The whale, spotted most recently on Tuesday off Pacifica and Daly City, was first seen off Laguna Beach (Orange County) on March 22, according to a statement from Oceana, an ocean conservation advocacy group.

The whales tail flukes are tightly entangled in a gill net, a very dense mesh net that is very difficult to get off, Michael Milstein, a spokesperson for NOAA Fisheries West Coast, said Wednesday.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

"The whale doesn't have an easy time moving with all that hanging on its tail," Milstein said. Oceana officials said they were concerned about its ability to survive.

This NOAA photo taken off Laguna Beach in late March shows the dense mesh netting and buoys wrapped around the tail of a gray whale spotted this week off the Bay Area coast. NOAA Fisheries/West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Permit 24359

The whale is skittish and evasive, Milstein said. An NOAA crew in Southern California tried to disentangle it, but it became distressed and reacted in a way that was not safe for the team, Oceana said.

Crews backed off and attached a satellite tag to it to track it, but it stopped transmitting, and the whale was missing until it was seen off Piedras Blancas research station near San Luis Obispo on April 3, Milstein said.

Tony Corso of San Bruno said Tuesday on Facebook that he saw a report on social media that the whale had been sighted off Pacifica. I was down there in 15 minutes and captured drone footage of the whale, he said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

After the Pacifica sighting, the Marine Mammal Center in Marin County and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife formed a team to investigate whether the entanglement looked similar, Milstein said. The whale is trailing a couple of bright red floating balls, so that makes it a little easier to see, he said.

Milstein urged people to watch for the whale and to report any sightings to the NOAA hotline at 877-767-9425. If NOAA can get a sense of the whale's location, the agency can send a specialized team to remove the net, he said.

The whale was migrating from Mexico to the Arctic, Milstein said.
Transgender treatments are driven by 'politics and ideology', a whistleblower who helped expose misgivings at the controversial Tavistock Clinic believes.

In the wake of a damning new report into the field, consultant psychotherapist Marcus Evans, a former governor at the north London Clinic, told The Reaction hosts Sarah Vine and Andrew Pierce the treatment is 'experimental' with no 'evidence base'.

Dr Evans resigned in 2019 from the Tavistock after he and his wife spoke out, accusing the clinic of ignoring concerns staff had about the standard of care provided for children.

His comments come after a landmark review by Dr Hilary Cass which made 32 recommendations to overhaul NHS transgender treatments over fears for youngsters.

Dr Evans said: 'Why has it taken so long for this experimental treatment, which has got no evidence base to be thoroughly looked at, when serious senior clinicians have been raising concerns for about 18 years?

Transgender treatments are driven by 'politics and ideology', a whistleblower who helped expose misgivings at the controversial Tavistock Clinic told Sarah Vine and Andrew Pierce's The Reaction

Consultant psychotherapist Marcus Evans, a former governor at the north London Clinic, told The Reaction the treatment is 'experimental' with no 'evidence base'

After the publication of the interim Cass review in 2022, the Tavistock transgender clinic announced it would close down the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS)

'The old approach was 'watchful waiting' where there is an evidence base, which says if you leave these kids and support them, they actually come to terms with these rather confusing and disturbing experiences called puberty.

'But it was jettisoned for political and ideological reasons, not for any research purposes.

'It very mistaken to immediately fit in with an ideal or belief without really exploring what is going on with these kids behind the scenes.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed Dr Cass's report, while campaigners against children being given puberty blockers said it was a return to 'common-sense decision making'.

Mr Pierce went as far as to call for criminal prosecutions.

He said: 'Well all I can say is at last we have a voice of sanity on NHS gender identity services for children.

'The outcome of a long-awaited review into NHS transgender treatment has been released - and has found that treatment was based on what the report's author calls 'remarkably weak evidence'.

'It is a fantastic report, 388 pages. What shocked me most was learning that in 2009, 50 young children were referred to the Gender Identity Development Service, mainly boys, and in 2020/21, 5,000. Did nobody think what on earth has happened?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed Dr Cass's report, while campaigners against children being given puberty blockers said it was a return to 'common-sense decision making'

'Having read this report, I think there should be criminal prosecutions because these drugs could have permanently damaged these kids.'

Dr Evans appeared on The Reaction, the Mail's hard-hitting weekly talkshow, as a special guest reacting to the report published yesterday by Dr Cass.

Ms Vine said: 'Nobody is suggesting that gender dysphoria is not a real thing, but what we are questioning is whether a teenager really had the capabilities to make such a life changing decision at that stage.

'What is really clear from the report is some clinical practitioners allowed ideology to influence their behaviour and override common sense.'

The Reaction is available every Wednesday on the Daily Mail's YouTube channel.
The manslaughter conviction of school shooter Ethan Crumbley's mom and dad has created a legal precedent which could leave the parents of killer kids open to prosecution, experts say.

And, some warn, the landmark case also creates an environment where the parents of all criminal children can be held liable for the crimes - no matter how serious.

Jennifer and James Crumbley were jailed on Tuesday for at least ten years each after a jury found them criminally responsible for the massacre carried out by their son.

Ethan, then 15, murdered four children at Oxford High School in Michigan in November 2021. He was sentenced in December 2023 to life in prison without parole.

Prosecutors charged Crumbley's parents with manslaughter and claimed they missed glaring red flags about his murderous urges, ignored his pleas for help and also supplied the gun. In finding the pair guilty, jurors essentially agreed the massacre would have been avoided if they were better parents.

In a landmark case, Jennifer and James Crumbley were each convicted of manslaughter after their son, Ethan, killed four students at Oxford High School in Michigan in November 2021

Craig Scott, a survivor of the Columbine High School shooting, said the sentencing of Crumbley's parents 'removes responsibility out of the hands of' the killer

Poll Should parents face punishment for their children's crimes? Yes No Should parents face punishment for their children's crimes? Yes 3 votes

No 3 votes Now share your opinion





Jennifer and James Crumbley were, without doubt, terrible parents. But experts say the legal precedent could now influence cases where a mom or dad's inability to parent is far less clear.

'One might think that with such a painful and unlikely event  and the way prosecution treated [the Crumbleys] as such remarkably negligent parents  that we just wouldn't see a case like this again,' said University of Michigan law professor Ekow Yankah.

'But I do think the thing that worries legal experts is: We know that law lives in precedent, and once you have a precedent, it's the most natural instinct for a prosecutor to use that precedent,' Yankah told Al Jazeera.

The case against Ethan Crumbley's parents has created a set of challenging questions for prosecutors, attorneys and scholars.

What is the threshold for holding parents directly responsible for their children's crimes? Should this case be used to look again at the parents of other school shooters? Does it minimize the Ethan Crumbley's culpability for his own horrific actions?

It also gives a new angle to the debate about gun control. Prosecutors say it serves as a warning to other parents who own firearms. Critics say it is a distraction from the fundamental issue that children in America can access guns far too easily.

Prosecutors said Ethan's (pictured) parents ignored his pleas for mental health help and bought him the gun used in the massacre

Parents have been charged previously for failing to secure weapons which were then accessed by their children. In December, a mother was jailed on child neglect charges after her six-year-old son took a gun from home and shot his teacher.

But the Crumbley case marks the first time that a school shooter's parents have been held responsible for what followed.

Craig Scott, a survivor of the Columbine High School shooting, said the sentencing of Crumbley's parents 'removes responsibility out of the hands of' the killer.

'I think this is a bad and dangerous precedent to take the blame of a teenager who knew what he was doing was wrong,' said Scott, whose sister was killed at Columbine.

'He had a dark motivation for wanting to be infamous. And now they're giving 10 to 15 years to the parents and I think it's wrong.'

Justin Shilling, 17, (left) and Tate Myre, 16, (right) were killed in the senseless shooting

Madisyn Baldwin, 17, (left) and Hana St Juliana, 14, (right) were killed

The case against Ethan Crumbley's mom and dad, who were each convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter, was undeniably strong.

They bought the gun their son used to kill his schoolmates just weeks before the massacre and ignored his repeated pleas for mental health help. His father used cannabis daily and drank heavily. His mother was having an affair and prosecutors said she was too concerned with her own life to care about her deeply troubled son.

Crucially, the gun was also not securely stored, which allowed Ethan to take it and smuggle it into school.

And on the day of the shooting, Crumbley's parents were called to the school after a teacher found disturbing drawings on a piece of his math work, including a pistol, a dead body and the words: 'The thoughts won't stop. Help me.' It added to a long list of occasions where teachers noticed concerning behavior from Ethan.

In court, parents of the victims also said they believed Jennifer and James Crumbley were to blame for the killings.

Judge Cheryl Matthews said the sentences for his parents, who will serve a maximum of 15 years each, were to 'act as a deterrent'.

'[The parents] are not expected to be psychic. But these convictions are not about poor parenting, they concern acts that could have halted a runaway train,' she said.

Judge Matthews' message echoed remarks by Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, who led the case and said afterward: 'I hope it leads to more prevention of gun violence. I hope it leads to people taking more responsibility.'

Jennifer glares at James Crumbley during their sentencing hearing. Legal experts say the case could mean many more parents will now be held accountable for their children's crimes

James Crumbley is seen crying in court Monday as he and wife Jennifer received a landmark 10 to 15 year sentence for their son Ethan's 2021 school massacre that murdered four

In a nod to the precedent it sets, she added: 'I don't want a situation where a lot of prosecutors are charging people or parents for things that their children did, or are doing.'

But that is exactly what might happen, according to Evan Bernick, a professor at Northern Illinois University College of Law.

'I don't have a lot of confidence in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion to pick and choose only cases like this,' Bernick said.

'Once you've got a hammer  and this is definitely a hammer  everything can look like a nail, and people aren't necessarily focused on how you're wielding it.'

Yankah added: 'I don't know to what extent it will open the floodgates to similar kinds of prosecutions, but precedent has its own power and law.'

Lisa Baratta, an attorney in Michigan, added: 'Going forward, when a juvenile commits a crime, the prosecutor must consider if the negligence of the parents was a contributing factor.'

'Parents will need to keep tabs on their child's mental health, friend group, social media presence, etc.,' she told NBC.

'Responsible parents already do these things. The concern is that the definition of 'responsible' will get blurred and innocent parents will be charged.'
Natalee Holloway's Killer Joran van der Sloot has been attacked by other inmates in Peruvian jail.

The 36-year-old is serving a 28-year sentence for the murder of a Peruvian student in 2010. van der Sloot was also sentenced to 20 years in Alabama last year after pleading guilty to extortion and wire fraud in a plea deal that saw him finally confessing to the 18-year-old missing student's murder.

The Dutch citizen was attacked by two inmates last week while in a common area of the prison, where the country's most dangerous criminals are held, as reported by The New York Post.

Other inmates reportedly tried joining the beating before guards broke up the group.

van der Sloot reportedly suffered only bruises and lacerations and received medical care before being sent back to the jail's general population.

Natalee Holloway's killer Joran van der Sloot has been attacked in Peruvian jail

an der Sloot was also sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to extortion and wire fraud in a plea deal that saw him finally confessing to the 18-year-old missing student's murder

The Dutch citizen was attacked by two inmates last week while in a common area of the prison, where the country's most dangerous criminals are held

A spokesperson for Perus National Penitentiary Institute (NPI) told the Post the serial killer will not be punished because he did not start the fight.

van der Sloot's lawyer Maximo Altez told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that he has not been able to confirm the attack took place.

Altez noted that inmates at the remote prison do not have access to phones and rely on letters to communicate.

Van der Sloot sent a letter to Altez on Sunday and did not report anything outside the ordinary.

The serial killer was also attacked last year before he was extradited to Birmingham to face on extortion and wire fraud charges pertaining to his attempt to reap a profit from his connection to the Holloway case.

Last year van der Sloot admitted to beating Holloway to death at a beach after she refused his advances and placed her body in the Caribbean.

Five years after the killing, an FBI sting recorded the extortion attempt in which van der Sloot asked for $250,000 from Beth Holloway to reveal the location of her daughters remains. He agreed to accept $25,000 to disclose the location, and asked for the other $225,000 once the remains were recovered.

In an interview conducted by his attorney, the killer, who had always denied murdering Natalee, provided details of the final moments of the teen's life.

His sentence for extortion will run concurrently with prison time he is serving for murder in Peru, where he pleaded guilty in 2012 to killing 21-year-old Stephany Flores, a business student from a prominent Peruvian family.

Van der Sloot has been transferred among Peruvian prisons while serving his 28-year sentence in response to reports that he enjoyed privileges such as television, internet access and a cellphone and accusations that he threatened to kill a warden. Before he was extradited to the U.S., he was housed in a prison in a remote area of the Andes, called Challapalca, at 4,600 meters (about 15,090 feet) above sea level.

Holloway went missing during a high school graduation trip. She was last seen May 30, 2005, leaving a bar with van der Sloot. A judge eventually declared her dead, but her body was never found.

Before he could be arrested in the extortion case, van der Sloot slipped away by moving from Aruba to Peru.
Furious parents were escorted from an inquest by police amid angry scenes after a coroner found a hospital's failure to carry out a brain scan may not have caused their daughter's death.

Victoria Olabode, 12, died after suffering a stroke in hospital brought on by sickle cell disease in 2019, with her family waiting nearly five years for the inquest.

In an internal report in 2020, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital admitted that a three-day delay in giving Victoria a scan contributed to her death.

But when coroner, Zak Golombeck, gave his finding that earlier treatment may not have saved her, Victoria's mother Elizabeth shouted and knocked water jugs from desks and her father Victor joined the loud protest.

Mr Golombeck told Manchester Coroner's Court there 'was insufficient evidence to show Victoria would have avoided [the stroke]' had she received an earlier scan.

Victoria Olabode, 12, died after suffering a stroke in hospital brought on by sickle cell disease in 2019

He said: 'None of the failings more than minimally contributed to her death.'

Police removed an emotional Mr and Mrs Olabode  who had begged clinicians to give her daughter a brain scan for three days before the stroke was eventually found. The inquest resumed over an hour after the disturbance and Mr Olabode was allowed back in.

What is sickle cell disease? Sickle cell disease is the umbrella term for a group of inherited conditions that severely affect red blood cells. Around 15,000 people in the UK are sufferers and it is particularly common in people of African or Caribbean descent. Healthy red blood cells - produced by stem cells within bone marrow - are biconcaved discs that can bend and flex easily. However, in those with sickle cell disease, faulty stem cells produce red blood cells that are crescent shaped. They are rigid, unable to squeeze through smaller blood vessels and prone to causing blockages that deprive parts of the body of oxygen. Sufferers are not expected to live beyond 60 and treatment mainly focuses on alleviating symptoms, such as pain and infections, through blood transfusions and painkillers. Advertisement

Described by loved ones as a 'beautiful girl who would light up a whole room', Victoria died at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on July 15, 2019.

The schoolgirl, who had Sickle Cell Disease, had been transferred there from North Manchester General Hospital 13 days earlier, the inquest heard.

On July 5, three days after her admission, had suddenly developed a 'severe' headache and began vomiting.

She was treated for her pain but her mother had 'persistently' asked for a CT scan to be carried out - which was not done until July 8, when Victoria suffered a 'prolonged seizure.

'She suffered a second seizure later that day and was afterwards admitted to the hospital's paediatric intensive care unit where radiology confirmed she had suffered an ischaemic brain injury.

After she was found to be brain stem dead, on July 15, her ventilation was withdrawn leading to her death. The inquest heard six days of evidence in December last year and February this year.

Expert witness Professor Fenella Kirkham told the hearing: 'If the diagnosis had been made between the evening of July 5 and the early hours of July 8, then I think appropriate preventative strategies as I have set out in the report would have meant that on the balance of probabilities, Victoria wouldn't have died.'

In his conclusion this morning, Mr Golombeck said he found it was a 'failure' that a CT or MRI scan was not carried out on July 5 or 6 'when it was clear that Victoria was suffering serious neurological symptomatology.'

He said: 'Victoria was in sickle crisis, and it was imperative for a neurological event to be excluded by neurological examination and imaging.

'A CT scan was warranted, and whilst it was appropriate for the clinicians to address Victoria's pain, her pain and a potential neurological event were not mutually exclusive.

Victoria Olabode, 12, had been admitted to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on July 2, 2019, for 'sickle crisis', a condition where sickle cells block blood flow

'However, he said that had a scan or scans been carried out at that time, it 'would not have conclusively confirmed subarachnoid blood', the medical term for a type of stroke caused by bleeding on the surface of the brain, as the scans carried out two days later didn't do so either.

He described the protocol for the MRI scan that was carried out as 'sub-optimal' and said that 'this too was a failure in the care.

'But Mr Golombek added: 'On the balance of the evidence following my analysis, I find that there is insufficient evidence to cross the threshold beyond speculation that Victoria's death would have been avoidable with earlier imaging on July 6, 2019.

'On the balance of probabilities, there's insufficient evidence that she would have avoided the terminal event on July 8 which caused her death on July 15.

'Flowing from my findings, in my judgment, Victoria has died from a naturally occurring illness, which sadly reached its natural end on July, 15, 2019.

'Whilst I have found failures in her care, none of these failures more than minimally contributed to her death, on the balance of probabilities.'

It was at this point that Mrs Olabode stood up and began screaming 'no' and 'she never died of natural causes'.

Despite requests for her to calm down, she continued to shout with items including jugs of water being knocked from the desks in the courtroom.

Her husband then joined the loud protests which saw staff and others flood the room as proceedings were halted.

Everyone was asked to leave with several police officers coming into the courtroom a short time afterwards, with Mr and Mrs Olabode, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, being escorted out.

The hearing resumed around an hour later with Mr Olabode present, along with Victoria's twin brother Victor Jnr.

Victoria's relatives called for justice outside an inquest in Manchester earlier this year

Concluding his remarks, Mr Golombeck said: 'I am conscious that the totality of my findings will not be readily accepted by Victoria's family, to whom I pay the utmost respect for their fight for justice over the past nearly five years.

'I have analysed the evidence thoroughly and carefully in what has been a less than straightforward case on the medical issues, to which I have been greatly assisted by all witnesses and advocates.'

The earlier report on behalf of the children's hospital accepted there was an 'ongoing fixation on the perception that Victoria was having a painful sickle cell crisis' and her ongoing headaches were not escalated by junior doctors when she was admitted in July 2019.

'We accept that as a result of the delay in carrying out imaging there was a delay which contributed to Victoria's death from stroke and we are very sorry for this,' the hospital said in the report.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said one man at the inquest was 'de-arrested', while a woman was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence.

Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (pictured) admitted that a three-day delay in giving Victoria a scan contributed to her death in an internal report in 2020

A GMP spokesman said this evening: There is believed to have been an altercation at the coroner's court; one man was de-arrested but a woman, aged 40, was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and remains in custody.

Speaking outside, Mr Olabode said the family would continue their 'fight for justice' for their daughter.

Earlier in the inquest, in February, Mr Olabode shouted in court that 'five years of our lives have been wasted.'

During legal arguments prior to the resumption of the evidence and appearing to fear a further delay to proceedings which have already had to be adjourned on several previous occasions, he told the coroner: 'This is the last time we're coming to this court. You have wasted our time.

'After this, we're going straight to the hospital and there will be continuous protest. I will not take this any longer.'

Toli Onon, chief medical officer at Manchester University NHS Trust, said: 'We apologise again for where our care has fallen short of the high standards to which we aspire.'

'The trust has undertaken a thorough investigation to examine the circumstances following Victoria's very sad death nearly five years ago, and we apologise again for where our care has fallen short of the high standards to which we aspire.

'We have taken steps to ensure the learning from Victoria's death has been shared within the trust.'
An alleged killer mom was filmed panicking from her hospital bed during a court appearance - as bodycam captured the moment cops arrived to find her two three year-old toddlers dead in the back of her car.

Shirlene Alcime, 42, is accused of killing her children Milendhere Gabriel Napoleon Cadet and Milenjhit Gabriella Napoleon Cadet, both three, in February when they were found foaming from the mouth in her SUV.

Two disturbing pieces of footage obtained by WPLG Wednesday showed a wild-eyed Alcime in her hospital bed during a court hearing - and also the frantic scene as cops arrived to find the youngsters dead in the back of her Toyota SUV.

Toxicology reports from the deaths are still pending, with the mother currently charged with child neglect causing great bodily harm, charges that a judge implied could be stepped up.

'In the arrest affidavit, it looks as though you've killed your two children,' the judge said, as Alcime wore a wide-eyed, panicked look on her face.

Shirlene Alcime, 42, wore a wide-eyed, panicked look on her face after a judge alluded to her charges being increased to manslaughter, telling her: 'In the arrest affidavit, it looks as though you've killed your two children'

Twins Milendhere Gabriel Napoleon Cadet and Milenjhit Gabriella Napoleon Cadet, both three, tragically died from unknown causes in the tragic episode. They had reportedly been found foaming at the mouth

Chilling dashcam footage captured the moment cops found the twins in the car following Alcime's failed suicide attempt

According to officials, Alcime told investigators that she had been planning to 'murder' her children 'for approximately the last two months' because she was in financial trouble.

Chilling dashcam footage from Local 10 News captured the moment cops found her twins in her car on an overpass, which the mom had just leapt from.

According to a reported police report, Alcime admitted that she had spent the day of February 1 driving around the area 'looking for a bridge to jump from.'

Before she jumped, Alcime also reportedly told a tow truck driver to call 911 for her children.

The twins were rushed to hospital, where they were tragically pronounced dead.

Their official cause of death has not been released, however first responders found them foaming at the mouth, and a police dispatcher at the time described them as suffering cardiac arrest.

Authorities say they are still awaiting toxicology reports, which they say will also determine if additional charges will be filed against Alcime.

The twins were found inside Alcime's SUV after it was pull over to the side of a highway

The twins' devastated father, Milson Caldet, said he couldn't get in contact with his daughters' mother for days before the tragedy, and wept as he said: 'I really loved my kids'

Police rushed to the scene on Interstate 95 in Miami-Dade. The twins were pronounced dead on arrival at hospital

Despite the significant distance between the bridge and train tracks, Alcime survived and was rushed to a nearby hospital

After the twins were found, their devastated father Milson Caldet, speaking Haitian Creole, wept as he talked of his children's sudden passing, adding: 'I really loved my kids.'

A friend of the mother told WSVN her actions 'weren't at all like her', and Caldet said he had no idea what happened after failing to reach Alcime for several days.

Speaking through a translator, the father said: 'I went to the office, I called her, but she never picked up... that's not the kind of person she is.'

He described his children as fun and excitable, and said: 'Normally when I come in the door, they come and they hug me. I cant, really, I cant talk right now.'

Alcime's friend, Suzette Walker Morant, said she was stunned to hear of the tragedy, which was unlike the woman she knew to be a loving mother.

'That is not her, there has to be something wrong with her to do something like that,' she said.

'The person I know would never do anything like that. Thats really sad to know the kids lost their lives so young, for she is not that kind of person.

'It is just so mind-boggling right now to figure out what really went wrong.'
British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron on Wednesday said he agreed with Donald Trump that the war in Gaza needs to end as soon as possible.

He was speaking two days after joining the former president for a steak dinner at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

Trump last week warned Israel that it needed to wrap up the conflict quickly because it was losing the public relations battle.

Cameron was asked about the meeting during an appearance on Fox News and how Trump might fight the war.

He said he had to be careful about revealing too much about their private discussions.

British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron on Wednesday said he agreed with Donald Trump that the war in Gaza needs to end as soon as possible

Israeli soldiers prepare near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Israel, April 10, 2024

'But former President Trump has said quite a lot of things in recent days about how this war does need to be brought to a close and I would agree with that,' he said.

'But as I say, one way or the other, we have to get ... the people responsible for October the seventh cannot remain in Gaza.

'We need to get those hostages freed and hopefully this can be done in the coming months before we get to your November elections.'

On Tuesday Cameron met Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, D.C., and Wednesday he was meeting congressional lawmakers.

Last week, Trump offered his thoughts on the war in Gaza.

'Youve got to get it over with, and you have to get back to normalcy,' he said in an interview with The Hugh Hewitt Show. 'And Im not sure that Im loving the way theyre doing it, because youve got to have victory.

'You have to have a victory, and it's taking a long time.'

And he repeated claims that Israel was losing in the court of world opinion.

'Israel is absolutely losing the PR war,' he said.

Israeli tanks manoeuvre on their way to Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas

Relatives of a Palestinian mourn over the grave of their beloved one, at the cemetery after the Eid al-Fitr prayer as Israeli attacks continue. Health officials say 33,000 people have died

Lord Cameron was in the US for talks with former President Donald Trump on Monday

Much of Cameron's time during the visit has been focused on Ukraine and making the case for Congress to pass a stalled $60 billion funding package. It is being held up by Republican infighting, as hardliners threaten House Speaker Mike Johnson with a leadership challenge if he pushed ahead.

He delivered a message to that hardcore rump, warning them against the 'appeasement' of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin.

He said the funding package would be good for US security and jobs and show the West was prepared to stand up against 'bullies'.

His remarks in a US television interview came after he was snubbed by a major Trump supporter who is holding up the cash in a row over US domestic policy.

Lord Cameron last week posted a video saying he was to meet Mike Johnson to tell him that 'Ukraine needs that money' and it was in the interests of US security to release it.

But the Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives declined to meet the Foreign Secretary, despite the peer having a sit-down with Mr Trump himself.

Mr Trump, who hopes to return to the White House following November's US election, is reportedly ready to pressure Ukraine to cede Crimea and the Donbas border region as a price for peace with Russia.

But Lord Cameron told CNN during his visit to Washington: 'Everyone wants to see an end to the killing and an end to the war. But you only get that by backing Ukraine, by showing strength.

Lord Cameron told CNN during his visit to Washington: 'Everyone wants to see an end to the killing and an end to the war. But you only get that by backing Ukraine, by showing strength. 'Peace comes through strength, not through appeasement and weakness.'

Lord Cameron last week posted a video saying he was to meet Mike Johnson to tell him that 'Ukraine needs that money' and it was in the interests of US security to release it.

Mike Johnson, a staunch ally of Donald Trump who has refused to table a vote on a bill that would send $60 billion of weapons shipments to Kyiv, reportedly claimed he could not find time in his diary for a sit-down with the Foreign Secretary yesterday

'Peace comes through strength, not through appeasement and weakness.'

Asked about the reported Trump peace plan, he said: 'I don't think we should be discussing those things right now, we should be discussing how do we get Ukraine back on the front foot.

'They've showed incredible bravery. They've showed that they can win against Putin, they're not going to lose for lack of morale, they're not going to lose for lack of ingenuity on the battlefield.

'The only way they can lose is if we don't give them the support they deserve."

He added that Europe was doing more to fund its own defence - a key demand of Mr Trump during his tenure in the White House - and 'Europe and America sticking together and standing up against bullies and dictators, that's good for both of us.'

A vote in Congress on the Ukraine funding package has been held up by political wrangling, with House Speaker Johnson's own position in jeopardy in the face of opposition from the Republican right.

Johnson, who is nicknamed 'MAGA Mike', is refusing to table a vote in the lower chamber of Congress.

He reportedly claimed he could not find time in his diary for a sit-down with the foreign secretary Tuesday, although there are some hopes a meeting could still take place, as they are said to remain in contact.

Last week, in a video recorded at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, Cameron highlighted a meeting with Johnson, saying: 'I'm going to see him next week and say we need that money, Ukraine needs that money. It is American security, it is European security, It is Britain's security that is on the line in Ukraine, and they need our help.'

But the peer has a checkered history with Trump, having called him 'divisive, stupid and wrong' when he was prime minister in 2016. He later accused the former president of being 'protectionist, xenophobic, [and] misogynistic.'

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron holds a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department in Washington, U.S., April 9, 2024

The discussions with Blinken centred on what can be done to help Palestinians if the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) invade Rafah, in southern Gaza.

The meeting came after hopes were dashed of a breakthrough in peace negotiations, six months after Hamas's deadly terrorist attack on Israel prompted reprisals that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators handed Hamas the proposal which called for a temporary pause in hostilities, to get Israeli hostages out of Gaza and aid in, before both sides negotiate a lasting peace.

But an official from the terror group said: 'The Israeli position remains intransigent and it didn't meet any of the demands of our people.'

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Cameron said the West was drawing up a 'Plan B' if a ceasefire cannot be agreed.

He said: 'We have a clear Plan A for how we bring this conflict to an end. We have a temporary pause, we turn that into a sustainable ceasefire.

'But we have to think about what is Plan B... I think that's something we are going to have to be looking at and we were talking about today.'

The former PM also rejected growing calls to suspend arms deals to Israel but insisted he had 'graver concerns' over the humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza.

When asked, he also refused to publish any legal advice that had been given to the UK government over sales, adding that he had 'reviewed the latest advice' and the UK's position 'is in line with international partners'.

'On Israel and international humanitarian law, and as required by the UK's robust arms export control regime, I have now reviewed the most recent advice about the situation in Gaza and Israel's conduct of their military campaign,' Lord Cameron said.

'The latest assessment leaves our position on export licenses unchanged,' he added. 'Let me be clear, though, we continue to have grave concerns around the humanitarian access issue in Gaza.'

Pressure has been mounting in recent days after three Britons and one US-Canadian dual citizen were among seven aid workers for World Central Kitchen who were killed last week in an Israeli strike, which the military called an accident.

In a recent letter, more than 600 British lawyers, including former Supreme Court judges, said that Britain risked breaching international law by exporting weapons to Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, February 18, 2024

While speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Blinkin, Lord Cameron compared Ukraine's war with Russia to the allies D-Day landings to defeat the Nazis in 1944

Lord Cameron met former President Donald Trump in Florida on Monday at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.

The Foreign Secretary became the first UK minister to meet Mr Trump since his dramatic departure from the White House three years ago.

The pair discussed Ukraine aid, the upcoming elections in the UK and US, NATO, Brexit  and their admiration for the late Queen.

Lord Cameron is expected to have been rebuffed in his lobbying, however, as the Republican presidential candidate is strongly opposed to giving Kyiv more money.

The foreign secretary previously stressed that he had not made the trip to the US to 'lecture' its politicians on giving more money to Ukraine, however, said he could get 'emotional' when speaking of Ukraine's plight.

While speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Blinkin, Lord Cameron compared Ukraine's war with Russia to the allies D-Day landings to defeat the Nazis in 1944.

He said: 'To me this is so fundamental to how Britain and America have worked together over the years, over the decades, to keep our world safe and to enhance our security.

'I think of my grandfather landing on the Normandy beaches under the cover of an American warship. I think of how I worked together with President Obama to deal with the Isil threat in Syria and Iraq.

'How we hunted down those terrible killers of British and American hostages in the Syrian desert. Jihadi John and the like.

'To me this is the same thing. We face a huge threat from an aggressive Putin taking other countries' territory by force and it is so important that we stick together.'

In Lord Cameron's memoirs, published in 2019, he said Mr Trump had won the Republican nomination because of his 'protectionist, xenophobic, misogynistic interventions'

The White House said it had been aware of Lord Cameron's meeting with Mr Trump before it took place

His meeting with Mr Trump meeting is likely to have difficult, as Lord Cameron has made a string of critical comments about the former Republican leader.

In 2016 he called the former President 'divisive, stupid and wrong' leading Mr Trumpt to respond: 'It looks like we're not going to have a very good relationship.'

In Lord Cameron's memoirs, published in 2019, he said Mr Trump had won the Republican nomination because of his 'protectionist, xenophobic, misogynistic interventions'.

The White House said it had been aware of Lord Cameron's meeting with Mr Trump before it took place.

The Us national security adviser Jack Sullivan, declined to say whether Biden's government thought the discussion would be helpful, according to the Times.'
A 'creepy' hospital doctor touched the bottom and private parts of two female health workers and stroked the leg of a third, a court heard today.

Dr Brian Kubwalo, a gynaecologist and obstetrician at Wirral's Arrowe Park Hospital, on Merseyside, is accused of sexually assaulting the three women on three different occasions between January 2019 and November 2021.

In her police video interview played to Liverpool Crown Court, one of the alleged victims described Kubwalo as 'a fantastic doctor.'

But she said that, over time, his behaviour changed and he became 'overfriendlybordering on unprofessional.'

'He would open a door and just stay there so I would have to squeeze past,' she said.

Dr Brian Kubwalo, a gynaecologist and obstetrician, is pictured outside court

In her police video interview played to Liverpool Crown Court (pictured), one of the alleged victims said Kubwalo became 'overfriendlybordering on unprofessional'

Kubwalo would also inappropriately grab her hand while she was talking to him, the woman claimed.

'Something had crossed the line and I felt uncomfortable,' the woman said. 'No other doctor has been like that with me. He was over-friendly.'

Referring to the incident when Kubwalo allegedly touched her bottom, the woman said they had been walking downstairs together towards the labour ward when she felt his hand on her bottom. The alleged assault took place on a shift at some point in 2020.

'I just felt on my bum, like the back of his hand,' she said. 'He did not apologise. I scurried on through the door.

'It was longer than an accident. It was just creepy.'

The woman told the court she 'froze' and was subsequently annoyed that she hadn't confronted Kubwalo.

'I regret not challenging him, I just coiled away,' she added.

The health worker said that when she told her colleagues they revealed he had previously made comments about her bottom.

'That made me more confident that it wasn't an accident,' she added.

The woman claimed her colleagues had laughed and said they weren't surprised by the doctor's behaviour. They also said, 'he's a creep,' the woman added.

Cross-examined by Anesta Weekes, KC, defending, the health care worker described the touch on her bottom as 'a tap and press' and called it a 'Mississippi,' meaning it was longer than a quick tap.

Kubwalo is a gynaecologist at Wirral's Arrowe Park Hospital, on Merseyside

The doctor has been accused of sexually assaulting the three women on three different occasions between January 2019 and November 2021

The second alleged offence, in which Kubwalo is accused of touching another health worker's private parts over her uniform while they were working in a baby scan room, took place in November 2021, while the third incident, when Kubwalo allegedly stroked the leg and hand of another colleague, took place in January 2019, the court heard.

Gordon Cole KC, prosecuting, told the court that, when interviewed by police about the allegations, Kubwalo 'denied that he had done anything improper and denied any sexual activity, any sexual offences.'

Kubwalo claimed the women may have talked with each other and Mr Cole said one of the issues for the jury might be whether 'there had been collusion between one or more of the complainants.'

Mr Cole said Kubwalo admitted sending one of the women text messages but claimed it was just banter. Kubwalo said an apology he sent via Facebook was for this banter and not an apology for any sexual assault, Mr Cole added.

Kubwalo, of Llandudno Junction, North Wales, denies the charges. The case continues
The five-bed Colorado home where convicted killer Chris Watts strangled his pregnant wife before murdering their two daughters is on the market for $775,000.

Watts, 36, strangled his partner Shanann - who was 15 weeks pregnant with their son - inside the five-bed family home on August 13, 2018.

He took her body away in his truck with his two daughters, Bella, four, and Celeste, three, before smothering them both with a blanket.

Since the horrors which unfolded behind the doors came to light, the house has been on and off the market as a presumably hard sell for estate agents.

It last sold in November 2022 for $600,000, and since then the formerly brown exterior of the property has been repainted white.

The five-bed Colorado home where convicted killer Chris Watts strangled his pregnant wife before murdering their two daughters is on the market for $775,000

Listing photographs show that the house has hardly been changed since the Watts lived there. Pictured, Watts in the home's foyer when police attended the house in 2018

The house was previously listed under a fictitious address on reality website Rocket Homes

The house was built in 2013 and the Watts were its first owners. It features five bedrooms, four bathrooms and three parking spots. They paid around $400,000 for it

Watts (left), 36, strangled his wife Shanann (right) - who was 15 weeks pregnant with their son - at the home on August 13, 2018. He later took her body away in his truck with his two daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, and smothered them both with a blanket

But the clean largely autumnal-colored interior remains unchanged from when the Watts family lived there, according to advertising photographs.

The 4,200-square foot home with views of the Rocky Mountains is located at 2825 Saratoga Trail in Frederick, Colorado.

Built in 2013, the Watts were the original owners of the five-bedroom four-bath property which was then priced at around $400,000.

In 2015, the couple filed for bankruptcy, according to documents obtained by CBS Denver, after failing to meet their $3,000 monthly mortgage payments.

They were due to appear in court in August 2015 after they were sued by the homeowner's association for $1,533.80 and issued a summons.

But after his arrest in 2018, Watts defaulted on the mortgage and it remained unoccupied for years.

After the murders, the lender foreclosed the property and placed it on the market - and since it didn't sell, it remained an asset for Watts.

'It's not getting any bids because people know the sordid history of the house, and nobody wants it,' Denver-based bankruptcy attorney Clark Dray told Realtor.com in 2020.

It's now being touted as a 'beautiful home' with a 'spacious open-floor plan' including a 'gourmet kitchen with granite counters' and a 'cozy gas fireplace'.

'Wow, this is a beautiful home! Nothing like this one for sale at this price, in the area,' the Zillow listing for the property reads.

The kitchen, which features a marble island and dark wood cabinetry, looks untouched since police showed up to the house with body cams in 2018.

In 2018, soon after the murders, visitors would come to the house and leave gifts and tributes for the murdered mother and daughters

The laundry room and bathroom, which were painted bright blue, have remained that color

The kitchen, which features a marble island and dark wood cabinets, looks almost untouched

At his trial, Watts pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, which has since been abolished in Colorado

Watts is pictured standing near the front door of his old home

Police body camera footage shows the interior of the Watts home back in 2018

Watts killed Shannan after she came home from a business trip to Arizona in 2018.

He strangled her in bed and then put her body and their two daughters in his truck and drove to isolated oil storage tanks owned by Anadarko Petroleum, where he worked.

He buried his wife in a shallow grave and then smothered his two daughters and placed their bodies inside the storage tanks.

For two days Watts claimed that he had nothing to do with his family's disappearance and even appeared on television to plead for them to come home.

After his arrest he initially claimed that Shanann had killed the girls after he had told her he wanted a separation, and then he had strangled her in anger.

At his trial, he pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, which has since been abolished in Colorado.

He is serving five life sentences plus 48 years in prison without the possibility of parole at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin.
Rwanda's state airline turned down an offer from the UK Government to operate removals flights for migrants as part of the new asylum deal.

The east African nation's flag carrier, RwandAir, was approached by British ministers last year to operate flights carrying irregular migrants from the UK.

But the airline, which is wholly-owned by the Rwandan government, declined to take part because of potential damage to their 'brand'.

However, their refusal - first reported by the Financial Times - is not believed to have caused any damage to the scheme's implementation.

It is understood the Home Office is poised to announce details of the removals flights - involving more than one operator - when new asylum legislation completes its passage through Parliament.

Rwanda 's state airline RwandAir has turned down an offer from the UK Government to operate removals flights for migrants as part of the new asylum deal

Rishi Sunak welcoming President of Rwanda Paul Kagame outside No 10 during a visit to London yesterday

The Safety of Rwanda Bill, which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak believes will overcome legal obstacles and get flights off the ground, is widely expected to win final approval next week.

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak holds talks with Rwanda's president Paul Kagame in London as PM faces fury over revelation that homes earmarked for UK migrants in the African country have been sold to local buyers

Advertisement

The Ministry of Defence will be a 'close partner' in the Rwanda asylum programme, the Mail can disclose, raising the prospect of migrants being deported aboard military jets.

If agreements with commercial operators fall through unexpectedly the MoD will be on stand-by to fly migrants to Kigali aboard government-owned aircraft, it is thought.

'We cannot be specific at this stage who we are working with but the MoD is a close partner,' a Home Office spokesman said.

'When it comes to removals flights we work with a range of contractors and other partners.

'The MoD is one of the stakeholders when it comes to removals.'

Charter airlines have faced concerted campaigns from Left-wing opponents of the Government's policy.

In 2022 Mallorca-based Privilege Style - originally hired to provide Rwanda flights - pulled out of the deal following pressure from campaigners.

If similar scenarios develop in the run-up to the first Rwanda flights - expected in May or June - the MoD could provide a 'back-stop', it is thought.

The Mail understands the Home Office has been examining using military transports - such as an RAF Airbus Voyager - for at least a year. Pictured: Home Secretary James Cleverly leaving No10

The Mail understands the Home Office has been examining using military transports - such as an RAF Airbus Voyager - for at least a year.

The RAF has a 14-strong fleet of Voyagers in standard configurations which can each carry up to 291 passengers, and are thought to be the most likely option for Rwanda flights.

It also has a fleet of 22 Atlas C1 A400M aircraft which can transport up to 116 passengers.

The RAF's famous fleet of Hercules transport aircraft was retired at the end of June last year.

A source close to Home Secretary James Cleverly told the Mail: 'It's true that operational planning ahead of the final stages of the Rwanda Bill has moved into a new phase.

'The Home Secretary and ministers, alongside officials, are now increasingly focused on the practical details of putting all aspects of the scheme into operation as quickly as possible.'

The Rwanda programme has been in limbo since June 2022 when a flight was cancelled at the 11th-hour after a late night challenge at the European Court of Human Rights.

Strasbourg judges have now tightened the rules on so-called 'pyjama injunctions'.

The scheme will see illegal migrants sent from Britain to claim asylum under Rwandan law, in a bid to deter Channel small boat crossings.

A Government spokesman said: 'We have robust operational plans in place for flights following discussions with a range of commercial companies, and departments are working across Whitehall towards ensuring the first flights leave for Rwanda as soon as possible.'
A vintage car tragically rolled into a California lake as the owner was setting up for a photoshoot of the restored classic.

A Canyon Lake resident parked his maroon 1939 Packard on the Eastport boat ramp Tuesday morning as he set up to take pictures, reported the Canyon Lake Insider. But, it took a tragic turn when the car didn't stay put.

Photos from the scene show rescue teams hooking the crimson car up to a tow truck and pulling it out of the lake with palm trees in the background.

Crowds from the private gated community gather to watch the submerged beauty be pulled from the lake.

The car's heartbroken owner, who has not been identified, showed up around 8:20 a.m. and Canyon Lake Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse said, 'he was very emotional, it was like his baby.'

A Canyon Lake resident parked his maroon 1939 Packard on the Eastport boat ramp Tuesday morning as he set up to take pictures when it rolled into the water

Authorities initiated a water rescue because they were unsure if there was a driver inside the car

The car's owner showed up around 8:20 a.m. and Canyon Lake Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse said, 'he was very emotional, it was like his baby'

Canyon Lake fire crews responded to the scene just before 8 a.m. and discovered the submerged vehicle.

Authorities initiated a water rescue because they were unsure if there was a driver inside the car, but the owner confirmed it was empty.

'Your Canyon Lake Firefighters, with assistance from Riverside County/CAL Fire and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Dive Team, responded to a submerged vehicle in Canyon Lake this morning,' the fire department said on Facebook.

'Fortunately, there were no occupants in the vehicle and the only loss was to this amazing 1939 Packard.'

Teri Cherry, who was playing at the Canyon Lake pickleball courts when the incident happened, shared a video of car submerged on Facebook.

'A little excitement on the Canyon lake Pickleball courts today! This beautiful classic at the bottom! What the heck,' Cherry said.

Pedro Gonzalez, the automotive curator at Carey's Fine Automobiles in San Bernardino, told The Press-Enterprise the cars value was between $25,000 to $40,000

Pedro Gonzalez, the automotive curator at Carey's Fine Automobiles in San Bernardino, told The Press-Enterprise the car's value was between $25,000 to $40,000.

'You have a mini heart attack. Definitely a pride and joy,' said Gonzalez.

It is unknown what caused the vehicle to roll into the water, but Gonzales said most cars from the 1930s have pull-handle parking breaks.

Gonzalez noted the vintage car would be difficult to restore after being saturated with water.
Anell Medrano pleaded not guilty to one count of assault with a deadly weapon, with a special allegation of a hate crime at his arraignment last week, according to the DAs office. Mark Wineman/Getty Images

A man has been charged with a hate crime for a racially motivated attack of an Asian person in San Franciscos Polk Gulch neighborhood last month, the district attorneys office said Tuesday.

Anell Medrano pleaded not guilty to one count of assault with a deadly weapon, with a special allegation of a hate crime, at his arraignment last week, according to the DAs office. Medrano, 35, is being held in San Francisco County Jail on a $62,500 bond, jail records showed.

According to jail records, Medrano was also arrested on suspicion of possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia and an unspecified misdemeanor warrant.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

During the assault, which occurred on March 28 near Polk and Vallejo streets, Medrano made racial statements toward the victim and the attack was partly motivated by racial animus, according to the DAs office. Prosecutors did not provide additional information regarding the assault.

In an interview with Sky Link TV, a Bay Area TV station that offers reporting in Cantonese, two people who said they were victims of Medrano described the assault.

All of a sudden, the person threw a stone at us, a person identified as Kifer Hu said. When we turned around and looked over, we saw the suspect. Then he kept scolding us. He said hate Chinese. Thats what we heard.

Another person, who identified himself as Marcus, had a scratch around his eye. I could have been seriously injured, Marcus said. But its just a skin injury. If I hadnt ducked in time, my eyes could have been hurt, too.

The DAs office said it was seeking to detain Medrano until his trial. His next court date is scheduled for April 15 for a preliminary hearing and a hearing regarding the DAs motion to detain him.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Anti-Asian hate crimes are unacceptable. and these baseless attacks have absolutely no place on our streets in San Francisco, said a statement by District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. Hate crimes shake our communities and have reverberating effects felt in neighborhoods across the City. My office stays committed to prosecuting hate crimes against all races, religions and groups when we have the evidence necessary to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Although hate crimes against Asians and Asian Americans have fallen since hitting a peak in 2021, members of the AAPI community gathered at San Francisco City Hall in February said they still felt unsafe. The gathering preceded a hearing on the state of crime and violence targeting Asian American seniors, the Chronicle reported.

In 2023, San Francisco police investigated 14 incidents they believed merited anti-Asian hate crime charges, Sgt. Jamie Hyun, an officer in the departments special investigations division, said at the hearing. There were six such incidents in 2022, 60 in 2021 and 10 in 2020, the Chronicle reported.

Ko Lyn Cheang contributed to this report.
The racist police officer who shot a black man in the mouth during a torture session with his 'Goon Squad' colleagues has had his jail term more than doubled as all six were sentenced on state charges today.

The rogue collective subjected Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker to nearly two hours of beating, waterboarding, sexual assault and electrocution after bursting into a Mississippi home in January 2023.

The group had already been sentenced to between 10 and 40 years on federal charges and four of them saw their jail time increase today, including Deputy Hunter Elward who will now serve 45 years instead of 20.

Jenkins, who was shot in the mouth by Elward, 31, said the officers had 'tried to take my manhood from me'.

'They did some unimaginable things to me and the effects will last on my life forever,' he added.

Hunter Elward, a former Rankin County Sheriff's Deputy was handed a 45 year sentence to run concurrently with his 20-year federal sentence after shooting Michael Jenkins in the mouth during a botched mock execution

Michael Corey Jenkins, left, and Eddie Terrell Parker, foreground, were in court on Wednesday

Former Rankin County Sheriff's Deputy Daniel Opdyke looked at his family after having his prison time increased from 17.5 to 20 years

The officers, five of whom worked for the Rankin County sheriff's office smashed their way into a home in Braxton without a warrant after a neighbor complained that two black men were staying there with a white woman and acting 'suspiciously'.

At least three of them were members of a self-styled 'Goon Squad', committed to using excessive force against members of the public.

An earlier hearing was told that Officer Jeffrey Middleton branded Rankin County Sheriff's Department emblems with the words 'Goon Squad', a Confederate flag and a noose.

Elward who had previously been accused of beating a mentally ill black man to death in 2021, shot Jenkins in a 'mock execution' after putting a gun in his mouth.

With their victim bleeding on the ground the officers devised a coverup that included planting drugs and a gun.

The Rankin County Sheriff's Department then supported the deputies' false charges, which stood against Jenkins and Parker for months.

'Me and Eddie in this event were called racist names. We were called n***er, we were called monkey, we were called boy, and we were accused of dating white women,' Jenkins said ahead of sentencing in a statement read by his attorney.

'After Hunter Elward shot me, they left me to die bleeding on the floor. And they tried to set me up to be in prison.

'Your honor, they killed me. I just didn't die.'

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

Members of the Rankin County 'Goon Squad' of law enforcement officers carried a coin to show that they were part of the sick group. Pictured: Lt Middleton's coin

Michael Corey Jenkins in hospital after being shot in the mouth during the assault

Each of the former officers, who were shackled and dressed in prison garb, took their turn in front Circuit Court Judge Steve Ratcliff on Wednesday at a courthouse in Brandon across the street from a Confederate monument.

Each of the men admitted charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice.

Christian Dedmon, 29, was also charged with home invasion, and Elward was also charged with home invasion and aggravated assault.

Brett McAlpin, 53, Middleton, 46, Daniel Opdyke, 28, and Joshua Hartfield, 32, all faced an additional charge of first-degree obstruction of justice.

Their two victims have filed a $400 million federal lawsuit, and the Rankin County NAACP said the officers' behavior threw other convictions into doubt.

'This chapter of the book has been written, but the book is not finished, said President Angela English on Wednesday.

'We have spoken with the Department of Justice. We have reiterated that we want a clean sweep.

'We want them to go throughout the Rankin County Sheriff's Department and we want them to clean house.

'We want them to go into the jails and reopen all of these cases that these lawless officers have created.'

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said the case had jeopardized community relations and confidence in law enforcement.

'The actions of these six men did grave harm to these two victims, Michael Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, and violated the trust of all the citizens they swore to protect,' she said after the sentencing.

'These former officers also violated the trust of the other men and women who honorably wear the uniform - every one of whom will feel the repercussions of the mistrust they sowed between law enforcement and the people.

'These criminal acts make a difficult job even harder and far more dangerous. And it is left to us all to commit ourselves to repairing that damage.'
Puberty blocker prescriptions for children should be immediately halted in Scotland in the wake of the devastating Cass review, an MP has demanded.

A report published yesterday found children have been let down by a lack of research and remarkably weak evidence in gender care.

The Cass review found the quality of evidence on whether puberty blockers are beneficial for youngsters was poor.

Nationalist MP Joanna Cherry is now leading calls for the drugs to be removed from use in Scotland.

The report by Dr Hilary Cass said the use of the hormone drugs in trans children is traced back to a single Dutch study that found they may improve mental health, and the practice spread at pace without further scrutiny.

SNP MP Joanna Cherry has called on the Scottish Government to stop proscribing puberty blockers to children with gender dysphoria

Children as young as nine are being prescribed puberty blockers by paediatric endocrinologists at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, after being referred by the national youth gender clinic at the Sandyford.

Puberty blockers have been halted by the NHS in England except in research trials.

They are prescribed to children as young as nine at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, after being referred by the Sandyford national youth gender clinic.

Last year, the Scottish Government asked Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) to review evidence on the drugs.

They are licensed to delay early-onset puberty but are prescribed off label to children with gender dysphoria to give them time to think about if they want to transition. HIS did not make any recommendation.

Ms Cherry has written to Scotlands chief medical officer calling for the use of puberty blockers to end.

She said: The prescription of puberty blockers places gender-questioning children on a medicalised pathway which has life-long implications.

Services for children must be urgently redesigned and puberty blockers removed from use.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader, Meghan Gallacher, has written to the First Minister Humza Yousaf, asking him to publish all the evidence it has on puberty blocker safety

Scottish Tory deputy leader Meghan Gallacher has written to the First Minister, asking him to publish all the evidence on puberty blocker safety.

She said: I hope the First Minister will immediately pause the use of puberty blockers.

Scottish Labour health spokesman Jackie Baillie said: Treatment options must be based on evidence-based clinical research.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: The Cass reviews final report and findings will be closely considered.

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which runs the Sandyford and the paediatric endocrinology gender clinic, said: We are working with the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland to consider the review.
The brother of a business student who died from inhaling up to three big bottles of 'hippy crack' nitrous oxide has paid tribute to his 'kind and deeply caring sister'.

Ellen Mercer, 24, from Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, died in hospital on February 9 last year after suddenly becoming unwell.

Senior coroner Heidi Connor told the inquest that 'part of her cause of death' related to 'nitrous oxide gas', also known as laughing gas.

The inquest heard that a post-mortem report found Ms Mercer's death to have been caused by bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, and 'long-term complications of nitrous oxide use'.

The examination report found that 'large blood clots' which formed in Ms Mercer's legs moved to the arteries in her lungs, eventually causing a 'sudden cardio respiratory collapse.'

Ms Mercer's brother, Joe, 27, told the Daily Mail: 'She was incredibly energetic, a million miles an hour on anything she was passionate about. She was kind, caring and deeply thoughtful for people.

'She kind of filtered between a lot of different interests but the primary focus of a lot of them was art, in any form.

Business student Ellen Mercer, 24, from Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, died in hospital on February 9 last year after suddenly becoming unwell

Coroner Heidi Connor listed 'long term complications due to nitrous oxide abuse' among the causes of Ms Mercer's (pictured) death

Ms Mercer's brother, Joe, 27, who is an entrepreneur, said his sister was bubbly and incredibly positive

'Whether that was drama or singing or writing or drawing, she tried her hand at all of them to varying degrees of success.

'At her core, she was a very bubbly, energetic person. She was incredibly positive. Whilst drugs were involved in the situation... I think really what we are looking at here is a mental health case that didn't receive as much attention as it should have.

'People with bipolar have addictive personalities and drugs are a addictive substances - the two will go hand in hand.

'In school, she really enjoyed cross country. I remember you'd constantly go to talk to her on the phone all you could here was 'stomp stomp stomp' because she was just gunning somewhere.

'My mum is devastated. My father passed away years ago - at least he didn't see this happen.'

The inquest heard Ms Mercer required urgent medical care several times in the months leading up to her death, including on February 5 when she called the ambulance service saying she was 'unable to get up' and felt 'pain in both legs and lower back.'

At the inquiry today, it was revealed that she had told her boyfriend not to call an ambulance because it 'kills her buzz' after she started feeling pain in her leg and back, The Sun reports.

Medics who tried to save her found there were 'features of neurological compromise' with later tests finding that laughing gas, used by youngsters at parties, had caused serious circulation and breathing problems.

Michaela Kirtley, an emergency medical technician from Phoenix Response Services, a contractor that worked for South Central Ambulance Service, attended Ms Mercer's home on February 8.

Bottles of Fast Gas Litter the streets after Notting Hill Carnival

When she arrived at the scene, she was shown to the bedroom by Ms Mercer's boyfriend.

'I took notice of the room,' she said.

'There were no sheets on the bed at all. There was just the duvet, severely stained. The room was bare.'

She said the scene made it clear to her that she was dealing with a 'vulnerable person'.

She said Ms Mercer 'was talking as normal', and the only one of her vital signs that was outside the normal range was her heart rate, which could have been due to anxiety.

Ms Mercer told her that she had burned her legs after spilling a gas canister on them and that she had been unable to walk or go to the toilet for two weeks, she said.

She said the 24-year-old looked six months pregnant.

She checked the wounds on Ms Mercer's legs, which she described as 'pussy'.

Ms Mercer's boyfriend showed her a box of gas canisters, which she identified as nitrous oxide.

'I had never seen such big bottles,' she said.

She told the inquest that the canisters were 600g and that Ms Mercer's boyfriend said she took 'two to three bottles' per day, but had slowed down in the last couple of weeks.

Her boyfriend reportedly said she 'shouted at him' because she wanted to continue her high, when he was asked why he did not call an ambulance.

At the opening of Ms Mercer's inquest in February, Berkshire coroner Hannah Godfrey said that the student 'had a history of nitrous oxide abuse'.

Laughing gas canisters discarded by the side of a road near Ebbsfleet, Kent

Ms Mercer was described by her family as a 'truly beautiful soul' who was 'missed by everyone lucky enough to have met her'.

Her mother Sharon Cook, 54, said on social media: 'I miss you so much my darling girl. Hope you're being well looked after by dad and grandma. I wasn't ready for you to leave me.'

At the time of Ms Mercer's death, hippy crack - also referred to as nitrous oxide - was not classified as illegal. It only became a Class C listed substance in November last year.

Repeat offenders of nitrous oxide will now risk prison with dealers facing up to 14 years in jail.

Users face an unlimited fine, community service, a caution  which would appear on their criminal record  or a possible two-year sentence for serious habitual users.

Nitrous oxide is the second most commonly used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds in England after cannabis, and has been blamed for fuelling littering and anti-social behaviour.

Last summer, at Notting Hill Carnival it was reported that there were 13 tonnes of cannisters containing the drug collected after the festival.

Inhaling the gas brings about short-term feelings of lightheadedness, fits of giggles and hallucinations.

Heavy, regular abuse, however, risks significant health risks including anaemia and in more severe cases, nerve damage or paralysis.

It has been identified as having potentially fatal consequences on the UK's roads from incidents of drug driving.

Nitrous oxide, however, does have legitimate uses such as being used on maternity wards during labour. It will still be legal for those purposes.

Licences will not be needed to carry nitrous oxide, but users will be required to demonstrate they are not intending to consume it for psychoactive effects.
More than 1,000 hate crime complaints have been made to police every day on average since Scotlands controversial new law was introduced on April Fools Day.

Only a tiny fraction of the reports swamping police officers on an average day are actionable, with just 3 per cent recorded as crimes.

The vast majority of more than 7,000 complaints made in the Hate Crime Acts first week of operation were made anonymously.

It has fuelled concerns that the floodgates have opened to a surge in vexatious grievances after only 240 were investigated as crimes.

Senior officers had warned activists would seize on the law to pursue their own agendas, targeting public figures such as JK Rowling for their critical views on transgender issues.

Martin Gallagher, an ex-Police Scotland superintendent, said the thousands of wasted calls show the Hate Crime Act appears to be not fit for purpose

First Minister Humza Yousaf is facing fresh pressure to ditch the law after former top judge Lord Hope said it was unworkable for the police - and dismissed it as gesture politics

David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank-and-file officers, has warned the hate crime law is putting unbearable financial strain on the force

Martin Gallagher, a former superintendent with Police Scotland, said: These figures show the Hate Crime Act appears to be not fit for purpose.

The revelations came as Humza Yousaf faced fresh pressure to ditch the law after former top judge Lord Hope said it was unworkable for the police  and dismissed it as gesture politics.

David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, representing rank-and-file officers, said the law was complicated and confusing for members of the public to understand and was causing an avalanche of reports that Police Scotland have to review  with only a handful actually being true hate crimes.

He added: Its a financial disaster in the making and at no time was any financial provision afforded to the service when the law came into force. Mr Kennedy said the amount of police time that is being wasted is not proportionate to the outcome.

Police Scotland  which has vowed to investigate every hate crime report it receives  published figures showing 7,152 complaints were made online between April 1, when the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into force, and April 7.

As well as the more than 7,000 online reports, police dealt with 430 incidents in the first week where a hate crime tag was added, while there were 34 calls to either 101 or 999 relating to a hate crime and 141 emails logged for the same purpose.

Nearly half of all the complaints (3,419) made online came on the day the Act was introduced.

The legislation, masterminded by Mr Yousaf when he was justice secretary, creates an offence of stirring up hatred, which previously applied only to race.

Offences are considered aggravated if they involve prejudice on the basis of age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or variation in sex characteristics.

Some 120 of the crimes reported had a racial aggravator attached, the figures showed, while 42 had an aggravator for sexual orientation, 38 for disability, 21 for both age and religion and eight for transgender identity.

More than one aggravator can be logged per recorded crime.

Of the total number of complaints, 240 were recorded as hate crimes, while 30 were logged as non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs), meaning they did not meet the threshold for a criminal offence.

The force said only 80.5 per cent of officers have undertaken the two-hour training course on the application of the new law.

Two complaints made under the Act stemmed from the Old Firm match on Sunday.

Police Scotland said 46 subject access requests had been made relating to the Act since April 1  allowing members of the public to ask for information held about them by police.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser has threatened to take legal action against Police Scotland upon learning an NCHI had been recorded against him after a trans activist reported him for a tweet criticising the SNP Governments transgender policy.

Ahead of the introduction of the Hate Crime Act, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents said activists could seek to weaponise the legislation to advance their agendas.

The Scottish Tories urged voters to send a message to Mr Yousaf at the general election that they reject his hate crime law.

The partys deputy justice spokesman Sharon Dowey said: These figures highlight the huge toll Humza Yousafs shambolic hate crime law is already having on Scotlands overstretched police force.

Murdo Fraser: Caption: Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser threatened to take legal action after learning his name appeared on a non-crime hate incident report after a complaint from a trans activist

It beggars belief that the SNP have introduced this when one in five officers havent received the paltry two-hour training thats supposed to equip them to enforce the new law.

Humza Yousaf should admit hes got it badly wrong and bin this disastrous law.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: It is important when we look at the number of hate crimes recorded  240  by Police Scotland in one week alone, I think that demonstrates that this legislation is required and needed to protect marginalised and vulnerable communities most at risk of racial hatred and prejudice.

She said she had been given assurances on the high number of officers who have received important training.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: This data highlights the substantial increase in the number of online hate reports being received since April 1.

This significant demand continues to be managed within our contact centres and, so far, the impact on frontline policing, our ability to answer calls and respond to those who need our help in communities across Scotland has been minimal.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday vowed that American support for Israel is 'ironclad' amid concerns the country will be targeted by major missile or drone strikes by Iran.

'As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad. Let me say it again: ironclad. We're going to do all we can to protect Israel security,' Biden said at a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The attack by Iran or its proxies against military and government targets in Israel are imminent, Bloomberg News reported citing intelligence sources, with one source saying it is more a matter of when, not if.

'Our commitment to Israel security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad,' President Biden said

Muslims arrive at Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine to perform the prayer of Eid al-Fitr that marks end of the fasting month of Ramadan, one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar, in Tehran

Tehran warned it would retaliate for an Israeli strike in Syria on April 1st that killed several senior Iranian commanders when Israeli forces hit the Iranian Embassy building in Damascus.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, noted in a speech Wednesday for Eid al-Fitr that attacking an embassy 'means that they have attacked our soil.'

'The evil regime made a mistake and it should be punished and will be punished,' he added, according to IRNA, the state news agency.

Irans main proxy group is Hezbollah, which is based in southern Lebanon and has been trading fire with Israeli forces almost daily since the war in Gaza erupted in October.

Israel has not explicitly acknowledged it was behind that attack on an Iranian embassy but it has put its military on alert

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, noted in a speech Wednesday for Eid al-Fitr that attacking an embassy 'means that they have attacked our soil'

Israel has not explicitly acknowledged it was behind that attack but it has put its military on alert.

And Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz wrote on X: 'If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack in Iran.'

There are fears an open war between Israel and Iran could turn into a much broader conflict.
The Arizona legislature devolved into chaos as Democrats shouted 'shame' and accused Republicans of 'having blood on their hands' after GOP lawmakers blocked attempts to roll back the state's 1864 law banning abortion.

Republicans in both chambers rejected Democrats' attempts in both chambers on Wednesday to advance bills to repeal the 160-year-old Civil War-era law that bans abortion without exceptions for rape and incest.

Democratic Lawmakers could be heard shouting at their Republican colleagues 'protect reproductive freedom' and 'save women's lives' as Republicans began to walk out.

One lawmaker yelled they were 'turning their backs' on the people of Arizona.

Another Senator could be heard stating 'so the message to Arizona that that we are so pro-life in this chamber we are going to kill you?'

The effort came one day after the Arizona Supreme Court released a bombshell decision that Arizona could enforce the 1864 law which effectively bans abortion in the state in all cases except to save the life of the mother.

Both chambers of Arizona's state legislature are controlled by Republicans.

Arizona State Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton speaking on the floor of the Capitol on April 10. She introduced HB2677 which would repeal the state's 1864 abortion law

Protesters in Tucson, AZ after the Arizona Supreme Court revived a law dating back to 1864 that bans abortion without exceptions for rape or incest

In the House, Republicans voted to go to recess without taking up the bill to repeal the 1864 law.

House Democrats slammed Republicans who signaled support for repealing the territorial ban saying they 'chickened out' and voted to adjourn instead.

'The world is watching us, and theyre saying that our legislature would rather uphold a cruel law that strips any person of the control of their body than to enact compassion,' said Democratic Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton.

The state's Supreme Court decision on Tuesday paves the way for Arizona to have one of the strictest abortion laws in the country since Roe v Wade was overturned sending the issue back to states in 2022.

The ruling could have a huge impact on women's health care across the state and sent political shockwaves throughout the country with President Biden and Democrats blasting the decision while some Republicans also claimed it went too far.

Trump speaking in Atlanta on Wednesday said Arizona went too far and claimed it would be 'straightened out' only hours before state Republicans blocked efforts to repeal the 1864 law

Former President Donald Trump was asked by reporters whether Arizona went 'too far' earlier in the day Wednesday during a visit to Atlanta.

'Yeah they did, and it will be straightened out,' Trump said. 'As you know, it's all about states' rights. That will be straightened out.'

He claimed it would be taken back into 'reason' very quickly.

Trump also said he thinks Florida will change after its state Supreme Court paved the way for a six week ban last week, but Trump said 'it's all about the will of the people.'

On Monday, Trump came out with a video statement saying he believes abortion is a state issue and touted the overturning of Roe v Wade.

Democrats blasted him after the Arizona Supreme Court revived the 1864 ban, stating that is what it means for abortion to be a 'states' issue.'

Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs speaking with reporters at the state Capitol in Phoenix on April 9 after the state's Supreme Court decision. She called the ruling 'unconscionable.' She called on the state legislature to immediately repeal the 1864 law and vowed the fight is not over

After the Arizona ruling came down, the state's Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs called on the legislature to immediately repeal the ban.

'The devastating impact this abortion ban will have on womens health is just unconscionable,' she said in a post.

Hobbs issued a statement in response to House Republicans blocking a repeal of the law.

'The extremist Republican majority had the chance to do the right thing for their constituents, and they failed,' she said.

'As they have time and again, radical legislators protected a Civil War-era total abortion ban that jails doctors, strips women of our bodily autonomy and puts our lives at risk,' she added.

The governor insisted she remains committed to repealing the ban.

Vice President Kamala Harris is also headed to Tucson on Friday.

She has been a leading the charge in the Biden administration to advocate for abortion access after the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision ended the federal right to an abortion and returned the issue to states.
JK Rowling has said she won't forgive Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson after slamming celebrities who 'cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights'.

The multi-millionaire author hit out at stars who use their 'platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors' after the release of the long-awaited Cass report into gender treatment in the UK.

The vocal women's rights campaigner said people who supported gender transitioning in children should apologise to 'traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces'.

Rowling has been vocal in her opposition of allowing children to change their gender, while Radcliffe and Watson have been outspoken in their support of the trans community.

It comes after a review, written by leading paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass, found that teenagers in Britain have been allowed to change their gender based on 'remarkably weak evidence'.

In her report Dr Cass warned that there was a 'lack of high-quality research' on the effects of giving children puberty blockers and hormones and said that the toxicity in the debate over the issue has become 'exceptional'.

JK Rowling, pictured in New York at the opening of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child in 2018, has been outspoken in opposition of allowing gender transitioning in children

Her views have seen her publicly clash with Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. Pictured: All four at the premiere for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 in 2010

Following the publication of her report many people who have expressed misgivings over allowing children to transition claimed they have been vindicated, including comedy writer Graham Linehan who lost his career, wife, friends and reputation over his views.

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the report was published, Rowling said it was a 'watershed' moment and that it 'lays bare the tragedy' of allowing children to transition.

When someone claimed that Radcliffe and Watson owe her 'a very public apology... safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them', Rowling responded by saying: 'Not safe, I'm afraid.'

She added: 'Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces.'

In a series of tweets after following the report's publication, Rowling wrote: 'Over the last four years, Hilary Cass has conducted the most robust review of the medical evidence for transitioning children that's ever been conducted. Mere hours after it was released to the press and public, committed ideologues are doubling down.

'These are people who've deemed opponents 'far-right' for wanting to know there are proper checks and balances in place before autistic, gay and abused kids - groups that are all overrepresented at gender clinics - are left sterilised, inorgasmic, lifelong patients.

'I understand that the review's conclusions will have come as a seismic shock to those who've hounded and demonised whistleblowers and smeared opponents as bigots and transphobes, but trying to discredit Hilary Cass's work isn't merely misguided. It's actively malign.

'Even if you don't feel ashamed of cheerleading for what now looks like severe medical malpractice, even if you don't want to accept that you might have been wrong, where's your sense of self-preservation? The bandwagon you hopped on so gladly is hurtling towards a cliff.

'And if I sound angry, it's because I'm bloody angry. I read Cass this morning and my anger's been mounting all day. Kids have been irreversibly harmed, and thousands are complicit, not just medics, but the celebrity mouthpieces, unquestioning media and cynical corporations.

'The consequences of this scandal will play out for decades. You cheered it on. You did all you could to impede and misrepresent research. You tried to bully people out of their jobs for opposing you. Young people have been experimented on, left infertile and in pain.

'I thought the last tweet was going to be my last, but I just burst into tears. The #CassReview may be a watershed moment, but it comes too late for detransitioners who've written me heartbreaking letters of regret. Today's not a triumph, it's the laying bare of a tragedy.'

In a response to someone claiming Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson would be 'safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them' for clashing with her on the topic, the Harry Potter author wrote 'not safe'

The Harry Potter author responded on X, formerly known as Twitter, to the publication of the Cass review on gender treatment

The report by Dr Cass, which was commissioned nearly four years ago, made a series of recommendations to overhaul NHS trans services to improve the care that children receive.

She found that there is a 'lack of high-quality research' on the effects of giving children puberty blockers and hormones, and recommended that NHS England establish its own research programme.

The report also called for the creation a separate service for those wanting to 'de-transition', where a gender transition is stopped or reversed, and recommended a 'follow-through service' for 17 to 25-year-olds to protect teenagers 'falling off a cliff edge' in care when they hit 17.

Dr Cass warned that her review had been hampered by how polarised the debate on trans care for children has become. She said medical professionals had been left '[too] afraid to openly discuss their views'.

The report found those who socially transition at an earlier age or before seeing a medical professional were 'more likely to proceed to a medical pathway'.

She said 'the importance of what happens in school' cannot be over-estimated and said parents must not be excluded from conversations over their children's welfare.

Unregulated private clinics were singled out for some of Dr Cass's toughest criticism as she echoed GPs' warnings over prescriptions issued by services based abroad.

The review said family doctors had 'expressed concern about being pressurised to prescribe hormones after these have been initiated by private providers'.

Retired consultant paediatrician Dr Cass speaking about the publication of the Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People, April 9

Dr Cass said: 'Despite the best intentions of everyone with a stake in this complex issue, the toxicity of the debate is exceptional' (Stock Image)

After the publication of the interim Cass review in 2022, the Tavistock transgender clinic announced it would close down after it was considered unsafe for children

Radcliffe, who played the titular character in Rowling's hit Harry Potter series, has spoken out in the past to say adults are 'condescending' for expressing misgivings over gender transitioning in children.

Speaking in at a roundtable with six trans and non-binary children organised by LGBTQ suicide prevention charity The Trevor Project in 2023, the actor said: 'there are also people who also have a slightly condescending but well-meaning attitude of, 'people are young... and it is a huge decision.'

He asked the group of trans youths: 'I would love to hear from all of you about why we can trust kids to tell us who they are.'

READ MORE Which Harry Potter stars have backed JK Rowling - and who has spoken out against the author amid transgender controversy? Advertisement

He added that there are 'some people in the world who are not trying to engage in this conversation in any kind of good faith'.

Radcliffe said: 'I think a lot of the time it's just because people don't know a young trans person so there's just this theoretical idea about this in their head.'

The November before he had fired a thinly-veiled shot at Rowling by claiming young, queer and transgender fans of the franchise were upset by her stance.

His comments were a barbed reference to Miss Rowling's tweets from June 2020 in which she ridiculed an article's description of women as 'people who menstruate'.

Responding to the online article's headline, the Harry Potter creator then tweeted: 'I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?'

In response at the time, Radcliffe hit out at the author, saying: 'To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you'.

Daniel Radcliffe has previously called adults 'condescending' for expressing concerns over children transitioning. Pictured: The Harry Potter actor in New York on March 28, this year

Emma Watson has also spoke out in the past in opposition to JK Rowling's views on trans people. Pictured: Watson at the Soho House Awards in New York in September last year

Referencing Ms Rowling's comments, Radcliffe - who at the time stated 'transgender women are women' - said that he wanted to let members of the LGBT+ community know 'not everybody in the franchise felt that way'.

He added: 'The reason I felt very, very much as though I needed to say something when I did was because, particularly since finishing Potter, I've met so many queer and trans kids and young people who had a huge amount of identification with Potter on that.

'And so seeing them hurt on that day I was like, I wanted them to know that not everybody in the franchise felt that way. And that was really important.'

Meanwhile Watson, who became famous after playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, has previously spoken out on the trans debate.

Ms Watson wrote: 'Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are.

'I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.'

Their fellow co-star Rupert Grint has also previously spoken up, telling The Times in 2020: 'I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers.

'Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgement.'

In March the following year, he explained his decision to voice his opposition to Ms Rowling's comments saying that while he has 'huge respect' for the author, he can still disagree with her views.

Speaking to Esquire, he added: 'I am hugely grateful [for] everything that she's done. I think that she's extremely talented, and I mean, clearly, her works are genius.'

Elaborating on his reasoning, he went on: 'But yeah, I think also you can have huge respect for someone and still disagree with things like that...

'Sometimes silence is even louder. I felt like I had to because I think it was important to. I mean, I don't want to talk about all that Generally, I'm not an authority on the subject.

'Just out of kindness, and just respecting people. I think it's a valuable group that I think needs standing up for.'

MailOnline has contacted JK Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson for comment.
The nationwide ban on wood-burning stoves in new-build homes is disproportionate and should be scrapped, a former Green MSP has said.

Andy Wightman yesterday condemned the ban, introduced by SNP and Green ministers earlier this month, and raised concerns about the impact on rural areas.

The former Lothian MSP said wood-burning stoves can provide a renewable low-carbon source of heating.

It puts him at odds with Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie, the minister for zero carbon buildings, who is responsible for the new building standards and has strongly defended the changes.

Mr Wightman told BBC Good Morning Scotland that measures are required to reach net zero and that standards of insulation and other technology in new-builds need to be raised.

The Scottish Government is coming under growing pressure to scrap its plans to ban wood burning stoves, often used as a back-up heat source by many in rural communities

Former Green MSP Andy Wightman is against a complete ban on stoves and says wood as a fuel is renewable and low-carbon

But he added: The problem I have with it is, not so long ago, wood was regarded as a renewable low-carbon source of heat and my view is it still has a place, albeit a limited place, especially in rural Scotland, in parts of the forestry, where it is a very effective source of heat.

To have an outright ban on all direct emission heating systems seems to be disproportionate in relationship to the benefits that wood can bring.

He added: Tighten up the circumstances in which it is permitted, fine, absolutely. But not a complete ban.

Because youre going to find people who are building a house, maybe supplying their own wood from their own forest, and theres lorries going by their door every day with biomass wood off to some remote plant for burning, and that just doesnt feel right.

New building standards which came into force on April 1 banned bioenergy heating systems, including wood-burning stoves.

But there was also confusion over the policy, as the Government said they could still be installed in new-build properties as an emergency heating supply.

Nationalist MSP Kate Forbes, who narrowly lost the SNP leadership contest to Humza Yousaf last year, has also said wood-burning stoves are essential for some in rural Scotland.

Donna Smith, chief executive of the Scottish Crofting Federation, called for urgent clarification on what emergency heating means.

She said: Having a wood-burning stove not only provides heat but for some provides a method for cooking.

I understand maybe why this decision makes sense in a city but there is no rural-proofing as far as we can see at all in this policy.

Scottish Conservative net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: This draconian ban is just the latest example of the SNP-Greens ignorance of, and contempt for, rural Scotland.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: There is no ban on wood-burning stoves.

They can still be installed in new homes to provide emergency heating where required. This recognises the unique needs of Scotlands rural communities.
The father of Missouri schoolgirl Kaylee Gain says he and his wife went through the 16-year-old's phone to try to see what happened in the lead-up to a vicious school fight that left her fighting for her life.

Kaylee, 16, from St. Louis, was initially left in a life-threatening condition by Maurnice DeClue, 15, who repeatedly smashed her head into concrete during a violent altercation.

'They both agreed to the fight, to meet up and settle what was going on,' Gain told the New York Post, adding that Kaylee and DeClue had been insulting each other for weeks ahead of the fight.

Kaylee suffered a skull fracture and frontal lobe damage during the violent March 8 brawl that was caught on camera near her high school, but has since been released from the intensive care unit.

Now, her father is speaking out after being able to view text messages his daughter sent ahead of the brutal beating with Jamie Gain, Kaylee's stepmother.

The father of Missouri schoolgirl Kaylee Gain says he and his wife went through the 16-year-old's phone to try and see what happened in the lead up to a vicious school fight that left her fighting for her life

Kaylee, 16, from St. Louis, was initially left in a life-threatening condition by Maurnice DeClue, 15, who repeatedly smashed her head into concrete during a violent altercation

An inciting incident saw Kaylee getting suspended from school after fighting a friend of DeClue.

The girls continued to text hateful messages and threats to one another before setting up the confrontation, which took place about a mile from Hazelwood East High School near St. Louis where they took classes.

Gain also told the Post that the two girls were equally cruel to each other and refused suggestions that Kaylee had bullied the 15-year-old.

He also detailed his daughter's recovery process, saying, 'Some days are better than others.'

'Some days, she will laugh a little bit. Other days, she'll be quiet,' he says, adding that Kaylee still cannot walk on her own and is often wobbly.

'She'll ask us why she is there in the hospital,' Clinton Gain said. 'She doesn't remember the fight or a few days before it. We told her what happened, but not too much.'

Kaylee still recognizes her father and acknowledges him when he greets her.

Kaylee, 16, suffered a skull fracture and frontal lobe damage during the violent March 8 brawl which was caught on camera near her high school

DeClue's parents reportedly told local media that she 'wants to apologize' to Kaylee, ahead of a court hearing on Monday

'It's been really hard. It's very slow. When she gets out of the hospital, she's going to live with me, it's already been decided. She needs that stability and structure again,' he added.

Video of the incident circulated on social media showing DeClue 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.

A lawyer for her family previously revealed that Kaylee has been able to engage in 'limited verbal conversations' and has gone on a few short walks with the assistance of hospital staff.

Kaylee's parents have slammed their daughter's accused attacker, DeClue, who is in custody, and demand that she is tried as an adult.

DeClue's parents reportedly told local media last week that she 'wants to apologize' to Kaylee, ahead of a court hearing on Monday.

They have been visiting DeClue while she remains in juvenile custody and claim police have complied messages on social media that allegedly include threats toward the teen.

Clinton Gain, 41, said that Kaylee and DeClue had been insulting each other for weeks ahead of the fight

A lawyer for her family revealed that Kaylee has been able to engage in 'limited verbal conversations' and has gone on a few short walks with the assistance of hospital staff

Kaylee's family's said that they were 'encouraged' after DeClue's parents said she wished to apologize for her actions.

'While these statements do not change the family's position that it is appropriate for the accused to be tried as an adult, it is encouraging that the accused appears to be remorseful for what transpired during these unfortunate events,' he added.

'The family is thankful that the accused apparently did not post these entirely distasteful messages.

'This does not, however, change the fact that the family firmly believes that there is more than sufficient evidence for the accused to be tried as an adult.'

DailyMail.com revealed DeClue's family said 'cruel' people have managed to get their fundraiser for legal fees taken down and that the 15-year-old is the real victim.

Officials set a date for DeClue's certification hearing on May 10, which will rule if she is tried as an adult for the first-degree felony assault charges.

Both sets of parents attended DeClue's initial hearing, with the judge advising DeClue's parents Ronald, who attended court in a wheelchair, and Conseula that they have a right to a lawyer as well as their daughter.

Both declined to comment when approached by DailyMail.com, but DeClue's lawyer Gregory Smith added she was 'doing well' despite being in detention.

Gwendolyn, the aunt of DeClue, said that 'cruel' people have managed to get their fundraiser for legal fees taken down and that the 15-year-old is the real victim

'She's a smart girl' Smith said. 'We're doing what we can to protect her from it, but she has a good understanding of the law.'

Judge Dodson ordered both families to be escorted out of the courtroom separately - which he said was a usual practice in his courtroom. A pre-trial management hearing will also take place on May 1, nine days before the certification hearing.

The family of DeClue, who confirmed her name publicly in a statement to 'address the misconceptions' around her arrest, launched a fundraiser to raise $150,000 to assist with her legal fees after she was charged with felony assault.

A GoFundMe was removed from the site for breaching their terms and conditions, but DeClue's aunt Gwendolyn now claims that their CashApp has also been removed over reports of a 'scam.'

Posting on social media, she said: 'People can be so cruel and they have worked really hard and succeeded to get the CashApp taken down as of this morning.

'Some are saying it was a scam. It wasn't a scam it was legit. If you would like to help in my niece legal support please reach out to us. Your help is truly appreciated.'

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 against the case, as her family claim that they have been targeted with 'racist death threats.'

Gain said that the two girls were equally cruel to each other and refused suggestions that Kaylee had bullied the 15-year-old

Kaylee's family (her mother pictured here) were 'encouraged' after DeClue's parents said she wished to apologize for her actions ahead of her court hearing on Monday

DeClue's relatives say she 'deserves amnesty and a chance at forgiveness,' adding that her 'fair trial hearing is being swayed.'

However, Kaylee's family have hit back at these claims - saying they are attempts to 'downplay' the accused's actions by suggesting that by being in the choir and 'multilingual' makes her incapable of committing the violent act.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, the aunt of DeClue, claimed she was an honor roll student at Hazelwood East High School with an exemplary record and was 'defending herself' during the fight with Kaylee.

They have been visiting DeClue while she remains in juvenile custody and claim police have complied messages on social media which allegedly include threats towards the teen.

Her relatives created a Change.org petition, calling on the St Louis Juvenile Court to show 'compassion' to the schoolgirl, DailyMail.com previously revealed.

Missouri AG 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.

A Change.org petition calls on the St Louis Juvenile Court to show 'compassion' to the schoolgirl.

The plea 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.'

'Some days she will laugh a little bit, other days she'll be quiet,' Gain says, adding that Kaylee still cannot walk on her own and is often wobbly

The girls continued to text hateful messages and threats to one another before setting up the confrontation, which took place about a mile from Hazelwood East High School near St. Louis where they took classes

The petition is addressed to Chief Juvenile Officer Rick Gaines, and needs 500 signatures to escalate the issue to his office.

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.

Kaylee's family say want 'justice through the legal system' - but pleaded with other teenagers not to retaliate against her alleged attacker.
Rishi Sunak could face a Cabinet revolt if he lays plans for Britain to quit Europe's human rights convention, it has been claimed.

At least 12 Cabinet ministers would oppose leaving the treaty and the Strasbourg court, according to a new analysis.

The dozen sceptics include Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, Home Secretary James Cleverly, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, the Times reported.

It could set the Conservative party on a self-destructive course if Mr Sunak decides to promise changes to Britain's membership of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The PM last week appeared to shift his position when he said 'border security and making sure that we can control illegal migration is more important than membership of a foreign court'.

Rishi Sunak could face a Cabinet revolt if he lays plans for Britain to quit Europe's human rights convention

At least 12 Cabinet ministers would oppose leaving the treaty, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, it has been reported (pictured)

Whitehall insiders believe Mr Sunak's remarks indicate he is minded to pledge reform in the party's election manifesto. But division within Tory ranks means it is unlikely the PM will opt for a rigid promise to exit the convention, it is believed.

He could instead promise voters that Britain's membership will be reviewed if further policies end up being blocked by human rights laws in the same way as the Rwanda asylum scheme.

Apart from the PM, there are 22 members of the Cabinet with a further nine ministers also attending.

READ MORE: Rishi Sunak backs Joe Biden's call for Israeli ceasefire in Gaza to allow aid to enter for up to two months Advertisement

Lawyer Mr Chalk, who is also Lord Chancellor, has previously said he 'very much supports' the ECHR and has not changed his views, sources told the Mail last night.

Home Secretary Mr Cleverly is understood to have a 'practical objection' to leaving the treaty - because it would risk damaging joint work with other countries - rather than ruling it out on ideological grounds.

Mr Heaton-Harris is understood to be concerned about possible implications for the Good Friday Agreement. 'Chris thinks there are problems with how ECHR and things related to it are being interpreted but it is fundamental to the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and the UK government's legacy act,' a source close to the Northern Ireland Secretary told the Times.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat at last year's Tory party conference said he was 'always happy to listen to ideas', but added that he would need to know what would replace the ECHR to avoid the collapse of the Good Friday Agreement and other treaties.

A government source said Mr Hunt took a similar position. 'He's a pragmatist. He'd agree with Tugendhat. He'd want to know the answers to those questions,' the source told the Times.

Other top ministers believed to oppose leaving the ECHR include Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, a former barrister.

The Government's senior law officer, Attorney General Victoria Prentis, is also widely believed to oppose such a move.

Home Secretary James Cleverly, pictured, is also said to oppose leaving the treaty

It could set the Conservative party on a self-destructive course if Mr Sunak decides to go ahead with the changes. Pictured is the European Court of Human Rights

Those in favour of - or open to - leaving the ECHR are thought to include Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, Communities Secretary Michael Gove, Environment Secretary Steve Barclay and Welsh Secretary David TC Davies.

Any plan to leave the ECHR would face stiff opposition from moderate Tory MPs, who form a far larger group than Right-wingers in the parliamentary party.

The One Nation group has already flexed its muscles against the Government's legal reforms linked with the Rwanda scheme.

A source said they would even move to stop Mr Sunak making promises in the election manifesto.

Former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland, a leading member of the One Nation group, said proposing to leave the ECHR would be 'disastrous for the Conservative party'.

A Government source told the Mail: 'All Conservatives are united in wanting our borders secured, unlike Labour who don't have a plan and are led by Mr Immigration Loophole.

'We are every possible step to keep our country safe and stop people from coming here illegally.

'The Rwanda bill must be passed in order to get the flights up and running and we have every confidence it is in line with international law.

'But if a foreign court tries to block flights it will be very clear to all the court is the problem not the UK government.' It came as a new survey by polling company Savanta showed 49 per cent of Conservative voters think the UK should no longer be a member of the ECHR.

By contrast, 52 per cent of the public as a whole believe the UK should remain in the treaty.
Richard Lyons will be the 12th chancellor of UC Berkeley, taking over for Carol Christ on July 1, the University of California announced Wednesday. Leah Millis/The Chronicle Richard Lyons inherits a troubled financial landscape at UC Berkeley, which projects a $79 million central budget deficit next year due to cost increases exceeding growth in tuition and state support. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

UC Berkeley, which faces a massive budget gap, is getting a new chancellor with economic chops.

The University of California announced Wednesday that it has chosen Richard Lyons, its chief innovation officer and former dean of the Haas School of Business, as the 12th chancellor of UC Berkeley, following a six-month search.

Lyons, 63, an economist who has been a professor of economics and finance at the Haas School since 1993, will take over the top job from Chancellor Carol Christ on July 1, UC President Michael Drake said at UCLA, where regents met in committees.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

This is a wonderful moment for the University of California and UC Berkeley in particular, said Drake, who called Lyons an innovator with a deep understanding of the landscape of California and UC Berkeley.

Lyons, who served as dean of Haas from 2008 to 2018 and speaks with a hint of fiscal jargon, won praise Wednesday as an epic fundraiser with the kind of financial expertise needed at UC Berkeley, which, like several other UC campuses, is projecting a deep budget deficit.

You bring a financial acumen and creativity that will be required to finance UC Berkeleys future, said Jo Mackness, an adviser to the regents who worked with Lyons as chief strategy officer at Haas.

Lyons said he was humbled and thrilled by the appointment, and said his priorities will be improving the universitys economics while supporting its public values and research endeavors.

Lyons earned his doctorate at MIT and spent time in New York at Goldman Sachs and as a professor at Columbia Universitys business school. But he has spent much of his career at UC Berkeley and is a member of the Class of 1982. This place has literally transformed my life, he told the regents.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Richard Lyons, the former dean of the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, has been named the 12th chancellor of UC Berkeley. He is currently the universitys chief innovation officer. Keegan Houser/UC Berkeley

One of the worlds most selective public universities, Berkeley admits just 11% of applicants. About 72% of its 45,000 students are undergraduates. The campus has a $3.6 billion budget and a $7 billion endowment.

Yet, Lyons will inherit a troubled financial landscape. The campus is projecting a $79 million central budget deficit next year, blaming the gap largely on UC-required salary increases and rising costs, which exceed tuition and state support. Unless the school can secure more revenue or cut its projected spending, the shortfall would exhaust central reserves by the end of next year, said Roqua Montez, a campus spokesperson.

Lyons said Wednesday that he will not only increase fundraising from philanthropists but also reach out to venture capitalists and other nontraditional funders of public universities.

How does Berkeley participate more in the economic partnerships it creates? he said, noting that there are eight external funds that could be maximized and represent at least $100 million over the next 10 years  and its largely unrestricted funds. That changes the game.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

How Lyons tackles UC Berkeleys money woes and its struggles to house its students will help define the new chancellors tenure; UC Berkeley has the lowest housing rate of all UC schools, providing a place to live for fewer than one in four students.

Lyons will also take over at a time of rising tensions in higher education. Israels war in Gaza has galvanized students and faculty across American college campuses, and UC Berkeleys leadership has struggled to balance free speech and student outrage amid allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

In February, pro-Palestinian protesters stormed Zellerbach Playhouse on campus and prevented a conservative Israeli lawyer and member of the Israeli Defense Force from giving a talk. In March, a UC Berkeley political professor refused to leave his office for two weeks to protest a perceived decline in student safety, particularly for Jewish students, during the heightened disagreements over Gaza.

Congressional Republicans have seized on the issue in recent months, grilling the leaders of elite universities over their handling of campus antisemitism and prompting the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania to resign. Last month, House Republicans pulled UC Berkeley into their expanding investigations, declaring that they had grave concerns regarding the inadequacy of UC Berkeleys response to antisemitism on its campus.

The U.S. Department of Education also announced last month that it is investigating UC Berkeley for possible discrimination tied to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, drawing the Bay Area campus into a widespread probe  including Stanford, UCLA and dozens of schools across the country  it began in the months following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Richard Lyons steps into the job at a time of rising tensions over Israels war in Gaza. UC Berkeleys leadership has struggled to balance free speech and student outrage amid allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle

Lyons deflected reporters questions on the issue Wednesday, noting that Christ is still the chancellor. He said he has been doing a lot of reading and will do more listening before speaking out himself. But he said he generally agrees with the universitys neutral stance on geopolitical matters, and has called Christ a mentor.

UC Berkeleys multiyear effort to expand and house more students has also irritated neighbors, who have sued the campus when it has tried to add classrooms, build a beach volleyball court and gobble up real estate.

Not long ago, the city of Berkeley was among the universitys biggest adversaries, often joining neighborhood critics in court. But the city switched sides in 2021  even facilitating growth  after UC Berkeley agreed to pay the city $82.64 million over 16 years to cover police, fire safety and other services that more students would no doubt require.

Still, UC Berkeley houses just 22% of its nearly 46,000 students, and less than 27% of its 33,000 undergraduates, according to UC officials.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

One of Lyons substantial challenges will be to fix that, picking up on Christs efforts.

Since becoming chancellor in 2017, Christ has made it a goal to develop 14 sites and double student housing with 9,000 new beds.

Seven of the 14 sites  at least 3,500 beds  are beset by legal restrictions and other hurdles.

Six are running smoothly, with two completed: Blackwell Hall, a block from campus, has 775 beds, and the Intersection Apartments in Emeryville has 105 beds. Another two are expected to open this fall: Anchor House, for 772 transfer students, adjacent to campus, and a 761-bed building for graduate students in Albany. Two projects with about 2,700 beds still need the regents approval.

The epic battle has been about the eighth site, Peoples Park, a treasured icon of leftist Berkeley for more than half a century that embodies the Free Speech movement and symbolizes the peoples triumph over bureaucracy, though at great cost. In 1969, as hundreds of police in riot gear and thousands of students fought for control over the park on an infamous day that came to be known as Bloody Thursday, a spectator was killed by a shotgun, and another was blinded.

UC Berkeley houses less than 27% of its 33,000 undergraduates, and incoming Chancellor Richard Lyons will have to continue the universitys long-running effort to develop dormitories at Peoples Park against the wishes of some neighbors and activists. Noah Berger/Special to The Chronicle

Since then, the 2.8-acre park has served as a haven for homeless people, and been the site of frequent crime. Yet, neighborhood groups have sued the university to block housing for 1,100 students on the site, alongside about 100 units of supportive housing for formerly homeless people. Last year, the neighbors won. But the university appealed, and as it awaits resolution, officials blocked access in January, restricting dozens of protesters from entering the park.

Last Wednesday, the state Supreme Court signaled that it is likely to side with UC Berkeley, but could still require increased cooperation with neighbors. That project will go forward if we get the approvals we need, Lyons said Wednesday.

Lyons is the latest in an unbroken line of academics  professors of physics, history, law, psychology and other disciplines  who have led UC Berkeley since 1952, when economist Clark Kerr became its first chancellor. Earlier leaders, since the campus founding in 1876, were known as presidents.

Christ, an English professor and UC Berkeleys first female chancellor, earned $697,164 a year in total compensation.

Outgoing Chancellor Carol Christ was an English professor and UC Berkeleys first female chancellor. She was appointed in 2017 and earned $697,164 last year in total compensation. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Lyons compensation will be $946,450, which includes $220,000 from private funds. Drake called the pay level appropriate. In a statement, UC said its chancellors are among the lowest paid university leaders when compared with private and public peer members in the Association of American Universities.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is looking to spend a further $70 million to help the 38,000 migrants who have made their way to the city since 2022.

Mayor Johnson briefed city council members on plans to push through the funds to keep the city's response to helping migrants afloat.

Sources familiar with the briefings have told the Chicago Tribune that the mayor's team hopes to allocate $70 million from city surpluses.

If approved by the council, the $70 million would add to the $150 million already set aside in the 2024 budget for the response to the migrant problem.

Officials for Johnson noted that budget cuts would not be needed to fund it at the moment, as they have planned for a scenario where they would dip into surpluses.

Mayor Johnson has began briefing City Council members on plans to push through the funds to keep the afloat the city's response to helping those afloat

Yanis Vasques, 3, center, sits next to her mother Veronica Vasques, 23, left, both from Venezuela, while she sells food outside a migrant shelter on the Lower West Side on February, 15, in Chicago

Children cover their heads as they sit outside of a migrant shelter Wednesday, March 13, in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago

They told officials that the the money would primarily go toward staffing, leases and food, which have always been the biggest expenditures.

State, county and city officials said in February that $321 million would be required to sustain the migrant operation throughout the end of the year.

The state and county pledged around $250 million of that, leaving officials $70 million short of their projected amount.

Johnson originally agreed to provide that to cover the shortfall before backing off, telling reporters: 'There are a number of matters that need to be worked through.

'No one in the state of Illinois, in this country, is questioning Mayor Brandon Johnsons commitment to this mission.'

Governor J.B. Pritzker was asked by the Tribune about Johnson asking the city council for more money.

The governor defended his record saying he had been 'working very hard at addressing the crisis of the incoming migrants that have been sent here from Texas.'

Pritzker added: 'They're being treated as best as they can be. It's not as if the city has fallen down on providing work. And so this is just a continuation of what the city's offered us.'

Governor J.B. Pritzker was asked by the Tribune about Johnson asking the City Council for more money

A young child sleeps on the floor of a makeshift shelter operated by the city at O'Hare International Airport on August 31, 2023

According to the city, nearly $300 million has been spent on the migrant crisis since the first bus from Texas Governor Greg Abbott arrived in the Windy City.

The number of asylum seekers in city shelters appears to be falling after peaking at 15,000 in December, when officials warned that the system had 'reached capacity.'

Johnson at the time joined the mayors of New York and Denver, which are also inundated with migrants, to call for the crisis to be declared a federal emergency.

Johnson has insisted the city would not open any more migrant shelters, and called on Pritzker to make good on promises to build its own ones.

Mayor Johnson himself says the huge influx of migrants is unsustainable, but he can't turn them away because Chicago is a 'sanctuary city'.

He blamed both the Biden Administration and Texas for his city struggling to care for the about 15,000 asylum-seekers crammed into 28 shelters across the city.

Governor Abbott has sent more than 25,300 migrants to Chicago since August 2022, on buses.

Chicago tried to have them arrive at designated locations during business hours and impounding buses that didn't follow these rules.

However, bus companies responded by dropping off migrants as far as 60 miles from Chicago, and Abbott started sending them on charter flights.

Venezuelan migrants were bused into Chicago by Texas Governor Greg Abbott this past December

Arriving migrants were forced to sleep in Chicago police stations earlier on in the crisis

Conditions in Chicago's migrant shelters have been under a microscope since five-year-old boy Jean Carlo Martinez Rivero died on December 17.

Johnson maintained there was 'no evidence the condition of the shelter caused the death of this young boy'.

Last week tuberculosis cases were detected at migrant facilities following a recent measles outbreak in shelters.

The Chicago Department of Public Health did not disclose the exact number of cases or which shelter it originated from.

Officials confirmed that 'a small number of cases' were reported 'in a few different shelters' around the city.

'These outbreaks happen in close quarters, people who are living close to one another,' associate professor of medicine, Infectious Diseases and Global Health at the University of Chicago Dr. Aniruddha Hazra told Fox 32 Chicago.

Hazra said the situation is concerning, but that the public does not need to panic.
Claims that four Chinese companies are printing one million fake stamps a week

Thousands of fake stamps are entering Britain from China, leaving victims paying 5 penalties to collect their post.

Royal Mail was on Wednesday night urged to investigate what security experts called 'economic warfare', with forgeries from the Far East said to be behind the rise in complaints from customers that stamps bought from legitimate sources are being flagged as counterfeit.

It is understood that convincing copies, sold for as little as 4p each, are being purchased by smaller retailers, who are not obliged to buy directly from the Royal Mail and can instead buy them from wholesalers or online.

Websites seen by the Mail based in China offer sheets of 50 counterfeit stamps at a time, complete with Royal Mail's new barcode  designed to make the post more secure and efficient  for those willing to commit to a minimum purchase of 20,000.

Last night, Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake said he would work with Royal Mail and retailers to investigate. He told the Mail: 'It is key to prevent counterfeit stamps entering our supply chain in the UK.

Thousands of fake stamps are flooding Britain from China, with Royal Mail urged to investigate what has been termed 'economic warfare'

'The Royal Mail must do everything possible to prevent counterfeits entering our circulation and must establish where they are coming from and how they are entering our marketplace.'

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, called for a criminal inquiry, likening the scam to printing money.

Stamps are considered a 'secure print item' in the same way as bank notes  which means it is a crime to knowingly reuse or sell used or fake ones.

He said: 'Criminal law is very clear about this and I don't understand why the police are not cracking down. These people are counterfeiters.'

And Alan Mendoza, of the Henry Jackson Society national security think-tank, accused China of 'robbing British businesses of revenue'.

He told the Telegraph: 'It is inconceivable that a large-scale counterfeit operation like this could be occurring without the knowledge and therefore tacit approval of the Chinese Communist Party. It's an obvious form of economic warfare.'

Stamps bought from the Post Office are not affected because it receives all of its stamps direct from the Royal Mail's secure printers in Wolverhampton. They are transported to branches in secure vans or via tamper-proof envelopes.

It is claimed four major Chinese suppliers are printing up to one million counterfeit stamps a week and delivering them to Britain in days.

One large factory is only taking orders for more than 300,000, cutting the cost to 4p a fake.

They are then being sold through scam websites imitating the Royal Mail's online store and via marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay.

It is claimed four major Chinese suppliers are printing up to one million counterfeit stamps a week and delivering them to Britain in days. Pictured: Chinese president Xi Jinping

Both Amazon and eBay insisted last night that they strictly prohibit counterfeit items on their websites.

The news comes after Money Mail raised concerns about customers being hit with a 5 penalty to collect letters which had been sent with barcoded stamps that they said had been bought from legitimate sources such as the Post Office and supermarkets.

Royal Mail said they were fakes and the reasons behind this episode remain unclear.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: 'We regularly monitor online marketplaces to detect suspicious activity, such as sales of heavily discounted stamps and work closely with retailers and law enforcement agencies to identify those who produce counterfeit stamps.'
A New York appeals court judge rejected the latest in a string of last-ditch appeals by lawyers for Donald Trump to try to delay his Stormy Daniels case.

Trump's lawyers have been filing a series of motions seeking to delay the trial, which is set for jury selection in Manhattan on Monday.

Filings have called on Judge Juan Merchan to recuse himself, blasted a gag order as 'unconstitutional restrictions,' and claimed presidential immunity.

On Wednesday, a judge denied their effort to pause the case while they challenge Judge Merchan and protest his rulings.

Justice Ellen Gesmer ruled against him for the third time in as many days Wednesday.

'The one in New York is totally discredited,' Donald Trump told reporters as he arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, for a fundraiser. 'Every legal scholars said they have no case'

'Were here for this stay because there are restrictions in place that cannot operate in a constitutional way in a trial environment,' said Trump lawyer Emil Bove at an emergency hearing.

'It's an incredibly important trial. It's a historic, unprecedented proceeding,' he said. 'This can only be done once and it must be done right.'

He tried to persuade the court that Merchan 'exceeded his authority' and that critical evidence could be excluded.

Steven Wu, an attorney for Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's office, argued that the delays would harm the state.

'Staying the trial at this point would be incredibly disruptive,' he said. 'The court, the people, witnesses have made extraordinary efforts to make sure this trial can take place on Monday.'

It comes in a case that could feature blockbuster testimony by porn star Stormy Daniels and former Trump fixer Michael Cohen.

Lawyers for Donald Trump launched a last-ditch effort Wednesday to delay the start of his hush money trial on Monday, filing yet another appeal.

It marks the latest round in a blitz to stop the first of four criminal trials starting next week.

Twice this week, New York appeals courts have rejected other attempts to postpone the case.

The latest filing is a petition against Judge Juan Merchan, challenging his decision not to recuse himself from the case as well as his refusal to hear arguments about presidential immunity, according to ABC News.

The former president is due to appear in new York court on Monday when jury selection will begin in his business fraud trial.

Trump is due in New York court on Monday for the start of his trial. He pleaded not guilty to 34 counts related to falsifying business records in connection with a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election campaign

Trump, 77, has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts related to falsifying business records in connection with a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election campaign.

It may be the only one of his four cases that will be completed before November's presidential election, and his lawyers have stepped up efforts in recent weeks to throw it off track.

Arriving in Atlanta, Georgia, Trump repeated his claim that he was the victim of a weaponized legal system.

'The one in New York is totally discredited,' he told reporters. 'Every legal scholars said they have no case.

'It's a horrible thing. But it's election interference. It's all run by the White House.'

There was no immediate indication Wednesday when the latest petition would be heard.

It revolves around questions of presidential immunity. Merchan has previously said Trump failed to raise the claim in time.

'This court finds that defendant had myriad opportunities to raise the claim of presidential immunity well before March 7, 2024,' he wrote earlier this month.

Judge Juan Merchan last week denied Trump's motion that he was entitled to presidential immunity, writing he had 'myriad opportunities' to raise the issue earlier

Legal scholars have said that the New York case may be one of the weaker ones facing Trump.

Yet a new poll found that a sizeable majority of voters see them as serious.

Almost two thirds of registered voters described the charges as at least 'somewhat serious,' compared to 34% who said the charges lacked seriousness in Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Trump faces a busy legal timetable even as the clock ticks down to Election Day.

Also on Wednesday, former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg was sentenced to five months in prison after admitting to perjury charges for lying to investigators and a judge about Trump's finances.

It will be his second stint behind bars after spending three months at New York's Rikers Island jail last year for his part in a 15-year tax fraud.
Thousands of years ago, elite Brits were buried in stone structures covered by huge mounds of Earth known as barrows.

Now, this 'deeply spiritual' ancient burial tradition is having a resurgence  and it could be your final resting place if you have thousands of pounds to spare.

A crop of new burial barrows modelled after the original versions from the Bronze Age are being built around Britain.

From the outside, they resemble little hills covered in grass, but inside there are rows and rows of alcoves set into stone walls.

It's here that urns containing the ashes are stored along with little keepsakes, photos and even tipples, much like you would put in a coffin.

From the outside, barrows resemble little hills covered in grass, but inside there are rows and rows of alcoves set into stone walls, containing urns of cremated remains. This cross section shows the original barrows in Wiltshire

Funeral firm AW Lymn has been given the green light to build a new barrow site just outside of Calverton in Nottinghamshire

In the stone barrows site, urns containing people's ashes are stored in separate 'alcoves', similar to shelves

The original Neolithic burial barrows Neolithic barrows are earth mounds that were built over stone structures which acted as collective tombs. They were built thousands of years ago by hand using natural limestone, lime mortar and traditional techniques. Barrows were traditionally built for the social elite while ordinary citizens were cremated or buried. They were first constructed in about 4,000 BC with the best-known site at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk. The ancient burial chambers have not been widely used in Britain since around 2,000 BC. But in the past decade new modern barrows have been constructed to store the ashes of loved-ones. Advertisement

On select days, families can visit their loved-one's ashes and even bring a picnic to eat on the barrow's grounds.

Funeral firm AW Lymn has just been given the green light to build a new barrow site just outside the village of Calverton in Nottinghamshire.

Concept images show three barrows at the site off of George's Lane, including two that don't have roofs.

The company aims to have the new barrows open to the public around spring next year.

According to Pete Clarson, commercial director at AW Lymn, burial barrows are 'more than a place for ashes to be laid to rest'.

'The barrows offer an alternative to a burial option, yet still provide a place where the bereaved can go to understand their grief, accept their loss, and celebrate a life,' he told MailOnline.

'Set within a beautiful and tranquil surrounding, they are a special space made from natural materials where people can go and spend time in memory of their loved one.'

The original barrows date from the early Neolithic to the middle Bronze Age periods, around 4000 BC to 1400 BC.

These impressive earth mounds were built overs stone structures which acted as collective tombs, although they were traditionally built for the social elite.

One of the most famous examples is Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, which has around 20 barrows, which were reserved for people who owned objects suggesting they had wealth or prestige.

The first modern barrow - All Cannings, near Marlborough in Wilshire - opened in 2015. Since then, further barrow sites have sprung up in Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Shropshire and Oxfordshire.

The practice of building the large tomb to store the remains of the dead dates back more than 5,000 years. Pictured, the interior of the Wiltshire barrow

Concept images show three barrows at the new site off of George's Lane, Calverton in Nottinghamshire

Funeral firm AW Lymn hopes to have the new Nottinghamshire site open by spring next year

Pictured, some original barrows at the historic Sutton Hoo site in Suffolk, home to Anglo-Saxon cemeteries

READ MORE: Britain's first barrow for thousands of years built by Wilshire farmer Tim Daw built a long barrow burial site in a field on his Wiltshire farm in 2014 Advertisement

It's only in the past decade that new burial barrows have been built in Britain, as a tribute to the original versions.

The first  All Cannings, near Marlborough in Wilshire  opened in 2015, becoming the first long barrow in Britain for thousands of years.

It was built on land owned by Wiltshire farmer Tim Daw, who said all the alcoves or 'niches' were reserved in the first couple of years.

'We do get the occasional one returned for resale,' he told MailOnline.

'The niches were 400 for a single urn space and up to 1,400 for a niche that could hold five or six urns.'

Since All Cannings opened, further barrow sites have sprung up in Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Shropshire and Oxfordshire.

As well as the new Nottinghamshire site, another one is planned on farmland near Milton Keynes in Weston Underwood, Buckinghamshire.

A company called Sacred Stones owns two sites  Willow Row in Cambridgeshire and Soulton Long Barrow in Shropshire.

The cost of storing an urn at the sites ranges from 825 for a one-year lease to 2,145 for a 99-year lease.

Sacred Stones CEO, Toby Angel, said families have tended to buy an alcove before actually needing it, suggesting 'Brits talk about life's final event' and prepare with their families.

'We advise everyone to record their wishes with wills and obviously, all relevant documentation is kept safely in one place,' he told MailOnline.

'I believe people need and value a space that offers physical and emotional security, especially when coming to terms with grief.

'The barrow affords this sanctuary without the shadow or influence of any faith and yet, they are deeply spiritual places.'

Construction of the first modern barrow - All Cannings, near Marlborough in Wilshire, back in 2014

The original barrows were built thousands of years ago by hand using natural limestone, lime mortar and traditional techniques

Burial barrows simply add to the ever-increasingly list of options of how human bodies can be laid to rest.

Another method that's becoming popular too is water cremations, also known as alkaline hydrolysis  where the corpse is decomposed in a stream of water and alkaline chemicals.

The liquid, known as 'effluent', can go down the drain with other wastewater and bones that can be ground to ash for the bereaved owner to take home.

Another method is plastination  using a chemical process to preserve tissues, organs and whole bodies for medical purposes and public display.

Yet another option is donating your corpse to a 'body farm', an outdoor laboratory where scientists study how the human cadaver affects plants as it rots.
Canines have the 'g factor' just like top students at school, scientists say

At school there was always one pupil who seemed to excel in every subject, from maths to literature and music.

Scientists call this phenomenon 'general intelligence' or the 'g factor'  and for the first time they've found evidence that it exists in dogs too.

The researchers in Budapest, Hungary recruited over 100 dogs for various tasks, testing key skills like memory, learning and problem-solving.

Rather than just excelling in one area, the smartest dogs tended to score highly across the board, just like a top student at school, they found.

While the g factor in humans is linked with better academic and workplace performance in life, gifted dogs may be better able to fend for themselves or assist humans in a crisis.

Just like humans, dogs excel at different tasks involving different cognitive skills, regardless of breed, the new study shows. In this task from the experiments that tested problem-solving, dogs had to locate the entrance to a box containing food, when the position of the box's opening kept being moved

READ MORE: Why you should teach your old dog new tricks A study looked at brain structures of 43 middle-aged beagles over three years Advertisement

'The study suggests that the structure of cognitive abilities in dogs is similar to that of humans,' study author Professor Eniko Kubinyi at Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE) told MailOnline.

'Dogs have a general intelligence that influences their performance on a range of cognitive tasks in a similar way to humans.'

In psychology, the g-factor is a 'fundamental component of intelligence' and is closely related to academic and workplace success.

'The concept of 'g-factor' or general intelligence comes from human psychology,' Professor Kubinyi added.

'It refers to the idea that individual cognitive (mental) performance is based on a single, overarching cognitive ability across different tasks.'

To see if it exists in dogs, the team used seven tasks to assess the cognitive performance of 129 domestic dogs aged between three and 15 years, over the course of two-and-a-half years.

The sample consisted of 59 mixed-breed dogs and 70 purebred dogs from 33 different breeds belonging to families.

The researchers in Budapest, Hungary recruited over 100 dogs for various tasks, testing key skills like memory, learning and problem-solving

In one task, dogs had to follow a person's pointing gesture when locating a hidden food reward, while in another, they had to remember which pot a treat in

In the pot task, the dogs saw which pot the food had been placed in but was then distracted by commands or petting and talking. Dogs with higher intelligence could remember the food's location later on despite the distraction

READ MORE: Scientists discover new type of training that makes dogs better behaved Dogs bad behavior can be curbed by scent training, according to a new study Advertisement

Generally, the tasks tested either learning ability and problem-solving ability (which included tests of memory and 'persistence').

In one task, dogs had to follow a researcher's pointing gesture when locating a hidden food reward, while in another, they had to remember which pot contained a treat.

In another task, the canines had to obtain treats from a Kong Wobbler dog toy, which sits upright until nudged by the paw or nose.

Overall, researchers found that the dogs who performed well on problem-solving tasks also performed well on learning tasks.

This suggests that there's a 'general cognitive factor' that ties them together  which they christen the 'canine g factor'.

'The general cognitive factor (g) showed consistency over a period of at least 2.5 years,' Professor Kubinyi told MailOnline.

Because of the diversity of the dogs used in the experiments  33 different breeds in all  the findings are generalisable to all dogs, she added.

Researchers also found the g factor of dogs got lower with age, but only when general health declined at the same time.

Dogs who continued to be in good health as they aged didn't really suffer from a decline in their general intelligence.

While the g factor in humans is linked with better academic and workplace performance in life, gifted dogs may be better able to fend for themselves or assist humans in a crisis

Generally, the tasks tested either learning ability and problem-solving ability (which included tests of memory and 'persistence')

The g factor of dogs got lower and lower as they aged, but only when their general health declined at the same time. Dogs who continued to be in good health as they aged didn't suffer from a decline in their general intelligence

This ageing-pattern resembles human ageing and presents another parallel with canines, according to the experts, who publish their findings in GeroScience.

'The study provides novel information about canine cognition, particularly regarding its structure, stability, and the impact of aging and health status,' said Professor Kubinyi.

'Additionally, it highlights the value and the translational relevance of dogs as models for studying human cognition and aging.'

Eotvos Lorand University regularly conducts research into doggy behaviour  and previous research also suggests they're incredibly similar to us despite being a different order of mammal entirely.

A 2020 study found that both dogs and humans process the intonation  how a voice rises and falls  and the meaning of words in different parts of the brain.

Meanwhile, a 2022 study found they recognise the difference between speech and gibberish and can even distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar languages.
Russia has been named as the world's cybercrime hotspot in a new study ranking the most significant sources of cybercrime threats.

The World Cybercrime Index has been published following three years of research by academics from the University of Oxford and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra.

Russia tops the list as the location with the greatest cybercrime threat, according to the index.

This is followed by Ukraine, China, the US and Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the UK is eighth on the list - just one place behind North Korea.

Russia, Ukraine and China have been named as the world's cybercrime hotspots in a new study ranking the most significant sources of cybercrime threats

The rankings were based on data gathered by the researchers, which saw them survey almost 100 cybercrime experts from around the world.

The experts were asked each to identify the most significant sources of five major types of cybercrime, ranking countries according to the impact, professionalism and technical skill of its criminals.

The study's co-author, Dr Miranda Bruce, said the research would enable cybersecurity agencies to focus on key hubs of cybercrime, directing funds and focus more effectively.

'The research that underpins the index will help remove the veil of anonymity around cybercriminal offenders, and we hope that it will aid the fight against the growing threat of profit-driven cybercrime,' she said.

'We now have a deeper understanding of the geography of cybercrime, and how different countries specialise in different types of cybercrime.

The rankings were based on data gathered by the researchers, which saw them survey almost 100 cybercrime experts from around the world (stock image)

READ MORE: Major hack by Russian gang steals social security numbers and health information from 1.3 million Advertisement

'By continuing to collect this data, we'll be able to monitor the emergence of any new hotspots and it is possible early interventions could be made in at-risk countries before a serious cybercrime problem even develops.'

Fellow co-author associate professor Jonathan Lusthaus said the index could help shine a light on what is often difficult to trace activity.

'Due to the illicit and anonymous nature of their activities, cybercriminals cannot be easily accessed or reliably surveyed. They are actively hiding,' he said.

'If you try to use technical data to map their location, you will also fail, as cybercriminals bounce their attacks around internet infrastructure across the world.

'The best means we have to draw a picture of where these offenders are actually located is to survey those whose job it is to track these people.'

The researchers said they hope to expand the study to examine whether different national characteristics such as education rates, GDP or levels of corruption impact the amount of cybercrime emerging from a country.

The World Cybercrime Index has been published in journal Plos One.
California could be months ways from having a major 6-magnitude earthquake - which would be one of the biggest seismic events in two decades.

A new study has found quakes happen every 22 years at the Parkfield section of the San Andreas Fault in central California, which runs through Eureka and ends just past Palm Springs.

The most recent quake along this stretch of the fault was a 6-magintidue in 2004, which followed a previous magnitude-6.7 one in 1983, a 6.0 in 1966 and a 6.5-magnitude quake in 1934.

Parkfield is suspected to be nearing the end of its quiet period and an earthquake could strike the fault line this year, according to lead researcher Luca Malagnini.

Scientists have long been monitoring the San Andreas Fault Line that is predicted to be the source of the 'Big One.'

Researchers determined that quakes happen every 22 years at the Parkfield section of the fault line in central California, with the last one hitting in 2004

The San Andreas Fault, seen here on Carrizo Plain in southern California, runs for hundreds of miles along the state and is the site of relatively frequent earthquakes.

Experts believe a major quake - usually defined as 7.0 and up - could kill at least 1,800, leave 50,000 injured and cause more than $200 billion in damage.

On September 28, 2004, an earthquake shook the area with an epicenter at the town of Parkfield, home to just 37 people at the time.

The quake was felt across a 350-mile radius - from Orange County to Sacramento.

Scientists also clocked in 150 aftershocks following the seismic event.

On October 17, 1989, a 6.9-magnitured quake with an epicenter about 150 miles away in Loma Pietra but also along the San Andreas Fault killed 63 people and injured 3,757, leaving around $16.8 billion of damage after 20 seconds of shaking.

Malagnini, director of researcher at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy, told Live Science that he believes a quake is set for the Parkfield section of the fault this year, but may not strike at the 2004 epicenter.

READ MORE: Commuters rocked on trains and stopped on shaking bridge during 7.4 tremor in Taiwan Officials said the quake was the strongest to shake the island in decades, and warned of more tremors in the days ahead. Advertisement

Even though the earthquake window is fast approaching when, scientists say the area is not making much seismic noise.

The team setout to uncover a possible pattern with the Parkfield quakes.

They analyzed measurements of the fault line leading up to six weeks before each seismic event, discovering there was a different kind of signal that seemed to indicate rock cracks opening and closing in the strained area.

Using almost 23 years of seismic measurements from the area, they determined that a 'preparatory phase,' which includes cracks opening and closing beneath the Earth's surface, signals an upcoming quake.

When this happens, sound waves travel differently through the ground.

Their measurements are of something called 'seismic wave attenuation,' a scientific term that describes how sound waves travel through rock. Waves naturally lose energy as they travel through rock, a process called attenuation.

Earthquakes are high-energy waves, but at a fault line there can be small waves that happen even when there is no quake.

Scientists have long been monitoring the San Andreas Fault Line that is predicted for the 'Big One.' Pictured is what Los Angeles could look like if a 6-magnitude earthquake hit

If a major quick would strike, experts have predicted about 1,800 people would be killed, 50,000 injured and over 60 buildings would crumble - resulting in at least $200 billion in damages. Pictured is what AI predicts Sacramento would look like after the Big One

And it's these waves that the scientists measured. What they found was that certain types of waves lost energy more quickly in the six weeks before the 2004 quake, while others lost energy more slowly.

High-frequency waves attenuated - or lost energy - more slowly, while low-frequency waves attenuated more quickly as the quake approached.

The fact that there aren't many volcanoes in the area helps the matter, the researchers wrote.

Because there are no nearby volcanoes, they can be more certain that the waves they're measuring are actually from the building tension at the fault.

And fortunately, there is currently no evidence that 'God is sending America strong signs to tell us to repent,' as US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene recently claimed, when an earthquake hit near Donald Trump's Bedminster golf course in New Jersey.

East and west coast quakes are not related scientifically, though it is impossible to fully rule out whether they are connected religiously.

A new study determined that quakes happen around every 22 years at the Parkfield section of the fault line in central California, which runs through Eureka and ends just past Palm Springs

Earthquakes occur when the Earth's plate sections move against each other. Usually this is the result of built-up tension from the plates pressing together.

So if the tension on a plate has recently been relieved elsewhere, it won't cause a quake at the Parkfield section as soon.

With all of these dynamic processes happening at once, it is difficult to predict when and where the next quake will happen, and the researchers are not claiming that they can do it.

But they are optimistic that these types of measurements may someday lead to earthquake prediction systems.

The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Earth Science.
Advertisement

US Navy divers have secured new sonar images of the wrecked Francis Scott Key Bridge, swimming into 'virtual darkness' inside murky clouds of displaced river mud.

Their sonar captured the deepest remains of the infamous bridge collapse from the lowest point of Baltimore's Patapsco River federal shipping channel - 50 feet below the water's surface.

The new look of the wreckage below the depths shows the metal framework slumped below the mudline, which officials said would be more difficult to salvage.

The Navy has provided three barges, at a combined lifting capacity of 1,350 tons, with another 400-ton capacity barge on route, for the clean-up and salvage effort.

US Navy divers swimming in 'virtual darkness' through murky plumes of displaced river mud have secured new sonar images of the wrecked Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bridge's submerged metal frame extends above the waterline, visible as a blue line in the sonar images

Their sonar captures the deepest remains of the infamous bridge collapse from the lowest point of the Baltimore's Patapsco River's federal shipping channel, 50 feet below the surface

Government agencies are now racing to clear the Key's mangled steel trusses and remove the grounded, 984-foot cargo ship, the Dali, which smashed into the bridge on March 26 (above) - killing six construction workers and laying waste to the vital commuter bridge

Army Corps of Engineers Col. Estee Pinchasin said during press conference this month: 'Surveys are indicating the wreckage on the bottom of the 50-foot channel is far more extensive than we could have imagined.

'Its not just sitting on the seabed, its actually below the mud line. That makes it very difficult to know where to cut and how to cut, and how to rig and lift.'

The Navy joins state, local and federal agencies now racing to clear the Key's mangled steel trusses and the grounded, 984 foot-long cargo ship, the Dali, which smashed into the bridge on the morning of March 26  killing six construction workers as it laid waste to the critical commuter bridge.

Government officials hope to carve out a makeshift shipping lane by the end of April: a smaller 280-foot-wide and 35-foot-deep channel which they hope will restore commercially vital activity back to the Port of Baltimore.

The sonar dives, which use the 3D underwater sonar imaging tool named CODA Octopus, are key to the essential, but painstaking phase of identifying and locating all of the bulk debris that was once the Francis Scott Key.

'Despite the CODA footage that we're using [] it still takes time,' said Captain Sal Suarez, the Navy's supervisor of salvage and diving, in a video last week.

Government officials hope to carve out a small, makeshift shipping lane by the end of April: a 280-foot-wide and 35-foot-deep channel that they hope will restore commercially vital activity back to the Port of Baltimore. Above, more new sonar imagery released Wednesday

Haunting satellite images show the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge's destruction after being struck by a 105,000 ton shipping container

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Engineers blame $3m structural 'flaw' for Baltimore's Francis Scott Key bridge collapsing - and tens of thousands of bridges across US could also have fault No bridge can withstand millions of pound of force from a strike, as with the cargo ship that hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Advertisement

CODA Sonar images of the wreckage began trickling in over the course of early April as the dive team's first mapped the wreckage in shallower depths of the river.

Visibility for the divers reaches just 'one to two feet' ahead of their eyes, according the Army Corps of Engineers, because of the four to five feet of mud and loose silt kicked up after the bridge wreckage's impact with the bottom of the Patapsco River.

'Divers are forced to work in virtual darkness, because when lit, their view is similar to driving through a heavy snowfall at night with high-beam headlights on,' a spokesman with the corps posted to Facebook.

'So murky is the water, divers must be guided via detailed verbal directions from operators in vessels topside who are viewing real-time CODA imagery.'

The dive teams are recording no underwater river footage themselves because, as one Navy-led diver put it, 'There's no need take video of something you can't even see.'

Laser-based 'Light Detection and Ranging' or LiDAR is also in use by supervisors on land, to better provide the divers in the water with situational awareness of the tangled, and clouded wreckage lidar, Capt. Suarez said at a news conference last Thursday.

Capt. Suarez and his 20-person team have also been tasked with assessing the damage to the Dali, as part of their emergency contract.

'You're limited by how much time you can spend on the bottom depending on the depth for each diver,' Capt. Suarez, who is officially the director of ocean engineering for US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), said.

'You're also limited by the safety factor,' he explained. 'This is wreckage in all sort of shapes and sizes and it's dangerous.'

Currently, no active-duty Navy divers are part of the salvage project, despite the Navy personnel leading the effort.

Since the bridge's collapse on March 26, at least 135 Navy personnel, two utility boats, a ridged hull inflatable boat, several tugboats, and 12 crane and support vessels have all headed to the Patapsco to aid in the salvage and clean-up operation.

Salvage teams also began removing mangled containers from the deck of the Dali cargo ship this week, from where the massive vessel remains pinned beneath the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key.

The Dali's 22-man crew from India has spent nearly two weeks stranded on board, with it unclear when they will be able to disembark the ship which had been only minutes into a 28-day journey when it lost power and crashed.

The crew is unharmed and has been provided with food, water, and fuel supplies, according to the New York Times.

The removal of containers from the deck of the Dali is set to continue this week as weather permits, according to the Key Bridge Response Unified Command.

'The Limited Access Channel will permit larger ships in and out,' the US Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District office said in a statement on social media Wednesday.

Marine tugs, Maritime Administration (MARAD) boats, and cargo vessels used for 'Roll-on/Roll-off' shipping, which move automobiles and farm equipment, will be among those cleared for the temporary, more shallow channel.

The Army Corps of Engineers said it has set an 'ambitious' but tentative deadline to fully clear and restore channel access to the Port of Baltimore by the end of May.
Michigan has approved a $50 million copper mine that has sparked outrage among residents due to its close proximity to Lake Superior.

Canada-based Highland Copper is set to break ground 100 feet from the lake and start production in 2026, which the company said could produce 65 million pounds of the metal over the course of 11 years.

Controversy over the mine kicked into high gear last year when the company cleared a section of the state park's one-billion-year-old forest, filled in the wetlands and permanently rerouted the North Country Trail's streams.

Copper mines are labeled as the most toxic to human health because they can release chemicals like mercury, arsenic and lead that have been identified as the 'top 10 chemicals of major public health concern' by the World Health Organization.

The copper mine will be located only 100 feet from Lake Superior, making it the closest metallic sulfide site and raising concerns that the mining waste will harm the environment

Copperwood Resources has already cleared a section of the one-billion-year-old forest, permanently re-routed streams and filled in the wetlands

Lake Superior sees 3.5 million visitors annually, meaning the lake's exposure to mining waste could not only pollute marine wildlife, but could also pose a harm to public health

Copper is an essential material used for heat, electricity, and renewable energy mediums like solar and wind power.

The element is also used to create the batteries, wiring and charging stations for electric vehicles which are becoming essential as the US pushes for more EVs and demands for renewable energy grows.

The Copperwood Mine will be located in the foothills of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which has been ranked as the most beautiful state park in the US.

It will also be adjacent to the North Country Trail - the longest hiking trail in the country - which is drawn out across a 4,800-mile expanse from North Dakota to Vermont.

Highland Copper confirmed the project will be an underground mine that uses the room-and-pillar mining method to process nearly 7,500 tons of copper per day.

This method requires workers to extract copper by digging out cave-like sections while leaving pillars of dirt to support the roof of the mine.

The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park has been ranked the most beautiful national park in the US and includes the North Country Trail, which is the longest in the country

Copperwood Resources started excavating the site last year, but first conducted exploratory drilling in 2018 when it received a $25,000 fine for damaging the wetlands and discharging muddy water

Quentin L. Messer, Jr., head of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, said: 'The economic impact of this project  with high wage direct jobs and countless community-supporting indirect jobs  cannot be overstated, as it translates to greater economic stability and prosperity for families, small businesses, and the local community.

'Copperwood Mine is another example of a company leveraging Michigan assets to ensure our continued leadership in sustainability and mobility innovation.

'We will continue working to win projects, invest in places and attract people as we encourage businesses of all sizes to 'Make it in Michigan.'

However, hundreds of locals have exhibited an opposite opinion about the project including petitioners and environmentalists who are fighting to stop the Copperwood Mine, saying it will harm the area.

Wakefield Township resident and petition writer Tom Grotewohl told local WNMU-FM that the mine would be a threat to the environment, public recreation, and the local economy.

Grotewohl also noted that most of what is set to be mined would not actually be copper.

The Copper Mine will be open for 11 years and the company said it will process 7,500 tons of copper per day

'Because only 1.45 percent of what comes out of the ground is copper and the remaining 98.55 percent is toxic waste, which contains at least 15 constituents of environmental health concern, including mercury, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, lead.'

John Coleman, with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, said the commission has raised concerns about the project for more than a decade.

'We have concerns about the tailings basin, the long term stability, and have asked [the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy] to include the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission in review of the final design,' he said.

Highland Copper has previously stated that the company is prepared to minimize and mitigate pollution, and have secured nearly all required permits from Michigans environmental regulatory agency.

A Change.org petition that's been signed by more than 19,700 people, argued that for every ton of ore extracted, 29 pounds will be copper while the remaining 1,971 pounds will consist of waste.

READ MORE: Tiny backwater town in North Carolina will help fuel world's AI revolution The Sibelco mine is located in Spruce Pine, North Carolina and is the top producer of the world's high-purity quartz Advertisement

Mining waste could expose people to potentially harmful levels of toxic substances like arsenic, mercury and cadmium - a white metal found in zinc ores.

Copper mines have a poor track record for containing waste, according to Earthworks an environmental protection organization, which found that 100 percent of copper mines had pipeline spills and 92 percent didn't adequately control mine wastewater.

Earthworks also reported that 28 percent of copper mines failed to impound its tailings which polluted marine wildlife, drinking water, wildlife habitat, and threatened the public's health.

Highland Copper, parent company of Copperwood Resources, also has a questionable track record.

In 2018, the company was fined $25,000 for damaging the wetlands and discharging muddy water while conducting exploratory drilling under Porcupine Mountains State Park.

The petitioners referenced the fine as one of the reasons they don't want the mine nearby but added that the negative impact it will have on the wildlife makes it essential that Copperwood stops production.

They said the signees 'are not calling for a moratorium on all mining, nor are we stating that the industry is inherently evil.

'We are merely exercising what is called common sense.'

They added: 'Just as we would not allow a maximum security prison next door to a pre-school, we should not entertain a metallic sulfide mine at the juncture of a historic hiking trail, a designated Wilderness Area, and a freshwater sea. This is not a controversial view.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Copperwood Resources for comment.
SHOPPING  Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Shopping Finder article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Dailymail.co.uk will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.

This 26 bronzing foam has been hailed the 'HOLY GRAIL of sunless tanner' thanks to how it gives the 'most amazing natural tan' after just one use.

Scores of newly-bronzed shoppers have crowned the Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam 'the best' fake tan out there, praising it for its 'amazing colour', claiming how 'the end result is always perfection'.

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam, 200ml Looking for a fool-proof tan that looks like you've just got back from holiday? The Coco & Eve Bronzing Foam is so popular that one bottle sells every 20 seconds. Available in Medium, Dark and Ultra Dark shades, it promises a perfect sun-kissed glow without the harmful UV rays. Packed with botanicals and amino acids, the tan sets out to not only give users a glow, but it also helps to improve signs of ageing and hydrates your complexion thanks to its impressive ingredients list. Shop

One bottle of the Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam is sold every 20 seconds, with users raving over the natural colour and tropical scent

The Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam by Australian brand Coco & Eve is an anti-ageing fake tan that gives skin a sun-kissed glow whilst blurring pigmentation and smoothing the skin.

And according to thousands of thrilled shoppers, it can give you a healthy-looking, natural tan in just two hours that can last up to two weeks.

'This is so much better than any spray tan or sunless product!' raved one shopper. 'It smells great, it have smooth even color and coverage, and looks like a natural tan! So easy to apply and lasts a long time even with working out and sweating and it fades evenly!'.

The Coco & Eve self tan has accumulated over 3,000 five-star reviews and is so popular that one bottle is sold every 20 seconds, with many calling it 'the easiest and most beautiful color of tan'.

With the ability to leave you looking like you've just come back from vacation, it's no wonder that wearers have been racking up the compliments.

Priced at 26, not only does it deliver swift results in just two hours, but is enriched with raw virgin coconut oil and lotus extract that has anti-oxidants against oxidative stress to smooth skin.

Helping to cover up any imperfections and give its wearer an all-over bronzed look, users of the bronzing foam can stress less knowing the perfect tan is always within reach with the affordable buy.

Fast-drying and developing in just two hours, the Bali Bronzing Foam is a great way to give yourself a gorgeous, natural glow before any events

As well as drying quickly on the skin to minimising streaking disasters, the Coco & Eve Bali Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam has been developed with a green-grey base for a natural looking, golden glow with no orangey tones.

'Bronzed goddess,' wrote one thrilled user. 'Im so pale in the winter but when I use this product I look like a cane back from vacation. Its so quick and easy to put on and the end result is a flawless tan. Im so happy I found this!'.

Another agreed, adding: 'This is my favourite foam ever! It gives me a flawless tan every time. No smell or mess! Doesnt feel sticky on my clothes afterwards like other tans. Love love.'
French winemaker helps Xinjiang wine gain worldwide acclaim

People's Daily Online) 10:33, April 10, 2024

Fred Nauleau, a French winemaker who has taken root in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has helped Xinjiang wine win global recognition.

Nauleau is often busy tending to the vines and managing irrigation at the vineyards in the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains in Manas county, hoping for a bountiful harvest in autumn. "Having worked and lived in Xinjiang for over 20 years, I've fallen in love with the grapes here," he shared.

Fred Nauleau works in a workshop in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo/Pan Qi)

Born into a winemaking family in France's renowned Loire Valley, Nauleau developed a strong interest in wine from a young age. He joined a wine company in Xinjiang in the summer of 2000.

Xinjiang, located at roughly the same latitude as Bordeaux and California, is a prime winemaking region. "The wine made in Xinjiang has high sugar levels, low acidity, an intense fruity aroma, and a delicate, smooth tannin texture," Nauleau noted.

When he first arrived, the experienced winemaker encountered difficulties due to the language barrier. To explain procedures, he would draw pictures to illustrate the production processes. Despite these challenges, together with young local technicians, he produced award-winning wines with regional characteristics.

"Today, our wine has embarked on a journey to the world, reaching countries such as the United States and Belgium," he said, adding that Xinjiang wine has become a new favorite in France due to its unique taste.

In 2010, Nauleau received the Chinese Government Friendship Award, the highest honor for foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, which he described as a major source of inspiration and motivation.

Nauleau married a local woman years ago and has two children. "China has become my second home, and I am now a Xinjiang person who loves local cuisine like pilaf and baked buns," he said.

Going forward, Nauleau shared that his ultimate ambition is to produce an iconic Xinjiang wine that expresses the region's unique winemaking identity in the future.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The Pointer Sisters  Ruth, from left, Anita, Bonnie and June  perform in Oakland in July 1974. Associated Press The Pointer Sisters at home in Sausalito in October 1975: Anita, from left, Bonnie, June and Ruth. Susan Gilbert/The Chronicle The Pointer Sisters at home in Sausalito in October 1975. Susan Gilbert/The Chronicle Members of the Brothers Comatose play on the Arrow Stage during the 2015 Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Leah Millis/The Chronicle Swami 3, from left: Shaan Swaminathan, Rohan Swaminathan and Noah Swaminathan talk after performing at their first Thrive City concert in May 2023 in San Francisco. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Noah Swaminathan, left, gets a congratulatory hug from his grandmother Marie Lester, right, after he and his brothers headlined their first concert as Swami 3 for a Thrive City concert at Chase Center in May 2023. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Macaiah Dempsey, 20, center, shares a laugh with her siblings, Matthias, 17, and Memphis, 17, of the sibling band MeloDious near Oakland Guitars in Oakland. On April 30, MeloDious will perform at Yoshis in Oakland. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle From left, Macaiah Dempsey, 20, and her siblings, Memphis, 16, and Matthias, 17, of the sibling band MeloDious stand for a portrait at Oakland Guitars in Oakland, Calif. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The band was formed 8 years ago and has played at a variety of venues and events including Oaklands Black Joy Parade, Dock of the Bay Festival and Thrive City at Chase Center. On April 30, MeloDious will perform at Yoshis in Oakland. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

If National Sibling Day needs a theme song, the Bay Area is ready to deliver.

While April 10 was designated as a day to celebrate familial affection in 1995, sibling bands have been a cornerstone of the local scene for more than half a century. From the jazz-loving Escovedo Brothers (Pete, Coke and Phil) to the Pointer Sisters (Ruth, Anita, and Bonnie) who belted out hits from R&B to country tunes and beyond, the region has nurtured numerous ensembles that were born around the family hearth.

The Bay Areas preeminent sibling combo these days is the Hogan Brothers, three East Bay siblings who also lead prolific independent careers as players and educators. Featuring Julian, 38, on drums; Steve, 45, on bass; and Colin, 42, on piano, keyboards and accordion, the Hogan Brothers have held down a monthly Friday residency at Jupiter in Berkeley for more than a decade, and recently took on another regular slot at Berkeleys Triple Rock Brewing.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Julian, Steve and Colin Hogan in 2022. Hogan Brothers

The trio is slated to be joined by several special guests for a night of Latin jazz and funk at San Franciscos Black Cat on May 19, but the Hogans are a self-sufficient group who have been playing since they were in grade school. Steeped in jazz, theyve worked with leading figures in R&B, funk, hip-hop and Latin music  from Oakland soulstress Goapele to Keith Terrys all-body music band Slammin, Jazz Mafia and the Tommy Igoe Groove Conspiracy  while honing a sound that draws on their wide-ranging musical interests.

More Information Swami 3: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Free. Lakeside Landing Spring Art Fair, 2504 Ocean Ave., S.F. lakeside.mainfare.com Hogan Brothers: 7 p.m. April 26. Free. Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. 510-843-8277. www.jupiterbeer.com MeloDious: 8 p.m. April 30. $30. Yoshis, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. 510-238-9200. www.yoshis.com Hogan Brothers: 7 and 9 p.m. May 19. $30. Black Cat, 400 Eddy St., S.F.; 415-358-1999. blackcatsf.com T Sisters: 8 p.m. May 31. $30. Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. thefreight.org

I feel very blessed and lucky that were all musicians at similar levels, love the same styles and enjoy each others company. I give a lot of credit to our parents, Colin Hogan, who also plays accordion with the Carnatic jazz Alaya Project, said of his bandmates.

People often comment on the tightness of our arrangements, he added. We love working out tiny details, and because we know each other so well theres this other level of complexity we can get. We put a premium on tightness and everything fitting together.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Hogan Brothers upped the ante during the first year of the pandemic when the brothers were hunkered down on the same block in El Sobrante, using a weekly livestream as a creative lifeline.

From left, Memphis Dempsey, 16, and her siblings, Matthias, 17, and Micaiah, 20, of the sibling band MeloDious stand for a portrait at Oakland Guitars in Oakland, Calif. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The band was formed 8 years ago and has played at a variety of venues and events including Oaklands Black Joy Parade, Dock of the Bay Festival and Thrive City at Chase Center. On April 30, MeloDious will perform at Yoshis in Oakland. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

The COVID-19 lockdown also played a role in the rise of the Oakland combo MeloDious, three siblings who first formed a band in tribute to their late grandfather, a devoted musician. Featuring 20-year-old Micaiah on keyboards and vocals, 17-year-old Matthias on bass and vocals, and 16-year-old Memphis on drums, the Dempseys started playing gospel music at Higher Ground Church in Oakland, where their father, Billie Dempsey, serves as pastor.

We dont play there as much anymore, but we are very grateful for that being our foundation, Micaiah said. It was so great having an environment where its comfortable to make mistakes.

They fed their passion for jazz at the Oaktown Jazz Workshop and gained notice playing street fairs and community events, eventually graduating to a sold-out concert last June at Yoshis jazz club, where theyre set to return on April 30 for an International Jazz Day concert.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Weve evolved and really enjoyed growing independently on our instruments, and playing together helped us become close as siblings, Micaiah said, adding that the youngest Dempsey sibling might make her debut with the group at Yoshis.

Both the Dempseys and the Hogans described playing in a sibling ensemble as a privilege and a pleasure. Over the years, local acts have shared similar accounts, like Oaklands folk-influenced T Sisters (Erika, Rachel and Chloe Tietjen), who perform at Freight & Salvage on May 31, and the Brothers Comatose, the five-piece San Francisco bluegrass band led by brothers Ben and Alex Morrison.

The Brothers Comatose perform during the FreshGrass Festival at Mass MoCA on Sept. 15, 2017, in North Adams, Mass. Douglas Mason/Getty Images

But music history is awash in sibling acts that imploded or exploded into acrimony and even fisticuffs. From brawling Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, who became stars as co-leaders of a hugely popular swing-era big band but broke up to front their own orchestras, to Oasis irascible Noel and Liam Gallagher, brother bands have been notoriously volatile.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

For MeloDious, embracing stereotypical birth order roles rather than fighting them seems to have allowed each sibling to find a suitable niche.

At the very beginning, everybody thought I was bossy, admitted Macaiah, the oldest of the brood. But weve learned each others strengths. We try to balance the power, so everyone feels theyre contributing. Memphis is great at bringing in musical ideas and suggestions. Matthias is a social butterfly. Hes great on social media, spreading the news and bringing in other musicians.

From left, Macaiah Dempsey, 20, and her siblings, Memphis, 16, and Matthias, 17, of the sibling band MeloDious share a laugh together while walking near Oakland Guitars in Oakland, Calif. on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The band was formed 8 years ago and has played at a variety of venues and events including Oaklands Black Joy Parade, Dock of the Bay Festival and Thrive City at Chase Center. On April 30, MeloDious will perform at Yoshis in Oakland. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

If the MeloDious clan seems young to sound so mature, they are not alone. San Franciscos Swami 3 is a rising act featuring 16-year-old pianist Rohan and 14-year-old twins Shaan and Noah Swaminathan, on drums and guitar respectively. Busking regularly at the Noe Valley Farmers Market, theyve built a following while honing a repertoire of crowd-pleasing hits.

Every time we play Bohemian Rhapsody, we get a really good reaction, Noah said. We understand what songs the audience likes.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The brothers play the Lakeside Landing Spring Art Fair on Saturday, April 13, and return to the Noe Valley Farmers Market in June. Theyre particularly psyched about a Golden Gate Bandshell gig in November.

We really enjoy playing together and love sharing our music, Shaan said, while acknowledging they dont lack ambition. It would be great if we could become professional, relatively famous musicians and make this our career.
Want your next getaway to run as smoothly as possible?

These etiquette experts have the do's and don'ts for your entire journey covered.

Sara Jane Ho - host of Netflix series Mind Your Manners and author of new book Mind Your Manners: An Insider's Guide to Social Fluency - Diane Gottsman, founder of The Protocol School of Texas, and the British Merlin of manners William Hanson reveal the best travel practices to adopt, from the very start of your trip until you step into the lift in your hotel and weigh up whether to greet those inside.

Along the way tips are dispensed on hot-potato in-flight issues such as how to decline a seat-swap request and deal with noisy children.

Is there anything to avoid wearing on a flight?

Comfort and practicality are number one when it comes to travel, says Sara Jane Ho

According to Sara, there are some fashion no-go's when it comes to travelling. The etiquette expert suggests straying from white outfits, which can easily catch dirt, as well as high heels.

Why?

She says: 'Because comfort and practicality are number one when it comes to travel. You dont want to be tottering about in heels running to your gate.'

Is there a proper way to interact with cabin crew, train conductors or other transport staff?

Sara suggests keeping it simple when it comes to interacting with cabin crew

Theres plenty of advice on how to interact with cabin crew and transportation staff floating around the internet, but Sara suggests keeping it simple by 'looking at them straight in the eye with a smile'.

To catch their attention, she suggests addressing them with, 'Excuse me, ma'am or sir.'

Are there any specific rules for using overhead bins and storage space on planes and trains?

Knowing where to place your items on a plane can be confusing for many passengers, especially when the overhead bins are already crowded with luggage.

According to Sara, the rules are simple, it's 'first come, first served'. But, she says, 'try to stay within your row'.

Etiquette guru Sara Jane Ho reveals her travel tips

Is it okay to decline someones request to switch seats?

The debate around swapping seats is ongoing, with many passengers certain they'd never give up their assigned seat and others much more willing to move.

However, according to Sara, declining a seat-swapping request is perfectly acceptable. 'You are not obligated to switch seats with anyone, she says.

Of course, she explains, this depends on which seat they want to move to. 'If its better, take it gladly. If its worse (like a middle seat) then you are justified [to decline].'

Whats the best way to decline a request?

Sara advises to politely brush it off. '"I paid a lot for this seat, thank you for understanding,"' is a good dismissal, she claims. 'Nobody knows exactly how much you paid anyway.'

She adds: 'Or you can say, "32G is my lucky seat, I always have to fly in this seat otherwise I get anxiety."'

When it comes to seating arrangements on planes, Diane Gottsman, founder of The Protocol School of Texas, told MailOnline Travel it's best to plan.

If that isn't possible, she said: 'When asking a fellow passenger if they would mind switching seats, always expect the answer may possibly be no and be prepared to accept the answer gracefully. Smile and assure them you understand. Avoid showing frustration because they will not give up their seat - they may have paid an additional fee for extra legroom.'

How can passengers be considerate of others when reclining their seats on a plane?

While the rules on seat reclining are heavily debated online, Sara claims the best way to do it is to 'recline slowly'.

How should passengers deal with someone else's noisy children?

Be prepared for noisy youngsters on public transport. To quieten them down, Sara advises non-verbal communication to begin with

Cacophonous children are almost a given on public transport.

To quieten them down, Sara advises non-verbal communication to begin with.

'Eye contact should be enough of a warning,' she says. 'If it really is getting out of hand, you can try to come across as though you are giving advice [to the parent] out of the goodness of your heart. [With babies, for example] something like, "Poor baby, do you want to try changing their nappy?"'

And for the parents?

Sara says: 'Look apologetic and at least appear to look like youre trying to pipe them down.'

What should travellers keep in mind when using electronic devices in shared transport spaces?

'It's never okay to have your phone on speaker phone in public. Wear headphones if your volume is on', says Sara

When up in the air or in the middle of a long train journey, passengers may want to unwind by watching a movie or listening to music on their devices. But, there's one thing they should keep in mind.

According to Sara: 'It's never okay to have your phone on speaker phone in public. Wear headphones if your volume is on.'

How should travellers handle situations when experiencing delays or cancellations?

According to Sara: 'Theres not much you can do, except use the lost time as an opportunity to read a book, watch a show, or make phone calls.'

What should travellers keep in mind regarding tipping etiquette?

Tipping is cultural, according to Sara, who advises checking the rules with the hotel concierge

According to Sara, tipping is cultural. The etiquette expert advises checking with the hotel concierge what the rules are before making assumptions.

As a general rule of thumb, etiquette expert William Hanson told MailOnline Travel to tip for good service and never be afraid not to tip for bad service.

He explained: In many Western countries, especially the UK and Europe, tipping should only be done when the server has gone above and beyond. When tipping cash in the UK its a case of giving an additional 10 per cent - but of course, you can always tip above that if you wish. If the service has been drastically below expectation then do not be afraid to ask for any imposed service charge to be removed, but you will need to justify your reasoning to the manager.

How should travellers be respectful of other hotel guests?

Once travellers reach their destination, there are some rules to bear in mind. Sara suggests keeping your voice down in the corridor and greeting other guests in the elevator.

She suggests: 'Say "good morning, afternoon or evening" immediately, the longer you wait, the harder it is to interact. Staying silent isn't necessarily rude if you haven't made eye contact.'

Sara's Mind Your Manners: An Insider's Guide to Social Fluency (Bluebird) is out on April 11, 2024, and available from Amazon. For more from Sara visit her Instagram profile.
Two friends have compared the same journey via bus and plane to expose the delays and inconveniences plaguing the British railway systems.

Narisa and Anji both travelled from Bristol to Edinburgh - and while the air-bound ticket cost 48.98 and only took one hour and 15 minutes, the train fare was a whopping 214.70 and, with delays, took an arduous eight hours to complete.

The pair showed Channel 5's The Great British Train Scandal - airing at 8pm tonight - how radically different their voyages, which were taken in June 2023, were.

Anji kicked her travels off at 9:36am.

'I've just arrived at Bristol Temple Meads station and I checked the times and it looks like my train to Edinburgh from Birmingham has been cancelled.' she told the programme. 'So now I have to try and find an alternative route.'

Narisa (left) and Anji (right) both travelled from Bristol to Edinburgh - and while the air-bound ticket cost 48.98 and only took one hour and 15 minutes, the train fare was a whopping 214.70 and, with delays, took an arduous eight hours to complete

Meanwhile, Narisa's easyJet flight, set for departure at 11:25am, took off a little early.

'It took me about 30 minutes by car to get from the city centre to the airport,' she said. 'It took me about 15 minutes to get through security.'

At 12:15pm, a train-bound Anji said Narisa texted her to let her know she has landed - when she had another six hours or so left.

Because the train was so packed, Anji - who didn't reserve a seat from Birmingham to Edinburgh - revealed that not only did she have to change where she sat thrice, but staff were also unable to push food carts down the aisles because of the overcrowding.

After eight hours on the rails and no trolley service, she finally joined Narisa in the Scottish capital at 6:40pm - after initially being scheduled to arrive two hours earlier.

'My day has definitely been a lot better,' Narisa told the programme. 'Got through the airport really quickly and then got a tram right away from the airport into the city centre which took about 30 minutes. And then from then on I just had free time.'

'My journey was very much less enjoyable,' Anji said. 'The train departed from Bristol on time but then the train I was supposed to get from Birmingham was cancelled so I had to just stay on the train which got me like an hour and a half later than I was supposed to get here. I think almost two hours actually.

'I think honestly I'd never do that journey again if I had the choice - and I'd definitely fly.'

The pair showed Channel 5 's The Great British Train Scandal - airing at 8pm tonight - how radically different their voyages, which were taken in June 2023, were

After eight hours on the rails and no trolley service, she finally joined Narisa in the Scottish capital at 6:40pm

'Overall it was just not worth that price,' she added. 'I might as well have done a long haul flight for that.

'Obviously it is greener... if I was on it for less time it would be fine.'

Even with Narisa's additional costs - a 20 cab to the airport and a 7.50 tram into Edinburgh city centre - she still paid less overall (76.48), and her plane ticket also included seat choice.

Meanwhile, Anji, on top of her fare, also forked out for an Uber to the train station, leaving her with a total of around 227.40 for the whole journey.

Episode one of the show also looked at safety concerns regarding our railways, and saw presenters experiment with just how germ-ridden the London Underground is.

Even with Narisa's additional costs - a 20 cab to the airport and a 7.50 tram into Edinburgh city centre - she still paid less overall, and her plane ticket also included seat choice

A Department for Transport spokesperson told the programme: 'Our trains played a vital role in assisting key workers throughout the pandemic.

'Passenger numbers have doubled under privatisation, underlining that a reformed partnership between the private and public is the best model for the future.'

Meanwhile, Network Rail said that they 'have been working to ensure that structure examinations are up to date' and 'recognise there is still work to be done'. They also claimed they're 'liaising with the ORR to get back on track'.

And The Rail Delivery Group said: 'The increase in government subsidies during the pandemic reflects the unprecedented challenges faced by the industry.

'It is committed to working towards a more reliable service.'

It added that train operators are paid on a performance-related fixed fee basis of 1.5 per cent.

The Great British Train Scandal, airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 5.
A dog defecated in the aisle next to the first-class bathroom on a United flight

Many people believe pets should be banned and restricted to traveling in cargo

A messy incident on a flight sparked a debate about pets in the cabin of planes

An airplane passenger has sparked a furious debate about whether pets should be allowed to fly in-cabin after detailing a horrifying incident in which a dog's 'messy accident' forced a flight to divert. .

In the US, it's not uncommon to see pets on board a domestic flight, provided they meet certain weight and size requirements, while in other countries passenger's fur babies may be restricted to traveling in cargo.

However, a recent incident on a United Airlines flight - which was forced to land half-way through its journey after a dog relieved himself outside the first class bathroom - has ignited a fierce debate about this policy.

In a poll of DailyMail.com readers, which asked 'should dogs be banned from airplane cabins?', an overwhelming 68 per cent answered 'yes.'

14 per cent of respondents said 'no,' while the remaining 18 per cent believes that animals should not be banned if they are trained properly.

Furious debate has erupted over whether dogs should be allowed to continue flying in airplane cabins after a pooch had a 'messy' accident on a flight that forced it to divert (stock image)

A United Airlines flight was forced to land after a dog relieved himself in the aisle of the plane - right outside the first class bathroom, a spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com

The messy incident behind the poop-debate was captured by Reddit user gig_wizard, who said they were on the five-hour Flight 422 from Houston to Seattle on Friday, April 7, when the incident occurred.

'Dog had messy accident in the aisle right in first class,' the passenger wrote alongside the photo.

The Reddit user said the flight was diverted to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where the ground crew spent over two hours trying to clean the carpet with paper towels, noting the smell made them ill.

'Gate agents kept yelling at passengers and the cabin crew,' they continued.

'The smell never quite went away.'

The multi-hour cleaning effect was ultimately unsuccessful, after the first class toilet declared unusable.

'The dog mess was apparently unresolved in there,' the passenger wrote. 'Food went bad while on the ground so very few snacks left.'

In an email to DailyMail.com, United Airlines confirmed that the incident had occurred but declined to share any other details.

According to the Department of Transportation, if pets are traveling on airlines they must comply with requirements on transport of animals by a Federal agency, a U.S. territory, or a foreign jurisdiction.

The website notes that airlines may require: a U.S. DOT form attesting to the animals health, behavior, and training; and a U.S. DOT form attesting that the animal can either not relieve itself or can relieve itself in a sanitary manner, if the animal will be on a flight that is 8 or more hours.

However, comments on the post slammed people who bring their dogs on flights, many calling for them to be restricted to cargo.

Comments on the post slammed people who bring their dogs on flights, some even sharing their own stories

'Get dogs off the f**king planes unless they fit in a carrier under the seat and they stay there,' was one person's opinion.

'This HAS to have cost United a f**k ton more than the ticket,' another guessed. 'You would think they would start individually banning bad dog owners from bringing their service pets.'

'All animals need to either be in a crate or in the cargo hold. Only service animals should be for the blind. You don't need an "emotional support dog" for a freaking plane ride,' one user raged.

'Dog people are crazy and I am sick of the "he's my baby" mentality of owners. It's a freaking animal. And the owner should be made to clean that mess up. Take a dog on a plane-clean up your mess,' they concluded.

Another user agreed, sharing they moved to Germany recently and had to fly with their pet.

'I dont want my dog in cargo, but thats where most dogs belong,' they wrote. 'Too many people have main character energy and think their dog should be in cabin. If its a carrier fine, but so many arent. There are legit service dogs, but the rules have got way too lax.'

In January, passengers were horrified after a fellow traveler pooped their pants on their flight - and left the feces 'spread out like peanut butter' all over the seat.

One of the disgusted travelers took to Reddit to share their dismay over the situation - and it quickly went viral, while sparking some suggestions that it may have been a fabricated story.
Amanda Holden has defended her teenage daughter posting bikini photos online  days after the Heart Breakfast host stripped naked live on air.

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 53, told MailOnline she encourages 'body positivity' in her household and therefore supports Lexi sharing images of herself in a bikini.

In an exclusive interview, Amanda revealed her daughter, 18, had spoken to her prior to uploading photos and it was decided between the TV presenter and her husband Chris that it was Lexi's choice to expose her body on social media.

Lexi follows in Amanda's footsteps, with the star famed for baring her bikini body online, whipping off her kit at work this week to partake in a nude life drawing.

And the mother-of-two, who's also a mum to younger daughter Hollie, 12, says Lexi is aware of the potential risks of sharing Instagram photos but is an adult in her own right, and capable of making decisions.

Amanda Holden has defended her teenage daughter posting bikini photos online  days after the Heart Breakfast host stripped naked live on air

The Britain's Got Talent judge told MailOnline she encourages 'body positivity' in her household and therefore supports Lexi (pictured) sharing images of herself in a bikini

Amanda revealed her daughter had spoken to her prior to uploading photos and it was decided between the TV presenter and her husband that it was Lexi's choice to expose her body

Lexi follows in Amanda's footsteps, with the star famed for baring her toned body on social media, telling MailOnline she is an advocate for body positivity

Amanda said: 'Lexi did speak to me and her dad about this.

'She is 18 years old now, so I feel like she's confident and we have always encouraged body positivity in our house.

'I feel like if she's ready to do that then we're all for it. She knows what could happen from doing it, but I think she should be able to do what she wants, when she wants, and at 18 that's the correct time to do it.

'I wouldn't have encouraged it before, she posted a photo last year in a bikini when she was 17 but again, that's her choice. We are happy if she is happy.'

Amanda has revealed the real reason she agreed to 'strip naked' in front of the nation on Heart Radio this week, explaining not everything was as it seemed.

She has been tasked by co-star Jamie Theakston to partake in a number of unusual challenges after she confessed to not having a hobby, and her first was to pose nude for a life drawing.

Without hesitation, Amanda, who had just returned from the Maldives, removed her clothing, as she jokingly admitted: 'I'll say yes to anything when I'm tanned, within reason obviously!'

She explained: 'I don't want to kill the magic... obviously, everyone thinks I'm naked, but I was not naked.

Amanda has revealed the real reason she agreed to 'strip naked' in front of the nation on Heart Radio this week, explaining not everything was as it seemed

The Britain's Got Talent judge models her brand new spring/summer collection for fashion brand Lipsy, showcasing her slim figure in a navy bikini

After flying to Cape Town to shoot the swimwear, Amanda stunned onboard a white yacht, wearing a matching two piece

Gazing over her shoulder in designer shades, Amanda held back her blonde hair, baring her bum in the white bikini bottoms

'There is no way I would get my full kit off with boys in the studio, but it was fun. I was wearing underwear, but this was our whole point, when I come back to Heart after being away, I always like to return with a bang. I did not know it was happening.

'Luckily, I have a good team of female producers who were armed and ready and they knew I would be up for it because I had a tan basically. So, I stripped off to my underwear. My modesty was still intact.

'There is no way I would get everything out for any reason because you have to have some decency in life, although I don't judge anyone that does. I was perfectly happy to sit there and do it and it was so much fun.

'It was pretty alarming sitting in a studio with your pants on, but you do always feel better when you have a tan.'

Amanda says she achieves her toned figure by staying healthy and working out at home, using her Peloton and running machine, but even she admits staying in shape 'takes a lot of hard work.'

Her dedication to fitness and staying trim throughout her 50s means she is happy to show off her body more than ever.

She said: 'I am addicted to my Peloton at the moment, so I am even more up for doing anything, but I am on the Pelton and tanned.

'I have an indoor running machine as well. I hate running indoors but this one, I have run all over Colorado, in the Highlands, I have the video screen in front of me... it feels really lovely. But don't get me wrong, it takes a lot of hard work.'

Amanda told MailOnline she is thrilled with the S/S collection, available to buy in Next, and particularly loves her fuchsia dress

She said her two daughters have borrowed her floral white and blue minidress, proving the pieces appeal to customers of all ages

The TV star also wore a patterned long sleeve shirt and matching floral trousers, accessorising her swimwear with the perfect beachwear coverup

Amanda's hard work has paid off, as she stuns in brand new images from her latest Lipsy collection, her slim body on display modelling classic bikinis and colourful summer dresses.

Following her autumn/winter range with the brand, Amanda admits she was 'nervous' going from Christmas sparkles to holiday essentials, but she couldn't be happier with the line, which she says is also popular with her two daughters.

She said: 'I am so happy with the whole line. The fuchsia dress is a standout piece for me. They are all at such a good price point, they don't crease, and they're so glamorous.

'There's a blue and white floral dress too, my eldest daughter Lexie wore it on holiday and then my 12-year-old got hold of it as well... it's a generational dress, it's beautiful for the warming months ahead.

'I love so much of this collection, and this is only half of the spring/summer drop so there's even more to come.

'The winter collection, when we did the Christmassy dresses, sparkles, and the boots, they are always a winner... I was nervous about this, but I adore the collection and the whole thing is in my wardrobe.'

And Amanda has fond memories of shooting the new clothing, flying out to Cape Town and staying at the Mount Nelson hotel to aptly capture the collection against the backdrop of the glistening ocean.

She added: 'We shot the whole thing on location down the round from the hotel, which felt beautifully old Hollywood, on the beach.

'Normally my lovely makeup artist carries a little wind machine for movement in photos, but we had God on our side at this point... in every single shot you will see my hair was all over the place!'
Madeleine Holtznagel, 27, is living large as she continues her romantic relationship with billionaire bar tsar Justin Hemmes, 51.

And on Monday, the model was all smiles as the couple touched down via seaplane outside the restaurateur's $100 harbourside mansion in Vaucluse, Sydney.

The couple, fresh from a getaway on the NSW south coast, were spotted disembarking from the small plane.

Madeleine dressed comfortably and casually in a white, long-sleeved dress.

The garment was light and backless, and the free-spirited model chose to go barefoot and braless.

Madeleine Holtznagel is living large as she continues her relationship with billionaire bar tsar Justin Hemmes. On Monday, the model was all smiles as the couple touched down via seaplane outside the restaurateur's $100 harbourside mansion in Vaucluse, Sydney. Both pictured

The couple, fresh from a getaway on the southern NSW coast, were spotted disembarking from the plane

Stepping out of the plane, she accessorised with a Chanel Mini Classic handbag that retails for more than $8,500.

The model wore her blonde hair up in a ponytail and shielded her eyes from the sun with statement Miu Miu sunglasses.

Madeleine was also spotted carrying a $160 oversized green corduroy tote bag from Australian fashion label, Zulu & Zephyr.

Madeleine was all smiles as she helped unload luggage from the seaplane

Madeleine was comfy and casual in a white, long-sleeved backless dress

Madeleine went barefoot as she stepped out of the plane and accessorised with a Chanel Mini Classic handbag that is priced at over $8500

Madeleine was also spotted carrying a $160 oversized green corduroy tote bag from Australian fashion label, Zulu & Zephyr

Justin, owner the Merivale hospitality group, likewise looked casual in a T-shirt and shorts.

The CEO, who is worth around $1.39billion, wore his wavy blond hair out as he led the way up from the shore and into his mansion.

Madeline and Justin quietly began dating in 2019, a year after the publican made his debut on the Financial Review Rich List with an estimated net worth of $951million.

Justin, who is the owner the Merivale hospitality group, likewise looked casual in a T-shirt and shorts

Back in June, Madeline teased her Instagram followers by wearing a ring on her wedding finger while cuddling up to Justin as they enjoyed a bowl of Udon noodles together at a restaurant in Japan.

The bling appeared to be a pretty turquoise dress ring she teamed with her outfit.

Another photo saw her wearing a different ring on the same finger as she posed in front of a bathroom mirror for a selfie.

Earlier this year, Madeleine celebrated her 27th birthday party with a lavish bash at Justin's sprawling Vaucluse estate.

Following the festivities, Madeline revealed on Instagram that her beau had also bought her two llamas as a sign of his love.

Madeline shared snaps of herself meeting the adorably fluffy farm animals.

The CEO, who is worth around $1.39 billion, wore his wavy blond hair out as he led the way up from the shore and into his mansion
Michelle Keegan and Maya Jama are reportedly in the running to become the next Bond Girl.

Bookies say the Fool Me Once actress and the Love Island presenter are favourites to take on the iconic role in the spy thriller.

They would follow in the footsteps of actors like Ursula Andress, Michelle Yeoh, Halle Berry and more recently Lea Seydoux, who have all played companions of the secret agent in the franchise.

It comes as Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 33, has reportedly signed onto four James Bond films replacing Daniel Craig.

Maya's odds have suddenly been slashed in half and are now at 5-1 while Michelle has seen hers reduced to 4-5 after it was revealed the TV star is keen to take on a massive film role.

Michelle Keegan and Maya Jama are reportedly in the running to become the next Bond Girl

Bookies have said that the Fool Me Once actress and the Love Island presenter are set to go head to head for the iconic role in the spy thriller

Corals John Hill said: 'Many punters believe Michelle Keegan will join Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the next Bond film as the female lead.

'The Fool Me Once star is now odds-on in our betting to be involved. But we have also seen some outside support for Maya Jama. The Love Island presenter has had her odds slashed in half to be the female lead.'

Maya Jama previously presented her BBC Radio 1 show for two years from 2018 before taking over from Laura Whitmore as the latest Love Island presenter.

Meanwhile Michelle played Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street from 2007 until 2013 before being killed off. She has also starred in BBC drama Our Girl, ITV's Tina and Bobby, Sky One's comedy-drama Brassic, BBC's Ten Pound Poms and Netflix's Fool Me Once.

It comes after it was reported that Aaron could be getting himself a license to kill in four James Bond films after 'endless discussions' with studio execs - who insiders claim are hoping he can replace Daniel Craig to lead the franchise into a new-age with a 'fantasy' twist.

The British actor has reportedly been formally offered the chance to play 007, with sources claiming bosses have already taken extraordinary lengths to secure him.

Producer Barbara Broccoli, 63, is not considering anyone else, according to insiders, who have claimed costume fittings for Aaron are already underway.

'It is all in the details and agents and lawyers are going through all the red tape and how many movies Aaron will sign up for.

It comes as it was reported that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is on the verge of signing a deal to become the next James Bond - and has been offered a four movie deal, insiders claim

The 33-year-old actor is reportedly set to take over the role of 007 from Daniel Craig (pictured), who bowed out from the franchise after 2021's No Time To Die

'It is currently looking to be a three-picture deal with the option of a fourth.

'They have done all the fittings, they have the haircut they have in mind for him, and he's already in tremendous shape.

'Barbara Broccoli and the rest of the producers are going to make a huge deal out of the announcement.'

According to the insider, an event will be held where the remaining living Bonds  including George Lazenby, 84, Timothy Dalton, 78, Pierce Brosnan, 70, and Daniel, 56  will be asked to attend to pass on the torch.

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Aaron for comment.
Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has revealed the surprising way he landed his role as Sean Tully on the soap.

The actor, 48, who arrived on the street way back in 2003, has been playing the barman and factory worker full time since April 2004.

As he celebrates 20 years in Weatherfield, Antony admitted he is still amazed his 'long shot' paid off after he secured the role by asking the producers for a job.

Speaking to The Mirror he explained: 'I do remember my first day on Corrie... as if it was yesterday. But I wasnt nervous, it felt like coming home because I knew so many people who had been in and out.

'Suranne Jones (who played Karen McDonald) was there, Sally Lindsay (who played Shelley Unwin) was there. I knew some of the writing team, you know, I asked for the job.'

Coronation Street star Antony Cotton, 48, has revealed the surprising way he landed his role as Sean Tully on the soap

The actor, who arrived on the street way back in 2003, has been playing the barman and factory worker full time since April 2004 (pictured in 2018)

Antony confirmed: 'I wrote and asked for the job, which is not a recommended way of getting gainful employment. But thats how I ended up there, it worked. You cant do that nowadays.'

His character Sean has been involved in many hard-hitting stories over the years including becoming homeless, being involved in a minibus crash and having a son Dylan with barmaid Violet Wilson.

Last month it was revealed Violet has returned 16 years after she quit the ITV soap.

Actress Jenny Platt, 44, made her first on-screen appearance in 2004 and remained on the cobbles until 2008, while returning to Weatherfield for one last time in 2011.

Her character Violet gave birth to a son, Dylan Wilson, (played by Liam McCheyne), who she shares with Sean and later moved to London with her son and her partner Jamie Baldwin (Rupert Hill).

That was her last appearance on the iconic soap - until now.

The barmaid appeared back on the ITV screens as a crucial part of her son Dylan's challenging storyline at the end of March.

The beloved character will be involved in supporting Dylan after he was exposed for his involvement in bullying of Liam Connor - played by Rob James-Collier - with the ringleader Mason Radcliffe.

As he celebrates 20 years in Weatherfield, Antony admitted he is still amazed his 'long shot' paid off after he secured the role by asking the producers for a job (pictured in 2004)

His character Sean has been involved in many hard-hitting stories over the years including having a son, Dylan, with barmaid Violet Wilson (pictured in 2008)

Mason (Luca Toolan) had previously made a name for himself as a school bully, and often targeted Liam, who is Maria Connor's son, with one incident seeing Mason pull a knife on Liam.

As Dylan decides to join Mason's devious behaviour, he will face consequences of his actions and will need the presence of both his parents.

Corrie actor and comedian Anthony, 48, teased the hotly-anticipated return.

'Tomorrow, after 16 years, Jenny Platt, who plays Violet Wilson, is coming back - she starts tomorrow,' he said according to The Sun.

'So I've got three scenes with her tomorrow and we will film across the next month. She's not coming back permanently, but she's coming back.'

'We've tried to get her back in various different ways. At the end of the day, she's Dylan's mum. We do often talk about Violet, and Sean off-screen goes down and stays with them.'

He went on, adding: 'But 16 years ago she left with Dylan, and she's never been seen on screen since. But I've always remained in touch with Jenny and Rupert, so it's really strange because I've not gone anywhere, I'm here.'

Meanwhile, a harrowing storyline is set to continue on Coronation Street as Liam is left so desperate he contemplates suicide after suffering months of bullying by ringleader Mason.

The character, played by Charlie Wrenshall, 14, will struggle as his mental health hits rock bottom.

The torment began with Mason pressuring Liam to vape, leading to Liam suffering an asthma attack, and the bullying then got progressively worse as Mason has been humiliating Liam to the point of tears, ordering his friends to record it and then posting it online for the world to see.

When Liam eventually stood up for himself, Mason shockingly pulled out a knife, showing just how dangerous he is.

As the cruel behaviour towards continued towards Liam both in person and online, Liam was left feeling trapped, with his mental health rapidly deteriorating.

Jenny Platt, 44, who is well-known for her role as Violet returned to the cobbles last month

The beloved character will be involved in supporting Dylan after he was exposed for his involvement in bullying of Liam Connor - played by Rob James-Collier - with the ringleader Mason Radcliffe (Dylan and Mason pictured)

In an hour-long episode on Wednesday, the depths of Liams despair will be shown as he is seen to search online for ways to kill himself but is interrupted by his mum, Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon).

Maria will go on to create a fake SendPx account to keep her eye on her son after suspecting the bullying, which ultimately leads to a horrified Maria discovering the extent of his bullying.

Liams search history will come to light when his laptop is returned to Weatherfield High and his recent search results are discovered.

As Maria fails to notice a missed call from the school, Gary Windass, Liams stepfather (Mikey North), is called in before racing to the salon to break the news to Maria that Liam has been researching ways to commit suicide.

Maria rushes back to the flat in a desperate bid to find Liam and make sure he's safe.

Whilst Liam decided against ending his own life, he still has a long journey ahead of him over the coming months.

To bring this story to the screen, Coronation Street researchers and writers have been working closely with the National Bullying Helpline to ensure Liams story is told as authentically and delicately as possible.

Iain Macleod, Executive Producer of Continuing Drama at ITV, said: 'This is a story that will have immense personal resonance for many people - it certainly did for some of the Coronation Street team.

'We felt it was important to show the mental damage that bullying can do to people on the receiving end, especially in the modern world, when children are faced with what can seem like inescapable cyber-bullying.

'The aggression doesn't stop at the school gates but can find you in the safety of your own home.

'Having said that, it was also important that across the story as a whole, we showed some hope for Liam and that by speaking up, finally, he can begin the process of escaping his nightmare and beginning to heal.

'We approached this story very carefully, consulting with a number of specialist charities, and I feel the resulting story is truthful, powerful and necessary.'

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
Anna Prochniak showed off her glamorous sense of style as she posed with her co-star Jonah Hauer-King at The Tattooist of Auschwitz gala screening at BAFTA in London on Tuesday.

The Polish actress, 35, who plays Gita Furman in the six-part series, wore an off-the-shoulder metallic silver dress which reached almost down to the ground.

Her garment featured a low-cut sweetheart neckline and flower detail to the front.

She completed her look by opting for some silver pendulum earrings for the night.

Screen star Anna was see posing arm-in-arm with actor Jonah, 28, who portrays a young Lale Sokolov in the series.

Anna Prochniak showed off her glamorous sense of style as she posed with her co-star Jonah Hauer-King at The Tattooist of Auschwitz gala screening at BAFTA in London on Tuesday

The Polish actress, 35, who plays Gita Furman in the six-part series, wore an off-the-shoulder metallic silver dress which reached almost down to the ground

He looked dapper in a black suit, while he wore a matching top under his jacket.

The star completed his look by wearing a pair of smart black shoes for the event.

The Sky and Peacock Original drama, set for release in the UK on Thursday 2 May, is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by New Zealand author Heather Morris.

It is inspired by the real-life love story between two people who met at a concentration camp during the Holocaust.

The series stars Jonah and Anna, Harvey Keitel, Melanie Lynskey and Jonas Nay.

In the trailer, an older Lali (Harvey Keitel), recounts his experiences of Auschwitz to Heather Morris (Melanie Lynskey), before exploring his memories from that time.

The trailer also shows a younger Lali (Jonah Hauer-King) as he meets and falls in love with Gita (Anna Prochniak).

The Tattooist of Auschwitz follows Lali (Jonah Hauer-King), a Slovakian Jew deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942 where over a million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust.

Her garment featured a low-cut sweetheart neckline and flower detail to the front

She completed her look by opting for some silver pendulum earrings for the night

The Sky and Peacock Original drama, set for release in the UK on Thursday 2 May, is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by New Zealand author Heather Morris

Actor Jonah, 28, who portrays a young Lale Sokolov in the series, looked dapper in a black suit, while he wore a matching top under his jacket

Dylan Corbett-Bader, who plays Jakub in the series, wore a black suit with a white vest top under his jacket

Actor Ilan Galkoff wore a navy blue short-sleeved jumper over a white shirt and some light brown trousers

The show is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by New Zealand author Heather Morris (pictured)

Actress Melanie Lynskey, who plays real-life author Heather Morris in the series, was seen posing at the event

Pictured: Jonah Hauer-King as Lali Sokolov and Anna Prochniak as Gita Furman

'We began developing this story five years ago and I was struck by how the book became a bestseller during a time when awareness of the Holocaust was in decline.' says executive producer, Claire Mundell

Shortly after arriving, he's made one of the tattooists charged with inking identification numbers onto prisoners' arms.

One day, he meets Gita. The pair experience love at first sight, and so begins their courageous, unforgettable story.

Under constant guard from a volatile Nazi SS officer Baretzki (Jonas Nay), Lali and Gita became determined to keep each other alive.

Around 60 years later, Lali (Keitel) meets novice writer Heather Morris (Lynskey).

Recently widowed, he finds the courage to tell the world his story.

Israeli actress Mili Eshet, who plays Ivana, wore a lace detail top with a plunging neckline and a pair of gold trousers

(L to R) Heather Morris, Jonah Hauer-King, Melanie Lynskey, Anna Prochniak, Claire Mundell, Jonas Nay and Tali Shalom Ezer pose together at the gala screening

It's been a long road bringing this remarkable story to life.

'We began developing this story five years ago and I was struck by how the book became a bestseller during a time when awareness of the Holocaust was in decline.' says executive producer, Claire Mundell.

'Our series tells one mans story and experience of Auschwitz and how he found love in the darkest of places.

'It is a story that is as important today as it ever was.'
Tina Malone has confessed that she is 'broken' following the death of her husband Paul Chase, as she revealed his final moments.

The actress, 61, solemnly bid farewell to the army veteran at his funeral on Thursday, after his shock death aged 42.

The Shameless star, took to social media to announce the death of her spouse of 13 years, and father of her daughter Flame, 11, last month.

And on Tuesday evening, Tina took to her social media again to admit the loss of her husband has left her 'bereft'.

She detailed Paul's final hours before he died, revealing that he had made breakfast for their daughter and kissed Tina goodbye.

Tina Malone has confessed that she is 'broken' following the death of her husband Paul Chase, as she revealed his final moments (pictured last year)

The actress, 61, solemnly bid farewell to the army veteran at his funeral on Thursday, after his shock death aged 42 (pictured together in 2015)

The Shameless star, took to social media to announce the death of her spouse of 13 years, and father of her daughter Flame, 11, last month

She tweeted: 'Four weeks ago at 4pm today my hubby made scrambled eggs, bacon, beans, sausages for Flame, kissed me and said see you later.

'10 hours later he was dead, I am broken, so bereft'.

The Brookside star was flooded with sympathetic messages from her fans, who sent their condolences and support.

They wrote: 'thinking of you in this horrendous time x; So sorry to hear this, sending you love and a big hug. I hope you can take comfort from all the happy memories, and, knowing you are in the thoughts of so many. X'

'Bless you, your daughter and all your family and friends xxx; So sorry Tina ,hopefully soon you will find some comfort from all your happy memories . Big hugs X'

'Awe this is so sad, you must be going through a terrible time , big hugs to you and your daughter , stay strong ; Im so sorry for your loss x'

'The last thing you remember him doing was an act of love for your child together. <3 That is something that you will treasure in time more than you can right now. I am sending so much love from Belfast <3 to you and Flame.'

Paul was laid to rest last week, with a crowd of mourners gathering outside Tina's home in Liverpool, where she joined them and received hugs and comfort from friends and relatives.

On Tuesday, Tina took to her social media again to admit the loss has left her 'bereft' and detailed Paul's final hours before he died, revealing he made their daughter breakfast (pictured with Flame in 2014)

She tweeted: 'Four weeks ago at 4pm today my hubby made scrambled eggs, bacon, beans, sausages for Flame, kissed me and said see you later. 10 hours later he was dead, I am broken, so bereft'

The Brookside star was flooded with sympathetic messages from her fans, who sent their condolences and support

Paul was laid to rest last week, with a crowd of mourners gathering outside Tina's home in Liverpool, where she joined them and received hugs and comfort from friends and relatives (Paul pictured in 2013)

Many could be seen drying their eyes as fellow veterans helped to carry Paul's coffin to his hearse, which was draped in a flag with his dress hat from the Cheshire Regiment placed on top

Many could be seen drying their eyes as fellow veterans helped to carry Paul's coffin to his hearse, which was draped in a flag with his dress hat from the Cheshire Regiment placed on top.

Tina revealed the devastating news of Paul's passing on her X page and said she was 'heartbroken' over the loss.

The statement read: 'It's with total heartbreak I write this my husband Paul Chase Malone passed away this morning we are totally devastated.' She did not reveal Paul's cause of death.

Former colleagues of Paul revealed he had 'battled mental demons' before his death, as they paid tribute after the tragic news.

Tina tied the knot with Paul, who is 19 years her junior, in 2010 and they were married for nine years, before briefly separating in 2019 - getting back together just months later in February 2020.

The couple share one daughter together called Flame, now 11, who Tina gave birth to in 2013 following IVF, when she was 50 years old.

Tina is also mother to daughter Danielle, 41, who she welcomed when she was 18 during a previous relationship.

Following their 2020 reunion, the soap star said their relationship was back to normal and said their 'love never went away.'

She told Closer magazine at the time: 'The love never went away, we're working on things now, our problems were compounded by depression but I learned that in tough times you have to pull together and not apart.

Tina tied the knot with Paul, who is 19 years her junior, in 2010 and they were married for nine years, before briefly separating in 2019 - getting back together just months later in February 2020 (pictured together in 2012)

The couple share one daughter together called Flame, now 11, who Tina gave birth to in 2013 following IVF, when she was 50 years old (pictured all together in 2014)

'We were either arguing, bickering or not talking at all, I'd end up putting Flame to bed and falling asleep next to her.

'Paul and I had always had a great sex life but were barely touching each other. At one point, we didn't have sex for five months.'

Previously opening up on her relationship with husband of 13 years, Tina revealed they 'always had that attraction'.

Speaking last year, despite being on the brink of divorce in 2019, Tina assured that 'things are good' now and confessed the pair still had 'so much passion'.

She explained: 'Even in times when I've loathed him, and we all have that in relationships, in the worst of times - never ever has he not turned me on. We've always had that attraction.

'Sex just gets better as you get older. I'm 60 so I'm comfortable with myself. I like to think I'm accomplished at most things in my life now - and that applies in the bedroom too!

'Paul and I still have so much passion, after 13 years you know each other so well. He still gives me butterflies.'

The relationship hit rock bottom in 2017 when Tina said she was left feeling suicidal after she was arrested and cautioned for possession of cocaine following her performance in pantomime Sleeping Beauty.

Following their 2020 reunion, the soap star said their relationship was back to normal and said their 'love never went away' (pictured in 2017)

Speaking last year, despite being on the brink of divorce in 2019, Tina assured that 'things are good' now and confessed the pair still had 'so much passion' (pictured in 2013)

Paul, meanwhile, lost his job caring for violent teenagers and the couple found themselves on the brink of bankruptcy.

Speaking in June 2018, Tina revealed she felt so low following her public drug arrest - which happened in front of her daughter Flame - that she planned to take her own life.

She told the Daily Star: 'I felt like a burden to everybody so I wrote to everyone to apologise and planned my own funeral.

'I needed this to work. The panto thing killed me. This has been the worst time in my entire life.'

The couple tried for 18 months to make a go of things but Tina said she eventually came to the decision she wanted a divorce.

But after Paul found a job in the army, his mental health improved and they managed to patch things up.

'Paul has learned he needs to recognise depression in himself and we are working on things, I say to him now: 'I might want to kill you, but I'll never divorce you',' Tina said.

Former alcoholic Tina said she has 'always been honest' about her past addictions - admitting she 'smoked pot' during her college days - but that alcohol was her 'drug of choice'.

The mother-of-two said she would own up if she had been taking drugs and claimed that her arrest was a set-up and the drugs were planted.
Married At First Sight groom Bronson Norrish is locked in a legal battle with a company owned by Australia's richest man, mining magnate Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest.

The reality TV star's Perth-based company, The Australian Party Boat Charters, commissioned SFM Marine - which is owned by Forrest - to conduct a marine hoisting service on his vessel in 2022.

Norrish, 39, alleges his boat was damaged during process and is taking SFM Marine to court over the $730,969 repair bill.

He is also seeking an additional $586,792 for loss of profits between July 2022 and March 2023, which brings the total sum sought to $1.317million.

Norrish is claiming SFM Marine failed to 'provide appropriate support to the vessel's hull during the lifting and standing', reports The Australian.

Married A t First Sight star Bronson Norris is locked in a legal battle with a company owned by Australia's richest man, mining magnate Andrew ' Twiggy ' Forrest

Although SFM Marine deny any liability, the company has offered to pay Norrish $125,000 and waive their maintenance fee of $54,000.

According to The Australian, lawyers for SFM Marine have sent Norrish's team a letter saying if he does not accept the offer then no counter offer will be considered and the company will defend the claim entirely.

However, Norrish has said he is not prepared to accept the settlement offer.

Bronson Norrish, 39, who runs Perth-based The Australian Party Boat Charters, commissioned SFM Marine - which is owned by Forrest (pictured) - to conduct a marine hoisting service on his vessel back in 2022

'Losing our main money on a boat, losing one full season of operating and having to take out a million-dollar loan to pay repair costs associated with the damage has put us in the red,' he said.

'The reason we kept pushing through and doing the repairs was because SFM were willing to pay and admitted fault. Now they've done a 180 and we've got no way of paying off the debt.'

Norrish added if he does not receive the settlement he won't be able to pay debts and will risk foreclosure.

Norrish alleges his boat was damaged during process and is taking SFM Marine to court for the costs of the $730,969 repair bill

A spokesperson for SFM Marine said Norrish's company had not substantiated its claims.

'The insurer has repeatedly requested supporting evidence. This includes the extent of damage allegedly caused, as opposed to prior wear and tear on the vessel or other costs unrelated to the damage allegedly caused,' they said.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to both parties for comment.

Norrish rose to fame on Married At First Sight in 2019, where he was paired with Ines Basic.
Fried chicken at Minnie Bells Soul Movement, located at 1375 Fillmore St. The restaurant celebrates the areas African American history. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

When the first diners walk into Minnie Bells Soul Movement in San Francisco on April 19, theyll see a mural-sized photograph of the same Fillmore block from the 1960s. Back then, across from the new restaurant at 1375 Fillmore St., there were prominent Black businesses like Gilmores Barbecue and the old American Theater, a hub for Black jazz musicians when the neighborhood was known as the Harlem of the West.

With the long-awaited opening of Minnie Bells, third-generation Fillmore resident Fernay McPherson hopes to bring back a slice of that bustling Black enclave, serving old family recipes and new dishes in a dining room featuring nods to the past.

The new restaurant will offer an expanded version of the menu at Minnie Bells original Emeryville location, which opened in 2018 (and will remain open after the San Francisco location launches). Its anchored by chef McPhersons lauded fried chicken perfumed with rosemary, in two-piece, four-piece and eight-piece meal orders, as well as in sandwich form. New items are also in the works, such as a vegan stand-in for chicken made with oyster mushrooms, and a roasted chicken cornbread salad meal. Sides like collard greens, candied yams and cornbread will round out the menu. And naturally, there will also be Minnie Bells mac and cheese, which former Chronicle restaurant critic Soleil Ho crowned the best in the Bay Area.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The interior of Minnie Bells Soul Movement, located at 1375 Fillmore St. in San Francisco. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Current plans are to introduce a Friday fish fry and brunch once the restaurant is running at full speed. Brunch items would include a plate with rosemary fried chicken and brioche French toast, as well as a chicken and caviar pairing. Other dishes in the works include oxtails made with a family recipe accompanied by a fried grit cake. Beverages will include five taps of beer and wine, with an emphasis on sparkling wines that McPherson says go well with fried chicken. At brunch, expect mimosas and mimosa flights with four flavors of juice.

Fans of McPhersons caramel cake, a sleeper hit on the Emeryville menu, will be pleased to hear its making a comeback after a long absence. Im the only person who can make it, but I havent been able to because Ive been busy with all of this, she said, stretching her arms toward the near-complete dining room on a recent morning. McPherson traces her familys history in the Fillmore to the arrival of her great-aunt Minnie and her grandmother Lillie Bell. The business takes its names from both family matriarchs, who taught her how to cook and developed her appreciation for food from a young age.

I just loved going to their house for family dinners. The food was amazing, and the presentation was beautiful, McPherson said. They were my inspiration and theyre on their journey with me.

Fernay McPherson, owner and chef of Minnie Bells Soul Movement, in front of a mural of her great-aunt Minnie Scott, left, and grandmother Lillie Bell, right. They were my inspiration and theyre on their journey with me, McPherson said. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

The Fillmore neighborhood has never fully recovered from a policy of urban renewal in the 1960s, in which much of it was razed and its community was dismantled, forcing more than 10,000 Black families to leave. Efforts to revive business activity in the neighborhood have spun out, and calls from Black leaders to address the areas problems are constant. While restaurants such as deli Wise Sons, State Bird Provisions and Merchant Roots  which neighbors Minnie Bells  have established themselves in the area, none of them is Black-owned.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Walking down the street today, you would never know there was so much history, McPherson said.

Growing up, McPherson recalls visiting some of the few Black-owned businesses in the neighborhood, such as Virgos, a popular corner store at the intersection of Buchanan and McAllister known for its hot link sandwiches. McPhersons father, whom she jokingly calls Mr. Fillmore, often speaks of the old neighborhoods businesses, sometimes triggered by seeing the photo mural at the restaurant. When he saw that picture, he just began naming off all types of stuff, she said.

The restaurant has received grant funding and free services from the Dream Keepers initiative, a program from Mayor London Breeds office to help bring Black-owned businesses into San Francisco.

In a prepared statement, Mayor Breed expressed pride in the $60 million programs results since its 2021 launch. Minnie Bells, said Breed, is a good example of our work in action, and we are thrilled to welcome this restaurant to the Fillmore neighborhood.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Fried chicken, cornbread, mac and cheese, and pickled vegetables at Minnie Bells Soul Movement. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Minnie Bells took over the former Brunos Pizzeria space, on a block that has seen its fair share of recent restaurant closings, including popular spots like Scotts Chowder House. Finding the right venue in the neighborhood for the restaurant took about eight years, McPherson previously told the Chronicle.

Although the opening is still days away, theres already a warmth and patina of age inside the new dining room. There are padded booths, tables with ample chairs and a small lounge area where diners can have a drink looking out onto Fillmore Street. The bar has 10 stools covered in a retro burgundy fabric, and a long family table can be reserved for parties of up to eight or used as communal seating.

When McPherson welcomes diners for the first time next week, the person shes most excited to see is her great-aunt Minnie, whose young likeness, taken from an old photo, graces one side of the dining room.

When she eats my food and tells me Im getting better and better, thats the only validation that I need, McPherson said. When she comes in and sees this, the look on her face is going to be priceless.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
The official title for Paramount's highly-anticipated Gladiator sequel has been officially unveiled as Gladiator II.

Artwork from the sequel was spotted by CinePop at the annual Las Vegas exhibitor convention CinemaCon, where movie theater owners from around the world gather.

The title was seen on a shield affixed to a number of epic statues at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, where the convention is held.

The shield also features the official tagline - 'What we do in life echoes in eternity' - a quote from Russell Crowe's Maximus Decimus Meridius from the original Gladiator.

The first footage from the highly-anticipated sequel is expected to be shown during Paramount's CinemaCon presentation at 10 AM on Thursday.

The official title for Paramount's highly-anticipated Gladiator sequel has been officially unveiled as Gladiator II

The title was seen on a shield affixed to a number of epic statues at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, where the convention is held

The shield also features the official tagline - 'What we do in life echoes in eternity' - a quote from Russell Crowe's Maximus Decimus Meridius from the original Gladiator

The original classic earned $465 million worldwide from a $103 million budget and won five Oscars including Best Picture after its theatrical run in 2000.

The story is set in 180 AD, following Maximus returning home after leading Roman forces to victory over Germanic tribes.

Meanwhile, his Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), is secretly murdered by his treacherous son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), after telling him he was unfit to rule.

After Maximus refused to pledge his loyalty to Commodus, he murdered his family, as Maximus is captured by slave traders as he must fight his way through various obstacles to get his vengeance against Commodus.

The film from director Ridley Scott and writers David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson is still considered a classic.

While there had been talk of a sequel since 2001, it never fully came to fruition since 2018 when Paramount gave the project a green light.

As had been rumored for years, the sequel will center on Lucius (Paul Mescal), the nephew of Commodus and son of Maximus' former lover Lucilla (Connie Nielsen).

Lucius was previously portrayed by Spencer Treat Clark in the original Gladiator, who idolized Maximus for his battles.

The original classic earned $465 million worldwide from a $103 million budget and won five Oscars including Best Picture after its theatrical run in 2000

The story is set in 180 AD, following Maximus returning home after leading Roman forces to victory over Germanic tribes

After Maximus refused to pledge his loyalty to Commodus, he murdered his family, as Maximus is captured by slave traders as he must fight his way through various obstacles to get his vengeance against Commodus

The sequel will be set after Maximus' death, following Lucius, who has long thought that his mother is dead.

Denzel Washington also stars as as a character who's name has yet to be revealed, described as a former slave turned wealthy arms dealer who hates emperors.

The cast also includes Joseph Quinn as Emperor Caracalla, Fred Hechinger as Emperor Greta and Pedro Pascal in an unspecified role.

Original Gladiator stars Connie Nielsen (Lucilla) and Derek Jacobi (Senator Gracchus) are also slated to return.
John Cena addressed the past, longstanding feud between his Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel and fellow WWE wrestler Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

During an appearance on a recent episode of the Armchair Expert podcast, the actor, 46, weighed in on the on-set discord between his castmates.

When host Dax Shepherd said having Johnson and Diesel working together on set was 'a rough pairing,' Cena was inclined to agree about the rumors, which went back nearly a decade and began circa 2016 when they first worked together on the fifth franchise film.

'There's certainly rumors about that,' Cena conceded. 'I can't deny that.'

He shared that both Diesel and Johnson are alpha types, adding that they don't necessarily work well together for that reason.

John Cena addressed the rumored, longstanding feud between his Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel and fellow WWE wrestler Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Their feud went back nearly a decade and began circa 2016 when they first worked together on the fifth franchise film; seen in 2011 and 2013, respectively

During an appearance on a recent episode of the Armchair Expert podcast, the actor, 46, weighed in on the on-set discord between his castmates . When host Dax Shepherd said having Johnson and Diesel working together on set was 'a rough pairing,' Cena was inclined to agree

'You have two very alpha, driven people,' he said on the podcast. 'You get two, there can only be one.'

As for how he survived with the amount of alphas in the franchise, he said he turned to his experience in WWE, where he learned to keep his head down and be a team player.

'Man, you gotta remember I got dropped into a locker room where [we have] generational vets,' he recalled about being surrounded by wrestlers who came from families of wrestlers.

'I've been in that environment,' he said before adding that he learned to 'know the room and just kind of adapt to what's going on.'

'I'm being invited into someone's home, into someone's family,' he continued.

'And regardless of how they look physically in comparison to another human being, this is one IP that has had nine installments and it's an action movie  that's rarefied air,' he added. 'At the very least, there has to be respect for that.'

The longstanding Fast & Furious feud between the two 'alphas' came to an end last year when Johnson made a shocking appearance, returning as Luke Hobbs, in a Fast X mid-credits scene.

He had previously publicly declared that 'there was no chance I would return' to the franchise.

He shared that both Diesel and Johnson are alpha types, adding that they don't necessarily work well together for that reason

The longstanding Fast & Furious feud between the two 'alphas' came to an end last year when Johnson made a shocking appearance , returning as Luke Hobbs, in a Fast X mid-credits scene. He had previously publicly declared that 'there was no chance I would return' to the franchise; seen in April 2011

Back in late 2021, Diesel had extended an invitation to Johnson to join Fast X but the latter had declined.

In November of that year, Diesel took to Instagram to ask Johnson, who he said his children call 'Uncle Dwayne,' to reprise his role as secret agent Hobbs for the finale.

That following month, Johnson publicly declined his request to rejoin for the 10th movie and said that he 'would not be returning to the franchise' in an interview with CNN.

He said Diesel's social media post was 'an example of his manipulation' as he said they had already reached an agreement in private.

However, it appeared to be a bluff as he revealed he and Diesel had finally squashed their beef.

'Last summer Vin and I put all the past behind us,' Johnson tweeted after Fast X opened in theaters. 'We'll lead with brotherhood and resolve  and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love.'

In his Instagram invitation, Diesel wrote: 'The world awaits the finale of Fast 10. As you know, my children refer to you as Uncle Dwayne in my house. There is not a holiday that goes by that they and you don't send well wishes... but the time has come. Legacy awaits. I told you years ago that I was going to fulfill my promise to Pablo. I swore that we would reach and manifest the best Fast in the finale that is 10!'

In an interview, Johnson addressed his co-star's social media post with what appeared to be disdain.

As for how he survived with the amount of alphas in the franchise, he said he turned to his experience in WWE, where he learned to keep his head down and be a team player

Back in late 2021, Diesel had extended an invitation to Johnson to join Fast X but the latter had declined. Johnson publicly said that he 'would not be returning to the franchise' in an interview with CNN. He also said he felt Diesel's social media post was 'an example of his manipulation' for bringing up his kids as well as the late Paul Walker, adding they had already reached an agreement in private; seen in 2013

'I told [Diesel] directly that I would not be returning to the franchise. I was firm yet cordial with my words and said that I would always be supportive of the cast and always root for the franchise to be successful, but that there was no chance I would return,' he explained.

'Vin's recent public post was an example of his manipulation. I didn't like that he brought up his children in the post, as well as Paul Walker's death. Leave them out of it. We had spoken months ago about this and came to a clear understanding.'

Ahead of the Fast X production two years ago, he said he wished well for the franchise cast and crew.

'My goal all along was to end my amazing journey with this incredible franchise with gratitude and grace,' Johnson continued.

In October 2021, Johnson addressed the longstanding feud with Diesel in his cover interview for Vanity Fair. At the time, he said that he and his co-star were just 'philosophically two different people' who 'approach the business of moviemaking in two very different ways'; seen in March 2024

'It's unfortunate that this public dialogue has muddied the waters. Regardless, I'm confident in the 'Fast' universe and its ability to consistently deliver for the audience I truly wish my former co-stars and crew members the best of luck and success in the next chapter.'

Previously, Cena joined the franchise for the 2021 release of F9: The Fast Saga as Diesel's Dominic Toretto's on-screen and estranged brother Jakob.

In October of that year, Johnson addressed the longstanding feud with Diesel in his cover interview for Vanity Fair.

At the time, he said that he and his co-star were just 'philosophically two different people' who 'approach the business of moviemaking in two very different ways'.
Christina Applegate is learning to live with multiple sclerosis, one step at a time.

The Emmy Award winner, 52, opened up on Tuesday's episode of the MeSsy podcast about how she walked 9,000 steps without a cane on a recent family trip to The Netherlands and Paris.

'I ended up walking. I couldn't believe it,' she told co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

'The first couple of days I walked with my cane and then I started to feel like that was actually hindering me a little bit in some weird way,' added Applegate.

'All of a sudden this, like, strange superpower took over and I just ended up walking without my cane the whole rest of the time and was amazed by it.'

Christina Applegate opened up on Tuesday's episode of the MeSsy podcast about how she walked 9,000 steps without a cane on a recent family trip to The Netherlands and Paris

'I ended up walking. I couldn't believe it,' she told co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler

After revealing she was diagnosed with MS in 2021, Applegate said she hasn't 'gone over maybe 2,000 steps in a day.'

'And I was looking at my Fitbit and it was like 9,000 [steps] a day,' added Applegate.

Applegate had a 'great' time on the trip, which she described as a 'big family get-together' with husband Martyn LeNoble's family in The Netherlands.

The Dead to Me star married the Dutch bassist, 54, in 2013, and they share 13-year-old daughter Sadie Grace.

She and Sigler, 42, launched their podcast last month after they were introduced by mutual friend Lance Bass and connected over their shared diagnosis.

Applegate told People the Sopranos star is 'the only person who really knows' her as they 'talk about the hard stuff' on their podcast.

'If I didn't have her, I wouldn't be able to do this life thing,' said Applegate.

Sigler added, 'Were in two very different places with MS, but we help each other.

After revealing she was diagnosed with MS in 2021, Applegate said she hasn't 'gone over maybe 2,000 steps in a day'

She and Sigler, 42, launched their podcast last month after they were introduced by mutual friend Lance Bass and connected over their shared diagnosis

The Dead to Me star married Martyn LeNoble in 2013, and they share 13-year-old daughter Sadie Grace

'Christina opened me up. I didnt realize how desperately I needed to stop trying to be perfect,' she said.

Applegate's latest health update comes after she said 'I live kind of in hell,' telling Robin Roberts on Good Morning America that she 'blacked out' during her appearance at the 75th Emmy Awards in January.

'I'm not out a lot so this is like a little difficult just for my system, but yeah of course the support is wonderful and I'm really grateful,' said Applegate at the time.
Merrick Watts has spoken about his 'brutal' split with his longtime comedy partner, Tim 'Rosso' Ross.

'Merrick and Rosso' were best known for their radio shows on Triple J, Nova, and Triple M, but the comedy duo shocked their listeners when they parted ways in 2009 after over a decade together.

'Rosso and I fractured, we split up at the end of 2009. It was brutal, it was tough. It's not really something I talk about a lotbut it was really devastating at the time,' he told SAS Australia host Ant Middleton on his podcast Head Game on Tuesday.

'I was focused on wanting to follow a certain trajectory that I felt innately was the right way to go and that was probably in conflict to the way we were doing things and the way we were working together.'

The comedian said he felt the collaboration between himself and his partner had run its course at the time.

Merrick Watts has opened up about the 'fracturing' between himself and his longtime comedy partner, Tim 'Rosso' Ross

'I think we just exhausted ourselves as a unit and we'd done everything, we'd even lived together, and then I got my own family and got different priorities,' he claimed.

Ant suggested that Watts' change in priorities was likely due to the arrival of his first son, Wolfe, in 2009.

'I kind of wanted to forge my own identitywhich I thought would be a lot easier than what it was,' Watts added.

The podcast interview wasn't the first time Watts encountered Ant, as the pair first met on SAS Australia in 2020.

Watts said Middleton helped him achieve 'the best physical and mental state I've been in in my entire life'.

Speaking candidly at the time, he said he struggled with anxiety and depression before making the appearance on the gruelling Channel Seven series.

'Rosso and I fractured, we split up at the end of 2009. It was brutal, it was tough. It's not really something I talk about a lotbut it was really devastating at the time,' he told SAS Australia host Ant Middleton on his podcast Head Game on Tuesday

Ant suggested that Watts' change in priorities was likely due to the arrival of his first son, Wolfe, in 2009

The father-of-two said he had been in the 'worst mental state' of his life, and not even a psychologist or 10-week meditation course could help.

'I felt like I was chipping away,' Watts said during an interview with Nova's Fitzy and Wippa.

'I did all the right things, I spoke to a psychologist, I spoke to my doctor, I did a 10-week meditation course. Nothing was working. I know that what I needed was to rebuild my confidence.'

Watts said he knew that going on SAS Australia would help him feel more confident.

'When I'm confident I'm very, very capable. When I'm not confident I go back into my shell... I knew that just the process of getting ready for SAS Australia would be enough to rebuild my confidence and I was right,' he explained.

'I look at myself, a year ago and when I signed up for this show I was in the worst mental state I've ever been in. I look at myself a year later and I'm in the best physical and mental state I've been in in my entire life.'

He finished: 'It's been extraordinarily good for my mind and my body.'
Channel Seven reporter Nathan Templeton stood up for his colleagues after they were chastised by fellow journalist and former Bachelorette Georgia Love over grammar.

Templeton, 44, tragically died after suffering a medical episode while walking with his dog near the Barwon River in Geelong on Monday evening.

The journalist had worked for the Seven Network for more than 12 years, including as the Melbourne correspondent for Sunrise, and in its sport department.

He'd sent a supportive email to Seven staff back in October 2021, telling them they were all doing a great job after fellow reporter Love urged them to correct their grammar.

'Hi friends! Just a note on using the word ''surgery''  it doesn't need to be pluralised. You have surgery, not "a surgery", so you don't have "surgeries". Ie. "all elective surgery is cancelled'',' Love wrote in the email to the newsroom.

Nathan Templeton, 44, tragically died after suffering a medical episode while walking with his dog near the Barwon River in Geelong on Monday evening

Templeton stood up for his colleagues after they were chastised by fellow journalist and former Bachelorette Georgia Love over grammar

Templeton sent a message of support to staff after Love's email

'Alternatively, can use ''operations'' or ''procedures''. Eeeeeeeeeeveryone (sic) does it, it's just one of those bug bears that's incorrect but has snuck into our language.'

Templeton, a senior reporter with the network, sent an email in reply saying Love's message was unnecessary.

'Hi friends. Just a note to say this note is not helpful or reasonable. Please carry on your great work and forget about it. You're all doing a great job under difficult circumstances. Keep it going  we love you. Xxx,' he wrote.

Love's email was also incorrect as 'surgeries' can be used in particular contexts.

Daily Mail Australia understands Templeton had been grappling with long-standing personal issues - including depression - and had been receiving support.

Love had emailed her colleague about grammatical errors in October, 2021

He leaves behind his wife Kate and two young sons James and Jack.

Templeton had not been on-air for Sunrise since late 2022 and was working in a behind-the-scenes role last year.

His family said in a statement on Wednesday: 'Our hearts are broken for an adoring father and a wonderful friend, who'll be missed by many'.

Just a few days earlier, Templeton had shared photos to Instagram of himself and his two young sons eating chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday.

'Favourite morning of the year,' he captioned the family photo.
Jodie Foster is opening up about her experiences directing Robert Downey Jr. while he was still battling drug addiction in 1995's Home For the Holidays.

Just a few years removed from his Oscar-nominated performance in 1992's Chaplin, the 59-year-old actor was then seen as 'too risky to hire' due to his addictions.

The 61-year-old actress was making just her second film as director after her 1991 debut Little Man Tate, where she decided to take a chance on Downey Jr.

During a wide-ranging profile for Esquire, Foster revealed how she confronted the actor about his demons, revealing how worried she was for him.

'I took him aside at one point during filming and said, "Look, I couldnt be more grateful for what youve given in this film,"' Foster began.

Jodie Foster is opening up about her experiences directing Robert Downey Jr . while he was still battling drug addiction in 1995's Home For the Holidays.

The 61-year-old actress was making just her second film as director after her 1991 debut Little Man Tate, where she decided to take a chance on Downey Jr.

During a wide-ranging profile for Esquire , Foster revealed how she confronted the actor about his demons, revealing how worried she was for him

'But Im scared of what happens to you next. Right now you are incredibly good at balancing on the barstool. But its really precarious, and Im not sure how thats going to end,"' she recalled.

When asked what made her take a chance on the actor in the midst of his addiction troubles, she admitted he was a, 'genius.'

'What was so interesting about him then was what a genius he wasthere was more creativity in his little finger than I will ever have in my whole lifebut he did not have the discipline,' Foster admitted.

'He was so out there that all of that wonderful talent was kind of just, like, flailing his arms in the water and making a big mess,' Foster said.

'But it was in there somewhere, right? Because now he is somebody whos become disciplined almost as a way of surviving,' Foster continued.

'I have faith in peoples ability to change if they want it, and he really wanted it. And Mel, too,' she said, referring to Mel Gibson, who she cast in her 2011 film The Beaver after his notorious 2006 anti-Semitic rant.

Gibson himself even had some high praise for Downey Jr., revealing he reached out a few years after the rant effectively ended his career for a few years.

'One time, I got into a bit of a sticky situation where it kind of ended my career. I was drunk in the back of a police car and I said some stupid shit, and all of a sudden: blacklisted. Im the poster boy for canceled,' Gibson said of his 2006 rant.

'But Im scared of what happens to you next. Right now you are incredibly good at balancing on the barstool. B ut its really precarious, and Im not sure how thats going to end,"' she recalled

When asked what made her take a chance on the actor in the midst of his addiction troubles, she admitted he was a, 'genius'

'I have faith in peoples ability to change if they want it, and he really wanted it. And Mel, too,' she said, referring to Mel Gibson, who she cast in her 2011 film The Beaver after his notorious 2006 anti-Semitic rant

'A couple of years into that he invited me to some kind of award he was gettingwe always had this kind of seesaw thing, where if he was on the wagon, I was falling off, and if I was on the wagon, he was falling off,' he said.

'So I was pretty much nonexistent in Hollywood at the time, and he stood up and spoke for me. It was a bold and generous and kind gesture. I loved him for that,' Gibson added.

Downey Jr.'s Tropic Thunder co-star/director Ben Stiller also agreed with the assertion that he is a genius.

'I really do feel like thats the word for him. Although a genius is someone who might not have to work as hard, and Robert works incredibly hard,' Stiller said.
Kristen Doute tried to apologize to Michelle Lally for saying that someone alleged she was a 'racist' on Tuesday's episode of The Valley on Bravo.

'All because of him,' Kristen, 41, said, pointing to Zach Wickham. 'No s*** Michelle, I couldn't be more sorry.'

The episode titled Capri Chaos opened at Jesse and Michelle Lally's Capri themed dinner with them both upset with Kristen for even associating Michelle with the word 'racist.'

'You're not sorry!' Michelle, 36, said.

'I am f***ing sorry,' Kristen said.

Kristen Doute tried to apologize to Michelle Lally for saying that someone alleged she was a 'racist' on Tuesday's episode of The Valley on Bravo

'I feel like an a**hole that I have to say I am not a racist,' Michelle said in a confessional. 'And it's because a crazy person didn't want to feel attacked anymore, so she decided to attack me.'

'You need to grow up a little bit,' Jesse, 39, said. 'I'm not being an a**hole about it but you're doing the same s*** over and over again expecting a different result.'

'Let's f***ing go Kristen,' Kristen's boyfriend Luke Broderick, 33, said.

'We are all attacking one person, this is not cool to do,' Jax Taylor, 44, said.

'Suck it up, sit down, say you're sorry, and say no one said that!' Michelle said.

'I have to pretend that I made it up?' Kristen said.

'It's bulls*** that I'm the one getting solely attacked right now,' Kristen said in a confessional. 'I repeated some things. I shouldn't have done it. But I repeated what Zach told me and Luke.'

Kristen then confronted Zach Wickham and said she was 'so beyond disappointed' in him.

Michelle pursed her lips while listening to Kristen

'I am f***ing sorry,' Kristen earlier said during the Capri party

'We are all attacking one person, this is not cool to do,' Jax Taylor, 44, said

'It's bulls*** that I'm the one getting solely attacked right now,' Kristen said in a confessional. 'I repeated some things. I shouldn't have done it. But I repeated what Zach told me and Luke'

'I don't even f***ing know you,' Kristen said.

'You are trying right now to take zero responsibility,' Zach said.

Zach admitted that he was partially to blame and admitted on camera. Zach said she didn't even go after Janet Caperna.

'You have put words in my mouth that were untrue,' pregnant Janet said. 'It's causing me stress.'

Jax and Brittany Cartwright, 35, had a speech therapist, Miss Dory, come to their house to see their son Cruz. Brittany said Cruz seemed to be doing great but then he kind of stopped talking.

'It can make you really, really sad sometimes, because you just want your kid to be so perfect,' Brittany said in a confessional.

Brittany also said Jax and her used to have sex all the time but now they had it twice in the past year.

The next day, Michelle told Jesse that Kristen sent her a text message that said,' I just want you to know that your secrets are safe with me and I don't retaliate for the sake of my own mental health.'

Brittany also said Jax and her used to have sex all the time but now they had it twice in the past year

'What secret is she talking about?' Jesse said.

Michelle said she didn't know. Michelle said she keeps trying to be the bigger person but that Kristen kept upsetting her. Jesse said he got turned on when Michelle stood up and yelled at the dinner.

'Jesse and I haven't laughed like this in years,' Michelle said in a confessional. 'In a twisted way Kristen is bringing Jesse and I together.'

At her house, Janet talked with her husband Jason, 40, about the upcoming Be The Match event she was planning and said she didn't want any drama to ruin the night.

Kristen said in a confessional that she made up with Zach after the Capri dinner because they both realized 'we were just pawns in Janet's giant manipulation game. Janet really loves the sh** talking, the planting of the seeds, the lighting the match and walking away.'

'Jesse and I haven't laughed like this in years,' Michelle said in a confessional. 'In a twisted way Kristen is bringing Jesse and I together'

'I've done therapy twice this week just over this group of people,' Kristen said.

'You don't have to tell me twice, babe,' Luke said.

Jax, Danny and Jesse took the kids out to the county fair.

'I don't know how much more I can protect her and have her back,' Jax said about Kristen.

'She said she's done so much work on herself,' Danny said.

'I don't understand what work has she done?' Jax said. ' Who's her therapist? Because that person needs to be fired.'

Jax asked Jesse how things were going with his therapy. Jesse said his couple's therapist told him to not give compliments anymore and Jax said he didn't give them enough.

'I think it's safe to say that the romantic spark is not there anymore,' Jax said in a confessional.

Jax, Danny and Jesse took the kids out to the county fair

'I think it's safe to say that the romantic spark is not there anymore,' Jax said in a confessional.

'Michelle used to show up at my house in a trench coat and I used to tie her up and pour hot wax on her back,' Jesse said. 'Now I can't even get a candle lit in my own house without 'that doesn't smell right.'

'Life changes man but you've got to just figure it out,' Danny said.

'I don't want it to change,' Jax said. 'I had issues. I wanted sex three, four times a day, all day everyday and now it's like do we do it this month?'

Kristen and Luke went out to lunch.

'We get home sex, smoke weed, sex,' Kristen said.

'As long as I've got ten minutes in between, we're good,' Luke said.

Luke asked Kristen where she wanted to live once they had a family. Kristen said California was important to her.

'I can't leave California, tomorrow or next year or the year after,' Kristen said.

'We get home sex, smoke weed, sex,' Kristen said

'As long as I've got ten minutes in between, we're good,' Luke said

'I'm not married to living in LA,' Kristen said in a confessional. 'And I know that is Luke's non negotiable. But I'm really trying to get Luke to flirt with the idea of staying in California.'

Danny and Brittany decorated Kristen's apartment for a romantic date. They brought in candles, roses and even a massage table. They spread rose petals around the apartment. Brittany said she wished Jax would do something romantic for her.

At the Be the Match Gala, the group gathered to celebrate. Luke didn't come to the event. Kristen said it was because his dog had diarrhea.

Zach apologized for his part in things to Michelle and encouraged her to hear out Kristen.

Michelle shared details of the night she met Jesse and how she texted him to come over to her house at midnight. She said in a confessional that she canceled her first date with him because she decided he was not the one.

'I ended up going out, partying with my girlfriends, getting super drunk and I wanted a booty call so I was like I'm just going to call this guy,' Michelle said. 'Now I'm in the world's longest booty call.'

Zach asked Kristen to talk to Michelle and Jesse.

'I love you very, very much,' Kristen said to Michelle. 'I know how harmful words can be when they are put on you when they're completely not true. I said something, I shouldn't have repeated it.'

'I love you very, very much,' Kristen said to Michelle. 'I know how harmful words can be when they are put on you when they're completely not true. I said something, I shouldn't have repeated it'

'I think that is why we are also upset because you keep saying the word 'repeated' and everybody is denying that comment,' Michelle said.

'You're saying because I'm saying the word 'repeated' but I feel like when we did sit down after dinner, everyone sort of owned what they did,' Kristen said. 'I apologized to you. I'm re-apologizing to you.'

Michelle said that she needed space.

'I believe that you need some help,' Michelle said.

'I've been going to therapy for nine years so yeah,' Kristen said.

'I don't believe anything that she says,' Michelle said in a confessional. 'I can agree to maybe co-exist with Kristen but that's as far as it's going to go.'

'I believe that you need some help,' Michelle said

'Is it worth it to continue to do this s*** over and over again?' Jesse said.

'To do what?' Kristen said.

'To make comments and be involved and get in the middle,' Jesse said. 'I know some of the things I said to you were very hurtful and I apologize for that. And I apologize to Luke as well. But you guys just don't be in the middle of everything and just be cool and I think we will be fine.'

The Valley will return next Tuesday on Bravo.
A former Married At First Sight star has opened up about why she is battling with the Australian Federal Police in court, claiming she is still in the dark about why the cops raided her house.

Stacey Hampton, 30, was seen outside Federal Court in Adelaide on Wednesday following a hearing in her case against the AFP.

The ex-reality star looked professional in a cream collared shirt paired with a white knit sweater and black trousers.

She was seen carrying a large black binder that appeared to be heavily stacked with documents.

Appearing in good spirits, Ms Hampton completed her outfit with a pair of black heels, had her blonde hair tied back in a low bun and opted for minimal and natural makeup.

Stacey Hampton, 30, was seen outside Federal Court in Adelaide on Wednesday following her case management hearing against the Australian Federal Police

Speaking outside court on Wednesday, Ms Hampton argued that an AFP search of her house in September 2023 was unlawful and an 'abuse of power' because the warrant launching it was 'too ambiguous'.

She has also confirmed she will seek damages if she wins her case.

'On the search warrant, on its face, it's quite vague, so given that, it's unlawful in terms because search warrants can't be vague, they have to be quite clear on the allegation and the reason they are at your house, especially a Commonwealth one,' she said.

'The allegation itself is not clear, the scope is not clear, so it is very broad, it allowed for an abuse of power.'

The former Married At First Sight star has opened up about why she is battling with the AFP in court, claiming she is still in the dark about why the cops raided her house

Ms Hampton argued that an AFP search of her house in September 2023 was unlawful and an 'abuse of power' because the warrant launching it was 'too ambiguous'

She also said the police had not released any material to her outlining the reasoning behind the raid.

'I haven't received anything,' she said.

'That's why I tried to change the order today and we did, we got it.

'Because they wanted me to file another affidavit, but it didn't make sense because I need them to respond to my claims first before I can then write back and respond to that because at the moment it is just my claim.'

The court was told Ms Hampton was originally scheduled to submit further affidavits in the case, but Ms Hampton objected before Justice Patrick O'Sullivan and asked that the AFP and Services Australia submit affidavits to her before she provides further evidence.

She also said the police had not released any material to her outlining the reasoning behind the raid

Paul d'Assumpcao, counsel for the AFP and Services Australia, did not object to Ms Hampton's request and Justice Sullivan ordered the AFP and Services Australia to submit affidavits by May 17, with May 24 listed for Ms Hampton's reply.

Substantive arguments in the case will be heard on July 31.

An earlier mid-July date was changed after Ms Hampton told the court that one of her sons would undergo surgery in early July.

Ms Hampton has two sons, Kosta and Kruz, that she shared with former Rebels bikie boss Shane Smith.

Mr Smith died in a motorcycle crash in Adelaide in September 2022.

Ms Hampton dated former Rebel bikie boss Shane Smith and the couple shared two children together

Mr Smith died in a motorcycle crash in Adelaide in September 2022

Ms Hampton has not been charged with any crimes and there is no accusation of any wrongdoing on her part.

She said she had gone to the courts as a 'matter of principle'.

'I haven't been arrested and nothing has come from this,' she said.

'But to me, it's the principle, the fact they came to my house for no reason, as an admitted lawyer, at 6am, with my two children who had lost their father, and traumatised us.'

She said she would pursue damages against the government if she won her case.

'What's that done to my mental health, my children's health, also my work, being able to work,' she said.
Robert Downey Jr. enjoyed a date night with the wife while celebrating his latest role.

As the Academy Award winner, 59, attended the Los Angeles premiere of his HBO miniseries The Sympathizer on Tuesday, he was accompanied by wife Susan.

He was beaming as he walked the red carpet with the movie producer, 50, whom he married in 2005.

Downey Jr. cut a sharp look in a tan suit with broad, padded shoulders and pleated slacks.

The Oppenheimer star went bold underneath, pairing the shirt with a sheer brown dress shirt that teased a glimpse of his tattoos.

As Robert Downey Jr. attended the Los Angeles premiere of his HBO Max miniseries The Sympathizer on Tuesday, he was accompanied by wife Susan

The actor was beaming as he walked the red carpet with the movie producer, 50, whom he married in 2005

Downey Jr., 59, plays several antagonist roles in The Sympathizer, which is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Viet Thanh Nguyen

He accessorized with a black alligator skin belt, a matching watch and a beaded bracelet.

Downey Jr. finished the ensemble with a pair of orange-tinted aviator sunglasses and some brown leather heeled shoes.

The Avengers alum was upstaged by Susan, who dazzled in a red sequined sleeveless dress, embellished with a silver floral design.

She finished the look with a pair of silver strappy heels.

The couple shares son Exton Elias, 12, and 9-year-old daughter Avri Roel.

Downey Jr. plays several antagonist roles in The Sympathizer, which is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Viet Thanh Nguyen.

The miniseries follows The Captain (Hoa Xuande), a North Vietnam plant in the South Vietnam army who is forced to flee to the United States after the Vietnam War.

While living in a community of South Vietnamese refugees, he continues spying and reporting back to the Viet Cong while struggling with his conflicting loyalties.

Downey Jr. cut a sharp look in a tan suit with broad, padded shoulders and pleated slacks

The Oppenheimer star went bold underneath, pairing the shirt with a sheer brown dress shirt that teased a glimpse of his tattoos. He accessorized with a black alligator skin belt, a matching watch and a beaded bracelet

Downey Jr. finished the ensemble with a pair of orange-tinted aviator sunglasses and some brown leather heeled shoes

The Avengers alum was upstaged by Susan, who dazzled in a red sequined sleeveless dress, embellished with a silver floral design

Downey Jr. also posed on the red carpet with co-stars Hoa Xuande and Sandra Oh

Oh, 52, looked beautiful in a floor-length white gown with long sleeves and padded shoulders

The look also accentuated her figure with a plunging square neckline and sheer cutouts around her waist. The Golden Globe winner accessorized with a pair of black and white earrings, which framed her chic glam look with a gorgeous red lip

She plays Ms. Sofia Mori, a liberated feminist who begins to awaken to her Asian American identity while involved in a love triangle

Downey Jr. also posed on the red carpet with Xuande and their co-star Sandra Oh.

Oh, 52, looked beautiful in a floor-length white gown with long sleeves and padded shoulders.

The look also accentuated her figure with a plunging square neckline and sheer cutouts around her waist.

The Golden Globe winner accessorized with a pair of black and white earrings, which framed her chic glam look with a gorgeous red lip.

She plays Ms. Sofia Mori, a liberated feminist who begins to awaken to her Asian American identity while involved in a love triangle.

Marine Delterme, who also stars in the series, donned a shimmering blush caftan, which featured a sequined bodice.

Duy Nguyen, who plays Man, sported a sleeveless black and white turtleneck, tucked into a pair of black slacks.

Marine Delterme, who also stars in the series, donned a shimmering blush caftan, which featured a sequined bodice

Duy Nguyen, who plays Man, sported a sleeveless black and white turtleneck, tucked into a pair of black slacks

TikTok star Leenda Dong went bold in a floor-length purple satin dress, layered with a matching feathered shawl. Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen, who plays The General's wife Madame, wore a blue gown with a halter neck, featuring a purple floral lace overlay and sheer purple

Kieu Chinh, who plays The Major's mother, wore a gold sequined dress, featuring sheer black details and a sequined black shawl

The Sympathizer premieres Sunday, April 14 on HBO, also streaming on Max

TikTok star Leenda Dong went bold in a floor-length purple satin dress, layered with a matching feathered shawl.

Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen, who plays The General's wife Madame, wore a blue gown with a halter neck, featuring a purple floral lace overlay and sheer purple.

Kieu Chinh, who plays The Major's mother, wore a gold sequined dress, featuring sheer black details and a sequined black shawl.

The Sympathizer premieres Sunday, April 14 on HBO, also streaming on Max.
Home and Away fans were treated to the wedding of the year on Tuesday night.

Two beloved characters, Leah Patterson-Baker and Justin Morgan, portrayed by Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, said 'I do' in a stunning ceremony.

Fears things would take a dramatic turn were debunked as the ceremony took place without a hitch.

Viewers were delighted by the nuptials, however some fans were quick to call out various missing details of the episode.

'It was a beautiful wedding, just wish they had more of the cast attend the wedding than all the extras we have never seen,' one user wrote.

Home and Away fans were treated to the wedding of the year on Tuesday night

Another fan commented 'There was a lot who were not at the wedding, Bree, Levi, Mac, Flick, Tane, the two sisters...'

Other users questioned why the 'rushed' episode did not include a ring exchange during the ceremony.

'Lovely wedding but where were the 'I do's' and putting on the rings?' one wrote.

Two beloved characters, Leah Patterson-Baker and Justin Morgan, portrayed by Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, said 'I do' in a stunning ceremony

'Lol, Justin and Leahs wedding was rushed too, just like Toris and Christians was, no I dos and no rings exchange, what a joke, seriously?'

Two characters made a shock return to Summer Bay for the special day.

Matt Little, 31, who portrayed VJ Patterson from 2014 to 2017, returned for a cameo appearance.

Viewers were delighted by the nuptials, however some fans were quick to call out various missing details of the episode

Little reprised his role as the son of longtime character Leah Patterson-Baker.

His character was last seen on screens in 2017, when he fled to Cyprus with baby Luc, the daughter of his late wife Billie.

Penny McNamee, 41, also returned to the Bay for a cameo as beloved character Tori Morgan, Justin's sister.
My favorite taco in the Bay Area is technically free. It isnt even on the menu.

Consisting of only beans and a freshly made flour tortilla, its a botana (snack) that Tacos Mama Cuca owner Maria Marquez often gifts to guests. (You may need to ask for it.) Really, its an invitation, welcoming you to her slice of Sonora, akin to a mothers apapacho (warm soulful embrace).

The tacos simplicity gives you a chance to appreciate Marquezs masterful tortillas. Each one is a revelation meticulously made by hand: translucent and pliable, yet sturdy enough to withstand fillings. The refried beans  made with chorizo, chipotle and lard  prime you for the flavor journey youre about to embark on.

Juan Carlos Garcia salts items on the grill at Sonoran food truck Tacos Mama Cuca. Adahlia Cole/Special to The Chronicle

As far as Im concerned, Marquez is the Bay Areas taco queen  even Los Angeles doesnt have Sonoran tacos this good. Her taqueria was a pandemic-era sensation that became so popular it was shut down by the city of Oakland. But after an eight-month break, shes finally back for good.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Now a food truck parked in East Oakland, Tacos Mama Cuca goes to painstaking lengths to ensure that every taco makes an impact, as evidenced by best-in-class flour tortillas, the use of a charcoal grill and a truly stunning selection of salsas. Mama Cuca sets and demands a new standard of quality.

The taqueria is named after Marquezs mother. Despite now being a thousand miles apart, the tradition of flour tortillas has become a tether between them.

Bean tacos, left, are a simple gift at Tacos Mama Cuca. Carne asada is grilled over coals, right, in front of the truck. Photos by Adahlia Cole/Special To The Chronicle Bean tacos, above, are a simple gift at Tacos Mama Cuca. Carne asada is grilled over coals, below. Photos by Adahlia Cole/Special To The Chronicle

Marquez learned the intuitive art of making flour tortillas by watching her mother. Her 10,000 hours started in middle school, when she was tasked with making them for her aunt, who sold food to local workers. Shed wake up at 5 a.m. to mix ingredients  salt, water, flour, lard  by hand, gently massaging the dough, rolling clumps into balls between her palms and flattening them into disks with a rolling pin.

Marquez and her husband, Juan Carlos Garcia, who handles the grill at Mama Cuca, grew up in a small Sonoran town called San Ignacio Rio Muerto. Married in 2016, the two eventually moved to Oakland, where Garcia built houses and Marquez did the housekeeping. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, she couldnt find any work.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

So she started selling tortillas to the public online and quickly found customers who, like her, longed for a taste of Sonora. She dreamed of opening the regions first and only Sonoran-style taqueria, pairing her tortillas with smoke-kissed meats. In 2022, she debuted Tacos Mama Cuca, mostly operating from her home.

Juan Carlos Garcia and Maria Marquez grew up in a small Sonoran town called San Ignacio Rio Muerto. They eventually moved to Oakland, where Marquez started Tacos Mama Cuca. Adahlia Cole/Special to The Chronicle

Her obvious talent and uncompromising dedication drew widespread attention, but that proved to be a problem. A viral social media video attracted Oakland city officials, who closed the home operation after just one year.

The couple started a crowdfunding campaign to purchase a truck. But it wasnt enough.

Then one day Marquez received a call from the Villa family of Tacos Mi Reynita, a Tijuana-style taqueria in Oakland that faced similar growing pains. They connected her to a good deal on a truck. They were essential, said Marquez.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

A bacon-wrapped burrito with various salsas, grilled onions, lime and pickled vegetables at Tacos Mama Cuca. Adahlia Cole/Special to The Chronicle

Tacos Mama Cuca opened in its new, fully permitted format in February. It shares space in a food truck park with a few other businesses selling grilled chicken and assorted snacks. Seating is limited to communal tables under a canopy. Its a small operation with an admirable amount of heart.

When you arrive, youll see Garcia twirl sheets of beef, bright red marinated pork steaks and tangled tripas (intestines) as they sizzle over glowing coals. A constrained menu with only a few fillings allows Marquez to focus on quality.

The taco yaqui ($12) is doubled-sized and perfect, featuring a cheesy, grilled Anaheim pepper, beans and your meat of choice (go with asada). It is a whole meal unto itself, a volley of mesquite smoke and spice that doesnt let up until the end. Standard tacos ($5), on the other hand, are ideal for those who seek purer flavors. Opt for asada or tripas, which are delightfully crunchy and full of enticing charred aromas.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The salsa bar is unusually bountiful outside Tacos Mama Cuca in Oakland. Adahlia Cole/Special to The Chronicle

For those desiring more crunch, seek out the sumptuous chorreada ($11), a corn tostada brushed with asientos (lard), cheese, beans and meat.

The most eye-catching item is the riceless bacon-wrapped burrito ($17), the only dish that uses commercially produced tortillas. Marquez rolls up the burrito, then traces it with strips of bacon before searing it on a flat-top. By no means is it bad, but the novelty of the bacon distracts from the overall experience. I suggest omitting the extra swine.

Its a rarity to find a taqueria in the Bay Area that pays such close attention to the necessity of salsas, which can make or break the experience. Mama Cucas salsa bar is a carnival of spice. Theres a mild avocado sauce, a searingly hot one made with habaneros and three molcajete salsas, from sweet to moderate to hot. The latter are the most flavorful, featuring ingredients fire-roasted by Garcia. The pineapple molcajete salsa, for example, proves the power of a great salsa by supplying al pastor with the tangy sweetness we so often associate with the marinated pork.

When you arrive at Sonoran food truck Tacos Mama Cuca, youll smell smoke from the grill. Adahlia Cole/Special to The Chronicle

Two years ago, the Bay Areas taco landscape was nowhere near as mature as the one we have today. When I first spoke to Marquez, I left with the impression that shes fueled by dreams. Dreams so powerful that they escape her head and become reality. The truck is her latest, and despite its small stature, its heavy with meaning.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

It represents our love, our effort and all the struggles weve overcome, she said.

Tacos Mama Cuca

9000 International Blvd., Oakland. instagram.com/tacos_mamacuca

Hours: 1:30-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

Accessibility: Communal tables are wheelchair accessible. All seating is outdoors.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Noise level: Moderate.

Meal for two, without drinks: $30-$50

What to order: Taco yaqui ($12), tacos ($5), chorreada ($11).

Meat-free options: None.

Transportation: Near 1T and 90 bus route. Street parking.
READ MORE: Neighbours star Madeleine West smiles outside the Taj Mahal as she heads on Indian meditation retreat

Madeleine West has taken her fight against child abuse to South Australia's State Parliament.

The Neighbours star turned political activist, 44, took to Instagram Stories on Wednesday to reveal she had fronted Parliament to protest a federal law that allows sex offenders to hide their assets from victims.

'Today we stormed SA State Parliament (in their lunchbreak!) Madeleine wrote next a screenshot of her video conference with the politicians.

'We appealed for their support in closing a loophole in federal superannuation law which allows pedophiles to hide assets from their victims' compensation claims. Wish us luck!' she continued.

Madeleine also added the hashtag '#Superforsurvivors', the name of a campaign that aims to address this legal loophole, as well as advocacy organisation FACAA (Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia).

Neighbours star turned political activist Madeleine West, 44, fronted South Australia State Parliament on Wednesday to protest a federal law that allows sex offenders to hide their assets from victims. She shared this Instagram Story post announcing the news

FACAA founder Adam Washbourne was also present for the video conference, and could be seen in the corner of Madeleine's screen wearing a T-shirt with the name of his organisation.

It comes after Madeleine bravely detailed how she confronted her paedophile neighbour more than 30 years after his sickening sexual abuse.

Peter Vincent White, now aged in his seventies, received a 15-year sentence for his cruel abuse of seven young victims aged between four and 14.

It comes after Madeleine bravely detailed how she confronted her paedophile neighbour more than 30 years after his sickening sexual abuse

His life came crashing down when Madeleine came knocking at his door in July 2022 while wearing a secret recording device.

The recording was crucial in prosecuting White, and was shared publicly for the first time in a 60 Minutes episode that aired last month.

In the audio, Madeleine could be heard exchanging pleasantries with White and his wife, who is profoundly deaf, before confronting him about the abuse.

She was left shocked when White said he could not remember committing any of the crimes - only to then beg her for forgiveness with four damning words: 'I'm very, very sorry.'

Peter Vincent White (pictured), now aged in his seventies, received a 15-year sentence for his cruel abuse of seven young victims aged between four and 14

'I don't understand,' he was heard saying in the recording.

'I'm not quite sure what you're asking me. I am so sorry. I don't remember doing anything like that. I am sorry. Please, please forgive me.

'If... if I did, I... I don't remember. I'm very, very sorry if I did... it's been washed from my mind.'

At one point, West could be heard telling her abuser his apology 'meant a lot'.

READ MORE: Madeleine West tells how she secretly taped a paedophile as she confronted him 40 years after he abused her and six other kids in a country town Advertisement

However, in reality the actress said she wanted to 'claw his eyes out' when he asked to be forgiven for his crimes.

'At the time, you're in acting mode and you go, 'Of course,'' West said.

'What else am I going to say? Punch him in the face? Kick his teeth in? I felt like doing that. I wanted to claw his eyes out.

'Forgive? Give you words to make you feel better so you can go back to your life, and your happy, healthy family and your international travel.

'Meanwhile, I'm in the deepest, darkest hole I've ever been in my life - and you want forgiveness?'

West was abused by the married father-of-two between the ages of four and 10 in his home in Woodend, 70km north-west of Melbourne.

She said the popular plumber's home was a 'magnet for children' and he used his swimming pool, sandpit and VHS player to lure them inside.

He abused seven children aged between four and 14 in the front room of his home and in a caravan parked on the driveway between 1977 and 1988.

She required surgery after one incident left her with serious physical injuries.

West, whose childhood name was Melanie Ann Weston, shared the abuse with her parents who she said 'didn't know what to do'.

His life came crashing down when Madeleine came knocking at his door in July 2022 while wearing a secret recording device. The recording was crucial in prosecuting White

She went to the police in 2017 - decades after the abuse had occurred. Her childhood friend Amanda Lee separately contacted police two years later.

Their testimonies helped police build a case against the paedophile, whose 'brazen' offending shocked even the most hardened sex crime officers.

'It was just abhorrent, disgusting, horrific, calculated, intentional offending,' investigator Scott Tuddenham told 60 Minutes.

At a Victoria County Court plea hearing last year, West demanded White look her in the eyes while she read out her victim statement.

White pleaded guilty to 33 charges of child sexual abuse against the seven victims including sexual penetration of a child aged under 10 and gross indecency.

He was sentenced last December to 15 years in prison, but will be eligible for release on parole in nine years, by which time he will be 82 years old.

After the sentencing, Madeleine celebrated with other victims, saying the ruling 'took 40 years to be delivered but now it's here'.

For support, contact National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.
The owner of a Gold Coast business where Married At First Sight star Ellie Dix works has begged irate fans of the show to leave his company alone in the wake of her cheating scandal.

The Coastal Clinic Plastic Surgery Practice owner Dr Drew Cronin has revealed a spate of trolls have left one star business reviews on Google after Ellie Dix and Jono McCullough confirmed their romance during the show's finale on Sunday.

The couple's storyline has been a controversial one as Jono, 40, 'cheated' on his bride Lauren Dunn, 32, by texting Ellie, 32, behind her back before the pair started a relationship.

Dix has been a subcontractor at The Coastal Clinic for the past 12 months as a cosmetic nurse injector.

Cronin said his business was in no way involved with the reality scandal and begged upset fans to stop trying to destroy his livelihood.

The owner of a Gold Coast business where Married At First Sight star Ellie Dix works has begged irate fans of the show to leave his company alone in the wake of her cheating scandal

'Unfortunately, because of how some people have reacted to what one of those sub-contractors has done six months ago, all 15 staff are being unfairly targeted,' he told The Gold Coast Bulletin.

'People who have never been patients in our clinic, that have never met me, feel entitled to make permanent one star reviews based on their disagreement with the actions of one subcontractor aired on television.'

Cronin said the furious fans should consider the potential consequences of their actions and urged them to stop.

The Coastal Clinic Plastic Surgery Practice owner Dr Drew Cronin has revealed a spate of trolls have left one star business reviews on Google after Ellie Dix and Jono McCullough confirmed their romance during the finale on Sunday

'It is a permanent stain on a business that has otherwise had a stellar record over something that it has no responsibility over and no input into,' he said.

'These staff are lovely people who probably don't even watch MAFS and are copping the abuse because they answer the phones.'

As for Dix's work at the clinic, Cronin said her service was top notch.

Earlier this week, Ellie and Jono finally went public with their romance.

The pair announced their relationship during the show's reunion episode on Sunday night.

After denying they had feelings for one another, they faced the other brides and grooms as a couple.

Since the shock reunion episode aired on Sunday, Cronin's business has been bombarded with many one star Google business reviews, with most of them not even leaving a written review

Last month, tensions came to a head on the show when Lauren finally confronted husband Jono about texting fellow bride Ellie after she left the show.

Lauren's heart was shattered when she found out her groom was secretly texting Ellie.

One dramatic episode saw Lauren demand to see Jono's iPhone, only to discover he had texted Ellie hundreds of times after she left the experiment.

'You reached out to her. These aren't just relaying information that happened the night before, this is more than that. My stomach dropped,' Lauren told Jono.
Just weeks after welcoming his first child with fiancee Suki Waterhouse, Robert Pattinson returned to the red carpet.

The 37-year-old actor - who revealed he already wants more kids with Waterhouse - arrived at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

He was at the annual movie theater owner convention to promote his new film Mickey 17 alongside director Bong Joon-ho (Parasite).

Pattinson hit the red carpet in a unique dark blue turtleneck with a number of embroidered patterned stripes for the touting.

The clean-shaven actor also rocked a sharp grey Dior button-up jacket for the annual event.

Just weeks after welcoming his first child with fiancee Suki Waterhouse, Robert Pattinson returned to the red carpet

The 37-year-old actor - who revealed he already wants more kids with Waterhouse - arrived at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Tuesday

The Batman star completed his look with grey pants and a pair of rare Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro Low x Dior sneakers, one of only 4,700 that were manufactured.

His director - Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho - opted for an all-black look, with a black dress shirt, tie, coat, pants and shoes matching his black hair.

They were both on hand to present the first trailer for their film Mickey 17, which will be released in theaters January 31, 2025.

The film is based on the 2022 novel Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton, with director Bong explaining one key difference between the book and the novel at the panel.

'Its based on the novel Mickey 7, but we made it Mickey 17. The number is the number of times he dies,' the filmmaker explained.

'I kill him 10 times more. Its a story of a simple man. Its a sci-fi movie. Its hard to say sci-fi  its a human story,' Bong said.

Pattinson's title character is an expendable clone who is part of an expedition to ice world Niflheim.

The footage that played during the panel showed Pattinson's character Mickey dying in different ways, when he comes across another clone of him that's trying to kill him.

The Batman star completed his look with grey pants and a pair of rare Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro Low x Dior sneakers, one of only 4,700 that were manufactured

His director - Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho - opted for an all-black look, with a black dress shirt, tie, coat, pants and shoes matching his black hair

They were both on hand to present the first trailer for their film Mickey 17, which will be released in theaters January 31, 2025

Warner Bros. presidents Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, said the twin clones were 'very fun characters.'

'Mickey 17 has the lowest expectations of his life, and the world keeps pushing him.  18 comes along and he has frontal lobe damage, and libido damage. He has no idea how 17 has been surviving. Its like playing a brother out of control,' they said.

While the trailer has not been released to the public quite yet, director Bong was thrilled exhibitors got to see it first on the big screen.

'Im happy we can show the trailer on a big screen  and not on mobile phones,' the filmmaker said to loud applause.
Jessica Biel worked a bit of monochrome magic as she joined a star-studded red carpet at the Fashion Trust US Awards this Tuesday.

Thrown at a private home in Los Angeles, the exclusive affair was meant to honor some of the up-and-coming figures in the fashion scene.

Among the cavalcade of celebrities who turned up to lend their support to the event, Jessica was a showstopping presence in a memorable ensemble by David Koma.

Mrs. Justin Timberlake was decked out in a bedazzled blouse that featured a constellation of gleaming jewels stitched onto nude fabric.

The blouse was perfectly fitted to emphasize the 42-year-old Total Recall star's enviably petite torso as she struck pose after pose for the photographers.

Jessica Biel worked a bit of monochrome magic as she joined a star-studded red carpet at the Fashion Trust US Awards this Tuesday

Wearing her caramel hair down in silken curtains, the I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry actress sharpened her unmistakable features with makeup.

In an elegant contrast to her splashy top, Jessica opted for a simple pair of black slacks that emphasized her svelte legs.

She brought the ensemble together with a simple pair of black shoes that matched her trousers, as well as a clutch in the same shade.

Jessica was part of an impressively celebrity-strewn guest list that evening, with megawatt names ranging from Paris Hilton to Alessandra Ambrosio in attendance.

Tuesday night's award show was held by the Fashion Trust US, a non-profit organization which recognizes and supports emerging design talent.

The gala event was hosted by actress Zooey Deschanel with honorees in categories including ready-to-wear, jewelry, and accessories.

Recent fashion school graduates were also recognized with two special award categories including for inclusivity and sustainability with nearly $500K in funding being given to winners.

Finalists were selected by Tania Fares, Laura Brown, Karla Welch, Tan France, Maha Dakhil and Anne Crawford, with support from presenting sponsor Shop with Google.

Thrown at a private home in Los Angeles, the exclusive affair was meant to honor some of the up-and-coming figures in the fashion scene

Mrs. Justin Timberlake was decked out in a bedazzled blouse that featured a constellation of gleaming jewels stitched onto nude fabric

The winners were selected by the board in addition to advisory members including designers Maria Cornejo, Phillip Lim and Isabel Marant, ambassadors, founding patrons and Shop with Google reps.

MoAnA Luu of brand ManLuu earned the Jewelry Award presented by Cynthia Erivo.

The Inclusivity Award sponsored by Shop with Google was presented to Ashlety Harris of Don't Let It Disco.

Accessories Award sponsored by Builder Ai was given to Esha Soni, The Graduate Award sponsored by St. John was presented to Yamil Arbaje, Sustainability Award to Batsheva Hay, and the Ready-to-Wear Award was bestowed upon Harbison Studio.

Fashion Trust U.S. winners receive grants of between $100,000 and $200,000, depending on the size of their business and annual turnover, as well as mentoring
Kim Kardashian put her famous assets on full display as she splashed around in the water during a recent trip to Turks and Caicos with her family.

The reality personality, 43, looked incredible as she showed off her curves in a tiny black bikini for the jaw-dropping photoshoot which she posted on Tuesday.

In the caption, Kim drew attention to her much-discussed derriere, which she previously had to deny was the work of a surgeon.

She named the gallery of photos 'Cake Boss', which is a slang term for a woman with the best bottom, or someone who loves to flirt a lot.

Her sister Khloe, 39, who was also on the trip, called out Kim's 'thirsty' caption in the comments section of her post and said it was 'gold'.

Kim Kardashian put her famous assets on full display as she splashed around in the water during a recent trip to Turks and Caicos with her family

The reality personality, 43, looked incredible as she showed off her curves in a tiny black bikini for the jaw-dropping photoshoot which she posted on Tuesday

She named the gallery of photos 'Cake Boss', which is a slang term for a woman with the best bottom, or someone who loves to flirt a lot

Kim is single again after recently calling time on her relationship with Odell Beckham Jr, but her latest snaps will no doubt have caught the eye of any potential new man.

The mother of four looked nothing short of sensational as she stripped off a wet T-shirt in one photo, to reveal her bikini-clad body.

Kim, who was completely soaked from a dip in the sea, was also wearing a series of gold belly chains and a cross pendant necklace.

She modelled a series of poses, kneeling in the shallows of the water and lounging on her side, while her photographer snapped all her best angles.

Kim, who has since returned to Los Angeles, was holidaying in the sun-soaked location with her four children, North, 10, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and Psalm, four.

She was joined on the trip by her sister's Khloe, Kourtney and Kylie, who have all also posted a slew of snaps from the family getaway.

As well as some incredible swimwear snaps, the sisters have also been sharing some sweet snaps with their young children as they make memories on the holiday.

The only Kardashian-Jenner sister not to post any snaps from the trip is Kendall, 28, and it is not clear if she joined her family on the trip.

Kim is single again after recently calling time on her relationship with Odell Beckham Jr, but her latest snaps will no doubt have caught the eye of any potential new man

Kim, who was completely soaked from a dip in the sea, was also wearing a series of gold belly chains and a cross pendant necklace

Kim's latest drop of bikini snaps comes soon after she set Instagram alight with a gallery of cowgirl-themed photos during the trip.

Kim posed up in an animal print SKIMS bikini and wrote, 'This ain't Texasit's Turks', referencing Beyonce's new country hit.

She sizzled with her damp, raven locks flowing down her back as they streamed out from underneath a black cowboy hat.

The busty beauty looked hot as ever as she showed off her makeup-free complexion.

She layered two gold necklaces with cross pendants and wore an anklet around one of her ankles.

She modelled a series of poses, kneeling in the shallows of the water and lounging on her side, while her photographer snapped all her best angles

In the caption, Kim drew attention to her much-discussed derriere, which she previously had to deny was the work of a surgeon
Roxy Jancenko is set to appear in a special episode of Seven's Spotlight that takes a hard look at Hollywood's slimming drug Ozempic.

And a new trailer for the show reveals that the PR queen, 43, overdosed after taking the controversial medication.

'I genuinely thought I was going die,' Roxy admits in the preview.

Scheduled to air on Sunday April 14, the Spotlight program will feature experts who will discuss whether Ozempic, originally issued as medication for diabetics, could be the answer to obesity.

Also interviewed in the program is former star of The Biggest Loser Ajay Rochester.

Roxy Jancenko is set to appear in a special episode of Seven's Spotlight that takes a hard look at Hollywood's slimming drug Ozempic. Pictured: The PR Queen in a scene from the preview.

The 54-year-old can be seen in the trailer making a tearful admission about how she has struggled with her weight her 'entire life'.

'I have been blamed, I have been shamed, it has not been fun,' Rochester said in the preview.

It comes after Jacenko previously discussed her health scare with Ozempic last year.

The Spotlight program will feature experts who will discuss whether Ozempic, originally issued as medication for diabetics, could be the answer to obesity. Pictured: Former Biggest Loser star Ajay Rochester in the trailer.

Using the drug in an effort to lose weight after after gaining 15kg while treating her breast cancer with the hormone therapy Tamoxifen she took four times the amount prescribed to her by a doctor, reported The Saturday Telegraph in September.

After taking one milligram Roxy revealed she then suffered from severe vomiting and non-stop 'epilepsy type' shaking which landed her in a drug overdose clinic for three days.

'I called an ambulance. An ambulance was going to be an hour away but I thought I was going to die. I went to St Vincent's,' she said.

Ozempic is known to be used as a 'slimming' drug.

Roxy has since put out a warning to all who are tempted to use Hollywood's latest quick-fix weight loss drug.

Since then Roxy has been documenting life style changes that have led to her weight loss journey amidst her lavish lifestyle and relocation to Singapore.

She recently said she has reached her goal weight after shedding 15 kilograms.

Roxy took to her Instagram Stories to share the good news and to reveal what she would be doing to celebrate.

According to Spotlight's report obesity is now a problem 'bigger than world hunger'.

In one Story, the former Sweaty Betty owner showed a picture of her scales revealing her current weight of 51.9kg.

A subsequent post showed a picture of a bag of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, along with a claim she would be eating them as a treat for reaching her goal.

Roxy revealed she had set herself a time frame and described the lifestyle changes she had adopted to achieve her enviable figure.

She has also uploaded tips and tricks for weight loss to her social media.

Roxy also gave her fans an update on her alcohol consumption, revealing she had finally ditched the booze altogether.
Kelly Rowland was angelic in a sumptuous white gown as she joined a star-studded red carpet for the Fashion Trust US Awards on Tuesday.

Thrown at a private home in Los Angeles, the exclusive affair was meant to honor some of the up-and-coming figures in the fashion scene.

One of the celebrities to lend her star wattage to the gala was Kelly, who rose to music superstardom in the 1990s in Destiny's Child alongside Beyonce.

The 43-year-old songstress was decked out in flesh-flashing gown that featured flared sleeves reminiscent of the high-octane 1980s.

Wearing her hair in an elegant bob, Kelly served up a generous helping of cleavage in a bandeau top that also hinted at her sculpted midriff.

Kelly Rowland was angelic in a sumptuous white gown as she joined a star-studded red carpet for the Fashion Trust US Awards on Tuesday

With regal touches including opera gloves, a train and Sterling Forever earrings, the floor-length gown brought back memories of retro glamour in the Dynasty era.

She hit the red carpet that evening on the arm of her dashing besuited husband Tim Weatherspoon, whom she has been married to since 2014.

Kelly was part of an impressively celebrity-strewn guest list that evening, with megawatt names ranging from Paris Hilton to Alessandra Ambrosio in attendance.

Tuesday night's award show was held by the Fashion Trust US, a non-profit organization which recognizes and supports emerging design talent.

The gala event was hosted by actress Zooey Deschanel with honorees in categories including ready-to-wear, jewelry, and accessories.

Recent fashion school graduates were also recognized with two special award categories including for inclusivity and sustainability with nearly $500K in funding being given to winners.

Finalists were selected by Tania Fares, Laura Brown, Karla Welch, Tan France, Maha Dakhil and Anne Crawford, with support from presenting sponsor Shop with Google.

The winners were selected by the board in addition to advisory members including designers Maria Cornejo, Phillip Lim and Isabel Marant, ambassadors, founding patrons and Shop with Google reps.

Thrown at a private home in Los Angeles , the exclusive affair was meant to honor some of the up-and-coming figures in the fashion scene

One of the celebrities to lend her star wattage to the gala was Kelly, who rose to music superstardom in the 1990s in Destiny's Child alongside Beyonce

She hit the red carpet that evening on the arm of her dashing besuited husband Tim Weatherspoon, whom she has been married to since 2014

MoAnA Luu of brand ManLuu earned the Jewelry Award presented by Cynthia Erivo.

The Inclusivity Award sponsored by Shop with Google was presented to Ashlety Harris of Don't Let It Disco.

Accessories Award sponsored by Builder Ai was given to Esha Soni, The Graduate Award sponsored by St. John was presented to Yamil Arbaje, Sustainability Award to Batsheva Hay, and the Ready-to-Wear Award was bestowed upon Harbison Studio.

Fashion Trust U.S. winners receive grants of between $100,000 and $200,000, depending on the size of their business and annual turnover, as well as mentoring.
Kelsea Ballerini flashed the flesh in a daringly see-through gown as she attended the starry Fashion Trust US Awards on Tuesday.

Thrown at a private home in Los Angeles, the exclusive affair was meant to honor some of the up-and-coming figures in the fashion scene.

Among the many boldface names to lend a dash of showbiz glamour to the affair, Kelsea was an unforgettable presence in a flesh-flashing ensemble.

The 30-year-old modeled a tantalizingly sheer black lace gown that hinted at her pert derriere as she swung round to let the cameras see her from behind.

From that angle, she also revealed that her dress was backless - and she also treated the photographers to her winning smile by throwing a glance over her shoulder.

Kelsea Ballerini flashed the flesh in a daringly see-through gown as she attended the starry Fashion Trust US Awards on Tuesday

The 30-year-old modeled a tantalizingly sheer black lace gown that hinted at her pert derriere as she swung round to let the cameras see her from behind

Kelsea had opted for a skintight black number that featured a corset-style top, throwing her hourglass frame into relief.

Her blonde hair was slicked tightly down, drawing attention to her luminous complexion, which she brought out with naturalistic makeup.

Kelsea was part of an impressively celebrity-strewn guest list that evening, with megawatt names ranging from Paris Hilton to Alessandra Ambrosio in attendance.

Tuesday night's award show was held by the Fashion Trust US, a non-profit organization which recognizes and supports emerging design talent.

The gala event was hosted by actress Zooey Deschanel with honorees in categories including ready-to-wear, jewelry, and accessories.

Recent fashion school graduates were also recognized with two special award categories including for inclusivity and sustainability with nearly $500K in funding being given to winners.

Finalists were selected by Tania Fares, Laura Brown, Karla Welch, Tan France, Maha Dakhil and Anne Crawford, with support from presenting sponsor Shop with Google.

The winners were selected by the board in addition to advisory members including designers Maria Cornejo, Phillip Lim and Isabel Marant, ambassadors, founding patrons and Shop with Google reps.

Thrown at a private home in Los Angeles, the exclusive affair was meant to honor some of the up-and-coming figures in the fashion scene

Her blonde hair was slicked tightly down, drawing attention to her luminous complexion, which she brought out with naturalistic makeup

From the rear angle, she also revealed that her dress was backless - and she also treated the photographers to her winning smile by throwing a glance over her shoulder

MoAnA Luu of brand ManLuu earned the Jewelry Award presented by Cynthia Erivo.

The Inclusivity Award sponsored by Shop with Google was presented to Ashlety Harris of Don't Let It Disco.

Accessories Award sponsored by Builder Ai was given to Esha Soni, The Graduate Award sponsored by St. John was presented to Yamil Arbaje, Sustainability Award to Batsheva Hay, and the Ready-to-Wear Award was bestowed upon Harbison Studio.

Fashion Trust U.S. winners receive grants of between $100,000 and $200,000, depending on the size of their business and annual turnover, as well as mentoring
Sandra Oh exuded glamour as she attended the Los Angeles premiere of the HBO miniseries The Sympathizer at The Paramount on Tuesday.

The actress, 52, looked beautiful in a floor-length white gown which featured elegant long sleeves and trendy padded shoulders.

Her angelic look accentuated her statuesque figure with a plunging square neckline and sheer cutouts accentuating her petite waist.

The Golden Globe winner accessorised her chic look with black-and-white earrings, while she added a pop of colour with a gorgeous red lip.

She styled her short jet-black hair in a chignon bun with a sweeping side fringe.

Sandra Oh exuded glamour as she attended the Los Angeles premiere of the HBO miniseries The Sympathizer at The Paramount on Tuesday

The actress, 52, looked beautiful in a floor-length white gown which featured elegant long sleeves and trendy padded shoulders

Sandra plays Ms. Sofia Mori, a liberated feminist who begins to awaken to her Asian American identity while involved in a love triangle.

Robert Downey Jr. also attended the star-studded event as he enjoyed a date night while celebrating his latest role.

The Academy Award winner, 59, was accompanied by wife Susan.

He was beaming as he walked the red carpet with the movie producer, 50, whom he married in 2005.

Robert cut a sharp look in a tan suit with broad, padded shoulders and pleated slacks.

The Oppenheimer star went bold underneath, pairing the shirt with a sheer brown dress shirt that teased a glimpse of his tattoos.

He accessorized with a black alligator skin belt, a matching watch and a beaded bracelet.

The actor finished the ensemble with a pair of orange-tinted aviator sunglasses and some brown leather heeled shoes.

Her angelic look accentuated her statuesque figure with a plunging square neckline and sheer cutouts around her petite waist

The Golden Globe winner accessorised her classic look with black-and-white earrings, which framed her chic glam look with a gorgeous red lip

She swept her short jet-black hair to the side in a unique and fashionable short fringe

Sandra plays Ms. Sofia Mori, a liberated feminist who begins to awaken to her Asian American identity while involved in a love triangle

Robert Downey Jr. was also spotted at the star-studded event as he enjoyed a date night with the wife, Susan, while celebrating his latest role

The actor was beaming as he walked the red carpet with the movie producer, 50, whom he married in 2005

The Avengers alum was upstaged by Susan, who dazzled in a red sequined sleeveless dress, embellished with a silver floral design.

She finished the look with a pair of silver strappy heels.

The couple share son Exton Elias, 12, and 9-year-old daughter Avri Roel.

Robert plays several antagonist roles in The Sympathizer, which is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Viet Thanh Nguyen.

The miniseries follows The Captain (Hoa Xuande), a North Vietnam plant in the South Vietnam army who is forced to flee to the United States after the Vietnam War.

While living in a community of South Vietnamese refugees, he continues spying and reporting back to the Viet Cong while struggling with his conflicting loyalties.

Robert also posed on the red carpet with Xuande and their co-star Sandra.

Sandra is reportedly not returning to Grey's Anatomy after the ABC medical drama brought back some of it's legendary stars from past years.

She starred as Cristina Yang in the first 10 seasons of the show and despite leaving the show, her character has been mentioned many times.

After leaving Grey Sloan, Cristina became researcher, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Klausman Institute for Medical Research in Zurich, Switzerland.

Stars set to return to the show include Patrick Dempsey and Kate Walsh, who play exes Derek Shepherd and Addison Montgomery as they made appearances in recent seasons.

There are currently, still only two original cast members left on the show in a full-time role  Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr.

Ellen Pompeo left the series as a full-time series regular but it is believed that she will still record voiceovers for the show.

The Sympathizer premieres Sunday, April 14 on HBO, also streaming on Max.

Robert plays several antagonist roles in The Sympathizer, which is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Robert cut a sharp look in a tan suit with broad, padded shoulders and pleated slacks

The Avengers alum was upstaged by Susan, who dazzled in a red sequined sleeveless dress, embellished with a silver floral design

Downey Jr. also posed on the red carpet with co-stars Hoa Xuande and Sandra Oh

Sandra appeared in high spirits as she posed on the red carpet alongside her co-star
Australian DJs Will Sparks and New World Sound brothers, Tyrone and Jesse Taylor, listed the $2.6million luxury Gold Coast mansion they built together on Tuesday.

The trio put 'the coolest house' in Broadbeach Waters on the market after snapping it up for $2million in 2022 and dubbing it the Arch, reported realestate.com.au.

While it's not clear how much the musical buddies are asking for the five bedroom, four bathroom home, median prices in the area are valued at $2.6million.

'We've been friends with Will since we toured with him when Avicii came to Australia in 2014,' Tyrone told the publication.

'With "Arch", we thought why don't we build our own house - the three of us - while we're still young, and make it a really special house here on the coast.

Australian DJs Will Sparks (pictured left with girlfriend Brooklyn Clancy) and New World Sound brothers, Tyrone and Jesse Taylor (right), listed the $2.6million luxury Gold Coast mansion they built together on Tuesday

'We really wanted to just create a good all-rounder that has absolutely everything in it you could want. We wanted to create the coolest house that we could.'

The waterfront villa was designed and built by the Taylor brothers through their company Unique Built after knocking down the original structure.

A massive grand arch entrance stuns visitors and boasts Japanese and Mediterranean-inspired architecture styles throughout.

The trio put 'the coolest house' in Broadbeach Waters on the market after snapping it up for $2million in 2022 and dubbing it the Arch, reported realestate.com.au

While it's not clear how much the musical buddies are asking for the five bedroom, four bathroom home, median prices in the area are valued at $2.6million

The high-end internal courtyard connects the open living and entertaining spaces within the property, with a private cocktail bar and magnesium pool to boot.

Michael Kollosche and Matthew Follent of Kollosche real estate will be handling the sale.

Arch isn't the only home the Taylor brothers built in their iconic resort-style, with celebrity Block buyer Adrian Portelli snapping up one of their properties in 2022.

The waterfront villa was designed and built by the Taylor brothers through their company Unique Built after knocking down the original structure

A massive grand arch entrance stuns visitors and boasts Japanese and Mediterranean-inspired architecture styles throughout

The high-end internal courtyard connects the open living and entertaining spaces within the property, with a private cocktail bar and magnesium pool to boot

He 'gave away' the $2.3million two-storey Sanctuary Cove mansion as a raffle prize the following year through his promotions company LMCT+.

Named Asylo - the Greek word for sanctuary - the opulent property included a six-metre palm centrepiece built inside the main structure and an expansive pool area.

Meanwhile, DJ Will, 31, and girlfriend Brooklyn Clancy put their lavish $2.35million Paddington home in Brisbane up for rent in 2020.

Records show that the couple purchased the five-bedroom, four-bathroom home, called Onyx, for $2.35million in 2019, before they listed it to rent at $2,200 a week.
Matthew Gallelli SRI International, a nonprofit research institute, operates a cloud aerosol device during a geoengineering study aboard the aircraft carrier Hornet in Alameda. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

Regarding Bay Area hosts first-in-nation experiment to slow global warming  by helping clouds deflect sunlight (Weather, SFChronicle.com, April 3): Whether its cloud brightening, other geoengineering strategies or new sustainable energy sources, scientists are doing valuable work exploring options for mitigating climate change.

Given the point were at with climate change, we cant leave it to the scientists. We all need to do what we can to mitigate climate change. With Earth Day approaching on April 22, I hope everyone will join together to meet this challenge.

Heres what I do: I participate in campaigns to encourage people who care about the environment to vote, I contact my elected representatives to urge them to support impactful climate change legislation, I make mindful food and transportation choices, and Im planning on electrifying my home and installing solar panels.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

There isnt one right way to take action on climate change, but if we each contribute, it will make a difference.

Sandra Liu, Berkeley

Hard lessons

Regarding Former Stanford lecturer accused of calling Jewish students colonizers sues university (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, April 4): Im reminded of my second year at whats now UC College of Law SF in 1987 when, through the Socratic method, my constitutional law professor led a student down a path where she advocated for a womans right to terminate her pregnancy up until the moment of birth.

It was an indelible lesson about logical consistency. I cheered, but looking back, Im sure many students were uncomfortable and maybe offended. I wonder if the lesson would be taught today.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Im Jewish and white and have learned so many things in the past four years that should have been taught in school despite how it would have angered or upset me.

Lets applaud those educators who go out on a limb to teach about the world as it is. Best of luck to Ameer Hasan Loggins.

Ellen Obstler, Petaluma

No excuse for killings

Regarding Gaza killings unintentional (Letters to the Editor, SFChronicle.com, April 5): Letter writer Julia Lutch asked if we know the names of the Afghan family the U.S. wrongly killed in 2021 in a U.S. airstrike:

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Zemarai Ahmadi, who worked for a U.S.-based relief organization; his children Zamir, 20, Faisal, 16, and Farzad, 11; his cousin Naser, 28; his brother Romals children Arwin, 7, Benyamin, 6, and Hayat, 2; Malika, 3, daughter of Ahmadis other brother, Imal; and Somaia, 3, Ahmadis uncles daughter.

The U.S. military apologized and offered reparations and resettlement to surviving members of the family.

Neither the U.S. attack in Kabul nor Israels killing of World Central Kitchen workers is excusable.

Jeff Johnson, San Francisco

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Low opinion of Netanyahu

Regarding Israel is not Hamas (Letters to the Editor, April 5): Norman Lichts response to my April 4 letter suggests that I am naive or have a basic hatred of Israel.

My letter did not criticize Israel, just Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Licht conflates with Israel. Polls show that most Israelis, who rally nightly, have the same opinion of Netanyahu that I do.

True friends of Israel, I think, support a two-state solution, which Netanyahu opposes, and support unhindered food supply to Palestinians, who are not Hamas. This is the official position of the U.S. government.

Perhaps Licht has a basic hatred of American foreign policy.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Stanley Shields, San Francisco

Berkeley needs hospital

Regarding Exclusive: Sutter Health to start construction on long-planned $442 million S.F. expansion (Real Estate, SFChronicle.com, April 4): How nice that Sutter Health is expanding specialty services in San Francisco, which no doubt will add to its bottom line while providing much-needed care. Somehow it has the funds.

About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

In Berkeley, Sutter decided it does not serve its bottom line to rebuild or repair the much-loved Alta Bates hospital, which is set to close in 2030. This leaves a wide swath of the East Bay without a convenient emergency room or in-patient services.

I cant imagine what traffic will be like after a wildfire or an earthquake when ambulances and private cars will be transporting injured residents out of the area.
Professor Green has reportedly split from fiancee Karima McAdams' three years after welcoming their first child together.

The couple - who were said to have started dating in 2019 - reportedly quietly parted ways last year but have been continuing to amicably co-parent their three-year-old son Slimane.

A source told The Sun: 'Stephen and Karima broke up some months ago now and are trying to move on with their lives.

'They are both devoted parents to their little boy but as a couple, their relationship has run its course.

'Stephen is focusing on his music and building the best life he can for their son Slimane.'

Professor Green has reportedly split from fiancee Karima McAdams' three years after welcoming their son Slimane (pictured in March 2023)

The couple - who were said to have started dating in 2019 - reportedly quietly parted ways last year but have been continuing to amicably co-parent their son

MailOnline has contacted Professor Green's representatives for comment.

Professor Green and actress Karima were first linked in July 2019, after he quietly split from PR executive Milly Gattegno.

They were reportedly introduced through mutual friends and made their public debut at Glastonbury Festival.

In October 2021, the rapper asked Karima to marry him - seven months after they welcomed their first child.

The Jungle hitmaker - real name Stephen Manderson - shared the news on his social media page, posting a gorgeous snap of Karima alongside the caption: 'You call me easy love.

'I call you my gorgeous thing. Loving me isn't always easy, but you are always gorgeous.'

Karima is best known for starring in the spy series Deep State alongside Game Of Thrones actor Joe Dempsie.

The actress, who is half Moroccan and half Irish, was born in Bethnal Green, east London.

The star spent her childhood in Morocco before moving to London when she was seven.

In October 2021, the rapper asked Karima to marry him - seven months after they welcomed their first child

She previously dated George Lamb for almost six years, before the couple parted ways in 2014.

Pro Green previously also dated Fae Williams, and prior to that was married to reality star Millie Mackintosh.

The couple tied the knot at Babington House in Somerset in September 2013, but announced their split after two and a half years of marriage in February 2016.

The duo finalised their divorce in May that year, the same week that Millie chose to go public with Hugo Taylor, her former Made In Chelsea co-star boyfriend with whom she had reunited.

Millie and Hugo got engaged on the Greek island of Mykonos the following year, and tied the knot in Sussex in June 2018. They welcomed daughter Sienna in 2020 and daughter Aurelia the following year.

Pro Green previously admitted his divorce hadn't put him off getting married again.

He said in an interview with Closer magazine in March 2018: 'I'd love to be dad one day, but I'm not broody yet - I can have them until I'm 50!

'I've definitely learned something from every relationship I've had. If you don't learn something then it is time wasted. But Millie hasn't put me off tying the knot again.'

Pro Green was previously married to reality star Millie Mackintosh who is now married to Hugo Taylor (pictured in 2015)
Lily James celebrated her 35th birthday with her nearest and dearest with a boozy evening at the 'world's most exclusive' private members club in London on Friday.

Giving a glimpse inside the lavish evening, Lily posted photos of the group as they sipped cocktails and sat down to the intimate dinner.

Lily looked incredible in a 10,000 outfit at members' club, Apollo's Muse, which is at the back of Bacchanalia in swanky Mayfair.

The Mamma Mia! actress partied the night away in a 4,639 polka dot YSL dress and wore a Burberry coat, which usually sells for about 2,000.

She also wore 875 gold Jimmy Choo sandals and accessorised the look with a 2,500 Dolce & Gabbana black handbag.

Lily James celebrated her 35th birthday with her nearest and dearest with a boozy evening at the 'world's most exclusive' private members club in London on Friday

Giving a glimpse inside the lavish evening, Lily posted photos of the group as they sipped cocktails and sat down to the intimate dinner

Lily captioned the selection of shots: 'Aries season. I love my birthday but I LOVE my friends and family more! #apollomuse @penfolds thank you for the most beautiful birthday dinner'

Lily larked about for the camera and flashed a beaming smile while leading the dancing inside the decadent room, complete with floor-to-ceiling marble.

The Downton Abbey star also posted a picture of herself blowing out a candle on a meringue and fruit pudding.

A bird's eye view of the room showed the group sat around the table, which was positioned between an extensive bar and DJ booth.

Lily captioned the selection of shots: 'Aries season. I love my birthday but I LOVE my friends and family more! #apollomuse @penfolds thank you for the most beautiful birthday dinner.'

The British star was joined by her brothers Charlie and Sam Thomson, as she posed for a sweet snap between her two siblings.

During the evening Lily was joined by her actress friend Gemma Chan and magician Dynamo.

Apollo's Muse is marketed as one of 'the most private of private members' clubs' and is believed to be one of to be one of Lily's favourite venues.

Only 500 people are granted membership, making it one of the most exclusive clubs in the world.

A bird's eye view of the room showed the group sat around the table, which was positioned between an extensive bar and DJ booth

The British star was joined by her brothers Charlie and Sam Thomson, as she posed for a sweet snap between her two siblings

Lily looked incredible in a 10,000 outfit at members' club, Apollo's Muse, which is at the back of Bacchanalia in swanky Mayfair

Designed by Richard Caring, the billionaire club mogul behind Annabel's and The Ivy, it is frequented by famous names including model Kate Moss.

But despite hours of partying, there was no rest for Lily, who was later was seen leaving her central London hotel dressed down in baggy trousers, leather jacket and cap before flying 600 miles to Milan.

There she rubbed shoulders with the likes of actress Demi Moore, 61, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at Dolce & Gabbana's 40th anniversary exhibition at the Palazzo Reale museum.

For her second party in 36 hours, Lily ditched the neutral shades of the previous night and opted for a black two-piece consisting of a sheer halter neck top and wide-leg trousers.

She shared another social media snap, posing with her actress friend Marene Van Holk in Milan as she gushed 'So special, first day of 35!'

The jet-setting continued for the actress as she was believed to have flown back to the UK to prepare for the upcoming release of mystery-comedy film Greedy People.

The actress was first attached to the project in May of 2022, when Deadline revealed that she had joined its cast.

Greedy People will be centred on a police officer who is tasked with investigating a murder and the sudden discovery of a large sum of money in a sleepy town.

The Downton Abbey star also posted a picture of herself blowing out a candle on a meringue and fruit pudding

Apollo's Muse is marketed as one of 'the most private of private members' clubs' and is believed to be one of to be one of Lily's favourite venues

On Friday, the star of Downton Abbey celebrated her birthday in a 10,000 outfit

Lily (pictured leaving her birthday celebration) wore a 4,639 polka dot Yves Saint Laurent dress and a Burberry coat
Gritty Irish crime drama Kin is set to hit UK Netflix screens in May 2024.

And fans cannot get enough of the series as the multi-award winning show has been hailed 'the best Irish drama series in years'.

The show, which won four Irish Film and Television Awards in 2022, initially aired on Irish channel RTE in 2021, for series one, and in 2023, for series two.

From May, 1, the show's first series will make its debut on the streaming giant's platform while both seasons are currently available on RTE and BBC iPlayer.

Netflix said of Kin: 'The Kinsella family grapples with the shifting power dynamics while trying to safeguard loved ones in a bloody drug war that pushes their bonds to the limit'.

Gritty Irish crime drama Kin is set to hit UK Netflix screens in May 2024

The show, which won four IFTAs in 2022, was initially aired on Irish channel RTE in 2021, for series one, and in 2023, for series two (pictured: Charlie Cox who stars as Michael Kinsella)

Kin has casted the likes of Charlie Cox (Michael Kinsella), Clare Dunne (Amanda Kinsella) and Emmett J. Scanlan (Jimmy Kinsella), during the first two seasons.

Netflix viewers are waiting in anticipation of the release as many flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their excitement.

One penned: 'Looks like #Kin is coming to Netflix. Hope this increases the chances of us getting another Season or even Seasons! #CharlieCox'

'Great news I still haven't seen season 2'... 'Fingers crossed'.

And the hype has seemingly been appropriate as the show scored an impressive 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

One critic wrote: 'The best Irish drama series in years.'

'Part of the reason why Kin works so well is that it doesn't shun the cliches that inevitably go with the territory, it revels in them. Allied to that is a superb cast.'

'Cox's performance as Michael continues to impress. Doe-eyed and softly spoken, he gives every impression of being sensitive and self-effacing, right up to the point where he isn't. He's the guy you'd want to have your back in a crisis.'

Kin has casted the likes of Charlie Cox (Michael Kinsella) (pictured left), Clare Dunne (Amanda Kinsella) and Emmett J. Scanlan (Jimmy Kinsella), during the first two seasons

Netflix viewers are waiting in anticipation of the release as many flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their excitement

And the hype has seemingly been appropriate as the show scored an impressive 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes

'Kin remains a reliably entertaining and occasionally thrilling watch, brimming with talent on both sides of the camera.'

But despite the glowing reviews, a third series is still reportedly up in arms.

It is believed that actor Sinan Sicimoglu revealed the cast's contracts hadn't been renewed.

This would mean it would be deemed 'impossible' to get Charlie, Clare, Sam and Emmett to rejoin on the same set.

But, following the show's raving success, another is not completely off the cards.

Emmett told Radio Times: 'I'm sure we're all hopeful that we get to continue the story or maybe even finish the story. It's been an extraordinary ride.

'We became very close shooting it. And I said I'd love to go back and do it, to be able to get on set and to tell stories, really, really well thought-out, visceral, layered stories like that, to be able to bring those characters to life, is only made possible through the team that's around you.

'And, of course, our writer, Peter McKenna, who's so, so good at doing that. And I hope we get to continue, but I don't know if and where we will, but please God we find out soon one way or the other.'

It is believed that Kin's inclusion on Netflix will further increase the show's chances of a third series, but nothing has been confirmed.
Tom Holland's West End production of Romeo & Juliet sparked yet more chaos among fans on Wednesday, as a new drop of tickets lead to huge online queues.

30,000 fans clamoured to get one of 5,000 tickets on sale, priced at just 25 for under 30s and key workers, after missing out during the general sale in February.

Taking to social media to share their frustrations, fans complained that getting tickets for Tom's play was proving to be 'harder than Taylor Swift.'

The play will feature the Spiderman star and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as the tragic lovers, joined by Freema Agyeman (Nurse), Michael Balogun (Friar), Tomiwa Edun (Capulet), Mia Jerome (Montague), Daniel Quinn-Toye (Paris), Ray Sesay (Tybalt), Nima Taleghani (Benvolio), Joshua-Alexander Williams (Mercutio), and Callum Heinrich and Kody Mortimer (Camera Operators).

The 12-week run kicks off on May 11 and will conclude August 3 at The Duke of York Theatre in London.

Tom Holland 's West End production of Romeo & Juliet sparked yet more chaos among fans on Wednesday, as a new drop of tickets lead to huge online queues.

30,000 fans clamoured to get one of 5,000 tickets on sale, priced at just 25 for under 30s and key workers, after missing out during the general sale in Februar.

Venting their annoyance at the lengthy queues for tickets, fans posted complaints including: 'People were saying that Romeo & Juliet would flop and only sold because the rest of the cast wasn't announce... well there's at least 30 in the queue rn for 5k tickets.

'I have tickets already, just wanted to see how the queue was today lmao;'

'Can everyone leave the Romeo & Juliet queue so I can get my tickets thanks;'

'This Romeo and Juliet queue is a joke omds; Me when I'm trying to get a ticket to see Tom Holland perform in Romeo & Juliet;'

'Is there's anyone who only needs one ticket for Romeo & Juliet with a good queue number. I'm at over 20,000;'

'Joined the queue for the 5000 tickets for under 30s to see Tom Holland in Romeo & Juliet and I'm place 18k in the queue sorry WHAAAAT;'

'Trying to get tickets for both Dua Lipa and Romeo & Juliet at the same time and there's a 25-minute queue for one and 18k people in the queue for the other.'

The general sale had already sparked an internet meltdown back in February, with more than 60,000 scrambling to get tickets for Tom's West End return.

Taking to social media to share their frustrations, fans complained that getting tickets for Tom's play was proving to be 'harder than Taylor Swift'

The general sale had already sparked an internet meltdown back in February, with more than 60,000 scrambling to get tickets for Tom's West End return

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Tom's followers voiced their fears they may not be able to see him on stage as they waited in a virtual queue behind thousands of others for the priority access tickets.

One wrote: 'now why are there 25,000 people in front of me in the queue to get these Tom Holland Romeo and Juliet tickets this isnt the eras tour'.

Others said: '28,664 people in front of me. There's no way I'm getting tickets am I... i just wanna see my man (Tom Holland)', and: 'l I thought I was being proactive with my priority access to Tom Holland Romeo and Juliet theatre tickets at 8am. Turns out 41,000 other people are doing the same.'

'getting tickets to Tom Hollands Romeo & Juliet is starting to feel like eras tour trauma'.

Other fans celebrated after managing to get through the queue and get tickets for the show.

They wrote: 'Survived the war for Tom Holland Romeo and Juliet tickets. Tickets started at 80 and went up to 145 from what I saw, but may have been higher for the very front rows (all gone of course)'.

'I DID IT! I just scored a ticket to see Tom Holland in Romeo & Juliet on stage in London!!!! On closing night! Not to mention, it's an aisle seat 3rd row from the stage! I must be dreaming.'

Tom, who is best known for playing Peter Parker in the latest Spider-Man movies, will star in the Jamie Lloyd Company's version of the romantic tragedy.

Director Jamie, 43, said: 'Tom Holland is one of the greatest, most exciting young actors in the world. It is an honour to welcome him back to the West End.'

Tom made his stage debut as a child when he starred in Billy Elliot The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London in 2008.

Romeo And Juliet will mark his first West End role as an adult.

Romeo And Juliet is a story that has been staged hundreds of times on the West End and The Crown actor Josh O'Connor and Irish star Jessie Buckley appeared in a version of the play, filmed for TV inside the National Theatre in 2021.

It comes after it was revealed that the West End production has faced a 'barrage of deplorable racial abuse' after the diverse cast was announced.

It comes after it was revealed that the West End production has faced a 'barrage of deplorable racial abuse' after the diverse cast was announced

A statement from the theatre company on Friday denounced the shocking backlash as they vowed to 'continue to support and protect everyone in our company.'

While the theatre company did not directly name who had received abuse, many fans believed it had been aimed at Tom's co-star Francesca.

The Jamie Lloyd Company shared: 'Following the announcement of our Romeo & Juliet cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed towards a member of our company. This must stop.

'We are working with a remarkable group of artists. We insist that they are free to create work without facing online harassment.

'We will continue to support and protect everyone in our company at all costs. Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported.'

It continued: 'Bullying and harassment have no place online, in our industry or in our wider communities.

'Our rehearsal room is full of joy, compassion and kindness. We celebrate the extraordinary talent of our incredible collaborators.

'The Romeo & Juliet community will continue to rehearse with generosity and love, and focus on the creation of our production.'

Since then, Bridgerton actress Arsema Adeoluwayemi Hamera has called on Tom to speak out in support of his co-star Francesca.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Arsema, who played young Lady Danbury in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, shared a plea from HBO actress Selina Jones urging Tom to speak up.

'You lot need to put pressure pon @tomholland2023's head top,' the post read. 'I need my guy to say something, ANYTHING, about the disgusting racial abuse being thrown at our angel Fran.'

The post urged people to encourage him to act in any way they could, and added: 'Our power as a people and a community should never be underestimated. Avengers assemble.'

Several other people took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their frustration at the lack of a statement from Tom.

While the theatre company did not directly name who had received abuse, many fans believed it had been aimed at Tom's co-star Francesca (pictured)

They wrote: 'Seriously though, he shouldve said something days ago. We got newcomers like Melissa Barrera, Renee Rapp, Ramy Youssef and Avantika speaking up for Gaza and he cant step in against blatant racism? Spider-man would never;'

'It is incredibly embarrassing and indicting that a dark skinned black woman who has nothing to do with your production is urging you to defend your own co-star. an incredibly useless and spineless man;'

'Like how do you jump on stage and look your co-star in the eye knowing you sat idly by as she endured archaic forms of incessant racism. This is what infuriates me about celebrities not using their power and privilege. absolutely pathetic;'

'What I do know is that his Black costar is receiving extreme racism & death threats because of her Race. Im sure that hurts more. And Asking Tom Holland to speak out against the racism his costar is facing from some of his OWN fans is ASKING him to do the BARE MINIMUM.'

However while some fans agreed with the sentiment, they also jumped to the Hollywood actor's defence citing that he rarely uses social media.
Zendaya has lent her support to her boyfriend Tom Holland amid his performance in a Romeo & Juliet play that has become embroiled in a racism controversy.

Tom, 27, will play Romeo in the upcoming West End production while Juliet will be portrayed by Francesca Amewudah-Rivers.

Social media was later flooded with a 'barrage of deplorable racial abuse' over the diverse casting, prompting the theatre company to release a statement condemning the abuse Francesca received.

Zendaya told Vogue that she 'could not be more proud' of Tom, adding: 'Im going to try to see as many shows as I possibly can.'

Speaking on both of their journeys to stardom, Zendaya said: 'We were both very, very young, but my career was already kind of going, and his changed overnight.

Zendaya has lent her support to her boyfriend Tom Holland amid his performance in a Romeo & Juliet play that has become embroiled in a racism controversy

Tom, 27, will play Romeo in the upcoming West End production while Juliet will be portrayed by Francesca Amewudah-Rivers who has received racist abuse

'One day youre a kid and youre at the pub with your friends, and then the next day youre Spider-Man. I definitely watched his life kind of change in front of him. But he handled it really beautifully.'

It comes after Bridgerton actress Arsema Adeoluwayemi Hamera has called on Tom Holland to speak out in support of his co-star Francesca.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Arsema, who played young Lady Danbury in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, shared a plea from HBO actress Selina Jones urging Tom to speak up.

'You lot need to put pressure pon @tomholland2023's head top,' the post read. 'I need my guy to say something, ANYTHING, about the disgusting racial abuse being thrown at our angel Fran.'

The post urged people to encourage him to act in any way they could, and added: 'Our power as a people and a community should never be underestimated. Avengers assemble.'

Several other people took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their frustration at the lack of a statement from Tom.

They wrote: 'Seriously though, he shouldve said something days ago. We got newcomers like Melissa Barrera, Renee Rapp, Ramy Youssef and Avantika speaking up for Gaza and he cant step in against blatant racism? Spider-man would never;'

Zendaya told Vogue that she 'could not be more proud' of Tom, adding: 'Im going to try to see as many shows as I possibly can'

Social media was later flooded with a 'barrage of deplorable racial abuse' over the diverse casting, prompting the theatre company to release a statement condemning the abuse Francesca received

'It is incredibly embarrassing and indicting that a dark skinned black woman who has nothing to do with your production is urging you to defend your own co-star. an incredibly useless and spineless man;'

'Like how do you jump on stage and look your co-star in the eye knowing you sat idly by as she endured archaic forms of incessant racism. This is what infuriates me about celebrities not using their power and privilege. absolutely pathetic;'

'What I do know is that his Black costar is receiving extreme racism & death threats because of her Race. Im sure that hurts more. And Asking Tom Holland to speak out against the racism his costar is facing from some of his OWN fans is ASKING him to do the BARE MINIMUM.'

However while some fans agreed with the sentiment, they also jumped to the Hollywood actor's defence citing that he rarely uses social media.

They said: 'Are people forgetting that tom holland is hardly on social media;'

It comes after Bridgerton actress Arsema Adeoluwayemi Hamera has called on Tom Holland to speak out in support of his co-star Francesca

Arsema (pictured in March), who played young Lady Danbury in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, shared a plea from HBO actress Selina Jones urging Tom to speak up

'You lot need to put pressure pon @tomholland2023's head top,' the post said. 'I need my guy to say something, ANYTHING, about the disgusting racial abuse being thrown at our angel Fran'

Several other people took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their frustration at the lack of a statement from Tom

'Id agree in a different case but yall forget that tom holland said years ago that only logs into his social media for work reasons. hes not on the internet so he definitely doesnt know;'

'I do agree with you but Tom has said many times that hes not active on social media.'

The theatre company responsible for the Shakespeare production released a statement on Friday denouncing the shocking backlash as they vowed to 'continue to support and protect everyone in our company.'

The Jamie Lloyd Company shared: 'Following the announcement of our Romeo & Juliet cast, there has been a barrage of deplorable racial abuse online directed towards a member of our company. This must stop.

'We are working with a remarkable group of artists. We insist that they are free to create work without facing online harassment.

'We will continue to support and protect everyone in our company at all costs. Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported.'

It continued: 'Bullying and harassment have no place online, in our industry or in our wider communities.

'Our rehearsal room is full of joy, compassion and kindness. We celebrate the extraordinary talent of our incredible collaborators.

However while some fans agreed with the sentiment, they also jumped to the Hollywood actor's defence citing that he rarely uses social media

Also in the cast are Freema Agyeman, Michael Balogun, Tomiwa Edun, Mia Jerome , Daniel Quinn-Toye, Ray Sesay, Nima Taleghani, Joshua-Alexander Williams, and Callum Heinrich and Kody Mortimer

A statement from the theatre company on Friday denounced the shocking backlash as they vowed to 'continue to support and protect everyone in our company.'

'The Romeo & Juliet community will continue to rehearse with generosity and love, and focus on the creation of our production.'

The theatre company did not directly name who had received abuse.

MailOnline contacted The Jamie Lloyd Company for comment at the time.

Francesca attended Oxford University where she was president of the Drama Society.

In an interview with Oxford's student newspaper Cherwell in 2018, Francesca said she knew she wanted to do something that 'makes [her] happy' after graduating and that wouldn't involve 'a nine-to-five desk job'.

Giving her advice to young creatives, she said: 'If you want to act, audition for things, if you want to create anything, write.

'Create your own narratives and put yourself out there If you really do care about something and want to see it happen, and if you fail or if its bad, youve learnt from it. Youve not lost anything.'

Francesca attended Oxford University where she was president of the Drama Society

She began her career in 2021 by appearing as Othello in a production by the National Youth Theatre.

The Romeo & Juliet cast was announced last month, with Tom and Bad Education's Francesca announced in the titular roles.

They are joined by Freema Agyeman (Nurse), Michael Balogun (Friar), Tomiwa Edun (Capulet), Mia Jerome (Montague), Daniel Quinn-Toye (Paris), Ray Sesay (Tybalt), Nima Taleghani (Benvolio), Joshua-Alexander Williams (Mercutio), and Callum Heinrich and Kody Mortimer (Camera Operators).

The 12-week run goes from May 11 until August 3 at The Duke of York's Theatre.

Tickets for the production sold out two hours after going on sale in February. At this time Tom was the only cast member announced.

Director Jamie Lloyd, 43, said of the casting: 'Tom Holland is one of the greatest, most exciting young actors in the world. It is an honour to welcome him back to the West End.'

Tom made his stage debut as a child when he starred in Billy Elliot The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London in 2008.

Romeo And Juliet will mark his first West End role as an adult.

The Shakespearean epic is a story that has been staged hundreds of times on the West End and The Crown actor Josh O'Connor and Irish star Jessie Buckley appeared in a version of the play, filmed for TV inside the National Theatre in 2021.

Other actors to have played Romeo on stage include Harry Potter star Alfred Enoch, The Lord Of The Rings actor Sir Ian McKellen, Game Of Thrones' Sean Bean and Bodyguard actor Richard Madden.
As one of Britain's most respected acting couples, they have had their fair share of individual career success.

But now, Keeley Hawes has called out the double standards that see her criticised for being on television too much while actors like husband Matthew Macfadyen get a pass.

The British actress, 48, who plays Prince Andrew's former private secretary Amanda Thirsk in Netflix's Scoop, has said actresses get called out for being over-exposed more often than actors do.

'There are many more male actors who have worked much more,' she told Stylist magazine.

'And I find that male actors are rarely called out for working too much, whereas with female actors it's like, "Here she is again!"

, Keeley Hawes has called out the double standards that see her criticised for being on television too much while actors like husband Matthew Macfadyen get a pass

Ms Hawes has been married to Succession star Macfadyen, 49, since 2004 and the couple are parents to children Maggie, 19, and Ralph, 17

'That's not just me specifically; I've seen it happen with others too. You just don't get that with male actors.'

She said there is still 'further to go' when it comes to gender equality in the industry, but that it's 'a million miles away from where it used to be.'

Remaining 'positive,' she said that 'more execs and decision-makers are female, so that helps with that change too.'

But the London-born actress, who rose to fame in Spooks before landing roles in Line of Duty and The Bodyguard, said that she was put in 'horrendous' situations in the 1990s when she had to pose in lingerie for magazine shoots.

'I would turn up to a shoot to publicise a costume drama and there would just be a rail of lingerie,' she said.

'You wouldn't have a press person; there was no one there but 20-year-old Keeley, who didn't know how these things worked.

'And you would be put in a hotel room, sometimes with a male photographer on your own, not even with hair and make-up in the same room.'

She said it was 'deeply uncomfortable' but that was the 'expectation of what we did' and was the publicist's job to 'get you into as many things as possible and at that time that meant magazines like Loaded.'

The British actress, 48, who plays Prince Andrew's former private secretary Amanda Thirsk in Netflix 's Scoop, has said actresses get called out for being over-exposed

But the London-born actress, who rose to fame in Spooks (pictured) before landing roles in Line of Duty and The Bodyguard, said that she was put in 'horrendous' situations in the 1990s when she had to pose in lingerie for magazine shoots

She added: 'It makes me feel horrendous, really horrendous. I feel for myself.

'We are so well protected now; it's a different world, thank God, but it was just what we were expected to do and I didn't really think anything of it.'

Ms Hawes has been married to Succession star Macfadyen, 49, since 2004 and the couple are parents to children Maggie, 19, and Ralph, 17. The actress is also mother to son Myles, 24, from her previous marriage to Spencer McCallum.

She said the couple always try to be 'strict' with their work schedules so one of them is always at home, although nowadays they have to 'wrangle' the children to spend time with them.

'We're just the same as anyone else, with two people in a relationship when you're both working,' she said.

'Everybody has those struggles, and of course there are moments when you're less in control than others.'

She added: 'I'm now wrangling with them so they make time to see us! It's non-stop negotiations as parents, it's just that the negotiations are different.'

Ms Hawes said that her plan for the future is finding 'more time' to spend with her husband now they are able to, and seeing her 'handful' of friends.

She added: 'I feel incredibly lucky and very satisfied. I've done lots of things that I questioned if I could ever do.

'I've never been so full of confidence that I've thought 'I can do that' about everything. So, at the time I might not have known I was achieving a life goal, but I think perhaps I was and I did.'
Jennifer Aniston showed off her youthful looks on the cover of People magazine which dropped on Wednesday for their 50th anniversary.

The Friends actress, 55, wore her hair in a neat bob as she added pretty nude makeup while in a pink tank top over a white tank top.

The star looked half her age as she has focused on health and exercise; she does intermittent fasting and works out in her home gym doing yoga and Pvolve.

This comes weeks after the ex of Brad Pitt was caught leaving a plastic surgeon's office in Connecticut with her friend Sandra Bullock.

Also on the cover was her Morning Show cast mate Reese Witherspoon and her Just Go With It costar Nicole Kidman.

Jennifer Aniston showed off her youthful looks on the cover of People magazine which dropped on Wednesday for their 50th anniversary

Also on the cover were Matthew McConaughey, Viola Davis, Swayne Johnson, Drew Barrymore, Michael J Fox, Serena Williams and John Legend.

In her interview, Jennifer said she said her Friends years were 'magic.'

When asked what if she was happy to pose for People for Friends she shared: 'Oh, everything was the most exciting thing on the planet. It was just magic. Nothing was not exciting. And its still exciting, but weve had more experiences. Weve learned more lessons. Theres a little more behind us.'

And she wanted to be an actress at a young age.

'Probably when I was onstage for the first time when I was about 11. I was in a Nativity play, and I played the archangel. From that moment on I caught the bug,' she said.

The advice she would give herself when she was were starting out was: 'That feeling when it wasn't about "making it" but just workingmaintain that.'

The most important lesson she learned along the way was: 'Patience, to be kind, to respect your fellow actors. And just tell the truth.'

Aniston also said she 'always' gets nervous on the red carpet and even in interviews, adding she was anxious just being interviewed for the cover: 'Always. Always. Right now, literally in this chair.'

And Jen noted getting her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2012 was 'special.'

'I still have that dress. Like I do pretty much all my clothes from every decade,' she said.

In March, Jen and Sandra were spotted leaving a well-known Connecticut plastic surgery office with Jason Bateman's wife Amanda Anka.

Also on the cover was Matthew McConaughey, The Rock, Drew Barrymore and Viola Davis

The ladies were together as they departed The Retreat At Split Rock which is located in Greenwich, Connecticut. The retreat specializes in expert upper and lower face lifts, which cost about $50,000 to $100,000 each as well as brow and eye lifts that hover around $30,000 each.

'It is a private fully accredited surgical facility,' notes the website.

They were specifically seen exiting Dr Neil A Gordon's office. He oversees the facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. His specialty is 'facial rejuvenation and rhinoplasty,' according to his site, but injectables such as Botox and Kybella are also offered. A full face of Botox can cost around $3,000 while Kybella is more expensive at $6,000.

The Los Angeles residents certainly traveled far to look into what Dr Gordon has to offer, and he must be the best in his field as Beverly Hills is chock-a-block with well-known plastic surgeons like Dr Garth Fisher and Dr Paul Nassif who could have done the work without the added travel expense.

Reese Witherspoon, Michael J Fox, Serena Williams, Oprah, John Legend and Nicole Kidman were also seen

All three ladies dressed casually for their trip which looked to be a case of 'surgery tourism.'

Aniston, 55, had on a floppy black hat to hide her face as they left the white barn-style office with a lush green lawn surrounded by yellow daffodils. She was followed by Bullock, 59, and Anka, 55 - once a star on Buffy The Vampire Slayer - who both tried to keep their heads down.

The Friends veteran was dressed in a black sweater with a black scarf as she had on distressed blue denim jeans with a wide dark brown belt with a brass buckle.

The Morning Show standout also had on black boots as she held on to a black coat as well as a pair of tinted sunglasses.

Bullock had on a puffy black jacket over a white T-shirt as she added baggy black slacks and white sneakers. The Bullet Train star's long dark hair was worn down as she added oversized dark sunglasses.

Bullock has not been seen in public much since her partner since 2015, Bryan Randall, got sick in 2020 with ALS. He battled the illness for three years before passing away in August 2023 at the age of 57. He helped raise her two children Louis and Laila.

Batmen's wife Anka wore a bright cherry red sweatshirt with faded blue denim jeans and black boots as she held onto a black purse and coat. She was makeup-free.

In March, Jen and Sandra were spotted leaving a well-known Connecticut plastic surgery office with Jason Bateman 's wife Amanda Anka

Aniston has admitted in the past that she loves to take care of herself with spa treatments

Aniston, left, attends the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in LA on February 24. Bullock, right, at the Bird Box screening in New York City in 2018

Jason Bateman and his wife Amanda attend the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on March 10

Her husband Jason is best known for his Aniston movie Switch as well as his series Arrested Development and Ozark.

The center is known for their facelifts.

The retreat touts a skillful upper face lift: 'A forehead lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure that tightens the soft tissue and skin of the entire forehead. The majority effect is often seen around the eyes, especially between the eyebrows and on the drooping soft tissue hanging over the lateral/side of the upper eyelids.'

And they promise their lower face lift takes care of the 'lost skin on the cheeks and neck.'
Rufus Sewell has revealed the dramatic transformation he went under to become Prince Andrew for the Netflix film Scoop.

The actor, 64, plays the Duke of York in the drama that recreates the prince's infamous Newsnight interview with journalist Emily Maitlis.

In a clip shared by Netflix's UK and Ireland account on Twitter, Rufus is seen sitting in the makeup chair as the prosthetics team get to work on the transformation.

Speaking to viewers, he said: 'My name's Rufus Sewell and we're going to be going through the make up process where Kristyan and Robin will help to change me into Prince Andrew.'

The video then shows the detailed prosthetics that were applied all over Rufus' face and shoulders in order to make him bear a resemblance to the prince.

Rufus Sewell has revealed the dramatic transformation he went under to become Prince Andrew for the Netflix film Scoop

The actor, 64, plays the Duke of York in the drama that recreates the prince's infamous Newsnight interview with journalist Emily Maitlis

In a clip shared by Netflix's UK and Ireland account on Twitter, Rufus is seen sitting in the makeup chair as the prosthetics team get to work on the transformation

Make-up artists carefully added multiple jowls to his face along with a light grey wig.

Rufus underwent a total image transformation for the film and previously admitted that a bottom double was required for a scene in which the Duke is seen climbing out of the bath.

He told the Radio Times: 'It's not that I'm ashamed of my own. I get it out whenever I get the chance  but this bum was specially shipped in.'

The actor also said he needed to perfect the 'Windsor clenched jaw' for Andrew's voice.

Rufus explained: 'Andrew actually has this blokey quality. If you listen to him, as opposed to King Charles, he has a lad's lad quality.

'He's Randy Andy who chats up the working girls when he visits the factory.'

Scoop also stars Billie Piper as BBC producer Sam McAlister and Keeley Hawes as Andrew's assistant Amanda Thirsk.

The film was a hit with Netflix viewers after it debuted on the streamer on Friday.

Make-up artists carefully added multiple jowls to his face along with a light grey wig

Gillian Anderson took to Instagram on Friday to celebrate the release of Scoop with a slew of behind-the-scenes snaps

The film captures the tension behind booking the royal for the interview

Based on the book Scoops, by Sam McAlister, the film captures the tension behind booking the royal for the interview, as well as the tension among the cast during the interview.

Viewers took to X/Twitter in the hours after the film appeared on the platform and most gave a positive verdict.

Gillian Anderson's performance as Emily received praise as did Billie Piper who plays Sam McAllister, the producer who secured the interview with Prince Andrew.

Praising the flick, users wrote: 'Spent my morning watching Scoop on Netflix which documents how that norotious interview with Prince Andrew materialised - it's utterly brilliant and a really intriguing watch. Highly recommend!'
Lisa Rinna displayed her smooth visage as she attended the Fashion Trust in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The star looked different, however, with more nude, natural looking makeup. In recent months the beauty has gone with the 'no makeup' look.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 60, showed off her taut complexion and plump pout as she posed at the event.

She opted to wear a quirky black dress over a beige corset.

The siren wore her dark tresses in cropped tresses and opted for a fairly natural makeup look along with a light pink lip.

Lisa Rinna displayed her smooth visage as she attended the Fashion Trust in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The star looked different, however, with more nude, natural looking makeup

In recent months the beauty has gone with the 'no makeup' look even though she has on plenty of paint

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 60, showed off her taut complexion and plump pout as she posed at the event

She was last seen at the star-studded Hollywood Reporter Power Stylists bash held at the Sunset Tower Hotel in LA in March.

Lisa famously emailed a resignation letter to her bosses at The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in September 2022 and, 18 months later, she has confirmed she still has no plans on returning to the hit Bravo reality show.

'No. Never. No I wouldn't,' the actress - who starred in eight seasons - said in a sneak peek of Friday's Jennifer Hudson Show.

'But listen, I grateful for the experience. I think that it has made me a better actor because I'm acting again.'

At that, an audience member snickered and Lisa (born Elizabeth) shot back: 'I'm not kidding! You laugh, but it's true. I think it made made me a better actor, working with those women [and] going through that experience.'

Rinna executive produced and stars as cyber-bullying mother Madelyn alongside her own 25-year-old daughter Delilah Belle Hamlin in Greg Beeman's drama thriller Mommy Meanest, which premieres later this year on Lifetime.

She opted to wear a quirky black ensemble

'I just did a movie called Mommy Meanest, which I trained for for eight years on that show. I definitely did, and I had a lot to pull from,' the four-time Daytime Emmy nominee noted.

'I have a lot to pull from after working for eight years on that show. You know, different psychologies of different women I never would have come across that if I hadn't done that show. I am grateful for that show. I'm the person I am today because of it, but I'll never go back. Did it, done it, saw the movie.'

Rinna was last seen at the Hollywood Reporter Power Stylists bash held at the Sunset Tower Hotel in LA in March

Lisa is also 'so excited' to guest star as the love interest to George Lopez in the second season of his sitcom Lopez vs. Lopez, which premieres April 2 on NBC.

'I think that taking risks is a really good thing,' Rinna - who 'has no regrets' -explained.

'The more risks you take, the better your life is and that's what I try to teach my kids. I'm like, "Take the risk. If it scares you, do it."'

The So Help Me Todd guest star made history as 'the oldest woman to ever be on the cover of Cosmopolitan' for the magazine's 'special digital' January cover in which she wore a sheer sparkly Stella McCartney catsuit.

'It felt so amazing. First, I couldn't believe it when my publicist Jeffrey [Chassen] called me. I was like, "You're lying! Like, they don't put a 60-year-old woman on the cover of Cosmo. They just don't." And he's like, "Well now they do!"' Lisa recalled.

'It moves the needle for women. It just makes it okay all of a sudden. My idols Cher and Madonna and Demi Moore I think they're just doing it so beautifully and they reinvent themselves and they look amazing and they're doing what they love and their ages are not 25 and I love that so much.'

On March 29, Rinna and her husband Harry Hamlin - who are also parents of 22-year-old daughter Amelia Gray Hamlin - will impressively celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary.

The 72-year-old Emmy nominee will host his very own five-episode cooking show In The Kitchen With Harry - premiering May 15 on AMC - alongside his Cordon Bleu-trained niece Renee Guilbault.

The Rinna Beauty founder 'can't wait to connect with the LGBTQ+ community' on April 14 as Grand Marshal at the Miami Beach Pride Parade 'in Florida where they need our love and support more than ever.'
Bridget Jones 4 has been officially confirmed - with Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant set to reprise their iconic roles.

The fourth instalment in the acclaimed franchise - based on the books by Helen Fielding - will be titled Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy - with Zellweger returning as the witty singleton, alongside Grant as loverat Daniel Cleaver.

Emma Thompson - who played Doctor Rawlings in 2016's Bridget Jones's Baby is also back, with Chiwetel Ejiofor and White Lotus and One Day star Leo Woodall also set to star, per THR.

To Leslie director Michael Morris will helm the film - based on the 2013 novel of the same name, with the film's script penned by author Fielding.

But things haven't always been perfect between the two leading stars Hugh and Renee - with Hugh's eyebrows being raised when the American actress was originally given the role.

Bridget Jones 4 has been officially confirmed - with Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant set to reprise their iconic roles (seen in 2004)

But things haven't always been perfect between the two leading stars Hugh and Renee - with Hugh's eyebrows being raised when the American actress was given the role

Hugh had some concerns about an American playing author Helen's British character - saying that he first thought her being cast in the role was a 'stretch'.

Speaking in a 2020 documentary about the movies he said: 'There was a whole scandal about why isn't this a British actress? I didn't know Renee Zellweger, and a Texan playing a British character, it did seem like a stretch.'

He went on to admit his co-star's first attempt at a British accent 'sounded like Princess Margaret.

Hugh added: 'She was told to kind of, well she thought she better loosen it up a bit. Then she came in and it was Princess Margaret having had a stroke. But a week later it was bang on.'

However they soon became firm friends while working on the film and he has previously said of their off-screen friendship: 'I love Renee. She's one of the few actresses I haven't fallen out with. And we get on very well together.

'We still exchange long emails. Hers in particular, at least 70 pages each, interesting stuff, but quite hard to decipher. She's a properly good egg and a genius. Did you see her Judy Garland? About as good as acting gets.'

It comes as Bridget Jones fans have vowed to boycott the upcoming fourth movie if beloved character Mark Darcy isn't included.

Hugh had some concerns about an American playing author Helen's British character - saying that he first thought her being cast in the role was a 'stretch'

Speaking in a 2020 documentary about the movies he said: 'There was a whole scandal about why isn't this a British actress? I didn't know Renee Zellweger, and a Texan playing a British character, it did seem like a stretch'

The noughties romcoms defined a generation, with millions of women identifying with protagonist Bridget, who worried about her weight, her bad habits of smoking and drinking and whether she'd ever find a partner.

The movies saw Bridget navigate several love triangles, mainly with Mark and Daniel.

In the third film, it appeared Bridget had finally found her happy ending as she settled down with barrister Mark, marrying after welcoming their first child together.

So with news of a fourth film on the way, fans were excited to see what Bridget and Mark got up to next, only to be left devastated when Colin's name was absent from the cast list.

Fear has since spread across social media that the fourth film will follow the direction of the third book, which tragically killed off Mark and followed Bridget as she navigated life as a widowed mother-of-two.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, fans shared: 'Bridget Jones 4 without Colin Firth...no thank you. #colinfirth';

'Bridget Jones 4 without Colin Firth, yer no thanks, pointless, he's the only reason I watched & liked the last 3 films, I like him very much.';

'Think me and Mum will swerve The new Bridget Jones film if Colin Firth isn't in it.'; 'bring back colin firth too there's no bridget jones without mark darcy';

'I'm sorry but what's the purpose to make another Bridget Jones's diary movie? Most of all, without Colin and his Mark Darcy, Bridget's only love.';

'The plot of Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy is that Bridget is a widow after Mark Darcy dies. So are Colin and Hugh's characters gonna be ghosts?';

'Knowing how the Bridget Jones books go a Bridget Jones film with no Colin Firth is concerning.'; 'A Bridget Jones movie without Colin Firth is a no for me. That is all.';

'The disappointment I feel over Colin Firth not appearing in the next Bridget Jones is.overwhelming. Then to find out it's bc she's a widow. I am inconsolable. Please respect my privacy at this trying time.';

'bridget jones diary 4 is happening but it looks like theyre following the book and colin firth wont be in it so whats the point'.

In the third Bridget Jones novel, Mad About The Boy, which is also the title of the upcoming fourth film, it was revealed that Mark had been killed off five years prior in a landmine accident in Sudan, shortly after welcoming a second child with Bridget.

Readers were left outraged by the shock twist, with author Helen later revealing she made the decision after the death of her father in a car crash made her realise that life has many 'twists and turns'.

She said after the book's release in 2013: 'It's like the keys of a piano isn't it? There are white notes and black notes.

'And there's a tragicomic element in my writing; the happy ending is just where you choose to end a book. Life, with all its twists and turns, carries on beyond it.'

In the novel, Bridget is aged 51 and attempting to move past her grief while caring for children Billy and Mabel, aged seven and five.

The fourth instalment in the acclaimed franchise - based on the books by Helen Fielding - will be titled Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy - with Zellweger returning as the witty singleton, alongside Grant as loverat Daniel Cleaver

To Leslie director Michael Morris will helm the film - based on the 2013 novel of the same name, with the film's script penned by author Fielding

She is still searching for her happy ending and embarks on a romance with a younger man while attempting to navigate the modern dating scene.

While the identity of the young lover has not yet been announced, it's telling that the cast lineup features Hollywood heartthrob of the moment, Leo Woodall.

The One Day star, 27, has been confirmed to be starring in the upcoming film in a currently undisclosed part.

The book's plot suggests there is every chance Leo could also play the role of her younger lover.

Fans also predicted that if the film was set in the future, Leo may play Bridget's son.
San Francisco District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin speaks during a kickoff event Saturday for his mayoral campaign at Portsmouth Square in Chinatown. Though the historic neighborhood has long supported Peskin, some wonder whether the citys Asian American population will show similar support. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Aaron Peskin walked around Chinatown during a recent afternoon pointing out all the ways hes influenced the historic neighborhood during his 17-year political career.

I helped get the funding for that, he said, pointing at a dragon mosaic mural on Wentworth Alley.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Board of Supervisors president chose to start his mayoral campaign Saturday in the heart of his political base, Portsmouth Square, colloquially called the living room of Chinatown. Peskin enjoys strong support in Chinatown, winning between 64% to 67% of first-choice votes in the four precincts in the heart of Chinatown during his 2020 election, significantly higher than his performance across his district. But political observers and opponents say that Peskin, the most progressive candidate in the field, may face an uphill battle winning over the citys moderate-leaning Asian American voters, who could play a decisive role in this years mayoral election.

Bill Lee, a former city administrator who closely watches Asian American politics, said Peskin is too far left of many of the citys Asian voters on issues including education, housing and public safety. San Franciscos majority-Asian precincts, on average, have voted the least progressively of all the citys racial groups on ballot measures from 2018 to 2020, according to a 2022 Chronicle analysis.

Aaron is a very bright guy, and hes probably the most influential progressive left in the city, Lee said. His problem right now with the Asians: One, he didnt support the recall of the school board. Two, he didnt support the recall of the district attorney. Three, he supported Gordon Mar.

Asian voters helped turn the tide on those three issues, marshaling support to recall three school board members in 2022, to recall former District Attorney Chesa Boudin and ousting then-incumbent progressive supervisor Gordon Mar in 2022 in favor of moderate Joel Engardio. Asian Americans, who comprise about 37% of the citys population and make up the largest non-white demographic group, played a big role electing incumbent Mayor London Breed in 2018 and could be influential this year as well if the bloc rallies around  or against  a particular candidate, political experts said.

In an interview with the Chronicle, Peskin defended his past stances, stating that he didnt oppose the school board recall but simply didnt think it was appropriate for him to get involved with a sister agency. He said Boudin hadnt had enough time to implement what he promised. And Peskin said he supported Mar because he generally supports his colleagues in their reelections.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

He said he knows he will have to earn the support of the citys Asian American voters. Asked whether he thinks he is too progressive for many Asian American voters, Peskin responded that he doesnt think political ideology should play a role in how a mayor governs, for the most part.

There are no moderate or progressive potholes, Peskin said.

The divisions within the citys Asian American community toward Peskin were on full display at his mayoral campaign launch in Portsmouth Square.

At a counter-rally organized by one of Peskins mayoral opponents, Mark Farrell, about three dozen Chinatown residents and Asian American activists held up Anybody but Peskin signs. Stop Asian Hate activist Jade Tu, who is also Farrells campaign manager, led the charge, telling the Chronicle that she thinks Peskin would be a horrible mayor.

Supporters of former San Francisco mayor and current mayoral candidate Mark Farrell hold signs promoting his campaign at Portsmouth Square on March 30. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle

On the other side were dozens of older Chinatown residents, many members of the Community Tenants Association and tenants at single-rental occupancy units, toting We need Aaron campaign signs printed in both Chinese and English.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Rev. Norman Fong, a prominent Chinatown community leader and former executive director of the historic nonprofit Chinatown Community Development Center, delivered a blessing at the rally. Aaron Peskin, thank you for helping to save our neighborhood, to save Chinatown, Fong roared into the microphone.

Wing Hoo Leung, president of the Community Tenants Association, which has a membership base of about 1,700 monolingual Chinese immigrant tenants, also spoke in support of Peskin at Saturdays rally, stating that the supervisor has always stood with tenants.

The progressive-leaning Rose Pak Democratic Club helped Peskin reserve the square. Its president, Jeremy Lee, said he is backing Peskin because of the supervisors unwavering support for Chinatown residents. Lee, who also works for the Chinatown Community Development Center, cited how Peskin helped transfer ownership of a badly maintained, asbestos-ridden single-room occupancy building to the center and bring $1.9 million in funding to the nonprofit for Chinatown COVID-19 recovery.

Without any Asian American candidates for mayor, some of Peskins supporters have argued he would best be able to represent the communitys interests. He was dubbed an honorary Asian American supervisor by Jenny Leung, executive director of the Chinatown-based Chinese Cultural Center at a January ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Rev. Norman Fong speaks during a mayoral campaign kickoff Saturday for San Francisco District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin at Portsmouth Square in Chinatown. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

But while Chinatown is the citys Chinese American communitys historic center, it is far from its population center. Most of the citys Chinese American voters do not live in Chinatown. And the politics of Chinatowns progressive nonprofits and working-class residents often differ from that of the rest of the citys Asian American population, which tends to vote along more moderate lines.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

I just havent seen him siding with the Chinese community citywide, said Josephine Zhao, president of the moderate-leaning Chinese American Democratic Club. He may have sided with the Chinese community in a certain portion of Chinatown.

On public safety, Zhao said she thinks Peskin is out of step with what most Asian residents want. Specifically, she named his recent support for the unsuccessful Proposition B, which made increasing police staffing conditional upon a new tax to fund it, leading to opponents calling it a cop tax. She said his stance did not represent what most of the Chinese and Asian communities wanted.

At the Anybody but Peskin rally, Tu echoed the sentiment and said, From my experience being in the community, Chinese people want more cops on the street.  Hes anti-public safety, and Chinese people dont want that.

Hazel Lee, a Chinese American community leader who lives in District 9 and is a member of the Chinese-American Democratic Club, attended the rally opposing Peskin. Lee said she frequents Chinatown to buy traditional Chinese herbs. But she said she doesnt feel the neighborhood is safe and doesnt carry a handbag anymore for fear of being robbed.

Suppose Aaron Peskin was doing well, Chinatown would be very safe, she said. But why are there robberies, broken windows, nothings changed?

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The Central Station police district, which includes Chinatown, saw 70 robberies in the first three months of this year, an 18% reduction from the same time last year and on par with the citywide reduction in robberies, according to police data. The district also saw a 5% drop in violent crime and 39% drop in property crime in the same time compared with last year.

But fears of crime persist in many Asian American communities, and public safety is emerging as a key issue in this years mayoral race.

Peskin said that the accusation that hes anti-cop or anti-public safety is a total absolute fabrication, citing his efforts to bring Cantonese-speaking beat officers to Chinatown and his votes to support every police budget, police overtime and greater police staffing.

On Proposition B, he defended his stance on the grounds of fiscal responsibility, stating that the city already has about 300 vacant, fully funded positions and he doesnt think the city should spend money it doesnt have.

If youre hurting anybody, if you are causing violence, you should go to jail, Peskin said. But for what he calls quality-of-life crimes, including substance abuse, he said he supports rehabilitation to reduce recidivism.

On the recent sentencing to probation of the man who stabbed a 94-year-old Asian woman, a case that has inflamed the citys Asian American community, Peskin said, That guy seems irredeemable to me.  He should go sit and cool it out for 10 years in prison.
Kristin Davis was a stunner on the red carpet on Tuesday at the fashion Trust event in Beverly Hills.

The 59-year-old actress appeared youthful with a more natural look after admitting she dissolved her fillers following being ridiculed for a puffy face.

She had on rose-toned makeup with arched brows and a pale pink lip.

Small drop diamond earrings added some pizzazz as her brown hair was worn down over her shoulders.

The And Just Like That... star wore a small evening jacket over a black gown as she added high heels and held onto a clutch purse.

Kristin Davis was a stunner on the red carpet on Tuesday at the fashion Trust event in Beverly Hills. The 59-year-old actress appeared youthful with a more natural look after admitting she dissolved her fillers following being ridiculed for a puffy face

The And Just Like That... star wore a small evening jacket over a black gown as she added high heels and held onto a clutch purse

Davis, far right, looked puffier in 2021; seen with Cynthia Nixon, far left, and Sarah Jessica Parker, middle

In early April the star shared a makeup-free selfie shared to Instagram while on vacation in Kenya.

This comes almost a year after the looker admitted she had her facial fillers dissolved because she was hurt when mercilessly ridiculed for having a puffier face.

In the throwback image the brunette beauty looked youthful without the cosmetic injections as she was sun-drenched in the African country which she visited in February.

Kristin's long, brunette locks tumbled over her shoulder in curls and she wore a peach shirt.

'Jet lagged, but the Kenya hair is worth it. #throwback,' she captioned the post. Fans quickly commented on how beautiful and natural she looked in the snap.

'My god,' one fan wrote adding a heart-eye emoji, while another shared a string of praying hands, fire and heart emojis and wrote: 'goddess.'

Commenters who've been to Kenya confirmed that there's something in the air there that makes your hair look fantastic.

'I miss my Kenya hair too. Can't wait to return,' one commenter wrote.

The actress' face looked slimmed down and much less puffy than it has in the past.

Kristin opened up about the backlash she's received for using filler in her face and admitted it caused her to 'shed tears.'

In March she was a natural beauty in a makeup-free selfie shared to Instagram

This comes almost a year after she admitted she had her facial fillers dissolved because she was hurt when mercilessly ridiculed for having a puffier face. Seen with Parker and Nixon in 2021 for And Just Like That

'I've had to get them dissolved, and I've been ridiculed relentlessly,' she told The Telegraph last summer.

'And I have shed tears about it. It's very stressful,' she added.

She also admitted to having work done on her lips  but the results weren't what she expected.

'No one told me it didn't look good for the longest time,' she told the outlet.

'The return of the Kenyan hair IYKYK. Which do you like better ? Sleek fashion show hair or fluffy Safari hair?,' she wrote as the caption on a snap from her African safari vacation

'Kenya hair still in effect Sending love to all in SoCal ,' Kristen captioned another image from her vacation

Kristin opened up about the backlash she's received for using filler in her face and admitted it caused her to 'shed tears'; seen in 2021

'Luckily I do have good friends who did say eventually  the thing is you don't smile at yourself in the mirror.

'Who smiles at themselves in the mirror? Crazy people,' Davis continued.

And the Couples Retreat star has found it challenging to accept the changes that happen in her body and face as she ages, especially in a society and industry that values youthfulness.

'It's a challenge to remember that you don't have to look like that,' Davis explained.

'The internet wants you to  but they also don't want you to. They're very conflicted.'
Love Island star Tanyel Revan looked sensational as she showed off her curves in racy bridal lingerie.

The reality star, 27, starred on the 2023 winter series of the dating show in South Africa but fell in love soon after leaving the villa and got engaged to her property developer beau Ediz 10 months later.

In a shared clip with Freya Lingerie on Instagram on Wednesday, soon-to-be-married Tanyel flaunted her incredible figure in a bridal set.

The stunning white lace lingerie set consisted of an unpadded bra, bikini briefs, and a suspender belt - all with light blue straps to act the traditional 'Something Blue'.

Tanyel was seen holding a faux wedding bouquet in the clip, before throwing it into the air in keeping with tradition.

Love Island star Tanyel Revan looked sensational as she showed off her curves in racy bridal lingerie

The reality star, 27, starred on the 2023 winter series of the dating show in South Africa but fell in love soon after leaving the villa and got engaged 10 months later

For the promotional video, Tanyel's brunette locks were blow dried with her bangs framing her face and she opted for a low-key make-up look.

Tanyel revealed in November that she had got engaged to her property developer beau Ediz following a romantic yacht proposal.

The reality star said yes to her partner, 31, after he got down on one knee during a romantic trip to Turkey.

It came just 10 months after she starred on the 2023 winter series of Love Island in South Africa where she failed to find love.

But shortly after leaving the villa Tanyel met Ediz and they have gone from strength to strength since.

She looked beautiful for the proposal boat ride in a sheer white lace dress that showed off her figure as she showed off her dazzling ring and huge bouquet of white roses.

Tanyel told The Sun: 'It was crazy. I feel like this is the quickest that anyone has gotten engaged after Love Island. It's very mad, but it's really exciting.

'Obviously I said yes. I was really excited. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited. My ring is yellow gold. It's exactly how I wanted it. The clarity is so good, it's amazing.'

In a shared clip with Freya Lingerie on Instagram on Wednesday, soon-to-be-married Tanyel flaunted her incredible figure in a bridal set

The stunning white lace lingerie set consisted of an unpadded bra, bikini briefs, a suspender belt and a suspender belt - all with light blue straps to act the traditional 'Something Blue'

Tanyel was seen holding a faux wedding bouquet in the clip, before throwing it into the air as you would during a wedding

Tanyel revealed in November that she had got engaged to her property developer beau Ediz following a romantic yacht proposal

She continued: 'I am over the moon. I feel like it's natural. I felt it was coming, I knew it was time for it to come. When you know you know. There's no way I could've been with anyone else.'

Tanyel and Ediz first got together when she was 20 but they drifted apart but then reconnected once she left Love Island.

She first teased she was in a new relationship in March during the reunion show where she told how she was dating someone.

Since leaving the villa, Tanyel has returned to normal life and work at her hair salon in North London.

While on Love Island Tanyel was paired with Kai Fagan briefly before he ended up winning with show with his partner Sanam Harrinanan.

The reality star, 27, said yes to her handsome partner, 31, after he got down on one knee during a romantic trip to Turkey

Shortly after leaving the villa she met Ediz and they have gone from strength to strength since

The reunion show saw Tanyel accuse some of the Islanders of 'influencing' Jordan Odofin's decision to recouple with Spencer, which left her single and dumped from the show.

She was one of the first singletons to enter the villa on day one, before being sent packing on day 23.

Blaming Olivia Hawkins, Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga, Tanyel said: 'I wish things were addressed to me, it could have been dealt with better.'
Emily Ratajkowski showed off her impeccable sense of style on her latest walk in New York City.

The My Body author, 32, was dressed in high-waisted black pants, a white crop top and a fashionable tan jacket by Mango.

Her sculpted abs were on display in the chic ensemble as she walked through Manhattan on the sunny day.

EmRata had a pair of headphones around her neck and wore rose-tinted sunglasses as she held onto a small brown bag.

Her long brown hair was parted in the middle and straight.

Emily Ratajkowski showed off her impeccable sense of style on her latest walk in New York City

The Gone Girl actress' latest outing comes after she wore a completely sheer white skirt to walk her dog Colombo.

While on her Tuesday dog walk she also wore the divorce rings she recently had made from her engagement ring her ex-husband Sebastian Bear-McClard gave her.

A couple of weeks ago she showed off two diamond rings on Instagram.

She captioned it: 'Divorce rings' and wore one ring on her ring finger and one on her pinky as she laid in bed with the sheet wrapped around her torso.

Emily was given a toi et moi style ring when Bear-McClard proposed. The ring featured a pear-shaped diamond, and a princess-cut diamond.

'Using the pear-shaped diamond as a pinky ring gave it real oomph,' Alison Chemla, the designer who made the original ring and altered it after the divorce, told Vogue.

Ratajkowski was married to the Uncut Gems producer from 2018 to 2022, and they share 3-year-old son Sylvester 'Sly' Apollo.

The Inamorata founder has since been romantically linked to Brad Pitt, Harry Styles, Pete Davidson, Eric Andre, Orazio Rispo and Jack Greer.

The My Body author, 32, was dressed in high-waisted black pants, a white crop top and a fashionable tan jacket by Mango

Her sculpted abs were on display in the chic ensemble as she walked through Manhattan on the sunny day

Earlier this week, the model showed off her pert behind in a sheer white pencil skirt

She is set to make her return to acting in Lena Dunham's Too Much

In February, she told PopSugar that she plans on being 'more private' and reflective in 2024 as she does 'internal work' on herself.

'I would just like to go back into more of a quieter, introspective space for 2024,' she explained.

'Sly has really made me more present and appreciative because he's changing so quickly that I'm sort of like, "[Woah], life is going by,"' she said.

Ratajkowski is also preparing to get to work in the UK after joining the cast of Lena Dunham's upcoming series Too Much.
Balthazar Getty and his wife Rosetta made a rare red carpet appearance at the Fashion Trust event in Beverly Hills on Tuesday evening.

Getty, 49, looked dapper in a beige blazer with a black top and slacks with his hair slicked back making him difficult to recognize.

And his 48-year-old wife was elegant in a fashionable three-piece white suit with her hair pulled back as she held onto a clutch purse.

It has been 17 years since they took a break after it was revealed he had an affair with Sienna Miller.

But then they decided to get back together as he told Harper's Bazaar in 2010, 'I loved and missed my family too much not to make it work.'

Balthazar Getty and his wife Rosetta made a rare red carpet appearance at the Fashion Trust event in Beverly Hills on Tuesday evening

Balthazar and Rosetta separated in summer 2008; his relationship with Miller ended in May 2009

And it looks as if it's still working just fine as the couple after marrying in year 2000.

Together they have children Cassius, Grace, Violet and June.

They were last seen looking very much together in 2017 at the 16th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball in LA.

Rosetta looked elegant in a white suit and Balthazar, known for his acting in The Lord Of The Flies as well as being a part of the Getty oil family, had on a black outfit with brown lace-up boots.

In 2010 he told Bazaar: 'Here's the bottom line: It was a very challenging time for everybody involved.'

Balthazar and Rosetta separated in summer 2008; his relationship with Miller, 28, ended in May 2009.

'But I loved and missed my family too much not to make it work,' he added.

'Rosetta is understanding enough and spiritual enough to let us try. In a way it - I don't know...

'I feel like we're better than we've ever been.'

Rosetta said: 'I believe we go through things in a public way to help other people get through it. I'd love to talk about it more with people when I'm clearer about it.'

Meanwhile, Miller gave birth to a baby girl in January.

The 42-year-old actress - who already has Marlowe, ten, with actor Tom Sturridge - recently welcomed a baby girl with her boyfriend Oli Green, and the couple have been spotted out and about in London with their newborn daughter, DailyMail.com shared.

Getty, 49, looked dapper with his hair slicked back making him difficult to recognize. And his 48-year-old wife was elegant in a fashionable three-piece white suit with her hair pulled back as she held onto a clutch purse

With two of their four children to the 6th annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball in LA in 2017

Sienna first revealed her growing baby bump back in August, and she discussed her latest pregnancy with Vogue in December, when the actress confirmed that she was expecting a baby girl.

Sienna also revealed that she had been battling her own prejudices about being an older mum.

She told Vogue: 'I'd love to get to a point where I didn't feel the need to make a joke of my being older and having a baby, to show I'm in on the joke.'

Sienna proudly showed off her baby bump in September, when she wore a two-piece ensemble to Vogue World in London.

The actress subsequently confessed to feeling anxious about her bold fashion choice.

Miller attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at Royal Albert Hall in 2022 in London; she welcomed a daughter with Oli Green in January

She next stars in Kevin Costner's new project Horizon

She said: 'I was nervous about the idea of it, but once I had it on, everything else felt boring.

'I was like, I'll have that photo for the rest of my baby's life. It's kind of fascinating to fight your own prejudice against yourself. I'm constantly doing that.'

Prior to that, Sienna revealed that she froze her eggs in order to future proof her fertility.

The 'Edge of Love' star admitted that she felt under pressure to have more kids while she still could.

Speaking to ELLE UK magazine in 2022, Sienna explained: 'Biology is incredibly cruel on women in [their 30s] - that's the headline, or it certainly was for me.

'Then I got to 40 and I froze some eggs. Having been really focused on the need to have another baby, I'm just like, if it happens, it happens. That kind of existential threat has dissipated.'
Conan O'Brien returned to The Tonight Show for the first time since his abrupt departure as host from NBC's long-running late-night talk show in 2010.

While appearing on Tuesday's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the comedian, 60, reflected on coming back to his old stomping grounds and time working in the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza in the heart of Manhattan.

'It's weird to come back. It's weird. I haven't been in this building for such a long time, and I haven't been on this floor in forever,' said the Massachusetts native, who hosted Late Night with Conan O'Brien from from 1993 to 2009 in the building.

As he walked back through the doors, the father-of-two revealed 'all these memories came flooding back' to him.

Conan O'Brien returned to The Tonight Show for the first time since his abrupt departure as host from NBC's long-running late-night talk show on Tuesday

While appearing on Tuesday's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the comedian, 60, reflected on coming back to his old stomping grounds and time working in the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza in the heart of Manhattan

The former talk show host proceeded to warn Fallon, 49, how emotional it is seeing someone else in your former studio.

'The first thing that will hit you, and it will hit you, too, because one day -- you'll have this show as long as you want it, but when you're 98, you'll move on, and someone else will be in this studio. When someone else is in your studio, it feels weird,' he admitted.

After asking who took over his old studio, O'Brien learned the space has become the set of Kelly Clarkson's Emmy-winning talk show.

'I love Kelly Clarkson. Who doesn't love Kelly Clarkson? But still I felt like, 'It's not right!'' he joked of his reaction. 'It's blasphemy! They should have burned it to the ground!'

While on the program, OBrien promoted his upcoming Max series Conan OBrien Must Go.

He previously had a brief stint as The Tonight Show's host from June 2009 to January 2010.

His firing, prompted by NBC's move to replace him with Jay Leno despite Leno's earlier handover of the Tonight Show reins to O'Brien, remains one of the most striking turns in late-night television history.

Following his tenure on The Tonight Show, O'Brien embarked on an 11-season journey as the host of the TBS late-night program Conan, culminating in its finale in 2021, thus concluding his 28-year stint as a late-night talk show host.

'It's weird to come back. It's weird. I haven't been in this building for such a long time, and I haven't been on this floor in forever,' said the Massachusetts native, who hosted Late Night with Conan O'Brien from from 1993 to 2009 in the building

As he walked back through the doors, the father-of-two revealed 'all these memories came flooding back' to him.

In a 2022 interview on Bill Maher's Club Random podcast, Leno addressed the Tonight Show drama, refuting any allegations of intentionally undermining O'Brien's opportunity on the show.

'That doesn't work,' Leno explained. 'It doesn't work that way. You try and do the best you can and it didn't work.'

In May 2009, Leno bid farewell to The Tonight Show and commenced hosting The Jay Leno Show at 10 p.m. on NBC.

Yet, with declining ratings for both programs, he resumed hosting duties on The Tonight Show in 2010.

He previously had a brief stint as The Tonight Show's host from June 2009 to January 2010; pictured with Tom Hanks in January 2010

During the Maher podcast, Leno stood by his choice to remain at NBC instead of switching to another network amidst the controversy.

'Sometimes the czar you have is better than the one you're going to,' he told Maher. 'Then you have your old team shooting at you as well. I just figured let's just play this out and see what happens. This all happened fairly quickly.'

Leno acknowledged considering a move to ABC, the network of Jimmy Kimmel Live, and reached out to Kimmel himself for discussion, but ultimately opted to remain at NBC.

'I suppose I should have called Jimmy and explained to him again, but I didn't,' Leno said.

'I don't know why I didn't. I just didn't. I thought he probably would figure it out. But I think maybe he was hurt by that, and I apologized to him for that.'

In February 2014, Leno bid farewell to The Tonight Show, with Jimmy Fallon taking over as his successor.

His departure, prompted by NBC's move to replace him with Jay Leno despite Leno's earlier handover of the Tonight Show reins to O'Brien, remains one of the most striking turns in late-night television history; Leno pictured in 2011

Following his tenure on The Tonight Show, O'Brien embarked on an 11-season journey as the host of the TBS late-night program Conan, culminating in its finale in 2021, thus concluding his 28-year stint as a late-night talk show host; pictured 2014

O'Brien addressed the controversy in a 2010 interview with 60 Minutes.

'He went and took that show back and I think in a similar situation, if roles had been reversed, I know  I know me, I wouldn't have done that,' O'Brien said at the time.

The former Simpsons writer went on to say that he would not 'surrendered The Tonight Show and handed it over to somebody publicly and wished them well  and then  six months later [reclaimed it]. But that's me, you know.'

He added that if he were in Leno's position, he would have pursued alternative opportunities elsewhere.

In a statement at the time of his firing, O'Brien said: 'I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it.

'My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of the Tonight Show.

In a 2022 interview on Bill Maher's Club Random podcast, Leno addressed the Tonight Show drama, refuting any allegations of intentionally undermining O'Brien's opportunity on the show; pictured 2011

O'Brien addressed the controversy in a 2010 interview with 60 Minutes. 'He went and took that show back and I think in a similar situation, if roles had been reversed, I know  I know me, I wouldn't have done that,' O'Brien said at the time; pictured 2010

In February 2014, Leno bid farewell to The Tonight Show, with Jimmy Fallon taking over as his successor; pictured 2022

'But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction.'

O'Brien initially ventured into late-night television in 1993 with NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien, a role he held until 2009.

His upcoming appearance on Tuesday will signify his first live return to the networks late-night lineup, following his earlier pre-recorded sketch on The Tonight Show in 2018 alongside Stephen Colbert.

Additional guests scheduled for next Tuesday's episode feature Nicole Richie and musical guest Benson Boone.
Kourtney Kardashian sent her fans into a complete frenzy after sharing a rare glimpse of her son, Rocky Thirteen Barker, with her 224 million Instagram followers.

While vacationing with her family, including sisters Kim and Khloe Kardashian, in the Turks and Caicos, the 44-year-old reality star posted an adorable image of her little boy sitting on her lap as they both dipped their feet into the pool.

In response to the picture, which was one of many scenic snaps included in her latest slideshow, her fans couldn't help but gush over Rocky's 'chunky feet.'

'That little foot [heart-eyes emoji],' Malika Haqq, who has been friends with Kourtney and her siblings for more than two decades, commented.

Kourtney Kardashian sent her fans into a complete frenzy after sharing a rare glimpse of her son, Rocky Thirteen Barker, with her 224 million Instagram followers

Another social media user wrote: 'Obsessed with the baby feet.'

Others flocked to comment on Rocky's 'lil feet' and 'baby boy toes' while others remarked that 'Mrs. Barker is living her best life.'

Kardashian also uploaded an image of her breakfast, which consisted of two golden brown pancakes and crepes dusted with powdered sugar, and a shot of her at sunset.

Additionally, she shared a photo of her baby boy's toys scattered on the white sand, just feet away from the crystal blue ocean.

Her post comes just days after sharing a touching note to new moms about adjusting to their postpartum bodies to her Instagram Story.

The mom-of-four and Poosh founder gently reminded other moms to ignore the 'pressure' to get back to their pre-pregnancy body, and noted that it isn't 'realistic.'

'Dear new mommies, Your body is beautiful at all stages. During pregnancy as we are glowing and growing, postpartum as we are healing and shrinking, and then that period I find the hardest as our bodies are still adjusting,' she told her followers.

She continued: 'And if you're breastfeeding, that's a whole other part of it. I try to be kind to myself as my body finds a new normal. The pressure put on us to bounce back when everything is new and different isn't realistic.'

While vacationing with her family, including sisters Kim and Khloe Kardashian, in the Turks and Caicos, the 44-year-old reality star posted an adorable image of her little boy sitting on her lap as they both dipped their feet into the pool

In response to the picture, which was one of many scenic snaps included in her latest slideshow, her fans couldn't help but gush over Rocky's 'chunky feet'

Kardashian also uploaded images of her breakfast, which consisted of two golden brown pancakes and crepes dusted with powdered sugar, and a shot of her at sunset

'Life is beautiful, you are beautiful. Just a little reminder (for me too). XOXO,' she concluded, also an image of her wearing a black bikini while swimming in the ocean.

Kourtney and Travis welcomed their first child together, son Rocky Thirteen, on November 1, 2023.

Kourtney and Travis publicly announced her pregnancy in June 2023, while paying homage to a Blink-182 music video - All The Small Things.

In the music video, a woman holds up a sign that says 'Travis I'm Pregnant.'

'That little foot [heart-eyes emoji],' Malika Haqq, who has been friends with Kourtney for more than two decades, commented

Another social media user wrote: 'Obsessed with the baby feet'

Others fawned over his 'lil feet' and 'baby boy toes' while others remarked that 'Mrs. Barker is living her best life'

'The little toes!' another wrote

Countless fans gushed over Rocky's 'little chubby foot'

Kourtney recreated that during a Blink-182 concert in June in Los Angeles for an adorable public announcement.

In September, Kourtney had to undergo a life-saving fetal surgery.

She took to her Instagram days after she was released to thank the staff at the hospital, as well as Travis for being by her side.

'I will forever grateful to my incredible doctors for saving our baby's life. I am eternally grateful to my husband who rushed to my side from tour to be with me int he hospital and take care of me afterwards, my rock.'

Kourtney has three children with ex-partner Scott Disick: sons Mason, 14, and Reign, nine, and daughter Penelope, 11.

Travis is dad to son Landon, 20, daughter Alabama, 18, and stepdaughter Atiana, 25, with ex-wife Shanna Moakler.

Her post comes just days after sharing a touching note to new moms to her Instagram Story about adjusting to their postpartum bodies

Kourtney welcomed her fourth child - and her first with husband Travis Barker - son Rocky Thirteen - on November 1, 2023; a throwback picture from last year during her pregnancy

Adding: 'As someone who has had three really easy pregnancies in the past, I wasn't prepared for the fear of rushing into urgent fetal surgery. I don't think anyone who hasn't been through a similar situation can begin to understand that feeling of fear.

'I have a whole new understanding and respect for the mamas who have had to fight for their babies while pregnant.'

In December 2022, Kourtney revealed she stopped IVF 10 months prior, because it caused her spiral into a deep depression among other symptoms.

She had been very open about her struggle with IVF on Hulu's The Kardashians.

Kourtney and Travis conceived Rocky naturally, she revealed in an interview with Vogue in November 2023.

They welcomed their first child together, son Rocky Thirteen, on November 1, 2023

Kourtney and Travis started dating in 2020 after almost 10 years of friendship; Travis was also her neighbor

'We just got pregnant naturally. It was an indescribable feeling. Shock, then super-happy, fear seats in, worry, but I remember then to have gratitude.'

Kourtney and Travis started dating in 2020 after almost 10 years of friendship; Travis was also her neighbor.

They went Instagram official in February 2021, and engaged by October 2022.

They tied the knot in May 2022 in a Santa Barbara courthouse, and went to Portofino, Italy a week later to hold a lavish wedding at the Dolce & Gabbana mansion in front of their friends and family.
The Bill's Jeff Stewart looked completely unrecognisable as he headed out to run some errands in north London on Wednesday.

The actor, 68, who is best known for portraying much-loved character PC Reg Hollis in the TV police drama for 24 years, was seen with a long grey hair and a wild beard.

Showing off his quirky sense of style, Jeff wore a chequered wool coat with a bright yellow T-shirt.

He topped off his casual look with grey joggers and a pair of trainers while shielding himself from the weather with a patterned umbrella.

Jeff looked worlds away from his lovable character Reg, who was Sun Hill's police federation rep.

The Bill's Jeff Stewart, 68, looked completely unrecognisable as he headed out to run some errands in north London on Wednesday

The actor, who is best known for portraying much-loved character PC Reg Hollis in the TV police drama for 24 years, was seen with a long grey hair and a wild beard

Though he didn't appear in the pilot episode, he featured regularly from the first regular instalment onwards. He appeared in a total of 872 episodes.

The Scottish actor played Reg for 24 years, before the character was sadly axed in January 2008.

Speaking in 2011 about the decision, Jeff told The Sun: 'I felt I had been badly let down.'

After hearing the plans from the show's producers Jeff went back to his dressing room and still dazed by the news, attempted to take his own life.

As he began to black out he changed his mind and rang the front desk for help.

Luckily he was found in time and was rushed from the studios in Merton, South West London to hospital.

'I didn't see a counsellor, it was evident I was OK and I never worried how it would affect my career.

'I thought, 'I have a choice, you can either stagnate or blossom', he added.

Showing off his quirky sense of style, Jeff wore a chequered wool coat with a bright yellow T-shirt

He topped off his casual look with grey joggers and a pair of trainers while shielding himself from the weather with a patterned umbrella

Though he didn't appear in the pilot episode, he featured regularly from the first regular instalment onwards. He appeared in a total of 872 episodes

The Scottish actor played Reg for 24 years, before the character was sadly axed in January 2008 (pictured on The Bill in 2007)

The Bill ran for a total of 26 years, with the popular series ending in 2010 after being axed - much to the dismay of staunch fans

Meanwhile, when pictures at the time emerged on the internet of him sporting a full beard, fans presumed he was still suffering depression however, Jeff defended his scruffy appearance as a way to distance himself from the clean shaven Reg with whom he had become synonymous.

He said: 'I didn't cut my hair for three years. It was a thought-out, deliberate choice.

'I thought, 'I have to look as different as possible'.

The Bill ran for a total of 26 years, with the popular series ending in 2010 after being axed - much to the dismay of staunch fans.

Though The Bill was his biggest role to date, Jeff has appeared in a number of other programmes including Crossroads, Doctor Who and Hi-De-Hi!.

He has also starred in independent films and won a Best Actor award for his role in Under Jakob's Ladder at the Manhattan Film Festival in 2011.
Madonna honored the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting with an emotional tribute during her Miami Celebration Tour concert on Tuesday.

The pop icon, 65, branded the attack - in which gunman Omar Mateen murdered 49 people and wounded 53 others in a mass shooting in Orlando, Florida - as 'the biggest terrorist attack on America after 9/11' during her concert at the Kaseya Center.

In a TikTok video captured by a fan, Madonna said: 'I want to draw attention to that moment because nightclubs and music and dance are what bring us together.

'They shouldnt be places or things that we do that bring us sadness and tragedy and murder and death and pain and suffering and trauma. But unfortunately, human beings are still stuck in some kind of a rut.'

The star, who is an LGBTQ+ icon, said she would 'always stand for the gays' because 'the gays have always stood for me.'

Madonna honored the victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting with an emotional tribute during her Miami concert on Tuesday (pictured last year)

The pop icon, 65, branded the attack - in which gunman Omar Mateen murdered 49 people and wounded 53 others in a mass shooting in Orlando, Florida - as 'the biggest terrorist attack on America after 9/11 ' during her concert at the Kaseya Center (Pulse pictured)

'People getting together to dance in a club that was inclusive and full of love. It was Latin Night, people were dancing to Latin music, and some motherf****r came in there with two guns and started shooting at people.

'Im very emotional about this. I make dance music. My job is to bring people together, to make people dance, to make people happy, to not judge. This s**t is not supposed to happen. Dont forget about it.'

The star invited survivors of the shooting and loved ones of the victims to the show - taking a moment to acknowledge them in the crowd.

On June 16 2016 Mateen shot more than 100 people with an AR-15 assault rifle and handgun on the dance floor at Pulse.

Thirty-nine of the dead were killed at the club, and 11 people died at hospitals, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said.

Pulse, which described itself as the most prominent gay club in Orlando, urged party-goers to 'get out and keep running' as bullets started to fly.

There were about 320 people inside the club at the time of the shootings and about 100 people were taken hostage.

'He had an automatic rifle, so nobody stood a chance,' said Jackie Smith, who saw two friends next to her get shot. 'I just tried to get out of there.'

In a TikTok video captured by a fan, Madonna said: 'I want to draw attention to that moment because nightclubs and music and dance are what bring us together. 'They shouldnt be places or things that we do that bring us sadness and tragedy and murder and death and pain'

On June 16 2016 Mateen shot more than 100 people with an AR-15 assault rifle and handgun on the dance floor at Pulse

At 2:09 a.m., Pulse posted on its Facebook page: "Everyone get out of Pulse and keep running."

Mateen went on to exchange gunfire with 14 police officers at the club, and took hostages at one point. In addition to the assault rifle, the shooter also had a handgun and some sort of 'suspicious device,' Police Chief John Mina.

About 5 a.m., authorities sent in a SWAT team to rescue the remaining club-goers, Mina said.

At first, officers mistakenly thought the gunman had strapped explosives to the dead after a bomb robot sent back images of a battery part next to a body, Mayor Dyer said. The robot was sent in after SWAT team members put explosive charges on a wall and an armored vehicle knocked it down in an effort to rescue hostages.

Nine hero officers used a 'controlled explosion' to distract the shooter before fatally shooting him and were able to rescue about 30 hostages who were hiding in the bathroom of the club.

During the gunfire, an officer was shot, but he was saved by his helmet. It was thought that at least one hostage had been locked in a bathroom with gunshot wounds.

Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a press conference: 'Many were saved by the heroic efforts of the men and women of the OPD, the Orange County Sheriffs, Seminal County Sheriff's office.'

At around 6am local time police tweeted: 'Pulse Shooting: The shooter inside the club is dead.'

Mateen was investigated by the FBI for terror links twice - and was linked to American suicide bomber Moner Abu Salha.

Mateen was investigated by the FBI for terror links twice - and was linked to American suicide bomber Moner Abu Salha

Agents did not charge Omar Mateen on both occasions and concluded he 'only had minimal contact' with Florida man Abu Salha who blew himself up for the Al Nusra Front in Syria 2014.

Mateen was also investigated by the FBI for making 'inflammatory remarks' to his colleagues alleging that he had terrorist ties  but again no further action was taken.

He kept his job with a global security firm, G4S, and was able to legally buy guns that were used in the worst mass shooting in American history.
She has a 31million townhouse in London's Holland Park at her disposal, not to mention trophy properties in Miami, Dubai and, of course, the Cotswolds.

But never assume that Victoria Beckham is content to loll around at home, luxuriating in the 425million fortune which she and her husband David have (so far) accumulated.

I can reveal that the famously disciplined fashion designer, who confesses to initiating her day by drinking three tablespoons of cider vinegar, is currently savouring the sweetest of victories  over a group of six associates who've been attempting to cash in on the Beckham brand by selling counterfeit goods.

The battle unfolded after 'Posh', as Victoria was known in her days with the Spice Girls, was assailed by the appearance of no fewer than 46 websites, all of them calling themselves 'victoriabeckhambeauty', each with a different 'geographical indicator'  implying that they were connected to a different country. All of them carried the 'logo, mark, and copyright-protected images' of her company.

Aware that none of them had anything to do her fashion and beauty products, which are on sale in 50 countries, Victoria filed a complaint with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and Mediation Centre at the end of January.

Victoria Beckham is savouring a victory against a group of six associates cashing in on her brand by selling counterfeit goods

Beckham was assailed by no he appearance of no fewer than 46 websites, all of them calling themselves 'victoriabeckhambeauty' with her company's logo and copyright

Its verdict, delivered this week, has come down unequivocally in her favour. Noting that all the domain names were registered on the same day last November, it records that they 'copy the look and feel' of Victoria's official website  and are, like hers, used as online shops.

The four women and two men who'd registered the websites were invited to respond to Victoria's complaint. They declined to do so.

The WIPO witheringly concludes that their activities 'constitute a pattern of abusive conduct of bad faith' by making a deliberate and calculated attempt to attract custom 'for commercial gain', via a 'likelihood of confusion'.

Acknowledging Victoria's evidence that what the group of six were selling was 'most likely counterfeit goods', it points out that that is a type of fraud  and ordered all domain names be transferred to her.

It's quite a triumph for Victoria, who celebrates her 50th birthday next week. Back in 2002, she tried  and failed  to prevent Peterborough United from using its nickname, 'The Posh', arguing that the word 'Posh' was 'inexorably associated' with her.

I hope she now indulges herself in what, for her, is the rarest of luxuries  a smile.

Cosmetics show outfit that made Auntie blusher

As an 'angel' for Victoria's Secret lingerie, Leomie Anderson is used to wearing very little  but this led to a dressing-down from the BBC.

The London-born model, 31, is a host of BBC Three's cosmetics reality contest Glow Up.

She tells me: 'I had this tiny outfit on which showed my boobs and they told me I couldn't wear it.'

Speaking at a preview screening of the sixth series, she adds: 'I don't have big boobs, but I didn't have a lot of material covering them. So they tried to crop it so all you could see was my head and shoulders.'

Leonie, who was wearing a black bikini and leather jacket and trousers, reveals: 'They made me zip up my jacket and it was fine in the end.'

Leomie Anderson got a dressing-down from the BBC after wearing black bikini and leather jacket and trousers to a preview of the sixth series of Glow Up

Many Tory MPs have been kicking up a stink about the growing influence of oil-rich Gulf states in Britain.

So what better way for the Qatari government to clear the air than by giving the gift of pleasantly smelling perfumes to a minister?

I hear Andrew Mitchell, the overseas development minister, received a 'fragrance hamper' worth 369 from Qatar. Foreign Office documents state that the gift is 'held by department'. It must be the most fragrant office in Whitehall.

Prince Harry said he and Meghan fled Britain in 2020 'fearing for our lives', yet his brother Prince William seems able to enjoy a pretty normal life.

Indeed, I'm told he popped into a pub in North Norfolk at the weekend with his mother-in-law, who is said to have been staying with the Prince and Princess of Wales for Easter.

A patron tells me: 'It was all very low-key, with no great fanfare. He just walked in and through the pub. He appeared to be with Carole Middleton.' There was no sign of Catherine, who is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer.

While Harry said he left Britain with Meghan 'fearing for our lives', William (left) appears to be able to enjoy a pretty normal life

Ministers trying to ban mobile phones in the classroom have an ally in no-nonsense choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips.

The former Strictly judge tells me she 'constantly' has to tell dancers to 'put your phone away' during rehearsals.

'When you go into [dance] class, your phones cannot be with you  you have to focus,' explains Dame Arlene, 80, at the NHS Charity gala concert With All Our Hearts.

Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman appears to regret allowing a beautician to use new technology to analyse her face.

'I did a Pro Derm Scan and the woman said: 'Your skin is disgusting, you are ancient, you are grey. Have you ever had a glass of water?' ' says Winkleman, 52, at the No7 Future Renew party at Searcys Club in London.

'I haven't. I don't believe in it  I don't do it and I don't care.'

Rosamund is in the loop

Saltburn star Rosamund Pike  who is known for her signature bob showed off a striking new hairdo at a red-carpet event in New York.

Rosamund Pike showed off a striking new hairdo at a red-carpet event in New York

Pictured: Pike at the Brooklyn Artists Ball held at Brooklyn Museum on Tuesday April 9

The Oxford graduate wore her hair in a looped plait, complete with a butterfly clip

The Oxford graduate, 45, who once remarked, 'actresses generally aren't allowed to have haircuts, because short hair isn't considered as versatile', wore her locks in a looped plait, complete with a butterfly clip.

Here's a house that will hit all the right notes: the former home of Britain's most celebrated living pianist, Alfred Brendel, has been put on the market by his ex-wife, Irene. Plush Manor, near Dorchester in Dorset, is on sale for 4.25 million.

'The house gave my former husband a refuge from his relentless travelling schedule and created a peaceful haven for the children,' she says. They bought the eight-bedroom property for 1 million in 1993.
Laura Dern said it was a 'dream come true' to finally act with her father - two-time Oscar nominee Bruce Dern - for the first time in three episodes of Apple TV+ miniseries Palm Royale.

'The gift of being a producer is you can be involved early in decisions,' the 57-year-old nepo-baby told the Los Angeles Times last month.

'Dad was so supportive and game and willing. I think it gave us a wonderful journey to explore deep themes about sins of the father, grief, ego and privilege.'

Laura cast the 87-year-old veteran actor as Skeet, the father of her character heiress-turned-feminist Penelope 'Linda' Shaw, and he even improvised his response when co-star Ricky Martin asked if he should read Timothy Leary.

'I said, "Does Pinocchio have a wooden d***?"' Bruce recalled.

Laura Dern said it was a 'dream come true' to finally act with her father - two-time Oscar nominee Bruce Dern - for the first time in three episodes of Apple TV+ miniseries Palm Royale

Dern added: 'Ricky and the whole crew laughed. Everyone stopped. They had the time of their life. That is in the show. [Creator Abe Sylvia] was like, "Are you kidding? They're going to think I wrote it. We're keeping it."'

The Oscar winner learned so much from the Old Dads star, including the lesson that 'acting is having the ability to be publicly private.'

'You've taught me, in addition to that, to not be afraid to keep pushing the boundaries on the kinds of explorations with flawed characters,' Laura said.

'As a teenager, when I was being offered the girlfriend part or whatever, my dad [said], "Go do three scenes in that movie where you're playing this really unique character. Don't go play the lead girlfriend in the Brat Pack movie or whatever" because he knew I wanted to develop as an actor.'

Bruce fathered Dern during his nine-year marriage to three-time Oscar nominee Diane Ladd, which ended in 1969.

By contrast, the Emmy winner and the 88-year-old veteran actress shared the screen in White Lightning (1973), Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974), Wild at Heart (1990), Rambling Rose (1991), Directed By (1994), Citizen Ruth (1996), The Siege at Ruby Ridge (1996), Daddy and Them (2001), Damaged Care (2002), Inland Empire (2006), and Enlightened (2011-13).

Last year, the mother-daughter duo co-authored the 256-page book Honey, Baby, Mine after Diane developed a sudden life-threatening illness, which required long walks to build back her lung capacity.

The 57-year-old nepo-baby told the LA Times: 'The gift of being a producer is you can be involved early in decisions...Dad was so supportive and game and willing. I think it gave us a wonderful journey to explore deep themes about sins of the father, grief, ego and privilege'

Laura cast the 87-year-old veteran actor as Skeet, the father of her character heiress-turned-feminist Penelope 'Linda' Shaw, and he even improvised his response when co-star Ricky Martin asked if he should read Timothy Leary: 'Does Pinocchio have a wooden d***?'

Dern added: 'Ricky and the whole crew laughed. Everyone stopped. They had the time of their life. That is in the show. [Creator Abe Sylvia] was like, "Are you kidding? They're going to think I wrote it. We're keeping it"'

The Old Dads star fathered the Oscar winner during his nine-year marriage to three-time Oscar nominee Diane Ladd (L, pictured in 1960), which ended in 1969

By contrast, Laura and the 88-year-old veteran actress shared the screen in White Lightning, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart (pictured), Rambling Rose, Directed By, Citizen Ruth, The Siege at Ruby Ridge, Daddy and Them, Damaged Care, Inland Empire, and Enlightened

Last year, the mother-daughter duo co-authored the 256-page book Honey, Baby, Mine after Diane developed a sudden life-threatening illness, which required long walks to build back her lung capacity (pictured in 2023)

All three Derns received adjoining stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010

The 1969 Florida-set dramedy currently has a dismal 54% critic approval rating (out of 61 reviews) and a 72% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes

Catch the next episode of Palm Royale - titled 'Maxine Takes a Step' - on Wednesday streaming on Apple TV+

All three Derns received adjoining stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.

The 1969 Florida-set dramedy currently has a dismal 54% critic approval rating (out of 61 reviews) and a 72% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The 10-part adaptation of Juliet McDaniel's novel Mr. & Mrs. American Pie also stars Carol Burnett, Kristen Wiig, Allison Janney, Leslie Bibb, and Josh Lucas.

Catch the next episode of Palm Royale - titled 'Maxine Takes a Step' - on Wednesday streaming on Apple TV+.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs speaks to reporters at the state Capitol in Phoenix on Tuesday following the state Supreme Courts decision to uphold an 1864 law banning abortion. Jonathan Cooper/Associated Press

California clinics have begun preparing for a possible influx of patients seeking abortions, following the Arizona Supreme Court decision Tuesday to outlaw the procedure in nearly all instances.

The court ruled Tuesday that the state should follow an 1864 law that bans abortion in almost all cases. The ban wont immediately take effect but would allow abortions to take place only to save the womans life. Performing an abortion in any other case would be punishable by two to five years in prison.

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California is expecting a marked increase in patients from Arizona at our health care centers in California, Jodi Hicks, the groups CEO, said in a statement to the Chronicle. Weve been generally preparing over the last several years for more and more out-of-state patients through strategic investments and statewide efforts to move forward policy solutions to support abortion access, she said.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

One chapter that serves patients close to the Arizona border says it expects the number of patients from that state to double.

Planned Parenthood temporarily closed its abortion centers in Arizona from June until November 2022, during which the Planned Parenthood branch for Orange and San Bernardino counties saw about 13 patients per month from Arizona, spokesperson Nichole Ramirez told the Chronicle in an email. In the past nine months, while Arizona clinics could provide abortion care, the Orange and San Bernardino clinics (the closest of which is about 200 miles from the Arizona border) have seen only about five patients from Arizona each month, she said.

The clinics have served more than 620 people seeking abortion care from out of state since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Ramirez said. The majority are coming from Texas, but 24-30% of people traveling to us from out of state have been from Arizona, she said.

With this extreme Arizona ban, we can assume the current number will more than double, going back up to roughly 11-14 patients a month from Arizona, Ramirez said.

States like Nevada and New Mexico will also likely see some patients coming from Arizona, but California would be a place that many of them would go, particularly given that California has been very public and has passed many policies and laws expanding access to abortion, Alina Salganicoff, director for womens health policy at the nonprofit health research organization KFF, told the Chronicle.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

California has positioned itself as a haven for people seeking abortions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Voters enshrined the right to abortion in the state Constitution last year, and Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed 24 abortion-protection-related bills into law over the past two years.

This will be the first time California shares a border with a state where abortion is banned.

Between 1,000 and 1,200 abortions take place in Arizona each month, Salganicoff said. Those abortions all occur up to 15 weeks into a pregnancy; patients who need one after 15 weeks already need to travel out of state.

States bordering Texas began opening clinics that provide only medication abortion after abortion was banned in the state, said Rachel Jones, a research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute. That could be one way California addresses the increased demand.

Legal abortions in California increased an estimated 16% in 2023 compared with 2020, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports access to abortion and has measured the number of abortions in the U.S. for nearly 50 years.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Not all of the new patients came from out of state, experts told the Chronicle in October, but those who did likely came from Arizona and Idaho. California is one of the few states that does not require providers to collect data on abortions.

Some of that surge could be due to increased access to medication abortion, which can be delivered by telemedicine. The Supreme Court is deliberating a case that could limit the use of medication abortion across the country.

Californias closest abortion clinic to Arizona, in El Centro (Imperial County), burned down in August 2023. A temporary facility opened in December and is providing reproductive health care. The next closest abortion clinics are near San Diego County and Palm Springs.

After Roe v. Wade was overturned, clinics near states that banned access began hiring extra staff and opening extra hours or days, Jones said. But what the people in Arizona are really going to need  the ones seeking abortion care  are the means to get to these facilities.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad
ITV bosses are celebrating after new This Morning hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard beat last year's viewing figures by 5 per cent.

The pair, who joined the programme last month, also have higher ratings than Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield got in 2023 and have attracted 4.5 million viewers in just a week.

During their three weeks on-air on the daytime show, viewing has been up compared to the average in the year to date and, during this time, has achieved its highest three performances of the year so far.

Ms Deeley and Mr Shephard, who defected to This Morning from its sister show Good Morning Britain, have also proven popular on digital platforms, with 27.7 million video views of the show on social media.

One ITV insider told the Mail: 'The truth is that Ben and Cat have made a strong start in just three weeks on-air and everyone is delighted.

Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard (pictured) joined the programme last month and have higher ratings than Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield got in 2023

Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby both left This Morning in 2023

Deeley has taken over, and she and Shephard pulled in 1.02 million viewers for their first show

'They've already had the top three performances of the year so far during the three weeks, and viewing has been up across those three weeks compared to the year to date average.

'The bosses are thrilled, it has been a very long year for them... so to see figures that prove things are going so well is a huge boost for everyone involved. They are clearly very popular with the viewers.

'Holly and Phil were on together for 14 years so it has been a long time since there has been a fresh relaunch  The overall view is that this has been a massive success, it's great news.'

Ms Deeley, 47, and Mr Shephard, 49, pulled in 1.02 million viewers for their first show and have kept their audience steady since.

They are up against the BBC's Morning Live, which in January extended its running time to clash with This Morning and hired Helen Skelton as its main female host.

While Morning Live averages slightly higher audiences than This Morning, insiders say it sheds viewers throughout the slot after inheriting a big lead from BBC Breakfast.

The pair have kept the show's viewing figures steady

Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary stepped in over Easter

Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary have (pictured) also had a bumper two weeks covering for Ms Deeley and Mr Shephard over the Easter break

Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary have also had a bumper two weeks covering for Ms Deeley and Mr Shephard over the Easter break.

Bosses feel they have found their dream team in the two pairings. ITV chiefs jumped through hoops to hire Ms Deeley, who has been hosting US reality show So You Think You Can Dance since 2005.

Mr Shephard had been previously lined up to host alongside Ms Willoughby before she sensationally quit This Morning last October.

Mr Schofield left last May following a fall out between the pair. He later admitted to the Mail that he had conducted an affair with a much younger This Morning colleague and later lied about it.

On March 26 viewership dipped to 692,500  which ITV sources say was because it came on the day of a dramatic bridge collapse in Baltimore.

ITV insiders say when major news stories break numbers for This Morning can dip. But bosses are more interested in building their audience and raising year-on-year ratings.
Charlie Clapham has opened up on his return to Hollyoaks, admitting it has been 'very eventful period of time' for the cast.

The actor is famed for playing Freddie Roscoe on the Channel 4 soap for four years, from 2013 to his departure in 2017.

However, he was announced to be returning to the show in January, making his long-awaited comeback last week.

Speaking about his return, Charlie confessed that it has been a 'rollercoaster' as it came during a number of huge changes to the soap.

The number of episodes airing weekly have been reduced, while there will be a time jump, and several cast members have been axed.

Charlie Clapham has opened up on his return to Hollyoaks , admitting it has been 'very eventful period of time' for the cast (pictured in 2016)

The actor is famed for playing Freddie Roscoe on the Channel 4 soap for four years, from 2013 to his departure in 2017

Speaking about his return, Charlie confessed that it has been a 'rollercoaster' as it came during a number of huge changes to the soap

Speaking to The Mirror, Charlie said that despite the upheaval, it was the right time for him to come back.

He said: 'Theres a lot going on isnt there. Its been great, its been a lot of fun. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster as well. I feel like every week there's a new announcement, someone is leaving or someone is joining.

'It's a very eventful period of time to be coming back to the show, but it definitely feels like for me the timing is right for a return, and I am exactly where I'm meant to be.'

However, he insisted that fans needed to stay tuned to see the 'dramatic' and 'surreal' upcoming storylines, claiming that Hollyoaks was going to be entering its 'Golden Era 2.0'.

He said: 'To see Hollyoaks at its glorious best. It's gonna be heightened, it's gonna be dramatic, it's gonna be completely surreal at times, but it's worth watching right now.

'Each week could be its own movie, each character coming to life in such a beautiful way and I believe now is the time to get in.

'Strap yourself in for the ride, because it's gonna be one hell of a rollercoaster. You have no telling where it's gonna go and I think it could be Golden Era 2.0 loaded!'

It comes after a number of cast members have exited the show, including Jamie Lomas, Owen Warner, Ross Adams and Jamelia.

However, he insisted that fans needed to stay tuned to see the 'dramatic' and 'surreal' upcoming storylines, claiming that Hollyoaks was going to be entering its 'Golden Era 2.0' (pictured on soap)

It comes after a number of cast members have exited the show, including Jamie Lomas, Owen Warner , Ross Adams and Jamelia (Owen pictured in 2022)

While Stephanie Waring announced her character Cindy Cunningham had been axed after 28 years on the soap on Tuesday.

The actress, 46, told fans on social media that she was 'heartbroken' after being told her long-running role was being culled as part of the cuts made for the cash-strapped soap.

She explained how show bosses had told her two weeks ago and gave her the option to reveal she quit in a bid to avoid public 'embarrassment' but insisted she wanted to be honest with her fans.

Sharing a highlights video of her 28 years in the role accompanied by the Lady Gaga ballad Always Remember Us This Way, Stephanie wrote: 'I cant believe I am writing this and I have taken the last two weeks to process and come to terms with the shock of what I am about to say.'

'I am heartbroken to announce that my character of Cindy has been included in the actors reduction of Hollyoaks.'

She pointed out that she is the only original cast member included in 'the cast cull' and added: 'Hollyoaks is in my blood and I have loved every minute of walking in Cindys heels.'

Stephanie continued by saying she doesn't know her exit storyline yet but she has been told Cindy won't be killed off.

There's concern from fans that Chelsee Healey could also be leaving after a cryptic post, while viewers are yet to find out if returning cast members Tamara Wall, Emma Rigby and Charlie Wernham will be staying for the foreseeable.

While Stephanie Waring announced her character Cindy Cunningham had been axed after 28 years on the soap on Tuesday (pictured on soap)

The actress, 46, told fans on social media that she was 'heartbroken' after being told her long-running role was being culled as part of the cuts made for the cash-strapped soap (pictured in 2022)

She explained how show bosses had told her two weeks ago and gave her the option to reveal she quit in a bid to avoid public 'embarrassment' but insisted she wanted to be honest with her fans

The Sun reported that script writers have come up with a bizarre plan to 'time jump' the programme by a year, which will fast-forward 20 characters out of the soap permanently.

A source told the publication: 'Losing 20 cast members in one fell swoop is eye-watering and devastating news for soap land.

'In the past, Hollyoaks has seen shock stunts claim up to five lives in a single episode. But the days of soaps having a big cast clear-out with a devastating stunt are long gone, especially on Hollyoaks where the budget has been dramatically cut.

'The time jump is a way for Hollyoaks to say goodbye to the characters that need to go and give closure to the fans - but it will be controversial.'

Lime Pictures, who makes the soap for Channel 4, opened the consultation period and asked those who want to go to stick their hands up.

Jamie and Owen volunteered to leave, while Ross also quit after nine years, revealing that while he was offered a new contract the crew were 'having a pretty rough time' and he felt it best to leave.

Executive Producer Hannah Cheers said of the time jump: 'When we started talking about the move to three episodes a week, we realised we needed a mechanism through which to transition our stories and characters and we kept coming back to this one.

'Its bold, daring and is a first for a UK soap; it sums Hollyoaks up perfectly. The new three episode pattern offers us a different model of storytelling, which means well see characters on screen for much longer.

There's concern from fans that Chelsee Healey could also be leaving after a cryptic post, while viewers are yet to find out if returning cast members Tamara Wall, Emma Rigby and Charlie Wernham will be staying for the foreseeable (Chelsee pictured on soap)

'Our viewers are really smart; in order to serve them well we need to kick off this new structure in a meaningful way.Fast-forwarding the show permanently by a year presents us with unlimited story possibilities.

'Very sadly, we are going to have to say goodbye to some much-loved Hollyoaks villagers  and some earlier than we would have expected to.

'Its not kind to our characters or our audience to have a drawn-out stream of goodbyes on screen and a heightened stunt didnt feel like the right approach.

'We also want the flexibility to see favourite characters again and we got really excited about how this would work.'

Channel 4 previously announced that from September episodes would be cut from five to three, with the loss of 135 jobs.

The broadcaster announced a round of job cuts on January 8 in a bid to tighten its budgets in the wake of a 'sharp and protracted advertising slowdown'.

A spokesperson said: 'Channel 4 is a wholly commercially funded and self-reliant broadcaster known for producing iconoclastic programmes and generating enormous value for the UK creative economy.

'Like every organisation, we are having to deal with an extremely uncertain economy in the short term and the need to accelerate our transformation to become a wholly digital public service broadcaster in the long term.

'As a result, we need to continue to divest from our linear channels business and simplify our operations to become a leaner organisation.'
Prominent New York City radio personality and producer DJ Mister Cee has died at the age of 57, his home station HOT 97 said Wednesday.

'As a family at HOT 97 and WBLS, we're deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Mister Cee, he wasn't just a DJ; he was a pillar of our stations, bringing joy to countless listeners with his legendary Throwback at Noon and Friday Night Live sets,' the radio station said Wednesday.

The station added: 'Mr. Cee's influence stretched far beyond the airwaves, shaping the very fabric of NYC's DJ culture.

'Our hearts are heavy as we send our love and condolences to his family and the fans whose lives he touched through his music, rest easy, Mr. Cee. Your legacy will live forever.'

A cause of death of the music industry professional had not been publicly released as of Wednesday evening.

Prominent New York City radio personality and producer DJ Mister Cee has died at the age of 57, his home station HOT 97 said Wednesday. Pictured in 2018 in NYC

DJ Mister Cee, whose full name was Calvin LeBrun, had also garnered prominence for producing the 1994 Biggie Smalls album Ready To Die.

Rapper 50 Cent, 48, paid tribute, writing, 'R.I.P to the legend MR. Cee God bless him, to all his family and friends I send my condolences.'

Rapper MC Lyte, 53, said she was 'heartbroken' at the news and not 'expecting this at all,' adding, 'God Bless his soul. Mister Cee Rest in power & peace!!'

DJ Jazzy Jeff, 59, posted an image of himself with Mister Cee, saying, 'Rest In Peace DJ Mister Cee.'

HOT 97's Peter Rosenberg, 44, said in a tweet: 'We have lost the iconic Mister Cee. I listened to him yesterday and am in complete shock. He was a dear friend to all of us, a wonderful man, and one of the most important and impactful DJs of all time. I love you Cee.'

Mister Cee had spent 21 years working at HOT 97 with the show Throwback at Noon, which featured entertainers including 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys before they found mainstream success.

Following his stint at HOT 97, he worked weekday afternoons at 94.7 The Block, and had been featured on the SiriusXM show Rock The Bells.

Mister Cee was also known for his affiliation with rapper Big Daddy Kane, as he was friends with the rapper, 55, since high school, and served as his official DJ, according to the station.

Rapper 50 Cent paid tribute on multiple social media platforms, writing, 'R.I.P to the legend MR. Cee God bless him, to all his family and friends I send my condolences'

Rapper MC Lyte, 53, said she was 'heartbroken' at the news and not 'expecting this at all,' adding, 'God Bless his soul. Mister Cee Rest in power & peace!!'

DJ Jazzy Jeff, 59, posted an image of himself with Mister Cee

DJ Peter Rosenberg, 44, called Mister Cee 'one of the most important and impactful' people in his industry

A number of Mister Cee's fans weighed in with condolences amid news of his passing

The industry professional, who was also nicknamed The Finisher, was an associate executive producer on Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready To Die, which featured the singles Juicy, Big Poppa and One More Chance.

He said of his association with Biggie Smalls, who was fatally shot in March of 1997, 'The first time I met him was when his DJ 50 Grand, rest in peace, brought Big to my house,' Mister Cee said of the professional alliance, according to HOT 97. 'The plan was we were going to redo the basement demo that he and 50 Grand put together.

'Big was very shy. He would always talk with his head down and say, "Yo man, don't be promising me nothing, man. If you say you're going to do something, do it." And I'm like, nah, we're going to redo the demo.'

He continued of the creative process: 'I started going through and picking the beats that were hot at the time, and the beat that Biggie picked was the Casual "I Didn't Mean To" beat to do the infamous "Biggie Smalls is the wickedest/n***** say I'm p**** I dare you to stick your d*** in it."

'We did that one if not two takes, and if you listen to the freestyle, at the end of it, you'll hear a fire truck going by. We weren't in a studio, we were at my house.'

Mister Cee was affiliated with the New York City-based DJ consortium The Flip Squad in 1998, according to The US Sun. He was joined in the group by the late Biz Markie, founder Funkmaster Flex and Big Kap, DJ Enuff, Cipha Sounds, Frankie Cutlass, DJ Riz, Mark Ronson, and DJ Doo Wop.

Mister Cee was also involved with the Juice Crew, a hip-hop consortium based around the Queensbridge Houses in Queens, New York. Others in the group included Markie, DJ Mr. Magic, MC Shan, Masta Ace, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G and Kool G Rap, according to the outlet.

The DJ and producer was clad in an all-black ensemble at an April 2023 event in NYC

The music industry veteran had been pictured at a turntable at an April 2023 event in NYC

The venerated professional, pictured in 2015 in NYC, was lauded by a number of peers and fans in the wake of news of his passing

Following his stint at HOT 97, he worked weekday afternoons at 94.7 The Block, and had been featured on the SiriusXM show Rock The Bells

Mister Cee was seen posed with Sean 'Diddy' Combs and DJ Enough in December of 2005

Mister Cee said he produced the album 'with two turntables, just cutting the record back and forth,' adding, 'We had a little cheesy mic that was better than the mic 50 Grand had at his house.'

Mister Cee had past dealt with some legal problems, as he made headlines in May of 2013 when he was arrested in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, where authorities said he attempted to solicit a male prostitute who was actually an undercover officer.

According to BET, he had been arrested in 2011 in connection with lewd conduct following an incident involving a male escort in a parked automobile, and had been 'busted in 2010 for a similar offense.'

Mister Cee addressed his 'well-documented' past legal difficulties and his sexuality in a March 2021 interview on the podcast Kitchen Talk, saying he's 'try-sexual' in that he's open to 'try anything.'
Sofia Richie is close to welcoming her first child with husband Elliot Grainge.

And on Wednesday, the heavily pregnant star stepped out in a maternity dress to go shopping for baby clothes in Beverly Hills.

The 25-year-old model showed off her bump in the chic ensemble which she wore with a black face mask.

She also had a pair of Yves Saint Laurent sunglasses, which she wore pushed back on her head.

Adding some more glam to her designer maternity outfit, Sofia carried a Chanel purse in a shade of baby pink.

Sofia Richie stepped out in a maternity dress to go shopping for baby clothes in Beverly Hills on Wednesday

The 25-year-old model showed off her bump as she nears her due date

She seemed to be engrossed in a number of items in the store as she browsed the aisles in search of the perfect purchase.

The social media figure and her husband began seeing each other in 2021, and they made their relationship Instagram official that April.

Richie was formerly linked to both Justin Bieber and Scott Disick, and she maintained an on-off romance with the latter that lasted for three years.

She eventually moved on with Grainge, and she revealed that they had become engaged in 2022.

The happy couple went on to make their union official during a wedding ceremony that took place in the south of France last April.

The daughter of Lionel Richie announced that she was pregnant by taking part in a photoshoot for Vogue that was released this past January.

Richie sat down for an interview with the publication, during which she revealed that she was expecting a baby girl.

The social media influencer is close to welcoming her first child with husband Elliot Grainge

The 25-year-old showed off her baby bump while walking the red carpet at the Grammys in February

The influencer also spoke about how she surprised her parents with the news about her pregnancy.

'I told everyone that I had bought them a gift from Milan...watching their reaction go from like, "I'm about to get an expensive present" to like "I'm about to get a grandchild" was really sweet,' she recalled.

The model went on to remark that she had 'learned more in the past six months than I have in my entire life' while preparing for the birth of her child.

'Every week brings new things, whether it's hormonal shifts or expansion  there's just so much our bodies go through, and it's so interesting to experience it all,' she said.

Richie then stated that she would be keeping her child out of her social media posts in an effort to preserve her privacy.

'I'm not going to publicize my child on Instagram. I don't plan to take that approach because I want my kid to have the option to do what she wants with her life,' she said.
Love Island: All Stars winners Tom Clare and Molly Smith put on a loved-up display in front of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai in photos posted to Instagram on Wednesday.

The couple wrapped their arms around each other on the beach in front of the hotel which sits on an artificial island.

Molly showed off her toned figure in a black bikini and Tom his washboard abs in khaki-coloured trunks.

Both sported a glowing tan as they continued enjoying their first holiday together, two months on from their Love Island win.

Tom captioned the joint post with Molly, reaching over two million followers: 'Making memories' and one particular fan couldn't get enough.

Love Island: All Stars winners Tom Clare, 24, and Molly Smith, 29, put on a loved-up display in front of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai in photos posted to Instagram on Wednesday

The couple wrapped their arms around each other on the beach in front of the hotel which sits on an artificial island

All Stars co-star Mitch Taylor commented: 'Your kids would look like me' to which Tom replied: 'I hope so you're a god mate'.

At the beginning of their trip, Tom surprised Molly with a hotel suite decorated with balloons and streamers.

Gold letter balloons on the bed spelled out 'Molly and Tom'.

Molly looked stunning in a bright-yellow lace dress with a cut-out detailing as Tom filmed her reaction to the surprise.

On Instagram, one fan asked Molly whether she was now feeling better after she recently was rushed to hospital with a mystery illness.

Replying that the holiday had come at the perfect time, Molly wrote: 'I'm getting there... slowly thank you for asking!

'This holiday couldn't have come at a better time, relaxation and some sun is very needed'.

The pair beamed in snaps as they settled down for the flight in their cosy tracksuits.

Wearing a blue Boohoo tracksuit, Molly beamed from ear to ear as she held Tom's hand and he captioned the snap 'My one'.

During the Q&A Molly also confirmed that the pair are officially boyfriend and girlfriend after Tom popped the question on March 1.

Tom joked: 'She is wifed off!'

All Stars co-star Mitch Taylor commented: 'Your kids would look like me' to which Tom replied: 'I hope so you're a god mate'

At the beginning of their trip, Tom surprised Molly with a hotel suite decorated with balloons and streamers

The Love Island star arrived back at her hotel room to the romantic set-up after enjoying their first dinner out of their getaway

During the Q&A Molly also confirmed that the pair are officially boyfriend and girlfriend after Tom popped the question on March 1

The pair were also asked whether they have moved in together. Looking suspicious, Tom quietly sipped his drink as Molly teased: 'He already has'.

It comes after Molly told MailOnline that Tom was practically living with her anyway.

Gushing about their relationship, she explained: 'You know sometimes when you think, 'Is this too good to be true?' I don't like jinxing things but right now I can't fault our relationship.

Moving in together is the next step, we are practically living together as is... we just haven't made it official yet.'

The pair's relationship is progressing smoothly despite an unveiled secret romance threatening to rock the boat.

A source told MailOnline Tom and Made In Chelsea star Ruby Adler, 27, were 'exchanging heartfelt messages just hours before he entered the villa' - and before he was romantically involved with Molly.

Tom and Ruby allegedly starting dating after he messaged her on Instagram and they grew close.

A source close to Ruby told MailOnline she was 'perplexed' by his decision to go back into the Love Island villa and leaving for the All Stars series in South Africa 'threw a spanner in the works'  and now she will never know what could have been.
Dr Roy Perlis has been accused of 'tedious and unprofessional' omissions after he neglected to mention his ties to antidepressant companies in his piece suggesting the drugs should be made available OTC

Doctors have hit out at a top psychiatrist for suggesting antidepressants should be given over-the-counter - and failing to disclose he's received funds from several firms that make the mental health pills.

In an opinion piece for STAT news, Harvard professor of psychiatry Dr Roy Perlis wrote that it was time to do 'everything possible' to give Americans easier access to medicine for mental health conditions like depression.

The physician, who also treats patients at Massachusetts General Hospital, argued that the drugs are safe and effective - and the need for them is greater than ever.

It is estimated that some 50 million Americans are experiencing a mental illness and may benefit from medication to treat it.

Dr Perlis argued that over-the-counter medicine would be especially helpful for those who are afraid to seek help due to the social stigma.

However, the mental health drugs - which are prescribed to more than one in eight adults in the US - have been linked to worrying side effects including psychiatric disturbances and sexual dysfunction.

On reading Dr Perlis' argument, experts took to X to highlight these potential harms - and flag his links to pharmaceutical companies.

'Why can't this psychiatrist, who is calling for antidepressants to be sold over-the-counter, like aspirin, also declare his numerous drugs company ties at the foot of this very biased, harm-erasing article?' Dr James Davies, associate professor of medical anthropology and psychology at the University of Roehampton, London, asked on X.

'These omissions are tedious and unprofessional,' he added.

Antidepressants - which are prescribed to more than one in eight adults in the US - have been linked to worrying side effects including vomiting, diarrhea, impact on appetite leading to weight loss or gain and sexual dysfunction

Other medical professionals have described Mr Perlis' comments as evidence of 'corruption' in the is part of medicine.

'The fact that any psychiatrist, let alone one from a prominent academic institution, could suggest that antidepressants be sold over the counter... is evidence enough of how corrupt, unscientific and dangerous that medical specialty has become,' wrote psychologist Dr Roger McFillin.

Dr Perlis holds equity in Psy Therapeutics and Circular Genomics, according to his research papers and letters between 2022 and 2023 - including one titled 'Conflict of interest and citation impact among dermatology guideline authors.'

Psy Therapeutics and Circular Genomics are early-stage biotechnology companies. On their websites, Psy Therapeutics says it is 'advancing a pipeline of high potential therapeutics' focused on anxiety and depression, while Circular Genomics is investigating using RNA 'for accurate diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders.'

The research documents also declared that the physician had received personal fees and consulting fees from both firms.

Dr Perlis has also received consultant or speaker's fees from AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, as was disclosed in a 2005 research paper titled 'Industry Sponsorship and Financial Conflict of Interest in the Reporting of Clinical Trials in Psychiatry.'

These companies are major firms operating in the antidepressant market, according to the Antidepressants Global Market Report 2024.

Pfizer makes Zoloft, the most commonly prescribed antidepressant in the US, according to Definite Healthcare, while Eli Lilly makes Prozac, the fourth most commonly dispensed.

Dr Perlis's links were not disclosed in the disclaimer at the end of his recent commentary, as is standard.

When approached for comment by DailyMail.com, Dr Perlis said: 'My commentary was a plea to make mental health care more accessible. I work with companies trying to make better treatments, not promote old ones.'

He added that he has no consulting relationships with antidepressant manufacturers.

A recent study by researchers at Yale University found that almost six in ten doctors in the US received more than $12 billion in payments from pharma firms in the past decade. Dr Perlis was not involved in this research.

Neurologists and psychiatrists were the second group cashing in the most, behind orthopedic surgeons, receiving a total sum of $1.32bn in payments from manufacturers.

Monthly antidepressant dispensing rate among US adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 25 years, 2016 to 2022. The vertical line represents March 2020, the beginning of the Covid outbreak in America. The diagonal dashed line represents the trend that would have occurred if pre-March 2020 trends had continued

Other clinicians have accused Dr Perlis of exaggerating the benefits of antidepressants.

Several reviews, looking at hundreds of studies, have found that on average, about 40 to 50 per cent of people with depression and anxiety who take SSRIs see an overall improvement in mental health.

This means that for around 60 percent of patients, the drugs will not work. What's more, around half will experience one side effect and for one in ten, these problems are so severe they stop taking them.

Studies show possible side effects of SSRIs can include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, headache, drowsiness, dry mouth, insomnia, nervousness, agitation or restlessness, dizziness.

Some patients also experience a worsening of their psychological symptoms - at least in the few weeks after they begin taking the drugs.

Up to 80 percent of patients have reported sexual dysfunction while taking antidepressants, compared to roughly 12 percent who took a placebo, according to studies from the University of Bologna in Italy and the University of Salamanca in Spain have shown.

Anecdotal reports suggest that many experience sexual problems years after they stop taking the drugs.

It comes as the contraceptive pill became available over-the-counter last month - meaning anyone can walk into a pharmacy and buy the FDA-approved Opill.

The change was hailed 'historic' by advocacy and medical groups such as Free the Pill and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which have been lobbying for years to make an OTC birth control pill available at an affordable price.

Opill has been safely in use for about five decades, but the US has been an outlier when it comes to making the pills available without a doctor's order.

Calls have been made by doctors for other medications to also go OTC, including anti-nausea medication Zofran and EpiPens, which are used to treat allergic reactions.

Dr Perlis has been approached for comment.
Hawaii is considering imposing a $25 fee on hotel and short-term rental visitors

Cities across the world are hiking costs to compensate for the strain of tourism

Tourism taxes can be extra costs tacked onto accommodation or a one-off fee

Barcelona has hiked its so-called 'tourism tax' for the second time in four years, in a bid to curb overtourism.

The Spanish city, which is home to 1.6 million people, every year hosts around 7 million visitors, which puts a strain on the city's resources.

On April 1, the local authorities increased the city tax, which travelers see at the bottom of their accommodation bill, to 3.25 ($3.52) for every night spent in the city.

But Barcelona is not the only city which is imposing a tax on visitors, as travel has surged in the years since the pandemic.

After lengthy delays, Venice will also begin a pilot of its daytripper tax on April 25, which will charge 5 ($5.43) on certain peak days to enter the city in order to preserve its heritage.

Barcelona has hiked its 'tourism tax' for the second time in four years, in a bid to curb overtourism

The Italian city already has an overnight tourist tax, which collected 37 million in 2023 - over $40 million.

Travelers have long been used to being charged for add-on costs - and the amount you will pay for a hotel room in the US usually includes additional taxes or so-called 'resort fees'.

But the amount that travelers have to pay in tourism tax can vary significantly by destination.

Some are a small extra cost tacked onto your hotel bill, while others may be a one-off or even a daily fee.

Popular places may implement this levy in response to overtourism and environmental concerns, or simply as a way to help the local economy put funds back into the tourism infrastructure.

Barcelona first introduced its tourist tax in 2012.

Alongside the city surcharge, which increased from 2.75 ($2.98) to 3.25 ($3.52) this month, it also imposes a regional tax which varies depending on the kind of accommodation you are staying in.

For visitors staying in five-star or luxury hotels, it is 3.50 ($3.79) per night, for those in rentals - including Airbnb - it is 2.25 ($2.43) a night, and for those in other hotels it is 1.70 (or $1.84) a night.

Cruise passengers, meanwhile, will be charged 3 ($3.25) for city visits less than 12 hours and 2 ($2.17) for visits longer than 12 hours.

Considering the regional tourist tax and city surcharge, if you are visiting Barcelona and staying in five-star accommodation, you would end up paying as much as $51.16 in levies for a weeklong stay, according to The Points Guy.

Venice will also begin a pilot of its daytripper tax on April 25, which will charge 5 ($5.43) on certain peak days to enter the city

Elsewhere in Europe, Amsterdam charges a 7 percent fee on hotel rooms, as well as 3 - or around $3.26 - per night.

Paris also increased its taxes earlier this year in preparation for hosting the 2024 Olympic Games this summer.

Ile de France, the region which takes in the French capital and the surrounding area, upped its overnight tax by 200 percent in January.

Visitors in one-star hotels now pay 2.60 (around $2.82) a night, while fees top out at around $4 per night for a luxury hotel.

But it is not just European cities which are becoming more expensive for foreign visitors.

In recent years, tourist payments have grown to not only include taxes on airfare and accommodation but also stand-alone levies simply for visiting a particular destination.

The most notable example is Bhutan - a landlocked country located on the eastern edge of the Himalayas.

Until August 2027, the country will charge a flat rate of $100 per day for visitors.

Clint Henderson, managing editor of The Points Guy, told DailyMail.com: 'Unfortunately, tourist taxes are a rapidly growing trend. It's an easy way for localities to raise revenues without taxing local citizens.

'It's more politically palatable and it has the added benefit of helping to deal with over-tourism. Crowds at some of the most popular "Instagrammable" locations are simply out of control and locals are fed up with the insane crowds in iconic cities like Venice.'

He said that he thinks this trend will only spread, which means some locations will become simply financially out of reach for some visitors.

Backpackers and young nomads may choose other spots and the most crowded cities will not miss them, he added.

'Tourist taxes do tend to lower the number of visitors, but most localities will actually see that as a good thing because they want fewer, more affluent visitors instead of mass tourism,' he said.

Amsterdam charges a 7 percent fee on hotel rooms, as well as 3 - or around $3.26 - per night

Until August 2027, Bhutan will charge a flat rate of $100 per day for visitors

Other places, including in the US, are considering implementing a tourist tax.

In his February State of the State address, Hawaii Governor Josh Green proposed a $25 fee on visitors

In his February State of the State address, Hawaii Governor Josh Green proposed a $25 fee on visitors when they arrive and check into a hotel or short-term rental property.

The state, which faces a high volume of tourists every year, has discussed the possibility of a levy in the past - including a proposal which stalled in the state's legislature last year.

Green said it was a 'modest fee' which pales in comparison to some resort fees charged to visitors, and it could generate more than $68 million a year.

This would go toward investing in beach preservation and prevention measures to stop another tragedy like last year's Maui wildfires.

'The responsibility to protect Hawaii's unique natural environment should extend to visitors to our islands,' he said.

'I believe this is not too much to ask of visitors to our islands.'
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Heeramandi" could be India's answer to "Narcos" and "Squid Game" as the ambitious period drama has the potential to travel beyond domestic borders, said actor Richa Chadha at its grand trailer launch here on Tuesday.

Bhansali, who wears many hats on the series as a creator, director, producer and music composer, was a no-show at the Netflix event but was often invoked and thanked during the starry affair.

This is Chadha's second collaboration with Bhansali and the actor, who plays a courtesan named Lajjo, was full of praise for the director's vision.
Germany on Tuesday strongly rejected a case brought by Nicaragua at the United Nations top court accusing Berlin of facilitating breaches of the Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law by providing arms and other support to Israel in its deadly assault on Gaza.

The minute we look closely, Nicaraguas accusations fall apart, Christian Tams, a member of Germanys legal team, told the 16-judge panel at the International Court of Justice.

On Monday, Nicaragua urged judges to order a halt to German military aid to Israel, arguing that Berlins support enables acts of genocide and breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza.

The head of Germanys legal team, Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, said Nicaraguas claims have no basis in fact or law. They are dependent on an assessment of conduct by Israel, not a party to these proceedings.

Preliminary hearings held on Monday and Tuesday are focused solely on Nicaraguas request for so-called provisional measures, including a court order for Berlin to halt military and other aid to Israel and reinstate funding to the UN aid agency in Gaza.

Tams said that Germany had licensed only four exports of weapons of war to Israel since October, three of which concern test or practice equipment.

Showing judges a photo of German aid being airdropped over Gaza, Tams added that Berlin continues to provide humanitarian support to Palestinians every single day under extremely difficult conditions, constructively engaging with international partners.

Nicaraguas case is the latest legal attempt to rein in Israels offensive by a country with historic ties to the Palestinian people, after South Africa accused Israel of genocide at the same court late last year. It also comes against a backdrop of growing calls for Israels allies to stop supplying the country with weapons  and as some supporters, including Germany, have grown more critical of the war.

At Mondays hearings, Nicaraguas Ambassador to the Netherlands, Carlos Jose Arguello Gomez, accused Germany of failing to honour its own obligation to prevent genocide or to ensure respect of international humanitarian law.

However, another lawyer for Germany, Samuel Wordsworth, argued that the court could not rule Germany was violating the obligation to prevent genocide because its judges have not ruled that Israel is breaching the Genocide Convention.

In a preliminary phase of the case brought late last year by South Africa, the UN court has said that it is plausible that Israels actions in Gaza could amount to breaches of the convention.

How can it be said that there was a failure to ensure respect of a third state, if the failure on the part of that third state to respect is not established in the first place? Wordsworth said.

The court will likely take weeks to deliver its preliminary decision, and Nicaraguas case will probably drag on for years.

Israel strongly denies that its assault amounts to genocidal acts, saying it is acting in self defense after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people.

Since then, more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the territorys Health Ministry. Its toll doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants, but it has said women and children make up the majority of the dead.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Germany is second only to the US in supplying arms to Israel  but it would be harder, if not impossible, for the US to be brought before the court because Washington does not recognise the ICJs power to compel countries to appear before it. The US also has not signed a protocol to the Genocide Convention that allows countries to bring disputes to the court.
Daniel Lurie, the Levi Strauss heir running for mayor of San Francisco, speaks to the press at Union Square on Feb. 27. Lurie has released a proposal for combating City Hall bloat and corruption. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

Fighting corruption, bloat and dysfunction at City Hall are perennial talking points for elected officials and candidates in San Francisco, which raises the question of whether such plans ever translate into improvements in how residents and businesses interact with the city.

The candidates for mayor have seized on the topic with an array of get-tough proposals, with Daniel Lurie, the Levi Strauss heir and nonprofit executive, announcing a plan Wednesday to streamline permitting, improve performance of the citys nonprofits and hold contractors accountable. One of his proposals is to create a shot clock for review times on project permits.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin called for an inspector general with subpoena power as he announced his campaign last week. Former Mayor Mark Farrell has said he wants to audit the citys homelessness and community health and welfare budgets.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Incumbent Mayor London Breed, meanwhile, says her opponents are ripping off her ideas.

The candidates strategies reflect a broad public perception that things are not working at City Hall, said Corey Cook, Saint Marys College of California provost.

Thats clear from what voters are doing, what candidates are saying, he said. Theyre positioning themselves as the candidate who can bring meaningful change  thats the direction every candidate is running.

But James Lance Taylor, a professor of politics at the University of San Francisco, questioned whether the focus on this set of intractable issues will resonate with voters, whom polls show are most focused on homelessness, fentanyl and housing.

Lurie, 47, who is also the founder of the nonprofit Tipping Point Community, released a slew of proposals to improve the citys contracting and accountability practices, reform permitting at the Department of Building Inspection, and centralize construction management.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The proposals mark Luries most detailed policy suggestions since entering the mayors race in September, and his latest effort to separate himself in a crowded and competitive field.

He said the proposed reforms would upend a bureaucracy that rewards corruption while undermining progress on public safety, housing affordability and homelessness.

The leaders that got us into this mess are suggesting that theyre the ones to get us out of this mess, he continued. He argued that his opponents have tinkered around the edges instead of confronting San Franciscos challenges head-on.

To improve contracting accountability, Lurie proposed centralizing contract management and oversight into one unit of contract experts.

That would shrink the overall size of city bureaucracy, he said. Other reforms include requiring contracts to state clear outcomes, developing a scorecard, to assess whether contractors are meeting expectations and hiring a chief financial officer to monitor the citys contracts with its nonprofit organizations.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Lurie also called for representatives at large nonprofits  those that do more than $1 million in business with the city  to register as lobbyists.

San Francisco distributes more than a billion dollars annually to more than 600 nonprofit organizations, but over the past few years, a slew of nonprofits have become mired in scandal, raising further concerns about how City Hall is managing its finances and the effectiveness of its strategies to fight homelessness and other issues.

Lurie called for creating a more transparent online permit tracking system  a move the city has tried unsuccessfully twice before  streamlining permitting for projects over 10 units of housing or 100 square feet of commercial space, and creating a shot clock that sets maximum review times. He also proposed allowing the city to contract with external plan check firms.

You have got to hire a permanent expediter to get through the maze of bureaucracy, he said. Anytime you have to hire somebody to get through the bureaucracy, it just is ripe for fraud and for corruption.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

Finally, Lurie said he would make changes to streamline city construction, by requiring agencies to coordinate when performing construction on city streets, creating a liaison for small businesses and moving from a bidding process that rewards lowest bids to one that prioritizes best value. He also called for the creation of a small business relief fund, to help offset losses due to construction.

Weve gone from being a city of yes, to a city that says, nope, we cant do that,  he said.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed sports an I Voted sticker on her jacket after voting at City Hall on March 5. Her office points to her efforts to make City Hall work better, including measures to improve permitting, housing and infrastructure work. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

Proponents for Breed, meanwhile, said Luries proposal echoes many policies the city already has in place and touted the mayors measures while in office to ensure permitting, housing and infrastructure work are more efficient for the public.

They pointed to recently approved legislation to make scores of changes to the planning code to help small businesses and her work to cut housing permitting time in half. A spokesperson noted that the citys permit center, which opened during the pandemic, centralized permitting departments and staff in one place.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad

The city already has policies in place to coordinate work across multiple departments for any major disruption, Breed officials said.

Anyone telling voters that they are the savior that will complete multibillion-dollar city projects without any disruption to the public is clearly enjoying 420 a few weeks early, campaign spokesperson Joe Arellano said.

San Francisco District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin walks among attendees during a kickoff event for his mayoral campaign in Chinatown on Saturday, April. 6. Peskin called for an inspector general with subpoena power to combat corruption. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Peskin, who recently announced his own mayoral bid, pledged to hire an inspector general in the San Francisco Controllers Office to root out corruption in City Hall.

The inspector general would have subpoena power, he said.

While we focus on crime in the streets, we must also address criminality and corruption in our city government, Peskin told supporters at his campaign kickoff. Every crime of corruption  is a crime against taxpayers, a crime against city services, a crime against the public trust. I am proud to have fought bribery, embezzlement and fraud in city government my entire career.

Mayor Mark Farrell speaks outside City Hall on Feb. 28, 2018. The San Francisco mayoral candidate has said he wants to audit the citys homelessness and community health and welfare budgets. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle 2018

Among his proposals for fixing city problems, Farrell has called for major audits of the citys homelessness and community health and welfare budgets. Like Lurie, he has floated proposals requiring performance-based contracts for nonprofits receiving city funds.

There is a crisis in confidence in local government that I am committed to restoring as Mayor, Farrell said, in a statement this week. The buck stops with me. I will hold corrupt actors accountable, hold my staff and departments to the highest possible ethical standards, and empower and protect people to speak out if they believe something is wrong.

Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who is running for mayor of San Francisco, criticized some of the other candidates are not in touch with whats going on when it comes to fixing the dysfunction at City Hall. Salgu Wissmath/The Chronicle

Supervisor Ahsha Safai, the first candidate to challenge Breed, previously sponsored Proposition C to create an oversight commission for the citys homelessness department and require mandatory audits of homeless service programming.

Were starting to see the fruit of that labor begin, he said, pointing to audits that revealed financial mismanagement at the United Council of Human Services and HomeRise.

He also authored legislation to provide sharper oversight of nonprofits, by requiring them to be in compliance with state charity requirements, and another ordinance to streamline part of the building process by speeding up the time it takes to receive a site permit.

Safai called Lurie and Farrell Johnny-come-latelys on the topic of fixing City Hall who are not in touch with whats going on.

Taylor said Luries strategy could appeal to voters since he is an outsider running against a field of elected politicians who have had the chance to address these issues in office.

If they had a solution (to problems at City Hall), why havent they come forward with them sooner? he asked. How is it theyre going to come in and messianically apply what they had in their pocket all this time?
The BJP has changed the public's perception towards politicians and politics, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a campaign rally for the BJP's Saharanpur candidate Raghav Lakhanpal, he said, "A few years ago, there was a perception that politicians speak lies to seek votes and go away. They don't care about the public or the nation. This was the common perception towards politicians and political parties."

"We have changed this perception. It is our character that we do what we say. Earlier, it was the norm to think that a politician would lie but we changed this perception," Singh added.

The defence minister said political parties make big promises in their manifestos but forget those after assuming power.

"We have overcome the crisis of confidence in politics. We had promised to revoke Article 370 and we did it after assuming power. We had promised to abolish triple talaq and we did it after getting a majority in Parliament," he said.

Singh, a former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, said the perception of India has improved under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He claimed that Modi "halted" the war between Russia and Ukraine to ensure safe passage for Indian students stuck in the war-torn country.

"In Qatar, retired Navy personnel awarded capital punishment were released after being pardoned by the government there. This shows the stature of India in the world," he added.

Qatar released eight jailed former Indian Navy personnel 46 days after their death sentences, handed out last October, were commuted to jail terms of varying duration.

Under Modi's leadership, India -- once an importer of defence technology -- is now exporting those, Singh said.

The defence minister also praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for improving the state's law and order.

Hitting out at the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, the senior BJP leader said, "In 2017 (assembly elections), the Samajwadi Party and the Congress ran a narrative that the backward classes were angry with the BJP. In 2019 (Lok Sabha elections), they ran a narrative that the Brahmins were angry. During the 2022 assembly elections, they ran a narrative that the Jats were angry. Now, they are claiming that the Rajputs are angry."

"They are not ready to accept that be it the Congress or the Samajwadi Party, the entire Uttar Pradesh is angry with them," Singh claimed.

The Samajwadi Party is in such a state that it is changing candidates every day and the Congress is not even getting people to contest the elections, he said.

The Samajwadi Party and the Congress are contesting the Lok Sabha elections in an alliance in Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP on Wednesday held a protest near the AAP headquarters on DDU Marg, demanding the resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently lodged in Tihar jail in connection with the excise policy case.

Police used water cannons to disperse the protesters, leading to Virendra Sachdeva, the BJP's Delhi unit chief, suffering an injury. He was admitted to RML Hospital for treatment.

"We used mild force to disperse the protesters. No one suffered any injury," a senior police officer said.

Kejriwal's plea against his arrest and remand in a money-laundering case linked to the Delhi government's now-scrapped excise policy was rejected by Delhi High Court on Tuesday.

The BJP has stepped up pressure on Kejriwal and demanded his resignation following the high court order.

Kejriwal has challenged the high court order in the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has said he will look into Kejriwal's request for an early listing of his plea against the high court order. He has asked Kejriwal's lawyer to send an email.
Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday said he will look into Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's request for an early listing of his plea against a high court order upholding his arrest. He asked Kejriwal's lawyer to send an email.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court against the April 9 judgement of the high court.

"I will look into the e-mail (seeking early listing of plea). Please send the mail," CJI Chandrachud told senior advocate and Kejriwal's counsel Abhishek Singhvi.

"This is urgent and is regarding the Delhi chief minister. The arrest is based on an un-relied document and suppressed from us," Singhvi said.

In a blow to Kejriwal ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday upheld his arrest in a Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case, saying the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was left with "little option" after he skipped repeated summonses and refused to join the investigation.

The high court also cited the ED's claim that Kejriwal conspired and was actively involved in the use and concealment of the proceeds of crime to reject his petition against his arrest.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, hours after the high court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the federal anti-money laundering agency.

He is in judicial custody till April 15 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail.
Joaquin Phoenix is back as Joker to unleash chaos in the first teaser trailer of "Joker: Folie a Deux", which also introduces viewers to the love of his life in Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga.

Hollywood studio Warner Bros unveiled the first look of the follow-up to the multiple Oscar-winning antihero saga "Joker", which was released in 2019.

Phoenix won the Academy Award for best actor for his turn as a failed, unhinged stand-up comedian who descends into chaos, taking the whole Gotham City along with him.

Often teased as a psychological thriller with elements of a musical, the sequel presents a twisted tale of love between Phoenix's Arthur Fleck aka Joker and Quinn, played by Gaga.

The trailer opens with Fleck still locked up in Arkham, the asylum in Gotham City where most of DC comics villains end up. He finds a glimmer of hope when he meets Quinn. The two are shown running through the streets, watching movies together and dancing against a moonlit sky. In one of the sequences, Fleck is dressed in the Joker avatar and performing at a nightclub.

Just like the first part, the trailer does not make it clear what is real and how much of it might just be happening in Fleck's head.

Todd Phillips returns to direct. He has also co-written the script for the sequel, which will feature Zazie Beetz coming back as Sophie Dumond, a single mother and Fleck's former neighbour.

The newcomers include Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener and Steve Coogan.

Warner Bros will release "Joker: Folie a Deux" in Indian theatres on October 4 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages.
A safe and sound way to find love: our local meeting site keeps you safe while you find love locally

Looking for love are a daunting task, however with the aid of a local meeting site, it may be made easier. this site provides a safe and secure environment which people find love. it is a terrific way to meet brand new people and explore your choices. the site is designed to result in the process as easy as possible. you can search for potential matches according to your passions and location. you are able to join discussion teams and chat with other users. the site is a superb strategy for finding love, which is a safe and protected method to do so.

what exactly is a bisexual meeting site?

A bisexual meeting website is an internet site or software that is created specifically for folks who want in meeting other bisexuals.these sites are a powerful way to relate genuinely to other bisexuals in order to find brand new buddies.they can also be a powerful way to find information and resources about bisexuality.some of the finest bisexual meeting sites consist of binetusa, bisexual.com, and binet usa.these sites provide a number of features, including forums, forums, and online dating services.they also provide quite a lot of data about bisexuality therefore the bisexual community.if you are interested in a method to relate to other bisexuals, a bisexual meeting site is a great option.these sites offer a number of features and resources to assist you discover the information and buddies you will need.

Get alerts:

Find your perfect gay match  on most useful gay meet sites

Finding your perfect gay match could be difficult, but it is perhaps not impossible on the most readily useful gay meet sites. these sites offer a number of features that may make finding somebody simple and fun. several of the most crucial features of an excellent gay meet website are its user interface and its search abilities. the consumer software should really be simple to use and navigate, and search engine should be able to get the precise match youre looking for. the most effective gay meet sites additionally offer a number of features that will make dating fun and enjoyable. these sites frequently have chat rooms, community forums, and dating profiles, which could make dating far more enjoyable. overall, the best gay meet sites are superb resources for finding a great match. use them to obtain the person you are considering and also a lot of enjoyment doing it.

Find the perfect swingers meeting website for you

Finding an ideal swingers meeting site available is a daunting task. there are a lot of possibilities, and it will be difficult to understand the place to start. luckily, were here to simply help. in this essay, we will talk about some of the key facets you should think about when choosing a swingers meeting website. first and foremost, youll want to determine what kind of swingers meeting website youre interested in. are you looking for an informal encounter? a far more serious relationship? or something like that in between? once you have a sense of what youare looking for, you need to consider the location. do you want to encounter swingers in your hometown? or would you like to explore a fresh town? once youve selected the positioning and type of swingers meeting website, you need to think about the size associated with the community. are you searching for a tiny, personal crowd? or do you wish to join a larger, more public group? and finally, you need to look at the swingers meeting sites features. do they enable solitary people to join? do theyve a wide range of tasks available? will be the users friendly and welcoming? if youve answered all of these questions and are also nevertheless undecided, cannot worry. browse our selection of the most truly effective 10 swingers meeting sites for more information. 1. swingers link

if you should be wanting a swingers meeting site with a sizable community, swingers link is the place to go. this web site is popular for a reason  this has a lot of members whore shopping for a variety of activities. youll find everything from group intercourse to bondage and role-playing. 2. swinging.com

if you should be shopping for a more personal swingers meeting site, swinging.com is ideal for you. this website is popular because of its discreet nature  you may not need to worry about anyone once you understand regarding the tasks. plus, your website has many activities available, so youre certain to find something that interests you. 3. adultfriendfinder

if you are selecting a site with a wide range of tasks, adultfriendfinder is definitely the destination to go. this web site has a huge selection of tasks, from group intercourse to bondage and role-playing. plus, the site is popular for the user-friendly screen. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Find your perfect match regarding tender meeting site

Finding your perfect match regarding the tender related lesbian sugar mommies meet site may be a daunting task, however with the proper tools and strategies, it may be a piece of cake. with so many options available, it may be hard to know where to start. fortunately, the tender meeting site can help you discover the perfect match for you personally. first, you need to have a look at your interests. here is the first and most important step up finding your perfect match. if you do not understand what youre looking for, itll be difficult to find it in the tender meeting site. next, youll want to have a look at your dating history. this is really important since it will allow you to figure out your compatibility with prospective matches. when you have had couple of or no dates before, it could be hard to find matches in the tender meeting site. however, for those who have had plenty of dates, maybe you are more prone to find a match regarding site. this consists of things like your work routine, your interests, along with your hobbies. these details will help you determine whether or otherwise not the individual you are considering is a great match for you. overall, the tender meeting site could be a powerful way to find your perfect match. utilizing the guidelines outlined above, you ought to be capable of finding a match which perfect for you.

Enjoy meeting singles with similar interests

If you are considering a method to meet brand new individuals and possess some lighter moments, then you definitely should discover bi meeting sites. these websites are great for people who are seeking a method to relate solely to other individuals who share their interests. there are a lot of different bi meeting internet sites around, therefore it is difficult to decide which one to use. how to find one is do just a little research and look for sites which have a strong reputation. when you find a site, the first thing you have to do is join. this may give you access to the sites forums and forums. in these rooms, it is possible to chat with other people and find out concerning the websites features. groups are a powerful way to satisfy brand new people and share your interests. there is groups by looking for them or by searching the sites forum. when you find a group, the next step is to participate it. overall, bi meeting websites are a great way to fulfill brand new people and now have some fun.
Federated Farmers are welcoming the Governments announcement that the farm planning system will be overhauled as a positive and pragmatic step forward.

"Farmers support farm plans as a tool for improving environmental outcomes but they need to be practical and cost-effective," Federated Farmers freshwater spokesperson Colin Hurst says.

"The current system is incredibly frustrating, with a lot of unnecessary cost, complexity and duplication. There are huge opportunities for the Government to make improvements.

"We have been calling for urgent and significant changes to make the whole process simpler and more affordable for farmers for some time now, so its good to finally see some movement."

Fixing unworkable freshwater rules was one of Federated Farmers' 12 key policy changes for restoring farmer confidence during last years general election.

"Its absolutely critical that the Government get this right," Hurst says.

"Farmers dont want to see another expensive box ticking exercise that will tie us up in endless red tape and arbitrary paperwork for very little environmental gain.

"Farm plans allow farmers and rural communities to tailor their environmental improvement actions to match their specific local needs."

Hurst says this will lead to much better outcomes, and more community buy-in, than impractical and expensive one-size-fits-all rules driven out of Wellington.

"At face value this is a really positive step forward for both farmers and the environment, but the devil is always going to be in the detail," Hurst says.

"Its good to see the Government are talking about taking a risk-based approach, where the level of plan you need to put in place is determined by your specific catchment and farming activity.

"Its also really encouraging that theyre looking at how existing sector or council farm plans could be recognised or integrated, because over 10,000 farmers already have a plan in place."

Hurst says this announcement will leave many farmers in a state of limbo wondering if they should get a freshwater farm plan under the current rules or wait for changes.

"The Government needs to address this uncertainty by extending timelines in regions that already have freshwater farm plan requirements in place," Hurst says.

"Councils have already started implementing freshwater farm plan rules, but it makes no sense to force farmers to comply when we know the rules are about to change."

ENDS





Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:

Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process.

Related News:

TRU - WHO Agency UNITAID Features TRU in Tech Landscape Report

PaySauce Quarterly Market Update - September 2024

October 2nd Morning Report

Rua Releases Annual Report for Year Ended 30 June 2024

SCL - Settlement of orchard sales

The Warehouse Group 2024 ASM and Director Nominations

AIR - Update on Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer

Comvita Limited - Annual Report 2024

September 27th Morning Report

Spark announces departure of Finance Director


Find love and companionship on best bi websites

Looking for love and companionship in the most useful bi websites? if so, youre in fortune, as there are numerous great solutions. whether you are considering an informal relationship, a long-term partnership, or something among, there are lots of great bi websites available to help you find what youare looking for. some of the best bi websites offer an array of features, including compatibility evaluating, messaging, and also social media. which means you can easily relate genuinely to other users and find the relationships that are right for you. whether youre looking for a casual relationship or something more severe, bi websites provide a great way to find what youre looking for. so why perhaps not give one of these brilliant a go? maybe you are amazed at how much fun you could have on these sites.

Get alerts:

Join now and discover your perfect match on a bi website

Joining a bi website is a terrific way to find somebody who shares your passions. these websites offer a number of features that may make finding a partner simple. some of the features that bi websites offer would be the capability to search by passions, location, and more. this could allow it to be no problem finding somebody who shares your passions. furthermore, bi websites usually have discussion boards and chat rooms in which users can talk about subjects and meet brand new buddies. this can be a terrific way to find somebody who shares your passions and relate to other people who share them.

just what are bi websites and how do they work?

If you are looking for a method to relate genuinely to other individuals who share your passions, you might want to consider using a bi web site.these websites permit you to interact with individuals who are additionally enthusiastic about the same things as you, whether thats relationship, socializing, or simply having a great time.what would be the benefits of utilizing a bi site?there are a lot of advantages to utilizing a bi website.first of most, bi websites are a powerful way to relate solely to individuals who share your passions.you find individuals date, socialize with, or just celebrate with.another advantage of using a bi web site is the fact that you can find individuals who are geographically close to you.if you are looking for a relationship, making use of a bi web site will allow you to find somebody who is geographically near to you.finally, bi websites are a great way to meet new people.you can fulfill new friends, dating lovers, or your personal future spouse.how do i find a bi internet site?there isnt any one-size-fits-all reply to this question.each man or womans requirements will be different, so youll have to find a bi internet site which particularly tailored to your requirements.some tips to help you find a bi website:

1.look for a website which tailored towards passions.2.look for websites which have a large user base.3.look for websites which have a good reputation.4.look for websites that have an excellent graphical user interface.5.look for websites that have an excellent array of features.6.look for websites which have an excellent selection of dating options.7.look for websites that have a good range of social choices.8.look for websites that have a good array of individual profiles.9.look for websites which have a great range of user interests.10.look for websites which have a great selection of user places.

Enjoy a safe and secure dating experience on a bi website

If you are considering a safe and secure dating experience, you will want to check out free bi websites. these websites focus on folks who are enthusiastic about dating folks of the same sex or gender identification. they provide a number of features to create dating on these websites effortless and enjoyable. one of many great things about making use of a bi internet site is that you will be sure the people youre dating are safe. these websites have been fashioned with security in your mind, in addition they utilize a number of safety measures to make certain that your dating experience is safe. these websites are created to be inclusive, in addition they enable you to date individuals who share your interests.

Take the plunge and begin dating on a bi site today

If youre thinking about dating on a bi site, you are not alone. in reality, there are plenty of great options available to you for people who are searching for a more comprehensive dating experience. if you should be not used to the planet of bi dating, you may be wondering just what the huge benefits are. here are some things to bear in mind:

1. bi dating is an excellent way to meet brand new people. 2. bi dating is a great way to find an individual who is compatible with you. 3. bi dating is an excellent option to explore your sexuality. 4. 5. so just why perhaps not offer bi dating a try? it might just be the dating experience available.

exactly what are bi websites and exactly why in case you use them?

regarding dating, it could be tough to find the right person.thats in which bi websites come in.these websites enable users to find those who share their exact same interests, no matter what those passions are.bi websites are a powerful way to meet new people.not only can you find you to definitely date, but you can additionally find you to definitely relate to on a deeper level.if youre looking for a dating site that suits the bi community, be sure to have a look at bi.com.this site is focused on helping users find love and connection.bi websites are a great way to find love.not just are you able to find anyone to date, but you can additionally find anyone to connect with on a deeper degree.if youre looking for a dating site that provides the bi community, make sure you check out bi.com.

Discover the most effective bi websites for dating

When it comes to dating, everyone has unique preferences and requirements.thats why it can be so hard to get a match thats appropriate for you.but cannot worry, there are numerous websites available to you that can help.if you are considering an internet site that caters especially to bi individuals, you need to browse bi websites.these websites are made to assist you in finding love, whether you are looking for a long-term relationship or perhaps some casual fun.there are countless great bi websites available to you, therefore it is difficult to determine which to select.but cannot worry, were right here to greatly help.here are the five most useful bi websites for dating:

1.bionlinedating.com

bionlinedating.com the most popular bi websites on the market.its built to help you find love, therefore offers plenty of features that other websites cannot.for instance, bionlinedating.com provides a chat function that enables you to speak with other users.this is fantastic if you wish to find someone whos suitable for you.plus, bionlinedating.com has a lot of other wonderful features.for instance, you are able to browse through its user profiles to see if you learn anybody youre interested in.2.bimingle.com

bimingle.com is another great bi website.it offers some features that other websites never, such as for instance a chat function and a person profile feature.plus, bimingle.com has lots of user reviews, that will be great if you want to know very well what other users think of the web site.3.bidate.com

bidate.com is an excellent site if you wish to find a person whos appropriate for you.it provides lots of features that other websites do not, particularly a chat feature and a person profile function.plus, bidate.com has some reading user reviews, which is great should you want to know very well what other users consider the web site.4.bifriendfinder.com

bifriendfinder.com is a great internet site should you want to find somebody whos compatible with you.it offers countless features that other websites do not, such as for instance a talk function and a user profile feature.plus, bifriendfinder.com has a lot of reading user reviews, which is great should you want to know what other users think of the internet site.5.bipeople.com

bipeople.com is a great web site should you want to find somebody whos suitable for you.it offers countless features that other websites dont, including a chat feature and a person profile function.plus, bipeople.com has a lot of reading user reviews, which is great should you want to know what other users think about the internet site.so there you have got it  the five most readily useful bi websites for dating.if youre looking for a website that caters particularly to bi individuals, you should browse one of these brilliant websites.

Get the absolute most from the bi dating experience

If you are considering a great, exciting, and unique method to explore the entire world of dating, then you should definitely contemplate using bi dating sites. these websites enable you to relate to individuals who share your same passions and passions, making it a great way to find brand new buddies and potential partners. there are numerous of great bi dating sites available to you, and it can be difficult to decide which to make use of. that is why weve built this guide to obtain many from the bi dating experience. first, its important to comprehend the different forms of bi internet dating sites around. you can find basic bi dating sites, that are designed for those who are enthusiastic about dating anybody. then, there are niche bi online dating sites, that are specifically made for those who are seeking relationships along with other bisexuals. if you are seeking a general bi dating website, our top choose is bidate. this website is popular because of its user-friendly user interface and number of features, including chat, forums, and an associate directory. if you are enthusiastic about dating other bisexuals, our 2nd option is bimingle. this website is popular because of its strong community and big member base. plus, it provides many features that make it an easy task to connect to other bisexuals, including talk, forums, and a member directory. this website was created designed for people who are interested in learning dating other bisexuals. general, bi online dating sites are a powerful way to find brand new buddies and prospective lovers.

Find the right match on a bi website

Finding the right match on a bi website can be a daunting task, but with some research, there is the perfect partner for you personally. when looking for a bi website, make sure to consider the following factors:

1. your websites purpose

before anything else, youll want to decide your websites purpose. looking for a dating website, a social system, or something like that else entirely? each website has its own group of features and advantages, therefore make sure to research each one of these before deciding. 2. your websites layout and design

design and design are important considerations when choosing a bi web site. always try to find internet sites with easy-to-use navigation and a design thats aesthetically appealing. 3. your websites features

once youve selected the websites purpose, it is the right time to look at the features. will be the features tailored especially for bi individuals? are they features that you are looking? 4. your websites community

one of the better reasons for bi websites may be the community. sites with active and welcoming communities are more likely to match some one you will suitable for. 5. your websites compatibility

once you have determined the sites purpose, features, and community, it is the right time to check always compatibility. on bi websites, compatibility is key. ensure that you check out the sites member pages to see should they fit your criteria.
Turkiye becomes 10th nation to join Chinese-Russian led International Lunar Research Station program

Global Times) 10:37, April 10, 2024

Photo: stdaily.com

Russia confirmed on Monday that Turkiye has applied to participate in the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) jointly initiated by China and Russia, making it the 10th nation to join the group following Thailand. The news coincided with the arrival in Beijing of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for a visit to China. Russia has also invited other BRICS members to join the lunar research.

Anatoly Petrukovich, director of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS IKI), made the announcement, citing Turkiye's emerging role in global space endeavors, according to Russian and Turkish media reports.

This initiative "represents a new chapter in Turkiye's quest for a robust presence in space research and exploration," the Turkiye Newspaper said on Monday. By applying to the ILRS, Turkiye seeks to boost its scientific and technological prowess, the report noted, adding that the country will also be joining an elite group of nations dedicated to advancing space exploration.

Russia has also invited other BRICS member countries to discuss cooperation on the Moon research, Lev Zeleny, scientific director of the RAS IKI, said on Monday, according to TV BRICS, a Moscow-based media outlet dedicated to covering news among BRICS members.

"We are thinking of organizing a big cooperation on lunar exploration within the BRICS. So far these are only plans. Perhaps we will discuss them in the near future at a meeting of BRICS countries," Zeleny said at a press conference ahead of Cosmonautics Day, which falls on April 12.

Petrukovich said that future plans for the ILRS include establishing a collaborative data processing center to consolidate essential information for lunar exploration. Additionally, China and Russia have signed a cooperation pact between their respective lunar projects, Chang'e-7 and Luna-26, facilitating joint operations in orbit.

The possibility of putting a nuclear reactor on the Moon is also being considered, Petrukovich said.

China plans to work with global partners to construct a basic version of the ILRS before 2028, an improved version before 2040, and a more complete one with application functions by around 2050, Director General of China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory Wu Weiren previously revealed.

The basic version of the ILRS to be completed before 2028 will execute lunar environment exploration and experiments as well as verification of the use of lunar resources, while the improved version will be able to conduct Earth-moon space environment exploration and relevant scientific experiments as well as the construction of comprehensive constellation Queqiao satellites, which will enhance communication, navigation and remote sensing capabilities.

Following these developments, the lunar research station will be gradually upgraded into a multi-function, application-oriented moon base, Wu noted.

"We welcome all countries to join hands in the International Lunar Research Station," Wu said.

As the first step toward building the ILRS, China will launch the Chang'e-6 lunar probe in the first half of 2024, which will attempt to achieve the world's first return of a lunar sample from the dark side of the moon.

The ILRS has already attracted the interest of more than a dozen countries and organizations, including Venezuela, South Africa, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Belarus, Egypt, and Thailand. Several US-based and European organizations have also cooperated with China and Russia on the program, including the Hawaii-based International Lunar Observatory Association, Swiss company Nano-SPACE for Cooperation, and France's Thales Group.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Key Points

Russias assault on Ukraine has spurred a significant arms procurement surge worldwide, with the United States benefiting from increased sales and a strengthening of defense partnerships.

European nations, now acutely aware of security threats in their vicinity, are heavily investing in U.S. military equipment.

Co-production models are gaining prominence, signaling a desire for self-sufficient defense industrial capabilities and less reliance on traditional import channels.

The ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict has drastically reshaped the global defense landscape. In response to heightened security threats, nations worldwide are bolstering their arsenals, leading to record-breaking military sales for the United States.

Get alerts:

James Hursch, director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), highlighted a huge increase in demand from European allies and partners since Russias invasion of Ukraine. The United States closed fiscal year 2023 with a record-shattering $80 billion in transactions through its foreign military sales and grant assistance system.

Surge in European Defense Spending

Russias invasion of Ukraine has triggered a fundamental reassessment of security risks among European nations. This heightened threat perception has translated into a surge in defense spending, with the U.S. emerging as the primary supplier of advanced military systems and platforms.

Countries like Sweden, Poland, and the Netherlands have substantially increased their procurement of U.S. defense equipment, reflecting a desire to modernize their forces and deter potential aggression. In particular, Polands acquisitions illustrate a strategic shift toward high-end capabilities, including the AH-64E Apache helicopter for attack roles, HIMARS rocket systems for precision artillery, and integrated air and missile defense systems for force protection. Additionally, the acquisition of the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank signals a focus on heavy armored warfare capabilities.

The increased demand from NATO allies is also noteworthy. In 2023, the U.S. made a $4 billion year-on-year increase in military purchases. This underscores the alliances collective commitment to enhancing deterrence and defense capabilities in a rapidly changing security landscape.

Co-Production: A New Era in Defense Partnerships

The United States is evolving its defense partnerships beyond traditional foreign military sales, exploring co-production models with key allies and partners. Polands participation in joint defense manufacturing projects with the U.S. exemplifies this trend, marking a transition towards greater interdependence and shared capabilities development. This collaborative model offers several strategic advantages.

Firstly, co-production disperses manufacturing capacity across multiple nations, reducing reliance on single-source suppliers and mitigating the risk of supply chain disruptions in times of crisis. This is a vulnerability underscored by Russias invasion of Ukraine. Secondly, co-production agreements can stimulate the U.S. defense industrial base by creating opportunities for technology transfer, joint investment in research and development, and access to new markets. Thirdly, by facilitating knowledge sharing and technology transfer, co-production helps bolster allied nations defense manufacturing sectors, reducing long-term reliance on imports and fostering self-sufficiency that enhances collective security. Finally, joint development and manufacturing can lead to shared costs, economies of scale, and increased affordability of advanced military systems.

Defense Spending Beyond Sales

Importantly, the U.S. also allocates resources for initiatives like the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and Building Partner Capacity programs, totaling $14.68 billion in fiscal 2023. Additionally, the Foreign Assistance Act supports various programs focused on counter-narcotics, anti-terrorism, and nonproliferation.

The unprecedented demand for U.S. military technology and services underscores the profound impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Its a testament to the perceived reliability of American defense systems and a clear indication that nations are prioritizing their security like never before.
A new piece of street art from acclaimed artist Joe Caslin will go on display this spring at Downhill House, the iconic National Trust property on the north coast. Produced by Nerve Centre, We Can Do Better is a site-specific installation and augmented reality (AR) experience exploring the lives of a generation of young people born into peace yet navigating the legacy of conflict.

We Can Do Better is part of the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, a national partnership programme of artist commissions inspired by the heritage of conflict. Led by Imperial War Museums, the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund was created following the success of 14-18 NOW, the official UK arts programme for the First World War centenary.

The project will transform the exterior of Downhill House into a giant canvas for Joe Caslin to bring his monochrome sketched artwork to life on an unavoidable scale.

Joe Caslin has previously created towering pieces of temporary art that adorn buildings across Ireland, including the Ulster Museum in Belfast, Trinity College and the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin. Like all of his pieces, the materials used at Downhill will be biodegradable and will wash away, leaving no trace on the building.

Co-created with The Kindred Collective, a group of young women born since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the artwork will reflect some of the issues affecting young people in Northern Ireland today. Through a nine-month process of engagement and co-creation, the collective have supported Caslin to create a piece of work that reflects societal conflict, empowerment and change.

Announcing the location of the new artwork, artist Joe Caslin said: Collaborating with The Kindred Collective has been a rewarding and eye-opening journey.

"This group embodies the aspirations of young people in Northern Ireland, advocating for their voices to be heard and acknowledged. Downhill House is a perfect venue  its landmark presence offers a fitting backdrop for the significance of the stories being shared.

Rachel Donnelly, Head of Partnerships at Imperial War Museums (IWM), said: Imperial War Museums has a long tradition of commissioning artwork on the topic of war and conflict, and through our IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, we are delighted to work in partnership with Nerve Centre on this impactful project. We look forward to sharing this empowering and reflective work from Joe and The Kindred Collective.

As well as the physical installation, an interactive augmented reality (AR) app is being created that will further enhance the publics ability to engage with the work and to step inside the shoes of the collective. Development of the app has also been supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Niall Kerr, Head of Heritage and Community Relations at Nerve Centre, said: We Can Do Better has been a really exciting opportunity to give a group of young women the tools they need to have their voices amplified at such an iconic location.

"Joes sustained and meaningful engagement over nine months has delivered a truly unique, multi-layered experience that invites the public to reflect on the past while also looking forward with hope and optimism.

Joe Caslin & Kindred Collective at Downhill House

Downhill House was identified by project participants and selected for its historical significance, connections to art and themes of unity and reconciliation. Located on the edge of Northern Ireland it serves as a metaphor for looking outward and striving for a better future, echoing the project's aspirations.

Emma Cunningham, North Coast General Manager at National Trust, said: We are excited to host the Nerve Centre and Kindred Collective at Downhill. We want Mussenden Temple and the Demesne to feel like a place where everyone feels they belong, and this is a fantastic opportunity to offer the historic House and the surrounding estate to these young people as a platform where their voices can be heard.

Matthew Malcolm, Creative Industries Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support the Nerve Centre in the development of an augmented reality app to accompany the street art installation at Downhill House.

"The app development has been funded through our National Lottery Organisations Digital Evolution Award, a programme which is supporting a number of NI arts organisations in the creation of art using digital and immersive technologies. This programme reflects the Arts Councils commitment to encouraging innovative practices that cross artform boundaries and build digital capabilities within the Northern Ireland arts sector.

"We Can Do Better demonstrates the power of using digital arts to enhance and enrich an arts experience, and I would encourage everyone to go along this spring to experience this impressive project.

The project will launch to the public later this spring and will be accompanied by a programme of free events and activities. Visit the Nerve Centre website for more information.
The release of the full report by Dr Hillary Cass as Chair of the Independent Review of gender identity services for children and young people in Britain has been described as a watershed moment.

The Cass Report was published on Wednesday (April 10, 2024) and can be read HERE.

A spokesperson for The Countess - a non-profit, volunteer-led organisation formed to promote the rights and interests of women and children in Ireland - said the Cass Report vindicated its position and its publication was a watershed moment.

Laoise de Brun BL, CEO and Founder of The Countess, added: We at the Countess have been writing to HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority), the Department of Health and the HSE (Health Service Executive) since 2020 to alert them to the dangers of puberty blockers and medical transition of young people. They cannot say they did not know.

This report vindicates our position that child transition of any sort, social or medical, is harmful to the normal development of that child. Schools, clubs, and other groups should take note of these findings and review their own practices in relation to this.

"If you read between the lines, Dr Cass has advised removing the influence of activists from children, the establishment of a national oversight body with clinical responsibility so they will have to show their working and stand by any patient decisions.

"The fact that GIDS (Gender Identity Development Service) did not co-operate with the request for follow-up review and link up of qualitative data between them and adult services is nothing short of a dereliction of their duty of care to those children who went on to become adults, said Ms De Brun.

She added that Irish children had been treated at GIDS.

We are calling for immediate and robust action from the HSE and the Department of Health in relation to those children. We are also calling for an end to activist pressure on our own National Gender Service so that clinicians there can continue to uphold the clinical standards they have set.

Dr Cass was damning of WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) and American Academy of Pediatrics who quoted each others studies in a circular way to boost their arguments but ignored all others.

The Countess Conference entitled Resisting Ideology is taking place in Dublins RDS on April 27. We will have a panel entitled Who is the trans child? with Stella OMalley, Executive Director and Founder of Genspect, the mother of a child who identified as trans but desisted, and Richie Heron, a man who told his story of medical and surgical transition and his subsequent detransition on Newsnight. This panel will give deeper insight into the personal harms this dangerous swerve from normal medical standards has caused.

The Conference as a whole aims to examine and explain how ideologies have shaped Irish and international policy and law, and also to give ordinary people tools they can use to push back and resist the wholesale reshaping of our society.
Well-known Derry advocate for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse, Jon McCourt, has heavily criticised the institutions responsible for failing to provide any redress.

Since the first application was made to the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board in April 2020, not one penny has been forthcoming from any of the institutions, which in the words of Sir Anthony Hart - chair of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry - were guilty of systemic failings.

Mr McCourt, the chairperson of Survivors North West, was speaking at Wednesdays meeting of the Committee for the Executive Office.

The committee, which undertakes a scrutiny, policy development and consultation role with respect to the Executive Office, plays a key role in the consideration and development of legislation.

Addressing the MLAs on the committee, Mr McCourt asked them to cast their minds back to a meeting held in Castle Buildings in 2010.

He said: At that meeting, attended by junior ministers and Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) task force lead and staff, we were told, The [religious] institutions have been put on notice to make arrangements to meet their financial obligations in the event that redress or compensation are included in the recommendations of any further inquiry.

Clearly exasperated, Mr McCourt added: That was in 2010. We are now 14 years down the road. It is 12 years since the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry Legislation was passed in the Assembly Chamber. It is 10 years since the Inquiry itself opened in Banbridge. And, it is seven years since the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry released its report.

One of the key recommendations of that report was: Any voluntary institution found guilty of systemic failings should be asked to make an appropriate financial contribution to the overall cost of the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Redress Board and any specialist services.

Now, 14 years after the initial assurance that the Institutions had been put on notice and with 12 months left before the Redress Board can accept its last application - in line with its five-year mandate - it has awarded in excess of 90m to Victims and Survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse.

The Redress Board received its first application in April 2020, three months after then First Minister Arlene Foster stated: I think it is incumbent on those Institutions to step forward, not only in a moral way, but indeed in terms of financial redress as well, and that is something we will continue to take up.

Since then, not one penny has been forthcoming from any of the institutions, which in the words of Sir Anthony Hart - chair of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry - were guilty of systemic failings, said Jon McCourt.

According to Mr McCourt, Sir Anthony stated in the early stages of the Inquiry, it had the statutory powers to allow the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry to be effective and mindful of the public purse.

He added: Yet to date, the total burden of redress is coming from the Public Purse, ie: the taxpayer.

At a time when public services are stretched to capacity through lack of resources, cutbacks in the health service and particularly mental health provision on which many Victims and Survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse depend, surely it is time to press the Institutions to step up and contribute significantly to the overall cost of Redress Board and any specialist services.

We believe we are beyond the point of asking these institutions to make arrangements to meet their financial obligations or again asking them to make an appropriate financial contribution

Any contributions should not just be viewed through the fiscal lens, but should also be significantly punitive to reflect the harms done, said Mr McCourt.

Mr McCourt accepted that some of the institutions might no longer exist.

He said: However, many of the Institutions have the financial means to contribute. For example, The Sisters of Nazareth, who some years ago dropped the Poor prefix from their name.

Its Annual Report 2022 to March 2023 shows its income from investments alone totalling 561,730.

One of two sites of former children's homes has a listed value of 1.00 according to the same report.

Redeveloped now a residential care village built on a prime seafront site, Edgecumbe Court, Plymouth, has 45 mixed size, between one and 3 bedroom properties, which according to local estate agents rarely become available, had an original price guide of 149.000 for a one bedroom, 265,000 for a two bedroom and 520,000 for a three bedroom penthouse with sea view and terrace.

Without doubt, the use of trusts and accountants will keep this and many other assets, including the sale of Nazareth properties in Belfast and Derry - Nazareth House in Bishop Street and Termonbacca and its 195 acres of land - from becoming part of an arrangement to meet their financial obligations, said Jon McCourt.

Mr McCourt urged the MLAs present to question the wisdom of entering into a voluntary arrangement with the institutions and agreeing at an early date to indemnify them from future costs.

He said: This was an expensive mistake made in the 26 Counties where the cost of redress has exceeded 1.5 billion.

In 2009, the institutions pledged 352 million in cash and assets, which they had valued at the peak of the market and which were never independently valued. They pledged a further 128 million in 2002, as part of a legally binding indemnity agreement protecting them from any future civil cases.

Although initially agreeing to a 50/50 split, only 480 million has been realised leaving a shortfall of 270 million, said Jon McCourt.

This is not a situation we want to see repeated in the North, he warned. To suggest a voluntary contribution against an undetermined top line of the total cost of redress and future cost of specialist services, without any safeguard or penalty for default would be an act of folly.

Read the HIA Report, Read the transcripts of the heartbreaking testimony of some of those who gave evidence to the Inquiry at Banbridge. Be reminded of what happened to vulnerable children while in the so-called care of these institutions, and realise that what happened in these childrens homes was criminal.

The outcome of that report shows that criminality took place. Not in isolated incidents at the hands of one or two bad Apples. This was organised and co-ordinated.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry put on record something that was long suspected. In conversations with children who were in other homes run by the Sisters of Nazareth across Ireland, in England, Scotland , Australia and Canada. They had a Directory and Book of Customs published which was distributed to every member of the Order. As well as outlining the core values of the Order of Patience, Hospitality, Love, Respect, Compassion and Justice, it also had instructions on the use of jeyes fluid For bathing; corporal punishment; severe corporal punishment such as whipping and caning. Children were to be trained to sleep with their hands across their chest to commend themselves to the Blessed Virgin.

The Inquiry Chair reports that, Even in their sleep children were to be subjected to rigorous discipline' (SCAI Case Study No.2. 24 April to 3 July 2018. Page 19.) These were the same methods used in every one of their homes in the North, said Jon McCourt.

Mr McCourt said taken with all of the other abuses that happened in Institutions what happened in the North was criminal.

He added: Yet when I asked at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee could legal action not be taken to seize or freeze the assets of the Institutions responsible until Redress was resolved, Desmond Swain MP (Conservative) said: This is absurd. We do not do Acts of attainder anymore. Ministers and politicians cannot order institutions to hand over their assets. That was in Westminster, July 10, 2019.

What a strange turn of events then when, in January this year, two Conservative MPs didnt seem to agree with his opinion.

Alex Chalk, Justice Secretary, said that if the statutory inquiry into the saga finds the scale of the incompetence is as we might imagine, the Government would want to secure proper recompense on behalf of the taxpayer.

Jake Berry, former Minister of State, said: There is a lot of compensation being paid out, I dont really see why it should be the British taxpayer paying that and thats why Ill be calling on the Government to get Fujitsu  to stump in some of that cash.

There doesnt appear to be a one size fits all in this case, said Jon McCourt.

Mr Mc Court welcomed the news that the first meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council took place in Armagh this week.

He added: I want this committee to know that from the 1940s until the 1960s around 30% of the children, in cases 4 or five children from one family, placed in Homes in Derry were from Donegal and sent North by welfare departments or Parish priests in neighbouring counties particularly Donegal.

Shipped across the border, abandoned and conveniently forgotten by the State and their church. De Facie, ex animo out of sight, out of mind.

While the Redress process closed in the 26 Counties, they never had access to it anyway, because they were not in an institution there but here in the North.

However, we would ask that a conversation be opened through the North/South Ministerial Council to seek recognition for those children and what they went through as a result of their involuntary displacement, said Mr McCourt.

He also asked members of the committee to remember that even when the last application for Redress has been adjudicated, and the total cost is established, the future care of Victims and Survivors will need to be met.

Surely it is not too much to ask that all of those responsible contribute to meeting that future care.

While many of us are in our 60s or 70s now, remember that if someone was 16 years old when they left an institution in the last year that the Inquiry covered, they would only be 44 years old now.

Between those young ones and us oldies that care and specialist services as recommended by Sir Anthony Hart will come at a significant cost over and above the total cost of redress awards.

A cost we believe the Institutions should pay an equitable amount.
The newly created Ulster University Magee Taskforce held its inaugural meeting yesterday.

The taskforce, launched last month by Economy Minister Conor Murphy, will develop and oversee an action plan to expand Ulster Universitys Derry campus to 10,000 students.

The taskforce agreed its terms of reference and received updates from the Department for the Economy, Derry City and Strabane District Council, and Ulster University about their work to date and how they will support the taskforce in delivering a co-designed action plan by December 2024.

Having received an initial update from the Department, Council and University, the taskforce will consider adding further members to address any specific gaps, need or skills as well as inviting input and engagement. They will meet again in around one month to ensure work continues at pace.

Minister Murphy said: "I am pleased that the Magee Taskforce has held its first meeting and has already started to hear representations from stakeholders on what would be required to expand the campus to 10,000 students.

"Achieving this figure is a commitment under New Decade New Approach and a key priority of mine. The expansion of the campus will act as a prime enabler for economic growth in the North West region.

"I wish the Taskforce members well and look forward to receiving its action plan in due course."

Confirmed taskforce members currently include:
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.
The family of a soldier killed in Northern Ireland 50 years ago are to mark the anniversary by visiting the spot where he died.

Norman McKenzie, 25, a driver with the Royal Corps of Transport, was killed following an IRA landmine explosion near Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, on April 11 1974.

His family will lay flowers on the spot where he died and a service of remembrance will also take place.

Mr McKenzies sister, Trudy McKenzie-Robinson, said the loss of her brother was deeply traumatic for the family.

She said: Looking back upon childhood, Norman was a good older brother, he was kind to me, he really enjoyed his time in the Boys Brigade as a drummer boy and he also worked on the land.

We were born and raised in Lincoln and we didnt have much, but as a family we did have each other.

Norman was a big, strapping lad and he was intent on joining the Army and of seeing something of the world.

He left home when aged just 17 years. I would have been 11 at the time, so unfortunately over the next nine years that we had him with us, we didnt see so much of each other.

Ms McKenzie-Robinson said her brother had been due to leave the Army in 1975 and planned to make a life for himself in Germany.

She added: Due to the actions of terrorism he was, of course, denied that opportunity.

It is so important that I honour my brothers memory.

I have visited Fermanagh previously some years ago and I did make that journey with a degree of trepidation.

Those feelings are still there but are not as pronounced this time around because I know there are people in Fermanagh who care.

I understand there are people who genuinely have our familys best interests at heart and who are grateful of the sacrifice that my brother and so many other courageous regular Army soldiers made.

Victims organisation South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) is supporting the family by organising the events to mark the 50th anniversary.

Director Kenny Donaldson said: Norman was not due to be on duty the day of his murder but something required fixing so he volunteered to go and sort this problem out and was tragically killed when his vehicle was blown up by a Provisional IRA landmine explosion on a country road outside Lisnaskea.

Norman was thrown from his vehicle, he was trapped under debris and died of asphyxiation.

He added: It is our honour to support the McKenzie family and to host them over the days of the 50th Anniversary since he was cruelly murdered.

A service of remembrance and thanksgiving will take place in Fawney Orange Hall at 6pm on Thursday when a plaque and photo frame will be dedicated.

A warm invitation is extended to people from across the community to come along and show solidarity with Normans surviving family.
Vasectomies are to be carried out by GPs in Northern Ireland rather than in hospitals, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.

Mr Swann said he believed the decision, which will begin to take effect immediately, will result in hundreds more procedures on men being carried out in the first year.

It will involve around 450,000 per year being re-allocated to primary care.

The Health Minister has announced that vasectomy services in NI will be transferred from secondary care to primary care. Robin Swann said the decision will take effect immediately, with a transition phase throughout 2024/25. More info here: https://t.co/enE4vHFYNY pic.twitter.com/qtewy8Pchj  Department of Health (@healthdpt) April 10, 2024

Last year funding was withdrawn from general practices for a number of services, including vasectomies.

Mr Swanns funding announcement means there will be a transition phase for services throughout 2024/25, and from 2025/26 onwards, GPs will be the sole provider of health service vasectomy services.

Scalpel-free vasectomies have been provided by GPs in recent years through the primary care elective care service.

Funding, however, had been on a non-recurrent basis and was not provided for the second half of 2023/24 due to health service budgetary pressures.

About 1,000 patients are currently on hospital waiting lists for the procedure.

Mr Swann said: My decision will ensure a more localised service for patients, and I am confident it will result in hundreds more procedures being provided in the first year alone.

This innovation is a positive example of services being relocated for the benefit of patients  and with lower costs per procedure.

Dr Joe Devlin, clinical director for the Primary Care Vasectomy Service, said: We have been providing a high quality, easily accessible, cost-effective vasectomy service in primary care for several years now.

The announcement by the minister today provides long-term security for the future of the service, allowing us to plan more effectively to deliver and develop the service.

It is a welcome vote of confidence in primary care that it can be the main provider of important services like this.

Dr Ursula Mason, a GP in Carryduff and chair of the Royal College of GPs Northern Ireland, said: We know that the suspension of this vital service last October caused a lot of worry for people across our communities.

We welcome the positive impact the reinstatement of GP vasectomy services will have for patients, who will now be able to make more equitable decisions around family planning, rather than being faced with widening socio-economic and gender-based health inequalities.

She added: This investment in GP vasectomy services is an example of transformation in action, allowing patients who would otherwise have been languishing on prohibitively long waiting lists in secondary care to be able to be treated more quickly, at an affordable cost, closer to home.

This announcement is testament to what is possible with a functioning Executive and minister who is willing to take robust decisions which will benefit patients in the long-term.

I want to thank minister Swann for investing in general practice, and hope this is the first decision of many to strengthen our services and to allow us to deliver better outcomes for our patients.
Northern Ireland Water needs to be funded correctly, the Utility Regulator chief has said.

The company that runs the regions water and wastewater services has been described as chronically underfunded.

Last month a report by the Audit Office said NI Water has struggled to secure adequate funding for infrastructure upgrades since it was established in 2007.

It recommended a comprehensive expert review of how NI Water is funded and governed.

The Assembly earlier this week debated a motion on whether NI Water should be mutualised.

Then, Infrastructure Minister John ODowd voiced his opposition to mutualisation, contending it will lead to domestic water charges which he has ruled out introducing.

He said public infrastructure has been underfunded for many years, adding the Executive is currently pressing the UK government for further funding for public services.

On Wednesday, Utility Regulator chief executive John French said the funding must be sorted before the type of management model for the company is looked at.

Giving evidence to the Assembly scrutiny committee for the Department for Infrastructure, Mr French described the situation as having gone on for a long time, noting a report in 2007 that said water services were underfunded.

As well as regulating gas and electricity prices in Northern Ireland, the Utility Regulator also plays a role as an economic regulator for water services.

Mr French said everyone, including the department, is in a difficult position when it comes to NI Water.

Nobody wants to be in this position. This has been going on for a long time, he told the committee.

If you look back at the reports back in 2007, the Water Service was underfunded then.

Essentially the capital spending is 40% less than what it needs to be to achieve the wastewater targets.

Either you dilute what is asked of NI Water or you provide them the funding.

Asked about the potential of a different management model for NI Water, Mr French said the ownership model is a political decision.

What were looking for is to make sure that Northern Ireland Water is correctly funded, he said.

You just need to take a step back and see first and foremost how Northern Ireland Water is going to be correctly funded and then look at the ownership models, and that the ownership models support that correct level of funding.
It will be at least 11 years before the York Street motorway interchange in Belfast is built, a Stormont committee has heard.

The project was first commissioned in 2007 to address a major bottleneck in Belfast where some of the busiest roads in Northern Ireland meet.

It is set to replace the existing signalised junctions at York Street with direct links between Westlink, the M2 and M3.

It is also to separate traffic via underpasses below the existing road and rail bridges and underneath a new bridge at York Street.

However, the project has been delayed by a number of objections, legal action and a public inquiry in 2015.

In the same year, the project was estimated to cost between 120m  165 million.

In 2020, then-infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon announced a short, sharp external review of the project to help future-proof the scheme.

The project was included in the 2020 New Decade New Approach deal, and securing funding for it was also part of the DUPs confidence and supply agreement with former prime minister Theresa May in 2017.

It recently emerged that some 23.7 million had been spent on the project by the end of March 2023.

An Assembly question response by Infrastructure Minister John ODowd also revealed that a further 1 million has been allocated for the 2023/24 financial year.

However, the Stormont scrutiny committee for the Department for Infrastructure heard on Wednesday that it is not likely to be built for another 11 years.

Committee chairwoman Deborah Erskine said that information came in a letter from Mr ODowd to the committee.

The York Street interchange, as we know, has been an issue for many years, and the last paragraph seems to indicate that it is stalled and would be another 11 years before completion once it is restarted, which is highly disappointing and very frustrating, to be blunt about it, she told the committee.

With traffic into Belfast, this is a huge issue. It has been on many different programmes for governments and priorities.

From a party political point of view in terms of my own party, confidence and supply money was also sought out in relation to York Street Interchange, so from my point of view it is very frustrating.

She said she intends to write to the minister to ask what the money has been spent on so far.

I would like to see where the funding has went so far in relation to the development, and get a proper break down in relation to the costs, she said.

Eleven years is crazy.

Speaking later outside the committee, Ms Erskine said: Years have been wasted on this project and the minister now needs to set out a clear plan as to how he intends to proceed.

There has rightly been a focus on other significant road projects, but the York Street interchange is of equal importance, and shouldnt be pushed to the bottom of the pile yet again.

A Department for Infrastructure spokesman said: Major road schemes are an important part of the work that is delivered by the department as we seek to reduce journey times, increase reliability and improve road safety.

Some ongoing work to investigate placemaking and active travel opportunities as part of the York Street Interchange scheme is now almost complete and will be with the minister in the coming weeks for his consideration.

When that work is completed development work on the scheme will be paused in accordance with the departments prioritised list of major road schemes which were published on August 14 2023.

Schemes to be placed on a future major works programme will be informed by the departments emerging transport plans and available budgets.
An apology delivered to victims of historical institutional abuse at Stormont at a time when no First or deputy First Minister was in place was horrendous, an MLA has said.

Sinn Feins Caral Ni Chuilin made the remark as members of the Executive Office committee were briefed on the work of the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse Fiona Ryan.

Support and compensation for victims were among the recommendations of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIAI) which revealed sexual, physical and emotional abuse at state, church and charity-run homes in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 1995.

Ms Ryan told MLAs that a concerted effort needs to be made to reach victims and survivors who are entitled to apply for redress and services.

Her appeal came as a redress scheme, set up to provide financial compensation for survivors, enters into its final year.

She said: I remain acutely aware that victims and survivors who left Northern Ireland, the abuse they experienced being a key factor.they are at increased risk of not knowing about their entitlements here in Northern Ireland.

I feel there is a strong need for targeted promotion of services, supports, redress to victims and survivors, both in Northern Ireland and outside Northern Ireland.

Ms Ryan also told MLAs that there needed to be urgency over pursuing the issue of contributions from the relevant institutions towards the cost of redress and specialist services.

She said many victims and survivors saw contributions from the institutions as a matter of accountability.

A number of MLAs raised the issue of the official apology, which was delivered by a number of Stormont ministers in March 2022.

No first minister or deputy first minister were in post at that point after the resignation of then first minister Paul Givan in February 2022 as part of the DUPs protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements.

At that time, a number of victims of abuse walked out of the Assembly chamber in protest while apologies were being delivered on behalf of the institutions that ran facilities where abuse took place.

Alliance Party MLA Connie Egan said: I am aware that many were disappointed with the apology from the institutions and also that the apology was not from the heads of government due to the political situation at the time.

Have you had any conversations with the Executive Office about an apology from the First and deputy First Minister that would be on Hansard? I am conscious the previous one wasnt.

Ms Ryan said: I think in relation to the apology we recognised it was important in terms of the states acknowledgement.

Again, it was late, again, there were victims and survivors who passed before they saw an apology.

The apology which went ahead, I think it was far from ideal.

Ms Ni Chulin said: I watched the apology and I thought it was horrendous. Being honest, I thought it was absolutely horrendous.

I cant help but feel that the religious orders are taking the same approach as the state did in terms of legacy, they are trying to wind the clock down and hope that these people just go away.

DUP MLA Brian Kingston said: I accept entirely the apology did not happen in the way it should have and that was less than it should have been, due to the circumstances at that time.

Following the restoration of the Stormont institutions, Northern Irelands deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly offered a formal apology to victims of historical institutional abuse in the Assembly in March.
Taiwanese suppliers reduce deliveries to Chinese carmakers as auto market reshuffles

China is experiencing a reshuffling of the EV market after rapidly scaling the sector. As the situation intensifies, some automotive parts companies have gradually reduced supplies to China's homegrown carmakers, shifting focus to European, US, and other customers.

According to Taiwan-based suppliers who have secured a foothold in China's EV industry, although the duration of the market reshuffling remains unknown, about 80% of the carmakers will likely be eliminated. Lowering the portion of supplies to Chinese companies becomes critical for long-term development, sources added.

Suppliers said capital is the foremost challenge for China's homegrown automakers because EVs require more investment in R&D, production, and sales. Even with government support, carmakers still need a vote of confidence from consumers to grow sales. They must also control the core technology for their vehicle design.

Zhu Yanfeng, the former general manager of China-based FAW Group, has said that homegrown brands might have to wait for 20 years before becoming a major industry player. When government subsidies are no longer available and the sales do not generate enough revenue, an automaker will have difficulties making ends meet.

Suppliers said they tend to charge Chinese automakers half of the total payment as a deposit to protect their interests. However, these customers still often delay the payment, partly explaining why suppliers are no longer eager to work with them.

Huang Jian-Zhong, general manager of Hiroca Holdings, an automotive parts supplier, previously said the portion of the company's Chinese homegrown customers has increased from a single-digit number to about 23%.

Hiroca constantly evaluates the risk of working with those customers, according to Huang. He said that besides the issue of collecting payment on time, some automakers have been forceful and demanded low-priced components. If the proportion of China's homegrown automakers continues to grow in Hiroca's customer base, it will likely pressure the company's operations and funds.

Sources said only a few Chinese carmakers have succeeded in the domestic market and received recognition overseas. In addition, BYD continues to ramp up with an extensive product portfolio. Huawei partners with automakers to expand in the car sector. Xiaomi's EV is also gaining traction, especially among its loyal supporters. Sources added that the shared goal of local auto companies and joint venture carmakers is to survive in the fierce Chinese market.

According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), Chinese homegrown passenger car brands achieved a sales volume of over 14.59 million in 2023 with a market share of 56%. The annual growth rate was 24.1%.
Researchers are helping farmers to predict and prevent problems with their crops using augmented AI technology.De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is working with partner university EAFIT in Colombia to apply risk and machine learning concepts to improve crops environmental and financial sustainability, preventing vast plant crops being lost to disease.Work is led by Professor Juan Alejandro Pena Palacio, a visiting researcher at DMUs Institute of Artificial Intelligence, in collaboration with Professor Mario Gongora, Professor in Applied Intelligent Systems at DMU.Professor Pena was one of 11 people to be awarded up to 10,000 funding from the Royal Academy of Engineerings Distinguished International Associates (DIA) programme , to build the engineering talent base around the world.He will be funded until March 2025 to work on the project and share findings through visits, workshops, conferences and public engagement activities.The DIA-supported project brings together EAFIT University in Colombia and the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at DMU with industry partners Avocado Crop Praga, UNIBAN, and UNIPALMA.Its main goals are to: create financial and sustainability metrics to assess the performance of machine and deep learning models in characterising threats to the health of three different crops (banana, avocado, oil palm) launch a spin-out to improve the management of threats to crop health in small and medium agricultural enterprises promote the development of precision agriculture from engineering supported by undergraduate programmes in agricultural engineering, computer science engineering, and a masters in risk management and in agribusiness achieve visibility of the project through the Royal Academy of Engineering to achieve the continuity of research processes in this field and the funding of the spin-out activitiesSo far, the project has been implemented with Uniban for the risk assessment in banana crops, also with small avocado farmers, as well as with the National Chocolates, in the early prediction of monilesis in cocoa crops, a type of fungus which can cause devatasting losses; and Pajonales, an organization based in Tolima, to detect weeds in rice cultivation, and coffee farmers.Professor Gongora said: Our research will help small farmers get better access to finance and insurance and make small-scale agriculture more sustainable. It will as well contribute significantly to global food security by enabling better distributed and socially resilient farming practices.By using technology such as drones to take images of the crops and machine learning algorithms to process the images and give information about diseases or plant requirements, farmers are able to intervene on a more localised level, reducing pesticide and fertiliser use.The predictive power of AI will also help to develop cheaper insurance for farmers through parametric insurance, which covers the probability of an event taking place.Professor Pena said: Parametric insurance is set to revolutionise precision agriculture in the next decade through risk management. According to a World Bank study, parametric insurance could help 50 million smallholder farmers in developing countries to protect their crops against climate risks, which could increase agricultural production by 10 per cent and reduce rural poverty by 20 per cent.
New data from the Cpl Salary Guide has found that 60% of people would turn down work if it didn't offer hybrid working.

The latest survey from the Cpl Salary Guide, which helps hiring managers and HR benchmark salaries and monitor hiring trends, found that 66% of those surveyed already avail of hybrid working.

Chief Strategy Officer at Cpl Group and Head of the Future of Work Institute Barry Winkless said,

"We see from this data that the hybrid working model is here to stay.

"Hybrid working provides a major opportunity for talent and employers to come together in a blended working model.

"These models give employees more independence , while also providing employers with a wider talent pool from which to source candidates with niche skillsets.

Nearly 40% of those surveyed said that remote and flexible working provides a increased job satisfaction and a better work-life balance.

The data also revealed that over 60% of employees are considering asking for a pay rise over the next year, something Mr Winkless said could be due to increasing cost of living pressures and the relatively full employment environment.

Speaking to RTE's Morning Ireland he said,

"I also think we are in an employee environment where very good employees in high demand roles have the ability to create their own destiny.

The data also revealed how people are thinking when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI) taking over sectors, particularly the tech industries.

Only 12% think that AI will have a negative impact on their job in the future, while a significant 40% think it will have a positive impact. 46% believe AI will have little to no impact on their respective roles.

"When you look at the three to five year horizon, that is when employees are getting a bit worried about AI", Mr Winkless said.

Sustainability was also a major factor when looking for work, the survey found, particularly with Gen Z employees.

Gen Z, those who were born between the late 90s and early 00s, have said they want to work for more 'meaningful and sustainable' companies that can make a difference.

"Gen Z workers really won't work with organisations that don't have a deeper meaning in terms of what they do", Me Winkless added, "For all the bad press that Gen Z get, they are actually driving this approach to work, that it is more than just work."

Mr Winkless said that a company needs three things to be 'meaningful' - it needs to be more humane, technological and societal, and the expectations for companies to develop these practices will grow in importance as this up-and-coming generation become a larger part of the unemployment pool.
New Irish premier Simon Harris has emphasised his commitment to Anglo-Irish relations and support for Ukrainian sovereignty, after calls to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Harris and Mr Sunak discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, the resumption of powersharing in Northern Ireland, developments since Brexit and the recent North-South Ministerial Council.

Mr Harris said that the British-Irish relationship is of huge importance and he would continue to develop it.

Mr Harris also spoke by phone to Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, saying how important he views his role as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

Wednesday marks the 26th anniversary since the historic peace deal was signed.

With this weeks re-establishment of the North South Ministerial Council, the Taoiseach and the First Minister and deputy First Minister looked forward to renewed, positive North-South engagement in the months ahead, a statement said.

Productive and engaging call with UK PM @RishiSunak this afternoon. The British-Irish relationship is of huge importance and I will continue to develop the strong links that exist between both nations. pic.twitter.com/7Qs6JL9Wed  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 10, 2024

Mr Harris also spoke by phone to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and said he is fully committed to supporting Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a post on Instagram on Wednesday, Mr Harris said that he was very eager for talks on Ukraine to begin under the Belgian presidency of the European Council.

On Thursday he flies to Brussels to meet the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, and Irelands EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness.

He will then travel to Warsaw to meet the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

Mr Harris also said on Instagram that the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, will travel to Dublin on Friday so they can discuss our joint view in relation to the need to recognise the state of Palestine, adding that he wanted to see progress made on the issue.

During the 20-minute phone call to Mr Sunak, the two leaders committed to holding a bilateral meeting in person in the future, and began with a warm discussion about their roles and families.

A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister congratulated Mr Harris on his appointment.

The Prime Minister and Taoiseach began by reflecting on the strong UK-Ireland bilateral relationship and the shared importance of stability in Northern Ireland, the spokesman said.

They agreed that the restoration of the devolved institutions underpinned and deepened the British-Irish bilateral relationship.

They discussed the strengthening of the economic ties and growth in bilateral trade between the UK and Ireland as the closest of neighbours.

Turning to the Middle East, they agreed that Hamas should unconditionally release the remaining hostages from the deplorable 7th of October attack on Israel and expressed their grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation and the need for Israel to accelerate the scale of aid delivered to Gaza.

The Prime Minister reiterated his position that a two-state solution provided the best basis for a political settlement.

On Ukraine, the leaders agreed on the vital importance of supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression to defend Ukraines sovereignty and protect European security.

The Prime Minister looked forward to working more closely with the Taoiseach on this important shared priority.

The leaders agreed to stay in contact in the coming months and the Prime Minister said he looked forward to welcoming the Taoiseach to the UK-hosted European Political Summit in July.
Michelle ONeill has warned Simon Harris that he cannot hide his head in the sand on Irish unification.

The Sinn Fein vice president and Stormont First Minister was responding to the new Taoiseachs assertion that pressing for unity was not currently a priority for him.

Ms ONeill said the debate on constitutional change was a very live one and the Irish government needed to commence preparatory work in advance of any future border poll.

Asked for her response to Mr Harriss recent remarks on unity, she told reporters in Belfast: I think that theres no escaping the fact that the debate around constitutional change is a very live one, and more and more people are entering into that conversation, which is a healthy thing.

Lets have the maturity in which to deliver good public services, do what we have to do in government, but also have the maturity to alongside that have a very pragmatic conversation about constitutional change  what that might look like and Fine Gael shouldnt put their head in the sand on that.

They need to be engaged in the conversation and I would encourage the Taoiseach now that he is in post now to bring about the work in terms of planning for constitutional change. Lets have the citizens assembly (on unity). Lets have the debate around education, health, what does the future look like for our economy across the island?

While new Fine Gael leader Mr Harris has said the reunification of Ireland should not be a priority at the present time, he has insisted he remains committed to the objective and hopes he will see it achieved in his lifetime.

Attending the launch of a new Sinn Fein paper on tackling sectarianism and segregation on Wednesday, Ms ONeill was also asked by reporters whether she had concerns over Mr Harriss perceived relative lack of ministerial experience dealing with issues related to Northern Ireland.

Mr Harris spoke to Ms ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly by phone on Wednesday afternoon and emphasised the importance he attaches to his role as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

Ms ONeill said it was really important that Mr Harris made a visit north of the border in the near future.

Weve had some experience in this over the past number of years in terms of the changes of taoiseach, she added.

But, for me, whats important here is that the taoiseach as head of the Irish government is responsible as co-guarantor for the Good Friday Agreement. So its really important that the Taoiseach is here in the north, that he is here to further the work that we discussed at the North South Ministerial Council meeting on Monday past.

So there are huge opportunities, I think, now for a refresh of the north-south relations and for that co-operation across the island. So I would be looking forward to speaking to the Taoiseach in the next short while and to inviting him to the north in terms of being able to further some of that conversation.

Addressing the Dail on Tuesday, Mr Harris pledged to honour his role as a protector of the Good Friday Agreement as he stressed that peace on the island of Ireland should never be taken for granted.

He said he looked forward to working with counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive.

In one of his last engagements as higher education minister, Mr Harris joined colleagues from the Irish cabinet and Stormont ministers at the meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh on Monday.

He referenced the gathering in his address to the Dail after being nominated as Irelands new premier.

As Taoiseach, I pledge to guard and honour my role as protector and guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, he added.

We have so much more to achieve for all communities on this island, and I look forward to working very much with the Northern Ireland Executive because Ireland must never take peace or freedom for granted.

In remarks on unity at the weekend, Mr Harris said costing should not be the overbearing factor in consideration of a united Ireland.

On Sunday, he was asked about the findings of a new study from the Dublin-based Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) that suggested unification could cost the Irish government 20 billion euros a year for 20 years, with a 25% increase in taxation potentially needed to shoulder the costs of uniting Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Instinctively, I want to see a united Ireland and cost isnt the overbearing factor, Mr Harris told RTE in response to the reports findings.

But he stressed his priority was harnessing the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement and building better cross-border relations.

Mr Harris said he would not be dismissive of the IIEA report but said its findings had prompted a lot of scrutiny.

Theres a dynamic effect to any economic change, but the point is the Good Friday Agreement provides a way forward for peoples political aspirations, he said.

The priority right now, in my view, for the people on the island of Ireland is to live in peace, live in prosperity, get to know each other better.
An award winning film which explores the musical links between the Oriel area and southwest Donegal will screen in Newry next week.

The screening of the award-winning documentary television programme, The Life and Times of Johnny Doherty at Gaelaras Mhic Ardghail next Wednesday 17th April offers an opportunity to examine and celebrate the extraordinary links between Oriel and southwest Donegal, which reach back many generations.

Since Peadar O Dubdha moved his Irish speaking college from Omeath to Rannafast in 1924, generations of families from this area have made annual pilgrimages to Rannafast and other areas of the Donegal Gaeltacht to improve their Irish, and immerse themselves in the rich traditions of music, songs and poetry.

The musical talents of the famed Donegal travelling family, the Dohertys, dates back as far as the flight of the Earls in 1607.

The Hardee's left Doe Castle on the shores of Sheep Haven and since then continued the family business of travelling tinsmiths, musicians, storytellers and men of literature.

More recently, John claims that he was descended from Turloch Mac Suibhne, An Piobaireach Mor, whose ancestral home was south west Donegal in the 18th century.

The documentary will be presented by Bronagh McAtasney on behalf of NIScreen and she is keen to encourage questions and discussions on the material.

Volunteers from OTMA will also be on hand to locate the documentary in the context of the Oriel Traditional Music Archive.

Every young traditional musician, and certainly every fiddle player should attend this very important presentation. The intergenerational dimension of learning and assimilating Irish traditional music is a key component of our tradition says Tommy Fegan, piper and co-author of the book Free Spirits - Irish Travellers and Irish Traditional Music, and he adds that without understanding the past, we cant hope to fulfil our musical ambitions for the future.

In addition to the documentary, OTMA is presenting a fascinating story on a recent surprise find of a song written over 40 years ago, and thought to have been lost. It has a political, cultural and a humorous twist.

The event is organised by the Oriel Traditional Music Archive and will take place on Wednesday 17th April, 7pm-9pm in the Gaelaras Mhic Ardghail, Newry. Everybody is welcome. Admission is free.

The Oriel Traditional Music Archive is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
A group of ten of their Computing students from Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently took part in an EU funded project, called Start-IT in Belgium.

The DkIT students joined a total of 50 students from all over Europe which included participants from Ireland, Finland, Germany, Poland and Portugal in this recent project.

The aim of the Start-IT Antwerp project was to teach students soft skills and future skills in a multidisciplinary setting.

The non-DkIT students were mainly from Computer Science and Business Studies undergraduate degree courses, however, some students from other disciplines also participated in the project.

The DkIT students were from the BSc (Honours) in Computing in Software Development and the BSc (Honours) in Mathematics and Data Science.

The students from the various undergraduate degree courses and colleges were formed into inter-college, diverse, international and multidisciplinary teams. The student teams were tasked with producing a mobile app prototype along with a suitable business and marketing plan. The teams got to choose the focus of their mobile app.

However, all mobile apps had to relate to sustainability within an eco-friendly city. The teams were also required to give three presentations during the projects ten days.

The DkIT students really enjoyed both the experience and learnings of participating in an international project of this type, feedback from the students included, "I loved working in a multicultural real-world environment. It opened my imagination to the opportunities I might have as a software developer in the future."

Another said "Participating in this project was a transformative experience, allowing me to develop confidence in public speaking, embrace open idea-sharing, and gain invaluable insights into diverse cultures. It was a journey of personal and professional growth that I'll always cherish.

Being part of the Start-IT project was a great experience where I made great friends who came from different parts of Europe. It improved my design, business as well as communication skills. It also made me more dedicated towards protecting the environment."

Another student further added "In Start IT, it's not just about projects but it's more of a personal growth journey. It pushes you beyond your comfort zone, exposing you to diverse experiences. It's about learning new skills and finding joy in connecting with others."
Ireland should have already recognised Palestine, its ambassador in Dublin has said.

Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid welcomed comments from Irish deputy premier Micheal Martin that Ireland will formally recognise Palestinian statehood, but said it should have already happened.

On Tuesday, Mr Martin said he is bringing a formal proposal to the Government after working with other countries on a joint declaration.

He said: For the past six months, Ive maintained ongoing discussions with ministerial colleagues and other countries about how a joint formal recognition of Palestinian statehood could be a catalyst to help the people of Gaza and the West Bank, and in furthering an Arab-led peace initiative.

Weve agreed that the undermining of the Oslo Accords, and therefore the agreement to create two states, has reached the point where the accords approach with recognition after a final agreement is not credible or tenable any longer.

Ive discussed this with those in the region who are working on peace initiatives and co-ordination with other countries continues intensively.

Weve discussed this between the Government parties and it is my intention to bring to Government a formal proposal on recognition when these wider international discussions are complete.

Mr Martin, who is also Irish foreign minister, added: But be in no doubt, recognition of a Palestinian state will happen.

On Wednesday, Dr Wahba Abdalmajid welcomed the comments.

I hope that this recognition by Ireland will be a reality soon, and Ireland will lead other EU states to follow suit, she said.

Ireland has always stood on the right side of history, justice, humanity international law  so I expected that Ireland will lead in the recognition of the State of Palestine.

However, asked whether Ireland should have moved to recognise Palestine a long time ago, the ambassador said: Yes.

She told RTEs Morning Ireland radio programme that the right to a Palestinian state is an entitlement that arose from the 1947 Partition Plan which also led to the creation of Israel.

The Palestinians deserve this. In 1947, when the Partition Plan gives these rights to the Israelis and the Palestinians  to the Arabs who live in Palestine, the homeland of the Palestinians

(To give recognition) is not helping the Palestinians  its something that they have the right to.

Dr Wahba Abdalmajid added: The whole world  the international community  should acknowledge and recognise the rights of the Palestinians who have their own free state of Palestine.
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona stunned punters in a Dublin pub by popping in to mingle on Tuesday night.

He made the impromptu appearance at The Celt Bar on Talbot Street ahead of his show in Dublin.

The former French and Manchester Utd striker is in Dublin as part of his 'Cantona Sings Eric' tour and performs at Liberty Hall in the city on Wednesday evening.

'Eric Cantona legend from Manchester United in The Celt!' the pub proudly shared on social media.

The mercurial French player recently said of his new musical career: "Music has always been a part of my life. Ive always had music playing. Why start today, so many years later? Simply because I had lacked the time before".

As a player, Cantona was never far from headlines, particularly when he Kung Fu kicked a fan in 1995 after being sent off against Crystal Palace, which resulted in a lengthy ban.

He famously had a cryptic quote about seagulls following trawlers for sardines at a subsequent press conference.

Eric Cantona with The Celt owner Noel Tynan

The highly decorated player won four Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United, including a memorable volleyed winner in the 1996 FA Cup final against Liverpool.

He was affectionately referred to as 'King Eric' by Manchester United fans. He signed from their bitter rivals Leeds, whom he had won a Division 1 league title with, prior to the rebranding of the league into a new format.
Colleagues in Meath have rallied to help a nurse who died after a cardiac arrest.

Vijesh, aged 33, died of a cardiac arrest on April 9.

He had moved from India to work in Ireland, at Redwood Extended Care Facility in Talbot.

Since the tragic news broke out, the community has been rallying to help Vijesh's family and bring his funeral home.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the sudden passing of our dear friend, Vijesh, a 33-year-old male from Puduppady, Kozhikode, Kerala, India," said Jose Gorge, a co-worker who organised the fundraiser.

"Vijesh, a newly arrived young nurse at Redwood Extended Care Facility, embarked on a journey to Ireland just three months ago, filled with dreams of a brighter future and a deep desire to support his beloved family. His unwavering dedication to his nursing career was matched only by his kind, polite demeanor, leaving a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him."

On April 9, Vijesh was "taken far too soon" due to a cardiac arrest, with no prior medical history and in "seemingly good health". His passing has left his friends and family "shattered" with grief.

"Vijesh leaves behind his loving wife in India, who now faces the daunting task of laying her beloved husband to rest. As the sole breadwinner of his family, the financial burden of arranging his final journey home and the funeral expenses weighs heavily on his friends, who, as newly arrived immigrants, struggle to meet these unforeseen costs," said Jose.

"In this time of immense sorrow and need, we humbly appeal to your generosity and compassion. Your support and donations will not only ensure that Vijesh is laid to rest with the dignity and respect he deserves but will also provide much-needed assistance to his grieving family during this difficult time of transition.

"Let us come together as a community to honor Vijesh's memory and extend a helping hand to those he held dear. Your contributions, no matter the size, will make a world of difference in alleviating the financial strain on his loved ones."
Eileen Magnier, who has been RTE News' North West Correspondent since 1990, has announced that she is to take early retirement.

Ms Magnier joined RTE in 1985 before becoming a regional correspondent in the north west in 1990.

She was the broadcaster's first female correspondent and in that time has reported on almost every big story from County Donegal that has been covered by RTE.

"The job of a regional correspondent is a unique and very important one and I am very proud to have been part of the RTE News team around the country, Ms Magnier said.

"It can be a tough job, emotionally draining, physically exhausting but also hugely satisfying and as a team, I know we all do our best to represent the people of the areas we cover in the true spirit of public service broadcasting."

Ms Magnier, originally from County Kilkenny, has won two John Healy Awards, a Community Games Association Award, an AT Cross Woman Journalist of the Year Award and two Justice Media Awards.

She will finish up in her role next month.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced an allocation of approximately 50 million to Irish prisons amid calls for her resignation.

In a post published on X (formerly Twitter) this afternoon (April 10), Minister McEntee confirmed additional funding of 49.5 million for the Irish Prison Service to address current capacity issues.

The funding will also go towards ensuring the service is "fit for purpose for a growing population in the years to come".

It comes as the new Taoiseach, Simon Harris, yesterday (April 9) confirmed the minister will remain in her role as head of the Department of Justice.

As the Taoiseach announced the news, several background interruptions could be heard from other TDs in the Dail.

Minister McEntee has faced a number of calls to resign since the Dublin riots in November 2023, during which vandals and protesters caused extensive damage around the capital city.

She has also faced criticism for drafting the Hate Speech Bill, which many have condemned as totalitarian and restrictive, as well as her insistence that Dublin City is safe despite a number of recent serious assaults.

Sinn Fein tabled a failed motion of no confidence in the minister following the Dublin riots, with Aontu launching a petition calling for her resignation.

The Aontu petition reads: "...The Minister for Justice has been distracted by the Culture Wars for a long period of time forgetting about the bread and butter issues that have been plaguing our communities. The Minister for Justice has sought to jail people for speech and peaceful protest. She has allowed Garda numbers and morale to collapse. Yet she has refused to do job she's paid to do, keep people safe. She should resign."

The minister also drew criticism after congratulating Simon Harris on his appointment as Taoiseach after referring to him as her "good friend".

Her X post reads: "Massive congratulations to my good friend Simon Harris on becoming Taoiseach today. I look forward to working closely with him in the years ahead."

X users flooded to the comments to express their ire, with one user writing, "For years ahead? I wouldn't be so optimistic. Clearly both of you have not read the crowd."

Another X user commented, "Good friend That explains why you kept your job. Little does Harris know that ironically, leaving you in your job will probably cost him his job in the not too distant future."

Another comment reads: "Would prefer to read he was a good professional rather than a good friend. But maybe that's just me."

Another X user commented, "He's basically thrown away the slim chance of being re-elected by keeping you as Minister for Justice. A role you are not capable or qualified for. Your biggest problem though is being completely out of touch with the mood of the electorate."

Dozens of other commenters called for her resignation.

As part of Minister McEntee's latest additional allocation to the Irish Prison Service, preparatory work will begin this year on four key projects in Cloverhill, Castlerea, Midlands and Mountjoy prisons as part of an accelerated capital construction programme.

Construction is expected to start on a phased basis in 2025  2027 and, when completed, space for up to 670 prisoners will reportedly be available.
Social media users have weighed in on their thoughts of new Taoiseach Simon Harris updating his X bio (formerly Twitter) to reflect his new leadership role.

X users have reacted to Mr Harris changing his profile to state his new role in government. He was formally elected in the Dail and legally sworn in as Taoiseach by President Higgins this Tuesday afternoon.

He wasted no time in updating his X bio, which now reads: "Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland) Leader of Fine Gael and Wicklow TD".

He clearly says Taoiseach first and then in brackets, Prime Minister, in order to explain his job title to non-Irish. Crazy that people are taking offense over this pic.twitter.com/JYIkpqG7io  Eoin Kelleher (@eoinyk) April 10, 2024

People have had mixed views of this change, with many criticising the translation of Taoiseach.

One person wrote: "He actually put Prime Minister on his profile.. Respect the real name. If they want to find out they can look it up."

Another social media user said: "And leaved TD untranslated. Neither term should be translated, but if you're going to do it, be consistent!" while another chimed in by saying, "No way. This is a joke, right?".

However, others flocked to the comments section to defend the 37-year-old tech-savvy Taoiseach's decision, with one X user saying: "What a ridiculous post. The term Prime Minster is used multiple times in the constitution. Leave the faux anger at the door."

Others were in agreement of this sentiment, saying: "He clearly says Taoiseach first and then in brackets, Prime Minister, in order to explain his job title to non-Irish. Crazy that people are taking offense over this", while someone else wrote, "Maybe its just to allow people outside Ireland to understand his position".

Simon Harris is the youngest ever Taoiseach in the history of the State. He succeeded Leo Varadkar, who announced his shock resignation on March 20 and formally resigned in the Dail this Monday, April 8.
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
I have browsed this app and I think it is promising. If anyone of you remembers I have a daughter with autism and she is non-verbal.

This tech platform, utilizing a video modeling method, aims to complement the efforts of speech therapists and medical professionals in accelerating the speech development of individuals within the Autism spectrum

In conjunction with World Autism Awareness Day, Mylo Speech Buddy officially launched a pioneering Speech Development System designed to assist individuals with speech delays and diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Aiming to aid nonverbal children in developing from zero words to their first word, the app employs a video modeling method and provides clear enunciation guidance for parents, fostering speech development from the comfort of their homes.

To ensure its efficiency in further aiding ASD and speech delay, the app closely collaborated with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and medical professionals who prioritize the unique needs of individuals within the autism spectrum. Its team is composed of parents who have personal experience raising children with ASD, coupled with extensive expertise in content development for preschool and special education.

Vincent Rocha, President and CEO of Mylo Speech Buddy, emphasized the apps pivotal role within the autism community, Mylo Speech Buddy is a powerful platform that enables parents to actively support their childs speech development right at home. It enhances and works alongside the valuable contributions of speech therapists and medical professionals, adding to a holistic approach to speech development rather than substituting professional care.

Rocha also recalled his personal struggles and the apps efforts to improve for the autism community. As a parent of a child with autism, I draw inspiration from the challenges my son, Noah, faced when diagnosed at the age of two, he explained. Our mission is to bolster individuals with autism in developing verbal abilities and to foster genuine support within the autism community.

ASD, commonly known as autism, is a global condition affecting approximately 1% or 75 million individuals worldwide. In the Philippines, around 1.2 million cases of ASD are reported and approximately one in 100 children is diagnosed with autism. This underscores the scarcity of accessible and affordable occupational and speech therapy services for Filipino parents with children diagnosed with ASD. With this, Mylo Speech Buddy wants to emphasize that early intervention is crucial for enhancing learning, communication, social skills, and fostering positive changes in underlying brain development.

The tech platform will release a series of Ausome Stories videos on social media starting on World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, 2024. These videos will feature 10 real-life families with members on the autism spectrum, showing glimpse into their daily lives, challenges, journeys, instances of happiness, along with the stereotypes and societal judgments they encounter.

Rocha also highlighted the importance of storytelling in fostering understanding and empathy, Ausome Stories allows us to share the diverse experiences of individuals with autism, celebrating their strengths and achievements.

Co-founder Enrico Aquino also stressed the significance of supporting autism communities, stating, The launch of Mylo Speech Buddy represents a significant milestone in raising awareness, understanding, and supporting individuals with autism, particularly as the world observes World Autism Awareness Day.

By leveraging the power of technology and compassion, Mylo Speech Buddy aims to pave the way for a brighter future, serving as a collaborative partner in therapy and support.



ABOUT MYLO SPEECH BUDDY

Established in July 2023 by Vincent Rocha, Enrico Aquino, and filmmaker Mark Meily, Mylo Speech Buddy is a rapidly growing Filipino startup company. It offers an innovative speech development app tailored to assist children with speech delays, especially those on the autism spectrum. The app is readily available for download on both the App Store and Google Play Store platforms.

The company was established to address a personal challenge encountered by its founders, stemming from the scarcity of therapists. This challenge is not unique to local families but is also experienced internationally by those within the Ausome community.

Mylo collaborates closely with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and medical professionals who prioritize the unique needs of children within the autism spectrum.

Mylo was also a notable finalist on the 9th season of CNN Philippines The Final Pitch, a contender in the Department of Trade and Industry backed-SLINGSHOT x Venture Pilipinas Pitch Competition, and 1st runner up at the PLDT and Smart Startup Innovation Challenge.

Website: mylo.ph

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mylospeechbuddy

Instagram: www.instagram.com/mylospeechbuddy
TELL us about yourself;

I guess Im a blow-in to Cork. Although my mum was born in Dublin, I was born and brought up in Cardiff in Wales and then England.

I have been a soldier, a lawyer and then a humanitarian with the UN in Libya and Palestine. I eventually trained in bomb disposal and became the Country Director for the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Palestine. I was the UNs only Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operator in Gaza during the May, 2021, bombings by Israel and so my heart is breaking for Gaza right now.

Afterwards, I suffered from a burn-out and had to take time away from work. Having suffered from depression and PTSD since my time in the military, it was a wake up call and I made a decision to take more control over my mental health and wellbeing.

I left the UN in 2022 to rebalance my work and personal life and moved to Cork with my Tunisian husband and our one-eyed cat, who we adopted from the streets.

I am now a leadership consultant and speaker on female empowerment, allyship and mental wellbeing, and co-host a podcast called More Than A Lumpy Jumper where we talk about the human, practical side of leadership.

Where do you live?

Shandon. Im a Norrie now.

Family?

Mum and sister and her family live in UK. My husband Mohamed and our cat Zahara live with me in Cork.

Best friend?

My sister, Fran, we fought like tigers in our twenties but now we arrange sister dates because we miss spending time with each other

Person you most admire?

Matthias Schmale, the former Gaza UNRWA Director, now the Senior Advisor to the UN Development Co-ordination Regional Office Africa. A calm, caring, thoughtful leader full of integrity.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

I walked the Canol Heritage Trail in Canada when I was turning 21. A group of about 20 of us from uni walked the 350km from Norman Wells in the NorthWest Territories to the Yukon Border over four weeks. We lived off military dehydrated rations, survived a hair- raising crossing of the Twitya River, close encounters with with bears, and plagues of mosquitoes, showered in waterfalls coming off the permafrost, helped hunters carry moose to their camp and had a beautiful night watching the northern lights sitting around a campfire - speechless (for once).

I celebrated my 21st birthday with a tinned fruit cake with one of our emergency candles stuck into it and one of our only fresh meals of caribou with potatoes and fried onions donated by a hunter we met.

It was breathtakingly beautiful and an extraordinary experience. The trail hadnt been completed on foot in decades and our planning included a body bag as the organisers genuinely didnt think we would all survive.

Favourite TV programme?

Lucifer, Good Omens, Dr Who. Im a sci-fi/fantasy nerd.

Favourite radio show?

In my 30s I had a phase where I got rid of my TV and listened mainly to BBC Radio 4. So Im hooked on old radio crime dramas like Baldi and McLevy or sitcoms like Old Harrys Game by Andy Hamilton.

Favourite restaurant?

Sultan on Penrose Wharf (they also have a place in Marina Market). Its run by Tunisian brothers Ali and Wissem who were amazingly welcoming to Mohamed and I when we arrived in Cork. I love Levantine food and its always a treat to eat brique or lamb tagine and couscous. Wissem is a flavour wizard. They make it mild for me and explodingly hot for Mohamed so he doesnt feel homesick. I cant forget to mention Izz Cafe for delicious falafel and mutabal that reminds me of my four years in Palestine.

Last book you read?

Im reading Athena Rising at the moment. Im currently doing a deep dive into allyship for a project Im doing for a Diploma in Creativity, innovation and Leadership at the Innovation Academy UCD, to apply design thinking to the problem of allyship.

It will help organisations find ways to improve inclusion and allyship programmes and better understand what holds men back from being allies and what women really need from allies. Hint: it isnt rescuing!

Best book you read?

Im a Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman fan so any of their books would be high on the list. I also love Salman Rushdies The Enchantress Of Florence/

Favourite song?

Talat Daqat, by Abu, which we played at our wedding and always makes me smile, or Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba. I challenge anyone to listen to it and not want to get up and dance. Its my go to song when Im feeling grumpy.

Do you have a pet?

Yes, Zahara, the one-eyed cat. I found her on the street in Tunisia. I ended up rescuing/fostering lots of cats while I lived in Tunis, and the ones that survived were adopted, but Zahara stayed with us, travelled with us when we went to live in Jerusalem, went back to Tunis with my husband when I went to live in Gaza, and then come to live in Cork with us.

Mohamed used to joke that it was easier for her to get a visa to travel than for him.

Your proudest moment?

When I took over as Country Director in Palestine, I promised to improve the balance of women in the programme. Security and technical focused programmes tend to be male-dominated with women sequestered into office-based admin roles. After the May, 2021, war I had funding to increase the team because of the huge number of Unexploded Ordnance (one of the dreadful legacies of the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA) that we see in Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen, etc).

I recruited a female medic and operations assistants for the EOD operators and two women to increase our driving pool, and arranged for them to be trained to drive trucks before they could drive our armoured vehicles. There were no female armoured vehicle drivers in Palestine, never mind Gaza at the time.

Despite a lot of push back from male colleagues, telling me that women didnt want these type of roles, that they wouldnt be capable or that culturally it wasnt acceptable, I was hearing a very different story from female colleagues, so I was really proud when they passed the truck driving test with flying colours and subsequently aced the test for the armoured cars and made history at the same time.

What makes you happy?

Sunsets, swimming in the sea, snowdrops in the spring, champagne, time with Mohamed (because we spent so much time apart when I was in the UN), frozen cherries and a golden knife and fork that I bought years ago that I take everywhere with me (thats a whole other story).

What else are you up to at the moment?

I set up a consultancy called Be the Bridge Today to work with organisations to help them find ways to create space to increase representation of women in senior leadership roles, to increase connection, inclusion and a sense of belonging so everyone can thrive at work rather than survive.

I facilitate workshops, deliver training and am a keynote speaker on topics including female empowerment, mental health in leadership, allyship and inclusion. I also co-host a podcast called More Than A Lumpy Jumper.

In my spare time, I am loving exploring beautiful Cork county, encouraging Mohamed to pick up a Cork accent as he continues to learn English.
Organisations making a difference to peoples health and wellbeing in Cork have been shortlisted under the Social Inclusion, Advocacy and Integration category of the awards.

Those shortlisted include Ballyphehane/Togher CDP, Gay Project and Open Door Restaurant.

Ballyphehane/Togher CDP

Core funded by Cork Kerry Community Healthcare and working in partnership with many other public services including Cork City Council, Tusla, and the Department of Social Protection, the CDP, as described by project co-ordinator Siobhan ODowd, is a small project, with a big heart, a warm embrace for all who engage with it and a wide reach.

An Cliabhan Community Childcare in Ballyphehane/Togher CDP supports 30 children each week in their early learning and development. At the same time, their parents and guardians can avail of family support, community education, additional employment opportunities or sometimes just some much-needed me-time.

Over 250 adults are supported to engage in community and access education including arts and crafts, computer skills, and health and wellbeing programmes through Ballyphehane/Togher CDPs partnerships with Cork ETB, HSE South, Read Write Now, Ballyphehane Day Care, Ballyphehane Community Centre, Turners Cross Community Centre and Tory Top Library.

Supports for older adults include Ballyphehane/Togher CDPs Healthy Heart Walking Group, peer group activities programmes and secure grant aid funding, as well as network outings and seasonal gatherings.

Older adults who are less mobile can join the virtual community chat cafe or 'Singing for the Brain' and be supported with a digital bank of technology from the CDP and some tutoring on how to get the best out of smart technology.

Access to the Senior Alarm Scheme also helps keep older people living independently for longer in their own homes and close to the community that sustains them.

Community development is at the heart of the CDP which supports people to create their own responses to issues that affect them.

Speaking to The Echo, chairperson, Cathy Kelly, said: Despite deep roots anchoring us in this community, among the cherry blossoms, the project has always been a warm and welcoming hub that has an open door for everyone and a generous definition of community, creating space for everyone who wants to belong whether youve lived here all your life or are newly arrived. And you can always depend on being offered a cuppa.

Project co-ordinator, Siobhan ODowd, said: "Its a huge honour and joy to be nominated for the Lord Mayors Social Inclusion, Advocacy and Integration Award especially in this our 30th anniversary as it recognises the work of the whole project, with volunteers and staff team who combine to offer the broadest range of supports to those who experience the most challenges.

As well as the regular programmes available at the CDP, members of the project team also contribute to city-wide initiatives such as Cork Healthy Cities, Age Friendly City, Shine a Light Suicide and Mental Health Awareness, Cor na Laoi Community Choir for Health, Cork Kerry Health and Well Being Community Referral, CESCA  Cork Equality Network and Cork LGBTI+ Inter-Agency Group because we know that collectively we can contribute much more to achieving social inclusion.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Gay Project

Gay Project Manager Konrad Im with the GOLD Cafe for older men group on a recent trip to the West Cork Model Railway Village. Photo: Gay Project.

Gay Project is one of the oldest and proudest LGBT+ organisations in Ireland, celebrating its 40th anniversary this month.

The work of Gay Project is to provide information and support to gay men, bisexual men, men who have sex with men (MSM), trans and queer men and their families; to promote mental, sexual, physical and emotional health; to support, enable and enhance the development of the LGBT+ community; to raise awareness in the wider society of the issues that disproportionately affect the LGBT+ community; to inform and contribute to relevant policy-making and advance LGBT+ civil rights; and to raise awareness amongst others in the wider Irish society of the issues that disproportionately affect gay men, bisexual men, men who have sex with men (MSM), queer and trans men.

The Gay Project runs numerous events and programmes, including GOLD Cafe which is an opportunity for older gay men to meet, socialise and chat with other men of a similar age; Rainbow Diverse Abilities which is an 18+ social safe space for members of the LGBT+QIA+ community with disabilities and/or neurodiversity; and Drag School with Mia Gold supported by the ETB which is a programme that aims to enhance Corks continued history and contribution to the art of drag in Ireland.

Gay Project also provides education and training and are available to provide talks in schools and workplaces on LGBT+ issues.

Speaking to The Echo, Gay Project manager, Konrad Im, said: "As someone who started out in Gay Project as a volunteer in 2015 and was inspired by my predecessors such as Dave Roche to formally enter into studying community development, the staff and volunteers in Gay Project have been like family to me.

I think awards like this are a fantastic way to show recognition to the many volunteers working with us weekly that keep the Gay Project open enabling us to provide support to those that need them most."

Chair of the Board of Directors of Gay Project John Buttimer said: Being nominated for a Lord Mayors Community and Voluntary Award is really important for us in Gay Project as it is a reflection and recognition of the important work, we do on the ground across Cork city and county and of the active role we play in our communities.

Ireland was a different country when Gay Project was founded in 1984. In 1984, homosexuality was criminalised and people who were identified as LGBT+ were actively discriminated against in relation to housing, employment, entitlements, access to health and recognition of relationships.

"The work of Gay Project has been to work with and advocate for members of our community who are LGBT+ so that they are enabled to participate fully in Irelands social, economic, cultural, political and artistic life.

Open Door Restaurant

The Irish Prison Service, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism & Hospitality at Munster Technological University (MTU) and Irish Association for Social Inclusion Opportunities (IASIO), recently hosted the third installment of The Open Door Restaurant initiative at Cork Prison.

A multi-award-winning prisoner-run pop-up restaurant operated by inmates who have completed Cork Prisons practical culinary skills programme has been shortlisted for this years awards in recognition of the diverse work and training opportunities available to prisoners in custody seeking meaningful engagement.

The Irish Prison Service, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism & Hospitality at Munster Technological University (MTU) and Irish Association for Social Inclusion Opportunities (IASIO), recently hosted the third installment of The Open Door Restaurant initiative at Cork Prison.

Governor of Cork Prison Liam Spacey said he is immensely proud to have been nominated for this award for The Open Door Restaurant at Cork Prison.

For many of those in prison, they have not had opportunities for education and training or through circumstance have not always been able to recognise or avail of opportunities, he said.

Everyone who takes part in a course in prison has made a conscious decision to make positive changes in their lives.

Those who have completed The Open Door Restaurant course have industry-recognised skills which will greatly enhance their chances of finding employment in an industry that has employment opportunities.

Gainful employment is not just a job to those leaving prison. Gainful employment gives them a foothold back in their community and allows them to make a positive contribution to that community after prison.

They can be a positive influence and role model to their children and the young people in their lives which is what real rehabilitation is all about.

Head of the Department of Tourism & Hospitality at MTU, Dr Noel Murray, said the initiative speaks to the value of education and the transformative impact it can have on peoples lives and described the programme as a powerful mechanism to provide employment opportunities for participants, as well as creating a sense of optimism for those in custody, as well as their families.

We are exceptionally proud in MTU to be involved in this initiative and are humbled to be nominated for this specific award, as it speaks to many of the values we aim to instill in our graduates."

Programme coordinator of The Open Door Restaurant, Colm Carey of IASIO highlighted how the practical skills and training delivered through the collaboration support participants with unlocking potential while in custody.

As a stakeholder, we are honoured and very proud to be shortlisted in this specific category as the words social inclusion, advocacy and integration very-much align with the ethos and objectives of IASIO as an organisation and the clients we represent in custody and the community.
JUST hours after being appointed yesterday, Taoiseach Simon Harris made significant changes to a selection of Cabinet positions held by his party, with further changes to junior minister of state roles to be announced today.

There is speculation that Cork North Central Fine Gael TD Colm Burke could be in line for a position.

The appointment of Simon Harris as Taoiseach was confirmed during a ceremony with President Michael D Higgins yesterday after the Dail backed his nomination to the position by 88 votes to 69.

Fianna Fail leader and Tanaiste Micheal Martin spoke in support of Mr Harriss nomination, as did Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.

Its a special day for you and I look forward to a constructive and effective co-operation in the time ahead, Mr Martin told Mr Harris.

Simon Harris, Taoiseach with his wife Caoimhe and children Cillian and Saoirse in the Dail Chamber, Leinster House. PIC: MAXWELLS

Government TDs rose to applaud as the outcome of the vote was announced.

However, there was a mixed reaction to the news with Sinn Fein Cork South Central TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire saying: A third Taoiseach in four years is not what this country needs.

The father of two has become Irelands 15th Taoiseach after the surprise resignation of Leo Varadkar as Fine Gael leader three weeks ago.

The Wicklow TDs wife Caoimhe, and young children Saoirse and Cillian, were in the public gallery of the Dail for proceedings, as were his parents Mary and Bart, brother Adam, sister Gemma, and grandmother Ann.

Mr Harris has assumed the lead of the Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, and Green Party coalition Government with less than a year before a general election must be called.

Addressing the Dail before the ceremony with the President at Aras an Uachtarain, Mr Harris said he was committed to doing everything he could to honour the trust placed in him.

He said he hoped to lead a partnership Government in a spirit of unity, collaboration and mutual respect.

He paid warm tribute to Mr Varadkar for his incredible service, highlighting his handling of the covid-19 pandemic and the fallout from Brexit.

Mr Harris spoke of his love for his family, describing his wife as his rock and promising his children that being your dad will remain my most important job.

He accepted his new role in a spirit of humility, ready for the challenge, and full of energy and determination about what can be achieved.

As Taoiseach I want to bring new ideas, a new energy, and I hope a new empathy to public life, he added.

But politics is not about the office holder.

This is not about me  its about all of us, all of us working together to serve the people.

Call for general election

During proceedings in the Dail, opposition TDs repeatedly called for an immediate general election, as they criticised the nomination of a new taoiseach without first going to the electorate.

Social Democrats leader and Cork South West TD Holly Cairns said that, on a personal note, she wished Simon Harris well, but added that a new Government was also needed.

We are facing serious challenges as a country, and in order to address them we need new ideas  for that, we need a new government, she said.

Newly elected Taoiseach Simon Harris leaves the Dail. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Ms Cairns said radical change is needed to tackle crises in housing, healthcare, disability services, childcare, and climate action.

The change that we need cannot be delivered by a Taoiseach from the same party, with the same programme for government, and the same policies, she added.

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry referenced the theme music chosen by Simon Harris for his leaders speech at the Fine Gael ard fheis at the weekend  BachmanTurner Overdrives 1974 song You Aint Seen Nothing Yet.

Its a great song, but I can think of one or two other tunes from that decade that might be more appropriate, Mr Barry said.

For example, I can think of The Whos Wont Get Fooled Again from 1971  it might sum up of the mood of the electorate a little better, and it does have the closing lyric: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

'A third taoiseach in four years is not what county needs'

Speaking to The Echo on the appointment of Mr Harris, Sinn Fein Cork South Central TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire said that a third taoiseach in four years is not what this country needs.

Its clear that theres a need for a change in policy, particularly in housing and health, but also in the cost of living,

Mr O Laoghaire added: Simon Harris is not a new face at the Cabinet table, this is not the change that we needed.

I wouldnt be optimistic that he is going to make a significant difference, he said.

Echoing this sentiment, Independent Ireland Cork South West TD Michael Collins said that he could not support Mr Harris because he does not see any change of direction in this Government and the people of Ireland have had it.

Support in Cork

However, many showed their support for Mr Harris, bidding him well wishes.

Its a huge challenge and an enormous role, said Fianna Fail Cork North West TD Michael Moynihan.

Every day that youre in Government it is important to utilise that to do some good and to bring changes to build on the successes of different steers in the past.

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said: I think hes got the drive we need.

He has a lot of experience behind him and he has the full support of the party.

Questioned on the calls for a general election, Mr Burke said there was a number of Independents that clearly supported him.

The fact that theyve given their support is an indication that theyre satisfied the Government is doing its best in regard to delivering for the general public, he said.

Cabinet changes

Hours after being appointed yesterday, Mr Harris made significant changes to a selection of Cabinet positions held by his party.

President of Republic of Ireland Michael D Higgins and newly elected Taoiseach Simon Harris with the new Government Cabinet at Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin, where the President presented new ministers with their Seal of Office. Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire

Peter Burke was appointed as minister for enterprise, the position vacated by Simon Coveney.

Mr Harris gave his former role of minister for further education to Patrick ODonovan, in a promotion for the Limerick TD who held the position of minister of state for the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Hildegarde Naughton will take on the role as minister of state for special education and leave her current position as junior minister at the Department of Health.

She has also retained her position as Government chief whip.

Mr Burkes promotion left his junior non-Cabinet role of minister of state for European affairs vacant, however Mr Harris announced that it would be filled by Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill  who had been a minister of state with responsibility for financial services.

Further changes to junior minister of state roles will be announced today, with speculation focused on potential roles for Fine Gael TDs Alan Dillon, Neale Richmond, Emer Higgins, and Colm Burke.

Tributes to Coveney

Meanwhile, in his final speech before Mr Harris was appointed Taoiseach, the former Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it had been a privilege to serve as a public representative for 20 years.

It has been the most fulfilling and rewarding time of my life, he said.

But today is the beginning of a new era for my party, a new chapter in my life, and a new phase for this coalition Government.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris TD (left) in the Dail Chamber, Leinster House, Dublin ahead of being nominated as Taoiseach. Photo: Maxwell Photography/PA Wire

In particular, he thanked Simon Coveney, who was his deputy party leader and who left his role as minister for enterprise yesterday.

The Tanaiste, Micheal Martin, also paid tribute to Mr Coveney.

I would like to acknowledge the decision of Deputy Simon Coveney to leave Government after 13 years of service, he said.

As a constituency colleague of mine representing another party, both Deputy Coveney and I have invested great effort in battling each other over the years.

I believe it has always been a fair rivalry, one which has also included a lot of co-operation on issues of importance to the people of Cork who we have had the great privilege of representing in Dail Eireann.

Mr Martin said that Mr Coveney had held ministerial responsibility with honour and distinction.

He added: Today I cannot but remember the late Hugh Coveney with whom I worked well and also a constituency colleague.

I have no doubt that he is looking down with great pride at the service and achievements of his son, Simon.
STAFF and parents of students attending Colaiste an Chroi Naofa, Carrignavar are campaigning for a second school bus, saying it is oversubscribed every year.

Sinn Fein Local Election candidate Mandy O'Leary Hegarty has called on Education Minister, Norma Foley to engage with communities in Upper Glanmire and White's Cross in response to their campaign for a second school bus for the area.

She explained, The Bus Eireann School Transport Scheme operates a bus service from Upper Glanmire and White's Cross to. Every year this service is oversubscribed.

As parents, we apply each year without knowing if our children will have a bus seat for the forthcoming school year.

The concessionary ticketing allocation means we face a lottery, that's not right. This should be about children getting to school, not winning a prize.

She continued, In September 2023, the school bus was oversubscribed yet again. This meant a number of children lost their seats or new pupils starting secondary school didn't get a place on the bus.

Following a recent successful community meeting, families have come together to campaign for our children and for pupils starting in September 2024.

Our aim is clear - no child should be left behind without a school bus seat, she said, adding, It is important for children in the growing communities of Upper Glanmire and White's Cross to be able to get a bus to school.

The communitys petition has asked the public to support their community and children in asking Minister Norma Foley to engage with us and see for herself our growing community needs a second bus on this route.

We are asking Minister Foley to take a common sense approach sooner rather than later before more pupils lose out, they added.

You can sign their petition, which has nearly 450 votes so far, HERE.
CORK City Council has called for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision Song Contest

Solidarity-People Before Profit councillor Brian McCarthy raised the issue of Israels participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest at Mondays Cork City Council meeting.

In light of the fact that the Israeli state uses any opportunity, Mr McCarthy explained, including cultural events to generate good PR on the international stage, this motion asks that this council adds its voice to the numerous organisations that are calling on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest.

He highlighted that in 2022, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EBU excluded Russia from participating, so should follow the same protocol and exclude Israel in light of the rising death toll in Gaza.

Green Party councillor Oliver Moran suggested an amendment to the motion in which the EBU would be asked to exclude Israel but Cork City Council could support Bambie Thug, Irelands Eurovision hopeful from Cork, rather than asking them and other participants not to compete.

Mr Moran pointed to a joint statement made earlier this month by Bambie Thug and other acts, which said they stand in solidarity with the oppressed but believe in the unifying power of music, and, feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.

Sinn Fein councillor Mick Nugent said that this contradicted Mr McCarthys proposal, and the amendment was voted down.

Despite objections by Fianna Fail councillor Terry Shannon that politics should not be brought into sport and music, asking where does it end?, the original proposal was then passed, with 12 in favour, nine against, and one abstention.
CORK City Council will this evening honour some of the city's finest volunteers and community groups at the annual Lord Mayors Civic, Culture and Community & Voluntary Awards gala event.

The event, held in the Concert Hall at City Hall will be live streamed from 7.30pm on Cork City Councils website and on channel 803 for Virgin Media customers.

Each year, six people across Cork receive a Lord Mayors Civic award in recognition of their efforts to improve their community, as well as an additional winner of the annual Lord Mayors Culture Award.

A further six groups will receive a Lord Mayors Community & Voluntary Award in recognition of services they provide in the community across a number of community and voluntary initiatives.

This years gala ceremony marks the 21st anniversary celebration of the awards, for which The Echo and now Echolive.ie have been media partners from the beginning.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy will present a specially commissioned commemorative medal to each awardee, including Jean Downey, in recognition of her work with Bishopstown Tidy Towns; Garry McCarthy, director of GMCBeats, in recognition of his community work and long-term commitment to empowering young people through music; and Dr Naomi Masheti, in recognition of her commitment to the Cork Migrant Centre.

Fahmeda Naheed will also be recognised for her service and dedication to the Irish-Pakistani community in Cork, alongside Donnacha OCallaghan, in recognition of his outstanding commitment and contribution to rugby in Munster and his work with UNICEF Ireland; and single piper, Norman O Rourke will be awarded in recognition of his contribution to music and cultural heritage in Cork city.

Playwright, director and writer, Marion Wyatt is due to receive the 2024 Culture Award.

Awards will also be presented to community and voluntary groups across the following categories of: Arts Culture Recreation and Heritage; Climate Action and Sustainable Development; Community Development and Continuing Education; Recreation, Sport, Health and Wellbeing; Social Inclusion Advocacy and Integration; and Social Services, Charity and Environment.

An overall award will also be given, and will be announced at the gala ceremony.
REGIONAL and local roads in Co Cork have lost out on funding of 273m since 2008, Cork County Councils director of roads, Niall Healy, told councillors at a meeting of the local authority this week.

The 273m was the accumulated total of what would have been allocated to Cork County Council had the level of funding of 2008 been maintained until this year, according to an analysis by Cork County Council officials.

Some 69.99m was allocated in 2008, and it had fallen to 43.88m the following year, and to 29.65m by 2016.

Since then, it has increased to 70.19m, including 13m for damage caused by Storm Babet.

It will cost 55m to repair damage caused by the storm, particularly in East Cork, and Mr Healy said that a programme of work costing 26m had been scheduled for 2024, but that only 13m had been allocated by the Department of Transport.

Mr Healy described Storm Babet as a major milestone in the impact of climate change on local authorities.

Its going to take us quite some time to find a way through bringing the road network back up to an acceptable standard in the areas where damage occurred, Mr Healy said.

A further 16m worth of damage had been caused to national roads in Cork.

The programme of work for 2024 had been divided into four tranches, after a survey of the entire county.

Tranche one is valued at 6m and that is actually under way; tranche two is valued at 8m and we expect that to be developed over the next couple of months, and that totals 14m; we have funding to make that happen, Mr Healy said.

Tranche one and tranche two are funded. Tranche three and tranche four amount to another 12m. Thats where were looking for funding support from the department.

As of now, that funding isnt in place, but we do have the work programme in place, we do have designs lined up, we do have contractors lined up, so were hoping that we will have a funding commitment of 26m from Government and were confident that we will have delivered that extent of work on the ground as well, he said.

More than 11m of works had been procured so far this year and 6m worth had been completed, he said, and the works were ongoing across the councils eight municipal districts.

East Cork Fine Gael councillor, Michael Hegarty, described as disappointing that only 13m of the 55m sought for the repair of regional and local roads had been allocated.

Mr Healy also referred to specific roads, such as the Mallow Relief Road, which, to the disappointment of north Cork councillors, had been allocated just 300,000 this year, which, according to Mr Healy, was not enough to bring it to planning stage.
PLANNING permission for a new 60-bed community nursing unit at St Raphaels in Youghal has been submitted by the HSE to Cork County Council.

The news comes as the HSE selected the Axis Group to develop a new primary care centre for Youghal, via a developer-led model.

Fianna Fail TD for Cork East James OConnor has welcomed the progression of the two new healthcare facilities.

Mr OConnor said he has been advocating for the St Raphaels project over the past four years, raising the issue in meetings of the Dails Public Accounts Committee with HSE senior management and separately with the Tanaiste and minister for health.

The HSE capital development at St Raphaels will provide a major update to ageing HSE facilities in Youghal, he said.

St Raphaels, for generations, has been a major centre of care for persons with significant intellectual disabilities, and this investment will broaden it into a wider community healthcare complex.

The development also includes a masterplan for the site where a new ambulance base is being considered, and a daycare service for the elderly.

The site will have a new 60-bed residential care centre, comprising of a one-storey courtyard building with two 25 ensuite bedroom residential households, and a dementia unit with 10 ensuite bedrooms. A reception area, activity rooms, dining areas, offices and administration areas, a production kitchen, and plant areas are also included in the plan.

Mr OConnor said the primary care centre for Youghal is to be located on top of Cork Hill adjacent to Youghal Business Park and include a GP surgery and essential HSE facilities.

Planning permission submitted by John Boland Developers describes the site as a three-storey primary care centre including a general practitioners surgery and HSE facilities comprising of waiting areas, consulting, and meeting rooms, offices, and ancillary accommodation on an existing greenfield site. The proposed development will also consist of a single-storey ancillary store building, and site development works including new pedestrian entrances off Chickleys and Springfield Road, a new vehicle site entrance within Youghal Business Park, car parking, and a bicycle shelter.

A decision expected from county planners by April 22.

Mr OConnor said that the HSE intends to break ground on both the primary care centre and the community nursing unit at St Raphaels in late 2024, with both projects to move immediately to construction after the planning permission is granted.

The projects mark a turning point for Youghal after a very challenging time for the town, he said.
Convicted killer Graham Dwyer may have to wait until the summer to hear the outcome of his last ditch appeal to overturn his conviction for the murder of Elaine OHara.

The judgment by the seven-judge Supreme Court is to be delivered later after it has given a ruling in two appeals raising similar issues about the admissibility of phone data at trials.

Dwyer has embarked on a protracted bid to overturn his 2015 conviction for the murder of childcare worker Elaine OHara. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in March 2023.

In January, the seven-judge Supreme Court heard legal submissions on the latest bid by Dwyer, who has already served nine years of a life sentence for the murder of the 36-year-old woman.

On Wednesday, Chief Justice Donal ODonnell said he anticipates a decision in Dwyers latest Supreme Court bid will follow at some point after judgment is given in appeals by Caolan Smyth (31) and Gary McAreavey (56).

Smyth, formerly of Cuillean Court, Donore, Co Meath, is appealing against his conviction for the attempted murder of James Mago Gately and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

McAreavey, formerly of Gort Nua, Castelbellingham, Co Louth, is seeking to overturn his conviction for the offence of assisting an offender. Both deny the charges.

A ruling in those is very close to being circulated amongst the judges of the top court and he hopes it is very close to being agreed, he said.

The Chief Justice said he anticipates this decision will be given before the Supreme Court holds its next list for updating judgment progress.

He said he hopes a decision in the Dwyer case will be given within a reasonable time after the next update list, which, it is understood, will likely be held in June.

Dwyer is serving a life sentence after he was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of Ms OHara's murder. He denies the charge.

The 36-year-old childcare worker was last seen in August 2012 in a park in Shanganagh, south Dublin. Some of her remains were found on Killakee Mountain just over a year later and she was identified from dental records.

Dwyers trial was told a Nokia phone found in Vartry Reservoir in Co Wicklow in 2013 was used to send Ms OHara messages, including one about stabbing, culminating in a text dated August 22, 2012  the last day she was seen  to go down to the shore and wait.

Dwyers lawyers argued before a seven-judge Supreme Court that phone call data evidence should not have been admitted to his criminal trial because it was gathered and retained under a 2011 Irish law that was struck down by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in an earlier leg of Dwyers case.

The Director of Public Prosecutions contested the appeal, submitting the court must strike a balance between the competing interests of protecting the constitutional rights of citizens and ensuring the administration of justice is not brought into disrepute by refusing to admit highly probative evidence.

Central to the Supreme Court appeals of Smyth and McAreavey is an argument that certain telephone data evidence, obtained under the same 2011 law, was inadmissible due to legal breaches. They pleaded not guilty to their respective charges but were convicted by the Special Criminal Court in January 2021.

Mr Gately, who the Criminal Assets Bureau alleges is heavily involved with an organised crime group, was shot five times by the driver of a car that pulled up beside him at a petrol station on Clonshaugh Road on May 10, 2017.

Smyth was alleged to be the shooter, while McAreavey was alleged to have purchased petrol to destroy the vehicle, which was later found burnt out. Neither man conceded ownership of two unregistered phones used to correlate movements of a car with cell sites.

Smyth and McAreavey were convicted by the Special Criminal Court before the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) upheld Dwyers challenge to Irelands metadata regime as set out in the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011.

Their appeals to the Court of Appeal were dismissed after the CJEU ruled in Dwyers case. That court held that the 2011 Act was still the law of the land when the investigation into the attempted murder was carried out and thus it enjoyed a presumption of constitutionality.
A road in Kinsale has been closed as a result of a fallen sailboat blocking the route.

The vessel, believed by locals to have been brought onto the slip for a routine cleaning during high-tide, later fell during low-tide, causing the mast of the yacht to extend beyond the pier walls safety railing.

A spokesperson for the Gardai told The Echo that Gardai were alerted to a hazard at the slip at approximately 9am on The Pier Road.

A section of the road has been closed and is expected to remain so until later this evening. No offences were disclosed, the spokesperson said.

Kinsale Harbour officials are now waiting for high-tide this evening at approximately 7.20pm to move the vessel and reopen the road.

Cork County Council further commented on the matter saying: Cork County Council has closed the road along the quay by the vessel in the interest of safety.

It is envisioned that the road will re-open to all traffic and footfall tonight.

An image of the fallen vessel was shared on social media, notifying residents to take care on approach.
Sarah Slater

A number of cars were damaged in a fire at a motor garage which broke out on Tuesday night.

Dublin Fire Brigade launched a major operation following the outbreak of a fire at Dean Motors located in an industrial estate Ballycoolin, north-west Dublin

Six fire units were scrambled, including a turntable and foam tender. Gardai also rushed to the scene. The blaze broke out at around 11pm.

The cause or exact location of the blaze was not immediately clear.

The fire brigade posted pictures of a building beside a carpark engulfed by flames with large plumes of smoke coming from the roof and doors.

Residents in the area were warned to close their windows due to smoke and fumes being spread in windy conditions.

An image of the premises appeared to be commercial and was identified on social media as a well known car and motoring business, but this was not immediately verifiable.

In a statement gardai said:  Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of a fire at an industrial unit in Ballycoolin , Dublin 15, yesterday evening, Tuesday. No-one was injured in the fire.

The scene remains sealed off to allow for garda forensic teams and fire men to examine the area.
By Aine Fox, PA Social Affairs Correspondent

The publication of the final report by Dr Hilary Cass in the UK raises profound issues for the treatment of trans-identifying children in Ireland, according to Senator Michael McDowell.

The Cass Reviews final report, published on Wednesday, said children have been let down by a lack of research and evidence on the use of puberty blockers and hormones, in a debate that it said has become exceptionally toxic.

In 2020 Dr Cass was commissioned to examine The NHS Gender Identity Development Service and her key findings include a recommendation to reject the practice of prescribing puberty blockers which are hormones prescribed to under 18s for the purpose of halting puberty in children wishing to change gender.

Reacting to its publication, British prime minister Rishi Sunak said the report shone a spotlight on the need to exercise extreme caution in this area.

Here, Senator McDowell said: "I have for a number of years publicly raised grave concerns about this practice for which Dr Cass has now found no good evidence to support its continued use as a treatment pathway for vulnerable gender-questioning children. Similar concerns have been raised in Ireland by the National Gender Service.

"I am today calling on the Minister for Health and the HSE to immediately discontinue in the public health service the prescription of puberty blockers."

"The UK experience must now act as an urgent wake-up call to Irish lawmakers, medical professionals, parents and all who care for and about Irish children."

The recommendations in the lengthy and long-awaited report have prompted NHS England, which had already stopped puberty blockers being given to under-16s, to announce a review into the use of hormones.

It has also written to local NHS leaders to ask that they pause first appointment offers at adult gender clinics to young people before their 18th birthday, as it also intends to carry out a major review of these services.

Dr Cass had, among her 32 recommendations, called for a follow-through service for 17 to 25-year-olds rather than this vulnerable group going straight into adult clinics, saying teenagers are falling off a cliff edge in their care when they reach 17.

Her report concluded that gender care is currently an area of remarkably weak evidence and young people have been caught up in a stormy social discourse.

Her report, first commissioned in 2020, called for gender services to operate to the same standards as other health services for children and young people, with a holistic assessment of people referred, including screening for neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, and a mental health assessment.

She said that for the majority of young people, a medical pathway may not be the best way to address their needs.

In Britain, the Childrens Society has called for the report to mark a watershed moment in fostering an environment which places the wellbeing and safety of all children at its heart, while the Royal College of Psychiatrists said all gender-questioning children must get timely access to services that are holistic and respond to their individual needs.

In a letter to Dr Cass, NHS England officials said a planned review of adult services will be brought forward and now be undertaken in the context of a broader, systemic review of the operation and delivery of the GDCs (gender dysphoria clinics).

NHS England said it will provide details very soon but it is understood it will be a Cass-style review led by an independent expert.

Dr Cass welcomed the reaction to her recommendations, saying it was good to hear that they are taking note, adding that adult services are now predominantly seeing under-25s who have significant complexity, and deserve to have the breadth of their needs addressed.

Dr Hilary Cass published her review into childrens gender services on Wednesday (Yui Mok/PA)

She said children questioning their gender had been marginalised from local services as professionals anxious about what the appropriate course of action is tended to bypass them straight to the Gender Identity Development Service (Gids), which could not cope due to a rise in numbers, with children then waiting for an inappropriate length of time.

Dr Cass said: I think its definitely the case that ideology on all sides has directed care, rather than care being directed by normal principles of paediatrics and mental health.

I mean, certainly professionals are afraid to do the things that they would normally do in any other consultation with a young person, and that cant be right.

Mermaids, a transgender youth support charity, said the current system is failing trans youth and called for the NHS to resist pressures from those who seek to limit access to healthcare and instead act urgently to provide gender services which are timely, supportive and holistic.

All young people using gender services should be asked to be part of research, Dr Casss report said, in a bid to build a better picture of the long-term outcomes for patients.

Research by the University of York carried out alongside the report found evidence to be severely lacking on the impact of puberty blockers and hormone treatments, while the majority of clinical guidelines were found not to have followed international standards.

Dr Cass said it was extremely disappointing to find World Professional Association of Transgender Healthcare (WPATH) guidelines, which were taken as an industry standard and adopted very widely internationally, were very, very poorly evidence-based.

She said she believes the review has certainly brought forward an international conversation in an area which has been toxic and polarised.

While there was no clear evidence that social transition  such as changing names and pronouns  in childhood has any positive or negative mental health outcomes, the review said a more cautious approach should be taken for young children and a separate pathway for care, with families prioritised for early discussion with a professional with relevant experience.

Welcoming the review, British prime minister Rishi Sunak told LBC Radio the conclusions shine a spotlight on the need to exercise extreme caution when it comes to gender care for children.

He said: We care above all about the wellbeing of children and its clear that these things are not neutral acts, whether thats social transitioning, any kind of medical intervention, we simply do not know the long-term effects of these things.

And thats why anyone involved in considering these issues, of course, has to treat people with sensitivity and compassion, but also have to be extremely cautious when it comes to taking any action.

He said the report is very supportive, I think, of the direction of travel weve taken, particularly in our schools where weve issued guidance recently so that teachers know how to deal with these things.

The Cass Review has been described as the most comprehensive piece of work thats ever been conducted into gender identity by victims and safeguarding minister Laura Farris (Yui Mok/PA)

Britain's Victims and safeguarding minister Laura Farris described the Cass Review as the most comprehensive piece of work thats ever been conducted into gender identity.

NHS England has said it will set out a full implementation plan following careful consideration of this final report and its recommendations.

Two new regional hubs for childrens gender care opened earlier this month following the closure of the Gids at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

A spokesperson for the new London-based regional service said it would be closely following NHS England guidelines informed by Dr Casss interim report.

Labours shadow health and social care secretary Wes Streeting committed to working constructively with the Health Secretary on the reports recommendations to put childrens health and wellbeing above the political fray.
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.

A woman walks on a dried, cracked water pond as she carries buckets for drinking water in Kaushambi, India on April 25, 2016 during a drought affecting 330 million people in the country, according to government figures. Ritesh Shukla / NurPhoto via Getty Images

In another landmark climate decision, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that an individuals right to life includes protection against the impacts of climate change.

The verdict reflects fundamental rights stated in Article 21 of the countrys constitution, reported The Independent.

Without a clean environment which is stable and unimpacted by the vagaries of climate change, the right to life is not fully realised, the decision of the court said. The right to health (which is a part of the right to life under Article 21) is impacted due to factors such as air pollution, shifts in vector-borne diseases, rising temperatures, droughts, shortages in food supplies due to crop failure, storms, and flooding.

The statement was given by the court during a hearing on March 21 regarding the protection of two critically endangered bird species.

In its finding, Indias Supreme Court expanded the reach of Articles 21 and 14 to include the right against the adverse effects of climate change, The Indian Express reported.

The importance of the environment, as indicated by these provisions, becomes a right in other parts of the Constitution. Article 21 recognises the right to life and personal liberty while Article 14 indicates that all persons shall have equality before law and the equal protection of laws. These Articles are important sources of the right to a clean environment and the right against the adverse effects of climate change, the court said.

The Supreme Court building in New Delhi, India on Aug. 6, 2019. Biplov Bhuyan / Hindustan Times via Getty Images

The court requested that a committee be established to find a balance between the development of clean energy infrastructure in Gujarat and Rajasthan states and conservation of the Great Indian Bustard, reported The Independent.

Due to its enormous population; dependency on agriculture; and exposure to drought, flooding and other extreme weather events, India has been recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change by a number of think tanks.

Despite governmental policy and rules and regulations recognising the adverse effects of climate change and seeking to combat it, there is no single or umbrella legislation in India which relates to climate change and the attendant concerns, the court added, as The Indian Express reported. However, this does not mean that the people of India do not have a right against the adverse effects of climate change.

The court said that the rights to life and equality had been violated by the inability of underserved communities to adapt to climate change or cope with its effects.

In 2015, the rights of humans with reference to the climate crisis were recognized in the preamble to the Paris Agreement, reported Down to Earth.

Acknowledging that climate change is a common concern of humankind, Parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, the right to health, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity, it said.

The Indian courts decision was made public days before the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Switzerland had violated the human rights of its citizens by failing to adequately reduce the impacts of the climate crisis.
(Photo: Gregoire de Fombelle/WCC)Juan Carlos Cuellar, representative of the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN).

Peace in Colombia has been a long time coming, Juan Carlos Cuellar, representative of the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN), said at a World Council of Churches panel discussion titled "The things that make for peace in Colombia" on April 9.

Cuellar was appointed as the ELN representative in the ongoing peace talks, emphasized that, for the ELN, churches have always had a fundamental importance in the work for peace.

ELN is one of the two main armed revolutionary groups involved in the Colombian conflict which began in 1964, the other being FARC.

"In the entire peace-building process, the churches have always been there as an ally, especially on humanitarian issues, because they are in the field," said Cuellar.

In September 2023, the WCC, with the Colombian Episcopal Conference, the UN Mission in Colombia, and the Organization of American States, was appointed as a permanent accompanier for peace talks between the Colombian government and the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) FARC-EP group.

The WCC is also closely following the peace talks with the ELN and other armed groups in Colombia.

"It would be very hard if we did not have churches as a channel of communication. The churches have power in the community and direct communication with the community. We have been working with the WCC since 2015, and today, we would like to invite you to accompany us," said Cuellar.

A second speaker, Philipp Lustenberger, Swiss government special envoy for the peace process in Colombia who co-heads its mediation programme, noted that there have been 9 million victims of violence in the Colombian conflict.

He added that since Colombia became mired in its decades-long armed conflict, the death toll is estimated at over 200,000, and almost 80 percent of those killed have been civilians.

"I would say that, in general, the churches are actors in the peace process. What we see is the Catholic Church working with the ecumenical movement," Lustenberger said.

ECONOMIC INJUSTICE

Cuellar also addressed how economic injustice is a major obstacle to a just and sustainable peace.

"The situation in the country is not only due to war but also to economic factors. Colombia is very centralised. Everything comes from the capital," said Cuellar about his country, which has an area of 1.14 million square kilometres and has a population of around 50 million people.

"This economic model is not working in the same way as the situation with the military forces."

He said the violence doesn't only come from the country's armed forces and the ELN, and noted that Colombia has significant disparities of wealth between its elites and most of its people.

INVOLVING ALL OF SOCIETY

"We need an alliance with all parts of society in Colombia. We need a big national accord. To make it work, we must establish an accord with the enemies of peacethose who don't want to be involved," he said. ""There are many armed groups and violent groups in Colombia, and if you add drug trafficking, you get a very complicated situation."

He believes in looking for the root causes of Colombia's conflict. He shared his opinion that the violence in the South American country has never been solved because the solution has been sought through violence rather than addressing the fundamental issues.

"We are not going to negotiate amid a conflict because we believe violence will bring more violence. We need to make sure everything we decide is implemented."

But in working for peace, Cuellar said, "We are very happy to work with the WCC, as well as the Protestant churches and the Catholic church in Colombia."

The discussion was chaired by Peter Prove, director of the WCC's Commission of the Churches on International Affairs. Other speakers included Mithra Akbari from Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Peace and Human Rights Division.
In a rare divergence from the national trend, South Dakota experienced a 16% increase in industrial pollution releases, primarily due to a temporary surge at the Smithfield pork plant.



John Hult reports for South Dakota Searchlight.

In short:

South Dakota's spike in toxic releases contrasts with national and regional declines, with a significant contribution from the Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls.

The plant's nitrate emissions rose as it updated its treatment facility, a project completed in 2023 that is expected to significantly reduce future releases.

Smithfield, as the state's largest emitter of toxic materials, faces stricter nitrate release limits under a new EPA permit, aiming to mitigate environmental impacts.

Key quote:

By making information about industrial management of toxic chemicals available to the public, TRI creates a strong incentive for companies to improve environmental performance.

 Honor Morgan, EPA

Why this matters:

The pollutants from pork processing plants can compromise water quality, making it unsafe for drinking, recreation, and even irrigation. High levels of nitrates, for example, can contaminate drinking water, posing risks to human health, including methemoglobinemia or "blue baby syndrome" in infants. Better waste management practices at the source, improved treatment of wastewater before discharge, and ongoing monitoring of water quality and biodiversity in affected areas can mitigate these impacts on the ecosystem and public health.
Feature: Japan-born panda Xiang Xiang connects fans in Tokyo

Xinhua) 10:38, April 10, 2024

TOKYO, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Despite torrential rains on Tuesday morning, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of panda lovers gathering here for a fan-sharing event for Xiang Xiang, a Japan-born panda who returned to China last year.

Among them was Yu Akutsu, a panda wood sculptor from Saitama prefecture who arrived at the Chinese embassy in Japan clad in panda-themed attire. He inscribed a heartfelt message to Xiang Xiang and pinned it onto the wall of blessings dedicated to the beloved panda.

Xiang Xiang, a female panda born in June 2017 at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, was the first panda naturally born and raised at the zoo in the nearly three decades since You You, born in 1988. Her parents, Shin Shin (female) and Ri Ri (male), were both on loan from China, where the ownership of the cubs they give birth to belongs.

After her birth created a sensation in Japan, from her name, and public debut, to her birthdays, Xiang Xiang has always been a trending topic in local media and a popular star among Japanese people.

The name Xiang Xiang was chosen from more than 320,000 suggestions that people sent to the zoo three months after she was born.

In February this year, Xiang Xiang returned to Sichuan, which is known as the hometown of giant pandas.

Approximately 200 panda fans from across Japan were attracted to Tuesday's "cloud gathering" and fan-sharing event, which was also attended by Wu Jianghao, the Chinese ambassador to Japan, Deputy Governor of Tokyo Rinji Nakamura, and Wu Hailong, president of China Public Diplomacy Association.

They tuned in online to witness Xiang Xiang's daily life at the Bifengxia Giant Panda Base, a giant panda research and breeding facility in China's southwestern province of Sichuan.

The fans also interacted with Xiang Xiang's caregiver, Zhao Lanlan, and gained insights into the panda's current well-being.

In his address, Ambassador Wu Jianghao emphasized that pandas symbolize the gentle and friendly culture of China, representing goodwill and harmony.

As both Chinese and Japanese peoples cherish giant pandas, he advocated for peaceful coexistence, generational friendship, mutual cooperation and common development.

The ambassador also expressed his hope for more interactions between the two nations through the endearing giant panda, fostering Sino-Japanese friendship and cooperation for stable and healthy bilateral relations.

Wu Hailong said that Xiang Xiang, alongside other pandas residing in Japan, has made unique contributions to enhancing the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese people, serving as a bridge of affection.

He warmly welcomed the Japanese public to visit Xiang Xiang in China, hoping that the panda family would continue to bring joy and friendship to both nations.

Yutaka Fukuda, director of Ueno Zoo, shared the zoo's history with Chinese giant pandas and Xiang Xiang's journey from birth to maturity.

He pledged continued cooperation with the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, aiming to contribute to wildlife conservation and the development of Sino-Japanese friendship.

In October 1972, the pioneering visit of giant pandas Kang Kang and Lan Lan marked the beginning of Sino-Japanese panda diplomacy, and Japan's panda fever has never waned over the past 50 years.

As cuddly envoys of friendship between China and Japan, giant pandas have continuously strengthened mutual understanding and communication, nurturing the enduring "panda bond" between the two nations.

In November last year, panda photographer Takahiro Takauji, who also runs the famous blog "Mainichi Panda," embarked on his first trip to China. He not only fulfilled his long-standing wish to reunite with Xiang Xiang but also witnessed firsthand the development and changes in China.

In March of this year, he returned to Sichuan and experienced "Chinese speed" by taking the high-speed rail alone, truly feeling the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people. "The stage for Xiang Xiang in China has already been set, and I am full of expectations and excitement for its future," the photographer said after two visits.

Messages left on the wall for Xiang Xiang included promises from Japanese fans to visit her when they have the chance. According to the China National Tourism Office in Tokyo, many Japanese travel agencies are launching panda sightseeing tours to Sichuan, citing the opportunity to see Xiang Xiang, and the response has been extremely enthusiastic with many sign-ups.

Besides pandas, Sichuan also boasts scenic spots like the UNESCO World Heritage site Jiuzhaigou Valley, and it is hoped that more Japanese people will explore the natural beauty of Sichuan through Xiang Xiang and develop an affection for China by getting to know and appreciating Sichuan, according to a staff member with the administration.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
     ,     -  4%    20...
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 .

Spending hours at a computer can be rough on your body. If your wrists, shoulders, neck or other areas have started complaining, you might want to get an ergonomic keyboard. The ergonomic design shifts the position of your arms and wrists, which, for some, can relieve tension and strain. After using a fully split keyboard for a number of months, I feel an improvement in my shoulder tension. But split boards come with a learning curve. Semi-split, or Alice boards, are easier to get used to while still opening up space between your elbows. Other factors, like tenting and a negative tilt can also address discomfort. Since theres no single best ergonomic keyboard for everyone, this guide will help you decide which type of board might suit your needs.

What to look for in an ergonomic keyboard

Alice vs split

Most ergonomic keyboard layouts fall into two categories: Alice and split. The former is a single board with the two halves of the keys rotated about 30 degrees apart at the bottom. The separation forms an A-shaped space between the keys  which has nothing to do with why its called an Alice layout, its just a happy coincidence. This subtle tweak pushes your elbows away from your ribs while keeping a straight line from your forearm to your middle knuckle. Using one, I pretty instantly felt more open along the front side of my body. This layout more closely resembles a traditional keyboard, so it should be easier for most folks to get used to than a fully split option.

Speaking of, split boards break the keys into two separate parts you can position individually. You can put them shoulder distance apart, bring them closer together or angle them as much as feels comfortable. You can also put your mouse between the halves, which may feel like an easier trip for your cursor hand. Personally, I like being able to put my current snack between the two parts. I've also found that pairing a split keyboard with a good ergonomic mouse has helped me even more.

Tenkeyless

You can find ergonomic keyboards with and without number pads. Not having those number keys on the right side lets you keep your mouse closer in, minimizing overall reach. But if you work with numbers a lot, youll likely want that pad included. Some programmable boards allow for the use of layers, which temporarily repurpose keys and can provide you with a ten-key option through clever remapping of letter keys.

Tenting and negative tilt

Tenting raises the middle of the keyboard up, so your hands move closer to a handshake position. Alice keyboards usually angle up towards the middle and always to a fixed degree, since the two sides are connected. Split boards often let you adjust the degree of tenting, going from flat to subtle to extreme lift.

You may have encountered keyboards with an optional lift at the back of the board, raising the top keys higher than the space bar. Every set of hands is different, but for most people, pulling the backs of the hands towards the forearms increases strain. Negative tilt has the opposite effect by sloping in the other direction, lowering the top number keys while raising the edge with the spacebar. Many Alice and some split keyboards offer an optional negative tilt. I found it was more comfortable to enable that feature when Im standing, and I preferred to have the keys flat when sat at my desk.

Ergonomic keyboard hand positions A standard keyboard keeps your arms tight to your body and makes you splay your hands outward at the wrists.

Staggered vs columnar

This decision seems to be one of the more hotly-contested among ergo enthusiasts. A conventional keyboard has staggered keys, with each row slightly offset to the rows above and below it  so the A key is about halfway between the Q and W above it. This is a holdover from vintage mechanical typewriters, in which each press activated a hammer that smashed ink onto paper in the shape of a letter. To fit the hammers as close together as possible, while still allowing for finger pads, the keys were staggered.

Columnar or ortholinear keyboards stack the keys in orderly columns, often with rows that are not linear. Proponents claim this makes the keys easier to reach. Whether thats true will be up to your fingers to decide, but I can say for certain that if you learned to type on a staggered keyboard, switching to a columnar layout is tough. It will take days, possibly weeks before you instinctively hit the C key. The N, M and B keys dont fare much better.

Programmable keys

With a few exceptions, most ergonomic keyboards will work with PCs or Macs as a standard typing input, but the use of function and hot keys may require some remapping. It can be as easy as an onboard switch to toggle between Mac and PC layouts, or as involved as downloading software to change up the keys. Some boards even include (or let you buy) extra keycaps to change, say, the Macs Command and Option keys to PCs Start and Alt buttons.

For some boards, remapping or programming keys is a crucial feature. Gaming peripherals have extra keys that you can set to execute a series of keystrokes with the push of a single button. Keyboards that work with layers, in which a single button can perform several functions, typically allow you to change what those are. Some ergo keyboards have non-standard layouts, like thumb clusters with multiple keys near the space bar that you operate with your thumb. Youll also be able to program those.

Other considerations

Ergonomic keyboards come in mechanical, membrane, and scissor switch versions. Which works best for you is, again, up to your preference. I wont get too deep into the particulars here, as we have an entire guide devoted to mechanical boards, but the short of it is that membrane and scissor switches are less customizable than mechanical and typically cheaper. Typing on them tends to be quieter and softer. Mechanical switches are more customizable, offer a more responsive typing experience and are usually pricier.

Youll also have the option of wired or wireless ergonomic boards. All other things being equal, wired models are less expensive. Competitive gamers who rely on split-second responses may prefer the zero-lag of wired keyboards. Wired models also never run out of battery life and have fewer connectivity issues. But wireless keyboards keep your desk less cluttered.

Some ergonomic keyboards come with permanent or removable wrist or palm rests, which can be cushioned or hard. This is another area where opinions diverge: proponents claim they help you maintain a neutral hand position, while detractors say they put pressure on the tendons in your wrist and can exacerbate conditions like carpal tunnel. Ideally, your palms should be resting, not your wrists, and you might find you like having that support or you may find the pressure uncomfortable.

Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

How we tested

All our guides begin with extensive research to figure out whats out there and whats worth testing. We consider brands with good reputations that weve heard good things about from colleagues and look at keyboard reviews in forums and other trusted publications. For this guide, I looked for keyboards with ergonomic features like tenting, split keys, palm support and so on. I also zeroed in on boards that didnt require a deep amount of familiarity with the vast and exhaustive world of custom keyboards.

Once I settled on ten boards, I acquired them and used each one for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. I tried out the remapping and macros software and considered the comfort, design, price and durability of each model before arriving at picks I think will work best for the most people out there.

Best ergonomic keyboards for 2024

Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget Best wireless ergonomic keyboard Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Split Ergonomic features: Alice split, center tenting, optional negative tilt, wrist rest | Host connection: Bluetooth or USB receiver | Switch type: Scissor | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Windows | Ten key: Yes | RGB lighting: No | Programing interface: Logi Options+ (app) The Ergo K860 from Logitech closely resembles a standard keyboard, so theres not much of a learning curve. But subtle changes like the Alice layout, tented middle and optional negative tilt make typing noticeably more ergonomic. Logitech makes some of our favorite PC accessories, and the reasons why are all evident with this keyboard: it connects quickly and reliably via Bluetooth, the build is solid and feels high-quality and it's reasonably priced at $130 (and is often on sale for around $100). Its compatible with more recent iterations of Windows, MacOS, iPadOS, ChromeOS and Linux, though youll need software to support non-basic key functions for the latter two operating systems. There are three switching buttons that swap between previously connected devices, and the board speedily swapped between a MacBook and a PC laptop in my tests. Built-in function keys like volume and brightness worked well and the Option/Start and Command/Alt combo keys worked correctly depending on which computer was connected to. The rotated Alice-split design and raised center made a difference in the way I held my arms as I typed, allowing me to keep my elbows comfortably away from my ribs and my palms rotated inward instead of forcing them flat. The palm rest is springy but firm (albeit not removable) and the arrow keys and a numeric keypad on the right side put all possible keys within reach. Unfortunately, that adds length to that side of the board, which forces your mouse farther out. The scissor switch keys can feel mushy if youre coming from a mechanical board, but theyre responsive enough. Logitech offers software for programming the keys, but this model will likely appeal most to those looking for a plug and play option. For a mechanical Alice keyboard with both wireless and wired capabilities, I recommend the Periboard 835. The Mac and Windows-compatible board has a solid build, low profile switches, RGB lighting, comfortable tenting and a few extra programmable keys. Pros Rotated keys and palm wrest make typing comfortable

Wirelessly connects quickly to three devides

Hotkeys work with MacOS and Windows Cons Takes up a large footprint

Wrist wrest is not removable $104 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $110 at B&H Photo$125 at Walmart

Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget Best split ergonomic keyboard Keychron Q11 Ergonomic features: Fully split | Host connection: USB-C port | Switch type: Mechanical (tactile or linear) | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Windows | Ten key: No | RGB lighting: Yes | Programing interface: QMK/VIA (browser) If you (expertly) sawed a mechanical keyboard in two, it would look like the Keychron Q11. You can even push the two halves back together to make it look like a standard, 75 percent mechanical board (though once you discover the expediency of a snack bowl between the halves, I dont know why youd do that). Keychron is widely respected in the mechanical keyboard world because they make quality keyboards that arent astronomically expensive. Like all Keychron devices, you can buy this one assembled or barebones, to which you can add your own keycaps and switches. I tested a fully assembled model with Gateron G Pro Red linear mechanical switches, which provide smoother action and a quieter clack than tactile or clicky switches. The keycaps are made from PBT, a higher-quality polymer than the ABS plastic keys found in less expensive keyboards. The machined aluminum body feels substantial and theres no wobble. All of that combined creates a luxe and durable feel and a satisfying, buttery clack as you type. The assembled version comes with keycaps (and a keycap puller) to set up the board for either Mac or Windows. A switch at the top of the board toggles between the two operating systems, ensuring the function keys act appropriately. Extra keys include the two customizable knobs at the top corners and five macro keys to the left of the board. Those and the rest of the board can be programmed with open source keyboard firmware QMK and VIA, which most Keychron boards are compatible with out of the box. I have very basic keyboard needs so I used VIA to give the right knob zoom capabilities, make the M1 key open a clipboard manager and have the M2 key execute a screenshot. Programming with VIA requires the use of keycodes and youll need to define macros within the app to get the knob to do more advanced things beyond the pre-selected options, but the implementation of your new instructions is instantaneous (and quite satisfying). The only drawbacks are the lack of tenting and the rather short USB-C bridge cable connecting the two sides. I found I wanted a little more separation than nine inches, so I swapped it for a longer cord. But theres no easy fix for the lack of center lift. Pros High quality build

Smooth and buttery mechanical keys

Fully split keys keep your hands at a comfortable distance apart

Easily toggle between Mac and Windows systems Cons No center tenting

Short bridge cable included $225 at Amazon

Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget Best budget ergonomic keyboard Perixx Periboard-512 Ergonomic features: Alice split, center tenting, wrist rest | Host connection: USB-A cable | Switch type: Membrane | Hotkey compatibility: Windows | Ten key: Yes | RGB lighting: No | Programing interface: N/A Perixx makes a number of ergonomic keyboards and the Periboard 512 offers basic features at a low price. The standard keys will work with a Mac, but the included media keys and function keys are programmed for Windows machines. It worked well on the PC I tested it with, jumping to the search bar, opening the built-in Mail app and muting the sound when I hit the respective keys. The membrane keys are sturdy without wobble and the Alice split and tenting put your hands in a comfortable position. The rigid wrist rest angles down, which makes it easier to rest your palms and not your wrists. At just $70, the 512 isnt the most premium board and you can feel that in the lightweight design and cheaper-feeling keycaps. But if youre just looking for a basic Windows interface with ergonomic features thatll take some of the strain off your work posture, this is an inexpensive way to go. Pros Inexpensive

Alice split makes typing more comfortable

Helpful hot keys Cons Build does not feel premium

Hotkeys only compatible with Windows $50 at Amazon

Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget Best ergonomic keyboard to break and rebuild your brain ZSA Voyager Ergonomic features: Fully split, center tenting, thumb cluster | Host connection: USB-C port | Switch type: Mechanical (tactile, clicky, linear) | Hotkey compatibility: Mac and Windows | Ten key: No | RGB lighting: Yes | Programing interface: Oryx (browser) A rep I spoke with at ZSA warned me about the Voyager, saying the board has an effect like a brain injury: A moment ago you knew how to type, and now you don't. Thats exactly how I felt after plugging in the impossibly compact accessory. For one, the columnar layout puts keys (particularly those on the bottom row) in spots you dont intuitively reach for. Then theres a thumb cluster where youll find not just the space bar, but other important keys like return. Finally, the board uses layers, giving each key up to three functions. I actually had to interrupt testing at one point and plug in another keyboard because I just felt too slow and disconnected like I was typing with oven mitts on. However, now that I have the hang of how the Voyager works, it feels magical. Rarely do my hands need to leave the home position, yet every key I need on a regular basis is easily accessible. Since you dont need to reorient your fingers when you use arrow keys, hit the mute button or type with the number pad, youre always in the same position, which can save you some serious accumulated time. Your thumbs, which are fairly dexterous, are capable of doing more than just mashing the spacebar; here, they operate the return key, tab button and can even initialize layers. The fully split and extra compact design let you position the two boards anywhere they feel comfortable and the optional magnetic legs give it a subtle but effective center tenting. Where some keyboards offer remapping capabilities as a nice-to-have feature, the majority of people will likely want to use either the browser-based Oryx configurator or Zsa's Keymapp app to switch up what these keys do. It took me multiple tries to get them set in a way that worked for me, so I got pretty familiar with Oryx. It doesnt require you to lookup keycodes, instead giving you a vast library of searchable commands. But changes arent implemented automatically  you have to flash the keyboard's firmware by pushing a button at the top edge of the device to make the changes. Certain system-specific functions, like the Mission Control key on a Mac, need to be programmed using key sequences (in this case, control + down arrow). And occasionally the board will mistake a single tap for a tap and hold (which often enables a second function). I also flashed the board once and lost all use of the right side, but reflashing fixed it. The Voyager is not for someone looking for a quick adjustment to improve their ergonomics. Itll take weeks of practice and reprogramming (both the board and your brain) before typing feels fluid again. I recommend keeping a screenshot of your latest Oryx-configured layout on your desktop for reference until you remember which keys do what. That said, once things start clicking, the Voyager really does maximize your output while minimizing your movements. If you want something fully split with thumb clusters and a columnar layout but thats a little less minimal  and wireless to boot  the Kinesis Advantage 360 is a good one to check out. It looks like it comes from an 80s-era IBM office but is somehow also from the future. The tenting goes from low to intense and the keys curve concavely to meet your fingers where they naturally land. The 360 is per-key programmable, works with layers and has four macros keys. Pros Fully split board

Center tenting for a natural hand position

Thumb cluster lets your thumb do more work

Compact size and clever key mapping keep your hands in the home position Cons Difficult to relearn ortholinear layout

Takes time to program and learn the right key functions $365 at ZSA
Sony has revealed the latest batch of games that are coming to the PS Plus Catalog for Extra and Premium subscribers. This time around, there are three titles that will hit the service on the same day they debut on PlayStation. It had already been announced that the terrific Dave the Diver (April 16) and Tales of Kenzera: Zau (April 23) will hit the subscription service when they make their bow on PlayStation consoles. Now it has emerged Animal Well will join them on May 9.

This sidescrolling platformer is the first game from YouTuber Dunkey's publishing label, Bigmode. Solo developer Billy Basso spent seven years making the eye-catching Animal Well, which is said to be packed with secrets for players to discover. Along with PS5, Animal Well is coming to Switch and PC.

There haven't been too many games that have arrived on PS Plus on their release day, but the strategy can prove successful. Humanity, Stray, Teardown and Tchia, all of which are excellent, debuted on the subscription service. Going further back, so too did Rocket League and Fall Guys and those games were enormous hits, though they had the advantage of being multiplayer titles. On the other side of the platform divide, Palworld (aka the Pokemon with guns game) became a viral smash this year, thanks in part to it hitting Game Pass on its release day.

The other titles that are coming to the PS Plus Catalog on April 16 are multiplayer party game Oddballers (PS4), Construction Simulator (PS4, PS5), The Crew 2 (PS4), Indian mythology-inspired action-adventure Raji: An Ancient Epic (PS4, PS5), Lego Ninjago Movie Videogame (PS4), Nour: Play With Your Food (PS4, PS5), Deliver Us Mars (PS4, PS5), Lego Marvels Avengers (PS4), Miasma Chronicles (PS5) and Stray Blade (PS5).

Those with a PS Plus Premium subscription will be able to check out a few extra games through the Classics collection. The original PlayStation versions of Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire and MediEvil will hit the catalog next week.
A Mexican news outlet accidentally aired a man's testicles while covering Monday's solar eclipse, triggering mockery and jokes on social media.

The viral blunder occurred while anchors for RCG Media's "24/7" news program were showing footage submitted by fans of the solar eclipse during its live broadcast Monday.

The male news anchor was listing the cities where the eclipse could be viewed when the program suddenly played a video of a pair of testicles moving across the screen to block a light instead of the moon blocking Earth's view of sun, as seen in the clip shared by TMZ.

One of the two female anchors gasped in shock before glancing at the male anchor.

The male anchor calmly carried on delivering the information as the video was quickly stopped and removed from the screen.

He then explained that the video was submitted by a viewer as the hosts appeared mortified.

The on-air accident has since gone viral, with users on X, formerly Twitter, and Reddit clowning the network and sharing puns and jokes.

"That's nuts," one Reddit user joked.

"Not the eclipse we expected," another Reddit user commented, to which another added, "But the eclipse we deserved."

"Cloudy with a chance of meatballs," a fourth comment read, while another claimed, "The solar flare needs to be trimmed."

One user on X quipped, "They had a lot of balls to do that."

"Well it was an eclipse....just not the one they were looking for," another commenter said.

Another X user described the moment as "the bagged eclipse."

RCG Media owned up to the blunder on its account on X.

Alongside a clip of the moment the testicles video was played during the broadcast, the network wrote, "How did you see #eclipse? Ours was [egg emojis]," according to a translation via Google Translate.

A user on X with the handle @Rhevolver claimed they were behind the prank and mocked the network for not checking its fan submissions carefully before airing them.

A tweet from the user written in Spanish and translated to English read: "Good afternoon, @rcg_media. I appreciate that you took my video about the eclipse, but I would have loved to have been credited. Greetings."

"Greetings to all my people from Saltillo who had to watch my eggs on television because those at @rcg_media forgot to review the video of the eclipse carefully," @Rhevolver also wrote, according to the Daily Mail. "I love you."

Un saludo a toda mi gente de Saltillo que tuvieron que ver mis huevos en television porque a los de @rcg_media se les paso revisar bien el video del eclipse. Los amo.  Rhevolver (@Rhevolver) April 8, 2024

Enstarz could not independently verify if the video belonged to @Rhevolver.

According to the Daily Mail, local media reported that the footage has been on the internet since 2017.

Meanwhile, some X users speculated that the testicles in the video may belong to musician Tommy Lee.

Lee allegedly shared and then deleted a similar video on his account in the past.

But unnamed sources told TMZ that while the Motley Crue drummer did post the video on his social media at one point, the footage was only sent to him and did not show his own testicles.

The "testicular eclipse" prank is nothing new. During the 2019 solar eclipse in Chile, some users also posted such images on social media.
A project that will prototype a fully autonomous agriculture system for low Earth orbit is set to receive 1.5 million in funding.

The project aims to launch the in-orbit space farm on the worlds first commercial space station, constructed by Axiom Space and due to be in orbit in 2026.

Launched by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S) and London-based Vertical Future (VF), the project is supported by UK Space Agency, NASA and the Australian Space Agency.

VF is the fastest-growing vertical-farming research and development company in the UK, and the funds will go towards developing a controlled-environment agriculture facility suitable for space missions.

Vertical Futures chief scientific officer, Dr Jennifer Bromley, highlighted that investment in research and development for space-exploration technologies would benefit people on Earth.

Through our approaches to farm communication and data management in this project, we will be in a position to offer the first fully remotely monitored farm system," she said.

The project aims to deliver prototypes for a fully autonomous agriculture system that can be monitored and operated remotely or with artificial intelligence.

Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said the ambition of the project was made possible by its international scope.

Projects like this... highlight the many ways in which we can collaborate with the global space community to help humanity push the boundaries of space innovation, he said.

The projects supported by our International Bilateral Fund champion the best of British innovation, while strengthening our ties with the wider space community.

"Together we can break new ground, further our understanding of the Universe and use the vast power of space to protect and benefit lives on Earth.
Elizabeth Chambers divorce from Armie Hammer has been absolute hell.

Elizabeth Chambers admitted her divorce from Armie Hammer has been 'absolute hell'

The 41-year-old beauty split from the 'Call Me By Your Name' actor - with whom she has Harper, nine, and seven-year-old Ford - in July 2020, just months before allegations began to surface about the 37-year-old star from a number of women who accused him of being controlling and abusive, as well as having cannibalistic fantasies.

And Elizabeth has admitted the "painful" process was even more difficult because it all played out in the public eye.

During an appearance on reality show Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise, she said: "I went through a very public divorce that was riddled with scandal. Stories were coming out each day and horrific articles, and I was learning about them as it happened.

Our divorce is almost final, but its not easy.

The life that we had planned for years basically shattered. That was a really painful period of time. Doing that on a more public platform it was absolute hell, and I wouldnt wish it upon anyone.

The BIRD Bakery founder also expressed her frustration over the rumours and speculation that were written about her marriage.

She said: You can write something for clickbait. You can write something for headlines. You can write something for sensation. But ultimately only I know the truth. I'm not playing that game.

I lived it. I know it. I know the truth. So at the end of the day, unless you were there, you don't know.

Despite the difficult divorce, Elizabeth recently insisted she was excited to see what the next chapter in her life had in store for her.

Speaking to Access Hollywood, she said: I feel like were in a good place now. I think the moment of moving on is now.

So yeah, I am really happy here. I feel like that chapter of healing is really closed. Were in a new chapter and its a great new beginning and I am excited to see what the future holds.
Rebel Wilson has insisted "no money ever" would persuade her to work with Sacha Baron Cohen again.

Rebel Wilson won't work with Sacha Baron Cohen again

The 44-year-old actress recently branded her 'Brothers Grimsby' co-star a "massive a*******" and claimed he had made attempts to stop the publication of her new memoir 'Rebel Rising' and she's now pledged to only work with people she likes.

Playing 'Plead the Fifth' on 'Watch What Happens Live', host Andy Cohen asked: How much money would it take for you to work with Sacha Baron Cohen again?

The 'Pitch Perfect' star stressed "no money ever" could convince her and she added: "I have, now, a no A-holes policy with work".

Andy then suggested $20 and $30 million before concluding: "$50 million to do a film with Sacha Baron Cohen?

Rebel said: No. No way."

In 'Rebel Rising', the actress claimed she felt humiliated and harassed by her co-star on their 2016 movie, but Sacha has denied the allegations.

His spokesperson said: "While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence, including contemporaneous documents, film footage and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of 'The Brothers Grimsby'."

Rebel has insisted she wasn't speaking out in order to see the 'Borat' actor - who recently announced he had split from wife Isla Fisher - "cancelled".

She wrote: "The movie bombed, which to me was karma enough. Im not about cancelling anybody and thats not my motivation for sharing this story.

"Im sharing my story now because the more women talk about things like this, hopefully the less it happens.

And she has also claimed she isn't the only woman with a grievance against Sacha.

She was quoted by The Sun on Sunday's Bizarre column as saying: "Whats been comforting is like, several women have now been in contact and its up to them whether they want to go public with their stories.

"Because it is hard to say something against somebody whos high profile, because they hit you with high-price lawyers and crisis PR people and all sorts of little tricks.

It doesnt feel great when all Im doing is sharing my story in my memoir  which Im very entitled to do.

But I always think that the truth will come out which is why its great to have the book out now so people dont just read the headlines  but can read the actual chapter.
When it comes to a societys cultural expression, one thread is of paramount importance: its culinary heritage. Standing tall in this realm is the Diva Maharashtracha Restobar, a proud emblem of Maharashtras rich and vibrant gastronomic legacy. Here, the flavours of Marathi cuisine shine bright, celebrating a legacy often overshadowed yet profoundly cherished.Pioneering as the worlds first ISO and MTDC certified Maharashtrian Restobar, this establishment offers an expansive menu featuring over 150 veg, non-veg, and seafood delicacies, each dish promising a culinary journey like no other. From the lush landscapes of Vidarbha to the coastal allure of Konkan, the menu showcases the diversity of Maharashtrian cuisine, including traditional dishes from CKP, Pathare Prabhu, Marathas Saraswats, with live music.Celebrated Masterchef and author Deepa Suhas Awchat personally curates each recipe, infusing subtle healthy changes without compromising on taste, to cater to the discerning palates of connoisseurs and patrons alike. The ethnic ambiance, adorned with Paithani Sarees, & vibrant chandeliers, transports guests to the heart of Maharashtra's cultural heritage. Moreover, the establishment's commitment to social responsibility shines through, with a portion of profits donated to NGOs, making each dining experience not only delightful but also meaningful.Diva Maharashtracha has also been honoured with the prestigious Best Restaurant Award by Times Good Food Guide on fifteen occasions, its acclaim extending far beyond, with features and recommendations from esteemed publications and media outlets.Today Diva Maharashtracha is present in parts of Mumbai & Dubai and also has its range of retail spice mixes. If this has piqued your interest, be sure to pay them a visit!For reservation & franchise queries callMumbai : 24440707/9820124433Dubai : +97145776261
Mamaearth and Femina are two brands that have a strong commitment to seeking out goodness. In April 2024, they joined hands to present Beautiful Indians, a nationwide search for goodness ambassadors, celebrating people who are making the world a better place, one good action at a time.



When I relocated to Delhi from Bihar, I encountered young children spending their days begging and scavenging on the streets, shares Sahil Kaushar. "Driven by a deep sense of concern, I dedicated significant time to researching this troubling phenomenon. This endeavour led me to embark on a mission to support these children, culminating in the establishment of The Noble Citizen Foundation.





Today, the foundation extends the gift of free education across four states in India, and has positively impacted the lives of around 2,00,000 children. Sahil's singular mission resonates: to offer street children the chance for a brighter future.





With an aim to help around 5 million children by 2030, this changemakers message is simple: no matter what your background or circumstances, you can make a difference in the world by extending a helping hand to those in need.
At present, India is one of the best markets for Italian manufacturers, according to(the Italian textile machinery association), which represents more than 80 per cent of Italian textile machinery production.

In 2023, India represented the third largest foreign market for the Italian textile machinery industry. The country imported Italian textile machines for a total value of 154 million, Salvade told Fibre2Fashion on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi yesterday.

ACIMIT President Marco Salvade highlights India as a prime market for Italian textile machinery, with imports worth 154 million in 2023. A workshop was organised by ITA and ACIMIT in New Delhi, with an aim to bolster Indo-Italian ties. Italy accounts for 7 per cent of India's textile machine imports, witnessing a 228 per cent surge from 2020 to 2023.

As a way forward for a stronger Indo-Italian business cooperation, a workshop on Italian textile technologies with B2B meetings on Latest Italian Technology of Entire Value Chain from Spinning, Knitting, Weaving, Nonwovens, Dyeing and Finishing was held at At Hyatt Regency Hotel, New Delhi.

The workshop was organised by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA  the Trade Promotion Section of the Italian Embassy), in collaboration with ACIMIT, which is supporting a delegation visit of 11 well-known textile machinery manufacturers to India from April 9 to 12, 2024.

The next technology showcase event is scheduled in Mumbai on April 11, 2024, at Hyatt Centric Juhu Hotel. The event presents a chance to decision-makers and experts from the textile and nonwovens industry in India to inform themselves about the latest textile machinery solutions to make their textile business and products more sustainable and efficient, according to the ITA.

The Indian economy is performing very well, so we expect that these technology workshops, organised by ACIMIT and ITA in the country can be an additional business opportunity, said Salvade. Also, thanks to these two events, placed in New Delhi and in Mumbai, I am confident that Indian textile operators will have a complete overview of the latest innovations carried out by the Italian manufacturers and shown during the last ITMA in Milan. Mainly in the area of sustainability, Italian companies propose technological solutions that can reduce energy consumption and pollution in the textile production processes. These are goals pursued by all textile companies that want to be competitive in the world scenario.

Speaking to Fibre2Fashion, Antonietta Baccanari, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Agency (ITA), said, As we delve into discussions regarding the digitalisation of the Italian machinery sector and its potential collaboration with our Indian counterparts, it is worth noting that we are already beginning to integrate AI into our working strategies and production systems, marking a significant step forward in our approach to innovation.

The enthusiasm displayed by India towards adopting new technological solutions, particularly AI, underscores the immense opportunities that lie ahead in this vibrant market. This initiative is specifically tailored for our ACIMIT members, providing them with a platform to showcase their innovative offerings. Reflecting on todays discussions, it becomes evident that fostering collaboration between India and Italy in the technological advancements is paramount.

Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, it is noteworthy that according to the trade data from the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, Italy accounts for 7 per cent of the total textile machine imports by India, and machine imports from Italy have surged by over 228 per cent from 2020 to 2023, indicating a deepening commitment and partnership with Italian companies.

The textile machinery sector holds a pivotal role in shaping Indias economic landscape and influencing global trade dynamics. Therefore, our dedication to fostering closer collaboration between our two nations remains steadfast, added Baccanari.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)
Laos and Vietnam recently signed a new bilateral trade agreement following talks in Vientiane. Vietnamese minister of industry and trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Lao minister of industry and commerce Malaithong Kommasith signed the agreement.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between Vietnams general department of market surveillance (GDMS) and the department of business competition and trade inspection under the Lao ministry of industry and commerce.

Laos and Vietnam recently signed a new bilateral trade agreement following talks in Vientiane. An MoU was also signed between Vietnam's general department of market surveillance and Laos' department of business competition to update each other about policies and laws and share best practices in enforcing penalties on business and trade violations.

Under the MoU, both sides will update each other about respective policies and laws, offer support in market management training for officials, share best practices in enforcing administrative penalties on business and trade violations while combating cross-border smuggling, commercial fraud and illegal transportation of goods, according to a Vietnamese news agency.

In the first quarter this year, two-way trade between the two nations hit $417.8 million, down by 1.8 per cent year on year.

Dien acknowledged Laos's growing production capacity, evidenced by its transition from a trade deficit to a surplus with Vietnam in recent years. He also underscored Laos' rising importance as a key raw material supplier for Vietnams manufacturing sector.

Both sides agreed to hold more trade promotion activities and develop border trade infrastructure.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
MBABANE  In an astonishing turn of events, a businessman left four of his five wives and over 30 children in agony after making one of his sons the sole heir and beneficiary to his estate worth millions.

Joseph Khalalemphi Mndzebele died in November 2007, and his estate is still subject to liquidation and distribution. He had two plots situated in Manzini, two shops located at Lobamba Lomdzala, two Mercedes-Benz vehicles, two Toyota vans and two tractors, among other things he owned. All these items form part of the deceaseds inventory and they were all given to his son Makhosahlangene Makhalane Mndzebele, as the sole heir to his properties as communicated in a Will that was drafted in 1998.

Validity

The Will, whose validity was tested in court, was initially drafted in 1993, but at the time, the deceased was not married to one of his five wives and it had to be amended in 1998, to accommodate her. This was the information shared by the late businessmans two sons, Mbuso and Gabi Mndzebele, who appeared before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the operations of the Masters Office. The two are also brothers to well-known Zimbabwe-based Human Rights Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, the Board Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. They declared before the commission that at some point, they went to her for an opinion, given that she was well versed in legal issues. Gabi told the commission that it was very astonishing and shocking at the same time that their father, who was fond of all his wives and taking care of them equally, could leave them with absolutely nothing when he passed on.

He described his father as a humble man who did not hold any grudges, but believed in solving disputes amicably. It is on that basis that we were left in disbelief after learning that my fathers Will did not communicate anything about allocating his properties fairly among his wives but left everything to a sole heir, not when he cared about his wives this much, he said. Gabi submitted that what boggled the mind was that his father died at a time when the Constitution had come into effect and being somebody who wasnt ignorant of the law, there was no way he could have disregarded Section 34 of the Supreme Law of the land. Section 34 of the Constitution depicts that a surviving spouse is entitled to a reasonable provision out of the estate of the other spouse whether the other spouse died having made a valid Will or not and whether the spouses were married by civil or customary rites. Gabi revealed that his fathers spouses, except for the mother of the sole heir, were not having it easy in life. He submitted that sometimes they were compelled to give financial aid to their fathers spouses because they struggled to make ends meet.

Commission

Mbuso revealed to the commission that at some point, his father was denied access to his vehicles, because there was an assumption that he was attracting women when driving. He narrated that he offered his father one of his vehicles but his father told him that it would not be a good idea to drive the vehicle without having purchased it from him and officially make it his own. He shared that he had to sell the vehicle to his father, at a low value of E20 000, so that he could transfer its ownership to him. This was a highly valued vehicle, but I had to compromise because I could not stand watching my father walk while I was driving. However, it didnt end well as the same vehicle was tampered with and it developed mechanical faults and ended up idle at home, he shared.

Assistant Master at the Manzini Office, Ziphozonke Fakudze, confirmed the Will which bequeathed all the deceaseds belongings to his son and appointed one of the surviving spouses, Siphiwe Patricia Mndzebele as the executor. She revealed that valuation reports of the properties were submitted. She also told the commission that on May 8, 2014, they received a notice of motion where the applicant, Phuzukuvela Mndzebele, wanted to have the executor removed, because the estate had not been wound up seven years after the demise of the businessman.

On December 15, 2014, the Office of the Master also received another notice of motion from one of the spouses, Reginah Mndzebele represented by Mbuso Simelane Attorneys, an application to have the Will declared null and void as it violated Section 21 (4) and Section 34 of the Constitution. Section 21 (4) depicts that where a person is tried for any criminal offence, the accused person or person authorised by the accused person shall, if the accused person or person authorised by the accused person so requires and subject to payment of such reasonable fee as may be prescribed by law, be given within a reasonable time after judgment a copy for the use of the accused person of any record of the proceedings made by or on behalf of the court.

Declared

It also declared Section 125 of the Administration Act unconstitutional as it violated Sections 21 and 34 of the Constitution and the prayer was to have the fourth respondent, the sole heir, be restrained from collecting rentals from Makhomba Supermarket, which is one of the deceaseds businesses. She said that as far as the Office of the Master was concerned, these matters were still pending in court. However, the Mndzebele brothers gave clarity that the matters had been finalised in court and were no longer pending. Having declared that they doubted the validity of the Will, the commission advised the Mndzebele brothers to take the matter to court, with the Chairman of the commission, Judge Majahenkhaba Dlamini, revealing that they had a strong case given that the Will was effective from the death of the deceased, which was after the Constitution had come to effect. It should be noted that the countrys Constitution came into effect in 2005.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 9, 2024) - Trail Blazer Capital Corp. (TSXV: TBLZ.P) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the "Letter of Intent"), dated April 8, 2024, with Good Purpose Investments Inc. ("GPI"), a privately-held British Columbia corporation. GPI operates a business (the "Business") involved in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of textiles derived from recycled plastics, with operations located in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai and Amsterdam.

Under the trade name "Waste2Wear", the Business offers a range of innovative textile products made from waste plastics, along with a supply chain traceability platform to ensure sustainable production practices, and a testing method to verify material content and expose greenwashing in the industry. GPI controls patents for a range of technical innovations, material analysis capabilities, and traceability technology used in the operation of the Business.

The Business is well recognized on the global stage, having won various awards such as the World Sustainability Award for Sustainable Supply Chain and the American Chamber of Commerce Award for Corporate Social Responsibility. In addition, it has collaborated with thought-leading groups that are prominent on the global sustainability stage, including being selected to participate in the BBC's Fashion Redressed series and attending talks at the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai last December.

During the year-ended December 31, 2023, the Business generated gross revenue of Cdn$11,279,132. The Company cautions that this figure has not yet been audited and is based on calculations prepared by management of GPI using an effective exchange rate of Cdn$1.35 for US$1.00.

In accordance with the terms of the Letter of Intent, it is anticipated that the Company will establish a wholly-owned subsidiary which will amalgamate with GPI (the "Transaction"), following which the resulting amalgamated entity will continue as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Transaction constitutes a "Qualifying Transaction" for the Company under TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies. Following completion of the Transaction, it is anticipated that the Company will be listed on the Exchange as a Tier 2 Industrial Issuer.

In connection with completion of the Transaction, GPI intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Financing") through the offering of no less than 8,000,000 and up to 20,000,000 subscription receipts (each, a "Receipt") at a price of Cdn$0.25 per Receipt for gross proceeds of no less than Cdn$2,000,000 and up to Cdn$5,000,000. Proceeds of the Financing will be held in escrow pending completion of the Transaction. Immediately prior to completion of the Transaction, the Receipts will automatically be converted into common shares of GPI, which will then be exchanged for common shares of the Company.

In accordance with the terms of the Transaction, it is contemplated that: (i) the Company will consolidate (the "Consolidation") its common share capital on a one for one-and-one-half basis; (ii) the holders of the existing share capital of GPI will receive one post-Consolidation common share of the Company for every common share of GPI previously held; and (iii) the holders of common shares of GPI resulting from the conversion of the Receipts will receive one post-Consolidation common share of the Company for every Receipt previously held.

In connection with the entering into of the Letter of Intent, and subject to the approval of the Exchange, the Company has agreed to advance a working capital loan to GPI in the principal amount of Cdn$250,000 (the "Bridge Loan"). The Bridge Loan will be secured by a general charge over all of the assets of GPI and will bear interest at a rate of 5.0% per annum. In the event the parties elect not to proceed with the Transaction, and the Letter of Intent is terminated, GPI will arrange for repayment of the Bridge Loan, and all accrued interest, within six months following termination. The proceeds from the Bridge Loan will be utilized to satisfy expenses associated with the Transaction, and for the general working capital purposes of GPI.

Closing of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions including completion of satisfactory due diligence, entering into of a definitive agreement, completion of the Bridge Loan and the Financing , the Company having positive working capital of no less than Cdn$750,000 after deducting the Bridge Loan and before all costs and expenses associated with the Transaction, the Company having completed the Consolidation, the Company having adopted a new name acceptable to GPI, the Company having reconstituted its board of directors and management to consist of nominees of GPI, approval of the Exchange and satisfaction of other closing conditions as are customary in transactions of this nature. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Trading in the common shares of the Company will remain halted pending further filings with the Exchange.

The Transaction is not a "Non-Arms' Length Qualifying Transaction" as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange, nor is the Transaction subject to approval of the shareholders of the Company. To the knowledge of the Company, no "Non-Arm's Length Parties", as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange, are insiders of GPI. A finders' fee may be paid to Northbay Capital Partners Corp., an arms'-length party, in connection with completion of the Transaction in consideration for introducing the Company to GPI. The Company intends to seek a waiver of the sponsorship requirements prescribed by Exchange Policy 2.2 - Sponsorship and Sponsorship Requirements in connection with the Transaction.

Further information regarding the Transaction, including a detailed use of proceeds for the Financing, a summary of significant financial information respecting the Business, and details regarding the proposed board and management of the Company following completion of the Transaction will be made available in due course. Readers are encouraged to review the filing statement which will be prepared by the Company in connection with the Transaction and which will be made available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+.

For further information, contact Thomas O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer, at thomas@oneill-group.ca or 604.484.4170.

On behalf of the Board,

Trail Blazer Capital Corp.

Thomas O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer

Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. The Transaction cannot close until the required approvals are obtained, and the outstanding conditions satisfied. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to proposed financing activity, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause 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. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/204891

SOURCE: Trail Blazer Capital Corp.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - April 9, 2024) - RFA Capital Holdings International Ltd. (RFACHIL) announced an agreement to acquire a 51% majority interest in the newly formed Five Continents Holdings Ltd. (FCHL). FCHL owns 100% of Five Continents Financial Limited (Five Continents) and related entities, a leading wealth and investment management company in the Cayman Islands. RFACHIL is owned directly by RFA Capital Holdings Inc. (RFA) and indirectly by RFA's largest shareholder, Halcyon International and Mr. Steven Joyce. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, and the transaction is subject to approval from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA).

Five Continents is one of the largest independently owned and best in class discretionary wealth and investment managers in the Cayman Islands. It is licensed by the CIMA and is one of the oldest fully regulated asset managers in the Cayman Islands. Founded in 1993, in partnership with N.M. Rothschild & Sons Ltd., Five Continents has successfully been managed by its ownership and senior management team for 30 years. With the team remaining in place, Five Continents will continue to provide a comprehensive suite of wealth management services, including discretionary asset management focused on investment portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and families, corporations, captive insurance companies, pension plans, and trusts. The firm also offers professional services, including company incorporation and administration.

Founded in 1996, RFA is a privately held Canadian-owned investment firm grounded in real estate, asset management and banking. RFA manages real estate portfolios and participates in financial transactions, REITs, and direct investments. Combined, the RFA Group of companies has over $60 Billion in assets under management and administration. In 2019, RFA acquired Street Capital Bank of Canada, a Canadian federally regulated Schedule I Bank, now RFA Bank of Canada.

Halcyon International is a private investment company controlled by Mr. Joyce with interests in real estate, financial securities, private equity, and banking, dating back to over 60 years of investing and building businesses. Halcyon evolved from the Joyce family co-founding restaurant chain Tim Hortons and building the multinational coffeehouse into one of the world's most successful brands. "Halcyon and RFA have a 26-year history of successfully investing and building businesses together. We look forward to continuing this track record of excellence with Five Continents," said Steven Joyce, President and CEO of Halcyon International. Halcyon, through the Joyce Family Foundation, a half a billion dollar philanthropic organization, gives back to communities across Canada with a focus on youth through access to education, and mental health.

"We are excited to join forces with RFA. This alliance is a milestone for both organisations, creating a powerful partnership and a dynamic leader in the offshore wealth management industry, setting a new standard for excellence in wealth management. This partnership will significantly enhance Five Continents' boutique leadership position in the offshore wealth management space, bringing together complementary strengths and enhancing our expertise while broadening the operational resources, available capital, and capabilities of our firm," said Bill Messer.

Scott Elphinstone stated, "Our unique partnership with RFA, as a private financial services group, maintains Five Continents' legacy as an independently owned and operated wealth manager beyond the leadership of Bill and me. It signals our commitment and the organization's ability to deliver exceptional value-added service to our clients while expanding our reach in key markets and introducing new investment opportunities to our clients."

Ben Rodney, President and CEO of RFA, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "This strategic partnership represents an exciting opportunity to expand our footprint in the Caribbean market and enhance our global reach. We are excited to partner with the Five Continents Team, and together, we will leverage our combined resources and capabilities to deliver innovative and superior wealth management solutions and outcomes for our clients. We look forward to serving clients and growing Five Continents in the Cayman Islands and beyond its shores."

RFA Capital, Five Continents, and Halcyon International

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10352/204902_4eaca064049e5bb8_001full.jpg

Contact:

Ben Rodney

Brodney@rfacapital.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/204902

SOURCE: RFA Capital Holdings Inc.
BOSTON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The ability to generate random numbers is essential to encrypting data. However, any classical method of producing randomness will fundamentally be deterministic - and theoretically predictable. This creates an opportunity for non-deterministic, high entropy quantum random number generators (QRNGs). In this article, IDTechEx explores the opportunities and challenges for QRNG in the growing connected devices and quantum communications markets.

High volume deployment needs chip-scale solutions

Quantum technology is often associated with large-scale bulky laboratory equipment, supported by cryostats at millikelvin temperatures or sprawling set-ups across vibration isolated tables. However, more and more quantum computing, sensing, and communication technology are being miniaturized - with quantum random number generators amongst the first to go chip-scale.

Quantum randomness can be accessed from the uncertainty associated with a photon arriving at a detector. The relative simplicity of this photonic solution compared to other quantum technologies has given it a head-start in commercialization and market adoption. Leading players, such as IDQuantique, have successfully integrated LEDs and CMOS image sensors into not only PCB-e and USB formats but also mm-dimension chips.

In the Internet of Things, low SWAP is imperative (size, weight, and power). In the years ahead, opportunities remain for those QRNG players who can compete on this front. In particular, differentiation can be offered by balancing the demand for high generation rates with resource efficiency, as is the specialty of disruptors such as Quside, Cryptalabs, and Quantum Dice. Overcoming this challenge can be as much about efficient software as it is about light sources and photodetectors. Also, the pitch from players offering alternatives to the optical approach - such as beta-decay or tunneling - is that the next generations of QRNG could get even smaller.

Growing pressure on cryptographic module performance in consumer electronics

Random number generators are key components of cryptographic modules in consumer electronics. These modules play a crucial role in managing the cybersecurity of our laptops, smart-phones, and tablets. Pressure from both regulators and end-users has driven continued performance improvements of cryptographic modules, and industry giants continue to compete in offering the best security features. For example, Samsung have already released a limited range of QRNG enabled smartphones in Korea.

However, there are some serious competitors to QRNG in the consumer electronics arena. Chip-scale cryptographic modules have historically used software or classical hardware based random number generators. In fact, despite not being quantum, the industry has found impressive methods to increase the randomness accessible from noise sources such as electrical jitter or thermal fluctuations. Moreover, one of the major risks to existing cybersecurity is quantum computing - but not necessarily due to low entropy, and even in this instance, mathematical software-based defenses are broadly considered quicker and easier to implement.

However, despite multiple competing innovations, the deterministic nature of classical hardware RNG cannot be avoided. There is certainly an opportunity for QRNG technology in future generations of cryptographic modules, yet the details of with exactly what, how and from who remains (ironically) undetermined.

The impact of meta-trends in connected vehicles and digital health

Connected devices span much more than just our smart-phones and computers. Meta-trends in 'vehicle to everything (V2X)' and digital health will see even more electric vehicles, medical devices, and wearables sharing and using high-value data. In both the automotive and medical markets, the consequences of a malicious attack over the air are incredibly high. In the examples of robo-taxis and insulin patches alone, there are serious concerns around fatal collisions and drug overdoses.

The impact of the trajectory of these meta-trends on the quantum communication market is likely to be crucial. On the one hand, in most instances, the same regulatory frameworks for more established cryptographic hardware will be depended on in these industries. For example, in the US, the FDA's guidance on medical device cyber security leverages NIST guidelines, which ultimately create an approved vendor list for entropy sources. On the other hand, the fast pace of threat evolution also creates huge pressure on 'crytpo-agility', something more challenging to achieve with hardware-based approaches than software or 'over the air' solutions. The software defined vehicle market may prefer a software defined cybersecurity solution too.

Conclusions and market outlook

Overall, the demand for better cybersecurity solutions within the consumer electronics, automotive, and medical markets is inevitable. Still, the potential disruption for quantum hardware in the short term could be limited by competition from existing classical hardware and emerging software-based solutions. However, despite the challenges, high entropy in a chip-scale package has a fundamentally high value proposition. With the right regulatory backing and price, concerns about limitations to crypto agility are unlikely to limit market success.

For more insight and ten year market forecasts covering the quantum technology industry, see IDTechEx's dedicated reports covering Quantum Computing, Quantum Sensors, and Quantum Communications. Downloadable sample pages are available for all reports.

For the full portfolio of market research from IDTechEx, please see www.IDTechEx.com.

Upcoming free-to-attend webinar

What's Next for the Quantum Computing Market?

Dr Tess Skyrme, Senior Technology Analyst at IDTechEx and author of this article, will be presenting a free-to-attend webinar on the topic on Wednesday 24 April 2024 - What's Next for the Quantum Computing Market?

Key aspects covered in this webinar include:

What is quantum computing, and what is the state of the industry?

How has the industry changed in the last 12 months?

How do scalability challenges vary between quantum computing modalities?

Which trends can be expected in the quantum computing market in 2024 and beyond?

When are some key inflection points anticipated for commercial value creation?

Please click here to check timings and register for your specific time zone.

If you are unable to make the date, please register anyway to receive the links to the on-demand recording (available for a limited time) and webinar slides as soon as they are available.

We also have two on-demand webinars available on the topic:

The Next Five Years of Quantum Technology: Hype vs. Reality (available until 28 th May 2024)

Quantum Communication Technology: How Can Physics Protect Our Data Security? (available until 14thAugust 2024)

About IDTechEx:

IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging technologies and their markets. Since 1999, we have been helping our clients to understand new technologies, their supply chains, market requirements, opportunities and forecasts. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

Media Contact:

Lucy RogersSales and Marketing Administrator

press@IDTechEx.com

+44(0)1223 812300

Social Media Links:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDTechEx

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/IDTechEx

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478371/IDTechEx_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/idtechex-explores-opportunities-for-qrng-in-the-connected-devices-market-302110327.html
Digostics and AgaMatrix Team Up to Improve Gestational Diabetes Screening for UK Women via the Introduction of Oral Glucose Tolerance Home Testing

OXFORD, UK / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Digital clinical diagnostics and diabetes home testing provider Digostics Limited announced today a new commercial partnership with leading diabetes technology company, AgaMatrix Europe Limited, designed to accelerate the introduction of Digostics' home oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) service, GTT@home, for gestational diabetes (GDM) screening within the UK National Health Service (NHS).

GTT@home represents the world's first and only commercially available OGTT approved for home use. The partnership enables AgaMatrix to distribute GTT@home to the NHS on an exclusive basis. This news also follows the recent announcement of the significantly improved uptake in OGTT attributed to home testing experienced by University Hospital Southampton (UHS), and GTT@home's full inclusion in the Laboratory Diagnostics, Point of Care Testing and Pathology Managed Services framework operated by NHS Supply Chain.

Image: The GTT@home Test Kit includes the novel test device, a preformulated glucose drink, finger prickers, a test user guide and a prepaid envelope. It is packaged to fit safely in the recipient's home letterbox.

"The significant reductions in maternity services workload and improvements in test accessibility achieved by taking GDM screening directly to the expectant mother has generated huge domestic and international demand for GTT@home," said James Jackson, CEO and Founder of Digostics. "AgaMatrix is the perfect partner to help Digostics expedite GTT@home's UK introduction based on its existing relationships and customer base within NHS maternity services and their unparalleled domain expertise in GDM monitoring."

While the OGTT is the gold standard in GDM screening, delayed and missed tests are common based on the inconvenience for women and complexity for healthcare providers of the traditional clinic-based method of OGTT delivery. OGTT uptake is also unfortunately lowest with those patient groups most at-risk of developing the condition.

GTT@home removes the barriers associated with effective diabetes screening by enabling women to test for glucose intolerance outside of the clinic for the very first time. Home testing offers the same level of accuracy as clinic tests but without any of the staffing requirements, risks of sample degradation and laboratory delays that often impact clinic testing capacity, contribute to screening backlogs and cause false negative tests.

Image: With GTT@home, the user can send their test data directly to their antenatal care team with a simple scan of a snap-off fob attached to the test device using the NFC functionality within their smartphone.

"Our daily interaction with customers means we see up close just how difficult it is for maternity service departments to deliver timely GDM testing. We also know just how excited they are at the prospect of being able to improve their testing throughput by introducing home screening," said Alec Winton, Business Manager Europe, AgaMatrix Europe. "We could not be more excited to partner with Digostics and to add GTT@home to our growing portfolio of ways in which we can assist the NHS manage diabetes in pregnancy."

With GTT@home simplifying GDM testing and AgaMatrix' technologies assisting with the management of those diagnosed positive, the partnership also provides additional scope for a closer technical integration between their respective solutions.

"The complementary nature of Digostics' and AgaMatrix' services bridges a technical gap between GDM testing and post-diagnosis care," said Arif Govani, Chief Digital and Data Officer, Digostics. "However, we are not stopping there in our efforts to make things easier for diabetes midwifery professionals. We are already exploring ways in which we can make the testing and diabetes patient onboarding process even more seamless through full-service integration."

NHS Supply Chain's Laboratory Diagnostics, Point of Care Testing and Pathology Managed Services framework started on the 12th March 2024 and runs for four years. GTT@home's inclusion on this framework makes it easier for NHS hospitals looking to reduce their testing backlogs by drawing on the Digostics service. GTT@home is also regulatory approved for use within the European Union. Additionally, Digostics is currently launching international operations in the Middle East and Asia Pacific to meet the significant demand for oral glucose tolerance home testing in these regions.

Image: GTT@home enables the expectant mother to complete her OGTT from home and without needing to attend clinic.

***

About Digostics

Far too many people across the world are living with undiagnosed diabetes.

UK-based Digostics' mission is to enable healthcare providers to identify everyone with diabetes, and those at risk of developing diabetes, by eliminating the common barriers that inhibit accurate and timely testing using the gold standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Digostics is proud to offer GTT@home - the world's first home OGTT offering and the most accessible and scalable way for clinical teams to realise their diabetes testing objectives.

To learn more, visit www.digostics.com

About AgaMatrix Europe Ltd

AgaMatrix Europe Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of AgaMatrix Inc. based in New Hampshire, USA. AgaMatrix Inc. was acquired by global in-vitro diagnostics company, i-SENS, in July 2023.

AgaMatrix designs, develops, manufactures, and supplies innovative diagnostic and data management technologies for diabetes care.

AgaMatrix Europe is a leading supplier of blood glucose monitoring and support services to Gestational Diabetes Clinics nationwide. The WaveSense JAZZ blood glucose test strip is the second most prescribed in the UK. It is used in the WaveSense JAZZ WIRELESS meter, which syncs automatically to the AgaMatrix Diabetes Manager app, and is a popular choice for HCPs to monitor Gestational Diabetes.

AgaMatrix has sold over 8 million blood glucose monitors and over 3 billion test strips since the Company's 2001 inception.

Media Contact(s)

Graeme Collins, Digostics

Mobile: +44 (0)7854 664168

Email: gc@digostics.com

SOURCE: Digostics Limited

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The innovative Cyber Performance Center approach helps businesses present a united front against cybercrime by aligning cybersecurity and corporate goals.

NEW YORK, NY, LONDON, UK and SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Companies can level up their cybersecurity defenses - eliminating the skills and knowledge gaps that criminals regularly exploit thanks to Hack The Box's Cyber Performance Center .

Hack The Box's Cyber Performance Center unites individual ability, business management practices, and the human factor in the cybersecurity industry and it is designed to help organizations take a coordinated approach to their cyber readiness, reducing the vulnerabilities created when cybersecurity is siloed or treated as a tick-box requirement.

Its innovative model transcends the limits of traditional cyber training, taking a 360 overview that considers a business's processes and technology investments along with the requirements of its cybersecurity teams. By matching processes and exercises to organizational outcomes it helps to align cybersecurity and business objectives.

Hack The Box's disruptive approach also directly addresses the key human element within corporate cybersecurity, focusing on the upskilling and development cyber professionals need to perform to their best while providing clear career paths to encourage retention and combat the increased burnout and fatigue within the sector. This is critical as the global cybersecurity industry currently faces a skills shortage of four million people.

It is estimated that, by next year over half of significant cyber incidents will be caused by human error or skill shortages1. The Cyber Performance Center approach helps organizations tackle their security as a company-wide goal, considering the needs of its cybersecurity team, business processes, and respective technology investments to promote a healthy security culture.

Hack The Box combines these three organizational pillars with a continuous learning journey based on the latest technologies, vulnerabilities, and solutions for all cybersecurity domains. The approach enables customers to create and maintain a robust cyber strategy, unlocking the skills of each member of their security teams, matching processes and exercises to organizational outcomes, and bridging the gap between cybersecurity and business objectives.

"At Hack The Box, we believe cybersecurity readiness is not just a technical requirement but a company-wide imperative, involving people, technology, and processes", highlights Haris Pylarinos, Founder and CEO at Hack The Box. "Only by taking into account the needs of an organization's cybersecurity team, its business processes, and respective technology investments, can a healthy security culture thrive. That's why we've developed the Cyber Performance Center approach, where our focus is on empowering cyber individuals and organizations to bring out the best version of themselves, day in and day out."

Hack The Box is the only Cyber Performance Center that builds on three critical pillars:

Continuous, gamified, hands-on upskilling from cybersecurity fundamentals to advanced scenarios.

Cybersecurity workforce development plans, baked into the fabric and objectives of organizations.

Career path programs and retention strategies to fight burnout, fatigue, and skill gaps.

Haris Pylarinos continues: "What makes Hack The Box different is that, unlike traditional training methods, we provide an all-in-one platform that serves as a single pane of glass for organizations and cybersecurity leaders to recruit, upskill, retain, and track their team's success. Cyber Performance Center marks the next stage of Hack The Box's evolution. We will continue to support the industry by acting as a vital ally in crafting high-performing security teams and organizations that put the human factor in the forefront."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1 Predicts 2023: Cybersecurity Industry Focuses on the Human Deal, Gartner

Additional graphics available upon request.

About Hack The Box:

Hack The Box is the Cyber Performance Center with the mission to provide a human-first platform to create and maintain high-performing cybersecurity individuals and organizations. Hack The Box is the only platform that unites upskilling, workforce development, and the human focus in the cybersecurity industry, and it's trusted by organizations worldwide for driving their teams to peak performance. Offering an all-in-one environment for continuous growth, assessment, and recruitment, Hack The Box provides solutions for all cybersecurity domains. Launched in 2017, Hack The Box brings together the largest global cybersecurity community of more than 2.6 million platform members. Rapidly growing its international footprint and reach, Hack The Box is headquartered in the UK, with additional offices in the US, Australia, and Greece.

For more information, please visit hackthebox.com

Find us on:

LinkedIn - Facebook - Instagram - Twitter - Discord - YouTube

For press inquiries, please contact: pr@hackthebox.com

SOURCE: Hack The Box

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2024) - Neotech Metals Corp. (CSE: NTMC) (OTC Pink: NTMFF) (FSE: V690) ("Neotech" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce, further to its news release of March 21, 2024, that it has closed its non-brokered flow through financing (the "Offering").

Under the Offering, the Company issued 1,142,858 flow-through units of the Company ("FT Units"), at a price of $0.70 per FT Unit, for gross proceeds of $800,000, with each FT Unit 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 share purchase warrant entitling the holder to purchase one (non-flow-through) common share at a price of $0.80 for a period of three years.

The Company paid finder's fees of $56,000 in cash to certain finders in connection with the sale of FT Units.

The Warrants will be subject to an acceleration provision whereby, if for any 15 consecutive trading day period, 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 FT Units, including all underlying securities, are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issue of the FT Units. 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.

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/204886

SOURCE: Neotech Metals Corp.
New survey from cybersecurity provider Hornetsecurity reveals that half (45%) of UK businesses have been victims of a cyberattack

3 in 5 businesses are most concerned about AI-assisted phishing

1 in 10 describe themselves as 'not ready at all' for a zero-day cyberattack

LONDON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New research by Hornetsecurity highlights the AI cybersecurity gap affecting UK businesses: although nearly half (45%) of companies have fallen victim to cyberattacks, 26% are still not using AI to enhance their cybersecurity defences.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 500 C-suite professionals across the UK, reveals that cyber threats are an escalating concern. The increased sophistication of these attacks, largely attributed to AI facilitating the process of threat creation, has been acknowledged by 85% of respondents.

Commenting on the findings, Hornetsecurity CEO, Daniel Hofmann, said: "The results show how prevalent cyber crime is - and while 74% of businesses integrate AI into their defences with the goal of blocking threats, there's a concerning quarter who have yet to use this technology. Businesses must recognise the potential of AI in tackling cyber threats and integrate it in their security strategies to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated attacks."

The double-edged sword of AI

The dual nature of AI in cybersecurity continues to trouble professionals across the full range of sectors: an equal 40% of respondents see AI as a mitigator and an exacerbator of cyber threats. When it comes to personal experience, the direct split was again repeated: 45% of business leaders found AI helped and a further 45% reported AI had worsened the threat landscape.

This comes as AI is increasingly used by threat actors to automate, sophisticate (and sometimes translate) malicious attacks globally - and the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) found that AI is lowering the barrier of entry to novice cyber criminals.

Phishing attacks and deep fakes

There's a clear concern about AI-enhanced phishing attacks, with 58% identifying it as their top worry. Deepfake technology also emerges as a significant concern, with 39% of businesses worried about its potential - and growing - use in cyberattacks.

Despite the challenges, AI plays a crucial role in bolstering cybersecurity efforts. More than half of businesses (52%) use AI to improve threat detection, and 19% implement it for cybersecurity training. However, more than a quarter (26%) of companies are yet to adopt AI in their cybersecurity strategies, highlighting a gap in using advanced technology to detect and combat threats.

Investment in AI and the looming threat of zero-day attacks

There is a marked split in prioritising investment in AI for cybersecurity, with 42% placing it at the top of their agenda, contrasted by 29% who consider it a lower priority or not a priority at all. This divide underscores the varying levels of awareness and readiness among businesses to integrate AI into their cybersecurity frameworks.

Alarmingly, only 19% of businesses feel well prepared for a zero-day attack, with a mere 8% rating themselves as fully ready. There is a disparity in preparedness across industries. The IT and Communication sector displays the highest confidence level, with 38% rating their readiness as 9 or 10. This is followed by the education and banking and financial services sectors.

Meanwhile, the sectors of government and defence, sport and recreation, and several others report a startling lack of confidence in their preparedness, highlighting a critical area for improvement. Over 1 in 10 businesses are not at all ready for a zero-day attack, a total of 11%.

The future of AI in cybersecurity

Looking ahead, 74% of respondents believe that the role of AI in cybersecurity will only grow in importance over the next five years. This response indicates a future where AI's integration into corporate cybersecurity strategies is not just an option but a necessity.

Hofmann adds: "For businesses, the message is clear: embracing AI in cybersecurity is essential. Companies should not just invest in new technologies but strengthen all technical and human defences against an ever-evolving - and frightening - threat landscape."

Notes to Editor:

1. The survey was conducted by Perspectus Global in March 2024 with a sample of 516 business leaders in the UK.

About Hornetsecurity

Hornetsecurity is a leading global provider of next-generation cloud-based security, compliance, backup, and security awareness solutions that help companies and organisations of all sizes around the world. Its flagship product, 365 Total Protection, is the most comprehensive cloud security solution for Microsoft 365 on the market. Driven by innovation and cybersecurity excellence, Hornetsecurity is building a safer digital future and sustainable security cultures with its award-winning portfolio. Hornetsecurity operates in more than 120 countries through its international distribution network of 12,000+ channel partners and MSPs. Its premium services are used by more than 75,000 customers.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2381453/Hornetsecurity_AI_Enabled_UK_Attacks.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2381454/Hornetsecurity_Business_Aims_UK.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2381452/Hornetsecurity_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/quarter-of-uk-businesses-arent-using-ai-to-bolster-cybersecurity-hornetsecurity-survey-reveals-302112004.html
Erinnern Sie sich, als Moderna und BioNTech von unbekannten Unternehmen zu globalen Marktfuhrern wurden und fruhzeitige Investoren reich belohnt haben?



Die Branche steht vor einem erneuten Innovationsschub  von bahnbrechenden Medikamenten bis hin zu revolutionaren Therapien.



Warum sollten Sie dabei sein?



Sie sollten jetzt in Biotech-Aktien einsteigen, weil wir am Beginn einer neuen Ara der medizinischen Innovation stehen konnten! Gen- und Zelltherapien, personalisierte Medizin und bahnbrechende Technologien konnten das Gesundheitswesen revolutionieren  und die Aktienkurse in die Hohe schieen lassen.



Die nachste Erfolgsgeschichte im Biotechbereich warten nur darauf, entdeckt zu werden. Wer jetzt investiert, hat die Chance, von gigantischen Durchbruchen und enormen Renditen zu profitieren. Warten Sie nicht, bis es zu spat ist - der nachste Biotech-Superstar konnte morgen schon durchstarten!



Verpassen Sie nicht diese Chance!



Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Biotech-Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 3 Biotech-Aktien das riesige Potenzial haben, Ihren finanziellen Erfolg zu sichern. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen zukunftstrachtige Investments im Biotech-Sektor.



Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report!
Right Coast Spirits Italian Ice to be first brand packed in DrinktainerTM via O-I and FX Matt contract packing collaboration

Release pairs the sleek, modern design of Drinktainer with refreshing, vodka based RTD (Ready-to-Drink) beverage

Perrysburg, Ohio, April 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O-I Glass, Inc. ("O-I Glass" or "O-I"), along with F.X. Matt and Right Coast Spirits have announced that Right Coast Spirits Italian Ice will become the first brand to market in DrinktainerTM. Through the contract packing partnership between O-I and F.X. Matt, F.X. now has a dedicated filling line for Drinktainer, which allows beverage brands to execute a market test or a full market launch through their F.X. contract packing services.

Lemon Vodka Freeze and Cherry Vodka Chill will hit shelves, packed in 375ml?Straightwall DrinktainerTM four packs in April. "The sensory experience of DrinktainerTM, paired with the invigorating real fruit and vodka flavors in Right Coast Spirits' Italian Ice line promises a superior drinking experience versus the current RTD offerings in the market," said Sarah Brennan, North America Marketing & NPD Director for O-I. "By working with our co-packing partner, F.X. Matt, the speed-to-market of Drinktainer will ensure this unique experience is on shelves just as weather is starting to warm up."

Right Coast Spirits is a unique partnership between three craft breweries - Flying Dog, Harpoon and Saranac. The group has maintained a contract packing relationship with F.X. Matt for over 30 years and 10 years, respectively. In 2023, O-I announced a partnership with F.X. Matt to add DrinktainerTM line to their package offerings, creating a unique opportunity to streamline beverage innovation and improve channel efficiency for faster shelf placement.

"Italian Ice is nostalgic and delivers great taste in Drinktainer," notes Fred Matt, president of F.X. Matt Brewing Company. "The wide mouth opening maximizes aroma and flavor for a more enjoyable consumption experience and will stand out at retail."

Drinktainer is a single-serve, recyclable glass container that features a RipCap closure, providing consumers with authenticity and freshness. To learn more about Drinktainer and its ability to stand out on shelf, visit http://o-i.com.

###

ABOUT O-I GLASS

At O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE: OI), we love glass, and we are proud to be one of the leading producers of glass bottles and jars around the globe. Glass is not only beautiful, it is also pure, healthy, and completely recyclable, making it the most sustainable rigid packaging material. Headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio (USA), O-I is the preferred partner for many of the world's leading food and beverage brands. We innovate in line with customers' needs to create iconic packaging that builds brands around the world. Led by our diverse team of approximately 24,000 people across 69?plants in 19 countries, O-I achieved revenues of $6.9 billion in 2022. Learn more about us:o-i.com /?Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn

ABOUT RIGHT COAST SPIRITS

Right Coast Spirits is a ready-to-drink spirits company founded by Flying Dog Brewery, F.X. Matt Brewing Company, makers of Saranac, and Mass Bay Brewing Company, makers of Harpoon. With an appetite for innovation and a passion to create high quality beverages with only the best ingredients, these three partners came together to produce their first product in a line of canned cocktails-Vodka Whips. To learn more and stay up to date on product launches, visit righcoastspirits.com.

About F.X. MATT BREWING COMPANY

As one of the few remaining great American regional breweries and premier contract packaging partner, the FX Matt Brewing Company has prospered at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York for over 136 years. Under the leadership of Fred Matt, the fourth generation of the Matt Family to lead the Brewery, the Brewery has earned the reputation as one of the most respected specialty brewers in the country, producing a variety of distinctive, flavorful beers. In 1878, young F.X. Matt I, a German-born immigrant, left a promising career at the famous Duke of Baden Brewery in the Black Forest region of Germany to travel to the United States with the determination and dream of owning his own brewery someday. After several years of brewing experience at the Bierbauer Brewery, F.X. Matt re-organized the faltering brewery to create The West End Brewing Company in 1888. Serving as both the star salesperson and brewmaster, the brewery quickly became one of the largest and most successful of the 12 breweries operating in Utica at the time. Also of note, through astute lobbying by his son Frank Matt, the brewery was able to obtain the #1 beer license and sell the first beer (Utica Club) when Prohibition repealed in 1933.

Today, Fred Matt (President and CEO) continues this proud tradition with the celebrated Saranac family of beers - a beer brewed to the same exacting standards of quality F.X. Matt established more than a century ago.
MBABANE  Matsapha businessman Sifiso Simelane, whose body was found in a forest with his throat slit, allegedly committed acts of fraud, which were discovered after his death.

Sifisos siblings, Mpendulo Simelane and Ntombifuthi (Maseko (nee Simelane), have alleged that he committed acts of fraudulent activities, the discovery of which shocked them. According to Mpendulo and Ntombifuthi, they are directors of H&E Company (Pty) Limited. They said the third director and shareholder was their mother, Elizabeth Simelane. The company has immovable property in the form of warehouses and a hotel. The immovable property is situated in Matsapha. The companys movable property includes motor vehicles, which are used to conduct its business.

Mpendulo said the company was managed by a Board of directors. He said currently, there were two members of the Board; him and Ntombifuthi. At the time of his death, on January 22, 2024, according to Mpendulo, Sifiso was both a shareholder and member of the Board of directors. He stated that although there was a dispute regarding how Sifiso obtained the shares under his name, he appeared as a shareholder holding 50 per cent in the company. The shares that were held by Sifiso, according to Mpendulo, used to be held by their mother, Elizabeth.

H&E Company, according to Mpendulo, had the late Elizabeth and Ntombifuthi as directors. He said sometime in 2022, Elizabeth became extremely ill and she was unable to carry out her duties as director adequately.

Mpendulo said in April 2023, Elizabeth was admitted to Manzini Government Hospital, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she passed away on April 16, 2023. Mpendulo alleged that Sifiso then forged minutes of a Board of directors of H&E Company meeting and appointed himself as a director, substituting his late mother. The forged minutes were then submitted to the registrar of companies. Once the late Sifiso Simelane was a director, he then fraudulently transferred to himself 50 per cent shares that were held by the late Elizabeth Simelane.

Estate

I say that he did that fraudulently, because the estate of the late Elizabeth Simelane was never wound up and the master of the High Court never authorised a transfer of shares from the late Elizabeth Simelane to the now late Sifiso Simelane, said Mpendulo. He alleged that a certain motor vehicle, a Mercedes/LDV Double-Cab, was purchased with company funds.

He said the motor vehicle was purchased pursuant to a resolution of the Board of directors, where Ntombifuthi was the person chairing the meeting. The motor vehicle, according to Mpendulo, was registered in the name of the company. However, Mpendulo and Ntombifuthi said they discovered that the motor vehicle had been registered in Sifisos name yet it belonged to the company.

Ntombifuthi Maseko and I were taken by surprise after the demise of Sifiso Simelane to discover that the registered owner of the motor vehicle was changed from the company to appear as if it is the personal property of the late Sifiso Simelane, said Mpendulo. The veracity of these allegations is still to be tested in court. The respondents are yet to file their answering papers. H&E Company is represented by Human Rights Lawyer Sipho Gumedze. Mpendulo said this happened after the company had taken a resolution that every property that was owned by H&E Company must be in the name of the company. Further, the company resolved that if there was any property fraudulently transferred, such must be corrected. H&E Company has since taken the estate of Sifiso to the High Court. The master of the High Court, the principal secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the national commissioner of police, the attorney general and Sifisos girlfriend, Mbali Mamba, are respondents.

The company is seeking an order directing the registrar general of the Motor Vehicle Registry to cause to be changed the ownership of the motor vehicle from Sifiso to H&E Company. It is also praying that Mpendulo and Ntombifuthi, as directors of the company, be granted access to Sifisos house at Bethany, Lobamba Lomdzala. Mpendulo told the court that the motor vehicle was not the property of the late Sifiso.

Vehicle

The late Sifiso Simelane committed fraud when he changed the ownership of the motor vehicle to his name. The company wants to utilise the motor vehicle, including using it as collateral. In its current state, the company is not in a position to use it as it appears that it is owned by the late Sifiso Simelane. It is in the interest of justice and in the interest of the shareholders and creditors of H&E Company (Pty) Limited that the motor vehicle has its registration corrected, Mpendulo argued. Meanwhile, Sifiso is believed to have been robbed by unknown people, before they slit his throat and dumped his body in a forest at Mahlanya, on the night of January 22, 2024. Close to a thousand mourners attended his funeral at Mahlanya.

Among the mourners were Sifisos friends, who were bikers. They shared their versions of how they viewed his murder. Some of them were of the idea that his assailants intention was to kill him and not to rob him. Last Friday, Judge Titus Mlangeni removed the matter from the roll and it is to take its normal course.
Major players in the servo motors industry have focused on business expansion and product launch strategies to gain the maximum share of the market. This further results in the consolidation of the servo motors market

WILMINGTON, Del., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Servo Motors Market By Type (AC Servo Motor and DC Servo Motor), System (Linear and Rotary), and Application (Robotics, Machine Tools, Electronic Devices, Printing and Packaging Technologies, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032. According to the report, the global servo motors market was valued at $12,465.1 million in 2022 and is projected to reach $21,291.4 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2032.

Download Sample Copy: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A139041

Prime determinants of growth

Increase in the adoption of automation and robotics across industries such as manufacturing, automotive, electronics, and healthcare drives the demand for high-precision motion control solutions, where servo motors play a crucial role. As industries seek to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency, the demand for servo motors is expected to increase.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $12,465.1 Million Market Size In 2032 $21,291.4 Million CAGR 5.5 % No. Of Pages In Report 189 Segments Covered Type, System, Application, And Region Drivers Increase In Automation And Robotics Industry

Growth In Demand For Precision Control Opportunities Technological Advancements Restraints Volatile Price Of Raw Materials

The AC servo motor segment dominated the market in 2022, and the DC servo motor segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

By type, the market is categorized into AC servo motor and DC servo motor. The AC servo motor segment accounted for a higher market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the market revenue. AC servo motors offer precise control over position, velocity, and torque, making them ideal for applications requiring high accuracy and repeatability. Industries such as CNC machinery, 3D printing, packaging, and semiconductor manufacturing rely on servo motors to achieve precise motion control, contributing to their growth.

Buy This Research Report (189 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/2a6262505afd891d5b102df1bb923e21

The rotary segment dominated the market in 2022, and the linear segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Depending on system, the servo motors market is categorized into rotary, and linear. The rotary segment accounts for more than half of the market revenue. Ongoing advancements in rotary servo motor technology, including improvements in motor design, feedback systems, control algorithms, and communication protocols, enhance their performance, efficiency, and reliability. Innovations such as brushless designs, high-resolution encoders, and advanced control techniques expand the capabilities and applicability of servo motors, thus driving their adoption.

The robotics segment dominated the market in 2022. The electronic devices segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

By application, the servo motors market is divided into robotics, machine tools, electronic devices, printing and packaging technologies, and others. The robotics segment accounted for more than half market share in terms of revenue in 2022. The emergence of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing concepts, characterized by the integration of automation, data exchange, and IoT technologies, creates opportunities for servo motors. Servo motors equipped with connectivity features, such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, or Profinet, enable real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and remote control, aligning with the requirements of smart factories and digitalization initiatives. Such factors drive the market growth.

The Asia-Pacific dominates the market share in terms of revenue in 2022

The servo motors market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and MEA. In 2022, Asia-Pacific accounted for more than one-third of the market share, and it is expected to grow at a significant CAGR throughout the forecast period. China holds the maximum share in the servo motors industry in the Asia-Pacific region. The servo motors market in Asia-Pacific has gained traction in recent years, owing to ongoing robotics and industrial development in China, Japan, and India. For instance, rise in expenditure for manufacturing industries is boosting the servo motors market in Asia-Pacific.

Inquire Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A139041

Leading Market Players: -

Siemens AG

ABB Group

Yaskawa Electric Corporation

Rockwell Automation, Inc

Fanuc Corporation

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Parker Hannifin Corporation

Schneider Electric SE

Bosch Rexroth AG

Lenze SE

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the servo motors market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, expansion, and acquisitions 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 Related Reports

Robotic Drilling Equipment Market is expected to reach $1,017.4 million by 2027

Consumer Electronics Electric Motor Market is projected to reach $23,479.2 million by 2032

Brushless DC Motors Market is expected to reach $68,836.2 million in 2028,

AC electric motor Market is projected to reach $27.9 billion by 2032

Pre-Book Now with 10% Discount:

Air Motor Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast,2020-2027

Electronically Commutated Motors Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020 -2027

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

help@alliedmarketresearch.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/servo-motors-market-to-reach-21-291-4-million-by-2032-at-5-5-cagr-allied-market-research-302112887.html
Keyloop, a leading global automotive technology company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ATG, an innovative provider of automotive technology focused on omnichannel retail solutions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410266966/en/

(Graphic: Business Wire)

Headquartered in Kent, UK, ATG employs over 330 people. Its solutions are chosen by automotive retailers, OEMs, financiers and fleet suppliers in more than 80 countries and at over 10,000 retail locations, to help make the car buying experience easier.

The global automotive industry faces significant change, including rising customer expectations. A seamless experience across both digital and physical touchpoints is a vital goal for the industry. Achieving this goal is made difficult by historic process complexity.

Keyloop is focused on delivering an "Experience-First" approach throughout the lifetime of vehicle ownership. Keyloop's vision puts accurate data at the core of its solutions to make it accessible at the right moment. This enables efficiencies for dealers, a "key it once" information flow, and a personalised customer experience.

Keyloop and ATG will combine to create an integrated technology portfolio that more completely connects the entire consumer automotive journey, helping retailers and OEMs improve the customer experience they deliver via innovative solutions.

Tom Kilroy, CEO, Keyloop, comments: "The acquisition of ATG will mark an important step forward in making Experience-First a tangible reality for our customers. ATG has created an exciting offering with the Fusion omnichannel auto retailing platform. By combining this with Keyloop's complementary platform offerings and broad range of capabilities, we can make a meaningful positive impact on the digital transformation of the automotive retail experience. We're looking forward to welcoming the talented team at ATG as colleagues."

Tim Smith, CEO, ATG, comments: "At ATG, our mission has always been to free our customers from complicated vehicle sales and deliver mobility via our digital, retention and data solutions. We believe Keyloop is the perfect fit for us as we continue to provide cutting-edge, consumer-first software for retailers, OEMs, financiers, and fleet suppliers. We look forward to being part of Keyloop as it delivers on its mission to provide Experience-First solutions for the automotive industry worldwide."

ATG is being advised by Houlihan Lokey and Taylor Wessing. Keyloop is being advised by King Spalding and Paul Hastings LLP. ATG management were advised by Momentum Corporate Finance. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

Editor's Note:

About Keyloop:

Keyloop delivers cutting-edge solutions, tailored to the modern needs of auto retailers and OEMs alike. From the showroom to the workshop, and everything in between, its technology facilitates distinctive customer experiences between key systems, tools, and departments. With 40 years of automotive DNA, and a deep understanding of what it takes to drive success, Keyloop solutions are delivered in over 90 countries, and trusted by more than 18,000 retailers and 80 OEMs worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.keyloop.com. Download Keyloop's latest whitepaper Revolutionising automotive retail through technology.

About Automotive Transformation Group (ATG):

As an innovative provider of retailing software to the automotive sector, Automotive Transformation Group (ATG) exists to make car-buying easy. With 20 years of experience, technology deployed across 80 countries, and over 13 billion digital interactions captured to date, they have developed a deep understanding of car-buying behaviour, which allows them to design consumer-first software for Retailers, OEMs, Financiers and Fleet Suppliers across the globe. For more information, please visit: atg.auto.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410266966/en/

Contacts:

For further information, please contact Keyloop's PR Team:

Antonia Phillips Rachel Perry

keyloop@lawcreative.co.uk

+44 (0)20 8132 6146
Alexander Savin, former Senior Partner and Co-Founder of Elbrus Capital, has completed his departure from Elbrus Capital by resigning from his remaining positions at Elbrus Capital and agreeing to dispose of his shareholdings in Elbrus's management structures and funds.

Savin will be looking to attract investors from Western Europe, the US and the Middle East when he launches a new fund in the next 12 to 18 months.

For a transitionary period, Savin will continue leading Chrome Capital, a private equity and venture capital investor in digital and consumer companies across Europe, the US and emerging markets in Asia. Savin established Chrome Capital in 2022, having ceased involvement in Elbrus's Russian projects a year earlier. Chrome Capital is focused on investing institutional capital from top international investors in high-growth digital and consumer companies across the globe. It has no funding from Russia, nor any of its investee companies operate or otherwise have any connection to the country. The firm has already deployed substantial capital in a number of successful high-growth companies in fintech, edtech and SaaS sectors across the globe.

Alexander Savin remarked: "I am thrilled about the opportunities that lie ahead. Building on our international track record, I am confident in our ability to drive growth and create value for our investors and portfolio companies. There are many exciting opportunities out there and a new generation of innovators to support as they drive disruption and creativity; I look forward to evidencing our value-add to the most innovative founders in our target sectors."

Alexander Savin has a long and distinguished career in Private Equity, including several years at Bain Company's Private Equity practice in its London and Boston offices. In 2009, he co-founded Elbrus Capital, which became one of the most successful private equity firms in the Former Soviet Union countries, where Elbrus invested global institutional capital in high growth businesses. Savin is aiming to build on his past achievements and on the early success of investments made by Chrome, to become a partner of choice for founders in technology and consumer companies in the US, Europe and emerging Asia that can transform the way we work and live.

"Our collaborative approach offers entrepreneurs access to world-class expertise to help them achieve their vision" says Savin. "We are creating enduring partnerships that are greater than the sum of their parts and entrepreneurs we work with are not simply investments, they are partners, and many end up becoming our friends. Our shared passion is for developing businesses that change everyday life by coming together to scale their impact and channel innovation into solutions that drive positive change for consumers and businesses around the world."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410809688/en/

Contacts:

For inquiries please visit: https://chromecap.com/ or contact ChromeCapital@hudsonsandler.com.
Portfolio Company Presentation Series - Onego Bio Limited

DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Agronomics (LSE:ANIC), a leading listed company in the field of cellular agriculture, is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the second presentation in its Capital Markets portfolio series.

The Agronomics' Capital Markets Investor Presentation Series comprises individual presentations from industry-leading companies in the cell culture and precision fermentation sector within the Agronomics portfolio. For each presentation, the portfolio company's management team will provide in-depth insights into the purpose, market demand, technical milestones, and growth strategy of the company, together with a Question & Answer session at the end of the presentation. Agronomics expects to hold, on average, a presentation every eight weeks.

The second presentation will include the senior management team at Onego Bio Limited ("Onego Bio") on Wednesday, 24 April 2024 at 3:00 pm BST. Attendees are able to register for the event using the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UwXJAGhoR0Cr66Kh_LOP1w#/registration

After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Onego Bio is a US-Finnish food-biotech company revolutionizing the food system by harnessing the power of precision fermentation to manufacture real egg protein which is entirely animal-free. Their product, Bioalbumen, sets a new standard for sustainable protein with identical taste and nutrition, superior functional properties, and a 90% plus smaller environmental footprint when compared to eggs from chickens.

Onego Bio recently announced that it has successfully raised 36.5 million in its Series A funding round to continue scaling and optimising its production processes and productivity, finance its work with its contract manufacturing partners, and prepare for US Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") filing for regulatory approval in the United States. Onego Bio is on track to receive self-affirmed "Generally Recognized as Safe" status for Bioalbumen this year, with a no-objections letter expected from the FDA in 2025. As a US-Finnish company, Onego Bio plans to first launch in North America, followed by expansion in Europe, South America, and Asia.

About Onego Bio:

Onego Bio is a US-Finnish food-biotech company revolutionizing the food system by harnessing the power of precision fermentation to manufacture real egg protein entirely animal-free. Their ingredient, Bioalbumen, sets a new standard for sustainable protein with identical taste and nutrition, superior functional properties and over 90% smaller environmental footprint compared to eggs from chickens. Onego's highly productive and scalable technology caters to the needs of the food industry searching for stable, sustainable functional ingredients. As a game-changer in the field, the company was selected the Winner of Fast Company's 2023 World Changing Ideas awards and is a co-founder of two industry associations: Precision Fermentation Alliance and Food Fermentation Europe. Learn more at www.onego.bio.

About Bioalbumen 

Bioalbumen is a bioidentical protein to the major protein in chicken egg white, ovalbumin. Nutritionally complete, Onego's egg protein contains all essential amino acids, has the highest possible protein digestibility score PDCAAS of 1.0, and delivers a whopping >90 g protein per 100 g. With a clean neutral flavor and superior functional properties, Bioalbumen is an ideal industrial ingredient for replacing eggs and enhancing the texture, taste, and performance of a wide range of applications across the food industry. Onego currently collaborates with over twenty-five well-known CPG companies, integrating Bioalbumen into their innovation pipeline for a wide range of products, including baked goods, confectionery, snacks, sauces, pasta, meat alternatives, and more.

About Agronomics

Agronomics is a leading listed company focussing on investment opportunities within the field of cellular agriculture. The Company has established a portfolio of over twenty companies in this rapidly advancing sector. It seeks to invest in companies owning technologies with defensible intellectual property that offer new ways of producing food and ingredients with a focus on products historically derived from animals. These technologies are driving a major disruption in agriculture, offering solutions to improve sustainability and address human health, food security, and animal welfare. A full list of Agronomics' portfolio companies is available at https://agronomics.im/.

For further information please contact:

Agronomics

Limited Beaumont

Cornish Limited Canaccord

Genuity Limited Cavendish Capital

Markets Limited Peterhouse Capital

Limited SEC Newgate The Company Nomad Joint Broker Joint Broker Joint Broker Public Relations Jim Mellon

Denham Eke Roland Cornish

James Biddle Andrew Potts

Harry Pardoe

Alex Aylen Giles Balleny

Michael Johnson

Charlie Combe Lucy Williams

Charles Goodfellow Bob Huxford

Anthony Hughes +44 (0) 1624 639396

info@agronomics.im +44 (0) 207 628 3396 +44 (0) 207 523 8000 +44 (0) 207 397 8900 +44 (0) 207 469 0936 agronomics@secnewgate.co.uk

This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. 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.

SOURCE: Agronomics Limited

View the original press release on accesswire.com
BAODING, China, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the well-known PV solution provider Yingli Solar and German distributor Densys PV5 jointly signed a cooperation agreement for 500MW PV modules. The two parties will jointly promote the development of the residential market and strive to use cleaner and more efficient energy for consumers. At the signing ceremony, Mr. Markus Rohe, the Procurement Director of Densys PV5, and Mr. Wang Shuai, the International Sales Manager of Yingli Solar, represented both parties in signing the contract. According to the agreement, Yingli will supply 500MW of PV modules to Densys PV5 to meet the growing market demand in Germany.

Densys PV5, as a system solution company, not only provides high-quality modules but also offers a full range of PV systems from energy storage systems, inverters to all accessories to meet the needs of different customers. As a member of the German Solar Association, Densys PV5 has been committed to promoting the development and popularization of renewable energy industries, providing reliable solutions for commercial and residential users.

As one of the leading enterprises in the Chinese PV industry, Yingli Solar has over 20 years of experience and excellent product quality, winning wide recognition from customers at home and abroad. With a cooperation history of 14 years, both parties have accumulated a solid foundation of cooperation and trust.

This cooperation will further strengthen the partnership between the two parties in the PV field, providing customers with more choices and better services. Yingli Solar will continue to work closely with Densys PV5 to promote the development of clean energy, and accelerate the global energy transition process.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2383592/Signing_Ceremony.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/yingli-solar-reaches-a-500mw-pv-module-cooperation-agreement-with-german-distributor-densys-pv5-302112952.html
Leading secure communication provider KoolSpan gears up to connect with potential clients and partners at GISEC Global 2024, the Middle East and Africa's largest cybersecurity event, happening April 23-25 in Dubai.

BETHESDA, MD / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / KoolSpan, a trusted provider of global, defense-grade secure communication solutions, will be exhibiting at GISEC Global 2024, happening April 23-25 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. There, businesses and government organizations can explore how KoolSpan's flagship product TrustCall can solidify their cybersecurity posture.

KoolSpan to Exhibit at GISEC Global 2024

This year's participation emphasizes KoolSpan's commitment to addressing the growing need for secure communication solutions in the Middle East and Africa regions. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, KoolSpan's secure calling, messaging, video conferencing, and file-sharing platform offers unparalleled data privacy and protection for an increasingly mobile workforce.

Unparalleled Security With the TrustCall Solution

KoolSpan's TrustCall operates within the secure confines of an on-premises impenetrable system that allows mobile users to communicate securely with other mobile devices and PCs within the network. This eliminates reliance on potentially vulnerable public internet infrastructures and reduces the risk of data interception.

TrustCall's layered security philosophy encompasses:

Physical: System designed from the ground up to operate in isolation without internet connectivity.

System designed from the ground up to operate in isolation without internet connectivity. Logical: Provides a stand-alone dedicated environment with its own push notification service.

Provides a stand-alone dedicated environment with its own push notification service. Behavioral: Employs Trust Circles and role-based access to provide users with the right level of access.

Employs Trust Circles and role-based access to provide users with the right level of access. Architectural: Multi-tier modular design with a three-layer system network architecture (gateway, backend, database) to regulate and protect access to personal data.

Multi-tier modular design with a three-layer system network architecture (gateway, backend, database) to regulate and protect access to personal data. Core E2E Encryption: Superior per-device, end-to-end encryption based on PKI Keypair, AES-256 session-based symmetric keys, and a patented keying mechanism. Additionally, TrustCall is FIPS 140-2 certified.

Invitation to Connect

KoolSpan invites business leaders and government officials seeking to enhance communication security and data protection as well as potential sales partners looking to add instant secure communications to their existing product offering to visit them at GISEC Global 2024. Take this opportunity to come and meet both COO Alessandro Ossoli and VP Henrik Kindstedt in Stand D68 - Hall 5, DWTC.

The KoolSpan team will be available for demonstrations and in-depth discussions about how TrustCall can address your specific use cases. If you are not attending GISEC Global 2024, click here to schedule a demonstration.

About KoolSpan

KoolSpan is a leading provider of secure communication solutions trusted by governments and enterprises worldwide. Our patented TrustCall platform empowers secure collaboration while maintaining the highest standards of data privacy. To learn more about KoolSpan and our TrustCall solution, visit koolspan.com.

About GISEC Global

GISEC Global is a premier cybersecurity event held annually in Dubai. It's the Middle East and Africa's largest cybersecurity gathering, attracting industry leaders, government officials, and cybersecurity professionals from around the world. The event offers a platform for knowledge sharing, exploring cutting-edge security solutions, and fostering collaboration to address evolving cybersecurity threats. To learn more about GISEC, visit gisec.ae.

Contact Information

Alessandro Ossoli

Chief Operating Officer

aossoli@koolspan.com

(240) 880-4400

SOURCE: KoolSpan

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Registration is now open for the 2024 edition of Info-Tech LIVE, the premier annual gathering for IT leaders and professionals hosted by Info-Tech Research Group. This event is scheduled for September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas. Attendees can expect immersive deep dives into the latest technology trends and access to industry thought leaders shaping the future of IT.

LONDON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Info-Tech Research Group, a global leader in IT research and advisory, has announced that registration is now open for its much-anticipated annual conference, Info-Tech LIVE. Set for September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas, this year's event is expected to surpass previous years in scale and scope as the firm brings together more IT leaders, professionals, and industry experts than ever before from across the globe.

'As we open registration, we invite IT professionals to join us in what is shaping up to be an extraordinary gathering, rich in insights and innovation,' says Gord Harrison, chief research officer at Info-Tech Research Group. 'LIVE 2024 will offer an unrivalled opportunity to delve into the latest IT trends, challenges, and opportunities.'

Attendees can look forward to a dynamic lineup of exceptional keynotes, insightful sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities. The event's agenda will be designed to empower participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the IT landscape, fostering a community of innovation and leadership. Info-Tech LIVE 2024 will also feature exclusive industry roundtables, offering attendees a chance to engage directly with peers and thought leaders.

'The agenda will be meticulously curated to address the needs and challenges of today's IT leaders, offering a blend of visionary keynotes, in-depth analytical discussions, and practical workshops,' says Harrison.

Info-Tech Research Group invites exhibitors and media partners to become part of LIVE 2024, creating a space to engage with a broad network of IT leaders, decision-makers, and influencers. To register for the conference or for more information about exhibiting at Info-Tech LIVE 2024, please visit Info-Tech's events page.

Industry journalists, podcasters, and influencers with media passes will have onsite access to exclusive content, the latest IT research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact pr@infotech.com.

Further details on the event, including the reveal of keynote speakers and the 2024 agenda, will be announced soon. Follow Info-Tech Research Group on LinkedIn and X for updates.

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For over 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organisations.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2382708/Info_Tech_Research_Group_Info_Tech_LIVE_2024__Registrations_Now.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2382707/Info_Tech_Research_Group_Info_Tech_LIVE_2024__Registrations_Now.jpg

Media Contact: Sufyan Al-Hassan, Senior PR Manager, Info-Tech Research Group, salhassan@infotech.com, +1 (519) 432-3550 x2418 x2418

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/info-tech-live-2024-registrations-now-open-for-annual-it-conference-at-the-bellagio-las-vegas-in-september-302112666.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Faraday Copper Corp. ("Faraday" or the "Company") (TSX:FDY)(OTCQX:CPPKF) is pleased to announce the results of four drill holes from its Phase III program at the Copper Creek Project, located in Arizona, U.S. ("Copper Creek"). One hole was drilled at Old Reliable to test resource expansion potential. Three holes were drilled at Area 51 as a follow-up to the recent Starship and Eclipse breccia discoveries (announced on January 16, 2024 and March 4, 2024).

Paul Harbidge, President and CEO, commented "It is great to see our Phase III drill program delivering on our objectives of adding mineral inventory near the existing resource and making new discoveries in the district. Specifically, drilling at Old Reliable has confirmed that the mineralization remains open at depth. At Area 51, drill hole FCD-24-048 at the Eclipse breccia adds to the previous successes by expanding the known mineralization and drill hole FCD-24-049 has identified elevated gold grades at the Starship breccia".

Highlights

At Old Reliable, intersected 23.37 metres ("m") at 0.60% copper, 0.0242% molybdenum and 2.92 grams per tonne ("g/t") silver from 276.81 m in drill hole FCD-24-052. This intercept is within a longer intercept of 117.00 m at 0.40 % copper, 0.0285% molybdenum and 1.72 g/t silver from 222.46 m. This intercept at Old Reliable is outside the open pit Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") and confirms that the breccia-hosted mineralization is open at depth.

from 276.81 m in drill hole FCD-24-052. This intercept is within a longer intercept of from 222.46 m. At Area 51, intersected 43.24 m at 0.35% copper and 0.83 g/t silver from 65.23 m in drill hole FCD-24-048 at the recently discovered Eclipse breccia. This hole expands the known mineralization of the breccia. Demonstrated the potential for elevated gold grades at the Starship breccia with 0.22 g/t gold , 1.86 g/t silver and 0.12% copper over 18.52 m from 113.24 m in drill hole FCD-24-049. This intercept contains the highest gold:copper ratio on the project to date.

from 65.23 m in drill hole FCD-24-048 at the recently discovered Eclipse breccia. This hole expands the known mineralization of the breccia.

(For true width information see Table 1.)

Old Reliable was the site of small-scale underground mining for copper and molybdenum prior to World War II. Starting in the 1970s, an experimental in-situ leach operation recovered some of the near-surface copper oxide mineralization. The sulphide-hosted mineralization remains in place. During the 1990s, densely spaced vertical drilling led to resource definition to approximately 200 m below surface. Several of those drill holes end in mineralization and the resource is open at depth and laterally. Follow up drilling is planned for this area. Drill hole FCD-24-052 was collared north of Old Reliable and drilled to the south (Figure 1). The hole was designed to test the depth extension of the mineralization and is entirely outside the open pit used to constrain the MRE (Figure 2). Mineralization is associated with chalcopyrite as cement within a hydrothermal breccia, as well as in veins surrounding the breccia domain. Molybdenite veins are also observed crosscutting the breccia and wall rock in the lower half of the drill hole. The drill hole intercepted Glory Hole volcanics with lesser granodiorite porphyry dykes from surface to 218 m, hydrothermal breccia to 324 m and granodiorite to the end of the hole at 409 m. Dominant alteration associated with the breccia is mainly sericite with locally abundant kaolinite. Similar alteration is common in other mineralized breccias. Area 51 was identified as highly prospective by integrating airborne versatile time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) geophysical data and short wave infrared spectral data together with geological mapping and sampling. Area 51 encompasses a porphyry intrusion with nine mapped breccia bodies over an area of approximately 400 m by 400 m, including Starship and Eclipse. The breccias are interpreted to have been emplaced at a shallow crustal level in the hanging wall of the northwest trending Holy Joe thrust fault, which brought Proterozoic metamorphic rocks in contact with younger sedimentary rock units to the east of Area 51. This fault is also thought to have controlled the emplacement of the Paleocene Glory Hole volcanics and Copper Creek granodiorite which host the mineral resource. Follow up drilling is currently in progress. Drill hole FCD-24-048 was collared immediately east-southeast of the Eclipse breccia and drilled to the west-northwest (Figure 1). The mineralization consists of chalcopyrite and chalcocite. The highest grades are associated with chalcopyrite-pyrite and subordinate chalcocite cement in hydrothermal breccia (Figure 3). The hole intersected Glory Hole volcanics in the first 67 m, followed by 80 m of hydrothermal breccia and ends in granodiorite porphyry. Alteration within and near the breccia is sericite, which is associated with high-grade copper mineralization elsewhere on the property. Drill hole FCD-24-049 was collared close to the surface outcrop of the Starship breccia and drilled steeply the Northwest (Figure 1). The mineralization occurs as chalcocite with subordinate chalcopyrite cement within a hydrothermal breccia, which also includes pyrite and quartz. This hole intersected 18.52 m at 0.22 g/t gold and 0.12% copper from 113.24 m. This intercept has the highest gold:copper ratio on the project to date. The hole intersected 55 m of hydrothermal breccia from 82 m with a shorter breccia interval of 5 m from 57 m. The breccia intercepts are interpreted as representing the margin of Starship which cross-cuts granodiorite and porphyry. As with the Eclipse breccia, alteration within and near the Starship breccia is sericite which, together with the localized occurrence of barite, suggests that the breccia was emplaced in the epithermal environment and may explain the elevated gold grades. Drill hole FCD-24-047 was collared southeast of the Starship breccia and drilled steeply to the northwest to test the depth extent of the Starship breccia (Figure 1). The hole remained outside the breccia. The hole intersected Glory Hole volcanics from surface to 282 m which are intruded by granodiorite from 82 m to 129 m. Below 282 m the hole intersected Proterozoic host rocks including Dripping Springs quartzite, Pinal Schist and diabase.

Figure 1: Plan View Showing Surface Geology and Location of Drill Holes

Figure 2: Cross Section Showing Drill Hole FCD-24-052 at Old Reliable

Note: The open pit shape is based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the report titled "Copper Creek Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment" with an effective date of May 3, 2023 (the "Technical Report") available on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Figure 3: Cross Section Showing Drill Hole FCD-24-048 at Area 51

Table 1: Selected Drill Results from Copper Creek

Drill Hole ID From To Length True Width Cu Au Ag Mo (m) (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (%) FCD-24-052 130.10 142.77 12.67 9 0.23 0.02 0.92 0.0002 And 222.46 339.46 117.00 80 0.40 0.02 1.72 0.0285 Including 234.57 247.85 13.28 9 0.71 0.04 2.31 0.0067 And 276.81 300.18 23.37 16 0.60 0.03 2.92 0.0242 FCD-24-048 65.23 108.47 43.24 30 0.35 0.03 0.85 0.0005 FCD-24-049 113.24 131.76 18.52 18 0.12 0.22 1.86 0.0004 FCD-24-047 No Significant intercepts

Note: All intercepts are reported as downhole drill widths. True widths are approximate due to the irregular shape of mineralized domains.

Table 2: Collar Locations from the Drill Holes Reported Herein

Drill Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Target Depth Depth (m) () () (ft) (m) FCD-24-052 547784 3624164 1218 202 47 Old Reliable 1246.0 408.80 FCD-24-048 549765 3622252 1390 295 45 Eclipse 600.9 197.14 FCD-24-049 549753 3622352 1383 320 73 Starship 555.7 182.30 FCD-24-047 549765 3622252 1390 345 65 Starship 1178.0 386.49

Note: Coordinates are given as World Geodetic System 84, Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 12 north (WGS84, UTM12N).

Next Steps

Phase III drilling continues and is focussed on three objectives:

Reconnaissance drilling on new targets;

Expanding the MRE; and

Better delineating high-grade mineralized zones.

As part of the Phase III program, twenty-one drill holes have been completed and results for fourteen have been released. Eight holes were drilled in Area 51, three in the Copper Prince-Copper Giant area, three in the Bald-American Eagle area and three near Old Reliable. Additional holes are currently being designed to further test Area 51 and other high priority target areas.

Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance

All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company's geologists and the chain of custody from Copper Creek to the independent sample preparation facility, ALS Laboratories in Tucson, AZ, was continuously monitored. The samples were taken as  core, over 2 m core length. Samples were crushed, pulverized and sample pulps were analyzed using industry standard analytical methods including a 4-Acid ICP-MS multielement package and an ICP-AES method for high-grade copper samples. Gold was analyzed on a 30 g aliquot by fire assay with an ICP-AES finish. A certified reference sample was inserted every 20th sample. Coarse and fine blanks were inserted every 20th sample. Approximately 5% of the core samples were cut into  core and submitted as field duplicates. On top of internal QA-QC protocol, additional blanks, reference materials and duplicates were inserted by the analytical laboratory according to their procedure. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Faraday's VP Exploration, Dr. Thomas Bissig, P. Geo., who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About Faraday Copper

Faraday Copper is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing its flagship copper project in Arizona, U.S. The Copper Creek Project is one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in North America with significant district scale exploration potential. The Company is well-funded to deliver on its key milestones and benefits from a management team and board of directors with senior mining company experience and expertise. Faraday trades on the TSX under the symbol "FDY".

For additional information please contact:

Stacey Pavlova, CFA

Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications

Faraday Copper Corp.

E-mail: info@faradaycopper.com

Website: www.faradaycopper.com

To receive news releases by e-mail, please register using the Faraday website at www.faradaycopper.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Faraday to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the exploration potential of the Copper Creek property.

Although Faraday believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of mineral resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which Faraday does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by Faraday. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as "Risk Factors" included in Faraday's disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedarplus.ca.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in Faraday in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this press release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence.

SOURCE: Faraday Copper Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The custom packaging boxes market thrives on several fronts. Demand surges across industries like cosmetics, food, and healthcare, driven by brand differentiation and e-commerce growth. Personalization trends and consumer preferences for unique packaging further fuel market expansion. Additionally, the rising demand for luxury packaging strengthens the market's position globally.

NEWARK, Del., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the global custom packaging market is estimated to reach US$ 46.6 billion in 2024 and US$ 80.0 billion by 2034. The market is projected to rise at a CAGR of 5.5% through 2034.

Download the Sample PDF report to explore key market insights and trends: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-15108

The demand for custom packaging is growing due to its widespread use across various industries, such as cosmetics, food and beverages, and healthcare. Leading manufacturers frequently update secondary packaging to enhance brand perception, fueling sales of custom packaging.

The rise in e-retail usage over the past decade has created ample opportunities for manufacturers in the custom packaging market. Emerging companies are set to adapt to evolving global market trends despite key organizations already implementing innovative packaging solutions, a trend expected to continue growing by 2034.

The personalization trend has allowed custom packaging companies to meet several customer requests, propelling market growth. Rising consumer preferences, such as the desire for products with unique and distinctive looks and feels, are surging the demand for customized packaging.

The custom packaging market is expected to benefit from the increasing demand for luxury packaging across regions. Leading manufacturers are enhancing their production capacity and capabilities to maintain their position in the rapidly growing market.

Scope of the Report

Attribute Details Estimated Market Size (2022) US$ 5.7 Billion Projected Market Valuation (2032) US$ 9 Billion Value-based CAGR (2022 to 2032) CAGR of 4.7% Base Year for Estimation 2021 Historical Data 2015 to 2021 Forecast Period 2022 to 2032 Quantitative Units Revenue in US$ Million, Volume in Units Key Segments Covered By Material: Paper & Paperboard

Plastic

Metal

Glass By Inserts: With Inserts

Without Inserts By End Use: Consumer Goods

Electrical and Electronics

Cosmetic & Personal Care

Fashion Accessories & Apparels

Healthcare

Food and Beverage By Region: North America

Latin America

Europe

Middle East and Africa

East Asia

South Asia

Oceania Key Countries Profiled USA

Canada

Brazil

Mexico

Germany Italy

France

Spain

UK

Russia China

Japan

India

GCC Countries

Australia Key Companies Profiled Smurfit Kappa Group plc

DS Smith plc

WestRock Company

Interpak Holding B.V.

McLaren Packaging Ltd.

Valtenna srl

Metsa Board Oyj

Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG

Robinson plc

Graphic Packaging International, LLC Taylor Box Company

Stora Enso Oyj

Burt Rigid Box, Inc.

Elegant Packaging

Poole & Sons, Inc.

Quintessential Canada Inc.

Adam

Polmac (UK) Ltd.

Madovar Packaging Inc.

Belpax











Key Takeaways from the Custom Packaging Market Report:

The custom packaging market is estimated to reach US$ 80.0 billion by 2034.

by 2034. The market is projected to surge at a CAGR of 5.5% by 2034.

by 2034. China's custom packaging market is set to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% by 2034.

by 2034. The United States is projected to reach a valuation of US$ 14.4 billion in 2034.

in 2034. Based on material, the paper and paperboard segment is set to surge at a CAGR of 5.3% by 2034.

"Electronic companies utilize distinctive packaging designs to attract customers and guarantee product quality, while mobile enterprises demand individualized, robust, and secure packaging for various consumer goods and luxury items. As manufacturers become more aware of consumers' thoughts through branding campaigns, the demand for custom packaging is anticipated to grow steadily." - says Ismail Sutaria (Lead Consultant, Packaging and Materials at Future Market Insights, Inc.)

Competitive Landscape

The global custom packaging market is competitive, with local and international competitors using various marketing techniques such as mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, and product launches. Similarly, players use sustainable materials and digital marketing tools to stay ahead of the competition. For instance,

In 2021, Packhelp invested US$ 45.6 million to strengthen its custom packaging business.

Packhelp invested US$ 45.6 million to strengthen its custom packaging business. In 2021, Coca-Cola introduced its PlantBottle packaging, which contains up to 30% plant-based components.

Purchase now and gain full access to the Custom Packaging Boxes 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

In its new offering, Future Market Insights (FMI) provides an unbiased global custom packaging market analysis, presenting historical demand data (2019 to 2023) and forecast statistics from 2024 to 2034.

The study incorporates compelling insights on the custom packaging market based on the material (paper & paperboard, plastic, metal, glass), packaging type (boxes, bottles, containers & jars, bags & pouches, corks, cartons, mailers, others) end user (food & beverage, electrical & electronics, healthcare, personal care & cosmetics, consumer goods, fashion accessories & apparel, others), and region.

About the Packaging Division at Future Market Insights

The packaging division at Future Market Insights provides an in-depth historical analysis and projections for the next ten years and covers the competitive landscape through a unique dashboard view. From packaging materials and machinery to packaging designs & formats, Future Market Insights has an exhaustive database for these industry verticals, serving clients with unique research offerings and strategic recommendations. With a repository of 1,000+ reports, the team has analyzed the packaging industry comprehensively in 50+ countries. The team evaluates every node of the value chain and provides end-to-end research and consulting services; reach out to explore how we can help.

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:

Boxboard Packaging Market by Virgin and Recycled Grades, Forecast, 2023-2033.- Review and Request to Access the Sample Report.

by Virgin and Recycled Grades, Forecast, 2023-2033.- Coated Paper Packaging Box Market by Box Type , Board Thickness , End Use & Region | Forecast 2022 to 2032. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report.

by Box Type , Board Thickness , End Use & Region | Forecast 2022 to 2032. - Temperature Controlled Packaging Boxes Market by Type, End Use Industry & Region | Forecast 2023 to 2033. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report.

by Type, End Use Industry & Region | Forecast 2023 to 2033. - Interlocking Boxes Market by Material, Application & region | Forecast 2022 to 2032. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report.

by Material, Application & region | Forecast 2022 to 2032. - Transport Cases & Boxes Market by Material Type, Carrying Capacity, End-use, Case Weight, Waterproof Feature & Region | Forecast 2023 to 2033. - Review and Request to Access the Sample Report.

by Material Type, Carrying Capacity, End-use, Case Weight, Waterproof Feature & Region | Forecast 2023 to 2033. - Folding Paperboard Boxes Market by Material, Structure Type, End Use & Region | Forecast to 2022 to 2032. - 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/custom-packaging-market-to-reach-us-80-billion-in-2034-amid-growing-demand-for-sustainable-packaging-solutions-in-food-and-beverage-sector-future-market-insights-302112560.html
KR1 Plc - Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 10

Wednesday, 10 April 2024

KR1 plc

("KR1" or the "Company")

Notice of Extraordinary General Meeting

KR1 plc (KR1:ASE), a leading digital asset investment company, announces that the Company is today issuing a circular (the "Circular") to Shareholders convening a General Meeting of the Company for 10.00 a.m. on 29 April 2024.

At the General Meeting, a resolution will be proposed seeking shareholder approval for KR1 to make market purchases of up to 14.99 per cent. of the Ordinary Shares currently in issue.

The Directors believe that, in common with many other listed companies, the Company should obtain from Shareholders a general authority to make market purchases of its Ordinary Shares on the stock exchange. Accordingly, the Board is seeking Shareholder approval at the Extraordinary General Meeting to make market purchases of up to 14.99 per cent. of the Ordinary Shares currently in issue.

If the Resolution is passed at the EGM, the Buy-Back Authority will give the Company authority to buy back its Ordinary Shares in the market as permitted by the Act and the Articles. Any Ordinary Shares bought back may be cancelled or held in treasury.

The Buy-Back Authority will expire at the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2025 (the "2025 AGM") or the date falling 18 months after the passing of the Resolution, whichever is the earlier. However, the Directors currently intend to ask Shareholders to renew this authority at the 2025 AGM and each subsequent annual general meeting thereafter.

The Resolution specifies the maximum number of shares which may be acquired (up to 14.99 per cent. of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as at the date of the Extraordinary General Meeting) and the maximum prices at which they may be bought.

The Buy-Back Authority will be exercised only if the Directors believe that to do so would be in the best interests of Shareholders generally.

The Board believes the Buy-Back Authority (and any resulting market purchases of Ordinary Shares if so determined) will benefit Shareholders by providing a mechanism through which the Company can utilise its available cash resources to manage any discount between the Company's share price and its net asset value per Ordinary Share.

A copy of the full text of the Circular will be available at www.kr1.io . Words and expressions defined in the Circular have the same meaning in this announcement.

The Directors of KR1 plc accept responsibility for this announcement.

--ENDS--

For further information please contact:

KR1 plc

George McDonaugh

Keld van Schreven +44 (0)1624 630 630 Peterhouse Capital Limited (Aquis Corporate Adviser)

Mark Anwyl +44 (0)20 7469 0930 SEC Newgate (Financial Communications)

Bob Huxford

Ian Silvera

Atif Nawaz +44(0)20 3757 6882

pr@kr1.io

About KR1 plc

KR1 plc is a leading digital asset investment company supporting early-stage decentralised and open source blockchain projects. Founded in 2016 and publicly traded in London on the Aquis Growth Market (KR1:ASE), KR1 has one of the longest and most successful track records of investment in the digital assets space by investing in decentralised platforms and protocols that are emerging to form new financial and internet infrastructures.

www.KR1.io

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation EU 596/2014 as it forms part of retained EU law (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).
MANZINI  The extradition of the Ndimande brothers, who were arrested in the country for the murder of South African musician Kiernan AKA Forbes and his friend Tebello Tibz Motsoane, will be protracted.

This is because the duo of Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande (Nxele) and Malusi Dave Ndimande (Mjay) are opposing the application for their extradition to the Republic of South Africa.

The suspects have been languishing in custody since February 24, 2024. They disclosed their intention to oppose the extradition application during their fifth court appearance before Manzini Principal Magistrate David Khumalo yesterday. In their home country, the siblings are also linked to the murders of Mntimande Kunene, Nhlanhla Ngcobo and the attempted murder of Zamokuhle Mkhwanazi-Ngcobo, which happened in Manzimtoti and Berea, respectively.

Charges

Upon being extradited, they are expected to answer on charges of; conspiracy to commit murder, contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 21 of 1998, unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition and money laundering. During the pairs court appearance yesterday, Principal Crown Counsel Macebo Nxumalo informed the court that the parties (Crown and respondents lawyers) had agreed that the matter should be postponed to May 14, 2024. He said this was because the respondents legal team had made a request to file an application for further particulars, which include the disclosure of the full docket filed by the South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the summary of evidence against them. It is worth noting that before the court proceedings got underway, the principal Crown counsel, legal team of the Ndimande brothers and observers from the South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), spent over an hour (from 9:47am to 10:56am) inside the Principal Magistrate, Khumalos chambers.

On the same note, Lawyer Sivesonkhe Ngwenya confirmed the submissions by the Crown. He highlighted to the court that their intention was to oppose the extradition application. He then filed the notice with the court and informed it that they had also served their counterpart. The lawyer highlighted that they would file an opposing affidavit after getting a good disclosure of the docket (further particulars) from the applicant. He said the further particulars included summary of evidence and statements of witnesses as so far the 354-page document (extradition application) only contained allegations, sections of the law, charge sheet and warrant of arrest. As a result, he said they were not content with it. He emphasised that the information highlighted was missing from the extradition application. Principal Magistrate Khumalo informed the respondent that the two parties told the court that the Ndimande brothers intended to oppose the extradition application and the notice to oppose had already been filed.

Papers

He said the court was also informed that the respondents would file their application for further particulars on or before April 24, 2024, while the applicant would be expected to file its responding papers on or before May 10, 2024. He added that the matter will come back to court on May 14, 2024. It is worth noting that this was the fifth court appearance of the accused persons since their arrest on February 24, 2024. After being arrested, they made their maiden court appearance on February 26, 2023. They made their second and third appearances on March 5 and 12, 2024 respectively. Thereafter, they appeared in court on March 20, 2024 and that was when the matter was postponed to yesterday. This means that when they make their sixth appearance in court on May 14, 2024, they will have already spent 82 days behind bars in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The court said on May 14, 2024, when the matter comes back to court, the respondents team must have gone through the extradition application and be in a position to indicate whether they opposed it or not.

The duo appeared alongside Mfanawenkhosi Magagula and the office of the DPP in the Mpumalanga Division informed the Manzini Magistrates Court that on November 28, 2020, while he was at Cubana Lounge, KaNyamazane, in Regional Division of Nelspruit, the accused person allegedly killed Sandile Sunnyboy Mathebula by stabbing him with a knife or a similar sharp object. In the second count, it is alleged that on the same day and place, Magagula allegedly attempted to kill Goodnews Tshepiso Ngomane by stabbing him with a knife or a similar sharp object. On the other hand, the accused person is wanted for allegedly defeating the ends of justice. It is alleged that from the aforementioned date, to date, the accused person, with intent to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, fled from the Republic of South Africa to the Kingdom of Eswatini. He fled from South Africa immediately after allegedly committing the above-mentioned offences and by so doing, he defeated or obstructed the administration of justice, reads part of the accused persons charge sheet.
Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der

zweiten Reihe noch enormes Aufwartspotenzial.



Im kostenlosen, exklusiven Spezialreport prasentieren wir ihnen 5 innovative KI-Unternehmen, die bahnbrechende Entwicklungen in diesem Sektor pragen konnten.



Warum sollten Sie dabei sein?

Trotz der jungsten Erfolge steht die Entwicklung der kunstlichen Intelligenz noch am Beginn eines neuen Superzyklus. Experten gehen davon aus, dass der Sektor bis 2032 global auf 1,3 Billionen US-Dollar explodieren wird, wobei ein groer Teil auf Hardware und Infrastruktur entfallen wird.



Nutzen Sie die Chance!

Fordern Sie sofort unseren brandneuen Spezialreport an und erfahren Sie, welche 5 KI-Aktien das grote Potenzial zur Vervielfachung besitzen. Dieser Report ist komplett kostenlos und zeigt Ihnen die aussichtsreichsten Investments im KI-Sektor.

Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report!
Der Goldpreis haussiert und schwingt sich von Hoch zu Hoch. Getrieben von geopolitischen Unsicherheiten sowie der Aussicht auf eine lockere Geldpolitik der FED gehen Experten aktuell von weiter steigenden Notierungen bis sogar in den Bereich von 3.000 US-Dollar je Unze Gold aus.



Im Schatten des Basispreises notieren Goldproduzenten aus der zweiten Reihe sowie Explorationsunternehmen noch weit weg von ihren historischen Hochststanden entfernt und bieten dadurch erhebliches Aufholpotential.



In diesem kostenlosen Report geben wir Ihnen Favoriten an die Hand, die aufgrund von Sondersituation die Chance auf eine Kursvervielfachung besitzen.



Handeln Sie Jetzt!



Fordern Sie jetzt den brandneuen Spezialreport an und profitieren Sie von dem weiter steigenden Kurs des Edelmetalls.



Sichern Sie sich jetzt Ihren kostenfreien Report.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2024) - Xplore Resources Corp. (TSXV: XPLR) ("Xplore" or the "Company") announces that it has arranged a private placement of up to 20,000,000 units (the "Units") at $0.10 per Unit for total gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000 (the "Placement"). Each Unit will consist of one common share and one transferable share purchase warrant, each warrant exercisable into one additional common share for a period of two years from date of issue at a price of $0.15 per share.

All securities issued under the Placement will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issue.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Placement to extinguish debt, for exploration work on the Company's exploration properties and for general working capital.

The Company anticipates closing of the Placement (in one or more tranches) as soon as practicable subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Xplore Resources

Xplore Resources is a North American lithium exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under symbol XPLR. The Company has a prospective land package in the emerging Root Bay lithium district located in northwest Ontario. Xplore's flagship property is the Surge lithium project, on trend and near two lithium deposits and just 25 m from a new lithium discovery. The Company is led by a highly experienced management team with a strong track record of growing shareholder value.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Dominic Verdejo, CEO

Xplore Resources Corp.

For further information on Xplore, contact:

Telephone: 604-678-5308

Email: info@xploreresources.com

Website: www.xploreresources.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

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 anticipated timing for completion of the Placement and use of proceeds therefrom. The words "anticipate," "significant," "expect," "may," "will" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; that all requisite approvals will be received and all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Factors that may cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, inaccurate assumptions concerning the exploration for and development of mineral deposits, currency fluctuations, unanticipated operational or technical difficulties, risks related to unforeseen delays; general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes; timeliness of regulatory approvals, the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits, changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets and the inability to raise additional financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this Forward-Looking Information. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update this Forward-Looking Information after the date of this release or to revise such information to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES

OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/204915

SOURCE: Xplore Resources Corp.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM)(FSE:FIR)(OTCQB:PMMCF) is pleased to report that diamond drillhole PIU-03 (refer figure 1) is making excellent progress towards its targeted downhole depth of 850 - 900m.

Hole PIU-03 is designed to extend copper-gold mineralization to depth on the northeast and southeast sides of the Piuquenes Central porphyry and to better delineate a newly identified core of strong chalcopyrite-bornite copper mineralization associated with intense porphyry quartz stockwork veining in hole PIU-02 (refer March 26 2024 News Release).

Hole PIU-03 was collared approximately 300m to the west of hole PIU-02 and drilled at an angle of 75 on a 90 azimuth. It is the third hole of a diamond core drill program designed to evaluate the Piuquenes Central porphyry copper-gold deposit from surface to approximately 1000 metres depth.

Figure 1: PIU-03 Schematic East-West Cross Section

Figure 2: Piuquenes Project - Drill Collar Plan View

Joseph van den Elsen, the Company's President and CEO, stated: "We are making excellent progress on the third hole of our maiden drill campaign at the Piuquenes Project and eagerly await the results from the second hole, where a wide interval of copper mineralization with a bornite rich core was logged (refer 26 March 2024 News Release). We look forward to building significant shareholder value over the short, medium, and long-term as we continue to test the depth and lateral extensions of open high-grade copper and gold mineralization at Piuquenes Central (422 m @ 0.48% Cu, 0.61 g/t Au, 2.9 g/t Ag (1.00% CuEq)* incl. 132 m @ 0.71% Cu, 0.85 g/t Au & 4.3 g/t Ag (1.45 % CuEq)* - refer 18 March, 2024 News Release), and thereafter testing a second outcropping porphyry at Piuquenes East and other high potential targets in our growing pipeline."

Image 1: PIU-03 Drill Pad

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD INVESTOR CONTACT

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO Joseph van den Elsen | Joseph@pampametals.com

ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is a copper-gold exploration company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE:FIR), and OTC (OTCQB:PMMCF) exchanges.

In November 2023, the Company announced it had entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in San Juan Province, Argentina. Reported intervals of significant copper and gold mineralization at Piuquenes Central include:

413.5 m@ 0.47% Cu, 0.52 g/t Au (0.87% CuEq)* (167-580.5 m);

422 m @ 0.48% Cu, 0.61 g/t Au, 2.9 g/t Ag (1.00% CuEq)* (198 - 620m);

including 132m @ 0.71% Cu, 0.85 g/t Au, 4.3 g/t Ag (1.45% CuEq)* (220 - 352m);

including 80m @ 0.6% Cu, 0.77 g/t Au, 3.2 g/t Ag (1.30% CuEq)* (468 - 548m)

558.2 m @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au, 2.4 g/t Ag (0.73% CuEq)* (362-920.2 m EOH)

including 130 m @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au, 4 g/t Ag (1.31 % CuEq)* (362-492 m)

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G. Mr. Orrego G. is a Geologist, a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego G. is a consultant to the Company.

* %CuEq values are calculated based on copper and gold metal prices: Cu = US$3.20/lb, Au = US$1,700/oz and Ag = US$ 20/oz. The formula utilized to calculate %CuEq is: Cu Eq Grade (%) = Cu Head Grade (%) + [(Au Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Au Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04) + [(Ag Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Ag Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04.

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Pampa Metals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2024) - Fineqia International Inc. (CSE: FNQ) (OTC Pink: FNQQF) (FSE: FNQA) (the "Company" or "Fineqia"), the digital asset and fintech investment business, announces it is taking an equity allocation in Valuex AG ("Valuex"), a company dedicated to enabling technology and blockchain-enabled projects evolve into successful businesses.

Fineqia's investment in Valuex with its projects that they advise is in line with its strategy of building a portfolio of companies involved with decentralisation technologies, Web 3.0, and Artificial Intelligence. It intends to include these investments in its formative Glass Ventures fund.

Liechtenstein-based Valuex serves as an entity providing early-stage companies with strategy advisory, venture building and funding services. Fineqia's investment gives it allocations exposure to various companies within Valuex's advisory portfolio: Enfineo, Haunted Space, Ungrid, Onocoy, ReadyGames, and WeSendit are highlighted.

"Valuex has demonstrated remarkable expertise in nurturing multiple businesses and helping them achieve their goals," said Fineqia CEO Bundeep Singh Rangar. "Through our investment, we aim to bring resources and opportunities to entrepreneurs behind these companies, enabling them to flourish in a global market."

Some of these companies are:

Enfineo , a fully licensed and regulated Neobank, offers seamless asset management of digital assets and fiat, all controlled within a single mobile application;

Haunted Space is a gaming adventure that allows individuals to explore, play, and find their way through star-choked skies and explore time, space, and human civilizations;

Unigrid is a technology company that offers a decentralized cloud service. Its load-balanced network is fortified with advanced security features, such as sharding, data stripping, and parity blocks, ensuring uninterrupted service and protecting against data loss;

Onocoy utilizes blockchain technology to facilitate widespread adoption of high precision positioning, aiming to be a leading decentralized and independent RTK correction service;

Ready Games operates an SDK platform for Web3 gaming. Its tech stack bridges web2 and web3 gaming seamlessly, empowers Web2 developers to migrate without added resources and addresses issues of Web3 game adoption; and

WeSendit is a rapidly expanding file-sharing platform that streamlines the process of exchanging and collaborating on digital content, making it easier and more efficient for individuals to use.

"Fineqia's investment opens doors for our portfolio companies to thrive and grow in today's competitive market landscape," said Valuex AG's Chief Commercial Officer Oliver Schmitt. "Fineqia's investment thesis fits naturally with our focus on nurturing tech and innovation, particularly in the blockchain sector."

Both Fineqia and Valuex support their portfolio companies via technology partnerships, business development, marketing and assistance with follow-on financing to expedite growth.

Fineqia's investment sum represents less than 3% of its market capitalisation. Terms of the investment remain confidential.

About Fineqia International Inc.

Fineqia (www.fineqia.com) is a digital asset business that builds and targets investments in early and growth stage technology companies that will be part of the next generation of the Internet. Publicly listed in Canada (CSE: FNQ) with offices in Vancouver and London, Fineqia's portfolio of investments includes businesses at the forefront of tokenization, blockchain technology, NFTs, AI, and fintech. Fineqia's VC fund in formation, Glass Ventures, backs category-defining Web 4.0 and Web 3.0 companies built by world-class entrepreneurs.

About Valuex

The aim of Valuex AG (https://www.valuex.at/) is to enable new users to access the value potential of the technology and blockchain world, to provide sustainable support for start-up projects in the development phase and to further develop existing blockchain business models. The Liechtenstein-based company evaluates crypto and blockchain projects using a business-based rating scheme. Valuex supports promising projects on their growth path and with their strategic orientation and positioning. In the first two years of its existence, Valuex AG was able to secure financing for their portfolio companies totalling over US$30 million. In addition, Valuex operates the matchmaking and investment platform MatchToGrow (https://matchtogrow.com/). The company is led by strategy and blockchain experts Paul Kruegel (CEO) and Oliver Schmitt (CCO).

About Enfineo

Enfineo (https://enfineo.com/), established in 2021 and headquartered in the UK, is a dynamic application facilitating seamless money exchange, secure fund management, and payments in traditional fiat and cryptocurrencies. Conceived by a team of IT veterans, encompassing seasoned business owners, cryptocurrency investors, and traders, this innovative project boasts specialities spanning neobanking, crypto exchange, Bitcoin, Ethereum, mobile payments, cashback rewards, loyalty cards, and the transformative power of blockchain technology. Enfineo emerges at the forefront of modern financial solutions, blending expertise and technology to reshape transactions in an ever-evolving landscape.

About Haunted Space

Haunted Space (https://www.hauntedspace.io/) is a profound adventure that allows you to explore, play, and find your way through star-choked skies in this immersive exploration of Time, Space, and Human Civilization's depths collecting items and improving your experience. The Haunted Space Project is the brainchild of a distinguished AAA game development and production enterprise. CEO Giorgio Xhaxho leads this visionary endeavor, channelling years of industry presence into crafting captivating, innovative gaming experiences that resonate with players' imaginations.

About Unigrid

Unigrid (https://www.unigrid.org/) is a cutting-edge technology company that offers an unparalleled and decentralized cloud service. Their load-balanced network is fortified with advanced security features, such as sharding, data stripping, and parity blocks, ensuring uninterrupted service and protecting against data loss. Communication is anonymous and impervious to eavesdropping, providing an extra layer of security. Unigrid's unique revenue model offers businesses a fair opportunity to compete by hosting a gridnode, which provides bandwidth, computer cycles, and storage space to bolster the network's capabilities. This approach ensures that all businesses can contribute resources to the network and share in the benefits of its advanced technology.

About Onocoy

Onocoy (https://www.onocoy.com/) enables mass adoption of high precision positioning using blockchain technology. It aims at becoming the world's leading decentralized and truly independent high quality RTK correction service paving the way for ultra-accurate positioning at low cost. The market problem of availability of affordable reference station data for OEMs is solved through a dense network of reference receivers. Applications of high precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) especially lie in the automation and autonomy field (e.g. precision agriculture, autonomous driving, machine control, delivery drone, logistics & port control, etc.) and earth observation (e.g. earthquake warning, survey & mapping, meteorology, etc.). The team has more than 20 years of experience in this specific segment and, together with the founding team, boasts a track record of several international awards, a successful IPO and the establishment of a successful unicorn to date.

About Ready Games

Ready.gg (https://ready.gg/) is enabling the biggest gaming ecosystem in Web3, building Web3 games for everyone. The gateway of onboarding the next billion of web2 players, enabling migration into Web3 in under 30 days. Seamless cross-chain player wallet & profile, Indie dev portal allows DIY web3 game development. Built with a player focused approach.

About WeSendit

Based in Switzerland and led by CEO Jens Herbst, WeSendit (https://wesendit.io/) redefines file transfer with its cutting-edge approach. As the world's pioneer in anonymous data transfer and decentralised storage solutions, WeSendit has been safeguarding digital exchanges since 2014. With a user base of 3.5 million (April 2022), its secure platform ensures seamless, user-friendly experiences.

Media Contacts

Angus Campbell

Nominis Advisory

angus@nominis.co

Athraa Bheekoo

Luna PR

Athraa@lunapr.io

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Katarina Kupcikova, Marketing & Communications Manager

E. katarina.kupcikova@fineqia.com

T. +44 7806 730 769

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some statements in this release may contain forward-looking information (as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws) ("forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that Fineqia (the "Company") believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding potential acquisitions and financings) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, the failure to obtain sufficient financing, and other risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made except as may be required by applicable securities laws. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/204920

SOURCE: Fineqia International Inc.
The proposed acquisition of Siam Ventures, which provides contract manufacturing services through a subsidiary, will act as a gateway to large Asian markets for PharmaCielo product.

Experienced investor, businessman and lawyer Louis Desmarais, the current Chairman and CEO of Siam Ventures, will join the Company's board of directors on closing.

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

All amounts expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted

Toronto, Ontario and Rionegro, Colombia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2024) - PharmaCielo Ltd. (TSXV: PCLO) (OTCQX: PCLOF) ("PharmaCielo" or the "Company"), the Canadian parent of Colombia's premier cultivator and producer of dried flower and medicinal-grade cannabis extracts, PharmaCielo Colombia Holdings S.A.S., today announced that it has signed a binding Letter of Intent to enter a proposed transaction (the "Proposed Acquisition") whereby it would acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Siam Ventures Corporation ("Siam Ventures") in exchange for common shares of PharmaCielo (the "PharmaCielo Shares"), representing aggregate consideration value of $3,000,000 (the "Purchase Price"). The Purchase Price shall be payable on closing of the Proposed Acquisition by way of the issuance of 13,636,363 PharmaCielo Shares to the shareholders of Siam Ventures on a pro rata basis, representing the equivalent of $3,000,000 (the "Consideration Shares"). The number of Consideration Shares to be issued have been determined based on a price of $0.22 per Consideration Share, which is equal to the volume weighted average price of the PharmaCielo Shares traded on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") for the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding today. Completion of the Proposed Acquisition is subject to due diligence, regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

PharmaCielo also announced that it is undertaking a non-brokered private placement of 9,090,909 units ("Units") at a price of $0.22 per Unit (the "Offering Price"), under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption ("LIFE"). Certain insiders of PharmaCielo and existing investors of Siam Ventures plan to participate in the Offering. Each Unit will be comprised of (i) one common share (a "Common Share") of the Company and (ii) one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") of the Company (the "Offering"), for gross proceeds of $2.0 million. The Company has the option to increase the size of the Offering to $3.0 million, or an additional 4,545,455 Units. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.30 for a period of 24 months. Closing of the Offering may take place in one or more tranches, provided that the final tranche closing will occur no later than May 25, 2024, being 45 days following the date hereof (the "Closing Date"). The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to finance general working capital requirements, expand international markets, and to facilitate the production of product based on the current demand of its customers. Closing of the Offering is subject to regulatory approval including that of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). For additional terms of the Offering, refer to the section titled Additional Terms of the Offering in this press release.

Management Commentary

Marc Lustig, Chairman and CEO of PharmaCielo commented, "This proposed acquisition will provide PharmaCielo with a ready pipeline for its high-quality product as large Asian markets begin to open to cannabinoids. On closing, Louis Desmarais will join our board of directors. Mr. Desmarais is a uniquely qualified and accomplished professional with deep ties in these markets and we expect to benefit from his guidance."

Mr. Lustig continued, "PharmaCielo's management team has worked relentlessly over the past two years to drive efficiencies while building our sales pipeline. Our strategy is longer term in nature, based on early adoption in newly opening markets and integration into development-stage products. This strategy takes time to work, but it is about to start paying off. The recent announcement of Ease Labs' contract with the State Government of Sao Paulo in Brazil, relying on our proprietary API, is just the beginning. I am personally one of the Company's largest investors and am confident that this strategy will create enormous shareholder value as markets continue to open, and product development pipelines that are currently early stage, go commercial."

Louis Desmarais, Chairman and CEO of Siam Ventures added, "Asia represents a very large, long-term opportunity for international cannabis producers. We have spent the past five years establishing the networks required to provide robust distribution across the continent as individual markets begin to open. We have chosen to join with PharmaCielo, and to invest our own capital alongside Marc and other insiders, because we believe that PharmaCielo has all the key attributes required for success in international markets - a deep shelf of high-quality products, a proprietary genetics bank, in-house pharma-level formulation expertise, low incremental cost to scale, and a structural cost advantage. Siam Ventures' team brings a plug and play manufacturing and distribution platform in a region that we expect will become a much larger part of the global cannabis conversation over the next decade. We look forward to working with Marc and the team to capture this opportunity for PharmaCielo shareholders."

Siam Ventures Corporation

Siam Ventures, and its principals with over 20 years of business experience in Thailand, have built enduring networks at the intersection of business, government and politics across Asia.

Louis Desmarais

Louis Desmarais is currently the Chairman & CEO of Siam Ventures. Mr. Desmarais is also the Honorary Consul General - Montreal, as well as an Honorary Trade Advisor, for the Royal Kingdom of Thailand.

Prior to Siam Ventures, Mr. Desmarais was the Managing Partner of Darwin Financial Corporation and the founder and managing partner of St-Lawrence Capital, LP, an early-stage venture capital fund, whose main investors included The Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec, the Quebec Solidarity Fund and Investment Quebec. Before that, he was a general partner of Skypoint Capital Corporation, where he led Skypoint's fundraising efforts and ran the fund's Quebec operations. Prior to this, he was a partner of Wynnchurch Capital, a $500 million private equity firm based in Chicago and Montreal, where he played a key role in fund raising, and sourcing and monitoring the fund's early-stage ventures. Between 1987 and 1999, Mr. Desmarais managed Desmarais Capital Corporation.

Mr. Desmarais began his career as a Chartered Accountant at Deloitte & Touche, following which he studied law. In 1985, he was the law clerk for the Chief Judge of the Tax Court of Canada, following which he was the law clerk for Justice Jean Beetz at the Supreme Court of Canada. In 1986, he joined the law firm of McCarthy Tetrault as a securities lawyer.

Additional Terms of the Offering

The Offering is being completed pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions and therefore the securities issued in the Offering will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document (the "Offering Document ") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.pharmacielo.com. Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision.

In connection with the Offering, the Company will pay a commission or finder's fee to eligible persons from the gross proceeds raised under the Offering. The Units will be offered by way of private placement in Ontario and such other provinces and territories of Canada and may be offered in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act"), and applicable state securities laws, and certain other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Units in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The Units, Common Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares issuable thereunder have not been, nor will they be, registered under the US Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer of Units, Common Shares and Warrants for sale, nor a solicitation for offers to buy such securities.

Financial and Legal Advisors

Bennet Jones LLP has acted as legal counsel and Cormark Securities Inc. as financial advisor for the Proposed Acquisition and Offering.

Grant of Stock Options, Restricted and Deferred Share Units

Effective April 9, 2024, PharmaCielo granted an aggregate of 3,050,000 stock options, 300,000 Deferred Share Units ("DSUs"), and 1,060,000 Restricted Share Units ("RSUs") to directors, officers, and key employees. The Company also issued 1,545,948 DSUs to settle $340,109 director fees owed. The options and RSUs vest 50% immediately, 25% on the first-year anniversary and 25% on the second-year anniversary. The options are exercisable at $0.22 per share and expire five years from the date of grant. The RSUs, DSUs and options are granted pursuant to the Company's RSU, DSU and stock option plans, respectively.

Shares for Settlement of Certain Amounts Owing

Today, the Company announced that as approved by TSXV, it issued 639,439 common shares of the Company ("Settlement Shares"), in satisfaction of $134,077 debt owed to certain former service providers of the Company.

The Company also announced that it intends to further issue, subject to the approval of TSXV, up to 1,323,960 Settlement Shares, in satisfaction of $291,270 debt owed to certain service providers of the Company. The deemed price of the common shares to be issued have been determined as C$0.22, being the 20-day Volume Weighted Average Price on the date the board of directors of the Corporation approved issuance of shares, (the "Deemed Price"). The Settlement Shares will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws, starting from the date of issuance of the Settlement Shares.

About PharmaCielo

PharmaCielo Ltd. (TSXV: PCLO) (OTCQX: PCLOF) is a global company, headquartered in Canada, with a focus on ethical and sustainable processing and supplying of all natural, pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis products to large channel distributors. PharmaCielo's principal (and wholly owned) subsidiary is PharmaCielo Colombia Holdings S.A.S., headquartered at its cultivation and processing center located in Rionegro, Colombia.

The board of directors and executive team of PharmaCielo are comprised of a diversely talented group of international business executives and specialists with relevant and varied expertise. PharmaCielo recognized the significant role that Colombia's ideal location plays in building a sustainable business in the medical cannabis industry, and the Company, together with its directors and executives, is executing on a business plan focused on supplying the international marketplace.

For further information:

Ian D. Atacan, Director & Chief Financial Officer

+1 (416) 562-3220

i.atacan@pharmacielo.com

Media and Investor Inquires:

investors@pharmacielo.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "is expected", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" or "will" be taken, occur or be completed or achieved.

Forward-looking statements can be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including changes to PharmaCielo's development plans, the failure to obtain and maintain all necessary regulatory approvals relating to the export of cannabinoid products and the import of these products into other countries, TSX Venture Exchange approval, the inability to export or distribute commercial products through sales channels as anticipated due to economic or operational circumstances, risks associated with operating in Colombia, fluctuation of the market price for the Company's products, risks associated with global economic instability relating to COVID-19 or other developments, risks related to retention of key Company personnel, currency exchange risk, competition in PharmaCielo's market and other risks discussed or referred to under the heading "Risk Factors" in PharmaCielo's Annual Information Form for the financial year 2019, and the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the financial year 2022 which are both available at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, PharmaCielo undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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 press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/204914

SOURCE: PharmaCielo Ltd.
Kupfer wird oft als das Gold der Energiewende bezeichnet, weil es aufgrund seiner hervorragenden elektrischen Leitfahigkeit eine zentrale Rolle in vielen Technologien spielt, die fur nachhaltige Energiesysteme entscheidend sind. Experten gehen aufgrund der Angebotsknappheit von einem Superzyklus aus.

Korrektur als Einstiegschance

Nach Hochststanden im Mai korrigierte das rote Metall stark. Die Abwartsspirale verstarkte sich in den vergangenen Tagen aufgrund schwacher Konjunkturdaten aus den USA und China. Langfristig konnte sich die aktuell laufende Korrektur als exzellente Einstiegsmoglichkeit herausstellen.

3 Kupferaktien mit hohem Potential

Im neuen, kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir drei aussichtsreiche Unternehmen vor, die bei einem weiteren Anstieg uberproportional profitieren konnten.

Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report!
Widening polarization expected in many elections, especially in the US and the EU where there is the potential for large insurance losses

Terrorism, civil unrest, and environmental activism risks intensifying in volatile geopolitical environment

Multinational businesses show an increasing interest in political violence insurance coverage to mitigate their risks

With an unprecedented 'super-cycle' of elections in 2024, almost half the world's populations will go to the polls before the year is out. According to a new report from Allianz Commercial, security is a concern in many territories, not only from the threat of localized unrest but because of the wider-reaching consequences of electoral outcomes on foreign policy, trade relations, and supply chains.

The headline election will be in the US in November, when a narrow result could inflame existing tensions. The European Parliament elections in June could also deepen divisions, if radical-right parties gain votes and seats. As unrest can now spread more quickly and widely, thanks in part to social media, financial costs from such events for companies and insurers are mounting. Economic and insured losses from just seven civil unrest incidents in recent years cost approximately US$13bn. With the threat of terrorism also on the rise, and the prospect of greater disruption from environmental activists occurring, businesses will face even more challenges in the next few years and will need to anticipate as well as mitigate evolving risks with robust business continuity planning.

"So many elections in one year raise concerns about the fueling of polarization, with tensions potentially playing out in heightened civil unrest. Polarization and unrest within societies are fueled by fear. They undermine trust in institutions and challenge people's sense of a common purpose built on shared values," says Srdjan Todorovic, Head of Political Violence and Hostile Environment Solutions at Allianz Commercial. "We also expect to see increased unrest around environmental issues in future, not only from activists, but from those who are pushing back against government climate mitigation policies."

All eyes on elections in the US and the EU

The US presidential election in November is likely to be a close call, with the outcome depending on results in a handful of states. A recent poll shows that more than one third of Americans believe President Biden's election in 2020 was not legitimate. Widespread disaffection among voters could be exploited by misinformation created by artificial intelligence and spread via social media. Deepfakes, disinformation and repurposed imagery, as well as customized messaging, could galvanize unrest or influence small but potentially decisive parts of electorates.

Many commentators have predicted that European Union elections in June could see a number of states politically shift to the right, with the potential for populist or far-right parties to gain votes and seats, building on a trend seen in 2023. Any success for these parties across Europe could result in growing opposition to EU environmental, immigration and human rights policies.

"The impacts of a political shift to the right and subsequent policy changes endure long after a political party's term in office," Todorovic adds. "They fundamentally change societies and public attitudes and make the next electoral shift to the center or left seem drastic, creating the potential for schisms and potentially violent responses from those who feel underrepresented by a regime change."

Environmental activism and terrorism threat expected to rise

Between 2022 and 2023, environmental activism incidents increased by around 120%. An impactful example was the arson attack on an electricity pylon in Germany by a left-wing extremist group. This suspended production at a local Tesla plant in March 2024, leading to economic losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros, according to reports. In addition to high-profile protests, a trend towards using more targeted tactics, such as focusing on individuals or politicians, is evident. There is a chance that more environmental protests could escalate from acts of nuisance into larger criminal acts.

The number of deaths from terrorism increased by 22% in 2023, and is now at its highest level since 2017, although the number of incidents fell. The major terror attack in Moscow in March is a timely reminder that the risk of politically or religiously motivated terrorism is back on the global agenda, and that the losses can be catastrophic. The primary driver of Islamist terrorism is the radicalization of home-grown perpetrators, which is currently being fueled by the Israel-Hamas war leading to an increased risk in the US and Europe. However, government foreign policy is also a big driver of risk, as the Moscow attack proves.

Multinational companies show increasing demand for political violence insurance

Political violence activity can impact businesses in many ways. Those in the immediate vicinity of unrest can suffer material damage to property or assets and business interruption losses, while indirect damage can be inflicted on companies in the form of loss of attraction or denial of access to their premises.

"Businesses need to protect their people and property with forward planning, such as ensuring safe and robust business continuity planning is in place in the event of an incident, increasing security, and reducing and relocating inventory if likely to be impacted by an event," explains Todorovic. "Using scenario planning and tracking risks in areas key to their operations can raise businesses' awareness of where political violence and civil unrest risks may be intensifying. Companies should also review whether their insurance policy covers the impact of risks such as strikes, riots, and civil commotion."

The report notes that the recent history of losses from protests and civil unrest in countries such as Chile, South Africa, France, and the US means that interest for political violence insurance coverage continues to increase. The greatest demand is from businesses with multi-country exposures rather than companies with smaller and simpler production and supply chains, although these can also be adversely impacted by such events.

About Allianz Commercial

Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world's largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry as well as family-owned and medium enterprises which are the backbone of the economy. We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or Hollywood film productions. Powered by the employees, financial strength, and network of the world's #1 insurance brand, as ranked by Interbrand, we work together to help our customers prepare for what's ahead: They trust us to provide a wide range of traditional and alternative risk transfer solutions, outstanding risk consulting and Multinational services, as well as seamless claims handling. The trade name Allianz Commercial brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either through our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners. In 2023, the integrated business of Allianz Commercial generated more than 18 billion gross premium globally.

These assessments are, as always, subject to the disclaimer provided below.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410990637/en/

Contacts:

For further information please contact:

Jo-Anne Chasen

Tel. 917 826 2183

jo-anne.chasen@agcs.allianz.com

Erin Burke

Tel. 631 681 8770

eburke@stantonprm.com
MBABANE  An ultimatum has been imposed on all emaSwati truck drivers to resign from their workplaces in South Africa (SA) this month, or face violence.

The renewed threat of violence, linked to xenophobia against foreigners, has prompted unionists to suspect that it is related to next months general elections in the Republic of South Africa. A majority of political parties in the neighbouring State have used, as their manifesto, an urgent call to remove illegal immigrants and protect jobs for South Africans. SA truckers, who have formed vigilante groups, blocked truck drivers and forced them to produce their drivers licences last month, before issuing the ultimatum. One of the Eswatini truck drivers who fell victim was identified as Maseko. He was stopped by members of the vigilante group at Melmoth, while driving a truck with SA registration numbers.

Harassed

He was harassed and embarrassed by the group, which took a video while hackling him for taking their jobs. The Zulu-speaking men also accused him of using a fake drivers licence.

Before they released him, they issued a statement that all emaSwati truck drivers were no longer wanted in SA companies and that failure to observe this order would attract consequences. While at it, the group also called the liSwatis employer and ordered that he relieve all foreigners from his employ, and make them return to their countries of origin. Your employer has promised to comply with our order, they said to Maseko. Meanwhile, they told the liSwati man that they did not want to ever see him again from April 1, along the SA roads. Your employer has served us with papers stating that he will comply. So you must go back home to Eswatini, they said. They further said they would keep him hostage until his employer arrived to explain why he employed non-South Africans.

The four-minute clip attracted sympathy from emaSwati whose comments mainly advised that the truck drivers must stop risking lives and come back home. We are grateful that they did not hurt you. Come back home, they said. Meanwhile, a member of the truck drivers association of emaSwati, told this publication that the intimidation and threats of violence had never stopped coming from the South Africans. He said members of the All Truck Drivers Forum (ATDF) were pulling all the stops to remove emaSwati from the roads. We have left our families back home starving and went to search for jobs. We are in no way stealing South Africans jobs, but there are routes in which employers prefer emaSwati drivers to South Africans. They fail to understand that we are Africans trying to earn a living, like them, said the truck driver. He further said the unemployment in Eswatini was so high that they preferred to risk their lives on SA roads.

He also blamed the Eswatini socio-political situation, saying it contributed to the job losses. The truck driver estimated that the number of emaSwati truck drivers was 400, but said the number could be much more. You will recall that none of the emaSwati want their nationalities to be known. Some have dual citizenship, while others are using licences that do not belong to them. This then implies that the number of emaSwati truck drivers cannot be easily ascertained, he said. Currently, the rate of unemployment in Eswatini is said to be 35 per cent. Meanwhile, Acting Chairperson of the National Road Transportation Council (NRTC) Sabelo Dlamini said he had gathered that the SA Government was no longer issuing work permits for truck drivers after there were objections from some South Africans. He said even when a local truck owner intended to employ a truck driver to work in SA, he was obliged to stipulate that the job was for South Africans only, to avoid exposing emaSwati to the violence.

He said several emaSwati truck drivers were being harassed by vigilante groups on SA roads. One of our drivers said he had to abandon the truck at Hazyview (Mpumalanga) and walked all the way to Eswatini, after spending the night in the bushes. There are many such incidents, he said. Dlamini said it was a pity that there were not enough industries in Eswatini to employ all the emaSwati truck drivers if they were all to return home. An alternative will be to convince them to go for other industries where jobs are available. We cannot expect them to continue ducking death in SA if the situation persists, he said.
US-based Dustin Deno will expand Spryker's ecosystem-led growth, drive direct revenue, and lead global sales execution to the next level

BERLIN and NEW YORK, April 10, 2024, the leading global composable commerce platform for sophisticated use cases in B2B, Enterprise Marketplaces, and IoT Commerce, today announced that Dustin Deno will join the Spryker executive team as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Dustin's strong background in digital commerce sales, US-based network, and focus on artificial intelligence (AI) will enable Spryker to take value based sales execution to the next level.



"I'm proud to announce that I'm joining the Spryker Herd and I'm excited to continue to build on Spryker's global ecosystem and partner-first go to market approach. Working closely with our solutions and technology partners, like Amazon Web Services (AWS), strengthens our ability to offer enterprises the edge they need to stay agile and ahead," said Dustin Deno, CRO at Spryker. "The next five years are going to change more in sales than they have in the last ten. New capabilities, such as AI, present a unique opportunity for sales people to be more relevant than ever before by solving customer problems faster and enabling them to unlock true business value, all at scale. How well we experiment and adapt will determine our success."

Dustin brings over 15 years of experience in enterprise sales with previous positions at Salesforce, Showpad, and Affinity.co. Dustin also advises a number of organizations whose focus areas are adjacent to Spryker including Sales Assembly, Amper Technologies Inc., and Copilot, bringing knowledge and perspectives from the sales, manufacturing, and AI fields, respectively. Dustin will be focused on operationalizing the sales process so it can continue to scale, enabling ecosystem led-growth, transforming the organization to a value realization based approach, and driving direct revenue in North America and other core regions.

"We are thrilled to have Dustin join the Spryker leadership team. His innovative mindset and active pulse on new ways to approach business and leverage our global partner ecosystem will propel our sales execution to the next level, drive more value for our customers, and expand our footprint in North America," said Boris Lokschin, Co-founder and CEO at Spryker. "As we continue to expand globally, enterprises will continue to face volatility in all markets and it's our aim to provide the technology and ecosystem support to ensure our customers can meet their business goals efficiently."

This is the latest in a series of additions the Spryker leadership team has made to support its expansion in North America. Spryker recently appointed Anton van Deth as Chief Marketing Officer. He is focused on transforming marketing from a communications function to a revenue and decision engine. Spryker's product vision and execution is led by Elena Leonova as the SVP of Product. Her team recently announced product updates that are the latest in Spryker's commitment to enabling business efficiency and sophisticated digital innovation for global enterprise customers. Charla Session-Reed is the Vice President of Global Partner Marketing and is implementing a partner-first go-to-market marketing strategy to develop an even stronger and more impactful customer-centric and integrated ecosystem. Spryker's new VP Global Product Marketing, Angela Morel Troccoli, is also based in the US and is focused on establishing Spryker as the undisputed category leader while driving pipeline acceleration.

Spryker's global footprint is continuing to grow rapidly. With recent customer wins and a fast expanding partner ecosystem, Spryker is positioned to enable global customers to launch projects faster, differentiate, and achieve their business objectives efficiently. Recent additions to the Spryker partner ecosystem in the US include Stripe , Bloomreach , and Vertex . From a US customer perspective, Spryker will be working with SDVerse, a B2B sales platform for buying and selling automotive software founded by General Motors, global automotive supplier Magna, and leading technology services and consulting company Wipro Limited. Two of Spryker's global manufacturing customers, PFERD and Meusburger , also recently launched global commerce platforms that increased revenue, improved customer experience, and reduced manual processes.
Product will be on display at LogiPharma 2024 Conference

SpotSee, a global leader in condition-indicating and monitoring solutions, today announced the launch of TempMonitor, a simple and affordable single-use temperature indicator designed specifically for patients who rely on insulin and Glucagon-like, peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications. TempMonitor helps distributors and patients know that their refrigerated medications have remained within the manufacturers' recommended temperature ranges. The product will be on display at LogiPharma 2024, April 16 to 18 at Centre de Congres de Lyon in Lyon, France, booth #39.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410461431/en/

SpotSee TempMonitor (Photo: Business Wire)

TempMonitor uses SpotSee's WarmMark technology to provide visual evidence if a medication is exposed to unacceptable temperature levels. These mini single-use indicators have a simple color-changing mechanism that alerts users when the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), signaling possible compromise of product quality.

"At SpotSee we are focused on building solutions that span from pallet to patient and SpotSee's TempMonitor addresses the critical need for monitoring the storage of patient's temperature-sensitive medication, including Insulin and GLP-1s," said Tony Fonk, President and CEO of SpotSee. "We recognize the challenges faced by patients and their families who depend on these types of medications every day, all around the world. By using TempMonitor, patients can gain peace of mind knowing that their medications are stored and transported within the recommended temperature range."

TempMonitors are discreet and easy to carry, making it a convenient solution for users. Packaged in units of 10, these monitors are available for purchase in the US and Canada. Visit www.spotsee.io/tempmonitor for more information and to order the product. Priced at $14.99, plus shipping, it is an indispensable companion to millions of patients who have to rely on self-injectables.

The window of the TempMonitor indicator will stay white as long as no evidence of temperature excursions exist. But if the temperature climbs beyond 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) within 30 minutes, the indicator will show red signaling that the product was exposed to higher than recommended conditions. In this way, patients know how long the product had been exposed above the threshold temperature.

At LogiPharma, Fonk will be moderating a key panel, focused on the transformation of digital capabilities to improve visibility, quality, and reactivity in the temperature-controlled supply chain. The panel discussion will take place on Tuesday, April 16, at noon local time. For more information, check out the LogiPharma website.

About SpotSee

At SpotSee, every degree matters. As a global leader in condition-indicating and monitoring solutions, the company helps customers identify changing conditions to protect life sciences and ensure supply chain integrity. SpotSee provides products that enable more than 4,500 customers and partners in 62 countries to detect changes in the condition of everything from vaccines to spaceships. The company's solutions include temperature, impact, tilt, vibration, humidity and liquid detection monitoring devices, available via visual, RFID, QR code, cellular or satellite connection. Its products such as WarmMark, ColdMark, HemoTemp II, ThermoStrip, Thermax, BriteLine, ShockWatch, ShockLog and TiltWatch are widely used in the life sciences, energy, transportation, aerospace, defense, food, manufacturing and consumer products sectors. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and operates five facilities in Texas, Illinois, Mexico and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.spotsee.io.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410461431/en/

Contacts:

Billy Sanez, Director of Global Marketing

SpotSee

BSanez@SpotSee.io

214-908-7905
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2024) - Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: EMIN) (OTC Pink: MTEHF) (FSE: 8PC) ("Spark" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the addition Mr. Mike Skead to its Technical Advisory Board.

Mr. Skead is a geologist with over 30 years of international experience in mining exploration and development. He holds a BSc. Honours degree in geology from the University of Cape Town, (RSA) and MSc. in Exploration Geology, from the Rhodes University, Grahamstown, (RSA).

Mike Skead most recently worked as the Vice President of Project Development at GT Gold Corp., which was recently acquired by Newmont Corp. for C$393 million. While at GT Gold Corp., he delivered the geological model and resource for the gold rich copper porphyry Saddle North Project which comprised an Indicated resource containing 1.81 B lbs. copper and 3.47 M oz. gold, and an Inferred resource containing 2.98 B lbs. copper and 5.46 M oz. gold.

Prior to his role at GT Gold Corp., Mr. Skead was Director of Geoscience at Newmont Corp. and has previously held senior management positions in a number of internationally recognised mining companies including Goldcorp, Randgold Resources, and Dundee Precious Metals.

Peter Wilson, Spark's CEO, commented, "As we work to build out our Technical Advisory Board, Michael Skead makes an excellent addition. He brings both the technical and professional acumen of having worked on a major scale. His skill set and professional history make him a great compliment to the team we are assembling."

About Spark Energy Minerals Inc.

Spark Energy Minerals, Inc., is a Canadian company pursuing battery metals and mineral assets with newly acquired interests in Brazil. The Company has acquired assets in some of the world's most prolific mining jurisdictions in Brazil's growing lithium area that is gaining recognition as a world hot spot for lithium and rare earth mineral exploration.

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.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE COMPANY'S WEBSITE AT

https://sparkenergyminerals.com

Email to info@sparkenergyminerals.com

Contact: Peter Wilson, CEO, Tel. +1-778-744-0742

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

Spark Energy Minerals News - 4-10-2024 | Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated", "anticipates" 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 belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is 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. Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated", "anticipates" 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 belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the RN Property, the Acquirors and certain corporate changes. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/204888

SOURCE: Spark Energy Minerals Inc.
Exolaunch will enable launches and deployment for the leading geospatial intelligence provider through 2025, kicking off the agreement with three successful satellite deployments onboard SpaceX's Bandwagon-1 mission.

Exolaunch, the global leader in launch mission management, integration, and satellite deployment services, today announced a multi-mission agreement for launch and deployment services with HawkEye 360, a prominent provider of next-generation geospatial intelligence solutions. This marks the first collaboration between the two companies, signifying an important milestone in advancing space-based technology and geospatial intelligence capabilities.

The first launch under the agreement took place on Sunday, April 7 from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A via SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Using Exolaunch's proprietary, flight-proven CarboNIX separation systems, the company successfully deployed three HawkEye 360 satellites on the SpaceX Bandwagon-1 mission. Developed by University of Toronto's Space Flight Laboratory, these satellites intend to increase coverage over high-traffic maritime corridors at mid-latitudes, including the Indo-Pacific region.

HawkEye 360, based in Virginia, is renowned for its groundbreaking maritime safety technology, providing unprecedented insights into global activities by delivering timely and accurate information from innovative radio frequency (RF) data and analytics. By leveraging Exolaunch's extensive experience and state-of-the-art deployment solutions, HawkEye 360 aims to expand further and enhance its presence in space.

This comprehensive contract covers integration and deployment services for at least ten satellites to be delivered into orbit for HawkEye 360. Notably, all these missions will utilize Exolaunch's CarboNIX separation systems and EXOpod Nova containerized deployers, showcasing the trust and confidence from HawkEye 360 in Exolaunch's industry-leading deployment technologies.

Under the terms of the agreement, Exolaunch will support multiple missions for HawkEye 360. The payloads are expected to launch on upcoming SpaceX Rideshare missions through 2025, and they are intended to strengthen geospatial intelligence services provided by HawkEye 360.

"We are very excited to partner with Exolaunch, a global leader in launch mission integration and deployment technologies, for our cluster 9 launch and subsequent launches," remarked Rob Rainhart, president of HawkEye 360. "This partnership is an important relationship for HawkEye 360. It provides a basis for affordable launch and launch integration services that allow us to focus on bringing our analytics solution to market at greater speed and efficiency. We look forward to the continued partnership and opportunities this collaboration will bring to both our companies and the industry at large."

"We are proud to partner with HawkEye 360, a pioneering innovator in geospatial intelligence solutions, and support their long-term launch program," commented Kier Fortier, managing director of Exolaunch USA. "Our multi-mission launch and deployment agreements underscore Exolaunch's commitment to delivering unparalleled mission management services, backed by our flight-proven deployment technologies. We are confident that our expertise and proven track record will ensure the seamless deployment and success of HawkEye 360's missions, ultimately advancing the frontiers of space-based intelligence."

About Exolaunch

Exolaunch (Germany, USA) is a global leader in launch mission integration and deployment technologies. With a decade of flight heritage and over 390 satellites launched across 27 missions to date, Exolaunch leverages industry insight to tailor turnkey solutions that meet customer needs and respond to market trends. Exolaunch fulfills launch contracts for industry leaders, the world's most innovative start-ups, research institutions, government organizations, and international space agencies. The company develops and manufactures its own flight-proven and industry-leading small satellite separation systems, with the fastest-growing heritage on the market. Exolaunch promotes safe, sustainable, and responsible use of space and is committed to making space accessible for all.

For more information, please visit www.exolaunch.com

For media inquiries, please contact media@exolaunch.com

About HawkEye 360

HawkEye 360, a leader in defense technology, delivers unmatched insights into human activity and situational trends through cutting-edge RF geospatial information. Our space-based technology efficiently detects, characterizes, and geolocates diverse RF signals, allowing analysts to identify suspicious movements, track potential threats, and uncover hidden maritime activities. With rapid access to crucial events and behavioral patterns, HawkEye 360's RF data and analytics enhance early-warning capabilities, empowering decision-makers globally. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, we continue to redefine the landscape of RF geospatial solutions.

For more information, please visit www.he360.com

For media inquiries, please contact stacey.bruzzese@he360.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410063524/en/

Contacts:

Exolaunch

media@exolaunch.com

HawkEye 360

stacey.bruzzese@he360.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Hannan Metals Limited's ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSXV:HAN)(OTCPK:HANNF) surface sampling at the 100%-owned Valiente project in Peru has identified an 1,800 m by 400 m alkalic porphyry-epithermal target. The discovery, named Previsto East, contains anomalously high gold in soil samples, associated with multiple large local copper and gold mineralized boulders, in an area covered by scree and soil cover from 1 m to 5 m thick.

The Previsto East discovery is the eighth significant porphyry and/or epithermal target discovered within an area of 25 km by 10 km at Previsto and Belen which Hannan now believes represents a giant porphyry cluster. As surface field work continues, both the number and tenor of individual targets has continually improved (Figures 1 and 2).

Highlights: The footprint of the 100%-owned Miocene porphyry cluster at Valiente keeps expanding and further validates the discovery of a giant porphyry district.

At Previsto East the first gold-rich copper porphyry-epithermal target has been identified over a large area: Rock chip and soil sampling at Previsto East have identified an 1,800 m by 400 m porphyry-epithermal target defined by strongly gold anomalous soil samples and a large local copper and gold mineralized boulder field with up to 0.64 g/t gold ("Au") in soils and up to 1.85 g/t Au in boulders.

Large outcrops of copper oxide mineralization of a similar style have been discovered 3.5 km west of the Previsto East target during recent field work (Figure 10). Assays from this outcrop are pending.

Michael Hudson, CEO, states: "Hannan's 100%-owned Valiente project keeps getting better with our teams expanding and making new discoveries every month. The scale of the Previsto East gold-rich copper porphyry system identified here competes with some of the best pre-discovery stage porphyry projects. The larger Previsto area remains largely unexplored, and our teams are now actively expanding the footprint to identify additional copper and gold rich targets adjacent to Previsto East. Excitingly early-stage prospecting has identified large outcrops of copper oxide mineralization of a similar style 3.5 km west of the Previsto East target during recent field work. We believe our work is demonstrating a giant porphyry cluster with the footprint likely to expand with further mineral prospecting during 2024."

Geological discussion

During 2021 Hannan staked 1,002 km2 of 100% owned mining concessions at Valiente covering unexplored terrain for potential mineralized porphyry targets in central eastern Peru. Early surface prospecting discovered two outcropping copper-gold porphyry targets and one epithermal target at Belen (see Press Release Feb 16, 2023) that is now being drill permitted (Figures 1 and 2). Porphyry discoveries quickly followed at Serrano Norte, Serrano and Pucacunga. The focus more recently has been on Previsto. At Previsto and Belen a giant porphyry cluster within an area of 25km by 10km with eight porphyry and/or epithermal targets now identified in more detail with up to 10 earlier stage targets awaiting further work.

The most recent discovery, Previsto East outlined here is the first gold-rich copper porphyry epithermal target. Hannan geologists anticipate that the porphyry footprint will expand during 2024 as surface work moves into adjacent zones, with large outcrops of oxide copper mineralization of a similar style discovered 3.5 km west of the Previsto East target during recent surface prospecting (Figure 10). Assays from this outcrop are pending.

At Previsto East mineralization and alteration mapping of boulders, up to 5m3 in size, across the entire 1,800 m by 400 m target area have been identified. The observed styles of mineralization and alteration in boulders supports previous interpretation of an alkalic gold-rich porphyry epithermal target. Trace element association of gold and copper mineralized boulders are Cu-Au-Te-V-Pb-Mo. Alteration assemblages and mineralization styles from boulders in the 1.8 km long area include: hydrothermal breccias, intense phyllic alteration and relics of potassic alteration, roscoelite veining/dissemination and replacement of feldspars, vuggy silica textures and possible lattice bladed quartz. Observed sulfide minerals includes chalcopyrite, bornite, covellite, molybdenite, pyrite. (Figures 8 and 9). Veining is rare and generally only thin quartz and quartz-pyrite-iron oxide veinlets have been observed in boulders. Trace element associations to copper and gold mineralized boulders shows a Cu-Au-Te-V-Pb-Mo correlation. Phyllic alteration is strong and is characterized by quartz-pyrite-sericite/illite. Roscoelite and locally fuchsite selectively replaces K-felspar phenocrysts. Both minerals have been identified by portable XRF. Roscoelite also occurs in veins, veinlets and disseminations, whereas fuchsite only been observed in one location.

Rock chip sampling at Previsto East as identified an 1,800 m by 400 m porphyry-epithermal target defined by strongly gold anomalous large local copper and gold mineralized boulder fields with up to 1.85 g/t Au in boulders. A total of 84 rock samples from large local boulder fields and boulders in metre deep pits ranged from 1.85 g/t Au to <0.001 g.t Au, and averaged 0.15 g/t Au and 0.73% Cu to 0.01 % Cu and averaged 0.08 % Cu (Figure 2).

Soil results at Previsto East over an area of 1,800 m by 450 m show very strong correlation with mineralized boulders. Soil anomalies show good correlation with pathfinder elements (Figures 3 to 6). A total of 362 soil samples in a 100 m by 100 m grid and ridge-top samples assayed from 0.63 g/t Au to <0.001 and average 0.02 g/t. Of these 29 samples returned extremely high soil values between 0.10 to 0.63 g/t Au in a coherent area coinciding with mineralized boulders (Figures 3 to 6).

About the Valiente project

The 100% owned Valiente project is in central eastern Peru, east of the city of Tingo Maria (Figures 1 and 2). The area is characterized by steep topography on the eastern flank of the Central Cordillera with elevations between 800 m and 2,000 m above sea level (a.s.l.). The project was discovered in 2021 during an extensive greenfields exploration program initiated by Hannan. Hannan holds 1,002 sq km of mineral tenure prospective for back-arc porphyry copper-gold systems at the Valiente Project in central eastern Peru. The company has been actively exploring the project since 2021 and successfully gained social permits all areas of interests in the zone. In January 2024 Hannan submitted it first drilling application (DIA) covering two porphyry targets and one epithermal target at the Belen zone (click here for news release). The company is now expanding the footprint by exploring new areas to build a pipeline of projects that will be permitted, and drill tested over the coming five years.

Technical Background

All samples were collected by Hannan geologists. Samples were transported to ALS in Lima via third party services using trackable parcels and by company staff. At the laboratory, rock samples were prepared and analyzed by standard methods. The sample preparation involved crushing 70% to less than 2 mm, riffle split off 250g, pulverize split to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were analyzed by method ME-MS61, a four-acid digest preformed on 0.25g of the sample to quantitatively dissolve most geological materials. Analysis is via ICP-MS. Channel samples are considered representative of the in-situ mineralization samples and sample widths quoted approximate the true width of mineralization, while grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property. Gold was analyzed in rock and soils by ALS in Lima using a standard sample preparation and 30g fire assay sample charge. Soil samples were analyzed by a portable XRF (VANTA-VMR) using an inhouse protocol which includes routing use of CRM and field duplicates as well as 10% check samples analyzed by ALS Lima.

About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV:HAN)(OTCPK:HANNF)

Hannan Metals Limited is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Peru. Hannan is a top ten in-country explorer by area in Peru.

Mr. Michael Hudson FAusIMM, Hannan's Chairman and CEO, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

On behalf of the Board, Further Information www.hannanmetals.com 1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7 "Michael Hudson" Mariana Bermudez, Corporate Secretary, Michael Hudson, Chairman & CEO +1 (604) 685 9316, info@hannanmetals.com

Forward Looking Statements. Certain disclosure contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and 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 required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news.

SOURCE: Hannan Metals Ltd.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
JEFFERSONVILLE, IN / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / PharmaCord LLC, a leading provider of patient support services for the pharmaceutical industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cindy Padgett as Chief Commercial Officer. In her new role, Padgett will be responsible for the commercialization of corporate and client initiatives, from solution design to customer experience optimization. As Chief Commercial Officer, she will oversee Solutions Development, Quality Operations, Legal Operations and Business Optimization and Standardization.

Cindy Padgett, Chief Commercial Officer, PharmaCord

"Cindy has been an invaluable member of our team for several years, consistently demonstrating strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a relentless commitment to excellence," said Nitin Sahney, Founder and CEO of PharmaCord. "We are confident that she will excel in her new role and help us further enhance the quality and efficiency of our commercial activities."

With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Padgett has a proven track record of driving commercial success and enabling differentiated client experiences. Since 2017, she has served in various capacities for PharmaCord, most recently as the company's Vice President and General Counsel. Before joining PharmaCord, she served as Vice President of Reimbursement and Contracting for U.S. WorldMeds where she was actively involved in driving patient access for a variety of products. Padgett also served as Director of Fund Development at The Assistance Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and was previously General Manager for RxCrossroads. She has also been an active member in the community, serving as a board member for Kentucky Adoption Services and several roles within Boy Scouts in La Grange, Ky.

Padgett holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Louisville and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law and is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

About PharmaCord

As a patient services provider, PharmaCord works on behalf of top drug manufacturers to simply the patient prescription journey. Through a combination of its proprietary PharmaCord Lynk technology suite, exceptionally talented team members and its non-commercial pharmacy PharmaCord Scripts , PharmaCord helps patients have a better experience accessing and adhering to their critical medications. To learn more about how PharmaCord improves commercial outcomes for life sciences companies, visit pharmacord.com

Contact Information

Paige Hobbs

Associate Director of Marketing

phobbs@pharmacord.com

SOURCE: PharmaCord

View the original press release on newswire.com.
List of Top 25 Ancient Sites was released by Visited, to showcase the most visited places in the world. The travel app allows users to map their travel, create a custom travel bucket list and discover new destinations.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Visited App, the popular travel app, which has over 2 million users, has published a list of Top 25 Most Visited Ancient Sites. Visited is the ultimate travel bucket list and personalized map app, which is owned by Arriving In High Heels Corporation. The Ancient Sites list is part of the travel list feature, which has over 150 lists based on different travel categories, experiences and types of travel users like to do. Examples of popular lists include:

Most Visited Ancient Sites

Most Popular Ancient Sites as per the travel app Visited

Culinary Experiences

World Wonders

Cruise Ports

Family Destinations

Art Museums and more

In the app, users select where they have been or wish to travel to. The results are displayed on a personalized travel map, with travel stats, and as part of individual travelers' bucket list.

The ultimate Ancient Sites list is found inside the Visited app, available to download on iOS and Android for free. The most visited Ancient Sites list includes:

Colosseum, Rome, Italy Acropolis, Athens, Greece Pompeii, Italy Pantheon, Rome, Italy Roman Forum, Rome, Italy

For a full list of Ancient Sites and other travel lists, download Visited on iOS or Android.

About Visited Travel App

Visited is a travel app, which allows users to map their journeys, print a personalized travel map, see personalized stats, plan their next trip and check off famous places and experiences from travel lists. The app's goal is to help international travelers remember their travel journeys and discover new places. The map feature maps all countries, regions/states, cities and places of interest that they have been to or wish to go to in the future. The travel lists help users discover new places by categories and popularity, check off places off their bucket list and add new ones to their travel itinerary. For those who are data-driven, the app showcases travel stats that are unique to each user.

The travel app is available in 30 languages and is available on iOS or Android, and is free to download.

To learn more about the Visited app and its latest feature update, please 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, X-Walk and Visited, their most popular app.

Visited app has travel stats that are unique to the travel industry with a sample of travel stats reported on their annual travel report.

Contact Information

Anna Kayfitz

CEO

anna@arrivinginhighheels.com

SOURCE: Arriving In High Heels Corporation

View the original press release on newswire.com.
AUSTIN, Texas, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Percepto, the industry-leading autonomous inspection and monitoring solutions provider, is thrilled to announce that it has successfully facilitated Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) approval for one of its esteemed clients in Germany. This landmark approval, officially sanctioned by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), Germany's civil aviation authority, represents a significant leap forward in the use of drone-in-a-box technology for industrial inspections and monitoring.

This approval enables fully automated drone operations BVLOS without the need for visual observers on-site, around the clock. This capability is particularly notable as it extends to controlled airspace, demonstrating an exceptional level of trust and confidence in the safety and reliability of Percepto's drone-in-a-box solutions.

The approval process was spearheaded by Percepto, drafting the necessary documents and closely collaborating with German regulators to meet the stringent requirements for BVLOS operations. This achievement not only underscores Percepto's commitment to advancing drone technology in compliance with European regulations, but also solidifies a close working relationship with German authorities, suggesting expedited approvals for future deployments.

The LBA has welcomed this development, stating, "We are pleased with Percepto's achievement in obtaining BVLOS approval in Germany. This exemplifies the potential of advanced drone technology to transform industries while ensuring LBA's highest standards of aviation safety."

"Percepto's achievement in Germany is a testament to its leadership in the autonomous drone industry and its ability to navigate and comply with complex regulatory environments," said Neta Gliksman, Percepto VP of Policy and Government Affairs. "Percepto extends its gratitude to the LBA for their cooperation and looks forward to contributing further to the safe and effective integration of drones into German airspace."

About Percepto

Percepto is the leading autonomous inspection and monitoring solution provider, revolutionizing how industrial sites monitor and inspect their critical infrastructure and assets.

Listed in TIME magazine's 100 Best Inventions of 2021, Percepto's AIM platform fully automates visual data workflows from capture to insight, leveraging the Percepto Air drone-in-a-box portfolio, alongside other robots and visual sensors. Using advanced machine learning and AI, Percepto AIM provides an end-to-end autonomous inspection and monitoring solution to assess risk, minimize downtime, drive efficiency, increase safety and reduce operational costs.

Percepto's solutions are trusted by Fortune 500 customers on six continents including Siemens Energy, Delek US, Koch Fertilizer and ICL Dead Sea Works. The company is the recipient of multiple prestigious awards including Edison Gold Award and Frost & Sullivan Global Enabling Technology Leadership Award.

For more information, visit www.percepto.co

Media Contact

Jackie Alkobi

Percepto

pr@percepto.co

+1-917-999-0192

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/percepto-achieves-groundbreaking-bvlos-approval-for-drone-operations-in-germany-302112909.html
Annual General Meeting approves all motions proposed by the Board of Directors

All motions from the Board of Directors approved

Shareholders agree to dividend of CHF 15 per registered share

Steinhausen, 10 April 2024 - Shareholders of Schweiter Technologies AG approved the motions put by the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting today. The Financial Report for the 2023 business year was approved and the report on non-financial matters endorsed via a consultative vote.

A dividend payout of CHF 15 per registered share was agreed. Disbursement will take place on 16 April 2024.

RE-ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shareholders re-elected all members of the Board of Directors and Heinz O. Baumgartner as Chairman for a further period of office of one year. Shareholders also re-elected all members of the Nomination & Compensation Committee for a further one-year term. Jacques Sanche was once again appointed Chair of the Nomination & Compensation Committee.

VOTES ON REMUNERATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

Shareholders approved the maximum total remuneration of the Board of Directors for the term of office up to the 2025 Annual General Meeting and the maximum total sum for the remuneration of the Management for the 2025 financial year. In a consultative vote, shareholders also endorsed the 2023 Compensation Report.

ELECTION OF THE STATUTORY AUDITOR

In accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors, shareholders elected KPMG AG as statutory auditor for the financial year commencing on 1 January 2024.





For further information please contact:

Urs Scheidegger

Group CFO

Tel. +41 41 757 77 00

investor@schweiter.com

ABOUT SCHWEITER TECHNOLOGIES

Schweiter Technologies, with its head office in Steinhausen, Switzerland, is a globally active Group focusing on composites solutions with its division 3A Composites. The main activities include the development, production and distribution of high-quality composites, plastic sheets, foamboards and core materials based on balsa wood and PET foam. These materials are used in lightweight applications, primarily in the areas of visual communication (display), architecture, wind energy, industry, railway and bus construction and shipbuilding.

The company has offices, distribution facilities and production sites at 40 locations in Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region, and employs some 4,600 people. Schweiter Technologies AG is listed on SIX Swiss Exchange with the ticker symbol SWTQ.

Please find the Media release in the PDF attached:

Media release
BUCHAREST, Romania, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zitec, a nearshoring software engineering partner to European businesses, announced receiving the 2024 Google Cloud Partner of the Year for Social Impact in EMEA.

Zitec was named among a global field of Google Cloud partners at Google Cloud Next'24. Known for crafting quality software products and delivering impactful digital projects, the company won for consistently making social responsibility a part of "life at Zitec", with meaningful outcomes.

Two landmark projects clinched Zitec's award.

Cei1024.ro was born when Zitec started the first office blood drive in Romania, partnering with the Bucharest Blood Transfusion Center to tackle the country's blood shortage. Seven years later in 2023, office blood drives have become a Romanian norm, mobilising over 70 companies, nearly 6,000 donors, and saving 18,000 lives to date.

In the same year, Daruieste Viata successfully completed the first children's hospital, built entirely from donations and corporate sponsorships. The NGO's success was due in part to a website revamp by Zitec on Google Cloud to handle fundraising campaign peaks.

"Our website is one of our most important fundraising tools. It was crucial for us to have a strong infrastructure and cost-effective tools that could help us focus on the most important things - the reform of the Romanian healthcare system," said Mihaela Pintilie, Project Manager, Daruieste Viata.

"Google Cloud's Partner Awards celebrate the transformative impact and value that partners have delivered for customers," said Kevin Ichhpurani, Corporate Vice President, Global Ecosystem and Channels at Google Cloud. "We're proud to announce Zitec as a 2024 Google Cloud Partner Award winner and recognise their achievements enabling customer success from the past year."

"We are deeply honoured and thank Google for their recognition of Zitec's social commitments with this award. Initiatives such as cei1024.ro and Daruieste Viata are very dear to our hearts as they underscore Zitec's unwavering belief in leveraging technology for good as much as for growth. As a premium partner of Google Cloud, we hope our continued efforts together will enable more communities to foster sustainable development using technology," said Alex Lapusan, Zitec CEO and Founding Partner.

About Zitec

Zitec is a nearshoring custom software and digital transformation partner to European multinational companies. Its digital products and projects have expedited operational efficiencies, cost-savings and new revenue gains, while delivering development and production predictability in over 30 countries.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zitec-named-google-cloud-partner-of-the-year-for-social-impact--emea-302113182.html
Rogue Baron Plc - Appointment of USA broker and issue of equity

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 10

10 April 2024

ROGUE BARON PLC

("Rogue Baron" or "The Company")

Appointment of USA broker and issue of equity

Rogue Baron PLC (AQSE: SHNJ), a leading company in the premium spirits sector, is pleased to announce that it has appointed MD Global Partners, based in New York, as its joint broker with immediate effect.

As part of the process towards a potential fund raise out of the USA a service provider has been issued with 1,500,000 shares.

Admission to Aquis Growth Market

Application will be made for the 1,500,000 new ordinary shares to be admitted to trading on the Aquis Growth Market ("Admission"). It is expected that Admission of the new ordinary shares will become effective at 8.00 a.m. on or around 16 April 2024. The new ordinary shares will be issued credited as fully paid and will rank in full for all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after Admission and will otherwise rank on Admission pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares.

Total Voting Rights

Following Admission, the Company's issued share capital will comprise 128,986,263 ordinary shares with voting rights. The Company does not hold any ordinary shares in treasury. The figure of 128,986,263 ordinary shares may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change in their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

Ryan Dolder, CEO of Rogue Baron commented:

"Following the institutional investment into Shinju, we are excited to partner with MD Global Partners, who will serve as our broker in leading a potential capital raise in the United States with the intention of enabling the company to initiate the introduction of our additional brands into our portfolio and to explore further investment opportunities within the Spirits Industry."

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

For further information, please contact:

Ryan Dolder

rdolder@roguebaron.com

Aquis Corporate Adviser:

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Narisha Ragoonanthun /Guy Miller +44 (0) 20 7469 0936

Aquis Corporate Broker:

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Lucy Williams +44 (0) 20 7469 0936

Joint Broker:

Clear Capital Limited

Bob Roberts +44 (0) 20 3869 6080
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded BAE Systems a contract to maintain and repair gifted L119 Light Guns in Ukraine.

The contract, which was announced during a recent UK Government-led trade mission to Kyiv, means that L119s which were donated by the UK to Ukraine can be serviced in country and returned to the frontline more quickly.

The L119 Light Gun has proved to be a trusted system that Ukrainian forces have favoured because of its accurate firepower, light weight, low logistical requirements and mobility.

As the original manufacturer of the Light Gun, as well as more than 15 other systems in use in Ukraine, BAE Systems has been working with allied governments since the start of the war to help with training and support.

Following a meeting with President Zelenskyy in 2023, the Company has established a legal entity in Ukraine, opened an office and signed agreements to better understand and support Ukraine's capability requirements and to help revitalise Ukraine's industrial base.

The L119 contract builds on a teaming agreement signed with British company AMS in December. Under the contract, BAE Systems and the AMS team will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services from maintenance facilities in Ukraine.

Gabby Costigan, Group Managing Director, Business Development, said: "We're committed to working with our government customers and industry partners to provide solutions that will help Armed Forces Ukraine secure victory. Our partner establishing a strategic military repair facility will significantly reduce the time that critical artillery assets are out of service. This contract is another step in strengthening our relationship and paves the way for us to provide more direct, long-term support to Ukraine."

Major General Anna-Lee Reilly, Director DE&S Operations, UK Ministry of Defence, said: "As the conflict in Ukraine continues it is vital that the UK Government and UK industry continue to support the Ukrainians to sustain their equipment. The contract with BAE Systems for the refurbishment of the L119 Light Gun continues the UK's theme of enabling the maintenance and repair of equipment inside Ukraine to minimise the time that equipment will be away from the front line.

"The repair facility that has been secured is scalable to provide a similar capability for UK and other nations' systems. This commitment from BAE Systems and AMS to work in country demonstrates the continued support from the UK Government and Defence Industry to the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

As well as providing support to gifted equipment, BAE Systems has also been involved in delivering major elements of the UK Government's cyber security support to Ukraine. The Company's capabilities are helping to detect, block and counter both destructive cyber-attacks and cyber espionage against military targets as well as civilian infrastructure that supports vital services for the Ukrainian people.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410187025/en/

Contacts:

Kristina Anderson, BAE Systems

M: +44 (0) 7540 628673

E: kristina.anderson@baesystems.com

Luke Watkinson, BAE Systems

M: +44 (0) 7471 148396

E: luke.watkinson@baesystems.com

Issued by:

BAE Systems plc

Media hotline: +44 (0) 7801 717739

www.baesystems.com

@BAESystemsplc



Ref: 051/2024
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired Unlimited, the award-winning integrated customer engagement agency, which will become part of Accenture Song-the world's largest tech-powered creative group. The acquisition will enhance Accenture Song's ability to scale its offerings and unlock greater value from generative AI. With deep expertise in behavioral science, customer strategy and CRM activation, the acquisition of Unlimited further bolsters Accenture Song's capabilities to drive marketing transformation, relevance, and growth for its clients.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410252418/en/

Accenture has acquired Unlimited, the award-winning integrated customer engagement agency, which will become part of Accenture Song the world's largest tech-powered creative group. (Photo: Business Wire)

Unlimited, which has earned over 100 industry awards, comprises of TMW, Walnut, Health Unlimited and Nelson Bostock. Unlimited places data and a deep understanding of human behavior at the core of its offering through its proprietary Human Understanding Lab AI-powered digital insights platform LUCA, complementing Accenture Song's existing capabilities in data and analytics.

Dame Annette King, global lead, marketing practice, Accenture Song, said: "There are few agencies that have proven to be as impressive as Unlimited over the last few years. The world of CRM is more crucial to brands than ever before and there is no greater partner for it than generative AI-powered creativity. We're excited to welcome the team into the Accenture Song fold and most importantly, we can't wait for the opportunities that now exist for our clients and talent."

Sohel Aziz, UK, Ireland and Africa lead, Accenture Song said: "We're delighted to welcome Unlimited into Accenture Song. We have a shared vision for the future of CRM combined with the power of generative AI to enable the delivery of ever more relevant and impactful customer experience. Our values are wholly aligned, and we look forward to creating value and growth for our clients together."

The acquisition of Unlimited is the latest in a series of continued investments by Accenture Song to drive growth for its clients amid rapidly evolving business landscapes and consumer behaviour, following the acquisitions of GemSeek, Mindcurv, Work Co, Rabbit's Tale, ConcentricLife, Fiftyfive5 and The Stable.

Headquartered in London, with additional locations in Bristol, Winchester and Reading, Unlimited's nearly 600 employees will join Accenture Song's UK team aligned to the marketing practice under Bill Scott, marketing practice lead, UK, Ireland and Africa, Accenture Song.

Chris Mellish, CEO Unlimited Groupsaid: "To be joining such an ambitious and forward-thinking strategic organization is a massive moment for us. We have found a home where both our people and our clients can continue to thrive in an organization that has its eye towards shaping the future of our industry. We can't wait to see the positive impact we'll be able to make on our clients together."

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "aspires," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook," "goal," "target" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture's results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture's business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the company's services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company's results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture's profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favourable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; as a result of Accenture's geographically diverse operations and strategy to continue to grow in key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture's global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; Accenture's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture's services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world's leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services-creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 742,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world's leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360 value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360 value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Accenture Song accelerates growth and value for our clients through sustained customer relevance. Our capabilities span ideation to execution: growth, product and experience design; technology and experience platforms; creative, media and marketing strategy; and campaign, commerce transformation content and channel orchestration. With strong client relationships and deep industry expertise, we help our clients operate at the speed of life through the unlimited potential of imagination, technology and intelligence.

Copyright 2024 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are trademarks of Accenture.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410252418/en/

Contacts:

Jo Connarty

Accenture

+44 7478 698 169

j.connarty@accenture.com
Ancoris has been named a Google Cloud EMEA Public Sector Partner of the Year award winner for its contribution to the Defense sector

Ancoris is being recognised for its achievements in the Google Cloud ecosystem, helping joint customers accelerate AI adoption

LONDON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ancoris , a leading Google Cloud Services Provider, today announced that it has been named the Google Cloud 2024 Public Sector Partner of the Year for its contribution to the Defense sector. This award recognizes Ancoris' significant contributions to the Public Sector - helping organisations drive efficiencies, realise productivity gains, and increase cost savings through Google Cloud's differentiated AI technologies.

"We are honoured to receive this Partner of the Year award from Google," said Andre Azevedo, Ancoris CEO. "Ancoris is on a mission to become the most innovative partner in the Google Cloud ecosystem. To receive this award is welcome recognition and a testament to our team's hard work and dedication to helping organisations use AI to improve efficiency as well as radically transform their operations."

"As an organisation, Ancoris is committed to helping public sector organisations adopt and use AI responsibly to solve some of the biggest challenges faced by Governments and citizens alike," Azevedo continues. "We see an enormous opportunity for UK and EMEA-wide Public Sector departments to realise real value, quickly, by investing in low-risk, high-reward use cases. These can have a huge impact on making ever constrained budgets go further, by assisting the current workforce and enabling them to achieve more."

"I'm really proud of everyone across our organisation who contributes to keeping our customers happy, which is what ultimately leads to this recognition from Google - it's a real achievement!" Azevedo concludes."

About Ancoris

Ancoris is a leading Google Cloud Services Provider, headquartered in the UK, on a mission to become the most innovative Google Cloud partner in the ecosystem. Ancoris leverages its strong problem solving skills and continuous improvement approach to help customers become AI Native and stay ahead of their competition. Ancoris has extensive experience in Google Cloud technologies helping enterprises integrate AI-native solutions into their business through expertise in Data & AI, Application and Infrastructure Modernisation, Workspace, and Maps. Ancoris was recognized as a Rising Star for Data, Analytics, and Machine Learning in the ISG Provider Lens for Google Cloud Partner Ecosystem in 2022 and 2023 consecutively, and awarded Google Cloud's 2024 EMEA Public Sector Partner of the Year award. Ancoris employs the best in the business and was named in the Top 10 Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2023.

Contact:

Holly Norman,

07368452170

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2099949/4638612/Ancoris_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ancoris-is-named-a-2024-google-cloud-public-sector-partner-of-the-year-award-winner-302113243.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V:YGT)(Frankfurt:TX0)(OTCQX:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") with Eric Sprott as the lead investor. The Offering consists of 50 million common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a price of C$0.05 per Share for gross proceeds of $2.5 million.

The Offering is non-brokered with no warrants and the Company will pay a 6% finder's fees to eligible parties in accordance with applicable securities laws and TSX-V policies. The Offering is expected to be closed on or around April 19, 2024.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for general corporate purposes and for the drilling program already in progress on the Campbell Shear target below the underground workings, Con Mine Option property, under option from a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation.

The current drill program at the Con Mine is aimed at increasing our current Indicated and Inferred resource (MRE October 2022) near surface and south of the Con Mine, targeting the prolific Campbell Shear structure which produced 14 Moz of gold at an average grade of 16-22 g/t Au. The current drilling is targeting below the existing underground workings, where the potential exists to add significant free milling high grade ore. The Con Mine property has excellent infrastructure including the Robertson shaft, water treatment plan (2015), warehouse and offices, etc. The Con Mine closed in 2003, with approximately 650,000 ounces at 11-12 g/t Au in historic reserves and combined resources (Please refer to the October 21, 2022 technical report, titled "Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the CMO Property, Yellowknife City Gold Project, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada" with an effective date of September 2, 2022, by Qualified Person, Allan Armitage, Ph. D., P. Geo., SGS Geological Services, which can be found on the Company's website at https://www.goldterracorp.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com).

About Gold Terra

The Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 918 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell Shear, where approximately 14 Moz of gold has been produced, (refer to Gold Terra Oct 21, 2022, Technical Report) and most recently on the Con Mine Option (CMO) property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and Campbell shear structures (1938-2003).

The YP and CMO properties lie on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com.

For more information, please contact:

Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO

gpanneton@goldterracorp.com

Mara Strazdins, Investor Relations

Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102

strazdins@goldterracorp.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 Information

Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by 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 statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof.

All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the expected closing date of the Offering and use of proceeds from the Offering, and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada.

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 this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would 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. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. 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. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information.

Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources," or "Inferred Mineral Resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing.

SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / GoDaddy



Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your current role.

Hello! I'm Aleksandar Stancov and I am a Software Development Engineer I (SDE), here at GoDaddy. My journey began with a passion for problem-solving through math competitions during my elementary school years. This love for tackling challenges seamlessly transitioned into programming, becoming my natural next step. I'm currently enrolled in a Master's Programme at University of Belgrade, School of Electrical Engineering. Contrary to what one might think, it's my skills honed at GoDaddy that are proving invaluable in my academic pursuits, rather than the other way around.

What was your favourite part of your GoDaddy internship?

My favourite parts about the internship were the team atmosphere and the amazing mentorship I received. Learning about good coding practices and software fundamentals was incredibly valuable. Additionally, I enjoyed taking part in a team-wide Security initiative for remediating malware. Thanks to the internship, I gained the knowledge and confidence needed to transition into a full-time role.

What were you most excited for, about starting full-time here?

I was particularly excited to have the opportunity to continue learning from more experienced colleagues and to begin contributing to products used by a substantial number of users.

What's the most challenging yet rewarding thing that you've worked on at GoDaddy?

That would be the work that I started doing during my internship and continued to do after stepping into an SDE role - malware remediation. It was challenging due to the fact that there were very interesting and different kinds of malware on customer sites. It was rewarding because it pushed me to be more creative in my approach. I take great pride in knowing that I've played a role in helping our customers achieve their goals more seamlessly.

What advice would you give to an individual who is interested in a career in Software Development Engineering?

I would advise them to experiment with various fields of work within Software Development Engineering. This approach is the quickest way of discovering what you truly enjoy, ultimately enabling you to make the most significant impact.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

After work and university duties, there isn't much time left for myself. However, I enjoy travelling with the little time I do have. Last year, I went to Rome and Nice, and this year, I took a trip to Porto! It's a beautiful city in Portugal and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You're more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Twitter

TikTok

Career Page

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: GoDaddy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: GoDaddy

View the original press release on accesswire.com
With Christian Bouzaid joining early March as Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer, the renewed executive team who will lead the transformation of Europcar Mobility Group over the coming years is now complete.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410863480/en/

From left to right: Carlos Leira, Dominique Speekenbrink, Jose Blanco, Alain Favey, Claire Charbit, Christian Bouzaid, Stephane Crasnier, Sybille Van Steijn, Philip de Kerk. (Photo: Claire-Lise Havet)

Today, the Group Executive Committee composition is as follows:

Alain Favey, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Management Board.

- Philip de Klerk, Chief Finance Officer, member of the Management Board.

- Jose Blanco, Chief Sales Officer.

- Christian Bouzaid, Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer.

- Claire Charbit, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer.

- Stephane Crasnier, Chief Operations Fleet Officer.

- Carlos Leira, Chief Product Technology Officer.

- Dominique Speekenbrink, General Counsel.

- Sybille Van Steijn, Chief Human Resources Officer.

This highly international team, reflecting the Group's European DNA, stands out for the mix of its skills and the variety of professional backgrounds it brings together: with experience acquired in international groups like Air France or Disney, family businesses or car manufacturers like Volkswagen or BMW, with a common denominator being a successful contribution to business transformations in their previous positions.

EXCEED, the new Group's strategic framework, can now enter its deployment phase. The plan, which has been initially shared with the Group's top 150 leadership team in December 2023, is now structured in a 5-year roadmap recently presented to the Group's shareholding consortium composed of Volkswagen Financial Services, Attestor and Pon.

EXCEED encompasses three pillars, on which the Group will rely to drive its growth in the coming years:

Excel: operational excellence initiatives, at all levels, in all functions, with a strong focus on the quality of the physical and digital customer journey.

- Expand: profitable growth on high value customer segments and geographic areas, thanks to a strong sales momentum and the repositioning of the Group's brands with Europcar championing the Premium value proposition, and Goldcar the smart choice one.

- Explore: development of offers and services that meet customers' new expectations and emerging societal trends, leveraging natural synergies with the Volkswagen ecosystem.

"With this unique combination of a diverse leadership team and shareholder consortium, our Group is best positioned to play an active role in shaping the future of mobility. We look forward to demonstrating how we can bring tangible benefits to partners and customers, helping to change the way they move.

This year marks our 75th anniversary. What better way to celebrate this than to look to the future of mobility and lead the change?" commented Alain Favey.

About Europcar Mobility Group

Europcar Mobility Group is a global mobility player, with 75 years of mobility services expertise and a leading position in Europe. "We help to change the way you move" is what we stand for and brings us together.

More than ever, we're committed to delivering simple, seamless, innovative solutions that make mobility easy, enjoyable and increasingly eco-friendly.

To do this, we offer to individuals and businesses a wide range of car and van rental services, be it for a few hours, a few days, a week, a month or more, on-demand or on subscription, relying on a fleet of more than 250.000 vehicles, equipped with the latest engines including an increasing share of electric vehicles.

Our brands address differentiated needs, use cases and expectations: Europcar a global leader of car rental and light commercial vehicle rental, Goldcar a frontrunner at providing low-cost car rental services in Europe, Ubeeqo one of the European leaders of car-sharing (BtoB, BtoC) and Fox-Rent-A-Car, one of the main players in the car rental market in the US, with a "value for money" positioning.

Customers' satisfaction is at the heart of the Group's ambition and that of our more than 8,000 employees, everywhere we deliver our mobility solutions, thanks to a strong network in over 130 countries (including 16 wholly owned subsidiaries completed by franchisees and alliance partners).

More info: www.europcar-mobility-group.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410863480/en/

Contacts:

Media relations Contacts:

valerie.sauteret@europcar.com

vincent.vevaud@europcar.com
Company Shares Fiscal Year 2023 Environmental, Social & Governance Report

WALNUT CREEK, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Today, in celebration of Earth Month, Del Monte Foods, Inc. published its fiscal year 2023 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting the company's commitment to being Growers of Good and demonstrating progress against the company's ESG goals.

"At a time when concern over global resources and food insecurity are on the rise, I'm proud to lead a company that is committed to reducing our impact on the environment, championing the diversity of our team members and giving back to the communities in which we live and work," said Greg Longstreet, President and CEO of Del Monte Foods. "Thanks to the efforts of our committed Del Monte Foods team members, we continue to make progress toward our 2025 ESG goals and have already reached many of them. Even as we celebrate these milestones, we continue to push forward and work to make good on our pledges to be a grower of good for our people, our communities and the planet we all share."

In line with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) industry standards, Del Monte Foods' 2023 ESG Report maps progress across the company's three ESG focus areas: Nourishing the Planet, Nourishing People, and Nourishing Communities. A selection of report highlights within each focus area follows.

Nourishing the Planet - The company is working to build its environmental integrity through eight impact areas, including:

Carbon Footprint Reduction : Since 2021, the company has seen a 6% reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 total emissions and set a net-zero target, committing to carbon reduction targets in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Net Zero Standard.

: Since 2021, the company has seen a 6% reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 total emissions and set a net-zero target, committing to carbon reduction targets in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Net Zero Standard. Regenerative Agriculture : Created a collaborative forum for organic tomato growers, where they can share best practices, learn more about regenerative agriculture processes and collaborate to enrich the collective community and planet.

: Created a collaborative forum for organic tomato growers, where they can share best practices, learn more about regenerative agriculture processes and collaborate to enrich the collective community and planet. Sustainable Packaging: Began incorporating post-consumer resin (PCR) in plastic beverage cups, marking progress against the company's goal to include 25% recycled content in plastic packaging. By 2030, the company aims to make 100% of plastic packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable.

Nourishing People - The company is continually working to care for its team members at an individual level, for example:

Creating Inclusive Culture : Earned a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion.

: Earned a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. Diversity in Management : Maintained diversity in management with women and people of color filling over 50% of Senior Manager or higher roles; an 8% increase since 2020.

: Maintained diversity in management with women and people of color filling over 50% of Senior Manager or higher roles; an 8% increase since 2020. Del Monte Foods Education Scholarship: Awarded ten $5,000 college scholarships to team members' children in a new annual program.

Nourishing Communities - The company continues to find effective ways to make nutritious food accessible and bring nutrition education to families and communities, including:

Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools Program : Continuing a $5 million commitment, Del Monte Foods reached 1.25 million families and engaged over 4,000 schools in 2023 with its Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools program in partnership with Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The program strives to improve the physical, mental and social emotional well-being of children. The company continues to make progress toward its goal of reaching 75% of students that represent Black, Indigenous and people of color populations.

: Continuing a $5 million commitment, Del Monte Foods reached 1.25 million families and engaged over 4,000 schools in 2023 with its Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools program in partnership with Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The program strives to improve the physical, mental and social emotional well-being of children. The company continues to make progress toward its goal of reaching 75% of students that represent Black, Indigenous and people of color populations. Team Member and Company Donations: Team members made donations to nonprofits of their choice through the Donation Matching Program, and Del Monte Foods donated over 4.7 million pounds of food, with a value of more than $3.3 million through partnerships with the American Red Cross and Feeding America.

"We're so excited to showcase the hard work Del Monte Foods has been doing to strengthen our commitments to growing good for the planet and the people on it," said Molly Laverty, Director of Environmental, Social & Governance at Del Monte Foods "Sustainability is not only good for the planet, it's simply good business. This report reflects our dedication to integrating our purpose into every aspect of our operations as we continue to do our part to build a more sustainable future for generations to come."

To download the 2023 ESG Report and for further information on Del Monte Foods' programs, visit this link.

About Del Monte Foods

For more than 135 years, Del Monte Foods, Inc. has been driven by our mission to nourish families with earth's goodness. As the original plant-based food company, we're always innovating to make nutritious and delicious foods more accessible to consumers across our portfolio of beloved brands, including Del Monte, Contadina, College Inn, Kitchen Basics, JOYBA, Take Root Organics and S&W. We believe that everyone deserves great tasting food they can feel good about, which is why we grow and produce our products using sustainable and earth-friendly practices for a healthier tomorrow.

Del Monte Foods, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited (Bloomberg: DELM SP, DELM PM) and is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. For more information about Del Monte Foods and our products, please visit www.delmontefoods.com or www.delmonte.com.

Media Contacts:

Drew McGowan

Del Monte Foods

MediaRequests@delmonte.com

415-637-5732

Courtney Mains

Edelman

Courtney.Mains@edelman.com

408-835-5323

Del Monte Foods demonstrates progress against company 2025 ESG goals in 2023 ESG Report.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Del Monte Foods, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Del Monte Foods, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/del-monte-foods-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Del Monte Foods, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
SHANGHAI, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first national-level import-themed expo, enters its seventh year, more industry players are hailing the expo as "rewarding and forward-looking".

Past CIIEs saw fruitful results

Over the years, companies from 173 countries and regions have made appearances at the CIIE and achieved $424.23 billion in tentative transactions.

As Danish Industry, Denmark's largest business organization, said, the CIIE is a must-attend event for Danish companies interested in doing business in China and some 20 Danish companies exhibited products at CIIE 2023.

French companies, from industry giants like L'Oreal, LVMH, and INAPORC to small and medium-sized enterprises, have also benefited from the annual trade fair.

"The CIIE is a great opportunity for us to promote France and French companies," said a representative of Business France, the trade and investment office of the French Embassy. "Over 1,000 new French companies grow their businesses in China every year, and we are very confident that more French companies will form partnerships with Chinese companies."

In addition to the Business Exhibition, 72 countries and international organizations wowed visitors with their scientific and technological achievements, culture and art at the Country Exhibition of the sixth CIIE.

Hongqiao Forum highlights global issues

Eyeing to become a more productive event, organizers of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, a crucial part of the annual CIIE, held a symposium in Beijing in early March and invited more than 130 important figures to contribute to this year's topics.

Last year, the forum saw a record attendance of over 8,000 people and featured 22 sub-forums on a range of subjects, from financial reform and innovation to digital governance.

Yi Xiaozhun, former deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization, said that the forum should maintain its focus on openness to promote cooperation and mutual benefits.

CIIE 2024 welcomes more participants

The seventh CIIE will hold another series of global roadshows in Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, France, Denmark and Italy this April.

"So far, over 240,000 sqm of the Business Exhibition area has been booked by early exhibitors," said Wu Zhengping, deputy director-general of the CIIE bureau.

Grab your spot now at: https://www.ciie.org/exhibition/f/book/register?locale=en&from=press

Contact:Ms. Cui Yan

Tel.:0086-21-968888

Email: exhibition@ciie.org

Website: http://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ciieonline

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ciieonline

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2383708/CIIE.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1938442/4641451/CIIE_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-brands-reap-good-returns-at-ciie-302113275.html
BANGALORE, India, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cable Cleats Market is Segmented by Type (Multicore Type, Single Type, Trefoil Type ), by Application (Construction and Manufacturing Industry, Power & Energy, Communications, Gas & Oil Industry).

Cable Cleats Market revenue was USD 282.3 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 350.1 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period (2023-2029).

Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-22C15811/Global_and_India_Cable_Cleats_Market_Report_Forecast_2023_2029

Major Factors Driving the Growth of Cable Cleats Market:

The market for cable cleats is driven by a number of important factors, such as strict safety laws that demand secure cable management solutions, rising infrastructure development projects investments worldwide, the growing use of renewable energy sources that demand dependable cable support systems, growing telecommunications networks that demand effective cable management solutions, and technological advancements that improve the functionality and adaptability of cable cleats.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-22C15811/global-and-india-cable-cleats

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF CABLE CLEATS MARKET:

The need for cable cleats is being driven by strict safety requirements and regulations controlling the installation and maintenance of electrical networks. Strict rules are enforced globally by authorities and regulatory agencies to guarantee the safe and dependable functioning of electrical infrastructure, especially in hazardous settings like petrochemical plants, offshore platforms, and industrial sites. By firmly securing cables, lowering the possibility of cable movement, and lowering the possibility of cable-related mishaps, electrical problems, and fire dangers, cable cleats assist companies in adhering to these rules. This improves workplace safety and regulatory compliance.

The market for cable cleats is expanding because to the growing use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. Building of wind farms, solar farms, and other renewable energy facilities is booming as the globe moves toward a more sustainable energy future. In order to ensure the safe installation and dependable operation of high-voltage cables used to transport power produced from renewable sources to the grid, cable cleats are crucial components in these projects. Cable cleats' strong construction and weatherproof nature make them ideal for use in challenging outdoor environments, which increases their demand in infrastructure projects including renewable energy sources.

The Middle East, North America, and Asia-Pacific regions are seeing an increase in oil and gas exploration and production, which is driving the growth of the cable cleat market. To secure and safeguard electrical cables in onshore and offshore facilities, such as drilling rigs, production platforms, refineries, and pipelines, oil and gas firms need reliable cable management systems. In order to ensure the integrity and dependability of electrical installations in the oil and gas industry, cable cleats are essential because they are specifically made to withstand the demanding conditions that this industry faces, such as high temperatures, corrosive environments, and mechanical stresses.

There are a lot of chances for the cable cleat market because to the rapid industrialization and urbanization of emerging economies. Reliable electrical infrastructure is becoming more and more necessary to sustain urban growth, manufacturing, and commercial operations as cities grow and industrial clusters form. In order to provide a constant power supply and reduce the possibility of electrical failures and interruptions, cable cleats are essential for securely fastening cables in structures, factories, and utilities. Cable cleats are ideally suited to meet the fluctuating infrastructure requirements and dynamic expansion of growing economies due to their scalability and versatility.

The need for cable cleats to handle the increasing complexity of data transmission and telecommunications cables is being driven by the growth of data centers and telecommunications networks. In order to maintain the dependable functioning of data centers and telecommunications infrastructure, there is an unprecedented need for strong cable management solutions due to the widespread use of mobile devices, internet access, and cloud computing services. In the face of growing data traffic and capacity needs, cable cleats assist enterprises retain high-speed connectivity, data integrity, and network performance by offering safe support and routing for fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, and other communication cables.

Own It Today - Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-22C15811&lic=single-user

CABLE CLEATS MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

Key participants in the cable cleats market are Ellis Patents, Panduit, Prysmian Group, CMP Products, and others. Thirty percent of the market is made up of the top five Cable Cleats players.

With almost 30% of the total, North America is the largest, followed by China and Europe.

With a share of almost 50%, the trefoil type is the largest category in terms of kind.

Power and energy is the largest application category, followed by the industrial and construction industries.

Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-22C15811/Global_and_India_Cable_Cleats_Market_Report_Forecast_2023_2029

Key Players:

IEC

CMP Products

Prysmian Group

Ellis Patents

Panduit

Eaton

Dutchclamp

KOZ Products BV

Axis Electrical Components

Emelec

SS Engineering India

BICC Components

Novoflex Marketing

Oglaend System

Nantong Naco Fluid Equipment

Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/QYRE-Auto-22C15811/Global_and_India_Cable_Cleats_Market_Report_Forecast_2023_2029

SUBSCRIPTION

We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans.

DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS!

- High Voltage Cable Cleats Market

- Cable Glands and Cleats Market

- Metal Cable Cleats Market

- Stainless Steel Cable Cleats Market

- Single Core Cable Cleats market is projected to reach USD 130.4 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 101.6 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 3.4% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Metal Cable Clamps market is projected to reach USD 255.7 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 200 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 3.5% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Multicore Cables Market

- FTTx Blown Fibre Cable Market revenue was USD 2536 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 5372 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 12.6% during the forecast period (2023-2029).

- Multicore Cable Clamps Market

- Metal Cable Ladder Systems market is projected to reach USD 1343.3 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 780 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 7.8% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- PVC Cable Cleats Market

- Double Cable Cleats Market

- Single Core Cable Cleats market is projected to reach USD 130.4 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 101.6 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 3.4% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Cable Protectors Market

- XLPE Cable Compounds Market

- Skin-Effect Heat-Tracing Cables market size is estimated to be worth USD 214 Million in 2021 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 214 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 2.4% during the review period.

- Constant Wattage Electric Heating Cable Market

- Electric Heating Cable Market

DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US!

Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs.

Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs.

To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS: REACH OUT TO US!

Valuates Reports

sales@valuates.com

For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225

WhatsApp: +91-9945648335

Website: https://reports.valuates.com

Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/

https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean

https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish

https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cable-cleats-market-size-to-grow-usd-350-1-million-by-2029-at-a-cagr-of-3-4--valuates-reports-302113309.html
Regulatory News:

Air Liquide (Paris:AI) continues to expand its capacities in biomethane, also known as Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) in the U.S., with the construction of two new production units. These units, located in Center Township, Pennsylvania, and Holland Township, Michigan, will treat waste sourced from dairy farms. Following a circular economy approach, these units will contribute to the emergence of a low-carbon society.

These production units will produce biogas from manure feedstock in an anaerobic digester for a total production capacity of 74 GWh, and return the digested waste for the farms' needs, promoting circular economy in waste management. Using Air Liquide's proprietary gas separation membrane technology, the biogas will then be purified into RNG and injected into the natural gas grid.

Air Liquide has developed competencies throughout the whole biomethane value chain, starting with biogas production from waste, to its purification into biomethane to be injected into gas grids or compression/liquefaction with storage and transportation to customers. Air Liquide currently has 26 biomethane operational production units in the world for a yearly production capacity of about 1.8 TWh.

Armelle Levieux, member of Air Liquide's Executive Committee and Vice President of Innovation: "With these two new biomethane production units, Air Liquide is reinforcing its presence in the U.S. RNG production market. These investments in the U.S. are in line with the priorities of our strategic plan ADVANCE for 2025, which inseparably links growth and a sustainable future. Biomethane is part of the portfolio of solutions developed by Air Liquide to support the decarbonization of its customers in the industry and transport sectors. "

Global Markets Technologies The GM&T World Business Unit delivers technological solutions molecules, equipment and services to support the fast moving markets of energy transition and deep tech, in order to contribute to Air Liquide's sustainable growth. GM&T employs 2,600 people worldwide, and generated a 2023 revenue of 858 million euros.

Air Liquide is a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 72 countries with 67,800 employees, the Group serves more than 4 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the Group's activities since its creation in 1902.

Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquide's strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition-particularly with hydrogen-and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies.

Air Liquide's revenue amounted to more than 27.5 billion euros in 2023. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good and DJSI Europe indexes.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410661790/en/

Contacts:

Corporate Communications

media@airliquide.com

Investor Relations

IRTeam@airliquide.com
GENOA, Italy, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PSA, Fair Market Value Capital Partners ("FMV") and TD Asset Management Inc. ("TDAM") are pleased to announce that FMV and TDAM have successfully completed the acquisition of a minority interest in PSA's terminals in Italy.

PSA Italy is a leading operator of three container terminals located in the strategic ports of Genoa and Venice, serving as key entry points to Northern Italy's hinterland. In 2023, these terminals collectively handled over two million TEUs.

This collaboration reflects the partners' alignment and commitment to further develop and grow the PSA Italy terminals.

David Yang, Regional CEO for PSA EuroMed remarked on the new partnership: "We have developed a longstanding relationship with the partners in FMV who share our operational ethos and strategic ambitions. We are also happy to welcome TDAM as a partner, whose involvement will bring additional strength and perspective. This partnership which is based on shared understanding and alignment of purpose, will help to propel the business to even greater heights"

Frederic Michel-Verdier, Founding Partner & CEO of FMV said "We are delighted to have completed our investment in PSA Italy, which is the culmination of a decade long professional relationship with PSA. We look forward to working together with PSA and TDAM on the next phase of growth for PSA Italy, and to cement its position as the premier provider of green logistics services to its highly industrious customer base in Northern Italy and beyond". Mr. Michel-Verdier further added "this investment represents a key milestone in the development of FMV's presence in the transport & logistics sector."

Jeff Mouland, Managing Director and Head of Global Infrastructure Investments for TDAM said "TDAM is thrilled to be partnering with PSA and FMV in this transaction. The port sector is a strategic focus of our fund's global diversification and the ability to further expand our European port portfolio represents a unique opportunity for our strategy. We look forward to building on our investment in PSA Italy and expanding our ongoing cooperation globally."

JOINTLY ISSUED BY PSA ITALY, FMV and TDAM

About PSA Italy

PSA Italy operates three container terminals in Italy: PSA Genova Pra', PSA SECH and PSA Venice-VECON. The PSA Genova Pra' terminal is the only terminal in the Port of Genoa capable of handling ultra-large container vessels. With its modern and sustainable port facilities and direct on-terminal road and rail connections, the PSA Genova Pra' terminal ranks as the leading maritime gateway to the Northern Italian industrial and consumer centers and is one of the most efficient gateway operators in North Mediterranean Sea. PSA SECH, located in the Old Genoa Port, provides a complementary service offering to that of PSA Genova Pra' catering to vessels of up to 14,000 TEU. PSA Venice-VECON is the premier terminal of choice in the Port of Venice and is strategically positioned to serve the Veneto region and the Northeast of Italy.

About Fair Market Value Capital Partners

Fair Market Value Capital Partners is a pan-European investment firm that sponsors investment funds that invest in the energy, infrastructure and essential services sectors. FMV aims to generate attractive investment returns through a patient, disciplined approach to investing, combined with a highly operational approach to managing these investments. FMV was founded by a team with over 43 years of combined experience investing across energy, infrastructure and essential services businesses. For additional information on Fair Market Value Capital Partners, please visit www.fmvcapitalpartners.com.

About TDAM

TD Asset Management Inc., a member of TD Bank Group, is a North American investment management firm. TDAM offers investment solutions to corporations, pension funds, endowments, foundations, and individual investors. Additionally, TDAM manages assets on behalf of almost 2 million retail investors and offers a broadly diversified suite of investment solutions including mutual funds, professionally managed portfolios, and corporate class funds. Asset management businesses at TD manage $437 billion in assets. TDAM has a 30-year history of investing in alternatives and approaching 10 years investing in infrastructure, globally. Aggregate statistics are as of December 31, 2023 for TDAM and Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. TDAM operates in Canada and Epoch Investment Partners, Inc. operates in the United States. Both entities are affiliates and are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

TD Bank Group means The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its affiliates, who provide deposit, investment, loan, securities, trust, insurance and other products or services.

The TD logo and other TD trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2383760/PSA_Genoa_Pra.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2383762/PSA_SECH.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2383763/PSA_Genoa_Pra_2.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2383761/PSA_Genoa_Pra_3.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2364116/4641742/FMV_Capital_Partners_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fair-market-value-capital-partners-and-td-asset-management-complete-their-acquisition-of-a-minority-stake-in-psas-terminals-in-italy-302113369.html
COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT 6-2024

10 April 2024, Copenhagen, Danmark

On Wednesday 10 April 2024 4 pm (CEST), FLSmidth & Co A/S held its Annual General Meeting at the offices of the company, Vigerslev Alle 77, DK-2500 Valby with the following agenda:

The Board of Directors' report on the company's activities in 2023 Presentation and approval of the 2023 Annual Report Approval of the Board of Directors' fees: Final approval of fees for 2023. Preliminary determination of fees for 2024 Distribution of profits or covering of losses in accordance with the approved Annual Report Presentation of the Remuneration Report 2023 for an advisory vote Election of members to the Board of Directors Election of company auditor Proposals from the Board of Directors

8.1 - Approval of remuneration policy

8.2 - Amendment of the articles of association

8.3 - Treasury shares

Any other business

-------------------------

Re 1: The general meeting took note of the Board of Directors' report.

Re 2: The general meeting approved the Annual Report 2023.

Re 3: Approval of Board of Directors' fees:

a: The general meeting approved the Board of Directors' fees for 2023.



b: The general meeting approved the preliminary determination of fees for 2024.

Re. 4: The Board of Directors' proposal regarding distribution of dividends with DKK 4 per share was adopted.

Re 5: The Remuneration Report 2023 was approved by advisory vote.

Re 6: The general meeting re-elected Mr. Tom Knutzen, Mr. Mads Nipper, Ms. Anne Louise Eberhard, Mr. Thrasyvoulos Moraitis and Mr. Daniel Lars Reimann to the board of directors. Further, Ms. Anna Kristiina Hyvonen was elected to the Board of Directors. Ms. Gillian Dawn Winckler did not seek reelection.

Re 7: The general meeting adopted the proposal by the Board of Directors to re-elect Ernst & Young Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab as auditor in respect of statutory financial and sustainability reporting in accordance with the recommendation from the audit committee.

Re 8.1: The Annual General Meeting approved the proposal for adoption of the remuneration policy.

Re 8.2: Amendment of the articles of association - extension of the Board of Directors' authorisations to increase the company's share capital - was approved. The authorisation is thereby extended until 10 April 2029 with a total aggregate issue of new shares of DKK 100,000,000.

Re 8.3: The Board of Directors' proposal to authorise the company to repurchase treasury shares until the next Annual General Meeting was approved.

Re 9: No other business.

The Chairman of the Annual General Meeting closed the Annual General Meeting at 5.33 pm (CEST).

58.53 % of the votes and the share capital were represented at the Annual General Meeting.

At the subsequent board meeting, the Board of Directors elected Mr. Tom Knutzen as Chair and Mr. Mads Nipper as Vice Chair.

Contacts:

Investor Relations

Jannick Lindegaard Denholt, +45 21 69 66 57, jli@flsmidth.com

Andreas Escherich Holkjr, +45 24 85 03 84, andh@flsmidth.com

Therese Mollevinge, +45 41 37 16 38, tmo@flsmidth.com

Media Relations

Rasmus Windfeld, +45 40 44 60 60, rwin@flsmidth.com

About FLSmidth

FLSmidth is a full flowsheet technology and service supplier to the global mining and cement industries. We enable our customers to improve performance, lower operating costs and reduce environmental impact.

MissionZero is our sustainability ambition towards zero emissions in mining and cement by 2030. FLSmidth works within fully validated Science-Based Targets, our commitment to keep global warming below 1.5C and to becoming carbon neutral in our own operations by 2030. www.flsmidth.com

Attachment
OSE Immunotherapeutics Receives 8.4 M in Public Funding

to Support the Registration Phase 3 Clinical Trial

of Cancer Vaccine Tedopi in Lung Cancer





Nantes, France - April 10, 2024 - 6:00 pm CET - OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (ISIN: FR0012127173; Mnemo: OSE) today announced the Company has received 8.4 million in non-dilutive funding under the "i-Demo" call for projects as part of the plan "France 2030" operated by Bpifrance on behalf of the State. This plan aims at developing industrial companies in growth markets that create value and competitiveness for the French economy and also contribute to energy, ecological and digital transitions. This financial support applies from the feasibility study to marketing.

This public funding will support the registration Phase 3 clinical trial of neoepitope-based cancer vaccine Tedopi, in second line treatment in HLA-A2 positive non-small cell lung patients with secondary (acquired) resistance to anti-PD-(L)1 immunotherapy. This new national support adds up to the 1.5 million funding from Bpifrance * announced in June 2023 to support the development of a companion diagnostic test (HLA-A2) associated with Tedopi's registration in the same indication.

Nicolas Poirier, Chief Executive Officer of OSE Immunotherapeutics, comments:  We thank the State and Bpifrance for renewing their confidence and supporting us with this funding. It will enable the Company to accelerate the last step of clinical development of our cancer vaccine Tedopi. This innovation will meet the important medical need of non-small cell lung cancer patients who are failing after immunotherapy, and who do not have today any approved therapeutic options. Following FDA approval on the trial protocol in early 2024, we will be able to start this confirmatory Phase 3 in the United States in the coming weeks and then, once we receive approval from the EMA, in Europe and in France where many clinical sites will be set up. We thank particularly the international groups of clinical investigators and lung cancer experts who, from the beginning, support us and are committed to advance the clinical development of Tedopi towards a potential new standard treatment in second line of metastatic or advanced lung cancer".

Based on positive final survival, safety and quality of life results from the Phase 3 clinical trial in the third line of treatment in non-small cell lung cancer published in September 2023 in the internationally renowned Journal 'Annals of Oncology', a confirmatory pivotal Phase 3 trial in second line treatment is being prepared for launch. This trial is associated with the development of a unique companion diagnostic test (collaboration with the company GenDx) to identify positive HLA-A2 patients eligible for treatment with Tedopi.

The clinical trial application dossier to initiate the new confirmatory Phase 3 of Tedopi, including the study protocol and the specific "diagnostic companion test" dossier, was approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in mid-January 2024, which should allow the trial to start in the United States in Q2 2024, after approval from the Ethic committees. The submission of the dossier to the European Medicines Agency (single European portal) is planned in the coming weeks to extend this study to a large number of clinical investigator sites in Europe, particularly in France.

* As part of an "R&D Innovation Loan" program

The management of lung cancer is a major public health issue:

1 st cause of cancer mortality for all populations combined (33,100 deaths in 2018 1 in France and 1.8 million per year worldwide 2 ).

cause of cancer mortality for all populations combined (33,100 deaths in 2018 in France and 1.8 million per year worldwide ). -2 nd most common cancer among solid tumors.

most common cancer among solid tumors. Non-Small Cell Bronchial Cancer (NSCLC) is a serious disease with a short-term life-threatening prognosis. NSCLC represents 85% of lung cancers.

Stage IV metastatic NSCLC: 2-year survival between 10% and 23%; 5-year survival <10% 3 .

. Targeted population of patients identified as responders to Tedopi4: HLA-A2+ patients (45% of stage IV patients with secondary resistance to anti-PD-(L)1 (approximately 50% of patients failing immunotherapy in NSCLC).





Lapotre-Ledoux, B., Benedicte, L.-L., Dantony, E., Grosclaude, P., Molinie, F., Woronoff, A.-S., Lecoffre-Bernard, C., Lafay, L., Defossez, G., & D'Almeida, T. (s. d.). // MAIN CANCERS INCIDENCE IN METROPOLITAN FRANCE IN 2023 AND TRENDS SINCE 1990.



WHO. Globocan 2020 Fact Sheet Detterbeck, F. C., Boffa, D. J., Kim, A. W., & Tanoue, L. T. (2017). The Eighth Edition Lung Cancer Stage Classification. Chest, 151(1), 193-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2016.10.010 Mezquita, L., Charrier, M., Faivre, L., Dupraz, L., Lueza, B., Remon, J., Planchard, D., Bluthgen, M. V., Facchinetti, F., Rahal, A., Polo, V., Gazzah, A., Caramella, C., Adam, J., Pignon, J. P., Soria, J.-C., Chaput, N., & Besse, B. (2017). Prognostic value of HLA-A2 status in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients. Lung Cancer, 112, 10-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lungcan.2017.07.004 Molinier, O., Besse, B., Barlesi, F., Audigier-Valette, C., Friard, S., Monnet, I., Jeannin, G., Mazieres, J., Cadranel, J., Hureaux, J., Hilgers, W., Quoix, E., Coudert, B., Moro-Sibilot, D., Fauchon, E., Westeel, V., Brun, P., Langlais, A., Morin, F.,  Girard, N. (2022). IFCT-1502 CLINIVO?: Real-world evidence of long-term survival with nivolumab in a nationwide cohort of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. ESMO Open, 7(1), 100353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100353





ABOUT OSE IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS

OSE Immunotherapeutics is a biotech company dedicated to developing first-in-class assets in immuno-oncology (IO) and immuno-inflammation (I&I).

The Company's current well-balanced first-in-class clinical pipeline includes:

Tedopi  (immunotherapy activating tumor specific T-cells, off-the-shelf, neoepitope-based): this cancer vaccine is the Company's most advanced product; positive results from the Phase 3 trial (Atalante 1) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients in secondary resistance after checkpoint inhibitor failure. Other Phase 2 trials, sponsored by clinical oncology groups, of Tedopi  in combination are ongoing in solid tumors.

(immunotherapy activating tumor specific T-cells, off-the-shelf, neoepitope-based): this cancer vaccine is the Company's most advanced product; positive results from the Phase 3 trial (Atalante 1) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer patients in secondary resistance after checkpoint inhibitor failure. Other Phase 2 trials, sponsored by clinical oncology groups, of Tedopi in combination are ongoing in solid tumors. OSE-279 (anti-PD1): first positive results in the ongoing Phase 1/2 in solid tumors.

(anti-PD1): first positive results in the ongoing Phase 1/2 in solid tumors. OSE-127 - lusvertikimab (humanized monoclonal antibody antagonist of IL-7 receptor); ongoing Phase 2 in Ulcerative Colitis (sponsor OSE Immunotherapeutics); ongoing preclinical research in leukemia (OSE Immunotherapeutics).

- lusvertikimab (humanized monoclonal antibody antagonist of IL-7 receptor); ongoing Phase 2 in Ulcerative Colitis (sponsor OSE Immunotherapeutics); ongoing preclinical research in leukemia (OSE Immunotherapeutics). FR-104/VEL-101 (anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody): developed in partnership with Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in transplantation; ongoing Phase 1/2 in renal transplant (sponsor Nantes University Hospital); successful Phase 1 in the US (sponsor Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.).

(anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody): developed in partnership with Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in transplantation; ongoing Phase 1/2 in renal transplant (sponsor Nantes University Hospital); successful Phase 1 in the US (sponsor Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). BI 765063 and BI 770371 (anti-SIRPa monoclonal antibody on CD47/SIRPa pathway) developed in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim in advanced solid tumors; positive Phase 1 dose escalation results in monotherapy and in combination, in particular with anti-PD-1 antibody ezabenlimab; international Phase 1b ongoing clinical trial in combination with ezabenlimab alone or with other drugs in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

and (anti-SIRPa monoclonal antibody on CD47/SIRPa pathway) developed in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim in advanced solid tumors; positive Phase 1 dose escalation results in monotherapy and in combination, in particular with anti-PD-1 antibody ezabenlimab; international Phase 1b ongoing clinical trial in combination with ezabenlimab alone or with other drugs in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OSE-230 (ChemR23 agonist mAb) developed in partnership with AbbVie in chronic inflammation.

OSE Immunotherapeutics expects to generate further significant value from its three proprietary drug discovery platforms, which are central to its ambitious goal to deliver next-generation first-in-class immunotherapies:

Pro-resolutive mAb platform focused on targeting and advancing inflammation resolution and optimizing the therapeutic potential of targeting Neutrophils and Macrophages in I&I. OSE-230 (licensed to AbbVie) is the first candidate generated by the platform, additional discovery programs ongoing on new pro-resolutive GPCRs.

focused on targeting and advancing inflammation resolution and optimizing the therapeutic potential of targeting Neutrophils and Macrophages in I&I. (licensed to AbbVie) is the first candidate generated by the platform, additional discovery programs ongoing on new pro-resolutive GPCRs. Myeloid Checkpoint platform focused on optimizing the therapeutic potential of myeloid cells in IO by targeting immune regulatory receptors expressed by Macrophages and Dendritic cells. BI 765063 and BI 770371 (licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim) are the most advanced candidates generated by the platform. Ongoing additional discovery programs, in particular with positive preclinical results obtained in monotherapy with new anti- CLEC-1 mAbs.

focused on optimizing the therapeutic potential of myeloid cells in IO by targeting immune regulatory receptors expressed by Macrophages and Dendritic cells. and (licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim) are the most advanced candidates generated by the platform. Ongoing additional discovery programs, in particular with positive preclinical results obtained in monotherapy with new anti- mAbs. Cytokine platform focused on leveraging the Cis-Delivery of cytokine in IO and I&I. BiCKI is a bispecific fusion protein platform built on the key backbone component of anti-PD1 combined with a new immunotherapy target to increase anti-tumor efficacy. BiCKI-IL-7v is the most advanced BiCKI candidate targeting anti-PD1xIL-7. Ongoing additional discovery programs on Cis-Demasking technologies.





Additional information about OSE Immunotherapeutics assets is available on the Company's website: www.ose-immuno.com. Follow us on X and LinkedIn

ABOUT FRANCE 2030 INVESTMENT PLAN

Reflects a double ambition : sustainably transform key sectors of our economy (health, energy, automotive, aeronautics or space) through technological innovation, and position France not only as a player, but as a leader in the world of tomorrow. From basic research to the emergence of an idea to the production of a new product or service, France 2030 supports the entire life cycle of innovation until its industrialization.

: sustainably transform key sectors of our economy (health, energy, automotive, aeronautics or space) through technological innovation, and position France not only as a player, but as a leader in the world of tomorrow. From basic research to the emergence of an idea to the production of a new product or service, France 2030 supports the entire life cycle of innovation until its industrialization. Is unpublished by its magnitude : 54 billion will be invested to ensure that our companies, universities and research organisations are fully successful in their transitions in these strategic sectors. The challenge: to enable them to respond competitively to the ecological and attractiveness challenges of the coming world, and to bring out the future leaders of our sectors of excellence. France 2030 is defined by two cross-cutting objectives consisting in dedicating 50% of its expenditure to the decarbonisation of the economy, and 50% to emerging players, who are the bearers of innovation without spending that is unfavourable to the environment (in the sense of the principle Do No Significant Harm).

: 54 billion will be invested to ensure that our companies, universities and research organisations are fully successful in their transitions in these strategic sectors. The challenge: to enable them to respond competitively to the ecological and attractiveness challenges of the coming world, and to bring out the future leaders of our sectors of excellence. France 2030 is defined by two cross-cutting objectives consisting in dedicating 50% of its expenditure to the decarbonisation of the economy, and 50% to emerging players, who are the bearers of innovation without spending that is unfavourable to the environment (in the sense of the principle Do No Significant Harm). Will be implemented collectively: designed and deployed in consultation with economic, academic, local and European stakeholders to determine their strategic orientations and flagship actions. Project leaders are invited to submit their application via open, demanding and selective procedures to benefit from the support of the State.

Is led by the General Secretariat for Investment on behalf of the Prime Minister and implemented by the Agence de la transition ecologique (ADEME), the Agence nationale de la recherche (ANR), Bpifrance and the Banque des Territoires.

More information on: france2030.gouv.fr | @SGPI_avenir

ABOUT BPIfrance

Bpifrance finances companies - at each stage of their development - with credit, guarantees and equity. Bpifrance supports them in their innovation projects and internationally. Bpifrance also support their export activity through a wide range of products. Consulting, university, networking and an acceleration program for start-ups, SMEs and mid-caps are also part of the support proposed to entrepreneurs. Thanks to Bpifrance and its 50 regional locations, entrepreneurs benefit from a close, unique and efficient contact to help them face their challenges.

www.bpifrance.fr www.presse.bpifrance.fr/ @BpifrancePresse @Bpifrance

Contacts

OSE Immunotherapeutics

Sylvie Detry

sylvie.detry@ose-immuno.com











Nicolas Poirier

Chief Executive Officer nicolas.poirier@ose-immuno.com



French Media: FP2COM

Florence Portejoie

fportejoie@fp2com.fr

+33 6 07 768 283







U.S. Media Contact

RooneyPartners LLC

Kate Barrette

kbarrette@rooneypartners.com

+1 212 223 0561





General Secretariat for Investment

presse.sgpi@pm.gouv.fr

Bpifrance

presse@bpifrance.fr

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains express or implied information and statements that might be deemed forward-looking information and statements in respect of OSE Immunotherapeutics. They do not constitute historical facts. These information and statements include financial projections that are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by OSE Immunotherapeutics' management in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate.

These forward-looking statements include statements typically using conditional and containing verbs such as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "target", "plan", or "estimate", their declensions and conjugations and words of similar import. Although the OSE Immunotherapeutics management believes that the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, the OSE Immunotherapeutics' shareholders and other investors are cautioned that the completion of such expectations is by nature subject to various risks, known or not, and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of OSE Immunotherapeutics. These risks could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. These risks include those discussed or identified in the public filings made by OSE Immunotherapeutics with the AMF. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. This press release includes only summary information and should be read with the OSE Immunotherapeutics Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on May 2, 2023, including the annual financial report for the fiscal year 2022, available on the OSE Immunotherapeutics' website. Other than as required by applicable law, OSE Immunotherapeutics issues this press release at the date hereof and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information or statements.
Escape the Ordinary With a Unique Blend of High-Quality Cannabis Products and Fantastical Storytelling: Unlock the Nerd Inside

PORTLAND, OR / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Utokia Herb Co, expands online with the ingenious new venture by Holly Hillyer, an eight-year veteran in the regulated cannabis industry. Drawing upon her extensive marketing expertise, Hillyer has conceived a unique approach that couples high-quality cannabis products with engaging storytelling to offer an unrivalled consumer experience, promising to instill a sense of wonder and exploration.





Utokia Herb Co Product Lineup

Utokia Herb Co Product Lineup





Utokia's product range is vast and varied from top-tier Magic Gummies to Catnip Joints. The buzz isn't solely around the products, but also their whimsical packaging - each product comes with collectible trading cards, offering customers a glimpse into the mystical World of Utokia. With this fascinating touch, Utokia not only sells a product but also a shared adventure.

A particular highlight in Utokia's lineup is the Hemp CBD prerolls. True to the company's distinct brand strategy, these are not just any prerolls but strain-specific and curated joints hand-selected by Holly herself. Alongside these prerolls are Utokia's Magic Gummies - Effect-Formulated confections available in a variety of flavors like sour apple and huckleberry, tailored to provide the perfect balance to a user's everyday adventure.

The company's playful, innovative approach extends to philanthropy as well. A heart-warming $0.50 from each sale of its quirky Catokia Catnip Joints (a weed-themed cat toy) is donated to the Cat Adoption Team, an Oregon-based no-kill cat shelter, underlining the brand's commitment to sharing good vibes all around, even with our furry friends.

Utokia is looking for artists to help bring the creatures and characters of the World of Utokia to life. "We want the community to help craft the creative direction of Utokia. We aspire to be a brand that involves its customer in the creative journey. Utokia at its core is meant to celebrate imagination and exploration. We are inspired by role-playing games (RPGs), fantasy fiction and open-world video games. We want to create a vibrant and immersive world for our customers to explore and we believe that the best way to do that is to collaborate with artists from all walks of life," said Hillyer.

This fresh take on cannabis is inspired by Hillyer's belief that cannabis can be more than just a product - it is an enriching experience. She says, "Our goal is to redefine what cannabis can be by infusing it with creativity, quality, and a touch of magic." Hillyer, through her latest venture, aims to redefine the perception of cannabis, transforming it towards normalization.

Contact Information

Holly Hillyer

Founder and CEO

contact@utokia.com

(503) 451-3909?

SOURCE: Utokia Herb Co

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 10

For immediate release

10 April 2024

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 244,742 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 827.74 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 38,855,008; 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 186,136,295.

The figure of 186,136,295 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
Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 10

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

10 April 2024

REDDE NORTHGATE PLC

("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company")

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 10 April 2024 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury:

Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 25,000 Weighted average purchase price paid : 379 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 379 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 379 pence per share

Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 20,356,862 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 225,734,561 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme.

Schedule of Purchase - Individual Transaction (as at 10 April 2024)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 25,000 379.00 14:56:54 00069531436TRLO0 LSE

Notes

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6.

For further information contact:

Buchanan

David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000

Notes to Editors:

Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales.

The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden.

Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals.

Further information please visit the Company's website:
BANGALORE, India, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive Grade Crystal Market is Segmented by Type (Active, Passive), by Application (Commercial Vehicle, Passenger Car).

Automotive Grade Crystal Market was valued at 600 Million USD Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1658 Million USD by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 15.93% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-1U15041/Global_Automotive_Grade_Quartz_Crystal_Unit_Market_Research_Report

Major Factors Driving the Growth of Automotive Grade Crystal Unit Market

Automotive Grade Crystal Market is expected to grow due to several factors, including growing consumer demand for high-tech vehicles, strict regulations requiring precise timing components for vehicle safety and performance, the development of electric and hybrid vehicles that heavily rely on electronic systems, the proliferation of connected vehicles that require high-accuracy timing synchronization, advancements in autonomous driving technologies that require superior timing components, and rising consumer expectations for advanced vehicle features.

Further driving market expansion are technical advancements improving the performance of crystal oscillators, the growth of the automobile production sector, and cooperative efforts among industry participants.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-1U15041/global-automotive-grade-quartz-crystal-unit

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF AUTOMOTIVE GRADE CRYSTAL UNIT MARKET:

The need for automotive-grade crystals is being driven by the automobile industry's rapid use of sophisticated electronic systems and components. These crystals are essential to the exact timing of many modern car sensors, communication modules, and electronic control units (ECUs). Reliable timing devices are becoming more and more necessary when technologies like advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) , infotainment systems , and connection solutions are integrated. High stability and precision offered by automotive-grade crystals allow these electronic systems to operate at their best, which drives market expansion.

The need for automotive-grade crystals has increased because of strict regulatory criteria enforced by governing bodies regarding vehicle safety, emissions, and performance. Precise timing components are required by these standards in order to guarantee regulatory compliance. Automotive-grade crystals satisfy the exacting requirements set out by regulatory bodies by providing exceptional frequency stability and minimal jitter. Because of this, manufacturers are forced to include premium crystals into their automobile electrical systems in order to meet these regulations, which is fueling the expansion of the automotive-grade crystal industry.

The market for automotive-grade crystals has been greatly impacted by the fast development of electric and hybrid cars. Electronic systems play a major role in the propulsion, battery management, and onboard diagnostics of electric and hybrid cars . The need for accurate timing parts, such automotive-grade crystals, has increased as these cars become more and more popular in the automotive industry. These crystals are essential to the smooth functioning of power management systems, charging infrastructure, and electric drivetrains, all of which support the market's expansion. Automotive-grade crystals are in greater demand due to the spread of connected vehicle technologies such as telematics, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication , and in-car networking capabilities. Precise temporal synchronization is necessary for these technologies to provide smooth data transfer and reception.

The market for automotive-grade crystals has been boosted by developments in autonomous driving systems. For perception and navigation, autonomous cars use a wide range of sensors, computers, and control units. To guarantee correct data processing and decision-making in real-time circumstances, these components must be precisely synchronized. To keep different onboard systems in sync, automotive-grade crystals with exceptional frequency stability and low phase noise characteristics are necessary. The need for high-performance timing components is anticipated to increase in tandem with the rapid development and implementation of autonomous cars, hence driving Automotive Grade Crystal market expansion.

Own It Today - Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-1U15041&lic=single-user

AUTOMOTIVE GRADE CRYSTAL UNIT MARKET SHARE

The need for high-quality timing components is fueled by a mature automotive market in North America that places a heavy focus on technical innovation, which propels market expansion. Automotive-grade crystal producers have a lot of prospects in Europe because of its strong automotive manufacturing ecosystem and strict regulatory norms.

Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-1U15041/Global_Automotive_Grade_Quartz_Crystal_Unit_Market_Research_Report

Key Companies:

ADAS

Key

Kyocera

SiTime

ECS

NDK

Epson

Murata

TXC

KDS

Abracon

Golledge Electronics

Shenzhen Crystal Technology Industrial

JGHC

TKD Science

Shenzhen Yangxing

Shenzhen Genuway

Guangdong Huilun

Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/QYRE-Auto-1U15041/Global_Automotive_Grade_Quartz_Crystal_Unit_Market_Research_Report

SUBSCRIPTION

We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans.

DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS!

- Automotive Grade Active Crystal Oscillator Market

- Automotive Grade SMD Crystal Oscillator Market

- Automotive Grade Crystal Resonator Market

- Automotive Grade Crystal Oscillator Market

- Semiconductor Single Crystal Furnace Market

- Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCPs) Market

- 6 Inch Silicon Carbide Single Crystal Substrate Market

- Solar Grade Multi Crystal Silicon Ingot market is projected to grow from USD 13870 Million in 2023 to USD 26800 Million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.6% during the forecast period.

- Grinding Grade Diamond Single Crystal Market

- 5nm Automotive Grade Chip Market

- Automotive Grade Surface Mount Fuses Market

- Automotive Grade Thin Film Precision Chip Resistors market is projected to reach USD 205 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 141.2 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 6.7% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Automotive Grade Alloy Resistor Market

- Automotive Grade Chip Varistor Market

- Automotive-grade SiC Devices (Discrete) market is projected to reach USD 651.6 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 113 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 30.0% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Automotive Grade SiC Full Bridge MOSFET Module Market

- Automotive Grade Metal Power Inductors market was valued at USD 760.3 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1242.3 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- Automotive Grade AntiSulfurated Chip Resistor Market

- Automotive Grade MOSFETs Market

- Automotive Grade Coupled Inductor Market

- Automotive Grade MCU Chip Market

- Automotive Grade Capacitor market is projected to reach USD 13600 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 5758 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 12.7% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Automotive Grade DRAM Market

- Automotive Grade Smart Cockpit SoC Market

- Automotive Grade Smart Automotive Computing Chip Market

- Automotive Grade eMMC Market

- Automotive Grade Microcontroller Market

DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US!

Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs.

Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs.

To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS: REACH OUT TO US!

Valuates Reports

sales@valuates.com

For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225

WhatsApp: +91-9945648335

Website: https://reports.valuates.com

Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/

https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean

https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish

https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/automotive-grade-crystal-unit-market-size-to-grow-usd-1658-million-by-2030-at-a-cagr-of-15-93--valuates-reports-302113420.html
Regulatory News:

The shareholders of Etablissements Maurel Prom S.A. (Paris:MAU) (the "Company") are hereby informed that an Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting will be held on first notice of meeting on Tuesday, 28 May 2024, at 10 a.m., at 9 avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris, France.

Availability of the Shareholders General Meeting's preparatory documents

The notice of meeting including the agenda and draft resolutions proposed to the General Shareholders Meeting was published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires ("BALO"), on 10 April 2024. Such notice and the related report of the Board of Directors are available on the Company's website (www.maureletprom.fr, section "Investors", sub-section "General Meeting 2024").

The preparatory documents for the Shareholders General Meeting referred to in Article R. 22-10-23 of the French Commercial Code are available, within the time period provided for in the applicable regulation, on the Company's website, at the abovementioned address. In addition, the preparatory documents for the Shareholders General Meeting referred to in Articles L. 225-115, L. 225-116 and R. 225-83 of the French Commercial Code are available, within the time period provided for in the applicable regulation, at the Company's registered office (51, rue d'Anjou, 75008 Paris).

As from the notice of meeting, shareholders may request that the Company send them the documents and information referred to in Articles R. 225-81 and R. 225-83 of the French Commercial Code, up to the fifth day before the meeting (inclusive), i.e. Wednesday 22 May 2024. Requests should be sent preferably by email to ir@maureletprom.fr (otherwise by post to the Company's head office at 51, rue d'Anjou 75008 Paris, France or by request sent to Uptevia, Service Assemblees Generales, 90 110 Esplanade du General de Gaulle, 92931 Paris La Defense Cedex). It is recalled that holders of bearer shares will have to prove they are shareholders by providing a certificate of account registration.

Finally, please note that any shareholder able to prove its status can attend the General Meeting in person, voting online by logging in to the secure voting platform VOTACCESS before the General Shareholders' Meeting, vote by post, or voting by appointing the Chairman of the General Shareholders' Meeting or a third party as proxy The applicable rules for attending the General Meeting are described in particular in the notice of meeting published in the BALO. This document is available on the Company's website (www.maureletprom.fr, website section "Investors", sub-section "General Meeting 2024").

For more information, visit www.maureletprom.fr

This document may contain forward-looking statements regarding the financial position, results, business and industrial strategy of Maurel Prom. By nature, forward-looking statements contain risks and uncertainties to the extent that they are based on events or circumstances that may or may not happen in the future. These projections are based on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which may prove to be incorrect and which depend on a number of risk factors, such as fluctuations in crude oil prices, changes in exchange rates, uncertainties related to the valuation of our oil reserves, actual rates of oil production and the related costs, operational problems, political stability, legislative or regulatory reforms, or even wars, terrorism and sabotage.

Maurel Prom is listed for trading on Euronext Paris

SBF 120 CAC Mid 60 CAC Mid Small CAC All-Tradable Eligible PEA-PME and SRD

Isin FR0000051070 Bloomberg MAU.FP Reuters MAUP.PA

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410654398/en/

Contacts:

Maurel Prom

Press, shareholder and investor relations

Tel: +33 (0)1 53 83 16 45

ir@maureletprom.fr

NewCap

Financial communications and investor relations/Media relations

Louis-Victor Delouvrier/Nicolas Merigeau

Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 98 53/+33 (0)1 44 71 94 98

maureletprom@newcap.eu
Coeur d'Alene Bancorp (OTC Pink:CDAB), the parent company of bankcda, is pleased to announce its results for the first quarter 2024.

COEUR D'ALENE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Coeur d'Alene Bancorp, today reported net income of $385,434 or $0.20 per share for the first quarter 2024, compared to $450,285 or $0.24 per share for the first quarter 2023. All results are unaudited.

As of March 31, 2024, total consolidated assets were $239.9 million, an increase of $1.4 million or 0.6% compared to March 31, 2023. Gross loans ended the period at $121.1 million compared to $107.3 million as of March 31, 2023, an increase of $13.9 million or 13.0%. Investments ended the period at $100.4 million compared to $111.4 million as of March 31, 2023. Total deposits were $198.0 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to $214.7 million as of March 31, 2023, a 7.8% decrease.

"We are pleased with our overall performance as margin pressure persists due to increased funding costs and competition for commercial loans remains high. Deposits volatility continues to moderate with deposits increasing slightly during the quarter. Loan demand remains steady as expected through the winter with an anticipated increase over the coming months. We opened a commercial lending office in Spokane Valley during the quarter with three lenders serving the Spokane market." Said Wes Veach, President, and Chief Executive Officer.

Financial Highlights:

Diluted earnings per share were $0.20 for three months ended 2024 versus $0.24 per share for three months ended 2023.

Net book value per share ended the quarter at $11.01 compared to $9.85 from one year ago.

Annualized return on average asset (ROAA) was 0.65% and annualized return on average equity (ROAE) was 7.48% for three months ended 2024 compared to 0.75% and 10.19% for three months ended 2023, respectively.

Total assets ended the period at $239.9 million compared to $238.5 million as of March 31, 2023, an increase of 0.7%.

Gross loans were $121.1 million at quarter end, versus $107.3 million on March 31, 2023.

Total deposits were $198.0 million, compared to $214.7 million as of March 31, 2023, a decrease of 7.8%. Deposits increased $2.9 million representing a 1.5% increase for the first quarter of 2024.

For the 3 months ended March 31, 2024, net interest margin was 3.20% compared to 3.43% for 3 months ended March 31, 2023.

Asset quality remains strong with nonperforming assets to Tier 1 capital of 0.00% as of March 31, 2024.

Continue to be FIVE Star-rated from Bauer Financial, which is their highest rating.

We continue to far exceed the minimum community bank leverage ratio.

Coeur d'Alene Bancorp, parent company of bankcda, is headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with branches in Coeur d'Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, and Kellogg, and a loan production office in Spokane Valley.

For more information, visit www.bankcda.bank or contact Wes Veach at 208-415-5006.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains, among other things, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "projects," "outlook" or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current belief and expectations of the Coeur d'Alene Bancorp's management team and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond Coeur d'Alene Bancorp's control). Although Coeur d'Alene Bancorp believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, Coeur d'Alene Bancorp can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by Coeur d'Alene Bancorp or any other person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by Coeur d'Alene Bancorp will be achieved.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Coeur d'Alene Bancorp or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Coeur d'Alene Bancorp does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Coeur d'Alene Bancorp

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 10, 2024) - Lahontan Gold Corp (TSXV: LG) (OTCQB: LGCXF) (the "Company" or "Lahontan"), is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with Beacon Securities Limited ("Beacon") on behalf of a syndicate of agents (together with Beacon, the "Agents") in connection with a best efforts private placement offering of units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.06 per Unit (the "Issue Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000 (the "Offering").

Each Unit shall be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one common share (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 36 months from the closing date of the Offering at a price of $0.10 per Warrant Share.

The securities to be issued under the Offering will be offered by way of private placement in each of the Provinces of Canada and such other jurisdictions as may be mutually agreed by the Company and Beacon, acting reasonably, in each case, pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for exploration activities on the Company's projects, working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Company has granted the Agents an option, exercisable in whole or in part at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Offering, to sell up to an additional 7,500,000 Units (the "Additional Units") at a price per Additional Unit equal to the Issue Price.

The Offering is expected to close on or about April 30, 2024 (the "Closing Date"), 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 TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities issued in connection with this Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing of the Offering in addition to any other restrictions under applicable law.

The Offering will be conducted pursuant to the terms of an agency agreement to be entered into between the Company and the Agents on or prior to the Closing Date. The Company will pay the Agents a cash commission of 7.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering, other than for sales to certain "president's list" purchasers identified by the Company, for which a 3.5% cash commission will be payable. The Company will also issue to the Agents non-transferable broker warrants equal to 7.0% of the number of Units sold under the Offering (reduced to 3.5% for sales to president's list purchasers), each exercisable to acquire one common share at the Issue Price for a period of 36 months from the Closing Date.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press 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 any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kimberly Ann

Founder, CEO, President, and Director

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Lahontan Gold Corp.

Kimberly Ann

Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President, Director

Phone: 1-530-414-4400

Email: Kimberly.ann@lahontangoldcorp.com

Website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to the expected size of the Offering, the anticipated timing of closing the Offering, the ability of the Company to satisfy all conditions to closing the Offering, and the expected use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include general economic and capital markets conditions, stock market volatility, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary consents for the Offering, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, and the ability of the Company to complete the Offering on the terms expected or at all. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions, based on currently available information, concerning future events, which may prove to be inaccurate. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future plans, operations, results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/204975

SOURCE: Lahontan Gold Corp.
MariaDB plc (NYSE: MRDB):

FORM 8.1(a) (b)

(Opening Position Disclosure)

IRISH TAKEOVER PANEL

OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE UNDER RULE 8.1(a) AND (b) OF THE IRISH TAKEOVER PANEL ACT, 1997, TAKEOVER RULES, 2022 BY AN OFFEROR OR AN OFFEREE

1. KEY INFORMATION

(a) Full name of discloser: MariaDB plc (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. N/A (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree MariaDB plc (d) Is the discloser the offeror or the offeree? Offeree (e) Date position held: The latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 9 April 2024 (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser also making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A" N/A

2. INTERESTS AND SHORT POSITIONS

If there are interests and positions to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2 for each additional class of relevant security.

Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates (Note 1)

Class of relevant security: (Note 2) Interests Short positions Number Number (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 0 0 0 (2) Cash-settled derivatives: 0 0 (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/ sell: 0 0 Total: 0 0 0

All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

Details of options including rights to subscribe for new securities and any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8.

3. INTERESTS AND SHORT POSITIONS OF PERSONS ACTING IN CONCERT WITH THE PARTY MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

Details of any interests and short positions (including directors' and other employee options) of any person acting in concert with the party making the disclosure: (a) MariaDB plc Directors The directors of MariaDB plc detailed in the table below (together with their connected persons under Rule 3.3(b)(ii) of Part A of the Irish Takeover Rules) have the following interests in MariaDB plc:

Director Class of Relevant Security Number of ordinary shares held at midnight (ET) on 9 April 2024 Percentage of total issued share capital (rounded) Total number ordinary shares underlying outstanding Options, RSUs, PSUs, Employee Scheme Purchase Plan Rights and other subscription rights Jurgen Ingels Ordinary shares of US$0.01 each 5,927,117 8.749% 182,291 Michael Fanfant Ordinary shares of US$0.01 each 5,269,012* 7.777% 0 Yakov Zubarev Ordinary shares of US$0.01 each 0 0.00% 0 Represents 2,557,043 Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Runa Capital Fund II L.P., 1,992,618 Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Runa Capital Opportunity Fund I, L.P., and 719,351 Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Runa Ventures I Limited. The business address of Runa Capital is Williams House, 4th Floor, 20 Reid Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda. For the avoidance of doubt, no such Ordinary Share are owned by Michael Fanfant. (b) MariaDB plc Advisers None

Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8.

4. OTHER INFORMATION

(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the party to the offer making the disclosure or any person acting in concert with it: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" None

(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Full details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between the person disclosing and any other person relating to the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option referred to on this form or relating to the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative referred to on this form is referenced. If none, this should be stated. None

(c) Attachments

Is a Supplemental Form 8 attached? YES/NO No

Date of disclosure: 10 April 2024 Contact name: Conor McCarthy Telephone number: 855-562-7423

Public disclosures under Rule 8.1 of the Rules must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

NOTES ON FORM 8.1(a) and (b)

1. See the definition of "interest in a relevant security" in Rule 2.5 of Part A of the Rules and see Rule 8.6(a) of Part B of the Rules.

2. See the definition of "relevant securities" in Rule 2.1 of Part A of the Rules.

3. If details included in a disclosure under Rule 8 are incorrect, they should be corrected as soon as practicable in a subsequent disclosure. Such disclosure should state clearly that it corrects details disclosed previously, identify the disclosure or disclosures being corrected, and provide sufficient detail for the reader to understand the nature of the corrections. In the case of any doubt, the Panel should be consulted.

For full details of disclosure requirements, see Rule 8 of the Rules. If in doubt, consult the Panel.

References in these notes to "the Rules" are to the Irish Takeover Panel Act, 1997, Takeover Rules, 2022.

Source: MariaDB

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410374352/en/

Contacts:

Investors:

ir@mariadb.com

Media:

pr@mariadb.com
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited ("AXIS Capital" or the "Company") (NYSE: AXS) today announced that it expects to release financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 after the close of the financial markets.

Vince Tizzio, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Peter Vogt, Chief Financial Officer, will host an investor teleconference, including a question and answer period, on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. ET to discuss the first quarter results as well as related matters.

The teleconference can be accessed by dialing 1-877-883-0383 (U.S. callers), or 1-412-902-6506 (international callers), and entering the passcode 8824838 approximately 10 minutes in advance of the call. A live, listen-only webcast of the call will also be available via the Investor Information section of the Company's website at www.axiscapital.com.

A replay of the teleconference will be available for two weeks by dialing 1-877-344-7529 (U.S. callers), or 1-412-317-0088 (international callers), and entering the passcode 1291489. The webcast will be archived in the Investor Information section of the Company's website.

About AXIS Capital

AXIS Capital, through its operating subsidiaries, is a global specialty underwriter and provider of insurance and reinsurance solutions. The Company has shareholders' equity of $5.3 billion at December 31, 2023 and locations in Bermuda, the United States, Europe, Singapore and Canada. Its operating subsidiaries have been assigned a financial strength rating of "A+" ("Strong") by Standard Poor's and "A" ("Excellent") by A.M. Best. For more information about AXIS Capital, visit the Company's website at www.axiscapital.com.

Follow AXIS Capital on LinkedIn and X Corp.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410885446/en/

Contacts:

Investor Contact

Cliff Gallant

AXIS Capital Holdings Limited

investorrelations@axiscapital.com

(415) 262-6843

Media Contact

Nichola Liboro

AXIS Capital Holdings Limited

nichola.liboro@axiscapital.com

(917) 705-4579
China donates medical equipment to local hospital in Tanzania

Xinhua) 10:41, April 10, 2024

DAR ES SALAAM, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The 27th Chinese medical team in Tanzania on Tuesday donated medical equipment to Kairuki Hospital in the port city of Dar es Salaam.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian handed over the medical equipment to Asser Mchomvu, the director general of the Kairuki Hospital, at a ceremony witnessed by staff of the hospital and members of the 27th Chinese medical team with their team leader Zhang Junqiao.

Mchomvu thanked the Chinese medical team for the donation, saying the medical equipment would further enhance the delivery of medical services at the hospital.

The donation of medical equipment through the Chinese embassy was not the first, said Mchomvu, adding that the hospital and the Chinese embassy worked closely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kairuki Hospital also acquired a focused ultrasound tumor therapy system from China, making the hospital the first in the eastern African region to acquire such medical technology for treating tumors at early stages, and the fourth in Africa.

Chen said since 1964, China has dispatched 33 Chinese medical teams to Zanzibar and 27 medical teams to mainland Tanzania to provide medical services, treating nearly 20 million patients, and helping hospitals fill many technical gaps. She said the doctors came from China's top hospitals, covering pediatrics, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics and other specialties, with superb skills and high standards.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday alleged that the Modi-led BJP government is threatening Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his direction to the partys MLAs from jail to address problems of their constituencies.

Addressing a press conference, Singh said, Arvind Kejriwal is being threatened that he will not be allowed to meet his family. The dictator (PM Modi) wants to convert Delhi's Tihar Jail into Hitler's gas chamber. These (BJP) people want to convert Tihar Jail into a torture chamber, but the great people of Delhi will answer their jail with their votes.

The Modi government wants to keep an elected Chief Minister of Delhi in jail. Two days ago Arvind Kejriwal met his lawyer and during that meeting, he gave the message that the elected MLAs should go to their areas and listen to the problems of the people. And just on the basis of this message, an inquiry has been set up against him and a threat is being given that you will be stopped from meeting your family and lawyers because he had instructed AAP MLAs through their lawyers to go to their areas and solve their problems, he said.
Leasecake, a Winter Park, FL-based company which specializes in lease and location management solutions, raised $10M in Series A extension.

The round was led by PeakSpan Capital and Las Olas Venture Capital with additional support from a venture debt facility provided by Silicon Valley Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank.

The company intends to use the funds to enable further refinements to its platform, and the expansion of its offerings to accommodate its customer base.

Led by CEO Scott Williamson, Leasecake is a real estate and location management platform built to help multi-unit operators manage their leases, locations, and assets efficiently, and decrease risk in their portfolio.

Over the last year, the company has seen user growth, doubling the number of platform users, which now spans thousands of brands and tens of thousands of locations throughout the United States and Canada.

FinSMEs

10/04/2024
Los Angeles, United States, April 10th, 2024, Chainwire

Innovative Web3 Social Platform Tomo Partners with Industry Leaders, Reinventing Social Media Monetization and Engagement

Tomo, an all-in-one Web3 social app, announces the successful closure of its Seed round funding led by Polychain Capital.

Industry leaders like Consensys, Symbolic Capital, OKX Ventures, Nomad Capital, Story Protocol, dao5, KuCoin Ventures and HTX Ventures were among the investors. With an emphasis on integrating financial incentives into social media through blockchain, Tomo introduces an evolved social experience with its unique offerings, Tomoji  first-of-its-kind ERC-404 Launchpad on Base, and the multifunctional social wallet, TomoID.

The founder of Tomo, Ryan Fang, shares the vision, saying, We are thrilled by the support from our investors, enabling us to innovate in the SocialFi landscape. Tomos mission is to pioneer a multichain Web3 Social Wallet that unlocks unique blockchain-enabled opportunities. We strive for seamless user experience while fostering new ways of connecting, gifting, and creating. Our vision extends to building a platform where every connection is valued, direct, and financially rewarding.

Expanding its creative horizon, Tomo recently launched the ERC404 Meme Launchpad on Base chain, named Tomoji. Artist Sean Kyah Koons, in collaboration with Tomoji introduced a premier dragon-themed collection named LONG on Tomoji Launchpad. Tomoji allows for the fractionalization of NFTs, thereby enhancing market liquidity and offering a more flexible approach to ownership. Within the Tomoji launchpad, Tomojis provide seamless minting, gifting, and trading capabilities, giving users an intuitive and interactive platform to engage with digital art. Additionally, Tomojis are tradeable on exchanges.

Following this, Tomo introduces a new feature, TomoID, along with a funding milestone. TomoID is a social wallet for content creators and businesses, featuring a link-in-bio tool and an affiliate program for crypto commissions. Users can place their unique TomoID in their social media bios, linking to a page with their profiles across platforms like Tomo, X, Instagram, TikTok, and more. Complementing these innovations, Tomo offers a reward system in the form of Tomo Points, encouraging active engagement with Tomos features, serving as appreciation for the loyalty and contribution of early participants.

Olaf Carlson-Wee, Founder and CEO of Polychain Capital, shared his insights on the investment, remarking, At Polychain, we back founders and projects that enable new behaviors. Our investment in Tomo aligns with this philosophy as we recognize Tomos role in introducing an immense new user base to the Web3 space. Tomo adds financial incentives to the feedback loops already embedded in social media apps, optimizing the distribution of value created at the intersection of creators and fans.

Tomos application offers accessible onboarding, interactive experiences, and earning opportunities. Tomo creates a transparent marketplace for social capital where users can engage in authentic and financially rewarding interactions. The platform features a native mobile app for iOS and Android, Web version beta, account abstraction technology, self-custody, seamless cross-chain bridging, and user-friendly fiat onramp capabilities. Signing up is straightforward with options like X, Apple, Google, and Galxe accounts. Tomo simplifies the introduction to the blockchain by automatically setting up non-custodial wallets using ERC-4337 technology and operating on secure Linea and Base rollups. The Keys system in Tomo allows users to purchase unique access to creators content and direct messaging. Transactions involving these Keys carry a 10% royalty fee, split evenly between Tomo and the creators, contributing to a sustainable economy. Other features include public stories for key holders, group chats, direct messages, and simple ETH transfers.

Marco Monaco of ConsenSys commented, Tomos SocialFi strategy is not just another bonding curve fork. The team focuses on the social aspect with a clear vision and innovative Web3-native ideas. This investment is not just about the team but also about a tech stack that serves as a reference implementation for dApps aiming to bring millions into Web3: mobile app, account abstraction, transparent bridging, self-custody, fiat onramp, and cooperation with the Linea ecosystem. Tomos approach marks a significant advancement in the dApps design and demonstrates how SocialFi can empower users and creators.

About Tomo:

Tomo is an all-in-one Web3 social app that transforms users online presence into a universal social wallet, fostering genuine, spam-free connections and financial incentives. Tomo lets users engage directly with creators, participate in private discussions, and explore the new generation of digital art with Tomoji. Active participation earns users Tomo Points, enhancing your social capital. Join Tomo, where your social capital is valued.

Website  https://tomo.inc/

Blog  https://medium.com/tomoinc

Docs  https://docs.tomo.inc/

X (formerly Twitter)  https://twitter.com/tomo_social

Web Beta  https://pro.tomo.inc/

iOS app  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tomo-inc/id6468010287

Android app  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tomo.app.unyx

LONG  https://betterbelong.io/

Contact

PR Manager

Milena Repa

Tomo

[email protected]
Torg, a Berlin, Germany-based food sourcing startup, raised 2.7M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Connect Ventures with participation from FoodLabs, Sondo, Ventures Together, Sameer Singh and Jonas Meynert.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its development efforts, and its supplier database.

Co-Founded by Hans Kristian Furuseth, Ben Holdham, and Rita Kerbaj, Torg provides a platform that connects food service product suppliers and buyers. The marketplace enables retail and wholesale buyers to find and connect with 100,000+ verified food and beverage manufacturers across private label and foodservice categories.

FinSMEs

09/04/2024
Dozens of states in the US put a near-total ban on abortion after the US Supreme Courts 2022 ruling deemed the procedure was not a constitutional right. Now, Arizonas Supreme Court has allowed a 160-year-old law that could bar abortion in almost all circumstances in the state read more

Abortion rights are set to be a major issue in the upcoming United States presidential elections. After the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion across the country in June 2022, dozens of states have banned or restricted access to terminate pregnancies.

Millions of women of reproductive age are living in states where abortion has been made largely illegal. Now, the Arizona Supreme Court has ruled in favour of a 160-year-old dormant law that bans nearly all abortions.

Advertisement

Lets take a closer look.

States where abortion is banned

Abortion is outlawed in at least 16 states in the US.

Abortion is illegal in Alabama with no exceptions for rape or incest. The procedure is allowed only if the life of the woman is at risk or if there is a lethal foetal anomaly.

Arkansas bans abortion in all cases, with the only exception to save the patients life.

Abortion is barred in Idaho except if the mothers life is in danger or cases of rape or incest, noted Politico.

Indiana has outlawed terminating a pregnancy in nearly all circumstances, with only limited exceptions. Last August, the Indiana Supreme Court upheld the near-total ban on abortion imposed in the state after the 2022 US top courts ruling. Residents have filed a separate challenge to the ban arguing it violates a state law protecting religious freedom.

Pro-abortion rights activist rally in front of the US Supreme Court on 26 March 2024, in Washington, DC. AFP File Photo

Kentucky has restricted abortion in all circumstances except to save the life of the pregnant person. The states ban was briefly blocked in court but restored by an appeals court in August 2022, reported Politico.

Louisiana has imposed a near-total ban on abortion. It allows the procedure only if the womans life is in jeopardy or only in some cases of lethal foetal anomaly which would make a pregnancy medically futile, as per Politico.

Abortion is illegal in Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma and South Dakota in nearly all cases. North Dakota completely bans abortion but for exceptions for rape and incest in the first six weeks of pregnancy, as per CNN.

Advertisement

Abortion is illegal in Mississippi with an exception for rape but not incest.

West Virginia implemented a near-total abortion ban in September 2022. Last August, a federal judge ruled that the state can restrict the sale of abortion pills.

States with gestational limit

The Arizona Supreme Courts verdict on Tuesday (9 April) has paved the way for barring abortion in almost all circumstances. Upholding the 1864 ban, the court said Arizona could enforce the law that allows abortions only to save the mothers life and offers no exceptions for rape or incest, as per The Guardian.

However, this law, which was first passed before Arizona became a state, has been put on hold for 14 days. It is unclear when and whether the 160-year-old law will be enforced, according to Politico. For now, Arizona allows abortion until 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Advertisement

Florida currently allows abortion until 15 weeks of pregnancy with some exceptions. However, this 15-week ban will be replaced by a six-week ban on 1 May.

Abortion is accessible in Utah until 18 weeks of pregnancy. Georgia and South Carolina ban abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, with some exceptions.

Kansas has access to abortion until 22 weeks of pregnancy, while Massachusetts allows it till 24 weeks. Abortion is legal in North Carolina until 12 weeks of pregnancy with some exceptions.

The procedure is not allowed in Nebraska after 12 weeks of pregnancy, except if the life of the mother is at risk or in cases of rape or incest. Abortion is legal in Nevada and New Hampshire until 24 weeks after pregnancy.

Advertisement

Legal for now

Iowa permits abortion until 22 weeks of pregnancy. In 2019, an Iowa district court blocked a law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The Iowa Supreme Court upheld the decision in 2023. Lawmakers passed a similar legislation restricting abortion access last summer, which is pending review by the state Supreme Court, as per Politico.

Abortion is legal in Wisconsin reportedly until 22 weeks of pregnancy. In July 2023, a state judge ruled that Wisconsins 1849 law does not ban abortion but only criminalises foeticide, reported Politico. The case could now come up before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Pro-abortion rights activist rally in front of the US Supreme Court on 26 March 2024, in Washington, DC. AFP File Photo

Wyoming allows abortion until viability. A new abortion ban was passed by Republican lawmakers last March but it was blocked by a state jugde. The same judge also temporarily blocked another law in June that explicitly barred the use of abortion pills, reported New York Times (NYT).

Advertisement

US states where abortion is legal

Abortion is legal in 26 states and Washington DC, with some adding new legal protections after the 2022 US Supreme Court verdict.

Abortion is legal in Alaska without any gestational limit. The states Supreme Court has recognised a right to reproductive choice under its Constitution, reported NYT.

New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Colorado and Washington, DC also allow abortion throughout pregnancy. In Washington, DC, a 2023 law protects providers and patients from legal action by other jurisdictions, as per the NYT report.

New York allows abortion till 24 weeks after fertilisation, unless foetus is not viable or the patients life or health is at risk, as per NBC News. The states law protects abortion access.

Abortion in Pennsylvania is legal until 24 weeks of pregnancy. Washingtons state law shields abortion which is permitted until viability.

Delaware, Rhode Island, Maine, Minnesota, Virginia, Ohio, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland and Michigan allow abortion until viability.

With inputs from agencies
Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida is on an official visit to the United States this week. He will hold a summit with US president Joe Biden, seeking a major upgrading of their defence alliance as Chinas influence grows in the Indo-Pacific. The two leaders will join Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr for a trilateral read more

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida arrived in the United States on Monday for the first state visit by a Japanese leader in nine years. He will hold a bilateral with US president Joe Biden on Wednesday. File image/AP

Fumio Kishida is the first Japanese prime minister to visit the United States in nine years. The official visit is poised to be a pivotal moment in the relations between the two countries.

During his visit, Kishida will hold a summit with President Joe Biden to strengthen their defence alliance. He will also attend a historic summit in Washington with leaders from the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.

Kishidas agenda is multifaceted. He seeks to strengthen the Japan-US alliance against the backdrop of Chinas increasing influence, showcase Japans economic contributions to the US, and position his country as a proactive global partner in security, economy, and space initiatives. This visit also serves as a strategic move for Kishida, who aims to bolster support at home following a corruption scandal.

Advertisement

As a state guest, Kishida will partake in official ceremonies, including a White House arrival ceremony and a formal state dinner. The Japanese PM who arrived in the US on Monday is slated to return to Tokyo on Sunday. We take a look at what to expect from the trip.

What does Kishida hope to achieve?

The biggest event during the weeklong trip is the summit with Biden on Wednesday. Kishida hopes to further strengthen the alliance as Chinas influence grows in the Indo-Pacific.

The Japanese leader is also reaching out to the American public to showcase his countrys contribution to the US economy and ensure stable relations regardless of who wins the US presidential election later this year.

Kishida, who has pushed sweeping changes fortifying Japans defence capabilities since taking office in 2021, will emphasise that Japan and the US are now global partners working to maintain a rules-based international order and that Tokyo is willing to take on a greater international role in security, economy and space to help Washington.

Expanding arms equipment and technology cooperation between the two countries and other like-minded partners is also highly important, Kishida told selected media, including AP, last Friday.

Kishida, stung by a corruption scandal, needs a successful US visit to shore up low support ratings at home.

What will the state visit look like?

As a state guest, Kishida will be welcomed in a White House arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, a formal state dinner and other official events. He is the fifth state guest of Biden, who has also hosted leaders of India, Australia, South Korea and France, underscoring Americas focus on Indo-Pacific security partnerships.

Advertisement

Japans prime minister Fumio Kishida, left, and his wife Yuko Kishida walk down the stairs from a plane as they participate in an arrival ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. AP

Kishida is the first Japanese leader to make a state visit since Shinzo Abe in 2015. Abe made a major revision to the interpretation of Japans pacifist Constitution, allowing its self-defence-only principle to also cover its ally, the United States.

Why is the focus on defence?

Defence tops the agenda because of growing worries about threats from China, North Korea and Russia. Chinese coast guard ships regularly approach disputed Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands near Taiwan. Beijing says Taiwan is part of its territory and will be brought under control by force if necessary.

There are also worries about North Korean nuclear and missile threats and Russias invasion of Ukraine. Kishida has warned that the war in Europe could lead to conflict in East Asia, suggesting that a lax attitude to Russia emboldens China.

Advertisement

While we maintain the Japan-US alliance as a cornerstone, we believe it is important to cooperate with like-minded countries, including the Philippines, Kishida said.

What are the summits main concerns?

Biden and Kishida are expected to agree on a plan to modernise their military command structures so they can better operate together. America stations 50,000 troops in Japan. The Japanese Self Defence Force is preparing to restructure so it has a unified command for ground, air and naval forces by March 2025.

Also expected are new initiatives for defence industry cooperation, including co-production of weapons, possibly a new missile, and the repair and maintenance of American warships and other equipment in Japan to help US operations in the western Pacific.

Advertisement

Japans possible participation in a US-UK-Australia security partnership to develop and share advanced military capabilities, including artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and hypersonics, may also come up.

Kishida and Biden are also expected to confirm Japans participation in NASAs Artemis moon programme and its contribution of a moon rover developed by Toyota Motor Corp and the inclusion of a Japanese astronaut. The rover, which comes at a roughly $2 billion (Rs 1,66,39 crore) cost, is the most expensive contribution to the mission by a non-US partner to date, a US official said.

What are Japans defence goals?

Since adopting a more expansive national security strategy in 2022, Kishidas government has taken bold steps to accelerate Japans military buildup. He hopes to show Tokyo is capable of elevating its security cooperation with the US. Kishida has pledged to double defence spending and boost deterrence against China, which Japan considers a top security threat.

Advertisement

Defence tops the agenda because of growing worries about threats from China, North Korea and Russia. AP

Japan, working to acquire what it calls a counterstrike capability, has purchased 400 US Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles. After prohibiting almost all weapons transfers, it has relaxed export guidelines twice in recent months, allowing the sale of lethal weapons to countries from which they were licenced and the overseas sales of a fighter jet its co-developing with the UK and Italy. The changes have allowed Japan to ship Japanese-made PAC-3 missiles to the US to help replace those contributed by Washington to Ukraine.

What about the summit with the Philippines?

The first-ever trilateral summit between Biden, Kishida and Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr comes as the Philippines faces escalating maritime tension with China over their contested South China Sea claims.

Biden wants to show that the three maritime democracies are unified as they face aggressive Chinese action against the Philippine coast guard and its supply vessels off the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, according to a senior Biden administration official.

Japan has sold coastal radars to the Philippines and is now negotiating a defence agreement that would allow their troops to visit each others turf for joint military exercises.

The trilateral comes eight months after Biden hosted a meeting with leaders from Japan and South Korea at Camp David.

Cooperation among our three countries is extremely important in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and in defending a free and open international order based on the rules of law, Kishida said Monday before leaving for Washington.

What to expect in North Carolina?

Kishida also wants to highlight Japans economic contributions to the US. There is growing uncertainty in Tokyo about US elections, reflected by questions about what happens if former president, Donald Trump, wins, though experts say there is a bipartisan consensus on a stronger US-Japan alliance.

Kishida will meet with business leaders and visit Toyotas electric vehicle battery factory under construction for a planned launch in 2025, and Hondas business jet subsidiary in North Carolina. He will also meet students at North Carolina State University on Friday.

In his congressional speech on Thursday, Kishida said he plans to convey what Japan and the United States want to hand down to future generations and what we need to do for them.

With inputs from AP
British physicist Peter Higgs who had come up with the idea of the Higgs boson particle, passed away at 94. The Nobel laureate detested the moniker the God Particle, calling it an unfortunate mixing of theoretical physics with bad theology read more

Professor Peter Higgs, the Nobel prize winner for his work on the Higgs boson, passed away at the age of 94. File image/Reuters

The world of science received crushing news on Tuesday when it was announced that British physicist Peter Higgs passed away at the age of 94. The physics Nobel laureate had come up with the idea of the Higgs boson particle, which also was known as the God Particle.

The University of Edinburgh announcing Higgs passing away said that he died on Monday at his home. He passed away peacefully at home on 8 April (Monday) following a short illness. Paying tribute to the physicist, the Scottish university where he had been a professor for nearly five decades said that he was a a great teacher and mentor, inspiring generations of young scientists.

Advertisement

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, the universitys principal and vice-chancellor, said: Peter Higgs was a remarkable individual  a truly gifted scientist whose vision and imagination have enriched our knowledge of the world that surrounds us.

His pioneering work has motivated thousands of scientists, and his legacy will continue to inspire many more for generations to come.

But who was Peter Higgs? What do we know of the God particle that he theorised years ago in 1964? Heres what we know.

Early life of Peter Higgs

Higgs was born on 29 May 1929 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in north-east England and attended Cotham Grammar School in Bristol, where his father was stationed as an engineer for the BBC during World War II. At school in Bristol, he was a brilliant student who won prizes for his science work  though it was in chemistry, not physics.

He later enrolled as a physics student at Kings College London, where he also did a PhD on the theory of molecules. However, he lost out to a job at the college by his friend and then went to went to the University of Edinburgh in 1960 and remained there until his retirement in 1996.

Britains Peter Higgs in 1964 predicted the existence of a new particle  the so-called Higgs boson. His theory related to how subatomic particles that are the building blocks of matter get their mass. File image/AP

Higgs and the God particle

It was in 1964 that the gifted scientist had his Eureka moment when he predicted the existence of a new particle  the so-called Higgs boson  in 1964. His theory related to how subatomic particles that are the building blocks of matter get their mass. This theoretical understanding is a central part of the so-called Standard Model, which describes the physics of how the world is constructed.

Advertisement

The Edinburgh University said his 1964 paper demonstrated how elemental particles achieved mass through the existence of a new sub-atomic particle which became known as the Higgs boson.

When asked about his work on the god particle, Higgs had told New Scientist in 2017 that the moniker was an unfortunate mixing of theoretical physics with bad theology.

It was in 2012 when Higgs was 83 years of age that experiments at the Large Hadron Collider at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerlands Bern finally confirmed the prediction Higgs made all those years ago. In fact, a Sky News report states that the physicist wiped away a tear when the findings confirmed his theory. I never expected this to happen in my lifetime and shall be asking my family to put some champagne in the fridge, he had then said, according to a Sky News report.

Advertisement

When asked by journalists how he felt following the findings at CERN, he said: Its very nice to be right sometimes.

He added: At the beginning I had no idea whether a discovery would be made in my lifetime because we knew so little at the beginning about where this particle might be in mass, and therefore how high an energy machine would have to go before it could be discovered.

Its been a very long development over the years of the technology of building machines at higher and higher energy, and the [Large Hadron Collider] is the one which has been energetic enough and also intense enough in terms of the particle beams to do it.

Advertisement

Its been a long wait but it might have been even longer, I might not have been still around.

The Higgs boson, or god particle, is said to have caused the Big Bang that created the universe many years ago. Scientists also note that since the Higgs boson has the role to generate the mass of other particles and the fact that dark matter can primarily be detected through its mass, the Higgs boson can be a unique portal to finding signs of dark matter.

Peter Higgs of Britain receives his Nobel Prize in Physics from Swedens King Carl Gustaf during the 2013 Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm. File image/Reuters

Higgs wins the Nobel

In the following year, 2013, Higgs won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work, alongside Francois Englert of Belgium, who independently came up with the same theory. A shy man, he wished to steer clear of publicity.

Advertisement

Notably, in an interview on the Nobel prize website, he recounted how, on the morning that the 2013 Nobel announcement was due, he had anticipated media attention and taken steps to avoid it.

He left his house in Edinburgh, where he was emeritus professor at the university, and went for a walk around the harbour, and then to lunch and an art exhibition. On his way home, a former neighbour congratulated him on his award. I said: What award? he recalled, chuckling.

Post winning the Nobel, Higgs remained wary of people approaching him for autographs. He was also uncomfortable with his name alone being linked to the particle, saying the publicity had neglected to give credit to the other people involved.

Professor Peter Higgs wary of people approaching him for autographs. He was also uncomfortable with his name alone being linked to the particle. File image/AP

Tributes pour in

Following the demise of Higgs, tributes poured in from people belonging to different walks of life.

Scotlands First Minister Humza Yousaf called Higgs a visionary whose idea, and its discovery some 48 years later, is transforming our understanding of the Universe.

Alan Barr, Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford told the BBC: He proposed the existence of a field that pervades the entire universe, from mass to particles from electrons to top quarks. He was also a true gentleman, humble and polite, always giving due credit to others, and gently encouraging future generations of scientists and scholars.

Particle physicist John Ellis from Kings College London, who has spent most of his career at CERN, told Physics World that a giant of particle physics has left us. Without his theory, atoms could not exist and radioactivity would be a force as strong as electricity and magnetism, adds Ellis. His prediction of the existence of the particle that bears his name was a deep insight, and its discovery at CERN in 2012 was a crowning moment that confirmed his understanding of the way the Universe works.

With inputs from agencies
Sierra Leone president Julius Maada Bio has declared a national emergency owing to the rise of kush drug users in the African nation. The spike in addicts has also led to dealers turning into grave robbers, stealing skeletons. This is because grounded human bones are reportedly the main ingredient in kush read more

A grave digger walks past fresh graves at a cemetery in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The increase in kush users has led to dealers and addicts becoming grave robbers. Image used for representational purposes/Reuters

The country of Sierra Leone has declared a national emergency on substance abuse, with President Julius Maada Bio calling on his government to crack down on the rising use of a cheap and sometimes deadly synthetic drug known as kush.

The rising demand for kush, whose main ingredient is ground-up human bones, has also led to people in the African nation to dig up graves and rob skeletons.

We take a closer look at just what is kush and how people in Sierra Leone are going to drastic lengths to get their hands on the drug.

Advertisement

What is kush?

Not to be confused with the drug of the same name found in the US, kush in Sierra Leone is quite different and intoxicating. It is a mixture of cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde and  according to some  ground down humans bones.

According to a report in The Conversation, there is no definitive evidence of bones being grounded into the drug, but according to many, grounded bones are added to make it more intoxicating. Some suggest that the sulphur content of the bones causes a high.

According to authorities, it has taken the West African nation by storm since it first appeared on the scene six years ago. Moreover, its easy accessibility and low price point  it is sold for 5 leones (Rs 0.21) per joint  has made it irresistible to a generation of unemployed young Sierra Leoneans seeking an escape from lives of grinding poverty.

A man rolls his Kush in a drug den in Freetown. In recent years, Kush is increasingly being used by youth in Sierra Leone. File image/AFP

Kush, according to experts, is a depressant, offering relief from the everyday stresses of life, but at a heavy cost. Users say the high is often accompanied by a pounding sensation in the head and pain in the neck and joints. Prolonged use of the drug results in many resorting to theft to fund their habit. They start to forego basic hygiene. Their immune systems become weakened. Sores fester, and many complain of severe swelling in the feet and lower legs.

The drug also causes liver, kidney and respiratory problems and many have also lost their life to the narcotic.

How prevalent is kush addiction?

In the years since introduced in the market, kush has become commonplace with whole neighbourhoods and communities addicted to the narcotic. The Sierra Leone Psychiatric Teaching Hospital in Freetown has reportedly been overwhelmed with kush addicts in recent years.

Advertisement

We have already recorded nearly 2,000 cases of kush addicts in 2023 at the hospital. Many are dying in homes and on the streets, Dr Jusu Mattia, acting medical superintendent at the centre, told The Telegraph. In 2020, it identified 47 people as users. In 2022, it was 1,101. Most of the patients are men between 18 and 25.

But what is the allure of the drug? One user was quoted as telling NPR, It makes you forget. Were under such strain. Theres no work. Theres nothing here.

Other users also agree with this sentiment, giving rise to a kush epidemic in the nation. As Dr Mattia states, The kush drug crisis is everywhere.

Advertisement

But when asked, dealers said that kush users arent limited to the poor alone. Videos on social media show civil servants and policemen using the drug. Some even come from the countrys wealthy elite.

Men roll and smoke Kush inside a drug den in Sierra Leone. Most kush users say the high is often accompanied by a pounding sensation in the head and pain in the neck and joints. File image/AFP

How kush addition has led to grave robbing?

And with the demand for kush rising in Sierra Leone, there has been an increase in thefts at cemeteries. Dealers are turning into grave robbers, breaking into thousands of tombs to steal skeletons to keep up with the demands.

And owing to such incidents, the countrys government has deployed forces at burial grounds to prevent addicts and dealers from digging up graves and exhuming skeletons to produce the drug.

Advertisement

Last Thursday, President Bio said: Our country is currently faced with an existential threat due to the ravaging impact of drugs and substance abuse, particularly the devastating synthetic drug kush.

He further directed officials to set up a National Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse, which will primarily focus on combatting the kush crisis.

The head of Sierra Leones only psychiatric hospital, Abdul Jalloh, welcomed Bios declaration as a crucial step towards addressing drug use. It signifies the prioritisation of resources, attention and intervention to combat this growing epidemic," he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

With inputs from agencies
South Korean voters are voting today to pick 300 members of parliament and decide whether President Yoon Suk Yeol will be able to advance his socially conservative agenda. Here are the key political figures to keep an eye on read more

In an election year, South Korea is another country voting today to pick 300 members of parliament, with 254 members elected through direct votes in local districts and the other 46 allotted according to party support.

The election comes nearly two years after conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol won the 2022 presidential election by 0.73 per cent, the narrowest margin in South Korean history, over Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung.

Its a major political test for Yoon, who is dealing with low approval ratings due to an acrimonious doctors strike, rising food prices, and allegations of corruption, all of which could spell trouble for his People Power Party.

Advertisement

However, with Lee facing corruption charges, the Democratic Partys popularity has not improved significantly. Others in the fray include two former justice ministers, one a fallen star and the other a neophyte.

Heres what we know about the four key politicians who can make a difference in the South Korean elections  even though not all of them are personally on the ballot:

President Yoon Suk Yeol

Having won the 2022 presidential election by the narrowest margin in South Korean history, Yoons time in office has been stymied by low approval ratings and an Opposition-controlled legislature.

A former prosecutor and political novice, he shot to public attention for his uncompromising investigations of high-profile corruption scandals.

Hes charted new directions in foreign policy as president but his administration has failed to deliver at home, with public dissatisfaction over a lacklustre economy fuelling high disapproval ratings of his performance.

Additionally, outside of the party base, Yoons foreign policies have been generally unpopular, said Byunghwan Son, a global affairs professor at George Mason University.

South Korean presidents are elected separately but experts say Yoon will struggle to implement his agenda for the rest of his term, which ends in 2027, if his People Power Party (PPP) fails to win back control of parliament.

Advertisement

Lee Jae-myung

Lee lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon but is widely expected to run again in 2027, despite facing a slew of probes into alleged corruption, including over purported illicit fund transfers to North Korea. He denies all charges and trials are ongoing.

With South Koreas main Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung facing corruption charges, his partys popularity has not improved significantly. AP

A rarity among politicians in status-obsessed South Korea, Lee is a former child factory worker who rose to become a presidential contender by telling voters his working-class roots equipped him to fight inequality.

He was stabbed in the neck in January by a man pretending to be a supporter and has denounced South Koreas politics of hate  while continuing to attack Yoon and the PPP.

Advertisement

But as leader of the Opposition, Lee has been equally as uninspiring as the president, Andrew Yeo, a politics professor at the Catholic University of America, told AFP.

His focus is often steered towards blocking policies advanced by the PPP or criticising President Yoon rather than leading and governing his party.

Still, Lee would be seen as the most likely next president if his party wins by a landslide on Wednesday, Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korean Studies at the University of Oslo, told AFP.

Lee is running in the Gyeyang constituency in Incheon, west of Seoul.

Cho Kuk

Once a rising political star, former justice minister Cho Kuk was tipped to run for president before an academic admissions scandal in 2019 engulfed his family. Yoon led the investigation.

Advertisement

After falling from grace and being sentenced to jail  an appeal is pending  he has made a dramatic comeback this election season.

He launched the Rebuilding Korea Party last month and, with a fiercely anti-government platform, the party has been polling strongly.

Chos popularity is almost entirely driven by those in their 40s and 50s who identify as liberals, Claudia Junghyun Kim, an international affairs professor at City University of Hong Kong, told AFP.

They seem to be at the forefront of the increasing fandomisation of South Korean politics.

Advertisement

Chos party is only competing for the 46 seats out of 300 which are allocated by proportional representation.

Cho Kuk, leader of the South Korean Rebuilding Korea Party, has made a dramatic comeback this election season. AP

The party was polling at nearly 30 per cent approval last week, meaning  if the numbers hold  he could end up with 15 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament, and be an effective kingmaker.

The rise of a third party sends a message that people think the two main parties dont really represent them, said Linda Hasunuma, a political scientist at Temple University.

He is the protest vote.

Han Dong-hoon

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, a former star prosecutor, worked alongside Yoon on high-profile financial crimes and corruption cases, including the sale of now-defunct Korea Exchange Bank to Texas-based US private equity firm Lone Star Funds that resulted in a decade-long dispute.

Known for his tenacious and uncompromising style, he has conducted investigations into cases involving leaders of chaebols  the family-controlled conglomerates that are pivotal to South Koreas economy.

He became justice minister under Yoon but resigned to take up the leadership of the PPP, where he is widely popular with the partys conservative base. He is not running in the elections because the party leader does not have to be a sitting lawmaker.

Critics accuse him of political bias and employing aggressive prosecutorial tactics that may not be suitable for the political arena.

Hans popularity among the conservative wing of society represents its understanding of Lee and Cho being corrupt, hypocritical, Byunghwan Son, a global affairs professor at George Mason University, told AFP.

He is an antithesis to the Democratic Party but his lack of political experience means he has a lot to prove and his political stature would be easily threatened if PPP loses the election by a large margin, Son said.

With inputs from AFP
Dublin, April 9 (UNI) Simon Harris was formally appointed as Ireland's prime minister by the parliament on Tuesday, replacing Leo Varadkar, who resigned unexpectedly last month for "personal and political" reasons.

Harris, 37, has now become Ireland's youngest-ever prime minister, or Taoiseach. The Fine Gael party leader will lead a coalition government in Dublin, along with Fianna Fail and the Green Party.

Speaking after his nomination was backed by 88 votes to 69, Harris said he intends to lead the government "in the spirit of unity, collaboration, and mutual respect."

"I commit myself to doing everything that I can to honour the trust that you have placed in me today," he said.

The new prime minister said housing was "the greatest societal and economic challenge of our generation," underscoring his commitment to "moving mountains to help build more homes and drive more home ownership."

He also pledged to build a country that "drives innovation and rewards creativity, acts decisively on the climate crisis, and values rural and regional development."

Harris was previously minister for further and higher education before succeeding Varadkar as the Fine Gael party leader. He will assume office after a meeting with the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, Tuesday afternoon. He is also expected to announce a cabinet reshuffle later in the day.

UNI/XINHUA XC AKS
A group of elderly women in Switzerland, dubbed the Climate Grannies won the first-ever climate case victory in the European Court of Human Rights. In recent times, climate action cases have risen across the world  from 884 in 2017 to 2,180 in 2022. Experts note that such litigation will continue to see a rise this year as awareness also increases among the masses read more

Members of Swiss association Senior Women for Climate Protection celebrate after the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said Switzerland was not doing enough to tackle climate change, in the first such ruling on the responsibility of states in curbing global warming. AFP

Governments be warned: You must protect your citizens from climate change  its their human right.

On Tuesday (9 April), a group of elderly Swiss women, called KlimaSeniorinnen or Senior Women for Climate Protection, won the first ever climate case victory in the European Court of Human Rights. Europes top court ruled that Switzerlands efforts to meet its emission reduction targets had been woefully inadequate.

But this isnt the only such climate litigation case around the world. There are several such instances, with the United Nations stating that the total number of such cases has more than doubled since 2017 and is growing worldwide.

Advertisement

We take a closer look at the rise of climate action cases and why experts state that these will only increase in the years to come.

The Swiss climate case

On Tuesday (9 April), the Climate Grannies as they are called won a significant ruling on holding governments accountable for addressing climate change. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found that Switzerland failed to implement sufficient climate policies  violating the womens human rights.

The case finds its origins in 2016 when the elderly women complained about the failings of the Swiss authorities in terms of climate protection that could seriously harm their health. And after eight years of litigation, the women emerged victorious.

The ECHR ruled by 16 judges to 1 that the women were subject to a violation of Article 8 as well as (unanimously) Article 6  the right to a fair trial in their country.

Following the landmark verdict, Rosmarie Wydler-Walti, a leader of KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz, told Reuters, We keep asking our lawyers, Is that right?

And they tell us, Its the most you could have had. The biggest victory possible.

Anton Foley, climate justice activist with Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and Rosmarie Wydler-Walti, of the Swiss elderly women group talk to journalists after the verdict on three climate cases, where applicants have argued that government inaction on climate change violates human rights, case. Reuters

Popular Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg joined the women at the court in Strasbourg and hailed the decision. This is only the beginning of climate litigation. This means that we have to fight even more, since this is only the beginning. Because in a climate emergency, everything is at stake.

Advertisement

Switzerland will now be obligated to update its climate change policies; it would have to take greater action on reducing emissions, including revising its 2030 emissions reduction targets to get in line with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

As per experts, this ruling could have a ripple effect in Europe and beyond; it could set precedent for how courts could deal with climate litigation cases argued on the basis of human rights infringements.

Rising tide of climate litigation

But this isnt the only climate change lawsuit that has been filed. In 2020, six young people from Portugal filed a case against 32 European countries, including Britain, Switzerland, Norway, Russia and Turkey, seeking action against these nations.

Advertisement

The youth, aged between 12 and 14, argued that climate change threatens their rights to life, privacy, mental health and other matters. They had filed the case, they said, following the horrific wildfires of 2017. However, the ECHR had ruled out their case owing to geographic stretch. The court found that there were no grounds in the Convention for the extraterritorial jurisdiction sought by the applicants.

Portuguese students protest to demand action on climate change in Lisbon. In 2020, six young people from Portugal filed a case against 32 European countries for allegedly failing to do their part to avert climate catastrophe. File image/Reuters

Former mayor of the French town of Grande-Synthe, Damien Careme, had also brought a case in 2019, complaining about the deficiencies of the government putting his town at risk from rising sea levels. That case was rejected by the ECHR as Careme didnt live in France  having moved to Brussels to take a post as a member of the European Parliament.

Advertisement

In 2020, 16 children  between the ages of 5 and 22  took the American state of Montana to court for, they said, violating their right to a clean environment, which is enshrined in the states constitution. In 2023, after a protracted court fight, they won with the court stating that Montana must consider the effects of climate change when deciding whether to begin or renew fossil-fuel projects.

And as recently as 21 March, Indias Supreme Court recognised a right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change as a distinct right, emphasising that India must prioritise clean energy initiatives such as solar power. The judgment stemmed from a petition filed by wildlife activist MK Ranjitsinh and others to protect the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), a critically endangered bird found only in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Advertisement

Youth activists in Montana testified on the negative impact of climate change on the wellbeing and development of young people. File image/AFP

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), there is a rise in climate litigation and many are viewing it as a tool to secure climate action and justice. As per the UNEP, the number of climate action cases has increased from 884 in 2017 to 2,180 in 2022. And while most cases have been brought in the US, it is taking root across the globe with about 17 per cent of cases now being reported in developing countries, including Small Island Developing States.

Cause for rise in climate litigation

But why is there a rise in such cases? Dr Joana Setzer, an Assistant Professorial Research Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, has a theory on the increasing number of cases pertaining to climate change.

She said: We have seen a big increase in climate cases in the last 10 years or so and there are several interconnected reasons behind why this could be the case. Firstly, there has been an increase in awareness of the climate problem  the causes, the consequences and the urgency of acting. The science on this is very robust and we have a better understanding of the problems as a society. This helps provide the evidence needed for litigation.

There is also a growing sense of frustration that the law and passing legislation are not enough. Seeing heads of state go to international conferences and shake hands over new agreements is promising but not good enough. Often these promises dont translate into action, she further explained.

A man gestures as climate activists protest at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Climate litigation has become a truly global movement. File image/Reuters

And this is echoed by Richard Wiles, president of the Center for Climate Integrity, a non-profit that tracks and supports climate complaints. In a report published by The Guardian, he said, We might look back and say 2024 is the year that climate lawsuits really took off.

Experts also note that through this kind of litigation, people more vulnerable to climate change, including young people, women, and Indigenous people, are given a voice when they are otherwise left out of public policymaking. Its an equalizer in a way, because it provides different communities with this opportunity to challenge ambition in climate change action, in ways that at the regular governance level is not possible, said Maria Antonia Tigre of the UNEP.

Protesters take part in the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City in the Philippines. Climate action cases are a great equaliser. File image/AFP

Impact of climate litigation

Climate activists note that climate litigation has become a truly global movement; Dr Setzer was quoted as saying that it has grown to have a life of its own.

Moreover, it can safeguard a countrys climate policy from changing governments. For instance, the victory of the far-right in the Netherlands general election raised concerns that the countrys climate policy could be watered down. But a court decision set a minimum threshold for what the government must achieve.

In some cases, a climate change case can see impact beyond its original jurisdiction. Experts in Pennsylvania found that the Montata ruling gave fuel to adding green provisions into state constitutions.

It also gives impetus to climate awareness. More people are made aware of the hazards of climate change and may facilitate a change in peoples attitudes.

Climate litigation also helps to change the narrative and hold people and corporations accountable. An example of this would be French bank BNP Paribas announcing in May 2023 that it would stop funding new gas projects. The move came a few months after campaigners sued the bank for financing fossil fuels.

The year 2024 could also see new climate cases; litigants are attempting to hold corporations such as Delta Airlines, Nike and Etsy accountable for greenwashing. Theres also the new cases against plastic producers.

Only time will tell how climate litigation grows, but ones thing is for certain: its not going anywhere.

With inputs from agencies
The Swiss womens association Elders for Climate Protection secured a historic win on Tuesday when Europes top court faulted Switzerland for not doing enough to tackle global warming. Heres what we know about them read more

Rosmarie Wydler-Walti and Anne Mahrer, of the Swiss elderly women group Senior Women for Climate Protection, attend the hearing of the court for the ruling in the climate case Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v Switzerland, at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France. Reuters

On 29 March, 2023, around 2,000 women above the age of 64, a part of KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz (Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland), filed a case against Switzerland in the European Court of Human Rights, alleging that their governments inaction on climate change is violating their right to life and health.

Their case became the first climate complaint to be heard in public by the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber.

Advertisement

And now, a year later, Europes top rights court faulted Switzerland for not doing enough to tackle global warming, condemning the country for failing to take action against climate change.

The court noted that the Swiss state violated the right to respect for private and family life guaranteed by Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It also stated that climate protection is a human right, and that the regions governments are obligated to protect their citizens from the effects of global heating.

The decision, which cannot be appealed, is final and binding on the 46 countries that have signed the European Convention on Human Rights.

But what we know about these elderly women?

Above the age of 64 with shared climate concerns

In August 2016, a small group of women above retirement age who had bonded over concerns about climate change created the association to demand stronger action towards reaching the goals set by the 2015 Paris Agreement.

That agreement set targets for governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the aim of preferably limiting warming to below global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Advertisement

If everyone acted as Switzerland is doing today, global warming of up to three degrees Celsius could occur by 2100, the Elders for Climate Protection say on their website.

Keeping below 1.5 degrees is decisive to avert more serious threats to human rights.

Supporters and members of the association Senior Women for Climate Protection hold banners as they arrive for the ruling in the climate case Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v Switzerland, at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France. Reuters

Today, the association says it counts more than 2,500 members  all women over the age of 64 who live in Switzerland.

Their average age is 73, it said.

Elderly women are extremely vulnerable to the effects of heat, the association said, explaining its membership criteria.

It does not meanwhile place the same restrictions on its some 1,200 supporters.

The organisation has been arguing for climate protection to be recognised as a human right, pointing out that the increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves it is causing pose a real and serious risk to our lives and physical and mental health.

Advertisement

But the lawsuits it brought in Switzerland were all thrown out.

After failing to get a hearing before Switzerlands Supreme Court, the Elders for Climate Protection filed an appeal in 2020 with the European Court of Human Rights.

That court finally issued its verdict Tuesday, finding that the Swiss state had violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to respect for private and family life.

The lawyer of the Swiss association, Cordelia Bahr, said the court had established that climate protection was a human right.

Advertisement

Its a huge victory for us and a legal precedent for all the states of the Council of Europe, she said.

A librarian, a marriage counsellor and a young mother

Their association counts two co-presidents.

Anne Mahrer, a librarian from Geneva, has always been involved in environmental protection, first as part of the anti-nuclear movement in the 1970s, according to an annual listing of notable Swiss citizens published by the Illustre weekly.

She later got into politics, becoming a parliamentarian for the Green Party.

At her side is Rosmarie Wydler-Walti, who worked as an education and marriage counsellor in Basel.

As a young mother, she got involved in the environmental protection and feminist movements.

Advertisement

Greenpeace and the Elders for Climate Protection now plan to take their case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, with hearings expected to begin early next year. Reuters

In a profile published by the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, she said she felt moved to act after the traumatising Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 and by a fire in a warehouse storing chemicals near Basel the same year.

The Elders for Climate Protection has since the start enjoyed strong support from the Swiss chapter of Greenpeace, which among other things has stood as guarantor for its years of legal fees.

Since its creation in 2016, the association has raked up more than 122,000 Swiss francs (Rs 1.12 crore) in expenses, according to its website.

Tuesdays verdict is obviously a huge relief for the people who have been working on this case for years, Greenpeace spokesman Mathias Schlegel told the Le Temps daily.

It is a very emotional moment. I have even seen some of my colleagues in tears, he said.

Greenpeace and the Elders for Climate Protection now plan to take their case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, with hearings expected to begin early next year.

With inputs from AFP
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals lawyer will mention the case before the Supreme Court around 10:30 am on Wednesday and seek an urgent hearing read more

Arvind Kejriwal has moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday, a day after his plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged liquor policy scam was dismissed by the Delhi High Court.

Kejriwals lawyer will mention the case before the apex court around 10:30 am on Wednesday.

The Aam Aadmi Party convenors counsel will raise the matter before Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and seek an urgent hearing.

Advertisement

The ED arrested Delhi Chief Minister on March 21 in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy case.

On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwals plea, saying that his arrest was not in contravention of Law and remand cant be termed illegal.

Also Read: No specific privilege for CM, says Delhi HC rejecting Kejriwals arrest plea; AAP chief to stay in jail till Apr 15

The high court further said, according to materials provided by the ED, Kejriwal conspired with others and was actively involved in using the proceeds of crime.

Delivering the verdict, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma further said Kejriwal was involved in a personal capacity in the formulation of the now-scrapped liquor policy and demanding kickbacks, and as the national convenor of his party, he participated in activities linked to the scandal.
Thousands of fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been arrested for going near that islandNDA government is continuously releasing such fishermen and bringing them back. Not only this, five fishermen were given death sentences but I brought them back alive. DMK and Congress are not only the culprits of the fishermen but also the culprits of the country, said PM Modi in Vellore read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed the Congress and DMK for giving away Kachchatheevu to Sri Lanka as a result of which thousands of fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been arrested for going near that island and highlighted how his government brought back five fishermen alive who were given death sentence in the neighbouring country.

Addressing a public rally in Vellore, PM Modi said, Today the whole country is discussing another hypocrisy of Congress and the DMK party. When Congress was in government, these people gave Kachchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka. In which cabinet was this decision taken? For whose benefit was this decision taken? Congress is silent on this.

Advertisement

Thousands of fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been arrested for going near that islandNDA government is continuously releasing such fishermen and bringing them back. Not only this, five fishermen were given death sentences but I brought them back alive. DMK and Congress are not only the culprits of the fishermen but also the culprits of the country, he added.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Addressing a public rally in Vellore, PM Narendra Modi says, "Today the whole country is discussing another hypocrisy of Congress and the DMK party. When Congress was in government, these people gave Kachchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka. In which cabinet was pic.twitter.com/Gr004Zxmea  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

Lashing out at the DMK, he said that due to the partys family politics, the youth of Tamil Nadu are not getting a chance to move ahead.

DMK wants to keep Tamil Nadu trapped in old thinking, old politics, the whole DMK has become a company of a family. Due to DMKs family politics, the youth of Tamil Nadu are not getting a chance to move ahead. There are three main criteria to contest elections from DMK and move ahead in DMK. Three main criteria are-family politics, corruption and anti-Tamil culture, added the Prime Minister.

Advertisement

Accusing the DMK of divide and rule politics, he said the day people understand their politics, they will not get a single vote.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Addressing a public rally in Vellore, PM Narendra Modi says, "...whose protection do these drug mafias have? Which family does the drug mafia arrested by NCB belong to?... DMK Party makes people fight in the name of region, religion and caste. DMK knows that pic.twitter.com/7RbHVAkOk4  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

DMK makes people fight in the name of region, religion and caste. DMK knows that the day people understand the politics of divide and rule, DMK will not get a single vote. That is why they make people fight among themselves for votes. I have also decided that I will continue to expose this decades-old dangerous politics of DMK, said the PM.

He also acknowledged Tamil Nadus role in making India an emerging power in the world.

Tamil Nadu has made a huge contribution in taking India forward in the space sector. Tamil Nadus hard work has played a vital role in taking India forward in manufacturing. I am confident that the Defence Corridor being built in Tamil Nadu will take this state to new heights, said PM Modi.

Advertisement

Emphasising the importance of Tamil language, he said that he tries to speak Tamil at the United Nations so that everyone knows that it is the oldest language in the world.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Addressing a public rally in Vellore, PM Narendra Modi says, "...At the United Nations, I try to speak in Tamil language so that the whole world knows that our Tamil is the oldest language in the world..."



"As MP of Kashi, I have come to invite you to make pic.twitter.com/yWBTHGGd1h  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

At the United Nations, I try to speak in Tamil language so that the whole world knows that our Tamil is the oldest language in the world As MP of Kashi, I have come to invite you to make Kashi Tamil Sangam more glorious. Secondly, I was born in Gujarat and many families from Gujarat live here too. As a Gujarati, I invite you to the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam, said PM Modi.

With inputs from agencies
In its order, the Calcutta High Court announced the creation of a portal or email ID where the aggrieved parties can lodge their complaints read more

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will probe allegations of land grab, extortion and sexual assault by Trinamool Congress leaders in West Bengals Sandeshkhali, the Calcutta High Court ruled on Wednesday.

The court directed all cases pertaining to Sandeshkhali to be investigated by the central probe agency and asked the CBI to submit a report on the same.

Considering the complexity of matters in Sandeshkhali, there is no doubt an impartial investigation should be done. We are of the opinion the State has to give proper support to (whichever) agency is (placed) in charge, the High Court said.

Advertisement

The court will monitor CBIs investigation into the case.

Women from Basirhats Sandeshkhali, earlier this year, levelled accusations against TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan over sexual assault and extortion. The issue snowballed into widescale protests leading to Shahjahans arrest in March.

What did the HC say?

In its order, the Calcutta High Court announced the creation of a portal or email ID where the aggrieved parties can lodge their complaints.

The CBI shall file a comprehensive report and also enquire and investigate the grabbing of land. The agency will have the power to enquire anyone, including common people, government departments, Non-Governmental Organisations NGOs, etc, the court ordered.

Additionally, CCTV cameras and LED streetlights will be installed in various places to ensure the safety of women, the funds of which will be borne by the state.

Big win for victims

Reacting to the development, BJPs Amit Malviya said, Big win for the victims of Sandeshkhali. Calcutta High Courts bench, led by the Chief Justice, transfers all cases of women rape, assault, molestation and land grab in Sandeshkhali to the CBI, away from the WB Police."

Big win for the victims of #Sandeshkhali.



Calcutta High Courts bench, led by the Chief Justice, transfers all cases of women rape, assault, molestation and land grab in Sandeshkhali to the CBI, away from the WB Police.



Mamata Banerjee had defended rapist Sheikh Shahjahan for  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 10, 2024

Advertisement

He added, Mamata Banerjee had defended rapist Sheikh Shahjahan for over sixty days and called the protesting women propagandists, who were lying about rapes.
Announcing his resignation, Raaj Kumar Anand said AAP was born to fight corruption but today the party itself is mired in corruption read more

Delhi minister Raaj Kumar Anand, who is also under the Enforcement Directorate (ED) scanner, resigned on Wednesday from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Announcing his decision, Anand accused AAP of being anti-Dalit and mired in corruption.

Anand has resigned from both his posts as Delhis welfare, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes minister and AAP.

After resigning as Delhi minister and from AAP, Raaj Kumar Anand says, "Aam Aadmi Party was born to fight corruption but today the party is stuck in a swamp of corruption. It has become difficult for me to work on the minister's post. I resigned from the post of minister and from https://t.co/Zad3HoJ5vR  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

Advertisement

His resignation has added more trouble for AAP whose national convenor and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is in jail in connection with a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy case.

Dont want my name associated with AAP

Talking to the media after announcing his resignation, Anand, who is an MLA from Delhis Patel Nagar, said: The party was born to fight corruption but today the party itself is mired in corruption. I cant work in this government and therefore, I am resigning. I dont want my name to be associated with this corruption."

#WATCH | On his resignation from the post of Delhi Social Welfare Minister and Aam Aadmi Party, Raaj Kumar Anand says, "...I became a minister to pay back the society. I don't want to be part of a party that takes a backseat when Dalit representation is talked about. I am not pic.twitter.com/rcTs58lAIe  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

He went on to allege that there was no Dalit among the top leaders of AAP and that Dalit MLAs, minister,s or councillors of the party were not given any respect.

#WATCH | Raaj Kumar Anand says, "The connection with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal happened because he had said 'Rajniti badlegi toh desh badlega'...Today politics hasn't changed but the politician has. I have sent my resignation to the chief minister's office." https://t.co/Zad3HoJ5vR pic.twitter.com/FXMkM5LI8W  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

This party doesnt respect Dalit MLAs, councillors and ministers. In such circumstances, all Dalits fell cheated. We live in an inclusive society, but it is not wrong to talk about proportion. It is difficult for me to remain in the party with all these things, hence I want to tell that I am resigning from the post, Anand further said. constituency.

#WATCH | Delhi | Raaj Kumar Anand says, "We have 13 Rajya Sabha MPs, but none of them are Dalit, women or from backward classes. There is no respect for Dalit MLAs, councillors and ministers in this party. In such a situation, all Dalits feel cheated. Due to all this, it is pic.twitter.com/b2WAi7z7FK  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

Advertisement

First Delhi minister to resign after Kejriwals arrest

It is worth mentioning that Anand is the first minister in the Delhi government minister to quit his post and the AAP as a direct result of the arrest of Kejriwal and the liquor policy case.

ED case against Raaj Kumar Anand

Anand is under investigation by the ED and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in an alleged money laundering case relating to unaccounted business investments in hawala payments sent to China in 2023.

Advertisement

In November last year, the probe agency carried out raids at Anands residence in a money laundering case not connected to the liquor policy case.

The ED had initiated the investigation on the basis of the Prosecution Complaint filed by DRI against Anand and others for the commission of offence under various sections of the Customs Act, 1962.

As per the said complaint, Anand made Hawala Payments to China and evaded customs duty amounting to about Rs 7 Crore on various imports.

With inputs from agencies
 If you want to see the future, come to India. If you want to feel the future, come to India. If you want to work on the future, come to India. I have the great privilege of being able to do that every single day as the leader of the US Mission, said US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti read more

Praising Indias growth journey, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has said that if someone wants to see the future, they should visit India.

Addressing an event Impact & Innovation: 25 Years of Making Development a Ground Reality in Delhi, Garcetti said,  If you want to see the future, come to India. If you want to feel the future, come to India. If you want to work on the future, come to India. I have the great privilege of being able to do that every single day as the leader of the US Mission.

Advertisement

#WATCH | Delhi: Ambassador of the USA to India Eric Garcetti says, "... If you want to see the future, come to India. If you want to feel the future, come to India. If you want to work on the future, come to India. I have the great privilege of being able to do that every single pic.twitter.com/FROaV1DOnc  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

The envoy also attended a session with foreign policy experts which was organised by VIF India.

Taking to X, Garcetti said, Thanks to @VIFIndia for hosting an insightful discussion with foreign policy experts. Its exciting to see how the United States and India can work together in so many areas to tackle the worlds big problems."

Thanks to @VIFIndia for hosting an insightful discussion with foreign policy experts. It's exciting to see how the United States and India can work together in so many areas to tackle the world's big problems. As Swami Vivekananda once said during a U.S. visit, "Arise, awake, and pic.twitter.com/dI6O8sS3B8  U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) April 9, 2024

Advertisement

Invoking Swami Vivekananda, he said that the philosopher and religious leader during a visit to the US had once said: arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached.

As Swami Vivekananda once said during a U.S. visit, Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached. Together, lets work tirelessly towards a brighter future for all, Garcetti added.

Advertisement

US National Security Advisor also hailed the partnership between India and the United States, saying that the ties have reached a new height with collaboration on technology and other fields.

The partnership between the US and India, a country in BRICs, has gone to new heights with an engagement across technology and security and so many other dimensions, NSA Jake Sullivan told reporters at a White House news conference.

Sullivan was responding to questions on the decline in American leadership in the world, in light of Iran, Egypt, UAE, and Ethiopia joining BRICS, and Saudi Arabia mulling over becoming part of it.



I think if you look at the US role and standing in its relationships across the key regions of the world, we feel very good about where we are, Sullivan said.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
The legal notice asserts that Tharoors statements were intended to tarnish Chandrasekhars reputation and disrespected the Christian community of Thiruvananthapuram by implicating them in cash-for-votes activities read more

Union Minister of State for Information Technology and Electronics, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has taken legal action against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, accusing him of making defamatory statements during a recent television appearance.

Chandrasekhar, contesting against Tharoor in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming April 26 polls, alleges that Tharoor spread false information regarding bribery of influential individuals, including parish priests, by the BJP leader.

The legal notice asserts that Tharoors statements were intended to tarnish Chandrasekhars reputation and disrespected the Christian community of Thiruvananthapuram by implicating them in cash-for-votes activities.

Advertisement

It has also contended that the Congress MPs statements were in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The notice also claimed that the statements were also targeted at injuring the BJP leaders election campaign and benefitting Tharoor in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The legal notice to the Congress leader has sought that he immediately withdraw all the allegations made against Chandrashekhar on April 6, tender an unconditional public apology to him on print and electronic media and to cease, refrain and desist from defaming, harassing, hampering the reputation of the minister in the future.

It has warned that failure to comply with the stated conditions within 24 hours of receipt of the notice would lead to initiation of appropriate criminal and civil proceedings in a competent court of law.

With inputs from PTI
From raking up the Katchatheevu issue to promising people to make the state a Viksit Tamil Nadu, here are five key takeaways from PM Modis election rally in Vellore read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed a rally in Tamil Nadus Vellore ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024. Later in the day, Modi will also hold a rally in Nagpur.

The southern state of Tamil Nadu will go to polls on April 19 in a single phase.

From raking up the Katchatheevu issue to promising people to make the state a Viksit Tamil Nadu, here are five key takeaways from PM Modis election rally in Vellore:

Advertisement

- Accusing the Congress and Tamil Nadus ruling government Dravida Munnetra Kazgham (DMK) of keeping the people of the state in the dark, the prime minister said, They callously gave away the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka and meted out injustice to our fishermen. The NDA government has been continuously getting our fishermen released and getting them back home.

Congress and DMK have kept the people of Tamil Nadu in dark.



They callously gave away the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka and meted out injustice to our fishermen.



The NDA government has been continuously getting our fishermen released and getting them back home.



- PM pic.twitter.com/p51Gk5rlC8  BJP (@BJP4India) April 10, 2024

- The DMK party has earned the first copyright on corruption. It has been badly looting the state of Tamil Nadu, PM Modi said, adding sand smugglers have caused a loss of Rs. 4,600 crore to Tamil Nadu in just two years.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Addressing a public rally in Vellore, PM Narendra Modi says, "...whose protection do these drug mafias have? Which family does the drug mafia arrested by NCB belong to?... DMK Party makes people fight in the name of region, religion and caste. DMK knows that pic.twitter.com/7RbHVAkOk4  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

Advertisement

You can imagine, how big a game of loot is going on here, Modi said.

- Modi also emphasised the need to promote the Tamil language and said, At the United Nations, I try to speak in the Tamil language so that the whole world knows that our Tamil is the oldest language in the world.

Advertisement

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Addressing a public rally in Vellore, PM Narendra Modi says, "...At the United Nations, I try to speak in Tamil language so that the whole world knows that our Tamil is the oldest language in the world..."



"As MP of Kashi, I have come to invite you to make pic.twitter.com/yWBTHGGd1h  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

He added, As MP of Kashi, I have come to invite you to make Kashi Tamil Sangam more glorious. Secondly, I was born in Gujarat and many families from Gujarat live here too. As a Gujarati, I invite you to the Saurashtra Tamil Sangam.

- Highlighting the developments made under Bhartiya Janata Partys governance, Modi said, The NDA Government has been fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Vellore. Soon, the airport under the UDAN scheme will be operational here. It will place Vellore on the air connectivity map of India.

- Together, we will have to make a Viksit Tamil Nadu and a Viksit Bharat. In the last 10 years, the Central Government of the NDA has built the foundations for a developed India. Before 2014, India was famous for scams, and her economy was nothing but a shattered mess, Modi said.
India and the US have seen a strengthening of the bilateral relationship during the tenure of Prime Minister Modi, Sherman said, adding that at the same time, India continues to have a defence relationship with Russia, which was a challenge in the US-India relationship. read more

US Congressman Brad Sherman applauded Indias economic progress since 2014, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the face of development in the country.

The senior American Congressman said that India and the US have seen a strengthening of the bilateral relationship during the tenure of Prime Minister Modi. However, he also said that at the same time, India continues to have a defence relationship with Russia, which was a challenge in the US-India relationship.

Advertisement

In an interview with news agency PTI, the Congressman said He (Modi) has become the face of India, and weve seen very significant economic progress. Of course, every country has its challenges, every leader has its challenges. I dont ascribe the success of a country just to one leader. I mean, youve got 1.3 (sic) plus billion people and theyre all working together to try to make India a more successful country.

Sherman, 69, is the senior Democrat in the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has been working on the India-US relationship for the last 28 years.

Theres been a tremendous strengthening of the US-India relationship. I know this because I am the former chair of the US India Caucus here in the United States House, which is the largest. We made it the largest of all of the bipartisan caucuses. We have seen so much, particularly in the defence area with the largest joint operations and exercises with the sharing of military intelligence and a focus on trying to keep the Indo-Pacific free and peaceful, he said.

The trade between the United States and India has skyrocketed. Of course, Indo-Americans are the best educated and have the highest income of all the ethnic groups here in the United States, Sherman said.

The Congressman said he would like to see the trade relationship expand between the two countries.

Ive talked to a number of businesspeople about how India is an outstanding investment opportunity and a better place to do business than countries that arent democratic and do not have an established rule of law. Particularly those who manufacture in China should reflect on the fact that that is not a democracy and that is not a country whose tradition of the rule of law can be counted on, he said.

Advertisement

Its just critical in a businesss success to have access to a court system thats fair and honest. And India offers that some other countries dont, he said.

Were not on great terms with Russia right now. We all look forward to a successful resolution of the war in Ukraine, and I think that would certainly help the world a lot. I think that in India, when I talk to investors, theres still some red tape to deal with and I look forward to that improving, he said.

Sherman, who represents Californias 32nd Congressional District, said he would like to have an Indian consulate in Los Angeles.

Advertisement

Most importantly for me, I need to see an Indian consulate in Los Angeles. San Francisco is wonderful, but its hundreds and hundreds of miles away from the true center of American entrepreneurship, Los Angeles, Sharman said.

With inputs from PTI.
Leaders of Japan, S Korea, China could meet for trilateral summit in may

Tokyo, April 10 (UNI) Japan, China and South Korea are in the final stages of making arrangements to hold a high-level trilateral summit in late May, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will likely meet in South Korea, the rotating chair of the trilateral summit, on May 26-27 for the first trilateral summit in nearly four and a half years since December 2019, the report said.

The officials are expected to discuss regional affairs, including North Korea, and economic cooperation, the newspaper reported.
India is the fastest-growing civil aviation market in the world and has the third largest domestic operations with nearly 850 aircraft read more

The Indian government just initiated the process of having a unified Indian Single Sky Harmonised (ISHAN) air traffic management (ATM) operating from the centre of the country with central control in Nagpur. Currently, India has four Flight Information Regions (FIRs) - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and a sub-FIR in Guwahati. The government plans to merge all four into one. Effectively, India will have One Airspace. This will allow seamless flow of air traffic across the country and to neighbouring countries. It will streamline the entire airspace management. The move will mean not only optimising air traffic management but also hasten air movements, bring cost savings to airports and airlines and improve safety. It will also improve civil aviation situational awareness with a common air picture available across the country.

Advertisement

On average, Indian carriers ferried 4.17 lakh passengers a day on domestic flights in 2023 and the average daily domestic flight count stood at 2,891. The ISHAN process has been initiated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by seeking bids from consultants who would prepare a concept and how to source technologies from Indian and global companies. The Indian Air Force (IAF) Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) is a good example of such integration.

Current FIR system

In aviation, a flight information region (FIR) is a specified region of airspace in which a flight information service and an alerting service (ALRS) are provided. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) delegates which country is responsible for the operational control of a given FIR. The concept of FIRs first came up around 1947.

India is the major air navigation service provider in the Asia-Pacific region and controls over 5 million square kilometres. The plan now is to consolidate control over the entire India-based FIRs under a unified command centre in Nagpur. It will involve necessary secure seamless digital connectivity, integration of civil and in some cases military radars, connectivity of all air traffic controls (ATC), infrastructure development, controller training, relocating some controllers, and migration to the new system.

Implementation of plan

After the implementation of the plan, the air traffic controllers of each area control would not be required to coordinate domestic flights flying in upper airspace (above 25,000 ft), as they would all be handled by air traffic controllers (ATCOs) in Nagpur. The ATCOs in every region or airport would then only work to guide the flights approaching or taking off from an airport until it enters the upper space which is referred to as Area control in aviation parlance.

Advertisement

The concept is already in use in Chennai and Kolkata where the Chennai area controllers handle flights of Bangalore, Trichy, and Hyderabad and Kolkata area controllers handle flights of Bhubaneswar and Varanasi.

Benefits of combined single airspace

Once operationalised, the unified airspace will first give a combined air picture to all ATCs across the country. It will indicate traffic flow, congestion and emergencies at any point to all. It will facilitate efficient identification of ideal flight routes which will further result in reduced travel time and fuel consumption. It will greatly reduce carbon footprint. It will help approach and descent planning, in turn improving flight efficiency. It will allow monitoring of weather at destinations and plan possible diversions. In case of runway blockage for any reason, alternative airport options can be initiated much earlier.

Advertisement

It will also reduce the workload of the air traffic controllers. A controller sitting at an ATC, elsewhere in the country will be able to take over control of flights over another airport. Currently, there are no alternatives to deal with such an emergency and hence ISHAN will greatly improve safety. In case of any untoward incident like a hijack or natural calamity when the systems in Nagpur cannot be used, a backup available at individual airports can be used.

Thus it will be possible to plan ATC controller hiring and availability management accordingly. All controllers dont have to be residing in expensive metro cities and could be living in cheaper Tier-Two cities. The Airports Authority of India has asked for a detailed project report (DPR) to study the technology needed and available in the country for implementing ISHAN.

Advertisement

Lessons from IAFs IACCS

The entire Indian Air Force (IAF) sensors, offices, and personnel are digitally connected through the secure Air Force Network (AFNet). In short, AFNet is IAFs Digital Information Grid. It has greatly modernised defence communications with state-of-the-art communication infrastructure and supports net-centric military operations. AFNet was developed by the IAF in collaboration with Indias HCL Technologies and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. AFNet will be connected and extended to a Unified Digital Grid encompassing all arms of the Indian Armed Forces.

AFNet is an effective force multiplier for intelligence analysis, mission planning and control, post-mission feedback and related activities like maintenance, logistics and administration. A comprehensive design with multi-layer security precautions for Defence in Depth incorporates encryption technologies and intrusion Prevention Systems to ensure the resistance of the IT system against information manipulation and eavesdropping. It is designed for high reliability with redundancy built into the network design itself.

Advertisement

The AFNet is also capable of transmitting video from unmanned surveillance aircraft (UAV), pictures from airborne warning and control systems (AWACS) to decision-makers on the ground and providing intelligence inputs from remote areas.

Secure high-speed connectivity includes IAF radars, satellite pictures, visual and IR sensors, voice and video links, weapon platforms, and many others. IAF also gets the data feed from the radars of the Indian Army, navy and civil radars. IAF has also integrated satellite imagery and other sensors from airborne and ground-based platforms.

IACCS, an automated command and control system for Air Defence (AD), offensive strike, transport and heliborne operations, among others. It rides the AFNet backbone integrating all ground-based and airborne sensors, AD weapon systems and C2 nodes. It provides an integrated air situation picture to operators to carry out various military operations.

IAF thus has a comprehensive real-time air situation over the entire country and parts of the neighbourhood. It is possible for a controller sitting in Guwahati to control an air intercept over the Rajasthan sector, or a controller in Southern India to do the same over Kashmir Valley.

Military and civil ATC

India has a large number of dual-use airfields. Many IAF airbases have civil enclaves. Some civil airports have IAF enclaves. The IAF controllers are well-versed in civil ATC procedures. The use of military air traffic controllers for civilian traffic is not unusual globally. In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operates a wholly parallel system with that of the US Air Force and NORAD. This is also the case for Eurocontrol and each of its member nations air defence systems. Brazil already uses an integrated military and civil ATC and AD command system. As members of the military, controllers are not allowed to form unions or to strike. They are also a great asset during disaster situations.

Technologies supporting future air navigation

Clearly, single airspace and future air navigation are the result of advancements in technology. Ground-based, airborne radars and satellite-based sensors have made air navigation so much easier and safer. Aircraft and ground-based weather radars are also important. Satellite navigation systems like GPS and Indias NavIC allow accurate three-dimensional positions. Secure high-speed data links allow fast transfer of information, voice and video. Digital storage on-board or on the ground greatly supports ATC.

Accurate altimeters have allowed reducing aircraft altitude separation in flight. The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), also known as the Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) is an airborne system designed to increase cockpit awareness of nearby aircraft and serve as a last defence against mid-air collisions.

The Terrain Avoidance and Warning System (TAWS) acts as a safety net that automatically provides a distinctive warning to pilots when their aeroplane is, based on the radio altimeter and forward-looking radar of terrain closure rates derived therefrom, in potentially hazardous proximity to terrain.

The ICAO has been working closely on the Future Air Navigation System (FANS). FANS is an avionics system which provides direct data-link communication between the pilot and the ATC. It automatically transmits position. It also allows online clearances and acknowledgements. It leaves a digital record trail. FANS or an equivalent system would one day allow direct point-to-point routing, without the need to follow pre-designated airways.

Way ahead India

Technologies are making aviation one of the safest and fastest means of commuting. India is the major air navigation service provider in the Asia-Pacific region and shares its FIRs with 12 neighbouring countries. Single Airspace ISHAN will make all air traffic over India so much more efficient.

India is the fastest-growing civil aviation market in the world. It already has the third largest domestic operations with nearly 850 aircraft. The numbers will go up to 1500 by 2027-28. India is a transit point from the West to ASEAN countries and Australia. IAF is the fourth largest air force in the world. There is thus great action over Indian skies. Civil and military aviation must work closely and integrate for Comprehensive National Power (CNP). ISHAN is a great step for integration and efficiency.

The writer is Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Recently, a money trail had been established by the Enforcement Directorate of India (ED). Arrests were made and evidence in the form of documentation and accused turned approvers were cited as reason enough to arrest Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

In India, Kejriwals arrest was debated in the media as it should be for a few days. The rallies his party organised were permitted by Delhi Police (that comes under the Centre and not the state) yet only a motley bunch of supporters, not more than a handful arrived, mostly from Punjab, the only other state apart from Delhi where Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in power. Food from home, unlike for other prisoners was provided for Kejriwal and utmost care was taken of his health while he vowed to run the state from his new premises. Indians showed faith in the ED and other investigation agencies and moved on quickly to other trending news. But much to the surprise of Indians, it was the Western media and Western governments that seemed to be more concerned about Kejriwals arrest and the doom, according to the West, that it spelt for democracy.

Advertisement

The US State Department was quick to weigh into Kejriwals arrest. The US not once but twice reiterated its call for a fair and transparent trial for Kejriwal as well as raising concerns over Congress claims that their bank accounts had been frozen to prevent them from campaigning in the upcoming elections. This misplaced concern was also parroted by the United Nations. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said, What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyones rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair. The Ministry of External Affairs took a strong stance against the aspersions cast on Indias judicial and electoral processes and remarked that such comments constituted a clear interference in Indias internal affairs.

However, Western virtue signalling is not new to India. Their self-righteous woke Western academia, policymakers and media often find comfort in Indias left-leaning, anti-Modi and anti-Bharat lobby. The reality is that it is not India but rather the West that has a host of problems relating to not just political and ideological polarisation but also religious and racial divides. Thus, it is not surprising that according to a survey done by Pew Research Centre a majority of 54 per cent Americans have an unfavourable view of the US Supreme Court and about two-thirds of Black adults express an unfavourable opinion of the court, compared with roughly half of Hispanic, Asian and White adults. Furthermore, it is just a meagre 30 per cent of adults under 30 view the courts favourably.

In 2020, an interesting research paper co-authored by Jesse Shapiro, professor of political economy at Brown University, Levi Boxell and Matthew Gentzkow, economists at Stanford University found that affective polarisation across multiple Western nations had increased considerably since the late 1970s. They described affective polarization as a phenomenon where citizens feel more negatively towards other political parties than their own. The US leading the way amongst other Western countries such as Canada. However, Shapiro stated that the trend was exceptional in the US making it harder to achieve political compromise and create better public policy.

The political witch hunt that the unbridled political polarisation has steered is wholly evident in the obsession with Donald Trumps presidential candidacy. There are at the very least 36 states where formal challenges have been filed against him contesting and three states where they disqualified him from the primary ballots. The Colorado Supreme Court invoked the insurrection clause to disqualify an ex-president, the very first time in the history of the US that a court has done so. The US Supreme Court happened to overturn the Colorado ruling but the sheer perseverance to somehow declare Trump ineligible to run for presidency continued with the slew of criminal and civil cases filed against him. In 2023, 34 felony charges were brought against Trump by Manhattan district attorney Alvin L Bragg, months later Trump had to face 40 criminal counts through the now infamous civil trial led by New York Attorney General, Letitia James. She sued Trump and his adult sons for inflating the presidents net worth resulting in Trump being handed an unprecedented $454 million penalty. It has also been reported widely in mainstream media that efforts to ban Trump from the presidential race have been promoted and funded by politically vested donors such as George Soros through activist groups such as Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and Free Speech for People (FSP). The US must come to terms with the fact that the power of decision lies with the people, not with those in power at least in a democracy.

Advertisement

Therefore, it would be prudent for the West led by the leader of the free world to look inward before pointing fingers at countries that they remarkably feel should be following their lead. The harsh realities of their democratic institutions are emerging for the world to see even though they attempt to distract the world from their own failings by being critical of brown democracies. These neo-colonialist approaches find favour amongst the few remaining influencers who are in the case of CREW and FSP supported by anti- Bharat billionaire disruptors.

Unfortunately for these disruptors, the largest and the most robust democracy in the world will see a staggering 960 million people vote. The hegemony that the US enjoyed once is on a decline and Indias rise is undeniable in an increasingly multipolar world. The criticism of Indias internal matters reeks of the inability of the West to accept the rise of a country that challenges their undue criticism and draws its boundaries. In the words of Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, There is a certain maryada (restraint) amongst countries. There are certain etiquettes, conventions and practices that must be followed in international relations. Maybe, its time that the West learns from Indian democracy because as it stands India does not need Western democracy.

Advertisement

The author is an anthropologist and a scholar of the northeast region of India. She is a columnist and author and presently Distinguished Fellow at India Foundation, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
In these complex geo-political challenges on renewable energy, some of the Indian initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Global Bio-Fuel Alliances, and the initiative on Green Hydrogen provide the base for the fruition of global cooperation in the domain of renewable energy sector which will ensure energy justice globally.

Indias initiative on solar energy

Since 2010, India has constantly emphasized solar energy as an important renewable energy source. In this regard, it may be highlighted here that India took the lead in terms of providing an institutional framework to harness solar energy at the global level. The same took place when the International Solar Alliance(ISA) came up in November 2015 in the aftermath of the Paris Agreement at the joint initiative of India and France.

Advertisement

As the Framework of the Agreement emphasized The ISA strives to develop and deploy cost-effective and transformational energy solutions powered by the sun to help member countries develop low-carbon growth trajectories, with particular focus on delivering impact in countries categorized as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). To achieve the said goal, the ISA earmarked USD 1,000 billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030.

Since its inception in 2015, around 120 countries have joined the alliance, making it truly a global body for enhancing sustainable energy security at the same time addressing climate concerns. In recent years, looking at the potential of solar energy in the renewable sources of energy basket, the ISA has set a target of, as studies suggest, 75,000 GW of solar energy with a market of 4 trillion dollars, as disclosed by a report of ISA. As suggested by the above report, the solar energy industry will be $4 trillion by 2040. This shows the growth potential of this sector and its impact on ensuring energy equity and energy justice for the Global South countries. At the same time, the ISA, through its technological and financial assistance, will also help countries of the Global South to reduce their carbon footprint, thus helping them to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).

In this context, there is a need to highlight that Indias initiative to harness solar energy can be considered a gamechanger in the global energy market. It may be noted that even countries like Saudi Arabia, considered to be major exporters of oil, are now mulling to go for solar energy. The African countries discussed above are getting the necessary technological assistance to harness solar energy. It may be recalled here that at Indias initiative, the Global Solar Fund was created within the framework of ISA, in which, as reported, India contributed around $25 million as an initial corpus fund.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, We set up the International Solar Alliance and took the initiative to bring countries together under the vision of One World One Sun One Grid. This reflects Indias commitment to providing clean energy security to the global community, thus mitigating the adversarial effect of climate change.

Advertisement

Indias role in strengthening biofuel energy sector

Along with ISA, another important Indian initiative is biofuel. This sector of energy is playing a catalytic role in the renewable energy sector at the global level. It has been observed that, like solar energy, biofuel can largely constitute an important source of energy because it can be harnessed easily and will reduce greenhouse emissions compared to fossil fuel. Like solar energy, it is cost-effective also. This can be understood from the fact that by relying on this indigenous source of energy, India can, to a significant extent, reduce the import of fossil fuels from the international market. To regulate the domestic bioethanol industries, the Government of India brought out the first systemic policy framework titled National Policy on Biofuels -2018.

Advertisement

The policy paper emphasized the fact that the Government aims to undertake necessary interventions as and when required with respect to domestic production, storage and distribution of biofuels adopting a consultative approach by involving all stakeholders. The policy paper has also emphasized ensuring domestic raw material for biodiesel production is integral for long term success of this programme. The same policy was amended in 2022 when the government brought additional changes to enhance biofuel production in India. Since ethanol is one of the major sources of bioenergy, the NITI Aayog, in cooperation with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, in its report titled Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India, 2020-2025, highlights that Cereals, particularly maize, and Second Generation (2G) biofuels with suitable technological innovations offer the promise of a more environmentally benign alternative feedstock for the production of ethanol.

Advertisement

One of the major factors that pushed bioethanol production in India is the easy availability of raw materials like maize and the waste agricultural products necessary to produce bioethanol. Emphasizing why bioethanol is going to be the major source of energy in the future energy basket of India, the IEA(International Energy Agency), in its study, highlighted that India is now the worlds third-largest producer and consumer of ethanol thanks to nearly tripling production over the past five years. It has the potential to expand further with the right policies, keeping costs in check and securing sustainable feedstocks. The IEA study is reflective of the progress made in harnessing bioenergy to meet energy security requirements. It may be recalled here that, as per the IEA study, India is the third largest producer and consumer of biofuel in the global market.

Advertisement

At the same time, India used its leadership in the biofuel sector by contributing to the creation of the Global Biofuel Alliance. It can be noted that the basic objective for initiating the Global Biofuel Alliance India was to provide cheap and effective energy to the global community. This is, in fact, consistent with energy justice as enshrined in the declaration of Climate Summit Agreements. As enshrined in the objective of the Global Biofuel Alliance, it aims at facilitating cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels, including in the transportation sector. It will place emphasis on strengthening markets, facilitating global biofuels trade, development of concrete policy lesson-sharing and provision of technical support for national biofuels programs worldwide.

As stated, this alliance was part of Indias initiative under the G20 Presidency. The formal initiative for the Global Biofuel Alliance came up at the sideline of the G20 Summit that took place in New Delhi. At the sideline of the summit under the initiative of India, US and Brazil, considered the major producers of bioethanol, Argentina, Mauritius, Bangladesh, and UAE allied formally.

The significance of the alliance can be understood from its membership, where the Global North countries, such as the US and are also from the Global South, are making common efforts to harness biofuel as an alternative source of energy. In this context, India is playing the role of a bridge between the Global North and the Global South in harnessing this important energy source. The sustainable goals enshrined in the UN SDGs can also be realised through harnessing biofuel. Thus, this alliance can play a major role in harnessing biofuel through an institutional framework. Thus, the credit for forming the Alliance goes to India, which worked in cooperation with the developed and developing countries, as seen in the grouping to achieve the UN SDGs goals. The same is the case with green hydrogen, which is going to play a major role in securing future energy security.

Indias role in promoting green hydrogen

Another important initiative which India has launched in recent years at the global level is green hydrogen. The scientific community has acknowledged in recent years that green hydrogen is one of the most effective sources of energy and will help mitigate carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. One of the major advantages of green hydrogen is that the technology available to harness it is quite cheap and easily available, as studies suggest it can be stored without any cumbersome process. As has been observed by the International Energy Association 2023 report on Green Hydrogen, low-emission hydrogen is a key opportunity for decarbonising sectors where emissions are hard to abate. The report further added that hydrogen-based fuels are expected to gain ground in the future due to their greater resource potential and life-cycle emissions reductions.

Thus, understanding the significance of green hydrogen as a major source of energy Government of India has taken considerable steps in this regard. The most important step in this regard is the adoption of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The basic objective of the National Green Hydrogen Mission is to augment green hydrogen capacity[which] is likely to reach 5 MMT per annum, contributing to reduction in dependence on import of fossil fuels.

Though the Green Hydrogen Mission got the approval of the Cabinet in January 2023, Prime Minister Modi, in his address to the nation on the rampant of Red Fort on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day celebration, announced the National Hydrogen Mission on 15 August 2021. In his address, Prime Minister Modi said, We have to make India a Global Hub for Green Hydrogen Production and Export in the Amrit Kaal. This will not only help India to make a new progress in the field of energy self-reliance but will also become a new inspiration for Clean Energy Transition all over the world.

Understanding the significance of Green Hydrogen, NITI Aayog in its Report titled Harnessing Green Hydrogen: Opportunities for Deep Decarbonisation in India highlighted that driven by the low cost of renewables in the country, India can still emerge as one of the most competitive sources for green hydrogen in the world. To achieve this Government of India has launched a number of projects which include enhancing battery storage capacity as well as transporting the same to the market. Given the high potentiality of bioenergy, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has earmarked 17,490 crore up to 2029-30.

This shows the importance of green hydrogen in Indias future energy basket. Indias progress in harnessing green hydrogen aims to ensure both self-sufficiency in harnessing and, at the same time, boost the export potential in the external market. Understanding the future potentiality of green hydrogen, Germany has signed an agreement with India. For instance, the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force was signed in May 2022. Prior to that, India and the US signed the Hydrogen Task Force as its basic objective was to serve as a forum for thought leaders to achieve affordable hydrogen solutions. India has also signed a similar agreement with France for harnessing hydrogen. As reported, efforts are being made to export green hydrogen to many European countries. Indias closer partnership with the European countries was evident from the fact that in September 2022, the First EU-India Green Hydrogen Forum took place, where joint cooperation in green hydrogen was discussed at length.

This engagement with the EU gives India an upper hand in enhancing its presence in the EUs energy market. Similarly, India is also mulling cooperation with Japan. If this happens, India is going to be the hub of green hydrogen in the near future. A report published by the US-based Belfar Centre, Harvard Kenny Centre, titled, India  The New Global Green Hydrogen Powerhouse?, predicts that India to corner new green hydrogen markets connecting the Middle East, Europe, and other key countries in the Global South.

One may recall that India has reached an agreement with Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia to develop green hydrogen. By strengthening cooperation with these West Asian countries, India can secure a base in this region for exporting green hydrogen to the markets of Mediterranean countries. The proposed IMEC Corridor can also push Indias green hydrogen diplomacy in both Europe and West Asia.

The G20 Summit held in New Delhi discussed the importance of green hydrogen. The summit has also acknowledged the role played by India as president of the G20 Summit in highlighting the importance of green hydrogen energy. As the New Delhi G20 Summit Declaration underlined, to build a sustainable and equitable global hydrogen ecosystem that benefits all nations.

The summit declaration has also acknowledged Indias initiative to establish the Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre. It may be noted that this hydrogen innovation will be part of the International Solar Alliance. The basic objective of the Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre is to provide a one-stop platform that consolidates and disseminates the latest advancements, insights, and resources related to green hydrogen. Like the solar alliance, the Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre will address the concerns of the Global South countries by providing them with technology and other necessary support to ensure a sustainable energy transition. It can be stated that green hydrogen will also provide an alternative energy source to the Global South countries and help them find a smoother energy transition. This, in a way, also mitigates the adversarial effect of climate change.

A closer look at some of Indias initiatives concerning renewable energy demonstrates that in the near future, it can shape new discourses on global renewable energy rooted in the age-old Indian traditional ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam , which will benefit mankind.

Conclusion

The uncertainty associated with the global energy market and the issues of mitigating the adversarial effect of climate change will propel the need for more renewable energy in the form of green hydrogen, bio-fuel or solar energy. Even nuclear energy and wind energy can also play a vital role in securing energy security. By harnessing renewable energy sources at a mass scale, India is providing the necessary alternative to the fossil fuel-dominated global energy market.

One important aspect of Indias renewable energy sector is that in the near future, this sector will reduce Indias import of fossil fuels from the global market. India is also helping the Global South countries by providing technology and financial assistance to harness renewable energy. This, to a substantial extent, will address Global South countries energy concerns.

India is also providing new normative norms in the domain of global energy governance, which will address the concerns of Global South countries. By highlighting issues like greater technological diffusion, financial assistance to the Global South countries for harnessing renewable energy will certainly empower the Global South in the global negotiation on renewable energy. What is important to underline here is that India is advocating an inclusive global energy order in the domain of the renewable energy sector.

By initiating the formation of the International Solar Alliance, the Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre and the Global Bio-Fuel Alliance, India is giving a new direction to renewable energy regimes at the global level. Similarly, India is also providing the necessary leadership to the Global South countries at various global forums like G20 and climate summits by articulating the demand of the Global South.

The author teaches at the School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Apple is proving to be a major creator of blue-collared jobs in India. In its latest intitative to improve the lives of its employees. Apple will be making about 78,000 houses for its factory workers in India. Tamil Nadu will get about 58,000 of these houses read more

Apple has announced a rather groundbreaking initiative that will be a major boost for its factory workers, especially women.

In a bit to improve the well-being of its factory employees in India Apple will be developing housing units for them. This move is yet another example of the kind of perks Apples employees enjoy, both on the corporate side, as well in factory conditions.

Apples commitment to bolstering the welfare of its workforce has been a pivotal aspect of its operations in the country.

Advertisement

Over the past two and a half years, Apple has been instrumental in creating blue-collared jobs in India, contributing to the generation of over 150,000 jobs directly.

Now for Apple, the focus has shifted towards providing improved living arrangements for these employees, to ensure efficiency, security, and overall welfare.

As per a report by The Economic Times, Apples housing initiative in India is similar to what it does in countries like China and Vietnam, where it has a very deep and widely spread logistics network.

In India, Apple will be constructing more than 78,000 housing units under a public-private partnership scheme. This will be the largest private sector initiative of its kind, claims the report.

Tamil Nadu is home to the largest iPhone manufacturing plant in the country, owned by Foxconn. Additionally, the state also has several other locations where Apple or some of its suppliers have set up shop. Naturally, the state will also get the most number of housing units. The report by ET suggests that Tamil Nadu may get about 58,000 units.

Advertisement

Several key stakeholders are involved in this project, including the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT), Tata Group, and SPR India. These entities are investing both capital and effort to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Support from the central government, state governments, and private investors will also prove to be integral. Apple hopes that the housing units will be completed by March 31, 2025.

Apples new housing project is primarily targeted towards women factory workers, many of whom are between the ages of 19 and 24 and have to live far away from their families. Most of these women live in rented accommodations which are far from the city centre as well as the factories.

Advertisement

These housing units should help them with long distances from their rented accommodations to their workplaces. Additionally, other companies collaborating with Apple, such as Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and Salcomp, will also utilize these housing facilities for their employees.

This initiative forms part of Apples broader strategy to diversify its manufacturing operations across various regions, mitigating risks associated with over-reliance on a single country. By prioritizing the well-being of its workforce and providing them with quality living spaces.

(With inputs from agencies)
While Apple may not move out California any time soon, a lot of other major tech companies like Tesla and HP have moved out of the state already, and set up base in either Texas or Florida read more

Apple Inc. is expanding its footprint in the city of Miami, Florida and is aligning with other major tech companies who have been strengthening their commercial presence in region.

Fortune, quoting sources familiar with the matter, reports that the tech giant is set to occupy a new 45,000 square feet or roughly 4,181 square meters in a new building located in Coral Gables, a prosperous suburb south of Miami.

Apple already operates a smaller office nearby, primarily focusing on Latin American operations and advertising, including the sale of advertising slots within the App Store.

Advertisement

Furthermore, the company is expected to open a substantial new retail store at the $4 billion Worldcenter development in Miami.

Since the advent of the pandemic, South Florida has become a focal point for the ultra-wealthy and their enterprises, with numerous firms either relocating to the area or expanding their existing operations.

For example, Amazon too. is actively seeking around 50,000 square feet in Miami following founder Jeff Bezoss relocation from Seattle to Florida.

Similarly, Microsoft has recently leased a new office space in the city, which is situated in the same building slated to house the headquarters of Ken Griffins Citadel.

Apples upcoming Miami space will be located at The Plaza Coral Gables, a development project financed by Agave Holdings, a Mexican family office supported by profits from the tequila industry, if reports are to be believed. Raymond James has also established a presence in the building.

This surge in demand for office space has consequently led to a sharp rise in rental prices, with asking rates for commercial properties in Miami approaching $57 per square foot, according to insights from commercial real estate advisor Avison Young.

In recent years, we have seen many big tech companies pull out of California and move to Texas, or Florida, the most popular among them being Tesla, HP and Oracle, all of whom have moved to Texas.

While political leaders in the US will claim all sorts of things about immigration and other issues, the fact of the matter is its mostly about money. The cost of living in Californian cities has skyrocketed, especially when you look at commercial real estate.

Advertisement

The regulatory environment is too rough and makes it extremely tough for businesses. Moreover, talent in the tech industry doesnt want to give up the possibility of working from home. It is looking for a better deal, and so are the companies that want to keep them happy.

Furthermore, tax incentives also play a massive role. Because companies dont pay state income tax means serious savings for both the businesses and their employees. Add the business-friendly climate and affordable commercial real estate, and its no surprise that tech companies find places like Austin and Miami irresistible.

(With inputs from agencies)
Elon Musk and Starlink have the ability to block and disable these black marketed terminals. However, there is no way to tell if the black market sellers have found a way to bypass these measures read more

Just weeks after Ukrainian forces first alleged that Russia may have hijacked and hacked into their Starlink network and may be using it to attack Ukrainian forces, a new report claims that Russia was able to set up their own Starlink system on their own, using terminals that they bought from the black market, and possibly from the dark web.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Starlink satellite internet terminals, developed by Elon Musks SpaceX, are apparently being used by Russian forces for coordinating attacks in eastern Ukraine and parts of Crimea. The terminals are also allegedly deployed on the battlefield to manage drones and other military equipment.

Advertisement

Despite being banned in Russia because of US-imposed sanctions these terminals are reaching Russian forces through a clandestine network of black market sellers. Some of these sellers even provide guarantees of delivering these terminals to the frontlines. These sellers have even managed to buy these terminals from eBay.

It is not just Ukraine where Starlinks terminals have popped up. The black market for Starlink terminals extends is also servicing Sudan, where Sudanese dealers reportedly resell units to the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group accused of various atrocities. The WSJ report claimed that hundreds of Starlink terminals have made their way to members of this group.

Back when Ukrainian soldiers had claimed that the Russians were using Starlink to coordinate attacks on Ukrainian units, Elon Musk took to X, claiming that to the best of his knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold to Russia.

The Kremlin also responded to these claims, saying that they had no access to Starlinks network. Russia, however, has been requesting Musk to provide them with Starlinks terminals and access to the network.

House Democrats have urged Musk to take action, suggesting that the Russian militarys use of the technology violates US sanctions and export controls.

Advertisement

Musk and Starlink have the ability to disable individual terminals, and each unit includes geofencing technology to prevent unauthorized use in certain countries.

Musk had previously restricted Ukraines use of Starlink, claiming the terminals were not intended for military conflicts. He blocked Ukraines use near Crimea, which disrupted plans for an attack on Russias naval fleet.

However, Ukraines advisor criticized Musk for this decision, blaming it for civilian casualties.

Musk countered, stating Starlink was never operational near Crimea and the policy was implemented before Ukraines planned attack.

This begs the question why terminals that are actively being used by forces that have been sanctioned by the US, havent been blacklisted and disabled. However, it should be made clear, that there is no way to tell if the black market sellers have found a way to bypass these measures.

Advertisement

(With inputs from agencies)
Elon Musk believes that SpaceXs Starship spacecraft will be crucial in colonising Mars and creating the infrastructure to sustain human life and civilisation on that planet read more

Elon Musk is betting big on its its Starship spacecraft, and believes it will be crucial to colonise Mars. Image Credit: File

Elon Musk has been talking about his big idea to establish human settlements on Mars for nearly eight years now, starting with a speech in Mexico back in 2016. This weekend, at SpaceXs base in South Texas, Musk once again talked about his goal to make life possible on other planets.

He told SpaceX employees that its really important to move beyond Earth and spread human life elsewhere in the universe. Musk worries that if we only stay on Earth, something bad might happen and wipe out humanity.

Advertisement

This is not a new idea for Musk or for anyone who follows his work closely. Over the years, Musk has become a bit controversial because of his behaviour. But when it comes to space travel, his plans seem more believable because SpaceX has made real progress.

SpaceX has already launched three test flights of its Starship spacecraft, and there could be a fourth one next month. Musk told the team that this might seem unbelievable, but its happening for real.

Musk talked about two important parts of Starship: the booster, which helps the spacecraft get off the ground, and the upper stage, which goes to space. He explained that SpaceX has been successful with reusable boosters in the past and hopes to do the same with the new Super Heavy booster for Starship.

Theyre even planning to try catching the booster with a big tower on its next test flight.

The upper stage of Starship is trickier because it has to come back to Earth through the atmosphere. SpaceX wants it to land safely, but it burned up during a test flight in March. Musk hopes they can fix this problem soon.

SpaceX is also busy building more infrastructure for Starship, including new launch towers in Texas and Florida. Theyre planning to make Starship even bigger so it can carry more stuff into space, which is important for missions to Mars.

Musks ultimate dream is to build a city on Mars with millions of people living there. He thinks this will take a lot of work, with many rockets launching every day and hundreds of missions to Mars over the years.

Advertisement

Its a big challenge, but SpaceX has already surprised many people with what theyve achieved. So, maybe Musks Mars vision isnt so crazy after all.

(With inputs from agencies)
During a conversation with one-time Barack Obama aide David Axelrod, Pelosi slammed the Israeli premier about his approach towards the ongoing war in Gaza read more

Former US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Source: AP

Amid the raging Israel-Hamas war, Former US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is only concerned with his own political survival.

During a conversation with one-time Barack Obama aide David Axelrod, Pelosi slammed the Israeli premier about his approach towards the ongoing war in Gaza. Earlier today, Biden issued one of his strongest criticisms towards Netanyahu and echoed the same sentiments.

Ive said this to Netanyahu over the years, I dont know whether you dont know how to make peace, you dont want to make peace, or youre afraid of peace. But you could do so much more instead of just throwing red meat to [the] crowd, which is what he did, Pelosi averred.

Advertisement

The erstwhile house speaker was citing Netanyahus family background. The Israeli Prime Ministers father Benzion Netanyahu was a scholar of the Spanish Inquisition, whose hawkish views and expertise on antisemitic genocide have been said to have influenced the prime ministers ideology.

No, I think hes interested in one thing, his own survival, and thats it," she added.

Cracks in US-Israel ties

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making a mistake in regard to his approach towards the Israeli armys operation in Gaza.

The American commander-in-chief went on to urge the Israeli premier to call for a ceasefire in the conflict-stricken coastal enclave.

Bidens recent comments on the matter have become one of his strongest criticisms yet of the Netanyahu administration since the start of the war which was triggered by the October 7 massacre by Hamas.

Advertisement

I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, Biden told Univision, a US Spanish-language TV network. The president reiterated that the Israeli drone attack that killed seven aid workers was outrageous.

What Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country, he furthered.

A policy shift

Both aggressive remarks marked a significant shift in Americas initial approach towards the war.

During the initial days of the conflict which was triggered by the October 7 massacre by Hamas in Southern Israel, the United States maintained that the burden lay on Hamas to agree to a truce and release the hostages.

Advertisement

In recent weeks, the POTUS has also stepped up his pressure on Israel to let more aid enter Gaza and mentioned that countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt are prepared to deliver food to the region.

Theres no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now, he averred.

The proclamation from Biden came days after Israel withdrew its troops from southern Gaza and temporarily opened the Erez Crossing and Ashdod port for the delivery of aid in the region.
Interestingly, the controversial law in question came into force even before Arizona became a state and went unenforced for decades after the US Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide in the 1973 decision Roe v Wade read more

A major political and legal turmoil erupted in the United States after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the state must adhere to the controversial 160-year-old law that bans all cases of abortions except in cases when it is necessary to save a pregnant persons life.

The problematic law can be traced back to as early as 1864 and the recent ruling could curtail abortion access in the US south-west. It can also make Arizona one of the biggest battlefields of the upcoming 2024 US Presidential elections.

Advertisement

Interestingly, the controversial law in question came into force even before Arizona became a state and went unenforced for decades after the US Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide in the 1973 decision Roe v Wade.

The law which was codified in 1901, carries a prison sentence of two to five years for abortion providers. The recent ruling puts Arizona among the states with the strictest abortion laws in the country, alongside states like Texas, Alabama and Mississippi.

According to the 4-2 ruling, the ban can only be enforced prospectively.

Condemnation within the state

During the hearing held on Tuesday, the state Supreme Court delayed the enforcement of the law for 14 days to give plaintiffs an opportunity to pursue a lower court on the question of whether the law is constitutional or not.

While speaking at a news conference shortly after the court decision was made public, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes pledged that no or doctor will be prosecuted under this draconian law  as long as I am attorney general. Not by me, nor by any county attorney serving in our state. Not on my watch.

Advertisement

Her office assured that they are looking to pursue options available to them to ensure that the law is not implemented in the state.

Todays decision to reimpose a law from a time when Arizona wasnt a state, the Civil War was raging, and women couldnt even vote will go down in history as a stain on our state, she said in a statement.

Biden condemns the ruling, Kamala plans to visit the state

The judgment stirred a major storm among the democrats including US President Joe Biden. The POTUS condemned the decision by the court and called it cruel and extreme.

He also pointed out that the law was first enacted well before women even had the right to vote.

Advertisement

Millions of Arizonans will soon live under an even more extreme and dangerous abortion ban, which fails to protect women even when their health is at risk or in tragic cases of rape or incest. This cruel ban was first enacted in 1864more than 150 years ago, before Arizona was even a state and well before women had secured the right to vote, he said in a statement.

The American commander-in-chief went on to call the decision a product of the extreme agenda of the elected Republican officials.

Vice President Harris and I stand with the vast majority of Americans who support a womans right to choose. We will continue to fight to protect reproductive rights and call on Congress to pass a law restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade for women in every state, he furthered.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to travel to Tucson, Arizona just days after the controversial ruling. According to Politico, the campaign trip was already in the works prior to the courts decision and will likely focus on abortion rights and access.

The White House said that the vice president is planning to highlight extremists in the state who were pushing for abortion bans.

A Trumpian outlook

Former US President Donald Trump on Monday released a video in which he said that abortion rights should be left to the states.

My view is now that we have an abortion where everyone wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both. And whatever they decide must be the law of the land. In this case, the law of the state, he said in a video statement on TruthSocial.

Advertisement

Many states will be different. Many will have a different number of weeks, or some will be more conservative than others, and thats what they will be. At the end of the day, this is all about the will of the people, he added.

However, the comment received major backlash from his conservative colleagues including former Vice President Mike Pence and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham who said that Trumps outlook did not go a long way when it comes to protecting the Right to Life.
Migration is a central issue in this years presidential campaign. Former President Donald Trump, Bidens likely Republican opponent in the Nov. 5 election, has accused Biden of bungling border issues. read more

The US administration is trying to determine the authority to unilaterally close the southern border with Mexico to migrants if such action becomes deemed necessary, President Joe Biden said in a televised interview on Tuesday

Biden explained to Univision during the interview that bipartisan legislation, which would have conferred upon him the authority to close the border, had been obstructed by Republicans in Congress. Consequently, he has been urged to consider acting independently in light of the stalled legislative efforts.

Advertisement

Were examining whether or not I have that power, Biden said, adding there was no guarantee he has the power without legislation.

Migration is a central issue in this years presidential campaign. Former President Donald Trump, Bidens likely Republican opponent in the Nov. 5 election, has accused Biden of bungling border issues.
New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to accept the second apology of Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna in the contempt case over the publication of misleading medical advertisements, as the contemnors deliberately evaded personal presence before the court.

The bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah refused to accept the latest apology affidavit filed by Patanjali co-founder Baba Ramdev, his company Patanjali and its Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna expressing "unconditional and unqualified apology" for airing the advertisements in breach of an undertaking given to the Court in November last year.

Despite the directions issued by the court to both Ramdev and Balkrishna to be personally present before the Court in todays hearing, no one was present.

On the last hearing, both of them were present before the Apex court to tender their apology, but today Baba Ram Dev and Acharya Balkrishna filed an affidavit seeking exemption of their presence in the court as they were travelling abroad.

'The court remarked that Ramdev tried to evade personal appearance by making false claims about foreign travel.'

The Court observed that though the applications were filed on March 30, the flight tickets produced as annexures, "strangely enough", were dated March 31.

In the latest affidavits, Balkrishna and Ramdev admitted that the tickets were issued on a day after the affidavits were sworn and explained that at the time of filing of the affidavit, the photocopies of the tickets were annexed.

The court said, "Fact remains that the date when the affidavits were sworn (March 30), there was no such ticket in existence. Therefore, the assumption is that the respondents were trying to wriggle out of their appearance before the Court, which is most unacceptable," the Top Court stated in the order.

The bench told Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Patanjali that the affidavit is merely "on paper" and warned that the proposed contemnors should be ready to face penal action for violation of the undertaking.

The Court declined to accept the undertaking saying that "We consider it a deliberate violation of undertaking. Why should we not treat your apology with the same disdain as shown to the court undertaking? Justice Kohli remarked.

Rohatgi said that the contemnors are prepared to issue a public apology. However, the court did not grant any relief and refused to accept the apology.

The bench had expressed dissatisfaction with the affidavit submitted by Patanjali MD since it contained certain comments terming the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954 "archaic.

Today, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta told the Court that he had advised the lawyers to withdraw the first affidavit, as it was written in conditional terms and filed an unconditional affidavit.

The SG further said that he was curious to know what he missed in advising. The court responded to this and said that the SG had done all he could, but the affidavit.

The Court also came down heavily on the State of Uttarakhand for the failure of its licensing authorities to take legal action against Patanjali and its subsidiary Divya Pharmacy. The bench asked why it should not think that the authorities were "hand in glove" with Patanjali/Divya Pharmacy.

The Court directed that all officers holding the post of Joint Director of the State Licensing Authority, Haridwar between 2018 and till date shall also file affidavits explaining inaction on their part.

The matter pertains to a contempt case which arises out of a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association against Patanjali's advertisements attacking allopathy and making claims about curing certain diseases.

After the Apex Court's notice, Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balakrishna had assured the court in last November that it would refrain from such advertisements.

Noting that the misleading advertisements continued, the Court issued a contempt notice to Patanjali and its MD in February.

In March, considering that a reply to the contempt notice was not filed, the personal appearance of the Patanjali MD as well as Baba Ramdev, who featured in the press conferences and advertisements published after the undertaking, was ordered by the Court.

Subsequently, the Patanjali MD filed an affidavit saying that the advertisements were meant to contain only general statements but inadvertently included offending sentences. It was further stated that the advertisements were bona-fide and that Patanjali's media personnel was not cognizant of the November order (where the undertaking was given before the top Court).

In the affidavit, Baba Ramdev also wrote that the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act was in an "archaic state" as it was enacted at a time when scientific evidence regarding Ayurvedic medicines was lacking.

UNI SNG CS
The visit marks a crucial step in enhancing collaboration between the two countries to ensure a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific, as highlighted by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan read more

US President Joe Biden received Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House, highlighting efforts to strengthen bilateral relations in the face of growing concerns over Chinas assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

During their meeting, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted Prime Minister Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida to a seafood dinner at a local restaurant. Additionally, Biden extended an invitation to Kishida for a State Dinner scheduled for Wednesday, aiming to deepen ties with Indo-Pacific nations.

Advertisement

The visit marks a crucial step in enhancing collaboration between the two countries to ensure a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific, as highlighted by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

The Indo-Pacific region, encompassing the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea, holds strategic importance for global trade and security. In response to Chinas escalating military activities in the region, countries like the US, India, and others advocate for a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific.

Chinas expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea have led to disputes with neighboring countries such as Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Beijings construction of artificial islands and military installations in the area has raised tensions and prompted calls for regional stability and adherence to international laws.

Over the course of the visit, the president and the prime minister will highlight the high ambition of our alliance, in the defence and technology space but also across the board, deepening our partnerships on space, technology, economic investment, fighting climate change, coordinating global diplomacy, and strengthening our people to people ties, said Sullivan.

Advertisement

According to him, the two leaders will announce measures to enhance the defence and cooperation of forces.

There will be major deliverables on space as we lead the way on space exploration and returning to the moon, Sullivan told reporters at a news conference.

There will be announcements of significant research partnerships between our leading institutions on critical and emerging technologies such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), quantum, semiconductors, and clean energy. All of this will strengthen our economic ties and economic security as we announce significant commercial deals as part of the state visit, he said.

Japan is one of the largest providers of economic assistance and budget support to Ukraine, one of the largest investors in development and infrastructure in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Advertisement

The visit will highlight Japans continued role in global diplomacy and development and the coordination that the US and Japan have together with significant deliverables on global assistance and investment both inside and outside the Indo-Pacific, Sullivan said.

We will also announce new initiatives to further foster our cultural connections and promote ties between current changemakers and future generations of leaders, he said.

Following his visit, Kishida will initiate the evening that will carry through tomorrow, he said.

The pair will be joined later this week by Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in a summit set to bolster trilateral maritime cooperation in the South China Sea.

Advertisement

President Biden will welcome President Marcos of the Philippines to the White House on Thursday for his second bilateral meeting at the White House in as many years, Sullivan said.

Biden is also slated to host the first-ever trilateral leaders summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines  three closely aligned maritime democracies with increasingly convergent strategic objectives and interests.

According to the NSA, the three leaders will announce initiatives to enhance energy security, economic and maritime cooperation, partnerships on technology and cybersecurity, and joint investments in critical infrastructure.

With this first-ever leaders trilateral, were continuing to deepen our cooperation with our closest partners to ensure what weve talked about many times from this podium and elsewhere, a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, Sullivan said.

Advertisement

Earlier on Tuesday, the President and First Lady welcomed Kishida Fumio and Kishida Yuko at the White House for a guest book signing and official gift exchange.

They then went to BlackSalt, a seafood restaurant in the Palisades neighbourhood of Northwest DC.

The two leaders have met nearly a dozen times over the past three years in Tokyo and Washington and in cities around the world.

with inputs from PTI
The US, Britain and Australia formed AUKUS in 2021, part of their efforts to push back against Chinas growing power in the Indo-Pacific region. China has called the AUKUS pact dangerous and warned it could spur a regional arms race. read more

Chinas government has denounced remarks made by a senior US diplomat that the AUKUS submarine project between Australia, Britain and the United States could help deter any Chinese move against Taiwan.

The project, finalised by the three countries last year, entails Australia acquiring nuclear-powered attack submarines as part of efforts by the allies to counter Chinas increasing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Last week, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, the US State Departments No. 2 diplomat, stated that the new submarine capabilities would contribute to peace and stability, particularly in the strait that divides China and Taiwan.

Advertisement

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, despite the objections of the government in Taipei, and is regularly angered by what it views as foreign inference in a domestic issue.

His remarks are very dangerous, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, told reporters in Beijing when asked about what Campbell had said.

The establishment of the so-called trilateral security partnership between the United States, Britain and Australia is essentially to provoke military confrontation in the region through military cooperation in small circles, she added.

Any attempt to use military cooperation to intervene in the Taiwan issue is to interfere in Chinas internal affairs and is a threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region, Zhu said.

The US, Britain and Australia formed AUKUS in 2021, part of their efforts to push back against Chinas growing power in the Indo-Pacific region. China has called the AUKUS pact dangerous and warned it could spur a regional arms race.

None of the AUKUS countries have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

While the U.S. has long been Taiwans most important international backer and arms supplier, both Britain and Australia have stepped up support for the island and expressed concern at Chinese military pressure against it.

Advertisement

Speaking to Reuters while on a trip to Taipei as part of an Australian lawmaker delegation, Dave Sharma, a senator from the opposition Liberal Party, said AUKUS has certainly been of interest to our Taiwanese counterparts.

Both AUKUS and the Quad  the group of the U.S., Australia, India and Japan  exert a stabilising presence in the region allowing cooperation, information sharing and joint exercises, Sharma said, following meetings with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen as well as defence and security officials.

I think Taiwanese counterparts see this as reassuring because it sends a message to Beijing that these countries have a joint interest in maintenance of security across the Taiwan Strait, he added.

Advertisement

With inputs from Reuters.
Kurt Campbell, the deputy secretary of state, declared on Tuesday that Washington will not sit by and say everything is fine following Beijings reaffirmation of its commitment to collaboration with Moscow during the visit of the Russian ambassador read more

Xi and President Vladimir Putin have agreed to maintain "close exchanges" to ensure the steady development of bilateral ties Image Courtesy AP

China declared on Wednesday that it would not submit to criticism or pressure about its relations with Russia, following a warning from Washington that Beijing will be held accountable should Moscow acquire influence in Ukraine.

Kurt Campbell, the deputy secretary of state, declared on Tuesday that Washington will not sit by and say everything is fine following Beijings reaffirmation of its commitment to collaboration with Moscow during the visit of the Russian ambassador.

Advertisement

Responding to this, spokeswoman for the foreign ministry Mao Ning emphasized that normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Russia is a right.

This kind of cooperation should not be interfered with or limited, and China also does not accept criticism or pressure, she said on Wednesday.

The two nations have increased their communication in recent years, and since Moscows invasion of neighboring Ukraine, their strategic alliance has only been stronger.

According to analysts, China is in a stronger position than Russia in their relationship, and this advantage will only increase as Moscows international isolation grows as the war continues.

President Xi Jinping and senior diplomat Wang Yi were the two parties with whom Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met on Tuesday. The two announced plans to enhance their strategic partnership.

According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Xi informed Lavrov that China placed great importance on its relations with Moscow and stands ready, with Russia, to strengthen bilateral communication, (and) strengthen multilateral strategic coordination.

Xi and President Vladimir Putin have agreed to maintain close exchanges to ensure the steady development of bilateral ties, the readout said.

Advertisement

While China says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has been criticised for refusing to condemn Moscow for its offensive and for indirect support for the war effort by continuing to trade with Russia.

US officials have recently stepped up warnings to Beijing against providing indirect aid to the Russian war effort.

In Brussels last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters that China continues to provide materials to support Russias defence industrial base.

And Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who wrapped up a visit to China on Monday, said she had warned officials of the consequences of supporting Russias military procurement.

Advertisement

Campbell reiterated on Tuesday that we have told China directly, if this continues, it will have an impact on the US-China relationship.

We will see this not as just a Russian unique set of activities but a conjoined set of activities backed by China but also North Korea, he told the National Committee on US-China Relations, an educational group.

This is antithetical to our interests, he warned.

Beijing responded on Wednesday that it has always played a constructive role in seeking a resolution to the war in Ukraine.

If any country is truly concerned about peace in Ukraine, and hopes for an early end to the crisis, they should first reflect on the root causes of the crisis, Mao said.

Advertisement

(With agency inputs)
Europes top human rights court on Tuesday declared that the Swiss government had breached its citizens human rights by inadequately addressing climate change  a landmark ruling poised to shape forthcoming climate litigation read more

Members of Senior Women for Climate Protection react after the court verdict in Strasbourg, on Tuesday. Reuters

Europes top human rights court on Tuesday declared that the Swiss government had breached its citizens human rights by inadequately addressing climate change  a landmark ruling poised to shape forthcoming climate litigation.

According to a Reuters report, in her ruling, Court President Siofra OLeary said the Swiss government had failed to comply with its own targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and had failed to set a national carbon budget.

It is clear that future generations are likely to bear an increasingly severe burden of the consequences of present failures and omissions to combat climate change, Reuters quoted OLeary as saying.

Advertisement

The decision, favoring over 2,000 Swiss women who initiated the case, is expected to reverberate throughout European courts and beyond, encouraging more communities to pursue climate-related lawsuits against governments.

However, amid the surge in climate litigation, the court dismissed two other climate-related cases on procedural grounds, underscoring the intricacies involved. One of these cases was brought forth by six Portuguese youth against 32 European governments, while the other was initiated by a former mayor of a coastal French town, highlighting the multifaceted challenges in navigating climate justice, the report added.

The Swiss women, known as KlimaSeniorinnen and aged over 64, said their governments climate inaction put them at risk of dying during heatwaves. They argued their age and gender made them particularly vulnerable to such climate change impacts.

One of KlimaSeniorinnens leaders, Rosmarie Wydler-Walti said she was struggling to grasp the full extent of the decision.

We keep asking our lawyers, Is that right?. And they tell us its the most you could have had. The biggest victory possible, Reuters quoted Walti as saying.

The Swiss Federal Office of Justice, which represented the Swiss government at the court, took note of the ruling.

Advertisement

Together with the authorities concerned, we will now analyse the extensive judgment and review what measures Switzerland will take in the future, it said in a statement.

Climate litigation on the rise

The cases before the 17-judge panel in Strasbourg, France, are among the increasing number of climate lawsuits brought by citizens against governments that hinge on human rights law.

The verdict in the Swiss case, which cannot be appealed, will have international ripple effects, most directly by establishing a binding legal precedent for all 46 countries that are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights.

It indicates Switzerland has a legal duty to take greater action on reducing emissions.

Advertisement

If Switzerland does not update its policies, further litigation could follow at the national level and courts could issue financial penalties, Lucy Maxwell, co-director of the non-profit Climate Litigation Network, said.

Switzerland has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, from 1990 levels. Bern had proposed stronger measures to deliver the goal, but voters rebuffed them in a 2021 referendum as too burdensome.

The verdict could also influence future rulings at the Strasbourg court, which had put six other climate cases on hold pending Tuesdays decisions.

These include a lawsuit against the Norwegian government that alleges it violated human rights by issuing new licences for oil and gas exploration in the Barents Sea beyond 2035.

Advertisement

(It) sets a crucial legally binding precedent serving as a blueprint for how to successfully sue your own government over climate failures, Ruth Delbaere, legal campaigns director at global civic movement Avaaz, said of the Swiss cases outcome.

Courts in Australia, Brazil, Peru and South Korea are considering human rights-based climate cases. Indias supreme court held in a ruling last month that citizens have the right to be free from the adverse impacts of climate change.

In the case brought by the Portuguese youngsters, the court ruled that while a states greenhouse gas emissions may have an adverse impact on people living outside its borders, it did not justify prosecuting a case across multiple jurisdictions.

Advertisement

It also noted that the young people had not exhausted legal avenues within Portugals national courts before coming to the ECtHR.

I really hoped that we would win against all the countries, Sofia Oliveira, one of the Portuguese teens, said in a statement.

But the most important thing is that the Court has said in the Swiss womens case that governments must cut their emissions more to protect human rights. So, their win is a win for us too and a win for everyone.

With inputs from agencies
The Chairperson of the 35-member International Atomic Energy Agency has scheduled a meeting for Thursday and said both Russia and Ukraine had written to him earlier this week requesting an extraordinary meet in Vienna read more

Chairperson of International Atomic Energy Agency has called for a board meeting on Thursday after attacks on Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Reuters File

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog, has called for an emergency meeting between Russia and Ukraine after a series of drone attacks hit one of Europes largest nuclear power plants in Zaporizhzhia.

Both Russia and Ukraine have traded blame for drone strikes on one of the six nuclear reactors at the Russian-controlled nuclear plant, inviting staunch condemnation from the IAEA Director Rafael Grossi on Monday.

Grossi warned that such attacks significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident. Though all the nuclear plant reactors are shut, it requires constant power to cool them and prevent a potentially disastrous meltdown.

Advertisement

Both warring sides call for emergency meet

The Chairperson of the 35-nation Board of Governors has called for a meeting on Thursday at its Vienna headquarters after both Russia and Ukraine had written to him the previous day requesting a meeting of the board, IAEA said in a note to media.

The note to chairperson also had letters attached, written by both the warring sides stating their purpose for the meeting.

Moscow said it wanted a meeting on the recent attacks and provocations of the armed forces of Ukraine against Zaporizhzhia. On the other side, Kyiv demanded to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the safety, security and safeguards implications, a Reuters report said.

UN nuclear watchdog calls for truce

Earlier this week, Grossi had called for an immediate ceasefire after the facilitys main reactor was directly hit in a strike, however, he refused to blame either party for the attack in which one worker died.

This is a clear violation of the basic principles for protecting Europes largest (nuclear power plant). Such reckless attacks significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident and must cease immediately, Grossi had said.

On Tuesday, Russia claimed that Ukraine had once again launched drone attacks on the plant for the third consecutive day. In response, Kyiv denied any involvement in such attacks, asserting that any incidents were orchestrated by Moscow.

Zaporizhzhia continues to remain at the centre of the conflict, ever since Russia occupied the nuclear plant during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. IAEA Board has so far passed four resolutions and condemned Russian actions against Ukrainian nuclear facilities.

Advertisement

With input from agencies
The billionaire was expected to travel to India later this month and declare his intention to invest there and establish a new plant read more

Musk, who also founded SpaceX, called himself a "fan" after meeting Prime Minister Modi in the US in June last year

In a post on social media platform X on Wednesday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirming reports of a planned visit to India and that he is looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister @NarendraModi in India! Mr Musk posted on the microblogging platform, which is also owned by him, on Wednesday.

The Tesla CEO did not, however, provide an estimated time of the visit.

Advertisement

The billionaire was expected to travel to India later this month and declare his intention to invest there and establish a new plant.

Musk, who also founded SpaceX, called himself a fan after meeting Prime Minister Modi in the US in June last year.

The CEO of the electric vehicle manufacturer has stated, I am confident Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible.

Less than a month ago, India unveiled a new electric car policy aimed at attracting investments by reputed global manufacturers that would reduce taxes by up to 85% on the import of a specific number of EVs. This announcement coincides with the billionaires arrival.

The policy allows companies which establish passenger electric car manufacturing facilities to import a certain quantity of automobiles at a lower customs or import charge of 15% on vehicles costing at least $35,000 (roughly  29 lakh) for a term of five years.

It gives EV manufacturers three years to establish production facilities in India and mandates that they invest a minimum of  4,150 crore ($500 million). Within five years, achieving 50% domestic value addition is the other essential condition. According to the localization provision, 25% must be reached by the end of the third year.

Advertisement

According to media reports, Tesla representatives are anticipated to travel to India in April to look for potential locations for a manufacturing factory that would need to be funded with approximately $2 billion.
A fire in a residential building in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning killed at least five people and left over 30 injured. read more

Firefighters attend to a building called New Lucky House where a fire started in Hong Kong, April 10, 2024 | Source: AP

A fire engulfed a Hong Kong building - the New Lucky House, a residential complex nestled in the Jordan neighborhood, on Wednesday morning. The incident claimed the lives of at least five individuals while leaving over 30 others injured.

The disaster unfolded in the early hours of the morning. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene following distress calls at 7:53 am, deploying firefighters to contain the fire, reported AP.

Thick smoke engulfed the building, with occupants seen signaling for help from upper floors while firefighters utilised elevated platforms for rescues.

Advertisement

According to police reports, three males and two females lost their lives in the incident. Initial investigations indicate that the fire may have originated in a gymnasium situated on the first floor of the building, though the exact cause is yet to be determined.

According to AP, authorities, including Eric Chan, the Chief Secretary for Administration, have expressed shock and have pledged a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

Injuries sustained by occupants were attended to at various hospitals, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Kwong Wah Hospital, reported Hong Kong Free Press.

The government has established a temporary shelter at the Henry G. Leong Yau Ma Tei Community Centre to assist those affected by the tragedy.
The vehicle the three sons, Hazem, Amir, and Muhammad, were driving in in Gazas Al-Shati camp was bombed, resulting in their deaths, according to Hamas. The attack also claimed the lives of two of Haniyehs grand children and injured a third read more

Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas, lost three sons to an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Wednesday, according to Haniyehs family and the Palestinian Islamist terrorist organization.

The vehicle the three sons, Hazem, Amir, and Muhammad, were driving in in Gazas Al-Shati camp was bombed, resulting in their deaths, according to Hamas. According to Hamas media, the attack also claimed the lives of two of Haniyehs grand children and injured a third.

Advertisement

Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position, Haniyeh told pan-Arab Al Jazeera TV.

The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people, said Haniyeh, who is based abroad in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar.

Since the battle with Israel has raged back in the Gaza Strip, where Haniyehs family home was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike back in November, he has become the tough-talking face of Hamas international diplomacy.

On Tuesday, Hamas announced that although it was intransigent and did not address any of the Palestinian requests, it was still evaluating an Israeli proposal for a truce.

In the midst of a seven-month conflict that has seen Israels air and ground assault decimate Gaza, Hamas demands an end to Israeli military activity, an evacuation from the territory, and the ability of Palestinians who have been internally displaced to return home.

Haniyehs eldest son confirmed in a Facebook post that his three brothers were killed.

Advertisement

Thanks to God who honoured us by the martyrdom of my brothers, Hazem, Amir and Mohammad and their children, wrote Abdel-Salam Haniyeh.

Since being appointed to the groups top position in 2017, Haniyeh has traveled back and forth between Turkey and Doha, the capital of Qatar, to avoid being restricted from leaving blockaded Gaza. This has allowed him to participate in the most recent ceasefire discussions and interact with Iran, Hamas principal partner.

Israel accuses Haniyeh and other Hamas officials of continuing to pull the strings of the Hamas terror organization and views the whole Hamas leadership as terrorists.

Its unclear, though, how much Haniyeh was aware of the cross-border attack on Israel on October 7th, which was carried out by agents located in Gaza. The attack plan was formulated by the Hamas military council in Gaza, and was kept so secret that its timing and scope appeared surprising to some Hamas officials overseas.

Advertisement

(With agency inputs)
Tensions between Russia and foreign technology companies have escalated over issues including content moderation, censorship, data management, and local representation, particularly following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 read more

A Russian court has upheld a 4.6 billion rouble ($49.4 million) fine imposed on Alphabets Google for its alleged failure to delete content deemed by Russia as fake regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

Despite the decision, Google has refrained from immediate comment on the matter.

Tensions between Russia and foreign technology companies have escalated over issues including content moderation, censorship, data management, and local representation, particularly following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Advertisement

The Moscow City Court affirmed the ruling of the Tagansky District Court, dismissing Googles appeal, as announced by the Moscow courts press service on Wednesday via Telegram.

Previously, Russian news agencies indicated that the fine was also levied against Google for its purported negligence in removing extremist material and disseminating what Russia labels as LGBT propaganda.

Alphabets YouTube has been a particular target of the Russian states ire but, unlike Twitter and Meta Platforms Facebook and Instagram, it has not been blocked.

The fine, announced in late December, was calculated as a share of Googles annual turnover in Russia. The company was handed similar turnover-based penalties of 7.2 billion roubles in late 2021 and 21.1 billion roubles in August 2022. In both cases its appeals were rejected.

With inputs from Reuters
Bidens recent comments on the matter have become one of his strongest criticisms yet of the Netanyahu administration read more

As the ongoing Israel-Hamas war continues to rage on, US President Joe Biden said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making a mistake in regard to his approach towards the Israeli armys operation in Gaza.

The American commander-in-chief went on to urge the Israeli premier to call for a ceasefire in the conflict-stricken coastal enclave. Bidens recent comments on the matter have become one of his strongest criticisms yet of the Netanyahu administration since the start of the war which was triggered by the October 7 massacre by Hamas.

Advertisement

I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, Biden told Univision, a US Spanish-language TV network. The president reiterated that the Israeli drone attack that killed seven aid workers was outrageous.

What Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country, he furthered.

A major shift in Bidens stance

The presidents remarks on a ceasefire marked a significant shift from his previous comments in which he maintained that the burden lay on Hamas to agree to a truce and release the hostages.

In recent weeks, the POTUS has also stepped up his pressure on Israel to let more aid enter Gaza and mentioned that countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt are prepared to deliver food to the region.

Theres no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now, he averred.

The proclamation from Biden came days after Israel withdrew its troops from southern Gaza and temporarily opened the Erez Crossing and Ashdod port for the delivery of aid in the region.

Advertisement

Biden has strongly supported Israel following the October 7 attack, insisting that the Jewish nation has the right to defend itself. However, in a tense call with Netanyahu last week, he finally warned that the United States would be forced to change its policies if Israel does not change its own practices in Gaza.

Another ceasefire proposal remains on the table

It is pertinent to note that Bidens comment came in the lead-up to CIA Director Bill Burns delivering a new proposal for a ceasefire deal over the weekend.

The proposal was submitted to the negotiators in Cairo on Tuesday and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that Hamas has not yet provided any response to the proposal.

Advertisement

Sullivan said that he had asked the prime minister of Qatar, who has acted as a mediator in the ongoing talks, to push the group for a quick response to a proposal that would secure the release of hostages, CNN reported.

He does not yet have an answer from Hamas, Sullivan said. I pressed him to try to secure an answer from them as soon as possible.

Overall the relations between Netanyahu and Biden administrations continue to remain tense. Amid the chaos, the Israeli Prime Minister revealed that he has a set date for a major offensive on Rafah near the Egyptian border. In the past, Washington has strongly opposed Israels ground operation in Rafah.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
In attacking our consulate, it was as if they attacked our own soil, Khamenei stated. He asserted that the responsible regime must face consequences for its actions, promising that retribution will be exacted read more

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reaffirmed on Wednesday his commitment to retaliate against Israel following the deaths of Iranian generals in Syria.

Speaking at a prayer ceremony marking the conclusion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Khamenei condemned the recent airstrike that destroyed Irans consulate in Syria, labeling it as an assault on Iranian territory.

In attacking our consulate, it was as if they attacked our own soil, Khamenei stated.

He asserted that the responsible regime must face consequences for its actions, promising that retribution will be exacted.

Advertisement

The airstrike resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, including seven members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, four Syrians, and a member of the Hezbollah militia.

While Israel has not officially admitted involvement in the attack, anticipation mounts for an Iranian retaliation in what has become an intensifying covert conflict between the two nations.

Khameneis remarks were broadcast live on state TV, although he refrained from specifying the nature of Irans intended response.

Khamenei also criticised the West, particularly the US and Britain, for supporting Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

It was expected they (would) prevent (Israel) in this disaster. They did not. They did not fulfil their duties, the Western governments, he said.

Iran supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. It does not recognize Israel.

With inputs from The Associated Press
An Israeli air strike has killed at least 14 Palestinians, including four children, in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, according to media report, citing the Gaza Civil Defence read more

A man brings an injured child to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Tuesday. (AFP)

An Israeli air strike has killed at least 14 Palestinians, including four children, in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, according to media reports, citing the Gaza Civil Defence.

The airstrike targeted a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza belonging to the Abu Yousef family in the camp, completely destroying the house and causing damage to nearby homes, Xinhua reported Palestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses on Tuesday.

According to the report, citing medical sources, 14 people, including children, were killed in the airstrike, and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. All the injured were transported to hospitals, it added.

Advertisement

Earlier in the day, the Gaza health ministry announced that the Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip reached 33,360 since the start of the war on Oct 7 last year.

With inputs from agencies
The international community cannot help the Palestinian state if it does not recognise its existence, Sanchez told lawmakers Wednesday. Since the start of the war in Gaza more than six months ago, the socialist premier has pushed for Europe to accord such recognition. read more

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned on Wednesday, saying that Israels disproportionate response in the Gaza conflict with Hamas poses a risk of destabilizing the Middle East and consequently the entire world.

Sanchez also asserted that the recognition of a Palestinian state, which has long been resisted by Israel and its key allies, aligns with Europes geopolitical interests. He had previously broached the topic of statehood during a recent visit to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, suggesting that Spain could potentially recognize Palestine as a nation by the end of June.

Advertisement

The international community cannot help the Palestinian state if it does not recognise its existence, Sanchez told lawmakers Wednesday. Since the start of the war in Gaza more than six months ago, the socialist premier has pushed for Europe to accord such recognition.

His criticism of the Gaze war has also raised tensions with Israel. Israel launched its invasion of Gaza after the deadly October 7 attacks by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.

Palestinian terrorists also took more than 250 hostages, 129 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli army says are dead. Speaking on Wednesday, Sanchez said Israels absolutely disproportionate response had overturned decades of humanitarian law and threatened to destabilise the Middle East and, as a consequence, the whole world.

Israels retaliatory offensive has killed at least 33,360 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry.- Ongoing criticism -In February, Sanchez and his Irish counterpart at the time, Leo Varadkar, asked the European Union to urgently examine whether Israel was complying with its human rights obligations in Gaza as laid out in a key accord that links rights to trade ties.

And in November, Israel recalled its Madrid envoy for consultations after expressing fury over Sanchezs outrageous remarks in an television interview, in which he expressed serious doubts over the legality of Israels actions in Gaza.

His remarks were denounced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as shameful, though the Israeli ambassador Rodica Radian-Gordon returned to Madrid in January. Israel was also angered by statements in October and November by radical left-wing ministers in Sanchezs coalition government calling for sanctions and an embargo on arms sales to Israel.

Advertisement

While visiting a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan last week, Sanchez hit out at Israel over the drone strike on a humanitarian convoy that killed seven staff members of the World Central Kitchen (WCK) NGO. He demanded that Israel clarify the circumstances of this brutal attack.

Like most other global leaders, Sanchez has called for the implementation of the two-state solution, but has also pressed for the world to recognise a Palestinian state, breaking with other Western powers who say this should come only as part of a negotiated peace with Israel.

Last week, Sanchez told reporters travelling with him on his Middle East tour that he hoped Spain would recognise Palestinian statehood by the end of June.

Advertisement

In late March, Sanchez signed a joint statement alongside his Irish, Maltese and Slovenian counterparts on the side-lines of an EU summit announcing they were ready to recognise Palestine when the circumstances are right if that could help bring about a resolution to the conflict.

Starting Thursday, Sanchez is due to visit Poland, Norway and Ireland before welcoming Portugals leader to again discuss the issue, Spanish government spokeswoman Pilar Alegria said Tuesday. - Potential meaningful player -In an opinion piece for Madrids Real Instituto Elcano think tank, former Israeli ambassador Alon Liel said Spains move to recognise a Palestinian state could ignite the momentum that might lead to overall European and UN recognition.

Advertisement

If so, Spain would become a meaningful player towards a new diplomatic momentum for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, wrote Liel, a former director-general of the Israeli foreign ministry.

In 2014, the Spanish parliament had called on the right-wing government at the time to recognise a Palestinian state, just a few weeks after Sweden became the first EU member in western Europe to do so.

Swedens recognition mirrored earlier moves by six other European countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania.

With inputs from AFP.
Around 7,000 members of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) have been protesting in Nairobi for almost a month, were joined by doctors demanding better salaries and working conditions read more

A public hospital in Kenyas capital, Nairobi, has laid off 100 doctors who are taking part in a nationwide strike along with medics, voicing for better pay and working conditions.

The Kenyatta University Referral Hospital said they have resumed appointments and treatments and have hired new doctors from East African regions in place of those striking, The Star reported.

Earlier, hundreds of doctors joined members of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPPDU) who have been protesting peacefully in Nairobi for almost four weeks.

Advertisement

Hospitals to hire foreign doctors

The Chairperson of the hospital board, Olive Mugenda said with the help of government they were able to resume some essential services. The public hospital offers treatment to many cancer patients who were earlier forced to go home without being attended to amid a thinning medical workforce.

Foreign medics will be incorporated even after the strike comes to an end, Mugenda said, adding that the hospital has hired five doctors, three from Ethiopia and one each from Tanzania and Malawi.

Mugenda implored the striking doctors to address the governments plea to return to work and engage in dialogue regarding their demands.

What are the protestors demanding?

In 2017, doctors in Kenya held a crippling nationwide strike lasting 100 days, resulting in the closure of public hospitals and denying patients access to essential medical services resulting in dozen deaths.

The strike concluded when a collective bargaining agreement was reached between the two. However, doctors have alleged that the government has failed to fulfill certain aspects of the agreement, precipitating the ongoing strike.

The union last week declined the offer by the government that included paying arrears under a 2017 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and hiring trainee doctors on permanent contracts.

Advertisement

Kenyan President William Ruto urged KMPDU to accept the governments proposal saying that the government lacks the funds to meet their demands and denied further concessions.

We cannot continue to spend the money we do not have, he said.

I am telling our friends the doctors that we value the service they give to our nation but we must live within our means, Ruto said.

With input from The Associated Press
King Charles was presented with new banknotes featuring his face on Tuesday. The notes will go into circulation in the UK on June 5 read more

Andrew Bailey, Governor of The Bank of England, and Sarah John, Chief Cashier and Executive Director of Banking present King Charles III (left) with the new banknotes | Source: X/Royal Family

On Tuesday, at Buckingham Palace, King Charles came face to face with his own likeness on the new banknotes set to enter circulation in June.

The presentation, marking a significant transition in currency, saw the UK monarch receiving the first of the 5, 10, 20, and 50 banknotes bearing his portrait. This unveiling follows a series of symbolic changes as the nation prepares for the reign of King Charles, amidst his ongoing battle with cancer.

Advertisement

At a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace, King Charles was presented with the inaugural set of the new banknotes by Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England.

Andrew Bailey, Governor of The Bank of England, and Sarah John, Chief Cashier and Executive Director of Banking, have presented King Charles III with the new banknotes featuring the King's image.



Take a peek at the new King Charles III banknotes here: https://t.co/WVtXQ6HhyR pic.twitter.com/z21mbgKXhN  Bank of England (@bankofengland) April 9, 2024

Despite his limited public appearances due to health concerns, King Charles participated in this private event, expressing his admiration for the elegant design of the new currency, reported BBC.

Historical shift in banknote design

Unlike the banknotes from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, which will continue to be in circulation alongside the new notes, the polymer banknotes featuring King Charles do not depict him wearing a crown.

Advertisement

The design, based on a 2013 portrait, signifies a departure from traditional imagery while maintaining a regal essence.

Bailey informed the King that it marked the Bank of Englands first experience in altering the monarch depicted on banknotes, given that Queen Elizabeth II had been the first in having her portrait featured across all denominations.

The notes will go into circulation on 5th June. This is the first time The Bank of England has changed the image of The Monarch on a banknote (Queen Elizabeth II became the first Monarch to appear on a Bank of England note in 1960). pic.twitter.com/HrFusfC0CV  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 9, 2024

Advertisement

This is what is so surprising. You would think that it goes back, remarked King Charles. Upon receiving a set of banknotes bearing serial numbers starting with 00001, the monarch lauded the design as very elegant.

What else has changed so far?

Coins (December 2022):

In December 2022, millions of 50p coins featuring the image of King Charles entered circulation. Additionally, new coin designs, including a depiction of a bee on the pound coin, were introduced towards the conclusion of 2023.

Advertisement

Stamps (March 2023):

March 2023 witnessed the issuance of the first King Charles stamps by Royal Mail, part of a special commemorative set. The subsequent month saw the release of new regular first and second-class stamps, portraying the King without his customary crown.

Passports (July 2023):

By July 2023, British passports were issued under the name His Majesty instead of the previous Her Majesty, marking a significant change in official documentation.

Official Portrait (January 2024):

In January 2024, public buildings, including town halls and courts, were granted access to an official photograph of the monarch, captured at Windsor Castle, further solidifying the transition to King Charless reign.

Advertisement

Tudor Crown (February 2024):

February 2024 saw the introduction of King Charless favoured crown design in various official capacities, such as on the gov.uk website and within governmental buildings.

Banknotes (June 2024):

Scheduled for June 2024, the Bank of England will issue 5, 10, 20, and 50 banknotes adorned with the portrait of King Charles, based on a photograph taken in 2013, marking a significant milestone in currency redesign.

Postboxes:

According to BBC, postboxes undergo changes only when necessitated by damage or extensive repairs, resulting in the continued presence of examples dating back to Queen Victorias reign. This aspect of public symbolism is anticipated to transition gradually.

How will the new banknotes effect businesses in UK?

While the new banknotes are slated for release on June 5, their widespread circulation may take several months due to a gradual introduction process outlined by the Bank of England.

Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of cashless payments may further delay the visibility of the new notes in everyday transactions.

To accommodate these changes, businesses reliant on banknote machines must plan for adaptations to ensure compatibility with the updated designs.

The unveiling of the new banknotes marks one of the final stages in the transition to King Charless reign, following a series of symbolic changes across various aspects of British identity.
The activist named Abdul Rahman Zankad of Mohammedia was arrested in March after he posted about the Israel-Hamas war on Facebook read more

Moroccans take part in a protest in support of Palestinians in Gaza and against normalisation of relations between Morocco and Israel. Source: AP / File Photo

A Moroccan activist who condemned the countrys decision to normalise ties with Israel was sentenced to five years in prison as the ongoing Israel-Hamas war continues to escalate.

The activist named Abdul Rahman Zankad of Mohammedia was arrested in March after he posted about the Israel-Hamas war on Facebook. Highlighting the atrocities in Gaza, Mohammedia slammed the Morocco governments 2020 decision to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.

On Monday, a court in the north African nation found him guilty of insulting a constitutional institution and incitement, The Associated Press reported. The activist was also fined a whopping 50,000 Moroccan dirhams ($5,000) and the court went on to call his post problematic.

Advertisement

The pro-Palestinian protest in Morocco

The ruling came as pro-Palestinian protests continue to engulf the African nation. Tens of thousands of protesters across the political spectrum took to the streets of Morocco to denounce Israel and support the Palestinian cause.

Some of them even went on to chant pro-Hamas slogans whose terrorist wing was responsible for conducting the deadly October 7 massacre in southern Israel.

The protesters also criticized Israels allies including the United States. It is pertinent to note that Morocco was one of the four Arab nations to establish diplomatic ties with Israel back in 2020.

The move was a part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords, which led to both the United States and Israel recognizing Moroccos claim over the disputed Western Sahara.

Shortly after the Israel-Hamas war erupted, the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Palace issued statements in which they denounced the war and expressed solidarity for Palestinians in Gaza. However, the country did not give any signals that it intends to cut ties with Israel.

Mohammedias group condemn the ruling

According to Th__e Associated Press, Mohammedia was a member of Moroccos Al Adl Wal Ihsane, a banned Islamist association that has been a driving force behind many of the countrys protests since the war began.

Advertisement

Shortly after the judgment was made public, the group stated that the sentence only serves to solidify the certainty that we are in a state riddled by authoritarianism and tyranny.

We condemn this unjust ruling in the strongest terms. It is a continuation of the unjust rulings targeting opponents from Al Adl Wal Ihsane, journalists, and leaders of the Rif Movement, the group furthered.

They were referencing a 2016 movement whose leader was sentenced to prison.

With inputs from the Associated Press
The Pakistani premier made the provocative remark in a lengthy post on X, formally known as Twitter. In his post, Sharif claimed that Kashimirs and Palestinians are facing atrocities of the worst kind. read more

While extending greetings on the auspicious occasion of Eid ul-Fitr, Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif once again outrageously equated Kashmir to Palestine.

The Pakistani premier made the provocative remark in a lengthy post on X, formally known as Twitter. In his post, Sharif claimed that Kashimirs and Palestinians are facing atrocities of the worst kind.

On the joyous occasion of Eid ul-Fitr, I would like to express my felicitations to my fellow countrymen residing both at home and abroad, as well as to the entire Muslim community, the premier of the cash-strapped nation wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.

Advertisement

On the joyous occasion of Eid ul-Fitr, I would like to express my felicitations to my fellow countrymen residing both at home and abroad, as well as to the entire Muslim community.



As we revel in the festivities of this auspicious event, let us not forget the importance of  Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 10, 2024

I also urge Muslims around the world to remember their Palestinian and Kashmiri brothers and sisters who are facing the worst kind of atrocities of the occupation forces and they will be constrained to enjoy the joys of Eid, he added.

Not the first time

This is not the first time Sharif equated the two regions ever since he commenced his second stint as the Prime Minister of the country.

In his victory speech in the Pakistani parliament after being elected for the prime ministerial post, Sharif took out time to raise the two issues. Lets all come together [] and the National Assembly should pass a resolution for the freedom of Kashmiris and Palestinians, he said.

In February, India gave a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan after the country brought up the Kashmir issue at the United Nations. While exercising its Right to Reply, India called out the countrys abysmal human rights records.

Advertisement

While addressing the matter at the High-Level Segment of the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council, First Secretary Anupama Singh pointed out that Pakistan has institutionalised the systematic persecution of its minorities.

With regard to the extensive references to India made by Pakistan, we note that it is deeply unfortunate for the Councils platform to have once again been misused to make patently false allegations against India, Singh said at the UNHRC session.

The entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and the constitutional measures taken by the Government of India to ensure socio-economic development and good governance in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are matters internal to India, she added.

Advertisement

The plight of minorities in Pakistan

While Pakistan continues beating the drum about the situation in Gaza, it easily glosses over the atrocities minorities are facing within its own territory.

In the span of a few months, several places of worship that belonged to minority groups like Christians, Hindus and even Ahmediyyas in Pakistan have been demolished by radical groups in the country.

In August 2023, the Pakistani police arrested around 129 people who were involved in the vandalisation of five churches in Faisalabad.

In several instances, radical groups have accused minorities of committing blasphemy which is a punishable offence and can lead to a death sentence.

Advertisement

Hence, the situation of minorities in the country continues to remain deplorable.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that as we celebrate Eid al-Fitr with traditional fervour, people across the world are reminded of the values of compassion, brotherhood and togetherness, which are essential in building a peaceful and inclusive world that we all aspire for read more

On the occasion of Eid-Al-Fitr on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, the government, and the people of the island nation. He also emphasized the long-standing cultural and civilizational ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that as we celebrate Eid al-Fitr with traditional fervour, people across the world are reminded of the values of compassion, brotherhood and togetherness, which are essential in building a peaceful and inclusive world that we all aspire for.

Advertisement

Honble Prime Minister of India @NarendraModi extended warm greetings to His Excellency President of Maldives Dr. @MMuizzu, the Government & the people of the Republic of Maldives, the Indian High Commission said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also emphasized the long-standing cultural and civilizational ties between Maldives and India. The relationship between India and the Maldives has been strained as President Mohamed Muizzu, who is generally regarded as a pro-China figure, has insisted that he will fulfill his election pledge to expel Indian military personnel from his nation.

Three aviation platforms in the Maldives were manned by eighty-eight Indian military soldiers. There are now civilians in place of the first 26 Indian military men.

Situated in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Maldives is Indias closest marine neighbor and holds a particular position in government programs such as the Neighbourhood First Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
For China, its growing proximity to Russia ensures greater energy security and leverage against the US. It is also hopeful that the deepening Russia ties will have a bearing on Indias historic and strategic engagement with the latter read more

Xi Jinping assured coordination with Russia on bilateral relations in international and regional affairs to 'ensure that China-Russia relations always advance smoothly and steadily' Image Courtesy AP

Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Tuesday to reiterate and discuss the continuation of their bilateral relations.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, Xi Jinping said, adding, China and Russia have jointly embarked on a new path of harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between major countries and neighbours.

The meeting comes at a time when the US hosted its defence treaty partners - Japan and the Philippines - and tensions in the South China Sea escalated amid Chinas provocative gestures. The US, treaty-bound to protect the territorial integrity of Japan and the Philippines, is keeping a close watch on Chinas aggressive tactics.

Advertisement

For China, its growing proximity to Russia ensures greater energy security and leverage against the US. It is also hopeful that the deepening Russia ties will have a bearing on Indias historic and strategic engagement with the latter.

India buys defence equipment and oil from Russia.

Experts said, India, which has risen as a counter to Chinas economic and geopolitical clout in Asia, is unlikely to be impacted by the growing closeness between the two.

Xi Jinping assured coordination with Russia on bilateral relations in international and regional affairs to ensure that China-Russia relations always advance smoothly and steadily, while Lavrov stressed that Putins re-election marked the continuity of the development of bilateral relations between the two.

We are glad to witness the achievements, especially those made over the past decade under your leadership. I hope we can take the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to work with China and fully implement the new strategic missions proposed by the two heads of state, Lavrov said.

Earlier in the day, Lavrov met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and the two expressed hope for strengthening practical cooperation in various fields per the consensus reached by the two heads of state.

Wang said that China-Russia relations have been of irreplaceable value and that maintaining and developing sound relations is a natural choice and serves the fundamental interests of the two. Lavrov noted that relations between the two rely on mutual respect, equal cooperation, and trustworthy dialogue.

Advertisement

In a joint press briefing following the talk, Wang said that to consolidate China-Russia ties further, the two should follow five principles - follow the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, adhere to the principle of no-alliance, no-confrontation, and no-targeting with any third parties, maintain the right course on major matters of principles, cooperate for win-win results, and advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world.

Tuesdays session laid the groundwork for an expected visit by Putin, just days after US Treasury Secretary Janet L Yellen warned facing significant consequences if Chinese companies provided material support to Russia amid its war on Ukraine.

Advertisement

Reports said that Putin could be visiting China as soon as next month. But, there has been no confirmation from either side.

(With agency inputs)
Ukrainian drone attacks have reduced Russian primary oil refining capacity by some 14% as of the end of March according to Reuters calculations. Russia says the drone attacks amount to terrorism. read more

The Russian government is exploring the option of relaxing stringent fuel environmental standards to permit the use of low-quality gasoline amid potential fuel shortages, Reuters quoted industry sources as saying.

This move could potentially increase the supply of gasoline to the domestic market by an additional 10%, equivalent to between 300,000 metric tons and 350,000 tons per month, which would be sufficient to address the increasing seasonal demand.

According to calculations by the sources, Ukrainian drone attacks have resulted in a reduction of Russian primary oil refining capacity by approximately 14% as of the end of March. Russia has characterized these drone attacks as acts of terrorism.

Advertisement

Ukraine says its drone attacks on Russia are justified because it is fighting for survival and has suffered damage to its infrastructure from Russian air strikes.

To tackle possible gasoline shortages, Russia introduced export ban for this kind of fuel with some exceptions.

Sources said that the Russian government is considering lowering the bar for the content of some additives and ethanol. Sulphur content is expected to stay unchanged.

Since 2016, Russia has allowed only the usage of high-quality gasoline of at least Euro-5 grade. The energy ministry is considering as a backup measure to lower the bar (of environmental requirements) in order to provide the basis for additional gasoline output, a source said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to the media.

The energy ministry did not reply to a request for comment. The move to loosen environmental oversight would be a step back from the plans to improve fuel quality and its ecological standards, announced in 2011, when Russian oil firms and the government agreed on plans to modernize countrys refineries, which were predominantly built in the 1940s and 1970s.

Since 2000, refinery output in Russia has grown by around two thirds, reaching 275 million tons last year. An industry source said the measure would help boost gasoline production at outdated refining facilities.

Orsk refinery, which has stopped output due to powerful floods, and Angarsk plant in eastern Siberia, account for the bulk of low-grade gasoline production in Russia.

Advertisement

In 2023, total gasoline output in the country reached almost 44 million tons. In the first quarter 2024 it stood at 11.1 million.

With inputs from Reuters.
When asked if President Vladimir Putin would visit the flood zone, the Kremlin spokesperson said, At the moment, there are no such (plans)," adding that the Russian leader is getting information and coordinating the work of all branches of authorities read more

A man rows in an inflatable boat amid flooding in the city of Orenburg, Russia April 10, 2024. Reuters

The flood situation in Russia is turning very tense, the Kremlin said on Wednesday, warning that rising water levels could affect more regions.

The situation is very, very tense, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The water is continuing to rise. Large (amounts of) water are coming to new regions, it added.

Floods have inundated many parts of Russia, including the southern Urals and western Siberia, with the Orenburg region the worst affected.

When asked if President Vladimir Putin would visit the flood zone, Peskov said, At the moment, there are no such (plans), adding that the Russian leader is getting information and coordinating the work of all branches of authorities.

Advertisement

Russia, Kazakhstan evacuate 100,000 people

Russia and Kazakhstan have ordered the evacuation of as many as 100,000 people.

Late on Tuesday, levels of the Ural River in Orenburg, a city of around 550,000, reached 9.31 metres (30.5 feet), exceeding the critical level of 9.30 metres, the regional governor said. He urged residents in areas at risk to evacuate.

I am calling for caution and for those in flooded districts to evacuate promptly, Denis Pasler said on Telegram.

City residents paddled along roads as though they were rivers. Dams and embankments were being strengthened.

In Russias Kurgan, the city through which the Tobol River flows, sirens warned people to evacuate immediately. Regional officials said floodwaters would continue to rise for three days and predicted a difficult situation until the end of April.

With inputs from agencies
The Swiss government said Wednesday the peace conference will take place at the luxury Burgenstock resort near the central city of Luzern on June 15-16 and will be hosted by President Viola Amherd read more

Russia has accused Switzerland of abandoning its traditional neutrality in the Ukraine conflict -- as well as the issue of what to do with Russian assets in the banking country Image Courtesy Reuters

Ahead of this years US presidential election, the US Democratic Party has been pushing for the holding of a peace conference in Ukraine, which Russias foreign ministry denounced on Wednesday as a fruitless endeavor.

High-level talks are scheduled for June 1516 in Switzerland, and according to Swiss media, US President Joe Biden is anticipated to be present.

American Democrats, who need photos and videos of events that supposedly indicate their project Ukraine is still afloat, are behind this, the state-run TASS news agency quoted foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying.

Advertisement

She accused Washington of being primarily motivated by its election process.

The elections are everything. Ukraine is nothing, she said.

The Swiss government said Wednesday the peace conference will take place at the luxury Burgenstock resort near the central city of Luzern on June 15-16 and will be hosted by President Viola Amherd.

Russia has accused Switzerland of abandoning its traditional neutrality in the Ukraine conflict  as well as the issue of what to do with Russian assets in the banking country.

Moscow last month summoned the Swiss ambassador over work to pave the way to seize Russian assets in the country.

Moscow has vowed to press on with its more than two-year-long offensive in Ukraine.
With the average age of captains on their 350 vessels hovering around 55, Bauer expressed concerns about losing 30 percent of sailors by 2030 if no action is taken. In pursuit of a remedy, HGK has partnered with a Belgian startup in autonomous navigation read more

HGK Shipping, based in the German port of Duisburg, is testing a plan to navigate its vessels remotely from a control centre on land. AFP

As the influx of new recruits into the seafaring industry diminishes, a German company, HGK Shipping, is considering a groundbreaking approach: deploying ships without onboard captains.

Based in the port of Duisburg, HGK Shipping is experimenting with remote navigation from a land-based control center, heralding a potential revolution in maritime operations.

Steffen Bauer, CEO of HGK, highlighted the necessity of autonomous vessels, stating that they are the only solution to survive as an industry amid dwindling recruitment.

Advertisement

With the average age of captains on their 350 vessels hovering around 55, Bauer expressed concerns about losing 30 percent of sailors by 2030 if no action is taken.

In pursuit of a remedy, HGK has partnered with the Belgian startup Seafar, a frontrunner in autonomous navigation. Seafar, established in 2019, already operates four unmanned vessels in Belgium and has expanded its presence to Germany, a key player in Europes inland shipping.

The unmanned ships are directed from a control center, transforming navigation from strenuous labor into a potentially appealing office-based occupation.

- Cameras and sensors -

There is a market for remote-controlled ships, said Janis Bargsten, Seafars commercial director, adding that establishing a regulatory framework would take less time than perfecting the technology.

In Duisburg, Seafar and HGK have already created a centre for autonomous navigation and are awaiting the approval of the German authorities to launch their first vessels.

In the initial test phase, two captains will remain on board the remotely guided ships.

The longer-term aim is to eliminate the captains role completely while still keeping some crew on board, Bauer said.

Advertisement

The technology is similar to those used in self-driving cars: the ships are fitted with sensors, cameras, radar and lidar, transmitting data in real time to the command centre.

Everything is as it would be on board a ship, navigator Patrick Hertoge told AFP in Duisburg next to 10 monitors displaying the status of a autonomous barge on its way to Hamburg.

- Life on land -

After 30 years skippering his own barge, 58-year-old Hertoge was recruited by Seafar to work on the autonomous shipping project.

The son of two sailors, he sold his vessel and found a home on dry land for the first time in his life, he said.

Advertisement

On a boat, you are on standby 24 hours a day. But here, after eight hours, I can go home, he said.

Seafar wants to start more pilot schemes in Europe and is in advanced talks with the French inland waterways authority. It is also planning a test project in the Baltic Sea, Bargsten said.

Autonomous navigation could bring significant relief to an industry under pressure but would not solve all problems, according to a spokesman for the German federation of inland shipping (BDB).

New questions of responsibility require legal clarification, he said.

According to Bargsten, in the event of a technical problem, Seafar would be liable, but a human error would be chalked up to the shipping company,

Advertisement

And remotely navigating a vessel is still a highly demanding job that could not just be left to gamers, he said.

With years of real-life captaining under his belt, Hertoge is convinced it can work.

Much of the work of captaining a ship is the same on land as it is in a control room, he said. The only thing missing is the wind.

With inputs from AFP
South Africas Electoral Court on Tuesday overturned an earlier decision that barred former President Jacob Zuma from contesting in the upcoming general election read more

Former South African President Jacob Zuma can run for office as a lawmaker in the upcoming election | Source: AP

South Africas Electoral Court has reversed a previous decision, allowing former President Jacob Zuma to participate in the upcoming general election. This ruling comes amidst a backdrop of political turmoil and anticipation surrounding Zumas bid for presidency under the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), marking a potential shift in the countrys political landscape.

The decision, handed down on Tuesday, marks a reversal of the Independent Electoral Commissions earlier ruling barring Zuma from contesting due to his criminal record.

Advertisement

Zumas conviction in 2021 for defying a court order had raised doubts about his eligibility, as per South Africas electoral laws prohibiting individuals with sentences exceeding 12 months from standing for office.

Zuma confirmed as MKs presidential candidate

With the courts ruling in his favor, Zuma and the MK Party have seized upon the opportunity to bolster their electoral campaign. The party expressed satisfaction with the verdict, viewing it as a validation of their stance against what they perceive as unjust restrictions on Zumas political rights.

According to MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, Zuma would contest as the partys presidential candidate  meaning that he is likely to be elected as a lawmaker.

While the MK may get enough votes for parliament seats, its not clear if it can win a parliament majority, required for its candidate to be chosen for president, reported AP.

We are ecstatic at the court verdict because we have always said that President Zuma and the MK Partys rights have to be upheld, Ndhlela said. What this basically means is that he will be our presidential candidate and he will be in Parliament after the elections.

Advertisement

ANCs vote share may suffer

Zumas re-entry into the political arena introduces a new dynamic into an already volatile electoral landscape. Analysts speculate that MKs participation could fragment the vote share traditionally dominated by the ruling African National Congress (ANC), potentially jeopardising its longstanding parliamentary majority.

The ANC, led by incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa, grappling with internal strife and corruption scandals, faces mounting challenges as it strives to maintain its political stronghold. Forecasts indicate that MK, particularly influential in Zumas home province of KwaZulu-Natal, may erode ANCs support base, potentially leading to a historic loss of its absolute parliamentary majority.

The elections are scheduled for May 29 this year.
Marcos said he aims to explore ways to advance cooperation with Japan and the United States on key areas that include infrastructure, semiconductors, cyber security, critical minerals, renewable energy and defence and maritime cooperation. read more

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Wednesday that the upcoming trilateral summit between the United States, Philippines and Japan will feature an agreement to uphold security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Marcos departed for Washington later that afternoon for discussions with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Earlier in the day, President Marcos informed reporters that the summit would include an agreement addressing South China Sea issues. However, he emphasized that the primary focus of the summit was to strengthen economic ties between the three allied nations.

Advertisement

The main intent of this trilateral agreement is for us to be able to continue to flourish, to be able to help one another, and of course to keep the peace in the South China Sea and the freedom of navigation, Marcos said in a separate speech ahead of his departure to Washington.

Marcos said he aims to explore ways to advance cooperation with Japan and the United States on key areas that include infrastructure, semiconductors, cyber security, critical minerals, renewable energy and defence and maritime cooperation.

Marcos is also set to hold discussions with Biden ahead of the meeting among the three leaders.

The Philippines under Marcos has deepened military ties with both the United States and Japan as maritime run-ins with China in the South China Sea have escalated.

Marcos has allowed to nearly double the Philippine bases American soldiers can access under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, and talks are underway with Japan for a reciprocal access agreement that will allow the presence of Japanese forces on Philippine soil.

At the same time, Marcos has also denied the existence of a so-called gentlemans agreement reportedly struck under predecessor Rodrigo Duterte with Beijing to keep the status quo in the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed maritime feature in the South China Sea.

A spokesperson during Dutertes term which ended in 2022 confirmed last month that such an agreement was made. Under that deal, the Philippines agreed not to bring construction materials to repair a rusting warship Manila deliberately grounded in 1999 to bolster its maritime claims. Marcos reiterated to reporters that there are no records of the deal.

Advertisement

I am horrified by the idea that we have compromised through a secret agreement the territory, the sovereignty and the sovereign rights of the Philippines, Marcos told reporters.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, overlapping with territorial claims of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said Chinas claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected."

With inputs from Reuters.
Representatives from the Andhra Pradesh branch of the Janavahini Party argued that, given the enforcement of the model code of conduct, voters under the influence of alcohol should not be allowed to cast their ballots read more

Indias apex court declined a request Wednesday to implement breathalyser tests for voters waiting in line at polling stations during elections.

A panel consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta declined to intervene with the decision made by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, dismissing the plea, stating it as more of a publicity interest litigation.

Representatives from the Andhra Pradesh branch of the Janavahini Party argued that, given the enforcement of the model code of conduct, voters under the influence of alcohol should not be allowed to cast their ballots.

Advertisement

However, the bench rebuffed the proposal, denouncing it as a mere publicity stunt. They highlighted the dry day status on polling days, accompanied by extensive police presence, rendering such tests unnecessary. The court promptly dismissed the petition.

Previously, the Andhra Pradesh division of the Janavahini Party had taken the matter to the high court, which rejected the plea on February 28th.

The high court pointed out the petitioners failure to cite any specific legal mandate obligating the Election Commission of India to enforce breathalyser tests for individuals entering polling booths before casting their votes.

The political party has challenged the inaction on the part of the Election Commission on its representation dated January 6 seeking the arrangement of a breathing analyser at the entry point of the queue being maintained at every polling booth and allowing only those voters to exercise their voting right, who are uninfluenced by alcohol.

It has sought direction to the poll panel to arrange a breathing analyser at the entry point of queues at polling booths and allow only those voters to exercise their voting right, who are uninfluenced by alcohol.

With inputs from PTI
Former President of Taiwan Ma Ying-jeou is on an 11-day visit to China as part of what he has termed a journey of peace to ease tensions with Beijing. Sharing a bonhomie under One China President Xi said no one external force can separate their reunion read more

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met Taiwanese Former President and Opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou in a rare meeting between current or former leaders in Beijing and Taipei.

This is the first meeting since the landmark cross-strait summit between Xi and Ma in 2015 when the latter was in office.

Calling people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait Chinese, Xi said, There is no grudge that cannot be resolved, no issue that cannot be discussed and no force that can separate us.

Advertisement

Ma is on an 11-day visit to China as part of what he has termed a journey of peace to ease tensions with Beijing, which asserts sovereignty over the self-ruled island and has never ruled out the use of force to reunify it under the communist government.

Ma held two consecutive terms as Taiwans president from 2008 to 2016, representing the Kuomintang (KMT) party, which has historically maintained a more favourable stance towards Beijing.

Here are 3 important takeaways from the leaders Great Hall of People meeting

1. In his opening remarks, Xi lauded Mas stance against Taiwan independence, his efforts to enhance cross-strait exchanges, and his acknowledgment that both sides of the strait are part of One China.

2. The Chinese president reiterated, as reported by Taiwanese media, that External interference cannot stop the historic trend of the reunion of the family and the country.

Beijing finds itself in between a geopolitical scuffle with the West, especially US over its claims and continued military drills around the island country. Earlier, in the two-hour-long phone call, Xi told Biden that Taiwan remains an uncrossable red line for China.

3. In response, Ma said that although two sides of the strait developed under different systems, the people both belong to the Chinese nation.

Advertisement

If a war breaks out between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, it will be an unbearable burden for the Chinese nation, he said. I sincerely hope that both sides respect the values and way of life treasured by the people and maintain peace across the strait.

Ties between Taipei and Beijing improved under Mas tenure which have deteriorated since the 2016 election of his successor Tsai Ing-wen, who staunchly rejects Chinas claims.

Why was this meeting significant?

Former President Ma Ying-jeous meeting with the Chinese president signals Beijings strategy toward Taiwans leadership transition. The president-elect, Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing describes as a"dangerous separatist" is set to worsen ties between both nations.

Advertisement

Mas visit helps to underscore Beijings position that cross-strait dialogue is conditioned on acceptance of the idea that the two sides of the strait belong to one China, The New York Times report quoted Amanda Hsiao, the senior analyst for China with the Crisis Group as saying.
In a 35-minute audio address released by a Taliban government spokesman, Akhundzada accused countries involved in the US-led invasion of Afghanistan of continuing to target the nation with propaganda and evil tactics read more

Afghan government sources confirmed that the reclusive supreme leader of the Taliban, Hibatullah Akhundzada, made a rare public appearance Wednesday, delivering a speech in which he admonished the international community for their criticism of Taliban rule.

Since assuming leadership of the Taliban in 2016 and guiding the movement back to power following the withdrawal of US forces in 2021, Akhundzada has remained largely secluded, with only a few public appearances.

During his tenure, Akhundzada has governed through decrees, imposing a strict interpretation of Islam that has isolated Afghanistan on the global stage.

Advertisement

In a 35-minute audio address released by a Taliban government spokesman, Akhundzada accused countries involved in the US-led invasion of Afghanistan of continuing to target the nation with propaganda and evil tactics.

Today, they want to divide you, he said, according to the audio address. They blame the leaders as defective, saying they are not able to govern.

Dont let these infidels mislead you, he added. Stay alert for them, they will trick you, they want to fail you.

I will not take even a step away from the Islamic law, he pledged.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Akhundzadas address marking the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr in the largest mosque of southern Kandahar province was attended by thousands of compatriots.

An AFP source who attended the service said Akhundzada was not visible to large crowds in the courtyard of the complex, but a voice over a loudspeaker introduced the sermon as his words.

Tight security restricted access to the main worship mall, the source said, though several high-ranking Taliban officials claimed on social media they had met the Taliban chief on Wednesday.

Advertisement

There is only one photograph of Akhundzada. The press have generally been barred from attending his public engagements and Afghan attendees forbidden from taking photos or recording on their phones.

- Demanding respect -

While the Taliban government ostensibly sits in the capital Kabul, Akhundzada operates from hideouts in Kandahar  considered the heartland of the Islamist movement.

Since the fall of the foreign-backed government in August 2021, his Taliban administration has ushered in curbs on women and girls which the United Nations has condemned as gender apartheid.

Unease over dealing with the Taliban government has seen foreign aid nosedive, dramatically worsening what was already one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises.

Advertisement

Kabuls Taliban rulers insist they want friendly relations with other countries, but say they will not cave to pressure over human rights concerns about their domestic policies.

The religious affairs ministry issued instructions that during Wednesday prayer Afghan imams should read out a message published by Akhundzada earlier in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

We seek diplomatic and economic relations with all nations, it said, while adding, we expect and demand respect for Afghanistans sovereignty, integrity, and dignity.

Akhundzada previously appeared in Kandahar in 2022 to mark Eid al-Fitr with a speech congratulating Afghans on victory, freedom and success, his back to the crowd to preserve his anonymity.

Advertisement

In the capital Kabul, the third Eid al-Fitr festivities under the Taliban government were accompanied by heightened security.

Extra checkpoints were erected around mosques as morning prayers began, with police and Taliban government security forces deployed and mobile phone signals disrupted.

Security forces prevented AFP journalists from recording services at numerous sites in Kabul.

Nonetheless, worshippers gathered in the thousands, spilling out into the streets as mosques were packed to capacity.

With inputs from AFP
Senior members of the Israels security cabinet are seriously considering opposing the hostage deal now under discussion as it will only include the release of some captives held by Hamas, not all of them, according to a report read more

A man holds a sign calling for the release of the hostages taken by Hamas militants to Gaza during the 7 October attack, during a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 20 January, 2024. AP File

Senior members of the Israels security cabinet are seriously considering opposing the hostage deal now under discussion as it will only include the release of some captives held by Hamas, not all of them, according to a report.

According to the Haaretz daily, the unidentified ministers believe that this hostage agreement could be the last and that it would be even more difficult to reach a deal later, as it would include male soldiers, while noting the previous deal was implemented over four months ago.

Advertisement

The ministers also reportedly believe Israel will have a weaker hand in future talks, and are therefore willing to make significant concessions in the ongoing negotiations to secure the release of all the hostages.

While Israel has been seeking the release of 40 living hostages as part of a proposed truce agreement, some media reports suggested that Hamas has claimed that in order to free 40 hostages, it will have to release male Israeli troops, as the terror group isnt in possession of 40 living elderly, women and female soldiers.

Hamas, however, is refusing to free any male soldiers it captured on 7 October and wants to release fewer than 40 hostages, the Times of Israel quoted the Kan public broadcaster as saying, while describing the issue as the biggest obstacle in the ongoing negotiations.

The broadcaster also quoted an Israeli official insisting Hamas does in fact have 40 captives who meet the criteria for release.

Channel 12 news, which has a similar report, cites a senior diplomatic official who accuses Hamas chief in Gaza Yahha Sinwar of constantly dragging his feet and opposing an agreement.

Our goal is to return the hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a visit to the Tel Hashomer army base on Tuesday. All the [captured] lookouts, and not only them, all of them together. Well bring them all home, he added.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
About thirty British defense businesses traveled to Kyiv for a military industry conference, where the pact was signed, in order to discuss possible collaborative ventures with Ukrainian producers of weapons and defence read more

One of the first Western manufacturers to establish a local presence in Ukraine, the British defense business BAE Systems, has a contract with the British Ministry of Defence to maintain, repair, and refurbish light gun systems locally in Ukraine Image Courtesy Reuters

As part of a wartime initiative to strengthen Ukraines domestic weapons industry by cooperating with friends, officials in Kyiv announced that the two countries had inked a framework agreement to collaborate in the defense and arms production sectors.

About thirty British defense businesses traveled to Kyiv for a military industry conference, where the pact was signed, in order to discuss possible collaborative ventures with Ukrainian producers of weapons and defence.

Following the signing ceremony, Oleksandr Kamyshin, the Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, informed reporters that this was the first intergovernmental agreement on collaboration.

Advertisement

Today British companies are working with Ukrainian companies and looking for opportunities to produce more weapons jointly.

The UK Minister for Trade Policy, Greg Hands, expressed his optimism that the agreement will help Ukraines beleaguered economy in the long run as well as provide tactical advantages.

In the more than two years after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the countrys larger and better-equipped adversary has outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.

The Ukrainian government is stepping up attempts to produce its own weapons and to entice major Western makers to put up repair and production facilities in Ukraine, despite the prospect of Russian shelling, amid growing concerns that military backing from Kyivs Western allies is waning.

One of the first Western manufacturers to establish a local presence in Ukraine, the British defense business BAE Systems, has a contract with the British Ministry of Defence to maintain, repair, and refurbish light gun systems locally in Ukraine.

Additionally, officials expressed their ambition for other drone manufacturing initiatives this year. Drone manufacturers made up a large number of the conference attendees.

In addition to increasing its manufacturing of longer-range attack drones to carry out operations deep within Russia, Ukraine plans to build approximately one million first-person view (FPV) drones this year.

Advertisement

We now recognise we need to step up to partnering with the Ukrainian defence industry to position Ukrainian defence industry to be better able to respond at speed and to support the Ukrainian economy, said Andy Start, Chief Executive of the UKs Defence Equipment and Support.

The momentum is building and we wish to see that momentum to continue to build at pace so we are stronger together.

(With agency inputs)
Last month, six Chinese fishing boats were discovered to be in violation of Vanuatus fisheries law during inspections conducted by local police, who were accompanied by the first US Coast Guard boat patrolling the waters of the Pacific island nation read more

The United States Coastguard refuted assertions made by a Chinese diplomat regarding the legality of recent boardings of Chinese fishing vessels in the Pacific.

The Coastguard stated that these joint patrols, conducted alongside local police forces, are undertaken at the request of Pacific nations to safeguard coastal fisheries.

Last month, six Chinese fishing boats were discovered to be in violation of Vanuatus fisheries law during inspections conducted by local police, who were accompanied by the first US Coast Guard boat patrolling the waters of the Pacific island nation.

Advertisement

Similarly, in February, the US Coast Guard and Kiribati police boarded two Chinese fishing boats during a joint patrol, the first in a decade, but found no violations.

Chinas Ambassador to New Zealand, Wang Xiaolong, circulated a letter from the Chinese embassy on Friday, denouncing the use of shiprider agreements between the US and Vanuatu, Kiribati, and Papua New Guinea to conduct law enforcement activities against Chinese fishing vessels as a breach of international law.

In the letter, Wang argued that these agreements do not bind Chinas fishing fleet. China is not obligated to accept the law enforcement of countries other than coastal states for fishing activities in their exclusive economic zones, the letter stated.

US coastguard Rear Admiral Michael Day on Wednesday said the Chinese ambassadors statement was inaccurate and the bilateral shiprider agreements complied with international law.

We do these boardings at the behest of those host nations who invite us to board, to work with them collaboratively in protecting their exclusive economic zones, he said at a press conference in Honolulu to mark the return of the US Coast Guard cutter Harriet Lane after its Pacific islands patrol.

A free and open Indo-Pacific is predicated upon the following of international rules and norms and laws, and I am happy to say the coastguard is complying with all international law and these are legal boardings.

Commander Nicole Tesoniero said shiprider agreements with Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea had resulted in 23 boardings of fishing boats operating in the far reaches of the respective countries exclusive economic zones, with 12 violations found by local police.

Advertisement

The targeting of vessels within the exclusive economic zones as well as the enforcement actions were all dictated by our partners, she said.

The patrol comes after Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, Pacific island nations with close ties to China, blocked the US Coast Guard from coming to port to refuel in 2022 and 2023 as it undertook a patrol for illegal fishing on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum regional block.

Australia, New Zealand and Britain have also stepped up navy patrols for illegal fishing in partnership with Pacific islands nations, many of whom do not have militaries or boats to monitor coastal waters and exclusive economic zones spanning millions of kilometres.

Advertisement

With inputs from Reuters
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said while the US and China are re-establishing communication channels and promoting exchanges after months of heightened tensions, Beijings support to Moscow in Ukraine war puts their stabilising ties at risk read more

United States is considering easing its travel advisory for Americans travelling to China, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said after months of heightened tensions curtailed contact between the two global powers.

Speaking at an event hosted by the non-profit National Committee on US-China Relations, Campbell added that the communication channels between Washington and Beijing has broadly normalised after presidents of respective nations sought to rebuild one-on-one dialogues between Americans and Chinese.

Advertisement

Last week, US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping engaged in a nearly two-hour-long phone conversation, with a White House official calling the communication a way to effectively manage this complex and often tense bilateral relationship.

As Beijing and Washington seek to break ice via exchanges, not all issues seem agreeable between the economic giants.

Normalcy under works, but conditions apply

Campell when asked if the US is considering easing advisories, said, I dont want to get ahead of ourselves, but I would just simply say that this is certainly an issue under active consideration." He also acknowledged the premise that warnings had served as a deterrent to academic and other interactions.

However, Campbell warned that Chinas persistent support for Russias war in Ukraine might jeopardise the stabilising ties.

We have told China directly if this continues, it will have an impact on the US-China relationship. We will not sit by and say everythings fine, the deputy state secretary said. He cautioned that if Russia were to acquire territory in Ukraine, it would disrupt the power balance in Europe in a manner deemed unacceptable by the US.

And we will see this not as just a Russian unique set of activities, but a conjoined set of activities backed by China, but also North Korea, the State Departments no. two diplomat added.

In recent years, Russia and China have increased their economic cooperation and diplomatic engagements, and their strategic alliance has become even stronger following the invasion of Ukraine.

Advertisement

US and China issued retaliatory warnings

The US State Department has periodically issued warnings to its citizens travelling to China, urging them to reconsider their visit to the country or exercise increased caution due to risks of arbitrary enforcement of local laws, exit bans and wrongful detentions.

Beijing, in turn, issued travel advisory to citizens visiting the US, asking them to be prepared for unwarranted interrogations and harassment by American authorities.

Despite Chinas warnings, Campbell noted that hundreds of thousands of Chinese immigrants escaping deteriorating economic circumstances in China have migrated to the US in recent months. He also mentioned that Beijing was aware of this situation but was not taking measures to reduce the influx.

Advertisement

The numbers that were seeing are large and, frankly, of gathering concern, Campbell said.

The US continues to remain a popular education destination for Chinese students. As per Statistica, around two million students were pursuing education in the United States in the 2022-23 academic year, while only a few hundred Americans were studying in China.

With input from agencies
The military aid transferred by the US includes 5,000 AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces. The arms are enough to equip around 4,000 Ukrainian personnel or one brigade, the US Central Command said read more

The US transferred thousands of infantry weapons and more than 500,000 rounds of ammunition seized from Iran to Ukraine last week, the Central Command has announced. The handover comes as Washingtons military aid package to Kyiv awaits the Senates approval.

With Ukrainian forces running low on weapons and munitions, especially heavy artillery rounds, the United States and its allies have been searching for new ways to arm Kyiv.

What does the latest assistance include?

Advertisement

The military aid transferred by the US includes 5,000 AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s and over 500,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces.

The arms are enough to equip around 4,000 Ukrainian personnel or one brigade, the CENTCOM said, adding, These weapons will help Ukraine defend against Russias invasion.

Democrat Biden has been blocked from providing further U.S. weaponry to Kyiv by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnsons refusal to call a vote on $60 billion in new security assistance.

How did US get hold of the weapons?

The US government gained ownership of the now-transferred weapons last year in December through the Department of Justices civil forfeiture claims against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Washington originally seized the weapons from four separate transiting stateless vessels between 22 May 2021 to 15 Feb 2023.

The munitions were being transferred from the IRGC to the Houthis in Yemen in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216. US CENTCOM is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means including US and UN sanctions and through interdictions, the Central Command said.

Advertisement

Not the first transfer of seized weapons

This is not the first time the US has sent seized Iranian weapons to Ukraine.

In October 2023, CNN reported that Washington had transferred thousands of Iranian weapons and ammunition to Kyiv.

Jonathan Lord, a senior fellow and director of the Middle East security program at the Center for a New American Security, who pushed the US to transfer Irans seized weapons to Kyiv said at the time, For over a year, Iranian UAVs in the hands of the Russian military have been used to attack and murder Ukrainian civilians.

There is poetic justice in Ukraine utilizing seized Iranian weapons to defend its people against Russias criminal invasion and abuses. Additionally, this policy may put greater pressure on the burgeoning relationship between Moscow and Tehran, he added.

Advertisement

With inputs from agencies
The whistleblower named Sam Salehpour who worked as an engineer in Boeing alleged that the company took shortcuts when manufacturing its 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets and retaliated against him when he raised the concern read more

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that they are investigating Boeing after a whistleblower raised concerns about the flaws in the companys 787 Dreamliner.

The whistleblower named Sam Salehpour who worked as an engineer in Boeing alleged that the company took shortcuts when manufacturing its 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets and retaliated against him when he raised the concern.

Salehpour emphasised that if the issue remains unaddressed the flaws could become catastrophic as airplanes age. Shortly after the whistleblowers allegations came to light, the FAA assured that they were investigating the claims made by Salehpour, The New York Times reported.

Advertisement

What are the allegations?

Salehpour, who has worked with Boeing for decades, claimed that the problems in the jests stemmed from the changes made in how the enormous sections were fitted and fastened together in the assembly line.

He mentioned that the aircrafts fuselage comes in several pieces and from different manufacturers. He pointed out that these pieces are not exactly the same shape and cannot be fitted properly in the prescribed sections.

Boeing conceded that those manufacturing changes were made. However, the companys spokesperson Paul Lewis said that there was no impact on durability or safe longevity of the airframe.

Our engineers are completing complex analysis to determine if there may be a long-term fatigue concern for the fleet in any area of the airplane, Lewis told The New York Times in response to the accusation.

This would not become an issue for the in-service fleet for many years to come, if ever, and we are not rushing the team so that we can ensure that analysis is comprehensive," he added.

In a subsequent statement on the matter, the company said that it is fully confident in the 787 Dreamliner, adding that these claims about the structural integrity of the 787 are inaccurate and do not represent the comprehensive work Boeing has done to ensure the quality and long-term safety of the aircraft.

Advertisement

FAA received the complaint in January

As per the reports, a formal complaint to the FAA was filed in January and was eventually made public on Tuesday. Salehpour emphasised that his complaint raised two quality issues that may dramatically reduce the life of the planes.

I am doing this not because I want Boeing to fail, but because I want it to succeed and prevent crashes from happening, Salehpour told reporters on a conference call on Tuesday.

The truth is Boeing cant keep going the way it is. It needs to do a little bit better, I think, he added.

Meanwhile, Salehpours attorney Lisa Banks said that the FAA has interviewed the whistleblower as a part of the investigation.

Advertisement

Voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal is a critical component in aviation safety, the FAA said in a separate statement. We strongly encourage everyone in the aviation industry to share information," the federal agency furthered.

A Senate subcommittee is also scheduled to take up the concerns at a hearing next week.
As tensions between the two rival powers flare following the killings of Iranian generals in a blast at the Iranian consulate in Syria, Israel on Wednesday threatened the Islamic Republic saying that it will directly attack in Iran if the country launches an attack from its territory read more

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers his sermon during Eid al-Fitr prayer ceremony marking the end of the Muslims holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. AP File

As tensions between the two rival powers flare following the killings of Iranian generals in a blast at the Iranian consulate in Syria, Israel on Wednesday threatened the Islamic Republic saying that it will directly attack in Iran if the country launches an attack from its territory.

Taking to X, foreign minister Israel Katz said, If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran.

If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran@khamenei_ir https://t.co/KQw5c4QlXU  Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 10, 2024

Advertisement

    -    .@khamenei_ir    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) April 10, 2024

Following the attack on its consulate in Damascus earlier this month, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated on Wednesday a vow to retaliate against Israel.

Tehran attributes the strike, which destroyed the building and resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, to Israel. Despite Israel not officially claiming responsibility, it has anticipated an Iranian reprisal, marking a notable escalation in their enduring clandestine conflict.

Addressing a prayer ceremony marking the conclusion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Khamenei condemned the airstrike as wrongdoing, likening it to an assault on Iranian soil.

When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory, the Associated Press quoted Khamenei as saying in remarks broadcast by Iranian state TV.

The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished, he had said.

Neither Katz nor the Ayatollah elaborated on the way they would retaliate, added the report.

Advertisement

Among 12 killed in the blast on April 1 were seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, four Syrians and a Hezbollah militia member.

Khamenei also criticised the West, particularly the US and Britain, for supporting Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

It was expected they (would) prevent (Israel) in this disaster. They did not. They did not fulfil their duties, the Western governments, he said.

Iran supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. It does not recognise Israel.

With inputs from agencies
In a rare encounter between current or past presidents in Beijing and Taipei, Xi welcomed a team led by Ma to Beijing on Wednesday afternoon, according to Chinese and Taiwanese media. This was the first time the two men had met since their historic summit in 2015, when Ma was still in office read more

Xi told Biden that Taiwan remains "an uncrossable red line" for Beijing, according to Chinese state media Image Courtesy Reuters

Following a rare instance of cross-strait communication, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated on Wednesday that external interference would not prevent Beijing from uniting with Taiwan, meeting with the former leader of the self-governing island.

Ma Ying-jeou, the former president of Taiwan, is in China as part of what he has referred to as a journey of peace to ease tensions with Beijing, which still claims sovereignty over the island and has never refrained from using force to impose its will.

Advertisement

In a rare encounter between current or past presidents in Beijing and Taipei, Xi welcomed a team led by Ma to Beijing on Wednesday afternoon, according to Chinese and Taiwanese media. This was the first time the two men had met since their historic summit in 2015, when Ma was still in office.

The Chinese nation has written the indivisible history of both sides of the Taiwan Strait and engraved the fact that our compatriots are connected by blood, Xi said in footage of the meeting broadcast by Taiwans TVBS News.

There is no force that can separate us Differences in systems cannot change the objective fact that we belong to one nation and one people, Xi was shown telling Ma across a glossy table in an ornate reception room in the capital.

External interference cannot stop the historic cause of our reunion, Xi said.

Ma has been leading a delegation of 20 Taiwanese students and has visited technology firms, universities and historical sites since arriving in China last week.

In his remarks to Xi, Ma said young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait represent the future of the Chinese nation.

If war were to break out between the two sides, it would be an unbearable burden for the Chinese nation, he said.

Chinese people on both sides of the strait absolutely have ample wisdom to peacefully handle disputes and avoid conflicts, said Ma, adding that they should also oppose Taiwan independence.

Advertisement

Ma served two terms as Taiwans leader between 2008 to 2016, representing the Kuomintang (KMT) party, long more receptive to Beijing.

He oversaw an improvement in cross-strait ties and held symbolic talks nine years ago with Xi in Singapore, the first meeting between the political leaders of China and Taiwan since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.

But relations have plummeted since the 2016 election of his successor Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects Beijings claims.

Since then, China has ratcheted up diplomatic and military pressure and has refused to rule out using force to unify with Taiwan.

The election in January of Tsais deputy Lai Ching-te stands to worsen cross-strait ties, with Beijing having denounced him as a dangerous separatist.

Advertisement

A spokesperson for Lais Democratic Progressive Party said Mas visit would have a great impact on Taiwan if he was speaking on behalf of the KMT.

So far, we have not seen the KMT come forward to endorse or approve Mas visit, so we are very curious about (their) attitude (towards it), Wu Cheng said.

Ma seems to be a fan of China and likes to go to China, Wu said, adding: Of course, we respect his personal preferences.

Lai has said he hopes to maintain the status quo with China.

Chinese warplanes and ships maintain a near-daily presence around the island, as Beijing has ramped up military pressure against Taipei using what experts say are grey zone actions  tactics that stop short of outright acts of war.

Advertisement

Last month, Taiwan detected 36 Chinese warplanes around the island over 24 hours, the highest daily count this year.

Taiwan was among the issues discussed by US President Joe Biden and Chinas Xi in a call last week.

The White House said Biden pressed Xi to ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait ahead of Lais inauguration in May.

Xi told Biden that Taiwan remains an uncrossable red line for Beijing, according to Chinese state media.

(With agency inputs)
Equipped with stealth technology that makes them less visible to detection, the missiles have a range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles), which would help Ukraine to put pressure on Russia in the Black Sea and elsewhere. read more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly criticised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for declining to provide Kyiv with German-made Taurus cruise missiles. Zelenskyy suggested that Scholzs reluctance stems from a desire to retain the weapons for Berlins own defense against potential threats from Russia.

As far as I understand, the chancellor believes that, as he is a representative of a non-nuclear state, this is the only weapon that Germany has, is the most powerful one, Zelenskyy said of the Taurus missiles in an interview with Axel Springer, Politicos parent company.

Advertisement

Contrastingly, the German government offers a different rationale to the public for its decision. Chancellor Scholz has consistently rejected the idea of sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine, stating publicly that such action could escalate the conflict and potentially entangle Germany in direct confrontation with Russia.

Equipped with stealth technology that makes them less visible to detection, the missiles have a range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles), which would help Ukraine to put pressure on Russia in the Black Sea and elsewhere.

The German- and Swedish-made missiles would be able to reach targets deep in Russia from Ukrainian soil. (Taurus is shorthand for Target Adaptive Unitary and dispenser Robotic Ubiquity System.) In Latin, taurus means bull.

Ukraine has been asking Germany for the missiles to complement the long-range Storm Shadow missiles sent by Britain and Frances nearly identical Scalp cruise missiles.

The U.K. announced last spring that it was sending Storm Shadows, which have a range of more than 250 kilometers (155 miles) and give Ukraine capacity to strike well behind the front lines, including in Russia-occupied Crimea. Ukraine pledged not to use the missiles to attack Russia itself.
Zelenskky mentioned that he is open to hearing Trumps proposal for the war, however, he insisted that he is extremely sceptical about it read more

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russias influence has pierced the American political system and once again rejected Donald Trumps idea that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war can end swiftly by just making territorial concessions.

In an interview with Politico the Ukrainian leader reiterated his invitation to Trump and his adversaries to travel to Ukraine. Zelenskky mentioned that he is open to hearing Trumps proposal for the war, however, he insisted that he is extremely sceptical about it.

Advertisement

If the deal is that we just give up our territories, and thats the idea behind it, then its a very primitive idea, Zelenskyy said in the interview. I need very strong arguments. I dont need a fantastic idea, I need a real idea because peoples lives are at stake," he continued.

The comments from the Ukrainian leader came a day after UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

The Russian lobby

Zelenskyy also commented on the fate of the Ukrainian aid package which is currently languishing in the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives.

Recently, two Republican lawmakers who support aiding Ukraine  Reps. Mike Turner of Ohio and Mike McCaul of Texas claimed that pro-Russian propaganda has filtered into the minds of some of the members of the congress.

The Ukrainian president agreed to the assertions and went on to throw light on the problem of Russian influence in democracies like the United States.

They (Russians) have their lobbies everywhere: in the United States, in the EU countries, in Britain, in Latin America, in Africa, Zelenskyy said. When we talk about the Congress  do you notice how they work with society in the United States? he added.

Zelenskyy went on to allege that American citizens were effectively doing Russias work within the American media.

They pump their narratives through the media, he said. These are not Russian citizens or natives of Russia, no. They are representatives of certain media groups and citizens of the United States. They are the ones in the media with the appropriate messages, sometimes very pro-Russian," the Ukrainian leader furthered.

Advertisement

The Trump paradox

The former US President has been consistently sceptical about the war and has been an ardent critic of Zelenskyy.

Throughout the course of the war, the business mogul turned politician has made several provocative remarks, including the fact that he would encourage Russia to act with impunity against members of the NATO alliance who do not spend large sums of money on defence.

With the upcoming elections in mind, Zelenskyy took a textured approach this time towards Trump. He spoke respectfully about Trump and described him as a leader with whom he is eager to build constructive partnerships.
Samsung launched the Galaxy S24+ smartphone earlier this year along with the S24. This has a 6.7-inch screen, but this gets a Quad HD+ screen that is brighter, and it is also a 120Hz LTPO panel. There is Exynos 2400 SoC for the Indian market, and a slightly bigger 4900mAh battery. Is it a good upgrade to the Galaxy S23+? Let us dive into the review to find out.

Box Contents

Samsung Galaxy S24+ 12GB RAM, 256GB storage version in Cobalt Violet

colour

colour USB Type-C to C Cable

SIM ejector tool

Quick Start Guide and Warranty information

Display, Hardware and Design

The phone comes with a 6.7-inch Quad HD+ Infinity-O Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels at about 512 PPI, aspect ratio of 20:9. The display is bright, thanks to 2600 nits peak brightness, compared to 1750 nits in the S23+. Since the phone has Quad HD+ resolution, it is crisp compared to the predecessor, which only had Full HD+ screen. You can switch between QHD and FHD modes.

It offers good color reproduction and the sunlight legibility is good as well. In addition to Vivid or Natural screen modes, there is a new vividness option added in the February update to boost the display color. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, same as the S23+. You can notice minimal symmetrical bezels around the screen that makes it attractive.

It has a 120Hz refresh rate screen that offers a fluid user experience with smoother animations, scrolling and gaming. Unlike the S23+ that had 48 to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, the S23 finally gets an LTPO panel for 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate so it can save power, especially if are using AOD. In the gaming mode, it offers 240Hz touch sampling rate.

There is a small chin below the screen. The phone has an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor from Qualcomm that is present towards the middle.

The phone retains the Armor Aluminum frame that has a matte finish that offers a good grip, and the phone doesnt slip out of your hands. You can see the antenna bands all around. Coming to the button placements, the power button and the volume rockers are present on the right side. There is nothing on the left side. The dual SIM slot USB Type-C port and the loudspeaker grill are on the bottom. The secondary microphone is on the top. It has the same vibration motor as the S23+.

On the back there is a familiar triple camera module arranged in a single line. There is a single LED flash next to the module. Even though the phone has a 6.7-inch screen, it is compact to hold. It is 7.7mm thick and weighs just 196 grams, even though the battery has been increased a bit.

The phone has a frosted glass back with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, so it doesnt attract fingerprints or smudges and is also not prone to scratches with day-to-day use. However, it is recommended to get a case.

In addition to the Cobalt Violet colour variant that we have, the phone also comes in Onyx Black colour. There is also online-exclusive Sapphire Blue, Jade Green and Sandstone Orange colours. This comes with dust and water-resistant in freshwater to a depth of 1.5 meter for up to 30 minutes, with IP68 certification.

Camera

50MP main camera with LED Flash, 1/1.57 Samsung S5KGN3 sensor, f/1.8 aperture, OIS

12MP 120 Ultra Wide sensor, f/2.2 aperture

10MP Telephoto lens with Samsung S5K3K1 sensor, f/2.4 aperture, 3x optical zoom, OIS

12MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture

You can choose 50MP option from the aspect ratio settings on the top, and the default output is 12MP instead of 12.5MP after pixel binning. It also has AR stickers, scene optimizer, portrait video, directors view, hyperlapse and more modes. The Expert RAW mode is now present in the camera app instead of a separate app.

Coming to the image quality, daylight shots are brilliant, and it captures in 12MP resolution after pixel binning. The camera captures a good amount of detail, creates well exposed photos with good dynamic range and detailing, and dynamic range can further be improved enabling HDR mode from the settings, which automatically turns on HDR when needed. Apart from the 3x telephoto zoom camera, the standard digital zoom is also good. The 10x and 20x zoomed photos are good. Autofocus speeds are fast and accurate. Ultra-wide shots from the 12MP camera are good in daylight and has improved compared to the older model.

There is no macro mode or camera, but you can use 2x from the main camera or use 3x telephoto for close-ups, which is good. Live focus is good at detecting the edges. Low-light performance is good, which can be improved further with Night mode that offers more details. Images with flash is good and is not overpowering.

The 12-megapixel front camera is good, capturing brilliant shots. Wide-angle mode takes images in 12-megapixel resolution, while the normal mode takes images in 8.6-megapixel. Software blur in the live focus mode has good edge detection even in low light.

Check out the camera samples.

The Galaxy S24+ offers 8K video recording at 30 fps. There is 4K UHD video recording at 60 fps, Super Steady 1080p video at 60 fps, Super Slo-mo 720p video support at 960 fps, slow motion 1080p video support at 240 fps and Hyperlapse 4K video support at 30 fps.

The normal stabilization works with both ultra-wide and main camera, but only the main camera has OIS. You can switch between normal, ultra-wide telephoto and front cameras when video recording is in progress, but only in 4K 30fps or less. There is also HDR10+ recording that you can enable in the settings, and it supports up to 4K 60 fps.

Software, UI and Apps

Coming to the software, the phone runs on Android 14, and it recently got April 2024 security patch. Compared to older flagships that got 4 OS updates and 5 years of security updates, the S24 series will get seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the first time.

On the top of Android 14, it has the latest Samsung One UI 6.1 with Galaxy AI that brings Live Translate, two-way, real-time voice and text translations of phone calls within the native app, Interpreter feature, Chat Assist, Note Assist, Transcript Assist, and gesture-driven Circle to Search.

The Device maintenance option lets you manage your devices battery life, storage, RAM usage, and security all in one place. The 256GB (UFS 4.0) model which we have has 224GB free space. Out of 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, about 10.95GB is usable and 7GB is free when default apps are running in the background.

There is also a RAM Plus feature, which uses the internal memory of the phone to expand the RAM by an extra 8GB, in addition to the existing 12GB of RAM. This is enabled automatically.

Apart from the usual set of utility apps and Google Apps, the smartphone comes with Facebook, Netflix, Spotify and Microsoft apps such as Microsoft 365, OneDrive, LinkedIn and Outlook. You get the option to install apps when you are setting up the phone, which you can choose not to. The phone doesnt have ads, but shows notifications of new Samsung products occasionally.

Fingerprint sensor and Face unlock

The phone has Qualcomms in-display Qualcomm 3D Sonic Sensor Gen 2 (QFS4008). This uses acoustic-based technology that reflects the unique features of a users individual fingerprint and is engineered to allow the device to detect a larger fingerprint image than the normal optical sensor.

You can add up to 4 fingerprints, and adding fingerprint is easy. It has support for Face recognition, which doesnt work well if the lighting is poor in the room, if you use hats or sunglasses. Both these are protected by Knox security.

Music Player and Multimedia

YouTube Music is the default music player. It has equalizer, Dolby Atmos, UHQ upscaler, and Adapt that can be enabled from the settings. All these improve the audio when listening through earphones, and Dolby Atmos also works with speakers. It doesnt have FM Radio support. That said, audio through earphones is good. Loudspeaker output from the stereo speakers is good, but the S24+ and Ultra models have louder speakers.

The phone comes with Widevine L1 support out-of-the-box so that you can enjoy HD content on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming apps. There is also HDR playback support for Netflix and YouTube.

Dual SIM and Connectivity

The Galaxy S24+ has support for 5G SA, with support for several 5G Network Bands in India. Airtel and Jio 5G works out of the box. There is also 4G Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) and support for LTE-A or Carrier Aggregation. The Samsung dialer, similar to other Samsung phones, supports auto call recording.

Other connectivity options include, Wi-Fi 802.11 6E ax (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Wi-Fi-Calling or Vo-Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 and GPS with GLONASS. It has support for USB OTG and NFC that works with supported payment apps. There is also UWB, which the S24 lacks.

The Galaxy S24+s head SAR is at 1.393/Kg which well under the limit in India which is 1.6 W/kg (over 1 g). This is almost similar to the Galaxy S24.

Performance and Benchmarks

The new Exynos 2400 Deca-Core processor powers the S24 and S24+ in India. It uses 4nm 3rd generation 4LPP+ (EUV) process node and has tri-cluster CPU structure that consists of one Arm Cortex-X4 large core optimized for peak performance at 3.2 GHz, five mid-sized core that includes 2 x Cortex-A720 cores at 2.90 GHz and 3 x Cortex-A720 cores at 2.6 GHz for balanced processing, and four Cortex-A520 cores at 2.0 GHz for efficiency.

The company promises 1.7x increase in CPU performance compared to Exynos 2200. It has the new Samsung Xclipse 940 GPU with AMD RDNA 3 architecture and hardware ray tracing technology. Thermal throttling was there. but it is less than the Galaxy S24. In 3D Mark wild life stress test, it scored 57.4%, and the temperature shot up from 33 to 47 degrees.

We did not face any issues or frame drops in the graphic-intensive games like COD, BGMI and Genshin Impact.At the launch, Samsung said the S24+ has 1.5x bigger VC cooling compared to the S23+. That said, check out some synthetic benchmark scores below.

As you can see, the scores are on par with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the multi-core scores are better than the competitors.

Battery life

Coming to the battery life, the phone packs a 4900mAh (typical) built-in battery, compared to 4700mAh battery in the S23+, while maintaining the same size. It lasts for a whole day with 5G, dual SIMs, and heavy multimedia use. I got about over 7 hours of screen on time with over a day of use with mostly on Wi-Fi, and occasional 5G use in 120Hz and FHD, which is a good improvement compared to S24+. If you use QHD mode the battery life takes a hit.

It has support for 45W fast charging, but comes only with 3A cable, so you will need to get a 5A cable if you want to use it with a 45W PPS charger. It takes an hour to charge the phone fully using a 45W charger, and 0 to 50% takes about 20 minutes. Most competitors have a bigger battery that can charge in less than half the time. It still has 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.

Conclusion

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ has much-needed improvements at a premium in terms of display, performance and battery life. This also gets 7 years of OS updates, which is a welcome move.

The phone now starts at Rs. 99,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model, which is Rs. 5000 more than the S23+.

Alternatives

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is a good alternative in the similar range. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra and vivo X100 Pro should be a good alternative with a bigger battery and better cameras.

Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S24+ 12GB + 256 GB model is priced at Rs. 99,999 and the 12GB + 512GB model is priced at Rs. 1,09,999. It is available from Samsung online store, Amazon.in, and other online and offline stores.

Pros

Excellent 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display

Good build quality

Smooth performance

7 years OS and security updates

Good cameras

Cons

Battery life takes a hit in QHD mode

Throttles under heavy load
Used 2024 F-450 prices changing

Seems like lightly used F-450 prices are dropping. I was checking to see if a dealer would offer me for my 2024 F-450 Platinum with about 1,500 miles on it. I contacted Texas Auto Value and a local dealership. The local dealer was not interested in RED truck. Siad Red trucks don't show a lot of activity and take a long time to sell so they are not interested. It seems like the market has cooled in the last few months since I sold my 2022 450 King Ranch to Texas Auto Value. TAV mentioned it didn't have Moonroof and HO Diesel and they are offering lower than what they offered 2 months ago. .



Seems like there are 3 things about my truck that make it less desirable.

1- It doesn't have a Moonroof

2- It only has the Standard 6.7L diesel rather than the High Output

3- It's RED



I purposely ordered it that way. I never opened a Moonroof when I had them and it eliminated potential for Leaks

I was not interested in the HO diesel since my experience with Standard was it had goobs of power and was not an unproven new engine.

Red just because I wanted something different than the White and Gray trucks I've owned.



TAV said the these are going for about $100k at auction and offered "$95k-$96k". My MSRP was $96,305.



So looks like the days of flipping 450s profitably is coming to an end. I think that the increase in deliveries of high end 450s recently makes them less of a rarity.



I hae another 450 that was built and just shipped today after sitting for 4 weeks at the rail yard in Kentucky. I had a $2000 PCO that expired on 4/2 so the delay would cost me another $2k.


China calls for efforts to promote Colombia's national development

Xinhua) 10:44, April 10, 2024

Geng Shuang (C, front), China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting on Colombia at the UN headquarters in New York, April 9, 2024. The Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to promote Colombia's national development and work for sustainable peace. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to promote Colombia's national development and work for sustainable peace.

One of the main obstacles to the implementation of the peace agreement is the inadequate progress in key areas such as rural reform, land distribution, and reintegration of ex-combatants. China encourages the Colombian government to continue to scale up its efforts in these areas, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. "We look forward to such efforts being translated into a solid foundation for advancing the peace process."

There is a need to promote the process of dialogue and reconciliation and consolidate the momentum for peace, he told the Security Council.

China welcomes the extension of the cease-fire between the government and the National Liberation Army, and looks forward to the progress in the seventh round of peace talks between the two sides. China also welcomes the recent announcement by the government on the launching of peace talks with other armed groups, he said.

"We hope the parties in Colombia will demonstrate willingness and determination to engage in peaceful negotiation, reduce conflict and violence, create a favorable environment for dialogue and consultation, and further consolidate and expand the effective outcomes of such talks," he said.

The security situation in Colombia should be improved through concrete efforts in order to strengthen the confidence of all parties in peace, said Geng.

A secure and stable environment is particularly important for enhancing the confidence of all sectors of the population in the peace process. China supports the government of Colombia in fully implementing the relevant security policies, continuing to increase its deployment of security forces in former conflict areas where effective control is absent, and strengthening the protection of women, children, ethnic minorities, and ex-combatants, he said.

China commends the significant work done by the UN Verification Mission in Colombia in terms of promoting the peace process in the country. China stands ready to continue to support the mission and international and regional partners in providing support and assistance to the advancement of a Colombian-led and Colombian-owned peace process, he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Operation Iron Swords - Day 187 - 10 April 2024

At any point, Hamas could have ended this burgeoning tragedy to

surrender and release every hostage.

Hamas instigated and owns this humanitarian catastrophe.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)

The HAMAS Civil Defense Service in the Gaza Strip estimated the number of bodies of martyrs stuck under the rubble in the Gaza Strip at about 20,000, including 10,000 in the northern Strip. This is double the number previouly reported. Mustafa Barghouti reported 09 April 2024 "The total number of Palestinians killed by Israel since October 7th is 33,360 in addition to 7000 missing under the rubble."

The head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), Ismail Haniyeh, received the news of the martyrdom of 3 of his sons and two granddaughters, while visiting the wounded in Gaza, with patience and composure. The moment he heard the news, he said, May God make it easy for them. Ismail Haniyeh said, in an interview with Al Jazeera, I thank God for this honor with which he bestowed upon us the martyrdom of my three sons and some grandchildren... With this pain and blood, we create hopes, a future, and freedom for our people, our cause, and our nation. He added, "The occupation believes that by targeting the sons of leaders, it will break the resolve of our people. We tell them that this blood will only make us more steadfast in our principles and adherence to our land."

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel will respond in kind should Iran launch a direct attack against it. If Iran attacks from its territoryIsrael will respond and attack in Iran, tweeted Katz. The minister tagged Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the X post. The London-based Arabic newspaper Elaph cited a Western official as saying Israel has conducted secret air force training in recent days, involving long-distance flights and rehearsals of strikes on sensitive sites in Iran that may be tied to that countrys nuclear project. Elaph reported that Israel will strike targets in Iran if the Islamic Republic retaliates for the targeted killing of an Iranian general in Syria on April 1 which Tehran has blamed on Israel.

Sources in Jerusalem believe that the IDF withdrawal from Khan Yunis and the flood of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip have hurt the chances that Hamas will agree to a hostage release deal, Ynet reported on Wednesday. The Israeli officials say that the terrorist group wont compromise in regards to the American temporary ceasefire proposal on the table at talks in Cairo after receiving so much for free. We gave up our strong cards for nothing, Ynet quotes the Israeli sources as saying. Hamas is digging in with its demands for an end to the war and a troop withdrawal, and is determined to play tricks with the mediators, the sources continued.

President Joe Biden said the ball is now in Hamass court to accept a proposal on the table for a six-week truce that would see some of the hostages released from Gaza. Its now up to Hamas. They need to move on the proposal that has been made [so we can] get these hostages home where they belong, Biden says during a press conference. It also brings back a six-week ceasefire that we need now.

I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, President Joe Biden told Univision, a US-based, Spanish-language television networ when asked whether Netanyahu was putting his own political survival before national interests. So what Im calling for is the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, a total access to all food and medicine going into the country, he said, adding that other countries were ready to help as well. Ive spoken to everyone from the Saudis to the Jordanians to the Egyptians. Theyre prepared to move this food in. Theres no excuse to not provide for the medical and food needs of those people. It should be done now.

Biden at press conference: "We also want to address the Iranian threat to launch a significant--they're threatening to launch a significant attack in Israel. As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is iron clad. Let me say it again, iron clad - all we can to protect Israel's security."

Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei considered that Israel made a mistake by attacking its consulate in Damascus, vowing to punish it, while Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz warned that any attack would be met with a response inside Iran. He said during the Eid al-Fitr prayer sermon in Tehran that it will be punished for that, adding, When they attacked our consulate, this means that they are attacking our land... This is considered international norms in the world. The malicious entity committed a mistake in this matter and must be punished for that... and it will be punished.

On the other hand, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz threatened that Israel would respond within Iran if the latter attacked Israel from its territory. This came in a post in Persian that Katz published on the X platform in response to Irans threats to respond to the bombing of its consulate in Damascus.

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy confirmed in recent days that Israel is ready on both the defense and offensive levels to confront any possible Iranian strike. For his part, Jay Davidson, commander of the Israeli Air Force base in Hatzerim in the Negev Desert, said that he does not rule out that the Air Force will have to deal with a multi-front regional war that includes Gaza, Lebanon, and even Iran. Channel 12 quoted Davidson as saying that the situation could deteriorate.

These statements come at a time when the Israeli Air Force has been placed on maximum alert in preparation for the possibility of Iran responding militarily to Israel following its accusation of assassinating Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior officer of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, along with a number of his aides in the bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week. Israeli air defense systems have also been placed on a high level of alert to confront any missile threats.

War Termination

The Israeli Kan channel reported, citing press reports, that the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) rejected the American proposal for a ceasefire, and intends to present its own proposal to end the war. The channel quoted a senior political source in Israel as saying that if Hamas presents an alternative proposal to advance the talks, the two sides will be able to enter into serious negotiations. In this context, the head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh , told Al Jazeera that "what the enemy failed to extract through killing, destruction, and annihilation, he will not take in the negotiations."

Commenting on the martyrdom of his sons and a number of his grandchildren, Haniyeh said, Our demands are clear and specific and will not be conceded. If the enemy believes that targeting my sons at the height of the negotiations and before the movements response arrives, that this will push Hamas to change its position, then he is delusional. He stressed that the movement will not yield to "the blackmail practiced by the occupation, as peoples who surrender will not be spared," stressing, "We will not concede and we will not neglect, no matter how great our sacrifices are."

Haaretz newspaper quoted an Israeli source as saying that there are fears that Hamas will disrupt the hostage deal after the assassination of Haniyehs sons. In a related context, Reuters quoted Israeli officials as saying that Benjamin Netanyahu's government agreed, during talks in Egypt about a ceasefire in Gaza, to concessions related to the return of Palestinians to the northern Gaza Strip, but it believes that Hamas does not want to reach an agreement.

The two officials familiar with the talks said that under a US truce proposal, Israel would allow 150,000 Palestinians to return to northern Gaza without security checks. They added that in return, Hamas will be asked to provide a list of names of women, elderly and sick prisoners held by the resistance who are still alive.

The Hamas movement said yesterday, Tuesday, that the latest proposal it received from the Egyptian and Qatari mediators did not meet the demands, but that it would study it more deeply before responding. Hamas demands an end to the Israeli aggression, the withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Gaza Strip , and allowing the displaced Palestinians to return to their homes without conditions.

Operational Update

Operational Update - Gaza

Aid which entered Gaza today (April 10): 306 aid trucks inspected and transferred to Gaza; 390 packages carrying hundreds of thousands of meals airdropped over northern Gaza; and 41 aid trucks to northern Gaza (30 private sector trucks and 11 WFP trucks).

The 162nd Division, led by the Nahal TDF fighters, continue to operate in the Netzer Corridor that separates the north and south of the Gaza Strip, embarking on targeted operations and raids on terrorist infrastructure in the region. The Nahal Brigade's combat team continues to operate in the center of the Gaza Strip and eliminated a number of terrorists in the last day. During the operation, the fighters eliminated a terrorist squad that endangered the forces in a face-to-face encounter.

During the last day, fighter jets and aircraft of the Air Force attacked dozens of targets in several areas in the Gaza Strip, including military sites, launchers, tunnel shafts and other terrorist infrastructures in the Gaza Strip. In one of the attacks, an Air Force aircraft attacked a squad of Hamas terrorists who were threatening Israeli forces. Air Force aircraft attacked today (Wednesday) with the intelligence guidance of the Amman and the Shin Bet, three military operatives of the terrorist organization Hamas on their way to carry out terrorist activities in the central area of the Gaza Strip. The three activists who were attacked are Amir Haniya, a squad commander in the military arm of Hamas, Muhammad Haniya, a military operative in the terrorist organization and Hazem Haniya, another military operative in the terrorist organization. The IDF confirms that the activists are three of the children of Ismail Haniya, the head of the political bureau of Hamas.

The air defense fighters intercepted yesterday (Tuesday), one launch that was fired from the Jabalia region towards Gaza village. In closing a circle, a fighter jet attacked the building and destroyed the launcher from which the launch was made. The fighters of the Nahal Brigade continue to operate in the center of the Gaza Strip; military buildings were attacked, including launchers from which launches were made towards our forces and over Israeli territory. In addition, a number of launches were identified towards our forces that operated in a targeted manner in the Sha'gaiya area in the north of the Gaza Strip. In a rapid closing of the circle, a fighter jet attacked the launcher from it The launches were made.

The commander of the Central Command, General Yehuda Fox, met today (Wednesday) with the heads of the incoming and continuing authorities and councils in Judea and Samaria and the Bekaa and Valleys Division. As part of the meeting, the main points of the assessment of the situation were presented and an open dialogue was held with the heads of the authorities and councils. The general emphasized that the security of the settlements and the residents and the relationship between the IDF and the local leadership and the settlement is of great importance and is at the heart of the actions of the Central Command.

"This meeting is very important to us, and I wish you all success," said the commander of the Central Command, Major General Yehuda Fox, "Since the beginning of the war, we have switched to the offensive in the entire command sector, and at the same time there is an effort to strengthen all the elements of the defense and cooperation with the HA. The security and command with the heads of the settlement is a significant element in improving the security of the residents. Our policy in command is clear - anything that can improve the security of the residents, we will do as much as we can promote."

The military and strategic expert, Colonel Hatem Karim Al-Falahi, commented on the statement of Israeli War Council member Benny Gantz , in which he said that Israeli forces will enter Rafah , south of the Gaza Strip , and will return to Khan Yunis. He said that military commanders in the occupation army announced that the armys presence in Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, would mean depleting its military capabilities. It was likely that the withdrawal would be for the purpose of going to Rafah, with the occupation forces returning to Khan Yunis again in later periods.

According to the analysis of the military and strategic expert on Al Jazeera, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants his army to remain in Khan Yunis, because he does not want to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. He pointed out that there is a difference in visions between Netanyahu and the extreme right and the army leadership, represented by the General Staff, and some of those who previously held positions in the Ministry of Defense, including Gantz.

Regarding the Palestinian resistances targeting of the Netzarim corridor, which separates northern Gaza from the center and south, the military and strategic expert said that this corridor will be vulnerable to bombing throughout the coming period. He pointed out that the occupation army is trying to protect itself in the region by erecting dirt berms at specific heights, and has established 3 main bases in the east, west and centre.

He also said that the occupation army wants to establish an operational foothold in Netzarim, especially if it wants to penetrate the region again. Regarding the return of Israeli bombing to the city of Abasan, east of Khan Yunis, Colonel Hatem Al-Falahi said that the goal is to prevent any advance by the resistance factions towards the forces present in this area.

Minister in the Israeli Military Council and head of the "National Camp" coalition, Benny Gantz, confirmed that the Israeli army will enter the city of Rafah , and at the same time called for the formation of an American-led regional coalition against Iran. Gantz said, during a press conference in the Sderot settlement in the Gaza Strip, today, Wednesday, that the occupation army will enter the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip , and that it will return to the city of Khan Yunis in the center of the Strip, where the occupation army had announced its withdrawal from it a few days ago. In the context of reassuring the home front in Israel, Gantz indicated that fighting is continuing in the Gaza Strip to varying degrees according to necessity and need, according to him.

Operational Update - Judea-Samaria

The IDF, the Shin Bet and the Security Forces operated tonight to arrest nine wanted persons throughout Judea and Samaria. In an operation in the Qalandiya area of the Binyamin Brigade, the fighters arrested three wanted men and confiscated two M-16 type rifles alongside three pistols. In Tulkarm in the Menashe Brigade and in the area of the Samaria Brigade, the fighters arrested six wanted persons and interrogated additional suspects. In Adana, in the Yehuda Brigade, the forces located and confiscated the weapons they found, in the city of Hebron, terrorist funds were confiscated. The wanted persons who were arrested and the means of warfare that were confiscated were transferred to the security forces for further treatment, there are no casualties to Israeli forces.

The Israeli occupation forces continued incursions and raids into cities and towns in the West Bank on the night of Eid al-Fitr. Early on Wednesday morning, the occupation forces arrested a young man from the village of Beit Imrin, west of Nablus. Local sources reported to the Palestinian News Agency (Wafa) that the occupation forces stormed the village and arrested the young man, Abdel Rahman Reda Samara. The sources added that the occupation forces stormed the area between the villages of Tal Wasra, west of Nablus, and the village of Qablan, to the south, and raided a number of homes and searched them. A young man was also injured by live bullets last night during confrontations with Israeli forces in the village of Asira al-Qibliya, south of Nablus.

The occupation forces arrested a young man from the town of Idna, west of Hebron, stormed the town of Bani Naim (east), and delivered a notice to demolish a house in the town of Bani Naim. Israeli forces entered the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. Local sources reported that several Israeli military vehicles stormed the town and raided several neighborhoods, and that violent confrontations broke out between citizens and the occupation forces, who fired live bullets and poison tear gas bombs, without any injuries or arrests being reported.

The Israeli occupation forces stormed the town of Beit Rima, northwest of Ramallah . Local sources reported to Wafa Agency that the occupation forces stormed the town with several vehicles, deployed a foot force, and stationed themselves near the health center in the town. In the Jenin Governorate, Israeli forces launched a massive combing and inspection campaign after raiding the neighborhoods of several villages in the governorate in provocative steps, and set up mobile military checkpoints, without any arrests being reported. Israeli forces stormed the town of Azzun, east of Qalqilya, and local sources reported that several Israeli military vehicles stormed the town from its northern entrance, raided several neighborhoods, and deployed foot teams in several places, amid a low flight of reconnaissance aircraft.

Operational Update - Lebanon

Fighter jets of the Air Force attacked a military structure in the Eyta al-Sha'ab region where terrorists from the terrorist organization Hezbollah were staying alongside another terrorist infrastructure in the al-Khyam region in southern Lebanon. Earlier, the IDF fired to remove a threat in the A-Nakura area.

Operational Update - Syria / Iraq

"The IDF holds the Syrian regime accountable for all activities which take place within its territory and will not allow for any attempted actions which could lead to the entrenchment of Hezbollah on the Syrian front." he Israel Defense Forces stated.

Operational Update - Yemen

Houthis claimed they targeted four ships in Gulf of Aden, including a US destroyer. There are no reports of damage to vessels as Iran-backed Yemeni rebels continue to upend Red Sea commerce. The group's spokesman, Yahya Saree, said in a televised statement that targeting the four ships was a victory for the Palestinian people and a response to the American-British operations against Yemen, noting that one of the targeted ships was an American warship. Saree added, "Israeli and American ships were targeted with a number of naval missiles and drones," and stressed that Houthi operations in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean will continue until the end of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

US Central Command said that it destroyed an anti-ship ballistic missile in the Gulf of Aden that was targeting the US ship "Yorktown". It added that no casualties or damage were reported by American, coalition, or commercial ships.

Maps

All maps are lies. Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it is essential, wrote cartographer Mark Monmoneir in his book How to Lie with Maps. He showed that condensing complex, three-dimensional spaces onto a two-dimensional sheet of paper [in old days] is bound to be reductive. But it is impossible to comprehend the war in Gaza without reference to maps, otherwise the entire conflict is reduced to an endless series of meaningless acts of random violence and the suffering of civilians. The first characteristic of guerrilla warfare is the loss of a front line. Evidently, different mappers have different ideas of how to depict the war in Gaza, notably those that seek to depict Israeli progress in the ground campaign. Part of the problem is latency. The news that forms the basis of the maps takes time to filter out to mappers, and the cartographers take time in crafting their maps, and it takes time to curate them. These processes are uneven among mappers, so their maps may differ in detail. Probably there is some ideological bias, or at least thematic apperception, which is understandable in wartime. It may come as no surprise that al-Jazeera maps depict rather less Israeli territorial progress than other sources. Finally, there remains the epistemological question of just exactly what are the colored in areas depicting. Naively, this might be understood as areas of Israeli control, that are no longer contested by the HAMAS. Or possibly these are areas of Israeli presence, in many of which the possibility of an RPG-wielding HAMAS militant popping out of a tunnel unexpectedly remains a live possibility. With the "zero-range" combat characterized by small unit tactics on both sides, maps may be prey to a fallacy of misplaced concreteness.

Bystanders

Axis of Resistance

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning of retribution against the Zionist regime, promising severe punishment for its atrocities, emphasizing the sanctity of consulates and embassies as extensions of sovereign territory in any nation. "The Zionist regime has killed over thirty thousand defenseless people in these six months," the Leader said during a speech at Imam Khomeinis Grand Mosalla in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Wednesday after leading the Eid al-Fitr prayers, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

"Consulates and embassy apparatus in any country are considered as the soil of that country," the Ayatollah Khamenei stressed, reaffirming the principle of consular sovereignty. "The malicious regime made a mistake and must be punished, and it will be punished," declared the Leader, underscoring the determination to seek retribution for Israeli crimes, after it demolished the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus in an airstrike.

Ayatollah Khamenei also said that the Israel regimes months-long war against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip shows the evil and wicked nature of the Western civilization. In this year's events, Western governments exposed the evil nature of Western civilizations. During the last six months in Gaza, the Western governments, themselves, put on display this evil nature before the eyes of the world. Their strength does not match that of the resistance fighters, so they claim the lives of children and the oppressed and killed more than thirty thousand innocent people, the Leader said. Where are those whose cacophonous voice on human rights deafen the ears of the world? Are these not human beings? Dont they have any rights? he added.

Allied for Democracy

Head of the "National Camp" coalition, Benny Gantz, who is ahead of Netanyahu in opinion polls if elections are held, also touched on the problem facing the residents of northern Israel, as they abandoned their homes after the start of bombing operations between Hezbollah and the occupation army in the wake of the Al-Aqsa flood on October 7, where he stressed that The government will return "the citizens of the North to their homes, whatever the cost."

Israeli media channels discussed the role that the United States is playing in the negotiations between the occupation and the Palestinian resistance. Analysts spoke about the chances of reaching a deal and called for keeping expectations low. They also pointed out that half a year had passed without Israel achieving any of its goals.

Channel 13 reported that the United States took the lead and exerted great pressure on the mediators, stressing that the American offer that was put forward is broad in scope and includes a very broad mandate and includes all elements: moving army forces and the return of Gazans to the northern Gaza Strip. According to the same channel, Israel will receive - as it has requested for weeks - a list of the names of living prisoners who will be released in the deal, and in return it will show great flexibility in the issue of the return of Gazans to the northern Gaza Strip .

Tamir Hayman, head of the Institute for National Security Studies, suggests that Israel keep the ceiling of expectations low, adding, According to the enthusiasm of the mediators, the American proposal requires broad concessions from Israel, and he said that the United States was involved in this issue with its full weight. Regarding the threats of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security and Itamar Ben Gvir , Mikhai Sheams, political affairs correspondent for Kan 11, said that Ben Gvir had previously threatened, perhaps 3,000 times, to dismantle the government if a deal was reached, and he wondered whether it was Smotrich who supported the previous deal. It will support the current deal.

In Sheams' opinion, the chances of reaching a deal are very weak, "because Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not want to clash with many parties on the right."

On the other hand, Dan Murdor, a former minister from the Likud Party, believes that the real problem of this government is the war that it is managing very poorly, noting that Israel set goals and after half a year has not achieved them, as it has not recovered the detainees and has not undermined the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), and acknowledged that Israel failed in deterrence, early warning, and attack.

In the same context, Zvika Yehezkeli, Channel 13s Palestinian affairs correspondent, said, Going to a phased deal means that military pressure has perhaps completely failed to influence Hamas. In the view of Ronen Kanellis, a former spokesman for the Israeli army, Israel is abandoning all pressure tools.

Operation Iron Swords - By the Numbers

1,900,000 IDPs in Gaza

75,993 Gazans injured, 28% adult male

70,000 tons of explosives dropped on Gaza

70,000 housing units completely destroyed

70,000 Israeli IDPs from Lebanon border

45,000 bombs dropped in Gaza

43,000 Gazans killed, including buried under rubble

33,000 Gaza targets attacked

33,360 Gazans martyred

20,528 Palestinians in Israeli prisons [Haaretz, 20 Mar 2024]

15,000 rocket launched from Gaza

14,793 Israelis injured [i24 TV]

14,520 Gazan children martyred

13,000 HAMAS combatants killed [N12]

13,000 HAMAS combatants killed [IDF]

11,000 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank in 2023

10,000 Gazans missing under the rubble

9,920 Gazan women martyred

9,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons

9,000 IDF needing psychological assistance

8,365 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank since Oct.7th

6,800 IDF officers and soldiers injured [Channel 12]

6,000 HAMAS combatants killed [HAMAS]

5,500 IDF wounded [reports]

4,750 West Bank Palestinians wounded

4,700 sites targetted in Lebanon

3,484 administrative detainees

3,700 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria

3,188 IDF wounded [IDF]

2,100 Gazan women are missing

1,609 terrorists killed on the first day

1,600 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria affiliated with Hamas

1,160 Israelis killed on the first day

604 Israeli officers and soldiers killed since the start of the war

456 West Bank Palestinians martyred

343 people [including fighters] killed in Lebanon

260 Israeli officers and soldiers killed in Gaza

222 Hezbollah fighters killed in Lebanon

126 people recovered, including 91 Israelis, 11 bodies, and 24 foreign workers

116 living hostages in Palestinian custody

50 civilians killed in Lebanon

29 IDF deaths were caused by "friendly fire"

15 Israelis killed in the West Bank and Israel

Not every number is reported every day, so sudden jumps generally reflect reporting artifacts rather than actual upticks. Many of these numbers fluctate, up and down, with no apparent explanation. This list records the highest number reliably reported for each matter, under the theory that reality with catch up with reports, as is relentlessly the case.

NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address






New York City, NY , April 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, a new player is making waves with a blend of meme culture charm and a commitment to philanthropy. The Grumpy Cat Coin ($GRUMPY), inspired by the world's most famous feline meme, is set to launch on the Solana network, backed by one of cryptos top incubators. This community-driven meme coin is not just another addition to the crypto space; it represents a significant step forward in leveraging popular culture for charitable causes.









A Commitment to the Community and Legacy





$GRUMPY stands out in the crowded meme coin market with its unique approach. The project pledges 100% of its tokens to presale and liquidity pool (LP), ensuring a fair distribution that benefits its community from the start. Unlike many projects, $GRUMPY has chosen to eschew team tokens entirely, a move that underscores its commitment to transparency and community trust.





Moreover, the Grumpy Cat Coin team is dedicated to honoring the legacy of the internets beloved Grumpy Cat by contributing to the family of the late feline star. This philanthropic angle is not just a nod to the meme's origins but also a way to ensure that the project has a positive real-world impact.





Features and Future Plans





The launch of $GRUMPY is set to be a landmark event, with plans including:





YouTuber Marketing Campaigns: Leveraging influencers with over 5 million subscribers to drive awareness and engagement.





Centralized Exchange (CEX) Listing on Launch: Ensuring accessibility and liquidity for investors from day one.





Extensive Public Relations Efforts: Aiming to capture the attention of both crypto enthusiasts and mainstream audiences.





Potential Partnership with Grumpy Cat Official: A move that could bridge the gap between meme culture and the crypto world.





Developer Programs and Social Media Campaigns: Designed to foster innovation and community growth.





No Fees, Pure Growth





In an industry where transaction fees can be a point of contention, $GRUMPY sets itself apart with a 0% tax policy, ensuring that transactions remain cost-effective for all participants. Coupled with a liquidity pool burnt on launch to prevent rug pulls, the project prioritizes security and investor confidence.





KYC and Audit: A Foundation of Trust





Understanding the critical importance of trust in the crypto sphere, $GRUMPY has completed KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures and undergone a thorough audit. These steps are crucial in establishing a solid foundation for the project's long-term success and reliability.





Join the Presale: The Journey Begins





The presale for Grumpy Cat Coin offers an unprecedented opportunity to be part of a project that combines the viral appeal of meme culture with a serious commitment to charity and community growth. Interested investors are encouraged to join the presale at the earliest to secure their position at the most advantageous price point.

Stay Connected





To stay updated on the latest developments and join the $GRUMPY community, enthusiasts can follow the project on Telegram, Twitter, and its official website.

As the Grumpy Cat Coin prepares to make its debut, it stands as a testament to the potential of cryptocurrencies to not only generate wealth but also drive positive change in the world. In the spirit of its muse, $GRUMPY may look grumpy, but its heart is all about spreading joy and support where it's needed most.





SOCIALS :





Telegram : https://t.me/grumpysolcoin

Twitter : https://twitter.com/grumpysolcoin

Website : https://www.grumpycat.biz

Pinksale : https://www.pinksale.finance/solana/launchpad/7oyrZcppGnJ9fkUCrU9Syq1BGQj52yHH6xuueiDKXD2G



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.


Newark, April 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 3.91 billion in 2023 global laminating adhesives market will reach USD 7.01 billion by 2033. The laminating adhesives market can capitalize on the rising demand for high-performance films in various industries such as food packaging, automotive, and electronics. Innovations in adhesive technology to enhance bonding strength, temperature resistance, and barrier properties will be pivotal. Targeting sectors requiring specialized films like OLED displays or flexible electronics offers niche opportunities. Furthermore, the integration of smart features in packaging, such as RFID tags, QR codes, or temperature-sensitive indicators, is gaining traction for product authentication, supply chain tracking, and consumer engagement. Laminating adhesives compatible with smart substrates and maintaining adhesion integrity under varying conditions will be essential. Collaborations with electronics and packaging companies can leverage this emerging trend.



For Right Perspective and Competitive Insights, Get Sample Report at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/14112



In addition, the healthcare sector presents promising opportunities for laminating adhesives, particularly in medical device manufacturing and pharmaceutical packaging. Adhesives compliant with stringent regulatory standards, including biocompatibility and sterilization requirements, are in demand. Developing antimicrobial or antifungal adhesive formulations for medical applications can address infection control concerns. Besides, embracing digitalization and Industry 4.0 principles can streamline production processes, improve quality control, and enable predictive maintenance in adhesive manufacturing. Implementing IoT-enabled sensors, data analytics, and automation enhances operational efficiency and reduces downtime. Offering digitalized solutions for adhesive selection, application optimization, and performance monitoring adds value to customers.



Key Insight of the Global Laminating Adhesives Market



Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest market growth over the forecast period.



Asia Pacific is witnessing a rising demand for flexible packaging solutions in various end-use sectors, such as food and beverage, healthcare, personal care, and e-commerce. Laminating adhesives are critical for bonding layers of flexible packaging materials, including films, foils, and papers. The region's shift towards flexible packaging is expected to fuel the demand for laminating adhesives. Furthermore, rising disposable personal income levels and changing lifestyles are leading to increased consumption of consumer goods in Asia Pacific. Laminating adhesives are widely used in producing consumer goods packaging, including food packaging, cosmetics packaging, and household product packaging. The growing demand for consumer goods is expected to drive the demand for laminating adhesives in the region. Additionally, infrastructure development initiatives in the Asia Pacific, including transportation infrastructure, urban development projects, and construction activities, create opportunities for laminating adhesives in applications such as architectural panels, insulation materials, and flooring. The region's ongoing infrastructure development drives the demand for laminating adhesives. Moreover, Asia Pacific is a major automotive manufacturing and electronics production hub. Laminating adhesives are used in automotive interior trim bonding, electronic device assembly, and other applications in these industries. The region's expanding automotive and electronics sectors are expected to drive the demand for laminating adhesives. Besides, government initiatives to promote industrial growth, innovation, and investment in key sectors such as manufacturing, packaging, and construction support the growth of the laminating adhesives market in Asia Pacific. Incentives, subsidies, and infrastructure development projects create a conducive business environment for laminating adhesives manufacturers.



In 2023, the polyurethane segment held the largest market share at 46.18% and a revenue of 1.81 billion.



The resin type segment is split into acrylic, polyurethane and others. In 2023, the polyurethane segment held the largest market share at 46.18% and a revenue of 1.81 billion.



In 2023, the solvent-based segment dominated the market with the largest share of 48.31% and revenue of 1.89 billion.



The technology segment is divided into solvent-based, water-based and others. In 2023, the solvent-based segment dominated the market with the largest share of 48.31% and revenue of 1.89 billion.



In 2023, the packaging segment dominated the market with the largest share of 61.47% and revenue of 2.40 billion.



The application segment is divided into automotive & transportation, industrial, packaging and others. In 2023, the packaging segment dominated the market with the largest share of 61.47% and revenue of 2.40 billion.



Custom Requirements can be requested for this Report at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/request-customization/14112



Advancement in market



In May 2023: Arkema has finalized the acquisition of Polytec PT, a distinguished German firm renowned for its expertise in adhesives tailored for batteries and electronics applications. Arkema aims to fortify Bostik's product portfolio through this strategic move, enhancing its ability to cater to the rapidly expanding batteries and electronics sectors. This acquisition represents a seamless integration into the Group's overarching strategy, aligning with its vision to become a comprehensive system provider. Arkema endeavours to empower its customers to pursue sustainable innovations within the batteries and electronics markets by offering a broader spectrum of solutions.



In April 2023: Bostik, a renowned expert in adhesives catering to industrial, construction, and consumer sectors worldwide, has introduced Herberts LF686/H186, a solvent-free adhesive designed specifically for the Chinese market. Engineered with precision, Bostik Herberts LF686/H186 is tailored for rigid packaging applications, particularly for materials like aluminium foil, PET/VMPET, and aluminium plates. These packaging materials find extensive use across various fields such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and FMCG, making the adhesive a versatile solution for diverse packaging needs.



Market Dynamics



Driver: Rising disposable income and urbanization.



Economic growth, rising disposable personal incomes, and urbanization are synergistically fuelling a significant surge in demand for consumer goods across various sectors, including packaged foods, personal care products, and household items. Individuals have more purchasing power due to economic prosperity and higher disposable incomes, so they are increasingly inclined towards convenience and quality in their purchases. This shift in consumer behaviour is propelling the need for attractive and functional packaging materials to preserve the quality and appeal of these goods. Laminating adhesives play a crucial role in the production of such packaging materials. They are essential in bonding together different layers of packaging substrates to create durable, visually appealing, and functional packaging solutions. With the growing requirement for packaged goods, the demand for laminating adhesives is witnessing a corresponding uptick. Manufacturers are thus experiencing heightened pressure to produce laminating adhesives that meet the stringent requirements of the packaging industry in terms of strength, durability, aesthetics, and environmental sustainability. Moreover, the increasing urbanization trend is leading to changes in lifestyle preferences, with urban consumers gravitating towards packaged and convenience-oriented products. This further amplifies the demand for laminating adhesives, as packaging is pivotal in enhancing product visibility, shelf appeal, and brand differentiation in urban retail environments.



Restraint: Cost competitiveness.



Price sensitivity among consumers and end-users presents a significant challenge to the widespread adoption of laminating adhesives, particularly in markets or applications where cost considerations play a pivotal role. Despite notable performance advantages, laminating adhesives often incur higher upfront costs than mechanical fastening methods or alternative bonding techniques. In price-sensitive market segments, where consumers prioritize affordability over other factors, the higher initial investment required for laminating adhesives can be a deterrent. This reluctance to incur additional expenses upfront can lead to hesitation in adopting laminating adhesives, especially when cheaper alternatives are readily available. While laminating adhesives offer enhanced durability, improved aesthetics, and superior bonding strength, the perceived value may only sometimes justify the higher price point for some consumers and end-users. In industries where profit margins are tight, and cost optimization is paramount, the inclination towards cost-effective solutions often outweighs the desire for premium features offered by laminating adhesives.



Opportunity: Integration of digital technologies.



Leveraging digital technologies such as data analytics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly enhance operational efficiency, product development, and customer engagement for laminating adhesives manufacturers. By implementing these advanced digital solutions, companies can revolutionize various aspects of their operations, ultimately leading to improved competitiveness in the market. One critical area where digital technologies can significantly impact is inventory management. Using data analytics, manufacturers can gain useful insights into their inventory levels, demand patterns, and supply chain dynamics. This factor enables them to optimize inventory levels, minimize excess stock, and replenish timely materials. By implementing automated inventory management systems, companies can streamline the entire process, reducing manual errors and saving time and resources. Moreover, digital solutions can also enhance production optimization efforts. By integrating AI and automation into manufacturing processes, companies can achieve higher precision, consistency, and productivity. AI algorithms can analyze extensive real-time production data, identify inefficiencies, predict equipment failures, and optimize production schedules. This factor not only improves overall production efficiency but also helps in reducing downtime and maintenance costs. In addition to operational improvements, digital technologies can also transform product development processes. Data analytics can provide helpful insights into customer choices, market trends, and performance feedback, enabling manufacturers to develop innovative adhesive products tailored to meet evolving customer needs. By leveraging AI-driven design and simulation tools, companies can accelerate product development cycles, optimize formulations, and improve product performance.



Challenge: Technological complexity.



Developing advanced laminating adhesive formulations entails a substantial commitment to research and development, necessitating significant investment. The intricate nature of the technology, along with the continuous evolution of market demands, poses challenges for manufacturers regarding resource allocation and time-to-market. Moreover, staying abreast of market trends and customer preferences is crucial for ensuring that adhesive formulations remain relevant and competitive. Manufacturers must invest in ongoing innovation to adjust to maintain a competitive edge. However, the complexity of developing advanced laminating adhesives means that achieving desired performance characteristics can take time and effort. Manufacturers must allocate sufficient resources and time to conduct comprehensive testing and refinement to meet quality standards and regulatory requirements.



Some of the major players operating in the global laminating adhesives market are:



 3M

 Arkema

 Ashland Inc.

 BASF

 Coim Group

 DuPont

 DIC Corporation

 Dymax Corporation

 Evonik Industries AG

 Flint Group

 H.B. Fuller

 Henkel AG

 L.D.Davis

 Pidilite Industries Limited

 Sika AG

 Sun Chemical

 Toyo-Morton Ltd.

 Vimasco Corporation



Key Segments cover in the market:



By Resin Type



 Acrylic

 Polyurethane

 Others



By Technology



 Solvent-based

 Water-based

 Others



By Application



 Automotive & Transportation

 Industrial

 Packaging

 Others



By Region



 North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

 Europe (Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)

 South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America)

 The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)



Have a question? Speak to Research Analyst: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/14112



About the report:



The market is analyzed based on value (USD Billion) and volume (Tons). All the segments have been analyzed worldwide, regional, and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report analyses driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges to gain critical market insight. The study includes Porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, Product analysis, supply, and demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution, and marketing channels analysis.



Contact Us



Avinash D

Head of Business Development

Phone: +1-315-215-1633

Email: sales@thebrainyinsights.com

Web: http://www.thebrainyinsights.com
Dublin, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Automotive Transmission Market by Transmission Type (Manual Transmission, Automatic Transmission, CVT, DCT, AMT), Fuel Type, Vehicle Type, Hybrid Vehicle, Two-Wheeler Transmission, Number of Forward Gears and Region - Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global automotive transmission market is projected to grow from USD 62.4 billion in 2023 to USD 84.2 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.2%. Governments worldwide are implementing stringent emission regulations, driving the increased adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles to curb greenhouse gas emissions. HEVs and PHEVs are primarily equipped with automatic or CVT transmissions for seamless integration between electric and gasoline propulsion, optimizing efficiency and ensuring smooth transitions. Additionally, these transmissions offer driver comfort and convenience by eliminating the need for manual gear changes and facilitating regenerative braking, thus enhancing the overall driving experience and efficiency.



Ensuring cost-effectiveness and enhancing performance remains a primary concern for transmission system manufacturers. Achieving this balance necessitates R&D investments to incorporate advanced technologies that improve fuel efficiency, drivability, and overall vehicle dynamics. Additionally, managing thermal loads within the transmission system poses a significant challenge, especially with the trend toward high-pressure injector engines and higher power densities, which can lead to increased heat generation.





Automatic transmission in two-wheeler segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period



With urbanization on the rise, marked by growing traffic congestion and the need for effortless navigation within cities, the demand for mopeds/scooters and electric two-wheelers is growing. These two-wheelers are equipped with automatic transmissions. In addition, the surge in female ridership is driving demand for automatic transmissions. Furthermore, an aging demographic of motorcyclists with physical limitations or diminishing strength are also the key customers for effortless automatic transmissions. Thus, the automatic transmission facilitates a smoother and more accessible riding experience for a broader audience. In the Asia-Pacific region, manual transmissions dominate the two-wheelers market, comprising an estimated 70% of sales in the fiscal year 2020-2021. This trend underscores the enduring preference for manual transmission technology among consumers in the region. For instance, in India, motorcycle sales in 2023 reached 10.2 million units, reflecting a 14% increase from the previous year's figure of 8.9 million units in 2022.



Conversely, the scooter market experienced even stronger growth, with a remarkable 26% increase. This surge indicates a growing demand for automatic transmission vehicles in India, although the current market is predominantly dominated by motorcycles. Electric bikes and scooters are experiencing significant growth in Asia, with China, Japan, and India leading the market. China, in particular, holds the largest market share for e-scooters, driven by stringent environmental regulations and the lower cost of electric vehicles than conventional options. This growth underscores a shift towards sustainable transportation solutions in response to environmental concerns and government initiatives promoting electric mobility. The surge in electric bike and scooter adoption in the Asia-Pacific region is poised to drive the growth of automatic transmissions due to the increasing demand for convenient and efficient urban mobility solutions.



North America is the second-largest market for automotive transmissions



Vehicle production in North America experienced a notable 13% growth from 2021 to 2023, with a projected increase of 23% by 2028, where the US contributes nearly 67% of the region's total production. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) hold a significant share, driven by the region's growing small-scale businesses. In the US, SUVs and trucks dominate, with manufacturers investing in advanced transmissions to meet fuel economy standards while prioritizing consumer comfort and convenience. In both the US and Canada, automatic transmissions dominate the vehicle market. They are expected to continue their dominance in the forecasted period alongside the region's overall growth in vehicle production.

Automatic transmissions are widespread in US passenger cars due to their early adoption, cultural preference for convenience, and suitability for urban driving. Factors like price parity, limited manual options, and dealer incentives also contribute to their popularity. However, CVT and DCT transmissions play significant roles, catering to diverse customer preferences. CVT holds a larger and expanding share, particularly in fuel-efficient segments, while DCT remains relevant for performance-oriented vehicles. CVT is expected to maintain a strong market presence, while DCT will continue to hold a significant position due to its preference for high-performance cars. DCTs offer quicker and smoother gear changes than traditional automatics, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. In conclusion, automatic transmissions and CVT will dominate the market, and automated manual transmission will grow at the fastest CAGR of 11.9% in the forecasted period.

Research Coverage



The study segments the automotive transmission market by volume and value, based on region (Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America and Middle East& Africa), By transmission type (Automatic Transmission, Manual Transmission, Automated Manual Transmission, Continuously variable transmission, Dual Clutch Transmission), By Number of forward gears (Up to 5, 6-8, 9-10, Above 10, CVT), vehicle type (PCs, LCVs, Trucks, Buses), Hybrid Electric Vehicles type (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe), By fuel type (Diesel, Gasoline and Alternate Fuels), by Two-wheeler transmission Type (Manual, Automatic).



The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the major automotive transmission manufacturers, their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies. The key players in the market are Aisin Corporation (Japan), ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Germany), Magna International Inc. (Canada), JATCO Ltd. (Japan), Borgwarner Inc. (US), Eaton Corporation (Ireland), Hyundai Transys (South Korea), Allison transmissions (US), Vitesco Technologies (Germany), Schaeffler AG (Germany), and GKN Automotive (UK). Major companies' key strategies to maintain their position in the global automotive transmission market are strong global networking, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and technological advancement.



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 329 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $62.4 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $84.2 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.2% Regions Covered Global

Premium Insights

Growing Demand for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles to Drive the Market

Automatic Transmission Segment to Lead the Market During the Forecast Period

Passenger Cars Segment to Lead the Market During the Forecast Period

Alternate Fuel Segment to Grow at the Highest Rate from 2023 to 2028

Up to 5 Segment to Lead the Market During the Forecast Period

North America to Register the Highest CAGR During the Forecast Period

Automatic Transmission Segment to Grow at a Higher Rate than Manual Transmission Segment During the Forecast Period

Asia-Pacific to Account for the Largest Market Share in 2023

Market Dynamics

Drivers Increasing Consumer Preference for Enhanced Driving Experience and Smooth Gear Shifting Rising Popularity of Fuel-Efficient Cars Growing Demand for Lightweight Transmission Systems Collaboration of Leading Auto Manufacturers with Domestic Players

Restraints High Adoption Cost and Frequent Maintenance of Advanced Transmission Systems Volatility in Raw Material Prices

Opportunities Wide Acceptance of CVT Technology for Fuel Efficiency and Lowering Emissions Increasing Adoption of Automatic Transmissions and Development of Hybrid Drives Rising Demand for Electric Vehicles Growing Need for Transmission Fluids in Evolving Automotive Landscape

Challenges High Cost of Lightweight and Efficient Transmissions Efficient Power Flow Management



Case Study Analysis

Life Cycle Assessment of Transmission Case: Magnesium vs. Aluminum

Design Analysis and Fabrication of Automotive Transmission Gearbox Using Hollow Gears for Weight Reduction

Lightweight Assembled Gears: Green Design Solution for Passenger and Commercial Vehicles

Ultra-Lightweight Design of Single-Speed Transmission

Integrating Planetary Differential for Lighter Transmission

Technological Analysis

Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT)

800-Volt Power Electronics System for Electric Axles

Automated Manual Transmission

Electrification of Automotive Transmission

Innovative Gearbox Design for Electric Vehicles

Ingear 2-Speed Electric Vehicle Transmission

CVT Transmission for Electric Vehicles

Companies Profiled

ZF Friedrichshafen AG

Magna International Inc.

Aisin Corporation

Eaton Corporation

Jatco Ltd.

Vitesco Technologies

Schaeffler AG

Borgwarner Inc.

Allison Transmission Inc.

GKN Automotive

Hyundai Transys

Dana Limited

Weichai Power Co. Ltd.

General Motors

Kate LLC

Muhr Und Bender KG

Startransmission & Starassembly

Maclean-Fogg Component Solutions, LLC

Mazda

Ford

Daihatsu

Subaru

Tremec

Punch Powertrain N.V.

Zeroshift

Xtrac Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/a2jiwg

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, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Liver Metastases Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Treatment Type (Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy), Primary Cancer, Distribution Channel, Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2024-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Market Growth Projections

The liver metastases treatment landscape is on an upward trajectory, according to the latest market analysis. By the year 2030, the market valuation is expected to exceed an impressive USD 2.66 billion, exemplifying a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3% from the year 2024 through 2030. This growth is poised to be fueled by an upsurge in the prevalence of primary cancers that metastasize to the liver, along with a surge in product approvals and an intensified focus on disease management in developing nations.





Driving Factors



The treatment market is greatly influenced by the heightened incidence rates of primary cancers, particularly colorectal, breast, and lung cancers, which are known to metastasize to the liver. The projections show a notable increase in colorectal and breast cancer incidences by the year 2030. Moreover, the significant growth in this sector is propelled by the late-stage cancer diagnosis in developing regions, presenting a substantial market opportunity for advanced therapeutic interventions.



Market Challenges



Despite these advancements, there are challenges impeding market expansion. A predominant obstacle includes the less frequent application of treatments in advanced stages, especially due to product unavailability and complex reimbursement landscapes. This is markedly evident in developing nations and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where medical infrastructure is yet to evolve.



Segmental Insights



An in-depth insight into the market segments reveals that targeted therapies have secured the leading position by treatment type, attributed to the presence of premium-priced, approved drugs that have surpassed traditional chemotherapy. In 2023, colorectal cancer held the lion's share in the liver metastases treatment industry, a figure influenced by the high percentage of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer cases and the vast range of treatment modalities accessible.



Distribution Channel Dominance



Hospital pharmacies emerged as the preeminent distribution channel in 2023, capturing over 60% of the market share. This can be ascribed to the high hospitalization rates for managing and treating liver metastasis.



Regional Overview



Geographically, North America currently leads the global charge with the most substantial revenue contribution. Nonetheless, the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate throughout the forecast period, potentially due to elevating awareness and improving healthcare infrastructure.



The dynamics of the liver metastases treatment market are continuously evolving. Enhanced diagnostic capabilities, progressive treatment methodologies, and the emerging focus on personalized medicine are set to redefine the therapeutic landscape over the next decade.



Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 100 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $1.63 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $2.66 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.3% Regions Covered Global

Companies Featured

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

AstraZeneca

Bayer AG

Eli Lilly and Company

Ono Pharmaceutical

Pfizer, Inc.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ajj27p

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
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prime Mining Corp. (Prime or the Company) (TSX: PRYM) (OTCQX: PRMNF) (Frankfurt: 04V3) is reporting expansion drilling results from the Companys Los Reyes Project (the Project), located in Sinaloa State, Mexico. These results are from 2024 drilling at the Z-T Area and are not included in the Companys May 2, 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).



Expansion Drilling Highlights in the Z-T Area: Tahonitas

The Company is reporting 15 core holes at Tahonitas with the following highlights:

7.68 grams per tonne (gpt) gold-equivalent (AuEq) (5.83 gpt Au and 142.7 gpt Ag) over 7.7 metres (m) estimated true width (etw) in hole 24TA-116, including: 31.49 gpt AuEq (24.31 gpt Au and 554.7 gpt Ag) over 1.8 m etw, including: 55.72 gpt AuEq (44.1 gpt Au and 898.0 gpt Ag) over 0.6 m etw;

1.98 gpt AuEq (1.21 gpt Au and 59.7 gpt Ag) over 16.9 m etw in hole 24TA-110, including: 3.99 gpt AuEq (2.41 gpt Au and 122.0gpt Ag) over 4.5 m etw;

23.97 gpt AuEq (7.66 gpt Au and 1,260.0 gpt Ag) over 0.8 m etw in hole 24TA-111.

Prime Mining Corp. Chief Executive Officer Scott Hicks commented, High grade mineralization at meaningful widths continues to develop at Tahonitas at the south-east end of the Z-T Trend, demonstrating potential to grow the existing mineral resource estimate. We are excited to see the development of this new lobe at Tahonitas and the exceptional grades being registered, both for gold and silver. This area remains open and is targeted for additional drilling.



Figure 1: Expansion drilling update







Tahonitas Drill Hole Highlights1

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval

(m) ETW (m)2 Au (gpt) Ag (gpt) AuEq3 Au Cut-

off4 24TA-110 281.00 301.60 20.60 16.85 1.21 59.7 1.98 0.2 including 281.00 286.50 5.50 4.50 2.41 122.0 3.99 1.0 & including 293.50 294.55 1.05 0.85 3.07 101.0 4.38 1.0 & including 295.85 296.70 0.85 0.70 4.74 342.0 9.17 1.0 & including 299.80 300.50 0.70 0.55 2.01 19.0 2.26 1.0 24TA-111 378.00 379.25 1.25 0.80 7.66 1260.0 23.97 1.0 24TA-112 310.95 316.95 6.00 3.85 1.29 47.5 1.90 0.2 including 313.80 316.95 3.15 2.00 2.20 77.0 3.20 1.0 24TA-114 275.75 284.40 8.65 7.50 0.99 34.0 1.43 0.2 including 276.80 278.30 1.50 1.30 1.43 31.7 1.84 1.0 & including 281.90 284.40 2.50 2.15 1.64 62.8 2.45 1.0 24TA-116 285.35 287.50 2.15 1.75 8.13 176.0 10.41 1.0 including 285.35 286.55 1.20 1.00 12.45 255.0 15.75 1.0 24TA-116 321.00 330.35 9.35 7.65 5.83 142.7 7.68 0.2 including 327.15 329.30 2.15 1.75 24.31 554.7 31.49 1.0 including 328.60 329.30 0.70 0.55 44.10 898.0 55.72 1.0

1) A complete table of assay results from all deposits and all secondary zones intersected utilizing a 0.20 gpt Au cut-off is on the Company's website.

2) Estimated True Widths (ETW) are estimated based on drill hole geology or comparisons with other on-section drill holes.

3) Au Equivalent (AuEq) is calculated as Au gpt + (Ag gpt x ($22/$1700)) where $22 and $1700 are the price of one ounce of Ag and Au respectively (in US dollars).

4) Composite assay grades presented in summary tables are calculated using a Au grade minimum average of 0.20 gpt or 1.0 gpt as indicated in Au Cut-off column of Summary Tables. Maximum internal waste included in any reported composite interval is 3.00 m. The 1.00 gpt Au cut-off is used to define higher-grade cores within the lower-grade halo.

INTERPRETATION

24TA-116 is located 250m along strike from the current resource pit bottom, and 24TA-112 is located 350m down dip from the current resource pit bottom (at a mid-intercept elevation of approximately 295m above sea level). 24TA-110, located at a similar elevation to 24TA-116 (mid-intercept of 330m above sea level) and 50m along strike, is also 70m up-dip from 24TA-112 showing the structure has significant width of mineralization with its 16.9m etw reported mineralized intercept. Step-out hole 24TA-111, located 400m from the pit crest (and 150 m down-dip from the prior south-eastern most intercept 23TA-100), returned high gold and outstanding silver grades from an intercept in the footwall of the main Tahonitas structure; this footwall structure may merge into the main Tahonitas structure along strike in the South Tahonitas area. The southeastern-most shoot of Z-T now has a modelled strike length of high-grade mineralization spanning 315m and remains open along strike and down-dip. Prime is currently drill testing (with drill hole 24TA-120) the 275 m gap between 24TA-114/-116 and 23TA-94. 24TA-119 is also being drilled to extend mineralization down dip.

The ongoing discovery of mineralization hosted at relatively shallow depths continues to suggest the following:

Shallow early-stage intersections that may support pit expansion to the southeast near surface. Demonstrates that the Tahonitas structure continues to be mineralized for 350m along strike from the south-east pit crest. The potential to discover more high-grade plunging shoots with continued drilling at depth within the new southeast strike extension and potentially high-margin underground feed.



As noted in earlier Z-T Trend releases focused on Tahonitas, the high-grade plunging shoots are still open at depth and along strike in multiple areas along the Trend.

Figure 2: Z-T Area drilling update







Figure 3: Z-T Area long section with drill holes highlighted (A-A)







Figure 4: Z-T Area (Tahonitas) cross section B-B





2024 Outlook

Prime is targeting 40,000 metres in its 2024 drill program and will continue to evaluate drilling plans using its success-based approach. This evaluation will also include prioritization of targets based on probability of resource development and generative area discovery potential.

Five drill rigs are currently active on site at Los Reyes, with 2024 exploration focused on:

Extending the high-grade Z-T Area shoots that remain open at depth, as well as along strike, both north and south.

shoots that remain open at depth, as well as along strike, both north and south. Expanding the known high-grade mineralization at Guadalupe East .

. Increasing the Central Area resource through additions at Noche Buena and its connection to San Miguel East.

through additions at Noche Buena and its connection to San Miguel East. Generative target drilling of high-grade intercepts at Las Primas, Mariposa, Fresnillo, Mina and others to further develop the resource potential at Los Reyes.

Links to Figures:

Figure 1 - Expansion drilling update

Figure 2 - Z-T Area drilling update

Figure 3 - Z-T Area long section with drill holes highlighted (A-A)

Figure 4 - Z-T Area (Tahonitas) cross section B-B

Links to Tables:

Table 1  Drill Intercepts in this Release

Table 2  Drill Intercepts to Date

About the Los Reyes Gold and Silver Project

Los Reyes is a rapidly evolving high-grade, low sulphidation epithermal gold-silver project located in Sinaloa State, Mexico. Since acquiring Los Reyes in 2019, Prime has spent approximately CAD$48 million on direct exploration activities and has completed over 168,000 metres of drilling. On May 2, 2023, Prime announced an updated multi-million-ounce high-grade open pit constrained resource (see the May 2, 2023 press release for more details).

May 2, 2023 Resource Statement

Assurance

Category Ore Tonnes



Mt Average

Gold Grade

(g/t) Contained

Gold

(k ozs) Average

Silver Grade

(g/t) Contained

Silver

(k ozs) Average

AuEq Grade

(g/t) Contained

AuEq

(k ozs) Measured (M) - - - - - - - Indicated (I) 27.2 1.16 1,1013 40.40 35,263 1.68 1,470 M+I 27.2 1.16 1,1013 40.40 35,263 1.68 1,470 Inferred 18.1 0.85 497 31.52 18,334 1.26 734



Drilling is on-going and suggests that the three known main deposit areas (Guadalupe, Central and Z-T) are larger than previously reported. Potential also exists for new discoveries where mineralized trends have been identified outside of the currently defined resource areas.

Historic operating results indicate that an estimated 1 million ounces of gold and 60 million ounces of silver were recovered from five separate operations at Los Reyes between 1770 and 1990. Prior to Primes acquisition, recent operators of Los Reyes had spent approximately US$20 million on exploration, engineering, and prefeasibility studies.

QA/QC Protocols and Sampling Procedures

Drill core at the Los Reyes project is drilled in predominately HQ size (63.5 millimetre mm), reducing to NQ (47.6 mm) when required. Drill core samples are generally 1.50 m long along the core axis with allowance for shorter or longer intervals if required to suit geological constraints. After logging intervals are identified to be sampled, the core is cut and one half is submitted for assay. RC drilling returns rock chips and fines from a 133.35 mm diameter tricone bit. The returns are homogenized and split into 2 halves, with one half submitted for analysis and the other half stored.

Sample QA/QC measures include unmarked certified reference materials, blanks, and field duplicates as well as preparation duplicates are inserted into the sample sequence and make up approximately 8% of the samples submitted to the laboratory for each drill hole.

Samples are picked up from the Project by the laboratory personnel and transported to their facilities in Durango or Hermosillo Mexico, for sample preparation. Sample analysis is carried out by Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs, with fire assay, including over limits fire assay re-analysis, completed at their respective Hermosillo, Mexico laboratories and multi-element analysis completed in North Vancouver, Canada. Drill core sample preparation includes fine crushing of the sample to at least 70% passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter, and pulverizing a 250-gram split to at least 85% passing 75 microns.

Gold in diamond drill core is analyzed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy of a 30 g sample (code FA430 or Au-AA23). Multi-element chemistry is analyzed by 4-Acid digestion of a 0.25-gram sample split (code MA300 or ME-ICP61) with detection by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer for a full suite of elements.

Gold assay techniques FA430 and Au-AA23 have an upper detection limit of 10 ppm. Any sample that produces an over-limit gold value via the initial assay technique is sent for gravimetric finish via method FA-530 or Au-GRA21. Silver analyses by MA300 and ME-ICP61 have an upper limit of 200 ppm and 100 ppm, respectively. Samples with over-limit silver values are re-analyzed by fire assay with gravimetric finish FA530 or Au-GRA21.

Both Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs are ISO/IEC accredited assay laboratories.

Additional Notes

Metres is represented by m; etw is Estimated True Width and is based on drill hole geometry or comparisons with other on-section drill holes; Au refers to gold, and Ag refers to silver; gpt is grams per metric tonne; some figures may not sum due to rounding; Composite assay grades presented in summary tables are calculated using a Au grade minimum average of 0.20 gpt or 1.0 gpt as indicated in Au Cut-off column of Summary Tables. Maximum internal waste included in any reported composite interval is 3.00 m. The 1.00 gpt Au cut-off is used to define higher-grade cores within the lower-grade halo.

Gold equivalent grades are calculated based on an assumed gold price of US$1,700 per ounce and silver price of $22 per ounce, based on the formula AuEq grade (gpt) = Au grade + (Ag grade x ($22 / $1,700)). Metallurgical recoveries are not considered in the in-situ grade estimate but are estimated to be 93% and 83% for gold and silver, respectively, when processed in a mill, and 72% and 25% respectively when heap-leached.

Qualified Person

Scott Smith, P.Geo., Executive Vice President of Exploration, is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release.

About Prime Mining

Prime is managed by an ideal mix of successful mining executives, strong capital markets personnel and experienced local operators all focused on unlocking the full potential of the Los Reyes Project. The Company has a well-planned capital structure with a strong management team and insider ownership. Prime is targeting a material resource expansion at Los Reyes through a combination of new generative area discoveries and growth, while also building on technical de-risking activities to support eventual project development.

For further information, please visit https://primeminingcorp.ca/ or direct enquiries to:

Scott Hicks

CEO & Director

Indi Gopinathan

VP Capital Markets & Business Development

Prime Mining Corp.

710  1030 West Georgia St.

Vancouver, BC V6E 2Y3 Canada

+1(604) 238-1659

info@primeminingcorp.ca

Cautionary Notes to U.S. Investors Concerning Resource Estimates

This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of the U.S. securities laws. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the terms mineral reserve, proven mineral reserve, probable mineral reserve, inferred mineral resources, indicated mineral resources, measured mineral resources and mineral resources used or referenced in this presentation are Canadian mineral disclosure terms as defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) under the guidelines set out in the 2014 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines, May 2014 (the CIM Standards). The CIM Standards differ from the mineral property disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) in Regulation S-K Subpart 1300 (the SEC Modernization Rules) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). As a foreign private issuer that is eligible to file reports with the SEC pursuant to the multijurisdictional disclosure system, the Company is not required to provide disclosure on its mineral properties under the SEC Modernization Rules and will continue to provide disclosure under NI 43-101 and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, the Companys disclosure of mineralization and other technical information may differ significantly from the information that would be disclosed had the Company prepared the information under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding the perceived merit of the Companys properties, including additional exploration potential of Los Reyes, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, the potential size of the mineralized zone, metallurgical recoveries, and the Companys exploration and development plans in Mexico. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made, and they involve several risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding the price of gold, silver and copper; the accuracy of mineral resource estimations; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession renewals and permitting; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange rates will be consistent with current levels; and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: risks related to uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral resource estimates, including but not limited to changes to the cost assumptions, variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates, changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, failure of plant, equipment or processes, changes to availability of power or the power rates, ability to maintain social license, changes to interest or tax rates, changes in project parameters, delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks, title risks, including concession renewal, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to COVID-19, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, risks inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Companys objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses, as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form dated August 21, 2023, available on www.sedarplus.ca. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.








VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endeavour Silver Corp. (Endeavour or the Company) (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) is pleased to announce the first drawdown of $60 million of the $120 million senior secured debt facility (the Debt Facility) for the development of the Terronera Mine in Jalisco state, Mexico. The debt facility is provided by Societe Generale and ING Bank N.V. and closed last year (see news release dated October 10, 2023). All references to dollars ($) in this news release are in United States dollars.



Construction of the Terronera mine is well underway and remains on track and has satisfied all conditions precedent to first draw. Key terms of the Debt Facility remain consistent with those previously announced in the Companys news release dated April 18, 2023 and the hedge contract terms have now been executed, further reducing financial risk in the project. The key terms of these contracts are as follows:

Forward sales amounting to 68,000 ounces of gold have been executed at $2,325 per ounce, representing 55% of planned gold production during the initial three years of operations.

There is no requirement to hedge silver sales.

Forward purchases of US$45 million equivalent Mexican peso over the remaining construction period have been hedged at $16.56 per US dollar.



About Endeavour Silver  Endeavour is a mid-tier precious metals company with a strong commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices. With operations in Mexico and the development of the new cornerstone mine in Jalisco state, the company aims to contribute positively to the mining industry and the communities in which it operates. In addition, Endeavour has a portfolio of exploration projects in Mexico, Chile and the United States to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer.

Contact Information

Galina Meleger, VP, Investor Relations

Email: gmeleger@edrsilver.com

Website: www.edrsilver.com

Follow Endeavour Silver on Facebook , X , Instagram and LinkedIn .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release 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. Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding the development and financing of the Terronera Project including: anticipated timing of the project and the Companys ability to continue to draw on the remaining funds in the Debt Facility, estimated project economics, Terroneras forecasted operations, costs and expenditures, and the timing and results of various related activities. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, production levels, performance or achievements of Endeavour and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited changes in production and costs guidance; the ongoing effects of inflation and supply chain issues on mine economics; national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; financial risks due to precious metals prices; operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits; satisfaction of conditions precedent to drawdown under the Debt Facility; the ongoing effects of inflation and supply chain issues on the Terronera Project economics; fluctuations in the prices of silver and gold, fluctuations in the currency markets (particularly the Mexican peso, Chilean peso, Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar); and challenges to the Companys title to properties; as well as those factors described in the section risk factors contained in the Companys most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Companys mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, forecasted mine economics as of 2024, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with managements expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OpsMx , the secure software delivery company, today announced that OpsMX CTO Gopinath Rebala and Senior Software Engineer Ashmita will be presenting Using CD Events to Capture End-to-End Application Security Posture at Open Source Summit North America , taking place April 16-18, 2024 in Seattle, Wash. Open Source Summit is the premier event for open source developers, technologists, and community leaders who want to further open source innovation through collaboration and sharing information. Linux creator Linus Torvalds will deliver a keynote address at the event. The OpsMx presentation will take place Wednesday, April 17, at 3:15 p.m.

CD Events offer a dynamic, standardized approach to assessing security across the application delivery pipeline: Source, Build, Artifact, Store, and Deployment. OpsMXs Gopinath Rebala and Ashmita will explore how CD Events correlation in Jenkins, Spinnaker, and Argo provides an end-to-end security view with vulnerability assessment, enabling rapid flaw detection for immediate remediation, reducing the chance of issues reaching production, and ensuring regulatory compliance  all without altering existing delivery pipelines.

CD Events is a key part of OpsMxs Open CD architecture. OpsMx is the only vendor offering customers support for their choice of Linux Foundation open source CD projects  Argo, Flux, or Spinnaker. OpsMx Deploy Shield then extends the capabilities of open source CI/CD tools with application security posture management, security enforcement, and automated compliance without writing new code or scripts. OpsMx representatives will be available for customer meetings and consultations as part of the event.

Event Summary

What: Open Source Summit North America

When: April 16-18 2024

Where: Seattle, Wash., USA

OpsMX Presentation: Using CD Events to Capture End-to-End Application Security Posture

Presentation Date & Time: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 3:15 p.m.

Register: Visit the conference website

About OpsMx

OpsMx simplifies and intelligently automates secure software delivery, enabling hundreds of thousands of developers at Google, Cisco, Western Union, and other leading global enterprises to ship better software faster. OpsMx is the first platform specifically designed to securely deploy applications in container, virtual machine, and multi-cloud environments. The companys 120 employees serve customers from offices in Silicon Valley, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, with funding from Dell Technologies Capital and Foundation Capital. For more information, visit opsmx.com .

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.
MILWAUKEE and SEATTLE, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xealth, the leader in enabling digital health at scale, today announced that Childrens Wisconsin, Wisconsins only independent healthcare system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children, is using Xealths digital health platform system-wide to virtually connect care teams and pediatric patients post-hospital discharge with Locus Healths remote patient monitoring (RPM) solution.

Having the ability to monitor our patients once they leave the hospital is remarkable. Our use of this platform and solution is in the early days, and we are already seeing improved outcomes  from avoiding an unnecessary emergency room visit, to being able to wean from the ventilator faster, or have a feeding tube removed sooner, said Kimberly Cronsell, MD, associate chief medical officer and medical director for Digital Health & Experience for Childrens Wisconsin. This is helping us provide better care to our patients, amplify our parents and caregivers ability to care for their children, streamline provider and care team workflows, and ultimately, improve clinical outcomes.

Extended hospital stays after a procedure place a strain on children and their families. With an initial focus on cardiology, enteral feeding and patients with tracheostomy vents, Childrens Wisconsin is leveraging Locus Healths pediatric RPM solution, delivered via Xealths digital health platform, to enhance the hospital's ability to monitor select pediatric patients post-discharge, enabling tailored care plans, quicker interventions, and better outcomes for young patients. Integration into the EHR brings the program into clinical workflows, ensuring that care teams have instant access to vital health data.

Children recover better at home, and parents with kids in the hospital are stretched thin juggling additional children, plus home and work obligations, said Kirby Farrell, CEO of Locus Health. Locus Health gives them the comforts of home along with the close connection to their providers to monitor their progress. We are excited to work with Childrens Wisconsin and Xealth to help children get better where they do best  at home.

By leveraging Xealths digital health platform to centralize digital health assets and tools within the EHR, Childrens Wisconsins care teams can digitally order, monitor and measure the use of these materials, providing transparency in the adoption and effectiveness of the program.

Few situations disrupt a family as much as a sick child in the hospital  children experience better outcomes when they can recover at home, said Mike McSherry, CEO and co-founder of Xealth. Remote monitoring allows patients to leave the hospital sooner and get better where they are more comfortable, while providing the care team with immediate and convenient access to the appropriate vitals. By offering Locus Health through Xealth, Childrens Wisconsin helps families and deepens the connection between patients and care teams  both within and beyond the facility walls.

In March 2023, Xealth and Childrens Wisconsin announced the healthcare systems use of Xealths digital health platform system-wide to integrate patient education and custom content into care team workflows. This enables faster and easier distribution of consistent communications across locations, providing patients and their families with timely access to reliable information.

About Locus Health

Locus is making the promise of remote patient monitoring and electronic medical record integration a reality for a wide range of populations, supporting care teams ability to monitor patients and provide support. The Locus platform is used by pediatric and adult patient care teams at many health systems across the US and Canada, including multiple top 10 Childrens Hospitals, and is the recipient of a Small Business Innovation (SBIR) Award by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), with a wide range of published outcomes in coordination with clinical champions at our partner health systems. For more information on our remote care management solution and to request a demo, visit locushealth.com.

About Childrens Wisconsin

Childrens Wisconsin is the regions only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wisconsin, is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. It is ranked among the top pediatric hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Reports 2023-24 Best Childrens Hospitals report. Childrens provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, mental and behavioral health care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. In 2022, Childrens invested more than $171 million in the community to improve the health status of children through medical care, advocacy, education and pediatric medical research. Childrens achieves its mission in part through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations and is proud to be a member of Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals.

About Xealth

Xealth scales digital health programs for leading health systems, enabling clinicians to integrate, prescribe and monitor digital health tools to drive patient and provider engagement and utilization. Through the secure Xealth platform, clinicians order the right digital health tools and programs for patients directly from the EHR workflow either automatically or with a click of a button, send these digital health orders to the patients email or patient portal, and then monitor activity. Xealth spun out of Providence St. Joseph Health (PSJH) in 2017, and investors include Advocate, Cleveland Clinic, MemorialCare Innovation Fund, McKesson Ventures, Oracle, Philips, and ResMed as well as Providence Ventures, Stanford and UPMC.

For more information, visit www.xealth.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.
TORONTO, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Benefits are an important part of attracting and retaining employees, but most companies (70%) say its impossible to offer all the benefits employees are currently demanding, according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.

Close to half of Canadian companies (42%) say employees are asking for better benefits this year compared to last due to the increased cost of living. However, delivering on such requests is difficult according to companies.

A majority of companies (58%) say their companys traditional benefits will remain the same. But more than a third of employers (36%) report plans to increase benefits compared to last year, a significant increase from 2022 (28%).

Furthermore, the majority (59%) say their company has modified benefits specifically in hopes of retaining current employees or attracting new ones  another significant increase from last year (51%). The changes have included offering cost of living raises (25%), increased paid time off (17%), customizable benefit packages (14%), additional healthcare incentives such as gym memberships and mental health resources (14%), improved retirement plans (13%) and/or increased sick leave (13%).





Employers are hoping these modifications will help alleviate turnover, which 1 in 3 Canadian companies expects to increase this year. As another recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey found, better benefits being offered by another company was one of the top reason employees are leaving.

Benefits for the Modern Workforce

Benefits continue to be an important part of any compensation package, but the traditional one-size-fits-all benefits packages of the past no longer suffice.

Employee benefits continue to be a driver of employee attraction and retention, as the COVID-19 pandemic did not create just a short-term trend but rather a forward-thinking mindset of what truly is important to employees and their families, according to Hanif Hemani, Express franchise owner in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. But the multigenerational workplace values different benefits differently. To be inclusive of employees wants and needs, employers have to be much more open-minded.

While traditional benefits such as health benefits continue to be just as, or more, important than pre-pandemic times, benefits such as pet bereavement, flexible wellness and spending accounts, enhanced mental health supports, paid wellness days and extended sick day policies are just a few of the new initiatives that appear to be getting much more traction.

Hemani says employers need to understand this basic fact: A healthy and happy employee equates to a healthy bottom line for all.

Employees and job seekers are looking for a whole package that includes wage, benefits, flexibility, wellness, rewards, recognition, culture and values so this is critical when looking to attract and retain great talent, added Hemani. Employees desire a more hybrid approach with a well-designed benefits plan that is more traditional in nature complimented with a flexible component that allows them to customize to their particular needs.

Despite the easing of labour shortages, continuing to shape a healthy company culture should be top of mind for business owners to avoid affecting the bottom line.

Turnover can cost as much as up to 150% of the departing employees salary, not to mention the strain on the remaining staff, said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO. Its not feasible to offer every desired benefit, choose the ones that resonate the most with your workforce. Investing in people is what makes them stay.

Survey Methodology

The Job Insights survey was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between Oct. 31 and Nov. 10, 2023, among 504 Canadian hiring decision-makers.

For full survey methodology, please contact Ana@MapleLeafStrategies.com.

If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Ana Curic at (613) 858-2622 or email Ana@MapleLeafStrategies.com.

About Bill Stoller

William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment International. Founded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the international staffing franchisor supports the Express Employment Professionals franchise and related brands. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.



About Express Employment Professionals

At Express Employment Professionals, were in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 492,000 people globally in 2023 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com/CA.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/975e3d26-0734-43ff-bae5-c6b10ad71a43
ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) will explore cutting-edge advancements reshaping the foundations of healthcare during AAPA 2024s main stage events.

In a nod to AAPA 2024s presence in Houston  Space City  the conference will open on May 18 with a main stage event, Space Medicine: Lessons From Beyond Earth, featuring speakers Serena Aunon-Chancellor, physician, engineer, and NASA astronaut; and Hayley Arceneaux, physician assistant (PA) and astronaut. Arceneaux was a crew member and chief medical officer on Inspiration4, the first all-civilian space mission to orbit the Earth.

During this session, Arceneaux and Aunon-Chancellor will delve into the depths of medical practice beyond Earths atmosphere, shedding light on advancements set to reshape the foundations of healthcare on our planet.

The second main stage event, How AI and the Superconvergence of Accelerating Technologies Will Shape Healthcare, will be held on May 20 and will feature keynote speaker Daniel Kraft, MD. Kraft, a world-renowned physician-scientist, innovator, and expert in technology, will explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and advancing technologies on healthcare.

"As clinicians dedicated to improving healthcare, PAs play a crucial role in understanding and shaping the impact of emerging technologies on patient well-being, AAPA President and Chair of the Board Folusho E. Ogunfiditimi, DM, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA, said. At AAPA 2024, we invite PAs to explore the intersection of AI, technological advancements, space medicine, and traditional healthcare delivery. This unique opportunity will empower our profession, one of the fastest growing in healthcare, with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver exceptional care in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing environment.



In addition to main stage events, AAPA 2024 will offer a variety of interactive sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities for attendees to engage with colleagues, exchange ideas, and envision the future of healthcare delivery.

All media are invited to attend AAPA 2024 and must be registered and credentialed for admittance to any conference event. Complimentary registration is provided to qualified journalists who register to attend AAPA 2024 in advance. Risers and a mult box will be available for main stage events to members of the media on a first-come, first-served basis.

AAPA 2024 is the worlds largest PA conference and expo with thousands of PAs from across the country in attendance. The conference will take place May 18-22 in Houston, Texas. For more information about AAPA 2024 including a schedule of sessions, go to aapa.org/conference.

###

About the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)

AAPA is the national membership organization for all physician associates/physician assistants (PAs). PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. PA was named one of the best jobs overall and one of the best healthcare jobs for the seventh year in a row by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about the profession at aapa.org.
Naples, FL, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Music Licensing Inc. (OTC: SONG) (OTC: SONG), in collaboration with the Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC., has officially reached out to the Government of Jamaica through formal communication facilitated by their legal representatives, Transnational Matters PLLC, with Davy Karkason Esq. ACiarb on February 2024. This communication aims to initiate discussions regarding potential claims under the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between the United States and Jamaica.

The letter submitted to the Jamaican authorities signifies the commencement of a six-month "cooling-off" period, a prerequisite step outlined in the BIT. This period is designed to allow both parties the opportunity to explore amicable resolutions and avoid arbitration. It follows the procedure of the US-Jamaica BIT to initiate arbitration at the end of the 6-month cooling-off period.

The initiation of this process marks a significant step by Music Licensing Inc. (OTC: SONG) and the Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC. in safeguarding their investments and ensuring that their rights under the BIT are fully respected. The team at Transnational Matters PLLC, with its extensive expertise in international law and investment treaties, is committed to representing its clients' interests throughout this negotiation phase.

Music Licensing Inc. (OTC: SONG) and the Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC. remain hopeful that a constructive dialogue with the Government of Jamaica can lead to a mutually beneficial resolution. This approach reflects their commitment to maintaining a positive and cooperative relationship with the Jamaican government while also upholding the principles of fairness and justice that underpin international investment agreements.

Music Licensing Inc. (OTC: SONG) and the Jake P. Noch Family Office, LLC. ("Claimants") are prepared to proceed to Investment arbitration under ICSID should the parties not reach an agreement within the specified cooling-off period.

Further updates will be provided as discussions progress and more information becomes available.

About Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG) (ProMusicRights.com)

Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG) a diversified holding company, also known as Pro Music Rights, is the 5th public performance rights organization (PRO) to be formed in the United States. Its licensees include notable companies such as TikTok, iHeart Media, Triller, Napster, 7Digital, Vevo, and many others. Pro Music Rights holds an estimated market share of 7.4% in the United States, representing over 2,500,000 works that feature notable artists such as A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Pharrell, Young Jeezy, Juelz Santana, Lil Yachty, MoneyBagg Yo, Larry June, Trae Pound, Sause Walka, Trae Tha Truth, Sosamann, Soulja Boy, Lex Luger, Trauma Tone, Lud Foe, SlowBucks, Gunplay, OG Maco, Rich The Kid, Fat Trel, Young Scooter, Nipsey Hussle, Famous Dex, Boosie Badazz, Shy Glizzy, 2 Chainz, Migos, Gucci Mane, Young Dolph, Trinidad James, Chingy, Lil Gnar, 3OhBlack, Curren$y, Fall Out Boy, Money Man, Dej Loaf, Lil Uzi Vert, and countless others, as well as Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) Created Music. Additionally, Music Licensing, Inc. (OTC: SONG) owns royalty stakes in Listerine "Mouthwash" Antiseptic as well as musical works by artists such as Elton John, Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne, XXXTentacion, Halsey, and numerous others.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Music Licensing, Inc. & Pro Music Rights, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. Music Licensing, Inc. & Pro Music Rights, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Pro Music Rights, Inc., Music Licensing, Inc., or any other person.

Non-Legal Advice Disclosure:

This press release does not constitute legal advice, and readers are advised to seek legal counsel for any legal matters or questions related to the content herein.

Non-Investment Advice Disclosure:

This communication is intended solely for informational purposes and does not in any way imply or constitute a recommendation or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, commodities, bonds, options, derivatives, or any other investment products. Any decisions related to investments should be made after thorough research and consultation with a qualified financial advisor or professional. We assume no liability for any actions taken or not taken based on the information provided in this communication

Contact: investors@ProMusicRights.com

SOURCE: Music Licensing, Inc.
Dublin, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "U.S. Medical Kiosks Market - Focused Insights 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The U.S. Medical Kiosks Market was valued at USD 1.88 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach USD 4.43 billion by 2029, showcasing a CAGR of 15.36%.

The U.S. medical kiosk market report contains exclusive data on 39 vendors. The U.S. medical kiosk market is highly fragmented, with many local and international players. The leading medical kiosk market vendors are Fabcon, Meridian, Verifone, Xiphias Software Technologies, and Redyref.

The competition among these players is intense. The rapidly changing technological environment can adversely affect vendors as customers expect continual innovations and upgrades in the medical kiosk market. The present scenario forces vendors to refine their unique value proposition to achieve a strong market presence.



Growing Need for Efficient Patient Management Systems

Digital transformation determines personal and institutional health care. Digital transformation is an ongoing process that can create opportunities in the health sector, which is provided with the necessary infrastructure and training. The patient management software and services market is expected to grow significantly due to the rising adoption of electronic health records (EHR) systems, and the increasing emphasis on digitization in healthcare facilities drives the demand for patient management solutions. Additionally, the growing need for integrated healthcare systems to enable seamless data sharing and collaboration between healthcare entities contributes to market growth.



Rising Demand for Convenient and Accessible Healthcare Solutions

Convenience has been a top priority in today's fast-paced society. Digital solutions have altered how we carry out daily chores, from communication to buying. Online healthcare choices have become a practical substitute as the demand for readily available and quick medical services increases.



The accessibility of online healthcare services around the clock is one of its main advantages, as many struggle to find time for conventional health appointments due to their hectic schedules and demanding lifestyles. Online platforms close this gap by providing 24/7 access to medical specialists. Online healthcare services are designed to provide efficient and accessible medical assistance. Individuals can easily navigate online consultations and medication orders through user-friendly interfaces and secure platforms.



THE US MEDICAL KIOSK MARKET INSIGHTS

By product type, the self-service kiosk segment has the largest share of over 37% in the U.S. medical kiosk market. The popularity of self-service kiosks is increasing due to the rising adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality. The patient self-service kiosks also play a significant role in helping patients take up virtual appointments. This might increase the U.S.'s demand for patient self-service kiosks during the forecast period.

The pharmacy segment is growing significantly by end-user type, with the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The segment is propelling as patients can access prescriptions and over-the-counter medications 24/7, eliminating the need to wait for pharmacy opening hours and enabling faster services. The deployment of healthcare kiosk solutions allows pharmacists to focus on their most important responsibilities, such as filing prescriptions and advising patients. Additionally, wait times are significantly reduced, enhancing the patient experience.

According to a study published in NCBI, it is observed that sexual health was the most frequent condition handled by kiosks installed in specialty clinics. It is followed by breastfeeding, cancer, chronic kidney disease, HIV, mental health, and others.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How big is the U.S. medical kiosk market?

What is the growth rate of the U.S. medical kiosk market?

What are the key trends in the U.S. medical kiosk market?

Who are the key players in the U.S. medical kiosk market?

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 68 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $1.88 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $4.43 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 15.3% Regions Covered United States

VENDORS LIST

Key Vendors

Fabcon

Meridian

VeriFone

Xiphias Software Technologies

REDYREF

Other Key Players

Olea Kiosks

KioWare

Pyramid

Nanonation

Kiosk Information Systems

Kiosk Group

DynaTouch

Zebra

22Miles

Intel

AUO

American Kiosks

Esper

imageHolders

Advanced Kiosks

Diebold Nixdorf

Elo Touch

Frank Mayer & Associates

Honeywell International

Lilitab

Parabit

Pyramid Group

Samsung Electronics

SiteKiosk

Slabb Kiosk

Zebra Technologies

CSI Health

19Labs

Advantech

Bewell Connect

Howard Technology Solutions

Let's Talk Interactive

TelaCare Health Solutions

Voice Products

SEGMENTATION & FORECAST

By Product

Self Service Kiosks

Telehealth Kiosks

Payment Kiosks

Check-In Kiosks

Others

By End-User

Healthcare Providers

Pharmacies

Others

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rrpjp1

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
NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of JBS S.A. (OTC: JBSAY) resulting from allegations that JBS may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased JBS securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=22976 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On February 28, 2024, Reuters published an article entitled New York sues meatpacking giant JBS over climate claims. The article stated, in pertinent part, that JBS, the worlds largest beef producer, was sued on Wednesday by New York states attorney general, which accused it of misleading the public about its impact on the environment in order to boost sales. Attorney General Letitia James said JBS USA Food Co, the Brazilian companys American-based unit, has no viable plan to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, making its stated commitment to achieving that goal false and misleading.

On this news, JBS American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) fell $0.22 per ADR, or 2.4%, to close at $9.02 per ADR on February 28, 2024.

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. 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.

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
ST HELIER, April 10, 2024 - Caledonia Mining Corporation plc ("Caledonia" or "the Company") (NYSE AMERICAN: CMCL; AIM: CMCL; VFEX: CMCL) announces gold production from the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe ("Blanket") for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 ("Q1 2024" or "the Quarter"). All production numbers are expressed on a 100 per cent basis and are based on the final assay at the refiners. The increased Q1 2024 production was derived from 8 fewer production days (9.3% less) compared to quarter 1 in 2023 ("Q1 2023"). This was due to production cut-off for gold delivery set to March 21, 2024.



Production Summary

Q1 2024 gold production at Blanket was 17,050 ounces, a 6% increase on Q1 2023.

In Q1 2024 Blanket sold 18,450 ounces. This represented a 17% increase from Q1 2023, when 15,797 ounces were sold.

Ounces sold in Q1 2024 include 3,057 ounces of gold work in progress classified as inventory at the end of 2023 (Q1 2024: 1,657 ounces).

Caledonia reiterates 2024 gold production guidance at Blanket of 74,000 to 78,000 ounces.1

1 Craig James Harvey, MGSSA, MAIG, Caledonia Vice President, Technical Services, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Craig James Harvey is a "Qualified Person" as defined by each of (i) the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and (ii) sub-part 1300 of Regulation S-K of the U.S. Securities Act.

Mark Learmonth, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"I am pleased that 2024 production at Blanket has got off to a strong start with over 17,000 ounces produced in the Quarter which, considering we had 8 fewer production days compared to Q1 2023, is an excellent result. With the current high gold prices, it was good to see our gold sales ounces increase by 17% in Q1 2024 versus Q1 2023.

"Our significant investment in Blanket over the past seven years and completion of the Central Shaft has nearly doubled production, extended the mine life and allowed the restart of underground exploration in 2023. We continue to see Blanket as the solid foundation for growth as we pursue our strategy to become a multi-asset gold producer."

Enquiries:

Caledonia Mining Corporation plc

Mark Learmonth

Camilla Horsfall

Tel: +44 1534 679 800

Tel: +44 7817 841 793 Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker)

Adrian Hadden

Pearl Kellie

Tel: +44 207 397 1965

Tel: +44 131 220 9775 Liberum Capital Limited (Joint Broker)

Scott Mathieson/Matt Hogg

Tel: +44 20 3100 2000 Camarco, Financial PR (UK)

Gordon Poole

Julia Tilley

Elfie Kent

Tel: +44 20 3757 4980 3PPB (Financial PR, North America)

Patrick Chidley

Paul Durham

Tel: +1 917 991 7701

Tel: +1 203 940 2538 Curate Public Relations (Zimbabwe)

Debra Tatenda

Tel: +263 77802131 IH Securities (Private) Limited (VFEX Sponsor - Zimbabwe)

Lloyd Mlotshwa





Tel: +263 (242) 745 119/33/39

________

1 Refer to the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Blanket Gold Mine, Zimbabwe" with effective date September 1, 2022 prepared by Minxcon (Pty) Ltd filed by the Company on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) on March 13, 2023.

Note: The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR") as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information

Information and statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation that involve risks and uncertainties relating, but not limited, to Caledonia's current expectations, intentions, plans, and beliefs. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "goal", "plan", "target", "intend", "estimate", "could", "should", "may" and "will" or the negative of these terms or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based, in part, on assumptions and factors that may change or prove to be incorrect, thus causing actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the successful implementation of mine plans, the establishment of estimated resources and reserves, the grade and recovery of minerals which are mined varying from estimates, success of future exploration and drilling programs, reliability of drilling, sampling and assay data, the representativeness of mineralization being accurate, success of planned metallurgical test-work, capital availability and accuracy of estimated operating costs, obtaining required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and Caledonia's experience of project development in Zimbabwe and other factors.

To the extent any forward-looking information herein constitutes a financial outlook or future oriented financial information, any such statement is made as of the date hereof and included herein to provide prospective investors with an understanding of the Company's plans and assumptions. Security holders, potential security holders and other prospective investors should be aware that these statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources proving to be inaccurate, fluctuations in gold price, risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards, employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; political risk; risks related to natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest, public health concerns (including health epidemics or outbreaks of communicable diseases such as the coronavirus (COVID-19)); availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining or maintaining necessary licenses and permits, diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as mining occurs; global financial condition, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes to conclusions of economic evaluations, and changes in project parameters to deal with unanticipated economic or other factors, risks of increased capital and operating costs, environmental, safety or regulatory risks, expropriation, the Company's title to properties including ownership thereof, increased competition in the mining industry for properties, equipment, qualified personnel and their costs, risks relating to the uncertainty of timing of events including targeted production rate increase and currency fluctuations. Security holders, potential security holders and other prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and various future events will not occur. Caledonia undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

This news release is not an offer of the shares of Caledonia for sale in the United States or elsewhere. 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 shares of Caledonia, in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such province, state or jurisdiction.
Last month, I traveled to Anchorage, Alaska for a Maternal and Child Health Conference.

This conference brought together maternal health experts and advocates to discuss the heart-wrenching maternal health crisis in our country and what were doing to promote better outcomes.

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries. In 2021, 1,205 women died of maternal causes in the United States. In 2020, 861 women died of maternal causes in the U.S., a 40% increase in just one year, and some of our neighbors are being hit harder than others.

There are significant racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related complications and deaths. American Indian and Alaska Native women are two times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than White women. To say this is unacceptable is an understatement.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the federal agency tasked with promoting the care and well-being of Americans, is committed to tackling and eliminating some of our countrys most troubling disparities in health outcomes.

At HHS and across the Biden-Harris Administration, we are taking unprecedented action to close disparities and strengthen maternal health by expanding coverage, implementing new policies, and providing funding to ensure safer pregnancies and strengthen postpartum services for new parents and their babies.

In 2022, the White House rolled out a first-of-its-kind Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, with promises to moms and families across the country to do better.

Women with doula care have a 22% lower risk of preterm birth. Evidence like this has driven historic HHS funding to make community-based doulas more accessible.

HHS is also strengthening our public health infrastructure through Center for Disease Control (CDC) support for state Maternal Mortality Review Committees. These Committees aim to help us better understand the drivers of maternal mortality and will develop recommendations to prevent future deaths.

And we are taking action right here in Washington state.

Washington will be receiving $1.87 million in funding from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration for the State Maternal Health Innovation Program.

Our work will not be finished in one year, two years, or in the lifetime of this Administration. Through the programs mentioned above, the Biden-Harris Administration has laid the foundation for HHS to remain steadfast in the fight to improve maternal health outcomes and close equity gaps. I look forward to watching that happen in Region 10.

Priya Helweg

HHS Region 10 Acting

Regional Director
Lake Roosevelt Jr/Sr High School clubs are planning trips to Seattle and Montana, following Monday nights school board blessing.

The schools Knowledge Bowl competitors will head to the University of Washington on a trip paid partially by their own fundraising efforts and supported by the gifted program and the Colville Tribes.

Members of the team and advisor Pam Johnson advised the board of a transportation problem that is worsening as the group grows: They dont fit in a Suburban.

Johnson said they have a dozen high school students in the activity that travels to competitions where they are asked 50 questions on any subject in competition with other teams, and many current eighth graders will come on board next year. She expects to field three teams of six students.

Superintendent Rod Broadnax said theyd work through the transportation problem.

Director Alex Tufts noted the issue may dovetail with another the board has been working on for a couple months, hoping the Associated Student Body will decide to help fund the purchase of a large passenger van for such needs.

The AISES group also got the nod for their planned trip to Pablo, Montana in May, where members will tour Salish Kootenai College.

Advisor and science teacher Derek Atkins said he did his undergraduate work at the college, which now offers masters programs too.

Atkins said 20 students would be going, along with another LR grad, Spuce Wilder. The group raised funds for it and has also gotten support from the Colville Tribes and the Indian Education program at LR, which has funds for college visits.

The overnight trip May 1-2, Atkins said, will hopefully turn them onto a possibility in the future.

They also plan to see the tribes bison range. Pablo is north of Missoula, on the Flathead Reservation.
German circuits hope for F1 rotation scheme from 2026

German Formula 1 circuits are hoping the sport throws them a lifeline in 2026.

Romain Grosjean, Eifel GP 2020

 Haas F1 Team / LAT

Currently, with motor racing financing and fan interest having slumped in the country, neither Hockenheim nor the Nurburgring are on the bustling annual F1 calendars these days.

However, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has been quoted by DPA news agency as hinting that a potential solution could be on the horizon.

In 2026 you will see something interesting, he said. We are discussing with organisers in Europe to do something that will be announced soon.

Without elaborating much further, Domenicali added: There will be many grands prix, especially in Europe, where we have different options.

It is believed one of those options could be a new scheme in which two or even more European events are rotated annually between single annual race slots.

Jorn Teske, the circuit boss at Hockenheim, admits that idea could revive the defunct German GP.

We assume that Formula 1 is generally interested in Germany as a market, he said. "We were, are and remain in contact with Formula 1 and are always exploring joint possibilities.

We generally think very highly of a rotation model because it has proven itself in the past with our colleagues at the Nurburgring.

Nurburgring spokesman Alexander Gerhard commented: "The be-all and end-all for us is the economic viability of an event.

We are pulling together with the Hockenheimring, he admitted.

Meanwhile, a delegation from South Korea - including the mayor of the city of Incheon - was at the Japanese GP last weekend for talks with Domenicali.

I would like to thank Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok for personally attending the Japanese GP and actively expressing his intention to attract Formula 1, said the F1 CEO.

I will travel to Incheon as soon as possible to hold further discussions.

(GMM)
Mercedes desperate amid performance catastrophe

Frederic Vasseur sounded impatient when asked if he's made a mistake by choosing Lewis Hamilton over the on-form Carlos Sainz for 2025 and beyond.

Lewis Hamilton, Japanese GP 2024

 Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

We have the same question each weekend, said the Ferrari boss last weekend at Suzuka. "Copy-paste my reply of last week.

Next question, the Frenchman added.

However, seven time world champion Hamilton - now regularly struggling to keep up with George Russell at Mercedes - is clearly already putting his mind into red overalls.

He said in Japan that he will soon kick off an awkward conversation with Toto Wolff about when he can start his transition to Ferrari later this year.

Clearly Lewis is already focused on 2025, which shows a lack of confidence in his current team, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher told Sky Deutschland. The fact that he's already mentally in a different place clearly poses a serious problem.

Hamilton, 39, even voluntarily let Russell past him at Suzuka last Sunday - an act their boss Wolff called extremely fair .

After the race, Hamilton then lost his temper with a reporter who asked if Ferrari's superior form at present makes him jealous. Do you have any better questions? said the Briton before ending the interview and walking off.

Mercedes famously dominated the previous regulations era, but at Suzuka - amid the team's ongoing three-season slump beginning in 2022 - Fernando Alonso admitted a move to silver next year is not overly attractive .

I don't think Toto knows what to say anymore, observed former F1 driver Christian Danner, speaking to the Austrian broadcaster Servus TV this week.

When he said his drivers did well at Suzuka, I thought he's seen a different race, he added.

Ralf Schumacher thinks the one-stop experiment with hard tyres tried by Mercedes after the early red flag was almost desperate .

Danner explains: "If I have a not-so-fast car, I might do a nonsense tactic that could work if you're really lucky. So you see how desolate it is for them at the moment.

It's obviously a catastrophe that we're witnessing, said Danner. Not just from Hamilton's point of view, where he's driving himself crazy and not getting anywhere, but also the whole team.

(GMM)
Manischewitz recently debuted a new look across all of its packaging. Photo-Illustration: Grub Street; Photos courtesy retailer

During the New York City earthquake of 2024, I was on the phone with Team Manischewitz when the ground started to shake. It would be ridiculous to assume that this was less tectonic than Talmudic, thousands of bubbes spinning beneath our feet, an army of Fruma Sarahs returning in protest, as in Tevyes dream. Right?

Well. Manischewitz is rebranding.

Customers stocking up for the Passover holiday, which begins Monday, April 22, at sundown, will notice something different at the supermarket. Their matzo box looks younger, their jars of gefilte fish refreshed. In a citrusy palette of Manischewitz orange, the old standbys have been gussied up with doodle-y illustrations and a cheerfully zaftig new font, an aesthetic that falls somewhere along the spectrum that runs from Saul Steinberg through the incidental sketches in Talk of the Town to the reigning style of cheeky, upstart DTC brands. Look at that matzo baker on the new box  is he wearing Converse? Theres a new website, new social campaigns, new merch. All Bubby sees is a Matzo Ball, the companys Twitter posted during Mondays eclipse.

To generations of American Jews, Manischewitz is as familiar as guilt. It has graced tables for over a century: The company was founded as a matzo bakery in 1888 in Cincinnati, made the sweet Concord grape wine for which it is widely known straight through Prohibition (thanks to a legal carve-out for sacramental booze), and had its tagline hollered on the moon. (Man, oh, Manischewitz! Buzz Aldrin reportedly cried, unless it was actually the less famous Apollo 17 astronaut Gene Cernan.) For many of us, and despite subsequent iterations, the Manischewitz box has been stuck in an eternal 1988, with its stock-photography images of soups and crackers and Swiss cheese, and its listing serifed logo, delicious not in spite of its dustiness but because of it.

When Kayco acquired Manischewitz in 2019, it was always their intention to dust this brand off, bring it back its groove, says Shani Seidman, the chief marketing officer of Kayco, the kosher-foods manufacturer and distributor that now owns Manischewitz, along with Kedem grape juice and wine, Afikomen Passover Pastries, and Bosco syrup. The goal, she says, was to see where in our portfolio can we connect to whats happening currently and how we can move to mass appeal, bring maybe someones grandchildren back into the fold  maybe their friends that are not even Jewish. The culturally curious  the watchers of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the new fans of Russ & Daughters  are out there. What, a macaroon they shouldnt want? They now come in nontraditional flavors like red velvet, rocky road, and cookies and cream, and the potato-pancake mix and matzo-ball mix come with phonetic Yiddish pronunciation guides. (Manischewitz wine is a license owned by Gallo, and so it falls outside the scope of the current rebrand, though it may adopt the new look going forward.)

To reboot the image, Kayco landed on Jones Knowles Ritchie, a branding agency with offices in New York, London, and Shanghai. (It suggested some ready-for-social shortening, like Maniz and even just Mz.) JKR has worked on plenty of huge-scale rebrands in the last several years, including a voice-y, neo-70s Dunkin redo and the plumped-up logo-driven redesign of Burger King; Manischewitz represented a more niche proposition. Still, says Lisa Smith, the global executive creative director of JKR, There is a cultural awakening to Jewish food happening right now. We just really tried to capture all of that energy into this rebrand.

While Manischewitz sales have been growing in some observant enclaves, the company has seen flatter numbers in the broader secular and kosher-curious market  precisely what the friendlier, more contemporary new style is hoping to reverse. Can a cute new look  compare it with Magic Spoon cereals animated avatars or Goodles boxed vegan mac n cheeses plush typography  bring in a more casual consumer? (Im not sure, just politely, if I completely like some of those comparisons, Smith told me when I mentioned some of the DTC campaigns with their own nouveau-retro styling.) Certainly there are abundant examples of brands reaching beyond their initial target markets toward mass acceptance. My kids love Taco Tuesday, Seidman says. I may not necessarily have that in my heritage, but I do it. And we just maybe want Matzo Ball Monday.

The first Matzo Ball Monday will be in a few days, when the Seder table is set and a new box will decorate it. It might take some time before the companys longtime fans adjust to the new design. I got a call from my mother: Wheres my matzo-ball mix? Seidman admits. Thats probably whats to be expected.
James Williamson, Iggy Pop, and Lou Reed at Maxs Kansas City in 1973. Photo: Danny Fields/ Gillian McCain

For New Yorks anniversary, we are celebrating the history of the citys restaurants with a series of posts throughout the month. Read all of our Who Ate Where stories here.

In the late 1960s, a ruby-red, pencil-thin laser beam, quivering with particles of soot and smoke, emanated from a second-floor loft window at Park Avenue South and 19th Street. It was a light sculpture called Lasers End by an artist named Frosty Myers, and it was aimed two blocks south through a hole cut in the awning of Maxs Kansas City, where it was caught by a small mirror and bounced through the plate-glass front window into the restaurant, penetrating a layer of cigarette smoke that hovered above the long front bar, three deep with painters and artists, passionate and stoned, drunk and argumentative, past John Chamberlains crushed automobile, beyond the phone booth and the small toilets, past the swinging doors to the kitchen, and landed on the rear wall of the back room, where the beam shimmered like a stoned-out star of Bethlehem. Truly, the FBI would have done well by itself to close the place down, Frosty Myers once told the New York Times.

Maxs Kansas City was Cafe Deux Magots on speed, a petri dish of art and pop culture, poetry, gender experimentation, and drugs. Its the subject of books and articles and photo essays, all of which have tried but failed to capture its mystique. It was lightning in a bottle. A folle pensee. The back room, the center of the action, was a windowless cul-de-sac, no more than 30 by 25 feet, with rough gray carpeting up the walls. It was nicknamed the Bucket of Blood because the ether itself seemed ensanguined by a sculpture of four red neon tubes over a booth in the corner. After you were there a few minutes and your eyes adjusted, there were no colors, only black and red. The regulars who sat in the corner booth below the sculpture would sometimes stick their chewing gum on the neon lights, which mightily pissed off the artist, Dan Flavin, whose estate, 30 years later, sold a copy of the sculpture at Christies for $662,000.

While there was no velvet rope at Maxs, there was a nasty little woman known as Tiny Malice who sat on a barstool just inside the front door to keep normal people out, which she did with a simple You dont belong here. Get the fuck out. Maxs wasnt just clubby; it was tribal. Strangers were repelled or killed. The energy in the back room was kinetic and rubbery, people bouncing off the walls, skittering table to table, drink to drink, drug to drug, ashtrays filled with endless smokes and bumming of smokes, an occasional hand job under a napkin, a blowjob under a red tablecloth. There were poets, alcoholics, junkies, speed freaks, misfits, mainliners, rock stars, occasional movie stars, psychos, lost souls, scions, broke writers, and broken painters. There were drag queens who were like X-Men, dissolute heiresses, a baby elephant (once), Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim (once), Andy Warhol (almost never), and all the Warhol martyrs and superstars, many of whom were doomed to overdose or suicide. There was Patti Smith, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Fran Lebowitz. There were also waitresses with attitude, dressed in black micromini skirts, frequently without panties, sometimes with a tampon string showing. On each table there was a small bowl of dusty white chickpeas that would break your tooth if you bit one. Instead, the chickpeas were used as projectiles when a war of chickpea snipers broke out, like a low-key food fight in a high-school cafeteria.

Although the logo boasted Steak Lobster Chickpeas, and the $8.50 club steak was a bargain, as were $3 bottles of burgundy, people didnt go to Maxs for the food or fine wine. Maxs Kansas City had nothing to do with Kansas, nor was there a Max, but there was Mickey Ruskin, a big shlumpy guy in ill-fitting clothes, grizzled, stringy hair, and a chipped front tooth covered in a fuck-you gold crown so when he smiled he looked like a Jewish pirate. He was a Cornell-educated attorney who gave up law to buy a coffee shop in the East Village where he nurtured a bohemian clientele of threadbare poets and painters. A few coffee shops and one steak restaurant (the Ninth Circle, before it was a gay bar) later, Mickey opened Maxs in 1965. From the start, he let his regulars run up tabs when things were tough, and they paid him with their poems and their art, now probably worth tens of millions of dollars if he had hung on to them, including work by Andy Warhol, Carl Andre, and Frank Stella.

Occasionally there was Showtime, a spontaneous piece of performance art indigenous to the back room with the instigator standing on a table. Typically, a woman named Andrea Feldman, with scraggly blonde hair and Cleopatra kohl eyes, on a mix of Seconal and psychosis, climbed up on a table holding a Champagne bottle and cried out Showtime!, eliciting a round of hooting from the crowd. She pulled up her skirt and tried to insert the neck of the bottle through a tear in her panties, to cheers and applause. She began to sing an unintelligible song, drowned out by laughter and shouts, when Mickey Ruskin rushed into the back room, looking like he was the high-school principal who caught students smoking in the bathroom. If Mickey caught you standing on a table doing Showtime, he put you in detention and banned you from Maxs for a couple of days or weeks. But if you were a regular, he would always relent.

The rock-and-roll world slowly took over Maxs and the artists and the backroom freaks that made the place so unusual stopped coming. Mickey closed Maxs in December of 1974. It reopened as a rock-and-roll club in 1975, but it was never the same. Mickey Ruskin died in New York City on May 16, 1983, at the age of 50.
Motorola announced the Moto G04 back in January, and now it's back with the G04s, getting official for Europe, as well as "select markets" in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

The G04s comes with a 6.6-inch HD+ LCD screen with a 90 Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 3 on top, 4/8GB of RAM, 64/128GB of expandable storage, a 50 MP main rear camera, a single speaker, and a 5,000 mAh battery with support for 15W wired charging.



Moto G04s official images

It's IP52 rated for dust resistance and water-repellence, and it will be offered in Satin Blue, Concord Black, Sea Green, and Sunrise Orange. The version with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage is already listed by Amazon in Europe for a price of 119. It will be released on April 30.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 series comprising Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra will no longer get monthly security updates since they are past Samsung's promised software support timeline. However, Samsung hasn't entirely dropped software support for these phones since it will continue to release security patches for them for some time.

The Korean brand has moved the S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra to a quarterly update schedule and will release security updates for these phones every three months. However, it's unclear how long this S20 trio will continue to receive security patches from Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

The Galaxy S20 lineup also includes the Galaxy S20 FE, which will keep on receiving monthly security updates for a few months. It remains to be seen if Samsung will extend software support for the S20 FE by moving it to the quarterly update schedule or end it altogether after it completes its four-year software support cycle.

Source | Via
Jeffrey Norita Lizama will have to wait until May 7 to learn what his final sentence will be in federal court.

Lizama pleaded guilty to stealing about $14,000 worth of copper wire from federal property in Radio Barrigada in January 2019, which caused another $30,000 in damages. He was indicted in September 2023 and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government property in December 2023.

District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood was ready to announce Lizamas sentence and had started to impose a sentence of 15 months plus three years supervised release, with five months credit for time served.

Earlier, she sustained an objection from Lizamas attorney Jay Arriola that reduced his prison term from up to five years to less than two years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Petersburg also recommended that Lizama be sentenced on the lower end of the term, for his cooperation in getting co-conspirator Albert Benavente Taimanglo to also plead guilty, as well as his cooperation and timely plea to avoid the case going to trial.

Lizama, who has been incarcerated since 2019 on separate charges in the Superior Court of Guam, was transferred to federal detention following his federal arrest, where hes been in custody since Oct. 31, 2023.

Lizamas local charges led to a five-year imprisonment sentence, which is scheduled to end this December.

Arriola also argued that if Lizama has been in federal custody since Oct. 31 last year and getting credit for time served for those five months, he should also get credit if he remains in federal custody on Guam until December.

Tydingco-Gatewood said it was not the courts intention to grant a freebie, and that it is the courts position that Lizama serve federal time for the federal crime, with the 10-month term to start after December when his five-year sentence on the local charges ends.

Arriola said he didnt want his client to get stuck with a 15-month federal sentence following the end of his local sentence in December.

Tydingco-Gatewood said she wanted to get things right, and decided to give Arriola time to file a new motion, plus give Petersburg an opportunity to respond. She scheduled the sentencing to resume May 7.
The Department of Public Health and Social Services Division of Environmental Health Processing Center Section on May 25, 2022, in Hagatna.
Mayors from the southern villages called on the Guam Department of Education to extend the timeframe allotted for deliberating and determining which schools would be decommissioned during a Tuesday night community briefing at Southern High School in Santa Rita-Sumai.

Inalahan Mayor Anthony Chargualaf Jr. requested an extension of GDOEs timeline for school closures to ensure a rational decision, which he said should be grounded on community feedback and suggestions.

I would like to ask that you extend your timeline so that a rational decision can be made based on objectivity and not emotions. And more importantly, a decision that was based on attempting and executing some of the suggestions and ideas being provided, Chargualaf told education officials.

A GDOE official earlier said schools that will be decommissioned will be identified by the end of April.

With GDOEs total enrollment decline of more than 7,000 students within the past decade, GDOE initiated plans to right-size or decommission certain campuses to maximize the ratio of students and available school facilities.

Chargualaf, at the Tuesday meeting, said the community will likely accept a decision to close schools only if they believe that GDOE has considered and exhausted all alternatives.

After all exhaustive efforts have been made, where this committee can claim that they have tried and tested all options, expect the community to be up in arms with any school closure, he said.

Similarly, Hagat Mayor Kevin Susuico said the timeline was too short and the circumstances are too complex to finalize a decision by the date set by GDOE.

Theres no way that were going to come here at this juncture and say were going to have some kind of decision made by May 5th, Susuico said.

Susuico expressed disappointment in the exclusion of mayors from the planning process, saying that in decommissioning schools, which is a crucial community operation, mayors and vice mayors should be involved.

We have never been invited to come and sit at the table where decisions are being made. I think in all honesty, it should start with our municipalities, because our kids, its our students, we are the stakeholders of the schools, he said.

Only a small fraction of the population was present at the forum and that it is premature to make decisions about merging students and moving forward with plans in just two months, he added.

Its very disheartening to come here at this forum where theres, this is not even half of the population, not even a quarter, not even a dent. And in two months, were going to have a decision to make these arrangements to start moving and start merging our students. I just dont think that this is the right time for it. I think that really, we need to go back and really sit and plan, he said.

Tuesdays meeting, however, had more than 100 online participants via Zoom.

Education Superintendent Erik Swanson acknowledged the community officials plea to extend the sharing of input among the community regarding the matter.

Before we came here tonight, I already knew that we were going to have to extend it because we need time to have that information from the community, Swanson said.

Maria Gutierrez, a member of the Guam Education Board who participated in the briefing via Zoom, seconded the mayors sentiments of involving them in the initial school decommissioning planning stages.

Including the mayor should be at the table for the first planning committee meeting, said Gutierrez.

She said even the board members were left feeling at loss during GDOEs presentation on school decommissioning because they were not included in the planning process.

I want to make it clear, the board is at loss listening to this because we were not even briefed up front, she said. So how can I support something that we were not informed (about)? the board member said.

Gutierrez stressed the need for comprehensive input from stakeholders, including parents, mayors, teachers, and students, warning against rushing the decision-making process for school decommissioning within a short timeframe.

This is not something that they can just rush in two weeks or one meeting (to) get your input. Im going to listen to you, stakeholders, parents, mayors, teachers, students, Gutierrez said. Were rushing, were rushing.

The Tuesday forum was the beginning of a series of three sessions scheduled for this week. The general public is encouraged to participate and share their input during the following sessions:

Wednesday, 6 p.m., at Price Elementary School.

Thursday, 6 p.m., at Wettengel Elementary School.

These meetings will be held in-person, on Zoom via this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5907297795?omn=89914193456 with meeting ID: 590 729 7795, and livestreamed on Facebook.

However, due to technical difficulties, GDOE was not able to livestream the forum yesterday on Facebook.

The GDOE would like to apologize for not being able to live stream the Community Informational Briefing at Southern High School this evening. We had technical difficulties, it said on its Facebook post last night.

Community members may also share their insights via email at input@gdoe.net.
Guam and the rest of the Marianas will have a relatively dry pattern through early next week with the exception of a few more showers Thursday associated with a weak trade wind surge, the National Weather Service's Guam office said in this week's regional weather outlook.

Moderate to fresh trades will prevail over the coastal waters with combined seas of 6 to 9 feet.

At the beach, there is a high risk of rip currents for east-facing reefs and beaches.

Seas and surf will subside a couple feet by the end of the week.

A red flag warning remains in effect due to a "very high fire danger, but late week showers should bring some relief," NWS' Weather Forecast Office Guam said.

Drought outlook

Extreme drought persists across Yap and the northern Marshall Islands.

Severe drought persists across the Marianas and Majuro.

Islands across the Marshall Islands could see some relief later this week and weekend as showers lift northward, but islands across Yap will remain very dry into early next week. Below-normal rainfall is still favored for much of Yap.

Wildfire threat

A high wildfire threat remains for islands in ongoing dry conditions, particularly the Marianas, Yap and Palau. Reports of wildfires continue to come into the NWS from these locations.

"Remember: all wildfires in our region are human-caused, and conditions are particularly dangerous during prolonged dry, sunny weather, and windy conditions," NWS said.

Residents are encouraged to send in reports of wildfires and weather/climate impacts in their areas.

"Your reports are valuable to our analysis and forecasts," NWS said. To send info: nws.gum.operations@noaa.gov.

Conference

The 4th NWS Guam Regional Climate Conference is now open for registration.

The conference will be held virtually via GoTo Webinar on Thursday, May 23, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Port Authority of Guam has passed the U.S. Coast Guard's annual inspection, but the Port has been tasked to enhance certain security measures including making sure restricted areas are clearly marked and indicating that unauthorized presence is a breach of security.

The Coast Guard has pointed out that the ports current signs do not sufficiently indicate that entering these areas without authorization constitutes a security breach.

"While we have passed the inspection, we recognize the importance of continual improvement," Port General Manager Rory J. Respicio said in a statement.

Respicio said the Port has already begun to address the feedback provided, starting with the improvement of signage to ensure full compliance and enhanced security.

"Our commitment to security and operational excellence is unwavering, and we are dedicated to continuously improving our facilities and procedures to meet the highest standards," Respicio said.

The Coast Guard inspection includes the security area check of the Ports alternate facility security officer, security measures and plans, training records, drills and exercises, hazardous waste and emergency response plans, signage, facility security officer, TWIC security checks, CCTV, MARSEC and declaration of security.

The Coast Guard also inspects the safety of the facility to include electrical, flammable storage, fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, beacon lights, drum lot, emergency exits, smoke detectors, escape routes, LC 1-5 generators, housekeeping, lighting, international shore connection and the entire terminal yard.

Respicio said the Coast Guard's inspection ensures compliance with security and operational standards.

"We want to express our sincere gratitude to all of the ports dedicated staff who worked tirelessly to prepare our facilities for the coast guard's rigorous inspection, Respicio said. This demonstrates that our commitment to excellence is the foundation of our success, particularly highlighted by the flawless pass in our safety office's evaluation.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Youd be hard pressed to find a more loyal group of festivalgoers than New Orleans Jazz Fest fans.

Come rain or shine, heat waves, mud pits or natural disasters, these Hawaiian-shirt-wearing fanatics say theres nothing quite like it. This year, Jazz Fest will be from April 25 to May 5 at the Fair Grounds Race Course, 1751 Gentilly Blvd.

As a first-time attendee this April, I decided to prepare by reaching out to one of the festivals most devoted disciples.

James OByrne, former features editor at the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, has attended Jazz Fest for the past 44 years. Finally, this spring  after nearly half a century and a move to France  getting festival tickets simply wasnt in the cards.

OByrne is now passing his wisdom to the newcomers.

James O'Byrne, right, is pictured with friend Bill Taylor, center, and wife Paula O'Byrne, left, at New Orleans Jazz Fest. Note the classic festival shirts.James O'Byrne

Question: What is so special about Jazz Fest, when compared to other festivals?

Answer: I think that Jazz Fest is the greatest expression of what makes New Orleans and Louisiana special. A lot of people say Mardi Gras is that, and I do love Mardi Gras ... but I think Jazz Fest is actually the true expression of what makes the city great. In terms of music, the love of music, and the love of food.

The festival is very New Orleans-specific in a way that many other festivals are not specific to their city. Theres only one Congo Square stage. Theres only one Economy Hall Jazz tent.

Q: Whats the best method of getting to and from the festival?

A: So, the secret is to walk past where everyone turns into Fortin Street (the Gentilly Pedestrian Entrance).

Keep going through the neighborhood, then turn right on Sauvage, and go in at the Sauvage Gate (the Sauvage Pedestrian Entrance) instead. Because people will be lined up on Fortin, and you dont need to line up in that line. And now that Ive said that, Ive ruined it for everyone.

Q: Do you have a must-eat food when you get into the fairgrounds?

A: I personally always start with Prejeans pheasant quail andouille gumbo, which is natures perfect food. I prefer not to talk while eating my Prejeans gumbo. I need to focus. But I once had a man next to me who asked me: How is that gumbo?

And I said, Well, it is the greatest gumbo in the world.

And usually I dont talk during eating it, but he seemed like a nice guy, so I felt like I should respond. It turned out to be Mr. Prejean himself. He gave me like three free tokens for more gumbo.

An oyster patty, oyster sack and crawfish beignet combo make for a tasty midfestival meal in 2018.James O'Byrne

Q: Thats pretty amazing. Any other recs?

A: You know, my only general rule is that no food is worth waiting in a really long line for. Dont get committed to one thing. Theres too much great food at Jazz Fest to wait a half an hour to eat.

Actually, the one line thats probably worth waiting for is the mango freeze.

Q: How do you manage to keep cool when outside for 10-hour days?

A: The go-to tip is to watch one of the interviews in the clubhouse, because the clubhouse has air conditioning. (Thats the grandstand exhibit hall, near the Gentilly pedestrian entrance.) Take breaks. Find shade.

They also have the cooling tents with the spray going, so pass by those if you can. And of course, bring your maximum amount of water in when you come in, in a reusable bottle, and refill as much as possible.

Q: Jazz Fest might not be as much of a fashion show as other festivals, but do you have any tips on what to wear?

A: You have to wear a Jazz Fest shirt, but you shouldnt wear this years Jazz Fest shirt. If you wear this years Jazz Fest shirt, they know youre a tourist.

Youll see people wearing the same shirts. They look matchy-matchy cause theyre wearing past years.

I have about six Jazz Fest shirts: the red bean shirt, or the jungle shirt, or the streetcar shirt. I have all of those.

Q: Im surprised you dont have more actually, after 44 years.

A: Well, once you have enough shirts to get you through two weekends, thats enough.

Q: Are there any other souvenirs worth picking up?

A: Theres a significant amount of arts and crafts at Jazz Fest, and thats part of the experience. We have in our house, four or five pieces of art that we bought at Jazz Fest over the years.

You can buy a piece and theyll hold onto it until the end of the day. We have one cement and glass model that we bought at Jazz Fest, and we obviously didnt carry that around  it weighs about 30 pounds.

Q: If someone can only attend for one day, is there a day thats best?

A: Thursdays are less crowded, but I seldom chose my days based on acts. I think theres so much great music and so much great food that you just pick what works for you. Because youre going to miss something. If you obsess about what youre missing, then thats not really the way to approach it.

Q: Have any of the smaller acts surprised you?

A: For a lot of people, their fest is in the big stages. But I think that the real magic is generally found in the smaller stages and the smaller tents  you know, the Fay Do Do stage or Economy Hall or the Blues Tent or the Jazz Tents.

One of my favorite things to do is to take a wander. And what you can do is you can walk past the main stage, and then out onto the apron and then walk slowly through the blues tent, the jazz tent, the gospel tents and just listen to all the different kinds of music coming out of those places. See what calls to you.

Even if youre not sitting down and listening to a whole set, just that journey through the American canon of music is extraordinary.

Theres so much great music that a key rule of thumb is: If youre sitting there and youre not enjoying it, you need to move.

Q: After 44 years of attending Jazz Fest, is there one memory that stands out to you in particular?

A: Oh, yeah, sure. I think anybody who was in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina would immediately call up 2006 and Bruce Springsteen. Certainly the greatest live performance Ive ever seen. And by the way, in Bruces book, he said this is the greatest performance hes ever given.

I think now about a million people claim to have been there for that performance now. But having been there, I dont think anything comes close to it. Nothing approaches Springsteen after Katrina.

Bruce Springsteen performs live onstage before the "We Shall Overcome" tour at New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2006. (Ebet Roberts | Redferns)Redferns

Q: What did it feel like to be a part that audience?

A: Well, I mean, the first thing that happened that year was a Mardi Gras, and everyone was like: Uh, how could you have a celebration? In the midst of all this tragedy?

And our response to that is the classic New Orleans response, which is: Youre not from here.

So, there was no question that if we could throw those celebrations, we were going to throw those celebrations. But you know, when Jazz Fest happened in 2006, the city is still completely shattered.

Fans wave their hands during the Bruce Springsteen concert at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 30, 2006 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was the first time the event was held since Hurricane Katrina. (Mario Tama | Getty Images)Getty Images

And one of the things that Bruce  I guess I should call him Mr. Springsteen  had done, was go out in a car with his wife and a driver and driven the city for hours. Not with a TV crew, not with his PR people, not with a photographer.

And so Springsteen understood when he got to the stage at Jazz Fest that he was singing to a shattered city. Not just physically, but emotionally. So he brought that energy and that knowledge to his performance, and I dont think that anybody who was there would forget it, and isnt affected by it to this day.

The rest of (the classic New Orleans saying) let the good times roll is for tomorrow you may be gone. And when you live in a place that suffers that possible fate, the tomorrow you may be gone part is the part that gives the party part its poignancy and its importance.




Haiti - Politic : Colombia excludes sending troops to Haiti





Tuesday April 9, 2024 at the UN before the Security Council, Luis Gilberto Murillo the Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke of the serious crisis in Haiti and declared that the Colombian Government ruled out sending troops or agents to the future mission multinational Support to the National Police of Haiti.



Regarding the future multinational police mission approved by the Security Council and which Kenya has offered to lead, Murillo ruled out the sending of Colombian agents "We do not think that external interventions have worked in the past," adding that his country could welcome Haitian police officers on its soil for training, but for that "we will need the international community to finance it," he declared, referring to the lack of international involvement to commit funds in favor of Haiti.



Finally, he indicated that Colombia was working with the Haitian authorities to see the best way to provide assistance, whether food or otherwise, through specialized agencies.



S/ HaitiLibvre






















Haiti - Dom. Rep. : Nearly 65 Americans evacuated from Haiti in 24 hours





The State Department announced in March 2024 the plan developed to evacuate American citizens who wish to do so from Haiti. Helicopter flights organized by the American Embassy leave Haiti every day for Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Once arrived at their destinations, Americans are responsible for the rest of their journey to reach the United States by commercial flights.



According to Luis Lopez, AERODOM Communications Director, between 4 and 5 helicopter flights with a capacity of 17 people arrive every day, on Tuesday April 9 around 65 Americans were transferred to the Dominican capital.



For these evacuations which will continue until April 12nd, 2024, the United States has rented two helicopters reserved exclusively for American citizens upon presentation of an identity document confirming their nationality.



Last March, Vedant Patel, the State Department's deputy spokesman, reported that about 1,600 Americans had filled out the crisis intake form informing the government of the aid they wanted to receive. However, Patel said because this is a security operation, he will not release the total number of Americans evacuated.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41965-haiti-insecurity-more-than-230-american-citizens-evacuated-in-one-week.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41935-haiti-department-of-state-helicopters-began-to-evacuate-american-citizens.html

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-41909-haiti-flash-the-first-flight-of-americans-fleeing-the-chaos-in-haiti-landed-in-miami.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41903-haiti-humanitarian-establishment-of-an-air-bridge-between-the-dominican-rep-and-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41902-haiti-flash-the-state-department-will-evacuate-americans-in-haiti.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





College Bird attacked and vandalized

College Bird located on Street de l'Enterrement was attacked and vandalized earlier this week by armed individuals. The damage assessment is underway...



Biden to consult Congress for MMSS funds

Tuesday April 9, 2024, Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, indicated that the Biden administration would consult Congress to try to release the funds planned for the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) in support of the Haitian National Police (PNH). According to Sullivan, its funds are essential to the Mission



Airport : Demolition of 183 houses

The Haitian state is beginning an operation to demolish houses located near the fence of Toussaint Louverture international airport. A first batch of 183 houses is targeted. These demolitions aim to allow better security control around the airport. A security perimeter has been set up around the demolition zone which has already started and will continue this week. According to our information, an amount was disbursed to compensate the owners...



PAM : Local purchase of 23 tonnes of millet sorghum

23 tonnes of millet sorghum from the North-East department were delivered to the WFP warehouse in Cap-Haitien. This local product is being distributed to school canteens in the Great North.



PNH Partial assessment last 2 weeks

Tuesday April 9, 2024, the Spokesperson for the PNH, Garry Desrosiers, presented a partial assessment of the interventions and operations carried out by the national police during March 26 to April 9, 2024. He reported the seizure of 12 rifles assault rifle, 14 pistols and 1,500 cartridges of different calibers. 6 million 300 thousand gourdes, 20 thousand US dollars, two vehicles and 9 motorcycles were also seized. 6 police officers were injured during these latest interventions while several bandits were killed.



In March, WFP helped 477,000 people

For the month of March, the World Food Program (WFP) with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) helped 477,000 people in need. This includes the distribution of more than 330,000 hot meals to more than 54,000 displaced people in 42 sites in Port-au-Prince. In addition, 12,900 people received food in kind as part of WFP's emergency activities.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















'Cat abuse' candidate not admitted; virtue supersedes good grades

11:16, April 10, 2024 By Chen Xi ( Global Times

Photo: Official website of Lanzhou University

On Monday night, Lanzhou University's School of Nuclear Science and Technology officially announced the 2024 list of candidates for master's degree transfer admissions on its official website. After checking the list, Xu, a candidate who had attracted significant social attention for allegedly abusing cats, found out that he had not been included in the list of candidates for admission.

According to media reports, after finishing his undergraduate studies, Xu applied for admission to the School of Physics at Nanjing University for a master's degree, but was not admitted. Despite his professional course results ranking first, he received a message that said: "failed to pass the second examination."

Subsequently, he applied for a transfer to Lanzhou University. During this period, some netizens reported that the candidate had allegedly abused and killed cats in the school dormitory and uploaded videos of the acts online.

According to online feedback, many netizens supported Nanjing University's decision to reject the candidate, while earnestly advising Lanzhou University to be cautious about him, given the suspected cat abuse acts by the candidate.

Previously, the Nanjing police responded by stating that they had interviewed the parties involved and their families, and instructed them to write a letter of repentance. Given the school's specific provisions and regulations for the admission of master's students in the reexamination, it is reasonable for the school to judge the candidate as morally unfit for admission based on his behavior, but some argue that the school's handling of the situation is too harsh.

In fact, this is not an isolated case. A university in Central China's Henan Province once reported that a student named Li was involved in cat abuse and was expelled; in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, a school punished two students for mistreating stray dogs and placed them under surveillance at school.

Leaving aside the deeply ingrained concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and animals, animal abuse itself is not trivial. It not only involves personal conduct issues but also reflects a lack of reverence and respect for life, and may have legal consequences.

Many netizens' relentless pursuit of this matter is likely to stem from an emotional response and moral disagreement and there is still room for further clarification of the events, their causes and other details.

In a survey involving tens of thousands of people, 90 percent of netizens agreed that "graduate admissions should strengthen moral assessment." This indirectly reminds us: conduct and knowledge should not be neglected, and the public expects universities to strengthen the cultivation and assessment of students' moral character.

In recent years, incidents of misconduct by university students have occurred from time to time. Good grades may be a sign of being a "good student," but they certainly do not equate to good character. A student with poor character but good academic performance may pose a significant threat to society in the future.

Since ancient China, "virtue" has always been an important criterion, represented by Confucianism. The importance of education lies not only in imparting knowledge and skills but also in shaping personalities and nurturing values. In other words, social development requires more well-rounded individuals. From this perspective, using the "measuring stick" of moral character is crucial for universities in talent cultivation and selection.

For schools, it may be helpful to refine their "admissions brochure," especially to clarify the rules and criteria for immediate disqualification, in order to better ensure fairness and reasonableness. For students, while it is important to perform well in exams, it is even more important to excel in the "invisible exam" of moral character outside the examination hall.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
ShareBar

Comments must be on-topic and civil in tone (with no name calling or personal attacks). Any promotional language or urls will be removed immediately. Your comment may be edited for clarity and length.
This spring , the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum Helsinki will unveil "FIX: Care and Repair," an innovative exhibition that questions the relentless pursuit of the new in favor of celebrating the art of repair and maintenance. Opening on April 26, 2024, and running until January 5, 2025, this collaborative exhibit seeks to alter perceptions of wear and decay by highlighting their inherent value in both architecture and design.

Spanning two venues, "FIX: Care and Repair" delves into the dynamic life cycle of objects and structures, from their inevitable aging and soiling to their breaking and subsequent repair. The exhibition poses reflective inquiries into the nature of care: What do we choose to maintain, and why? Which objects fall beyond the ambit of our concern?

Curated by Kaisa Karvinen, Jutta Tynkkynen, and Sara Martinsen, with design by Lauri Johansson, the exhibit juxtaposes careful preservation against harmful neglect. It features artifacts that have acquired a distinguished patina alongside those marred by injudicious upkeep, prompting visitors to reconsider the boundaries between cherished wear and unwanted deterioration.

"FIX: Care and Repair" also explores the museum's role in selecting what is preserved for posterity, emphasizing the selective nature of conservation. Through items like Harry Bertoia's Diamond chair and the juxtaposition of Paavo Tynell's Domus floor lampsone celebrated for its natural patina and the other criticized for its careattendees are invited to reflect on the value of maintenance and the choices that define historical preservation.

In addition to its philosophical inquiries, the exhibition showcases the tangible skills of repair and maintenance through contemporary and historical examples. From 1950s darning templates to the digital age's online tutorials, such as those offered by the YouTube channel Odd Tinkering, "FIX: Care and Repair" underscores the transmission of repair knowledge across generations. A notable case study is the meticulous renovation of the Helsinki City Theatre, which demonstrates the high level of expertise and dedication required for architectural preservation.

Beyond the static displays, the exhibition is animated by an engaging program of events designed to foster interaction and learning. These include repair demonstrations, curator-led tours, and workshops that promise to enrich visitors' understanding of the exhibition themes.

By focusing on the practices of repair, cleaning, and maintenance, "FIX: Care and Repair" offers a counter-narrative to the disposability prevalent in modern consumer culture. It champions a more sustainable approach to our material world, one that values the beauty in age and the dignity in repair. Through this exhibition, the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum Helsinki not only challenge the ideal of novelty but also advocate for a deeper appreciation of the objects and structures that make up our everyday lives.

HT
New research conducted by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) highlights the unexpected effects of public information campaigns aimed at deterring migration. Analyzing responses from approximately 13,000 young adults across ten countries in Africa and Asia, the study finds that such campaigns have little to no impact on curbing migration desires. Intriguingly, in many instances, these campaigns appear to bolster the determination to migrate.

Despite the European Commission allocating over 40 million Euros since 2015 for anti-migration campaigns, PRIO's research suggests these efforts might be misdirected. Nicolas Caso, a co-author of the study, points out the significant investments in these campaigns without a clear understanding of their effectiveness or impact on migration aspirations.

Surveyed individuals came from a variety of backgrounds, residing in countries facing significant migration pressures, including Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, and Tunisia. The study's extensive reach across 25 communities revealed that a majority of young adults had encountered migration-related warnings through various media outlets. Yet, contrary to the campaigns' intentions, a higher desire to migrate was noted in more than two-thirds of the surveyed communities after exposure to such warnings.

The study proposes two potential explanations for this counterintuitive outcome. Firstly, the sheer frequency of migration-related information could heighten awareness of migration as a viable option. Secondly, those already considering migration might be more inclined to pay attention to such campaigns, although this does not necessarily influence their decision to migrate.

Additionally, the research indicates that personal knowledge of someone's failed migration attemptbe it through detention, deportation, or even deathdid not deter migration aspirations. On the contrary, such knowledge was associated with an increased willingness to embark on the migration journey, possibly reflecting a general tendency towards risk-taking or a belief in one's ability to succeed where others have failed.

Jrgen Carling, another co-author of the study, emphasizes the growing skepticism within the scientific community regarding the efficacy of migration information campaigns. This skepticism is bolstered by PRIO's findings, which are based on extensive data funded by the European Commission itself.

This research forms part of the 'Aligning Migration Management and the Migration-Development Nexus' (MIGNEX) project. Spanning six years, MIGNEX aims to foster new insights into the nexus between migration, development, and policy, supported by the European Commission and involving collaboration among nine institutions across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

HT
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's regulation requires that all dogs be registered in Ruokavirasto's official dog registry immediately after acquisition.

Starting January 2023 , dog identification and registration have become obligatory in Finland, signaling a significant shift towards ensuring the well-being of pets and their traceability. The Finnish Food Authority, Ruokavirasto, actively monitors compliance with this mandate, and dog owners who neglect their registration duties may face fines.

This registry includes information on the dog's keeper, any changes in ownership, disappearances, findings, and eventually, the death of the dog. However, it does not record pedigree or other activity-related information. While initial registration and ownership transfer incur fees, other notifications to the registry are free of charge.

In an effort to protect public and animal health as well as promote responsible dog breeding and sales, the registration fee is set at 10 euros for electronic submissions and 19 euros for paper form submissions, as per the state fee law.

Enforcement of these regulations is carried out by competent authorities defined by the law on animal identification and registration. Local veterinary inspectors and regional government veterinary officers conduct checks during animal welfare inspections, and competitions or exhibitions, ensuring that dogs are properly identified and registered.

Dog owners found in violation of these regulations during inspections are required to rectify the situation to meet legal standards. Failure to comply after an initial warning may result in additional inspections, which are chargeable. The fee for extra monitoring by a municipal veterinarian is set at 150 euros, with the cost of regional government inspections dependent on the time spent.

The Finnish Kennel Club (Kennelliitto) also plays a pivotal role in overseeing responsible dog breeding. Should there be any concerns regarding a breeder's compliance with the Kennel Club's regulations or the ethical treatment of dogs, it is advised to report these suspicions directly to the Kennel Club. The Kennel Club emphasizes the importance of written reports and assures that all complaints are taken seriously and processed according to established procedures.

While the Kennel Club registers over 43,000 puppies annually and asserts that most Finnish breeders adhere to high standards of dog welfare and ethical practices, it acknowledges that discrepancies can occur. The Kennel Club's Disciplinary Committee reviews reported violations and can impose sanctions ranging from warnings to permanent bans from Kennel Club activities.

It's crucial for dog owners and prospective buyers to understand that while the Kennel Club can enforce its rules among its members, it does not have the authority to resolve contractual disputes or impose legal penalties. Such matters fall under the jurisdiction of courts.

For issues concerning animal welfare or suspected criminal activity, it is recommended to report directly to the appropriate authorities, including municipal veterinarians, the Finnish Food Authority, regional government offices, the police, or customs. The Kennel Club does not receive updates on ongoing investigations from these bodies.

This new regulation and the active role of both the Finnish Food Authority and the Finnish Kennel Club underline Finland's commitment to enhancing the welfare of dogs and promoting responsible ownership. Compliance not only ensures the health and safety of dogs but also contributes to a more traceable and responsible pet ecosystem in the country.

HT
A report released by leading economists from France, Germany, and Italy has launched a critical analysis of the European Union's current approach to research and development, suggesting that the EU is significantly trailing in the global innovation race. According to the study, the lack of presence among the world's top tech companies and startups signifies a dire need for a strategic pivot towards more cutting-edge and disruptive innovation projects.

Nobel laureate Jean Tirole of the Toulouse School of Economics highlights the EU's disproportionate investment in mid-tech sectors, particularly the automotive industry, at the expense of burgeoning high-tech fields like the digital economy. This imbalance has ensnared the continent in a "mid-tech trap," stifling its economic growth and reducing its influence on the global stage.

Clemens Fuest, President of the Ifo Institute, echoes Tirole's concerns, pointing out that Europe's innovation efforts are overly concentrated and lagging in sectors critical for future competitiveness. The report emphasizes the need for the EU to significantly increase its R&D expenditure, particularly in low Technological Readiness Level projects that promise transformative potential.

The recommendations extend to the governance of Horizon Europe, the EU's key funding program for research and innovation. The authors advocate for a reduction in political oversight of scientific decisions, proposing instead a model that empowers leading scientists with greater autonomy and flexibility. This approach aims to invigorate the EU's research landscape by enabling more groundbreaking innovations to emerge.

Further comparisons with the United States reveal structural inefficiencies within the EU's funding mechanisms, particularly the European Innovation Council (EIC), which is suggested to draw inspiration from the US ARPA model. The report criticizes the EU's cumbersome application processes and suggests a shift towards a less bureaucratic, more scientist-led committee structure to facilitate breakthroughs in innovation.

One of the more radical proposals includes a significant budget reallocation from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), which the report indicates has fallen short of its objectives, to more promising areas of research.

Released in Brussels and spearheaded by prominent economists including Clemens Fuest, Daniel Gros of the Institute for European Policymaking at Bocconi University Milan, and Jean Tirole, the report titled "EU Innovation Policy  How to Escape the Middle Technology Trap?" offers a compelling blueprint for revamping the EU's research and innovation strategy to secure its place as a global leader in technology and innovation.

HT
Charlotte seems fine as due date draws closer

Kinsley Boyette, the assistant director of the Aquarium and Shark Lab by Team Ecco, works in the tank with pregnant stingray, Charlotte, during a program at the aquarium in March.

Charlotte, Hendersonvilles celebrity pregnant stingray, swims laps in her tank each day while calmly waiting for her pups to be born.



The humans interested in Charlottes miraculous pregnancy could take a lesson in patience from their aquatic friend, her caretakers say.

Be patient, B.J. Ramer, the founder of the Aquarium and Shark Lab by Team Ecco, said Wednesday. Its really not been forever.

From the time the aquarium on Main Street announced in February that Charlotte became pregnant without the benefit of a male stingray, likely through a process called parthenogenesis, marine scientists, schoolchildren and fans around the world have been anxiously waiting for Charlotte to give birth.

Shes been the focus of numerous articles and television news broadcasts and even late-night television comedy sketches.

Scientists from across the country and around the world also wanted to see Charlottes pups for themselves to learn more about how she became pregnant.

But because her pregnancy is virtually unheard of, Ramer said, everyone will have to wait for nature to take its course.

Its nature. You cant force your hand there, Ramer said. When Charlotte is ready, Charlotte will deliver her pup.

The aquarium sees no changes in the stingrays behavior. Shes grown a little larger recently and a barb she lost a few weeks ago is beginning to regrow, which is a good sign, Ramer said. An ultrasound performed a few weeks ago also showed no signs of distress.

Everything is status quo, she said.

The aquarium first saw eggs in Charlotte in mid to late December and learned she was pregnant shortly before announcing the unique pregnancy to the public in February.

Ramer said she was unsure exactly when the process of parthenogenesis began.

The timeline, she said, is not far from the typical gestation time for a stingray. No data exists for what to look for in Charlottes case because it has never happened, Ramer said.

In the meantime, the aquarium continues to hear from people interested in Charlotte and an out-of-state public relations firm that offered its services pro bono now responds to media requests for information on Charlotte.

Ramer said she most appreciates hearing from teachers who want to introduce their students to science through Charlottes story.

We wanted the interest in science. That is why we shared our gift, she said.

The aquarium has cameras set up for constant monitoring of Charlotte. The cameras are linked to employees phones and will allow them to know when she gives birth, even if it is in the middle of the night.

They plan to be there whenever the birth happens to move the pups from the large tank Charlotte shares with the sharks and other fish to a small tank set up nearby just for the pups.

The aquarium will then announce the birth to the public.

Once the pups are born, Ramer said she intends to have their DNA tested at the Field Museum in Chicago to learn more about how they were conceived.

Scientists are also expected to travel to the aquarium to study Charlotte and her pups. Ramer declined to name the scientists or say where they are located, citing privacy concerns.

With all the aquariums plans in place for scientific study and the intense attention the birth will likely draw, all that is left to do now is wait for nature to decide when Charlotte will give birth.

We are ready, Ramer said. We appreciate everybodys help and support.
New Mandatory Model Proposed to Improve Health Outcomes Post-Surgery and Advance Climate Resiliency

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule updating Medicare payments and policies for inpatient hospitals and long-term care hospitals. The proposed rule takes a variety of approaches to improving the health of people with Medicare by addressing social determinants of health, strengthening emergency preparedness, and improving maternal health. The fiscal year (FY) 2025 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) rule builds on the Biden-Harris Administrations work to support historically underserved and under-resourced communities and promote value-based care.

Hospitals should be a place you go into and get the care you need, regardless of whether youre struggling to afford your rent, the color of your skin, or what else is going on in the world around you, said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. The Biden-Harris Administration is doing everything in its power to ensure hospitals have the prescription drugs and supplies they need so providers can focus on what they do best  helping our loved ones be healthy.

Rate Increases

The proposed increase in operating payment rates for certain acute care hospitals in FY 2025 is projected to be 2.6%. This applies to acute care hospitals that 1) receive CMS payments under the IPPS, 2) successfully participate in the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting program, and 3) are meaningful electronic health record users. This reflects the FY 2025 projected Hospital Market Basket Update of 3.0%, reduced by a projected 0.4 percentage point Productivity Adjustment for FY 2025. CMS expects this proposed increase in operating and capital IPPS payment rates, in addition to other changes, would generally increase hospital payments by $3.2 billion.

For Long-Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs), CMS proposes to increase the LTCH PPS standard federal payment rate by 2.8%. CMS expects LTCH payments to increase by 1.6%, or $41 million, primarily due to the proposed update to the rate partially offset by a projected decrease in high-cost outlier payments in FY 2025 compared to FY 2024.

CMS is proposing changes that will create a more equitable and resilient health care system, said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. Our proposals around payment and quality focus on rewarding better outcomes and supporting hospitals in their efforts to reach underserved communities and meet their needs. We are also seeking public comment on additional efforts to drive improvements in access to quality care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

Equity

In the 2024 IPPS final rule, CMS finalized an increase in payments to hospitals when they care for individuals experiencing homelessness. Building on this policy and the Biden-Harris Administrations initiative to address unsheltered homelessness, CMS is proposing to take an additional step and better account for the resources involved in furnishing care to individuals experiencing housing insecurity. CMS is also proposing to add new social determinants of health data elements into LTCH quality reporting, requiring LTCHs to report elements on housing, food and utility stability, and access to transportation, which are factors that influence the resources required for their care.

CMS is also promoting access to treatments that could help support rural and underserved communities. Increased new technology add-on payments proposed in the rule would help improve access to new gene therapy for sickle cell disease, which disproportionately impacts certain underserved populations. In addition, CMS is proposing a separate payment to small independent hospitals, including many rural hospitals, for establishing and maintaining access to a buffer stock of essential medicines to foster a more reliable and resilient supply of these medicines to help safeguard and improve the care hospitals can provide.

CMS graduate medical education program enhances the health care workforce and funds additional positions in hospitals serving underserved communities. To further improve access to behavioral health services and consistent with CMS overarching behavioral health strategy, the rule implements section 4122 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, which requires that at least half of the 200 new graduate medical education slots made available in 2026 under the law go towards psychiatry or psychiatry subspecialties.

Emergency Preparedness

Building on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS is proposing a permanent streamlined data reporting structure for COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with additional reporting that could be activated in the event of an emergency. The rule also proposes a new attestation-based measure to assess whether hospitals demonstrate a structure, culture, and leadership commitment that prioritizes patient safety.

Hospitals play such a central role in the diverse communities they serve, said Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD, CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare. Our proposed payments to hospitals further recognize the cost of unmet social needs, advance access to innovative and essential treatments, expand the behavioral health workforce, and ultimately help provide hospitals the vital tools they need to better serve all communities.

Testing Innovative Methods to Streamline Better Care at a Lower Cost

As part of this proposed rule, CMS is also proposing a mandatory model to test whether episode- based payments for five common, costly procedures would reduce Medicare expenditures while preserving or enhancing the quality of care. Building on lessons learned from previous models, the mandatory Transforming Episode Accountability (TEAM) Model would incentivize coordination between care providers during a surgery, as well as the services provided during the 30 days that follow, and require referral to primary care services to support continuity of care and drive positive long-term health outcomes. This model would complement other CMS value-based care initiatives by promoting collaboration with accountable care organizations.

Before and after surgery, people on Medicare often experience fragmented care, especially following hospital discharge. This can lead to complications, prolonged recovery, unnecessary care, and even readmissions, said Liz Fowler, CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of the CMS Innovation Center. By bundling all the costs of care for an episode, this proposed rule can incentivize care coordination, improve patient care transitions, and decrease the risk of an avoidable readmission.

TEAM would also support CMS and HHS efforts to improve quality of care by bolstering the health systems climate resilience and sustainability. Individuals would be able to collect and voluntarily share greenhouse gas emissions data with CMS, and CMS would provide technical assistance to them to enhance organizational sustainability. Through TEAM, CMS would provide information to assist individuals in addressing threats to the health of individuals and the health care system presented by climate change.

Improving Maternal Health

As part of CMS ongoing efforts to drive improvements in access to quality care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, CMS is seeking public comment on potential solutions that can be implemented through the hospital Conditions of Participation (CoPs). Solutions aim to address well-documented concerns regarding maternal morbidity, mortality, disparities, and maternity care access in the United States without exacerbating access to care issues. In particular, poor maternal health access disproportionately affects non-Hispanic Black Individuals, American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, low-income individuals, and individuals with disabilities. In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black individuals was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times the rate for non-Hispanic White individuals. Rates for Black women were significantly higher than rates for White and Hispanic individuals.

Specifically, CMS is soliciting comments on what the overarching requirements and structure should be for a possible future obstetrical services CoP as it relates to organization, standards of practice, staffing for obstetrical services, delivery of services for obstetrical units, staff training, and the use of maternal morbidity and mortality data. CMS further solicits comments on how potential obstetrical services requirements could impact access to care and any potential unintended consequences of an obstetrical services CoP. In addition, the rule includes a request for information on the use of the Medicare IPPS payment rates for maternity care by other payers to inform CMS understanding of differences that may exist between the hospital resources required to provide inpatient pregnancy and childbirth services to Medicare patients as compared to non-Medicare patients.

The FY 2025 IPPS and LTCH PPS proposed rule 2025 has a 60-day comment period. The proposed rule can be downloaded from the Federal Register at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-07567/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-and-the-childrens-health-insurance-program-hospital-inpatient.

For a fact sheet on the IPPS/LTCH PPS proposed payment rule, visit: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/fy-2025-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-system-ipps-and-long-term-care-hospital-prospective

For a fact sheet on TEAM, visit: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/team-model-fs.pdf.

For frequently asked questions on TEAM, visit: https://www.cms.gov/team-model-frequently-asked-questions.
Latest policy makes clear HRSA-funded Health Centers can provide health care services  including chronic disease, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment  to individuals in the 90 days prior to release from incarceration as they get ready and return to the community

New funding opportunity makes $51 million available to support transitions in care prior to release from incarceration for the first time in the programs history

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), took new policy action and announced the availability of $51 million for the first-ever funding opportunity for HRSA-funded health centers to implement innovative approaches to support transitions in care for people leaving incarceration. Aligned with the White House Second Chance Initiative, todays action, for the first time, explicitly supports the provision of health services to individuals during the 90 days prior to their release to help them return to the community by expanding access to primary health care, including mental health and substance use disorder treatment, furthering public health and strengthening public safety.

HRSA-funded health centers provide primary care regardless of ability to pay and are a cornerstone of our countrys health care system, especially for individuals and families who are uninsured; enrolled in Medicaid; living in rural, remote, or underserved areas; struggling to afford their health insurance co-pays; experiencing homelessness; residing in public housing; or otherwise having difficulty finding a doctor or paying for the cost of care. The 1,400 HRSA-funded health centers operate more than 15,000 service sites, providing care for more than 30 million patients.

As President Biden has often said, America is a nation of second chances. People reentering the community after incarceration deserve a fair shot at living long, healthy lives and contributing to their communities, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. HRSA-funded health centers are well positioned to facilitate these transitions from incarceration to high quality, community-based primary care.

At HRSA, we know that poor care transitions as people leave prisons and jails can have devasting consequences, said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. People returning from incarceration  particularly those with substance use or mental health conditions  often have significant health care needs and are particularly vulnerable to overdose deaths and other bad health outcomes. Yet, they struggle to get connected to the health services. That is why we are launching this innovative HRSA effort during Second Chance Month and aim to tackle these needs head-on and ensure better care and better health outcomes for people reentering their communities after incarceration.

HRSAs updated policy makes clear that health centers can provide health services to incarcerated individuals who are expected to be or are scheduled for release from a carceral setting within 90 days to help ensure continuity of care as people move home to the community.

As many as 80% of individuals returning to the community after incarceration have chronic medical, psychiatric, and/or substance use conditions. Studies have shown a dramatic and concerning increase in risk for opioid overdose after release from incarceration, with one study showing the risk of death at least ten times higher than for the general public. Nearly half of individuals entering incarceration meet the criteria for having a substance use disorder, and many of these individuals struggle to access and afford medication-assisted and other substance use disorder treatments following release.

Individuals returning to the community also become disconnected from critical medications and treatment for diabetes and hypertension  among the leading causes of death in the United States. They also face disproportionate risks of bad health outcomes overall because they lack connections to services and supports to navigate the process of applying for or reinstating health insurance eligibility and other benefits in the immediate period after their release.

For this competitive funding opportunity, approximately 51 health centers will implement approaches that focus on:

Reducing drug overdose risk

Addressing mental health and substance use disorder treatment needs

Managing chronic conditions

Preventing, screening, diagnosing, and treating hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, and other infectious diseases

Health centers can also use funds made available through the funding opportunity to provide case management services that address key social drivers of health, such as housing and food insecurity, financial strain, access to transportation, and intimate partner violence. Facilitating the successful reentry of individuals returning to the community will enhance public health and safety.

This work builds on previous action taken across the Department to support justice-involved individuals and complements efforts from SAMHSA and other federal entities that provide grant funds to expand substance use disorder treatment and related recovery and reentry services to adults. A new Medicaid 1115 waiver opportunity, for example, empowers states to provide justice-involved individuals with Medicaid coverage in the period immediately prior to their release to address various health concerns, including substance use disorders and other chronic health issues. Additionally, the HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration emphasizes engaging populations at highest risk, including individuals who are justice-involved.

Applications are due in Grants.gov on June 10, 2024, and in HRSA Electronic Handbooks on July 2, 2024.

Visit the Health Center Program webpage for more information about this funding opportunity.

Find a health center: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has promised to bring a law to recognise civil unions between couples belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, while the Congress has promised to conduct widespread discussions towards instituting such a partnership right for same-sex couples.

The CPM manifesto promised to recognize couples belonging to the queer community on lines of the Special Marriage Act, 1954 to ensure that the concomitant rights for inheritance, alimony in case of divorce etc are accessible.

Civil union accords a comprehensive legal status parallel to a civil marriage and grants the parties rights like marriage such as inheritance, adoption, divorce etc. Denmark was the first country to recognize civil unions for same-sex couples in 1989.

The LGBTQIA+ movement has long demanded the right to marry. States across the world have been hesitant to recognize their right to marry and thus, a stop-gap measure of a civil union or domestic partnership was created.

Even in India the Supreme Court in Supriyo v. Union of India, denied the movements demand for the right to marry. The court unanimously noted that the right to marriage was not a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution and the same could not be enforced. The court recognized that several concomitant rights like the right to choose a partner, fell within the ambit of the fundamental right to privacy but marriage itself was not a fundamental right.

The Centre while opposing the petition submitted that the state recognized marriage as a union between consenting heterosexual couples for the benefit of procreation. Thus, marriage for same-sex relationships did not serve state interest.

The court concluded that it was up to the state to enact a law to recognize same-sex marriages and the court was not fit to do the same due to separation of powers.

Differing views of entitlement

While the Court was unanimous about marriage not being a fundamental right, it differed regarding civil unions. The Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul (since retired) in their dissenting opinion noted that the LGBTQIA+ community had a right to enter civil unions and it was the obligation of the state to safeguard what the CJI called a "bouquet of entitlements" which flowed from the union. The judges traced the origin of this right from Article 19 (Right to form associations and freedom of expression) and 21 of the Constitution. The Chief Justice also recognized the right of the parties to a civil union to adopt a child on similar grounds as an unmarried heterosexual couple. The CJI noting that the Union had suggested the formation of a Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary to set out the rights of the couples in unions, directed that the same be formed to crystalize the rights.

On the contrary, Justice S.R Bhat (since retired) speaking for the majority noted that, "An entitlement to legal recognition of the right to union  akin to marriage or civil union, or conferring legal status upon the parties to the relationship can be only through enacted law."

The Court, however, unanimously agreed that LGBTQIA+ positive people were safeguarded to enter relationships of their choice and should not be discriminated for the same. The Union of India also stated that people were free to represent themselves as married or hold ceremonies, it was just that the same were not recognized by the State.

What's the difference?

While civil unions accord the same rights as marriage, they are considered inferior to the institution of marriage. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community have often deemed that civil unions accord a subordinate position when compared to marriage. The United States jurisprudence on the issue also sees marriage as a conventional institution emanating from history and culture while civil unions are a recent occurrence. Civil unions are also criticized for espousing the principle of Separate but equal.

Marriage in India is primarily a religious affair and brings with it religious sanction. It is precisely due to the prescriptions of religion which prevented inter-faith marriages etc that the State enacted the Special Marriages Act, which views marriage as a civil contract between the two parties. However, the Supreme Court refused to expand the scope of the Special Marriages Act in Surpriyo noting that the same was within the domain of the legislature. The State recently had a very good opportunity to introduce same-sex unions through the uniform civil code legislation introduced in Uttarakhand but failed to do so.

Any law recognizing civil unions needs to factor in all the concomitant rights and mere recognition without entitlements will be immaterial. At its core, the demand of the LGBTQIA+ movement for the right to marry emanates from their demand to be acknowledged, accepted, and given the chance to lead a life of dignity not only by the law but the society as well.

Parijata Bharadwaj, a lawyer and researcher based in New Delhi, co-founded the Jagdalpur Legal Aid Group that offered legal services to adivasis in Chhattisgarh. The views expressed are personal.
Ramakant Mitkar  Managing Director HRD Antwerp India: As the leading European lab for diamond and jewellery certification we decided to open our new lab in New Delhi. It was time to start thinking about expansion and we want to help the people in New Delhi and North India in making sure they can buy jewellery safely without any worries about the authenticity of the diamonds and jewellery they buy. An international certificate can add up to 30% value when you buy jewellery, so its very important that the customers ask for such a certificate. Thanks to our Belgian and Antwerp heritage, HRD Antwerp has become a leading expert on certification.

The office was inaugurated by Mr. Steven De Wilde, Deputy Head of Mission at the Belgian Embassy, Mr. Gaurav Bawa, Mr. Rakesh Saraf.

An evening hosted for notable dignitaries

The evening event hosted notable dignitaries - His Excellency Mr. Didier Vanderhasselt - Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Yuvrani Sahiba Kamakshi Kumari Jhala from the princely state of Chuda Saurashtra in Gujarat, Kunwarani Sahiba Harshita Kumariji of Askote, Uttaranchal, His Highness Maharaja Ashwaryaji Katoch of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Princess Aparna Singhji of Shankargadh, Allahabad, Major Mohan Singhji of Meerut, Dr Maharaj Kunwar Ranjitsinhji of Wankaner, Gujarat, Kunwarani Kalpana Kumariji of Wankaner, Gujarat, Princess of Sailana, Madhya Pradesh, Kunwarsaheb Yaduveer Singhji of Bera, Rajasthan, Princess of Dhenkanal Yashwani Kumariji of Orissa, Kunwarsaheb Mrityunjay Singh of Avadh, Uttar Pradesh, Mrs. Anshu Khanna from Royal Fables and awardee of the Nari Shakti award to name a few.

The rise of lab-grown diamonds has created confusion.

Certainly, with the fast-growing business of lab-grown diamonds its important as a customer you know what you buy. The value of an LGD can drop to 10 to 25% of its original value if you sell your jewellery without natural diamonds.

Ramakant Mitkar Managing director HRD Antwerp India

Ramakant Mitkar  Managing director HRD Antwerp India: The customer can choose to buy lab-grown or natural, but although it has the same chemical composition it does not have the same value. Unfortunately, we detect fraud every day where lab-grown diamond jewellery is presented as natural. Our lab has hi-tech equipment to detect all the treatments and methods that are used to disguise the true nature of the diamond today.

HRD Antwerp is one of the only three recognized international labs that can certify.

Luckily, retailers want this kind of high standard to make sure their customers are not getting fooled. HRD Antwerp is one of the only three recognized international labs that can certify. HRD Antwerp also presented its new products and services like the HRD for memories and a retailer application.

For more information: check out the website www.hrdantwerp.com

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. This information does not constitute a financial advice.
Air travelers in India may have to pay 5-30 per cent more for flights this summer as airlines see capacity cuts amid rising travel demand as well as operational woes. This comes after Vistara cut back on its operations citing pressure on pilots and performance concerns. The carrier said, We are cutting 25-30 flights per day, which represents roughly 10 per cent of our total capacity. Additionally, IndiGo has also grounded 75 of its aircraft due to engine issues, The Hindu Business Line reported. These cut comes at a time when travel demand is increasing for the upcoming summer holidays (April-June). A Vistara Airbus A320 aircraft at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.(Reuters)

Why is there a rise in airfare?

The report quoted industry experts as saying that there would be a rise in airfare on popular routes. Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, Senior Director and Global Head, Transport, Logistics, and Mobility, Consulting, Crisil Market Intelligence, and Analytics, said as per the outlet, With the busy season starting we could see upward pressure on Airfares due to the operational headwinds being seen by a few of the airlines. The overall impact of this is going to be in the range of 5-8 per cent.

What travel portals have observed on airfares?

Travel portal ixigo's spokesperson said that this could result in a major price hike for air travelers as "spot fares for popular routes have surged by 20-25 per cent on some routes due to rising demand before the peak summer travel season and temporary dip in capacity on certain routes due to some flight cancellations. However, this is a temporary disruption caused by last minute flight cancellations and we expect fares to stabilise in a few weeks as soon as flight schedules normalise.

Ixigo has observed a significant surge in airfare prices as it said that certain frequented routes could see a rise of anywhere between 5 per cent to 30 per cent for a one way flight."

Airfare hike: Is this a temporary spike?

This might be a temporary hike as fares could stabilise within a few weeks when airlines normalise operations.
With the beauty segment virtually on fire and the market size being huge in India in the men's segment, revenue and profit growth drove most consumer beauty and lifestyle oriented companies to jump onto the bandwagon of selling products that sought to enhance looks and skin tones. The jump was understandable as the profits were definitely not ephemeral. However, fierce rivalries broke out over the nature of the goods and these even spanned the names of products. And one of the biggest battles was fought between HUL and Emami Ltd that ultimately ended up landing in the Calcutta High Court where things look to have taken a turn with the decision being rendered. Emami has just won a case against HUL in the Calcutta High Court.(REUTERS)

Calcutta HC Ruling

The Calcutta High Court, in its ruling, has barred Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) from using the Glow & Handsome mark for its mens care products, in a case that was filed by Emami Ltd.

Court's Decision

The high court has gone to the extent of setting a deadline, granting HUL just a month to comply with the order passed on 9 April.

HUL's Response

However, things may take another turn as the HUL spokesperson said his company was reviewing the order and was planning appropriate action in response to the injunction issued by the Calcutta HC.

Background to the Dispute

A dispute arose in 2020 between Emami and HUL when the latter rebranded its mens fairness cream to Glow & Handsome. This was quite similar, if not exactly similar, to Emami's older Fair & Handsome brand, forcing it to take a stand against its bitter rival.

Allegations and Legal Analysis

Emami alleged infringement of its rights by asserting that Glow & Handsome is almost similar to its registered mark. After years of trying, Emami finally managed to get a decision in favour of its stance.

According to the court, Glow and Handsome is deceptively similar to the petitioners registered mark. It went on to add, Being a prior user and the first in the mens fairness cream segment, the adoption and use of the mark Glow and Handsome is therefore misleading and deceptive, revealed Mint in a report.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk will visit India this month to meet PM Narendra Modi. He is also expected to make an announcement related to investment plans in the country and opening a new factory, news agency Reuters reported citing people in the know. Elon Musk appears at an event in London.(AP)

The billionaire will meet PM Modi in the last week of April in New Delhi, the report claimed. Elon Musk will separately make an announcement about his India plans, two unnamed sources told Reuters. It was earlier reported that Tesla officials are expected to visit India this month to look at sites for a manufacturing plant which would be a major investment of about $2 billion.

Tesla scouting for local partners in India?

A report in The Hindu Business Line claimed that Tesla might be looking for a local partner to set up its operations in India. The outlet reported citing people in the know that the company is in talks with Reliance Industries for a possible joint venture to build the manufacturing facility in India.

Talks are at initial stages and have been ongoing for over a month, a person aware of the development said as per the report while another said, The role of RIL hasnt been crystalised yet, it is expected that the Indian conglomerate may play a significant hand in establishing the manufacturing facility and the allied ecosystem for Tesla in India."

What has Tesla planned for India?

Tesla has committed $2 billion to its upcoming plans in India and has been looking at multiple locations for setting up the plant but Maharashtra could emerge as the preferred location as Tesla plans to use the facility for domestic and export purposes, and hence, it may prefer a location suitable for port facilities", the report added.
Elon Musk believes superhuman artificial intelligence which is smarter than anyone on Earth could exist next year after he earlier claimed that superintelligent AI would exist by 2029. During a livestreamed interview on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he said, My guess is that well have AI that is smarter than any one human probably around the end of next year. Last year it was chip-constrained." Tesla CEO Elon Musk waves as he leaves the Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars after a visit in Gruenheide near Berlin, Germany.(AP)

He added, "People could not get enough Nvidia chips. This year its transitioning to a voltage transformer supply. In a year or two, its just electricity supply.

What Elon Musk had said earlier on superintelligence

In 2023, Elon Musk predicted a five- to six-year runway for superintelligence voicing concerns about the same. He said, If I could press pause on AI or really advanced AI digital superintelligence I would. It doesnt seem like that is realistic so xAI is essentially going to build an AI. In a good way, sort of hopefully. Its actually important for us to worry about a Terminator future in order to avoid a Terminator future."

What about chatbot Grok AI?

In a recent interview, Elon Musk said the latest version of its chatbot Grok AI is at par with OpenAI's GPT-4.

Elon Musk's fight with Brazilian supreme court justice

Elon Musk fought with Brazilian supreme court justice this week, calling for him to resign or be impeached over court orders levied against X. The judge said, The social network X must adhere to court directives, which includes abstaining from reactivating an account that the Supreme Court has instructed to be suspended.
The U.S. accounting watchdog on Wednesday imposed record fines on two of the Big Four auditors, KPMG and Deloitte, and barred senior leaders at the firms over exam cheating, a problem that has dogged the audit industry for years. The U.S. accounting watchdog barred senior leaders at the firms over exam cheating.(REUTERS /File)

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) said it had levied a $25 million civil penalty against KPMG Netherlands in response to "egregious" and widespread exam cheating at the firm from 2017-2022.

The PCAOB announced disciplinary actions against KPMG Netherlands and its former Head of Assurance, Marc Hogeboom, for systemic breaches spanning a five-year period.

The violations primarily centred around the inappropriate sharing of answers to mandatory training exams within the firm. The PCAOB's investigation unearthed a culture of misconduct that permeated the ranks of KPMG Netherlands, with hundreds of professionals, including senior leaders, involved in answer-sharing practices.

The PCAOB's imposition of a $25 million civil money penalty on KPMG Netherlands marked the largest fine ever levied by the regulatory body. The PCAOB permanently barred the KPMG Netherlands' former head of assurance Marc Hogeboom from the industry.

PCAOB Chair Erica Y. Williams minced no words in condemning the unethical behaviour and said, The growth and breadth of exam cheating in this case was enabled by the firms failure to take appropriate steps to monitor, investigate, and identify the potential misconduct.

This misconduct reveals an inappropriate tone at the top and a complete failure by firm leadership to promote an ethical culture worthy of investors trust.

Stephanie Hottenhuis, CEO of KPMG in The Netherlands, said in a statement that the PCAOB's conclusions were "damning".

"It is a hard lesson, but we are determined to learn from this," she said.

The PCAOB also cracked down on Deloitte entities, Imelda & Raken (Deloitte Indonesia) and Navarro Amper & Co. (Deloitte Philippines), along with the firms' former National Professional Practice Director, Wilfredo Baltazar. Similar to the KPMG case, both Deloitte firms were found guilty of widespread answer sharing on internal training tests.

Deloitte Philippines's audit partners and personnel were implicated in answer sharing practices dating back to 2017, while Deloitte Indonesia's misconduct occurred between 2021 and 2023.

A Deloitte spokesperson said the answer sharing was "unacceptable" and that the firm would continue to serve clients with high quality and according to professional standards.

Exam cheating has plagued the auditor industry for years. KPMG in 2019 agreed to pay $50 million to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a series of violations, including cheating on internal training exams by improperly sharing answers and manipulating test results. In 2022, Ernst & Young agreed to a $100 million fine, the SEC's largest ever against an audit firm, over exam cheating.

(With agency inputs)
Tesla might be looking for a local partner to set up its operations in India, a report claimed. The Hindu Business Line reported citing people in the know that Tesla is in talks with Reliance Industries for a possible joint venture to build the manufacturing facility in India. Tesla has committed $2 billion to its upcoming plans in India and has been looking at multiple locations.

What report claimed on Tesla-Reliance relationship?

Talks are at initial stages and have been ongoing for over a month, a person aware of the development said as per the report. The move does not imply Reliance' entry into the automobile space but it is only aimed at build capacities for electric vehicles in India.

While the role of RIL hasnt been crystalised yet, it is expected that the Indian conglomerate may play a significant hand in establishing the manufacturing facility and the allied ecosystem for Tesla in India, another source said as per the report.

What are Tesla's plans for India?

Tesla has committed $2 billion to its upcoming plans in India and has been looking at multiple locations, including Gujarat and Maharashtra, for setting up the plant, the report claimed. Maharashtra could emerge as the preferred location as Tesla plans to use the facility for domestic and export purposes, and hence, it may prefer a location suitable for port facilities", it added.

This comes after Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, India is now the most populous country in the world, based on population. India should have electric cars just like every other country has electric cars. Its a natural progression to provide Tesla electric vehicles in India."

Tesla officials to visit India?

Senior officials of Tesla are expected to visit India to finalise the plant location in a month or so and finalised the joint venture with Reliance, the report added.
Paytm share price: Shares of Paytm fell nearly 3 per cent today (April 10) after Surinder Chawla stepped down as the Paytm Payments Bank managing director and chief executive. Surinder Chawla cited personal reasons as the reason for his resignation and said that he will be relieved from his duties on June 26. Paytm parent One 97 Communications said in the release that "nearly all agreements between the company and PPBL have been terminated". Paytm share price: A QR code for the Paytm digital payment system at a store in Mumbai, India.(Bloomberg)

Earlier, Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma resigned from the board of PPBL to enable the reconstitution of the board.

More on Paytm crisis

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed business restrictions on PPBL which included stop on accepting fresh deposits and doing credit transactions after February 29. This deadline was later extended to March 15. Ahead of this deadline, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) granted approval to Paytm to participate in UPI services as a third-party application provider (TPAP) as per the multi-bank model.

Paytm's UPI market share falls

Paytm's unified payments interface (UPI) market share dropped to 9 per cent in March. This is its lowest level in the last four years, as per data available on the NPCI website. In February, the market share dropped to 11 per cent from January following RBI's restrictions on PPBL.

BofA resumes Paytm coverage

Bank of America (BofA) resumed its coverage on Paytm stock with an 'underperform' rating. It set a target price of 400- 1 per cent downside from the April 9 closing price of 404.50 on the NSE. The brokerage said that Paytm is expected to witness a gradual growth in its lending business.
Scaler layoffs: Edtech company Scaler has begun laying off employees as it aims to reduce redundancy in roles, Moneycontrol reported citing people in know. The job cuts will impact about 150 employees- 10 per cent of the total workforce, in the marketing, sales and other departments of the company, the report added. Scaler layoffs: As per the company, it currently has a workforce of around 1,500 employees, the report claimed. (Representational)

Scaler layoffs: How many employees does the company have?

As per the company, it currently has a workforce of around 1,500 employees. Of these, 1,000 are full time staffers. The remaining are consultants, contractual employees and interns, it said.

Scaler layoffs: What company had said earlier

The company had said in 2022 that it expanded its workforce by over 150 percent to 2,000, compared to 800 employees.

We have designed a new way of working to be able to achieve sustainable growth while delivering the best learning experience and outcomes for our learners - something that we've always been committed to. As part of this restructuring, we identified some functions/roles, primarily in marketing and sales, in the company that we had to part ways with, Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-Founder, Scaler and InterviewBit told Moneycontrol.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai stressed on the transformative potential of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and said that his biggest concern is the startups which may affect Googles businesses. He admitted, Honestly, its a question which has always kept me up at night through the years. Youre always susceptible to someone in a garage with a better idea. Google and Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai speaks at Stanford University.(AFP)

What Sundar Pichai said on jobs in the next 20-30 years

The Google CEO also said that no one can predict or explain what kind of jobs we will have after 20-30 years. It is similar to how we could never predict that we would have jobs like content creators or Youtubers, he said.

I cant imagine explaining what a YouTube creator means to someone from 40 years ago, right? Let alone to a farmer from 100 years ago. Right. So there are entirely new classes of jobs which will be created," he said.

What Sundar Pichai said on AI

Talking about Artificial Intelligence, Sundar Pichai said, All our predictions about the past 20 years of what automation will do to the economy havent quite exactly panned out the way we all predicted 20 years ago. So I think we have to keep an open mind. Having said that, all of us feel the weight of, you know, for a technology like AI, which can progress fast, there could be larger scale societal disruptions.

Highlighting how AI will benefit humanity, he said, Every technology, humanity has had to work hard to harness it to be beneficial. This will be one of the most challenging we ever deal with. But I think, I think in the next 5 to 10 years, you know, Im more optimistic than not that a lot of the benefits we see, healthcare is a great example, there are many, many areas where I can see how applying AI will be a net positive, right? And so I think thats what we are looking ahead at least in the near-term.

Why Sundar Pichai is bullish about AI

Sundar Pichai said, "I feel very bullish about it. It is very clear to me having computers assist humans in driving, its going to be one of the most obvious things. You know, 20 years from now, people will look back and say, you mean you had a time when computers werent assisting humans in driving? So it would seem silly. And so I think we are pointed in the right direction.
Vedanta share price: The shares of Vedanta rose over 7 per cent to a 52-week high of 364.60 today (April 10). This comes after CLSA upgraded Vedanta's rating from 'reduce' to 'buy' and raised the target price to 390 from 360. In the past year, the stock has gained 34 percent. Vedanta share price: CLSA upgraded Vedanta's rating from 'reduce' to 'buy' and raised the target price to  390 from  360.

Vedanta share price: What CLSA said on Vedanta?

CLSA said that the company is favourably positioned to capitalise on the commodity upcycle owing to its diversified exposure as it is making efforts to enhance capacity and profitability across various segments. CLSA also said that the company has indicated a growth trajectory with the group EBITDA expected to rise from $5 billion to $6-$7.5 billion by FY25/27. Although the parent company has seen a significant decline in debt, Vedanta's leverage has increased, it said.

Vedanta share price: Stakes rise in Vedanta

BlackRock, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, ICICI Mutual Fund and Nippon India Mutual Fund have raised their holdings in Vedanta by nearly 2 per cent over the past four months, news agency PTI said. In Vedanta, Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have also increased their stakes by 1.2 percent in the same period. This comes after a recent surge in Vedanta's share price which are driven by demerger plans, deleveraging and rising metal prices.

Vedanta share price: What Nuvama said

Nuvama Institutional Equities said, Vedanta is expected to report an Ebitda uptick of 2 per cent QoQ driven by higher volume in zinc, offset marginally by prices and lower CoP in aluminium. Aluminium is expected to report an Ebitda uptick of 2.5 per cent QoQ. Zinc international is expected to report a normal EBITDA (2x QoQ due to low base).
Over the years, Vodafone Idea has gone from being one of the biggest telecom companies in India to a pale shadow of its former self and is now a distant third after Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. Now, it has been revealed that the company plans to launch an FPO, most probably in the coming week, to raise 18,000-20,000 crore. This come quickly in the wake of yet another big news concerning the company. It was announced last Saturday that the board has approved raising 2,075 crore from Aditya Birla Group by increasing the authorized share capital to 1 lakh crore for which the company will seek shareholders' approval on May 8. This proposal includes issuing 1,395,427,034 equity shares at 14.87 each.  18000-20000 crore Vodafone Idea FPO likely rolling out next week.(REUTERS)

Vodafone Idea FPO

As far as the Vodafone Idea FPO is concerned, it has been reported that Jefferies, SBI Caps, and Axis Capital will be the lead managers, according to a report by MoneyControl.

The significance of this FPO, apart from likely being a lifeline for Vi, is that till now, the biggest such issue was that of Yes Bank at 15,000 crore. However, the Vodafone Idea FPO will supplant that as the the largest such FPO in India.

It has been reported that Vodafone Idea has secured commitments from anchor investors, including foreign and domestic institutions.

And most importantly, the Indian government, which owns a whopping 33% of Vodafone Idea after it fell on really bad times, has indicated its support for the share sale.

The trouble that Vi is in

Needless to say, considering the fact that Vodafone Idea is a cash-strapped entity, the funds will play a critical role in providing the much needed liquidity injections.

Importantly, Vodafone Idea still has quite a large subscriber base at 220.5 million in February, but it has been haemorrhaging subscribers over the last few years and that is not ending - it lost 1 million subscribers. Its debt burden alone is a mammoth s 2.1 lakh crore. And not just a debt burden, it has been racking up operational losses too.
Courier company FedEx on Wednesday responded to the recent "scam" wherein a Bengaluru-based lawyer was cheated of nearly 15 lakh by cyber fraudsters, and said it never requests personal information in any of its communications. FedEx said it never requests personal information through unsolicited phone calls or emails for its shipped goods.(AP)

ALSO READ | Bengaluru woman loses 15 lakh in 'FedEx' scam, made to strip on cam: Report

Here's what happened

The 29-year-old woman lawyer had received a call last Wednesday from a miscreant posing as Mumbai police, who told her that 140 grams of narcotic drugs had arrived through the transportation company, FedEx, from Thailand in her name. After this, another fraudster posed as an official from CBI and proceeded to extort money from her.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru Metro news: Resident claims labourer not allowed to travel over clothes

The miscreants, who kept her on calls for around 36 hours, also asked her to strip in front of a web camera for a narcotic test, and later threatened to sell her nude clips on the dark web if she didn't transfer them money.

In this light, the international conglomerate clarified its stand and said it never requests personal information through unsolicited phone calls or emails for its shipped goods.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru man argues with passenger smoking in auto, says burning cigarette touched his leg. Police responds to video

"FedEx does not request personal information through unsolicited phone calls, mail, or email for goods being shipped or held, unless requested or initiated by customers," The company said in a statement.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru techie turns Swiggy delivery partner, lists 8 things she learned while on the job

"If any individual receives any suspicious phone calls or messages, they are advised not to provide their personal information. Instead, they should immediately contact the local law enforcement authorities within the vicinity or report to the cybercrime department of the Government of India," the courier company said.
The four-decade-old political battle between two influential families will once again be in sharp focus in this Lok Sabha polls, with members of their third-generation fighting it out in Hassan, which once hosted the capital of Hoysala kingdom. Known for its world-renowned Hoysala period architectural marvels and UNESCO world heritage sites like Belur, Halebedu, and also Jain sanctuary Shravanabelagola, Hassan, which lies partly in the 'Malnad' tract and in the southern plains, gave the country its first Kannadiga Prime Minister -- H D Deve Gowda. HD Deve Gowda's home turf is Hassan. (PTI)

The latest in the duel involving Deve Gowda's and his fierce opponent former Minister late G Puttaswamy Gowda's families, will see their grandsons battling it out in the Lok Sabha polls, in this Vokkaliga-dominated district. Deve Gowda's grandson, the 33-year-old Prajwal Revanna, is seeking re-election from the seat as the joint candidate of the BJP-JD(S) alliance, while Congress has named 31-year-old Shreyas M Patel, the grandson of Puttaswamy Gowda.

READ | JD(S) once again banks on first family members to deliver for party in Karnataka LS polls

Puttaswamy Gowda contested against Deve Gowda of the erstwhile Janata Party for the first time in 1985, as an independent candidate, after he was denied the Congress ticket from the Holenarasipura assembly segment, but lost. However, as Congress candidate, he defeated Deve Gowda in the 1989 Assembly election and also in the 1999 Lok Sabha election from Hassan. Puttaswamy Gowda had also faced defeat against Deve Gowda's son and former Minister H D Revanna, a six-time MLA from Holenarasipura, in 1994 and 2004 Assembly polls.

Subsequently, his daughter-in-law S G Anupama too from Congress unsuccessfully contested against Revanna in the 2008 and 2013 Assembly polls. In fact, Shreyas Patel too had contested against Revanna in Holenarasipura in the assembly polls last year, on a Congress ticket, but lost by 3,152 votes. Prajwal is hopeful of asserting supremacy in his grandfather's home turf, staving off some amount of "anti incumbency", and riding on the Deve Gowda's factor, JD(S)' own strength from the support of Vokkaliga vote base, coupled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity and BJP's support.

READ | Former CM Kumaraswamy, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya file nominations for LS polls

Deve Gowda, the JD(S) patriarch and national president, had represented Hassan Lok Sabha seat five times. In 2019 he made way for Prajwal. Prajwal had as the joint candidate of Congress-JD(S) alliance won the seat in 2019 Lok Sabha polls by 1,41,324 votes. He was one among the only two candidates of the then ruling alliance in Karnataka to win in the state, the other being D K Suresh of Congress from Bangalore Rural. Interestingly, A Manju, who contested against Deve Gowda and Prajwal in 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Congress and BJP respectively, is now the JD(S) MLA from Arkalgud.

Shreyas Patel, a former Hassan zilla panchayat member, who is said to have got the Congress' ticket based on his performance in Assembly polls, hopes for the momentum to continue in his favour, along with the state government's guarantee schemes that his party is banking on.

READ | Karnataka: BJP-JD(S) hold their first joint coordination meeting

Patel, also a Vokkaliga, is determined to snatch the seat from Prajwal, and repeat his grandfather Puttaswamy Gowda's emphatic victory over Deve Gowda in the 1999 Lok Sabha polls. The 90-year-old Deve Gowda has been campaigning for Prajwal, but this election is going to be tough for him, a party insider said, noting that there is palpable anti-incumbency against him; also his alleged failure in taking along local party workers and leaders, coupled with antagonisation of local BJP leaders "may prove costly for him". However, stating that it will be an advantage for Prajwal because of the BJP-JD(S) alliance, as the saffron party's vote is expected to shift in his favour, a BJP functionary said for this to happen there should be diligent partnership between workers of the two parties on the ground.

Pointing out that for several saffron party leaders and workers in the district including its state general secretary Preetham J Gowda, who have fought the JD(S) and Deve Gowda family politically here, it's difficult to support Prajwal now, a BJP leader said, adding, "they have shown reluctance in campaigning for Prajwal, despite attempts by leadership of both alliance partners to convince them...but, they may relent and show up under pressure in the future."

In an effort to placate the BJP and RSS support base in the district, Prajwal has even apologised for his earlier remarks against the RSS. Expressing confidence about his win, Prajwal said both BJP and JD(S) are working unitedly and voters of both parties too will support him as he is joint candidate of the alliance.

"They (people) want to make Modi PM once again and give more strength to Deve Gowda here," he said. For Shreyas, the Vokkaliga sub-caste factor may also work in his favour, as he may be able to consolidate the 'Dasa Vokkaliga' votes, which has a larger presence in the constituency, as he belongs to the community. The Deve Gowda family belongs to 'Mullu Vokkaliga' sub-caste.

READ | JDS committing suicide by fielding Dr CN Manjunath on BJP ticket: DCM DK Shivakumar

With JD(S) joining hands with BJP, minority community and anti-BJP votes may consolidate in Shreyas' favour, a Congress leader said, adding that anti-incumbency against Prajwal may also help him.

However, not everyone is happy in the Hassan Congress with Shreyas's candidature, and if all the leaders don't work together, the hopes of regaining the seat will remain a dream, he pointed out.

Shreyas said people of Hassan are voluntarily looking for change this time and there is a favourable atmosphere for Congress. ... Prajwal cannot win independently and is taking BJP's support... The development he (Prajwal) claims is only in his booklet and not on the ground," he said.

Hassan Lok Sabha constituency has eight assembly segments, with JD(S) holding four seats, while BJP and Congress two each.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said he has lodged a police complaint over a fake news story and accused "the miscreants supported by the unholy alliance of BJP and JD(S) of fabricating a piece of disinformation mimicking a report from the Kannada newspaper." Karnataka CM lodges police complaint over fake news report, case booked

Hours later, based on a complaint by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Legal Cell Secretary Harish Nagaraj, the Cyber Crime police station of Bengaluru West Division registered a case under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and Indian Penal Code.

Also Read - Karnataka man accidentally chops off finger praying for PM Modi's third term

"The police booked Prabhakar Reddy, Vasant Giliyar, Vijay Heragu, Pandu Modi Ka Parivar, BSY Supporters, Davangere BJP and Datri Goshale for posting the purported news report on their Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp handles," official sources said.

Siddaramaiah earlier said he will root out the creators of such fake news and those backing them through legal means.

The chief minister shared the purported news report in Kannada, whose headline read, "We dont need Hindus. Muslim votes are enough: Siddaramaiah," on the micro-blogging site X.

Quoting Siddaramaiah, the sub-heading in the fake news report said: "I wish to be born as a Muslim in the next birth. Dont bother about BJPs comments on Muslim appeasement."

"This fake news is loaded with content that stirs up communal tensions and has been widely disseminated across social media platforms," Siddaramaiah said.

Stating that he has already lodged a complaint with the police about this, he said, "We have information about the vested interests behind this and the police will take necessary action."

Resorting to such deceitful tactics to win elections, rather than engaging with political opponents through fair and honest means, shows the intellectual bankruptcy of the BJP and JD(S), the chief minister alleged.

"A party that has ruled the country for 10 years should not have stooped to such a despicable level of manufacturing fake news to win an election. Be cautious before believing and sharing fake news..!," Siddaramaiah added.
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar inaugurated a major pier and residential accommodation at Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence informed in a press release. The Pier 3 Offshore Patrol Vessel Pier is 350m long, capable of berthing OPVs, large survey vessels and Mine Counter Measure Vessels.(ANI)

The Pier 3 Offshore Patrol Vessel Pier is 350m long, capable of berthing OPVs, large survey vessels and Mine Counter Measure Vessels.

ALSO READ | Karnataka: Navy Chief inaugurates 600 residential buildings at Naval Base Karwar

The pier would also provide various shore-based services, such as electrical power, potable water, chilled water for air conditioning, 30-tonne mobile cranes and other domestic services to the ships.

Vice Admiral SJ Singh and Tarun Sobti along with other senior officers were present during the event.

ALSO READ | Indian Coast Guard rescues 36 people from ocean research vessel off Karwar

According to the release, the residential accommodation consists of two towers of 80 flats for married officers and 149 flats for single officers accommodation along with related amenities and external services. Further, six towers of Type-II accommodation consisting of 360 flats for Defence Civilians were also inaugurated.

These infrastructure developments are part of ongoing Phase IIA of Project Seabird which will accommodate 32 ships and submarines, 23 yardcraft, a dual-use Naval Air Station, a full-fledged Naval Dockyard, four covered dry berths and logistics for ships and aircraft.

ALSO READ | Navy deploys warships to thwart piracy bid of Iranian vessel in Arabian sea

It will house around 10,000 uniformed and civilian personnel with families, significantly boosting the local economy and industrial growth. The Naval Air Station with Civil Enclave is anticipated to enhance tourism in North Karnataka and South Goa.

ALSO READ | Nine more Somali pirates arrested by Indian Navy handed over to Mumbai police

The ongoing construction of Phase-IIA of Project Seabird has created 7,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs. The project aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, sourcing over 90 per cent of material domestically, the release added.

(ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday criticised JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy for taking along BJP leaders, who had allegedly brought down the previous Congress-JD(S) coalition government, to meet a pontiff of an influential math of the Vokkaliga community. DK Shivakumar (PTI)

Also Read - Bengaluru resident claims labourer not allowed to travel on metro over clothes

Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji is the head of the Adichunchanagiri Math, which is revered by the Vokkaliga community, to which both Shivakumar and Kumaraswamy belong. Shivakumar, also the state Congress President, asserted that the JD(S) would lose in all four seats that it "claims" it is contesting in, including Bangalore Rural from where its patriarch H D Deve Gowda's son-in-law and eminent cardiologist Dr C N Manjunath is being fielded on a BJP ticket. Sharply reacting to Shivakumar's statements, Kumaraswamy said that he has never misused the math or Swamiji for the sake of politics.

He also retorted that not only four seats, the BJP-JD(S) alliance will win all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state. "I have no issues with them going to the math and meeting Swamiji. They have done it today, I saw it on TV... Vokkaligas and the seers of the community are not foolish. They (seer) may greet the people who come to meet them, garland them and send them back. They (seers) don't do anything on our behalf or on their behalf, I know that. ...the people of the community are watching," Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters here, he pointed out that Congress candidates had recently met the Swamiji at his suggestion, following which the JD(S) leader has now taken BJP candidates along with him. Stating that the Swamiji should have questioned the BJP about bringing down the "Vokkaliga community CM" (Kumaraswamy in July 2019), Shivakumar said, "I'm not aware whether Swamiji has that much strength to question. Those (BJP leaders) who had gone today (to the math) were the ones who brought down the Vokkaliga CM, no one can hide the truth."

He further said, "What Deve Gowda had said about (BJP leader B S) Yediyurappa then and what Yediyurappa had said against Kumaraswamy and Deve Gowda, no one can hide them. What kind of words were used, I have never spoken such words. There were even allegations of phone tapping, including Swamiji's phone...I don't want to speak about it. Swamiji may get upset." The Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) coalition government collapsed in July 2019 after the resignation of 17 MLAs from the two parties. Kumaraswamy and Congress leaders had then accused BJP's 'Operation Lotus' for the government's collapse. Stating that he has never -- while in power or when out of power -- misused the math or the seer, Kumaraswamy reacted to Shivakumar's statements, saying, "It's with god's blessing that I was in power for some time. I have not misused the seer's name, I need not learn from him (Shivakumar). It is, in fact, they (Congress) who have tried to misuse the seer.

The JD(S) leader further said, "What was their conduct when they came here recently? Congress, which claims to be secular every day, is indulging in nothing but caste politics. What morality do they have to speak about secularism... People are not fools they are watching." Hitting back at Shivakumar for saying that Swamiji should have questioned the BJP about bringing down the "Vokkaliga community CM", Kumaraswamy said, "Why should the seer ask? Why should the seer be pulled into politics. Swamiji is our religious and spiritual guru, why should he be misused for politics..."

Without naming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Kumaraswamy said, "Everyone knows another Congress leader with him (Shivakumar) was the reason for the confrontation." Shivakumar said that since the Congress has given tickets to eight Vokkaligas in the Lok Sabha polls, including two from the Reddy community, and because he himself is from the community and is serving as the state Congress president and deputy chief minister, its people will not vote for other parties. "We are ready for everything, to serve the people, the society and the state. Leaving us, who are in power, our people are not foolish to think about what will happen after four years (next assembly polls)," he said. Stating that the JD(S) would fail to open its account in the Lok Sabha elections, Shivakumar said: "This is my firm opinion...take it from me, JD(S) will not win all four seats. Deve Gowda is speaking about winning four seats, including the seat that the BJP is representing (Bangalore Rural).

If he was so confident, they should have made him (Dr C N Manjunath) contest on the JD(S) symbol." The JD(S) is contesting in Hassan, Mandya and Kolar, while as per the arrangement with its alliance partner BJP, Manjunath is contesting on the saffron party's ticket from Bangalore Rural segment. Reacting to this, Kumaraswamy later said, "Including Manjunath and our (JD(S)) three candidates, we will win all the 28 seats, not just four... He (Shivakumar) might be speaking about his party not winning any seats."

Asked about the JD(S) seeking votes for Kumaraswamy in Mandya stating that he may become a union minister, Shivakumar said, "Let him become central minister or go to even higher post...let good things happen to him. My wishes are there."
Five people, including the son of a former Punjab minister Sucha Singh Langah, were arrested with 43 grams of heroin in Shimla, police said. Five people, including the son of a former Punjab minister Sucha Singh Langah, were arrested with 43 grams of heroin in Shimla, police said. (Representational image)

Langahs son Prakash Singh was among the five arrested by the police late on Tuesday evening. Police have registered a case under the NDPS Act against the five persons. The members of the special investigation team on a tip-off raided a hotel near the local bus stand. Police recovered heroin from their room. The police also recovered an SUV. Those arrested were taken to police station sadar for interrogation. Police said that the five persons were involved in heroin smuggling and had been supplying the contraband in Himachal for a long time.

Five persons have been arrested and cops recovered heroin from their possession and a case of drug peddling has been registered, said Shimla superintendent of police Sanjeev Gandhi.

Among the arrested accused, three are from Punjab, one from Chandigarh and one from Himachal. Those who have been arrested include Prakash Singh, 37, son of Sucha Singh Langah, Ajay Kumar, 27, son of Chaman Lal, Shubham Kaushal, 26, son of Sandeep Kaushal, and Baljindra, 22, son of Kuldeep Singh.
The national investigation agency (NIA) arrested Harwinder Singh alias Soshi Pannu, the key accused in the 2022 Attari narcotics haul case, an official statement said on Tuesday. The case relates to a major conspiracy hatched by international drug cartels to circulate drugs in India through various distributors and channelise the proceeds to foreign-based operators. (HT file)

As per investigations,Singh, a resident of Naushehra Pannuan in Tarn Taran, used to distribute drugs, handle cash and launder drug proceeds through banking as well as hawala channels.

The NIA has found the key accused actively involved in drug dealing and quality testing besides handling the proceeds of narcotics smuggling, the probe agency said in the statement.

The total number of arrests in the case has gone up to six, the statement added.

The case relates to a major conspiracy hatched by international drug cartels to circulate drugs in India through various distributors and channelise the proceeds to foreign-based operators.

The case came to light following two seizures, totalling 102.784 kg of heroin in April 2022 by the Indian customs, the agency said.

The ststement added that the drugs, which had been concealed in a consignment of licorice roots (mulethi), had arrived in India from Afghanistan through integrated check post, Attari, Amritsar.

The NIA had found that on the directions of Dubai-based absconding accused, Shahid Ahmed alias Qazi Abdul Wadood, the consignment was sent into India by Afghanistan-based accused Nazir Ahmed Qani.

It was meant for delivery to accused Razi Haider Zaidi in India for further distribution across the country, the probe agency said. Razi Haider Zaidi and Vipin Mittal were arrested earlier in the case.The proceeds of narcotics were then recovered from another co-accused, Amritpal Singh, and frozen under relevant legal provisions.

Singh was arrested on December 15, 2023 while attempting to flee the country. Shahid Ahmed and Nazir Ahmed Qani are absconding, the NIA said.

A chargesheet was filed by the agency earlier on December 16, 2022, against four accused persons, Shahid Ahmed alias Qazi Abdul Wadood, Nazir Ahmed Qani, Razi Haider Zaidi and Vipin Mittal, it added.
The Pakistan high commission on Tuesday said it issued 2,843 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to facilitate their participation at the Baisakhi celebrations. Students perform giddha during a Baisakhi Festival celebration at Khalsa College in Amritsar on Tuesday. (picture for representational purposes) (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

Under the provision of a bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year. Pakistani pilgrims also visit India every year under the protocol.

On the occasion of Baisakhi celebrations, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 2,843 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival scheduled to be held in Pakistan from April 13 to 22, the high commission said.

The pilgrims would, inter-alia, visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, it said in a statement.

Charge d Affaires at Pakistan high commission Saad Ahmad Warraich, extended his heartfelt felicitations to all those celebrating this auspicious festival and wished the visiting pilgrims a fulfilling yatra.

The issuance of visas to religious pilgrims by the High Commission is in line with the Government of Pakistans commitment to fully implement the bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines between the two countries, the mission said.
The online registration for the Char Dham Yatra will begin from April 15, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) said on Wednesday. The pilgrimage for the four Dhams, including the Hemkund Sahib, will commence on May 10. Devotees going to Kedarnath Temple as part of their Char Dham Yatra in Rudraprayag. (ANI File Photo)

The mandatory online registration will start from April 15 after the announcement of the auspicious time for the opening of the portals of the Yamunotri Dham by the temple priests on April 14. The offline registration will start at 8-10 centres from Rishikesh and subsequently Haridwar, UTDB joint director Yogendra Gangwar said.

Stating that the preparations for registration are being finalised, he said that pilgrims can register through the website, app, toll-free number and WhatsApp.

Currently, no provision has been made to limit the number at any Dham and any such provision will be considered later after assessing the registrations, he said.

People can register online from the tourism website at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in and the official WhatsApp numbers and through toll free numbers which will be released prior to the start of registration.

During registration, pilgrims should enter their correct mobile number, carry warm clothes and umbrella, etc., and collect their darshan tokens from the Dham itself. Passengers with medical history should carry their medicines and if any pilgrim feels unwell, they should avoid the journey after consultation from the medical staff deployed on the Yatra route, Gangwar said.

Arrangements for helicopter services have also been made by the government and passengers booking through heliyatra.irctc.co.in should avoid booking helicopter tickets from unauthorised persons offering darshan for the Char Dham Yatra route, officials said.

The online registration for Hemkunt Sahib Yatra will also begin from April 15, and the portal of the shrine will open on May 25. Apart from the helicopter service from Govind Ghat to Ghangria, this year pilgrims will also be provided added helicopter service from Gauchar to Ghangria and Badrinath shrine, NS Bindra, president Hemkunt Sahib Gurudwara Management Trust, said.

At present, the route is covered in snow and the snow-cleaning work will begin from April 15. Army personnel along with the district administration authorities will be roped in for the work, Bindra added.

The portals of Gangotri shrine will open at 12.25pm on May 10, while the exact time for opening the portals of Yamunotri Dham shrine, which will also open on May 10, will be announced on April 14 by the temple priests community at Kharsali, the winter abode of the Goddess Yamuna.

The portal of Kedarnath shrine will open on May 10 and the Bhairavnath prayers will be held on May 5 at the Omkareshwar temple in Ukhimath. The Panchmukhi palanquin of the deity will leave Omkareshwar temple at Ukhimath on May 6 and reach the Kedarnath shrine on May 9 in the evening.

The portal for the Badrinath shrine will open on May 12 at 6am and the Tel Kalash yatra ceremony will begin on April 25, Harish Gaur, media-in charge of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee, said.

Char Dham shrines remain shut for around six months every year, opening in summer (April or May) and closing with the onset of winter (October or November). The portals of Badrinath Dham will be opened at 6 am on May 12 this year.

The yatra set an all-time record last year, with more than 5.6 million people participating in the annual pilgrimage. In 2022, over 4.6 million pilgrims had visited the four revered Himalayan shrines.
A Delhi court on Wednesday dismissed the application moved by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking to increase his legal meetings while he is in judicial custody in the money laundering case related to the now scrapped Delhi liquor excise policy 2021-22. Special judge Kaveri Baweja dismissed the application after reserving her verdict on April 5. (File photo)

The Delhi chief minister had filed an application before the court seeking to increase his legal meetings from twice a week to five times a week.

Special judge Kaveri Baweja dismissed the application after reserving her verdict on April 5.

Advocate Vivek Jain, appearing for Kejriwal, had submitted that there are 35 to 40 cases going on against him and half an hour twice a week is not sufficient for a person to understand and give instructions.

He further argued that it is the most basic right and cited the example of AAP parliamentarian Sanjay Singh who was granted permission to meet his counsels thrice a week, while he was in judicial custody.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had opposed the application stating that merely because he chooses to run the government from the prison he cannot be treated as an exception and cannot be granted the privilege.

Also Read: Law above politics: Delhi High Court upholds Arvind Kejriwals arrest

They had also apprised the court that legal meetings are being misused for purposes other than consultation and submitted that there are statements recorded under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) that Kejriwal is passing orders through the lawyers.

Arguing further EDs special public prosecutor, Zoheb Hossain, argued that granting of five legal meetings is against the jail manual while pointing out that one of the consequences of JC is that your exposure to the outside world is limited and is in accordance with law.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 and has been lodged in Tihar jail in judicial custody since April 1.

The Delhi high court on Tuesday also dismissed Kejriwals petition challenging his arrest and subsequent ED remand.

ED has alleged that Kejriwal was part of a conspiracy in which 100 crore bribe was paid to the AAP by the so-called South group who benefitted from changes made in the 2021-22 policy.

Kejriwal is the third AAP leader to be arrested in connection with the irregularities in the Delhi excise case.

Former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP MP Sanjay Singh were also arrested in connection with the same case. Sisodia is currently under judicial custody in Tihar jail while Singh was granted bail by the Supreme Court on April 2.

The case was taken up by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after Delhi L-G VK Saxena recommended a probe into the alleged irregularities in the policy in July 2022.
NEW DELHI: Delhi social welfare minister Raaj Kumar Anand on Wednesday resigned from the cabinet and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), saying he joined the party to fight corruption but the party leaders had ended up trapped in corruption. Delhi minister Raaj Kumar Anand speaks to the media after he resigned from the cabinet and quit the AAP on Wednesday (PTI)

I am very pained today. I came into politics when Arvind Kejriwal said that politics will change and the country will change. But today I am saying with regret that the politics did not change, the politician changed. AAP was born against corruption, but today this party is trapped in corruption, Anand, a Patel Nagar legislator, said at a Press conference on Wednesday to announce his resignation.

Wednesdays development comes as a huge blow to AAP after the arrest of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal last month over alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 excise policy. Former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia is already in jail in the same case.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh, who recently walked out of prison on bail after being held in Tihar jail for six months, linked Anands surprise move to pressure from federal agencies. This proves that the BJPs target is to break AAP. Raaj Kumar Anand was raided by the ED and all BJP leaders called him corrupt, Singh said.

On November 2 last year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided 12 premises including Anands residence in the Civil Lines area. Officials then said the searches were carried out against him as part of a money laundering probe based on a charge sheet filed by the Directorate of Revenue and Intelligence that accuses Anand of false declarations in the import of certain items, leading to a customs evasion of more than 7 crore.

It has become difficult for me to hold the office of the minister and work in this government. I am resigning from the minister and the partys membership because I do not want to get my name included in the corrupt practices. I do not believe that we have the moral power to govern anymore, Anand, who was also a member of AAPs national council. said at a Press conference to announce his exit.

Anands resignation from AAP comes a day after the Delhi high court rejected Kejriwals petition to release him from jail, noting that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sufficient evidence at this stage which points out towards the guilt of the AAP convener for the commission of the offence of money laundering in connection to the excise policy case.

Anand was sworn in as minister in November 2022, replacing Rajendra Pal Gautam, who resigned as social welfare minister after his presence at a religious conversion event sparked a political controversy in October 2022.

Anand said he wont be joining any other party. But he was unsparing in his attacks on AAP.

I joined AAP and Arvind Kejriwal to pay back to society. They talked about walking the path shown by Bhim Rao Ambedkar. They use pictures of Ambedkar in offices but when it comes to implementation and representation of Dalits, AAP steps back. There is no respect for Dalit leaders in AAP. In the top leadership of the party, there is no Dalit and no Dalit leader is given big political responsibility which makes Dalit leaders of AAP feel cheated. It had become difficult for me to stay in this party. I have sent my resignation, said Anand.

Raaj Kumar Anand and his wife joined the anti-corruption movement in 2011 that set the ground for the formation of the AAP, and in the 2013 assembly election his wife Veena Anand won as MLA from Patel Nagar. She was, however, not fielded by the AAP in the 2015 election and the assembly constituency was represented by another AAP leader Hazari Lal Chauhan. Anand won the 2020 assembly election.

.
The Calcutta high court on Wednesday ordered the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe into allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in West Bengals Sandeshkhali area, said lawyers who attended the meeting. The high court said all state officials must cooperate with the federal agency. (Representative file photo)

The order was passed by the division bench of chief justice TS Sivagnanam and justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya. The bench was hearing a suo motu motion on these alleged offences and petitions seeking transfer of investigation from the local police to CBI.

Also Read: Cop attacked inside police camp in Bengals Sandeshkhali; TMC leaders detained

The main accused, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan, and two TMC-run zilla parishad members, Uttam Sardar and Shibu Hazra, have been arrested by the state police.

Shahjahan, who was on the run for 55 days before being arrested on February 28, is now in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after the CBI questioned him for several days under orders of the high court.

He was arrested for allegedly masterminding an attack on an ED team that raided his home on January 5 in connection with the public distribution system (PDS)-related case.

The high court, which earlier ordered CBI to probe the alleged attack on the ED officers, expanded the agencys area of investigation on Wednesday by including the charges of extortion, land grabbing and sexual exploitation-related crimes raised by Sandeshkhali residents. They alleged that the TMC leaders used their land to run saltwater fisheries, making the soil unfit for cultivation.

The court ordered CBI to launch a dedicated portal and e-mail id to receive complaints from people and said the federal agency can summon any state government officer of any rank to carry out its investigation. In our prayers, we said the offences were not confined to Sandeshkhali. People in adjacent regions were exploited as well, said lawyer and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Priyanka Tebriwal who is representing the victims.

The high court gave a number of directions to CBI and the state government in Wednesdays order.

The high court said all state officials must cooperate with the federal agency and security cameras and streetlights must be installed immediately across Sandeshkhali.

Tibrewal told the bench that the complaints included more than 100 affidavits filed by alleged survivors of sexual assault. One of these women said in her affidavit that she was allegedly raped repeatedly for 13 days.

The order was passed around the same time when Union home minister Amit Shah addressed a BJP Lok Sabha campaign rally at Balurghat in north Bengal.

Shah had criticised the TMC government on the Sandeshkhali issue in his speech.

BJP state president and Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar welcomed the court order.

This is a historic order. The extent of atrocity Sandeshkhali residents faced for years will be exposed now. The TMC government had gone going all out to hide it, Majumdar said.

TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar said the CBI probe will only delay the process of delivering justice.

CBI is good at painting political narratives and please its bosses. It is not known for completing investigations on time. The rate of conviction in CBI cases is very poor. Now, people will have to wait for years, Majumdar said.
KATHUA Ahead of the first phase polling for the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency on April 19, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday, invoked Ram Temple, revocation of Article 370, overall development, welfare schemes for the poor and a scared and beleaguered Pakistan to woo voters. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath being felicitated by Union minister of state (independent charge) science & technology and BJP candidate from Udhampur-Kathua seat Jitendra Singh during the public rally ahead of Lok Sabha Polls, in Kathua on Wednesday. (ANI)

On his maiden visit to J&K after the consecration of Lord Rams idol at Ayodhya temple, the UP CM appealed for a clear mandate from the people for incumbent MP and union minister Jitendra Singh, who is seeking a third consecutive term since 2014, at an election rally here.

As per 2011 census, the constituency has 58.15% Hindu population and Muslims comprise 40.68%. It has over 16.23 lakh electorates.

On the second day of Navratri, I bow my head before this land of our gods, deities, saints and martyrs where Shyama Prasad Mukherjee made the supreme sacrifice (for one nation, one flag and one constitution). For 70 years, no government could take a decision on revocation of Article 370. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, who wiped out the root cause of terrorism and ended Article 370, he said.

He claimed that be it Srinagars Lal Chowk or Delhis Lal Qila, there has been enthusiasm among the people of Kashmir post revocation of Article 370, which had been an impediment in the regions development and inclusion in the national mainstream.

While Article 370, the root cause of terrorism, is done and dusted and naxalism has also been cured, India is on the path to progress. All round development in the form of highways, railways, roads, rapid rail, metro, IITs, IIMs, medical colleges, AIIMS, tunnels and modern infrastructure happens when there is a strong government in place, he said.

He, however, blamed the Congress for Indias partition.

India got freedom in 1947, but the Congress greed for power caused the nations partition. For us, the nation comes first. Its sovereignty and integrity are supreme for us, he said.

He also accused the Congress of constantly neglecting Jammu and Kashmir.

J&K was orphaned by the previous regimes. It was left at the mercy of God. Congress behaviour with the nation is no surprise because it considered the nation as its personal fiefdom. Whenever there was a crisis, they left it in the lurch and fled, he said while drawing parallels between Congress rule and BJPs performance in the past 10 years.

Attributing peace on Indo-Pak borders to the BJP governments strong approach, he said: Today, borders are secure. No intruder from Pakistan can intrude and cause problem. Today, even if a cracker is burst, Pakistan quickly comes up with clarification that it is not involved. They now know that if theres something, then it may cost them dearly. And, all this happens when there is a strong government at the centre.

Pakistan, which became an independent nation in 1947 with India, can be seen with a begging bowl at various world forums. India has marched ahead and is on the path to progress. PM Modi, who made India the fifth-largest economy pushing UK behind, now wants to make India the third-largest economy, he said.

The UP CM also claimed that ever since BJP stormed to power in 2014 and re-elected in 2019, there has been resurgence of Hinduism.

See the change in India today. Earlier, people were hesitant calling themselves Hindus and scared to take the name of Ayodhya. When I became CM in 2017 and went to Ayodhya, people asked me what I was doing. They told me that my visit would annoy some people. I told them that should I compromise my religion and that it was not possible for me, he said.

When a good government comes to power, then long wait of 500 years also comes to an end. Today, Ram Temple has been constructed. Would Congress have ever constructed it, he asked.

He also lashed out at the Congress for denying the existence of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.

These accidental Hindus raised questions on Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. There can be no bigger insinuation with religious sentiments. They tried to insult our deities by raising questions on the existence of Lord Ram and Krishna, he said.

Seeking votes from the people for a clear mandate to the BJP for the third consecutive term, he cited developmental projects, welfare schemes for the poor, Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, India becoming a big power, safe and secure environment in the country under BJP rule.

Adityanath also recalled how law and order in UP was thrown to the winds in the past.

Every second day, there were riots and curfews imposed for months together. But in the past seven years, not a single riot has taken place and nowhere curfew was imposed. On the contrary, Kanwar Yatra of Lord Shiva takes place with pomp and show, he said. He also referred to UP being the first state in the country that banned loudspeakers at religious places.
Elaborate deployment of police personnel has been made at mosques across Uttar Pradesh for Eid ki Namaz, to be offered on April 11 (Thursday), said senior police officials on Wednesday. For representation only (HT File Photo)

They said as many as 481 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), Special Security Force (SSF) and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed.

UP Police additional director general (ADG), law and order, Amitabh Yash, said 241 companies of PAC, 229 companies of CAPF, eight companies of SSF and three companies of SDRF have been deployed across the state to avert any untoward incident and maintain law and order.

He said drone cameras, high resolution CCTV cameras will be installed at sensitive spots during the prayers. He said 4,800 two-wheeler and four-wheeler police response vehicles have been deployed for continuous patrolling during the festival. Besides, as many as 1,785 quick response teams equipped with riot control equipment have been deployed at sensitive points identified across the state, he added.

He said 2,912 sensitive spots or hot spots have been identified across the state. He said these hot spots have been distributed under different zones and sectors and the force deployment has been done accordingly.

He said intensified vigil be kept on different social media platforms and stern action will be taken against those involved in posting objectionable content that may disturb law and order or incite communal sentiments.

The ADG said that Eid prayers will be offered at an estimated 37,018 mosques and Eidgah across the state. He said as many as 2,403 meetings have been held with civil defence, clerics, peace committees and other responsible citizens to maintain coordination during the festival. He said senior police officials also held meetings with the managers and organisers of these religious gatherings to ensure peace and communal harmony during the prayers.

Moreover, personnel in civilian clothes will be deployed with body-worn cameras and binoculars to keep vigil on every activity during the prayers, said the ADG.
PILIBHIT Mother-son duo Maneka and Varun Gandhi, who are not in fray from the Pilibhit constituency for the first time in nearly three decades, were conspicuous by their absence when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his first public meeting here on Tuesday, urging people to support Jitin Prasada, UPs public works minister and BJPs Lok Sabha candidate from the constituency. BJPs sitting MP from Pilibhit, Varun Gandhi, has represented the constituency for two terms in the Lok Sabha (File Photo)

BJPs sitting MP from Pilibhit, Varun Gandhi, has represented the constituency for two terms in the Lok Sabha while Maneka Gandhi has won from Pilibhit for six terms in the LS election. The party denied ticket to Varun and fielded Jitin Prasada while Maneka Gandhi is contesting from Sultanpur LS seat from where she won the 2019 election on BJP ticket.

ALSO READ- Varun Gandhi's first reaction after being denied BJP ticket from Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat: If not as an MP

Since morning, there was speculation over Varun attending the PMs rally but his supporters said he was out of town and there was no programme of his visit. Before the PMs arrival, chief minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP state unit president Bhupendra Chaudhary, BJPs Pilibhit candidate Jitin Prasada, partys Bareilly candidate Chhatrapal Gangwar were present on the dais.

BJPs Pilibhit unit leaders said party MP from Sultanpur, Maneka Gandhi, and MP from Pilibhit Varun Gandhi were not on the list of star campaigners for the LS election released by the party. The duo was not invited for the programme or to campaign for party candidates in the eight seats, including Pilibhit, going to polls in the first phase LS elections on April 19, they added.

ALSO READ- In Pilibhit, PM Modi slams Congress for 'insulting' Lord Ram over Ayodhya event

Varun has not been given ticket....it is the partys decision. He has been a good MP. Whatever he will be in life, he will do good for the country, Maneka Gandhi said earlier speaking to media persons.

The Pilibhit seat has remained with Maneka Gandhi or her son Varun since 1996. Varun won the seat in 2009 and 2019 as BJP candidate. A fire brand leader, he won the 2009 LS election from Pilibhit defeating nearest rival VM Singh of the Congress by a margin of over 2.80 lakh votes. He also emerged victorious in 2019, defeating SP candidate Hemraj Verma by over 2.50 lakh votes.

Varun Gandhi had been in the limelight for raising issues of farmers, youths and unemployment, against the party line. He was also critical of the suspension of licence of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Amethi. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had offered a ticket to Varun after the BJP denied him ticket.

ALSO READ- Bareilly Region: With Santosh Gangwar, Varun Gandhi out of electoral contest, can BJP still repeat the 2019 clean sweep?

Varun Gandhi had penned an emotional letter to the people in his constituency recalling fond memories dating back to his childhood when he first set foot in the region. In a heartfelt message, Varun reflected on how the land had become not just his workplace, but also a cherished part of his identity, with its people forming an integral aspect of his lifes journey.

I came into politics to raise the voice of the common man, and today I seek your blessings to always continue doing this work. The relationship between me and Pilibhit is one of love and trust, which is far above any political merit. I was, am and will be yours, stated Varun.
Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board has declared Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024 on April 10, 2024. Candidates who have appeared for KSEAB PUC 2 examination can check the results on the official website of Karnataka Results at karresults.nic.in after 11 am onwards. Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024 Live Updates Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Vidyalakshmi tops KSEAB PUC 2 exam

The Karnataka PUC 2 results were announced at the press conference. The press conference was conducted at 10 am by the Board officials. Along with the results, stream wise toppers names, pass percentage and other information was also shared at the press conference.

This year Vidyalakshmi is the overall topper as well as the Science stream topper. She scored 598 marks in Class 12 exam.

Medha D, Vedant Jnyanuba Navi and Kavitha B V are Arts toppers this year. All of them scored 596 marks in the Karnataka PUC 2 examination.

Gnanavi M is the only Commerce topper. She scored 597 marks.

This year a total of 6,98,378 candidates were eligible for the examination out of which 6,81,079 students appeared. 5,52,690 students passed the examination. The overall pass percentage this year is 81.15%.

A total of 359612 girls appeared for the exam out of which 305212 girls passed. The overall girls pass percentage is 84.87. For boys, a total of 321467 appeared out of which 247478 passed. The overall boys pass percentage is 76.98.

For Arts, 187891 students appeared out of which 128448 students passed the Karnataka PUC 2 examination. The overall pass percentage is 68.36 %. For Commerce, 215357 students appeared out of which 174315 students passed. The pass percentage is 80.94%. For Science, 277837 students appeared out of which 249927 students passed. The overall pass percentage is 89.96%.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: How to check

All those candidates who have appeared for the Karnataka Class 12 board examination can check the results by following the steps given below.

Visit the official website of Karnataka Results at karresults.nic.in.

Click on Karnataka PUC 2 Result 2024 link available on the home page.

A new page will open where candidates will have to enter the required details.

Click on submit and your result will be displayed on the screen.

Check the result and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

KSEAB Class 12 examination across the state was conducted from March 1 to March 22, 2024. The evaluation process was conducted till March 25, 2024. The examination was conducted in single shift- from 10.15 am to 1.30 pm on all exam days. For more related details candidates can check the official website of KSEAB.
Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board has started the Karnataka PUC 2 result 2024 scanned copies application process on April 10, 2024. Candidates can apply scanned copies of answer sheets of Secondary PUC-1 2024 on the official website of KSEAB at kseeb.karnataka.gov.in. Karnataka PUC 2 Result 2024: Scanned copies application process begins

As per the official notice, the application process to get the scanned copies begins today, April 10 and will close on April 16, 2024. The scanned copies of answer sheets can be downloaded from April 14 to April 19, 2024.

The application process for revaluation and recount will begin on April 15 and close on April 20, 2024. Those candidates who have applied to get the scanned copies can apply for revaluation process. Students who are not satisfied with their results can apply for the revaluation and re-totalling process.

Karnataka PUC 2 Result 2024: How to apply for scanned copies

To apply for scanned copies, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of KSEAB at kseeb.karnataka.gov.in.

Click on PUC exams online services.

A new page will open where candidates will get scanned copy link.

Enter the required details and click on submit.

Your answer sheets will be displayed on the screen.

Check the answer sheets and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

The fee to apply for scanned copies is 530/- and to apply for re-submission of assessment is 1670/-.

Karnataka PUC Result 2024 was announced on April 10, 2024. The KSEAB 12th result link is available to candidates on the official website of Karnataka Results at karresults.nic.in. For more related details candidates can check the official website of KSEAB.
Karnataka PUC 2 Result 2024: The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has declared 2nd PUC or Class 12th final exam results today, April 10. The Karnataka PUC 2 result was announced at a press conference scheduled for 10 am, after which students can download their scores from the board's website. The direct link to view scores is available on karresults.nic.in. Additionally, students are also advised to check kseab.karnataka.gov.in for other information. Karnataka 2nd PUC result 2024 live updates. Karnataka PUC II Result 2024: KSEAB 2nd PUC result on karresults.nic.in today(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

As per the result notice, the Karnataka PUC exam was held from March 1 to 22. The examination was held in single shifts from 10:15 am to 1:30 pm. This year, around 7 lakh students have appeared in the 2nd PUC examination.

To check board exam marks online, students have to login with their KSEAB registration numbers and choose the subject combination or stream name.

Here is the direct link and steps to check Karnataka PUC 2 marks:

Karnataka 2nd PUC result link

How to check Karnataka II PUC result 2024

Visit the board's result portal, karresults.nic.in. Open the PUC 2 annual examination result link. Enter your registration number and choose the subject combination. Check and download the PUC 2 result. Save a copy of the result page for later use.

Students can only check their results online today. The hard copy of the marks sheet and certificate will be sent to schools later.

Notably, the board will announce names of toppers, pass percentage, region-wise result data and other important details at the press conference of Karnataka 2nd PUC result. After that, the link to check scores will be activated on the board's website.

In 2023, the PUC 2 result in Karnataka was released on April 21. As informed by the board 7,27,923 had registered, of whom 7,25,821 were eligible to appear in the examination. As many as 7,02,067 took the test, while 23,754 remained absent. Of the total students who appeared, 5,24,209 qualified in the examination. The overall pass percentage was 74.67 per cent.
Amidst so much buzz and speculation about Taapsee Pannu's intimate Udaipur wedding with beau, badminton player Mathias Boe, the actor officially confirms to HT City in an exclusive chat that she wanted it to be a private affair. While there were leaked videos all over social media, and her friends from the industry including Pavail Gulati, Abhilash Thapliyal and Kanika Dhillon, even her sister Shagun posted some pictures hinting at an intimate ceremony, Taapsee never addressed the reports until now. (Also read: Taapsee Pannu says she's started enjoying life beyond my profession in first interview after marriage to Mathias Boe) Taapsee Pannu reveals if and when she will share her wedding photos. She married Mathias Boe in March 2024.

Didn't want to keep it a secret

Asked if she has any plans to make an official announcement anytime soon or release the wedding pictures on social media, and the 36-year-old tells us, I just am not very sure if I want to let my personal life and the people involved in it, to go through the kind of scrutiny that happens when a public figure gets married. Its me who has signed up for this, not my partner, not the people who were involved in the wedding. I am not sure about how I feel about it being out there, thats why Ive kept it to myself.

However, Taapsee is quick to clarify that the intention was never to keep it (the wedding) a secret. She adds, "The people who are genuinely close to me, were a part of the celebration and always knew about my relationship and my intentions about when and how I want to get married."

Didn't want to make it a public affair

As someone who has never really spoken about her relationship or private life, Taapsee admits that somewhere, she also wants to avoid all judgements that follow such occasions, and just be with her loved ones instead.

"I just didnt want to make it a public affair, because then I will start getting worried about how it is perceived, rather than really enjoying the way I would want to do it. Subconsciously, I would start thinking about how it feels from the outside which I did not want to think about, especially for this one thing, because its hopefully happening once in life!" she elaborates.

And therefore, she maintains that she has no plans of going all out and talk about the wedding just yet.

"I have no plans for a release of any kind. I dont think I am mentally prepared to put that out right now. I knew people who were there, they wanted to be there for me and were not present to judge, thats why I was pretty relaxed," says Taapsee, adding, In the future, if I get comfortable sharing about it (wedding details), we will figure out how, what and when I want to release something if at all.
American writer, director producer Francis Ford Coppola will present his latest, Megalopolis, at the upcoming 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. It will compete for the Festival's top prize, Palme d'Or. (Also read: Adam Driver says his Megalopolis character is inspired by director Francis Ford Coppola) Shia LeBeouf in a still from Megalopolis.

Coppola will be returning to Cannes on the picturesque French Riviera 45 years after he showed Apocalypse Now there. He won the top honour, sharing it with Volker Schlondorffs Die Blechtrommel. Five years before that, Coppola had won the Palme d'Or outright for The Conversation.

Megalopolis will screen at a grand gala on May 17.

About Megalopolis

The $120-million movie was funded by Coppola himself from the proceeds he got after selling a large part of his wine estate.

A passion project of his, the film was announced, delayed and abandoned many times in the decades it has been in the making. There were also times when some footage was a shot.

Cannes may be the ideal venue for Coppola to strike deals with buyers who will be thronging the Festival Market, one of the largest of its kind in the world. He had been, in recent weeks, screening his work to potential buyers in Hollywood. Universals Donna Langley, Netflixs Ted Sarandos and Sonys Tom Rothman came for the show. Nothing concrete has emerged as of now, with the mixed views about the movie seemingly worrying. One studio head said Its so not good, and it was so sad watching it. Anybody who puts P&A behind it, youre going to lose money. Another quipped: I liked it enormously.

Not much of plot details are available, and as a Guardian report said it has long been considered a difficult beast to film: an epic that spans ancient history and a cataclysmic future, riddled with esoterica and tortuous concepts Megalopolis' official logline describes it as a story of political ambition, genius and conflicted love where the fate of Rome haunts a modern world unable to solve its own social problems.

Who stars in Megalopolis?

Starring an ensemble cast of Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Chloe Fineman, Kathryn Hunter and Dustin Hoffman, the movie focusses on the rebuilding of a metropolis after it was accidentally destroyed. There are two streams of thought on how to go about it  one from an idealist architect (played by Adam Driver) and the other from the city's pragmatic mayor (Giancario Esposito). What follows is a clash of ideas from the two men, each determined to push his own idea and see it on the drawing-board.

The Festival chief, Thierry Fremaux, said that Megalopolis is a project that he wanted to achieve for so long and he did it independently, in his own way, as an artist. He built the legend of the Cannes Film Festival and it would be an honour to welcome him back, as a filmmaker who comes to present his new movie.

The Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off May 14, has previously announced premieres for George Millers Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga.

On April 11, Fremaux will present the official lineup of films.
George Lucas will receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival next month, festival organisers announced on Tuesday. Lucas will be honoured at the closing ceremony to the 77th French film festival on May 25. (Also Read: Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga will premiere at Cannes Film Festival) George Lucas will receive an honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival this year

He joins a short list of those to receive honorary Palmes. Last year, Harrison Ford, a regular leading man for Lucas in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, was awarded one. Other recent recipients include Michael Douglas, Tom Cruise, Forest Whitaker and Jodie Foster.

The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart," Lucas said in a statement. "I was surprised and elated when my first film, THX-1138, was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors Fortnight. Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honoured by this special recognition, which means a great deal to me.

The Cannes Film Festival runs May 14-25. The festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, will be awarded to one of the films in competition during the closing ceremony.
Actor Varun Singh Rajput believes that outsider-insider tag does not matter if one knows how to make the most of an opportunity. Varun Singh Rajput

Seen in projects like Gold (2018) and State of Siege (2021), Rajput says, No one ever said that its going to be easy. So, we as actors should understand that its a tough road ahead. In all these years, I never have nor will I ever waste my energy and lose peace of mind on debates like these. I have worked hard to find my footing and the struggle is still on. I cant afford to deviate from my path.

Coming from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh, he feels that staying connected to his routes does help him to strike a balance in life. I keep on going back to the ghats as Banaras is the focal point of my existence. My family is there, so it makes it even more important for me to visit the city quite frequently. Ghar hain, family ka kaam hain but I moved out to give that one chance to the actor in me. And after my first release Indu Sarkar (2017), I knew I must find my way, adds the Bypass Road (2019) actor.

Rajput is glad that whatever he misses out in one project is made up with the subsequent one.

I have got good characters to portray during my OTT stint also my films have done good for me. Its always back of mind ki kaise koi bhi role mei jaan daal dein... In my last release Kaala Barbarian Chapter 1, I read the circumference of the script and gave it my all. Thankfully, it was liked by all and made me a content actor. Now my focus is back on other projects that will follow, concludes Rajput who was in his homestate recently.
Janhvi Kapoor always strives to keep her personal life private. However, she has dropped a few hints along the way about her current relationship with entrepreneur Shikhar Pahariya. Earlier this year on Koffee With Karan, the actor revealed that her beau Shiku, who is the grandson of the former CM of Maharashtra Sushil Kumar Shinde, is on her speed dial. She also stated that he used to sing nadaan parindey ghar aaja for her when they were broken up. But last night at the premiere of her father Boney Kapoors film Maidaan, Janhvi confirmed that she is dating Pahariya when she arrived wearing a necklace which said shiku. Well, lets take a look at other actors who confirmed their relationship without making an announcement. (Also Read  When Janhvi Kapoor talked about getting married in Tirupati: 'I will wear gold saree, my husband will be in lungi') Celebs who confirmed their relationship without saying anything publicly

Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani

The now happily married couple declared their love on social media only after tying the knot on February 7, 2023. However, back in 2020 they left the rumour mill churning when they shared individual pictures from their trip to Africa, which had fairly similar backgrounds. The fact that they returned to Mumbai together gave fans a rough confirmation

Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur

Aditya and Ananya with Ranbir at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding bash

During an episode of Karan Johars chat show, star kid Ananya Panday indirectly confirmed her relationship with rumoured beau Aditya Roy Kapur, when she called herself Ananya Coy Kapur. On another episode when Kapur graced the coffee couch, he described Panday as pure joy before calling himself Aditya Joy Kapur

Hrithik Roshan and Saba Azad

Even though Hrithik Roshan and Saba Azad have never talked about their relationship openly, they made it official right in the beginning because they stepped out hand in hand on almost every occasion. This video of the two sharing a kiss was a further authentication

Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone

Ranveer and Deepika at IIFA 2015

The royal couple of Bollywood never shied away from displaying their love for one another. But it was in 2015 during IIFA Awards that they gave us an indirect confirmation that they were indeed together. Ranveer Singh, who was co-hosting with Arjun Kapoor, went down on one knee and presented Deepika Padukone his heart along with a heart shaped balloon. The couple, who got married in 2018, is currently expecting their first child

Sara Ali Khan and Kartik Aaryan

Even before her debut film released, Sara Ali Khan declared that she had a massive crush on Kartik Aaryan during Koffee With Karan. They were later cast together in Love Aaj Kal but it was Aaryans birthday wish for the Pataudi princess which gave us confirmation that they are together. Khan was in Bangkok, Thailand shooting for Coolie No. 1 when her beau flew down to celebrate her birthday. The two eventually broke up and are currently single, focusing on their respective careers.
Its light, camera, action moment for Jr NTR in Bollywood. There have been several reports that the actor is entering the Hindi film world with War 2, and we have exclusively learnt that he is starting shooting for the project later this week. Jr NTR will enter Bollywood with War 2

According to a source, he is coming to Mumbai to shoot for the film.

The actor will be in Mumbai on April 11, and he will soon start shooting for the project too. He will be in Mumbai to shoot for an important sequence for almost 10 days, says a source close to the development.

The insider adds, Hrithik Roshan is already shooting for the project, and Jr NTR will be joining him to shoot a crucial action sequence.

While the details around his role in the film franchise remain shrouded in secrecy, source reveals that the character will be high on action and intense, adding, it will come with shades of grey, and is something which Jr NTR has not done before, which will be definitely a surprise for his fans all across.

Several steps are being taken to ensure secrecy on the set while the two actors shoot together, especially after an image of Roshan shooting for the project surfaced on social media. The whole crew is on alert to avoid a leak of image, shares the source.

NTRs RRR made huge noise among Hindi film viewers across India. Another source shares that it has set the perfect stage for him to make his big Bollywood debut. People are really excited and eager to see him in a Hindi project and War 2 will be the right debut for him. In fact, filmmakers and trade people in the Hindi film industry are also looking forward to debut, and waiting for audiences reaction, adds another source.

War 2 is being directed by Ayan Mukerji. It is part of a spy verse, with the first instalment featuring Roshan with Tiger Shroff. It was released in 2019.
The Schengen visa has made travel across Europe easier for decades. The latest to join the group of countries in Europe that you can visit without an additional visa are Bulgaria and Romania. Travel companies, too, are predicting an oncoming hike in interest that also has to do with the maximalist mindset of Indian travellers. Weve witnessed a 30% uptick in demand. Indians are quintessential value seekers and with just one visa, the allure of a multi-country trip will surely drive more people to apply for it in the coming months, shares Rajeev Kale, president and country head, Holidays, MICE, Visa for Thomas Cook (India) Limited. Schengen visas issued by Romania and Bulgaria after March 31, 2024, allow travel within Schengen countries for up to 90 days in 180 days.

Highlighting the logistical ease in accessibility, Abhishek Gupta, co-founder and director of Trip Navigator explained, This expansion streamlines the visa process, facilitating seamless travel across multiple EU countries and reducing logistical complexities for professionals on the go. The elimination of internal border checks enhances efficiency and saves valuable time, while improved connectivity promises more direct flight options and easier access to emerging markets.

Essential information

Schengen visas issued by Romania and Bulgaria after March 31, 2024, allow travel within Schengen countries for up to 90 days in 180 days. However, passport check exemption for these countries is valid only for air and sea transport. Travellers crossing the Romanian or Bulgarian border by road (which includes rivers and lakes) must have a valid passport.

When in Romania

What to do: Take a walking tour through the capital, Bucharest, learning about its history as you spot (Nicolae) Ceausescus balcony  where the Romanian dictator gave his final speech  and the former secret police HQ. Explore Vacaresti, a reclaimed swamp transformed into a nature park with otters and bird species. Three hours north is Bran Castle, linked to Vlad the Impaler (known to be the inspiration for Dracula). Use extra time, if any, to explore the Danube Deltas vast wetlands.

What to eat: A taste of avant-garde Romanian dishes such as butter-soft venison is a must in Romania. If pasta is central to Italian cuisine, for Romanians, it is the ciorba de fasole cu afumatura, or bean soup with smoked pork, which is a comforting staple served with smoked meat or pork knuckles or bacon. Balmos (inset above) is another speciality dish of old Romanian shepherds made using mamaliga or polenta. Do not skip visiting Casa Capsa, a historic restaurant known for its chocolate buttermilk layer cake known as the Joffre, created over a century ago.

Do as the Bulgarians do

What to do: Explore Sofias communist-era landmarks, Varnas maritime allure and the archaeological wonders and beauty of the Valley of the Roses near Plovdiv. Architecture buff? Alongside Plovdivs ancient ruins, check out its open-air gallery of whimsical Revival houses. Or, take a bus to Tryavna where the breathtaking Belogradchik Fortress and 180 cultural monuments await you. Explore Arbanasis blend of Greek and Bulgarian architecture, visit the iconic Rila Monastery and discover Veliko Tarnovos medieval charm.

What to eat: Start your morning with banitsa (inset below), a traditional Bulgarian pastry prepared by stacking up layers of filo pastry dough with butter and traditional Bulgarian cheese before it is baked. For lunch, Bulgarians love their soup and salad and skembe (tripe soup)  made by boiling cut or minced tripe (cattle stomach lining) for several hours with paprika, milk and oil  is a local favourite. For a heavy, hearty dinner, try meshana skara at one of the local upscale restaurants in Sofia which includes, akyufte (meatballs much like the Indian kofta) and skewers of pork meat and a pork steak.
Delhi social welfare minister Raaj Kumar Anand on Wednesday resigned from his post as a minister and also from the Aam Aadmi Party accusing the party of corruption. This spelt more trouble for the party whose convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is in jail in connection with the alleged liquor scam. The party was born to fight corruption but today the party itself is mired in corruption. I can't work in this government and I don't want my name to be associated with this corruption, the minister said. Delhi minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigned from his post and also from the Aam Aadmi Party citing corruption,

"Arvind Kejriwal once said at Ramlila Maidan, Jantar Mantar 'the country will change if the politics changes'. Today the politics didn't change but the politician changed," Raaj Kumar Anand said.

Raaj Kumar Anand's residence was raided in November 2023 in a money laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate not connected to the liquor probe. Hours before his resignation, Raaj Kumar Anand on social media shared AAP MP Sanjay Singh's press conference.

"I came to politics and then became a minister because of Babasaheb Ambedkar. I wanted to pay back to the society. I do not want to be in a party that takes a backseat as far as Dalit representation is concerned," Raaj Kumar Anand said.

The resignation came as Delhi minister Atishi claimed that the BJP was trying to finish the Aam Aadmi Party and she was also approached by the BJP. While her claims ran into troubled waters with the BJP leader disputing them and suing her for what she said, Raaj Kumar Anand said he would not be going to any other party.

Raaj Kumar Anand was a member of the AAPs national council and has been with Kejriwal's movement since 2011. A post-graduate in political science, Anand won in 2020 assembly election in Patel Nagar.

The Aam Aadmi Party said Raaj Kumar Anand got scared and for that, the party has sympathies for him. But we should not become like Raaj Kumar Anand. We have to be like Sanjay Singh, Manish Sisodia, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from West Bengal's Malda Uttar constituency Khagen Murmu was seen kissing a woman on her cheeks during a campaign leading to a controversy as the pictures of the incident went viral on Wednesday. BJP candidate from West Bengal's Malda Uttar constituency Khagen Murmu. (X/AITC)

As per reports, the incident occurred on Monday when Murmu was campaigning in Chanchal's Srihipur village in West Bengal. It was caught during a live streaming of the campaign, which was shared on the BJP candidate's Facebook page but was later deleted.

Ruling Trinamool Congress in the state shared the incident on X and said, If you cannot believe what you just saw, let us clarify. Yes, this is BJP MP & Maldaha Uttar candidate @khagenmurmu kissing a woman on his own accord on his campaign trail. From MPs that sexually harass ween wrestlers to leaders who make obscene songs about Bengali women; BJP camp has no dearth of anti-women politicians. This is how Modi Ka Parivar engages in Nari Ka Samman! Imagine what they would do if they came to power.

As reported by India Today, TMC's Malda vice president Dulal Sarkar condemning the incident said that it was against the Bengali culture. He questioned if such an act was while the candidate was begging for votes.

Murmu did not deny the incident and instead said that the girl was like his child.

As reported by HT Bangla, Murmu said, The picture was posted by someone from Trinamool and it is slightly edited. This is the reflection of their dirty mentality. The girl who is being kissed is a child of our family. Daughter of one of our workers, studying nursing in Bangalore. Good results. So I gave her a little care. We do the same to our own children. And both her parents were standing next to her. Even today I am campaigning in that area. No one took it badly. The Trinamool is scrambling for votes

India Today quoted Murmu as saying that a complaint will be filed against TMC. He added, There is nothing wrong with kissing a child. This is a complete grassroots conspiracy. They have such bad values. Parties and individuals are being defamed by distorting such pictures.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned its own 2021 decision that upheld an arbitration ruling for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to pay what is now 7,687 crore (including interest) to a Reliance Infrastructure subsidiary after over a dispute pertaining to the operations of the Airport Express Metro line. The DAMEPL cited the failure of DMRC to cure defects in the structure supporting the Airport Metro Express line. (Representative photo)(HT_PRINT)

Read here: SC's big relief to DMRC, not liable to pay 8,000 cr to RInfra's subsidiary

The judgment, which the court said was on the ground that it caused grave miscarriage of justice, was in response to a curative plea by DMRC against Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL), a subsidiary of the Anil Ambani-led company, and represents a rare overturning of a decision at what is effectively the last avenue for judicial recourse.

The dispute centres on the Airport Express Metro line in Delhi, which was originally operated by DAMEPL. In 2012, the company cancelled the contract citing structural defects that made it unsafe for passengers and invoked the arbitration clause to seek a termination fee and associated costs. DAMEPL won the arbitration case in 2017 and the accruing amount had ballooned to roughly 7,700 crore in the present day.

DMRC challenged the decision, first at the high court, which set it aside, before the matter reached the Supreme Court, where the high court decision was overturned and the obligation was reinstated in 2021. The decision was then upheld in a review petition by the DMRC in November 2021, until Wednesday, when the top court reversed its stand at the stage of a curative petition.

The three-judge bench headed by chief justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud appeared to note the rarity of the current outcome and clarified that the exercise of the curative jurisdiction of this court should not be adopted as a matter of ordinary course. The curative jurisdiction should not be used to open the floodgates and create a fourth or fifth stage of court intervention in an arbitral award...

DMRC did not comment on the development. However, Union minister for housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri posted on X, Satyamev Jayate! Historic judgement by the Honble SC in the curative petition filed by @OfficialDMRC in the case pertaining to the Airport Metro Line. Many congratulations to Team DMRC on achieving this landmark verdict.

In the order, the SC held that the process of arbitration has been perverted by the arbitral tribunal to provide an undeserved windfall to DAMEPL, and held that any money deposited must be refunded. It also set aside proceedings in high court moved by DAMEPL to legally force DMRC to execute the arbitral award.

Reliance Infrastructure Limited, in a statement issued soon after the SC order, denied receiving any money from DMRC: Reliance Infrastructure wishes to clarify that the order dated April 10, 2024 passed by the Supreme Court does not impose any liability on the company and the company has not received any money from DMRC/ DAMEPL under the arbitral award. But the judgment quoted DAMEPL lawyers as having submitted that DMRC paid an amount of 2,599.18 crore, while 5,088 crore was outstanding as on January 31, 2024.

The curative jurisdiction of the Indian Supreme Court is a rare and exceptional remedy, intended to rectify gross miscarriages of justice. This jurisdiction is invoked only in extraordinary circumstances where a final judgment of the SC itself suffers from a manifest error resulting in egregious injustices or blatant disregard for law.

Setting aside an arbitral award in a curative plea is rare because of the limited scope of the curative jurisdiction as well as due to Indian courts pro-arbitration stance, making them generally reluctant to interfere with arbitral awards except in extraordinary circumstances.

In Wednesdays ruling, the SC found that the tribunal ignored vital evidence and reached a conclusion that no reasonable body of persons could arrive at. It also noted that DMRC took effective steps to cure the defects, contrary to the tribunals findings.

The bench said the tribunal overlooked vital evidence, including a certificate from the commissioner of metro railway safety, in concluding DMRC failed to cure the defects. It held the high court was right to set aside the patently illegal award in 2019.

We have applied the standard of a grave miscarriage of justice in the exceptional circumstances of this case where the process of arbitration has been perverted by the arbitral tribunal, the order stated.

Read here: Supreme Court grants relief to DMRC on arbitral award to DAMEPL

Due to the high stakes involved, the top court allowed an open court hearing by hearing elaborate submissions by attorney general (AG) R Venkataramani and senior advocate KK Venugopal for DMRC and senior advocates Harish Salve and Kapil Sibal for DAMEPL.

The possibility of the now-cancelled payment being upheld had prompted discussions within the government to amend the law on Metro trains to legally prohibit any move to attach the Delhi Metros properties or funds, which could have effectively halted the Capitals urban transit lifeline.

Venkataramani, representing DMRC, argued the defects had no material adverse effect on DAMEPLs obligations as the Metro line is still running. The court agreed the tribunal erroneously rejected evidence of the lines successful operation.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will launch a pilot of the National Credit Framework (NCrF) for classes 6, 9 and 11 from the current academic year, and invited its affiliated schools to participate in the same, officials said on Wednesday. A senior CBSE official said that the guidelines shared are for the pilot purpose only. (Representative file photo)

The government had last year launched the NCrF as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in order to ensure a seamless integration of school, higher and vocational education, and allowing students to accumulate their credits from pre-primary level to PhD level.

Subsequently, the CBSE had also developed its draft guidelines to implement the framework.

In a letter addressed to the principals of all CBSE affiliated schools, the board on Tuesday said, The CBSE developed and circulated draft NCrF implementation guidelines, discussed them in multiple workshops, and received approval from the Ministry of Education. To further test, refine, and assess their effectiveness in real-world contexts, a pilot implementation of these guidelines has been planned in schools affiliated to CBSE in classes VI, IX and XI, w.e.f. session 2024-2025.

Also Read: CBSE releases class 10 and 12 syllabus for next academic year

Principals of interested schools for this pilot programme are requested to share their contact details through the link (https://forms.gle/5AB2iuxa1k62r2E3A), the board added.

According to the draft guideline shared by the board with the principals, the total notional learning hours for assignment of credits across school education, higher education and vocational education or skilling have been agreed to be 1200 hours per year for which the students/ learners shall be awarded 40 credits. It means, 30 notional learning hours will be counted as one Credit.

The students may take additional courses/ programs/subjects/projects beyond 40 credits to get additional credits for the same, the guidelines stated.

The students can earn credits from classroom teaching learning, laboratory work, projects, sports, performing arts, NCC, social work, vocational education and experiential learning including relevant experience and professional levels acquired, among others.

This would close the gap in achievement of learning outcomes by shifting the classroom education to competency and learning outcome-based education and learning. The assessment is thus mandatory for earning credits for all types of learning, the board said.

According to the pilot implementation guidelines shared by the CBSE, the credits earned by students will be reflected in the marksheets or grade cards for final examinations, along with marks and grades.

The credits earned shall be deposited in the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) of a student which will be linked with the APAAR Id and DigiLocker of the student, in future, the board said.

The government has launched Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR), an Aadhaar-verified ID, under its one nation one student ID initiative.

HT had in January reported that the initiative, which already exists in higher education, will now be extended to schools as well.

For class 6, minimum attendance of 75% will be made mandatory for students.

Presently, it is mandatory for senior classes, including classes 10 and 12, under the CBSE examination by-laws.

For class 9, a student has to pass in five subjects (2 languages + 3 main subjects) to be declared PASS and eligible for earning the credits. And for class 11, according to the existing scheme of studies of the board, a student has to pass in five subjects (1 language (core) + 4 main Subjects) to be declared PASS and eligible for earning the credits.

Meanwhile, students opting for six to seven subjects in classes 9 and 11 are eligible for earning 47 and 54 credits, respectively.

A senior CBSE official said that the guidelines shared are for the pilot purpose only.

The board may make some changes on the basis of its experience and feedback from the pilot, the official said.

Meanwhile, the CBSE will organise awareness sessions, mentorship programs, and provide guidance to schools participating in the pilot program to ensure the successful trial of the implementation guidelines for the NCrF, the official added.
Durg: At least twelve workers of a private firm were killed and 14 injured on Tuesday, after a bus overturned and fell into a ditch in the Kumhari area of the Durg district of Chhattisgarh. A bus full of workers overturned in a mine in Durg, on Tuesday. The process of evacuating the people trapped in the bus is underway. (ANI Photo) (ANI)

Durg collector Richa Prakash Choudhary said that the bus was packed with workers. The bus fell into a 'murum' soil mine pit on Tuesday night, the collector said.

"The bus carrying labourers fell into a ditch near Kumhari around 8.30 pm, resulting in the deaths of approximately 12 individuals while 14 others were injured and admitted to a hospital," Choudhary told PTI.

She said the injured had been shifted to AIIMS (Raipur).

"Twelve of the injured were referred and shifted to AIIMS (Raipur), while the remaining two are receiving treatment at a private hospital. All of them are currently in stable condition and we are providing them with the best possible care," she added.

Read more: Three more Maoists killed by security forces in Chhattisgarh

The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained.

The local administration has launched a probe into the accident.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to express his grief over the incident.

"I was saddened by the news of a bus, packed with employees of a private firm, meeting with an accident near Kumhari in Durg," he said.

"I pray to the Almighty to bring peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families. Adequate arrangements have been made for the treatment of the injured employees. I wish them a speedy recovery, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the death of workers.

"The bus accident in Durg, Chhattisgarh is extremely sad. My condolences to those who lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in helping the victims in every possible way," he wrote on X.

(With inputs from PTI)
Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday slammed the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal, accusing both the INDIA alliance parties of appeasement.



For 75 years, Congress and RJD stalled and blocked the construction of Ram temple. You made Modi ji the prime minister for the second time. He not only won the case, performed the bhumi pujan and installed Ram Lalla at the temple on January 22," the minister said at a rally in Bihar's Gaya. Union home minister Amit Shah addresses a rally in Bihar's Gaya.(X/BJP)

"They (Congress and RJD) are indulging in politics of appeasement and that is the reason they are protesting the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, PTI quoted Shah as saying at a rally in Bihar's Gaya.



ALSO READ: Congress cannot ensure Indias development: Amit Shah

The Congress should be ashamed. How many times will you break the nation? You divided the nation in 1947. But now Modi ji is governing the country. We will not let anyone break India, Shah said.

Continuing his attack, Shah accused the Congress of creating a north-south divide to break India.



ALSO READ: INDI alliance abusing and threatening me: PM Modi slams Opposition bloc in MP



"The Congress party is creating a north-south divide to break the nation which the NDA-led Central government and people of the country will not allow. Their leader Rahul Gandhi is maintaining a stoic silence on this, the minister said.

People of this country have now made up their mind to give a befitting reply to such divisive forces in the Lok Sabha polls and will ensure 400 plus seats for the NDA, he added.

The minister appealed to the voters to elect NDA candidates in all 40 seats of Bihar. In 2014, the people of Bihar gave us (BJP-led NDA) 31 out of the 40 seats. In 2019, they gave us 39 out of the 40 seats. This time, I request you to help the NDA win all the 40 seats, he said.

Bihar will see polling for 40 Lok Sabha seats across all seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.



(With PTI, ANI inputs)
New Delhi: The Congress party is likely to hold the next meeting of its Central Election Committee on April 13, two senior party leaders indicated to HT. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and current party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. (File photo.)

The party has already declared 260 seats though it is yet to decide candidates for nine seats in Haryana as alliance partner Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded a candidate in Kurukshetra; the party is yet to announce candidates for three seats each from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh and might also field a few more candidates from West Bengal.

The upcoming CEC assumes significance as party leaders are expected to discuss candidates for the high-profile seats of Amethi and Raebareli even as a large section of the party is believed to favour party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi contesting from the two constituencies.

Also Read: Congress CEC approves nominees for key Bihar seats; discusses Odisha

In the last CEC meeting, the leaders could not discuss candidates for Haryana due to shortage of time. The CEC is yet to take a final call on the Delhi candidates from northeast Delhi, Chandi Chowk and northwest Delhi.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhis close aide Koppula Raju and a six-term former MP Chinta Mohan were among the list of six Lok Sabha candidates from Andhra Pradesh, the party announced on Tuesday.

Also Read: Congress likely to field Paresh Dhanani against Rupala amid Kshatriya remark row

Raju, an IAS officer turned Congress leader is the partys National Coordinator of SC, OBC, minority and Adivasi wings. Rajus tryst with the Congress started after he was included in the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council during the UPA regime. He will be fighting his first Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress has fielded a six-term former MP Chinta Mohan from Tirupati; he had been a member of 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th and 15th Lok Sabha.
The Calcutta high court on Wednesday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe all allegations levelled by residents of strife-torn Sandeshkhali in West Bengal since February, and said it will monitor the process  a significant setback for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on a high-profile issue days before general elections. Suspended Trinamool Congress leader and Sandeshkhali accused Sheikh Shahjahan (ANI)

Read here: Cop attacked inside police camp in Bengal's Sandeshkhali; TMC leaders detained

The order was passed by the division bench of chief justice TS Sivagnanam and justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya who were hearing a suo motu motion on the alleged offences, ranging from land-grab and exploitation to molestation and rape, and petitions seeking the transfer of investigation into these from the local police to CBI.

It goes without saying that CBI shall have the power to require any person, organisation, government authority, police authorities, quasi governmental authorities, NGOs, public spirited persons and others who may be genuinely interested in the matter to furnish information on such point or matters, as in its opinion may be useful for, or relevant to the subject matter, said the order, a copy of which was seen by HT.

This court shall monitor the entire investigation and shall pass further orders after the reports as directed above are filed by CBI, said the order, setting May 2 as the next date of hearing.

With regard to the protection to the victims and witnesses, CBI shall issue necessary directions to the state police as to how and in what manner protection can be granted without insisting upon the strict procedure as stipulated under the witness protection scheme, the order added.

The order sparked a political controversy in a state that is expected to be among the most keenly contested in the Lok Sabha polls that begin on April 19.

This is a historic order. The extent of atrocity Sandeshkhali residents faced for years will be exposed now. The TMC government had gone going all out to hide it, BJP state unit chief Sukanta Majumdar said.

TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh referred to former Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay who recently joined the BJP and is fighting the elections from Tamluk. From the judgment it seems more people like Abhijit Gangopadhyay are standing in queue with aspirations to join BJP, Ghosh said at a press conference.

TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar said the CBI probe will only delay the process of delivering justice. CBI is good at painting political narratives and please its bosses. It is not known for completing investigations on time. The rate of conviction in CBI cases is very poor. Now, people will have to wait for years, Majumdar said.

The alleged offences committed by former TMC leaders in the island village of Sandeshkhali  around a dozen first information reports have been filed so far  is among the top poll issues in the eastern state that sends 42 members to the Lok Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah have repeatedly referred to the allegations to attack the TMC especially on the question of womens safety. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has said the state government took swift action against the perpetrators and accused the BJP of vendetta politics.

The main accused, suspended TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, and two TMC-run zilla parishad members, Uttam Sardar and Shibu Hazra, have been arrested by the state police, and suspended by the TMC.

The riverine island of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district has been in the eye of the storm since January 5, when Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers arrived to search the home of Shahjahan, a close aide of former minister Jyoti Priya Mallick, who was arrested in October last year in connection with an alleged ration distribution scam. The ED team came under attack from an angry mob, leaving three officers injured.

But, on February 7, other violent protests began erupting in Sandeshkhali and other nearby villages, with groups of residents, led mostly by local women, alleging sexual harassment at the hands of local TMC leaders including Shahjahan, his brother Sirajuddin, and other associates Uttam Hazra and Shibu Sardar. Other villages said that Shahjahan and his associates also indulged in land-grab.

Shahjahan, a former TMC zila parishad leader, was arrested by the state police on the orders of the high court on February 29 after 55 days on the run. Although state CID took over the investigation Shahjahan was handed over to CBI under court orders.

The state government has repeatedly accused the Opposition of politicising the event. But the BJP has sought to use Sandeshkhali as a referendum on the TMC governments grip on law and order in the state. A number of national panels  including the National Commission of Women, the National Commission of Scheduled Castes and the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes  have visited the area and later said that they documented serious allegations against Sheikh and his associates.

Shahjahan is now in ED custody after CBI grilled him in its custody for several days under orders of the high court.

The high court, which earlier ordered CBI to probe the alleged attack on the ED officers, expanded the agencys area of investigation on Wednesday by including the charges of extortion, land grabbing and sexual exploitation raised by Sandeshkhali residents who rose against the TMC leaders in February.

They alleged that TMC leaders used their land to run salt water fisheries, making the soil unfit for cultivation.

With regard to the allegations about change of names of the owners in the revenue records illegally and also illegal conversion of agricultural lands into bheris (fisheries) for carrying on pisciculture, CBI is directed to file a comprehensive report in that regard after conducting a thorough inspection of the revenue records and after making physical inspection of the plots alleged to have been illegally converted into bheris on the next date, the court said.

In order to ensure confidentiality, CBI shall create a dedicated portal/email ID to which the complaints can be lodged and the district magistrate, North 24 Parganas, shall give adequate publicity of the same in the locality and also issue a public notice in the dailies having wide circulation in the areas. The text of the publication shall be in vernacular, the bench said in the order.

The court can take judicial notice of the fact that the State of West Bengal has put in place a machinery by which certain extent of lands are said to have been handed over to the persons from whom it has been grabbed. The fact that the Government came forward to hand over the land back to the rightful owner is more than sufficient to establish that land were forcibly taken. The mere fact that the Government has taken steps to revert the land back to the rightful owner does not efface or mitigate the offences of land grabbing, the order said.

The court took serious note of the complaints of rape and sexual assault lodged by local women many of whom belong to scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities. In our prayers, we said the offences were not confined to Sandeshkhali. People in adjacent regions were exploited as well, said lawyer and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Priyanka Tibrewal, the petitioner representing the victims.

The court directed that security cameras and street lights must be installed immediately across Sandeshkhali and asked the state to bear the expenses.

Tibrewal told the bench that the complaints included affidavits filed by alleged victims of sexual assault. One of these women said in her affidavit that she was raped repeatedly for 13 days.

The order was passed around the same time when Union home minister Amit Shah was addressing a campaign rally at Balurghat in north Bengal.

Read here: CBI to probe crimes against women, land grabbing in Sandeshkhali: Calcutta HC

Mamata Didi. You are doing politics even with the grievous crimes committed at Sandeshkhali. You were silent for years when the women were tortured. It took the high court to order the arrest of the offender, Shah said at the rally. The nation has seen that you are protecting the offender at Sandeshkhali. Mamata Didi your politics of appeasement should have a limit.

Former TMC Rajya Sabha member Santanu Sen said: Shah wants to use the issue for political mileage but people are aware that it was the state government that arrested the accused and started the process of returning land to the farmers.
DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran on Wednesday said Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai is a joker and he will not take his words about Annamalai back. Annamalai was once against NEET, now he supports it; once he said he did not know Hindi and now he speaks fluent Hindi; he behaved like a chameleon, Dayanidhi Maran said after his 'joker' remark on national television became a major controversy and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to it in his public rally. "I stand by my words, He is a joker. We need people like him. He is a good entertainer. Please Annamalai, continue," Dayanidhi Maran said. Dayanidhi Maran said he stood by his words that K Annamalai was a 'joker'.

"DMK is drowning in its pride in power. When a big DMK leader was asked about our youth leader Annamalai, he was so blinded by pride that he asked, 'who is Annamalai'. And then used an insulting word. The word that the DMK leader used actually describes DMK's character," PM Modi said.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Follow LIVE updates

The controversy traced back to an India Today interview where Dayanidhi, on being asked to comment about Annamalai, said, "Who's that?". The video of the incident went viral in which Maran could be seen gesturing to his supporters to be quiet indicating that he was having a problem in listening to the question. "Oh! You are talking about the joker?" Maran replied when he understood who Annamalai was. He was asked whether he was underestimating the BJP's Coimbatore candidate to which he asked whether the journalist was not overestimating Annamalai.

"The answer to such arrogance will come from the people of Tamil Nadu when they vote against DMK," PM Modi said.

Dayanidhi Maran reacted to the accusation of 'arrogance' and recalled a recent incident in Coimbatore when the reporters' cars tried to overtake Annamalai's car. "What did Annamalai do? How arrogant can a person be? He harassed them. Do you see any of the DMK people do that? We are foot soldiers...our leaders have given us instructions that you might be an MP, you might be a councillor but you are expected to serve the people...We work with the people. We are with the people..." Maran said.

"Probably PM Modi is upset with the DMK because the people of Tamil Nadu are with the DMK," the DMK MP said.
BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma sparked a controversy on Tuesday with his statement that Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh will be sent to Pakistan after the latter's defeat in the Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituency of Madhya Pradesh. Singh strongly objected to Sharma's remark and said his legal team was assessing the statement. Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh said his legal team was assessing BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma's statement.

What did Rameshwar Sharma say against Digvijaya Singh?

Sharma was speaking to reporters in Biora on Monday when he made the remark.

ALSO READ- In Pilibhit, PM Modi slams Congress for 'insulting' Lord Ram over Ayodhya event

"BJP workers have reiterated their resolve to ensure the victory of the party candidate (Rodmal Nagar) by more than one lakh votes in the Biora assembly segment (part of Rajgarh Lok Sabha seat), and we will win the Lok Sabha seat by more than eight lakh votes," Sharma said, PTI reported.

He further added, The `Raja' (Singh) who is roaming here will be sent packing in such a manner that he will not get a place in Hindustan but in Islamabad or Lahore as his fans no longer exist in Madhya Pradesh and the country, but they exist across the border. They both like each other.

ALSO READ- PM Modi's degree: No relief for AAP's Sanjay Singh in Supreme Court on plea against summons

Reacting to Sharma's statement, the Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said: I don't want to talk anything new about it. They don't have any issues other than this. The statement is being examined by my lawyers and they will take action accordingly.

ALSO READ- Make it harder for India to: Congress reacts to Amit Shah's clean chit to China on encroachment

Digvijaya Singh's electoral battle from Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituency

Congress has fielded Digvijaya Singh from the Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituency against BJP candidate Rodmal Nagar.

In the 2019 Indian general election, he contested the Lok Sabha seat in the Bhopal constituency but was defeated by Pragya Singh Thakur. However, from Rajgarh's seat, Singh had won in 1984 and 1991.

Meanwhile, Nagar clinched victory in the seat during the 2014 and 2019 elections and has been nominated again by the BJP.

The Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh are slated to happen in four phases out of seven, on April 19, April 26, May 7 and May 13. Rajgarh will go to polls in the third phase on May 7, alongside seven other parliamentary seats in the state.
Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, accusing it of earning first copyright on corruption and indulging in hate and divisive politics. Vellore, Apr 10 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated during a public meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, in Vellore on Wednesday. (ANI Photo) (BJP media)

Addressing poll rallies in Vellore and Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district during his seventh visit to the southern state since January, Modi accused the DMK and its Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc ally Congress of being family-first parties.

Read here: PM Modi's 1st copyright in corruption attack on MK Stalin's DMK in Tamil Nadu

The DMK has earned the first copyright on corruption, the entire family is looting Tamil Nadu, Modi said in Vellore, in a veiled reference to the DMKs first family, headed by party president and chief minister MK Stalin.

Today, the country is setting world record in 5G (telecommunication) but the DMK brought disrepute with 2G scam. Congress and DMK stand at the forefront to protect the corrupt. While I say remove corruption, they say protect the corrupt, Modi said.

DMK leader and former telecom minister A Raja and party leader Kanimozhi were accused in the 2G spectrum allocation case, but they were later acquitted by a special court.

Polling on all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 19 in the first of the seven-phase elections.

Seeking votes for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates, Modi charged the DMK with impeding the progress of the states youth with its old mindset.

DMK divides people over language, region, faith and caste. DMK knows that the day people see through this, it will not get a single vote. I have decided to expose the decades-old dangerous politics of DMK, Modi said.

In Vellore, New Justice Party chief AC Shanmugam, who is contesting on the BJP symbol, will square off against incumbent lawmaker Kathir Anand of the DMK and S Pasupathy of the AIADMK.

Modi also raked up the Katchatheevu row and blamed the then Congress and DMK governments at the Centre and in the state, respectively, for ceding the island to Sri Lanka in 1974.

Congress and DMK have kept the people of Tamil Nadu in (the) dark. They callously gave away the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka and meted out injustice to our fishermen, Modi alleged, adding that the NDA government has been continuously getting our fishermen released and bringing them back home.

Addressing a rally at Mettupalayam, near Coimbatore, later in the day, Modi charged the DMK with playing the dangerous game of discrimination and division in Tamil Nadu.

DMK has always done hate and divisive politics. Its focus has never been Tamil Nadus development. I assure you that the NDA, in its third term will work with more vigour for the growth of Nilgiris and Kongu, he said. Tamil Nadus western region is called Kongu and this was Modis third visit to the region, where the BJP enjoys some support.

The BJP has fielded state party chief Annamalai from Coimbatore and Union minister of state L Murugan from the Nilgiris constituency.

Modi also hit out at DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran over the latters joker remark on Annamalai, saying the insulting words used against the BJP leader reflected the character of the ruling Dravidian party.

DMK is a party that is immersed in the arrogance of power. When a senior leader of DMK was asked about our young leader Annamalai, he said in arrogance who is he, who is that and used insulting words. This arrogance is against Tamil Nadus great culture, Modi said.

Read here: PM Modi slams DMK, accuses it of hate and division' politics

In a recent television interview, when asked about the challenge posed by Annamalai, former Union minister Maran had said: Whos that? Oh, the joker, you are talking about the joker...

Attacking the DMK and the Congress over dynastic politics, Modi said: Family-centric parties think that people from tribal communities are not fit to hold any important position in governance.
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday squashed a circular issued by the central government that called for a ban on 23 breeds of ferocious dogs considered dangerous for human life, noting that none of the stakeholders --- especially groups representing pet owners --- were consulted in the process. HC revokes Centres ban on 23 ferocious breeds of dogs

The order was issued by a single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna, which added that the central government has the liberty to issue a revised circular following proper consultation with experts and after adhering to due process.

Read here: Woman mauled to death by stray dogs in Kushinagar

It is an admitted fact that none of the stakeholders were heard. The composition of the committee is not in consonance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The Union of India could not have imposed the ban without a recommendation from a properly constituted committee, legal news website LiveLaw reported, citing the order.

The judged added that the circular travels beyond what is found in Animal Birth Control Rules and cannot but be held to be contrary to the law and therefore has to be obliterated.

It is an admitted fact that none of the stakeholders are heard. The composition of the committee is not in consonance with the Rule framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The Union of India could not have imposed the ban without appropriate recommendation from a properly constituted committee, the ruling added, according to LiveLaw.

The court stressed the importance of consulting pet owners and relevant organisations before implementing such bans and held that stakeholders should include organisations certifying dog breeds and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The focus of such consultations should be on responsible pet ownership, it added.

The order was passed following a joint petition filed by a professional dog handler and the owner of a Rottweiler, alleging that the expert committee, whose recommendations prompted the circular, had neglected to consult any stakeholders before the decision.

Representing the petitioners before the High Court was advocate Swaroop Anand P, while Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamat presented the case for the central government.

The now-scrapped circular issued urged all states and Union territories to prohibit 23 breeds of dogs deemed ferocious and hazardous to human life and was issued after the central governments assurance to the Delhi High Court in December 2023 to address the demand for a ban on licenses for breeds categorised as dangerous.

The petition argued that the circular was highly arbitrary, lacked jurisdiction, and exhibited discrimination.

The plea also argued that no particular dog breed can be identified as an aggressive breed. Any stand-alone incident of attack by the breed can be attributed only to untrained and unsocialised dogs, it added. There are several dog breeds which are not covered under the impugned circular which have also caused dogs attacks, and for the said reason the rationale behind the classification in the impugned circular is highly arbitrary and is liable to be set aside, Bar and Bench quoted the petitioner as contending.

Read here: Activists demand stay on decision to ban 23 dog breeds in Maharashtra

The circular named breeds such as the Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Bulldog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog (ovcharka), Mastiffs (boerbulls), Rottweiler and Terriers among those prohibited.
New Delhi: AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday claimed the BJP wants to break Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal emotionally. He claimed that Tihar authorities threatened to block his family's visits over passing a message to AAP MLAs through his lawyers. He asked if the BJP wants to turn the Tihar jail into Adolf Hitler's notorious gas chambers. AAP MP Sanjay Singh addresses the media during a press conference at the party office in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI)

"The Modi government wants to keep an elected chief minister of Delhi in jail... two days ago, Arvind Kejriwal met his lawyer and during that meeting, he gave the message that the elected MLAs should go to their areas and listen to the problems of the people. And just on the basis of this message, an inquiry has been set up against him and a threat is being given that you will be stopped from meeting your family and lawyers," he claimed.

Sanjay Singh, who walked out of jail recently after spending months inside the jail in a money-laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy case, said Arvind Kejriwal won't bow down to torture.

"Do you (BJP) want to turn Delhi's Tihar Jail into Hitler's gas chamber? Why can't a CM send a message to his MLAs asking them to listen and resolve the problems of people of Delhi? You want to break Arvind Kejriwal emotionally, you want to make Arvind Kejriwal bow down by torturing him. However, these attempts won't succeed, and Kejriwal won't break," he added.

Also read: 'Modi ki guarantee hai': Sanjay Singh mocks BJP slogan as AAP holds daylong fast

The BJP has been demanding that Arvind Kejriwal resign as the chief minister of Delhi on moral grounds. However, AAP says he will continue running the government from jail as he has not been convicted of any crime.

Sanjay Singh said other non-BJP chief ministers will be jailed soon if Arvind Kejriwal resigns.

"If Arvind Kejriwal resigns today then these people will finish the Aam Aadmi Party. Our ministers will be put in jail. Punjab's CM, ministers will be put in jail and then they will ask for his resignation. They will put MK Stalin, Revanth Reddy, Kerala CM, Tejashwi Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav in jail," he said.

Meanwhile, BJP workers protested in the national capital demanding Arvind Kejriwal's resignation.

Also read: Delhi BJP leaders hold protest demanding resignation of Arvind Kejriwal

"Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal should resign from the position of CM, a government cannot be run from jail as the protocols of jail do not allow that. If Arvind Kejriwal does not send his resignation letter, then the law will take its own course," said BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday upheld Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, saying the Enforcement Directorate had no other option as the CM ignored summonses.

Also read: Arvind Kejriwal moves Supreme Court against arrest in liquor policy case

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma dismissed the AAP leader's petition and asserted that there was no contravention of legal provisions.

"Courts are concerned with constitutional morality and not political morality. The material which has been encapsulated reveals that Sh. Arvind Kejriwal had allegedly conspired with other persons and was involved in the formulation of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, in the process of demanding kickbacks from the South Group, as well as in generation, use and concealment of proceeds of crime," said the court in its 106-page order.

With inputs from ANI, PTI
NEW DELHI: Africa is a focus area in a move by India to bolster and rationalise its military diplomacy in key regions across the world, with defence attaches being sent for the first time to Mozambique, the Ivory Coast and the Philippines, people familiar with the matter said. The move to post defence attaches for the first time to the Philippines and Armenia follows the Indian sides sales of weapons systems to both countries.(ANI Photo)

As part of this move, India will also post defence attaches for the first time to Poland, whose importance as a security partner in Europe has increased in recent years, and to Armenia, with which the Indian side recently concluded a big-ticket arms deal, the people said on the condition of anonymity.

After a gap of several decades, India will also post a defence attache in Ethiopia. India had a military officer at the mission in Addis Ababa during the term of Mengistu Haile Mariam, who came to power in the mid-1970s. A new military attache is also being posted to Djibouti and will be only the second officer to hold the post.

Also Read: India must rethink the role of defence attache | Opinion

The move to increase Indias military diplomacy footprint in Africa dovetails with efforts by New Delhi to substantially increase its engagement with countries of the continent in areas ranging from trade and investment to education and defence and security.

Under the external affairs ministrys plan to set up 26 new missions around the world, 18 are being set up in African countries. India also played a crucial role in leading efforts to make the African Union a member of the G20 during last years summit of the worlds largest economies in New Delhi.

These postings will send out a message that Africa matters. They will also open up possibilities for military cooperation and arms sales at a time when many African states are working to modernise their militaries, one of the people cited above said.

As part of efforts to rationalise the deployment of defence attaches, the Indian side is set to pare down the number of military officials posted at missions in Russia and the UK, the people said. As new posts for military attaches cannot be created because of financial constraints, officers freed up through such rationalisation efforts will be deployed to countries that have become more important in terms of defence and security cooperation.

For instance, one of the two officers freed up by the rationalisation exercise in the UK is expected to be posted as the first defence attache to Poland. In the past, the Indian defence attache in the Czech Republic was responsible for handling military ties with Poland.

The move to post defence attaches for the first time to the Philippines and Armenia follows the Indian sides sales of weapons systems to both countries. In 2022, the Philippines signed a deal worth almost $375 million to acquire three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. The same year, Armenia became the first foreign customer for Indias indigenously developed Pinaka rocket launcher.

The Indian side has usually had a sizeable number of officers from the army, navy and air force in Russia, especially to oversee the implementation of arms deals. The figure till recently was about 10, including four from the navy. However, with Russia only engaged in a deal to build two frigates for the Indian Navy and no other big deals on the horizon, a decision was made to rationalise the posting of defence attaches in Russia, the people said.

Defence attaches play a crucial role in several spheres.

In friendly nations such as Russia and the US, they are closely involved in efforts to acquire new weapons systems and military hardware and also help shape military-to-military cooperation in areas such as joint exercises and training. In adversarial nations such as China and Pakistan, they are involved in gathering information and keeping a close eye on the latest developments in military and security issues.
Washington: Among the achievements that US President Joe Biden is proudest of is his effort to build stronger ties with India, and the two countries are working together more closely than ever before in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific and on technology, a senior US administration official said on Tuesday. rime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden. (PTI)

He said that leaders on both sides have shed their ambivalence about the relationship, and the US sees engagement with India as central to everything it does on the global stage.

The official was responding to a question by HT at a briefing on Japan PM Fumio Kishidas landmark visit to Washington DC on Wednesday and how India fit into this wider Indo-Pacific architecture. The officials comments come at a time when there has been speculation about a dip in India-US ties due to the back and forth between the two governments on internal Indian political developments.

Also Read: US sends Letter of Acceptance to India for Predator drone purchase

While the focus of the briefing was on the qualitative transformation in security ties between Washington DC and Tokyo in the face of a shared challenge from China, the official  who is closely involved with shaping US policy on India  offered a wider contextual explanation of Americas Indo Pacific strategy. He rejected the notion that it was based on US assigning role to partners in the region, and said the US was instead working in partnership with like-minded and other states who shared common views on the features of the global operating system that everyone had benefited from and should be upheld.

On how India fit into this wider network, the official said, I think if you ask the President, one of the things that he is proudest of is his efforts to build a stronger relationship between the US and India. And I do believe, both in the Indo-Pacific and the Indian Ocean, and on key issues like technology, the US and India are working more closely together than ever before.

Also Read: Counterterrorism, illegal immigration in focus at India-US dialogue

He added that the bilateral relationship was trending substantially in a positive direction and that the level of engagement across every possible vector  security, intelligence, technology, people-to-people  had excelled.

Indias ties with America had improved, as had Indias ties with other countries, independently as well as together with US, the official said. I would say, in many respects, engagement with India is some of the most desired kind of engagements on the global stage, and we have seen this with a variety of key players.

The two sides will keep up their steady engagement this month. Foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra is in DC this week along with the new joint secretary handling the US account in the ministry of external affairs, Nagaraj Naidu, and is expected to meet the principal deputy national security advisor Jon Finer, both deputy secretaries of state, Kurt Campbell and Richard Verma, and senior Pentagon officials to review the relationship.

US NSA Jake Sullivan and NSC senior director for technology Tarun Chhabra are expected to travel to India later this month for the annual review of the initiative on critical and emerging technologies (iCET), a visit that was slated for February but got rescheduled due to Sullivans other global commitments.

And Campbell, who moved from being Bidens Indo-Pacific coordinator at the national security council to the become the state department number two, is expected to make his first visit to India this month as well, possibly for the iCET review.

The senior official quoted above indicated that there had been a clear shift in the attitudes on both sides. I do believe, perhaps in the past, on both sides, there perhaps had been some ambivalence or some uncertainty. I see very little of that now. I see leaders on both sides who are all in on the promise and prospects of the other, recognise the potential of this relationship that is deeply supported by an activist diaspora community here, and technology and other firms who understand the potential of India.

He added that the US saw its engagement with India as central to everything that Washington DC was seeking to do on the global stage. And I would simply say that I think, in many respects, it will be our most important bilateral partnership heading into the latter parts of the 21st century.
BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj on Tuesday demanded that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal must resign from his post after the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition challenging his arrest. Swaraj also alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party used 100 crore in party activities. BJP candidate for Lok Sabha elections Bansuri Swaraj (Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)

BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj said that the Delhi High Court has made it clear that Arvind Kejriwal played an important role in the liquor scam and he should resign on moral grounds.

"With today's judgement, the Delhi high court has made it clear that Arvind Kejriwal had a very important role in the liquor scam and being the chief of AAP he was involved in it. The court saw all the facts. The High Court has also made it clear that his arrest is not illegal at all. I think Arvind Kejriwal should resign on moral grounds," she said.

Kickbacks worth 100 crore were taken in the Excise policy case which was used by the AAP in its party activities. The Court saw all the facts given by ED. The court went through the Hawala transactions. The court saw the statement by the approver, she added.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed Arvind Kejriwal's petition challenging his arrest by the ED in the Delhi excise policy case, saying that the arrest cannot be termed illegal as it was not in the contravention of the law.

The bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma said that ED was in possession of enough material, which led them to arrest Kejriwal. The non-joining of the investigation by Kejriwal and the delay caused by him were also impacting those in judicial custody.

Read more: Delhi court extends judicial custody of BRS leader K Kavitha in excise policy case

AAP approaches Supreme Court against HC order

The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday issued a statement saying that it does not agree with the order of the Delhi High Court, terming Kejriwal's arrest as a political conspiracy.

Arvind Kejriwal's counsel Advocate Rishikesh Kumar said on Tuesday that the CM does not agree with the order of the high court, and they are well within their rights to challenge the same in the Supreme Court.

We have challenged the illegal arrest of Arvind Kejriwal. The High Court in its finding has said that the remand order is legal and secondly, they said that they had the ground to arrest. These were the findings of the High Court in today's decision. Because the order is amenable for a challenge in the Supreme Court so we are waiting for the order to come. Once the detailed order is uploaded, we will challenge it before the Supreme Court as early as possible, he said.

(With inputs from PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday once again hit out at the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), accusing the ruling party in Tamil Nadu of backing those wanting to end investments in India.



DMK is standing with those who want to end investment in the country. These people are causing maximum harm to Tamil Nadu with their politics. The BJP government is building a 'Defence Corridors' in this region of Tamil Nadu. Would a 'Defence Corridors' ever be built with the mentality of the INDI alliance? the prime minister said at a rally in Mettupalayam, Coimbatore.



Congress and DMK stand at the forefront to protect corrupt, he said.



DMK has always focused on the politics of 'hate' and 'division'. They have never cared for the development of Tamil Nadu. I assure you that in our 3rd term, the BJP-led NDA will work harder for the development of the Nilgiris and Kongu. This is 'Modi ki Guarantee'! he said.



Continuing his attack, the prime minister accused the Congress-DMK alliance of keeping people from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes (OBC) communities away from basic facilities.



ALSO READ: PM Modi's 1st copyright in corruption attack on MK Stalin's DMK in Tamil Nadu



"For decades, the Congress-DMK INDI alliance kept crores of people from SC-ST, OBC communities yearning for housing, water, and electricity because they thought that not everyone can get housing and electricity. But the BJP government gave PM Awas to crores of people, brought electricity to every village, gave free ration to 80 crore needy people and most of them are people from SC-ST, OBC communities," Modi said.



ALSO READ: 'Modi ko chunte': BJP's poll song features 'One Nation, One Flag', Ram Mandir Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Coimbatore. (X/BJP)

INDI alliance doesnt trust India's strength': PM Modi

Modi trained guns at the opposition INDIA alliance, of which DMK is a member, saying,"INDI alliance do not trust India's strength. Such a huge pandemic of Corona came into the world. INDI alliance people used to say that India cannot make a vaccine. We said we would make a Made in India vaccine. India not only made the Made India vaccine but also saved the lives of crores of people by giving free vaccines."



ALSO READ: Lok Sabha polls mission to build new India: PM Modi



During the rally, Modi also invoked the election of Droupadi Murmu as India's president in 2022, saying,"These family parties think that apart from their sons and daughters, no poor or tribal can hold a high position. But BJP made a tribal woman the President of India for the first time and even at that time the INDI alliance people strongly opposed this."



All 39 seats in Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 19. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.



(With PTI inputs)
Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday hit out at West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), accusing her of misleading people.



We have passed the CAA law. Mamata didi is misleading the people of Bengal. She is saying that if you apply for CAA, you will lose your citizenship. I request refugees to apply for citizenship under CAA, I assure there won't be any problem, Shah said at a rally in West Bengal's Balurghat.



ALSO READ: Amit Shah's big CAA dare to Mamata in Kolkata rally: No one can stop it



Mamata didi, no matter how much you oppose CAA, we will grant citizenship to all the refugees, the minister said. Union home minister addresses a poll rally in West Bengal's Balurghat.(X/BJP)

Continuing his attack on the Trinamool Congress chief, Shah said,"To build a 'Sashakt Bharat', we will have to build a Sashakt Bengal. But you see the extent of infiltration in West Bengal! If such situations persist, the state can not progress and can never become empowered."



But do you think that Mamata Banerjee will ever work to stop this infiltration? No! Because these very infiltrators form her actual vote-bank, the minister added.



ALSO READ: Make Modi ji say he became PM because of Bengal: Amit Shah at Kolkata rally



Shah said that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a BJP government in West Bengal can stop infiltration in the state. Ensure bringing BJP in West Bengal and witness the unparalleled transformation, he added.



We stopped infiltration in Assam. I have come to tell you Modi's guarantee that make us cross 30 seats, and form a BJP government in Bengal, we will stop infiltration, the minister said.



West Bengal is witnessing polling for 42 seats in all seven phases of the general elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election in West Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress won 22 of the 42 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bagged 18. The other two seats were won by the Congress. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dismissed the allegations of discrimination against religious minorities in the country as "usual tropes" propagated by those who don't bother to meet people outside their bubbles. In an interview with US Newsweek magazine, Prime Minister Modi suggested that these claims of discrimination do not resonate with the reality experienced by minorities themselves. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, in Ramtek on Wednesday. (BJP)

The prime minister asserted that India's minorities, including Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and even micro-minorities like Parsis, are living happily and thriving in India.

He said that the government initiatives are crafted to transcend barriers of community or geography, ensuring equitable distribution to all citizens.

For the first time in our country, our government has come up with a unique saturation coverage approach when it comes to schemes and initiatives. They are not restricted for a group of people belonging to a particular community or a geography, Modi was quoted as saying by the American weekly.

Read: PM Modi speaks on India-China border dispute: We need to urgently address prolonged situation

According to him, these initiatives, ranging from housing, sanitation facilities, water access, and cooking fuel to financial assistance and healthcare provisions, are meticulously designed to eliminate any possibility of discrimination.

They are meant to reach everyone, which means that they are designed in such a way that there cannot be any discrimination. Be it amenities like house, toilets, water connection or cooking fuel or be it collateral-free credit or health insurance, it is reaching every citizen irrespective of his community and religion, he said.

During the wide-ranging interview carried by the magazine under the headline "Narendra Modi and the Unstoppable Rise of India", the prime minister, who is seeking a rare third term in office, talked about the border dispute with China and the criticism of ending Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

Read: Thali aani baaki hai: PM Modi on his potential 3rd term; slams democracy in danger claims

Modi said there is a need to urgently address the "prolonged situation on our borders" so that the abnormality in bilateral interactions can be put behind.

A military standoff was triggered along Line of Actual Control (LAC) by actions of the Chinese military in eastern Ladakh in May 2020 and some "friction points" remain to be resolved. The two countries have held a series of meetings between senior commanders and of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC).

"For India, the relationship with China is important and significant. It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us," he said.
For years, Maharashtra with its 48 Lok Sabha seats has been a key electoral playground for ruling parties. In both 2019 and 2014, the BJP and its ally (the undivided Shiv Sena) won 41 of those seats, making a significant contribution to the NDAs sweeping victory in the last two parliamentary elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (middle), Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole (left) and Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

This time, the coalition arithmetic in Maharashtra has changed significantly. Both Sena and NCP have suffered defection and major splits. For the first time, the original Shiv Sena is not headed by a Thackeray and the rift is wide open between the states tallest politician Sharad Pawar and his ambitious nephew Ajit Pawar.

MVA seals pact

After weeks of intense negotiations and uncertainty, the Maha Vikas Aghadi of Shiv Sena (UBT), the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP and the Congress have arrived at a pact.

The three parties on Tuesday announced its seat-sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) contesting on 21 seats, the Congress 17 and the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP 10, marking a significant pact in the electorally crucial state.

The announcement came after roughly three weeks of heated negotiations between the three parties and represented a big breakthrough for the Oppositions Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) that has struggled to close seat-sharing talks in key states in recent weeks.

The talks were deadlocked for weeks over three seats  Sangli, Mumbai South Central and Bhiwandi  with the Sena (UBT) declaring its candidates for the first two seats and the Sharad Pawar faction for the third, even as the Congress staked claim to all three constituencies.

Setback for Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Partys hopes of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals early release suffered a setback as the Delhi high court on Tuesday rejected his petition for release from jail, noting that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sufficient evidence at this stage which points out towards the guilt of the AAP convener for the commission of the offence of money laundering in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

The court said in its 106-page judgment that ED had sufficient materials to justify the arrest of Kejriwal, who cannot be allowed to take the plea of political vengeance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections after choosing to skip nine ED summonses issued to him over the last six months, since the law does not allow any special privilege to a CM or any other person in power. According to the court, ED cannot be blamed for choosing the timing of Kejriwals arrest after he pushed the agency to a point where it had no other option but to arrest him.

AAP said Kejriwal will move the Supreme Court, and maintained the excise police case was the biggest political conspiracy to finish off the party.

Senior party leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said at a press conference that they are hopeful the Supreme Court will provide relief to Kejriwal in the same way it granted bail to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh recently.

The so-called excise policy scam is the biggest political conspiracy to finish off the party and Kejriwal, Bharadwaj alleged.

He claimed that the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation have failed to recover even one rupee of illegal money in the case.

The entire matter is not related to money laundering, rather its the biggest political conspiracy of the country. Its a conspiracy to crush and finish off chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab, he said.

EC show cause to Randeep Surjewala

The Election Commission has issued a show cause notice to Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala over his undignified, vulgar and uncivilized remarks on BJP MP and film star Hema Malini and asked him to reply in two days  by April 11  as to why appropriate action for violation of Model Code of Conduct should not be taken against him.

Separately, the EC has also shot a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over the repeated violations made by senior leaders of the party. The EC has asked Kharge to inform the poll body the steps taken by the party to ensure strict compliance of the Commissions advisory relating to honour and dignity of women during public discourse by April 12.

It is unfortunate that despite the Commission bringing it to the notice of the party at your level, the campaigners of Indian National Congress are still indulging in utterances that are repugnant to the honour and dignity of women, the EC wrote to Kharge in a letter signed by senior principal secretary Narendra Nath Butolia.

The EC had received a written complaint against Surjewala over his undignified comments on Malini, a two-term MP from Mathura.

Earlier this month, the Congress social media in-charge Supriya Srinate was pulled up by the poll body for her comments against BJP candidate and national award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut.

Rahul Gandhi aide, six-term MP in Congress list

Congress leader Rahul Gandhis close aide Koppula Raju and six-term former MP Chinta Mohan are among the six Lok Sabha candidates the party announced on Tuesday.

Raju, an IAS officer turned Congress leader is the partys National Coordinator of SC, OBC, minority and Adivasi departments. Rajus tryst with the Congress started after he was in the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council during the UPA days. He will be fighting his first Lok Sabha polls.

From Tirupati, the Congress has fielded a six-term former MP Chinta Mohan. He had been a member of the 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th and 15th Lok Sabhas.

From Anakapalle, the party has given ticket to its Youth Congress leader Vegi Venkatesh and to Garnepudi Alexander Sudhakar from Narasaraopet. Sudhakar had fought the 2014 assembly election and is currently the in-charge of the legal cell of the party in Guntur district.

The Congress also fielded Pulusu Satyanarayana Reddy from Vishakhapatanam and a former ministers daughter Lavanya Kavuri from Eluru.

With these latest announcements, the Congress has fielded a total of 250 candidates. It is expected to announce more names for Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana and Delhi.

TMC ends stir, political row continues

A 10-member Trinamool Congress (TMC) team that was detained for staging a dharna outside the Election Commissions office in Delhi on Monday camped overnight and concluded their agitation at the police station a day later, even as they were released within hours of being held.

The team, which included TMC lawmakers Derek OBrien, Dola Sen and Mohammed Nadimul Haque, raised slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre as they staged a protest at Mandir Marg police station in the national capital. While all TMC leaders sat inside the police station premises, Haque and MP Sagarika Ghose, who had gone out briefly, were not allowed to re-enter. They sat on a dharna outside the boundary of the building.

Lalus daughter in RJD list

The Rashtriya Janata Dal on Tuesday released a list of 22 candidates, officially confirming the candidature of party supremo Lalu Prasads daughters Rohini Acharya and Misa Bharti from Saran and Pataliputra Lok Sabha seats, respectively.
NEW DELHI: The growing instability and violence in Myanmar have affected key infrastructure projects such as the 1,360-km India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway and are set to delay a motor vehicles agreement, people familiar with the matter have said. The progress in implementing key infrastructure projects has suffered because of the prevailing security situation in Myanmar (FILE PHOTO/REUTERS)

The intense fighting between Myanmars junta and resistance forces has also affected the India-funded Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, including the development of Sittwe port, though the Indian side remains committed to these projects in the long run, the people said on condition of anonymity.

The junta has suffered a string of humiliating defeats at the hands of the resistance forces since three powerful armed groups  Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) - joined hands to launch a coordinated offensive against government forces last October.

The progress in implementing key infrastructure projects has suffered because of the prevailing security situation in Myanmar, two officials said, requesting anonymity. While the trilateral highway project is stuck, the Kaladan project is severely delayed, they said.

Even before the resistance forces launched their offensive, these projects were hit by adverse developments since 2020, initially due to the Covid-19 pandemic and later, because of the political crisis after the military coup in February 2021.

As part of the trilateral highway, India is implementing two projects  the 120 km Kalewa-Yagyi sector and the upgrading of 69 bridges and approach roads in the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa sector. When completed, the trilateral highway will connect Moreh in Indias Manipur state to Mae Sot in Thailand via Mandalay in Myanmar. Several crucial stretches of the highway within Myanmar were built by the Border Roads Organisation, an arm of the Indian Army.

Since the 1,177 crore Kalewa-Yagyi project was sanctioned in June 2016, the actual progress as of August 2023 was less than 50%. The 371 crore project to upgrade 69 bridges is also stuck as numerous sites are yet to be handed over, the officials said.

The Kaladan project has been delayed due to similar reasons, the officials said. This includes the development of a 158 km waterway on the Kaladan river from Sittwe to Paletwa and a 109 km road from Paletwa to Zorinpui on the Indian side of the border in Mizoram.

The projects implementation has been affected because of the security situation in Myanmar, one official said.

Since late last year, Myanmars resistance forces and armed groups aligned with the government in exile have overrun scores of military bases and key trading and crossing points on the borders with China, India and Bangladesh. Last week, they took control of Myawaddy, a key trading point on the border with Thailand.

India has withdrawn two diplomats who were posted at the consulate in Sittwe, where the port was developed under a $120-million project with an Indian line of credit. Sittwe port in Rakhine state is crucial to the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, which was aimed at connecting Myanmar with Kolkata port by sea and Mizoram by road.

However, a limited number of employees of the Indian Railway Construction International Limited or Ircon International, which is involved in implementing the Kaladan project, are still in Myanmar.

The early completion of the two projects is important for enhanced commercial relations with Asean nations and, thereby, the development of Indias eight northeastern states, the second official said.

As reported by HT on April 4, the government has plans to make the landlocked northeastern region an export hub for Bangladesh and the Asean nations. Myanmar has an important place in Indias Neighbourhood First and Act East policies as it provides a land link to the Asean nations, the second official said.

Bilateral trade between India and Myanmar has also been hit by fighting and instability. According to official data, Indias merchandise exports to Myanmar fell by 9.63% from $893 billion in 2021-22 to $807 million in 2022-23. Imports from Myanmar to India contracted year-on-year by 4.7% to $955 million in FY23.
Mumbai: After weeks of speculation and meetings with home minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray finally announced on Tuesday that his party will extend "unconditional support" to the alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP in Maharashtra. Speaking at a rally in the state where he made the announcement, Raj Thackeray claimed that he was the first person to say that Narendra Modi should become the prime minister of India. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray addresses the 'Gudi Padwa' rally being held at Shivaji Park, in Mumbai on Tuesday.(ANI)

"Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) unconditionally supports the grand alliance of 'BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP. This support is only for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA alliance. Now everyone should prepare for the elections," Raj Thackeray said.

Raj Thackeray, cousin of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, said he had been close to the BJP since the undivided Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the party in the 1990s.

"Shiv Sena had formed an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party around 1990. After that my closeness increased with BJP, I had good relations with Gopinath Munde, Pramod Mahajan. I went to Gujarat and established relations with Narendra Modi (the chief minister of Gujarat at the time). After coming back from there I was asked how Gujarat is. I said development is taking place in Gujarat, but Maharashtra is much ahead. I was the first person in the country who said that Narendra Modi should be the Prime Minister of the country," Thackeray said.

Raj Thackeray said even when in Opposition, he didn't make personal remarks against PM Modi.

"The first tweet supporting Article 370 was mine. I am going to the rally in support of CAA NRC. I never made personal comments. I did not comment the way Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut are commenting about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is the youngest country in the world, it is expected from Modi ji to leave everything and focus on the youth of the country. This is the future of the country," Raj Thackeray said.

Thackeray pointed out that he did not want to do anything that would break the party and gave Uddhav Thackeray a chance but he did not understand.

"I had made it clear that I did not want to do anything that would break the party. I had decided that I would not work under anyone except Balasaheb Thackeray. Still, I gave a chance to Uddhav, but he did not understand," Thackeray said.

Eknath Shinde thanks Raj Thackeray

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, meanwhile, thanked Raj Thackeray for extending unconditional support to the ruling alliance.

Asked whether Mahayuti will give Lok Sabha seats to the MNS to contest, Shinde said the Raj Thackeray-led outfit has not put any conditions for supporting the three-party alliance.

Congress attacks Raj Thackeray

Meanwhile, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said a tiger has turned into a lamb.

"When Raj Thackeray visited Delhi, it was evident that he would go with the BJP. But we did not expect that a tiger would turn into a lamb so soon. Will a fighter like Raj Thackeray become a slave?" Wadettiwar asked, speaking to reporters.

Maharashtra will vote in the Lok Sabha elections in five phases -- on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

With inputs from PTI
Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday sent a legal notice to Shashi Tharoor, the Congress MP and his challenger from Thiruvananthapuram, accusing him of making defamatory statements on a television channel.



According to a PTI report, Chandrasekhar alleged that Tharoor disseminated patently false information regarding bribing of key voters and influential figures like parish priests by the BJP leader.



The notice sent by Chandrasekhar alleges that Tharoor's statements were made with an intent to harm his reputation and image and the remarks disrespected the entire Christian community of the Thiruvananthapuram constituency.



ALSO READ: EC orders probe after Cong claims Rajeev Chandrasekhar gave false financial information in Lok Sabha polls affidavit



Shocked and surprised to watch the news video dated 06.04.2024 on a Malayalam news channel named 24 News, wherein you, the Noticee (Shashi Tharoor), made defamatory statements alleging that Our Client (Rajeev Chandrasekhar) had indulged in illegal activities of offering money to voters and that Our Client is spreading lies in Christian communities, ANI quoted the notice as saying.



ALSO READ: Shashi Tharoor says he is convinced about BJP's defeat in Lok Sabha polls: Very tough to repeat 303



Not only are the said statements totally and completely false but it is clear that the same was made with the clear mala fide intent to tarnish the reputation of Our Client to try and gain an unfair advantage in the upcoming elections, the notice added.



ALSO READ: I welcome a debate, but... Shashi Tharoor accepts Rajeev Chandrasekhar's challenge Three-time Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is pitted against BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Thiruvananthapuram in Lok Sabha election 2024.

While alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the defamation notice claimed that the statement were targeted at injuring Chandrasekhar's election campaign and benefiting Tharoor in the upcoming general elections, the PTI report added.



Chandrasekhar has demanded that Tharoor immediately withdraw all allegations that he made against him on April 6, tender an unconditional public apology to him on print and electronic media and to "cease, refrain and desist from defaming, harassing, hampering the reputation" of the minister in the future.

It has warned that failure to comply with the stated conditions within 24 hours of receipt of the notice would lead to initiation of appropriate criminal and civil proceedings in a competent court of law, the notice added.



(With PTI inputs)
NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu on the decision to operate Sainik Schools in partnership mode with NGOs and private schools, saying it was a blatant attempt to politicise the independent schools and should be rolled back. Congress President Mallikarkun Kharge asked President Droupadi Murmu to annul the MoUs signed under the 2021 policy (HT PHOTO/AJAY AGGARWAL)

In a letter to President Murmu, Kharge cited a recent media report that said 62% of the 40 memorandum of understanding finalised in this context were signed with entities belonging to the RSS-BJP-Sangh Parivar including a chief ministers family, MLAs, BJP office-bearers and RSS leaders. Kharge, who is also the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, stressed this was in violation of the long-held convention of keeping the armed forces and its affiliate institutions away from any partisan politics and shadows of varying political ideologies.

You would appreciate the widely accepted fact that this deliberate clear compartmentalization was in line with the highest democratic values and based on international experiences. This indeed kept our democracy thriving robustly, even as regimes across the globe fell to military interference, subversion of democracy and martial law, he added.

This is a blatant step to politicise the independent Sainik Schools  a preparatory platform which plays a leading role in sending cadets for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy. Sainik Schools were established by Indias first Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru in 1961 and they have been the beacon of military leadership and excellence since then.

Kharge demanded a complete rollback of this privatisation policy and annulment of these MoUs, so that children studying at Armed Forces Schools retain desired character, vision and honour required for the service of the nation.

In a statement on April 3, the defence ministry said the insinuation that the new Sainik Schools were being allocated to institutions based on their political or ideological affiliations was unfounded.

It said a rigorous selection process was followed to finalise institutions to run the new Sainik Schools and the political or ideological affiliation or otherwise of the applicant institution does not influence the selection process.

The scheme for new Sainik Schools is well thought out. The selection process itself is rigorous, checks and balances have been built in to ensure continuing adherence to the objectives and strong incentives are in place to provide financial support to deserving students, the April 3 statement said.
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday questioned the motive behind MNS chief Raj Thackeray extending "unconditional" support to the BJP, claiming "some file might have been opened". MNS chief Raj Thackeray public meeting at Shivaji Park. (Photo by Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times)

"Now what kind of miracle has happened suddenly, we should ask this from him (Raj Thackeray). You have suddenly turned around and are supporting the enemies of Maharashtra, what will you tell the public? What is the reason behind this? Which file has been opened?," he said today.

Raj Thackeray, the estranged cousin of Uddhav Thackeray, on Tuesday extended unconditional support to the ruling alliance of BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP.

At an event in Maharashtra on Tuesday, Raj Thackeray said his party's support is only for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA alliance.

"Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) unconditionally supports the grand alliance of 'BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP. This support is only for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA alliance. Now everyone should prepare for the elections," Raj Thackeray said.

He said he had had a close relationship with the BJP since the 1990s, when the party formed an alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena. He also claimed that he was the first to say that Narendra Modi should be the prime minister of India.

Also read: Raj Thackeray says was first to say Narendra Modi should be PM; Congress takes 'lamb' jibe

"Shiv Sena had formed an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party around 1990. After that my closeness increased with BJP, I had good relations with Gopinath Munde, Pramod Mahajan. I went to Gujarat and established relations with Narendra Modi (the chief minister of Gujarat at the time). After coming back from there I was asked how Gujarat is. I said development is taking place in Gujarat, but Maharashtra is much ahead. I was the first person in the country who said that Narendra Modi should be the prime minister of the country," Thackeray said.

Raj Thackeray also claimed he never made personal comments against PM Modi.

"The first tweet supporting Article 370 was mine. I am going to the rally in support of CAA NRC. I never made personal comments. I did not comment the way Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut are commenting about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is the youngest country in the world, it is expected from Modi ji to leave everything and focus on the youth of the country. This is the future of the country," Raj Thackeray added.

Also read: Mixed reactions in BJP to Rajs potential tie-up with party

The Congress on Tuesday attacked Raj Thackeray, saying a tiger had become a lamb.

When Raj Thackeray visited Delhi, it was evident that he would go with the BJP. But we did not expect that a tiger would turn into a lamb so soon. Will a fighter like Raj Thackeray become a slave? Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
The Supreme Court has raised a serious alarm over the misuse of social media platforms, denouncing the spread of factually incorrect and unfounded statements regarding pending cases. The top court initiated a contempt action against Assam legislator Karim Uddin Barbhuiya for his misleading Facebook post. (Hindustan Times)

Initiating a contempt action against Assam legislator Karim Uddin Barbhuiya for his misleading Facebook post regarding a case reserved for judgment, the top court expressed dismay at the growing trend of social media misuse, which under the guise of freedom of expression, tarnishes the integrity of the Court and sowed misinformation among the masses.

Read here: Supreme Court asks activist Gautam Navlakha to pay security costs for his house arrest

It is a matter of serious concern that nowadays there has been a profuse misuse of social media platforms on which the messages, comments, articles etc. are being posted in respect of the matters pending in the court, lamented a bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi in its order on April 8.

Though the shoulders of the judges are broad enough to bear any blame or criticism, the bench noted, comments or posts published in respect of the pending cases, through social media platforms under the guise of the right to freedom of speech and expression, deserves serious consideration since they may have the tendency of undermining the authority of the courts or of interfering with the course of justice.

It is very usual that the Judges do react during the course of arguments being made by the lawyers, sometimes in favour of and sometimes against a party to the proceeding. However, that does not give any right or leeway to either of the parties or their lawyers to the proceedings to post comments or messages on the social media distorting the facts or not disclosing the correct facts of the proceedings, held the bench.

Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud had recently shared an incident in which he was the target of trolling and vicious abuse on social media for just moving his seat during a hearing of the electoral bond case. The video widely shared on social media platforms claimed that he walked away in the middle of the ongoing case hearing.

Speaking at a judicial conference in Bengaluru last month, the CJI, however, expressed faith in the judiciarys commitment to carefully serving the common folks notwithstanding the unjustified backlash. He remarked: Our shoulders are broad enough, and the common citizens are the ones who have the most faith in the work that we do.

In the present case, the bench initiated contempt proceedings against Sonai MLA Barbhuiya for his March 20 Facebook post falsely claiming a favorable ruling from the court in an election petition whereas the court had on that day only reserved its judgment in the matter. On April 8, the court allowed Barbhuiyas plea and quashed the election petition filed against him by another candidate in the 2021 assembly polls fray but simultaneously show-caused him for contempt of court due to his Facebook post.

Read here: SC breather worth 8,000cr for DMRC in Delhi airport Metro case

The matter is required to be taken up more seriously when any such attempt is sought to be made by the party to the proceedings to cause prejudice to the proceedings or interfere with the course of administration of justice, it said, directing the presence of the MLA from All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in the court at the next hearing.

It listed the matter next after four weeks, asking the registry to place the matter before the CJI for appropriate orders on the administrative side for listing the case before the appropriate bench.
Mumbai, The Narcotics Control Bureau has submitted to the Bombay High Court that there were serious and grave allegations of irregularities against its former zonal director Sameer Wankhede and hence a preliminary inquiry was initiated against him. The agency filed its affidavit last week in response to Wankhede's petition challenging the notices issued to him on the NCB's preliminary inquiry over irregularities in a drugs case related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death. The affidavit filed by Sanjay Singh, deputy director general of the NCB, sought dismissal of Wankhede's plea, claiming that he was "forum hunting" and "delaying and prolonging" the inquiry initiated against him. On April 1, a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Manjusha Deshpande had accepted the NCB's assurance that no further notice would be issued to Wankhede pending hearing of his petition. The court had then also directed the agency to file its affidavit to Wankhede's plea. The NCB in its affidavit said Wankhede has filed multiple litigations on the same issue including the one before the Central Administrative Tribunal , which had refused to interfere. "The petitioner has filed multiple rounds of litigation to evade the preliminary inquiry. The petitioner, by filing multiple litigations before different forums, is prolonging and delaying the inquiry," the affidavit said. The agency in its affidavit said the complaints it has received against Wankhede of irregularities were "serious and grave". The agency refuted Wankhede's claims that the inquiry was initiated based on anonymous complaints. "In January 2024, actor Sapna Pabbi submitted a complaint to the NCB, claiming that a Look Out Circular, issued against her was kept pending without any reason," the affidavit said. Pabbi was issued summons by the NCB in connection with the drugs case related to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. She has been shown as a suspect in the chargesheet filed by the NCB. Pabbi, in her complaint to the NCB, claimed that despite informing the investigating officer that she was not available in India and requesting for her statement to be recorded virtually, the officers claimed she was not cooperating and issued LOC against her. Pabbi had also claimed that the NCB illegally carried out searches at her residence in Mumbai, where the officers claimed to recover two strips of a medicine for which she has a doctor's prescription. "Considering the serious allegations made against the petitioner , it was felt necessary to conduct an inquiry against him and call him to ascertain the veracity of the allegations," the affidavit said. Wankhede's counsel Rajiv Chavan had on the last hearing on April 1 submitted to the court that the inquiry against the IRS officer could not be conducted by Singh as he was his superior. Wankhede claimed that in the past he had sought approvals with regard to the drugs case from Singh. The NCB claimed in its affidavit that when Wankhede was the zonal director of Mumbai, Singh was the deputy director general and hence he was not the reporting authority of Wankhede. The agency said the complaint copies or chargesheet of certain cases were sent by Wankhede to Singh only for "perusal and not for seeking approval". The NCB initiated the preliminary inquiry against Wankhede in connection with the drugs case pertaining to Rajput's death and another case of arrest of a Nigerian national for drugs possession, probed by Wankhede, after it received anonymous complaints of irregularities during the investigation into them. After Rajput allegedly committed suicide at his residence in Mumbai in June 2020, the NCB initiated a probe of alleged drug use in the film industry. The agency later lodged a case of alleged possession, consumption and financing of drugs against Rajput's girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Showik and 33 others. From November 2023 to March 2024, the NCB issued eight notices to Indian Revenue Service officer Wankhede, directing him to appear before the agency's deputy director general Sanjay Singh, who is heading the preliminary inquiry. Wankhede in his petition claimed he was being targeted and the inquiry was an "act of vengeance". Wankhede, a 2008-batch IRS officer of the Customs and Indirect Taxes cadre, was also booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation in May last year on charges of extortion and bribery for allegedly seeking 25 crore to not frame actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan in a case of drug bust on a cruise ship. The Enforcement Directorate later also lodged a money laundering case against him. Wankhede had moved the HC against both the cases and was granted interim protection from any coercive action.

HT Image
The stifling heatwave and acute water scarcity in several parts of southern India has led to a fall in milk production prompting dairies to raise procurement prices, cooperatives and dairy farm unions confirmed to HT. The yield has dipped by up to 15% in March 2024, compared to the same period last year, milk federations in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu said. While Tamil Nadus Aavin has reported a fall of five lakh litres per day to collect 25 lakh litres in March this year over March 2023 numbers accounting for a 15% shortfall, the state-wise reduction in procurement by Keralas Milma is 11% for the March this year, officials from the federations said.

Several measures to protect cattle from extreme heat and guard farmers margins have been undertaken by both state-owned and private dairy cooperatives to help the farmers until the crisis passes and monsoon arrives.

KS Mani, Chairman of the Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation said, We are reaching out to the panchayats and local administration officials to supply water to the dairy farmers through tankers so that the cattle can be fed and bathed. Milma has decided to jointly bear the cost of the tanker and transportation, if any, with the panchayat to ensure farmers needs are taken care of.

Dairy farmers in Keralas Wayanad and Kasargod, districts that border Karnataka, have reached out to the federation for assistance after high temperatures hit Kerala in March. A previous rise in above-normal temperatures was reported only in parts of Kerala five years ago, the official said.

In Karnataka, large milk unions in Mandya, Mysore, Chamrajnagar, and Kolar have begun using fans to offer some respite to the cattle and are wrapping wet gunny bags around cows to cool them down. However, a surge in power tariffs and a fall in water levels could leave the farmers with fewer options to explore.

Falling water levels and milk production

A mercurial atmosphere coupled with a drought-like situation has only led to more distress.

A fall in water levels coupled with poor fodder stocks has left dairy farmers in a quandary. Cows produce less milk in summer. It is a biological phenomenon because they eat less and drink more water. But the onset of early summer and a sudden temperature rise is affecting cattle adversely, said HN Prashanth, owner of Sai Gokulam Dairy from Mandya. Prashanth says that with every two-degree rise in temperature, a fall in yield is seen. Cows of Indian origin (Gir cows) on average give about 20 litres of milk per day and the upkeep of the animal costs about 250 - 300 per day including the labour and fodder costs. Water scarcity has already begun impacting the cost of maintaining cattle since the beginning of March, farmers in the southern states have reported to their federations.

In the twin districts of Mysore and Mandya, farmers have reported a 25-30% drop in production already, according to Mymul (Mysore Milk Union). The unavailability of water has reduced green fodder cultivation with inter-district and inter-state fodder movement restricted by the state government due to the prevailing drought situation. About 15 varieties of grass comprising leaves and other grains are fed to cattle. But a shortage in fodder is now being replaced by paddy husk, husk of grains, and coconut cakes, dairy farmers that HT spoke to across states said.

To abate this crisis, farm unions have collectively decided to use less water to clean cattle and sheds, avoid unnecessary wastage of water, and prevent pump sets in villages from overflowing. Many farmers have also decided to cut down on harvesting other crops such as paddy and sugarcane cultivation because these crops need a lot of water. They have instead decided to divert use of water to grow fodder, Prashanth said. Dairy farmers fear the heat could take a toll on the cattles lives. Farmers have begun administering Zinc and Magnesium pellets adding them to the fodder as supplements to compensate for any loss in nutrition due to dehydration or poor eating.

Impact and intervention

To compensate the farmers for plummeting production, state and private dairy cooperatives have increased the milk procurements in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala from March. Since Andhra Pradesh consumes more buffalo milk compared to cow milk, procurement prices have been increased by 1.30, the managing director of a private cooperative dairy in Guntur spoke on conditions of anonymity.

The private dairy operates in Guntur, Chittoor, East and West Godavari, Nellore, Prakasam, Kadapa, and Anantapur districts and its data in March shows a dip in milk production in Guntur and Chittoor districts clearly. The official said that the extreme heat could have a residual effect on low lactation for the next four to six months with the situation easing only around September. We are also supporting our farmers by giving fodder for their cattle. We will assess the situation internally before taking a call on whether or not to extend this additional increment and the duration of it, the official said.

The price hike came masked differently in Kerala. What started as a festive season hike soon turned into a heatwave compensation. Milma paid 5.50 additionally per litre of milk in March to its one lakh plus dairy farmers in the state. Given the heatwave and the festive season of Easter and now Vishu, we foresaw an increase in consumption. To compensate the farmers adequately, we procured milk paying this additional price, KS Mani said. A litre of milk in Kerala is procured at 46.50 paise. In addition, Milma has covered its dairy through the Heat Index-Based Cattle Insurance scheme offered by the government-owned Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC). For April and May, Milma has paid a premium of 90/cow to the ACI from its Cattle Development Fund. The dairy farmer will be compensated 200 per cow per week if the temperature is higher than the set benchmark for a week and 2000 per cow per month if the temperature remains above normal for over 25 days. The insurance scheme to protect dairy farmers from climatic change was introduced last year and farmers from Kasargod and Kannur districts received a compensation of 29 lakh as against a premium of 14 lakh paid by Milma from the AIC, KS Mani said.

While Kerala and Andhra Pradesh have taken proactive steps to ensure cattle farmers, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are assessing the situation, Karnataka Milk Federation and Aavin officials who spoke to HT said. The KMF official who did not wish to be named said that the federation procures nearly 75 lakh litres of milk from the unions per month and the drought-like situation has led to a 10-15% drop. We will take appropriate measures after the election since we are not allowed to announce any schemes now, the official said. Karnatakas KMF is southern Indias largest milk procurer and has ample stock of milk powder to not affect the demand-supply dynamics, the official said.

Tamil Nadus hesitation in increasing its procurement prices comes from the recent increase in cow and buffalo milk procurement rates. Chief Minister MK Stalin hiked prices by 3 in December 2023 and the dairy farmers are paid 38/litre for cow milk and 44/litre to encourage farmers to supply more milk to Aavin than to private players.

Rajesh Kumar, general manager, Aavin (Dairying) said, Though the milk production has dropped across the state, there is no acute water shortage in Trichy, Tirunelveli, and Viluppuram are milk shed areas in Tamil Nadu. The severe flood in Tamil Nadu last December has restored groundwater levels and villages have not yet sounded an alarm. The official said that he expects the citation to improve by the end of May when the calving season starts and more milk is produced by expectant cows.

But is the procurement price rise affecting margins? Officials from private and government-owned dairy cooperatives say they see an increase in the sale of ice creams and fermented products such as curd, buttermilk and lassi. An increase in volume in the next two months will offset the loss we incur in procuring milk at a higher price, the official from Andhras Guntur dairy cooperative said. The onset of the south-west monsoon is expected to offer a let up in both rising temperatures and prices.

Deepika Amirapu is a freelance journalist based in Hyderabad. Each week, Southern Lights examines the big story from one of the five states of South India.
Former vice mayor of Chongqing indicted for bribery

Xinhua) 13:04, April 10, 2024

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Xiong Xue, former vice mayor of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, has been indicted on charges of accepting bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said in a statement on Wednesday.

Following the completion of the National Commission of Supervision's investigations, the People's Procuratorate of the city of Zhengzhou in central China's Henan Province filed Xiong's case to the city's intermediate people's court, according to the SPP statement.

Prosecutors accused Xiong of taking advantage of his various posts and abusing his power to seek illicit gains for others, while illegally accepting a huge amount of bribes in the form of money and valuables in return.

Prosecutors had informed the defendant of his legal rights, interrogated him, and listened to the defense counsel's arguments, the statement noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
NEW DELHI: A steel cutting ceremony at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday marked the beginning of production of the first of the five fleet support ships ordered for the Indian Navy last year to boost its capabilities to replenish warships at sea and extend their range and endurance for longer missions. Defence secretary Giridhar Aramane presided over the first steel cutting ceremony and also laid the foundation stone for augmentation of slipways (X/SpokespersonMoD)

The defence ministry signed a 19,000-crore contract with HSL last August for the five fleet support ships (FSS).

The FSS, with a displacement of 44,000 tonnes, will play a crucial role in replenishing the fleet at sea with fuel, water, ammunition, and stores, thereby extending the operational capabilities of the navy and enhancing its strategic reach, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Defence secretary Giridhar Aramane presided over the first steel cutting ceremony. He also laid the foundation stone for augmentation of slipways and took stock of infrastructure modernisation being undertaken to enhance the yards capacity.

The ongoing infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of a 300-tonne crane and slipway upgrades, will further enhance HSLs capacity to undertake projects..., reinforcing its role in meeting the defence and commercial sector requirements under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the statement added.

HSL is expected to deliver the first vessel to the navy in mid-2027, with the rest to follow at the rate of one every 10 months thereafter. The vessels will have a length of 225 metres and width of 32 metres.

The navy, which currently operates four such vessels commissioned between 1996 and 2011, was scouting for more such ships for several years to cater to its growing replenishment needs amid the expansion of its fleet and increased roles and responsibilities in the Indian Ocean region.

The project will generate employment of nearly 168.8 lakh man-days over eight years.

The development comes at a time when the navy is working on becoming fully self-reliant by 2047 when India celebrates 100 years of independence.

India has taken a raft of measures during the last five to six years to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector. Apart from a series of phased import bans, these steps include creating a separate budget for buying locally made military hardware, increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) from 49% to 74% and improving ease of doing business.

Last May, India announced that the value of defence production in the country crossed 1 lakh crore for the first time on the back of key reforms to spur growth in the sector. The figure stood at 1,06,800 crore in FY 2022-23 compared to 95,000 crore in FY 2021-22 and 54,951 crore five years ago.

India is eyeing a turnover of 1,75,000 lakh crore in defence manufacturing by 2024-25.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the curative petition filed by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) challenging an arbitral award directing it to pay Reliance Infrastructure subsidiary, Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited (DAMEPL) to the tune of about 8,000 crore (with interest). The DAMEPL cited the failure of DMRC to cure defects in the structure supporting the Airport Metro Express line. (Representative photo)

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said that grave miscarriage of justice was caused by the judgment of the top court in September 2021 which upheld the award and directed DMRC to pay the amount to DAMEPL following cancellation of the contract to operate the 22.7km Airport Metro Express line.

Following the cancellation of contract in October 2012, an arbitral tribunal award passed on 11 May 2017 was invoked by DMRC against the consortium of Reliance Energy Ltd (renamed as Reliance Infrastructure) and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles SA.

Also Read:SC reserves order on DMRC plea against DAMEPL

The DAMEPL cited the failure of DMRC to cure defects in the structure supporting the Airport Metro Express line.

The bench, also comprising justices BR Gavai and Surya Kant said, There was no need to interfere with the division bench order of the Delhi high court (in favour of DMRC). This has caused grave miscarriage of justice and an undeserved windfall to DAMEPL.

Deciding the curative petition, the last legal remedy available to DMRC after its review petition was earlier dismissed by the top court, the bench further directed that any amount already paid by DMRC would be refunded.

DMRC had earlier claimed that it deposited an amount of 1,678.42 crore out of its total liability.

Following the September 2021 verdict by the top court, the DAMEPL had approached the Delhi high court for executing the award. The top court had in August last year asked the high court to defer the proceedings till a decision on the curative plea.

DAMEPL, a subsidiary of Anil Ambani-owned RInfra Limited, had raised safety issues in continuing with the contract to operate the 22.7km Airport Metro Express line, following which DMRC cancelled the contract in October 2012.

Arguing for DMRC, attorney general R Venkataramani and senior advocate KK Venugopal pointed out that after the termination of contract, the airport line is being successfully run by the DMRC since July 2013. It was further argued that the defects, if any, were to be seen by the commissioner of rail safety and the DAMEPL was trying to shift the blame on DMRC as it found it difficult to generate profits from the running of the train.

Under the contract signed between the two parties, DAMEPL had to pay 51 crore per annum that will be increased by 5% every year.

The DMRC further insisted that the DAMEPL had to first issue a letter intimating termination of contract giving sufficient time for DMRC to cure the defects.

The DAMEPL was represented by senior advocates Harish Salve and Kapil Sibal who pointed out that all these points did not form part of the curative petition where the Court has limited jurisdiction.

Salve said that new points were being argued in the curative petition that sought to question the award itself. He pointed out that the principal amount to be paid under the Award was 2,945.55 crore and with interest, the amount roughly crossed 7,900 crore.

The arbitral tribunal undertook a detailed enquiry and found as many as 1,551 cracks in 367 girders and 80 girders with twists varying between 10 to 20 mm.

The tribunal was of the opinion that these defects adversely impacted the integrity of the structure.

As effective steps were not taken within the 90-day cure period, the tribunal held that DMRC breached the concession agreement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday likened his government's work in the past 10 years to an appetizer and said the main course is yet to be served. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha election, in Nagpur, Wednesday, April 10, 2024.(PTI)

The work I have done in the last 10 years is an appetizer, Thali aani baaki hai (main course is yet to be served), PM Modi told a huge crowd in Maharashtra's Ramtek.

I give you a guarantee - 'Har pal desh ke naam, har pal aap ke naam' (every moment for the country, every moment for the public); 24 x7 for 2047, he added.

PM Modi denounced the opposition's allegations regarding the endangerment of democracy and the Constitution if he were to return to power.

They used to do the same even when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in power. This means that they don't have a new idea. Wasn't the democracy in danger when the Emergency was imposed? he questioned.

PM Modi expressed jubilation over the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and said Ram Lalla would no longer be sheltered in a tent but would reside in the grand temple on the occasion of Ram Navami, a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ram.

Modi intensified his attack on the Congress party over the Ram temple inauguration and said, the INDI alliance didn't even accept the invite for the pran pratishtha ceremony. They are anti-Sanatan and organise rallies with those who want to eradicate Sanatan.

The prime minister also attacked the Congress party for opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), alleging that their stance was motivated by political agendas rather than concern for the marginalised.

Congress is against the CAA because its biggest beneficiaries are Dalits. They can protest against it as much as they want, but all CAA beneficiaries will get citizenship and it is Modi's guarantee, he asserted.

Modi held the rally to garner support for the NDA candidates in the region  Union minister Nitish Gadkari from Nagpur; Raju Parwe, Shiv Sena candidate from Ramtek; Sunil Baburao Mendhe, BJP candidate from Bhandara-Gondia.

Raju Parwe recently switched over from the Congress party to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

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.
As it pulls out all the stops to meet the target of increasing its vote share from 37% to 50% and seats from 303 to 370, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is focusing on breaching new ground and crossing barriers in states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. It is, however, equally focused on retaining the seats it had won in 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a roadshow ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Chennai on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

There are several states where the BJPs performance was enviable in the last general elections, such as Karnataka, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jharkhand and Bihar. The cadre in these states now has task of ensuring that the partys tally in the upcoming polls matches the score from the last election and is not less by even a single digit.

In Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar, the party won 105 of the 134 seats in 2019. While it is focusing on winning all 17 seats that it is contesting in Bihar, it also has to ensure its alliance partners in the state  the JDU, the LJP, the HAM and the RLSP  are in sync with its election pitch and do not drag the National Democratic Alliance down. In Jharkhand, where it had won 12 of the 14 seats, the party is fighting a pitched battle against the JMM. The opposition has cornered the BJP for engineering the arrest of former chief minister Hemant Soren on charges of corruption, alleging a bias against the Scheduled Tribe leader.

In UP, the party won 77 of the 80 seats in 2014, but its tally came down to 62 in 2019. The party is now aggressively wooing voters across caste lines to up its tally. Leaders are hopeful that the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya will be a big draw, in addition to Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity.

Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat together have 61 seats, and the BJP won 60 in 2019. The challenge in these three states is to tide over internal friction in state units and keep the vote bank intact. In Gujarat, the bastion, at least two candidates pulled out of the election and there is pressure to replace Parshottam Rupala who is facing severe backlash from the Rajput community for his comments against them.

In Rajasthan, leaders are worried about complacency seeping in. The party recently won the state election, but senior leaders deputed to oversee polls in the state have been cautioning against underestimating the opponent. The party has also parted ways with Hanuman Beniwals Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) that had won a solitary seat in 2019 but enjoys clout in Jat dominated seats, including Nagaur.

In Haryana, the partys ally, the Jananayak Janata Party, walked out of the NDA just ahead of the polls. With a new chief minister in place, and amid challenges posed by the opposition and dismay among party cadre over tickets being given to turncoats, some of whom recently joined the party, the challenge to retain all 10 seats in the state has become tougher.

Of the five states in the south, the partys presence is limited to Karnataka. The loss it faced in the recent state elections, rebellion by senior leaders and a resurgent Congress have added to the woes of the party workers. BJP had won 25 of the 28 seats in the state, and to ensure its performance does not slip, the party has stitched a pre-poll alliance with former PM HD Deve Gowdas Janata Dal (Secular) to bring in support from the powerful Vokkaliga community. However, there is a catch. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has strengthened his hold over the community and emerged as the power centre, putting up stiff competition to the BJP-JDS combine.
The ruins of 476 houses haunt the Thottappally hamlet on the southern edges of Kerala's Alappuzha district. These houses were abandoned by the local fishing community after they sustained long-term damage from recurring sea erosion for which the locals blame indiscriminate mineral sand mining. A temple and two elementary school buildings also stand abandoned amidst dried-up mangroves after copious amounts of sand were mined from the Thottappally pozhi (sand bar) near the sea mouth where the Vembanad Backwaters meet the Arabian Sea.

Further, near the villages gate, environmentalists, fish workers, and other inhabitants are participating in a prolonged relay hunger strike, which surpassed 1,036 days on April 1. The protestors, organised under the banner of the Kaimanal Ghanana Virudha Ekopana Samithy (KGVES), claim that their village is gradually disappearing from the map as a result of the large-scale mineral sand-mining activities being carried out by Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML), a public sector entity they allege is acting on behalf of the private enterprise, Cochin Minerals and Rutiles Limited (CMRL). The protestors are demanding an immediate halt to mining to protect the last remaining coastal villages near the Thottappally Pozhi, Kerala's largest deposit of exceptionally rich mineral sand.

Since the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of Kerala authorised KMML to conduct mining operations  unmindful of local opposition, say the protestors  sea erosion as a result of alleged irresponsible collection and transportation of mineral sand has severely reduced the land area of Thottappally.

In May 2019, the government issued an order permitting mineral sand to be mined from the mouth of the sea at Thottappally, into which the Vembanad Lake merges after channelling waters from the major rivers Pampa, Achankovil, and Manimala. The government permitted mineral sand as part of a larger effort to protect the low-lying Kuttanad backwater region in Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts from frequent flooding and saline water intrusion, which harmed the region's fragile agriculture. It allowed the public sector company to harvest more than two lakh cubic metres of mineral sand at a fee of 464.55 per cubic metre. The arrangement has been renewed annually for the past four years. Protesters however claim that 54 lakh metric tonnes of mineral sand have been mined to date.

What are the sand mine rules?

Private companies are not permitted to mine mineral sand in India, and protesters allege that the state government helped CMRL fulfil its aim to collect sand from Thottappally. KMML allegedly sold the sand containing atomic materials to CMRL for a throwaway amount. Further, it has been alleged that CMRL has made regular payments to T. Veena, CM Pinarayi Vijayans daughter, as "compensation" for the government's support of illegal mining activities in Thottappally.

On March 28, 2024, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) presented an investigation report after a case was registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

The EDs action was taken in response to a report by the Income Tax Interim Settlement Board (IT-SIB) stating that Veena and her information technology services provider firm, Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, had received 1.72 crore in monthly payments from CMRL, despite there being no record of services provided in return. The public sector KMML, which owns 13.4 percent of private sector CMRL, is also under investigation by Central agencies alongside Veena's company, Exalogic. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office, a branch of the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs, is moving fast to investigate the case, which has become an electoral issue in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Who is CMRL?

CMRL, established in Kochi and supported by businessmen SN Sasidharan Kartha and Mathew M Cherian, has been accused of unlawfully mining mineral sand from Kerala's southern shores. A government of India order dated 1.3.2019 directed premature termination of all mineral concessions of beach sand minerals held by private companies all across India, under provisions of Section 4A (1) of the MMDR Act and also stipulated that henceforth, any mineral concession of beach sand mineral shall be granted only to a Govt. company or corporation owned or controlled by the Government.

"In view of the above, all the companies in India are not in a position to carry forward with the project implementation," the CMRL company annual report for 20202021 states.

Thottappally fishermen said that uncontrolled mining of mineral sand has harmed the shoreline as well as the people's homes and livelihoods. Citing professional assessments, locals say that mining mineral sand from the sea mouth has led to a large-scale incursion of saline seawater into Kuttanad's backwaters, destroying paddy cultivation in low-lying areas. This stands in stark contrast to the governments assertion that removing the sand will lower the risk of flooding and seawater incursion in Kuttanad.

Even though the IT-SIB report revealed that several politicians in the state, including Vijayan, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, and Indian Union Muslim League leader PK Kunhalikkutty, had accepted large sums of money from CMRL, all of these politicians explained that the money was a donation to their respective parties' funds.

Background of the controversy

The controversy began in 2019 when Sasidharan Kartha filed a settlement application with the IT-SIB. This was in reaction to an income tax department check of the company's premises in Aluva, near Kochi. The inspection revealed the alleged illegal money transfers. According to the IT-SIB findings, CMRL is now facing charges of making illegal payments to the chief minister, his daughter, politicians of all stripes, police officers, pollution control board officials, and several media businesses.

Purushan Eloor, an environmentalist based in Kochi, alleged that the law could be dodged only with the cooperation of all of the states major political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party. He believes that the IT departments exposure sheds light not only on the financial transactions but also on the tacit support of political parties for indiscriminate mining, which has adversely impacted the coastal areas of Thottappally, Thrikkunnapuzha, Arattuvazhi, Alappad, Chavara and Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district, and parts of Kollam district as well.

"The information that has surfaced is just the tip of the iceberg. Politicians along the entire coast sold out coastal communities and their very survival to private monopolies," Charles George, a state-level fish worker leader, said. "We cannot compel a CBI probe or a judicial investigation into the deeply entrenched unholy alliance. The lawmakers' betrayal will be discussed in every village along Kerala's southwestern coast during the Lok Sabha election,'' he said.

The impact of mineral sand mining on the coastal ecosystem in Kuttanad

It wasn't until the 1920s that the minerals ilmenite, rutile, zircon, monazite, leucoxene (brown ilmenite), sillimanite, and garnet were discovered on the Kollam and Alappuzha coastlines. Mining for these minerals began on a large scale in the 1960s. The mining process mostly extracts monazite and ilmenite. India cannot completely process these minerals. Because the rutile materials are exported, it is multinational companies that profit. "Mineral sand is a natural resource, and it must be used properly, rather than allowing a few private lobbies to exploit it," P Sreekumar, an activist in Alappad, said.

The consequences are most visible in the Alappad panchayat in Kollam district, an example of the financial, livelihood, and environmental consequences of indiscriminate mineral sand mining. It was 90 square kilometres in size in 1955, but now it covers only nine square kilometres owing to uncontrolled mining. Residents in Alappad said that more than 6,000 families of fish workers had left the area due to significant beach erosion, a lack of drinking water, and an insufficient supply of fish.

In the village of Panmana, where thousands of fishermen once lived, there is now simply a pile of sand and an abandoned shrine. The government does not retain records of those who have lost their homes without compensation, and tainted drinking water sources have not been thoroughly investigated, said P Seleena, former president of Alappad Grama Panchayat.

Despite local complaints, public sector entities Indian Rare Earths Limited and KMML continue to carry out significant mining operations in Alappad.

The most severe shoreline erosion in Kerala occurred around Alappad and the nearby panchayats of Arattupuzha, Thrikkunnapuzha, and Purakkad, according to an analysis by the Institute for Ocean Management in 2008.

According to environmental activist and lawyer Hareesh Vasudevan, the sea entered the backwaters of Vellanathuruthu, a mining site in the Alappad panchayat with a breadth of 3.5 km, only two weeks ago. "The coastal segment from Valiyazhikkal to Thottappally is highly prone to erosion, he said. Vasudevan notes that the mineral-rich sand shoreline previously served as a sea wall, shielding the area from erosion and preventing seawater from flowing onto the rice fields of Kuttanad, which lie nearby and below sea level.

"Without this sea wall, the area would have been prone to erosion," Vasudevan said. He claims that indiscriminate mining removed this natural protection, resulting in agricultural damage in Kuttanad.

"Land, means of subsistence, and survival are our top priorities. We shall continue to speak out against the negative effects of mining by public-sector companies on behalf of vested private interests," said Cibi Bony, a campaigner in Kollam.
Eknath Khadse is all set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) again after spending over three years in the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party. Though defections and splits have become routine today, such a defection three decades ago would have been a betrayal with serious repercussions. Chhagan Bhujbal and Narayan Rane faced serious threats from party workers when they quit Shiv Sena, and most MLAs who quit with them could not get re-elected.

Eknath Khadse is one of the few leaders from the first line of rank and file of the BJP since its early years of inception in 1980. He helped to strengthen its roots in North Maharashtra. Khadse is all set to make his comeback to his original party after his brief stint in the NCP (Sharad Pawar).

The leader is believed to be under a compulsion to make a comeback amid pending cases against him; his daughter-in-law and sitting BJP MP Raksha Khadse has also been renominated from the Raver constituency in Jalgaon.

Khadse resigned from the state cabinet led by Devendra Fadnavis in 2016. He was heading 12 departments when he resigned on the backdrop of the corruption charges in a Pune-based land deal as revenue minister. In political exile for nearly four years, Khadse was denied an Assembly ticket from the Muktainagar constituency. His daughter Rohini was fielded from the constituency only to be defeated by an independent. Khadse blamed Rohinis defeat on non-cooperation from party leaders in the constituency. He joined the NCP in October 2020. In July 2022, he was elected to the legislative council for a six-year term.

His joining the BJP was just a matter of time. Though it is being opposed by state leaders, it has been cleared by the central leadership of the party. Khadse and his family are standing at a crossroads and have no option but to come back to the fold, said a party leader close to Khadse.

Rahul Narwekar (47)

Maharashtra Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar was handpicked by the BJP leadership for the post in 2022 keeping his legal background in mind. The leadership knew that the Eknath Shinde-led government, formed by splitting the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, would face an unprecedented legal battle and the Speaker would play a key role. The opposition criticised Narwekar for being partisan as the adjudicator of the Sena versus Sena battle.

Narwekar began his political career as a Shiv Sena spokesperson, and joined the NCP in 2014. The South Mumbai boy born and brought in Colaba was fielded from the Maval Lok Sabha constituency by NCP, but stood third after Shiv Senas Shrirang Barne and Peasants and Workers Partys Laxman Jagtap. He joined the NCP after the Sena failed to ensure a council seat for him.

Narwekar joined the BJP in 2019 ahead of the elections and was fielded as a party candidate from Colaba in South Mumbai. His brother, Makarand, and sister-in-law, Harshita, were corporators from adjoining wards in Colaba until the civic body was dissolved two years ago.

The second youngest Assembly speaker after Shivraj Patil (at the age of 42), Narwekar (47) was recently handpicked to head a committee constituted by Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla to recommend amendments in the Anti Defection Law.

Like his skilful arguments on his verdict on the Sena and NCP split, he would effectively argue the partys side on national televisions as their spokesperson for the parties he has been in, said a BJP leader.

Abdul Sattar (59)

Three-term MLA from Sillod constituency in central Maharashtra, Abdul Sattar Abdul Nabi is one of the more controversial ministers in the incumbent Mahayuti government led by Eknath Shinde. After facing defeat by just 301 votes in 2004, the minister has been elected to the Assembly for the last three consecutive terms fighting against the BJP candidate. A leader from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad), where the Muslim electorate is dominant, he started off his political career as a gram panchayat member in 1984 and joined the Congress in 1999 as its Assembly candidate.

After spending 17 years in the party, Sattar resigned from the party protesting the partys lack of cooperation in the local body polls. He continued to be a party MLA. The party expelled him in April 2019 after he took an anti-party stand for not getting nominated to the Lok Sabha elections. He announced his decision to join the BJP and met the then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, but the voters from his constituency and even local BJP leaders opposed the move. He then sided with Shiv Sena and joined the party in the presence of its chief Uddhav Thackeray in 2019. He was made minister of state for revenue, rural development and other departments in the Thackeray government until June 2022.

He was among the first batch of MLAs to jump the shift and join the Shinde camp during the split in the party. He was made agriculture minister by Shinde, only to divest from the portfolio a year later owing to the controversies and corruption charges. He was then made the minority affairs minister, a comparatively insignificant portfolio.

The MLA faces charges of corruption, land grabbing, and hiding assets in his election petition.

Chhagan Bhujbal (76)

In 1991, when a defection from Shiv Sena headed by Bal Thackeray was beyond imagination, Bhujbal left the Sena and joined the Congress. Until then he was from the first line of leaders of Shiv Sena since its inception in 1966. Bhujbal was elected mayor of Mumbai twice during his stint in Shiv Sena and was among the first few batches of party MLAs. He was first elected to the Maharashtra Assembly in 1985.

He sided with Sharad Pawar when the latter formed the Nationalist Congress Party in 1999 and was among the select lieutenants of the senior Maharashtra leader for the next 24 years. He was considered a close confidante of Pawar and his defection from the party in July last year surprised many. He was among the nine top NCP leaders who were sworn in as ministers in the Shinde government.

The OBC face, who is also known as a rebellious leader, likes to be in news and controversies, according to people close to him. Bhujbal was jailed in March 2016 in a money laundering and Maharashtra Sadan land scam case investigated by the anti-corruption bureau and enforcement directorate.

The OBC leader is expected to be the ruling alliance candidate from the Nashik LS constituency. It is however not clear whether he will be the candidate of his own party or represent big brother in the alliance, the BJP.

The defection in those days would be seen as a betrayal with no excuse, especially when it is from Shiv Sena. Bhujbal had to go underground for some time. He could engineer it only because Sharad Pawar and the then CM Sudharkarrao Naik backed him, political analyst Padmabhushan Deshpande said.

Narayan Rane (72)

Narayan Rane, former CM takes on his previous parties and its leaders soon after he quits it. Rane vehemently attacks Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, and his family members in almost every press conference he holds in Mumbai and Maharashtra. The former chief minister joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in October 2019 after dissolving his own party Maharashtra Swabhimani Paksha in September 2017.

Rane, who was chief minister of Maharashtra for over eight months in 1999, had his best political career in Shiv Sena, where he rose to the top post in state politics after a humble beginning as shakha pramukh in Chembur in 1984. He worked in the Income Tax Department for over 13 years before that. He also held the post of a councillor in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation between 1985 and 1991 and was elected to the Legislative Assembly for consecutive terms between 1990 and 2014.

As Uddhav Thackeray rose as party leader, the differences between Rane and him started intensifying. Rane eventually quit the party in 2005.

After his negotiations with Sharad Pawar failed, Rane chose to join the Congress and was made revenue minister. His aspiration to become CM again was no secret, and later he would say publicly that he was promised the post by the Congress when he joined the party.

However, the party leadership chose Ashok Chavan over him when it came to replacing the incumbent CM Vilasrao Deshmukh in 2008 in the wake of the terror attack in Mumbai in November of that year. When Ashok Chavan quit as the CM in November 2010, the party leadership chose Prithviraj Chavan for the post. Finally, Rane quit in September 2017. He then floated his own outfit which he merged with the BJP.
A 79-year-old sevak, who was one of the 14 persons injured in a fire at Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain's renowned Mahakaleshwar temple last month, died on Wednesday morning while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Maharashtra, news agency PTI reported citing an official statement. Relatives and family members outside the burn ward of a hospital where the people who were injured in a fire that broke out in the Mahakal temple are being treated in Ujjain. (PTI) (File)

Satyanarayan Soni (79), sevadar at the Mahakaleshwar temple, was first sent to a private hospital in Indore and when his condition did not improve, he was admitted to the National Burns Centre in Mumbai, Ujjain District Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh told PTI.

"He died during treatment in the hospital in Mumbai. He was already suffering from diabetes," the official said.

The PTI report further quoted the official as saying that three persons who sustained burns in the fire are receiving treatment at the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences in Indore. The remaining injured individuals have fully recovered after receiving medical care.

Fire triggered by gulal

A total of 14 people, including priests and 'sevaks', were injured after fire erupted at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain on March 25, during the Holi festival. The incident took place during the renowned 'bhasma aarti' ritual when 'gulal' (coloured powder) fell onto the puja thali containing burning camphor, sparking the blaze.

Eyewitnesses reported that 'gulal' was being tossed inside the sanctum sanctorum as part of the Holi celebrations. It is believed that someone inadvertently threw the colored 'gulal' onto an earthen lamp, leading to speculation that the chemicals within the 'gulal' may have ignited the fire.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the accident was extremely painful.

The accident that took place in the Mahakal temple of Ujjain is extremely painful. I wish for the speedy recovery of all the devotees injured in this accident. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in all possible help to the victims, he said.

Among those injured in the incident is Sanjay Guru, the chief priest of the Bhasma Aarti. At the time of the accident, nine people were reported to be in critical condition and have since been referred to Indore for further treatment. The mishap occurred during Holi celebrations inside the temple, with thousands of devotees present.
Former JNU student and activist Umar Khalid used social media and his connections with celebrities to amplify his narrative as part of a conspiracy, the Delhi Police told a court on Tuesday. Opposing his bail plea in the 2020 Delhi riots case, the Delhi Police said that Khalid put a larger conspiracy at play, citing his chats with influential people with large social media following. Former JNU student Umar Khalid (PTI)

Umar Khalid is accused of being part of a larger conspiracy behind the 2020 northeast Delhi communal riots. He has been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The arguments against Khalid's bail plea were made on Tuesday before Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai.

Read more: Former JNU student Umar Khalid withdraws bail plea from SC in UAPA case

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad said Umar Khalid's mobile phone data revealed he was in contact with some actors, politicians, activists and celebrities and sent them some links by certain news portals against the Delhi Police.

Khalid shared these links with certain celebrities and politicians in order to amplify his narrative on social media as part of a conspiracy, argued the counsel.

The lawyer also played a video clip in the court in which Khalid's father was being interviewed by a news portal.

Some of the people that Umar Khalid shared these links with were Congress leader Jignesh Mewani, actors Pooja Bhatt, Swara Bhasker, Zeeshan Ayub, Sushant Singh and politician and social activist Yogendra Yadav, reported The Indian Express.

Umar Khalid was also allegedly in close contact with news outlets such as The Wire and Alt News, among others, the report said.

Read more: Distinguish Sharjeel role in Delhi riots: Court

Umar Khalid's father also told the news portal that they don't have faith in the Supreme Court, the lawyer told the bench.

"They don't have faith in the Supreme Court, and, therefore they came to the trial court. This is how they are creating a narrative (in his favour)," he told PTI.

The lawyer said Khalid had requested members of a WhatsApp group to schedule protests after a particular top court proceeding. He also rejected the contention of Khalid seeking parity with other co-accused, who have been granted bail.

After hearing the arguments of the Delhi Police against his bail, the matter has been posted for Wednesday, April 10.

Khalid and several others have been booked under the anti-terror law UAPA and several provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the "masterminds" of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
New Delhi: Former Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat attacked Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday over the latter's jibe at the BJP, saying the Opposition had no issue other than poking holes in NDA's target to win 400 Lok Sabha seats. Former Uttarakhand CM and BJP leader Trivendra Singh Rawat along with his family (ANI file photo)

Trivendra Singh Rawat, the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate in Uttarakhand's Haridwar, said that his party may not win 400 seats in the general elections but will come really close to its goal.

"We may not win 400 seats, as we have quoted, but will surely go up to 389, 399 or even 404 seats in the upcoming general elections," he said, per ANI.

Trivendra Singh Rawat said while BJP workers and leaders were actively involved in campaigning, the Opposition appeared to be completely absent.

Senior BJP leaders, including Amit Shah and PM Narendra Modi, have set the ambitious target of winning 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The Opposition has ridiculed the BJP's 'Ab ki baar 400 paar' claim.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said that only Congress won 400-plus seats once in India. He claimed the BJP had been failing to achieve its goals in elections.

Also read: PM Modi's 24 mein 400 paar call in Madhya Pradesh, 370+ target for BJP

"Ahead of the 2017 Gujarat (assembly) elections, the BJP's slogan was '150 paar' but they only ended up winning 99 seats. Before the 2018 Chhattisgarh elections, they raised a cry for going '50 paar' but could only manage 15. In the 2019 Jharkhand assembly elections, their slogan was '65 paar' but they could only manage 25. In the 2020 Delhi assembly elections, they claimed to go '45 paar' but finished at just 8. In the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, they went into the polls with a slogan of going '118 paar' but could only win 4 seats. It is easy to raise such slogans. However, the reality was a stark contrast," Jairam Ramesh said.

The BJP has set a target of 370 seats for itself and 400-plus seats for the alliance.

In 2019, the BJP won 303 seats whereas the alliance's tally crossed 350.

The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting April 19.

The counting will take place on June 4.

With inputs from ANI
A triple-murder case, in which former director general of police (DGP) Sumedh Saini was named as an accused, is set to be re-heard by the Delhi high court (HC), 30 years after the crime was first committed. The case has been heard by the Punjab and Haryana HC as well as district court judges in Delhi. One of the deceaseds family members also wrote to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud last month asking that justice be done, the Indian Express reported.

Who is Sumedh Saini, and why is he being tried for not one, but three murders? Heres a look at what the case is about:

What is the Ludhiana triple murder case?

On March 15, 1994, Ludhiana-based businessman Vinod Kumar, his brother-in-law Ashok Kumar and their driver Mukhtiar Singh were abducted and illegally detained by a police party. The families of the victims alleged that the trio was eliminated though the bodies have never been recovered. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that started probing the case in 1994 found that the three men were murdered at the behest of Saini who allegedly hatched the conspiracy in connivance with other accused policemen Sukh Mohinder Singh Sandhu, Paramjit Singh and Balbir Chand Tiwari to settle a personal score against the owners of Saini Motors, an automobile dealership in Ludhiana. Vinod and Ashok were chief financiers to Saini Motors. While Vinod and Mukhtiyar were picked up from the parking lot of the Punjab and Haryana high court on that day, Ashok was allegedly abducted from Ludhiana.

As per the allegation, Vinod Kumar disappeared from the custody of the Ludhiana Kotwali station along with his brother-in-law Ashok Kumar and driver Mukhtiyar Singh after being detained between February 23 and March 3, 1994. The CBI charges claimed that then-SSP Saini wanted Vinod and Ashok Kumar to implicate their family business, Saini Motors, in illegal activities. SSP Saini was allegedly in a feud with Narender and Meenakshi Saini, the owners of Saini Motors.

When was this case registered against Saini?

The CBI registered the case against Saini and others on April 18, 1994, on the orders of the HC and it was transferred to Delhi by the Supreme Court in 2004 after a petition by Vinods brother Ashish Kumar. Saini was charge-sheeted along with others in a case of abduction, wrongful confinement and criminal conspiracy. The CBI filed the chargesheet in May 2000.

A judge threatened in the high-profile case

In a judgement delivered on December 22, 1995, Justice VK Jhanji of Punjab and Haryana HC had quoted several occasions wherein he alleged attempts were made to intimidate him. While listening to Sainis petition to transfer the case from his court, the judge stated that he had received anonymous telephone calls asking him to stay away from this case.

I have brought all these facts to the notice of the Chief Justice in the presence of my brother judges. The modus operandi thus had been to create fear psychosis. The present application has come to be filed only when this court did not deter from proceeding with the case, Jhanji wrote in response to Sainis plea.

Several judges have heard the case

In 2009, a Delhi high court judge pulled out of hearing the case after allegations by Vinod Kumars mother (now dead) that the judge and Saini were presumably good friends. Amar Kaur, who was then 91 years old, wrote to the Delhi HC judge, Justice Sunil Gaur, that he should recuse himself as he was friends with Saini. On December 13, 2017, Amar Kaur breathed her last at 103 still waiting for justice in the abduction and death of her son. In 2019, a CBI Superintendent of Police, Dharampal Singh, who probed the case against Saini turned hostile and refused to support the prosecution case.

What do we know of Sumedh Saini?

A 1982-batch IPS officer, Sumedh Saini retired as director general of police (DGP) on June 30, 2018, after 36 years of service. During his active years, he was famous as a daredevil cop and a hero to many for his role in wiping out terrorism from Punjab. He is also alleged to have indulged in gross human rights violations and torture during this time.

In the years when K P S Gill headed the state police force, Saini was given a free hand. Punjab still has a large section of people who are fans of his iron hand. Despite the controversies that surrounded him, Saini was the blue-eyed boy of Shiromani Akali Dal president and former deputy chief minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal and was elevated to head the state police force in 2012.

In the Badals previous tenure, between 2007-2012, Saini was appointed as the chief director of the states Vigilance Bureau, during which time, he registered many high-profile cases including a scam involving former CM Captain Amarinder Singh (who was with the Congress party at the time). Saini was removed from the post of the DGP of Punjab in October 2015 when after Panthic anger against the Akali government over the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib broke out, and two anti-sacrilege protestors died in police firing in Faridkot. Saini was also the subject of an assassination attempt. In August 1991, when Saini was senior superintendent of police (SSP) in Chandigarh, a powerful bomb exploded in the official car in which Saini was travelling back home after work. The main accused, Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, was later arrested and convicted for masterminding the attack.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday countered Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Muslim League imprint' jab on the grand old party's manifesto, saying that history remains unchanged despite false claims made on political platforms. Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi (AFP)

Follow- Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE updates

The former Congress chief said that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections represent a clash of ideologies. On one side stands the Congress, known for its role in unifying India, while on the other side are those perpetuating division.

"This election is a battle between two ideologies! On one side, there is the Congress, which has always united India, and on the other side are those who have always sought to divide people," Gandhi said in an X post in Hindi.

ALSO READ- BJPs ancestors supported British, Muslim League': Kharge counters PM Modi on manifesto

He added that the historical events show who sided with the forces aiming to divide the country and who fought for its unity and independence.

"During the 'Quit India Movement,' who allied with the British? When India's jails were filled with Congress leaders, then who was running the government in the states with the forces that divided the country?" Gandhi asked.

He said history remains unchanged despite the dissemination of falsehoods on political platforms.

ALSO READ- PM Modi's 1st copyright in corruption attack on MK Stalin's DMK in Tamil Nadu

Gandhi's response comes as both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have repeatedly accused the Congress manifesto of getting inspired by the pre-independence era's Muslim League.

"Every page reeks of breaking India into pieces. The Congress manifesto reflects the same thinking that was prevalent in the Muslim League during the freedom movement. "It completely bears the imprint of the Muslim League and whatever is remaining is completely dominated by the Leftists," Modi had said.

The Congress even lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) on Monday against PM Narendra Modi's comments likening its Lok Sabha election manifesto to that of the Muslim League.
Amid the row over Katchatheevu island which became a political flashpoint ahead of the Lok Sabha election, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Wednesday called the issue 'nonsense' and asked, "Who lives on that island? I want to ask this question." On being told about the issue of the Indian fishermen who got arrested going there, Digvijaya Singh said, Modiji speaks nonsense, without any head or tail. Digvijaya Singh's comment on Katchatheevu has stoked a fresh row on Wednesday.

Digvijaya's comment came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his public rally in Tamil Nadu referred to the issue once again and said the Congress gave away Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. "For whose benefit was this decision taken? Congress is silent on this. Thousands of fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been arrested for going near that island...NDA government is securing the release of such fishermen and bringing them back. Not only this, five fishermen were given death sentences but I brought them back alive. DMK and Congress are not only the culprits of the fishermen but also the culprits of the country," Modi said on Wednesday.

Statements by Indian leaders on Katchatheevu have no ground: Sri Lankan minister

This mindset....: Kangana Ranaut hits back

Actor and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi Kangana Ranaut replied to Digvijaya Singh's question and said because of this mindset, development could not take place in the remote areas of the country under the Congress rule. "Nehruji's thinking of calling Aksai Chin a barren land is still alive in the Congress," Kangana Ranaut posted on X.

'Startling': PM Narendra Modi slams Congress for 'callously giving away' Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka

"But this is a new India, where tap water is reaching the country's highest polling station 'Tashigang', high-altitude villages like 'Komik' in Himachal Pradesh have better road connectivity and every home is lit up with electricity. There will be no compromise with the geographical integrity of the country, and the country will definitely give a reply to those who have such thinking," Kangana wrote.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Coimbatore K Annamalai reacted to Digvijaya's statement and said Congress leaders have no guilt for having compromised India's territorial integrity and for putting the lives of the Tamil fishermen at risk. "Congress has to apologise unconditionally to our Tamil Fishermen for such insensitive statements & for the remarks made on our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl, who has been a pillar of strength to our fishing community," Annamalai said.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said every Congress leader thinks of country land as their personal property. "Legal and historical opinion were against giving away the island to Sri Lanka. The island was significant to the fishermen of our country. Now the Congress is justifying this because they have tukde-tukde mentality," Shehzad said.
New Delhi: After deploying maritime coercion in South China Sea against ASEAN countries, at least three Chinese survey and surveillance vessels are in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as part of PLA Navys expansionist objective to launch carrier task force patrols by 2025 through mapping the Indo-Pacific region. Xiang Yang Hong 01

As of now, high endurance Chinese surveillance vessel Xiang Yang Hong 01 is anchored 600 miles west of Andaman Islands (middle of Bay of Bengal) in international water conducting trials of high endurance autonomous underwater vehicles, which can stay at the depths of nearly 12 kilometers for three months mapping the ocean bed and collect oceanographic data for future submarine operations. The XYH 01 entered the Bay of Bengal on March 7-8 night and continues to be stationed in the area.

Also read: View: Why does India have no time for Pakistan?

Another Chinese survey ship Xiang Yang Hong 03 is employing unmanned systems for ocean observation and hydrographic surveying 350 miles of Maldives with the friendly Muizzu regime in power in Male. While the Indian Navy is monitoring the movements of these Chinese vessels in international waters, the main purpose is to validate ocean models for future deployment of naval assets in the IOR like aircraft carriers. The XYH 03 entered the IOR some three months ago and continues to operate outside Maldives.

A third surveillance ship Da Yang Hao is lying 1200 miles south of Port Louis in Mauritius with the 45th PLA anti-piracy escort force operating south west of the Capital at 550 miles. The 46thanti-piracy task force of PLA is operating off the Gulf of Aden albeit there is no news of Chinese vessels intercepting any Somalian pirates or neutralizing any Houthi missiles.

Also read: After Maldives, India supplies onions to neighbour Sri Lanka and ally UAE

As no action can be taken against these vessels operating in international waters, fact is that the PLA is exercising its sea legs for future global naval footprint and courting nations in Indo-Pacific and Africa to influence their maritime policies in the name of defence cooperation. The Chinese Song class submarine was in Karachi harbor in late 2023 and apparently did the bottoming operations off the Makran coast.

Also read: View: China renaming 30 places in Arunachal shows Xi Jinping's great unifier ambitions

Given that India will face maritime coercion from China in the coming years, the Indian Navy will have to acquire unmanned underwater drones and long endurance submarines for deterrence operations. An Indian submarine in equatorial waters can play havoc with the adversary as the difference between the surface ocean temperature and sub-surface temperature is high leading to total internal reflection. This means that the Indian submarine will be seen (if at all) at a ghost location rather than its actual position. It is precisely for this very reason that the Chinese PLA collects ocean temperature, salinity, sound, velocity, sediment characteristics, and sea bottom profile in the IOR.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to accept the unconditional apology tendered by Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved MD Acharya Balkrishna, in the misleading advertisements case. Baba Ramdev leaves the Supreme Court after appearing in the misleading advertisements case on Tuesday. (ANI)

In strongly worded observations, the court said the "apology on paper" was issued only because their "back is against the wall".

Referring to Patanjali Ayurveda allegedly publishing misleading advertisements despite their undertaking that they would desist from the same, the court asked the duo to be ready to face action in the contempt case.

"The apology is on paper. Their back is against the wall. We decline to accept this, we consider it a deliberate violation of the undertaking," Justice Hima Kohli said.

The court described Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna's conduct as wilful disobedience.

"We dont accept it (apology), we decline to accept this. We consider it a wilful, deliberate disobedience of the undertaking," the court added.

Also read: SC hears Ramdevs apology with a sack full of salt, tells him he is bound by law

After senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi read out Baba Ramdev's affidavit saying he tendered "unconditional and unqualified" apology, the court said the Supreme Court said the message must go out to the society.

The court also observed that the "contemnors" sent the affidavits to the media first. "They believe in publicity clearly," the court observed.

The Supreme Court has posted the matter for further action against them on April 16.

Meanwhile, the court also pulled up Uttarakhand's state licensing authority officials for "pushing the file" to delay action on complaints against Divya Pharmacy and going into a slumber since 2018.

What Baba Ramdev told court on Tuesday?

On Tuesday, Baba Ramdev, facing contempt proceedings, said he sincerely regretted the lapse and he wished to assure that the same will not be repeated in future.

Also read: Broken every barrier: Supreme Court raps Baba Ramdev, Patanjali for defiance | Key takeaways

"I seek pardon for the aforesaid breach of the statement. I undertake to always uphold the majesty of Law and majesty of Justice," his affidavit read.

He also wrote that no advertisements claiming cures for diseases will be published. Baba Ramdev further tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology for the press conference held on November 22, 2023.

Acharya Balkrishna said that he undertakes to ensure that such offending advertisements shall not be issued in the future and he will be more vigilant ahead.

In the last hearing, a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, asked the duo to file fresh affidavits within a week and appear in person before the court.

Last month, the court had asked Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna to appear before it after the company had not responded to its show cause notice in contempt proceedings against them over misleading advertisements.

The court had also observed that, prima facie, they had violated the top court's November 2023 order.

With inputs from ANI, PTI
Eid-ul-Fitr is here to mark the end of the month-long dawn-to-dusk fast of Ramadan. The Arabic phrase "Eid al-Fitr" means "the feast of breaking the fast." Muslims look forward to celebrating this day, which falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar. Bring your A-game to the table this Eid with some of the best jewellery and accessories to complete your outfit. No traditional look is complete without that extra touch of elegance that the right type of complementing jewellery brings along. Get ready to dazzle this Eid-ul-Fitr with the hottest jewellery and accessories trends of 2024. Simran Shah, Vice President of Sales, Kama Jewellery shared with HT Lifestyle a fun and stylish guide to sprucing up your festive look. (Also read: Eid-ul-Fitr 2024 style guide: Top fashion trends and outfit ideas to celebrate the festival ) Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr 2024 with our exclusive fashion guide, showcasing the must-have jewellery and accessories to elevate your look.(Instagram)

Must-have jewellery and accessories for Eid

1. Glam Statement Earrings: Amp up the glamour with bold earrings that steal the spotlight! Think oversized hoops with intricate designs or chandelier earrings adorned with colourful gems. These beauties add instant pizzazz to any outfit, blending tradition with a modern twist. Whether you're going for a classic look or something more modern, statement earrings are the perfect way to add some dazzle to your Eid outfit.

2. Chic Layered Necklaces:

Elevate your neckline with chic layers of delicate necklaces. Mix and match pearls, beads, and pendants for a personalized touch. Don't forget to add some charm with symbolic pieces that speak to your heart.

3. Playful Stackable Bracelets:

When it comes to accessorizing your wrists, it's all about Stackable Bracelets. Mix metals, textures, and colours to create a fun stack that reflects your style. Look for bracelets with uplifting messages or charms that bring positivity to your day.

4. Bold Statement Rings:

Of course, no Eid ensemble is complete without a show-stopping Statement Ring. Make a statement with bold rings that demand attention! Whether it's a cocktail ring with vibrant gemstones or a chunky band with intricate details, these rings add flair and elegance to your Eid ensemble.

5. Stylish Embroidered Clutches:

These chic accessories are perfect for carrying your essentials while adding a touch of elegance to your look. Whether you opt for a clutch adorned with traditional embroidery or intricate beadwork, you can't go wrong with this timeless accessory.
Apr 10, 2024 9:38 PM IST

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath wished people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr and said that the festival brings the message of happiness and reconciliation.

"The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr brings the message of happiness and reconciliation. This festival of happiness not only strengthens social unity but also increases the feeling of mutual brotherhood. This festival gives the message of peace and harmony. On the festival of Eid, everyone should take a pledge to further strengthen harmony and social harmony," he said.
At a time when there is supposed to be a national debate on  parivarvaad , Karnatakas political parties have been unanimous in putting family first. It is not just the usual suspects of the Janata Dal (Secular) or the Congress that have followed this path, but also the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Karnatakas politicians have already used the run-up to the 2024 general elections to prove that the family remains the dominant force of Indian politics and cannot be brushed aside even by a ruling party that has led the rhetoric against family rule.

The immediate compulsions to return to the family differ across political parties. The BJP had used the 2023 assembly elections to project its cadre and supporters of hardline Hindutva. The massive loss in that election has resulted in the pendulum swinging to the other extreme. The party chose to make BS Yediyurappas son the state party chief, thereby endorsing not just the former chief minister (CM) but his family as well. This has led one of the senior BJP leaders in the state, KS Eshwarappa, to announce he will stand against Yediyurappas other son who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections. He is projecting his fight as one against the dominance of a single-family in the BJP, though his actions have been prompted by the failure of his son to get a BJP ticket.

The Congresss reiteration of its commitment to family rule was prompted by its failure to get its ministers to be candidates in the Lok Sabha polls. The party took the option of giving tickets to the sons and daughters of ministers, with a clear statement that the continuation of ministership would depend on their performance in the Lok Sabha polls. The only exception to the rule was a member of the family of the former Union minister and current state minister, KH Muniyappa, who was denied a ticket due to a major grassroots rebellion.

The party most associated with family politics in Karnataka  the JD(S)  has gone deeper into that hole. With the party moving closer to extinction in the last assembly elections, it has developed a survival strategy that is even more dependent on family. It has converted its new alliance with the BJP into one between HD Deve Gowdas family and the ruling party in Delhi. It has settled for just three seats in the alliance, but two of the three seats have been given to Deve Gowdas son and grandson. The Deve Gowda family could not claim the third seat as it was a reserved constituency, but the former prime ministers son-in-law has been given a BJP ticket.

The inability, or unwillingness, of political parties in Karnataka to shrug off the family yolk is a commentary on the nature of grassroots politics in the state. When the sociologist MN Srinivas was studying villages in Karnataka more than half a century ago, he came up with the concept of vote banks to capture the phenomenon of individuals representing larger groups of voters in negotiations with political parties. These vote banks required local political leaders they could hold responsible rather than a distant state or national leadership. To reduce the chances of individuals taking their votes and disappearing, they held the entire family responsible.

In the first-past-the-post electoral system, the less influential families had a lower chance of winning and fell by the political wayside. Over time, there was space for only one ruling family and another family that was its political alternative. While political scientists have a law that is supposed to prompt democracies towards a two-party system, in India, local politics has gravitated towards a two-family system in individual constituencies.

For this two-family system to translate into a two-party system, the families should stay loyal to the parties they have traditionally belonged to. But the dynamics of everyday politics ensure that this does not happen. With families having to directly take care of the needs of voters, there is a desperate need to stay close to power. Elected representatives from Opposition parties are thus tempted to defect to the ruling party. If they succeed, the alternative families have to move out of that party to remain effective alternatives.

As other families try to dislodge one or the other of the two families at the top, they look to set up their own private patronage networks that will enable them to woo voters. In raising the resources needed for this exercise, they are often willing to cross the boundaries of legality. They then see power as no more than a time to replenish their resources.

Within this general system, the three parties in Karnataka have taken quite different routes to the 2024 elections. The BJPs campaign is about the inevitability of the Prime Ministers return to power with a larger majority, thereby seeking to attract political families that need to stay close to power. They go a step further to argue that once they get in the central government it would only be a matter of time before they cause defections to bring down the Congress government in the state. The response of the Congress has been to go completely local. The state ministers are expected to take care of their family backyards. In BJP strongholds, the Congress has put up previously unknown candidates on the assumption that there would be no negative sentiment against them, and they can focus on gaining the support of those against the ruling local family. The JD(S), which is in an existential crisis, has concentrated on re-establishing the power of its ruling family.

As families assert themselves in Karnataka politics, they are getting unexpected support from those attacking parivarvaad. The more Rahul Gandhi is attacked for the mistakes of his father, grandmother, and, with a little tweaking of history, his great-grandfather, the idea that it is the family rather than the party that can be held responsible in Indian politics gets even more deeply entrenched.

Narendar Pani is JRD Tata Chair visiting professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru. The views expressed are personal
In October 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Mission LiFE initiative in Ahmedabad. Since then, he has emphasised the importance of this mission at various forums. It has sought to make combating the climate crisis a peoples movement by following sustainable practices. Today, we are in a critical phase where the climate crisis poses a threat to humanity. Countries are focusing on various adaptation and mitigation strategies to address this challenge.

Some of the interventions around sustainability at the individual level might be novel for many around the world, but India has a long history of people co-existing with nature. One such important project that reflects this sustainability is the Krishna Valley Indian Cultural Centre and Eco Farm in Hungary. Started in 1993, it is one of the largest and oldest eco-villages in Europe. Every aspect of the functioning of the Krishna Valley carries the symbol of a sustainable lifestyle and embodies the principle of living in agreement with nature. A village with less than 300 families, the valley lives by Vedic practices in the Hungarian countryside. The Krishna Valley community has not only made the area its home but has also received wide acceptance from the national government in Hungary.

One of the impressive practices at this place is the process of growing food and the management of livestock. A government official in Hungary had casually remarked that on certain farms in Hungary, the dairy yield increased merely with the employment of more Indian-origin workers. One might wonder whether Indians come with some different skill set. The answer was in how the livestock was treated. The official said that the Indian workers treated the animals with more compassion and respect than the other staff. This practice came naturally to them and as a result, the animals too reacted differently to such compassion. This was also visible in how the eco-village treated its cattle.

Another significant feature of the livestock is that the valley only keeps as much livestock as it can manage. For instance, the cattle do not graze on pastures beyond the land under the valley boundaries. After the milking period of the cows life, the cattle are treated with dignity and remain on the farm for the rest of their lives. There is also a dedicated funeral for them on the outskirts of the valley. All these practices have also received appropriate certifications from the local government as well. These endorsements from the local government emphasise that one can live a high-quality life in a rural economy by staying close to nature. On the food production front, the valley cultivates its produce in the available land. The village harvests about 30 to 40 tonnes of grains annually, all produced sustainably. The vegetables and fruits are stored in a brick-walled cellar that acts as a natural environment to keep the produce cool. The farm has its own seed bank. Seed banks are important in promoting organic farming. The high chemical usage for high yield also involves more input cost and depletes the soil of its nutrients whereas sustainable farming with organic inputs helps maintain the indigenous varieties. Some of these practices are common on a small scale in various parts of India: For example, in Balasore, Odisha, a couple has set up one of the largest private seed banks with over 1,000 varieties of seeds. The water required for agriculture practices comes from rivers and waterways that also serve as a reservoir for firefighting in summer. The water consumption of a typical household in the eco-village is about 50 litres per day which is half of the average usage by an average resident in Hungary. The ecological footprint of the inhabitants of the organic farm is 40% lower than the Hungarian average.

Another significant part of living a sustainable lifestyle is that people must be acquainted with various activities essential for day-to-day living. Children are taught about 30 different occupations subject to their interests. These could range from sewing and cleaning to learning technical subjects. The gurukul in the valley follows the syllabus mandated by the Hungarian government and uses the remaining time for cultural and vocational education.

These traditions show us that the solutions to some of the pressing environmental challenges have been around us for a long time. The world is slowly moving back to some of these practices. Krishna Valley will serve as a guiding light towards this.

Harivansh is deputy chairperson, Rajya Sabha. The views expressed are personal
Industrialist Anand Mahindra paid tribute to Italian automotive magnate Paolo Pininfarina who died on Tuesday. He was 65. Anand Mahindra shared photos of him with Paolo Pininfarina. (X/@anandmahindra)

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Chairman Paolo Pininfarina, who left us today in Turin at the age of 65," Pininfarina Group said in a social media post.

The businessman was surrounded by his wife, five children and his mother.

Anand Mahindra took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a few photos of him with Pininfarina. He also revealed a moving episode of how the Mahindra Group pitched to acquire the Italian company.

We told Paolo that our goal was to turn his grandfather Battistas dream of producing a car under his own family name into reality, Mahindra said.

Paolo Pininfarina is the grandson of Battista Farina, who founded the company in 1030. Mahindra Group acquired Pininfarina in 2015.

After acquiring the company, we went about designing the Pininfarina Battista electric hypercar and when it was launched, we shared an enormous sense of fulfilment with Paolo. The dream had been fulfilled, Mahindra said.

Read Anand Mahindra's tribute to Paolo Pininfarina here:

The iconic automotive design firm has designed cars for Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce and Cadillac, among others.

Apart from cars, Milan-listed Pininfarina also designs buildings, interiors and electronics.

Anand Mahindra, 68, said he will miss the Italian scion's warmth of all the good times I enjoyed together with him.

Paolo, I know you are driving on some heavenly highway, towards your grandfather, who will tell you how proud of you he is, Mahindra said.

Paolo Pininfarina is survived by wife Ilaria, five children: Greta, Giovanni, Iole, Tullio and Giulia. His elder brother, Andrea, died in a road accident in 2008, while riding his Vespa was killed while riding his Vespa near the companys headquarters in Italy's Turin.
A techie based in Bengaluru donned the cap of a Swiggy delivery agent for a day and shared her experience on LinkedIn. Her curiosity was piqued by the way technology is utilized to support the supply side of the business. While performing the job, the techie noted eight significant takeaways, including the factors that agents consider before accepting or rejecting an order, the process that follows once they accept an order, the amount of money earned per delivery, and more. The Bengaluru techie expressed that she has immense gratitude for each and every delivery agent who toils through heat, rain, pollution and traffic to make our lives so much easier. (LinkedIn/Namrata Singh)

I tried my hand at being a delivery agent for Swiggy! wrote Namrata Singh on LinkedIn. She also attached screenshots of her earnings and progress.

Singh shared that when she got an order, she could see the exact distance she will cover from her current location to the restaurant and from the restaurant to the delivery location along with a map representation, along with the amount she will earn.

After she accepted the order, she reached the pickup location and marked her status. The same goes for when she collected the order, reached the delivery location and delivered the order. This is done to provide the customer with an accurate status.

The agents also have to enter a delivery code mentioned on the receipt to ensure they picked up the correct order. They also have to post a picture of themselves in the Swiggy uniform once they reach the delivery location.

Once the delivery is completed, the agent is able to see the amount earned on order.

Singh shared that the app also has a dashboard that shows the total amount earned, total deliveries done and the number of orders delivered in a day.

The app has an SOS button for agents to reach out to in case of any emergency, accident or mishap! she added.

She expressed that she was impressed by the thoroughness of the product and operation at each step.

But for now I have immense gratitude for each and every delivery agent who toils through heat, rain, pollution and traffic to make our lives so much easier! Post this short stint, I now have massive appreciation for how much hard work goes into each order reaching our doors! she concluded.

Check out how people reacted to this post here:

Thats quite insightful Namrata Singh. I liked the way you have written the conversation using she. I follow the same practices and tell my stories using they and she rather than he. Kudos to your efforts. Thanks for the post, posted an individual.

Another added, Working as a delivery agent must have been quite the eye-opening experience! To this, Singh replied, Thank you! It showed me how much hard work goes into being a delivery agent.

Wow. This is really cool, Namrata, expressed a third.

A fourth wrote, The best and real-time example of walking in somebodys shoes to understand their challenges.

Good read. You made the reader feel what a delivery provider goes through and what else can be done to an end-user application to serve both customers and businesses, chimed in a fifth.

A sixth joined, Wow This is insightful! Its really inspiring that you tried it before writing about it. Loved the usage of she. Eagerly waiting for your next post.
Italy digital nomad visa: Citizens of non-EY nations are eligible to apply. (Unsplash)

Italy has reportedly launched a new visa program tailored for digital nomads professionals seeking to work remotely while traveling the world or domestically. The new programme, which became effective from April 4, would give visas to eligible persons for a maximum period of one year.

Who is a digital nomad?

A digital nomad, as per the Italian government, is a citizen of a non-EU (European Union) nation and someone who does highly qualified work activity, Euronews reported, adding that the country expects them to be either a self-employed worker or a collaborator or employee of a company even if not resident in Italy.

Who is eligible for Italy's digital nomad visa?

Foreign nationals who are citizens of non-EU nations are eligible to apply for the digital nomad visa. Applicants must have an annual income of at least three times the minimum level required for exemption from health care participation expenses, Euronews reported. This reportedly amount comes to just under 28,000. Those applying for a digital nomad visa must submit proof of their accommodation in Italy during the course of their stay. Applicants should submit proof that they have been a digital nomad or remote worker in another country for at least six months. Applicants should not have been convicted of any crime in the last five years.

How to apply for Italys digital nomad visa?

Those interested in moving to Italy on a digital nomad visa need to apply for it at the Italian consulate in their country of residence. Once the visa has been approved and the person arrives in Italy, they must apply for a residence permit within eight days.

Can I renew my digital nomad visa after one year?

Yes. The digital nomad visa can be renewed as long as the applicant continues to meet all the eligibility criteria. Digital nomad visa beneficiaries can also bring their family members under certain conditions.

Italy is part of the EU's Schengen open-borders area which comprises 29 members. This includes European Union member states as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
When showcasing viewer-submitted footage of Monday's solar eclipse, a Mexican news outlet unintentionally broadcasted a man's testicles, which has now led to an Internet mockery. The three anchors of RCG Media's 24/7 news program were reporting the eclipse when they showed footage of the celestial occurrence submitted by viewers. Among the submitted videos, a man shared a video of his testicles, which was accidentally played on the local TV, as per reports. Snapshot of the three anchors of RCG Media's 24/7 news program. (X/@CollinRugg)

While the male host listed the cities from which the eclipse could be seen, videos on the left side of the screen cut to a man blocking the sun with his testicles. One of the two female anchors could be heard gasping in disbelief, but her male colleague continued to report. (Also Read: US man suffers scorpion sting on testicles while sleeping in a Las Vegas hotel)

According to the New York Post, the tape was immediately removed from the screen, with the male anchor stating that viewers submitted the clips.

Watch the video here.

After this post was shared, it gained more than nine million views. The video also received numerous likes and comments. Many people took to the comments section of the post and expressed their shocking reactions.

How did X users react to it?

An individual wrote, "Mankind never disappoints with low IQ and low impulse control."

A second added, "Its a disturbing sight to watch, especially for those two ladies." (Also Rad: Doctors shocked to find a 32 cm live eel inside Vietnamese man's rectum, perform emergency surgery)

A third added, "Eclipse or not, that was definitely not the kind of shadow they were expecting to cast on their broadcast! Hopefully, they can bounce back from this mishap and keep their viewers' eyes where they belong - on the sky, not down below!"

"Having worked in media my entire life I can only imagine how much screaming there was in the locker room. The director definitely tore someone a new one," commented a fourth.
A dogs owner encountered an unusual yet absolutely heartwarming scene while searching for their missing husky using a drone. They spotted the dog roaming around in a forest with a bear family. The image from a drone video shows a missing husky with bears. (Screengrab)

The video is being reshared across several social media platforms, with many suggesting that the incident occurred in Russia. An Instagram user posted the clip, which opens with a text insert that reads, Owners were using a drone to find their missing husky. He was chilling with wild bears.

In the funnily heartwarming clip, the dog walks side by side with a bear family. At one point, it also starts running around them.

Take a look at this interesting video:

The viral video was shared a day ago. Since then, the clip has accumulated more than 20 million views - and the numbers are quickly increasing. The share has further prompted people to post varied comments.

What did Instagram users say about this viral dog video?

The one bear shoved him like go home dude, posted an Instagram user.

How do you even go about getting your dog back? wondered another.

For me, its the fact that a husky can even annoy bears. Humans dont stand a chance, joked a third.

Mama Bear to Papa Bear: I know we said Junior needed a friend, but this kid needs to go home, joined a fourth.

That dog is going to have so many stories that his dog friends will never believe, added a fifth.

Mama bear was far too tired to argue with the cubs about getting a new family member. Shes questioning her decision now, wrote a sixth.

What are your thoughts on this video of the husky? Did the clip leave you laughing out loud?
A poster outside a momo shop has gone viral and created chatter among netizens on X. Why? It is a job posting by the shop looking for a new employee. What has left people surprised is the salary offered. It is 25,000. An X user posted this image that shows a momo shops offer of  25,000 salary for a helper. (X/@puttuboy25)

Damn, this local momo shop is offering a better package than the average college in India these days, an X user wrote and shared a picture of the shop. The image shows the job posting of the momo shop.

Written in Hindi, when translated to English, the job posting reads, One helper-cum-maker required. Salary - 25,000. The photo also shows a part of the shop showing various containers on a slab.

Take a look at the entire momo shop-related post here:

The post was shared two days ago, on April 8. Since then, the share has accumulated nearly 88,000 views. The tweet has further collected close to 200 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the share. A few also took the route of hilarity while dropping their reactions.

What did X users say about this momo shops job posting?

Reality that no one shows, wrote an X user.

Applying right now, added another.

Engineer salary will increase with time. Here, it wont, pointed out a third.

Money + free momos to eat daily, joked a fourth.

Average college salary will increase considerably over a period of time, this won't, expressed a fifth.

India wants to know where is it located? asked a sixth.

What are your thoughts on this momo shop's job posting? Did it take you by surprise, too?
Renowned British physicist Peter Higgs, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2013 for discovering "God Particle"- a theoretical process to explain the origins of mass in the universe- died at 94. According to the University of Edinburgh, where he was professor emeritus, passed away on April 8 at his home. Britain's Professor Peter Higgs is one of 13 Nobel laureates who have written an open letter opposing Brexit.(AP file)

He was a remarkable individual  a truly gifted scientist whose vision and imagination have enriched our knowledge of the world that surrounds us, said Peter Mathieson, the universitys principal and vice chancellor. (Also Read: I have no idea what God particle is for: Peter Higgs)

Higgs stirred the scientific world when he introduced his hypothesis of the Higgs boson, popularly known as the God Particle. But what exactly is this theory?

Here are 5 points on the God Particle:

1. What was Higgs' hypothesis?

In 1964, Higgs predicted the presence of a new particle. He proposed that there must be a subatomic particle of a certain dimension that might explain how other particles  and all the stars and planets in the cosmos gained mass. But it wasn't until 2012 that his theory was confirmed.

2. How was the theory confirmed?

In 2012, scientists at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, announced that they had finally discovered the Higgs boson using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a $10 billion atom smasher located in a 17-mile (27-kilometer) tunnel beneath the Swiss-French border, reported ABC news. (Also Read: For India, 'God particle' is as much boson as Higgs)

3. What is the LHC, and how is it related to the theory?

The LHC is a particle accelerator that propels protons or ions at almost the speed of light. It is made up of a 27-kilometer ring of superconducting magnets and many accelerating structures that raise the energy of the particles as they travel. It also helped discover what the Higgs field is, how it behaves, and whether it is elementary or composite.

4. How did this theory change the world?

According to CERN, "the discovery of the Higgs boson has opened up new windows in the search for new physics phenomena, since its properties  and even the number of distinct types of Higgs boson  are predicted to be different in different theoretical models". As scientists started to investigate the Higgs boson's properties, a whole new area of particle physics emerged.

5. How did the name God Particle come to be?

The Higgs boson was dubbed the God Particle in the 1992 book "The God Particle: If the Universe is the Answer, What Is the Question?" by the physicist Dr. Leon Lederman. The book discussed particle physics. Most physicists would argue that the Higgs boson has nothing to do with God. Indeed, scientists typically rejected the name God Particle.
A video of police officers rushing to save a K9 injured in the line of duty was shared on social media. As per reports, the brave dog named Enzo got stabbed multiple times while trying to apprehend a suspect. The image shows a K9 named Enzo working with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. He got stabbed in the line of duty. ( Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department )

DailyMail shared a video released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) on Instagram. Heartbreaking moment Las Vegas cops race to save K9 Enzo after he was injured in line of duty, the outlet wrote.

In the video, a cop is heard saying to Enzo, You did good. You are a good boy", as he rushes to a veterinary hospital. As the video progresses, the medical staff is seen taking a blood-covered Enzo from the police to start treatment. Later, Enzo is airlifted and taken to another medical facility for further treatment.

LVMPD later shared an update on Instagram about Enzos health. They posted a video that shows the dog with its handler. Enzo is going home, they wrote. Enzo will continue to recover for the next several weeks and will remain off the job. Thanks for the incredible outpouring of support after this incident, the department added.

How did Enzo get stabbed?

Enzo got stabbed while protecting a team of officers from LVMPD, reported ITV. On March 29, the officers were called to detain an armed man. He started firing, which led to SWAT, the negotiator and the K9 unit being called to the scene. Enzo was the member of the K9 unit who bravely tried to help his human colleagues apprehend the suspect. In the process, the perpetrator, armed with a knife, stabbed the dog multiple times.

Take a look at the video of the police rushing to save Enzo:

Since being shared, the video has collected close to 1.1 lakh views. The clip has further accumulated nearly 3,400 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the share.

What did Instagram users say about this video?

I was ready to cry this morning. What a sweet, brave boy, wrote an Instagram user.

Thank you, k9 Enzo, for your bravery. Thankful to the vet staff and his handlers for saving his precious life, shared another.

Tears in my eyes, added a third.

While many wished Enzo a speedy recovery, some reacted to the video using heart emoticons.
KYIV, Ukraine  A Russian attack struck a grocery store and a pharmacy in a Ukrainian village close to the border with Russia on Wednesday, killing three people including a 14-year-old girl, authorities said, as the Kremlins forces kept up a relentless bombardment. HT Image

The strike on Lyptsi, about 10 kilometers from the border, also injured a 16-year-old boy and a woman, officials in the northeastern Kharkiv region said. They did not specify what kind of weapons were used.

Another strike with guided aerial bombs destroyed a hospital in Vovchansk, a town close to the border in the Kharkiv region, and injured a man, authorities said.

With the 1,000-kilometer front line barely budging in recent months, Moscows army has kept parts of eastern and southern Ukraine under bombardment as the war stretches into its third year. The power grid has been a common target.

That has prompted Ukraine's leaders to plea for more air defense systems and ammunition from Western partners. But most of Ukraine's air interceptors, as well as artillery shells, are provided by the United States, where further funding for Kyiv has been held up in Congress.

The lack of artillery shells and air defenses is leaving Ukraine at the mercy of Russian attacks, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday.

Ukraine simply cannot wait, Stoltenberg said in Brussels. It needs air defenses, ammunition and aid now" from members of the military alliance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kharkiv city is being devastated by Russian guided bombs that wreak wide destruction. Almost one fourth of the city has burned, he said.

Kharkiv is near the border, "and this allows Putin to terrorize the city, Zelenskyy told a conference in Greece via videolink.

Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 14 out of 17 Shahed attack drones launched by Russia overnight Wednesday, a statement said.

Attacks also destroyed energy infrastructure in Mykolaiv and Odesa, according to the governors of the southern regions. Odesa regional Gov. Oleh Kiper said two people were injured.

Meanwhile, rescue workers recovered the bodies of two more people, including a 13-year-old boy, from the rubble of a building partially destroyed during a Russian aerial bomb attack in Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday. Three died in all, Ukraines emergency services said.

Associated Press writer Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Greece, contributed to this report.

Follow s coverage of the war in Ukraine at /hub/russia-ukraine

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NORFOLK, Va.  A former assistant principal at a Virginia elementary school dismissed several warnings from teachers and students that a 6-year-old had a gun in the hours before he shot his teacher, according to a grand jury report released Wednesday. HT Image

The child was not searched, the report stated. The child was not removed from class. The police or SRO was not called.

The report was relaesed a day after the former administrator, Ebony Parker, was charged with eight counts of felony child neglect, one for each of the eight bullets that endangered all the students, Newport News prosecutors said in a statement.

The 31-page report offers fresh details about the January 2023 shooting and serious wounding of teacher Abby Zwerner, which occurred after the boy brought his mother's gun to school in a backpack.

It also provides a granular accounting of each time the special grand jury said Parker disregarded concerns, including an account from a teacher who spoke to a visibly scared and shaking" child who said he saw bullets from the boy's 9mm handgun during recess.

A counselor, Rolonzo Rawles, then told Parker the same story, according to the report.

Mr. Rawls, now the third person and fourth time this message had been relayed, went back to Dr. Parker and communicated that the child either had a gun or ammunition at least, it said

Parker refused to let the boy be searched after his backpack was searched, the report said, describing the child sitting as his desk with "a loaded firearm tucked into his jacket"

Ms. Zwerner was then left alone with 16 first-grade students in her class that day, of which one had been reported by three different students over the course of two hours to have a firearm, it added.

Parker, 39, posted $4,000 in secured bail Wednesday and did not yet have an attorney listed for her, the Newport News Circuit Court clerk's office said.

She and other school officials already face a $40 million negligence lawsuit from Zwerner, who accuses Parker and others of ignoring multiple warnings that the boy had a gun and was in a violent mood the day of the shooting.

Zwerner was sitting at a reading table in front of the class when the boy fired the gun, police said. The bullet struck Zwerners hand and then her chest, collapsing one of her lungs. She spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and has endured multiple surgeries as well as ongoing emotional trauma, according to her lawsuit.

Parker and the lawsuits other defendants, which include a former superintendent and the Newport News school board, have tried to block the lawsuit, arguing that Zwerners injuries fall under Virginias workers compensation law.

Those efforts have been unsuccessful so far, however, and a trial is scheduled for January.

Prosecutors said a year ago that they were investigating whether the actions or omissions of any school employees could lead to criminal charges.

Howard Gwynn, the commonwealths attorney in Newport News, said in April 2023 that he had petitioned a special grand jury to probe if any security failures contributed to the shooting. Gwynn wrote that an investigation could also lead to recommendations in the hopes that such a situation never occurs again.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong indicated the possibility of the island country considering recognising a Palestinian state, which is a shift in policy as the West is continually urging for a two-state nation to end the Israel-Hamas crisis that has been ongoing for the past six months. Palestinians visit the graves of people who were killed in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. (Reuters)

Wong agreed with a speech by UK foreign secretary David Cameron, who said that the recognition of a Palestinian state would make the two-state solution, offered by the United Nations, irreversible.

Wong said that this move was being taken to accelerate the momentum towards peace between the two sides.

Australia has earlier said that the recognition of a Palestinian state could only be a part of a two-state solution deal brokered with Israel. However, the stance seems to have changed.

Speaking at the Australian National University, Wong said, A two-state solution is the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence. The failures of this approach by all parties over decades - as well as the Netanyahu government's refusal to even engage on the question of a Palestinian state - have caused widespread frustration.

Several international peace efforts over the years have tried to solidify the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine in order to solve the longstanding conflict. However, for more than a decade, before the current war between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel broke out, the talks have stood stalled.

Palestinians' longstanding aspiration for an independent state in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East War, remains steadfast. This state would also encompass Gaza.

The foreign affairs spokesperson of Australia's opposition Simon Birmingham said, The Albanese government's argument to pre-emptively recognise a Palestinian state puts statehood before security, and will be seen as a win by the terrorists who initiated the current horrific conflict.

Wong also said that claims that such a move rewarding the enemy are wrong. She added that Israel's security was dependent on a two-state solution and it would also help in eliminating Hamas.

As reported by BBC, the UN might be considering granting Palestine  currently an observer state  a full membership of the organisation.

The conflict in Gaza, which erupted after Hamas initiated an attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and over 250 people being held captive, has claimed the lives of over 33,000 Palestinians, as reported by the health ministry under Hamas control. Extensive damage has been inflicted on many parts of the region, pushing numerous Palestinians to the brink of starvation.

Australia has been extremely vocal lately and has voiced concerns about Palestinian civilian deaths in Gaza, especially after Israeli Defense Forces killed an Australian aid worker, among six others, after wrongly identifying them as Hamas militants.

What have other nations said?

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday that the disproportionate response of Israel towards Gaza was destabilising the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world.

Sanchez added that a separate state for Palestinian people would be in Europe's geopolitical interests. He said, The international community cannot help the Palestinian state if it does not recognise its existence.

Britain's foreign secretary David Cameron said in January that the UK had the responsibility to figure out what a Palestinian state would look like. He added that the people of Palestine should be shown irreversible progress regarding the two-state solution.

As that happens, we - with allies - will look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations. That could be one of the things that helps to make this process irreversible.

He added, Together with that, almost most important of all, is to give the Palestinian people a political horizon so that they can see that there is going to be irreversible progress to a two-state solution and crucially the establishment of a Palestinian state. We have a responsibility there because we should be starting to set out what a Palestinian state would look like, what it would comprise, how it would work and crucially, looking at the issue, that as that happens, we with allies will look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations. That could be one of the things that helps to make this process irreversible.
An outspoken supporter of Israels war against Hamas, US President Joe Biden has come down heavily on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his handling of the war in Gaza, calling it a mistake. The United States has lately turned critical of Israel's approach, especially after an air strike killed seven workers with the food charity World Central Kitchen, most of them foreigners. U.S. President Joe Biden attends a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.(Reuters / File)

In an interview aired late Tuesday, Biden told Spanish-language broadcaster Univision, What hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach.

Biden was responding to a question on whether Netanyahu was prioritising his political survival over the national interest.

Read: Republicans call to strike Iran; Biden pressed on Israel weapons

The conflict has led to a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with warnings of famine and widespread displacement. Despite Israel's claims of increasing aid deliveries, aid groups have criticised the slow distribution of supplies, citing logistical challenges and security concerns.

The challenge of distributing aid in the war-torn region was further hit by the Israeli air strike that killed WCK workers. Netanyahu admitted that its armed forces killed seven aid workers in an air strike in Gaza but claimed it was "unintentional".

Read: US has no evidence of unfolding genocide in Gaza: Pentagon

"Unfortunately, in the last day there was a tragic case of our forces unintentionally hitting innocent people in the Gaza Strip," he said.

"It happens in war, we will investigate it right to the end... We are in contact with the governments, and we will do everything so that this thing does not happen again."

Read: Israeli military strikes Hezbollah targets in Syria, releases video

However, Biden expressed outrage over the incident and Washington warned of a sharp shift in its policy over Israel's war against Hamas. This prompted Israel to announce that it would allow "temporary" aid deliveries into famine-threatened northern Gaza.

Biden said Israel was acting on the requests he had put to Netanyahu. "I asked them to do what they're doing," he said.
As he has done time and again, Elon Musk has stirred up yet another storm, this time in Brazil. HT Image

Over the weekend, Xs billionaire owner pledged to disobey legal orders in Latin Americas largest country amid a dispute with its Supreme Court, which has been cracking down on social-media accounts spreading misinformation and hate speech. The decisions, Musk said, forced X to block users in Brazil including sitting members of the Parliament and major journalists under the threat of massive fines if it failed to comply with the order.

Musk vowed to reinstate the accounts, even if the move eventually means shutting down X in the country altogether, and focused his attacks on Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has been leading several high-profile investigations and is considered by some to be the countrys most powerful person. In a cascade of tweets, Musk called Judge de Moraes everything from a brutal dictator to a shame and Brazils Darth Vader.

This judge has brazenly and repeatedly betrayed the constitution and people of Brazil, he posted. He should resign or be impeached.

You dont need to be an expert on the famously intricate Brazilian legal system to know that bragging publicly about defying court rulings isnt a great way to advance any cause in any nation where the rule of law prevails. If the company felt Justice de Moraes was guilty of judicial overreach, it could continue fighting the case in courts.

Instead, Musk sells the controversy as a fight against censorship consistent with his free speech absolutist ethos. Superficially, there are reasons to agree with him even if Brazil doesnt protect freedom of speech in the same way that the US constitution does. Justice de Moraess excesses in the name of fighting disinformation and what he considers attempts to weaken democracy are well documented: Numerous commentators have warned about rulings and decisions that tend to suppress freedom of expression. More recently, another Supreme Court judge has made worrying attempts to rewrite the history of the massive Lava Jato corruption investigation, threatening the countrys credibility. In the face of increasing political controversies, Brazils extremely powerful top court has been increasing its reach in the past years.

But context also matters here. Brazils institutions were put to the test during the abusive and at times openly anti-democratic government of President Jair Bolsonaro, between 2019 and 2022. The Supreme Court acted to defend the system. Indeed, you could argue that it was the key bulwark against greater political misadventure.

Are calls to overthrow a democratically elected government protected by free speech? It may be the case in the US under the first amendment, but in other developed countries such speech can well be considered sedition. Should questioning the veracity of an election without any proof of wrongdoing be fair game? In todays world, politicians leave truth behind to build their narratives regardless of the resulting institutional damage  but their irresponsible exaggerations produce real-life consequences, as the storming of Brazils top institutions last year shows.

The reality is that, suffering personal harassment at times, the judges helped the country navigate a period of extreme pressure. Justice de Moraes is also leading an investigation into alleged attempts by Bolsonaro and his allies to undertake a military coup after his 2022 election defeat. The former president, who hosted Musk in Brazil in 2022 and called him a legend of freedom, may well end up in jail after already being barred from running for office again until 2030.

None of this means overlooking the judiciarys excesses; as this sad period in its history recedes, Brazil needs to return to a certain level of political normality.

Regardless of Musks motivations, the political impact of his actions in Brazil has been immediate and explosive: Those worried about the tyranny of the judges , greeted his move as if he was saving the country from oppression. Those on the opposite aisle see an unacceptable attack on Brazils sovereignty and proof that social media needs to be heavily regulated.

And one immediate upshot is that attempts to build a modern legal framework for tech platforms will continue to be postponed in a congress that now has another reason to disagree over a fiendishly complex topic.

Thats why Musk was wrong to pick this fight: speaking lightly about a country he knows only superficially and attacking a judge whose surname he cant even pronounce properly have all been a disservice to Brazil that will only amplify polarization and political discord. If Brazil is not for beginners, Brazilian politics is only for the truly gifted.

So, whats next? Justice de Moraes seemed to have taken notice of the controversy by announcing a criminal investigation into Musk for starting a disinformation campaign that could be considered obstruction of justice. Launched only hours after Musks comments, the probe proves how little patience this court has for dissent, with Chief Justice Luis Barroso also issuing a reminder on Monday that judicial decisions can be appealed but not deliberately disobeyed. Imagine if courts acted this fast and pre-emptively in every case!

The big test will come if X effectively shuts down, a possibility that Brazils telecommunications agency has reportedly been discussing with local operators. Justice de Moraes would be wise to avoid this trap because it would only affirm Musks points about censorship and damage the countrys image. Likewise, Musk should have an incentive to keep the platform working. As much as an X shutdown might be salubrious for the national psyche  and I speak as a confirmed X-aholic  I suspect we will see a cold war with some performative outbursts and a tacit agreement to avoid the platforms closure.

In the meantime, if I were Musk, Id postpone any near-term plans for a visit to Brazil.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

JP Spinetto is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Latin American business, economic affairs and politics. He was previously Bloomberg News managing editor for economics and government in the region.

/opinion

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
LOS ANGELES  The family of a Nigerian business leader who died in a Southern California helicopter crash that killed five others in February filed a lawsuit Wednesday claiming the flight should have been grounded because of treacherous weather. HT Image

Relatives of Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former chair of the Nigerian stock exchange, allege in the court filing that the charter company, Orbic Air LLC, improperly flew the helicopter despite a wintry mix of snowy and rainy conditions in the Mojave Desert where the crash occurred on Feb. 9.

Ogunbanjo, 61, was killed along with Herbert Wigwe, chief executive of Nigeria's Access Bank, and Wigwe's wife and 29-year-old son. Ogunbanjo was on his way to Las Vegas to attend the Super Bowl.

Both pilots  Benjamin Pettingill, 25, and Blake Hansen, 22  also died. They were licensed as commercial helicopter pilots as well as flight instructors.

This tragedy was entirely preventable," said Andrew C. Robb, one of the attorneys who filed the lawsuit, in a news release. Snow and ice are very dangerous for helicopter flight, and this company should have known better.

Ogunbanjo's wife and two children filed the suit in San Bernardino County Superior Court on Wednesday against Orbic Air and its CEO, Brady Bowers, alleging wrongful death and negligence.

Orbic Air did not reply to an email and phone call seeking comment.

The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating the cause of the crash. In February, the agency released a preliminary investigation report that outlined the helicopter's flight path and provided details about wreckage that was strewn across 100 yards of desert scrub.

Investigators found the fuselage was fragmented, and the cockpit and cabin were destroyed. Damage to the engine and the metal deposits that were found would indicate that it was operational at the time of the crash.

The report cited law enforcement, saying several witnesses who were traveling in vehicles along Interstate 15 had called 911 to report observing a fireball to the south. The witnesses reported that it was raining with a mix of snow.

The helicopter left Palm Springs Airport around 8:45 p.m. on Feb. 9 and was traveling to Boulder City, Nevada, which is about 26 miles southeast of Las Vegas, where the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers were set to play that Sunday in Super Bowl 58.

The lawsuit seeks payment for Ogunbanjo's burial and funeral expenses, as well as other damages.

Our clients seek answers and accountability from the helicopter operator that was responsible for the passengers safety, Robb said in the news release. On behalf of the great many lives that Mr. Ogunbanjo impacted, our clients want to ensure that that this companys careless operations do not hurt anyone else in the future."

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The leader of Hamas said on Wednesday Israel had killed three of his sons in an air strike in Gaza as the war in the Palestinian territory raged despite ongoing truce negotiations in Cairo. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh speaks in a pre-recorded message shown on a screen during an event ahead of al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day on Friday April 5, in Beirut, Lebanon April 3, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir(REUTERS)

Qatar-based Ismail Haniyeh said his three sons and "some of" his grandchildren had been killed in the strike in an interview with Al Jazeera.

The strike came as talks in Cairo aimed at a ceasefire and a hostage release deal dragged on without signs of a breakthrough. Israel did not immediately comment on the strike.

The United States has been ramping up pressure on Israel to agree to a truce, increase the amount of aid it allows into the Gaza Strip and abandon plans to invade the southern city of Rafah.

Read: Biden talks tough on Netanyahu's approach in Gaza: What hes doing is a mistake

US President Joe Biden labelled Israel's conduct of the war a "mistake" in an interview broadcast on Tuesday.

Wednesday marked the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, with Gazans gathering to pray amid the devastation of the six-month war.

Tens of thousands also flocked to Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound where one worshipper, nurse Rawan Abd, said: "It's the saddest Eid ever... you could see the sadness on people's faces."

Israeli forces meanwhile kept up combat operations and air strikes in Gaza, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed no let-up in the campaign to destroy Hamas and bring home the hostages.

Read: Israeli military strikes Hezbollah targets in Syria, releases video

- 'Disproportionate response' -

Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said on Wednesday that militarily "Hamas is defeated", but insisted that Israeli troops would nevertheless enter Rafah and return to Khan Yunis, from which they withdrew last week.

The army would have to fight for years to come "in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank and in the Lebanon front", he added.

More than 1.5 million civilians are sheltering from the war in Rafah, the last Gazan city yet to face an Israeli ground invasion.

The United States has repeatedly warned against an invasion, although it said on Tuesday it believed an invasion of Rafah was not "imminent".

Biden, voicing his growing frustration with the hawkish Netanyahu, issued some of his sternest criticism yet of the war.

"I think what he's doing is a mistake," Biden told the US Spanish-language TV network Univision in an interview that aired on Tuesday night having been recorded last week. "I don't agree with his approach."

He urged Netanyahu to "just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into" Gaza.

Talks, mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, have been ongoing in Cairo since Sunday, with Hamas still considering the latest proposal.

Hamas member and spokesman in Doha Hossam Badran told AFP: "Hamas is studying the offer presented... It has not responded yet."

A framework being circulated would halt fighting for six weeks and see the exchange of about 40 hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Beyond Washington, there has been a growing chorus of international criticism aimed at Israel's conduct of the war and the paucity of aid entering the territory.

Read: Israel purchases 40,000 tents for Rafah evacuation: Report

On Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that what he called Israel's "disproportionate response" in Gaza risked "destabilising the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world".

Spain is among several Western nations, including Ireland and Australia, to have suggested they would recognise a Palestinian state in the near future as a starting point for wider peace talks rather than as an end goal.

The war broke out with Hamas's October 7 attack against Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.

Palestinian militants also took about 250 hostages, 129 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli army says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 33,482 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

- 'Famine-like conditions' -

In central Gaza -- the only area where Israeli troops are actively deployed -- a strike on home in the Nuseirat camp killed 14 people, the health ministry said.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that "Israeli troops are continuing to operate in the central Gaza Strip and killed a number of terrorists over the past day".

The military added that aircraft had "struck dozens of terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including military sites, launchers, tunnel shafts and infrastructure".

Humanitarian groups have accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war in besieged Gaza, where UN experts say half the population is facing "catastrophic" food insecurity.

Washington's recent tougher line with Israel, its main ally in the region, has brought some results, according to the US Agency for International Development.

Recent days had seen a "sea change" in aid deliveries, said USAID administrator Samantha Power, with Israel reporting 468 trucks entering from Egypt on Tuesday.

However, Power stressed that Israel needs to do more, saying that "we have famine-like conditions in Gaza, and supermarkets filled with food within a few kilometres away" in southern Israel.

According to the UN, before the war and its accompanying devastation an average of 500 aid trucks a day entered the territory.

Washington has also resumed funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees after cutting it weeks ago following Israeli claims that some UNRWA staff took part in the October 7 attack.

Regional tensions have surged amid the Gaza war, while Israel has been widely blamed for an April 1 strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed seven Revolutionary Guards.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel that "the evil regime made a mistake in this regard. It must be punished and will be punished".

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz replied with a Persian-language post saying "if Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack Iran".
Lahore, An Islamabad-bound PIA flight carrying Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and a high-level delegation back from their visit to Saudi Arabia was diverted to Lahore airport, causing inconvenience to hundreds of other passengers, according to a media report on Wednesday. HT Image

Interestingly, the incident came close on the heels of Prime Minister Sharif recently declaring a ban on the red carpet at events in his favour, which earned accolades for signalling a shift towards eradicating the VIP culture and encouraging a culture of humility within the realm of public service.

Quoting a PIA spokesperson, the Dawn newspaper reported that the Pakistan International Airlines flight from Jeddah to Islamabad, carrying Sharif and his daughter Maryam back from their visit to Saudi Arabia, was diverted to Lahore airport on Monday.

When asked whether this was special treatment, the spokesperson of the ailing national flag carrier said, VIPs were treated like commercial passengers.

The flight PK842 carrying 393 passengers, which was supposed to land in Islamabad at 10:30 pm on Monday, was diverted to Allama Iqbal International Airport here and landed at 9:25 pm, the report said.

The Prime Minister, the Chief Minister and other VIPs disembarked at Lahore, which caused inconvenience to hundreds of other Islamabad-bound passengers, the report said, quoting sources.

Official sources said the commercial flight from Jeddah to Islamabad carried the official Pakistani delegation returning from Saudi Arabia. Apart from Sharif and Maryam, the delegation included Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and others, along with their family members.

Videos circulating on social media showed passengers expressing their anger, but they had no other option but to wait until the VIPs disembarked before continuing their journey to Islamabad.

After offloading about 79 passengers, the flight eventually took off for Islamabad and landed at the Islamabad International Airport at 11:17 pm instead of 10:30 pm.

Prime Minister Sharif was in Saudi Arabia on his first foreign visit after assuming charge last month.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Ukrainian lawmakers on Wednesday sparked anger by scrapping a clause in a draft law that would have allowed soldiers having spent long periods fighting on the front lines a chance to return home. HT Image

With Ukraine's army outnumbered by Russia on the battlefield, military leaders had pressured politicians to ditch a draft amendment that would have given soldiers serving for more than 36 months the possibility to be discharged.

"The offensive continues along the entire front line. And currently it is impossible to weaken the defence forces," Dmytro Lazutkin, a spokesperson for Ukraine's defence ministry said Wednesday on state TV.

"We cannot make hasty decisions now," he said, explaining the military's opposition to the provision.

Kyiv has been debating its recruitment policy for more than a year and parliament passed a draft law in a first reading in February that included the demobilisation plans.

But that clause was removed ahead of its second reading on Wednesday, following an appeal from the Chief of the Army and the Minister of Defence, said Iryna Friz, a member of the parliamentary defence committee, in a Facebook post.

The reversal sparked anger across a society exhausted by years of war, and risked sapping morale in the stretched armed forces.

Ukraine's armed forces have been fighting since 2014, when Russian-backed separatists seized border regions.

Russia then launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, with Kyiv's troops now engaged across a sprawling 1,000-kilometre frontline in the east and south.

Several financial benefits for soldiers were also scrapped from the draft bill, Friz said, and the government will instead review "mechanisms of rotation of military personnel."

The U-turn immediately spread anger in Ukraine.

Sergiy Gnezdilov, an activist and soldier who fought for the city of Mariupol, called the move a "cruel twist."

Yuriy Gudymenko, a soldier and political figure, criticised the new version of the law for having "neither punishments for evaders, nor serious benefits for newly mobilised people."

He predicted it would result in "an increase in the number of unauthorised absences from units, bought decisions from medical commissions and non-returns from vacations."

"It's a disaster," Oleksandr, a 46-year-old artilleryman in the Donetsk region told AFP.

He said that for many men, having a demobilisation date was a source of motivation to carry on fighting.

"When a person knows when he is going to be demobilised he will have a different attitude," he said.

"If a person is like a slave, then it will not lead to anything good."

Even as it pushed to drop the provisions, the defence ministry acknowledged on Wednesday that finding a way to relieve soldiers was "necessary."

"It is clear that people who have been fighting since the beginning and holding the defence since 2022 are getting tired and exhausted," spokesman Lazutkin said on state TV.

Yevgen, a paratrooper fighting in eastern Ukraine said he had not seen his wife, who lives abroad, in two years.

Last year, he was on leave for only 10 days, which he spent on treatment.

"Those soldiers who have been fighting for a long time, for more than a year...They are already very tired," he said.

"Families are falling apart because the husband and wife are not together for six months or a year," he added.

bur/gv

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Netflix Original, Scoop, is offering an inside look at BBC's Sam McAlister's relentless pursuit to secure an interview with Prince Andrew after his relations with Jeffrey Epstein came out. Billie Piper portrays McAlister in the movie, capturing the high-stakes tension of the negotiation process and invoked the years old episode that brought shame to the royal family. Sam McAlister at the Scoop film premiere

How did McAlister convince Prince Andrew for the interview?

Recently in an interview with NPR, Sam McAlister explained her approach to persuading the prince to participate in a serious news interview where he would not have control over the questions. She emphasized two main angles: the human aspect, offering Prince Andrew a chance to return to his former esteemed position, and the royal opportunity to restore his tarnished reputation.

Recalling the pivotal moment of negotiation, McAlister recounts a face-to-face meeting with Prince Andrew and a surprise guest, his daughter Princess Beatrice, at Buckingham Palace. Amidst the overwhelming setting, McAlister took a bold approach, candidly addressing the public's perception of the prince as "Randy Andy." Fortunately, the prince responded positively, leading to the final confirmation of the interview.

McAlister recalled, "I told him the truth, which was always my style, that he was known as Randy Andy. And that moment is really where he's [either] going to laugh, and he knows that we have integrity and trust and we're honest with him, or he's going to slam the door in our face. Now, luckily it was the former. But you never, ever know if someone's going to say yes until you get that final call."

However, aftermath of the interview was deeply uncomfortable. The prince's answers during the televised interview were perceived as tone-deaf, and McAlister had to maintain a poker face throughout. She described the experience as a personal masterclass in showing no emotion, even as the interview unfolded into a series of news-making statements.

But it really was a masterclass in how to give terrible answers and, from my tiny perspective, a small, personal masterclass in showing no emotion whatsoever on your face for an hour  one of the longest hours in television history, I would say.

To a question on was there a moment where McAlister thought this was going completely off the rails, she replied,

"It was like building. And after the first answer, which was his mildest answer, every line was a news line. Just watching them kind of pile on top of one another over and over. It was really journalistically, obviously, the highlight of my career and quite an extraordinary experience."

Watch the BBC NewsNight interview with Prince Andrew

The fallout from the interview was swift and significant. Just days after the interview aired, Prince Andrew announced his decision to step back from royal duties. Reflecting on the gravity of the interview, McAlister acknowledges its monumental impact, recognizing it as a defining moment in her career and a historic journalistic scoop.

I knew how consequential it was in theory. But the idea that it would topple a member of the royal family, effectively  you know, sacked by his own mother and we'd still be talking about it, let alone that I would have the opportunity of this incredible movie  it would have sounded like I was drunk if I'd said that to you. So I knew it was a scoop, but I just did not know it was the scoop of scoops, McAlister stated.

Looking ahead, McAlister reveals that if she were still in her former role, her dream interview would be with Russian President Vladimir Putin. She emphasizes the importance of fearless and impartial journalism, a principle she believes is crucial in today's media landscape.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said unstable geopolitical situations surrounding his country mean now is the time to be more prepared for war than ever, as he inspected the country's main military university, KCNA news agency said on Thursday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) inspecting the first test-fire of Hwasongpho-16B, a new-type intermediate-range solid-fueled ballistic missile(AFP)

Kim gave field guidance on Wednesday at Kim Jong Il University of Military and Politics, named after his father who died in 2011, which KCNA said is the "highest seat of military education" in the country.

North Korea has stepped up weapons development in recent years under Kim and has forged closer military and political ties with Russia, allegedly aiding Moscow in its war with Ukraine in return for help with strategic military projects.

Affirming that if the enemy opts for military confrontation with the DPRK, the DPRK will deal a death-blow to the enemy without hesitation by mobilizing all means in its possession," KCNA quoted Kim as telling the university staff and students.

DPRK is short for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name.

"Outlining the complicated international situation ... and the uncertain and unstable military and political situation around the DPRK, he said that now is the time to be more thoroughly prepared for a war than ever before," KCNA said.

Earlier this month, Kim supervised the test launch of a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile using solid fuel, which analysts said would bolster the North's ability to deploy missiles more effectively than liquid-fuel variants.

North Korea has accused the United States and South Korea of provoking military tensions by conducting what it called "war maneuvers" as the allies have conducted military drills with greater intensity and scale in recent months.
Republican lawmakers piled pressure on Joe Biden to target Iran directly after an attack on an American base in Jordan by Iranian-backed militias killed three American soldiers on Sunday. Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator, called for America to hit Iran now. The White House said it was seeking a very consequential response, but John Kirby, a White House spokesman, also said the government was not looking for a war with Iran. Iran distanced itself from the attacks, dismissing American claims of involvement as baseless.

Nineteen Democrats pressed the Biden administration for information about recent arms transfers to Israel, highlighting the partys growing divide over the presidents handling of the war in Gaza. In a letter, the lawmakers noted the administrations highly unusual use of emergency authority to get around Congress, and sought information about any conditions it attached to reduce civilian casualties.

A Republican-led House committee is set to consider impeachment proceedings against Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security, on Tuesday. The committee unveiled articles of impeachment on Sunday which accused him of failing to uphold immigration laws. An impeachment vote by the whole chamber will probably happen in the week of February 5th.

An Internal Revenue Service contractor who leaked Donald Trumps tax returns was sentenced to five years in prison. In October Charles Littlejohn pleaded guilty to unauthorised disclosure of tax filings. These included returns belonging to Mr Trump (which Mr Littlejohn leaked to the New York Times in 2019) and to thousands of wealthy Americans (which he leaked to ProPublica in 2020).

Mr Trump made his pitch to Nevadas Latino voters at a campaign rally in Las Vegas. The former president alleged that Americas porous border is most harmful to our very cherished Hispanic community. Latinos, still overwhelmingly Democratic, have drifted towards the Republican Party. Their votes will prove crucial in the swing states of Nevada and Arizona come November.

Wisconsins supreme court ordered the states elections board to respond to a complaint from Dean Phillips, who is challenging Mr Biden for the Democratic nomination. Mr Phillips claims he was unlawfully excluded from Wisconsins Democratic primary ballot. He argues that he meets a standard outlined in the states election law: that the media has recognised him as a serious candidate.

Polling suggests that just 27% of Americans approve of Mr Bidens handling of immigration. More than twice as many say they trust Donald Trump on the matter. Illegal immigration across Americas southern border has become a huge liability for the president in the run up to Novembers election. The Economists data team created ten charts showing how the border crisis developed over several administrations.

Daily quiz

Which state, on the latest data, had the shortest life expectancy at birth? Every weekday well quiz you on one question about American politics.

The weekly winner, chosen at random, will be announced here on Fridays.

Email your answers to usib@economist.com.

Figure of the day

$45bn, the revenue generated by Americas four largest professional leaguesmore than half of the total produced by leagues worldwide. Read our story about the possible end of the jock tax .

HEARD ON THE TRAIL

I know what its like when no one is paying attention. I would ask for just about two of your minutes.

Dean Phillips, the Democrat competing with Joe Biden for the presidency and for the audiences time at a campaign event on January 27th

Read all of our recent coverage of the 2024 election.

What do you think of The US in brief? Send us feedback at usib@economist.com.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Washington, A prominent Indian diaspora body has urged various agencies of the US government, universities and student associations to work towards addressing the spike in the deaths of Indian-origin students in the US in recent months. HT Image

An analysis of the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies found the causes of these incidents range from suspicious shootings/kidnapping, environmental deaths due to lack of safety knowledge , mental issues triggering suicides, and even suspicious accidents to violent crimes.

The FIIDS said authorities should enhance safety education, improve search and rescue procedures, implement stricter rules against fraternity ragging; increase awareness of risks and safety, and provide mental health support.

Since the beginning of 2024, there have been at least half a dozen deaths of Indian and Indian-origin students in the US.

A 25-year-old Indian student who had been missing since last month was found dead in the US city of Cleveland this week.

Last week, an Indian student in Ohio, Uma Satya Sai Gadde, died and police are investigating the case.

Last month, a 34-year-old trained classical dancer from India, Amarnath Ghosh, was shot dead in St Louis, Missouri.

Last month, the Consulate posted on X about the death of Abhijeeth Paruchuru, a 20-year-old Indian student in Boston. Paruchurus parents, based in Connecticut, had been in direct touch with detectives and initial investigations into his death had ruled out foul play.

Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana on February 5.

On February 2, Vivek Taneja, a 41-year-old Indian-origin IT executive, suffered life-threatening injuries during an assault outside a restaurant in Washington. In another tragedy, 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict in Georgia.

A spike in tragic deaths of Indian students in the United States has raised significant concerns among the Indo-American community as well as the Indian population.

Dr Lakshmi Thalanki from Boston, who collected data on the deaths of more than 10 students, noted, The sudden surge of deaths among Indian students is alarming and suspicious.

On Tuesday, FIIDS submitted various recommendations to the Department of State, Department of Justice, Education Department, universities, student organisations as well as the Indo-American community.

Since the sudden rise in suspicious deaths, rumours have been circulating around the Indian American community about potential hate crimes especially as many deaths are clustered around East and Midwest universities, especially in Cleveland Ohio, Illinois and Indiana.

Some of them fear that the hate crimes are fueled by negative propaganda against the community, FIIDS said.

Even though FIIDS did not find any conclusive facts to support the rumours, they may need to be investigated to timely address their concern, a media release said.

Indian origin students, according to Open Doors Report are 275k, making 25 per cent of total foreign students and bringing in USD 9 billion per year in terms of fees and expenses," it said.

"However, the recent increase in their deaths is concerning and, if not addressed, would impact their confidence in the safety of US universities, potentially impacting the inflow of students further, said Khanderao Kand, chief of Policies and Strategy at FIIDS.

FIIDS also announced the launch of a survey of Indian-American students regarding their concerns and safety.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
According to a report by Axios, a news outlet, this November, if former US President Donald Trump manages to get another term in the White House, he will focus on federal investigations and prosecutions of the current US President Joe Biden and his family. What's next for Donald Trump vs. Joe Biden? Axios explores the possibility of federal investigations and prosecutions looming on the horizon. (AP Photo, File)(AP)

A source close to the Trump campaign stated, Everything you have seen from the Biden Department of Justice you can expect to see from the Trump DoJ.

Another Trump ally suggested that the current federal charges against Trump set a precedent for prosecuting Biden.

Despite facing 44 federal criminal charges himself  40 related to retaining classified information and four linked to attempts to overturn the 2020 election  the 45th US President remains a strong contender for the Republican nomination.

ALSO READ| US efforts to cease fire in Gaza hit a dead end as Benjamin Netanyahu sets date for Rafah Invasion

While he could potentially dismiss the federal charges or pardon himself if re-elected, he would still have to contend with state charges, particularly in New York, where he literally swimming into legal jeopardy.

Trump is swimming into legal woes

New York appeal court has escalated the civil cases against Trump for allegations which include fraud in tax return and defamation based on rape allegations. Despite the bright side of the whole ordeal, Trump still managed to clinch his nomination to challenge Biden in November.

While Trump continues to be entangled in a myriad of legal issues, Biden, who was once vice president under Barack Obama, was investigated for retaining classified information, yet nobody was prosecuted against him.

Trump, on the other hand, faced impeachment twice during his presidency  once for allegedly seeking dirt on political opponents, including Biden and for his alleged part in the incitement of the Justice on Capitol Hill.

ALSO READ| Donald Trumps request to delay hush-money trial denied by a New York appeals court judge

House Republicans have attempted to impeach Biden over alleged corruption involving his son, Hunter Biden, but these efforts have been mired in chaos.

However, a former legal aide, Mike Davis, insists that the Bidens are guilty of illegal foreign corruption and argues that Trump's Justice Department should take action. The Biden justice department will not do anything about it, so the Trump 47 justice department should, he said.

Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland who served as a manager in Trump's second impeachment, criticized Republicans: In saying that they are going to enable Donald Trumps criminal vengeance campaign, [Republicans] are taking this from a farce to tragedy.
Health officials in the United States have recalled several lots of hand sanitisers and aloe gels over the risk of methanol exposure. The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that 40 lots of Aruba Aloe Hand Sanitizer Gel Alcohol 80% and Aruba Aloe Alcoholada Gel were recalled as they contain alcohol denatured with methanol. The FDA said in a notice that methanol can be highly toxic. Hand sanitisers are being recalled in the US as FDA issues warning over Methanol exposure(Representational Image)

Why are hand sanitisers being recalled?

The agency warned that substantial methanol exposure could lead to nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, coma, seizures, permanent blindness, permanent damage to the central nervous system, or death.

FDA further said that while there haven't been any reports of adverse events related to the recalled products, children who may accidentally ingest them are at high risk.

The products affected by the recall are labelled as ARUBA ALOE Hand Sanitizer GEL 80% Alcohol Made in Aruba Worlds Finest Aloe and Alcoholada Gel Pain Relieving Gel 0.5% Lidocaine Hydrochloride.

Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute are most at risk for methanol poisoning, FDA said in a notice for immediate release.

The agency added that the affected products were distributed between 5/1/2021 and 10/27/2023 and sold in the US online only via the Aruba Aloe Balm N.V. website. It further said that the company has notified all customers that bought these products by email and has offered a discount coupon for a next purchase.

FDA urged the existing consumers of the recalled products to stop using them and discard the product. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product, FDA said.
Another Indian American student sparks concern amid the growing list of missing individuals in the US after went missing earlier Tuesday and was later found that day, according to Frisco Police. Missing Indian-American student, Ishika Thakore found safe

Police were initially looking for a 17-year-old girl, named Ishika Thakore, who left her house on Monday night and hasn't been seen since. They later posted on X(initially Twitter), LOCATED - The 17-year-old who was the subject of our Critical Missing Alert from earlier today has been located. We'd like to thank everyone for the offers of assistance and words of support.

Early police statement reveals that Ishika was last spotted in Frisco, Texas, on Monday, April 8th, at 11:30 PM. She left her home on Brownwood Drive dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt paired with red/green pajama pants. She is approx 54 and 175 lbs, last seen wearing a black, long-sleeve t-shirt and red/green pajama pants, the police statement reads.

ALSO READ| Another missing Indian student found dead in Ohio, US, 11th such case this year

However, Fiasco Police have yet to reveal details of how and where they found the teen girl.

11 Indian-American students found dead in the US this year

This incident adds to the growing list of Indian-American students who have recently been reported missing or mysteriously died across the country.

Last week another Indian-origin student Uma Satya Sai Gadde, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio, the investigation into his death is underway.

On many occasions, the local community mentioned that student safety in India is a top priority, and the recent figure of eleven reported cases this year only second the concern. With more and more fatalities, it has fueled fears regarding the ones across the Atlantic's welfare.

ALSO READ| List of Indian students found dead in US under mysterious circumstances recently

In two cases: first, A 34-year-old Indian dancer who was killed in St. Louis, Missouri and second, A 23-year- old student studying in India whose body was found in Indiana, hence, to add, an Indian 41-year-old professional received a critical injury in foiling an attack in Washington.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is at the centre of legal scrutiny as his US visa application has been handed over to a judge following a lawsuit initiated by The Heritage Foundation. Prince Harry is concerned about a 'serious security risk' before his UK visit after sharing sensitive information in his memoir (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)(AP)

The lawsuit aims to determine whether Prince Harry falsified information regarding his drug use on his visa application, information that could potentially impact his immigration status in the United States.

Joe Bidens legal team has complied with the court order to submit Prince Harrys visa documents, making development in the ongoing legal battle.

Prince Harry's US visa battle amid drug use lawsuit

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) refused to release the documents earlier, keeping in mind privacy concerns. However the Heritage Foundation argues that there is a public interest in revealing whether Prince Harry provided accurate information, given his admissions of drug use in his memoir, 'Spare.'

In a recent court filing, the Heritage Foundation highlighted Prince Harrys voluntary admissions of drug use in his memoir, suggesting that such disclosures could have adverse immigration consequences for non-citizens.

Also read | Conan O'Brien returns to The Tonight Show after getting fired in 2010

Judge Carl Nichols, overseeing the legal proceedings, ruled in March for an in-camera review of Prince Harry's documents to assess whether they should be made public.

The court order said, "Having reviewed the parties' written submissions and heard oral argument on the motions, the court concludes that in camera review is necessary to determine whether the records in dispute come within the scope of the claimed exemptions.

Prince Harry's memoir provides a look into his experiences with drug use, including magic mushrooms, cocaine, and marijuana.

He described using psychedelics as, "There was only truth. After the psychedelics wore off my memory of that world would remain: This is not all there is.

"All the great seers and philosophers say our daily life is an illusion. I always felt the truth in that. But how reassuring it was, after nibbling a mushroom, or ingesting ayahuasca, to experience it for myself.
Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, relatives and official Hamas media said, with Haniyeh accusing Israel of acting in the spirit of revenge and murder. HT Image

Haniyeh confirmed the deaths Wednesday in an interview with the Al Jazeera satellite channel, saying his sons were martyred on the road to liberating Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army.

The criminal enemy is driven by the spirit of revenge and murder and does not value any standards or laws, he said in the phone interview.

Ismail Haniyeh lives in exile in Qatar, where Al Jazeera is based.

He said the killings would not pressure Hamas into softening its positions. The two sides have been involved in months of cease-fire talks.

Currently:

 Austin tells Congress Israel is taking steps to boost aid to Gaza as lawmakers question US support

 Turkey and Israel announce trade barriers on each other as relations deteriorate over Gaza

 At U.N. court, Germany rejects allegations that its facilitating acts of genocide in Gaza

 A Moroccan activist was sentenced to 5 years for criticizing the countrys ties to Israel

 Find more coverage at /hub/israel-hamas-war

Here's the latest: IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER AGAIN PLEDGES RETALIATION AGAINST ISRAEL OVER KILLINGS OF IRANIAN GENERALS

JERUSALEM  Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei again promised to retaliate against Israel over the killings of Iranian generals in a strike on its consulate in Syria.

Khamenei spoke Wednesday at a prayer ceremony in Tehran celebrating the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday and the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. He said last weeks attack on Irans consulate in Damascus, widely blamed on Israel, was akin to an attack on Iranian territory. The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished, he added.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz appeared to respond, posting on social platform X in both Farsi and Hebrew: If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran.

The strike on April 1 killed 12 people, including seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, four Syrians and a Hezbollah militia member. Israel has not acknowledged its involvement, though it has been bracing for an Iranian response to the attack, which marked a significant escalation in their long-running shadow war.

Iran supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Hamas, who are battling Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, as well as the Lebanese Hezbollah. BIDEN CALLS NETANYAHU'S PROACH TO WAR AGAINST HAMAS A MISTAKE

TEL AVIV, Israel  U.S. President Joe Biden says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war against Hamas is mistaken.

Bidens remarks in an interview that aired late Tuesday deepen an already growing rift between the two staunch allies over the war, now in its seventh month. Those disagreements have compounded over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, Israels expected offensive in the city of Rafah and Israels recent strike on a humanitarian convoy, which killed seven aid workers, most of them foreigners.

What hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, Biden told U.S. Spanish-language broadcaster Univision in an interview conducted on April 3, two days after the strike on the World Central Kitchen aid convoy. He was responding to a question about whether Netanyahu was letting political considerations steer his decision-making in the war.

Biden said Israel should agree to a cease-fire, flood beleaguered Gaza with aid for the next six to eight weeks and allow regional countries to help distribute the aid. It should be done now, he said.

The Biden administration was outspoken in its support for Israel following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, but in recent weeks has stepped up criticism of Israels approach to the war.

Israel and Hamas are holding talks meant to bring about a cease-fire in exchange for the release of hostages, although the sides still disagree on key terms of a deal. AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CRITICIZED FOR SUGGESTING POSSIBLE RECOGNITION OF A PALESTINIAN STATE

MELBOURNE, Australia  Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is facing criticism after she raised the prospect of Australia recognizing a Palestinian state.

Wong said in a speech late Tuesday that recognizing Palestinian statehood could be the only way to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East and build momentum toward a two-state solution amid ongoing conflict between Palestinians and Israel. She said Wednesday she wasnt changing Australias position, but was starting a conversation.

Weve made no such decision. The discussion I want to have is to look at what is happening in the international community where there is the very important debate about how it is we secure long-lasting peace in a region which has known so much conflict, Wong told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Wong said Hamas must free hostages and that the militant group would have no place in a Palestinian state. She also said there needed to be an immediate humanitarian cease-fire so that aid could be delivered to Gaza. And she urged Israel not to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah because of the risk to civilians.

Both Australias center-left Labor Party government and the conservative opposition parties support a two-party solution in the Middle East.

But opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs Simon Birmingham called it downright dangerous to reward with a fast track to recognition of statehood." ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE ON HOME IN CENTRAL GAZA KILLS 11 PEOPLE

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  An Israeli airstrike hit a home in central Gaza on Tuesday evening, killing at least 11 people, including seven women and children, hospital officials said.

After the strike hit in the town of Zawaida, Associated Press footage showed one man carrying the limp body of a little girl and laying her with the bodies of other dead children on the floor at the main hospital in nearby Deir al-Balah. Hospital officials said the dead included five children and two women.

The strike came as the Israeli military withdrew its forces from the southern city of Khan Younis this week, ending a monthslong ground assault that left large parts of the city in ruins. Still, airstrikes have continued in the past days, including in Gazas southernmost city of Rafah, where Israel says it plans to launch its next ground assault. FAMILIES OF HOSTAGES HELD IN GAZA MEET WITH U.S. VICE PRESIDENT

WASHINGTON  Several family members of hostages held by Hamas met with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Tuesday and urged for a deal that would release their loved ones and implement a temporary cease-fire in Gaza.

The only hope for peace is through the release of all the hostages now, said Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of American hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen. On a potential hostage agreement, Dekel-Chen stressed that the world is waiting for Hamas to get to yes.

Rachel Goldberg, the mother of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, called the meeting with Harris very productive. She expressed gratitude to the White House and lawmakers for their support, but added: We need results. We need our people home.

You can believe as we do that it is horrible that innocent civilians in Gaza are suffering, Goldberg said. And at the same time, you can also know that it is horrible and against international law for hostages to be held against their will.

During the meeting, Harris emphasized that she and President Joe Biden have no higher priority than reuniting the hostages with their loved ones, according to a White House readout, as she gave an update on the administrations efforts on a hostage deal. U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY TELLS CONGRESS THAT ISRAEL IS TAKING STEPS TO BOOST AID TO GAZA

WASHINGTON  U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Congress Tuesday that pressure on Israel to improve humanitarian aid to Gaza appears to be working, but he said more must be done and it remains to be seen if the improvement will continue.

It clearly had an effect. We have seen changes in behavior, and we have seen more humanitarian assistance being pushed into Gaza, Austin said in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Hopefully that trend will continue.

Austins comments came during a session that was interrupted several times by protesters shouting at him to stop sending weapons to Israel. Stop the genocide, they said, as they lifted their hands, stained in red, in the air. A number of senators also decried the civilian casualties, saying the administration needs to do more to press Israel to protect the population in Gaza.

In response, Austin said he spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on Monday and that he repeated U.S. insistence that Israel must move civilians out of the battlespace in Gaza and properly care for them.

Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown Jr. were testifying on Capitol Hill about the Pentagons $850 billion budget for 2025. BLINKEN SAYS ISRAEL HASN'T TOLD U.S. ABOUT ANY SPECIFIC DATE TO LAUNCH RAFAH INVASION

WASHIGNTON  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said Israel has not apprised the U.S. of any specific date for the start of a major offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, but added that American and Israeli officials remained in contact to try to ensure that any kind of major military operation doesnt do real harm to civilians.

Blinken spoke a day after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed that a date has been set to invade Rafah. The city is filled with around 1.4 million Palestinians, most of whom are displaced from other parts of the Gaza Strip. The United States, Israels closest ally, has said a ground operation into Rafah would be a mistake and has demanded to see a credible plan to protect civilians.

Washington has also been applying pressure on Israel to improve humanitarian aid to Gaza, where half the population is starving and on the brink of famine due to Israels tight restrictions on allowing aid trucks through.

Were looking at a number of critical things that need to happen in the coming days, Blinken said, referring to recent Israeli announcements on the opening of new aid routes into Gaza and more active efforts to avoid casualties to both civilians and humanitarian relief workers. But what matters is results and sustained results and this is what we will be looking at very carefully in the days ahead.

That includes getting assistance in and distributed to all of the territory not just in the south, or in central Gaza. It has to get to the north as well, he said. FRANCE USING ALL INFLUENCE TO PERSUADE ISRAEL TO OPEN GAZA CROSSINGS TO AID CONVOYS

PARIS  Frances foreign minister says his country is using all levels of influence, including threats of sanctions, to force Israel to open crossings with Gaza for vital humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians.

France was the first country to propose European Union sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said in an interview Tuesday with French broadcasters RFI and FRANCE 24.

He added: We have multiple ways to utilize our influence, obviously, we can provide more sanctions  to let humanitarian aid convoys cross checkpoints and reach people in Gaza.

Sejourne did not elaborate on what kind of sanctions he was referring to. It is highly unlikely that France would impose any eventual sanctions without broader EU support, and the EU has been divided over policy toward Israel. ISRAEL SHOOTS DOWN A DRONE OVER THE RED SEA

JERUSALEM  Israel shot down a drone over the Red Sea overnight in what the military described as the first deployment of its naval Iron Dome missile defense system.

The military said that a Corvette warship shot down the drone as it flew east over waters near the southern Israeli city of Eilat. The military released grainy aerial footage of the missile making contact with an aircraft.

It was not immediately clear who was directing the drone. Yemens Houthi rebels have been conducting near daily attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, launching drones and missiles from rebel-held areas of Yemen.

The Israeli defense system, called the C-Dome, is a naval version of the Iron Dome, which has been used to shoot down rockets fired from the Gaza Strip for the past decade. TURKEY AND ISRAEL PUTTING UP TRADE BARRIERS AS RELATIONS DETERIORATE

JERUSALEM  Foreign Minister Israel Katz says Israel is preparing a ban on products from Turkey after Ankara announced it was restricting exports to Israel.

Turkey said earlier Tuesday it is restricting exports of dozens of products to Israel, including aluminum, steel, construction products and chemical fertilizers. It said it would continue the measures until Israel declares a cease-fire and allows the uninterrupted flow of aid to Gaza.

Katz said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is sacrificing the economic interests of his citizens for his support of Hamas."

Relations between Turkey and Israel have been frosty for years, although trade ties between the two countries are strong.

NATO-member Turkey is among the strongest critics of Israels military actions in Gaza.

Erdogan has repeatedly called for an immediate cease-fire and accused Israel of committing genocide in its military campaign in Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry had no additional comment.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The US and its allies deem major Iran missile strikes against Israeli government targets as imminent. A new Bloomberg report details that the six-month-old conflict is far from over, as the potential violent attack may follow in the next few days. in what would mark a significant widening of the six-month-old conflict, according to people familiar with the intelligence. This combination photo shows President Joe Biden, left, on March 8, 2024, in Wallingford, Pa., and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 28, 2023. Biden and Netanyahu spoke Monday, March 18, in their first interaction in more than a month as the divide has grown between allies over food crisis in Gaza, conduct of war. (AP Photo)(AP)

People in contact with the intelligence claimed that high-precision missiles ma be used to accomplish the assault. Certain officials from the US and Israeli intelligence are, in fact, positive that the attack may follow soon, which is no longer a matter of uncertainty.

Iran's potential missile attack on Israel

Iran's ensuing threats are supposedly a response to Israel's attack in Damascus, Syria, last week that claimed the lives of several veteran Iranian military officials. Israel has maintained its ambiguity in this case.

Per the tip, Israel's Western allies believe that government and military operations will be singled out in the attack  civilian spaces are not likely to be hampered in the process. Reportedly, the US is helping Israel by sharing these intelligence estimations despite its other call-outs for Israel to ceasefire in Gaza.

Also read | Israel to open new north Gaza crossing for overseas aid

"As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is iron clad. Let me say it again, iron clad - all we can to protect Israels security, said Joe Biden on Wednesday.

On the other hand, Israel is already planning out another offensive against Hamas in Rafah, Gaza, as it awaits the attack from Iran (or its proxies, primarily Hezbollah - that has been firing at Israel since the Hamas conflict kicked off in October). Additionally, believing the allies' assessments, Israel has publicly issued threats of a counterattack to Iran if the Israeli soil is laid ruin. While preparing for the possible attacks, Israeli officials are requesting emergency supplies, such as generators and satellite phones.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme leader of Iran, equated the Damascus strike with an assault on Iran and reiterated their claims of a violent payback on Wednesday.

Subsequently, the Brent crude prices leapt up over 1% to trade above $90 a barrel. Moreover, oil has witnessed a 16% spike this year since, with Middle East war risks in the air.

Israel's preparation for the potential attack also had authorities muddle the navigational signals over Tel Aviv.
Footage shared on Tuesday morning shows exactly how Colorado's paraprofessional Kiarra Jones assaulted an autistic child seated just beside her, along with two other children. Littleton Public School bus aide Kiarra Jones fired, and arrested after assaulting three autistic child(Arapahoe County/X)

Scratches, bruises, a lost tooth, a broken toe, and a black eye are some of the physical injuries those three students are suffering from.

Recorded on March 18, the footage captures Jones inflicting physical harm on the young boy, named Dax, including elbow strikes to his stomach, slaps across his face, and foot stomps.

Daxs parents have chosen to make the disturbing footage of their son public, unblurred and unredacted, to highlight the severity of the situation. Dax is non-verbal and communicates through his expressions and movements.

Reports clearly say that at least three autistic students from Joshua School have allegedly endured severe physical abuse by the paraprofessional assigned to their care.

ALSO READ| Moon made of glass, Democratic Congresswoman blasted for misinforming students

The distressing incidents have not only left the children with grave injuries but also with profound emotional trauma.

The Joshua School schoolgoers relied on a dedicated Littleton Public School (LPS) bus for transportation. Unbeknownst to their parents, this journey became a recurring nightmare. What should have been a safe space turned into a setting of alleged abuse, described by one attorney as torture.

Parents are devasted after the revelation of videos

The case came to light during a press conference where Devin, the father of 10-year-old Dax, shared his anguish. They took my trust and spit on it, he said.

It was a heavy decision to make to uncover it, but we cannot bring attention to this if we dont look at it, explained Jess, Daxs mother.

Its ugly to look at, but its important to see how confused and afraid he was in that video. It just speaks to his vulnerability, and it speaks to the terror he had to endure while on that bus.

Jess tearfully questioned how someone she trusted could harm her child so grievously. The torture and torment of my sweet boy couldve been stopped, she lamented.

Littleton Public Schools have allegedly ignore the case

The initial signs of abuse appeared months earlier, with Jess noticing unusual injuries on Dax since September 2023. After confirming with The Joshua School that these injuries did not occur on their premises, Jess approached LPS with her concerns, only to be dismissed. As Daxs condition worsened, Jesss concern mounted.

I notified LPS on March 18 and on March 19 got a phone call from Littleton police informing me that an LPS employee had severely abused my child, Jess recounted. Theviewing of the video at the LPS transportation building left her utterly devastated.

ALSO READ| 'Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is flawed', FAA says its investigating whistleblower claims

My son doesnt have the ability to tell me when someone is hurting him, a father of another affected child stated. 

My son doesnt have the ability to tell me that he was forced to watch someone hurt his friends.

The families are now gearing up for legal action against LPS, accusing the district of neglecting their concerns for months and effectively ignoring the signs of abuse. Kiarra Jones faces a preliminary hearing in Arapahoe County Court on May 3 at 1:30 p.m., charged with third-degree assault and injury against at-risk juveniles.
Boeing is currently under federal investigation following allegations made by a whistleblower claiming the malpractices of its 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets. Boeing 787 Dreamliner are under production at the Boeing manufacturing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina, Federal aviation authorities are investigating claims by a Boeing engineer that the 787 Dreamliner suffers from assembly defects that threaten safety, US officials said on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Logan Cyrus / AFP)(AFP)

One of the engineers at Boeing, Sam Salehpour, has made serious allegations suggesting that the company has been doing shoddy work in the production of these crafts that could cause serious consequences as the models grow older.

The New York Times first reported about the whistleblowers filing of a formal complaint, a document initially reported by the Federal Aviation Agency, FAA, in March 2019 and later this past Monday was leaked to the public.

Salehpours criticisms, although valid, do not relate to the 737 Max jet, which after two shortened periods of services, irrespectively, has been prohibited from flying by the FAA.

The whistleblowers concerns are specifically about two quality issues that may dramatically reduce the life of the planes.

ALSO READ| Who is Aimee Harris? Florida woman jailed for stealing US President Joe Biden's daughter's diary

In a press release, Salehpour expressed, I am doing this not because I want Boeing to fail, but because I want it to succeed and prevent crashes from happening. He further emphasized, The truth is Boeing cant keep going the way it is. It needs to do a little bit better, I think.

FAA scrutinizing the allegations

The FAA has taken these allegations seriously and has conducted an interview with Salehpour as part of its ongoing investigation, as confirmed by his attorney, Lisa Banks.

Voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal is a critical component in aviation safetyWe strongly encourage everyone in the aviation industry to share information, the FAA said.

Next week, a Senate subcommittee is scheduled to address these concerns in a hearing. While Boeing has not commented on the specific claims regarding the 777 model, it has contested the allegations about the 787 Dreamliner.

Boeing defended the structural integrity of the 787: These claims about the structural integrity of the 787 are inaccurate and do not represent the comprehensive work Boeing has done to ensure the quality and long-term safety of the aircraft.

ALSO READ| Israeli military strikes Hezbollah targets in Syria, releases video

Boeing didn't patch the small gaps while assembling

Salehpours complaint includes accusations that assembly crews on the 787 Dreamliner did not adequately fill small gaps when joining parts of the fuselage.

According to Salehpours attorneys, this oversight could lead to increased wear on the aircraft, reducing its lifespan and potentially resulting in catastrophic failure. These concerns are not entirely new; the FAA and Boeing previously paused deliveries of new Dreamliners for nearly two years, starting in 2021, to investigate these gaps. Boeing claims to have made necessary changes to its manufacturing process, and deliveries have since resumed.

The FAA was reportedly taken aback upon learning through Salehpours complaint that the issue with the gaps had not been fully resolved.
A Florida woman, Aimee Harris, has been sentenced to one month in prison and three months of home confinement in US for stealing and selling President Joe Biden's daughter, Ashley Biden's diary. She has been charged guilty of selling the diary to the conservative group Project Veritas four years ago. Aimee Harris, left, walks out of Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in New York. The Florida mother has been sentenced to a month in prison and three months of home confinement for stealing and selling President Joe Biden's daughter's diary four years ago. (AP Photo/Larry Neumeister)(AP)

Manhattan federal court judge, Laura Taylor Swain, described Harris's actions as "despicable."

Who is Aimee Harris?

Aimee lives in Florida and had found Ashley Biden's diary, a digital storage card, books, clothing, luggage, and "everything she could get her hands on" in an attempt to profit. She had found these at a friend's Delray Beach, Florida, home in 2020. Biden's daughter had believed her belongings were safely stored there after a temporary stay in the spring of 2020.

Harris tearfully apologized for selling Ashley Bidens private writings. I do not believe I am above the law, Harris stated after a prosecutor pressed for a prison sentence due to her repeated failure to appear at sentencing dates, claiming she was preoccupied with caring for her two children, aged 8 and 6.

I'm a survivor of long-term domestic abuse and sexual trauma, she told the judge.

With a lawyer for Ashley Biden present in the courtroom, Harris apologized to the president's daughter, expressing regret for making her personal life public. She is required to report to prison in July. As she left the courthouse, she declined to comment.

Why did Aimee Harris sell Ashley Biden's diary?

In August 2022, Harris pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge, admitting she received $20,000 out of the $40,000 paid by Project Veritas for personal items of Ashley Biden. She and a co-defendant, Robert Kurlander from nearby Jupiter, Florida, had also attempted to sell Ashley Bidens belongings to then-President Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Sobelman argued for a prison sentence claimed, Aimee, wanted to damage Ms. Bidens father and did this to make profit.

What is Project Veritas?

Founded in 2010, Project Veritas describes itself as a news organization and is renowned for its undercover investigations that have embarrassed news outlets, labour organizations, and Democratic politicians.
NSW Police have charged two men in Nigeria after an alleged sextortion scam of over $500 led an Australian schoolboy to take his own life.

According to a police probe conducted last year, the child was interacting with an "unknown person online," who threatened to share his private images with his family and friends if he did not pay $500.

2 Nigerian Men Charged With Sextortion Offenses

Local NSW Police officers initially examined the matter before it was referred to the Australian Federal Police-led Australian Center to Counter Child Exploitation and the Cybercrime Squad of State Crime Command.

Sexual extortion, or sextortion, is a form of cyber blackmail that involves tricking or pressuring someone into submitting graphic photos of oneself. They are then warned that these photographs will be shared if they do not comply with demands.

Last month, detectives were informed that "two young males" from Nigeria had been taken into custody and charged with sextortion.

According to NSW Police, the two males would be "dealt with locally" in Africa, where authorities can prosecute for Australian-based offenses.

Commander of State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad Detective Superintendent, Matthew Craft, urged youth to report these crimes. He said that the number of sextortion cases has surged by around 400% in the last 18 months.

He added that they want young people to continue to report these cases and never to be embarrassed to talk to the police.

AFP Commander Helen Schneider said that sextortion is a very real crime that they can take serious action against. She continued that the arrests showed what could be achieved when law enforcement worked together to fight a global problem.

Furthermore, Schneider noted the sextortion of children is a borderless crime, as these arrests show. She said the partnerships between law enforcement in Australia and worldwide are vital as they work together to protect children online.

Cybercrime Expert Explains Risks of Growing Online Culture

Lesley Land is a senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales, specializing in fraud and cybercrime.

According to her statement to the ABC, extortion efforts such as this have been around for a while and can be carried out by anyone worldwide. This has changed with the rise of technology and an increasingly online lifestyle, making sextortion more common.

Dr. Land said that the latest increase may result from people's ignorance that if they expose themselves online, people can easily take a shot at them and blackmail them.

Another explanation might be a rise in loneliness paired with longer-term scams.

Dr. Land said that the perpetrators are willing to spend lots of time talking to the person and making them believe they are being loved.

However, Dr. Land stated that more victims sharing their stories may cause this rise. She continued that even if this is good, more precautions must be taken.

"I think it's good in the sense that [victims] have reported it, and it's reflected in the statistics, but we really should educate them not even to depart with [any income], or even not reveal themselves online."
The family of a Missouri man convicted of murdering his cousin and her husband are holding out hope in the finals hours leading up to his scheduled execution on Tuesday, with some relatives insisting that an execution would cause the family more pain.

Brian Dorsey pleaded guilty to the December 2006 killing of Sarah Bonnie and her husband, Ben Bonnie. Dorsey, 52, had asked his cousin to lend him money, after drug dealers entered his apartment and demanded repayment. The Bonnies paid his debt and took Dorsey back to their home, where they spent the evening drinking and playing pool.

Hours later, Dorsey entered the couple's bedroom and murdered both with a shotgun. Court records allege that Dorsey then sexually assaulted Sarah's corpse but he has never confessed to that or been charged with rape. After the killings, Dorsey left the couple's home, while their four-year-old daughter continued to sleep in another room.

"I was for the execution," Dorsey and Bonnie's cousin Claudia Boyce told KSDK. "But after being through this, after seeing how this affects so many people, you don't even think about that until you've gone through it."

"You know, that's supposed to be God's decision, not ours," she said.

In the ensuing years, Dorsey has never disputed that he killed his cousin. Rather he claims that he was suffering from drug-induced psychosis and received insufficient legal representation during his trial.

In the weeks leading up to his execution, Dorsey has pleaded with Missouri Governor Mike Parson to have his sentences commuted to life in prison. Parson denied the request, in spite of support from the Catholic Church, law professors, mental health activists and dozens of prison employees who met Dorsey during his time behind bars.

The execution has also divided and pained Dorsey's family - many of whom struggle with their connection to both the victim and the perpetrator.

"It will be terrible for me because he is like my son," Linda Stone, who is both Dorsey and Bonnie's cousin, told KSDK.

"If Brian is executed I'm going to be heart broken," cousin Jennifer Gerhauser told the outlet. "I just don't understand how anyone or God, or the powers that be or fate or whatever is running this world could allow that special light to be extinguished."

Other members of Sarah Bonnie's family released a statement condemning Dorsey's actions and insisting on the execution.

"They were loved so deeply by anyone that knew them," the statement said, according to CNN. "All of these years of pain and suffering we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Brian will get the justice that Sarah and Ben have deserved for so long."
A Microsoft employee was sentenced to 7-years in prison for using the dark web to hire contract killers to target the birth parents of children he had adopted.

Christopher Pence, 43, of Cedar City, Utah previously pleaded guilty to the plot to kill the New York couple.

He admitted that he used his computer back in 2021 to access a "darknet" website dedicated to arranging contract killings and arranged for the murder of two residents of Hoosick Falls, New York.

He paid a website administrator approximately $16,000 worth of Bitcoin to facilitate the murders.

Pence provided the website administrator with the names, addresses, and photographs of the intended victims.

He instructed the administrator to make the murders look like an accident or botched robbery and requested that care be taken not to harm any of the children who resided with the victims.

But he reportedly suggested that having their 13-year-old son witness the killing could help it appear to be an apparent botched robbery.

The intended victims were not harmed and the FBI arrested Pence in Utah on October 27, 2021.

Pence told investigators that he solicited the murders because of the "fraught relationship" between his family and the victims following Pence's family's adoption of several of the victims' children.

In a sentencing recommendation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O'Hanlon said the plot "shocks the conscience," the Time Union reported.

Pence's attorney admitted the couple wanted their children back, but said Pence was concerned about them possibly facing abuse. He asked for a four-year term.

Along with the 7-year sentence, United States District Judge David N. Hurd ordered Pence to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.


A father-son duo who brutally murdered two men in 2022, torturing them with machetes and hammers before finally killing them have finally learned their sentence.

Ian MacLeod, 66, and his 42-year-old son, Dylan were both sentenced to 34 years behind bars for the spine-chilling killings of Derek Johnston and Desmond Rowlings. The father-son duo toyed with the men, repeatedly hitting them over the head with a Stanley knife, a machete, and a hammer.

The MacLeods must serve the entirety of their terms before being eligible for parole, according to the Daily Mail.

MacLeod senior initially invited Johnston and Rowlings to his flat in Greendykes House in the Craigmillar area of Edinburgh between October 30 and November 1, 2022.

After maiming the men, the pair used a blowtorch to carve 'YLT' into Johnston's foreheads, sliced off an ear and part of his nose, and forced nails through his eyes.

With Rowlings, they burned the letters 'VT', 'YT', and 'YLT' across his body, severed parts of his nose and upper lip, and cut off his ears.

Johnston, who lived in Liberton, Edinburgh, told a neighbor just days prior that he had heard rumors that the two killers were out for blood, the DailyMail reported.

Despite these comments, Johnston still arrived to the flat on October 30, roughly around 6:15 p.m.

Rowlings, a retired joiner, showed up to the gathering later on October 31.

Advocate deputy Gavin Anderson told the court that police had to break into the father and son's flat, where they found the victims' bodies.

"The body of Mr. Rowlings was found in the living room. He was lying on his back in the far right corner of the room, under a window. He was covered by a blanket," Anderson described.

Anderson continued with the grisly details as he spoke in the courtroom.

"A Stanley knife, hammer, and blowtorch were found beside him. He had sustained significant injuries to his head and body, including the partial removal of his ears and nose, as well as multiple stab wounds to the face."

"The body of Mr. Johnston was found in the bathroom, lying within the bath. He was covered by a rug. He had sustained significant injuries to his head and body. A hammer was embedded in his head. A nail was protruding from each eyeball."

Following the murders, Dean left a bloodied note for police that read,

"What we have done was evil and sadistic, but I have pleaded for help for decades."

The duo left the scene of the crime and each took a dose of methadone in an attempt to commit suicide; however, they ended up driving themselves to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

That's where they met off-duty doctors on the grounds of the psychiatric institution before being taken to Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary.

Ian MacLeod's counsel, Brian McConnachie KC, explained to the court that the father, who was previously jailed for six years on assault charges, has several health issues, including Parkinson's disease.

Mark Stewart KC, counsel for Dean MacLeod, also claimed his client has been suffering from mental health issues for years.

A judge told the pair at Edinburgh's High Court:

"This is, on any view, one of the worst cases of murder to come before the High Court."
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told a Senate committee that the US "does not have evidence" that Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people, even as Israel faces mounting pressure from the international community to mitigate the growing humanitarian crisis inside Gaza.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton posed the question after Lloyd's statements to the Senate Armed Services Committee were disrupted by a protester yelling "the blood of the Palestinian people is on your hands," according to Forbes.

"We don't have any evidence of genocide being created," Austin told the committee.

The Defense Secretary added that the U.S. was "committed to helping assist Israel in defending its territory and its people by providing security assistance."

In the six months since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel that killed more than 1,000 people, the situation inside Gaza has grown increasingly dire. At least 33,037 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 13,000 children. People in northern Gaza are subsisting on an average of 245 calories per day, according to Oxfam International. The region is also considered the most dangerous place in the world for journalists and aid workers.

In recent weeks, even long-time Israel supporters in Washington have become critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after an Israeli Defense Forces airstrike killed seven aid workers, including one American citizen. Tensions between President Joe Biden and Netanyahu have also escalated as Israel threatens a ground invasion of the Gaza city of Rafah - something the US has said would be a "mistake."

Israel's critics have accused the country of conducting a genocide in Gaza for months - with South Africa launching a case in United Nations' International Court of Justice alleging "acts and omissions by Israel" are "genocidal in character." In response, the ICJ ordered Israel to take action to prevent a genocide from occuring.
The mother of a Nebraska father of 10 killed by a security guard outside a bar is vowing to get justice, adding that he was gunned down on the sidewalk "like a rabid dog."

Gregory Little, Jr., 32, died from several gunshot wounds Sunday morning outside the Royal Hookah Bar and Lounge in Lincoln, Nebraska, according to police.

Authorities said Little was involved in a brawl with other patrons outside the establishment over a dispute about line cutting, prompting security from the bar to intervene.

A 24-year-old male security guard fatally shot the victim multiple times in the arm and chest.

But his sister, Kelyna Taylor, remembers the chain of events leading up to her brother's death, differently.

"My brother had dropped his phone," Kelyna, who was with Little that night, recalled during a vigil for her late brother, according to KLKN-TV. "He reached for his phone, and then the security guard shot him."

"They shot him down like a rabid dog," Little's mom, Vernadine Taylor, added. "One bullet put him down. Why did you shoot him three more times?"

"I just need justice for my son," said Vernadine. "And I will get justice if it takes the last penny of my life. Until I die, he will get justice."

Little  a father of 10  owned soul food truck Lula Mae's Kitchen, where he frequently fed the less fortunate for free, according to loved ones.

"He's a family man, a loving man, and he's a good person," Little's stepfather, Terrence Tucker, told the station.

Meantime, Kelyna said her "heart is broken in a million pieces," as she struggles to cope with her sibling's slaying. "I don't know how to go on without my brother."

Police said several people were taken into questioning following the shooting. No arrests have been made.
A beloved man, the leader of a North Miami-Dade church, was stabbed to death on church property, leaving behind a devastated wife, son, and three daughters.

41-year-old Antwane Lenoir, affectionately known as "Pastor A.D.," was found dead in his holy home.

Officers from Miami-Dade Police's Northside District answered a call about a stabbing at Westview Baptist Church on Saturday, 13301 NW 24th St., around 5:30 p.m.

A manhunt ensued shortly after for 44-year-old James Dawkins.

Dawkins had been living at the church, according to the Miami Herald. However, when the pastor requested a locksmith to change the locks, an angry Dawkins proceeded to argue with Lenoir.

Police claim that even though Lenoir was "in his full armed security guard uniform," Dawkins was the first to pull out a weapon, stabbing Lenoir "multiple times" before running.

Law enforcement were able to track him down around 2 p.m. Sunday and arrest him shortly thereafter.

Dawkins was appointed a public defender at Monday's first court hearing, where he entered a plea of not guilty to a first-degree murder charge.

He is currently being held without bond at the Miami-Dade Corrections' Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center until trial.

The pastor received an outpour of love and sentiment from the mayor, friends, and community members.

"The City of Opa-locka grieves the loss of a noble man and friend. We were blessed to have this great man as a part of our community, serving in many capacities to ensure that our residents had a voice.

As a unified body, we pray that God strengthens his family, friends, and ministry through these trying times. The legacy that Pastor A.D. Lenoir leaves behind will live on.

""Thank you for your service. You will be missed." Mayor John H. Taylor II expressed this in a Facebook post.

Marie-Joe Aurelus Bien-Aime wrote, "I am heartbroken by this terrible tragedy. I have worked with Doctor/Pastor Lenoir for several years at Madie Ives K-8. He will be greatly missed."
Lunchables - the iconic kids' meal kits, often served in school cafeterias - contain elevated levels of highly poisonous metals like lead and cadmium, a new report claims.

The advocacy organization Consumer Report urged the United States Department of Agriculture to stop serving the meal kits as part of the National School Lunch Program, a federally funded intiative which provides schoolchildren from low income families with free or reduced-price meals.

"Lunchables are not a healthy option for kids and shouldn't be allowed on the menu as part of the National School Lunch Program," Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports said in a press release. "The Lunchables and similar lunch kits we tested contain concerning levels of sodium and harmful chemicals that can lead to serious health problems over time. The USDA should remove Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program and ensure that kids in schools have healthier options."

Two Lunchables meal kits - Turkey & Cheddar Cracker Stackers and Extra Cheesy Pizza - are available to children recieving free and low-cost school lunches, while several others available for purchase in grocery stores. The meal kits that were found to contain lead were purchased at a grocery store, along with similar products from competitors Armour Lunchmakers, Good and Gather, Oscar Meyer and P3. While Lunchables had the highest levels of lead, all of the products were found to contain at least some quantity of the heavy metal.

"We don't think anybody should regularly eat these products, and they definitely shouldn't be considered a healthy school lunch," Consumer Report chemist Eric Boring said.

Lead and cadmium can occur naturally in the envionment or emerge during the packaging and manufacturing process, according to the report. While none of the products exceeded even California's stringent guidelines for lead quantity, they did in some cases exceed 50% of the amount of lead that be safely consumed in one day.

"That's a relatively high dose of heavy metals given the small serving sizes of the products, which range from just two to four ounces," Boring said.

Childhood exposure to lead can lead to numerous health concerns, including brain damage, slowed development and learning delays, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Studies have also found that childhood cadmium exposure can lead to cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney and neurological problems.

In addition to the presense of heavy metals, the Consumer Report analysis noted that there was at least one phthalate in every tested meal kit. Phthalates are endocrine disrupters that can increase the risk of reproductive problems, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

"None of the products exceeded any regulatory limits, but many researchers think those limits are far too permissive, given the emerging research about phthalates harms," Boring said in the press release.

Kraft-Heinz, the parent company for Lunchables, defended their product in an email to HNGN but did not dispute that there was lead present in the meal kits.



"We've taken great steps to improve the nutrition profile of Lunchables, including recently unveiling Lunchables with Fresh Fruit, in partnership with Fresh Del Monte, and reducing the sodium in all Lunchables crackers by 26%. All our foods meet strict safety standards that we happily feed to our own families. We are proud of Lunchables and stand by the quality and integrity that goes into making them", the spokesperson said.

"The classification of foods should be based on scientific evidence that includes an assessment of the nutritional value of the whole product, not restricted to one element such as a single ingredient or the level of processing."
An Illinois woman who was "nearly decapitated" during a violent attack by her husband armed with a knife died in front of their young kids, said police.

Baltazar Perez-Estrada, 33, has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder for the alleged fatal stabbing of 26-year-old Maricela Simon Franco.

It's unclear if he entered a plea to the charges. Attorney information was not immediately available. He was denied bond, court records show.

Perez-Estrada is accused of stabbing Franco "dozens of times in her head, neck, body and hands, nearly decapitating her," at their Carol Stream, Illinois, apartment, on the night of March 31, according to authorities.

The morning of April 1, the suspect turned himself in to Carol Stream police and allegedly confessed to the slaying, which he said was preceded by a verbal argument that turned physical in front of their kids.

"The men and women of the Carol Stream Police Department stand by the family and friends of Maricela Simon Franco as they mourn this tragic loss," Chief of Police Don Cummings said in a statement. "Not only has this senseless and brutal act removed Maricela from their lives, but it has robbed two young children of their mother."

Investigators said Perez-Estrada illegally arrived in the U.S., two weeks ago. He's also been charged with alien inadmissibility.

Perez-Estrada is scheduled for arraignment on the murder charges on April 25.
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez described the experience of seeing fake pornographic photos of her as retraumatizing, and comparable to "physical rape" in a new interview.

"[Deepfakes] parallels the same exact intention of physical rape and sexual assault, which is about power, domination, and humiliation," she told Rolling Stone.

Ocasio-Cortez, 34, is one of several public figures who have been targeted with deepfake AI porn. An analysis of the deepfake porn industry found there were more than 4,000 named celebrities who were the victim of similarly faked pictures, the Guardian reported.

"There's a shock to seeing images of yourself that someone could think are real," the congresswoman told Rolling Stone. "As a survivor of physical sexual assault, it adds a level of dysregulation. It resurfaces trauma ... in the middle of a f-ing meeting."

In addition to high profile adults, many adolescent girls have found themself subject to AI porn manufactured by their school classmates. One 14-year-old girl, in New Jersey, began fighting for better protections after fake nude pictures were shared throughout her school's student body.

"Kids are going to kill themselves over this," Ocasio-Cortez told Rolling Stone. "People are going to kill themselves over this."

The congresswoman introduced the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 to Congress last month, which would prosecute those responsible for disseminating the images.

"We've struck a remarkable bipartisan note this Congress on protecting Americans - especially children - from exploitation online. This includes addressing the rise of non-consensual, sexually-explicit deepfakes, often targeted at women," U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin said at the time.

"The deepfakes may not be real, but they cause very real harms. It's time to return power to the victims and give them a tool to demand justice from those responsible for these horrific images."
A California man is taking legal action against more than 50 women and suing for $2.6 million in damages after they allegedly shared negative stories about him on an "Are We Dating the Same Guy" Facebook page.

Stewart Lucas Murrey is claiming their reviews were false and defamatory.

The women believe Murrey is using this as an opportunity to intimidate them, and they're asking the courts to shut down the lawsuit.

On Monday, a judge in Los Angeles civil court ruled that one of the women, Vanessa Valdez, did nothing wrong by sharing her opinion of Murrey with the popular online group, according to the New York Post.

Kelly Gibbons, who is also named in the lawsuit, said the first time she saw Murrey in real life was when he personally came to her house to drop off the lawsuit.

"It was pretty eerie. He was filming with his cellphone, walking in. I don't know who wouldn't get creeped out by that," she said.

The women that were called out by Murrey, who alleges they ruined his dating life and damaged his reputation, are hoping that the ruling will set a precedent and prevent him from further using the legal system against them by invoking California laws meant to deter junk lawsuits, called anti-SLAPP laws.

The judge found no evidence of conspiracy and granted an anti-SLAPP motion to prevent any overreach of the legal system to silence the women.

Gibbons posted the original story about Murrey in the Los Angeles chapter of "Are We Dating the Same Guy?" after meeting on a dating app and texting for a few weeks.

She said she spoke with Murrey on the phone before she decided she didn't want to meet him in person after all.

The exchange was so bad that she wanted to warn other women about his rude behavior, emphasizing, "I wouldn't want my friend going out with someone like that."

Shortly after, other women began sharing their experiences with Murray and posted screenshots of text exchanges with him to potentially warn off women.

The "Are We Dating the Same Guy" Facebook group, which started in New York City in 2022, is part of a larger network of groups where women exchange stories about negative dating experiences they've encountered in their cities. Currently, the Los Angeles chapter has approximately 53,000 members.

Sadly, Murrey is not the first man to file lawsuits against women who have voiced their negative reviews on the page.

Nikko D'Ambrosio, 32, filed a lawsuit against 27 women in Chicago in January after describing him as "very clingy" and a ghoster.
The gunman who shot and killed his former daughter-in-law and her lawyer husband during a deposition at a Las Vegas law firm was reportedly diagnosed with terminal cancer

Joe Houston murdered prominent attorney Dennis Prince and his wife Ashley Prince, who he was representing, in her custody battle against her former husband, Dylan Houston, Headlines & Global News previously reported.

Dylan is Houston's son, and Houston was representing him in his custody battle.

Sources said the longtime lawyer and the grandfather to Ashley and Dylan's two children was battling terminal cancer, according to KTNV-TV. It's unclear what type.

Shortly into Monday's deposition, Houston opened fire on the Princes across the table, police said.

Ashley and Dennis were "very specific targets," Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Seven people, including a court reporter and another pregnant lawyer, were in the room at the time of the attack, the outlet reported. Houston "shooed away" at least one person in the room during the shooting, said Johansson.

The deposition was in response to an "emergency motion for sole custody of the minor children; and for attorneys' fees and costs," according to court records, the Review-Journal reported.

In records obtained by KLAS-TV, Dylan was accused of using cocaine and drinking alcohol while he had custody of his and Ashley's children. He also allegedly sent Ashley derogatory texts.

Ashley previously filed a restraining order against him in 2022, the documents showed.

She leaves behind three children, after recently welcoming a child with Dennis.

Dennis was a father of four, three of whom were from previous relationships.
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in favor of the enforcement of an 1864 law that would ban nearly all abortions in the state, with the only exception being when a mother's life is in danger.

The order will make Arizona the latest state to ban abortions at all stages of pregnancy, joining 14 others across the U.S.

However, the court said that law enforcement will not start for some time, at least two weeks or up to two months.

Under the near-total abortion ban, the number of procedures in the state of Arizona is expected to drop from roughly 1,100 every month to nearly zero.

A survey for the Society of Family Planning estimated this. The forecast was based on what has happened in other states in the country that enforced bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy.

Arizona Sen. Eva Burch immediately criticized Republican lawmakers who supported the ban following the state Supreme Court's decision.

The senator, who has had an abortion since announcing on the Senate floor last month that she was seeking the procedure because her pregnancy was not viable, said that the fight for reproductive rights in Arizona continues, according to the Associated Press.

Burch's remarks referenced a statewide petition campaign that seeks to put the issue on the ballot this fall. She added that this moment when the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in favor of enforcing the 1864 law must not "slow us down."

The AP VoteCast found that six out of 10 Arizona voters in the 2022 midterm elections said that they were in favor of guaranteeing access to legal abortion across the nation.

Officials from Planned Parenthood also committed to continuing giving abortions during the short time that the procedure is still considered legal.

They also said that they will work on reinforcing networks that will help women travel out of state to other areas, such as New Mexico and California, to get their abortions there.

The president of Planned Parenthood's Arizona chapter, Angela Florez, said that despite the state Supreme Court's ruling, the organization will continue to provide roughly 15 abortions per week.

The Civil War-era abortion law can be traced back to a time before Arizona became a state and was codified in 1901. The law carries a prison sentence of two to five years for abortion providers, as per CNN.

The enforcement of the law would bring Arizona in line with some of the strictest states in the country when it comes to abortion, including Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. In these regions, bans exist with almost no exceptions, such as rape.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said the state Supreme Court's ruling was a "seismic decision." She added that the situation has now changed everything as the decision supercharges the ballot initiative and the elections of all pro-choice candidates.

State Gov. Katie Hobbs also clarified the stakes by using the latest developments to mobilize voters in November. According to AZCentral, voters who want change should take their frustrations to the ballot box.

Pro-Abortion Rights, IVF Democrat Wins Alabama State Seat in District Trump Took in 2020
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the commemoration of the 82nd anniversary of the Fall of Bataan on Tuesday (Apr. 9) at the summit of Mt. Samat, the site of some of the fiercest fighting to take place in 1942, which was rededicated as a shrine to the fallen Filipinos and Americans.

In a speech that followed a wreath-laying ceremonyalso attended by US Deputy Chief of Mission to the Philippines Robert Ewing and newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo KazuyaMarcos insisted that the Philippines would stand against oppression amid "unacceptable" and "unjust" threats to the country's sovereign rights that, he said, "have already caused physical harm to our people."

According to the Manila Times, the president further called on Filipinos to never allow oppressors in the country's "own backyard," much like those who fought during the Second World War.

"Eighty-two years on, our nation remains confronted with novel challenges, in varying forms and degrees, but with the same existential impact," he told the audience, most of which were surviving veterans of World War II, Korea, and even Vietnam. "Some portend clear and present threats to our sovereign rights and, in fact, have already caused physical harm to our people."

Marcos also hopes that the example of the "Battling Bastards of Bataan" and their Filipino counterparts would inspire the youth and future generations to stand firm in the face of current geopolitical tensions, especially in the South China Sea.

"Just like what our ancestors did, we should not be subjugated and oppressed, especially within our own backyard," he exhorted, adding that the Philippines should leverage the lessons of the past to "safeguard the future of [the] Republic," and that the sacrifices of its heroes must "galvanize" and "strengthen" its national consciousness and patriotic spirit.

"Ours is a complicated world today, but we must not yield. We must not back down from any and all challenges that seek to threaten our peace, our honor, and our very existence," he added.

He further called on defense officials to "assess" and "submit a report" on the responsiveness of the current inventory of military supplies and equipment.

He also urged his cabinet officials to "study the existing separation benefits of soldiers who incurred total permanent disability in the line of duty to see if these are commensurate to the sacrifices they have made and submit their recommendation while taking stock of the national government's position."

Read Also : Philippines Tightens Maritime Security as High-Seas Tensions With China Rise

While Marcos did not specify any incident, the speech came a month after the Chinese Coast Guard injured Filipino crew members in a water cannon attack near Second Thomas Shoal, where the dilapidated Filipino warship BRP Sierra Madre was run aground and permanently crewed by Filipino marines.

The speech also came two days after warships from Manila completed a joint maritime drill with US, Japanese, and Australian naval vessels in the South China Sea.

Later this week, Marcos will join Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in traveling to Washington to meet with US President Joe Biden to discuss mutually relevant issues such as the recent maritime incidents off the Philippine coast.

Meanwhile, Kazuya also spoke in the memorial ceremony, stressing his country's commitment to maintaining the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific against Chinese oppression as a foe-turned-ally and partner for both Washington and Manila.

"We, the Japanese people, are determined to never allow the devastation of war to be repeated ever again for the sake of present and future generations," he said. "Our trilateral cooperation with the Philippines and the United States serves as a symbol as a shared commitment to promote a free and open international order based on the rule of law."

"Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment as strategic partners and ally and friends in building a future preserving the peace and prosperity in the region. I believe that this is the best tribute we can offer to the souls of those who passed away in the fighting that took place here 82 years ago,"
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei renewed the current regime's commitment that Israel "must be punished and it shall be" for recently attacking the Iranian embassy compound in Syria, which resulted in the death of two generals and five other members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

"When they attack the consulate, it is as if they have attacked our soil," Khamenei said in a speech marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be."

The statement was made on Wednesday (Apr. 10) in an apparent escalation of Israel's war against regional adversaries. A similar statement was made last week during the funeral of the seven IRGC personnel.

Read Also : Iran Vows Revenge for Generals, Soldiers Killed in Syria Consular Annex Strike

In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that his country would respond if Iran attacked Israel from its own soil.

                 @khamenei_ir    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) April 10, 2024

"If Iran attacks from its own territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran," he said in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, which was written in both Hebrew and Arabic.

Neither Katz nor the Ayatollah elaborated on the way they would retaliate.

Iran has been backing groups that have entered the fray across the region since Israel launched its invasion of Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas, Reuters reported.

Aside from Hamas, the Iran-backed Hezbollah was also exchanging fire with Israeli troops stationed in the border shared by Israel and Lebanon.
Chicago police officers stopped a man for allegedly not wearing a seatbelt. Events spiraled to the point police officers shot at him some 96 times, a new review of the incident and police bodycam video reveals.

An investigation is now underway to determine if the officers used excessive force.

The shooting took place on March 21 when five plainclothes officers pulled over Dexter Reed Jr. on Ferdinand St. in a residential neighborhood.

Multiple officers surrounded Reed's vehicle.

"Roll the window down. Roll the window down," the female officer tells the driver in video captured on her body camera. The driver initially rolled his window down but then kept rolling it back up.

"What are you doing?" the officer asks.

"Don't roll the window up. Do not roll the window up," she continues before ordering him to unlock the vehicle.

The video shows that after Reed did not comply with the commands, officers pointed their firearms at him.

The officers are then seen retreating from the vehicle as shots rang out.

The exchange of gunfire left Reed dead and an officer shot in the forearm. Video footage and initial reports appear to confirm that Reed fired first, a new Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) report found. After one of the officers was hit, the other four officers returned fire.

Evidence found that officers returned fire approximately 96 times over a period of 41 seconds, including after Reed got out of his vehicle and fell to the ground. Reed was shot multiple times and was transported to the hospital and later died.

A gun was recovered on the front passenger seat of Reed's vehicle, the investigation found.

"We will carefully review the actions of the involved police officers and their supervisors to determine whether training, policy and directives were properly followed," said First Deputy Chief Administrator, Ephraim Eaddy. "And sent a formal request to Superintendent Larry Snelling recommending the Chicago Police Department relieve four officers of their police powers during the pendency of this investigation. We have also been in contact with the family and will continue to provide updates as the investigation is ongoing."

Reed's family and lawyers question why plain-clothed officers needed to swarm the vehicle.

"Dexter was pulled over for failing to wear his seat belt. Now this leaves many, many questions," attorney Steven Hart told CNN. "Why were tactical officers jumping out of an unmarked police car with their guns drawn for a simple traffic violation of not wearing a seatbelt?"

Reed's uncle Roosevelt Banks said he would have panicked in the situation.

"I would be terrified. I wouldn't know how to ... react other than to protect myself," Banks said.
Authorities in Utah believe they have found the skeletal remains of a young man believed to have been killed nearly two years ago.

The Box Elder County Sheriff's Office says the remains believed to be of Dylan Rounds were found in a remote area of Lucin on Tuesday after the FBI helped search the area for evidence.

The Utah Office of the Medical Examiner will work to make an official confirmation for the victim's identity.

Rounds, 19, disappeared from his farm in 2022. He spoke on the phone with his grandmother before vanishing, East Idaho News reported. He was believed to have been killed but his body was not found.

James Brenner was formally charged in March 2023 with aggravated murder and abuse or desecration of a human body for the murder and the disposal of his body.

"Our hearts go out to the family of Dylan Rounds. We offer our sincerest condolences for the loss of their family member," the Box Elder County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

"We understand that the pain of their loss is immeasurable, and we want to express our deepest sympathies to them. It is our hope that they can find peace moving forward."

"We would like to express our gratitude to our deputies, detectives, volunteers, and other Box Elder County employees who have worked tirelessly investigating and assisting in the many search efforts during the past 23 months," the statement went on to say.

"We highly appreciate their diligent efforts, unwavering dedication, and commitment, and we extend our genuine thanks to them for their hard work."

Authorities say that no additional information can be released at this time so as not to compromise the ongoing legal proceedings.

Rounds had purchased hundreds of acres to pursue his dream of running a farm, People reported.
The Arizona Supreme Court ruling that reinstated a 1864 law banning virtually all abortion has left Republicans scrambling to align themselves with the GOP, without alienating voters in the competitive swing state.

The newly recognized law, which predates Arizona gaining statehood, makes abortion a felony and could penalize those who perform abortions or assist people in accessing abortions with prison sentences of two to five years.

Abortion has proved to be a challenging issue for Republicans in the 2024 election cycle - though overturning Roe v Wade was one of the party's long term goals, in the aftermath of their Supreme Court victory the GOP has found that reproductive rights is a losing issue on the ballot box.

Former President Donald Trump, who takes credit for the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, released a four-minute video this week insisting that abortion should be left up to the states to decide.

"My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint," he said. "But we must win. We have to win."

Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, who previously endorsed the 1864 law, aligned herself with the former president in a statement this week.

"I oppose today's ruling," she said. "I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump - this is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people."

Fellow Republican House member David Schweikert, who described himself as "pleased" when Roe v. Wade was overturned, also objected to the ruling.

"This issue should be decided by Arizonans, not legislated from the bench," he said.

Since 2022, leaving abortion access up to voters almost always results in protecting abortion rights, rather than restricting them. Even in Republican-dominated states, like Kentucky, Kansas and Montana, putting abortion on the ballot has resulted in pro-choice victories.

Other anti-abortion members of the Arizona Republican Party also objected to the law - citing its punitive punishments and lack of exceptions for rape and incest.

"I categorically reject rolling back the clock to a time when slavery was still legal and where we could lock up women and doctors because of an abortion," Republican State Representative Matt Gress said in a statement. "We need a policy that protects the rights of women and protects new life."

Republican consultant Stan Barnes described the decision as a "shock to the Republican body politic in Arizona," the Washington Post reported.

Among those who have devoted their careers to restricting abortion access, however, the ruling was a moment of triumph. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, described the ruling as an "enormous victory for unborn children and their mothers."

Cathi Herrod, one of Arizona's most prominent anti-abortion activists also celebrated the court's decision. "There's a long way to go to establish a culture of life," she said, according to the New York Times. "Today was the right legal decision."
A Watergate assistant prosecutor asserts that Donald Trump could soon join his company's former chief accountant at the Riker's Island jail complex if convicted.

Retired Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg was sentenced to five months on Rikers Island on Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of purgery in connection with a civil lawsuit brought against former President Trump.

Retired prosecutor Nick Akerman told CNN Wednesday that Trump may have to join him there before long.

Trump is set to go on trial in New York next Monday. He is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business documents tied to the repaying of former fixer Michael Cohen for hush-money payments made before the 2016 election to cover up Trump's alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels.

"If Donald Trump is convicted in this upcoming case starting on Monday, I think it's almost impossible that the judge in that case will not send Donald Trump to the presidential suite at Rikers Island," Akerman maintained.

There are a lot of things that could block or delay any time Trump would serve if he is convicted. He might be able to remain free pending an appeal or not be sentenced to serve time behind bars.
A former Ohio-based executive-turned-regulator has just been found dead following a massive bribery scandal.

Gov. Mike DeWine's first pick to chair the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Sam Randazzo, embroiled in a huge utility scandal from 2020, was found dead of an apparent suicide Tuesday in a Franklin County warehouse he owned.

The 74-year-old regulator and former energy consultant had previously been charged in a state and federal court for his role in the crime.

Along with other offenses, Akron-based FirstEnergy paid more than $60 million in bribes between 2017 and 2022 in exchange for a $3.1 billion ratepayer bailout.

Following a decade of questionable dealings between Randazzo and FirstEnergy, DeWine still endorsed Randazzo for his pick as the state's top regulator, according to an indictment obtained by Cleveland Jewish News.

This includes being paid privately as a consultant for FirstEnergy while serving as general counsel to industrial energy users who were attempting to haggle a better deal from FirstEnergy.

Randazzo allegedly scammed millions from settlements FirstEnergy orchestrated with big users via payouts to get them to go along with rate hikes.

Prior to Randazzo's nomination to chair the PUCO in early 2019, FirstEnergy's higher-up executives paid him $4.3 million, a payment the company later admitted was a bribe.

DeWine's chief of staff was reportedly aware of the payment before Randazzo's nomination; however, it remains unclear as to how much she, Dewine, and other staff members knew about the million-dollar payments Randazzo received over the years.

Randazzo initially helped draft the bailout legislation and also facilitated several lucrative deals for FirstEnergy.

After a long trial last year, former House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, was handed down a 20-year prison sentence for his involvement in the scandal.

Former Ohio GOP Chairman Matt Borges was sentenced to five years, while two others have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

Defendant and lobbyist Neil Clark also died by suicide.
A would-be teenaged terrorist who was in the midst of organizing a deadly assault has been stopped by authorities, according to a report.

Alexander Scott Mercurio, an 18-year-old student from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, who had allegedly planned to attack churchgoers in his hometown in the name of ISIS, was arrested on Saturday, April 6.

The FBI identified Mercurio as an online student at a local school who was issued a laptop and Wi-Fi hotspot.

Authorities searched the school-issed laptop and found files "confirming Mercurio's commitment to ISIS and its ideology.", according to USA Today.

The 18-year-old's behavior "escalated" at the beginning of 2024 when he started planning a suicide attack on Coeur d'Alene churches.

In an online group chat with other ISIS supporters, the student wrote, "I'm 17 in the USA."

"I know I try to keep it secret; I'm in north Idaho, and very Christian and conservative parents are mad because I'm not shaving my beard and not letting pants go below my ankle."

He stands accused of "attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS" as well as pledging his allegiance to the terrorist organization, according to a Justice Department news release.

Records show that during an online conversation with an anonymous source whom he later met in person, Mercurio disclosed the plan in elaborate detail.

"The plan is basically this: lie to my dad and say I'm going on a walk, leave, walk to a park, send the bayah video [a pledge of allegiance to ISIS], delete all social media on my phone, then walk to the nearest church," he explained to the confidential source between March 25 and 26.

"Stop close by the church, equip the weapon(s) and storm the temple, kill as many as possible before they inevitably scatter, then burn the temple to the ground and flee the scene, then move onto the next church, rinse, and repeat for all 21+ churches in the town until killed.", he continued to write.

The attack would involve restraining his father with handcuffs and stealing his firearms for "maximum casualties," along with flame-covered weapons, explosives, knives, a machete, a pipe, and other various firearms.

Mercurio singled out a specific church and originally planned the attack for April 7 so that it would occur before the end of Ramadan.

Federal law enforcement officials were able to thwart Mercurio before he could harm his father.

When searching the family's home, authorities found plans for the attack, along with an ISIS flag in his bedroom.

"This case should be an eye-opener to the dangers of self-radicalization, which is a real threat to our communities," Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI said.

"Protecting the American people from terrorism remains the FBI's number one priority, and we continue to encourage the public to report anything suspicious to the FBI or your local law enforcement."

Mercurio faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison should be convicted.
According to a report, the most magical place on Earth will be taking some magic away from fraudulent visitors.

Walt Disney World on Tuesday updated its policies for punishing guests who fake disabilities in order to skip lines, implementing lifetime bans from its parks.

Guests caught lying about having a disability to abuse the Disability Access Service (DAS) program will be banned for life from Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California.

"If it is determined that any of the statements a guest made in the process of obtaining DAS are not true, the guest will be permanently barred from entering the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort, and any previously purchased Annual Passes, Magic Key passes, tickets and other park products and services will be forfeited and not refunded," the new entry on its FAQ web page reads.

The program allows people with disabilities to register a virtual spot in line and wait elsewhere until their appointed time. Not all disabilities qualify for the DAS program, but guests who have difficulty waiting in lines, including those with a "developmental disability like autism," can take advantage of it.

Disney has overhauled the DAS program and implemented additional changes, including a requirement that guests enrolling in the DAS program attend a virtual video meeting with Inspire Health Alliance experts before their visit.

Medical documentation of a disability is not required, but the health professionals will evaluate whether the guest needs a DAS pass.

Existing DAS members will be required to reapply in order to filter out abusers. Disney officials told Nexstar's Scott Gustin that DAS usage has tripled over the past five years.

The new rules will take effect on May 20 at Disney World and June 18 at Disneyland.

-- with reporting by TMX
Former President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday that he would not sign a federal abortion ban if he is elected to serve a second term in November, just days after the presumptive Republican nominee released a four-minute video statement saying that the legality of abortion should be determined by individual states.

"Would you sign a national abortion ban if Congress sent it to your desk," a journalist asked Trump during an Atlanta campaign stop.

"No," Trump said.

The reporter then repeated the question and Trump confirmed for a second time that he would not.

Abortion has proved to be a challenging issue for Republicans in the 2024 election cycle. Though overturning Roe v Wade was one of the party's long term goals, in the aftermath of their Supreme Court victory the GOP has found that restricting abortion is a losing issue at the ballot box.

In his video statement, Trump took credit for appointing the Supreme Court justices who appealed Roe v. Wade but urged Republican voters to prioritize victory in the 2024 race.

"My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint," he said. "But we must win. We have to win."

This week Arizona Republicans were left scrambling after the state Supreme Court ruled that a 19th century law, that treats abortion as a felony, was constitutional. Politicians who celebrated the overturning of Roe v Wade decried the ruling as too extreme, in the highly competitive swing state. Trump distanced himself from the ruling, telling reporters that he agreed the court went "too far."

"That'll be straightened out, and I'm sure the governor and everyone else are going to bring it back into reason and that will be taken care of, I think, very quickly."
A new report by state regulators says the killing of a worker at a North Carolina group home was over being forced to end a phone call with his mother.

A 16-year-old is accused of beating 54-year-old Ganiyu Ibrahim to death.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) report revealed what happened before the killing on January 4 at the Miracle Houses group home in Charlotte.

The juvenile has been charged with murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the case.

Officers responded to the home around 7:15 p.m. for an assault call, according to documents reviewed by Queen City News.

Officers found Ibrahim and a medic crew declared him dead at the scene.

NCDHHS says the incident started when the boy was told he could only have 10 minutes on the phone with his mom instead of 15 because phone hours were ending.

When Ibrahim told him to wrap up the call the teen cursed out the staff and left the home.

The 16-year-old returned a few minutes later and tried to call his mother again. He then allegedly punched Ibrahim in the face several times and continued to try to attack Ibrahim.

Ibrahim tried to go into an office but tripped. The teen then allegedly punched him and stomped on his head repeatedly.

When Ibrahim tried to call 911, the teen smashed his phone, continued to beat him, and dragged his body outside and down the stairs.

There was only one other worker in the home at the time and it was her first day and was fully trained.

She told police "He was in a rage. [Ibrahim] never even touched him."
Alleged "doomsday" triple murderer Chad Daybell's "desire for sex, money and power" is what drove him to kill his first wife and two stepchildren, prosecutors said in scathing opening statements on day one of his high-profile murder trial.

Chad, 55, has been charged with first-degree murder, insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft, in connection with the 2019 deaths of 49-year-old Tammy Daybell, 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

While investigators initially believed Tammy's death was natural, a medical examiner later determined she died by asphyxiation. JJ also died by asphyxiation, while Tylee's death was ruled homicide by unspecified means, according to the medical examiner.

On Wednesday, prosecutors laid out the motive behind the three merciless slayings.

"Two dead children buried in the defendant Chad Daybell's backyard in September of 2018," prosecutor Rob Wood told the jury, according to CNN.

"The next month his wife is found dead in their marital bed. Seventeen days after the death of his wife, Tammy Daybell, this defendant is photographed laughing and dancing on a beach in Hawaii at his wedding to Lori Vallow, a woman who was his mistress and the mother of the children buried in the graves on his property. Three dead bodies," said Wood.

"His desire for sex, money and power led him to pursue those ambitions," Wood alleged. "And this pursuit led to the deaths of his wife and Lori's two innocent children."

Chad and Lori met at a religious conference in Utah in 2018 and began a whirlwind romance, bonding over their "doomsday" obsession while Chad was still married to Tammy.

The couple's alleged aligned belief JJ and Tylee were "dark spirits," "zombies," and "obstacles" was another driver behind the killings, said prosecutors, according to ABC News.

"The evidence will show that this was a convenient narrative," Wood told jurors, CNN reported. "This narrative gave them the pretext to remove people from this world for their own good."

Chad  described by the prosecution as a "seemingly ordinary man" who wrote books on the apocalypse  allegedly buried the kids on his Rexburg, Idaho, property, prosecutors said. Their remains were recovered in 2020.

JJ was found with his mouth duct taped and a plastic bag over his head, while Tylee was dismembered.

In May, Lori was convicted of murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of her children. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Her lawyers have since appealed her convictions.

Chad's trial is expected to last two months.
This event took place at the Government Palace in the Peruvian capital, Lima.

? La presidenta Dina Boluarte promulgo esta tarde la Ley que crea la Universidad Nacional de Bellas Artes y la Universidad Nacional de Folklore Jose Maria Arguedas, lo que ratifica el compromiso del Gobierno con la excelencia academica y la promocion de las artes y la cultura. pic.twitter.com/A7t89HAXQL
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) appointed Scott Strickland Chief Commercial Officer reporting to the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Ballotti. In this newly created leadership role, Strickland and his team will continue delivering the best value and experiences to Wyndham's owners and guests across its 25 brands through a united commercial organization.

As Chief Commercial Officer, Strickland continues his responsibilities for enhancing and implementing Wyndham's technology and distribution strategy and will add oversight of global sales; revenue generation; marketing; communications and the award-winning loyalty program, Wyndham Rewards.With the creation of this new organization, Lisa Checchio, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, will depart Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. During her tenure Lisa launched the Company's "by Wyndham" endorsement strategy, played a large role in the introduction of new hotel brands, and grew Wyndham Rewards - the award-winning loyalty program, which doubled in size in five years and has surpassed 100 million members. Lisa also led the creation of the industry's first-ever program dedicated to women's advancement in hotel ownership, Women Own the Room, which recently celebrated 15 open hotels, more than 50 signings, and a community of more than 550 members.
13:59 | Lima, Apr. 10.

This action responds to a request from various stakeholders in the tourism sector and related areas.

"It also honors our commitment to the Pacific Alliance principles, which proclaim the free mobility of people among State members," reads the statement issued by the ministry.

Likewise, "it reaffirms our spirit in favor of regional integration, as well as the friendship and cooperation ties with the Mexican people."

According to the government agency, this step evidences the commitment to a transparent and participatory administration, "in which dialogue and active listening are essential pillars of this Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

Moreover, it stated that the aforementioned Supreme Decree will be published on Thursday, April 11.

Temporary nature





In turn, the Mexican Embassy in Peru on Tuesday reported that the visa requirement for Peruvians seeking to visit Mexico is temporary and will be re-evaluated from time to time by the Mexican government.





Adolfo Zepeda, head of political affairs at the Mexican diplomatic mission in Peru, told the media that as of April 20 Peruvian citizens will only be allowed to enter Mexico with a visa, so appointments will be made available for the corresponding applications.





In addition, he explained that Peruvians who are holders of a valid visa or permanent residence in the United States, Schengen Area countries, among others, are exempt from this requirement.
Gina Grenyo is a current undergraduate student at the University of Houstons Conrad N. Hilton College pursuing a five-year BS/MS in Global Hospitality Leadership. She holds the position of Director of Events for the Cougar Chapter of the Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston, and she is Community Outreach Director for the Hilton College Ambassadors. Gina is currently a teaching assistant for the colleges accounting courses, and she has experience in front desk supervision, event planning, and teaching. Gina has held front office positions at The St. Regis-Houston and Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, and she will be a Guest Relations intern at The Hotel Hershey this summer. In her free time, she sings in her churchs choir and mentors young girls in Houstons Third Ward on how to effectively public speak.
The Tourism Investments and Economic Development in Europe conference, jointly organized with Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Albania, was held within the framework of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Europe. High-level delegates included investors from the hospitality, aviation and real estate industries, alongside private sector stakeholders and various heads of various international organizations.

Participants discussed and explored avenues how to revitalize Europes tourism sector through strategic investments, with a focus on long-term resilience and growth in line with the wider Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals.

Tourism Doing Business in Albania

During the conference, UN Tourism launched the latest in its series of Tourism Doing Business guidelines, with a new publication focused on Albania. The guidelines provide potential investors with an overview of Albanias business landscape, its economic resilience and growth potential.

In 2023 Albania was ranked 4th globally for the largest percentage increase in international tourist arrivals, recording growth of 56% on 2019.

Albania welcomed 7.5 million international arrivals in 2022, and 10.1 million in 2023.

The strong robust rebound in tourism contributed to economic growth of nearly 5% growth in 2022. As of 2023, the GDP at current prices reached USD 23 billion compared to USD 12.3 billion in 2012.

International tourism in Albania constitutes 46% of total exports and 65% of exports in the services sector.

Albania presents multifaceted investment opportunities within its tourism sector. With its strategic geographic location, developing infrastructure, and a government dedicated to enhancing foreign direct investment, Albania emerges as an attractive destination for investors. These factors have been instrumental in driving Albania's growth and ongoing development. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili

The tourism sector in Albania stands as a dynamic and promising landscape, offering a compelling blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and strategic initiatives shaping its trajectory towards sustainable growth and success. With a surge in greenfield FDI announcements totaling USD 135 million within the tourism cluster, Albania solidifies its position as an attractive investment destination, heralding a promising future ahead. Natalia Bayona, UN Tourism Executive Director

Investments and tourism employment growing

The guidelines offer a comprehensive overview of the investment landscape in Albania. Key takeaways include:

Over the past five years, Albania has consistently attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) at levels surpassing the preceding ten-year average OF EUR 1,004 million. In 2022, the country received EUR 1.372 billion, and between January and September 2023, it received around EUR 1.089 billion.

As of 2023, Albania registered more than 154 startups in different sectors including financial services, tourism, technology, and innovation.

The Startup Law supports the creation and development of high-growth potential startups in the technology and innovation sector.

Value and Investments strategy

Between 2018 and 2023, four greenfield projects were announced in the tourism cluster for a total of USD 135 million (according to fDi Intelligence Financial Times). Through that Strategic Investment Law, the country has promoted around 21 strategic investment projects related to tourism between 2016 and 2023. These projects, which have either been completed or initiated implementation, represent a total investment of EUR 3.09 billion, generating around 16,900 new jobs.

About UN Tourism

The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UN Tourism promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.

Our Priorities

Mainstreaming tourism in the global agenda: Advocating the value of tourism as a driver of socio-economic growth and development, its inclusion as a priority in national and international policies and the need to create a level playing field for the sector to develop and prosper.

Promoting sustainable tourism development: Supporting sustainable tourism policies and practices: policies which make optimal use of environmental resources, respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities and provide socio-economic benefits for all.

Fostering knowledge, education and capacity building: Supporting countries to assess and address their needs in education and training, as well as providing networks for knowledge creation and exchange.

Improving tourism competitiveness: Improving UN Tourism Members' competitiveness through knowledge creation and exchange, human resources development and the promotion of excellence in areas such as policy planning, statistics and market trends, sustainable tourism development, marketing and promotion, product development and risk and crisis management.

Advancing tourism's contribution to poverty reduction and development: Maximizing the contribution of tourism to poverty reduction and achieving the SDGs by making tourism work as a tool for development and promoting the inclusion of tourism in the development agenda.

Building partnerships: Engaging with the private sector, regional and local tourism organizations, academia and research institutions, civil society and the UN system to build a more sustainable, responsible and competitive tourism sector.

Our Structure

Members: An intergovernmental organization, UN Tourism has 160 Member States, 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers and over 500 Affiliate Members.

Organs: The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the Organization. The Executive Council take all measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly and reports to the Assembly.

Secretariat: UN Tourism headquarters are based in Madrid, Spain. The Secretariat is led by the Secretary-General and organized into departments covering issues such as sustainability, education, tourism trends and marketing, sustainable development, statistics and the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), destination management, ethics and risk and crisis management. The Technical Cooperation and Silk Road Department carries out development projects in over 100 countries worldwide, while the Regional Departments for Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East serve as the link between UN Tourism and its 160 Member States. The Affiliate Members Department represents UN Tourism's 500 plus Affiliate members.

UN Tourism Communications Department

+34 91 567 8100

UN Tourism
A few weeks ago, I had the unique opportunity to visit Switzerland to attend the Young Hospitality Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland. I spent my first two days wandering Zurich, the largest city in the country, and I encountered a completely different model of hospitality. The straightforward service was complemented by unique, heartfelt experiences, and all workers were attentive and professional. I found myself efficiently and kindly served, and I began to think that the Swiss-German model of service has something to teach other countries. I believe that the simplicity of the hospitality in Zurich could refresh the sometimes-overwhelming hospitality we experience here in the United States.

Themed artwork, natural light, and local cuisine: Hotel Seegarten. It was here that I had my first taste of Zurich hospitality. I arrived at this boutique hotel in the early morning after a long flight, hoping to drop off my luggage and inquire about an early check-in. A man kindly greeted me at the desk, and he not only took my luggage up to my room but also informed me that he could have the room prepared by noon. When I returned after noon to check in, he remembered me and gave me clear, useful information on the hotels amenities and schedule. Within two minutes I was up in my clean room, able to rest after my lengthy journey.

Throughout the rest of my visit to Zurich, I experienced the same timeliness and quality of service. When I went looking for a local bite to eat, I visited the well-known Zeughauskeller restaurant. The hostess was able to seat me quickly and my server was at my table momentarily. My server was very unobtrusive: there were no constant questions on how I liked the food, no upsells, and no casual small talk. Although this type of service may seem cold or unwelcoming to us here in the U.S., it was refreshing to be able to enjoy my meal in peace.

When comparing Zurichs hospitality to that of the United States, there are a few areas in which I feel Zurich outperforms us. Firstly, they are very timely people. Their service is completed quickly without sacrificing quality. I did not find myself waiting in long lines or being promised amenities that never made it to the room. This sort of timeliness would remove a lot of the guest complaints that we receive for delays in the U.S. In addition, the hospitality establishments in are considerably more unique. In the U.S., SOPs and brand affiliations seem to take precedence, but, in Zurich, individuality and authenticity are of great importance. Hotel Seegarten serves local cheese and pastries for its breakfast buffet, and Zeughauskeller is built from an historic armory. Genuine interactions replace the scripted responses that hospitality representatives are taught in the United States. The whole experience was incredibly organic and human.

What can this model of hospitality teach us? It is important for properties in the U.S. to pique the interest of younger generations, and certainly unique, unobtrusive service does just that. As Millennials and Gen Z individuals become a greater proportion of travelers, expectations are vastly different than before. Younger generations do not necessarily want to spend lots of time at the desk being pressured into loyalty programs or given unnecessary facts about the hotel. Technology allows younger generations to access a wealth of information about the lodgings amenities before arrival, so spending precious vacation time at the hotel desk hearing the same information is undesirable Additionally, younger generations do not like to be tied down to one brand or concept, so uniqueness in service is crucial. This makes Zurichs model of service a perfect fit for upcoming generations.

Although Zurichs hospitality is far from the norm here in the United States, I think its emphasis on timeliness and individuality is a beneficial approach for companies to take in the near future. If hospitality operations want to improve their satisfaction and please their guests, I recommend they incorporate the following three facets of Zurich hospitality into their employee values:

Simplicity : Directions and information about the hotel or restaurant are clearly communicated and easily accessible. Employees do not overwhelm guests or force promotions and programs on them.

: Directions and information about the hotel or restaurant are clearly communicated and easily accessible. Employees do not overwhelm guests or force promotions and programs on them. Authenticity : Responses and interactions are polite, yet not forced or scripted. This type of hospitality feels genuine and direct, and employees seem more caring and attentive to guest needs.

: Responses and interactions are polite, yet not forced or scripted. This type of hospitality feels genuine and direct, and employees seem more caring and attentive to guest needs. Timeliness & trustworthiness: Employees strive to provide all amenities and services quickly, and they keep their promises.

These qualities of service will help eliminate many complaints and provide a more positive stay or experience for your guests. It is to your advantage to train employees to be honest, prompt, and authentically hospitable to your guests. I truly believe that the spirit of hospitality in Zurich can bring a refreshingly simple approach to our complex hospitality in the U.S.
The luxury industry is undergoing a change. As a result, its products are reaching more and more people. In order to avoid losing exclusivity and uniqueness, many brands are now relying on experiences. These are enabling them to strengthen their relationships with their customers, offering them a unique experience without sacrificing status or reputation.

The luxury industry is undergoing a phase of transformation. While in the past few used to buy luxury items, many more people are now spending their money on high-end brands. Evidence of this can be seen, for example, with the French fashion house Hermes. The market value of Hermes was $199 billion at the end of August. That's over 28% more than the $155 billion Nike brand. Of course, Hermes products are much more expensive, but Nike is a very popular brand and most people have a Nike T-shirt, pair of sneakers or gym bag in their wardrobe. Obviously, luxury brands are reaching more and more people today. One reason, among other things, is that consumers of luxury goods are becoming younger and younger.

Broader and younger target group

According to estimates, from 2030 consumers from Generation Z (born after 1995) and Generation Alpha (born after 2010) will be responsible for one third of the spending across the luxury market.

Luxury goods and luxury experiential goods are crisis-resistant. During the coronavirus epidemic, consumers were still diligently purchasing luxury brands Source: EHL

Another reason for the increasing customer base of luxury brands is the so-called lipstick effect

According to this theory, during difficult economic cycles consumers are more likely to consume cheaper luxury goods, such as cosmetics, watches, and fashion. An article in The Economist described the phenomenon as:

When mortgages and pensions become unaffordable, people buy luxury goods instead.

Expenditure, especially on luxury fashion items, will increase sharply in the coming years Source: EHL

Preserving exclusivity and rarity

The trend in Switzerland is that luxury spending will continue to increase. However, brands face a significant challenge, because how can you continue to grow and remain luxurious at the same time?

Exclusivity and rarity are the key features of a luxury good. If everyone owns a certain luxury good, by definition this is no longer a luxury good.

Large luxury brands have recognized this for a while now and are thus increasingly relying on experiences, with the aim of strengthening the customer experience. Such experiences, including hotels, restaurants, and SPAs, allow brands to have a stronger interaction with their customers without compromising the exclusivity of their brand. On the contrary, this enhances the brand even further and a renewed relationship is built with their customers.

 Source: EHL

EHL has been conducting research in the field of customer experience management for several years

At EHL, the 2020 Institute for Customer Experience Management was founded in collaboration with Audemars Piguet, with the aim of implementing these luxury hospitality concepts. The AP House is located on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich, where shopping for a luxury watch becomes an all-round experience.

The prime example of luxury meets hospitality is AP House by Audemars Piguet on Zurichs most popular shopping street Source: EHL

The prime example of luxury meets hospitality is AP House by Audemars Piguet on Zurichs most popular shopping street Source: EHL

Indeed, today, in order to stay relevant, luxury brands must be able to offer luxury experiences.

The luxury industry is also becoming an increasingly important employer for EHL alumni. For example, according to a survey conducted in May 2023, the luxury industry is the second most important sector for our students after the hotel industry. Indeed, 37 percent of respondents said they would like to work in the luxury industry.

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

View source
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.
Tourist-dedicated train offers luxury travel around Taklimakan Desert in NW China's Xinjiang

People's Daily Online) 14:14, April 10, 2024

The tourist train Y931, this year's first New Orient Express tourist-dedicated train that offers high-quality train travel around northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, arrived at the station in the regional capital Urumqi on April 6.

This marked the end of an eight-day trip around the region's Taklimakan Desert offered by the train carrying over 100 tourists from across the country.

Tourists wave from a New Orient Express tourist-dedicated train. (Photo from the media convergence center of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd.)

The tourist train passed through cities in southern Xinjiang like Kashgar, Aksu and Korla, allowing passengers to savor the enchanting scenery of iconic tourist destinations along the route.

The New Orient Express tourist-dedicated trains boast well-appointed carriages, including private bathrooms, KTV lounges, and bars.

The dining car of the train offers a gourmet experience with delicacies incorporating local specialties created by chefs. Visitors can also enjoy private dining room services, with each meal consisting of eight dishes and one soup, accompanied by beer, wine, and champagne.

Photo shows the interior of the dining carriage of a New Orient Express tourist-dedicated train. (Photo from the media convergence center of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd.)

A crew member provides services to a passenger onboard a New Orient Express tourist-dedicated train. (Photo from the media convergence center of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd.)

The tourist train's carriages are all soft sleeping cars fitted with spacious compartments for two to four passengers, featuring a separate shower and toilet, and other facilities.

The bar lounge car provides a relaxing space with a piano and karaoke facilities to while away the hours in style.

Passengers can also enjoy butler and laundry services. A medical team on the tourist train offers medical consultations and assistance to passengers.

Photo shows the interior of a New Orient Express tourist-dedicated train. (Photo from the media convergence center of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd.)

Photo shows the interior of the bar lounge car of a New Orient Express tourist-dedicated train. (Photo from the media convergence center of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd.)

A doctor offers medical services to a passenger onboard a New Orient Express tourist-dedicated train. (Photo from the media convergence center of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd.)

This year, the China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd. plans to launch 18 gold diamond and blue diamond class New Orient Express tourist-dedicated trains, and 16 silver diamond and blue diamond class ones, running along routes spanning the southern and northern areas of Xinjiang.

Tourists pose for a group photo onboard a New Orient Express tourist-dedicated train. (Photo from the media convergence center of China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd.)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
? La presidenta de la republica, Dina Boluarte, lidera en estos momentos el Consejo de Ministros. En esta nueva sesion, se debate el proyecto de decreto de urgencia que dicta medidas extraordinarias en materia economica y financiera, con el que se fortalecera la estrategia para pic.twitter.com/xnSg6r7fJ4
The Fan Economy, Expanded Rights are now a $3.5B business: Whats Next? [Mark Mulligan]

Expanded artists rights  the monetization of an artists brand via merch, fan subscriptions, sponsorships, image and likeness and more. Mark Mulligan and a new MIDiA Report looks at where things stand and whats next.

by Mark Mulligan of MIDiA

MIDiA recently, and exclusively, revealed that expanded rights now represent 10% of the recorded music market with revenues of $3.5 billion. These revenues, derived principally from monetizing the brand of the artist (merch, sponsorships, branding, life, etc.), represent a shift in strategic focus for the global music business. It is moving from a consumption economy to a fan economy. This is only the start. To truly harness the vast potential of a fan economy, three key things need to be addressed:

Along with non-DSP and vinyl, expanded rights represent part of the modern music industrys multi-faceted fan strategy and 2023 was arguably the first year of this new music business era. Streaming is not going away. Indeed, it will be part of this future, but the consumption-focused approach of the 2010s is going to be shunted to the side as fandom takes centre stage. Not a moment too soon.

Share on:
Lenox Community Center: 'Keep on Driving'

LENOX, Mass.  The Lenox Community Center will host an informational session titled "Keep on Driving," featuring Michele Ellicks, community outreach coordinator for the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and Police Chief Stephen O'Brien.

This event aims to provide attendees with valuable insights into defensive driving techniques, disability placards and plates, Real IDs, and other licensing questions.

Scheduled for April 17 at 1:30 pm, the event seeks to offer residents essential knowledge to enhance their driving skills and stay updated on licensing matters.
Pittsfield Businesses Named Finalists Economic Impact Awards

PITTSFIELD, Mass. Mayor Peter Marchetti announced that two Pittsfield businesses, Hot Plate Brewing Co. and Interprint, were respectively named as Silver and Bronze Awardees for the 2023 MassEcon Economic Impact Awards.

According to MassEcon, the Economic Impact Awards celebrate companies throughout the Commonwealth for their contributions to the state's economy. Each awardee must meet three criteria including locating a new operation in Massachusetts or expanding operations resulting in added jobs and facility investment, social impact with community involvement/philanthropic efforts and internal/external equity, diversity and inclusion practices.

To honor these accomplishments, members of the public are invited to attend a celebration at Hot Plate, at 1 School Street, on Thursday, April 18 from 5-7 p.m. In addition, this event will include an opportunity to network with new business owners who have recently opened in Pittsfield.

"Interprint and Hot Plate are prime examples of thriving businesses within their industries," said Mayor Peter Marchetti. "Pittsfield continues to support the expansion of business and introduction of new businesses throughout our community."

The city has a variety of incentives to offer support to existing businesses who are looking to expand their operations or new businesses that want to relocate to Pittsfield.

Sarah Real, Owner and Head Brewer and Mike Dell'Aquila, co-founder and general manager opened Hot Plate Brewing Company in early 2023.

Real is an award winning and nationally recognized home brewer.

The city provided Hot Plate with $140,000 of Pittsfield Economic Development funding for the creation of four full-time jobs with the addition of part-time staff positions. In addition, Hot Plate received $125,000 from the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation for a small business loan and technical assistance grant.

"We're thrilled to be recognized as a Silver Awardee by MassEcon, and we definitely see this as a win for the whole community," said Real. "If it weren't for support from the City, Pittsfield residents, and all of the collaborators we've had the chance to work with, we wouldn't have been able to meet and exceed some of Hot Plate's admittedly ambitious goals."

Interprint, a manufacturing business located in the city since 1985, is constructing a 57,000 square foot

manufacturing facility to accommodate a project that includes three new printing presses. The city provided a 10-year tax increment financing agreement for creating 20 permanent full-time manufacturing jobs by 2025 with a total capital investment of approximately $31 million dollars.

"Interprint, Inc. is proud to again be recognized by MassEcon for this expansion project  the largest ever at our Route 41 facility," said Director of Communications, Peter Stasiowski. "The City of Pittsfield's continuing support has paid dividends over our nearly 40-year history as a stable and growing employer whose fulltime workforce will soon exceed 200 for the first time."
Berkshire Organizations Receive Mass Cultural Council Awards

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Several Berkshire County organizations have been awarded Mass Cultural Council Awards as part of the Gaming Mitigation Fund Grant Program.

"Supporting our performing arts centers is a strategic investment in the vitality of our communities," said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. "These organizations serve as hubs of creativity, offering transformative experiences that entertain, educate, and inspire audiences of all ages. By supporting these institutions, we not only preserve our cultural heritage but also foster innovation, economic growth, and social cohesion, ensuring a vibrant and enriching future for generations to come."

In Berkshire County, the following organizations were among the recipients:

Barrington Stage Company: $6,000

Berkshire Theatre Group: $14,700

The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center: $73,000

Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA): $166,400

Williamstown Theatre Festival: $6,000

This program provides grants to Massachusetts nonprofit and municipal performing arts centers to spend on touring shows or touring artist fees. These grants aim to target funding to those most directly impacted by the operation of resort-style casinos.

First established by the Legislature in the Expanded Gaming Act of 2011, Mass Cultural Council receives 2 percent of gaming revenues to administer this program. The Gaming Mitigation Fund is intended to mitigate a direct threat to the sustainability of Massachusetts' nonprofit and municipal performing arts centers. It provides funding to preserve their ability to compete with casinos, who are working with larger budgets and able to offer attractive amenities, when booking touring acts.

In this round, 58 performing arts centers across Massachusetts received grants ranging from $6,000 to $200,000. Notably, all eligible applicants were successful in securing funding.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by Martine Vassal, President of the Departmental Council of Bouches-du-Rhone of France.

The Prime Minister welcomed the visit of the French delegation to Armenia and highly valued Mrs. Vassal's contribution to the consistent development of Armenia-France relations. Nikol Pashinyan noted that currently there is a new spirit and level of cooperation between the two countries, and the regions of France that maintain strong ties with the regions of Armenia also contribute to this. At the same time, the Prime Minister attached particular importance to the development and strengthening of bilateral economic cooperation and in that context emphasized the need for close cooperation between governments and local self-government bodies, the PM's office said in a readout.

According to the source, Martine Vassal referred to the cooperation with Armenia in the economic, healthcare, social and humanitarian spheres, as well as the opportunities and steps for their expansion. In particular, the President of the Departmental Council of Bouches-du-Rhone informed that today representatives of 30 companies operating in various fields will arrive in Armenia from France, who will discuss with Armenian partners the possibilities of implementing investment programs and expanding trade and economic ties. It was also mentioned that "Tumo" Center for Creative Technologies will be opened in Marseille in the near future.

It is noted that the interlocutors also emphasized the cooperation between the cities of Armenia and France, the promotion of mutual tourist visits.

Reference was made to the humanitarian problems of people forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh and the steps to solve them. In this regard, the implementation of support programs by international partners was highlighted.
YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. On the 32nd anniversary of Maragha Massacre Geghard Scientific and Analytical Foundation has released a statement saying that this massacre represents yet another manifestation of Azerbaijan's policy of hatred and enmity towards Armenians.

32 years ago, on April 10, 1992, units of the Azerbaijani armed forces massacred the Armenian civilian population in the village of Maragha, located in the Martakert region of Artsakh.

Early in the morning of April 10, following prolonged shelling, Azerbaijani armed units attacked Maragha village, slaughtering civilians and destroying the village. t least 50 people were killed as a result of the pogroms in Maragha, with several dozen residents captured; the fate of 19 of them remains unknown.

The Maragha massacre represents yet another manifestation of Azerbaijan's policy of hatred and enmity towards Armenians. Furthermore, Shahin Tagiyev, the commander responsible for the Maragha massacre, was awarded the title of "national hero," and served as an example for Ramil Safarov, as well as other Azerbaijani war criminals of the 2016 April War and the 2020 Artsakh War.

After 2020, Azerbaijan continued its aggressive and genocidal actions, including the forced deportation of Armenians from Artsakh and the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage. The international community must condemn Azerbaijan's actions, and those responsible for war crimes must be held accountable, the statement reads.
Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Grace Kelley, the 27-year-old daughter of country star Wynonna Judd, was arrested on Friday (5 April) after allegedly exposing herself on a busy highway.

She was booked into Elmore County Jail in Alabama on charges of indecent exposure and obstructing governmental operations.

According to court records obtained by People, her bond has been set at $1,000 (789).

Kelley reportedly exposed her breasts and lower body at a busy intersection on Interstate 65 and Highway 14 in Millbrook, then wouldnt identify herself or comply with the police when officers tried to arrest her.

Kelley is the daughter of Judd, 59, and her ex-husband, the businessman Arch Kelley III. Kelleys grandmother Naomi Judd was also a country music star who died in 2022 at the age of 76.

In 2016, at the age of 20, Kelley was arrested for possession of meth. She has had legal troubles ever since, and in 2018 was sentenced to eight years in prison after leaving a court-mandated drug recovery programme early, violating her probation.

open image in gallery Wynonna Judd in Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 2022 ( Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMT )

She was released from prison in December 2022 but arrested again just months later in May 2023 on charges of violating an order of protection and restraining order, as well as violating parole. She returned to prison and was released that October.

In March 2022, while on a temporary leave of absence from jail, Kelley gave birth to a daughter, Kaliyah Chanel.

Last year, Wynonna Judd moved to reassure fans after her performance at the Country Music Association Awards sparked concern.

She appeared on stage with Jelly Roll (real name Jason Bradley DeFord) to perform the rappers hit single, Need a Favor.

Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up

Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up

However, Judd worried fans as she appeared to cling to DeFords sleeve for support while she sang.

Okay so they say dont read the comments  Ive read the comments, Judd responded in the video post. And Im just gonna come clean with yall  I was so freaking nervous. I got out there and I looked at Jelly Roll, I wanted it to be so good for him.

She continued: I could cry right now, but Im not going to, because Im such a fan of his, and he asked me to sing and I said absolutely.

Addressing fans concerns about her, she said: I got out there and I was so nervous that I just held on for dear life. And thats the bottom line.
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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Kaya Scodelario has reflected on her time as a young actor in the Skins cast, hinting that she and her castmates did not receive as much safeguarding as they needed.

The actor played rebellious teen Effy Stonem in the late 2000s E4 cult hit, which followed the lives of students during their two years at a Bristol sixth form.

The series, created by father-and-son TV writers Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, launched the careers of several British actors including Daniel Kaluuya, Nicholas Hoult, Dev Patel, and Scodelario,

With storylines that featured sex, drug abuse, depression and suicide, Skins was often considered a controversial and extreme portrayal of teen life.

Scodelario, 32, was featured on the most recent episode (10 April) of the Dish podcast, hosted by Nick Grimshaw.

Having first met in the late 2000s when the actor was in Skins, the pair reminisced on some of their earlier interactions before Scodelario thanked the presenter for showing kindness to her teen self, compared to other press interactions.

You really encapsulate that time for me and its such a pleasure to see you still thriving and still doing well. Its true, I really adore that, she said.

You were like a safe place for us, Scodelario continued. Back then there wasnt the same amount of safeguarding with young actors, there wasnt anyone checking if we were OK.

But whenever we worked with you, you were always kind and gentle and lovely.

open image in gallery Kaya Scodelario ( Getty Images )

Scodelario, who recently starred in the Netflix series, The Gentlemen, has previously commented on her experiences playing Effy, whose major plot lines included a psychotic depression episode and a suicide attempt.

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

In a TikTok posted in 2022, the star looked back on her work in light of seeing the similarily controversial HBO teen drama Euphoria.

Watching Euphoria for the first time thinking this is crazy for 17-year-olds then remembering what I was doing on TV at 14, her caption reads.

The short clip features her face moving from a shocked expression to one more neutral as she recalls her own work. In the caption, Scodelario wrote: Will always be grateful. But yeah safeguarding really wasnt a thing back then

In 2021, April Pearson (who portrayed Michelle Richardson) and Laya Lewis, who played Liv Malone, also spoke out against the way they were allegedly treated on set.

Dev Patel, who played Anwar in the series, has also shared some insight into his experiences on the show.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Monkey Man star and director noted that he attended parties where just a bunch of kids, our age and older, would come and half of them were drugged off their faces, and [the crew] are like, Just have fun. It was insane. It was really, really insane.

Skins is available to stream on Channel 4.
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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Conan OBrien made his return to The Tonight Show for the first time in 14 years since his abrupt exit as host in 2010.

Appearing on Tuesday (9 April) nights episode of the popular late-night chat show with current host Jimmy Fallon, OBrien, 60, admitted that it felt weird to come back.

I havent been in this building for such a long time, and I havent been on this floor in forever, OBrien said.

Asked if he had any flashbacks, OBrien said he had strange memories.

I was here for 16 years doing the Late Night show before we went out to LA  right across the hall  and all these memories came flooding back to me.

Continuing, he told Fallon: The first thing that will hit you  and it will hit you, too, because one day youll have this show as long as you want it, but when youre 98, youll move on and someone else will be in this studio. When someone else is in your studio, it feels weird.

So I walked in and went, Whos in my old studio? And they said Kelly Clarkson. The American Idol star currently hosts her eponymous talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show.

I love Kelly Clarkson. Who doesnt love Kelly Clarkson? But still I felt like, Its not right! Blasphemy! They shouldve burned it to the ground, OBrien joked.

He briefly hosted NBCs Tonight Show for two seasons following his tenure hosting the networks Late Night show from 1993 to 2009. He was fired from the former in 2010 when host Jay Leno decided to return.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2012, OBrien said that while he still had latent resentment, he acknowledged a onetime amazing partnership with NBC.

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

There are moments of, What the hell happened? Why did that person do that or say that? But theres also lot of, OK, lets file this under Theres A Lot I Cant Control, he said.

The comedian makes his return to television with his forthcoming travel series, Conan OBrien Must Go, which debuts on 18 April on Max in the US. The series will follow OBrien as he travels to locations such as Ireland, Thailand, Argentina and Norway and takes in the local culture, cuisine, and sights.

It marks OBriens first TV project since he wrapped his 11-season late-night TBS show, Conan, in 2021. Hes been hosting his podcast, Conan OBrien Needs a Friend, in the meantime.
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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

At least five people were killed and 19 others injured after a fire broke out at a building in Hong Kongs busy Kowloon district, the citys hospital authority and fire services said on Wednesday.

Firefighters rushed to the New Lucky House in the Jordan neighbourhood after receiving a call about the fire at 7.53am, said authorities.

People inside the building waved towels at windows to signal for rescue, broadcaster RTHK said, adding that the fire had started at a gym.

The blaze, rated three in the citys five-grade system, was doused by 8.54am (0054 GMT), an hour after fire services were alerted in Jordan, an area teeming with homes and offices across the harbour from the citys financial centre.

Police are still receiving calls from people trapped inside the building while at least three men and two women have been killed in the blaze. The injured have been sent to four hospitals in the city.

The government has also opened a temporary shelter at the Henry G Leong Yau Ma Tei Community Centre in the area for those in need.

Eric Chan, the chief secretary for administration, told reporters there would be an investigation into the cause of the fire, as he expressed his condolences over the incident.

Meanwhile, fire has also led to traffic disruption, with authorities cordoning off parts of Jordan Road and Nathan Road, reported Hong Kong Free Press.

Additional reporting by 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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The BBC has restructured its India operations to meet the country's foreign investment rules just months after being investigated by federal tax authorities after the broadcaster aired a controversial documentary about Narendra Modi.

The British broadcaster last December announced it was splitting off its news operation to comply with the Indian foreign investment rules, which cap foreign funding for digital news companies based in India at 26 per cent.

The Collective Newsroom  an independent Indian-owned company founded by members of BBC's India staff  will produce content for the broadcaster's six other Indian language services along with digital coverage of India and the BBC India YouTube channel.

The BBC has applied for a 26 per cent stake in the new company, which would be largely independent of the broadcaster due to India's regulatory requirements, it said.

Collective Newsroom will create programmes and content for our first client, the BBC, and is available to make content for other news providers across India and around the globe, the company said in a release on Wednesday.

The restructuring comes a year after Indias income tax officials raided BBC India offices in Delhi and Mumbai, leading to further investigation by the countrys financial crimes agency, the Directorate of Enforcement.

What the government described as surveys came just weeks after the BBC aired a documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots that angered the Indian government. It featured an assessment from the UK government of the time that said prime minister Modi was directly responsible for the circumstances leading up to violence in which more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed.

The BBC has defended its production and said it adheres to the highest editorial standards. It also said that it was cooperating with government agencies in the investigations into its tax affairs.

The broadcaster employed about 300 journalists in India, about 200 of whom have moved to the Collective Newsroom. The new company, founded by four former BBC employees, would be able to make content for other news providers across India.

The BBC has retained a smaller team of about 90 reporters and producers for its English-language radio and television news channels, who would be directly working with the headquarters in the UK.

"Audiences will quickly come to know Collective Newsroom as an independent news organisation that leads with the facts, works in the public interest and hears from diverse voices and perspectives," said Rupa Jha, chief executive of Collective Newsroom.

In 2023, global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranked India 161 out of 180 countries, below Pakistan (150) and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan (152).
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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A Malaysian beauty queen lost her title after a video of her dancing on a holiday to Thailand went viral on social media.

Viru Nikah Terinsip, 24, also returned her title hours before Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan made the call to strip her of the crown.

Ms Terinsip was seen dancing suggestively with scantily clad male dancers, according to Asia One.

open image in gallery Viru Nikah Terinsip posing for a picture, posted on her Facebook page on 18 November 2023 ( Facebook/Viru Nikah Terinsip )

She won the Unduk Ngadau Johor title in 2023. The pageant is among the highlights of an annual harvest festival in Sabah and is held to commemorate the spirit of Huminodun, the mythological maiden believed to have a beautiful heart, mind and soul.

Confirming the move, Mr Kitingan said, this would not be an issue if she was just an ordinary person.

There were a lot of mixed reactions, some saw the humour in her video, some sympathised, others were unhappy and complained. We [KDCA] do not want to be the target and attract unnecessary attention, he said, according to The Star.

We hope that she will accept this decision well. Let this serve as a warning to all Unduk Ngadaus to not repeat the mistake, he added.

Renouncing her crown before the final decision was made, Ms Terinsip posted a video on social media saying she would like to return the title, with honor and humbleness.

"I joined the Unduk Ngadau competition by my own will and returned this title without coercion. I respect my decision, she said according to The New Strait Times. The title is not everything. It is about believing and valuing myself.

The title does not determine ones perfection or success. I am not perfect, she added, as she maintained everyone makes mistakes.

I am thankful for all the beautiful words coming from netizens, and lets focus on other issues and more forward, she said.

Most importantly, please leave my family and friends out as they are not involved in this matter. It is up to you whether you would accept [my explanation] or not, but this comes sincerely from my heart. Thank you for listening.
YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. Peter Higgs, the Nobel prize-winning physicist who proposed a new particle known as the Higgs boson, has died, The Guardian reports.

Higgs, 94, who was awarded the Nobel prize for physics in 2013 for his work in 1964 showing how the boson helped bind the universe together by giving particles their mass, died at home in Edinburgh on April 8.

According to the report, after a series of experiments, which began in earnest in 2008, his theory was proven by physicists working at the Large Hadron Collider at Cern in Switzerland in 2012; the Nobel prize was shared with Francois Englert, a Belgian theoretical physicist whose work in 1964 also contributed directly to the discovery.

A member of the Royal Society and a Companion of Honour, Higgs spent most of his professional life at Edinburgh University, which set up the Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physicsin his honour in 2012.
Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The United Nations climate chief has warned that there is two years to save the world and called for a quantum leap in finance to help countries speed up plans to cut planet-cooking emissions.

Simon Stiell, United Nations executive climate secretary, acknowledged on Wednesday in his speech at Londons Chatham House that he may sound melodramatic.

When I say we have two years to save the world, it begs the question  who exactly has two years to save the world? he said. The answer is every person on this planet.

Stiell went on to explain why the months between now and 2026 are so critical.

The world has experienced record-shattering heat and massive damage to economies, he said. Extreme weather events are increasing, and last year was the hottest in human history, a record that could be surpassed in 2024 due to all-time high emissions from burning fossil fuels.

To rein in more devastating climate impacts, the world has agreed to curb global temperature rise to 1.5C. Achieving this goal will mean cutting global emissions by 45 per cent in the next six years, and reaching net zero by 2050.

But the world is far off course, Stiell warned, particularly the highest-polluting G20 countries responsible for the bulk of emissions.

open image in gallery UN climate chief Simon Stiell speaks at the Cop28 summit in Dubai on 1 December. During a speech in London on Wednesday he said that there are two years to save the world ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

As of today, national climate plans  called Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs  in aggregate will barely cut emissions at all by 2030, the UN climate chief said.

We still have a chance to make greenhouse gas emissions tumble, with a new generation of national climate plans. But we need these stronger plans, now.

To turn these plans into reality requires a quantum leap in climate finance, which Stiell declared entirely achievable. This funding needs to be driven by the worlds richest countries, and support developing countries that are facing disproportionate climate catastrophes, he added. Much of southern Africa is spiralling into extreme hunger after droughts wiped out essential crops this year.

Every day, finance ministers, CEOs, investors, and development bankers direct trillions of dollars. Its time to shift those dollars from the energy and infrastructure of the past, towards that of a cleaner, more resilient future, he said. And to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable countries benefit.

open image in gallery A farmer in the Mangwe district in southwestern Zimbabwe stands in the middle of his dried-up crop field amid a drought in March 2024 ( AP )

Stiell then turned to upcoming events intended to tackle this suite of challenges by improving money flows. Later this month, at meetings of the World Bank and other global financial institutions, Barbados prime minister Mia Mottley and Kenyan president William Ruto will lead a push for major reform in how money is loaned to poorer countries, particularly concerning climate adaptation and disaster recovery projects.

The UN climate chief also pointed to the need for new sources of international climate finance, and providing debt relief for the most vulnerable countries.

Experts have shown that if we do all of this together, we can meet developing country needs, mobilising hundreds of billions of dollars, he said. He added that what the world cannot afford is a talkfest.

Stiell closed by underlining that the climate crisis goes beyond world leaders, hinting at the wave of elections around the world this year. Roughly half the planet is going to the polls in 2024 including the US, UK, India, Pakistan, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union.

A recent Gallup survey of 130,000 people in 125 countries found that 89 per cent want stronger climate action by governments.

The only surefire way to get climate at the top of the cabinet agenda is if enough people raise their voices, he said. So my final message today is for ordinary people everywhere. Every voice matters. Yours have never been more important.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

One couple celebrated this years total solar eclipse with a special announcement: their engagement.

New York City-based couple Neil Albstein and Michele Rosenblatt were two of the many passengers on Delta Airlines path-of-totality flight on 8 April. As noted by the airlines official website, the flight from Austin, Dallas, to Detroit, Michigan, gave passengers the opportunity to spend as much time as possible directly within the path of totality of the eclipse.

For Albstein and Rosenblatt, however, the flight became even more special when they got engaged in the air. In a video shared byReuters, the pair could be seen in their seats on the plane while Albstein held a ring in his hand.

As Rosenblatt accepted her partners proposal, she had a huge smile on her face and gave him a kiss, prompting applause from the rest of the passengers on the plane. The video went on to show a photographer capturing a picture of the couple after getting engaged.

Speaking to The Independent, Albestein revealed that his mother bought those tickets to the Delta flight, after she saw an eclipse while on a plane back in 1980. He also specified that even before the tickets were bought, he kenw that he wanted to propose to his then-girlfriend and was looking for a special way to do so.

A few days after we booked the eclipse flight, it hit me that the chance to see totality from above the clouds was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, just like proposing to my once-in-a-lifetime match would be, he said. The more I thought about it, the more perfect it seemed. Michele and I both love to travel, so a proposal away from home made perfect sense.

He went on to share more details about the ocassion, noting that he and Rosenblatt stayed at the TWA Hotel in JFK International Airport in New York City, on the night before the flew to Austin for the eclipse flight. He also shared the other planning that he did before the proposal, while still making sure that the event would be a surprise.

I selected the eclipse t-shirts we wore on the flight because they suggested the diamond ring effect of an eclipse-hinting at my plan to propose in a way Michele wouldnt pick up on in advance, Albstein added. All that was left was trying to convince Michele that I was far from deciding to propose. I teased her for weeks! I wasnt sure if it worked until I saw her face when I pulled out the ring.

Rosenbalt also confirmed to The Independent that she was totally surprised by the proposal, before sharing some of the eclipse-related references that will be featured during the wedding.

I am so lucky and happy that I get to be with my best friend. Now we have a special story that we are never going to forget, she said. Obviously we will have to pick Total Eclipse of the Heart for our wedding song!

During an interview with Reuters, he also specified how hed planned for the right moment to propose before getting on the flight. Once the eclipse happened, because I knew I wasnt going to propose before the eclipse, once it happened my attention shifted and I started to get nervous, Albstein added.

In an interview with theDetroit Free Press, Albstein also acknowledged that he initially wanted the eclipse to pass before proposing, and hed spent the last two months planning his proposal.

Leading up to the eclipse on 8 April, Deltas special flight departed at 12.15pm CT from Austin, landing in Detroit at 4.20pm ET. The airline specified that during the time aboard the plane, passengers had the best chance of safely viewing the solar eclipse at its peak.

This flight is the result of significant collaboration and exemplifies the close teamwork Delta is known for - from selecting an aircraft with larger windows to determining the exact departure time from Austin and the experiences at the gate and in the air, Eric Beck, managing director of domestic network planning at Delta, said in the press release. Thanks to teams across the company, the idea of viewing a total eclipse from the air will become a reality for our customers.

Delta shared that before the two path-of-totality flights took off, passengers celebrated the eclipse at the gate. Airport gates were filled with curated music, photo ops and conversations with Delta meteorologists Warren Weston and Dave Samuhel about what to expect on board the unique flights, Delta said. Once they were in their seats on the plane, passengers were given special viewing glasses for the eclipse, along with Delta-branded solar eclipse socks. According to one passenger named Paul, who was on the flight departing Austin, he was able to capture several photos from his window of the eclipse.

One of the photos I wanted was the eclipses shadow on the ground, Paul said. As we got closer, the sky got darker and darker. I looked out the window and the shadow looked like a smear on the ground.

The Independent has contacted Delta for comment.

On 8 April, a total eclipse of the Sun plunged a stretch of North America into darkness, with millions of spectators across the US, Mexico, and Canada hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare event. It was North Americas biggest eclipse crowd ever, with the path of totality crossing directly over 44 million people. Almost everyone in North America was guaranteed at least a partial eclipse, weather permitting. The best weather was seen in Mexico and at the tail end of the eclipse in Vermont and Maine, as well as New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The family of a man who was murdered by a killer and rapist on the run have said his release from prison is dangerous, warning that he will offend again as they petition for him to remain behind bars.

Philip Haselip, a 52-year-old musician, was bludgeoned and stabbed to death by Rikki Stewart, now 48, who they later discovered was wanted for killing Donald Nicholson in September 2001 and raping a 53-year-old grandmother in August 2003.

Stewart, dubbed the Dumfries Killer, was sentenced to life imprisonment in August 2004 for Philips murder, and later given an additional 12 years for killing Mr Nicholson and 10 years for rape after pleading guilty to all three crimes.

While serving his sentence, Stewart was denied parole seven times, but the family have now been told that he has been released without a GPS tag on temporary licence, which means he can leave his undisclosed minimum security open prison where he is being held for fixed periods of time.

Philips daughter Lynette Haselip, 39, said the Government has made a huge mistake after she received the devastating news over email three weeks ago, and has now launched a petition to keep him locked up for good.

I dont think he ever can change, she said.

He killed my dad when he was on the run from the other murder and the rape.

So weve been let down continuously right from the start, not just now.

Philip, known as Mick to family and friends, was found wrapped in a duvet in the laundry room of his home in Finland Way on the Danesholme estate in Corby, North Northamptonshire, on November 18, 2003 after being bludgeoned about the head with a roll of wallpaper and stabbed three times in the chest.

His identical twin brother Tony, 72, Lynettes uncle, said: How many murders do you need to commit before youre given a real life sentence?

Its not a life sentence, is it? His recommended serve ended up being nine years.

When a bank robber gets a minimum term of 30 years, how come a double murderer and rapist gets a recommended minimum term of less than nine years? It just beggars belief.

Life should mean life  he should never have been let out.

open image in gallery Lynette Haselip, 39, who has launched a petition demanding that her fathers murderer Rikki Stewart never to be released from prison ( PA )

In the days leading up to her fathers murder, Lynette, who was 19 at the time, recalls visiting his studio apartment.

I was very close with my dad, she said.

Rikki Stewart actually answered the door to me when I knocked and he let me in.

I asked him who he was and he said he was just there to have a drink with my dad.

Lynette asked her father if he wanted anything from the shop but he declined, saying that they would see each other that weekend.

That was the last time I saw my dad, she said.

Lynette returned to the property every day for the next three days but there was no answer.

She received a strange text message on the Tuesday, November 2003 from her fathers phone.

The text message said How are you?, but it wasnt how my dad would normally message, Lynette said.

She went round after work later that day and noticed the front door had been bolted shut from the inside and sounded the alarm.

The door wasnt right when I was knocking on it, she said.

I tried the handle and I could see it was locked from the inside with a bolt, and I couldnt see in the windows.

Her brother, Christopher, then visited the property and bumped into Stewart as he was leaving  who told him: Your dads inside.

open image in gallery Tony Haselip, 72, whose identical twin brother Philip was murdered by Rikki Stewart in November, 2003 ( PA )

Thats when Phillips body was found  he had been stabbed and bludgeoned to death by Stewart.

The rest is a bit of a blur for me after that point, Lynette said.

Stewart, then 28, pleaded guilty to murdering Philip at Northampton Crown Court in August 2004 for which he was given a mandatory life sentence and told that he must serve a minimum of eight years three months and four days in prison before being eligible for parole.

The pair had met two months earlier in a homeless persons hostel in Corby, it was revealed during the trial.

They had a heavy drinking session at Philips bedsit over the weekend, with Judge Charles Wide QC concluding that: The killing, the murder in this case, is entirely inexplicable other than as an alcohol fuelled expression of some apparent rage.

It was later revealed that at the time of Philips murder, Stewart, described as a homeless alcoholic, had in fact been on the run for other crimes he committed in Scotland.

He pleaded guilty to the rape and assault of a 53-year-old grandmother at a family party in Dumfries, Scotland, the BBC reported at the time, for which he received a concurrent ten year jail sentence on July 1, 2005.

He also confessed to killing his mothers boyfriend, Donald Nicholson on September 11, 2001, after being charged with culpable homicide, for which he received an extended sentence of 12 years behind bars and five years on extended licence.

Since 2012, the double killer and rapist has applied for parole seven times but always been refused.

In 2022, a panel again concluded that Stewart was not suitable for release.

The report lists risk factors from the time of his offence, including a willingness to use weapons, use of extreme violence with no or little provocation, loss of control and recollection after consuming alcohol, poor anger and emotional control, impulsivity and unstable lifestyle linked to substance abuse.

In relation to his rape conviction, the report also refers to Stewart thinking he had a right to have sex as and when he wanted, preferring sex to include violence or controlling behaviour, negative attitudes towards women and not caring about the effects of his actions on other people.

It also states the risk of Stuart reoffending had been reduced due to his positive engagement with a psychologist, good work ethic and stable behaviour in open conditions with no evidence of impulsivity or irresponsibility.

Stuart, then 46, undertook an accredited programme to address sexual behaviour as well as a training course about better ways of thinking and decision making, the report states.

Three weeks ago however, Lynette and Tony were told via email that Stewart has now been released on temporary licence ahead of his next parole hearing which is scheduled to take place on April 29, 2024.

Since 2019, prison governors have been given greater autonomy to release prisoners on temporary licence.

To date he has had seven parole board meetings and on every occasion theyve not recommended him as suitable for release, said Tony.

Lynette, who has two children aged 13 and 10, who she does not wish to name for security reasons, added: The Ministry of Justice has made a huge mistake.

Im disappointed. You think people will make the right decisions to protect the public.

I never thought I would have to explain what happened to my children, let alone the fact that hes out.

open image in gallery Lynette was 19 when her father Philip was murdered (Collect/PA Real Life) ( PA )

The family have said that they feel failed by the justice system and now fear for their safety as they have been told that Stuart is not currently subject to GPS tagging when he is allowed out on temporary release.

The whole family are shocked that it can happen, said Lynette.

Hes never shown any remorse for what hes done.

Its just not acceptable, its dangerous and he will offend again, Im absolutely certain of that.

The family are calling for him to be back behind bars for the rest of his life and are desperate for the public to be aware of the crimes he has committed, insisting that he is dangerous.

They launched a petition on Change.org on April 3, 2024, which has so far garnered more than 500 signatures.

Staying silent wasnt an option, said Tony.

Lynette, who said she has no words for her fathers killer, said: My dad was an incredibly talented musician.

Ive always been a daddys girl (and) he was just loving.

Growing up, I never heard a bad thing said about my dad  he was just a lovely man.

The family feel Stewart has never shown any remorse and said they will never know what went on the day Philip was murdered.

He will always have that over us, Lynette said, with her uncle adding: Weve got the life sentence.

The petition can be found at: www.change.org/p/double-murderer-and-rapist-to-be-released

A Prison Service spokesperson said: Rikki Stewarts crimes were horrific and our thoughts remain with his victims families and friends.

Prisoners only go on day release after being carefully risk-assessed, must abide by strict rules and face extra time behind bars if they dont comply.
Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Paris Hilton has revealed why shes not ready to post about her daughter London on social media just yet.

In an interview with E! News at the Fashion Trust US Awards on Tuesday, the 43-year-old DJ spoke candidly about being a mother in the public eye. Hilton and her husband, Carter Reum, are the parents of two children: son Phoenix, one, and a four-month-old daughter London, who they welcomed via surrogate.

During her conversation with E! News, Hilton was asked when she was going to share a photo of London on social media, to which Hilton responded: Soon. She then specified why shes refrained from sharing snaps of her daughter online.

I feel like my life is so public with everything, so I just wanted to keep my little girl to me, she said. But Im gonna show her to the world soon because everyone keeps asking.

Hilton added that shell share photos of London when the time is right.

This isnt the first time that the Paris In Love star has spoken about keeping her daughter off social media. When fans in the comments of her recent TikTok video - which featured Phoenix playing the drums  asked why she wasnt posting London, she simply responded: Love you. Soon.

The socialites comments about posting her family on social media come months after Hilton was hit with scrutiny over her sons appearance. Multiple people on Instagram previously questioned the size of Phoenixs head, to which Hilton ultimately hit back at negative comments.

There are some sick people in this world, Hilton wrote in the comment section at the time. My angel is perfectly healthy.

And yes, of course he has been to a doctor, he just has a large brain, she added.

During an interview with People in November 2023, she revealed why she felt the need to respond to comments about Phoenixs appearance, noting that her mamma bear instincts had come out at the time. While defending her son, Hilton also expressed that she was surprised by the remarks about his head.

Usually, I wouldnt even dignify anything like that with a response, but I was just heartbroken that there are such cruel people in the world, she explained. I couldnt believe that they could be mean and vicious about a little innocent baby.

After noting that she felt sorry for anyone who would bully a child online, she thanked the people on social media who chose to defend her son.

It makes me feel so grateful knowing that theres so many people in the world that love and support me, Hilton said. Sticking up for me meant the world to me, and to have people looking out for Phoenix in that way, it meant a lot.

During her recent interview with E! News, Hilton also gave a sweet update about her family life. The reality TV star acknowledged that shes having the most incredible time and has never been happier, before sharing the sweet reason why shed be open to having another child down the line.

I would love a sister for London because my sister and I have such a close relationship. I dont know, Im just enjoying them both so much right now, she said, referring to her younger sister, Nicky Hilton. But that would be really amazing.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

They may no longer be referred to as HRH, but Prince Andrew and Meghan Markle can still claim the titles of being the UKs least favourite royals, a new poll has found.

According to the recent survey, the disgraced Duke of York, whose car-crash Newsnight interview in now subject to not one but two separate TV dramas, was seen in a negative light by 86 per cent of respondents.

His lowly rank was followed by the Duchess of Sussex, whose new wellness brand is also unlikely to appeal to the 64 per cent of Britons who admitted holding negative views towards her.

Their plunge in popularity comes in stark contrast to the Princess and Prince of Wales who both topped the poll respectively, having earned the nations admiration for their bravery in handling Kates cancer diagnosis.

Andrews lack of popularity follows his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, which saw him step away from public duties four years ago.

In January 2022, he was stripped of his HRH title after he was accused of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Epsteins. He has vehemently and continuously denied these claims.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew was disgraced following his association with Jeffrey Epstein. ( AFP via Getty Images )

The following month, Andrew reached a multi-million pound out of court settlement with Ms Giuffre, which included damages and a donation to her charity in support of victims rights.

In a statement confirming the settlement, Andrew said he regrets his association with Epstein and commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others.

The Duchess of Sussex, meanwhile, was deemed the second most unpopular royal. The former actress became a controversial figure after she and her husband Prince Harry chose to leave the Firm, citing allegations of racism from within the family and wider media intrusion.

Harry did not emerge favourably from the poll either with 61 per cent of respondents expressing a negative view of the Kings youngest son.

The Princess of Wales emerged as the UKs favourite royal, with 76 per cent of respondents admitting they saw her in a positive light.

open image in gallery Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed all about their time in the firm in a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey. ( REUTERS )

This comes following the Kates recent health struggles which began when she initially stepped back from public duties in January for planned abdominal surgery.

While she was scheduled to return after Easter, last month she revealed she is battling cancer and will not return to her duties until she is cleared to do so by her medical team.

Her cancer diagnosis came just months after King Charles, as announced in February.

open image in gallery Kate Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis in a poignant video. ( Independent TV )

The Kings cancer was discovered following a routine procedure to treat an enlarged prostate in January.

He emerged in a mostly favourable light in the poll, with 63 per cent of respondents saying they hold a positive view of the monarch.

open image in gallery Prince William is the UKs second favourite royal. ( Christopher Furlong/Getty Images )

The King was beaten in this literal popularity contest by his younger sister, Princess Anne, who 71 per cent of respondents said they saw in a positive light.

The second most popular royal, who was just three per cent less favoured than the Princess of Wales, is Prince William, who was seen positively by 73 per cent of respondents.

The poll comes amid a tumultous time for the Royal family, who have been rocked by the King and Princess of Wales cancer diagnosises.

open image in gallery Both the King and the Princess of Wales are battling cancer. ( AP )

This has essentially seen two of the most senior members of the family thrown out of action while their spouses rally to support them and keep up with public duties.

In both cases, the type of cancer and its severity has not been disclosed.

The crisis comes after King Charles revealed plans to slim down the monarchy in a bid to give the British public good value for their money.

Princess Anne said she did not believe this was a good idea at the time.

Now there are just nine working royals left - the majority of whom are elderly and unknown.
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Adverts for a diamond manufacturer have been banned for misleading consumers by not making it clear the gems are synthetic.

Press and Instagram ads for Skydiamond in February last year, as well as its website, featured the headline, Say hello to the worlds first and only diamond made entirely from the sky.

Smaller text underneath stated: We make diamonds using four natural ingredients, the sun, wind, rain and something we have too much of, atmospheric carbon. In doing so, our technology turns a negative into a positive. Now that we can mine the sky, we never need to mine the earth again.

A Frequently Asked Questions page included the question Are Skydiamonds real diamonds? and the answer: Each Skydiamond is a perfectly formed real diamond.

The Natural Diamond Council, who understood the products were laboratory-created diamonds, complained that the claims Skydiamonds, diamonds, real diamonds and diamonds made entirely from the sky in the ads were misleading.

open image in gallery Handout image of the advert issued by the Advertising Standards Authority ( ASA/PA Wire )

The Sky Mining Company, trading as Skydiamond, believed that the ads made clear that their diamonds were not mined from the earth and as such were not naturally occurring diamonds, referred to as natural diamonds.

They told the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that they did not believe that the absence of the words synthetic, laboratory-grown or laboratory-created would inevitably lead an average consumer to be misled about their diamonds.

On the contrary, they believed that the extent of the qualifying information, graphics and visuals made readily available could only lead an average consumer to conclude that their diamonds were not earth-mined, as they intended.

The firm said a Skydiamond was a diamond, chemically, structurally and optically, and had exactly the same composition and physical properties of a natural diamond.

The ASA said consumers would understand the word diamond in isolation to mean a mineral consisting of crystallised carbon that was naturally occurring.

It said: We considered that while some consumers may have been aware that synthetic diamonds could be manufactured or created in a laboratory, many would not.

It added: We understood that although synthetic diamonds had the same chemical and physical properties as mined diamonds, there were differences in their future value.

open image in gallery ( ASA/PA Wire )

We also considered that, whether a gemstone was natural or synthetic would be a key consideration for many consumers and was therefore material information.

We therefore considered that ads for synthetic diamonds needed to make clear the nature of the product in order to avoid misleading consumers.

The ASA concluded: Because the ads did not make clear that Skydiamond diamonds were synthetic, we concluded that the claims diamonds, diamonds made entirely from the sky and Skydiamond were misleading.

The ads must not appear again in the form complained about.

The watchdog added: We also told them not to use the claim real diamonds to describe synthetic diamonds.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Pope Francis met Wednesday with a leader of Brazils Yanomami people, who asked for papal backing for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva s efforts to reverse decades of exploitation of the Amazon and better protect its Indigenous peoples.

Davi Kopenawa, a Yanomami shaman, said he came to the Vatican at Francis invitation to brief him on the plight of the Yanomami and the Amazon, where deforestation surged to a 15-year high during the previous administration of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. The Yanomami Indigenous Territory, Brazil's largest, was ravaged by thousands of illegal gold miners spurred on by Bolsonaro. They felled trees and poisoned waterways with mercury.

Kopenawa, who wore a traditional feathered headdress and beads around his neck, told reporters afterward he gave Francis a letter laying out the concerns of the Yanomami. He said he asked for Francis to support Lula to try to fix the previous governments error and that Francis said he would speak with him.

Im not going to say they will fix it, Im not going to say they will solve it. To ruin things it is easy, to fix things it is difficult. But they are trying, Kopenawa said in Portuguese.

I am a man of our forest who looks after our planet Earth, I am waiting for the international community to fight, I am waiting for the international community that has money, to do it, to stop the destruction of our planet Earth which is happening now.

The Amazon rainforest, covering an area twice the size of India, is a crucial buffer against climate change. Studies have shown that Indigenous-controlled forests are the best-preserved in the Brazilian Amazon.

But Bolsonaro made good on his pledge to not demarcate a single additional inch of Indigenous territory during his tenure, and defanged environmental enforcement agencies. Deforestation surged to a 15-year high on his watch.

Lula took office and swiftly declared a public health emergency in Yanomami lands due to the effects of illegal mining and began working to expel the miners. He also empowered environmental agencies to crack down on illegal logging. In January, government satellite data showed that deforestation had fallen by half in the first year of Lulas term.

Government officials have said that areas with illegal mining inside Yanomami territory have dropped 85% and health has improved. But after the initial success, prosecutors, law enforcement and employees of federal environmental agencies say illegal miners are returning.

One person alone cannot solve everything. That is why I asked for support, Kopenawa said. "I asked the pope to support him, to reinforce the work. To defend the people.

Historys first Latin American pope has made caring for the environment, especially the Amazon, a hallmark of his papacy. Francis' 2015 encyclical Praised Be lashed out at the unbridled exploitation of the Amazon, accusing wealthy interests of turning Earth into "an immense pile of filth.

In 2019, the Argentine Jesuit convened a special meeting of bishops, or synod, specifically on the Amazon to better understand how the Catholic Church can better minister to its peoples and protect them.

The Vatican didn't provide an official read-out of the meeting, in keeping with protocol. But in a sign of unofficial support, it did organize an informal media briefing with Kopenawa in the lobby of the Vatican Radio headquarters after the audience.

___

Associated Press writers David Biller in Rio de Janeiro, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal and Renata Brito in Barcelona, Spain contributed.

___

Follow APs climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The federal judge presiding over the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump granted a request by prosecutors aimed at protecting the identities of potential government witnesses.

But US District Judge Aileen Cannon refused to categorically block witness statements from being disclosed, saying there was no basis for such a sweeping and blanket restriction on their inclusion in pretrial motions.

The 24-page order centers on a dispute between special counsel Jack Smith's team and lawyers for Trump over how much information about witnesses and their statements could be made public ahead of trial. The disagreement, which had been pending for weeks, was one of many that had piled up before Cannon and had slowed the pace of the case against Trump  one of four prosecutions he is confronting.

The case remains without a firm trial date, though both sides have said they could be ready this summer. Cannon, who earlier faced blistering criticism over her decision to grant Trumps request for an independent arbiter to review documents obtained during an FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, made clear her continued skepticism of the government's theory of prosecution, saying Tuesday that the case raised still-developing and somewhat muddled questions.

Trump Classified Documents

In reconsidering an earlier order and siding with prosecutors on the protection of witness identities, Cannon likely averted a dramatic exacerbation of tensions with Smith's team, which last week called a separate order from the judge fundamentally flawed.

The issue surfaced in January when defense lawyers filed in partially unredacted form a motion that sought to require prosecutors to turn over a trove of documents that they said would bolster their claim that the Biden administration had sought to weaponize the government in charging Trump.

Defense lawyers asked permission to file the motion, which included as attachments information that they had obtained from prosecutors, in mostly unredacted form. But prosecutors objected to unsealing the motion to the extent that it would reveal the identity of any potential government witness.

Cannon then granted the defense request for the motion and its exhibits to be filed in unredacted form as long as the personal identifying information of witnesses remained sealed. Smith's team asked her to reconsider, saying that witnesses could be exposed to threats and harassments if publicly identified.

In agreeing for the witness names to remain redacted, she wrote, Although the record is clear that the Special Counsel could have, and should have, raised its current arguments previously, the Court elects, upon a full review of those newly raised arguments, to reconsider its prior Order.

Still, the order was not a complete win for prosecutors.

Cannon rejected a request by Smith's team to seal from pretrial motions the substance of all witness statements, with the exception of information that could be used to identify witnesses.

As for legal authority, the cases cited in the Special Counsels papers do not lend support to this sweeping request; nor do they appear to have been offered as such, Cannon wrote. And based on the Courts independent research, granting this request would be unprecedented: the Court cannot locate any case  high-profile or otherwise  in which a court has authorized anything remotely similar to the sweeping relief sought 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Assaulting a shopworker is to be made a separate criminal offence after the government U-turned in the face of a long-running campaign.

Ministers had previously ruled out legislating to create a new offence, saying in response to a parliamentary petition in October they did not think it was required or will be most effective.

But on Wednesday, Rishi Sunak announced that his government would be amending its Criminal Justice Bill to bring in the new offence.

He said: I am sending a message to those criminals  whether they are serious organised criminal gangs, repeat offenders or opportunistic thieves  who think they can get away with stealing from these local businesses or abusing shopworkers, enough is enough.

Our local shops are the lifeblood of our communities, and they must be free to trade without the threat of crime or abuse.

The new offence will carry a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment or an unlimited fine, the same sentence for the existing offence of common assault.

Repeat offenders could also be forced to wear an electronic tag, as could consistent shoplifters, under amendments to the Bill currently making its way through Parliament.

The government also plans to pilot community sentencing measures with an as-yet unnamed police force to tackle high levels of shoplifting, along with greater use of facial recognition technology to identify people wanted by the police in crowded areas.

The impact of retail violence has steadily worsened Helen Dickinson, British Retail Consortium chair

Judges already have the power to ban repeat offenders from certain shops under criminal behaviour orders, with breaches bringing a maximum sentence of five years.

The move to create a separate offence follows a long-running campaign from major retailers and Conservative backbencher Matt Vickers amid rising violence against retail workers.

Over the past six months, more than 47,000 people have signed a petition calling for the creation of a separate offence of assaulting a retail worker.

But an initial response published last October said: The government is committed to supporting hardworking retail workers, who can suffer intolerable violence and abuse, but we do not think more legislative change is required or will be most effective.

The response added that the government had already legislated in 2022 to make assaulting a public-facing worker, including retail staff, an aggravated offence for sentencing to emphasise that these types of assaults are totally unacceptable.

Earlier this year, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) published a report saying violent and abusive incidents against shopworkers had increased 50% between 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Helen Dickinson, chairwoman of the BRC, welcomed the announcement, saying that the voices of the three million people working in retail are finally being heard.

She said: The impact of retail violence has steadily worsened, with people facing racial abuse, sexual harassment, threatening behaviour, physical assault and threats with weapons, often linked to organised crime.

Under the Tories too many communities and high streets are being blighted by staggering increases in shoplifting, up 30% in the last year alone Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary

Victims are ordinary hardworking people  teenagers taking on their first job, carers looking for part-time work, parents working around childcare.

Paddy Lillis, general secretary of retail union Usdaw, said the governments U-turn was long overdue.

He said: The dither and delay of this government, on this issue, over many years, has led to thousands of shopworkers needlessly suffering physical and mental injury.

I hope that whatever the government is proposing will be substantial and effective in giving shopworkers, key workers in every community, the respect that they have long deserved and regrettably too often do not receive.

Labours shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the governments proposals were a pale imitation of her own partys plans.

She said: Under the Tories too many communities and high streets are being blighted by staggering increases in shoplifting, up 30% in the last year alone.

Labour has been calling for tougher action against those who assault shopworkers for more than 10 years. The Tories opposed and voted against our plans for better protection. Why has it taken them so long to act?
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Police have questioned a second man after around 50 dead animals were scattered outside a community shop.

The corpses of hares, a barn owl and a kestrel were found dumped outside Broughton Community Shop in the picturesque Hampshire village on March 15.

The previous month, a decapitated deer was found close to a primary school in a nearby village.

Previously, a 37-year-old man was arrested and questioned in connection with the incident and later released on bail.

Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed a 27-year-old man from the Hythe area has also been questioned.

A force spokesman said: Officers have questioned a second man in connection with an incident in which dead animals were left outside a shop in Broughton.

On the morning of Friday March 15, police received reports that around 50 dead hares, a kestrel and a barn owl were found outside Broughton Community Shop in High Street.

Officers from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight country watch team have been following various lines of inquiry as part of the investigation.

As previously mentioned, officers arrested a 37-year-old man from Totton on Thursday March 28 on suspicion of a number of offences, including criminal damage, wildlife and firearms offences.

He was subsequently released on police bail with conditions until Friday June 28, pending further inquiries.

Yesterday (Tuesday April 9), a 27-year-old man from Hythe attended a police station on a voluntary basis and was interviewed under caution. He remains under investigation.

Officers continue to investigate the circumstances of this incident.

The force said examinations of the barn owl and kestrel  both of which are legally protected  revealed the birds had been shot with a gun.

The owl and kestrel were stuffed on the door handles and blood was smeared on the windows, the shops treasurer said.

In February, 25 dead wild animals were found close to a primary school on Danes Road in the village of Awbridge, six miles away from Broughton.

The carcasses of pheasants and hares were discovered along with a decapitated deer, a local newspaper reported.
YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. The issue of Armenia's participation in the Jubilee Summit of the Eurasian Economic Union is being discussed, the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a briefing with journalists.

"The issue of Armenia's participation in the session of the Eurasian Economic Union on May 8 is being discussed. When there is a decision, we will make a further announcement about the decision," said Pashinyan.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A deadly flesh-eating drug driving a health crisis in the US has infiltrated the UK drugs market and has already been linked to at least 11 deaths, research has found.

Xylazine  a type of animal tranquilliser which has been classed as an emerging threat by the White House  causes painful necrotic sores which can lead to amputations and its use can lead to lethal overdose.

In America, it is most frequently used in combination with fentanyl to help better recreate the long-lasting highs experienced by heroin users.

Animal sedative xylazine causes skin ulcers ( AP )

But now it has arrived in Britain after researchers detected the drug in 16 people, and linked it to 11 deaths since it was first connected to the overdose of 43-year-old Karl Warburton from Solihull, West Midlands, in May 2022. His case was the first death outside North America and the first in the UK to be linked to xylazine use.

Worryingly, researchers believe the drug has infiltrated a much wider range of illicit substances in the UK  including cocaine, counterfeit codeine and diazepam (Valium) tablets, and even THC cannabis vapes.

Experts have called for urgent action to improve testing and wider investment in drug treatment initiatives to avert a US-style drug death crisis.

It comes after the Biden administration warned last spring that deaths linked to xylazine had risen elevenfold between 2020 and 2021 in some regions.

Combined with the threat from deadly synthetic opioids called nitazenes which have been linked to 100 UK deaths, experts have called for urgent action to prepare for a growing public health threat.

A nurse treats leg wounds in Philadelphia, where xylazine has been linked to 31 per cent of heroin and fentanyl overdose deaths ( AP )

Senior author Dr Caroline Copeland, from the national programme on substance abuse mortality at Kings College London, said the findings were cause for alarm.

Until the 2022 death was reported there was only one lab in the UK that was testing for xylazine. But if you are not looking for something you are not going to find it, she told The Independent.

In the US the powerful sedative  commonly known as tranq or tranq dope  has been linked to a growing proportion of drug-related deaths and was a factor in 31 per cent of heroin or fentanyl overdose deaths in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2019.

It is used by vets to tranquilise large animals and can lower the heart and breathing rate to dangerous levels as well as causing large patches of rotting flesh when injected.

Dr Copeland warned some people suffering the chronic skin ulcers caused by the drug limiting blood supply to the extremities  commonly the legs  have had to have limbs amputated.

However British labs are also detecting xylazine in different types of illegal drugs, including cannabis vapes.

She added: Its extremely concerning. The US has declared it an emerging threat and we are seeing it here as well and in wider circulation than heroin supplies.

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance and its being detected in THC vapes. Thats putting potentially a large number of people at risk to its harms.

Its acute harms of overdose are awful but its chronic harms of skin ulcers is a completely separate chronic public health disaster that could happen.

Calling for urgent action to avert a crisis, she called for better testing to ensure drug users can identify contaminated supplies.

She said: There are three simple measures the UK can introduce to prevent the epidemic of xylazine use that has emerged in the USA.

Cheap xylazine test strips should be made available, healthcare providers need to be aware of the signs that chronic skin ulcers are due to xylazine use, and pathologists and coroners should specifically request toxicology testing for xylazine in relevant cases to understand the true prevalence of the drug.

Nitazenes have been made class-A drugs in Britain ( Getty/iStock )

The research comes after The Independent previously revealed the potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes  some of which are 500 times stronger than morphine  are also flooding the illegal drug market and have even been detected in Britains prisons.

The National Crime Agency believe nitazenes are already behind 100 UK deaths amid constraints in traditional heroin supply routes after the Taliban banned opium production in Afghanistan.

However the drugs, which pose a huge overdose risk due to their potency, are also being found in contaminated tablets sold to unwitting users as counterfeit prescription drugs like Xanax or Valium.

Dr Adam Holland, of the drugs special interest group at the Faculty of Public Health, said: The emergence of xylazine in the UK drug market, as well as the proliferation of potent synthetic substances including nitazenes and benzodiazepine analogues is extremely concerning.

As levels of adulteration increase and drug-related deaths mount it becomes even more clear that our punitive drug laws are not reducing harm. We need to expand the range of harm reduction interventions available for people who use drugs, including drug checking and overdose prevention centres, to give them the opportunities they need to stay safe.

Professor Sir John Strang, head of the addictions department at Kings College London, and who was not involved in the study, said the findings show how research can help inform public response.

We need to be constantly alert to changes in the nature of the illicit drug market, especially as these changes sometimes bring new health complications or challenges, he said.

A government spokesperson said: We are aware of the threat from xylazine and are determined to protect people from the threat posed by this drug and other illicit synthetic drugs.

We will not hesitate to act to keep the public safe. Following advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), we intend to make xylazine a class-C drug meaning anyone supplying this substance will face up to 14 years in prison, a fine or both.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Pro-Palestine protesters who sparked outrage after staging a demonstration outside Sir Keir Starmers London home have been charged with public order offences.

The group, known as Youth Demand, called on the Labour leader to support an arms embargo on Israel.

The three demonstrators hung a banner that read Starmer stop the killing surrounded by red hand prints, while rows of childrens shoes were placed in front of his front door.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak and homes secretary James Cleverly were among those to condemn the demonstrators for targeting a politicians private home.

In a now-deleted post to X, Mr Sunak said: I dont care what your politics are, no MP should be harassed at their own home. We cannot and will not tolerate this.

Home secretary James Cleverly also posted to X, saying: This is unacceptable. There is no excuse for harassing and intimidating politicians and their families in their homes.

The Metropolitan Police carried out the arrests in Kentish Town on Tuesday under Section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, a power designed to stop the harassment of a person at their home address.

In a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, Youth Demand called for a two-way arms embargo on Israel, saying that weapons manufactured in the UK were being used to cause genocide.

Childrens shoes were placed outside his front doorstep to represent the children killed in Gaza ( Youth Demand/PA Wire )

Following the protest, the group were condemned by a number of political figures, including Rishi Sunak, who was previously the target of climate protesters in 2023.

The Government has been under increasing pressure to publish legal advice it has received in relation to whether Israel is violating international humanitarian law in Gaza, after three British aid workers were killed by Israeli air strikes in the region.

The Labour leader has called for the government to publish their legal advice on whether Israel is violating international humanitarian law (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire )

Sir Keir has called for the Government to publish the advice, with the partys shadow foreign secretary David Lammy stating arms sales should be halted if there has been a serious breach of international law.

A Metropolitan Police statement said: Two women and a man arrested in Kentish Town on Tuesday April 9 have been charged with public order offences and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court.

Leonorah Ward, 21, of Beechwood Mount, Burley, Leeds, Zosia Lewis, 23, of Rokeby Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne and Daniel Formentin, 24, of Woodside Avenue, Burley, Leeds, will appear before the court on Wednesday, April 10.

All have been charged with section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 and for breaching court bail.

The arrests were made on Tuesday, April 9 under section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.

This power stops the harassment of a person at their home address if an officer suspects it is causing alarm or distress to the occupant.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

New counter-terror tactics have helped police to catch 24 of Londons worst predators suspected of crimes against women and girls in six months.

The Metropolitan Police has revealed a landmark pilot, which uses data to collate a monthly list of the suspected worst criminals targeting female victims, has already resulted in a string of arrests and convictions.

The scheme was announced last year after the troubled force was hit by a series of scandals and a savage review by Baroness Louise Casey who found that it was institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic.

It has so far led to 178 police operations, including 60 arrests, the force said. Of these, 33 suspected predators have been charged and 24 have been convicted.

This includes rapist Marcelino Goncalves, 55, who was convicted of rape, assault and stalking offences last month after he was highlighted in the list of suspects.

According to the force, 35,000 people were named as suspects in offences against women and girls last year.

The V100 project uses the Cambridge Crime Harm Index to rank each suspect according to the seriousness of the allegations, allowing officers to build a list of the worst suspected perpetrators and then use covert or surveillance tactics to catch them

Commander Ben Russell said this sees the full weight of the Met used to apprehend offenders like in terror or serious organised crime investigations.

For us, this is about doing everything that we can to try to target these individuals, he said.

We want to do everything we can to take these people off the streets.

Detective chief superintendent Angela Craggs said they take an Achilles heel approach and will look at any opportunity to target the suspects, who are sometimes also involved in drugs or organised crime offending.

She said it has been particularly effective at targeting domestic offenders whose victims may struggle to support a prosecution.

After officers have built a profile they are able to tell victims they are not the only ones affected which can strengthen their resolve to support a case.

The data is reviewed every month  bringing around 15 new names into the top 100 each time, the force said.

The Met confirmed it is in talks with a number of other forces about whether the pilot could be rolled out to other regions.

Goncalves, from Acton, was arrested and convicted after being highlighted as a high-harm offender and prolific abuser.

He was convicted in March for rape, assault by beating, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalking and controlling coercive behaviour.

Police said Goncalves, who is due to be sentenced in June, continued to target his victim on remand  making 15 calls from prison before his harassment was stopped.

Commander Russell added: The results show our approach is working in targeting the most dangerous suspects.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A cabinet minister has urged justice secretary Alex Chalk not to release a murderer diagnosed with terminal cancer, after his victims family were told he may be freed on compassionate grounds.

Victor Farrant, now aged in his 70s, brutally murdered his ex-girlfriend Glenda Hoskins, 43, in Portsmouth in 1996 by holding her underwater in her bath.

Just six weeks prior to her death, he had attacked another woman at her home in Eastleigh, Hampshire, and had previously served 12 years for rape and other offences.

After a manhunt led to him being arrested in the south of France, he was handed a whole-life order, with a judge at Winchester Crown Court telling him: This murder was so terrible, and you are so dangerous, that in your case the sentence of life should mean just that.

Glenda Hoskins was murdered in 1996 by her former boyfriend Farrant at her Portsmouth home.Family handout/PA)

However, in February, Mrs Hoskins family were told by probation officials that Farrant was being considered for release on health grounds and were asked if they wished for an exclusion zone to be added to his terms of licence.

Supporting the family in their campaign for Farrant to remain behind bars is Penny Mordaunt, the MP for Portsmouth North, who has argued that he has shown no remorse for his crimes.

She said in a letter to Mr Chalk: Mr Farrant should never be released. He is a danger to women and has demonstrated repeatedly, that he cannot be reformed.

I find it deeply troubling that a man such as Mr Farrant is being considered for release on compassionate grounds when it is evident, he displayed no compassion towards his victims.

In a letter to the multi-agency public protection panel, Mrs Hoskins son Ian said the thought of Farrant receiving compassionate release made his blood boil.

Ian Hoskins said the prospect of Farrant being released on compassionate grounds made his blood boil ( Iain Hoskins/PA Wire )

Our mother was murdered and subjected to months of terror and stalking by this vile creature - wheres her compassion?, he said.

Her family added: Victor Farrant is an incredibly dangerous man with a hatred of women  if he is sick and dying then Im afraid this makes him even more dangerous.

What has he got to lose by killing/raping again if he knows he has only months to live.

Following the MAPPA meeting on Wednesday, the case will got to Mr Chalk , who will either grant or deny the application for early release from prison.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said in a previous statement: Glenda Hoskins murder was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with her family and friends.

Prisoners are only released on compassionate grounds in exceptional circumstances following strict risk assessments and no formal application has yet been made in this case.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of stabbing a loving and kind teenager to death at a shopping centre.

Isaac Brown, 15, was attacked by the New Square shopping centre in West Bromwich just after 9.15pm on Sunday.

He was pronounced dead by paramedics shortly after they were called to the scene, which remains cordoned off for forensic searches.

West Midlands Police said a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder by detectives on Monday.

On Tuesday, the force said another boy, 13, had also been arrested on suspicion of Isaacs murder.

Police were called to New Square shopping centre in West Bromwich on Sunday night ( Google Maps )

This week Isaacs family paid tribute to their fun and mischievous boy.

In a statement, they said he was a wonderful, loving, kind, happy son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin.

They added he was fun and mischievous, always smiling and always there to help.

We are unable to understand what has happened, we just want him back and this not to have happened, they said.

Both of the suspects remain in custody for questioning, West Midlands Police said.

Detectives are still urging anyone who has any information about the incident to get in contact by either calling 101 or on its website quoting 3772 of 7 April. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

All members of Nato are signed up to an agreement to spend the equivalent of 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence per year.

In 2023, 11 Nato countries met this pledge, including the UK, the US and Poland.

The latest annual report from Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg suggests that in 2024, this number is likely to rise to 18 countries.

Here is a list of how much was estimated to have been spent on defence by Nato countries in 2023 as a proportion of their national GDP, ranked from highest to lowest.

All data comes from the latest Nato annual report.

 Poland 3.92% United States 3.24% Greece 3.05% Estonia 2.89% Lithuania 2.75% Finland 2.46% Latvia 2.37% UK 2.28% Hungary 2.07% Slovakia 2.05% Denmark 2.00% France 1.90% Bulgaria 1.87% Norway 1.80% Croatia 1.75% Albania 1.72% North Macedonia 1.70% Germany 1.66% Netherlands 1.63% Romania 1.60% Turkey 1.58% Montenegro 1.55% Czech Republic 1.53% Portugal 1.48% Italy 1.47% Slovenia 1.33% Canada 1.33% Spain 1.24% Belgium 1.21% Luxembourg 1.01%
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Farmers have issued an urgent warning over food shortages after heavy rain has battered the UK.

The downpours have left agricultural land saturated and often still under water, with arable farmers unable to plant spring crops and losing those from the winter.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) warned the rain, combined with unseasonably low spring temperatures, is also hitting livestock farmers, with a bleak attrition rate for lambs born this spring.

NFU vice president Rachel Hallos said a crisis is building in the farming sector, with bad weather adding to soaring costs of inputs such as fertiliser, and warned consumers could see the effects because produce simply doesnt leave the farm gate.

A car drives through floodwaters this week in Brighton ( Reuters )

Ms Hallos said farmers have suffered during torrential downpours since October 2023 - including from storms like Henk in January - and the impact of this extreme weather cannot be overestimated.

David Eudall, economics and analysis director for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, told BBCs One Show last night that farmers had not been able to plant as much wheat in fields as they normally would.

He said: With those roots sitting in the water, were seeing around 40 per cent of the crop in the country in a poor or very poor condition at the moment.

It isnt just the cereal farmers that are being impacted. Around 60 to 70 per cent of the cost of rearing a pig is in the feed costs. And so if we see a significant impact in the feed, there needs to be an increase in the price of pork to be able to compensated. Dairy is similar.

In response the government is offering farmers grants of up to 25,000 to restore land hit by flooding, a move welcomed by the NFU.

The flooded A1101 in Welney, Norfolk, in February ( Joe Giddens/PA Wire )

Farming minister Mark Spencer said: I know how difficult this winter has been for farmers, with extreme weather such as Storm Henk having a devastating impact on both cropping and grazing, as well as damaging property and equipment.

The Farming Recovery Fund will support farmers who suffered uninsurable damage with grants of up to 25,000, and sits alongside broader support in our farming schemes to improve flood resilience.

Ms Hallos added: People should be in no doubt about the immense pressure UK farm businesses are under thanks to this unprecedented and constant rain. Its no exaggeration to say a crisis is building.

While farmers are bearing the brunt of it now, consumers may well see the effects through the year as produce simply doesnt leave the farm gate.

Combined with input costs which have been soaring for two years, the awful impact of this extreme weather on farmers cannot be over-estimated.

She said she has real worries not just for the financial situation of many NFU members, but the effect it is having on them personally, and warned it is also a growing issue for UK food security.

Ms Hallos said: The recovery fund is very welcome against this background. Defra ministers who have driven this forward will have the thanks of many of our members for whom it will be a lifeline.

Im also very pleased that ministers have taken the decision to keep eligibility for the fund open for others affected.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A fraudster who made nearly 500,000 from injury claims was caught after walking onto The Jeremy Kyle Show stage unaided.

Patricia Rogers, 25, was awarded damages after being involved in a crash in 2014, which she claimed had left her unable to walk without a stick or crutches, City of London Police said.

But footage later gathered as evidence, including from appearances on the ITV talk show, showed Rogers was able to walk unaided for an extensive period of time.

Rogers made the successful claim worth 492,141 after she was a passenger in a car involved in a collision with a vehicle driven by a policyholder from insurance company NFU Mutual, the force said.

She claimed that the collision had caused a back condition that severely disrupted her everyday life.

NFU Mutual gathered surveillance footage of Rogers on 26 April 2021 after it noted inconsistencies in the medical reports she used to support her claim.

Rogers attended a medical assessment the same day, and footage showed that she travelled to the appointment in a taxi and walked with a walking stick.

However, more footage from earlier that day showed Rogers leaving her residence and walking her two dogs unaided for around 40 minutes, including holding one of their leads, with no obvious discomfort.

Screengrabs taken from surveillance footage of Rogers in April 2021 ( City of London Police/PA Wire )

She also appeared as a guest on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2017 and 2018, where she walked, stood and ran across the stage unaided, police said.

The case was referred to the City of London Polices insurance fraud enforcement department (Ifed) by NFU Mutual in August 2021.

During an interview on 17 November 2021, Rogers was shown the footage and told officers that she could not use a walking stick because she was holding the lead.

She added she had been able to walk around on The Jeremy Kyle Show unaided because she felt angry, which distracted her from the pain.

Jeremy Kyle in 2019 ( ITV/Shutterstock )

Rogers, of Hoyland Road, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Sheffield Crown Court on 2 February, City of London Police said.

She was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay 500 in compensation at the same court on Tuesday.

Richard Turnell, a claims specialist at NFU Mutual, said: By exaggerating and inflating the extent of her injuries and losses, Patricia Rogers sought to fraudulently claim money in the sum of up to at least half a million pounds at the expense of NFU Mutuals members.

Over a period of almost a decade, Rogers attempted to mislead medical experts and investigators and even purchased props to support her deception  but she was observed on several occasions walking and running unaided.

Detective Constable Carley Parodi from the City of London Polices Ifed said: Rogers took advantage of a genuine car accident and, for almost a decade, kept up the pretence that it had a substantial effect on her life.

There was a huge difference between Rogerss ability to carry out her day-to-day activities in the surveillance footage and the serious impact of the accident as she described during her medical appointments.

It was astounding that she told medical professionals she could not walk unaided, but then appeared on national television doing just that.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Research reveals how long it takes for the police to answer the phone to 999 calls, with one force taking half a minute on average to pick up.

Bedfordshire Police had the slowest response time of any force in the UK at 30.33 seconds, with analysts suggesting that the figures could be down to understaffing.

Forces aim to answer 90 per cent of calls within 10 seconds.

According to analysis of police.uk data by personal injury company claims.co.uk, Lincolnshire Police was the fastest at 7 seconds.

Norfolk Constabulary was the second quickest force, taking an average of 7.16 seconds to answer 999 calls.

Ranking third was West Yorkshire Police, with an average call response time of 7.65 seconds.

At the opposite end of the table, Wiltshire Police was the second slowest force, taking an average of 19.69 seconds to take calls.

West Merica was the third slowest at 18.47 seconds.

View more

A spokesperson for claims.co.uk said: The time it takes for the police to respond to a 999 call is crucial  the longer the caller waits, the higher the risk of harm and danger to the individual.

While its great to see that the average call response time for the top-ranking forces is under ten seconds, those that rank at the bottom will likely be concerning to locals.

However, the slowest response times should not instigate doubt on the perseverance and effort of police forces throughout the UK, as it instead suggests that the bottom-ranking forces are understaffed; these areas perhaps need more funding so that they can offer as much support as possible to residents of their areas.

The Home Office began to publish 999 response call times in 2022 in a bid to further improve the speed of the service provided to the public.

The performance tables formed part of the governments Beating Crime Plan to improve transparency and performance, forming part of the governments wider ongoing work to cut crime, improve public services and make our streets safer.

The department said publishing the 999 league tables would reconnect the police with the public and hold individual forces to account, helping identify previously unknown issues with the goal of driving up performance.

The data is publicly available through the police.uk website.

Claims.co.uk said it analysed data for each month between March 2023 and February 2024 to calculate the mean answer time for calls to be transferred from BT operators to each police force, as well as the total number of calls.

For each month of the timeframe analysed, the total number of calls was multiplied by the mean answer time to find the weight figure.

The sum of the weight figures was calculated, as well as the sum of the number of calls.

The weights sum was then divided by the calls sum to discover the weighted average for each police force and therefore determine the final ranking.

The Home Office previously said there was a range of reasons for disparities between forces, and the data was likely to vary each month.

The Home Office began to publish 999 response call times in 2022 in a bid to further improve the speed of the service provided to the public ( Getty Images )

Police forces are operationally independent, and each will have its own unique pressures to identify and address.

Prank calls, a lag time in connecting and inappropriate use of 999 to call for issues that are not emergencies, can all contribute to delays in answering.

Seasonal periods, such as New Years Eve, particularly hot or cold weather, concerts and festivals, can also have a significant impact on waiting times in some forces due to peaks in people travelling to the force area.

Bedfordshire Police said that it had answered 94 per cent of calls within 10 seconds in March this year.

Superintendent Graham Bates, head of public contact, said: We are committed to making sure we are available for the people who really need us.

Over the past year, we have increased staffing levels in our force control room which has enhanced the service we deliver. We also continuously look for ways to improve our systems and processes to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

However, we still need the publics help in preventing our emergency lines from becoming overwhelmed.

999 is for when there is a risk to life or safety, or a crime is in progress. In all other cases, we have alternative avenues for reporting, such as our 101 non-emergency line and online services.

By taking a moment to assess whether a situation is an emergency, callers can help us keep our 999 lines open for anyone in immediate danger or requiring urgent assistance, enabling us to provide an efficient and effective response to those who need it most.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Rwandas state-owned airline has turned down a proposal to transport asylum seekers to Kigali as part of Rishi Sunaks controversial flagship scheme to cut immigration.

RwandAir, which is owned by the Rwandan government, was approached last year about being part of Mr Sunaks plan but turned down the opportunity due to fears about reputational harm.

A Home Office insider told the Financial Times: RwandAir said No because of the potential damage to their brand.

Mr Sunak has made stopping small boats crossing the Channel one of his core promises to voters but it has been mired in legal difficulties, leading to severe delays in implementing the policy.

The Supreme Court ruled against it last year and nobody has yet been sent to Rwanda. Mr Sunak hosted Rwandan president Paul Kagame in Downing Street on Tuesday. A spokesman said: Both leaders looked forward to flights departing to Rwanda in the spring.

Last week, Mr Sunak said he would be willing to defy orders from the European Court of Human Rights if necessary to implement his Rwanda plan.

The meeting took place as Freedom from Torture launched a campaign to pressure carrier AirTanker - which the charity says is in talks to be part of the scheme - to rule themselves out of Mr Sunaks plan.

AirTanker operates the UKs fleet of aerial refuelling craft, which are also used as passenger aeroplanes.

In a post on its website, the charity said: Right now, its being reported that the airline AirTanker are in talks with the government to fly refugees to Rwanda as part of their cruel cash for humans scheme.

This governments Rwanda scheme flies in the face of international law, the UK Supreme Court and common human decency. Its cruel, and its wrong. We see the terror its inflicting on survivors of torture every day in our therapy rooms.

In 2022, AirTanker ruled themselves out of being part of this scheme. Its time for them to do the right thing again.

The revelation comes just days after reports that properties earmarked for migrants deported from the UK have instead been sold to local buyers in Rwanda.

Of the 163 affordable homes on the Bwiza Riverside estate, 70 per cent have been sold, meaning there is only space for a few dozen migrants, the Times reported.

The prices of the properties funded as part of a public-private partnership between the Kigali government and ADHI Corporate Group range between 14,000 and 27,000.

A manager at the estate said the homes had been sold to private people who want to live in them.

Labour demanded urgent clarity on the Rwanda scheme farce following the Times report, calling on the Prime Minister to address it directly while the Commons is away on Easter recess.

Now it seems there will be even less capacity to house those that are removed. The Tories so-called plan is unravelling by the day and taxpayers are footing the bill. Its time for change, shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said.

According to the latest Home Office figures, 82 migrants were detected crossing the English Channel in small boats on Monday, taking the total so far this year to 5,517.

AirTanker has been contacted for comment.
YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced during a briefing with journalists that the demarcation process cannot take place until Armenia and Azerbaijan reach an agreement on a map for the border demarcation.

"Until we have an agreement on a map for the border demarcation, the process cannot proceed. There must be an agreement on how we implement border demarcation; without it, the process cannot proceed," stated Pashinyan.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A group of 40 bereaved parents have joined together to campaign for graduated driving licensing, which would place restrictions on young drivers to prevent road deaths.

Research shows that drivers aged between 17 and 24 are involved in 24 per cent of all collisions resulting in death or serious injury, despite only accounting for seven per cent of the total driving population.

Other countries including Canada, Australia and New Zealand have previously adopted graduate driving licenses, which restrict nighttime driving and the number of similar-aged passengers a young driver can carry in their car.

Among those supporting the RoadPeace campaign is Sharron and Mike Huddleston, who lost their 18-year-old daughter Caitlin in July 2017, when she was killed in a car crash in Cumbria.

Caitlin died after a friend, who had only passed their test four months previously, crashed in Cumbria ( RoadPeace )

An inquest into her death found that the collision was down to the driving inexperience of her friend, who had only passed her test four months previously.

Alongside other parents, including Chris and Nicole Taylor who also lost their 18-year-old daughter in 2008, they formed the Forget-me-not Families Uniting, which has been appealing to the government to introduce a graduate driving licensing system in the UK.

Mrs Huddleston said: Enough is enough. How many more young people need to die before action is taken? We cant sit back any longer and just watch as more and more young people are killed or seriously injured in road collisions.

Our group was formed as a means of reaching out to the Government collectively, as individual contacts resulted in no action. I had been campaigning for years and nobody has listened, despite all of the overwhelming evidence that was being put to them by leading experts in this field.

Alice Greenwood was killed by a speeding young driver when she was just 12 years old ( RoadPeace )

Our message to the government is simple - listen to us, listen to the experts and learn from other countries, who have seen a huge reduction in young driver and passenger deaths after introducing Graduated Driving Licensing for young novice drivers.

In countries where the system has been introduced, research shows a reduction of between 20 and 40 per cent in deaths and serious injuries in crashes involved in young drivers.

Meanwhile in the UK, 4,935 people were killed or injured in crashing involving at least one young driver in 2022.

Data from transport safety studies, insurance companies and charities has shown that drivers under the age of 24 are more likely to crash when driving at night, in difficult conditions or when they are carrying similar aged passengers.

Dr Ian Greenwood, who has a PhD in road safety policy said: The evidence for Graduated Driving Licensing is strong and has been available for many years, and I hope politicians will listen to the experts and act.

Graduated Driving Licensing was first debated in the House of Commons in 1993, and my (forever) 12-year-old daughter was killed in a young driver crash in 2008. Had politicians acted before then, or over the decades since, and not simply debated, Alice might very well be looking forward to her 28th birthday this year.

Between 20% and 40% of other bereaved parents might still have their children too. Politicians need to decide whether they will continue to ignore the evidence and calls from parents, or finally take action.
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

David Cameron has rejected a reported plan by Donald Trump to negotiate Ukrainian territory with Russia in order to end the war, warning against appeasing Vladimir Putin.

The foreign secretary, who was on the last day of a trip to the United States to push for more support for Kyiv, said it was vital to show strength rather than weakness in order to resolve the conflict.

Mr Trump, who hopes to become president again in November, is reportedly prepared to pressure Ukraine to give up Crimea and the Donbas border region to Russia to secure a peace agreement. The Donbas contains the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the suggestion as primitive.

Asked how Britain would feel about a peace settlement that would cede some Ukrainian territory to Putin, Lord Cameron told CNN: Everyone wants to see an end to the killing and an end to the war... but you only get that by backing Ukraine, by showing strength. Peace comes through strength, not through appeasement and weakness.

His comments came as:

The top US general in Europe warned Congress that Ukraine would run out of artillery shells and air defence interceptors in fairly short order without American support

The bishop for Ukraine in London urged the US and the UK to honour their pledges and not forget that Ukraine is fighting Russia to save the rule of law and democracy

Russian airstrikes on Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv region hit a clinic and a pharmacy, killing at least three people

Asked about Mr Trumps plan, which was first reported by The Washington Post, Lord Cameron added: I dont think we should be discussing those things right now; we should be discussing how do we get Ukraine back on the front foot?

Theyve showed incredible bravery. Theyve showed that they can win against Putin, theyre not going to lose for lack of morale, theyre not going to lose for lack of ingenuity on the battlefield.

The only way they can lose is if we dont give them the support they deserve.

Similar language has previously provoked the ire of senior Republicans. Earlier this year, he warned Congress not to show the weakness displayed against Hitler in the 1930s.

Lord Cameron has held a series of high-profile meetings during his US visit to try and unlock a $60bn military aid package currently being blocked in Congress.

But he appears to have been snubbed by a key Trump ally, House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson, as he met US politicians to urge them to support Ukraines war effort.

He has also been forced to defend his face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, which came after he previously called him xenophobic, [and] misogynistic, insisting the meeting did not break protocol.

In a message to Republicans, the ex-prime minister said funding for Ukraine would be good for US jobs and security and show the West was prepared to stand up to bullies.

Speaking after a meeting with Antony Blinken, the secretary of state, he said: I just come here as a great friend and believer in this country and a believer that its profoundly in your interest, in your security, and your future and the future of your partners to release this money and let it through.

Lord Cameron also warned decisions on Ukraine cannot be delayed until after Novembers election.

Theres a risk that Ukraine will lose more ground to Putin, and no one wants to be in a situation in November where we could have acted, we could have helped, we could have beaten back Putin, we could have started the process of getting a Ukraine win and getting a just peace but we failed to do that, he said.

Separately, the Ukrainian president warned ceding territory would pave the way for more Russian aggression.

If the deal is that we just give up our territories, and thats the idea behind it, then its a very primitive idea, Mr Zelensky told Politico. I dont need a fantastic idea, I need a real idea because peoples lives are at stake.

Meanwhile, in London, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski said Ukraine was not asking for soldiers on the ground but simply for funding to continue its fight against Putin.

This is not just a battle for Ukraine, the bishop told The Independent. It is the battle for rule of law, democracy and freedoms that we have all taken advantage of. That we stand to lose.

The challenge for us moving forward is to ensure that those in the US, here and the West continue to encourage politicians to honour their pledges.

The Trump campaign has been approached for comment.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Rishi Sunak has backed Joe Bidens calls for a 6-8 week ceasefire in Gaza to allow food and medicine to go into the country, following a significant intervention from the US president overnight where he called Israels approach to the conflict a mistake.

The prime minister said Mr Biden and he were very aligned on this and that he had consistently called for an immediate humanitarian pause so that we can get the hostages out.

Mr Sunak added: We want to get aid in to help alleviate the suffering and then use that as a platform to build a sustainable ceasefire.

His comments come on the back of building domestic and international pressure on Israel to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza mounts following the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Palestine that has seen the death of over 30,000 people and the killing of seven aid workers - including three British citizens - by Israeli airstrikes.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire )

Joe Biden has strengthened his language on Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza as a mistake, in one of his strongest rebukes of the Israeli prime ministers response to the ongoing conflict so far.

The president made the remarks during an interview with Univision, aired on Tuesday evening, in which he said the recent missile strikes on aid convoys in the Middle East were outrageous and called for a halt in the fighting.

Asked during the interview whether Mr Netanyahu was more concerned about his political survival than the national interest of his people, the president replied: Well, I will tell you, I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach.

He continued: I think its outrageous that those four, three vehicles were hit by drones and taken out on a highway where it wasnt like it was along the shore, it wasnt like there was a convoy moving there.

Mr Biden said he was calling for the Israelis to call a ceasefire for six to eight weeks to allow total access for all food and medicine supplies going into Gaza.

Asked on LBC if Mr Sunak supported the US presidents comments that Mr Netanyahus approach was a mistake, the prime minister said he had been very clear with Netanyahu that the UK was shocked and appalled by what happened particularly to the Brits who helped him bring aid into Gaza recently.

He added: The current situation is appalling. And we want to see alleviation to people who are going through a very tough time and were doing our bit but we need the Israelis to open up more crossings and help facilitate more aid going in.

Joe Biden rebuked Israels approach to the conflict in Gaza as a mistake ( AP )

Foreign secretary Lord David Cameron announced that the UK will not suspend arms exports to Israel despite grave concerns about Gaza and mounting pressure from politicians and judges across the UK.

The foreign secretary said he had reviewed the latest legal advice to ministers on whether Israel is breaking humanitarian law in its war on Hamas.

The ultimate judgement was that the export licences will continue despite the killing of seven aid workers in an air strike last week.

Mr Sunak defended the UKs decision not to suspend arms sales to Israel, saying none of our closest allies have stopped existing export licences but added Mr Netanyahu needs to do more to alleviate suffering in Gaza.

The prime minister said: It was a shocking tragedy what happened to our veterans when they were selflessly carrying out aid missions into Gaza and Ive also said repeatedly the situation in Gaza is increasingly intolerable, you know, the humanitarian suffering that people are experiencing isnt right and Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to do more to alleviate that.

Ive made that very clear to him.

Mr Sunak said the UK has a long-established process relating to the arms export regime and we review these things regularly.

Thats led to no change. Actually, none of our closest allies have currently suspended existing arms licences either, so we continue to discuss these things with our allies.

Rishi Sunak also said that civils servants should work to the civil service code when asked about concerns over whether Israels actions in Gaza are in breach of international humanitarian law.

The prime minister suggested it would not be appropriate for officials to stop work relating to the sale of arms, following reports that officials in the department for business and trade (DBT) raised concerns with senior civil servants that they may be liable if it is deemed Israel has broken international law.

Thats not something Im familiar with, I dont think that would be appropriate, he told LBC.

We have a civil service code. All civil servants should work to the civil service code.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Assaulting a shopworker is to be made a separate criminal offence after the Government U-turned in the face of a long-running campaign.

Ministers had previously ruled out legislating to create a new offence, saying in response to a parliamentary petition in October they did not think it was required or will be most effective.

on Wednesday Rishi Sunak announced that his Government would be amending its Criminal JusticeBill to bring in the new offence.

He said: I am sending a message to those criminals  whether they are serious organised criminal gangs, repeat offenders or opportunistic thieves  who think they can get away with stealing from these local businesses or abusing shopworkers, enough is enough.

Our local shops are the lifeblood of our communities, and they must be free to trade without the threat of crime or abuse.

The new offence will carry a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment or an unlimited fine, the same sentence for the existing offence of common assault.

Repeat offenders could also be forced to wear an electronic tag, as could consistent shoplifters, under amendments to the Bill currently making its way through Parliament.

The Government also plans to pilot community sentencing measures with an as-yet unnamed police force to tackle high levels of shoplifting, along with greater use of facial recognition technology to identify people wanted by the police in crowded areas.

Judges already have the power to ban repeat offenders from certain shops under criminal behaviour orders, with breaches bringing a maximum sentence of five years.

Retail crime has hit the Co-Op ( PA Media )

The move to create a separate offence follows a long-running campaign from major retailers and Conservative backbencher Matt Vickers amid rising violence against retail workers.

Over the past six months, more than 47,000 people have signed a petition calling for the creation of a separate offence of assaulting a retail worker.

But an initial response published last October said: The Government is committed to supporting hardworking retail workers, who can suffer intolerable violence and abuse, but we do not think more legislative change is required or will be most effective.

The response added that the Government had already legislated in 2022 to make assaulting a public-facing worker, including retail staff, an aggravated offence for sentencing to emphasise that these types of assaults are totally unacceptable.

Earlier this year, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) published a report saying violent and abusive incidents against shopworkers had increased 50% between 2021/22 and 2022/23.

Helen Dickinson, chairwoman of the BRC, welcomed the announcement, saying that the voices of the three million people working in retail are finally being heard.

She said: The impact of retail violence has steadily worsened, with people facing racial abuse, sexual harassment, threatening behaviour, physical assault and threats with weapons, often linked to organised crime.

Victims are ordinary hardworking people  teenagers taking on their first job, carers looking for part-time work, parents working around childcare.

Labours shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the Governments proposals were a pale imitation of her own partys plans.

She said: Under the Tories too many communities and high streets are being blighted by staggering increases in shoplifting, up 30% in the last year alone.

Labour has been calling for tougher action against those who assault shopworkers for more than 10 years. The Tories opposed and voted against our plans for better protection. Why has it taken them so long to act?
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The Arizona Supreme Court has delivered a landmark decision in giving the go-ahead to enforce a long-dormant law that bans nearly all abortions, drastically altering the legal landscape within the state around terminating pregnancies.

The law predating Arizonas statehood provides no exceptions for rape or incest and allows abortions only if the mother's life is in jeopardy. Arizonas highest court suggested doctors can be prosecuted under the 1864 law, though the opinion written by the courts majority didnt explicitly say that.

The Tuesday decision threw out an earlier lower-court decision that concluded doctors couldnt be charged for performing abortions in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy.

How we got here

The law was enacted decades before Arizona became a state on 14 February, 1912. A court in Tucson had blocked its enforcement shortly after the US Supreme Court issued its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing the constitutional right to an abortion.

After the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe decision in June 2022, then-Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a Republican, successfully requested that a state judge lift an injunction that blocked enforcement of the 1864 ban.

The state Court of Appeals suspended the law as Brnovichs Democratic successor, Attorney General Kris Mayes, urged the states high court to uphold the appellate court's decision.

Arizonas highest court suggested doctors can be prosecuted under the 1864 law ( AP )

Who can be prosecuted under the 1864 law?

The law orders prosecution for a person who provides, supplies or administers to a pregnant woman, or procures such woman to take any medicine, drugs or substance, or uses or employs any instrument or other means whatever, with intent thereby to procure the miscarriage of such woman, unless it is necessary to save her life.

The Arizona Supreme Court suggested in its ruling Tuesday that physicians can be prosecuted, though justices didn't say that outright.

In light of this Opinion, physicians are now on notice that all abortions, except those necessary to save a womans life, are illegal the ruling said. The justices noted additional criminal and regulatory sanctions may apply to abortions performed after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The law carries a sentence of two to five years in prison upon conviction. Lawyers for Planned Parenthood Arizona said they believe criminal penalties will apply only to doctors.

The high court said enforcement wont begin for at least two weeks. However, plaintiffs say it could be up to two months, based on an agreement in a related case to delay enforcement if the justices upheld the pre-statehood ban.

Arizona Supreme Court Justices from left; William G. Montgomery, John R Lopez IV, Vice Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer, Chief Justice Robert M. Brutinel, Clint Bolick and James Beene ( AP )

Politics of the presidential race

The ruling puts the issue of abortion access front and center in a battleground state for the 2024 presidential election and partisan control of the U.S. Senate.

Democrats immediately pounced on the ruling, blaming former President Donald Trump for the loss of abortion access after the U.S. Supreme Court ended the national right to abortion.

President Joe Biden and his allies are emphasizing efforts to restore abortion rights, while Trump has avoided endorsing a national abortion ban and warned that the issue could lead to Republican losses. The decision will give Arizona the strictest abortion law of the top-tier battleground states.

Staunch Trump ally and abortion opponent Kari Lake is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego in an Arizona race for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Kyrsten Sinema, who isn't seeking a second term.

A protestor holds a sign reading My Body My Choice at a Womens March rally outside the State Capitol on October 8, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. ( Getty Images )

Whats next?

Under a near-total ban, the number of abortions in Arizona is expected to drop drastically from about 1,100 monthly, as estimated by a survey for the Society of Family Planning.

This past summer, abortion rights advocates began a push to ask Arizona voters to create a constitutional right to abortion. If proponents collect enough signatures, Arizona would become the latest state to put the question of reproductive rights directly before voters.

The proposed constitutional amendment would guarantee abortion rights until a fetus could survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks. It also would allow later abortions to save the mothers life, or to protect her physical or mental health.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A Florida woman who stole the journal of President Joe Bidens daughter and sold it to a conservative advocacy group will face jail time and home detention, a US district judge ruled on Tuesday.

Harris stole Ashley Bidens journal, among other possessions, from a friends home in Florida in 2020. The presidents daughter had kept them in the home for safekeeping. Harris later received $20,000 from Project Veritas, a far-right-wing group, in exchange for the journal.

She will now face one month behind bars and another three months of home detention. The sentence comes after Harris pled guilty to a conspiracy charge in August 2022.

I do not believe I am above the law, Harris said in court ahead of her sentencing, per Politico.

Harris was charged alongside Robert Kurlander, whom she enlisted to help sell the journal. The pair initially tried to broker a deal with a representative from Donald Trumps 2020 re-election campaign. But the campaign backed out, and the same representative said they should turn over the journal and other items to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Aimee Harris, right, walking out of Manhattan federal court on 9 April, will spend one month in prison after stealing and selling Ashley Bidens journal ( AP )

Thats when they turned to Project Veritas. The group identifies itself as a news organisation and is best known for using hidden cameras to discredit mainstream media organisations and progressive groups. They never published the diary, and it was later leaked to another media organisation.

Kurlander, who also made $20,000 from the sale, pled guilty to his charges and has since cooperated with prosecutors.

The FBI has since executed search warrants at the homes of two Project Veritas ex-employees, as well as the groups founder, James OKeefe, as part of the long-running investigation.

In a statement to The Independent, Project Veritas maintained that no member of the organisation has been charged with a crime.

Project Veritas also directed The Independent to a video of the original voicemail that explains how Project Veritas came into possession of the diary  and how we ultimately returned it to authorities.

Ashley Biden is not the only one of her siblings to have a personal item fall into the hands of conservative activists.

President Joe Biden walks with children Hunter and Ashley. Both Ashley and Hunter have seen personal information fall into the hands of right-wing activists ( AP )

The issue of Hunter Bidens so-called laptop from hell has reverberated in the worlds of politics and social media since a bombshell report in the New York Post tabloid weeks before the 2020 election.

The laptop was left in the hands of Trump-supporting repair man John Pal Mac Isaac, who is legally blind. Mr Mac Isaac said the individual who dropped off the laptop identified himself as Hunter Biden.

Information on the laptop  which included purported emails, text messages and photos, some explicit  later reached the public eye. Reviews from news outlets like CBS News and The Washington Post later revealed the data was authentic.

The presidents son has since sued Mr Mac Isaac, saying in court filings the repairman came into possession of the laptop by whatever means.

Meta later limited the circulation of the The New York Post story about Hunter Bidens laptop. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the FBI approached the company and asked them to be aware that some content may be shared in an attempt to polarize the American electorate as the 2020 election approached. As such, the company decreased distribution of the story. The decision, and that of Twitter to limit the story as well, sparked accusations of political censorship.

Hunter Biden has since testified before Congress regarding claims that he used his fathers name to solicit millions of dollars in bribes from Kyiv-based company Burisma. Meanwhile, Hunter Biden is facing two criminal trials this summer. He will head to trial in California on tax-related charges just days after a trial for gun-related charges begins in Delaware.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The state of Missouri has executed Brian Dorsey, 52, for the 2006 double murder of his cousin Sarah and her husband Ben Bonnie.

In recent months, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, former and current prison workers, and some family members of the victims pushed for Dorseys death sentence to be downgraded.

The Missouri inmate was pronounced dead at 6.11pm on Tuesday.

To all of the family and loved ones I share with Sarah and to all of the surviving family and loved ones of Ben, I am truly, deeply, overwhelmingly sorry, Dorsey wrote in his final statement, obtained by the Kansas City Star. Words cannot hold the just weight of my guilt and shame...To all those on all sides of this sentence, I carry no ill will or anger, only acceptance and understanding.

He was served a final meal of cheeseburgers, chicken strips, fries, and pizza, according to the paper.

Some family members of the victims opposed the execution, while others supported it.

One group said in a statement prior to the execution that the death sentence represented the light at the end of the tunnel after years of pain and suffering.

Activists condemned the execution.

We hold in our hearts each and every person who is affected by this execution, the Catholic Mobilizing Network said on Tuesday on X. We will tirelessly pursue a justice that promotes the dignity of all people.

On Tuesday morning, the US Supreme Court on Tuesday declined Dorseys appeal in the case with no noted dissents, clearing the final obstacle to the execution.

Dorsey was sentenced to death for the 23 December 2006 killing, a punishment later affirmed in appeals to courts at the state, federal, and US Supreme Court levels.

Sarah and Ben Bonnie invited Dorsey into their home for the night in New Bloomfield, Missouri, during a period when Dorsey feared a group of drug dealers was pursuing him to collect on a debt, according to the Missouri Attorney Generals Office.

Prosecutors also allege that after Dorsey killed them, he sexually assaulted Sarah and poured bleach on her, though these allegations werent fully considered in court because Dorsey pleaded guilty. Dorsey turned himself in to the police.

Once in prison, he began appealing his death sentence, arguing he received flawed original legal representation, violating his 6th Amendment right to effective counsel.

According to advocates, Dorseys original attorneys failed to bring forward key pieces of evidence, a potential result of being paid a $12,000 flat fee each to defend him, a practice legal observers say can encourage hasty resolutions of capital cases, which can last years.

The Missouri mans original attorneys didnt disclose Mr Dorseys claim to have been in a drug-induced state of psychosis during the murders and didnt investigate or present his past struggles with mental health, which included a major depression diagnosis and seeking inpatient treatment, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

The original lawyers also negotiated a guilty plea deal that didnt include any assurances about what sentence Dorsey would receive.

The practice of paying flat fees in capital cases has long been considered improper by the American Bar Association because of its potential to discourage lawyers from doing more than what is minimally necessary.

In a March letter to the governor, Michael Wolff, a former Missouri Supreme Court judge who once upheld Dorseys death sentence, said this was one rare cases where those of us who sit in judgment of a man convicted of capital murder got it wrong and added that the flat fee arrangement, which Missouri has since ceased to use, undoubtedly influenced everything.

When contacted by The Independent, his original attorneys, Chris Slusher and Scott McBride, declined to comment on the case.

A group of more than 70 current and former corrections officers joined in calls for the mans death sentence to be changed.

In prison, according to correctional staff, Dorsey didnt have any infractions and became a trusted barber for inmates and staff members alike.

Generally, we believe in the use of capital punishment, the officers previously wrote the governor. But we are in agreement that the death penalty is not the appropriate punishment for Brian Dorsey.

The day before the execution, Missouri governor Michael Parson denied Dorseys petition for clemency.

The pain Dorsey brought to others can never be rectified, but carrying out Dorseys sentence according to Missouri law and the Courts order will deliver justice and provide closure, Governor Parson, a former sheriff who hasnt blocked an execution since taking office in 2018, wrote in a statement accompanying the decision.

Missouri executes more people than almost all other US states. In addition to Dorseys killing, the state has executed 97 people since 1976, trailing only Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Florida, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Last year, it was one of only five states to carry out executions, killing four people.

The Independent and the nonprofit Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ) have launched a joint campaign calling for an end to the death penalty in the US. The RBIJ has attracted more than 150 well-known signatories to their Business Leaders Declaration Against the Death Penalty - with The Independent as the latest on the list. We join high-profile executives like Ariana Huffington, Facebooks Sheryl Sandberg, and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson as part of this initiative and are making a pledge to highlight the injustices of the death penalty in our coverage.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The family of Dexter Reed, who was killed by Chicago police last month, demands answers following the release of bodycam footage showing officers firing 96 times, even after he fell on the ground.

Dexter Reed, 26, was killed on 21 March by Chicago police during a traffic stop for purportedly not wearing his seat belt, but the stop ended in an exchange of multiple bullets, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) said in a statement.

COPA is a city agency responsible for investigating allegations of police misconduct and keeping police held accountable.

After Reed was stopped, multiple officers surrounded his vehicle and gave him verbal commands, but when he did not comply, officers pointed their firearms and ultimately there was an exchange of gunfire which left Mr Reed dead and an officer shot in the forearm.

After reviewing the footage, COPA determined that it appeared Reed fired first, striking an officer, and our officers returned fire.

In the space of 41 seconds, officers returned fire around 96 times, including after Reed exited his vehicle and fell on the ground, COPA stated.

The agency released multiple videos of the officer-involved shooting from under three weeks ago. One video shows an officer approaching the driver of a white vehicle, which appeared to have dark-tinted windows.

In bodycam footage, an officer can be heard asking Reed to Roll the window down. Roll the window down. The driver initially rolled his window down but then rolled it back up.

What are you doing? the officer asks. Dont roll the window up. Do not roll the window up.

After pulling on the drivers door handle, the officer draws a gun and asks Reed to Unlock the doors now, with other officers shouting the same orders.

The officer repeatedly shouts, Open the door now.

Seconds later, gunfire breaks out, and dozens of shots are heard.

The footage also shows later Reeds body lying face down behind the vehicle.

Dexter Reeds sister, Porscha Banks, said her brother would have been scared as firearms were pointed at him ( AP )

The man was struck by gunfire multiple times and was transported to hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, COPA said, adding that a gun was found on the front passenger seat of Reeds vehicle.

One officer was shot in the wrist during the gunfire and was hospitalised in good condition, Chicago police said, according to CNN.

Ephraim Eaddy, COPAs first deputy chief administrator, said in a statement released by COPA that they have recommended to Superintendent Larry Snelling that the Chicago Police Department should relieve four officers of their police powers while the investigation is ongoing.

After the release of the footage, the family of the deceased man are raising questions over the deadly shooting, with his uncle calling it plain murder.

Dexter was pulled over for failing to wear his seat belt. Now this leaves many, many questions, attorney Steven Hart said at a press conference. Why were tactical officers jumping out of an unmarked police car with their guns drawn for a simple traffic violation of not wearing a seat belt?

His sister, Porsche Banks, claimed that her brother would have been scared as firearms were pointed at him.

"If he was supposed to get pulled over for a traffic stop, why do they have four guns pointed at him? He was scared. And after he was already on the ground there, they still put him in cuffs instead of checking to see if he was breathing. They shot to him 96 times and reloaded the clip three times," Ms Banks said.

Reeds uncle, Roosevelt Banks, said that if he were in that scenario, he wouldnt know what to do.

Dexter Reed's mother, Nicole Banks, speaks to reporters outside the headquarters for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability ( AP )

If I was in that situation, I would be terrified. I wouldnt know how to  react other than to protect myself, Banks said after watching the police footage.

After he was shot up  you continued as you added clips to your gun? Mr Banks claimed. That is nothing but plain murder to me.

Brandon Johnson, the mayor of Chicago, said at a separate conference that he met with Reeds family after the shooting.

"As mayor, and as a father raising a family, including two Black boys on the West Side of Chicago, I am personally devastated to see yet another young Black man lose his life during an interaction with the police," Mr Johnson said. "Our heart breaks for the family of Dexter Reed. They are grieving the loss of a son, a brother and a nephew."

He added that he will be working with COPA and the Cook County States Attorneys Office to help with transparency in the investigation.

"Shooting a police officer can never be condoned," Johnson said. "Never condoned, never excused. I will never stand for that, and neither will the city of Chicago. And we also have to be clear that we hold our police to the highest of standards."

At the time of the shooting, Reed was facing charges for allegedly carrying a gun in his pocket, while walking into a street festival, ABC7 reports.

He was in court on that gun charge less than two weeks before the shooting, the outlet said.

In their statement, COPA said they take investigations like these very seriously and have investigated the scene, camera footage, and evidence, among other measures.

They add they are in contact with Reeds family and will provide updates as the investigation continues.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The skeletal remains of a teenage farmer who went missing back in 2022 have finally been found in a remote area of Utah after the man accused of his murder led authorities to the site.

Dylan Rounds, 19, vanished on Memorial Day weekend two years ago.

Before his disappearance, the teenager had made a final phone call to his grandmother  then was never seen or heard from again.

The FBI and the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office announced in a statement on Tuesday that remains presumed to belong to the missing teenager had been recovered from the remote western Box Elder County area of Lucin.

They have been handed over to the medical examiners office to confirm the identity.

Investigators have alleged that Rounds was murdered by his neighbour 60-year-old James Brenner, who had been reportedly squatting in a trailer next to the property where the victim lived.

Mr Brenner was charged in 2023 with aggravated murder and abuse or desecration of a human body for allegedly killing Rounds and then disposing of his body.

James Brenner was a family friend of Rounds and squatted in nearby land ( East Idaho News )

As part of a plea deal, Mr Brenner reportedly led authorities to the location of Rounds burial site on Tuesday morning, Candice Cooley, the teen victims mother, told East Idaho News.

We thank everyone for their support and love, Ms Cooley told the outlet. We are grateful we now have Dylans body and can bring him home as we continue our fight for justice.

Early on in the investigation into his disappearance, authorities had found a pair of boots belonging to the teen, with one having a blood stain splattered on it, according to charging documents obtained by ABC4.

Dylan Rounds went missing on Memorial Day weekend 2022 ( Box Elder County Sheriff's Office )

After DNA analysis, the boots were confirmed to belong to Rounds. Mr Brenners DNA was also found on them, the outlet reported.

Authorities also tracked down Rounds phone, which sent its final signal at the Lucin pond.

After a search of the pond, the phone was discovered, the charging documents state.

A digital forensic download was carried out, leading to the discovery of a harrowing time-lapse video taken at the time of Rounds disappearance.

The video showed Mr Brenner cleaning a gun while blood stains were visible on his arms and shirt, ABC4 reported.

The shirt Mr Brenner was wearing in the video was later analysed by authorities and the missing teens DNA was foundd on it.

Mr Brenner, described by court documents obtained by Fox News as a family friend of Rounds, was initially arrested in July 2022 on federal firearms charges, before being charged with murder in March 2023.

The sheriffs office offered its condolences to Roundss family now that his presumptive skeletal remains have been discovered.

We understand that the pain of their loss is immeasurable, and we want to express our deepest sympathies to them, the office said. It is our hope that they can find peace moving forward.

The sheriffs office said it is releasing no further information at this time.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Its been a decade since two girls lured their classmate into the woods in a quiet suburb of Wisconsin and stabbed her nearly to death. It was all in the name of the fictional character Slender Man, they claimed.

Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier were 12 years old when they attacked sixth-grader Payton Leutner at a Waukesha park on 31 May 2014 after the three supposed friends had a sleepover.

Ms Leutner was stabbed 19 times and was left for dead, but she survived the shocking attack that captured headlines around the world.

Geyser and Weier told investigators that they stabbed Ms Leutner to earn the right to become Slender Mans servants and protect their families from him. The tall, faceless creature in a suit is just a fictional character that was created online, but it quickly became the boogeyman of childrens nightmares.

Geyser pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide in a deal with prosecutors and a judge sent her to the psychiatric institute for 40 years after determining she had a mental illness.

Weier pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide and was also sent to the psychiatric facility after a jury found she was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the attack. In 2021, Weier was granted a conditional release to live with her father and was ordered to wear a GPS monitor. That stipulation was removed by a judge on 12 September 2023.

This week, Geyser  now a 21-year-old woman  was back in court to plead with Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren to release her from Winnebago Mental Health Institute.

She made a similar request for conditional release in 2022 but withdrew the petition two months after filing it.

In January she appeared via Zoom at a hearing to request release. The next hearing was set for a two-day period this week. At the time of the previous hearing, her attorney Anthony Cotton said: Shes made incredible strides and I think shes in a position now to come home.

He added: Morgan was somebody who was 11 years old, 12 years old when this first happened and shes now spent nearly half her life in custody.

During the first day of the latest hearing on Wednesday, doctors who have known Geyser for a decade said there were several red flags which meant they did not believe she was ready for release.

After two days of testimony from doctors, including arguments Geyser was ready to head out into the community on conditional release, Judge Bohren denied her appeal.

Heres how the horrific events unfolded:

How a friendship nearly turned deadly

Payton Leutner befriended Morgan Geyser in fourth grade, at a time when she said Geyser had struggled to make friends, Ms Leutner said in a 2019 interview with ABCs David Muir.

She was sitting all by herself and I didnt think anyone should have to sit by themselves, Ms Leutner said.

Ms Leutner described herself as hopeful and positive before the attack and said shed tried to see the good in people, including Geyser.

Payton Leutner, Morgan Geyser, and Anissa Weier had a sleepover the night before the attack ( ABC News )

But everything went downhill when Geyser became friends with Weier in the sixth grade and began talking about Slender Man, she said.

She said it frightened her a bit, but she wanted to be supportive of her friend and her interests.

But as Geysers obsession with Slender Man grew, Ms Leutner considered ending their friendship.

I saw the change from fifth to sixth grade when she met Anissa, she said. Thats when I was really wanting to get out of that friendship.

But they remained friends and she said she had no idea what was coming when she arrived at Geysers house for her 12th birthday slumber party.

Once I look back on it, I was like, that is really weird, she said. Why didnt I see something? Why didnt I notice something was weird? But Im not blaming myself at all. Because who could ever see something like this coming? Nobody could ever see something like this coming.

The attack

The plan to kill Ms Leutner was fuelled by the girls desire to please Slender Man.

According to a criminal complaint, the plan was initially supposed to be carried out on 30 May 2014, the night of Geysers sleepover to celebrate her 12th birthday.

But then they changed the plan and decided to kill her the next morning at a nearby park in Waukesha.

Once at the park, Weier suggested they go for a walk to play hide-and-seek in nearby woods, she told investigators.

They just wanted to go on a walk, Ms Leutner later told ABC. And I didnt think much of it. Its just a walk. Its in Waukesha. What bad stuff happens in Waukesha, Wisconsin?

Judge Orders Release of One "Slender Man Stabbing" Woman

But Weier told Leutner to lie down and with a kitchen knife Geyser had brought from her home, she began to repeatedly stab her while Weier egged her on.

Ms Leutner suffered 19 stab wounds and barely survived, according to medical staff who treated her.

The girls left Ms Leutner for dead but she crawled onto a bike path and was found by a passerby.

Police captured Geyser and Weier later that day as they were walking on Interstate 94 in Waukesha.

Who is Slender Man?

Slender Man is a fictional supernatural character that originated as a creepypasta  or horror  internet meme created in 2009 by Something Awful forum user Eric Knudsen under his username Victor Surge.

The creation was part of a Photoshop challenge in which users were asked to manipulate real photos to give them a paranormal edge.

Slender Man is typically depicted as a spidery figure in a black suit with a featureless white face and regarded alternately as a sinister force and an avenging angel.

Geyser and Weier discovered Slender Man on Creepypasta Wiki, apparently believed he was real and decided to become what they called proxies of the character, thereby proving their dedication to him and his existence to sceptics, according to the criminal complaint.

But to fully prove their dedication, the girls believed they had to kill someone. They decided that person would be their friend Payton.

Following the 2014 attack, Mr Knudsen released a statement to the media: I am deeply saddened by the tragedy in Wisconsin and my heart goes out to the families of those affected by this terrible act.

The stabbing of Payton Leutner sparked a fear of Slender Man in parents across the nation.

Russell Jack, who was the police chief of Waukesha at the time, warned that the Slender Man stabbing should be a wake-up call for all parents and that the internet is full of dark and wicked things.

The trial

Geyser pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide in a deal with prosecutors and a judge sent her to the psychiatric institute after determining she had a mental illness.

Geyser was diagnosed with early-onset schizophrenia after being taken into custody, according to Rolling Stone.

Weier pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide and was also sent to the psychiatric facility after a jury found she was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the attack.

In December 2017, Weier received the maximum 25 years in a mental health facility after pleading guilty to being an accomplice to second-degree intentional homicide.

In February 2018, Geyser received 40 years in a mental hospital after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide.

In 2021, Weier was granted a conditional release to live with her father and was ordered to wear a GPS monitor.

Geysers appeal for conditional release

Following a two-day hearing on 10 and 11 April 2024, Judge Michael O. Bohren ruled that 21-year-old Geyser still poses a significant risk to herself and others, despite claims that she has made improvements whilst at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute.

This isnt just a case where somebody drove a car into another car and drove off. This is a personal, brutal attack on another person. This is hands-on, if you will. It is bloody, its gory, the judge said as he wrapped up the hearing.

That kind of dangerous conduct is what the risk is. Do we know if someone will repeat it? We dont know. But what this courts responsibility is, is to ensure that the risk is lessened.

Doctors spoke of their work and interactions with Geyser over the best part of a decade.

Two of those witnesses, Dr Deborah Collins and Dr Brooke Laudbohm, explained that in recent years, Geyser had declared she had faked her psychotic symptoms, something the doctor and others said could not be true.

Shes observed 24 hours a day, so its questionable that she would have been able to malinger and pull the wool over the eyes of so many mental health professionals, Dr Collins told the court on day one.

Dr Laudbohm pointed to records showing multiple occurrences of Geyser speaking or laughing with herself, likely at the voices in her head which she had reported over the years.

Both argued that Geyser still had work to do to address her mental health and that the institution was the best place for her.

Dr Kenneth Robbins, who has also known Geyser for a decade, disagreed and said that now was the time for her to head out into the community.

Judge Bohren ultimately sided with the state and said that Geyser still posed a significant risk to herself, other people or property and remanded her back into custody.

She may be able to appeal again in six months.

Slender Man and Hollywood

It was only a matter of time before Hollywood came calling for the ghastly figure after the attack gained international notoriety.

The HBO documentary Beware the Slenderman aired in 2017.

Slenderman - Trailer

Sony Pictures followed suit with a 2018 movie titled Slenderman that featured the horror character.

While not based on the real-life case, Weiers father, Bill Weier, said it was absurd and extremely distasteful to popularise a tragedy.

The creepy character also formed inspiration for episodes of both Supernatural and Law and Order.

Payton Leutner rebuilds her life

Ms Leutner underwent 25 surgeries to repair her heart, liver, stomach, and pancreas after the attack, her mother Stacie Leutner told ABC Action News in Tampa Bay, Florida.

But her emotional trauma was just as scarring, as she later revealed that she slept with scissors under her pillow for protection.

Ms Leutner had never spoken publicly about what happened to her in the woods until 2019.

I feel like its time for people to see my side rather than everyone elses, she said in an exclusive interview with ABCs David Muir.

She was 17 years old when she finally told her story, explaining that she had worked hard over the last five years to heal and rebuild a normal life.

Payton Leutner decided to share her story with ABC News in 2019 ( ABC News )

Ive come to accept all of the scars that I have, Ms Leutner said.

Its just a part of me. I dont think much of them. They will probably go away and fade eventually.

She has since graduated high school and has plans to pursue a career in the medical field. As of September 2021, she was a college sophomore and had a part-time job, according to The Associated Press.

I wouldnt think that someone who went through what I did would ever say that, she added, having decided to focus on the positive. But thats truly how I feel. Without the whole situation, I wouldnt be who I am.
YEREVAN, 10 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 10 April, USD exchange rate up by 0.76 drams to 390.37 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.63 drams to 424.06 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 4.19 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.47 drams to 495.65 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 506.64 drams to 29570.67 drams. Silver price up by 2.44 drams to 350.98 drams.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A North Dakota woman who ran an unlicensed daycare will serve 19 years in prison over the death of a five-month-old boy she was looking after.

Patricia Wick, of Jamestown, was sentenced on Tuesday after she pleaded guilty in January to felony charges of murder and child abuse and a misdemeanour of operating an unlicensed daycare centre in Carrington.

Prosecutors told the court that Wick, 48, caused head and neck injuries to the five-month-old boy, who died in September 2022.

An autopsy in the case concluded that the baby boy died from complications of blunt force head and neck trauma while he was in Wicks care at her home and ruled his death a homicide.

Wick told investigators she had been looking after the victim and at least one other child at the time of the incident, adding that the baby had been sleeping after being fed, but woke up crying.

She said she moved him onto a blanket in her living room and left him while she attended to another child in the kitchen but returned when she heard the infant coughing and found him vomiting, at which point she called 911, according to KVLY.

Wick later admitted that she may have put (the baby) down too hard, was not gentle with him and was frustrated with him that day, according to the affidavit.

The Jamestown resident is also accused of injuring another six-year-old infant, who allegedly broke his arm while in Wicks care after falling off a swing in her backyard just two weeks before the five-month-old child died, court documents state.

Authorities allege Wick did not immediately report the childs injury to his parents.

She was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Tuesday on the murder charge, with 20 years suspended and credit for over a year already served, meaning she will serve up to 19 years in prison.

Wick was also ordered to register as an offender against children and pay $810 in court fees on the child abuse charge, as well as serving 10 years supervised probation,

The judge imposed lesser, concurrent sentences on the other charges.

Following the five-month-old childs death, a tribute was posted to him on the website of Evans Funeral Home in Carrington, which read: He could warm the room with his sweet smile and perfectly placed dimple. Looking at you with his big brown eyes from behind his beautiful long lashes made your heart melt and your soul be full.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A woman asking to be released from a 40-year sentence in a psychiatric institute for attempting to murder a classmate ten years ago, in order to please a fictional character, told her therapist in October that she had never known how to care.

Morgan Geyser, 21, was 12 when she and Anissa Weier lured fellow sixth-grader Payton Leutner into Wisconsin woodland and stabbed her on 21 May 2014.

The pair were doing it in the name of the character known as Slender Man, in order to become his servants and protect their families from him.

Geyser pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide, with the judge sentencing her to decades at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute.

Her attorneys now argue that she is in a position to go home, with the first of a two-day hearing getting underway on Wednesday afternoon.

Ms Leutners parents appeared via Zoom for the hearing, while other family members were in the courtroom where Geyser sat in her orange outfit.

Geyser is led out at the end of the hearing ( AP )

Three doctors had prepared reports on Geyser ahead of the hearing, while a Department of Health and Human Services report was also filed.

Doctor has spent decade meeting with Geyser

Psychologist Dr Deborah Collins was the first to be called to the stand. She was originally retained by Geysers defence lawyers in 2014, not long after her arrest, and has met her multiple times.

The doctor said she felt that Geyser had made progress towards being ready for release, but that she was not yet there.

Doctor Deborah Collins was the first expert to give testimony on 10 April 2024 ( WISN )

One of the reasons for that conclusion came from notes taken during an individual therapy session between Geyser and a therapist at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. Dr Collins read the patients comments from the record.

Dr Deborah Collins gives evidence ( AP )

How do you think I was able to repeatedly stab my best friend and b****face [Weier] thought she was all the brains? I was pulling her along, too, Geyser told her therapist in October. I didnt care, I couldnt care, Ive never known how to care.

Dr Collins said those could have been emotionally charged comments made during a therapy session, but even so, to say that so close to petitioning for release was a potential red flag.

The doctor was asked to explain her history with Geysers case, which stretched back to 2014.

My initial impressions included that Ms Geyser was not well, psychiatrically, She said. That she had experienced trauma, certainly, in the commission of the offences and that she also presented as quite odd during the two-and-a-half-hour interview I had with her.

When Dr Collins first met Geyser, she said she was collecting data, not forming opinions, but she has met the young woman around a dozen times since.

The doctor said that at the time of the 2014 offence, Geyser was suffering from a mental health condition which meant she could not fully understand that what she had done was wrong.

The three friends had a sleepover before the attack, prompted by the fictional character known as Slender Man.

The character had emerged from horror stories that went viral online, with the tall thin man often pictured with a blank face and wearing a black suit.

At the time, both girls appeared to believe he was real and planned to attack Ms Leutner to protect themselves and their families from him.

While at a park in Waukesha, Weier told Ms Leutner to lie on the ground, with Geyser then proceeding to stab her 19 times.

The pair left the victim for dead, but she managed to crawl to a nearby bike path, where a passerby found her.

Anissa Weier, left, and Morgan Geyser pictured in 2014 ( iStock/Police Handout )

Ms Leutner had to undergo 25 surgeries to repair her heart, liver, stomach and pancreas, with her mother telling ABC News in 2017 that her daughter slept with scissors under her pillow for protection.

Geyser and Weier were sentenced nearly three years later following separate trials.

Weier was granted a conditional release in 2021, allowing her to live with her father. She was required to wear a GPS monitor until 12 September 2023.

Geyser said she faked psychotic symptoms

Back in the courtroom on Wednesday, Dr Collins said that she had concluded in 2022 that Geyser was not in a suitable condition to be released, in a report issued before a withdrawn bid for release that year.

Geyser had told those working with her in the fall of 2022 that she was faking the psychotic symptoms she had presented since her 2014 arrest so that she would not return to her fathers home, where she said he had allegedly sexually abused her.

Dr Collins said the years of records and her meetings with Geyser showed that the patient did have mental health issues.

Shes observed 24 hours a day, so its questionable that she would have been able to malinger and pull the wool over the eyes of so many mental health professionals, the doctor later told the judge.

She described an attempt by Geyser to take her own life in 2021, along with other minor incidents of self-injury.

The psychiatrist said that Geyser still presents a significant risk to others and therefore should not be released yet.

I know shes not ready now, the doctor said.

Dr Collins did say that Geyser should meet the conditions for release within the coming months, not years, as long as she continues on the trajectory of her recovery demonstrated in recent months.

In part, that is down to a plan put together by Geyser for her recovery, including career plans as either a writer or working in a hospital.

She told Geysers defence attorney that the 21-year-old was psychiatrically stable and had been for some time, despite the red flags mentioned.

Slender Man beliefs persisted for many months after arrest

Dr Brooke Lundbohm, who has worked alongside Dr Collins, was up next.

Having also been on the case since 2014, Dr Lundbohm backed up her colleague in saying that Geyser was not yet ready for conditional release.

It is my opinion that she continues to pose a significant risk of bodily harm to herself, others or property, the doctor said.

She also called into question Geysers claim that she had been faking her symptoms, pointing to behaviour prior to the stabbing attack which included talking to herself and bringing a hammer to school.

The doctor said that Geysers beliefs around Slender Man persisted for months, if not at least a couple of years, despite the legal issues she was facing.

Dr Lundbohm also referred to multiple voices Geyser repeatedly heard speaking to her over the years, while staff in the institution observed her laughing at or talking to herself, apparently to those voices she was hearing.

When asked why Geyser had changed her story and claimed she had faked her symptoms, the doctor said she believed that was because the inmate felt that because she had now reached adulthood, she would not need to go home.

The doctor said Geyser had shown multiple signs of psychotic behaviours over the years but had shown real progress in recent years.

She is not symptom-free at this point, the doctor added, speaking to reports of Geyser becoming overwhelmed by various activities within the facility and working to develop coping mechanisms to deal with those moments.

Dr Lundbohm was also asked about multiple relationships Geyser has had with men much older than herself, with the doctor saying this was a complicated topic.

She is an individual who has been isolated and has developed relationships with people who have, frankly, been nice to her, Dr. Lundbohm said.

Its been difficult to identify the motives of some of these individuals. Certainly, there have been people who have tried to establish a relationship for their own gain, the doctor continued, adding that some of those people helped Geyser to feel less lonely while in the institution.

At 4.30pm local time, the judge ordered the court to be in recess until Thursday morning at 9am, with the defence expected to cross-examine Dr Lundbohm.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated by Muslims across the world on Wednesday to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The day is filled with spending time with family, sharing unique dishes, giving gifts and charity and praying with your community.

Many Muslims will dress up in new clothes for the occasion, and some countries will decorate their streets in honour of the celebrations.

After a month of fasting, the day gives Muslims the chance to thank Allah for the strength and support they received through Ramadan.

Heres what to know about the Islamic global tradition:

When is Eid al-Fitr?

The start of the celebration is calculated when a new crescent moon is sighted in the sky. The announcement that the festival has started is usually carried out by local mosques.

As Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month, concluded on 9 April, Eid al-Fitr falls on 10 April 2024.

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated according to the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar that calculates dates based on lunar phases, meaning the day of Eid al-Fitr can jump around year by year.

The religious celebration, otherwise known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is one of two Eid festivals on the Islamic calendar, celebrated as Ramadan draws to a close.

Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, is observed for a month in which Muslims will abstain from food or drink between dawn and dusk.

The month allows those who celebrate to pray and spiritually self-reflect while they fast.

How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?

Eid al Fitr is important to many Muslim families, who will come together and spend time with their loved ones.

Some areas, more typically Muslim-majority nations, will try and get the day off work or school and travel to visit family members, even if that means travelling far and wide to be together.

In Indonesia, many people will set about on an exodus to their hometowns or wherever their loved ones reside, in what is known locally as the homecoming tradition of mudik.

A lot of Eid celebrations will begin with special prayers at a mosque in the morning with their community, with many Muslims dressing in new or their best garments.

Prayers in Indonesia ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Other traditions include saying a short prayer called a takbeer. The festival also sees many people donating to charity as part of the celebrations.

A charity called Zakat al-Fitr is also given on this day, with many considering it mandatory for those who can give, an obligation to ensure all people can participate in the festival.

What else is done to commemorate the day?

The celebration is a way of showing gratitude, appreciating all that Allah has given, and recognising Ramadam, along with all the charitable sacrifices Muslims made during the month.

Special dishes are typically prepared and indulged in to commemorate the day, and Muslims join together in prayer to acknowledge the end of the fasting month.

One of the festivals key commemorations is celebrating life, the good that it can bring and all the blessings they received while participating in Ramadan.

Prayers in Kenya ( AP )

People acknowledge this by coming together as friends, family, or as a community and sharing sweet treats and gifts, with children often receiving money or small gifts from their elders.

Many Muslims will also thank Allah for the strength they were given throughout the Holy fasting month.

Practices, traditions and variations of the festival vary from country to country, making the celebrations, which can last up to three days, extra special and diverse.

Women will also honour Eid by adorning themselves with henna on their hands, as has been the tradition for many centuries.

What can I do if I am not Muslim?

If you are not Muslim it does not mean that you are not welcome to celebrate.

If you have Muslim friends, family, or community members, wish them an Eid Mubarak, which means Blessed Eid or Happy Eid.

What is Eid al-Adha?

The other Eid festival, Eid al-Adha, which means festival of the sacrifice, coincides with the end of Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia later in the year.

This second Eid commemorates the prophet Ibramins willingness to sacrifice his son to demonstrate his dedication to God.

Many Muslims will sacrifice a goat or a sheep, and the animal is shared equally between friends, family and those who may be in need.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Donald Trumps former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg is returning to jail after pleading guilty to perjury over testimony he gave during a sprawling fraud case targeting the former presidents real estate empire.

Entering a Manhattan criminal courtroom on Wednesday in a dark jacket and blue face mask, Weisselberg was sentenced to five months in prison, weeks after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors to admit that he lied to investigators and a judge probing the former presidents real estate empire.

He spent 100 days at the notorious New York jail last year after he was convicted on a range of tax crimes in a separate case stemming from a sweeping criminal investigation into Mr Trumps business.

Mr Trumps former financial chief was also a co-defendant in the civil fraud case, during which he lied under oath on three occasions, including in depositions and on the witness stand during a months-long trial.

Last month, he pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury for his statements to state attorneys in 2020.

During his three-minute appearance before Judge Laurie Peterson on Wednesday, Weisselberg told her he didnt have anything to say before he was handcuffed and walked out of the courtroom to begin his sentence.

In February, Judge Arthur Engoron determined that the former president and his co-defendants grossly inflated the value of his properties to get more favourable financing terms from banks and insurers, a judgment that slapped the former president with tens of millions of dollars in penalties.

Now, Weisselberg could be called as a witness in another separate case, the first-ever criminal trial against a former president, when Mr Trumps trial for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to an adult film star begins on 15 April.

Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg is not expected to make his case against Mr Trump with Weisselbergs help, but his long-time role within the Trump Organization has routinely become a valuable asset in a series of parallel investigations surrounding the former president and his business.

Allen Weisselberg enters Manhattan criminal court on 10 April ( AP )

During the civil fraud trial, Weisselberg faced questions from New York state lawyers about his knowledge of Mr Trumps statements of financial condition, the documents at the heart of the case.

Those documents were found to have included fraudulent valuations of Mr Trumps net worth and assets to obtain favourable terms for some of his brand-building properties.

In his judgment, Judge Engoron ordered Weisselberg to pay $1m  the amount of severance he has received so far  and found that his testimony was intentionally evasive, with large gaps of I dont remember.

Weisselbergs severance agreement renders his testimony highly unreliable because it prohibited the former CFO from cooperating with law enforcement. The Trump Organization keeps Weisselberg on a short leash, and it shows, Judge Engoron wrote.

At the centre of that case was a valuation of Mr Trumps Manhattan triplex penthouse, based on measurements showing that the property was 30,000 square feet. An article from Forbes in 2017 disputed that claim, cutting the value from $327m to $117m.

At trial, a former Trump real estate official testified that Weisselberg said the property was around 30,000 square feet in 2012. Emails from that same year show that Weisselberg would have known that the apartment was less than 11,000 square feet.

During his testimony, Forbes published an article stating that Weisselberg was lying under oath.

Ahead of the judgment, Judge Engoron pushed Trump lawyers, state attorneys and the Manhattan District Attorneys Office for anything they could tell him about reports that Weisselberg was negotiating a plea deal surrounding statements he gave in his courtroom.

If Weisselberg is now admitting he lied under oath in my courtroom at this trial, the judge wants to know about it, he wrote to attorneys. I do not want to ignore anything in a case of this magnitude, he said, according to court documents.

Allen Weisselberg is placed in handcuffs after his sentencing in a Manhattan criminal court on 10 April on perjury charges ( Getty )

On Tuesday, Ms Jamess office called on Judge Engoron to determine whether Mr Trump, his co-defendants and their lawyers facilitated Weisselbergs perjury by withholding incriminating documents.

Meanwhile, jury selection in Mr Trumps separate criminal case is scheduled to begin on 15 April, where the former president and presumptive Republican nominee to face President Joe Biden in November is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up payments that buried stories of his alleged affairs.

In 2016, to insulate the then candidate Trump from compromising stories of his affairs, Mr Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen allegedly hatched a plan  with Weisselbergs help  to handle the transactions for the so-called catch and kill scheme.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

President Joe Biden said that Israel should call for a six-to-eight-week ceasefire with Hamas to allow for humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Mr Biden made the remarks in an interview with Univision conducted last week that aired on Tuesday evening.

So I what I'm calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country, he told Univision journalist Enrique Acevedo.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Tel Avivs Ben Gurion airport on 18 October 2023 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The words signal a shift for Mr Biden, who had previously called for a ceasefire to be coupled with a release of hostages. Mr Biden said that he had spoken with the governments of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.

They're prepared to move in, he said. They're prepared to move this food in. And I think there's no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now.

Mr Biden also vocally criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that Mr Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza is a mistake. This comes months after Mr Biden has vocally supported Israels strategy to combat Hamas after the terror group conducted a surprise attack on October 7 wherein militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages.

Last week, Mr Biden spoke with Mr Netanyahu after an Israeli airstrike killed seven aid workers for World Central Kitchen in Gaza.

I think its outrageous that those four, three vehicles were hit by drones and taken out on a highway where it wasnt like it was along the shore, it wasnt like there was a convoy moving there, Mr Biden told Univision.

A readout of the call said that Mr Biden called the airstrike unacceptable and made clear to the prime minister that US policy would depend on whether Israel can announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.

At the same time, Mr Biden signed a bill to keep the government open last month that also halted funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

He also told Univision that he hopes for the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to pass a national security supplemental bill that would provide military aid to Israel.

As you know, if we had a vote tomorrow, if the new speaker of the House of Representatives had the guts to call for a vote and on Ukraine, it would pass overwhelmingly and the majority of Republicans in both House and Senate would vote for it, he said of House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Earlier this week, The Independent reported that the US State Department had seen an unprecedented of internal dissent memos regarding the war in Gaza.

-Andrew Feinberg and Mike Bedigan contributed reporting.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

President Joe Biden has become increasingly Trumpian in his rhetoric over Israels war in Gaza, dealing in alternative facts to justify US support for the longtime ally, according to a former State Department official who resigned over the war.

Annelle Sheline, who worked in the State Department for one year before leaving last month, said Mr Bidens refusal to use his leverage to pressure Israel to prevent more bloodshed in Gaza was part of the reason she resigned.

This policy decision is making him seem increasingly Trumpian  the disregard for reality, offering alternative facts, she told The Independent.

Theyre just going to keep pretending that people cant see with their own eyes whats coming out of Gaza  what Israeli soldiers themselves are posting, the horrific crimes that theyre committing.

Dr Sheline cited the Biden administrations claims that it had not found any examples of Israel breaking international humanitarian law, and its refusal to accept the International Criminal Courts findings that it was plausible that Israel is committing genocide as examples of the presidents disregard for reality.

Part of why I voted for Joe Biden that he was he seemed like a decent guy. He wasnt someone like Trump, who was just out for his own self-interest, she said. Now, after six months of essentially unconditional support, its becoming really hard to continue to see him as somebody who is compassionate.

He must know whats happening to people in Gaza, and yet the policy doesnt change, she added.

Asked to respond to Ms Shelines comments, a White House spokesperson told The Independent that Mr Biden had many times ... advocated for more aid to get in for civilians in Gaza and stressed the need for Israel to do more to ensure innocent civilians are protected.

Mr Biden has nonetheless received sharp criticism for his multiple public missteps throughout the conflict, including spreading incorrect facts and questionable judgement.

Dr Annelle Sheline resigned from the State Department last month over the Biden administrations support for Israels war in Gaza. ( Provided )

In the early days of the war, the president questioned the rapidly increasing death toll among Palestinians , declaring he had no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using to count their dead. That led to pushback from the United Nations and multiple aid agencies, who said the numbers were reliable.

Mr Biden also told the world that he had seen pictures of terrorists beheading children, a claim that was later corrected by the White House.

The president later said it was  fact  that Hamas had their headquarters, their military hidden under a hospital, referring to Israeli claims that Hamas had built a vast network of tunnels under al-Shifa hospital, which it was then attacking  a claim that was belied by the evidence.

Dr Shelines comments come amid reports of almost unprecedented opposition to US policy on Gaza and Israel within the State Department.

The Independent reported this week that eight dissent memos  a formal process by which staff can express concerns internally about a policy  were sent by staff in the first two months of the war, with a ninth dissent memo sent just last month.

That number is significantly more than the single dissent memo that was sent in the first three years of the Iraq War, widely considered to be one of Americas biggest foreign policy disasters.

Several former State Department officials interviewed by The Independent have spoken out against Mr Bidens unconditional support for Israel, claiming that his politics was hampering investigations into whether Israel was breaking international humanitarian law.

The White House has repeatedly denied that Israel is committing war crimes. On Wednesday, just one day after the killing of seven international aid workers with the World Central Kitchen, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby tersely rejected the notion that the US should reconsider sending weapons to Israel.

Parachutes drop supplies into the northern Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. ( Associated Press )

The State Department continues to review incidents as they arise, he said , emphasising that they havent found an incident yet that has pointed to a violation of international humanitarian law.

Dr Sheline echoed other former State Department officials who said the Biden administration was ignoring existing laws regarding US weapons sales because of its commitment to providing support to Israel.

This is another aspect that makes it difficult to distinguish him from Trump, in disregarding the law, she said. Biden is not necessarily doing this in his own self interest, but still, hes disregarding the law.

Israel has repeatedly said it has imposed no limits on aid entering Gaza and denied breaking international humanitarian law.

Dr Sheline described Mr Bidens warning to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would reconsider its policy in Gaza if Israel did not increase the amount of aid going in as too little, too late.

I find it very frustrating because there have been those who have said that the US didnt have that much leverage, which I knew wasnt true, she said. But just one phone call and suddenly Israel says theyre going to open the Erez crossing and theyre going to allow aid through.

Some are saying there has been a shift in US policy, but that is not the case for people on the ground in Gaza. People are still being killed. Clearly, he needs to use a lot more of this leverage, she added.

Netanyahu and Biden have been long-term allies ( AFP via Getty Images )

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza following a devastating surprise attack by Hamas on 7 October that killed 1,200 people. More than 200 people from Israel were taken hostage.

Since then, Israels war has killed more than 33,000 people, according to the Palestinian health ministry  some 13,000 of them children. The United Nations and multiple aid organisations working on the ground have warned that Gaza is on the brink of a major famine, and have blamed Israel for blocking the delivery of aid into the strip.

Israel provoked international outrage last week for an attack on an aid convoy that killed seven aid workers belonging to World Central Kitchen. That brought the number of aid workers killed by Israels offensive to more than 220, according to Oxfam.

The killing of the aid workers, including an American citizen, by three precision Israeli airstrikes, caused an uproar around the world and brought a renewed spotlight on Mr Bidens insistence on continuing arms deliveries.

On the same day of the deadly strike, the Biden administration approved the transfer of thousands more bombs to Israel , and is currently weighing an $18bn sale that includes fighter jets and other equipment.

Despite the internal opposition in the State Department, there have only been two public resignations linked to the war. Dr Sheline left her post at the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labors Office of Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department in March and spoke out publicly against the war after being encouraged to do so by her colleagues. She described the level of opposition in the State Department as unprecedented.

Ms Sheline said her infant daughter was one of the main reasons she resigned. She remembered learning about the Rwandan genocide at school, and wondering what her daughter would later learn about this war.

As she learns about this in school, I can only imagine how, looking back at this policy, well just see how unconscionable it was, she said. And how did people allow this to continue for months and months, even when we were all watching it on our phones?

I just wanted to be able to tell her that I did not stay silent.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

This week was Donald Trumps second week on criminal trial  the first of courtroom testimony  and it was certainly eventful.

Jurors heard from the prosecutions first witnesses in the case including lengthy testimony from tabloid mogul David Pecker, who outlined the catch and kill scheme at the heart of the hush money case.

The former president faced calls for $10,000 fines over gag order violations over his continued attacks on witnesses.

And Americans heard Mr Trump both fume about the landmark trial and use it as a campaign platform on Truth Social and in the courthouse corridors.

Mr Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, in order to stop her coming forward with allegations of a 2006 affair.

Here are the key takeaways from the week:

Day one

Prosecutors lay out criminal conspiracy and cover-up

During opening statements on Monday, prosecutors were direct in laying out the heart of the case, with Manhattan Assistant District Attorney

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo speaks during a hearing ( REUTERS )

telling jurors it was about a criminal conspiracy and a cover-up.

The defendant Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election. Then he covered up that criminal conspiracy by lying in his business records, over and over and over again, Mr Colangelo continued.

The prosecutor then laid out the catch-and-kill scheme, arranged between Mr Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen and Mr Pecker to block negative press about Mr Trump.

Mr Colangelo told the jury that while no politician wants bad press, evidence will show this was a planned, coordinated, long-running conspiracy. It was election fraud. Pure and simple, he said.

Defence tries to humanise Trump

In the defences opening statement, lead attorney Todd Blanche tried to humanise Mr Trump  while still vowing to refer to him as President Trump.

This is a title he has earned, Mr Blanche said.

But hes not just the former president, the defence attorney continued. Hes not just Donald Trump that youve seen on TV or read about or seen photos of. Hes also a man, hes a husband, hes a father. And just like me, said Mr Blanche.

Trump arrives at Manhattan criminal court and delivers remarks to the media ( AP )

President Trump is innocent. President Trump did not commit any crimes. The Manhattan District Attorneys office should have never brought this case.

Mr Blanche also tried to discredit the prosecutions star witness in the case, Michael Cohen, stressing his 2018 guilty plea for lying to Congress and that he had been found liable for perjury in the past.

On top of this, Mr Blanche argued that Cohen is obsessed with Mr Trump.

Cohens financial livelihood depends on President Trumps destruction, according to Mr Blanche. He cannot be trusted.

Day two

Potential gag order violations

Judge Juan Merchan held an hour-long hearing around potential gag order violations.

Prosecutors accused Mr Trump of violating the gag order, which bars him from making public statements about potential witnesses, court staff and the families of the judge and DA, on at least 10 different occasions.

Defence attorney Todd Blanche meanwhile argued that Mr Trumps posts were responding to political attacks. However, he failed to provide any example of what Mr Trump was responding to, leading to a scolding from the judge.

You presented nothing, a frustrated Judge Merchan said. Youre losing all credibility, Ill tell you that right now.

The judge also warned Mr Trump directly against intimidating jurors in his courtroom.

The judge has yet to make a ruling on the alleged gag order breaches. Prosecutors suggested imposing a $10,000 fine against Mr Trump and ordering him to remove the offending posts, noting they have not yet asked for jail time.

The threat of penalty hasnt deterred Mr Trump from continuing to rant about the case on Truth Social and to reporters as he enters and exits the courtroom.

A behind-the-scenes look at tabloid journalism

In his testimony, Mr Pecker provided a peek behind the curtain on what was happening at some of his tabloids.

Mr Pecker described a mutually beneficial scheme to keep the National Enquirer jam-packed with stories boosting Mr Trumps 2016 election odds while ensuring negative stories never saw the light of day.

As part of the arrangement, Mr Pecker would notify Cohen of any unflattering stories about the candidate  particularly those involving women. Since Mr Trump was well-known as the most eligible bachelor, dating the most beautiful women, and it was clear based on my past experiences that when someone is running for office like this, it is very common for these women to call up a magazine like the National Enquirer to try and sell their stories, the former publisher testified.

Writing positive stories about Mr Trump and negative stories about his opponents would help him and it would help me, Mr Pecker explained  as it would help him sell his tabloids.

Jurors were shown a number of positive National Enquirer headlines and covers about Mr Trump, like DONALD TRUMP: HEALTHIEST INDIVIDUAL EVER ELECTED! They were also shown negative ones about his 2016 GOP primary opponents, like DONALD TRUMP BLASTS TED CRUZS DAD FOR PHOTO WITH JFK ASSASSIN.

Pecker is questioned by prosecutor Joshua Steinglass ( REUTERS )

Doormans story about a love child

Jurors heard how the scheme was first put into practice after a former Trump World Tower doorman, Dino Sajudin, claimed that the then-2016 candidate had a love child with a maid working at Trump Tower.

Mr Pecker testified that Dylan Howard, then editor-in-chief of the National Enquirer, told him that Dino was in the market for selling a story and so he called Cohen to tell him. Cohen told Mr Pecker it was absolutely not true but that he would look into it, he testified.

I asked Dylan to negotiate a price, negotiate a number, to buy the story and take it off the market, he said.

Mr Pecker told the court they agreed upon $30,000 for the story and Cohen told him that the boss was very pleased, referring to Mr Trump.

I thought it was very important that Dino wouldnt be shopping the story to other media outlets, he told the court.

However, he then revealed his more selfish motivation for the transaction  if he could have verified the story, he would have published it. It would probably be the biggest sale of the National Enquirer since the death of Elvis Presley, Mr Pecker said.

Day three

How Playboy model affair story unfolded

During the third day of testimony, Mr Pecker shed light on how he came across former Playboy model Karen McDougals story  that she had a 10-month affair with Mr Trump in 2006, one year after he had married Melania.

Mr Howard had interviewed Ms McDougal, learning of the alleged affair and how Mr Trump apparently called her a 12 out of 10, Mr Pecker told the court.

Although Mr Howard warned there was no corroborating evidence, Mr Pecker said he believed the story to be true. He testified that he initially offered the former model $10,000 to buy the story but she turned it down.

Mr Howard later told Mr Pecker that ABC was interested in buying Ms McDougals story, but that I knew from my experience that ABC doesnt buy stories.

Mr Howard had concluded that Ms McDougal didnt want the story to be published. She said she didnt want to be the next Monica Lewinsky, Mr Pecker added.

The boss will take care of it

During testimony about buying the rights to these stories, Mr Pecker told the court about his interactions with Mr Trump on the matters  directly linking the criminal defendant to the arrangements.

Cohen had given Mr Pecker the green light to pay the former Playboy model $150,000 for the rights to her story, Mr Pecker told the court.

Dont worry about it. Im your friend. The boss will take care of it, Mr Pecker recalled Cohen telling him, inferring that the boss meant Mr Trump.

Mr Pecker recalled another occasion after he had won the 2016 election, when Mr Trump asked him: Hows our girl? referring to Ms McDougal. Mr Trump also thanked him for handling the McDougal story and the doorman situation, he told the court.

He said the stories would be very embarrassing  to him, his family and the campaign, Mr Pecker testified.

Mr Trump even invited the former tabloid boss to a thank you dinner at the White House to show his gratitude for killing damaging stories, Mr Pecker testified  testimony that shone a light on how the former president used his position in the White House to manage blowback from the scheme.

An unhappy-looking Trump appears in criminal court ( EPA )

Trump was very upset when McDougal affair story leaked

Despite the substantial efforts to block other outlets from getting access to Ms McDougals story, it did eventually become public  and, according to Mr Pecker, this made Mr Trump very upset.

The Wall Street Journal published an article just days before Election Day in 2016, unleashing the blockbuster story.

Mr Pecker recalled Mr Trump phoning him, very upset, saying, How could this happen? I thought you had this under control.

Mr Pecker testified that AMIs deal with Ms McDougal was for the lifetime rights to her story. Mr Pecker recalled then telling Cohen that the deal was off after his conversations with counsel about the transaction. He was very, very angry, very upset, screaming basically at me, Mr Pecker said. He recalled Cohen saying: The boss will be very angry with you.

To this day, the publisher has never been reimbursed, Mr Pecker said on the stand.

Celebrities dragged into the case

During the former AMI chiefs testimony, several celebrities and high-profile figures were dragged into the case, including Rahm Emanuel, Mark Wahlberg and Tiger Woods.

But one person in particular set the stage for Mr Peckers wariness to conceal politically-linked stories: The Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr Pecker said he had struck up an arrangement with the actor to conceal compromising stories about him when he was campaigning to become governor of California  long before the publishers dealings with Mr Trump.

Mr Pecker recalled Schwarzenegger saying: I plan on running for governor and I would like you to not publish any negative stories about me now and in the future, and Ill continue being the editor of Muscle & Fitness and Flex and be a spokesperson. Mr Pecker said he agreed to the arrangement.

When the actor announced his gubernatorial bid, a number of women called up the National Enquirer with stories to sell on different relationships, or contacts, or sexual harassment that they felt that Arnold Schwarzenegger did, the former publisher testified. Mr Pecker outlined the agreement: I would call him and advise [Schwarzenegger] of other stories that were out there and I wouldbuy them for a period of time.

This experience made me sensitive about buying any stories in the future. Thats how I became sensitive about this topic, Mr Pecker told the court.

None of the celebrities are accused of any wrongdoing in the case.

First mention of Stormy Daniels

Stormy Daniels name cropped up in Mr Peckers testimony for the first time on Thursday when he told the court that Cohen had come to him asking for his help to get Mr Trump to pay him his bonus.

I understood he was complaining that he had not been repaid, Mr Pecker said.

Michael Cohen had paid Stormy Daniels out of his own funds, which is the first time that I had heard of that. I wasnt involved in that transaction, the former publisher testified.

Stormy Daniels, speaks outside US Federal Court with her lawyer Michael Avenatti in 2018 ( AFP via Getty Images )

So Mr Pecker approached Mr Trump, telling him: Michael Cohen is very concerned about this bonus this year and I want you to know hes very loyal, hes been working very hard from my perspective, I believe hed throw himself in front of a bus for you.

The former publisher recalled Mr Trump saying: I dont know what youre talking about. Michael Cohen has multiple apartments in my buildings.  He owns 15 taxi medallions.

Mr Pecker testified Mr Trump then added: Dont worry about it. Ill take care of it.

Day four

Two sides spar over whether Trump deserves title of president

Early in the day on Friday, the two sides briefly sparred over whether or not Mr Trump deserves to go by the title of president during his trial.

The moment came about as Mr Trumps defence attorney Emil Bove repeatedly referred to the defendant as President Trump when speaking about events prior to him taking office.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass tried to object saying: He wasnt president in June 2016.

In opening statements on Monday, defence attorney Todd Blanche had told the jury that his legal team planned on referring to their client as President Trump because its a title he has earned.

Trump attorneys try to poke holes in Peckers testimony

During cross-examination, Mr Bove tried to cast doubt on the former tabloid bosss lengthy testimony about the catch and kill scheme.

But despite multiple attempts to impeach Mr Peckers credibility, the former publisher repeatedly affirmed his under-oath descriptions of his meetings with Mr Trump.

At one point on Friday, Mr Bove tried to get Mr Pecker to admit that he either lied on the witness stand or to federal law enforcement about Mr Trump thanking him for his help burying stories of Mr Trumps alleged affairs.

Pecker being questioned on the stand ( AP )

Was that a mistake? Mr Bove asked. Do you believe Trump said that to you as we sit here right now?

Mr Bove then handed Mr Pecker a report from his interview with federal prosecutors and the FBI in 2018, alleging that Mr Peckers prior testimony contradicted his earlier interview.

This is the FBIs interview, is that correct? These are the FBI notes? The FBI notes, some of these here, are wrong. I know what I testified to yesterday, Mr Pecker said.

I know what the truth is, he added. I cant state why its written this way.

Pecker doubles down that McDougal payment was made to help Trumps election odds

Mr Pecker previously called his relationship with Mr Trump mutually beneficial  using his tabloid empire to identify negative stories about the then-2016 candidate in an effort to boost Mr Trumps election chances.

However, the former AMI chief testified on Friday that one aspect of the agreement did not benefit him at all: the Karen McDougal story. That story was killed and the payment made with the sole purpose of helping Mr Trumps election odds, he testified,

Mr Pecker repeatedly testified that stories about Mr Trump were big sellers for the National Enquirer. Burying Ms McDougals story was against his own business interest, prosecutors sought to point out.

Karen McDougal speaking to CNN about Donald Trump ( CNN )

Had you published a story about a Playboy model having a yearlong sexual affair while he was married  Would that have sold magazines? Mr Joshua Steinglass asked. That would be like, National Enquirer gold.

Mr Pecker agreed.

At the time you entered into that agreement, you had zero intention of publishing that story, Mr Steinglass said. You killed the story because it helped candidate Donald Trump.

Yes, Mr Pecker said.

Stormy Daniels Trump Tower visit - and Apprentice plans - revealed

Two new witnesses briefly took the stand on Friday.

The first was Rhona Graff, Mr Trumps former personal assistant at the Trump Organization, who testified that she has a vague recollection of seeing Stormy Daniels at Trump Tower before his 2016 presidential campaign.

She assumed that Ms Daniels may have been at the office to discuss a role with The Celebrity Apprentice, Mr Trumps former hit reality TV competition series on NBC, she said.

The network severed ties with Mr Trump in 2015 after his presidential campaign launch and his derogatory comments about immigrants.

Ms Graff recalled that Mr Trump believed Ms Daniels would be a good contestant on the show.

I cant remember a specific incident when I heard it. It was part of the office chatter, she said.

Third witness takes the stand

Gary Farro, a banker assigned to Cohen at First Republic Bank, testified that Cohen urgently asked for his help setting up an LLC shell company while negotiating a hush money payment to Ms Daniels in 2016.

That account, Essential Consultants LLC, was used to wire Ms Daniels the $130,000 payment at the heart of the presidents criminal case.

Mr Farro will resume his testimony on Tuesday.

Elsewhere in Trumpworld

Beyond the courtroom, there was a lot of other happenings in Trumpworld this week.

Civil fraud bond deal

On Monday, lawyers for Mr Trump and New York Attorney General Letitia Jamess office reached a deal around the payment of his $175m bond in his civil fraud case, so long as the collateral remains in cash.

The AGs office had previously expressed concerns about the underwriter Knight Specialty Insurance Company.

E Jean Carroll

On Thursday, a federal court upheld the verdict in former Elle columnist E Jean Carrolls $83m defamation case against Mr Trump  rejecting his request for a new trial.

In May 2023, Mr Trump was found liable for sexually abusing Ms Carroll, and earlier this year, a jury determined that Mr Trump had defamed Ms Carroll, awarding her $65m in punitive damages and $18m in compensatory damages.

Supreme Court immunity case

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Thursday in the landmark case involving the former presidents claims of presidential immunity from prosecution.

During oral arguments, the justices appeared poised to allow some, but not absolute, immunity. The case stems from special counsel Jack Smiths federal indictment against Mr Trump, accusing him of engaging in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and stay in the White House.
Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Donald Trump has been booted from Bloombergs daily list of the 500 top billionaires after the stock price of his Truth Social platform plummeted.

On Tuesday, the former president was nowhere to be seen on the list of the worlds richest people, going from Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH, the worlds largest luxury goods company, at $223bn, to John Sall, a businessman and computer software developer, in spot 500.

Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, began trading at $78 and finished its first day at $57.99, allowing Mr Trump to join the list of the worlds 500 richest people. But by Wednesday morning, the stock was trading at just above $36  a likely cause of Mr Trumps removal from the list of the top billionaires.

Shares in the company went down by 12 per cent on Friday and eight per cent on Monday, USA Today noted.

Compared to its peak late last month, the stock, going under the ticker DJT, has now dropped more than 50 per cent. On Tuesday, the stock went below $35.50 for the first time after the merger between Trump Media and the public shell company Digital World Acquisition Corp. It began trading under DJT on 26 March.

After hitting the market, the stock was valued at $8bn, but it has since lost billions in value.

Mr Trump owns 78.75 million shares, or about 60 per cent, of Trump Media. His stake was worth around $6bn shortly after the firm went public, prompting his appearance on the billionaires index. On Tuesday, his stake was worth around $3bn. Mr Trump needs the approval of the board of Trump Media if he wants to get rid of any of his shares before September.

On Tuesday afternoon, Forbes had Mr Trump as the 653rd richest person in the world with a net worth of $4.8bn.

Wall Street initially valued Trump Media at about $14bn, but experts have said that number is deeply flawed.

This is a very unusual situation, Jay Ritter, a finance professor at the University of Florida, told CNN last month. The stock is pretty much divorced from fundamentals.

Mr Ritter added that the closest comparison would be so-called meme stocks such as GameStop and AMC, which rose during the pandemic amid a push from retail traders. He said Trump Media is likely worth about $2 a share.

The underlying business doesnt seem to be worth much. There is no evidence this is going to become a large, highly profitable company, Mr Ritter told CNN at the time.

Im reasonably confident the stock price will eventually drop to $2 a share and could even go below that if the company blows through the money it got from the merger, he added.

However, executives at the company still stand to have a good payday, SEC filings revealed.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

President Joe Biden may now miss the deadline to appear on Alabamas presidential ballot, election officials in the state have said, citing the timing of the Democratic National Convention.

Both the president and the vice president may be certified as the nominees of their party past the deadline.

Republican Secretary of State Wes Allen said on Tuesday in a letter to Alabama Democrats and the Democratic National Committee that according to state law, the parties must provide a certificate of nomination for the president and vice president at least 82 days before the election on 5 November  15 August at the latest.

The Democratic convention, where the party will officially select its nominees, starts on 19 August.

Mr Allen said in his letter that hell be unable to certify the names of the Democratic Partys candidates for President and Vice President for ballot preparation for the 2024 general election if his office doesnt receive a valid certificate of nomination from the Democratic Party following its convention by the statutory deadline.

This comes after the office of the Ohio secretary of state sent a similar message last week. The state also has a certification deadline before the Democratic convention.

The chief legal counsel for the Ohio secretary of state told the Democrats that the Democratic National Committee would have to change the dates of its convention or the Ohio legislature would need to create an exemption to the states rules.

Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states, the Biden campaign said. State officials have the ability to grant provisional ballot access certification prior to the conclusion of presidential nominating conventions. In 2020 alone, states like Alabama, Illinois, Montana, and Washington all allowed provisional certification for Democratic and Republican nominees.

The office of the Alabama secretary of state said in a statement to CNN that Under Alabama law, there are no provisional certifications for candidates. All candidates must comply with current Alabama law to gain ballot access.

The Republican legislature in Alabama passed a law in 2020 to accommodate the timing of the Republican National Convention, changing the deadline from 82 days to 75 days before the election. When former President Donald Trump was nominated as his partys nominee in 2020, the convention began on 24 August and the election was on 3 November  a span of 71 days.

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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Joe Biden has said that Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza has been a mistake, in one of his strongest rebukes of the Israeli prime ministers response to the ongoing conflict so far.

The president made the remarks during a sit-down interview with Univision, aired on Tuesday evening, in which he said the recent missile strikes on aid convoys in the Middle East were outrageous and called for a halt in the fighting.

It comes after The Independent revealed that at least eight internal dissent memos were sent by State Department staff to express disagreement with US policy on Israel and Gaza during the first two months of the war.

Biden calls Netanyahus approach to Gaza war as a mistake ( AP )

The high number of internal dissent memorandums  a formal process by which staff can express concerns internally to a policy  highlights the widespread opposition within the department to the Biden administrations support for Israels war in Gaza.

Last week, Mr Biden told Netanyahu that future US policy towards Israel will be determined by whether its government takes action to protect aid workers and civilians in Gaza, during their first telephone conversation since the deaths of several humanitarian aid workers in the attack on the World Central Kitchen aid convoy.

Last week, Mr Biden told Netanyahu that future US policy towards Israel will be determined by whether its government takes action to protect aid workers and civilians in Gaza ( via REUTERS )

Asked during the interview whether Mr Netanyahu was more concerned about his political survival than the national interest of his people, the president replied: Well, I will tell you, I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach.

He continued: I think its outrageous that those four, three vehicles were hit by drones and taken out on a highway where it wasnt like it was along the shore, it wasnt like there was a convoy moving there.

Mr Biden said he was calling for the Israelis to call a ceasefire for six to eight weeks to allow total access to all food and medicine supplies going into Gaza.

Ive spoken with everyone from the Saudis to the Jordanians to the Egyptians. Theyre prepared to move in, he told Univision. Theyre prepared to move this food in. And I think theres no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now.

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza following a devastating surprise attack by Hamas on 7 October that killed 1,200 people. More than 200 people were taken hostage.

Since then, Israels war has killed more than 33,000 people, according to the Palestinian health ministry  some 13,000 of them children.

The UN and multiple aid organisations working on the ground have warned that Gaza is on the brink of a major famine, and have blamed Israel for blocking the delivery of aid into the strip.
The copyright for information published on this web site is owned exclusively by Armenpress news agency. All information materials published on this website are intended solely for personal use. For full or partial reproduction of any material in other media it is required to acquire written permission from Armenpress news agency. Those, who have committed copyright violations, will be prosecuted accordingly. Website administration is not responsible neither for opinions expressed on the website, nor for the content of the advertisements and of the external links.

For full or partial reproduction of any material in other media it is required to acquire written permission from Armenpress news agency.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

President Joe Biden has said that his administration is weighing whether to accede to the Australian governments request to end the years-long prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is currently fighting extradition from the United Kingdom after years in detention there.

Last month, the Australian parliaments lower house voted to approve a measure officially calling for the US to drop the case against Mr Assange, whose organisation has been described by US officials as a hostile non-state intelligence entity which helped Russia interfere in the 2016 election on behalf of former president Donald Trump.

Mr Biden was asked about the request as he met with Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Wednesday.

He replied: Were considering it.

The charges faced by the Austrailian-born computer hacker stem from his work with the US soldier Chelsea Manning. In 2019, a federal grand jury charged Mr Assange with 18 violations of US laws including the Espionage Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Assange conspired with and assisted Ms Mannings efforts to crack a password hash to a classified US Department of Defense computer while Ms Manning was serving as an Army intelligence analyst in Iraq.

Some press freedom advocates claim Mr Assange should be considered a journalist and afforded the protections generally extended to legitimate journalists who engage in gathering and dissemination of news.

But critics of Mr Assange and his WikiLeaks organisation have also noted that he has routinely worked with and accepted information from persons and entities known to be hostile to the US, including foreign governments seeking to damage American interests.

Mr Assange has been detained by British authorities since 2019 when he was dragged from Ecuadors London embassy, where hed been evading arrest on bail-jumping charges for the previous seven years.

While American officials are currently seeking his extradition, a British court has put the case on hold until the US provides assurances that Mr Assange will not be subject to the death penalty if he is convicted in an American court.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson will join Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago for a joint announcement on election integrity on Friday, according to the Louisiana congressmans campaign.

GOP officials have promoted so-called election integrity legislation in the wake of the 2020 elections, echoing many of the false claims promoted by Mr Trump and his allies in his ongoing attempts to undermine the outcome and discredit election officials and policies that certified his loss.

Mr Johnson played a central role among members of Congress in rejecting Mr Trumps loss in the 2020 presidential election, an effort supported by baseless allegations of widespread voter fraud that fuelled spurious legal challenges and the attack on the US Capitol.

The congressman  who was elected House Speaker in October following a three-week standoff among House Republicans  took the lead in a brief to the US Supreme Court with 125 House Republicans to support a failed legal challenge to overturn President Joe Bidens victories in several states.

Mr Johnson later voted against certifying Mr Bidens win during a joint session of Congress on 6 January 2021, even after the Trump-fuelled riots at the Capitol.

The presumptive nominee for the Republican nomination for president has also maintained his false narrative that the 2020 election was rigged against him, repeating much of the same bogus claims that are now at the centre of criminal allegations surrounding his attempts to overturn the results.

The event  slated for Friday, before Mr Trump returns to New York for the first week of the former presidents hush money trial in Manhattan - also comes as Mr Johnson navigates criticism from his own party and a potential threat to his speakership while maintaining a slim Republican majority in the House.

Mr Johnson faces scrutiny among GOP members over military aid to Ukraine that has been held up for months, among other issues that have divided House Republicans. Far-right US Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia also has threatened to force a motion to oust him as House Speaker.

The Mar-a-Lago meeting appears to send a message to House Republicans that the former president supports Mr Johnsons continued leadership, even as Mr Trumps staunch ally Greene continues to publicly rebuke his position.

Mr Trump did not make an outright endorsement of Mr Johnsons run for House Speaker last fall, but he told his followers on Truth Social that Republicans should go with the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST!
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson watched his party revolt on another key rule vote as the House voted on reforms to the US's domestic surveillance system (FISA).

A rebellion led by members of the House Freedom Caucus tanked a vote on Wednesday to advance the legislation, angry that the proposed reforms would not require FBI agents to acquire a warrant from a judge to access the communications of Americans. Disgruntled members assembled on the House steps after the rule vote failed and accused Mr Johnson of putting his thumb on the scale against an amendment that would have made that key change to the legislation.

Donald Trump, whose 2016 campaign for president was surveilled by the FBI after it was accused of potentially communicating or colluding with Russia, opened up a major offensive in favour of tighter reforms of the legislation and is thought to have contributed to the defeat of the vote.

KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!! he wrote on Truth Social earlier on Wednesday.

Speaker Johnson and his allies had warned at Wednesdays GOP conference meeting that a passage of a clean bill to renew the program was the likely outcome of todays vote failing.

We will regroup and formulate another plan, the speaker told reporters after the vote failed.

He added: We cant allow this important provision to expire.

But members of the Freedom Caucus who spoke to reporters after the vote failed pointed fingers at Mr Johnson for failing to bring them on board.

The Speaker of the House put his finger on the scale against the amendment, and thats pretty much the story, Rep Chip Roy of Texas said in a gaggle.

We should put the right bill on the floor. We can do it as soon as tomorrow.

Scott Perry of Pennsylvania also levelled criticism at the speaker: It's the same old establishment swap tactics that we dealt with under John Boehner and then under Paul Ryan. We are done with that.

Others who spoke after the vote, like Florida Rep Byron Donalds, characterised the setback on Wednesday as part of political sausagemaking and not a sign of greater dysfunction within the chamber. Mr Donalds was one of 19 Republicans who voted against the rule to move the legislation forward.

He added his own concerns about FISA: You had the FBI violate the law almost 300,000 times in the FISA process. That has to be reformed. And that's not a Republican thing, a Democrat thing, that is fundamental to the Constitution of the United States and to the civil liberties of the American people.

None of the assembled conservatives were willing to broach the possibility of latching on to a motion to vacate the speakership filed by Marjorie Taylor Greene when asked by reporters. Ms Greenes resolution has yet to pick up a single Republican ally, while some Democrats have signalled that they could be moved to vote against it.

Im not going to go down that road right now, said Mr Roy.

Republicans were set to gather again this afternoon to plot a course forward on the FISA reauthorisation bill. Ms Greene and Mr Johnson also met, their first one-on-one since the Georgia representative filed her motion to vacate, but did not emerge with their disagreement resolved.

We didnt walk out with a deal. I explained to him that, and he acknowledged, that as a Republican member of the House, I pretty much have the best view of how the base feels and what Republican voters want, she said at a gaggle.

While clear policy differences are present within the GOP conference and always have been, the signs of a greater inability to pass legislation are evident within the chamber. Funding votes continue to pass the chamber with the support of Democrats in the minority often against the wishes of conservatives who consistently push for deeper spending cuts or other policy riders, as the majority struggles to win votes on its own priorities. At the same time, a weariness is evident in the chamber as conservatives back away from threats to replace Mr Johnson with another Republican.

Advocates for civil liberties have long warned that the FISA system presents a danger to Americans whose communications are caught up in the surveillance of foreign persons. Under current law, a warrant is not required to view the communications of foreign persons, but in many cases, the collection of that data includes communications with Americans.

Should the law expire on 19 April without reauthorisation from Congress, the FBI will lose legal authority to conduct warrantless surveillance of people living abroad. The agency has also come out against the requirement of a warrant to access communications with Americans, stating that the delays would gut the effectiveness of the law.

While it is imperative that we ensure this critical authority of 702 does not lapse, we also must not undercut the effectiveness of this essential tool with a warrant requirement or some similar restriction, paralyzing our ability to tackle fast-moving threats, said FBI Director Christopher Wray on Tuesday.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Tennessee teachers could soon carry concealed handguns in the classroom after Republican state senators passed a bill amid angry protests.

The bills passing comes a few weeks after the first anniversary of the mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, which left six students and staff dead.

Around 200 gun-reform advocates disrupted proceedings on Tuesday as they voiced their opposition to the bill from the Senates gallery, according to The Tennessean, with some eventually removed from the room.

They were angry at the plans which would allow teachers and other school staff to carry guns, with the legislation also including a ban on anyone else carrying firearms on school property.

Teachers would not need to disclose if they are carrying a weapon, the bill says - something which led to chants of shame on you from the gallery.

The bill still needs to pass the Tennessee General Assemblys House, with no date yet set for it to be tabled.

If the new rules come in, Tennessee would join over 30 states which allow school personnel or teachers to carry a firearm, something gun safety groups have spoken out against repeatedly.

Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action argue that arming teachers puts children at further risk.

We should be listening to Tennessee law enforcement, teachers, superintendents and more who have spoken out against arming teachers. And, most importantly, we should be listening to Tennesseans, who are worried that their children wont come home from school every day, Linda McFadyen-Ketchum, a volunteer with the Tennessee chapter of Moms Demand Action, said in a press release.

We should not be afraid to send our kids to school, but extremist lawmakers are hellbent on expanding the gun lobbys guns everywhere agenda and putting our kids at risk. Lawmakers should reject this legislation immediately.

Following the school shooting, Governor Bill Lee introduced legislation to tighten background checks for gun purchases, but Everytown argues that he also pushed to put more firearms in schools in reaction to the school shooting.

The campaign group also argues that an armed teacher is much more likely to shoot a student bystander or be shot by responding law enforcement than to be an effective solution to an active shooter in a school.

A Covenant School mother at Tuesdays senate session appeared to hold a similar view, saying teachers doing their job and following active-shooter training saved her kids from the shooter armed with an assault-style rifle.

"A handgun will do nothing against that," Beth Gebhard told The Tennessean. "If what had happened on March 27 had gone down the way that it did with a teacher armed with a handgun attempting to put the perpetrator out, my children would likely be dead."

Those teachers who do wish to carry a firearm will have to get an enhanced handgun carry permit and complete annual training with law enforcement.

Democrats in the chamber voiced their concern over this.

Were sending people to 40 hours of training ... to learn how to handle a combat situation that law enforcement officers have trouble dealing with," Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, said.

Students and those training to become teachers have also voiced their concerns.

As a student studying to be a teacher, I know that managing a classroom is already tough enough without adding a deadly weapon into the mix, Bobbi Sloan, a volunteer leader with Vanderbilt Students Demand Action chapter, said in a press release.

For every gun thats placed in a classroom, a new opportunity is created for students to become another statistic. This is not the solution. In fact, its absolutely absurd to respond to our cries for change with a bill that will only endanger us more.

Education Week reports that there have been 10 school shootings alone in 2024, with 192 since 2018, with 6 of those in states which allow school personnel to carry a firearm.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

For a third consecutive day, a New York appeals court judge has rejected Donald Trumps last-ditch attempts to stall his criminal trial on 34 charges connected to a hush money scheme to bury compromising stories of his alleged affairs.

On Wednesday, Mr Trumps attorneys failed to convince an appellate court that the judge overseeing the criminal case has caused the former president ongoing, unconstitutional and irreparable harms and has denied Mr Trumps chances at a fair trial.

State appeals court judges have already shot down two other attempts from Mr Trumps attorneys to delay the trial this week. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on 15 April.

His latest appeal on Wednesday also challenged what they characterised as New York Justice Juan Merchans refusal to recuse himself from the trial.

They also challenged the judges refusal to hear Mr Trumps argument that presidential immunity shields his official acts from prosecution.

The move from Mr Trumps legal team marked yet another attempt to derail the case as it heads to his first-ever criminal trial  the first of four criminal cases against him headed to a jury, and the first-ever criminal trial against a president.

The filing on Wednesday followed rejections from state appeals court judges who shot down two attempts to delay the trial while he argues to move the case out of Manhattan and as he challenges a gag order that bars him from publicly attacking court staff and their families.

Last month, Mr Trumps attorneys pressed Judge Merchan to take the trial off the calendar until the US Supreme Court decides whether the former president can claim immunity from prosecution in a separate case surrounding his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

The nations highest court is not scheduled to hear that case until 25 April, the final day for oral arguments in this years session, and one week after the New York trial is scheduled to begin.

A ruling from the Supreme Court is likely to follow several weeks later. A federal judge and appeals court have already shot down his attempts to evade criminal prosecution using an immunity defence.

Donald Trump appears in a Manhattan criminal courtroom on 25 March ( via REUTERS )

Mr Trumps attorneys claim that statements Mr Trump made on Twitter and to news networks about his former attorney Michael Cohen in 2018 implicate the concept of official acts for purposes of presidential immunity, but the filing does not address the alleged repayment scheme that is central to the case  which took place months before Mr Trump entered the White House.

The trial is expected to rely on testimony from Cohen, who arranged a scheme to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels for her silence in the days before the 2016 election, according to prosecutors.

Following Mr Trumps election victory, then-President Trump reimbursed his lawyer, who is expected to say in the upcoming trial that Mr Trump authorised his business to falsely file the payments as legal expenses.

Mr Trumps Twitter account was an official communications channel during his Presidency, to communicate with the public regarding matters of public concern, according to Mr Trumps attorneys Todd Blanche and Susan Nechles.

Attorneys asked Judge Merchan to adjourn the trial and schedule a hearing to remove evidence that would be considered official acts covered by that alleged immunity. They do not appear to argue that he is immune from the charges themselves.

Earlier this month, Judge Merchan rejected the untimely attempt to delay the case on those immunity arguments, stating that the former president had myriad opportunities to make his case but instead strategically waited to do so.

The judge also has declined to recuse himself from the case, against pressure from Mr Trumps attorneys, who have accused him of an unacceptable appearance of impropriety because of his daughters political consulting work. The judge wrote in response that the Court has examined its conscience and is certain in its ability to be fair and impartial.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Donald Trumps lawyers have been trolled by a random man in Brooklyn after they subpoenaed him by mistake for the former presidents hush money trial.

In a filing from the Manhattan District Attorneys office on Tuesday, prosecutors revealed that Mr Trumps attorney Todd Blanche had tried to subpoena former District Attorney Supervising Rackets Investigator Jeremy Rosenberg in March, to seek files related to the Republican presidential candidates former lawyer Michael Cohen.

However, it transpired that Mr Blanche made an embarrassing mistake  sending the subpoena to a man from Brooklyn also called Jeremy Rosenberg.

While the man shares the same name as the former DAs office investigator, he has zero connection to the criminal case against the former president.

Following the blunder, Mr Rosenberg decided to have a bit of fun with Mr Trumps attorneys  and told them hed be keeping the money they sent him.

I dont have any files for you, the apparently bemused Brooklynite wrote back, according to a filing from the former presidents legal team.

He added: PS - The phone number you provided was disconnected.

PPS - Im keeping the fifteen dollars, he added, referencing the money Mr Trumps lawyers had sent him to help pay for sending the documents.

Former President Donald Trump comments as he leaves a pre-trial hearing during a recess with his lawyer Todd Blanche at court in New York on Monday ( AP )

Mr Blanche had complained earlier this week that the man that he believed the former investigator Mr Rosenberg had displayed a flippant and dismissive approach to his subpoena despite ample experience with the criminal justice system that should have instilled in him respect for this process and a criminal defendants rights.

But in fact, Mr Trumps lawyers had simply served court papers on the wrong man, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote.

The people believe the defendant has served the incorrect person, Mr Colangelo said in a court filing.

The people spoke with Mr. Rosenbergs counsel, who informed the People that Mr. Rosenberg was not, in fact, served with the subpoena, that Mr. Rosenberg had not corresponded with defense counsel, and that Mr. Rosenberg does not have any connection to the Brooklyn address where the subpoena purportedly was served, he added.

Mr Trump is set to go on trial on 15 April on charges of falsifying business records in order to cover up payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels and others to stop them from going public days before the 2016 presidential election about alleged affairs.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, which each carry a potential prison sentence of up to four years.

The case involves allegations that Mr Trump falsified business records in order to cover up payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ( Getty )

It marks the first time a US president will go on trial and is one of just four criminal trials he is facing at a time when he is campaigning to take back the White House in November.

In recent days, the former president has made several unsuccessful attempts to have the case against him tossed  the latest of which came on Tuesday when a state appeals court judge rejected his 11th-hour bid to delay the trial while he fights the gag order in the case.

When the trial begins, Mr Trumps lawyers plan to ask Mr Rosenberg for all records of communications he had with Mr Cohen from February 2021 until this May.

Mr Rosenberg, who previously prosecuted Trump ally Steve Bannon, was suspended as an investigator for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in June last year over his contact with Mr Cohen.

A law enforcement source told The New York Post at the time that Mr Braggs office was looking at how Mr Rosenberg shared communications about Mr Cohen with the office.

Mr Cohens lawyer Lanny J. Davis has insisted that the interactions between himself, Mr Rosenberg, and Mr Cohen were always professional and focused on Mr Cohens personal security.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg will be sentenced today for lying under oath during Donald Trumps civil fraud trial.

The 76-year-old longtime Trump executive is expected to be handed a five-month sentence in Manhattan Criminal Court on Wednesday morning  sending him back to the notorious Rikers Island prison for a second time over his loyalty to the former president.

Weisselberg previously served 100 days last year for tax-dodging through perks he received as an employee of the Trump Organization.

Last month, he pleaded guilty to perjury charges after admitting he lied while giving testimony to investigators examining the real estate companys finances.

He had been charged with five counts of perjury in the first degree, but he reached a plea deal with prosecutors which saw him plead guilty to two of those five counts.

Under the terms of the deal, he will be sentenced to five months in jail.

Weisselberg is expected to report to Rikers Island immediately after the sentencing hearing to begin his sentence.

The agreement with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office required Weisselbergs admission that he lied during his testimony to investigators in a deposition last May and in his October interviews with the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James regarding his former employers business practices.

Weisselberg is not now expected to turn on Mr Trump or be called as a witness against him in the latters upcoming criminal case, which was brought against him by Mr Bragg and is scheduled to begin on Monday 15 April.

The district attorney indicted Mr Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, a year ago on 34 charges related to the falsification of business records to conceal hush money payments made on his behalf to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election in order to secure her silence about an extramarital affair they are alleged to have had a decade earlier. Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty.

Donald Trump and Allen Weisselberg ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In a second New York case related to the Trump Organization, Judge Arthur Engoron in February ordered Mr Trump and his associates to pay more than $454m in financial penalties and interest to the state of New York after they were found guilty of misrepresenting the value of company assets between 2011 and 2021 to secure favourable terms from city banks and insurers in a case brought by Ms James.

Mr Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges against him in that case too and has appealed against the verdict, complaining without evidence that he is the victim of a conspiracy to prevent his return to the White House  even comparing his plight to that of the late Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.

Prior to issuing his ruling in that case, Judge Engoron appealed for information regarding the possibility of Weisselberg admitting to perjury after his plea negotiations were reported by The New York Times, provoking an angry row with Mr Trumps lawyers in which the justice told attorneys Chris Kise and Alina Habba: You and your co-counsel have been questioning my impartiality since the early days of this case, presumably because I sometimes rule against your clients. That whole approach is getting old.

Weisselbergs latest plea deal follows his 2022 conviction on 15 violations of New York tax law, after prosecutors accused him of participating in a years-long systemic fraud scheme.

That case involved a sweeping and audacious illegal payment arrangement in which Trump companies paid him generous benefits  including free rent, luxury car leases and private school tuition for his grandchildren  that were not reported for tax purposes.

Weisselberg was sentenced to five months in prison for that offence and spent around 100 days in Rikers Island jail before being released under supervision last April.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

President Bidens national security adviser rebuked Ecuadors government from the White House podium and said that it was clear the country had violated international law with a raid on Mexicos embassy in Quito.

Ecuadorian police stormed the facility last Friday with the intention of arresting ex-Vice President Jorge Glas, who was seeking political asylum in Mexico. The former Ecuadorian official has been convicted twice on bribery charges he says are politically motivated. Mr Glas was detained and taken away by police during the raid.

Jake Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday that the Ecuadorian government had disregarded its obligations under international law as a host state to respect the inviolability of diplomatic missions and had jeopardised the foundation of basic diplomatic norms and relationships.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan speaks to reporters at the 9 April daily press briefing ( Getty Images )

Having reviewed security footage of the incident released by Mexican authorities earlier on Tuesday, Mr Sullivan added that the actions of Ecuadorian police were wrong.

Weve asked Ecuador to work with Mexico to find a resolution to this diplomatic dispute, and to that end, we welcome the Organization of American Statess permanent council meeting this week to help reach a peaceful, diplomatic solution.

Mexican officials have said that an unspecified number of diplomatic staffers were injured during the raid by Ecuadorian police. Embassy grounds are rarely breached by the law enforcement agencies of host countries, which is typically considered to be a violation of the Vienna Convention. Roberto Canseco, Mexicos head of consular affairs, was present for the raid and attempted to resist the entry of police as they stormed the building  he was detained and allegedly held to the ground during the operation.

Ecuadors government claims that the Mexican offer of asylum to Mr Glas was illegal and did not follow proper international procedures.

The president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, called the raid a flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of Mexico and has ended formal diplomatic ties with Ecuador over the incident.

I have instructed our chancellor to issue a statement regarding this authoritarian act, proceed legally and immediately declare the suspension of diplomatic relations with the government of Mexico, the Mexican president 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Australia has joined a handful of nations in hinting it could recognise Palestine's statehood as the international community looks for a two-state solution to end Israel's war.

Foreign minister Penny Wong on Tuesday added there could be "no role" for the militant group "Hamas in a future Palestine state".

She said the international community is discussing Palestinian statehood "as a way of building momentum towards a two-state solution".

"A two-state solution is the only hope to break the endless cycle of violence," she said, speaking at the Australian National University.

The proposed two-state solution has long been the basis for international peace efforts to resolve the long Israel-Palestinian conflict, but the process has been stalled for a decade.

Her statement comes amid mounting criticism of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war in Gaza after seven aid workers, including six foreign nations, with the World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli air strike in the Strip.

Israel's retaliatory military assault on Hamas-governed Gaza has killed over 33,000, according to the local health ministry, displaced nearly all of its 2.3 million population and led to genocide allegations that Israel denies.

Hamas on 7 October launched a surprise attack in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.

Palestinians aspire to have an independent state in the West Bank and East Jerusalem  occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East War  including Gaza.

Israel on Sunday formalised its opposition to what it called the "unilateral recognition" of Palestinian statehood and said any such agreement must be reached through direct negotiations.

The Palestinian Authority last week formally asked for renewed consideration by the UN Security Council of its 2011 application to become a full member of the world body.

The UN Security Council president this week referred the Palestinian Authority's application to become a full UN member to the admission committee.

Ms Wong said "those who claim recognition is rewarding an enemy" were wrong because Israel's own security depends on a two-state solution. "There is no long-term security for Israel unless it is recognised by the countries of its region."

Spain is among other Western countries pushing for such recognition and is a main proponent of such a move within the EU.

Meanwhile, Joe Biden said Mr Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza has been a mistake, in one of his strongest rebukes of the Israeli prime ministers response to the ongoing conflict so far.

Mr Biden last week told Netanyahu that future US policy towards Israel will be determined by whether its government takes action to protect aid workers and civilians in Gaza, during their first telephone conversation since the deaths of several humanitarian aid workers in the attack on the aid convoy.

The US has traditionally shielded Israel in the UN Security Council and vetoed three draft resolutions on the war in Gaza. It abstained last month when the Security Council demanded an immediate ceasefire.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

A court in Italy has opened a new trial against Amanda Knox over a slander conviction for wrongly accusing a Congolese man of murdering the British student Meredith Kercher. Knox herself was convicted of the murder before later being exonerated.

Knox was a 20-year-old student with rudimentary Italian who had recently arrived in Perugia, During a night of questioning by police she accused the owner of a bar where she worked part-time  Patrick Lumumba  of killing the 21-year-old Ms Kercher. Mr Lumumba later provided police with an alibi after a witness came forward. Lumumba was held in jail for nearly two weeks.

The European Court of Human Rights later ruled that the interrogation of Knox violated her rights because she was questioned without a lawyer or official translator. In November, Italy's highest Cassation Court threw out the slander conviction  the only remaining guilty verdict against Knox after the same court definitively threw out convictions for Ms Kercher's murder against Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, nine years ago.

Rudy Guede, who was the only person definitively convicted of the murder, was released from prison in November 2021 after completing 13 years of a 16-year-sentence.

Knox, now 36, did not appear in Wednesday's hearing in Florence, and is being tried in absentia. She remains in the United States.

Patrick Lumumba, left, flanked by his lawyer Carlo Pacelli, outside an earlier hearing in Rome ( AP )

Knox's accusation against Mr Lumumba appeared in statements typed by police that she signed, but which have been ruled inadmissible in the new trial by Italy's highest court. She recanted the accusation in a four-page handwritten note in English penned the following afternoon  the only evidence the court can rule on.

However, a lawyer for Mr Lumumba, Carlo Pacelli, argued to readmit the disallowed documents as reference since Knox referred to them multiple times in her written statement. Mr Lumumba, who is participating in the prosecution as permitted by Italian law, also did not attend the trial.

Court recessed after nearly four hours of arguments and will reconvene on 5 June for rebuttals and a decision. The case is being heard by two professional judges and eight civilian jurors.

The slander conviction carried a three-year sentence, which Knox served during nearly four years of detention until a Perugia appeals court found her and Sollecito not guilty. After six years of flip-flop verdicts, Knox was definitively exonerated by Italy's highest court of the murder in 2015.

Ms Kercher's body was found on 2 November2007, in her locked bedroom in an apartment she shared with Knox and two other roommates.

Associated Press
YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. On April 10, the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA) conducted its 2000th patrol in the border regions, the EUMA said in a post on X.

''Today, EUMA marks 2000 patrols to the border areas. The Mission is tasked with observing & reporting on the situation on the ground along the Armenian side of the border with Azerbaijan. We conduct patrols from 6 forward operating bases in Yeghegnadzor, Kapan, Goris, Jermuk, Martuni & Ijevan,'' reads the post.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Amanda Knox became a household name in 2007 after she and her then-boyfriend were arrested and charged with the death of her 21-year-old flatmate, British student Meredith Kercher. Unprecedented pre-trial media coverage painted her and her boyfriend as degenerate sex fiends who killed an innocent woman in a kink gone wrong.

She and her boyfriend were convicted and sentenced to more than two decades in prison. Another man, Rudy Guede, spent 13 years in jail for the murder and sexual assault of Meredith.

During her trial and subsequent jailing, Knox maintained her innocence. Later investigations found that police had not provided her with legal representation, coerced a confession, and made numerous errors in the investigation that led to Knox's conviction.

She was acquitted in 2011, and she returned to her life in the US, only to be re-convicted after her case was forced to retrial in Italy in 2013. Two years later, she was once again acquitted when the Italian Supreme Court tossed out her conviction.

With all of that behind her, Knox has one final legal wrinkle to iron out in Italy; a defamation case.

Her trial began in Florence on Wednesday.

Amanda Knox: Joy as murder conviction overturned

Amanda Knox, left, talks to reporters as her mother, Edda Mellas, right, looks on outside Mellas' home in Seattle ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

What is Amanda Knox doing now?

Knox, now 36, is the mother of two small children and is married to a man named Christopher Robinson. She lives with her family in Seattle, Washington.

Her experiences in the legal system inspired her to begin campaigning for criminal justice reform and to highlight how police use their power to force confessions from suspects.

In addition to her campaign work, Knox has also recorded commentary for a meditation app that focuses on resiliency and launched a podcast with her husband. A mini-series focusing on her battles with the Italian legal system is in production at Hulu, with Monica Lewinsky as executive producer, according to People.

The public's perception of Ms Knox notably shifted after the release of the 2016 Netflix documentary Amanda Knox.

The documentary examined the charges brought against Knox and highlighted how she was presented in the media, especially by salacious tabloid writers in Italy, the US, and the UK.

Meredith Kercher murder and conviction

She was accused and convicted of the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher, a British student who shared a home with her in Perugia, Italy.

Meredith Kercher ( AP )

Knox was studying at the University of Washington in 2007 when she decided to take a year to study abroad. She shared a four-bedroom apartment in Perugia with a pair of Italian women and with Kercher. A section of the house had also been rented out to a group of Italian men.

Kercher was a student at the University of Leeds who was also studying in Italy.

While studying in Italy, Ms Knox worked part-time at a bar called Le Chic, owned by a Congolese man named Diya "Patrick" Lumumba. She also began dating a man named Raffaele Sollecito.

On 2 November 2007, Ms Knox allegedly returned to her apartment where she found bloodstains inside, and Kercher's bedroom door closed.

She left the apartment fearing that something had happened to Kercher. Ms Knox showered at her boyfriend's home and the pair returned to look at the apartment. When Mr Sollecito found that Kercher's door was locked, he called the military police.

Knox speaks to her lawyer Carlo Della Vedova in the courtroom before a trial session ( REUTERS )

When police opened the door they found Kercher's body lying on the floor, with a duvet over her remains. Police reports at the time said her throat had been cut.

Knox and her boyfriend were accused of killing Kercher in a sex game that went too far. She was jailed for two years in Italy before she went to trial. After a nearly year-long trial, a jury eventually found Knox and her boyfriend guilty.

She was sentenced to 26 years in prison. Sollecito was given 25 years.

Knox was freed in 2011 after an appeals court overturned the most serious of her charges. The Italian police who investigated the death were accused of blundering through the probe to rush to a conviction.

While the murder was overturned, one of her charges  a slander conviction  was upheld.

In 2013, Italy's Court of Cassation tossed out Ms Knox's acquittal and ordered a retrial. She was convicted again, and this time sentenced to 28.5 years in prison, while Sollecito's sentence remained 25 years.

Knox said she would never return to Italy, and two years after her second conviction the Italian Supreme Court overturned her second conviction.

The slander case

Knox was sued for defamation after she claimed that Mr Lumumba, the owner of Le Chic, killed Ms Kercher.

The trial began on 10 April. Knox chose not to attened the Florence-based trial. In Italy an individual does not need to be present to be tried.

Knox reportedly wanted to stay home with her children.

Knox, 36, was planning to attend the retrial on Wednesday at Florences appeals court but her lawyer, Carlo Dalla Vedova, told Ansa news agency that she remained in the US as

Carlo Dalla Vedova, Knoxs attorney in Italy, told the Ansa news agency that she is busy taking care of her two young children, one of whom was born recently, back in the US.

The trial proceeded for approximately four hours before recessing for the day. The trial will pick back up on 5 June for rebuttals and a final decision. Two professional judges and eight civilian jurors are hearing the case, according to the Associated Press.

Mr Lumumba provided police with an alibi and subsequently sued Ms Knox for suggesting he was a murderer.

Knox appealed the defamation conviction, as she had not only not been given legal representation as Italian police questioned her, but they warned her that getting a lawyer would make things worse for her.

She said she made statements regarding Mr Lumumba during the interviews where she was being questioned without requested representation.

Congolese pub owner Diya "Patrick" Lumumba who was originally jailed for the murder of Meredith Kercher ( AP2008 )

In 2023, the Court of Cassation ordered that the conviction be retried. That trial begins on Wednesday in Florence.

Knox said on her podcast, Labyrinths, that she hoped the ruling would clear her of wrongdoing and allow her to be free from any legal consequences of the 2007 murder.

She said any statements she made to police regarding Mr Lumumba were made under the pressures of stress, shock, and extreme exhaustion.

She also pointed out that police told her at the time she was facing 30 years in prison and that Sollecito had flipped on her, which was not true.

On the one hand, I am glad I have this chance to clear my name, and hopefully that will take away the stigma that I have been living with, she said.

On the other hand, I dont know if it ever will, in the way I am still traumatised by it. I am sure people will still hold it against me because they dont want to understand what happened, and they dont want to accept that an innocent person can be gaslit and coerced into what I went through.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Denmark's government said Wednesday it wants a court of law to dissolve the Danish arm of the Bandidos motorcycle club.

Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said the group's brutal behavior leaves bloody traces.

Under Denmarks Constitution, organizations that promote or incite violence can be dissolved by court order.

The Danish chapter of Bandidos MC was created in 1993. Three years later, a feud between them and the rivals Hells Angels broke out in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, ending with 11 dead and nearly 100 wounded.

In recent years, members of Bandidos in Denmark have been jailed for murder, attempted murder, assault and drug-related crimes.

The lawyer representing Bandidos, Michael Juul Eriksen, told broadcaster TV 2 that he was not surprised by the move after the government said in June that a specialized police unit was looking into disbanding the group.

Hells Angels in Munster, Germany, after two Bandidos were convicted of murdering one of their number ( Reuters )

The freedom of association was not created to protect mean criminals, Hummelgaard said, adding that other organized gangs in Denmark could also face dissolution. "I would like to have them all banned if it is legally possible," he told a press conference.

In September 2018, Danish police issued a temporary nationwide ban against th e Loyal to Familia organized criminal group. In 2021, Denmark's Supreme Court agreed with a lower courts conclusion that the group was a threat to public order, and the group has since been dissolved.

in the UK last year three bikers were jailed for killing a rival motorcycle gang member who wore his colours on their patch.

Benjamin Parry, 42, and Chad Brading, 36, both from Plymouth, along with Thomas Pawley, 32, from Ivybridge, were found guilty of the manslaughter of David Crawford, a 59-year-old grandfather from Plymouth.

Parry was jailed for 12 years, while Brading and Pawley were sentenced to four years. The trio, who were part of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, were all cleared of murder.

The elder member, sentenced to longer in prison because of his significant, if not leading, role, was also banned from driving for 10 years.

The victim, who was a member of rival chapter, the Red Chiefs, was killed on the A38 near Plymouth on the evening of 12 May 2022, in what was described in court as a coordinated attack.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

European politicians have voted to revamp the blocs migration and asylum laws in what was hailed as a historic pact.

The package of bills agreed promises to cut times for security and asylum procedures and increase returns to reduce unwanted immigration from the Middle East and Africa, a high priority on the EUs agenda.

It includes developing the European criminal records information system for third country nationals at the EUs external borders.

A Syrian migrant helps children get off of an inflatable boat after it arrived on the Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey ( Getty )

After nearly a decade of feuds between the 27 member states, the compromise proposals balance the obligations of arrival countries such as Italy with help from better-off ones such as Germany.

The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, called the pact a historic step that represented solidarity among European states.

It limits irregular migration and finally relieves the burden on the countries that are particularly badly affected. A historic, indispensable step, he wrote on social media.

The measures had been attacked by anti-immigration, eurosceptic and far-right parties for not going far enough to stop migration, while leftists and human-rights activists had lambasted it as a blow.

Roberta Metsola, the European Parliament president, wrote: History made. We have delivered a robust legislative framework on how to deal with migration and asylum in the EU.

It has been more than 10 years in the making. But we kept our word. A balance between solidarity and responsibility. This is the European way.

Tomas Tobe, a Swedish centre-right European Peoples Party MEP, said: Now the EU can regain control of our external borders, reduce economic migration and put in place a common migration policy that is well functioning and fit for the long-term.

But the Greens in the European Parliament, who opposed the package, said that the lack of solidarity towards asylum-seekers and between member states would only worsen.

Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees, welcomed the pact as a step forward towards a more effective, shared asylum system.

Migration has been a hot issue in the EU since more than a million people  mostly Syrian refugees  arrived across the Mediterranean in 2015, catching the bloc unprepared amid scenes of chaos and suffering.

More than 46,000 people have entered the EU so far this year unofficially, according to UN data, which also suggests 400 people died trying to get in.

The revamp still needs to be approved this month by member states. They would then have two years to implement it, though analysts warn not to expect major changes on the ground overnight.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

An employee at a modern art gallery in Germany has been fired after hanging up his own work at an exhibition in the hope of getting his break in the art world.

The 51-year-old, who has not been named, hung his work at Munichs Pinakothek der Moderne, where he was employed as part of the technical team.

His piece measured 23in by 47in (60 by 120 centimetres) and was put on display in an empty passageway for a short amount of time, a spokesperson for the gallery said.

Tine Nehler, head of communications at the gallery, told German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung that supervisors notice stunts like this immediately.

After staff discovered what happened the man was fired and banned from attending the gallery, one of the largest in Europe, featuring work by Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Salvador Dali and other famous artists.

It is not the first time an additional painting has been found at a gallery in Germany.

File photo: Gallery features work by Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Salvador Dali and other famous artists ( Getty Images )

A few months ago staff at the Bundeskunsthalle were packing up an exhibition when they discovered that an extra painting had been put on display.

The art was put on display by a member of the public who later got in touch with the gallery after it put out a request for the woman to come forward, having found the stunt funny.

"We think its funny and we want to get to know the artist. So get in touch! Theres no trouble. Word of honour," the gallery posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Danai Emmanouilidis told German media that she had always wanted one of her works to feature in a prominent gallery.

I smuggled it in with a giant hoodie over my leggings," she told broadcaster WDR.

Ms Emmanouilidiss portrait, entitled Georgia, was later auctioned by the gallery. The painting fetched 3,696 with the proceeds going to an art charity called ArtAsyl in Cologne.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

In a Ukrainian stronghold near the front line, less than 20 miles from the eastern city of Donetsk, a winged bomb is seen hurtling towards a multistorey building.

The 1,500-kilogram explosive hits the structure in the town of Krasnohorivka, erupting into a fireball before engulfing the whole building in a plume of grey and black smoke.

The camera, filming from several hundred metres away, shakes as the ground beneath it rocks from the aftereffects of the explosion.

When the smoke subsides, the building has been completely destroyed.

This footage is one of the latest examples of Russias deadly new weapon, one that is proving devastating for Ukrainian defensive positions on or near the front line.

The causes of recent Russian advances in Donetsk are multifaceted  Ukraine is facing weapons and ammunition shortages as Western allies drag their feet over fresh funding and military aid  but Moscows newly modified FAB-1500 warheads (the number relates to its weight in kilograms) are doing plenty of damage.

Cities such as Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest, have been hit by glide bombs, as well as border towns in regions such as northeastern Sumy. Russia has been dropping hundreds, likely thousands, of the weapons in recent weeks. Moscow dropped 700 glide bombs in six days at the end of March, the Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

Ukraine also uses guided bombs similar to the FABs, known as the joint direct attack munition system (JDAM), but the US-made weapons are in much shorter supply. John Foreman, the former UK defence attache to Moscow, describes the FABs as less effective than the JDAMs but a much cheaper weapon and one that is ultimately much more readily available to Russian forces than the JDAMs are to Ukraine.

Russia carry out glide bombs attacks on eastern Ukraine

The Russian warhead is a modified version of Soviet-era FAB bombs, the first of which, the FAB-250, was designed in 1946. These models are air-dropped warheads, carried by fighter jets, with a significant blast impact. But unlike its predecessors, all of which were especially powerful, it has been fitted with wings that allow it to fly towards its target, thereby converting it into a guided, as opposed to unguided, explosive.

The FAB-1500 (-1500) is the latest iteration. It includes 675kg of explosives, can be fired from between 40km and 70km away from its target, and has a destruction radius of 200 metres. It has been nicknamed the building destroyer by Russian war bloggers.

Fundamentally, theyre dumb unguided Soviet-era bombs with smart winglets added to them to attack fixed targets with a degree of precision, Foreman, the former attache, says. The bomb can also have its course corrected using satellite or laser-based navigation, improving its accuracy.

A Ukrainian soldier from the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade, which is based in the Donetsk region, has described the effect of these bombs as hell.

A FAB-1500 bomb completely destroys a multistorey building in Krasnohorivka ( Telegram )

He told CNN: The damage done by it is very serious. If you survive, you are guaranteed to have a contusion. It puts a lot of pressure on soldiers morale.

There are three reasons they are proving so deadly. Firstly, their explosive impact is significant compared to artillery and munitions otherwise used on the front lines, owing to their size and weight.

Secondly, they can be fired from a distance of around 40km (25 miles), meaning Ukraine is forced to use longer-range missile interceptors that are in shorter supply. The modifications of these old bombs are cheap to carry out.

Ultimately, says Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) think tank: Russia certainly has the capacity to produce more glide bomb kits for older FAB series bombs than Ukraine has to resupply its surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems missile ammunition.

A Russian pilot inspects FAB bombs mounted by a Russian Su-34 fighter jet ( Telegram )

So shooting them down directly isnt a sustainable strategy.

When Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu visited a weapons manufacturing plant suspected of building these FABs in January, the director of the plant near Moscow claimed that productivity had increased by 40 per cent and they had moved to 24/7 working hours. His quotes should be taken with a pinch of salt, given that both sides  particularly Moscow  will seek to portray its war machine in the best light possible. But it is clear that the FAB weapons have become a priority.

The first rumours of the Fab-1500s started appearing in late September when a Kremlin-approved military blogger named Fighterbomber, believed to be a pilot in the Russian Air Force, claimed that testing of the bombs was nearly complete.

Two months later, in November, the head of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, warned that there were signs of preparation for the mass deployment of 1,500 kg FABs.

Sergei Shoigu (centre) visits a Russian weapons factory in the Moscow region in January suspected of building modified FAB bombs ( Telegram )

Videos then started appearing more frequently online showing the use of these FABs, particularly in the Avdiivka direction in eastern Ukraine.

That town was taken over by Russian forces in mid-February, after Ukrainian troops withdrew. Defensive lines had sustained dozens of FAB attacks a day for weeks. It was the first time Ukraine had been forced to pull back from a position around a town or city in nearly a year.

Maksym Zhorin, the deputy commander of Ukraines 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, who were the last soldiers left in Avdiivka before it fell, described how Russia was dropping between 60 and 80 of these bombs every day. Ukrainian estimates suggest not a single building in the small city remained intact by the time the Russians moved in.

These bombs completely destroy any position. All buildings and structures simply turn into a pit after the arrival of just one, he said.

Russian forces appeared to confirm this when another Kremlin-approved blogger, Military Informant, said they had significantly increased the rate of use of aerial bombs in early March.

It literally does not allow the Ukrainian armed forces to survive and leads to noticeable losses in manpower and territory, the channel claimed.

As Ukrainian troops withdrew from the city, and were forced into moving from at least three more nearby defensive positions, air force spokesperson Yuri Ignat said Russia was using these bombs to hit fleeing soldiers. Guided glide bombs are also flying further behind our defenders to hit rear command posts, rear supplies, ammunition and so on, he said.

Ukraine is trying to tackle the threat as best it can. Kyivs air force has claimed to have destroyed at least 12 Russian fighter jets capable of delivering these bombs during fighting in recent weeks. Facing difficulties in dealing with the bombs once launched, they hope to disrupt the aircraft delivering them in the first place. But it is difficult to verify these reports and Western officials caution against taking these claims at face value.

As with other parts of the front line, the broader answer would come from more military support from Kyivs allies. The US is said to be working on a military aid package while Congress is still struggling to pass a broad set of support over domestic political squabbles.

Ukrainian officials believe that the delivery of F-16 fighter jets will help counter the threat of FAB bombs ( AP )

Ukrainian military officials maintain that the delivery of US-made F-16 fighter jets  several of which are due in mid-summer from US allies in Europe  will alleviate the problem by making it more risky for the Russian jets tasked with delivering the bombs to take off.

But Bronk, the think tank analyst, is unsure. F-16s are unlikely to provide any significant improvement in interception capabilities against Russian glide bomb attacks, he says.

The fighters and strike fighters lofting the glide bombs are doing so at release distances many tens of kilometres behind the Russian front lines, meaning F-16 pilots would need to get far too close to Russian ground-based SAM threats to reliably engage them. Even then, they would need to be in exactly the right place at exactly the right time to acquire and fire on a Russian jet just as it started to climb for a lofting release.

Foreman, the former UK defence attache to Moscow, meanwhile, suggests Ukraine may have to either move its ground-based air defences forward to try to stop these attacks, or have them bolstered by allies.

The fact remains that without additional Western military support packages, theres only so much Ukraine can do. As Kyiv has repeatedly said, it needs Western allies to step up.
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 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

At least four people died and five others sustained injuries in an explosion at a hydroelectric plant in northern Italy.

Four people were unaccounted for following Tuesday's explosion at the decades-old plant near Bologna, said regional fire chief Francesco Notaro.

The explosion took place at power company Enel's Bergi plant during maintenance work, which led to the collapse of part of the nine-story underground structure. The incident provoked a fire and caused flooding at depths of up to 60m, Mr Notaro told SKY TG24.

The fire brigade said earlier that an explosion had occurred around 3pm (local time) at a dam on Lake Suviana, one of three artificial lakes that feed the power station.

Rescuers work at the scene of an explosion that occurred in a hydroelectric power plant on the Lake Suviana reservoir ( EPA )

Search efforts were proceeding with care due to the risk of additional collapsing, he said, adding that the divers were aiding the search, which went through the night.

"Our world collapsed," said Marco Masinara, the mayor of the nearby town of Camugnano. "This is a historic power plant for us. It has been managed by Enel for 50 years, providing jobs for many families," the mayor told the broadcaster.

"Until today, nothing ever happened."

Three of the people who died were aged between 35 and 73, according to reports. Three people were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, the fire chief said.

A firefighter works at the site after a blast at a hydroelectric power plant in Bargi, Italy ( VIA REUTERS )

Video provided by firefighters showed smoke rising from underground at the lakeside power plant.

A diver involved in the search and rescue operation said he reached the seventh floor below the surface but could not get hold of the three people trapped further down.

Giuseppe Amato, the city's chief prosecutor, said an investigation would be launched once the plant was declared safe and the missing people were found.

The artificial Suviana Lake was formed by the construction of a dam from 1928-32 and located in a regional park at an altitude of 500m, some 70km southwest of Bologna.

Enel Green Power said in a statement that there was no damage to the dam as chief executive Salvatore Bernabei traveled to the site to follow developments. The company expressed condolences to the victims and their families.

Prime minister Giorgia Meloni said she was following the "terrible" news and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.

"Thanks to the firefighters who promptly intervened, to the rescuers and to those who are working in these hours in the search for the missing," she said on X.

In a high profile accident in February, five workers were killed and three seriously injured while building a supermarket in the city of Florence.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Nato scrambled fighter jets to intercept a Russian spy plane that had flown into Swedish airspace over the Baltic Sea.

The strategic island of Gotland, lying between Latvia and Sweden, has been described as a giant aircraft carrier with Russian TV regularly identifying it as a target if Moscow were to invade the Baltic states.

Two Eurofighter Typhoon jets flew out to identify the Russian Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft on Tuesday from an airbase near the German town of Laage after Nato Air Command said it was not responding to requests.

Eurofighter Typhoon jets ( AP )

A deployment of our alert squadron of the Tactical Air Force Wing 71 Richthofen out of Laage. Together with our [Swedish] partners we checked a [Russian] reconnaissance aircraft at Gotland, a post by the Luftwaffe read.

The Il-22 is used for both airborne command and control, and radio relay tasks, and has played an important role in controlling Russian forces in their war against Ukraine.

It is usually full of radar arrays and sensors to help other Russian forces spot weaknesses in their enemys defence networks.

Russian military aircraft regularly fly from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad and back, meaning that such encounters are fairly routine in the region.

US Troops on Gotland for training exercises ( AP )

The incursion came a month after Sweden officially joined Nato  ending decades of post-Second World War neutrality to become the alliances second new member since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The ratification cements Natos presence in the Nordic region with all countries now members, and makes the Baltic essentially a Nato sea right on Vladimir Putins doorstep.

Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson and US secretary of state Antony Blinken presided at a ceremony in which Swedens instrument of accession to the alliance was officially deposited at the State Department.

This is a historic moment for Sweden. Its historic for alliance. Its history for the transatlantic relationship, Mr Blinken said as he welcomed the 32nd country into the group. Our Nato alliance is now stronger, larger than its ever been.

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg described it as a historic day, adding: After over 200 years of non-alignment Sweden now enjoys the protection granted under Article 5, the ultimate guarantee of Allies freedom and security.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The mother of Russias most prominent opposition leader after Alexei Navalny says she lives in constant fear that her son, Vladimir Kara-Murza, will die in the Siberian prison in which he is currently jailed  while calling on the foreign secretary, David Cameron, to intervene and save his life.

Speaking on the eve of the second anniversary of Kara-Murzas arrest on 11 April 2022, Elena Gordon says that her worries over her son have grown much more acute in the wake of the death of Vladimir Putins most prominent critic, Navalny, almost two months ago. Navalny was also being held in a remote prison colony, in the Arctic, before he was declared dead by Russian authorities. Western leaders, including Lord Cameron, have lined up to say Putin is responsible for his death, while Navalnys widow has said that the Russian president killed her husband.

Kara-Murza, 42, a British-Russian political activist and journalist, is serving a 25-year sentence in the IK-7 penal colony. He has been in solitary confinement for months and was moved into a small punishment cell in January. The Kremlin has accused Kara-Murza of spreading false information about the Russian army in speaking out about Putins invasion of Ukraine. It is the largest single sentence handed out to a Kremlin critic, including Navalny, since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In reality, the long-time Putin critic merely pointed out what the rest of the world could see: the brutality of Russias assault on Ukraine.

For over seven months now, my son has been held in solitary confinement in a high-security prison in Siberia. His health has deteriorated dramatically, says Ms Gordon, who lived in England for years after moving from Moscow when her son was a teenager.

Kara-Murza suffers from polyneuropathy, a nerve condition that affects his ability to feel his hands and feet. The only way it can be managed is by proper medical care and access to fresh air and walks. Such treatment is impossible in permanent solitary confinement. Ms Gordon believes he will be left to die, or worse, killed and she lives in constant fear for my sons life.

In a direct plea to the British government, Ms Gordon urged the foreign secretary, David Cameron to intervene. Two years to the day since his detention, the window to rescue him is closing, she says. Kara-Murzas lawyer Vadim Prokhorov said that the medical staff at the Moscow prison where his client was previously held told him they believed Kara-Murza could survive no more than three years in his current conditions of imprisonment. That was over a year ago, and things have only got worse.

Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza is escorted to a hearing at the Basmanny court in Moscow in October 2022 ( AFP via Getty )

In Soviet times, Western diplomatic pressure and public opinion had pulled Russian dissidents out of camps and saved their lives, says Ms Gordon. Today, just as 50 years ago, your action is required to save Vladimir Kara-Murza, so that he does not suffer the same brutal fate as Alexei Navalny.

This is an urgent appeal: please help save my son Vladimir Kara-Murza, she adds.

Lord Cameron met with Ms Gordon and Kara-Murzas wife, Evgenia, last month to express his support. It was the first time a foreign secretary had actually met the jailed activists family since his detention. Navalny was buried in Moscow as the trio spoke in London, with images showing the opposition leaders mother solemnly bent over his grave.

The meeting, which lasted nearly double the scheduled half an hour, was positive, according to Ms Kara-Murza. I think it went rather well, she said at the time. He assured me that the UK will be doing everything it can to bring Vladimir home.

Elena Gordon, left, and Evgenia Kara-Murza, centre, stand with David Cameron during a meeting in March ( X / David Cameron )

Kara-Murzas detention is just the latest in a string of Kremlin attempts to silence him. He has faced two assassination attempts on his life, first in 2015 and then in 2017, both of which his family believe to have been carried out by the FSB, Russias security service. Now they fear this latest Kremlin tactic may prove to be fatal  and are urging a prisoner swap deal.

Lets be clear, his life sentence is a death penalty, the lawyer, Mr Prokhorov said. It is vital for the West to consider negotiating Vladimirs release. His future, his fate, must be the subject of special negotiations.

During a meeting in Washington on Tuesday, Ms Kara-Murza told members of Congress that her husband was fighting not just for his freedom but truly for his life. She renewed calls for US politicians to help facilitate her husbands release.

Democrat senator Ben Cardin, chair of the senate foreign relations committee, responded by saying that her husbands case would not be forgotten. We are going to work to set him free and to set Russia free, he said. Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the committee, called on US secretary of state Antony Blinken to designate Kara-Murza a wrongfully detained person  an appointment that would help elevate his case and provide resources to his family in America as they fight for his release.

Senator Ben Cardin, far left, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stands with Evgenia Kara-Murza in Washington on Tuesday ( AP )

In Westminster, Alicia Kearns, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said that the British parliament, government and people are united in calling on Russia to release Vladimir and to halt the arbitrary detention of foreign nationals.

I know all of our thoughts are with Vladimir and his family as we approach this unhappy anniversary and I call on the government to redouble its efforts to get him home, she said.

Labour shadow foreign minister David Lammy added to the calls for action. The government must do all it can to get Vladimir Kara-Murza home and sound the alarm about what is happening, he said. That Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British citizen, remains cruelly jailed by Vladimir Putin is further evidence Gulag-like imprisonment of dissidents has returned to Russia.

But it is unclear whether Lord Cameron will abandon the longstanding UK foreign policy not to negotiate with hostile regimes, to discourage future hostage-taking. Should Mr Lammy assume the role of foreign secretary after the next general election  with Labour well ahead in the current polls  it is unclear if he will seek to change the policy either.

Lawyer Vadim Prokhorov arrives at Moscow city court prior to a hearing in the trial of Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza in March 2023 ( AFP via Getty )

Mr Prokhorov, meanwhile, said that the Western community, particularly the UK, must seriously think about dropping its current policy because the next victim after the assassination of Alexei Navalny is Vladimir Kara-Murza.

He said they should look into trading Soviet Union or Russian spies jailed in the UK and across the West for his client.

For Bill Browder, a close friend of Kara-Murza and his family, and formerly the largest foreign investor in Russia before being forced out by the Kremlin, Britains stance on helping Putins political prisoners must be changed in line with its support in the fight against Putins war in Ukraine.

At multiple stages in the more than two-year Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK has overcome previous anxieties to send more offensive weapons to Kyiv, so it can not only defend itself but ultimately push back Putins forces. The same increased support should exist for backing Putins jailed critics, he suggested.

As we support the Ukrainians fighting back against Russia, we should spare some effort for the Russians who are fighting back against Putin, said Mr Browder. Among them, Vladimir Kara-Murza is perhaps the most important.
The last time Vladimir Kara-Murza  Russias most prominent opposition leader after the death of Alexei Navalny  was allowed to speak to his family, his wife Evgenia declined the opportunity. It had been months since they last spoke.

Kara-Murza, who faces 25 years in a remote penal colony for speaking out against Vladimir Putin, the longest sentence handed to a Kremlin critic since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, was only allowed to use the phone for 15 minutes.

So, Evgenia decided, the couples children, the oldest of whom is a teenager, would get five minutes each. Her turn would have to wait. Who knows for how long?

It is just one of many injustices inflicted upon Kara-Murza  who holds a British passport  and his young family during his near-two-year unlawful detention in Russia, first in Moscow and then in two remote penal colonies in the Siberian region of Omsk.

In that time, Cambridge-educated Kara-Murza has endured a trial that was heard behind closed doors. His lawyer was forced out of the country, three days before the final hearing, for fear of being arrested himself.

He was sentenced to 25 years on charges decried by the international community.

He has been isolated from other inmates and kept alone in an entire prison block, so he would not contaminate other prisoners with his political ideologies. He was tricked into breaking the rules of one prison and then transferred to a harsher colony because of these violations.

He has learnt about the death of his friend, Alexei Navalny, days after his actual death. And he has languished in solitary confinement since last September, denied vital medical care for his deteriorating polyneuropathy, a nerve condition affecting his ability to feel his extremities, which was brought on by two suspected poisoning attempts on his life in 2015 and 2017.

Friends and family fear that the longer he remains in prison, in the same kind of environment that leaders from around the world say led to Navalnys death in February, the closer he is to dying  or being killed  himself.

Evgenia Kara-Murza, human rights activist and wife of Vladimir ( EPA )

From the beginning, Kara-Murzas case has had little to do with law. On 11 April 2022, less than two months after Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine, Kara-Murza was arrested outside his flat in Moscow.

His crime? Five speeches made in Norway, Portugal, Moscow and two in the US, during which he criticised Putins war.

Today, the whole world sees what Putin is doing to Ukraine, he said during one, to Arizonas House of Representatives in mid-March 2022. The cluster bombs on residential areas; the bombings of maternity wards, hospitals and schools; the war crimes  and these are war crimes  that are being committed by the dictatorial regime in the Kremlin against a nation in the middle of Europe. This is where all the years of the Putin rule have led us.

After the Kremlin arrested Kara-Murza, they accused him of high treason, claiming he was spreading false information about the war in Ukraine. Boris Loktionov, the lead prosecutor in the trial, later described him as an enemy of the state.

For Vadim Prokhorov, Kara-Murzas lawyer, who was forced out of the country last year, the real reason they arrested his client is obvious.

Its a signal to other opponents of the Putin regime that it is impossible to criticise him and be free, he says. Vladimirs case is a clear example of the restoration of the Stalinist era in Russia.

Roughly 1,000 people have been charged in Russia for opposing the war in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion was launched in February 2022. But it is Kara-Murza who has been handed the harshest jail sentence.

Kara-Murza in court via video feed from prison ( AP )

The judge presiding over Kara-Murzas case, a man named Sergei Podoprigorov, has been sanctioned by a number of nations, including the UK, over the death of Russian opposition lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, in 2009. Kara-Murza, alongside his mentor, Boris Nemtsov, who was himself murdered in 2015, was instrumental in having Podoprigorov sanctioned by the US under the Magnitsky List in 2012.

It is impossible to imagine more of a conflict of interest, says Kara-Murzas lawyer Prokhorov, who added that he tried multiple times, unsuccessfully, to have Podoprigorov recused from the case. Podoprigorov responded by accusing Prokhorov of contempt of court for speaking about details of the case in public

A few days later, Prokhorov was called into the office of another opposition figure  who remains in Moscow and so Prokhorov does not want to name him or her  who warned him that a senior prosecutor was now investigating him.

Prokhorov recounts the opposition figure as saying: Maybe it is quite dangerous for you. Maybe yes, maybe no.

It was just a few days before Kara-Murzas trial was due to finish last April, a year after he had been arrested. Prokhorov left and has not returned.

Kara-Murzas treatment in prison, says his family, has been cruel. In the first penal colony he was moved to in Siberia, he was penalised for breaking the rules of the prison after the authorities made it virtually impossible to adhere to them.

Kara-Murzas imprisonment is a signal to other opponents of the Putin regime, says his lawyer ( AP )

In one instance, says his wife Evgenia, he was punished for failing to get up at 6am, when all prisoners are required to start their day. But on that morning, they had turned off his alarm, and prisoners are not allowed clocks in their rooms. The alarm was the only way he could tell the time.

In another instance, Kara-Murza was punished for walking out of his cell with his hands in front of him, as opposed to behind his back. But on that occasion, the prison guards had left his new bed linen several metres from his cell door instead of just outside as usual, so that he would have to walk out onto the prison floor and pick them up.

Evgenia says someone was coincidentally there ready to film the incident. They later used it as evidence that Kara-Murza had broken the rules, and he was written up.

Months later, in January this year, Kara-Murza was moved to the No 7 Special Regime Penal Colony, one of the most restrictive colonies in the country, and placed in a punishment cell barely a few metres long and wide. His access to the outside world  and more importantly to his family  had taken another blow.

The authorities claim it was punishment for Kara-Murzas consistent violation of the rules of serving his sentence.

Asked by The Independent when she thought she might speak to her husband again, Evgenia said: I dont think we will be able to hear from him for a while.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Switzerland's government said Wednesday it will host a high-level international conference in June to help chart a path toward peace in Ukraine after more than two years of war, in hopes that Russia might join in the peace process one day.

The lakeside Burgenstock resort is expected to host the June 15-16 gathering. It's expected to draw top government officials from dozens of countries, following on a plan laid out by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in recent months.

The first country that we spoke with, after Ukraine of course, was Russia, because a peace process cannot happen without Russia, even if it won't be there for the first meeting Cassis told reporters Wednesday in the Swiss capital, Bern.

Swiss daily Neue Zurcher Zeitung reported Wednesday that U.S. President Joe Biden could attend. He is expected to be in Italy during that time for the G7 leaders meeting, though the White House has not said whether he would attend the Swiss conference.

The Swiss government said early talks toward arranging the conference involved the European Union and envoys from the so-called Global South, including Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

At its meeting today, the Federal Council took note of the results to date and discussed the next steps. There is currently sufficient international support for a high-level conference to launch the peace process, the federal government in Bern said in a statement.

It acknowledged some unknowns leading up to the conference, but in view of Switzerlands long-standing diplomatic tradition and the encouraging feedback received during the exploratory phase, it considers it its responsibility to contribute to the peace process in Ukraine.

Much of the diplomatic uncertainty has centered on whether key Russia ally China might attend  and Cassis pressed for Beijing's support for Switzerland's ambitions during a trip to the Chinese capital last month.

China's Foreign Ministry has said that Beijing supports a conference that's accepted by both Russia and Ukraine, which isn't the case so far.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned last week that prospective negotiations to end the fighting in Ukraine could be successful only if they take Moscows interests into account, dismissing a planned round of peace talks as a Western ruse to rally broader international support for Kyiv.

Ukrainian and Swiss authorities have said that dozens of countries have been consulted as part of diplomatic efforts around the proposed conference.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there will be no peace in Ukraine until Russia's goals are met.
Commentary

By Kenneth P. Green

Despite a court ruling late last year, which deemed the Trudeau government ban on single-use plastic (cutlery, straws, grocery bags, etc.) unreasonable and unconstitutional, the ban essentially remains in place pending appeal or further regulatory action. But according to the governments own data and analysis, plastic waste is a virtual non-issue in Canada, as 99 percent of all plastic waste is disposed of safely in landfills or is incinerated. And less than 1 percent of Canadas plastic waste finds its way into the environment.

Moreover, theres great potential for people to replace banned plastic items, including plastic grocery bags, with other plastic bags not included in the ban such as heavy gauge reusable shopping totes and other types of plastic trash bags made of heavier-gauge plastics than the filmy bags banned from grocery stores.

In New Jersey, for example, while plastic grocery bag use did decline following a statewide ban in 2022, plastic substitute materials skyrocketed, plastic consumption rose threefold for heavier reusable bags and sixfold for woven and non-woven polypropylene bags, which are not produced domestically, not recycled nor do they contain recycled content. Freedonia, a market research firm, found that in New Jersey increased consumption of polypropylene bags contributed to a 500% increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to non-woven polypropylene bag production and that non-woven polypropylene consumes over 15 times more plastic and generates more than five times the amount of GHG emissions during production per bag than polyethylene plastic bags. In other words, the ban helped increase pollution.

In California, an environmental interest group called CALPIRG recently issued a report generally favouring plastic bag bans, observing that they do indeed reduce the use of banned bags. However, the report notes that loopholes, which allow consumers to use heavier plastic bag alternatives, results in more plastic consumption and wastenot less. According to CALPIRG, plastic bag disposal rates increased in one jurisdiction (Alameda) from 157,000 tons in the year before the ban on single-use grocery bags to 231,000 tons in 2021. On a per-person basis, it rose from 4.1 tons disposed of per 100,000 people to 5.9 tons disposed of per 100,000 over that same span.

In both New Jersey and California, efforts are underway to fix the loopholes that have allowed proliferation of plastic consumption and waste in the wake of plastic bag bans. However, these actions are unlikely to work unless they can somehow stop consumers from simply switching to plastic garbage bags or buying online heavier-gauge plastic shopping totes (and trashing them after a few shopping trips). Consumers have already shown theyre prepared to do these things.

Here at home, theres no reason to believe that Canadian consumers will react any differently to a ban on single-use plastics. Canadians are just as likely to reach for a convenient substitute, whether thats heavier paper products or heavier plastic products not covered under existing bans.

If sanity reigned, Canada would get ahead of the perverse consequences likely to flow from plastic bans by scrapping the entire idea and allowing consumers to consume what they believe best suits their lives and pocketbooks. Canada already has an admirable waste management system that keeps 99 percent of disposed plastics safely locked away in environmentally protective landfills or eliminates them completely through incineration.

Theres no need for plastic bans or a governmental takeover of the plastics sector via regulation. Government should throw these bans in the bin.

Kenneth P. Green is a Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

The bishop for Ukraine in London has urged the UK and the US to honour their pledges and not forget that Ukraine is fighting Russia to save the rule of law and democracy.

In a major intervention, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski said Ukraine was not asking for soldiers on the ground but for funding to continue fighting Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Two years ago, Russia launched a devastating full-scale invasion of Ukraine, capturing nearly a quarter of the country and displacing more than 10 million people. There are now at least six million Ukrainian refugees in Europe, including around 250,000 in the UK.

This is not just a battle for Ukraine, the Catholic bishop told The Independent. It is the battle for rule of law, democracy and freedoms that we have all taken advantage of. That we stand to lose.

The challenge for us moving forward is to ensure that those in the US, here and the West continue to encourage politicians to honour their pledges.

Ukraine has not asked for foreign boots to be put on the ground, they are asking for the instruments to be able to win this battle. But I am optimistic. I look at the brave men and women who are fighting  and I need to be optimistic for them.

Bishop Nowakowski in the destroyed Kyiv region in Ukraine ( Bishop Nowakowski )

His plea came after David Cameron spent the final day of his US trip calling for an escalation of financial support from the US. The foreign secretary met secretary of state Antony Blinken and called for the unlocking of a $60 million military aid package which is currently stalled in Congress.

In a thinly veiled rebuke of Donald Trumps reported idea that Ukraine cede swathes of ground to Russia to enable peace, the foreign secretary warned of the danger of appeasing Putin.

Speaking from his parish in central London, Bishop Nowakowski, who has helped thousands of Ukrainians refugees in the capital, said Ukraines battle is a fight for the UK and the West, which has an obligation to help.

The 65-year-old Canadian of Ukrainian origin, who has spent decades living and working in Ukraine, has spearheaded efforts to welcome thousands of Ukrainian refugees to London and has been called on during the crisis by the likes of King Charles.

I cant imagine anyone who doesnt have someone who has been lost Bishop Nowakowski

He warned that Ukrainians were exhausted by the two-year brutal war  which if the country loses will mean it will cease to exist.

He said that every family in Ukraine had been impacted in some way and that he had lost 30 friends and colleagues, many of them killed in action while defending their country.

There cannot be anyone who is of Ukrainian background or who has an association with Ukraine who doesnt know someone who has been killed or impacted, he told The Independent.

I cant imagine anyone who doesnt have someone who has been lost.

Ukraine, which made surprise gains in the first year and half of the war, has in recent months struggled to hold the 1,200km front line, beset by dangerously low ammunition stockpiles often due to crippling delays in delivery of promised aid.

President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted in February that every day, Russian forces fire on average seven times more munitions at Ukrainian forces than they are able to fire back. There are reports that Ukraine has had to ration its forces to firing just 2,000 artillery rounds a day.

Crowds gather at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in central London for Easter ( Courtesy of Holy Family Cathedral )

Russia, meanwhile, has nearly half a million personnel fighting in Ukraine right now, and has ramped up its domestic production, moving into a war economy, one Ukrainian diplomat told The Independent.

The bishop said families were at breaking point after suffering so much. Many of them are split up as under martial law, men of fighting are not permitted to leave the country in case they need to be called up. That has left it mostly up to women to travel abroad to sustain their families financially.

The millions of women who have left Ukraine, some with their children, some without, are feeling those wounds of war, the bishop added.

Those who stay in Ukraine are exhausted, he said: How can you not be tired or exhausted when every night you get woken up by bombs and sirens?

Many who have fled Ukraine seek solace in the Cathedral of the Holy Family, a first port of call for many desperate Ukrainian refugees on arrival. There, they can get directly connected to British government officials for help with their papers, as well as access to English language lessons, Ukrainian lessons, and therapeutic arts and crafts sessions.

Boris Johnson called on the bishop for advice at the start of the full-scale invasion ( Courtesy of Holy Family Cathedral )

In London, their weekly congregation is now 3,000 strong and they have opened three new parishes in London, as well as 20 additional parishes across England to accommodate the growing numbers. At Easter, they had so many visitors the crowds spilt into the streets outside.

Some of the most powerful people in the UK have come to Bishop Nowakowski to help. He said the then Prince Charles visited just six days after the full-scale invasion erupted, bringing humanitarian aid organisations he was patron of in a show of support to the most vulnerable.

After the coronation, one of King Charless first visits as monarch was to return to the church to again offer help  alongside his godson the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, who helped renovate the welcome centre.

King Charles told me, Im glad to hear my godson has done something wonderful, the bishop added.

Also early in the war, the then prime minister Boris Johnson called on him for advice and visited his parish.

Boris Johnson rolled up his sleeves and said, You have 15 minutes to tell me what you think I dont know that I should know, he said.

Ukraines first lady, Olena Zelenka, visits the Holy Family Cathedral in London ( Courtesy of Holy Family Cathedral )

Later, Michael Gove, tasked with managing the UKs response to the crisis, invited him for weekly meetings. The Ukrainian first lady, Olena Zelenska, has also visited him.

The bishop thanked the UK for all its work in supporting Ukrainian refugees, imposing sanctions and helping with aid to Ukraine, adding it was essential the story of Ukraine was kept alive.

In a comparatively recent trip to Ukraine where he went to liberated Irpin, a town in the Kyiv region which experienced a terrifying occupation by Russian soldiers for several weeks earlier in the war, the bishop celebrated Mass.

It was a beautiful autumn day but very much positioned next to the buildings that were bombed out, he said.

This one woman came up to me and asked what King Charles was like. She said to me, When you go back to England please tell people to remember us, even when the story gets a bit old.

He said this was his message from the UK. It started with hope for a better future so people can start rebuilding their lives. Then he said there was continued solidarity.

We have not forgotten, and we shouldnt and cant forget what Ukraine is contributing to our global society, he concluded.
 Close UK has fasttracked the production of laser energy and radio waves weaponry

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 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said he urged Chinese president Xi Jinping to press Russia to end its war in Ukraine.

Mr Scholz told Mr Xi in a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday that Chinas word carries weight in Russia.

I have therefore asked president Xi to influence Russia so that Putin finally calls off his senseless campaign, withdraw his troops and ends this terrible war, he wrote on social media platform X.

Earlier, a Russian source said Moscow was ready to redeploy Wagner troops working in Africa to bolster its offensive in Ukraine.

The source claimed Russian authorities are preparing to redeploy unspecified detachments of the Africa Corps from Africa to Belgorod, Ukraine, according to US think tank Institute for the Study of War.
 Close UK has fasttracked the production of laser energy and radio waves weaponry

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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said he urged Chinese president Xi Jinping to press Russia to end its war in Ukraine.

Mr Scholz told Mr Xi in a meeting in Beijing on Tuesday that Chinas word carries weight in Russia.

I have therefore asked president Xi to influence Russia so that Putin finally calls off his senseless campaign, withdraw his troops and ends this terrible war, he wrote on social media platform X.

Earlier, a Russian source said Moscow was ready to redeploy Wagner troops working in Africa to bolster its offensive in Ukraine.

The source claimed Russian authorities are preparing to redeploy unspecified detachments of the Africa Corps from Africa to Belgorod, Ukraine, according to US think tank Institute for the Study of War.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

After the death of Alexei Navalny, jailed British-Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza has become the face of the anti-Kremlin resistance.

The 42-year-old University of Cambridge graduate was arrested in April 2022 hours after CNN broadcast an interview in which he said Russia was being run by a regime of murderers.

A year later, he was sentenced to 25 years in a Siberian penal colony in the Omsk region, where he now resides in a punishment cell only three metres long and one-and-a-half metres wide, nearly 6,000 miles from his wife and children living in the US.

It remains the longest sentence handed down to a Kremlin critic since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

After the death of Mr Navalny in the Arctic Circle penal colony where he was being held, fears have been voiced over the increased risk facing Russian political prisoners such as Mr Kara-Murza.

Grigory Vaypan, a senior lawyer at Memorial, Russias oldest human rights group, and laureate of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize for his defence of political prisoners, said the risk of death facing Mr Kara-Murza is higher than ever.

Prominent government critics now face increased risks to their lives in Russian prisons. The more prominent the critic, the higher the risk, he told The Independent.

This risk is now manifest in the case of Kara-Murza, whom the Russian government already tried to murder twice.

Who is Vladimir Kara-Murza?

The opposition politician, who is also a historian and a journalist, comes from a long line of Russian critics.

His father, journalist and television host Vladimir Alexeyevich Kara-Murza, was an outspoken critic of Leonid Brezhnev, a Soviet Union leader, and a prominent supporter of reforms under Boris Yeltsin in the post-Soviet 1990s.

Russian activist Vladimir Kara-Murza (C) arrives with his wife Yevgenia for a hearing of the US Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs on Capitol Hill March 29, 2017 ( AFP/Getty )

He attended school in Moscow before his mother remarried a British man and Mr Kara-Murza moved to England as a teenager. He worked numerous roles in London as a journalist for independent Russian outlets before attending Trinity Hall at the University of Cambridge, where he studied History.

He entered Russian politics in the late 1990s as Vladimir Putin was quietly ascending the ranks of the Kremlin to the presidency at the turn of the millennium. He voted against Vladimir Putin in the 2000 election.

Mr Kara-Murza later became an advisor to government opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was murdered in Moscow outside the Kremlin in 2015.

By this point, Mr Kara-Murza had become heavily involved in Russian opposition politics, working alongside key dissident figures such as oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovksy, chess grandmaster Gary Kasparov and Mr Nemstov.

The Kremlin crackdown

French Ambassador to Russia Pierre L'vy lays flowers at the place where Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was gunned in 2015 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In 2015, the same year that his political mentor Mr Nemstov was killed, Mr Kara-Murza was poisoned in what his wife says was a Kremlin assassination attempt. He survived that attempt on his life, only to be poisoned a second time two years later.

Evgenia Kara-Murza remembers the moment he came out of his second coma. They were in a Moscow hospital in the Intensive Care Unit. It was their 13th wedding anniversary.

He was lying there, looking just like what someone who had been through multiple organ failure would look like, she said.

He said that he was so sorry about what had happened because he was hoping to travel to Quebec for a few days with me. Just the two of us.

I just looked at him and said: What are you talking about? You are alive. That is the best gift I could hope for.

In February 2021, a Bellingcat joint investigation alleged that Mr Kara-Murza had been followed by the same FSB unit that allegedly poisoned Alexei Navalny with a nerve agent in 2020.

He has since developed polyneuropathy, a nerve condition that affects his ability to feel his feet and hands. His wife says it was brought on by the poisoning attempts.

The invasion of Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers defending their position near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region ( EPA )

Mr Kara-Murza was one of a small number of opposition politicians who remained active in Russia after it invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and publicly condemned the war in defiance of new censorship laws.

After three speeches made in Lisbon, Helsinki and Washington, during which he condemned the invasion, Mr Kara-Murza was arrested outside his house in Moscow on 22 April 2022.

He was declared a foreign agent and accused of spreading false information about the actions of the Russian military in Ukraine in connection with a speech he had given the previous month in the Arizona House of Representatives, where he said Putin was dropping cluster bombs on residential areas, mothers homes, hospitals, and schools.

In July later that year, he was additionally charged over his involvement with two foreign-based opposition forums that are labelled by the Russian state as undesirable. Finally, on 6 October, he was charged with treason. Prosecutors requested a 25-year jail term, which he would later receive in April 2023.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip he has said.

Haniyeh, based abroad in Qatar, has been the face of Hamas during ceasefire talks as war with Israel has raged on in Gaza, where his family home was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike back in November.

The three sons - Hazem, Amir and Mohammad - were killed after the car they were driving in was bombed in Gaza's Al-Shati camp, Hamas said. Three of Haniyeh's grandchildren were also killed in the attack and a third was wounded, Hamas media said.

"The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people," Haniyeh, 61, who has 13 sons and daughters according to Hamas sources, told pan-Arab Al Jazeera TV.

The Israeli military said it was checking the report. Israel's six-month war inside Gaza was triggered by a brutal terror attack inside Israel by Hamas, during which around 1,200 people were killed and 250 more taken hostage. More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory.

Israel accuses Haniyeh and other leaders of continuing to "pull the strings of the Hamas terror organisation".

Haniyeh's three sons and three grandchildren were making family visits during the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday in Shati, their home refugee camp in Gaza City, according to relatives.

Hamas said on Tuesday it was studying an Israeli ceasefire proposal but that it was "intransigent" and met none of the Palestinian demands.

"Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position," Haniyeh claimed.

Hamas wants an end to Israeli military operations and a withdrawal from the enclave, and permission for displaced Palestinians to return home.

Haniyeh's eldest son confirmed in a Facebook post that his three brothers were killed. "Thanks to God who honoured us by the martyrdom of my brothers, Hazem, Amir and Mohammad and their children," wrote Abdel-Salam Haniyeh.

Appointed to lead Hamas in 2017, Haniyeh has moved between Turkey and Qatar's capital Doha, avoiding Israeli-imposed travel restrictions in blockaded Gaza and enabling him to act as a negotiator in the latest ceasefire negotiations or communicate with Hamas' main ally Iran.

Reuters
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 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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

More than 50 anti-Israel protesters were arrested after storming through a Senate office building, causing the cafeteria to be briefly shut down.

Footage posted to social media on Tuesday showed the demonstration, in which dozens of protesters were seen chanting Senate cant eat until Gaza eats!

Later protesters were seen unfurling a large purple banner which read Christians for a Free Palestine. Another read Break bread not bodies.

Campaign group Christians for a Free Palestine took credit for orchestrating the demonstration alongside CodePink, a self-described grassroots feminist organisation which has previously caused disruptions at congressional hearings.

The groups were pushing for Congress to back a ceasefire, restore aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and to end military aid to Israel.

The protest took place at around 12.30pm ET inside the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Other footage later showed demonstrators being led away by police officers in handcuffs.

Approximately 50 people were arrested for illegally demonstrating inside the Dirksen Senate Office Building this afternoon. It is illegal to demonstrate inside any of the Congressional Buildings, the Capitol Police said in a statement shared with The Independent.

Christians for a Free Palestine later shared on social media that all those arrested had been freed  estimating that roughly 55 activists, including around 30 ordained clergy members, had been detained.

Over 50 Christian leaders from across the US nonviolently blockaded the Senate Cafeteria to pressure the Senate and their staffers to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, restore aid to UNRWA, and end military funding to Israel, the organisation told the Washington Post.

They announced that they would not leave or let anyone get food in the Senate Cafeteria until nourishing food is sent to Gaza and the U.S. stops funding the bombs that have killed over 33,000 Palestinians.

The Independent has reached out to Capitol Police for further information on the incident.

The demonstration comes as Joe Biden said that Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza has been a mistake, in one of his strongest rebukes of the Israeli prime ministers response to the ongoing conflict so far.

The president made the remarks during a sit-down interview with Univision, aired on Tuesday evening, in which he said the recent missile strikes on aid convoys in the Middle East were outrageous and called for a halt in the fighting.

I dont agree with his approach, he said, adding: I think its outrageous that those four, three vehicles were hit by drones and taken out on a highway where it wasnt like it was along the shore, it wasnt like there was a convoy moving there.
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 policy Thanks for signing up to the

Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

An aid worker with World Central Kitchen was gravely injured in an Israeli airstrike on a mosque just minutes before the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) killed seven workers with the organisation earlier this month, the aid group said.

The Palestinian aid worker, identified as Amro, was injured in an airstrike on the al-Bashir Mosque in Deir al-Balah in Gaza, World Central Kitchen said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

Amro, a humanitarian aid worker with World Central Kitchen, was gravely injured in an Israeli airstrike, the aid group said on Wednesday ( World Central Kitchen )

Amro sustained serious head and hand injuries while he was off duty in a home close to the mosque in the area surrounding our warehouse and newly established kitchen in Deir al-Balah, the humanitarian aid organisation said.He is now recovering in a hospital, getting stronger every day.

World Central Kitchen said the strike that injured Amro came just fifteen minutes before the IDF launched a series of three strikes that killed seven humanitarian aid workers on 1 April. The workers were returning after coordinating an aid shipment and travelling in vehicles bearing the organisations logo when they were killed. The convoy of three cars was traveling down the coastal highway in the Deir al-Balah area when Israel launched its deadly attack.

The IDF killed seven aid workers travelling in vehicles marked with the World Central Kitchen logo ( AP )

Moments before the drone strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy, civilians in Deir al-Balah told The Independent that there had been a wave of Israeli strikes that hit the central area including the nearby mosque where the organisation said Armo was wounded.

The mosque is close to my house, the bombing was so close, Sara, whose name we have changed for her own security, told The Independent on the night of the attack. The sound of the ambulances didnt stop for so long. We were trying to call our friends and family who live closer by to check but no one was answering.

The victims were identified as Saifeddin Issam Ayab Abutaha, 25, of Palestine; Lalzawmi Frankcom, 43, of Australia; Damian Sobol, 35, of Poland; Jacob Flickinger, 33, a US-Canadian dual citizen; along with UK citizens John Chapman, 57, James Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47.

Israels military has since called the deadly strikes a mistake, noting they are conducting an investigation.

Jose Andres  the celebrity chef who founded World Central Kitchen  has since accused Israel of waging a war against humanity.

The investigation should be much...deeper, Mr Andres told ABC News. And I would say that the perpetrator cannot be investigating himself.

This week, President Joe Biden called for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians. However, he still appears poised to make an $18bn sale of fighter jets to Israel  a deal which the administration says has been in the making for years.

His words came just after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the IDF has solidified their plan to invade the southern city of Rafah, where some 1.4 million Palestinians are currently sheltering. The IDF instructed civilians to move southward when they bombarded northern Gaza.

The Independent also exclusively reported this week that eight internal dissent memos were sent by US State Department staff during the first two months of the Gaza war, highlighting the widespread opposition within the department to the Biden administrations support for Israels war in Gaza.

Since 7 October, Israels bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 33,400 people, according to the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza. On 7 October, Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking more than 200 people hostage.

The Independent has contacted the IDF for comment.
Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Elon Musk admitted that he has two alternate accounts on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter, while answering questions under oath in a Texas libel lawsuit.

In a deposition made public on Monday, the 52-year-old tech tycoon said he had one test account that he barely used and one side account that he uses more regularly.

Though the court's transcript named that account as "baby smoke 9,000", this is likely a misnomer for @babysmurf9000, an existing account that has given many signs of affiliation with Mr Musk.

The identity of the other suspected alt, @ermnmusk, was confirmed by court exhibits seen by HuffPost, which first reported on the deposition.

That revelation was just one of many striking moments in a bizarre and heated two-hour questioning session, which often saw the opposing lawyers talking or shouting over each other.

The deposition comes as Mr Musk is being sued over a series of tweets from last June in which he boosted false claims that a 22-year-old Jewish man named Ben Brody had participated in a neo-Nazi rally as an undercover agent provocateur.

Mr Brody has sued the billionaire businessman seeking damages for the wave of harassment and threats that he suffered in the aftermath of Mr Musk's tweets. Mr Musk's lawyers meamwhile contend that his conduct did not constitute libel.

Since buying Twitter for an eyebrow-raising $44bn in 2022, Mr Musk has repeatedly alienated advertisers and outraged civil society groups by spreading conspiracy theories and endorsing antisemitic ideas.

open image in gallery Elon Musks deposition has been released ( AP )

In the deposition, Mr Musk acknowledged that he was guilty of many self-inflicted wounds and may have done more to financially impair the company than to help it since purchasing Twitter, now X.

Nevertheless, he flatly claimed that he did not think Mr Brody had been materially harmed by this, prompting Mr Brody's lawyer Mark Bankston to respond: Wow. Okay.

According to the lawsuit, multiple far-right Twitter accounts had falsely claimed that Mr Brody was involved in a street brawl between two rival far-right extremist groups at an LGBT+ Pride event in Portland, Oregon last June.

The accounts further alleged that Mr Brody had deliberately infiltrated one of the groups as part of a false flag operation to discredit them, on behalf of either the US government or Antifa activists.

Mr Musk, who has 180 million followers and has been accused of creating a special algorithm to boost his tweets above those of others, replied to one such claim with the words very odd. To another, he said: Always remove their masks.

Two days later, he described the brawl as a probable false flag situation and said it looked like one of the brawlers was a college student who wants to join the government, which many users interpreted as a reference to Mr Brody.

In his deposition, Mr Musk admitted that he had made no attempt to check the credibility of the people he replied to, claiming that it would be impossible to scroll through the timeline of everyone he replies to.

When shown another tweet made by one of those accounts on the same day, which suggested that Jewish people have manipulated world history through the United Nations, Mr Musk agreed that it suggests antisemitism.

However, he said he had been clear in his own tweets that he was not certain of his information, and had invoked Xs Community Notes system so that other users could fact-check him and correct him if he was wrong.

I think I really did this in good faith, because [otherwise] I would not ask for a fact-check, which is what I do by adding Community Notes, he said.

He also said that he did not have anyone in his life who had tried to rein him in or intervene when he made various tweets promoting conspiracy theories.

In between all this, Mr Musk and his lawyer Alex Spiro clashed with Mr Bankston in snarky exchanges reminiscent of an Aaron Sorkin script.

Why are you yelling? Calm yourself, said Mr Musk during one exchange. Yeah, why are you yelling? echoed Mr Spiro. I mean, show some decorum, added Mr Musk.

When asked at the very beginning whether he understood that he was being sued by Mr Brody, Mr Musk repeatedly claimed that the real plaintiff was Mr Bankston and that he had engineered the lawsuit for financial gain.

Meanwhile, Mr Spiro continually objected to Mr Bankston's questions while accusing him of seeking a big day in a sun, claiming the lawsuit wasn't a real case.

When Mr Bankston cited two previous legal cases in support of his questions, Mr Spiro was untroubled: Yeah, I'll look at those cases but he's not answering that right now. I'm pretty confident those cases are not directly on point.

Mr Bankston, who previously represented the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims in their lawsuit against online shock jock Alex Jones, was not amused.

Next time I'd appreciate it if you showed up in a deposition with a Texas lawyer who had an understanding of Texas law, he said. These random, insulting, professionally demeaning [comments] really have no place here.

At one point, Mr Spiro claimed: You're just giving speeches that nobody's listening to but you. You're just doing them for yourself. Mr Bankston replied: Oh, they're for the record.

At another, Mr Musk asked Mr Bankston: Do you feel the need to yell again? Mr Bankston responded: I might.

The case continues.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A Delta flight from New York City to Atlanta declared a mid-flight emergency following a suspected lightning strike.

Flight 1192 landed safely in Atlanta on the morning of 9 April after declaring two mid-air emergencies for unrelated incidents, reports Fox News.

One of the emergencies was declared out of caution for a suspected lightning strike, while a passengers unrelated medical issue resulted in the second emergency.

The emergencies were declared in order to prepare ground crews in Atlanta for arrival, though all passengers and crew disembarked the plane without any injuries. The aircraft was then sent for a mandatory routine inspection.

There were unconfirmed reports circling on X/Twitter that a lightning strike mark was found above the windshield, reports Fox, with a Delta spokesperson telling the news outlet that officials believe lightning struck the aircraft.

The Independent has contacted Delta to ask for comment and confirmation.

Modern aircraft are built to withstand weather events such as storms and lightning strikes, and the US National Weather Service states that commercial transport passenger planes are hit by lightning an average of one or two times a year.

They are designed and built to have conducting paths through the plane to take the lightning strike and conduct the currents.

In addition, lightning has not caused a commercial transport airplane crash in many decades.

When it is suspected that a plane was hit by lightning, there is a mandatory inspection for damage.

Though modern aircraft can withstand such weather, lightning strikes regularly cause similar emergency landings and mid-air emergency declarations.

In June 2023, an Air New Zealand plane was forced to return back to its origin airport after being struck by lightning, while in August 2022, a Qantas flight headed to Port Hedland in Australia diverted off course to make an emergency landing at Karratha Airport, 250km away, after being struck.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A new Boeing quality engineer whistleblower has spoken out about concerns over alleged shortcuts in assembling the 787 Dreamliner.

Following the revelations, a Senate subcommittee has now called a hearing next week on Boeing issues and recent apparent safety failures.

Sam Salehpour, a Boeing quality engineer, is expected to speak on the safety concerns of the manufacturing of the 787 Dreamliner in a 17 April hearing that the subcommittee has called.

The subcommittee has summoned Boeing CEO David Calhoun to testify about the companys jetliners, various reports have revealed, following Mr Salehpour voicing alleged crucial flaws in aNew York Times article on Tuesday.

Boeing said in a statement that the company is cooperating with this inquiry, adding that it has offered to provide documents, testimony and technical briefings, and is discussing with the committee about the next steps.

open image in gallery Boeing CEO David Calhoun has been summoned to testify on 17 April ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Mr Salehpour told The New York Times that he worked on the 787 but became concerned about changes to how the giant sections of the planes fuselage, the main body, were fitted together in assembly.

The whistleblower said that the fuselage came in several parts, all from different manufacturers, and were not the same shape while they were being put together.

The engineer became alarmed, alleging that Boeing was taking shortcuts, resulting in excessive force being applied to narrow unwanted gaps in the assembly connecting pieces of the Dreamliners fuselage.

Mr Salehpour claimed that the force led to deformations in the composite material that is used in construction, which could contribute to material fatigue and premature failure of the composite.

Boeing conceded that those manufacturing changes were made, but Paul Lewis, a spokesperson for the company, told The New York Times there was no impact on durability or safe longevity of the airframe.

open image in gallery The engineer claimed that shortcuts were taken in the assembly process ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Mr Lewis added that Boeing had done extensive testing on the aircraft and determined that this is not an immediate safety of flight issue.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it has been investigating Mr Salehpours allegations but declined to comment further to The New York Times.

Boeing said in a statement that the claims about the structural integrity of the aircraft are inaccurate and it is fully confident in the 787 Dreamliner due to the comprehensive work done to ensure the quality and long-term safety of the aircraft.

The whistleblower alleged to the outlet that he was repeatedly retaliated against when he raised his issue with the shortcuts he claimed Boeing was taking.

open image in gallery A 787 Dreamliner ( AFP via Getty Images )

Mr Salehpours lawyer, Debra Katz, detailed that Boeing allegedly did not listen to her clients concerns, but instead silenced him and transferred him to work on a different jetliner.

Boeing, however, said in its statement that retaliation is strictly prohibited at Boeing and that it encourages workers to speak up when issues arise.

Boeing has been under intense security throughout this year since a door panel blew out mid-air over Oregon on an Alaska Airlines flight using a 737 Max jet in early January.

The door plug fell off shortly after takeoff, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the aircraft.

In the aftermath, regulators temporarily grounded nearly 200 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. This led to the cancellation of thousands of flights.

Amid the ongoing safety concerns, the Boeing CEO and two top executives announced last month that they are planning on stepping down from their positions.

Mr Calhoun said that the Alaska Airlines incident was a watershed moment for Boeing, and that he had decided to leave the company at the end of the year.

The Independent has contacted Boeing for comment.
Chinese breeders brief conditions of giant panda Xiang Xiang, an ambassador of China-Japan people-to-people friendship

Global Times) 15:08, April 10, 2024

A livestreaming event, sharing the recent condition of the hugely popular Japan-born female giant panda Xiang Xiang, was held simultaneously in Southwest China's Sichuan Province and Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday morning. This event took place over a year after Xiang Xiang departed from Tokyo's Ueno Zoo and settled down at the Bifengxia Giant Panda Base, a giant panda research and breeding facility in the city of Ya'an, Sichuan, on February 21, 2023.

Under the patient care of its breeders, Xiang Xiang gradually adapted to the environment of the Bifengxia base. It made its first public appearance at the base on October 8 last year and has since maintained unabated popularity among visitors from both China and Japan.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao addressed the event, stressing that cooperation on giant panda conservation and research serves as an important platform for people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan, playing a positive role in enhancing the friendly relations between the two countries.

Wu called for people from China and Japan to peacefully coexist, nurturing friendship across generations, engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation, and contributing to the healthy and stable development of China-Japan relations.

Xiang Xiang was born at Ueno Zoo in June 2017 to Shin Shin (female) and Ri Ri (male), two giant pandas on loan from China, where the ownership over the cubs they give birth to belongs. As the first panda naturally bred and raised at the zoo in nearly three decades since You You, born in 1988, Xiang Xiang gained huge popularity among Japanese people.

During the event, Zhao Lanlan, Xiang Xiang's breeder at the Bifengxia base, assured panda enthusiasts from China and Japan that the giant panda has basically adapted to the environment and climate in Bifengxia base, the location of which is so close to nature, and Xiang Xiang can enjoy an entire hill. It has also gotten used to the feeding and management mode at the base.

According to Zhao, Xiang Xiang has made impressive progress over the past year from its initial timid and sensitive response to sounds and running away from unfamiliar noises to its present ability to face the public calmly and eat its food on the feeding platform, without hiding away from the public after its meals to take a rest any more.

During the event, panda enthusiasts from both China and Japan were able to watch Xiang Xiang leisurely sitting on the ground, enjoying fresh bamboo with relish without interruption via livestreaming, showcasing a particularly hearty appetite.

According to Zhao, Xiang Xiang particularly likes apples. Usually, the breeders feed her 30 kilograms of fresh bamboos, 400 grams of apples, 1 kilogram of steamed corn buns and 3 kilograms of bamboo shoots on average every day.

A Japanese panda lover present at the event was very concerned about whether Xiang Xiang is still so picky about food since Xiang Xiang refused to eat carrots when it was in Japan. Zhao told her that Xiang Xiang still does not eat this vegetable though Zhao had tried various methods, including making carrot hamburgers, to lure her to eat the nutritious vegetable.

According to the Agreement on Cooperation in the Implementation of Giant Panda Protection Research signed between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and China Wildlife Conservation Association, Xiang Xiang was originally scheduled to be returned to China by the end of December 2020. However, due to multiple factors such as the COVID-19 epidemic, Xiang Xiang, who has reached maturity and is ready to mate, finally returned to China where she is set to start her search for a mate last year after five extensions.

Many panda enthusiasts have been caring about whether Xiang Xiang's husband had been decided.

According to Zhao, the selection of mate for Xiang Xiang will be based on the overall arrangement by China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration, as well as the evaluation of the pairing coefficient of the giant panda population. Pairing should be optimized but not solely based on estrus. Currently, Xiang Xiang has not been involved in the breeding program.

Zhao also expressed her sentiments as the first breeder of Xiang Xiang upon its return to China. She described Xiang Xiang as smart and quiet, expressing her wish for Xiang Xiang to lead a carefree life and hoping that panda enthusiasts from Japan could visit her in Sichuan.

During the event, Yasumasa Tomita, deputy director of Ueno Zoo, also shared his experience of accompanying Xiang Xiang to return to Sichuan, and a Japanese giant panda enthusiast Takahata Tomoka told her story about how she had participated in naming Xiang Xiang.

Wu Hailong, president of the China Public Diplomacy Association, addressed the event saying that Xiang Xiang is not only a giant panda, but also a bond of friendship between the people from China and Japan.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Commentary

By Joseph Quesnel

The rhetoric surrounding decolonization and identity politics, coupled with exaggerated concerns about climate change, is giving rise to a dangerous form of eco-extremism that is spreading unchecked across the country.

This trend is vividly illustrated by the February 2022 terrorist assault on a Coastal GasLink pipeline project site in British Columbia. Approximately 20 masked assailants armed with axes and flare guns descended upon the site, instilling fear among security personnel and workers and causing an estimated $20 million in damages, as reported by B.C.s Independent Contractors and Business Association.

Had the mainstream media exercised greater journalistic diligence, they might have discerned the ideological motives behind the attackers, evident from the clues they left behind.

The Frontier Centre for Public Policy recently released a major report highlighting the looming threat of eco-extremism in Canada. Our research reveals a nexus with an Indigeno-anarchist movement that remains largely unmonitored by governmental bodies, media outlets, and security agencies.

Regrettably, governmental and media attention remains disproportionately fixated on extremism associated with the right-wing factions. Recall the undue emphasis on the convoy protests, falsely linked to extremist foreign influences.

Similarly, Canadians witnessed a tendency to downplay instances of arson and vandalism targeting nearly 100 churches despite clear links to fabricated allegations concerning residential schools.

Furthermore, a recent RCMP report warned about the dangers of paranoid populism, potentially stoking civil unrest over declining economic conditions. In February, CSIS voiced its concerns regarding an alleged anti-gender movement, purportedly posing a violent threat to the LGBTQ+ community in Canada. However, despite intense public debates on gender-related issues, no evidence emerged to support such claims of violence.

Elite institutions are fixated on exaggerated threats from the right while overlooking the looming threat emanating from far-left factions championing decolonization ideals, radicalized by anti-fossil fuel rhetoric.

The origins of this rhetoric can be traced to the toxic influences within Canadas publicly funded universities, where self-proclaimed Indigeno-anarchists conduct recruitment drives and propagate toxic ideologies under the guise of academic freedom.

The masked, axe-wielding assailants of the Coastal GasLink attack left behind graffiti bearing the messages LAND BACK and CGL EVICT, which highlighted a broader ideological stance. While LAND BACK initially stemmed from Indigenous movements reclaiming sovereignty over ancestral lands, it has been co-opted by non-Indigenous actors subscribing to identity politics and anarchism, who resort to sabotage and property damage in pursuit of their agenda. The term became identified with the meaningless term decolonization and became associated with groups that wanted to dismantle White supremacy.

These groups, driven by a cocktail of identity politics and alarmist views on climate change, perceive fossil fuel projects as primary contributors to environmental degradation, disregarding nuances and complexities of the issue.

In recent years, many of these self-righteous anarchists rallied around the Wetsuweten conflict and its complicated relationship with the Coastal GasLink pipeline, aligning themselves with one faction opposed to the project despite broader community support. Although most activists opposing Coastal GasLink were peaceful, some resorted to unlawful tactics, including intimidation and property damage, tantamount to terrorism under the Criminal Code.

Lacking nuance, they attached themselves to one segment  a group claiming to be hereditary chiefs from the community but who were receiving funds from foreign environmental foundations  that was opposed to the project despite strong community support from the elected band government and the wider Wetsuweten community.

The RCMP deserves credit for establishing a specialized unit to address these attacks. However, it is time for Canada to finally address the Indigeno-anarchist threat.

First Nations must condemn these groups in one voice, and governments must use the Criminal Code and legislation to address eco-terrorist rhetoric and acts.

Joseph Quesnel is a senior research fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

A woman who had undergone a mastectomy was asked to remove her breast prosthesis in public while going through security scanners at Dublin airport.

Realtan Ni Leannain was travelling to Donegal when she was left like a rabbit caught in the headlights when her artificial breast set off the new scanner technology.

She told BBC NIs Evening Extra programme: The security officer didnt even offer to pat me down. She stood and waited for me to remove the prosthesis.

I couldnt actually think. Every time I attempted to rationalise it, I couldnt.

When travelling through other airports such as Amsterdam and Glasgow, she had been briefly searched and had been able to explain her situation when a triangle and a warning light appears once the scanner detects the prosthesis.

open image in gallery She was not offered a private screening once her breast was picked up by the security scanner ( Getty )

However, in Dublin she was informed the security officer needed to see her prosthesis, with Ms Ni Leannain unaware she was able to request a private screening.

When it was half out she went, Okay, go ahead. I picked up my bits, sat down for a coffee and thats when it started to hit me, she said.

After emailing the DAA, the operator of Dublin airport, she was informed that they couldnt give that answer when she asked for assurances that the incident would not occur again.

She is now asking for airport protocols to be clearly outlined for those in a similar position, with information available on airline websites. She added that it should not be necessary for travellers to ask for private screenings, and should be immediately available.

In response, a DAA spokesperson said that an investigation into the incident found that the situation should have been handled better.

We are very sorry that our passenger had a negative experience when travelling through Dublin Airport recently, they said.

All passengers in such situations can request a private screening, which is then facilitated by a trained member of staff.

Regrettably, this did not happen on the day in question. We offer a full apology to the passenger and can assure her that steps have been taken to ensure a similar situation is avoided in the future.
Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Dramatic footage captured at Manchester Airport shows planes struggling to land amid high winds and heavy rain on this week.

The footage from 9 April, uploaded to YouTube by AviationUpclose, showed planes swaying in the winds and even aborting landings on the final approach. This is known as a go-around in the aviation industry  the 11-minute video captures a total of eight go-arounds over the course of six hours of filming. These were supposedly due to windshear and a couple of unstable approaches.

One easyJet flight, from Amsterdam to Manchester, even diverted to Liverpool after abandoning attempts to land, reports the Manchester Evening News.

TheIndependent has contacted easyJet for comment.

The MEN also reports that the area around the airport saw wind gusts of up to 50mph on Tuesday. According to the video, Storm Pierrick  named by the French meteorological service  arrived not long after Storm Kathleen had grounded flights and left thousands without power. Torrential rain and strong winds also blew trees onto roads and tram lines across the region.

An update from easyJet to passengers stated that adverse weather conditions in Manchester were below safe operating limits. Ryanair also warned of potential disruption due to high winds. The go-arounds included two easyJet flights, two Jet2 flights and one from Ryanair.

On 6 April, videos showed BA planes unable to land due to the effects of Storm Kathleen. Winter has brought with it plenty of adverse weather for pilots around the country, with flights struggling to land at Heathrow airport in January as Storm Henk hit UK shores.

In December 2023, high winds caused by Storm Gerrit caused similar issues at Heathrow, while footage from February 2023 shows a Brussels Airlines plane aborting landing in Manchester due to Storm Otto, before landing safely 10 minutes later.
Rishi Sunak has offered an apology for wearing Adidas Samba trainers after being accused of destroying a fashion icon.

The prime minister was shown wearing the white shoes during a recent interview in Downing Street.

His fashion choice was slammed by British GQ magazine, who wrote that in a bid to present himself as young and hip, Rishi Sunak took an eternally cool sneaker and ruined it for everyone.

I issue a fulsome apology to the Samba community, the PM said, responding to the backlash on LBC on Wednesday morning (10 April).

But, in my defence, I would say I have been wearing Adidas trainers including Sambas  and others, in fact  for many, many years.
A new legal filing alleges that Alec Baldwin's conduct while filming Rust "contributed to safety compromises on set."

Special prosecutors in New Mexico sought to defend their case in a filing on Friday, 5 April, after the 66-year-old actor's team filed a motion in March to dismiss the indictment against him.

According to a copy of the response obtained by CNN, prosecutors allege Baldwin's "relentless rushing of the crew on the movie set routinely compromised safety."

The filing also alleges Baldwin frequently screamed at the crew and "witnesses have testified that it was this exact conduct that contributed to safety compromises on set."

The Independent has approached Mr Baldwin's legal representative for comment.
The UK government will not halt arms sales to Israel, foreign secretary David Cameron has said.

Mr. Cameron said the government reviewed the most recent legal advice about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and that the UKs position on export licences remains unchanged.

The foreign secretary also said ministers had grave concerns about humanitarian access in Gaza at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, 9 April.

Downing Street has come under mounting pressure from senior conservatives to suspend arms exports after the deaths of three British charity workers in an airstrike that killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen.
Watch as pro-Palestine protesters block a US Senate cafeteria as they call for a Gaza ceasefire on Tuesday 9 April.

Dozens of people are seen shouting Congress and their staff will not eat until Gaza eats in footage shared by Christians for a Free Palestine on social media.

They also held banners with the messages send food not bombs and break bread not bodies.

More than 50 protesters were arrested after storming through a Senate office building, causing the cafeteria to be briefly shut down.
Joe Biden has shared concern over Benjamin Netanyahus actions in Gaza, calling them a mistake.

The US president expressed his desire for Israel to propose a ceasefire and grant complete access to all food and medicine entering Gaza over the next six to eight weeks during an interview broadcast on Tuesday 9 April.

Western powers have been worried over the high Palestinian civilian death toll and the humanitarian crisis arising from Israels military onslaught to destroy Hamas in the densely populated Gaza Strip.

I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, Mr Biden said of Mr Netanyahu.
Police officers in Nevada raced to save the life of their K9, Enzo, after he was stabbed multiple times by a violent suspect

In footage shared by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), the dogs handler can be heard trying to keep Enzo, who had lost a lot of blood, calm.

Its okay, you did so good, buddy. Youre a good boy, the officer says, as they rush to the closest vet.

Once he was in stable condition, a police helicopter was called to airlift the injured dog to a veterinary trauma hospital.

The K9 has since started his recovery.

Enzo was saved by the collective actions of so many and thanks to the talented medical workers who stabilized and treated Enzo, he is alive and recovering today, LVMPD wrote.

The K9 had raced in to protect a team of officers when they were called to detain an armed man on 29 March.
Bodycam footage shows the moment a serial-purse snatcher is arrested by New York City police after being chased through a Manhattan subway station on Saturday (April 6).

Two officers, one wearing the bodycam, are seen patrolling the station but quickly break into a sprint after seeing the thief run off a train with a purse and a woman already pursuing him.

The officers managed to grab the snatcher in the staircase exiting the station.

At one point in the video, the officer wearing the bodycam is shown almost clambering over the woman as they both chase the thief through the turnstiles.
A protest outside Sir Keir Starmers London home has been branded completely unacceptable as the prime minister also condemned those who targeted the Labour leaders property.

The Young Demand group hung a banner outside Sir Keirs home that read Starmer stop the killing on Tuesday evening (9 April).

This was surrounded by red hand prints. They also laid rows of childrens shoes at his front door.

The Metropolitan Police said the protest was completely unacceptable in the vicinity of a politicians home.

Rishi Sunak said: I dont care what your politics are, no MP should be harassed at their own home.

Three people have been arrested.
An award-winning porn star is collecting 'flags' and rating lovers from over 40 countries.

An award-winning Aussie-based porn star has rated the best lovers from over 40 different countries, and we're sorry Aussie men but... there may be more work to do to leave a long-lasting impression.

Coco, who currently resides in Queensland, has travelled the world as a porn star and is collecting as many "flags" as she can, saying she's had interactions with men from over 40 different countries. Coco states that sometimes the sexiest stereotypes do hold true, describing her Latino lovers as the most "intense" in the bedroom.

My rules are to count the country on his passport, not where the dude happens to be living at the time of our encounter. Ive had men from America, Canada, the UK, Israel, Australia, Haiti, El Salvador, Holland, Norway, Greece, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Ireland. Ireland, Belize, Djibouti, Nicaragua, Italy, Guatemala, Switzerland. Argentina Coco listed. And then Honduras, Costa Rica, Thailand, Russia... Albania, Brazil. India, Spain, Peru, Lebanon, Algeria, Croatia, Serbia. Armenia, Scotland, Ukraine and New Zealand.

Award-winning porn star Coco Bae. Photo: Instagram.com/cocosinstaworld

Coco's world tour and where Aussie men rank

On what has surprised her from meeting men from so many different cultures, Coco stated that more conservative cultures can tend to be more "out there" when it comes to sexual exploration.

RELATED:

Many of the conservative cultures enjoy the most out there acts. For example, I have come across many Arab and Indian dudes who really like booty action in various forms, Coco said.

But my lovers from Brazil were the most enjoyable to be with. They were just up for having fun; whichever way it happens.

Coco Bae said Aussie men can be quite vanilla. Photo: Instagram.com/cocosinstaworld/

And if Aussie men are wondering where they fall in the ranks, let's just say Coco has some words of potential encouragement.

"Australia is such a diverse melting pot!" she told Yahoo Lifestyle. "But if we are talking as Aussie as it gets, Id say theyre very simple and vanilla but Im happy to be proven wrong."

SHOP:

Coco also said some European countries, including Germany, produced some less spicy moments.

"On the positive side, I found they are aiming to please, so theyre always asking for feedback. 'What do I want? What do I prefer? What would I like to do next?'

Want the latest celebrity news? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Fashion entrepreneur and social media influencer Lisa McGowan paid herself 1.29m in pay and pension contributions in 2023.

New accounts filed by Ms McGowans Lisas Lust List Ltd show that, last year, she received 949,575 in pay and her package also included 342,001 in pension contributions.

She is the firms only director, and the bumper payout for 2023 follows Ms McGowan receiving 939,024 in pay from the firm in 2022.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 10th

At the end of December, the company was sitting on accumulated profits of 1.19m.

Ms McGowan, from Tullamore, Co Offaly, only started her online promotional work after she won the best-dressed lady competition at the Galway Races in 2016.

An insurance broker by profession in the family firm, the 51-year-old incorporated Lisas Lust List Ltd in November 2017.

The business has expanded in the past year with Ms McGowan now selling clothes, accessories and beauty products on her lisaslustlist.ie website under her Lisa & Co brand.

Ms McGowan also set up a new company, Jentro Ltd, last year as her online business continues to flourish.

The pay to Ms McGowan contributed to Lisas Lust List Ltd recording a modest loss of 27,240 for 2023 and this followed the firm recording a post-tax loss of 22,246 in 2022.

Ms McGowans commercial success was recognised during the year under review after she made the IMAGE PwC Entrepreneur of the Year shortlist for 2023.

Despite the large hike in the pay package to Ms McGowan for 2023, the cash pile at her firm increased from 1.19m to 1.31m last year.

The firm employed two people last year, including Ms McGowan, and the total paid out in salaries amounted to 969,575.

Ms McGowans Lisas Lust List site specialises in promoting products including fashion items, beauty, health, travel and homeware, mainly produced by Irish-based small to medium-sized enterprises.

The fashion bloggers Lisas Lust List Facebook page has 218,000 followers while her Lisas Lust List on Instagram has 177,000 followers  an overall 395,000 followers on the two social media platforms.

The businesswomans website says that her online stories are full of lustworthy fashion and beauty finds which she has sourced herself.
Company denies colluding during audits to help US investment firm engage in fraud

Insurance representatives for Grant Thorntons Irish arm will meet a mediator this month to see if a settlement can be thrashed out in a case linked to an action filed earlier this year. It has been accused of colluding during audits of a Florida investment firm to help it engage in fraudulent activity that resulted in a $400m (368m) black hole in the companys balance sheet.
Dispute centres around disagreement over alleged failure to divide up assets

The High Court has refused to grant the Duddy Hospitality Group injunctions, including one restraining receivers from selling a Dublin-based hotel.

Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy said he was also not prepared to grant the Duddy group orders restraining the UK-based Propiteer Group from appointing or removing directors to firms involved in the running of the IBIS Red Cow Hotel in Clondalkin, Dublin.

The judge said that while he was satisfied that the Duddy Group had raised a serious issue to be tried, he was not granting the injunctions because damages would be an adequate remedy if the plaintiffs are successful in the full action.

The judge said the plaintiffs had not identified significant factors to show that the risk of injustice was such that they should be given the injunctions.

The dispute between the parties, he said, was self-evidently a commercial dispute and the investment in the hotel was for no other purpose than to receive a commercial return.

The judge added that it was in the best interests of the parties that the matter be resolved as speedily as possible and said that he would facilitate an early hearing.

Had the injunctions been granted, they would have remained in place pending the outcome of the case.

In his ruling the judge said that assets, including the hotel, are at the centre of a dispute between the Duddy and Propiteer Groups over an alleged breach of an agreement to divide up assets the parties had jointly owned.

Arising out of the dispute Duddy Hospitality Ireland Holdings Limited, Brendan Duddy and Lawrence Duddy, which are all part of the Duddy group, sued Propiteer Ireland Holdings Limited, DADAC Ltd and Propiteer Ltd.

The plaintiffs have also sued Colin Sandy and David Marshall, who are principals of the Propiteer group.

The defendants opposed the injunction applications on several grounds, including that the plaintiffs had delayed in seeking the orders and that there had been wrongdoing and an absence of clean hands.

The judge said that both sides in the dispute had made allegations of misappropriation of funds, which were met with denials and explanations.

While the questions remain unanswered the judge said that he was not making any conclusion at this stage of the proceedings that there had been any alleged absence of clean hands.

Similarly the court was not prepared to dismiss the injunctions on the grounds of delay.

The Duddy group has sought orders preventing receivers, insolvency practitioners Ken Fennell and Andrew OLeary it claims were wrongfully appointed over the hotel by the defendants, from selling the business.

The Duddys claim that the sale of the hotel, originally due to take place late last year, would prejudice their position.

The Duddy Group also claims that the defendants have tried to remove directors from the boards of two companies associated with the hotel and had been seeking to replace them with their own nominees.

The defendant group, it is claimed, is not entitled to do this. All allegations of wrongdoing are denied.

The two groups had allegedly been partners in several joint ventures. After differences emerged between them in 2019 it was decided to divide up the shared assets and separate.

It is claimed that in 2020 the groups entered into settlement agreements regarding the various jointly held assets.

The Duddy group claims that as part of those arrangements it would get ownership and control of the IBIS Red Cow Hotel and related companies.

However, it claims that the Propiteer group breached the settlement agreements. It also claims that the defendant acquired the debt owed on the hotel, and has prevented the Duddy group from ultimately taking ownership of the hotel.

In its action the Duddy Group seeks orders including the specific performance of the agreements allegedly entered into by the parties in 2020, having been determined by the courts.

It also seeks orders removing the receivers appointed over certain assets, including the hotel.

The action is fully opposed.

The Popiteer group rejects claims that it has breached the agreement, or that it attempted to obstruct the plaintiffs efforts to obtain refinancing for the assets as alleged.

It also alleges that the settlement agreement has been superseded by a subsequent call-option agreement due to the plaintiffs alleged failure to satisfy certain conditions, including obtaining refinancing.

The receivers also deny any wrongdoing.

The matter will return before the court later this month.
Boeing deliveries in the first quarter were the lowest since mid-2021, highlighting how far the planemaker has to go on its road to recovery from a near-catastrophic accident early in January.

The company handed over 29 aircraft in March, a slight improvement from the 27 delivered in each of the first two months of the year, for a total of 83 in the quarter. The majority of those planes were 737 Max jets, underscoring that models importance for Boeings bottom line.

Boeing has slowed the pace of work on the 737 family to give workers and suppliers breathing room to catch up on damaged or missing parts and get its production lines back in order.

The steps are part of a broader effort to bolster the quality of its workmanship after a unnerving near-miss in January involving an airborne 737 Max that lost a large fuselage panel.

We wont rush or go too fast, Boeings chief financial officer Brian West said at an analyst conference last month. In fact, were deliberately going slow to get this right.

American regulators have capped narrowbody output at a 38-jet monthly pace until theyre satisfied the quality measures have taken root. But production continues to be well below that level, with Boeing delivering just 24 737s in March. Still, that figure is an improvement from February, when it only handed over 18 of the jets.

In the quarter, Boeing delivered 16 widebody jets, but none of its 777 freighters. Bloomberg has reported that the planemaker has been grappling with a shortfall in supplies, including the General Electric-made engines.

Orders rebounded during the month even with Boeings manufacturing travails, a reminder that demand is booming for new aircraft with output constrained at both Boeing and rival Airbus SE.

The US company booked 113 gross orders against two cancellations in March.

That included 85 Max 10 aircraft for American Airlines, eight 777X passenger jets for Ethiopian Airlines and another 20 of the twin-aisle jets for an unidentified customer. Five jets were removed from its backlog under US accounting rules for at-risk orders, although the deals remain on Boeings books.

Boeing tallied 131 gross orders during the first quarter, and 125 net orders including cancellations and the accounting adjustment. The company holds an order backlog of 5,591 aircraft.
While the US Department of Agriculture has said there's little safety risk, the outbreak is unsettling the industry, with cattle and milk prices taking a hit. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Fears are growing that the H5N1 outbreak among cattle in the United States could have been caused by contaminated animal feed.

In contrast to Britain and Europe, American farmers are still allowed to feed cattle and other farm animals ground-up waste from other animals including birds.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now has the safety of that policy under review, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Dairy cows across six US states  and at least one farm worker  have become infected with the highly pathogenic virus, which has already killed millions of animals across the globe since 2021.

The farm worker, who is thought to have been exposed via infected cattle in Texas, is only the second recorded human H5N1 case in the US  although 8,000 possible exposures are currently under investigation, according to Dr Joshua Mott, WHO senior advisor on influenza.

The development is of concern because it allows the virus, which has killed millions of birds and wild mammals around the world, more opportunities to mutate.

Experts fear that H5N1, which was only first detected in cows a few weeks ago, may have been transmitted through a type of cattle feed called poultry litter  a mix of poultry excreta, spilled feed, feathers, and other waste scraped from the floors of industrial chicken and turkey production plants.

In the UK and EU, feeding cows proteins from other animals has been tightly regulated since the outbreak of BSE  or mad cow disease  30 years ago.

Experts are unsure but fear it could be the poultry litter feed used in the US that has passed the virus to cattle.

In the US, the feeding of poultry litter to beef cows is a known factor in the cause of botulism in cattle, and is a risk in the case of H5N1, said Dr Steve Van Winden, Associate Professor in Population Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College.

Dr Tom Peacock, a virologist and fellow at the Pirbright Institute agreed: This latest case wouldnt be the first time there have been concerns H5N1 could be moving through different mammals via contaminated feed, citing the outbreak of avian flu in cats in Poland last year, which experts suspected might have been transmitted through mink byproducts used in raw cat food.

The US cattle industry is worth over $100 billion and regulations covering animal standards there have long been controversial in Europe  most famously over the use of hormones in the rearing of cattle for meat.

Although the presence of H5N1 in US cattle herds increases the risk of the virus getting into humans via farm workers, it is the spread of the virus to pig farms that presents the bigger threat.

This is because pigs have receptors on some cells that are similar to humans, making it much more likely that the virus could mutate and jump to humans if pig farms become infected.

So far, the virus hasnt shown any signs of worrying mutation, however.

Infection of H5N1 in pigs is of particular concern  they are highly susceptible to human influenza virus strains so could act as mixing vessels for avian and human viruses to mix and generate viruses that can more efficiently infect humans, said Dr Tom Peacock.

Poultry litter is not only cheaper than other food sources like soy and grains but is also more calorie-dense, meaning farmers can bulk up their herds much more quickly.

According to previous statements by the FDA, the practice is safe: With respect to pathogenic microorganisms, drug residues and contaminants in poultry litter, FDA is not aware of any data showing that the use of poultry litter in cattle feed is posing human or animal health risks that warrant restrictions on its use, the agency previously noted.

However, this decision is now under review, the agency told The Telegraph on Tuesday.

There are several other theories on how the H5N1-infected cattle  so far identified in Texas, Idaho, Kansas, Ohio, New Mexico, and Michigan  contracted the virus.

Many experts argue that the most likely route of infection is via wild birds  which have been found dead on some farms.

The spread of this around the world comes back to wild and wild bird populations and where they land and where their faeces goes, stressed the WHOs Dr Johsua Mott.

At some point, the contact with wild birds in the environment produced virus that then the cows had exposure to, but how that exposure happened is what many people are trying to figure out, he added.

It is also unclear if the virus is spreading from animal to animal, said Dr Mott.

On each farm, multiple creatures have been infected but this could be because they are eating from a common source of infection  feed or wild birds  rather than passing it on to another.

The director of ruminant health for the United States Department of Agriculture, Mark Lyons, suggested at a meeting last week the virus could be potentially transmitted by contamination of workers clothing, or the suction cups that are attached to cow udders during milking.

However, others argue that poultry litter as a potential source of contamination cannot be ruled out.

The flu can be spread by faecal-oral routes, and so its not an impossible scenario that chickens who are infected with H5N1 are shedding live virus through faces, which the cattle then consume, and so it is a potential mechanism of transmission, although there are other explanations, said Dr Brian Ferguson, Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Cambridge.

The BSE scandal showed us the reality of what happens when biosecurity is not a priority, and showed us that it really does need to be prioritised  which is not always the case, because of the economics involved, he added.

Despite large-scale culling in poultry flocks during outbreaks to limit spread, it seems a similar approach will not be taken for cattle.

The CDC has advised farmers with affected herds to dispose of milk produced by infected cattle, although it is thought that the pasteurisation process also destroys the virus  meaning the risk to humans consuming animal products remains low.

At present, the WHO has said the risk to humans is considered low, but that surveillance efforts must be kept up.

There were 12 of H5N1 cases globally in 2023, and a similar pace so far in 2024. Since it emerged in 1996, there have been over 800 cases globally.

So you get a sense that theres nothing unprecedented about the number of human cases were seeing  but we have to watch the virus. We have to watch the epidemiology, to see if its changing in some way, said Dr Mott.

Telegraph.co.uk
Tirlan, Irelands largest co-operative, has launched the Farming for Water: River Slaney Project, an initiative designed to enhance water quality across the Slaney River catchment area in counties Wexford, Carlow, and Wicklow.

The multi-year programme will include a series of combined projects, actions and activities led by Tirlan in collaboration with key stakeholders including Teagasc, professional services firm ifac, Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), County Councils and the wider community.

The River Slaney Project will be closely aligned with the Governments 60 million European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Farming for Water project aimed at improving water quality at local, catchment, and national levels.

Tirlan has said that these efforts will be crucial to help make the best possible case for Ireland to successfully retain the Nitrates Derogation from 2026.

John Murphy, Tirlan Chairperson, said: We want to ensure that Tirlan, alongside our farmers, do everything we can and make the best possible case for Ireland to successfully retain the Nitrates Derogation into 2026 and beyond.

We believe that the River Slaney project will show that it is possible to farm at current levels and maintain good water quality.

Actions are set to be taken across all farming enterprises, dairy, grain and drystock, and in the wider communities.

Launching the project, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue called for a collective effort to make real improvements to water quality in key regions to ensure Ireland and Irish farmers secure the Nitrates Derogation from 2026.

This collaborative approach whereby farmers work alongside communities and authorities to improve water quality provides a framework for how we can work together to deliver on our regulatory and environmental responsibilities, and for the benefit of all people and nature in the area, he said.

A team of Tirlan farm advisors will focus on improving farm economic and environmental performance to address water quality challenges, while protecting biodiversity.

The advisory service will focus on better nutrient use, improved milk solids, farm infrastructure and slurry storage capacity.

It aims to transform the Slaney from one highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water testing programme as a catchment of concern to one that provides best practice in how partnerships and collaboration can deliver real and meaningful changes and improvements that work for farmers, local communities, and the wider environment together.
Despite being newly-promoted to Taoiseach Harris old post of Minister for Further and Higher Education, things were not always sweet between Patrick ODonovan and the countrys new leader.

In 2021, Minister ODonovan, then junior minister in charge of the Office of Public Works (OPW), allegedly led a sting operation against Mr Harris to see if he was leaking sensitive information.

The so-called sting operation was run by the Limerick TD at the time to see whether a cabinet minister leaked details of Katherine Zappones appointment as a UN envoy.

Simon Harris becomes Irelands youngest Taoiseach

Mr ODonovan allegedly looked to expose Mr Harris by pretending to be on a radio station talking about the Zappone appointment to see whether that minister would tell a journalist.

Following this, it was alleged that he reported what he found back to then-Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael Leo Varadkar. However Mr Varadkar chose to ignore the evidence presented to him.

It was reported at the time that Mr ODonovan allegedly boasted to his party colleagues about his role in the sting operation, however, the former primary school teacher denied these claims.

Speaking to Limericks Live95 Radio Station in September 2021, Mr ODonovan said he was not going to comment on anything that goes on in the Fine Gael parliamentary party.

He added that these discussions held in the party are private saying thats how I operate.

At the time, Sinn Fein used Dail privilege to name Minister Harris as the Cabinet member who leaked the information about the appointment of Katherine Zappone as a special envoy.

Minister Harris denied the accusation and said that he is seriously considering lodging a complaint over extraordinary misuse of Dail privilege.

Mr ODonovan and Mr Harris were also both called on to take a polygraph or lie detector test regarding the alleged sting operation by Senator Ronan Mullen in September 2021.

At this stage, the minister, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, should be invited to take a polygraph test because the public is concerned, Senator Mullen told the Seanad.

He said people would be greatly interested and that it is a matter of public interest.

However, then Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan dismissed suggestions that he should take a polygraph test, telling Limericks Live95 that it was not a reasonable one.

He said it was something that he could not take seriously in a modern parliament.

Now two and a half years later, newly elected Taoiseach Simon Harris has promoted Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick ODonovan, who assumes his party leaders old posting.

Before the Cabinet reshuffle yesterday, Mr Harris confirmed that he would not be taking into consideration the previous controversy between the two.

Speaking in Galway at his first Fine Gael ard fheis as party leader on Friday, Mr Harris said he would not be taking into account rumours about a sting operation into leaking.

Mr ODonovan, standing beside Mr Harris at the convention, was asked whether he would be leading any further sting operations on Mr Harris in future.

He replied: I have a very good relationship with the leader and I always have and I always will.
Attack victim Natasha OBrien: My issue is not with Cathal Crotty, its with the system. Its not about head-hunting  its a lot bigger than him
The Supreme Courts judgment in Graham Dwyers murder conviction appeal will be delivered after it has given a ruling in two appeals raising similar issues about the admissibility of phone data at trials.
Trinity College Dublin has been ranked top of the class in Ireland and is the best-performing Irish university globally when it comes to subject rankings.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 survey found Trinity has 22 subjects in the top 100 internationally, with five in the best 50.

Irelands three best-performing subject entries belong to Trinity, with English language and literature 21st, nursing 26th and pharmacy and pharmacology in joint 26th.

Ben Sowter, senior vice-president at analytics firm QS, said: Irelands continued improvement in QS subject rankings is a testament to its resilience and its position as a high-quality destination for international study.

With increasing international competition, Irelands institutions would do well to prioritise their strengths in academic and employer reputation, showcasing their real world impact for students.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 10th

Ireland is faring well in general, according to the study, with 52 programmes in the top 100 and 107 entries in the top 200.

The study also found Trinity had moved up the rankings in 20 subjects this year, more than any other Irish university.

It was the top performer for academic reputation and research citations per paper, leading the country in its research excellence and academic collaboration.

UCD leads in employer reputation, showcasing excellence in graduate employability and industry partnerships, the report notes. Nursing achieves the countrys highest score in this metric.

Meanwhile, UCD was found to be Irelands most-represented university, with 43 entries  16 in the world top 100 and four in the top 50.

The university achieved its highest ranking in library and information management, placing 27th.

Eleven Irish universities performed well in general. Out of the 184 programmes measured, 29pc climbed the table and 42pc remained stable, while 22pc dropped down the rankings.

Irish universities had 10 subject entries in the worlds top 50 for their relevant fields. Four of these subjects are arts and humanities and four are life sciences. Ireland had its most-rated programmes in social sciences, with 50 entries compared with 37 for arts and humanities.

The rankings provide analysis on the performance of more than 16,400 individual university programmes, taken by students at more than 1,500 universities in 96 locations across the world.
The Newcastle Road in Seaforde was closed on Monday along with several roads in Ballynahinch town centre (stock image via Google Street View)

A pensioner who was knocked down by a lorry in Ballynahinch, Co Down, before he was discovered in Seaforde has been named locally as Giovanni Buggea.

Mr Buggea, who was in his 70s, had been carried for several miles after he was struck by a white HGV Renault lorry in The Square, Ballynahinch, on Monday.

Police were called after the mans body was found at quarry premises on Newcastle Road, Seaforde, shortly after 4pm the same day.

Mark Murnin, who owns Paddy Kelly's pub in Ballynahinch, said Mr Buggea was "a lovely man" and said he came across a shoe lying on the road on Monday.

"It's only when I got a call from police that two and two were put together," he told the BBC.

According to Mr Murnin, Mr Buggea was originally from Sicily.

Inspector Cherith Adair from the PSNIs Collision Investigation Unit said: Officers attended the scene alongside colleagues from other emergency services.

A number of roads were closed for a time between Seaforde and Ballynahinch town centre in order to enable police enquiries into exactly what occurred."

The roads affected have now reopened.

A full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the road traffic collision is currently ongoing.

We would appeal to anyone with any information or who may have dash-cam or mobile phone footage available to get in touch.

We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have footage of both The Square area in Ballynahinch and the Newcastle Road, Seaforde between 3.30pm and 4pm, to contact us at the Collision Investigation Unit at Sprucefield on 101, quoting reference number 1239 08/04/24.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said crews had attended a serious incident.

Sinn Feins South Down MP Chris Hazzard said: Its tragic news that a man has died in a road traffic collision and I want to firstly extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

The community is shocked and heartbroken at this incident and I know they will rally around to support the mans family in what will be difficult days ahead

I also want to pay tribute to the emergency services for their efforts at the scene and would appeal to anyone with information to bring it forward to police.

This is another sad reminder of the pressing need to move forward and deliver the Ballynahinch Bypass.

DUP councillor Jonny Jackson said it had been a very sad day in Ballynahinch.

"Im thinking of the family that has been bereaved in such tragic circumstances, and thankful to the police and emergency services who had to deal with a very difficult situation last night.

Alliance councillor David Lee-Surginor also paid tribute to the victim: My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the man who tragically passed away.

I extend my gratitude to the NIAS and PSNI for their swift response to the incident. While we wait for the PSNI to conclude their investigation into the circumstances of this tragedy, my thoughts are with everyone who was involved in the incident, as Im sure it was traumatising for everyone involved.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 10th

On Monday afternoon, the PSNI said several roads were closed in Ballynahinch town centre, including the junction of Harmony Road and Windmill Street, Church Street, Church Road, Dromore Road and Dromore Street, due to a road traffic incident.

The A24 Newcastle Road in Seaforde was also closed with local diversions in place.

A spokesperson for the NIAS said: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 4.12pm on Monday following reports of an incident in the Newcastle Road area of Seaforde.

NIAS despatched two emergency crews to the incident.

No patients were transported to hospital.
Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee is congratulated by Taoiseach Simon Harris after receiving her seal of office from President Michael D Higgins. Pic: Mark Condren

Taoiseach Simon Harris has played it safe with a conservative cabinet reshuffle despite his promise of new energy.

The new Fine Gael leader put geography ahead of gender as he handed promotion to men from the midlands and Munster.

Government sources insist there is strong logic behind keeping the rest of Leo Varadkars team in place, including concerns that the civil service would run rings around new ministers if there was wholesale change.

But the Irish Independent can also reveal details of the intense lobbying behind the scenes that influenced Mr Harriss choices over recent days.

Former tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald is said to have been instrumental in saving Justice Minister Helen McEntee from demotion.

And Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys pushed for Limerick TD Patrick ODovovan to take over as Minister for Further and Higher Education.

The two women are close confidantes of the new Taoiseach.

Harriss early days in politics were spent working for Fitzgerald, while his first appointment after taking over the Fine Gael leadership was to make Humphreys his deputy.

The appointment of Westmeath TD Peter Burke as Enterprise Minister was widely predicted.

It means Galway TD Hildegarde Naughton missed out on a full cabinet role, but she remains as Government Chief Whip and will take on new responsibilities in the area of disabilities, which Mr Harris has set as a priority. He also appointed Jennifer Carroll MacNeill as Minister of European Affairs.

A further shake-up of junior ministries is expected tomorrow, with Neale Richmond in line to take over from Ms Carroll MacNeill in the Department of Finance. He will be tasked with drafting Fine Gael tax policy.

Extra: Simon Harris becomes Taoiseach and a new cabinet is confirmed

Mayo TD Alan Dillon, Dublin Mid-West TD Emer Higgins and Cork North Central TD Colm Burke are also tipped for promotion.

A senior government source defended the small reshuffle last night, saying the Taoiseach had concerns the civil service would prevent novice ministers from enacting significant reforms less than a year out from a general election.

The most radical move considered by Mr Harris was dropping Helen McEntee from the justice portfolio, where she struggled to make an impact in recent months.

But an intervention from Ms Fitzgerald, who is a former justice minister, along with the departure of Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney from the Cabinet convinced him to keep her in position. However, Mr Harris, who pledged to make a law and order a central plank of his Fine Gael leadership, told Ms McEntee he intends to work closely with her on justice issues.

His co-chief of staff, Sarah Bardon, will also play a key role in overseeing justice briefings from the Department of the Taoiseach.

He definitely changed his mind on Helen. She has not delivered in that position at all. It was Peter [Burke] who was going to get it, a former minister close to Mr Harris said.

Frances is the most influential person now with the man himself [Simon Harris]. She pointed to the difficulties for a newcomer in getting a handle on that department, with all the various issues crossing the ministers desk.

It is also understood the appointment of Mr ODonovan was decided by Mr Harris at the weekend.

The Indo Daily Extra: Simon Harris becomes Taoiseach and a new cabinet is confirmed

That was on the cards for the last three to four days. The notion that he could have left Munster without a cabinet minister was ludicrous. He realised it late last week, a former minister said.

Mr ODonovan was tipped for the Chief Whip job, but a source said Mr ODonovan could not be appointed as Chief Whip as he is not good at bringing people together.

His appointment means Fine Gael does have a minister in every province, and government sources also noted that the Taoiseach has three male and three female ministers.

However, Fine Gael backbench TDs and senators criticised the party leader for an underwhelming reshuffle.

One source said it did not reflect the major push for a new energy within the party in recent weeks and at the ard fheis.

Helen McEntee not being moved out of the Department of Justice despite speculation this would happen in recent weeks came in for criticism.

There also has been some criticism of the lack of women promoted to senior roles in the Cabinet, with Labour leader Ivana Bacik telling the Dail: Its a pity we havent seen more women elevated to the Cabinet, I must say that.

One party source also agreed with this assessment, but another figure said it was far more important to be geographically balanced at this reshuffle.

Another TD said there is still a good gender balance among the senior party ministers.
Chief Medical Officer discusses the importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing measles

Two outbreaks of measles have been reported in private homes, with seven people infected as a result of the virus being passed on, it has emerged.

It comes as the number of confirmed cases in Ireland has risen to 13, with 19 under investigation.

In one of the outbreaks in private homes, four people were struck by the illness, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

It is likely one of the members of the household got the highly contagious infection and then transmitted it to others under the same roof.

A second outbreak led to three members of a household coming down with measles, signalling that cases are no longer just being spread by trips abroad but that the virus is circulating within the country.

Public health experts aim to prevent the infection from gaining ground in the community, which would make it much more difficult to control.

A man in his 40s died of measles after returning to Co Westmeath from the UK, while two airline passengers were found to have the infection.

This led to an alert to others who were also travelling on the same plane.

Another case was reported in the west and a further confirmed case has also emerged in the south-east of the country, according to doctors.

Figures indicate that take-up rates of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are below 90pc but the true level is not known because there is no central immunisation register.

Dr Paddy Kelly, a GP in Kildare who is the clinical lead on immunisation in the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), said vaccine hesitancy is complex.

Complacency, convenience and confidence are the three factors we need to address, he added.

A vaccination campaign is currently being rolled out by GPs and by the HSE, which is organising vaccination clinics.

Infected people are considered contagious from about five days before the onset of a rash to four days afterwards.

Meanwhile, new research to be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona later this month shows that the level of antibodies in men who receive two doses of the mpox vaccine falls to low or zero within the first few months if they have not received a previous smallpox vaccine.

Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, which can be spread from person to person through close contact.

It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever.

The researchs authors, who include Dr Klara Sonden, the deputy state epidemiologist of Swedens public health agency, say that a booster vaccination may be needed in the long term.

An mpox outbreak emerged globally in May 22.

Vaccinations are available free in Ireland and anyone who thinks they have the virus is asked to self-isolate until the rash has healed.
Children failed by NHS amid toxic debate on gender identity, major review finds

Dr Hilary Cass led the report into the Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People (Dr Hilary Cass/PA)

Irelands national organisation supporting LGBTQ+ young people has responded to a much-awaited report into gender care in the UK, saying Ireland urgently needs a healthcare service for young trans people.

The statement from BelongTo comes after a long-awaited review in the UK found that vulnerable children seeking gender care are being let down by the NHS amid a row of exceptional toxicity about trans rights in Britain.

The independent report, published on Wednesday, says young people with gender dysphoria are being treated in a system underpinned by remarkably weak research, gaps in mental health care and unusual clinical practice.

The review, led by distinguished paediatrician and former Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health president Dr Hilary Cass, warns that the polarisation and stifling of debate by adults has not only let children down but hampered medical and scientific progress in the area, with healthcare professionals afraid to openly discuss their views.

It said studies had been cynically exaggerated or misrepresented by people on all sides, while doctors are pursuing life-changing treatment on young people despite a profound lack of evidence. Addressing the children directly impacted by failings, Dr Cass said: Research has let us all down, most importantly you.

One childrens campaigner said the report, commissioned after a steep rise in the numbers of children and young people using the NHS for help around their gender, should be seen as a watershed moment which will give Britain the opportunity to dismantle the existing barriers.

A recorded number of Irish patients travel to the UK every year for gender care.

The review, which has taken nearly four years to complete, also found that:

Gender identity treatment for youngsters has been based on remarkably weak evidence

Puberty blockers and hormone treatment had been given to young patients despite a lack of research into their impact

The gender care service is not operating to the same standards as other health services for children and young people

Knowledge of experienced clinicians has been dismissed and invalidated due to the polarised nature of the conversation

Professionals are afraid to openly discuss their views and therefore shut down the debate at the expense of young patients

BelongTo issued a statement from an Irish perspective this morning, writing; We all want a healthcare service that centres the safety and wellbeing of young people - no matter what we look like or how we identify. But for trans young people and their families, accessing healthcare is like knocking on a closed door, as here in Ireland, we currently have no healthcare service at all for young trans people.

This needs to be urgently rectified to allow young people and their families access to vital care, supports and information to help them make decisions about what is best for them. Currently, trans young people and their families cannot get the information, supports and referral pathways they need to understand whether accessing gender-affirming care is the right option for them or not.

They continued;

When concerns were raised about Tavistock in the UK, the NHS commissioned an independent review  the Cass Review, published 10 April 2024. That review identifies some failings and many opportunities for learning. In Ireland, we have an opportunity to learn from the UKs Cass Review, to learn from international best practice guidelines, and to create a safe model of healthcare for trans young people in Ireland. Belong To will conduct an analysis of the Cass Review to better inform our understanding of care for trans young people.

This learning can help us to build a model of care in Ireland that meets the needs of trans people of all ages. Such a model would holistically attend to trans peoples physical, mental and social health needs and wellbeing, while respectfully affirming their gender identity. It would provide wraparound healthcare and supports for trans people and their families, in their local communities. Most importantly, it would make young trans people happier and safer.

We know from our own research that lots of people in Ireland dont actually know any trans people personally.

"Theyve never had to think about trans healthcare or the discrimination that trans people might face in their daily lives. So they need space to inform themselves and reflect on these issues, and realise that trans people arent this controversial group at the centre of a really overblown debate  theyre just regular people  they could be their neighbour or their colleagues kid.

There are trans young people across Ireland and their families who are tuning into relentless public debates about their lives. We need to remember the impact this can have on their mental health and wellbeing.

"For any trans young people who are feeling scared or worried right now, please know that Belong To and a wide number of organisations are working to create an Ireland where you are equal, safe and valued. We offer young people a safe space to explore their sexual orientation, gender identity and various LGBTQ+ topics without fear of judgement, harassment or discrimination.

Theyve encouraged people to contact them if they need help.

In a foreword to the report, Dr Cass said: There are few other areas of healthcare where professionals are so afraid to openly discuss their views, where people are vilified on social media, and where name-calling echoes the worst bullying behaviour. This must stop.

Discussing the difficulties she faced while working on the review  including engaging with groups both keen on gender affirmation and those wanting a more cautious approach  she added: The surrounding noise and increasingly toxic, ideological and polarised public debate has made the work of the review significantly harder and does nothing to serve the children and young people who may already be subject to significant minority stress.

Ultimately, weve got to find a way to put the animosity aside to come to a shared consensus and to find the best possible way forward for children and young people and their families.

The report, commissioned in 2020, highlights problems spanning the whole care of children  from when they first question their gender, right through to when they may receive medical treatment.

Dr Cass said children needing medical intervention were not getting wider support in managing their mental health problems or even getting counselling to work through their questions.

She said she had grown increasingly worried about the numbers of young people in distress, on a waiting list, not getting the appropriate services, at risk. And thats not OK. Its just not acceptable, she added.

The report, which runs to nearly 400 pages, lays out 32 recommendations on how to ensure youngsters who are confused about their gender get a standard of care that is safe, holistic and effective, such as screening for neurodevelopmental conditions  like autism and a mental health assessment.

Among the reviews recommendations are calls for NHS England to put a full programme of research in place to analyse the characteristics and outcomes of every young person who uses gender services.

Dr Cass also urged the NHS to review its policy on giving children masculinising or feminising hormones from the age of 16, saying there should be a clear clinical rationale for providing hormones at this age, rather than waiting until they turn 18.

While NHS England last month confirmed puberty blockers would no longer be given to children outside research trials, 16-year-olds can still be given hormones in the form of testosterone or oestrogen.

Young people aged 17-25 should have a follow-through service for care instead of going straight into adult services, the review said, while those who have not yet reached puberty should have a separate pathway so they and their parents or carers are prioritised for early discussion with a professional with relevant experience.

The NHS also needs to take a more cautious approach when it comes to social transitioning  ie where someone might change their pronouns, name and/or clothing  for children, she said.

The review into services was launched following the exposure of a high-profile scandal at the Tavistock and Portman Foundation Trust which faced a lawsuit in 2019 following concerns children were being given puberty-blocking drugs without robust data or evidence.

On the issue of puberty blockers, Dr Cass said she had been disappointed by the lack of evidence on the long-term impact of taking hormones from an early age.

Reviewers said children who faced lengthy waits for NHS care were even turning to private services and able to obtain unregulated and potentially dangerous hormone supplies over the internet.

Dr Cass was asked to review gender identity services (GIDS) for children in 2020. NHS England said at the time that the review was established in response to a range of issues including a rise in referrals to the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust from just under 250 in 2011/12 to more than 5,000 in 2021/22.

Figures uncovered in the final report show referrals to GIDS for children rose significantly from 2014 with young females making up the large proportion of new referrals.

Professor Steve Turner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), said the review was a massive undertaking and the college will closely consider the reports recommendations.

For some time now, rising demand for gender identity services across the UK has led to significant waiting times for children with gender-related distress, leaving these young people particularly underserved and vulnerable, he added.

Its obvious that more resources are needed to address the holistic health needs of this young cohort.

NHS England said it welcomes the review and will set out a full implementation plan but has already written to local NHS leaders asking them to pause offering a first appointment at gender clinics to those who have not yet reached their 18th birthday.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said: Weve seen a sharp rise in recent years of children, particularly adolescent girls, questioning their gender.

I welcome Dr Cass expert review which urges treating these children, who often have complex needs, with great care and compassion.

We simply do not know the long-term impacts of medical treatment or social transitioning on them, and we should therefore exercise extreme caution.

We acted swiftly on Dr Cass interim report to make changes in schools and our NHS, providing comprehensive guidance for schools and stopping the routine use of puberty blockers, and we will continue to ensure we take the right steps to protect young people. The wellbeing and health of children must come first.
MEPs will today vote on a package of new laws on migration, known as The New Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The new Migration and Asylum Pact is a package of 10 laws drawn up after years of negotiations that aim to get European Union countries to act together on migration.

Charities have said the reform of asylum policies would make it harder for refugees to seek protection.

Agreed by EU member states in December amid pressure from far-right parties, the pact took several years to negotiate.

The major overhaul of migration rules could see Ireland deporting a significant number of people back to other EU countries where they had first sought asylum protection.

The vote will see the State committing to enhanced security checks, a fast-track return of undocumented migrants and a faster, legally binding time frame for application decisions.

Under the revised rules, migrants arriving in Ireland who have sought or been granted asylum in another member state will face a more rigorous process of being returned.

The measure is expected to act as a deterrent for those travelling to Ireland from another EU country.

Between 50pc and 70pc of migrants arriving in Ireland have travelled through another EU country.

The updating of the Eurodac regulation (the EU fingerprint database) will give more information on how many secondary applicants are arriving in Ireland.

The strengthened rules will place an obligation on EU member states to process asylum applications quicker, to take back secondary applicants faster and provide for a more streamlined process by which the requests are made.

Ms McEntee said: The aim of the pact is to align asylum procedures right across the EU.

We will have quicker processing times, which will be mandatory. We will have a more comprehensive return policy which will be of particular benefit to Ireland, as so much of migration here involves secondary movement.

In other words, people who have already sought or been granted asylum in other member states.

It will also provide for more enhanced security checks, so that we can identify at earlier stages someone who might be a risk.

The legislation will provide for a complete replacement of the International Protection Act 2015, and give legally binding time frames for making decisions on international protection applications and appeals.

We know that the quicker an application is turned around, the quicker and easier it is to remove a person with a negative decision or to support a person to integrate into the community.

There will be a greater focus on efficient returns in unsuccessful applicants. There will be accelerated processing, including for those from safe countries, those who have false or no documents and those who have crossed borders illegally.

There will be a new border procedure to quickly process people who are particularly unlikely to be granted international protection.

She said that a new solidarity mechanism will require countries to either make financial contributions or to agree to relocate some asylum seekers, particularly from countries facing migrant pressures.

This is a mechanism which Ireland could indeed benefit from in the future, she said.

There will also be expansion into the categories of migrants who will be fingerprinted and will be checked against the Eurodac database.

The updated system, expected to come into effect in 2026, will give better data on trends on the movement of people.

Other biometric data will include facial imaging, while an enhanced security screening will flag any issues on the new system.

Ireland will also be under an obligation to publish a report every year setting out the movement of migrants, showing particular trends as well as updating its capacity.

While it is difficult to predict the movement of people, it is understood that the measures will have an impact on the number of migrants arriving in Ireland.
Simon Harris outside Dail Eireann in Dublin after becoming Taoiseach. Photo: Maxwell Photography

From the TikTok Taoiseach to Irelands youngest ever prime minister, news of Simon Harriss appointment is being reported across the globe to audiences from all walks of life.

Whether it is Taoiseach or prime minister being attributed as the job title, readers from the US all the way to China are learning about the Fine Gael frontman.

But how exactly are some of the worlds top publications treating the news of his appointment?

Time

Time magazine is based in New York and known worldwide for its iconic cover photos. It reported that following the shock resignation of Leo Varadkar, Mr Harris has been sworn in as the Republic of Irelands youngest Prime Minister.

The magazine described the 37-year-old as the TikTok Taoiseach for his social media prowess. However, it adds that his time as leader could be a short one, with an election looming.

New York Times

Continuing the New York theme, the famous newspaper used a quote in its headline stating Mr Harris has always been hungry for this.

The first line of the report informed readers that the new Taoiseach dropped out of university in 2008.

The article details that it all culminated in a swift political rise to a post he has long aspired to.

However, it said that while Mr Harris has reached the top of his centre-right party, Fine Gael has stagnated in the polls and his time as Taoiseach may also be short-lived.

Support for traditional parties has waned in the wake of a cost-of-living crisis and a severe housing shortage, it adds.

The Guardian

The UKs left-wing liberal daily said Simon Harris has pledged to invigorate Irelands ruling coalition after being elected the countrys youngest Taoiseach.

The article described Mr Harris as being from a working-class family in Greystones, Co Wicklow. It states that he dropped out of college to focus on political activism and later built support among Fine Gael grassroots while hopscotching through cabinet positions.

BBC

The UKs public service broadcaster put Irish words to the fore in their article on Irelands newest leader, although they ensured that readers could fully understand their meaning.

Simon Harris has been elected as Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) by members of the Dail (Irish parliament), the introduction reads.

It informed readers that the new Taoiseach pledged to guard and honour his role "as protector and guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement".

The article mentions a story from Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, who said she thought Mr Harris was on a school tour when she first saw him in the Dail in 2011.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 10th

South China Morning Post

The South China Morning Post, published in the country where TikTok originated, also called Mr Harris the TikTok Taoiseach in its headline.

The Hong-Kong-based paper said Mr Harris will be hoping his social media skills and fresh face can save his Fine Gael partys flagging fortunes as elections loom.

The article adds: With 1.4 million likes on TikTok, and hundreds of thousands of followers on both X and Instagram, Harris posts content almost daily to his audience.

But some of his videos and remarks have been seen as trying too hard to appeal to the younger generation.

During a stormy parliamentary committee meeting, Harris told the group: Chillax  I think everyone needs to take a step back here.

All the young people know what chillax is, he said in parliament the next day.

Al Jazeera

Broadcaster Al Jazeera, which reaches 430 million homes worldwide and is funded in part by the Qatari government, said Simon Harris becomes Irelands youngest-ever prime minister.

It said the former health and higher education minister best known for helping steer Irelands initial response to the Covid-19 pandemic, was elected unopposed.

They added that Harriss election as prime minister caps a meteoric political rise, detailing his move from the youth branch of Fine Gael at the age of 16 up through its ranks.

The Jerusalem Post

The Israel-based Jerusalem Post leads with the headline: New Irish PM on Gaza: Reason has been replaced by revenge.

It states how Mr Harris, Irelands youngest-ever prime minister, affirmed on Saturday his willingness to recognise a Palestinian state, condemned Hamas, and called for the release of hostages.

Harris also, however, condemned Israels conduct in its war against the jihadist group, it reads.

The article adds: Harris said that in Gaza, reason has been replaced by revenge, by bombing, by maiming, and by the death of children."

It also says he referenced famine, saying it was a spectre no Irish person can bear.
Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Wednesday, the Palestinian Islamist group and Haniyeh's family said.

The three sons - Hazem, Amir and Mohammad - were killed after the car they were driving in was bombed in Gaza's Al-Shati camp, Hamas said.

Four of Haniyeh's grandchildren, three girls and a boy, were also killed in the attack, Hamas said.

Haniyeh told pan-Arab Al Jazeera TV: "Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them.

The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position.

"The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people," Haniyeh, who is based abroad in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, added.

Haniyeh has been the tough-talking face of Hamas' international diplomacy as war with Israel has raged on in the Gaza Strip, where his family home was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike back in November.

Ismail Haniyeh (AP)

Hamas said on Tuesday it was studying an Israeli ceasefire proposal but that it was "intransigent" and did not meet any of the Palestinian demands.

In the seventh month of a war in which Israel's air and ground offensive has devastated the coastal enclave of Gaza, Hamas wants an end to Israeli military operations and a withdrawal from the enclave, and permission for displaced Palestinians to return home.

Haniyeh's eldest son confirmed in a Facebook post that his three brothers were killed.

Thanks to God who honoured us by the martyrdom of my brothers, Hazem, Amir and Mohammad and their children," wrote Abdel-Salam Haniyeh.

Appointed to the militant group's top job in 2017, Haniyeh has moved between Turkey and Qatar's capital Doha, avoiding Israeli-imposed travel restrictions in blockaded Gaza and enabling him to act as a negotiator in the latest ceasefire negotiations, or communicate with Hamas' main ally Iran.

Israel regards the entire Hamas leadership as terrorists, accusing Haniyeh and other leaders of continuing to "pull the strings of the Hamas terror organisation".

But how much Haniyeh knew about the October 7 cross-border attack on Israel by Gaza-based militants beforehand is not clear.

The attack plan, drawn up by the Hamas military council in Gaza, was such a closely guarded secret that some Hamas officials abroad seemed shocked by its timing and scale.
Minister of State roles granted to Fine Gael TDs who missed out on Cabinet positions after Taoiseach Harris reshuffled his ministerial ranks

Taoiseach Simon Harris has given Minister of State roles to Fine Gael TDs who missed out on Cabinet positions after he reshuffled his ministerial ranks.

Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond has been appointed as a Minister of State in the Department of Finance by Mr Harris.

The Dublin Rathdown TD replaces Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in the position which has responsibility for financial services, insurance and Credit Unions.

Mr Richmond was one of the first TDs to public endorse Mr Harris for the Taoiseachs job when Leo Varadkar announced his intention to step down.

Due to his performance during Brexit it was speculated that he would get the European Affairs role.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 10th

However, Ms McNeill was appointed Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence yesterday afternoon when Mr Harris was announcing his Cabinet team. She replaced Peter Burke who became Minister for Enterprise.

Dublin Midwest TD Emer Higgins will replace Mr Richmond as Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise where she will have responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail.

Limerick City TD Kieran ODonnell is to be appointed as Minister of State for the Office of Public Works where he will replace Patrick ODonovan who was appointed as Higher Education Minister.

Mayo TD Alan Dillon will be a Minister of State in Department of Housing and Cork North Central TD Colm Burke will be Minister of State in the Department of Health.

Martin Heydon will remain as Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD for Mayo Michael Ring said he turned down an offer from new Taoiseach Simon Harris to become a junior minister.

Speaking to Midwest Radio, Mr Ring said he was offered two different junior ministerial roles but declined both.

I was offered a junior minister and I declined it on the basis that one of the commitments was that they were expecting me to stand in the next general election and I havent made up my mind in relation to that.

The second thing is I have been a senior minister and I have been a junior minister. I have done all that, I was nine-and-a-half-years a minister. I believe this Government has only, no matter what happens, about nine months to run.

I believe that taking a junior minister now, I dont think I could deliver on anything in nine months.

Mr Ring (70) said he had given the offer a lot of thought but concluded it wasnt for me at this stage in his life.

He said he was offered two junior ministries without any spending power.

I have given this everything and I just feel in the next nine months, its not enough time. Leo Varadkar caught us all out.

Really the time I should have got this offer was after the last general election after topping the poll for Fine Gael, after being the only Fine Gael TD in the whole country that topped the poll. I got almost 15,000 votes.

He also said he felt there was too much Dublin in the Cabinet following the 2020 general election and was against his party going into coalition with Fianna Fail following the last election.
The new Taoiseach goes on TikTok to outline how busy he is after Mary Lou McDonald complains he failed to show up for work.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald have traded videos online in a row over his failure to show up in the Dail today.

The absence of the Taoiseach from a slot usually reserved for Leaders' Questions firstly led to a row in the Chamber.

But Ms McDonald then recorded a video outside Leinster House in which she questioned why he hadnt shown up.

Less than an hour later, Mr Harris posted his own video on X and TikTok in which he is sitting at his desk in Government Buildings. He outlines what he has been doing during his first 24 hours in the job.

It has emerged that among his reasons for not taking the usual slot for Leaders Questions was a need to take phonecalls with world leaders, including the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill.

After 1pm Mr Harris posed with his junior ministers on the steps of Government Buildings. The Opposition expected him to be in the chamber for 2pm.

"We are here today. We've shown up to do our job. We are here  where is the Taoiseach. He ought to be here," Ms McDonald told TDs.

"He ought to be here taking questions and dealing with the issues that matter to the people."

Instead TDs were faced with ordering House business  with Mattie McGrath, leader of the Rural Independents commenting: "I think we should go to the wax museum and put a dummy in here [for the Taoiseach].

Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughton explained that the Taoiseach was busy.

She said he was holding phone calls with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland, and with Volodomyr Zelenskiyy, President of Ukraine.

He would be taking his first Leaders' Questions "next week," she said, to Opposition uproar. Tanaiste Micheal Martin typically takes the slot on a Thursday.

But Ms McDonald said the Taoiseach had been telling everyone that he was up for every challenge and that "he was going to move mountains".

Now he couldn't come into the Dail because of three or four phone calls, she said. "That's not acceptable."

Ms McDonald said the business of the House was "not top of the list". Housing, the hospital crisis, and the cost of living were.

"We have a right to expect that the Taoiseach be here. He's now in the post after two weeks of recess. He's had plenty of time to prepare himself and he isn't here," she said.

Simon Harris, with Micheal Martin and Eamon Ryan surrounded by the junior ministers of the Cabinet. Photo Sam Boal/Collins Photos

"To me as an elected member of this House that is entirely unacceptable," she said. "And I think it shows again the utter contempt of this Government for us and indeed for the people that we represent."

In his video, Mr Harris outlines how he chaired two Cabinet meetings in 12 hours, appointed ministers of State and approved a number Cabinet committees including one to look at improving services for people with disabilities.

He also promised to give another update on his work later in the day.

Meanwhile, a second row broke out in the Dail this afternoon over the cost of fuel resulting in the Dail being suspended.

It came after the Government partially restored excise to petrol and diesel on April 1, with the last remaining excise restoration due in October.

The Coalition had previously provided temporary excise relief in response to high inflation and galloping retail fuel costs resulting from the war in Ukraine.

Sinn Fein spokesman on Finance Pearse Doherty said the net effect would be that motor fuel would be higher than ever, especially in relation to Northern Ireland.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin , Taoiseach Simon Harris TD and Leader of the Green Party Eamon Ryan at Government Buildings today. Photo Sam Boal/Collins Photos

He said there are 390 fuel outlets in the counties of the Republic that ring Northern Ireland, and motorists would now cross the border to avail of fuel that would be 20 cent cheaper per gallon in the North.

He said such garages and forecourts provided major employment in places like Ballybofey, Cavan and Dundalk, where jobs could be affected.

The UK Government was continuing its excise rebate on fuel, he said, but the Government here was re-imposing extra charges despite the cost of living crisis.

The suspension came at 4pm, after Finance Minister Michael McGrath complained that he was being provoked by interruptions from Mr Doherty but most notably from Kerry Independent TD Danny Healy Rae.

Mr Healy Rae became angered after Mr McGrath told him he was speaking from the "luxury" of Opposition, whereas Mr Healy Rae said he enjoyed no luxury and had to pay high fuel charges like everyone else.
Pope Francis has announced a series of episcopal changes in the Irish hierarchy resulting in the most extensive restructuring of the Catholic church here in roughly 900 years.

The announcement was made this morning simultaneously in Rome by the Vatican and in Tuam by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayer.

The restructuring plan will mean the six dioceses that comprise the Western Province will be overseen by just three bishops instead of six.

The scaling back of the number of episcopal positions may be the first step in a more far-reaching and wider process of restructuring for the Irish church in light of concerns that the current diocesan boundaries no longer reflect the distribution of the Catholic population.

The Catholic church on the island of Ireland is divided into 26 dioceses, the boundaries of which have remained essentially unchanged since the 12th century. Some ecclesiastical experts have called for a streamlining of this number in light of falling mass attendances and the decline in vocations.

The Archbishop of Tuam Francis Duffy said the development was new but not sudden as it has been the subject of discussion for some time.

Its really the Catholic Church in the west of Ireland and in Ireland responding to the signs of the times, looking at what we have, our resources, our structures and are these adequate for the situation which we find ourselves and we feel that these changes are important and valuable and will allow us to continue into the 21st century in the west of Ireland in particular, responding to those challenges, he said.

He told RTE News at One that the aim is that eventually the diocese will be united and the plan will be progressed in various stages.

There will be further consultation within the diocese, he said.

What has been announced today is a good news story, Im very positive about it and very hopeful about it because it is a good sign of the church, particularly in the west of Ireland, responding to the needs of the times, pooling our resources and trying to provide as good a service as we can to

The retirement today of Bishop John Fleming of the diocese of Killala, Co Mayo, was the trigger for the move.

Pope Francis has decided that one of the countrys youngest and most popular prelates, Bishop Paul Dempsey, is to leave the Diocese of Achonry in Sligo to take up a position as an auxiliary bishop in Dublin, the countrys largest diocese. Dr Dempsey is likely to be earmarked for renewal and outreach to young people in Dublin.

His position in Achonry will be taken by Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin, who will administer Achonry while continuing in his role in Roscommon.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Francis Duffy, of Tuam, Co Galway, has been appointed to oversee the diocese of Killala as apostolic administrator in addition to his role in Tuam.

Archbishop Duffy, who concelebrated mass on Wednesday morning in Tuam Cathedral with the Papal Nuncio, said afterwards that the church in Ireland is living in changing times.

He said he looked forward to getting to know the people, priests and religious ethos of the diocese of Killala, as well as its traditions and heritage, as we work together towards union between the two dioceses of Killala and Tuam.

According to Dr Duffy, the changes announced in relation to the reconfiguration of dioceses in the Western province follow on from consultations carried out by the Papal Nuncio with groups of people in the dioceses of Achonry, Elphin, Killala and Tuam.

Though a lot of groundwork in both the civil and canonical spheres will have to be carried out to implement the proposed changes, Dr Duffy said: Fortunately, there is already a well-established practice of collaboration and cooperation between the western dioceses. This is a sure sign of hope for the success of the important work that in now under way.

This is a reference to the doubling up that is already under way in the diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora and the Diocese of Clonfert under Bishop Michael Duignan.

In Tuam on Wednesday, Dr Duignan said: Today is a day when I think we could truly say that the Wests Awake. Awake to the need to reconfigure and restructure for renewal and mission.

He prayed for the renewal of the faith as the West of Irelands faith communities journey together towards tomorrow.

Bishop Kevin Doran said: We are called to look beyond existing boundaries.

He said he saw in the announcement the possibility of a new springtime.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has congratulated new Taoiseach Simon Harris on his appointment.

Mr Harris became the youngest Taoiseach on Tuesday, taking over from Leo Varadkar.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Sunak said: As the closest of neighbours, I look forward to forging even stronger ties between our two countries so we can deliver for people across these isles.

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

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris also congratulated the new Taoiseach, adding: I wish him all the best as he settles into the role and look forward to working together as we further strengthen UK-Ireland cooperation.

The president of the European Commission has expressed warmest congratulations to Mr Harris.

In a post on X, Ursula von der Leyen said they would meet on Thursday and added: We will work hand in hand to deliver for the people of Ireland, and for Europe as a whole.

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

European Council president Charles Michel wished Mr Harris success in his new role. He said: Looking forward to collaborating closely with you.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also paid tribute to the new Taoiseach and said: We value our partnership and thank Ireland for its consistent support as Ukraine defends itself against Russian aggression and pursues EU accession.

Ireland has welcomed more than 100,000 refugees from Ukraine since the war began.

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

Mr Zelensky added: I am confident that our active bilateral cooperation strengthens security for both nations and throughout all of our Europe.

UK Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer posted on social media: Congratulations to Simon Harris on becoming Irelands Taoiseach.

On behalf of the UK Labour Party, I wish him well and look forward to working together as we seek to strengthen the ties of friendship between our two countries.
Expensive equipment to deliver radiotherapy to cancer patients is lying idle due to a lack of staff and the inequality gap between those in the public and private system is increasing, the Irish Cancer Society told the Oireachtas health committee.

The charitys chief executive Averil Power criticised the underfunding of the national cancer strategy launched in 2017 by newly-installed Taoiseach Simon Harris when he was Minister for Health.

She warned the sustained lack of funding means there are areas of cancer care where Ireland is going backwards and patients are not being given the best chance of survival with lives are being put at risk.

Target waiting times for cancer tests are consistently exceeded, she told the committee.

Screening has not been expanded as planned. Expensive radiation equipment is lying idle in several hospitals due to an ongoing shortage of radiation therapists. Inequality between public and private patients is also growing, particularly in terms of access to new medicines.

Government failure to adequately fund the National Cancer Strategy is putting lives at risk, according to Ms Power.

She said the strategy with several targets launched by Mr Harris only been fully funded in two of the last seven Budgets.

The result is anyone receiving a cancer diagnosis in Ireland today doesnt have the best possible chance of surviving the disease, or of having a good quality of life afterwards.

The Irish Cancer Society was proud to sit on the steering committee that developed the Strategy and expected it to lead to further significant improvements in cancer survival rates here, she said.

However, the Government's failure to properly fund the Strategy, and the impact of Covid-19 on cancer diagnosis and treatment, means we are no longer confident that will be the case. In fact, we are concerned that Ireland's cancer outcomes may have stagnated or even disimproved.

Without funding, the strategy is a plan without action. And a plan without action is not a plan. It is just words. Words are no comfort to someone languishing on a waiting list for a cancer test, getting more worried by the day. Or to the healthcare professional trying to do their best in a chaotic system, knowing their patients arent getting the standard of care they deserve.

She added that it is truly shocking that this is being allowed to happen, particularly when we have such strong evidence that investment in cancer services works. It saves lives and it saves the State money in the long-term.

The Irish Cancer Society is calling on Government and the incoming Taoiseach to ensure cancer is a political priority now and in the coming years and that the Government publishes a credible implementation plan for the Strategy with a commitment to ring-fenced multi-annual funding from 2024 onwards.
Gardai and Dublin Fire Brigade rushed to the scene after a car dealership went up in flames last night.

The blaze gutted the building where Deane Motors operates in the Ballycoolin industrial estate, Dublin 15.

A number of cars were destroyed in the incident.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 10th

"The home of Irelands car culture is gone We dont know what to say. Please bear with us over the coming days. Everyone is safe and thats all that matters #heartbreak,  said Deane Motors Dublin in a statement.

Six units from Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) rushed to the scene in the industrial estate in north Dublin last night.

Six fire engines including a turntable ladder and foam tender are currently attending a fire In an industrial unit, DFB wrote on social media.

Wind is blowing smoke across the locality. Close windows if you are affected.

In a statement today, gardai said no offences have been disclosed.

They continued: Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of a fire at an industrial unit in Ballycoolin , Dublin 15, yesterday evening, Tuesday 9th April 2024.

Dublin Fire Brigade are the lead agency on this incident.

Exterior of building


Well-being report into Dublin school finds nearly quarter of staff in high distress and suffering low quality of life

A well-being report of teachers at a Dublin school at the centre of a staff-management workplace crisis has found that nearly a quarter are in high distress and suffering from a low quality of life.

A psychological risk management survey at the 676-pupil all-boys school Templeogue College found 24pc of staff surveyed reported being in high distress, which is nearly double the national average for all workplaces of 13pc.

The report, published in February, comes as teachers in the school last month wrote a letter through the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) citing a toxic and unsafe workplace in crisis.

The letter, which is signed by the ASTI membership of teachers at the school, following a meeting where more than 20 agreed to send it, is addressed to the Spiritan Educational Trust Executive Officer Dr Nicholas Cuddihy.

It stresses ongoing and unresolved governance issues at the non-fee-paying south Dublin secondary school.

The letter addresses a number of questions to the Spiritans Educational Trust, who supervise the orders schools including Templeogue College, regarding several grievances held by staff.

It states the memberships utmost concern regarding the resignation of a Unitary Manager who resigned on February 6 after just four months.

The appointment of the Unitary Manager to Templeogue College was made in September last year after four members from the board of management stepped down from their roles.

It came after a Department of Education inspection report found that a significant number of teachers at Templeogue College had been dissatisfied with the leadership of the school.

The letter asks why the Unitary Manager resigned and expresses surprise and deep disappointment at the departure considering the wealth of education management and governance experience they brought to the school through their role.

It also refers to multiple correspondence to patrons from staff members citing staff safety and a toxic workplace that they say remain ignored and unaddressed.

It described the findings in the well-being or Health and Safety Authority Work Positive survey that found 24pc of staff are suffering from distress as alarming adding that the report cites many redline issues pertaining to management that require urgent attention in our workplace.

The letter from teachers through the ASTI membership continued to relay concerns and to add context as to why they regard Templeogue College as an unsafe and toxic environment and one they constitute a workplace in crisis.

It also addresses how the school has been at the centre of WRC proceedings which staff have expressed concern about.

It stresses an alarming staff turnover with multiple staff resignations including teachers and administrators, which it says testify to the unsafe and toxic environment that precipitated their exigent departure.

It states the dissolution of the schools Board of Management (which has not yet been replaced) as well as multiple collective grievances signed by staff.

It alludes to a Whole School Evaluation/Management, Leadership & Learning (WSE-MLL) report last year stating that a significant number of staff were disaffected with senior management.

Following the list of issues, the letter states that it cannot be understated how these inalienable facts and events have now culminated in the sudden and alarming resignation of the Unitary Manager.

They said staff felt this individual finally offered the possibility of oversight in the form of fair, transparent and accountable leadership and governance.

We hold that the patrons (Spiritan Educational Trust) cannot any longer underestimate and ignore the gravity of these issues, a highlighting of which, to reiterate, clearly indicates that there has and continues to be a major crisis in our school and workplace.

This is a crisis on many levels. It is a crisis of governance and leadership. It is a crisis of communication. It is a crisis of dysfunction and most acutely, it is a crisis of trust, the letter states.

It continues to say that staff members have professionally engaged with all procedures and mechanisms and spoken confidentially with mediators and managers adding: Yet these crises remain unaddressed and ignored.

Given this inertia and abdication of governance, we cannot therefore subscribe to the continuing illusion that a normative state of affairs is commonplace in Templeogue College, it adds.

The Spiritan Educational Trust did not respond to a request to comment.

The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) said it does not comment on ongoing cases.

The Irish Independent asked the Department of Education to comment on the ongoing staff-management crisis in the school.

In response, the department referenced the Whole School Evaluation/Management, Leadership & Learning (WSE-MLL) report undertaken in the school on June 12 last year, saying that it reports on the quality of teaching and learning and on the quality of management and leadership in a school.

"It affirms good practice and makes recommendations, where appropriate, to aid the further development of educational provision in the school.

"The recommendations in the inspection report are a matter for the management authority of the school in the first instance.

"The school have responded to the report, advising actions that were taken since the inspection and committing to work towards the implementation of the remaining recommendations, the department said in a statement.
You'd be surprised by what tips people pick up on their travels. Here are eight of the best...

With holidays becoming more of a luxury, it's important to ensure that you have all bases covered - including making the flight experience as smooth and comfortable as possible.

So, what are the best travel hacks to ensure you have the best holiday experience? We asked travel experts and frequent flyers to share everything their top hacks...

Avoid heavy, greasy meals

Jenna Wright*, a cabin crew member, has a solution for avoiding post-flight bloat.

"Bloating is one of the most annoying things about flights - especially when travelling long-haul," Wright says.

"The combination of reduced air pressure, dehydration and sitting for long periods of time slows down your digestion and leads to a build-up of gas in your digestive tract. This is why you often feel bloated, gassy and nauseated while flying.

"For travellers who are trying to minimise post-flight bloat, I would suggest avoiding eating anything heavy, spicy or greasy before you fly. Instead, try to stick to foods that are easier to digest."

Follow the 24-hour rule to rehydrate

Abby Dunn, marketing manager at Ocean Florida, who has made the nine-hour flight to Florida 42 times, also shares her top tip for dealing with bloating and flight-triggered digestive discomfort.

"The best thing you can do to minimise bloating and ensure comfort is to hydrate yourself - not only before your flight but also once you make it to your hotel or holiday villa too," says Dunn.

"Try to follow the 24-hour rule - upping your water intake for 24 hours before and after your flight to prevent dehydration and water retention."

This will help keep dehydration headaches and dry skin at bay, too.

Skip the aeroplane food

If you are especially prone to bloating and feeling the effects of dehydration, you might also want to skip the in-flight meal and bring your own food.

"You lose your taste buds in the air, so they fill the food with salt and oil to try and give it some flavour - which is extremely bloating," Wright adds.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 10th

Use technology to your advantage

For Lee Dobson, co-founder of Travel City, noise-cancelling headphones are a travel must-have.

"They create a personal oasis of calm, even in the noisiest of cabins (or help me focus if I'm trying to finish a report on the flight)," he says.

"Alongside that, I always ensure my iPad is loaded with shows, movies, and playlists to keep me entertained. The power bank is just as important; there's nothing worse than gearing up to watch a film or listen to a podcast only to find my battery is flat.

"This combination of tech essentials has levelled up my in-flight experience, making long hauls feel like a breeze and ensuring I arrive at my destination relaxed and ready to explore."

Bring an extension chord

Sasha Kalonji*, who regularly travels for work as a global public health project officer, says her personal favourite is remembering to pack an extension chord.

"You'll only need one adapter, but you'll have multiple outlets to charge your electrical devices and you can use your hair styling tools at the same time," says Kalonji.

Pack three days' worth of clothes

You never know what can happen once you've arrived at your destination, so it's important to be prepared and think ahead if you're going on a long holiday. If luggage goes missing, you don't want to be stuck unable to enjoy the first few days until it's located.

"Always pack at least three days' worth of clothes in your hand luggage, even if you don't have a connecting flight and especially if you have an important event to go to, like a wedding," says Kalonji.

"Luggage often gets held up for security checks or other reasons."

Use a VPN

Safety should always be a priority when travelling, especially if you are doing it solo.

"Use a VPN when using public WiFi, including at the hotel, to help keep your data safe," says Kalonji.

And speaking of hotels, Kalonji also advises people to "use antibacterial wipes to wipe down your phone and remote in your hotel". Those are things that frequently get touched.

Leave your main bank cards at home

"Don't bring your main bank cards on holiday," suggests Kalonji. "If cards are stolen, it reduces the risk of a large sum of money being taken [out of your account]. I bring two cards [from] Monzo and Starling [Bank] and transfer money into the accounts as and when [they] needed."

*These names have been changed to protect privacy.
The redeveloped market in Smithfield will be four times the size of the English Market in Cork

The fruit and veg market in Smithfield has been idle since it closed in 2019

It has been confirmed the historic Smithfield fruit and veg market will reopen in 2026. Pic: Caroline Quinn

It has been confirmed that Dublins Victorian fruit and veg market in Smithfield will finally reopen in 2026.

The historic red brick building on Marys Lane, between Capel Street and Smithfield, has remained empty since its closure in 2019 to facilitate redevelopment.

This week, Dublin City Councils chief executive, Richard Shakespeare, confirmed the market plans to reopen in August 2026.

The refurbishment process was originally due to be finished in 2021, but was delayed due to changes in the tendering process.

The empty historic building has fallen victim to vandalism and anti-social behaviour, including open drug use and its large solid timber doors being set on fire in recent years.

Mr Shakespeare also said he hopes the markets will be bigger and better than the English markets in Cork and provide a quintessentially Dublin feel.

The fruit and veg market in Smithfield has been idle since it closed in 2019

He added that he would like to see it as a space that operates from 10 in the morning until 10 at night.

Gary Gannon, Social democrats TD for Dublin Central, said: The reopening of the fruit and veg market has the potential to be transformative for the northside of the city.

It is a fabulous building that has shamefully lain idle for too long and Dublin City Council is fully to blame for that neglect.

There have been so many false dawns with regard to its reopening and in many ways, Richard Shakespeares reputation as city manager is tied to reinvigorating these buildings as a boost to the city.

Of most importance is the market must remain in public control. The council must manage or facilitate a non profit endeavour to do so.

It must be cheap for vendors, affordable for customers and a gift to the city. None of this will happen if the council allows a different entity to have full control of this historic building, he added.

The redeveloped market in Smithfield will be four times the size of the English Market in Cork

The retail food market and restaurant space will open in just over two years time, following extensive refurbishment.

The delay relates to issues with the structure of the roof and some refurbishments and the appointment of an operator for the markets.

The wholesale fruit and vegetable market first opened its doors in 1892, with its primary purpose being to improve hygiene at a time when food was sold off the back of carts in unsanitary streets.

The refurbished building will be a welcome addition to the Dublin 7 neighbourhood, recently recognised as the second coolest on earth by Time Out magazine.

On the southside of the city, the council expects to spend 12m to 15m on stabilisation works on the derelict Iveagh Markets building, including an extra 9m in central government funding.

Initial work will take place at the end of this month.
Until now the portable solar-powered cameras have been collecting 'vehicle data', but from next month fines will be issued.

Roadside cameras aimed at catching speeding drivers at roadworks sites will begin issuing fines in one Aussie state after a two-year trial period.

The Queensland government first unveiled the roadworks camera initiative in August 2021, with a trial to run from mid-2022 to April 2024. However from next month drivers will be fined if detected speeding by the portable solar-powered cameras.

The cameras were specifically designed and built to sit on top of a mobile platform that can be easily moved around the worksite via a remote control. They aim to protect roadside workers from speeding drivers. The new design was previously criticised for being unrecognisable by passing drivers.

The Queensland mobile speed cameras are designed to be moved around and can appear anywhere, anytime at worksites. Source: Transport and Main Roads Queensland

Cameras have been capturing 'speed data'

Despite being in place since 2022, Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has confirmed the cameras have not given out any fines, and have so far only been capturing "vehicle speed data".

"During operational trials and further industry engagement, industry requested a solution able to be deployed at shorter-term roadworks," a TMR spokesperson said. "An alternative camera type was subsequently sourced and is now being installed.

"Following the conclusion of operational trials, it is anticipated the roadworks cameras will commence issuing infringement notices in May, 2024."

The cameras were set up and have been used on "high-risk roadworks sites" across the state. Asked how it was determined where the cameras would go, TMR said the department liaised with industry to identify roadworks sites where speeding posed a problem to worker safety, the ABC reported.

The state-of the-art speed cameras will begin issuing fines from May after an almost two-year trial period. Source: Transport and Main Roads Queensland

School zone camera catching speeding drivers

The initiative also saw new cameras at school zones which were installed at stationary positions and attached to speed signs. TMR revealed to ABC these cameras have issued over 10,000 fines since they became operational in August.

Between August 7 and March 22, the school zone cameras handed out over 7,000 fines to drivers caught speeding in the lower tier of up to 10km/h over the limit. Over the same period, 2,801 fines were given to drivers caught speeding between 11 and 20km/h over the limit  while 206 fines were given to motorists caught travelling between 21 and 30km/h over.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The war in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian suffering it is causing must end now. Violence, terror and war cannot bring peace to the Middle East. The two-state solution will. It is the only credible path to guaranteeing peace and security for all and ensuring that neither the Palestinians nor the Israelis ever have to relive the horrors that have befallen them since the October 7 attack.
Much has been made of the new Fine Gael leaders age. To become Irelands youngest taoiseach is a remarkable achievement  the people of Wicklow can feel incredibly proud of 37-year-old Simon Harris.

The last Wicklow politician to have reached such a position of power was Charles Stewart Parnell, the uncrowned king of Ireland. He was only in his mid-30s when he became leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party in Westminster.

John OByrne, Harolds Cross, Dublin

Ability must be the only factor when it comes to cabinet appointments

As Simon Harris ponders his first appointments to his first cabinet, he would be wise to avoid the usual pitfalls of promoting TDs on gender, geography or sexual orientation.

The only thing that really matters is the ability to perform the onerous task of government minister.

David Ryan, Co Meath

Government policy should be implemented in the interest of Irish citizens

New Taoiseach Simon Harris will have nine trusted special advisers, (Team Harris: Whos working behind the scenes for the new man at the helm?, Irish Independent, Saturday, April 6).

There are 51 special advisers to 23 ministers or ministers of state remunerated from the public purse.

Special advisers are employed to help ministers on matters where the work of government and the work of the government party or parties overlap and where it would be inappropriate for permanent civil servants to become involved.

Essentially, they advise ministers on policy that aligns with their party policy to ensure re-election and continuance of party in future government. Surely government policy must be conceived and implemented in the interest of the citizens.

We have a splendidly resourced civil service, with highly paid secretaries general to advise ministers, impartial of political parties, in the best interest of citizens.

Hugh McDermott, Dromahair, Co Leitrim

We could soon have an Independent Ireland, free from usual party politics

Who do we believe in politics  the fast-talking new leader of Fine Gael who promises to build 250,000 homes over five years, or the opposition parties who decry, as is their job, the Governments record on housing, health, immigration and other issues?

Then there is the recent study of Irish unity, which would burden us with more taxes and add to our national debt.

There are no clear stand-out winners, and this was reflected in the recent referendum where the majority voted No-No.

Until the parties on all sides stop kow-towing to NGOs and certain minority lobby groups who seem to dictate a discourse they want us, the majority, to follow, we could see seismic changes in the make-up of the next government.

Could we see more Independent rural politicians outvoting and outflanking all the majority parties?

Christy Galligan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Credible and unbiased investigation into IDF attack on aid workers

Nemo iudex in causa sua is a long-established legal maxim that translates as no one should be a judge in their own case.

The investigation into the appalling killing of the humanitarian aid workers from the World Central Kitchen by the Israel Defence Forces should be carried out by credible, independent, international investigators, not by the confirmed perpetrators of the horrific incident.

We fail all brave humanitarian aid workers if we do not insist on independent, credible investigations.

Caroline Gill, Foxrock, Dublin

No more flip-flopping on Israel from our leaders as Harris expresses revulsion

Simon Harris got straight to the vital foreign affairs point with one sentence at the Fine Gael ard fheis.

He referred to Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel with the wise and brave words: The Irish people are repulsed by what Israel is doing in Gaza.

He did more with these carefully chosen few words than Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin achieved with their flip-flopping utterances over a six-month period.

The fact the new Taoiseach is reported to have snubbed the Israeli ambassador signals a turning point towards a long-overdue stance of national courage on our behalf.

Robert Sullivan, Bantry, Co Cork

Sparsity of proper support services for our disabled people is utterly shameful

Ann Marie Flanagan (Letters, April 9) offers a cogent and coherent but damning commentary on the plight of people living with disability, their families, carers, the diminished care options available and paltry, inequitable support services that are out there.

Her comments reflect the plight of so many with disability support needs. Disability access to appropriate support is found wanting all over Ireland, with even simple physical access for wheelchair users so often missing.

Thus, Irish citizens who are most in need of equitable access and full supportive opportunities have to pester the statutory systems for consideration of basic rights.

Having worked as a therapist in the area of disability for many years, Ive always found it soul-destroying to hear and witness the shameful sparsity of authentic support.

Shame and shame again.

Jim Cosgrove, Lismore, Co Waterford

Joy of the first swallow arriving back in Irish skies is poetry in motion

The first swallow has arrived back to us in Mayo. On his arrival, we recite our annual little poem:

In April were waiting every day / For swallows here to find their way / What joy we have when they come / building nests and making fun.

Jonathan Roth, Westport, Co Mayo

Spring may be here, but so is climate change and the stormy weather it causes

What with the shotgun showers and gales that would lift the roof off Fort Knox, welcoming the arrival of spring seems a bit premature.

Nothing seems as permanent as climate change.

Ed Toal, Galway city
The Land Development Agency is turning vacant state land at Dundrum's Central Mental Hospital into a new housing development for over 850 houses, duplexes and apartments. Despite planning permission being granted, there is no construction taking place because one single individual is holding up the development, who happens to be a property developer himself. Host: Tabitha Monahan. Guest: Fionnan Sheahan

The Land Development Agency is turning vacant state land at Dundrum's Central Mental Hospital on Dublins southside into a new housing development for over 850 houses, duplexes and apartments on the site. Finishing it all will take up to a decade, but residents will be handed keys in the first phase within two years of shovels going in the ground.

Despite planning permission being granted, there is no construction taking place because one single individual is holding up the development, who happens to be a property developer himself.

Mark Leonard lives over the 18-foot wall of the site and is taking legal action against the project. He is taking a judicial review against An Bord Pleanalas decision to grant permission.

Separately, Mr Leonards property development business contacted the LDA about a project of its own in Cork city, the Irish Independent has learned.

Mr Leonard runs a property development business called Centurion Homes with his cousin and business partner, Noel Barry, who approached the LDA in December about a development the company was working on.

I am looking to speak to someone about a project we have in Cork city for 121 apartments and duplex units, said Mr Barry, who followed up this query last January. It is not clear what assistance he was seeking from the LDA.

Today on The Indo Daily, Tabitha Monahan is joined by Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent, Fionnan Sheehan, to discuss whether the Irish planning system needs a radical overhaul.
Australias leading pharmacy chain is expanding its reach in Ireland with the opening of its latest store at Cork citys Cornmarket Centre on Saturday, April 6.

The recent opening marks the third Chemist Warehouse store in the county and brings with it 30 new job opportunities for the city.

The 600 square metre space in the heart of Cork city centre will offer a wide range of top household brands across beauty, wellness, and baby related products.

This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details

Customers can expect to find their favourite brands, including leading Irish and Cork-owned brands.

Chemist Warehouse has become known for its commitment to providing quality healthcare and beauty products at affordable prices.

"We are thrilled to open our first Cork city centre store. At Chemist Warehouse, we are dedicated to delivering quality service, offering customers the best brands at unbeatable prices. Our mission is to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, and the new Cork store represents another step forward in our mission, said Angela Neophitou, Chief Marketing Officer at Chemist Warehouse.

The Chemist Warehouse brand first entered the Irish market in 2020 and has since opened 10 stores across the country, with four stores in Dublin, three in Cork, two in Meath and one in Carlow.
The Aontu candidate spoke at a public meeting organised by the party in Kanturk this week

Becky Kealy, Aontu Candidate for the Kanturk LEA, pictured with Lisa Deegan and Rose Murphy, Ballydehob, at the Aontu Public Meeting at the Edel Quinn Hall.

Becky Kealy, Aontu candidate for the Kanturk LEA, pictured with Emer Murphy, Kilcorney and Ailish ODoherty, Newmarket, at the Aontu public meeting at the Edel Quinn Hall, Kanturk.

Harriet Condon and Mimi Cashman from Midleton attended the Aontu Public Meeting at the Edel Quinn Hall, Kanturk, on Monday night.

Becky Kealy, Aontu candidate for the Kanturk LEA, chatting to Michael OLeary, Newmarket and John Kenneally, Kanturk, at the Aontu Public Meeting at the Edel Quinn Hall.

Aontu Leader Peadar Toibin pictured with LEA Representatives at the Aontu Public Meeting at the Edel Quinn Hall, Kanturk. Included are Lorraine Deane, Skibereen LEA, Becky Kealy, Kanturk LEA, Mona Stromsoe, East Cork LEA, Finian Toomey, Cork City NW LEA, Patrick Murphy.

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin wishing Kanturk Representative Becky Kealy the best of luck in the forthcoming LEA Elections at the Aontu Public Meeting in Kanturk on Monday night. Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald

Over 150 people attended a public meeting held by Aontu in Kanturk on Monday night, which was led by local elections candidate Becky Kealy, who was joined by her party leader and European elections candidate Deputy Peadar Toibin.

Ms Kealy, who will stand in the Mallow-Kanturk LEA, spoke to those at the meeting about what she called the injustice which is being imposed on people under the current government.

The local elections candidate spoke about the treatment of farmers, who she said have been so undervalued and disrespected with a long time.

If we have no farmers, we have no food. Farmers are literally being driven off the land here. We are meeting parents who have told us that they are advising the kids not to take up farming, Ms Kealy said.

We have the spectre of Ireland importing beef from Brazil and Argentina while our farmers are being asked to reduce their herd numbers. Our farmers are key to our food security. What would happen in the event of a global strife? What if our import supply was cut off? Would we even be able to feed ourselves?

Ms Kealy said that people are suffering from this governments dismantling of local emergency services, an issue which is regularly brought up to her on the doorsteps.

The candidate said the closing of SouthDoc in Kanturk means that people now have to travel distances to get medical attention at night while sick people cannot get on patients lists. She said it is vital that both children and adults with disabilities and their families get more help locally.

Doctors are at breaking point and the HSE is top heavy while the front-line workers are underpaid and over worked, the candidate said.

The local elections candidate also took aim at the worst housing crisis in history.

We now have outrageous prices to purchase or rent. Nearly 14,000 (13,841) are homeless, over 4,127 of whom are children. This national shame is a far cry from our 1916 proclamation to Cherish all the children equally, she said.

All of this is happening while there are vacant properties across the county. Cork County Council owns 184 vacant houses. The greatest hoarder of vacant properties in this country is the state itself.

The Aontu representative also accused the government of mismanaging immigration.

We believe in managing immigration which leads to integration which is beneficial to all. Aontu has continuously called for an effective and efficient asylum process that could properly differentiate between applicants that need help, like those who are fleeing war and those who use the asylum application process purely for economic reasons.

The candidate closed her speech by stating that it has been a long time since a councillor who actually lives in Kanturk has been elected, and that she hopes to put it right.
Cork City Council has advised that there will be a period of very high astronomical spring tides continuing throughout Wednesday, April 9 and lasting until the morning of Thursday, April 10.

During the high tides Cork city centre may experience flooding of roads across the low-lying city quays.

This is Cork Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Cork newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details

Householders and businesses have been advised to take precautionary measures to protect their property during the high tidal event, including erecting their tidal barriers and leaving them in place overnight.

Flooding likely occur in low-lying areas of the city centre might affect properties on the following streets:

Morrisons Quay

Fr. Mathew Quay

Fr. Mathew Street

Union Quay

Trinity Bridge

South Terrace

Rutland Street

Sawmill Street

Crosses Green

Sharman Crawford St

Wandesford Quay

South Mall (particularly the southern side)

It is not expected that any road closures will be required but motorists have been advised to drive with extra care, especially if travelling through the city as many of the roads listed above will have surface water on them.

Please avoid driving on flooded streets as the creation of waves and wash from moving vehicles can cause flooding in properties adjacent to the flooded road, and take alternative routes along unflooded roads instead.

Motorists are advised not to park in any of the areas listed above overnight.

The situation will continue to be monitored and further advice will be issued if the situation changes.
Gaelic Football

Dr Crokes selector says Kerry SFC semi-final win was down to older players wealth of experience

Dr Crokes selector Denis Coleman hailed the influence of the experienced players in the squad after his side advanced to the county senior football championship final following a hard-fought victory over St Brendans on Saturday afternoon.
Kilkenny City is the most single town in Ireland according to data by HenParty.ie. Photo: Getty Images

A city in the South East has been unveiled as the most single town in Ireland.

Kilkenny City ranked the highest on the Singleton Scale with the most singles ready to mingle.

HenParty.ie have examined online search data and dating app interest to determine Irelands most single town. According to that data, Kilkenny City ranks the highest on the Singleton Scale, with a score of 218 out of a possible 300.

Follow Independent Kilkenny on Facebook

This means that online searches for dating apps Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble are the highest in Kilkenny City, compared to anywhere else in Ireland.

Meanwhile, two Co Cork towns came in second and third place as the most single towns in Ireland which means if you are looking for love, your best bet is to head to the rebel county.

Carrigaline in Co Cork placed second with a score of 213 out of 300, while Cork City came in a close third place with a score of 212 out of 300.

The rest of the top 10 most single towns in the country featured Athlone in Co Westmeath, Limerick City, Navan in Co Meath, Waterford City, Killarney in Co Kerry, Lucan in Co Dublin and finally Dublin City.

On the other end of the scale is Thurles in Co Tipperary, which came last on the list of the most single towns in Ireland. Data shows that Thurles had the lowest amount of searches for all three of the dating app examined in the study.

Malahide in Co Dublin, Longford Town, Ballincollig in Co Cork and Croagh in Co Limerick make up some of the other least single towns in the country.
Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran is to assume an additional new role in the Diocese of Achonry following changes announced this morning by Pope Francis.

The Pope has appointed Bishop Paul Dempsey, up until now Bishop of Achonry, as Titular Bishop of Sita and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin.

Pope Francis has also made the following appointments, from today, in the ecclesiastical province of the Archdiocese of Tuam: Archbishop Francis Duffy, Metropolitan Archbishop of the ecclesiastical province of Tuam, as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Killala; and Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Achonry.

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

Furthermore, Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop John Fleming, Bishop of Killala, on the grounds of age.

The Archbishop of Tuam, Archbishop Duffy, together with His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayer, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland; Bishop Fleming; Bishop Doran; Bishop Michael Duignan, Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh & Kilfenora, and Bishop of Clonfert; and, Bishop Dempsey concelebrated 10.00am Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam at the end of which the announcements were made.

Archbishop Duffy said, The announcement of this level of change in the episcopate in one province at the same time is quite significant. It creates the possibility of exploring a closer union between the Archdiocese of Tuam and the Diocese of Killala, and between the Dioceses of Elphin and Achonry, not unlike the process that is already underway in the Dioceses of Galway and Clonfert. Any such change would involve living communities and could not be simply structural or administrative. It would require careful discernment over some time, involving the whole people of God in the respective Dioceses.

In a statement Bishop Doran said: At the beginning of Holy Week, the Apostolic Nuncio confirmed to me that Bishop Paul Dempsey would be moving to a new assignment and that I would be appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry.

"While providing for the pastoral care of the Diocese of Achonry, this also represents an invitation from Pope Francis for the two Diocesan communities of Achonry and Elphin to deepen the close relationship that we already have. In keeping with what was envisaged already in the Decree Christus Dominus of the Second Vatican Council, we are called to look beyond existing boundaries in order to further develop the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit and to use them even more effectively in the service of the Gospel.

"I see in todays announcement the possibility of a new Springtime and I very much welcome it. I know the geography of the Diocese of Achonry fairly well and in the coming months I look forward to meeting the priests, deacons, religious, diocesan staff and parish communities to put faces on the places.

"The bishops of the Tuam Province have always worked closely together and while we will be fewer in number for the foreseeable future, that will not change. I take this opportunity to wish Archbishop Francis Duffy well as he takes up his additional role as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Killala. I would also like to express my gratitude to Bishop Michael Duignan, who, with the priests, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Clonfert and the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, has shown us that dioceses working together in a closer union is more than possible today.

"I first met Bishop Paul Dempsey many years ago, when both of us were priests on the other side of the Shannon, and I have enjoyed working with him in recent years, especially given the closeness of our two dioceses in so many ways. As a former priest of Archdiocese of Dublin, I appreciate the enormous contribution made by so many wonderful auxiliary bishops there over the past fifty years. Now, as Bishop Paul begins his own new mission there, I wish him every blessing and happiness.

"Finally, this is also a very significant day for Bishop John Fleming as he completes his mission as Bishop of Killala. I have known him for fifty years and have had the privilege of working with him for almost twenty of those years. He has never sought to draw attention to himself, but he has made an enormous contribution to the Church in Ireland, far beyond the limits of the Diocese of Killala. I wish him every blessing and good health in his retirement.
The Perth agent said it's become 'more apparent in the past two years' with more and more Aussies being impacted.

A real estate agent has lifted the lid on a "major problem" affecting Australia's property market, which can have a devastating and costly impact on both renters and landlords alike.

Perth agent Corey Adamson, director of The Agency in Wembly, said methamphetamine-contaminated homes have become "more apparent in the past two years", admitting the number of properties showing positive results for meth is "unbelievable".

"I've seen more positive meth tests done in houses than I ever have before," he explained in a video on TikTok, suggesting an influx of rental properties being sold could be behind the rise in tests being conducted.

He advised Aussies in the market for a new property to consider getting a meth test before purchasing which can check the property for contamination levels  and while it can range from hundreds to a couple of thousand dollars, it's minor compared to costs associated with repairs and cleaning which can be astronomical.

Corey Adamson, real estate agent and director of The Agency in Wembly, Perth, advises all property buyers to consider purchasing a meth test. Source: TikTok/coreytherealestateagent

Clint Hampson from Forensic Pathways, a cleaning company in Perth, told Yahoo News Australia a full decontamination can cost "anywhere between $7,000 up to $100,000". He said "nearly 95 per cent of the properties that we test are positive" adding it's been an evident problem for the past decade.

"The cleaning process can actually cause some extra damage to the inside of the property," he explained. New carpet, cabinetry and paintwork is often required throughout.

"You don't want to buy a house, get it tested later and then realise you've got all this work to do  and some insurance companies don't cover it," he added. " If I was ever buying a house, I would certainly get a test."

Contamination poses severe health risks for renters

While landlords face huge costs, renters are also impacted by the harmful toxins that are sometimes left behind by previous tenants. Adamson said the substance has the potential to "go through the air con, floors and carpet," contaminating every room.

Last year, a family was forced out of their Queensland rental after becoming "disgustingly sick", 7News reported at the time. The family of six said dangerous levels of deadly methamphetamine residue were found throughout the property with tests picking up disturbing levels of toxicity. Queensland Police previously reported a "significant increase" in the size of drug labs being located across the state.

"The risk of contamination is real, even if you're not making the drug. Long-term exposure can cause more serious complications," Hampson told Yahoo.

Renters are advised to pay attention to worsening symptoms, including insomnia, anxiety and changes in childrens behaviour. Rashes and headaches are also common.

Meth contamination affects both landlords and tenants across Australia. Source: Getty

Calls for legislation to tackle 'major' problem

Earlier this year, Ray White former chief auctioneer Phillip Parker called for new legislation which could help standardise testing for drug contamination making it more affordable and available. He agrees the presence of methamphetamine in Australian homes is a "major issue".

Currently, there are "both inexpensive methods with high failure rates" and "expensive conclusive methods for testing", said Ray White Property Management CEO Emily Sim.

"Drug contamination is rampant, particularly sadly in rental properties. Unbelievably the cost to decontaminate is up to $200,000," Parker told Sunrise. "In some houses, they have to tear the floors out, the ceilings, the walls. Its quite a massive undertaking for the owners."

His recommendation, and that of Ray White as a whole, is for properties to be tested before a tenant moves in and also when they vacate the property.

Those looking to purchase a property are encouraged to request a meth test, in addition to a building and pest report. It's often a case of 'buyer beware' if you purchase a contaminated house which can leave buyers out of pocket.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
New initiative spearheaded by Tirlan aims to improve water quality across the rivers catchment area in counties Wexford, Carlow and Wicklow

At the riverbank on their Co Wexford farm were Tirlan dairy farmers Cheryl and Alan Poole. Photograph: Patrick Browne

Pictured at the launch on the Slaney riverbank in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford were Jim Bergin, Tirlan CEO; Cheryl Poole, Slaney catchment dairy farmer; Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; John Murphy, Tirlan Chairperson and Mathew Moylan Tirlan Sustainability Advisor. Photo; Mary Browne

Pictured at the launch on the Slaney riverbank in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford were Cheryl Poole, Slaney catchment dairy farmer; John Murphy, Tirlan Chairperson; Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Jim Bergin, Tirlan CEO and Dr Lisa Koep Chief ESG Officer Tirlan. Photo; Mary Browne

A new project aimed at improving water quality across the River Slaneys catchment area in counties Wexford, Carlow and Wicklow, which was launched on Wednesday, has been hailed as a collaborative initiative that can serve as a template for the rest of the country.

The comments came from Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, who was in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford on Wednesday to officially launch the new Tirlan initiative Farming for Water: River Slaney Project.

The River Slaney Project is closely aligned with the Governments 60 million European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Farming for Water project aimed at improving water quality at local, catchment, and national levels. This is crucial to help make the best possible case for Ireland to successfully retain the Nitrates Derogation from 2026.

The multi-year programme will include a series of combined projects, actions and activities led by Tirlan in collaboration with key stakeholders including Teagasc, professional services firm ifac, Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), County Councils and the wider community.

The project will follow a whole of sector and local Government approach with the aim of enhancing water quality through impactful actions across all farming enterprises, dairy, grain and drystock, and in the wider communities. A team of Tirlan farm advisors will utilise best practice advice and focus on improving farm economic and environmental performance to address water quality challenges, while protecting biodiversity.

The advisory service will focus on better nutrient use, improved milk solids, farm infrastructure and slurry storage capacity.

Pictured at the launch on the Slaney riverbank in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford were Jim Bergin, Tirlan CEO; Cheryl Poole, Slaney catchment dairy farmer; Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; John Murphy, Tirlan Chairperson and Mathew Moylan Tirlan Sustainability Advisor. Photo; Mary Browne

It aims to transform the Slaney from one highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water testing programme as a catchment of concern to one that provides best practice in how partnerships and collaboration can deliver real and meaningful changes and improvements that work for farmers, local communities, and the wider environment together.

In recognition of this, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, launched the River Slaney Project in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Minister McConalogue called for a collective effort to make real improvements to water quality in key regions to ensure Ireland and Irish farmers secure the Nitrates Derogation from 2026.

Minister McConalogue said: I am delighted to launch Farming for Water: River Slaney Project. This very welcome Tirlan initiative is aligned with the Governments wider Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project that brings together a range of national agencies, authorities, and industry groups. These pioneering projects are working in partnership with farmers to implement targeted actions to reduce nutrient losses and improve water quality.

Farming for Water and the River Slaney Project are examples of a collective effort to address water quality and support Ireland in securing a further nitrates derogation that is crucial to farmers and Irelands wider dairy, drystock and tillage sectors.

I want to congratulate Tirlan for the leadership role they are taking in addressing water quality challenges in this manner. This collaborative approach whereby farmers work alongside communities and authorities to improve water quality provides a framework for how we can work together to deliver on our regulatory and environmental responsibilities, and for the benefit of all people and nature in the area.

At the riverbank on their Co Wexford farm were Tirlan dairy farmers Cheryl and Alan Poole. Photograph: Patrick Browne

John Murphy, Tirlan Chairperson, added: The Slaney River is the lifeblood of the South-East and is a crucially important river catchment for our communities and our farms. In turn, as custodians of the land we take our responsibility seriously to ensure our actions work to preserve and enhance our local environment, for the economic and environmental benefit of all.

Working together, as part of a collaborative project, we believe that we can make a difference and enhance water quality. We want to ensure that Tirlan, alongside our farmers, do everything we can and make the best possible case for Ireland to successfully retain the Nitrates Derogation into 2026 and beyond. We believe that the River Slaney project will show that it is possible to farm at current levels and maintain good water quality.

Jim Bergin, Tirlan CEO added: The River Slaney Project is a significant project for Tirlan to undertake and is aligned with the goals set out in both the national Farming for Water project and our Living Proof sustainability strategy.

Our advisors will be working closely with our suppliers as part of our new Farm Support Service to create individual, tailored plans and provide advice on efficient nutrient use, on farm productivity and assessing farmyard and infrastructure issues.

I welcome the support that we have received to date, and am calling on our dairy, grain and drystock farmers, local communities, authorities and other partners to join with us in this collective effort to enhance water quality throughout the region and protect these critical farming sectors for generations to come. This is a collaborative multi-agency exemplar project and it is vital that the whole agricultural sector joins together to deliver meaningful and lasting results on our river catchments.
The Treasury will close its doors on May 3.

County Wexford chamber of Commerce Business Awards in the Clayton White's hotel in Wexford. Excellence in Retail Award winners. From left; Chamber CEO Emma Dunphy, Murt Joyce from Joyce Expert sponsor, Barbara and John Kehoe from School Books Irleand The Treasury winners and Chamber president Brendan Crowley. Photo; Mary Browne

The owners of one of New Ross towns destination businesses  The Treasury  have criticised the lack of forethought of the Governments new free books scheme, which they say has wiped out their business.

The Treasury on Bridge Street (also trading as School Books Ireland) will close on Friday May 3, 36 years after it was opened by Martin Kennedy.

Employing 14 staff every summer and offering work placement opportunities for hundreds of students over the years, The Treasury is a destination shop, which also developed a successful online business.

Current owners Barbara and John Kehoe, along with their daughter Ciara, released a statement Monday night in which they said it was with a heavy heart that they were closing up, due in no small part to the way the new free books scheme is being rolled out.

The business won a Co Wexford Chamber Excellence in Business award and had its best year in 2022 due to strong sales online and in store.

Its just an awful pity that a thriving business has been wiped out due to a rushed Government decision, said Barbara, a former teacher.

The business was ran for several years by Martin Kennedy, who opened it in November 1988, at the top corner of Bridge Street. Initially selling primary school books only, the business took off and expanded its range to secondary school books and school supplies.

Martin moved to 3 Bridge Street and due to family commitments sold the business on to PJ and Lena McGrath, who ran it until 2016, when Barbara and John Kehoe bought it. The McGraths had built up the business and had started a website.

The new owners hired their neighbour Mary Doyle, who has been a mainstay in the business ever since. We also take on 14 staff every summer, which helps them fund their college expenses. Over the years they have become members of our extended family. The messages many of them sent in when they heard the news would break your heart.

Under the new secondary school free books scheme, first, second and third year students will have 309 per year paid towards the cost of their books, which will substantially cover all costs.

The department gives the money to the schools who have to go look for three quotations. With the best will in the world a small family business on a side street in New Ross cant compete with major outlets. In fairness quite a number of primary schools still stayed with us last summer but still there was a drop of about 30pc in sales. Thats because no primary school parents were coming in with their lists.

These parents would invariably buy a school bag, copies and supplies also.

Many would pay in instalments and wed store their boxes upstairs for them. The week before school started they would get their boxes and have everything they needed. Last year after the scheme started we went from having 14 staff to five. With the secondary scheme starting in September each student gets 309 per year. Once the school gets the money they can balance out the spend over three years.

The scheme sees schools put out e-tenders for contracts. That means there is no longer any wiggle room. Publishers themselves are trying to get in and do deals to make sure and guarantee their books are on the list so they have started to undercut the shops they have supplied.

Barbara said the business enjoyed great relationships with customers and schools which often saw queues of people outside The Treasury every August, adding that the family have no problem with the new scheme in principle.

I was a teacher and I understand the expense of having a child going back to school. There should have been a voucher scheme so parents could get their childrens schoolbooks in local shops because there was enough to go around. This has just made the big corporations bigger. Combined with rising energy costs and the substantial increase in the minimum wage, Barbara said surviving in business has gotten harder.

Theres also the VAT rise for cafes and restaurants and new pension laws coming in. The Government has this message that its going to nurture and assist small businesses. I have seen no evidence. Wed be down 60pc or more on sales if we stayed open this year because for every 96 per year per head for primary, its 309 for secondary. With us we dont have anything to fall back on. We reached our peak in 2022, aided by online sales. During the summers we worked 18, 19 hour days to make sure everyone had what they needed.

Lately schools have been even buying copies, colouring pencils etc in bulk (elsewhere from big corporations) so footfall and online sales are down drastically. We reinvented ourselves during Covid and parents were buying arts and crafts supplies for small children to keep them occupied and when we reopened we managed even though only three people a time could come into the shop. Last summer, for the first time, we didnt have queues outside the shop.

She said many other New Ross businesses benefited from having a destination shop like The Treasury.

People who came here, went and got their hair cut or bought uniforms in Ray Lawlors or school shoes and runners in Hanrahans. If we didnt have what they needed we made sure to send them to Barrow Office Supplies or Deegans. Or wed recommend somewhere for a coffee or lunch.

People have said this is an unfair end to a thriving business and theyre right. Its all down to a Government decision and I feel it was a rushed, populist decision. This means the loss of a tradition going back 36 years in the town. Since then people have been coming into town with their book lists and often from some distances like Gorey and Arklow. It was a growing business too because of the online.

Barbara said the family have gotten lovely messages over recent days. We have been inundated with lovely messages since we announced the closure. Too many to reply to. We are a little bit of a family here on Bridge Street. We take in each others deliveries if our neighbour is away.

Reflecting on the torturous decision to close, Barbara said: We did everything to see ways around it. The communications with the department were poor, with a lack of clarity.

Barbara said she only got copy n pasted replies from the Department of Education when she raised concerns about the impact the scheme was having on the business.

The Government could be keeping local economies going. It was a system that worked here and it was broken. We took in students from all of the secondary schools for TY work experience and many would come back and get jobs here when they were older.
Planned road closures, one-way systems and shuttle bus stops have been outlined for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann as Wexford town braces itself to welcome upwards of 600,000 people for the largest event of its kind in the world.

Given the sheer volume of Fleadh goers who will be in attendance, Wexford residents were warned early on to expect disruption for the duration of the massive festival, which runs from August 4 to 11 this year.

In February of this year, Chairperson of the Fleadh Executive Committee Eddie Taaffe advised that, in effect, all streets from School Street/John Street down to Wexford quayfront would be pedestrianised for the duration of the festival.

Last week, the committee and Wexford County Council unveiled a full draft traffic management plan, which they hope will ensure that crowds are safely managed and the town is kept moving.

Wexford Quay will effectively be closed from the junction of Parnell Street and Trinity Street with a soft closure as far as the Talbot Suites. Traffic will only be permitted on Wexford Bridge and out Redmond Road in cases of emergency and the same will be the case on Summerhill, Grogans Road and Peter Street.

The draft traffic management plan for Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2024 in Wexford town.

King Street Upper, Bride Street, Mary Street and Rowe Street will be pedestrianised, while another soft closure will be in place on George's Street Upper.

A one way system will be in place sending traffic up Josephs Street, across Roches Road onto School Street, Lower John Street and Upper John Street before looping back in the opposite direction via Davitt Road, Waterloo Road and Talbot Green. Similarly Whitemill Road will be one way heading towards town and The Faythe will be one-way heading towards town, while traffic heading out of town will follow the route along Trinity Street and William Street.

Plans for the town centre, outer area and shuttle bus/park and ride are now available to view on the Fleadh Cheoil website and the committee says that discussions are still ongoing and observations are welcomed from all impacted parties.
A Wexford road which has gained notoriety for the number of accidents and fatalities which occur on it will feature on a special edition of RTEs Prime Time this Thursday, April 11. The Duncannon Line (New Line Road) has been dubbed Irelands most notorious road in recent years and has been the subject of countless debates in County Hall.

Speaking at a council meeting in March, Councillor Lisa McDonald described the New Line as a death trap and asked that Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan provide specific funding to increase safety there.

"Theres been umpteen deaths on the Duncannon Line, she said. I know all too well, I live just off it. Were constantly told speed and driver error etc are responsible, but we cant just accept that.

This is Wexford Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wexford newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details

Cllr McDonald stated that, as a mother of a teen who is starting to drive, it terrifies her.

"We need to keep kids safe. Its not good enough to leave things the way they are. There are lots of things that can be done to make things safer. We cant just ignore it. I want to ask the government what they intend to do about the number of accidents on this 56km stretch of road.

Cllr McDonald will feature on a Prime Time special prompted by the worrying increase in road fatalities in 2024, with 60 people having already lost their lives on our roads this year.

The growing number of road deaths in Ireland goes against the European trend. According to an analysis published by the European Commission in early March, comparing road deaths per million inhabitants per European country in 2023, against the average of three pre-pandemic years, Ireland had the highest percentage increase of any country, up 29 per cent. Experts point to intoxicated driving, enforcement, and speeding distraction as contributing factors.

Speeding remains a major factor in road traffic fatalities, disproportionately affecting male drivers. 87 per cent of drivers killed while driving above an appropriate speed were male, according to the latest RSA data.

RTE Prime Time reporter Jack McCarron examines further the fact disqualified drivers are failing to surrender their licences and permits. He speaks to the family of a man killed by a disqualified driver who are calling for a system overhaul after figures were recently highlighted. Between 2016 and 2022, over 25,000 drivers were ordered by courts to surrender their driving licenses or permits due to disqualification, more than 80 per cent of disqualified drivers failed to comply. Separately, more than 95 per cent of nearly 17,000 learner drivers who had their permits disqualified in the last seven years failed to surrender them.

Prime Time will be broadcast on RTE One, Thursday, 9.30pm.
Irish Rail has confirmed that it carries out weekly inspections of the rail line that runs directly beneath the section of the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk which was closed off following a rock slide in October 2022.

The national railway operator was responding to a question filed by Social Democrats local election candidate Aaron McCallorum, on behalf of TD Catherine Murphy, and follows an engineers report which highlighted the extent of the work required to secure the cliff face above the rail line.

Deputy Murphy wanted to know if Irish Rail has engaged with either the National Transport Authority, Wicklow County Council or the Department of Transport in respect of the Bray to Greystones line in the context of passenger safety, preservation of the line / integrity of the line as a result of rock falls etc that have closed the walking trail above the line?

&amp;lt;img alt=&amp;quot;This is Wicklow Newsletter&amp;quot; src=&amp;quot;https://www.independent.ie/editorial/newsletters/images/wicklow.png&amp;quot;&amp;gt; This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details

In its response, from the office of the Irish Rail Chief Executive, Jim Meade, Deputy Murphy was told: We carry out weekly inspection of our asset at Bray Head and we have [an] ongoing programme of maintenance works. The Cliff Walk is under the responsibility of Wicklow County Council (WCC).

In terms of protection of the rail line, we have lineside containment fences and netting to catch falling debris, and will be installing further rock netting this year. In monitoring the location, if we observe any immediate concerns with the cliff walk, we will advise WCC. We also have many regular forums with WCC on a range of topics, and frequently liaise to provide insight to assist each other in our respective responsibilities at Bray Head, it added.

The rail operator also pointed out that separate to the ongoing program of maintenance outlined above, we are planning a major investment in coastal protection along the line between Merrion Gates and Wicklow, including Bray Head, referring to the East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Project (ECRIPP), which aims to protect its infrastructure on this section of railway.

It follows a feasibility study carried out in 2017, where areas of the east coast rail line which have seen encroachment through the loss of coast of up to 20-30 metres in the last 10 years alone were identified.

This has resulted in large losses in land and habitats  like sections of the Cliff Walk  to such levels that the railway line between Dublin and Wicklow is vulnerable to further loss due to coastal erosion.

The ECRIPP hopes to mitigate against further coastal erosion, extreme weather and coastal flooding to ensure rail connectivity is maintained and five key locations have been assessed as requiring protection, including the Bray Head to Greystones North Beach section.

The project is currently at phase two, which includes physical assessment, ecological surveys, topographic surveys and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys and a ground investigation to inform the design for the five key areas.

Public participation during the design process is a key element and the project has two non-statutory public consultations planned, with the first due to take place later in the year on the options for the five coastal areas. This public consultation will consider all feedback received to advance the design through to public consultation two where the preferred options will be presented.

The National Development Plan forecasts a 10-year timeline to complete the project.
Council says funding not available to make repairs

A Wicklow woman who co-founded a charity for physically disabled adults has slammed Wicklow County Council for ignoring six years of requests to fix a footpath she says is restricting her communitys access to Greystones Harbour.

Having dedicated decades of her life to providing rehabilitative services and activities for Wicklow and Dublin residents with physical and sensory disabilities, Mary Hackett, voluntary Trustee for the Open Door Day Centre in Bray, found her world flipped upside down in 2018 when her own mobility was impaired and she lost sight in one eye, after developing a rare blood disease called giant cell arteritis.
Sean Denver (2nd from right), with friends Anna Ni Chonchubhair, Regan King and Eanna Quinn at the Sean Denver Charity Sea Swim in Bray.

Christ Church COI

Services of Worship for this Sunday The Third Sunday of Easter: 11am Morning Prayer.

Easter Vestry: Takes place tonight (Wednesday) at 8pm.

Parish Life Centre [PLC] Bookings: The Parish Life Centre is available for day and evening bookings. Please contact Tracey in the Parish Office at 01-2862968.

Parish Office: The Parish Office can be contacted at 01-2862968 or info@christchurchbray.ie between 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday.

An Evening of French Classical Music: Join us this Saturday night at 7pm for an evening of French classical music on the organ and strings from various French composers and music for the movies. Music will include the works of C.Saint-Saens, C. Faure, L. Vierne, J. Alain Charles-Marie Widor, performed by Tatiana Koninja, our Musical Director on organ, Sheelagh Harte on cello, Francis Harte on Viola, and Zhamilla Park on violin. Book your tickets, which are 10 at: https://christ-church-bray.sumupstore.com/

Save the Date: The Christ Church Parish Fete will take place on Saturday May 18th.

Connect Online: Our most active communication tools currently are our Website www.christchurchbray.ie which contains information on our live streamed worship services, weekly Blogs, events and news, and our facebook page @christchurchbray.

Irish Trefoil GuildGuiding for Life: Calling all former leaders of the Irish Girl Guides in Bray and the surrounding area. There is now a Trefoil Guild in Bray. Contact Anne at braytrefoilguild@gmail.com.

Bray Methodist Church

Worship for this Sunday: 10amSunday Worship with Creche and Sunday School.

Bray Presbyterian Church

Worship for this Sunday: 11.30am Sunday Worship.

Christian Assembly Church

Worship for this Sunday: 10.45am Morning Worship.

Wednesdays: 8pm Prayer Meeting & Bible study.

Monthly Ladies Meeting: For details see www.christianassemblybray.com.

Cornerstone Church at The Well

Worship this Sunday: 11am.

Holy Redeemer Parish

Mass Times: 10amMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday No Mass on Tuesday. Sunday Masses: 6pm Vigil Mass on Saturday and on Sunday at 10.30am and 12Noon. To book a Mass, please call into the Sacristy before or after our Masses.

Baptism: Registration for Baptism can be made online via the parish website www.holyredeemerbray.ie.

St Peters Parish

St. Peters Church Mass Times: Sunday: 9.30am (Irish), 11.30am. Holy Days of Obligation: 11.30am. No Weekday Mass. Mass on the First Friday of the Month is celebrated at 10am. Sunday Mass is broadcast on the parish web-site at 9.30am (Irish) and 11.30am (English)Google Chrome required.

Car Park Hours: These are from 9am to 12.30pm, Monday to Friday, for parish business and at the weekends during church ceremonies. The Cemetery is accessible via the laneway for pedestrians.

St. Peters Cemetery: There is a strict policy of No Dumping Allowed in any area of the cemetery. Visitors to the cemetery are requested to take home all forms of rubbish with them in order to keep the cemetery tidy. Your co-operation is appreciated.

St. Annes Church, Shankill: A Vigil Mass is celebrated on Saturdays at 5pm. All are welcome.

St Fergals Parish

Mass Times: Mass times are 9.30am Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. No morning Mass on Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturday: 7pm Vigil Mass; Sundays: 8am and 10.30am.

Baptism: Baptisms take place on the first and third Saturday of each Month at 12Noon. Bookings can be made through the Parish Office Only. The Preparation meeting takes place on the Monday before the 1st Saturday of the month. Please call into the Parish Office three weeks in advance of the Baptism to complete the Baptism Form and to confirm the date.

Confessions: Are heard on Saturdays after the 7pm Vigil Mass.

Marriage: All couples must give notice to the priest or Parish Secretary at least three months prior to the date of marriage.

Syro Malabar Catholic Church

Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 2.30pm in St. Fergals Church, Ballywaltrim.

Our Lady Queen of Peace

Church Opening Hours: The Church closes at 4.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration takes place from 11am to 10pm on Mondays only in this Church.

Mass: Weekday Masses are celebrated at 10.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Weekend Masses are at 6.30pm on Saturdays and 10.30am and 12 Noon on Sundays.

Mass Bookings: Anyone who wishes to book a Mass can do so by contacting the Parish Secretary via email at: secretary@queenofpeace.ie, or call 2745497.

Parish Centre: To book a meeting room in the Parish Centre please call 01-2760045 or email: villafas1@hotmail.com.

QOP youth club

At the Queen of Peace Adventure Youth Club committee meeting on Wednesday Albert Kerr announced that after fifty-seven years of service he was handing over his club responsibilities. This included his roles as child protection officer, chairperson, leader, director of the company, and trustee.

Albert stated that the club was in a very strong and able position to continue serving future generations in the community. He thanked all the leaders, and said that the club would remain close to his heart for the rest of his life.

Diving club

Next week with the brighter evenings and warmer weather conditions Bray Divers Sub-aqua Club will be organising dives on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays. Congratulations to David Emerson who had his first snorkel with the club on Sunday. He expects to be a qualified one star diver during the May holiday weekend. To join the club call Albert on 0876756439.

Easter Dawn Service

The Bray Churches Together Easter Dawn Service on Bray Head on Easter Sunday was attended by almost one hundred people. This was a big drop in numbers on previous years. Nevertheless it was a very satisfying spiritual occasion, and great credit is due to the organisers, and to the attendees.

Bray Library

Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday with late opening on Tuesday and Thursday until 8.30pm. The library can be contacted at 01-2862600 or email: braylib@wicklowcoco.ie. Online services including e-books, audio-books, digital magazines and newspapers and e-learning are available via the library website.

Doodle Time for 9-12 year olds takes place every Thursday from 3pm to 4pm. Afterschool Storytime takes place every Tuesday at 3pm in the Junior Library.

The Junior Book Club (ages 9 to 11) is now accepting new members. It meets on the second Monday of each month at 3.15pm- email: braylibrary@wicklowcoco.ie or ask at the library desk to book a place.

Bray Library Knitting and Crochet will meet on Wednesdays between 3pm and 4 p.m. until Wednesday September 25th just come along, no need to book. Bray Library Crime Club meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm. To book a place email: braylib@wicklowcoco.ie. Today (Wednesday) there will be a lunchtime recital with Chien Buggie at 12pm. All are welcome no need to book.

Ballywaltrim Library

Opening hours are 10am to 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and 10am to 8pm on Wednesday. The library is closed on the Saturdays and Mondays on Bank Holiday weekends. The library can be contacted at 01-2723205 or by email at: ballywatrimlibrary@wicklowcoco.ie.

STEM Saturdays: 10am to 11.30am Booking is essential. FAST Sensory Toy Collection: Our FAST toy collection features over 140 items divided into four functional categories: Gross Motor skills, Fine Motor skills, Language, Social, Life and Play Skills and Sensory & Tactile. A catalogue is available to view in the library or on-line.

Quilting Group & Knitting Group: Runs fortnightly, each group meets on alternating Wednesdays between 6.30pm and 8pm. Tummy Time (0-12 month olds): Mondays and Fridays between 10.30am and 12pm no booking required. Storytime for all: Saturdays at 11.30am. (Saturday times may change).

Ballywaltrim Book Clubs: Meets on a Wednesday and Saturday of each month between 3pm and 4pm. Enquiries to library staff. (Saturday times may change). Bookaneers Book Club: Junior Book Club contact the library for more details. Coder Dojo: Wednesdays between 5pm and 6.30pm (September to May only). Today (Wednesday) there will be a lunchtime recital in Bray Library with Chien Buggie at 12pm. All are welcome no need to book.

Bray Cualann Historical Society

Peadar Curran will be the guest presenter for the Thursday April 18th meeting of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, the local history society for Bray and North Wicklow, when he present his lecture The Ice Houses of Dublin and Wicklow which will recall these buildings which were used to keep food fresh in pre-refrigeration. This lecture will take place at 8pm in the Royal Hotel, Main Street, Bray. All are welcome admission is 8 for non-members.

Members and supporters of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, are asked note that the following events will take place during the coming week today (Wednesday) Historian in Residence (Dublin Central) Elizabeth Kehoe will present Servants in the Big Houses of Ireland at 2.30pm in the Dublin Central Library, Ilac Centre, Henry Street, Dublin 1. Admission is free but advanced booking is required via centrallibrary@dublincity.ie; Michael Brannigan will present Dublin Moving East: 1798-1844 at 6pm to the Old Dublin Society in the Conference Room, Dublin City Library & Archive, 144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. All are welcomeadmission is free; Historian in Residence Dr. Mary Muldowney will recall The 1973 helicopter escape from Mountjoy jail at 6.30pm in Drumcondra Library, Millmount Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Admission is free but booking is required call 01-222 8344 or email: drumcondralibrary@dublincity.ie; tomorrow (Thursday) David McCullagh will present De Valera Rule: 1932-1975 at 8pm to the Kilmacud-Stillorgan Local History Society in St. Raphaelas Primary School Hall, St. Raphaelas Road, Upper Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. All are welcome admission is 3; next Monday Historian in Residence Dr. Cormac Moore will present Trapped on the Wrong Side of the Border at 6.30pm in Ringsend Library, Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.Admission is free but booking is required call 01-222 8499 or email: ringsendlibrary@dublincity.ie; next Tuesday night as part of the dlr Spring into Heritage programme, Terence Doorley will present Burning the Big Houses, 1920-23 at 7pm in Marlay House, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin. Admission is free but booking is required webcloudone/dlrheritageevents; Donal OSullivan will present New research notes on the building of Dun Laoghaire Harbour at 8pm to the Foxrock Local History Club in Foxrock Parish Pastoral Centre, Foxrock, Co. Dublin. All are welcomeadmission is 5 for visitors; next Wednesday Elizabeth Kehoe will present Fleapits, Palaces and Multiplexes A history of cinemas in Dublin at 6.30pm in Marino Library, Marino Mart, Dublin 3.Admission is free but booking is required call 01-222 8399 or email: marinolibrary@dublincity.ie; L. McLoughlin will present Wicklow County Council Archives at 7.30pm to the Greystones Archaeological & Historical Society in the Kilian Family Centre, beside Holy Rosary Church, Greystones, Co. Wicklow. All are welcome admission is 3; the AGM of the Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society will take place at 8pm in the Royal Marine Hotel, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, and will be followed by the annual Treasure Night presented by members. All are welcomeadmission is 5. The next meeting of the Bray Cualann Historical Society will take place at 8pm on Thursday April 18th in the Royal Hotel, Main Street, Bray, when Peadar Curran will present his lecture on The Ice Houses of Dublin and Wicklow. All are welcome admission is 8 for non-members. The Bray Cualann Historical Society is always interested in new members and those wishing to join the Society can do so at the Thursday April 18th meeting of the Society in the Royal Hotel, Bray, or log onto the Societys website to obtain more information.

Poetry in the Park

Poetry in the Park takes place on the First Sunday of Every Month at 12pm on the bandstand in the Peoples Park, Lower Dargle Road, Bray. Listen to or read your favourite poems, hear original poetry performed by local poets or simply chat with other poetry fans in this beautiful outdoor setting on the banks of the River Dargle.
More than 30 local election candidates for Wicklow came together on Monday, April 8, to sign an anti-racism election protocol ahead of the voting which takes place on June 7.

Speaking following the meeting of candidates and councillors at Wicklow County Council, Shane OCurry, of Irish Network Against Racism (INAR), said: By signing the protocol these 30 candidates are really sending a positive message to all in County Wicklow, that Wicklow is a welcoming place to all and that they will not engage in harmful rhetoric against migrants, refugees and ethnic minorities.

With the hostile situation in Ireland right now it would be easy for local election candidates to exploit current trends and to vilify migrants, refugees and ethnic minorities in their election campaigns.

We in INAR strongly commend these 30 Wicklow local election candidates for coming together in a non-partisan manner and for promoting a positive welcoming message to their constituents, he concluded.

Bray councillors Councillor Aoife Flynn Kennedy and Councillor Melanie Corrigan were among those who signed the protocol.

Today, I was delighted to join with Cllr Melanie Corrigan, many fellow councillors and individuals running in the upcoming elections to reconfirm my commitment to run a responsible, respectful and inclusive campaign, free from racism and discrimination, Cllr Flynn Kennedy said.

Id like to take this opportunity to also acknowledge that today [April 8] is International Traveller and Roma Day, and wish well all those in our community celebrating today.

I fundamentally believe that as elected representatives it is important to represent our diverse communities, and if elected to serve another term I will continue to work to bring people together to better our community, she added.
Cathaoirleach of the Arklow Municipal District Tommy Annesley, Leonora Earls and Alvina Brehony present the Cathaoirleach's Award to Breen Brothers Eamon and Andrew in recognition of their rowing challenge from Spain to Antigua. Photo: Michael Kelly

Eamon and Andrew Breen of The Atlantic Bro-ing team were presented with Arklow Municipal Districts Cathaoirleachs Special Recognition award by Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tommy Annesley, at a recent function.

Cllr Annesley selected Eamon and Andrew for the esteemed annual award, which recognises an outstanding contribution from an individual or group in Arklow Municipal District, for their outstanding achievement of completing the Worlds Toughest Row from Spain to Antigua for charity earlier this year.

Along with a certificate of recognition, Eamon and Andrew were each presented with a specially commissioned clock made by Asgard Turning.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;img alt=&amp;quot;This is Wicklow Newsletter&amp;quot; src=&amp;quot;https://www.independent.ie/editorial/newsletters/images/wicklow.png&amp;quot;&amp;amp;amp;gt; This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details

Their parents, Christy and Patsy Breen, were also presented with a framed picture of Eamon and Andrew celebrating reaching the finishing line on their boat, Rory.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cllr Annesley said he was: Honoured to present the awards to Eamon and Andrew and to recognise the challenges they faced undertaking such a phenomenal row  they spent a gruelling 42 days, 1 hour and 58 minutes at sea.

He congratulated them on their fundraising efforts for both First Light and Make a Wish Ireland, two charities that mean a lot to the Breen Family, adding: They left port in their seven-metre-long, one-metre-wide rowing boat Rory, named in a fitting tribute to their brother.

Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer OGorman extended her congratulations to the pair, saying: It was a remarkable achievement on the part of both Eamon and Andrew to complete such a gruelling challenge, and it is fitting their accomplishment has been recognised.

Leonora Earls, District Manager of Arklow Municipal District, commented: We are delighted to honour the Breen Brothers with the Cathaoirleachs award, before adding her praise for the support given to the brothers by their families and friends.
Plans for a greenway that would run from Wicklow town to Greystones are being put on public display. (Stock image)

Consultants working on the proposed Wicklow to Greystones greenway have identified potential route corridor options and the public are now being asked to have their say.

Chris Fay of AtkinsRealis Ireland provided the elected members with a presentation on the greenway at Mondays monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council.

Potential route corridor options have been identified by the project team through a review of the identified study area between Wicklow to Greystones. A route corridor was taken to be an area approximately 600 metres wide.

The primary consideration when identifying these corridors was the definition of a major linear feature or theme that could be consistently followed by the greenway through all or most of its length. In total, three different route corridors were identified for evaluation.

They include a coastal route corridor, a field boundary route corridor and a regional road route corridor.

The study area was also divided into three sections and the Stage 1 Assessment was completed on a segment-by-segment basis with each segment being evaluated independently of the others.

The extents of the scheme corridors, divided into three distinct sections is broadly Greystones to Kilcoole, Kilcoole to Five Mile Point, and Five Mile Point to Wicklow.

It is recommended that the coastal route corridor and the field boundary route corridor are advanced as the emerging preferred route corridors to the stage 2 route optioneering assessment process, where multiple route options will be developed and evaluated in more detail.

Cllr Paul OBrien said: I welcome this. The Murrough was such a great amenity during Covid, and we also badly need to protect the Murrough.

You will have naysayers talking about protecting the environment, and protecting the environment is hugely important, but if we dont act soon there wont be any environment to protect.

Cllr Tom Fortune said he was quite shocked by the presentation.

We seem to be ploughing ahead without properly consulting the public. There was a public meeting held but that proved inconclusive. It looks like we may have to go inland which presents challenges. Its one massive engineering challenge and I can only imagine the cost will be off the scale.

Cllr Lourda Scott said: The results of the public consultation will be very interesting to see.

However, when I am talking to people, one question always comes up: where did this idea generate from? Was there a call from the communities at the end of the routes or from Wicklow County Council?

All stakeholders and interested parties are invited to attend and view information on the scheme at upcoming public display events taking place at Greystones Library on Thursday, April 18 and at Wicklow Library on Thursday, April 25, from 4pm to 8pm.

The public display documents are available to view on the project website www.wicklowgreenways.ie.
AUBURN  Nearly two-thirds of Cayuga County residents have registered to be organ donors.

Cayuga County Clerk Brian Scanlan hopes to increase that number over the next few years.

April is National Donate Life Month and the clerk's office, which oversees the county Department of Motor Vehicles, is holding events to encourage more residents to sign up to be organ donors.

On Wednesday, Scanlan and DMV staff held a ceremony to raise a Donate Life flag outside the county office building. Cayuga County Legislature Chairwoman Aileen McNabb-Coleman attended the event and presented Scanlan with a proclamation recognizing National Donate Life Month.

Scanlan knows the importance of organ donation. His mother, Ann, received a liver transplant in 2018. While she died later that year, he told The Citizen it was an experience that highlighted the impact organ donation can have on a family.

One donor, Scanlan explained, can save up to eight lives with their organs. An additional 75 lives could be saved through eye and tissue donations.

In New York, there are nearly 8,000 people awaiting organ transplants.

"The more people that we can get to sign up and help people in need, the better off we'll be," Scanlan said.

To join the state Donate Life registry, New Yorkers must be at least 16 years old. One of the ways they can sign up is through interactions with the DMV office.

Leigh Reilley, a county DMV cashier, said customers are asking during original transactions whether they would like to be an organ donor. They can sign up then or skip the question.

The option to join the donor registry is available during other transactions, including renewing licenses.

DMV staff will provide facts to customers about organ donation. A common misconception is from older people who think they are too old to be organ donors.

Scanlan is aware some people might be hesitant to sign up. It's a challenge the county has been able to overcome by increasing the number of residents who are registered to be organ donors.

In Cayuga County, 64.9% of the eligible population  39,677 people  are registered donors. Statewide, 48.8% of New Yorkers  more than 7.6 million residents  have joined the registry.

The numbers weren't always this high. Scanlan's predecessor, former Cayuga County Clerk Sue Dwyer, noted that the number of local registered organ donors was "dismal" when she took office in 2004. She was proud when half of the county's eligible residents signed up to be donors. By the end of her tenure, the number of registered donors increased to nearly 64%.

Scanlan wants to build on that progress. He hopes to have 80% of eligible residents on the registry.

"It is a lofty goal, but we're going to work hard to achieve that," he said.
The family of a four-year-old Wicklow girl with Cystic Fibrosis, who has been hospitalised twice in the last four months, are celebrating this week as she was finally able to receive game-changing modulator medicine.

Izzy, who is from Rathnew, is the daughter of Emma Hayward and sister to Alex (23) and Jack (17). She was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis not long after her birth and has a rare second gene, meaning she wasnt eligible for Kaftrio modulator therapy.

However, in 2023 Kaftrio modulator therapy was approved for Izzys age group, with the HSE also approving the modulator treatment for Izzys age group from April 1.Emma was able to collect Izzys first batch of modulator medication during the week from Rathnew Pharmacy.

<img alt="This is Wicklow Newsletter" src="https://www.independent.ie/editorial/newsletters/images/wicklow.png"> This is Wicklow Newsletter Enter your email address below and click 'Sign Up' to receive the This is Wicklow newsletter direct to your inbox. Please check your inbox to verify your details

An over-joyed Emma said: We have been waiting for this since Izzy was five months old. Izzy is delighted as well, and she was aware that there were these granules she would be able to take from April 1. Its a complete game-changer for Izzy and its the closest thing to a cure someone with Cystic Fibrosis can have. It will mean less hospital admissions for Izzy and less chest infections. We have been waiting for this day for so long.

She added: Izzy has been hospitalised in Crumlin twice in the last four months for two weeks at a time, so she could receive IV antibiotics due to exacerbations of her Cystic Fibrosis. This is a major moment in Izzys life and my families. The whole family are totally elated.

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and the digestive system, but Izzys initial diagnosis came as a complete surprise as she was the first person with the disease in her family.

It was a huge shock and we had absolutely no idea that we were carriers, added Emma. It was a normal pregnancy and everything appeared to be fine. Izzy was 24 hours in Crumlin Hospital, and she was officially diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was six weeks old, which was very difficult news to hear.

"We were told when Izzy was five months old that there were hopes down the line for this amazing new drug. Cystic Fibrosis Ireland have been great and have been campaigning for this treatment for years. We also have received great help and support from Des Cox and his team at Crumlin Hospital.

"When we first heard of the modulator treatment we were still adjusting to Izzys diagnosis, and it seemed a bit of a pipe-dream anyway because it seemed so far down the line. But now it has become a reality and the whole family are delighted. This will help Izzy so much.

"Its also great to be able to pick up the medication from our local Rathnew Pharmacy. John from the pharmacy already looks after all of Izzys medication, and there is quite a lot of it. She is the first patient they have on that medication and we are just overjoyed that this treatment is finally available to her.

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, who have supported Izzy and mum Emma, are hosting their biggest annual fundraiser this week. Funds raised on 65 Roses Day, Friday, April 12, will help to provide exercise equipment, counselling sessions, and grants for people undergoing a transplant, fertility assessment or families who have recently been bereaved. Funds also go to support Cystic Fibrosis research and the building of new CF hospital facilities and the funding of specialist Cystic Fibrosis staff.

"Advancements in medication and CF care, which CFI have been advocating for, has brought about huge changes for people with CF, concluded Emma. I am asking everyone to get out and support 65 Roses Day to help CFI support people all over Ireland affected by CF.

On Friday, volunteers will be out selling purple roses at Dunne Stores outlets in the Bridgewater Centre, North Quay, Arklow; Saint Josephs Road, Blessington; 2 Goldsmith Terrace, Quinsborough Road, Bray and Main Street, Newtownmountkennedy.
How women are using social media to get revenge on terrible men

From a British chef allegedly ghosting his wife and kids, to someone suing 50 women for calling him a bad date  be careful who you scorn, writes Emma Clarke

Emma Clarke UK Independent Wed 10 Apr 2024 at 14:07

Although the reputation of internet sleuths has been tarnished of late, theres no denying that, on occasion, they have demonstrated a certain flare for mystery-cracking. From aiding the police with Luka Magnottas capture in 2012 to TikTok tip-offs about Gabby Petitos disappearance in 2021  there are benefits to people being Very Online, and these digital communities can help provide vital information to solve real-life crimes.
Its the thing we argue about the most: Can a drinker date a non-drinker?

As new research finds that couples with similar drinking habits have better relationships, Olivia Petter examines the consequences of having a different relationship to alcohol than your partner

Olivia Petter UK Independent Wed 10 Apr 2024 at 08:37

They say that love, like wine, gets better in time. Well, that might only be true if youre drinking the same amount. According to a new study, couples who drink together have better relationships  and they may even live longer, too. The report, conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan, was based on interviews with more than 4,500 married or cohabiting couples that took place every two years over the space of two decades.
Russia said yesterday that Ukraine had attacked the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant for a third day with a drone, but Ukrainian military intelligence denied that Kyiv had anything to do with the attacks.

Ukraine has denied it is behind a series of drone attacks on the plant over the past three days, including three drone attacks on Sunday, which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said had endangered nuclear safety.
Israeli ceasefire proposal fails to meet our demands, says Hamas

Militant group insists it wants to reach agreement and will further review the plan

Israeli soldiers patrol near the Israel-Gaza border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Israel, April 9, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Nidal Al-Mughrabi Wed 10 Apr 2024 at 03:30







Hamas said yesterday that an Israeli proposal on a ceasefire in their war in Gaza did not meet the demands of Palestinian militant factions, but it would study the offer further and deliver its response to mediators.
Alec Baldwin practising drawing his revolver on the set of the 'Rust' movie. Photo: PA

Alec Baldwin shamelessly lied and changed his story following the death of a cinematographer on the set of his film Rust, US prosecutors have claimed.

In a court filing ahead of the actors trial in July for involuntary manslaughter, they also argue he was unable to control his emotions during filming in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he was considering an Australian request to drop the prosecution of WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange, who released troves of confidential US classified documents.
The MedTech Industry in India: Outlook and Growth Drivers

Indias medical technology (MedTech) industry, currently holding a modest 1.5 percent global market share, presents opportunities for investors amidst various government-led initiatives aimed at fostering growth, including the PLI Scheme and Medical Devices Parks Scheme.

Indias rapidly growing medical device market

With the opening of 13 greenfield medical device manufacturing facilities, India is expected to establish itself as a leading exporter of medical devices.

In March 2024, the countrys Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya, announced that under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, 26 applicants seeking to manufacture medical devices had been accepted for 138 products.

In a research report jointly published by KPMG and industry body APACMeds, it has been noted that foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Indian medical device sector was US$3.4 million in the first three quarters of FY23, up from US$1.9 million in FY22 and the highest since FY17.

At present, India is among the worlds fastest-growing markets for medical devices, registering a growth of 2.89 percent in value shipments in 2022 over 2021, and growing at 6.35 percent CAGR in 2022, when compared to 2017.

In 2021, the domestic medical device market was estimated to be worth over US$8 billion. Analysts predict that by 2027, the value will have exceeded US$20 billion, growing at a rate of about 17 percent annually.

READ: The Foreign Investment Outlook of Indias Pharmaceuticals Industry

Increase in foreign investment

In March 2024, Medtronic, an international medical device company with its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, revealed plans to invest US$350 million to develop its Medtronic Engineering & Innovation Center in Hyderabad, one of the biggest research and development facilities outside of the US.

The investment will support surgical and implantable technologies, robotics, imaging, and navigation. The multinational player in personal healthcare products, Omron Healthcare, with headquarters in Japan, said in May that it would establish a medical device manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu for US$15.5 million.

Similarly, German MNC Siemens Healthineers also intends to invest US$197.7 million by 2025 to establish an innovation hub in Indias Bengaluru. In August 2023, Siemens and Indias Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) partnered for a master research collaboration in the medical industry. The centers main areas of interest will include immersive technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.

Meanwhile, French diagnostics specialist multinational BioMerieux is also setting up a laboratory at Kasturba Medical College in Manipal.

Recent notable investments In 2022, Warburg Pincus invested US$210 million into Meril Life Sciences, while Samara Capital contributed US$150 million to Sahajanand Medical Technologies, specializing in molecular diagnostics. Temasek Holdings and Oswal Alternates jointly invested US$85 million in Molbio Diagnostics, headquartered in Goa.

Leapfrog Investments US$61 million in Redcliffe Genetics.

Lightrock Ventures US$32.8 million in BeatO.

Sony Innovation Funds US$8.5 million in Tricog.

Amicus Capitals US$7.3 million in Rivaara Labs, focusing on molecular diagnostics.

After opening its first facility in Gurugram in 2016, Boston Scientific, a US-based company, launched its second R&D center in Pune in 2023. India is home to the companys second-largest R&D centers outside of the United States of America.

Stryker, another leading player in the medical device industry, recently opened a neurovascular research facility at its Global Technology Center in Gurugram in an effort to find treatments for brain stroke.

National Single Window System launched to ease imports

To facilitate the efficient importation of medical devices, India has established a National Single Window System (NSWS).

Spearheaded by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the NSWS system was launched on January 1, 2024, with the aim of offering a consolidated platform for approvals and simplifying the import process for medical devices. The CDSCO is the regulatory agency that oversees the regulation and registration of medical devices.

Indias National Medical Devices Policy 2023

Indias National Medical Devices Policy 2023 (see Gazette notification here) was approved by the central government on April 26, 2023, with the objective of supporting the industrys growth from US$11 billion in 2022 to US$50 billion in 2030. This ambitious goal implies at least 15 percent annual growth over seven years.

Under the National Medical Devices Policy 2023, there will be six major policy intervention areas: building enabling infrastructure, facilitating R&D and innovation, attracting investments, regulatory streamlining, human resource development, and brand positioning and awareness creation.

According to research reports, both global and Indian markets for medical equipment expanded by little more than 9 percent in 2022.

Industry leaders have reportedly welcomed the policy, which targets boosting Indias INR 900 billion (US$108.2 billion) medical device industry, currently ranked fourth in Asia behind China, Japan, and South Korea.

PLI Scheme for promoting domestic manufacturing of medical devices

India faces certain challenges in the medical device business, such as the absence of proper infrastructure, limitations in the local supply chain and logistics, high financing costs, insufficient supply of high-quality power, restricted design capabilities, and low investments in R&D.

To address this capacity deficit, the central government authorized the PLI Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices on March 20, 2020, the guidelines for which were released in October the same year.

The PLI scheme, which is limited to greenfield projects, aims to increase local manufacturing and draw significant capital into the Indian medical device industry. The PLI program will run for fiscal years 20202021 through 20272028. Under the PLI scheme, selected companies (beneficiaries) will get financial incentives for a period of five years, at the rate of five percent of incremental sales of medical equipment manufactured in India. Thus, they need to meet stipulated production and sales targets to qualify for the incentives.

Eligibility threshold criteria for Category A applicant: PLI Scheme



Target Segment Rate of Incentive on Incremental Sales of Manufactured Goods for respective FY Threshold Minimum Incremental Sales of Manufactured Goods Maximum Incentive per applicant per target segment All four segments of medical devices FY 2022-23: 5% FY 2023-24: 5% FY 2024-25: 5% FY 2025-26: 5% FY 2026-27: 5% FY 2022-23: INR600 million FY 2023-24: INR1200 million FY 2024-25: INR 1800 million FY 2025-26: INR2300 million FY 2026-27: INR2800 million FY 2022-23  INR.80 million FY 2023-24  INR.170 million FY 2024-25  INR270 million FY 2025-26  INR320 million FY 2026-27  INR370 million Total Maximum incentive  INR1210 million

Eligibility threshold criteria for Category B applicant

Target Segment Rate of Incentive on Incremental Sales of Manufactured Goods for respective FY Threshold Minimum Incremental Sales of Manufactured Goods Maximum Incentive per applicant per target segment All four segments of medical devices FY 2022-23: 5% FY 2023-24: 5% FY 2024-25: 5% FY 2025-26: 5% FY 2026-27: 5% FY 2022-23: INR 200 million For subsequent financial years i.e., from FY 2023-24 onwards, the threshold sales shall be computed at 10% growth over the minimum threshold incremental sale required in the previous financial Year. FY 2023-24: INR 22o million FY 2024-25: INR 242 million FY 2025-26: INR 266.2 million FY 2026-27: INR 292.8 million FY 2022-23 -INR.25 million FY 2023-24 -INR.50 million FY 2024-25 -INR85 million FY 2025-26 -INR110 million FY 2026-27 -INR130 million Total Maximum incentive  INR400 million

The products under the PLI scheme have been categorized under the following four targeted segments:

Cancer care/Radiotherapy medical devices Radiology & Imaging medical devices (both ionizing & non-ionizing radiation products) and Nuclear Imaging devices Anaesthetics & Cardio-Respiratory medical devices including Catheters of Cardio Respiratory Category & Renal Care medical devices All implants including implantable electronic devices

Financial Year FDI Inflows into Medtech Activities (in INR billion) 2018-19 1.018 2019-20 2.196 2020-21 0.511 2021-2022 1.545 2022-2023 (up to September 2022) 2.628

For anyone manufacturing or importing medical equipment into India, obtaining a CDSCO Medical Device License is necessary. This license is granted by the state licensing authority, provided that the license holder satisfies all conditions outlined in the Medical Devices Rules. Furthermore, the authorities covered by the Central Licensing and Approving Authority (CLAA) system must be notified before any medical devices can be manufactured.

Emergence of MedTech parks in India

With a cap of INR 1 billion (approx. US$12 million) per park or 70 percent of the project cost of shared infrastructural amenities, whichever is lower, the Promotion of Medical Device Parks initiative offers grant-in-aid to medical device parks.

Financial support for shared infrastructure facilities has been approved by the central government for four medical device parks located in Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. It is anticipated that the parks will be completed by June 2024.

The purpose of the Promotion of Medical Device Parks initiative is to establish top-notch Common Infrastructure Facilities in medical device parks, thereby facilitating convenient access to standard testing and laboratory facilities across the country.

Such dedicated spaces for the MedTech industry are expected to support the development of a strong ecosystem for domestic medical device manufacturing by lowering production costs, boosting competitiveness, and thereby ensuring affordable and better accessible medical equipment in the market.

In March 2024, it was reported that five firms had expressed their intention to invest a total of INR 1760 million (US$211.4 million) in the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporations (MPIDC) Medical Devices Park in Ujjain. The MPIDC will grant roughly 26 acres to create a dedicated space.

Official data from the MPIDC revealed that Medqverse Private Ltd., one of the five firms, intends to invest INR 1 billion (US$12.02 million) to set up a unit for radiation cancer treatment equipment, which is estimated to provide job opportunities for 300 people.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone Ltd. (AMTZ) project has received financial support worth INR 250 million (US$3 million) from the Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2022. Its funding was granted under the sub-scheme Assistance to Medical Device Industry for Common Facility Center for the construction of a common facilities center for the testing and study of superconducting magnetic coils. Overall, the zone has received INR 2249 million (US$27 million) from the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

The state of Uttar Pradesh is also attempting to establish itself as the industry leader in the fields of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The chief minister of the state dedicated the 2000-acre projected Pharma Park in March 2024 with the goal of establishing Uttar Pradesh as a center for pharmaceutical production and export.

Outlook The policy to promote the establishment of medical device parks is expected to improve Indias capacity to produce essential medical equipment. In addition to drawing large investment, the move is anticipated to provide plenty of job possibilities for the local populace. India may also consider using the public-private partnership model to grow its market for medical devices and create synergies in fields where it lags capacity, technology know-how, and infrastructure. The European Commission and private consortiums, notably MedTech Europe, launched the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) in 2021 to foster cross-sectoral innovation in biotechnology, digital health, and medical technology. PPPs have the potential to stimulate innovation in financially challenging situations with intense cost constraints.

(US$ 1 = INR 83.19)
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

New Delhi: Tesla's top boss Elon Musk will visit India this month to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is expected to announce plans to invest and open a new EV manufacturing plant in India, media reported.

Reuters reported citing sources that Musk will meet Modi in New Delhi in the week starting on April 22 and separately announce his plans in India.

Image courtesy: PIB

The Tesla chief will be accompanied by other high-level executives of the company, it said.

However, Musks final India trip agenda could change, said the report.

Musk and Modi previously met in New York in June. Over the following months, Tesla actively tried to pursue India for India to reduce import duties on electric vehicles as the country contemplated establishing a factory.

India recently introduced a revised EV policy, slashing import tariffs from 100% to 15% for certain models, provided the manufacturer commits to investing a minimum of $500 million and sets up a manufacturing facility.

Reuters has earlier reported that Tesla representatives are expected to visit India this month to assess potential locations for a manufacturing facility, which would necessitate an investment of roughly $2 billion.

The report said that sources have revealed that Tesla has started the production of right-hand drive vehicles at its German plant with plans to export them to India later this year.

Musk remarked this week on X that "India should have electric cars like every other country has electric cars. It's a natural progression to provide Tesla electric vehicles in India".

Tesla's entry into the Indian market coincides with a slowdown in electric vehicle demand in its primary markets, namely the United States and China.

India's electric vehicle (EV) market is small but steadily growing. Indian auto major Tata Motors dominates the market at present.

In 2023, EVs accounted for approximately 2% of total car sales in India, with the government aiming for this figure to reach 30% by 2030.

Analysts suggest that Tesla's entry into the Indian market could stimulate further investments in EVs and provide advantages to local auto parts manufacturers, Reuters reported.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

New Delhi: The Ministry of Heavy Industries has given the green light to 11 electric vehicle (EV) makers, such as Ather Energy, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Ola Electric, and Mahindra, to qualify for incentives as part of the newly launched Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024.

A total of 11 firms have been granted approval under the EMPS, with several more under consideration, informed a senior official of the ministry to Business Standard.

The objective of the scheme is to sustain the growth in electric vehicle (EV) sales, succeeding the former Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles  II (FAME-II) scheme. With an allocation of Rs 500 crore, the new scheme started on April 1 and will run until July 31.

The government has simplified the certification process for this scheme. An official told Business Standard, "The approval process is now more efficient and expedited, ensuring a seamless experience for applicants."

The subsidy reduction responds to the high demand. The goal is to support the industry while preparing it for a post-subsidy era, as subsidies cannot continue indefinitely, said Heavy Industries Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey speaking to Business Standard.

Despite requests from e4W manufacturers, including Tata Motors, for an extension of FAME-II benefits, this was rejected.

In the new scheme, incentives are provided for electric two-wheelers (e2W) and electric three-wheelers (e3W), but not for electric four-wheelers (e4W) and e-buses.

The government said that existing schemes like Auto PLI and PM-eBus Sewa Scheme cater to these categories. The Auto PLI and PM-eBus Sewa scheme already cater to e4W and buses. Currently, EMPS will focus solely on e2W and e3W categories, Heavy Industries Minister had said.

According to government data, FAME-I supported approximately 278,000 pure EVs with total demand incentives of Rs 343 crore. FAME-II, which began in April 2019 with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore for three years, was later extended to March 2024.

EV sales this year have seen a significant increase of over 45 percent, with EV registrations in 2023 reaching nearly 1.5 million units, a considerable rise from the previous years numbers of just over 1 million units.

This growth has boosted the EV penetration across categories in India to 6.3 percent from 4.8 percent in 2022, surpassing the 5 percent mark.

According to the report, EV manufacturers approved for EMPS 2024 are Ather Energy, Bajaj Auto, BGauss Auto, Ola Electric, TVS Motor, Quantum Energy, Hero MotoCorp, Hop Electric, Kinetic Green, TI Clean Mobility, Mahindra.
In a show of bipartisanship that highlights the urgency of the matter, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell have introduced a resolution calling on the Taliban to release Ryan Corbett.

Corbett, a native of Livingston County in western New York, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022. He had traveled to Afghanistan to renew his visa and pay employees working for a company he created to help Afghans start their own businesses. During that trip, the Taliban detained him and three others.

Although the three individuals with Corbett were later released, he has been held for more than 600 days.

Corbett's detention began receiving attention in November when his wife, Anna, testified at a congressional hearing. She detailed his plight, including concerns about his mental and physical health.

Anna Corbett has made several return trips to Washington for meetings on efforts to secure Ryan's release. U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney invited her to attend President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in March.

Schumer, D-N.Y., who met with the Corbett family on Monday, said in a Senate floor speech that he has worked with the White House and State Department to prioritize Ryan's case. There has been progress, he noted, when the State Department designated Ryan as a wrongful detainee.

But there is growing concern about Ryan's condition. Schumer said Anna has been able to speak with Ryan by phone. After a recent call, CBS News reported that the Corbett family is worried about his declining mental and physical health. Anna Corbett said in a statement that Ryan "exhibited a significantly deteriorated mental state."

"Time is of the essence to get him back," Schumer said. "As long as Ryan is held by the Taliban, I will never stop fighting to bring him back home and reunite him with Anna, his children, his family as quickly as possible."

McConnell has been involved in efforts to bring Ryan home. On Monday, he also met with Anna, the couple's three children and Corbett's parents, who live in Louisville.

In a statement, Anna Corbett said the resolution is "proof that Ryan is not forgotten by his country, despite what his captors would have him believe."

"I am grateful to Majority Leader Schumer for all the care and support he has shown my family for the more than 600 days that Ryan has been wrongfully detained," Corbett added.

The Senate resolution, according to Schumer, will call for Ryan Corbett's immediate, unconditional release. He is hoping the Senate will pass the resolution before Saturday, which is Corbett's birthday.

Tenney, whose House district includes Livingston County, introduced a similar resolution in the House. The House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced it in February.
Photo Courtesy: wikipedia.com | Facebook/Swami Ramdev

New Delhi/IBNS: It will be a person's choice to opt for Ayush or allopathy, the central government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court in response to the misleading advertisement case filed against Patanjali Ayurved and its founders Acharya Balkrishna and yoga guru Ramdev, media reports said.

The Centre said as quoted by NDTV, "It is the choice of a person or a healthcare seeker to avail services of Ayush system or Allopathic medicine. Government encourages to utilize the strengths of each healthcare system for betterment of overall health of its citizens in a holistic manner.

"Therefore, it is most respectfully submitted that denigration of a system of medicine by the practitioner(s) of other system(s) of medicines as they lack the complete understanding of other system of medicine and this should be discouraged in public interest and mutual respect."

Last month, Acharya Balkrishna, the MD of Indian multinational conglomerate holding company Patanjali, had issued an apology after the Supreme Court rapped him and his aide Ramdev for not responding to its contempt notice over misleading advertisements.

In an affidavit filed in the court on Wednesday, Balkrishna offered an "unqualified apology" and said the company will ensure that "such advertisements are not issued in the future."

In its affidavit, Patanjali, as NDTV quoted, stated it now has "evidence-based scientific data with clinical research conducted in Ayurveda, which would demonstrate the advances made through scientific research in the context of diseases mentioned in the said schedule."

"In light of the same it is humbly submitted that the Deponent's only quest is for a better and healthier life for each and every citizen and to reduce the burden on the countries healthcare infrastructure by providing holistic, evidence based solutions for lifestyle related medical complications through the usage of age old traditional approach of Ayurveda and Yoga (sic)," the affidavit reads.

Controversies regarding Patanjali products over the years

Based in Haridwar, Patanjali, which was founded in 2006, manufactures several categories of products ranging from Ayurvedic medicine to cosmetics to personal care to food products.

Founded by Balkrishna and Ramdev, the company ran through innumerable controversies over the years.

Patanjali drug- named putrajeevak- was claimed to cure infertility. Doctors pointed out the misleading drug name which meant son's life.

Some Patanjali stores had also sold the drug claiming it would ensure the birth of a boy.

The Ministry of Defence canteen stores Department (CSD) had suspended Patanjali's Amla Juice after the laboratory report claimed it was unfit for consumption.

The AYUSH Ministry had asked certain states to take actions against Patanjali for its misleading advertisements of products which was claimed as a cure for diabetes, heart and liver diseases.

During the COVID-19 period, the company was embroiled in controversy after it claimed to come up with Coronil, a drug against the virus.

Within hours after it was introduced, the AYUSH Ministry had asked the company to stop selling and advertising the drug.
Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Kolkata/IBNS: The Calcutta High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the recruitment of teachers by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in the hill areas of West Bengal, media reports said.

The court passed the order after a mysterious letter alleging irregularities in the recruitment process in the GTA area was found.

The high court has asked the CBI to submit a report on the mysterious letter within 15 days.

Earlier, the court had ordered a CID probe into the matter. However, no FIR was lodged in the case.

The new case comes amid the massive irregularity surfaced in the primary and upper primary teacher recruitment process.

Former state education minister Partha Chatterjee, former primary education board president and Trinamool Congress MLA Manik Bhattacharya are among the people who have been arrested so far in connection with the scam.

Partha and his close-aide Arpita Mukherjee were arrested in the cases after a huge cash (about Rs 50 crore) was recovered from the latter's two flats.

Both are still behind the bars.
Photo courtesy: X/@BJP4India

Chennai/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attempted to corner the DMK and Congress on the issue of Katchatheevu, which was handed over to Sri Lanka during the Indira Gandhi regime, in Tamil Nadu.

Addressing a rally in Tamil Nadu, a state where Modi is paying frequent visits ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the Prime Minister alleged DMK and Congress, which are in power in the southern state, kept people "in dark" and did injustice to the fishermen by handing over the island to Sri Lanka.

Modi said, "Congress and DMK have kept the people of Tamil Nadu in the dark. They callously gave away the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka and meted out injustice to our fishermen.

"The NDA government has been continuously getting our fishermen released and getting them back home."

"DMK and Congress have not only committed sin to the fishermen but to the entire country," the Prime Minister added.

Congress and DMK have kept the people of Tamil Nadu in dark.



They callously gave away the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka and meted out injustice to our fishermen.



The NDA government has been continuously getting our fishermen released and getting them back home.



DMK  pic.twitter.com/tt55Kn593j  BJP (@BJP4India) April 10, 2024

An RTI filed by Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai revealed how the Indira Gandhi government had ceded the disputed island to Sri Lanka.

Modi had lashed out at the DMK, which was in power back then when Katchatheevu was handed over to Sri Lanka. DMK is ruling Tamil Nadu now in an alliance with the Congress.

He cited a The Times of India report which says the then Congress government- led by Gandhi- had ceded the island to Sri Lankan taking then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi into confidence.

However, DMK MP Era Sezhiyan had lashed out at the agreement calling it an "unholy and disgraceful act of statesmanship".

Hitting out at the DMK, Prime Minister Modi had posted on X, "Rhetoric aside, DMK has done NOTHING to safeguard Tamil Nadus interests. New details emerging on #Katchatheevu have UNMASKED the DMKs double standards totally.

"Congress and DMK are family units. They only care that their own sons and daughters rise. They dont care for anyone else. Their callousness on Katchatheevu has harmed the interests of our poor fishermen and fisherwomen in particular."

Rhetoric aside, DMK has done NOTHING to safeguard Tamil Nadus interests. New details emerging on #Katchatheevu have UNMASKED the DMKs double standards totally.



Congress and DMK are family units. They only care that their own sons and daughters rise. They dont care for anyone  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 1, 2024

About Katchatheevu

Katchatheevu, which is an uninhabited island, was under the control of British Ceylon since 1921.

Though India never controlled it, the island remained a disputed territory.

In 1974, the then Indian government, under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, signed an agreement to recognise Sri Lanka's sovereignty over the island.

In a separate agreement signed in 1976, both the countries' fishermen were restricted from fishing.
Photo Courtesy: wikipedia.com | Facebook/Swami Ramdev

New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ripped apart Patanjali and its founders- Acharya Balkrishna and yoga guru Ramdev- rejecting their "unconditional apology" in connection with the misleading advertisements by the company, media reports said.

When senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Patanjali founders, told the court about the mistakes, the Supreme Court came out with a harsh rebuke.

"We are not blinded...We don't want to be generous in this case," the bench said as quoted by India Today.

"The apology is on paper. Their back is against the wall. We decline to accept this, we consider it a deliberate violation of undertaking. Be ready for something next to rejection of the affidavit," the court further said.

The court also lashed out at Patanjali co-founder and yoga guru Ramdev for exempting from court appearances citing travel plans.

The court noted Ramdev initially claimed he did not have the ticket and then filed a backdated ticket in the affidavit.

Calling the action "perjury", the court warned him, "You're taking the process very lightly."

Earlier in the day, the central government told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it will be a person's choice to opt for Ayush or allopathy, in response to the misleading advertisement case.

The Centre said as quoted by NDTV, "It is the choice of a person or a healthcare seeker to avail services of Ayush system or Allopathic medicine. Government encourages to utilize the strengths of each healthcare system for betterment of overall health of its citizens in a holistic manner.

"Therefore, it is most respectfully submitted that denigration of a system of medicine by the practitioner(s) of other system(s) of medicines as they lack the complete understanding of other system of medicine and this should be discouraged in public interest and mutual respect."

Last month, Acharya Balkrishna, the MD of Indian multinational conglomerate holding company Patanjali, had issued an apology after the Supreme Court rapped him and his aide Ramdev for not responding to its contempt notice over misleading advertisements.

In an affidavit filed in the court on Wednesday, Balkrishna offered an "unqualified apology" and said the company will ensure that "such advertisements are not issued in the future."

In its affidavit, Patanjali, as NDTV quoted, stated it now has "evidence-based scientific data with clinical research conducted in Ayurveda, which would demonstrate the advances made through scientific research in the context of diseases mentioned in the said schedule."

"In light of the same it is humbly submitted that the Deponent's only quest is for a better and healthier life for each and every citizen and to reduce the burden on the countries healthcare infrastructure by providing holistic, evidence based solutions for lifestyle related medical complications through the usage of age old traditional approach of Ayurveda and Yoga (sic)," the affidavit reads.

Controversies regarding Patanjali products over the years

Based in Haridwar, Patanjali, which was founded in 2006, manufactures several categories of products ranging from Ayurvedic medicine to cosmetics to personal care to food products.

Founded by Balkrishna and Ramdev, the company ran through innumerable controversies over the years.

Patanjali drug- named putrajeevak- was claimed to cure infertility. Doctors pointed out the misleading drug name which meant son's life.

Some Patanjali stores had also sold the drug claiming it would ensure the birth of a boy.

The Ministry of Defence canteen stores Department (CSD) had suspended Patanjali's Amla Juice after the laboratory report claimed it was unfit for consumption.

The AYUSH Ministry had asked certain states to take actions against Patanjali for its misleading advertisements of products which was claimed as a cure for diabetes, heart and liver diseases.

During the COVID-19 period, the company was embroiled in controversy after it claimed to come up with Coronil, a drug against the virus.

Within hours after it was introduced, the AYUSH Ministry had asked the company to stop selling and advertising the drug.
Photo courtesy: X/@BJP4India

Kolkata/IBNS: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday targeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on infiltration ahead of the kickstarting of the Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a rally in West Bengal's North Dinajpur, Shah said Mamata will not stop infiltration for her alleged vote bank politics.

"Mamata Didi will not stop infiltration because these infiltrators are her vote bank. PM Narendra Modi and the BJP government can stop infiltration in Bengal. We stopped infiltration in Assam," Shah said.

Shah, the top leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has urged people to help the saffron party bag at least 30 of 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, which is dominated by Mamata's Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the last 15 years.

"I have come to tell you about Modi's guarantee... make us cross 30 seats, and form a BJP government in Bengal, we will stop infiltration," Shah said, hoping the BJP to improve its best performance in the state, i.e., 18 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.

#WATCH | West Bengal: Addressing a public rally in Dakshin Dinajpur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "...Mamata Didi will not stop infiltration because these infiltrators are her vote bank. PM Narendra Modi and the BJP government can stop infiltration in Bengal. We stopped pic.twitter.com/SgboJ3YvGa  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has been countering the BJP on CAA, which aims to give citizenship to people from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India due to religious persecution before 2015.

Countering BJP's claim, Mamata Banerjee has been saying registering for CAA will lead to losing of citizenship.

"Do not register for CAA. If you do, you will be a foreigner and later you will be kept in detention camps. We all are citizens," she said.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC suffered a setback by getting its tally down from 34 to 22 while the BJP got a meteoric rise from 2 to 18 seats.

However, BJP's hope to form government was dashed two years later when Mamata stormed back to power with over 200 assembly seats.
Photo Courtesy: Office of Minister Raaj Kumar Anand X page

Delhi Minister Raaj Kumar Anand cited his dissatisfaction over the party's policy on corruption and resigned from his post and the primary membership of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Anand was the Minister of Social Welfare in the national capital.

He was an MLA from Patel Nagar area.

"Aam Aadmi Party was born to fight corruption but today the party is stuck in a swamp of corruption. It has become difficult for me to work on the minister's post. I resigned from the post of minister and from the party as I can't connect name with this corruption," Anand was quoted as saying by India Today.

He quit his post at a time when Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is currently in prison following his arrest in liquor policy case.

Kejriwal is set to spend the weekend in Tihar jail after the Supreme Court (SC) deferred hearing his challenge to the Delhi High Court's recent ruling.

The apex court may take up his petition on Monday.

Kejriwal and the AAP earlier alleged the arrest was timed for just before the Lok Sabha election to sideline the party's senior-most leaders, including the Chief Minister, and disrupt campaign plans.

Kejriwal's arrest was therefore ruled valid and his plea was dismissed. The court upheld its earlier remand orders - which sent him to the ED's custody and then to Delhi's Tihar Jail till April 15.

Kejriwal is the first sitting Chief Minister to be taken into custody.

Last week his lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the allegations are based on the statements of the approvers who were pressured to speak against the Delhi Chief Minister.
In image PM Modi addressing rally in Vellore/ courtesy: X/BJP4India

Vellore/IBNS/UNI: Continuing his onslaught on the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and its ally the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday alleged that the whole DMK has become a company of a family and is looting the State.

Addressing an election meeting to canvass votes for the BJP-led NDA candidates here in this fort town, he hit out at the state government and said the DMK wants to keep the state trapped in old thinking and old politics.

The whole DMK has become a family company of a family. Due to DMK's family politics, the youth of Tamil Nadu are not getting a chance to move ahead," he charged.

Accusing the DMK of corruption, Modi said the DMK had first copyright on corruption and the entire 'family' was intent on looting the State.

Referring to the recent arrest of a DMK functionary, who was later expelled from the party after the NCB established that he was the kingpin in a drug cartel, the Prime Minister asked whose protection these drug mafias have.

"Which family does the drug mafia arrested by NCB belong to?" he said.

Accusing the DMK of dividing the people in the name of region, religion, and caste, he said he would expose this decade-old dangerous politics of the DMK.

"It (the DMK) knows that the day people understand the politics of divide and rule, it will not get a single vote".

"I have decided that I will continue to expose this decades-old dangerous politics of DMK," he asserted.

Raising the Katchatheevu issue--an islet that was ceded to Sri Lanka by India by a 1974 agreement-- Modi blamed both the Congress and the DMK for this.

Since ceding the islet, Tamil Nadu fishermen were subjected to arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy which has also been confiscating these boats, Mr Modi said, adding, that while the Congress and DMK sow fake compassion, it was the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre which was ensuring the permanent release of fishermen and even saved them from gallows in the Island Nation.

He also sought to know in which Cabinet meeting this decision (ceding Katchatheevu) was taken. "the Congress has not given any answers to this", he added.

Hitting out at the Congress on its leader Rahul Gandhi's Shakti remarks, the Prime Minister said that it is the mentality of the DMK as well.

He said the Opposition INDIA alliance ill-treated women and recalled how the DMK government ill-treated late AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa when she was alive.

Modi said those who are sitting in Delhi may not know that the land of Vellore, the land of Tamil Nadu is going to make a new history. BJP and NDA are getting immense public support in Tamil Nadu.

The whole of Tamil Nadu is saying 'Ek baar phir Modi sarkar', he added.

He said: "India is emerging as a power in the world today and I am happy that Tamil Nadu has played a big role in this. Tamil Nadu has made a huge contribution in taking India forward in the space sector."
In image AAP ex-minister Raaj Kumar Anand/ courtesy: Facebook

New Delhi/IBNS: Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has said that its minister Raaj Kumar Anand, who stepped down on Wednesday and quit the party alleging corruption, was under pressure from investigative agencies.

The AAP said that Anand was under the scanner of the central agencies and his house was searched last year in connection with an alleged corruption case.

Anand cited his dissatisfaction over the party's policy on corruption and resigned from his post and the primary membership of the Aam Aadmi Party.

He was the Minister of Social Welfare in the national capital and an MLA from Patel Nagar area.

"Aam Aadmi Party was born to fight corruption but today the party is stuck in a swamp of corruption. It has become difficult for me to work on the minister's post. I resigned from the post of minister and from the party as I can't connect name with this corruption," Anand was quoted as saying by India Today.

He quit his post at a time when Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is currently in prison following his arrest in liquor policy case.

Senior AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said the Enforcement Directorate raided Raaj Kumar Anand's house for 23 hours in November. "The entire BJP was then saying that Raaj Kumar Anand is corrupt," he said.

Reiterating that the BJP's intention behind the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal is to break AAP, Bhardwaj said, "Every minister and MLA of Aam Aadmi Party is facing a test."

"We know some people will retreat in this fight, some will have weak morale, some will break but there are a large number of people who will face these circumstances," Bhardwaj said.

The ED searched Anand's house in a customs-linked money laundering case in November 2023.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, in a complaint to a local court, had alleged false declarations in imports for customs evasions of over Rs. 7 crore. The ED then filed a complaint against Anand.

Senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi had earlier alleged that the BJP was in touch with several leaders of her party and was trying to poach them using the carrot and stick method. She and a few others were approached by the party, Atishi had claimed.
Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Kolkata/IBNS: A line of Tollywood celebrities starting from senior actors Kharaj Mukherjee and Abir Chatterjee to young actress Idhika Paul grace the Big Impact Awards Kolkata 2024.

Apart from Abir and Idhika, actresses Debolina Dutta, Swastika Dutta, Rajnandini Paul, Soumitrisha Kundu, Richa Sharma, Rittika Sen were among the attendees.

Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

The event aimed to recognize and commend businesses known for their pioneering approach and incredible contributions to society across various sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Kumaran, COO, BIG FM, said, "At BIG FM, our endeavour has always been to promote creativity and innovation through our various offerings. With BIG IMPACT AWARDS, we are thrilled to acknowledge businesses and individuals who are dedicatedly striving to make a difference with their contributions.

"In Kolkata, a city steeped in rich diversity, we celebrate the visionary minds that are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of this creative hub. I would like to congratulate all the winners for their remarkable efforts."

Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

The BIG IMPACT Awards' tradition of excellence is set to rise with its upcoming editions as the awards will soon be held in Delhi, Hyderabad and other cities.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

Calling India a 'true friend', an Israeli woman, who survived the October 7 attack by Hamas, has thanked Indian PM Narendra Modi for extending continuous support towards her nation.

She remarked at a time when the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas crossed six months.

During the attack on October 7, Hamas members killed 1,200 people in southern Israel.

The attack triggered the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.

"I see the Indian support that started much before, years before October 7 and also after October 7. Thanks to Prime Minister Modi... We know that India is a true friend of Israel," the woman, identified as Moran, told Indian news agency ANI.

She also described Indian people as 'good friends'.

"I think it is not just the Indian government. Thanks to the Indian people who have always been and continue to be our good friends," she said.

"Our voice cannot be everywhere. We know that the Indian people are taking care of everything we need," she said.

Meanwhile, the President of the UN General Assembly appealed on Monday (April 8, 2024) for all those with leverage to use their power to bring an end to the six-month-long war in Gaza.

Dennis Francis convened the UNs most representative body, comprising all 193 Member States, following the Security Councils failure to adopt a resolution put forward by the United States last month.

The debate was triggered by a 2022 Assembly resolution that calls for a meeting to be held within 10 working days whenever a veto is cast in the Council.
In the second month of 2024, there were a total of 1,084,085 locally-produced passenger vehicles (PVs) registered across the Chinese Mainland, representing a 13.27% year-on-year (YoY) drop, and exhibiting a 49.74% month-on-month (MoM) plunge, according to the data compiled by the Gasgoo Auto Research Institute ("GARI").

For clarity, the PVs hereby refer to the vehicles locally produced and registered on the Chinese Mainland.

China's car retail market in January 2024 largely met the expected positive start, but saw a significant month-on-month and year-on-year decline in February, primarily due to the Chinese New Year holiday causing a shift in consumer spending timing. Some sales pulled forward into January affected the pre-Spring Festival sales in February, and post-holiday price wars heated up quickly, leading to a wait-and-see trend among consumers. The expectation of detailed policy measures to be introduced in March also contributed to the unfavorable sales trend in February.

At the national level, policy guidance aimed at the auto industry has been frequently issued with the goal of further stabilizing and expanding vehicle consumption. The effectiveness of the Ministry of Commerce's "Hundred Cities in Action" auto festival and "Thousands of Counties and Towns" new energy vehicle consumption season has become evident. Local authorities across the country have continued to roll out consumption-boosting policies that, combined with automaker sales promotion measures, provided stable support for the market at the end of last year and start of this year. The trade-in policy has also triggered significant consumer expectations.

During the Chinese New Year holiday period, the continued craze for creating buzz in popular cities throughout the year, along with improvements in tourism and consumer services during the festival, spurred additional car buying demand. More channel stores in the form of supermarkets and an increasing number of stores staying open during the holiday contributed to generally good store traffic. However, recent adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and freezing temperatures, combined with the rapid increase in the scale of electric vehicle ownership, have further highlighted the shortcoming of electric vehicle range and recharging, leading to a generally weaker month-on-month retail trend for affordable electric vehicles in February.

For the first two months of this year, China's cumulative PV registrations summed up to 3,240,934 units, growing 29.84% from the previous year.

Among all brands in China, Volkswagen and BYD were the only two to have over 100,000 homemade PVs registered in Feb. 2024. By Feb. registrations of locally-made PVs, Toyota, Geely, and Changan secured the 3nd to 5th places, all of which recorded a registration volume exceeding 600,000 units.

Aside from Geely and Changan, the two major China's domestic brandsWuling and Cheryranked 6th to 10th among all brands by Feb. PV registrations, while the German trioAudi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benzheld the 9th, 12th, and 14th spots.

Tesla secured the 11th spot with 32,537 China-made vehicles registered on the Chinese Mainland last month, and it was also the only one among the top 20 brands with only all-electric vehicles sold.

Among the top 20 locally-built PV models by Feb. registrations, the Qin PLUS was credited the highest-ranking one. After its Honor Edition hit the market on Feb. 19 with the starting price further reduced to 79,800 yuan, many automakers followed suit to roll out lower-priced models or announce price discounts, trying to gain more share in this highly competitive market.

Tesla's Model Y ranked 2nd with a total of 24,668 vehicles registered last month. The second runner-up, the Sylphy, is also honored the best-performing model whose majority of sales was contributed by oil-fueled vehicles.

The AITO M7 held the 4th spot among all PV models, while also topping other REEV (range-extended electric vehicle) models.

Apart from the Qin PLUS, the BYD brand still had three models listed in the top 20 models rankings, namely, the Seagull, the Song PLUS, and the Dolphin. Among them, the Seagull and Dolphin had only BEVs (battery electric vehicles) sold on the market.

Notably, Geely's Emgrand, which sat in the 12th place, recorded a registration volume of 10,967 units last month, which included 38 units fueled by methanol.

Among cities on the Chinese Mainland, Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, and Zhengzhou secured the top 4 places regarding Feb. homemade PV registrations. As to customers' preference to specific models, the Model Y (BEV) was honored the best-selling model in Chengdu, Beijing, and Zhengzhou last month, while the Changan CS75 PLUS (PHEV+ICEV) posted the highest registration volume in Chongqing.

It is noteworthy that NEVs (new energy vehicles) took up 36.33%, 33.22%, 33.78%, and 37.81% of the Feb. locally made PV registrations of Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, and Zhengzhou, respectively.

In Feb. 2024, the new energy passenger vehicle (NEPV) sector on the Chinese Mainland saw its monthly registrations reach 373,828 units, which dipped 5.23% from the year-ago period and tumbled 43.38% from a month earlier. It accounted for 34.48% of the country's total PV registrations, up 3.87 percentage points over the previous month.

Regarding the breakdown of different powertrain options, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 57.44% of China's NEPV registrations in February. In the same period, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) registrations (including 51,406 REEVs) reached a total of 159,098 units, making up 42.56% of the nation's total NEPV registrations.

As for the landscape of vehicle brands by Feb. NEPV registrations, BYD still led the chart with over 100,000 vehicles registered in Feb., outperforming the sum of the No.2 to No. 5 spots' occupants. Tesla recorded a registration volume of over 30,000 units in the same period. Thanks to the robust performance of the AITO M7, AITO surpassed Li Auto to take the 4th seat. The AION brand from GAC Group secured the 6th position, with the bulk of its February registrations driven by the AION S (5,767 units) and the AION Y (5,086 units).

Moreover, Volkswagen claimed the 8th spot by Feb. NEPV registrations. Last month, its ID. series had a total of 7,478 units registered across the Chinese Mainland. Within the lineup, the ID.3 served as the top-seller, achieving a registration tally of 3,576 units.

Galaxy and ZEEKR, both of which are under Geely Auto, ranked 9th and 12th, respectively. With their dynamic expansion of product offerings, they are increasingly capturing the interest of potential new energy vehicle purchasers. At the outset of this year, Galaxy launched its inaugural all-electric vehicle, the Galaxy E8. ZEEKR, specializing in high-end BEVs, began deliveries of its first sedan, the ZEEKR 007, on January 1, followed by the sale of the 2024 ZEEKR X on January 10. The all-new ZEEKR 001 was introduced to the market on February 27.

Regarding Feb. registrations, there were two NEPV models with over 20,000 vehicles registered across the Chinese Mainland, namely, the Qin PLUS and the Model Y. Of them, the Qin PLUS contained both PHEVs and BEVs.

Aside from the Qin PLUS, the BYD brand still had 6 models in the top 20 NEPV models rankings by Feb. registrations.

It's worth mentioning that all of the three models from Li Auto's L series cracked the top 20 NEPV models rankings regarding Feb. registrations.

In Feb., Suzhou climbed to the top position with 12,302 homemade NEPVs registered, closely followed by Chengdu (12,228 units) and Hangzhou (10,719 units). Standing in between Hangzhou and Chongqing, Guangzhou took to the 4th spot with an NEPV registration volume of 9,915 units.
In image Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh/ courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Cairo/IBNS: Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza Strip on Wednesday, media reports said.

Haniyeh's three sons - Hazem, Amir and Mohammad - were killed after the car they were driving in was bombed in Gaza's Al-Shati camp, the Hamas group was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Two of Haniyeh's grandchildren were also killed in the attack and a third was wounded, Hamas media said.

"Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position," Haniyeh told pan-Arab Al Jazeera TV.

"The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people," said Haniyeh, who is based abroad in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar.

Haniyeh has been the tough-talking face of Hamas' international diplomacy in its war with Israel. His family home in Gaza was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike back in November.

Hamas said on Tuesday it was going through an Israeli ceasefire proposal but that it was "intransigent" and did not meet any of the Palestinian demands.

In the seventh month of a war with Israel that has devastated Gaza, Hamas wants an end to Israeli military operations and a withdrawal from the enclave, and permission for displaced Palestinians to return home.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

All eight people who were missing after a collision between a fishing boat and a commercial ship off the southwestern coast of south China's Hainan Province have been confirmed dead, the provincial maritime search and rescue center said on Wednesday.

The fishing boat "Yuenan Aoyu 36062" collided with the Panamanian container ship "SITC Danang" about 60 nautical miles west of Sanya Port at around 0:15 a.m. on April 3. Subsequently, the fishing boat sank, and eight people on board went missing.

As of Wednesday afternoon, all eight bodies have been recovered from the water, and the rescue operation has ended.

The Panamanian container ship is docked at Sanya Port and is under investigation for the accident.

(With UNI inputs)
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The US, Japanese, and Philippine leaders will discuss the security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea at their first-ever trilateral summit in Washington, DC, scheduled for April 11, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.

"Well, this is essentially an agreement between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines. Our cooperation in terms of maintaining security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. That is the essence of it. And, of course, it will contain more details in the sense of how, in terms of cooperation, it will be implemented," Marcos said ahead of his departure to the US capital, as quoted by Philippine news agency GMA.

In late March, Politico reported that the three countries would announce plans to launch joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea following a series of incidents involving Chinese and Philippine ships around disputable parts of the sea.

Also in March, the Philippine armed forces said the China Coast Guard had used water cannons against a Philippine supply vessel in the South China Sea. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Wu Qian called on Manila to stop violations and provocations near the Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ren'ai Jiao. He said the incident was caused "exclusively by Philippine provocation," while Chinese actions were "rational, legal, and professional."

The territorial affiliation of some islands and reefs in the South China Sea, including the Philippine-controlled Second Thomas Shoal, has been the subject of disputes between China, the Philippines, and several other Asia-Pacific countries for decades.

(With UNI inputs)
A glimpse of Karachi city. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

A senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader on Monday demanded Karachi city should be handed over to the country's army for three months amid a rise in street crimes in recent times.

The Sindh government and police have left the people of Karachi at the mercy of dacoits and street criminals as only on Monday robbers killed two citizens and looted over Rs12 million, senior MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal told Dawn News.

He said 60 people had been killed in the first three months of the current year in the Pakistani city which reflected the failure of the police and the government to reduce street crimes.

Karachi should be handed over to the army for three months as the Sindh government is not serious in providing protection to the life and property of citizens, he said in a statement as quoted by Dawn News.

He asked Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar as to why police were not taking action against street criminals in the metropolis.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) recently expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi.

Karachi has been facing an increase in street crime in recent months. Data presented before a high-level security meeting last week showed more than 250 Karachiites were shot dead and 1,052 others were wounded by street criminals between 2022 and March 28, 2024, Dawn News reported.

Police sources told the newspaper that a significant increase in violent street crimes was registered over the past three years.

HRCP posted on X: "HRCP notes with deep concern that the state of law and order in Karachi has deteriorated alarmingly. Tens of thousands of street crimes were registered by the police in 2023, in which over a hundred people lost their lives. The first quarter of 2024 has followed the same pattern. While vigilantism and increased brutality in response by citizens is not the answer, the government's failure to address rising crime levels is shocking. The underlying factors such as economic desperation and unemployment need to be addressed urgently as well. HRCP demands immediate restoration of law and order to ensure rights to life and security for the citizens of Karachi."

HRCP notes with deep concern that the state of law and order in Karachi has deteriorated alarmingly. Tens of thousands of street crimes were registered by the police in 2023, in which over a hundred people lost their lives. The first quarter of 2024 has followed the same pattern.  Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) April 8, 2024

A senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader on Monday demanded Karachi city should be handed over to the country's army for three months amid a rise in street crimes in recent times.

The Sindh government and police have left the people of Karachi at the mercy of dacoits and street criminals as only on Monday robbers killed two citizens and looted over Rs12 million, senior MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal told Dawn News.

He said 60 people had been killed in the first three months of the current year in the Pakistani city which reflected the failure of the police and the government to reduce street crimes.

Karachi should be handed over to the army for three months as the Sindh government is not serious in providing protection to the life and property of citizens, he said in a statement as quoted by Dawn News.

He asked Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar as to why police were not taking action against street criminals in the metropolis.
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

At least two people, including an Indian-origin man, died in a shooting incident in Canada's south Edmonton on Monday (April 8, 2024).

The Indian-origin national was identified as Buta Singh Gill.

He was the owner of Edmonton-based Gill Built Homes.

"There are no immediate concerns for public safety at this time and responding officers have secured the scene. EPS homicide investigators will be leading this investigation," an EPS spokesperson CTV News in an email to media at 1:24 p.m.

Edmonton Police said in a statement: "EMS responded and determined two males, a 49-year-old and a 57-year-old were deceased, and a 51-year-old male was seriously injured."

"EPS Homicide Section has since taken over the investigation. Police are not looking for any suspects," the statement said.

A woman named Lindsay Hilton claimed she witnessed the shooting while driving.

"The man in the construction vest had his gun out, pointed at the car and shot once into the driver's side window, then I went right around the corner because I didn't know what was going to happen," she told CTV News Edmonton." I heard two more gunshots following."

Hilton says she pulled over and called 911, adding she feels traumatized by the situation.

"I have had moments of breaking down like this into tears because it's just something I think that you just don't expect to see in broad daylight," she said.

"It just looked like another interaction of guys stopping to talk at the construction site, so when I saw him pull that gun and shoot, it just took me a minute even to put together what happened."

Abby Sieban told CTV News Edmonton she was walking with her children in the stroller when she heard gunshots.

"We were approaching the construction site and we kind of heard probably three or four shots. I thought it was a nail gun at first because it's a construction site," Sieban said.

Former Edmonton city councillor and former EPS member Mohinder Banga described the Indian-origin deceased person as a 'nice person'.

He was such a nice person, and he would jump in to help people whenever they needed help and without looking for anything in return. That was his quality," he said.

"Obviously, you can see all the people here, they're all well-wishers and the community is in shock right now."
Photo Courtesy Unsplash

A US judge on Tuesday (April 9, 2024) sentenced James and Jennifer Crumbley to 10-15 years in prison for their roles in the 2021 Oxford High School mass shooting that was committed by their son Ethan Crumbley.

He had shot dead four students and injured seven others with a gun during the incident.

Before handing down the sentence, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews addressed the victims' families, telling them as quoted by Detroit Free News: "I cant and will not pretend to understand the pain that these families are experiencing. ... I saw what you saw. I heard what you heard.

"Parenting is a complex job," the judge said. "Parents are not expected to be psychic. But these convictions are not about poor parenting. These convictions are (about acts) that could have halted a runaway train."

She termed Jennifer Crumbley's behaviour at the school on the day of the shooting "apathetic."

According to reports, James Crumbley had bought the 9mm handgun used in the shooting as an early Christmas present on Black Friday, an event which set the stage for the massacre.

Why the verdict is crucial?

James and Jennifer Crumbley became the first parents in the US who were held criminally responsible for a mass shooting committed by their child.

Separate juries this year convicted both parents on four counts of involuntary manslaughter  one for each student their son murdered: Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17, reported Detroit Free Press.

The Crumbleys, who are planning appeals, had asked to be sentenced to time served. They have been jailed for almost 2 and a half years on $500,000 bond each. The judge gave them credit for time served, the newspaper reported.

In a statement, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said: "If it were not for the actions of James and Jennifer Crumbley, the shooter would have never had access to the gun he used to take four innocent lives inside Oxford High School. We owed it to the victims and their families to pursue the maximum penalty."

"Nothing will bring their children back, but the Judge recognized the suffering these defendants caused, and she acknowledged the victims and their families. The sentence today provides the highest level of accountability under law, and that's appropriate," she said.

What happened to the shooter?

The shooter, pled guilty to all 24 counts brought against him, including Terrorism Causing Death.

After a Miller hearing last summer, the shooter was sentenced to life without parole by Judge Kwame Rowe on December 8, 2023.
Photo Courtesy: Harjit Sajjan X page

The Canadian spy agency has claimed that it believes the Chinese government "clandestinely and deceptively" interfered in 2019 and 2021 federal polls of the country.

A top secret briefing note discussed at the Foreign Interference Commission showed that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) told the Prime Minister's Office about it in February 2023, reported CBC.

The document, described by one lawyer appearing before the commission's public inquiry as "remarkable", was tabled on Monday, the news channel reported.

"We know the PRC clandestinely and deceptively interfered both in the 2019 and 2021 general elections. In both cases, [foreign interference ... was] pragmatic in nature and focused primarily in supporting those viewed to be either 'pro-PRC' or 'neutral' on issues of interest to the PRC government," the document said, as quoted by CBC News under the subhead "Assertions in Media Reporting".

The document alleged that at least 11 candidates and 13 staff members were implicated in foreign interference by the Chinese government.

Another CSIS document, tabled earlier in the inquiry, referred to seven Liberal candidates and four from the Conservative Party of Canada, reported CBC.

"We also observed online and media activities aimed at discouraging Canadians, particularly of Chinese heritage, from supporting the Conservative Party, leader Erin O'Toole, and particularly Steveston-Richmond East Candidate Kenny Chiu," the briefing note said.

"In 2021, the PRC FI activities were almost certainly motivated by a perception that the Conservative Party of Canada was promoting a platform that was perceived to be anti-PRC."

According to reports, a separate CSIS document that was tabled recently showed the spy agency believed a group of known and suspected" PRC "threat actors" worked in loose coordination with one another to "covertly advance PRC interests through Canadian democratic institutions".

It cited some Canadian intelligence assessments suggesting some threat actors received financial support from the PRC, including 'at least two transfers of funds approximating $250,000 from PRC officials in Canada, possible for FI-related purposes', reported CBC News.

Microsoft warns China may use AI-generated content to disrupt upcoming polls in India, USA

Technology major Microsoft has warned that China may use Artificial Intelligence-generated content to disrupt upcoming polls in India, South Korea and the USA.

China is using fake social media accounts to poll voters on what divides them most to sow division and possibly influence the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in its favour. China has also increased its use of AI-generated content to further its goals around the world, Microsoft said in its report recently.

Microsoft said, additionally, North Korea has increased its cryptocurrency heists and supply chain attacks to fund and further its military goals and intelligence collection.

In his warning, Microsoft said: With major elections taking place around the world this year, particularly in India, South Korea and the United States, we assess that China will, at a minimum, create and amplify AI-generated content to benefit its interests.

Microsoft claimed that China attempted an AI-generated disinformation campaign during the Taiwan presidential polls this year.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 9, the 100,000th new energy vehicle from Dongfeng Motor's VOYAH premium new energy vehicle brand, an all-new VOYAH DREAM MPV, rolled off the assembly line.

Photo credit: VOYAH

In 2023, VOYAH achieved a monthly sales increase for seven consecutive months, surpassing the 50,000-unit mark in both annual production and sales volumes. Driven by strong demand in the retail market, VOYAHs cumulative production volume has now reached 100,000 units.

VOYAH adheres to self-developing full-stack core technologies, introducing cutting-edge innovations such as the ESSA native intelligent electric architecture, the Tianyuan SDV (software-defined vehicles) architecture, and more. It boasts proprietary technologies in various fields including new energy vehicle platforms, powertrains, electronic and electrical architectures, batteries, vehicle bodies, and chassis.

In 2022, DVOYAH embarked on its journey to the European market, continuously expanding its overseas footprint.

Up to now, VOYAH has made its presence in Norway, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and soon to debut in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, among others. The brand is also set to officially launch in Italy in the near future.

Moreover, it will actively respond to Chinas "Belt and Road" initiative, bringing its products and services to countries along the route. At the upcoming Auto China 2024 in Beijing, VOYAH will unveil its new overseas strategy, accelerating its international market expansion, and integrating into local value chains and industrial ecosystems.
Eid Mubarak wishes for boss: Eid-Ul-Fitr, also called the festival of breaking the fast, is an important celebration in Islam. It comes after Ramadan, a month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which are key religious duties.



During Eid-Ul-Fitr, Muslims gather for special prayers, wear new clothes, and visit the graves of loved ones. They also give to charity, called Zakat, another of the Five Pillars. Families cook special food, and children receive gifts and money.

In 2024, Ramadan started on March 11. The end of Ramadan, and the start of Eid-Ul-Fitr, is decided by seeing the crescent moon in Saudi Arabia. Some countries, like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, will celebrate Eid on April 10. But in places like Delhi, Hyderabad, and Lucknow, the moon wasn't seen, so Eid will be on April 11.

Eid mubarak wishes image | Photo: Freepik

You can make Eid special for your boss by sending warm Eid Mubarak wishes and messages. Here are some ideas to choose from.



I pray to Allah that Eid brings endless joy to you and your loved ones. Eid Mubarak, boss!

May Allah answer all your prayers and make this Eid glorious for you and your family. Eid Mubarak!

I wish this Eid brings more blessings to you and your loved ones. May your heart be warmer, your home be filled with peace and happiness, and may you find more success at work. Best wishes for Eid!

Sending you Allah's blessings as we celebrate Eid Ul Fitr. Wishing you success, prosperity, happiness, and joy in the coming year. Eid Mubarak!

Eid brings eternal happiness and blessings. I pray that you and your family are showered with Allah's love every day. Happy Ramadan to you!

Wishing you and your family Eid Mubarak. May Allah bless you with success and happiness in the coming year. Happy Eid Ul Fitr to the best boss!

May Allah bless you with every smile, laughter, answered prayer, and opportunity in life. Warm wishes for a happy Eid to you, sir.

Eid Ul Fitr is a time to celebrate with family and friends, to thank Allah for his blessings and love. Happy Ramadan to you!

You're a blessing from Allah. Wishing you happiness on Eid Ul Fitr. May you be blessed with all the happiness.

May every moment of your life be blessed by Allah. May Ramadan bring you success and glory. Wishing you and your family a happy Eid Mubarak.

Happy Eid Ul Fitr to you and your family with love and affection. May Allah answer all your prayers and bless you with a beautiful tomorrow.

Wishing you health, success, and happiness as the holy month ends. Happy Ramadan to you and your family!

Eid is a time to celebrate our achievements and pray for more success. Let's work to take our company to greater heights. Warm wishes to you and your loved ones.

May your life be blessed with the magic of Eid. May your home be filled with harmony and your heart with love. Happy Ramadan to you, dear sir.

Sending you and your family the choicest blessings of Allah on Eid. May this festive occasion brighten your coming year with new opportunities, great success, and good health. Eid Mubarak!

Eid is a time to celebrate with loved ones. My Eid is incomplete without sending warm wishes to you. Wishing you good health, prosperity, and blessings of Allah. Eid Mubarak.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.


In the predominantly Muslim village of Muthuvallur in Kerala, a touching story of unity has surfaced as Hindus and Muslims have collaborated to restore a 400-year-old Durga temple.



Muslims contribute a major part of renovation expense

Muthuvallur Sree Durga Bhagavathy Temple, located near Kondotty, serves as a remarkable embodiment of cultural harmony.

The initial phase of its renovation has been completed and the forthcoming idol-installation ceremony is scheduled for May.

The restoration project began in 2015, and the Muslim community has played a significant role by generously contributing to the total expenditure of Rs 38 lakh incurred over the past few years.

Muthuvallur Sree Durga Bhagavathy Temple/ Facebook

They have not only provided financial support but also donated construction materials. Additionally, Muslims regularly supply vegetables for temple festivals.



Chandra P, the president of the temple committee, emphasised the unwavering cooperation extended by the Muslim community whenever approached for assistance related to the temple.

Namboodiripad, the thantri of numerous temples across Malabar, said, "As thantri, I reached out to the Muslim community and its leaders, including Thangal. Cooperation and goodwill cutting across religious lines is required for the temple. We received them in plenty."

Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Fortune Teller Predicts Winner, Gets Arrested For Illegal Captivity Of Parrot



The introduction of a temple brochure featuring the temple thantri, Thekkiniyedathu Tharananellur Padmanabhan Unni Namboodiripad, and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) chief Panakkad Sadikkali Shihab Thangal during the idol installation event from May 7-9 serves as a testament to the communal harmony prevailing in the region.

Mutual cooperation between Hindus and Muslims

Muthuvallur Sree Durga Bhagavathy Temple/ Facebook

The cooperation goes both ways.



During a temple event on March 30, the thantri recalled the shared history of religious harmony.

Also read: Techie Becomes Swiggy Delivery Agent For A Day, Here's What She Learnt On The Job



According to the message, in the past, the people of Kondotty faced difficulties reaching Tirurangadi for Friday prayers, often missing them due to the long distance.

Eventually, they collectively decided to construct a mosque and sought permission from the family of Thalayur Moosad, who owned the temple.

The temple owners willingly provided land for the construction of the Pazhayangadi mosque in the 18th century.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Karnataka's capital Bengaluru continues to be in the grip of a severe water crisis that is now posing an existential crisis to India's IT hub.

Water troubles of Bengaluru

With the water shortage showing no signs of easing and the crisis predicted to worsen in the future, the Silicon Valley of India is fast losing its sheen.

BCCL

Many including tech companies and techies who came to the city for jobs are now seriously contemplating leaving Bengaluru.



Why Hyderabad

This has raised a new question - Where if not Bengaluru? And for many the first answer that comes to their mind is Hyderabad, the capital of neighbouring Telangana.

What makes Hyderabad an attractive choice for both techies and companies is the existing tech ecosystem in the city, which is similar to Bengaluru.

BCCL

Shweta Kukreja, the founder of The Marketing Anatomy even ranked Hyderabad as better than Bengaluru and Mumbai.

According to her Hyderabad is so underrated, in terms of everything.

"Less traffic (comparatively), ORR Road for the airport (bestest), Greenery (literally everywhere), Aesthetics (unreal), Food. Need to hype this city up, she said on X.

Kukreja's post has gone viral on social media and many seem to agree with her.

PEXALS

But some others pointed out that the weather in Hyderabad is hotter than in Bengaluru while others claimed that there was a shortage of vegetarian food options in the city.

Hyderabad is not immune to water crisis

While Bengaluru is getting all the attention, when it comes to the water crisis, it should be noted that Hyderabad is also not immune to it. In fact, Hyderabad is predicted to face a similar water crisis as the summer set in.

It is not just Hyderabad that is eyeing to benefit from the current crisis in Bengaluru.

Kerala joins the race

Recently Kerala Industries minister P Rajeeve said the state was inviting IT companies in Bengaluru.

TECHNO PARK

After we read reports of the water crisis in Bengaluru, we wrote to the IT companies offering them all facilities as well as plenty of water, Rajeev said.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Fortune tellers with parrots reading tarot cards is a sight that is still very common in India. Like palmists, astrologers, and other fortune tellers, they claim to predict the future, based on the card their bird picks.

But unfortunately, a fortune teller from Tamil Nadu landed in trouble for his Lok Sabha election prediction.

FILE IMAGE

Parakeet predicts winner in Cuddalore seat

81-year-old fortune teller Selvaraj was taken into custody on Tuesday and his parakeet was also confiscated by the authorities after his prediction did not go down well.

In the Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu, Selvaraj, based on the card his bird picked predicted that PMK candidate Thankar Bachan would be the winner.

Bachan had consulted Selvaraj during his recent visit to the Azhagu Muthu Ayyanar temple at Thennampakkam near Cuddalore.

BCCL

Why PMK candidate will be the winner

Selvaraj's parakeet came out of its cage and picked up a card with an image of the presiding deity, Azhagu Muthu Ayyanar, which the fortune teller said was a good omen.

According to Selvaraj, it was a definite sign of Bachan's victory in the polls.

Trouble for fortune teller

While the parakeet's prediction could have been a huge morale booster for Bachan, things took an unexpected turn for Selvaraj after the PMK leader posted the video of the incident on his social media.

BCCL

And before he knew it, Tamil Nadu Forest Department officials came looking for him. Selvaraj was arrested for keeping the bird in captivity.

Parakeets are protected under WPA 1972

According to the Forest Department officials, parakeets are protected under Section IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and capturing, keeping, or selling them is a punishable offence.

Also read: Techie Becomes Swiggy Delivery Agent For A Day, Here's What She Learnt On The Job



While Selvaraj was later released, considering his age, his parakeet remains with the Forest Department.

The PMK, however, hit out at the DMK government over the arrest of Selvaraj, terming its actions as fascist.

Cuddalore, like all other Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu, will vote in the first phase of the general elections on April 19.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Eid Bank Holidays In April 2024: In India, banks usually shut down on public holidays, including national and state-specific holidays. These include days like Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanti. Also, festivals like Diwali, Christmas, Eid, Guru Nanak Jayanthi, and Good Friday are holidays for banks. Additionally, every second and fourth Saturday of the month, banks also close.



In April 2024, banks are closed for 14 days, but not in all states. These days include second and fourth Saturdays and Sundays, public holidays, and some regional holidays. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and state governments decide these holidays.

Some states will close banks for Ramzan-Id (Eid-Ul-Fitr) based on the RBI holiday list. The start of Eid-Ul-Fitr depends on seeing the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of Shawwal month.

RBI has three categories of bank holidays: Negotiable Instruments Act Holidays, Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) Holidays, and Bank Account Closing Holidays. Even on holidays, digital services like internet banking and mobile banking remain available for fund transfers, applying for loans, managing fixed deposits, and more.

Eid Bank Holiday in April 2024

On Wednesday, April 10, banks will be closed in Kerala.

On Thursday, April 11, banks will be closed in most states except Chandigarh, Sikkim, Kerala, and Himachal Pradesh.

Upcoming bank holidays in April 2024

1. April 13, Saturday: Bohag Bihu/Cheiraoba/Baisakhi/Biju Festival/Second Saturday

Banks will be shut across the country due to the second Saturday holiday especially in Tripura, Assam, Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir due to events like Bohag Bihu/Cheiraoba/Baisakhi/Biju Festival.

2. April 14, Sunday: Weekend

Bank will be closed across the country

3. April 15, Monday: Bohag Bihu/Himachal Day

Banks are closed in Assam and Himachal Pradesh

4. April 17, Wednesday: Shree Ram Navami (Chaite Dasain)

Bank will be closed in Gujarat, Navi Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

5. April 20, Friday: Garia Puja

Banks will be shut in Tripura.

6. April 21, Sunday: Weekend

Bank will be closed across the country

7. April 27, Saturday: Second Saturday Holiday

Bank will be closed across the country

8. April 28, Sunday: Weekend

Bank will be closed across the country

As per the RBI rules, there are three categorised holidays and they are as follows:

1. Holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act

2. Holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act and Real-Time Gross Settlement Holiday

3. Banks' Closing of Accounts

Important Days and Festivals In March 2024

Bohag Bihu: Also called Rongali Bihu, this festival marks the Assamese New Year. It's celebrated with feasting, music, and dancing for almost a month across Assam.

Also called Rongali Bihu, this festival marks the Assamese New Year. It's celebrated with feasting, music, and dancing for almost a month across Assam. Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti: This day honours the birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar, the main architect of India's constitution. Processions and decorations of Ambedkar's statues are common ways of paying homage to him.

This day honours the birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar, the main architect of India's constitution. Processions and decorations of Ambedkar's statues are common ways of paying homage to him. Garia Puja: A harvest festival celebrated by ethnic tribes in Tripura. It involves worshipping the god Garia for peace, wealth, children, and animals.

A harvest festival celebrated by ethnic tribes in Tripura. It involves worshipping the god Garia for peace, wealth, children, and animals. Himachal Day: Celebrating the creation of Himachal Pradesh, this day includes a parade and cultural events attended by the Governor and Chief Minister.

Celebrating the creation of Himachal Pradesh, this day includes a parade and cultural events attended by the Governor and Chief Minister. Vaisakhi: A harvest festival celebrated with singing, dancing, and wearing festive clothes. Sikhs commemorate the founding of the Khalsa Panth during this festival.

A harvest festival celebrated with singing, dancing, and wearing festive clothes. Sikhs commemorate the founding of the Khalsa Panth during this festival. Odisha Day: This day remembers when Odisha became its own province under British rule on April 1, 1936. People celebrate by having fun and decorating shops. They also hold cultural events and competitions.

This day remembers when Odisha became its own province under British rule on April 1, 1936. People celebrate by having fun and decorating shops. They also hold cultural events and competitions. Vishu: This is the New Year festival in Kerala, dedicated to offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. It signifies the sun's movement into Aries and the start of agricultural activities.

This is the New Year festival in Kerala, dedicated to offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. It signifies the sun's movement into Aries and the start of agricultural activities. Biju: The Chakma people celebrate Biju, a colourful festival lasting three days. They showcase their cultural heritage through various performances. Biju marks the end of one year and the beginning of the Bangla New Year.

The Chakma people celebrate Biju, a colourful festival lasting three days. They showcase their cultural heritage through various performances. Biju marks the end of one year and the beginning of the Bangla New Year. Ram Navami: This Hindu festival celebrates the birth of Rama, an important figure in Hinduism. People decorate temples and offer water to the Sun God, who is believed to be related to Rama.

This Hindu festival celebrates the birth of Rama, an important figure in Hinduism. People decorate temples and offer water to the Sun God, who is believed to be related to Rama. Ashoka's birth anniversary: April 14 is observed as a public holiday in Bihar to commemorate the birth of Emperor Ashoka, despite uncertainty about his actual birth date among historians.

April 14 is observed as a public holiday in Bihar to commemorate the birth of Emperor Ashoka, despite uncertainty about his actual birth date among historians. Cheiraoba: Manipuri New Year, celebrated by cleaning and decorating homes. Locals climb hills to symbolize human civilization's rise.

Manipuri New Year, celebrated by cleaning and decorating homes. Locals climb hills to symbolize human civilization's rise. Bengali New Year: Celebrating the Bengali New Year, this festival involves fairs, processions, and spending time with family. Special foods like sweets are shared among friends and relatives.

Celebrating the Bengali New Year, this festival involves fairs, processions, and spending time with family. Special foods like sweets are shared among friends and relatives. Babu Jagjivan Ram Birthday: Telangana celebrates the birthday of Babu Jagjivan Ram, a politician who helped create the All-India Depressed Classes League. He became a member of the Legislative Assembly of Bihar in 1937.

Telangana celebrates the birthday of Babu Jagjivan Ram, a politician who helped create the All-India Depressed Classes League. He became a member of the Legislative Assembly of Bihar in 1937. Maha Vishuba Sankranti: Also known as Odia New Year, this day marks the beginning of the Odia almanac. People prepare and share a sweet drink called 'Pana' to celebrate.

Also known as Odia New Year, this day marks the beginning of the Odia almanac. People prepare and share a sweet drink called 'Pana' to celebrate. Mahavir Jayanti: This day honours the birth of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. Jains engage in charitable activities and hold prayers in temples dedicated to Mahavir.

Also Read; Important Days In April 2024: Full List Of National And International Events

For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, is scheduled to visit India this month for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to sources familiar with the matter, Musk is likely to unveil investment initiatives and discuss the establishment of a new factory during his visit.



Elon Musk Met PM Modi In New York/agencies

Details Of PM Modi-Elon Musks Meet

The billionaire is set to meet PM Modi in New Delhi during the last week of April, as per the report. Two undisclosed sources informed Reuters that Elon Musk will also reveal his plans for India separately. Earlier reports indicated that Tesla officials would visit India this month to assess potential locations for a manufacturing facility, representing a significant investment of approximately $2 billion.

Recently, Reuters had also reported that Tesla officials will reportedly visit India to do recce for sites for the set up of a manufacturing plant which would require an investment of Rs 1.6 lakh crore.

tesla

Additionally, Musk is also on a look out for a local investment partner to establish operations in India. Theres also buzz around him joining hands with Mukesh ambani's Reliance Industries to construct the said manufacturing facility in our country.
Not just one of the most favourite sharks of Shark Tank, Lenskart CEO Peyush Bansal is an entrepreneur who inspires many. His journey to success is something that many of his followers look up to. Apart from judging the show, he is now on a quest to expand his eyewear business.

Recently, he took to his LinkedIn account where he expressed his wish to acquire land near Bengaluru airport to set up Lenskarts mega factory.

Lenskart

In his post, Bhansal conveyed his company's aspirations for further growth, revealing intentions to build a large-scale factory in Bengaluru. However, the success of this project depends on procuring 25 acres of land, leading Bhansal to reach out to any party selling such a parcel near Bengaluru to contact them directly.



The preferred location for the mega factory is within a 60-kilometer radius of Bangalore's Kempegowda International Airport.

Soon after, Karnataka's Commerce and Industries and Infrastructure Minister MB Patil responded to him via X, extending the government's support for Lenskart.

Patil ensured that relevant officials would connect with Bhansal to support the initiative.

Karnataka is the place to be! @peyushbansal @Lenskart_com Industries Department is here to support you, and facilitate all your needs.



Concerned officials will reach out, immediately. pic.twitter.com/9KTikkx8GJ  M B Patil (@MBPatil) April 9, 2024

Lenskart To Go Public Soon?

As per rumours doing the rounds, Bansal is planning to launch Lenskarts IPO sooner rather than later.

Navneet Govil, Managing Partner and CFO of SoftBank Vision Fund, suggested in a recent interview that Lenskart, backed by SoftBank, is gearing up for an IPO. While Peyush Bansal, Lenskart's CEO, has previously mentioned the potential of an IPO, he emphasized that the company is preparing for the move without rushing to make a final decision.

Peyush Bansals Stake In Lenskart

twitter

Bansal reportedly owns 8.21% equity in the company, which is valued at a whopping Rs 32,000 crore!



About Lenskart

Founded in 2008, Lenskart offers a diverse range of eyewear products including eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and vision care services. The company operates 1,500 omnichannel stores, catering to customers in 175 cities across India, Singapore, and Dubai. With a goal to serve 1 billion eyes worldwide by 2025, Lenskart is actively expanding its footprint in the eyewear industry.
The need to reorganize the Greek Armed Forces with an emphasis on innovation was underlined by National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias on Wednesday, in discussion with American College of Greece professor Constantinos Filis

at the 9th Economic Forum of Delphi.

Filis is also director of the Institute of International Affairs at the College.

Referring to the structure of the Armed Forces, Dendias stressed that they need "smaller units, but a larger number of units that have approximately 70% capacity, to perform their tasks."

He also noted that Greece must select useful weapons systems for the new army, while adding however that right now Greece "lacks an anti-aircraft dome and our main protection of protection is our airplanes." Greece believes in a civilian army, he said: "Professionals are our backbone, but with the right training, we can utilize conscripts."

Regarding the EU operation "Aspides" at the Red Sea, the defence minister noted "it serves as a first proof that Europe is learning to react faster to challenges and geopolitical stimuli. We are sending Greek sailors into a danger zone but we know that there is no possibility of defense if we do not participate wherever European and national interests are threatened." Greece must be involved in developments in the region, he underlined.

On Greek-Turkish relations, Dendias stressed that "there is no question of demilitarizing the Eastern Aegean islands." Commenting on the Turkish foreign ministry's announcement that "refers to water parks around the Cyclades Islands," Dendias said that it shows "a growing agenda of Turkish claims and accusations."

"Greece must react to any Turkish position that violates international law," Dendias concluded.
Interview: World-renowned mathematician acclaims China's mathematics research

Xinhua) 15:36, April 10, 2024

TIANJIN, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese mathematics researchers are enthusiastic, hardworking and dedicated, which makes people very hopeful for the development of the Chinese community in mathematics, said Artur Avila, a world-renowned mathematician, in an interview with Xinhua during his recent visit to Tianjin Municipality, north China.

French-Brazilian mathematician Avila was officially appointed as a guest professor at Nankai University in early April, starting a new journey of his mathematical communication and cooperation.

Avila, who works as a professor at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, is known for his profound contributions to the field of dynamical systems and spectral theory.

In 2014, he was awarded the Fields Medal, one of the highest honors a mathematician can receive.

Avila's academic experience in mathematics is full of cross-cultural exchange and integration. After completing all his studies in Brazil, he chose to move to France to be exposed to different people and different mathematics.

"I think that one thing that's very important is to change your environment from time to time. You need to get outside of your initial field to see a little bit more of the diversity of math," Avila said.

He added that mathematics is very international. Seeing different groups of mathematicians and different culturally influenced mathematics can be very important for the development of any mathematician.

Avila also believes that China's mathematics discipline has performed well in the quality of education.

"I feel that in a sense China is being seen as a more important part of mathematics in the world. It's becoming more and more unavoidable to interact here," Avila said.

Actually, Avila had a deep cooperation with two of Nankai University's professors. The pair came up with a surprising idea that provided a new way of attacking a well-known problem.

"Seeing such a new idea was unexpected to me, which was really nice and gave me more enthusiasm to keep collaborating with them," Avila said, adding that he was very happy to come to Nankai University to visit their workplace.

Avila also delivered a lecture in Nankai University. While sharing his ideas, he was impressed by the enthusiasm and curiosity of young Chinese students for mathematics.

"From the young students, I felt enthusiasm. They really want to understand how is actually the process that still ahead of them. They think hard about how the future will go. I try to answer and be helpful to the best of my abilities. I hope it will help them," Avila said.

He said that China has been making good progress in the field of mathematics, and he has five Chinese PhD students, whose diversified research styles show the vitality and potential of China's mathematical community, which is exactly what mathematics needs.

"Mathematics is international. There's not one style of doing mathematics. Different cultures can be developed within China," Avila said, adding that he expects that more and more countries can strengthen mathematical cultural exchanges to spur innovation.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
CYBERSPACEBelgian performer/director Lady Lyne has partnered with AdultPrime parent company IMC to launch her official website LadyLyne.com as part of the AdultPrime network.

Lyne started modeling in 2020 and has worked for many different European-based companies, including AdultPrime.com brands Passie.nl and Sinful XXX. In 2022 she made her directorial debut with the movie Dirty Director, shot in Spain, which she followed up with Rough Desires. Since then, she has built a huge content portfolio that she is making available on the new website, which will be updated every week.

"In June 2020 I started my career, from a crazy idea after watching a Netflix series about porn," Lyne said. "Ive always been the good, kind girl that never got in any trouble, but 2020 it was time to shake things up a bit. After a while in the industry I was tempted to make my own movies, so I did. I can't wait to show them on my own site, besides the amateur style movies that I love to make too!"
In a recent social media post, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis expressed unwavering support for Israel after what he called brief but productive visit to the country.

Mr. Georgiadis praised the Jewish people for their resilience

and innovation , priding how they defend their identity, yet are also innovative and modern.

The ministers most profound experience came from a visit to a hospital there, where he learned of a Venture Capital fund created by the hospital to invest in innovative health-related ideas.. This initiative, Mr. Georgiadis, is a testament to Israels entrepreneurial spirit, contrasting sharply with the bureaucratic challenges faced in Greece regarding healthcare practices and doctors earnings.

The minister also recounted touching stories of individuals he met, including a 34-year-old who had returned from Crete to enlist in the Israeli military after last years Hamas attack.

Mr. Georgiadis called for an end to conspiracy theories and anti-Semitism, drawing attention to the shared values and challenges between Greece and Israel.

He said his support for Israel underscored a broader dialogue on national identity, innovation, and the role of tradition in modern society.


Migration and Asylum Minister Dimitris Kairidis met on Wednesday with European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, who is in Greece to attend the Delphi Economic Forum.

They discussed among others the boosting of the external aspect of European Union's migration policy, and the situation in North Africa following the EU-Egypt agreement, particularly the use of European funds to strengthen the coast guards of countries like Egypt.

They also both shared the view that the new EU funding of 2 billion euros agreed at the European Council on February 1 must give priority to the European south, especially the first-line countries such as Greece.
The Greek government will persistently uphold the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the country within the framework of foreign policy principles, it said.
We must first recognize it and then present an overall plan, Mitsotakis underlined addressing high school students and teachers in Polychni by Thessaloniki
Allen Onyeama, Chairman of Nigerian indigenous carrier, Air Peace, says there are concerted efforts by foreign carriers operating the Nigeria-United Kingdom (UK) route, to frustrate his airline company out of business.

In an interview on Channels Television, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said Air Peace was being deliberately frustrated by some big players in the aviation industry since it began flying to the United Kingdom.

He disclosed that these carriers, which engaged in price gouging before Air Peace stepped into the fray, were now deliberately charging abysmally low and unrealistic airfares on the route as part of an elaborate plot to push Air Peace out of international operations.

Advertisement

According to him, there is an unspoken alliance among foreign airlines who saw Nigeria as a cashcow.

These airlines, he said, are perpetrating such with the help of their government.

Citing groundhandling and space allocation difficulties at Gatwick Airport in the last couple of days, he said: If they take out Air Peace prematurely, this country will pay dearly for it, 10 times over, billions will be lost, there will be another heavy strain on the naira. We are being deliberately frustrated in all ways.

Its a very devilish conspiracy. All of a sudden, (foreign) airlines are underpricing, below the cost, its not up to one month, an airline was advertising $100, another one $305, $350. Fill up the entire aircraft and carry people on the wings, its not even enough to buy your fuel. So, why are they doing that? Their governments are supporting them because Nigeria has been a cashcow for everybody.

READ ALSO: Tariff Hike: You Cant Implement All Renewed Hope Agenda In One Year  Electricity Workers To Tinubu, Demand Reversal

The aviation mogul said Nigerians would pay insanely high airfares if the foreign airlines succeeded in taking out Air peace.

Their governments are supporting them to do this and take Air Peace out. The idea is to take Air Peace out and the moment they succeed in taking Air Peace out, Nigerians will pay 20 times over again.

What is happening is scary. On the inaugural flight out of London 24 hours they moved us to another checking area. The place they gave us, things were not working. When you are checking people you need to manually carry the load to go 50 metres and drop it. This was just to delay. No other airline faced that. We were denied a slot. Festus Keyamo had to travel to London with us to warn them. He told them if they continue the foolish act, the Nigerian government would retaliate.

The government of Nigeria is behind Air Peace but the government has to do more now that there is evidence that unofficial statements are taking this airline, he said.

The airline boss invite other Nigerian airlines to join the Nigeria-UK route to break the monopoly hitherto enjoyed by foreign carriers operating into the four major gateway airports of Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

I invite other Nigerian airlines to join the fray, let them come, let all of us do international operations. Yes, international aeropolitics is very dirty but somebody must pay the price, he added.

Onyeama expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Minister Keyamo for being solidly behind Air Peace even as the airline navigates the politics side of operating to London.

Recall on March 30, 2024, Air Peace commenced direct flight operations from Lagos to Gatwick Airport in London.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, faulted Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State Governor over unpaid March salaries to civil servants and retirees.

This is the prevalent situation despite increased revenue allocation from the Federal Government.

Advertisement

Kola Olabisi, Osun APC Chairman, in a statement, slammed the governor for merry-making in Lagos State instead of focusing on delivering governance to the people of Osun State.

He further questioned why workers and pensioners are yet to receive their adequate salaries, stressing that such action amounts to Adelekes wickedness.

It is unfortunate that the handlers of the Governor have decided not to guide him right. The Governor Adeleke dancing and twerking session at the Sheraton Hotel is an executive show of shame which has diminished the rating of Osun State in the court of the public worldwide.

READ ALSO: Foreign Airlines Conspiring To Crush Us  Air Peace CEO Alerts

I keep wondering why Governor Adeleke who could not justify the receipt of the over N200 billion (net) in Federal allocation within the 15 months of his administration, coupled with N14 billion cash in bank he inherited from the former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, is always comfortable attending night clubs, disco parties and social events in Lagos and Abuja.

Could there be a justifiable reason under the sun for a governor who could not properly account for N39.5 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2023; series of the Federal Government palliative supports meant for the poor amounting to over N13 billion and other revenues from some donor agencies, to take to dancing and frolicking in the public?

Why have the state workers and pensioners not received their inadequate palliative wage for the month of March? It is either the governor is wicked or the state is broke. Even if the payment is effected today, 9th day of April, it cant atone for the suffering the governor has made the innocent workers and senior citizens to go through
The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, has nabbed a couple for producing and distributing various adulterated alcoholic beverages.

They were arrested at their residence in Muibi Olawumi Close, off Ayetoro-Itele Road, Ado-Odo-Ota LGA, Ogun State

Advertisement

Umma Ayuba, the Zonal Public Relations Officer (PRO), who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos said the crackdown occurred on April 4, when a team of detectives from the Zone 2 Raider Section, led by CSP Ngozi Braide, conducted a raid on the suspects home

Acting on intelligence, the officers discovered an illicit operation producing counterfeit wines, liquor, champagne, and other alcoholic drinks, she said.

The raid, Ayuba said, yielded significant incriminating evidence.

The evidence includes unlabeled and branded bottles of suspected adulterated alcoholic drinks, various containers filled with mixtures suspected to be ingredients for the adulterated beverages.

READ ALSO: Two Feared Killed As Gunmen In Millitary Uniform Abduct Rivers Gov Candidate

Also, equipment used in the production process, such as pumping machines, funnels, and sealing machines.

Other items include brand label of Del-Mud, Del-Mud Royal, Smooth Brandy wine drinks in packs, a funnel containing a white handkerchief (used as filter) and corkscrew among various other production and branding items,  she said.

The Zonal PRO said that one Margret Austine was apprehended at the scene and she confessed to having been involved in the illegal operation for about six years, alongside her husband, Austine Idemudia, aka Baba Joshua.

Margret, who confessed to the crime, confirmed that their adulterated finished products are sold to buyers across Lagos and Ogun states,  she said.

She added that the zone is actively investigating the case and will release further information to the general public as soon as possible.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians to continue to love the country more than any other nation.

The President led this out while addressing newsmen after the Eid-El-Fitr prayers at the Eid Ground at the Dodan Barracks in Lagos State.

Tinubu added that the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, which is aimed at bringing prosperity to Nigerians, is being diligently implemented.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Voting Tinubu A Mistake We Wont Repeat In 2027  Northern Elders

He said: The resilience and sacrifice that we have shown and made during these months should be preserved. Be a kind and cheerful giver.

We must love our country more than any other country because that is the only one we have, the President told journalists at the end of the prayers led by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla.

We must continue to protect the integrity of our government and leadership.

The Renewed Hope Agenda is alive, well and fine, and Nigerians should continue to be very hopeful. Without hope, there is no salvation. Without hope, there is no development. Without hope, there is no life. Eid Mubarak.
Victoria Adeleye, often known as Vee, a former Big Brother Naija housemate, has shared her thoughts on marriage.

Marriage, she stated, is not something she values because people break their vows all the time.

Advertisement

The actress explained that she understood what it meant to be in a committed relationship but was unsure whether marriage was necessary.

Vee declared in an interview with Clout Africa that she does not believe marriage is vital in her life.

She said that as she ages, her views on marriage may alter, attributing this to her youth.

She also claimed that her past experiences might have influenced her decision not to marry.

Vee admitted that she had never been in a relationship where she wanted to settle down or make a long-term commitment.

READ MORE: Wizkid is Lactose Intolerant, Doesnt Take Milk  Dj Tunez

In her words,

Being married is not a form of insurance at all, it is just vows and people break their vows every single day.

I want to be in a place where I feel secure, I dont necessarily feel like marriage is all in all for me, thats my view or maybe because I am young.

I havent experienced true love per say. I have only been in relationships, I havent settled myself to be with someone I really feel is my soulmate, so for now, the concept of marriage doesnt really make sense to me.
Operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has allegedly shot and killed a woman while attempting to pursue hoodlums.

The tragic incident, said to have occurred while Muslim faithful gathered to observe Eid prayer on Wednesday, sparked unrest among residents, leading to an escalation of tensions in the area.

An eyewitnesses who spoke with Channels TV, recounted that chaos erupted when NSCDC personnel, in pursuit of suspected hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons, opened fire indiscriminately, killing an innocent woman in the process.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Meningitis Claims 190 People In Two Years  NCDC

It was gathered that the incident triggered an immediate response from the local community, with an angry mob gathering and subsequently setting ablaze an NSCDC vehicle in protest of the shooting.

Confirming the incident to the above media, the police spokesperson in Zamfara State, ASP Yazid Abubakar, disclosed that two security personnel allegedly involved in the shooting are presently in police custody.

He said: We have two of them in our custody as we speak now. The command is still investigating the incident.

Because they were the ones close to the scene, a mob descended on them. They had to run for their safety and abandoned their Hilux vehicle.

The vehicle was set ablaze by the mob and about seven of our men were injured. They did not shoot or kill anybody.
Screen grab: ESPN First Take

One of the key components of First Takes success is that Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim have incredible chemistry.

So much so that some have suggested that the two co-hosts are actually a couple.

On Wednesdays episode, Smith and Qerim both happened to be wearing all-white outfits, which prompted Chris Mad Dog Russo to joke that they had just gotten married. This provided an opportunity for the First Take co-hosts to finally dispel the notion that they are dating.

Who said I do first between the two of you, a smiling Russo joked.

Who said I dont?' Qerim responded sarcastically.

After Smith and Qerim exchanged compliments regarding their respective outfits, Smith addressed the rumors head on.

No. Theres nothing going on. You understand? he said. Americas been lying about that for years.

You know whats the funniest part? Is people actually believe it, Qerim added.

Oh they sure do, Russo replied. I get asked all the time, Hows the famous couple doing?'

Only rather than taking offense to the rumors, Smith explained why he views them as a compliment for himself, Qerim and their program.

Heres the upside to all of that: they know my taste. So therefore they know that its a compliment to her, the former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist said. And obviously she has great taste as well, so I guess thats Americas way of saying we both really really look good. Thats why you can do that. Because they lie all the time, they dont know what the hell theyre talking about. But it does mean that First Take not only is the No. 1 show because of our content, but we look the part.

After Chris Russo jokes that Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim look like they got married, the First Take co-hosts address social media rumors they're dating. SAS: "There's nothing going on. America's been lying about that for years here's the upside to all of that: they know pic.twitter.com/5qF4rHalNd  Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 10, 2024

The baseless rumors regarding Smith and Qerim have dated back to the latters divorce from Jalen Rose in late-2021, with some even falsely suggesting that it was the cause of the split. And while there wasnt ever any evidence to support such rumors  beyond their on-air chemistry  we now officially have it on record from both of them that they are not, in fact, a couple.

[Awful Announcing on X]


Philip Shaibu, embattled former Deputy Governor of Edo State, has resolved to write a petition against the Chief Judge of the State, Daniel Okungbowa.

This is as he was impeached on Monday by the Edo State House of Assembly.

The impeachment followed the adoption of the report of a seven-man investigative panel set up by Okungbowa, and headed by S. A. Omonuwa, a retired Justice.

Advertisement

Shaibu will submit his petition to Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

In a letter signed by Adaze Emwanta, his counsel, and addressed to the CJN, Shaibu is seeking to obtain a complaint form to file a formal petition against Okungbowa.

READ ALSO: Why I Dumped Labour Party For PDP  New Deputy Governor Reveals

Emwanta, in the letter, raised allegations of misconduct and abuse of office against the Edo chief judge.

We write as Solicitors to Rt Hon. Philip Shaibu, who until this morning was Deputy Governor of Edo state, the letter reads.

Rt Hon Philip Shaibu has instructed us to file a formal complaint to your Council against Hon Justice Daniel Okungbowa, the Chief Judge of Edo state for abuse of office, official misconduct and desecration of his oath of office.

The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to formally request a complaint form prescribed under the Judicial Discipline Regulations 2017, to enable our client to file his complaint against the subject Judge.
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter, Tola Alebere, has urged members of the Party to unite ahead of the States governorship election.

Alabere spoke in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday at a training organised for media aides of PDP governorship aspirants.

Advertisement

His words: With the future, we have shared together in the Peoples Democratic Party, no matter the challenges we are facing at this moment, we are very sure and confident that the future will be better and that the PDP will take back power and connect to do what it did in the past to develop Nigeria. I am very confident that we will return.

Part of what we are doing at this moment started with an internal process of communication with ourselves, and once we get that one right, once we understand our history, once we understand the fact that we need one another and that if we are not united, there will be problems ahead of us.

We are sure that the future will take care of itself, and we are very resolute, besides that, the future of Nigeria, especially the current situation that Nigerians are facing under APC, cant continue forever.

Theres no middle class anymore; there is poverty in the land; there is insecurity. Then what else can we hope for but the support of the people that will make the PDPs dream of creating prosperity for this country happen as quickly as possible?

READ ALSO: Foreign Airlines Conspiring To Crush Us  Air Peace CEO Alerts

Alebere continued: I want to admonish you to be good ambassadors of PDP.

This is because, if your principals are not members of the PDP, you wont be here today. The main reason for this programme is to tell you that PDP is the party in Ondo state.

I must tell you that I dont see PDP as an opposition party in the state because were supposed to be in government.

It is the PDP itself that usually works against the party when it comes to election. We will divide ourselves after the primary.

In 2019, I was the senatorial chairman for the south and Dr Eddy Olafeso (former national vice-chairman (south-west) can testify to the fact that after the primary, members of the party in the south worked together because there was unity. We made sure that all the differences amongst the aspirants were resolved.

He furthered that the PDP won four National Assembly seats in 2019 despite being an opposition party, attributing it to the unity among members at the time.

We got that results because there was unity.

The roles all of you are playing today are not geared towards bringing the aspirants together. What you write on social media platforms is not geared towards strengthening the party.

If aspirant A should win the primary, he will need the support and cooperation of other aspirants.

But the moment you come in between your principal and other aspirants, will they be ready to support him when he wins? So, you have a major role to play in uniting the party.

I want to advise you to conserve the energy you are putting to bring down co-aspirants with your principal for APC, he added.
Since forex trading apps give traders access to the markets whenever and wherever they choose, they have grown in popularity along with mobile devices. The top 5 forex trading apps will be examined in this post based on their features, usability, tools, and analysis.

The top forex trading app will ultimately depend on the needs and experience of the trader, whether that means extensive analytics, copy trading tools, support for particular currency pairs, or seamless cross-device mobility. With the advancement of technology, traders now have access to a wide variety of specialized apps to help them maximize their forex trading efforts.

Advertisement

MetaTrader 4

One of the most widely used smartphone apps and platforms for forex trading is MetaTrader 4 (MT4). When MetaQuotes Software released MT4, it included sophisticated charting features, a large selection of technical indicators, a variety of back testing options, and a thriving user community where thousands of expert advisors for automated trading had been created.

Some of the key features of the MT4 forex trading app include:

Easy account management functions

Automated trading options through EAs

An advanced charting package with a wide range of analytical tools and technical indicators

Customizable charts with templates for one-click usage

Built-in market and economic news feeds

Back testing capabilities to test and optimize trading strategies

Support and resistance tools

The MT4 mobile app extends the sophisticated trading capabilities of the MT4 platform to smartphones. Its impressive charting capabilities and large user community make it a preferred option for most forex traders.

MetaTrader 5

The most recent version of the well-known MetaTrader platform was named MetaTrader 5 (MT5) by MetaQuotes Software. MT5 was released with the goal of offering traders a comprehensive range of features found in MT4, as well as additional functionality and the ability to access multiple markets.

Some of the key features of the MT5 forex trading app include:

All the functionality of the MT4 platform

Built-in market-depth information

Support for a wider range of markets

Economic calendar

21 different timeframes with one-minute resolution charts

Support for easier EA testing

With its enhanced features and functionalities, the MetaTrader 5 platform offers traders a wider range of insights and greater flexibility. The MT5 app offers these features on mobile devices but maintains a level of complexity that is better suited for experienced traders.

cTrader

cTrader is a highly advanced trading platform and app designed specifically for forex and CFD traders. cTrader offers advanced tools with a user-friendly and efficient interface.

The cTrader forex trading app offers traders the following:

A clean and customizable interface focused on visualization

One-click trading directly from charts

Level II pricing data offers insights into market depth

Three different execution modes optimized for speed

Full suite of drawing and technical analysis tools

Automated algorithmic trading strategies support

cTrader delivers an exceptional package focused specifically on forex and CFD markets. Its unique Level II pricing data makes it a top choice for active short-term traders.

TradingView

TradingView is one of the most popular social networking platforms for traders, offering powerful charting and analysis capabilities.

The TradingView forex trading app provides users with:

Customizable layouts and workspaces

Advanced interactive charts with 100+ technical indicators

Extensive drawing and annotation tools

The ability to trade directly from charts

A vibrant trader community

Built-in news feeds

TradingView offers a comprehensive analysis platform that seamlessly integrates trader discussions and ideas, making it easy for traders to connect and share insights. Its dynamic ecosystem and powerful tools make it a popular option for traders looking to invest for the short or long term.

NinjaTrader

NinjaTrader is an advanced trading platform that provides professional traders with powerful analytics and low-latency trade execution. NinjaTrader aims to deliver commercial-grade capabilities tailored for active traders.

The NinjaTrader forex trading app enables traders to:

Execute advanced trade management functions

Construct dynamic charts with hundreds of pre-built indicators

Trade directly from charts with one-click functionality

Analyze price action using drawing tools and pattern recognition

Develop and back test automated trading systems

For technically-skilled traders seeking robust analytics and fast trade execution, NinjaTrader delivers an exceptional trading experience across desktop and mobile environments. Its advanced capabilities position it as a top choice for active retail traders.
The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, says Nigerians in the region are regretting their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 election.

The spokesman of the forum, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman made the claim in an interview with Guardian on Tuesday.

Advertisement

He noted that in subsequent polls, particularly the 2027 general elections, the region will prioritize unity and consensus in selecting a candidate for the highest office in Nigeria.

The North made a mistake in voting Bola Tinubu to the presidency in 2023, and it is unlikely that they will repeat the same error in the future.

READ ALSO: You Have No Authority To Sack Abure-Led NWC  Labour Party Tells NLC

They have learned from their past misstep and will strive to select a candidate who can unite the country and govern in the best interests of all Nigerians.

Moving forward, the North will be more cautious in selecting a candidate for the presidency. They will prioritize someone who is seen as more inclusive, less controversial, and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country, he said.

Since Tinubus inauguration in May 2023, he has been widely criticised over some policies of his administration, which were tagged by the opposition as anti-masses.

He was also accused by Northern groups of lopsided appointments in the federal government.
The Labour Party (LP) has posited the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) lacks the power to sack the leadership of the Party.

The NLC, in a communique issued at the end of its political commission stakeholders meeting in Abuja, passed a vote of no confidence on the March 27 National convention of the LP where Julius Abure was re-elected as the Partys Chairman.

Advertisement

The union also said it has approved the constitution of a transition committee under the leadership of its political commission to manage the affairs of the Party in the interim.

Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the LP, reacting in a Tuesday statement, said NLCs group of stakeholders is not recognised by the party.

Ifoh who maintained that the congress lacks the power to decide the affairs of the Party, said, The leadership of the Labour Party has read with dismay the attempt by the Nigeria Labour Congress, a body not recognized by the Constitution of our great party or any of our known laws for that matter, to arrogate to itself powers it does not possess.

READ ALSO: Current Economic Situation Only Temporary  FG Appeals To Nigerians

It claimed to have sacked the Comrade Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party, after holding an illegal assembly of a handful of aggrieved former members of the party and some social media tigers who are not known to be card-carrying members of our party.

The group is unknown to the Labour Party as such lacks powers to convene a meeting of stakeholders to deliberate let alone take any decision which will have a binding effect on a legally constituted party leadership.

There is no disputing the fact that the Abure-led NWC led the party into becoming a national brand.

With the support of members and Nigerians across the length and breadth of this great nation, the party now boasts a number of Senators, members of the Federal House of Representatives as well as State Assemblies. Need we talk about the pace-setting Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti?

As a law-abiding party, we will seek the protection of the court of law should the need arise. We, however, appeal to our teeming supporters to remain calm because, in the end, justice will prevail.
Noah Marmar, also know as DJ on Mars, prepares to play a vinyl record at 48 Record Bar, a vinyl centric cocktail bar in Old City on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Read more

For a moment, it seemed like a growing number of Philly bars were installing high-fi stereo systems and decluttering to offer dedicated listening rooms to the citys audiophiles.

The trend made its way to Philadelphia in 2022 with the Listening Room at LMNO. The restaurant was the first to open a speakeasy-like room for music lovers to bask in while listening to vinyl records.

Advertisement

Only a year later, the Milkcrate Cafe offered its own record bar nights at its Fishtown location. Then Joey Sweeney, the creative director of 48 Record Bar, opened a 35-seat space above the storied bar Sassafras.

But the trend may have ended just as quickly as it bloomed.

LMNO announced its temporary closure of the Listening Room in November 2023, and Milkcrate Cafe put an end to record bar nights in January. While bars like Fountain Porter, Solar Myth, Trestle Inn, and the International put on vinyl-forward experiences, 48 Record Bar is the citys only remaining listening room by definition.

Like jazz kissas in Japan, listening rooms are typically small, intimate libraries of vinyl records and usually are decked in vintage AV gear or new-edge sound equipment. And 48 Record Bar is tailored for that kind of musical experience and listener.

The Old City space opened in December after years of planning and anticipation. There are themed-listening nights, live music, and ticketed events. Club members can even bring in their LPs to play on certain nights.

Evan Clancy, co-owner of Solar Myth, said he wasnt aware of the increase in listening rooms, let alone the recent decline. Im by no means an authority on this, he said. I could only guess that if some of these places opened and are now closed, they didnt last because of the same factors that force any other businesses to close. The cost of doing business.

For Milkcrate Cafe owner Adam Porter, the downtrend is a bit simpler: The niche concept hasnt quite landed in Philly. Not only in execution, but by design, too. I dont think anything we have in the city is close to that  People have poached bits and pieces of that concept to make it their own.

He also thinks there isnt enough people who want a vinyl experience to merit the stresses and demands of running a listening room. And thats why Porter decided to stop his own. Truth be told, it takes money, time, and energy to really stick it out, he said.

Jeffrey Henning, an audiophile and musician, has a more pointed opinion: Going to a listening room to hear music is like watching a movie from the TV section of a Walmart.

Henning, 64, said patrons are better off going to a coffee shop. Serious music listening requires serious equipment, and listening rooms typically fall short, he said.

Like videotape or the incandescent lightbulb, Henning said vinyl is obsolete, and its high cost and easily-worn material make it a senseless investment. If youre doing serious listening, you need to do it on a serious system and sit down and have the sound coming out of your stereo wash over you, he said.

Clancy doesnt care much about the perceived life or death of vinyl. He wants to enjoy the music, no matter the medium. Maybe thats the thing, vinyl is seen as cool, so folks chase a trend, he said. In many instances, its more decoration than substance.

Kobi Waldfogel, the producer of VinylCon!, an annual event that draws the nations biggest music collectors, said he only sees vinyl becoming a more desired musical medium.

As we get further into the digital world, I think there will be a natural opposite reaction pushing people towards physical media as a way to connect with their favorites, he said.

Waldfogel said the popularity of vinyl is reflected in artists efforts to reissue their music on flat discs and modulated grooves, and the presence of local record stores around the country.

Artists like Taylor Swift have even leaned into the trend. A special vinyl deluxe version of her upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department, comes out on Record Store Day on April 20. The Bad Blood artist also released a vinyl-only Record Store Day release last year.

The growing attendance at VinylCon! is also a sign, Waldfogel said, as he expects to draw in more than 2,500 guests at this years event from April 27-28 at Philadelphias 23rd Street Armory.

Whether listening rooms have a future in Philly, Clancy isnt sure. But with the right people behind it, Philly can be home to anything, he said.
Sisters and salon professionals Christina Giordano (left) and Jamie Giordano inside their Salon G on the 600 block of West Collings Avenue in Collingswood. They say they need the free parking spots for their customers. Read more

A clash between Collingswood and a local hair salon about the future of a free parking lot has sparked fierce social media reactions and an online petition against seizing private property.

Some local residents agree with the borough that the poorly lit 60-space lot behind a row of businesses on the resurgent 600 block of West Collings Avenue needs better maintenance and security.

Advertisement

But Robert Giordano, who owns three properties on the block as well as the parking area behind SalonG, which his daughters Jamie and Christina operate, said convenience for clients and employees is essential to the success of the business.

Giordano and the borough each own a quarter of the lot. Vijay Patel, who owns three commercial properties at the corner of Collings and White Horse Pike, has the other half. He said hes weighing the pros and cons of selling.

I dont care what they do with the rest of the parking lot. My daughters need the parking spaces that came with the building, Robert Giordano said Monday.

Theres no trouble on that part of the lot, and they keep it clean, he said. What do [borough officials] mean, that they need to take the parking lot to make it into a paid parking lot? I own it fair and square.

Eminent domain called a last resort

On April 1, Mayor Jim Maley and the two other commissioners in this Camden County borough unanimously approved a resolution to authorize negotiations to acquire the privately owned portions of the lot, with eminent domain  which allows government to purchase property and convert it to a public use  as a last resort. The plan is to create an entirely borough-owned pay lot with better lighting and designated spaces.

Maley said the borough has long been concerned about the condition of the lot, especially after volunteers found used syringes there during a cleanup.

Eminent domain is a process that requires five distinct steps, and we have done none of them, Maley said Tuesday. We have told the property owners that we are getting a concept plan together and [then] sitting down and talking with them. This is not eminent domain. Not at all.

Christina and Jamie Giordano both said that despite having clearly expressed no interest in selling, they felt pressure to do so during occasional email exchanges and informal meetings with borough officials. At first, the conversations were about improving the lot, then about granting an easement, and finally, about selling, they said.

The sisters also said neither they nor their father was notified that the resolution related to their parking area would be on the commissions April 1 agenda. All three attended that session after seeing a notice in the Retrospect newspaper, which first reported on the dispute.

We share the parking lot pretty much with everybody, no questions asked, Jamie Giordano said in an interview. We would like that to continue, at no charge.

Christina Giordano said the sisters dont just work here. Were part of the community, and weve done a lot to help revitalize the area.

Whats in West Collingswoods business district

Traditionally known as West Collingswood, the section of the borough between the White Horse Pike, the Newton Creek, and the Collings Avenue railroad crossing generally gets less attention than the Haddon Avenue business district and other parts of the nearly two-square mile borough of 14,150.

Most of Collingswoods major events, including the farmers market, the book festival, and the craft and fine art festival, are held on or near Haddon Avenue.

The 600 block of West Collings is home to three well-regarded restaurants: Zeppoli, Kikos Peruvian Kitchen, and Le Beirut. A landmark drug store, convenience stores, personal care businesses and, soon, a photography studio, operate along Collings, and the Scottish Rite Auditorium and event venue is two blocks away.

And although storefront vacancies spread during the pandemic, newer businesses such as Jeffrey Jeff Money Stills Best Kept Secret barbershop are going strong.

Its a wonderful location, said Still, a retired Camden firefighter whos been cutting hair at various locations since the late 1980s. He launched his barbershop on the 600 block in 2020.

When I opened, there werent as many businesses, but its gotten better and better, said Still, adding that the availability of parking is a very welcoming [amenity] for my clients.

Kelly McGinnis, one of the organizers of the West Collingswood Revitalization Committee, said the group has had several cleanups in and around the 600 block. She and her family moved to the west side in 2013.

This area hadnt gotten the same kind of resources as other parts of Collingswood, McGinnis said. I wanted to see more attention for our really wonderful businesses and for beautifying an area that looked like it was struggling.

McGinnis also said she hopes the parking lot issue can be resolved. From what Ive heard, there just hasnt been consensus among the owners of making improvements. So nothing has been done. We [the committee] are just a bunch of volunteers, and we want to see [the lot] taken care of.

Collingswoods Facebook pages are abuzz

Some of the several hundred posts about the parking lot on the In the Wood, Collingswood Facebook page are critical of Maley. Having served as mayor for nearly a quarter-century, during which the once-sleepy Haddon Avenue business district evolved into a lively regional destination, he has earned a reputation for getting things done, including, done his way.

People are grateful for what hes done, but he has a lot of power. Like in a dictatorship, Robert Giordano said.

Said David Shin, the pharmacist-in-charge at Ames Drug Store, a landmark at the corner West Collings and Richey Avenues: Its not my fight, but I will help [the Giordano sisters] any way I can.

I was shocked that the borough was going to use eminent domain to force them to sell their property, he said. I couldnt believe they would go that far. If they can do this to [the Giordanos], they can do it to anybody.

SalonG customer Kirina Seixas, whose home is not far from the parking lot, said the block-long expanse is being used as a cut-through by pedestrians, making litter a chronic problem. She supports the efforts of the revitalization committee, but said it could accomplish more without the borough as the middleman.

There is still an opportunity to work together, and I would like to see that happen, Borough Commissioner Rob Lewandowski said.

We can try to mediate the differences, and if that doesnt work, use a tool like eminent domain to take possession of the property and get rid of the conflicts of use and the conditions that are substandard, and maximize use of that space in a way that will benefit the businesses and people coming to the area.

And that doesnt always happen on the west side of town.
The original Scrub Daddy sponge is firm when used with cold water  for scrubbing tough messes  and becomes soft in warm water. Read more

Scrub Daddy is going down the toilet. Literally.

The Pennsauken-based company has a new bathroom-cleaning product expected to launch in the fall, and it is going to completely change the world, the companys CEO, Aaron Krause, told the Philadelphia Business Journal this month.

Advertisement

Krause believes the toilet cleaner his company has been developing is going to be a billion-dollar product, he told PBJ. The new product is a cleaning puck, which has detergent, bleach, and fragrance, and attaches to a wand for users to clean their toilet bowl. Once clean, the user leaves the puck in a basket attached to the bowl where it can continue generating its clean smell in the bathroom between washes. The product is intended to smell better and be cleaner than other toilet cleaners on the market, according to PBJ.

This is a pain point for people, and if we can solve this, well, we could change the whole toilet industry, Krause said.

Scrub Daddys rise to fame

Krause studied psychology at Syracuse University, and after college started a vehicle-detailing business in Bala Cynwyd. He eventually built a manufacturing business that developed buffing pads, which he sold in 2008.

An early version of what would become the Scrub Daddy sponge was originally intended to be a hand scrubber, which Krause marketed to car washes, auto-body shops, and other customers, but it found little demand. One day, Krause used the sponge to clean a kitchen pot that had some tomato sauce in it and discovered that it had a better purpose than cleaning hands.

Were missing the boat. Its not a hand scrubber. Its the best pan scrubber, Krause told The Inquirer in 2011 about the discovery.

Scrub Daddy started selling its now-iconic smiling sponge in 2011, and today the company has a line of products that include Scrub Daddy, Scrub Mommy, Big Daddy, and BBQ Daddy to tackle different messes.

The company was featured on Shark Tank in 2012, a competition show for entrepreneurs, and has garnered increased popularity since launching. Scrub Daddy made over $220 million in revenue last year and expects to increase sales to around $350 million this year, according to PBJ. It also opened a 162,150-square-foot distribution center in Cherry Hill in October.

Going viral

Scrub Daddy has seen success from QVC, the West Chester-based home shopping station, where it sold out 16,000 sets of its Scrub Daisy product in seven minutes, Krause said in 2017.

More recently, the sponges have leaped into social media fame. The companys TikTok account reached 1 million users in February 2022, according to PBJ, and the hashtag #scrubdaddy had 3 billion views on TikTok in April 2023, according to Food & Wine.

Some of the content on the social media platform is not what some might traditionally expect from a corporate business. In April 2022, 4 million people watched a TikTok video that features a Scrub Daddy character having a baby with the owl mascot of Duolingo, a language-learning app. Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy mascots, as well as giant smiling sponges, have been frequently featured in the companys social media videos which also rely on memes, according to PBJ.

Krause told The Inquirer that TikTok has allowed the company to reach audiences it hadnt previously attracted with traditional marketing.

During the pandemic, the company saw a boost in sales, as people bought cleaning aisle products, he said.

For the last two years, people were home cooking, cleaning three times a day, and they have plenty of time to sit and look at videos on their phones, Krause said. And because of that, you know, the interest in cleaning products and sponges has gone through the roof, and weve been right there with the engaging TikToks.

What makes Scrub Daddy unique?

The original Scrub Daddy sponge is firm when used with cold water  for scrubbing tough messes  and becomes soft in warm water. The eyes of the sponge allow a user to insert their fingers into them when using the sponge in hard-to-reach places, and the smile helps clean tableware.

Scrub Daddys future?

Scrub Daddy is also working on Scrub Body, which combines a loofah and soap, and which could be offered in different scents, according to PBJ.

After Reuters reported in March that Scrub Daddy was exploring options that included a sale of the company, Krause told PBJ that if he were to sell it, it would likely be to a company that could continue to expand the brand, citing Unilever as an example  a company with personal-care brands including Axe, Dove, and Vaseline, as well as other kinds of products.

Im in business to sell things and at some point, everyone should be in business to sell their business because you have to think about your exit strategy, Krause told PBJ. It would be stupid for me not to explore what my options are and what the price available to us is. [That] doesnt mean Ill ever take it.
A man was shot to death by an armed security guard inside a Fairmount gas station after a dispute over a barbecue grill turned violent.

Surveillance footage shows that, about 7 p.m. on Tuesday, a man entered the Phillips 66 gas station on the corner of College Avenue and Poplar Street. The man was asked to leave by a contracted security guard, who pushed him back, video shows.

Advertisement

The man pulled a Glock pistol with an extended magazine from a holster, which prompted the security guard to fire in self-defense, police said, using his sidearm to unload more than a dozen rounds. The man, 39, then shot back, police said, wounding the security guard in the thigh, and the guard responded with six more rounds from a shoulder-carried shotgun.

The man was identified by police sources as Don Harrison Jr. of Brewerytown. He was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Autopsy records show that he was struck multiple times in the face and torso.

 READ MORE: In Pa., private security companies make their own rules. Some say theyre above the law.

The security guard, 30-year-old John Santiago, was in stable condition at Temple.

Santiago works for Pennsylvania SITE State Agents  a company run by Andre Boyer, a fired Philadelphia police officer who has become a national media personality for carrying assault-style weapons on private patrol. Boyer has also faced  and beaten  criminal charges three times, including for shocking a person with a Taser during a citizens arrest.

Police records indicate that shortly before the fatal encounter, Harrison had pulled his SUV into the gas station parking lot, along with a commercial barbecue smoker attached to a hitch. He attempted to begin barbecuing and was asked to leave by Santiago.

Instead, Harrison followed the guard inside, where the gunfight ensued.

Sunpreet Singh, who owns the station, said he heard from his staffers that they had asked Harrison to move away for safety reasons.

Since it was a gas station and he was doing barbecue, its not allowed on the premises, Singh said. But he wasnt sure how the situation escalated.

Singh said he began hiring armed guards about nine months ago because there was a lot of stealing. The guys coming in with guns. ... The Philadelphia police, we kept on calling them, and they come late, and they told us to hire private security.

Nathan and Yuliya Cottrell, who have lived across from the gas station since 2011, said they saw Harrison selling barbecue near the gas station that evening. They had not seen Harrison before, but the armed guards, sporting tactical vests and assault-style rifles, had become a familiar  and polarizing  presence on the block.

Yuliya Cottrell said that the family was about to move to another part of the neighborhood, and that issues at the gas station were a reason why. The armed guards patrolling the place, she said, felt very intimidating and strange.

After Tuesdays shooting, bullet casings were found both inside and outside the store, police said. A stray shotgun slug flew through the window of a home across the street. No one in the house was hurt, police said.

Santiago is a former armored-car driver and a father of three, including a newborn, according to Boyer.

Boyer said Santiago, like all of Boyers armed staff, is certified by the Pennsylvania State Police as an armed guard, under a 40-hour training program. Boyer has been able to maintain his state certification and continue running his armed protection company even though Philadelphia authorities have revoked his license to carry a gun and denied him an agency license.

He said Santiago, who had been on his staff for about a year, acted according to his training when confronted with a threatening person carrying a large-caliber handgun with an extended magazine.

The guy pulled a gun in a store. Is he supposed to wait to be shot first and then take action? Boyer said. [Santiago] told me he was in fear for his life.

A recent Inquirer investigation exposed a chaotic and virtually unenforced regulatory system for private security in Pennsylvania that has allowed thousands of guards to work without any training at all. According to security experts, the state is also an extreme outlier for failing to set limits on the types of weapons guards can carry on the job, clearing the way for people such as Boyer to wield AR shotguns while patrolling gas stations and car washes.

Boyer said it was the first time one of his staffers had been injured on duty. However, its not the first time one fired a gun on duty. In September, a Pennsylvania SITE State Agent guard working at a different gas station in North Philadelphia fired a shot at a man who was throwing rocks at him, according to news reports. No one was injured, and the rock thrower was arrested for assault.
The Cherry Hill teachers union, parent teacher organization members and Board of Education staffers grab T-shirts as they gathered at district headquarters last month before joining high school students to board buses headed to Trenton to attend an Assembly budget hearing. Cherry Hill School is facing a $6.9 million cut in state aid for the next school year, the second-largest cut in the state. Read more

New Jersey lawmakers are scrambling to introduce bills that aim to help bail out school districts facing cuts in state aid for the 2024-2025 school year.

They want to rescue 140 districts around the state that would lose aid under the spending plan proposed by Gov. Phil Murphy and enable them to avoid program cuts and layoffs.

Advertisement

A bill introduced in the Assembly on Monday by a trio of Democrats would appropriate a onetime grant of $71 million so eligible districts could apply for grants that would fill in gaps left by lost state aid.

 READ MORE: How much is your South Jersey school district slated to lose in Gov. Murphys proposed budget?

We know that even in the midst of unprecedented school aid and investment in education, some districts are losing state aid, Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D., Somerset), one of the bills sponsors, said in a statement.

Another bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D., Camden), would allow districts additional time to revise their preliminary budgets based on the changes in state aid.

In his budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, Murphy proposed a historic $11.7 schools budget that would fully restore its funding formula for the first time. But it didnt include an increase for all of New Jerseys more than 600 public school districts.

South Jersey districts, including Cherry Hill, Collingswood and Lenape Regional, began sounding an alarm in February after the state released preliminary aid figures. They warned that property tax increases, program cuts and layoffs could be possible. Cherry Hill alone will get $6.9 million less in the coming school year.

A supplemental funding allotment may hold off drastic local budget cuts  for some districts, said Millville School Superintendent Tony Trongone. But it likely would not cover increased transportation, special education and other costs, he said.

There are so many bills in play that its absurd, said Trongone, former president of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. His Cumberland County school system is not among the districts that would see less funding.

 READ MORE: Phil Murphy wants a $55.9B New Jersey budget with increases for education and a business tax to fund transit

Trongone said he opposes the Assembly bill that offers the $71 million grant because it would prohibit districts that receive the additional funding from making any staff cuts. Some reductions may be needed because the aid covers only two-thirds of the reductions, he said.

Its not a good solution, Trongone said. It puts on too many restrictions to get what you need.

That bill, which would allow districts to exceed the 2% property tax cap to make up one-third of the state aid not covered, was endorsed by the New Jersey School Boards Association. School officials were carefully scrutinizing the proposed pieces of legislation and the potential impact locally.

Another bill introduced Monday in the state Senate, by Anthony Bucco (R., Morris) and Declan OScanlon (R., Monmouth), would restore the state aid that districts are slated to lose in the proposed budget. It would funnel about $200 million from other state resources.

A Republican delegation from Ocean County introduced companion bills in both Houses on Tuesday that would limit any cut in state aid to no more than 1% of the amount received the previous year. The lawmakers said districts in their area, including Toms River, will lose $10 million in aid.

Democrats control both houses of the Legislature so the Republican bills face a tough road. Last year, Murphy reached a compromise with Democratic lawmakers to provide supplemental funding to offset reductions under the S-2 funding formula, which changed how the state calculates aid through the 2024-2025 school year.

If signed into law, the supplemental funding would be a stop-gap to address a bigger problem that lawmakers must also tackle: how to fix the formula used to determine how to fund public education in New Jersey.

 READ MORE: New funding will help rescue some N.J. school districts facing budget cuts  for now

Lumberton School Superintendent Colleen Murray said her Burlington County school system has routed out every efficiency after years of cuts under the S-2 formula.

Still, we have hit the fiscal cliff, which means that if we do not get help, we will have no choice but to cut staff, Murray said Tuesday. We need relief from the oversized cuts we received so that we can keep our excellent programs in place.
A new show about Benjamin Franklin ditches the inventors pot belly and bald head for the luscious gray locks of Michael Douglas. In the eight-episode miniseries Franklin, debuting on AppleTV+ on April 12, Douglas takes on the Founding Father during a tense period when the American Revolution was in dire need of money, men, and arms  and they relied on a 70-year-old Franklin to earn Frances support. The showrunners made what some might consider a controversial choice: to cut out Philadelphia.

Philadelphia was definitely in earlier drafts of the script many years ago. But we ended up shifting really into Franklins point of view for that very specific time that he was in France, said Tim Van Patten, the series director and executive producer. But he mentions it all the time, and I wish we had shot there, I love Philadelphia.

Advertisement

Based on biographer Stacy Schiffs A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America, the series follows the diplomats eight-year campaign that was critical to ensuring an American victory. Turning the dense political history into entertaining drama is always a challenge, but Van Patten focused on creating a spy thriller full of twists.

In the series, as in life, Franklin is surrounded by British and French spies trying to uncover his moves and motives to thwart the revolutions efforts. The savvy politician was usually steps ahead of them, even when they attempted to turn his grandson Temple Franklin  the son of Franklins disgraced British loyalist son William  against him. A Quiet Places Noah Jupe plays the teen who joined his grandfather in France as his secretary.

Aside from politics, the series also highlights Franklins roguish Philly charm and penchant for fart jokes. Its definitely not your fathers Benjamin Franklin. It really showcases the man fully, said Van Patten, known for directing New Jersey-based classics like The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire. Michael is the handsomest Benjamin Franklin youll ever find.

The director said they tested several costume options, like a fake belly and receding hairline, for Franklin but they were time-consuming and didnt quite click. Hes not hiding behind anything. It just makes him feel so much more present and visceral, he said. I actually feel like Michael totally disappears into the character.

The 79-year-old actor recognizes that hes not a Franklin look-alike, admitting that Philly reenactors probably look more like him than I do, he told The Inquirer. Of course, Douglas, also an executive producer on the series, still maintains Franklins signature bifocals and 18th-century American wardrobe, which he does not forego even in the decorated halls of Versailles frequented by his contemporaries wearing elaborate wigs and heavy makeup.

Jupe, who plays the younger Franklin, hadnt heard of Franklin reenactors before, but loves that the history is still visible in the city. He hopes the Philly reenactors all take an interest in the show. Thats at least seven views, he joked.

As he prepared for the role, Douglas was surprised by how much of a player Franklin was. As concentrated as he was and how brilliant he was, he could be distracted quite easily  lets just say that  by the beauty, or the quality that women have, the actor said, chuckling. The show plays up his French relationships and flirtations. (Some historians disagree that Franklin was a womanizer, but thats practically irrelevant when it comes to making entertaining television, especially once Michael Douglas is involved.)

While Douglas has visited Philadelphia over the years, he admitted that he hasnt seen Franklins former home or grave site. I do look forward to going back now to retrace a lot of his steps, he said. Franklin is Philadelphias son, so you better be watching [the show]!

Douglas hopes audiences learn something new about the famous Philadelphian and believes the show has additional resonance in this election year. When you realize how fragile our democracy is, and you see right now what were going through, and how democracies are really an endangered species as more and more countries become autocratic  those are all things that, I think, will come in the mix, he said.

For anyone disappointed there wont be more Philadelphia in the show, there is one small moment that spotlights Pennsylvania after the Marquis de Lafayette is shot in the Battle of Brandywine just outside of Philadelphia. When he awakens, lost and confused, the Frenchman asks a woman if hes in heaven. When she says its Pennsylvania, the revolutionary replies, Even better.

Franklin airs weekly on AppleTV+ beginning April 12.
Mike Clemson, who has been homeless in Manayunk for 18 months, speaks about the help he obtains from the Unity Recovery drop-in center. Unity staff say that business owners in the community are complaining about the addiction outreach organization's presence there. Read more

An inspector from the city Department of Licensing and Inspections paid a surprise visit on a recent afternoon to Unity Recovery, a Manayunk-based organization that supports people in addiction.

The inspector told Unity staffers he was there to investigate a report that the nonprofit was illegally operating a syringe exchange.

Advertisement

Days later, an inspector from the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs visited Unity to follow up on another complaint. Unity had been accused of using state funds to distribute syringes. (Local officials in Philadelphia permit the distribution of sterile syringes to prevent the spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases, but the practice is not legal statewide.)

Staff say both complaints were unfounded, adding that the organization does not distribute syringes from its Manayunk location. The city inspector told staff he would not escalate the complaint, and state officials said their visit was simply a compliance check.

But Unity staff couldnt help but see the back-to-back visits as a sign of escalating tensions around their work in Manayunk. This type of regulatory scrutiny is new, leaders say.

The inspections come at an inflection point for efforts to reduce the harmful consequences of opioid addiction in Philadelphias ongoing drug epidemic. Overdose death tolls continue to reach new highs each year, but critics say newly elected Mayor Cherelle L. Parker is focused more on law-and-order concerns than harm reduction. She has proposed pulling back city funding for syringe exchanges.

Much of the new administrations attention has been on Kensington, the neighborhood where an open-air drug market has become the face of the citys opioid crisis. Now, staff at Unity say their recent experiences show how the tensions around the epidemic  and the debate around how to solve it  reverberates across the city.

Its unclear who prompted the inspections; L&I did not return requests for comment and the state declined to say who entered the complaint. But for months, Unity staff say, business leaders in the community have blamed them for increasingly visible homelessness and drug use in the area.

They think were the sole cause of anybody experiencing homelessness or engaging in public drug use or having mental health concerns, said Robert Ashford, Unitys executive director.

 READ MORE: Powerful synthetic opioids stronger than fentanyl were found in several overdose deaths in Philly

Su-Shan Lai, who owns a hair salon in the neighborhood, said the business community is concerned about the nonprofits operations in a neighborhood not typically known for drug use. Lai sits on the board of the Manayunk Development Corporation, a local business organization that recently has been working to help the neighborhood bounce back from the economic trials of the COVID-19 pandemic and a devastating flood in 2021. She added that no one on the board knows where the complaints to the city and state originated.

Theyre trying to make sure those in the community feel safe, [after] a bunch of things that have hurt us economically, she told The Inquirer, adding that she personally supports Unitys mission but that other business owners worry about its presence. A lot of that worry comes from a lack of education around recovery.

Were tired of being harassed

Unity runs a community drop-in center on Manayunks Gay Street, plus a coffee shop, eateries, and a sober bar. It also has a yoga studio, which was the first Unity entity to open in the neighborhood in 2019 and geared toward people in recovery from addiction. The organization also has locations in Pittsburgh and Texas, and engages in harm reduction outreach, including syringe distribution, around Philadelphia.

Mike Clemson, 33, grew up in Manayunk and has been homeless there for the last 18 months. Stopping in at Unity has provided him with a welcome stability during a chaotic time in his life.

Most of the people out here dont really know where to start  they lost everything, and along the way you lose more, and then you end up sitting on the sidewalk every day, he said.

More people have been living rough in the neighborhood in recent years, a consequence of the economic and social damage of the pandemic, says Ashford, Unitys executive director.

The first sign of rising tensions between Unity and local business owners emerged at a July 2023 meeting among leaders of the local business community. There, members of the Manayunk Development Corporation questioned Unitys presence on Gay Street and said they believed the organization was attracting people in addiction to the block, according to meeting minutes provided to The Inquirer by Ashford.

Kelly Maguire, who owns Unitys building, told members that those issues were present before Unity began operations in the neighborhood in 2019.

Still, she acknowledged business owners concerns: I do want to have a discussion on how we can address public safety, neighborhood appearance, and keep in mind people who are in crisis, she said at the meeting.

They think were the sole cause of anybody experiencing homelessness or engaging in public drug use or having mental health concerns. Robert Ashford, Unitys executive director

Pointing to the sight of discarded syringes littering the streets around the neighborhood, business owners in October 2023 asked Unity whether it could stop distributing sterile syringes in Manayunk. The organization agreed. (The two dozen people Unity serves in Manayunk are largely not injection drug users.)

Then Unitys leader, Ashford, received an email from business owners asking whether he had been distributing syringes again. The email noted they had seen more people setting up camp in the neighborhood and were trying to understand the causes of the behaviors were seeing.

Ashford replied that he was not distributing syringes in the area.

Communication on both sides has not been perfect, said Lai, the local salon owner. Since more visible drug use is relatively new in Manayunk, she said, many business owners are unsure how to react.

Ashford feels that tensions are only increasing. Recently, he said, staff members have been yelled at on the street by people who see them wearing Unity T-shirts.

Were the only organization in this part of Philadelphia trying to help people, said Ashford, who is in recovery himself. Were tired of being harassed by organizations that would rather just not see what the reality of the human existence is.

What are we really harming?

In the tensions around Unitys operations, Ashford sees a mirror of attempts in Kensington to shut down or limit the operations of harm reduction organizations.

City councilmember Quetcy Lozada recently intervened to end a harm reduction organizations lease of a storefront on Kensington Avenue and has suggested she wants to pull funding entirely for the public health organization that runs the citys largest syringe exchange.

The Manayunk Development Corporation has spoken with other business districts around the city about how they address safety issues in their neighborhoods, Lai said, rebutting Ashfords concern that local leaders have consulted Kensington politicians on how to replicate efforts to push out harm reduction organizations.

Meanwhile, clients at Unity say that the community center on Gay Street has been a lifeline for people living rough in the neighborhood  many of whom, such as Clemson, are longtime residents themselves.

To those who complain about Unitys presence in the neighborhood, he said: What are we really harming? What do we actually do to their appearance?

 READ MORE: Mayor Parkers administration boosts Kensington outreach, police presence ahead of encampment clearing
Doylestown Hospital is among the three hospitals in the region with the highest rate of patients who would recommend it, a federal survey shows. Read more

Patients overwhelmingly would recommend their Philadelphia-area hospitals to friends and family, an Inquirer analysis of federal survey data found.

Ninety-two percent of survey participants said they would probably or definitely recommend their hospital following a stay. Hospitals nationally had a slightly higher recommendation rate of 94%.

Advertisement

Recommendations from family and friends are a powerful referral source for hospitals. Studies show such recommendations influence where patients choose to seek care.

In the Philadelphia area, the most recommended acute-care hospitals spanned facilities from West Philly to the suburbs: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Chester County Hospital, and Doylestown Hospital were patient favorites, recommended by 97% of their patients.

At all three hospitals, more than 80% said they would definitely recommend the hospital, and fewer than 3% said they would not recommend at all.

The hospitals with the fewest patients overall who would recommend it were St. Francis Hospital (16% would not recommend), Lansdale Hospital (14%), and Nazareth Hospital (14%).

The data come from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services most recent update of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems  a survey of patients experience in more than 4,000 hospitals across the nation from April 2022 and through March 2023.

Patients were asked to answer the question: Would you recommend this hospital to your friends and family?

Heres a look at how patients responded to that question for acute care hospitals in the Philadelphia region:
Barber Josh Santiago cuts the hair of Phillip Matthews on Friday. Santiago, a 33-year-old barber from Northeast Philadelphia, has been quietly giving haircuts on Kensington's side streets for years. Read more

A white Kia sedan pulls up next to a trash-strewn lot beneath the El. Out steps a husky, bearded man in sweats, who pulls from his backseat a salon chair that he plants on the pavement. He pops his trunk and with surgical care lays out a set of clipping shears and straight razors.

The barbershop is open, but not for business.

Advertisement

When a prospective customer walks by and offers cash for a cut, Josh Santiago rebuffs him with a four-letter word.

Free? the man repeats back. Im tryin to pay someone for a haircut.

Santiago tests a spray bottle filled with a pricey hair product.

I dont know what to tell you, bro, Santiago says. Im not the man for you if youre trying to pay.

For nine years now, Santiago, 33, has been running this thrice-weekly mobile barbershop on the streets of his old neighborhood. Through his one-man nonprofit, Empowering Cuts, the Northeast Philly resident gives free haircuts throughout the Philly region and even tours the country with a mobile barber van. But he estimates that 90% of the 12,000 free cuts hes given in the last decade have been right here in Kensington, where he grew up  in the center of Philadelphias drug trade.

The wails of ambulances and firetrucks provide his shops soundtrack. A dirty sidewalk is his waiting room. His customer base is the Avenues homeless, addicted, and down-and-out.

The most beautifulest people that you ever met your entire life, he calls them. Through their stories, he says, he has gained more than a $5 cut could ever buy: peace, purpose  and forgiveness.

Ive been on probation for 21 years, he says.

By age 12, Santiago was hustling on the streets, building a rap sheet for drug dealing that would put him in and out of the criminal justice system through his adult life. Both of his parents struggled with substance abuse.

First client on a recent Friday shift is Phil Matthews. Santiago knows what the man wants without asking: a blowout, a fade, and a sharp shape-up on the sides.

Hes somebody who actually cares, Matthews says, as Santiago works a razor around his customers ears. Its cold out here, and I dont mean the weather. I mean, like, a cold world, man.

Next up: a beard trim for a Bucks County native who tells of enlisting in the Army after his brother died on 9/11. Home after two tours in Iraq, the man who gives his name only as Zack turned to opioids to sleep at night.

As Santiago works his scissors, passersby shout out praise like real-time Yelp reviewers.

One day he took me from looking crazy to looking like a million dollars, says a man with a boom box strapped to his hip. I got on the train and everybody was like, Damn! Who did that?

A passing sedan beeps and through a window a woman blows him a kiss. Another fan? Sort of, Santiago says. Thats my cousin.

A decade ago, he put hustling behind him and enrolled in barber school. One day, his instructor took the apprentice stylists to a homeless shelter to practice, and there the idea for Santiagos free service took root.

During his first pop-up sessions in Kensington, he began to understand what drove his mother to use. He asked questions. Every client who sat before him was a learning opportunity.

It gave me comfort when it came to her, he says. I have a better understanding of what she does. And I love her dearly now, compared to when I was a kid, because I understand what addiction is.

Officers from the 24th District roll up in an SUV and tell the crowd across the street from Santiago to disperse. Sometimes police tell Santiago to pack up his shop, too, he says. Some cops have accused him of enabling the homeless community, but others have been cool about it.

On this Friday afternoon, the officers leave him alone as he tends to his chaotic waiting room, where six men are now queued for their glow-up. Nah, nah, he snaps at a man trying to cut the line. Theres three people in front of you, bro.

Santiago keeps the sign-up sheet in his head. Customers bounce too often to keep a written list. When a nearby drug crew offers free samples, he says, the line drops from 10 to none in seconds.

Word spreads that theres free pizza on the Ave, and Santiago excuses a client mid-cut. Another man who has been waiting asks if he can get a quick touch-up in the interim. Santiago refuses.

Im not trying to rush you out the chair, he says. Im trying to give you a nice [hair]line, you feel me?

Empowering Cuts operational costs run about $75,000 a year, with little left for Santiago to take a salary, he says. He relies on support from family to sustain his mission, and hopes to start securing grants. Through his 275,000 followers on Instagram and 318,000 followers on TikTok, he raised six figures to buy a mobile barbershop, which hes driven to economically depressed neighborhoods from Georgia to California.

He cut hair for three days in the underground homeless city beneath the Las Vegas Strip, where hundreds live in flood-prone tunnels. Santiago says he was amazed how the people there learned to navigate the darkness.

His cross-country travels have only solidified his view that theres no place quite like Kensington.

Over the last decade, hes seen the steady decline. The Kensington Avenue of his youth  the sneaker stores, the retail chains, the food spots and $5 barber shops from Tioga down to the Huntington stops  is a faded memory now.

By late afternoon, the crowd grows to dozens on Cambria Street and conversation bounces between topics around his chair.

Some men share trauma and loss. To a client whose mother recently died, Santiago offers a solemn condolence as he buzzes his sideburns. Another man fears for the life of a cousin who has been MIA for weeks: I dont want to put him on no T-shirt, you know what I mean? I got too many T-shirts.

They crack jokes. They laugh. They talk about the drugs, but also relationships (Love keeps us together), religion (You believe in God, Josh?), and the mayors proposed crackdown in Kensington (They need trash cans out here).

If City Hall wants to fix the neighborhood, the barber says, take down the barriers people face trying to get into treatment.

Santiago gives out his cell number freely. Because what he gives is more than a haircut, he says. And when his phone blows up at night with someone telling him theyre ready to get help, he hops in his car and heads for the Ave.

There are ample detox facilities nearby, but he prefers to drive two hours to a clinic outside Reading. If they were out here running and gunning for years, theyre not going to be able to focus on their treatment at Tulip and Allegheny, he says.

His first client on this Friday, Phil, recently confided that he was growing tired of life on the streets. It may be a few more haircuts before hes ready, but Santiago assured him he was waiting on standby.

The window of opportunity is small, he says.

When somebody needs help, you gotta react on that fast, he said, because the last thing you want is for that individual to change their mind.
BONNE TERRE, Mo.  A Missouri man was executed Tuesday for killing his cousin and her husband nearly two decades ago in an attack that left the couples 4-year-old daughter home alone and unharmed.

Brian Dorsey, 52, was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m. after a single-dose injection of the sedative pentobarbital at the state prison in Bonne Terre, Karen Pojmann, communications director for the Missouri Department of Corrections, said in an email. It was the first execution in Missouri this year after four in 2023, and it came hours after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the inmates final appeals.

Advertisement

Dorsey took a few deep breaths as the drug was injected, then several shallow, quick breaths. At one point he raised his head from the pillow and blinked hard. After several seconds, all movement stopped. A spiritual adviser seated next to the gurney continued to speak. It was unclear what he was saying  the room is soundproof.

Dorsey, in a final statement, expressed remorse and sorrow for the killings.

Words cannot hold the just weight of my guilt and shame, Dorsey said in the written statement.

Dorsey, 52, formerly of Jefferson City, was convicted of killing Sarah and Ben Bonnie on Dec. 23, 2006, at their home near New Bloomfield. Prosecutors said that earlier that day, Dorsey had called Sarah Bonnie seeking to borrow money to pay two drug dealers who were at his apartment.

Dorsey went to the Bonnies home that night. After they went to bed, Dorsey took a shotgun from the garage and killed both of them before sexually assaulting Sarah Bonnies body, prosecutors said. Police said Dorsey stole several items from the home and tried to pay off a drug debt with some of the stolen goods.

A day after the killings, Sarah Bonnies parents went to check on the Bonnies after they had failed to show up for a family gathering. They found the couples 4-year-old daughter on the couch watching TV. She told her grandparents that her mother wont wake up. Dorsey surrendered to police Dec. 26 of that year.

Dorseys execution had raised new concerns about Missouris single-drug protocol, which includes no provision for the use of anesthetics. Dorseys attorneys described him as obese, diabetic and a former intravenous drug user, all factors that could have made it difficult to obtain a vein to inject the lethal drug. When that happens, a cutdown procedure is sometimes necessary.

A cutdown involves an incision, then the use of forceps to pull tissue away from an interior vein. A federal lawsuit on behalf of Dorsey argued that without a local anesthetic, he would be in so much pain that it would impede his right to religious freedom by preventing him from having meaningful interaction with his spiritual adviser, including the administration of last rites.

A settlement was reached Saturday in which the state took unspecified steps to limit the risk of extreme pain. The settlement didnt spell out the specific changes agreed to by the state, including whether anesthetics would be available.

Pojmann said no cutdown procedure was necessary for Dorsey.

It went smoothly, she said. No problems.

About 85 protesters gathered outside the prison in support of Dorsey.

Hours before the execution, the Supreme Court turned aside both of Dorseys appeals without comment. His lawyers had urged the high court to step in, saying he had shown good behavior in prison and had been rehabilitated. They also argued a $12,000 flat fee paid to his two public defenders gave them incentive to hurry through the case. On their recommendation, Dorsey pleaded guilty despite having no agreement with prosecutors to spare him from the death penalty.

On Monday, Republican Gov. Mike Parson denied a clemency request that included signatures from 72 current and former state corrections officers who urged the governor to commute Dorseys sentence to life in prison without parole. They cited Dorseys virtually spotless record of good behavior behind bars. Parson, a Republican, is a former county sheriff. He has never granted clemency since taking office in 2018.

Parson, in a statement, said Dorsey punished his loving family for helping him in a time of need. His cousins invited him into their home, where he was surrounded by family and friends, then gave him a place to stay. Dorsey repaid them with cruelty, inhumane violence, and murder.

Missouri has scheduled its next execution June 11 for inmate David Hosier for his conviction in the 2009 killing of a Jefferson City woman. Five people have been executed in five different states this year  Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Roger the Labrador failed police dog school because he was too playful and friendly. That same energy has helped him thrive as a search dog in the rescue efforts following Taiwan's deadly earthquake. Read more

Roger the Labrador retriever failed police dog academy because he was too playful and overly friendly. But that same energy has helped him thrive as a search dog in the rescue efforts following Taiwans 7.4-magnitude earthquake. Now, hes being celebrated by new fans and animal lovers far and wide.

In the aftermath of the deadly quake, Roger could be seen climbing through piles of rubble at Taroko National Park, the yellow labs tail wagging as camera footage panned over his trek up steep inclines. He sniffed and circled areas.

Advertisement

Roger was trained to look for survivors, his handler, Lee Hsin Hung, told reporters. But he ended up helping to find the body of one of the 13 people killed, a missing 21-year-old woman.

And while Roger, who is 8-years-old, isnt the only dog taking part in the rescue efforts  there are four in total, according to the New York Times  his backstory about failing out of police school coupled with his big personality has solidified his position as a bright spot amid a bleak story. At a news conference, he tried to chomp on a reporters mic. In a separate news conference, he could be seen shredding his stuffed toy while Lee commended his bravery.

Roger was picked from a group of rejected puppies to join the Kaohsiung emergency response team. Lee said his demeanor  the key reason he flunked out of drug-sniffing school  made him an ideal candidate for search and rescue efforts. As a puppy, his love for fun, food, and people would distract him from listening to his trainers commands, Taiwans official Central News Agency reported. Today, that energy translates into a highly motivated good boy, successfully certified to maneuver through rubble and look for people.

As noted by CNN, rescue dogs play a big role when it comes to helping locate both stranded people and bodies.

Currently, the Kaohsiung Search and Rescue team has 11 dogs in its unit. Six of them, including Roger, have passed the International Search and Rescue Dog Organizations (IRO) advanced rubble search certification, search and rescue team leader Chen Chih-san told Focus Taiwan News.

As it turns out, Rogers stardom comes at a good time  hell be looking for a new home soon.

Chen told Focus Taiwan that dogs in the program retire at age 9, when the bureau finds them a cozy adoptive home. Heres hoping theres a lot of easy-to-shred plushies in his near future.
A Montgomery County judge on Tuesday ordered a Main Line theater to screen a film about an Israeli musician  part of the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia  that had been canceled the day before amid mounting objections to the festival from organizations critical of Israel.

The film, The Child Within Me, about Yehuda Poliker, was shown Tuesday night at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute as part of the ongoing festival, which is now in its 28th year.

Advertisement

The institute on Monday announced it was canceling the screening. In a statement, BMFI said it was not a political organization despite hosting the festival in previous years.

However, as the situation in Israel and Gaza has developed, it has become clear that our showing this movie is being widely taken among individuals and institutions in our community as an endorsement of Israels recent and ongoing actions. This is not a statement we intended or wish to make. For this reason, BMFI is canceling the sole screening of the music documentary, The Child Within Me, the institute said on Monday.

By Tuesday afternoon, it released a statement of apology, saying that the cancellation was due to concern for public safety.

BMFI is an institution run by human beings. We are flawed and have blind spots. Sometimes we make bad calls. We understand that our actions have hurt and offended many. That was the opposite of our intention, and we apologize for disappointing so many members of our community, the statement read.

Groups including the Bi-Co Jewish Voice for Peace had opposed the screening because the festival benefits from fundraising for the state of Israel through its sponsors, Israel Bonds and the Consulate General of Israel.

We were upset to see the same money that funds a genocide going toward a local beloved business, said Elez Beresin-Scher, 21, a Bryn Mawr College junior who organizes with Bi-Co Students for Justice in Palestine and Bi-Co Jewish Voice for Peace, including students at Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges.

After the theater said on Monday that it was canceling the screening, those same groups cheered the decision and called off a planned protest at the theater Tuesday night.

But lawyers for the film festival went to court, arguing that the cancellation was a breach of contract, and Judge Richard P. Haaz, of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, agreed.

The Child Within Me has nothing to do with current events in Israel or the war currently ongoing in the Middle East, the lawyers wrote in their complaint.

After the court order was issued Tuesday, the Israeli Film Festival posted on its website: This attempt to censor the arts and culture of Israel was not successful.

Lori Lowenthal Marcus, a lawyer for the film festival, called the judges order an extraordinary remedy  to right an extraordinary wrong. The theaters earlier decision to cancel the screening, Marcus said in a statement Tuesday, was a cowardly response to bullying.

Beresin-Scher. said: The court order was upsetting because it portrayed college students who were trying to make a difference in their community as dangerous groups who threatened the BMFI. What actually happened was we held peaceful, civil dialogue. We are not even sure that it was our conversations that led to their decision to cancel.

Students said they were not protesting the film itself but the festival overall. Beresin-Scher participated in conversations with BMFI to inform it of the festivals sponsors and described the talks as personal and kind. After the court order, she said students did not protest the event because they understood that the theater was legally obligated to host it.

As a Jewish person, I feel a deep commitment to tikkun olam, making the world a better place, which, for me, means a responsibility to use my voice to speak out against the Israeli governments horrific treatment of the Palestinian people, said Beresin-Scher.

Israels actions stem from Hamas deadly invasion of Israel on Oct. 7, when attackers killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took roughly 250 people hostage. More than 33,400 Palestinians have been killed in the relentless fighting, according to Gazas health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count.

The Philly Palestine Coalition, which also demanded that the film screening be canceled and took issue with the festivals sponsors, could not be reached for comment about the court order.

The initial cancellation of the film screening prompted condemnation from the Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.

Although BMFI states that this decision was made in an attempt to avoid controversy, this action only serves to blacklist Israeli culture, playing into the hands of antisemites who try to deny the Jewish people their voice and existence, both organizations said in a joint statement.
Shankweiler's Drive-In, near Allentown, has rescheduled its plans to celebrate its 90th anniversary on Saturday after a Trump rally was scheduled on the same night about a mile away. Read more

On Saturday, Shankweilers Drive-In was set to host an anniversary celebration the likes of which youve never seen.

The North Whitehall Township drive-in, which is currently Americas oldest, was planning to show a double feature of Twister 2 and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Advertisement

Now that former President Donald Trump is holding a rally at a nearby firehall, however, Shankweilers has decided not to compete with the main attraction in Lehigh County that night.

Literally less than a mile from the theater, the same day as our 90th-anniversary event, at the same time, Shankweilers co-owner Matt McClanahan said in a social media post Saturday.

McClanahan said the celebration marking Shankweilers April 15, 1934 birthday had been in the works for a long time, with hundreds of people coming in, along with special vendors and attractions, including vintage automobiles. But with major road closures expected, the drive-in opted to shut down entirely and reschedule for Sunday.

We are a small business. We are new owners of a historic theater. We run on very tight margins and we rely on these events, McClanahan said. When things like this happen to jeopardize our spring events they are, in fact, an existential threat to the theater.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. Sunday for the anniversary celebration and anyone interested in attending can purchase tickets at www.shankweilers.com.

Pennsylvania is home to 27 drive-ins  one fewer than New York  according to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association. Shankweilers is about 60 miles north of Philadelphia. The only drive-in that predates it debuted closer to the city, in 1933, on the Camden-Pennsauken border, but it closed by 1940. Only one remains in New Jersey today.

The comments section on Shankweilers Facebook page was emblematic of Pennsylvanias divided politics. Some commenters said the theater was lucky to have Trump in town. Others suggested McClanahan and McChesney invite the former president to Shankweilers, or ask him to reschedule.

Its terrible he is costing you money, another said.
Philadelphias top cops testified before City Council for nearly four hours on Tuesday, fielding questions about everything from homicides to new body-worn camera technology.

The department is seeking an $877 million budget allocation that is roughly flat compared with last years. But officials are still asking City Council to approve new investments in hiring for additional emergency call dispatchers and community outreach workers, as well as upgrades to the departments technology and investigative equipment.

Advertisement

Council members spent hours asking Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel to outline a strategy on the issues most pressing to them, from community relationships to cracking down on fake license plates.

Here are some highlights from Bethels testimony:

New body-worn camera technology

Bethel said the department hopes to add sensors to all officers gun and taser holsters, so that when an officer removes the weapon, the body-worn camera automatically turns on. The sensors would also activate an officers camera if they are next to a colleague whose camera is already on.

Procuring and implementing that technology will be a long-term process, he said. Police have said they hope to have all officers equipped with body cameras by the end of this year. As of February, there were still seven units in the department, including the Narcotics Strike Force, in which officers do not have body cameras.

It will take some time to get to that place, he said.

Setting up stationary license plate readers

Bethel said the department recently received a grant that will allow the department to install 25 license plate readers on patrol cars, as well as 200 stationary license plate readers across the city.

Those readers will be placed in areas with higher rates of crime and car theft to crack down on the number of vehicles being stolen and cars with fake plates, and more quickly track down getaway cars after a shooting.

Surveillance cameras and drones

Bethel said there are about 6,200 surveillance cameras installed across the city  more than a third of which are the departments, while the others belong to partners like SEPTA.

Police, he said, can monitor those cameras in real time, which has become an important tool in monitoring higher crime corridors, and identifying drug activity and hot corners.

But drones, he said, are the future. The technology could be used to monitor drug markets from afar, gather intelligence, and even respond to certain 911 calls to assess a situation.

He said there are still many law enforcement partners, including the Defender Association and District Attorneys Office, that the department needs to meet with to discuss privacy concerns.

A new deputy commissioner of community partnerships

Bethel announced that he elevated community engagement work to the level of deputy commissioner  and that he has tapped Myesha Massey for the job.

Massey, who will report directly to Bethel, was the captain of the 35th Police District in the Logan/Ogontz section of North Philadelphia and will oversee a unit of nine people responsible for building bridges between the department and community.

We have put an umbrella up and never really built it, he said of community policing. We have to get our roots into the ground, building relationships and partnerships.

Improving communication between detectives and crime victims

City Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr., who represents parts of North Philadelphia, asked Bethel about the departments plan to add a new unit of civilian victim advocates, saying he has heard from families of homicide victims who feel that police detectives do not engage them during the most trying time that theyre going through in their life.

Bethel said his message to those families is simple: We hear you.

He said homicide detectives can have 15 to 20 cases at a time and dont have the capacity to update the families of every victim on a regular basis. He said the new advocates will fill in those gaps, saying they will have access to case management systems and be able to provide victims families with updates on the status of the investigations.

We know we have a problem, Bethel said. We know what were going to do to address it.

Staff writer Anna Orso contributed to this article.
Utility crews work near the Happy Rooster at 16th and Sansom Streets in Philadelphia on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Read more

The Happy Rooster, a decades-old staple of Center Citys Sansom Street, will be temporarily closed because of a water main break and subsequent electrical fire, according to owner Debbie Jordan. Just how long that closure lasts is yet to be determined.

Jordan said she noticed an abnormal amount of steam coming from the street about 10 p.m. Sunday. By Tuesday morning, the steam had entered the restaurant.

Advertisement

It made tons of condensation in our restaurant, causing us to have extreme condensation in the kitchen area and the first floor, then leading to a small electrical fire in the kitchen, said Jordan, who had yet to start assessing the damage.

Firefighters were sent to 16th and Sansom Streets shortly after 9:45 a.m. Tuesday following reports of smoke, said a department spokesperson. The department found heavy steam coming out of a manhole cover. Crews later learned that there was a water main break.

The excess steam that blanketed the street had some passersby concerned, with some taking to social media to ask whether the problem came from part of the citys 41 miles of pipes that deliver steam to dozens of buildings. According to WHYY, Philadelphia is one of several East Coast cities that delivers steam through a loop system.

A spokesperson for Vicinity Energy, the steam loop operator in Philadelphia, confirmed the water main break, and said it was monitoring the situation and working with the Philadelphia Water Department.

We understand that the appearance of steam vapor has been a concern, the spokesperson said in a statement. This is a temporary issue caused by water contacting our steam pipe. Once the water main is repaired, these vapor-related issues will dissipate.

A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Water Department could not immediately provide a comment, and it was not clear whether crews had identified the source of the break.

Known for its namesake juicy bacon burger with gruyere and borderline-kitschy poultry decor, the Happy Rooster emitted a smoky scent Tuesday afternoon as multiple water department crews drilled into opposite corners of 16th and Sansom Streets. White plumes of steam escaped an uncovered manhole as the afternoon rush made its way home.




Illustration: Liu Rui/Global Times

(Global Times) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida landed in Washington on Monday local time for a state visit to the US. Since Kishida is the first Japanese leader to visit Washington as a state guest since then-prime minister Shinzo Abe's visit nine years ago, both Japan and the US attach great importance to Kishida's visit. The Japanese side has been making noise about this visit for some time, while the American side has arranged high-profile receptions such as a White House dinner and a speech to Congress for Kishida.

For this visit, it is clear that the US and Japan have some common "strategic considerations." For example, both sides may see it as a "ceremonial show" to further enhance their warming "honeymoon relationship," hoping to demonstrate the US-Japan alliance is "unbreakable" by elevating their bilateral relationship to a "global partnership" status.

The current leaders of the US and Japan have their own respective goals. The Kishida administration is currently mired in a governance crisis, and this visit is a "life-saving straw" to demonstrate diplomatic achievements in order to regain domestic support. On the Washington side, as concerns among allies rise about the risks posed by the US election, President Joe Biden wants to reaffirm security commitments to allies through Kishida's visit, at least to reassure them, and to seek support from the American people by reshaping the alliance system.

Unsurprisingly, the interpretation from the outside world almost unanimously points to China when touching upon Kishida's visit to the US. The Financial Times revealed two weeks ago that the US and Japan are planning the biggest upgrade to their security alliance since they signed a mutual defense treaty in 1960 in a move to counter China. The two countries' militaries will "cooperate and plan more seamlessly, particularly in a crisis such as a Taiwan conflict," the report reads.

Furthermore, the first trilateral summit between the US, Japan and the Philippines to be held after Kishida's meeting with Biden is also seen as Washington and Tokyo's move to back Manila against China.
Dan Millard, a Lowe's employee, hangs a POW flag at the Lowe's store in Trevose, Pa. during a POW flag dedication on Friday, Apr 5, 2024. Read more

When it seemed like the country was forgetting those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, Alan J. Micklin, 83, took up a one-man mission: to make sure that the National League of Families POW/MIA flag would fly wherever and whenever the U.S. flag flew.

The Bensalem man had the law on his side. In 1990, Congress designated the POW/MIA flag as our countrys symbol of concern for POWs and MIAs in Southeast Asia. Since 2019, the National POW/MIA Flag Act required the flag to be displayed beneath the American flag at prominent federal properties.

Advertisement

And now he has Lowes on his side.

The big accomplishment

On April 5, the POW/MIA flag was hoisted in Lowes Bensalem store as about 30 shoppers and staff were invited to stop for a moment to join the short ceremony. Lowes is known as a veteran-friendly corporation, with 26,000 of its 300,000 associates either veterans or military spouses.

I emailed the executive vice president of Lowes, who is a veteran, and many of their other officers are veterans, and once they received it they really went for it, Micklin said.

It was Joseph M. McFarland III, Lowes executive vice president of stores, a Gulf War and Desert Storm veteran, having served six years in the Marines, who gave Micklins quest the green light, starting with its nine Philadelphia district stores, which stretch from South Philadelphia to Warminster.

Store manager Holly Sonneborn, who has been a Lowes employee for 19 years, said she could tell that many of the shoppers and staff were deeply touched. It was the first time we ever did something like this.

Remembrance and grief

Since WWII, about 82,000 soldiers are categorized as prisoners of war (POW), missing in action (MIA), or otherwise unaccounted for. Micklins purpose is simple. He advocates for the flag because he believes we shouldnt forget the grief that families suffer.

Veterans such as Capt. Ralph Galati, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, said it was meaningful to see that, after 50 years, there was still an interest in the POW/MIA flag, but he also remembered a time when the reception of returning Vietnam service members, including POWs, was hostile.

Galati was only 23 years old when he was shot down, captured and became a POW from February 1972 until March 1973. You may disagree [with the war] but at least respect the service members, he said. It added to the mental anguish. It was difficult coming back. Shame on us for that.

You may disagree but at least respect the service members. Ralph Galati

Time has changed Americas approach to those who fight, regardless of their opinion on the politics of the war.

Everyone stood silently looking and I mentioned to them the importance of this flag and how far back it covers. A woman in the back was teary eyed. My reasons was to educate, said Micklin, a Vietnam vet who entered the Army after graduating from Bartram High School.

They applauded me. I couldnt believe it.

The flags importance

The POW/MIA flag was created in 1972 by New Jersey graphic artist and veteran Newton F. Heisley for Annin Flagmakers  at the time the worlds largest flag manufacturer  after the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia was looking for a flag design to promote its organization in 1971.

It is a black-and-white flag with a silhouette of a man with his head bowed, a guard tower, and a strand of barbed wire and the words You Are Not Forgotten.

I would ask people and they dont even know what the POW/MIA flag is. They have no clue Micklin said.

Jeanette Toner Schelberg of Voorhees, knows all too well what the flag means.

Its a very important symbol. Its amazing how many are still missing from all the wars. Schelbergs oldest brother, Cpl. Francis Toner, went missing after the Korean Wars brutal Battle of the Chongchon River on Nov. 26, 1950. A month later, Jeanette Toner, the familys fifth child, was born.

I wasnt alive when they received the news, but I saw the toll it took on my father. Jeanette Toner Schelberg

I wasnt alive when they received the news, but I saw the toll it took on my father, said Schelberg who found letters her father had written to the armed forces searching for any information about his son. He was devastated.

Her brother, along with all Korean War MIA, were officially declared dead in 1953.

I made it my mission to continue to look for his remains and identify him. It is the honor he deserves, Schelberg said.

The next step

For about 20 years, Micklin has displayed the POW/MIA flag along with the American flag on the flagpole at his home in Bensalem but he grew increasingly concerned that the 2019 law was being flouted  dishonoring, he believed those who have never returned home.

Two years ago, he decided to insist that his township follow the federal law and start flying the POW/MIA flag along with the American Flag.

 READ MORE: This Bucks County veteran is working to get the POW/MIA flag flying wherever the Stars and Stripes are

Over the last year Micklin said there have been accomplishments: the Boy Scouts in Doylestown, the library system in Bensalem, and individual firehouses throughout Bucks County have all agreed to display the flag.

Now Micklin is branching out. Lowes has been his largest accomplishment by far but he is already planning his next steps.

I want that flag on every flagpole in the country, whether business or government, Micklin said.
I am so happy to have a Black doc! I feel seen! A Black patient warmly said this to me as I walked into their hospital room.

I acknowledged his statement with a smile and a humble thanks and proceeded with my care for him.

Advertisement

As a Black female physician in Philadelphia, this experience happens to me on a weekly  if not a daily  basis. It is a shared experience amongst many Black doctors.

And is it any wonder? Many Black people remain uneasy when receiving medical care, given the racial history of medicine.

Theyve heard about research done decades ago at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, in which doctors didnt treat syphilis in hundreds of Black men to study the diseases natural course. Theyve heard about the case of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman with a tumor whose tissue samples were taken without her consent, and have since been used by tens of thousands of labs around the world, prompting her family to sue for compensation.

However, when a Black patient has a Black doctor, that unease diminishes. They feel seen.

My Black patients feel like they can trust me more than my white colleagues. Its a simple thing, but it helps facilitate high-quality care.

Yet, diversity in medicine is being threatened by the proposal of a new bill to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in medicine, known as the EDUCATE Act. Last month, Rep. Greg Murphy (R., N.C.)  a former doctor, no less  proposed that all race-based mandates at medical schools and accredited institutions be banned nationally.

Diversity strengthens medicine, but not if its achieved through exclusionary practices, Murphy said in a statement. Medicine is about serving others and doing the best job possible in every circumstance. We cannot afford to sacrifice the excellence and quality of medical education at the hands of prejudice and divisive ideology.

This move is part of a larger backlash against DEI initiatives in all areas of life, with some claiming these programs were even to blame after a door panel blew out of an Alaska Airlines flight in midair. DEIs critics echo Murphy, claiming DEI practices are racist against white people, and reduce quality because organizations worried about racial quotas wont always hire the most qualified person for the job.

These critics are wrong.

Critics are wrong.

DEI initiatives are not exclusionary practices, as Murphy claims. They are inclusionary practices to ensure those who look like me can be part of our chosen field.

Take medicine, for example. As a profession, it has an abysmally low representation of people of color. Here in Pennsylvania, only 4% of physicians are Black, though 11% of the population is Black. These statistics are mirrored nationally.

All of this has an impact on patient health. Having Black physicians not only increases patient trust and satisfaction but also improves outcomes for Black patients. Recent data have shown that in U.S. counties with 10% more Black primary care physicians, Black residents life expectancy is an average of 30 days longer than that of Black people living in counties with fewer Black physicians. Moreover, Black patients who receive care from a Black doctor are more likely to follow up with their yearly health screenings and agree to recommended care.

In short: Increasing the diversity of physicians will improve  not sacrifice  patient outcomes.

 READ MORE: A Black guy didnt cause Boeings midair blowout. Capitalism did. | Will Bunch

Whats more, medical students who attend a diverse medical school feel better equipped to treat patients of different ethnic backgrounds, no matter their own race. In addition, clinicians who are part of diverse medical teams learn more and have better patient outcomes. Medical schools with diverse students train better all-around clinicians ready to care for anyone, including patients who do not look like them.

Supporting diversity in medicine is beneficial for patients and physicians alike.

However, medical institutions have historically struggled with increasing diversity in medicine  which isnt a huge surprise, given how expensive it is to obtain a medical degree. Given the recent assault on DEI initiatives in higher education and the overturn of affirmative action by the U.S. Supreme Court, many medical schools have scaled back their DEI initiatives. If the EDUCATE Act were to pass, these racial disparities in physician demographics would only worsen.

As one in six U.S. medical doctors is trained in Philadelphia, this act would cause long-term ramifications on both the recruitment of medical professionals from underrepresented backgrounds and the health-care outcomes in the city. If this act were to pass, the racial health disparities plaguing the city of Philadelphia would be further cemented.

Here in Philadelphia, local organizations such as the Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania and the Alliance of Minority Physicians (of which I am a member) promote increasing and developing those underrepresented in medicine through scholarship, mentorship, and opportunities.

However, these efforts are not enough.

To promote diversity in medicine, we need political advocacy, locally and nationally, backing the importance of DEI initiatives in medicine. There also needs to be sustained diversity initiatives and financial support for these initiatives by medical institutions, health professionals, and health systems.

If we are truly dedicated to a more equitable health system, the EDUCATE Act must not pass. If we are truly dedicated to providing the best care for all patients, improving medical training, and ameliorating racial health disparities in the city and across the country, promoting diversity in medicine is a necessity, not a choice.

Ogechi Nwodim is an emergency medicine resident in West Philadelphia.
How grotesque to watch long-term U.S. security interests hang on the outcome of a political battle between the Hamlet-like speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and vengeful MAGA conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene.

As Congress returns from Easter break, Johnson still hasnt made up his mind whether to allow a vote on a bill that includes $60 billion worth of desperately needed aid for Ukraine  which would assuredly pass with a bipartisan majority.

Advertisement

He could still bow to Greene, who (with a growing number of colleagues) opposes U.S. help for Kyiv. In the topsy-turvy system MAGA zealots have imposed on the GOP House caucus, one Republican ideologue  in this case, the representative from Georgia  can trigger the House speakers ouster.

While these two political lightweights dither, people are dying, as Ukrainian soldiers run out of artillery shells and Russia bombs civilian homes and infrastructure in large Ukrainian cities that lack air defenses.

If the Congress doesnt help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently told the countrys local fundraising group, UNITED24. If Ukraine loses this war, other countries will be attacked.

Unless Johnson finds some courage, the responsibility for this security debacle will lie on his shoulders. The blood of Ukrainian victims already stains MAGA hands.

 READ MORE: 4 ways the U.S. should help Ukraine right now | Trudy Rubin

The congressional struggle over Ukraine aid has dragged on for six months, as the GOP tried to link it to reforms that limit migration across the southern border. But when the Senate passed a bipartisan aid bill that included strong border reforms, Donald Trump pressured most GOP senators to oppose it.

Because of Trumps opposition  tied to the former presidents desire to use immigration as a campaign issue  Johnson has refused to let the House vote on the Senate bill, which would be the quickest route to speeding the aid on its way.

Both Trump and his acolytes seem blissfully blind to the encouragement they are offering Russian President Vladimir Putin to commit further mayhem against the United States and its allies.

In Ukraine, Putin feels totally free to up the scale of his war crimes against civilians, as the GOP turns against Kyiv while the world and the White House focus on Gaza. Swarms of Russian drones, many provided by Iran, now hover over major cities such as Kharkiv, deliberately hitting apartment blocks, malls, and civilian power stations.

People are afraid of the double tap, the Russian tactic of a second attack wave that targets first responders, I was told by phone by Ukrainian photojournalist Alex Babenko, who had just left Kharkiv. Firefighters and police and repairmen cant work, because drones are flying around.

If the aid package passed, Ukraine could acquire more air defenses, along with desperately needed artillery shells for the front lines. The longer the delay, the greater the chance that Russia could break through Ukraines defensive lines.

Americas European allies, who collectively give Ukraine far more aid than the United States, are struggling to help fill the weapons supply gap. But there is no way to replace the lapse of U.S. military aid.

The Europeans see firsthand how Putin has been enabled by the paralysis of the U.S. Congress. The Russian leader shows no hesitation about assassinating Russian dissidents abroad  in London, in the center of Berlin, and most recently, in a Spanish town. He also is blatantly collecting foreign hostages  including Americans like Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich  to trade for jailed Russian spies.

Putin and his Kremlin minions regularly dispense threats about using nuclear weapons, while threatening non-NATO members in Europe, and militarizing the Arctic. Putin has repeatedly made clear, in public speeches, that he seeks to rebuild the onetime Russian empire, even if that means seizing more sovereign territory from Ukraine and other European nations.

Yet, Trump continues to boast that he could negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours if reelected. He has privately said he would do so by pressuring Ukraine to cede Crimea and the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, according to a report in the Washington Post. (Trump thinks Russian-speaking Ukrainians would prefer to live under Moscows rule, in apparent ignorance of the fact that Putin has bombed cities and villages filled with Ukrainians who speak Russian into smithereens.)

In other words, the GOP candidate wants to force Ukraine to capitulate to an aggressive dictator who invaded a peaceful neighbor and seeks to turn Ukraine into a Soviet-style satellite. Given Trumps hostility to Ukraine, Putin appears confident he can pursue his aims fully if the Republican wins.

 READ MORE: ISIS terror attack in Moscow and GOP obstructionists play into Putins hands | Trudy Rubin

Meantime, in Congress and MAGA world, far-right Republicans talk as if Ukraine is the enemy, using debunked claims about stolen U.S. funds and Ukrainian corruption that echo Kremlin propaganda (which has metastasized on X, formerly known as Twitter).

Michael Whatley, who Trump picked as cochair of the Republican National Committee, recently lumped Ukraine with Iran and China as an aggressive adversary who meddles with U.S. elections. (There was no mention of Russia.)

This is the fetid GOP atmosphere in which Speaker Johnson must make his decision: Does he want to do the right thing for American security, or kowtow to the MAGA mob whose leader admires Putin?

I must add here that President Joe Biden also faces a momentous choice: If aid resumes, the White House needs to stop foot-dragging on sending Ukraine key weapons systems such as long-range ATACMS missiles, with which Kyiv could expand its amazing progress in taking out Russian ships, military bases, and supply depots.

But first things first.

In the coming days, the future of the Ukraine war may be decided, either by a show of Johnsonian courage or by Putins pals in the GOP.
Turning Points For Children is one of two nonprofits to leave Philadelphia's child welfare system in recent years. Read more

Two organizations that provided child welfare casework for half of Philadelphia have declined to renew their contracts with the city, a significant disruption that the city now says could cost taxpayers about $66 million and affect several hundred families.

The Department of Human Services outsources the task of checking in on kids in foster care and kinship care to a network of nonprofit providers, called community umbrella agencies or CUAs, covering 10 geographic areas in the city. The privatized system was created a decade ago in the wake of the grisly starvation death of 14-year-old Danieal Kelly while under DHS supervision.

Advertisement

Turning Points for Children managed four of the 10 regions until deciding in late 2022 to leave the program. Tabor Community Partners, which had one of the regions, in Northwest Philadelphia, is now transitioning out of the CUA network as well after informing the city in January that it will not be renewing their agreement.

The tumult has revealed a new wrinkle in the yearslong debate about the effectiveness of the CUA system: insurance costs.

Child protective work is complicated, and costly lawsuits against government agencies and nonprofit providers are common. Insurance to cover litigation costs has been increasing, and the city is trying to strike a balance between discouraging practices that can lead to abuse and ensuring that its contracted providers can stay in business.

Tabor last year agreed to pay $11 million to settle a lawsuit in a case involving an infant who suffered near-fatal and life-altering brain injuries while under the organizations supervision. Tabor was accused of failing to make weekly visits to the childs home, document required health information, or communicate with doctors.

In 2021, Turning Points paid $6 million after being accused of improperly allowing three sisters to be returned to their sexually abusive father.

DHS Commissioner Kimberly Ali said that Turning Points left the CUA program because the city would not agree to help protect its bottom line even, she said, in cases where the organizations was found to be negligent. The city and state have increased support to the nonprofits to help with rising insurance premiums, Ali said, but Turning Points request went too far.

What the provider wanted the city to do was pay to indemnify them for their own negligence, and that is what the city was not going to do, Ali told Council.

A Turning Points representative declined to comment.

Tabor did not respond to requests for comment. Ali said they explained their departure to the city as a business decision.

Former DHS Commissioner Cynthia Figueroa, who now heads JEVS Human Services, said the question of financial liability is a problem that dates back all the way from the inception of the CUA system.

State law caps the amount of money government agencies can be obligated to pay out in civil cases, but no such protections exist for nonprofits like Turning Points.

Insuring this work is very difficult, and the indemnification issue is a real issue for the CUAs, Figueroa said

A disruption for hundreds of families

The departure of two CUAs  one of which had four regions  is a disruption for the several hundred families involved, Figueroa said. There are new systems, new faces, new players. Any time there is transition of a system, its a disruption.

Ali said the city isnt considering abandoning the CUA program, which is called Improving Outcomes for Children, and noted the progress it has made since a rocky rollout around 2014. The purpose of breaking up child welfare case management into 10 geographic regions, she said, was to build trust with the kids and families under city supervision by leaning on local nonprofits that would hire residents in the communities they serve, rather than DHS social workers.

Now, DHS employees investigate accusations of abuse, and if abuse is found or a child needs to be removed from their household, the city relies on CUA providers to manage casework for those families.

The decision was made because we did not have a presence with community, so we lacked the engagement of communities, Ali said.

The city has tapped four other nonprofit providers to replace Turning Points role in the network, and it is currently reviewing bids from organizations hoping to take over for Tabor, Ali told City Council last week. The city is striving to reduce disruption for families in the child welfare system, Ali said, by having the new providers hire employees from their predecessors.

But the transition is proving costly for the city, with DHS planning to spend $66 million over two years to build capacity for the new providers on top of the $110 million per year it spends on regular payments for CUA contracts.

The Philadelphia providers formed a coalition to lobby the city and state to change the system so that CUAs have more financial protection. Mustafa Rashed, a Philadelphia lobbyist who represents the providers group, said it is becoming increasingly infeasible for CUAs to operate without being indemnified  as the city was for its social workers before the privatization of the system.

It is a serious crisis thats coming because if the agencies cant get insurance coverage, they cant provide the coverage, Rashed said.

The providers replacing Turning Points work include two new providers and two that are expanding from other areas of the city.

The Asociacion Puertorriquenos en Marcha, which provided child welfare services in part of eastern North Philadelphia, including Kensington, will now also cover the Logan and Olney areas. Bethanna, which served Center City and South Philly, now also works in much of West Philadelphia.

The new providers are Concilio, or the Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations of Philadelphia, which covers the Lower Northeast; and the Greater Philadelphia Community Alliance, which has taken on Southwest Philadelphia.

City Councilmember Cindy Bass, a longtime critic of the citys decision to privatize DHS case management work, said the fact that two CUAs dropped out of the program for financial reasons represents a glaring problem.

Bass, however, isnt entirely sympathetic to the providers, which she said likely couldnt afford to continue due to legal costs based on the conduct of some of their employees and some of the things that were allowed to happen to a very, very vulnerable population.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker speaks to the Chamber of Commerce at its annual luncheon in February. Six issues have defined her first 100 days in office, including public safety and business growth, two of the issues she spoke about to the Chamber. Read more

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker spent much of her first 100 days in office building her administration, making public appearances, and responding to the unexpected, from high-profile shootings to a middle-of-the-day earthquake.

She says her administration has also made progress on fulfilling her campaign promises related to public safety and quality-of-life issues since she took office in January, despite her initial policy plans being largely about creating more plans.

Advertisement

We took a look at five issues that defined the campaign for mayor and have been core to Parkers first weeks in office.

A new tone on public safety

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker addresses reporters where eight students were shot at the corner of Cottman Avenue and Rising Sun Avenue in March. Read more Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer

The issue: Crime and public safety defined the race for Philadelphias 100th mayor, and out of all the candidates who sought the Democratic nomination, Parker took some of the toughest stances on crime. She vowed to end a sense of lawlessness and, perhaps most controversially, embraced the police strategy known as stop-and-frisk.

Since Parker took office in January, shes been notably focused on safety. Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel was the first major hire she announced, and his selection was widely praised. Public safety has factored heavily into every major speech she has delivered. And she has been front and center following major crime events, including during one especially violent week in March, when 11 children were shot at bus stops while on their way to or from school.

Advertisement

What Parker and her administration have said and done:

Declared a citywide public safety emergency on her first day in office, fulfilling a key campaign promise. The executive order charged department heads with develop a proposal including police deployment strategies and plans to hire more officers trained in community policing. Parker has described the model as officers patrolling commercial corridors and residential areas on foot or bike as a way to connect with community members and business owners. Ramped up enforcement of illegal ATVs and created a new police mobile surge team that responds to unexpected or large-scale disturbances anywhere in the city. Proposed increasing the police departments budget for personnel by about $43 million, hiring additional emergency call dispatchers, and adding a new unit of victim advocates. Parkers budget would also upgrade the departments technology, forensics lab, car fleet, and investigative equipment. Vowed to hire 400 officers a year to fill hundreds of vacancies in the department. This is not the same as adding new officers to the force by increasing the number of budgeted positions  she has proposed only filling empty jobs.

Whats to come: So far, much of the change on public safety has been rhetorical. Parkers tone is more law enforcement-focused than that of her predecessor, and Parker hasnt explicitly directed police to engage in higher rates of stop-and-frisk  shes said only that pedestrian stops are a tool in the toolbox.

We should know more soon on her administrations specific plans. Bethel and Managing Director Adam Thiel are required under her executive order to submit their much-anticipated public safety plan this week.

A (still-to-come) plan to stabilize Kensington

Pedro Rosario, deputy police commissioner for the Kensington Initiative, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. Read more Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer

The issue: During the Democratic primary campaign last year, Parker didnt talk all that much about Kensington and the constellation of social issues that have converged to make it one of the citys most challenged neighborhoods and an international spectacle. She did speak frequently about public safety in general, and said often that she would not support establishing supervised drug consumption sites, where people can use drugs under the supervision of medical professionals and be revived if they overdose.

But she started to speak more specifically about the neighborhood ahead of the general election and then once she took office. During a television interview in October, she suggested shed seek assistance from the National Guard. And in her first week in office, she directed Bethel to develop a plan to permanently shut down open-air drug markets, including in Kensington  a promise she had not previously made so explicitly.

Advertisement

What Parker and her administration have said and done:

Whats to come: As with the broader public safety plan, were still waiting to see a more comprehensive plan for Kensington that lays out strategies to treat people in addiction and crack down on the drug trade. Change could come soon: in February, Bethel said stronger enforcement of drug crimes in Kensington could begin as early as this spring.

We also expect City Council to negotiate over the triage center proposal and other plans for Kensington as part of its annual budget process. That means things could change come June, when the city budget must be approved.

A promise to tackle trash, litter, and other eyesores

Bonita Cummings, Head of Strawberry Mansion Community Concern, points out illegal dumping and litter seen across 29th Street to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker during a tour of Strawberry Mansion in February. Read more Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

The issue: Parker spoke often while campaigning about her desire to end the citys unwanted Filthadelphia moniker, saying she is particularly interested in cleaning commercial corridors as a way to encourage small business growth. She also said often that she saw cleanliness as a matter of public safety, saying in a 2022 plan that simply cleaning up a commercial area makes it feel safer.

What Parker and her administration have said and done:

Advertisement

Said she would break up both the Streets Department and the Department of Licenses and Inspections, moves she said would improve efficiencies. Proposed spending nearly $100 million over five years to support a program called Philadelphia Taking Care of Business, which she created when she was a Council member. The initiative funds community groups to sweep sidewalks and remove litter along commercial corridors. Budgeted $250 million more for the Streets Department over five years to increase its rate of repaving streets and replacing ADA-compliant sidewalk curb ramps. Said the city would tow 10,000 abandoned cars and install another 1,500 Big Belly trash cans this year. Outlined plans to establish new crews responsible for tackling illegal dumping, expand street cleaning, and pilot twice-weekly trash collection.

Whats to come: Parkers spending proposals will be negotiated with Council over the next two months and could change.

High hopes for housing

(Left to Right) Senator Sharif Street, Mayor Cherelle Parker, and Stephen Benjamin, White House Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Public Engagement, shown here during a press conference to announce a federal grant to expand broadband service in Philadelphia, at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center, in Philadelphia, Friday, March 1, 2024. Read more Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

The issue: On the campaign trail, Parker promised to create 30,000 new units of affordable housing as mayor. In her budget address to Council in March, she doubled down, and said, I want you to hold me to it.

What Parker and her administration have said and done:

Advertisement

Proposed maintaining funding for the Turn the Key program, which helps low-income Philadelphians afford down payments. Parker supported the creation of the program when she was a member of Council. Began working on creating a portal aimed at making it easier for Philadelphians to learn about and apply for the myriad home improvement and affordable housing programs already in existence. Parker has said the city must do a better job of making residents aware of those opportunities. Ordered a review of the city Land Bank  which manages and sells city-owned vacant property  to make it easier for buyers to acquire and develop the thousands of vacant properties owned by the city. The goal is in part to help non-profit developers to enable development of a full range of affordable housing on Land Bank-owned property, according to her five-year plan for the city budget. Parker articulated her vision for housing as increasing opportunities for affordable luxury. That means she wants to encourage homeownership and to ensure any subsidized housing for renters or buyers is high-quality. Her administration has consequently pulled out of an agreement former Mayor Jim Kenneys struck with organizers of the 2020 encampment on the Ben Franklin Parkway in which the city promised to produce tiny house villages for people experiencing homelessness.

Whats to come: To reach her goal of creating 30,000 new affordable housing units in her first term, Parker will likely have to increase funding for existing programs or secure state or federal money.

Education policy shakeup?

Mayor Cherelle Parker addresses the crowd at the Inaugural state of the schools address at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts in January. Read more Erin Blewett

The issue: The Parker era is likely to result in a significant change in City Halls approach to education policy. In his two terms, Kenney was in lock step with the teachers union, and he appointed school board members who were skeptical of charter school expansion. Parker has repeatedly said she wont pit charters against traditional public schools.

What Parker and her administration have said and done:

Unveiled her appointments to the nine-member school board, which oversees the district. She picked four incumbents, and five new members, including two with strong ties to charter schools. Called for increasing the share of property tax revenue that is allocated to the school district, from 55% to 56%. That will result in $119 million in additional funding over five years, according to the administration. During the mayors race, Parker said she would work to establish year-round schooling as mayor, with schools open throughout the year from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. She has since modified the proposal and reframed it as year-round access to educational opportunities during non-traditional times. But she has an ally in Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr., who plans to launch a pilot program for year-round schooling next year.

Whats to come: In the short term, Council will hold a hearing and vote on Parkers school board picks, and lawmakers will consider her property tax proposal during budget negotiations this spring. In the long run, all eyes will be on how the school board evolves during Parkers administration and whether charter schools will see a resurgence.
Outreach workers connect with people on Kensington Ave. on Tuesday. Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration is planning to clear an encampment near Kensington and Allegheny Avenues. Read more

Philadelphia Police and outreach workers are increasing their presence in the citys Kensington neighborhood this week as Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration plans a larger-scale crackdown on the open-air drug market there.

Administration officials said Tuesday that workers from a variety of city agencies will meet with people who are homeless or living in addiction along Kensington Avenue, homing in on a two-block stretch near the intersection at Allegheny Avenue  the area colloquially known as K&A.

Advertisement

Spokesperson Joe Grace said the city is increasing outreach during the evening hours to inform people of housing and treatment options. He said they are also working to create a list of people who are living on the street ahead of a planned clearing of the area, where some people are living in tents, on May 8.

Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said about 75 people are living in the area and that the clearing is part of a normal process of removing encampments. The city has for years conducted encampment resolutions, during which people are warned to vacate an area a month before a scheduled clearing.

The city will soon begin a longer-term, multi-phased effort to more strictly enforce laws in the neighborhood, but Bethel declined to specify the timeline.

Its not a short-term thing, he said. We want to do it in a thoughtful and respectful way. Were not going to solve a six- or seven-year problem in a day. Its a long-term effort and we expect to be down there for quite some time ... to restore order to that area.

 READ MORE: How Kensington Avenues open-air drug market went international  and the citys fight to take back the neighborhood

The planned efforts this week come amid a newly intense focus on the neighborhood from City Hall and days before Parker  who has vowed to end the open-air drug market that has persisted in Kensington for years  is expected to detail her administrations law enforcement and social services strategy. The mayor signed an executive order directing department heads to create a detailed public safety plan within 100 days of her inauguration, a deadline that falls on Thursday.

Some residents and people living on the streets said anticipation is high ahead of the encampment clearing. And several nonprofits in the neighborhood say they have already made adjustments to how they operate based on the message from City Hall.

The mayor, who ran for office on a tough-on-crime platform, has drawn pushback from some for saying her proposed budget would eliminate city funding for syringe exchange services, which are illegal statewide but have long been permitted in Philadelphia.

And members of City Council have been sharply critical of the network of harm reduction services in the neighborhood, including Prevention Point, a large social services provider that operates the citys oldest syringe exchange and has been credited with helping prevent the spread of infectious disease.

Both Parker and Council members have promised that residents would be kept apprised of changes in the neighborhood, and the mayor has said repeatedly that her approach will aim to connect people in addiction with long-term treatment and housing.

Late on Tuesday afternoon, Kensington Avenue looked busier than it had in weeks.

As the weather broke 75 degrees, hundreds of people lined the corridor. Several city outreach workers were there, but appeared scarce among the throngs who flooded the open-air hot spot where most of Kensingtons drug activity is now concentrated.

Two SEPTA outreach workers were also stationed off the Allegheny Avenue SEPTA stop, and police cruisers blitzed up and down the avenue.

Nonprofits in Kensington change course

On the 3000 block of Kensington Avenue, part of a two-block stretch where the city distributed notices warning of plans to clear encampments, the warnings have set some on edge.

Patrice Rogers, who runs a nonprofit called Stop the Risk, stood behind an empty folding table last Friday.

Until last week, she had served two meals a day, three days a week, from that table, feeding about 200 people, she said. She also ran a makeshift shelter in the lot behind it, out of two prefabricated sheds-turned-tiny homes and an RV that together could house about eight.

Now, Rogers said, that is shut down. She was there only to offer greetings to her regulars, and to help them sign in for treatment with the nonprofit Courage Medicine.

They were cracking down on organizations that didnt have permits, Rogers said. People need food. People need clothes. People need a lot of things. But Im just a small nonprofit, and I cant afford to take those penalties that will be enforced.

Rogers said she lives in Kensington and cares for the neighborhood, cleaning up her block, shooing away anyone who tries to use or sell drugs there, and looking out for the nearby businesses.

But she pointed to a vacant lot just off of Kensington Avenue where a new encampment stood.

They go to places like this. What theyre doing is, theyre moving them off the front and putting them in the back streets, she said.

 READ MORE: Mayor Cherelle Parker signs Kensington business curfew and ban on casino-style games into law

Tom Frey, a volunteer with The Everywhere Project (which serves hundreds of meals, and offers clothing, wound care, and safer drug-use supplies from a parking lot in Kensington), said in recent weeks Philadelphia Parking Authority staffers have showed up questioning his permit for the site.

They repeatedly urged him to move to the sidewalk, he said. He repeatedly refused  leaving the unsettled conflict to roll over from one week to the next.

PPA spokesperson Martin ORourke said the group did not have a permit to use the lot. They need to apply for a permit, he said, but declined to say what consequences might follow for failing to obtain one.

Adjustments at Prevention Point

Nearby, harm reduction group Prevention Point has told clients that, in an effort to move toward one-for-one syringe exchange, it will stop offering 10-packs of sterile syringes to people who use drugs but do not have used syringes to trade in  except in emergency situations.

We are aware that our service has an impact to the community, said Silvana Mazzella, interim lead executive officer of Prevention Point. It has very many positive impacts like preventing infection, preventing death. Its a bridge to treatment.

Prevention Point workers said theyve received complaints from local officials and some neighborhood residents who say Prevention Point should do more to cut down on the number of syringes in circulation.

Over the last 10-plus years, we have been asked at various points to operate more like an exchange and we have also looked at data and tried to be flexible in response to HIV and overdose [numbers], Mazzella said. But, she added, looking at the papers, the press, and whats happening in the community, there are multiple pressures to be responsive to neighbors.

Inquirer staff writer Aubrey Whelan contributed to this article.
Through a mix of radio, print, and television advertising, ACIL aims to highlight what it believes is the urgent need for Stamp Duty adjustments to combat rising living costs and enhance insurance affordability. This focus on marginal electorates aims to elevate Stamp Duty reform to a prominent position in the election discourse, amid predictions that these areas could be decisive in the election outcome.
Our iconic guide and assistance Dogs are a crucial part of the services we offer, but we also provide many other vision services along with advocacy work for our community and funding assistance, he said. I hope participants at the Charity Luncheon will feel inspired to support people living with low vision, blindness, and other specialised needs; whether that be financially, by offering time through volunteering, or by taking action to increase accessibility in our community.
(Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov in Beijing Tuesday, and both sides expressed hope for strengthening practical cooperation in various fields.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, extended congratulations to President Putin on his reelection. Wang said that China will continue to support Russia's development and revitalization under the leadership of President Putin and support the Russian people's independent choice of development path.

Wang said that the China-Russia relations have been of irreplaceable value to maintaining global strategic stability. Maintaining and developing sound China-Russia relations is the natural choice of the two major, neighboring countries and serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

Wang said China is willing to work with Russia, in accordance with the consensus reached by the two heads of state, to strengthen the synergy of the two countries' development plans and promote practical cooperation in various fields.

Lavrov noted that Russia-China relations are based on mutual respect, equal cooperation and trustworthy dialogue. Russia abides by the one-China principle and is willing to work with China to maintain close high-level exchanges, and deepen practical cooperation in economy, trade and other fields.

Russia supports the Global Security Initiative, and is willing to deepen cooperation with China on multilateral platforms to promote the establishment of a more just and democratic international order, Lavrov added.

The two sides also had in-depth exchanges of view on the Ukraine issue, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region and other international and regional issues of common concern.

At a joint press briefing after the talks, Wang said that in order to further consolidate and develop bilateral relations, China and Russia should follow five principles:

The two countries should always follow the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy.

The two countries should always adhere to the principle of no-alliance, no-confrontation and no-targeting at any third party.

The two countries should always stay on the right course on major matters of principle. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major emerging countries, China and Russia actively respond to the common aspirations and legitimate concerns of the people of all countries, advocate a new path of state-to-state relations featuring dialogue and partnership rather than confrontation and alliance, and actively promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

The two countries should always pursue win-win results through cooperation. China and Russia will continue to advocate inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and foster new drivers of global development and progress.

The two countries should always advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world. China and Russia support the central role of the United Nations in the global governance system, and will further strengthen international coordination.

During the press briefing, Wang elaborated on China's stance and proposition on resolving current international and regional hotspot issues.

According to him, principles to which China adheres for resolving hotspot issues are:

-- upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international law and basic norms governing international relations;

-- actively promoting parties concerned to resolve conflicts through dialogue and consultation;

-- properly accommodating the legitimate concerns of all parties and seeking sustainable solutions;

-- and upholding genuine multilateralism and opposing camp confrontation, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

Wang said that on the issue of Ukraine, China calls for ceasefire as soon as possible, and supports the timely convening of an international conference recognized by Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties and fair discussion of all peace plans.

On the Palestinian-Israeli issue, Chine believes that the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council are binding and should be effectively implemented to achieve an immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire, he added.

Wang also said that greater attention should be given to solving other global and regional hotspot issues, including the continued fight against terrorism.

The international community should firmly support the efforts of all parties to safeguard national security and stability and strengthen international counter-terrorism cooperation, he said.
If customers had not yet contacted their insurer, they should do so as soon as possible to start the recovery process, she said. It's always heartbreaking to see yet another natural disaster, but we want to assure our customers we will be there every step of the way to help them recover.
Plumbers, scaffolders and motor trades insurance

In the liability space, the main occupations that pose a challenge for us are plumbers and scaffolders, said Dhaliwal. Though we do get a lot of quote requests for these two occupations since there are not many underwriters who will accept the risks, we also have our guidelines which limit what risks we can and cant write.
The report also cast insurers in the role of financial first responders, highlighting their importance in protecting consumers from financial losses and injecting capital into the economy. According to IBC, the industry supported $6.3 billion in claims from policyholders in 2022, with auto insurance claims accounting for $2.9 billion of the total.
According to NICB, overall vehicle thefts in the US went up from 1,008,756 in 2022 to 1,020,729 last year, with the District of Columbia posting the highest theft rate at 1,149.71 thefts per 100,000 people. It was highlighted that the figure is over three times the theft rate for the country.
EMC Insurance Companies ranks within the top 60 insurance organizations in the United States by net written premium, boasting over 2,500 employees. Originally established in 1911 to offer workers compensation protection in Iowa, EMC has since expanded its operations. Currently, the company delivers a range of property and casualty insurance products and services across the United States, in addition to underwriting reinsurance contracts on a global scale
I would like to thank Cato for his leadership and helping us build our Norway business to what it is today. I know that, under Anders leadership, we will continue to attract the very best people so that we can deliver the very best service in the region.
If your assets are 10 times your liabilities, how are you bankrupt? It will be very interesting to see if this is just a mistake, or whether MMA really has over $100 million in assets, Matthew Monson, The Monson Law Firm founder and manager and the tipster who first brought the law firm to the Louisiana Department of Insurance's (LDI) attention, queried in a Linkedin post on Tuesday.
Don't have an account yet?

To access the premium content on InsuranceERM, you must first sign in to your account.

Not registered? Sign up today for free.
Jatiek Smith, a Bloods gang member convicted on extortion and racketeering charges in New York, blamed ruthless competition and a culture of violence in the fire restoration industry for the accusations made against him by federal prosecutors.

Smith was a fire chaser, one of many in the restoration business who aggressively solicit business from owners of fire-damaged properties by monitoring emergency dispatches. They may show up at a homeowners door with a contract, sometimes while the fire is still burning. The restoration work is paid for by the property owners insurance companies.

Prosecutors found that through his control of one mitigation company, Smith asserted control over the industry by using violence, threats and extortion to drive his main competitor out of the business.

Smith was found guilty on racketeering and extortion charges on February 14. The judge said that Smiths defense was undermined by the governments proof of his use of violence and extortion to enforce his system. According to prosecutors, once Smith and his crew had established control over the industry, they imposed rules under which they gained a preferential share of fires.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, whose office prosecuted the case, said Smiths audacious takeover of the New York City fire mitigation industry with the help of his gang associates presented a new form of organized criminal activity.

The use of violence and extortion to dominate an industry places the New York case in a category of its own. But experts say often-aggressive, sometimes-violent tactics have been seen across the country as fire restoration, paid for by insurance carriers, attracts illegitimate contractors seeking quick profits.

In many cases, contractors or adjusters show up at fire victims homes, sometimes even before firefighters have extinguished the blaze.

We have unfortunately seen this emerge as a common practice after major loss events, said Michael Richmond-Crum, director of personal lines and counsel for the American Property and Casualty Insurance Association, in a prepared statement. While these practices are seen in areas where major catastrophic events take place, there is no geographical limit to the practice, and we have seen these bad actors move around the country in response to major events.

Restoration firms say insurers practice of directing mitigation work to their preferred vendors puts more pressure on firms who dont want to work for discounted prices to get to fire scenes early.

The Smith case and others around the country have made headlines. And some states lawmakers are now calling for limits on when public adjusters can swoop in.

Fistfights, Guns

Sean Scott, a former restoration contractor in San Diego who now writes articles and does consulting work in disaster recovery, said the violence that led to Smiths conviction isnt surprising. He said interactions among restoration contractors who show up at fire scenes can get ugly.

Guys get in fistfights: I was here first!' he said. There have been guns pulled, people shot. I was in it. I know firsthand about it.

Scott is the author of two books about the restoration industry: Secrets of the Insurance Game and The Red Guide to Recovery. He wrote those guidebooks after serving for 12 years as president of two San Diego restoration companies.

Scott said during an interview that guerilla marketing tactics, such as monitoring emergency dispatches to find new customers, can be a crucial business-development tool for contractors who dont have an inside connection with their local fire department or the Red Cross to alert them when disaster strikes.

The stakes are high. A contractor who is hired to board up a fire damaged home can walk away with a restoration contract worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, Scott said. The initial pitch to customers may include a promise to work with a public adjuster partner who will take care of all of the insurance paperwork.

Scott said fire chasing allows restoration contractors to get their foot in the door. Nowadays, no one is staying up all night listening to emergency dispatch scanners, he said; there are services such as PulsePoint or Text Me Fires that send text messages to their subscribers.

There are good guys out there trying to compete with the bad guys, Scott said. People in some situations are forced to do it. You have some fire departments where a retired fire chief will set up a board-up shop and start getting $300,000 or $400,000 jobs.

Department Connections

One board-up service touts its connections to fire departments. Franchiser 1-800-Boardup boasts of 75 independently owned locations in the United States.

We have a proven process that has helped numerous restoration companies grow their annual revenue by millions of dollars through strategic fire department partnerships, the companys website says.

The company, based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, was founded in 2002 by Michael Hosto, a Red Cross disaster action team captain, the website says. The companys senior vice president of operations, Tony Young, is a retired deputy fire chief with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. National Director Jeff Clohessy is a retired assistant chief for the Bedford Park Fire Department in the Chicago area.

The value of getting feet into doors is reflected in the salaries being offered by restoration contractors. In an online job posting titled Fire Chaser/Emergency Response Coordinator, Paul Davis Restoration of West San Fernando Valley promises an annual salary of $70,000 to $90,000.

ERCs need to possess the ability to turn an emotionally distraught customer into a satisfied one and leave the customer with a positive lasting impression, the ad says.

A job opening posted by a ServPro franchise in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offers an annual base salary of $100,000 for an entry-level emergency response coordinator.

Scott said most insurance claims adjusters have come to accept fire chasers as part of the claims process, at least in Southern California. He said he worked on both sides of the street when he was in the restoration business: His company accepted referrals from insurers but also dispatched crews to fire scenes.

Having a chaser out there can ensure that the jobs that should rightfully be yours stay with you, he said. Its sort of like guarding your chickens, to a certain degree.

Business Strategy

That sounds like a sound business strategy to Israel Stepanian, owner of PackoutLA in Los Angeles.

Stepanian said he became involved with the insurance industry 18 years ago as an art appraiser after obtaining a masters degree in art history. About five years ago, he started offering pack-out services. His company loads up the contents of homes or businesses damaged by fire or water and stores them in a warehouse until the building is restored.

Stepanian said he added disaster restoration work to his business portfolio about two years ago.

It was natural growth, a natural progression, he said. I got into contents. For example, an insurance adjuster would say, Can you do these couches, too? Then I became a content-loss specialist. I started doing mitigation work, too.

Stepanian said when insurers dispatch him to fire scenes, he often finds several fire chasers lurking outside. He said some people find the practice distasteful, but he personally doesnt feel there is anything wrong with offering services to customers who need help after a disaster.

In fact, Stepanian said he would hire a fire chaser to drum up business for his own company if he could find a person who would work on commission and behave ethically. So far, he hasnt found the right person.

When I work, I really consider who I am dealing with, he said. These people (property owners) are already in trouble. Now, they may yell and scream. I dont take it personally. I may take two or three hours just to talk to them.

Stepanian said he doesnt want to do any fire chasing himself, even though he signed up for a free service that texts him the addresses of emergency dispatch calls. Instead, he is in discussions with a national franchise that would steer business his way.

When you buy the franchise, they give you the jobs, he said.

Rise in Fire Chasers

The number of fire chasers may be increasing as more people move into areas at high risk of wildfires, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies said in a prepared statement. That also holds true for storm scammers who use similar tactics in areas where hurricanes, winter storms and other natural disasters cause property damage, the organization said.

Fire chasers seeking to exploit the stress of someone losing their home to a fire or other natural disaster by promising quick fixes is unconscionable, NAMIC said. The impulse for homeowners to restore normalcy is understandably strong but can make them vulnerable to bad actors. Moving too quickly can ultimately muddy the claims process and create unnecessary delays.

Legislation to Crack Down

Some state lawmakers, however, have concerns about the unsavory nature of drumming up business by tracking emergency calls.

Nicholas Zeitlinger, a spokesman for the National Insurance Crime Bureau, said laws that seek to restrict soliciations too tightly may not withstand free speech challenges. The Florida Legislature learned that lesson after it imposed controls over solicitations by roofing contractors in 2021. A federal judge issued an injunction blocking the new law a year later.

But Zeitlinger said policymakers are finding other ways to protect consumers, such as requiring disclaimer notices.

Some states are also tackling this issue by creating cancellation windows to allow consumers to exit a contract without penalty, or to extend the cancellation window, he said in an email. Ive seen this legislation filed in Florida, Maryland, and Mississippi. Other options include offering inducements and other forms of prohibited advertisements. For example, Kentucky and Louisiana have filed legislation around prohibited advertisement this session.

The property/casualty committee of the National Council of Insurance Legislators is proposing an amendment to its model law on professional standards to prohibit public adjusters  who often work with restoration contractors  from soliciting customers during any loss-producing natural occurrence.

The model law also would also require public adjusters to use pre-approved contract forms, establish conflict-of-interest standards and bar public adjusters from making complaints against insurers claims-handling process without the consent of their client.

The NCOIL Executive Committee will consider final adoption of the change during the organizations spring meeting in Nashville, April 11-14. NCOILs model laws are not binding. They serve only as templates for state legislatures to consider when adopting standards for the industry.

Lawmakers in at least two states this year have proposed rules similar to those in the NCOIL model.

In South Carolina, state Sen. Ronnie W. Cromer, R-Newberry, introduced a measure on February 7, Senate Bill 1032, that would prohibit public adjusters from soliciting customers during loss-producing events. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance.

The Maryland state Senate on February 8 passed Senate Bill 231, a measure that would prohibit public adjusters from soliciting new customers between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

During a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, a representative for the Maryland Insurance Administration told lawmakers that the agency proposed the bill after receiving complaints from consumers that public adjusters showed up while fires were still in progress and gave them the impression that they were working for the property owners insurance company.

Imagine your house burning down and someone comes up with a warm car and a cup of coffee and says, Sign this contract and Ill take care of your insurance claim,' said Joseph Smith, acting associate director of the Insurance Administrations Fraud and Enforcement Division.

What we are hearing from consumers is they are of the opinion and belief, at the moment when they are most vulnerable, that this person is with their insurance company and they are signing the contract without fully reading the contract, Smith said.

SB 231 must also be passed by the House of Delegates and signed by the governor before becoming law.

Topics Florida New York Leadership Maryland Property
The Connecticut Appellate Court has ruled that an auto insurer is not obligated to pay underinsured benefits to make up the difference between the coverage limits available and the lower amount its insureds actually receive from the at-fault drivers insurer because some of the payments went to other injured claimants.

The appeals court cited past state Supreme Court decisions that set forth the rule that where the applicable underinsured liability limits in the at-fault drivers policy are equal to or greater than the underinsured benefits in the claimants policy, the claimants motor vehicle is not underinsured and the coverage is not triggered. The benefits are triggered only when the liability insurance of the tortfeasor is less in amount. Whether the insured actually receives that full amount is not considered.

The case involved insureds of Safeco Insurance Co., the Bouchards, who were involved in an accident and sued the at-fault drivers, the Wheelers. The Wheeler policy issued by State Farm Mutual provided underinsured motorist coverage of up to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. State Farm made payments to the plaintiffs and other individuals injured in the accident. State Farm paid $80,500 to Caitlyn Bouchard, $60,000 to Kayla Bouchard and $50,000 to Madalyn Bouchard. It also paid $109,500 to settle claims by additional injured persons, thereby exhausting the coverage limits.

The Bouchards policy with Safeco also had limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. Since the Bouchards did not get their full $300,000 from State Farm, they turned to their own underinsured benefits to fill the gap. Safeco denied that claim, maintaining the Bouchards were not entitled to underinsured motorist benefits because their underinsured motorist coverage did not exceed the liability limits of the Wheelers policy.

In ruling as it did in agreement with Safeco, the appeals court reversed a trial court that in 2021 found for the Bouchards because it concluded that a 2014 amendment to the states underinsured motorist law legislatively overrode the rule set by the Supreme Court.

The trial court reasoned that the legislative amendment (P.A. 14-20) required that the proper comparison of the applicable limits of the policies of the tortfeasor and the claimant must be between the amount of liability insurance actually available to a plaintiff under a tortfeasors policy, after other claimants under that policy are paid, with the amount of a plaintiffs underinsured motorist coverage.

Because the total recovery obtained by the plaintiffs was less than the $300,000 per accident limit for coverage under the Safeco policy, the trial court concluded that the Bouchards were entitled to additional underinsured motorist benefits. The trial court denied a Safeco motion for summary judgment.

But the appeals court said that the 2014 amendment was intended to address scenarios where offsets properly may be taken by an insurer but it did not apply to this case in which the tortfeasor and the claimant had identical coverage limits. The amendment only had to do with situations where the claimants underinsured motorist coverage exceeded the limits of tortfeasors liability coverage.

According to the appeals court, in passing the amendment, the legislature did not intend to alter the definition of an underinsured motor vehicle or to overrule the precedent of the Supreme Court concerning that definition.

The appeals court noted that the legislative objective in enacting the original underinsured motorist law was simply to give an insured who is injured in an accident the same resource he would have had if the tortfeasor had carried liability insurance equal to the amount of the insureds uninsured motorist coverage.

The court cited the state Supreme Court which has said that while underinsured motorist coverage is meant to protect the named insured and other additional insureds from suffering an inadequately compensated injury, [i]t does not follow, however, that the legislature, in providing for underinsured motorist coverage, necessarily intended to guarantee that each and every accident victim would be fully, or even adequately, compensated for injuries caused by an underinsured motorist.

The fact that the tortfeasors liability coverage has been exhausted because of multiple claims does not change the effect of the statute in activating uninsured motorist coverage only when the liability insurance of the tortfeasor is less in amount, the appeals court wrote, again citing the high court.

The appeals court further recognized that in 1993 the legislature enacted a law that requires auto insurers to offer an option known as underinsured motorist conversion coverage for an additional premium to consumers who wish to purchase it in lieu of standard underinsured coverage. In contrast to traditional underinsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist conversion coverage is not reduced by the amount of any payment received by or on behalf of the tortfeasor or a third party. The Bouchard policy did not provide underinsured motorist conversion coverage.

Topics Liability
A former Lame Deer pastor was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in federal prison for molesting foster children under his care.

Dean Alan Smith, 67, served as the head of Morning Star Baptist Church on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation for just over two decades until his indictment in U.S. District Court on multiple counts of sex abuse. The foster children staying at his home came from the reservation, and the testimony of three children whom he abused led to his conviction late last year.

These are strong girls, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan T. Dake said during his argument for a 360-month sentence for Smith. Theyre brave girls. Theyre girls who walked into this courtroom and told you what happened to them at the hands of Mr. Smith. But theyre going to live with that pain and anguish for the rest of their lives.

Smith, who previously lived in Florida, came to Montana with his family in 2001. Although he attended church regularly before the move, Smith testified during his trial, he became the pastor at Morning Star Baptist Church despite having no seminary training. As pastor, he hosted prayer walks, family nights and sobriety programs at the church. He also allowed children on the reservation to stay at his home. Some were the friends of his children. Others came to his house when they had nowhere else to stay, according to court testimony.

In 2017, Smith and his wife became licensed foster parents. The process consisted of them undergoing a background check, Smith and his wife testified, and filing the required paperwork. Neither of them received training for foster care from state or tribal officials.

For decades, Native American children have been overrepresented in state foster care systems across the country. The case is no different in Montana, where around 11% of the children living here are Native American, but make up roughly a third of kids in foster care, according to data from National Indian Child Welfare Association.

Social service agencies pulling Indigenous children from their homes only to place them in abusive households, combined with the fact that thousands of Native American children were being placed into non-tribal homes, prompted the U.S. Congress to pass the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.

The federal law, passed in part to break longstanding policies of separating and assimilating Indigenous children, set strict requirements for where to place Native American children in the foster care system, giving preference to members of that childs family and foster homes near to where that child was being raised. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the act in a 2023 decision.

Also last year, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed into law the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act. The law, which passed by a large margin in the State Legislature, was modeled after the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, and bolstered legal protection for Indigenous children in foster care, the Associated Press reported.

Starting when Smith became a foster parent in 2017, and over the next three years, he molested three girls who were staying at his home. As of Smiths sentencing, all three were still under the age of 18. The girls became his foster children because social workers couldnt find any other households on the reservation safe enough for them to stay, Smith testified during his trial.

The federal indictment against Smith came in December 2022 following an investigation on the part of the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Within a month of pleading not guilty to multiple sex crimes, the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council approved a measure to ban Smith from the reservation.

Smiths trial spanned five days in December 2023. During which, three girls described their abuse in explicit detail. One of the survivors testified that when she was around 10 years old, she was lying on a couch at "Pastor Dean's" to sleep when she got up to comfort another child who was having a nightmare. Both children got into bed with Smith, where he molested the 10-year-old.

Following closing arguments from federal prosecutors and attorneys representing Smith, the jury was deadlocked after several hours of deliberations. Judge Susan P. Watters, who presided over the trial, gave the deadlocked jury a recess that lasted from a Friday night to Monday morning. That Monday, the jury convicted Smith on counts of aggravated sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact by force and two counts of abusive sexual contact by force and of a child. He has remained in custody since.

Even in the eyes of the verdict, Assistant Federal Defender Evangelo Arvanetes said in court Wednesday, Smith maintained his innocence. Arvanetes, who represented Smith, argued for a five-year prison sentence. Smith loved and supported the Northern Cheyenne community Arvanetes said, as seen through his counseling and volunteer work on the reservation. Even a 20-year sentence in prison would likely mean a life sentence for the 67-year-old Smith, Arvanetes argued.

When given a chance to speak, Smith spent nearly 20 minutes listing his contributions to the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, among them volunteering for the local fire department and providing counseling for men through his ministry. Smith also reiterated his innocence.

The question of Smiths guilt, Judge Watters said before issuing her sentence, has already been answered. The jury heard from Smith and the three girls he abused, and ultimately determined their accounts were credible, she said.

Your home was supposed to be a safe place for them, Watters said. They were extremely vulnerable girls. They were very young and they put their trust in you. And you violated that trust.

Along with the 30-year sentence, Watters also required that Smith undergo sex offender treatment while in prison. Following his release, he will remain under federal supervision for the rest of his life.

Indigenous women are physically and sexually assaulted at substantially higher rates than white or Black women, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. More than half of all Native American women in the United States have experienced sexual violence at some point during their life, per a 2022 report from Amnesty International.
Pennsylvania has issued guidance for insurance companies use of artificial intelligence systems (AIS) based on a model adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department issued Notice 2024-04 which includes recommended best practices for how insurers obtain, develop and use certain AI technologies and systems, and advises insurers on what information the insurance department may request during an investigation or examination.

NAIC adopted its model bulletin in December of last year. Pennsylvania joins Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Illinois, Nevada , Rhode island, Vermont and Alaska in adopting NAICs bulletin or similar guidance.

According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) notice, the goal is not to prescribe specific practices or documentation requirements but to ensure that insurers are aware of the departments expectations regarding AI programs and use.

AI technology is used to replace or supplement human intelligence in gathering information, analyzing data, running models, and making decisions. According to the NAIC and other analysts, AI may affect the insurance industry in multiple ways. AI is increasingly being deployed in marketing, customer service, underwriting, claims, fraud investigations and other areas. One example is the use of chatbots in customer service; another is the use of sensors, data and images to measure property damages and predict repair costs.

Speeding Train

Technology is always evolving and is a great tool to help streamline processes. That said, PID always aims to make certain that insurers are informed on pertinent considerations for using technological advances in a manner that is fair to consumers and is in compliance with current law, said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. AI is no exception. This notice provides insurers with the guidance to help ensure accurate and fair outcomes for Pennsylvanians when using AI. AI and the Future of Insurance A 2021 article published by the consulting firm McKinsey  A 2021 article published by the consulting firm McKinsey  Insurance 2030The impact of AI on the future of insurance  describes a scenario in 2030 where a mans personal assistant orders him a self-driving vehicle but he decides to drive himself. His vehicle advises him of the safest route. When he pulls into the parking area, he hits a sign. He takes pictures of the front bumper damage. The screen on the dash confirms his claim has been approved, and a drone has is one the way to inspect if the vehicle is drivable. The McKinsey authors comment that the technologies in this scenario already exist and with emerging AI technologies have the potential to mimic the human mind. They write that AI also has the potential to revolutionize insurance: In this evolution, insurance will shift from its current state of detect and repair to predict and prevent, transforming every aspect of the industry in the process. The pace of change will also accelerate as brokers, consumers, financial intermediaries, insurers, and suppliers become more adept at using advanced technologies to enhance decision making and productivity, lower costs, and optimize the customer experience, the authors comment. The predict and prevent capability enabled by AI has been embraced by other industry leaders. Peter L. Miller, president and CEO of The Institutes, writing in Carrier Management concludes that predicting and preventing catastrophic events, as well as the day-to-day risks, is critical to the economic sustainability of insurers. In addition, he suggests that if there are ways to prevent the devastation of major events, then members of the risk management and insurance community have an ethical and moral responsibility to do so. Regulators Run Alongside Speeding AI Train: What the NAIC Model Bulletin Means for Insurers published by Carrier Management.

In the end, what the state insurance commissioners committee created is a subtle reminder that we have market conduct laws on the books and that we fully intend to utilize those market conduct tools to come in and investigate how are you using AI so that you are mitigating the risk to consumers with respect to unfair discrimination, Baty added.

Setting Expectations

Indeed, the guidance reminds insurers that decisions supported by AI must comply with all applicable insurance laws and regulations. These statutes and regulations include those on unfair insurance trade practices and claims settlements as well as those requiring insurers to report annually on governance practices the insurers corporate governance structure, policies and practices.

The department also expects that decisions backed by AI must comply with laws requiring property/casualty insurance and workers compensation rates not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory.

The requirements of these acts apply regardless of the methodology that the insurer used to develop rates, rating rules and rating plans subject to those provisions. That means that an insurer is responsible for assuring that rates, rating rules and rating plans that are developed using AI techniques and predictive models that rely on data and machine learning do not result in excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory insurance rates with respect to all forms of casualty insuranceincluding fidelity, surety and guaranty bondand to all forms of property insuranceincluding fire, marine and inland marine insurance, and any combination of any of the foregoing, the notice states.

The notice makes clear that an insurers AI conduct is subject to investigation, examination and market analysis  by state regulators.

Also, all insurers that use AI systems are expected to maintain a written program for the responsible use of AI. The AI program should be designed to mitigate the risk of adverse consumer outcomes, including, at a minimum, to maintain compliance with the statutory and regulatory provisions.

Best Practices

The department provides some guidance on best practices for an insurers use of AI, which the department says are not intended to be binding upon insurers, nor restrictive of the departments oversight.

Some of the guidelines suggest that an AI program should:

be designed to mitigate the risk that the insurers use of an AI system will result in adverse consumer outcomes.

address governance, risk management controls and internal audit functions.

vest responsibility for the development, implementation, monitoring and oversight of the AIS program and for setting the insurers strategy for AI systems with senior management accountable to the board or an appropriate committee of the board.

identify and address the use of all AI systems across the insurance life cycle, including areas such as product development and design, marketing, use, underwriting, rating and pricing, case management, claim administration and payment, and fraud detection.

include processes and procedures providing notice to impacted consumers that AI systems are in use and provide access to appropriate levels of information based on the phase of the insurance life cycle in which the AI systems are being used.

An insurers AI program may be independent of or part of the insurers existing enterprise risk management program. The AI program may utilize a framework or standards developed by an official third-party standard organization. Insurers should require any third party to cooperate with the insurer with regard to regulatory inquiries and investigations.

Governance Framework

The department also wants insurers to have a governance framework for the oversight of AI systems they use. This should include policies, processes and procedures, including risk management and internal controls, that are to be followed at each stage of an AI system life cycle, from proposed development to retirement. The framework should also address the scope of responsibility and authority, chains of command and decisional hierarchies.

With respect to predictive models, an insurer should include a description of methods used to detect and address errors, performance issues, outliers or unfair discrimination in the insurance practices resulting from the use of the predictive model.

Big Data and Compliance

In NAICs commentary on the use of AI in insurance, the organization notes that insurers have a treasure-trove of big data, the main ingredient AI requires to be successful. This data can be leveraged through AI to increase customer engagement, create more personalized service and marketing, and match the customers with appropriate products. Looking ahead, NAIC says, AI will enable insurers to move from a detect and repair framework to a predict and prevent framework, allowing insurers to help their customers manage their risks and avoid claims altogether.

Conning & Co. recently surveyed insurance executives on their use of AI and found that nearly two thirds indicated they are using large language models in sales and underwriting and AI could soon become the most widely adopted technology in operations. Conning analysts said that the overwhelming amount of diverse data being collected by insurers now hinders their profitability and AI is seen as a solution to this problem.

The Conning study cited three challenges insurers will have to overcome, one being regulatory compliance. However, it concluded that as long as insurers stay abreast of applicable regulations and data privacy issues, the industry is on the verge of a great transformation.

Topics Carriers InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Pennsylvania
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of more than 2,000 Swiss women on Tuesday, affirming their argument that the Swiss government violated their human rights by failing to take sufficient action on climate change.

Here are some takeaways from the verdict.

WEAK CLIMATE POLICIES CAN BREACH HUMAN RIGHTS

This is the first time a regional human rights court has ruled that countries can violate human rights by failing to reduce their climate-warming emissions fast enough.

The Court said it interpreted the European Convention on Human Rights language on a right to private and family life to encompass a right to effective protection by governments from climate changes adverse impacts on lives, health, well-being and quality of life.

THE WIN WILL CHANGE CLIMATE CASE LAW IN EUROPE

The Courts ruling against the Swiss government does not only matter for Switzerland, but for all 46 countries which are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights. Any climate and human rights case brought before a judge in Europes national courts will now need to consider the top human rights courts ruling in whatever decision they make.

THE CASE COULD IMPACT CLIMATE LITIGATION WORLDWIDE

While the outcome of the Swiss womens case is not legally binding in jurisdictions outside Europe, experts expect international courts will consider the ruling in future judgments.

Three other international tribunals  the International Court of Justice, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea  are also writing advisory opinions now on states obligations on climate change.

CLIMATE LITIGATION ISNT GOING AWAY

Tuesdays ruling could open the floodgates on citizens taking their governments to court on the grounds of human rights claims. Already, the number of climate-related court cases filed around the world has surged: In 2017 there were fewer than 1,000 cases filed globally. By the end of 2023, that number was up to more than 2,500.

THERE ARE NO GUARANTEED WINNERS

Climate lawsuits argued on the grounds of human rights are still relatively novel, and not everyone emerges with a victory. While the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of the Swiss womens argument, it tossed out two other cases on procedural grounds  highlighting how success in climate cases can often depend on factors including jurisdiction or the claimants ability to establish themselves as suffering specific harms caused by the effects of climate change.

(Reporting by Gloria Dickie and Kate Abnett; editing by Katy Daigle, William Maclean)

Related:
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at AXIS Global Markets and Newline Europe.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

AXIS Global Markets Head of Underwriting Robson to Retire, Succeeded by MacGregor

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. announced that Alistair Robson, head of Underwriting for AXIS Global Markets, and chief underwriting officer of AXIS Managing Agency, has decided to retire. He will leave AXIS at the end of June 2024 after 13 years with the company and a 39-year career in insurance.

Robson joined AXIS in 2011 as executive vice president and head of Global Property, also serving as the first active underwriter of Lloyds Syndicate 1686. He was later promoted to chief underwriting officer of the International division and AXIS Managing Agency, before assuming his current role upon the formation of Global Markets in 2023.

Alistair has been a driving force in establishing Global Markets as a powerful revenue generator for AXIS, commented Mark Gregory, head of AXIS Global Markets. Among Alistairs considerable contributions to AXIS have been his integral role in the founding of Syndicate 1686 in 2014, the merger of the AXIS and Novae underwriting operations from 2017, putting in place a rigorous performance management regime, the regulatory approval of AXIS Managing Agency, and, more recently, the launch of AXIS Energy Transition Syndicate 2050.

Robsons decision to retire has prompted a series of promotions within Global Markets that will become effective on July 1.

Rory MacGregor , head of Non-Marine, is promoted to head of Underwriting, Global Markets, reporting to Gregory

, head of Non-Marine, is promoted to head of Underwriting, Global Markets, reporting to Gregory Steve Cross , head of Construction, is promoted to head of Non-Marine, Global Markets, continuing to report to MacGregor

, head of Construction, is promoted to head of Non-Marine, Global Markets, continuing to report to MacGregor Anna Woolley, senior construction underwriter, is promoted to head of Construction, Global Markets, continuing to report to Cross.

Robson will work with the Global Markets leadership to ensure a smooth transition of his roles.

***

Newline Europe Names Beckers as Head of Cyber Liability

Newline Europe Versicherung AG announced the appointment of Johannes Beckers as the new head of Cyber Liability. In this position, Beckers will oversee and lead the development of Newline Europes cyber portfolio throughout the European Economic Area (EEA).

Beckers most recently served as senior underwriter at Zurich Gruppe Deutschland. He brings over a decade of underwriting experience to Newline and is also an accomplished speaker and author of numerous cyber risk articles.

Establishing a Cyber practice in Cologne demonstrates our commitment to deliver local, specialized expertise to meet the needs of the growing global cyber market, commented Bob Pollock, CEO of Newline Group.

Beckers is based in Cologne and reports to Wirtz.

Based in Cologne, Newline Europe is a subsidiary of Newline Insurance Co. Ltd. and serves as the EEA hub for Newline Group, part of Odyssey Group, which is a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings. Headquartered in London, Newline Group is a specialist insurer with operations in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada and Latin America. In addition to Newline Europe, Newline Group underwrites insurance business through Newline Syndicate 1218 at Lloyds and Newline Insurance Co. Ltd.

Topics Cyber Liability Europe Underwriting
It was another record-breaking year for vehicle thefts in 2023, with more than one million vehicles reported stolen  an overall increase of 1% nationwide from 2022 to 1,020,729 last year.

A report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows vehicle theft rates have risen steadily since 2019. California had the highest number of vehicle thefts in 2023 with 208,668 vehicles reported stolen.

The District of Columbia had the highest theft rate across the nation last year with 1,149.71 thefts per 100,000 people, more than three times the national theft rate.

Criminals are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to steal vehicles, including the use of advanced technology to bypass security systems, David J. Glawe, president and CEO of Oak Brook, Illinois-based NICB, said in a statement. From keyless entry hacks to relay attacks on key fobs, perpetrators are exploiting vulnerabilities in modern vehicle security measures with alarming success rates. It is critical that industry and law enforcement work together to develop more effective strategies for combating auto theft and safeguarding public safety.

The top 10 states by theft volume remained consistent in each quarter in 2023. After California, were Texas (115,013) and Florida (46,213) at second and third in thefts by volume. Five of the states in the top 10 theft states by volume also appeared in the top 10 list of states with the highest theft rates: California, Texas, Washington, Colorado and Missouri, the NICB report shows.

Urban centers and densely populated areas remained hotspots for auto theft, with metropolitan regions such as the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area reporting increased incidents compared to suburban or rural areas. The District of Columbia and Maryland each saw a rise in thefts in 2023, with theft percentage increases of more than 60%.

Among the top 10 Core-Based Statistical Areas, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria had the highest theft percentage increase from 2022 to 2023 at 52%.

Of the top 10 CBSAs by theft volume in 2023, Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado had the highest theft percentage decrease from 2022 of -22%. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Calofprmoa had the highest number of overall thefts in 2023 with 72,460 vehicles reported as stolen to law enforcement, despite having a slight decrease in thefts from the 72,794 reported in the prior year (-0.5%).

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau

This article first was published in Insurance Journals sister publication, Claims Journal.

Topics California Trends Auto Fraud Washington
MOORELAND, Okla. (AP)  Two Oklahoma volunteer firefighters are recovering after suffering burns battling a weekend wildfire in northwest Oklahoma, officials said.

Mooreland firefighters Jared Brittain and Max Clark suffered injuries on Saturday when their truck was overrun by flames, Mooreland Fire Chief Travis Case told The Associated Press.

The wind was blowing 55 miles-per-hour, Case said. It just came around them.

Both firefighters were transported to a burn unit in Oklahoma City, where Clark was treated and released. Brittain remained in critical but stable condition on Monday, Case said.

The fire scorched about 5200 acres (2104.37 hectares) in Woodward County and at one point Saturday forced about 300 people in the town of Sharon to be evacuated from their homes, said Woodward County Emergency Management Director Matt Lehenbauer.

No inhabited structures were burned, and the fire was about 45% contained on Monday, Lehenbauer said.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Numbers Oklahoma
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation (DWC) sent out a notice to workers compensation system participants that it will review all sections in the following chapters in Title 28, Texas Administrative Code:

Chapter 120 (Compensation ProcedureEmployers);

Chapter 122 (Compensation ProcedureClaimants); and

Chapter 124 (Insurance Carriers: Notices, Payments, and Reporting).

The notice of proposed review will be published in the April 12, 2024, issue of the Texas Register and will be available at www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/index.shtml once published. DWC will also post a copy on the TDI website at www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/rules/ rulereview.html.

DWC is accepting public comments on whether the reasons for initially adopting these rules continue to exist, and whether these rules should be repealed, readopted, or readopted with amendments in accordance with Texas Government Code 2001.039.
The Tennessee Supreme Court this week dealt a blow to businesses and insurance companies, finding that employers can no longer argue that direct negligence claims are barred when the business admits vicarious liability for a workers actions.

We hold that the preemption rule is incompatible with Tennessees system of comparative fault and decline to adopt it, the court said in a slip-and-fall case against Trader Joes that has become a bellwether for multiple industries.

The decision finally puts to rest long-standing questions about when employers can use vicarious liability to bar direct negligence claims and discovery that could potentially show that a company had failed to properly train its workers.

This puts an end to all the chatter weve heard from insurance companies about preemption, said Jonathan Griffith of Franklin, Tennessee, the lead plaintiffs attorney in the case.

An attorney for Trader Joes declined to comment Tuesday. But Griffith said that insurers and businesses, including trucking companies, had used the preemption argument in recent years to hide behind vicarious liability, a stategy that limited discovery of a companys safety and training regimes and did nothing to help prevent accidents in the future.

As the opinion says, the purpose of tort law is deterrence, Griffith said.

The case began in 2018 when customer Melissa Binns claimed she slipped and fell at a Trader Joes grocery store in Nashville. A shelf stocker had loaded a stocking cart in a messy and disorganized manner, causing a package of tofu to fall and leak liquid onto the stores floor. Binns attorneys argued that the clerk did not clean up properly, leading to the plaintiffs injury.

Binns pursued claims of negligent activity, negligent training and negligent supervision of the clerk, along with vicarious liability and premises liability. Trader Joes, one of the larger grocery chains in the country, argued that because it had admitted vicarious liability for the employees negligence, the negligent training claims against the store should be dismissed under the preemption rule.

That rule is often referred to in litigation and has been utilized by courts around the country. But it had never been adopted by the Tennessee Supreme Court, the opinion explained. Three federal courts in Tennessee in 2018 had applied the rule, going so far as to predict that the state high court would eventually adopt it.

But the justices said the federal rulings, now weakened by overturned court rulings, do not bind us.

Tennessees comparative fault case law must take precedence, the state Supreme Court noted. That came into being in Tennessee in 1992 when the court formally abandoned the common law rule of contributory negligence. Legislatures in Florida and 32 other states have since passed statutes, or courts have adopted case law, requiring comparative fault in damage verdicts. A comparative fault bill in the South Carolina Legislature died last week. In Georgia, lawmakers specifically barred the use of the preemption rule after the adoption of the states comparative fault law in recent years, one Tennessee Supreme Court justice noted.

In the Trader Joes case in Tennessee, the Davidson County trial court in 2019 declined to buy into the preemption doctrine denied the grocers motion to dismiss some of the claims. But the judge allowed the grocer to appeal the question in order to develop uniform law on the issue.

The trial court said she finds that there is great inconsistency among the orders entered by Tennessee federal and state trial courts on the issue of whether a plaintiff can assert direct negligence claims against an employer if the employer admits that it will be vicariously liable for the negligent conduct attributed to its employees under the doctrine of respondeat superior.

The state Court of Appeals also denied Trader Joes assertions, but the Supreme Court then agreed to weigh in.

The case could have significant impact on companies and insurers involved in liability claims for years to come. One of the lawyers for Trader Joes, Michael Pethrick, said in oral arguments that the decision would affect all businesses in Tennessee and that allowing direct negligence claims will open defendants to unnecessary discovery and legal costs. It also will produce inflammatory information that can prejudice a jury, he argued.

Theyve already got the employer on the hook, Pethrick said.

The high-stakes case has been closely watched in business circles because of its far-reaching implications. The American Trucking Association and the Tennessee Trucking Association filed an amicus a brief in the case supporting Trader Joes arguments.

Griffith said that some trucking firms, in particular, have tried to use vicariously liability and preemption strategy to keep plaintiffs in accidents from discovering how little safety training had been provided to drivers or that the firms had a history of hiring problem drivers. An attorney who wrote the brief for the state trucking association could not be reached Tuesday.

Despite the business and insurance arguments, the high court justices found this week that negligent training and supervision claims are separate from the employers vicarious liability of the worker  and involve the grocerys own negligence.

The liability stemming from negligent training and supervision is not vicarious, the Trader Joes April 8 opinion notes, citing a 1997 court decision.

An employer may be both directly liable for its own negligent conduct, as well as vicariously liable for the negligent conduct of its employee under the doctrine of respondeat superior, Justice Roger Page wrote in the opinion.

Adopting the preemption rule would permit an employer to eliminate evidence of a breach of duty separate from the negligence of its employee, a clear inconsistency with Tennessees system of comparative fault that seeks to achieve a tighter fit between liability and fault,' the court said, quoting from another court ruling.

Practically speaking, allowing a vicarious liability to supersede the companys negligence, in the framework of Tennessees comparative liability rule, would mean a jury would have to apportion fault perversely, sometimes making an injured party mostly at fault, the justices wrote.

During oral arguments, Justice Jeffrey Bivins questioned the Trader Joes lawyer about that, noting that if a jury is not made aware that an employer had failed to train a worker, that could skew a comparative fault verdict. Justice Holly Kirby also pointed out that Tennessee statute allows punitive damages for negligent or inadequate training, suggesting that closing off discovery in negligence claims would not be consonant with the law.

The whole purpose of the preemption trickery by the defense was to hide an employers fault by, in my opinion, using the employee as a scapegoat, Griffith said.

Employers had essentially used the doctrine to say, theres no need to discover our hiring practices; theres no need to discover our lack of safety training and multiple systems failures that weve had, Griffith said.

The case now goes back to the Davidson County Circuit Court for trial. The court documents did not indicate which insurer for Trader Joes was involved in the claim, but Griffith said that Sedgwick was the claims manager.

Related: Floridas Comparative Fault Law Applies to Bar that Served Driver in Crash

Topics Claims Liability Commercial Lines Business Insurance Tennessee
Policyholder surplus increased significantly, direct premium written jumped, and combined ratio has fallen for Florida-focused property insurance carriers in 2023, according to a Gallagher Re report released this week.

The analysis echoes some of the good news in an S&P Global report posted last month, showing that Floridas top 50 carriers in 2023 had turned a collective profit for the first time in seven years, thanks in part to improved investment income and no major hurricanes in the state.

Both reports were based on carrier data provided to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Universal Property & Casualty Insurance, one of the largest carriers in the state, had not yet filed its year-end financial data and was not included in the Gallagher information, perhaps skewing the overall picture.

For 57 other insurers, the Gallagher Florida Market Watch report noted that surplus grew by almost 16% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching $12 billion. The data was broken down into subcategories: For Florida subsidiaries of major national carriers, surplus increased by 2.4% to more than $1 billion. For Florida-based carriers, surplus grew by almost 17% to $6.1 billion.

And for the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp., its surplus rose by 17% to $5 billion.

Direct premium written climbed 19% for the national subsidiaries and 15% for the Florida-based carriers. Citizens DPW soared, by 59% in 2023, the report noted.

Some 28 of the 57 companies examined reported an underwriting gain, compared to just 15 carriers in 2022. Overall, the insurers reported a $69 million net income from underwriting, a big improvement over the year before. Florida specialist insurers saw a net underwriting loss of almost $400 million, but that was a much smaller loss than they felt the year before.

Overall, combined ratio fell sharply, from 134% in 2022 to a healthy 97%, Gallagher noted. Reinsurance utilization also fell for the overall market.

One question in the report was on Citizens takeouts. Gallagher noted that in 2023, Florida regulators approved 646,600 policies for takeout, but just 130,421 have been removed from Citizens so far  a rate of 20%. A Citizens report shows the assumption rate was 43%.

The full Gallagher Re report can be seen here.

Topics Trends Florida Carriers Data Driven
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation issued a $200,000 fine against State Farm after the company reportedly failed to send notices over the past six years informing its insureds of their ability to request an annual credit check, which could affect their premiums.

Half of the total fine will be suspended and waived after three years if State Farm complies with all terms of the final order, according to the division.

The division encouraged residents to take note of Oregon law, which allows consumers to request an annual rerate from their insurer, which could lead to lower premiums.

State Farm self-reported the violations to DFR in July 2023, informing the division that notices were not sent out due to a system error. Because of that error, the notification required were not sent to customers purchasing new automobile insurance policies between Dec. 5, 2017, and Feb. 23, 2023, according to the division.

State Farm did not notify the affected consumers at the inception of their coverage that they may have received a lower rate if their credit history or the credit factors used in their credit-based insurance score were more favorable, and that they had the right to request a rerate of the policy no more than once annually. State Farm notified the division that the issue was corrected on Feb. 23, 2023, for any customers purchasing new policies after that date, according to the division.

As part of the divisions order, State Farm agreed to send a notification to all affected consumers who remain customers of State Farm, roughly 134,690 consumers. State Farm began sending notices on Jan. 2 through a mailing that is separate from the annual policy renewal documents or any other communication. The mailing also includes a statement that Oregon law requires State Farm to provide a notification to customers at the inception of the policy.

The division, part of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business, said those with questions or complaints can contact the departments consumer advocates at (888) 877-4894 or email dfr.insuranchelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.

Topics Legislation Oregon
Who could believe that Ireland would become a poster boy for afforestation?

There has been a major decline in Irish afforestation in recent years. In 2020, 2,434ha of land were afforested, followed by 2,061ha and 2,273ha in 2021 and 2022, respectively. In 2023, the EU Commission took so long to approve Ireland's new Forestry Programme that afforestation fell to only 1,651ha.

The figures are disappointing compared to the national ambition of 8,000ha of afforestation per year.

And landowners remain discouraged, after it became much harder from 2018 onwards to get the licenses which are required before any planting, harvesting, thinning, or forest road building takes place.

In 2015, only about 20% of licences took over 100 days to process; by 2019, that had increased to nearly 50%.

The ash dieback devastation of plantations has also undermined the confidence of landdowners thinking of forestry.

However, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett, was able to hold her head high in Brussels recently, and say, I am delighted ...that five million native trees have been planted under my Departments afforestation schemes since May 2020".

Remarkably, that puts Ireland in joint first place with Belgium in the race to deliver the EUs Three Billion Trees Pledge.

Ireland and Belgium may get the cheers, but the EU gets the boos, because it is nowhere near making good on its pledge to plant the trees by the end of the decade.

In fact, the pledge is perhaps the most unsuccessful feature of the European Green Deal bid to become a climate action global leader. The trees are needed to take up carbon and fight biodiversity loss, but delivery remains well below 1%, when it should be at nearly 40%.

According to an online tool set up by the European Commission, only 14.9m trees have been planted. Belgium and Ireland with about 5m each are followed by the Czech Republic with roughly 3m trees, and France with just over 2m. Italy also ranks high.

To meet the target, the EU would have needed to plant an average of 300 million trees every year, starting in 2020.

But, like most "green" schemes, the conditions are very demanding. Only native tree species count, and the trees cannot be cut for at least 80 years.

For a tree to be counted toward the 3bn targets, it must be "additional", meaning it would not have been planted or grown otherwise, for example, to meet national legal requirements. The plantings must benefit biodiversity and the fight against climate change.

Trees cannot be planted in areas of high natural value, such as mires, bogs, fens, wetlands, peatlands, and grasslands.

"It must be the right trees, in the right place, for the right reason, said Virginijus Sinkevicius, the EUs environment commissioner. This rules out plantations of only one species, or any invasive species planting.

Tree pledgers must manage, monitor, care for, and nurture the trees.

There is no dedicated EU budget for the Pledge, but funds from EU schemes such as LIFE, and from agricultural and rural development funding, could be used (but there are hundreds of other calls on these funds).

With 1.3bn of funding earmarked for Ireland's new 2023-2027 forestry programme, Minister of State Hackett said she was confident Ireland will contribute millions more native trees towards the 3bn goal.

She confirmed that the initial pledge for Ireland is based on the number of native trees planted under the afforestation schemes since May 20, 2020, the Pledge start day.

With a substantial increase of 66% in premium rates for the establishment of native forest, with 1,103/ha available to plant native forests, and 1,142/ha for native forests with water, Ireland could be a front-runner as the 3bn trees pledge continues.

Shrubs, bushes, and anything biologically classified as a tree can be counted. Even the transformation of low productive forest or shrub forest into productive forests or high forest can meet the pledge requirements in some cases.

The pledge aims to double the forest expansion rate in the EU achieved over the 2005 to 2020 period. It includes urban tree planting.

Anyone who feels brave enough to tangle with the EU's bureaucratic jungles can register on the 3bn trees pledge website. You will have to sign a declaration of honour, committing to comply with the criteria (the Pledge is trust-based, farmers interested in trees will be relieved to hear there is no Commission verification system).

Despite the many rules surrounding the pledge, it may be ignored by the most ardent climate and environment activists because of the fear of greenwashing accusations.

They have seen how tree planting is perceived as an easy solution to climate change, for its carbon sequestration potential, becoming a form of commercialised climate mitigation.

It has been jumped on by, for example, by the total oil and gas company which announced a $100m tree-planting investment in 2019. And various companies that sell carbon offset credits for their forest protection or forest planting face allegations that they exaggerated climate claims.

Nor was Donald Trump supporting the "Trillion Trees Act" during his US presidency reassuring for conservationist types, who insist that planting trees shouldnt be a replacement for mitigation measures and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
My name is Chiara Chille, and I am an Italian freelance painting conservator. My job is to take care of artworks so they can last for generations to come.

I began working with Crawford Art Gallery in Cork City in January of this year, and I am delighted to be working in a museum full of thousands of stunning artworks, each with its own unique story to tell.

The Crawford Art Gallery has traditionally relied on external consultants and conservators to help with conservation needs, as the gallery had no conservation lab or equipment.

Chiara Chille inspects a painting at Crawford Art Gallery. Picture: Clare Keogh

But the gallery is about to make a huge move: to prepare for renovations and upgrades to the building that are planned for 2025 and 2026, the entire collection of over 3,000 artworks is going to slowly be moved into secure storage between now and the end of this year.

The gallery is open as normal until the autumn, with all this work going on behind the scenes, so it wont become obvious to our visitors until the beginning of summer.

Art on the move: the decant project

As a conservator and part of the decant project team, it's my responsibility to ensure that each piece is carefully inspected and evaluated for conservation needs before it is moved.

Once the artworks are thoroughly evaluated, they will be packed using standard conservation methods to ensure their safety during transportation and storage. The packing methods may vary depending on the type of artwork, the methods can range from the use of cushioning foam sheets and polyethylene sheets (soft-wrapping) to more rigid wooden structures that secure the artwork these are known as T-frames. I am collaborating with the technicians in doing this.

Currently, some of the rooms at Crawford Art Gallery have been closed off and are being used for packing. But once the artworks are safely transported to the storage locations, the real work will begin! The conservation project will involve the careful examination and treatment of selected artworks. It's a big job, but it will be incredibly rewarding to see these beautiful pieces of art preserved for future generations to enjoy.

For this purpose, I am working with the registrar and director to create a mobile conservation lab that can travel alongside the artworks needing treatment, from within the museum to their storage location, where I will carry out the conservation treatment. This will not only make conservation efforts more efficient and effective, but it will also keep the artworks safe and secure throughout the process.

Traffic light system for artworks

Up until March, a special project documented and triaged all the artworks in the collection: this uses a traffic light system to categorise all the artworks into three main groups of red, amber, and green.

The red category signifies artworks that can't be moved and packed until remedial conservation treatments are carried out, while the green category represents artworks that may have minor conservation issues but that can be packed. The amber category falls in between the two, indicating that some attention may be required to ensure their movement. There were 2513 artworks on the Green list that I was given when I started, and 273 on the Red.

An Artist's impression of the Crawford Art Gallery extension. Picture: Grafton Architects

After the traffic light system was completed I started to conduct a meticulous evaluation of each piece to detect any evidence of degradation, harm, or other problems that might necessitate conservation treatments. As I mentioned earlier, some of the artworks on the 'red list' need extra attention before they can be packed and then moved.

Some of the paintings I examined had issues with their paint layer and for those I'm using a technique called "facing". Facing involves temporarily adhering paper tissue to the face/front surface of the artwork with an adhesive that can be removed in order to protect the paintings surface.

This helps to ensure that the artwork remains in good condition and is not damaged during transport. The protective facing will be removed from the artworks once they arrive at the storage location.

Chiara Chille behind the scenes at Crawford Art Gallery. Picture: Clare Keogh

The number of artworks I can evaluate in a working week varies based on their condition. This week I've reviewed almost 20 paintings on the 'green list'. These paintings will be soft-wrapped.

Walter Osbornes (1859-1903) beautiful oil painting, A November Morning (1888), was one of the works I was looking at. This work was donated to the Irish State as part of the AIB Art Collection. Due to its ornate frame, the registrar and I decided to place it on a 'Travel Frame' also known as a 'T-frame'.

This will provide the necessary protection to the artwork. Before that, I recommended installing a backing board on the back of the canvas to safeguard it against thermohygrometric fluctuations: changes in the temperature and relative humidity parameters.

A line drawing of Crawford Art Gallery in Cork, by Barry McCarthy.

As an art conservator at the Crawford Art Gallery, I get to be part of a project that focuses on preserving the history and legacy of artworks.

Being surrounded by an abundance of incredible artwork and historical artefacts is truly a unique experience. I am thrilled to contribute to the preservation of these treasures for future generations to enjoy.
Michael Twomey has a vivid memory of being taken by his father to see Clint Eastwood in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on his first visit to what was then Horgans cinema.

He also remembers The Deer Hunter, Rebel Without a Cause, Jaws, and indeed making cinema visits in his home town of Youghal habitually, every Sunday, regardless of what was on.

What he does not recall, however, is being told anything during his formative years about cinema founders the Horgan brothers, or their pivotal role in the early development of Irish film.

If you Google the history of Irish cinema you wont find the Horgans anywhere, says Twomey. Even in Youghal, the names of James, Philip, and Thomas Horgan had slipped from the collective memory to the extent that as a film fan growing up in the East Cork town, Twomey was unaware of the brothers legacy, beyond being founders of the cinema which facilitated his enjoyment of Star Wars.

I knew that James Joyce opened the Volta cinema [Irelands first picture house] in Dublin before I knew anything about the Horgans, says Twomey. I dont remember anyone locally mentioning it to me. They just werent in the conversation, which speaks volumes for how theyve gone unseen.

A former journalist who retrained as an adult-education teacher of social studies, Twomey turned from film buff to film-maker after completing a masters degree in film studies at UCC and teaming up with producer-editor Kieran McCarthy to co-found Complete Control Films in 2010.

Michael Twomey has made a documentary about his fellow Youghal men, the Horgan brothers. Picture: Michael Hussey

Their documentaries Town out of Time, on social change in Youghal, and the Jeremy Irons-narrated Another Way Home, about the Sli Eile mental health recovery home near Mallow, The Printer, and Wish You Were Here: The Redbarn Story were followed by a Twomey solo project, Heart in the Stone, centred on Youghals St Marys Collegiate Church.

Also set in his home town, his latest film, The Horgan Brothers: Princes of the Picture Theatre, takes Twomey back to the cinema where his love of film began, and to the dawn of Irish movie-making.

Through the story of the Horgan siblings, Twomey charts the transition from still photograph to moving image - and the eventual eclipsing of Irelands nascent indigenous industry by commercial film-making from abroad.

The Horgans were contemporaries of Frances Lumiere brothers and at the turn of the 20th century, inventors in Europe and America were competing to develop and project the first moving films.

In Youghal, the Horgan brothers, who purchased a pinhole camera with their confirmation money, had served indentures as shoemakers and in 1892 established a photographic business alongside their shoemaking and repair shop.

James Horgan, cinema owner and early film maker, Youghal. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive

James (Jim) Horgan was the creative force of the three, according to Twomey; Philip was interested in nature and beautiful pictures; Tom was an entrepreneur, and as business-partner brothers, the chemistry worked.

They must have been extremely innovative, inventive, entrepreneurial, creative. Theres a lot of forces working there that made them so successful.

Jim, whos the real artist at the centre of it, paints scenes from around Youghal and they dress people up in costumes and take photographs [against backdrops], a sort of physical photoshop, says Twomey.

As well as their photographic studio, the brothers branched into postcard production, and ran magic lantern shows at pubs and halls in villages including Ardmore, Castlemartyr, and Killeagh, using a projector to show photographs of the Vatican, New York skyscrapers, and other exotic images from around the world.

The Lumieres sold glass photographic slides to the likes of the Horgans for these shows, later filming scenes including travel to parts of the French empire. They patented their Cinematograph invention and rejected offers from other would-be film-makers for its use, but Jim Horgan was able to design his own moving-image camera by adapting his Lumiere projector.

The Horgans purchase a projector from Lumiere but what they do is they reverse engineer the projector and build their own movie camera, says Twomey. In 1904 they start to film and theyre the first ever Irish film-makers. Though Sidney Olcott and Americas Kalem Film Company later recorded short films mainly in Beaufort, Killarney, from 1910 to 1915, Twomey insists it is categorically true that the Horgans were Irelands first indigenous native Irish film-makers.

Prior to the Horgans, he says, there was no film being made in Ireland by Irish people.

So innovative was the Horgans first moving-image camera that it aroused the suspicions of RIC officers policing the royal visit of Edward VII and his wife Alexandra to Lismore Castle in May 1904.

The Horgans bring their camera to record the event and they run foul of the RIC because the Royal Irish Constabulary dont know what the camera is and theyre [Horgans] pointing it, says Twomey. They see this apparatus and they tackle the Horgans and the Horgans tackle the RIC and theres a scuffle. The incident was apparently resolved after the royal party reassured the RIC about the benign purpose of the newfangled contraption. The 10-minute recording of the visit, believed to be the first Irish-made film, has not survived. Still in existence, however, and donated by the Horgans descendants to the Irish Film Institute archive, are a number of the brothers actuality films, showing people leaving church, marches and parades, and pilgrims visiting St Declans holy well in Ardmore.

Film enthusiasts view an original Horgan Brothers projector from the early 1900s at the Irish Film Institute in Dublin. Picture: Patrick Browne

The people of East Cork and West Waterford, who were among the most photographed on the planet, according to Twomey, became the stars of films whose preservation now provides valuable snapshots of Irish social history. These short silent films were in similar vein to the actualities made by the Lumieres in France, and by Thomas Edison in America.

When in 1912 he visited Cork with a view to setting up a factory for his Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford, who was a friend of Edison, met with the Horgan brothers in Youghal.

He advises them to open a cinema, says Twomey, that the real money is in cinema, which is fascinating because the original film-makers like the Lumiere brothers in Lyons, and Georges Melies in Paris, and Edison, who is more famous for the light bulb and is a filmmaker in New York, all give up on it. In fact the Lumiere brothers are cited as the first ever film-makers but they dont really see it as a commercial venture.

Edison is making a light bulb, hes making film, its the spirit of modernity - you have all these technologies that people are messing around with, says Twomey.

By the time Ford comes, the Horgans are already shooting film in Youghal but they dont have a cinema. That changed in 1917 when the brothers opened Horgans Picture Theatre, where their Youghal Gazette newsreel proved hugely popular as locals flocked to see moving images of familiar people and places, as well as early international films, the Horgans making some of the musical instruments for their own cinema orchestra.

Horgan brothers' picture theatre in Youghal.

Such was the demand as films popularity grew, that theirs was the second of two picture houses opened in Youghal before the end of the First World War, Hursts Picture Palace being located directly across the road in Friar St.

Its just mind-blowing really because it was only a small fishing town, says Twomey. Two cinemas on the one street, facing each other.

The Horgans had a bit of an advantage because they were showing their own films so they were packing the houses  people were mad to see themselves on a movie screen. Though the Horgans enjoyed enormous early success, their film-making enterprise had ceased by 1920 as the appeal of local footage began to wane beside the glamour of Hollywood.

What happens then is what happens to all the original film-makers, the Lumieres, Georges Melies, Edison, and others, says Twomey. People become used to the medium of seeing themselves on a movie screen and then the movies start coming, people start making westerns, and Hollywood is born. Once people started to see things like westerns and horror movies there was little point in making film of actualities. Narrative was where it was at. Drama took over from film of actualities and people like the Horgans stopped making film.

Though their photographic business thrived, for the Horgans, like other early film pioneers, the moving image was just image - they didnt think about turning it into a romance or a tragedy or a thriller - it was fascinating in itself, that it was moving, says Twomey.

Making film didnt become a long-term project because other people had taken over that business in a global sense. The Horgans cinema continued showing films and was later sold to the Abbey Company, closing in 1988, but after several changes of use, the building now lies in disrepair.

Twomeys hour-long black and white documentary, funded by a Cork County Council arts bursary, charts the Irish cinema story through that of the Horgan brothers, narrated by James Horgans grandson Jim and UCC film studies lecturer Dr Gwenda Young with animation by Twomeys son Nathan.

Making the Horgans the subject of a film was the least they deserve, says Twomey. I think very few people outside of Youghal know anything about the Horgans.

I just think its incredible that there were these people in a small fishing town in the south of Ireland who were operating at the same time as the Lumiere brothers and Edison and doing the same things, without the knowledge that this was going to be a global cultural explosion which we still enjoy today.

A screening of The Horgan Brothers: Princes of the Picture Theatre takes place at Triskel Arts Centre in Cork on Thursday May 30 at 6.30pm. Tickets 10/8 from www.triskelartscentre.ie

The Horgan brothers: Animation pioneers

The Horgan brothers, among their many cinematic and photographic innovations, were the earliest Irish pioneers of animation, half a century before others followed in their footsteps.

As a photographer who had already developed a technique for painting colour onto monochrome glass slides, Jim Horgan turned his hand to stop-motion animation, and what better subject for his experimentation that the imposing clock tower in his home town of Youghal?

The Horgan Brothers were behind some of Irelands earliest animation. Playful scenes like this would have appeared on screen a century ago in Cork cinema. Watch the full collection on the IFI Player at https://t.co/Wl8J2XLq3q pic.twitter.com/h2y1rm3bUl  Irish Film Institute (@IFI_Dub) February 27, 2019

His short film animates the famous landmark, sending it pirouetting down the towns main street and balancing upside down. Made soon after Georges Melies 1902 Le Voyage dans la Lune, it is considered the first Irish animation.

They were all trying things out. Cutting film, making things disappear. Melies was famous but Jim Horgan must have been thinking the same, that you could edit the film to make it look as if things were upside down, says Michael Twomey.

There was no Irish animation before that, and its almost 50 years before someone decides that animation might be a good idea, he adds, pointing to government health broadcasts and Lyons Tea adverts of the 1950s and 60s as the next Irish forays into the art.
Focus Ireland's annual Big Busk will see musicians, choirs, singers, and buskers perform on Friday to raise urgently needed funds for homelessness services.

More than 13,500 people, including more than 4,000 children, are currently homeless in Ireland, according to the latest official figures.

According to the charity, 1,640 families became homeless in the last year, more than 31 families per week or more than four a day.

The Big Busk campaign has raised more than 615,000 so far and will return this Friday across various locations across the country.

Musicians, buskers and performers are being asked to sign up for the event and include some of the songs in their SuperFocused SetList across stages in Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo.

Songs featured on the list have been requested by people who have experienced homelessness and are being supported by Focus Ireland.

It includes Callum Scotts 'Dancing On My Own', which was requested by Waterford woman Keilie O'Danza.

The 25-year-old was taken into care when she was 10 and says she is still traumatised from when the gardai arrived at her home with social workers.

Ms O'Danza said she remained upset that she was separated from her younger siblings and feels the familial bonds were broken.

She returned to her family when she turned 18 but said she felt she needed to live alone.

Through the help of Focus Ireland, she was able to secure temporary accommodation and now works as a beautician at a salon in Waterford.

Ms O'Danza said Scott's song hits right at home.

I am a former foster child and I used to see other kids go to new families and I never had that chance, she said.

When I was older and in relationships, it was never just me, there was always someone else and even foster homes, it wasn't me they wanted.

Ms O'Danza is one of thousands of people being supported by Focus Ireland, including 16,000 in 2022 alone. That was an increase from 12,300 people in 2021.

Focus Ireland chief executive Pat Dennigan said the crisis was the worst it had ever been, with a record total of 13,841 people now homeless.

It is heartbreaking that over 4,000 of these people are children. No child should be homeless as Ireland is a wealthy country. We must end this scandalous crisis and we can do so.

Matt Cooper of Today FM, which is involved in the event, added: The homeless crisis in Ireland is a huge problem that needs addressing, and we need your help to do so.

"We want you to get involved and sign up for The Big Busk for Focus Ireland on April 12 and raise some much-needed funds for this wonderful cause. Get involved and sign up at todayfm.com/busk.

Live performances for the Big Busk will take place across various venues including Corks Marina Market this Friday from 12-7pm.

Other venues include:
A pilot study from a start-up in University College Cork (UCC) has shown positive results in terms of helping patients with Parkinson's Disease to retain vocal function for longer.

Using digital speech therapy technology, Telea hopes that it can assist people to maintain their voice and slow down progression of Parkinson's.

The digital platform and app provides a connection between patients and speech and language therapists.

It give therapists the ability to monitor patient progress as well as treat them remotely while also empowering the patient.

It increases the quality, quantity and consistency of treatment as prescribed exercises can be done and monitored from home.

Almost 12,000 people in Ireland are living with Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement.

Around 90% of people with Parkinson's experience difficulty with speech and communication. These can include weakened voice quality, impaired pitch variation, and less clarity when pronouncing speech sounds.

Having difficulty with speech can have a significant impact on a person's life and can sometimes lead to social withdrawal and isolation.

Telea conducted a pilot programme involving seven speech and language therapists and 37 of their Parkinson's patients.

It found that the average improvement of voice was 10% across a mix of clinician-rated and patient-reported outcome measurements.

More than 80% of patients said their adherence with their speech therapy exercises improved with some completing an average of 62 exercises per week.

Director of Health Innovation Hub Ireland, which supported the study, Dr Tanya Mulcahy, said that there was a notable improvement in the speech of those patients who engaged with their exercises more.

One of the patient participants said they could feel the strength in their voice since starting the app.

Among the exercises that can be prescribed and completed on the app are low-pitch and high-pitch drills, functional phrases, sustained vowel phonation, and reading aloud. Therapists have the ability to access an overview of their clients using the app.

As well as benefiting the patient, the app also saved time for the speech and language therapists.

Therapists found that 60% less time was required for a typical treatment plan and also reduced the need for home visits by 60%.

As a result, there was an 80% reduction in wait times for speech and language assessment and intervention for those diagnosed with Parkinson's.

Following the successful pilot, Telea has secured HSE funding to scale up their work with the platform and to expand its usage.

Paddle for Parkinson's

Frank Mullen, 61, will paddle down the Shannon this summer to raise money for Parkinson's Ireland. Picture: Frank Mullen/Parkinson's Ireland

A Dublin man is picking up a paddle for Parkinson's this summer as he intends to take on the 300km journey down the Shannon.

Frank Mullen launched his fundraiser ahead of World Parkinson's Disease Day on Thursday.

The 61-year-old project manager was diagnosed with Parkinson's last year but said that he sees it as an opportunity to embrace life fully.

"Receiving a diagnosis like this is tough, but there is absolutely no reason why I cant have a full and long life, with the right medication and the right fitness regime," he said.

He will undertake the challenge this June and will have to cover approximately 30km each day over the course of 10 days.

Over the coming months, Mr Mullen has committed to an intense training regime to improve his strength, endurance, and paddling technique.

He hopes that his efforts will highlight the importance of exercise and community while raising 10,000 to support the work of Parkinson's Ireland.

For me, raising funds is like paying it forward while I can, as they day may come where I too need support from Parkinsons Ireland he said.

I know I can do this, and now is the time to do it. And no better way than through the exhilarating sport of Kayaking which I got to know through Scouting Ireland. An avid kayaker for the past eight years, Mr Mullen said that while it will be tough, he feels he is up to the challenge.
New Taoiseach Simon Harris has emphasised his commitment to Anglo-Irish relations and support for Ukrainian sovereignty, after calls to British prime minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Mr Harris and Mr Sunak discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, the resumption of powersharing in Northern Ireland, developments since Brexit and the recent North-South Ministerial Council.

The Taoiseach said that the British-Irish relationship is of huge importance and he would continue to develop it.

Mr Harris also spoke by phone to Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, saying how important he views his role as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

Wednesday marks the 26th anniversary since the historic peace deal was signed.

With this weeks re-establishment of the North South Ministerial Council, the Taoiseach and the First Minister and deputy First Minister looked forward to renewed, positive North-South engagement in the months ahead, a statement said.

Mr Harris also spoke by phone to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and said he is fully committed to supporting Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Speaking after that phone call, Mr Harris said: I felt that it was important that in my first full day as Taoiseach I spoke with President Zelenskyy. I took the opportunity to reassure him of Irelands unwavering support of Ukraine and its brave people as they continue to defend their country against the imperialist aggression of President Putin and to restore their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Russia is posing a grave threat to all of Europe and the people of Ukraine are not only fighting for their freedom but are also defending our shared values as Europeans."

He added: I emphasised to President Zelenskyy that Ireland will continue to assist his country in any way we can and for as long as it takes. Russia cannot and must not prevail.

Meanwhile, during the 20-minute phone call to Mr Sunak, the two leaders committed to holding a bilateral meeting in person in the future, and began with a warm discussion about their roles and families.

A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Sunak congratulated Mr Harris on his appointment.

The Prime Minister and Taoiseach began by reflecting on the strong UK-Ireland bilateral relationship and the shared importance of stability in Northern Ireland, the spokesman said.

They agreed that the restoration of the devolved institutions underpinned and deepened the British-Irish bilateral relationship.

They discussed the strengthening of the economic ties and growth in bilateral trade between the UK and Ireland as the closest of neighbours.

Turning to the Middle East, they agreed that Hamas should unconditionally release the remaining hostages from the deplorable 7th of October attack on Israel and expressed their grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation and the need for Israel to accelerate the scale of aid delivered to Gaza.

The Prime Minister reiterated his position that a two-state solution provided the best basis for a political settlement.

On Ukraine, the leaders agreed on the vital importance of supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression to defend Ukraines sovereignty and protect European security.

The Prime Minister looked forward to working more closely with the Taoiseach on this important shared priority.

The leaders agreed to stay in contact in the coming months and the Prime Minister said he looked forward to welcoming the Taoiseach to the UK-hosted European Political Summit in July.
A robber who stole an empty cash-in-transit box at knife-point left a trail of green dye leading to his mother's flat across the road after he tampered with it, a court has heard.

Leon Byrne, 27, engaged in an unsophisticated operation when he robbed the tamper-proof box from a Brinks security guard at a Dublin petrol station in February 2022 before bursting it open, leaving identifying green dye in the wake of his escape, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

The box had no cash inside as the security guard was about to empty an ATM at the garage, Detective Garda Jason Weir told Kate Egan BL, prosecuting.

A number of weeks later, Byrne, of Reuben Walk, Dublin 8, hijacked a taxi with a sawn-off shotgun and was jailed for seven and a half years. He has 76 previous convictions, including assault, aggravated burglary, drugs and theft.

Jailing him for the cash-in-transit robbery offence on Tuesday, Judge Pauline Codd said she would impose a sentence on Byrne that was consecutive to the one he is currently serving.

She handed down a four year sentence, but suspended the final two-and-a-half years, noting she must be aware of the totality of the sentences imposed.

It means Byrne will serve a further 18 months on top of the sentence he is currently serving. He has been in custody since March 2022.

Guilty plea

He pleaded guilty to one count of robbing a cash-in-transit box with a value of 3,000 at Maxol garage on Crumlin Road on February 17, 2022.

Det Garda Weir told the court the Brinks security guards arrived at the garage around 6.20am on the day in question. One of the guards was exiting the van with an empty cash box in his hand when he saw Byrne leaning on a wall nearby.

The guard decided Byrne was not a risk and was just stepping out of the van when Byrne ran towards him brandishing a kitchen knife and screaming: robbery.

The guard jumped back in the van and a brief struggle ensued as he tried to close the door on Byrne. However, Byrne pointed the knife towards his stomach and the guard gave him the box.

Byrne fled the scene to his mother's apartment across the road. Investigating gardai saw a splash of green dye in a stairwell of the block of flats across the road and followed a trail of ink to just outside Byrne's mother's apartment, where a knife was found outside.

A search warrant for this apartment was obtained and green dye was found within the apartment and on clothing inside. The box was secured with a green dye tamper-proof device, the court heard. A neighbour told gardai he saw a man throwing the box away. It was never recovered.

Byrne was arrested the following month after he hijacked the taxi.

Victim impact statement

A victim impact statement by the security guard was handed into court, outlining how he took six weeks off work after the robbery and continues to suffer with psychological issues, paranoia, insomnia and stress.

Defence counsel submitted this was not a sophisticated offence.

There was literally a trail from the incident itself over to the location of his mother's flat, she said.

The court heard Byrne had a difficult upbringing marred by violence and drug addiction, with both his parents being heroin addicts. He lacks coping skills and has been institutionalised from years spent in custody, the court heard.

Sentencing Byrne, Judge Codd said she hoped he would take up available psychological supports in custody.

He has had a very traumatic upbringing, she said, adding Byrne needed therapy to help resolve his issues and end the cycle of offending.
A former member of the Defence Forces has appeared before a military court on charges of sexually assaulting two colleagues on a military base almost two and a half years ago and simulating a sexual act in front of another soldier.

The accused pleaded not guilty to a total of eight charges at a court martial in the Military Justice Centre at McKee Barracks in Dublin including three charges of sexual assault on two soldiers and three separate charges of assault on the same individuals.

All the alleged offences took place between 2am and 5.30am on November 13, 2021, at a time when the accused had been the victim of an alleged assault following a drunken row with a friend.

Reporting restrictions

The name of the former NCO on trial and any military personnel involved in the case as well as the location of the military base cannot be published as a result of extensive reporting restrictions imposed by the military judge, Colonel Michael Campion, on foot of an application by legal representatives of the Director of Military Prosecutions.

The retired soldier is accused of two counts of sexually assaulting a female colleague by placing his hands on her legs without her consent and moving his right hand up her leg and sometime later making a similar gesture when he placed a hand on the inside of her leg and moved it towards her groin.

The defendant is also charged with assaulting her on two separate occasions over a period when she was trying to calm him down.

He is also charged with sexually assaulting a male soldier by placing his arms around him which caused the alleged victim to apprehend that the accused was attempting to kiss him as well as assaulting him when he tried to hug the same individual.

The former NCO is also accused of two counts of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline contrary to Section 168 of the Defence Act 1954.

Accusations

They relate to accusations that he made an inappropriate gesture simulating oral sex to another member of the Defence Forces as well as being in possession of an empty bottle of alcohol in a prohibited part of the military base.

Counsel for the DMP, Commandant Sean Coffey, said the accused had been drinking alcohol in the canteen on the military base with a friend on the night of November 12, 2021, before they returned to his room where they consumed a bottle of Grey Goose vodka between them.

Cmdt Coffey said a soldier in the next room was woken at some stage in the early hours of the following morning by a noisy disagreement in which the accuseds friend sounded upset and was angry and crying. The trial heard other members of the Defence Forces were called to the room where the defendant was found to be intoxicated and repeating words.

First alleged offence

Cmdt Coffey said the first alleged offence occurred when a female colleague was trying to help him.

He was moved to another location where she and another male colleague tried to calm him down because he was highly intoxicated and agitated".

The court martial heard the accused committed another sexual assault as he was being brought back to his room when he had tried to kiss the male soldier.

Cmdt Coffey said the accused also made several more attempts to hug the same colleague.

When he was not allowed to re-enter his room, the court heard he cupped his hands around his chin to simulate having oral sex on a penis in a gesture at the member of the Defence Forces who had stopped him.

The court heard the female soldier had varying degrees of success in getting the accused to calm down over the next two hours when she tried to settle him in a bed in another location within the base.

Alleged assault

During this period, he allegedly assaulted her when he pulled her tight to his body and placed his head in a manner that she thought he was going to bite her neck.

Cmdt Coffey said he sexually assaulted her a second time at this stage by placing his hand on her thigh and moving it up her leg.

Counsel added that he also assaulted her by pulling on her arm as she was escorting him back to his own room.

According to the prosecution, he has also simulated pulling down his underpants at one stage.

One witness described how he had been standing outside when he saw the male colleague, who is an alleged victim, appear quite shook up and nervous when he arrived with the defendant.

The witness said the accused was all over the place as he appeared intoxicated and was slurring his words.

However, he said the accused also seemed very happy as he was laughing, joking and mumbling. I think he found the situation quite funny, he added.

He outlined how the former NCO then simulated an act of oral sex when he stood in front of the door to prevent him returning to his room.

Cross-examination

Cross-examined by defence counsel, Kathleen Leader, the witness said he had not been offended by the gesture but believed such an action was very out of place for the defendant.

Another witness gave evidence of attending the scene after it was reported that the accused had been assaulted by his friend.

She described seeing the friend upset and hearing him remark: I did it. I hit him. Its all my fault before adding: I should have killed him.

The witness said the same soldier was concerned that everyone would believe the accused and not him.

He then put his hand on his face while saying: What am I going to tell my wife and pointed out that the accused had been the best man at his wedding 21 years earlier.

Court told defendant smelled of alcohol

The witness also recalled seeing the defendant a short time later when he had glassy eyes, was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol.

She said he had a slight cut on his forehead with a small amount of blood around his right eye, while his other eye appeared bruised and was starting to swell.

The limited court martial before a judge and military board (jury) of five members of the Defence Forces, is expected to last more than a week.
Scouting Ireland has been excoriated in and out of court for the manner in which it dealt with the death of a 14-year-old girl who was swept into the sea at Hook Island Lighthouse during a day trip eight years ago and died in hospital a few days afterwards.

Judge Christopher Callan was told in the Circuit Civil Court that the scouting organization had contested liability for eight years until last week in the case, brought by Anne Winterlich, mother of drowning victim Aoife.

Outside of court Ms Winterlich, of Walkinstown Road, Walkinstown, Dublin, asked in a statement how parents could now trust Scouting Ireland to take care of the safety of their children during scouting activities.

She said a request by the coroner who dealt with Aoifes inquest for Scouting Ireland Services to conduct an investigation and publish a report had been ignored by the organization which had avoided issuing results of its report.

It was unacceptable that no mandatory investigation was conducted into the circumstances leading up to Aoifes movements prior to her having been swept into the sea, she said. She added that Scouting Ireland had denied liability for eight years.

Finbarr Fox, SC, counsel for Aoifes mother, the Winterlich family and Aoife, told the judge that while he could not criticise Scouting Ireland for accepting liability for the incident he was critical of the fact it had taken eight years for someone in Scouting Ireland to stand up and say: We are not contesting this case.

Settlement

Mr Fox told Judge Callan that the scouting organization had made a settlement offer of 54,000 in the case and Aoifes brothers, Craig, Martin and Jack had, to their great credit, foregone any part of the settlement and wanted the money to go to their mother.

The settlement, which was approved by the court, includes the funeral and other costs surrounding the tragedy and damages for stress arising from the incident which, Mr Fox had stated, was a clear case of negligence by Scouting Ireland in having allowed children to run around unsupervised in an area that had presented a clear hazard to them. He said there could be no question of contributory negligence.

Judge Callan said it had been extremely stressful for the family particularly relating to the management of the case by Scouting Ireland which had caused stress that should not have happened.

I welcome the defendants acceptance of liability but it should not have taken so long, Judge Callan said when approving the settlement offer. He said the death of Aoifes father some weeks after the incident had been particularly stressful.

Two separate cases against the Commissioners of Irish Lights and Hook Heritage Company Limited were struck out on the strength of Scouting Irelands late acceptance of full blame for the incident.
A murder trial jury was given evidence on Wednesday of the deceased man being assaulted in Carrigaline four days before the incident which the prosecution says caused his death.

21-year-old Ricardo Hoey, of 7 Ardcarrig, Carrigaline, Co Cork, and 19-year-old Jordan Deasy, of 41 Ravensdale, Heron's Wood, Cork, both deny the single charge against them that on December 28, 2022, at Glenwood estate, Carrigaline, Co Cork, they did murder 29-year-old Matt ONeill, contrary to common law.

The evidence heard on the third day of the trial centred around another incident which occurred on Christmas Eve 2022  four days before the incident at the centre of the case.

Brian Coniry, who served 33 years in the Irish Army, was visiting family in Crosshaven that evening and was returning home to Cork with his wife, Pamela, when he spotted something in his peripheral vision and he turned the car around by the community centre and saw there was a melee in the middle of the road.

Jordan Deasy has pleaded not guilty to murder. Picture: Cork Courts Limited

There was a guy in the middle of the road with a guy in front of him and a guy behind him and they were digging him. I got out of the car and roared at them to get off him.

One guy was kneeling down and they were throwing digs into his head. A guy came from my right hand side and said, You have no idea what you are getting involved in.

I helped Matt up  I am calling him Matt but I didnt know him at the time. He looked defenceless. He put his baseball hat back on. I put him into the car. I asked where he lived and I dropped him home. He was talking away goodo, Mr Coniry said.

The late Matt ONeill asked him to stop at the off-licence on the way home and gave him money to buy him two naggins of vodka.

The deceased offered them sweets before he got out of the car at his home but Mr and Mrs Coniry declined this offer. Mr Coniry said: I helped him out of the car. I shook hands with him and he gave me a hug. He went into his house."

As for the punches given to Mr ONeill during this Christmas Eve incident, Mr Coniry said: I would call them rabbit punches  little jabs, not big, wild punches. They did not look vicious.

The late Matt O'Neill was described by a witness as 'nice and not at all threatening'. Picture: rip.ie

Pamela Coniry said Mr ONeill was being attacked by two other men. In her statement to gardai she said: This was a full-on attack on a defenceless male, and that he was not able to get up off the ground on his own and did so with the assistance of her husband.

In the car afterwards, she found that he was nice and not at all threatening.

The jury also heard evidence from three young man involved in this December 24 2022 incident and they variously stated it was a scuffle and Mr ONeill was perfect when he got into the car afterwards.

Evidence of Dr Eimear McCarthy was read to the jury. As the deceased mans GP since 2006, she said he suffered generalised anxiety disorder and was on diazepam.

He had a long history of addiction and substance misuse. He was discharged from Tabor Lodge [treatment centre] his anxiety was so severe, Dr McCarthy said.

However, she said that despite his addiction issues he did not have physical health issues that would have made him susceptible.

The trial continues.
A court martial has heard a soldier threatened to put a barrel in the mouth of a less senior soldier and kill him after a drunken early-morning incident.

A witness told the court they went to the defendants room after hearing an unmerciful bang and opened the door to find another soldier standing over him with his fists raised, asking him repeatedly why did you do this to me?.

Earlier, the witness said they had gone to the room after the loud bang, because they claimed they heard the senior soldier tell the more junior soldier Im going to shove a barrel down your throat.

The witness told the court hearing at Dublins McKee Barracks: I told (the more senior soldier) to get out and he sat down in a chair in the corridor.

He was very, very upset.

He kept asking why did he do this to me, why did he do this to me?.

He got up and was pacing up and down the corridor (outside the room).

But then he went back towards the room, saying Im going to kill him, Im going to kill him.

The court heard the soldier then went back into the junior soldiers room and he was seen hitting him.

Counsel for the Director of Military Prosecutions, Commandant Sean Coffey BL, said the accused had been drinking alcohol with the soldier accused of hitting him before they returned to his room.

They consumed a bottle of Grey Goose vodka between them before the row broke out.

Details of the incident that followed the drinking session were heard at the end of the second day of evidence in the case, in which the junior soldier is the defendant.

He has pleaded not guilty to a total of eight charges, which include three charges of sexual assault on two soldiers, and three separate charges of assault on the same individuals.

The accused, who cannot be named, is alleged to have sexually assaulted both a female and then a male soldier who had arrived to help calm things down after the initial altercation in the defendants room.

They had taken him to another room but it was while the defendant, who witnesses described as dazed and inebriated, was sitting with the female soldier that he put his hand between her legs.

He then tried to reach for her groin before she slapped his hand away.

When she left the room, the defendant was then alone with a male soldier, who described him as behaving in a sexually aggressive way towards him.

He said the defendant repeatedly used the phrase one time at Band Camp, which is a reference to a phrase uttered in the cult American sex comedy American Pie to precede stories told in the film that revolve around hard core sexual activity

The witness told the court: He kept coming up to my face and saying, over and over, just one time at Band Camp.

He said there was a bed in the room and the defendant got up on all fours at one point and urged him go on, just this one time . . . Band Camp.

The witness, who alleges the defendant tried to kiss him, added: I feel it was all sexual.

It was as if he was saying I want to get some and I dont care where I get it.

The case continues and is expected to last until next Tuesday.
Dirt on walls, an "overflow of foul water" in a production area and fresh rat droppings were among the reasons for Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) enforcement orders being issued on businesses in March.

The FSAI is responsible for ensuring businesses comply with food safety legislation.
Cork North-Central's Colm Burke is set to be appointed junior health minister on Wednesday as Simon Harris fills his ministerial ranks.

Mr Burke is set to take on responsibility for drug policy, taking the position vacated by Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughton, who is being moved to the special education brief.

On Tuesday, Mr Harris announced his cabinet following his election as Taoiseach, promoting two junior ministers to replace the outgoing Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney.

Peter Burke, who had been European affairs minister, will take on the role at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, while Patrick O'Donovan, the Limerick County TD who had been minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, will become minister for further and higher education.

President Michael D Higgins and newly elected Taoiseach Simon Harris with the new Minister for Further Education, Patrick O'Donovan, at Aras an Uachtarain this evening. Picture: Damien Storan/PA Wire

At junior level, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will move to Mr Burke's previous role in the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as a junior role in defence, with her previous portfolio as junior finance minister set to be filled by Neale Richmond.

Mr Richmond's role as junior business, employment and retail minister is expected to be filled by Dublin Mid-West TD Emer Higgins.

That would see Alan Dillon, the Mayo TD, appointed as OPW minister.

Sources close to Mr Harris said he had brought forward the announcement of the junior ministers from next week in a bid to "avoid a week of playing guess who".

However, sources also said that Mr Harris could completely reshuffle his junior ministers, with "nobody ending the day in the same place".

That could mean that junior ministers Martin Heydon and Kieran O'Donnell move from their spots in Agriculture and Housing, respectively.

Simon Harris leaving Leinster House. Picture: Maxwells

At cabinet level, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys will remain in place.

Sources said that moving Ms McEntee was not something Mr Harris had considered.

Outlining his priorities while announcing his cabinet, Mr Harris said his Government will "help with the cost and availability of childcare, and fast track legislation to include child minders in the National Childcare Scheme".

He said he wants Ms Humphreys to "extend hot school meals to more schools, make thousands more carers eligible to receive the carers allowance, and to report back before the budget on means-tested payments for family carers".

He said he had asked Ms Humphreys to prioritise the auto-enrolment pension legislation along with a package to change the thresholds of employers' PRSI to offset the impact of the increased minimum wage.

Mr Harris said that in his role in higher and further education, he "worked tirelessly over three years to cut college fees because nothing should stop a person from reaching their full potential" and was now tasking Mr ODonovan with "continuing that work and in particular to focus on developing new pathways for young people into further and higher education".

He said he has asked Mr ODonovan to "prioritise labour force planning and the strategic development of the skills needed both to deliver housing in the here and now and for our future economic success".

Simon Harris at Aras an Uachtarain as he received his seal of office and seal of Goverment from President Michael D Higgins. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Mr Harris also said that he will also convene a Dublin City Centre taskforce to "chart a path towards a safer and vibrant Dublin".

"It is time to have pride again in our capital city," he said.

"Tonight, as we hold our first Cabinet meeting, this Government will establish the cabinet committee on children and education and disability. This is about breaking down silos across Government and making change happen more quickly," he added.

"We are determined to bring new coherence and faster progress on solving the issues that matter most to people with disabilities."

The Taoiseach said that the Government intends to elevate its "level of ambition and urgency on housing".

"We are going to build more homes and drive home ownership," he said.

"We know the waiver of development levies is working and I am working with my colleagues to extend this so that it remains cheaper to build and cheaper to buy a home."

On health, Mr Harris said the Government will open more beds and theatres, alongside recruiting more staff into the health service.

He also spoke about how businesses are "hurting" and he wants new Enterprise Minister Mr Burke to "bring his passion and drive" to his new department.

"I have asked him to work with the Local Enterprise Offices to ensure they are maximising their capacity to provide grants, mentoring and training to small businesses in each county," Mr Harris said.
2.05pm The Government has unveiled its new lineup of junior ministers, with several new appointments to the benches today.

The new appointees are:

Cork North Central TD Colm Burke , who will take up the junior ministry with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy.

, who will take up the junior ministry with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy. Mayo TD Alan Dillon , who becomes the junior minister with responsibility for Planning and Local Government.

, who becomes the junior minister with responsibility for Planning and Local Government. Dublin Mid-West TD Emer Higgins , who takes over from Neale Richmond as the junior minister for Business, Employment & Retail.

, who takes over from Neale Richmond as the junior minister for Business, Employment & Retail. Mr Richmond, a TD for Dublin Rathdown, will now become the junior minister with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance.

a TD for Dublin Rathdown, will now become the junior minister with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance. Limerick City TD Kieran ODonnell is to become the new junior minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, having been moved from the Department of Housing.

is to become the new junior minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, having been moved from the Department of Housing. Fianna Fail junior minister Thomas Byrne has received the Gaeltacht portfolio, alongside his current responsibilities as sport minister.

All other previous appointees remain in their previous positions.

2pm Mayo TD and former rural affairs minister Michael Ring says he turned down two junior ministries from new Taoiseach Simon Harris.

Mr Ring said that he turned down the role because he could not yet give a commitment that he will run in the next election.

1.44pm: Fianna Fail's Thomas Byrne is expected to be named Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, the Irish Examiner understands.

12.10pm: Cork North Central TD Colm Burke is also due to be appointed as the junior minister for public health, taking over the role from chief whip Hildegarde Naughton.

Following the appointment of Kieran O'Donnell to the OPW junior ministry, Mayo TD Alan Dillon is set to be appointed to the Department of Housing.

Mr Dillon, a first-time TD, will take up the junior role for local government and planning.

The official announcement of the new junior ministers will be made at 1pm, following a Cabinet decision.

11.35am: In a somewhat of a surprise move, Kieran O'Donnell has been appointed to the OPW portfolio.

It had been rumoured that Mayo TD Allan Dillon would be given the OPW role.

The Limerick TD had held a Minister of State position with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, but now moves to OPW after the elevation of fellow Limerick man Patrick O'Donovan.

Fine Gael's Neale Richmond (pictured) had been considered one of the junior ministers in line for a promotion to Cabinet, but the new Taoiseach opted for Limerick County's Patrick O'Donovan and Westmeath's Peter Burke.

11am: Junior Enterprise Minister Neale Richmond will be moved to the junior role at the Department of Finance as Simon Harris fills his ministerial ranks.

Mr Richmond had been considered one of the junior ministers in line for a promotion to Cabinet, but the new Taoiseach opted for Limerick County's Patrick O'Donovan and Westmeath's Peter Burke.

Sources close to the Taoiseach said that he intends to completely overhaul his junior benches, with one suggestion that all of the Fine Gael TDs appointed will end the day in different roles than when they started.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin pictured with newly announced cabinet ministers in Government Buildings. Picture: Government Information Service

The Irish Examiner can confirm that Dublin Mid-West TD Emer Higgins will replace Mr Richmond in the Enterprise role. She has been seen at Government Buildings in recent minutes.

Mr Harris said on Tuesday that his team would have "the right mixture of experience and new talent, to build the new social contract".

Other newly-minted junior ministers are currently being called to Mr Harris's office to be given their portfolios.

It is understood that Cork North-Central's Colm Burke will take the junior health ministry and Alan Dillon, the Mayo TD, will also be given a role.
Sinn Fein has criticised the Taoiseach as a "no-show" saying it is wholly unacceptable that Simon Harris did not attend the resumption of the Dail following his appointment.

The Government today tabled a proposal to the Dail which dropped the normal Leaders' Questions slot and instead began the day with a motion on the implementation of a European regulation around human trafficking.

Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughton said Mr Harris was unable to take Leaders Questions as he has to conduct phone calls with Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelenskyy, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak as well as Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

She said he is also preparing to travel to Brussels and Warsaw on Thursday.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described the new Taoiseach as a no-show, and noted that he had ended a contribution on Tuesday with the words: Lets get to work.

Ms McDonald said: We have a lot of work to do, the Government has a lot of questions to answer, and yet the Taoiseach has not shown up  this is wholly unacceptable.

She said it is an "absolute disgrace.

Ms McDonald added: Weve shown up to do our job. We are here, weve shown up for work. Where is the Taoiseach? He ought to be here taking questions and dealing with the issues that matter to the people.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (Damien Storan/PA)

She said: "They waxed lyrical yesterday about the incoming Taoiseach, Deputy Simon Harris. Apparently, he was going to do in ten-months what they failed to do in 13 years. It was all about moving mountains and getting straight to work and, today, he has not shown up."

Ms Naughton replied: The Taoiseach is not available to take Leaders Questions today because hes speaking with the UK prime minister.

He also has calls with the Northern Ireland First Minister, the deputy First Minister, and also the President of Ukraine today.

Tomorrow, hes in Brussels as well as Warsaw and he will be back to take Leaders Questions next week.

Labour's Ivana Bacik also expressed her "disappointment" at the move, saying there was "originally a very extensive schedule of business to be conducted over today and tomorrow".

"We have had two weeks of recess and we have had plenty of time to prepare for this. This House is only now sitting at 2pm on a Wednesday when we should normally be sitting all day on a Wednesday, from the morning. It is simply unacceptable that we have business not ordered properly and what looks, if I may say so, somewhat like made-up business over the next two days, when there is so much important work to be done."

Social Democrats TD Catherine Martin said the Business Committee, which decides the Dail schedule, had become a facade.

Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughton (Brian Lawless/PA)

Ms Martin said: This is the business of the Dail, not the business of the Government exclusively.

Independent TD Mattie McGrath described this weeks running order as a shambles and an absolute insult.

Noting the absence of the Taoiseach and Tanaiste, Mr McGrath said: This is total disrespect for the house. We should go over to the wax museum and get a model made.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle said the Business Committee was fake.

He said: The Business Committee is a joke and a waste of time, I believe, because the Government doesnt pay any attention to it.

The Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail, who chairs the Business Committee, rejected the characterisation that it was a charade.

He said: The truth of the matter is, the Business Committee is far from perfect, but it has worked pretty effectively.

Mr O Fearghail also said Ms Naughton was the best Government whip he had seen.

She continuously takes on board points that are raised by people on the opposition and tries to work them into the business programme.

So it is not the case that the Business Committee is a charade.

Ms Naughton said she will continue to endeavour to work with opposition parties on Dail business.

We in Government have to set the agenda  the legislation.

But we have always  and I have and I will continue to do so  to listen to your suggestions around other statements or whatever you might want to discuss into the future.

The Dail was later suspended in a row over petrol prices. Sinn Fein's finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said that due to last week's increase in excise duties, motorists near the border would be able to get petrol at 20c cheaper per gallon.

Finance Minister Michael McGrath also complained about interruptions from Mr Doherty and Danny Healy Rae, leading to a short suspension of the Dail.
A number of new junior ministers have been appointed after new Taoiseach Simon Harris made further changes to portfolios held by Fine Gael.

Neale Richmond has become the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, which was left vacant on Tuesday after Jennifer Carroll MacNeill was appointed as the junior minister for European Affairs.

Mr Richmonds old role of Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise has been given to first-time junior minister Emer Higgins.

Emer Higgins, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise (Brian Lawless/PA)

In another first, Colm Burke has been appointed as the Minister of State for Wellbeing and Drugs Strategy, after Hildegarde Naughton was moved from the role to be given responsibility for special education on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Kieran ODonnell has been moved from junior minister at the Department of Housing to take on the Minister of State for the OPW role that became free when Patrick ODonovan was promoted to Cabinet.

Mr ODonnells old role will be taken on by Mayo TD Alan Dillon, who becomes a minister of state for the first time.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael has dropped the Gaeltacht portfolio following the promotion of Patrick ODonovan.

Alan Dillon (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mr ODonovan, who held that junior minister role, was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Further Education on Tuesday.

In the reshuffle of junior minister positions on Wednesday, no Fine Gael appointee inherited the role.

Instead, Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne added the job to his existing responsibilities as Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education.

The Gaeltacht job is normally held by a minister who can speak Irish, as Mr Byrne does.

Coalition party leaders with junior ministers (Brian Lawless/PA)

At a photo opportunity with the new junior ministers on Wednesday, Mr Harris said he had a very good team.

Mr Harris said his first full-day as Taoiseach was a busy one.

He chaired a Cabinet meeting in which the junior ministers were appointed.

The Taoiseach also established Cabinet committees.

We approved the establishment of a number of Cabinet committees including a Cabinet committee I wanted to see established on disability, education and children.

Neale Richmond, Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Brian Lawless/PA)

Really looking forward to trying to break down silos to improve disability services in this country.

The Government also decided that the National Economic Dialogue next month, which is seen as the first step of the annual Budget process.
On Wednesday, the European parliament votes on the Asylum and Migration Pact.

The pact represents a tightening up of the rules for applying for asylum in the EU.

It is based on fair responsibility sharing and updated rules, according to the parliament.

The vote is expected to pass comfortably.

For most countries, this is regarded as an attempt to head off the rise in far-right politics, which seeks to exploit immigration as a political tool.

Human rights groups have been critical of the pact, suggesting it will curtail rights for asylum seekers.

A number of these groups, including Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Save The Children, have penned an open letter saying that the pact would create a cruel system that is unworkable.

Ireland, along with Denmark, has the option of staying out.

However, the Government, apparently, feels that it would be more in the countrys interests to opt in.

Last Saturday, Labours Aodhan O Riordain said on RTE Radio that his party is generally in favour of opting in, notwithstanding human rights concerns.

Labour Party TD Aodhan O Riordain said on RTE Radio that his party is generally in favour of opting in. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Social Democrats and People Before Profit have yet to decide, but if they dont opt in, it will most likely be on the basis of the human rights concerns.

Then there are the independents, some of whom have been really exercised about asylum seekers in recent months.

Mattie McGrath, leader of the Rural Independents, is dead set against the pact.

His objections have nothing to do with the human rights of people fleeing war, he is worried about how it might impact Irish sovereignty.

Mr McGrath wants the people to have their say on something or other to do with asylum seekers.

Mattie McGrath is dead set against the pact. Picture: Sasko Lazarov

I renew my call for a referendum on immigration to ensure the voices of the Irish people are heard, he said.

This can only refer to the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

The convention obliges states to admit asylum seekers before deciding on whether they merit protection.

The only non-signatories are from the Middle East and Southeast Asia, countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Mongolia.

Independent TD Verona Murphy said on the RTE Upfront programme on Monday that we should have a referendum on the pact.

The chances of any such a vote concentrating on the actual details of the pact is somewhere between nil and zero.

A quick look at our near neighbour suggests that opting out would result in an increase in asylum seekers coming here.

In Britain, there were 30,6103 applications in 2016, the year of the Brexit vote, which was driven mainly by fears over increased immigration.

By last year, the number of asylum seekers had more than doubled to 67,337.

But facts are usually missing when this topic is discussed.

All that matters for some politicians is that they sound like they are feeling the anger and reflecting it.

That such anger might be misplaced or based on misinformation is conveniently ignored.

For the independent TDs who surf this anger, there is no downside as they will never have to govern or implement policies.

Different rules apply to parties who govern or aspire to do so.

In that vein, the positioning of the most popular party in the State is deeply worrying.

Until recently, Sinn Fein had a solid track record in defending minorities.

This stretched back 25 years to another time when the issue of asylum seekers was a hot topic.

In 1999, the government of the day instigated a policy of direct provision to minimise the pull factor alleged to be drawing people to the State. Sinn Fein opposed it.

The very same year, the party set out in its local election manifesto that we should welcome everybody to our shores, calling for an open door policy for immigrants and asylum seekers, particularly political refugees.

That attitude, while modified over the years, persisted through the aftermath of the 2008 economic collapse and ensured that right-wing populism did not sprout up in the working-class communities where Sinn Fein held sway. But no more.

Sinn Fein is opposed to the EU pact but not over concerns for the human rights of asylum seekers.

The release calling for an opt-out from the partys justice spokesperson Pa Daly began: Sinn Fein are opposed to open borders.

There are no open borders in the Western world. No state or any other international body advocates for open borders.

Sinn Fein spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly. Picture: Gareth Chaney

The term is a product of the nefarious actors online, known as the far right, spreading misinformation.

Open borders is a term used exclusively by those wishing to project a notion that the Government has no control over immigration, and the only people who can be trusted are those who spread anger and hate on the far right.

Why would Sinn Fein parrot such a term in the opening of its objection to the EU pact other than to chase votes into the gutter of lies and misinformation?

The party says it would opt into two of the seven measures.

The other measures are not helpful and would see the EU over-step its remit into areas of Irish sovereignty.

Throwing in the word sovereignty is another nod to those who retail and consume misinformation on matters around immigration.

It plays into the notion that global forces are dictating and encouraging the flow of asylum seekers into wealthy countries.

This is manna for the far-right elements but totally new ground for a party that once portrayed itself as socialist.

There is a method to this lurch by Sinn Fein from left to right populism.

The party has been losing ground to independents.

For a few years after the 2020 election, it looked as if Sinn Fein were odds-on to lead the next government but that prospect had faded somewhat as their poll numbers declined.

One reason for the decline, and there are probably a few, is that some voters are flocking to independents who are issuing dog whistles and expressing anger about asylum seekers.

Now, Sinn Fein wants them back and appears to be willing to go to extreme lengths of pandering to those spreading misinformation to do so.

Two issues arise from this sharp turn to the right for Sinn Fein. It is difficult to believe that all within the party are happy with it.

Some of their frontline operators must surely retain fidelity to the social justice norms of the partys most recent incarnation.

The other issue is far more worrying. Until now, this country was largely insulated from political entities attempting to exploit concerns over immigration.

That would appear to be well and truly over with Sinn Fein using the EU pact to issue its dog whistle. Whether others follow remains to be seen.
The EUs failure to hold Israel to account for violations of international law in Gaza has blown a gaping hole through its claims to be a values-based defender of international rules, democracy and human rights. Accusations of double standards have come hard and fast from governments in the global south, with many contrasting Europes unequivocal condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with its reluctance to call out Israels devastation of Gaza.

Rarely will anyone soon in the global south listen when western politicians insist on international law, the Middle East analyst Amro Ali argued recently. This is the kind of observation that causes justifiable concern in Brussels.

Yet for all the criticism of the carte blanche offered to Israel as it hit back against Hamas following the October 7 attack, I have no difficulty believing that many governments in Asia, Africa and the Middle East will continue to do business with the EU, buying its goods and weapons or, like Egypt and Tunisia, taking EU cash in exchange for tougher controls on migrants.

What should be of more concern to Brussels is that its Gaza policy has so badly damaged its credibility among pro-democracy and human rights activists in these countries; people whom the EU says it sees as engines of change, fighting on the frontline for equality and justice.

Some of the destruction in the wake of an Israeli air and ground offensive in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip on Monday. As the Indian author Ranjit Hoskote wrote recently: Gaza is everywhere. Gaza is in the air we breathe. Gaza is in our hearts. Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair

For years now, the EU has worked to put in place an array of initiatives and civil society dialogues in the Arab world and beyond. The aim is to win the hearts and minds of students, trade unionists, academics, young politicians, entrepreneurs, womens rights leaders and ethnic minority representatives.

In turn these change-makers, often facing repressive governments at home, have sought inspiration, support and funding from the EU. Having taken part in gatherings with such civil society representatives, I can vouch for their value in creating bonds, forging connections and overcoming misperceptions.

The EUs focus on democracy and human rights in its foreign interactions means it has a reputation for more admirable values than other powers. Yet according to the European Council on Foreign Relations thinktank  and confirmed by my Arab, African and Asian friends  its response to Gaza is tearing through its huge reserves of soft power.

The EU always presented itself as a normative power mainly concerned with upholding international law and which conditions all of its development aid to the global south on criteria like democratic reforms, human rights and gender equality, says Yasmine Akrimi, a Tunisian researcher on the Middle East.

But the goodwill generated by such principled interventions has all but disappeared. No wonder, when it took EU leaders nearly six months and the deaths of some 30,000 Palestinians including children to call, not even for an immediate ceasefire, but for a humanitarian pause leading to one.

A man weeps next to the body of a boy killed in an Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at the Al-Aqsa Hospital on Tuesday. Some national expressions of disquiet within the EU only serve to underscore a contrast between western outrage over the deaths of foreign aid workers and the muted response to the suffering of Palestinians. Photo: AP/Abdel Kareem Hana

Akrimi tells me that a popular Arabic song Telk Qadeya, released by the Egyptian rock band Cairokee, has lyrics referring to western hypocrisy and has become a hymn for our generation.

According to an opinion poll conducted across 16 Arab countries, 75% of Arabs view the French and German positions on Gaza as bad or very bad. And as disenchantment with the West grows, Europes double standards are highlighted on Arab social media through memes, videos and cartoons.

Having reported on EU foreign, trade and development policy for almost four decades, I know that it has always been a tricky balancing act to navigate between lofty rhetoric and hard reality. Hypocrisy is part of the diplomatic game.

I have often been in the room as EU policymakers have taken governments in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to task for violating human rights  and then watched them sign millions of euros worth of trade and investment deals with leaders of the very same states. EU outrage is often selective.

But there are examples too  for instance in its criticism of Russia, Myanmar, China and Pakistan  where the EU has been on the right side of history. That makes the collective failure to denounce Israels unrestrained ferocity in Gaza even more egregious.

The EU is Israels biggest trading partner, but there has been no response to demands from human rights groups for a suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement, even though it contains a clause that would allow for such action.

Read More UK will continue allowing arms exports to Israel  David Cameron

EU countries continue to sell arms to the Netanyahu government even after its militarys bombing raids have destroyed entire families, communities, hospitals and universities and killed humanitarian workers delivering emergency food aid to prevent starvation.

The EUs inertia makes a mockery of its action plan adopted four years ago, which promises that respect for human dignity and human rights will underpin all aspects of its policies.

It also falls short of a commitment given by the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell last October. Borrell flatly rejected the idea that the EU should stop poking its nose into cases of human rights violations in other parts of the world. Human rights everywhere were Europes business because they were universal and everybodys business, he said.

Some EU countries like Spain, Ireland and Belgium have corrected course. Even Israels most stalwart European ally, Germany, is said to be uneasy at the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. But such national expressions of disquiet serve to further highlight the collective EU failure.

They underscore a contrast between western outrage over the deaths of foreign aid workers and the muted response to the suffering of Palestinians. They do little to erase an overall impression that, for Europe, Israeli human rights and lives matter more than Palestinians.

Some may shrug off criticism of the EU in the global south as a hazard of the geopolitical Europe that the EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has vowed to build. But for many democracy activists worldwide, the breach in trust is compounded by European governments domestic crackdowns on criticism of Israel.

For many African, Asian and Middle Eastern human rights activists there is a parallel between official western attitudes towards Israels conduct and colonialism.

Damage to the EUs reputation risks being irreparable. Even if the slaughter in Gaza is now viewed by many European citizens as an unfolding genocide, that view is not being represented by their governments. For many in the global south, this is unforgivable.

As the Indian author Ranjit Hoskote wrote recently: Gaza is everywhere. Gaza is in the air we breathe. Gaza is in our hearts.

Read More Ambassador welcomes plan for Ireland to recognise Palestinian statehood
A visit to Londons Chelsea Harbour Design Centre nearly two years ago landed me in the elegant showroom of French fabric designers Maison Pierre Frey, where I was immediately drawn to their distinctive Kiss chair and plied with elderflower spritz in the middle of the afternoon to chat textiles and trends with Pierre Frey.

They dont do trends, he told me at the time, but keep their focus on timeless designs which are as much at home in period properties as they are in contemporary settings, something reflected in the recently renovated Paris flat Pierre has lived in since he was 21, and which has become home to Emilie and sons Georges, 10, and Marin, 5, in more recent years.

Its also an enviably short commute for Pierre to arrive at work, just involving a step down a few flights of stairs to his desk in the 17th-century building where his grandfather, also Pierre Frey, founded the family business in the 1930s.

Pierre and Emilie Frey in their Paris flat.

Today the flat is an expansion from what had been just 50 sq m when Pierre first lived there, to 120 sq m across one floor and the attic space above.

Pierre recalls there were three priorities at the start of the project. We wanted additional space to accommodate our growing family, improved flow and functionality within the space and ample natural light and fresh colours to create a bright and airy atmosphere.

The living area expands into a dining area.

This has now been achieved with an open-plan living and dining room, a modern kitchen, a master bedroom and family bathroom on one floor, and two bedrooms carved out of the reclaimed attic space for the children.

But given both Pierre and Emilie are in the interiors business (shes the founder of the lighting company Caneloupo), did it make for a happy design partnership or a clash of ideas? It was very fluid, says Pierre. We both wanted bold colours and shapes. A big project is always fruitful for every couple I believe. You bound [sic] together and its a lot of fun for the better.

Nevertheless, they employed the services of architect Elenora Santucci who redesigned the headquarters of Maison Pierre Frey downstairs, and despite minimal structural work, certain spaces were re-imagined to better suit their family's needs while preserving original features including wooden beams.

"We wanted something much more urban than our house in the countryside, says Emilie, referencing their home in Normandys Eure Valley.

The flat is both ancient and modern which is the most challenging way to design an apartment.

Rising to this challenge, their neutral wall space is the perfect backdrop to a bold palette of colours with pink, green and yellow accents, including Maison Pierre Frey fabrics.

The idea in this flat is to let light in from everywhere while combining it with fresh colours, says Pierre, which is why we opted for a large open space. We experimented with colours and lighting to create a truly luminous space.

A reading nook in the open-plan area.

Standout features include a vintage Gustave Eiffel-era wrought iron spiral staircase which leads from the living area to the bedroom attic space; a vintage accent chair in Le Manachs Toiles de Tour fabric, and the Virgule sofa by Christophe Delcourt in deep moss green.

Its a home of style and comfort but, above all, its a family-friendly space with a bonus.

As any self-respecting estate agent will tell you, location, location, location is paramount when choosing a home and the Freys not only have an address in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, between the Palais Garnier and the Louvre, but the bonus of a walk-out balcony, the perfect place to have aperitifs on evenings taking in rooftop views of the French capital.

As with many families, a particular room is the heart of the home. Our favourite space in the flat is the kitchen with its central island, says Pierre. Its where our family gathers to cook, eat and spend quality time together.

A child's room with a desk.

Emilie highlights the positive experience of living in the flat for the children and how it contributes to family life. "I feel that the flat works wonderfully for the children.

"The open layout allows us to keep an eye on them while they play, and the unique design elements spark their creativity. It's a space where they feel free to express themselves, whether through their toys, drawings or simply enjoying the bright and inviting atmosphere."
Venezuelas once powerful oil minister, who resigned unexpectedly last year, has been arrested in connection with an alleged scheme that siphoned hundreds of millions of dollars from state coffers, the government has said.

The Ministry of Communications released images of Tareck El Aissami being handcuffed and walking down a hallway flanked by officers.

Attorney general Tarek William Saab told reporters that El Aissami will make his first court appearance on Tuesday on charges that include treason, money laundering and criminal association.

Mr Saab did not say when El Aissami was arrested.

The oil minister resigned a few days before senior officials in the government of President Nicolas Maduro and business leaders were arrested in March 2023 as part of an investigation into the corruption scheme that was based on international oil sales.

El Aissami disappeared from public life after the arrests and his whereabouts were frequently questioned.

Mr Saab said El Aissamis arrest took time because of the various steps in the investigation. The top prosecutor tied the former minister to the alleged scheme that involved selling Venezuelan oil through the countrys cryptocurrency oversight agency in parallel to the state-run Petroleos de Venezuela SA.

Mr Saab last year said the oversight agency allegedly signed contracts for the loading of crude on ships without any type of administrative control or guarantees, violating legal regulations. He said that once the oil was marketed, the corresponding payments were not made to the state oil company.

In announcing his resignation  seen as shocking from someone portrayed as a loyal ruling party member and considered a key figure in the governments efforts to evade punishing international economic sanctions  El Aissami said he wanted to fully support the investigations.

The US designated El Aissami a narcotics kingpin in 2017 in connection with activities in his previous positions as interior minister and governor.
Relatives and official Hamas media have said that three sons of the Islamic militant groups supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, have been killed in an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip.

The reports say Hazem, Ameer, and Mohammed Haniyeh were killed with family members in the strike near the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City.
William Walks Along, Northern Cheyenne tribal leader and fierce advocate for his people, has died. He was 64 years old.

Walks Along was a direct descendant of individuals who suffered at the Sand Creek Massacre and dedicated much of his life to preserving the historic site. On a November morning in 1864, U.S. soldiers opened fire on the lodges of 750 Arapaho and Cheyenne tribal members who were camped near Big Sandy Creek (in present day Colorado). Its estimated that 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho citizens were killed.

In 1996, Walks Along testified before Congress, advocating for the Sand Creek Massacre Study Act. The act, which directed the Interior Secretary, National Park Service and tribes to determine the location of the massacre and evaluate whether the site could be properly managed, became law in 1998. In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed a law establishing the Sand Creek Massacre national historic site; Walks Along attended the ceremony. For years, Walks Along participated in and supported the 173-mile Sand Creek Massacre healing run, which begins at the historic site and ends at the Colorado state capitol building  the same path the soldiers followed after the attack.

In a tribute to Walks Along, the Sand Creek Massacre Foundation released a statement saying Walks Alongs influence will be woven into the legacy of the Sand Creek Massacre site long into the future.

Walks Along was also a fierce advocate for renewable energy. In 2021, he testified before members of Congress in opposition to profiteering coal resources on the reservation. In his speech, Walks Along said the tribe does not support coal development and sees opportunity for economic development that is consistent with our cultural beliefs through renewable energy.

Protecting the tribes land, air and water, he told Congress, is necessary to sustain the spirit of our Northern Cheyenne Nation.

Jenny Harbine, managing attorney at Earthjustice, worked with Walks Along on several energy initiatives. She described Walks Along as mischievous, clever and graceful, saying he was immensely respected.

For me and my team, when we talk about William, we talk about really learning the values of partnership, she said. In law, you always act in partnership with the clients youre working with. With William, it was really a question of following his lead. Following the tribes lead. He taught us the value of respecting the leadership of people who have been the fiercest advocates and a moral compass on the issues we collectively care about.

Many describe Walks Along as a tireless advocate. And he was. He was speaking at a clean energy event in California when he died.

Council leadership

Walks Along served the Northern Cheyenne Tribe for three decades in various roles, including president, vice president, administrator, director of natural resources, councilman, grant writer, consultant and paralegal.

Lawrence Jace Killsback, who later married Walks Alongs niece Emily, served on the council with Walks Along. At the time, the council still primarily spoke in the Cheyenne language, and at 25 years old, Killsback had a lot to learn about tribal government.

There was no orientation, Killsback recalled. No heres how the constitution works. Or heres how to be a leader. Instead, (Walks Along) would sit by me when we had discussions so I could ask him questions.

After his time on the council, Walks Along continued to serve the tribe in other roles for decades. His consistency is especially remarkable considering that in many tribal communities, frequent council elections often prompt massive employee turnover.

Everybody trusted him, Killsback said. Usually, new presidents change all the political appointment positions (when they take office). But he was stable. He withstood that revolving door of politics, all those changes in leadership.

Killsback said he was particularly struck by Walks Alongs ability to trace present challenges back to past policy.

He knew how to connect those dots, historically, Killsback said. He had archives and family history. He had a wealth of knowledge and expertise that we lost.  Its been a tough loss for Indian Country, not just for the tribe.

Early life

Walks Along was born in 1959 to Joe Sr. and Victoria Walks Along. He was their third of eight children  seven of whom were boys.

The Walks Along children frequented the Mennonite church in Lame Deer, where their father was a minister. James Walks Along, Williams brother, remembers sitting in church listening to his fathers stories.

He told us we need to protect our language and culture, James recalled. And that the way to do it is through education. All of us got educated. We did that to support our people. And thats what my brother was about. He spent a lifetime supporting our people.

Walks Along later earned a masters degree in criminal justice from Washington State University and a bachelors degree in sociology from Montana State University. He was the chair of the Lame Deer School Board when he died.

Many of his family members said Walks Along inspired and encouraged them to pursue higher education.

Cinnamon Kills First, one of his nieces, said when she graduated as valedictorian from Lame Deer High School, Walks Along gave her a Northern Cheyenne flag.

Now, with the internet, you can buy a flag anywhere, she said. But 20 years ago, it was special to have one. It was special to be honored by my uncle. I always remained connected to home, and it was a visual reminder that my people supported me.

Kills First took the flag with her to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. It now hangs in her Oregon home.

Walks Along officially met his wife, Clarice, in 2000, though Clarice said shed always known of him. Later, they had the best wedding possible, as Clarice says, in Lame Deer.

Defend our people

Emily Killsback, another niece, said she always looked up to Walks Along.

That man was always working out, pumping iron on grandmas front lawn, she laughed. He was the cool uncle.

Walks Along was the first person Emily knew who owned a laptop. She remembers watching him type at the kitchen table, flipping through binders bursting with paperwork. He was also the first person she knew who had a masters degree.

Getting a masters degree back then was unheard of around here, she said. He set an educational standard within our family and within our tribe.

When Walks Along died, Emily said the community was shaken.

It was like, How are we going to move forward? she said. Where is our leader? He was the backbone of our tribal government.

As she looked through old text messages from her uncle, one in particular stood out.

In 2018, he wrote to her: I would give my life to defend our people.

And thats who he was, she said.
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.
Yellen junks economic principle to block China clean tech: Bloomberg

Xinhua) 16:59, April 10, 2024

WASHINGTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is justifying a policy that restricts public access to affordable and clean technology while rejecting a fundamental economic principle, a protectionist move that would negatively impact both the United States and the global environment, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

In response to Yellen's comment that Chinese government support is currently leading to production capacity that significantly exceeds domestic demand and what the global market can bear, the report said that she is rejecting one of the most fundamental principles of economics for more than 200 years -- comparative advantage.

"If a country can manufacture goods at lower costs than you can, you shouldn't raise tariff barriers. Instead, you should import the goods, and send back something in return where your industry is more efficient," said the report.

"In attacking China's clean-technology exports, however, the world is cracking down on one part of the economy where the private sector is dominant, and where the prospects for reducing global emissions are good," it said, adding that Chinese clean-technology firms are no more dependent on soft money than rivals elsewhere in the world.

It noted that the advantage of unilateral tariffs like those being considered by the United States and the European Union is that they don't need to hold up to the rigor of trade law. In the absence of a functioning World Trade Organization, it's a neat way of painting anti-climate protectionism as green industrial policy.

"If China's clean-tech investments have become a perceived problem for the United States and the European Union over the past year, it's as much to do with the way that the political establishment and major domestic companies in those markets have quietly soured on the energy transition over the same period," said Bloomberg.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

8 APRIL 2024

Contact: academicsvsscholasticide@gmail.com

Faisal Bhabha, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University

Heidi Matthews, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University

Stephen Rosenbaum, UC Berkeley School of Law

Over 1,500 North American Academics Condemn Scholasticide in Gaza

Over 1,500 academics based at more than 270 higher education institutions in the United States, Canada and Mexico have signed an Open Letter condemning Israels systematic attacks on educational life in Gaza, to mourn these losses and to stand in solidarity with their Palestinian colleagues and students.

The signatories to the Open Letter denounce Israels indiscriminate bombing campaign and ground invasion of Gaza, which has resulted in mass civilian death, injury and widespread devastation for 2.3 million Palestinians. The signatories also deplore the attacks of 7 October 2023 by Hamas and other armed groups.

The right to education is an internationally protected human right enshrined in multiple human rights instruments to which Israel is a party. Scholasticide is the intentional and systematic destruction of educational infrastructure, educators and students. On 4 April 2024, the NBC News report Class destroyed: The rise and ruin of Gazas revered universities details how universities across Gaza have been leveled.

Whereas education had been a source of hope for Palestinians living under the nearly 57-year-long Israeli occupation of Gaza, today we are witnessing the destruction of educated futures on an unprecedented scale.

The Open Letter describes how the scholasticide is being carried out in violation of international human rights, humanitarian and criminal law. The signatories write :

Denying access to education through the widespread and systematic destruction of educational infrastructure, along with deliberate and indiscriminate killing of educators and students, is an essential attribute of the collective punishment Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza.

The Open Letter calls attention to the fact that all 12 universities in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged and thousands of university faculty, staff and students have been killed or injured.

To date, Israels attacks have also killed nearly 6,000 school-aged children with another 10,000 wounded. As of January 2024, more than three-quarters of school buildings in Gaza had been damaged.

The signatories call for academic institutions and scholars around the world to join them in condemning Israels attacks on educational futures in Gaza, insofar as [s]cholasticide facilitates the physical and cultural erasure of the Palestinian people and is integral to rendering the Gaza Strip uninhabitable.

Al Jazeera English Video added by Informed Comment: Israels war is depriving Gazas students of an education | Al Jazeera Newsfeed 

The Open Letter makes seven calls to action:

An immediate and permanent ceasefire and immediate and unconditional release of all hostages; Israels compliance with the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice; An end to Israels blockade of the Gaza Strip and its occupation, so that the educational sector can be rebuilt; Full access of United Nations agencies to the Occupied Palestinian Territories to carry out independent monitoring, investigation, and humanitarian coordination; All States that have suspended funding to UNRWA  the UN agency which runs many of the Strips now closed elementary and secondary schools  to immediately resume funding; North American universities, governments, NGOs and individual academics to support the reconstruction of educational institutions in Gaza, through financial and in-kind contributions; and State and individual accountability under domestic and international law mechanisms.

The Open Letter remains open for signature by any academic affiliated with a postsecondary institution in North America.

The Open Letter can be accessed and signed at https://forms.gle/m2c1UpLVXMHuJ3sA8.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  President Biden granted the Spanish-language cable television channel Univision an interview that aired on Tuesday evening. Biden ranged widely, condemning his rival Donald J. Trump as a would-be dictator and praising Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as a straight shooter. The mention of AMLO led interviewer Enrique Acevedo to ask Biden about Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu:

EA: Now that were talking about world leaders. In the past few days, weve seen increasing protests in Israel calling for the removal of Prime Minister Netanyahu and international condemnation after the death of World Central Kitchen aid workers during an Israeli airstrike. Do you think at this point, Prime Minister Netanyahu is more concerned about his political survival than he is in the national interest of his people? JB: Well, I will tell you, I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach. I think its outrageous that those four, three vehicles were hit by drones and taken out on a highway where it wasnt like it was along the shore, it wasnt like there was a convoy moving there, etc So I what Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country. Ive spoken with everyone from the Saudis to the Jordanians to the Egyptians. Theyre prepared to move in. Theyre prepared to move this food in. And I think theres no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now.

Univision Noticias Video: Exclusive interview with Joe Biden on Univision

President Biden spent six months defending Netanyahus brutal total war on Gaza. He said he saw pictures of beheaded babies when he did no such thing because there werent any, sparking a hysteria against Palestinians, Muslims and Arabs in the U.S. and helping justify the Israeli assault on ordinary people. Informed of the unconscionable numbers of dead among civilians in Gaza, Biden replied, What they say to me is I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed. Im sure innocents have been killed, and its the price of waging a war. (The) Israelis should be incredibly careful to be sure that theyre focusing on going after the folks that (are) propagating this war against Israel. And its against their interest when that doesnt happen.

We now know thanks to Yuval Abraham and +972 Mag that the Israelis set Artificial Intelligence programs to kill some 37,000 persons suspected of being members of the Hamas paramilitary, and programmed in a tolerance of up to 20 civilians dead for each alleged militant. The targets were tracked by GPS and hit when they got home in the evenings, ensuring that family members were also blown away. I have pointed out that if the program functioned within these parameters, transmitting kill instructions to Israeli pilots and drone operators, they could kill as many as 740,000 Palestinians in Gaza, 99.5% of them innocent civilians (and actually much more because few of the 37,000 in the paramilitary deserved to be summarily blown away any more than their baby girls did). That is roughly a third of the entire population, which shows genocidal intent.

So Netanyahu made a fool out of Biden, telling him that the innocents killed were just the price of waging a war and that the Israelis were being incredibly careful that they were only killing those Qassam Brigades and al-Jihad al-Islami militants who struck Israel on October 7. Biden swallowed this Big Lie hook, line and sinker and then broadcast it to all Americans and to the world.

Biden vetoed three ceasefire resolutions at the U.N. To this day his spokesmen decline to admit that Israel has violated the international laws of war and they keep saying they havent seen evidence of genocide. Either they dont know what genocide is or they havent been watching the Israeli total war on Gaza.

So Bidens Univision interview is weak tea indeed, even if it is the strongest condemnation he has issued of the fascist government of Netanyahu, who brought the Israeli equivalent of neo-Nazis into his government.

What does he really say?

1. Netanyahus total war on Gaza is a mistake. Not an atrocity, or a war crime, or a genocide. Just a mistake. Taking the wrong exit off the freeway is a mistake. What Netanyahu has done to the Palestinians is not just an error of judgment.

2. Biden found it outrageous that Israeli fighter jet pilots repeatedly hit the vehicles of the World Central Kitchen volunteers, given that there was no reason to have thought that they were an enemy convoy. (North Gaza had been declared clear of Hamas fighters and was a supposed safe zone by then). But Biden has never shown as much outrage or grief about any of the 14,000 Palestinian children killed in equally brutal ways. The children still seem to be the price of waging a war, though only if you wage a genocidal war with bloodthirsty murderbots.

3. Biden wants a pause in fighting of six to eight weeks. Not a permanent ceasefire, mind you. Just a decent interval so that food and medicine can be gotten in to the noncombatant population. Presumably he is all right with Netanyahu relaunching the war after a couple of months.

Given where we are in the most vicious military action of the twenty-first century, responsible for more deaths of children than any other in this era, mistake, killing 7 white people, and a 6 to 8 week pause in fighting are woefully inadequate responses.

Biden and his foreign policy team still just dont get it. There is widespread revulsion at their stance in the general public. It isnt something that can be fixed with a band aid and a few words of empathy. The US public is increasingly seeing Netanyahu and his mob as the war criminals they are, and unless Biden finds a way to distance himself from Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bibi Netanyahu, they will continue to be an albatross around his neck.
( Tomdispatch.com)  Recently, you may have noticed that the hot weather is getting ever hotter. Every year the United States swelters under warmer temperatures and longer periods of sustained heat. In fact, each of the last nine months  May 2023 through February 2024  set a world record for heat. As Im writing this, March still has a couple of days to go, but likely as not, it, too, will set a record.

Such heat poses increasing health hazards for many groups: the old, the very young, those of us who dont have access to air conditioning. One group, however, is at particular risk: people whose jobs require lengthy exposure to heat. Numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that about 40 workers died of heat exposure between 2011 and 2021, although, as CNN reports, thats probably a significant undercount. In February 2024, responding to this growing threat, a coalition of 10 state attorneys general petitioned the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to implement a nationwide extreme heat emergency standard to protect workers from the kinds of dangers that last year killed, among others, construction workers, farm workers, factory workers, and at least one employee who was laboring in an unairconditioned area of a warehouse in Memphis, Tennessee.

Facing the threat of overweening government interference from OSHA or state regulators, two brave Republican-run state governments have stepped in to protect employers from just such dangerous oversight. Florida and Texas have both passed laws prohibiting localities from mandating protections like rest breaks for, or even having to provide drinking water to, workers in extreme heat situations. Seriously, Florida and Texas have made it illegal for local cities to protect their workers from the direct effects of climate change. Apparently, being woke includes an absurd desire not to see workers die of heat exhaustion.

And those state laws are very much in keeping with the plans that the national right-wing has for workers, should the wholly-owned Trump subsidiary that is todays Republican Party take control of the federal government this November.

Weve Got a Plan for That!

Its not exactly news that conservatives, who present themselves as the friends of working people, often support policies that threaten not only workers livelihoods, but their very lives. This fall, as we face the most consequential elections of my lifetime (all 71 years of it), rights that working people once upon a time fought and died for  the eight-hour day, a legal minimum wage, protections against child labor  are, in effect, back on the ballot. The people preparing for a second Trump presidency arent hiding their intentions either. Anyone can discover them, for instance, in the Heritage Foundations well-publicized Project 2025 Mandate for Leadership, a presidential transition plan that any future Trump administration is expected to put into operation.

As Ive written before, the New York Timess Carlos Lozada did us a favor by working his way through all 887 pages of that tome of future planning. Lacking his stamina, I opted for a deep dive into a single chapter of it focused on the Department of Labor and Related Agencies. Its modest 35 pages offer a plan to thoroughly dismantle more than a century of workers achievements in the struggle for both dignity and simple on-the-job survival.

First Up: Stop Discriminating Against Discriminators

Im sure you wont be shocked to learn that the opening salvo of that chapter is an attack on federal measures to reduce employment discrimination based on race or sex. Its author, Jonathan Berry of the Federalist Society, served in Donald Trumps Department of Labor (DOL). He begins his list of needed reforms with a call to Reverse the DEI Revolution in Labor Policy. Under the Obama and Biden Administrations, Berry explains, labor policy was yet another target of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) revolution under which every aspect of labor policy became a vehicle with which to advance race, sex, and other classifications and discriminate against conservative and religious viewpoints on these subjects and others, including pro-life views.

You may wonder what it means to advance classifications or why thats even a problem. Berry addresses this question in his second necessary reform, a call to Eliminate Racial Classifications and Critical Race Theory Trainings. Those two targets for elimination would seem to carry very different weight. After all, Critical Race Theory, or CRT, is right-wing code for the view that structural barriers exist preventing African Americans and other people of color from enjoying the full rights of citizens or residents. Its unclear that such trainings even occur at the Labor Department, under CRT or any other label, so their elimination would, in fact, have little impact on workers.

On the other hand, the elimination of racial classifications would be consequential for many working people, as Berry makes clear. The Biden Administration, he complains, has pushed racial equity in every area of our national life, including in employment, and has condoned the use of racial classifications and racial preferences under the guise of DEI and critical race theory, which categorizes individuals as oppressors and victims based on race. Pushing racial equity in employment? The horror!

Berrys characterization of CRT is, in fact, the opposite of what critical race theory seeks to achieve. This theoretical approach to the problem of racism does not categorize individuals at all, but instead describes structures  like corporate hiring practices based on friendship networks  that can disadvantage groups of people of a particular race. In fact, CRT describes self-sustaining systems that do not need individual oppressors to continue (mal)functioning.

The solution to the problem of discrimination in employment in Project 2025s view is to deny the existence of race (or sex, or sexual orientation) as a factor in the lives of people in this country. Its simple enough: if theres no race, then theres no racial discrimination. Problem solved.

And to ensure that it remains solved, Project 2025 would prohibit the Equal Economic Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, from collecting employment data based on race. The mere existence of such data can then be used to support a charge of discrimination under a disparate impact theory. This could lead to racial quotas to remedy alleged race discrimination. In other words, if you cant demonstrate racial discrimination in employment (because youre enjoined from collecting data on the subject), then theres no racial discrimination to remedy. Case closed, right?

By outlawing such data collection, a Republican administration guided by Project 2025 would make it almost impossible to demonstrate the existence of racial disparity in the hiring, retention, promotion, or termination of employees.

Right-wingers in my state of California tried something similar in 2003 with Ballot Proposition 54, known as the Racial Privacy Initiative. In addition to employment data, Prop. 54 would have outlawed collecting racial data about public education and, no less crucially, about policing. As a result, Prop. 54 would have made it almost impossible for civil rights organizations to address the danger of driving while Black  the disproportionate likelihood that Black people will be the subject of traffic stops with the attendant risk of police violence or even death. Voters soundly defeated Prop. 54 by a vote of 64% to 36% and, yes, racial discrimination still exists in California, but at least we have access to the data to prove it.

There is, however, one group of people Project 2025 would emphatically protect from discrimination: employers who, because of their conservative and religious viewpoints including pro-life views, want the right to discriminate against women and LGBTQ people. The President, writes Berry, should make clear via executive order that religious employers are free to run their businesses according to their religious beliefs, general nondiscrimination laws notwithstanding. Of course, Congress already made it clear that, under Title VII of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, religious employers are free to ignore anti-discrimination laws when it suits them.

But Wait, Theres More

Not content with gutting anti-discrimination protections, Project 2025 would also seek to rescind rights secured under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA, which workers have enjoyed for many decades. Originally passed in 1938, the FLSA establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments, according to the Department of Labor.

Perhaps because the federal minimum hourly wage has remained stuck at $7.25 for a decade and a half, Project 2025 doesnt launch the typical conservative attack on the very concept of such a wage. It does, however, go after overtime pay (generally time-and-a-half for more than 40 hours of work a week), by proposing that employers be allowed to average time worked over a longer period. This would supposedly be a boon for workers, granting them the flexibility to labor fewer than 40 hours one week and more than 40 the next, without an employer having to pay overtime compensation for that second week. What such a change would actually do, of course, is give an employer the power to require overtime work during a crunch period while reducing hours at other times, thereby avoiding paying overtime often or at all.

Another supposedly family-friendly proposal would allow workers to choose to take their overtime compensation as paid time off, rather than in dollars and cents. Certainly, any change that would reduce workloads sounds enticing. But as the Pew Research Center reports, more than 40% of workers cant afford to, and dont, take all their paid time off now, so this measure could function as yet one more way to reduce the overtime costs of employers.

In contrast to the Heritage Foundations scheme, Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed a genuinely family-friendly workload reduction plan: a gradual diminution of the standard work week from 40 to 32 hours at the same pay. Such proposals have been around (and ridiculed) for decades, but this one is finally receiving serious consideration in places like the New York Times.

In deference to the supposedly fierce spirit of worker independence, Project 2025 would also like to see many more workers classified not as employees at all but as independent contractors. And what would such workers gain from that independence? Well, as a start, freedom from those pesky minimum wage and overtime compensation regulations, not to speak of the loss of protections like disability insurance. And theyd be free to pay the whole tab (15.3% of their income) for their Social Security and Medicare taxes, unlike genuine employees, whose employers pick up half the cost.

Young people, too, would acquire more independence thanks to Project 2025  at least if what they want to do is work in more dangerous jobs where they are presently banned. As Berry explains:

Some young adults show an interest in inherently dangerous jobs. Current rules forbid many young people, even if their family is running the business, from working in such jobs. This results in worker shortages in dangerous fields and often discourages otherwise interested young workers from trying the more dangerous job.

The operative word here is adults. In fact, no laws presently exclude adults from hazardous work based on age. What Berry is talking about is allowing adolescents to perform such labor. Duvan Tomas Perez, for instance, was a 16-year-old who showed just such an interest in an inherently dangerous job: working at a poultry plant in Mississippi, where he died in an industrial accident. The middle schooler, a Guatemalan immigrant who had lived in the United States for six years, was employed illegally by the Mar-Jac Poultry company. If there are worker shortages in dangerous fields, its because adults dont want to take the risks. The solution is to make the work less dangerous for everyone, not to hire children to do it.

Were Gonna Roll the Union Over

Mind you, much to the displeasure of Project 2025 types, this country is experiencing a renaissance of union organizing. Companies that long thought they could avoid unionization, from Amazon to Starbucks, are now the subject of such drives. In my own world of higher education, new unions are popping up and established ones are demonstrating renewed vigor in both private and public universities. As the bumper-sticker puts it, unions are the folks who brought you the weekend. Theyre the reason we have laws on wages and hours, not to speak of on-the-job protections. So, it should be no surprise that Project 2025 wants to reduce the power of unions in a number of ways, including:

Amending the National Labor Relations Act to allow Employee Involvement Organizations to supplant unions. Such worker-management councils are presently forbidden for good reason. They replace real unions that have the power to bargain for wages and working conditions with toothless pseudo-unions.

Ending the use of card-checks and requiring elections to certify union representation. At the moment, the law still permits a union to present signed union-support cards from employees to the National Labor Relations Board and the employer. If both entities agree, the union wins legal recognition. The proposed change would make it significantly harder for unions to get certified, especially because cards can be collected without the employers knowledge, whereas a public election with a long lead time gives the employer ample scope for anti-union organizing activities, both legal and otherwise.

Allowing individual states to opt out of labor protections granted under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act.

The measures covered here are, believe it or not, just the highlights of that labor chapter of Project 2025. If put into practice, they would be an historically unprecedented dream come true for employers, and a genuine nightmare for working people.

Meanwhile, at the Trumpified and right-wing-dominated Supreme Court, there are signs that some justices are interested in entertaining a case brought by Elon Musks SpaceX that could abolish the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal entity that adjudicates most labor disputes involving federal law. Without the NLRB, legal protections for workers, especially organizing or organized workers, would lose most of their bite. Despite the courts claim to pay no attention to public opinion, its justices would certainly take note of a resounding defeat of Donald Trump, the Republicans, and Project 2025 at the polls.

A New Contract on America?

The last time the right wing was this organized was probably back in 1994, when Newt Gingrich published his Contract with America. Some of us were so appalled by its contents that we referred to it as a plan for a gangster hit, a Contract on America.

This year, theyre back with a vengeance. All of which is to say that if you work for a living, or if you know and love people who do, theres a lot on the line in this years election. We cant sit this one out.

Copyright 2024 Rebecca Gordon

Via Tomdispatch.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Hannan Metals Limited's ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSXV:HAN) (OTCPK:HANNF) surface sampling at the 100%-owned Valiente project in Peru has identified an 1,800 m by 400 m alkalic porphyry-epithermal target. The discovery, named Previsto East, contains anomalously high gold in soil samples, associated with multiple large local copper and gold mineralized boulders, in an area covered by scree and soil cover from 1 m to 5 m thick.

The Previsto East discovery is the eighth significant porphyry and/or epithermal target discovered within an area of 25 km by 10 km at Previsto and Belen which Hannan now believes represents a giant porphyry cluster. As surface field work continues, both the number and tenor of individual targets has continually improved (Figures 1 and 2).

Highlights: The footprint of the 100%-owned Miocene porphyry cluster at Valiente keeps expanding and further validates the discovery of a giant porphyry district.

At Previsto East the first gold-rich copper porphyry-epithermal target has been identified over a large area: Rock chip and soil sampling at Previsto East have identified an 1,800 m by 400 m porphyry-epithermal target defined by strongly gold anomalous soil samples and a large local copper and gold mineralized boulder field with up to 0.64 g/t gold ("Au") in soils and up to 1.85 g/t Au in boulders.

Large outcrops of copper oxide mineralization of a similar style have been discovered 3.5 km west of the Previsto East target during recent field work (Figure 10). Assays from this outcrop are pending.

Michael Hudson, CEO, states: "Hannan's 100%-owned Valiente project keeps getting better with our teams expanding and making new discoveries every month. The scale of the Previsto East gold-rich copper porphyry system identified here competes with some of the best pre-discovery stage porphyry projects. The larger Previsto area remains largely unexplored, and our teams are now actively expanding the footprint to identify additional copper and gold rich targets adjacent to Previsto East. Excitingly early-stage prospecting has identified large outcrops of copper oxide mineralization of a similar style 3.5 km west of the Previsto East target during recent field work. We believe our work is demonstrating a giant porphyry cluster with the footprint likely to expand with further mineral prospecting during 2024."

Geological discussion

During 2021 Hannan staked 1,002 km2 of 100% owned mining concessions at Valiente covering unexplored terrain for potential mineralized porphyry targets in central eastern Peru. Early surface prospecting discovered two outcropping copper-gold porphyry targets and one epithermal target at Belen (see Press Release Feb 16, 2023) that is now being drill permitted (Figures 1 and 2). Porphyry discoveries quickly followed at Serrano Norte, Serrano and Pucacunga. The focus more recently has been on Previsto. At Previsto and Belen a giant porphyry cluster within an area of 25km by 10km with eight porphyry and/or epithermal targets now identified in more detail with up to 10 earlier stage targets awaiting further work.

The most recent discovery, Previsto East outlined here is the first gold-rich copper porphyry epithermal target. Hannan geologists anticipate that the porphyry footprint will expand during 2024 as surface work moves into adjacent zones, with large outcrops of oxide copper mineralization of a similar style discovered 3.5 km west of the Previsto East target during recent surface prospecting (Figure 10). Assays from this outcrop are pending.

At Previsto East mineralization and alteration mapping of boulders, up to 5m3 in size, across the entire 1,800 m by 400 m target area have been identified. The observed styles of mineralization and alteration in boulders supports previous interpretation of an alkalic gold-rich porphyry epithermal target. Trace element association of gold and copper mineralized boulders are Cu-Au-Te-V-Pb-Mo. Alteration assemblages and mineralization styles from boulders in the 1.8 km long area include: hydrothermal breccias, intense phyllic alteration and relics of potassic alteration, roscoelite veining/dissemination and replacement of feldspars, vuggy silica textures and possible lattice bladed quartz. Observed sulfide minerals includes chalcopyrite, bornite, covellite, molybdenite, pyrite. (Figures 8 and 9). Veining is rare and generally only thin quartz and quartz-pyrite-iron oxide veinlets have been observed in boulders. Trace element associations to copper and gold mineralized boulders shows a Cu-Au-Te-V-Pb-Mo correlation. Phyllic alteration is strong and is characterized by quartz-pyrite-sericite/illite. Roscoelite and locally fuchsite selectively replaces K-felspar phenocrysts. Both minerals have been identified by portable XRF. Roscoelite also occurs in veins, veinlets and disseminations, whereas fuchsite only been observed in one location.

Rock chip sampling at Previsto East as identified an 1,800 m by 400 m porphyry-epithermal target defined by strongly gold anomalous large local copper and gold mineralized boulder fields with up to 1.85 g/t Au in boulders. A total of 84 rock samples from large local boulder fields and boulders in metre deep pits ranged from 1.85 g/t Au to <0.001 g.t Au, and averaged 0.15 g/t Au and 0.73% Cu to 0.01 % Cu and averaged 0.08 % Cu (Figure 2).

Soil results at Previsto East over an area of 1,800 m by 450 m show very strong correlation with mineralized boulders. Soil anomalies show good correlation with pathfinder elements (Figures 3 to 6). A total of 362 soil samples in a 100 m by 100 m grid and ridge-top samples assayed from 0.63 g/t Au to <0.001 and average 0.02 g/t. Of these 29 samples returned extremely high soil values between 0.10 to 0.63 g/t Au in a coherent area coinciding with mineralized boulders (Figures 3 to 6).

About the Valiente project

The 100% owned Valiente project is in central eastern Peru, east of the city of Tingo Maria (Figures 1 and 2). The area is characterized by steep topography on the eastern flank of the Central Cordillera with elevations between 800 m and 2,000 m above sea level (a.s.l.). The project was discovered in 2021 during an extensive greenfields exploration program initiated by Hannan. Hannan holds 1,002 sq km of mineral tenure prospective for back-arc porphyry copper-gold systems at the Valiente Project in central eastern Peru. The company has been actively exploring the project since 2021 and successfully gained social permits all areas of interests in the zone. In January 2024 Hannan submitted it first drilling application (DIA) covering two porphyry targets and one epithermal target at the Belen zone (click here for news release). The company is now expanding the footprint by exploring new areas to build a pipeline of projects that will be permitted, and drill tested over the coming five years.

Technical Background

All samples were collected by Hannan geologists. Samples were transported to ALS in Lima via third party services using trackable parcels and by company staff. At the laboratory, rock samples were prepared and analyzed by standard methods. The sample preparation involved crushing 70% to less than 2 mm, riffle split off 250g, pulverize split to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were analyzed by method ME-MS61, a four-acid digest preformed on 0.25g of the sample to quantitatively dissolve most geological materials. Analysis is via ICP-MS. Channel samples are considered representative of the in-situ mineralization samples and sample widths quoted approximate the true width of mineralization, while grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property. Gold was analyzed in rock and soils by ALS in Lima using a standard sample preparation and 30g fire assay sample charge. Soil samples were analyzed by a portable XRF (VANTA-VMR) using an inhouse protocol which includes routing use of CRM and field duplicates as well as 10% check samples analyzed by ALS Lima.

About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV:HAN) (OTCPK:HANNF)

Hannan Metals Limited is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Peru. Hannan is a top ten in-country explorer by area in Peru.

Mr. Michael Hudson FAusIMM, Hannan's Chairman and CEO, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

On behalf of the Board, Further Information www.hannanmetals.com 1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7 "Michael Hudson" Mariana Bermudez, Corporate Secretary, Michael Hudson, Chairman & CEO +1 (604) 685 9316, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain disclosure contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and 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 required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news.
Creating One of the Largest Gold Development Companies in the United States with an Enhanced Platform for Heap Leach Gold Production from Low CapEx Brownfield Sites

TORONTO, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revival Gold Inc. (TSXV: RVG, OTCQX: RVLGF) (Revival Gold or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Ensign Minerals Inc. (Ensign) and Revival Gold Amalgamation Corp. (Revival Subco) dated April 9th, 2024 (the Definitive Agreement), whereby Revival Gold will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Ensign, a private company, in exchange for an aggregate of 61,376,126 million shares of Revival Gold based on a share exchange ratio of 1.1667 Revival shares for each Ensign share. Upon completion of the proposed business combination (the Transaction), Revival Gold will pursue engineering and economic studies at the newly acquired Mercur Gold Project (Mercur) located in Utah, USA while continuing to advance permitting preparations and ongoing exploration at the Companys Beartrack-Arnett Gold Project (Beartrack-Arnett) located in Idaho, USA.

In connection with the Transaction, Paradigm Capital Inc. and BMO Capital Markets Inc. have agreed to act as lead agents and joint bookrunners, on behalf of a syndicate of agents, in connection with a concurrent offering of subscription receipts of Revival Subco (the Subscription Receipts) for aggregate gross proceeds of C$7,000,000 (the Concurrent Offering).

Transaction Highlights

Delivers Accretive Growth. With aggregate Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 2.4 million ounces of gold 1 ,3 and Inferred Mineral Resources of 3.8 million ounces of gold 2,3 , the Transaction increases Revival Golds heap leach gold resources per share and creates one of the largest, pure gold, development companies in the United States 4 .





With aggregate Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 2.4 million ounces of gold and Inferred Mineral Resources of 3.8 million ounces of gold , the Transaction increases Revival Golds heap leach gold resources per share and creates one of the largest, pure gold, development companies in the United States . Shortens Estimated Timeline to Heap Leach Gold Production . Mercurs preferential location on predominately patented (private) claims, in a semi-arid zone, with existing infrastructure, and a short drive from Salt Lake City, Utah, is ideal for permitting and is expected to accelerate Revival Golds goal of becoming a mid-tier U.S. heap leach gold producer.





. Mercurs preferential location on predominately patented (private) claims, in a semi-arid zone, with existing infrastructure, and a short drive from Salt Lake City, Utah, is ideal for permitting and is expected to accelerate Revival Golds goal of becoming a mid-tier U.S. heap leach gold producer. Complementary and Sizeable Asset Base . Opportunity for capital efficient phased production growth from brownfield sites with a combined target open pit heap leach production objective of 150,000 ounces of gold per year from Mercur and Beartrack-Arnett, potentially growing to greater than 250,000 ounces of gold per year with the exploitation of Beartrack-Arnett underground mill material. 5,6 A phased development approach lowers risk and creates greater value per share as the business grows.





. Opportunity for capital efficient phased production growth from brownfield sites with a combined target open pit heap leach production objective of 150,000 ounces of gold per year from Mercur and Beartrack-Arnett, potentially growing to greater than 250,000 ounces of gold per year with the exploitation of Beartrack-Arnett underground mill material. A phased development approach lowers risk and creates greater value per share as the business grows. Significant Exploration Potential . Numerous open exploration targets have been identified on the extensive land packages at both Mercur in the northeastern Great Basin and Beartrack-Arnett in the Idaho Orogenic Gold Belt.





. Numerous open exploration targets have been identified on the extensive land packages at both Mercur in the northeastern Great Basin and Beartrack-Arnett in the Idaho Orogenic Gold Belt. Synergies . The regional proximity of the projects offers the potential to unlock management, G&A, operational and public market efficiencies. No significant additional management resources are required since the assets are in adjacent states approximately six hours drive from each other. There is potential to leverage cross-project experience and expertise to collaborate on studies, permitting, and project de-risking.





. The regional proximity of the projects offers the potential to unlock management, G&A, operational and public market efficiencies. No significant additional management resources are required since the assets are in adjacent states approximately six hours drive from each other. There is potential to leverage cross-project experience and expertise to collaborate on studies, permitting, and project de-risking. Financial Strength . Concurrent C$7 million equity financing and existing cash balances will provide funding support to advance key milestones at Mercur and Beartrack-Arnett.





. Concurrent C$7 million equity financing and existing cash balances will provide funding support to advance key milestones at Mercur and Beartrack-Arnett. Veteran Leadership in Gold. The resulting company will have significant in-state experience in the exploration, development, and operation of gold projects in the Western U.S. with strategic and capital markets leadership from Toronto backed by a larger group of key shareholders.

Notes: 1Contained within 86.2 million tonnes at 0.87 g/t gold at Beartrack-Arnett. 2Contained within 50.7 million tonnes at 1.34 g/t gold at Beartrack-Arnett for 2.19 million ounces of gold and 89.6 million tonnes at 0.57 g/t gold at Mercur for 1.64 million ounces of gold. 3See Preliminary Feasibility Study NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Beartrack-Arnett Heap Leach Project, Lemhi County, Idaho, USA prepared by Kappes, Cassidy & Associates, IMC, KCH and WSP, dated August 2nd, 2023, and NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Mercur Project, Camp Floyd and Ophir Mining Districts, Tooele & Utah Counties, Utah, USA prepared by Lions Gate Geological Consulting Inc., RESPEC Company LLC, and Kappes, Cassidy & Associates, dated February 1st, 2024, for further details. 4Based on analysis of industry peers, pre and post transaction Revival Gold shares outstanding, and pro-forma Mineral Resources noted in the Technical Reports referenced above. 5Target production based on Beartrack-Arnett 2023 PFS average production and future potential from Mercur Mineral Resource. 6Considers potential underground operation for Beartrack-Arnett based PFS Mineral Resource factors including 2,500 tpd unground throughput, average grade, and recovery.

"With the addition of Mercur, we expect to shorten our estimated timeline to heap leach gold production while increasing the potential production scale of Revival Golds heap leach gold business to approximately 150,000 ounces per year. The combined Mineral Resource will vault Revival Gold ahead to become one of the largest, pure gold, development companies in the United States, said Revival Gold President & CEO, Hugh Agro.

Mr. Agro further commented: We are pleased to be entrusted by Ensigns shareholders with the future development of Mercur. The Transaction is a win-win outcome for all concerned creating a clear path for Revival Gold to unlock significant value for shareholders by potentially expediting the path to become a mid-tier open pit heap leach gold producer. With Mercur, Revival Gold will obtain a high-quality complementary project at an attractive acquisition price of about US$10 per ounce in situ. Incorporating an asset that brings forward Revival Golds potential production date marks a considerable enhancement to the value, risk profile, and upside for the Company.

John Knowles, Chairman and Director of Ensign, added: Ensign is pleased to join with Revival Gold to deliver value for our respective shareholders in gold. The combined company will feature veteran industry leadership, synergistic and complementary gold assets, and a credible business plan to become a cash-flowing mid-tier U.S. gold producer.

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call later this morning to discuss Revival Golds acquisition of Ensign.

Call-in information below:

Scheduled Start: Wednesday, April 10th, 2024, 10:00 am EST Call-In Number: 416-764-8658 Toll-Free in North America: 888-886-7786

A replay of the conference call will be available for one week at 416-764-8691 or toll-free in North America at 877-674-6060. Playback passcode 712425#.

Transaction Details

Pursuant to the terms of the Definitive Agreement, Revival Gold will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Ensign pursuant to a statutory three-cornered amalgamation (the Amalgamation) under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), whereby Ensign and Revival Gold Amalgamation Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Revival Gold incorporated for the purpose of completing the Amalgamation, will amalgamate to form a newly amalgamated company (Amalco). Under the Amalgamation, shareholders of Ensign (Ensign Shareholders), other than Ensign Shareholders who have validly exercised and have not withdrawn rights of dissent, will receive 1.1667 Revival Shares (as defined below) for each one common share of Ensign (each, an Ensign Share) held. The consideration implies a purchase price of C$0.4164 per Ensign Share, or gross consideration of approximately C$21.9 million, based on a deemed 20-day volume weighted average price per Revival Share of C$0.3569 prior to announcement. Upon completion of the Amalgamation, Amalco will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Revival Gold. As of the date hereof, there are (i) 113,159,547 Revival Shares issued and outstanding, and (ii) 52,606,605 Ensign Shares issued and outstanding. Upon completion of the Transaction (and without accounting for the Concurrent Offering), Revival Gold is expected to have approximately 174,535,673 Revival Shares issued and outstanding, on an undiluted basis, with (i) approximately 65% of such Revival Shares expected to be held by the current shareholders of Revival Gold, and (ii) approximately 35% of such Revival Shares expected to be held by the former shareholders of Ensign.

Upon completion of the Transaction, Revival Gold will be the parent company and the sole shareholder of Amalco and will indirectly carry on the current business of Ensign. In connection with the Transaction, Ensign will seek the approval of its shareholders with respect to the Amalgamation at a meeting of Ensign Shareholders to be convened around the end of April 2024 (the Ensign Meeting). An information circular providing further information on the Amalgamation will be provided to the Ensign Shareholders in connection with the Ensign Meeting.

The Transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of Revival Gold and Ensign, and the Board of Directors of Ensign recommends that Ensign shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction and related matters. Ensigns Board and management and other shareholders representing approximately 27% of the Ensign Shares have entered into voting support agreements in support of the transaction. Wayne Hubert, Revival Golds current Non-Executive Chairman, is the President and CEO and a Director of Ensign and abstained from voting on the Transaction for both Revival Gold and Ensign due to conflicting interests. Closing of the Transaction is subject to certain condition precedents, including but not limited to: Obtaining Ensign Shareholder approval at the Ensign Meeting, obtaining any applicable regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSXV, closing of the Concurrent Offering for aggregate gross proceeds of a minimum of $5,000,000, and other customary conditions for transactions of this nature.

The Board of Directors of Revival Gold has received an opinion from MPA Morrison Park Advisors Inc. to the effect that, based on and subject to the assumptions, limitations, and qualifications stated in such opinion, the consideration to be paid by Revival Gold pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view to Revival Gold.

The Board of Directors of Revival Gold following the closing of the Transaction is expected to remain at seven (7) Directors, with Ensign Board of Director nominee Norm Pitcher expected to replace Michael Mansfield as a Director of Revival Gold, who is expected to resign from his position upon closing of the Transaction. Additionally, upon closing of the Transaction, Revival Gold expects to designate independent Director Tim Warman as Non-Executive Chairman, with Hugh Agro serving as President & CEO and Director, John Meyer as Vice President, Engineering & Development, and Lisa Ross as Vice President & CFO.

Mercur Gold Project Overview

The majority of the information summarized below on Mercur has been extracted from the Technical Report titled, NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Mercur Project, Camp Floyd and Ophir Mining Districts, Tooele & Utah Counties, Utah, USA, prepared by Lions Gate Geological Consulting Inc., RESPEC Company LLC, and Kappes, Cassidy & Associates, dated February 1st, 2024. The Technical Report will be filed within 45 days of this news release under Revival Golds SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). Readers are encouraged to read this technical report in its entirety, including all qualifications, assumptions and exclusions that relate to the Mineral Resource estimate. This technical report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.

1. Location and History

Mercur is located 57 kilometers southwest of Salt Lake City in the Oquirrh Mountains in Utah, a highly mineralized mountain range that is also host to the Barneys Canyon and Melco sediment-hosted gold deposits, and Bingham Canyon, one of the worlds largest copper-gold mines. See Figure 1, Location Map, below.

Figure 1: Mercur Gold Project Location Map

Historically, 2.6 million ounces of gold were mined from the Mercur District, including approximately 1.5 million ounces of gold produced from Mercur by Getty Oil Company (Getty) and later Barrick Gold (Barrick) during the period of 1983 to 1998.

Mercur includes interests in 463 patented mining claims, 426 fee land tax parcels, 395 unpatented lode mining claims, three unpatented mill site claims, and six Utah state metalliferous minerals leases that cover 6,255 net hectares (approximately 15,300 net acres) of mineral rights. The existing Mineral Resources are primarily situated on private land.

Barrick operated Mercur until 1998 when it was closed due to low gold prices. Since closure, Barrick has substantially completed reclamation of the Mercur site.

In August 2020, Ensign executed an assignment agreement with Rush Valley Exploration for 3,579 net hectares primarily in the West Mercur area, which was followed by, also in August 2020, a merger agreement with Priority Minerals securing an additional 213 net hectares in the South Mercur area.

On May 13, 2021, Ensign entered into an option agreement (subsequently amended on June 13, 2022, May 15, 2023, and April 1, 2024) with Barrick (the Barrick Agreement) to acquire Barricks interests in the Mercur area (the Mercur Option). The Barrick Agreement, as amended, which has an expiry of January 2, 2026, enables Ensign to acquire Barricks interests for a total of US$20 million in cash or, at the sole discretion of Barrick, shares, payable as follows:

(i) US$5 million due on exercise of the Mercur Option; (ii) US$5 million due on first anniversary of commercial production at Mercur; (iii) US$5 million due on second anniversary of commercial production at Mercur; and, (iv) US$5 million due on third anniversary of commercial production at Mercur.

In addition, in connection with the Barrick Agreement, Ensign issued Barrick four million Ensign warrants with an exercise price of C$0.25 per Ensign share and an expiry of January 2, 2029, and granted Barrick a 2% Net Smelter Return (NSR) over the Main Mercur area and a 1% Area of Interest NSR over certain other Barrick claims within the Mercur district.

In late August 2021, Ensign completed an option and assignment agreement with Mountainwest Minerals for certain claims in South Mercur. In October 2021, two option and assignment agreements were executed with Sacramento Gold Mining (three-year option to explore 90 net hectares) and Geyser Marion Gold Mining (three-year option to explore 673 net hectares). Throughout 2021, Ensign staked several claims at Main, North, South and West Mercur. In 2022, Ensign executed an exploration license with an option to purchase on one claim held by a private party and purchased a 4.2% outstanding interest on some of its properties to consolidate a 100% interest. In 2023, Ensign leased an outstanding 25% interest in certain claims to increase its interest to 75%. The resulting Mercur property position is outlined in Figure 2, Mercur Gold Project Claim Map, below.

Figure 2: Mercur Gold Project Claim Map

2. Mineral Resource and Geology

The Mercur property hosts an Inferred Mineral Resource of 89.6 million tonnes, grading 0.57 g/t gold containing 1.64 million ounces of gold as summarized in Table 1, Mercur Gold Project Mineral Resource, below.

Table 1: Mercur Gold Project Mineral Resource Estimate

Deposit Tonnes

(Mt) Gold

(g/t) Contained Gold

(koz) Main Mercur 74.1 0.57 1,350 South Mercur 15.6 0.59 290 Total Inferred 89.6 0.57 1,640

Note: See NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Mercur Project, Camp Floyd and Ophir Mining Districts, Tooele & Utah Counties, Utah, USA prepared by Lions Gate Geological Consulting Inc., RESPEC Company LLC, and Kappes, Cassidy & Associates, dated February 1st, 2024, for further details.

The Mercur Mineral Resource has been estimated in conformity with generally accepted guidelines outlined in CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines (November 29, 2019) and is reported in accordance with NI 43-101.

Estimations are made from 3D block models based on geostatistical applications using commercial mine planning software (MinePlan). The project limits are based on a local mine grid system. Separate block models were set up for Main Mercur and South Mercur with a nominal block size of 50 x 50 x 30 feet (15 x 15 x 9 meters). Sample data is derived from a combination of surface diamond and reverse circulation drill holes. The pierce points of the drill holes into the mineralized zone vary but can be approximately 25- to 50-foot (8- to 15-meter) spacing in the areas of historic mining.

There is a total of 2,970 drillholes in the block models. Of these, 2,861 holes are historical holes that were primarily drilled by Barrick and Getty, and 109 holes were drilled by Ensign. Comparisons show that the Ensign drill hole and Barrick drill hole sample results agree over all areas being investigated.

The Mercur Mineral Resource estimate has been generated from drill hole sample assay results and the interpretation of a geologic model that relates to the spatial distribution of gold and silver. Interpolation characteristics were defined based on the geology, drill hole spacing, and geostatistical analysis of the data. The Mineral Resources were classified according to their proximity to sample data locations and are reported, as required by NI 43-101, according to the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 2014).

3. Exploration & Development

Revival Gold considers the large regional package at Mercur to hold attractive potential for additional discoveries based on the projects track record of past production and the results of recent fieldwork undertaken by Ensign. Nevertheless, Revival Golds primary objective with its work programs on Mercur over the next 6-12 months will be to advance metallurgy, optimize the projects geological model and pursue the completion of a potential PEA.

While advancing towards a PEA, Revival Gold expects to continue the compilation of historical data, property-wide prospecting, geological mapping, and planning for potential future exploration drilling.

The potential exists to expand existing resources and to identify new gold resources beyond the pit margins of the historical Mercur mine. At South Mercur, there are also opportunities to expand the known gold mineralization.

In addition to the potential expansion of known mineralization at Main Mercur and South Mercur, Mercur offers several exploration opportunities for new targets. At Main Mercur, the potential for mineralized feeder structures and deeper, potential stratigraphic host units is under-explored. At South Mercur, where mineralization seems to occur at the intersection of the northerly striking Mercur Member beds and northwest-trending structural zones, there is potential for the discovery of new en-echelon pods of mineralization. The West Mercur pediment is a greenfield area that holds potential for deposits concealed beneath relatively thin alluvial cover. North Mercur is an early-stage exploration area that has permissive geology for new silver and gold discoveries.

4. Metallurgy

Mineralization at Mercur consists of very fine to fine gold particles associated with oxide, sulfide, and carbonaceous minerals. The oxidation profile in the deposits is complex with influence from bottom-up fluid movement and structural disruption. A carbon-in-leach (CIL) process plant was built and commissioned at the site in 1983 to process the higher-grade ore and operated until 1997. This CIL plant operated until 1997 and produced approximately 1.5 million ounces of gold. A dump heap leach for the low-grade materials operated from 1985 to 1998 producing approximately 380,000 ounces of gold. In 1988, a pressure oxidation (POX) plant was installed to treat refractory sulfide materials. This POX plant operated until February 1996 and pre-processed approximately 300,000 ounces of gold ultimately produced out of the CIL plant. Mercur produced approximately 1.5 million ounces of gold until it was closed by Barrick in 1998.

Ensigns focus has been on potential heap leachable and/or CIL material at Mercur. During 2022 and 2023, initial metallurgical test work was completed for Ensign jointly by Bureau Veritas Minerals in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada and ALS Metallurgy in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. This work included ten CIL bottle roll cyanide amenability tests (2022) and ten direct cyanidation (DCN) leach tests (2022).

Historical and Ensign DCN testing results were used by Ensigns consultants to estimate heap leach gold recoveries. DCN estimates were incorporated into the Mercur block model then discounted by 15% to reflect potential heap leach gold recoveries. The gold recoveries assumed for the Mercur Mineral Resource estimate by domain are summarized in Table 2 below.

Table 2: Heap Leach Gold Recoveries Assumed for the Mercur Mineral Resource

Mineral Resource Area Tonnes

(Mt) Estimated Heap Leach

Gold Recovery Main Mercur 74.1 65% South Mercur 15.6 55% Total/Weighted Average 89.6 63%

Note: See NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Mercur Project, Camp Floyd and Ophir Mining Districts, Tooele & Utah Counties, Utah, USA prepared by Lions Gate Geological Consulting Inc., RESPEC Company LLC, and Kappes, Cassidy & Associates, dated February 1st, 2024, for further details.

5. Existing Infrastructure

Mercur has existing infrastructure with a paved access road to the Mercur security gate. The former Barrick mine offices and security gate are operational. The site is connected to grid power at 460 kW and has potential access to water through wells used by the prior operation. The wells and associated water rights are currently held by Tooele County and are not in use.

Concurrent Offering Details

Revival Gold will issue a subsequent news release outlining the details of the proposed Concurrent Offering once finalized. The net proceeds of the Concurrent Offering are expected to be used by Revival Gold, following completion of the Transaction, to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on Mercur, advance permitting preparations on Beartrack-Arnett, continue exploration for high-grade material at Beartrack-Arnett, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. In addition, Revival Gold will grant the Agents an option, exercisable, in whole or in part, for a period of up to two (2) business days prior to the closing of the Concurrent Offering, to sell up to an additional 15% of the Subscription Receipts offered under the Concurrent Offering. The Concurrent Offering is subject to settling definitive terms, the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) and other necessary regulatory approvals. The Concurrent Offering is expected to close in early May, 2024.

Select Financial Information

The following table presents selected financial statement information with respect to Ensign. Such information is derived from the unaudited financial statements of Ensign for the financial years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, and the unaudited interim financial statements of Ensign for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

As at September 30, 2023 ($US) As at December 31, 2023 ($US) As at December 31, 2022 ($US)



Current Assets 147,788 82,012 722,056 Non-Current Assets 4,163,063 4,149,430 4,339,396 Total Assets 4,310,851 4,231,442 5,061,452 Current Liabilities 35,246 361,749 13,799 Non-Current Liabilities - - - Total Liabilities 35,246 361,749 13,799 Net Assets 4,275,605 3,869,693 5,047,653

Nine months ended September 30, 2023 ($US) Year ended December 31, 2023 ($US) Year ended December 31, 2022 ($US)



Exploration and Evaluation costs 697,081 931,683 3,124,919 Administration and Travel 453,543 606,182 1,017,729 Share Based Compensation 287,940 305,026 262,253 Other Expenses 744 1,075 - Depreciation 44,665 58,298 61,016 Interest and Financing 57 57 465 Net loss for the period 1,484,030 1,902,321 4,466,382

Since inception, Ensign has issued 52.6 million common shares for consideration totalling C$18.7 million (approximately C$0.36 per Ensign common share) and incurred cumulative exploration expenditures of approximately US$7,500,000.

The securities being offered pursuant to the Concurrent Offering, or the Transaction have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons 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 any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. United States and U.S. person are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.

Advisors and Counsel

MPA Morrison Park Advisors Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Revival Gold. Peterson McVicar LLP is acting as Revival Golds legal counsel. Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is acting as Ensigns legal counsel.

Qualified Persons

John P.W. Meyer, Vice President, Engineering and Development, P.Eng., and Steven T. Priesmeyer, C.P.G., Vice President Exploration, Revival Gold Inc., are the Companys designated Qualified Persons for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and have reviewed and approved its scientific and technical content.

About Revival Gold Inc.

Revival Gold is a growth-focused gold exploration and development company. The Company is advancing the Beartrack-Arnett Gold Project located in Idaho, USA.

Beartrack-Arnett is the largest past-producing gold mine in Idaho. The Project benefits from extensive existing infrastructure and is the subject of a recent Preliminary Feasibility Study for the potential restart of open pit heap leach gold production operations.

Since reassembling the Beartrack-Arnett land position in 2017, Revival Gold has made one of the largest new discoveries of gold in the United States in the past decade. The mineralized trend at Beartrack extends for over five kilometers and is open on strike and at depth. Mineralization at Arnett is open in all directions.

Additional disclosure including the Companys financial statements, technical reports, news releases and other information can be obtained at www.revival-gold.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Hugh Agro, President or CEO or Lisa Ross, CFO

Telephone: (416) 366-4100 or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Ensign Minerals Inc.

Ensign is a private company existing under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and focused on exploring for precious metals within the Mercur District, Utah, USA. Ensign controls approximately 6,255 hectares in the district where the known mineralization occurs on primarily privately held patented claims. Ensigns property holdings include Mercur, West Mercur, South Mercur and North Mercur.

Cautionary Statement

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities legislation (collectively forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors involved with forward-looking statements could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, the advancement of permitting preparations and ongoing exploration at Beartrack-Arnett, the shortening of Revival Golds estimated timing to heap leach gold production, statements with respect to the potential production scale of Revival Golds heap leach gold business, the opportunity for capital efficient phased production growth from brownfield sites, a phased development approach lowers risk and creates greater value per share as the business grows, potential synergies between Revival Gold and Ensign, risk factors relating to the timely receipt of all applicable shareholder, regulatory and third party approvals for the Concurrent Offering or the Transaction, including that of the TSX Venture Exchange, that the Concurrent Offering or the Transaction may not close within the timeframe anticipated or at all or may not close on the terms and conditions currently anticipated by the Company for a number of reasons including, without limitation, as a result of the occurrence of a material adverse change, disaster, change of law or other failure to satisfy the conditions to closing of the Offering; the inability of the Company to apply the use of proceeds from the Offering as anticipated; the size of the Concurrent Offering, the resale restrictions of the securities issued pursuant to the Concurrent Offering, the ability of Revival Gold to unlock value for shareholders and enhance the value, risk profile and upside for the Company, Revival Gold having a credible business plan to become a cash-flowing mid-tier U.S. gold producer, the expected timing of the Ensign Meeting, Revival Golds primary objective with its work programs on Mercur over the next 6-12 months being to advance metallurgy, optimize the projects geological model and pursue the completion of a potential PEA, satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions, the Companys objectives, goals and future plans, and statements of intent, the implications of exploration results, mineral resource/reserve estimates and the economic analysis thereof, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations, estimates of market conditions, and statements regarding the results of the pre-feasibility study, including the anticipated capital and operating costs, sustaining costs, net present value, internal rate of return, payback period, process capacity, average annual metal production, average process recoveries, concession renewal, permitting of the project, anticipated mining and processing methods, proposed pre-feasibility study production schedule and metal production profile, anticipated construction period, anticipated mine life, expected recoveries and grades, anticipated production rates, infrastructure, social and environmental impact studies, availability of labour, tax rates and commodity prices that would support development of the Project. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to maintain the modelling and assumptions upon which the interpretation of results are based after further testing, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, changes in regulatory requirements, political and social risks, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, uncertainties or challenges related to mineral title in the Companys projects, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity and in particular gold prices, delays in the development of projects, capital, operating and reclamation costs varying significantly from estimates, the continued availability of capital, accidents and labour disputes, and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, an inability to raise additional funding, the manner the Company uses its cash or the proceeds of an offering of the Companys securities, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, future climatic conditions, the discovery of new, large, low-cost mineral deposits, the general level of global economic activity, disasters or environmental or climatic events which affect the infrastructure on which the project is dependent, and those risks set out in the Companys public documents filed on SEDAR+. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Specific reference is made to the most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR+ for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect the Companys ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
April 9, 2024, London, Ontario  Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE:AMQ) (OTCQB:AMQFF) (FSE:4KG) (Abitibi or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private placement (the Offering) raising gross proceeds of $7,109,021.70 through the issuance of (i) 5,940,723 charity flow-through common shares (CFT Shares) priced at C$0.86 per CFT Share, and (ii) 4,761,904 common shares (the Shares) priced at C$0.42 per Share.

Jonathon Deluce, CEO of Abitibi, stated, The successful closing of this Offering marks a pivotal moment for Abitibi as we are now in a position to complete the full option agreements at both B26 and Beschefer without further funds. This Offering is a major milestone, supporting the markets confidence in the potential of Abitibi. The overwhelming support from our shareholders, once again allowing us to raise capital with no warrants for a third straight financing, provides the foundation for aggressive growth as we continue to develop our key assets and deliver value for all stakeholders.

Mr. Deluce continued With a treasury of approximately $19 million and 40,000 metres still ahead of us at B26 and Beschefer, Abitibi is in a unique position of financial strength in this market as a fully funded company through 2025. The start of 2024 has marked the beginning of a bullish environment for gold and copper, allowing high-grade projects like ours to thrive.

The CFT Shares 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 Offering of the CFT Shares will be used to incur Canadian exploration expenses that are flow-through mining expenditures (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act) related to the Companys projects in Quebec. Gross proceeds from the Offering of the Shares will be used for general and administration expenses including funding for the PEA obligation, property option payments, and to scale up marketing & awareness initiatives.

The Company paid finders fees totaling $277,944.19 cash and 245,550 finders warrants (the Finders Warrants) in connection with the closing of the Offering to various eligible finders. The Finders Warrants are exercisable at C$0.86 per Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering. Eventus Capital Corp. was appointed as the lead 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.

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 technical developments or reports 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, or might 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.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. 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 in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.




VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM) (FSE:FIR) (OTCQB:PMMCF) is pleased to report that diamond drillhole PIU-03 (refer figure 1) is making excellent progress towards its targeted downhole depth of 850 - 900m.

Hole PIU-03 is designed to extend copper-gold mineralization to depth on the northeast and southeast sides of the Piuquenes Central porphyry and to better delineate a newly identified core of strong chalcopyrite-bornite copper mineralization associated with intense porphyry quartz stockwork veining in hole PIU-02 (refer March 26 2024 News Release).

Hole PIU-03 was collared approximately 300m to the west of hole PIU-02 and drilled at an angle of 75 on a 90 azimuth. It is the third hole of a diamond core drill program designed to evaluate the Piuquenes Central porphyry copper-gold deposit from surface to approximately 1000 metres depth.

Figure 1: PIU-03 Schematic East-West Cross Section

Figure 2: Piuquenes Project - Drill Collar Plan View

Joseph van den Elsen, the Company's President and CEO, stated: "We are making excellent progress on the third hole of our maiden drill campaign at the Piuquenes Project and eagerly await the results from the second hole, where a wide interval of copper mineralization with a bornite rich core was logged (refer 26 March 2024 News Release). We look forward to building significant shareholder value over the short, medium, and long-term as we continue to test the depth and lateral extensions of open high-grade copper and gold mineralization at Piuquenes Central (422 m @ 0.48% Cu, 0.61 g/t Au, 2.9 g/t Ag (1.00% CuEq)* incl. 132 m @ 0.71% Cu, 0.85 g/t Au & 4.3 g/t Ag (1.45 % CuEq)* - refer 18 March, 2024 News Release), and thereafter testing a second outcropping porphyry at Piuquenes East and other high potential targets in our growing pipeline."

Image 1: PIU-03 Drill Pad

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD INVESTOR CONTACT

Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO Joseph van den Elsen | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ABOUT PAMPA METALS

Pampa Metals is a copper-gold exploration company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE:FIR), and OTC (OTCQB:PMMCF) exchanges.

In November 2023, the Company announced it had entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in San Juan Province, Argentina. Reported intervals of significant copper and gold mineralization at Piuquenes Central include:

413.5 m@ 0.47% Cu, 0.52 g/t Au (0.87% CuEq)* (167-580.5 m);

422 m @ 0.48% Cu, 0.61 g/t Au, 2.9 g/t Ag (1.00% CuEq)* (198 - 620m);

including 132m @ 0.71% Cu, 0.85 g/t Au, 4.3 g/t Ag (1.45% CuEq)* (220 - 352m);

including 80m @ 0.6% Cu, 0.77 g/t Au, 3.2 g/t Ag (1.30% CuEq)* (468 - 548m)

558.2 m @ 0.38% Cu, 0.42 g/t Au, 2.4 g/t Ag (0.73% CuEq)* (362-920.2 m EOH)

including 130 m @ 0.81% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au, 4 g/t Ag (1.31 % CuEq)* (362-492 m)

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been approved by Mario Orrego G. Mr. Orrego G. is a Geologist, a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Orrego G. is a consultant to the Company.

* %CuEq values are calculated based on copper and gold metal prices: Cu = US$3.20/lb, Au = US$1,700/oz and Ag = US$ 20/oz. The formula utilized to calculate %CuEq is: Cu Eq Grade (%) = Cu Head Grade (%) + [(Au Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Au Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04) + [(Ag Head Grade (g/t) / 31.104) * (Ag Price (US$/oz) / Cu Price (US$/lb) / 22.04.

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 9, 2024) - Showcase Minerals Inc. (CSE: SHOW) (FSE: ZJ0) ("Showcase" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its upcoming drilling program on its Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project in Elko County, Nevada.

Since completing the reclamation bond process with the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") on March 11, Showcase has procured a water source from the nearby Tomera Ranch that is sufficient for its drilling needs and has completed a nesting bird survey in order to satisfy the BLM that the drill program will be conducted in a manner that will not disturb avian gestation. Showcase also retained Legarza Exploration, an excavating contractor, which has mobilized a track-mounted excavator on the drill site in order to prepare drill-sumps. The Company expects to commence drilling during the week of April 22, 2024.

Showcase's Chief Executive Officer, Kirk Reed, remarked, "We are pleased that preparation for drilling has proceeded efficiently and that Showcase remains on schedule for its April drill program. We are very optimistic about our maiden drill program at Dixie Flats-North Star, where a clear trend of mineralization near to historic drilling has been identified that aligns with the regional mineralization of the Rain mine to the northwest and Orla Mining Ltd.'s Dark Star deposit approximately 1.5 miles south of the southwest end of the property."

About the Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project:

The Dixie Flats-North Star Property (the "Property" or "Dixie Flats") is located on the east side of the Pinon Mountains, 21 air-miles south of the City of Elko in northeast Nevada. It is a combination of two claim blocks, the Dixie Flats group of claims and the North Star group of claims. The Property is comprised of a total of 236 total unpatented mineral claims on Federal land administered by the US Bureau of Land Management ("BLM").

The Property lies on the southern margin of the Carlin Trend, a northwest-trending belt of sediment-hosted gold deposits that makes up the greatest geographic concentration of gold deposits in North America, with reported production of more than 92.5 million ounces of gold since 1961 (Muntean, 2019). The Dixie Flats-North Star Property is underlain by rocks known to host gold mineralization on the Carlin Trend, and surface sampling has shown anomalous gold, silver, arsenic, antimony, and mercury levels in rock, soil, and biogeochemical samples from the Property, which is a characteristic geochemical signature of Carlin-Type gold deposits.

The Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project is approximately three miles south of Newmont Mining Company's Emigrant Springs Mine, which finished production in 2018, and approximately 4.5 miles southeast of the past producing Rain Mine. Both deposits are hosted in dissolution breccia zones at the contact between the Webb mudstone, the basal unit of the overlying assemblage, and the underlying Devils Gate limestone. Prior exploration on the Dixie Flats -North Star Property has been focused on delineating this contact at depth and discovering possible extensions to the regional structures controlling mineralization at the Rain and Emigrant Mines and their demonstrated extension to the Dixie Flats-North Star Property. The information on the adjacent projects is taken from publicly available sources and is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Dixie Flats-North Star Property.

Additional information on the Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project can be found in the National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") technical report entitled "Technical Report on the Dixie Flats-Northstar Gold Exploration Property", Elko, Nevada, dated September 21, 2022, which has been filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Qualified Person:

Mr. Steve McMillin, M.Sc., C.P.G. is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Showcase Minerals Inc.:

Showcase is a Canadian mineral exploration company with an exclusive option to acquire a 100% interest in Dixie Flats-North Star Gold Project and the Woodruff Gold-Vanadium Project (subject to various net smelter returns royalties ranging from 2.25% to 4.25%), which collectively consist of unpatented 254 lode mining claims covering approximately 1,818 hectares located in Elko County, Nevada.

For further information, please contact:

Kirk Reed, President

Showcase Minerals Inc.

Telephone: 1-800-982-0670

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.
HALIFAX, NS, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - GoGold Resources Inc. (TSX: GGD) (OTCQX: GLGDF) ("GoGold", "the Company") is pleased to report production for the quarter ending March 31, 2024 of 375,745 silver equivalent ounces, consisting of 138,657 silver ounces, 2,184 gold ounces, 93 tonnes of copper, and 92 tonnes of zinc. With the SART Zinc circuit commissioning completed, this marks the first quarter where Parral produced a saleable zinc product.

"Now that the SART Zinc circuit's commissioning has been completed and is operational, we are seeing an increase in the leaching of gold and silver, in addition to the production of a saleable zinc and copper product. We anticipate further increases in silver and gold production over the coming months as the extraction of zinc and copper from the heap leach solution improves the precious metal leachability in the heap," Brad Langille, President and CEO stated. "At Los Ricos South, we continue to advance our definitive feasibility study, which we are anticipating completion this summer. With the gains realized from the SART plant at Parral, along with the significant metal price increase, Parral, as planned, is becoming a contributor to the future funding of the Los Ricos South project."

Table 1: Quarterly Production Summary

Quarter Ended Dec 2022 Mar 2023 Jun 2023 Sep 2023 Dec 2023 Mar 2024 Silver Production (oz) 159,838 173,717 203,894 169,443 109,016 138,657 Gold Production (oz) 2,399 2,016 1,512 1,106 1,848 2,184 Copper Production (tonnes) 222 143 135 115 95 93 Zinc Production (tonnes) - - - - - 92 Silver Equivalent Production (oz)1 441,217 400,145 375,112 300,789 300,260 375,745

1. "Silver equivalent production" include gold ounces and copper tons produced and converted to a silver equivalent based on a ratio of the average market metal price for each period. The gold:silver ratio for each of the periods presented was: Dec 2022  82, Mar 2023  84, Jun 2023  82, Sep 2023  83, Dec 2023  85, Mar 2024  93. The copper:silver ratios were: Dec 2022  377, Mar 2023  399, Jun 2023  352, Sep 2023  356, Dec 2023  356, Mar 2024  365. The zinc:silver ratios were: Mar 2024  104.

Mr. Robert Harris, P.Eng. is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information of this release related to Parral.

About GoGold Resources



GoGold Resources (TSX: GGD) is a Canadian-based silver and gold producer focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring high quality projects in Mexico. The Company operates the Parral Tailings mine in the state of Chihuahua and has the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North exploration projects in the state of Jalisco. Headquartered in Halifax, NS, GoGold is building a portfolio of low cost, high margin projects. For more information visit gogoldresources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT



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 may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any of GoGold's securities in the United States.

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Parral tailings project, the Los Ricos project, future operating margins, future production and processing, and future plans and objectives of GoGold, constitute forward looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions in connection with the continuance of GoGold and its subsidiaries as a going concern, general economic and market conditions, mineral prices, the accuracy of mineral resource estimates, and the performance of the Parral project There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from GoGold's expectations include exploration and development risks associated with the GoGold's projects, the failure to establish estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves, volatility of commodity prices, variations of recovery rates, and global economic conditions. For additional information with respect to risk factors applicable to GoGold, reference should be made to GoGold's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with securities regulators, including, but not limited to, GoGold's Annual Information Form. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date of this release.
The Bismarck City Commission on Tuesday night discussed next steps in the operation of the Bismarck Event Center in a conversation that -- unlike some previous meetings on the topic -- didn't lead to a heated debate.

Chief among priorities are continued research into the feasibility and costs of an alcohol point-of-sales system and discussions about workplace environment concerns that were raised in the city's investigation into ousted Director Charlie Jeske, as well as the findings of a subsequent fact-finding committee, according to Interim Director Amanda Yellow.

The Event Center is at the end of a busy period that has slowed some forward-looking discussion, Yellow said. But she hopes to see more robust conversation as Event Center employees have more time to discuss changes.

It was the first regular commission meeting since the resolution of the monthslong saga involving Jeske, who was accused last fall of unethical dealings with vendors and poor management. He defended his leadership and experience but ultimately negotiated and signed a deal with the city under which he is getting $325,000 severance and retiring. The deal became final last week.

Looking ahead

An alcohol point-of-sales system would require investments in internet capacity, Yellow said, and some tenants have also encouraged the Event Center to make additional facilities upgrades in recent weeks.

Sloppy alcohol sales management was one issue identified by the fact-finding subcommittee that held several meetings over three months. The Event Center's alcohol sales process has been cash-only with no registers -- a system that committee member Gordy Smith, a former state audit manager, described as "just the wild wild West of cash."

The subcommittee in its final recommendations in February also suggested that Event Center policy be amended to require a "360-degree evaluation" at least every two years, and proposed that the city consider hiring a risk assessment firm.

The commission in a special meeting earlier this month also discussed the possibility of third-party management of the facility.

That meeting included some terse exchanges between Mayor Mike Schmitz and City Commissioner Greg Zenker, who holds the Event Center portfolio. Schmitz said it appeared Zenker had become too involved in center operations; Zenker disputed that and said he felt blindsided by the discussion.

Zenker on Tuesday encouraged the commission to provide the Event Center with some guidance about the kinds of events the city wants to host at the facility in the future. But he also raised what he called "the $450 million question" -- suggesting that as the commission looks into potential facilities upgrades, it also weighs the merits of building a new event center.

Schmitz described Tuesday's discussion as a "great start to the next 90 days."

"Obviously we've got to go beyond that," he said.
As penned by the same writer, netizens started to theorize and had speculations that the "Queen of Tears" and "Crash Landing on You" crossover might happen soon.

Fans and viewers even collected clues that the two dramas exist in the same universe.

Want to know what the public is saying about the potential crossover? Then read on!

'Queen of Tears' & 'Crash Landing on You' Exist in the Same Universe?

"Queen of Tears" fever continues as the drama breaks its rating records every week and gains new achievements including its lead stars.

Kim Ji Won, playing the role of Hong Hae In, a fashionable chaebol heiress, is said to be Netflix's current-reigning K-drama queen, thanks to her impressive performance on the rom-com series.

Familiar as it may look, Hae In freshens up the viewers' memory as she also reminds them of the previous leading ladies who were loved by the audience. One of them is "Crash Landing of You" female protagonist Yoon Se Ri, portrayed by the beautiful and talented actress Son Ye Jin.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE : Hyun Bin & Son Ye Jin in 'Queen of Tears'? Celebrity Couple Surprises Fans With THIS

Apart from their impeccable wardrobe choices and impressive backgrounds, netizens are also claiming that the two characters also share the same lineage.

Is It True? Hong Hae In & Yoon Se Ri Are Related

In "Queen of Tears," Hong Hae In established a reputation as the 'arrogant queen' of the Queens Department Store, where she is the CEO. In their family tree, it is known that she's from the third generation and the granddaughter of Chairman Hong Man Dae.

Eagle-eyed viewers and K-drama fans noticed the similarities and possible connection between Hong Hae In and "Crash Landing on You's" Yoon Se Ri.

To recall, Yoon Se Ri is affiliated with a company of the same name, Queens! Before she landed at the North Korean border, she was a successful businesswoman involved in a succession battle for the Queens Group.

Saw this on tiktok and Queens Group was actually mentioned in CLOY!!! https://t.co/qc3egJkVD0 pic.twitter.com/mWu36Msaht     (@youngkbae77) March 24, 2024

Others find it a coincidence as it was both written by the brilliant scriptwriter Park Ji Eun. In particular, the Queens Group was mentioned in one of "Crash Landing on You's" episodes. Due to this, some fans have begun speculating about the possible relationship between the two heiresses.

Someone commented that Yoon Se Ri might be a help to Hong Hae In with her current debacles in the company.

With these speculations between the female characters, hopes are high for a possible cameo of Yoon Se Ri (Son Ye Jin) in one of the episodes of "Queen of Tears."

Previously, Song Joong Ki made his special appearance as Vincenzo Cassano and acted as Hae In's divorce lawyer.

In addition, Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin were even mentioned in "Queen of Tears" and some glimpse of the "Crash Landing on You" episode was seen playing in the series.

What can you say about the news? 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.
Kim Da Mi delighted fans with her transformation as she now dons a trendy hairstyle!

Although fans have seen the actress with an unconventional and funky hairstyle, just like in the hit K-drama "Itaewon Class," the 29-year-old beauty was spotted rocking a classic 'do.

Kim Da Mi Slays in Her 2024 Hair Trend

Kim Da Mi was spotted at the Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, heading to Japan for a work trip.

The South Korean star's hairstyle left fans in awe of her beauty with her dramatic transformation.

Kim Da Mi stunned fans with her textured short pixie, which is considered a trend for spring/summer 2024. The last time she had her hair this short was in 2023, when she greeted the media with her simple yet elegant black dress during the Tiffany & Co. event.

As for Kim Da Mi's airport look, the actress sported a classic button-down top and blue denim jeans for a timeless fit.

Kim Da Mi completed the whole look by opting for minimalist jewelry pieces from Tiffany & Co.

With this, fans couldn't help but gush over the actress' new look, praising her hairstyle and fashion choice.

Another Da Mi thing that not many appreciates but is super low-key uber cool!

Da Mi Kim wearing expensive Tiffany&Co. jewelry set in a very casual, comfy, and classic fit queuing like a ultra rich-but-practical person! I like that a lot!! https://t.co/zRk4QuISrG  queen_dami (@jujubekimchi) April 10, 2024

kim dami at gimpo international airport heading to tokyo, japan for tiffany & co event! shes so pretty and cute! safe skies, dami!  pic.twitter.com/9vnFj3sbSg  dami  (@ladywxtch) April 9, 2024

Kim Da Mi Teams Up With Son Seok Koo in K-Drama 'Nine Puzzle'

Other than her activities off-screen, Kim Da Mi is gearing up for her return to K-drama.

Following the hit rom-com series "Our Beloved Summer: with Choi Woo Shik, she is set to star in her third K-drama, "Nine Puzzle."

On April 2, a representative from Disney+ confirmed Kim Da Mi's appearance in the upcoming series.

Slated to release sometime in 2025, the actress stars alongside Son Seok Koo.

A thriller mystery K-drama, "Nine Puzzle," depicts the story of Yoon Yi Na, a criminal profiler who works at the Criminal Analysis Team of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Forensic Science Department.

She is the sole witness to a cold case that happened 10 years ago.

"Nine Puzzle" showcases her rapport with Violent Crimes Team detective Han Saem, played by Son Seok Koo.

Together, they will uncover the secret behind the murder case with a mysterious puzzle piece that they've found.

Other than the duo, "Nine Puzzle" also showcases a roster of talented stars. This includes Lee Joo Young, Hyun Bong Sik, and Kim Do Geon, with the special participation of award-winning actor Hwnag Jung Min.

Interestingly, Kim Da Mi's new drama will be helmed by "Narco-Saints" director Yoon Jong Bin with screenwriter Lee Eun Mi, the genius behind "Tunnel" and "Navillera."

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
Park Ji Hyun is making a name for herself as the next sought-after female lead of her generation.

With her notable characters in "Reborn Rich" and "Flex X Cop," there is no denying that she deserves more roles in the future.

Park Ji Hyun on er 'Flex X Cop' & 'Reborn Rich' Roles

In her appearance in Allure Korea, Park Ji Hyun expressed her love and passion for acting.

When asked about her experience landing her first lead role in the action comedy "Flex X Cop," she admitted that she found the role quite challenging.

According to her, portraying the detective role was "difficult" since it's her first time to play such a character and someone "with a lot of volume."

"I started it because it was so much fun, and the more fun I have every time I do it, I don't think there's a better job than this."

Park Ji Hyun added that she "needed some time to research" because the character is very different from her previous roles.

In "Flex X Cop," she takes on the roles of detective Lee Kang Hyun and the team leader of rookie detective Jin Yi Soo, played by Ahn Bo Hyun.

Since her debut in 2017, it is her first ever main character role in a K-drama.

In addition, she also revealed that it's the first series for which she didn't need to audition.

Interestingly, she is set to reprise her role as "Flex X Cop" Season 2 gets a green light.

Other than the SBS K-drama, Park Ji Hyun also gained recognition when she joined Song Joong Ki's K-drama, "Reborn Rich."

The actress played as the heiress Mo Hyun Min, who married Jin Yang Chul's (Lee Sung Min) eldest grandson, and eventually became part of the family.

According to her, she didn't expect that her character would gain huge recognition from the viewers.

With her acting journey, Park Ji Hyun is open about trying more roles, especially in comedy.

"It might be a little difficult for me, but I wanted to try a new character in me, and I started thinking that it would be fun above all."

Park Ji Hyun Stars in Upcoming Netflix Series

Adding to the list of Park Ji Hyun new dramas is the Netflix series "Two Women" with Kim Go Eun.

Directed by Jo Young Min of "Do You Like Brahms? "and "The Interest of Love," the upcoming romance-life K-drama is penned by "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" writer Song Hye Jin.

Interestingly, this will be Park Ji Hyun's second time to work with Kim Go Eun, as they both starred in the webtoon series "Yumi's Cells" with Ahn Bo Hyun.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
Charming the viewers again with his comeback drama "Lovely Runner," rising actor Byeon Woo Seok is stealing the spotlight with his acting and visuals. Many are even surprised to know his real age.

Byeon Woo Seok has finally made it to the series as the lead actor. As his drama starts to garner attention, the public's eyes are also on him, as he captivates the viewers with his youthful visuals.

Byeon Woo Seok's Youthful Visual Confused Many With His Real Age

In "Lovely Runner," Byeon Woo Seok plays the character of Ryu Sun Jae. Joining him in the series is Kim Hye Yoon, who portrays Im Sol.

They challenged themselves to take on a double role, acting as both their older selves in their twenties, as well as their teen selves.

As "Lovely Runner" spans around ten years, Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon had to be convincing as adults and teenagers. Through this, many expected that the duo were in their twenties.

While Kim Hye Yoon is in her late twenties, netizens were in great shock to discover Byeon Woo Seok's real age. After searching on the internet, they found out that the heartthrob was actually in his early thirties.

K-Netz Surprised To Know Byeon Woo Seok's Real Age

He was born in 1991, making him 33 years old internationally, while 34 years old in Korea. His youthful looks made the public believe that he was just in his twenties. Adding to his young persona was him wearing a school uniform in the drama.

K-Netz expressed their sentiments after knowing Byeon Woo Seok's age.

"Byeon Woo Seok is already 34?"

"He looks so young."

"I thought he was born in 2004."

"Daebak! He's really a baby face."

"Seriously? I thought he was just in his early twenties."

"He totally doesn't look that way."

"His age is really surprising."

"He has the image of a 1994-er. Byeon Woo Seok has such a baby face."

Meanwhile, Byeon Woo Seok is winning the viewers' hearts with his new role as Ryu Sun Jae in "Lovely Runner." Fans and viewers are enjoying the fun and exciting narrative of the drama.

Adding to the audience's growing interest in the series are the unique plot twists and the blossoming romance between Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok.

Despite releasing only two episodes, "Lovely Runner" is already one of the most talked about K-dramas on different social media platforms and online forums.

Want to see more of Byeon Woo Seok's performances? Then watch him every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 p.m. (KST) on tvN and Viu.

What can you say about Byeon Woo Seok's new drama? 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.
A retired railroad engineer, trade union representative and insurance company director has announced a bid for Bismarck City Commission.

John Risch worked as a BNSF Railway engineer for 30 years. He was North Dakota legislative director for the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation union for 23 years, and also has served as SMART's national legislative director. He twice chaired the State Minimum Wage Commission.

Risch said his experiences will bring a new perspective to the commission.

Im a blue-collar worker at my core so I see everything from the perspective of ensuring a strong quality of life. Thats why Im running for the Bismarck City Commission," he said in a statement. "I want Bismarck to thrive. We can thrive if the city takes the lead in tackling issues that most impact our quality of life, like maintaining our streets, working to make housing affordable, addressing homelessness, and making sure our city uses tax dollars efficiently.

Risch is a graduate of Bismarck State College and Antioch University in Ohio. He's a member of the state Railroad Hall of Fame. He volunteers for the Salvation Army, Rebuilding Together, AID Inc. and Dakota Zoo, serving as a train engineer. Risch has been a past president of a Lutheran church council and is a member of Ducks Unlimited and Friends of the Rail Bridge. He recently participated in the Bismarck Citizens Academy.

The Bismarck City Commission is made up of four commissioners and the mayor, who serves as chair. Terms are for four years. The seats of Michael Connelly and Steve Marquardt are up this year. Marquardt is not seeking reelection, while Connelly is. Connelly is a health care administrator with DTN staffing. Archaeologist Matt Hull, cultural resource team lead-principal investigator for SWCA Environmental Consultants, also is running. The election is June 11.


Wednesday, April 10, 2024 - Reverend Ruth Wamuyu has broken her silence after her husband Bishop Theuri was accused of impregnating a female congregant identified as Sabina Mutheu.

Speaking to her followers, Wamuyu defended her husband and quoted a verse from Proverbs, saying that a righteous man falls 7 times but he rises again.

Reverend Wamuyu further said that although she is not encouraging sin, the word of God has made room for a righteous man to fall.

She urged her followers to desist from laughing at the Men of God when they fall.

I would encourage you that if you see the righteous man falling, dont be the first one to laugh, she told her followers.

It was alleged that Reverend Wamuyu and her husband separated at some point when she got wind of his affair with Sabina but still appeared in church pretending all was okay.

Watch the video of the renowned Kikuyu pastor speaking about her husbands trending scandal.

A righteous man falls 7 times but he rises again - Reverend RUTH WAMUYU defends her husband, BISHOP THEURI, after he impregnated a female congregant pic.twitter.com/I4HlZ407lp  DAILY POST  (@TheKenyanPost) April 10, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Tuesday, April 9, 2024  The casting director of "Tulsa King" has claimed that she quit after Sylvester Stallone insulted the extras on the set.

Casting Supervisor Rose Locke reportedly claimed Sylvester and the director called the extras "ugly, "tub of lard" and referred to one actor as a "fat guy with cane." A Facebook page for the Atlanta-based actors claimed the man with the cane said the comment "hurt his soul." Locke also claimed Sylvester Stallone said, "Bring in pretty young girls to be around me."

Craig Zisk, the Director and Executive Producer of the Paramount+ series, has however said no such insults were hurled. He said Locke, who was not on set during the day of the alleged encounter, improperly cast the extras.

Zisk said the extras were supposed to be in a hip, young bar, and the plan was to get actors in the 25 to 35-year-old range, but the actors who were cast were considerably older. Zisk, who ended up using the actors for the scene, said, "They were "polite and did their jobs."

Zisk said he then told Rose Locke she needed to submit photos and headshots of the extras so they would vibe with the premise of the film. She however responded by saying "I don't work that way." He shot back, "That's the way I work and everyone I know works that way in extras casting." Zisk said Locke responded, "Ok," but then quit an hour later.

He said Sylvester never said anything about bringing "pretty girls" around him, adding his wife, Jennifer Flavin, was right there during filming.


Tuesday, April 9, 2024  A security guard committed suicide by a snake by getting one of his cobras to bite him after he was arrested by police in South Africa.

Marius Joubert, 28, died in agony after his illegally-smuggled Indochinese Spitting Cobra and a second snake reportedly pumped lethal venom into his hand and wrist after he stuck his hand in their tanks.

The snake dealer was aware that his cobra had been smuggled into South Africa from Thailand 5,500 miles away, and there was no anti-venom to save his life.

The armed security officer realised that police were about to uncover his illegal racket of importing illegal animals that could see him serve 25 years behind bars.

Instead of facing a long spell in jail, he decided to hand himself a death sentence, even while police were present in his home.

According to Mail Online, Police in Hennenman, 100 miles north of Bloemfontein, had kept him in for questioning and were about to take him back to his house to search it for any proceeds of crime.

He realised that they would find his huge menagerie at the home where he lived with his wife Chimonet, 26, and that serious charges under the Wildlife Act would follow.

Officers took him in a marked car to the terraced corner house unaware that a spare room, a bedroom, the lounge, and entrance hall were packed with over 60 snakes.

They were shocked to also find a crocodile, iguanas, monitors, tarantulas, hedgehogs, and ferrets all kept warm by solar power, special heating pads and extractor fans.

When officers took his cuffs so he could reveal stolen property he asked if he could feed the creatures who he said would be starving.

What they did not expect was for him to then use his own snakes to commit suicide.

A source close to the investigation said: 'Joubert knew that sooner or later after his arrest the police would visit his home and that they would find all these illegally kept creatures.

'And he knew the offences he would then be charged with would be much more serious and that many of the snakes and animals he had could put him behind bars for 25 years.

'He asked if he could feed his snakes and once the cuffs were off he stuck his hands in two cages and was bitten by two snakes in the wrist area and then was restrained,

'We know one of the snakes that bit him was an Indochinese Spitting Cobra which would have put a s**t load of venom in him but we don't know what the other snake was,' the source added.

'An ambulance was called but Joubert refused treatment and said he would be fine and was taken back to the police station and warned of further animal related charges.

'In the meantime the paperwork for burglary and theft was completed and he was about to be released on a warning until his court date then he started to appear very unwell,' they continued.

'Then he collapsed and was rushed by another ambulance to the Bongani Hospital in Welkom but as the spitting cobra is not native to South Africa there was no anti-venom.

'The venom is both a neurotoxin and a cytotoxin which means it shut down his lungs and suffocated him and also caused severe bleeding and destroyed his body tissues.

'It was an extremely painful and horrific way to end his life and it took about 9 hours from the bite to collapse and another 3 hours for the snake's venom to kill him' he said.

Captain Stephen Thakeng of the Free State Province police confirmed Joubert had been taken to his house on Easter Saturday on March 30 to further investigate criminal charges.

He confirmed his officers reported that Joubert had stuck his hand into two of the cages and that his actions were deliberate and that he had intended to get himself bitten.

He said the suspect was brought back to the police station and charged and was about to be released pending an appearance at Hennenman Magistrates Court on April 5.

Captain Thakeng added: 'We were not aware of venomous snakes on the property when we went to the address but once inside he opened two cages and put his hand inside.

'It was deliberate and he was bitten twice on the hands and later died in hospital'.

A police investigation has been launched into where the exotic pets had come from and who the deceased man's customers were.

An inquest has also been opened into his violent death.

The security guard was facing a number of charges of burglary and theft dating back to July after a private investigator handed in evidence against him, leading to his initial arrest.

The source said: 'Whether he convinced the police the snake was non-venomous or not I don't know but he did not appear to be in any distress until he suddenly collapsed.

'But he knew the snakes that bit him and knew there was only going to be one outcome. It was clearly suicide by snake. It was just a waiting game until the venom killed him.

'He was up to his eyes in it for smuggling in exotic creatures without permit and keeping them in cruel conditions and he was looking at multiple sentences of 25 years each.

'It would seem he wanted to take another route out and his spitting cobra provided that. There is no blame on the police who could not have suspected what he would do.

'The officer called the hospital later to check on him and was told he was dead' he said.

The Bloemfontein Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals were called in and found 70 illegally kept animals, most of them snakes, and called in snake removal experts.

Stephanus Fourie and David Hayter removed 62 snakes including a variety of exotic and local cobras, mambas, anacondas, pythons, rattlesnakes, puffadders, and vipers.

As well as several deadly rinkhals snakes there were also exotic hedgehogs and ferrets, a Nile crocodile, African bullfrogs, Iguanas, Nile and Rock monitors and 3 sugar gliders.

They also carefully removed the two exotic Indochinese Spitting Cobras and said the one which bit Joubert was a fully grown adult nearly 5 feet long and highly dangerous.

Chief Inspector of the Bloemfontein SPCA Reinet Meyer said: 'The scenes inside the house were like a horror movie with over 70 wild animals all severely neglected.

'The animals were all removed by the SPCA to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital by two snake catchers and are undergoing examination and treatment.

'We hope in time to heal as many of the indigenous species as possible and return them to their natural habitat but sadly the foreign exotic animals will have to be euthanised.

'It is not our policy to house animals in zoos or in captivity but only in the wild.

'A number of the animals and reptiles had tragically already succumbed to starvation and dehydration and were very neglected and in poor health and will need lots of care.

'This man would have been in far more trouble with the charges we would have brought for animal cruelty and keeping animals without permits than he would have been for theft.

'He deliberately put his hand in two cages and was bitten twice. We know one was the Indochinese Spitting Cobra but we don't know what the other type of snake was.

'It is clear he wanted to kill himself through his snakes but I would rather have seen him in court because what he did to those animals and how he kept them was totally cruel.

'Joubert was a real coward to commit suicide rather than face up to what he did to those animals. It is a shame that so many will have to be euthanised due to him' she said.


Wednesday April 10, 2024 - Djibouti has complicated Azimio Leader Raila Odingas bid for the African Union Commissions Chairperson job.

This is after it fronted its own candidate to challenge him for the coveted seat.

In a communique issued by the Office of the President, Djibouti announced it was fronting its Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, to vie for the position.

Further, the communique expressed the countrys faith in the candidate exuding confidence that he has what it takes to emerge victorious.

The Republic of Djibouti officially announces the candidacy of its Minister of Foreign Affairs, M Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, for the post of President of the African Union Commission.

Djibouti expresses faith in the capacity of Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, a man of experience and a seasoned diplomat, read the communication in part.

Youssouf is now set to compete with Somalias candidate, ex Foreign Affairs Minister, Fawzia Yusuf Adam, and Kenyas Raila Odinga.

The country further drummed up support for its candidate stating that he boasts a wealth of experience in diplomacy having served as his country's foreign minister for two decades.

Youssouf has been praised for his conflict resolution skills and ensuring peace prevails during his tenure.

Further strengthening his credentials is the fact that he speaks three languages English, French and Arabic.

The announcement comes days after President Ruto secured the support of Guinea Bissau and Angolan Presidents to help send Raila to Addis Ababa.

With the new candidate fronted, rivalry within East Africa for the AUC seat is set to intensify after AUs Executive Council unanimously agreed to reserve the seat for the East African region.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Wednesday April 10, 2024 - Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has requested President William Ruto to invite him to State House to brainstorm over the ongoing doctors' strike.

In a statement to Kenyans, Khalwale named three other people that he wants to join him in the conversation, citing their experience in the health sector.

According to Khalwale, the ongoing doctors strike is a looming disaster in the making and needs to be solved immediately.

Terming him as one of the most brilliant medical minds in Kenya, Khalwale fronted Raila Odingas ally and Seme MP Dr James Nyikal, who is the former director of Medical Services as a person who deserves to sit in that meeting.

He was my lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Khalwale noted.

The lawmaker further fronted Endebess Constituency MP, Robert Pukose, a former medical superintendent, and the Health Director General Dr Patrick Amoth as persons who can generate brilliant ideas on the best way to approach the strike.

I'm persuaded that if State House invites us for a brainstorming session accompanied by our combined medico-political experience, we will in absolute good faith, inform the way forward, he stated.

As the health sector paralysis rages on, Kenyans living along the border have opted to seek medical services from hospitals in the neighbouring countries of Tanzania and Uganda.

According to a report released in March, the number of Kenyans admitted in Rombo and Longido, both in Tanzania rose by a noticeable margin.

The ongoing doctors' strike has so far cost both sides a lot.

Several deaths have been reported resulting from a lack of attendees in hospitals around the country.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Wednesday, April 10, 2024 - A firearm that was violently robbed from the Officer Commanding Vihiga Police Station when a criminal gang attacked him while on patrol on December 21, 2023 has been recovered in Mwiki, Kasarani sub-county.

One member of the gang from whose possession the Jericho pistol was recovered was also neutralized after daring a gunfight with the DCI Operations team that was trailing them.

To get the firearm, the ruthless gang had on the said date waylaid the Chief Inspector as he parked his car in Vihiga's Majengo market, descending on him with daggers and leaving him for the dead.

They then disappeared with his Jericho pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition.

After days of surveillance, detectives from DCI Operations Directorate swiftly responded to an intelligence report received through the #FichuakwaDCI hotline by an anonymous caller who reported to have spotted a suspicious car occupied by three armed men at the KU farm in Mwiki.

Stealthily approaching the scene, detectives realized it was the same suspects who had evaded several police dragnets after staging some attacks around the Capital.

On challenging the miscreants to surrender, two of the three took to their heels as the shot suspect brandished the firearm for a battle of guns and was gunned down.

His accomplices made it to the populated shopping centre and holed up but the police are hot on their trail.

A KBZ 985T Nissan Note which the suspects were using was impounded alongside other exhibits that were found stashed in it.

The suspect's body has been moved to the City Mortuary pending identification.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Wednesday, April 10, 2024 - A former West Mugirango Member of Parliament has rejected a job offered by President William Ruto.

Vincent Mogaka had been appointed by Ruto as Kenya's High Commissioner to Accra, Ghana.

However, according to a statement presented by the chairperson of the Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, Mogaka rejected the appointment citing family reasons.

"I wish to announce that I won't appear before the committee at the very specified time for the approval here.

This has been occasioned by my personal and very compelling matters which after careful consideration will not allow me to take up the position of the High Commissioner to Ghana as communicated by his excellency the President," Mogaka said.

Mogaka was among the people appointed by Ruto in a purge that saw various diplomats replaced.

He was also appointed in the capacity of the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Trade and Investment Ministry.

However, a High Court ruling deemed the position null and void, nullifying the appointment of 50 CASs and saying it is unconstitutional.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Tuesday, April 9, 2024  Elon Musk's wealth has dropped below Mark Zuckerberg's for the first time in four years as the value of Tesla's stock tumbled.

Musk's fortune is worth $ 181 billion, making him the fourth richest person in the world after being overtaken by the Facebook founder.

Zuckerberg, 40, is worth $187billion, according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index.

In March, Musk, 52, was the richest man in the world but his net worth has taken a hit as Tesla's share price has fallen. Around $48.7billion has reportedly been wiped off Musk's fortune this year, while Tesla's stock has dropped more than 30% since January.

In the latest blow for Musk, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge yesterday launched an inquiry into the tech boss after he said he would reinstate accounts on X that the judge had ordered to be blocked.

The multi-billionaire announced that the restrictions had been lifted, saying the court order was unconstitutional.

It came after X said on Saturday that it had been 'forced by court decisions' to block some popular accounts in Brazil.

Musk said the order could lead to a total loss of revenue and closure of the offices in the South American country.

While Musk's fortune has fallen in value, his competitors have made huge gains this year.

Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, has seen its share price rise more than 50% in 2024, adding $58.8billion to Zuckerberg's wealth.


Wednesday, April 10,2024 - Trans Nzoia County Governor, George Natembeya, has said Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, has zero influence on Western Kenya politics despite holding such a powerful position in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance Government.

Mudavadi is the third in command after President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

In a candid interview with Spice FM on Tuesday, Natembeya emphasised that the Orange Democratic Movement party leader still holds sway over the community in comparison to Mudavadi and other former influential figures, asserting that President William Ruto will still have to go through the former PM to convince the Mulembe community on certain political matters.

Furthermore, the outspoken County boss suggested that if the President were to remove Mudavadi from his position, it wouldn't greatly affect the people, as Mudavadi's support base had diminished.

"Today he is there alone.

The position Mudavadi holds in Government is what we call tokenism.

He can be fired today and no Luhya will cry.

Today if the President wants to talk to Luhyas, he will go through Raila because the latter's ODM party is dominant in the region.

In the previous elections, ODM used to get more votes for Raila in Bungoma but in 2022, 200,000 people supported the president and that is what Moses Wetang'ula used to secure his seat.

But I assure you that does not carry the entire community," he stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Tuesday, April 9, 2024  American rapper Don Toliver has been arrested by the police for driving under the influence (DUI).

A report from California Highway Patrol revealed the rapper was pulled over for speeding early on Tuesday morning near the San Fernando Valley. Cops said they had reason to believe he might've been impaired behind the wheel.

Officers observed signs of impairment but instead of throwing him in handcuffs, Toliver was simply cited and released in the field.

While there's no explicit mention of another person with him, law enforcement sources told TMZ Don was released to the custody of another party who was sober and with him.

Unclear who exactly that was, but officers disclosed the rapper was cooperative throughout the entire incident.


Wednesday April 10, 2024 - President William Ruto has revealed how he helped to bail out the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) out of a crippling debt.

Speaking at PCEA's 24th General Assembly on Tuesday, the President explained that the church, through its former Moderator David Gathanju, approached his office seeking financial help to clear the burgeoning debt.

From the talks, it became apparent that urgent intervention was needed.

Ruto revealed that he subsequently organized for a friend to purchase a huge parcel of land at Ksh550 million that the church owned to repay the debt.

When moderator Gathanju, came to my office a few years ago, we discussed issues related to the church, and we organised how we would pay the Churchs debts at the bank.

I even requested my friend, to purchase a plot of land for which he paid close to Ksh550 Million, stated the President.

Additionally, he maintained that he would continue to assist the church to clear the remaining debt.

Further, Ruto urged the Church to avoid taking up more debt and to spend within its means.

He also stated that he was working to ensure that his administration walks the talk and sets the country on a path of economic sustainability by spending prudently and avoiding taking unnecessary debt.

"My responsibility in this opportunity that God has given me as the President of Kenya is to ensure that I reduce the extent of debts in the country so that we can leave an inheritance to the future generations," explained the President.

The President, however, urged the congregants to continue paying their dues to the church in the form of cess.

Cess is a form of payment that is levied on the faithful and remitted to the Church for the upkeep and maintenance of the Church.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Wednesday April 10, 2024 - President William Ruto has been warned one last time to think carefully before deploying Kenya police to Haiti.

The warning was delivered by the special council appointed to oversee a 22-month transitional government in Haiti.

While releasing the rules of engagement, the nine-member council told Ruto in no uncertain terms that they will not guarantee the safety of the Kenyan troops while in Haiti.

Even though the council committed to the deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission headed by Kenyan troops, it failed to express with certainty that the Haitian population would welcome the troops leaving the safety of the officers in danger.

In January, the Belgium-based International Crisis Group (ICG) warned that the troops will face insurmountable challenges once they land in Haiti.

The 1,000 officers set to be deployed will face internal sabotage from the Haitian Government. The report identified corruption between Haitian police, politicians and gangs reigning terror to the vulnerable populace.

A former envoy from the United States had also cautioned the country that it needed to send over 20,000 troop members explaining that the 1,000 officers offered were way too low.

The police are completely outnumbered and outgunned by the gangs.

Where are the prison facilities to put thousands of gang members? Is the international community suggesting that we kill thousands of lads? ICG questioned.

Already, 200,000 citizens have fled the war-torn country with the gangs killing estimated 4,000 people and kidnapping 3,000 in 2023.

Kenya is expected to be boosted by troops from Burundi, Chad, Senegal, Jamaica, and Belize in keeping peace in Haiti.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
I am a pediatrician who trained in a residency program that taught us insurance companies were evil entities intent on profits over patient care. As ICD codes and CPT codes expanded, my colleagues complained that these were ways insurers could deny care and keep them from making a living. When electronic medical records (EMR) entered the scene, many doctors complained again about the tyranny of spending all their time typing on EMRs, not being able to make eye contact with patients, and how EMRs were another tool of enslavement to insurance companies that ate into their family time.

I want to share my story. I completed a pediatric residency program and then a fellowship in medical informatics before embarking on an unusual career that included pediatrics, government, and tech consulting, and even disaster medicine. I was a key subcontractor on the United States first biosurveillance system and coedited the first textbook to describe biosurveillance as a branch of data science.

In 2010, I opened a private pediatric and adolescent medicine practice in Reno, Nevada. I used an EMR from the start. I accepted any patient walking in the door, which meant I very quickly got a heavy stream of very sick and very disabled patients with complicated histories. My patients were more acutely ill than average, and many were referred to by other doctors as train wrecks. I had patients with asthma, severe migraine headaches, endocrine disorders, and rare diseases. I became the regional expert on young patients with abnormally low cholesterol. When pediatric ICUs across the wider region discharged patients, the intensivists called us to take over care.

My EMR became the third most important tool in my office, after my brain and my loyal, devoted staff. The EMR was more important than my stethoscope, otoscope, or ophthalmoscope. It helped me organize my thinking and spot trends in my patients. It helped me avoid mistakes. My use of the EMR never interfered with my communication with patients. I did not type while talking with parents and patients. I did use my computer to show them relevant things on the screen. My staff used the EMR to organize our vaccination effort. Parents loved the way we communicated, the way we handled emergencies, and the way we worked hand-in-glove with specialists. We handled many cases that other pediatricians would not touch.

One day, our biggest insurer (which offered both commercial insurance and Medicaid) sent a nurse and its medical director to our office. I wondered why they had come; had we done something wrong? I was in for a pleasant surprise.

They showed me and my manager that our practice was already one of the highest-performing practices in the region, with much higher-than-average outcomes than other practices despite having much sicker patients. The insurers nurse told us, You can get even better. She laid out the deal she had for us. She showed us how to use CPT codes so that what we did was more precisely and accurately reported to the insurer. She showed us how to generate reports we had not yet used. In return, the insurer gave us a free hand to run the business. I practiced medicine my way, with no interference. Our region suffers from a shortage of pediatric specialists. I handled a lot of complex problems internally without a specialist, charging higher visit codes and even overtime codes, and was paid for all of them without complaint. I successfully treated some patients with conditions that, normally, only a specialist would treat. My prescriptions, usually for generics, were rarely questioned. I worked out protocols with specialists and ordered imaging, including MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds, before requesting consultations. These were well organized in my EMR. I gained a much better understanding of my patients conditions, and the specialists made faster treatment decisions. The specialists were eager to help me because I saved them a lot of work. They taught me a great deal. They made me more effective as a pediatrician, and I helped them become more effective as well. Trust and collaboration were the norm. If a specialist refused my referral, it was because the specialist did not accept the insurance or Medicaid, not because the insurer blocked the referral.

The results? The insurers nurse returned periodically to our office and showed us data documenting our improvement. Our practice won awards for exceptional quality of care and community service. U.S. Senator Dean Heller read a tribute to the practice into the Congressional Record in 2016 and my medical school alma mater named me a Distinguished Alumnus in 2018. Our practice was one of only two in Northern Nevada to consistently achieve very high vaccination rates for ten years running, often reaching or exceeding 90 percent, and in 2019, the CDC and American Cancer Society recognized our achieving the highest vaccination rate in Nevada for HPV at 93 percent. In fact, our practice achieved the second-highest HPV vaccination rate in the United States. Moreover, we saved the insurer thousands of dollars in specialists claims while helping those specialists focus on more severe cases.

Of course, there was a personal cost. I spent long hours at the practice. Twelve-hour days were the norm and sometimes went longer. But neither the EMR nor any of the insurers caused those extra hours. They simply were required to perform the competent work that resulted in the desired outcomes. Without the EMR, I would have spent more time at work, not less.

My detailed and organized notes on the EMR brought another benefit: They prevented lawsuits and potential problems with the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners in the rare event of a complaint. In fact, I have only been sued once in my entire career, and that lawsuit resulted in my winning a settlement for malicious prosecution.

I have had physicians tell me, You were lucky, and that they remained convinced that insurers are evil and EMRs the instrument of that evil. They dismissed my viewpoint as irrelevant and idiotic.

Would the benefits I saw from my EMR accrue to a practice serving patients who, by and large, are healthy and with serious illness or disability rare? When an EMR is used smartly, I cannot think of a reason they wouldnt. This does not mean that EMRs are perfect; like any other tools, they will continue to evolve and improve, and physicians have a role to play in this evolution.

Would taking a different attitude toward insurers reduce the stress other physicians feel when billing for care? I think it could, but I will concede that not all insurers are the same.

I am certain of one thing. The closed-minded thinking I see around EMRs and insurers will help neither providers nor patients.

Ron M. Aryel is a pediatrician.
It was November 2014. I was leaving the parking structure of my local childrens hospital when I realized, They dont believe us.

I didnt know it at the time, but it would take seven more months to find the cause of my eight-year-old daughters unremitting abdominal pain. An ultrasound ultimately revealed a malignant mass on the adrenal gland. Ultrasound is a rudimentary imaging technique, so why did it take so long to get to something so basic for a sick child?

The medical professional who should have organized the investigation refused to. Our pediatrician executed what I call functional abandonment. A month into the illness, he was direct in saying that he didnt believe he could help.

The emergency department (ED) physicians were also of no assistance, assuring me nothing was wrong and even going so far as to discourage me from keeping a scheduled appointment with a gastroenterologist the following week. A repeat visit was not enough to inspire the use of any of the diagnostic imaging tools they had on-premises.

I was left to manage the work-up of my daughters illness on my own.

The slippery slope to abuse allegations

After living in the pediatric cancer world for the past nine years, Ive come to understand that our experience is not unique. I received a sharp reminder of this when I recently (unintentionally) witnessed, despite the privacy curtain in my daughters shared hospital room, a mother being told for the first time that her child had cancer.

Her reaction was not what people might expect, yet I understood it. At that moment, she wasnt a mother in distress; she was a mother who was relieved to have an answer. Like me, she had taken her daughter to countless providers, only to be told nothing was wrong.

The delay in diagnosis for this mothers daughterand my daughterresulted more from a refusal to investigate than a medical mystery. And in my case, I suspected bias.

Medical records from our first and second ED visits, where I had my most uncomfortable physician interactions, confirmed my suspicions. They included a differential diagnosis that listed malingering and Munchausen syndrome as well as the statement, Suspect all issues are behavioral.

Following my daughters cancer diagnosis, I expressed my concerns over these records to the ED director at our childrens hospital, the same hospital now managing her oncology care. Not only did I share my displeasure with the judgments made, but I also pointed out how these notes could transfer bias to physicians downstream, an especially likely outcome in the setting of a major, regional childrens hospital where outpatient specialist clinics have a shared electronic medical record with the hospital.

I am not sure if the Munchausen syndrome reference in our ED records was centered on me or my daughter, but in the pediatric setting, there is more concern about a parent being deceptive or nefarious than a child due to the abusive nature of the former.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a real phenomenon that has captured public fascination. There are true crime accounts, such as the story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, as well as fictional series, such as Sharp Objects. But what the public may not know is that the nebulous way in which this kind of abuse is defined could leave any parent at risk of being accused, especially a parent searching exhaustively for a diagnosis.

One pediatric book in particular has shaped current thinking on this issue. Medical Child Abuse: Beyond Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, authored by Dr. Carole Jenny, a pioneer and person of influence in the subspecialty of pediatric child abuse, and Dr. Thomas Roesler, was first released in 2009. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published the book, which gave it additional credibility and visibility.

This book was authoritative and innovative in asserting that the term Munchausen syndrome by proxy should be retired in favor of the term medical child abuse. Where the book went beyond innovationarguably becoming problematicwas in its definition of medical child abuse. Instead of limiting the definition of abuse to the more concrete and harmful, such as poisoning or outright lying to obtain invasive procedures, it was broadened. Physicians were encouraged to consider if the parent was engaging in the medically unnecessary.

What constitutes medically unnecessary is debatable, and the application of the concept could easily ensnare a diligent parent seeking a diagnosis for their child. Examples of the medically unnecessary include seeing many different physicians, firing a physician, requesting additional tests, or not accepting a diagnosis. All of these applied to me in our search for a diagnosis. Given the ubiquity of diagnostic problems, especially connected to rare pediatric illnesses such as immune deficiency disorders, mitochondrial disease, and chronic pain disorders, the inclusion of medically unnecessary in the definition is dangerous and also at odds with the ethics of medicine due to the profiling and bias it encourages.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy is considered rare. Before its name was changed and its concept broadened, its incidence was thought to be 2/100,000. Therefore, the axiom taught to physicians about diagnosis, When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras, should hold. If physicians are to first consider the more common causes of illness, why are they quick to suspect medical child abuse?

The legal landscape of medical child abuse

While I write from a parents perspective, this experience crosses into my professional interests; I have worked in medical professional liability claims for 16 years. I am very interested in situations where patients did not receive good care or where medicine struggled to help. As you might expect, I am keenly interested in health care law and legal trends regarding lawsuits against hospitals and physicians.

Historically, hospitals and physicians have been protected from lawsuits stemming from false abuse allegations due to statutory immunities for mandatory reporters. This lack of accountability has arguably led to over-reporting of medical child abuse, with medical professionals believing that once a report is made, the outcome of the states subsequent actions is not their responsibility.

However, I would caution physicians that it is naive to think that immunity always applies. Immunity depends on the unique circumstances of the event, which will impact the allegations.

An example of a case where immunity may not apply is Meyer et al. vs San Diego County et al. The lawsuit alleges illegal video surveillance of an inpatient child and her parents due to a suspicion of medical child abuse. In this case, the surveillance went far beyond what is considered a typical timeframe, with the patient and parents (who were found to be innocent of wrongdoing) being monitored continuously for about a month. This case is still being litigated, and it illustrates how tactics employed in investigating medical child abuse are of separate legal issue from false or irresponsible reporting.

Kowalski et al. v. Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital, Inc., et al. also find latitude within statutory immunities for mandatory reporters. Venued in Florida, this case resulted in a $261 million plaintiff verdict in late 2023. The events that led to this litigation, which are chronicled in the Netflix documentary Take Care of Maya, involve a child who was suspected of being a victim of medical child abuse by her mother. A report was made, and the state separated the child from her family, with the hospital becoming the physical custodian. Two months into the mandated separation, the childs mother committed suicide. Her note was explicit; she was distressed at not being able to see her daughter. This lawsuit is unique in that the hospital was found liable for the mothers wrongful death.

Parental freedom in raising and nurturing children is a protected right under the U.S. Constitution. A plethora of legal decisions dating back decades uphold this fundamental right across many contexts. A 1979 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Parham v. J.R. affirmed parental freedom applies to medical decision-making, concluding that parents are presumed to act in the best interest of their children in medical care, and this should not be overridden by the State.

Many hospitals have posted on their premises what is known as the Patient Bill of Rights. This was first conceptualized by the American Hospital Association but was later refined by a committee organized during the Clinton Administration. The Patient Bill of Rights itemizes principles with a legal basis, such as the right to privacy, decency, or to be treated with respect. Despite the Patient Bill of Rights affirming the right of patients to make decisions in their own care, the medical child abuse definition targets parents for taking on this responsibility on behalf of their child.

The definition of medical child abuse is too broad.

There is a principle in medicine that damage can be done by attempting to screen for every occurrence of disease. The ideal screen will catch the majority, but the idealism of catching every case will likely come with unacceptable consequences. For example, a too-sensitive screen may lead to false diagnoses and unnecessary invasive procedures.

This is what were seeing play out with todays overly broad definition of medical child abuse. The medically unnecessary criterion of the definition has led to damaging practices that violate ethics, decency, and law and erode public trust.

Dysfunction is clearly present when MitoAction, a non-profit created to assist people with mitochondrial disease, feels the need to operate a support line and resource page for parents accused of medical child abuse. Dysfunction was clearly present nine years ago when Munchausen syndrome was so quickly and carelessly bandied about on my daughters ER records.

An updated definition would bring a higher quality of care

When the AAP approved the inclusion of medically unnecessary in the definition of medical child abuse, did it consider the consequences of casting such a wide net?

The damage extends beyond the injustice of innocent parents falsely reported. The mere threat of reporting has a chilling effect on parents efforts to advocate for their children. It also chills physicians efforts to investigate, as theyve been trained to be suspicious of parents in difficult-to-diagnose cases.

Since the AAP published a problematic definitionand medical child abuse is exclusive to pediatricsthe onus is on the AAP and pediatricians to put forth an update that will improve the partnership between parents and physicians. The Jenny/Roesler book was first published 15 years ago, which is a long time in the medical world. It doesnt appear that revised editions were produced, and it is now out of print.

The practice of medicine demands that practitioners learn from mistakes and consider new information, leading to progressive updates to the standard of care and surrounding law. Its past time that learned lessons be applied to the medical child abuse definition.

Luck shouldnt find cancer.

How did we receive the needed study that found an adrenal mass in my daughter? Mostly, we got lucky.

Six months in and many specialists later, I realized that my daughters mysterious illness was most likely to be solved at the pediatrician level. However, I was worried that seeking a new pediatrician would further align me with the medical child abuse profile. Fortunately, the parent of my childs castmate in a school musical was a pediatrician. At our very first appointment, she ordered an ultrasound.

I dont know what happened to the mother and daughter on the other side of the privacy curtain, but I do know thisit shouldnt have been so hard to find a tumor, in their case or ours.

Holly Cantley is a patient advocate.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, headquartered in North Dakota but with reservation borders expanding into South Dakota, is the third tribal nation to ban Gov. Kristi Noem from tribal lands this year.

The Wednesday announcement comes after the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council voted to banish Noem for racially charged comments she made last month at two town halls alleging some tribal leaders are personally benefitting from Mexican drug cartel activity on reservations, South Dakota Searchlight reported.

Governor Kristi Noems wild and irresponsible attempt to connect tribal leaders and parents with Mexican drug cartels is a sad reflection of her fear-based politics that do nothing to bring people together to solve problems, Tribal Chairwoman Janet Alkire said in a statement. Rather than make uninformed and unsubstantiated claims, Noem should work with tribal leaders to increase funding and resources for tribal law enforcement and education.

Five tribes have demanded an apology from Noem since then. She has not issued an apology, but has issued press releases calling on tribes to banish the cartels.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe banished Noem in February and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe banned her last week.

Coupled with her calls to banish the cartels, Noem has encouraged tribal governments to participate in partnerships with the South Dakota Highway Patrol to provide temporary law enforcement on reservations. She has also called on the federal government to audit funding to the tribes to determine the scope of underfunding to the nine tribal nations in South Dakota.

Noem crashed the Pe Sla Sacred Sites quarterly meeting in Rapid City at the end of march, where tribal leaders were meeting with representatives of the U.S. Forest Service to discuss co-stewardship efforts in the Black Hills. Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out said afterward that Noems surprise appearance was a distraction.

Noem was previously banned from the Pine Ridge Reservation in 2019 after signing two bills into law regulating protests over the Keystone XL pipeline.
Labour Party candidate Niamh Hourigan officially launched her European election campaign for the Ireland South constituency last week with a visit to Kilkenny.

If elected, she will represent ten counties including Kilkenny.

The Limerick native is no stranger to political life in her family with her father Michael Hourigan a former Mayor of Limerick, while her sister is Green Party TD, Neasa Hourigan.

The election hopeful and current Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) in Limerick visited Kilkenny City last Thursday, meeting many business people and members of the general public.

"As somebody who has dipped in and out of Kilkenny in my 20s, it's only when you hit the ground here for something like this that you realise how much is going on, how vibrant the town is, how vibrant the economy is and a what a thriving place it is and in a sense a very outward looking place," she said during her visit.

Fighting for a just transition to a greener economy, introducing a European plan for affordable housing and protecting Irish neutrality are the candidates' main priorities, but can such objectives register with people on a local level?

"I dont think people see or understand the connection between what's happening on the ground in Europe, even though there is often a strong connection so it gives me an opportunity to tease that out with people," Ms Hourigan commented.

"I do think a lot more work needs to be done to publicise youre in a European constituency and this is what the actual constituency is."

The academic has spent 20 years in the field, so why swap the classroom for parliament?

"Coming from a political family you do see that politicians can make changes much quicker than academics who are in the background trying to push change from a policy perspective so thats the reason at this stage of my career it's the next step for me," she said, adding, communication with local councillors and TDs will be at the heart of representing constituents in Kilkenny and the region.
SOS Kilkenny is set to receive funding through both the Workability Programme and the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund to enhance the employment related skills of people with intellectual disabilities and to support them to find, maintain and progress in paid employment.

The Disability Participation and Awareness Fund, awarded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Rethink Ireland, is funding the development of the Access Academy  a bespoke employment skills training provider for people with an intellectual disability.

In collaboration with eight people with Down Syndrome, the funding will allow SOS Kilkenny to design and develop industry relevant training programmes tailored to people with intellectual disabilities, including barista skills and an introduction to manual handling.

SOS Kilkenny CEO, Francis Coughlan said the partnership with Rethink Ireland 'will be transformational for young adults with Down Syndrome in Kilkenny'.

"It will allow us to maximise the reach and the social impact of the Access Academy," he said.

"With the support of Rethink Ireland, The Access Academy will genuinely increase participation and inclusion in the local community for young adults with Down Syndrome.

"We will provide a bespoke, quality driven and personalised pathway to education and employment and we are hugely excited to see the impact of this funding on the overall wellbeing of the young adults involved."

Through the Workability Programme, SOS Kilkenny has received funding to continue and expand their Work4Life programme for five years.

Work4Life provides support to jobseekers with intellectual disabilities from SOS Kilkenny to find, maintain and progress in paid

employment through work experience and skills development.

The Work4Life programme currently supports 36 paid employments in Kilkenny City and County, in organisations such as Bank of Ireland, McDonalds, Vhi and St Lukes Hospital.

With the support of the Work4Life programme, Tommy Tyrrell joined the team in CDS Metalwork in their workshop in Ballyfoyle where he has quickly became an integral part of the team.

"Tommy undertakes his role with great commitment, enthusiasm and responsibility leaving nothing to chance," said Martin Stapleton of CDS Metalwork.

"He questions and listens, giving great comfort to his co-workers all of whom have grown to trust and rely on Tommys new learnt skills and abilities.

"Our Tuesdays would not be the same without Tommy as he has become a huge part of our work life here in Ballyfoyle.

Having Tommy join our workforce has been a great decision and one I would suggest and recommend to all."



To keep up to date with the Access Academy and Work4Life, follow SOS Kilkenny on Facebook and Instagram.
Liam Hehir skewers Chloes Swarbrick repeated claims she is a reluctant politician. He notes:

Swarbrick was born in the year of Our Lord, one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-four. She completed university studies in 2016. It was that same year, with great reluctance, that a political career was essentially forced upon her as made a high profile run at the Auckland mayoralty at just 22 years of age. Generating significant media buzz, she placed a very creditable third. 

What followed was an intense contest for Swarbricks political loyalties. Both Labour and the Greens courted the very reluctant candidate. Somehow the Greens were able to coax her into a reluctant continuation of her political journey. Swarbrick was no doubt horrified when she received an extremely comfortable list placing that all but assured her reluctant election to Parliament in the 2017 election.

Success has continued to follow Swarbrick. She won a brilliant if reluctant insurgency for the seat of Auckland Central in 2020, which she won despite a massive shift towards Labour. With great reluctance, she went on to successfully defend it last year.

Things were looking up for Swarbrick when her career looked stymied by the ascent of Marama Davidson as female co-leader of the party. This made it very hard for Swarbrick to advance because, even if James Shaw retired, there would not be another space in the ruling diarchy for another female identifying candidate.

However, destiny intervened once more. The Greens actually changed their rules in 2022 so that there could be two female co-leaders. That meant, in the event of Shaws retirement from the leadership, the path would be open for Swarbrick to reluctantly resume her political ascent. 

And so, with great reluctance, Swarbrick was forced to take climb yet another rung of the ladder. [We] need everyday people to not leave politics to the politicians, she reluctantly announced, drawing a firm line between herself as a non-politician politician and the career politicians who treat politics like a career.
Simeon Brown announced:

The Coalition Government will restore the rights of communities to determine whether to introduce Maori wards, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. The Government will introduce a Bill in the coming months that will restore the ability for communities to petition their councils to hold binding polls on Maori ward decisions. This will include holding binding polls on wards that were established without the ability for local referendums to take place.

Residents, not politicians, should determine the constitutional structure of their local council. Introducing race based wards is a constitutional change, just as changing from FPP to STV is. Both types of changes should be ones for voters, not Councillors.

As signalled in our coalition agreements, affected councils will be required to hold a poll alongside the 2025 elections. The results of these polls will be binding on councils and will take effect for the local government term beginning October 2028. If councils do not wish to hold a poll, those councils will be given the opportunity to reverse their decision to establish Maori wards or to disestablish those wards prior to the 2025 local body elections.

There are some Councils who voted for introducing Maori wards purely because they knew there was no ability for a referendum to sustain or veto their decision. If they know the community is against such a change, they can avoid the cost of a referendum by repealing their decision.

This will also allow voters to make informed choices in who they vote for in 2025, as all Council candidates will be on the record about whether or not they support race based wards.

Share this: Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Reddit

WhatsApp

More

Pinterest

Print

Tumblr


Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Some clouds. Low 33F. NNW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 33F. NNW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
North Korea, Russia military ties pose imminent challenge

By Troy Stangarone

In March, Russia vetoed a routine resolution to extend the mandate of the U.N. Panel of Experts. Moscows decision to end the primary U.N. body responsible for investigating U.N. sanctions violations should erase any doubt about Russias willingness to violate sanctions to aid its war effort in Ukraine. It should also end any belief that Moscow is a partner for peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Since the Kim-Putin summit in September 2023, North Korea has shipped over 6,700 weapons containers to Russia in violation of U.N. sanctions. According to South Koreas Ministry of National Defense, these containers could hold approximately 3 million rounds of 152mm artillery shells or 500,000 rounds of 122mm multiple rocket launchers. North Korean ballistic missiles have also been found on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Estimates suggest that Russia is firing five times as many artillery rounds as Ukraine, with North Korean supplies a significant contributor to Russias advantage. NATO estimates that Russia is producing 250,000 artillery rounds a month, or around 3 million a year. In less than six months, North Korea doubled what Russia can produce in a single year. Without North Korean support, Russias battlefield advantage would be closer to 2.5 times that of Ukraine.

North Korea is supplying munitions to Russia with the clear calculation that it will in turn benefit from Russian sanctions violations. Reports suggest that Russia has provided technical assistance for North Koreas satellite launch, is helping Pyongyang evade financial sanctions and is allowing North Korean ships to load petroleum directly at Russian ports. This is likely only the beginning of Russian support for North Korea.

While North Korea is playing a critical role for Russia, South Korea has taken steps to aid Ukraine. Last year, Seoul indirectly provided between 300,000 to 500,000 155mm artillery rounds to Ukraine. However, with the war at a critical stage with Ukraine facing artillery shortages, it is important to find creative solutions for providing Ukraine with additional artillery rounds.

One U.S. think tank has suggested South Korea provide 105mm howitzer shells. South Korea currently has more than 3.4 million 105mm shells in stock. Since less than a third of South Korean howitzers fire the 105mm shell, this would have little impact on South Koreas own defense needs.

There are other steps Seoul can take. South Korea recently announced the development of a new extended-range 155mm artillery shell. While production estimates for this year are only 2,000 shells, transferring some of those shells to Ukraine could provide benefits to South Korea. For example, sending a limited supply of extended 155mm artillery to Ukraine would allow South Korea to test the weapon in real-world conditions and potentially help spur orders from other countries.

Ukraine is working to strengthen its own domestic arms industry to provide supplies separate from international aid. However, it is having difficulty licensing the rights and importing the raw materials needed for domestic production of 155mm artillery. By licensing Ukraine the rights to produce 155mm artillery shells and providing raw materials, South Korea could help Ukraine produce its own artillery rounds.

A related option would be the establishment of South Korean joint defense industry ventures in Ukraine. French, Turkish and other defense firms are working to build facilities in Ukraine. The establishment of South Korean production in Ukraine would allow Seoul to implement a policy of lend and replace. South Korea would lend existing artillery rounds to Ukraine on the understanding that after the war they would be replaced by any Ukrainian domestic production from South Korean or other Ukrainian defense contractors.

Lastly, South Korea could contribute through NATO itself. NATO is developing a five-year, $100 billion military support package for Ukraine. As one of four Indo-Pacific countries that now regularly attend NATOs annual meetings, Korea could take the lead in developing an additional support package among willing Indo-Pacific countries through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

Some might argue that Ukraine isnt South Koreas concern, but the war has a direct impact on South Korean security. Early assumptions about Russias relationship with North Korea have proven incorrect. Most experts suggested that North Korea would only supply Russia with old munitions that it no longer needed. Recovered ballistic missiles, however, include Western parts produced within the last three years. Newly produced North Korean equipment is heading to Russia and Kim Jong-un has encouraged arms producers to increase production. There are fewer limits than initially believed on what North Korea is willing to provide Russia and how long it can sustain those supplies.

While Russia is unlikely to provide North Korea with its most advanced technology, we should not assume that Moscow will not provide Pyongyang with technology that would materially weaken South Koreas own national security. Aiding Ukraine would not directly stop Russia providing new technology to North Korea, but it would deepen South Koreas ties with NATO, help a fellow democracy, mitigate long-term Russia-North Korea ties and lessen the chances of China taking similar action against Taiwan. These outcomes would directly strengthen South Koreas security.





Troy Stangarone (ts@keia.org) is the senior director of congressional affairs and trade at the Korea Economic Institute. He is also a guest editorial writer at The Korea Times.








An explosion at an Italian hydroelectric power plant on Tuesday killed at least four people and left five missing, an official said.

Three people were also injured in the incident at the Bargi plant run by Enel Green Power located on Lake Suviana, the official from the Bologna prefecture in central Italy told AFP.

Fire service images showed smoke rising from the plant on the water's edge where firefighters searched for the missing following the early afternoon blast.

The mayor of the nearby town of Camugnano, Marco Masinara, called the explosion a "terrible workplace accident" that affected the "entire community."

"It seems there was a floor slab collapse and rescue is difficult as a lot of water entered inside the eighth basement floor," he said.

No official cause has yet been determined.

Bologna fire department head, Calogero Turturici, told local television that at least one person was seriously injured.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on social media that she was "following with apprehension the terrible news regarding the explosion."

Enel Green Power, the renewables unit of energy giant Enel that operates the plant, said it was coordinating with authorities.

In a statement to AFP, it said "a fire affected one of the two groups of the Bargi plant" in the province of Bologna.

"Following investigations, the dam basin of the Bargi plant was not damaged and is safe," it said.

Production was halted, but there was no impact on local or national supply, it said.

"The company informs that it is continuing to operate in line with all the necessary safety measures as per internal procedures to guarantee the evacuation of its staff." (AFP)
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 44F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 44F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
The City of Buffalo shut down Hostel Buffalo-Niagara Wednesday morning, posting four condemnation notices on the front door of the Theatre District mainstay and forcing the relocation of eight guests.

Laurence Rubin, attorney for the nonprofit hostel, said the fire department and officials from building inspection, the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency, also known as BURA, and National Grid came to 667 Main St. and condemned the hostel. That occurred, Rubin said, after he received an email earlier in the morning from BURA that said the hostel had until Monday to vacate.

BURA recently extended the hostels departure deadline before construction begins later this spring on the middle and back sections of the building, which fronts on 664 Washington St. Those areas are not occupied by the hostel, and have been allowed by the community development agency to deteriorate since it took ownership 22 years ago.

'We're loved and people want us to stay': Hostel Buffalo-Niagara feeling strain of city plans Hostel Buffalo-Niagara is facing having to depart in the coming weeks when construction in other parts of the building begin, with the pressure of having to buy the building when the construction ends.

The hostel was recently rebuffed by BURA after asking for a meeting with BURA officials and an engineer from Foit-Alberts Associates, an architecture, engineering and surveying company, Rubin said. An analysis by the engineer found the hostel is safe to remain open during construction if standard safety precautions are followed.

A study last year for BURA by DiDonato Associates, an engineering and architectural company, recommended occupants directly adjacent to the Washington Street side of the building should vacate during construction due to the unknowns and risks associated. Scott Billman, BURAs senior director of administration and finance, said DiDonato Associates was given a copy of the Foit-Alberts inspection report and disagreed with its conclusion.

Hope Young-Watkins, BURAs senior director of programs, said the hostel was told in advance that several agencies would be doing a walk-through of the hostel on Wednesday.

The building was condemned after a dangerous electrical service violation was found, according to Catherine Amdur, executive director of the citys Department of Permit and Inspection Services.

The electrical issue concerns the 600 amp service that powers the entire building, one of nine violations a building inspector wrote up in April 2023.

Amdur said the departments electrical chief went on the walk-through after finding BURA had not remedied the situation. He and a second master electrician found the metal cabinet at the main service entrance had corroded to a more dangerous level than anyone suspected.

Its a recipe for disaster, Amdur said.

BURA agreed with the decision to close the hostel, said Scott Billman, BURAs senior director of administration and finance.

Were always starting from the position of safety first, Billman said. Its safety to the occupants, safety to any potential first responder who goes into the property.

Young-Watkins said she wasnt concerned about the optics of closing the hostel, saying safety was of paramount importance and that BURA has been supportive of the hostel through the years.

Hostel officials criticized the move.

Hostel Buffalo-Niagara situation remains unclear, both sides far apart The hostel situation remains unclear as a city agency wants them to vacate the premises during construction, and the hostel's not-for-profit owners say an engineering study concluded that is not necessary.

The hostel is being a victim of the condition of the back of the building, which has been ignored by the city for 20-plus years, said Cliff Madell, a hostel board member and former board president for 20 years. Its been a prime example of demolition by neglect, as any bad landlord in Buffalo. Its criminal that the hostel is being closed as a result of their abandonment of their responsibility.

Elaine Grisanti, an employee who helps maintain the hostel, said she was told by a firefighter that the citations had to do with the part of the building not used by the hostel.

Hostel board president Alexander Burgos said he resigned Monday because his role was compounded by owning a construction company that has relations with the city.

Katherine Pessecow, Burgos successor, said the hostel board is not going to give up.

We first need to take care of our guests, and we hope BURA will help us with that, Pessecow said. Those are our immediate needs. This is a clear indication the city doesnt want the best for the hostel. They just want us out.

Its not clear when construction will begin.

A BURA bid package sent to contractors lists an anticipated construction start date of May 20, with substantial completion of the work expected to take four months and be done in mid-September, less than the six- to eight-month timeframe BURA told the hostel and The News. The hostel has been told it will have an exclusive right to buy the building for 60 days following completion of construction and after its been reappraised.

Id like to see the city treat the not-for-profits better and see us as an asset, said Jonathan JP Piret, the hostels live-in manager. We ask them to work with us, and this is not working with us.

Piret said he doesnt know where he and his cat will relocate to, though there have been repeated warnings from BURA that the hostel would have to close.

BURA is working to make accommodations for existing occupants, Young-Watkins said.

About 10 to 15 people are booked at the hostel for this weekend and others the following weekend, he said. They will be notified the hostel has been shuttered.

The 48-bed hostel opened in 1996 and brings about 6,000 travelers from around the country and the world each year, Piret said.

Rubin had said the hostel in a recent letter to BURA was willing to suspend operations for wall bracing recommended on the middle part of the building when that stage of construction occurs, but BURA didnt want to discuss it, he said.

BURA has pledged $2 million for the stabilization work.

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, with water damage to the roof and floors along with the electrical panels.

Closing the hostel ends any possibility that it will stay open for its busy season. Whether it reopens in its current location remains to be seen.
At their recent concert, held on April 6 at Sogang University's Mary Hall auditorium, YOUNITE Woono stole the spotlight with his remarkable visuals.

Fans were quick to notice his striking resemblance to ASTRO Cha Eun Woo, sparking a wave of excitement and admiration.

YOUNITE Woono Sparks Frenzy Due To Resemblance To ASTRO Cha Eun Woo

The concert, "YOUNICAST," became a platform for YOUNITE Woono to showcase not just his talent but also his undeniable resemblance to South Korea's heartthrob.

Photos from the event circulated widely, with many highlighting the similarities between the two idols.

One observer described Woono as a younger and more rounded version of Cha Eun Woo, particularly noting the resemblance when Woono was captured from a downward angle.

This comparison resonated strongly with fans and online commentators, who flooded social media platforms with comments expressing their astonishment at the resemblance.

           !  ~ # #WOONO pic.twitter.com/UC1ONauNbO April 6, 2024

How Fans Reacted To YOUNITE Woono - ASTRO Cha Eun Woo Resemblance

Following Woono's viral photos, fans took to various social platforms to express their admiration to the two handsome stars.

Here are some of them.

"The first photo is like seeing Eunwoo all over again!"

"There's definitely a similar vibe."

"He gives off that Eunwoo debut-era aura."

"The resemblance is uncanny!"

"He's like a more youthful Cha Eunwoo."

"Who is this adorable look-alike? Is he Korean?"

"He's so cute! I need to know more about him."

"I see what the hype is about now!"

"Among Eunwoo look-alikes, he's the closest!"

"Can someone tell me his name and agency?"

"I finally get why everyone's talking about him!"

READ ALSO: ASTRO Cha Eun Woo's Mom Garners Attention for Strict Upbringing

Meanwhile, To commemorate late Moon Bin's birthday, Cha Eun Woo released a cover of SLANDER's "Love is Gone." The cover, posted on Cha Eun Woo's personal YouTube channel, included unseen footage of him and Moon Bin.

In the video's description, Cha Eun Woo expressed his emotions, revealing that Moon Bin served as his inspiration and motivation. He chose the song because it reminded him of his friend and their memories together.

SLANDER, the original artists of the song, reacted positively to Cha Eunwoo's cover on social media, praising his performance and expressing appreciation for the tribute to Moon Bin.

Fans also lauded Cha Eun Woo for his heartfelt gesture.

Watch ASTRO Cha Eun Woo's cover of "Love is Gone" below.

READ ALSO: ASTRO Cha Eunwoo Breaks Silence on Dating Speculations - 'She's the female...'

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Cassidy Jones.
After being gaslighted to release $1.9M by an acquaintance in exchange for THIS, an idol from a famous group received justice after the suspect was sentenced to nine years in prison.

K-pop Idol Gaslighted by Acquaintance, Extorted of $2M Worth of Money

On April 10, various news outlets released a blind item article about an idol, who became a victim of extortion.

While his identity wasn't revealed, idol A is said to be a former member of a popular group.

Based on the article, the case started in June 2019 when Idol A was booked on charges of sexually harassing two women.

Acquaintance B, who is said to be a broadcast writer and has a close relationship with the idol, approached him, promising to offer help.

At the time, B said:

"I have connections within the prosecution, so I will get you acquitted. I need money to give to a high-ranking prosecutor."

Deceived by these words, the star initially gave B money worth 1.6 billion won (1.9 million USD). But little did he know, B had no contact with the prosecutors and he didn't give the money to them.

In December 2019, the idol was acquitted and thinking that the prosecutors did help, B approached him again and demanded A to give him more money, threatening him that the court was trying to overturn the acquittal.

Idol A was too trusting that he gave his bank account and passwords to B and finally stole another 1 billion KRW (741.4k USD), which included money borrowed from a bank using the idol's house as collateral.

Not only this but about 218 pieces of luxury goods and a gold bag possessed by Idol A were also taken.

B Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison on Charges of Fraud, Violation of Lawyer's Act

After being gaslighted and defrauded, idol A sued B and in July 2023, the prosecution indicted the latter on charges of fraud and violation of the Lawyer's Act.

On the first trial, B was sentenced to 9 years in prison in January. The Seoul Southern District Court also ruled:

Mr. B must pay 2.6 billion won to Mr. A. At the time of the sexual harassment incident, Mr. A must have been anxious because the broadcast he had already filmed could be completely edited, which could have a significant impact on his celebrity activities. There is a possibility that he could have been easily deceived by Mr. B, whom he always trusted. Mr. A has lost the wealth he had accumulated throughout his life due to this incident and is experiencing extreme pain, but Mr. B denies the entire crime and is not reflecting at all, even though the nature of the crime is very bad when looking at the method, period, and amount of money stolen."

The prosecution and B filed an appeal over the first trial ruling and it is reported that the second trial is currently underway at the Seoul High Court.

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
A woman arrested last month after deputies pursued a speeding vehicle was arrested again Tuesday following another chase, the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office reported.

Savannah T. Dorsey-Carter, 24, listed as homeless, faces charges of second-degree burglary, fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, along with numerous traffic charges.

According to the report, Dorsey-Carter was first arrested early on March 18 after deputies spotted a vehicle speeding on Route 380 in the Town of Gerry. After the vehicle rolled over in a ditch, deputies tracked her 2 miles through woods to a cabin in the Town of Ellery, where she was taken into custody. After she was transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries, three warrants were issued for various charges.

About 3:40 a.m. Tuesday, deputies were sent to join the pursuit of a vehicle that began in Pennsylvania. It ended in the Town of Mina, where the driver fled into woods. Neighbors detained Dorsey-Carter and held her until deputies arrived. She was transported again to a hospital before being taken to the Sheriff's Office to face charges. She is held in Chautauqua County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.

 Dale Anderson
John Percy has been involved in Niagara Falls tourism for 25 years and he cant think of a more monumental event thats happened in the city than Mondays total solar eclipse.

'It was insane': Clouds didn't dampen awe of total eclipse in Niagara Falls Though clouds covered the eclipse during the nearly four minutes of totality, viewers got to see the sliver of sun almost totally blocked by the moon right before and after totality.

Daredevil Nik Wallendas walk over the falls on a tightrope in 2012 is close, the president and CEO of Destination Niagara USA said, but for Percy, it will be hard to beat the eclipse.

Theres very few (events) that are at this monumental level, Percy said. When you marry an iconic wonder with this celestial event, it was a win-win for all of us.

Months of preparation and coordination went into welcoming tens of thousands of tourists to the city and state park, many for their first visit. And on the whole, the weekend went off without a hitch.

It was never going to be a question of: Can we handle it? said Angela Berti, public affairs director for New York State Parks. It was how do we best handle it?

There were no unforeseen issues or events over the weekend that first responders were not ready for, said Niagara County Director of Emergency Services Jonathan Schultz.

I think we overestimated for things, Berti said. Its always better to be overprepared than underprepared.

For example, officials across Western New York had been warning residents for weeks leading up to the eclipse about the potential for traffic jams.

That worry never materialized.

Even at Niagara Falls State Park, where there were an estimated 45,000 people on Monday, according to Berti, visitors gradually arrived throughout the day.

Berti said the crowd on Monday was comparable to crowds on a Memorial Day weekend in Niagara Falls, but far bigger than on a typical April day.

While tourism officials are still waiting on an official calculation of the economic impact of the weekend, Percy said eclipse weekend will probably be Niagara Falls best April weekend on record for eternity.

Retail sales at the Destination Niagara USA visitors center were record-breaking over the weekend, Percy said.

That would never happen this early April. Ever, Percy said. So if thats one small indicator, then it was a resounding success.

Vendors on Old Falls Street, a three-block cobblestone street that connects Niagara Falls State Park with the Niagara Falls Convention Center and most downtown hotels and attractions, were over the moon with the consistent business that took place throughout the weekend, Percy said.

It seems visitors heeded officials advice of come early, stay late, as Sunday ended up being the busiest day for local businesses.

The weekend was a positive start to the 2024 summer tourism season in Niagara Falls, especially for the Maid of the Mist.

The tour boat company had one of its best opening weekends in recent history, said John Sicinski, executive vice president.

Thanks to a mild winter with little ice on Lake Erie, the Maid of the Mist was able to open Thursday, just in time to welcome eclipse visitors.

To have this jump-start of a solar eclipse to really have a nice draw to bring people in and see the park on opening weekend is awesome, Sicinski said. It was great.

Sicinski said the number of passengers who rode on the boats this weekend was comparable to the number of visitors during a nice summer weekend in late May or early June.

It was definitely a tick above what we would normally expect in early April, he said.

The companys goal for the weekend was to provide tourists with a memorable experience so they want to come back and encourage people they know to visit.

Tourism officials credited the months of planning and collaboration that went into eclipse weekend as the reason things went so smoothly.

Schultz said Niagara County Emergency Services started planning 14 months in advance, while New York State Parks has been making arrangements for almost two years, according to Berti.

What Im most proud of today is the collaboration between state parks, the City of Niagara Falls, our agency and many other agencies that really worked hard in preparation for this, Percy said. The day did go without a hitch, it went flawlessly because I think we were truly prepared, overprepared for those possible unforeseen incidents.
PRNewswire

London [UK], April 10: A new survey indicates reducing greenhouse gas emissions grew in importance for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in 2023 but that greater support from enabling policies and funding is needed.

Also Read | Dead Rat Found in Ice Block in Pune: Vendor Finds Frozen Rat Embedded in Ice Block of Junnar Factory, Locals Demand Increased Inspection.

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2375399/SME_Climate_Action_2024.pdf?p=original

As regulation and customer expectations increase, and climate change continues to impact small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) at a greater rate, SMEs are prioritizing taking climate action. In the past year, reducing emissions grew in priority for 44 per cent of SMEs surveyed, and maintained the same level of priority for 53 per cent of SMEs.

Also Read | Extreme Sex Takes Womans Life: US Woman Dies After Extreme Sexual Encounter With Husband Goes Terribly Wrong in Spain.

Compared to last year's survey data from the SME Climate Hub, SMEs are facing an 11 per cent increase in pressure to take climate action from shareholders, investors and customers.

Although SMEs suggest they want to take climate action, the survey also indicates they need more support.

Of the 288 SMEs polled, 52 per cent cited lack of policies or government-sponsored incentives and benefits as barriers to climate action. Insufficient funding was cited by 52 per cent of respondents, with 39 per cent saying lack of data about current emissions was hampering action on climate change. A lack of time was seen by 29 per cent as a barrier to action, while 29 per cent suggested lack of skills and knowledge were impeding their ability to act.

Maria Mendiluce, CEO, We Mean Business Coalition, co-founder of the SME Climate Hub, said: "In order to transition to a clean and just economy, we cannot leave behind small businesses and the communities they serve. Small businesses are the nimble changemakers we need to push climate action forward, but we need an all-of-society approach that enables this action. Support mechanisms from governments and incentivizing programs from partners such as financial institutions and corporate supply chain leaders are essential to enable small businesses to take more comprehensive action."

The survey, polling businesses across 44 countries and 25 sectors, was carried out by the SME Climate Hub, a global initiative focused on mobilizing SMEs toward climate action and led by We Mean Business Coalition. It is the third annual survey of SME Climate Hub signatories, assessing the current state of climate action among SMEs and focusing on the critical role of policy support and financial incentives.

Notes to editors Download the survey

For more information, please contact SChebil@WMBCoalition.org

PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2375399/SME_Climate_Action_2024.pdf

(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)
PNN

New Delhi [India], April 10: Following its third consecutive placement on the Financial Times (FT) 500 list of America's Fastest-Growing Companies, MonetizeMore, a leading global publisher monetization company and Google Certified Publishing Partner (GCPP), is excited to announce its strategic expansion plans across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with India at the forefront. MonetizeMore has a proven track record of success working with 1,500+ publishers globally, including giants like BoredPanda, Upworthy, and LifeHack. They've partnered with leading platforms like IndiaMart and Vikatan Group for ad revenue optimization success in India.

Also Read | Karnataka: Man Posts Objectionable Photo of Bharat Mata on Social Media, Arrested After Picture Goes Viral.

This recognition by the FT and Statista solidifies MonetizeMore's position as a global ad technology leader and its commitment to empowering publishers worldwide as their preferred AdSense alternative. As a GCPP partner, MonetizeMore offers publishers access to industry-leading solutions and ad optimization expertise, further solidifying their trusted partnerships.

Diversity and inclusion are core values at MonetizeMore, and their growing APAC presence reflects this commitment. MonetizeMore understands the unique needs of APAC publishers and is dedicated to providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive in the digital advertising landscape.

Also Read | Varshangalkku Shesham Movie: Review, Cast, Plot, Trailer, Release Date - All You Need To Know About Pranav Mohanlal-Dhyan Sreenivasan's Malayalam Film!.

"Our FT recognition for three years in a row is a tremendous honor, and it fuels our expansion plans across APAC," says Kean Graham, CEO of MonetizeMore. "India, a vibrant market with immense potential, is our key focus area. By leveraging our proven solutions and strong partnerships, we're confident we can empower APAC publishers to achieve exceptional results."

Here's how MonetizeMore empowers APAC publishers:

- Increased Revenue: MonetizeMore's programmatic ad solutions help publishers unlock their full earning potential through higher RPMs with premium ad networks.

- Advanced Traffic Protection: MonetizeMore's award-winning IVT solution, Traffic Cop, has become a publisher's shield against invalid traffic and ad setup policy violations (ASPVs). By eliminating these threats, Traffic Cop helps publishers minimize revenue deductions and unlock their full earning potential.

-Future-Proof Technology: MonetizeMore isn't merely keeping pace with the cookieless future; they're actively shaping it for success. By fostering trust with advertisers, they empower publishers to thrive in a privacy-focused world. At the core of their efforts is PubGuru, an industry-leading AI ad management platform driving innovation forward. Soon, PubGuru will introduce features such as in-app invalid traffic prevention and real-time policy compliance checks for brand safety.

-Intuitive Publisher Analytics: MonetizeMore's PubGuru offers customizable reports to address complex queries, combining various dimensions such as ad units and geographies. With over 50 ad network integrations, publishers can monitor revenue consistency, detect ad setup issues, and uncover ad revenue opportunities precisely, right down to the most granular detail.

- Customized App Monetization Solution: MonetizeMore's AI-powered app monetization solution empowers you to maximize your app's profit potential. Our cutting-edge technology takes the guesswork out of ad optimization, ensuring you see a significant boost in revenue. We understand the importance of maintaining control over your app, so we prioritize ownership for our partners. Combined with complete transparency in our operations, this fosters a strong foundation for a sustainable and long-term partnership.

"Navigating the diverse advertising landscape of the Asia-Pacific region, especially in India, demands a nuanced approach. Drawing from our deep expertise in this market, we recognize the limitations of a one-size-fits-all strategy. MonetizeMore boasts a seasoned team dedicated to crafting tailored adops solutions for the digital publishing sector in APAC. With our customized strategies and relentless efforts, we continue to empower publishers to unlock their ad revenue potential while effectively mitigating the risks of invalid traffic at a sustainable cost," says Nikhil Mundhra, Head of Business Development, APAC.

MonetizeMore is committed to partnering with Asia Pacific publishers to help them grow their ad revenue, eliminate ad fraud, and achieve long-term success in the privacy-focused era.

For more information, visit https://go.monetizemore.com/ub-sign-up-india/

Founded in 2010, MonetizeMore is a leading publisher monetization company with 200+ team members across Asia, North America, Europe, and South America. We are a Google Certified Publishing Partner trusted by 1500+ websites and app developers to manage their ad revenue optimization across 40 countries through our comprehensive and AI-powered platform, PubGuru, including our award-winning invalid traffic solution, Traffic Cop, protecting publishers from invalid traffic and revenue clawbacks.

(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], April 10 (ANI): In a concerted effort to address the intricacies of health governance within the global political landscape, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, orchestrated the grandiloquent International Symposium on Health Governance.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this event, themed "Interplay of Health Law, Society and Political Economy," reverberated with discussions and deliberations encapsulating the exigent need for innovative policy solutions and cross-sectoral collaboration.

Also Read | Pune Shocker: Teenage Girl Bludgeons Mother to Death in Her Sleep With Boyfriend's Help to Hide Unauthorised Cash Withdrawal, Arrested.

The symposium, convened by the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in partnership with the Centre for Justice, Law and Society (CJLS) at Jindal Global Law School, witnessed luminaries and experts from various domains converge to dissect the nuanced relationship between health governance, intellectual property rights (IPRs), access to medicine, and public health policy.

Dr VK Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, set the tone with his inaugural address, underscoring the imperatives of access to medicine and the right to health. Drawing from experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Paul stressed inspiring leadership in health policymaking, lauding India's role as a vaccine supplier to developing nations, read the press release.

Also Read | Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Vision Set To Revolutionise Gaming in India, Say Leading Creators.

He also highlighted the adaptability showcased through the invocation of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to address health emergencies.

Justice Ravindra Bhat, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, chaired the first plenary session, focusing on "Economic Policies, TRIPS and Healthcare: Building Bridges for Access."

Justice Bhat emphasized public interest in pharmaceutical patent disputes and advocated for greater collaboration to ensure affordable access to medicines.

The subsequent session delved into the scholarly realm, dissecting the role of research and publication in shaping evidence-based health policies while emphasizing transparency in policymaking.

Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary of Kerala's Local Self-Government and Women and Child Development Department, highlighted the pivotal role of local bodies in healthcare delivery, emphasizing effective utilization of development funds, read the press release.

The symposium's zenith was marked by a special address from Prof. Chantal Thomas, Vice Dean and Radice Family Professor of Law, Cornell Law School, USA, who commended India's moral leadership during the COVID-19 crisis and advocated for dynamic trade models aligned with gender considerations.

Thematic sessions on the second day explored critical health governance issues, featuring eminent speakers such as Prof. (Dr.) B.S. Chimni and Dr Sylvia Karpagam, among others.

The symposium culminated with a special address by Dr Anup Wadhawan, former Commerce Secretary, Government of India, and a distinguished lecture by Prof. Lorand Bartels on "International Economic Law and Right to Health."

Professor Bartels reiterated health as a fundamental human right within international law, underlining the challenges in policy implementation.

Professor James J Nedumpara, Head and Professor, CTIL, offered closing remarks, encapsulating the symposium's enriching discourse and paving the way for further research and collaboration in the realm of health governance, read the press release.

Scholars and academicians, both domestic and international, were afforded a platform to present their research articles, slated for refinement and publication in a Special Issue of Jindal Global Law Review, thus fostering continued dialogue and scholarly exchange.

The International Symposium on Health Governance has not only ignited conversations but also laid a robust foundation for collaborative endeavors aimed at fostering equitable and sustainable health outcomes amidst a complex political landscape. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 10 (ANI): As many as 19 fishermen who were released from the custody of Sri Lanka reached Chennai Airport on Wedneday morning.

The Sri Lankan Navy arrested a total of 21 fishermen who hailed from Ramanathapuram and surrounding areas for fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

Also Read | Tiger Attack in Uttar Pradesh: Farmer Mauled to Death by Big Cat in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.

The 19 fishermen were released by Sri Lanka on Tuesday after intervention by the central and state governments and reached the Chennai Airport Wednesday morning.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Indian embassy in Sri Lanka took to X, and said, "19 Indian fishermen have been repatriated from Sri Lanka and are currently on their way to Chennai."

Also Read | Eid 2024: Why Are Muslims in Kerala and Kashmir Celebrating Eid Ul Fitr Before Rest of India?.

Earlier last week, a total of 19 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were sent to Chennai in an Air India passenger flight from Sri Lanka's Colombo following their arrest, by the Sri Lankan Navy on March 6 for crossing the border.

The 19 fishermen included nine from Mayiladuthurai, four from Pudukottai, and six from Karaikal in Puducherry state. All of them went fishing in the sea in two boats on March 6.

The families of the fishermen had requested that the central and state governments take action to release the fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Following this, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin immediately wrote a letter to the Union Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar and requested to take action to release the fishermen.

The Indian embassy officials in Sri Lanka subsequently held talks with the Sri Lankan government officials. (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, Apr 10 (PTI) A special CBI court in Panchkula on Wednesday convicted four gang members in the infamous double murder and gang rape incident in Haryana's Nuh district in the Mewat region in 2016, officials said.

The court convicted Hemant Chouhan, Ayan Chauhan, Vinay and Jai Bhagwan, all notorious criminals with multiple charges of heinous crimes against them, they said.

Also Read | Eid 2024: PM Narendra Modi Extends Greetings To Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Eid-Al-Fitr Amid Row.

The sentence will be pronounced on April 15, the court has said.

They had entered the house of the victim on the intervening night of August 24-25, 2016, armed with lathis, iron rods and a hand pistol.

Also Read | Pune Shocker: Teenage Girl Bludgeons Mother to Death in Her Sleep With Boyfriend's Help to Hide Unauthorised Cash Withdrawal, Arrested.

The criminals gang-raped a woman and a minor female in their home. They then went on to loot ornaments and cash from the.

"Due to the attack, a male family member along with his wife died and others got grievous injuries. Initial investigation was conducted by Haryana Police which had filed a charge sheet in the case on November 21, 2016," a CBI spokesperson said.

The CBI then took over the investigation on a reference from the Haryana government. During the probe, the agency collected scientific and forensic evidence such as DNA profiling and finger printing.

The CBI probe resulted in the identification of seven accused who were not part of the charge sheet filed by the Harayana Police.

After a meticulous investigation, the CBI filed two supplementary charge sheets on January 24, 2018, and on November 29, 2019.

The special court had framed charges on March 15, 2021, taking note of the accused persons charge-sheeted by the Haryana Police as well as the CBI, the spokesperson said.

Four of the seven accused arraigned by the CBI were convicted by the Special Court on Wednesday while three were acquitted. The accused cited by the Haryana Police were also acquitted.

(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, Apr 10 (PTI) BJP MPs represent 103 out of the 153 Lok Sabha seats in the country where the implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA) is a major issue, according to a recent report.

Experts say there have been a number of "discouraging" forest rights-related developments after 2019 which have heightened concerns of tribals and other forest-dwelling communities and therefore, it will be interesting to see how these issues reflect in the elections.

Also Read | Eid 2024: PM Narendra Modi Extends Greetings To Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Eid-Al-Fitr Amid Row.

The Congress, which enacted the FRA, and the Biju Janata Dal represent 11 seats each, Shiv Sena 6, Telangana Rashtra Samithi and YSRCP 5 each, and the National Congress Party 4, the analysis by independent organisation Vasundhara found.

Considered a milestone in redressing the historical injustice done to Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, the Forest Rights Act 2006 aims to recognise forest rights of such communities living in forests for generations.

Also Read | Arvind Kejriwals Petition for More Time With Lawyers Dismissed, Delhi Court Says Rules Apply Equally to All.

According to the analysis, there are 86 Lok Sabha seats where people demanding forest rights account for over 30 per cent of the electorate.

Similarly, there are 45 seats where FRA eligible voters comprise over 40 per cent of the electorate. These include the Khunti Lok Sabha seat where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has repeated Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda as its candidate.

Out of the 153 core FRA constituencies, the BJP and the Congress ran directly against each other in 74 constituencies in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, of which the Congress won only 5.

There are 47 ST reserved seats in India, out of which 42 are core FRA constituencies. The BJP won 31 ST seats in 2019 and the Congress only 3.

In the ST-reserved seats, tribal rights become central in election campaigns for candidates of the ruling parties and the opposition. Pre-electoral periods have, therefore, been an opportunity for people's movements to highlight and advance these issues, the report said.

Candidates in ST-reserved seats have a lot to gain using the implementation of the FRA and land tenure rights as a core issue in election campaigning, Tushar Das of Vasundhara said.

The key issues in these 153 seats would be the effective implementation of FRA, especially community forest resource rights and empowerment of gram sabhas, remedying mass rejection of forest rights claims and the threat of eviction from forest land, implementation of PESA, withdrawal of forest cases, and effective price for minor forest produces.

Besides, the series of legislative and policy changes that affect FRA and the rights of communities such as Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, the Draft National Forest Policy 2018, changes in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (LARR 2013) and the amendments made to Forest Conservation Act in 2023 are major concerns raised by forest rights advocacy groups.

Das said concerns of tribals and other forest-dwelling communities have increased following a number of forest rights-related developments after 2019.

In 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the eviction of more than 20 lakh tribals and other forest-dwelling households from forestlands after the government failed to defend the validity of the Forest Rights Act, though the apex court modified the order later. The amendments made to the FCRA render a number of community forests unprotected. The Forest Conservation Rules, 2022 diluted the requirement of mandatory Gram Sabha consent before diverting forest land for non-forestry purposes, Das claimed.

"Therefore, the threat of eviction and forest going away have increased. It will be interesting to see how these issues reflect in these constituencies in the elections," he said.

According to government data, the FRA claim disposal rate in the last five years has come down from 87.72 per cent to 84.44 per cent.

While 7,88,948 new claims were filed in the last five years, 5,21,143 titles were distributed, and 5,827 claims were rejected during this period.

A total of 50,26,801 claims have been filed until February 29, 2024. Of this, 24,85,191 titles (49.44 percent) have been distributed, the official data showed.

Five years ago, the total number of claims filed stood at 42,37,853, and the number of titles that had been already distributed stood at 19,64,048.

While officials say the Covid-19 pandemic hampered the implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006, which recognizes rights of forest-dwelling scheduled tribes and other traditional communities, in 2020 and 2021, experts said lack of political will and corruption is the primary obstacle.

Over 50 percent of the claims filed so far in eight states and Union territories, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, have been rejected, according to the official data.

At 97.23 percent, the claim rejection rate is the highest in Uttarakhand, where a total of 6,678 claims have been filed so far but only 185 titles distributed.

Chhattisgarh has rejected the highest number of claims -- 4,00,649 out of the total 9,41,977 received so far.

Karnataka has rejected 2,53,269 or 86.01 percent of the 2,94,489 claims filed so far.

According to Brajesh Kumar Dubey, general manager of the Gujarat-based non-profit Foundation For Ecological Security, lack of clarity among both claimants and officials about the procedures, evidence requirements, and documentation standards is a major reason for the rejection of claims.

Other reasons for rejections are insufficient understanding and capacity among Forest Rights Committees on proper documentation and failure on the part of sub-district and district-level committees to inform FRCs about the rejected claims. These sometimes lead to the submission of fresh claims on non-forest lands, Dubey said.

There have also been rejections based on grounds such as claimants already owning sufficient land or being employed, 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)
Hyderabad, Apr 10 (PTI) The BRS on Wednesday announced G Niveditha as its candidate for the bypoll in the Secunderabad Cantonment assembly constituency in Telangana.

The byelection was necessitated following the death of Niveditha's sister G Lasya Nanditha in a road accident here in February this year.

Also Read | Secunderabad Cantonment By Election 2024: BRS Fields MLA Nandithas Sister Lasya Nivedita for Assembly Election.

BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao decided on Niveditha's candidature after holding talks with party leaders, BRS said in a release.

Polling for the by-election would be held on May 13, along with the Lok Sabha elections.

Also Read | Prank Turns Ugly in Nagpur: Bid To Kidnap Boy for Prank Video Lands Four Teenage Students in Police Net.

Niveditha's father G Sayanna, who was a five-time MLA from Secunderabad Cantonment (SC), passed away in February last year due to health issues.

The BRS fielded Lasya Nanditha in the Legislative Assembly elections held in November last year. However, in a tragic turn of events, she died in the road accident necessitating the bypoll.

The ruling Congress has already announced Narayana Sri Ganesh as its candidate for the Secunderabad Cantonment.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, Apr 10 (PTI) Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose reached out to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar regarding issues raised by his party, including permission to rebuild houses devastated by a storm in Jalpaiguri, but he was not talking to him.

Banerjee made the allegation while addressing the press after meeting Bose at the Raj Bhavan.

Also Read | EU Parliament Agrees on Stricter Migration Rules.

"The governor assured the TMC delegation on Monday that he would take up with the Election Commission the demands raised us. But for some reason, the CEC is not talking to the governor. They don't value the Constitution," he said.

Banerjee said the Election Commission denied permission to rebuild homes that were damaged by the storm as the model code of conduct was in place.

Also Read | Bombay High Court Quashes FIR Registered Against Three Businessmen Caught During Police Raid at Dance Bar, Says Customers Cant Be Booked for Obscene Dance Performed by Bar Girls.

"But in neighbouring Assam, the EC has allowed the BJP-led government to work for the affected people," he claimed.

Banerjee said that he would meet the representatives of the 1,600 families whose houses were destroyed in the storm on Friday, and was considering meeting President Droupadi Murmu with the demand.

(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], April 10 (ANI): The Central government has provided 'Y+' category Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) security cover to Bharatiya Janata Party state in-charge of Sikkim Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, sources said on Wednesday.

Jaiswal has been facilitated the security only in Sikkim-- a move taken following the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) based on threat analysis report of the Intelligence Bureau.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Addresses Newsweek Questions, Urges Foreign Media To Visit Jammu and Kashmir To Witness Sweeping Positive Changes in Valley.

Earlier in 2022, the BJP national president, JP Nadda, appointed Dilip Kumar Jaiswal as state in-charge of the Sikkim BJP.

The MHA has also provided 'Y' category CRPF security cover to BJP's Dilli Ram Thapa in Sikkim.

Also Read | Eid 2024: PM Narendra Modi Extends Greetings To Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Eid-Al-Fitr Amid Row.

Sikkim has 32 assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha seat. Polling for the assembly and Lok Sabha elections will be held simultaneously on April 19.

Earlier, the Central government provided 'Y+ escort' category CRPF security cover to former Indian Ambassador to the US and recently inducted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Taranjeet Singh Sandhu.

Sandhu has been granted security cover for across India following an order issued earlier this week by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The MHA took the decision to extend the security cover to Sandhu based on a recent threat analysis report received from Intelligence Bureau.

The Central government earlier sanctioned 'Y+' category security cover administered by the CRPF for Madhavi Latha, the BJP candidate vying for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat.

Sources reveal that the CRPF security arrangement is exclusively provided to the BJP leader for Telangana.

The Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in the northeastern state will be held simultaneously on April 19.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Prem Das Rai of the Sikkim Democratic Front secured victory. Indra Hang Subba of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) won the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim in 2019. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gaya (Bihar) Apr 10 (PTI) Launching a blistering attack on the opposition INDIA bloc, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused the Congress of creating a north-south divide to break the country.

Addressing an election rally in Guraru block of Gaya district, he also accused the Congress and the RJD of indulging in the politics of appeasement.

Also Read | Secunderabad Cantonment By Election 2024: BRS Fields MLA Nandithas Sister Lasya Nivedita for Assembly Election.

The Congress party is creating a north-south divide to break the nation which the NDA-led Central government and people of the country will not allow. Their leader Rahul Gandhi is maintaining a stoic silence on this, Shah said.

People of this country have now made up their mind to give a befitting reply to such divisive forces in the Lok Sabha polls and will ensure 400 plus seats for the NDA, he added.

Also Read | Prank Turns Ugly in Nagpur: Bid To Kidnap Boy for Prank Video Lands Four Teenage Students in Police Net.

They (Congress and RJD) are indulging in politics of appeasement and that is the reason they are protesting the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, said Shah.

He also claimed that the Congress never wanted Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and never thought of conferring Bharat Ratna to former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The West Seneca Central School District must save $5 million to balance its budget for next year, and most of that would come from reducing positions, interim Superintendent Jeffrey Rabey said Tuesday night during a School Board meeting.

Rabey said the savings of 47.5 full-time equivalent positions would come through various salary and benefit reductions and attrition. It was not clear how many people would lose their jobs and how many jobs would be cut through attrition, but the budget plan presented shows a reduction of 30.5 teaching positions and 17 other staff members.

This is protecting reasonable class sizes and at the same time adhering to the Board of Education guidelines, maximizing district resources and efficiency, realizing reduction of positions through attrition and realigning roles and responsibilities to be more effective and efficient, he said.

West Seneca Schools superintendent responds to teacher demonstrations about potential layoffs "We are anticipating and prepared that we may have to make some difficult decisions in order to maintain the quality of education our students deserve," West Seneca interim Superintendent Jeffrey R. Rabey said in a written statement.

Members of the teachers and CSEA unions packed the meeting room at West Elementary School for the regular board meeting and budget update.

Craig S. Ersing, treasurer of the West Seneca Teachers Association, maintained that the budget issue is a manufactured crisis.

Our interim superintendent would have you believe that the expiration of the American Rescue Plan and the reduction in New York State Foundation aid has created a massive financial emergency. The reality is, however, this is simply not true, Ersing told the board.

He maintained that the district is in good fiscal shape and is not considered in fiscal stress by the State Comptrollers Office. He said Rabey has not proven that the district is in crisis and that he will soon be gone from the district.

Board President Elizabeth Gates said the board will announce its choice for a permanent superintendent in the coming days.

When he is gone, we all, the board and all the people in this room, are going to be asked to fix these problems, Ersing said of Rabey. Like you, we want the new superintendent to be successful. They are being set up for chaos, conflict and failure.

Darryl Hertel, president of CSEA Local 868, said his members have not been heard or included in helping to solve the budget issues.

The administration is always discussing the dwindling student population. Do you know what hasnt dwindled, hasnt gone unnoticed since Ive been in West Seneca schools? The square footage of our buildings, said head custodian Hertel.

When there were budget cuts in 2016, the district worked with all the bargaining units, Ersing said, adding that teachers want to work with the administration this year. He said when teachers approached the interim superintendent, they were told Thats not how school districts operate.

These are not positions. These are our students. These are people. These are families, Ersing said to a 30-second standing ovation of teachers and staff.

Rabey said the challenges facing next years budget include the expiration of $4.8 million in pandemic aid, the tax levy cap that will allow an increase of 1.95% and the uncertainty of state aid.

The School Board is expected to finalize the budget at its meeting Tuesday.
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], April 10 (ANI): After being questioned by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Congress MLA from Jharkhand Amba Prasad said that she will continue to cooperate in the investigation and will appear before the agency on Wednesday.

"I was asked no such questions till now from where I can guess the issue (behind the questioning). We are cooperating in the investigation, I have been asked to come tomorrow as well. I will be coming. This is the time of festivals. We celebrate Sarhul, Ram Navami and Eid along with people every time but this time it's not possible. So we are sad about this," Amba Prasad said speaking to ANI on Tuesday.

Also Read | Drug Overdose Death in Lucknow: Lured Into 'Thrill-Seeking' Experience by Male Friend, Girl Dies of Drug Overdose in Tiwariganj.

The ED had earlier summoned Jharkhand Congress MLA Amba Prasad on April 4 and her brother Ankit Sao on April 5.

On March 14, The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at 20 locations in Ranchi and Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, related to Yogendra Sao, Amba Prasad and their other family members and associates under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002.

Also Read | Raigad Shocker: Woman Smothers Her Two Kids to Death To Elope With Paramour in Maharashtra, Arrested.

The searches were carried out in connection with a case related to criminal activities such as extortion, collection of levies, illegal sand mining, land grabbing, etc.

"During the search operation unexplained cash worth Rs 35 lakh (approx.), digital devices, fake stamps of Circle Offices, Banks, etc., various incriminating documents in the form of handwritten receipts/diaries, etc. and evidences related to illegal sand mining in the state have been recovered and seized," the probe agency said.

A complaint of money laundering was filed in 2023 against the Congress MLA at the Ranchi zonal office of the central enforcement agency, as per sources. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Porbandar, Apr 10 (PTI) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday gave guidance to BJP leaders in the state's Porbandar district on winning the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and assembly bypoll there with record margins, a party functionary said.

The ruling party has fielded Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya for the Porbandar Lok Sabha seat, while Congress turncoat Arjun Modhwadia has been given the ticket for the bypoll on the Porbandar assembly seat, which fell vacant after his resignation.

Also Read | Raaj Kumar Anand Quits AAP: Former Delhi Minister Shares Reasons Behind Quitting Party, Says 'Insult to Baba Saheb Ambedkar's Legacy, Injustice to Dalits' (Watch Videos).

After his arrival here, CM Patel held a closed-door meeting with nearly 150 key leaders who are campaigning for both the seats. Later, he met office-bearers of various local bodies and cooperative entities under the Porbandar Lok Sabha seat, said a party leader.

Mandaviya, Modhwadia, state minister Kunvarji Bavaliya and senior party leader Kiritsinh Rana were among the key leaders who met CM Patel.

Also Read | Kerala Imam Slams Adah Sharma and Sudipto Sens The Kerala Story Screenings In Eid Sermons.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Modhwadia said, The CM gave us guidance on how to win both the seats with record margins. During these meetings, local party workers assured him that BJP candidates on both seats would win with a lead of over 1 lakh votes.

Voting for all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat and five assembly seats where bypolls have been necessitated will be held on May 7 and votes will be counted on June 4.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Theni (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 10 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin campaigned at a vegetable market in Theni district on Wednesday, seeking votes for DMK Lok Sabha candidate Thanga Tamil Selvan.

As per the visuals, the Chief Minister was seen greeting people who had come to the market in the morning.

Also Read | India Elected to Several Key Bodies at UN, Wins Significant Re-Election to International Narcotics Control Board With Highest Number of Votes.

TTV Dhinakaran, whose Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK) is a partner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu, is also contesting from the Theni Lok Sabha seat.

Earlier in March, Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin held a roadshow in support of Selvan in Theni.

Also Read | Tiger Attack in Uttar Pradesh: Farmer Mauled to Death by Big Cat in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) candidate Raveendranath Kumar had won the Theni Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 elections. The AIADMK was then in alliance with the BJP in Tamil Nadu.

All 39 seats in Tamil Nadu will go to polls in the first phase of the general elections on April 19 and the counting of votes, along with those from other phases, has been scheduled for June 4.

In 2019, the DMK swept the Lok Sabha polls in the state, winning 23 Lok Sabha seats and bagging the lion's share of the total votes polled, at 33.2 per cent.

Its ruling ally, Congress, bagged 8 seats, mining 12.9 per cent of the total votes polled, while the CPI won two seats. CPI (M) and IUML won one seat each while the remaining two seats went to independents. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Indore, Apr 10 (PTI) A 79-year-old 'sevak', who was among the 14 persons injured in a fire at the famous Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain last month, died during treatment at a hospital in Maharashtra on Wednesday morning, an official said.

The fire broke out in the temple's sanctum sanctorum on March 25 during the famous 'bhasma aarti' ritual as 'gulal' (coloured powder fell) on the puja thali that contained burning camphor.

Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal Moves Supreme Court Challenging Delhi HC Order on His Arrest by ED in Excise Policy Case.

Fourteen persons, including priests and 'sevaks' (servitors) were injured in the blaze.

"Satyanarayan Soni (79), sevadar at the Mahakaleshwar temple, was first sent to a private hospital in Indore and when his condition did not improve, he was admitted to the National Burns Centre in Mumbai," Ujjain District Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh told PTI.

Also Read | Dead Rat Found in Ice Block in Pune: Vendor Finds Frozen Rat Embedded in Ice Block of Junnar Factory, Locals Demand Increased Inspection.

"He died during treatment in the hospital in Mumbai. He was already suffering from diabetes," the official said.

The collector said three persons who suffered burns in the fire are currently admitted in the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences in Indore, while the other injured persons have recovered after treatment.

(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], April 10 (ANI): The Delhi Police concluded its arguments on former JNU student leader Umar Khalid's bail plea on Tuesday, saying he amplified his narrative as part of the conspiracy. Khalid, who is accused in the larger conspiracy of the Delhi riots case under UAP(A), has sought regular bail. He has been in custody since September 2020.

Special Judge Sameer Bajpai of Karkardooma Court heard the arguments by the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad for Delhi Police. The matter has been listed for a rejoinder by the counsel for Khalid.

Also Read | Chhattisgarh Road Accident: Bus Ferrying Distillery Company Staffers Falls Into Soil Mine Pit in Durg District; 11 Killed, 20 Injured (Watch Videos).

During his arguments, SPP Amit Prasad referred to various chats of Khalid with people, who had a social media following. SPP said Khalid amplified his narrative as part of a conspiracy.

SPP Prasad submitted that among the people, whom Khalid had allegedly messaged, were political and social activist Yogendra Yadav, and two online news portals.

Also Read | Andhra Pradesh Elections 2024: Congress Announces Candidates for Six Lok Sabha, 12 Legislative Assembly Seats of State; Check List Here.

Khalid had moved a plea seeking bail. It was argued that there is a 'change of circumstances'. The period spent in the custody is also a charge of circumstances.

Earlier, Khalid's counsel told the court that other accused persons facing graver allegations than him were out on bail and those who were allegedly involved in the same activities as him were not even made accused by the Delhi Police.

However, SPP Amit Prasad, arguing before the court on Tuesday, said all the events (or instances) in the 'conspiracy' must be read together and not in isolation.

"The name of the accused appeared from the beginning till the culmination of the conspiracy," the Special Public Prosecutor noted.

The accused said earlier some of the co-accused were granted bail and he should be done likewise on grounds of 'parity'.

SPP Prasad argued that the judgements by the virtue of which three accused persons (Asif Iqbal Tanha, Devangana Kalita and Natasha) were granted bail can't be relied upon as 'precedent', and that every other accused person can not be entitled to parity.

"People on bail are stalling the trial so that people in custody can take advantage of the delay," Prasad added.

It was also alleged by the SPP that in a WhatsApp group called 'Hum Bharat Ke Log', Khalid told others that they would 'strategise' after a Supreme Court hearing. Prasad also added that Khalid said they would mobilise a protest based on what happened in the SC hearing.

During the hearing, the SPP played before the court on his laptop an interview with Khalid's father, where he was heard saying that they don't have faith in the Supreme Court. "They have no faith in the SC ... therefore, they came to the trial Court. This is how they're creating a narrative," Prasad said, concluding his arguments.

In February, Khalid withdrew his bail plea from the Supreme Court. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI) "We will rip you apart", the Supreme Court warned the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority on Wednesday slamming it for inaction over misleading advertisements issued by Patanjali Ayurved.

The apex court said the Authority remained in "deep slumber" and there was a clear attempt by it to "pass the buck" and somehow delay the matter despite it being informed about the misleading advertisements.

Also Read | Kerala Imam Slams Adah Sharma and Sudipto Sens The Kerala Story Screenings In Eid Sermons.

"Why should we not think that you were in cahoots with the contemnor respondents and you were keeping your eyes shut deliberately?" a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah told the counsel appearing for the Authority.

Coming down heavily on the state licensing body, the bench said it was "appalled to note that except for pushing the files", the Authority has done nothing.

Also Read | Online Drugs Order in Mumbai: Two Import 214 Grams of Marijuana From US via Courier Service, Arrested After Customs Set Up Delivery Trap.

"In all these four-five years, the State Licensing Authority has remained in deep slumber," the bench said.

The bench asked why the officer of the licensing authority and district Ayurvedic and Unani officers should not be suspended for their inaction.

When the Authority's counsel referred to the bona fides of its officers, an anguished bench said, "Bona fide you say? We will rip you apart on bona fide. We will rip you apart".

The counsel appearing for the Authority told the court that its incumbent joint director had taken over the post in June last year.

The top court said that in its opinion nine months is enough time for the officer to have acted in accordance with law.

The bench said it appeared that his predecessor was "equally complicit" in light of the same inaction during his tenure.

It said the Authority has filed a detailed affidavit before the court trying to explain the action taken by it on the central government corresponding with the Authority regarding objectionable advertisements of AYUSH products manufactured by Divya Pharmacy.

"The disdain shown by Divya Pharmacy to the repeated notices of show cause issued by the State Licensing Authority is apparent from the tone and tenor of their reply," it observed.

The bench said it appeared that if the court would not step in, the Authority would abdicate its duties under the statute and await an order from the apex court for implementation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

"Besides the proposed contemnors, we are inclined to issue notices of contempt to the deponent of the affidavit (filed by the Authority) as also his predecessor. However, we are refraining from doing so in the present," it said.

It said the Centre had clearly told the state Authority in 2020 to stop the objectionable advertisements.

It said the predecessor of the incumbent joint director of the authority shall file an affidavit explaining the inaction on his part during his tenure.

The bench also directed that the district Ayurvedic and Unani officers, Haridwar, who were posted from 2018 till date shall also file affidavits explaining the inaction on their part.

It observed that the officer concerned with the Authority "remained quiet" and only forwarded the files.

"He is a post office. The person appointed subsequently also does the same," it said, adding, "If this is not dereliction of duty then what is".

"Take it seriously. The matter is serious," the bench said.

It also refused to accept the affidavits of yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved managing director Balkrishna tendering unconditional apologies over publishing misleading advertisements, asserting the apologies were "on paper" and the court doesn't want to be "so generous".

The apex court is hearing a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) alleging a smear campaign against the Covid vaccination drive and modern systems of medicine.

On March 19, the court had directed Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear before it after taking exception to the company's failure to respond to the notice issued in the case relating to advertisements of the firm's products and their medicinal efficacy.

The top court had said it deemed it appropriate to issue Ramdev a show cause notice as advertisements issued by Patanjali, which were in the teeth of the undertaking given to the court on November 21, 2023, reflect an endorsement by him.

(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], April 10 (ANI): Muslims in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Jammu Kashmir, and Ladakh are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of the month-long 'Ramazan' fasting.

People offered 'namaz' or the Eid prayer at mosques and open prayer grounds as part of the Eid celebrations.

Also Read | India Elected to Several Key Bodies at UN, Wins Significant Re-Election to International Narcotics Control Board With Highest Number of Votes.

Hundreds of Muslims took part in the mass 'Namaz' recitation ceremony as they prayed in unison at a mosque in Coimbatore.

Similarly, a large number of people offered prayers at the mosque in the Ernakulam district of Kerala on Wednesday to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr.

Also Read | Tiger Attack in Uttar Pradesh: Farmer Mauled to Death by Big Cat in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.

Mass prayers were also held in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on the occasion of Eid.

Meanwhile, muslims in Jammu and Kashmir also marked the celebration of the holy festival of Eid-Ul-Fitr with morning prayers.

A large number of people flocked to the local markets to buy sweets, and delicacies on Eid.

Speaking to ANI, a shopkeeper said that sweets, including gulab jamun, rasgulla, and pheeni have been prepared for the festival.

He also said that a variety of namkeens have arrived at the shop to meet the demand of the people on the occasion of Eid.

Visuals show people buying Eid desserts from the shop, including seviyan, sheer khurma, dates halwa, shahi tukda, kesar phirni, filled cookies, baklava and others.

Shops and markets in prominent areas are decked up for the festival. The enthusiasm of Muslim people seems to be high as they have geared up to celebrate the festival with all rituals and grace.

The moon was sighted in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday after which the Union Territory's grand Mufti Nasir-Ul-Islam announced that the Eid 2024 celebration will be held on Wednesday.

In addition to Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh also confirmed the celebration of the festival on Wednesday after the crescent moon was spotted in Leh on April 9.

Clerics from Hyderabad, Lucknow, Delhi, and several other cities confirmed that the moon was not sighted on April 9, hence Eid would be celebrated in the states on April 11.

Lucknow's Markazi Chand Committee said, "Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted in the country on Tuesday."

Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali told ANI, "The moon has not been sighted in Lucknow and we have no information about the moon from anywhere in the country. So it has been decided that Eid-al-Fitr will be celebrated on April 11."

Further, Maulana Khalid urged people not to offer namaz on roads and to donate to the needy.

Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival is of great significance due to the moon sighting, which has been part of Islamic culture for a long time.

Ending the holy month of Ramzan and starting a new spiritual journey also marks the beginning of a new Islamic year.

Eid-ul-Fitr marks the month-long Ramzan fasting and the beginning of Shawwal, which is the tenth month per the Islamic calendar. Since the observance of the moon is essential for ending Ramzan month and celebrating Eid, it is celebrated in different parts on different days, usually with a one-day difference. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Nagpur, April 10: After holding election rallies in Chhattisgarh's Bastar and Chandrapur in Maharashtra, in addition to taking out a colourful roadshow down South, in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Nagpur on Wednesday for an election rally in the Ramtek constituency in support of the Shiv Sena (ruling Eknath Shinde faction) candidate Raju Parwe. The rally is bolstering public support for the Shiv Sena candidate.

Earlier on March 24, senior state Congress leader and Umred MLA, Raju Parwe, joined Sena in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. CM Shinde visited the rally grounds in Ramtek on Tuesday night to take stock of the preparations ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. He also took stock of the situation in Nagpur, which received rainfall earlier. CM Shinde instructed party officials to ensure all arrangements are in place for PM Modi's rally. Lok Sabha Elections 2024: MNS President Raj Thackeray Extends Unconditional Support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ramtek will face polling on April 19, which is the first or opening phase of the Lok Sabha polls. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second-largest after Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 seats it contested in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena. 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. PM Modi in Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Holds Roadshow in Chennai, People Gather in Large Numbers to Witness Event (Watch Video).

The undivided NCP, part of the opposition alliance, contested 19 seats and won four. Following the split in 2022, the Shiv Sena, which had earlier formed a coalition government with the Congress and NCP, saw Eknath Shinde break away from the party with his loyalists and align with the BJP. He took over as CM later, with the support of the BJP. The Election Commission (EC), thereafter, allotted the Sena's 'bow and arrow' symbol and the party flag to the Shinde faction.

(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, Apr 10 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a plea seeking a breathalyser test of voters in queue at every polling booth during the elections.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta refused to interfere with the Andhra Pradesh High Court order dismissing the petition and said, "It is more of a publicity interest litigation".

Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal Moves Supreme Court Challenging Delhi HC Order on His Arrest by ED in Excise Policy Case.

Counsel appearing for the Andhra Pradesh unit of the Janavahini Party said since the model code of conduct is imposed, no voter should be allowed to vote under the influence of alcohol.

The bench said, "What is this? It is for publicity. On polling day it is a dry day and police personnel are deployed everywhere. We will not entertain this. Dismissed."

Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024: Sharad Pawar's NCP Fields Shashikant Shinde From Satara and Shriram Patil From Raver Seat in Maharashtra.

The Andhra Pradesh unit of the Janavahini Party has initially moved the high court, which had dismissed the plea on February 28.

The high court has said the petitioner has failed to draw its attention to any specific legal provision which would make it obligatory for the Election Commission of India, to ensure that every person who enters a polling booth is subjected to a breathalyser test before a person is permitted to cast his/her vote.

The political party has challenged the inaction on the part of the Election Commission on its representation dated January 6 seeking the arrangement of a breathing analyser at the entry point of the queue being maintained at every polling booth and allowing only those voters to exercise their voting right, who are uninfluenced by alcohol.

It has sought direction to the poll panel to arrange a breathing analyser at the entry point of queues at polling booths and allow only those voters to exercise their voting right, who are uninfluenced by alcohol.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Meerut (UP), Apr 10 (PTI) Gangsters who were dreaded in the past have wet their pants under the current dispensation, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday while asserting that his government has acted tough against criminals.

Addressing a public meeting in Sardhana under the Muzaffarnagar Lok Sabha seat in support of BJP candidate Sanjeev Baliyan, the chief minister said everyone is aware of the plight of the goons in the state.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Addresses Newsweek Questions, Urges Foreign Media To Visit Jammu and Kashmir To Witness Sweeping Positive Changes in Valley.

He claimed that during the Samajwadi Party rule, convoys of the then chief minister and chief justice used to make way for a gangster. "But when we dragged him to court, he wet his pants," Adityanath said, without taking any names."

"'Nirdosh ko maroge to mitti bhi nahi milegi' (You wouldn't even have a final resting place if you kill innocent people)," the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.

Also Read | Eid 2024: PM Narendra Modi Extends Greetings To Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Eid-Al-Fitr Amid Row.

"The goon who was the cause of curfews wet his pants during our rule. Everyone knows the plight of goons and terrorists in the state today," he said.

Referring to the action taken by his government against the criminals of western Uttar Pradesh, the chief minister appealed to the public to ensure that the mafias who have been subdued under his government should not have a chance to rise again.

"While good leadership takes the country to great heights, power in the wrong hands leads to poverty," he said.

"On the one hand, India is giving free ration to 80 crore people for the last four years and on the other hand, Pakistan is begging all over the world. Pakistan is in this condition happened because of its leaders," the senior BJP leader was quoted as saying in a statement.

He assured the people that no one could harm them as security has been strengthened across the state.

Voting in Muzaffarnagar Lok Sabha constituency will be held in the first of the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls. While BJP has fielded Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan from the seat, the Samajwadi Party has fielded Harendra Malik against him. Dara Singh Prajapati of the Bahujan Samaj Party is also in the fray.

Balyan won the seat in the 2014 and 2019 general elections. He defeated Rashtriya Lok Dal's Chaudhary Ajit Singh in the last Lok Sabha polls. This time, RLD is a constituent of the BJP-led NDA.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 10 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh government will take a decision over dropping criminal charges against Congress state president Ajay Rai in connection with the 2015 rioting case after the Lok Sabha elections, the state government's Additional Advocate General PC Srivastava told the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday.

Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh, who is hearing Ajay Rai's petition, has directed the state government to file an affidavit to this effect within a week. He also scheduled the case for next hearing on April 19.

Also Read | Dead Rat Found in Ice Block in Pune: Vendor Finds Frozen Rat Embedded in Ice Block of Junnar Factory, Locals Demand Increased Inspection.

A special court had allowed the Uttar Pradesh government to drop charges against 81 people in a 2015 rioting case, leaving only state Congress chief Ajay Rai to face prosecution in October 2023.

The MP-MLA court's order came after the BJP government decided to withdraw the charges against 81 of the 82 accused in the case.

Also Read | INR vs USD: Indian Rupee Rises 15 Paise to 83.16 Against US Dollar in Early Trade.

Among the 81 people whose charges have been dropped are UP minister Dayashankar Mishra Dayalu and some Hindu ascetics.

The state government has decided to withdraw the case against 81 accused under the procedure of Section 321 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The case was lodged at Dashashwamedh police station here against 82 people, including Rai, on charges of rioting, arson, attempt to murder, and damaging government property after violence broke out during the "Anyay Pratikar Yatra'.

The Congress leader has been pitted once again against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats in the country will be held in seven phases starting April 19. Nearly 97 crore voters are eligible to cast votes in the 2024 general elections. The counting of votes has been scheduled for June 4.

The most populous state, which sends the most members to the Lower House of Parliament, at 80, will poll across all seven phases. The polling in the ancient pilgrimage town of Varanasi will take place in the seventh and final phase on June 1.

On March 23, Congress released its fourth list of 45 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, fielding Ajay Rai, against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi.

Rai had challenged PM Modi in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency but was trounced on both occasions.

Before PM Modi, the Varanasi seat was held by stalwart BJP leader and former Union Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi. (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, Apr 10 (PTI) Dr Reddy's Laboratories on Wednesday said it has launched migraine management wearable device Nerivio in Germany through its step-down subsidiary Betapharm.

The launch marks the company's entry into digital therapeutics in Europe, the Hyderabad-based drug major said in a statement.

Also Read | Char Dham Yatra 2024 Registration: Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri Temples To Open Doors for Devotees Soon, Know Dates and How To Register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.

Nerivio is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), and is CE-mark certified in Europe.

Dr Reddy's launched Nerivio in India last year.

Also Read | BJP Foundation Day 2024 Date: Know the History and Significance of BJP Sthapna Diwas That Celebrates the Formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Nerivio has had an encouraging start in India, with recommendations from neurologists in India and bringing relief to patients living with migraine, Dr Reddy's CEO of Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets) MV Ramana said.

"We believe this product meets a genuine unmet clinical need among migraine patients, and has the potential to reduce pill burden in migraine," he added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI) Shares of One97 Communications, Paytm's brand owner, on Wednesday declined 4 per cent after Paytm Payments Bank's Managing Director and CEO Surinder Chawla resigned from the company.

The stock dipped 4 per cent to Rs 388 on both the BSE and NSE.

Also Read | BJP Foundation Day 2024 Date: Know the History and Significance of BJP Sthapna Diwas That Celebrates the Formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The company's market valuation eroded Rs 463.84 crore during the morning trade.

Chawla's resignation comes amidst Paytm Payments Bank Ltd facing prohibitory action from banking regulator RBI.

Also Read | AMC Raising Day 2024: Army Medical Corps Celebrates 260th Raising Day as They Live Up To The Corps Motto.

"Surinder Chawla, Managing Director and CEO of PPBL has tendered his resignation on April 8, 2024, on account of personal reasons and to explore better career prospects. He will be relieved from PPBL w.e.f. close of business hours on June 26, 2024, unless changed by mutual consent," One97 Communications said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday.

Chawla joined PPBL in January last year after the payments bank received approval from the Reserve Bank of India.

In a major action against Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL), RBI, on January 31, directed it to stop accepting deposits or top-ups in any customer accounts, wallets, FASTags, and other instruments after February 29. Subsequently, the deadline was extended to March 15.

The direction follows persistent non-compliance and continued material supervisory concerns, the central bank had said in a statement.

One97 Communications Limited (OCL) holds a 49 per cent stake in PPBL.

(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, Apr 10 (PTI) Clean energy firm ReNew on Wednesday said it has completed construction of 1.94 GW of renewable assets in FY24, taking its total capacity to 10 GW.

Accounting for assets sold, the company's revenue generating capacity stands at 9.52 GW as on March 31, 2024, the company said in a statement.

Also Read | Char Dham Yatra 2024 Registration: Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri Temples To Open Doors for Devotees Soon, Know Dates and How To Register on registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.

The company added 1,174 MW of solar and 768 MW of wind energy during FY24.

This is one of the highest-ever capacity additions of wind energy among all companies in India in a single year, it stated.

Also Read | BJP Foundation Day 2024 Date: Know the History and Significance of BJP Sthapna Diwas That Celebrates the Formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

ReNew, among the largest clean energy companies globally, announced on Wednesday that it has completed construction of 1.94 GW of RE assets in FY24, taking the cumulative capacity set up by the company to over 10 GW, the statement said.

In FY24, ReNew contributed about 10 per cent of the country's total solar and wind energy generation.

The company has India's largest wind portfolio of 4.7 GW, representing 10.5 per cent of India's total wind energy capacity, it stated.

In 2023-24, ReNew won auctions to supply 4.8 GW (PPA) RE capacity, accounting for 10.1 per cent of the total capacity for which tenders were concluded during the year.

Looking ahead, this would enable the company to double our RE asset portfolio to 20 GW by 2027/28, it stated.

ReNew has a deep presence across the country with over 150 renewable energy sites across 10 Indian states and employs more than 4,000 people.

The company is among the top-10 renewable energy companies globally (ex-China), thanks to its balanced portfolio of solar and wind energy.

It has also achieved backward integration through the manufacturing of solar modules and cells.

As on December 31, 2023, the company had a balance sheet size of USD 10.6 billion (about Rs 88,600 crore), with strong visibility of funding for current and future projects.

Sumant Sinha, Founder, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of ReNew, said in the statement, "I am incredibly proud of the work we have done to reach this milestone. ReNew continues to be at the heart of India's transformation as a clean energy leader and our ambitions now are even bigger.

"We will double the amount of clean energy we generate over the next few years, while continuing our work to be completely carbon neutral as a company by 2040."

Established in 2011, ReNew started operations with a 25 MW wind project in Gujarat and entered the solar energy space in 2014. It became the first clean energy firm to cross operating capacity of 1 GW in 2016 and doubled it to 2 GW the next year.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Everyone must make the world a better place; slander is worse than murder; women have the right to good sex. In "Learning from Jews," Mirna Funk explores what we can learn from commandments from Biblical times."There's a lot said about Jews, there's a lot written about Jews, but no one really knows anything about Jews," says Mirna Funk. Speaking to DW, the 43-year-old Berlin journalist and writer said she did not grow up with Jewish traditions. But she's since learned a lot about Jewish history and culture, and she's summarized the most important lessons she's gleaned in her new book, "Von Juden lernen" (Learning from Jews).

Also Read | India News | Kerala: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Joins People Offering Namaz on Eid.

The mission: to improve the world

Also Read | Business News | Warburg Pincus Invests in Appasamy Associates, the Largest Indian Brand for Ophthalmic Equipment and Intraocular Lenses.

Mirna Funk is in the shower and struggling with life: There's the war in Ukraine, not enough money in her bank account, no lover in sight  couldn't God intervene? But complaining contradicts the Jewish commandment of "Tikkun Olam," which means repairing the world.

While the Christian tradition calls on believers to wait patiently for the Last Judgement and the return of the Messiah who will then bring them paradise, Judaism calls for personal initiative: "God expects activity, not passive torpor and the illusory belief that things will somehow work out," Funk explains.

So the mission is to get down to the work of improving the world. But a paradise on Earth is a utopian dream, says Funk. "Humans always have both positive and negative qualities, so they can't make this world into a paradise." But, she says, we can at least try to do our best.

Helping people to help themselves

Part of improving the world involves helping those in need. "It's not a virtue, but an obligation," Funk writes. The concept is called "Tzedakah" in Hebrew, which translates to both "righteousness" and "charity." Giving alms is the lowest level of tzedakah.

The real aim is to give work to those in need so that they are not dependent on others. Because of that, Funk is critical of those in Germany calling for a universal basic income. She advocates personal responsibility: "It is important not to leave people dependent and without freedom by restricting their independence through financial assistance."

A disobedient Eve

Christianity teaches that Eve is to blame for man's banishment from Eden. Against God's will, she ate an apple from the Tree of Knowledge and tempted Adam to do the same. But to Mirna Funk, Eve is a rebel.

Tolerating dissent is a cornerstone of the Jewish tradition, which relies on dialogue and does not demonize those who disagree. That also applies to partnerships. You shouldn't try to become as similar as possible, because, as Funk says, "There is no movement without friction, no growth without criticism."

And because women are not simply yea-sayers, they do not take on the role of the obedient companion in Judaism. More than 3,000 years ago, King Solomon wrote the poem "Eshet Chayil," which translates as "woman of valor" and is still sung on Shabbat today. "In this song of praise, the woman looks after the children, bakes and cooks, but at the same time she has her own business," says Funk. "She is strong, she is brave, she is courageous."

This image of women characterizes the Jewish community. "Israel had a female prime minister in the 1970s, Golda Meir," says Funk. "While women in West Germany weren't even allowed to open their own bank accounts, Israel already had a female politician running the country."

How can that self-assurance be reconciled with the image of the modestly dressed Jewish woman in a wig who owes her husband obedience and, above all, is supposed have as many children as possible? Mirna Funk says those are the Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox, and they make up the smallest part of the world's Jewish population. "That is simply a cult-like sect, and they exist in every religion. A lot is written about them, but for me they are not relevant because they don't play a major role in Judaism."

A right to good sex

Women also have the right to good sex, according to the Torah. As the Jewish scholar Maimonides (1138-1204) wrote: "A man has the duty to satisfy his wife in sexual matters." If he did not, she had the right to divorce him.

Women's sexuality was therefore never taboo in Judaism, and chastity was not elevated to an ideal as it was in Christianity. "Yada" is the name of sexual union  "to recognize each other and to enter into a relationship with God through the act."

Feathers in the wind and social media pile-ons

In a well-known Jewish story, a man spreads lies about another person, then feels guilty about it and consults his rabbi. "What should I do?" he asks. The rabbi advises him to slit open a pillow and throw all the feathers to the wind. The man follows the instructions and goes back to the rabbi. "And now collect all the feathers again," he tells him. "Impossible!" shouts the man. "You see," replies the rabbi, "it's like the rumors you spread about another person. You can never undo them."

That's precisely why defamation ("lashon hara") is considered a grave sin in Judaism, even worse than murder.

The modern variant of this all-too-human foible is the social media pile-on. According to Funk, that's no longer an unusual phenomenon, but rather the rule. "It shows in a frightening way that the opinion of others is disregarded as soon as it does not agree with our own. The person exposed to the pile-on is defamed and degraded." She says that dialogue doesn't have a chance under this polarized viewpoint, because "what constitutes the pile-on is the totalitarian denial of otherness."

Judaism rejects this view and does not divide the world ideologically into good and evil. Instead of condemning others, one should learn to argue properly: "Machloket" is considered a method of exploring different points of view and is seen as a sign of dedication and respect. Funk says that this nuanced perspective has been lost in the current social climate.

In dialogue with the past

Jewish American writer Elie Wiesel once said, "To be Jewish is, above all, to safeguard memory." According to Funk, that has changed. She says we now live in a time that has forgotten history, in which the focus is on the present. "When terms such as apartheid, genocide, ethnic cleansing and colonial power have increasingly been applied to Israel since October 7, 2023 and sold as truth, that reveals an absolutely inadequate understanding of history."

She observes a very young generation becoming politicized and positioning itself against Israel. "Terms that are so historically loaded, like apartheid, immediately trigger emotions in others." What she finds especially frightening is that, "Now even German or European Jews are being attacked because of this war." She says it's that much more important to never forget the past, but to enter into a dialogue with it and create a deliberate future out of it.

As current as ever

"What makes Judaism special is its flexibility and willingness to embrace doubt," says Funk, attributing that aspect to the rabbis who continually discarded outdated traditions and adapted the religion's rules and laws to the times. She adds that Judaism doesn't focus only on metaphysical questions, but always considers the dilemmas of human existence. "Those are all reasons why most Jews who lead a secular life can still identify with the religion."

She says she wrote her book for those people  but also for anyone who immediately associates Jews with the Holocaust, antisemitism, or the Arab-Israeli conflict. "As if that were all that Jewish life or culture or Jewishness was about." Mirna Funk's book proves there is much more to it than that.

This article was originally written in German.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 10, 2024 01:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and Theodora Gentzis, President of the Board, Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs (Photo credits: X/@MEAIndia)

New Delhi [India], April 10 (ANI): The second edition of India-Belgium Foreign Office Consultations (FoC) was held on April 10 in the national capital and both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the multifaceted relations between the two countries.

The meeting was co-chaired by Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and Theodora Gentzis, President of the Board, Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs.

Also Read | Eid-ul-Fitr 2024: Thousands of Professional Beggars Flock to Busy Markets, Shopping Malls and Traffic Signals in Pakistans Karachi to Seek Alms in Ramazan.

"The discussions encompassed key areas of bilateral cooperation including trade and economic cooperation, semiconductors, cyber and digital, Science and Tech, UNSC reforms and multilateral cooperation and institutional dialogue mechanisms," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a release.

The meeting was followed by the telephone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo, held on March 26, and the meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Belgian counterpart, Hadja Lahbib on the sidelines of the Munich conference in February 2024.

Also Read | Germany Shocker: Court Sentences Father To 13 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder by Injecting Mercury Into His Daughters Foot, Girlfriend Gets 12 Years for Involvement in Crime.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhance India-EU Strategic ties during the ongoing tenure of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and to make progress towards a comprehensive, balanced, fair and mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

"In addition, the dialogue extended to global and regional affairs, green energy transition including green hydrogen, pharmaceuticals and port cooperation, and exchange on key global challenges," the release stated.

Moreover, both sides underlined initiatives to boost people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties.

They agreed to work towards the early conclusion of a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement in this context.

These consultations were preceded by the 18th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission of India and BLEU (Belgium Luxembourg Economic Union), held on April 9, co-chaired by the President of the Board, Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign and Commercial Affairs, and Commerce Secretary, GoI.

During the visit, Gentzis also paid a courtesy call to the EAM Jaishankar.

"India-Belgium FoC provided further momentum to the bilateral relationship and provided an opportunity to review actions and priorities across multidimensional ties between the two countries," the release said.

Furthermore, both sides agreed to hold the next round of FoC with Belgium at a mutually convenient date next year. (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)

Tel Aviv [Israel], April 10 (ANI/TPS): Israeli aircraft struck dozens of terror targets in Gaza, including military sites, launchers, tunnel shafts, and infrastructure, the Israel Defence Forces said on Wednesday.

Israeli ground forces also continued operations in central Gaza, killing several terrorists in close-quarters combat. The Hamas squad posed a threat to the soldiers.

Also Read | Zombie Drug Threat Looms Over UK: US Warns Britain of Xylazine Aka Tranq Dope Addiction That Makes People Act Like Zombies.

Also on Tuesday, a rocket fired by Hamas towards Kibbutz Kfar Aza was intercepted by air defenses. In response, a fighter jet struck a Hamas compound and launch site in the Jabalya area where the rocket was fired from.

A fighter jet also struck a Hamas launch site in the area of Shejaya from which rockets were fired at troops.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Congratulates Simon Harris on Becoming Youngest Prime Minister of Ireland, Says Looking Forward To Work Together.

Israel has withdrawn most of its ground forces from the Gaza Strip.

At least 1,200 people were killed and 240 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the remaining 134 hostages, Israel recently declared 31 of them dead. (ANI/TPS)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lahore [Pakistan], April 10 (ANI): A cleric found himself once again embroiled in a harrowing child abuse case, this time in Lahore, Dawn reported.

The Lahore police secured a four-day physical remand for Abubakar Muaviya after a case was registered against him at the Shahdara Police Station for raping a child.

Also Read | Eid-ul-Fitr 2024: Thousands of Professional Beggars Flock to Busy Markets, Shopping Malls and Traffic Signals in Pakistans Karachi to Seek Alms in Ramazan.

Earlier, authorities apprehended Muaviya from the scene of the alleged crime, where he was reportedly caught in the act of raping a minor boy.

Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC), Ayesha Raza Farooq, took to Twitter to announce Muaviya's arrest, stating, "Abubakar Siddique Muaviya has been ARRESTED in criminal case number 2441/24 dated 7/4/24 u/s 376(iii). Accused is now on a 4 day physical remand (sic)."

Also Read | Germany Shocker: Court Sentences Father To 13 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder by Injecting Mercury Into His Daughters Foot, Girlfriend Gets 12 Years for Involvement in Crime.

She commended the efforts of the Inspector General of Police and the NCRC.

This incident comes on the heels of Muaviya's recent arrest in Tandlianwala, Faisalabad, on similar charges of child rape. However, he was discharged from that case after the victim's father expressed forgiveness, citing misunderstandings and invoking divine mercy.

A video circulating on social media captured the father's forgiveness, facilitated by a respected cleric who mediated the resolution, Dawn 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)
Kabul [Afghanistan], April 10 (ANI): Amid global concerns over the denial of basic rights to women and girls in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, the World Bank, in its latest report, stated that the country ranks a lowly 178th when it comes to the participation of women in economic pursuits.

State news agency Khaama Press stated that the 182-page report recently published by the World Bank assessed and ranked 190 countries on the singular yardstick of women's economic participation.

Also Read | Peter Higgs Dies: Nobel-Winning Physicist, Who Proposed Existence of Higgs Boson Particle, Has Died at 94, University Says.

The report raises more concerns, as women in Afghanistan face numerous oppressive policies currently, with over 90 restrictions that deprive them of opportunities for employment, education, and free movement.

Titled 'Women, Business and the Law 2024', the report focuses on evaluating women's status in three major criteria--legal frameworks, policymaking, and implementation of laws and policies.

Also Read | European Union and India Join Hands To Promote Startups Working in EV Battery Recycling Technologies and Boost Cooperation in Clean and Green Sector.

Significantly, the status of women in this report was determined and evaluated using important metrics such as workplace mobility, salary and ownership rights, maternity rights, entrepreneurship, investment, childcare, security, marriage, and retirement rights. However, Afghanistan received just 20 out of 100 points for legal frameworks and 13.3 out of 100 points for policymaking in the ranking, reported Khaama Press.

The nation also ranked 187th in terms of legal frameworks and policies, marginally lower than the ranking of women in Iran on this score.

Meanwhile, Belgium, Denmark and Canada are ranked highest in the World Bank report.

Further, according to Khaama Press, the interest of women in the private sector and business has grown throughout the last two years, as women's work and education remain suspended in Afghanistan.

However, Afghan women investors have long pushed for increased assistance for female-run businesses in the Taliban-ruled nation.

Sediqa Tufan, who runs a handicraft store, explained in an interview with Khaama Press that the reason for the surge in demand for jobs in handicraft workshops is the lack of employment opportunities and deprivation of education among girls.

Time and again, the United Nations and several international organisations have emphasised the need for the private sector to support women and ensure their meaningful participation in all aspects of public life.

The international community faces a complex dilemma in engaging with the Taliban-led government, balancing concerns for human rights, particularly women's rights, with the imperative to address Afghanistan's pressing humanitarian needs.

The situation also underscores the challenges of promoting gender equality amid political instability and conflicting priorities, Khaama Press reported.

Afghanistan is already grappling with a dire humanitarian crisis exacerbated by political turmoil and economic instability. However, the suppression of women's rights by the Taliban has emerged as a critical issue. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti speaks at a documentary screening in New Delhi on Wednesday (Photo/ANI)

New Delhi [India], April 10 (ANI): Highlighting successful US-India law enforcement cooperation in combating cybercrimes, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti on Wednesday termed the bilateral ties between the two nations, "a multiplicative relationship."

Ambassador Garcetti, speaking at a special screening of the documentary 'Bogus Phone Operators' in New Delhi, underscored the significance of the collaboration between the United States and India in addressing various challenges, including cyber-security threats.

Also Read | Eid-ul-Fitr 2024: Thousands of Professional Beggars Flock to Busy Markets, Shopping Malls and Traffic Signals in Pakistans Karachi to Seek Alms in Ramazan.

The US Embassy in New Delhi organised the special screening of a documentary film on Wednesday that exposes the world of illegal call centres and cybercrime and tech fraud.

He remarked, "This is really a place where we have concerts, discussions, exhibitions...we really encourage you to come back...to really learn about the ways that the United States and India are working together in what I call a multiplicative relationship."

Also Read | Germany Shocker: Court Sentences Father To 13 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder by Injecting Mercury Into His Daughters Foot, Girlfriend Gets 12 Years for Involvement in Crime.

He further elaborated on the synergy between the two countries, stating, "It's not India plus the United States, it's India times the United States when we get together. Whether that's in moments of great opportunity like expanding economic opportunities, looking at health issues together, combating challenges like climate change or other things."

Highlighting the importance of a strong bilateral relationship, Ambassador Garcetti emphasised its benefits for both nations and the global community. "We know that the United States and India, when we have a relationship that is strong, it is strong for our people, and it sends a message to the world that we are here to preserve the peace and to look at ways to protect you and your families," he stated.

The documentary highlighted successful US-India law enforcement cooperation in combating cybercrimes and how the authorities of the two countries teamed up to unravel a multi-million-dollar scam by impersonators preying on elderly US citizens.

The screening was organised at the American Centre in New Delhi, the US Embassy and Consulates in India said in a 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)
Michigan [US], April 10 (ANI): The parents of the teenager who killed four students in a school shooting in Oxford, Michigan, in 2021, were each sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison on Tuesday, CNN reported.

They are the first parents to be held criminally responsible for the shootings committed by their children as the US continues to face incidents of gunfire on campus and mass shootings.

Also Read | India's Nominee Jagjit Pavadia Re-Elected to International Narcotics Control Board in New York for Term 2025-2030.

The couple has been sentenced weeks after being convicted of manslaughter. James and Jennifer Crumbley, who each had faced up to 15 years in prison, have already been in prison for over two years since their arrest in a Detroit warehouse days after the shooting.

Although James and Jennifer Crumbley were tried separately, however, their sentencing took place together in an Oakland County courtroom, according to a CNN report.

Also Read | Indias Jagjit Pavadia Re-Elected to International Narcotics Control Board: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, April 10, 2024.

Several family members of the four students killed in the shooting made emotional victim impact statements before the judge announced the sentence.

Justin Shilling's mother said "the ripple effects of both James and Jennifer's failures to act" to stop their son from conducting deadly shootings "have devastated us all." Another victim, Hana St Juliana's father, said the Crumbleys continue to deflect blame. He further said that his daughter's death "destroyed a large portion of my very soul."

In a statement to the court, Jennifer Crumbley offered condolences to the victims and their families. She stated that her previous statement, which she made in her defence during her trial in February, was "completely misunderstood."

Previously, Jennifer Crumbley had said, "I've asked myself if I would have done anything differently, and I wouldn't have." Now, before sentencing, she said if she knew her son was capable of the crimes committed, her answer would have "absolutely been different."

James Crumbley apologised to the victims, something he said he had not been able to do yet. He said he did not know that his son was planning a shooting in school and requested the judge, "sentence me in a fair way," CNN reported.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald requested the judge to exceed the sentencing guidelines for the Crumbleys and consider the "devastating impact of their gross negligence that was foreseeable."

In separate pre-sentencing memos, the attorneys for the parents requested the court to sentence them to less than five years in prison. Judge Cheryl Matthews said the decision should be a deterrent to try to stop school shootings in the future.

Matthews said, "These convictions confirm repeated acts or lack of acts that could have halted an oncoming runaway train." The lead prosecutor in James and Jennifer Crumbley's criminal trials stressed that it was "disappointing" that the parents did not express remorse.

The sentence came after James was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March in a trial that came weeks after the shooter's mother was convicted of the same charges. He was convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter, a charge that carries a maximum punishment of up to 15 years in prison, which would run concurrently.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty in February of all four counts of involuntary manslaughter in a novel legal case. She had pleaded not guilty to the charges in the mass shooting at Oxford High School. Crumbley's son, Ethan Crumbley, then 15, killed four students and injured six students and a teacher at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021.

Speaking to reporters after the Crumbleys sentencing, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, "Feeling bad is natural, and we don't dispute that they feel bad ... that's not what's important to victims of crime."

"What they want and need most of all is remorse, which means acknowledgment of the wrongdoing and some sort of reconciliation or apology for that -- and that didn't come," she added.

McDonald said she did not think that the case will set a precedent for parents of other school shooters. She stated, "There's a difference between precedent-setting and rare, and this is really a rare set of facts, it really is," CNN reported.

The prosecutor said, "Most of us know that you have to exercise reasonable care, at least to prevent other people from the dangers that you know are foreseeable." She said her team did the "absolute best" they could and the families of victims are aware of it. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, April 10: As the auspicious Chardham Yatra season approaches, the Uttarakhand government has announced mandatory registration for pilgrims planning to visit the revered temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. In this article, we at LatestLY explain how to register for the Char Dham Yatra 2024 and the dates. The annual pilgrimage commences in April or May and concludes in October or November, attracting thousands of devotees seeking blessings at these sacred sites. Eid al-Fitr 2024 Celebrations Around the World: Exploring the Rich Diversity of Customs and Traditions Across Various Countries and Cultures.

Registration for the yatra has already begun for Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham, with the process for Gangotri and Yamunotri set to follow suit upon the official announcement of their temple door openings. Pilgrims can secure their registration through the official portal at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or alternatively, via WhatsApp by sending 'yatra' to 8394833833 or by calling the toll-free number 01351364. Chaitra Navratri 2024: From Vaishno Devi Temple to Mansa Devi Temple, 5 Famous Durga Temples in India for a Spiritual Experience This Navratri.

Know How To Register for Char Dham Yatra 2024

Visit registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in and select the Register/Log-in option.

and select the Register/Log-in option. Fill in the required information on the newly opened form.

Complete OTP verification for identity confirmation using a mobile number and email.

Post-verification, log in with the registered mobile number and password.

Access the personalized dashboard and click on Add/Manage Pilgrims or Tourists.

Provide all necessary details such as tour type, name, dates, and the number of tourists.

Upload scanned copies of valid photo IDs like Voter card, Aadhar card, or driving license.

A unique registration number (URN) will be sent via SMS upon successful registration.

Devotees are advised to download the registration letter, which is a requisite for the yatra.

Char Dham Yatra 2024 Dates

The sacred doors of Kedarnath are scheduled to open on May 10, 2024, followed by Badrinath on May 12, 2024. The opening dates for Gangotri and Yamunotri will be announced in due course.

The government's initiative aims to streamline the flow of tourists and ensure a safe and organised pilgrimage experience for all.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 10, 2024 02:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Mumbai, April 10: A 28-year-old man was arrested for allegedly molesting a female yoga teacher on a packed suburban train in Mumbai, an official said on Wednesday. The incident took place around 8 pm on Tuesday between Bandra and Goregaon when the 25-year-old woman was travelling with a male friend, the official said.

The complainant and her friend got into a general compartment of a local train at Bandra station. Soon after the train started moving, accused Pravan Vishwakarma allegedly touched her inappropriately, taking advantage of the rush, the official said. Molestation in Mumbai Local Train: Man Molests Minor Girl on Running Train Between Mumbra and Vikhroli Station, Gets Bashed Up by Passengers; Accused Arrested.

The woman screamed and informed her male friend about the conduct of the accused. Fellow commuters then thrashed Vishwakarma, a resident of Jogeshwari, and handed him over to the railway police, he said. Mumbai Shocker: Man Allegedly Brings 13-Year-Old Girl Playing With Her Friends to His Room in Chawl, Rapes Her; Arrested.

On a complaint by the yoga teacher, the police registered a case against Vishwakarma for assault of a woman with intent to outrage her modesty under the Indian Penal Code. Vishwakarma was produced in a court, which granted him bail, the official added.
Venezuela former oil minister Tareck El Aissami, once a prominent figure in the nation's political landscape, was arrested on Tuesday by government authorities.

This development comes after his resignation last year amid a corruption investigation involving high-ranking officials within the state-run oil industry, Reuters reports.

El Aissami is under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in a scheme where hundreds of millions of dollars from oil proceeds vanished.

Images released by the Ministry of Communications depicted El Aissami in handcuffs, escorted by officers, marking his first public appearance since his resignation.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced that El Aissami faces charges of treason, money laundering, and criminal association, among others.

Saab did not disclose the specific date of El Aissami's arrest.

READ NEXT: ExxonMobil Continues Guyana Oil Exploration Amid Venezuela Dispute

Implicated Figures and Alleged Conspiracy

Saab disclosed that alongside El Aissami, former finance minister Simon Zerpa and businessman Samark Lopez were also apprehended for their roles in the purported conspiracy, according to AP News.

The attorney general elaborated that the accused managed oil shipments illicitly, bypassing the country's central bank, thereby profiting from what he described as an "economic conspiracy."

This scheme, according to Saab, was aimed at sabotaging Venezuela's economy.

Venezuela's former oil minister Tareck El Aissami's arrest underscores a significant shift in his political trajectory, having once been a close ally of President Nicolas Maduro.

The US government has offered a $10 million reward for El Aissami due to allegations of drug trafficking.

Critics of Maduro's administration view these arrests as attempts to consolidate power ahead of upcoming elections, which are expected in July.

Despite the US lifting oil sanctions on Venezuela to incentivize fair elections, Maduro's actions suggest otherwise.

Expanded Investigation and Legal Ramifications

In addition to Venezuela's former oil minister El Aissami, former economy minister Simon Alejandro Zerpa, and businessman Samark Lopez were detained on charges including treason, appropriation of public funds, and money laundering.

Attorney General Saab emphasized a comprehensive approach to justice, with dozens of officials, including crypto regulator executives, also facing scrutiny. These arrests, totaling 61 last year, are seen by critics as politically motivated.

The alleged scheme involving the sale of crude through cryptocurrency networks was viewed to bypass US sanctions on Venezuela, France 24 noted.

Despite having the world's largest oil reserves, Venezuela's oil production has dwindled due to mismanagement and sanctions, dropping from over three million barrels per day to less than one million.

The country's oil industry has been the subject of numerous corruption investigations since 2017.

The extent of financial losses incurred by the state because of these clandestine transactions remains unclear. Internal documents from PDVSA revealed debts totaling billions of dollars owed by trading companies, further complicating Venezuela's economic woes.

To circumvent Western sanctions, Venezuela resorted to unconventional payment methods, including Russian rubles and cryptocurrency, exacerbating its economic challenges.

Tareck El Aissami's arrest marks a pivotal moment in Venezuela's ongoing struggle against corruption within its vital oil industry.

As legal proceedings unfold, the nation grapples with the broader implications of systemic corruption and its impact on its economy and international relations.

READ MORE: Venezuela President Maduro Greenlights Essequibo Annexation, Accuses US of 'Secret' Bases in the Area

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Venezuela's oil minister shows evidence of theft at PDVSA - From TeleSUR English
Seven states are taking legal action against President Joe Biden's income-driven repayment student loan plan, arguing it's unconstitutional and costly to taxpayers.

Spearheaded by Missouri, the lawsuit claims the SAVE plan could burden taxpayers with $475 billion in debt, The Hill reports.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey emphasized that the President lacks the authority to unilaterally cancel student loan debt without Congress' approval.

President Biden reintroduces a plan aimed at forgiving student loan debt, following a previous attempt rejected by the Supreme Court.

Biden envisions helping over 30 million Americans alleviate their debt burden through his proposed SAVE plan, targeting five types of borrowers.

During a speech in Wisconsin, Biden described the plan as "life-changing," emphasizing its potential to ease financial strain for many.

However, the Education Department indicates that the finalized plan is still months away from implementation, pending legal challenges and further developments.

READ NEXT: During Wisconsin Trip, Joe Biden Advocates for Fresh Student Loan Relief

Joe Biden's Proposal to Ease Student Debt

President Biden unveils plans to ease student debt, addressing a concern for millions of Americans, especially young voters, according to Michigan Live.

The proposal includes canceling up to $20,000 of accrued interest for borrowers, benefiting an estimated 23 million individuals.

Progressive voters, a crucial demographic for Biden's re-election bid, have long advocated for student debt relief.

Despite previous setbacks in the Supreme Court, the Biden administration remains committed to addressing this issue.

Republicans criticize Biden's approach, labeling it as an overreach of presidential authority.

Under Biden's new plans, various categories of borrowers would be eligible for relief, including those enrolled in low-value programs or experiencing financial hardship.

The administration aims to make community college free if re-elected, further alleviating financial burdens for students.

However, critics argue that such measures transfer the debt burden onto others and fail to address the root causes of rising education costs.

Administration's Commitment to Student Debt Relief

The Biden administration continues its efforts to provide relief to student loan borrowers despite legal hurdles and opposition from Republicans, Reuters noted.

With $146 billion in relief already approved for 4 million Americans, the administration seeks to assist as many borrowers as possible.

As of June 2023, the outstanding student loan debt in the United States amounted to $1.63 trillion, highlighting the magnitude of the issue.

Education Department Secretary Miguel Cardona reaffirms the administration's commitment to delivering relief promptly, emphasizing the importance of addressing this pressing issue.

President Joe Biden's efforts to tackle student debt face legal challenges and criticism from opponents.

While his proposed plans aim to provide relief to millions of borrowers, questions remain regarding their legality and effectiveness.

As the debate over student loan forgiveness continues, the Biden administration remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the financial challenges faced by millions of Americans.

READ MORE: Joe Biden's Ohio Ballot Access May Encounter Hurdles Due to Scheduling Conflict

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Biden administration unveils new plan for student loan forgiveness - From NBC Bay Area
Alexander Mercurio, an 18-year-old residing in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, was apprehended by authorities on Saturday, just a day before he purportedly intended to carry out a series of violent church attacks, according to a report by BBC.

According to the Justice Department, an Idaho teen planned to unleash a spree of violence using an array of weapons, including firearms, explosives, knives, and a pipe, with the intention of moving from one church to another until he was killed.

READ NEXT: Pair Arrested in Idaho After 'Coordinated' Prison Break Attempt

Charged with Supporting a Foreign Terrorist Organization

Mercurio faces serious charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, specifically ISIS, according to USA Today.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that Mercurio had sworn allegiance to ISIS and aimed to launch an attack in its name.

The suspect's plan was allegedly to execute an act of martyrdom during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Messages attributed to Mercurio revealed his intention to cause mass casualties at local churches, repeating the assault at neighboring ones while setting them ablaze.

Court documents shed light on the gravity of Mercurio's plans.

"The plan is basically this: lie to my dad and say I'm going on a walk, leave, walk to a park, send the bayah video, delete all the social media on my phone (and) then walk to the nearest church," According to court records, Mercurio penned his communications between March 25 and March 26.

Idaho teen allegedly intended to conduct 21 church attacks in his area, armed with a variety of weapons, including firearms and explosive devices.

His scheme included incapacitating his own father to obtain firearms from their home. Authorities intervened just in time, thwarting Mercurio's intentions before he could harm anyone.

During a search of his family's residence, law enforcement discovered incriminating evidence, including plans for the attack and items purchased for carrying it out, along with an ISIS flag in his bedroom.

Influence of Extremist Ideology

Mercurio's radicalization appears to have taken root during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to investigators, he first engaged with ISIS ideology during the pandemic's early stages when schools were closed.

His discontent with life and desire for violence became evident through messages he exchanged with informants posing as ISIS supporters, as noted by Politico.

Mercurio expressed frustration and a longing for death, ultimately pledging allegiance to ISIS in an audio file.

Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the FBI's efforts in thwarting Mercurio's plans, emphasizing the Department of Justice's commitment to combating terrorism.

Idaho teen faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted.

Presently, he remains in custody in a northern Idaho jail awaiting his initial court appearance.

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of combating radicalization and preventing potential acts of terrorism, underscoring the critical role of law enforcement in safeguarding communities from extremist threats.

READ MORE: Missouri Governor Parson Rejects Clemency Plea from Death Row Inmate Brian Dorsey

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Idaho teen accused of planning ISIS-inspired attacks on churches - From KTVB
During a town hall event in Georgia, controversial Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said the quiet part out loud, "Our Republican House majority has failed completely," as part of her latest attacks on House Speaker Mike Johnson, whom she is currently trying to oust from the speakership.

"And I have had enough of it," added the controversial MAGA congresswoman who has gained infamy for her conspiracy theories involving the recent East Coast earthquake and eclipse, Jewish Space Lasers, and Barack Obama.

The recent target of her ire is Speaker Mike Johnson, a fellow far-right MAGA Republican, who, according to Greene, was not MAGA enough because he and other GOP lawmakers caved to Democrats on the budget.

As Yahoo! News noted, Greene was one of the Republican lawmakers who "tanked a bipartisan border bill that included funding for many conservative priorities." With her complaining about House Republicans failing in their duties while being one of the lawmakers that helped hinder better laws supported by both parties, she received a ton of criticism online.

I actually really love when they realize they've caught the car.



The entire brand of aggrieved politics. Complaining government isn't sustainable. Sabotaging government into non-functioning. Then being shocked at the results like this wasn't the plan. https://t.co/sd1cjXlcuV  Angel of the Ozarks (@AngelOfTheOzark) April 9, 2024

President of local arsonist club upset her clubhouse burned down. https://t.co/rpn18XL3hg April 9, 2024

even a blind squirrel https://t.co/zKhZhH8IOV  Catherine Rampell (@crampell) April 9, 2024

I can't believe I agree with Marjorie Taylor Greene https://t.co/TUtQoSg3ap  Luke Beasley (@lukepbeasley) April 9, 2024

READ MORE: Mike Johnson Could Be Saved by Democrats From Marjorie Taylor Greene's Ouster Attempt

Marjorie Taylor Greene Leading House Republicans Mad About Ukraine Aid by Mike Johnson

Greene has been accused of drama-baiting as she tries to overthrow Mike Johnson from the House Speakership, and one of the main things she has been attacking is Johnson's support for US aid to Ukraine.

The Hill noted that it is still not clear whether she is ready to force a vote or just use her filing as leverage against the embattled Republican speaker. However, it should also be noted that Greene may also be under pressure herself as her colleagues are trying to get her not to force a vote because it would create chaos just months before an important election.

Greene is leading the more hard-right members of the GOP, many of whom have been frustrated with Johnson agreeing with Democrats over giving more military assistance to Kyiv. Furthermore, Greene's actions in politicking could ultimately seal the fate of Ukraine, which recently lost ground thanks to an all-out Russian offensive.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Continues Attacks Vs. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson

Meanwhile, as Congress is about to return after a 2-week recess, Greene has ramped up her attacks on Johnson despite warnings from her colleagues. The Associated Press noted that this shows the "Republican chaos that has defined GOP House control and threatens to grind work to a halt."

"Today, I sent a letter to my colleagues explaining exactly why I filed a motion to vacate against Speaker Johnson," she tweeted on X. She added that she "warned Johnson not to reach across the aisle to Democrats for votes he would need to pass pending legislation" that her hard-right colleagues oppose.

"I will not tolerate this type of Republican 'leadership,'" she added.

READ MORE: Marjorie Taylor Greene Broke House Ethics Rules During Joe Biden's State of the Union Address

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ramps up complaints against Speaker Johnson - CNN
UPDATE: Trump is coming back to the Lehigh Valley. Heres how to see him and what to expect.

Multiple traffic disruptions are expected Saturday in portions of the region ahead of former President Donald Trumps visit to North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania State Police said Wednesday.

The former president at 7 p.m. plans to take the floor at Schnecksville Fire Hall, 4550 Old Packhouse Road, his campaign announced last week. Doors to the event open at 3 p.m. Tickets were made available at donaldjtrump.com.

Trooper Nathan Branosky, state police public information officer for Troop M in Bethlehem, stated in a news release motorists will need to take extra precaution from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday and anticipate delays, as well as intermittent road closures. The following roadways are expected to be impacted:

Route 22 East and West.

Route 309 North and South  to the area of Route 873.

Old Packhouse Road in the townships Schnecksville section.

Some traffic disruptions will impact secondary roads throughout the region, state police anticipate. Signs will be posted instructing motorists on various traffic conditions. Motorists also can check the Pennsylvania Department of Transportations 511pa.com traffic website for the most updated travel conditions.

The anticipated gridlock already caused Shankweilers Drive-In theater, 4540 Shankweiler Road in North Whitehall, to postpone its 90th anniversary celebration. That event has since been moved from Saturday to Sunday, according to the business Facebook page.

Trump appearedin south-central Pennsylvania on Feb. 9 when he spoke at a National Rifle Association event during the Great American Outdoors Show in Harrisburg.

He last came to the Lehigh Valley as president in October 2020 when he visited HoverTech International in Hanover Township, Northampton County. His daughter, Ivanka Trump, in November 2016 also campaigned for her father  just days before that presidential election  at the Best Western at Routes 22 and 512 in Hanover Township, Northampton County.

Trumps local visit comes just two days before the scheduled start of his criminal trial in New York in a hush money case involving the adult film star, Stormy Daniels, according to published reports.

Pennsylvania is a critical battleground state in presidential races. Its expected both Trump and President Joe Biden, who won the state by 80,500 votes in 2020, will heavily target the state on the campaign trail.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure on Tuesday announced free rail safety classes are being offered in the wake of the March 2 Norfolk Southern Corp. train derailment along the Lehigh River.

First responders and emergency managers are invited to participate to help them understand how to respond to train derailments, according to the announcement; the Norfolk Southern Rail Safety Training will include the following topics:

Safety around the railroad.

Understanding rail shipping documents.

Tank car identification.

Locomotive emergencies.

Responding to railroad emergencies.

AskRail Mobile App.

Last months derailment of three trains along the river in Lower Saucon Township caused an estimated $2.5 million in damage and sent all seven crew members involved to the hospital, federal investigators said.

Northampton County is doubling down on training, McClure stated Tuesday. Ive ordered Northampton County Emergency Management Services to intensify train derailment mitigation training.

We must ensure we are ready and equipped to respond to any accident. While holding railways accountable, it is more important than ever that all emergency managements in our region become educated about the dangers and hazards of rail cars carrying dangerous materials.

The training is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, April 22, and 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 6, at Lower Saucon Fire Rescue, 1995 Leithsville Road in the township, and the Northampton County Emergency Operations Center, 100 Gracedale Ave. in Upper Nazareth Township.

MORE: Lehigh River-side train derailment caused $2.5M in damage, NTSB says

Ceremony set to unveil historical marker for Allentown State Hospital

A Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission marker recognizing Allentown State Hospital is set to be unveiled at 11 a.m. Friday, May 3 at the front entrance to the property at 1600 Hanover Ave. in Allentown.

The designation honors the hospital community for its 100 years of service to the Lehigh Valley and contributions to worldwide mental health care and services, organizers said Tuesday.

The hospital opened Oct. 3, 1912, and operated until 2010. After being closed by Pennsylvanias government and its buildings demolished in 2020, the hospital grounds are now eyed for an estimated $1.2 billion mixed-use redevelopment called Northridge by Allentown-based City Center Investment Corp.

At its peak, following World War II, the hospital had a census of 2,107 people receiving care from across the southeast region of the state, according to the organizers of next months marker unveiling.

The event is open to the public.

MORE: See whats in City Centers Allentown State Hospital $1.2B redevelopment concept

More local headlines

Lehighvalleynews.com reports Lehigh Valley lawmakers are co-sponsors of legislation that would require the safe storage of firearms in homes where children may be present, and create new charges for gun owners if an unsecured firearm is used in a crime, causes death or serious injury, or if a child is found to unlawfully possess the firearm. House Bill 1629 is before the state House Judiciary Committee. On March 28 in Allentown, a 3-year-old boy fatally shot himself with a gun his father reported having left unattended under a couch, authorities allege.

MORE: Read the full lehighvalleynews.com story here.

Mcall.com reports Shankweilers Drive-In Theatre in North Whitehall Township has postponed its 90th anniversary celebration scheduled for Saturday, April 13, to avoid conflicting with a visit to North Whitehalls Schnecksville Fire Hall by the presumptive Republican nominee for president, former President Donald Trump.

Shankweilers website says the event is now set for Sunday, April 14.

MORE: Read the full mcall.com story here.

WFMZ.com reports Allentown zoning officials on Monday approved most requests of Ripple Community Inc. tied to the conversion of a former church at 1539-51 W. Chew St. into affordable housing.

MORE: Read the full WFMZ.com story here.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.
A new community group in Warren County is taking its towns future into its own hands.

On Tuesday night, residents met with representatives from Norwescap and local council members for the second time to discuss ways to improve public safety, quality of life and the sense of community in Phillipsburg.

The resident-only meetings provides the chance for residents to actively participate in making real change, said Christine Dailey, Norwescaps community development and project manager. The meetings are bringing residents concerns to the forefront of conversations, so, as a group, goals can be lined up and addressed in a more efficient and less isolated way.

We needed to get everyone at the same table, said Mary Jo Harris, who alongside the Phillipsburg Farmers Market and Norwescap. We havent had something like this in a very long time.

A little more than a dozen folks showed up to the second meeting in April, which followed up Marchs objective to identify and then prioritize a set of goals.

Some ideas that came from that initial discussion, like the coordination of neighborhood watch groups, are now under serious consideration but may take time to implement.

Other ideas that were discussed, such as a community clean up initiative and an organized way to inform residents about events in their town, could be realized much sooner, organizers said. The next Phillipsburg resident-only meeting is tentatively scheduled to convene at 5:30 p.m. on May 7 at Roccos Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant.

Give it a chance, said Drizzy Hemp, a local artist and event planner based in Phillipsburg, who helps coordinate the meetings on Tuesdays. This is a safe place for residents to come out and feel like their opinions are being heard.

Hemp started hosting events geared towards children and their families regularly in town in 2021. Her event, Smores in the Park, in Shappell Park, was a massive success in December. The event featured crafts, a gift exchange, vendors and a childrens performance. It drew dozens of attendees over four hours.

Another popular event is scheduled for Aug. 25, 2024. Hemp will host a five-hour shoe customization craft called Sneaker Day for kids just before school starts. Shes accepting donations of all-material shoes, preferably in white. The event expands an annual giveaway she started years ago to donate 10-fully customized sneakers to 10 children, she said.

Im one of those people who believed that things wouldnt change. Lots of people feel that way, so I went out and made what I wanted to see happen. People wanted to see it to believe it, and then when it happened, it was a domino effect.

Hemp uses her Facebook and TikTok to keep residents informed about community events.

The most important part is getting everyone on the same page, Harris said.

I see so much potential here, she said.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on X (formerly known as Twitter.com), Facebook and Threads.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe to lehighvalleylive.com today.
Leading European horror, sci-fi and dystopian film producers Fantastic Films are looking for Laois people to be part of a new horror film.

The company's past films include You Are Not My Mother, Arracht which won two IFTA awards, Sea Fever, Vivarium and the recently released Woken, part of the Dublin International Film Festival.

They have reached out to Laois for extras and film staff for their new film, titled 'Restoration at Grayson Manor'.

"The team at Fantastic Films are currently working on a feature film in Co. Laois which is due to begin filming in the coming weeks. There are some roles for trainees and extras that we're hoping to fill with people from Laois and the local areas," a spokesperson said.

Trailer for Arracht by Fantastic Films.

Filming in Laois and surrounding areas takes place for five weeks starting from May 1.

There are trainees required for the following departments: Locations, production, assistant director, costume, hair and make-up, camera, sound.

Training will be provided.

Extras are "required for a variety of roles" all aged over 18.

"We are interested in seeing applicants from a diverse range of ages and backgrounds. These are paid positions," the company say.

The deadline to apply is Friday, April 19.
A man returned from Australia to appear in court for a careless driving case.

Conor Carroll, 27, of Garryhinch Cross, Portarlington, Offaly pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm at Garoon, Laois on May 16, 2022.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had returned home for the case. She said he was pleading guilty and was supported by his family.

She set out the details of the incident. As we were rounding a corner the vehicle lost control and collided with the injured party, she explained.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said while he didnt have a medical report in the court, the injured party had suffered serious injuries.

He said the injured party didnt want to make a victim impact statement.

He knows the defendant didnt set out to hurt anyone, Sgt Kirby said.

Sgt Kirby said the injured party also indicated that he didnt want the defendant jailed.

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client had cooperated fully with the investigation. She said his insurance had paid out in the case. The man is working in Australia but returns home to do seasonal work and has a lorry licence, said Ms Fitzpatrick.

He and his family are taking the matter extremely seriously, she assured the court. She said the man had written a letter for the injured party and another for the court.

He is well regarded by any of those he has worked for, she added.

Judge Andrew Cody convicted the man and fined him 750 and gave him six months to pay.
Cameras must go back into operation in Laois to track down illegal dumpers such as those who illegally left a mountain of waste in a Mountmellick stream that feeds the River Barrow, according to Laois councillors.

The incident and follow-up action were highlighted at a meeting between public representatives and council officials in the wake of the shocking waste discovery during Clean up Laois Week.

Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fail, praised the work done by volunteers in Mountmellick during but was angered by their discovery of more than 100 bags of illegally dumped rubbish.

Unbelievable, disgraceful, unnatural, he declared at the meeting with council officials in County Hall.

He said what made it more difficult to understand was that every facility is now available to dispose of rubbish legally.

He was also upset that volunteers had come across the incident and council staff would be required to wade through the waste to clean up the mess left.

Cllr Ollie Clooney, independent, backed his colleague and called for CCTV to be deployed now that the restrictions on camera was removed.

Without them, it is going to continue, he said.

He said the cameras would identify the few culprits that illegally dump waste.

A few people can make a place a misery. If they were identified Im sure it would stop, he said.

The Mountmellick waste was discovered on Saturday, April 6 in a stream that flows into a local river that is a tributary of the River Barrow.

Mountmellick Tidy Towns volunteer Kitty Creighton described what they found.

We were absolutely shocked and disgusted, she said.

The dumping was so extensive that the volunteers were unable to remove it. The waste was reported to Laois County Council.

Cllr John King, Fine Gael, was pleased with the work done by local groups over Clean Up Week Laois in Rathdowney and praised the turnout of foreign nationals to help.

Cllr James Kelly, independent, also commended communities who completed clean ups especially those who ventured out during Storm Kathleen.

Anyone who discovers illegal dumping in Laois is asked to report it to the Laois confidential freephone litter hotline 1800323230.
It is wholly unacceptable that new Taoiseach Simon Harris did not attend the resumption of the Dail following his appointment, Sinn Fein has said.

Opposition parties criticised the Government for voting through changes to the Dail order of business for Wednesday which meant that Leaders Questions was among the items dropped from the schedule.

Asked where Mr Harris was for the Dail sitting, Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughton replied: The Taoiseach is not available to take Leaders Questions today because hes speaking with the UK Prime Minister.

She said he also had to conduct phone calls with Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelensky as well as Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.

Additionally, she said he is preparing to travel to Brussels and Warsaw on Thursday, when he will meet president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described the new Taoiseach as a no-show, and noted that he had ended a contribution on Tuesday with the words: Lets get to work.

Ms McDonald said: We have a lot of work to do, the Government has a lot of questions to answer, and yet the Taoiseach has not shown up  this is wholly unacceptable.

She added: That is an absolute disgrace.

Ms McDonald added: Weve shown up to do our job. We are here, weve shown in for work; where is the Taoiseach? He ought to be here taking questions and dealing with the issues that matter to the people.

It later emerged that the first phone call on that agenda took place at 3.30pm, while Dail business began at 2pm on Wednesday.

A spokesman for Mr Harris said he had a busy work schedule for Wednesday starting at 7.50am, including Cabinet meetings and the appointment of junior ministers, and that the Dail usually rises for a week following the appointment of a Taoiseach.

The spokesman added that he had briefings and had to prepare for the engagements and calls with Mr Zelensky, Mr Sunak and Ms Von der Leyen.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik expressed disappointment with the changes to the schedule for Wednesday.

It is simply unacceptable that we have business not ordered properly and what looks  if I may say  somewhat like made-up business over the next two days when theres so much important work to be done.

Social Democrats TD Catherine Martin said the Business Committee, which decides the Dail schedule, had become a facade.

Ms Martin said: This is the business of the Dail, not the business of the Government exclusively.

Independent TD Mattie McGrath described this weeks running order as a shambles and an absolute insult.

Noting the absence of the Taoiseach and Tanaiste, Mr McGrath said: This is total disrespect for the house. We should go over to the wax museum and get a model made.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle said the Business Committee was fake.

He said: The Business Committee is a joke and a waste of time, I believe, because the Government doesnt pay any attention to it.

The Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail, who chairs the Business Committee, rejected the characterisation that it was a charade.

He said: The truth of the matter is, the Business Committee is far from perfect, but it has worked pretty effectively.

Mr O Fearghail also said Ms Naughton was the best Government whip he had seen.

She continuously takes on board points that are raised by people on the opposition and tries to work them into the business programme.

So it is not the case that the Business Committee is a charade.

Ms Naughton said she will continue to endeavour to work with opposition parties on Dail business.

We in Government have to set the agenda  the legislation.

But we have always  and I have and I will continue to do so  to listen to your suggestions around other statements or whatever you might want to discuss into the future.

The Government won a vote on the proposed changes to the Dail business. Mr Harris did not attend the vote.

Leaders Questions are often taken by Tanaiste Micheal Martin, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan or other Cabinet ministers.

Mr Harris is scheduled to take Leaders Questions as Taoiseach for the first time on Tuesday.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's new gold-backed currency the ZiG strengthened a day after its debut, even as it roiled commerce nationwide as banks, retailers and utilities battled to switch to the new unit.It gained 0.2% to 13.53 per US dollar, according to data published on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's website on Tuesday. It began trading Monday at 13.56 per dollar, using an exchange rate announced by Governor John Mushayavanhu during last Friday's unveiling of the nation's latest effort to create a functioning local currency.The International Monetary Fund, which in February urged the liberalization of the exchange rate, said it will support authorities latest efforts to restore macroeconomic stability. But the Washington-based lender said it needed time to review the design and implications of the new currency arrangement before weighing in with an assessment.The ZiG, short for Zimbabwe Gold, is the country's sixth attempt to resuscitate the national unit. Its predecessor, the Zimbabwe dollar, lost value every trading day this year before being abandoned April 5.The new currency is backed by 2 522 kilograms of gold and about $100 million in foreign currency reserves which the central bank said it holds.The transition to the new currency from the Zimbabwean dollar has been a bumpy one. Most of the nation's lenders and businesses said they were still working to switch their systems to ZiGs on Tuesday. Only a third of the 27 financial institutions linked to the ZimSwitch national payments platform are able to process ZiG payments, it said in an update.The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority is among those which urged customers to pay their electricity bills in US dollars. "Please note that our conversion to ZiG is still underway," it said in a statement.Government departments are also affected and some have halted providing services. The Foreign Affairs ministry said it has "temporarily suspended" document authentication services owing to disruption of automated teller machines, as lenders transition to the ZiG.Businesses have until April 12 to fully transition their electronic systems to the ZiG, Mushayavanhu said at the weekend. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange is among the few institutions which have switched to the new currency. The switch to ZiG effectively halted a more than three-fold surge on the local bourse this year. Low volumes marked the first trading day using the ZiG, stocks traders said.The full acceptance of ZiG will depend on the market's confidence in the new unit, according to IH Securities. The Harare-based brokerage firm sees the economy remaining "pseudo-dollarised" in the short to medium term, which is vital for stability. About 80% of all transactions were being conducted in US dollars prior to the ZiG's introduction, the central bank said.
Taoiseach Simon Harris told his partys parliamentarians they can win the next general election after completing his junior ministerial reshuffle.

He also spoke to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on his first full day as Irelands premier.

At his first parliamentary party meeting since becoming both Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach, Mr Harris told TDs and Senators their party can win the next general election and have a major role in the formation of the next government.

Productive and engaging call with UK PM @RishiSunak this afternoon. The British-Irish relationship is of huge importance and I will continue to develop the strong links that exist between both nations. pic.twitter.com/7Qs6JL9Wed  Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 10, 2024

Fine Gael is polling at about 21%, behind Sinn Fein on 26% but ahead of coalition partners Fianna Fail, which has 16% support, according to a survey by Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks at the weekend.

On Wednesday, Mr Harris promoted three backbenchers to junior ministerial level as he made further changes to portfolios held by Fine Gael.

Neale Richmond has become the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, which was left vacant on Tuesday after Jennifer Carroll MacNeill was appointed as the junior minister for European Affairs.

Mr Richmonds old role of Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise has been given to first-time junior minister Emer Higgins.

In another first, Colm Burke has been appointed as the Minister of State for Wellbeing and Drugs Strategy, after Hildegarde Naughton was moved from the role to be given responsibility for special education on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Kieran ODonnell has been been moved from junior minister at the Department of Housing to take on the Minister of State for the OPW role that became free when Patrick ODonovan was promoted to Cabinet.

Mr ODonnells old role will be taken on by Mayo TD Alan Dillon, who becomes a minister of state for the first time.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael has dropped the Gaeltacht portfolio following the promotion of Patrick ODonovan.

Mr ODonovan, who held that junior minister role, was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Further Education on Tuesday.

In the reshuffle of junior minister positions on Wednesday, no Fine Gael appointee inherited the role.

Instead, Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne added the job to his existing responsibilities as Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education.

The Gaeltacht job is normally held by a minister who can speak Irish, as Mr Byrne does.

Asked why Mr Harris had ceded the responsibility to Fianna Fail, a spokesman said that the three coalition party leaders had decided the role should sit with a minister within the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

The spokesman rejected the suggestion there was no Fine Gael TD with proficiency in Irish to take the role.

At a photo opportunity with the new junior ministers on Wednesday, Mr Harris said he had a very good team.

He added that his first full-day as Taoiseach was a busy one.

The Taoiseach chaired a Cabinet meeting in which the junior ministers were appointed and went on to established Cabinet subcommittees, including a newly formed committee on disability, education and children which was described by a spokesman as a priority for the new premier.

In addition, coalition leaders agreed it was necessary to expand the remit of Cabinet subcommittee on Ukraine to include migration and integration.

Really looking forward to trying to break down silos to improve disability services in this country, Mr Harris said.

The Government also decided that the National Economic Dialogue will take place on May 27, which is an event seen as the first step of the annual Budget process.

Mr Harris held productive and engaging phone calls with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Today is the 26th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and I think it is so fitting today that I would engage with the Prime Minister, looking forward to having a conversation with the prime minister of our nearest neighbour.

He reiterated Irelands full and total support for Ukraine in the call with Mr Zelensky.

I spoke with @SimonHarrisTD to congratulate him on his election as Taoiseach and thank Ireland for its unwavering support for Ukraine. I welcomed Ireland's participation in the implementation of our Peace Formula and invited the Taoiseach to attend the upcoming Global Peace pic.twitter.com/Cm4hB5uheI  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 10, 2024

The Ukrainian president congratulated Mr Harris on his election and thanked him for Irelands support for Ukraine.

He also invited the Taoiseach to attend the upcoming Global Peace Summit on Ukraine.

Mr Harris also spoke to Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, and emphasised how important he sees his role as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

There was consternation in the Dail when the Government chief whip said Mr Harris would be unavailable for Leaders Questions due to these scheduled calls.
A group of students from Emo National School were runners up in the national final of the Irish League of Credit Unions School Quiz.

The team, made up of James Cosgrove, Pierce Milner, Caolan Gilliard and Caoimhe Coffey, were representing Portarlington Credit Union.

The pupils were joint runners-up in Competition B (Under 13) section in the gripping final at the RDS in Dublin on Sunday, April 7.

More than 90 teams took part this year showcasing exceptional intelligence, knowledge, and teamwork. The overall winning team in the Under 13 category were Knocknacarra Educate Together in Galway.



This year's quiz journey began several months ago, with over 25,000 students from schools across the island participating in local and regional rounds.



Martin Busch, President of the ILCU said "We are immensely proud of all the participants in this year's Credit Union Schools Quiz. The level of knowledge and teamwork displayed by these students is a promising indicator of our future. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winners and express our profound gratitude to all of the families, teachers, and everyone who supported the participants throughout this journey. This competition isn't just about showing off smarts; it highlights one of the values we hold with the highest regard: community spirit.



Today is also a shining testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of our phenomenal volunteers and staff who pour their hearts into organising and running this competition year after year at local and regional level. We are so proud of their commitment to supporting the development of children who are the future of the communities we serve.
A Naas District Court case involving four men who were allegedly involved in a violent disorder incident at Corbans Lane has been sent forward for trial.

The case previously appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan back in November.

The accusations relate to: Maroud Rashid, 29, with an address listed as 4 The Row, Eustace Demesne in Naas; Muhammed Masikul, 29, with an address listed as Apartment 11, Carrig Court, Saggart, Dublin 24, County Dublin; Malik Hossain, 32, with an address listed as 25 Feltham Hall, Blackbog Road, County Carlow; and Joshim Uddin, 29, with an address listed as 17 Oldtown Rise in Naas.

The alleged incident took place on December 3, 2022, according to gardai.

It was alleged that on the day in question, at around 2pm, the men turned up outside a property located on Corbans Lane.

According to gardai, at least one of the men had a weapon with him.

An altercation broke out, which resulted in one person being allegedly assaulted with the weapon.

LATEST DATE

On the latest court date (Thursday, April 4 last), defending solicitor Tim Kennelly reiterated that the men are contesting the nature of the allegations made against them.

After a book of evidence was served by gardai in relation to the case, Judge Zaidan sent the case involving all four defendants to the present sittings of Naas Circuit Court.

The judge remanded all four defendants on continuing bail until the case resumes.
A man with a previous conviction for manslaughter was sentenced to jail for handling stolen property  specifically, a stolen car key.

Judge Desmond Zaidan imposed an 11-month custodial sentence on Aidan Finnegan, with an address listed as 112 Whitestown Avenue, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, County Dublin, but who is currently in custody.

The sentence was imposed at Naas District Court on Thursday, April 4 last.

The judge was told by gardai that a vehicle was stolen during the course of a burglary, and later ended up on the Fortunestown Road in Tallaght on October 1, 2021.

Gardai later discovered that the 43-year-old was in possession of a stolen car key, which was used to activate the car.

Mr Finnegan pleaded guilty to the offence.

The court was told that he has 60 previous convictions, including one for a manslaughter offence.

Defending barrister Donncha Craddock told the judge that his client previously struggled with addiction issues, but has been doing well in prison.

He said that Mr Finnegan has been undertaking an education course in prison.

Mr Craddock also cited his client's early guilty plea.

After consideration, Judge Zaidan said that he would impose an 11m-month sentence on Mr Finnegan.

He set appeal at 400.
Kildare TD Martin Heydon has been re-appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture by the newly appointed Taoiseach, Simon Harris.

The news follows the announcement from yesterday that An Taoiseach Simon Harris has reshuffled senior roles within the Cabinet.

Speaking following his reappointment today, Minister Heydon said: "I am again honoured to be asked to serve in Government by An Taoiseach Simon Harris and to continue my work as Fine Gael's voice in agriculture.

"Farmers across the country are under significant pressure at present due to the weather and my immediate focus will be on supporting them through this difficult time."

He continued: "As Kildares only Minister I will continue to use my position in government to highlight the concerns and challenges of my constituents in Kildare South and to fight for improved funding and facilities for the benefit of growing communities across Kildare.

"Since my original appointment in July 2020, I have worked to ensure funding and progress for key infrastructure projects across Kildare.

"I have also sought, through my role, to increase job opportunities for those living in Kildare who would prefer not to commute out of Kildare for work, with projects such as Diageos proposed new brewery for Newbridge, and the planned food and drinks hub in Athy.

"Through my work to ensure a new public holiday for St Brigids Day, I continue to promote the attractions in Kildare and ensure our proud heritage is highlighted and shared to a wider audience."

Minister Heydon further said: "Like farmers around the country, I know many small business owners in Kildare are also struggling at present and I continue to bring their concerns to the attention of my colleagues in government.

"I also know there are many families in Kildare with children with special education needs who are waiting for school places and assessments of needs and these are two areas that I continue to highlight and work for."

As for what he plans to focus on: "Within my role in the Department of Agriculture, I will continue to focus on farm safety, where we have seen a reduction in the number of farm fatalities, but much work continues on improving farmers attitude to risk.

"Ill also continue to develop new high value markets for Irish food products, and continue investment in climate research to support farmers in their ambitions to continue producing food but with a reduced emissions profile."

Minister Heydon concluded: "I am honoured to serve in government again as a representative of the people of Kildare South, and I will continue to use my position to advocate for the needs of Kildare residents, and to ensure Kildare remains a great place to live work and raise a family."
Three homegrown companies won coveted Product of the Show Awards at the SEAI Energy Show last week. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) welcomed more than 3,000 visitors to the SEAI Energy Show 2024, which took place in the RDS on March 20 and 21.

One of the main highlights of the event was the Product of the Show Awards, which recognise the most innovative products and services presented by the roughly 150 exhibitors. These awards highlight the vibrancy of the energy sector and the pace of innovation, as exciting new energy technologies come to the market.

Among the winners were Dublin company EnergyElephant which won Best Innovative Product for its EnergyElephant  4Gets App. Sharing the award was Kildares EVHACS, the worlds first electric vehicle charger and heat pump/air conditioning unit in one. Wicklow company Symphony Energy won the Best Services Provider award for their Smart Optimisation product, which describes itself as the worlds most comprehensive smart retrofit solution.
CALGARY, AB, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Nanalysis Scientific Corp. ("Nanalysis" or the "Company", (TSXV: NSCI) (OTCQX: NSCIF) (FRA: 1N1) announces that Kham Lin has resigned as a director of the Company effective April 9, 2024, and the Board of Directors has accepted his resignation. The Company would like to thank Mr. Lin for his contributions throughout his tenure as director of the Company.

Nanalysis Scientific Corp. Logo (CNW Group/Nanalysis Scientific Corp.)

About Nanalysis Scientific Corp. (TSXV: NSCI) (OTCQX: NSCIF) (FRA: 1N1)

Nanalysis Scientific Corp. operates two primary businesses: Scientific Equipment and Security Services. Within its Scientific Equipment business is what the Company terms "MRI and NMR for industry". The Company develops and manufactures portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers or analyzers for laboratory and industrial markets. The NMReady-60 was the first full-feature portable NMR spectrometer in a single compact enclosure requiring no liquid helium or any other cryogens. The Company has followed-up that initial offering with new products and continues to have a strong innovation pipeline. In 2020, the Company announced the launch of its 100MHz device, the most powerful and most advanced compact NMR device ever brought to market.

The Company's devices are used in many industries (oil and gas, chemical, mining, pharma, biotech, flavor and fragrances, agrochemicals, law enforcement, and more) as well as numerous government and university research labs around the world. The Company continues to exploit new global market opportunities independently and with partners. With its partners, the Company provides scientific equipment sales and maintenance services globally.

In 2022, through its subsidiary KPrime, the Company was awarded a five-year, $160 million contract with the Government of Canada to provide maintenance services for passenger screening equipment in Canadian airports. This has resulted in the expansion of the Company's Security Services business. The Company is providing airport security equipment maintenance services for the Government of Canada in each province and territory of Canada. In addition, the Company provides commercial security equipment installation and maintenance services to a variety of customers in North America.

Story continues

Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements and Legal Disclaimer

All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipates", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed", "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and 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 expressly required by applicable law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nanalysis-scientific-corp-announces-director-resignation-302113222.html

SOURCE Nanalysis Scientific Corp.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2024/10/c1267.html
Manorhamilton Library will welcome a first-of-its-kind creative roadshow led by Laureate na nOg Patricia Forde next Tuesday, April 16.

The Whole Wild World Bus Tour will bring over 30 childrens authors and illustrators on a 1,400km journey along the Wild Atlantic Way, gifting a book for every kilometre to children at events on the way.



Invited school groups will take part in creative workshops and hear from Patricia Forde and childrens authors: Sadhbh Devlin, author of Amuigh Faoin Speir, Beag Bideach and Geansai Otto; and Malachy Doyle, who has published over 100 titles from picture books to novels for young adults.



Speaking ahead of the tour, Patricia Forde said: Im very excited at the prospect of meeting young readers and writers in Leitrim.

This tour is about igniting imaginations and ensuring that Leitrim will have another generation of great writers and illustrators by bringing books and their creators to an audience that doesnt often get a chance to meet them in their own local area, she added.



Elaina Ryan, CEO of Childrens Books Ireland, said: Its so important that our small towns, rural communities and more remote schools get access to really exciting and memorable experiences with Irish childrens books.

Patricia Forde is our first Laureate na nOg from the West of Ireland, and her goal with the Whole Wild World Bus Tour is to make sure that young readers all along the West Coast get to meet some of our most talented writers and illustrators and nurture the spark of creativity within themselves.



The Whole Wild World Tour will visit schools, libraries, and cultural venues in a further seven counties over two weeks, concluding at Kinsale Library in Cork on Sunday, April 28.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D, spoke this week about the challenging conditions on farms across Ireland.

Referring in particular to the question of fodder availability, he said: I am extremely conscious of the pressure on farmers as a result of continuing and exceptional adverse weather conditions.



As an immediate step I have asked my department to pause farm inspections not specifically required to support payments until 22nd April.



In considering this matter I was conscious of the need to avoid any action that might affect payments to farmers. This step is a proportionate and necessary one in the current circumstances.



I have also asked Teagasc to establish a system for co-ordinating advisory supports to help farmers maximise existing fodder stocks and provide a basis for those with surpluses to engage with those who are struggling.



The National Fodder and Feed Security Committee concluded that notwithstanding the difficulties that some farmers are experiencing, there are sufficient fodder stocks around the country at present.



This system will support the optimal use of available stocks, and I have asked Teagasc to report back to next weeks National Feed and Food Security Committee on the outcome.



I also met recently with the main banks and my department is continuing to engage with them. I have impressed upon them the need to show forbearance with farmers where cashflow issues are emerging in response to current difficulties.



I also asked them to ensure access to short term finance and overdraft facilities where needed to deal with the pressure arising from the current exceptional weather conditions.



Concluding, the Minister said that he had asked the National Fodder and Food Security Committee, under the chairmanship of Mike Magan, to meet again next week, and that he would continue to monitor the situation closely.



FINANCIAL AID FOR FARMERS MORE URGENT THAN EVER - ICSA



ICSA president Sean McNamara has welcomed the decision to suspend non-essential farm inspections until April 22.



This move, at least, signals an acknowledgment from the Department of Agriculture regarding the significant challenges farmers are facing due to adverse weather conditions. However, we also want an assurance that any inspections that do go ahead will take these adverse conditions into account, he said.



On the issue of fodder shortages, Mr McNamara said, While Teagasc have reported that there is enough fodder to go around our members on the ground are reporting a starkly different reality.



A lot of farmers are having huge difficulties sourcing the fodder they need, which is of a decent quality, is at a price they can afford, and that they can afford to transport. It really is a dire situation out there.



While we also appreciate the Ministers engagement with the financial institutions to address cash flow issues, the need for meaningful and accessible financial assistance has not gone away. On the contrary, it is now more urgent than ever. The need is real, and it is immediate.



Mr McNamara said news that the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) will reconvene next week is welcome but said the meeting should be an in-person one.



At last weeks meeting of the NFFSC - which took place online - ICSA and the other farming organisations were told that no financial assistance would be forthcoming.



It is completely unacceptable to abandon farmers in such a time of need; it is even more unacceptable to do so over an online meeting. What we need is real engagement that will result in real financial aid for farmers put on the table.
Women in Ireland are more likely to be low paid than those in Northern Ireland, according to a report.

The reports authors suggested that a more narrow gender pay gap in Northern Ireland was because of a higher percentage of public sector workers in the region.

The study looked at pay, education and levels of womens participation in the workforce and what influence factors such as childcare have on female employment.

It found that womens participation in the labour force is at 76% in Ireland and 72% in Northern Ireland, compared with 88% for men in Ireland and 81% in Northern Ireland.

The gender pay gap among full-time workers is higher in Ireland than in Northern Ireland, and women are 21% more likely to be part-time workers in both jurisdictions.

The report, which warned that pay comparisons should be treated with some caution, found that women were more likely to be low paid in Ireland than in Northern Ireland.

Some 25% of women and 18% of men in Ireland were classified as low paid according to the research, while 21% of women and 14% of men in Northern Ireland were classified as low-paid or earn less than two-thirds of the median hourly pay.

One of the researchers, Garance Hingre, said that the proportion of people classified as high earners and low earners was greater in Ireland than north of the border, and suggests that earnings may be more unequal in Ireland than in Northern Ireland.

Working in the private sector is associated with a higher probability of being low paid, she said.

Professor Helen Russell of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) said they roughly estimated public sector workers as those employed in the health, education, public administration and defence sectors.

In Northern Ireland, 53% of working women work in those sectors while south of the border it is around 43%, she said.

In general, thats having a protective effect so they have a lower risk of being in the low pay group, she said.

Weve seen this in lots of other research as well that that actually tends to narrow the gender pay gap if youve got more people in the public sector so I think thats probably some of whats going on.

Professor Russell also said the educational differences between north and south were quite stark, and the research also found that higher education offered strong protection against low pay in both jurisdictions.

Ms Hingre highlighted graphs that indicated the gender pay gap between men and women both north and south of the border fell as levels of education increased.

Professor Russell also said that Ireland and the UK usually feature in the bottom end of international comparisons of childcare affordability, another factor influencing womens participation in the workforce.

Some 75% of employed men in Ireland and 56% of employed men in Northern Ireland work more than 38 hours a week, while for women in Ireland and Northern Ireland the figures are 43% and 21% respectively.

Part-time workers, considered to work less than 30 hours a week, were significantly more likely to be women  29% of employed women compared with 9% of men in Ireland, and 35% of employed women compared with 9% of men in Northern Ireland.

Equality commissioner for Northern Ireland Darren McKinstry said there appeared to be a fragility to the labour market in Northern Ireland, evidenced by shorter periods in education, lower accessibility of childcare, and the higher proportion of women working part-time.

He said that education was key in building up resilience to challenge that fragility and said the value of flexibility was important, such as access to childcare or for sandwich care  caring for the young and the elderly.

Dr Iris Elliot, head of policy and research at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said that there were some figures on disability in the report but none around race or ethnicity, which are known factors that influence workforce participation and pay.

She said there may be a false perception that there is progress on equality issues in Ireland in the wake of some referendum results in the country.

She also raised the importance of comparable data between north and south which could be more difficult after Brexit.

This is the 12th report from ESRI carried out in partnership with the Shared Island initiative.
Panasonic Energy and Truckee Meadows Community College unveil new advanced manufacturing training center in Reno





RENO, Nev., April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Energy, in partnership with Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), today unveiled its Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. The facility, located in the heart of Reno, aims to foster innovation and education in manufacturing, emphasizing a joint commitment toward advancing STEM education and technology in the region. The event featured remarks from both organizations, elected officials, community leaders and tours of the new facility. For more details about the education center, visit Panasonicnv.com .

"Since 2017, Panasonic Energy has worked with TMCC to provide educational opportunities to communities in northern Nevada and invest in talent development in the region,"," said Allan Swan, President, Panasonic Energy of North America. "We are thrilled to share this cutting-edge manufacturing education center with TMCC to provide students with hands-on training opportunities, and equip them with the skills necessary for success in today's technology-driven world."

The new technology education center will provide students with access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, enabling them to gain practical experience in advanced manufacturing processes. Through hands-on training and immersive learning experiences, students will be prepared to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving manufacturing industry.

"We are proud to partner with Panasonic to establish this innovative technology education center," said Dr. Karin Hilgersom, President of TMCC. "This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to providing students with the resources and opportunities they need to excel in their careers. Together, we will empower the next generation of manufacturing leaders and drive economic growth in our community."

The event was attended by the U.S. Department of Energy Director of the Office for Energy Jobs Betony Jones, representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Cortez Masto (D-NV) and U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Reno Mayor Hilary Schieve, representatives from Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo's office, various northern Nevada city council members and county commissioners and more.

For more information on Panasonic Energy of North America, visit Panasonicnv.com or follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn .

About Panasonic Energy of North America

Panasonic Energy of North America (PENA), a Division of Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., manufactures lithium-ion batteries in Sparks, Nevada, and employs more than 4,000 people. PENA's mission is to contribute to a clean energy society by manufacturing the world's safest, highest-quality batteries, developing an American workforce with skills in a high-tech growth industry, and changing society's use and perception of electric powered transportation.

About Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.

Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., established in April 2022 as part of the Panasonic Group's switch to an operating company system, provides innovative battery technology-based products and solutions globally. Through its automotive lithium-ion batteries, storage battery systems and dry batteries, the company brings safe, reliable, and convenient power to a broad range of business areas, from mobility and social infrastructure to medical and consumer products. Panasonic Energy is committed to contributing to a society that realizes happiness and environmental sustainability, and through its business activities the Company aims to address societal issues while taking the lead on environmental initiatives. For more details, please visit https://www.panasonic.com/global/energy/

About TMCC

Truckee Meadows Community College is a comprehensive community college located in Reno, Nev., and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. With four college sites and more than 20 community locations, TMCC serves more than 16,000 students each year in state-supported programs and another 9,600 students in non-credit workforce development classes. For more information, please go to www.tmcc.edu .

SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America

9 april 2024 at 17:00

News published onand distributed by:
RB Global to Report First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Host Conference Call on May 9, 2024





WESTCHESTER, Ill., April 9, 2024 /CNW/ - RB Global, Inc. (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) announced today that it will release first-quarter financial results after market close on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

RB Global will host a conference call to discuss its results at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time the same day.

Analysts and institutional investors may participate via conference call using the following dial-in information:

Conference ID: 45983291

Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number:

North America ? 1-888-664-6392

United Kingdom ? 0800 652 2435

Canada ? 1-416-764-8659

Interested parties may listen to the live webcast of the call at RB Global Investor Relations website at https://investor.rbglobal.com

A replay will be available on the same website. A telephonic conference call replay can be accessed after 8:00 pm Eastern time at 416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541 using the passcode 983291.

About RB Global

RB Global, Inc. (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) is a leading omnichannel marketplace that provides value-added insights, services, and transaction solutions for buyers and sellers of commercial assets and vehicles worldwide. Through its auction sites in 14 countries and digital platform, RB Global serves customers in more than 170 countries across a variety of asset classes, including automotive, commercial transportation, construction, government surplus, lifting and material handling, energy, mining, and agriculture. The company's marketplace brands include Ritchie Bros., the world's largest auctioneer of commercial assets and vehicles offering online bidding, and IAA, a leading global digital marketplace connecting vehicle buyers and sellers. RB Global's portfolio of brands also includes Rouse Services, which provides complete end-to-end asset management, data-driven intelligence, and performance benchmarking system; SmartEquip, an innovative technology platform that supports customers' management of the equipment lifecycle and integrates parts procurement with both OEMs and dealers; Xcira, a leader in live simulcast auction technologies; and Veritread, an online marketplace for heavy haul transport.

SOURCE RB Global

9 april 2024 at 17:30

News published onand distributed by:
Taiwan Illuminates Seatrade Cruise Global 2024 with Unique Sky Lantern Pavilion





Taiwan Tourism Administration Promotes its Ambitions to be the Cruise Industry's leading Home Port in Asia

MIAMI, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA), in collaboration with Taiwan International Ports Corp. (TIPC) and the Maritime and Port Bureau, MOTC (MPB), proudly unveiled the Taiwan Pavilion at the world-renowned Seatrade Cruise Global 2024, the premier event for the cruise industry, hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center from April 8-11, 2024.

Innovatively blending tradition and ambition, the Taiwan Pavilion is designed in the likeness of a Taiwanese sky lantern. Each facet shares an aspect of Taiwan, including its rich culture, exquisite delicacies, breathtaking nature, and key ports, inviting cruise industry executives to choose Taiwan as their cruise lines' next port of call.

The booth's inauguration was marked by an exclusive VIP reception that saw the attendance of senior officials from TTA, TIPC, and MPB. The event was graced by luminaries from global cruise lines, industry associations, and port authorities from adjacent countries. The reception put Taiwan's best foot forward, with speeches delivered by TTA Deputy Director General, Trust Hsin-Jen Lin, a performance by dancers from Taiwan's indigenous Amis tribe, a presentation on Taiwan's cruising prospects, a fusion of Taiwanese and Western snacks, and a sky lantern launching ceremony. With Taiwan's officials and international industry leaders inscribing their hopes for Taiwan's cruise sector on an inflatable lantern, and symbolically launching it into the exhibition hall's 'sky', they together created a visible spectacle of shared dreams and mutual prosperity.

Dr. Trust Lin, Deputy Director-General of Taiwan Tourism Administration underscored the Taiwan's successful recovery of its cruise industry: "Prior to the pandemic, Taiwan was the second largest source market for cruise passengers in Asia. In 2019, over a million passengers embarked on cruises from Taiwan, with over 600 cruises calling in Taiwan or using it as a home port, generating an economic value of approximately US$1 billion. As of 2024, Taiwan's cruise industry has recovered to around 70% of the pre-pandemic levels. Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA), Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC), and the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) have all introduced incentives to invite more cruise ships to call at Taiwan or use Taiwan as a home port."

Taiwan's endeavor to promote its ports at Seatrade Cruise Global 2024, particularly Keelung and Kaohsiung as home ports, leverages its position as the 2nd largest source market for cruising in Asia. This initiative underscores the potential for leading cruise lines to anchor their Asian operations within Taiwan's welcoming shores, offering travelers unparalleled access to the myriad of experiences that The Heart of Asia has to offer.

Taiwan, with its picturesque landscapes nestled between mountains and sea, boasts rich biodiversity and a vibrant tapestry of cultures. Throughout the year, it hosts a plethora of themed events, each season bringing its own unique charm. From the north to the south and everywhere in between, Taiwan's charming towns showcase rich local traditions and captivating cultural heritage, exuding an irresistible allure.

Taiwan's stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and diverse culture make it a captivating destination year-round. From north to south, charming towns offer unique traditions and cultural experiences. Additionally, Taiwan's culinary scene, ranging from vibrant night markets to Michelin-recommended restaurants, is a highlight for cruise passengers. Explore more about Taiwan's cruise industry at bit.ly/CruiseTaiwan .

ABOUT TAIWAN TOURISM ADMINISTRATION

The Taiwan Tourism Administration is the official government agency of Taiwan (R.O.C.) responsible for domestic and international tourism policy development and execution. The Eastern US market is managed by the New York office of TTA. For more information, visit eng.taiwan.net.tw .

SOURCE Taiwan Tourism Administration

9 april 2024 at 22:30

News published onand distributed by:
TUSK Practice Sales Advises Dynamic Growth Dental in its sale to Dental365





CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TUSK Practice Sales ("TUSK") the premiere healthcare M&A Advisor, advised Dynamic Growth Dental in its affiliation with Dental365. The transaction was led by Josh Swearingen, Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at TUSK Practice Sales. Alex Cherniavsky and Sam Lupton spearheaded the diligence and analytics efforts for TUSK.

Since its founding in 2018, Dynamic Growth Dental has scaled to a 9-location DSO. Dynamic Growth Dental has provided premier dental care to widespread communities in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Ryan Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Dynamic Growth Dental, commented, "Engaging TUSK to run a marketed sales process was the best choice we could've made for our organization. TUSK was thorough in their financial and operational analysis and clearly understood our goals. TUSK's in-house analytics team and expertise in the space were crucial to our process. Our organization is thrilled with the results the TUSK team generated for us. We are looking forward to beginning the partnership with Dental365."

Dental365's Founder and CEO, Scott Asnis, shared, "We are excited to welcome the doctors and staff to the Dental365 family. I am confident that together we will build on the great success of these offices."

About Dynamic Growth Dental

Dynamic Growth Dental Support is a dental support organization (DSO) headquartered in Ephrata, PA. Founded to provide business solutions for dentists, our goals, operating principles, and ethic of service are at the heart of everything we do for our practices, their patients, and the communities we serve. For more information, please visit www.dynamicgrowth.dental.

About Dental365

Founded in 2014, Dental365 is a full-service dental practice based on the concept of providing convenient and affordable dental care for the entire family. They offer modern, concierge dentistry services from board-certified specialists. Dental365 has locations throughout the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Whether patients are seeking a cosmetic treatment such as porcelain veneers or a restorative procedure like a dental bridge, Dental365's caring doctors can help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. For more information, visit https://www.godental365.com/professionals.

About TUSK Practice Sales

TUSK Practice Sales ("TUSK") provides M&A Advisory services in the healthcare industry. TUSK has completed over $1B of healthcare transactions. With an in-depth understanding of the marketplace and access to 100's of buyers nationwide, we help our clients confidently pursue M&A transactions that maximize their long-term value. With our significant collective experience of over 125+ years of practice transactions, we offer our clients solutions that help them achieve their strategic and financial objectives. For more information, visit www.TuskPracticeSales.com.

SOURCE TUSK Practice Sales

10 april 2024 at 04:21

News published onand distributed by:
Orla Mining Starts 2024 with Continued Strong Operating Performance at Camino Rojo





VANCOUVER, BC, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Orla Mining Ltd. (TSX: OLA) (NYSE: ORLA) ("Orla" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an interim operational update for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 and an update on its activities in Panama.

(All amounts expressed in millions of US dollars, as at March 31, 2024 and are unaudited unless otherwise stated)

First Quarter 2024 Camino Rojo Oxide Mine Operational Update

The Camino Rojo Oxide Mine produced 33,223 ounces and sold 32,046 ounces of gold during the first quarter 2024.

Camino Rojo Mining and Processing Totals

Q1 2024 Ore Mined tonnes 1,943,865 Waste Mined tonnes 872,571 Total Mined tonnes 2,816,435 Strip Ratio w:o 0.45 Ore Stacked tonnes 1,783,305 Daily Stacked Throughput Rate ? Average tpd 19,597 Stacked Ore Gold Grade g/t 0.82 Gold Produced oz 33,223 Gold Sold oz 32,046

At March 31, 2024, Orla had a cash position of $118.1 million and total debt position of $88.4 million, resulting in a net cash position of $29.7 million[1]. The Company has $61.6 million undrawn on its revolving credit facility which supports total liquidity of $179.7 million at quarter end1. The current liquidity position is shown below. Financial and operating results for the first quarter 2024 will be provided on May 14, 2024.

Liquidity Position

Cash position $118.1 Long-term debt2 $88.4 Net cash1,2 $29.7 Undrawn debt available $61.6 Total available liquidity1 $179.7

____________________________ 1 Net cash and liquidity are non-GAAP measures. See the "Non-GAAP Measures" section of this news release for additional information. 2 Long-term debt and undrawn debt may not tie due to rounding

Panama Update

Further to the Company's March 19, 2024 news release, the Company has filed a Notice of Intent to Arbitrate with the Government of Panama in respect of the Cerro Quema Project.

On October 27, 2023, Panama's President signed Executive Decree No. 23/2023 that prohibited the granting of new concessions for the exploration, extraction, transportation, and exploitation of metal mining in Panama. On November 3, 2023, the National Assembly of Panama passed Law 407 that included a moratorium on granting, renewing, or extending concessions for the exploration, extraction, or exploitation of metal mining in Panama. On December 15, 2023, Minera Cerro Quema, S.A., the Company's subsidiary that holds the Cerro Quema Project, received three resolutions from the Panamanian Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The resolutions rejected the request for extension for the three mining concessions comprising the Cerro Quema Project, retroactively declared the concessions canceled, and declared the area comprising the concessions to be a reserve area under the Panamanian mining code. Under the Panamanian mining code, MICI is prohibited from granting mining concessions for exploration or extraction on a reserve area.

The Notice of Intent to Arbitrate was filed under the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement (the "FTA") and is intended to facilitate consultations between the Government of Panama and the Company. If these consultations are not successful, the Company expects to file a formal Request for Arbitration under the FTA late in the second quarter 2024. Although the Company intends to pursue these legal remedies, the Company's preference is a constructive resolution with the Government of Panama that results in a positive outcome for all stakeholders.

First Quarter 2024 Conference Call

Orla will host a conference call on Wednesday May 15, 2024, at 10:00 AM, Eastern Time, to provide a corporate update following the release of its financial and operating results for the first quarter 2024:

Dial-In Numbers / Webcast:

Conference ID: 5844017

Toll Free: 1 (888) 550-5302

Toll: 1 (646) 960-0685

Webcast: https://orlamining.com/investors/presentations-and-events/

Qualified Persons Statement

The scientific and technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. J. Andrew Cormier, P. Eng., Chief Operating Officer of the Company, who is the Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 standards.

About Orla Mining Ltd.

Orla's corporate strategy is to acquire, develop, and operate mineral properties where the Company's expertise can substantially increase stakeholder value. The Company has two material gold projects: (1) Camino Rojo, located in Zacatecas State, Mexico and (2) South Railroad, located in Nevada, United States. Orla is operating the Camino Rojo Oxide Gold Mine, a gold and silver open-pit and heap leach mine. Orla is also developing the South Railroad Project, a feasibility-stage, open pit, heap leach gold project located on the Carlin trend in Nevada. The property is 100% owned by Orla and covers over 160,000 hectares which contains a large oxide and sulphide mineral resource. Orla also owns 100% of Cerro Quema located in Panama which includes a pre-feasibility-stage, open-pit, heap leach gold project. The technical reports for the Company's material projects are available on Orla's website at www.orlamining.com, and on SEDAR+ and EDGAR under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov, respectively.

Non-GAAP Measures

The Company has included certain performance measures in this news release which are not specified, defined, or determined under generally accepted accounting principles (in the Company's case, International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")). These are common performance measures in the gold mining industry, but because they do not have any mandated standardized definitions, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Accordingly, the Company uses such measures to provide additional information and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). In this section, all currency figures in tables are in millions, except per-share and per-ounce amounts.

All-in Sustaining Costs

The Company has provided an AISC performance measure that reflects all the expenditures that are required to produce an ounce of gold from operations. The Company reports ASIC on a per-ounce sold basis. While there is no standardized meaning of the measure across the industry, the Company's definition conforms to the all-in sustaining cost definition as set out by the World Gold Council in its guidance dated November 14, 2018. Orla believes that this measure is useful to external users in assessing operating performance and the Company's ability to generate free cash flow from current operations.

Net Cash

Net cash is calculated as cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments less total debt at the end of the reporting period. This measure is used by management to measure the Company's debt leverage. The Company believes that in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, net cash is useful to evaluate the Company's leverage and is also a key metric in determining the cost of debt.

NET CASH Mar 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Cash and cash equivalents $ 118.1 $ 96.6 Long term debt (88.4) (88.4) NET CASH $ 29.7 $ 8.2

Liquidity

Liquidity is calculated as the sum of cash and cash equivalents, short-term Investments, and the undrawn amount available under the Company's revolving credit facility. Liquidity does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company believes that liquidity is useful to evaluate the liquid assets available to the Company.

LIQUIDITY Mar 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Cash and cash equivalents $ 118.1 $ 96.6 Total credit facility available 150.0 150.0 Credit facility principal drawn down (88.4) (88.4) LIQUIDITY $ 179.7 $ 158.2

Preliminary Financial Results

The financial results contained in this news release for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 are preliminary. Such results represent the most current information available to the Company's management, as the Company completes its financial procedures. The Company's interim consolidated financial statements for such period may result in material changes to the financial information contained in this news release (including by any one financial metric, or all of the financial metrics, being below or above the figures indicated) as a result of the completion of normal period end accounting procedures and adjustments.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the United States Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or in releases made by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, all as may be amended from time to time, including statements regarding the Company filing a Request to Arbitrate with the Government of Panama. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form dated March 19, 2024, which are available on www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE Orla Mining Ltd.

10 april 2024 at 06:00

News published onand distributed by:
The government says its 'Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act' will allow universities to build more student housing on its land and give municipalities the ability to address stalled home developments. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press - image credit)

The Ford government is tabling new housing legislation aimed at building homes faster in the province and achieving its goal of having 1.5 million new homes in Ontario by 2031.

Housing Minister Paul Calandra says the government's "Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act" includes a number of changes, such as giving universities more power to build student housing on its land, giving municipalities the ability to address stalled developments and will prioritize ready-to-go housing projects.

The act will, if passed, require ministries to develop new business service standards for building permits. The government says it would reduce regulatory burden, make processes more transparent and cut down on project delays.

"These measures recognize the struggles that our municipal partners have faced in building homes and are targeted at removing those obstacles," said Housing Minister Paul Calandra in a statement. "We're not going to micromanage and dictate a 'one-size-fits-all' approach across the province. Municipalities know their communities best  they know where it makes sense to build homes."

From mandating masks in common areas to closing communal spaces all together, Canadian universities have implemented a wide range of measures to keep students and faculty safe as classes resume in the fall. The University of Toronto, pictured on Aug. 18, 2020, is limiting on-campus courses while taking many seminars online as a means to minimize potential exposure to COVID-19.

Ontario's new housing legislation exempts publicly-assisted universities from the Planning Act, allowing them to build student residences quicker. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

The legislation would also exempt public universities from the Planning Act to speed up the building of new student housing units.

"Removing barriers faced by universities when building student housing shows how we can find innovative ways to get shovels in the ground sooner," said Jill Dunlop, minister of colleges and universities, in a statement.

"By requiring postsecondary institutions to publish their student housing policies, we're also ensuring students have access to and are aware of student housing options that are safe, affordable and within an easy commute to campus," she added.

New legislation is 'weak': opposition

The government says by exempting universities from the Planning Act, schools could build higher density student residences. Universities would also be able to avoid planning application fees.

Opposition parties said Tuesday they were concerned about the government inflating its housing start targets by including student housing. The government confirmed Wednesday this legislation will not include student housing toward its housing numbers at this point.

Commenting Wednesday, NDP Leader Marit Stiles says the legislation doesn't go far enough to build homes quickly and efficiently.

"Here in Ontario, I'm sorry to say today's legislation by the Conservative government lets all of those people down again," she told reporters. "This is a weak bill. It lacks ambition, it lacks boldness and it lacks urgency."

"A chunk of what this bill presents is just reversals to bad government policies," Stiles added.

The bill reverses some changes brought in by the Ford government through Bill 23, its "More Homes Built Faster Act", in 2022. It gets rid of an approach to development charges to only offer savings for developers building affordable housing.

Ontario Liberal MPP Adil Shamji says this is becoming common practice by this government.

"Every few months we have a new housing bill, and it usually walks back something that was in the last one," he said.

The government set a goal of constructing 1.5 million new homes by 2031 to alleviate a severe housing crunch that has contributed to high real estate prices and rents.

Ontario's spring budget shows the pace of new home construction is picking up in the province, with 88,000 housing starts projected in 2024, but is still far off the levels needed to get to the government's target. Calandra has previously indicated that Ontario needed to be building at least 125,000 homes this year, ramping up to at least 175,000 per year in the near future.

Building closer to transit

The government said it is also doing away with parking minimums for new builds near transit stations. The housing minister says it will allow for more mixed-use communities with housing, retail and office space close to public transit.

"We're building homes faster and at a lower cost," he said. "Including by letting homeowners and builders decide the right number of parking spaces in new residential developments near transit."

Mass timber construction will also be amended through this housing bill, which will soon allow developers to pursue 18-storey mass timber buildings. Currently, those developments are limited to 12 storeys high. The housing minister says it's just one type of standardized housing the province wants to increase access to.

"It can be all forms of housing," Calandra said. "Single detached, bungalows, townhomes  basically anything you can think of. We can work to ensure it is a design that is approved and then provide that to our municipal partners."

The legislation also includes a "use it or lose it" tool, which gives municipalities more power to address stalled developments. The government has previously said forcing developers to act on building permits would put an end to sluggish building.

Municipalities are also able to provide incentives to certain businesses through the legislation to help attract investment and enact the government's reversal of dissolving Peel Region.

This bill would amend the law that would have broken up the upper-tier region to instead task the transition board initially responsible for overseeing that municipal divorce with considering how to make Peel Region more efficient.
North American Pet Health Insurance Industry Continued Exceptional Growth Rate In 2023





Industry experienced a ~22% year-over-year revenue increase while surpassing the $4 billion mark for the first time

PHOENIX, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) today released its 2024 State of the Industry (SOI) Report showing the North American pet health insurance sector grew another 21.9% in 2023.

This year's SOI Report indicated, for the first time, the North American pet insurance industry had exceeded the $4 billion mark, with a record-setting $4.27 billion USD in total premiums sold in 2023 (a 21.9% increase from $3.5 billion USD in 2022) and over 6.25 million pets insured across North America (a 20.9% increase from the 5.17 million pets insured in 2022).

In the United States (US), total premium volume* totalled $3.91 billion USD, a 21.6% annual increase over 2022. With an estimated 154 million pets in the US, and an average penetration rate of 3.69% (5.07% for dogs and 1.84% for cats), Rick Faucher, NAPHIA President and Chief Partnerships Officer with Fetch Pet Insurance, expressed his optimism for the industry's continued long-term growth.

"For the fifth year in a row, the US market grew by over 20 percent," said Faucher. "With rising penetrations rate for dogs and cats in the US and the potential for future, sustained growth, we see a tremendous upside for the industry and are very encouraged about the future."

NAPHIA Executive Director Kristen Lynch noted the 25.9% average growth rate in the U.S. market over past five years demonstrates that US pet owners understand the value of pet insurance and experience its impact in mitigating unexpected veterinary costs.

"At a time when households are experiencing growing financial pressures, pet insurance provides owners with financial protection to cover the rising costs of veterinary care," said Lynch. "Our industry's strong growth is evidence that American pet families recognize the value of pet health insurance coverage and appreciate the certainty it offers in those instances when their pet has an unexpected illness or injury."

The SOI Report is published annually to provide NAPHIA members, industry regulators, media, and other interested parties with key benchmarks on the updated status of the North American pet insurance industry.

* As reported by NAPHIA members

Some Industry Highlights:

NAPHIA's State of the Industry (SOI) Report has been published using data compiled, aggregated and validated by the global multinational risk management and advisory firm Willis Towers Watson. NAPHIA members and SOI participants represent 99% of all pet health insurance coverage in effect in North America.

To view the results and download the full report, please visit: https://naphia.org/industry-data/

United States

$3.91 billion USD ? total premium volume (21.6% YoY)

? total premium volume (21.6% YoY) 5,676,776 million ? total number of pets insured (17.1% increase YoY)

$2.48 billion USD ? total amount of claims paid in 2023 (29.8% increase YoY)

? total amount of claims paid in 2023 (29.8% increase YoY) More than a third of U.S. insured pets reside in California (18.3%), New York (7.5%) and Florida (6.2%)

(18.3%), (7.5%) and (6.2%) 78.6% of insured U.S. pets were dogs versus 21.4% cats

Average accident and illness premium for dogs was $675.61 /year or $56.30 /month USD

/year or /month USD Average accident and illness premium for cats was $383.30 /year or $31.94 /month USD

/year or /month USD The US represents ~90% of the total number of insured pets in North America .

Canada

$485.5 million CAD ? total premium volume (29.8% increase YoY)

CAD ? total premium volume (29.8% increase YoY) 577,785 ? total number of pets insured (13.6% increase YoY)

$258.2 million CAD ? total amount of claims paid in 2023 (22.8% increase YoY)

CAD ? total amount of claims paid in 2023 (22.8% increase YoY) Majority of insured pets reside in Ontario (37.9%), British Columbia (18.7%) and Alberta (16.4%)

(37.9%), (18.7%) and (16.4%) 75.5% of insured Canadian pets were dogs versus 24.5% cats

Average accident and illness premium for dogs was $940.91 /year or $78.41 /month CAD

/year or /month CAD Average accident and illness premium for cats was $488.73 /year or $40.73 /month CAD

/year or /month CAD Canada represents ~10% of the total number of insured pets in North America .

About NAPHIA

The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) is comprised of reputable pet health insurance organizations from across the United States and Canada. As the industry's trade association, NAPHIA works to advance and grow the pet insurance industry and marketplace through proactive research, data sharing, benchmarking initiatives, advocacy efforts, strategic partnerships, resource sharing and the dissemination of information to collaboratively address challenges and opportunities.

SOURCE NAPHIA - The North American Pet Health Insurance Association

10 april 2024 at 06:30

News published onand distributed by:
Surge Copper Outlines Pre-Feasibility Technical Work Programs at Berg and Announces Additional Private Placement for up to $1.0 million





Vancouver, British Columbia, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Surge Copper Corp. (TSXV: SURG ) (OTCQB: SRGXF ) (Frankfurt: G6D2 ) ("Surge" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on planned technical work programs in support of a pre-feasibility study for the 100%-owned Berg copper-molybdenum-precious metals project located in central British Columbia. The Company is in the advanced planning stages for several programs as outlined below which are expected to commence in the coming weeks and extend through the summer field season, with further announcements to be provided upon commencement. The development of these programs is based on the recommendations contained in the preliminary economic assessment for the Berg Project, titled ?"?Berg Project - NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment?"? dated effective as of June 12, 2023 (see June 13, 2023 press release ) (the "PEA") which outlined a total budget of approximately C$7.85 million to complete a pre-feasibility study, including approximately 8,500 metres of drilling, of which approximately 2,000 metres was completed in 2023.

Metallurgy ? a test work program will aim to advance bulk copper-molybdenum concentrate flotation parameters and to confirm copper, molybdenum, silver, and gold recovery performance into separate copper and molybdenum concentrates. This program is fully scoped and suitable composite sample material is available and awaiting shipment.

? a test work program will aim to advance bulk copper-molybdenum concentrate flotation parameters and to confirm copper, molybdenum, silver, and gold recovery performance into separate copper and molybdenum concentrates. This program is fully scoped and suitable composite sample material is available and awaiting shipment. Environmental Baseline ? a large footprint data collection program will commence during the 2024 summer field season to gather time series baseline data in support of a potential environmental assessment.

? a large footprint data collection program will commence during the 2024 summer field season to gather time series baseline data in support of a potential environmental assessment. Geochemistry ? field operations at the Berg deposit in 2024 will collect samples from various areas within the PEA pit shape which will be used in laboratory-based geochemistry test programs to characterize key parameters relevant to waste rock and tailings design.

? field operations at the Berg deposit in 2024 will collect samples from various areas within the PEA pit shape which will be used in laboratory-based geochemistry test programs to characterize key parameters relevant to waste rock and tailings design. Geotechnical ? field operations will aim to advance geotechnical and hydrogeological programs to solidify key mining assumptions and pit parameters where possible in conjunction with ongoing exploration drilling programs.

? field operations will aim to advance geotechnical and hydrogeological programs to solidify key mining assumptions and pit parameters where possible in conjunction with ongoing exploration drilling programs. Advancing the high-priority Berg SW Target ? fieldwork in 2023 identified a new porphyry exploration target southwest of Berg containing a 600 metre by 300 metre and open copper in soil anomaly with a geophysical expression similar to the Berg deposit. Surface mapping and sampling will be conducted early in the field season to advance the target to a drill decision.

Leif Nilsson, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are excited to be commencing these critical technical work programs which are aimed at advancing the Berg Project and positioning us well to complete a pre-feasibility study in 2025. The funding package provided by the previously announced strategic investment and the additional side-car placement announced today will fully fund this work program and provide the Company with additional flexibility to advance our highest-priority exploration targets including the Berg SW target. As the fundamentals in the copper market continue to improve, we are thrilled to be advancing the Berg Project which we believe is well positioned to capture the significant growth in demand for critical metals like copper and molybdenum in the coming decades."

Side-Car Private Placement

In connection with the previously announced private placement (the "Strategic Placement") pursuant to which African Rainbow Minerals Limited ("ARM"), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, has agreed to subscribe for 39,608,708 common shares of Surge (the "Strategic Placement Common Shares") at a price of $0.095 per Strategic Placement Common Share for gross proceeds of approximately C$3,762,827 (see April 2, 2024 press release ), the Company announces an additional non-brokered private placement to investors, other than ARM, of up to 10,000,000 common shares of Surge (the "Side-Car Common Shares") at a price of $0.10 per Side-Car Common Share for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1.0 million (the "Side-Car Private Placement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Strategic Placement, the Strategic Placement Common Shares purchased by ARM will be increased based on the number of Side-Car Common Shares issued under the Side-Car Private Placement such that ARM will acquire a 15.0% interest in Surge on a non-diluted basis upon closing of the Strategic Placement. In the event the maximum number of Side-Car Common Shares are issued under the Side-Car Private Placement, a total of 1,764,705 additional Strategic Placement Common Shares will be purchased by ARM under the Strategic Placement, resulting in total gross proceeds to Surge between the Strategic Placement and the Side-Car Private Placement of approximately $5 million.

The net proceeds from the Side-Car Private Placement will be used to fund the advancement of the Berg Project, exploration, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Side-Car Private Placement is scheduled to close on or about April 24, 2024, and is subject to certain customary conditions, including but not limited to, receipt of TSX Venture Exchange conditional acceptance. The Side-Car Common Shares will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day ?from the date of issuance.? The Company may pay certain finders a cash fee equal to 6% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised from subscriptions under the Side-Car Private Placement arranged by such finders.

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 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.?

Qualified Person

Dr. Shane Ebert P.Geo., is the Qualified Person for the Berg Project and the Ootsa Property as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 41-101") and has approved the technical and scientific disclosure contained in this news release.

About Surge Copper Corp.

Surge Copper Corp. is a Canadian company that is advancing an emerging critical metals district in a well-developed region of British Columbia, Canada. The Company owns a large, contiguous mineral claim package that hosts multiple advanced porphyry deposits with pit-constrained NI 43-101 compliant resources of copper, molybdenum, gold, and silver ? metals which are critical inputs to the low-carbon energy transition and associated electrification technologies.

The Company owns a 100% interest in the Berg Project, for which it announced a maiden PEA in June 2023 outlining a large-scale, long-life project with a simple design and high outputs of critical minerals located in a safe jurisdiction near world-class infrastructure. The PEA highlights base case economics including an NPV8% of C$2.1 billion and an IRR of 20% based on long-term commodity prices of US$4.00/lb copper, US$15.00/lb molybdenum, US$23.00/oz silver, and US$1,800/oz gold. The Berg deposit contains pit-constrained 43-101 compliant resources of copper, molybdenum, silver, and gold in the Measured, Indicated, and Inferred categories.

The Company also owns a 100% interest in the Ootsa Property, an advanced-stage exploration project containing the Seel and Ox porphyry deposits located adjacent to the open pit Huckleberry Copper Mine, owned by Imperial Metals. The Ootsa Property contains pit-constrained NI 43-101 compliant resources of copper, gold, molybdenum, and silver in the Measured, Indicated, and Inferred categories.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Leif Nilsson"

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Riley Trimble, Corporate Communications & Development

Telephone: +1 604 416 2978

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @SurgeCopper

LinkedIn: Surge Copper Corp

https://www.surgecopper.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This News Release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "will", "may", "should", "expects", "plans", or "anticipates" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the planned technical work programs in support of a pre-feasibility study for the Berg? Project, including timing and results thereof, along with the timing for announcing same; the Side-Car Private Placement, including the number of Side-Car Common Shares to be issued, receipt of TSX Venture Exchange conditional acceptance, and closing of the Side-Car Private Placement?, including the timing thereof; the Strategic Placement, including the number of Strategic Placement Common Shares to be issued in connection therewith; and the Company's plans regarding the Berg Project and the Ootsa Property. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and risks may include, among others, actual results of the Company's exploration activities being different than those expected by management, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required government or other regulatory approvals, the ability to obtain adequate financing to conduct its planned exploration programs, inability to procure labour, equipment, and supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis, equipment breakdown, impacts of the current coronavirus pandemic, and bad weather. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect the Company's current judgment regarding the direction of its business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions, or other future performance suggestions herein. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not intend to update any forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

10 april 2024 at 07:00

News published onand distributed by:
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM) Leverages Innovative Approach to Drive Student Engagement





A 54% increase in first-year medical student utilization of COMLEX-USA Level 1 practice questions and a 20-fold increase in the number of questions taken were observed.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUNCOM) has been leveraging COMBANK, powered by TrueLearn, as a learning and exam preparation resource to support their students in preparing for the COMLEX-USA examination series.

"The partnership between TrueLearn and TUNCOM is a testament to our shared commitment toward driving excellence in osteopathic medical education," said Kate Campbell , TrueLearn's Chief Commercial Officer. "It marks a new era in medical education?one that focuses on instilling the importance of lifelong learning while also ensuring optimal pass rates on board exams."

In May 2022, the COMLEX-USA Level 1 shifted its reporting model from a three-digit score to a pass/fail format as part of its initiative to help students better manage test-day stress and anxiety over residency matches. Following the transition, osteopathic medical schools observed students spending less time preparing for the exam; as a result, there was an overall decline in first-time pass rates. This gave cause for concern, primarily as COMLEX-USA Level 1 scores were traditionally used as a key metric for assessing residency applications and determining students' chances of matching into their desired medical specialty.

To ensure student success after the revised reporting format, TUNCOM focused on increasing student engagement starting in the first year with COMBANK and maximizing its value and efficacy. The school also wanted to create opportunities for students to participate in scholarly activities to optimize their residency application outcomes.

To that effect, TUNCOM adopted an innovative approach, leveraging a unique functionality within COMBANK that allowed second-year students to tag questions aligning with the first-year curriculum. This made it easy for first-year students and teaching faculty to find the right questions that were important and relevant to their courses. Faculty could then create quizzes based on the tags, and students were encouraged to incorporate the questions into their regular study regimes.

The results were remarkable: compared to the first-year medical students from the prior year, the 2027 cohort utilizing the tagged questions showed a 54% increase in student participation, while the number of questions taken increased 20-fold, with over 18,000 questions completed within the first half of the current academic year.

With that, TUNCOM not only maximized the value and efficacy of COMBANK but also empowered students to integrate practice retrieval and spaced repetition into their study routine?two learning science techniques that strengthen concept mastery and long-term knowledge retention. As students became involved in shaping and modeling effective self-directed learning, it paved the way for them to showcase their academic involvement and collectively participate in research.

Students involved in this scholarly work will present their research during a Learning, Curriculum, and Assessment poster session at the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) Educating Leaders '24 Annual Conference , scheduled for April 2024 in Kansas City. Attendees can stop by the poster session on Thursday, April 18, from 4:30-6:00 PM to discuss their research further.

"The partnership between TrueLearn and TUNCOM is a testament to our shared commitment toward driving excellence in osteopathic medical education," said Kate Campbell, TrueLearn's Chief Commercial Officer. "It marks a new era in medical education?one that focuses on instilling the importance of lifelong learning while also ensuring optimal pass rates on board exams."

COMBANK, powered by TrueLearn, is used by over 93% of osteopathic medical students nationwide. Enriched with over 2,750 NBOME-formatted test items and featuring a simulated Prometric testing interface, data shows that the average student improves their 3-digit score by 60 points after completing COMBANK. At the same time, TrueLearn's robust data analytics engine provides programs and faculty with detailed key and objective insights into metrics such as students' study habits, question responses, and content strengths and weaknesses, besides enabling peer tracking and nationwide benchmarking.

Footnote> For more information about COMBANK and other healthcare education solutions by TrueLearn, visit https://truelearn.com/institutions/

For media inquiries, please contact:

TrueLearn

Kate Campbell

[email protected]

TUNCOM

https://tun.touro.edu/about-us/contact-us/

About TrueLearn

Leading healthcare education platform TrueLearn empowers programs and faculty to help learners realize their full potential and succeed on board exams. Our solutions are built on cognitive science strategies?proven to elevate teaching and learning, strengthen comprehension, and optimize first-time pass rates?and powered by a robust data engine that delivers real-time analytics and insights on key metrics such as learner performance, progress, and exam readiness. This allows programs and faculty to longitudinally track and guide learning performance from day one so they can ensure that the curriculum aligns with educational goals.

TrueLearn's suite of data-driven tools and resources integrates seamlessly into the curriculum to augment didactics, increase learner engagement, facilitate active learning, and provide formative and summative assessments. Programs and faculty who wish to know more about TrueLearn's solutions can visit

https://truelearn.com/institutions/

About TUNCOM

TUNCOM is Nevada's largest medical school, a division of an international university system, offering a distinctive osteopathic approach to medicine concentrating on holistic, patient-centered care. Touro University Nevada was established in 2004 to help address the healthcare discrepancy in Nevada by providing graduates with expanding GME programs and an increased physician workforce.

TUNCOM is located in Henderson, a suburb of the Las Vegas Valley. At Touro Nevada, we strive for early clinical integration, which starts in the first week of your exciting medical experience. Additionally, the success of the past five years demonstrates positive outcomes, with our high board pass rates and high match rates. Students place in highly competitive specialties such as ophthalmology, neurology, and dermatology and at places such as UCLA, Stanford, and Emory.

SOURCE TrueLearn

10 april 2024 at 07:00

News published onand distributed by:
Grid Battery Results of Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders





COQUITLAM, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Grid Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Grid") (TSXV:CELL)(OTCQB:EVKRF)(FRA:NMK2) is pleased to announce the results of its Annual General and Special Meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders of the Company held on April 9, 2024. All matters set out in its management information circular dated March 7, 2024 were approved with 99% voting in favour of all resolutions, including approval of the proposed plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") for the previously announced spin-out by the Company of 9,414,040 common shares of its wholly owned subsidiary AC/DC Battery Metals Inc. ("AC/DC") to the shareholders of the Company and the Company will transfer to AC/DC ownership of its Nickel Properties in British Columbia. The Company will keep shareholders apprised of the status of the closing of the Arrangement and the timing of the share dividend.

Mr. Tim Fernback, Grid President & CEO, states, "This is an important step towards realizing additional shareholder value for our nickel properties in BC. Nickel has emerged as a critical metal in the global transition to electric vehicles (EV) and renewable energy. With nickel prices rebounding and demand poised to take off from the EV revolution, the case for finding good quality North American nickel deposits is compelling. Our immediate neighbour to the east, FPX Nickel Corp., is in the process of developing what is considered one of the world's largest nickel deposits and has garnered considerable attention from the investment arms of mining giants Sumitomo Metal (Tokyo, Japan) and the world's largest stainless-steel producer Outokumpu Oyj (Helsinki, Finland). Focussing the parent Grid on lithium projects in Nevada and our subsidiary AC/DC on our nickel properties in Canada AND issuing a valuable share dividend at no additional cost to our shareholders when we separately finance and list AC/DC on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), will certainly add a tangible value to our shareholders."

At the Meeting, the four directors of the Company Tim Fernback, Robert Setter, Ali Alizadeh and Jay Oness were re-elected and Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton Labonte LLP, Charted Professional Accountants were re-appointed as the Company's auditors. Following the Meeting the Board of Directors appointed Tim Fernback, Ali Alizadeh and Jay Oness as members of the Audit Committee for the upcoming year.

The Company has received conditional Exchange approval and Interim Court approval to the Arrangement and the Company plans to close the Arrangement in the next couple of weeks.

In connection with the approval of the Arrangement, the shareholders also approved the matters relating to AC/DC as follows;

the re-appointment of Shim & Associates LLP, Charted Professional Accountants, as auditor of AC/DC for the ensuing year; the adoption of the 10% rolling Stock Option Plan for AC/DC; and the approval of a private placement for AC/DC of up to 40,000,000 units at $0.05 per unit. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price $0.06 for a period of five years from closing. The private placement is conditional upon amongst other things, the closing of the Plan of Arrangement, subject to Final Court and Exchange approval.

About Grid Battery Metals Inc.

Grid Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market.

www.gridbatterymetals.com.

About Texas Springs Property

The Company owns a 100% interest in the Texas Spring Property which consists of mineral lode claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Property is in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Humbolt Formation. A Phase 1 exploration program at the Texas Springs Property (Fall 2023) yielded results with average lithium grades of 2010 ppm, applying a 1,000 ppm cut-off, and up to 5,610 ppm Lithium.

The Texas Spring property adjoins the southern border of the Nevada North Lithium Project - owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc. ("Surge") (TSXV: NILI, OTC: NILIF) and comprised of 725 mineral claims. Surge's first round of drilling identified strongly mineralized lithium bearing clays. The average lithium content within all near surface clay zones intersected in the 2022 drilling program, applying a 1000 ppm cut-off, was 3254 ppm. (Press release March 29, 2023). More recent results have shown higher grade lithium up to 8070 ppm on this property after initial drilling (Press release September 12, 2023). Our exploration results are on-trend with these results.

About Clayton Valley Lithium Project

The Company owns a 100% interest in 113 lithium lode and placer claims covering over 640 hectares in Clayton Valley. Clayton Valley is a down-dropped closed basin formed by the Miocene age Great Basin extension and is still active due to movement along the Walker Lane structural zone. As a result, the basin has preserved multiple layers of lithium bearing volcanic ash, resulting from multiple eruptive events over the past 6 million years including eruptions from the 700,000-year-old Long Valley Caldera system and related events. These ash layers are thought to contribute to the lithium brines extracted by Albemarle and are also likely involved in the formation of the exposed lithium rich clay deposits on the east side of Clayton Valley.

Volt Canyon Lithium Property

The Company owns a 100% interest in 80 placer claims covering approximately 635 hectares of alluvial sediments and clays located 122 km northeast of Tonopah, Nevada.

About the British Columbia, Nickel Projects

The Mount Sidney Williams Group consists of three claim blocks with a total area of 10,569 hectares in the area surrounding Mount Sidney Williams, both adjoining and near the Decar project of FPX Nickel Corp., located 100 kilometres northwest of Fort St. James, B.C., in the Omineca mining division. Metallic mineralization includes nickel, cobalt, and chromium. At least some of the nickel mineralization occurs as awaruite. The Mitchell Range Group area claim consists of one claim block covering 8,659 hectares with demonstrated metallic mineralization including nickel, cobalt, and chromium. Nickel cobalt mineralization has not been well explored, but the presence of awaruite has been documented. The Company's B.C. Nickel properties are held within Grid's wholly-owned subsidiary, AC/DC Battery Metals Inc.

The Company has previously announced plans to spin out its wholly-owned subsidiary, AC/DC Battery Metals Inc., finance it separately, and separately list it on the TSX Venture Exchange in 2024. This transaction once complete, will provide a valuable share dividend to each Grid Shareholder of record for no additional cost.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Tim Fernback"

Tim Fernback, President & CEO

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 604- 428-5690

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 may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements. It should be noted that results from any adjacent property(s) are not an indication of what may be found on the Company's property(s).

SOURCE: Grid Battery Metals Inc.

10 april 2024 at 07:30

View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by:
Lauren Von, CEO and Founder of Quintessa Marketing Named a Winner of the 2024 TITAN Women in Business Awards





OKLAHOMA CITY, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Awards Associate (IAA), together with the TITAN Women in Business Awards, are proud to announce that Lauren Von, CEO and founder of Quintessa Marketing, won the Gold Award in the Female Entrepreneur of the Year (Business > 10 Years) category in Season 1, being honored for her remarkable accomplishments in disrupting the personal injury legal lead delivery industry. The competition aims to build a platform that stimulates the growth of female communities while rewarding their benchmarks with honor and prestige.

In just a single season, the award attracted hundreds of powerful submissions from various countries, such as the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and beyond. Von's exceptional efforts in promoting the company's achievements across various business sectors worldwide have earned Quintessa Marketing a well-deserved qualification for this year's prestigious award.

Please click here: https://thewomenbusinessawards.com/winner-info.php?id=616 to view the dedicated Winner's Page.

"It's a tremendous honor to receive this award," said Lauren Von, CEO and founder of Quintessa Marketing. "It is a testament to the hard work, perseverance, and dedication that have brought me to this point. I am grateful for all the support that has guided me on this journey, and I hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams with passion and determination."

"We are deeply honored to celebrate these exceptional winners, whose impact transcends their respective industries. Through their visionary leadership and unwavering dedication, they are not only setting new standards but also inspiring others to reach greater heights. Their remarkable achievements stand as a testament to their outstanding abilities, leaving a lasting impression on the esteemed Grand Jurors of TITAN," expressed Thomas Brandt, spokesperson of IAA.

Grand Jury Panel

Committed to fairness and diversity, the TITAN Women In Business Awards has invited an esteemed panel of judges consisting of professionals from notable organizations. This year's panel features esteemed individuals like Maria Afroditi Patsi (Greece), Wasim Fathima Shah (United States), Alice Jasmine Crippa (United States), Liliana Farinha (Portugal), Tirtha Chavan (United States), and many others. Their expertise ensures that selections were made following an intensive evaluation, focusing on the nominees' significant achievements, their profound impact on their sectors, and their invaluable contributions to the wider community.

"Today, we honor the winners of TITAN, whose remarkable success within the TITAN community underscores their unwavering dedication to achieving global recognition," remarked Thomas. "Their achievements serve as a clear indication that success in business knows no bounds, inspiring others to strive for excellence and become exemplary models of success."

About TITAN Women In Business Awards

The TITAN Women In Business Awards program recognizes, acknowledges, and celebrates women with outstanding achievements, displaying personal calibers of confidence, optimism, ambition and integrity in the ever-expansive business industry. The award extends welcoming arms to symbols of female accomplishments, advocates of SMEs or large organizations, and all who represent the female community across every industry within the market.

Website: https://thewomenbusinessawards.com/

Facebook: TITAN Awards

Twitter: TITAN Awards

Instagram: TITAN Awards

Media Partner: Muse.World

About Quintessa Marketing

Quintessa Marketing was founded in 2016 by Lauren Von, an experienced marketer and an MVA Retainer Lead delivery expert. In addition to her professional work, Von is a philanthropist passionate about supporting female entrepreneurship. She is involved with various charities in her community, including ReMerge of Oklahoma County, Infant Crisis Services, and Branch15.

For more information about Quintessa Marketing Corporation and its pioneering MVA retainer delivery model, please visit https://quintessamarketing.com/.

Media Contact:

Hillary Herskowitz

H2 Marketing

[email protected]

214.597.1301

SOURCE Quintessa Marketing

10 april 2024 at 08:34

News published onand distributed by:
Tourism Malaysia Strengthens Commitment to the Global Cruising Industry at Seatrade Cruise Global 2024





MIAMI, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysia is setting its sights on the cruise tourism industry for the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026. In 2023, Malaysia witnessed unprecedented cruise arrival figures, with its ports welcoming 1,055 cruise ships carrying 1,520,608 passengers?an 84.78% rise in ship arrivals and a 62.43% increase in passenger numbers compared to 2019 pre-pandemic rates.

As a burgeoning tourism hub in Southeast Asia, Malaysia presently serves as the homeport for two cruise lines operating from Port Klang in Kuala Lumpur, with plans for further expansion in the future. Marking a historic milestone in Malaysia's aspiration to emerge as a premier homeporting destination, the maiden voyage of the Costa Serena departed from Port Klang in January 2024. Costa Serena is the latest addition to Kuala Lumpur's list of cruise partners choosing it as their homeport. With this, cruise tourism emerges as a key sector in elevating Malaysia's global appeal, in line with the destination's promotional plans toward Visit Malaysia 2026, the nation's upcoming campaign to welcome 35.6 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2026.

To advance these promotional plans and in line with the National Transport Policy (NTP) 2019-2030, a delegation from Malaysia led by The Honorable Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport Malaysia is attending the Seatrade Cruise Global 2024, from April 8 to 11, 2024, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida, USA. Attendees are invited to visit booth #311 to engage with the Ministry of Transport Malaysia and its port authorities to gain insights into the destination's strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and wealth of natural and cultural attractions.

As part of efforts to promote Malaysia as a homeporting destination, besides actively engaging media interviews and discussion sessions, The Honorable Minister of Transport will deliver a keynote address titled "Malaysia Truly Asia: Malaysia Cruise Tourism" and will use this platform to highlight the advantages and potential of Malaysia as an attractive cruise destination. Malaysia's presence as a homeporting destination will not only strengthen the country's tourism industry but will also provide significant impetus to the local economy, including tourism-related sectors such as hospitality, tourism services, food and beverage businesses, and others.

"We are again thrilled to be part of Seatrade Cruise Global. This event provides an excellent platform to highlight Malaysia's potential as a homeport and to forge valuable connections with industry leaders. We look forward to engaging with the global cruise community and inviting them to experience the wonders of Malaysia, especially in developing suitable cruise tourism trips and packages into Malaysia", said Mr. Akbal Setia, the Vice President of Tourism Malaysia - Americas.

Malaysia's participation in the world's leading cruise industry event highlights its dedication to harnessing the sector's potential as a driver for economic growth and bolstering Malaysia's status as a preferred global tourist destination towards its Visit Malaysia 2026.

About Tourism Malaysia

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. It focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination. Since its inception, it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene.

The next Visit Malaysia Year, set to take place in 2026, will commemorate the sustainability of the nation's tourism industry, which is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).

For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia's social media accounts on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , YouTube , and TikTok .

Media contact on behalf of Tourism Malaysia US

Louise O'Brien, Trove Tourism, +1 917 836 1794, [email protected]

SOURCE Tourism Malaysia US

10 april 2024 at 08:47

News published onand distributed by:
SAP Emarsys Announces AI Product Finder, as Demand for AI-Powered Retail Reaches a New High





SAP Emarsys today announces its AI Product Finder, a new tool that revolutionizes how brands recommend products and personalize their customer experiences. The new Product Finder comes as a response to a significant rise in consumer demand for AI in commerce, with SAP Emarsys data showing 64% of shoppers think artificial intelligence has improved their retail experiences ? up from 51% in 2023.

With Generative AI now taking center stage across many industries, SAP Emarsys is reaffirming its decade-long AI heritage through the announcement of new AI tools designed to empower marketers and new industry-leading research into AI.

The new research, which surveyed over 2,000 US consumers and 250 marketers in the USA, found that 35% of consumers believe AI has made shopping easier (up from 32% in 2023). Nearly a third (31%) also feel that AI is helping to make their retail experiences more personal (up from 27%), while 35% say AI helps them to find new products (up from 33%).

As a result of these benefits, 61% of shoppers now want to see greater integration of AI into retail ? a major boost in consumer demand.

But it's not just shoppers who benefit. Nearly three quarters of US marketers (72%) have increased their investment in artificial intelligence in 2024. Of these, 78% attribute a boost in customer engagement to AI, while 75% report a boost in customer loyalty.

Recognizing the crucial role of AI, SAP Emarsys is excited to announce a pilot for its innovative AI Product Finder. Alongside its AI Subject Line Generator, this marks the beginning of a series of AI-powered solution updates to be unveiled at the company's annual virtual event for marketers, on June 12th and 13th.

The AI Product Finder will enable intuitive search of a brand's extensive product catalog, allowing marketers and retailers to quickly locate and incorporate the most suitable products into their campaigns. Provided as an out-of-the-box solution for email marketing campaigns, the new Product Finder is designed to revolutionize how marketers find and recommend relevant products. Marketers are empowered to work more efficiently by scaling creation of highly curated product content that improves message relevancy and engagement.

SAP Emarsys, is a fully AI-first business, giving over 1500 global customers, such as, Gibson Brands Inc, Puma, and Aldo a competitive edge by driving true customer loyalty through AI-powered omnichannel personalization. As CEO Joanna Milliken explains, "We are committed to a relevant, reliable, and responsible approach to AI, which is giving marketers the freedom to innovate and re-imagine what is possible in this new era of marketing. By infusing AI into everything we do, SAP Emarsys will help our customers save time and effort on complex tasks, so they can focus on ROI and delighting their customers."

SAP Emarsys has also reaffirmed its commitment to the EU AI Act, with Joanna Milliken commenting, "Customer privacy and trust are at the heart of all our AI developments. In our latest AI focus group, several leading brands outlined their concerns about data use and AI in marketing. Our continued research shows consumers and marketers have similar concerns. SAP Emarsys has responded with our commitment to uphold the highest standards of effective, efficient data privacy and voice our support for the EU AI Act."

Customers of SAP Emarsys are invited to take part in a new pilot of its AI Product Finder and other AI solutions. For next steps please speak to your account team. Not a customer yet? Marketers and visionary business leaders eager to dive into what is next in AI innovation can register for the upcoming SAP Emarsys Omnichannel Masterclass on 12th and 13th June by visiting here.

About Emarsys, an SAP company:

Emarsys, an SAP company, is the omnichannel customer engagement platform that empowers marketers to build, launch, and scale personalized, cross-channel campaigns that drive business outcomes.

We partner with more than 1,500 companies from global enterprises to fast-moving mid-market brands across industries.

For more information about Emarsys, please visit: www.emarsys.com.

Methodology:

Research conducted by Opinion Matters on 1,027 marketers working in-house in the UK, US, DE, and AU, conducted between 22.03.24 and 28.03.24. Additional data provided from a survey of 8,055 respondents in the UK, US, DE, and AU, conducted between 21.03.24 and 27.03.24 by Opinion Matters. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

10 april 2024 at 08:50

News published onand distributed by:
Dye & Durham joins the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Artificial Intelligence Hub





Dye & Durham partners with Microsoft Canada, WatSPEED at the University of Waterloo and Magnet to promote business adoption, inform public policy and advance AI use cases.

TORONTO, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Dye & Durham Limited ("Dye & Durham" or the "Company") (TSX: DND), one of the world's largest providers of cloud-based legal practice management software, announced today that it is joining the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub as a Lead Partner.

Launching today, the AI Hub is an industry-academic collaboration to drive AI adoption among Ontario businesses ? and advance evidence-based policymaking from government.

"Dye & Durham is thrilled to join our esteemed partners in supporting the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's AI Hub mandate of fostering meaningful conversation and action in driving adoption of AI and emerging technologies," says Matthew Proud, Chief Executive Officer at Dye & Durham. "The use cases for AI in the legal tech sector are incredibly exciting, and Dye & Durham is eager to play a leading role in helping legal professionals responsibly harness the many benefits AI provides."

As a trusted partner of the Government of Ontario for over 25 years, Dye & Durham recognizes the importance of collaborating closely with Queen's Park in developing policies that strengthen Ontario's position as a leader in AI and helps drive economic prosperity.

"The Ontario Chamber of Commerce plays an integral role in bringing business and government together on critical issues and the AI Hub provides the platform for advancing policy development through greater collaboration," says Dye & Durham's Morgan McLellan, Vice President of Global Communications. "It's not often that we get an opportunity to join like-minded stakeholders on an issue that will have profound and lasting economic consequences."

In an increasingly competitive global economy, it's imperative that business, academia, and policy makers come together to chart a path forward to unleash Ontario's full AI potential.

"The adoption of AI poses opportunities and challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises and those in highly regulated sectors," says Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. "To advance Ontario's competitive advantage it is crucial that we create a roadmap to incentivize AI adoption, address skills gaps, and reduce silos."

The AI Hub has three core offerings: courses and training sessions to bridge the knowledge gap among businesses; policy development and advocacy to promote evidence-based decision making; and events and networking to drive thought leadership and conversations about AI.

About Dye & Durham Limited

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. The company has operations in?Canada, the?United Kingdom,?Ireland,?Australia,?and?South Africa. Additional information can be found at?www.dyedurham.com.

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada's largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, not-for-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC's mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and economic growth in the province.

SOURCE Dye & Durham Limited

10 april 2024 at 09:05

News published onand distributed by:
Informatica Expands Partnership with Google Cloud, Launches Extension for Trusted Customer Data Analytics and Enterprise Gen AI Applications





Informatica (NYSE: INFA), an enterprise cloud data management leader, announced new solutions, product innovations and an expanded partnership with Google Cloud at the Google Cloud Next event, currently underway in Las Vegas. Informatica launched its Master Data Management (MDM) Extension for Google Cloud BigQuery, making it easier and faster to get trusted MDM data that can be leveraged for analytics and generative AI applications across industries such as retail, financial services and healthcare. The MDM Extension for BigQuery can reduce the time to onboard high-quality customer master data?from weeks to minutes?enabling customers to rapidly develop and deploy their customer data platform and generative AI applications on Google Cloud to drive improved marketing strategies, accurate forecasting and deeper customer insights.

At Google Cloud Next, Informatica will also showcase a new end-to-end solution based on the MDM Extension to enable customers to develop enterprise-grade GenAI applications with Informatica's AI-powered Intelligent Data Management Cloudtm (IDMC), Google Vertex AI platform, BigQuery and Gemini models LLMs on a foundation of trusted enterprise data. Google Cloud Next attendees can also view a live demo of this solution at the Informatica booth #1812.

The MDM Extension for BigQuery offers a solution that is easy to use and freely available to joint Informatica Cloud MDM and Google Cloud customers. By leveraging IDMC to cleanse, standardize, enrich and consolidate key master and transaction data from multiple sources, customers can:

Develop enterprise-grade GenAI applications that are grounded with trusted, high-quality master customer data with Retrieval Augmented Generation and fine tuning based on Informatica MDM data replicated into BigQuery.

Improve user experience through greater personalization to increase customer loyalty and lifetime value.

Optimize supply chains to reduce risk and improve governance, compliance and sustainable sourcing.

Create compelling product experiences by managing complex and redundant product data sets for a trusted view of product data.

"By collaborating with Google Cloud, a trailblazer in AI innovation, we're empowering our joint customers with a trusted data foundation for their generative AI applications and Customer Data Platform on Google Cloud. The MDM Extension for BigQuery makes it fast and easy for customers to enhance their enterprise data foundation in BigQuery with Informatica's industry-leading Master Data Management," said Rik Tamm-Daniels, Group Vice President of Strategic Ecosystems and Technology at Informatica. "We're excited to see how our customers will leverage these new capabilities to transform their businesses, making real-time, data-driven decisions easier than ever before."

Informatica recently launched its IDMC platform in Saudi Arabia, a first for the Kingdom. The investment includes establishing a new Point of Delivery (PoD) in Riyadh on Google Cloud, reflecting a commitment to support local, scalable, cloud-first data management services. The move further strengthens Informatica's global footprint with Google Cloud.

These developments mark a notable year of growth in partnership with Google Cloud. Google Cloud was recognized as Informatica's 2023 Global Ecosystem Growth Partner of the Year for significantly increasing the Informatica and Google Cloud customer base and platform integration.

"We're pleased to partner with Informatica and help customers optimize value from enterprise data," said Ritika Suri, Director of Technology Partnerships, Google Cloud. "With Google Cloud's generative AI, Informatica can enable organizations to more quickly develop and deploy applications that enhance marketing campaigns, supply chains, and more."

For more information, visit Informatica at Google Cloud Next, booth #1812. Existing Informatica Cloud MDM customers can get access to the MDM Extension for free by contacting their Informatica Customer Success Representative.

About Informatica

Informatica (NYSE: INFA), an Enterprise Cloud Data Management leader, brings data and AI to life by empowering businesses to realize the transformative power of their most critical assets. We have created a new category of software, the Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloudtm (IDMC). IDMC is an end-to-end data management platform, powered by CLAIRE AI, that connects, manages and unifies data across any multi-cloud or hybrid system, democratizing data and enabling enterprises to modernize and advance their business strategies. Customers in approximately 100 countries, including 86 of the Fortune 100, rely on Informatica to drive data-led digital transformation. Informatica. Where data and AI come to life.

10 april 2024 at 09:20

News published onand distributed by:
Hollyland to Preview New Video Production Solutions at NAB 2024





Innovator returns to key industry event with impressive line up of products

Hollyland attends Las Vegas NAB 2024 show

New wireless video devices

Emphasis on easier, better live streaming for all

Advanced Hollyland wireless video system preview

Booth events include presentations and giveaways

SHENZHEN, China, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hollyland Technology will return to the Las Vegas NAB show this year, to show and preview the company's new and existing products for wireless audio and video. NAB 2024 will be held from April 13-17 2024, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, US. Hollyland is in the Central Hall, at booth C6710.

Hollyland's newest products highlight the company's wireless capabilities from video solutions to intercom systems. In addition, Hollyland will soon be releasing a new, improved live streaming camera, updated from the VenusLiv.

Pyro video transmission and upcoming intercom preview

Hollyland will also release the Pyro series, a new wireless video transmission system, this spring. The Pyro series brings innovative multi-person mobile wireless image transmission and monitoring to small or medium commercial and filmmaking teams.

With one transmitter and four receivers, the lightweight Pyro system makes transmission and monitoring more flexible, stable and professional. Pyro has automatic dual-band frequency hopping technology that enables signal transmission at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The intelligent auto frequency hopping also provides enhanced anti-interference capabilities while reducing lag and improving range. Pyro H has HDMI input/output, while Pyro S has both HDMI and SDI input/output.

The Pyro series provides 4k/30fps transmission capabilities, delivering superior clarity, detail, and realism, making it ideal for professional applications, such as filmmaking.

Hollyland will launch new intercom systems this year. They are perfect for mid and high-end production teams, have seamless roaming capability, and are expandable for larger teams. Compared to competitors' products, Hollyland's intercom systems are easier to set up and come with lighter and more comfortable headsets.

Wireless Shooting and Live-Streaming Solutions

The Hollyland Wireless Solution Pack provides production teams with the necessary filming assistance for video transmitters and audio to intercom systems ? making film production easier and more convenient. This package is designed for Hollyland's Solidcom C1 Pro, Mars 4K, Cosmo C1, and Mars M1 Enhanced; Hollyland's entire Lark Series.

In addition, Hollyland will offer camera and wireless microphone solutions that are ideal for live streaming. With the media industry moving towards shorter film content on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, live streaming is increasingly popular with content creators. With this in mind, Hollyland has released the live streaming VenusLiv camera, which achieves high-quality live presentation across all platforms. Hollyland's goal is for entry-level users to be able to create high-quality live streaming using VenusLiv, and other cameras to come in future.

Meet Hollyland at NAB

Hollyland encourages friends, partners, customers ? and everyone with an interest in video, audio, wireless and streaming ? to visit the Hollyland booth at NAB for coffee, demonstrations, and inside information on the hottest new products. At around 1:00 pm each day there will be a brand presentation and giveaway event. And every day, Justin Porter, the award-winning wedding filmmaker, will give a presentation with tips, lessons from experience, and practical explanations. Justin's presentation will take place at 4pm on April 15; 11am and 4pm on April 16; and 11am on April 17. There will be giveaways during this event as well.

Hollyland is excited to be back at NAB and looks forward to meeting everyone at the Hollyland booth at the Convention Center in Las Vegas.

NAB Details

NAB 2024 (National Association of Broadcasters)

Date: April 13 to 17, 2024

Location: Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, US

Hollyland is in the Central Hall, at Booth C6710

About Hollyland Technology

Shenzhen Hollyland Technology Co., Ltd. (Hollyland) has been empowering global customers with professional solutions for wireless data, audio and video transmission, and wireless intercom since 2013. Hollyland serves many markets, including film-making, television shooting, video production, broadcast, live events, exhibitions, broadcast media, production, theaters, houses of worship, and rental houses. Visit https://www.hollyland.com/, Hollyland Facebook, Hollyland Instagram.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2376090/Hollyland_NAB_Show_2024.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2376091/Hollyland_Pyro_Series.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2013148/logo.jpg

10 april 2024 at 10:00

News published onand distributed by:
GGL Identifies a 1.8 km by 1 km Induced Polarization Anomaly at the Le Champ Copper-Molybdenum-Gold Porphyry Target, Gold Point Project, Nevada





VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / GGL Resources Corp. (TSXV:GGL) ("GGL" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of an Induced Polarization/Resistivity survey (the "survey") at the road-accessible Le Champ copper-molybdenum-gold porphyry target, on its 100% owned West Gold Point Project in the Walker Lane Trend of Western Nevada.

A large and discrete Induced Polarization ("IP") anomaly that was traced across seven of the nine survey lines begins between 150 m and 300 m below surface and extends to depth. The significance of this approximately 1.8 km by 1 km IP anomaly (Figure 1) is bolstered by its close correlation with magnetic features and related anomalous copper, molybdenum, and gold-in-soil geochemistry.

This IP target coincides with a strong magnetic anomaly identified by an earlier airborne magnetic and radiometric survey completed by GGL (see news release date July 12, 2023). Figure 2 illustrates the intensity of the coincident IP and magnetic anomalies approximately 300 m below surface.

The coincident IP and magnetic anomalies with supportive geochemistry and geology are indicative of a large, yet untested copper-molybdenum-gold porphyry system. The IP anomaly is interpreted to be caused by metallic sulphide minerals forming a shell around the contact between different intrusive phases. The resistivity high, shown on Figure 3, is thought to represent the intrusion hosted potassic core of the system.

Geological mapping at Le Champ has identified six separate intrusive phases within the Sylvania Plutonic Complex hosting extensive stockwork and sheeted vein zones. The strongest molybdenum-in-soil anomalies are associated with the stockwork zones. Copper-in-soil geochemistry marking the porphyry target is moderately elevated due to deep weathering and leaching, which occurs throughout the target area. The strongest copper-in-soil values occur near shallowly south-dipping fault structures and stockwork zones.

The survey, conducted by Zonge International, comprised nine lines, each 5.4 km long and spaced 300 m apart, totaling 48.6 line-km. Dipoles were spaced 300 m apart along the lines. The survey was centered over areas with abundant stockwork veining and silica alteration, which were identified by recent mapping at Le Champ. The stockworks and alteration are believed to mark the upper levels of a buried porphyry system. Strongly elevated molybdenum values and moderate copper results are consistent with a leached porphyry system and suggest that supergene-enriched mineralization could be found at depth.

Next Steps

GGL is very encouraged by the results of this IP survey, particularly in context with the other geophysical, geochemical and geological data collected to date. The IP anomaly presents well-defined drill targets at relatively shallow depths. GGL has commenced planning for a diamond drill program later this year.

Additional surface mapping at Le Champ will be conducted in conjunction with the planned drill program. This mapping will further refine drill targets by focusing on alteration styles, structure, intrusive phases, and vein density along the survey lines, with priority given to areas where the IP anomaly is closest to surface.

About Gold Point

The Gold Point Project is accessed by Highway 774 and comprises 378 lode claims and 7 patented claims covering a total area of approximately 7,443 acres (30.1 km2). It is situated within the Walker Lane, a major mineral belt that has seen significant historical production from gold, silver and copper mines. Many companies are actively exploring in the belt including several majors.

The eastern part of the Gold Point Project covers several past-producing underground gold-silver mines that explored along parts of five prominent vein structures. These main structures are paralleled by several other lightly explored structures. The mines operated intermittently from the 1880s to the early 1960s, producing gold and silver from mesothermal veins. The mineralization is strongly oxidized to the bottom of the workings, which reached a maximum depth of 1,020 ft (311 m) downdip.

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Matthew R. Dumala, P.Eng., a geological engineer with Archer, Cathro & Associates (1981) Limited and a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

About GGL Resources Corp.

GGL is a seasoned, Canadian-based junior exploration company, focused on the exploration and advancement of under evaluated mineral assets in politically stable, mining friendly jurisdictions. The Company has optioned and wholly owned claims in the Gold Point district of the prolific Walker Lane Trend, Nevada. The Gold Point claims cover several gold-silver veins, four of which host past producing high-grade mines, and an exciting new porphyry discovery. The Company also owns the McConnell Project, which hosts epithermal gold veins and an under explored porphyry copper-gold prospect in the Kemess District of north-central British Columbia. GGL also holds diamond royalties on mineral leases adjacent to the Gahcho Kue diamond mine in the Northwest Territories.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"W. Douglas Eaton"

Doug Eaton

CEO and Director

For further information concerning GGL Resources Corp. or its various exploration projects please visit our website at www.gglresourcescorp.com or contact:

Investor Inquiries

Richard Drechsler

Corporate Communications

Tel: (604) 687-2522

NA Toll-Free: (888) 688-2522

[email protected]

Corporate Information

Linda Knight

Corporate Secretary

Tel: (604) 688-0546

[email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Information contained in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "evaluate", "potential", "likely", "possible", "cut-off grades" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "may", "could" or "will" occur. GGL 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 the control of GGL. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development and the results thereof, including the results of the recently completed drill program, the impact on future mineral resource estimates, the potential for new discoveries, and the results of future metallurgical programs, as well as the ability of GGL to obtain additional financing, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, fluctuations in the prices of commodities, operating hazards and risks, competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in GGL's financial statements available under the GGL profile at 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, GGL undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

SOURCE: GGL Resources Corp.

10 april 2024 at 08:00

View the original press release on accesswire.comNews published onand distributed by:
Winners announced for the Mindset Awards 2023





LONDON, ON, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Four winners have been announced by the Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma for the Mindset Awards for excellence in mental health reporting in Canada last year. They were chosen by independent juries from a total of eight finalists, across two categories.

In the category for reporting on the mental health of young people, Laura Lynch (with Rachel Sanders and Catherine Rolfsen) wins first prize for "Emily's story: one activist's journey through climate anxiety" broadcast on CBC Radio's What on Earth on June 25, 2023.

Kenyon Wallace of The Toronto Star wins an Honourable Mention in that category for "Minds Lost in the Maze" within a multi-author series The kids aren't all right. Wallace's article was published on October 30, 2023.

In the category for reporting on mental health in the workplace, Jeremy Hainsworth wins first prize for his five-part series "Existential crisis: There's a mental health problem in B.C.'s courts" published by Vancouver Is Awesome from October 29 to November 2, 2023.

Jana Pruden (with Kasia Mychajlowycz) wins an Honourable Mention in the same category for "Helen in Hell", episode 2 of a Globe & Mail podcast series In Her Defence, released on October 10, 2023.

The awards will be presented at a celebratory lunch on Friday, May 31 at the Canadian Association of Journalists national conference in Toronto. Winners will receive their prizes from, and discuss their work with, Kevin Newman, journalist and former network TV anchor in Canada and the United States.

The Mindset Award for Reporting on the Mental Health of Young People has been sponsored since its introduction three years ago by the Canadian Mental Health Association. The Mindset award for Reporting on Workplace Mental Health has been sponsored for eight years by Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, a source for journalists and employers alike, courtesy of Canada Life. Sponsors are not involved in the independent adjudication process.

The Forum is an educational charity promoting the physical and psychological well-being of journalists, their audiences and readers, and those on whom they report. The Mental Health Commission of Canada financially supported the creation of the Mindset and En-Tete guides on mental health reporting, with the Forum retaining editorial control. Other aspects of the Forum's work are supported by The Globe and Mail, CBC News, Societe Radio-Canada, Myriad Canada (formerly KBF) and individual donors. Our thanks to CNW for supporting this announcement.

Please see the Forum website (https://www.journalismforum.ca)

SOURCE Canadian Journalism Forum on Violence and Trauma

10 april 2024 at 11:00

News published onand distributed by:
34th Ambassadors' Gala of the Palais des congres de Montreal : 14 Ambassadors honoured for their contribution to promoting Montreal





MONTREAL, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - The Palais des congres de Montreal is proud to announce the naming of 14 new Ambassadors who were honoured during its 34th Ambassadors' Gala on April 4. Thanks to the commitment of these individuals, Montreal will be hosting 12 major conventions between 2024 and 2028.

For 40 years, the Palais des congres de Montreal has helped to drive the metropolis's economic and societal development by encouraging the sharing of knowledge and know-how. Each year, more than 300 events are held at the Palais, generating an average of $225 million in economic spinoffs. Of course, business events do not belong to a single institution, they involve a community. The teams at the Palais des congres and Business Events Montreal have been working together closely for several years to promote Montreal as a destination of choice for international conventions.

The 2024 Ambassadors' Gala also honoured four people whose events will be held outside the Palais' walls. Along with the professionals whose conventions will be held at the Palais, they were inducted into the Palais des congres' Ambassadors Club, joining the ranks of more than 350 luminaries from the scientific, university and research sectors. Essential to the work of the Palais and Business Events Montreal, these specialists open up their network to host large-scale international events that promote the city and generate significant economic and intellectual spinoffs for Quebec. The events organized by the 14 new Ambassadors (presented on page 4) will translate into some 19,000 delegates coming to Montreal, generating 53,000 overnight stays in the city's hotels. These 12 events will have an estimated economic impact of over $70.5 million.

The Knowledge Collective: an essential collaboration for business tourism in Montreal



The 2024 Ambassadors' Gala was also an opportunity for the Palais des congres and Business Events Montreal to launch The Knowledge Collective. This joint initiative offers a single point of contact that streamlines the process for researchers, professors and specialists in attracting international events to Montreal. With access to the expertise, resources, and network of the Palais des congres and Business Events Montreal, these professionals will have the support they need to attain their goals.

Professor Hany Moustapha named Grand Ambassador



The 2024 edition of the Ambassadors' Gala also paid tribute to Professor Hany Moustapha, naming him Grand Ambassador in recognition of his exemplary devotion to the Palais' mission over the years and his important contribution to promoting Montreal internationally. An Ambassador since 2007, he has attracted major events to the Palais that have generated more than $9 million in economic spinoffs, namely, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Turbo Expo in 2007 and 2015,?and the Global Power & Propulsion Society Conference Montreal in 2018. Professor Moustapha was president of the Ambassadors' Club from 2017 to 2023, and co-chaired the Aerospace Committee from 2011 until the creation in 2018 of the Multisector Strategic Committee, which he still chairs. He has organized dozens of conferences, meetings and forums in Montreal hotels as well as at the Ecole de technologie superieure.

An evening infused with Montreal-style creativity and haute cuisine



The Palais des congres' Ambassadors' Gala showcased Montreal talent at every step. The Palais' team was able to count on its partners?TKNL, for the Gala's design, audiovisuals and production, and GES, for the furnishing and decorations. The talent of Montreal chefs was also in the spotlight through the Gastronomic Symphony. A signature of the Ambassadors' Gala for several years, this original format for serving meals to the guests featured, in the 34th edition, the participation of Maestro Culinaire, the Palais' exclusive food partner, as well as 10 of the city's leading hotels: Doubletree by Hilton Montreal, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, Delta Hotels Montreal?by Marriott, Humaniti Hotel Montreal, Hotel Monville, Hotel Place d'Armes, Intercontinental Montreal, Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel, Westin Montreal, and Marriott Chateau Champlain.

Quotes

"Since its creation, the Palais des congres de Montreal has helped to drive the dynamism of Quebec's metropolis by hosting more than 9,000 events and 23 million visitors. The Ambassadors are priceless allies in accomplishing our mission of promoting Montreal internationally. I thank them for their precious contribution to generating considerable economic, intellectual and social spinoffs for our city and Quebec." ? Emmanuelle Legault, President and CEO of the Palais des congres de Montreal

"Business tourism is an essential pillar of the metropolis's tourism activity and the Palais des congres de Montreal plays a key role in the success of our city as the premiere destination in the Americas for international conventions. The devoted and passionate Ambassadors contribute greatly to attracting a plethora of internationally renowned community and corporate events in Montreal. Congratulations and thank you to these Ambassadors for their invaluable contribution to the destination." ? Yves Lalumiere, President and CEO of Tourisme Montreal

Acknowledgments



The Palais des congres de Montreal wishes to highlight the involvement of Business Events Montreal, major partner of the 2024 Ambassadors' Gala, and to thank its sponsors: GDI, welcome experience sponsor; Air Canada and Montreal International Auto Show, associate sponsors; Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, Bee-Clean and Ecole de technologie superieure, collaborative sponsors.

About the Palais des congres de Montreal's Ambassadors Club



Founded in 1985, the Ambassadors Club consists of over 350 influential individuals who, while pursuing their regular professional activities, have been instrumental in bringing one or more large-scale events to the Palais. Ambassadors are dynamic individuals who make an important contribution to the economic and intellectual advancement of Montreal and the province by assisting the Palais with the organization of international conferences. The Palais' Ambassadors hail from every field of activity and include university professors, researchers and members of the business community. They are the creme de la creme of professionals and are always happy to welcome new agents of change who want to make a difference in their fields with the support, guidance and expertise of the Palais.

About the Palais des congres de Montreal

A creative solutions centre and a showcase for the city's spirit and expertise, the Palais des congres de Montreal has been promoting and hosting large-scale events since 1983. Generating significant economic, social and intellectual benefits, it encourages innovation and acts as a force for progress for both Montreal and Quebec. The Palais is firmly committed to sustainability and takes numerous innovative, concrete steps to make it a central component of its business development. With one of the highest customer satisfaction rates in the world, the Palais actively contributes to the international reputation of Montreal, the top host city for international events in America for six years in a row. congresmtl.com

The 14 new Ambassadors inducted in 2024:

Kathy Baig 8th World Engineers Convention WEC 2027 2,500 delegates

8,400 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $5.9 million Brian Mustard 80th Congress of the International Fiscal Association 2028 1,500 delegates

4,200 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $5.9 million Dr. Elena Bennett PECS-3: Pathways to Sustainability 2024 500 delegates

480 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $1.6 million *This event will be held at the Centre Mont-Royal. Dr. Momar Ndao ICOPA XVI ? 16th International Congress of Parasitology 2026 2,000 delegates

5,600 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $9.6 million Eric Blond 13th International Conference on Geosynthetics (13 ICG) 2026 1,500 delegates

4,200 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $4.8 million Dr. Martin Olivier ICOPA XVI ? 16th International Congress of Parasitology 2026 2,000 delegates

5,600 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $9.6 million Professor Adel Francis The 20th conference of the International Society for Computing in Civil and Building Engineering ? ICCCBE 2024 300 delegates

840 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $1 million *This event will be held at the Ecole de technologie superieure. Andre Rancourt ITA ? AITES World Tunnel Congress 2026 2,000 delegates

5,600 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $6.5 million Professor Dominic Frigon 7th Environmental Dimension of Antimicrobial Resistance conference (EDAR7) 2024 350 delegates

650 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $1.7 million *This event will be held at Hotel Bonaventure. Diane Seguin Congress of the International Society for Forensic Genetics ? ISFG 2026 850 delegates

1,715 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $3.5 million *This event will be held at Hotel Bonaventure. Jean Habimana ITA ? AITES World Tunnel Congress 2026 2,000 delegates

5,600 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $6.5 million Professor David Widory 2026 Goldschmidt Conference 4,500 delegates

12,600 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $17.7 million Professor David Juncker 28th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences ? MicroTAS 2024 1,100 delegates

3,080 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $4.4 million Professor Karim Zaghib 23rd International Meeting on Lithium Batteries ? IMLB 2026 2,000 delegates

5,600 overnight stays

Economic spinoffs: $7.9 million

SOURCE Palais des congres de Montreal

10 april 2024 at 11:19

News published onand distributed by:
Tampa General Hospital to Establish Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula Men's Center with $6.5 Million Gift from Family





Center's name reflects Chivukulas' generosity and passion for health and wellness.

TAMPA, Fla., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) revealed plans this week for a new center focused on men's health made possible with the generous contribution of Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula to the TGH Foundation.

The Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula Men's Health Center, named in recognition of the couple's $6.5 million donation, is an excellent complement to the highly successful USF's Pamela Muma Women's Health Center, which opened in 2019 and is driven by a meaningful partnership between TGH and USF Health. The Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula Men's Health Center will provide seamless, coordinated, comprehensive primary and preventive care for male patients, just as the Muma Center focuses on women's health. Services will be available to members of the Chivukula Health Center and tailored to the needs of each individual patient, offering annual visits with providers, as well as priority access for urgent, acute, and chronic health care needs.

"With the generous support of the Chivukulas, we're able to increase access to world-class care for men across the Tampa Bay region," said Tampa General Hospital president and CEO John Couris. "At the Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula Men's Health Center, like at the Pamela Muma Women's Health Center, our patients can gain access to timely appointments and test results, as well as care coordination for those who need to see a specialist or schedule a surgery."

Tampa General is currently evaluating locations and developing plans for the new center. Construction on the Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula Men's Health Center is expected to begin in the next couple of months, with plans to open in 2025.

The $6.5 million contribution marks the first donation to TGH Foundation from the Chivukula family. The couple is passionate about health and wellness and sees this investment as an opportunity to increase access to world-class care.

"Personal wellness and life longevity are of utmost importance to us. With this investment, we're encouraging others to seek care at Tampa General and benefit from the world-class providers available right here in our own community," said Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula.

Krishna Chivukula is Chairman of the Board and Founder of INDO-MIM, a leading global supplier of Metal Injection Molded products with locations in the US, India, and Europe. Dr. Jagadamba Chivukula is a retired neonatal physician. They recently moved to the Tampa Bay region from Princeton, New Jersey.

"We are extremely honored to partner with the Chivukula family as they make their first gift to Tampa General. Much like the impact of the Muma Women's Center, this investment truly elevates the standard of care we can provide to our male patients. It also ensures that we can offer high quality holistic care - just in the way this family so proudly prioritizes," said Frann Leppla, vice president and chief philanthropy officer at the TGH Foundation.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2023-24 Best Hospitals, with six specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings ? in the top 100 nationally in the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women and top 25 in Florida in the 2023 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit of approximately $240.3 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact: Amanda Bevis

(202) 680-9262 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital

10 april 2024 at 12:13

News published onand distributed by:
IF INTERNATIONAL FORUM DESIGN GMBH ANNOUNCES FIRST METAVERSE EXPERIENCE AND TREND CONFERENCE





HANNOVER, Germany, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- iF International Forum Design GmbH has announced an impressive lineup of events for 2024, kicking off with the celebration of winners at the iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT Gala. Programming for 2024 includes two firsts: the inaugural Trend Conference and launch of an immersive Metaverse Experience, aiming to celebrate and connect the global design community.

Immersive Metaverse Experience

For the first time, iF DESIGN AWARD 2024 winners will debut in an immersive Metaverse world alongside the official award ceremony in Berlin on April 29, 2024. During the event, iF Design CEO Uwe Cremering will honor outstanding design achievements while launching the innovative iF DESIGN AWARD Metaverse Experience, titled "The Landmark of Design Excellence."

Design enthusiasts are invited to explore this new virtual realm where they can discover the best of the iF DESIGN AWARD 2024, featuring the iconic iF Design Gold Trophy and all 75 Gold Awards in an interactive setting. This experience will provide a platform for networking and inspiration within the design community and expand with virtual conferences throughout the year.

Inaugural Trend Conference

Immediately following iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT, iF Design will host its inaugural Trend Conference on April 30th. The first-of-its-kind event will explore how design can help drive the transformation towards a future worth living. Designers and industry experts will hear insights into global design megatrends, based on the invaluable research published in the third annual iF Design Trend Report, released that same day. All attendees of the Trend Conference and participants of the iF DESIGN AWARD will receive access.

The Trend Conference will feature an esteemed lineup of speakers, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise, including Uwe Cremering, iF International Forum Design GmbH; Lisa Gralnek, iF Design USA; Anne-Liese Prem, tomorrowstories; Ziyuan Zhu, IDEO; Giulia Frittoli, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG); Nadine Clarke and Richard Trigg, Tangent London.

2024 iF DESIGN AWARD Winners

The 2024 iF DESIGN AWARD received 10,800 entries from 72 countries. A panel of international experts, consisting of 132 jury members, including 11 from North America, evaluated submissions from 9 design disciplines and 82 categories to select 2,294 winners from 52 countries.

Among the winners are 275 North American and South American recipients who are industry giants of tech, as well as lighting, product, interior design and architecture, and industrial design teams. Eight North and South American projects were also recognized as iF Design Award Gold winners including Apple, Avabrum/Greco Design, Campana, HP, Oru Kayak, and Treevia Forest Technologies.

"The IF Award has such a grand history of honoring great design from around the globe," said Primo Orpilla, Co-Founder & Principal of iF DESIGN AWARD-winning Studio O+A. "We are honored and humbled to have our Adidas project selected amongst the many great projects as a winner!"

SOURCE iF International Forum Design GmbH

10 april 2024 at 13:05

News published onand distributed by:
Federal government invests in public transit projects across rural Saskatchewan





MUSKOWEKWAN FIRST NATION, SK, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Rural communities across Saskatchewan will soon establish or expand their public transit offerings after a federal investment of $6.1 million.

Announced by Minister Sean Fraser, these 11 projects will help residents get around easily and conveniently.

Investing in public transit infrastructure is fundamental to economic growth, reducing air pollution, and creating more inclusive communities, where everyone has access to the same opportunities. Many of the communities will benefit from public transit for the first time, while others will be expanding their networks or adding accessible buses to their fleets.

The Muskowekwan First Nation will purchase a 45-passenger passenger bus and two smaller vehicles, including one which will be wheelchair accessible. They will also build a new garage to house them.

The Rural Transit Solutions Fund will support the Montreal Lake Cree Nation in purchasing a bus and a wheelchair accessible van.

Additional communities across rural Saskatchewan, including Humboldt, Gravelbourg, and Kamsack, will also benefit from investments in their public transit systems.

Quotes

"Public transit should be available to everyone, no matter where they live. We are committed to, and will continue, supporting such projects in Saskatchewan and across the country that ensure everyone has equal access to services and opportunities.

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

"Muskowekan First Nation sincerely appreciates the Government of Canada for improving the residents' quality of life, Morris Interactive for their professional input, and those who had a vision and made it a reality."

Muskowekwan Chief and Council

"On behalf of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Michael Pirot from the Morris Interactive for all the assistance and patience. Thanks to Canada for putting this grant for the First Nations to apply. Thank you all."

Joyce McLeod, Chief of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation

"On behalf of Muskowekwan First Nation and Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Morris Interactive consulting firm would like to extend our appreciation to Infrastructure Canada for providing this vital funding to our First Nation partners. I recognized the immense need that the Rural Transit Solution Fund would answer at the community level. The application was presented to Chief Jamie Wolfe of Muskowekwan First Nation and Chief Joyce Naytowhow McLeod of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, both First Nations consulted with their communities which resulted in a plan to address the most dire transit needs of each community. Now because of the RTSF each First Nation will have reliable mass transportation, access to food security, employment and education opportunities."

Michael Pirot, Program Developer with Morris Interactive

Quick Facts

The federal government is investing $6,184,137 in these projects through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF), and the recipients are contributing a total of $173,528 .

in these projects through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF), and the recipients are contributing a total of . The RTSF helps Canadians living in rural and remote areas get around their communities more easily. It supports the development of rural transit solutions, including new transit service models that could be replicated or scaled up.

A minimum of 10% of RTSF's funding is allocated to projects that benefit Indigenous populations and communities.

Applications to the RTSF's Planning and Design Projects stream are accepted on a continuous basis. Eligible applicants can receive a grant up to $50,000 in support of a communities' projects to plan and design a new or expanded transit solution for their communities. Some examples of eligible Planning and Design Projects activities are assessment of routes and modes of travel, feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement and surveys. The RTSF's Capital Project stream closed on February 28, 2024 .

in support of a communities' projects to plan and design a new or expanded transit solution for their communities. Some examples of eligible Planning and Design Projects activities are assessment of routes and modes of travel, feasibility studies, public and stakeholder engagement and surveys. The RTSF's Capital Project stream closed on . One in five Canadians live in rural communities. Rural communities in Canada account for nearly 30% of the nation's gross domestic product.

account for nearly 30% of the nation's gross domestic product. The RTSF complements Canada's strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through the plan the federal government has committed to providing permanent federal funding for public transit in support of making clean and affordable transportation available in every community.

strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through the plan the federal government has committed to providing permanent federal funding for public transit in support of making clean and affordable transportation available in every community. Since 2015, the federal government has announced an unprecedented investment of over $30 billion in thousands of transit projects in communities across the country.

in thousands of transit projects in communities across the country. On December 18, 2023 , the federal government launched the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, which highlights the need for a collaborative, region-specific approach to sustainability, focusing on strengthening the coordination of federal programs, and initiatives with significant investments. This Framework is a first step in a journey that will bring together multiple stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the federal department that diversifies the economy across the Canadian prairies, has dedicated $100 million over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas identified by Prairie stakeholders to build a stronger, more sustainable, and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and Canada .

, the federal government launched the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, which highlights the need for a collaborative, region-specific approach to sustainability, focusing on strengthening the coordination of federal programs, and initiatives with significant investments. This Framework is a first step in a journey that will bring together multiple stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the federal department that diversifies the economy across the Canadian prairies, has dedicated over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas identified by Prairie stakeholders to build a stronger, more sustainable, and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and . Infrastructure Canada is supporting the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy to encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities, leverage additional funding, and attract new investments across the Prairies that better meet their needs.

is supporting the Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy to encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities, leverage additional funding, and attract new investments across the Prairies that better meet their needs. The funding announced today helps respond to Call for Justice 4.8 from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It calls upon all governments to ensure that adequate plans and funding are put into place for safe and affordable transit and transportation services and infrastructure for Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people living in remote or rural communities.

Related Products

Backgrounder: Federal government invests in public transit projects across rural Saskatchewan

Associated Links

Rural Transit Solutions Fund

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/rural-trans-rural/index-eng.html

Strengthened Climate Plan

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html

Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-sk-eng.html

Building a Green Prairie Economy Act

https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/B-9.88/page-1.html

Building a Green Prairie Economy

https://www.canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development/programs/green-prairie-economy.html

Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1590523702000/1590523850562

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Web: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

10 april 2024 at 15:14

News published onand distributed by:
A1 Group Announces Letter of Intent





SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A1 Group, Inc. (the "Company" or "AWON") proudly announces that the Company has entered a Letter of Intent to acquire AI CPG, LLC, a Nevada Limited Liability Company ("AICPG").

AICPG (Artificial Intelligence for Consumer-Packaged Goods) stands as a pioneering force at the intersection of technology and consumer product development. Utilizing cutting-edge AI technology, their team of experts develop innovative consumer products that utilize data as their key value driver, while eliminating processes, and automating manufacturing.

With offices in Los Angeles California and Medellin Colombia, AICPG, is the leading MarTech based Branding Company. Their focus on AI-powered graphic design, digital printing, and advanced manufacturing, has created a new category of consumer products based on data. AICPG's world leading data-driven marketing, ensures effective consumer engagement and sales strategies for their products. Their expertise in beverage bottling and customized packaging manufacturing, including the groundbreaking D2CCAFE venture, showcases their ability to deliver high-quality products, at scale. A high-tech incubator company, grounded in Southern California's spirit of innovation, AICPG epitomizes the future of AI-driven consumer product development and branding.

The Letter of Intent ("LOI") sets forth the tentative material terms and conditions of the proposed transaction between the Company and AICPG. Under the terms of the LOI, the Company will be issuing 740,000,000 shares of Common Stock in exchange for all the membership units of AICPG outstanding, making AICPG a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Additionally, in a related secondary transaction, AICPG and its managing members will purchase all the issued and outstanding voting control shares of the Company from Lloyd Preston Jr. which are 6,000,000 shares of the Series "A" Preferred Stock and 1,000,000 shares of the Series "B" Preferred Stock.

As part of the proposed change of control transaction described above, Lloyd Preston Jr. (Current Sole Officer and Director of the Company) will resign all positions with the Company and name Ruben Padilla (CEO and Chairman of the Board) and Neil Benedict (President) as the new officers and directors. Below we have provided below a bio for Mr. Padilla and Mr. Benedict.

Ruben Padilla ? Mr. Padilla is one of the leading Mar-Tech entrepreneurs in the consumer product marketing space. A former Coca-Cola manager, he is the founder of Protopak Innovations, North America's leading digital packaging prototype agency that was acquired by Schawk. Ruben also founded ACPG, a leader in the use of Augmented Reality technology, in Montreal Canada. In 2016, he was invited to form, The Digital Packaging Laboratory, at the government tech incubator, RutaN in Colombia.

Neil Benedict ? Mr. Benedict is an expert in machine learning and digital marketing analytics. Mr. Benedict also provides quantitative modeling and machine learning consulting with notable clients including MIT, EDX Markets, Wedbush Securities, ESW Capital, and Northwestern Medicine. Mr. Benedict holds an MS in Applied Data Science from the University of Chicago, and his capstone paper on Mean-Variance Optimization for Equity Portfolios was cited in the book "Financial Analytics with R: Building a Laptop Laboratory for Data Science" in 2016.

Disclaimer Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements that we make may constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning future?strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated savings, financial results (including expenses, earnings, liquidity, cash flow and capital expenditures), industry or market conditions, demand for and pricing of our products, acquisitions and divestitures, anticipated results of litigation and regulatory developments or general economic conditions.?In addition, words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," and future or conditional verbs such as "will," "may," "could," "should," and "would," as well as any other statement that necessarily depends on future events, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, and they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Although we make such statements based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.?We caution investors not to rely unduly on any forward-looking?statements.

ABOUT US

A1 Group, Inc. is a Nevada corporation, is a public quoted Pink Sheet OTC issuer under the ticker symbol "AWON" (the "Company"). The Company reports as an alternative reporting issuer with OTC Markets Group, Inc. and is current in its mandatory required filings (e.g., Pink Sheet Current). The Company has acquired assets to become a producer of oxygen-enhanced water products intended to help improve one's health, wellness, and lifestyle. The company's products will be produced were produced using a proprietary O4 molecule that is BPA-free and contained higher oxygen content than regular water and is packed with post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, enabling consumers to increase stamina, improve focus and promote faster recovery. Additionally, the Company plans on becoming a regional co-packer of water products for large clients.

SOURCE A1 Group, Inc.

10 april 2024 at 15:50

News published onand distributed by:
Helium Evolution Confirms Positive 9-35 Well Results





CALGARY, Alberta, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helium Evolution Incorporated (TSXV:HEVI) ("HEVI" or the "Company"), a Canadian-based helium exploration company focused on developing assets in southern Saskatchewan, is pleased to provide an update on our helium discovery following the completion of the Deadwood zone and initial testing of the joint well drilled at 9-35-3-9W3 ("9-35 Well").



On February 26, 2024, the Company outlined that the 9-35 Well flow tested at approximately 7 million standard cubic feet per day ("MMscf/d") and 9,000 kiloPascals flowing tubing pressure during the six-day extended flow period. The gas composition of the 9-35 Well is 0.64% helium and 96.7% nitrogen, with the balance comprised of fractional percentages of minor component gases. Helium concentrations over 0.3% are deemed commercially viable.

Since HEVI's initial announcement, a post-flow pressure transient analysis ("PTA") conducted by Petro Management Group Ltd. has revealed positive insights. A composite reservoir model was used to determine pressure response, flow rates, reservoir properties and potential pool boundaries, all of which represent important data points to help inform future development plans in the area. The PTA indicated no reservoir pressure depletion or reservoir boundaries, highlighting a potentially expansive and productive reservoir. The PTA also calculated an absolute open flow potential of 13.3 MMscf/d. Additionally, the absence of water during the test period is a favorable factor for helium recovery and processing.

We are very encouraged by these results, which confirm the potential of the Deadwood formation as a significant source of helium in the region. As outlined in the Company's news release on April 2, 2024, HEVI and North American Helium Inc. ("NAH") are strategically planning to embark on an ambitious drilling program, with up to nine joint development wells (the "New Wells") that are expected to build upon three existing helium discoveries, including the 9-35 Well, in the Mankota area of Saskatchewan. The Company anticipates the New Wells will spud between Q3 2024 and Q2 2025, subject to surface and environmental restrictions, positioning HEVI to capitalize on this strategic expansion given our 20% working interest in the New Wells.

In addition to the New Wells:

HEVI is finalizing potential drilling locations on four sections of recently acquired land, in which the Company holds a 100% working interest (" 4 Crown Sections "). The 4 Crown Sections are strategically located in a central portion of the Mankota helium fairway; and

"). The 4 Crown Sections are strategically located in a central portion of the Mankota helium fairway; and HEVI anticipates that the 9-18-3-8W3 well ("9-18 Well") stimulation will take place in the second quarter of 2024, subject to surface conditions, with similar stimulation having improved the performance of the Company's well located at 2-31-2-8W3.

As always, HEVI is committed to updating the market on significant events and developments as information becomes available.

Stay Connected to Helium Evolution

Shareholders and other parties interested in learning more about the Helium Evolution opportunity are encouraged to visit the Company's website, which includes the Company's current corporate presentation, and are invited to follow the Company on LinkedIn and X for ongoing corporate updates and helium industry information. Helium Evolution also provides an extensive, commissioned ?deep-dive' research report prepared by a third party whose background includes serving as a research analyst for several bank-owned and independent investment dealers. In addition to recent media articles , HEVI maintains a profile on the Investing News Network platform, where further information, editorial pieces and industry reviews are available.

About Helium Evolution Incorporated

Helium Evolution is a Canadian-based helium exploration company holding the largest helium land rights position in North America among publicly traded companies, focused on developing assets in southern Saskatchewan. The Company has 5.6 million acres of land under permit near proven discoveries of economic helium concentrations which will support scaling the exploration and development efforts across its land base. HEVI's management and board are executing a differentiated strategy to become a leading supplier of sustainably-produced helium for the growing global helium market.

For further information, please contact:

Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward-looking statements in this document include statements regarding the Company's expectations regarding the Company and/or NAH's development and exploration plans, the Company's expectations regarding the Mankota helium fairway, the Company and/or NAH's ability to identify future exploration and drilling targets including the New Wells, increasing shareholder value, the Company's expectations regarding the Deadwood formation as a significant source of helium in the region, potential drilling locations on the 4 Crown Sections, the productivity of the 9-35 Well, the stimulation of the 9-18 Well including the timing and the achievable results, the Company's expectations regarding recoverability of helium, the size and nature of the reservoir, the Company's ability to preserve capital and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause 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 and risks include, among others: the Company may be unsuccessful in drilling commercially productive wells; the Company and/or NAH may choose to defer, accelerate or abandon its exploration and development plans including the New Wells and/or the 4 Crown Sections; the Company and/or NAH may choose to not bring the 9-35 Well onto production; the Company and/or NAH may abandon plans to stimulate the 9-18 Well; new laws or regulations and/or unforeseen events could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and such volatility may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities regardless of its operating performance; risks generally associated with the exploration for and production of resources; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to expenses; constraint in the availability of services; commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; adverse weather or break-up conditions; and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures.

When relying on forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and risks, other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company does not intend, and 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 required by law.

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.





10 april 2024 at 17:00

News published onand distributed by:
AVANTI HELIUM CLOSES FIRST TRANCHE OF PRIVATE PLACEMENT FOR $676,908





CALGARY, AB, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Avanti Helium Corp. (TSXV: AVN) (OTC: ARGYF) ("Avanti" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its press releases dated March 20, 2024 and April 4, 2024, it has closed the first tranche (the "First Tranche") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of units ("Units") of the Company by issuing 1,692,269 Units at a price of $0.40 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $676,908. Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share of the Company (a "Share") and one (1) Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable to acquire one (1) additional Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.60 per Warrant Share until April 9, 2025.

In connection with the First Tranche, the Company paid and issued an aggregate of $31,380 and 78,450 Share purchase warrants ("Finder's Warrants") in finder's fees. Each Finder's Warrant is exercisable to acquire one (1) Share (a "Finder's Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.60 per Finder's Warrant Share until April 9, 2025.

All securities issued under and in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on August 10, 2024, in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

The Company expects to close the second tranche (the "Second Tranche") of the Offering shortly. The Offering remains subject to all necessary approvals, including final acceptance by the Exchange.

An insider of the Company (the "Insider") is expected to participate in the Second Tranche, and such participation would be considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the participation in the Offering by the Insider will not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company's market capitalization.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for various work related to the Company's Helium Recovery Plant located on the Sweetgrass Pool in Montana and for general working capital.

This press 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 any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

About Avanti Helium Corp.

Avanti is focused on the exploration, development, and production of helium across western Canada and the United States. Avanti's professional oil and gas exploration and production team is actively targeting helium trapped in structures to help meet the increasing global demand for an irreplaceable and scarce element critical to advanced technology, medical and space exploration industries. For more information, please go to the Company's website at www.avantihelium.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The 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. The Company 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 the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: statements relating to the expected timing for the development of the helium recovery plant and timing estimates with respect to initial production therefrom, statements relating to the expected benefits to Avanti from the midstream agreement and liquefaction tolling agreement, statements relating to obtaining financing to fund associated infrastructure work for the plant, risks associated with helium exploration, development, production, marketing and transportation, volatility in helium prices, risks relating to the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from production and external sources, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history 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, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedarplus.ca for further information and risks applicable to the Company.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Avanti Helium Corp.

10 april 2024 at 16:54

News published onand distributed by:
Itafos Announces Publication of New ESG Report





HOUSTON, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itafos Inc. (TSX-V: IFOS) (the "Company") announced today the publication of its updated environmental, social and governance ("ESG") report. The Company's new ESG report sets forth the progress that the Company has made on ESG matters since the publication of its inaugural ESG report in 2021 and updates the Company's directional ESG goals.

"We are proud to publish our ESG report which highlights some of our achievements over the last two years. As the times have changed, we have refreshed some our corporate-wide ESG initiatives based upon things we have learned and are happy to share the progress we have made," said G. David Delaney, CEO of Itafos. "Our ESG initiatives have produced tangible results and we remain excited about what lies ahead as we continue to strengthen our ESG strategy now and into the future."

The Company's ESG report is available under the Investors page on the Company's website at www.itafos.com .

About Itafos

The Company is a phosphate and specialty fertilizer company. The Company's businesses and projects are as follows:

Conda ? a vertically integrated phosphate fertilizer business located in Idaho, US with production capacity as follows: approximately 550kt per year of monoammonium phosphate ("MAP"), MAP with micronutrients ("MAP+"), superphosphoric acid ("SPA"), merchant grade phosphoric acid ("MGA") and ammonium polyphosphate ("APP"); and approximately 27kt per year of hydrofluorosilicic acid ("HFSA");

Arraias ? a vertically integrated phosphate fertilizer business located in Tocantins, Brazil with production capacity as follows: approximately 500kt per year of single superphosphate ("SSP") and SSP with micronutrients ("SSP+"); and approximately 40kt per year of excess sulfuric acid (220kt per year gross sulfuric acid production capacity);

Farim ? a high-grade phosphate mine project located in Farim, Guinea-Bissau;

Santana ? a vertically integrated high-grade phosphate mine and fertilizer plant project located in Para, Brazil; and

Araxa ? a vertically integrated rare earth elements and niobium mine and extraction plant project located in Minas Gerais, Brazil.



As at December 31, 2023 the Company has completed the wind down process of the Mantaro mine project (located in Junin, Peru).

The Company is a Delaware corporation that is headquartered in Houston, TX. The Company's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") under the ticker symbol "IFOS". The Company's principal shareholder is CL Fertilizers Holding LLC ("CLF"). CLF is an affiliate of Castlelake, L.P., a global private investment firm.

For more information, or to join the Company's mailing list to receive notification of future news releases, please visit the Company's website at www.itafos.com .

Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking information. All information other than information of historical fact is forward-looking information. The use of any of the words "intend", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "would", "believe", "predict" and "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. This information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that this information will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon.

Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and other factors that could cause actual results and events to vary materially from that anticipated by such forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those risk factors set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis and other disclosure documents available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.itafos.com . Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and assumptions are not exhaustive. The forward-looking information included in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and is made as of the date of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information except as required by applicable securities laws.

NEITHER THE TSX-V NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX-V) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

For further information, please contact:

Matthew O'Neill

Itafos Investor Relations

[email protected]

713-242-8446

10 april 2024 at 17:40

News published onand distributed by:
A Malaysian beauty queen lost her title after a video of her dancing on a holiday to Thailand went viral on social media.

Viru Nikah Terinsip, 24, also returned her title hours before Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan made the call to strip her of the crown.

Ms Terinsip was seen dancing suggestively with scantily clad male dancers, according to Asia One.

Viru Nikah Terinsip posing for a picture, posted on her Facebook page on 18 November 2023 (Facebook/Viru Nikah Terinsip)

She won the Unduk Ngadau Johor title in 2023. The pageant is among the highlights of an annual harvest festival in Sabah and is held to commemorate the spirit of Huminodun, the mythological maiden believed to have a beautiful heart, mind and soul.

Confirming the move, Mr Kitingan said, this would not be an issue if she was just an ordinary person.

There were a lot of mixed reactions, some saw the humour in her video, some sympathised, others were unhappy and complained. We [KDCA] do not want to be the target and attract unnecessary attention, he said, according to The Star.

We hope that she will accept this decision well. Let this serve as a warning to all Unduk Ngadaus to not repeat the mistake, he added.

Renouncing her crown before the final decision was made, Ms Terinsip posted a video on social media saying she would like to return the title, with honor and humbleness.

"I joined the Unduk Ngadau competition by my own will and returned this title without coercion. I respect my decision, she said according to The New Strait Times. The title is not everything. It is about believing and valuing myself.

The title does not determine ones perfection or success. I am not perfect, she added, as she maintained everyone makes mistakes.

I am thankful for all the beautiful words coming from netizens, and lets focus on other issues and more forward, she said.

Most importantly, please leave my family and friends out as they are not involved in this matter. It is up to you whether you would accept [my explanation] or not, but this comes sincerely from my heart. Thank you for listening.
Members of the Swiss association Senior Women for Climate Protection after the announcement of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, France, on April 9, 2024. FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP

You only had to hear the deafening applause for these white-haired ladies, descending the court's grand spiral staircase, to grasp the significance of the event. On Tuesday, April 9, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) condemned Switzerland for climate inaction, a first for a state. It ruled that the country had not taken sufficient measures to protect its citizens from the effects of climate disruption. Bern was attacked by the Swiss association Senior Women for Climate Protection, which brings together 2,500 women, most of them over age 70.

The ruling, described as "historic" by observers, is expected to set a precedent in the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, increasing the pressure on governments to step up their action. This is the first time that an international court has ruled on climate change, establishing a direct link with quality of life, health and well-being.

On the other hand, the ECHR rejected two other applications: that of six young Portuguese people against 33 states and that of Damien Careme, the former mayor of Grande-Synthe (a northern French town) against France. They also criticized governments for the "inadequacy" of their climate action. A sign of the importance of the subject, these cases were dealt with by the 17 judges of the Grand Chamber, the ECHR's most prestigious chamber, in order to establish its climate-related case law for the first time.

"We can be very proud to have brought the Court to recognize our fundamental rights to a healthy climate for the first time," boasted Anne Mahrer, co-president of the Senior Women for Climate Protection, sporting a sky-blue scarf around her neck, like her comrades. These women have been battling since 2016 to prove that heatwaves exacerbate their health problems and that Swiss climate policy is "insufficient" to contain global warming to 1.5C, as set out in the Paris Agreement.

Read more Subscribers only Climate: 'The most effective way of reaching the Paris Agreement would be variable price business models'

In a lengthy ruling of over 300 pages, the ECHR found that the Swiss Confederation "had failed to comply with its duties" to combat climate disruption. It noted "serious shortcomings," due to the absence of a carbon budget setting national limits on greenhouse gas emissions and the country's failure to meet past targets. The Swiss authorities failed "to act in good time and in an appropriate and consistent manner," concluded the Court.

A 'new right is clearly defined'

Because of these shortcomings, the judges found that Switzerland had violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, relating to the right to respect for private and family life, as well as Article 6, which refers to access to the courts. On the other hand, the ECHR ruled out a possible violation of Article 2, which protects the right to life.

You have 61.93% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
Raphael Glucksmann, lead candidate of part of the French left for the European elections in June, has given up his 60,000 followers on TikTok. Speaking on France 2 public television, on Tuesday, April 2, he said that he abandoned the Chinese social media platform because he refused to "play the fool," all while denouncing foreign interference. The platform has been accused by its detractors of giving Chinese authorities access to user data.

In 2023, the European Commission, followed by the European Parliament, banned the app on their employees' work devices. Back in 2022, the European Parliament had published a report stating that "evidence shows that malicious and authoritarian foreign state and non-state actors, such as Russia, China and others, use information manipulation and other interference tactics to interfere in democratic processes in the EU."

Read more Subscribers only 'Should we uninstall TikTok or not?'

However, many of the main lead candidates of French parties are crazy about TikTok: Jordan Bardella of the Rassemblement National (RN, far-right) has a million followers; Marion Marechal (Reconquete !, far-right) has 97,000; Manon Aubry, head of the La France Insoumise (LFI, radical left) list has 41,000; and Marie Toussaint of Les Ecologistes (Greens) with her 1,257 followers. However, with the Chinese threat looming over TikTok, should French candidates for the European elections give up the app?

'Decerebration of the masses'

Samuel Lafont, a Reconquete ! activist tasked with the party's digital strategy, slammed Glucksmann's decision: "He's shooting himself in the foot. He's going to lose influence by leaving TikTok." In the EU, more than 134 million people use the app every month. Reconquete ! therefore intends to rely on the platform to "reach the maximum number of people," said the far-right activist, who also claimed to have "already recruited people spotted on the app."

For La France Insoumise, MEP Leila Chaibi, who has gained quite a following on the social media, came to the same conclusion. On her profile, she posts videos showing the "behind-the-scenes" activity of the European Parliament. She said that "we need to communicate in all directions," and that TikTok is "a way of reaching out to young people who are very far removed from politics, especially given the abstention rate."

The Les Republicains (LR, right) party's lead candidate Francois-Xavier Bellamy, meanwhile, admitted to having "hesitated for a long time about getting involved in this platform, before deciding to try and offer more challenging content" for young people, "so as not to leave the field open to simplistic arguments." According to the weekly magazine Le Point, the head of the LR list had even told his troops at the start of the campaign that "[he would go and] make 20-second videos published on Chinese propaganda platforms to participate in the decerebration of the masses."

You have 55.32% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
The draft law on aid in dying, the broad outlines of which were presented by French President Emmanuel Macron in March, will be presented to the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, April 10. According to the current text, aid in dying will only be a possibility for those who simultaneously meet these five conditions:

be at least 18 years old;

be of French nationality or reside in France;

be capable of expressing their will "in a free and informed manner";

have declared a serious and incurable disease involving life-threatening condition in the short or medium term;

present "resistant or unbearable" physical or psychological suffering.

The patient must make their request to a doctor who, after obtaining the opinion of a specialist and one of the applicant's caregivers, will make a decision within 15 days. The bill stipulates that the patient must administer the lethal substance themselves if they are capable of doing so or, failing this, ask a person of their choice to do it. The doctor or nurse in charge of verifying the patient's wishes may also perform this task.

Read more Macron's end of life bill has solid foundations but raises unresolved issues

What's included in the French bill?

Two important questions arise from the conditions set out in this bill: How do we define what is a medium-term life-threatening condition, and what about advance directives, which are not taken into account?

The definition of a medium-term life-threatening illness is central to the precise definition of the scope of this system. Depending on whether the deadline is set at a few months or several years, the diseases giving rise to the right to aid in dying are not the same.

Melanie Heard, head of the health department at think tank Terra Nova, and Martine Lombard, professor emeritus of law, expressed concern in an op-ed published in Le Monde that the ambiguity of the wording would "deprive the future law on the end of life of a large part of its practical scope," leaving the responsibility for interpretation to doctors, who are likely to be very cautious. Others, such as the Association for the Right to Die with Dignity (ADMD), condemn this notion, which "condemns patients suffering, for example, from Lou Gehrig's disease, to experience the drama of the final stages of the disease's evolution," which is slow but inescapable. Professionals are also campaigning for a change in the law: "So that those who don't want to suffer physical or psychological decay can be supported toward death," argued neurologist Valerie Mesnage at the end of 2023 in Le Monde.

Another unresolved issue is that of advance healthcare directives. The 2005 Leonetti law enables every adult to express his or her wishes concerning "the end of his or her life, as regards the conditions for continuing, limiting, stopping or refusing medical treatment or procedures." However, under the current bill any person who is unable to formulate his or her own request directly to a doctor, even if he or she has done so in an advance directive that may have been reaffirmed and supplemented as his or her illness progressed, will not be able to request aid in dying.

How would French law respond to cases encountered in countries that allow euthanasia?

Two European countries legalized euthanasia more than 20 years ago: the Netherlands in 2001 and Belgium in 2002. These are the countries where euthanasia is most widely practiced: 8,720 cases were recorded by the Dutch in 2022, and 3,423 on the Belgian side in 2023. The other countries are smaller (Luxembourg legalized the practice in 2009, but only recorded 34 cases in 2022) or have changed their legislation more recently: Spain in 2021 (with 288 cases in 2022) and Portugal in 2023.

Assisted suicide has been decriminalized in Austria since 2022, in Germany since 2020 and in Italy since 2019. In Switzerland, active euthanasia is prohibited, while assisted suicide is fully integrated into the law. While access and procedures vary from country to country, the US state of Oregon's example is the one that comes closest to the French bill (this state recorded 367 assisted suicides in 2023).

Based on reports published in the Netherlands and Belgium (countries with the highest number of euthanized patients, and which are also experiencing significant historical hindsight), we have listed the most frequent pathologies among euthanized patients, in order to anticipate the French legislative response. These are general guidelines, not answers that apply to individual cases or patients.

Read more Subscribers only 'No-one can predict how violent the debate surrounding end of life might get in France'

Advanced cancers

Cancerous tumors are the leading cause of conditions leading to euthanasia. In Belgium, they account for more than half (55.5%) of life terminations: 1,899 cases in 2023. In the Netherlands, this proportion reaches 57.8% of the 8,720 euthanasia performed in 2022 (5,046 cases).

Based on Belgian figures, malignant tumors of the digestive (pancreas, colon, esophagus and stomach), respiratory (mainly lung) and breast organs alone accounted for 60% of cancer-related life terminations.

What would the French bill allow?

It will be possible to request assistance in dying for these advanced, incurable types of cancers: They meet the conditions set out in the bill, because they are life-threatening in the short or medium term, and are associated with unbearable physical or psychological suffering.

Multiple chronic pathologies

They account for 16.4% of euthanasia cases in the Netherlands (1,429 cases) and 23.2% of those carried out in Belgium (793 cases).

The accumulation of chronic diseases, including geriatric ones, can also be the cause of unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement, since some of them are age-related and degenerative. The combination of disorders caused by these different conditions is a source of both physical and psychological suffering: loss of autonomy, loss of quality of life, sensory impairment and depression.

What would the French bill allow?

How the future law on aid in dying will deal with these cumulative chronic diseases will depend on the definition of "medium term." In Belgium, 421 of the 793 people with combinations of several refractory chronic conditions in 2023 were diagnosed with a "short" foreseeable time to death (in the coming days, weeks or months). Conversely, 372 people were diagnosed with a foreseeable time to "non-short" death; such a situation would deviate from the possibilities envisaged by French legislation.

Diseases of the nervous system

Nervous system illnesses  Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease, multiple sclerosis, for example  are the third major type of condition for which patients have the most recourse to euthanasia: 9.6% in Belgium and 7% in the Netherlands.

These neurodegenerative diseases cause motor and cognitive disturbances for which there is no cure. Treatments can slow the progression of these diseases, reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, but over the longer term, disorders can progress and lead to irreversible disability.

What would the French bill allow?

In the case of such diseases, the requirement that the patient's prognosis be "short- or medium-term" may rule out the possibility of seeking such help at the stage when suffering becomes unbearable, as the patient's days are generally still far from numbered.

Diseases of the circulatory system

They represent 3.2% of the pathologies at the origin of euthanasia performed in Belgium, and 4.1% of those performed in the Netherlands.

Diseases of the circulatory system are mainly related to the after-effects of a stroke, which can lead to sudden and severe loss of autonomy and complete dependence. The main consequences are mild to pronounced hemiplegia, speech disorders, sensory disturbances and pain.

What would the French bill allow?

End-of-life requests from these patients will largely be excluded from the current bill, particularly in cases where the prognosis is neither short nor medium-term.

Diseases of the respiratory system

These illnesses prompted 3% of euthanized patients in Belgium, and 3.2% of those euthanized in the Netherlands, to request euthanasia.

Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the main chronic respiratory diseases affecting euthanized people. It is incurable and progressive, and treatments can only slow its development.

What would the French bill allow?

The progressive nature of the disease, which implies a more or less rapid deterioration in the patient's condition, makes it possible to envisage recourse to aid in dying under the conditions set out in the bill, when the vital prognosis may be engaged in the "medium term"  and depending on how this condition is interpreted.

Neurodegenerative diseases

Dementia cases account for 1.2% of euthanized patients in Belgium and 2.5% of those euthanized in the Netherlands.

These neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, are characterized by increasing impairment of memory and cognitive functions, as well as behavioral disorders. The process is irreversible, and in the absence of curative treatment, the disease leads to a progressive loss of autonomy.

What would the French bill allow?

These conditions clearly fall outside the legal spectrum: The person requesting help to die would have to be able to express his or her request in an "informed manner," and even in this case, his or her vital prognosis would probably not yet be committed in the medium term. Even if the person had left advance directives, asking to die when the dementia starts to cause unbearable suffering, these could not be taken into account under the future law.

Legislation in Belgium and the Netherlands incorporates these requests, based on advance directives and the wishes expressed by patients during their moments of lucidity. When patients are no longer capable of expressing their wishes, the medical team makes the decision under a very strict procedure (which is very rare: 6 cases out of 282 in the Netherlands).

Mental illnesses

Mental disorders account for 1.3% of euthanasia performed in the Netherlands and 1.4% of those performed in Belgium.

What would the French bill allow?

At this stage, these illnesses will also be excluded from the scope of the bill, as they are not life-threatening. The bill's explanatory memorandum, a version of which has leaked, is explicit in its wording: "which excludes suffering exclusively linked to mental or psychological disorders."

Alongside the most common pathologies covered by the legislation of our European neighbors, other emblematic cases have fueled the public debate on euthanasia in France. For example, young Vincent Humbert, quadriplegic, blind and mute after a car accident, who asked President Chirac for the right to die in 2002, would not find an answer in the future law.
Professor Peter Higgs at the Science Museum in London, December 11, 2013. SEAN DEMPSEY / AP

Why do objects have mass? British physicist Peter Higgs, who died on April 8, 2024, in Edinburgh (Scotland) at the age of 94, following "a short illness," according to the University of Edinburgh, will go down in scientific history for having helped answer this question.

In 1964, he postulated the existence of an elementary particle, the boson  a sort of missing piece in the "Standard model" that explains the laws of the universe. He had to wait almost half a century for the construction of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), based in Geneva, to see his intuition confirmed with the discovery of the famous boson, announced on July 4, 2012. The very next year, he was awarded the most eagerly anticipated and fastest-awarded Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Belgian Francois Englert, in Stockholm.

"If this particle didn't exist, I wouldn't understand a thing!" he said in an interview with Le Monde in 2008, just as CERN's experiments were ramping up. Four years later after being invited to witness the announcement of the discovery, he expressed joy that it had taken place "in [his] lifetime." Englert mourned the death of his fellow countryman Robert Brout (1928-2011), with whom he also described the elementary particle in 1964, just a few months before Higgs. This particle would eventually bear the name of Higgs alone.

Discovered as the first elementary particle since 1994, the Brout-Englert-Higgs boson, observed with a 99.9999% certainty, filled the final gap in the Standard Model, completing the framework of the 16 particles and three forces that form ordinary matter. At around 125 GeV (gigaelectron volts), its mass is 133 times greater than that of the proton.

The Higgs boson is the "glue" that enables particles to interact with a field  one that was independently hypothesized by three theoretical physicists  to acquire mass. It appears fleetingly in proton collisions close to the speed of light, in the 27-kilometer-long particle acceleration tunnel at CERN.

Low productivity

Born on May 29, 1929, in Newcastle upon Tyne, Higgs, son of a BBC sound engineer, was raised primarily by his mother. At high school in Bristol, he became fascinated with the work of a former pupil, Paul Dirac (1902-1984), one of the founders of quantum mechanics. Accepted into King's College London, he excelled in physics, and in 1954 defended a thesis entitled "Some problems in the theory of molecular vibrations."

His first academic position took him to the University of Edinburgh, where he spent most of his career until his retirement in 1996. He once admitted to the Guardian that given his disputes with the institution's administration and his low scientific productivity, he felt he was only tolerated there for fear of ostracizing a potential Nobel Prize winner. He said he was convinced that he could never have made a career in today's hyper-productive world of science.

You have 52.81% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
ARTIC trucks are speeding down a local road and causing chaos and congestion for residents, a councillor has said.

City East Fianna Fail councillor Catherine Slattery says heavy vehicles are using the Old Cork Road and the much smaller L5138 at the townland of Boherkyle to get to Castletroy.

She claimed some are driving 100 kilometres per hour on a road where the speed limit is just 50 kilometres per hour.

Heavy truck traffic causes continuing unacceptable impacts such as noise, fumes and vibration, she told this months metropolitan meeting.

As a consequence of her comments, councillors have unanimously agreed to write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to call on them to install a bypass to Castletroy from the Boherkyle junction close to the M7.

I feel that a bypass would significantly reduce traffic congestion in this area and would be very welcomed by all who drive to Castletroy for school and work. There is no need for cars to be backlogged every morning when we have a solution looking us straight in the face. Improvements need to be made, added the Fianna Fail councillor.

She pointed out that millions is being spent on Active Travel projects including cycle lanes each year, yet traffic still backs up in this particular area.

As a council, we need to contact TII and apply for funding for this bypass so our citizens can have a proper quality of life driving to work and school and the residents living on the R512 Old Cork Road and L5138 Boherkyle have a quality of life and not have to listen to artic vehicles passing their doors, and parents of children can also get a sense of relief that they are not living beside a road that cars are speeding up to 100km per hour in a 50 to 60 kilometres per hour zone, Cllr Slattery said.

Her party colleague, Cllr Joe Pond seconded her motion.

READ MORE: Limerick's top-selling cars revealed as sales of EVs fall by 25%

Separately at this months metropolitan meeting, it was confirmed that a report is going to be prepared for Active Travel measures along Ballysimon Road and Garryglass Roundabout.

Fellow City East councillor Elena Secas of Labour sought an update on the project following the approval of funding for it.

A working draft will be issued for internal review in the coming weeks. Time scales for consultation and delivery will be determined based on the recommendations and outcomes of the report, said Sean McGlynn, the senior engineer in the Active Travel department on the local authority.
SOCIAL Democrats leader Holly Cairns was in Limerick to launch the campaigns of its three election candidates, one of whom is bidding to become mayor.

The Cork TD was at No 1 Pery Square hotel in the city centre where she was joined by councillor Elisa ODonovan, who is contesting the directly elected mayor.

In relation to the local elections, the party is running Shane Hickey-OMeara in City North and Donnah Vuma in City East.

Ms Cairns said the new position of mayor is very exciting to her party.

One of our core principles in the Social Democrats is to bring back power to local government. The legislation for directly elected mayor could have gone a lot further, but its a step in that direction, she said.

The party, she added, is proud and excited to stand a candidate of Elisas calibre.

As a person, Elisa brings transparency to her work, something which is lacking in local authorities. She brings really a dedication and a grit, and it's something needed in politics, as well as being so dedicated to Limerick and so in love with the place, added Ms Cairns.

Cllr ODonovan said: We need more transparency and accountability within all our public services.

Its one of the reasons I am a Social Democrat. What we really need is to ensure people know exactly why and how when it comes to public money.

READ MORE: Fear the office of mayor will be a flop and not a success

In recent weeks, a video of Cllr ODonovan remonstrating with worshippers over what she saw as a lack of Covid-19 era social distancing outside the Sacred Heart Church at the Crescent in 2021 has resurfaced online.

Addressing this, she said: Myself and another woman were filmed multiple times by an individual.

That individual has a YouTube channel that has put up multiple videos of me.
GARDAI in Limerick have issued advice to the public after it was announced that people in Ireland lost millions of euro to investment fraud last year.

Investment fraud is where criminals pose as investment managers to fool someone into investing money in schemes and projects that do not exist.

Between January 2020 and January this year, over 965 people have reported incidents of investment fraud to An Garda Siochana.

Sophisticated criminals are cloning webpages and targeting victims through online and social media adverts by promising once in a lifetime opportunities. You must instantly invest but you will receive fast and large financial returns.

Almost 70% of victims last year were men. This has increased since 2020 when men made up just over 50% of the number of victims. The vast majority of those men affected are aged over 40.

In January 2024, a man in his 70s, based in the east of Ireland reported that he had over 190,000 stolen after he had invested the money in what he thought was a legitimate British company.

In May 2023, a 40-year-old man clicked on a social media link advertising investment opportunities and entered his contact details.

He was later contacted by phone from a person purporting to be from a reputable financial institution about purchasing bank bonds. The victim was defrauded of 100,000.

During 2023, a man in his 60s reported that he had been contacted online about investing with a British financial institution. After being convinced by the person he was communicating with, he transferred funds and had 300,000 stolen.

READ MORE: Limerick neighbours falling out over loud music ends up in court

Earlier this year, a man in his 50s had 121,000 stolen through investment fraud. The victim understood that he was legitimately engaged in online trading and was communicating with someone online who had encouraged him into it.

This was a particularly sophisticated crime as the victim had access to an online trading app and he believed that he could see his funds being traded, however, the app itself was fake.

Sergeant Ber Leetch, crime prevention officer at Henry Street garda station offered advice to people on how to avoid becoming victims of investment fraud.

"Do not invest in anything until you get reliable financial and legal advice. Check the status of the company via the Central Bank of Ireland webpage.

"Do not respond to pop-up ads or social media ads for investing. Ignore unsolicited approaches or cold calls about investments.

"Do not click on links for webpages that you do not know. Never allow anyone remote access to your computer or download Apps that can give others control of your computer AnyDesk is one example.

"Never disclose personal data or bank account passwords or codes."
LABOUR councillor Conor Sheehan has become the 11th candidate to declare their candidacy in the upcoming election to become Limerick's first executive mayor.

The City North member, who hails from Corbally, confirmed he would enter the contest on June 7.

At the age of 30, he is one of the youngest candidates so far on the ballot paper.

He said, if elected, he will become the 'mayor for homes', and wants to "fight for a generation of people who are being locked out of the chance to buy or rent affordable housing".

"This is a crucial time for people in Limerick who will finally have the opportunity to elect someone as the voice for our city and county. Limerick is a great place to live and work, and I want to build a Limerick where this generation and the ones after it can afford to keep a roof over their heads without having to be a millionaire," he said.

"Nearly 22,000 people under the age of 35 left Ireland for Australia alone in the last year and not because of unemployment but largely because of the housing crisis that has gripped our nation for the last decade," he said.

"An average three bed semi detached house in Limerick now costs 290000 at the end of 2023 which is the highest price hike nationally and as three quarters of buyers are first time buyers, it is people my age who are suffering. We also have 568 people homeless and an epidemic of rough sleeping on our street," Cllr Sheehan said.

He said the new mayor's office needs "delibery not celebrity, and not just hand-wringing speeches".

"I want to be more than a chauffeur driven lobbyist, spending my time clinking glasses with officialdom. While the legislation does not fully reflect what the people thought they voted for, it is a start and I will push if elected for more devolution of powers. The role of mayor should be the preserve of ordinary people and not millionaires," he added.

Ten other people have declared their intention to contest the first ever election in Limerick for an executive mayor, with the vote taking place on Friday, June 7.

READ MORE: Limerick woman scammed over Taylor Swift tickets

First elected to Limerick City and County Council at the 2019 local election, Cllr Sheehan will also seek to be re-elected to the northside ward with the local election taking place the same day as the mayoral count.

Cllr Sheehan is one of three Labour members of Limerick City and County Council, the others being councillors Elena Secas and Joe Leddin.
"Its as evil as it gets," the lead investigator in the case says in the new documentary

In November 2010, police were called to a home in Markham, Ont., after then 24-year-old Jennifer Pan called 911, stating that armed intruders barged into her family's home, killing her mother Bich Ha Pan and severely injuring her father Huei Hann Pan. In the new Netflix documentary What Jennifer Did, as details emerged, it was revealed that Jennifer wasn't just a witness, she knew much more than she initially led investigators to believe.

The new documentary, from filmmaker Jenny Popplewell (American Murder: The Family Next Door), uses a combination of police interrogation footage, reenactments, and interviews with investigators and people close to the Pan family to chronicle this case. It led to Jennifer and three accomplices sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 25 years.

"Its as evil as it gets," Bill Courtice, a York Regional Police detective and lead investigator in the case says in What Jennifer Did.

What Jennifer Did (Netflix)

Forbidden love and history of deceit

As we head into Jennifer's first of three interviews with investigators, Jennifer says three gunmen broke into her home in an attempt to steal money. They tied her hands together and tied her arm up to a banister upstairs, taking her parents downstairs. She recalled hearing multiple "pop" sounds and her mother yelling. Jennifer described these intruders as three Black men, one with a Jamaican accent and one with dreadlocks.

Jennifer's parents immigrated to Canada from Vietnam and lived a "modest" lifestyle. No one knew why anyone would try to rob this family in particular. Investigators also found it odd that some items, like a wallet with cash, were left at the house, which would likely be of interest to the intruders.

Through the investigation, officers find out that Jennifer had an ex-boyfriend, Daniel "Danny" Wong, who worked at a local Boston Pizza and was dealing drugs. Police started thinking that his drug dealing could be linked to why this family was targeted. Both Wong and Jennifer also told officers that they had been receiving threatening anonymous phone calls and text messages just before the attack at the Pan household.

Jennifer and Wong dated for about seven years, but Jennifer's parents did not approve of them together. This forbidden romance continued in secret, until Jennifer was caught. Her parents took away her phone, and insisted on driving Jennifer to school, and anywhere else she needed to go.

There's a pattern that comes up in this case of Jennifer's parents wanting her to be successful, from her education to her award-winning piano studies, which made their parenting style more strict than some.

But Jennifer established a level of deceit to get around these rules, including figuring out how to lie to her parents about being enrolled in the University of Toronto, studying science, and even creating a fake diploma after four years.

Jennifer and Wong remained friends after their breakup, after about seven years of dating, with Wong saying her parents not approving made the relationship too difficult to maintain. But it's clear from the interrogation footage that Jennifer was still very much in love with her ex-boyfriend, even though he started dating someone new.

Detective Bill Courtice in What Jennifer Did (Netflix)

While Jennifer was being interviewed by investigators, her father remained in a coma at the hospital. But as Jennifer's story starts to unravel with inconsistencies, her father also emerged from the coma.

He claimed that he went to bed early and was woken up by a man who brought him downstairs, where his wife was, who was begging for her life. But then he saw Jennifer walk down the stairs, not tied up at all, have what he described as a "friendly" conversation with another man.

"Use your police techniques to find out what Jennifer did," Jennifer's father told a detective at the hospital.

Jennifer's third interview with police is with detective Bill Goetz, who specifically uses an interrogation method that involves lying to Jennifer to get to a confession, even though by this point, officers got access to Jennifer's phone, which shows that, through Wong, two men were hired to kill her parents, purportedly because Jennifer wanted to be with Wong.

"For her, this is a love story gone wrong," detective Deborah Gladding says in the documentary.

What Jennifer Did (Netflix)

Where is Jennifer Pan now?

Jennifer told Goetz, and eventually jurors after her arrest, that it wasn't a murder-for-hire plot, but rather, she hired men through Wong as a form of suicide.

Jennifer was ultimately found guilty of the first-degree murder of her mother and attempted murder of her father, and in 2015 was sentenced to life in prison, along with Wong and the hired hitmen, Lenford Crawford and David Mylvaganam.

Last year, the Ontario Court of Appeal ordered new trials to re-examine the first-degree murder convictions, but Jennifer is still in prison.
A MAN charged in connection with the death of 21-year-old Laois student Joe Drennan in Limerick last October was charged with seven new offences this Wednesday.

In January, Kieran Fogarty, aged 20, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston was charged with dangerous driving causing death, driving without insurance and driving without a driving licence at Dublin Road, Limerick on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Mr Drennan, who was originally from Knocknagad, Mountrath in County Laois, was an award-winning fourth year journalism student in University of Limerick and editor-in-chief of the Limerick Voice publication.

This Wednesday, Sergeant Sean Murray, prosecuting, said there were seven new charges before Limerick District Court.

Garda Oliver Gee gave evidence of arresting, charging and cautioning Mr Fogarty at Limerick Courthouse on Mulgrave Street at 10.35am this Wednesday.

Mr Fogarty is charged with failing to offer Mr Drennan assistance knowing that he was dead or injured and did so with intent to escape from civil or criminal liability; criminal damage to a vehicle and dangerous driving at College Road, Castletroy.

Mr Fogarty was charged with a second count in relation to failing to offer assistance to Mr Drennan, and failing to give appropriate information to any person who was entitled to demand such information.

Mr Fogarty was further charged with two counts in relation to failing to report the occurrence to gardai.

Garda Gee said Mr Fogarty made no reply to any of the charges.

READ MORE: 'Joe was going to be a star,' mourners hear at funeral of young journalist killed in Limerick collision

Sgt Murray told the court there are now a total of ten charges.

The DPPs directions are for trial on indictment in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

There is no consent to the accused going forward on a signed plea of guilty. He is in custody, said Sgt Murray, who made an application that the matter be put back until April 16 via video link for service of the book of evidence.

Ian McNamara, solicitor for Mr Fogarty, said he was not making a bail application on behalf of his client.

Judge Patricia Harney remanded Mr Fogarty in continuing custody to appear via video link in Limerick District Court on April 16.

Mr Fogarty who was wearing a half-zip, dark navy top, black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers didnt speak during the short procedural matter.

Members of Mr Drennan's family, including his father, were present in court.
A YOUNG couple who had booked the Charleville Park Hotel for their dream wedding feared that plans for their big day were in tatters after reading on social media that the venue looked set to house asylum seekers or refugees.

On Saturday morning at 11.28am, a man posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account: Charleville Park has been taken over by IPA. Staff have been given notice.

By 10pm, the post had accumulated 115,000 views, 126 reposts, 345 likes, and 64 comments. The couple were two of countless people to believe the post which has since been deleted.

The Limerick Leader contacted Pat McDonaghs So Hotel Group, which owns the Charleville Park Hotel, on Saturday night.

A spokesperson said: This post is false, vexatious and has caused considerable damage and upset to the hotel staff and owners.

The hotel has maintained its status as a community hotel throughout many challenging years. We are proud members of the Charleville community and will remain so. Thank you for your continued support.

Supermacs boss Pat McDonagh spoke to the Leader this week about the falsehood on social media, saying, We will sue them because it is not something that can be tolerated.

The gardai are investigating it. We will leave it in their hands as to who it is. We will definitely prosecute whoever it is once we find out for definite who is involved, said Mr McDonagh, who added that for anyone to imply he met staff and was letting them go is totally malicious.

He said they are currently spending 500,000 on upgrading the Charleville Park Hotel which employs up to 150 people between full and part-time staff.

Mr McDonagh said he was disappointed in the likes of X and Facebook that they allow this to happen and not do anything about it.

They were quick enough to take it down for the GAA thing but they werent quick enough to take down a malicious rumour, said Mr McDonagh, in reference to Supermac's having their social media accounts suspended after an April Fool's prank concerning Croke Park.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Frank O'Flynn received a number of calls from people who had read the post.

I know one couple who have a wedding booked there and they were very upset. Not alone the couple but their parents and all their friends. It caused a lot of worry and anxiety, said Cllr O'Flynn, who also spoke of the concerns of people who have Holy Communions, Confirmations and meetings booked for the Charleville Park Hotel.

The mayor said something will have to be done where people put up something online that is completely untrue..

READ MORE: New entry in race to become directly elected mayor of Limerick

This is happening every day - I call them keyboard warriors. They are completely outside the law. The laws will have to be looked at.

I know people who were on Twitter and Facebook and they have actually taken down their profiles because they said they couldn't put up with the comments from people who probably didnt even know them, said Cllr O'Flynn.

The Limerick Leader reached out to the person on whose account the original post appeared on but they declined to comment on the record.
LIMERICK CITY TD Kieran O'Donnell has been moved to Office of Public Works (OPW) as part of new Taoiseach Simon Harris's reshuffle of his junior ministers.

Mr O'Donnell moves from being a Minister of State at the Department of Housing, a role which saw him bring through the legislation underpinning Limerick's executive mayor.

The Monaleen man was appointed to that position in December 2022 after former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar returned to the role following a two year absence.

The position, which is considered by many as the 'most senior' of the junior ministries was previously held by County Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O'Donovan.

READ MORE: Driver accused of seven extra charges over road death of Laois student Joe Drennan

He was promoted from there to Cabinet on Tuesday to serve as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Mr O'Donnell said he is "deeply honoured and privileged" by the appointment.

"I'm greatly looking forward to the new challenge and as with my previous ministerial role, I will give it my all. I will continue to ensure the Limerick City constituency receives the priority it deserves," he added.

Fianna Fail TD Niall Collins will remain in his post as Minister of State for skills and further education.

Kieran O'Donnell is a nephew of Tom O'Donnell, the former Minister, MEP and Limerick East deputy, was first elected to Dail Eireann in 2007.

It followed a three year spell on the former Limerick County Council.

During his first term, the Monaleen man became a high-profile voice in the chamber as Fine Gael's deputy finance spokesperson, with Ireland and the world plunging into recession.

In May 2010, he was given the full-time finance portfolio by then party leader Fine Gael, after Richard Bruton led an unsuccessful leadership challenge.

But after Mr O'Donnell backed Mr Bruton in this, he was demoted to the backbenches.

He was re-elected in 2011 as part of the Fine Gael surge, but then lost his Dail seat five years later in dramatic circumstances, missing out on the last seat to former Labour TD Jan O'Sullivan.

Despite this, he was elected as a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel a few weeks later.

And in 2020, the accounting professional was returned to the Lower House, taking the third seat in Limerick City.

He was made chairman of the Transport committee in this Dail term.

Before becoming a full-time public representative, Mr O'Donnell worked as an accountant.
A recent report has unveiled striking differences in employment patterns between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The study, part of a collaboration between the Department of the Taoiseach's Shared Island Unit and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), delves into various aspects of labor market dynamics, shedding light on disparities across the island.

It was found that individuals residing in the Republic of Ireland tend to work longer hours compared to their counterparts in Northern Ireland. The report highlights that 26% of men in the Republic reported working between 41 and 70 hours per usual week, contrasting with 17.6% in the North. Similarly, over one in 10 women in the Republic disclosed working more than 40 hours weekly, while the figure stood at 4.7% in Northern Ireland.

Research Professor, Helen Russell, spoke on RTE Radio 1 this Wednesday morning, saying: "We find that having young children reduces labour market participation for women in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. But for older women and women with older children, we find lower rates of participation in in both jurisdictions but this seems to operate as a stronger barrier in Northern Ireland."

Education emerges as a significant factor contributing to employment discrepancies. The study underscores that "considerably lower" rates of educational qualifications in Northern Ireland are a key driver behind the region's lower employment rates compared to the Republic.

For instance, while 44% of women in Ireland hold a third-level degree or higher, only 29% do so in Northern Ireland. This educational gap significantly influences labor market participation and hours of work, especially for women.

Moreover, the report highlights gender disparities in low-paid jobs across both regions. It notes that a quarter of women in the Republic and 21% in Northern Ireland are classified as low-paid, earning less than two-thirds of the median hourly pay.

Even after adjusting for factors like education and sector, women consistently face a higher likelihood of being low-paid compared to men in both jurisdictions.

The research also sheds light on the growing trend of working from home, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, 25% of individuals in the Republic of Ireland worked mainly from home, a significantly higher proportion than the 14% of women and 19% of men in Northern Ireland who did so.

It was also noted that in the north, older women are less likely to be part of the work workforce. On this point, Dr Russell said: "The working age population in the North are considerably lower. And also, they're lower amongst older age groups. That's a feature in both, so that sort of disadvantage faces older women.

"Also, there's much higher levels of inability to work due to illness or disability amongst the older population in Northern Ireland, so that's a factor too."
As the death toll on Irish roads continues to climb, RTEs Prime Time will examine the trend of escalating road fatalities, making this the deadliest period in a decade.

Experts explore some of the urgent measures needed to halt this concerning rise.

Across this week, Prime Time will publish a number of digital reports providing in-depth detail on road safety data and what can be done to reverse the trend, culminating in a dedicated programme this Thursday night presented by Miriam OCallaghan and Fran McNulty on RTE One and RTE Player featuring experts, campaigners and families affected.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers will be in studio to respond to the report.

The growing number of road deaths in Ireland goes against the European trend.

According to an analysis published by the European Commission in early March, comparing road deaths per million inhabitants per European country in 2023, against the average of three pre-pandemic years, Ireland had the highest percentage increase of any country, up 29%.

Experts point to intoxicated driving, enforcement, and speeding distraction as contributing factors.

Speeding remains a major factor in road traffic fatalities, disproportionately affecting male drivers. 87% of drivers killed while driving above an appropriate speed were male, according to the latest RSA data.

RTE Prime Time reporter Jack McCarron examines further the fact disqualified drivers are failing to surrender their licences and permits.

He speaks to the family of a man killed by a disqualified driver who are calling for a system overhaul after figures were recently highlighted.

Between 2016 and 2022, over 25,000 drivers were ordered by courts to surrender their driving licenses or permits due to disqualification, more than 80% of disqualified drivers failed to comply.

Separately, more than 95% of nearly 17,000 learner drivers who had their permits disqualified in the last seven years failed to surrender them.

The reports will also investigate local areas prone to frequent collisions, including the Duncannon Line, a 56km regional road in Wexford.

Locally dubbed Ireland's most 'notorious' road, it has gained attention due to its alarming rate of fatalities in recent years.

Prime Time's in-depth analysis will add to the crucial conversation on the urgent actions needed to curb the rising death toll on Irish roads.

The programme will feature insights from leading experts, stakeholders, and officials, providing information and statistics.

Watch Prime Time Road Safety Special, Thursday April 11 at 9.35pm on RTE One and RTE Player.
Closure Orders were served on nine food businesses across the country during March, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has confirmed, with one prohibition order issued also.

The premises are located in Dublin (6), Offaly (1), Tipperary (1), Meath (1) and Cork (1).

One Closure Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998, on,

Le Chocolat de Fred (Restaurant/ Cafe), 96 Georges Street Lower, Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin

Eight Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on,

Shangri La Asian Cuisine (Restaurant/ Cafe), Blackhorse Avenue, Cabra, Dublin 7

Dublin 7 Super Marios (Take Away), High Street, Tullamore, Offaly

Kingdom of Sweets (Retailer), 15 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2

15 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2 Babylon Kebab House (Restaurant/ Cafe) 92-93 Irishtown, Clonmel, Tipperary

92-93 Irishtown, Clonmel, Tipperary Royal Caterers (https:// royalcatering.ie/ and https:// www.facebook.com/ royalcateringireland/) (Service Sector), Unit 27C, Ashbourne Business Centre, Ballybin Road, Ashbourne, Meath

royalcatering.ie/ and https:// www.facebook.com/ royalcateringireland/) (Service Sector), Unit 27C, Ashbourne Business Centre, Ballybin Road, Ashbourne, Meath Cork Oriental Supermarket (Closed area: Kitchen and kitchen storage area), (Restaurant/ Cafe), 13 Dalton's Avenue, Cork

13 Dalton's Avenue, Cork Hilan Chinese and Korean BBQ Restaurant, 45 Capel Street, Dublin 1

Munch Box (Restaurant/ Cafe), 1 Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9

One Prohibition Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on,

Hilan Chinese and Korean BBQ Restaurant, 45 Capel Street, Dublin 1

Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in March include:

Storage of bags of beef, fish and unlabelled unidentified meats and chicken in the freezer and the walk-in fridge for an unknown duration and with no traceability

Presence of fresh rat droppings

Evidence of a lack of adequate and regular cleaning throughout the premises

Continuous failure to maintain consistent cleaning standards

Persistent and recurring failure to comply with food safety legislation

Overflow of foul water into the food preparation area

Absence of adequate training/instruction of food workers

Absence of complete and accurate documented food allergen information

Dirt and food debris on walls, floors, doors, touch points, equipment, fridges, freezers, surfaces, and food storage containers in the kitchen

Lack of food safety knowledge and training

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that breaches of food safety legislation pose a real danger to consumer health.

"March saw a high number of Enforcement Orders and some of the reasons listed demonstrate totally inadequate hygiene standards.

"Consumers have a right to safe food and this legal obligation sits with the food business operators. These food businesses are damaging the reputation of the food industry as a whole and can impact the trust that consumers have in the food they eat.

"Environmental Health Officers, who inspect these food businesses, also continue to encounter cases where consumers health is put at risk particularly through a failure to comply with hygiene requirements, pest control and food safety training requirements, which is unacceptable." Dr Byrne concluded.

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAIs website at www.fsai.ie.

Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month from the date the Order was lifted.
The latest initiative for cross-border journeys has been announced, with 165m set to revolutionise travel between Belfast and Dublin.

The Peaceplus Programme is aimed at upgrading the "Enterprise" train service which promises an hourly timetable and faster journey times by the end of the decade.

The programme is a collaborative effort between the European Union, the UK Government, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive. With a substantial value of 1.14 billion, this initiative is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

At the heart of this endeavor is the Enterprise Fleet Replacement Programme which involves phasing out the existing Enterprise trains and introducing eight new, modern, and sustainable train-sets. These state-of-the-art trains will not only facilitate an hourly timetable but also contribute to reducing journey times to under two hours between Dublin and Belfast.

Jointly operated by Northern Ireland Railways and Iarnrod Eireann, the Enterprise service has been a vital link along the Belfast-Dublin economic corridor for over 75 years.

The introduction of new trains is poised to elevate this connection to new heights. Designed to adapt to the evolving infrastructure, these trains will pave the way for a fully electrified cross-border rail corridor, aligning with goals of achieving net zero carbon emissions.

The significance of this investment extends beyond mere transportation upgrades. European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira said: "The 165 million investment in improving the cross-border rail service between Belfast and Dublin by the Enterprise Fleet Replacement Programme transforms these ambitions into reality.

The investment will bring concrete benefits for the local communities. Citizens and businesses will have easier and quicker access to Dublin and Belfast and be more connected. This will help the local communities grow and create opportunities, while delivering on the net zero carbon emissions goal."

Ministers John ODowd and Eamon Ryan TD also expressed excitement over the prospects of an electrified inter-city service and improved accessibility, emphasising the role of rail travel in achieving decarbonisation objectives.
Elon Musk and Jamie Dimon say artificial intelligence will be smarter than humans and transform society.

The question now is whether the prognostications of one of the worlds richest people and the head of the nations largest bank will come to fruition, or turn out to be overstated.

In remarks this week, both Musk and Dimon joined a chorus of business executives making bold predictions about AIs potential for dramatic change.

My guess is that well have AI that is smarter than any one human probably around the end of next year," Musk said in an interview Monday with Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management, Norways $1.6 trillion sovereign fund and one of the largest investors in Tesla. The interview was broadcast on Musks social-media platform X.

Musk, who is chief executive of Tesla and also runs his own AI company, said AI was the fastest-advancing technology hes ever seen. He predicted it will probably surpass the collective intelligence of humans in five years.

Dimon, chief executive of JPMorgan Chase, told investors Monday that AI could be as transformative as some of the major technological inventions over the past several hundred years.

Think the printing press, the steam engine, electricity, computing and the Internet, among others," Dimon wrote in his annual letter to shareholders Monday. Dimons letter to shareholders is highly anticipated every year and read widely in the financial-service industry. He has said AI might lead future generations to only work 3 days a week.

In his letter to shareholders, AI was the first issue facing JPMorgan that Dimon highlighted in his letter.

A spokesman for Dimon declined to comment. A representative for Musk didnt respond to a request for comment.

A talent war

The AI race to build the next big thing has sparked a talent war in Silicon Valley. Tech companies have poured cash into AI at a breakneck pace, with investors and analysts increasingly believing the boom is sustainable. And the technology has supercharged the stock performances of many tech and chip companies aiming to cash in on it.

Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai has said AI could be more profound than the invention of fire or electricity. Vinod Khosla, founder of venture-capital firm Khosla Ventures, declared last year that within 10 years, AI will take on 80% of 80% of the jobs that exist today."

The need to work in society will disappear within 25 years for those countries that adapt these technologies," Khosla said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

And yet, the technology has also led to stark warnings about the future of humanity. Earlier this week, Japans largest telecommunications company and the countrys biggest newspaper cautioned in a manifesto that unless AI is restrained, in the worst-case scenario, democracy and social order could collapse, resulting in wars."

They called on Japanese lawmakers to pass legislation to restrain AI, pointing to rising concern about the AI programs U.S.-based companies have been developing.

In the U.S., the Biden administration last year invoked emergency federal powers to compel major AI companies to notify the government when developing systems that pose a serious risk to national security.

Is it all overblown?

Still, some experts say predictions of AIs transformative powers have been overblown.

Gary Marcus, a cognitive scientist who sold an AI startup to Uber in 2016, said generative AI may one day approach a level where it can transform society. But there has to be vast improvements to approach the level of change produced by the internet or even smartphones, he said.

Its possible as we make new discoveries and build better AI, much better than we have right now, that eventually AI could be transformative for the good," Marcus said in an interview.

Generative AI programs currently make too many mistakes, are unreliable and have a superficial understanding of the world, Marcus said.

In the short term, he said it is implausible that AI will approach human intelligence by the end of next year, like Musk predicted. Surpassing all of human intelligence in the next five years is also far-fetched, he said.

There are many foundational problems in understanding the physical and psychological world that these machines have not yet solved," Marcus said.

Marcus offered to wager $1 million with Musk that his prediction of AI becoming smarter than a human by next year turns out to be wrong. A representative for Musk didnt respond to a request for a comment about the wager.

A lot of hype

Theres a lot of hype in AI right now," says Angel Vossough, the co-founder and chief executive of BetterAI, which is working on an AI wine-recommendation tool.

She says AI systems are good at analyzing large data sets, and can make predictions or speed up productivity. But they are nowhere near being as intelligent as humans, she said, as a big part of human intelligence is emotional intelligence.

It needs to connect, understand and respond to human emotions in a way that actually feels authentic and meaningful," she said. I dont think were anywhere close."

Another issue with the AI boom: It is straining resources like electricity. Chip-design company Arm is funding efforts studying how to make AI applications more energy efficient.

Rene Haas, chief executive of Arm, said Tuesday that AI data centers could consume as much as 20% to 25% of U.S. power requirements by the end of the decade, up from about 4% or less today.

Dimon said JPMorgan now employs more than 2,000 AI and machine-learning experts after first experimenting with the technology more than a decade ago.

He said he envisions AI will help reimagine business workflows throughout the bank.

While we do not know the full effect or the precise rate at which AI will change our businessor how it will affect society at largewe are completely convinced the consequences will be extraordinary," Dimon said in his letter to shareholders.

Joseph Pisani contributed to this article.

Write to Joseph De Avila at joseph.deavila@wsj.com
Mumbai, April 10, 2024: SAS India, the leader in business analytics software and services announced its association with P P Savani University for its BBA & MBA-Business Analytics program. This strategic partnership aims to equip students with cutting-edge analytics skills, empowering them for the data-driven future.

With a commitment to fostering excellence in education, SAS India brings its unparalleled expertise in analytics to enrich the curriculum at P P Savani University. Through this collaboration, students pursuing BBA & MBA in Business Analytics will gain practical insights and hands-on experience using SAS analytics software, preparing them to confront real-world business challenges effectively.

The BBA & MBA-Business Analytics program at P P Savani University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of business analytics concepts, methodologies, and tools. With SAS analytics embedded throughout the coursework, students will gain proficiency in data analysis, predictive modelling, and data visualization, enhancing their employability and career prospects in various sectors.

Speaking about the collaboration, Bhuvan Nijhawan, Senior Director, Education, SAS Asia Pacific, stated, We are excited to join hands with P P Savani University to cultivate the next generation of analytics professionals. In today's competitive landscape, businesses rely on data-driven insights for informed decision-making. By integrating SAS analytics into the curriculum, we aim to empower students with the skills and knowledge essential to thrive in the rapidly evolving industry.

Dr. Parag Sanghani, Provost, P P Savani University, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "This is excellent news for those aspiring to become business analysts or data scientists. P P Savani University, in collaboration with SAS, is launching an integrated five-year BBA+MBA program in Business Analytics and a two-year MBA program. For all aspiring students, it's crucial to understand that interacting with requirements, data, and information provides invaluable insights into what thrives and what doesn't in today's technology age.

SAS India and P P Savani University are dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in business analytics education, enabling students to become proficient analysts and data-oriented decision-makers in the dynamic business environment.

About P P Savani University: P P Savani University, located in Gujarat, India, is a prestigious institution committed to providing exceptional education and fostering holistic development among its students. With a focus on innovation and industry relevance, P P Savani University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. The university's state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated faculty, and vibrant campus environment contribute to a dynamic learning experience. Committed to excellence, P P Savani University prepares students to excel in their chosen fields and emerge as leaders and innovators in the global landscape.

About SAS in Education SAS software has been part of education for four decades and is used at more than 3,000 educational institutions around the world.

About SAS SAS is a global leader in data and AI. With SAS software and industry-specific solutions, organizations transform data into trusted decisions. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW.

SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries.  indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright  2024 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.

Editorial Contact:

Kunal Aman

+91 22 6250 1600
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting a new round of interviews with Boeing and Federal Aviation Administration personnel this week in its probe of the January Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in-flight emergency.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy on Wednesday said investigators were back at the 737 plant in Renton, Washington, this week for more interviews.

"We are looking at other instances where a door plug was opened and closed to make sure that those records are available," Homendy said at a U.S. Senate hearing, saying investigators want to make sure those other instances were documented.

Boeing, whose shares fell 2% on Wednesday, declined to comment on the interviews.

Last month, Boeing said it believed that required documents detailing the removal of the door plug in the Alaska Airlines plane involved in the emergency were never created.

Homendy said on Wednesday that Boeing and investigators still do not know the personnel who worked on the Alaska Boeing 737 MAX 9 that suffered the emergency. "This work occurred in September. They move a lot of planes through that factory," Homendy said. "The biggest concern is missing records."

At issue is the process not the individuals, she said. "This isn't a gotcha on anybody," Homendy said, adding the NTSB has still been unable to interview the door plug team manager, who has been on sick leave.

The door plug panel blew off the Alaska Airlines flight not long after the plane took off from Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 5.

Homendy said investigators are also looking at the planemaker's safety culture. She said the NTSB could conduct a safety culture survey at Boeing.

Homendy said the planemaker was working well with the NTSB and providing documents sought. Boeing wants to understand what went wrong: "They want to know and they want to fix it," Homendy said.

Following the incident, the FAA grounded the MAX 9 for several weeks, barred Boeing from increasing MAX production, and ordered the company to address systemic quality-control issues within 90 days after an audit found fault with the company's manufacturing processes.

Story continues

The NTSB said previously that four key bolts were missing from the door plug that blew out.

The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into the emergency.

Homendy in March criticized what she called Boeing's lack of cooperation and failure to disclose some documents, including on the door plug opening and closing, as well as the names of 25 workers on the door crew in Renton. After Homendy's comments, Boeing provided the 25 names, and the planemaker said it was cooperating.

The NTSB plans to hold a public investigative hearing into the Alaska Airlines incident on Aug. 6-7.

Homendy said the hearing would include testimony from employees at Boeing and fuselage manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems and others like Alaska Airlines.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis and Leslie Adler)
Leading conglomerates Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Greenko Group, and Welspun New Energy have secured land parcels at Gujarat's Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla to set up green hydrogen and green ammonia production units, as per an Economic Times report.

According to industry executives, the cumulative investment in these projects could reach up to 1 lakh crore, making it one of the largest investments in the green energy infrastructure space in India, added the report.

Also Read | Indian Oil Corporation share price Today Live Updates: Indian Oil Corporation Stock Rises on Positive Trading Day

The port authority had received expressions of interest for 14 land parcels of 300 acres each in October 2023, with each parcel earmarked for 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of green ammonia production. Last month, DPA allotted the plots to the four companies, with RIL securing six plots, L&T five, Greenko Group two, and Welspun New Energy one, as per the report.

DPA offered 14 plots with around 4,000 acres of land in total. Of these, RIL has been allotted six plots, L&T has been allotted five, Greenko Group has bagged two and Welspun New Energy has been allotted one plot. These four companies had bid the highest in the auction, said one of the executives, as quoted by Economic Times.

Livemint could not independently verify this news.

The move is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production, utilisation, and export. The mission targets a green hydrogen production capacity of 5 MTPA by 2030, with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW and a cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports by over 1 lakh crore, the report further added.

Also Read | GM Breweries share price Today Live Updates: GM Breweries Stock Rises on Positive Trading Day
MUMBAI : Before the Samsonites and Mokobaras, one Indian brand ruled the local luggage market: VIP. Eight out of 10 branded luggage pieces sold in the country was a VIP, a brand that came to define the luggage industry. That was then.

When challengers arrived with unique designs and novel features, VIP fell back, entering a long period of decline in margins and market share, prompting its owners to finally consider a sale. But, in a rethink, the promoters decided to give it another chance last year, hiring a new managing director to raise revenue and cut costs, in an attempt to revive the brand's fortunes.

The task is tough  Neetu Kashiramka is VIPs third MD in as many years. Margins have slumped to 9% and the company is sitting on a large pile of inventory, raising costs. With its promoters  the Piramal family -- unlikely to step in and take charge, the business also faces a succession challenge.

This organization is on the verge of transformation," said Kashiramka, who was named MD on 15 August, 2023 and took over on 14 November. There are a lot of challenges when it's a legacy organization; every cost will have a bulge."

Mint had reported in October that promoters were looking to sell the business, which has a market capitalization of 7,675 crore. That plan, however, has been put on hold as VIP focusses on improving its margins, before seeking a better valuation, a person with knowledge of the matter told Mint.

The company, which owns brands including Aristocrat, Skybag, Caprese, and Carlton, alongside its flagship, VIP, has been battling a decline in revenue and loss off key personnel to both long-standing competitors and emerging startups.

Yet, Kashiramka, with her conservative Marwari family upbringing, knows the value of a good hustle, and with over 27 years as a finance professional, she has been keeping a tight rein on costs.

They (promoters), anyway, want to sell this company, right? But my view is that I should be allowed at least three years for this transformation. So, minimum three years I have before they sell at a great valuation," Kashiramka said in an interview.

This means she needs to make sure the organization "stays relevant", grows profitably and attains margins aligned with the industry.

But it's a legacy organization and it is like taking a U-turn of a large ship, like a Titanic. That's the challenge," she noted.

Dilip Piramal, 74, is the chairperson of VIP Industries, while his daughter Radhika Piramal, an Oxford and Harvard Business School graduate, is the vice chairperson, based in London.

With a clear plan to elevate Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) margins to 15% by FY25, Kashiramka has a three-year goal of reaching 20%, which is closer to VIP's historical benchmarks.

Her strategy? Cutting costs, shifting to an asset-light model, and quicker product launches.

Market share and product mix

VIPs biggest problem is no secret  it has steadily lost market share over the last decade to entrenched rivals such as Samsonite and Safari Industries, as well as new-age D2C brands such as Mokobara and startups like Acefour Accessories. Many of these brands are now led by former VIP executives.

In a span of five years, VIP's market dominance has shrunk from 48% of the organized market to a 37% share. This means about four out of 10 buyers of branded luggage owns a VIP product.

"Can I make it five?," Kashiramka asked. "It used to be eight, 15 years ago," she said.

"As soon as I took over, I visited 20 marketscustomers are not buying because they feel the product is not relevant for them," she said.

In response, VIP is making its products more premium with features such as USB ports, and introducing advanced trolleys and vibrant colours.

As per a Nuvama research report dated 24 March, VIP has stopped making 50 products that had few takers.

Kashiramka has brought on board a new designer with the mandate to create new products, something the industry has not seen before".

VIP is targeting 15-20% compounded annual growth rate in revenue over the next three to five years. In FY23, the luggage maker clocked a revenue of 2,082 crore, up 61% year-on-year.

Kashiramka is exploring new product domains including backpacks and duffles, targeting a significant shift in VIPs product mix towards a more even distribution between luggage and non-luggage items. Currently, 75% of VIPs business comes from luggage. While luggage replacement cycle has come down to two to three years, backpacks are replaced annually by most, she said.

Over the next three years, she expects the revenue split to change to 60-40 in favour of luggage.

"Major raw materials consumed in manufacture of hard luggage are polypropylene and aluminium. Any substantial rise in their prices will adversely impact the company's margins and hence profitability. However, the company has been taking price increases and changing their sourcing from low cost countries India and Bangladesh versus China earlier, which will lead to structural gross margin improvement," the Nuvama report said. It added that the company has held two vendor meets and addressed many issues.

VIPs other major problem is its inability to correctly forecast trends.

Soft luggage has become a major headache for VIP with the company sitting on 400 crore worth of inventory, because demand suddenly dropped. It used to sell 250,000 pieces of soft luggage per month until six months ago, but now it is down to 50,000.

To cut costs, VIP has laid off 4,000 workers in the last three months at its Bangladesh factory, which makes soft luggage.

The bigger loss, Kashiramka says, is that the halt in production in Bangladesh has resulted in a monthly loss of 2-3 crore. "Currently, I have twice the normal inventory, which is driving up my warehousing expenses. Once I've reduced inventory to normal levels, my warehousing costs will halve," she said.

Kashiramka now aims to repurpose the Bangladesh plants towards the production of diverse luggage types, including backpacks and duffles.

The future

VIP is planning to pivot away from its traditional manufacturing-heavy approach. The future strategy emphasizes bolstering research and development efforts and launching innovative products, rather than heavy investments in manufacturing infrastructure. For expansion in hard luggage, Kashiramka is considering manufacturing operations closer to key markets, aiming for a distributed production strategy that minimizes capital expenditure and reduces freight costs.

"We were more focussed on back-end earlier rather than the front-end, which was a key mistake," she said.

Kashiramka also anticipates substantial growth in the direct-to-consumer (D2C) and e-commerce sectors, setting a target to increase the company's online sales to approximately 25% within the next 2-3 years.

In fact, only 6% of our revenue was coming from e-commerce pre-covid, and today it is 20%," she said.

Over the next five years, Kashiramka also wants VIP to transform from just a luggage manufacturer to a business that also sells related products. "When you go and buy a (piece of) luggage, there are lots of other things which you need (if you are) travelling; you need some pouches, you need some other carriers, everything should be available with (VIP)," she added.

The company's struggles in declining margins and shrinking market share have reflected in its stock price, which has fallen by over 25% in the past two years. On Wednesday, shares of the company closed at 538.50, nearly unchanged from its previous close.

That said, investors now appear to be placing their hopes on turnaround strategies.

"On fruition, the revival strategy is likely to result in market share gains while Ebitda margin is likely to improve to 15% from 2HFY25E once warehousing, freight and accelerated spends on e-com stablilize," a Prabhudas Lilladher report dated 28 March said.
BENGALURU : Software-as-a-service platform Fractal Analytics is bullish on growth driven by a surge in adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) worldwide, even as revenues moderated last year, according to Fractal Analytics co-founder and group chief executive officer Srikanth Velamakanni.

Revenues weren't as "explosive" as the company had imagined owing to challenging economic conditions, Velamakanni said. "We had a tough beginning to our last fiscal (FY24) because of the entire macroeconomic slowdown," Velamakanni told Mint in an interview.

There was a lot of excitement as well as confusion and friction around AI implementation, he said. "Businesses had to rethink their AI spends as safety, privacy & security concerns took centerstage with the growing power of AI models. Everyone was scrambling to figure out the optimal strategy for their company in this age of AI," Velamakanni added.

However, the company is positioned for robust growth and much of the AI-driven revenue is yet to come in as companies globally look to further automate their businesses and improve efficiency, Velamakanni said.

"Every major company's board is paying serious attention to AI, as AI is seen as one of the biggest opportunities as well as a major source of disruption to their current business model," Velamakanni said.

In FY23, the company posted a 55.5% jump in consolidated revenues to 2,043 crore from a year earlier, as per its latest filings sourced from Tofler.

Fractal Analytics reported a profit of 194 crore in FY23 from a loss of 148 crore a year earlier. It benefited from an exceptional item gain from the loss of control of a subsidiary company, as per the company's filings.

Fractal receives about 95% of its revenues from outside India with 70% coming from the US.

Despite receiving a bulk of its revenues from international locations, the company will remain based in India and aims to tap the public markets by the end of this year, people familiar with the matter told Mint.

While the Mumbai-based company had initially planned to go public in 2021, it decided to defer its plans owing to poor market conditions, one of the people cited above said.

Last month, Moneycontrol reported on Fractal's plans to raise over $500 million at a $3-$3.5 billion valuation through an initial public offer and appointed investment banks Kotak Mahindra Bank and Morgan Stanley for the listing.

Though Velamakanni declined to comment on the IPO plans, he said the company has the scale and readiness to go public and it is certainly a part of the long-term strategy.

Fractal Analytics claims to be one of the largest spenders on research and development with about 10-12% of its revenues going into related projects. It joins the growing list of companies like Freshworks, Gupshup and LatentView Analytics that are riding the AI wave currently.

Founded in 2000 by Velamakanni, Pranay Agrawal, Nirmal Palaparthi, Pradeep Suryanarayan and Ramkrishna Reddy, Fractal Analytics serves across seven industries including consumer packaged goods, retail, financial services and insurance. It offers AI-driven data solutions to about 150 of the Fortune 500 companies, including Google and Wells Fargo.

Fractal's target group includes companies with either $20 billion in market capitalization or $10 billion in revenues or those with at least 30 million customers, Velamakanni said.

In the early years, Fractal Analytics operated as a pure-play analytics firm that offered data solutions to companies such as ICICI Bank and Hindustan Unilever (HUL). Some of its services included building a statistical scorecard using mathematical models and a process called 'logistic regression' for ICICI to help the banking giant identify credible people who are seeking loans.

Similarly, the company analysed changing consumer behaviour for HUL during the dotcom bubble in 2000 to help the conglomerate understand what it can do to retain customers and make better business decisions with its data.

As time progressed, clients also began to realise the merit of AI and data-driven tools and this led Fractal to acquire companies and build AI businesses internally to support them, the CEO said. Some of its businesses include Asper.ai (AI for revenue growth management), Senseforth.ai (conversational AI for customer service) and Flyfish (generative AI for sales).

Over the last few years, the company got more than $600 million from investors including private equity firm TA Associates and TPG and sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad through primary and secondary transactions, as per data sourced from Tracxn.

"We had the financial muscle to invest in new businesses and spin off some of these amazing companies such as Qure.ai, Asper.ai & Senseforth.ai only after the Khazanah deal," Velamakanni said.

In 2016, Khazanah pumped in $100 million at a $300 million valuation. In 2022, the company achieved a unicorn status or a billion-dollar valuation after TPG invested $360 million.

Fractal also incubates businesses and later hives them off as they become successful ventures. So far, it has incubated about half a dozen companies including healthcare startup Qure.ai which raised funds from Sequoia Capital (Peak XV Partners) in 2020.
If China's old people formed their own country, it would be the fourth most populous in the world, right behind America. This silver-haired state would be growing fast, too. Chinas over-60 population sits at 297m, or 21% of the total. By 2050 those figures are expected to reach 520m and 38%. Yet demographers describe Chinas future as greyerand smaller. For while its oldest cohorts are growing, younger ones are not (see chart). Chinas total population declined for the second year in a row in 2023. The countrys labour force has been shrinking for most of the past decade.

View Full Image Graphic: The Economist

Chinas economy risks shrinking, too, as a result. With an enormous burden of care on the horizon, the government senses an impending disaster. To date its efforts have focused on boosting the fertility rate (average births per woman), which stands at 1.2far below the 2.1 required to keep the population stable. Now, though, it is talking about adaptation. During his state-of-the-nation speech last month, the 64-year-old prime minister, Li Qiang, sketched out what he called a vigorous national strategy" on ageing, covering everything from insurance schemes to pension reform.

China is far from the only country facing demographic decline. The populations of Japan, Italy, South Korea and many other nations are expected to shrink at an even faster rate over the next two decades. The median age in Japan has shot up close to 50, whereas in China it is around 40. And it could be argued that China has another advantage: its autocratic government need not cater to elderly voters, whose electoral influence often distorts policy in democracies. In fact, the elderly in China expect little from the state.

Chinese officials, then, appear to have no cause for timidity. On top of being vigorous, one might have expected Mr Lis plan to be bold. So far, though, Chinas leaders have not pursued the types of reforms needed for their country to escape its demographic destiny. And the longer they wait, the harder their task becomes.

Working the problem

Broadly speaking, China faces three big challenges. The first is how to counteract the decline in the labour force in order to avoid a slowdown in GDP growth. Over the past four decades the economy has expanded by a dizzying 9% a year, on average, aided by a bulge of working-age adults. Now, though, many of these workers are hitting retirement age. Worse, China is getting old before it gets rich. In 2008, when Japans population started to fall, its GDP per person was already about $47,500 in todays dollars. Chinas is just $21,000. It may therefore have to forgo some productivity-boosting investments in order to spend more on protecting its ageing citizens.

Still, there is much that China can do to keep its economy growing. To start, it could raise the retirement ages for drawing a public pension. Chinas are among the worlds lowest. Most men can stop working at 60. Women who work in offices can retire at 55 and those in factories at 50. Since these rules were set last century the average life expectancy in China has risen from under 60 to close to 80. If Chinas elderly were to have the same labour force participation as in Japannot a very ambitious targetby 2035 some 40m more people would be at work," writes Bert Hofman of the National University of Singapore. Chinese officials have been floating the idea of reforms since 2008, but only now do they seem serious. Observers expect a staged increase in retirement ages to begin next year.

Meanwhile, China can make better use of the workers it has. Half of Chinese aged 20 to 24 have attended university or vocational college, compared with just 7% of those who are about to retire. In rural areas, though, few people make it past high school. Improving the skills of this group would go a long way. Mr Hofman reckons that, all other things being equal, the shrinking labour force will cost China one percentage point of GDP growth each year over the next decade. But a longer working, better educated labour force could cancel out that effect, he says.

The changes should not stop there. Officials need to think harder about what Chinese workers do and where they do it. About a quarter of them work in agriculture, compared with less than 3% in rich countries. Chinas supreme leader, Xi Jinping (age 70), talks a big game about boosting advanced manufacturing in order to create high-productivity jobs. These are likely to be in cities. But Chinas hukou, or household registration system, impedes the movement of workers. The countrys urbanisation rate is about 65%. It should aim for 75-80%, says Alicia Garcia-Herrero of Natixis, a bank.

In the longer term, demographers believe more machinery and labour-saving technology will also help compensate for a smaller labour force. China has about 400 robots per 10,000 workers, which is higher than most countries. But it is still less than half of South Koreas level of automation. China is trying to catch up. In 2022 half of all the industrial robots installed worldwide were fitted in China, according to the International Federation of Robotics, an industry body. Assuming the country is able to double its number of such machines to 3m by 2050, the robot dividend could make up for more than half of the future labour shortage", according to a study led by researchers at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Old money

If Chinas first challenge is how to produce as many goods and services as possible from a diminished workforce, the second is how to make sure the elderly have a sufficient claim on those items. At the moment, many old people rely on their families for support. That might please Mr Xi, who often talks about the Confucian virtue of filial piety. Shortly after he came to power in 2012, China made it illegal for children to neglect their parents. But with fewer young people around, oldsters will increasingly have to support themselves.

Pensions are the solution in most countries, and China has its own schemes. The largest state-run fund relies on contributions from employees and companies. It pays out about 3,600 yuan ($500) a month on average, or around 50% of what recipients were earning before they retired. That compares with over 60% in the OECD, a club of rich countries. Still, the Chinese beneficiaries get enough to pay for basic expenses in most urban areas. But the fund only covers salaried workers in cities, less than half of the labour force. A separate scheme covering the rest of the workforce relies, for the most part, on state subsidies. It pays out a measly 200 yuan a month on average.

A lack of generosity is not the only problem. As the number of retirees swells, these schemes are running out of money. The larger one is on track to go broke by 2035, according to projections by a government think-tank. To maintain them both at their current benefit levels, spending would have to double by 2050, reaching 10% of GDP. (Pensioner benefit spending in Britain, by contrast, is about 5% of GDP.)

In order to ease its burden, the government is trying to convince more people to sign up for private pensions. Since 2022 workers have been able to set aside savings in tax-deferred accounts accessible upon retirement. Only 50m people have enrolled so far (attracted by incentives like discounts on phone bills). Most of the accounts are still empty. Officials say workers dont understand the importance of pension planning. But a deeper problem is that many Chinese distrust financial products, preferring to put their money in property.

That leaves the government with some tough choices to make. It could press companies to contribute more to the larger state-run pension scheme. At present, many smaller firms dodge this responsibility. Or the government could hike taxes to fill the gap in its funding. That would involve root-and-branch reform of the fiscal system, says Christine Wong of the National University of Singapore. Chinas tax revenue accounts for about 20% of GDP, compared with an average of 34% across the OECD.

Another option is to make the states pension schemes even less generous. But that risks sending more old people into poverty. Unlike in many Western countries, the elderly in China tend to be poorer than people from younger generations, who prospered more during the boom years. A study by researchers at Peking University found that 13% of Chinas over-60s lived on less than 300 yuan a month in 2020. So this option appears to be a non-starter. We will continue to increase basic pensions for retirees," said Mr Li last month.

Invest in silver

It will be tricky enough for the government to ensure that the elderly have a sufficient claim on the countrys output. But it must also make certain that the economy is producing the right stuff to satisfy an older populations needs. That is the final challengeand the government is relying on market forces to play a role in allocating resources. Mr Li has promised to develop the silver economy", a term used to describe goods and services aimed at old people. The sector will be worth 30trn yuan by 2035, up from 7trn today, according to official estimates.

Companies see opportunities, producing such things as medical equipment that can monitor old peoples health at home and alert doctors in an emergency. The demand for nutritional supplements like calcium (for ageing bones) has increased. Analysts reckon the market for adult diapers could overtake the one for infant products by 2025. Meanwhile, the state is subsidising private investment in everything from companion robots to anti-ageing gene therapy. New kinds of jobs are emerging, too. Paid escorts, for example, accompany the elderly to hospitals and offer them emotional support.

But when it comes to more substantial care services, the scale of demand is such that the government will have to step up. As the number of old people suffering from chronic diseases and disabilities increases, the potential cost of long-term care nationwide will triple to $247bn per year by 2050, according to estimates from researchers at Chongqing Technology and Business University.

In cities like Shanghai, where local coffers are flush, the government seems to be doing a decent job. Officials have launched a programme to renovate the houses of old people, adding elevators, handrails and alarms. Cheap community canteens, which deliver, are being built in some districts. Officials also subsidise home bathing services for those with disabilities or dementia, taking notice of a practice that is common in Japan.

Most local governments, though, are short of cash. The care homes they maintain are either shoddy or have long waiting lists. Then there is the problem of staffing. China has 500,000 trained carers. It needs 6m, estimates Xinhua, an official news agency. In rural areas, officials are relying on what they call mutual aid" projects, where younger old people help care for older ones.

For now few are complaining. Many have lived through far more difficult periods, such as the great Chinese famine (from 1959 to 1961) and the Cultural Revolution (from 1966 to 1976). Lauren Johnston of the University of Sydney calls Chinas old people the suck-it-up generation". Indeed, they were forced to do just that when the government lifted most of its covid-19 restrictions in late 2022, without having adequately prepared for a big wave of the disease. Over 1m people are thought to have died in the months that followed. Most of them were old. The ruling Communist Party, which covered up the true death toll, paid no real political price.

But Chinas leaders do not completely ignore the feelings of old people. Indeed, one reason so many died of covid was because the government refused to mandate vaccination for fear of a backlash from the elderly. The next generation of oldsters may have more considerable demands. In 2049 the party will celebrate 100 years of its rule. By then half a billion Chinese will be over the age of 60. They will have grown up during boom times and may expect to while away their sunset years in comfort. If the party gets things wrong, its biggest critics may not be young liberals, but old curmudgeons.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
New Delhi: India and the Czech Republic are in talks to enhance defence cooperation, leveraging the shared utilization of Soviet and Russian-made defense platforms between the two nations.

The discussions center on the possibility of Czech defense firms providing maintenance services, spares, and equipment to the Indian Army and Air Force, Eliska Zigova, Czech Republics Ambassador to India, said in an interview.

We understand that India has had a lot of cooperation in the past with the Soviet Unions defense industry. And the same was true with the erstwhile Czechoslovakia. So, we have a lot of knowledge about Soviet weaponry. One way that our companies propose to work with India is to help us maintain spare parts, and with the modernization of this weaponry and common platforms," Zigova said.

The Czech government is interested in facilitating discussions between the Czech defense ministrys intergovernmental defense cooperation agency, and Indias defense ministry, she added.

The possibility for such a collaboration has increased since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022. Russias defence industry, traditionally Indias primary supplier, has faced challenges due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, leading to delays in defence cooperation.

Consequently, India has been diversifying its sources for defense equipment to lower its dependence on Russia. Both sides are interested in enhancing security ties, Zigova said, asserting her government's stand.

Both partners underline the importance of innovations in defence, and are satisfied with the existing connections among their entities in these areas. They are committed to further encouraging cooperation, including in R&D, training and innovative production solutions, involving Czech and Indian stakeholders," the two countries had said in a joint statement at the India-Czechia Strategic Partnership on Innovation, which was held during Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala's visit to India in January.

The Czech Republic is also eager to import pharmaceutical products from India. However, even as the Czech government seeks high-quality partners in India to reduce its dependence on China for pharma products, stringent approval processes have posed challenges.

We are interested in pharmaceutical cooperation and there is a conversation on this. The director of one of the biggest hospitals in Prague was in India to discuss this. The main obstacle is the very strict approval which we need for importing pharmacy products. So, we need to work to find foreign companies in India, who will be acceptable and get these approvals," said Zigova.

Furthermore, discussions are underway between the two countries for a migration and mobility agreement, aimed at facilitating Indians to work in the Czech Republic. Currently, the nation hosts around 9,000 Indians, primarily comprising business professionals and students.

India has signed a number of migration and labour mobility partnerships in recent years, particularly with the UK, Australia, Italy, France, Germany and Austria.
New Delhi: The Union commerce ministry has placed the finalization of the India-United Kingdom (UK) free trade agreement at the top of its 100-day agenda after a new government takes charge following the Lok Sabha elections, two persons aware of the development said.

Besides, the ministry aims to conclude most of the chapters of trade pacts with Sri Lanka, Peru, South Korea, ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), as well as comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) with Australia as part of its 100-day plan that is being prepared, the persons cited above said.

The agenda is getting prepared and the process to finalize 100-day plan is underway," the first person said.

Different ministries will submit their respective 100-day plan to a group of ministers, likely to be set by this month-end, which will finalize the new government's 100-day agenda.

To expedite the FTA with the UK, the commerce ministry has sent its top negotiator to London, with the task of resolving all the contentious chapters and sealing the deal within 100 days of the formation of the new government at the Centre.

The talks with the UK are in the final stages.

Chapter-wise textual negotiations with the UK are nearly closed and schedules on goods and services are at an advanced stage of negotiations," the second person said.

A high-ranking team from the UK recently visited New Delhi for negotiations, and progress has been made on resolving most of the remaining issues. Efforts are underway to address a couple of key priority issues to ensure a balanced outcome and seal the deal," the person cited above said.

Queries emailed to the commerce secretary, and spokespersons of the Union commerce ministry remained unanswered until press time.

A British High Commission spokesperson said: The UK and India continue to work towards an ambitious trade deal that works for both countries. While we do not comment on the details of negotiations, we are clear that we will only sign a deal that is fair, balanced, and ultimately in the best interests of the British people and the economy."

The talks between India and Australia to expand the scope of existing economic cooperation and trade agreement (ECTA) for a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) are also progressing at a healthy rate," the second person cited above said.

In the last four years, India has signed FTAs with Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, and the EFTA countries (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) in fast-track mode. The FTAs with the UK and Oman are almost ready and may be signed soon after the formation of the new government post elections," said Ajay Srivastava, the founder of Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a think tank.

Set up in 1960, EFTA stands for European Free Trade Association, and is an intergovernmental organization of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland that seeks to promote free trade among its members.

India's FTA partners warmly reciprocate the fast-track negotiation strategy, as the FTA with India allows access to a large and growing market bypassing high tariff walls," Srivastava said.

Successfully concluding FTAs with developed countries would send a positive signal to the world, showcasing India's commitment to trade liberalization and economic integration at a time the whole world is turning protectionist," he added.

However, the GTRI chief asked the government to issue a white paper on the performance of FTAs.

This will tell us if the FTAs have become pivotal instruments for India's economic expansion and integration into the world market or if we are merely giving away market access to partner countries," he said.

In response to an emailed query, an Australian High Commission spokesperson said: Concluding an ambitious comprehensive economic cCooperation agreement (CECA) with India is a top priority for Australia. We are working with India to do this as quickly as possible, in line with a commitment from our prime ministers."

The CECA will help realize the enormous potential in our complementary economies and build on the early success of our initial Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement," the spokesperson added.

In the trade agreement negotiations with Peru, the seventh round of talks is currently on. Both sides anticipate resolving major outstanding issues related to goods and services during this round.

India hosted the third round of joint committee meetings for the trade agreement negotiations with ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement, commonly known as ATIGA. The negotiations for the review of ATIGA were held during 16-19 February.

Both sides are increasing their engagement by holding more meetings of sub-committees.

Additionally, they are examining non-tariff barriers parallel to the negotiations. The fourth round of dialogues for the ATIGA is scheduled for 7-9 May in Kuala Lumpur. Also, both sides have set a target to conclude the ATIGA dialogues by early 2025.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has sent a legal notice to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, accusing him of making defamatory statements against him on a TV channel recently. In the notice, Chandrasekhar has sought Tharoor to "immediately withdraw" all the allegations made against him and tender an "unconditional public apology".

Speaking with ANI, the Union Minister said that the Congress leader likely made the allegations in his desperation.

I think Shashi Tharoor, in his desperation, has flung a lot of allegations at me, he said.

Chandrasekhar said Tharoor, in one of the allegations, said that the BJP leader is paying money for votes. I have said very clearly that, I will not be drawn into this negative type of politics.

"However, if anybody defames me and attempts to trespass into an area by telling lies about me, I will certainly not be quiet. I will certainly use all the tools under the law to ensure that that person is held accountable," he told ANI.

Also read: After Congress complaint EC directs CBDT to verify assets declared by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar The BJP leader also warned of appropriate criminal and civil proceedings in a competent court of law, if the Congress MP fails to comply with the conditions of the legal notice within 24 hours.

In the notice, Chandrasekhar has alleged that Tharoor disseminated "patently false information" regarding bribing of key voters and influential figures such as parish priests, among others, by him.

Chandrasekhar is the BJP candidate for Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram. He has been pitched against Congress MP Tharoor in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 scheduled for April 26 in the constituency.

The notice charged that Tharoor's statements were made with an intent to harm Chandrasekhar's reputation and image. His remarks also disrespected the entire Christian community of Thiruvananthapuram and its leaders, as he had accused them of engaging in cash-for-votes activities, it added.

Also read: Shashi Tharoor accepts Rajeev Chandrasekhar's challenge for open debate, 'people of Thiruvananthapuram aware The Congress MP's statements were also in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The notice further claimed the statements were also targeted at injuring the BJP leader's election campaign and benefitting Tharoor in the elections.

Also read: Rajeev Chandrasekhar's family assets decline from  65 cr to  36 cr in 5 years;  680 taxable income in FY21-22 It sought Tharoor to "immediately withdraw" all the allegations made against Chandrashekhar on April 6 and tender an unconditional public apology to him in print and electronic media.

In the notice, MoS IT said the Congress MP should "cease, refrain and desist from defaming, harassing, hampering the reputation" of Chandrashekhar in the future.
Reacting to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Dayanidhi Maran's 'joker' remarks against him, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president K Annamalai hit back at the DMK leader saying that he is 'useless' without family's surname.

Annamalai went on to say that Dayanidhi wouldn't even get a got job.

"If you remove the word Maran from Dayanidhi, he will not even get a job. He is totally useless without his family's surname. But unfortunately, when they know they are losing, DMK will always take recourse to abuse and filth," he said while also slamming the the ruling DMK for resorting to ugly politics of 'abuse and filth'.

The BJP Tamil Nadu chief said that the DMK is founded on the language of filth and is one of the ugliest political parties in the country.

"And if you look at DMK's history their abuse of women, their intolerance for any newcomer and the kind of abusive language they brought into political vocabulary. Nobody in our state has done over the last 70 years. DMK stands for abuse at its worst," he said.

A badge of honour Annamalai, a self-made man, said that he will adorn the abuses by DMK as a badge of honour.

If the DMK is abusing me, I take it as a badge of honour because all of us are self-made people from the ground by virtue of hard work, we are standing in a position trying to serve our people, not like Maran or Stalin or Udhayanidhi.

The BJP Tamil Nadu chief added that the DMK leaders are in politics only because of their family initials.

Annamalai has been fielded against DMK's Ganapathy P Rajkumar from Coimbatore's Lok Sabha seat. While Maran is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Chennai Central.

Also read: 59% of DMK candidates have criminal cases against them - Where does BJP rank? What was Dayanidhi Maran's 'joker' remark? Former union minister Dayanidhi Maran had recently dismissed Annamalai as a "joker" and a "lame duck" who was being overestimating for his role in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024.

In an interview with India Today, Maran dismissed the challenge posed by Annamalai in the Lok Sabha polls by saying "Who's that? Oh, the Joker, you are talking about the Joker. Are you overestimating, he is a lame duck."

He was asked about the "fear of Annamalai" in the political arena and if the BJP Tamil Nadu chief was the rising star of the saffron party.

Maran, however, stood by his remarks even after facing a backlash from the Prime Minister himself.

He reiterated that Annamalai keeps on changing his stance on issues, just like a chameleon. Maran also called the BJP leader a good entertainer needed in politics.

First, he was against NEET. Now he supports NEET. He says that he doesn't know Hindi. Then he now speaks fluent Hindi. He keeps on changing his colours like a Chameleon. He behaves like a joker, he said.

"So I stand by my stand words. He is a joker. We need people like him. He's a good entertainer. Please Annamalai, continue," Maran added.

Also read: 'Always does politics of hate and division': PM Modi slams ruling DMK for being 'immersed in arrogance' PM Modi defends Annamalai While addressing a rally in Coimbatore's Mettupalayam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi jumped to Annamalai's defence and said Maran's remarks reflects the character of the ruling party and its 'arrogance against the great culture of Tamil Nadu'.

"DMK is a party that is immersed in the arrogance of power. When a senior leader of DMK was asked about our young leader Annamalai, he said in arrogance 'Who is he, who is that' and used insulting words. This arrogance is against Tamil Nadu's great culture. The people of Tamil Nadu will never like this arrogance," he said.
CAIROHamas largely rejected a U.S. plan for a temporary cease-fire in Gaza, mediators said Wednesday, and plans instead to put forward its own road map for a permanent end to the six-month-old conflict with Israel.

The dismissal illustrates the wide disagreement between the two parties on the contours of a deal and reflects Hamass growing confidence that diplomatic and domestic pressure on Israel to end the war gives the U.S.-designated terrorist group the upper hand in negotiations.

Hamas is seeking a permanent cease-fire and the full withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from Gaza in return for the release of hostages held in the strip. Israel has expressed openness to negotiating on the U.S. proposal for a temporary truce but wants the option of continuing its military campaign afterward.

The U.S. plan, presented by Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns to officials from Israel, Hamas, Qatar and Egypt in Cairo, calls for a six-week cease-fire in Gaza. During the pause in fighting, Hamas would release 40 of the hostages the group is holding in the enclave in exchange for 900 Palestinian prisoners from Israels jails, including 100 serving long sentences on terrorism-related charges, the plan said. Many of the 133 hostages held in Gaza are believed dead.

Israels war cabinetmade up of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and former head of the Israeli military, Benny Gantzmet Tuesday evening to discuss the U.S. proposal, before they then talked it through with a broader group of ministers.

A senior Israeli official familiar with the negotiations said Wednesday morning that Israel was open to using the U.S. proposal as a basis for talks, but that the plan is seen as favoring Hamas. Israeli officials view the proposals plan for the return of Palestinian civilians to northern Gaza and the ratio of prisoners to hostages as major concessions.

But there is a majority in the government that would vote to ratify a deal, even if there are tough concessions on Israels part, the official said. If Hamas provides a counterproposal that moves negotiations forward, the two sides will be able to enter into serious negotiations, the official said.

Hamas officials told mediators in discussions this week in Cairo that their main issue with the U.S. plan was that it made no reference to an end to the war and that they instead would put forward their own proposal later this week based on an earlier proposal.

Under that plan, Hamas said it would release hostages who were women, children and elderly in return for the release of some Palestinians in Israeli jails, the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from parts of Gaza, the increased entry of aid and the return of free movement of Palestinians around the strip. In a second phase of this deal, Hamas would release other hostages in return for a full Israeli withdrawal from the strip.

Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza after a Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that Israeli officials say killed some 1,200 people in Israel, most of them civilians. More than 33,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed since the Israeli offensive began, according to Palestinian health officials, whose figures dont distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Israel is under pressure from the U.S. and other allies to wrap up its six-month-old military campaign in Gaza and ease a deepening humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Calls for a cease-fire have increased after the Israeli military hit an aid convoy last week, killing seven humanitarian workers. Israel said the military wrongly identified the aid workers cars as hostile targets and that its troops lacked the evidence to order the strikes.

President Biden in an interview broadcast Tuesday on Univision called the deaths outrageous" and said the Israelis should just call for a cease-fire.

Write to Summer Said at summer.said@wsj.com, Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com and Rory Jones at Rory.Jones@wsj.com
More than 800 Black female and non-binary actors have signed an open letter in solidarity with Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who stars opposite Tom Holland in a forthcoming West End production of Romeo & Juliet.

Amewudah-Rivers has been the subject of vile online abuse after her casting as the female lead was announced in February.

Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim and Marianne Jean-Baptiste are among the 883 signatories of the letter, which was published in The Guardian on Wednesday (10 April).

It was the initiative of Enola Holmes actor Susan Wokoma and Crowning Glory playwright Somalia Nonye Seaton.

The racist and misogynistic abuse directed at such a sweet soul has been too much to bear, it reads.

For a casting announcement of a play to ignite such twisted ugly abuse is truly embarrassing for those so empty and barren in their own lives that they must meddle in hateful abuse.

Frances Amewudah-Rivers (Jamie Lloyd Company)

It continues: We want to send a clear message to Francesca and all Black women performers who face this kind of abuse  WE see you. We see the art you manage to produce with not only the pressures that your white colleagues face but with the added traumatic hurdle of misogynoir.

Those that came before you are by your side. Those waiting in the wings, are by your side. Allow yourself space to play and find joy in this role that your hard work and commitment has brought forth. We are so excited to watch you shine.

Every Tongue That Rises Up Against You Will Fall.

And to the keyboard warriors who feel discomfort in Our visibility, cry on the internet all you want, but We are here to stay.

The letter follows a statement issued by the Jamie Lloyd theatre company condemning the barrage of deplorable racial abuse.

Director Jamie Lloyd called Amewudah-Rivers an exceptional young artist.

Tom Holland (right) and Amewudah-Rivers in Romeo and Juliet promo (Jamie Lloyd Company)

The signatories welcomed the theatre companys statement and said it hoped it would extend to committed emotional support for Francesca on her journey with the production.

Holland  best known for his role as Marvels Spider-Man  has been urged to speak out in support of his co-star. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story actor Arsema Thomas wrote on Instagram: You lot need to put pressure on @tomholland2023s head top. I need my guy to say something, ANYTHING, about the disgusting racial abuse being thrown at our angel Fran.

Hollands representatives did not return The Independents request for comment.

Amewudah-Rivers is best known for playing Blessing in the Jack Whitehall comedy TV series Bad Education. She also played Gifty in Jocelyn Biohs play School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play at the Lyric Hammersmith theatre last year.

Lloyds Romeo and Juliet opens at the Duke of Yorks Theatre on 23 May and runs until 3 August.
For almost as long as it has been accepted in China that to get rich is glorious", it has also been known that to get out can be glorious, too. The urge felt by many newly well-off Chinese citizens to emigrate has been a big reason for the growth of investment migration" businesses. According to the Investment Migration Council, a lobby for the industry, more than 80 countries offer schemes in which fast-track residence rights (golden visas"), or even citizenship (golden passports"), are available to foreigners who invest large sums. The most popular has been Americas, where the waiting-list for Chinese applicants reached 15 years in 2022. For tiny countries such as Vanuatu and St Kitts and Nevis citizenship-by-investment schemes are important sources of foreign exchange.

China is the biggest source of demand, but far from the only one. People all over the world want to move countriesto flee persecution, political instability or, in some cases, justice. Many simply hope to secure a better education for their children or to work somewhere with a pleasant climate and good cuisine. The money they bring to their host countries seems to make such arrangements a win-win. Yet, as the closure in recent years of a number of schemes demonstrates, they are highly controversial.

In every country the question of who has the right to live there is a sensitive one. But for the European Union (EU) in particular golden visas raise fundamental issues. They touch on one of the most national" of competenceswho lives in a countryyet, because of the Schengen arrangements, allowing free movement across most of the bloc, have union-wide consequences. There has been a prolonged tussle between Brussels and the countries offering visas and passports in return for investment.

The European Commission and the OECD, a rich-country think-tank, have long worried that golden visas provide cover for money-laundering. Those fears are not without foundation. In Greece, for example, Chinese investors were in 2018 accused of complicity in a scam in which a Greek developer bought properties at market value and sold them at a big mark-up to would-be investment migrants in China, then partially reimbursed them.

In 2022 the European Parliament called for an outright ban on golden passports and the imposition of strict rules on golden visas. On passports Brussels seems to be winning. Malta is now the only EU country still to offer citizenship by investment. On visas, too, things are getting tougher. In 2023 Greece doubled the minimum investment under its scheme to 500,000 ($543,000) in some of the more popular parts of the country, though opposition parties still claim it is the worlds most popular and want it closed.

On April 8th Spain revealed plans to ditch its programme, which offered non-EU citizens who invested more than 500,000 euros ($541,250) the right to live and work there on a renewable permit that made them eligible for permanent residency after ten years. The biggest users of the scheme have been Chinese and Russian citizens. More than 90% of the investment under it has gone into property. It is the schemes alleged effect on the property marketpushing the cost of buying or renting property out of the reach of many localsthat has prompted Spains government to seek to drop it.

That is a relatively common concern. Ireland closed a similar programme in February 2023 for similar reasons. That month Portugal announced the closure of its golden-visa scheme as part of a package of measures designed to tackle its housing crisis. A revised scheme came into effect in October: investment in property or property funds no longer qualifies.

The concern about golden visas is not confined to Europe. In January Australia scrapped its scheme, offering permanent residence to foreigners who invested at least A$5m ($3.3m). Thousands have been issued since the visa was introduced in 2012, with most going to Chinese citizens. But the programme has been criticised for fostering corruption. Similar fears in Britainfocused on Russian rather than Chinese criminalityled to its ditching its Tier-1" visa for wealthy foreigners in 2022 just before the invasion of Ukraine.

The investment-migration market is getting tighter, as governments find ever more reasons to question whether its economic benefits outweigh its political and other costs. Money can still buy you a visa, and even a passport in some places. But the worlds footloose rich are finding it cant buy you love.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved.

From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Oil prices fell on Wednesday, April 10, after US government data showed earlier today that crude oil and fuel inventories rose by much more than expected on weak demand and lower oil exports. US crude stocks climbed by 5.8 million barrels in the week ended April 5, more than double of analysts' expectations.

Brent crude futures dropped 28 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to $89.14 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 35 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $84.88. In the previous session, both Brent and WTI fell more than one per cent. Coming to domestic prices, crude oil futures last traded 0.18 per cent higher at 7,115 per barrel on the multi commodity exchange (MCX) platform.

What's dragging crude oil prices? -Refined products inventories rose unexpectedly with gasoline up by 700,000 barrels and distillate stocks by 1.7 million barrels. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) data also showed a 2.1 million barrel per day (bpd) drop in oil product supplied, a proxy for fuel demand, and a 2.7 million bpd drop in crude oil exports.

-Separately, the US EIA sharply raised its forecast for crude oil output. It now expects an increase of 280,000 bpd to 13.21 million bpd in 2024  which is higher from its earlier forecast of a 20,000 bpd increase in output.

-The US consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.4 per cent sequentially--higher than Wall Street estimates which faded away hopes of a rate cut in June, according to data released by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics,

-The commander of the Revolutionary Guard's navy in Iran said it could close the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. About a fifth of the volume of the world's total oil consumption passes through the strait daily.

-On Tuesday, Hamas said that an Israeli proposal on a ceasefire did not meet demands of Palestinian militant factions, but it would study the offer further and deliver its response to mediators, according to news agency Reuters.

-A continuing conflict in the Middle-East could drag in other countries, particularly Hamas-backer Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel, led by Saudi Arabia.

Where are oil prices headed? The US EIA said it expects Brent crude prices to average $88.55 a barrel in 2024, up from a previous forecast of $87 per barrel. Analysts said that crude oil experienced profit-taking amidst a stable dollar index and an increase in US bond yields. However, concerns regarding potential retaliation from Iran against Israel will push oil prices.

We do not anticipate any significant downside in crude oil shortly. However, we do not foresee Brent crude reaching $100 levels, as we anticipate that OPEC may expand output by 0.5 million barrels per day if the crude oil market continues to be in deficit. Our base case is for crude to trade in a range from $85 to $95 levels in the near future,'' said Amit Goel, Co-Founder & Chief Global Strategist, Pace 360.

With demand holding up and growing in CY24, the crude oil market faces a deficit of almost one million bpd, highlighted commodity analysts.
As the March quarter (Q4FY24) earnings season approaches, brokerage firm Motilal Oswal (MOSL) forecasts a 6 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth in Nifty earnings for the period. However, it notes that margin tailwinds are likely to narrow due to a high base. MOSL projects that the EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) margin (excluding financials) for the Nifty will remain flat at 19.8 percent (+10bp).

The earnings growth is likely to be primarily driven by domestic cyclicals such as Auto and BFSI, which are expected to see a 20 percent and 15 percent YoY growth, respectively. Conversely, earnings growth is likely to be dampened by global cyclicals like Oil & Gas and Metals, which are estimated to decline by 6 percent and 12 percent YoY, respectively, as per the forecast.

Read here: Q4 results preview: From Maruti Suzuki to Grasim, 5 stocks are likely to post 45% rise in YoY net profit Among stocks, 5 Nifty50 constituents are expected to post an over 15 percent year-on-year (YoY) decline in their net profit of Q4FY24. Let's take a look. JSW Steel: The brokerage expects the steel major to report a 58 percent YoY decline in its net profit at 1,500 crore as against 3,700 crore in the same quarter last year. On a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) basis as well, the profit is likely to fall almost 33 percent, predicted MOSL. It also sees JSW's net sales declining 4.6 percent to 44,800 crore versus 47,000 crore in Q4FY23. JSW Steel is expected to post a QoQ increase in volumes in Q4FY24, said MOSL, adding that coal costs are expected to remain at elevated levels in 4QFY24. Management commentaries on capex are important. Also, the performance of domestic and overseas subsidiaries will be crucial, it noted. Management commentaries on FY25 production and sales also are important monitorables.

Read here: Q4 Results Preview: Auto companies to post stronger earnings led by PV, 2W/3W Tata Steel: The steel major is likely to post a 37.7 percent YoY decline in its net profit at 1,100 crore as against 1,700 crore in the same quarter last year. However, on a QoQ basis, the profit will jump over 24 percent, predicted MOSL. It also estimates Tata Steel's net sales declining 2.8 percent YoY but rising 10.7 percent QoQ to 61,200 crore. According to MOSL, management commentary on European operations is critical while management guidance on average steel prices and cost of production across geographies is to be monitored. Also, one must keep an eye on the company's Capex timeline and await an update on the blast furnace status in the Netherlands, it added.

Read here: Q4 results preview: Top-line, profit of India Inc. may moderate, say experts BPCL: The oil and gas major is expected to report a 15.9 percent YoY decline in its net profit at 6,360 crore in Q4FY24 as against 7,560 crore in the same quarter last year. Its net sales, meanwhile, are projected to be flat YoY at 1.18 lakh crore. MOSL expects refinery throughput at 10mmt (-6 percent YoY/+1 percent QoQ) and sees reported GRM at $17.1/bbl, with a blended gross marketing margin at 3.4/liter. It also estimates marketing sales (excluding exports) volumes of 13.3mmt (+3 percent YoY and QoQ) during the quarter. Watch out for updates on the expansion of the Bina refinery and the construction of a new petrochemicals plant, added MOSL.

Read here: IT sector likely to report muted revenue growth with stable margins in Q4FY24 Tech Mahindra: The IT major is likely to report a 30.6 percent YoY decline in its net profit at 900 crore in Q4FY24 as against 1,300 crore in the same quarter last year. However, on a QoQ basis, the profit is expected to jump 28.5 percent. Meanwhile, its total revenue is predicted to decline 3.5 percent YoY to 13,200 crore versus 13,700 crore last year. MOSL expects its revenue growth to be muted at 0.7 percent QoQ CC due to weakness in both CME and Enterprise verticals. Also, deal wins are likely to be muted due to macro uncertainty. It also forecasts deal TCV to the tune of $500m in Q4FY24. Moreover, margins are likely to improve 140bp QoQ, as the impact of cost-control efforts should start becoming visible. Weak growth is likely to keep margins under pressure, it cautioned. The outlook on margin and growth in the CME vertical will be the key monitorable, added MOSL.

Read here: Q4 Results Preview | Telecom cos to report moderate growth on ARPU upgrades Bharti Airtel: MOSL forecasts the telecom major to post a 15.2 percent YoY decline in its net profit at 2,200 crore in Q4FY24 as against 2,600 crore in the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, its total revenue is likely to rise 8 percent YoY to 38,900 crore versus 36,000 crore last year.
Shares of Ramco Systems hit their 20 percent upper circuit of 341.75 apiece on Wednesday following the company's announcement of signing a significant multi-million-dollar deal with Korean Air, the largest airline in Korea. The deal entails providing technological support for Korean Air's new engine maintenance complex.

In an exchange filing, Ramco Systems said it entered into a strategic engagement with Korean Air, a flag carrier of South Korea and its largest airline, to implement its flagship aviation software, Ramco Aviation Suite at Korean Airs Engine Maintenance Center.

Read here: Multibagger: This penny stock surged 1,011% in just one year; should you invest? "The implementation of Ramcos aviation software will replace multiple legacy systems to streamline operations across current engine shops and planned expansion sites," the company said in a regulatory filing.

This deal comes on the heels of Korean Air's recent announcement regarding the establishment of its engine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Unbuk, near Incheon International Airport. This facility is anticipated to be Asia's largest engine maintenance plant, consolidating all engine MRO capabilities into a single cluster.

Read here: Vedanta share price jumps 8%, hits 52-week high after CLSA upgrades the stock Ramco Systems highlighted that its engine MRO solution will address both the present needs and future expansion plans of Korean Air. This move is expected to enhance the airline's aircraft engine maintenance capabilities and reinforce its position in the segment.

"With comprehensive MRO-specific functionalities, and integrated e-publications all on a unified platform, offered as an out of the box solution, Ramco Aviation will be the technological foundation for Korean Air," the company added.

Read here: MCX shares jump after Motilal Oswal upgrades stock to Buy, sees 15% upside Furthermore, Korean Air's engine maintenance center will leverage digital enablers such as Mobility via Anywhere Apps, HUBs, Dashboards, and other integrations to the ecosystem offerings, all powered by Ramco, the company further emphasised.

Stock Price Trend The scrip has gained almost 27 percent in the last one year and over 17 percent in 2024 YTD, giving positive returns in 2 of the 4 months so far.

It has rallied around 29 percent in April so far after a 16 percent decline in March and a 4.7 percent fall in February. Meanwhile, it rose 13.6 percent in January 2024.
Shares of pipe manufacturing firm Kisan Mouldings, which was a penny stock till last year, have given robust multibagger returns to their investors in the last 1 year. This penny stock has skyrocketed over 1,011 percent in this period, from 6.38 in March 2023 to currently trade at 70.90. Meanwhile, in the last 4 years, since March 2020, the stock has also given multifold returns, soaring 885 percent from 7.20.

However, in 2024 year-to-date (YTD), the stock has surged over 449 percent, giving positive returns in all 4 months so far. It jumped almost 15 percent in April so far after a 45.4 percent jump in March, a 170 percent rally in February and a 19.6 percent rise in January 2024.

Before January 2024, the stock had given negative returns in 3 straight months from October till December 2023. In that period, it had fallen 18.5 percent.

The stock hit its 52-week high of 69.51 in intra-day deals today, April 9, 2024. It has now jumped over 867 percent from its 52-week low of 7.33, hit on April 17, 2023.

About the firm Kisan Mouldings Limited manufactures and sells pipes and fittings for water management, irrigation, water distribution, cable ducting, drinking water, tube wells, and sewage disposal systems in India. It offers various pipes, including chlorinated polyvinyl chloride plumbing systems, free-flow unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) plumbing pipes, composite piping systems, soil, waste, and rainwater pipes and fittings, etc.

The company also provides rubber lubricants; molded furniture; solvent cement used for joining the pipes and fittings; and molded articles, such as ghamelas. It offers its products to architects, builders, farmers, and individuals under the KISAN and KML CLASSIC brands. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India.

In the previous Month (March 2024), Apollo Pipes Ltd, part of the APL Apollo group, acquired a 53.57 percent majority stake in Kisan Mouldings Ltd (KML) for 118.40 crore, aiming to bolster its position in the PVC pipes and fittings sector.

In an exchange filing, Apollo Pipes said that it secured the stake via a preferential issue of 6,40,00,000 equity shares, priced at 18.50 per share with a face value of 10 each. This capital infusion has led to Kisan Mouldings becoming a subsidiary of Apollo Pipes.

The transaction is a strategic and financial fit that will bring significant synergies and market opportunities. KML brings the lengthy experience of almost 35 years in the PVC industry and an extensive range of SKUs (stock keeping units)," Sameer Gupta, chairman and managing director, Apollo Pipes said.

Earnings In the December quarter, Kisan Mouldings posted a net loss of 16.6 crore, widening from a net loss of 15.55 crore during the previous quarter ended December 2022. However, its revenue in the quarter ended December 2023 declined a minor 1.4 percent to 66.19 crore versus 67.11 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

Brokerage view According to ICICI Direct, Kisan Mouldings exhibits several strengths, like it hit a new high today as well as decreasing Promoter pledge. Additionally, the stock has demonstrated strong momentum, with its price above short, medium and long-term moving averages. These strengths underscore the company's ability to generate profits, optimise capital utilisation, and deliver value to its shareholders.

Meanwhile, its weaknesses, as per the brokerage, are: - Degrowth in quarterly revenue and profit in recent results (YoY).

- Declining profits every quarter for the past 2 quarters.

- Low Piotroski Score: Companies with weak financials.

About penny stocks Investing in penny stocks can be alluring due to the potential for high returns, but it's crucial to acknowledge the substantial risks involved. These stocks may not be suitable for everyone, especially those who are risk-averse. Only individuals comfortable with high-risk investments and willing to allocate a small portion of their portfolio should consider them. Seeking guidance from a financial advisor before making any decisions is highly recommended.

Penny stocks come with several challenges. They often represent small, lesser-known companies with minimal analyst coverage and limited publicly available information. Moreover, the lack of transparency and access to management insights further complicates investment decisions.

Furthermore, penny stocks are susceptible to various risks, such as illiquidity, high-impact costs, and difficulties associated with low trading volumes. Unless there are compelling reasons supported by thorough research, investing in penny stocks is generally not advisable for serious, long-term investors seeking stability and growth in their portfolios.
Cable and wire stocks have been on a tear since the pandemic, with many companies delivering multi-bagger returns. The consumer electricals industry, which also includes fast moving electrical goods (FMEG), is estimated to post 10% CAGR in FY23-27E on the back of rural electrification, growth in real estate, transition towards clean and green energy, disposable income growth, shift towards branded players and investments in infrastructure projects. Many wire and cable manufacturers have increased their focus on the high-margin FMEG segment (fans, lights, etc.), which has grown at 10% annually, for the last five years.

Cables and wires players have the potential to grow up to 2x GDP. Incremental growth is likely to stem up from sunrise industries such as electric vehicles. Domestic upcycle & exports share gain is also expected to sustain premium valuation. Emerging industries such as fibre optics for 5G, electric vehicles and renewable energy promise additional avenues for growth. The launch of the Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana in January 2024 for the installation of rooftop solar for 1 crore (10 million) homes should provide an incremental boost to wire makers.

Opportunity is huge ahead Energised by India's robust economic growth, the wires and cable industry (40-45% of the electrical sector market) has witnessed a massive surge over the last few years. Major players have experienced significant topline and profitability gains. The Indian governments ongoing focus on housing and infrastructure development should continue to drive structural demand for the wires and cables industry. In fact, continuation of these policies post the general elections in 2024 will only reinforce the sectors strength.

The government aims to have large-scale electronics manufacturing in India with Rs.1.97 lakh crore allocated under the PLI scheme. Various initiatives have been launched by the government to boost digital infrastructure such as Digital India and Bharatnet, leading to higher demand for internet connectivity that bodes well for the industry.

The industry is on a capacity expansion spree. KEI plans to spend around Rs.1,000 crore in the next three years. Finolex Cables has guided capex to be around Rs. 300 crore for the next 18-20 months. Havells has planned an investment of about Rs. 600 crore for the development of a cable manufacturing unit.



Also Read: DCG Cables & Wires Ltd IPO: Issue booked over 5x so far on Day 3 led by retail investors, NIIs ; check GMP

China+1 policy The Indian wire and cable industry majorly exports to the USA constituting approximately 18% of exports, followed by UAE (9%) and UK (9%). The Indian W&C market became net export positive for the first time in CY 2019 and has been export positive since then. W&C exports have grown by 23% CAGR in the past 4 years and could rise significantly due to the strong demand in developed markets and the China+1 policy, export incentives, transition towards clean and green energy.

New initiatives bodes well With the ongoing transition towards EVs, the increased demand for supply of charging stations should drive the supply of more electrical products as well. Moreover, the communication cables industry has also started witnessing a pickup, with an increase in 5G capex. s Growing data-consumption has spurred the demand for data centres in India providing opportunities for the W&C industry. Solar industry is rapidly growing worldwide. This will also drive demand for solar cables which will drive the wires and cables industry to a more sustainable future.

Shift toward branded play Domestic wire and cable industry , including FMEG, is pivoting towards branded play As of FY23, branded players have nearly 70% of the market share in terms of value of the W&C market in India. Within this 70%, five leading players Polycab, KEI, Havells, Finolex and RR Kabel, garner approximately 60-62% market share and the balance 38%-40% is constituted by challenger brands like Syska and V-Guard. The share of branded play in the domestic W&C and FMEG industry has grown from 60% in FY15 to around 70% in FY22 and is projected to reach approximately 82% by FY27.

Although fluctuating commodity prices and the impact of competition on pricing remain concerns, the long-term outlook for India's wired future continues to shine bright. In conclusion, the sector catalysts remain robust; however, investors may need to be selective and avoid potential value traps, especially in stocks with a regulatory overhang.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has junked its proposal to hike the guaranteed surrender value (GSV) for policyholders. Had this proposal, unveiled in December, been implemented, it would have increased the GSV of non-participating life insurance plans by 74-85%, as per some estimates. Non-participating plans are those in which maturity benefits are guaranteed and are not linked to the profits that insurers earn.

To be sure, while the GSV has been left unchanged, the insurance regulator has modified the way the special surrender value (SSV) is calculated. Insurance companies either pay GSV or SSV, whichever is higher, when a customer surrenders the policy.

What is SSV?

Typically, SSV is what is paid to subscribers on surrendering their policers. GSV is only a minimum benchmark," says Sanket Kawatkar, fellow, Institute of Actuaries of India, and director at Wisdom2Wealth, a firm focused on spreading financial awareness.

In non-participating plans, insurers calculate the SSV in terms of the present value of the maturity benefit against the number of premiums paid for an individual policyholder. With effect from 1 April, according to Irdai, the SSV will reflect the notional asset share of the policy. This concept already exists in participatory plans.

What is a notional asset share, you would wonder! "Consider it as a bank account where all inflows and outflows linked to a policy are managed. The value of this bank account is the asset share," explains Kawatkar. As per new regulations, the SSV will reflect the notional asset share, guaranteed maturity or survival benefits under the policy".

Does it mean the surrender value for policyholders will be better? Not necessarily! It will not be as low as GSV but will not be significantly better either. It is a better approach than what the industry practises today. It will fine-tune the process of calculating SSV," says Kawatkar.

Why the rollback happened

Insurance experts said there was stiff opposition to the proposals, which most insurers claimed would hurt their profitability unless they reduce the guaranteed returns that non-participatory policies offer. They also point out that life insurance is a long-term contract and policyholders incur penalty charges for breaching the contract midway. Insurers say they incur sizable acquisition costs which is partially recouped through investment income only during the term of the policy. Early surrender disrupts this process and forces untimely liquidation of assets to cover surrender benefits, resulting in additional costs.

When policyholders surrender the policy midway, insurers apply a surrender charge to compensate for costs towards acquisition costs and asset-liability mismatch. Decreasing these charges and offering higher surrender benefits would mean reduced returns for policyholders at maturity, unfairly penalizing those who fulfill the entire contract," says Sumit Ramani, actuary and co-founder, ProtectMeWell.com.

Krish Prabhakar, general manager at Kuwait-based Zain Insurtech, differs. "All these arguments justifying status quo are based on the assumption that the lapse ratios of such policies will continue to remain the same. If efforts are taken to improve the persistency, the resultant internal rate of return will in fact improve. Amortizing the commission structure over the long term can improve fund value from day one. What if scenarios based on simulations will establish this," he says.

Insurers, on the other hand, claim that surrenders or the lapse ratio will increase if the surrender value goes up. This too is a specious argument" according to Prabhakar. Surrenders are force majeure and not voluntary. If a policyholder loses 70% of his capital today and 30% tomorrow, why would he want to lose even that 30%?" says Prabhakar.

View Full Image (Graphic: Mint)

Amortizing commissions

Insurance is a push product, and so the distribution cost for selling a policy is significantly high for insurers. Insurance companies pay upfront commission and recoup the cost from policyholders at the front-end which is not proportionate to the benefit they receive. Most individual agents walk away with upfront commission and clients bear the brunt with poor engagement. There needs to be clawback of commissions on early surrenders also," says Prabhakar, who has a four-decade experience of working in the global insurance industry.

Data shows 5-year persistency ratio for private insurance companies, usually calculated for 61 months, has been in the range of 35-43% in the last five years. It means a significant number of people discontinue their policy after 5 years. They either surrender the policy or the premiums are fully paid-up. To be sure, the paid-up value is higher than the surrender value but can be withdrawn only after the policy matures.

Why do many subscribers discontinue their policies? Non-participatory products come at a high premium. If an individual faces liquidity issues, they would rather want to stop paying premiums. However, the low surrender value is a shocker. The trouble is many agents selling these policies may not be genuinely aware of all the features associated with a product. It is a structural issue where distributors are not trained well. Part of the blame lies with buyers also who do not ask or read about exit clauses," says Kawatkar.

A better approach could be introducing the trail commission agents get rewarded when their clients renew the policies. The problem is not with the product but the way it is being sold. Instead of wasting energy in finding the optimal surrender factor, insurance companies should be made accountable to improve their lapse ratios. If they do not do it, they should pay a hefty penalty and should not be allowed to underwrite the new business. If they do it, there wont be any need for micro regulations in the first place," says Kawatkar.

Moreover, a trail commission would attract those serious about long-term distribution careers.

Secondary market in insurance

Can you sell your insurance policy to someone else for a better surrender value? Yes, you can assign your policy to someone else. Two-year-old start-up ValuEnable has created a marketplace where policyholders can assign their policies to interested investors who could be institutions or individuals. Policyholders in need of emergency liquidity can get a better deal than surrendering the policy as they get an amount at least equal to the surrender value while part of the life cover continues. The maturity benefit will obviously go to the investor, while the death benefit is split between the nominee of the original policyholder and the investor, as per a predefined formula protecting financial interest of both parties," say Mithil Sejpal and Satprem Mohanty, co-founders of ValuEnable.

Kawatkar suggests having a well-regulated secondary market where life insurance policies can be traded. This will give it a better scale and the presence of multiple market-makers will ensure competitive surrender value. It is a win-win situation for all because the insurance company will continue receiving premiums, hence better persistency, while the acquirer will get better IRR and the seller a better surrender value," says Kawatkar.

To be sure, a divisional bench of the Bombay High Court had ruled in 2007 that life insurance policies can be traded. LIC appealed against this verdict in the Supreme Court. In 2015, SC dismissed its appeal and upheld the Bombay High Court ruling. The same year, Parliament amended section 38 of the Insurance Act, 1938, which deals with assignment of policies. Life insurers can now reject the assignment request if they do not find insurable interest," says Kawatkar.
Marketers are attempting to sidestep political brawls over concepts like brand purpose, ESG and diversity by softening language and avoiding related messages, but they arent giving up on such efforts.

Companies sort of want to stay under that radar screen to some degree, but they also want to build the business," Daryl Brewster, CEO of Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, a business council, said at The Wall Street Journals CMO Network Summit on Tuesday. This requires them to find new ways to communicate goals on matters like sustainability, both externally and internally, he said.

ESG efforts, which focus on environmental, social and corporate-governance initiatives, have become common among companies. But businesses associations with social causes have also come in for scrutiny, with some investors criticizing Unilevers plan to give each of its products a purpose," for example, and a boycott targeting Bud Lights partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

If you cant find common ground, can you find a higher ground that people can work with? .What are those purple words that are out there?" Brewster said, citing clean air" as an example of words that bring people together.

Pet food company Freshpet avoids using ESG" or purpose" altogether, for example, and steers clear of issues it cant influence directly, said Scott Morris, co-founder and president. Morris said he put the phrase nourish pets, people, planet" on an office wall to summarize the companys primary work serving pet-owners and its carbon reduction efforts.

Companies are also confronting heightened pressure regarding marketing to the LGBTQ community.

Theyre not pulling back but they dont want to be in the limelight. And who can blame you?" said Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD.

One new concern involves outsiders writing shareholder letters advising companies to not support LGBTQ groups, Ellis said. GLAAD is working with companies on how to respond to such letters, she said.

CMOs staying power

Marketers at the summit also discussed outlasting the notoriously short average tenure of CMOs, rising to CEO roles and joining boards.

A long run as a CMO depends in part on a good start, said Linda Boff, CMO of General Electric. Boff said she spent nearly her first six months in the role visiting marketing leaders of the companys various business units. All we did was listen," Boff said.

Marketers should build relationships not only with other executives, Boff said, but with their companys board of directors as well. That helps prevent CMOs from coming off in board meetings like just that person with a sandwich board that says marketing," she said.

Becoming a board member partly requires visibility with people you dont know, said Susan Somersille Johnson, former CMO of Prudential Financial and a member of the board for National Vision and previously Constellation Brands. You dont find the board," she said. The board finds you."

Marketers on a board dont get to manage the company, but they do have a lot of influence, executives said.

Your job is to support management," not to run the company, said Lynne Biggar, senior adviser at Boston Consulting Group and former CMO at Visa, and a board member at Anheuser-Busch InBev during the Bud Light boycott.

Marketers can help companies navigate the politicized environment by challenging themselves to broaden their frames of reference, said Jonathan Mildenhall, CMO at Rocket Companies. Successful executives either in the C-suite or on the board are the ones that have the broadest perspective right now," Mildenhall said.

Nat Ives contributed to this article.

Write to Patrick Coffee at patrick.coffee@wsj.com
Investing in equity is seen as a surefire way to grow wealth in the long term. And when it comes to equity, mutual funds are one of the most sought-after financial instruments among retail investors because they are diversified and invest in an array of securities and debt instruments based on a predetermined criteria.

Mutual fund investments are a safe investment instrument and are usually preferred over securities by retail investors.

Retail investors should get exposure to equity via mutual funds as they are more diversified in nature and are managed by professionals. Besides, they give you a taste of blue chips by making you part with a tiny sum or say 500, says Deepak Aggarwal, a Delhi-based chartered accountant and financial advisor.

Investing in a mutual fund: There are numerous reasons to invest: 1. Map returns to indices: Mutual funds enable investors to map returns to benchmark indices such as Nifty 50, Sensex, Nifty 100, Sensex IT, among others.

2. Managed by Experts: Unlike standalone securities, mutual funds are managed by experts, so they are considered safe and secure.

3. Diversity: Based on the theme and category of mutual funds, investors get the exposure to a large number of stocks across the market capitalisation spectrum. For instance, when someone opts for a large cap fund, one gets exposure to a number of large cap stocks. Likewise, when you opt for a mid cap mutual fund, one gets exposure to a number of stocks in this category.

4. Auto mode: One does not need to worry over reallocation of assets. For instance, at the end of the financial year or even during the year, when you feel you need to redeem some of the stocks and redeploy the proceeds into some other stocks then this is done by the fund manager based on a predetermined criteria.

5. Transparent: Investing in a mutual fund scheme is quite transparent and one can opt for a scheme only after assessing the past returns of the scheme, investing philosophy of scheme and risk appetite, among other factors.

Stay invested for long It is, however, important to remember that mutual fund investment gives good returns when you stay invested for a long period. This is vital to keep the impact of volatility to minimum.

For instance, in one particular year, investment in a mutual fund may decline, and in another year, the investment could rise substantially. But overall, the investment in a scheme grows over a period of time when seen from the lens of original investment made.

Let us suppose, you invest 100 in a mutual fund scheme and the investment falls in the first year by 5 percent, rises by 8 percent in second year, again declines by 4 percent in the third year, and rebounded in the fourth year by jumping 20 percent.

Year Return  100 becomes (Rs) 1 -5% 95 2 8% 102.6 3 -4% 98.50 4 20% 118.20

So, if you stay invested for four years in this scheme, your overall return stands to rise by around 18 percent from 100 to 118.20 regardless of the volatility involved along these years. The annualised return for the four year period is 4.27 percent only.

Consequently, investment in a mutual fund leads to a lower risk when investors stay invested for a long term.
(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kongs government is considering new tax rules that would give more favorable treatment to popular alternative investments including private credit and infrastructure, according to people familiar with the matter.

The proposals, set to be included in a consultation paper, would offer tax exemptions on items like interest income to special purpose vehicles for alternative investments including private credit, hybrid securities, real estate and infrastructure, the people said, requesting not to be named because the matter is private. The draft rules are expected to come out as early as this month, the people added.

Hong Kong has traditionally been a popular spot for executives and staff of private equity and hedge funds, but its now facing competition from Dubai and Singapore. Despite the city rolling out fund rule reforms in recent years  including ones for carried-interest tax exemptions  the city is seeking to further increase its jurisdiction and legal infrastructure to lure more asset management businesses.

This matter has become even more pressing as Hong Kong faces economic headwinds and a lagging stock market, as well as growing geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington.

The race to lure alternative funds is also heating up. Assets under management in the sector are expected to grow 70% from 2021 to $23.3 trillion by 2027, according to estimates by Preqin.

Hong Kongs government announced in this years budget plan that it would further enhance the preferential tax regimes for funds, single family offices and carried interest. That includes reviewing the scope of tax concessions, increasing the types of qualifying transactions and enhancing flexibility in handling incidental transactions.

A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said that alongside regulators, its liaising with the industry to gauge their views about the budget plan proposals, and will consult them on specific enhancement proposals in due course.

Luring Business

The financial services sector is the backbone of Hong Kongs economy, accounting for about 23% of gross domestic product in 2022. The asset management sector alone directly employs 54,000 people, according to a Financial Services Development Council report in March last year.

Read More: Stressed HK Developers Lure Private Credit as Funding Gap Looms

Hong Kong cannot take its role as an asset management hub for granted, according to a joint research report by KPMG and the Alternative Investment Management Association in November. Hong Kong needs to take further steps to become a more attractive location of choice, including in the areas of tax and the overall regulatory environment.

While most alternative asset managers are domiciled in offshore havens like the Cayman Islands, they often set up dozens if not hundreds of special purpose vehicles for specific investments. In Singapore, for example, such vehicles are often known as variable capital companies, a structure introduced in 2020. Almost 1,000 of such entities were incorporated or redomiciled in Singapore as of the end of 2022, according to research by HSBC Holdings Plc.

Singapore already has a broader scope for fund exemptions, meaning private credit funds can enjoy tax breaks on interest income.

Singapores success in growing the sector is a good demonstration of how targeted incentives with clear conditions can be effective in attracting funds and the entire ecosystem, the AIMA report said.

The report added that despite Hong Kong issuing rules for carried-interest exemptions, most fund managers havent been able to utilize the concession due to stricter requirements, such as the necessity for the fund to be certified by the citys monetary authority.

Hong Kongs tax exemption regime for funds is also self-assessed. That can create confusion over whether it applies to all or part of a funds investments. This uncertainty, which doesnt exist in other jurisdictions, often means that managers in Hong Kong dont explicitly rely on the exemption but continue to operate the fund under the offshore model.

--With assistance from Kiuyan Wong.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Microsoft, Nvidia Expand Global AI Footprint

Microsoft and Nvidia are expanding their AI presence in a widening swath of the globe, with the goal of increasing datacenter power, as well as courting local talent and mindshare.

Microsoft this week announced it is bringing its recently created Microsoft AI group to the United Kingdom. Microsoft AI London will focus on advancing the technology around language models, AI infrastructure and tooling for foundation models. The new hub will work in close collaboration with Microsoft's AI teams and partners like OpenAI.

"There is an enormous pool of AI talent and expertise in the U.K., and Microsoft AI plans to make a significant, long-term investment in the region as we begin hiring the best AI scientists and engineers into this new AI hub," wrote Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, in a blog post Monday.

The London-based team will be headed by research scientist Jordan Hoffmann, who migrated to Microsoft from DeepMind at the same time as Suleyman. Microsoft said it will begin aggressively hiring AI engineers and scientists to fill out the new hub, which will work closely with Microsoft Research's Cambridge lab.

Suleyman said the new center will enhance Microsoft's AI research efforts in the U.K., and is part of the financial commitment the company recently made to the region. "The Microsoft AI London hub adds to Microsoft's existing presence in the U.K., including the Microsoft Research Cambridge lab, home to some of the foremost researchers in the areas of AI, cloud and productivity," wrote Suleyman. "At the same time, it builds off Microsoft's recently announced 2.5 billion investment to upskill the U.K. workforce for the AI era and to build the infrastructure to power the AI economy, including our commitment to bring 20,000 of the most advanced GPUs to the country by 2026."

Asian Expansion

In related news, Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it is investing $2.9 billion on building out its cloud and AI infrastructure in Japan. The investment, which is the company's largest in the region in almost half a century, will be spread over the next two years.

Microsoft President Brad Smith made the announcement during an interview with Japanese financial publication Nikkei. Smith said the investment includes adding AI semiconductors to two of its regional datacenters, setting up new research centers for AI and robotics, and training 3 million workers over the next three years in AI-related skills.

"The competitiveness of every part of the Japanese economy ... will depend on the adoption of AI," said Smith.

Meanwhile, Nvidia, already the AI market's leading chip provider, is also planning a Southeast Asia expansion. Last week, the government of Indonesia announced that Nvidia has agreed to work with local telecommunications giant Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) to build an "AI Center" in the country, a project that's estimated to be worth $200 million.

The AI Center will be located in Solo Technopark in Central Java, according to a statement last week on Indonesia's Ministry of Communications and Informatics Web site.

Nezar Patria, the country's Deputy Minister of Communications and Information, described the project as "very strategic," adding, "We hope that there will also be technology transfer so that we are not just users, but can later become part of the AI players that are taken into account both regionally and at the global level."
India and the Maldives may be moving to stabilise their bilateral ties after tensions. Since President Mohamed Muizzu took office last year, the removal of Indian troops from the Maldives has complicated diplomatic relations. But bilateral ties may be settling down.

Why is there tension in the two nations ties?

In November, President Mohamed Muizzu took over from the staunchly pro-India Ibrahim Solih. In his campaign, Muizzu portrayed Indias military presenceat around 80 personnelas an affront to the nations sovereignty and campaigned for their removal. This year, he embarked on a visit to China where he signed a slew of agreements with Beijing. In January, a major controversy erupted when three ministers made social media posts that were seen as insulting to India and PM Narendra Modi. New Delhi summoned the Maldivian high commissioner as a result and the three politicians were suspended.

What caused these tensions?

Muizzu has made clear that his administration will not follow the India First" policy several of his predecessors. He has attempted to court a number of other powers like China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. His perceived affinity to China, which sponsored development projects when Muizzu was housing minister, has been a worry for New Delhi. He also comes from a political tradition that has been sceptical of India in the past. For example, Muizzu was considered close to former president Abdulla Yameen, who clashed with New Delhi repeatedly and attempted to get close to China.

How has China reacted to these tensions?

Muizzus visit to Beijing allowed a number of critical projects to move forward. The two countries also signed a defence deal just weeks before Muizzu said he would not renew a hydrographic cooperation pact with India. A Chinese research vessel, which many have termed spy ship", spent time in Maldivian waters and docked in the country. This has India concerned.

What has changed now?

In recent weeks, there have been signs that bilateral ties are improving. President Muizzu asked India to consider providing debt relief. Last week, Indias high commission in Maldives announced that India would export essential commodities to the country, despite curbs on export on these commodities. The Maldivian foreign minister Moosa Zameer publicly thanked India for the gesture. The two countries have agreed to a formula of replacing Indian troops with technical personnel.

What will be the next steps?

It is not immediately clear how the relationship will evolve. Experts have argued that India has had trouble with neighbours before. However, the strategic logic of cooperation with India, which is the regions largest economy, ensures animosity is not long lasting. Experts suggest that the Maldivian parliamentary elections, to be held next week, will be worth watching. The results could shore up Muizzus domestic position, which could affect whether he needs to criticise India and raise nationalist sentiment in his favour.
(Bloomberg) -- Seven & i Holdings Co. rose slightly on reports that it plans to list or sell part of its supermarket unit Ito-Yokado, which has been under pressure to restructure in the face of intensifying competition from discount stores and online retailers.

A listing could take years to complete and the Japanese retailer is expected to hold shares in the entity, the Kyodo news agency said. The Nikkei newspaper reported that Seven & i is looking to set up a new intermediate holding company for its general merchandising chains, including Ito-Yokado and York-Benimaru. The stock was up as much as 1.2% in early morning trading in Tokyo.

Activist investor ValueAct called on Seven & i last year to improve its valuation, calling on the retailer to embrace bold, structural reform and pursue it with urgency. The Tokyo-based convenience store giant has taken some steps, including considering closing stores. President and Chief Executive Officer Ryuichi Isaka may a plan on Wednesday when the retailer reports full-year results.

A decision on whether to list Ito-Yokado hasnt been made, according to company spokesperson Muneyuki Takeda.

Speculation has been swirling for months over the fate of Ito-Yokado, which was the companys original retail franchise before it bought 7-Eleven and turned it into a large, successful business. Toyo Keizai had reported before that Seven & i was considering a potential sale, while local media have reported a series of store closures across the country with plans for more, including shutting four near Tokyo from this summer.

The company is pursing a listing despite Ito-Yokados sluggish performance as it sees a path toward rebuilding its business, Kyodo reported.

Seven & i has previously announced a partnership with the supermarket unit to add more diverse products to its bigger convenience stores.

Read More: 7-Eleven Tests a New Store Aimed at Delivering More Convenience

Seven & i shares were up almost 17% this year before the reports. The company announced share buybacks late last year as well as a 3-for-1 stock split.

Last year, ValueAct pressed the retailer to split off operations and focus on the the 7-Eleven convenience-store business. Seven & i operates Ito Yokado general stores, Dennys Japan restaurants and a successful banking network. Last year, Seven & i finalized the sale of its Sogo & Seibu Co. department store chain to Fortress Investment Group at an enterprise value of about 220 billion.

When asked about the investors assertions an interview earlier this year, Isaka said theyre not limited to ValueAct, because hes heard similar comments from other shareholders. Breaking up the group would risk destroying shareholder value, Seven & i has said, pushing back against the investors demands. In response last year, ValueAct sought to replace Isaka and other board members with its own candidates, but failed.

Read More: Japans Convenience Stores Can Span the Globe, 7-Eleven CEO Says

What we are explaining is that if we are to transfer the growth of 7-Eleven Japan to the rest of the world, we must transfer the success of 7-Eleven Japans food business as well, Isaka said in the interview. If we simply increase the number of stores, we will be building a tower on a very weak foundation.

Its not clear whether ValueAct remains a major shareholder. The investor is no longer on a list of stakeholders with a significant holding, although it is possible that ValueAct has loaned out its stake or is otherwise holding it indirectly.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
At one of the worlds oldest universities, two M.B.A. candidates are trying to do something that has never been done beforeget future business leaders to make a careerlong commitment to combat climate change.

Collin Janich and Peter Golding, students at the University of Cambridges Judge Business School, are creating a pledge for M.B.A. candidates at the worlds top business schools to commit to championing sustainable initiatives and fighting for a net-zero future for the rest of their careers.

Nothing exists challenging future business leaders," Janich said. Were in a position to impact change so this is a call to action to transform business leadership and put climate change into business leadership."

The duo, who met on the first day of their program in September, launched the Climate Legacy Commitment, or CLC, last month. It was founded on the idea that M.B.A. students hold a level of power when it comes to effecting change in future business practices, and that after graduating they will have more control when it comes to enacting day-to-day business decisions. So, if climate awareness is integrated, then operations as a whole can become more sustainable, they say.

A core tenet for us is that in every decision we want sustainability principles to be integrated. Something to carry forward as a philosophy for every decision no matter how big or small," Golding said.

So far, the pair have signed on close to 300 candidates from the top seven business schools in the U.S., including Columbia Business School, Harvard Business School and MIT, as well as eight schools in Europe, such as the University of Oxfords Said and HEC Paris. Janich and Golding are taking what they call an early Facebook approach to going after students from top colleges first, though they are hoping to expand thereafter.

The pledge itself isnt binding, and the current cohort wont be graduating until the fall of this year, so it is unclear how companies will take the declaration into consideration when hiring. But Janich and Golding both hope that by signing up, it would be a lifetime commitment for those candidates to try to drive climate action. Its giving people an opportunity to signal to future employers [their intentions]," Golding said. Signees also gain a badge on LinkedIn showing they have signed up for the pledge.

For example, if a candidate goes on to work for a company in the artificial-intelligence space, then trying to reduce water and energy usage could be one way they enact change, given the huge amounts of power and cooling needed to fulfill the demands of AI data servers. Pushing for a switch to renewable energy could be another. Its not a purity test," Janich said. Its not a stick approach, its more of a carrot approach trying to meet M.B.A. candidates where they are. People who want to make a difference."

Gishan Dissanaike, interim dean of Cambridge Judge Business School which is a sponsor of the project, said there is demand for more teaching and support on climate change from students at the school and from the boards of directors at companies that the school works with, noting its growing importance from a corporate perspective.

We are seeing a change, not only in relation to sustainability but in doing work which is not socially harmful," Dissanaike said. People do like earning money but they also want to make a positive social impact too." He added that employers will still likely be hiring candidates based on their subject matter expertise, not climate credentials, but the pledge could act as a bonus.

Schools in the U.S. have seen similar demand. At the Wharton School, 10% of its M.B.A. candidates are now majoring in ESG, with it ranking among the top five majors alongside core subjects like finance, accounting and management.

Before life at Cambridge, Janich who hails from Birmingham, Ala., had worked for the energy giant Exxon-Mobil as a senior adviser on climate policy and ESG.

He said that during his time there, colleagues did want to take ESG and climate change seriously but were unsure about how to engage on the issue in a meaningful way, which was part of the reason he looked to found the pledge. Creating networking opportunities through the CLC should allow people from different sectors to learn how to approach the subject and create change within their respective fields, Janich said.

Janich and Golding are also looking to create an event similar to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, otherwise known as COP, to allow for networking as well as teaching across sectors on climate change.

For potential employers, the pledge is an important signal of what values a potential candidate holds, with climate knowledge increasingly in demand.

Climate change is potentially the greatest existential challenge our species has faced," said Marc Kahn, chief strategy and sustainability officer at Anglo-South African bank Investec. Kahn said the pledge being voluntary is useful as a hiring manager as it sends a strong signal of a candidates values and how they can help the bank move to net zero.

Its a commitment from the best brains but it needs to come from intrinsic motivation to address this as it [climate change] is very tricky and complex. If its not intrinsically motivated, then youre not going to apply the full brain power that we need [to fight climate change] and instead just do what you are asked to do which frankly is not enough," Kahn said.

Consulting giant Boston Consulting Group echoed Kahns thoughts, saying that 84% of its 30,000 staff signaled that they wanted to work in fields related to sustainability in a recent survey.

Climate and sustainability and societal impact were our two fastest-growing practice areas last year," said Wendy Woods, vice chair of social impact, climate and sustainability at BCG. Its [the pledge] fantastic. Its what we need, more people from a societal point of view talking about this."

Woods said the company has a long history of hiring M.B.A. students, herself a graduate of Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She added that sustainability is slowly being built into much of the companys consulting practices, with work on supply chains particularly being advised upon currently.

It sends positive signals both on their perspectives but also on the changes that need to happen to the world. We need to hire people who have that," Woods said.

Write to Yusuf Khan at yusuf.khan@wsj.com
Five people have been booked by the Pune Police after condoms, stones and gutkha (a chewing tobacco product) were found in samosas supplied to a prominent automobile company in the Pimpri Chinchwad area, as per an ANI report.

The accused have been identified as Rahim Shaikh, Azhar Shaikh, Mazhar Shaikh, Firoz Shaikh, and Vicky Shaikh. According to the police, the incident took place at the automobile company, where the catering was handled by a subcontracting firm, Catalyst Service Solutions Pvt Ltd.

Catalyst Service had outsourced the samosa supply to another firm, Manohar Enterprises.

The police revealed that Firoz Shaikh and Vicky Shaikh, who were employees of Manohar Enterprises, had allegedly stuffed condoms, gutka, and stones into the samosas. "Further, while questioning the accused, it was revealed that the employees of SRA Enterprises (whose contracts were cancelled earlier for adulterations) had sent its two employees to Manohar Enterprises to adulterate food supplied to the company to defame Manohar Enterprises," the police added, as quoted by ANI. Three of the accused are the partners of SRA Enterprises.

"Out of the five accused, the three partners had allegedly planted the other two workers to ensure the firm that had gotten the fresh contract would get defamed," the police stated, as quoted by ANI.

Also Read | Indian Railway Finance Corporation share price Today Live Updates : Indian Railway Finance Corporation Stocks Drop in Trading Today

SRA Enterprises was removed from the contract earlier after a first aid bandage was found in the samosa supplied to the automobile company.
Some companies are moving away from the idea that stand-alone, startup-style labs are the best way to drive innovation.

The re-evaluation comes as big businesses feel the pressure to harness cutting-edge generative artificial intelligence for new discoveries. The best ideas come from within the business, these companies say, rather than from colleagues in detached groups who then have to get buy-in from the company.

Walmart in January announced plans to close Store No. 8, an idea-incubation arm that had some associates based in Californias Silicon Valley. The stand-alone lab was no longer needed, the Arkansas-based retailer said, because it had developed a new method that embedded innovation deeper across the company, giving more employees the opportunity to contribute.

Were taking a different approach," said Anshu Bhardwaj, chief operating officer of Walmarts technology unit. So associates are innovating while theyre driving the business."

Some tech leaders say it is a mistake to position innovation as something separate from the business itself, and that doing so can often lead to simply pursuing technology for technologys sake. Companies risk falling into that pattern with AI, by focusing on where they can apply the technology rather than the business problems it could potentially solve, they said.

How it started

A wave of innovation labs started when companies, caught flat-footed by the sudden success of digital-first companies like Amazon and Google, set up outposts in tech hubs like Silicon Valley.

Some of those efforts paid off with increased e-commerce sales, entries into new markets and faster product development. Walmart said its Store No. 8 delivered several innovations, including a service that can deliver groceries directly to a customers refrigerator, if the customer arranges to be home at the time or provides access through a smart lock or keypad.

But there have been challenges as well. Efforts developed in stand-alone labs dont always align with problems the business is trying to solve. And even when they do, business counterparts with existing ways of working arent always excited about using them, executives said.

Changing gears

Now some companies are rethinking their labs as they prepare for the new wave of AI development.

Walmart closed its Store No. 8 and shifted to a Four in a Box" method, which brings together employees with business, product, technology and user experience roles to identify and solve challenges through tech.

The approach has allowed Walmart to more quickly deploy new solutions across the whole business, such as adding early-morning and late-night options to its in-home delivery service.

Assigning innovation efforts across business units makes sense for Walmart, said Bhardwaj. Its very difficult for any one single team to be the subject matter expert and the tech expert at the same time," she said.

Ford Motors innovation lab in Silicon Valley is now more about tapping into the regions talent pool than its launch mission of working with startups on new technologies, the automaker said.

Responsibilities for innovation have evolved to be more integrated across many functions and departments within Ford, a spokesman said.

Former CVS Chief Information Officer Stephen J. Gold oversaw the creation of the drugstore chains innovation lab in Boston, at a remove from corporate headquarters in Woonsocket, R.I., to bring new digital products and services to market. The goal is to basically operate in a mode that mimics a startup," he said in 2017.

Today, CVS is developing a new strategy and focus for its innovation labs, the company said, although it declined to get more specific on how the new focus will differ from the old one.

Payment-technology company Mastercard operates a unit called Mastercard Foundry where dedicated teams do more direct applied research on new technologies, such as quantum computing, but that is in addition to encouraging all employees to innovate with customers on real business problems.

Theres a mistake sometimes where organizations say innovation is something off the side rather than something that you do every day and needs to be part of every team," said Mastercard Chief Technology Officer Ed McLaughlin. Innovation is like ethics. And it has to pervade the whole organization."

Mastercard recently worked with Mercedes to enable digital payments via fingerprint biometric authentication directly from the vehicles dashboard at more than 3,600 service stations in Germany.

Sticks, not carrots

Some companies remain committed to their labs, despite the challenges. Jeff Wong, Ernst & Youngs global chief innovation officer, oversees a number of labs at the professional-services firm that develop technology both for its own use and that of its clients. The company gains a fivefold return on technologies developed in the labsenough to keep them open, he said.

Wong said he strives to keep the stand-alone model in tune with real business problems. Its a very hard thing to do," he said.

At the financial giant BNP Paribas, Matthieu Soule oversees a Silicon Valley-based lab that aims to bring cutting-edge startup technology into the bank and its customers.

Colleagues in other parts of the business arent always excited about the solutions he brings in, Soule said. He said he has been working to build better bridges with the rest of the company and to position new technology as something they need to survive in a changing world, rather than just a cool addition.

People are sometimes more reactive to a stick than a carrot," Soule said.

There is definite value in companies setting aside resources to consider moonshot technologies 10 years into the future, albeit typically only in industries with long product development cycles such as aerospace, said Greg Larkin, who founded Punks & Pinstripes, a global community of entrepreneurs and executives, and has advised on innovation at Google, Uber and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

But labs tend to gravitate toward technologies that dont have a clear path to driving real business value, now or in the future, he said.

When you have an innovation lab, youre only answering the FOMO [fear of missing out] question, meaning: Is this a sexy thing that we might be caught flat-footed if it moves forward without us?" Larkin said.

Write to Isabelle Bousquette at isabelle.bousquette@wsj.com
In his Eid message, US President Joe Biden expressed his solidarity with those facing conflict, hunger, and displacement globally, specifically mentioning regions like Gaza and Sudan.

Eid ul-Fitr, celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, holds significant importance in the Islamic lunar calendar.

iden further emphasised the importance of renewing efforts towards peacebuilding and advocating for the dignity of all people. In a post on X, he said, As Muslim families and communities come together for Eid al-Fitr, they are also reflecting on the pain felt by so many. My thoughts are with those around the world enduring conflict, hunger, and displacement, including in places such as Gaza and Sudan. Now is the time to recommit to the work of building peace and standing for the dignity of all.

The conflict in Sudan, which erupted last April 15, involves the military led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

As reported by AFP, the violence has resulted in the deaths of many thousands, with up to 15,000 casualties reported in a single town in the Darfur region, as stated by United Nations experts.

Earlier on Tuesday, Biden criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approach to Gaza, labelling it a mistake and urging Israel to pursue a ceasefire, AFP reported.

When asked about Netanyahu's handling of the war, Biden told Univision, a US Spanish-language TV network, I think what he's doing is a mistake. I don't agree with his approach.

Earlier in his Ramadan greetings, Biden had stressed, The United States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages.

Eid ul-Fitr not only signifies the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan but also symbolizes the commencement of a fresh spiritual journey and the start of a new Islamic year. This festival, which marks the culmination of a month-long period of fasting, ushers in Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.

Eid, The festival's timing is determined by the sighting of the moon, a tradition deeply rooted in Islamic culture. According to belief, Prophet Muhammad himself awaited news of the crescent moon's sighting to mark the beginning of each new month.
The United States Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, called on investors and entrepreneurs to embrace India as the future. In a video shared by ANI, Garcetti said, If you want to see the future, come to India. If you want to feel the future, come to India. If you want to work on the future, come to India. I have the great privilege of being able to do that every single day as the leader of the US Mission. He made these remarks at the Impact & Innovation: 25 Years of Making Development a Ground Reality event in Delhi on April 9.

In a separate event on April 8, at OP Jindal Global University in Sonipat, Garcetti, speaking at a lecture titled, The Most Consequential Relationship of the Century: Indo-American Ties, termed the ties between the US and India as not an additive relationship, but a multiplicative relationship between the worlds two largest democracies. He emphasised the robust exchange in education and trade and the joint venture of envisioning a green energy future.

Indian Embassy push for India-US collaboration in education sector On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Indian embassy expressed satisfaction with the productive engagement it had with senior faculty members from prestigious universities in Washington, DC, on April 5. During the interaction, the embassy emphasised the substantial opportunities for strengthening knowledge and research partnerships between the two nations.

The embassy stated, Excellent interaction with senior faculty from prominent universities in Washington DC on India-US collaboration and opportunities for strengthening knowledge and research partnership and promote well-being of Indian students in the US.
The United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, on Tuesday, April 9, rejected claims that Israel carried out genocide in Gaza. Austin's remarks came during his testimony before the US Senate Armed Services Committee regarding President Joe Biden's latest budget request, as per ANI report.

We don't have any evidence of genocide being created, Austin stated, refuting assertions made by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who had shared a video on social media asserting that the International Court of Justice should find Israel guilty of genocide due to ample evidence, as quoted by ANI.

Austin's stance echoed that of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who criticised the international community for failing to hold Hamas accountable. Both officials insisted that Israel must guarantee long-term improvements to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza enclave.

The Defence Secretary's remarks came during a session that was often disrupted by far-left protesters, who raised their hands, stained in red, and yelled, Stop the genocide.

Several senators expressed their outrage at the civilian deaths and demanded that the administration do more to pressure Israel to save the Gaza population. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have withdrawn all ground troops from the southern Gaza Strip after a four-month fight in the Khan Younis area.

According to the data presented by the IDF, more than 13,000 Hamas operatives and members of other terror groups have been killed by the military in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war. Additionally, the IDF said it has arrested more than 3,700 Palestinians in the West Bank, including more than 1,600 affiliated with Hamas.

As the country marked six months of war against Hamas, the ongoing efforts to secure the release of 134 hostages held by the group remain a concern, with their fate hanging in the balance.

The conflicting narratives and statements from US officials underscore the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict as the international community grapples with the humanitarian crisis and efforts to find a lasting solution.
In a further effort to engage with India, the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are undertaking initiatives to return private land to Hindu and Sikh minorities.

As reported by Time of India, these properties are being reclaimed from warlords associated with the previous Western-backed regime.

It is to be noted that this initiative represents an important stride in addressing the injustices experienced by religious minorities in Afghanistan, who have endured displacement and marginalization for an extended period, according to a Taliban official.

Indian officials view this development as a positive gesture towards India. A notable development is the return of Narender Singh Khalsa, a Member of Parliament representing the Hindu and Sikh communities, who recently came back to Afghanistan from Canada, TOI reported.

Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen told The Hindu, "A commission chaired by the Minister of Justice has been established to return to their owners all properties which had been usurped by warlords during the former regime."

Shaheen highlighted the return of Narendar Singh Khalsa, a former member of the dissolved Afghan parliament following the Taliban's assumption of power in August 2021.

Following the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan, a significant number of Sikhs and Hindus fled the country, including Narender Singh Khalsa, who was among the first group evacuated by the Indian Air Force in August 2021.

While initially provided with accommodation in Delhi, Khalsa later relocated to Canada. India has not officially recognized the Taliban government in Kabul, but there have been indications of a thaw in relations between the two sides.

On March 7, J.P. Singh, Joint Secretary overseeing the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran desk at the Ministry of External Affairs, visited Kabul and held discussions with 'Foreign Minister' Amir Khan Muttaqi, addressing various issues including cooperation to combat the ISKP.
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a public inquiry he found it very improbable the Chinese government would prefer his Liberal Party to win recent elections, given the high tensions between the two countries.

Trudeau was testifying at an inquiry into foreign meddling in Canadian elections, particularly by China. The inquiry was prompted by a series of media leaks last year that cited intelligence memos alleging China was orchestrating efforts to get certain candidates elected in Canada.

One media story alleged a Chinese diplomat boasted he had helped ensure Trudeaus Liberal Party won a minority government in parliament, and that such an outcome was best for China.

But Trudeau rejected the idea China successfully meddled, saying every briefing hes received from his intelligence and security officials indicates the elections held in their integrity and were decided by Canadians.

He also disputed the claim China favored his party, pointing out both the 2019 and 2021 elections took place during significant tensions between Canada and China. Two Canadian citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, had been detained by China in apparent retaliation for Canadas arrest of Huaweis Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition request.

Trudeau said Canada was extremely active in pushing back on China during this time, including through a global effort for democracies to have a coordinated policy against arbitrary detentions.

He said while individual diplomats may well have expressed a preference in terms of who should govern Canada, it just would seem very improbable that that the Chinese government itself would have a preference in the election, Trudeau said.

More broadly, he also defended his governments response to the foreign interference threat, and said it was difficult to respond to the allegations being aired in the media based on leaked intelligence.

The requirement to keep national security information confidential left his government limited on what we could actually rebut, regardless of the fact that there were inconsistencies, uncorroborated information in the leaks, Trudeau said. There were also things that were flat out wrong.

Read More: China Warns Trudeau Off Provocation After Diplomatic Spat

Some of the leaked intelligence that prompted the inquiry alleged Chinese agents had tried to help elect certain candidates who were deemed friendly to Chinas interests. Overall, the leaks raised questions about whether Trudeaus government had responded strongly enough to prevent foreign interference.

Trudeaus first response to the leaks was to appoint a special rapporteur to review the classified intelligence and provide a report. But the rapporteur, former governor general David Johnston, resigned after the Conservatives and other critics challenged his independence by citing his personal ties to Trudeaus family.

In September, Trudeau relented and called a public inquiry into the allegations of election meddling not only by China, but other countries including Russia, India and Iran.

It began public hearings in January. Intelligence officials, senior bureaucrats, political aides and politicians have given testimony to the inquiry. It has also published a trove of government memos and other documents, though much of it is redacted for national security reasons.

On Tuesday, senior aides to Trudeau testified that much of the intelligence cited in the media reports was piecemeal and in some cases contradicted by other information. They also said not all of the intelligence cited by media had even been briefed to Trudeaus office due to its incomplete nature.

What happens with the leaks is that pieces of intelligence reporting get taken out of context, testified Jeremy Broadhurst, who has run recent Liberal election campaigns and served in senior roles inside government.

A large amount of the questioning focused on former Liberal lawmaker Han Dong. Some media reports alleged that Chinese agents had bussed in foreign students to help Dong win the Liberal nomination in his Toronto-area riding ahead of the 2019 election.

But Broadhurst testified he was never given concrete evidence on this by the intelligence briefings, and told Trudeau that there not enough of a basis to disqualify Dong. He told the inquiry that the bar should be extremely high when it comes to overturning a vote in a nomination race, a message echoed by Trudeau.

Dong won that election and still serves in parliament, but resigned from the Liberal caucus last year after another media report alleged he spoke to Chinese diplomats in Toronto in 2021 and advised them not to release Spavor and Kovrig for political reasons. Dong denies the allegation.

Another senior Trudeau aide, deputy chief of staff Brian Clow, told the inquiry that he had reviewed the intelligence on the matter and concluded the media report was wrong.

--With assistance from Thomas Seal.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are scheduled to hold an event on election integrity at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate on Friday, according to people familiar.

The two men will speak as Johnson struggles to maintain his speakership and Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, increasingly flexes his influence over the party.

The meeting offers Johnson a side-by-side photo opportunity with Trump at a time when hardliners are threatening to sink the speaker over issues like Ukraine.

Read More: Trump Courted by Once-Scorned Speaker Hopeful as Johnson Teeters

Hardline Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a close Trump ally, took a first procedural step toward ousting Johnson last month after he compromised with Democrats to avoid a US government shutdown.

Greene and Johnson met in the US Capitol for nearly an hour on Wednesday but the threat of an overthrow still hangs over his speakership if Johnson proceeds with Ukraine funding. Greene has also warned him to drop efforts to extend legal authority for a US foreign intelligence surveillance program that Trump also opposes.

A controversial part of the program at times allows the the government, without a warrant, to sweep up private messages of Americans who may be in touch with foreign surveillance targets.

The speaker has not done the job we elected him to do and I told him that, Greene said after their meeting.

Read More: Complicated Politics Around Foreign Surveillance Debate Reflect Populist Pull

--With assistance from Erik Wasson and Christian Hall.

(Updates with detail starting in fourth paragraph)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
The idea was simple: To meet progressively higher carbon emission-reduction targets in line with its climate-action commitments under the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the EU needed to impose higher obligations on its own industrial activities in carbon-intensive sectors. As a result, it had to tackle two challenges. One, it had to safeguard the competitiveness of its domestic industry amid cheaper imports from countries where emission reductions or the carbon price for emissions are lower because of differing reduction obligations; and two, it had to prevent carbon leakage through the relocation of its own industrial activity to countries with lower carbon prices or emission targets.

Thus was born the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)to equalize the carbon price of imported products with its carbon price. From 1 January 2026, EU importers of products in five categoriesiron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilizers, electricity and hydrogenwill need to buy CBAM certificates priced at the price difference of embedded emissions between the EU and the exporter country.

The CBAMs thrust is on the quantum of emissions in production processes in each of the five sectors, as well as how these emissions are priced at home. Even if the quantum of emissions is the same for making a tonne of steel, CBAM charges will apply based on the carbon price gap between the exporting country and the EU. For example, the trading price for a tonne of carbon dioxide emissions is about $100 in the EU, $34 in Australia and $7 in China. So, Australian exporters will pay a CBAM charge of at least $66 per tonne, while the likely impact on Chinese imports will be $93. India has no direct system for pricing carbon and there is no methodology yet to derive a carbon price from measures such as energy conservation, mandatory renewable purchase obligations and fossil fuel taxes. It will, therefore, be left to EU-certified auditors to make that assessment based on data provided by individual plants in India on the cost of carbon in the context of a set of fragmented domestic regulations.

National carbon prices reflect a variety of factors, including the level of economic development, per capita income and each countrys nationally determined contributions to climate action. The International Monetary Fund, for instance, has recommended differential carbon pricing for countries at different stages of economic developmenta 2030 price floor of $75 a tonne for advanced economies, $50 for high- income emerging economies such as China, and $25 for lower-income emerging markets such as India. By aiming for equalization" with the EU, CBAM charges would run against the reality of differential carbon pricing and emission reduction obligations.

The EUs new mechanism could be valuable if it were to have an impact on emission reduction by forcing imports to decarbonize. But that is unlikely. Both the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have concluded that the CBAM will not have any significant impact on lowering emissions. They also highlight the importance of the sharing and transfer of decarbonization technologies, which is not happening effectively. A report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has underscored inadequate transfers, weak adoption of low-emission technologies and low funding as challenges. Both the UNCTAD and ADB note the adverse impact on EU imports from developing nations. The World Banks Relative Carbon Exposure Index has also mapped the negative impact on developing-country exports.

One should also not be complacent about the CBAMs limited initial coverage of five sectors. Given its basic objective to level the playing field for EU producers, its expansion to semi-finished or finished products will be considered in a review planned for 2025. Downstream industries in the EU like auto-manufacturing would perhaps require the CBAMs scope to widen soon to their own sectors so as to secure their competitiveness, especially those that rely on CBAM-covered inputs like steel.

In its final avatar, the CBAM will have implications for the entire production cycle of all traded products. Its UK replica is expected to be enforced from 2027. In the US, both Republican and Democrat senators have introduced different versions of laws that will impose charges on imports based on their environmental impact in comparison with US-made alternatives. These could render differential climate targets under the UNFCCC meaningless. Further, the tariff reductions and market access promised in free trade agreements that India is negotiating will also likely be nullified by border taxes and carbon charges. Small producers will be hit far more, not only by the burden of paying carbon price differentials, but also because of sheer compliance costs, including of data collection, auditing and certification of emissions.

Substantive talks are needed to craft solutions at the UNFCCC and under World Trade Organization/ FTA negotiations. Not doing so in a timely and effectively way will cost industries of developing countries dearly.

These are the authors personal views.
After hearing that Israeli ground troops were leaving Khan Younis on Sunday, Walid Abu Amro traveled north from the tent he was sheltering in southern Gaza to check his home.

He said it was tough to navigate the neighborhood he once called home since many of the landmarks in the area were obliterated. Crushed, too, were his hopes that his family could return to their apartment.

Theres nothing there, its all gone," said Abu Amro, 43. Its like a meteor struck it."

Khan Younis is the first major city that Palestinians have returned to since the worst of the fighting has subsided, and reflects what will likely lie ahead for the 1.7 million Palestinians who have been displaced by the war. Widespread destruction throughout northern and central Gaza means those hoping to go home soon will be returning to unlivable conditions.

It also indicates the enormous challenges Israel will face in Gaza after the war. Israel has said that it doesnt intend to govern the enclavewhich would involve fixing shattered public services, rebuilding vast areas destroyed during the war and restoring orderbut it hasnt articulated a plan for making the strip habitable again.

Talks continued in Cairo on Tuesday between the warring parties mediators. The question of how many Palestinians could return north and under what circumstances was a point of contention. Hamas wants all civilians to be allowed to return to their homes. Israel has resisted a mass return for what it says is the potential of Hamas militants mixing in with civilians and keeping their power in the enclave.

Khan Younis, a stronghold of Hamas during the war, was the site of particularly fierce fighting over the past four months. Israels military pulled out of Khan Younis on Sunday after saying that it battered Hamass four battalions there. Israel said its forces concluded their mission and they needed to recuperate and prepare for future operations.

As Khan Younis residents sheltering elsewhere heard about the Israeli exit, many returned to assess their properties and those of their friends and relatives unable to make the trip. What they found, they said in interviews, was utter destruction: the remains of what were once lively, tightknit communities marked by flattened buildings, rubble, torn roads traced with tank marks, and few signs of life.

Khan Younis, with a prewar population of about 400,000, was one of the largest cities in prewar Gaza and known for its once-sprawling open-air market and a historic castle. The city almost doubled in population as Gazans fled there earlier in the war to escape fighting in Gaza City. Many later fled Khan Younis to Rafah as Israels military operations advanced south.

Ami Ayalon, a former naval chief who also served as head of Israels domestic intelligence agency, said the Gaza Strips density is the main reason for the high levels of destruction. We call it a battlefield when in actuality, its a series of very crowded cities," Ayalon said.

Thaer Majayda, 30, a Palestinian who is sheltering in the nearby town of Al-Mawasi, said there was a marked difference in the level of destruction in Khan Younis between one month ago, when he was last there, and on Monday, when he went back to check on his home and clothing shop, both of which were destroyed.

Khan Younis is not a place to live anymore," he said. I lost my home, my shop, my livelihood, everything. I dont know what we will do when the war ends."

Staff from the Palestine Red Crescent Society returned to Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis this week after they said they were forced to evacuate by the Israeli military last month. Red Crescent crews this week found destroyed medical equipment, ambulances buried under sand and rubble, and graffiti spray painted on the walls, the humanitarian organization said.

Even now, with the Israeli military withdrawal, we still cant operate the hospital because of the scale of damage," said Nebal Farsakh, spokeswoman for the Red Crescent, which operates the hospital.

The Israeli military didnt respond to a request for comment.

Israels military achieved some of its stated aims in its Khan Younis campaign, while failing to succeed in others. It dismantled Hamas battalions, but didnt kill or capture the groups senior leadership, including Hamass Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, who grew up in Khan Younis and was believed to be there earlier in the war, said Guy Aviad, a Hamas researcher and former Israeli military officer. Nor did the Israeli military free hostages believed to be in the city.

For Khan Younis residents, Israels military campaign completely upended life.

Mohammad Abu Watfa has a home in Rafah, where he says he has allowed dozens of friends and family to shelter. He traveled north to evaluate the home of his in-laws in Khan Younis. He returned to Rafah with bad news: They lost everything," he said.

Instead of moving back into their Khan Younis homes, many displaced Palestinians returned to their tents in Rafah after finding their dwellings destroyed or uninhabitable. They returned with whatever salvageable supplies they could gather in tow. Abu Watfa said he saw people hauling mattresses, blankets and wood for fire.

Even if people were lucky enough to have an intact home, seeing the wreckage of Khan Younis made many realize there is no point in moving back there, Abu Watfa said. At least in Rafah there is some water, some services, some electricity with solar panels," he said. There is none of that in Khan Younis."

More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, mostly women and children, according to health authorities, whose numbers dont distinguish between militants and civilians. Israels invasion of the besieged enclave followed Oct. 7 attacks led by Hamas in Israel, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli authorities.

Abu Amro, who had gone to check on his own home, returned to his familys tent in Rafah just in time for one of the last few evening meals of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. I rushed back to tell them there is nothing out there for us right nowwe are staying in a tent," he said.

While coming to terms with knowing the building he made memories inwhere he lived alongside his siblings and cousins and childrenis forever gone, Abu Amro said he is grateful he and his kids are still alive.

As long as we live, we will rebuild," he said.

Anat Peled contributed to this article.

Write to Omar Abdel-Baqui at omar.abdel-baqui@wsj.com
Delhi MLA Raaj Kumar Anand resigned from the Arvind Kejriwal-led Cabinet and subsequently exited the party on Wednesday afternoon. The former Minister  who had held several portfolios including Social Welfare  cited the corruption charges levelled against the party and also flagged the lack of Dalits among the upper echelons of the Aam Aadmi Party. Anand is one of the many AAP leaders who have faced Enforcement Directorate raids in recent months.

"This party doesn't respect Dalit MLAs, councillors and ministers. In such circumstances, all Dalits feel cheated. We live in an inclusive society, but it is not wrong to talk about proportion. It is difficult for me to remain in the party with all these things, hence I am resigning from the post," Anand said during a press conference on Wednesday.

He also noted that the AAP was born to fight corruption but now found itself mired in controversy. The Patel Nagar MLA said that he was unable to work in the AAP-led Delhi government and did not want his name to be associated with this corruption.

ALSO READ: Lack of seriousness: Delhi LG VK Saxena writes to Home Ministry as AAP Ministers skip meetings, party says.... Anand also took a swipe at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (currently lodged in Tihar jail) over his arrest.

From the Jantar Mantar, Arvind Kejriwal had said that the country will change once politics changes. The politics hasn't changed but the politician has changed, he opined.

Raaj Kumar Anand's residence and other premises linked to the politician were raided by the ED in November last year. The search teams were accompanied by a CRPF team as they visited several locations in the national capital. The raids took place mere hours before Kejriwal was slated to appear before the probe agency for questioning in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy case. The Delhi CM had ultimately skipped the meeting in early November
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh courted controversy on Wednesday after accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of speaking nonsense when it came to the Katchatheevu island row. The remarks have prompted outrage in the BJP ranks with several politicians and party candidates lashing out at the Congress MP for his mindset. The developments came mere hours after PM Modi fired a fresh salvo at the Congress and allied DMK, accusing them of keeping the "country in the dark" over the island issue.

Who lives on that island? I want to ask this question. Modi ji speaks nonsense, without any head or tail, he told reporters.

Nehruji's thinking of calling Aksai Chin a barren land is still alive in the Congress. Digvijay ji's statement regarding Kachchativu island reflects the same thinking. Due to this mentality, development could not take place in the remote areas of India under Congress rule, countered BJP Lok Sabha candidate Kangana Ranaut.

The actor also assured that there would be no compromise with the geographical integrity of the country in New India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for constructive bilateral engagement to restore peace and tranquillity at the Indo-China border. The remarks came during a recent interview  mere days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Modi also highlighted several policies and initiatives launched by his government in the past decade.

The relationship with China is important and significant for India. It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us. Stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for not just our two countries but the entire region and world, he was quoted as telling Newswrap.

The PM voiced hope for positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels to ensure peaceful ties with the other country.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP invites 25 foreign parties to witness campaigning, says Report While the Quad grouping is often considered a bloc against growing Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region, Modi insisted that it was not aimed against any country.

We are present in different combinations in different groups. Quad is not aimed against any country. Like many other international groupings, like SCO, BRICS and others, Quad is also a group of like-minded countries working on a shared positive agenda, he said.

ALSO READ: Tesla chief Elon Musk to meet PM Modi during India visit from April 22, announce investment plans Modi however refused to comment on the imprisonment of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, dubbing it an internal matter of the country.

I have congratulated the Prime Minister of Pakistan on taking over office. India has always advocated for advancing peace, security and prosperity in our region in an atmosphere free from terror and violence, he told the publication.
The killing of three private security contractors in last weeks Israeli strike on an aid convoy in Gaza shined light on an industry that in recent years has shifted from working for military forces to helping protect humanitarian organizations that operate in conflict zones.

John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirbyemployees of Solace Global, a U.K.-based security and risk-management companywere among seven who were killed when Israeli drone strikes hit the convoy organized by World Central Kitchen, a humanitarian group founded by chef Jose Andres. The attack added to international uproar over the war in Gaza, and Israels military took disciplinary action against its own personnel after finding errors in decision-making" and the violation of the rules of engagement.

The three security contractors had served in the British military, and Chapman was a veteran of the Special Boat Service, the U.K. equivalent of the Navy SEALs, according to Solace Global.

Private security firms such as Blackwater rose to prominence at the height of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, where they assumed roles that were once reserved for uniformed soldiers, such as guarding diplomatic convoys. When those wars wound down, so too did demand for such services, at least initially.

When those big U.S.-driven contracts dried up, those big companies shut down," said Sean McFate, a former private military contractor who teaches strategy at the National Defense University. But that doesnt mean everybody came home and became a National Guard Reservist. A lot of them went looking for future clients."

The companies that stayed in business shifted to developing private-sector clients, McFate said, like oil companies with offshore installations, nongovernmental organizations operating in risky locales and journalists in war zones.

The sector became a well-trodden career path for military veterans, especially in the U.S. and U.K.

This is a third act for these guys," said McFate. And theyre making lots of money."

Security-service revenues worldwide are expected to increase 4.4% a year to nearly $300 billion in 2026, according to Freedonia Group, a market-research firm.

The private-security industry originated at the close of the Cold War, as the so-called peace dividend led the U.S. to cut military budgets and outsource many low-level security jobs, such as manning guard posts and shuttling supplies.

The sector mushroomed during the post-9/11 war on terror, with the U.S. and other governments hiring tens of thousands of contractors for duty in Afghanistan, Iraq and other regions where American troops were deployed.

That spawned this whole industry of support for the U.S. government and military overseas," said Howard Lind, the president of the International Stability Operations Association, a Washington-based trade organization for the industry. These security companies work hand in glove with the U.S. military, the U.S. government."

With the growth of these companies came allegations of malfeasance and scandal. Private security contractors were linked to the torture of Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison in 2003.

Several years later, security contractors working for Blackwaterthe largest and perhaps most well-known of the American private military contractorskilled 17 Iraqi civilians in what became known as the Nisour Square massacre.

Solace Global, which provided the security contractors killed in last weeks Israeli airstrike, was founded in 2010 in the port city of Poole along Englands Channel coast by a former U.K. Royal Marine. It initially hired out naval veterans to assist in combating an epidemic of piracy in Somalia.

Like other security companies affected by reduced military missions, Solace Global branched out into travel-risk management, a service that oversees travel routes, personal protection, medical care and criminal or terror threats.

Last weeks deaths in Gaza were the first fatalities that Solace Global has suffered. Its a really rare situation, because these things are so meticulously planned," said Matthew Harding, a company board member.

Some private security firms still court controversy. In 2019, for example, a former U.S. Army Green Beret and his son helped former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn flee Japan, where he faced a trial on charges of financial wrongdoing.

The pair placed Ghosn in a box and spirited him out on a private plane. They subsequently spent nearly two years in Japanese prison.

There has been an upsurge of mercenaries from Colombia and neighboring South American countries, veterans of militaries hardened by battling narco-traffickers and insurgencies, who hire out on the relative cheap.

Colombian mercenaries have fought in Yemen on behalf of the United Arab Emirates and were fingered in the 2021 assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moise, according to McFate.

Russias Wagner Group, which played a major role in Russias 2022 expansion of the war in Ukraine, has emerged as perhaps the most famous private security firm in recent years, but also perhaps the most unusual. The company and its troops worked closely with the Russian state but also operated with a high amount of freedom," said John Lechner, an analyst who is writing a book about the group.

That model, however, is different from most of the Western private firms operating around the world, said Simon Cassey, an executive at the Chesterfield Group, a London-based security-industry insurance broker.

The public image you get is of gun-toting mercenaries, the Wagner types," he said. But the vast majority of these men, like the three that died, are risking their lives doing good things in the world."

Write to Brett Forrest at brett.forrest@wsj.com and David Luhnow at david.luhnow@wsj.com
SAO PAULOBefore his weekend showdown with tech billionaire Elon Musk, Brazils Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes had already earned a reputation as a lightning rod in Brazils battles over free speech.

In recent years, de Moraes has slapped fines and bans on social-media companies and ordered police to investigateand even arrestsome of the countrys most powerful conservative bloggers, businessmen and politicians over what he deemed offensive online posts.

Now the courts order to block a swath of X accounts has sparked fresh debate, with critics on the right, including many legal experts, saying de Moraes has gone too far. They argue his crusade to clean up the internet in the name of safeguarding democracy is arbitrary and repressive, and that the biggest risk to democracy in Brazil could be the Supreme Court.

Musk appears to think so. On Monday, he said de Moraes had given X two hours to suspend a series of high-profile accounts from the platform, formerly known as Twitter, which the tech magnate acquired in 2022.

We were being given demands to suspend sitting members of the parliament and major journalists, and moreover we could not tell them that this was at the behest of Alexandre de Moraes and we had to pretend that it was due to our rules of service," said Musk during a podcast.

That was the final straw and we said no," he said, describing the order in another post as the most draconian demands of any country on Earth."

Musk has called for de Moraess removal and has goaded him online in recent days, referring to the judge as Brazils Darth Vader" and likening his powers to those of a brutal dictator."

Supporters of former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, who gave Musk a medal during his visit in 2022 to announce plans to install satellites over the Amazon rainforest, have reveled in Musks defiance, declaring him a hero," as the dividing lines in Brazils culture wars deepen.

There are eerie parallels with the United States," said Christopher Garman, managing director for the Americas at Eurasia Group, a political-risk consulting firm, pointing to fears among both Democrats and Republicans ahead of the U.S. presidential election. Each side is fully convinced that the other is a threat to democracy."

Brazils Supreme Court, which hasnt made the original court order public, didnt respond to requests for comment, either on behalf of the court or de Moraes himself.

But de Moraes, who said he has received a stream of death threats since Bolsonaro called him scum" at a major rally in 2021, has shown no signs of backing down. We Supreme Court judges are not cowards," the 55-year-old justice said recently.

Despite also clashing with de Moraes in the past, members of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas leftist Workers Party jumped to his defense over recent days, calling Musks failure to comply with the court order an attack on Brazilian sovereignty.

Social media is not a no mans land!" de Moraes wrote in bold caps in a follow-up decision Sunday to include Musk in his sweeping investigation into disinformation campaigns online.

He also ordered an investigation into Musk for the crimes of obstruction of justice, being a member of a criminal organization and incitementcrimes that can carry jail sentences of more than 10 years in Brazil, according to a court document.

Brazils face-off with Musk comes as the worlds largest democracies, from the U.S. to India, battle to regulate fast-growing social-media platforms, grappling with fundamental questions such as whether freedom of expression should also give citizens the right to lie.

But the stakes in Latin Americas most-populous nation are particularly high, said Joao Brant, the governments secretary for digital policies, who has said his country could serve as a laboratory to test out policies that could be adopted elsewhere.

In Brazil, a nation of more than 200 million peoplethe worlds fourth-largest democracythe private messaging app WhatsApp is now considered the principal source of information, according to a 2019 government poll. Some 79% of Brazilians said they got their news via the app, compared with 50% from television and 8% from newspapers.

This means that a large part of public debate is not happening in the open," said Brant. This diminishes the ability of the Brazilian justice system to act and makes combating disinformation in the country more difficult."

The Supreme Court has resorted to blanket bans of accounts of social-media platforms instead, making the most of the expansive powers afforded to the court by Brazils constitution.

At 64,488 words, Brazils constitution is one of the most detailed and lengthiest in the world, giving the Supreme Court powers to intervene on wide-ranging issues as the gatekeepers of constitutional law.

The courts 11 justices, along with their armies of attorneys, have already ruled on close to 26,000 cases this year alone.

Brazil has had a particularly rocky relationship with democracy, emerging from a 21-year military dictatorship in 1985, under which Bolsonaro himself served as an army captain.

Recent probes by de Moraes into Bolsonaro and his role in the storming of Congress by his supporters in January 2023 have concluded that the conservative leader not only plotted a military takeover of the country before the 2022 presidential elections but also encouraged his supporters to unseat da Silva from office.

Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases, saying he is the victim of a witch hunt by the left and the countrys left-leaning top judges.

In his secondary role as temporary head of Brazils electoral court, de Moraes led a trial last year that resulted in Bolsonaros ban from political office until 2030. In February this year, he ordered police to seize Bolsonaros passport, and his supporters fear that de Moraes could soon order the former presidents arrest.

Not long ago, many Brazilians werent familiar with individual Supreme Court justices. But the Car Wash corruption case that embroiled the countrys top politicians and in 2018 landed da Silva in jail for 19 months, plunged the court into the middle of Brazilian politics. The court was forced to make the final decision on key cases, including da Silvas eventual release from prison that paved the way for his election as president.

Bolsonaros own rise and his open attacks on the Supreme Court have also prompted the court to award itself greater powers to combat his right-wing supporters, largely with the support of the political left.

In 2019, the courts lead justice at the time, Dias Toffoli, gave de Moraes permission to open a so-called fake news inquiry" to probe attacks on the courttraditionally a role only played by prosecutors.

Moraes suddenly became the investigator, the accuser, the victim and the judge all at the same time. Brazil tolerated this because a consensus had formed that Bolsonaro was a threat to democracy and so people ended up accepting it," said Leonardo Barreto, a Brasilia-based political scientist.

But it is a dangerous precedent, he said. What happens when this type of arbitrary justice, these illegalities are also directed at the very people who supported it?"

Write to Samantha Pearson at samantha.pearson@wsj.com
The Silicon Valley company Skydio sent hundreds of its best drones to Ukraine to help fight the Russians. Things didnt go well.

Skydios drones flew off course and were lost, victims of Russias electronic warfare. The company has since gone back to the drawing board to build a new fleet.

Most small drones from U.S. startups have failed to perform in combat, dashing companies hopes that a badge of being battle-tested would bring the startups sales and attention. It is also bad news for the Pentagon, which needs a reliable supply of thousands of small, unmanned aircraft.

In the first war to feature small drones prominently, American companies still have no meaningful presence. Made-in-America drones tend to be expensive, glitchy and hard to repair, said drone company executives, Ukrainians on the front lines, Ukrainian government officials and former U.S. defense officials.

Absent solutions from the West, Ukraine has turned to cheaper Chinese products to fill its drone arsenal.

The general reputation for every class of U.S. drone in Ukraine is that they dont work as well as other systems," Skydio Chief Executive Adam Bry said, calling his own drone not a very successful platform on the front lines."

There has been a deluge of venture capital invested in startups trying to build small, AI-powered aircraft, hoping to sell them to the U.S. government. Startups have focused on commercial drones that can be built faster and cheaper than the large military drones made by traditional defense contractors. Nearly 300 U.S.-based drone-technology companies raised a total of around $2.5 billion in venture-capital funding in the past two years, according to the data firm PitchBook.

Ukrainian officials have found U.S.-made drones fragile and unable to overcome Russian jamming and GPS blackout technology. At times, they couldnt take off, complete missions or return home. American drones often fail to fly at the distances advertised or carry substantial payloads.

Small American drones for the battlefield have been underdeveloped," said Mykola Bielieskov, a senior analyst at Ukraines Come Back Alive, a charity that has supplied more than 30,000 drones to the military.

American drone company executives say they didnt anticipate the electronic warfare in Ukraine. In Skydios case, its drone was designed in 2019 to meet communications standards set by the U.S. military. Several startup executives said U.S. restrictions on drone parts and testing limit what they can build and how fast they can build it.

Those restrictions have proven a problem in the drone battles that sometimes require daily updates and upgrades, said Georgii Dubynskyi, Ukraines deputy minister of digital transformation, the agency that oversees the countrys drone program.

What is flying today wont be able to fly tomorrow," he said. We have to adapt to the emerging technologies quickly. The innovation cycle in this war is very short."

Using Chinese drones

Ukraine has found ways to get tens of thousands of drones as well as drone parts from China. The military is using off-the-shelf Chinese drones, primarily from SZ DJI Technology.

Ukraine has also developed a domestic drone industry that relies on Chinese components. Ukrainian factories are churning out hundreds of thousands of small, cheap drones that can carry explosives. It also produces larger drones that can strike deep into enemy territory and reach Russian ships on the Black Sea.

Dubynskyi said Ukraine wants to test and use more U.S. drones. Nevertheless, we are looking for cost-effective solutions," he said.

Ukrainian forces are burning through about 10,000 drones a month, which they couldnt afford if they had to buy expensive U.S. drones. Many American commercial drones cost tens of thousands of dollars more each than a Chinese model.

Less than a month after Russias expanded invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Pentagon approved the supply of Switchblade 300 drones from the Virginia-based defense contractor AeroVironment. The Switchblades faced initial challenges with Russias electronic-warfare systems, according to a former U.S. soldier who worked with the drones in Ukraine.

An AeroVironment spokeswoman said Russian jamming has affected everyone and the companys drones are updated to deal with it.

The U.S.-Greek startup Velos Rotors said its V3 twin-engine helicopter drone experienced a test failure in a December demonstration outside Kyiv, according to a company spokeswoman. She said that Ukrainian forces are using the V3 and that the company hopes to ship more models this year if it can get orders from the U.S. government.

Joining AeroVironment as one of the few U.S. drone manufacturers to win a Defense Department contract for Ukraine is Cyberlux, a North Carolina-based manufacturer of movie-production drones modified to carry an explosive.

In a written briefing to shareholders, Cyberlux said it had failed to meet production and delivery goals for the drones. Chief Executive Mark Schmidt said the company hasnt breached its contract with the Defense Department, worth up to $79 million.

There have been successes. Skydio drone footage has assisted the Ukrainian investigations of alleged Russian war crimes, including attacks on civilians and a nuclear facility, according to Ukraines Office of the Prosecutor General.

About 60 drones from Seattle-based Brinc have been deployed for search and rescue and scouting for Russians inside buildings. But the drone startup isnt certain it wants to be in the business of fighting wars.

Is this a huge opportunity for American drone companies in general?" asked Brinc Chief Executive Blake Resnick. Im not sure."

We cant miss on this

Chinas DJI has proven to be the go-to drone brand for Ukraines military. DJI said in a statement that it tries to restrict the use of its drones in the war but cant control how the drones are used after they are purchased.

DJI absolutely deplores and condemns the use of its products to cause harm anywhere in the world," the statement said.

The U.S. has called DJI a Chinese military company and a surveillance tool for Beijing, which DJI denies. The Pentagon banned DJI drones in the U.S. military, and congressional legislation would ban new DJI products in the U.S.

In its statement, DJI called the proposed ban politically motivated and the product of lobbying by American drone companies that are trying to eliminate competition.

The shortcomings of U.S. drone makers are partly the result of the U.S. governments policy response to China, according to drone executives and former defense officials. The Defense Department has imposed strict requirements on drone manufacturers, including a ban of Chinese components, which has made it more expensive and harder to build small drones, the executives and former officials said.

A Defense Department spokesman said it is paramount to ensure that drones have a secure supply chain and meet military standards.

A Defense Department program launched in 2020 to help startup company drones sell to the U.S. military doesnt allow drone makers to update their software without government approval. This requirement can leave the drones made according to U.S. regulations vulnerable to evolving methods of cyberattacks and electronic warfare.

The Defense Innovation Unit, Silicon Valleys outpost of the Defense Department, runs the drone startup program that supports Skydio and other startups. A spokeswoman for the unit said software changes on drones must be assessed for security. She said the unit is trying to improve the process to provide software approval within a few days.

Skydio employees went back to Ukraine 17 times to get feedback, Bry said. Its new drone is built around Ukraines military needs and feedback from public-safety agencies and other customers, he said, rather than U.S. Defense Department requirements that are sometimes divorced from battlefield realities.

Ukraine has requested thousands of the new Skydio X10, which has a radio that can switch frequencies on its own as soon as its signal is jammed by electronic interference. It also has better navigation capabilities so it can fly at high altitudes without GPS, Skydio said.

It is critical for Skydio, and I think the U.S. drone industry at large, that we make X10 succeed at scale on the battlefield in Ukraine," Bry said. Theres no alternative. As a country, we cant miss on this."

Alistair MacDonald contributed to this article.

Write to Heather Somerville at heather.somerville@wsj.com and Brett Forrest at brett.forrest@wsj.com
King Tutankhamun ascended the ancient Egyptian throne at age 9 or 10, in the 14th century B.C. and died about a decade later.

Tutankhamun, often called King Tut today, was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who was buried in a lavish tomb filled with gold artifacts in the Valley of the Kings. His tomb was discovered in 1922 by an archaeological team led by British Egyptologist Howard Carter. While Carter gets much of the credit for discovering the tomb, most of the actual work was done by Egyptians.

King Tut is sometimes called the "boy king" because he ascended the throne at age 9 or 10, in the 14th century B.C. He died about a decade later. His treasure-filled tomb was discovered mostly intact, which is extraordinary given that most of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings had been looted in ancient times.

The discovery of his tomb in 1922 attracted worldwide attention and turned King Tut into a household name. "It's difficult to imagine the past century without Tutankhamun and the discovery of that time-capsule tomb," Christina Riggs , a history professor at Durham University in England, wrote in her book " Treasured: How Tutankhamun Shaped a Century " (PublicAffairs, 2022).

"There would have been no media frenzy of Tut-mania and mummy curses to kick-start the jazz age, and no surge of corresponding pride in the newly independent nation-state of Egypt [which had declared independence from Britain in 1922]," Riggs wrote.

Although Tutankhamun's tomb was lavish, historical and archaeological evidence indicates that the young pharaoh was sickly and spent his short rule undoing a religious revolution started by his father, Akhenaten .

Son of Akhenaten, a revolutionary

King Tut, called Tutankhaten at birth, was born in ancient Egypt around 1341 B.C. His father, Akhenaten, was a revolutionary pharaoh who tried to focus Egypt's polytheistic religion around the worship of the sun disk, the Aten. In his fervor, Akhenaten ordered the names and images of other Egyptian deities to be destroyed or defaced. He also built a new capital at what is now Tell el-Amarna. He was able to carry out these acts without a widespread violent rebellion, but Akhenaten was condemned after his death, Anna Stevens , an Egyptologist at Monash University in Australia, wrote in her book " Amarna: A Guide to the Ancient City of Akhetaten " (The American University in Cairo Press, 2021).

Tutankhaten's biological mother is unknown but likely was not Akhenaten's principal wife, Queen Nefertiti  although Egyptologists still debate this, Bob Brier , an Egyptologist at Long Island University, wrote in his book " Tutankhamun and the Tomb that Changed the World " (Oxford University Press, 2022).

A relief showing King Akhenaten, Queen Nefertiti and their children, along with the sun disk, Aten (Image credit: UniversalImagesGroup / Contributor via Getty Images)

Tutankhamun ascended the throne around 1332 B.C. Given his young age, the boy king would have relied heavily on advisers. At some point, he changed his name from Tutankhaten to Tutankhamun, removing the word "aten"  a reminder of his father's attempted religious revolution  and replacing it with "amun," Brier wrote. This name belonged to an important Egyptian god who some Egyptians regarded as the king of the gods. This change illustrates King Tut's move away from his father's religious changes, returning Egypt to its former polytheistic beliefs.

Tutankhamun condemned his father's actions in a stela found at Karnak, near modern-day Luxor, which stated that Akhenaten's religious revolution had caused the gods to ignore Egypt. Part of the stela reads, "the temples and the cities of the gods and the goddesses, starting from Elephantine [as far] as the Delta marshes  were fallen into decay and their shrines were fallen into ruin, having become mere mounds overgrown with grass.  The gods were ignoring this land." (Excerpt taken from " The City of Akhenaten and Nefertiti: Amarna and Its People " (Thames & Hudson, 2012)). This act may have helped him cement his power.

Who was King Tut's wife?

Tutankhamun married his half sister Queen Ankhesenamun, and the couple's twin daughters were stillborn; their fetuses were buried in jars in the pharaoh's tomb. The couple left no heir to the throne. The tomb of Queen Ankhesenamun has not yet been found.

Surviving letters indicate that after Tut's death, Ankhesenamun tried to remain on the throne , even going so far as to write to Suppiluliuma I, the Hittite king in Anatolia, to send one of his sons to marry her. Suppiluliuma I found this difficult to believe but eventually sent one of his sons, who died during the journey. Ankhesenamun was eventually forced to marry the official Ay, who became pharaoh.

What did King Tut look like?

A 2010 study of King Tut's remains published in the journal JAMA found that he was 5 feet, 6 inches (1.67 meters) tall and had a variety of medical conditions and illnesses, including malaria and Kohler disease, a rare bone disorder of the foot. Archaeologists also found a number of canes in Tutankhamun's tomb , which suggests the pharaoh had difficulty walking at times.

Despite these maladies, he may have worn armor  although whether he went into battle himself is unclear. A 2018 analysis of leather armor found in Tutankhamun's tomb revealed that the armor had been worn.

A view of King Tut's mummified head, displayed in a climate-controlled case at his tomb in the Valley of the Kings in 2007. (Image credit: AFP / Pool via Getty Images)

"Tutankhamun looked like a person who was suffering physically," Zahi Hawass , a former minister of Egyptian antiquities and co-author of the JAMA paper, previously told Live Science in an email. "He limped and used a stick to walk. He had malaria."

Hutan Ashrafian, a clinical lecturer in surgery at Imperial College London, said Tutankhamun would have walked with a limp, had a slightly longer-than-normal skull, had somewhat enlarged breasts (from a condition called gynecomastia, caused by hormonal imbalances), had buckteeth and been relatively skinny. He was "relatively frail in physique," Ashrafian, who has studied Tutankhamun and his mummy, previously told Live Science.

How old was King Tut when he died?

The boy king died around 1323 B.C. at about age 18. His death was likely unexpected, and his tomb appears to have been hastily finished. In 2011, Ralph Mitchell , who was then a professor of applied biology at Harvard University, helped analyze brown spots in the tomb . Those spots turned out to be the remains of microbes that had once grown on the walls, possibly as a result of paint that was still wet when the pharaoh was interred. "We're guessing that the painted wall was not dry when the tomb was sealed," Mitchell said in a statement .

How did King Tut die?

How King Tut died is a matter of debate among scholars. Egyptologists have put forward numerous hypotheses over the years. In the JAMA article, a research team suggested that a combination of malaria and necrosis (tissue death) from a broken bone in his left foot may have caused his death.

Despite Tutankhamun's health issues, historical and archaeological remains suggest that he tried to keep active, and the broken bone may have come from an accident while hunting. "He liked to hunt wild animals and built a palace near the Sphinx for hunting," Hawass said. "Despite any physical issues, he was active enough to have an accident and injure his leg two days before he died."

Where is King Tut's tomb?

King Tut was buried in an extravagant tomb in the Valley of the Kings, near modern-day Luxor. This valley held the tombs of many pharaohs who lived during the New Kingdom period (circa 1550 to 1070 B.C.) of Egypt's history. During that time, Egypt stopped building pyramids for pharaohs and instead interred them in this valley. Security concerns relating to tomb robbery may have been one reason pharaohs were buried in the valley.

What's inside Tutankhamun's tomb?

Carter's team discovered the tomb's entranceway on Nov. 4, 1922, and entered the tomb on Nov. 26.

"As one's eyes became accustomed to the glimmer of light the interior of the chamber gradually loomed before one, with its strange and wonderful medley of extraordinary and beautiful objects heaped upon one another," Carter wrote in his diary of the dig.

Carter and his team found that the tomb contained a wealth of untouched treasures . "Our sensations and astonishment are difficult to describe as the better light revealed to us the marvelous collection of treasures: two strange ebony-black effigies of a King, gold sandalled, bearing staff and mace, loomed out from the cloak of darkness; gilded couches in strange forms, lion-headed, Hathor-headed, and beast infernal " Carter wrote in his diary, which is available online at the Griffith Institute at the University of Oxford. Among the many other treasures was a dagger whose iron came from a meteor and a golden throne that has two lions projecting outward as if protecting the throne.

Among the finds was the mummy of Tutankhamun himself. In a 2013 study published in the journal Etudes et Travaux , Salima Ikram , a professor of Egyptology at The American University in Cairo, suggested that returning Egypt to its traditional polytheistic beliefs was so important to Tutankhamun and his advisers that he requested to be mummified in an unusual way to emphasize his strong association with Osiris, the god of the underworld .

Ikram wrote that Tutankhamun's skin was soaked in oil after his death, which turned his skin black. His heart was also removed, even though the Egyptians did not normally remove the heart. Additionally, his penis was mummified at a 90-degree angle, which was also unusual. In legend, Osiris had black skin, strong regenerative powers and a heart that had been hacked to pieces by his brother Seth.

View of the antechamber of the tomb looking south, following its discovery in 1922 (Image credit: Heritage Images / Contributor via Getty Images)

However, the large amount of flammable oil caused Tutankhamun's mummy to catch fire shortly after his burial.

While King Tutankhamun's riches are incredible, the tomb was unusually small for a pharaoh's burial, with a total volume of 9,782 cubic feet (277 cubic meters), the Theban Mapping Project website notes. Tut's tomb is divided among the passage corridor, the burial chamber, the antechamber, and two rooms now called the "annex" and the "treasury." In comparison, the tomb of Seti I (reign circa 1294 to 1279 B.C) has a volume of 67,110 cubic feet (1,900 cubic m), according to the mapping project.

The tomb may be small because the pharaoh died young and unexpectedly, leaving no time to carve out a larger tomb. It's possible that the tomb was not originally intended for a pharaoh at all, Richard Wilkinson, an Egyptology professor at the University of Arizona, wrote in a paper published in the book " The Oxford Handbook of the Valley of the Kings " (Oxford University Press, 2014).

"The tomb of Tutankhamun is not of royal design, and it may have been hastily taken over for his burial when the young king died and [the] tomb that was being prepared for him was not yet complete," Wilkinson wrote. Despite the name "Valley of the Kings," people who were not pharaohs were also buried there.

In 2015, Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves , an independent scholar, published a paper in the periodical Amarna Royal Tombs Project suggesting that Nefertiti was also buried in King Tut's tomb and that her burial remains hidden behind a wall. However, ground-penetrating radar surveys have failed to find solid evidence of a hidden burial .

King Tutankhamun's mask

The most iconic treasure in King Tut's burial chamber is his death mask, made of gold along with inlaid stones and glass. The "mummy mask of Tutankhamun is made of two sheets of solid gold inlaid with glass, faience [glazed ceramic], and semiprecious stones" and weighs 22.5 pounds (10.2 kilograms), Susan Allen , a senior research scholar at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, wrote in her book " Tutankhamun's Tomb: The Thrill of Discovery " (Met Publications, 2006).

Resins and oils were poured over this mask, along with the rest of the mummy, Allen noted. As the resins and oils cooled, they darkened and hardened.

What is the curse of King Tut's tomb?

Within months of the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922, the man who financed its excavation  George Herbert, the fifth Earl of Carnarvon in England  became ill and died. It didn't take long for people to question whether a "mummy's curse" had doomed the earl. Newspapers perpetuated the myth that the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb awakened a curse that killed those who helped find it .

"Pharaoh's 3,000 year-old Curse is Seen in Illness of Carnarvons" read the headline on the front page of the March 21, 1923, edition of "The Courier Journal," a newspaper published in Louisville, Kentucky.

The mummy's curse was refuted in a 2002 study in The BMJ , which examined the records of 25 people who went into the tomb shortly after its discovery. People who entered the tomb lived, on average, to age 70 and lived an average of 20 years after being inside the tomb. Those numbers were not unusual given the average life span at the time and the age of those who entered the tomb, the researchers noted.

King Tutankhamun's legacy

The discovery of Tutankhamun's intact tomb and the media sensation around it have made King Tut more prominent in death than he was in life. This "long-lost king, buried before he was out of his teens, found more fame and influence in the twentieth century than he had ever known in his own life-time," Riggs wrote.

That worldwide fame continues today, and his tomb, known as KV 62, is a major tourist attraction. But tourist entry is strictly managed, as changes in humidity, brought about by people passing through the tomb, can damage the tomb and its wall paintings. To help mitigate the risks, the Getty Conservation Institute conducted conservation work on the tomb between 2009 and 2019. During this time, the conservation team installed a new ventilation system in the tomb and conducted a detailed check of the wall paintings.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Western powers shipped Egyptian archaeological treasures home to their own museums and private collections. As a result, Egyptian authorities enacted laws to ensure that Tutankhamun and his treasures would remain in Egypt, Richard Parkinson , an Egyptology professor at the University of Oxford, wrote in a chapter published in the book " Tutankhamun: Excavating the Archive " (Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, 2022).

Additional resources

The Griffith Institute maintains a detailed archive of material from the excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb, much of which can be accessed on the institute's website. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has images from the tomb and information on how to visit. The ministry also has a virtual tour of the Tutankhamun artifacts on display in the Egyptian Museum.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on April 1, 2016, and was updated on April 10, 2024.
The recent visits to China by high-ranking ASEAN officials highlight the expanding economic significance of the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic cooperation as well as its strengthening connections. These trips are an indication of the relationships growing durability and dependability, which is bringing stability and forward impetus to regional and global development.

Prabowo Subianto, the incoming president of Indonesia and minister of defense, made a noteworthy visit to China on his first official tour following his election.

This demonstrates Chinas crucial position in Indonesias foreign policy, strengthening the two countries bilateral cooperation even further. China-Indonesia economic cooperation is thriving as major infrastructure projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway are under way and trade volumes are at all-time highs.

Saleumxay Kommasith, the deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Laos, underlined the countrys dedication to strengthening ties with China in a number of areas, such as energy, agriculture, and tourism.

Hailed as a golden transport channel, the China-Laos Railway generates jobs and propels economic progress along its course, demonstrating the thriving economic links between China and ASEAN.

Chinese automakers are driving Thailands electric vehicle revolution by solidifying Thailands standing as a major base for automobile manufacturing in Southeast Asia.

The growing economic connectivity between China and ASEAN is highlighted by the development of supporting sectors and the appearance of investment hotspots in the digital economy and green development.

With the expansion of bilateral commerce and investment, Knightsbridge Group provides vital support to businesses looking to take advantage of the expanding commercial opportunities in China and Thailand.

With a keen understanding of the local markets and a proven track record in facilitating cross-border transactions, Knightsbridge Group is well-equipped to guide businesses through the complexities of international trade and investment in the ASEAN region.

Knightsbridge Group is a trusted partner for companies seeking to tap into the vast opportunities presented by the dynamic markets of China and Thailand. With its expertise and extensive network the Knightsbridge Group is poised to play a pivotal role in facilitating business growth and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships in the region.



Shayne Heffernan
PIERCE  The future of the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy took a big step forward in creating a permanent residential presence in Pierce.

A groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday took place to build new housing for cadets in the program. A helicopter brought in attendees from the governors office and the Idaho National Guard. Locals from the Pierce area also attended, including city councilors and Pierce Mayor Greg Gerot.

The color guard presented flags of the U.S., Idaho and the academy, and nearly 130 cadets lined up and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Joshua Jessup, one of the project directors, said it will take about 20 months to build the facility at a cost of $13.5 million.

The building will be approximately 18,000 square feet to fit 180 cadets as well as cadres  those who live with the cadets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The project has been in the works since 2017.

The academy was established in 2014 to help at-risk youth, ages 15 to 18 years old, earn an education and job skills to be productive in the workforce and succeed as citizens. The program uses a quasi-military approach with discipline and structure to help keep cadets productive. Since the academy began, the number of graduates has increased and the need for capacity has increased, Jessup said.

The first class in January 2014 had 97 cadets and this years class is the largest with 151. There is also a waiting list to get into the program, and that shows a need for increased capacity, said academy director Trevor Sparrow.

Sparrow said cadets are housed in 15 modular trailers that have experienced wear and tear over the last 10 years. Now workers are building a three-story housing unit to establish a permanent brick-and-mortar presence.

The Idaho National Guard major general, Michael Garshak, of Boise, said when the academys first class began it was somewhat of an experiment and there was skepticism the project would be successful in its remote location. But with support from the local communities of Pierce and Weippe, then the larger Clearwater County area, the school began to draw recognition from the state legislature and Gov. Brad Little.

Its no longer an experiment, Garshak said. Its an institution and the results speak for themselves; 2,075 men and women from the state of Idaho have completed this and have really improved the citizenship and the future for our state. Its time now to move out of a temporary facility and build a permanent barrack because the academy has demonstrated its here to stay.

Sparrow spoke about the concept of legacy that officials discuss with cadets on their first day of the program.

Every class prior to this class, and including this class, has been working on building a legacy, Sparrow said. Theyve all been part of this project.

Sparrow thanked those who were part of the program from the beginning, helping with the building project, and those who will continue to support the academy in the future.

He also addressed cadets who were present and said that, even though they wont be using the new residence themselves, they are welcome to come back to see it.
Idaho school districts soon will have to remove any requirements that teachers use transgender students preferred pronouns.

Gov. Brad Little quietly signed House Bill 538 on Monday. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle, broadly enacts protections for public employees, including teachers, who are unwilling to use someones preferred name and pronouns. It had overwhelming support among Statehouse Republicans.

The bill bars teachers from referring to a student by a name or pronoun that doesnt align with the persons birth sex, unless the teacher has parental consent. It also gives teachers the right to sue the district if theyre disciplined for refusing to use a transgender students preferred name or pronoun.

The governors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his decision to sign the bill into law.

The new law  which takes effect July 1  impacts students and public employees who are transgender but also others who dont identify with a traditional male-female binary.
GRANGEVILLE  Idaho County may get a much-needed boost from the countys emergency management department to furnish dispatch services in the anticipated new jail complex.

Idaho County Chief Deputy Brian Hewson told the county commissioners Tuesday that Jerry Zumalt, the county emergency management officer, has offered to seek grants to pay for everything in dispatch. The grants could provide as much as $450,000 to $500,000 for the equipment that drives dispatch, including consoles, computers and interface services.

Zumalt said the competitive grants are offered through the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission. In addition, the county has a 911 fund that is collected from a $1 per month surcharge on residents phone bills and designated for emergency communications.

That money would solve one of the problems the county has run into trying to build a jail complex within a tight budget. Last week the commissioners voted to move forward with a $12.7 million bid from Kenaston Corp. of Lewiston. Most of the funding for the jail complex comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. But the original intent to build a complex that would include dispatch, drivers license and administrative offices was whittled back when the estimate for such a complex exceeded the countys budget by about $5 million.

The complex is expected to be completed in about a year and a half. It will be located on property near the Idaho County Airport and would include 20,543 square feet on the ground floor and 10,000 square feet on the upper level. The complex would house 48 cells.
Sign primaries initiative

I love that the Idaho Constitution ensures ordinary citizens a fundamental right to directly propose a change to state law through the initiative process.

Currently, volunteers across Idaho are in the final stretch of a monthslong signature drive for the Open Primaries Initiative with the intention of qualifying for the November ballot. Go to openprimariesid.org to learn more and find out how to sign.

I have enjoyed talking to Idaho County voters from Clearwater to Kooskia to Cottonwood as I have gathered signatures. Independents, Republicans, Democrats and Constitution Party members who value voter rights have all signed. Over coffee at the kitchen table, a beer at Wolftrack, city parks, craft fairs and parking lots, Ive heard from people who are tired of the silly fights and extremism in the state Legislature. People want their voices to be heard and more say in who we elect.

The OPI would create one primary election open to all voters. The current system of partisan primaries leaves out 270,000 independent voters in Idaho from having a say in important elections. Voters could also choose to rank additional candidates beyond their first choice in general elections. This would encourage candidates to reach beyond their base to talk to voters.

As a patriotic American, I believe that engaging more citizens in voting is a wonderful thing. Dont believe the rumors. Get the facts about OPI and sign the petition this month.

Norma Staaf

Harpster
I feel as if Im playing with sweaty dynamite, nitroglycerine or, worse yet, a nuclear reaction gone rogue because religion, as it relates to public policy and our countrys history, is a volatile subject.

First, a disclaimer so the hate mail wont be as voluminous: I am not anti-religion. Yes, this world and this universe is absolutely amazing. There is no definitive empirical evidence as to why we are here. There is so much we do not know. It is a marvel that we even exist. Faith in some explanation for our existence is important to many and often that explanation involves some form of divine creation. I am not denigrating anyones chosen faith.

Any spirituality or faith, whether it be religion-based or not, is profoundly personal. Such a thing certainly should not be denigrated, legislated or dictated by a governmental entity. I look to my grandmother as a model of private spirituality. She was Catholic and practiced her spirituality without proselytizing, judging others or demanding that everyone else in the family embrace her chosen beliefs. My grandfather was not so devout, yet they were tremendously compatible, happy and committed to each other and their family. They were good and honest, hard-working people with plenty of love to go around.

However, some in the world want to turn their holy books and chosen faith into law, waging a culture war on those with a differing faith or those who want freedom from religion. Using religious faith as an excuse to value-shame, neglect or incarcerate others is the antithesis of freedom or justice.

For example, Missouri state Sen. Sandy Crawford, a Republican, in debate on the legislative floor, opposed abortion in cases of rape and incest because God is perfect. God does not make mistakes and for some reason he allows that to happen. Apparently victims should just submit to their attackers because its Gods will, whether they are Christian or not.

We hear about and view as villainous the repression and violent enforcement of religious edicts pushed by foreign religious extremists and incorporated into the theocratic governments they control. The current Iranian and Afghani governments are controlled by extremist elements of Islam. Any time a religion begins to control governments, legislation and enforcement, the outcome is predictably restrictive, unjust and intolerant.

We need to guard against that same control here in the U.S. as the lines between church and state increasingly blur. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., calls this separation junk. I vehemently disagree. Would Christian extremists, if in control, be any less villainous? Perhaps the bloody Crusades of the 11th to 13th centuries or the inquisitions of the 15th and 16th centuries offer an answer.
Longford people are being urged to help Cystic Fibrosis Ireland meet its fundraising target of 300,000 on 65 Roses Day, taking place on Friday, April 12 nationwide.

Volunteers will be out in force selling purple roses in Longford and across the country, in Dunnes Stores, shopping centres and other participating outlets nationwide including Dunnes Stores, Dublin Road, Longford.

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and the digestive system. Ireland has the highest incidence of CF in the world and some of the most severe types. There are more than 1,400 people living with CF in Ireland and the number is increasing each year as a result of improvements in treatment and care.

Funds raised on 65 Roses Day will help to provide exercise equipment, counselling sessions, and grants for people with CF undergoing a transplant, fertility assessment or families with CF who have recently been bereaved. Funds also go to support Cystic Fibrosis research and the building of new CF hospital facilities and the funding of specialist CF staff.

PICTURES | Longford crowds treated to spectacular Granard Easter Festival parade

Supporting the campaign this year and encouraging the public to get involved is Jillian McNulty, campaigner, advocate and Ambassador for CFI.

I was diagnosed with CF when I was a baby. CF not only affects the lungs, but can also impact other systems like the reproductive system, and while you might hear of people with CF needing lung transplants, there are also many of us that have and may have to have kidney transplants too. I had mine last year and am so thankful for the gift my donor gave me, Jillian explains.

PICTURES | Style and plenty of fun as Longford folk enjoy Valentine's Ball for Cystic Fibrosis

So, I am asking everyone to get on board and support 65 Roses Day this year to help CFI to keep providing essential supports like transplant grants and advocacy services to advocate with people with CF in Ireland.

65 Roses Day derives its name from the way in which young children often first say the words "cystic fibrosis" and seeks to raise much-needed funds for Cystic Fibrosis services and supports for people with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland.

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is calling on the people of Longford to show support for 65 Roses Day this year and to buy a purple rose to help raise much needed funds for people in Longford living with CF.

Please support Cystic Fibrosis Ireland on 65 Roses Day, Friday, April 12 by donating online at 65roses.ie or purchasing a purple rose in participating Dunnes Stores, Shopping Centres and other outlets nationwide.

PICTURES | Plenty of talent on show at Longford Schools Scor in Abbeylara Parish Centre
An exhibition by local photographer David Burns is being hosted by Edgeworthstown Library this month.

A native of Carrickboy, this is Davids first solo exhibition of photographs in his home county and is entitled Everything I Do. The exhibition runs at Edgeworthstown Library until Tuesday, April 30.

Davids lifelong interest in photography began as a young child when his grandmother gifted him a plastic twin-lens box camera. While in secondary school, he began processing and printing black-and-white photographs in the school darkroom, thanks to a teacher with a keen interest in photography, Gary Hill.

PROPERTY WATCH | Charming Longford house with huge DIY potential for sale for 130,000

When he left school, he set up a home darkroom where he developed and printed his own black and white photographs. Since then, his photographic hobby has brought him all over Ireland and to Slovenia and Montenegro in Europe.

Davids main interest is landscape photography, but he loves to engage in the creative process and with many styles, concepts, and compositions.

Indeed, Davids creativity together with that of his wife Martina goes far beyond photography. As founders of Richmount Cordial Company they became artisan and sustainable growers of elderflowers and elderberries from which they produce and offer their renowned elderberry and elderflower drinks and cordials.

David has been a member of Midlands Photography Club in Athlone for many years having been invited to join following the disbandment of the former Longford Camera Club.

Down Memory Lane | Nathan Carter star attraction at Longford and Ballymahon concerts in 2014

An award-winning photographer Davids most recent successes were achieved at the An Oige Photographic Group 84th Annual Exhibition 2023 where he achieved a Silver Medal in the B&W print Section and a Bronze for his colour image in the Digital section.

A selection of his fantastic images is now on display at Edgeworthstown Library and admission is free to all.
Drama enthusiasts in North Longford are on high alert as Killeen Dramatic Society is set to stage two entertaining productions for their Spring run.

This year Killeen Dramatic Society stage two plays. These shows follow on from last year's hugely successful run of John B Keane's play 'Sive'.

The first, and curtain raiser, is a short comedy sketch written by local man Jimmy Keary from Street.

Called the 'Swinging Sixties' this is a hilarious sketch about letting your hair down. It has a cast of six, namely Tommy McNally, Angelo Regan (who is also the director), Ellen Reilly, Catriona Kavanagh, and new recruits to the acting stage Antoinette Byrne-Smith, and Liam Farrell. Antoinette will also take on the role of make-up artist.

The main play is called 'Nobody's Talking to Me', and is once again directed by the experienced Vincent Kiernan. It's a story of family harmony, celebrations and not so harmonious love.

Also read: Longford soldiers return from last United Nations mission to Syria

Playwright Tommy Marren's play promises many laughs in a rip-roaring Irish comedy set in rural Ireland in 1969.

The action takes place in the kitchen of Mattie and Maggie Conway on the day of their 50th wedding anniversary. However, what should be a day of great celebration is anything but! The happy couple havent spoken a single word to one another for 10 years and when the parish priest decides to surprise them by dropping in to renew their marriage vows all hell breaks loose!

The action is frantic and bit-by-bit we find out why communications between Mattie and Maggie have broken down. Matties eccentric sister Minnie, who has lived in the house all her life, is feeling the pressure and with the Conways only daughter Josephine courting Andy Walsh, best described as a sandwich short of a picnic, and the plot thickens by the minute!

It features a cast of eight, namely Carmel Reilly, Gary Glennon, Fergal Kilbride, Teresa Fahy, Eddie Kavanagh, Breda Harkins, Seamus Flynn and Joanne Kelly making her stage debut. Joanne has been part of the backroom team for many years along with Bredge, Mary, and Marie among others who are all essential when it comes to the staging, props, costumes, settings, music, lighting, and sound.

PICTURES | Longford crowds treated to spectacular Granard Easter Festival parade

Angelo Regan said a great deal of effort has gone into staging the two plays: Rehearsals started back in December and much hard work, dedication and hours of laughs have been had over the past few months in preparation for our production. A night of laughter is guaranteed.

Killeen Dramatic Society presentation of 'Swinging Sixties' and 'Nobody's Talking to Me' takes place from Thursday next April 11, for four nights.

Curtain up at 8pm sharp and tickets costing 10 are available on the door.
An animal welfare inspector discovered a rotting cow, pregnant dogs without food or water and lambs trying to suckle on a dead ewe in a trailer on a farm in Laois.

John Dempsey of Strahard, Mountmellick, has been banned from keeping cats or dogs for five years following his appearance at Portlaoise District Court.

He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to four dogs and four pups, failing to provide access to food and clean water for the animals and permitting carcasses to be on land which a dog may access on July 28, 2022.

Defence Solicitor Michael Keane described his client as an old school bachelor farmer, a label rejected by the Judge and an animal welfare inspector.

Pictured above conditions at the farm. Credit: ISPCA

Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(ISPCA) Inspector James McCormack gave evidence of attending a farm in Mountmellick on July 28, 2022. He said the defendant wasnt present on the day.

He entered a shed where he discovered two King Charles Spaniels, which he suspected were both pregnant, in a filthy state. He said one of the dogs had open sores on its back.

Mr McCormack moved on to a trailer where he found a female terrier and four pups. There was faeces in the trailer and no water, he explained.

At this point, Mr McCormack said the defendant arrived back and began wailing and shouting and telling him to leave the farm. He had taken the two pregnant dogs and the four puppies into his van at this point but was in fear of the defendant and rang gardai.

Mr McCormack said the defendant banged on his window and attempted to open a locked door of his van. The defendant then reversed his jeep up against a shed door.

When the gardai arrived he was able to remove the female terrier. He then checked the shed the defendant had reversed up to. It contained a male King Charles spaniel which had been left without food or water. He inspected the rest of the yard and found a semi decomposed cow with a rope tied around its leg.

The head was skull but the rest of the body was just bloated, he said. He said there was an old collie dog loose in the yard.

There was a pile of offal in the yard covered in blue bottles, Mr McCormack told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

He said he returned on five separate occasions over the next month but never got to speak to the defendant. During the visits he served an animal health and welfare notice.

He also returned on January 1, 2023 and found a collie in the yard, a german shepherd in a stable building. In a dark shed he found a hen with up to a dozen chicks and no water. He observed a dog in the house as well as two cats. He seized the german shepherd. When he went to leave, a padlock had been placed on the gate, he said.

Mr McCormack revealed he had visited the farm again ahead on Friday, April 5 ahead of the court hearing and discovered two dogs loose on the property.

There was a dead sheep in a trailer with two lambs, he said. The sheep had been dead for three or four days, he said. Generally, conditions were awful, there was slurry everywhere, he remarked.

The two lambs were in the trailer trying to suckle off the dead sheep, said Mr McCormack.

Defence solicitor Michael Keane said his client would always have dogs at the property. He said the man had left school at twelve and worked on the farm with his brother. Unfortunately his brother was killed in very unfortunate circumstances, he said.

Mr Dempsey would be, I suppose, an old school bachelor farmer living on his own in fairly difficult conditions, he said. He asked Mr McCormack if he agreed with this assertion.

Mr McCormack said in his view old school bachelor farmers can be good or bad farmers.

Mr Keane said his client would have had a lot of stock and farmed several hundred acres. He said he has two farm hands who help him. It is not what you would call a puppy farm, he said.

I have evidence of puppies being bred there and sold, said Mr McCormack.

Mr Keane said his client should have brought the dead animals to the knackery. He asked that his client be allowed to keep his two dogs.

With the current year nobody could get slurry out with the weather, he said.

William Maher BL asked Mr McCormack if he believed animals should be at the farm.

I dont think there should be any animals on the property, he responded.

Mr McCormack said the Department of Agriculture have got involved in relation to the farm animals.

Mr Keane said his client was a man who paid no attention to any notices that would be issued to him. He again described his client as an old school bachelor farmer.

Judge Nicola Andrews said I think you are insulting every old school bachelor farmer out there.

Mr Keane accepted that it was the obligation of farmers to look after their animals. He said his client was in the process of disposing of stock and that he lived in difficult conditions.

I accept the evidence of the Inspector without question, he said.

He said his client only had two dogs which he described as a working dog and a pet. He is not a cruel man, he said.

Judge Andrews said the man was given the opportunity to comply but had ignored the notices. Judge Andrews imposed a three month suspended sentence and she banned the man from owning cats or dogs for five years.

She cited the deplorable state that these animals were found in as she imposed a 2,500 fine and awarded costs of 3233.16 to the prosecution. She fixed recognisance in case of appeal.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: April 10 2024

May 4th Flight Commemorates Nonprofits Over 2000 Veterans Flown Milestone

Honor Flight Long Island, the iconic volunteer-run Veterans organization, is proud to announce that our Spring Flight to Washington, D.C. is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024. This flight will take 46 Veterans to visit their military memorials, meet with service branch representatives, commiserate with fellow Veterans and exchange stories. Honor Flights mission is to honor fellow Long Islanders who served in the United States Armed Forces to preserve our freedoms, by providing free, one-day trips so they can visit their D.C. memorials.

In 2005, the first Honor Flight organization was inaugurated by legendary co-founders Earl Morse and Jeff Miller. Since its humble start, over 130 Honor Flight hubs have been organized in various states. All told, these hubs have flown over 250,000 Veterans to visit their military memorials in Washington, D.C. The late Chris Cosich of Amagansett, started his own Honor Flight Long Island hub in 2007. With this May 4th flight, Honor Flight Long Island (HFLI) has escorted over 2,000 Long Island Veterans to D.C.

According to Bill Jones, HFLI President, this historic flight represents the nonprofit and all volunteer-run organizations Over 2000 Veterans Flown milestone. This special milestone flight includes 41 Vietnam War Veterans who will receive long overdue recognition and thanks for their service, Jones said. Theyll be accompanied by 5 Korean War Veterans. What this flight really represents is a Big Hug to all Veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters, who make such flights possible, Jones said. He added that newly elected Southampton Supervisor Maria Moore, will serve on this flight as a Guardian. Were proud shes on board. The Town has supported HFLI since its beginning, getting us off the ground and ensuring our success. HFLI will be forever grateful for Southamptons support, Jones added.

Thanks to HFLI, these 46 Veterans will take a free, early-morning Southwest flight to Washington, D.C. Departing from Islip MacArthur Airport at 6:00 a.m., Veterans and their Guardians will visit World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery for a Changing of the Guard, plus a Washington, D.C. bus tour. Theyll return to Islip that evening at 10:55 p.m., for a rousing welcome by the Nassau County Fire Fighters Pipe and Drum Band, plus thunderous applause from hundreds of family, friends and supporters!

Next up is the Veterans Reunion on Saturday, August 3, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, when HFLI will present each May 4th Veteran with personalized Tribute Journals full of photographs of their day in D.C. In addition, each Veteran will receive a special memento commemorating this history-making achievement. Our great patriotic reunions are always free and open to the public. So, join us as we honor our home-grown heroes!
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: April 10 2024

Attendees had the opportunity to gain valuable insights from experts in the real estate and mortgage industries.

Long Island Board of REALTORS (LIBOR) partnered with Nassau County Legislator Debra Mule (D  Freeport) to host the "Becoming a First-Time Homebuyer" seminar on April 4, 2024, at the Baldwin Public Library in Baldwin, NY. This free educational event aimed to assist and empower first-time buyers in navigating the complexities of homeownership on Long Island.

Attendees had the opportunity to gain valuable insights from experts in the real estate and mortgage industries, including Doreen Spagnuolo, LIBOR CEO; Michelle DiBenedetto, Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) Director; Natasha Williams, REALTOR and LIBOR Director; Vianny Ogando, REALTOR; Dilfia Munoz, State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) AVP/Business Development Officer; K. Diffley Law Group and House Masters Home Inspectors. The topics discussed included credit counseling, building a home-buying team, understanding economical mortgage options, exploring down-payment resources, and addressing common concerns of first-time buyers.

As a Legislator and a mother of adult children, I know especially well how challenging it is for people to buy their first home. That is why I am pleased we were able to partner with LIBOR and LIHP to present the information people should have throughout this process, said Legislator Mule. I hope people left the event, with the necessary tools to guide them in one of the most important purchases of their life.

The seminar also highlighted the benefits of homeownership, including building equity, stability, tax benefits, income generation opportunities, pride of ownership, long-term financial benefits, and fostering community involvement.

LIBOR is proud to have collaborated with Legislator Mule on this significant event. Her dedication to supporting first-time buyers aligns seamlessly with LIBOR's mission to promote homeownership opportunities and advocate for real estate professionals and consumers, said Kevin Leatherman, LIBOR President. The impact of this seminar extended beyond individual attendees. By helping more people achieve homeownership, we contribute to the stability and vibrancy of our local communities.

LIBOR is committed to supporting prospective homebuyers and offers continuous resources, workshops, and assistance to both our members and consumers, helping them navigate the real estate market confidently.

About Long Island Board of REALTORS
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: April 10 2024

Governor Hochul Authorizes Illumination of New York State Landmarks Tonight to Commemorate Fair Housing Month on 56th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act.

In honor of National Fair Housing Month, Governor Kathy Hochul today reaffirmed her administrations commitment to combatting housing discrimination and making housing safer, fairer, and more accessible to all New Yorkers. Governor Hochul announced that New York State landmarks will be lit blue tonight, April 10, to commemorate Fair Housing Month and the 56th anniversary of the landmark federal Fair Housing Act, which outlawed discriminatory housing practices and required localities around the country to advance fair housing policies. The Governor also announced that, starting tomorrow, the New York State Division of Human Rights will host a series of fair housing events across New York State.

As our state faces the most dire housing crisis in a generation, it is critically important that all New Yorkers have access to safe, stable, and affordable homes, Governor Hochul said. My administration has made substantial investments and advanced important legislation to ensure that all New Yorkers have a fair shot at a decent home. This Fair Housing Month, we are reaffirming our commitment to rooting out bias and discrimination in housing and helping families across the state achieve their New York Dream.

New York State Division of Human Rights Acting Commissioner Denise Miranda said, New York State was the first state to enact legislation prohibiting discrimination in 1945 and has since led the nation in protecting and enforcing human rights. As Commissioner, I am proud of the work the Division does every day to ensure that no New Yorker is discriminated against while attempting to rent or buy a home. We will continue to fight for equal opportunity, access, and dignity for all New Yorkers.

The New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, immigration or citizenship status, prior arrest or sealed record, military status, lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence, disability, marital, or familial status.

As part of Fair Housing Month outreach, the New York State Division of Human Rights will host a two-day fair housing conference titled Beyond Brick and Mortar: Housing, Equity and Inclusion at the Bronx Zoos Grand Schiff Family Hall on April 11 and April 12. The two-day conference, done in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will focus on the impact fair housing has on building inclusion and equity in communities and offering opportunities for families and communities. The event will be livestreamed here on DHRs YouTube channel.

In addition to this two-day conference, DHR will be participating in multiple fair housing events. A full list of upcoming DHR events is available here.

To commemorate Fair Housing Month, the following New York State landmarks will be lit blue on Wednesday:

1WTC

Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

Kosciuszko Bridge

The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building

State Education Building

Alfred E. Smith State Office Building

Empire State Plaza

State Fairgrounds  Main Gate & Expo Center

Niagara Falls

Albany International Airport Gateway

MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station

Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal

Moynihan Train Hall

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

Governor Hochuls Fair Housing Agenda

Governor Hochul remains committed to providing safe, fair, and accessible housing for all New Yorkers. The Governor announced a $2.2 million expansion of New York's Fair Housing Testing Program designed to root out discrimination in home rental and sale transactions. New York is partnering with six nonprofit organizations across the state to deploy undercover testers to act as potential renters and home seekers. The expansion has increased the state's ability to proactively investigate suspected housing discrimination and to enhance education and outreach efforts on fair housing rights and requirements to landlords, tenants, real estate professionals, and local governments.

In December 2022, the Governor announced a Department of Financial Services report that found continued racial disparities in mortgage lending practices on Long Island, in Rochester and in Syracuse. The report was part of an ongoing statewide inquiry into redlining and followed another DFS study that identified redlining and other forms of housing discrimination by mortgage lenders, particularly non-depository lenders, in majority-minority neighborhoods in Buffalo.

The Governor has also signed landmark legislation to increase protections for New Yorkers against housing discrimination. Last year, the Governor signed legislation to extend the statute of limitations for New Yorkers to file a complaint with DHR, allowing unlawful housing discrimination claims for incidents occurring on or after February 15, 2024 to be filed within three years of the alleged discrimination. The Governor also signed a package of nine fair housing bills designed to combat discriminatory housing practices that persist around the state, including legislation to increase penalties for unlawful housing discrimination; create a fund to support fair housing testing; and expand required trainings for real estate professionals on subjects such as legacy of segregation, unequal treatment, and historic lack of access to housing opportunities.

New Yorkers who experience unlawful discrimination in housing can file a complaint with DHR online or by calling 1-888-392-3644.
According to the Syrian Army, at 17:00 hours on April 1, Israel launched an airborne attack from over the Golan Heights, targeting a building in Damascus that it described as the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital. As the dust settled, it became clear the Israeli precision strike had destroyed the targeted building, killing several occupants  the most prominent among them was Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, aka Hassan Mahdawi, responsible for Lebanon and Syria operations for Irans Islamic Revolution Guard Corps  Quds Force (IRGC-QF).

The other casualties were also IRGC figures  Gen. Haji Rahimi, Hossein Amanollahi, Mahdi Jalalati, Mohsen Sadghat, Ali Aghababai, and Ali Salehi Rouzbahani. It was later revealed that Hussein Ridha Youssef, a Hezbollah figure whose precise role remains undisclosed, may also have been killed in the strike.

Mohammad Reza Zahedis Significance to Hezbollah

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah addressed Zahedis significance to the group on April 8, briefly explaining his biography. According to Nasrallah, Zahedi was one of the first members of the embryonic IRGC, joining the organization in his early 20s  spending that decade of his life fighting in the Iran-Iraq war. After the war ended, he moved within the organizations ranks until he was appointed in 1998 to direct Quds Force operations and activities in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel by then-commander Qassem Soleimani.

Thus began Zahedis first regional tour of duty, during which Nasrallah said Zahedi worked closely with Hezbollahs then-military commander Imad Mughniyeh  leading up to the May 25, 2000, Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon and helping Hezbollah set its plans for the next stage of its war against Israel after that withdrawal. He returned to Iran in 2002, assuming command of the IRGCs ground forces, and was reappointed to his former role by Soleimani in an unusual move mere weeks after Mughniyehs February 2008 assassination in Damascus. This second Levantine tour of duty  during which Zahedi was again based in Lebanon  lasted until 2014. While this went unmentioned by Nasrallah, during these years, Zahedi doubtlessly assisted Hezbollahs campaign to prevent the downfall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which began in 2011. At the end of this tour of duty, Zahedi returned to Iran, only to be redeployed to Lebanon for a third and final tour of duty, which began in 2020 after Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimanis killing and lasted until Zahedis death on April 1, 2024.

During these cumulative fourteen years, Nasrallah stressed Zahedi was  among other things  a partner and adviser to Hezbollah. Zahedi reportedly was also the only non-Lebanese sitting on Hezbollahs senior decision-making body, its Shura Council, according to an unnamed source close to the organization. Nasrallah insisted Zahedi did not involve himself in Lebanese domestic politics. Why did he do so when Hezbollah could fulfill that task?  devoting himself entirely instead to the Resistance, the readiness of the Resistance, increasing the resilience of the Resistance, developing and evolving the Resistance and that the Resistance will be at the needed level to protect Lebanon and liberate Palestine, and supporting the Palestinian people  I am speaking about [all] of the Resistance movements in the region.

Nasrallah insisted that Zahedi was always on the frontlines and had returned during his last tour of duty with the expectation and desire to be martyred  chastising Nasrallah for banning him from going down to the south [of Lebanon] or to the frontline, during previous tours. Nasrallah says he nevertheless banned him from the frontlines this time around as well, despite Zahedis overwhelming desire to directly join the fight against Israel after October 7, 2023. Despite this, Nasrallah said Zahedis heart, mind, and eye were [directed] to Gaza  from the onset of Al-Aqsa Flood until his martyrdom. Nasrallah added, We were following all the developments/details together.

Zahedi apparently died as he lived: planning attacks against Israel. The Israelis brought down the building as Zahedi was reportedly meeting with the leadership of Palestinian militant groups. Given Zahedis overall role, and that this meeting occurred in the context of an ongoing, multi-front Resistance Axis war with Israel, it is virtually indisputable that the outcome of this meeting, had it not been impeded by the airstrike, would have imminently negatively impacted Israels security, and possibly the lives of its citizens or soldiers. Israel has disputed that the targeted building was a consulate or diplomatic mission  this is no consulate and this is no embassy, insisted IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, this is a military building of Quds forces disguised as a civilian building in Damascus  the targeted figures, their meeting during wartime, and its imminent impact in an ongoing war would arguably have pierced the immunity otherwise afforded by international law to an Iranian diplomatic mission as a civilian building.

Iranian Calculations

Nevertheless, Iran cannot let the Israeli attack pass quietly. Zahedi, as noted, was a significant commander in the IRGC  arguably the most valuable Iranian target killed by the Israelis in decades. Moreover, Iran considers this attack to have occurred on Iranian soil. However, the Islamic Republic rarely retaliates impulsively  especially when a revenge attack could work at cross ends with other Iranian interests.

At the moment, the primary goal of Iran and its proxies and extensions  the collective known as the Resistance Axis  is saving Hamas and other Resistance Axis terrorist factions in the Gaza Strip from destruction at Israels hands while incurring minimal costs. To that end, the Resistance Axis has been working in coordination along concentric circles of pressure to halt Israels onslaught in the Gaza Strip.

The first circle consists of the direct confrontation between the Gaza-based terrorist organizations and Israel. Here, Hamas and its partners hope to bring direct pressure to bear upon Israel to stop the war. In part, they are betting on a fundamentally erroneous understanding of Israeli  and particularly Jewish Israeli  society as inherently artificial and brittle and, therefore, incapable of bearing the inevitable costs in blood and treasure of the ongoing war. However, they are also gambling on the ability of autocratic systems  because of their relative disregard for public opinion  to endure the type of prolonged war necessary to eliminate Hamas and its partners, which have spent nearly two decades embedded in the series of dense urban environments comprising the Gaza Strip. By contrast, democratic societies like Israels are inherently averse to such protracted war campaigns. This factor is magnified by Israels unique characteristics  namely, the impact of the deaths of soldiers, Israelis displaced from the Gaza Envelope, and the economic and social impact of a lengthy war and call up of reserve forces on a society as relatively small and tight-knit as Israels  and the impact of Hamas use of Israeli hostages in its psychological warfare to erode Israeli morale.

The second circle, consisting of the so-called support fronts, consists of other Resistance Axis militias, primarily Hezbollah, but also Iraqi groups and the Houthis , directly attacking Israel to compound the first circles impact  by forcing Israel to divide its forces along several fronts, and impacting Israeli societys morale and economy by displacing Israeli citizens along different fronts, and forcing the Israel Defense Forces to call p more reserves.

In the event direct pressure fails to dissuade Israel from its warpath, the third circle is meant to pressure the United States into forcing the Israelis to do so. The underlying logic here rests on both faulty and correct assumptions  the former that Israel is a mere tool of U.S. imperialism. At the same time, the latter correctly understands that Israel is a junior partner to the United States and that its war effort depends on U.S. military and diplomatic support. In his April 8 speech, Nasrallah elaborated.

Some say Israel controls America. No, American controls Israel. This story of the Jewish and Zionist Lobby is a joke told by Arabs [lit. Arab joke] just so the Arabs will not fight Israel, and to [justify] them going to America and putting their money in America, and build relations with America  so that we can build an Arab Lobby to compete with the Jewish Lobby. And look after 75 yrs what came out of the Arab Lobby. Aside from [the fact] that Arab funds are all stashed in American treasuries. This is empty talk. The American, when he puts his foot down, its enough for him [i.e. the American] to tell him [i.e. the Israeli] Im going to stop the funds. Israel then quakes in fear. When he [i.e. American] tells him [i.e. the Israeli] I will stop the weapons supply, the [IDF] Chief of Staff starts counting all the projectiles he fired on a note to see whats left in the arsenal. This is the reality. This is what Israels generals say. When they object that Netanyahu is ruining the relationship with America, part of what they say is that Israel will be left without ammunition

Therefore, the United States could force Israel to stop the war at a time of Washingtons choosing  and the most direct route to convince the Americans to do so is to make them also pay the price for Israels continued prosecution of the war in Gaza continuation through constant harassment of U.S. forces deployed to the region. Hence, the uptick of Resistance Axis attacks on U.S. military assets, which continued until Kataib Hezbollah killed three American servicemembers and risked incurring heavy American retaliation  something Iran and its proxies had been trying to avoid.

The fourth and final circle complements the third and is focused on swaying international opinion against Israels war in the Gaza Strip. In part, it consists of kinetic efforts  namely, the Houthi strikes in the Red Sea meant to disrupt international shipping and force Israels Western partners to pay a price for the wars continuation. The remainder consists of narrative  an effort relying on soft power and propaganda to appeal to the sensibilities of specific segments of the Western public to convince them that Israels war is genocidal and its existence is unjust. The impact of this fourth and final circle is also meant to be felt in the United States  where the Resistance Axis is likely betting on the ruling Democratic Partys greater responsiveness than its Republican counterpart to international opinion, and its desire not to alienate Pro-Palestine progressive, Arab, and Muslim Americans during an election year.

Iran and its proxies were also likely hoping that Israel would commit an error of the type that is common to all protracted wars to help galvanize international opinion against its war in Gaza. That came hours after Zahedi was killed, when the IDF misidentified and struck a World Central Kitchen humanitarian aid convoy in the Gaza Strip  sparking international outrage and pressure to halt the war in Gaza.

Israel, which isnt a Security Council member, cannot merely shrug off such mistakes as the inevitable tragedies inherent in warlike, more powerful Western countries that have committed similar mistakes. Iran, meanwhile, is happy to let Israel stew in the international opprobrium resulting from this erroneous strike, which will, at least, slow the IDFs efforts against Tehrans proxies in Gaza.

Hezbollahs Role in Avenging Zahedi

Like Iran, Hezbollah is mourning Zahedis death, immediately condemning his killing. Within days, Nasrallah took to his bully-pulpit on International Quds Day to describe Zahedis killing as an inflection point  much like many previous incidents before it, but which did not prompt a change in Hezbollahs military posture. While the group has continued to launch attacks at Israel, they have remained within the accepted post-October 8 rules of engagement.

In the same breath, as he described the significance of Zahedis killing, Nasrallah distanced Hezbollah from primary responsibility for retaliation. He stressed that the response would be Iranian. The Iranian response is coming, it is inevitable, he reiterated throughout his speech. This mirrored Nasrallahs statements after the 2020 killing of Qassem Soleimani  and, partially, for the same reasons. Lebanon remains mired in economic and political instability, and Hezbollah does not want to be perceived as the party that invited the ruin of war on a country already groaning under the weight of financial collapse. Inviting a destructive war with Israel for Palestinian interests could risk uniting the Lebanese street in anger at Hezbollah and perhaps even undermining its support base.

Indeed, in his three speeches since Zahedis killing  on April 3, April 5, and April 8  Nasrallah fell back on Hezbollahs tried and true tactic of using propaganda against Israel in lieu of risky military action. Nasrallah devoted most of these speeches to reiterating variations of his constant refrain throughout this war: Israel is weak and on the verge of destruction, while the Resistance Axis is strong and victorious. Israel, he claimed, has accomplished nothing in the current war, and has already been defeated. Meanwhile, he exaggerated the actions of the Resistance Axis since October 7, 2023, and their impact. Thus, Hezbollah and its allies could maintain their image of strength  upon which their support depends  without actually incurring a commensurate price.

This chest-thumping only underscored Hezbollahs disinterest in expanding the fight with Israel over Zahedis killing. Indeed, Indeed, despite the bellicose bluster, Nasrallah fell back to a years-long talking point  one that Hezbollahs leadership has reiterated since October 7  that Hezbollah is ready for war and does not fear it, but also does not want to initiate it.

Furthermore, unbridled revenge may undermine the central goal of Hezbollahs and Irans activities since October 7  the objective that Nasrallah said on November 3, 2023, must always be before our eyes. That objective, he said, was comprised of two goals: the first goalis to stop the aggression on the Gaza Stripand the second goal is that Gaza, the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza, and specifically Hamas, emerge victorious. All other goals, including avenging Zahedi, are subordinate to this primary objective for the time being.

Irans Revenge

Iran and the Resistance Axis, as noted, are trying to save their allies in the Gaza Strip while paying only the minimum price. That is why all their attacks, particularly Hezbollahs, have remained below the threshold that would grant Israel legitimacy among the international community to prosecute more aggressive or expansive campaigns against them. Moreover, if they can accomplish their central objective of saving Hamas without paying a price at all, even better.

Indeed, it now seems that Iran and the Resistance Axis are depending on international pressure in the wake of the World Central Kitchen tragedy to halt Israel in its tracks and do the job for them. On April 8, Nasrallah expressed cautious optimism that this newfound international pressure on Israel would bring his group and its partners closer to the objectives he enumerated on November 3. After all, a careful study of the Resistance Axis decades-long behavior reveals, rather ironically, that they prefer to achieve their goals through the paths of least resistance. A massive and direct strike against Israel by Iran and its proxies, or either alone, could risk reinvigorating the flagging legitimacy of Israels campaign in the Gaza Strip  and potentially create newfound support for Israel expanding its war effort into other theaters where the Resistance Axis operates.

Iran will extract a price for Zahedis death  but it will do so in a manner that denies Israel the upper hand or resuscitates support for its war effort, and at a time that is most advantageous to Tehran. Iran will likely strike at one of Israels soft underbellies, perhaps a diplomatic mission or a Jewish or Israeli target abroad. Iran could also try to activate the assets it has been developing within Israel and the West Bank, drawing Israeli blood while hiding behind the degree of plausible deniability that such an attack would afford it. If Hezbollah participates in the response at all, it will do so in a secondary role.

David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs.
Masked members of Iraqs Shiite Kataib Hezbollah paramilitary group hold their weapons as their convoy arrive in Baghdads Karada district on April 20, 2015. (SABAH ARAR/AFP via Getty Images).

U.S. forces in the Middle East are on high alert after Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Irans foreign minister, suggested on Monday that Tehran may attack U.S. forces in the region following an Israeli strike in Damascus last week. The strike killed seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers, including the commander for Syria and Lebanon. In preparation for a potential resumption of Iranian attacks, Washington must ensure American servicemembers deployed to the Middle East have the military means to defend themselves and the political permission to counterpunch hard to make Iran and its proxies regret any new attacks.

An April 1 Israeli airstrike on a building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus killed the IRGC Quds Force commander responsible for smuggling weapons to Lebanon, where Iranian-backed Hezbollah has fired over 3,000 rockets into Israel in near-daily attacks since October. Despite clear statements from the United States that it was not involved in the Damascus strike, the Iranian foreign minister accused Washington of providing a green light for the attack and said it must be held responsible. In recent days, Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria have repeated threats to attack U.S. forces.

It is hardly surprising that Iran is threatening U.S. forces again and using the Israeli military action as a thinly veiled excuse. The Islamic Republic of Iran and its terror proxies have targeted U.S. military personnel in the region for decades and have the blood of hundreds of Americans on its hands. Throughout the course of the Iraq War, for example, Iran-backed militias were responsible for the deaths of over 600 U.S. servicemembers.

Tehran seeks to evict U.S. military forces from the region to increase the regimes ability to undermine and control Arab governments, maintain a land bridge to Hezbollah in Lebanon, and establish a firmer foothold in Syria for the purpose of ultimately exterminating the State of Israel.

Tehran normally uses militias and terror groups to conduct these attacks, providing them with funding, training, and weapons. This proxy terror strategy permits Tehran to advance its interests while concealing its role and displacing consequences and counterpunches onto others.

U.S. military forces are in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan to support partners and secure core American interests. Foremost among those interests, particularly in Iraq and Syria, is countering the ISIS terrorist organization and ensuring its caliphate remains defeated. A premature U.S. military departure from Iraq and Syria would empower Iran and increase the likelihood of an ISIS resurgence.

However, if Washington is going to keep U.S. troops in harms way, it must provide them with the military means and political permission to defend themselves and impose consequences that make adversaries think twice before they try to kill Americans.

As an urgent priority, considering the threats from Iran, the White House and Pentagon must learn from history and ensure that U.S. troops in the region have adequate force protection, including sufficient rocket, missile, and drone defenses.

We have seen the tragic consequences when U.S. troops are left with insufficient means to defend themselves.

Three U.S. soldiers were killed and over 40 wounded in a January 28 drone attack by Iranian proxies on a U.S. base in Jordan. Despite dozens of attacks in the preceding weeks, U.S. forces were left vulnerable at the base. Sadly, that event was not an anomaly. In January 2020, Iran launched ballistic missiles at two bases in Iraq housing U.S. troops. With no ballistic missile defenses in range, U.S. forces could only scramble for cover and wait for impact. More than 100 U.S. servicemembers were wounded.

In addition to providing our troops the means to defend themselves, Washington must also give commanders the permission to respond with overwhelming force when attacked.

Recent history provides an instructive lesson on what happens when such political permission is withheld and then belatedly granted. Between October 17, 2023, and February 4, 2024, Iranian proxies attacked U.S. forces 165 times. In stark contrast, the United States only responded with approximately nine limited airstrikes before the fatal Tower 22 attack in Jordan. That American restraint served as a green light for additional attacks on U.S. forces.

Following the deaths of three Americans in Jordan, the United States finally responded forcefully by striking 85 targets across Iraq and Syria. Less than a week later, Washington killed a Kataib Hezbollah commander responsible for attacks on U.S. forces in a drone strike in Baghdad.

Tehran and its proxies got the message and have not attacked U.S. forces since February 4.

This should not be surprising to anyone familiar with the Islamic Republic of Iran. When confronted with the resolute application of American military strength, Tehran tends to back down.

In the face of another looming Iranian attack that could come at any moment, Washington must act quickly to ensure U.S. servicemembers in harms way have the means to defend themselves and the political permission to respond with overwhelming force when the next Iranian attack comes.

A failure to take these steps invites more American casualties and more Iranian aggression.

Bradley Bowman serves as the senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where Cameron McMillan conducts research on the U.S. military and the Middle East.
Israeli police units trained with the IDF and other forces during preparations for possible escalation in northern Israel. (IDF)

In the wake of withdrawing a key division from Gaza, the IDF continues to carry out training in northern Israel to prepare for escalation from Hezbollah or other Iranian-backed groups. The IDF has been training in the north since Hamas launched its attack on October 7, and Hezbollah began attacks on Israel the next day. After an initial call for 300,000 reservists, with many thousands of them sent north to bolster the armys defenses against Hezbollah, the IDF settled into a training routine to prepare forces for a possible future battle.

The latest major training focused on the 146th reserve division and brought together Israeli police, search and rescue forces, the navy and air force and was geared toward enhancing readiness on the northern border, the IDF said on April 9. It focused on multi-branch and multi-organizational cooperation.

These trainings have taken many forms, including combined infantry, tanks and engineering battalions advancing on open ground in the Golan, where some of the terrain is similar to the challenges they may face in Lebanon. In addition, the IDF recently conducted a training led by the 36th division in late March. The 36th is an armored division that played a key role in Gaza in the first months of the war. Its 7th armored brigade was detached and sent to Khan Younis when the rest of the 36th left in Gaza and went north in mid-January and early February. That left the division with Golani infantry and the 188th armored. The 188th was asked to be partly responsible for a sector including Mount Meron and Mount Dov on the border of Lebanon and Syria. This gives a sense of Israels focus on the north.

The 36th led a training program that brought together commanders and officers in northern Israel. The program included professional lectures and learning from the divisions combat lessons in the Gaza Strip, with specific adjustments for the challenges of the northern arena. Now in April, the IDFs 146th division is doing a different kind of training. The IDF characterizes the unit as its largest reservist division, and says it has been operating in the Western Galilee region since the beginning of the war.

The IDF focused on defensive operations and coordinating between the navy and ground forces, as well as evacuating the wounded under fire. As part of the training, the joint security authorities of the Haifa arena practiced managing a variety of threats and operational scenarios that they might encounter in the northern maritime arena. Helicopters and naval units based in Haifa were used in the extensive training, bringing together the kinds of units that would have to respond to any major war in the north. The IDF also coordinated with civilian local authorities. Israel evacuated around 80,000 people from northern Israel in October when Hezbollah began its attacks on Israel.

The IDF has focused a lot of resources on the north throughout the war in Gaza, because of concerns about a war with Hezbollah. Hezbollah is assumed to be stronger than Hamas, with more rockets and more lethal terrorist forces, such as its Radwan units. Hezbollah has taken losses in the six months of attacks on Israel. The IDF responds proportionately to these attacks, but every few days Hezbollah members are eliminated, leading to losses of over 200 men who are not easily replaceable because many had years of experience with the organization.

The training program of the 36th and 146th are not the only changes in the north. The IDF established a new Mountain Brigade in March. This unit is expected to take control of Mount Hermon and Mount Dov as a territorial unit under the 210th division which guards the Golan.

Israels Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a call with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on April 8, in which Gallant raised ongoing threats posed by Iranian aggression, including via Iranian proxy Hezbollah. They discussed coordination in the face of scenarios involving regional escalation. Gallant has frequently highlighted the threat to northern Israel throughout the war in Gaza, keeping a focus on Hezbollah and the IDFs preparations for escalation.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
We always look forward to our trips down under. Its one of our favourite places in the world to perform. UB40

Join the legendary pop icons UB40 and special guest Eagle-Eye Cherry for the party of all parties when the world's biggest-selling reggae band brings their RED RED WINE Tour New Zealand this October.

The tour will include an incredible performance at Christchurchs Wolfbrook Arena on Tuesday 8 October before the band heads to Aucklands The Trusts Arena on Thursday 10 October.

Fans can expect to experience live performances of their worldwide hit singles such as Red Red Wine, Food For Thought, (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You, along with a preview of fresh tracks from their upcoming album UB45, including the two new smash hit singles Gimme Some Kinda Sign and Forever True.

With a staggering forty Top 40 hits in Britain and over 100 million records sold worldwide, UB40 stands as one of the UKs greatest musical acts, consistently topping charts and winning hearts of fans of all ages and after four decades of success, the band continues with their key founding members and songwriting core, staying true to and building on the legacy and ethos of the band.

UB40 is Robin Campbell (vocals & guitar), James Brown (drums), Earl Falconer (vocals & bass), Norman Hassan (vocals & percussion), Martin Meredith (keyboards & saxophone), Laurence Parry (trumpet & trombone), Jahred Gordon (keyboards), Ian Thompson (saxophone), Gilly G (MC vocals) Matt Doyle (lead vocals & guitar) and Matt Campbell (backing vocals).

Sign up here for the latest tour info
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 42F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 42F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.
As Boston deals with an increasing rodent population plaguing commercial and residential properties across neighborhoods, the city is considering whether a central Office of Pest Control could help.

City Councilor Ed Flynn, who filed the proposal in January, said rats were the number one issue he heard from constituents.

Pest control is critical to our residents quality of life. Rats and rodents are a nuisance, but they also impact public health, sanitization of our neighborhoods, maintenance of our properties, he said at a hearing of the Committee on Government Operations on Tuesday.

Boston having a dedicated city department on pest control would allow us to better focus on the issues, provide a streamlined, coordinated approach in reducing pests and come up with a more innovative way in preventing pest infestations, Flynn said.

Last year, New York City appointed its first-ever rat czar, Kathleen Corradi, who focuses only on addressing the citys rat population.

Flynn used this appointment in his hearing order as an example of what Boston could be doing, and spoke with Corradi last year to get insight on her work.

Robert Corrigan, an urban rodentologist and worldwide expert on rats who consults with the city on pest control planning, said the rat population has been on the rise not just in Boston but in many major cities, especially as climate change results in warmer winters and as growing human populations generate more garbage.

Because of this, he said, one of the most important things the city can do is improve the storage and management of trash, both at commercial and residential properties.

Often he sees people relying on rat poison in bait boxes to address pests. Instead, he said, they should focus on why they are coming in in the first place.

Theres actually a kindergarten lesson when it comes to rat control in cities, and that is, no food equals no rats, Corrigan said. These are not amazing animals, not without food. ... They must have food for energy. And no food, no rats.

Read more: Rat fights in the wall among reader rodent horrors in Boston region

He said that while it may seem like a simple issue, residents should be educated on how to properly store their garbage intentionally and in secure containers, with high-quality metal or heavy-duty plastic containers being the ideal solution.

Often, just one household improperly storing garbage on a block of clean properties can lead to rats on the whole block, he noted.

City Councilor Liz Breadon noted that the city has submitted a home rule petition to the state legislature to increase fines for code violations, which could help incentivize absentee landlords and owners of problem properties to more proactively address garbage problems.

However, Breadon, who represents Allston, a neighborhood frequently referred to by residents as Rat City for its large rat population, pointed out that it isnt always a question of residents not putting in the effort to prevent rodent access.

She said when she had new neighbors move in in September, they purchased new plastic garbage bins to keep the rats out. Within a few weeks, the rats had chewed through it.

The landlord bought them another new bin and went back three days later, and the rats had eaten through the second new bin, she said. Its really challenging, even for folks who are trying to do the best they can and theyre really on board with this. ... I dont think theres such a thing as a rat-proof bin.

City employees who spoke at the hearing said a separate pest control office wouldnt be productive, because tackling the issue takes coordination across the Inspectional Services, Water and Sewer, Public Works, Code Enforcement, Sanitation, Parks and Environmental Services departments.

I would say that we have an office of pest control, city Chief of Operations Dion Irish said. This also needs to be a coordinated approach across city agencies and quite frankly, were already seeing effects of these conversations were having. ... We can elevate and we can amplify the work of that office and improve coordination.

Assistant Commissioner of Environmental Services John Ulrich, whom multiple officials referred to as Bostons unofficial rat czar, explained that most of the citys pest control efforts stem from 311 reports submitted by residents and the divisions 14 inspectors who focus on rodent control try to respond to each report within 24 to 48 hours.

The city is also currently working with a group of students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop a way to predict where rodent populations will grow.

Ulrich said the department also works to educate residents on ways to reduce the probability of rat infestations.

Inspectional Services Commissioner Tania Del Rio said Tuesday that the city has considered officially appointing Ulrich as the citys point person for the rat problem.

The city is currently running a pilot program in Jamaica Plain that administers contraceptives to rats, preventing them from reproducing. Corrigan said that while Boston should be open to trying any tool to curb the rat problem, there is currently no empirical evidence that this method is effective over large areas.

If you had only one (colony) and use the contraceptive within that circle, theres no doubt that any of the rats that ingested the contraceptive ... theyre not going to be able to reproduce on a long basis. However, sometimes rats, when reproduction slows down and space opens up, like all of a sudden a hotel has a vacancy sign on, and rats from outside those circles say, Well, life is better where those rats were, he said. If you can get the entire city and all areas around the area on a contraceptive program, probably at least in theory you could do it, but itd be very expensive.

Flynn, who for several years has been pushing for a more dedicated strategy for addressing the rat problem, said that even if the city administration is not on board with setting up a new office, it needs to do more. He particularly expressed frustration that there are no inspectors on the weekends to immediately respond to 311 calls.

Thats a critical time. ... Thats when a lot of people are home from the work week and theyre gathering as a group at their house, theyre gathering as a group at a restaurant, Flynn said. These are quality of life issues. These are public safety issues These are public health issues. We have to be up to seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to make significant progress.

Irish said while he did not agree with establishing a centralized pest control office, he was open to staffing inspectors on the weekends, but that budget shortfalls had prevented them from doing so in the past.

The proposal for an Office of Pest Control is listed for possible action on the City Councils Wednesday meeting agenda.
A 58-year-old man who worked as a substitute and Sunday school teacher in Freetown was convicted Tuesday on numerous charges connected to the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl in 2018 who was a close friend of his sons, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Gilbert Hernandez was convicted of five counts of rape of a child-aggravated by more than a 10-year age difference, two counts of rape of a child by force, four counts of indecent assault and battery, and two counts of dissemination of obscene matter to a child, Quinns office said in a statement. He is set to be sentenced in Fall River Superior Court Wednesday morning.

Hernandez knew the girl through the close friendship she had with his son, and through his role as a substitute teacher in the Freetown-Lakeville schools and as a Sunday school teacher at a church in Freetown. The rapes and molestations he is convicted of occurred between February and July of 2018 in Freetown, Raynham, Taunton, and Lakeville, according to Quinns office.

The girl and another individual are expected to give statements during the sentencing hearing Wednesday, Quinns office said.
In the days after a woman was severely injured after two vehicles struck her, a GoFundMe was created to help her in the days ahead.

Police were sent to 375 Rantoul St., which is down the street from The Pickled Onion, at 10:15 p.m. Sunday after receiving a report that a female pedestrian had been hit by a vehicle. When police arrived, they found a woman and immediately began tending to her, according to the statement.

The fundraiser was set up for Sam Flynn, who was taken to Beverly Hospital before being flown by medical helicopter to Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston with serious injuries.

Sam was the victim of a hit-and-run [crash] and sustained severe injuries, organizer Lindsey Chidester, also from Beverly, wrote. Including but not limited to broken ribs, broken legs, spinal injuries, and a dislocated hip. She will be in the hospital for a month minimum. She will still have bills to pay and unable to work for a few months. Anything helps.

With a $15,000 goal, the fundraiser has so far received 224 donations that have accumulated $10,585. This includes one $500 donation, three $250 donations and eight $200 donations.

Im so sad this happened, donor Brianna Lovejoy wrote. Wishing Sam all the healing and sending a huge hug to the bright sunshine of a person she is!

Diego Mattos-Vazuldo, 47, of Essex, was charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, Beverly police said in a statement.

Flynn walked into the street and was first hit by a vehicle heading south, police said. The driver of that vehicle remained in the area and cooperated with police.

Flynn was then hit by a second vehicle, which police said was driven by Mattos-Vazuldo. He stopped for a matter of seconds before fleeing the scene, according to police. After witnesses provided officers with a description of the vehicle, Essex police stopped a vehicle that matched the description.

After police stopped him, Mattos-Vazuldo said he thought he may have struck something, police said in the statement. He was taken to Beverly Police Department headquarters.
Police arrested another man in connection with a shooting that left three teenagers injured on Clarkson Street since Sunday, the Worcester Police Department announced.

Levon Atupem, 23, of Holden, was charged with three counts of assault to murder with a firearm, accessory before the fact and accessory after the fact, police said in a statement on Wednesday.

At around 1:38 a.m., an officer saw a vehicle around Park Avenue that was registered to Atupem, who was known to have an active warrant stemming from the Clarkson Street shooting, police said.

The officer kept an eye on Atupems car until 3:02 a.m. when a man they believed to be Atupem entered the car and backed up, police said. The officer then turned his lights on and ordered Atupem out of the car.

The man was indeed Atupem and he was placed into custody, the department said.

The arrest comes one day after another man in connection with the shooting, Jordany Alejo, 19, appeared in court and pleaded not guilty. Alejo was arrested on Monday.

Worcester police were notified about gunshots in the area of Clarkson Street at around 9:11 p.m. on Sunday, police said in a statement released on Monday. Officers approached a 17-year-old boy and two 18-year-old women all with gunshot wounds and administered medical aid before the three individuals were taken to the hospital.

One of the victims had a life-threatening gunshot wound to the neck and is in critical condition, according to court documents, while the other two victims were both shot in the leg.

Surveillance video showed that a white 2017 Infiniti Q50 with a Massachusetts license plate dropped off two shooting suspects on Coral Street. The driver turned off the Inifintis lights and parked the car diagonally on Coral Street in an attempt to flee the scene expeditiously after the shooting, police said in the court documents.

The suspects then fired a firearm and an automatic firearm down Clarkson Street and hit the three teenagers, with .45 shell casings recovered at the intersection of Coral and Clarkson streets, according to court documents.

Alejos mother identified her son as the driver to police. After he was arrested and read his Miranda rights, he admitted in an audio/video-recorded interview that he was the driver, was part of the shooting and he took the other two suspects to a Worcester location far away from the scene, to assist them in getting away, according to court documents.
A 61-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Tuesday for attempting to pay for sex with a 14-year-old girl in 2022, when he was a registered sex offender, prosecutors said.

David Cannon, of Lexington, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child and one count of possession of child pornography in federal court in November 2023, acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office said in a statement.

In November 2022, Cannon responded to an advertisement online offering sex with two young girls, according to the statement. In an ensuing text conversation with an undercover agent acting as the seller, Cannon offered to pay $200 to have sex with either a 12-year-old or 14-year-old girl and indicated that he would purchase whoever was ready first. He agreed to pay $200 to have sex with the 14-year-old, prosecutors said.

Cannon then arrived at a hotel in greater Boston where he met with the agent, still posing as the seller. At the hotel, he confirmed he had the money and accepted a hotel key, according to prosecutors. Cannon also said to tell the child to expect a man who looks like Santa Claus.

Lubricant and condoms were subsequently found in Cannons vehicle, the statement said.

Investigators searched Cannons cell phone, where they found child sexual abuse material and text messages discussing his affinity for the material. Cannon was ordered to pay $17,500 in restitution to those depicted in the material, according to the statement.

At the time, Cannon was a registered sex offender and had been convicted in 2019 of indecent assault of an 11-year-old child on three different occasions.

Those who seek to pay for sex with kids must be seriously punished so that the message resonates that there are grave consequences for engaging in such deplorable conduct, Levy said in the statement.

Prosecutors encouraged anyone who may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking to contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.
School officials in Uxbridge are set to collect all the ACER C734 Chromebooks in use across the district Wednesday morning after one of the computers left a student with burns on their hands when it began smoking during MCAS testing.

A thorough safety evaluation of the computers will be conducted, Superintendent Michael Baldassare said in a statement Tuesday evening, noting the malfunctioning laptop was the first incident of its kind across the roughly 155,000 Chromebooks in use nationwide.

ACER, the company that manufactures the laptops, will send 450 loaner Chromebooks to the district so students can complete their MCAS testing, Baldassare said. The company is also sending a technician to Whitin Intermediate School, where the student was burned, to examine the busted computer.

We want to make sure we evaluate what happened with this unit before we move forward using that model, Baldassarre said.

A student at the Whitin was in the process of taking an english language MCAS exam when the laptop they were using began to emit smoke around 9:30 a.m., Baldassarre said in an earlier statement. The students hands were burned, and they were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

MCAS testing remains postponed for students in grades 4 through 6, and the district is working to reschedule testing for those students before the mandatory state deadline for completion of the exams on April 26.

We appreciate the patience being shown by our students and parents as we work to get to the bottom of this incident, Baldassarre said. Things have been handled so properly and so well by everyone involved.
Editors note: This story has been updated with statements from the Worcester County District Attorneys office.

The driver of a pickup truck that crashed into a psychiatric hospital in Devens on Wednesday morning has been pronounced dead, Massachusetts State Police said.

The incident happened shortly before 6 a.m. at 85 Patton Road, according to state police spokesperson David Procopio. The circumstances of the crash remain unclear and state police did not disclose the drivers identity.

The address is for TaraVista Behavioral Health Care Center and television footage from Boston 25 News captured images of a black pickup truck lodged into the side of the building.

There were no other injuries beyond the driver, according to Procopio.

Facts and circumstances of the incident are still under investigation by (Massachusetts State Police) and the Worcester State Police Detective Unit, Procopio said.

The truck caught fire after the crash and firefighters extinguished the flames, according to a statement by Lindsay Corcoran, a spokesperson for the Worcester County District Attorneys office.

The lone occupant of the vehicle was found to be deceased, Corcoran wrote.

The circumstances of the incident remain under investigation, according to Corcoran.

In a statement to WCVB, the hospitals CEO Francis Sauvageau said the crash occurred at 5:36 a.m. and that the truck hit the front of the facility where administrative offices are located.

All patients and all staff are accounted for and unharmed, and at no time were in danger. Tara Vista remains structurally sound, and we continue to treat the patients that have been entrusted to our care, Sauvageau told the station.

According to its website, while TaraVista primarily serves patients in Worcester and Middlesex Counties, it also serves patients through Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.

Together with its sister hospital in Holyoke, the regional network treats over 10,000 patients annually.
(*This story was updated at 11:44 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2014, with additional reporting.)

An injection of more than $22 million in federal infrastructure law money will pay for much-needed infrastructure improvements at Boston Logan International Airport, a cadre of the Bay States Capitol Hill delegation said Wednesday.

The federal money for Logan, the nations 18th busiest airport, will pay for lighting and taxiway improvements, among other efforts, across the regional transportation hub, the lawmakers said.

The money is essential to keeping our nations airports infrastructure updated, resilient and safe, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-8th District, whose seat includes South Boston, said in a statement.

The $1 trillion infrastructure law, which President Joe Biden signed into law in November 2021, included $25 billion for airport infrastructure upgrades, according to a summary by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In a joint statement, Democratic U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, of Massachusetts, said the federal windfall will create jobs and enhance safety at the airport, which sees tens of thousands of passengers every day.

The airport is a vital hub for travelers in Massachusetts and beyond, and this federal funding ... will help make much-needed improvements to Bostons airport roadways and terminals, Warren said.

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-5th District, the House Democratic whip, offered a similar sentiment, saying the money will help modernize Logans facilities, bolster safety, create jobs, and guarantee a quality experience for the millions of travelers flying in and out of Massachusetts.

This isnt the first time Logan has benefited from the federal infrastructure law.

In 2022, the airport nabbed a $62 million grant to make improvements to Terminal E at Logan, hosting President Joe Biden for a splashy news conference.

And earlier this year, Logan was one of several New England airports to share in tens of millions of federal grant money, the Associated Press reported.

The $12 million earmarked for Logan was set to underwrite a two-phase project to expand and renovate an existing traffic control tower, the wire service reported.
SPRINGFIELD  The New England Farm Workers Council inappropriately spent Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program money to prop up its operations and now has pledged its remaining Springfield real estate as collateral, securing more than $1 million it still has to repay the heating assistance program.

To ensure repayment, the council signed a mortgage last month with the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. The state will turn the money back over to the federal government, according to mortgage documents filed March 25 at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds.
SPRINGFIELD  The City Council voted to pay $900,000 to settle a lawsuit accusing the police department of causing the death of a 30-year-old suffering from opioid and alcohol abuse, saying officers failed to provide proper medical care while she was in jail.

The council approved the payment in a 7-4 vote with two members absent Monday night. The decision came following an about 45-minute closed session discussion about the suit, which is allowed under the Open Meeting Law.

The family of Madelyn Linsenmeir sued the city, the Hampden Sheriffs Department, two police officers and a lockup matron and five unnamed Hampden jail employees in U.S. District Court following her 2018 death.

The suit against the Sheriffs Department was not part of the agreement and is still being litigated.

Linsenmeir was a Vermont resident and mother of a small child who battled opioid and alcohol abuse since she was in high school. She turned up in Springfield in the fall of 2018 and was arrested by city police on an outstanding warrant.

During the booking process and while she was in the Springfield police lockup, she complained of unbearable pain. Her family argued she should have received immediate medical attention.

Im very ill right now. I cant even think straight. Im going to like literally pass out, she told the booking desk sergeant in a video obtained by The Republican and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Linsenmeir was transferred to the Hampden Sheriffs Department womens jail in Chicopee the next day and spent several days there before collapsing in her cell on Oct. 3. She was taken to the hospital and died on Oct. 7 on an infection that attacked her heart valve and extremities.

Because the issue was debated in executive session, city councilors said they could not discuss details about the issue.

The City Council had previously approved transferring $5 million to the Law Department earlier to handle several police related lawsuits and this was one included in that sum, City Councilor Tracye Whitfield said.

The money eventually was returned to the general fund because legal negotiations took so long. The City Councils vote called for the $900,000 it to be withdrawn from the general fund, she said.

Although Whitfield has been critical of settling police lawsuits with money that could use to reduce real estate taxes, she said she voted yes in this case because the funds had previously been allocated.

While Whitfield said she supports police and works with them through the C3 units, she said there are bad eggs who need to be retrained or weeded out because they are costing the city large amounts of money in police misconduct lawsuits that could be better spend elsewhere.

We need to hold officers more accountable because there are repeat offenders, she said.

Whitfield also questioned why the city never goes to trial to fight lawsuits, pointing out that the Hampden Sheriffs Department continues to fight the action.

We need to do better, she said. We keep dishing out money for police misconduct that we could use to lower taxes.

She argued that money used to pay out lawsuits could either overall lower the tax levy or be used creatively to develop fund to help the elderly and families who are living paycheck-to-paycheck to help defray tax bills.

Even if it is a small amount it can help, Whitfield said.
SPRINGFIELD  The day before Police Superintendent Cheryl C. Clapprood officially retired, Wellpoint Health Solutions donated $5,000 Monday to the Police Departments popular learn-to-skate program which every year gives thousands of local children a chance to learn a new sport.

Wellpoint General Manager David Morales presented Clapprood with the donation to help fund ice time and skating equipment for the 28-year-old program that she has helped organize, support and served as a volunteer teacher.
WESTFIELD  The Parks and Recreation Commission approved two requests by Kathi Bradford, president of Westfield Pride, at its April 8 meeting.

Bradford said at its March meeting, Westfield Pride had received a renewal permit to hang the pride flag on Park Square Green from June 21 to 28, in conjunction with a vigil for the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, which served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States.

Bradford said the mayor has approved raising the pride flag from June 1 to June 9 at City Hall, and she asked to be able to move it to Park Square Green to fly from June 9 through June 28. She said June is international Pride Month.
Lough Mask Distillery will be hosting a free open day this weekend.

The distillery, located just outside Tourmakeady, is the perfect place to spend your weekend with the open day taking place on Saturday, April 13, from 1pm to 4pm.

This exciting event offers a chance to step behind the scenes and discover the secrets behind this time-honoured tradition as you explore our facilities and learn about the meticulous process that transforms grain into liquid gold.

Attendees will be treated to in depth guided tours led by our knowledgeable staff. On these tours, participants can learn about the fascinating distilling process from grain to glass, as well as witnessing the new state-of-the-art equipment, including the impressive new still.

Additionally, attendees will learn more about cask investment options, how to become a part of the Lough Mask Distillery story, as well as partaking in a Q&A session with the staff. Refreshments will be available throughout the entire day.

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the art of Irish whiskey making and discover the passion behind the unique Lough Mask Distillery.

While Lough Mask Distillery is renowned for its single malt whiskey, their passion for crafting exceptional spirits extends to the exciting world of gin.

Their gin is distilled using a unique blend of botanicals, including some sourced locally from the very shores of Lough Mask itself. This results in a refreshingly complex gin, bursting with juniper, citrus, and subtle floral notes.

Perfect for the gin connoisseur or those curious to explore the growing world of Irish gin, a taste of Lough Mask Distillery's gin is sure to be a highlight of your visit.

Book your free place by calling 094 954 4701 or email eolas@loughmaskdistillery.com.

For more information see the Lough Mask Distillery website.
A group of Mayo teenage musicians have qualified as finalists of Siansa Gael Linn.

Luasc, made-up up of Aine Fitzgerald, Molly Pittendrigh, Niamh Doherty, Saoirse Moran, Diarmuid Swift, Evan Dillion, Cillian Gallagher and Mark Bolger, have made their way to the final of one of the country's most prestigious competitions for young traditional Irish music and singing groups.

Mentored by multi-instrumentalist and composer Stephen Doherty, the group have already successfully made their way through two rounds of the competition and are the only group from the West of Ireland to make it to the final.

"The musicality and technical ability of this young group is at a serious level, it's been great working with them on this musical journey and they've gone from strength to strength over the past number of months" said Mr Doherty.

No stranger to the competition, the composer successfully mentored 'Armoin' who came second in the national final, last year.

Group co-ordinator, Eileen Bolger said the group are indebted to Mr Doherty for all his expert guidance, and will be performing some of his own compositions at the final.

She added: A special word also for Mags Gallen, for all her help with the song, chosen by the group. Rehearsals have been taking place in Foxford and the Bridge, Castlebar in preparation for the national competition and a special word of thanks to the Swift Family and Tom Doherty for all the help along the way.

Luasc are competing against seven other groups from Kildare, Clare, Longford, Wexford, Tipperary, Laois and Cork.

With a prize fund of 4,500, the competition, run entirely through the medium of Irish, is organised by Gael Linn, with support from RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta and Irish Music Magazine.

The talened group will compete in the final on Sunday, April 14, in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, and will be broadcast on Radio na Gaeltachta at 7.30pm.

A limited number of tickets for the event are available on the National Concert Halls wesbite.
A PROSECUTION brought against an Erris farmer who was accused of mowing his field in breach of regulations designed to protect the corncrake was withdrawn by the State.

Peter Lavelle of Carne, Belmullet was accused of ignoring a notice not to mow his field which was located close to where the protected corncrake was nesting in 2020.

The case was the first of its kind brought by the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the European Union (Conservation of Wild Birds (Mullet Peninsula Special Protection Area)) Regulations 2013.

At a sitting of Belmullet District Court on Wednesday, Ms Helen Johnson, counsel for the Minister, told Judge Fiona Lydon that the Minister was withdrawing the prosecution against Mr Lavelle.

Ms Johnson gave no reason for the decision to withdraw the prosecution despite evidence against Mr Lavelle having been part-heard in the district court in January.

The Mullet Peninsula on Mayos north-west coast is one of the 'last remaining outposts' for the corncrake and the regulations were introduced in 2013 in order to protect breeding corncrakes.

The migratory bird arrives on Irish shores from Africa in spring and uses traditional hay meadows to nest before returning to Africa in September. The corncrake has largely disappeared from Ireland apart from peripheral areas of Galway, Mayo and Donegal and for this reason has become known as the 'Bird of the Gaeltacht'.

At the January sitting of the court, evidence was given that in April 2020 a corncrake was located in a field in Emly Beg North on the Mullet Peninsula within a designated Special Protection Area (SPA).

In order to protect the corncrake, landowners in an area 250 metres from where the bird was located were notified that under the EU regulations, the mowing of fields was prohibited until September 1, 2020. Ms Johnson said that Mr Lavelle was made aware that the mowing of grass was prohibited but he mowed his field in June of that year.

Mr Lavelle contested the charge on the grounds that only a small corner of his field which was mowed was located within a 250 metre buffer zone of where the corncrake was located.

Peter Loftus, solicitor for Mr Lavelle argued that his client only encroached into the 250m buffer zone by around ten metres and if the location of the corncrake was pinpointed ten metres to the north, there would have been no restrictions on his client mowing his field.

Ms Johnson refuted this saying there are no exceptions to allow Mr Lavelle to mow the field as his field is within an SPA. Under the regulations, she said, once he is notified of the presence of the corncrake he can only mow the field before September 1 with the permission of the Minister, which he did not receive.

The case was adjourned to allow for Mr Loftus to examine notes taken by an official who reported hearing the corncrake in 2020.

However, when the case was called in Belmullet District Court this morning, Ms Johnson said that the prosecution was being withdrawn.

Mr Loftus explained that Mr Lavelle was at loss as a result of the prosecution because 1,600 in farm payments were withheld from him. Mr Loftus said his client is a pensioner and a small farmer and asked for enhanced legal aid due to the unusual prosecution and that he had been successful in defending his client. He also pointed out that the Minister had retained the services of a barrister in Ms Johnson to prosecute the case.

Ms Johnson said the Minister was not objecting to the application and Judge Lydon granted enhanced legal aid to Mr Loftus.
THE Archdiocese of Tuam is set to undergo its most radical change in its recent history as Archbishop Francis Duffy is set to head both the Killala and Tuam dioceses.

Pope Francis has officially appointed Bishop Francis Duffy, Metropolitan Archbishop of the ecclesiastical province of Tuam, as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Killala.

This comes following the resignation of Bishop John Fleming, Bishop of Killala, due to age.

Mayo is covered mostly by the dioceses of Tuam and Killala and partially by the Achonry and Galway dioceses.

Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, has also been appointed as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Achonry.

Bishop Doran will continue in his role as Bishop of Elphin while Bishop Paul Dempsey, Bishop of Achonry has been appointed Titular Bishop of Sita and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dublin

A similar streamlining has been undertaken with other dioceses, including the joining together of Clonfert and Galway and Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora.

The announcement of this level of change in the episcopate in one province at the same time is quite significant. It creates the possibility of exploring a closer union between the Archdiocese of Tuam and the Diocese of Killala, Archbishop Duffy said.

Any such change would involve living communities and could not be simply structural or administrative. It would require careful discernment over some time, involving the whole people of God in the respective dioceses.

Pope Francis first announced his intention to join together various Irish dioceses in November 2021.

The most recently-announced changes concerning the reconfiguration of dioceses in Connacht follow consultations carried out by the Apostolic Nuncio with groupings of people in Achonry, Elphin, Killala and Tuam.

Thanking Bishop Fleming for his service to the Killala diocese, Archbishop Duffy said that a lot of ground-work in both the civil and canonical spheres will need to be carried out prior to the changes coming into effect.

Fortunately, there is already a well-established practice of collaboration and cooperation between the western dioceses. This is a sure sign of hope for the success of the important work that is now underway, he said.

We are certainly living in changing times, and, providentially, one of the changes in the Catholic Church is the promotion of the synodal pathway. I am confident that the path we have embarked upon will enable, enthuse and assist us as a believing community, in moving forward together, as both beneficiaries and sharers of the Good News of the Risen Lord.

Bishop Michael Duignan, Bishop of Clonfert and Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, welcomed the announcement, saying it would allow the dioceses to work together more closely.

Today is a day when I think we could truly say that The Wests Awake, awake to the need to reconfigure and restructure for renewal and mission, Bishop Duignan said.

I look forward to working with Archbishop Francis and Bishop Kevin, and indeed with the entire people of God in these parts, to progress this project into the future. I pray for a continuing renewal of the faith and of our faith communities as we journey together towards tomorrow.

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh (Catholic Communications Office archive)

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, thanked Bishop John Fleming for his 22 years of service and sent well wishes to the other bishops on their new appointments.

Please remember all our bishops in your prayers and thoughts as these new appointments take effect in the coming months, Archbishop Martin said.
by Fern Siegel , April 10, 2024

FemTech brand Elvie wants the world to learn about postpartum challenges.

Timed to its February report on The Motherload, in partnership with Mother.ly, Elvie's out-of-home campaign went big.

Times Square big  unveiling its first digital billboard in midtown Manhattan. The creative features a quick list of words related to the challenges postpartum women face. They include baby blues, bleeding, loneliness, breastfeeding and more in the often overlooked fourth trimester.

Additional elements of the report's marketing strategy include a paid content partnership with Mother.ly, visual elements and content posted on all Elvie integrated marketing channels, including social-media channels, and an integration on the brands Skin Like a Rhino podcast.

All ad-marketing channels lead to a landing page for the Motherload report featuring the surveys findings and various educational content. The report found women could rely on family and technology. Doctors, employers and the political policy world were less sympathetic and helpful.

advertisement advertisement

Aoife Zakaras-Nally, CMO of Elvie, told Agency Daily: This billboard is part of a larger campaign that we've been working on since 2023. Our report on maternal health in America, based on responses from over 1,000 mothers, reveals significant challenges during pregnancy and postpartum.

We see it as our responsibility as a company to empower women further by highlighting these issues  whether it be a billboard in Times Square or continuing to create state-of-the-art female-centric technology.

While the brand does partner with ad agencies, all the creative for the billboard was produced by the in-house creative team.

Elvie is advocating for change. With this new research, were demonstrating something those mothers already know: Postpartum care in the U.S. is simply not good enough, says Tania Boler, founder-president of Elvie.
by Danielle Oster , April 9, 2024

For larger, established breweries searching for growth, often the best bet comes without alcohol.

Bend, Oregon based Deschutes Brewery  the 21st largest brewer in the U.S., and 11th largest craft brewery, according to the Brewers Association -- has revamped its nonalcoholic beer offerings, including the introduction of a nonalcoholic version of the brewerys flagship IPA.

Deschutes is launching Fresh Squeezed Nonalcoholic IPA, as well as introducing a redesign for the non-alcoholic and flagship version of its Black Butte Porter. A release from the brewery positions the move as involving five years of research and $5 million in investment, incorporating brewing tech company Sustainable Brewing Technologies BrewVo equipment and proprietary brewing method.

Our non-alc brewing process is unique because of the specialty equipment and proprietary processes weve developed, [resulting in] great tasting, full-fidelity non-alcoholic beer, Deschutes Brewery CEO Peter Skrbek told Marketing Daily. He claimed the brewerys ability to retain full control of recipe innovation and quality control, scheduling, and supply management contrast with other breweries who rely on third-party partners for non-alcoholic beer contract brewing, co-packing, and off-site pasteurization.

advertisement advertisement

The brewery also made a concerted decision to focus its non-alcoholic offerings around its two most popular beers, introducing Nonalcoolic Black Butte Porter ahead of the recent IPA launch. Skrbek explained that the decision stemmed from a nationwide survey the brewery conducted finding that 94% of people who drink non-alcoholic beer also drink beer with alcohol. To promote the effort, Deschutes is marketing around a message of All For Beer, Beer For All, which Skrbek said reflected brewing not just for all people, but also for all occasions.

Our five years of non-alcoholic research and development began in 2018 when we recognized a shift in consumer preferences and acted on the need to develop non-alcoholic beers that didnt sacrifice flavor, aroma, mouthfeel or appearance. We like technical brewing challenges and this one was very multidimensional, Skrbek explained. The team began exploring recipes in partnership with SBT and made a non-alcoholic beer inspired by the dry Irish stout style called Irish Dark. We began with a dark beer because we wanted to start by establishing mastery around how to deliver great malt flavor and body before moving on to the bigger challenge of preserving hop character and aroma through the dealcoholization process.

This eventually led to the launch of Black Butte Non-Alcoholic in 2022, inspired by the brewerys porter-- which it says is the most popular version of the style nationally, and the release became the fastest-selling product in the brewerys portfolio in 2023, according to Skrbek. With that challenge cleared, the company moved onto Fresh Squeezed, and invested in installing SBTs BrewVo system at its production brewery to scale the product and meet demand.

In the latter half of last year, the brewery worked on packaging and label design for both Black Butte and Fresh Squeezed, across alcoholic and non-alcoholic iterations, to prepare for the launch of Fresh Squeezed Non-Alcoholic IPA.

While Fresh Squeezed packaging received a light touch clean-up, Black Butte Porter and Black Butte Non-Alcoholic underwent a significant redesign. Introducing non-alcoholic versions of both brands provided an opportunity to create a level of consistency and cultural relevance in the packaging, Deschutes CMO Julie Galbraith told Marketing Daily, adding that extensive consumer research gave the brewery confidence the new design would resonate with its fans, and that the brewery plans to maintain the designs for the foreseeable future.

For the more extensive redesign across Black Butte and other offerings, Deschutes teamed up with artist Sam Larson, a first time partner.

His illustration style perfectly matched the creative direction we envisioned for Black Butte Porter, Black Butte Non-Alcoholic, Obsidian Stout and Mirror Pond Pale Ale. Inspired by the physical landmarks of Central Oregon, these brands hold a special place in Deschutes Brewerys history. We carefully considered their packaging evolution and drew inspiration from national parks for the redesign.
by Ray Schultz , April 10, 2024

Publishers seeking passage of the New York Local Journalism Sustainability Act, a bill that would provide tax credits for news outlets hiring local reporters, have received a boost from a national group.

Americas Newspapers, the largest trade association of local newspapers in the U.S. with over 1,700 member publications, endorses the New York Local Journalism Sustainability Act, the group said in a statement. We applaud the New York State Senate for including this important tax credit for local news organizations in its one-house budget, and we call on NY Governor Hochul, the NY Senate, and the NY Assembly, to include the NY Local Journalism Sustainability Act in the states FY'25 budget.

Dean Ridings, CEO of Americas Newspapers, says the Act would be the first legislation of its type in the nation.

But he adds that a federal version of the New York legislation, the Community News and Small Business Support Act, has over 40 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives, with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats signing on to the federal bill.

The bill is also supported by the Empire State Local News Coalition, a group that seeks to foster local journalism in New York State. It now has more than 150 members.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, April 10, 2024

Bipartisan lawmakers in the House on Tuesday introduced a companion bill to the Senate's proposed Kids Online Safety Act -- a controversial measure that would regulate how social media platforms display material to minors under 17.

Like the Senate proposal, the House bill aims to tackle potential harms associated with social media use -- including depression, eating disorders, and online bullying. The measure was introduced by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida), Kathy Castor (D-Florida), Erin Houchin (R-Indiana) and Kimberly Schrier (D-Washington).

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on April 17 on the teen safety bill and other proposed laws affecting online media -- including the newly introduced American Privacy Rights Act, which would restrict online behavioral advertising.

advertisement advertisement

The current House and Senate versions of Kids Online Safety Act bills would require large tech platforms to platforms to use reasonable care in the creation and implementation of any design feature to prevent and mitigate potential harms. Design features would include notifications, automatic playing of videos, personalized recommendations and filters that alter appearances.

Some youth advocates, including the group Fairplay, cheered news of the bill's introduction in the House.

We are one giant step closer to ending Big Techs reign of terror and putting in long-needed guardrails to protect children online, Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, stated.

But digital rights advocates and the tech industry group NetChoice oppose the bill, arguing both that it could lead to censorship, and could violate people's right to access material anonymously.

While bill sponsors argue that the measure doesn't require age-verification, opponents say the law would give web companies an incentive to verify users' ages in order to avoid liability.

Age verification threatens adult speech and online privacy by denying individuals the ability to browse the web anonymously, which may deter them from browsing at all, the ACLU wrote in February. It also increases the risk that users personal identifying information may be subject to a data breach.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation separately argued that the government can't constitutionally regulate design features of social media platforms any more than it can regulate how newspapers present content online.

Regardless of whether we like infinite scroll or auto-play on platforms, these design features are protected by the First Amendment, the group wrote. If the government tried to limit an online newspaper from using an infinite scroll feature or auto-playing videos, that case would be struck down.
Advertisement

The consent decree primarily focuses on Philips Respironics business operations in the US.

It provides clarity and a roadmap to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements and to restore the Philips Respironics business.

Philips Respironics is committed to meeting the consent decree requirements, while continuing to service healthcare providers and their patients under agreed conditions in the US and outside the US.

The 2023  2025 Group financial outlook takes the consent decree into account and remains unchanged.

Royal Philips

Advertisement

Philips Respironics will continue to prioritize completing the remediation of the sleep and respiratory care devices under Respironics voluntary June 2021 recall . More than 99% of the actionable registered CPAP and BiPAP sleep therapy devices have been remediated globally, while the remediation of the ventilators is ongoing in coordination with the relevant competent authorities. Philips Respironics will retain independent experts to review various aspects of the recall remediation.

. More than 99% of the actionable registered CPAP and BiPAP sleep therapy devices have been remediated globally, while the remediation of the ventilators is ongoing in coordination with the relevant competent authorities. Philips Respironics will retain independent experts to review various aspects of the recall remediation. Philips Respironics business operations must demonstrate continued compliance with the FDAs Quality System Regulation (current good manufacturing practice requirements for medical devices). Philips Respironics will retain independent experts to supervise the compliance improvement program.

In the US, millions of patients are currently using Philips Respironics sleep and respiratory care devices. Philips Respironics will be permitted to continue servicing these sleep and respiratory care devices that are already with healthcare providers and patients, and to sell accessories (including masks), consumables (including patient circuits), and replacement parts (including repair kits).

In 2021, Philips Respironics voluntarily stopped selling CPAP and BiPAP sleep therapy devices and other respiratory care devices in the US, as it prioritized the production for the remediation of the affected devices under the June 2021 recall. Until the relevant requirements of the consent decree are met, Philips Respironics will not resume selling new CPAP or BiPAP devices or other respiratory care devices in the US.

The consent decree includes provisions to allow for exports. Outside the US, Philips Respironics will continue to provide new sleep and respiratory care devices, accessories (including masks), consumables (including patient circuits), replacement parts (including repair kits) and services, subject to certain requirements that Philips Respironics will meet.

silicone sound abatement foam

clear path

Patient safety and quality

previously stated

here

here

here
  Trusted Source

Discovery of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin as a marker of delayed recovery from concussion in children



Go to source Trusted Source



The HeadCheck App serves as an additional tool for identifying #concussions promptly and aiding in the recovery process.

Understanding Long-Term Effects of Concussion in Children

Advertisement

Advertisement

Discovery of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin as a marker of delayed recovery from concussion in children - (https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/neu.2023.0503)

Researchers have discovered a groundbreaking revelation: the blood protein alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (alpha-1-ACT) stands as a beacon of hope in the realm of concussion diagnosis. The blood protein presence, or rather its absence, holds the key to deciphering which children will endure prolonged concussion symptoms beyond the ominous two-week mark ().Astonishingly, levels of this protein were found to plummet significantly in those young souls plagued by a delayed recovery, illuminating a path toward early intervention and improved prognoses. The research, led by Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) and published in thefound the protein was aFor the study, blood samples were collected from children, aged 5-18 years, who presented to the emergency department at The Royal Childrens Hospital less than 48 hours after a concussion.MCRI researcher Ella Swaney said with concussion being a growing public health concern, there was an increasing need to develop a tool that could contribute to identifying those at risk of delays to recovery.Of the25-30 percent will have long-term symptoms and about half will never seek out medical care. Symptoms including headaches , difficulty remembering and sensitivity to light can last for months while mental health conditions can persist for several years.Delayed recovery from concussion spans emotional, behavioral, physical and cognitive symptoms, which can affect the well-being of the child, delaying their return to school and sport, Ms Swaney said.Early detection of children at risk of delayed recovery is crucial to ensure effective treatment and targeted follow-up.MCRI Professor Vicki Anderson said this small study, involving 80 children, was the first in human trial to identify that alpha-1-ACT could contribute to the early detection of those who will experience a delayed recovery from concussion.If the finding holds up in larger studies, the discovery could contribute to acute clinical management by providing clinicians with an acute marker to guide more timely and targeted treatments to children most likely to experience long-term problems, she said.Mackenzie, 16, suffered a concussion during a netball match 15 months ago. She was hit in the face by an opposing players upper arm, knocking her out, and causing her to smack her head on the indoor court.Out cold for a minute and suffering a nosebleed and swollen left eye, Mackenzie was taken to hospital where she was diagnosed with a concussion.I was knocked out while jumping mid-air, the force spinning me 180 degrees, and then I landed on my head for a second blow, she said.When I woke up, I couldnt see out of my eye and I was lying in a pool of my own blood. I felt dizzy, confused and everything became a blur.In the weeks that followed, as well as the dizziness and confusion, Mackenzie was nauseous, sensitive to bright lights, had memory loss , headaches and muscle soreness and poor mental health. She also missed weeks of school due to the ongoing concussion symptoms.To help her recover, Mackenzie was enrolled in MCRIs Concussion Essentials Plus program for children with chronic persisting concussion symptoms. It involved weekly physiotherapy and psychology treatments spanning months and education around return to exercise, school and sports.It was a slow recovery process, but the intervention helped me return to my normal self again, she said. "All I wanted was to be back on the netball court. I didnt understand at the time how much of a long-term impact concussion can have.Mackenzie returned to netball five months after the injury.Im more hesitant and cautious on the court now but I would never give up playing netball, I love the sport too much, she said.Mackenzies mum Karen Payne, who will never forget the image of her daughter lying unconscious on the court, said the latest MCRI research would come as a welcome to relief to families.If clinicians can easily find out which children will have long term concussion symptoms then they can receive targeted and early intervention, she said. "Recovery from concussion can be a long process, like our daughters, and anything that can help speed up the process would make a world of difference.In 2023, a vast body of international research, with major contributions from MCRI researchers, took a deep dive into all aspects of concussion management.The updated consensus findings aimed to change how concussion was viewed across sporting codes, recreational sport and within medical clinics and emergency departments by overhauling exercise and rehabilitation methods and upgrading return-to school and return-to-sport protocols.Researchers from the University of Melbourne, Macquarie Universitys Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Austin and Cabrini Hospitals, Johns Hopkins All Childrens Institute for Clinical and Translational Research and Hopkins University also contributed to the study findings.Source-Eurekalert
The Turkish Foreign Ministry's press release politicizes a purely environmental issue. The global challenge of environmental protection should raise awareness among governments rather than be used as a means to create impressions.



The Greek Government will continue to unwaveringly defend our country's sovereignty and sovereign rights within the framework of a principled foreign policy based on international law and, in particular, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which Greece is a party. Transactional diplomacy and the use of hybrid instruments for geopolitical gains are inconsistent with Greece's foreign policy.
Troops at Colorado Space Force Base Will Have to Bring Their Own To-Go Boxes for Dining Hall

While the initiative is aimed at reducing waste on base, the spokesperson added that they hope it will give troops on base...
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado -- Department of the Air Force leaders are fiercely defending a legislative proposal to bypass state governors in order to move certain Air National Guard units into the active-duty Space Force,

In response to a Military.com question during a press conference at the Space Symposium in Colorado on Wednesday, both Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Gen. Chance Saltzman, the Space Force's chief of space operations, said the impact to states would be minimal.

"The impact is really, I think, negligible. Governors may have a different view, but I don't see a reason why a state needs a Space Force militia," Kendall said. "The reason these units exist in the states is kind of an artifact of history, somewhat. I'd really like to get this resolved."

Read Next: Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

Last week, Military.com reported that Air Force officials had submitted a draft legislative proposal to Congress titled "Transfer to the Space Force of covered space functions of the Air National Guard of the United States" that would change the status of such operations "from a unit of the Air National Guard of the United States to a unit of the United States Space Force; deactivate the unit; or assign the unit a new federal mission."

Air Force officials are seeking to waive Section 104 of Title 32 and Section 18238 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which state, respectively, that "no change in the branch, organization or allotment of a unit located entirely within a state may be made without the approval of its governor" and that National Guard units may "not be relocated or withdrawn under this chapter without the consent of the governor of the state."

Since the Space Force was formed in 2019 as part of the Department of the Air Force, a major point of contention has been what to do with the roughly 1,000 part-time Air National Guardsmen across 14 units operating space-related missions in Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New York and Ohio.

The National Guard Association of the United States, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying organization, quickly spoke out against the Air Force proposal. Internal surveys of those unit members show "that most do not want to transfer to the Space Force," the association said in a statement last week.

Governors from some of the states potentially affected by the Air Force proposal also objected strongly to the plan.

"Governors on both sides of the aisle call for the immediate discontinuation of legislative proposals that endanger or deny the full and legitimate authority of governors to act in the capacity of commander in chief to their respective National Guard across states and territories," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, said in a National Governors Association press release Tuesday.

Kendall dismissed concerns that the proposal would set a precedent undermining the governors' authority, saying the Air National Guard assets are necessary for the active-duty Space Force.

"We've had much, much more political attention over this than it deserves," Kendall said. "We need a way to integrate these space capabilities, which are very valuable to us, into the Space Force. This is a unique situation. I have no indication that either the Air Force or Army Guard, anybody, is contemplating any other changes."

Some governors and National Guard Association officials have called for the creation of a Space National Guard. But the Department of the Air Force and the White House have pushed back against the effort and instead want to put Air National Guardsmen with space-related jobs in the Space Force's new part-time active-duty service model, which was approved in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

Under that new legislation, the Space Force is already working on the transfer of full-time Air Force reservists with space-related units into the service, but Saltzman warned in a memo late last month of the "sheer amount of work" required to get the part-time service model set up.

Despite the delays for the reservists, Saltzman defended the Department of the Air Force proposal, saying it also makes sense to eventually weave Air National Guard space units into the Space Force -- potentially under the part-time model proposed by the Space Force Personnel Management Act.

"In my estimation, the military effectiveness of those missions and taking care of those people is best performed as a single component using the same processes, procedures [and] management structure to take care of the people and to manage the missions," Saltzman said in response to Military.com's question.

The 2024 NDAA called for a report to "assess the feasibility and advisability of moving all units, personnel billets, equipment and resources performing core space functions under the operational control of the Space Force" from the Air National Guard.

At the symposium Wednesday, Kendall told Military.com that the report will be out "very shortly" but added, "It's not going to change our views."

Related: Air Force Proposes Bypassing Governors in 7 States to Move Guard Units into Space Force
Lawmakers dug into the Navy's shipbuilding efforts on Wednesday, saying that it is "behind" in providing ships to stay apace of global competition, specifically with China.

The criticisms were raised when Department of the Navy leaders, including Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith, met with members of the House Appropriations Committee's defense panel to discuss the Navy's shipbuilding and maintenance shortfalls.

The Navy has admitted that all of its key shipbuilding programs -- from the new Columbia-class submarine to the new Constellation-class frigate -- are facing yearslong delays, which come amid cases of ships being delayed to deploy because of mounting maintenance issues.

Read Next: Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

"I'm concerned that the Navy is falling behind -- it is behind," Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., the chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said Wednesday. "The Navy continues to retire ships faster than it builds them, and I'm troubled by the Navy's request to decommission 10 ships before the end of their service life and build only six."

While the service pointed to the fact that many of those programs are building first-in-class ships as part of the issue, its top official, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, has also been vocal in faulting shipyards and manufacturers, as well.

"I need you to deliver platforms and capabilities on time and on budget without excuses," Del Toro said in February at a Navy conference in San Diego, California.

"Many of you are making record profits, as evidenced by your quarterly financial statements," Del Toro said, claiming that some companies "goose ... stock prices through stock buybacks, deferring promised capital investments, and other accounting maneuvers that to some seem to prioritize stock prices that drive executive compensation rather than making the needed fundamental investments."

The result is that, while the sea service told Congress last year that it needs 381 ships as well as up to 150 unmanned vessels to meet its national defense obligations, the most optimistic version of its plans has it reaching that goal in around 20 years.

In addition to the total fleet size, lawmakers voiced concerns about the state of the ships that the Navy is currently operating.

"I am more concerned about ship readiness," Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., said at the hearing Wednesday. "I think that the metrics are not just bad, but I also think that the metrics are not truly honest."

One of the most visible areas of concern has become the Navy's amphibious ship fleet, which the Marine Corps uses to deploy the bulk of its forces around the globe.

The Navy is required by law to maintain 31 amphibious ships but, in an interview with Military.com in January, Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl, the commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command and deputy commandant for combat development and integration -- the Marine who heads the service's modernization efforts, said that that number of ships requires better maintenance to be effective.

"When we say 31, that's based on a better readiness than we're seeing today," Heckl said. "So, it simply translates that if the machines are never going to reach the aspirational goals of 75-80% [readiness] then we're going to have to have more ships if we're really going to get back to having a crisis response force, always deployed, always forward -- that's going to mean an increase in numbers."

Military.com reported that a series of investigations into the USS Boxer -- an amphibious assault ship that was months late in deploying -- found that the Navy, along with shipyard personnel, not only struggled to correctly repair the aging vessel, but also that its engineering department was poorly led and suffering from issues that ranged from inexperience to outright allegations of assault that directly impacted the ship's ability to get out to sea.

"The Navy's Pacific Fleet was less ready and less capable because of USS Boxer's shortfalls," the admiral who commissioned one of the reports noted in his letter accepting the results.

Meanwhile, the Navy's top officer, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, told reporters Monday that the Boxer's sister ship, the USS Wasp may also be delayed.

"We're seeing some potential delays on Wasp. We're trying to look ahead to make sure that we can, I want to say, nip this in the bud," Franchetti said.

Ship watchers spotted the Wasp departing Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, in early March only to return hours later, apparently with some tugs alongside.

Lt. Cmdr. Dave Carter, a spokesman for Naval Surface Force Atlantic, later told Military.com that "during the underway, the ship discovered an engineering irregularity" and "returned to port to effect repairs."

Most of the discussion revolving around the Navy's shortcomings focused on competition with China, with many lawmakers expressing concerns that the U.S. military is not meeting its primary pacing challenge.

"Frankly, the pivot to the Pacific has not been fully realized," Garcia said. "And I think that's by any metric. ... We are either falling behind or losing our lead relative to China."

Those concerns were not limited to the Pacific. Lawmakers cited the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group's most recent deployment to the Middle East as an example of the Navy's lacking ship readiness.

"The Department of the Navy's capability and capacity is further eroded by the maintenance delays that plague the fleet," Calvert said. "The committee continues to see the Navy spend every cent appropriated for ship maintenance, but complete fewer maintenance availabilities than forecasted."

"This creates both near-term risk to the fleet readiness and a bow wave of costly future maintenance requirements," he added.

Calvert cited the "repeated extensions" of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, or ARG, during its deployment to the Middle East this year, which became increasingly important in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, sparking turmoil and war in the region.

Military.com was first to report that the Bataan was delayed at least twice from returning from deployment. That deployment lasted roughly eight months, which lawmakers attributed to delays in maintenance.

In his submitted statement to Congress, Smith said that he and Franchetti have "locked shields" on the construction, maintenance, modernization and availability of amphibious ships.

"We must prioritize our operations with the Navy and its amphibious ships, and we must provide Marines with the organic mobility to rapidly maneuver from shore to shore, ship to shore and back again," Smith said.

Related: Top Navy Leader Has Ordered 'Deep Dive' on Amphibious Ship Readiness After Delays with USS Boxer
JERUSALEM  Israel's foreign minister threatened Wednesday that his country's forces would strike Iran directly if the Islamic Republic launched an attack from its territory against Israel.

His comments came amid heightened tensions between the rival powers following the killings of Iranian generals in a blast at the Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month.

If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran, Israel Katz said in a post on X in both Farsi and Hebrew.

Earlier Wednesday, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated a promise to retaliate against Israel over the attack on its consulate in Damascus.

Tehran holds Israel responsible for the strike that leveled the building, killing 12 people. Israel has not acknowledged its involvement, though it has been bracing for an Iranian response to the attack, a significant escalation in their long-running shadow war.

The strike killed Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior figure in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard who led the group's elite Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria until 2016. The 11 others who died included six Revolutionary Guard members, four Syrians and a Hezbollah militia member.

Israel has attacked scores of Iranian-linked targets in Syria over the years with the apparent intent of disrupting arms transfers and other cooperation with Lebanon's Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. The Israeli army rarely comments on these attacks. Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began six months ago, there have been near-daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Gaza's Hamas rulers, who triggered the war by attacking southern Israel on Oct. 7, are also backed by Iran. Tehran also backs an umbrella group of Iraqi militias targeting U.S. military bases and positions in Syria and Iraq, known as The Islamic Resistance of Iraq.

Khamenei made the remarks at a prayer ceremony celebrating the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, saying the strike on its consular was akin to an attack on Iranian territory.

When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory, Khamenei said, in remarks broadcast by Iranian state TV. The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished.

Neither Katz nor the Ayatollah elaborated on the way they would retaliate.

Khamenei also criticized the West, particularly the U.S. and Britain, for supporting Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

It was expected they (would) prevent (Israel) in this disaster. They did not. They did not fulfil their duties, the Western governments, he said.

Iran does not recognize Israel.
Military pharmacies have returned to full operations following a crippling cyberattack in February on the company that provides the Defense Health Agency's prescription processing program.

A Defense Health Agency spokesman said Tuesday that normal operations were restored April 2 between military pharmacies and Change Healthcare, one of the country's largest commercial prescription processors.

"A cyberattack on Change Healthcare ... was detected on Feb. 21, 2024. [Change Healthcare] severed all connectivity to DoD pharmacy systems on Feb. 22, 2024. As of April 2, 2024, normal operations have been restored for pharmacies at military clinics and hospitals," DHA spokesman Peter Graves said in an email to Military.com.

Read Next: Army Expanding Pre-Basic Training Prep Courses to Bring in More Soldiers and Curb Recruiting Crisis

The restoration was first reported by Military Times.

Retail pharmacies across the country, including those aboard military installations, started experiencing disruptions due to the cyberattack Feb. 21 on Change Healthcare. As a result of the breach, military pharmacies were forced to fill prescriptions manually, with priority given to urgent prescriptions.

With the recovery, patients will be able to "access pharmacy services as usual," Graves said.

He added that beneficiaries don't need to take any action unless they used a Tricare network pharmacy and had to pay for their prescriptions during the outage. In that case, they may be able to file a claim for reimbursement.

UnitedHealth Group, owner of Change Healthcare, initially said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it suspected a nation-state as being behind the attack. On Feb. 29, Change Healthcare said the "cybercrime threat actor" known as BlackCat/ALPHV was responsible for the breach.

The State Department has offered a reward of up to $10 million for more information or identification of individuals with a leadership position in BlackCat/ALPHV and its ransomware operations.

Shortly after the attack, officials with the Defense Health Agency said that military hospitals and clinics would continue to provide pharmacy services "based on local manning and resources" and urged patience as the issue was resolved.

Change Healthcare halted its connectivity with the military health system as well as Express Scripts, the Tricare health program's pharmacy benefits manager, to protect patients' personal data, defense officials said.

After the breach, Change Healthcare has become the target of at least two dozen class-action lawsuits that allege that the company's security was inadequate. The suits have been filed by patients over concerns of data theft, as well as by providers who said they weren't paid while the system was offline.

Tricare beneficiaries who filled prescriptions at a retail pharmacy and were required to pay full price for their medications as a result of the cybercrime are encouraged to learn more at Tricare.com or call Express Scripts at 877-363-1303, Graves said.

Related: In Reversal, Defense Department Now Wants to Bring Tricare Beneficiaries Back to Military Health System
For one week, Elizabeth Thorn, her three young sons and her parents abandoned their home during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. When they returned, Thorn not only discovered barely a belonging left at their residence at Evergreen Cemetery, but -- as the fill-in for her husband, Peter, who left his job as its caretaker to fight against the Confederacy -- she was responsible for digging graves for the Union's dead.

The stench of decomposing bodies was overpowering, the terrible smell made all the more repugnant by the stifling July heat. It was no job for a woman who was six months' pregnant, and yet, Thorn somehow met the moment.

"It was only excitement that helped me to do all the work," Thorn recalled in a first-person account posted by the website CivilWarTalk in 2014.

Peter and Elizabeth Thorn's family lived at the gatehouse at Evergreen Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the Civil War. (Wikimedia Commons)

Born in 1832 in Germany, Elizabeth immigrated with her parents, John and Catherine Masser, to the United States when she was in her early 20s. When they arrived in New York, they realized their luggage had been stolen -- their anxiety assuaged only by the assistance of a helpful stranger.

Peter Thorn, who was heading to Pennsylvania, offered to help relocate the family there, and with no firm plans, they accepted. The chance encounter sparked a romance between Peter and Elizabeth, who were married in 1855, and early the next year, he accepted a position as the caretaker of a new civilian cemetery in Gettysburg, just above Pennsylvania's border with Maryland.

The Thorns lived with Elizabeths parents in the cemetery's gatehouse and were building a good life, growing their burgeoning family and establishing roots in the area. When the Civil War broke out at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861, Peter -- believing the skirmish would be resolved in short order -- did not immediately join the Union's military. Nearly a year and a half after the war's first shots, he finally joined the 138th Pennsylvania Infantry.

At home, raising three young boys and trying to match their seemingly endless energy, Elizabeth was also dealing with her changing body as she entered the third trimester of her current pregnancy. The war was undoubtedly of concern, but it had never approached her doorstep until Confederates stormed through town on June 26, 1863.

After the hungry southerners told Elizabeth they had no intention of harming her family, her mother heeded their request and fed them. The rebels left the next day -- but not before they destroyed bridges, railroads and telegraph lines. "Everywhere, they destroyed all they could," Thorn said in her recollections published on CivilWarTalk.com.

This lithograph by Nathaniel Currier and James Merritt Ives depicts the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. (Wikimedia Commons)

On July 1, the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Confederates drove Union forces in the direction of Cemetery Hill, where Elizabeth's family lived. That night, Maj. Gen. Oliver Howard -- along with fellow corps commanders of the Army of the Potomac Maj. Gens. Daniel Sickles and Henry Slocum -- came to the residence, and before they left, he warned Elizabeth there would be intense fighting the next day and she and her family should "leave this house and get as far away in 10 minutes as possible. Take nothing up but the children and go."

The next day, the Thorns departed and rested that first night at a farmhouse surrounded by a group of Union soldiers. They soon relocated to another farm, where the family ate for the first time in 24 hours -- a welcome relief for all but especially for the expectant Elizabeth. The fighting at Gettysburg ended on July 3, leaving behind a level of carnage -- 3,155 Union soldiers and 3,903 Confederate troops dead, plus a combined 33,264 wounded -- unseen in any other Civil War engagement.

When Elizabeth returned to Evergreen Cemetery on July 7, her initial reaction upon seeing the gatehouse was, "O, my!" -- a somewhat muted response given what she discovered. The home was ransacked, nearly all furniture was gone, and shattered windows left shards of glass everywhere. The water pump was broken, and blood and dirt ruined beds on which soldiers' legs had been amputated.

Wherever Elizabeth stepped, she could not escape the aura of death. Four days after returning home, she was visited by the president of the cemetery association, who told her graves needed to be dug immediately. Elizabeth, who became known as "the Angel of Gettysburg," started the laborious task, aided only by her elderly father and -- for a short while -- two soldiers, until the stench caused them to quit.

Elizabeth wore the same dress for six weeks as she and her father dug graves for 91 soldiers and 14 civilians.

Elizabeth delivered her fourth child, Rose, on Nov. 1, 1863, a joyous event followed by years of the young girl struggling with her health. After mourning the loss of Rose, who died when she was 14, the Thorns went on to have five more children.

Shortly after Rose's birth, the Gettysburg Soldiers' National Cemetery was dedicated. (Twenty-five of the soldiers that Elizabeth buried were later relocated there.) At that ceremony, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address, saying, in part: "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."

The Women's Memorial at Gettysburg includes a statue of an expectant Elizabeth Thorn. (Wikimedia Commons)

The contributions made by Elizabeth, who died in 1907, have not been forgotten. In 2002, the Gettysburg Women's Civil War Memorial was established, with a sculpture of Elizabeth near the Evergreen Cemetery gatehouse. Her head bowed and a shovel tucked under one arm, she is wiping sweat from her brow while wearing a full-length dress.

For someone who gave so much, there are worse ways to be remembered.

Want to Know More About the Military?

Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox.
Two juveniles in custody accused of stabbing a minor that later died outside a mall in Casper, Wyoming, will be tried as adults.

Dominique Antonio Richard Harris, born in 2008, and Jarreth Joseflee Sabastian Plunkett, born in 2009, are both charged with felonious conspiracy to commit murder, felonious aggravated assault and battery and a misdemeanor theft, according to court records. Plunkett is also charged with first-degree murder.

Robert Dean Maher, 14, was stabbed twice in the abdomen with a stolen kitchen knife and died outside Eastridge Mall in Casper on Sunday afternoon.

Harris and Plunkett were arrested later that day in the 500 block of Long Lane, a residential street less than 500 feet from the mall.

Police responded to a call in front of Hibachi Supreme Buffet at 1:41 p.m., according to an affidavit.

A police interview with one of Mahers friends, who accompanied him to the mall, alleged that Maher received a call from his girlfriend saying that she was being followed by two guys  Harris and Plunkett  and Maher went to the mall to keep her safe.

At the mall, Maher found his girlfriend, and Maher, Harris, Plunkett and a group that had formed ended up in the parking lot of the mall.

Blood debt

A police interview with Harris after his arrest revealed that he and Plunkett had wanted to fight Maher weeks before the Sunday incident.

Roughly two weeks ago, during spring break, Harris and Plunkett went into a port-a-potty together at a public park in Evansville and Maher, who was also at the park, called them freaks afterwards, according to the affidavit.

Plunkett in his interview with the police said they went in together because it was cold outside.

Harris and Plunkett had wanted to fight Maher since the incident at the park, according to the affidavit. The affidavit notes an incident where the pair asked Mahers girlfriend and another of Mahers friends where Maher was or where he lived.

Harris in his interview with police recounted that Plunkett asked Maher's friend if he wanted to fight them in order to "pay" Maher's "blood debt."

Harris also recounted an incident where Plunkett said that he wanted to gut that dude, an incident where Plunkett said he was going to shank someone and another incident where Plunkett mentioned shooting an ex-girlfriend's house.

The day of the stabbing

The day of the stabbing, Harris and Plunkett were dropped off at the mall before noon.

Harris and Plunkett, according to court documents, went to Target stole red bulls, sour straw candy and two kitchen knives.

(Harris) stated (Plunkett) had taken the knife knowing they were going to fight (Maher)," the affidavit states.

Harris, prior to the altercation with Maher, gave his knife to someone else. Plunkett in his interview with police said he kept his knife because he could not trust anybody but that Harris did not want to hold a knife since he was on probation.

The pair additionally put on shiestys  a balaclava-style mask made of a thinner material  ahead of the altercation, according to the affidavit.

The police affidavit confirmed Harris was on probation due to previous theft charges.

The altercation

Video of the altercation obtained by Capser police shows that Maher clearly did not want to fight, because he was seen moving away from Plunkett continuously, according to the affidavit.

Plunkett in his interview with police recounts that Maher told him to put the knife away  this isn't fair. To which Plunkett responded by saying I dont play fair.

Maher also put his hands up, indicating that his hands were empty, the affidavit said.

Harris wrapped his arms around Maher, lifted him and then slammed down with great force onto his left side, according to the affidavit.

Harris in his testimony to police said he slammed Maher to the ground because he was angry about the port-a-potty incident and that he wanted to make sure the fight was over.

Harris is seen holding Maher while Plunkett jumped in. Harris appears to strike Maher in the face, while Plunkett is observed swinging the knife in a downward motion, stabbing Maher twice, the affidavit states.

Plunkett in his testimony to police says he saw Maher get stabbed by a third person.

Harris in his police interview confirmed that Maher never threw a punch, never slapped and never pushed anyone.

Maher got up holding his abdomen and walked back to the mall entrance doors. Maher collapsed as he tried to go through the mall doorway with the help of his friend, according to an affidavit.

Aftermath

Harris and Plunkett ran westbound following the altercation. Both took off their masks and Plunkett threw the knife in the snow, according to an affidavit.

Police in the affidavit said the masks and knife were recovered but with damage due to weather conditions.
DETROIT - Its not easy to find public spaces with views from above like this in Michigan. This posh spot offers Spanish-inspired food and classic cocktails high atop one of downtown Detroits newly renovated historic buildings.

The 38-story Book Tower building was originally built in 1917. Bedrock purchased it about six years ago and renovations were completed in June 2023. The building is now home to hotel and residential spaces along with seven places to dine and drink, including downtown Detroits newest rooftop bar, Kampers, located 14-stories up.

Its named for Louis Kamper, who was the architect of the Book Tower, Patrick Jobst, beverage director for Method Co. and Book Tower told MLive. We can also see some of his best work in Detroit from our patio. Its a pretty cool panoramic view with Ford Field to the left and then you pan across and you can see the Louis Kamper building. Weve also had a front-row view of the Hudson site going up. And then we can see the David Stott, Penobscot and Westin Book Cadillac buildings.

The Book Tower is located at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Grand River Avenue at 1265 Washington, right in the heart of downtown Detroit.

Kampers features 4,350 square-feet of space with seating for up to 40 guests, with an additional 14 seats at the bar and 86 seats on the patio. The indoor and outdoor seating options feature hand-clipped marble, mosaic flooring, a limestone grand staircase, antiqued mirrors, velvet drapery, wood beam ceilings, multiple fireplaces and a paneled millwork bar.

Kampers menu features tapas items like Queso Garrotxa (aged goat cheese from Catalonia, membrillo), Tortilla di Patate (classic potato, egg omelette, aioli), Escalivada (charcoal grilled eggplant, red peppers, onions, aged sherry vinegar) and Croquetas de Jamon (creamy croquettes of Jamon Iberico). The beverages lean heavily on gin and tonic, negroni, sangria, and sherry cocktails.

Kampers is currently open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight. The space is also available to book for private events.
PONTIAC, MI  One person is dead and two are injured after shots were fired into the crowd during a parking lot party at a Michigan apartment complex, officials said.

It happened around 12:26 a.m. Wednesday at North Hill Farms Apartment Complex on Cherry Hill Drive in Pontiac, according to a news release from the Oakland County Sheriffs Office. An argument broke out and escalated, and shots were fired.

When deputies arrived, they found that three men in their 20s had been shot. A 24-year-old Pontiac man was shot in the head and died. The other victims were shot in the leg; they were taken to a local hospital, treated and released.

We are looking for assistance in locating the individual(s) that committed this cowardly and despicable violent act by shooting into a crowd, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. The only way we can stop senseless violence is when people speak up.

Anonymous tips can be reported to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. A reward of up to $2,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
WILKES-BARRE, PA  In the spring of 2023, Saginaw resident Nicole M. Cuevas made a trip to Pennsylvania. She would never leave the Keystone State alive, with police finding her decomposed body buried in a basement floor, the victim of prolonged confinement and torture.

This week, police arrested five suspects in Cuevas brutal killing.
LUDINGTON, MI  This Up North town nestled along the shore of Lake Michigan is the winner of USA Todays 10Best readers choice award for Best Historic Small Town.

Known for its miles of sugar-sand beaches, Ludington won the historic charm accolade over popular U.S. destinations like Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., Breckenridge, Colo., and Moab, Utah.

We are the perfect city to claim this title, with our rich history dating back to 1873, celebrated at last years sesquicentennial, and our many historic attractions, said Brandy Miller, executive director of the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Its one of the top reasons people visit Ludington.

The small town of less than 10,000 is home to two historic lighthouses, a maritime museum in a 1934 U.S. Coast Guard station, an outdoor living history museum, lumber baron homes converted into bed and breakfasts, and the last coal-fired steamship in the country.

RELATED: 100 years of history encapsulated in Up North outdoor museum

The work that has been done by citizens and non-profits to preserve and restore our community and its assets is something we are proud of here locally and is worthy of this incredible recognition, said Ludington City Manager Mitch Foster.

Ludington was one of 20 towns throughout the country to be nominated, and the only one in Michigan.

RELATED: Maritime museum on Lake Michigan shoreline offers interactive exhibits for all ages

USA Today 10Best describes Ludington as follows:

Building its economy on the lumber industry, Ludington continued to thrive as a shipping port, both by water and by train. Today, visitors come to explore Ludingtons small-town charm, take advantage of its waterfront location for swimming, boating and more, and shop at its many specialty shops and art galleries. Explore the towns past at Historic White Pine Village and the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.

The historic Big Sable Point Light is in Ludington State Park, just north of Ludington.Pure Ludington

A visit to Ludington showcases much of its history. Plan to visit the Big Sable Point Light (circa-1867) at Ludington State Park and the Ludington North Breakwater Light (1924) at Stearns Park Beach. Dont forget the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum in a 1934 U.S. Coast Guard Station, which is walking distance from the city beach. Find Victorian lumber baron homes-turned bed & breakfasts along Ludington Avenue. The S.S. Badger, the last coal-fired steamship in the United States, docks on Pere Marquette Lake. Take a short drive out to the Historic White Pine Village with 30 buildings from the late 19th to early 20th-century.

Ludington embodies the quintessential American small town, steeped in a rich tapestry of history, culture, and community spirit, said Rebecca Berringer, executive director of the Mason County Historical Society. Ludington is truly a special place to live and a wonderful location to vacation when visiting the Great Lakes state.

RELATED: Photos: Historic coal-powered car ferry celebrates 70 years of service on Lake Michigan

The S.S. Badger, which is more than 70 years old. Built to transport railcars across Lake Michigan, it now carries passengers, vehicles and cargo on picturesque journeys across the Great Lake from May to October. The ship was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2016.

RELATED: Challenging trail through sand dunes has big payoff with lighthouse on Lake Michigan beach

The town is also home to the East Ludington Avenue Historic District, which was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. It features more than 40 historic homes within a half mile, including the Cartier Mansion Bed & Breakfast, which was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

RELATED: Walk back in time with this new look at history in a Lake Michigan beach town
WIXOM, MI -- A Farmington Hills man is accused of having an estimated $18,000 in stolen trading cards in his possession that were discovered after he was arrested outside of the Meijer in Wixom last week. The Wixom Police Department says it conducted surveillance on 35-year-old Daniel Jackson last Friday after receiving information that Jackson was allegedly planning to steal a large amount of trading cards from the store.

As Jackson left the store, police arrested him on charges related to other suspected thefts at surrounding retailers. When police searched Jacksons vehicle, they allegedly found a massive stash of trading cards that are believed to have been stolen and have a value of roughly $18,000.

Jackson was arraigned in 52-1 District Court on one felony charge of stolen property  receiving and concealing - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. Bond was set at $10,000 cash/surety and Jackson is currently lodged at the Oakland County Jail.
BYRON, MI  Byron Area Schools has selected Brandon Chapman, currently the principal of Bendle High School, as its new superintendent, the district announced.

Chapman was selected after being interviewed for the position during a special Board of Education meeting on March 19.

He was selected over Ted Berryhill, a principal at Mason Middle School.

The district started with 24 candidates. Chapman will replace Jan Amsterburg, who served as interim superintendent replacing Bob Cassidy.

Chapmans contract is still being negotiated with the Byron Board of Education. The next Byron Area Schools Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 15.

Michigan Leadership Institute Regional President Tim Stein conducted the superintendent search.

Stein said Chapman is the best fit for the district, in a statement in a news release from Byron Area Schools.

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter.

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.
FLINT, MI  A Flint man has been charged with four felony counts in connection with vandalism reported in Flint Township this month, and more charges are possible relating to a slew of similar acts reported in the city.

A 36-year-old man is charged in two cases stemming from incidents that occurred on April 2 and April 3, respectively.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Food Truck Fridays is coming back to Grand Rapids with a new look for its eighth season this summer.

Presented by GR8 Food Trucks, the popular event will now have live music for foodies and music lovers in attendance.

The annual event kicks off from May 17 - July 26 further north at Riverside Park, 2001 Monroe Ave. NE. It will feature around 20 food trucks, a large local merchant village and a nonprofit-supported beer tent each week.

In the seven years that Food Truck Fridays has been offered, it has been responsible for local businesses generating $3 million in revenue.

Organizer Alan Tomlinson said they had to shrink the usual 16 weeks to 11 weeks due to schedule conflicts with neighboring residents. Nevertheless, the foodie event keeps growing.

Weve always wanted to be able to incorporate live music, he said. To bring back that community neighborhood feel where you can hang out with your neighbors and enjoy a summer night. Adding the music allows us to complete that experience, giving people a reason to hang out a little longer.

Starting May 17 at 5:30 p.m., West Michigan-based rock band Moonshot will take the stage at Riverside Park followed by Detroit natives Denise Davis & The Motor City Sensations on May 24.

The event runs from 5-9 p.m. each Friday, with the live music beginning at 5:30 p.m.

As for the delicious food, attendees can expect returning favorites like Underground Cookie Club, Two Bones BBQ and Patty Matters; and several new food trucks, including Cheezy Duz It, PizzaMI and Outlaw Roasted Corn.

A Frequent Fridays stamp card will also be offered for attendees to collect stamps each week for a chance to win tiered prizes.

View the food truck and live music lineup in the weeks leading up to the anticipated event on the GR8 Food Trucks Facebook page.

Were super excited to continue helping small, local businesses continue to not only succeed but continue to thrive in Grand Rapids, Tomlinson said. Its finally how weve originally envisioned the Food Truck Fridays event being like.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.

Read more:

5 things to know before part of I-196 Business Loop closes for construction

New Platos Closet opening near Grand Rapids offering deals, giveaways

West Michigan mill can make 2.5 million pounds of flour a day after expansion
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A Wyoming man was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting children.

Timothy Lee Baker, 42, was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to exploit a child, coercion and enticement of a child and committing those offenses while required to register as a sex offender.

Baker was sentenced Tuesday, April 9, by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo.

The crime of child exploitation is so depraved in part because its victims are so vulnerable, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement.

Police began investigating last year when a girl reported he had sexually assaulted her. Ottawa County sheriffs detectives found evidence of the assault and evidence that he had conspired with another adult to produce child pornography of a second victim.

During the investigation, the FBI identified a third young victim who had been sexually assaulted, federal prosecutors said.

Cheyvoryea Gibson, FBI special agent in charge in Michigan, said: The exploitation and coercion revealed in this case was extremely disheartening.

The judge ordered Baker to pay restitution of $252,072.
Two men pleaded guilty to federal charges in an extortion scheme that targeted teen boys and young men who were convinced to provide naked photographs. (MLive File Photo)Joel Bissell | MLive.com
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is set to return to John Ball Zoo.

The first of its kind in Michigan, handcrafted Asian lantern displays fill a 1-mile path through the zoo for the second year.

Last year was our first year doing the Lantern Festival and we ended up having over 109,000 guests over eight weeks, which was bigger than really any event weve ever had at the zoo, said Darci Mitchell, promotions and events manager for John Ball Zoo. We were really blown away by the results and knew we wanted to bring it back.

In its second year, the festival was extended to 10 weeks. Its open to the public from April 10 through June 16, Wednesday through Sunday, from 7:30 p.m.  11:30 p.m.

John Ball Zoo keeps the animals on their typical nightly routine so they cannot be seen on the Lantern Festival route at night.

On Tuesday, April 9, the zoo put on a dazzling show for the media of what the general public can expect when they visit to learn the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture.

MLive was there to capture video and images of numerous lantern sculptures that include a mantis, starfish, tunnels of light and a smoke-emitting morning glory flower.

These are all brand-new lanterns, we have new themes, new interactives, so its going to be a whole new experience, Mitchell said.

Timed tickets are sold every 30 minutes, rain or shine, with the last entry at 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday general admission tickets are $22 for non-members or $19 for members. Friday, Saturday and Sunday general admission tickets are $24 for non-members, or $21 for members.

Wednesday and Thursday, four-pass tickets go for $70 for non-members or $60 for members. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, four-pass tickets go for $75 for non-members or $65 for members.

The deal is four tickets for four people on the same night.

Children 2 and under are free.

The zoo recommends purchasing tickets online early because last years festival sold out on many nights.

More information and tickets can be found on the website, here.

Tianyu Arts & Culture built the lanterns, customized them into the zoos landscape and will be putting on cultural educational performances as part of the festival.

Its really just a breathtaking experience, unlike really anything in the area, Mitchell said.

Sadie McKinstry and her daughter Kinsley, 3, dance in a Diamond Kaleidoscope during the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16. They are from Dorr.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Kinsley McKinstry, 3, reacts to a smoke-breathing morning glory flower during the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16. She is from Dorr.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

One-year-old cousins Porter Gehrke, left, and Judah Gehrke, pose for family pictures at the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Grand Rapids friends Ken Preston and Joy Walczak pose for pictures inside the the mouth of a shark during the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.Cory Morse | cmorse1@mlive.com

See all 42 images in the gallery, here.
LOWELL, MI  King Milling Company, which describes itself as Kent Countys oldest continually operating business, hosted a ribbon cutting Tuesday for a new six-floor mill that cost $47 million and can produce 800,000 pounds of flour a day.

CEO Brian Doyle, whose family-owned company was founded in 1890 and turns wheat into flour for bakers, food processors and retailers, said the expansion represents the largest single investment we have made.

King Milling is proud to continue a century-plus tradition of providing premium flours to some of our countrys most popular consumer brands and restaurant chains, Doyle said. Fueled by strong customer demand, this expansion is the largest single investment we have made  and we are grateful for the State of Michigan and City of Lowell for their partnership in this expansion project.

Construction began in summer 2022.

The facility is located at 149 S. Broadway St. in Lowell on the banks of the Flat River.

With the expansion complete, the company says its four mills can now produce 2.5 million pounds of flour per day. Featuring LED lighting, premium efficient motors and a heat recovery system, King Milling Company says its new mill is the most modern in the U.S. Features included in the design help reduce fossil fuel use in colder temperatures, the company said.

The city of Lowell contributed to the project by cutting the companys tax bill on the expansion in half for 12 years. In addition, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development provided the company $250,000.

King Milling Company has over 60 employees, and is now being led by the fourth and fifth generations of the Doyle family.

While most of King Milling Companys sales are made in bulk to food processors, its products can be purchased at select retailers such as Gordon Food Service, Heffron Farm Markets in Grand Rapids and Red Barn Market in Lowell.

More on MLive:

Narcan vending machines installed at two Grand Rapids health centers

Need for more affordable housing highlighted in new data dashboard

Popular Grand Rapids Lantern Festival returns to John Ball Zoo

4 vacant Grand Rapids properties to be redeveloped into family homes, rentals
HILLSDALE COUNTY, MI - Troopers arrested a man Tuesday near Hillsdale, later finding a possible explosive device in his vehicle, police said.

Troopers were preparing to conduct a search warrant for a wanted fugitive around 1 p.m., April 9 on a room at the Baw Beese Inn, 1729 Hudson Road in Hillsdale Township, according to Michigan State Police.

The 26-year-old man from Calhoun County had a valid warrant out of Jackson County for his arrest, police said. The suspect was arrested, police said.

Later, a suspected explosive device was found in the mans vehicle, police said. Michigan State Police Bomb Squad responded to the scene and secured the suspected explosive device, police said.

The man was lodged at the Hillsdale County Jail pending additional charges, police said. The investigation into the man and this incident is ongoing.

State police were assisted at the scene by Hillsdale Township Fire Department.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter.
BARRY COUNTY, MI -- Two males were arrested during a traffic stop after police found they were carrying a pipe bomb in the vehicle, the Michigan State Police said.

During a traffic stop at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, on M-43 near Hickory in Prairieville Township, Michigan State Police troopers arrested two occupants of the vehicle, both males from Delton.
HAMPTON TWP, MI - A robber is at large after targeting the Sunrise Family Credit Union Tuesday morning in Hampton Township, police said.

The unidentified man around 10:30 a.m., April 9 robbed the credit union, 190 N. Powell Road, according to the FBI Detroit office.

The FBI and Hampton Township Public Safety Department are requesting the publics help with identifying the man, police said.

The man, shown in the photo above, threatened the bank teller with a semiautomatic pistol to demand money, police said. He then fled westbound on foot.

He is around 5-foot-10 to 6-foot tall and may be in his 40s, police said.

Anyone with information about this robbery may contact the FBI by calling 313-965-2323, or submitting tips anonymously online at tips.fbi.gov.
Strongly support  It will improve public transit and pedestrian safety

Somewhat support  It will benefit public transit, but I'm concerned about traffic or business impacts

Neutral  I see both pros and cons, but dont have strong feelings either way

Somewhat oppose  I think it will cause traffic problems and harm local businesses

Strongly oppose  It is a bad idea and will hurt both motorists and businesses

Vote

View Results
*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
Africa is reaching a tipping point as take up of connectivity services has surged year-on-year and it is not slowing down anytime soon. Its population is huge at 1.1 billion and young, a perfect combination for a surge in data usage and opportunities for operators. But now is the time for closer collaboration among rivals and governments - and the continents six largest operator groups are looking to lead by example.

Spearheaded by the GSMA, Africas so-called Big 6 - Airtel Africa, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange and Vodacom signed an agreement last year aimed at aligning their strategies to work more closely with governments to create the right market structures in several key areas, including taxation, regulatory support, climate policies and energy.

Mobile operators in Sub-Saharan Africa invest around US$6-8 billion per year in capital expenditure, equating to around 20% of revenues, according to data from the GSMA. However, they argue this is not enough to meet their ambitious target of connecting all 1.1 billion people in Africa and digitally transforming the continent.

Between 2013 and 2023, operators invested over US$70 billion in building mobile infrastructure to connect 85% of Africans to mobile broadband connectivity; for comparison, the global average is 95%. However, over 680 million people do not subscribe to mobile broadband services despite having coverage. The World Bank has estimated that another US$100 billion is needed to provide universal connectivity in Africa.

GSMA head of Sub-Saharan Africa Angela Wamola predicted there will be fourfold growth in data usage on the African continent, as internet access becomes ever more central to the functioning of economies. This will only accelerate when AI enters the periphery of African markets, noted Wamola.

Were also looking at AI models and how that will increase the amount of data that we will need in Africa. This will have a corresponding impact on the energy the continent needs to prepare for it.

This is also during the midst of our challenges of extending not only the generation of energy but the distributing connectivity to remote in villages so they are able to benefit from meaningful connectivity, said Wamola.

Plugging the coverage gap in rural areas is difficult as operators must see a return on investment, noted Airtel Africa Chief Regulatory Officer Daddy Bujitu Mukadi, who urged closer government collaboration to come up with solutions to plug these gaps.

One of the biggest areas of challenge I would say is coverage in rural areas, because the biggest problem is you will have no business case in these areas.

We operate in countries where you have large land masses and cities that are spread far in-between. Most of the time top cities are the most viable locations for investment while in the rest of these countries there is an affordability of devices and data issue. Its basically about finding the right model that will allow us to drive digital information inclusion that doesnt benefit only one part of a country but all of it, said Mukadi.

Even when there is coverage, operators run into the aforementioned affordability issue with devices and data. The Big 6 are calling for a new taxation model for the telecoms sector to enable them to pass on savings to consumers.

Getting the right support financially from governments through tax breaks would enable operators to invest more into base stations and spread their coverage.

But this also brings up the major challenge of energy, which has long plagued the African continent. This must be tackled in tandem, argued MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Nompilo Morafo.

We have noticed that some areas that we want to connect, dont have the available energy. Were uniting to see what can we do together to actually make sure that this problem is not as significant as we see it across the continent.

When we go through these problems individually it does not benefit consumers or the state. Coming together to develop initiatives to improve our operations, is not motivated simply from a cost perspective, but also from the perspective of how do we bring in governments with us on this journey.

Right now we found that individual efforts of operators don't scale as quickly as they should, because we're not sharing the lessons that come from what we've experienced in South Africa or Nigeria, said Morafo.

Axian Telecom CEO Hassanein Hiridjee estimated operators will need up to 10 times more energy than they consume today to meet the growing demand for mobile connectivity.

We have to find a solution, and governments are ready to take on board what kind of reforms, policies, taxation, support are needed in closing this investment gap, because there will be huge demand and we need to provide access to all of the population, said Hiridjee.

He added governments across Africa are starting to recognise the value of mobile connectivity after launching national digital ID cards and using mobile money platforms to give out financial support during the COVID crisis.

With Sub-Saharan Africas Magnificent 6 ready to join hands and take on these key challenges together, it can only benefit the over one billion people in Africa who should not be left behind in the expansion of this exciting technological age.

Governments must work closely with operators to elevate not only their economies but also their people, who deserve the quality and widespread connectivity, that we in the west take for granted.
USER CONSENT

We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy.

*We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies.

Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy

*I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age

I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl

I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites

I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS

Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue.

I Accept
The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators in Bangladesh (AMTOB) has reportedly called on the government to lower taxes on telecoms companies, saying the current tax structure is limiting sector growth and hobbling the governments own "Smart Bangladesh" strategy.

According to the Daily Star, AMTOB secretary general Lt Col (retd) Mohammad Zulfikar told a roundtable on telecoms taxation that a significant portion of telco subscriber revenue goes to covering subscriber taxes and other duties. Roughly 39% of that revenue is eaten up by value added taxes, supplementary duties, SIM tax, customs duty and corporate taxes, among others.

Meanwhile, another 18% goes to revenue sharing expenses for International Internet Gateway and tower companies, and around 15% goes to annual license fees, annual spectrum fees, and revenue sharing with Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the report said.

Add in the cost of opex for network operations, marketing, administration, human resources etc, and only 2% of subscriber revenue is left for the operators, Zulfikar said.

Consequently, AMTOB wants the government to lower the corporate tax rate for listed companies from 40% to 20%, while the rate for unlisted companies should be slashed from 45% to 27.5%, the report said.

AMTOB also want to see the minimum turnover tax for telcos reduced as well. Currently, mobile telcos have to pay a minimum turnover tax of 2%, while other sectors pay just 0.6%.

Zulfikar was speaking at a roundtable on telecom taxation, organised by AMTOB and the Telecom and Technology Reporters' Network Bangladesh (TRNB).

At the roundtable, minister for telecom and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak agreed, saying the National Board of Revenue needs an intelligent taxation policy to allow the telecoms sector to grow, the report said.

BTRC chairman Md Mohiuddin Ahmed, said reviewing the taxes on telecom operators was necessary to help make the the telecoms ecosystem simpler, which would in turn accelerate the journey towards the "Smart Bangladesh" vision.
Like thousands of students, Alexander Mercurio spent his time during COVID-19 browsing online.

Unlike most students, the Coeur dAlene teenager ended up in the dark corners of the internet. And for a time he drank the Kool-aid of white supremacy before turning to an extremist view of Islam and eventually the terrorist group known as the Islamic State group, according to federal criminal charges filed against him Monday.

Im 17 in USA  I know I try to keep secret, Im in north Idaho very Christian and conservative parents are mad cause Im not shaving beard and not letting pants go below ankle, he wrote in October 2022.

Mercurio messaged online with terrorist supporters, eventually coming up with a plan to hit his father with a metal pipe, take his guns and attack nearby churches in Coeur dAlene, the complaint alleges.

As the holy month of Ramadan drew to a close, Mercurio selected a specific church that he planned to attack Sunday. He wrote a statement pledging his allegiance to ISIS and his plan to kill himself during the attack.

The plan never had a chance. The FBI foiled his plot and arrested him hours before the planned attack after spending months tracking Mercurio through informants and surveillance. The case was serious enough that it merited the attention of FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Its justified

Dressed in a red and white jumpsuit Tuesday, Mercurio was unapologetic about his plans during an interview at the Kootenai County Jail.

Mercurio said he was a normal kid with friends until the last three years of high school when he isolated himself while doing school online.

Thats when he found Islam.

I radicalized myself through that, he said, squinting frequently. The purpose is revenge. Its an eye for an eye.

Initially, he was interested in more mainstream Islam but then began reading posts about how Western Christian countries voted for politicians who will interfere in predominantly Muslim countries and attack civilians, he said.

Its retribution, he said. If our people will be slaughtered it should happen to you.

He continued praying and studying, Mercurio said and eventually began to support terrorist groups like Al Queda. In an interview Tuesday, Mercurio praised Osama Bin Laden.

He said his planned attack had nothing to do with race but instead religion and that he hoped to target all non-Muslims.

Its justified, Mercurio said.

Mercurio said he was coming home from his job at Walmart when two FBI agents introduced themselves to him, eventually telling him they knew about his plan and arresting him.

Mecurio said the charge he faces doesnt scare him.

Its a consequence if I got caught, he said. The point was to kill until I was killed.

Mercurios self-radicalization is not abnormal following the COVID-19 pandemic. A United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute report found that terrorist and violent extremist groups tried to take advantage of the pandemic to expand their activities and recruit people to their causes. Terrorist groups like ISIS and related groups used conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 to draw people into other ideologies, like saying the virus is a solider of Allah punishing unbelievers, the report says.

Research published in 2015 in a study sponsored by the Department of Justices Domestic Radicalization to Terrorism program points to four stages of self-radicalization concluding in acts of violence.

The first stage, pre-radicalization paves the way cognitively for an individual to align with radical beliefs. This can include dissatisfaction with world affairs or authorities, a personal crisis or seeking information from new authority figures.

The second stage is detachment, a transition from ones previous, in-person life toward increasing time spent engaging with extremists online. This can include personifying online figures in ones real life, seeking approval from new authority figures, lifestyle changes such as dropping out of school or work and attempting to convert others to their extremist views.

Immersion is the third stage, which involves attempts to commit oneself to the cause, potentially involving moving abroad, marrying someone in the extremist community or learning new skills a terrorist group may find advantageous, like firearm use.

The final stage is taking action, perhaps enlisting in a terrorist group, threatening people, taking steps to carry out violence or committing acts of violence under the groups cause.

Online messages turn to real world plans

The FBI began tracking Mercurios activity in group chats full of ISIS supporters as early as 2022. Those chats included confidential informants who reported Mercurios increasingly specific plans to kill himself and others.

Mercurio told people in online groups chats that his parents were Christian and unsupportive of his Muslim faith. His parents, who divorced in 2019, pushed him to go back to in-person school, he said.
Mark Leeper flew to Sacramento, Calif., last Friday to drive the Caravan for Disability Freedom van to Moscow and on to Montana.

Leeper stopped in Lapwai on Monday and in Moscow on Tuesday to show off the van and provide information about the Latonya Reeves Freedom Act, bipartisan legislation that would clarify who is eligible for long-term services and require states and insurance providers to deliver those services.

Our history with disability is to relegate it to the medical system that treats it as a disorder, when it can just be a part of life, said Leeper, executive director of the Moscow branch of the Disability Action Center.

The bill is named after Latonya Reeves, who had been institutionalized as a child and later faced the risk of being sent back to an institution after Tennessee failed to provide services she would need to stay at home.

She moved to Denver in order to continue living outside institutions such as assisted living facilities. More information about the bill is available online at latonyareevesfreedomact.org.

People need to have an option to stay in their communities, Leeper said.

Leeper said the bill, which is seeking sponsors in the federal House and Senate, would build on the work started with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the U.S. Supreme Courts Olmstead v. L.C. decision of 1999.
NEW BROCKTON-A Coffee County Jail inmate died while in custody early Wednesday morning, according to Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd.

Chad Jones, 45, from Gadsden, had been arrested in Enterprise at 1:41 a.m. and charged with public intoxication.

Following his arrest, while in custody of the Coffee County Jail, Jones experienced a medical emergency, Byrd said. Enterprise Rescue and New Brockton Fire Department responded to the jail but could not revive Jones.

Bryd said no foul play is suspected and he has request that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency conduct an investigation into the incident, per standard operating procedure.

Byrd said his office, the 12th Judicial Circuit District Attorney, and the Coffee County Coroner have requested an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time, Byrd said.

There is no mugshot of Jones available, according to Coffee County Sheriff Department Chief Deputy Michael Hines.
BlueDot is an AI-powered Chrome extension designed to enhance your Google Meet experience by offering seamless meeting recording, transcription, and summarization capabilities. With just a press of a button, users can conveniently record their meetings and receive AI-generated notes tailored to their specific needs. This innovative tool is not only fast and intuitive, but also backed by Google for Startups, ensuring reliability and support.

One of BlueDots standout features is its support for a wide range of languages, including English, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Hindi, Ukrainian, Finnish, Korean, Polish, Russian, Turkish, Vietnamese, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, and French. This diversity caters to a global audience and ensures that users can benefit from the tool regardless of their language preferences.

What sets BlueDot apart from other meeting recording tools is its bot-free and non-intrusive approach. By offering customizable meeting notes and templates, BlueDot allows users to generate AI notes that are personalized to their requirements, whether its for customer calls, team meetings, or other purposes. Additionally, the tool prioritizes user data security and compliance with GDPR regulations by encrypting, protecting, and storing all data according to EU laws.

Moreover, BlueDot seamlessly integrates with various productivity tools such as Slack, Notion, and CRM systems, making it easier for users to share meeting follow-ups and collaborate effectively with their teams. Whether you need to generate transcriptions, record audio, or edit video/audio recordings, BlueDot offers a comprehensive set of features to enhance your meeting productivity.

Overall, BlueDot is a valuable tool for professionals looking to streamline their meeting processes, improve collaboration, and boost productivity. By combining AI-powered functionalities with user-friendly design, BlueDot redefines the way meetings are conducted on Google Meet, offering a smarter and more efficient solution for modern businesses.

BlueDot  Features

AI-powered Chrome extension for Google Meet

Record, transcribe, and summarise meetings with AI-generated notes

Supports multiple languages

Non-intrusive meeting recorder

Customisable meeting notes

GDPR first approach

Integrates with favourite tools

BlueDot  Pricing

BlueDot offers pricing plans for individuals and teams. The Free plan includes limited features, while the Basic plan costs $14/member/month and the Pro plan costs $20/member/month. The Team plan includes advanced features and pricing is discussed through a demo.

Visit bluedothq.com for more.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter , Facebook and Instagram.
Newshub's entire news operation will close for good, it has been confirmed.

An all-staff meeting was held Auckland this morning, attended by Samantha Hayes, Mike McRoberts, Patrick Gower about about 200 other staff members, with more joining via Zoom.

The outlet's final day will be July 5th, according to Newsroom's Tim Murphy.

"There was nothing anyone in our New Zealand networks business could have done better," Newshub's owner Warner Bros Discovery said. "It was a combination of very strong economic headwinds both in New Zealand and the global market."

One Newshub employee told The Herald they could tell the impending news was going to be "bad" as the three executives on stage "looked so grim".

After the meeting, Patrick Gower told the media that his Newshub coworkers are "friends of all Kiwis."

"250 amazing people have lost their jobs," he said. They're coming out now and they're good friends of mine, but they're also friends of all Kiwis."

"We're losing something amazing today. 250 people amazing people, doing amazing stuff."

Senior investigative reporter Michael Morrah led a proposal to save the news operations but said after the meeting that "we're absolutely gutted that they've decided against adopting our proposal."

Yesterday it was announced that TVNZ will be shutting down 'Fair Go', 'Sunday' and their midday and 10 PM news bulletins.
Stone & Chalk and KPMG Australia are inviting game-changing startups focused on creating solutions in intelligent performance for the next cohort of their Future Technology Program.

The flagship program combines the largest innovation community in Australia at Stone & Chalk with KPMGs deep expertise and knowledge, offering startups unrivalled access to strategic support to accelerate their growth.

The challenging economic climate has put immense pressure on productivity, business performance, overheads and revenue growth. To address this growing problem, the fourth cohort of the Future Technology Program will be centred on early-stage founders building technology that enables businesses, governments, and other organisations to maximise and improve performance and productivity across all areas of their operations.

Most organisations are seeking to drive strategic growth, without compromising customer experience or business performance, said Karen Parkes, Partner-In-Charge, Customer and Operations Consulting.

Times are challenging at the moment, with relentless cost pressures, crowded competition and increasing customer expectations. Clients need a data driven, AI enabled way of continually enhancing performance and delivering outcomes.

Five startup founders and their teams selected will receive complimentary residency for 12 months at one of Stone & Chalks startup hubs located in the heart of Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide. They will receive guidance and support from KPMGs diverse array of mentors and industry leads who can facilitate client introductions and industry conversations to provide startups with the resources and support they need to grow.

The program is seeking applications from startups building technology in intelligent performance, including but not limited to solutions which drive:

Eligible businesses must meet the following criteria:

Fifteen startups have now participated in the Future Technology Program since its launch in 2022. In addition to strategic mentorship from KPMG experts, these startups have gained support to raise capital, enter new markets, and engage new customer segments.

Were excited to play a part in supporting the next generation of startups who will shape the future, said Stone & Chalk Group CEO, Chris Kirk. Offering early-stage startups the opportunity to address the most pressing challenges faced by modern businesses will be key to enabling businesses, governments and other organisations to maximise and improve performance and productivity across all areas of their operations.

Applications are now open and will close on 26 April. Offers will be made in early June, with the program to commence in July.

For more information about the Future Technology Program, visit: www.welcome.stoneandchalk.com.au/future-tech-program

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Parents come to the American International School Vietnam to request their money back, Sept. 21, 2023. Photo courtesy of parents

Dang Ly, a 39-year-old parent, invested VND6.5 billion ($260,500) into an international school in Ho Chi Minh City seven years ago under an "education investment package" that promised tuition-free education for her two children.

This agreement was meant to return her investment upon her children's graduation, with no collateral offered by the school and payment required upfront.

Seduced by the school's impressive infrastructure yet financially stretched, Ly financed this investment by selling her apartment and taking out a bank loan.

"I did not have enough money, so I borrowed from a bank and sold my apartment to lend the money to the school," Ly said. "The institution seemed large and distinguished, so I did not think much [of the risks]."

Since studying abroad is well beyond Ly and her husband's budget, an international school in Vietnam is the next best option, and this investment package was the only way for middle-income families like hers to afford tuition at such institutions for their kids, she said.

However, the school she lent money to declared it was facing financial difficulties last September, resulting in students not being able to go to class as teachers went on strike and refused to show up due to unpaid salaries.

Ly, whose children are now in the sixth and eleventh grades, then demanded her money back, but the school has consistently delayed any payments.

"I have been asking for my money back since a year ago. The school wanted to postpone payments until August 2023 but even then, they were unable to refund me," she said. "It has been extremely stressful for me. My childrens education is uncertain and I fear that I will lose everything should the school go bankrupt."

"My children have been asking me, Mom, is there any news about our school? and Mom, will we be going to school next week?" she tearfully said.

Ly is but one of many parents who lent money to this international school and are now at risk of losing billions of dong as the facility is unable to ensure consistent operations due to financial instability.

Tam, 40, let the same school borrow VND2.3 billion a few years ago for her son to start the sixth grade there.

Having seen the schools infrastructure and heard its claims that it was the most invested international school in Southeast Asia, she considered this a lucrative investment and trusted the institution.

"I never would have thought it could go bankrupt or cease operations," she said.

"My son is now in the ninth grade. He has been emotionally drained over the last six to seven months as his teachers quit and his friends gradually transferred to other places while his school constantly made headlines with parents showing up to demand their money back," she said.

The risks faced by Ly and Tam have raised concerns among many parents who pay their childrens tuition through these "education investment contracts," which many schools use as a ruse to "borrow" money from families.

This method has been commonly employed by numerous international and private schools in HCMC and Hanoi over the last 15 years to raise capital, especially during their early stages.

HCMC boasts 35 schools utilizing foreign capital, predominantly employing curricula from North America and the U.K., supplemented by Vietnamese subjects. Tuition fees at these schools can reach up to VND1 billion per year.

Schools also have an easier time getting off the ground because they do not need to provide collateral and are not limited in how they use the money.

Nonetheless, when the school's financial health declines, parents might not be able to recover their investment.

An example is the American International School Vietnam (AISVN), where approximately 900 parents collectively invested VND3.6 trillion ($145 million) through education investment contracts, enabling their children's education from first through 12th grade.

The school has around 1,316 students from kindergarten to 12th grade, and a faculty consisting of 130 foreign teachers, 26 Vietnamese teachers and over 100 other employees.

It has been facing financial challenges since 2018 and was recently rendered financially incapable. Since September last year, teachers' salaries have been delayed, resulting in a huge strike.

By March, over 50% of the teachers had quit, causing classes to be shut down.

This situation left parents unable to recover their investments, while also requiring them to contribute an additional VND22 billion to keep the school operational for their children's sake.

With the contributions from parents, the school has managed to pay the teachers and continue operations for the time being.

These transactions are not forbidden or restricted in any capacity under current regulations, lawyer Dang Ba Ky said.

But parents often place their trust in these schools solely based on their prestigious infrastructure and give them money without collateral or any conditions, making them vulnerable to exploitation, he explained.

Since schools are free to do as they want with the money, they can use it for purposes other than their operations, potentially leading to bankruptcy, he added.

Should this happen, the lenders are at risk of losing their money.

Parents do not have much to go on when evaluating a schools credibility either, as pointed out by Truong, a parent who lent money to an international school.

"They [the school] did not present their financial reports when they borrowed money [from parents]. They also did not disclose what the money was used for, only vaguely claiming it was for their operations," he said.

After receiving numerous reports from parents, on March 28, the Ministry of Education and Training ordered local authorities to review and inspect international schools.

Through these inspections, the ministry discovered that some international educational institutions have not been complying with legal regulations, negatively affecting the learning processes of students and posing high risks for parents.

Regarding schools taking loans from parents under the guise of "education investment packages," Ho Tan Minh, office chief of the HCMC Department of Education and Training, said these deals are civil transactions between the two parties and do not fall under the purview of education authorities.

Hence, the department cannot scrutinize or manage these transactions, he said.

As a solution has yet to be found for their investment and their children's interrupted education, the parents who lent money to these schools can do nothing but wait.

"I have spent my entire fortune for my son to study at an international school only to be stuck in this situation where I have to wait for an email (from the school administrators) every night to know whether my child will go to school tomorrow or not," Tam shared. "We [Tams family] cry all the time, knowing that the possibility of recovering our money is slim to none."
Vietnam exported 2.1 million tons of rice in the first three months, worth $1.4 billion in total, up 42% year-on-year in value.

Main buyers such as the Philippines, Indonesia, China, Ghana, Malaysia and Singapore all posted growth, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Philippines and Indonesia, however, are making efforts to increase production to reduce their dependence on Vietnamese rice.

African countries, which have long been a buyer of Vietnamese rice, are now also being supported by other countries to grow their own rice.

The ministry therefore urged rice exporters to diversify their markets and increase their product quality to make Vietnamese rice more competitive.

Vietnams 5% broken rice export price is now at $576 per ton, down 12% from the beginning of the year and lower than competitors in Thailand and Pakistan.

Vietnam, which ranks third globally in rice exports, aims to ship $5 billion worth of rice this year, up from a record $4.7 billion last year.
FILE PHOTO: Jack Burkman, a lawyer and Republican political operative, and Jacob Wohl (R), an internet political activist and supporter of President Donald Trump, speak during a news conference to address their allegations against Special Counsel Robert Mueller in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., November 1, 2018.
Viru Nikah Terinsip, a beauty queen from Malaysia, has been deprived of her pageant title following the spread of a video featuring her laughing and having fun with male dancers in lingerie during a Thailand vacation.

Viru Nikah Terinsip. Photo from Terinsip's Instagram

In a report by The Star, the widespread criticism of the video resulted in the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) withdrawing her title, despite her issuance of a public apology via her Facebook page on Monday.

The South China Morning Post has noted that KDCA President Joseph Pairin Kitingan recognized its common for individuals to become overly enthusiastic during vacations. However, he remarked that such behavior was not fitting for a beauty queen expected to represent the virtues of Huminoduna maiden from the Dusun ethnic group in Sabahs mythology, celebrated for her beauty and wisdom.

Furthermore, Kitingan mentioned that the video elicited a spectrum of responses from the public, from amusement to disappointment, which led the KDCA to make a decision in order to prevent additional controversy and unwanted scrutiny.

AsiaOne reported that Terinsip acknowledged her lack of caution in sharing the video through her public apology.

The beauty queen also declared her decision to relinquish her title and took the opportunity to express gratitude towards the public for their supportive messages, suggesting that it was time for everyone to "focus on other issues and move forward" beyond this event.

Terinsip, 24, was crowned the winner of the 2023 Unduk Ngadau Johor pageant, an annual beauty contest that celebrates the spirit of Huminodun.
Toyota remains the most popular car brand in the second-hand market in Vietnam.

According to statistics from Oto.com.vn, a used car buying and selling platform, Japanese cars, especially Toyota, saw the highest number of ads for sale and transaction contacts in 2023.

Toyota vehicles are renowned for their durability, practicality and high resale value.Of the top 10 car models with ads for resale, Toyota has four names - Vios, Innova, Fortuner, and Camry. South Korean brands had three - Kia Morning, Hyundai i10 and Hyundai Accent.

The list was rounded off by Mazda3 and CX-5 and the only pickup, the Ford Ranger. "The prices of used Japanese cars from brands such as Toyota and Mazda remain high," Anh Dung, manager of a used car salon in Hanoi, said. "Used car salons prioritize purchasing these car models because of their good liquidity in the market."

Toyotas Vios has an average devaluation rate of only 5-7%, the lowest in the market, he said. The most popular used cars are those with a low chassis such as the Vios (B-sized sedan), Kia Morning, Hyundai i10 and Chevrolet Spark (A-sized hatchback), Toyota Camry (D-sized sedan), and Mazda3 (C-sized sedan).

According to used car dealers, B-sized sedans and A-sized hatchbacks are widely traded at VND300-400 million (US$12,000-16,000).

Low price, practicality and reliability are the top criteria for buyers. "For some VND400 million, customers can choose from a number of second-hand A-sized sedans and hatchbacks," Ba Cong, owner of a business that buys and sells used cars in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, said.

Vios, Kia K3, Morning, Hyundai i10, and Accent are very popular because, in addition to their reasonable prices, they are also small enough easy to be driven easily in urban areas, he added.

Dung said Vietnamese used their cars for an average of seven years until 2018, but that number has decreased to four or five years.

Customers tend to change cars and upgrade to new models faster when their incomes increase and the market has a variety of new offerings.

B-sized sedans and A-sized hatchbacks have dominated the new car market for a long time, and so these cars appear more often in the used car market.

Small high-chassis vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles are often used in the transportation and taxi businesses.

The owners tend to use their cars for a long time, and so these do not come to the second-hand market as much as others.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he will not amend the Constitution to facilitate the extension of his tenure beyond the mandated two five-year terms.

Mnangagwa is in his second and final term which ends in 2028.

In an interview with Brick by Brick magazine, Mnangagwa said: There is not an iota of evidence where Zanu PF or I as President has ever expressed the violation of our Constitution.

He said the third term bid was a figment of imagination of some people.

The remarks came amid claims that Mnangagwa was seeking to extend his tenure beyond the constitutionally mandated two and had deployed loyalists to champion his cause.

This gained traction after Masvingo province, one of the provinces that stood with Mnangagwa during the Zanu PF factional wars pre-November 2017, indicated that he would be in office in 2030, two years after the expiry of his second and final term.

A video of a Zanu PF Masvingo provincial meeting held in February showed some party leaders chanting the slogan 2030 vaMnangagwa vanenge vachipo (Mnangagwa will be in office in 2030).

It got worse some weeks later.

At a Robert Mugabe National Youth Day event which Mnangagwa attended, Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Ezra Chadzamira said: We all want you (Mnangagwa) to stay in office beyond your presidential term. You will be there in 2030.

In his address Mnangagwa said: Avo vati vaMnangagwa vanenge variko, mambenge makafunga kuti handiko. Kunongova munhu one anoziva kuti ndinoenda riinhi ndiJehovha.

Loosely translated, Mnangagwa said he was here to stay and only God knew when he would vacate office.

We would have expected the President to rein in party members at the meeting. But because it suited him, he added fuel to the narrative.

It was clear from the word go that the third term bid was doomed as the Constitution was bound to stand in the way. Why Mnangagwa remained silent as party members dragged his name into the mud remains a mystery.

What is clear is that the third term narrative builds into what critics have always said that the ghost of uncertainty will always haunt Zimbabwe.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora said: We are relieved to hear that @edmnangagwa will not seek a third term but will respect the Constitution. We hope the President will also resist the plans to remove delimitation and voter registration functions from Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to people directly appointed by him.

We expect Mnangagwa to rebuke any party member who wants to set him up for failure by pushing the third term narrative.

In the absence of that, claims that he is not interested in another term will remain just that, claims.

While Mnangagwa can salvage something from the rebuttal, we still feel that it is too little to late. The horse has already bolted. NewsDay.

Breaking News via Email

Related Zimbabwe Latest News
A DIRECTOR in the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) died in a road traffic accident on Saturday.

Assistant Commissioner, Jeremiah Murenje, was killed in a fatal road crash along the Harare-Denda Road.

He was 60.

In a statement, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said Ass-Comm Murenje was stationed at CID Headquarters as Director CID Law and Order Division.

The Commissioner-General of Police, Tandabantu Godwin Matanga, expresses his condolences to the Murenje family following the passing on of Assistant Commissioner Jeremiah Murenje in a fatal road traffic accident, said Ass-Comm Nyathi.

The late Jeremiah Murenje, whose Chimurenga nom de guerre was David Rujeko MuZimbabwe, a veteran of the countrys liberation struggle, has been declared a Provincial Hero and will be buried at Manyeve Farm, Plot 7, Concession, Mashonaland Central Province, tomorrow (today) at around 11am.

He joined the liberation struggle in 1976 through Rupinda Area, Manicaland, by crossing into Mozambique.

The war veteran received military training at Chimoios Takawira Base.

In 1977, he sustained serious injuries when their base was attacked and was taken to Mupai in Tete Province with other wounded Comrades and later Matenje Camp.

May his soul rest in eternal peace, said Ass-Comm Nyathi. HMetro.

Breaking News via Email

Related Zimbabwe Latest News
Yves here. I am not sure what to make of the article below on slavery and what to do about it, but hope it will nevertheless provoke a useful discussion.

I first must confess to not liking the rhetorical posture the authors take, which is scolding and finger wagging, plus a lot of ad hominem about Theresa May. Yes, she was a Tory and a not very good Prime Minister, but the authors treat her as cynically intentioned. At least in Brexit, even though May drove EU leaders nuts with her obtuseness (some contend she is on the spectrum) they nevertheless generally said they liked her, and they saw her as sincere but over her head. So May could well have seized on slavery as an important issue that needed more attention, and either not done adequate homework and/or had all sorts of usual suspects telling her what to think.

As an aside, what this piece does not acknowledge is that naive do-gooderism is endemic and often does more harm than help. We linked to the Wired article, The Deaths of Effective Altruism. Its subhead:

Im fond of effective altruists. When you meet one, ask them how many people theyve killed.

And then a bit into the article:

I grew up like todays typical EA. In 1998, I wasnt ready for extreme sacrifice; but at least, I thought, I could find the charities that save the most lives. I started to build a website (now beyond parody) that would showcase the evidence on the best ways to givethat would show altruists, you might say, how to be most effective. And then I went to Indonesia. A friend who worked for the World Wildlife Fund had invited me to a party to mark the millennium, so I saved up my starting-professors salary and flew off to Bali. My friends bungalow, it turned out, was a crash pad for young people working on aid projects across Indonesia and Malaysia, escaping to Bali to get some New Years R&R. These young aid workers were with Oxfam, Save the Children, some UN organizations. And they were all exhausted. One nut-tan young Dutch fellow told me he slept above the pigs on a remote island and had gotten malaria so many times hed stop testing. Two weary Brits told of confronting the local toughs they always caught stealing their gear. They all scrubbed up, drank many beers, rested a few days. When we decided to cook a big dinner together, I grabbed my chance for some research. Say you had a million dollars, I asked when theyd started eating. Which charity would you give it to? They looked at me. No, really, I said, which charity saves the most lives? None of them, said a young Australian woman to laughter.By the time we got to dessert, these good people, devoting their young lives to poverty relief, were talking about lying in bed forlorn some nights, hoping their projects were doing more good than harm. That was a shock. And, Im embarrassed to say, a deeper shock came when I left Balis beaches to drive to the poorer parts of the island. You might think it pitiful, even offensive, that it took some luxury tourism to give me a sense of the reality of severe poverty. Let me ask your mercy. I thought my little website could help save livesand saving lives is what firemen do. Saving lives is what Spider-Man does. I thought I could save lives by being clever: the philosophers way of being the hero. I left the island so ashamed.

This is a long-winded way of saying I am put off by the authors confidence. Yes, they probably are correct in their critique of the May initiative. But they go on to put some stakes in the ground, and I have doubts about the first one:

The UK, the EU, the US and the Australian governments all present themselves as champions in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking, yet they are also world leaders in making life as difficult as possible for migrants. These are not compatible. You can be anti-exploitation or anti-migration, but you cannot be both at the same time. Denying foreign nationals access to rights, safety and support while theyre inside a territory  or in transit to it  makes them more vulnerable, and thus more likely to be exploited

At least for the US, the overwhelming majority of migrants are economic migrants. The level of immigration has hit the point where it is generating a lot of backlash due to issues like competition for low-end jobs and pressure on housing stock. So unfortunately, in many countries that have already taken in a lot of refugees, policy-makers will feel forced to continue to play the virtuous migrant game, of giving preference only those in certain categoriessuch as those rescued out of sex trafficking rings and other seemingly no-brainer cases.

But this clip from a popular crime show, Special Victims Unit, illustrates tidily, which is easier to do in fiction than real life, that even seemingly clear-cut cases of victimhood dont often look so on the receiving country end. The migrant story becomes a key point of contention in the court case:

Hence the activists urging policymakers to protect every immigrant. But that is a political non-starter in too many countries.

Moreover, the coyotes who bring some of these migrants in are human traffickers. Sohow can you be more migrant-friendly and not wind up handing traffickers more business?

In addition, my impression is that in the poorer parts of Asia, families selling girls into slavery is sadly common. Yet even though the numbers are likely large, this isnt the sort of institutionalized or organized-looking slavery that NGOs and advocates are positioned to address.

The fact that I know hardly anyone in Thailand and yet am an acquaintance of an escaped slave, originally from Myanmar, speaks volumes about the scale of this bondage. She made a presentation at her partners urging (you can find a transcript at this link) recounting how she was sold by her aunt, the abuses she suffered, and how she escaped and eventually got to Thailand. Bear in mind she speaks five languages, with English being her weakest, and understands six. The art is all her work even though she started painting only in February 2022. She has been exhibited in Bangkok.

Forgive the long and rambling into. It reflects how little it is discussed on the soi-disant left. Id hoist better material if I had been able to find it readily.

By Ayushman Bhagat, a Post-Doctoral Fellow and Parasol Fellow  TraffLab (ERC) in the Buchmann Faculty of Law at Tel-Aviv University and Joel Quirk, Professor in Political Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, who is currently a member of the International Scientific Committee of the UNESCO Slave Route Project, where he serves as Rapporteur. Originally published at openDemocracy

Jimmy Carter is often regarded as the USs greatest former president because of his humanitarian efforts after leaving office. Many former politicians aspire to building a legacy as a respected elder as he did, but its not easy to pull off. Tony Blair has screwed up time and time again in the Middle East. Boris Johnson recently endorsed Donald Trump. Enough said there.

Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May, who announced last month that she is stepping down as MP, has similar aspirations. We suspect its the main reason why she launched the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in October 2023. Its her attempt at a legacy project. Something that re-connects her name with a cause she has long sought to champion.

Dont think May and Brexit.

Or May and Windrush.

Think May and modern slavery.

We have sympathy for her wanting to be remembered this way. The problem is, her actual record on modern slavery is nothing to get excited about. UK policies targeting modern slavery have proven to be ineffective and expensive. The support given to victims is insultingly low. And severe exploitation in this country has hardly disappeared.

May was the architect of modern slavery policies that did not work.

And thus we are not excited about this new commission. With May in charge there is every reason to expect that it will have little  if anything  new to offer. It will be a tribute band to herself, playing all her old classics one more time.

The world has no need for this, and weve seen no evidence that anyone outside the UK is calling for it. So we would be happier if there was no commission at all. But if we are going to be stuck with it, we have a couple of suggestions.

Can we please have something new?

The Global Commission on Modern Slavery: Flawed from the Start

The commissions website says that it exists to exert high-level political leverage to restore political momentum towards achieving UN SDG 8.7 to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking.

Its funded by the governments of the UK and Bahrain  countries both known for having abusive policies towards migrants and migrant labour  and chaired by May, known for her hostility to vulnerable migrants. Its 16 commissioners include academics, numerous CEOs and investors, and a couple of high-profile social entrepreneurs and survivors.

There is no representation from organised labour, or workers and their allies. So when imagining the commission, think #businessforgood and #ethicalinvesting, rather than #solidarity, #decentwork and #rightsnotrescue.

Combatting modern slavery was a flagship issue for May as both home secretary and prime minister. Her main achievement was the 2015 Modern Slavery Act, which she subsequently promoted at the United Nations and via the Commonwealth. In 2016 May described the act as an international benchmark to which other governments should aspire.

Yet Mays template was not taken up in the way she had hoped. Its impact was strongest in Australia, where mining magnate turned philanthrocapitalist Andrew Forrest pushed for a local version of the UK legislation. Canada and New Zealand, both British settler colonies, also partly took up the baton as well.

The rest of the world never embraced Mays vision. Most governments still prefer to talk about human trafficking, forced labour, and labour exploitation. And many see recent European attempts to couple human rights due diligencewith civil penalties as a promising alternative to the toothless, business-friendly transparency provisions of Mays Modern Slavery Act.

This Is Not a Global Blueprint for Action

The problem with the UKs world leading response to modern slavery is that its not very good. It wasnt good in 2015, when the legislation was first enacted, and it isnt good now.

There are four fundamental problems:

The hostile environment, which May introduced as home secretary, ensures that migrants remain vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Corporations remain unaccountable for labour abuses. Effective regulation and protections for vulnerable workers are absent. Funding cuts to social services and other safety nets are increasing the caseload of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the official system for recognising modern slavery victims, which is crumbling under the pressure of cases and circumstances it isnt equipped to handle.

It is sometimes argued that the problems associated with UK modern slavery policy can be traced back to insufficient resources. We do not believe this to be the case. Our research suggests that over 1bn has been spent on modern slavery interventions and research in the UK since 2014, making Mays model both ineffective and expensive.

This is not a model that countries interested in social justice should emulate. It should not be championed, and even if that werent the case theres no reason to expect May would do a better job of selling it on a global stage the second time around.

As the head of her own commission, shell be the wrong saleswoman flogging the wrong product to the wrong people at the wrong time.

Having a commission might  just might  have made sense if there was no one else working on addressing labour exploitation internationally. This is not the case. This is a field which is crowded to the point of total saturation. There are numerous UN special rapporteurs, major global initiatives run by the ILO, UNODC, and the US State Department, and countless regional collaborations. There are at least a hundred projects already doing the same kinds of work.

There was no great swell of grassroots groups calling for the creation of a commission either. It can instead be traced to recommendations from a scoping study funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and undertaken by the Modern Slavery Evidence Centre, which May created and funded when she was still prime minister. This is a top-down creation designed to keep a former prime minister happy, and perhaps to prop up the crumbling myth that the Tory party cares about severe exploitation.

Yet its here. Were stuck with it. So the only question that really matters is, can anybody convince it to say something  anything really  which is new?

Here are some suggestions.

Can We Have an Honest Conversation About Migration?

The UK, the EU, the US and the Australian governments all present themselves as champions in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking, yet they are also world leaders in making life as difficult as possible for migrants.

These are not compatible. You can be anti-exploitation or anti-migration, but you cannot be both at the same time. Denying foreign nationals access to rights, safety and support while theyre inside a territory  or in transit to it  makes them more vulnerable, and thus more likely to be exploited.

The European Union is spending billions on systems to prevent people from coming to Europe, including funding militia-run, private prisons in Libya. Former president Donald Trump justified building a wall as an anti-trafficking measure. The UK spends millions to apprehend potential migrants in their home countries through various anti-migration projects disguised as development assistance. They try to prevent workers from crossing the English Channel and tether the visas of many migrant workers to their employers, making it very difficult for them to escape if they find themselves being exploited and abused.

First responders to potential cases of modern slavery and NRM contract holders routinely double as de facto immigration agents, gathering the personal data of vulnerable individuals and sharing it with law enforcement agencies. Modern slavery interventions and immigration enforcement run together, with punishment trumping protection. Earlier this year it was revealed that the Home Office was deliberately rejecting people whom it should have helped.

The effects of these grotesque anti-immigration measures have to be part of any conversation about ways of addressing modern slavery. There will be no eradication of exploitation without immigration reform.

Any proposal or report from the commission which does not seriously grapple with the layered effects of hostile immigration regimes is not worth reading.

Can We Have an Honest Conversation About Corporate Power?

Labour exploitation is baked into every stage of global supply chains, and major corporations have carefully designed these chains to maximise their profits, minimise their liabilities, and obstruct workers rights.

The Modern Slavery Act sought to encourage voluntary change in these practices through transparency reporting. This has not worked. The modern slavery statements which the act requires from large companies are worse than useless, and multiple reports have shown that the voluntary audits many companies commission rarely rock the boat.

Corporations are not going to be good citizens and change their core business practices voluntarily. They have to be publicly regulated and publicly inspected, with meaningful penalties for violations.

Workers need to be able to organise and bargain collectively. The key hinge here is not enslavement but wage theft, since once employers start stealing the wages of their workers it opens the door for all other kinds of abuses. Its discouraging that none of the commissioners comes from a workers rights background, but perhaps they will be able to surprise us.

Any proposal or report from the global commission which does not directly address worker rights, labour organising, and corporate power is not worth reading.

Can We Have an Honest Conversation About Commercial Sex Work?

Attitudes towards modern slavery and commercial sex can be roughly divided into three main camps: pro-sex workers rights, prostitution abolitionists, and on the fence.

The arguments favoured by the first two camps will already be familiar to many people. One regards commercial sex as a form of work much like any other, while the other views commercial sex as inherently exploitative. Both camps maintain that their preferred position offers the best platform for combatting modern slavery.

The third, and increasingly dominant group  the fence sitters  try their hardest to not take a position either way. We encourage the new commission to take a stand on this issue, no matter how appealing it appears to simply avoid the topic.

You cannot take effective action against modern slavery if you try and stick your head in the sand when it comes to basic questions about rights and regulation regarding commercial sex. We personally favour de-criminalisation (our argument is made at length here), but there is no way of moving forward on this issue if there isnt a conversation on the merits.

Any proposal or report produced by the global commission which does not develop an explicit position regarding the status of commercial sex is not worth reading.

Can We Please Have a Few New Songs?

We are not convinced that the world needs a Global Commission on Modern Slavery. We have reservations about its origins, mandate and composition. And we strongly suspect that it will be little more than May attempting to revive her previous efforts to globalise her failed UK model. But since we now have a commission, it would be really nice if the band could play a few new songs. Enough with the back catalogue.

Some readers may also be wondering where criminal justice fits within this equation. There is no doubt that governments primarily view the fight against modern slavery through a criminal justice lens. Law enforcement, not social solutions, has long been the go-to response.

Our position here is that we have had far too much criminal justice already. There are many times where criminal justice interventions have ended up doing more harm than good. The world doesnt need yet more law-and-order cheerleading under the guise of human rights.

So we would suggest giving criminal justice a pass for now and prioritising other things. You cannot effectively reduce vulnerability to exploitation by prioritising police and immigration.

And any report from the global commission that says otherwise is not worth reading.
Was an extinct fox once mans best friend? BBC

Watch zoo animals react as totality passes over Texas during eclipse CNN (Furzy Mouse)

Do solar panels work during an eclipse? Colorado researchers were watching. Colorado Sun

Climate

Water

Pandemics

China?

The rusting Philippine ship forcing Joe Biden and his Asia allies to focus on China FT

India

Myanmar

Syraqistan

European Disunion

New Not-So-Cold War

South of the Border

Biden Administration

Antitrust

Googles Chrome Antitrust Paradox (PDF) Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law. The first few pages show how Google grew by acquisition. And about Chrome: In this Article, we show that Chrome is the key to Googles dominance as an advertiser and publisher. First, Google leverages its dominance as a publisher to reinforce Chromes dominance using (a) subtle coercion, such as by employing dark patterns and (b) undermining web standards. Second, Google leverages Chromes dominance to reinforce Googles dominance as a publisher and advertiser using the same techniques and additionally (c) self-preferencing and (d) privacy controls. These strategies employed by Google demonstrate that Chrome is not merely a neutral gateway to the web and is instead an instrument for Google to gain and maintain an unfair advantage over its competitors. Finally, Google employs (e) pay-to-playusing income generated from its dominating advertising business for strategic acquisitions of more publishing and advertising services and paying competitors to give prominence to Google Search. This results in a vicious cycle of crossmarket abuse in one market, be it browser, advertising, or publishing, to cement position in the other market.

Digital Watch

Boeing

US officials probe new whistleblower claims against Boeing Al Jazeera

Police State Watch

Class Warfare

The Macrofoundations of Macroeconomics Steve Keen

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
A train arrives at Dong Dang Station in Lang Son Province, which borders China, in 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy

The government has decided to prioritize the construction of two high-speed railroad lines in the north before 2030, including one connecting with China.

They are the Hanoi - Lang Son line, which will extend to the Chinese border, and a line connecting Hanoi with Lao Cai Province, home to Sa Pa City, passing through the port city of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Province, home to Ha Long Bay.

Both lines will become part of the highly anticipated north-south high-speed rail route.

The decision, announced Monday by the Government Office, is part of a broader strategy for the Red River Delta's development that seeks to enhance transport infrastructure, reduce congestion and promote economic growth.

It is seen as a critical step in modernizing Vietnam's transport network, facilitating better connectivity with China and supporting overall economic development goals.

The Hanoi - Lang Son high-speed rail line has been proposed several times in the past.

During a National Assembly meeting in January, delegate Tran Van Tuan from the northern Bac Giang Province said the high-speed line should be built soon because the cost is not too high and it is feasible to start work before 2030.

"Once completed, the line could become immediately operational since China already has a modern, integrated railway system."

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has more than once called for the development of a "synchronized, modern" north-south high-speed rail network allowing speeds of 350 kph in line with global trends.

It is related to national interests and so "we cannot delay and must have strong political determination to implement it."

In February 2019 the transport ministry presented a report to the government on the feasibility of the north-south high-speed rail project through 20 cities and provinces.

It will allow a top speed of 350 kph, while operational speeds will be 320 kph.

At the end of 2022 inspectors of the project proposed that the line should carry both passengers and goods at operational speeds of 225 kph and 160 kph.

The Politburo, the Communist Party's decision-making body, wants investment for it tied up by 2025, construction to begin before 2030 and its completion before 2045.
Yves here. Even though Simon Watkins is a die-hard Cold Warrior/Atlanticist, he nevertheless has a very good nose for significant developments in the Middle East. It isnt hard to have noticed that Iraq has been plenty unhappy with the US for years. But even so, being unhappy and acting to distance yourself in a serious way from the cause are two different matters. While not headline-garnering, this Iraq-Iran agreement is yet another black eye for the US.

By Simon Watkins, a former senior FX trader and salesman, financial journalist, and best-selling author. He was Head of Forex Institutional Sales and Trading for Credit Lyonnais, and later Director of Forex at Bank of Montreal. He was then Head of Weekly Publications and Chief Writer for Business Monitor International, Head of Fuel Oil Products for Platts, and Global Managing Editor of Research for Renaissance Capital in Moscow. Originally published at OilPrice.com

Iraq has always been well-aware of Washingtons strategy and has been keen to play along.

Despite promises to stop importing Iranian gas, the Iraqi government has continued to receive financial support from Washington while extending its gas deals with Tehran.

The sheer length of Iraqs new gas deal with Iran means Baghdad can be under no illusion that Washington will regard it as a serious political statement of intent.

Given its huge oil and gas reserves, strategically critical location in the heart of the Middle East, and its initial welcoming of the U.S. after the fall of President Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq has long been at the top of Washingtons list of countries in the region with which it wants a deeper working relationship. In many ways, the U.S.s end of combat mission in the country on 31 December 2021 was regarding by the White House as a temporary tactical retreat, before a new diplomacy-led relationship could be forged. Washingtons long-running financial aid to Iraq would be used as the basis for this diplomatic renaissance, which could be gradually leveraged into a weakening of the bond Iraq has with Iran  and by association, therefore, with China and Russia too. A good starting point for this, the U.S. believed, would be the substitution of Iranian gas used by Iraq to keep its power grid going with supplies from elsewhere. Iraq has always been well-aware of Washingtons strategy and has been keen to play along, offering scraps of hope at regular intervals  the occasional engineering award to a U.S. firm, being a favourite  in exchange for hundreds of billions of dollars given it as a reward. Given this long-running game of bluff and double-bluff, it is exceptionally interesting to see that Iraq has now apparently thrown all caution to the wind and signed its longest ever deal with Iran to keep supplying it with gas for the next five years. So, what does it all mean for the U.S.?

The sheer length of Iraqs new gas deal with Iran means Baghdad can be under no illusion that Washington will regard it as a serious political statement of intent. It may also see it as a significant betrayal of assurances repeatedly given by all the recent leaders of Iraq that in exchange for U.S. funding to help in this process, the country will move away from its dependence on Iran, in the first instance by reducing its imports of gas eventually to nothing. Baghdad knows perfectly well that the White House sees these ongoing gas imports by Iraq as a key means of funding for Iran. Only last week, Irans Deputy Oil Minister (and managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company), Majid Chegeni, stated that his country has earned US$15 billion from exporting around 52 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas to Iraq since 2017. Baghdad also knows that Washington sees Iraqs close cooperation with Iran on the two countries shared oil fields as the primary method in which Iran has been able to keep its economy intact over the years despite sanctions, as analysed in depth in my new book on the new global oil market order. There are many shared fields between the two countries, but the most notable ones are Azadegan (on the Iran side)/Majnoon (on the Iraq side), Azar (Iran)/Badra (Iraq), Yadavaran (Iran)/Sinbad (Iraq), Naft Shahr (Iran)/Naft Khana (Iraq), Dehloran (Iran)/Abu Ghurab (Iraq), West Paydar (Iran)/Fakka/Fauqa (Iraq), and Arvand (Iran)/South Abu Ghurab (Iraq). The oil on the non-sanctioned Iraqi side of the border is often drilled from the same reservoirs as the oil drilled on the sanctioned Iranian side, sometimes even through long-distance horizontal directional drilling. Even if the Americans, Europeans, or any of their most trusted appointees stationed people at every single rig in every single shared field in Iraq they would not be able to tell if the oil coming out it was from the Iraq side or the Iranian side. So this has allowed for decades Iranian oil simply to be rebranded at source as Iraqi oil and shipped to wherever is required in the world.

Up until now, the most shocking betrayal of the U.S.s optimistic trust in Iraq in this context came from the ultra-smooth former Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi. He had danced the usual dance with the U.S. so well that in May 2020 Washington gave him even more money than before and the longest waiver ever given  120 days  to keep importing gas from Iran, on the standard condition that Iraq stopped doing it soon. However, once the money had been banked and al-Kadhimi was safely back on home territory, Iraq signed a two-year contract  the longest period ever at that point  with Iran to keep importing gas from it. Washington then let the formidable then-State Department spokeswoman, Morgan Ortagus, out of her room, and she let fly. Not only was the next waiver to Iraq the shortest ever  30 days  but also at the press conference in which it was announced, Ortagus let it be known that the U.S. was hitting 20 Iran- and Iraq-based entities with swingeing new sanctions. She cited them as being instruments in the funnelling of money to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) elite Quds Force, which was entirely true. She added that the 20 entities were continuing to exploit Iraqs dependence on Iran as an electricity and gas source by smuggling Iranian petroleum through the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr and money laundering through Iraqi front companies, which was also true. She also said that Washington was extremely concerned that Iraq was continuing to act as a conduit for Iranian oil and gas supplies to make their way out into the worlds major export markets. This was true as well, as additionally analysed in my new book on the new global oil market order.

Knowing these things, Iraq appears with its latest five-year gas import deal with Iran to have finally closed the door on Washingtons diplomatic advances. It would not have done so without further assurances from Iran (and China and Russia) that its interests would be safeguarded in a stronger alliance with them. For the most important of these  China  Iraq and Iran represent a giant oil and gas station for it in the Middle East, which it can also use for geopolitical pressure purposes against the U.S. In Irans case, China has been successful so far into effecting this transformation from it as sovereign state into a Middle Eastern equivalent of Hong Kong (a Special Administrative Region of China) through the all-encompassing Iran-China 25-Year Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement , as first revealed anywhere in the world in my 3 September 2019 article on the subject and analysed in full in my new book on the new global oil market order. China is using the same sort of arrangement for Iraq, as evidenced in the equally all-encompassing Iraq-China Framework Agreement of 2021. This in turn, was an extension in scale and scope of the Oil for Reconstruction and Investment agreement signed by Baghdad and Beijing in September 2019, which allowed Chinese firms to invest in infrastructure projects in Iraq in exchange for oil.

Following this, Iraq approved nearly IQD1 trillion (US$700 million) for infrastructure projects in the city of Al-Zubair in the southern Iraq oil hub of Basra. The Al-Zubair announcement came around the same time as the awarding by Baghdad of another major contract to another Chinese company to build a civilian airport to replace the military base in Nasiriyah  the capital of the oil-rich DhiQar Province. This airport project, China announced, would include the construction of multiple cargo buildings and roads linking the airport to the citys town centre and separately to other key oil areas in southern Iraq, which it now controls. In the later discussions involved in the 2021 Iraq-China Framework Agreement, it was decided unanimously by both sides that the airport could be expanded later to be a dual-use civilian and military airport. The military component would be usable by China without first having to consult with whatever Iraqi government was in power at the time, a senior source who works closely with Iraqs Oil Ministry exclusively told OilPrice.com at the time.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Finnish President Alexander Stubb to NATO Headquarters on Wednesday (10 April 2024), just days after Finland celebrated the first anniversary of its accession to the Alliance.

The Secretary General praised Helsinkis many contributions to NATO, saying Finland takes security and defence seriously. "You have long made defence spending a priority and we are grateful for the fact that when Finland joined NATO, yet another NATO Ally is spending more than 2% on defence. You have highly trained personnel and your advanced military capabilities bolster our deterrence and defence," he said. Mr Stoltenberg also thanked Finland for its staunch support to Ukraine, amounting to some 2 billion euros in military aid since 2022, and welcomed Finlands recent conclusion of a 10-year security agreement with Kyiv.

The Secretary General emphasised the urgency of continued military support to Ukraine amid a difficult battlefield situation. Delays in funding are having direct consequences on the ground every day, he said. Delays in delivery of air defences will allow Russian missiles to hit more targets, and delays in delivery of ammunition will allow Russia to press along the frontline. Ukraine simply cannot wait. It needs air defences, ammunition and aid  now.

Mr Stoltenberg underlined that NATO is actively working to ensure reliable and predictable security assistance to Ukraine now and for the long haul.


(As delivered)

Good afternoon. President Stubb, dear Alex, it's great to see you here. Welcome to the NATO headquarters and congratulations on your election as President of Finland. And let me also congratulate you on the first anniversary of Finland as a full NATO Ally.

Your membership makes NATO stronger and Finland safer. Finland takes security and defence seriously. You have long made defence spending a priority and we are grateful for the fact that when Finland joined NATO, yet another NATO Ally is spending and more than 2% on defence. You have highly trained personnel and your advanced military capabilities bolster our deterrence and defence.

Finland's seamless integration into the NATO family and the NATO structures reflects decades of very close cooperation between Finland as a previous partner, before you became a full member. We will continue to work together to further strengthen our Alliance. We live in a more dangerous world, but NATO has become stronger, so we continue to protect and defend all Allies.

Today in our meeting we discussed Ukraine and the urgent need for more support, and reliable and predictable support for Ukraine, because the situation on the battlefield is difficult. Delays in funding are having direct consequences on the ground every day. Delays in delivery of air defences will allow Russian missiles to hit more targets, and delays in delivery of ammunition will allow Russia to press along the frontline.

Ukraine simply cannot wait. It needs air defences, ammunition and aid. Now.

Against all odds, the Ukrainians have already achieved so much. They can prevail, but they need our support.

NATO is actively working to ensure reliable and predictable security assistance to Ukraine now and for the long haul, so that Ukraine relies less on the voluntary contributions and more on NATO commitments. Less on short term offers on more on multiyear pledges. Moscow needs to understand that they cannot wait those out and, therefore, a package for Ukraine with predictable robust support is what we are working on now in NATO.

And I thank you, President, for Finland's strong support to step up the NATO support to Ukraine.

Let me also thank Finland and you for the fact that since the full fledge invasion of Ukraine, back in 2022, Finland has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine. You have provided around 2 billion euros in military aid since 2022, including 30 million euros to the Czech-led artillery initiative. I also welcome that just last week Finland signed a new 10-year security agreement with Kyiv. So we are grateful for your contributions to NATO's collective defence, to our shared security, and, not least, that Finland is a lead nation in providing support to Ukraine.

So once again, dear Alex, welcome, it's great to see you here.

Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson: MTV, Janne Puumalainen.

Janne Puumalainen (MTV): Thank you especially for that process. Finland has not imposed any restrictions on its military aid to Ukraine. But some NATO countries still do not allow their weapons to be used to strike Russian territory. Does that undermine Ukraine's ability to win the war? And secondly, if I may, EUs Josep Borrell yesterday said that Europe must prepare for a potential war, as a full scale conflict on the continent is no longer a fantasy. How important is Finland's role while Europe prepares against that Russia threat? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg:

I can start and just say that first, we can never take peace for granted. And we live in a more dangerous world. We have a full-fledged war in Europe. We have a new war in the Middle East and we have more great power rivalry. At the same time, we have seen that NATO has adapted. So we live in a more dangerous world but NATO has become stronger to preserve peace, to prevent war, as NATO has successfully done for 75 years.

And we don't see any imminent threat, a military threat against any NATO Ally because NATO's deterrence works. We are there together and an attack against one will be an attack on all and that's the best way to prevent any armed attack on any NATO Ally. Then on the support: Well, it is a decision by each and every Ally exactly what kind of support they provide to Ukraine. But I welcome that Allies have provided long Range missiles. Allies are also now providing F 16s. And we need to remember what this is: This is a war of aggression where Russia has invaded another country  blatantly violating international law. And Ukraine has the right according to international law for self-defence. That's actually a right, enshrined in the UN Charter. And we have the right to help Ukraine uphold the right of self-defence without making NATO Allies party to the conflict. And Ukraine has one part of self-defence is also that Ukraine has the right to strike legitimate military targets outside Ukraine to defend themselves. So this is a war of attrition, Ukraine has a right to self-defence and I welcome that Allies are providing military support to enable their self-defence.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb:

I guess there's a short answer and a long answer to both of your questions. The short answer about war is to say that a pessimist always prepares for the worst but an optimist makes sure that it doesn't happen. And I think that is exactly what we should do. First in terms of national defence, secondly, in terms of NATO's defence, and thirdly, in terms of the capacity of the European Union. As far as Finnish support, long answer, for Ukraine is concerned, it is steadfast. It will continue for as long as it takes. And from my visit to Kyiv last week on Wednesday, I think the message was very clear to all of our Allies, including the United States, is that Ukraine needs ammunition. It needs weapons, and it needs vehicles and it needs them now. So there's a short term need of help and that's why I have also called upon the US Congress to release the $60 billion because that is part of the package.

Will that solve all? No. We need to continue to do our part in Europe as well and that's why I welcome the Czech initiative of pooling ammunition. I had conversations yesterday with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo who has committed 200 million euros to that particular initiative. And I actually also had lunch yesterday with your Josep Borrell and discussed this particular event. I think what he tries to do is to raise the prospect of a possibility of a war but we must make sure that that will not happen on our soil. And the best way to do it is by supporting Ukraine now.

Max Delaney, AFP

So thank you very much, Secretary General, you said that Ukraine simply cannot wait any longer for air defenses. So my question is, why is Ukraine still waiting? Are the Allies unwilling or unable to provide it and when will Ukraine get the Patriots that it's been pleading for so desperately?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg:

Well, NATO allies have provided unprecedented level of support to Ukraine, including air defenses, including Patriot batteries, and also other advanced systems, including the NASAMS, the IRIS-T , SAMP-T and other advance defense systems. As important as delivering new systems is to ensure that the systems which are already there are working as they should meaning they need spare parts, they need ammunition, they need maintenance. But at the foreign ministerial meeting last week, my message was the same as we also heard from many allies and of course, from Ukraine that there is a need to step up even more and provide not only ammunition and spare parts to the existing batteries and systems but also to deliver more systems. I know that some Allies are now really looking into what more they can do, how they can dig even deeper into their inventories to provide more air defense for Ukraine because it is urgent.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb:

If I may also just for the record, when I was in Kyiv, we released our 23rd aid package, which brought, as the Secretary General said, our military aid to roughly 2 billion that combined with humanitarian development another 900 million puts our bill up to 2.9 at this stage. Usually we, how should I put it, say less and do more but this time around we also released two forms of equipment or ammunition military material that we gave Ukraine. One was actually air defense, and the other one was heavy ammunition. Finland is actually the sixth GDP per capita measured in terms of supporting Ukraine and we will continue to do that. I think all of us realize not only the frontline states, but all of us in Europe realize that it is in our interest to continue to do so.

Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson:

Thank you, Hennele, YLE.

Hannele Muilu, YLE:

Thank you. Finish newspaper Iltalehti told yesterday that there will be a Land Component Command in Mikkeli, under Norfolk JFC. What are the gains for NATO and what are the gains for Finland to have this unit?

Finnish President Alexander Stubb:

Well, I'd kind of like to separate it into two things. The first one is to say that there is a political ambition to be under one command or another, and then that political ambition is somehow followed with a decision. No decisions have been taken yet. So we're waiting for SACEUR to determine what is in the military and defence interests of the Alliance of where Finland and potentially the other Nordic countries would belong, whether it's Norfolk or Brunssum. And then after that, there should be a military decision determining what is the best place for air defence, what is the best place for sea defence and what is the best place for land defence, so I would like not to put the carriage in front of the horse here yet. We're working with our Allies for the best solution, which has got very little to do with regional policy, very little to do with politics, but it is purely a military decision. But I don't think you have to have a doctorate in military strategy to understand that if the land border of the Alliance has doubled with Russia, it might be quite useful to perhaps have a Land Component close to that border as well.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg:

Let me just add that we welcome the fact that Finland has offered to host Land Component Command for a multi-corps force. But as Alex just said, as the President just said, no decision has been made yet. We are now waiting for the advice from our Supreme Allied Commander SACEUR and based on that will then take a decision within some weeks or a couple of months. On the different ways we are now going to adapt our command structure this is partly about the fact that we have Finland and Sweden as new members but also the fact that we have actually initiated a bigger process of adapting NATO's command structure and part of that will be also then to have different component commands in different parts of Europe, including in the Nordic area.

Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson:

Thank you and a final question to Reuters. Andrew Gray.

Andrew Gray, Reuters:

Thank you there have been reports in recent days that Ukrainian military intelligence carried out an attack on a Russian warship docked off Kaliningrad. Does either of you have any information that would shed light on that report and could confirm whether it's true. And following up, would you consider it to be legitimate for Ukraine to carry out attacks on Russian warships in the Baltic, particularly given that the Baltic is now often described as a NATO lake?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg:

So first of all, I will not go into specifics when it comes to intelligence. And second, I will not give specific advice to what kind of targets that Ukraine should or should not attack, except for saying that it is part of the right for self-defense also to hit legitimate military targets outside your own country. Because Russia is using so many different types of capabilities to attack Ukraine and Ukraine has the right for self-defense, and that includes also legitimate military targets outside Ukraine.
Laborers are about to take a Korean language test to work in South Korea, May 7, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

Vietnam sent more than 35,900 laborers to work abroad under contracts in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Department of Overseas Labor under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

The number was down from 37,923 in the first quarter last year.

Japan and Taiwan (China) continued to be the largest recipients of Vietnamese guest workers. Other markets included the Republic of Korea (RoK), China, Singapore, Romania, Thailand, Macau (China), Saudi Arabia and Hungary.

Last year, over 159,000 workers went abroad for employment, surpassing the yearly target by 33.3%, and the highest figure recorded over the past ten years.

Over the past time, the labor ministry has worked to send more laborers overseas under non-profit programs as well as provide recruitment and related information for workers, especially those in communes with extreme difficulties. Besides, the ministry has promoted negotiations with its partners such as the RoK, Germany and Australia to expand markets in the coming time.

In 2024, the MoLISA aims to bring 125,000 workers abroad, focusing on key traditional markets such as Japan, Taiwan (China) and the RoK. The ministry eyes to have 120,000-143,000 people working in foreign countries every year, who send home total remittances of around US$3.5-4 billion.

Most recently, the government issued a plan to carry out a directive of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat on enhancing the Partys leadership on sending workers overseas in the new situation. Along with building strategies to bring Vietnamese laborers to work in foreign countries, the plan outlines solutions to raising awareness on law observance as well as coordination mechanisms to handle worker-related issues.
Biden admin approves more stringent rules covering forever chemicals in drinking water

The administration of President Joe Biden has approved more stringent health advisory limits for two types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," in drinking water.

In March 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the first national drinking water standard for "forever chemicals" under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The proposal seeks to establish drinking water guidelines for six PFAS compounds.

Among these chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid stand out, with the EPA proposing to lower the health advisory limit for when PFAS is detected in drinking water from 70 parts per trillion (ppt) to just four ppt. The EPA has also proposed a collective lower limit for other forever chemicals, such as PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS and GenX.

The proposed rules mandate water systems to monitor specifically for six identified compounds, inform the public about PFAS levels, and take corrective measures if concentrations surpass allowable thresholds. The establishment of a federal Maximum Contaminant Level also requires states with their own PFAS standards to adopt supplementary treatment technologies. (Related: RATIONING BEGINS: California water board to require reduced indoor water use for citizens.)

Moreover, the EPA estimated the total annual costs of compliance will range from $772 million to $1.2 billion, with economic benefits projected between $908 million and $1.2 billion.

The Office of Management and Budget approved the proposed rules to reduce PFAS levels in drinking water.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

Biden claims the approval fulfills one of the promises he made during the 2020 presidential campaign when he pledged to revise existing policies, establish new divisions, elevate environmental justice within the government and invest significantly in clean energy and pollution reduction efforts benefiting marginalized communities.

New rules could increase utility costs by thousands

But critics note the potential consequences of the new rules.

For instance, a report by consulting firm Black & Veatch for the American Water Works Association (AWWA) estimated that compliance with the new standards could lead to an increase in water costs of up to $11,150 per year for some households. Water utilities may face nearly $3.8 billion in new annual costs just to meet the new requirements.

"The vast majority of these treatment costs will be borne by communities and ratepayers, who are also facing increased costs to address other needs, such as replacing lead service lines, upgrading cybersecurity, replacing aging infrastructure and assuring sustainable water supplies," AWWA said.

AWWA also warned the government that the proposed rule would force over 5,000 water systems across the country to create new water sources or install advanced treatment technologies, while approximately 2,500 water systems in states with existing standards would need to adjust their current PFAS treatment systems.

"Ultimately, without more federal support for upgrading current treatment technologies, average Americans will have to pay the cost of further treatment through higher rates for their water," warned Tom Dobbins of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.

Visit Chemicals.news to learn more about the toxins chemical companies release to the environment.

Watch the video below that talks about how PFAS contamination has been more prevalent in drinking water than claimed.

This video is from the Weltansicht channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Breakthrough: Canadian scientists develop novel filtration method that permanently removes "forever" chemicals from drinking water.

3M agrees to $10.3 billion settlement over allegations of contaminating public drinking water with "forever chemicals."

EPA monitoring a new class of toxic PFAS in municipal water supplies  GenX chemicals.

Regulators STILL allowing toxic BIOSLUDGE to be dumped all over food crops, polluting them with PFAS "forever chemicals."

18 Popular US-made soft contact lenses found to contain high levels of harmful PFAS.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

RollCall.com

Brighteon.com
Biden Regime worked to DIVIDE THE NATION even more when he declared Easter Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility

Biden's declaration of Easter Sunday being " Transgender Day of Visibility " is part of the massive scheme to divide the nation, continually pitting one group against another. Hitler did the same thing with the Jews and the German people. This does NOT help the transgender community rise to an equal status, but instead denigrates them and increases discrimination.

The Biden Regime's strategy is to divide the nation into identity groups, thus keeping the populace fighting among themselves and NOT against the government. This is the block and tackle strategy for installing communism here in the Republic. Everyone knows the saying, "If you don't study history, you are doomed to repeat it."

Well, remember history now, because dividing the nation into groups by IDENTITY is the #2 reason for civil war throughout history. Be sure to watch the movie "Civil War" that releases this April 12th.

Resident Biden, who claims to be Catholic, could have easily declared Monday as Transvestite Day, instead of subverting Easter Sunday, the holiest Catholic day of the year

Easter Sunday, which immediately follows Holy Week, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many Americans, especially conservatives and religious folks, are perplexed as to WHY Joe "Girl-Sniffing" Biden would choose the holiest day of the year for Christians to declare it the holy day for homosexuals, a lifestyle the churches most often oppose and that is referred to as sinning in the Bible, this according to the Old Testament and the New Testament.

That's not all. Biden, who claims to be Catholic, has also banned religious artwork from being on display during the White House Easter egg competition. So why is everything Biden supports always evil? Well, he's a child predator himself, so that would explain things. After nearly every press conference or social engagement, Biden immediately searches for young girls, beelines his way over to them, whispers in their ears, asks them how old they are, fondles their hair and body, tells them to wait until they're adults to date, and then relentlessly tries to sniff their hair, while they often pull away in horror.

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. 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.

It's obvious that the Left does everything to destroy anything symbolizing religion. Maybe this Easter Sunday was declared tranny day for Barrack Obama and his husband, so they would feel "normal," since they are the ones really running the Oval Office decision making these past three years and counting.

Biden is quite proud to have signed Executive Orders that weaken the nuclear family model of America and further divide the country into groups that are supposed to fight and hate each other, according to all social media and new curriculum in schools. This is just another step towards cementing communism in America, ensuring that people lose their religion and become agnostics and atheists, or even more radical, Satanists.

Communism doesn't work when the masses believe in family, God, values, ethics and individual personality. This new twisted celebration of Easter Sunday helps to denigrate one of the most religious Christian holidays of the year, and further weave sex-thinking into the minds of all Americans. This is highly evident as the Biden Regime pushes to keep pornographic books in the hands of children, and make gender-mutilation surgery and cancer-inducing hormone drugs available to all kids and teenagers.

Here's the twisted declaration word for word from the Child-Predator-in-Chief: NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility. I call upon all Americans to join us in lifting up the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our Nation and to work toward eliminating violence and discrimination based on gender identity.

He should have just screamed, "Groomers Unite in the Name of Lucifer!" or "Easter Sunday is now After School Satan Club Member Appreciation Day!" Tune your internet dial to Gender.news for updates on extreme liberals and perverted world leaders with hidden agendas trying to turn a whole nation into sex-crazed freaks that worship Satan.

Sources for this article include:

DailyCaller.com

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
Hezbollah leader says Israels very existence is now at risk

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, has warned that Israel's very existence is now at risk

"There will be a before and after this moment," he said. The Hezbollah head's recent remarks serve as a warning to Tel Aviv after it attacked the Iranian consulate in Syria. The April 1 attack killed seven individuals, including two high-ranking generals of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Nasrallah's recent remarks serve as a dire caution to the West, suggesting that the assassination of IRGC leader Mohammad Reza Zahedi could signify a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict. It also mirrored a similar threat from the IRGC, which vowed retribution against the "Zionist regime" for the attack. (Related: Hezbollah chief to Israel: You have lost the war.)

Simultaneously, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching rockets toward IDF positions along the Lebanese border, citing solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza and their resistance against Israel.

The group said on an affiliated Telegram channel: "In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance, the Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance targeted at the afternoon of Friday a deployment of Israeli enemy soldiers... [with] artillery shells, hitting it directly."

The airstrike not only targeted the Iranian diplomatic compound but also heightened tensions in the longstanding conflict between the two adversaries. With Tel Aviv anticipating potential retaliation from Tehran, the region finds itself on edge, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. 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.

As the situation unfolds, the possibility of direct retaliation from Iran or through its proxies remains uncertain. Tehran backs Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi rebels (formally the Ansar Allahmovement) in Yemen and Hamas (formally the Islamic Resistance Movement) in the Gaza Strip.

Both Israel and the U.S. preparing for Iran's retaliation

According to American officials, both Tel Aviv and Washington are convinced that Iran is gearing up to retaliate following the Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria. Intelligence gathered by the U.S. indicates that Tehran is planning a retaliatory strike, possibly employing a combination of Shahed loitering drones and cruise missiles.

While the exact timing and target remain uncertain, officials suggest that an Israeli diplomatic facility may be a likely target. The anticipated attack is expected to occur sometime between now and the end of Ramadan next week.

One key question revolves around the launch location of the drones and missiles  whether they will be deployed from Iraq or Syria, potentially allowing Tehran to maintain plausible deniability, or directly from Iranian territory.

A public funeral was held in Tehran for the seven IRGC members  including the two generals  killed in the suspected Israeli strike in Damascus, as reported by CBS News' Seyed Bathaei.

To deter Iranian retaliation against U.S.-linked facilities, officials from the Biden administration have emphasized that the U.S. had no prior knowledge of the strike.

John Kirby, spokesman for the the National Security Council, highlighted President Joe Biden's discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Iranian threats to Israel's security. Kirby reiterated U.S. support for Israel's self-defense against Iran's public threats.

Earlier, Iranian presidential adviser Mohammad Jamshidi posted a message urging American leaders to avoid being drawn into Netanyahu's trap, suggesting that the U.S. should stay out to avoid harm. He claimed that the U.S. subsequently requested Iran not to target American facilities.

Confirming this communication, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State said that the U.S. had sent a written warning to Iran, cautioning against using the Israeli strike as a pretext to attack U.S. personnel and facilities. This exchange of messages occurred through the Swiss government, serving as an intermediary due to the absence of direct diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Iran.

Head over to IsraelCollapse.com for similar stories.

Watch this clip of Hezbollah forces striking down an advanced Israeli drone.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Hezbollah's "initial" response to assassination of top-ranking Hamas leader involved striking Israeli intelligence base with more than 60 rockets.

Israel airstrike kills Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon.

Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah ready to "join the battle" in Gaza, warns Hamas leader.

Sources include:

Express.co.uk

CBSNews.com

Brighteon.com
Israeli spy chief BLOWS HIS COVER after authoring a book published on Amazon about AI-driven warfare

The most powerful spy chief of Israel has blown his cover by authoring a book published on Amazon

Unit 8200 is the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) top military intelligence unit. Who commands it is one of the most closely guarded secrets within the IDF and is considered one of the most powerful positions within the military.

Yet, in a massive security oversight, this commander authored a book and published it on Amazon, allowing British news outlet the Guardian to peel back the layers of anonymity and expose the controversial spy chief as Brig. Gen. Yossi Sariel, formerly the head of intelligence for the IDF's Central Command.

Sariel's book, titled "The Human Machine Team," offers a radical perspective on the integration of artificial intelligence into military operations.

Despite efforts to conceal his identity under the pen name "Brigadier General YS," digital traces from the book led to the exposure of Sariel's personal details, including a private Google account created in his name.

This security lapse has raised concerns about the vulnerability of sensitive information within military circles and has drawn scrutiny to Sariel's leadership.

Unit 8200 has been characterized in both glowing and highly critical terms. It is celebrated for its intelligence capabilities but, in recent years, has faced criticism for its failure to anticipate and prevent attacks, such as the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel launched by Hamas that led to over 1,200 Israeli deaths.

This incident highlighted concerns that the unit's emphasis on technological advancements may have come at the expense of traditional intelligence-gathering methods.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

Despite the embarrassment of the security lapse, the IDF has acknowledged the mistake, vowing to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Sariel advocates for integrating AI into military operations

In "The Human Machine Team," Sariel presents a forward-thinking vision for the future of warfare, advocating for the strategic integration of AI-powered systems into military operations. (Related: AI takeover is INEVITABLE: Experts warn artificial intelligence will become powerful enough to control human minds, behaviors.)

His work outlines the potential of AI to transform the relationship between military personnel and machines, offering insights gleaned from the IDF's advancements during the conflict in Gaza.

Sariel's influence within the IDF and his commitment to technological innovation have positioned him as a key figure in shaping the future of military strategy for the nation.

Sariel's beliefs regarding AI and military systems and operations has already positioned him as a widely regarded thought leader within the Israeli and global intelligence communities. He is also known for advocating for the so-called "responsible integration" of AI into military operations.

Sariel's work has sparked debates within military circles. Some praise his innovative approach, while others express concerns about the ethical implications of AI-driven warfare.

The disclosure of Sariel's identity comes at a pivotal moment for the intelligence boss, as internal divisions within Israel's intelligence community come to light following the failure to prevent the attack last year.

While Sariel has accepted responsibility for the shortcomings, the incident has underscored the need for greater accountability and oversight within the military hierarchy.

Watch this episode of "World Alternative Media" as host Josh Sigurdson describes how Israel is using AI to power its weapons systems.

This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israeli AI assassination factory plays central role in the Gaza war.

Futurist Ben Goertzel predicts AI will surpass human intelligence by 2027.

AI could exceed human intelligence in 3 years, top scientist warns.

Sources include:

TheGuardian.com

NewRepublic.com

Brighteon.com
Molecular geneticist explains how mRNA vaccines were designed to conquer the human mind

Now that everyone realizes that the COVID-19 vaccine doesn't actually prevent people from getting infected or passing the disease on to others, many people may be wondering why governments around the world were so insistent that people get jabbed.

Renowned molecular geneticist Dr. Michael Nehls has one theory. He has studied the effects of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines on the brain extensively and believes it is the way these jabs affect our minds that made governments so eager to push them on their populations.

He recently sat down with Tucker Carlson to discuss his book, The Indoctrinated Brain, and how these vaccines are affecting people's minds. He explained how both the vaccines and the virus itself  which was engineered in a lab, funded by the Chinese government and partly paid for by American government  are vital components of a widespread assault on the human brain that seeks to squash the individuality associated with clear and healthy minds.

Dr. Nehls said that thanks to the brain alterations this causes, we can be conquered, and we would even accept it. He also believes its not about health, its not about even money  its about conquering the human mind.

He added that there were other ways that the vaccines could have been designed that would have avoided affecting the brain in this way, but vaccine developers actually chose to use this mechanism  and that doesnt seem to be an accident.

Investigative journalist John Leake explained why this theory is so compelling. He described his own experience with COVID-19 in June of 2022. He followed the protocol of Dr. Peter McCullough and quickly returned to normal after three days of feeling extreme fatigue and symptoms that were not unlike those of a bad hangover. However, he reported that he felt very depressed for about two weeks afterward and was inundated with gloomy thoughts. Even as his body returned to normal and he started to resume typical activities like long walks on the third day, his mind didn't bounce back as quickly.

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. 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.

Dr. McCullough told him that this was caused by neuroinflammation from the spike protein, which means that both the virus and the vaccine will have this effect.

The spike protein causes an inflammatory immune response that affects the brain, and autopsy studies have even found the spike in the brain, Dr. McCullough explained.

People who can't think for themselves are easier to control

In fact, the effects on the brain may be worse among the vaccinated because they induce the body to produce uncontrolled amounts of the spike protein for an unpredictable duration. When you also factor in how the vaccine is not a sterilizing one, which means those who get it still often contract the virus  some of them multiple times  it is easy to see how so many people's brains could be declining in a major way and one that those in power could seek to capitalize on to control our behavior so we remain dependent on them.

Leake said that he has noticed many people around him experiencing some type of mental lethargy. For example, he feels that the quality of deep conversations among people has declined recently. While many people can keep up with trivial conversations, those that require more cognitive energy seem to be challenging these days.

He also pointed out that the virus emerged right around the time that the World Economic Forum announced its scary Great Reset agenda. In fact, WEF founder Klaus Schwab himself said: The pandemic represents a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine and reset our world.

It would be awfully convenient for them to further their agenda if the masses were unable to think for themselves.

Sources for this article include:

Expose-News.com

Expose-News.com
Japanese telecommunications giant and major newspaper warn that social order could COLLAPSE in the AI era

Japan's largest telecommunications firm and the nation's biggest newspaper called for speedy legislation to restrain generative artificial intelligence (AI) over fears that it could cause democracy and social order to collapse

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) and Yomiuri Shimbun Group Holdings (YSGH) issued this call in a manifesto published on April 8. The central government in Tokyo still owns about one-third of NTT, formerly the state-controlled telephone monopoly. Meanwhile, YSGH owns Yomiuri Shimbun  Japan's most widely read newspaper, which has a morning circulation of about six million copies as per industry figures.

While the manifesto pointed to the potential benefits of generative AI in improving productivity, it was generally a skeptical view of technology. It stated that AI tools have already begun to damage human dignity, as the tools are sometimes designed to seize users' attention without regard to morals or accuracy.

The NTT-YSGH document urged the central government in Tokyo to take measures immediately, including laws to protect elections and national security from potential abuse of generative AI. It stressed that unless AI is reined in, "in the worst-case scenario, democracy and social order could collapse, resulting in wars."

The two entities, who are among Japan's most influential when it comes to public policy, said their manifesto was motivated by concern over public discourse. They added that their executives have been examining the impact of generative AI since last year in a study group guided by researchers from Keio University in the capital Tokyo.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

The manifesto pointed to rising concern among its American allies about the generative AI programs U.S.-based firms have been at the forefront of developing. It also cited a law passed in March 2024 by the European Parliament restricting some uses of AI. Because of this law, Brussels has put itself at the forefront of regulating AI across the globe.

NTT, Yomiuri Shimbun both involved in the AI debate

The European Union's new law calls on the creators of the most powerful AI models to put them through safety evaluations and notify regulators of serious incidents, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported. It added that the new law will also ban the use of emotion-recognition AI in schools and workplaces.

Similar action has also been observed in Washington, with the Biden administration stepping up oversight. Back in October of last year, it invoked federal powers to compel major AI companies to notify the federal government when developing systems that pose a serious risk to national security.

"The U.S., the U.K. and Japan have each set up government-led AI safety institutes to help develop AI guidelines," the WSJ continued. "Still, governments of democratic nations are struggling to figure out how to regulate AI-powered speech, such as social media activity, given constitutional and other protections for free speech." (Related: Australian government report warns against the potential THREATS of AI.)

For its part, YSGH  through the flagship newspaper  has used its influence about the issue. Yomiuri Shimbun's conservative editorial line has had a major say in pushing the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to expand military spending and deepen Japan's alliance with the U.S. under the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his successors.

In the same manner, the outlet's news pages and editorials frequently highlight concerns about AI. One editorial the newspaper published in December that noted the rush of new AI products coming from U.S. tech companies also highlighted its dangers. "AI models could teach people how to make weapons or spread discriminatory ideas," the op-ed warned, citing risks from "deepfake" videos of politicians.

Meanwhile, NTT is active in AI research  with its units offering generative AI products to business customers. Last month, it began offering a large-language model dubbed Tsuzumi to business customers. While Tsuzumi is similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, NTT's version is designed to use less computing power and work better in Japanese-language contexts.

An NTT spokesman said the company works with U.S. tech giants and believes generative AI has valuable uses. However, he stressed his belief that the technology has particular risks if it is used maliciously to manipulate public opinion.

Watch this clip from "Making Money" on Fox Business discussing the extinction-level threat posed by AI as outlined by a government report.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

AI is currently the greatest threat to humanity, warns investigative reporter Millie Weaver.

DeepLearning.AI founder warns against the dangers of AI during annual meeting of globalist WEF.

Is AI going to kill everyone? Top experts say yes, warning about "risk of extinction" similar to nuclear weapons, pandemics.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

Brighteon.com
Pharmaceutical industry is deceiving doctors while utterly failing to make significant contributions to treating chronic disease

The United States is one of just two countries that still allow pharmaceutical companies to engage in direct-to-consumer advertising of new drugs . In 2020, this scheme amounted to $6.58 billion  money that could be spent on actual medical research. With direct-to-consumer advertising, consumers are encouraged to mask one issue and take on a bunch of new health issues, while being told to ask their doctor if this drug is right for them.

Big Pharma has also developed an elaborate system of bribery to manipulate medical professionals into prescribing new drugs. These schemes do not include objective information sharing; they involve the wining-and-dining of doctors, which includes generous financial kickbacks and guaranteed publishing and speaking deals. Sadly, much of Western medicine has devolved into a constant cycle of side effects, adverse reactions and a complete abandonment of the real phytonutrients and medicinal compounds that support the blood, hormones, body systems and organs.

Long-term masking of symptoms is more profitable than understanding and reversing the core health issues

In 1977, Dr. Vernon Colemon wrote an important book about this issue called Paper Doctors. In one chapter, he discusses pharmaceutical research and the drug industrys inability to develop meaningful advancements for medicine over a twenty-year period. Some of the most important medical advancements were made before the 1950s. Drugs like steroids, insulin and penicillin have helped countless people; however, most drugs created since then have caused more problems than they have solved. Even with massive investments in drug research and with technological advancements that have enabled mass synthesis of coal-tar chemical compounds, much of the pharmaceutical research has merely focused on masking symptoms, instead of getting to the root cause of disease. For the past sixty years, pharmaceutical companies started to focus their research on developing products that have a potential for high sales, while targeting conditions that require long-term treatment.

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. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. 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.

New drugs are oftentimes just new variations of old drugs, leading to endless ways to profit from basic formulas. These new variations never seem to solve the core issue for most people and become crutches over the long term. There are endless variations of antacids, tranquilizers, sleeping pills and antidepressants, for example. Even back in 1975, doctors could choose from 57 different brands of antacids, but the only difference was the name of the product and the price.

Even with record profits, Big Pharma is failing to treat chronic disease

Basically, over the last sixty years, drug companies have manipulated the scientific process, prioritizing profit over people. This is one of the reasons why America suffers from the greatest level of chronic disease than any other nation in the world. In 1950, only six percent of Americans suffered from a major chronic disease. Today, 60 percent of the population suffers from chronic disease. The cost of treating these chronic diseases is approximately 90 percent of the $4.3 trillion spent annually on healthcare. Approximately 93 percent of Medicare costs and 85 percent of Medicaid costs are for chronic diseases.

Even with thousands of drugs on the market and record profits, Big Pharma isn't providing the solutions. This has become an unethical and unsustainable paradox. These companies are making money without any significant innovations to medicine and human healing. These companies are lying and bribing their way to the top -- a competition of failure and perpetual chronic disease -- all while taking the whole country down with them in an economic collapse.

Policy makers argue about the cost of healthcare, and who should pay for it, but there is no discussion on why it costs so much, no effort, no debate on how to reduce the toxic, fraudulent drugs and the system of bribery and deceit that plagues our healthcare system. When will we incentivize a moral and ethical pursuit to treating chronic disease? When will we incentivize the development of medicines that work with the body holistically? When will we provide pharmacies with the plant-based extracts that have been used to heal people for centuries -- long before this modern-day corruption of science?

Sources include:

HealthPolicy.usc.edu

Projects.ProPublica.org

Expose-News.com

Youtube.com
Mysterious radiation leak forces city in Russian Far East to declare state of emergency

A city in the Russian Far East has declared a state of emergency following a mysterious radiation leak

Reports are coming out indicating very elevated radiation levels near a pylon just 1.5 miles away from the Russian Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, a city that is less than 20 miles from the border with the northeastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang.

Following the discovery, authorities swiftly cordoned off the contaminated area on Friday, April 5. Officials have yet to disclose the potentially perilous origins of the radiation.

Andrey Kolchin, the head of Civil Defense in the city, remarked: "A source of heightened radiation levels was detected  prompting the area's cordon. To expedite necessary actions, a state of emergency was declared in Khabarovsk."

The state of emergency will persist for several more days as authorities continue to monitor radiation levels and investigate the root cause. However, it appears that local officials took approximately a week to respond to initial reports of the leak.

Allegedly, a local youth notified city authorities of the elevated radiation levels on March 28, but officials would not respond with the declaration of a state of emergency until over a week later on April 5.

Furthermore, footage has surfaced online depicting an individual donning nuclear protective gear and using a radiation detector.

As he traversed what was described as a "waste dump," the detector swiftly signaled an alarm at 0.45 microsieverts, with the highest reading displayed as 5.99.

Despite this, the individual claimed a reading of 20, which could potentially elevate cancer risks, harm DNA, affect fetuses and endanger children's health.

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. 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.

According to Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's main consumer safety watchdog, no injuries or radiation exposure incidents have occurred thus far and "there is no danger to citizens' health."

A representative from a Russian nuclear agency echoed Rospotrebnadzor's statement, claiming: "The radiation source was safely contained, transported to a radioactive waste storage facility, with no environmental contamination or threat to the public."

Concerns raised over ecological effects of radioactive leaks

In any socioecological system, human intervention can profoundly impact numerous variables, components and processes. Radiation leakage and nuclear explosions can inflict severe harm on both natural and anthropogenic systems, exacerbating the inherent uncertainty and unpredictability within these systems.

The ecological ramifications of a nuclear explosion extend far beyond its immediate vicinity. These explosions can unleash massive radiation releases, carrying millions of curies of strontium, cesium, plutonium and carbon, causing enduring consequences that disrupt ecosystem structure and function, leading to local extinctions and posing grave threats to life on Earth.

The direct physical effects of a nuclear bomb detonation, including species mortalities, mutations and reproductive impairments reverberate across all life forms, profoundly altering ecological dynamics.

Abiotic elements and nutrient cycles suffer radiation contamination, triggering cascading impacts on terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Radioactive particles propelled by atmospheric dynamics and water currents can disseminate contamination over vast distances, persisting for centuries or even millennia.

While much attention rightly focuses on the tragic human toll and geopolitical ramifications of conflicts like the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the collateral damage to ecosystem services often goes overlooked.

Urgent recognition is needed regarding the immediate ecological effects of warfare, including air quality deterioration, biodiversity loss from deforestation and wildfires, habitat destruction and impacts on water resources, soils and landscapes.

The potential exacerbation of these impacts by an accidental or deliberate radiation release underscores the urgency of the situation. Beyond the immediate devastation wrought by nuclear blasts, the ensuing nuclear plumes can disrupt solar radiation, locally, regionally and possibly globally, altering climate dynamics.

Elevated UV radiation, diminished atmospheric oxygen and lowered temperatures can depress plant productivity, jeopardizing crop yields within affected areas.

Globally, food security may be compromised, compounded by contamination of food chains in affected regions, rendering agricultural products unfit for consumption. Massive biodiversity loss occurs in regions ravaged by nuclear explosions, with large fires exacerbating damage by spreading radioactive particles and depleting nutrients.

Nuclear blasts have the potential to annihilate forests, wetlands and biodiversity hotspots, disrupting critical ecosystem services like pollination through species extinctions.

Watch this episode of "Evolutionary Energy Arts" as hosts Michael and Cindy Lazaro discuss recent reports of radiation leaks not just in Russia but also in Norway.

This video is from the channel Evolutionary Energy Arts on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Report: 300M Americans could die from radiation should adversaries attack United States missile silos.

Zelensky accuses Russia of planning nuclear terrorist act that involves leaking radiation from Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

U.S. and Israel may be secretly using neutron bombs to achieve genetic destruction of Palestinians, radiation expert warns.

Sources include:

The-Sun.com

FrontiersIn.org

Brighteon.com
Ukrainian men paying DISABLED WOMEN for marriage to escape the draft

As the Ukrainian government is desperately pulling out all the stops to address its shortage of manpower, Ukrainian men have resorted to paying disabled women for marriage to escape Kyiv's mandatory conscription.

Ukrainian outlet NGL Media disclosed details of this scheme in a March 15 report. According to the piece, fighting-age men can defer mandatory military service if they have a disabled dependent. They are also permitted to leave Ukraine's borders, which many do so for good as per the news outlet.

This scheme, which many draft dodgers are exploiting, is actually included in the country's martial law legislation. NGL Media nevertheless acknowledged that such fake marriages "are not treated as against the law" and that the scheme "is completely legal."

The anti-corruption outlet's investigation found scores of groups on Facebook and Telegram that facilitate this practice. There were able-bodied men looking for a disabled wife to marry and disabled women looking for a military-age husband. Also present in these groups were intermediaries who would "arrange" the fake marriages for a price.

"In my experience, out of 100 cases of servicemen who apply for discharge for family reasons, 95 cases use that topic  i.e. if their wife, their parents or their wife's parents have a disability. To get an exemption, it is enough to have such a marriage," said Ukrainian lawyer Yevhen Filipets.

"It is almost impossible to prove the marriage is fake; it is possible only through a court decision. And one of the spouses has the right to go to court to recognize such a marriage as fake. Will [they] apply in these circumstances? I don't think so. Ukrainian people are very resourceful."

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. 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.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy, there are more than three million people with disabilities in Ukraine. Women are not singled out as a separate category, and as such, they are included in this total.

Draft dodging via this loophole could increase as Kyiv expands conscription

NGL Media's March 15 report about fake marriages and the disability loophole come at the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signing a new law expanding conscription. Under the new law, the age of mobilization is now lowered by two years from 27 to 25. This move, according to Modernity News, seeks to make up for troop shortfalls.

"More young men will be removed from the struggling Ukrainian economy and sent off to the meat grinder in anticipation of another Russia summer offensive," Modernity News continued. "Well over 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed already, forcing Ukraine to call up older personnel. The average age of a Ukrainian soldier is now over 40 years of age, the same as Russia, underscoring how the whole conflict has been a devastating bloodbath for both sides." (Related: The average age of a Ukrainian soldier has increased to 43.)

In March, Polish Gen. Rajmund Andrzejczak remarked that Ukraine is losing the war. He also lamented that Kyiv "has no resources" and "no one to fight" for it, further highlighting Ukraine's precarious situation.

"More than 10 million people are missing," said Andrzejczak, former chief of the general staff of the Polish Armed Forces. "According to my estimates, losses should be in the millions, not hundreds of thousands. Ukrainians are losing this war."

Edward Luttwak, a consultant for the U.S. Department of State, also remarked that Ukraine is in a bad place. He pointed out that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries will have to send soldiers to Ukraine or "accept catastrophic defeat." According to Luttwak, the United Kingdom and France  both NATO member nations  are making preparations to do so.

Head over to UkraineWitness.com for more stories involving Ukraine.

Watch this video of Ukrainian recruitment officers in the central city of Poltava beating up a young man who is resisting the draft.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ukrainian commander reveals most of Kyiv's soldiers are "old men."

Young male Ukrainians hide in their homes after fears of forced conscription.

NATO tells Ukraine to bolster troop numbers through accelerated conscription.

Warmonger Lindsey Graham urges Ukraine to expand its CONSCRIPTION efforts.

Former high-ranking official says Ukraine has 500K CASUALTIES, urges Zelensky to be transparent about losses.

Sources include:

Modernity.news

NGL.media

Brighteon.com
UN peacemakers kill civilians while WHO staff rape children  and these corrupt globalist bodies want more control over our lives

The world's leading globalist body is led by a terrorist and filled with child predators and perverts who pose as "peacekeepers" and purveyors of "health."

That body is the United Nations (UN), and it also includes the infamous World Health Organization (WHO), which as we know played a leading role in the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic" false flag that appears to have forever changed the world for the very worst.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is reportedly a terrorist who keeps on staff pedophiles and rapists, allowing them free rein over the world's poorest and most vulnerable people to do with them as they wish.

According to reports, Ghebreyesus even goes so far as to fly these pervert staff members into small towns in the developing world, providing them with fancy rental cars and hotel rooms once they hit the ground, along with loads of cash, so they can have their way with whomever they encounter to their liking among the impoverished.

Australian Sen. Malcolm Roberts revealed this and more on the floor of his country's parliament, explaining that the WHO "is rotting from the head," describing it as one of the most corrupt institutions on earth.

"Former terrorist Tedros Ghebreyesus will not fire 83 WHO staff engaged in abuse including rape and forced abortions, with one victim 13, claiming rape and forced abortion do not violate WHO's policies because the victims were not receiving WHO aid," said Roberts during his speech, the entirety of which you can watch below:

(Related: Seems like peace is off the table after NATO green-lighted putting nuclear weapons on fighter jets in its war on Russia.)

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

UNRWA interfering with separating civilians from Hamas terrorists in Gaza

The situation is much the same at the UN where rape scandals are the norm, and where child predators are placed into key positions of power over populations that are not even from their own country, which increases the chances of abuse by many-fold.

"Additional UN sex trafficking scandals have been reported in Bosnia and Kosovo, as well as a notoriously ignominious child sex ring organised in Haiti by more than 100 UN personnel who had been insufficiently screened," explains Liberty Nation national correspondent John Klar.

"In all of these experiences, insufficiently researched UN (or its numerous bureaucratic subsidiaries) staff become predators against those they were entrusted to aid, then returned home with impunity."

Another problem at the UN is murder. Yes, these supposed "peacekeepers" who like to tell other countries what to do and how to handle their wars are "indiscriminately shelling," to quote one source, "civilian populated areas and markets" in Mogadishu.

"In the last three months alone," the same source continues, "United Nations forces in Mogadishu have killed more than 160 civilians and have injured more than 400."

Another area where UN brutality is rampant is in Katanga, a province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The UN, acting as the proxy arm of the Soviet Union, bombed the province's capital city of Elisabethville, overthrowing its pro-West leader, Moise Tshombe.

The below video tells the untold story of the UN's bombing of innocent civilians in the Congo as part of a campaign to oust Tshombe, a popular anti-communist leader in the area.

Then there is UNRWA, which right now is claiming to support Palestinian civilians in Gaza. It turns out that UNRWA is also loaded with terrorists who are interfering with efforts to sort out Hamas terrorists from regular civilians, putting civilians at risk of injury or death.

"The UN is projecting onto Israel increased tensions and distrust seeded by its recurrent incompetence in preventing Hamas from permeating the organization," reports explain. "The space for trust of medical personnel and UN and WHO employees shrinks when doctors traffic women on the front lines of wars against disease."

For all their talk about peace and health, the UN and the WHO are purveyors of death and destruction. Learn more at Evil.news.

Sources for this article include:

Expose-News.com

NaturalNews.com
Trial opens in Thailand for Spanish tourist over the killing of Colombian surgeon

A Thai police officer escorts Spanish Daniel Sancho Bronchalo on suspicion of murdering and dismembering a Colombian surgeon from Koh Phagnan island to Koh Samui Island court, southern Thailand, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. Photo by AP

Thailands court began a trial Tuesday of the son of Spanish actors accused of killing and dismembering a Colombian surgeon on a popular tourist island.

Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, who arrived in Thailand on July 31 as a tourist, was indicted by prosecutors in October over the death of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, whose remains were found stuffed in plastic bags at a landfill on Koh Pha Ngan, an island famous for its rave-style "full moon parties."

Lawyer Juan Gonzalo Ospina Serrano, who represents Arrietas family, told reporters at the Koh Samui Provincial Court before the trial that the family trusts Thai prosecutors to deliver justice.

"They are grateful and hope that Thai law is forceful and that the truth can be told," he said.

The charges against Sancho include premeditated murder, concealment of a body and destruction of other peoples documents, which is related to the alleged damaging of the Arrietas passport.

Sancho pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder and destruction of documents but pleaded guilty to hiding the victims body.

The charge of premeditated murder carries a possible death penalty.

The maximum sentence for damaging others documents carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a 100,000 baht (US$2,750) fine. The concealment or damaging of a body carries a year in prison and a 20,000 baht ($550) fine.

The trial is opening with statements from witnesses brought in by the plaintiff, said Apichart Srinual, a Thai lawyer who represents Sancho.

When asked whether he is confident about his defense case, Aprichart said "it depends on the evidence," adding that "there are a lot of witnesses.

It depends on what they will say."Sancho was driven to the court in a closed car and was not visible to reporters waiting outside.

Sanchos father, Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, also came to the court but declined to comment.

Sancho, a chef, was arrested in August after the remains of Arrieta, 44, were discovered at the landfill.Police said Sancho came in to report a missing person and was subsequently detained.

He later reportedly confessed to killing and dismembering Arrieta and dumping the body parts in the landfill and the sea, though he denied that his action was premeditated, according to police.
UN Human Rights Council passes resolution calling for suspension of arms sales to Israel

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has made a historic call for the world to suspend all arms sales to Israel . This marks the latest resolution made in connection to the conflict in Gaza since it began on Oct. 7.

The resolution, passed on Friday, April 5, saw 28 of the council's 47 member states voting in favor, six voting against and 13 abstaining.

The non-binding resolution urged nations to halt all sales, transfers and diversions of arms and other military equipment to Israel to prevent any further human rights abuses and breaches of international humanitarian law.

Furthermore, it called on UN war crimes investigators to scrutinize all direct and indirect transfers or sales of arms, munitions and related items to Israel and to assess the legal consequences of such actions.

The resolution also referenced a January ruling by the International Court of Justice, which identified a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, emphasizing the need for accountability for potential war crimes committed in the region.

Before the vote passed, Palestinian Permanent Observer to the United Nations Ibrahim Mohammad Khraishi made an appeal to the international community. "We need you all to wake up and stop this genocide, a genocide televised around the world," he said. (Related: United Nations accuses Israel of BLOCKING humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza Strip.)

The resolution was opposed by the United States, Germany, Argentina, Bulgaria, Malawi and Paraguay.

U.S. Ambassador to the UNHRC Michele Taylor expressed concern over civilian casualties in the conflict, emphasizing Israel's failure to sufficiently mitigate harm to civilians. However, she added that there were supposedly problematic elements in the resolution, such as a failure to condemn Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 that caused the current conflict.

Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. 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.

While the resolution did not explicitly name Hamas, it did condemn rocket attacks on Israeli civilian areas and called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages.

Over 33,000 dead in Gaza, mostly women and children

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 33,091 people, predominantly women and children.

In addition to calling for the suspension of arms sales, the resolution urged states to prevent the forced transfer of Palestinians within and from Gaza and cautioned against an Israeli ground operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where over one million Palestinians are seeking shelter.

It also condemned the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in Gaza and stressed the importance of holding all violators of international law accountable.

Negotiators are preparing to resume ceasefire talks, following an Egyptian-mediated effort. The talks will involve a Hamas delegation and U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director Bill Burns, sent by President Joe Biden as the American representative to the negotiations. Hamas has insisted on a phased end to the war, linked to the release of prisoners and the return of displaced people to Gaza, among other demands.

Israel has offered to allow a limited number of displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza daily during a proposed cease-fire.

International condemnation of Israeli airstrikes, including one that killed seven humanitarian workers, has escalated tensions. Aid groups have raised concerns about civilian casualties and the impact on humanitarian efforts. Biden has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that U.S. support for the war hinges on measures to protect civilians and aid workers.

The conflict has led to delays in humanitarian aid deliveries, exacerbating an already dire situation in Gaza. Millions of people are at risk of famine, with families resorting to desperate measures to survive. Israel has pledged to increase aid and open more border crossings, but access remains limited.

Watch this report from Press TV discussing the extent of the destruction and human casualties in Gaza.

This video from is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Genocide case against Israel gets underway at International Court of Justice

GENOCIDE JOE: White House supported Israel despite knowing they were indiscriminately bombing civilians in Gaza

Biden regime providing nearly all the weapons used by Israel to commit genocide

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

CBSNews.com

Brighteon.com
Vibe shift

When you can assume that your audience holds the same beliefs you do, you can relax a little and use more normal means of talking to it; when you have to assume that it does not, then you have to make your vision apparent by shockto the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost-blind you draw large and startling figures. - Flannery OConnor, Mystery and Manners

A few years ago, a software engineer at Google named James Damore published an internal memoin response to a mandatory diversity training program he attendedtitled Googles Ideological Echo Chamber.

(Article by Santiago Pliego republished from Pliego.Substack.com)

Damore, by all conceivable metrics the kind of competent, curious engineer that tech companies pay mountains of money to retain, made the unforgivable mistake of essentially asking: Hey, what if Realityand not targeted misogynyaccounts for the fact that more men than women work in tech? Also, why does it feel like I could get fired for asking this?

He was, of course, fired less than three months later for [advancing] incorrect assumptions about gender and for raising a perspective that is not a viewpoint that I or this company endorses, promotes, or encourages, said Danielle Browne, Googles VP of Diversity, Integrity, and Governance.

What struck me the most in revisiting his story is that this happened at the end of 2017. In my mind, this was something that happened circa 2012at least or nearly a decade ago, with enough time for the Overton Window to collapse to the point where this kind of discussion is now ubiquitous on X and in other places.

Had he waited for the Vibe Shift, Damore could have posted the above tl;dr to a receptive audience of tens of millions:

Its hard to say exactly how long its taken for the eponymous vibe to shift, but everyone knows its happening. For at least the last six months, not a day has gone by when I havent seen something, heard a statement, read a post, or had a conversation with someone that doesnt leave me completely shockedin a good way.

This would not have happened a year ago. Vibe shift.

The Vibe Shift Im talking about is the speaking of previously unspeakable truths, the noticing of previously suppressed facts. Im talking about the give you feel when the walls of Propaganda and Bureaucracy start to move as you push; the very visible dust kicked up in the air as Experts and Fact Checkers scramble to hold on to decaying institutions; the cautious but electric rush of energy when dictatorial edifices designed to stifle innovation, enterprise, and thought are exposed or toppled.

Fundamentally, the Vibe Shift is a return toa championing ofReality, a rejection of the bureaucratic, the cowardly, the guilt-driven; a return to greatness, courage, and joyous ambition.

It is best exemplified by this meme I made in my viral response against Paul Grahams explanation for why young men are overwhelmingly more conservative and young women overwhelmingly more liberal. When he argued that this trend has a boringly obvious explanation (basically boys and girls dont spend as much time together anymore), I took a different approach:

As a society, is much easier to be detached from reality if youre sloshing around the SaaS casino of the 2010s, where things are easy and you can generate life-changing money by shipping the 10th notetaking app of the year or posting on Instagram. Its much safer to keep your mouth shut about The Current Thingno matter how insaneif the alternative is to have your life destroyed.

But we do not live in either easy or safe times, and as the cultural, technical, and political stakes get higher, a stoical just keep your mouth shut attitudesurprise!just doesnt cut it.

As Isaiah Berlin writes,

This [a cowardly retreat towards the inward] is certainly what happened in Ancient Greece when Alexander the Great began to destroy the city-States, and the Stoics and the Epicureans began to preach a new morality of personal salvation, which took the form of saying that politics was unimportant, civil life was unimportant, all the great ideals held up by Pericles and by Demosthenes, by Plato and Aristotle, were trivial and as nothing before the imperative need for personal individual salvation.

Most folks in the tech and venture orbits are probably aware of the most salient example of the vibe shift in startups: the happenings in The Gundo. The tl;dr on the Gundo is a bunch of bright, young, ultra-ambitious dudes in El Segundo, CA have forsaken the dont rock the boat by saying what you believe and focus on hitting the SaaS jackpot ethos of 2010-2020s Silicon Valley and are instead unapologetically pro-America, pro-family values, openly religious, all of which they channel into challenging and important missions like manufacturing hydrocarbons out of thin air, making it rain where it doesn't, and more generally rebuilding America.

But part of what is causing the Vibe Shift is that it goes well beyond the Gundo: indeed, no matter what circles you run in, almost everyonefrom AI accelerationists to techbros to gun owners to Bitcoiners to Christians to normal families to children who like math to American citizensis undergoing a variation of the same kind of pressure to conform, stagnate, decelerate.

Not only does the Current Thing demand total and unquestioning loyalty from all of these groups, but not even a year and a half ago anyone willing to speak out could be barred from participating in the public square, forever.

And then, Elon freed the bird.

As Mike Solana recently wrote,

For over twenty years its been obvious the internet doomed the 20th Century media oligopoly. But it took decades for a majority of Americans to move online, and in 2016, at precisely the moment it seemed social media would replace the former order, an unofficial alliance of powers refortified an elitist hold on discourse. A year ago, Elon shattered that alliance. The thought criminals were freed, and the window of acceptable discourse broadened until it broke  a total Overton collapse. Now, for better and for worse, there is no more curation, there are no more fake trends, there are no more Washington Post-employed state sock puppets propped up artificially, and there is no more political censorship. Yes, whatever Elon finds personally annoying tends to vanish (R.I.P. Substack links), and hes still not been tested by a major election. But, for now at least, news trends are dominated by stories people actually care about (even when they suck). This has never happened before, and so the phenomenon necessarily poses opportunity that has never before existed. [emphasis mine].

It is hard to overstate how much Elons purchase of Twitter has accelerated (and perhaps directly caused) the Vibe Shift. The old ways of cutting and slicing the world have broken down, and now the most unexpected groups have found themselves as co-belligerents in an existential war to preserve our ability to speak, compute, build, worship, transact, and live in peace.

Read more at: Pliego.Substack.com
World War III is now inevitable  heres why it cant be avoided

If youre getting the feeling like the globalists are really pushing hard for WWIII these days, youre not alone. In the past few months there has been multiple instances of European and US officials hinting at the possibility of a new military draft, the EU has talked openly about boots on the ground in Ukraine, NATO officials have stated unequivocally that they WILL NOT accept a loss in Ukraine to the Russians and the Kremlin has warned once again that nuclear weapons are on the table if western troops enter the war. The US government has recently asserted that Ukraine will be joining NATO, a red line in the sand for Russia.

(Article by Brandon Smith republished from Alt-Market.us)

Then theres Israel and Gaza. I warned months ago in my article Its A Trap! The Wave Of Repercussions As The Middle East Fights The Last War that the war in Gaza would expand into a multi-front conflict that would probably include Iran. I also warned that it would be to Israels benefit if Iran entered the war because this would force the US to become directly involved. To be sure, Iran has already been engaging in proxy attacks on Israel through Lebanon, but Israels attack on the Iranian embassy or diplomatic station in Syria basically ensures that Iran will now directly commit to strikes on Israeli targets.

In other words, much like WWI, the situation is being escalated by the political elites despite the fact that the general public in the west is increasingly opposed to participating in the conflict. The globalists want to send us to war whether we like it or not. Every decision they have made so far makes peaceful resolution impossible.

One saving grace that is perhaps new in the entire history of geopolitics is that the public is far more awake and aware of the fact that its not necessarily their duty to blindly go fight when their government calls on them to do so. Social media has also given a platform for people to widely voice their concerns about war, whereas in the past objectors felt isolated.

Obviously, some of this is based purely on fear  A large percentage of Gen Z is unequipped mentally or physically to go to war, which is why more than 70% of potential military recruits today are rejected before they even get to boot camp. These are many of the same young people who post Ukrainian flags to their social media profiles and jump headfirst into anti-Russian rhetoric, but now that they are faced with the possibility of having to sacrifice themselves for Ukraine they are angry and terrified.

However, there is also a large contingent of capable (and mostly conservative) men with the background and the aptitude for combat that still want nothing to do with Ukraine. The reason is simple: They believe that far-left western governments and globalists want to use them as cannon fodder to get rid of them. Once they are used up in war, there will be no one left to appose the leftist takeover at home.

For most of us in America, Ukraine is irrelevant and we grow tired of wars in the Middle East. Whether left or right, we have no interest in fighting for them. But thats not going to matter much, at least in terms of preventing a global war.

European Fear Mongering

War with Russia will depend more on European involvement than US involvement. While the US has been the largest provider of armaments to Ukraine by far, the ultimate goal I believe is to integrate European troops into the Ukrainian front, which would be an automatic declaration of global war.

The basis for mobilization of troops from Europe is domino theory propaganda. Weve heard some of it here in America but nowhere near the same level as the EU populace. Governments assert that Russias goal is to clear Ukraine as a pathway to invade the rest of Europe. This is the same claim used as justification for the US war in Vietnam: If we let one country fall to the enemy, all the surrounding countries will fall also.

Both Ukrainian and NATO leadership suggests that war must continue in Ukraine in order to contain it. There has been no serious discussion of diplomacy, which is utterly bizarre considering the stakes involved. A peace proposal should have been broached the moment the war kicked off and there should have been ongoing efforts to come to an agreement. Instead, even limited peace talks have been thwarted before they truly begin.

A military draft in Europe is far more likely to succeed, given the socialist nature of the population and the fact that only a tiny percentage of civilians are armed to defend themselves. Even with a public protest movement I have little doubt EU governments will be able to secure a large enough force to send into Ukraine and escalate the war.

According to the evidence, its clear that some NATO troops have already been deployed to Ukraine and have been there for some time. As Ive noted in past articles, the strategies used during the first Ukrainian counter-attack were far too advanced for Ukrainian troops and leadership to pull off without help. Anti-armor tactics in particular were very familiar; similar in execution to tactics used by US and British special forces. Not surprisingly, as soon as foreign mercenary recruit rates dropped off, Ukraines momentum fizzled.

The Russians are likely well aware of this situation, but as long as smaller groups of soldiers can be sent under the guise of mercenary forces, theres not much they can do about it. Its the open deployment of NATO battalions that is cause for greater worry.

There is zero basis for the domino narrative. Not once has Russia indicated since the start of the conflict that they intend to invade the EU. In fact, Putin has long stated that the war in Ukraine is about protecting the separatists of the Donbas region from Ukrainian reprisal, and about the continued escalation of NATO armament.

My suspicions about Putins connections to the globalists aside, if we look at the war from a basic cost/benefit analysis there is really nothing for Russia to gain by threatening Europe.

Then theres the problem of logistics. If Russia is supposedly struggling in Ukraine, how could they have the means to fight on an expanded front against the combined military might of Europe and the US? The only end result would be nuclear war, which both sides would lose. But if you look at the situation objectively, there is a group of people out there that have a lot to gain

Read more at: Alt-Market.us
DEEP STATE AGENT: Former AG Bill Barr became irate when authorities wanted to investigate voter fraud allegations surrounding rigged 2020 election

Many people have long believed that Former Attorney General Bill Barr was working to take down President Donald Trump from the inside, and now it has emerged that he was irate when it appeared that election fraud allegations would be investigated.

Trump spokeswoman Liz Harrington recently posted on X: In December 2020 an irate Bill Barr told investigators looking into Jesse Morgans claim of hundreds of thousands of completed mail-in ballots hauled across state lines to STAND DOWN I told you you need to stand down on this. [He was] agitated, to say the least.

Harrington added: While Bill Barr was publicly claiming there was no fraud in 2020, he PRIVATELY ordered those with credible fraud evidence to stand down. Barr gave the same stand down order to U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain in PA, telling him to hand over all investigations to the Democrat AG.

McSwain admitted this in a letter he sent to Trump in June 2021. He began by explaining how he prosecuted an election fraud case involving a Philadelphia elections judge who stuffed the ballot box and how he charged a political consultant who paid the judge bribes to stuff the box. He then told Trump that he was right to be upset about how the elections were run in Pennsylvania in 2020, calling it a partisan disgrace.

He said that State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is tasked with enforcing state election laws, actually said Trump could not win the presidency a few days before Election Day.

McSwain said that when the time came for him to investigate the numerous allegations of election irregularities and voter fraud he received, he planned to be transparent with the public. However, AG Barr told him not to make any public statements about election irregularities. Instead, he was instructed to forward any serious allegations to Shapiro for investigation, something that he disagreed with given Shapiros previous statement that Trump could not win the presidency.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

Barr then went on to say in an AP interview in December 2020 that he did not find any significant evidence that there was widespread voter fraud.

Barr failed to take action when Joe Biden lied about Hunter's laptop

While this is proof enough that Barr was not interested in upholding democracy or respecting the will of the people if it meant four more years of Trump, the way he handled the Hunter Biden laptop story makes his feelings about Trump even clearer. Barr knew that Joe Biden lied about his son Hunters laptop in the election debates against Trump. However, he did nothing about it, despite being aware that election interference was taking place.

In fact, his statement saying Joe was not under investigation is what the mainstream media and Big Tech used as their justification for suppressing this potentially game-changing development and ensuring the public did not read about it before election day.

Barr is still badmouthing Trump to the media

In an interview with Fox News in December, Barr said that whomever holds his role in a potential second Trump administration will need to oppose his abuse of government power.

He noted: Trump has made it plain that hes going to respond to what he considers the left wing's no holds barred approach by fighting fire with fire.

Everyone  whether they support Trump or not  should be outraged that someone in such a high position of power who had the authority to do something about serious election interference instead chose to turn a blind eye to it and actually got visibly agitated when others in power urged him to investigate.

Sources for this article include:

Revolver.news

TheHill.com
Canadian legislators receive SALARY INCREASES on the same day Trudeau announces 23% carbon tax hike

Canadian Members of Parliament (MPs), including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, received salary increases of between CA$8,500 to CA$17,000 ($6,262 to $12,523) on the same day the prime minister announced a 23 percent carbon tax hike.

The base salary for MPs was originally CA$194,600 annually ($143,353). However, shortly after the announcement of the carbon tax hike on April 1, salary adjustments propelled the base salary for MPs from CA$194,600 to CA$203,100 ($149,615).

Members of the cabinet now earn CA$299,900 ($220,923) and the prime minister's annual income surges by CA$17,000 to CA$406,200 ($299,229). (Related: Canadas Trudeau paid WEF nearly CA$500K for a report praising his climate change policies.)

Franco Terrazzano, the director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, denounced the move as unjust and detrimental to Canadian households already grappling with economic challenges.

"Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making life more expensive today with his tax hikes," he said. "The feds should be providing relief, not hiking taxes that make Canadians' lives more expensive. MPs are taking more money out of Canadians' pockets and stuffing more money into their own and that's wrong," he continued. "MPs should be providing tax relief, not hiking taxes and their own pay."

Trudeau's carbon tax, disguised as a way to reduce carbon emissions,?has cost?Canadian households hundreds of dollars more in their annual spending, despite rebates.

The Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that the carbon tax will cost the average Canadian family up to CA$911 ($671) more this year than they receive back in rebates.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

These costs are expected to increase further after another report revealed that the net-zero goals of the Trudeau government require more than CA$350 ($258) per tonne by 2050.

All this despite pleas from seven out of 10 provincial premiers and 70 percent of Canadians urging Trudeau to reconsider his plan.

Thousands of Canadians gather nationwide to protest against Trudeau's carbon tax hike

In response to the carbon tax hike, thousands of citizens, organized by the "Nationwide Protest Against Carbon Tax," mobilized a Freedom Convoy-styled protest nationwide to voice their opposition on April 1.

"This is a peaceful event aimed at uniting Canadians for a common cause, and we will be holding the line indefinitely until our mission objective is achieved. Join us in this steadfast commitment to ensure our voices are heard and our goals are realized. Together, we stand for change," the group wrote on their official website.

For instance, at the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border, hundreds of cars and trucks lined up along the highway. The influx of demonstrators prompted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to close the road and reroute traffic onto an alternative highway.

A similar incident happened in Calgary, where RCMP redirected traffic from the Trans-Canada highway after about 400 protesters used traffic pylons to block one way of traffic heading west towards Banff.

Meanwhile, approximately 500 protesters demonstrated with amenities such as a pancake breakfast, coffee and a warming shack along the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. Additionally, protesters gathered on Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa, where they fervently chanted "Freedom" while proudly waving Canadian flags.

The length of the protest remains uncertain, but the protesters swore to "continue the peaceful event until goals are achieved, regardless of duration."

Find more stories about green tyranny and the climate hoax at ClimateAlarmism.news.

Watch this clip of Nobel Laureate John Clauser discussing why the climate is not in a crisis.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden administration launches $1.2 billion initiative to "CAPTURE" CARBON DIOXIDE from the sky, depriving food crops of the molecule needed for photosynthesis.

Bank of Canada admits Trudeau's climate change policies are fueling inflation.

Bad prediction: Greta Thunberg deletes 2018 tweet about the world ending in 2023 due to climate change.

Tractor-driving protesters descend on German town to oppose limits on FARM ANIMALS.

Carbon dioxide isnt a pollutant; its the building block of ALL LIFE on Earth.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com 1

LifeSiteNews.com 2
National security threat: China building a bridge in Central America to fuel U.S. MIGRANT CRISIS

China is building a bridge in the Central American nation of Panama , part of its plans to fuel the ongoing migrant crisis and undermine America's national security.

According to reports, the structure is being built in the town of Yaviza in Panama, which sits on the Chucunaque River. The said bridge is apparently big enough for a column of tanks to cross. But most concerning is that migrants, not tanks, will be the ones to utilize the bridge the most.

The Chucunaque River serves as the separation point between Central and South America, and is one of the most southerly points reachable by road from North America as part of the Pan-American Highway. But the construction of the bridge will reportedly make the most dangerous migrant crossing points in the world a much easier trek for migrants. Moreover, its construction will also extend the Pan-American Highway further south.

Migrants from South America often cross the Darien Gap  a dense, lawless jungle between Panama and Colombia  on foot. But their journey is often marked by perilous river crossings and wild animals. Worse, violent criminals that extort, kidnap and abuse migrants add to the danger. (Related: Cross at your own risk: Increase in Darien Gap crossings leads to sharp rise in CRIMES against migrants.)

A divided America is of great benefit to Beijing

Ultimately, news of the bridge's construction has raised a puzzling question: Who is funding the construction of the bridge, and what do they stand to gain?

Michael Yon, an investigative journalist known for his on-the-ground coverage of the migrant crisis, has one answer  China. The issue of migration has long been a divisive topic in the country, and a divided America is of great benefit to Beijing, which long deems Washington as its main economic rival. Thus, it is easy to see why China could have an interest in aiding the passage of migrants from South America to the U.S.-Mexico border.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

The majority of migrants making the treacherous journey north tend to be from poorer countries such as Haiti and Venezuela. However, the number of Chinese migrants has soared in recent years. Between January and September 2023, U.S. border officials detained more than 22,000 Chinese nationals attempting to enter from Mexico.

"Nobody says who's putting the money in it. This indicates to me it's China, because China has a way of doing this," Yon told American screenwriter and television producer Shawn Ryan during a podcast hosted by the latter. "I keep asking government people who is actually paying for this, and nobody seems to know."

Chuck Holton of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) visited the construction site, and was told that the initial plan for the bridge was to connect villages in the region. But according to him, "it looks like the builders may have other plans in the future" to continue the road. Holton remarked: "If that's the case, that could change everything from an economic standpoint, a political standpoint and from the standpoint of migration here in the Western Hemisphere."

According to figures released in February 2024, over seven million migrants have crossed America's southern border under the Biden administration. This total does not include an estimated 1.8 million known "gotaways" who managed to evade law enforcement.

Visit NationalSecurity.news for more stories.

Watch this clip about the Darien Gap, the starting point of migrants who head to the United States.

This video is from the Bitterroot Bugler channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

San Vicente migrant camp in Darien Gap set ON FIRE, partially burns down.

WEF takes over former U.S. military bases in Panama as migrants flood through Darien Gap on their way to America.

Panama intensifies efforts to prevent migrants from making their way to the U.S.

Panama BANS Doctors Without Borders after discovering corruption at NGO tents in migrant camps.

Michael Yon: Chinese Communist Party an ULTRA-RACIST cult seeking to RULE THE WORLD.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Brighteon.com
Extremist ministers in Netanyahus government demand OFFENSIVE on Rafah following IDFs temporary withdrawal from Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a mutiny within his own government as senior cabinet ministers demand a new offensive in Gaza following the Israeli Defense Forces' full withdrawal from the Strip.

On April 7, exactly six months after the Hamas attack in October, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced its full withdrawal from southern Gaza, leaving only one brigade in the Strip to maintain ongoing operations in the region. The IDF left Khan Yunis in southern Gaza days later.

"Today, Sunday, April 7th, the IDFs 98th commando division has concluded its mission in Khan Yunis. The division left the Gaza strip in order to recuperate and prepare for future operations," the IDF said in their official statement. "A significant force led by the 162nd division and the Nahal brigade continues to operate in the Gaza Strip, and will preserve the IDF's freedom of action and its ability to conduct precise intelligence-based operations." (Related: Netanyahu vows to demolish Hamas as Israel nears fateful hour, denies Gaza hospital attack.)

Meanwhile, Netanyahu reiterated at the beginning of a cabinet meeting on that same day that Israel would not agree to any ceasefire unless Hamas freed all remaining hostages.

"I have made it clear to the international community: There will be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages. It simply will not happen. This is the policy of the Government of Israel, and I welcome the fact that the [administration of President Joe Biden] made it clear on Friday [April 5] that this is still its position as well," Netanyahu said on April 7.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

Netanyahu assured his cabinet that the war would continue, but senior Israeli ministers still slammed the temporary withdrawal.

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, a noted extremist, urged Netanyahu to initiate a fresh ground assault on the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinians from all over the Strip are seeking refuge. If not, Ben-Gvir warned that Netanyahu's position as the prime minister could be compromised, strongly suggesting a desire to coup Netanyahu in favor of a more militant prime minister.

"If the prime minister decides to end the war without a large-scale offensive in Rafah to defeat Hamas, he will not have a mandate to continue serving as prime minister," Ben-Gvir posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Minister of Finance and adjunct Minister in the Ministry of Defense Bezalel Smotrich, another noted extremist, joined Ben-Gvir in the dissent. He contended that the withdrawal sabotages Israel's prospects for achieving victory in the conflict.

"The only forum authorized to make significant decisions is the full [State Security Cabinet], but unfortunately this is not how things are happening," said Smotrich. "We are seeing decisions being made in the smaller [War] Cabinet without approval  [and] under international pressure that is harming the wars momentum and our interests."

Netanyahu also faces mounting pressure from 100,000 Israelis demanding a hostage deal

Aside from the open rebellion within his cabinet, Netanyahu also faces mounting pressure from hundreds of thousands of Israeli protesters who are demanding that he agree to a deal for the immediate release of all remaining hostages.

The same day the IDF announced its withdrawal in Gaza and Netanyahu faced mutiny, Israelis flooded the streets in a massive rally against the prime minister, demanding immediate action to secure the release of 130 hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza. The rally took place at a Tel Aviv intersection renamed "Democracy Square" following mass protests against controversial judicial reforms in 2023.

Protesters wielded torches and waved Israeli flags and marched through the streets of Tel Aviv while holding slogans that read: "Leaving no one behind" and "Hostage deal now." The protesters also called for the resignation of Netanyahu and an end to the conflict in Gaza entered its seventh month, chanting slogans like "election now" and "Elad, we're sorry."

The latter is a reference to hostage Elad Katzir, whose body was recently recovered by the IDF. He was last seen alive in a hostage video released in January. His sister, Carmit, blamed Israeli authorities for her brother's death, saying he would have returned alive had they agreed to a ceasefire.

Similar demonstrations were also held in other cities across Israel, with opposition leader Yair Lapid joining a protest in Kfar Saba before departing for talks in Washington.

"They haven't learnt anything, they haven't changed. Until we send them home, they won't give this country a chance to move forward," Lapid said.

Visit IsraelCollapse.com for the latest news regarding Israeli politics.

Watch this report on how Israel has degenerated under Netanyahu.

This video is from the Truth John 14:6 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Netanyahu claims entire world is "antisemitic" in UNHINGED rant about Hamas attack.

Netanyahu looking for countries willing to absorb Palestinians displaced out of Gaza.

Netanyahu REBUFFED: War cabinet minister says absolute defeat of Hamas is NOT REALISTIC.

Netanyahu: Israel to take over "security" in Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war.

Netanyahu: 12 Hamas battalion commanders in Gaza have been neutralized as war rages on.

Sources include:

TheSun.co.uk 1

MSN.com

TheSun.co.uk 2

BBC.com

Brighteon.com
IDF commanders are telling soldiers in Gaza to KILL all men of fighting age, even if they are unarmed and not engaged in acts of war

Israel has been insisting that its actions in Gaza are meant to eliminate the threat of Hamas terrorists, but the civilian death toll in the Strip tells a far different story. It often seems that IDF soldiers are going there and killing nearly everyone they see  and an Israeli reporter recently told CNN that this is exactly what theyve been ordered to do.

Axios reporter Barak Ravid relayed to the news outlet how an IDF reserve officer informed him that commanders on the ground in the enclave have been ordering soldiers to just shoot every man in fighting age. In other words, their assignment is to kill all Palestinian men and not just terrorists.

He said the reserve officer was part of the same unit that shot and killed Israeli hostages who had escaped their captors despite the fact that they were holding a white flag at the time.

Ravid, who has close connections in the Israeli government, clarified that these orders arent coming from the top, however. Those are the orders, but thats not the rules of engagement that is coming from the IDF leadership.

But on the ground, thats what theyre being told? host Anderson Cooper asked.

Exactly, Ravid replied, adding that the commanders on the ground are interpreting orders from IDF headquarters in different ways.

Cooper told him that this sounds like a recipe for disaster, and Ravid agreed, saying that this is why the IDF has lost its long-held reputation for being a professional military.

And what weve seen, in this strike, but in many other strikes that we didnt talk about, is that this thing during this war, this profession- professionalism has gone away, he said.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

He also told Cooper that the horrific targeted killing of World Central Kitchen volunteers by an Israeli drone was not surprising, returning to the example of the Israeli hostages who were escaping and holding a white flag but were killed by Israeli soldiers. If the order on the ground is to kill all men of fighting age, its only logical that these aid workers, along with so many other innocent people, would be targeted.

Ravid did not clarify what these commanders mean when they say to kill all men of fighting age, but its safe to assume they are applying a very broad definition of fighting age considering how many people of all ages are being killed in the Gaza Strip.

Top rabbi says everyone in Gaza should be killed

This appalling kill everyone sentiment was recently espoused by Israels top rabbi in Jaffa, Eliyahu Mali, who is the head of the Shirat Moshe religious school and has students who will be serving in the military soon. His comments came during a conference about dealing with civilians in Gaza during the war.

He characterized it as a religious war and said: The basic law in a religious war, and in this case in Gaza, is that you shall not leave alive anything that breathes (Deuteronomy), and if you do not kill them, they will kill you. Todays saboteurs are the children in the previous military operation whom you kept alive and the women are the ones who produce the saboteurs.

When asked if he is calling for children to be killed, he reiterated: Its the same thing. You cant embellish with the Torah. Today, hes a child, tomorrow hes a fighter. There are no questions here. Todays terrorists were 8-year-old children in the previous military operation. So, you cannot stop there. Therefore, the ruling concerning Gaza is different.

According to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed by the IDF in Gaza since the war began in October  and it is likely these figures will climb much, much higher if Israeli soldiers are killing everyone of fighting age.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

MiddleEastMonitor.com
Israel threatens to drop NUKES if U.S. stops sending free weapons to the murderous Zionist regime

In yet another temper tantrum, the welfare state of Israel is threatening to start nuking its targets if the United States stops supplying the Zionist regime with weapons.

Israeli MK Nissim Vaturi, a representative in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling Likud party, issued the threat in an unsubtle way, invoking the perceived threat of Iran retaliating against Israel for bombing its embassy in Syria.

"In the event of a conflict with Iran, if we do not receive American ammunition ... we will have to use everything we have," Vaturi stated.

In other words, unless the U.S. continues to supply free weapons and ammunition to Israel in order to "bless" the Zionist regime  and thus not be "cursed," according to a bastardized misinterpretation of Genesis 12:2  then Israel will have no choice but to start dropping nuclear weapons on its enemies.

(Related: Israel seems eager to unleash its infamous "Samson Option" of nuclear obliteration on the people of Gaza.)

What Israel wants, Israel gets

In years past, this kind of dangerous rhetoric would have been accepted without a second thought. After all, Israel always gets what Israel wants thanks to the I will bless those who bless you trump card  but will it fly this time?

The Biden regime is talking a big game by pretending to reprimand Israel for war crimes, all while continuing to shovel U.S. taxpayer dollars, weapons and ammo into the Zionist arsenal. It would seem, though, that Israel is getting nervous that U.S. support for its war crimes is waning, otherwise Vaturi would not have issued such a threat.

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. Use our decentralized, blockchain-based, uncensorable free speech platform at Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. 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.

Known as the Samson Option, Israel's nuclear last resort, of sorts, is another trump card that gets played by the Zionist state whenever its extortion agenda runs into any kind of roadblock. It is always something along the lines of give us what we're demanding, or else.

Jewish media pundit Mark Levin explained on Fox News that Vaturi's threat indeed points to the use of the Samson Option, which would strike not just Iran but the entire world with nuclear weapons.

In short, the Samson Option is Israel's last-resort panic button to set off a global nuclear holocaust in the be all, end all of temper tantrums over not getting what it wants.

Jewish pundit Mark Levin threatens Samson Option if America doesnt supply Israel with weapons. Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/OIjdPyZOlD  AF Post (@AFpost) October 16, 2023

"They can't win a conventional war," Levin admits about Israel's military might. "What are they going to do?"

"I think I know what they'd do. I know what we would do. We would destroy the enemy because otherwise we're exterminated. That's all I have to say!"

Fellow Jewish media pundit Ben Shapiro agrees. He stated last fall that Israel will, in fact, unleash the Samson Option if America at any point refuses to continue sending free weapons and ammo to Israel.

Zionist pundit Ben Shapiro says Israel will initiate Samson Option if America doesnt arm Israel and force Egypt and Jordan to open their borders to Palestinian refugees. Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/3nAy01AOzE  AF Post (@AFpost) October 17, 2023

It turns out that the U.S. breaks international law every time it supplies Israel with any kind of aid, not to mention that all such aid rapes U.S. taxpayers of their hard-earned dollars.

"Supplying Israel with aid is illegal under U.S. law due to a 1977 amendment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but the U.S. simply acts as though Israel does not have nuclear weapons to keep the aid flowing unimpeded," explains Chris Menahan from Information Liberation.

The latest news about the Israeli genocide in Gaza can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

NaturalNews.com
Soros-backed New York AG Letitia James used lawfare to shut down VDARE conservative magazine

You have probably heard her name in relation to the witch hunt against former President Donald Trump, but did you know that New York Attorney General Letitia James is also waging war on conservative media

The George Soros-backed leftist has basically already shut down a conservative magazine called VDARE that is outspoken against the Biden regime's handling of the border crisis. VDARE also publishes content about the controversial "Great Replacement Theory."

VDARE editor and founder Peter Brimelow wrote a lengthy piece about what his magazine is facing at the hands of James.

According to Brimelow, on March 27, 2024, New York State Supreme Court Judge Sabrina Kraus held Brimelow and his magazine in contempt of court because they had not yet complied with a Jan. 23, 2023 order that they meet what Brimelow describes as "NYAG James' massive and crippling subpoena demands."

Brimelow had not yet complied precisely because he is fighting the order, which Judge Kraus did acknowledge, allowing him to keep private the names of some magazine writers "whom would certainly be fired from their jobs if their identities leaked."

"But we are still required to review 40 gigabytes of emails, an enormous amount," Brimelow writes. "And of course these could in fact reveal the names of those pseudonymous writers, as well as our donors, privileged communications with lawyers, etc."

Judge Kraus granted permission for these emails to be redacted, but the cost of doing so is expected to be a whopping $150,000.

"An observer tells us this order is more typical of major corporate litigation, not a tiny charity," Brimelow notes about how he and his magazine are being specifically targeted by James as part of her ongoing lawfare operation against conservatives.

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. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions.

(Related: Did you know that James is also waging war on beef?)

When America becomes the USSR

Reporting on the matter, Revolver noted that what James is doing to Brimelow and VDARE "is reminiscent of something you'd see in Soviet Russia or North Korea," not the so-called "land of the free."

Even after seemingly doing a little more of the right thing for Brimelow, Judge Kraus has reportedly modified her original Jan. 23, 2023 order by fining VDARE $250 per day for not complying with it.

"We have fought NYAG Letitia James, at a cost of up to $1 million, for nearly three years," Brimelow writes. "But now we are literally hanging on the cross."

"REMEMBER, VDARE.com HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED WITH ANYTHING  BECAUSE IT IS NOT GUILTY OF ANYTHING."

The only possible reason why James is doing all this is to persecute Brimelow and VDARE because she does not like their conservative leanings. Being a Trump hater and all, James is clearly on a witch hunt against her political opposition.

VDARE continues to struggle to stay afloat and Brimelow says it will continue on a reduced publishing schedule "as long as it can, at least until after our April 26-28 conference," but that this will be difficult.

"The suppression of VDARE.com's voice, at a time when the immigration debate is moving to a climax, is of course a political scandal," Brimelow writes about the saga.

"But, on a personal level, I might also observe that VDARE.com was an entirely viable 24/7 opinion convenience store. I had hoped to leave it to my young wife and our children after I am gone. Now it appears, thanks to Letitia James, that this will not be possible. They will need some other means of support."

Be sure to read Brimelow's full article at VDARE.com.

The latest news coverage about the lawfare taking place in New York can be found at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

Revolver.news

VDARE.com

NaturalNews.com
After a year in the business, Hoang Hong Anh still feels overwhelmed every time she stands in front of a new customers wardrobe, with towering stacks of clothes waiting to collapse.

Last week, Hong Anh and her team finished organizing the family closet of a female client in Hanoi's Ba Dinh District. The VND30 million (US$1,200) project required five employees working continuously over a span of four days.

The family of four possessed a huge amount of clothing. Anhs client alone had a total of 230 skirts, roughly 300 shirts, 150 pairs of trousers, over 100 cardigans and sweaters, not to mention countless other garments such as dresses, jackets, suits, and gym clothes.

"It's literally a mountain of clothes. Without expertise you wouldnt know where to start," said Hong Anh, the 36-year-old founder of a professional closet organizing company in Hanoi.

Before the makeover, part of a customer's wardrobe in Hanoi's Ba Dinh District awaits organizational transformation by Hong Anhs team. Photo by Tudo

"After a decade of working at a Japanese company, the kaizen (continuous improvement) mindset has become second nature to me," said Hong Anh. "And I often wanted to make myself more comfortable when opening my wardrobe."

After talking to friends, she realized many other people were also similarly frustrated with their cramped wardrobes. Thus, her idea of launching a closet organization service was born.

Last summer, Hong Anh decided to leave her professional position as head of sales at a company to pursue her vision.

She first enrolled in an online course for professional organizers at the International Association of Professions Career College (USA).

Professional organizers are people who make a living helping others organize their lives, including assistance with many small niches such as time management, closet organization, and performance enhancement.

The profession, born in the 1980s, has seen significant growth in recent years. According to Statista, in 2020 the professional organization market in the U.S. was valued at approximately $10.3 billion, a 4.7% annual increase for 2019.

In the U.S., a closet organizer can earn an annual salary of from $42,000 to $55,000, while the range is between 20,000 and 24,000 per year in the U.K.

Meanwhile, in Vietnam, the industry is still developing, and most of such businesses are based in Hanoi. Hourly fees for closet organization range from VND200,000-300,000.

Hong Anh organizes a client's closet in Hanoi's Nam Tu Liem District in November 2023. Photo by Tudo

Lan Anh, a 36-year-old mother of three living in Dong Da District, has only been doing this kind of work professionally for just over a month, but already feels she was born for the job.

"I came across the job posting earlier this year and applied right away," said the former homestay owner.

To become a closet organizer, one must be skillful and meticulous, as well as equipped with fashion knowledge and excellent communication skills, especially when dealing with high-profile clients.

With her life experience and innate aesthetic sense, Lan Anh quickly adapted to the role.

"After 20 days at work, I was already promoted to shift leader," she said proudly.

Lan Anh, with her natural flair for organization, drew inspiration from minimalism experts and explored various methods, including the KonMari Method developed by famous Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo.

She then developed her systematic approach:

Whereas she first prioritized compactness, Lan Anh now categorizes clothing by color and type and pays attention to small details that can enhance the overall aesthetics of the closet. Clothes are neatly folded for easy storage and identification, while identical hangers are used for hanging clothes.

"I also learned to arrange clothes using a grid layout. Rarely-used and off-season items find their place on the top rows, ensuring easy access to frequently-worn pieces. Tops and bottoms are arranged vertically, allowing our clients to quickly put together their daily outfits", shared the professional organizer.

This past weekend, her team organized the closet of a three-member family on Pham Van Dong Street, Cau Giay District.

Although the family did not have too much clothing, the items were all wrinkled and not properly separated, leaving everyone in the home frustrated about insufficient storage space.

However, after emptying the whole closet and sorting every garment, the team was able to free up space in three closet compartments. The clients family was pleasantly surprised and satisfied with the result, calling it a "revolution."

"The most rewarding part of this job is seeing a beautifully arranged closet and receiving positive feedback from our clients. Were helping people improve their quality of life," she said.

In certain situations, customers rediscover items that they thought were lost, make some extra money by selling old clothing, and even adjust their shopping habits.

Thanh Hue, a 43-year-old resident of Hai Ba Trung District, had her familys closet professionally organized in September 2023 for VND5 million. The closet space was thoroughly cleaned, with all the clothes neatly folded and categorized.

"It was a nightmare living in too much clothing. After using the service, my closet looked like that of a celebrity and remained tidy for at least 6 months", said Hue.

After organization by Hong Anh's team, a client's closet space in Hanoi's Long Bien District shines in February 2024. Photo by Tudo

However, since the profession is still new, it inevitably faces misunderstandings. According to Hong Anh, many customers mistake her business as a maid service.

"Our goal is to enhance our clients living space through logical organization, not just helping with housework," the business owner clarified.

In the early days of operation, Hong Anh had a 30-year-old female customer in Thanh Xuan District looking for a wardrobe makeover before buying more items. After giving birth and staying home for nearly a year, the customer, Hoa, had not purchased any new clothes.

Taking a quick glance at the wardrobe, Hong Anh could see the relationship between Hoa and her husband was out of balance. The husbands clothes occupied two thirds of the space and their sons clothing took up another significant portion, while her clothes were tucked away in a few small drawers.

"She then confided to me how her husband had been unhappy about how she was not dressing up when going out," said Hong Anh.

Hong Anh decided to speak with Hoas husband about re-organizing their shared wardrobe. Considering Hoas limited height and busy childcare responsibilities, her clothes were strategically placed in easily accessible locations.

Hong Anhs team of stylists provided personalized style consultations, ensuring that Hoa acquired suitable new items. To this day, Hoa continues to collaborate with Hong Anh to maintain her organized wardrobe. And she seeks consultation whenever she adds new clothing items.

"After three months, my client has become much more confident in her look and the way she dresses. The couples relationship has also improved significantly," said Hong Anh.

Although the case did not earn Hong Anh a lot of money, it helped her realize the impact of her work.

Hong Anh remarked: "To some extent, we dont just transform closets, but also the life of our customers."
Another container ship loses power in NYC harbor right before Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

Many people missed it because of the second Great American Eclipse, but another bridge almost collapsed this past weekend, this time in New York City.

A similar series of events to what happened with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland, a container ship reportedly "lost power" in Upper New York Bay just before the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge that connects the New York City boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn.

In this case, the container ship was stopped from crashing into the bridge after a New York City tugboat captain informed Captain John Konrad, CEO of gCaptain, that the 354-meter APL QINGDAO container ship "lost power while transiting New York harbor."

"They had three escort tugs but three more were needed to bring her under control," the tugboat captain told Konrad. "They regained power and were brought to anchor near the Verrazzano Bridge."

BREAKING: A NY tugboat captain has reported to @gCaptain container ship APL QINGDAO lost power while transiting New York harbor. They had 3 escort tugs but 3 more were needed to bring her under control. They regained power & were brought to anchor near the verrazano bridge pic.twitter.com/Z2IP04xmLs  John ? Konrad V (@johnkonrad) April 7, 2024

Registered in Malta, the container ship is owned and operated by a major French shipping company called CMA CGM Group.

NOTE: we are still waiting for confirmation on the incident  John ? Konrad V (@johnkonrad) April 7, 2024

Captain Konrad tweeted on X the day of the incident that he was "still waiting for confirmation on the incident.

(Related: According to Gen. Michael Flynn, the recent Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse was "a black swan event.")

What's up with all these bridge incidents lately?

Data collected from the vessel's AIS tracking system shows it abruptly dropped anchor late on Friday night just before the 13,700-foot suspension bridge. By the time Sunday arrived, the vessel's navigation status was shown as "anchored."

The incident occurred almost two weeks to the day after the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident, which has paralyzed the Port of Baltimore for an indefinite period of time.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Verrazzano Bridge "won't collapse" from the incident.

"While the Verrazzano shares some characteristics with the Key Bridge, there are also important differences," reads a WSJ opinion piece.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

"First, its massive vertical supports are positioned much closer to land than the Key Bridge's  1,000 feet away from the harbor's navigation channel  making them considerably less likely to be hit by an errant vessel. The towers also are surrounded by rock islands, which would force any ship heading toward the supports to run aground before striking the tower. Additional safety projects have further hardened protections, even adding an air gap sensor system that detects vertical clearances between the bridge and large vessels passing underneath."

Even so, there is now great worry among the experts that America's infrastructure is both dilapidated and frail, and that it is easily destroyed if just one thing goes wrong.

"We are at war," speculated one commenter as to what might really be going on. "People need to wake up. Cyber attack to take out USA supply chains and infrastructure."

"It's coming," responded another. "Any day now. You promise. So does the CIA."

"The coincidences are increasing in regularity," wrote another.

"They already used planes crashing into buildings so maybe having boats crashing into bridges is the new and fashionable form of terrorism," wrote another, making reference to the infamous 9/11 terrorist attacks from 2001.

What is happening to the global supply chain and logistics infrastructure? Do you think it is terrorism? Find out more at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com

WSJ.com
Texas gender clinic faces backlash for performing EXPERIMENTAL and DANGEROUS genital surgeries

A gender clinic in Austin, Texas has stirred controversy for allegedly performing hundreds of unconventional, experimental and dangerous genital surgeries

The Crane Center for Transgender Surgery, often dubbed the "Frankenstein's Lab," is headed by Director Curtis Crane, referred to by many as a "crazy butcher." Crane's clinic is one of the few in the area proficient enough to provide plastic surgery and urology services, with a specialization in transgender surgery and reconstructive urology.

According to the official website of the clinic, the Crane Center has been offering a range of procedures for patients identifying as transgender or nonbinary since 2012.

For biological males who wish to retain their penis while also getting a vagina, the clinic offers phallus-preserving vaginoplasty. Conversely, a vaginal-preserving phalloplasty constructs a penis without removing the existing vagina for biological females. Both procedures create a vaginal opening just beneath the penis shaft. (Related: Gender clinic rushed UK kids onto transition pathway after one or two visits, review finds.)

Meanwhile, nullification surgery, also known as "Barbie dolling," involves the complete removal of the external genitalia to create a smooth transition from the abdomen to the groin. Penile splitting, a less common procedure for aesthetic or pleasure purposes, on the other hand, involves either for aesthetic reasons or to increase sexual pleasure. Options range from splitting the entire length of the penis to only the tip or head, or splitting it in half along the shaft while leaving the head and base intact.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

The clinic has nearly a dozen practitioners across its sites, carrying out more than 200 top surgeries and 150 vaginoplasties annually. The prices for these procedures range from $10,000 to $70,000, depending on their complexity.

However, critics, including Steve OMalley, the director of Genspect, an advocacy group focused on gender issues, condemned such procedures as unnecessary and harmful.

"Surgical interventions for non-binary identities are not necessary and arguably cause more harm than good. Extreme body modifications such as nullification should not be carried out merely because the patient wants it. Surgeons should not be viewed as shopkeepers who can dispense whatever the customer wants. They are doctors and they should be bound by the principle to first do no harm," he explained.

Jay Richards, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank, also argued that their practices are just the epitome of the "sheer madness of gender ideology."

"It's tempting to compare clinics engaged in these ghoulish procedures to Frankenstein's lab. But that would be uncharitable to Dr. Frankenstein. Non-binary and nullification surgeries reveal the sheer madness of gender ideology. It started with surgeries to make males look like females, and vice versa. But it doesn't end there, because the ideology's definition of "gender identity" is completely untethered from our sexed bodies. It reduces the human person to a mere internal sense of gender, which has no limiting principle and so can mean anything," Richards explained.

Former patient shares harrowing experience at Crane Center

One of Crane's former clients Scott Newgent, a transgender activist turned opponent of childhood transitioning, has come forward with a harrowing personal account of his experiences during surgical operations at Crane Center.

In an interview, Newgent detailed a litany of medical complications and personal losses he attributes to his transition surgeries performed by Crane. He recounted a collection of health issues, including pulmonary embolism, sepsis, recurring infections and psychological trauma, all stemming from the so-called gender-affirming surgeries. Newgent claimed to have incurred nearly a million dollars in medical expenses and lost his home, career and family, all as a consequence of the procedures.

"During the process of medical transition, I have had seven surgeries, one massive pulmonary embolism, one helicopter life-flight ride, an emergency ambulance ride, induced stress heart attack, sepsis, 17-month recurring infection due to using the wrong skin during a phalloplasty, 16 rounds of antibiotics, three weeks of daily IV antibiotics, lost all my hair, arm reconstructive surgery, handicapped arm, permanent lung, and heart damage.

"My bladder was cut, I had insomnia-induced hallucinations, frequent loss of consciousness due to pain from the six inches of hair on the inside of my urethra, significant PTSD that made me a prisoner in my apartment for a year not able, failed phalloplasty, billed $923,980 for medical expenses, I lost my home, car, job, career, wife, and I could no longer care for my kids due to medical complications," Newgent detailed in a 2020 interview.

Moreover, Newgent considered filing legal action against Crane but multiple attorneys declined to pursue his case.

"I went to eight different attorneys about that surgeon," he said. "Each wanted to take on my case, but after they investigated, they found out there is no baseline for care. We have nothing to compare outcomes for medical transition, so it's a free-for-all, and the medical industry knows this."

Read more stories like this at Transhumanism.news.

Watch this video to learn about how the Vatican is directly involved in pushing sex change operations for kids.

This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Oregon gender surgery clinic uses robot to mutilate patients, including children.

3,000 Doctors file lawsuit against Biden administration mandate requiring "gender-affirming" care.

Seattle Public Schools to offer gender-affirming mutilation to minor children as young as 10 at NO COST, meaning TAXPAYERS will foot the bill.

Oregon to become sanctuary state for children to get abortions, sex changes without parental consent.

Transgender extremist attacked lawmaker, police officer after Oklahoma House voted to ban child "sex changes."

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

ThePostMillennial.com

BizPacReview.com

Brighteon.com
Greece is investing 2.1 billion ($2.27 billion) to strengthen its capability to defend the country against natural disasters induced by climate change as wildfires break out ahead of the fire season.

Largest Procurement

The Aegis initiative is the first of its kind in Greece.

According to Panagiotis Stampoulidis, executive director of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund, which will handle procurement, it will be Greece's largest procurement initiative to date.

The project will supply the Ministry of Civil Protection with new and modernized equipment such as amphibious firefighting planes, aerial surveillance drones, fire detection and extinguishing systems, fire control centers, and over 1,000 firefighting vehicles.

HRADF's Project Preparation Facility, or PPF, will manage key procurement initiatives. It has a 592 million budget and has issued 16 tenders so far. HRADF manages a portfolio of projects for Aegis totaling around 970 million.

In recent years, Greece has faced significant challenges due to climate change-related fires.

In 2023, wildfires consumed over 675 square miles of woodland, accounting for 1.3% of the country's entire land area. This is an increase from an average of little under 168 square miles per year between 2006 and 2022, according to the European Union's European Forest Fire Information System.

Around 19,000 people, including hundreds of tourists, were evacuated from areas of the island of Rhodes a month ago after wildfires broke out during a hot wave that broke temperature records across southern Europe.

After Greece experienced the biggest fire-related destruction in 16 years, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised to strengthen the country's technological toolset for averting wildfires last August.

Read Also: Greece's Wildfire Still Out Of Control In Northeast Dadia National Park; 81,000 Hectares Of Land Reduced To Ashes

Protect Life, Property And The Country

Climate Change and Civil Protection Minister Vasilis Kikilias stated that Aegis' mission is to protect human life, property, forests, and the country's natural beauty and environment in the face of growing climatic dangers.

The program is funded by the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility, the National Strategic Reference Framework, and the European Investment Bank, he added.

This year, HRADF has a budget of 198 million for the Anti-Nero III program, which supports wildfire control initiatives like forest cleaning, improving and maintaining forest access routes, and establishing and maintaining firebreaks.

Anti-Nero III, which is already underway for 2024, includes the cleansing of over 14,300 acres of forest as well as the establishment and management of almost 20,000 acres of fire prevention zones.

Meanwhile, the prediction for this year's wildfire season is bleak. According to the European Union's Copernicus service, Greece, like its southern European neighbors, is experiencing prolonged dry conditions, which frequently result in more fires.

Following over 70 forest fires reported around the country on Saturday, Greece upped the wildfire alert level for numerous districts to "high risk"-the second-highest-on Sunday.

The raised alert comes as strong gusts of up to 60 kph (37 mph) are forecast in parts of Greece until Tuesday, "making the situation extremely dangerous for the outbreak of fires," the ministry warned.

The areas affected are the Athens region, the center, the Cyclades islands, and Crete.

Greece has gone five weeks with little or no rain, and the Athens Observatory warns of a dangerous level of drought.

The Mediterranean country had a record average temperature of 11.8 C (53.2 F) over the winter, and temperatures have been unusually high since April began.

Last summer, like many other sections of the Mediterranean, it experienced a severe heat wave that killed 20 people and scorched about 175,000 hectares (430,000 acres).

According to experts, Greece's wildfire season, which used to begin in May, is expected to start sooner as a result of human-caused climate change.

Related Article: Greece Wildfire: No Injuries Recorded As Wildfire Triggers Massive Explosion On Ammunition Depot
Imagine a world shrouded in perpetual darkness, where the only whispers of light come from the faint bioluminescence of deep-sea creatures.

In this enigmatic environment, a peculiar group of marine worms, known as annelids, have developed an extraordinary adaptation: exceptionally large and complex eyes.

These remarkable organs, unlike anything seen in shallow-water worms, have captured the interest of scientists seeking to understand how life thrives in the inky depths of the ocean.

Evolutionary Marvels: Unveiling the Design of Deep-Sea Vision

A recent study published in Current Biology delves into the intricate anatomy of these deep-sea annelid eyes.

Researchers meticulously dissected and analyzed the eyes of worms belonging to the Osedax family, uncovering a sophisticated visual system unlike any seen in their shallow-water cousins.

The Osedax worms, famed for their bone-eating habits, possess eyes with a remarkably high number of photoreceptor cells, the light-sensitive neurons responsible for vision.

This abundance of photoreceptors suggests that these worms have exceptional light-gathering capabilities, allowing them to detect even the faintest bioluminescent signals in the darkness.

The research team, from the University of Copenhagen and Lund University goes beyond simply describing the structure of the eyes.

Their study delves into the evolutionary origins of this remarkable adaptation. By comparing the eye structure of Osedax worms with their shallow-water relatives, the scientists propose a fascinating evolutionary pathway.

They suggest that the deep-sea environment, with its limited light, drove the evolution of these complex eyes. Over time, natural selection favored worms with increasingly sophisticated visual systems, enabling them to better exploit the bioluminescent signals that serve as crucial cues for finding food and mates in the abyss.

Also Read: Marine Worm and Carbon-Rich Water: Raising Young Differently

Light Hunters in the Darkness: The Ecological Significance of Deep-Sea Vision

Another intriguing study, published in Phys.org, explores the ecological significance of these highly developed eyes. The research, conducted by a separate team of scientists, focuses on the behavior of another group of deep-sea worms, known as polynoids.

Similar to the Osedax worms, polynoids also possess exceptionally large eyes, hinting at a vital role for vision in their deep-sea existence.

The Phys.org study investigates how these light-sensitive eyes might influence the hunting strategies of polynoids. By observing the worms in their natural habitat using deep-sea cameras, the researchers observed fascinating behaviors.

The polynoids exhibited a remarkable sensitivity to bioluminescence, actively tracking and pursuing other bioluminescent creatures in the darkness.

This suggests that these worms use their keen eyesight to locate prey, a crucial adaptation for survival in the resource-limited environment of the deep sea.

In conclusion, the exceptional eyes of deep-sea annelids are more than just a biological marvel. These sophisticated organs offer a window into the remarkable evolutionary adaptations that allow life to thrive in the extreme darkness of the ocean depths.

As scientists continue to unravel the secrets of these light-hunting worms, we gain a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity and diversity of life on our planet, even in the most unexpected places.

Related article: Ship-Eating Sea Worm Provides Sustainable Alternative To Fish, Study Says
A hidden ocean "larger than all of Earth's oceans combined" located 700 kilometers below the planet's surface has been discovered by scientists in the United States. Researchers from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, found the massive subterranean water reservoir by using 2,000 seismographs across the US to examine seismic waves produced by over 500 earthquakes.

The findings add contradictions to previous notions of vast bodies of water only existing on Earth's surface. However, studies in recent decades showed that subterranean water, including hundreds of interconnected lakes and rivers under Antarctic ice. Not only the existence of these underground water reservoirs has fascinated the scientific community, but also the potential for undiscovered aquatic life within them.

Hidden Ocean Discovered

The primary researcher behind the discovery of the hidden ocean is Steven Jacobsen, a mineralogist at Northwestern University, who led a team to examine the slowdown of seismic waves as they pass through Earth's core or center. This method has led to the discovery of substantial evidence of water within the rocks below our planet. Recent reports in April show that the subterranean ocean contained a mineral called ringwoodite.

The mineral in this part of Earth contradicts the scientific community's previous understanding regarding the roots of water on the planet. In previous literature, some theories suggest the origin of water came from outer space, primarily from asteroid or comet impacts. Moreover, different hypotheses imply that the compound came from Earth itself, mainly from molecular precursors of water, according to The Planetary Society.

In a 2018 report, Jacobsen's research implies that Earth's mantle could hold more water than previously thought. The mantle is approximately 2,900 kilometers thick and is located between our planet's scorching, dense core and thin outer layer, called the crust. Over the past decade, evidence of underground oceans has become stronger more than ever due to a series of discoveries that prove their existence.

Also Read: Hidden Mountain Range Found Above Earth's Strongest Ocean Current Between Tasmania and Antarctica [Study]

How Did Water Get to Earth?

The two theories mentioned earlier about the potential origin of water on Earth could be compatible with each other. This thought entails that Earth could have received its "most essential compound" for all living organisms from multiple sources, The Planetary Society emphasizes. These theories emerge amid our increased understanding of the water cycle and its importance both to ecosystems and the environment.

Yet, while the exact origin of water remains a mystery, the discovery of hidden oceans under the Earth's surface changes our understanding of the subject matter, according to scientists. While water seems to be everywhere, experts and authorities in previous years warned that the amount of accessible water could decrease. According to the United Nations, water, being a finite resource, could become scarcer as demand increases.

About subterranean water reservoirs, scientists had considered before potentially using them as an additional resource amid the 'global water crisis,' as reported by the UN in recent years.

Related Article: Hidden Ecosystem with Strange Creatures Found Under Volcanic Sea Floor
In a dramatic turn of events, the Thessaly region of Greece has seen a valley that was drained decades ago become refilled by recent flooding.

This unexpected development has reignited a heated debate about the future of farming in the region, particularly regarding the role of water-intensive crops like cotton.

The flooding caused significant damage to farms and farmland, serving as a wake-up call to the potential unsustainability of current agricultural practices.

A Valley Reborn: From Fields to Flooded Plains

The specific valley in question, once known as the Karla Lake basin, was drained in the 1960s as part of a government project aimed at expanding agricultural land.

The project involved diverting the surrounding rivers and constructing a complex network of canals and pumps. This ambitious undertaking transformed the Thessaly region into a major agricultural hub, particularly for cotton production.

However, the environmental consequences of draining the Karla Lake basin were significant. The loss of the lake's natural filtering capacity led to increased salinity in the surrounding soil, while the disruption of the local ecosystem had a cascading effect on plant and animal life.

The Price of Cotton: Balancing Tradition with Sustainability

Cotton has become an integral part of the Thessaly region's identity and economy. Its cultivation has provided a steady source of income for generations of local farmers, forming the backbone of many communities.However, cotton is also a notoriously water-intensive crop.

According to a report by the World Wildlife Fund, it takes an estimated 2,700 liters of water to produce just one kilogram of cotton.

In the context of Thessaly's recent flooding and recurring droughts, the reliance on cotton has come under scrutiny. Proponents of a shift away from cotton farming argue that the region's water resources are becoming increasingly strained.

They believe that Thessaly needs to diversify its agricultural portfolio and invest in more water-efficient crops, such as olives or legumes.

Also Read: Thousands Flee From Greek Island as Southern Europe Swelters Under Heatwave

The Future of Thessaly: Innovation and Adaptation

Those who advocate for the continuation of cotton farming acknowledge the challenges posed by water scarcity. They point out that cotton remains a vital source of income for many families in the region, and a sudden shift away from the crop could have devastating social and economic consequences.

They argue that new technologies, such as drip irrigation and precision agriculture techniques, can significantly reduce the water footprint of cotton production. Additionally, research into drought-resistant cotton varieties offers a glimmer of hope for the future.

The recent flooding in Thessaly serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between agricultural practices and environmental sustainability.

As the region grapples with the challenges of climate change and water scarcity, it will need to find innovative solutions that ensure the long-term viability of its agricultural sector.

This may involve a combination of strategies, such as diversifying crops, adopting water-saving technologies, and investing in research for drought-resistant crops.

Ultimately, the future of Thessaly's agriculture will depend on the ability of the region to adapt to changing environmental conditions while preserving its unique cultural heritage.

Related article: Cerberus Heatwave's Threats Prompt Authorities To Raise Health Alerts; Anticyclone Charon To Hit Southern Europe
Isolated tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are likely in Louisiana to Southwest Mississippi, according to a National Weather Service (NWS) advisory. Residents should stay alert for potential road dangers and slower commutes associated with the weather.

The beginning of April brought significant travel concerns to parts of the US, particularly in the southern parts. Residents were advised to stay updated on flooding concerns, including travel dangers and damaging winds. However, the main threat was isolated tornadoes, which could cause power outages and house damage.

Additionally, the forecast monitors the development of a strong cold front and very rough sea conditions in portions of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, northeast Florida, Atlantic water, and northeast Florida. On Wednesday, frequent southerly gusts and rough-to-high seas can occur.

Meanwhile, the forecast issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Central Texas. Residents should also watch out for damaging winds reaching up to 70 mph. Potential tornadoes can also threaten the affected areas.

Severe Thunderstorm Concerns in Louisiana and the Southwest US

The NWS Storm Prediction Center issued a tornado watch in parts of Texas, with a few potential strong tornadoes. The threat can be accompanied by hail and scattered damaging winds. The strong winds can lead to tree damage or flying debris, and limiting outdoor plans is recommended to keep safe from the weather.

In addition, an NWS report shows that the severe thunderstorms can threaten portions of Texas towards the Lower Mississippi Valley on Wednesday morning, spreading over the Gulf Coast States in midweek.

The NWS Short Range Discussion monitors a weather pattern in the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley this week, bringing potentially hazardous weather. People with travel activities should keep updated with the latest forecasts to avoid the threats of flash flooding and flooding rainfall.

In East-Central Texas and parts of Western Mississippi, widespread damaging gusts can be possible. On the other hand, a strong thunderstorm is possible in the Carolinas and northern Florida, including the Ohio Valley. Flash flood threats can unload in the Southern and Central Appalachians.

In addition, a strong southerly flow along the East Coast can unload on the East Coast, Southeast, to Mid-Atlantic.

On Wednesday, warm conditions are possible in Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, and Raleigh. On the other hand, rain and thunderstorms are likely in Little Rock, Nashville, Atlanta, Montgomery, New Orleans, Jackson, and Jackson.

Also Read: NWS Weather Forecast in Texas: Severe Weather to Unleash Rounds of Rain in Midweek

Isolated Tornadoes Weather Preparedness: How Can People Stay Safe?

Isolated tornadoes can possibly threaten portions of the U.S., bringing potential weather threats. As a result, staying updated with the latest forecasts is essential to stay away from challenging weather.

Furthermore, homeowners can prepare emergency kits at home or in vehicles, which are helpful during challenging weather conditions. People can have flashlights, battery-powered radios, medicine kits, batteries, and bottled water.

Related Article: Northeast Flooding Forecast: Heavy Rains, Damaging Thunderstorms to Bring Travel Dangers This Week

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature
Monkey attacks on humans are common in some parts of the world. Based on recorded cases in multiple countries, including India, Japan, and Thailand, these animal attacks have resulted both in injury and death. In the latest string of related events, an unusual incident occurred earlier this month when wild monkeys attacking a toddler in India were thwarted by Amazon's voice artificial intelligence (AI), called "Alexa."

Amazon AI Stops Monkey Attack

Amazon's voice AI Alexa has been credited for stopping a wild monkey attack on a 15-month-old toddler in India's Uttar Pradesh, according to reports over the weekend. The incident happened in the town of Basti when monkeys broke into a home after recent guests left the house's gate open. Along with the toddler is her 13-year-old sister Nikita who used a device that has Amazon AI installed on it.

Local reports said that Nikita commanded Alexa to imitate the sound of barking dogs, threatening the monkeys that had started to ransack the home, throwing around food and utensils. After the primates heard the barking noises from the device, they immediately left the compound and prevented a potentially fatal monkey attack.

Also Read: Monkey Attack: 10-Year-Old Child Mauled to Death by Gang of Vicious Monkeys in Indian Village

Notably Monkey Attacks on Humans

Monkey attacks, as mentioned earlier, are common occurrences especially in areas when both Homo sapiens and the non-human primates live in close proximity with each other. In previous attacks, there had been a variety of monkey species involved in different countries, but the most common among them are the macaques. For instance, they include the long-tailed macaque and pig-tailed macaque in Thailand and Japanese macaques in Japan.

In November 2023, a 10-year-old boy in Gujarat, India died after monkeys brutally ripped into his stomach and removed his intestines, as reported by local media. According to forest officials, the monkey attack occurred near a temple in Dehgam Taluka in Salki village of Gujarat's Gandhinagar city. Local authorities said that the incident happened when the victim was playing with his friends in the small village.

In July 2022, reports of an increasing number of macaque monkey attacks were observed in Japan, which recorded dozens of injured people in one city alone. Amid Japan's growing macaque populations, frequent clashes with local human populations also increase, according to reports. During the said period, officials at the city of Yamaguchi stated they killed monkeys which they believe to be responsible for the attacks against humans.

Why Monkeys Attack People?

In previous years, headlines about brutal monkey attacks, both on children and adults, have become a recurring theme in the media and social networking platforms. Although it may seem that our primate cousins are retaliating against us, wildlife experts assert that the reason behind these assaults has nothing to do with speciation or species differentiation but rather it has something to do with "over-habituation."

According to Tracie McKinney, an expert in biological anthropology, a major factor in monkey bites and attacks is over-habituation, which is a phenomenon when animals lose their fear of humans and eventually become a nuisance. In a January 2024 report, McKinney implies that this phenomenon seems to be the case in India, Japan, and Thailand, adding that regardless of species or location, over-habituation can still occur.

Related Article: Wild Monkeys Bite Hong Kong Man, Giving Him the Rare 'Monkey B Virus' Herpesvirus Simiae
The latest report raised concerns about the rapid conversion of estuary habitats to agricultural fields and urban land, which can have significant impacts on wildlife and communities. Researchers discovered that about 250,000 acres of estuary habitats were converted, which is likely 17 times the size of Manhattan.

The recent NOAA report explains that estuaries are important for the environment and animals, recognized as nurseries of the sea. The habitats provide breeding and nesting grounds for different animal species. Additionally, estuaries are important to filter pollutants and sediments.

While estuaries provide ecologically important habitat, they are also vulnerable to different threats:

Overfishing

Climate change

Coastal development

Arrival of invasive species

Illegal fishing practices

Decline in Estuaries Due to Conversion to Agricultural and Urban Development

In a report, researchers highlight the importance of estuaries for wetland ecosystems, water quality, and freshwater rivers, including the sequestration of carbon. The findings were published in Earth's Future journal, emphasizing that land reclamation has significantly affected estuarine surface in the last 35 years.

Researchers conducted a Landsat remote sensing report, collecting data from 1984 to 2019. After identifying 2,396 estuaries, land conversion, and land-use changes were detected, including dam building.

When the researchers analyzed the data, they explained that 47% of said estuaries were found in Asia. To support the study of the impacts on estuaries, the report included historical maps to unearth potential estuary changes.

While commercial development is important to boost the tourism industry, the protection of estuaries is crucial to avoid alarming effects on wildlife. Minimizing environmental impacts should be considered to prevent any environmental damage.

"Estuary change is really interesting, especially in the 20th century, because estuaries have been altered by humans by the construction of estuarine dams and land reclamation. When humans modify estuaries, the consequences for land loss are surprisingly huge," geoscientist Guan-hong Lee, from Inha University in South Korea, said, as quoted in a report.

As a result, effective conservation laws and policies are helpful to address the increasing loss of estuarine habitats.

Also Read: Sea Otters' Role in Restoring California Estuary's Degraded Geology Revealed

Sea Otters and California Estuaries

In a recent Nature World News (NWN) report, researchers discovered the degradation of coastal estuaries in California due to human-caused activities and climate change, raising concerns about the alarming impact of habitat loss, erosion, and pollution in the wetland ecosystems.

However, the role of sea otters has offered hope for the restoration of estuaries in California. As natural engineers, the otters can help improve the soil and the estuaries in the region.

Related Article: Crab-Eating Sea Otter Return Can Rescue California's Marshland from Decline Due to Erosion

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Our planet's climate is changing at an unprecedented pace, and the recent news regarding March 2024 serves as a stark reminder of this alarming reality.

Data confirms that March 2024 surpassed all previous records to become the hottest March ever documented.

This extreme heat is not an isolated event, but rather the culmination of a concerning 10-month streak where global temperatures have consistently broken records.

The scientific community is deeply troubled by this trend, as it signifies an acceleration in the rate of global warming.

March 2024 Blazes as Hottest Month on Record, Extending Alarming 10-Month Streak

Global warming refers to the long-term heating of Earth's climate system caused primarily by human activities.

The burning of fossil fuels releases heat-trapping greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, which act like a blanket around our planet, trapping heat and causing temperatures to rise.

The effects of global warming are widespread and far-reaching, impacting weather patterns, sea levels, and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average global temperature for March 2024 soared 1.58 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels (between 1850 and 1900).

This substantial increase is particularly concerning because it comes on the heels of nine consecutive months that also registered record highs.

Climate scientists emphasize that the current streak is unprecedented in modern history, highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change.

Let's delve deeper into the details surrounding this record-breaking month and explore the broader implications of global warming's accelerating pace.

Unearthing the Causes and Consequences of March's Record Heat

While human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are the primary culprit behind global warming, short-term fluctuations in temperature can also be influenced by natural phenomena like El Nino.

El Nino is a complex climatic pattern arising in the Pacific Ocean, characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures.

During El Nino events, the trade winds weaken, leading to a redistribution of heat in the atmosphere and oceans. While El Nino is believed to have contributed to the exceptional warmth observed in March 2024, the long-term trend of rising global temperatures is undeniably linked to human activities.

The consequences of global warming are dire and far-reaching. One alarming consequence is the mass bleaching of coral reefs. Coral reefs are vital marine ecosystems that support a vast array of marine life.

As ocean temperatures rise, corals expel the algae living within their tissues, causing them to turn white - a phenomenon known as coral bleaching. If ocean temperatures remain elevated for extended periods, bleached corals can die, leading to the degradation of coral reefs.

Global warming also disrupts weather patterns, leading to more frequent and severe extreme weather events. Heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires are all becoming more common and intense as a result of climate change.

These extreme weather events have devastating consequences, causing loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption.

Also Read: Hot Weather: How Much Hot Temperature Can Humans Tolerate?

Global Warming's Urgency: A Call to Action

The current 10-month streak of record-breaking temperatures serves as a stark warning of the potential consequences of inaction on climate change. While the long-term effects of global warming are already being felt, it is not too late to take action.

There are several strategies we can implement to mitigate the effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power is crucial in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, promoting energy efficiency through sustainable building practices and responsible consumption can significantly decrease our carbon footprint.

On a collective level, international cooperation is essential to address climate change effectively. Governments around the world must work together to establish ambitious carbon reduction targets and implement stringent regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.

Investing in clean technologies and promoting sustainable practices will be critical in achieving these goals.

Individually, we can all play a role in combating climate change. Making conscious choices in our daily lives, such as reducing reliance on personal vehicles, conserving energy at home, and supporting sustainable businesses, can make a difference. Educating ourselves and advocating for climate action are also vital steps towards creating a more sustainable future.

The time to act is now. By taking decisive action at personal, community, and international levels, we can mitigate the worst effects of global warming and ensure a healthier planet for ourselves and future generations.

Related article: People May Get Meaner and More Violent Due to Hot Temperatures, New Research Says
TO ACCESS THIS CONTENT

YOU MUST OPEN A SESSION OR CREATE AN ACCOUNT

MEMBER LOGIN CREATE YOUR USER ACCOUNT

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed about a further drone attack on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) t. . .
Whales will now be considered as "people" or "legal persons" following calls by Polynesian indigenous groups to give the highly intelligent marine mammals "personhood." During a declaration earlier this year, New Zealand's Maori king called for whales to be granted the same legal rights as humans. This comes amid demand by indigenous people across Oceania, including those living in New Zealand, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands.

For years, whales have been thought by scientists and conservationists to behave like humans. Possessing unique intelligence, the large aquatic mammals have been observed before to have their communities and engage in playful behavior. The cetacean, which consists of dozens of species, is also known for its unique intraspecies communication by clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls, as well as through echolocation.

Whales Declared as Legal Persons

The declaration of whales as legal persons comes after tribal leaders of New Zealand, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands signed a treaty last month. Outside the scientific lens in contemporary times, indigenous people across Polynesia view whales for their sacredness that is connected with life itself. In modern times, these tribes inhabiting the region have retained this belief passed down from their ancestors.

In late March 2024, Maori's Kiingi Tuheitia Potatau te Wherowhero VII said that marine mammals should be given human rights, including having a healthy environment, to allow their population to bounce back. Following the treaty signing, conservationists believe that this move may put pressure on world leaders to provide further protections to large mammals. Potential measures may include policies against the illegal hunting of whales.

Leaders of the said Polynesian indigenous groups want other nations across Polynesia to help. In the meantime, the call for whales to be considered as legal persons will only be applied across the region. According to Mere Takoko, a Maori conservationist, the treaty would allow her team at Hinemoana Halo Ocean Initiative to engage in talks with the national governments of New Zealand, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Tonga, and other Polynesian countries.

Also Read: Social Media Videos are Endangering Australia's Whales: Victorian Authorities

Global Whale Population Decline

Since the late 19th century, the global whale population, which includes species like the fin whale, minke whale, blue whale, humpback whale, and right whale, saw a steep decline, according to data recorded from 1890 to 2001. Aside from whaling activities, the population decline has been caused by various natural and anthropogenic factors, including climate change, global warming, marine plastic pollution, and vessel strikes.

Over the past decades, dead whales have been reported to be washed ashore in different coastal areas worldwide. In early 2023, the East Coast of the United States saw 23 dead whales on its shore, including 12 in New Jersey and New York. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US Atlantic Coast, mainly coastlines from Maine to Florida, recorded elevated humpback whale mortalities since January 2016.

Related Article: Will Dolphins and Whales Get Legal Rights?
On April 9, 2024, responsibility for setting a substantial fire on the Russian Buyan-M class corvette Serpukhov, stationed at the Kaliningrad port, has been claimed by the Ukrainian military intelligence directorate, the GUR.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Artist rendering of a Russian Buyan M class corvette on fire. (Picture source: Created by AI)

Incident Overview

The fire on the Serpukhov, a critical component of Russia's naval capabilities in the Baltic region, was reported to have occurred on April 7, 2024. The GUR claimed that the attack resulted in considerable damage to the ship, specifically targeting its communication and automation systems.

The incident was highlighted through the release of a schematic of the vessel's internal spaces and a brief video showcasing an incendiary device detonation. This attack not only signifies a direct hit on a significant military asset but also showcases the evolving tactics of Ukrainian forces.

The Serpukhov is part of the Buyan-M class of corvettes, designed for coastal patrol and defense operations. These ships play a role in projecting Russian naval power in littoral zones, equipped with modern missile systems including the Kalibr and Oniks anti-ship missiles, as well as surface-to-air missiles for defensive purposes.

The reported destruction of the Serpukhovs communication and automation systems, if accurate, underscores a significant vulnerability in naval operations. Communication systems are the lifeline of military vessels, enabling coordinated maneuvers, intelligence sharing, and engagement decisions.

Automation systems, on the other hand, contribute to the ship's operational effectiveness, including navigation, weaponry control, and damage management protocols. The incapacitation of these systems could render a ship like the Serpukhov not just operationally ineffective but also a liability in dynamic combat scenarios.

The attack on the Serpukhov, far from the primary theaters of conflict, signifies a strategic expansion of the Ukrainian military's reach and capabilities. By targeting a naval vessel in a well-protected port such as Kaliningrad, Ukrainian forces demonstrate their ability to penetrate Russian defenses and challenge the security of strategic assets.
Sorry, something doesn't look right.

Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support.
RENO  The Neurodiversity Alliance at University of Nevada, Reno, held a panel discussion last month with four neurodivergent members of the UNR community on March 21 as part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, with the aim of developing greater communication and understanding.

Neurodiversity Alliance chair and UNR communications professor James Cherney said the goal specifically was to help change the narrative through which people understand neurodivergence.

Guests were provided with sensory toys such as fidget cubes and twistable rubber snakes, along with comics depicting neurodivergent characters.

The easiest way to understand what neurodivergence is, Cherney said, is anyone who is so not neurotypical that they get treated differently or it affects their life in ways where they operate as somebody who is excluded or is, in some way, not given the same privileges and rights as someone else. Anyone who falls in that category is identified or could identify as neurodiverse.

Many different aspects fall under the neurodivergent umbrella, Cherney said, from Tourettes to ADHD to dysthymia.

One big misconception is that neurodivergence is all about autism, Cherney noted.

Theres not a simple solution or answer to all different types of neurodivergence, Cherney said. Thus, different neurodivergent people will need different types of accommodations to succeed in a work or academic environment.

In addition, there are no all-knowing experts on neurodivergence, he said.

We have different areas of expertise. But were not going to have all the answers and thats OK, he said.

Cherney said he personally identifies as neurodiverse. I have a condition known as dysthymia, which, the easiest way to explain it, is its kind of like a constant low-grade depression.

How businesses can help

Cherney explained what kind of accommodations are available for neurodivergent people in current academic settings. The most common ones that people know about are extended time on quizzes and tests. But you can also do things like, in order to make a presentation more widely available to your audience, use things like captioning. Instructions can even use videos and movies to get an idea across instead of static PowerPoint slides, he noted.

You can adapt to different ways of people understanding and making sense out of things, Cherney said.

The biggest obstacles in the way of neurodivergent acceptance are ableism and the misunderstandings or fears which come with it, he said.

The best way around these obstacles, he said, is spreading awareness and helping people understand when their misconceptions are blocking their ability to address the situation.

Cheney said educating people at a younger age will help with increasing acceptance of neurodivergence, so they become less concerned about things like stimming behaviors, for instance, which they might recognize but might not understand. And that changes the narrative dramatically, when people grow up with a recognition of neurodiversity and how its valued.

Oxford Languages defines stimming as the repetitive performance of certain physical movements or vocalizations, which is thought to serve a variety of functions, such as calming and expression of feelings.

In order to understand a neurodivergent persons needs, it is important to ask questions, Cheney said. Find out what it is that you can do in a circumstance to help whoever it is that youre working with, or whoever youre teaching, rather than assume you know the answers and act in ways that dont help them.

The lack of information is a barrier because it means people dont know what to do. But it also means people try to fill that gap, sometimes with information thats not accurate, Cherney said. So how you deal with what you dont know is pretty important  not just recognizing that you dont know everything, but how you think you should act responsibly.

The four panel members came from a variety of backgrounds, with a variety of personal stories to share about understanding and accepting their unique brains.

Different backgrounds, diagnoses

Ive spent my entire life dealing with my neurodiversity issues, said cultural and linguistic anthropology major Bailey Hill, who has ADHD and OCD and is also autistic.

For a good portion of my beginning education it wasnt recognized that it was a neurodiversity thing. I was labeled a problem child, Hill said.

Graduate resident director Nico Rufus, who graduated UNR with a bachelors degree in chemistry, aspires to help students navigate experiences with mental health. Raised in a rural Georgia community where many people displayed prejudiced attitudes, I was raised to just not acknowledge the diagnoses that I received when I was 10 years old, which included dysthymia, they said.

Disability studies Ph.D. Dave White Jr. is a former Paralympic-class snowboarder and consultant facilitator with the Nevada Department of Inclusive Education. He has executive processing disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and ADHD and said he did not accept he had these disorders until around age 21.

Resident director Tori Blue, who received her masters in music performance from UNR, has ADHD and is autistic. She advocates for accessibility and inclusion at UNR, including creating the first permanent sensory space at the university.

During my masters degree, that was during my journey of self discovery of realizing, Yes, I am a neurodiverse person who was pre-diagnoses. And I truly never understood why I had a hard time, Blue said.

I am a very studious individual. Im very on top of things, she said. But I just always seem to not completely click with what was going on. So, I was limited to just the bare minimum, and it didnt help me as much as I needed.

She noted, My graduation gift to myself was my diagnosis.

Blue said knowing about her ADHD and autism at an earlier part of her life would have benefited her greatly. I was like, Wow, I just made it eight years through college on my own, and this probably would have been an easier time for me. I would have thrived more than survived.

Fast forward to professional time. I have the diagnosis now, right? I can say, Hello, HR department. Here are my accommodation recommendations from my doctor.

However, not all workplaces are supportive and accepting of neurodivergent people, including when they disclose their diagnoses, Blue noted. I recognize that could potentially set me up for an unsafe situation where people will look at me as, Oh, we see on here youre autistic. Im going to assume you cant do your job.

Thankfully, these kinds of HR incidents are often reported, Blue said.

Rufus said their work and education in Nevada has specifically offered accommodations for neurodivergence, which were not available when they pursued higher education in Georgia.

White had his own story to share about finding a support system.

When I first started college, I was going to college in Colorado. I was still struggling with my identity with ADHD, executive processing disorder and anxiety. So I wanted that full college experience, White said. I was playing lacrosse. I was snowboarding. I was just trying to veer away from those ableist, stigmatized labels such as lazy, stupid and retarded, he said.

School did a full disservice to me, in which they just failed to recognize who I am as an individual and the unique needs that I need to be able to succeed in an academic environment. And thats why, about a year later, I decided to transfer here to UNR, he said.

I met with the disability resource director, White said. I felt like I could share all my struggles with her. She helped him figure out which classes he would succeed in and be supported in and that made me feel so comfortable with myself.

At the disability resource directors request, White said he decided to disclose his neurodivergence to his teachers.

He said his world religions professor was a true ally, helping him study for exams and understand how to fill out the answers. And from there, I learned how to make sort of that mentor-mentee relationship with all other teachers, he said.

Blue explained how to be an ally to neurodivergent people. Be willing to listen, Blue said. Dont make assumptions just based off what another person looks like. I know individuals have this idea that autistic individuals look a certain way. Thats not true.

Blue said people often assumed she was not neurodivergent because of her so-called normal appearance.

I was misdiagnosed. I was immediately just written off as, thats just a little girl. They do those things, theyre 12 years ahead of their maturity level.

But in all reality, it was just because those individuals, one, didnt have the tools at the time to recognize it and two, they just dismissed it. So having allies, especially in the medical field, is amazing, Blue said.

I acknowledge that when Im in work on campus or when Im helping others, when Im interacting with other departments, I do come off with this kind of competence about me, Rufus said. And so it is the automatic assumption that I do not identify as neurodivergent or that I do not have any diagnoses.

For the longest time, I was like, You know what, its fine. You can assume that. If I know the truth, like thats all that matters. But I acknowledge that sometimes, those assumptions that get made instantly assume the negative part of me. Like, if I dont turn in assignments, Oh, you just dont want to turn in assignments.

Rufus said masking is the reason they come across to others as lacking neurodivergent characteristics. An article by Dr. Hannah Belcher of the UK National Autism Society describes masking as to hide or disguise parts of oneself in order to better fit in with those around you.

Masking may involve suppressing certain behavior we find soothing but that others think are weird, Belcher explained. It can also mean mimicking the behavior of those around us, such as copying non-verbal behaviors and developing complex social scripts to get by in social situations.

For four years, I did chemistry and I loved it and its still a passion of mine and I hope to go back to it someday, Rufus said. However, they said they struggled to study with other students.

It was really hard to acknowledge that I had a different way of processing the information I was given compared to my peers in those classes, they noted.

Everyone has different ways of processing the information and if they look like theyre not doing things, just asking Hey, what are you up to, whats going on? and being more open-minded to the ways they intake that information is, I would say, probably one of the best ways to handle it in STEM.

More than their diagnoses

Showing support to neurodivergent people can mean recognizing they are three-dimensional humans and more than their diagnoses, White said. When his anxiety and ADHD medication still left some problems unsolved, he told his psychiatrist he needed a little more help.

He came up with this idea of me going to speech therapy and occupational therapy as a way to help me with my executive functioning, White said. Ever since I started occupational therapy and speech therapy, Ive just felt so much more in control. My speech therapist has helped me with coming up with daily schedules for myself to keep to. My occupational therapist has kind of tagged along with that but from a different aspect.

Being neurodivergent can often involve a process of healing. It can mean having misconceptions about oneself which shatter overtime as one obtains professional help or becomes more educated about how ones mind works. Rufus and White shared some misconceptions they personally overcame.

The biggest thing I had a misconception of was that it wasnt good to tell others or even talk about what I had going on and how I process things, Rufus noted. My family was very strict on, no one should know outside of the family, your own siblings shouldnt even know. However, Rufus said they are finally navigating the conversation with their siblings. You shouldnt just hide it away if you are OK with other people knowing.

White said hurtful labels held him back at first. When I transferred to UNR and came in contact with the director of the Disability Resource Center, I saw my neurodivergence not as lazy, not as stupid, not as retarded, but as a strength, as a power, as a force to be reckoned with.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing.

Xi asked Lavrov to convey sincere greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Xi said China and Russia have embarked on a new path of harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between major countries and neighbors, which has benefited the two countries and their peoples and contributed wisdom and strength to international fairness and justice.

"President Putin and I have agreed to continue to maintain close exchanges to ensure the smooth and steady development of China-Russia relations. The two sides should take the opportunity of celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the China-Russia Years of Culture to fully implement the important consensus reached by President Putin and me," he said.

Xi stressed that China supports the Russian people in following a development path that suits their national conditions, and supports Russia in combating terrorism and maintaining social security and stability.

China always attaches great importance to the development of China-Russia relations, and stands ready to strengthen bilateral communication with Russia and enhance multilateral strategic coordination in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Xi said.

He added that the two countries will show more responsibility, unite countries in the Global South in the spirit of equality, openness, transparency and inclusiveness, promote the reform of the global governance system, and vigorously lead the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Lavrov conveyed President Putin's cordial greetings and good wishes to President Xi. Lavrov said that under the strong leadership of President Xi, China has made achievements that have attracted global attention and provided important opportunities for other countries to achieve common development, which Russia deeply admires.

Lavrov said the priority of Russia's foreign policy is to comprehensively consolidate and upgrade relations with China, and the smooth reelection of President Putin guarantees the continuity of Russia-China relations.

He added that Russia is willing to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen bilateral and multilateral coordination, and work with other countries of the Global South to strengthen solidarity and cooperation in order to contribute to creating a more fair and just international order.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)
Chris Hemsworth pays visit to remote Australian community he lived in as a kid

O

ne should never forget his/her roots - that's what actor Chris Hemsworth definitely believes.

The 'Extraction' star recently paid a visit to the remote Australian community he lived in as a child.

On Sunday, Chris took to Instagram and posted several photos on Instagram from his recent visit to the Northern Territory called Gulin Gulin, People reported.

In the images, he can be seen posing with community members.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5eogXOBPLw/?hl=en&img_index=1

Hemsworth's carousel of images featured a throwback photo, presumably of him as a young boy, posing with other children. He also included a photo of a banner that was drawn for him with the words "Welcome home," Superman "S" symbols, stars, flowers, hearts and a man wearing a cape.

Another image showed him meeting a young fan and autographing their shirt.

"When I was younger my family and I lived in a remote community in the Northern Territory. Some of my earliest and happiest memories are from that time," he captioned the post.

"Now, 35 years later I've been lucky enough to take a trip back there," he continued. "I couldn't be more grateful to the people of Gulin Gulin for welcoming us with such warmth and kindness. Much love and appreciation," he added.

Meanwhile, Hemsworth has also been in the news for his health. He is making sure to dish out fitness goals among his fans.

In an interview with Men's Health, Hemsworth revealed that he has made major lifestyle changes after learning about his high risk for getting Alzheimer's disease, Fox News reported.

"Now, I'm incorporating more solitude into my life," Hemsworth, 40, shared.

"I've always been pretty consistent with my exercise commitments, but lately I've really felt the importance of taking time for yourself without any outside voice or stimulation and making time for stillness," he added.

The Thor star is now incorporating more time for "mindfulness work.""I do a lot of meditation and breath work, mostly during sauna and ice bath routines," he added.

"For me, my favorite mindfulness work comes from the immersion in physical actives that allow me to be fully present and force me out of me head and into my body, in particular surfing."

In a conversation with longevity physician Dr. Peter Attia, the actor learned that he is eight to 10 times more likely than the average individual to develop Alzheimer's disease."We've got every blood test one can get," Attia tells Hemsworth in the show. "And you've got two copies of APOE4. A set from your mom and a set from your dad."

APOE4 is the gene that has the strongest correlation to the development of Alzheimer's disease; however, not much is known about it.

At the time, Attia told the Australian actor, "It's my belief that if we take every step possible, we can reduce your risk to that of anyone else."Since then, Hemsworth has been making his health a top priority.

 Chris Hemsworth pays visit to remote Australian community he lived in as a kid

 Post your comments

 Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Thousands offer Eid prayers in J&K, no untoward incident reported

T

housands of Muslims offered Eid prayers across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere.

Large Eid gatherings were seen at the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar and other mosques.

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated after the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and special dishes are prepared after the monthlong fasting month to celebrate the festival.

Such Eid prayer gatherings were also seen in other districts of the Valley, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Budgam, Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag, Shopian and Ganderbal.

Children wearing new clothes were seen accompanying fathers to the prayer grounds to express joy on the festive occasion. Traditionally, Muslims greet and hug each other after the Eid prayers to forgive and forget any strained relations that might have occurred during the year.

Authorities had made adequate arrangements for security throughout the Valley to ensure peaceful Eid prayer gatherings.

In the Jammu division also, Muslims in large numbers offered prayers in different districts and reports said these passed off peacefully.

In many places in Jammu city and other districts of Jammu division, Hindu neighbours came to greet their Muslim friends during the Eid celebrations.

 Thousands offer Eid prayers in J&K, no untoward incident reported

 Post your comments

 Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Walter Lamothe: A Retail Icon to be Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

R

etail Council of Canada (RCC) is thrilled to announce that Walter Lamothe, President & CEO of Bentley & Co LTD and a retail industry veteran with an illustrious career spanning more than four decades, will be the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

This special recognition is part of the Excellence in Retailing Awards of Distinction program, which celebrates outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the retail industry.

From Welder to Retail Trailblazer: Lamothe's Inspiring Journey

Walter Lamothe's passion for retail was ignited at the age of 17 when he was working as a welder in Alberta. His journey began as a stock boy at a Jack Fraser store in Edmonton, earning just $3 an hour. By 21, he had risen to become the Manager of a Tip Top Tailors store in Hull, Quebec. Lamothe's career continued to flourish as he joined Shirmax, eventually becoming Director of Stores. His exceptional management skills were recognized during the company's 1993 filing, leading to his promotion as Executive Vice President of Operations, a position he held until 2002.

Leading Iconic Brands to Success

Throughout his remarkable career, Walter Lamothe has held leadership roles at several prominent Canadian retail companies:

- MEXX Canada (2002-2011): Lamothe joined as President in 2004 and became President & CEO in 2007.

- Reitmans Canada (2011-2016): He held various leadership positions before being appointed President and CEO in 2014, overseeing the entire Reitmans brand portfolio.

- Bentley & Co LTD (2018-present): As President & CEO, Lamothe successfully restructured the company under new ownership just months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, severely impacting the travel industry. He navigated the company through lockdowns and economic turbulence, driving innovation by introducing new product lines during this challenging period.

A Testament to Dedication and Resilience

"Walter's illustrious and long career serves as a testament to his steadfast dedication to the Canadian retail industry," noted Diane J. Brisebois, President & CEO of Retail Council of Canada. "His ability to navigate through challenges with resilience and creativity, coupled with his passion for innovation, are undeniable proof of his unwavering commitment to excellence. Even through the COVID-19 challenges, Walter extended a lending hand to RCC and our team, always ready to help support the industry and our hard-working retail employees across Canada. We have all benefitted from his kindness and generosity!"

Celebrating Excellence at the Awards Gala

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Walter Lamothe at Retail Council of Canada's Excellence in Retailing Awards Gala on May 28, 2024, at the Toronto Congress Centre from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET. The Gala will close the first day of RCC STORE 24, Canada's biggest retail conference, which will feature over 75 speakers and attract retail leaders from across North America and around the globe.

To purchase Gala tickets, visit https://retailawards.ca/buy-tickets/.

 Walter Lamothe: A Retail Icon to be Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

 Post your comments

 Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Pratt & Whitney Invests $20 Million to Expand GTF MRO Capacity at West Palm Beach Facility

P

ratt & Whitney, an RTX business, today announced a significant investment to increase the GTF maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capacity at its West Palm Beach Engine Center in Florida.

The $20 million expansion will accommodate a 40% increase in capacity and is expected to be complete by the second half of 2025.

Facility Upgrades and Workforce Expansion

To support the planned growth, the West Palm Beach facility will:

- Increase its workforce by 25% over the next year

- Add critical equipment in areas such as machining, test, clean and warehousing

- Incorporate transformative technologies developed at the recently announced North American Technology Accelerator

"The expansion at West Palm Beach is the latest example of our global investment to support the GTF fleet," said Kevin Kirkpatrick, vice president of Global Aftermarket Operations at Pratt & Whitney. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to support customers and maintain their trust as we carry out the GTF fleet management plan."

Pioneering Automated Systems for Improved Efficiency

West Palm Beach was transformed into a fully capable GTF MRO engine center in mid-2021. It was the first Pratt & Whitney facility to adopt an automated system that assembles the high-pressure compressor (HPC) rotor and a refined overhead engine handling system. Since implementation, Pratt & Whitney has seen:

- More than 25% improvement in HPC rotor yield

- 50% reduction in process turnaround time

Expanding Global GTF MRO Network

In 2023, Pratt & Whitney announced three GTF MRO facility expansions and five shop activations to support the growing GTF fleet. There are currently 16 active GTF MRO engine centers around the world, with another three expected to come online by 2025.

The GTF MRO network is part of Pratt & Whitney EngineWiseA solutions, which provide operators with a full range of aftermarket services resulting in long-term, sustainable value. Visit prattwhitney.com/enginewise for more information.

About Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. To learn more, visit www.prattwhitney.com.

About RTX

With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses a Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon a RTX is advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

 Pratt & Whitney Invests $20 Million to Expand GTF MRO Capacity at West Palm Beach Facility

 Post your comments

 Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Pernod Ricard products on display during an expo in Shanghai.ZHANG HENGWEI/CHINA NEWS SERVICE

Strengthened economic and trade relations between China and France will not only benefit both countries, but also contribute to the sustainable growth of global supply chains, said government officials and business leaders.

As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Paris, they said the two sides share huge trade complementarity, intertwined interests and substantial potential for economic cooperation.

During his meetings with a number of French government officials, senior executives of French firms and industry associations in Paris from Sunday to Monday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao stressed that prospects for Sino-French economic and trade cooperation are wide-ranging. The Chinese government is dedicated to optimizing the business environment and providing service guarantees for foreign companies to invest and operate in its market, said Wang's ministry on Tuesday.

"As the Chinese economy continues to show signs of improvement and recovery, there is a focus on accelerating the emergence of new economic growth drivers and persistently exploring new development areas," said Wang, adding that this presents multinational companies with expanded market opportunities.

With China launching anti-dumping investigations into brandy imported from the European Union in early January, Wang told French business leaders that the country will conduct the investigations transparently and openly in accordance with its laws and World Trade Organization rules, fully ensuring the rights of all stakeholders.

The investigations were initiated at the request of the domestic industry and are not targeted at any specific EU country. The queries will not presuppose any conclusions, he added.

At these meetings, business leaders from French companies, including BNP Paribas and Danone SA, said they remain optimistic about the prospects of China's economic growth and business environment. They will continue to commit to long-term development in China.

Thanks to China's massive market, sophisticated industrial system, strong supply chain competitiveness and the improving business environment, foreign direct investment from France soared 586 percent year-on-year in China in the first two months of this year, Wang's ministry said.

After achieving a 6 percent year-on-year growth in the Chinese market in its 2023 fiscal year, Pernod Ricard, a French wine and spirits group, said it will focus on premium and diversified products in the years ahead.

"China stands as Pernod Ricard's second-largest market, where we have established a presence for over 30 years. We will respond promptly to ever-evolving market and consumer demands in the country," said Jerome Cottin-Bizonne, CEO of Pernod Ricard China.

Sharing similar views, Barbara Coppola, CEO of French sporting goods retailer Decathlon, said China is one of the group's key markets and the company will continue investing in the country.

"China stands out as one of the key global markets possessing comprehensive capabilities, including industrial, logistical, product design and retail strengths," she said, adding that Decathlon benefits from a fully integrated supply chain within China.

France is identified as another country with similar capabilities. China's importance to Decathlon is both significant and multifaceted, she said.

With China entering a new era of green and innovation-led growth, it will continue to export industrial and consumer goods in return for France's high-tech products, including passenger aircraft, medical equipment and green products, said Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics.

The total trade value between China and France reached 555.11 billion yuan ($76.74 billion) in 2023, up 3.1 percent year-on-year. Among the total, China's imports from France stood at 262.42 billion yuan, surging 10.9 percent on a yearly basis, said China's General Administration of Customs.
Marco's Pizza Strengthens Marketing Leadership with Three Strategic Hires

M

arco's Pizza, one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brands, has announced the appointment of three key marketing leaders to drive product innovation and enhance the customer experience.

The new hires include:

- Ben Halliwell, Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing

- Tanisha Chea, Vice President of Brand Marketing

- Kathleen Kennedy, Director of Culinary Innovation

Building on Momentum from Successful Product Launches

After being appointed in June 2023, Chief Marketing Officer Denise Lauer has focused on hiring industry experts to continue the brand's growth through innovative products and digital marketing advancements. Marco's Pizza saw success in 2023 with the rollout of:

- Magnifico Pizza line LTO

- Partnership with Mike's Hot Honey

- Launch of a new permanent menu item, the Pizzoli

The brand aims to build on this momentum and bring new Italian-inspired tastes to the pizza category using high-quality, fresh ingredients.

Investing in Technology and Digital Transformation

In addition to product innovation, Marco's Pizza is prioritizing new technology investments. The company recently rolled out its proprietary Marco's Order Management System (MOMS), a 100% cloud-based platform that provides flexibility to meet changing consumer demands.

"We made great strides last year in evolving our brand strategy, digital and product innovation pipeline," said Lauer. "Looking ahead, we have plans to launch a transformative brand strategy geared to wake up minds, hearts and tastebuds of consumers everywhere."

Leveraging Expertise of New Marketing Leaders

The new marketing leaders bring extensive experience to their roles:

- **Ben Halliwell**, SVP of Digital Marketing: 20+ years driving customer growth across e-commerce, performance marketing, loyalty, and digital platforms in telecommunications and restaurants.

- **Tanisha Chea**, VP of Brand Marketing: 15 years in consumer marketing and integrated multi-channel launch campaigns for brands like Krispy Kreme, Carrabba's Italian Grill and Taco Bell.

- **Kathleen Kennedy**, Director of Culinary Innovation: 40+ years as an executive chef, product developer, and consultant for global brands such as Kraft, Starbucks, and Walmart.

Continued Growth and Industry Recognition

Marco's Pizza is targeting continued growth in 2024 following an impressive 2023. The brand has earned multiple awards and recognition, including:

- Ranking in Newsweek's 2023 America's Best Customer Service in the pizza chains category

- Earning a spot on QSR's Top 50

- Appearing on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious Top 500 ranking

- Claiming the No. 48 spot on Entrepreneur's 2024 Franchise 500A ranking

For more information on Marco's Pizza franchise opportunities, visit marcos.com/franchising.

 Marco's Pizza Strengthens Marketing Leadership with Three Strategic Hires

 Post your comments

 Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Wooden Walls Distilling's Evening Tide Vodka Crowned World's Best Varietal Vodka

N

ewfoundland-based Wooden Walls Distilling is celebrating a major achievement as their flagship spirit, Evening Tide Vodka, has been named the World's Best Varietal Vodka and Best Varietal Vodka in Canada at the 2024 World Vodka Competition.

Crafting Excellence in St. John's First Distillery

Opened just over a year ago, Wooden Walls Distilling is St. John's first and only distillery. Evening Tide Vodka is crafted using a blend of wheat, rye, and oats sourced throughout Atlantic Canada, and is handcrafted into small batch spirits using slow distillation and fermentation techniques.

Head Distiller James Walsh explains, "We take our time through every step of the process, so nothing is ever rushed. While it does take more time and labour, it is a labour of love, and we believe it shows in the final product."

Celebrating the Best Vodkas Globally

The annual World Vodka Awards celebrate the best internationally recognized vodka styles, with winners selected by a panel of leading distillers and experts. Co-owner Peter Madden expressed his excitement:

- "Being awarded best in Canada is an honour. Being named 'best in the world' is truly extraordinary!"

- "We are tremendously proud that we could put the province on the international stage for distilling, and are excited to build on this success."

A Community Effort

Wooden Walls Distilling, owned and operated by passionate Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, has a spacious tasting room in historic downtown St. John's where visitors can enjoy their spirits, meals, and distillery tours.

Madden acknowledges the role of the community in their success:

- "It takes a community to produce, distribute and export spirits. We are thankful to our patrons, team, and the local establishments for their unwavering belief in our vision that drives us forward."

- "We are also grateful to our supporters and funders, such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation, Business Development Bank of Canada and the Bank of Montreal."

For more information on Wooden Walls Distilling, Evening Tide Vodka, and their other spirit offerings, visit www.woodenwalls.ca or contact cheers@woodenwalls.ca.

 Wooden Walls Distilling's Evening Tide Vodka Crowned World's Best Varietal Vodka

 Post your comments

 Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Kroger Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a Four-Week Latin Flavors Fiesta

T

he Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) is inviting customers to embark on a culinary adventure with a four-week Latin flavors event leading up to Cinco de Mayo.

This celebration aims to showcase the vibrant tastes and traditions of Latin American cuisine.

Inspiring Togetherness Through Food

"This event is a celebration of a culture and flavors that inspires togetherness and a passion for food," said Dan De La Rosa, Kroger's group vice president of Fresh Merchandising.

Kroger hopes to curate an experience that:

- Sparks new culinary adventures

- Makes Latin American recipes approachable for all skill levels

- Introduces new foods, spices, and products customers will love

Delicious Recipes to Try at Home

Customers can look forward to Murray's cheese demos and plenty of sampling opportunities, including these easy-to-recreate recipes:

1. Yucatecan Chicken Tacos

2. Empanadas with Pork and Potatoes or Picadillo

3. Garlic Lime Fajitas

4. Grilled Mexican Street Corn

Discover New Culinary Adventures

Kroger is offering a wide range of Latin-themed, palate-pleasing meals and products available in-store and online, such as:

- Bakery Fresh Tres Leches Cake Slices

- Deli Fresh Guacamole and Salsa

- Home Chef Chicken and Carne Asada Street Taco Kits

- Thin Sliced Kroger Mercado Meats

- Cilantro Lime Shrimp Bowls

- Fresh produce like Avocados, Tomatoes, Onions, Mangos, and Mexican Street Corn

- Cinco De Mayo and Fiesta Bouquets

Authentic Latin American Flavors with Kroger Mercado

For an especially festive culinary adventure, customers can explore the Kroger Mercado line, which celebrates the tradition of Latin American foods with authentically inspired products.

Savings and Convenience

Customers can find additional Latin-themed products and savings on Kroger.com or the Kroger app, with more than $600 in digital coupons available weekly. Kroger also offers convenient shopping options like Pickup and Delivery, as well as the Boost by Kroger Plus membership for additional savings.

Kroger has previously hosted similar events celebrating the flavors of Mexico, Italy, and Spain, demonstrating their commitment to showcasing diverse cuisines and culinary traditions.

 Kroger Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a Four-Week Latin Flavors Fiesta

 Post your comments

 Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
SHANGHAI, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Amid the humming of milk foam makers, a Starbucks cafe in the Zhangjiang High-tech Park in Shanghai is bustling with white-collar professionals engaged in business talks and info sharing regarding biomedicine.

Located in the park that is home to more than 1,400 innovative drug suppliers, the cafe is a naturally suitable place for these medical researchers to brainstorm.

"After just spending three days at the cafe, you can easily get up to date on recent events in the biomedical industry," Tian Hongqi said kiddingly.

Tian, 56, founder of the Shanghai Kechow Pharma, Inc., is a frequent customer at the cafe. He has been leading his research team to independently develop small molecule drugs for 15 years.

"Developing new medicines is not easy as we must break the foreign patent bottleneck," said Tian. "But this industry is booming and will continue to be promising in the long run, because there will always be a rigid demand for curing diseases and prolonging people's life span."

Tian's efforts recently paid off. On March 15, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) announced the approval of a new medicine developed by his company, a kind of kinase inhibitor that is helpful for combating melanoma.

The inhibitor marks the first domestic drug of its kind in China. Tian hoped that this new medicine will be applied to clinical use and be prescribed as early as this May.

With innovation-driven development, China's pharmaceutical companies have accelerated their transformation and upgrading from a producer of generic drugs to an international supplier of new drugs, observers said.

In 2022 alone, 21 new drugs were approved to enter market across the country, including three original ones. The same year, the National Development and Reform Commission issued a five-year plan on developing biological economy, highlighting biomedical industry.

Multiple industrial clusters have taken shape in places such as Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Wuhan. The Zhangjiang High-tech Park in Shanghai's Pudong New Area harbors innovation centers established by nine out of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world.

"We brainstorm in the cafe, the infrastructure is convenient here, and there is a full industrial chain," Tian said.

Progress is also seen in advanced medical equipment. Toumai, a four-arm laparoscopic surgical robot developed by a Shanghai-based medical robot maker, is the first home-grown robot capable of operating long-distance laparoscopic surgeries.

Since approved by the NMPA in 2022, the robot has assisted 100 long-distance surgeries through 5G, covering nearly 30 Chinese cities with a maximum transmission distance of 5,000 km.

"Biomedicine is a strategic industry despite its long R&D period and relatively high risks," said Ling Gang, chief engineer with the scientific, technological and economic commission of Pudong New Area.

He believes the ultimate goal of social development is to meet the demands of human development, essentially improving people's health and quality of life, which lays a strong basis for the industrial growth.

Official data showed that the scale of China's biomedical industry had reached 3.57 trillion yuan (about 503 billion U.S. dollars) in 2020. As one of the most vibrant and potential industries, the scale of the sector is estimated to hit 8 trillion yuan by 2030.

Chinese pharmaceutical companies are going international faster. In 2022, 59 innovative drugs were licensed to clinical test and sales overseas, with a total transaction value of 23.78 billion U.S. dollars.

While delivering new medicines, China also acts to ensure the drugs are affordable. Tian said his team is preparing for the application of the newly approved inhibitor to be included in the national medical insurance scheme.

"We plan to work on the R&D of drugs for indications of lung and intestinal cancers next year," he said. "Meeting clinical needs is always the center of our work."

Editor: WXL
Bio-Techne Corporation today announced that Advanced Cell Diagnostics (ACD), part of Bio-Techne's Spatial Biology Division, has surpassed 10,000 peer-reviewed publications referencing the use and application of RNAscope ISH technology. Over 50% of these publications were released in the past 3 years, as increasing global customer awareness and expanded market adoption solidify ACD's leadership in spatial biology applications.

As a pioneer in spatial biology, Bio-Techne's broad portfolio of over 50,000 unique RNAscope ISH probes across over 400 species enables its biopharma and academic customers to reveal ground-breaking biologic discoveries, accelerate the development of next generation therapeutics, and deliver life-changing diagnostics. Representing the most referenced spatial biology technology in the industry for RNA biomarkers, RNAscope offers best-in-class single-molecule sensitivity with unrivaled specificity at subcellular resolution. This landmark portfolio of 10,000 scientific publications encompasses applications in cancer and neuroscience, as well as additional areas of research including immunology, infectious disease, cell and gene therapy, and regenerative medicine.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the achievement of over 10,000 publications referencing RNAscope ISH technology," said Matt McManus, President of Bio-Techne's Diagnostics & Genomics Segment. "We are honored by the trust the scientific community has placed in RNAscope to uncover new spatial insights and enable significant breakthroughs across a wide range of diseases."
A new article in JBMR Plus, published by Oxford University Press, indicates that patient survival rates after hip or other bone fractures can be very poor. While patients and their families may dismiss a fracture as a minor injury, survival rates can be lower than those for many types of cancer.

Scientists have gathered a body of evidence about mortality outcomes in patients over 50, but survival rates following bone fractures are not often included in the statistics available to patients or caregivers. The aim of this current real-world population-based study of close to 100,000 subjects was to show the post-fracture prognosis in people over 65 years by examining the overall survival by gender, age groups, and types of fractures, using the database of the Ontario, Canada public healthcare system.

In the entire fracture cohort over 65, less than a third of men and half of women survived five years after a hip fracture, with overall survival rates being marginally better following vertebral fracture. The oldest patients, those over 85, had the worst prognosis. Female patients tended to have better post-fracture survival than men, but had a significantly higher risk for getting a fracture in the first place. The paper emphasizes that the greatest reduction in survival in both genders occurred within the initial month after a fracture, indicating a high relative impact of short-term factors. This suggests the most critical period for doctors to intervene to improve patient prognoses is immediately after a fracture.

The paper notes that the five-year survival rates after a diagnosis of different types of cancer relevant to older adults are as follows: 64% in patients 60 to 79 years with any type of cancer, 43% in those over 80 with any type of cancer, 94% in men of any age with prostate cancer, and 89% in women (any age) with breast cancer. Therefore, survival outcomes for fractures in older adults are comparable to or worse than those seen for patients afflicted by some common types of cancer.

This large study of Canadians over 65 strongly demonstrates that survival most dramatically declined within one month after most types of fracture, with a five-year survival being similar to or worse than some common cancers. These observations highlight the urgency to change our attitude towards these patients and offer them secondary prevention interventions before hospital discharge, as recommended by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research." Jacques Brown, paper's lead author
St George's, University of London have led revolutionary work to improve student mental health by using sessions in Virtual Reality (VR) to reduce stress and anxiety. Preliminary results are being presented today at A Metaverse for the Good conference in Barcelona.

The number of students living in the UK who disclosed a mental health condition to their university increased five-fold from the academic year 2010/11 to 2020/21, while 57% of respondents in a 2022 Student Minds mental health charity survey self-reported a mental health issue. This VR experience could offer a transformational solution to combat this growing problem.



The VR content, which has been developed by Phase Space Ltd working with St George's, University of London, uses proven hypnosis-based stress management techniques, including breathing and visualization, reimagined for VR. It harnesses the power of VR to supercharge the process of relaxation and uses breathtaking graphics that focus the headset wearer's attention to achieve a deep state of calm within minutes.



One hundred St George's healthcare students were recruited to the trial between October and November 2023. They were randomly assigned to view the VR content - focused on dealing with exam stress - either using a Phase Space headset or as a 2D video on their smartphone. Both groups completed a seven-minute VR session every day for five days.



Before and after each session, participants were asked to report how calm, stressed, and anxious they felt on a scale of 0 to 10. Students in the VR headset group showed greater improvements in all measures immediately after the sessions compared to the control (smartphone) group. In the headset group, their feeling of calm increased with a score of 5.6 before the trial to 7.5 after the sessions, stress decreased from a score of 5.0 to 3.2 and anxiety decreased from 4.4 to 3.0.



Using standardized scales typically used in psychiatry, the students also reported their levels of happiness, calmness, stress, sadness, anxiety, wellbeing and depression at the start of the trial and at a follow-up session two weeks later.



After two weeks, levels of student wellbeing increased and levels of perceived stress decreased in the VR headset group. There were no changes between the pre-intervention and follow-up period in the control group.



In response to open-ended questions, 89% of students (42 out of 47) using the VR headset reported that they experienced a therapeutic effect on their emotional wellbeing from the technology. Other themes to emerge from the qualitative feedback were that they felt more calm, confident and 'recharged'.



Students in the VR headset group felt more 'immersed' and there were no reports of cybersickness.



Following the positive feedback, the Student Union at St George's will offer its students regular sessions to use the VR headsets to manage stress in the run-up to exams from late April.



The work at St George's, University of London is led by Dr Aileen O'Brien, Reader in Psychiatry and Consultant Psychiatrist. She said:



"The mental health of students has never been more of a concern. We have received incredibly positive feedback from students, so we are delighted to be taking this revolutionary project further.



"St George's students played a fundamental role in developing the anxiety-reduction modules used for the study. Ultimately, we hope it will pave the way for VR to be added to the repertoire of student support offered by St George's, University of London and across the higher education sector for the first time."

The VR is a really effective way for me to feel calmer and curb my anxiety. This tool offers an immersive and intentional experience of relaxation, which feels revolutionary in helping to manage the great amount of stress we feel as students. I really hope VR becomes embedded into the student support options at my university." Becky Kemp Arnold, medical student at St George's, University of London

Zillah Watson, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Phase Space, said:

"We know that there is great potential in this new approach to address the student mental health crisis, and we are thrilled to see the benefits being reported by students.

"Phase Space remains committed to pioneering evidence-based solutions that make a lasting impact on the mental health and wellbeing of young people, and this research with St George's, University of London is a significant step forward. Our pilots with NHS staff, in workplaces and in schools are already demonstrating the wider potential of the VR content we developed with St George's."

The trial and content creation were funded by UKRI Innovate UK as part of the Mindset program to expand the scale of the VR technology with the aim to embed this in universities across the UK.
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities, has opened the PHMC Health Center on Cedar, a federally qualified health center (FQHC) located inside the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar at 54th Street and Cedar Avenue in West Philadelphia. The Health Center, which is staffed by clinicians from Penn Medicine's Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, provides community members with access to high-quality, integrated, patient-centered health care in collaboration with Penn Medicine.

The PHMC Health Center on Cedar is a federally funded health care clinic offering primary and preventive care, behavioral health services, prenatal and postnatal care, substance use disorder treatment, chronic disease management and social services assistance. The Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., via walk-ins and in-person or telehealth appointments. The Center accepts most insurance plans and offers a sliding fee scale, with all patients treated regardless of their ability to pay.

This new Health Center-;which provides care across the lifespan and has thus far served patients ranging in age from six months to 96 years old-;offers an important complement to the broad continuum of public health services and programming for the Cedar campus. In addition to the new Health Center, the PHMC Public Health Center on Cedar includes an emergency department and onsite inpatient and hospital-based behavioral health services as a remote location for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), known as HUP-Cedar Avenue.

The PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar was founded on a guiding principle to provide community-informed, high quality health care through an innovative and integrated public health campus. The opening of the Health Center, along with this innovative partnership with Penn Medicine, is an exciting next step to serve our West and Southwest Philadelphia neighbors. We're thrilled to welcome children, adults and families to our public health campus for high-quality care." Richard J. Cohen, President and CEO of PHMC

In March 2021, the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar opened, transitioning the building from the former Mercy Philadelphia Hospital. The campus, which is owned and operated by PHMC, continues to evolve into a multi-faceted and innovative public health campus.

In the year since the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar opened to the community, it has retained a critical community health access point, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, staff at HUP-Cedar Avenue have cared for more than 5,850 patients during inpatient and observational stays, provided care during 37,000 emergency department visits and connected dozens of patients for specialty care in other parts of the Penn Medicine system. The campus has been a key site for walk-up COVID-19 testing and vaccinations and, at the height of the omicron surge, more than half of inpatients at HUP-Cedar Avenue were being treated for COVID.

"The new Health Center is an important extension of our public health partnership. It's a place that prioritizes taking care of our neighbors in the very best setting-;closest to home, where they can count on our team to be their trusted medical home for every phase in their lives," said Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. "Our work with PHMC has shown that new models and creative ideas are essential for building and supporting healthy communities, and for keeping health equity at the center of that mission."

The PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar is in Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier's District.

"West Philadelphia residents need and deserve high-quality health care -; and I'm grateful that the new health center at the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar will allow even more community members to receive that care," said Councilmember Gauthier. "Since the inception of the Public Health Campus, PHMC and Penn Medicine have been laser-focused on ensuring that their approach to this work centers the surrounding community and its unique health and wellness needs -; and I'm so grateful for their continued partnership and dedication."

A key element of the campus is a robust community engagement plan that includes the launch of a community advisory board and regular and ongoing community outreach with stakeholders. This continued engagement between residents and campus program leaders will provide an informed approach to meeting current and future community needs, services and supports for residents. Services in the facility are oriented toward meeting top issues identified through the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment for the area, which include substance and opioid use, behavioral health care, and access to affordable primary and preventive care.

"We're grateful for PHMC and Penn Medicine for giving new life to this great campus," said Stacey McCoy-Ndiaye, member of the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar Community Advisory Board. "This vision has maintained hundreds of jobs, engaged with neighborhood organizations and provided our community with access to quality health care through the opening of this new health center. We're very optimistic about the future of the campus and look forward to our continued partnership."

As part of this project, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation supports the engagement of community-based, non-profit social services that address key issues, such as health and wellness education and food insecurity.

The PHMC Health Center on Cedar is part of PHMC's Health Network, which includes six federally qualified health centers and provides care for more than 23,000 Philadelphians annually. PHMC's nurses provide primary care services in 12 shelters and serve as a resource to street outreach teams working with people experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. PHMC Health Network provides a public health approach to health care -- one that is preventive, focuses on the integration of physical and behavioral health, and is community-centered in addressing the social determinants of health.

For additional information on the PHMC Health Network, please visit phmchealthnetwork.org.
Drugs known as GLP-1 analogs have become increasingly popular to treat diabetes and obesity, but there have been concerns that they might increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Now an extensive Scandinavian study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has found no evidence of such a link. The study is published in The BMJ.

GLP-1 receptor agonists, also known as GLP-1 analogs, reduce blood sugar levels and appetite. They are widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, with their clinical use steadily increasing. Earlier studies and adverse event data have suggested that these drugs could be associated with an increased risk of thyroid tumors. However, due to limitations in data and methodology, clear conclusions could not be drawn, leading to uncertainty about this potential side effect.

Many people take these medicines, so it is important to study potential risks associated with them. Our study covers a broad group of patients and provides strong support that GLP-1 analogs are not associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer." Bjorn Pasternak, principal researcher, Department of Medicine, Solna, at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

The researchers analyzed national register data from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden of about 145,000 patients treated with GLP-1 analogs, mainly liraglutide or semaglutide, and 290,000 patients treated with another diabetes drug (DPP4 inhibitors). The risk of thyroid cancer was compared between the groups over an average follow-up period of just under four years.

GLP-1 treatment was not associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer. The results were consistent also when compared to a third diabetes medication group (SGLT2 inhibitors).

"We cannot rule out that the risk of certain subtypes of thyroid cancer is increased in smaller patient groups that we could not study here, for example in people with a high congenital risk of medullary thyroid cancer who are advised against using these drugs," says Peter Ueda, assistant professor at the Department of Medicine, Solna, at Karolinska Institutet.

The ongoing research program at Karolinska Institutet investigates the effects and potential side effects of newer diabetes medications such as GLP-1 analogs and SGLT2 inhibitors. These medications are now being used to treat broader patient groups, including those with obesity, heart failure, and kidney failure.

"We know from randomized clinical trials that they have positive effects, but clinical reality is different with patients varying in disease severity, comorbidities, and adherence to treatment recommendations," says Bjorn Pasternak. "It's therefore essential to investigate how these medicines perform in everyday clinical settings."

The research was mainly financed by the Swedish Cancer Society, the Swedish Research Council and Karolinska Institutet. One of the co-authors is an employee of NordicRWE and another co-author reports fees for counseling and lectures from several pharmaceutical companies.
Morphine and other opioids are vital to treat severe and chronic pain. However, they have two problems -; prolonged use creates morphine tolerance, where ever-increasing doses are needed for the same pain relief, and paradoxically, prolonged use also can create an extreme sensitivity to pain, called hyperalgesia.

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, now have shown that blocking the activity of an enzyme called Tiam1 in certain spinal neurons abrogates morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia in a mouse model. Their work highlights Tiam1-mediated maladaptive neural plasticity as a promising therapeutic target to reduce tolerance and prolong the usefulness of morphine for pain relief.

Understanding the mechanisms underlying tolerance and hyperalgesia is essential to enhance morphine's utility in chronic pain management." Lingyong Li, Ph.D., Associate Professor, UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine

The study, published in the journal Brain, was led by Li and co-corresponding author Kimberley Tolias, Ph.D., a professor at Baylor College of Medicine.

In the mouse model, seven days of repeated morphine treatments induces tolerance and hyperalgesia. Notably, that tolerance and hyperalgesia continue at least one week after morphine withdrawal, suggesting that the sustained morphine treatment triggered plasticity in nerve function in the spinal dorsal horn, alongside plasticity in the actual structure of the neuron. The spinal dorsal horn receives pain messages from peripheral areas of the body and relays them to the brain, or it can evoke a rapid reflex action, like jerking a hand from the touch of a hot stove burner.

Using a mouse model of neuropathic pain, Li and Tolias last year reported in the journal Neuron that Tiam1 acts to coordinate synaptic structural and functional plasticity in spinal dorsal horn neurons. Furthermore, targeting spinal Tiam1 with anti-sense oligonucleotides injected into the cerebrospinal fluid effectively alleviated neuropathic pain hypersensitivity. Thus, for the current study, they hypothesized that Tiam1-mediated maladaptive plasticity also contributes to morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia.

They first found that prolonged morphine treatment markedly increased the amount of activated Tiam1 in spinal dorsal horn neurons and that Tiam1 remained activated after the seven-day morphine treatment ended. Furthermore, a global Tiam1 deletion in mice, or a conditional Tiam1 deletion from spinal dorsal horn neurons or from dorsal root ganglion neurons in the spine, prevented development of morphine anti-pain tolerance and hyperalgesia.

Li, Tolias and colleagues also showed that inhibiting Tiam1 signaling with the pharmacological inhibitor NSC23766 prevented development of morphine anti-pain tolerance, known as anti-nociceptive tolerance. That inhibition also prevented development of hyperalgesia. Nociception is the neural feedback from skin to the central nervous system to detect painful and damaging stimuli.

The researchers found giving the mice NSC23766 at the same time as the prolonged morphine treatments was able to dose-dependently block development of morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia. Importantly, when NSC23766 treatment started only after the seven days of morphine treatment had finished, NSC23766 was able to reverse established tolerance and hyperalgesia.

Tiam1 is known to modulate the activity of other proteins that help build or unbuild the cytoskeletons of cells, and the building of cytoskeleton actin filaments is part of dendritic spine creation. Dendrites are tree-like appendages attached to the body of a neuron that receive communications from other neurons; dendritic spines are thorn-like projections from the branches. Each spine can receive input from a single axon, increasing the number of contacts between neurons.

Besides the Neuron study on neuropathic pain in 2023, Li and Tolias in a 2022 Journal of Clinical Investigation study found that the depression that is induced by chronic pain leads to an activated Tiam1 in anterior cingulate cortex pyramidal neurons of the brain, resulting in an increased number of spines on the neural dendrites.

In the current study of morphine tolerance, the investigators found similar dendritic spine morphological changes. Prolonged morphine treatment increased the density of dendritic spines in wide dynamic range neurons in wildtype mice, and this was accompanied by evidence of actin filament polymerization in the neurons. In contrast, Tiam1-knockout mice did not show an increase in the density of dendritic spines after prolonged morphine treatment.

On neural dendrites, the NMDA receptor is a receptor of glutamate, a primary excitatory neurotransmitter. Other researchers have shown that NMDAR-mediated central sensitization in the spinal dorsal horn has been implicated in morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia. Li and Tolias found that Tiam1 is required for these NMDAR changes.

In wildtype controls, the seven-day morphine treatment increased the levels of two synaptic NMDAR subunits, while those synaptic NMDAR subunit levels were unaltered after seven-day morphine treatment in Tiam1-knockout mice. Similarly, electrophysiological recordings of dorsal horn neurons in the wildtype mice revealed that seven-day morphine treatment significantly increased postsynaptic NMDAR currents elicited by puff application of NMDA, an increase not seen in Tiam1-knockout mice.

Finally, the researchers showed that a combination therapy of morphine and NSC23766 delivered long-lasting anti-nociception, without the development of tolerance, for chronic pain management. "Taken together, our pharmacological results highlight the potential benefit of inhibiting Tiam1 signaling to reduce tolerance and prolong morphine use in chronic pain management," Li said.

Co-authors with Li and Tolias in the study, "Tiam1-mediated maladaptive plasticity underlying morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia," are Changqun Yao, Zeinab Mehsein and Jun Li, UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine; Xing Fang and Qin Ru, Baylor College of Medicine; and Wei Li, UAB Department of Neurobiology.

Support came from National Institutes of Health grants DA056673 and NS124141, and the Mission Connect/TIRR Foundation 020-102.

At UAB, Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, and Neurobiology, are departments in the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine.
Nearly two hours into a Capitol Hill hearing focused on rural health, Rep. Brad Wenstrup emphatically told the committee's five witnesses: "Hang with us."

Federal lawmakers face a year-end deadline to solidify or scuttle an array of covid-era payment changes for telehealth services that include allowing people to stay in their homes to see a doctor or therapist.

During the hearing in early March, Wenstrup and other House members offered personal anecdotes on how telehealth, home visits, and remote monitoring helped their patients, relatives, and constituents. Wenstrup, a Republican from Ohio who is also a podiatric surgeon and a retired Army reservist, told the audience: "Patients are less anxious and heal better when they can be at home."

Most of the proposals focus on how Medicare covers telehealth services. But the rules affect patients on all types of insurance plans because typically private insurers and some government programs follow Medicare's example. Without congressional action, virtual health care services like audio-only calls or meeting online with specialty doctors  such as an occupational therapist  could end. The bills would also continue to allow rural health clinics and other health centers to offer telehealth services while waiving a requirement for in-person mental health visits.

Telehealth use ballooned in the early months of the covid-19 pandemic and grew into a household term. The practice has become a popular issue for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

In one U.S. Census Bureau survey conducted from April 2021 to August 2022, Medicare and Medicaid enrollees reported using telehealth visits the most  26.8% and 28.3%, respectively. The survey of nearly 1.2 million adults also found that Black patients and those earning less than $25,000 reported high rates of telehealth use. Notably, people of color were more likely to use audio-only visits.

Ensuring access to telehealth services "is the best public policy," said Debbie Curtis, a vice president of McDermott+Consulting, a Washington, D.C.-based health care lobbying firm. "It's the best business outcome. It's the best patient care outcome."

But it's a presidential election year and Congress is a "deadline-driven organization," Curtis said. She expects that Congress will be "kicking the can" past the November election.

Kyle Zebley, senior vice president of public policy at the American Telemedicine Association who also lobbies on Capitol Hill, said Congress might well be in that lame-duck period." "This is no way to run a health care system on a popular bipartisan issue," he said.

In January, lawmakers  including senators from Mississippi and South Dakota  sent a letter to the Biden administration urging the White House to work quickly with Congress to ensure payments continue for Medicare patients who use telehealth, "especially for rural and underserved communities."

Maya Sandalow, a senior policy analyst for the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, said lawmakers and policymakers are likely to consider a temporary extension of the payments rather than permanent changes.

"Research is still coming out that covers more recent years than the acute effects of the pandemic," Sandalow said. The center expects to release policy recommendations in the coming months.

Questions being considered include which kind of health care services are best for audio-only and video visits. Sandalow said researchers are also weighing how telehealth can "expand access to affordable, high-quality care while ensuring in-person options remain for patients."

In North Dakota, Sanford Health's David Newman said virtual care is often the only way some of his patients in the western part of the state can get sub-specialty care, such as with behavioral health.

Newman, an endocrinologist and Sanford's medical officer of virtual care, said 10% to 20% of his patients are seen virtually during the summer, as compared with about 40% in the winter months because "the weather can be so bad" that roads are impassable.

In winters past, Newman would sit around "doing nothing for a day" because patients couldn't visit him. Now, he has a full clinic using telehealth technology.

"I tell my patients that if you can make a restaurant reservation or if you can order a pizza online, you can do a virtual visit," Newman said.
A student paints traditional paper works for the Bengali New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 7, 2024. The Bengali New Year is usually celebrated every year on April 14. (Xinhua)

Students make traditional paper works for the Bengali New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 7, 2024. The Bengali New Year is usually celebrated every year on April 14. (Xinhua)

Students paint on a wall for the Bengali New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 7, 2024. The Bengali New Year is usually celebrated every year on April 14. (Xinhua)

A student paints traditional paper works for the Bengali New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 7, 2024. The Bengali New Year is usually celebrated every year on April 14. (Xinhua)

A student paints on a wall for the Bengali New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 7, 2024. The Bengali New Year is usually celebrated every year on April 14. (Xinhua)

Students paint on a wall for the Bengali New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 7, 2024. The Bengali New Year is usually celebrated every year on April 14. (Xinhua)

A student poses for a photo with a traditional paper work made for the Bengali New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 7, 2024. The Bengali New Year is usually celebrated every year on April 14. (Xinhua)

Editor: JYZ
The arrival of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits for cholera in Malawi today signals the start of a global programme that will see more than 1.2 million tests distributed to 14 countries at high risk for cholera over the next several months. Countries that will receive kits in the coming weeks in this largest-ever global deployment include those currently severely impacted by cholera outbreaks, such as Ethiopia, Somalia, Syria, and Zambia. This programme will improve the timeliness and accuracy of outbreak detection and response by boosting routine surveillance and testing capacity and helping rapidly identify probable cholera cases. Critically, it will also help countries monitor trends and build an evidence base for future preventive programmes, supporting the achievement of national cholera control and elimination targets.

The global cholera diagnostics programme is funded and coordinated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), with procurement and delivery to countries led by UNICEF, and undertaken in collaboration with the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC), and WHO. It was developed in partnership with FIND, who led development of a target product profile describing the required characteristics of cholera RDTs, and other organizations. These initial shipments signal the start of the programme, which aims to see partners deploy RDTs to additional countries that have expressed interest in the future. Long-term sustainability of the programme depends on successful fundraising for Gavi's next strategic period, from 2026 to 2030.

Through this effort, rapid diagnostic tests from two manufacturers  that have to-date been supplied via WHO and UNICEF for use in outbreak response  will now be used routinely for cholera surveillance. Pilot studies across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Niger and Nepal, funded by Gavi and led by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Epicentre/ Medecins Sans Frontieres have helped increase understanding of effective rapid testing strategies. Preliminary insights from these studies, which are still ongoing, have helped inform programme design  making the rollout of these tests at scale more effective.

Cholera has been surging globally since 2021, with high case fatality rates despite availability of simple, effective and affordable treatment. The large number of outbreaks has led to unprecedented demand for vaccines from impacted countries. While global oral cholera vaccine supply has increased eighteen-fold between 2013 and 2023, the large and sustained spike in demand compared to the current availability has put a strain on the global stockpile. Preventive vaccination campaigns have had to be delayed to preserve doses for emergency outbreak response efforts. Recurring outbreaks in countries where emergency vaccination campaigns have already been implemented further highlight the need for improved speed and accuracy in identifying areas with new or persistent transmission  enabling these areas to be targeted during initial outbreak response efforts.

In 2021, the Gavi Board approved US$ 55 million in funding to support a diagnostics programme between 2022 and- 2025 across cholera, yellow fever, measles, rubella, meningococcal meningitis and typhoid  with the aim to improve disease surveillance, outbreak detection and response and the design of preventive programmes. Gavi then opened a cholera diagnostics application window in June 2023  which is still open  and so far 14 countries have submitted applications and been approved by an Independent Review Committee of experts. In 2023, Gavi also launched a preventive cholera vaccination programme, to support countries with long-term cholera control  a strategy that has successfully led to a decrease in outbreaks of diseases such as yellow fever and meningitis.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through food and water contaminated with faeces containing the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The rise in cholera is driven by continued gaps in access to safe water and sanitation, and failure to quickly detect outbreaks and limit their spread. The communities impacted often do not have access to basic health services, a situation made worse by climate-related factors, conflict and population displacement. In the face of the ongoing surge, partners working on cholera control have urgently called on countries, manufacturers and other partners to invest in the timely outbreak response and case management, rapid access to treatment, increased production of affordable vaccines, and urgent improvements in access to basic water and sanitation services in impacted communities.

To be effective, these multisectoral strategies for the control of cholera must be guided by timely and reliable cholera surveillance data. Surveillance not only supports the early detection of and quick response to an outbreak, but also plays a central role in providing stakeholders in other cholera prevention and control pillars with the data they need to target, design, implement, and evaluate interventions. In 2023, the GTFCC updated recommendations in favor of strategic, routine and systematic testing of suspected cholera cases and the expanded use of RDTs to strengthen cholera surveillance. The global cholera RDT procurement program provides the additional support required for eligible countries to implement these recommendations.

We are experiencing an unprecedented multi-year upsurge in cholera cases worldwide, and today's announcement provides a critical boost in the fight against the disease. The rise in infections is being driven by continued gaps in access to safe water and sanitation, and our inability to reach vulnerable communities that are being put further at risk by climate change, conflict and displacement. Routine use of diagnostics will bolster cholera surveillance in impacted countries, and must be leveraged to better target vaccination efforts, which play a critical role in multisectoral cholera prevention and control programmes." Aurelia Nguyen, Chief Programme Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

"Despite cholera being preventable and easily treatable, children continue to suffer from this potentially fatal disease. This is why we are working with partners on all fronts and in novel ways to stem outbreaks," said Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division. "Surveillance diagnostics help pinpoint hotspots with great precision. This allows partners to target cholera vaccines to exactly the time and place where the limited supply will save the most lives."

"It's a tragedy that cholera-;a preventable and treatable disease-;continues to afflict and kill today. We need urgent action on all fronts, including commitment by countries to clean water, sanitation and hygiene," said Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme. "WHO welcomes the deployment of these rapid cholera tests. They will equip health workers with the critical and timely data needed to stop outbreaks early and direct efforts to better prevent and treat cholera."

"Cholera is now spreading to areas that have been free from the disease for many years, demanding a swift, multifaceted strategy to direct limited resources to critical areas and save lives. Accurate and high-quality testing and surveillance measures are vital to spot the disease where it is emerging, confirm cholera cases amidst other diarrheal illnesses, and evaluate the success of preventative measures such as vaccines," said Dr Sergio Carmona, Acting CEO and Chief Medical Officer at FIND.
A 28-year-old man pursuing MBA course from a college in Maharashtras Nagpur city has allegedly been duped of Rs 23 lakh after being promised lucrative returns in cryptocurrency investments.

A fraudster, posing as an investment advisor, approached the student via Telegram messaging platform on November 17, 2023, an official from Wathoda police station told news agency PTI on Tuesday.

Also Read: Rs 80 Lakh Saved, Fraudsters Foiled; How Lawyers Suspicion Busted Big Financial Scam In Mumbai

The person lured the student, hailing from Hooghly in West Bengal, to invest in a cryptocurrency scheme while promising him good returns.

The student initially deposited Rs 1,000 into a bank account specified by the person and received Rs 1,400 in return, thereby reinforcing his belief in the scheme, the official said.

Later, over some time, the student ended up depositing a total of Rs 23 lakh into the account, hoping to get profits as promised.

However, he neither received the promised returns nor was he able to retrieve the invested amount, the official said.

Based on the students complaint, the police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act and were conducting a probe into it.

Investment-related frauds can take various forms, including Ponzi schemes, insider trading, stock market manipulation, and fraudulent investment schemes promising unrealistic returns.

Preventing investment-related fraud requires a combination of regulatory oversight, investor education, and due diligence by both investors and companies. By staying informed and exercising caution, investors can reduce their risk of falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

(With PTI inputs)
According to the most recent shareholding pattern for the quarter that ended March 2024, retail investors held a 14.53 per cent stake in the digital payment platform.

As per the filings, mutual funds held 6.15 per cent of Paytm in the three months ended March 31, up from 4.99 per cent the previous quarter. This includes Mirae Asset Mutual Fund, which increased its holding to 3.76 per cent from 2.51 per cent in the previous quarter, and Nippon India Mutual Fund, which increased its stake to 1.66 per cent.

This resulted in a rise of 0.8 per cent to 4,35,68,764 shares in the total holdings held by domestic institutional investors, which includes insurance firms and alternative investment funds.

Meanwhile, provident funds or pension funds, which previously held a 0.05 per cent ownership, appear to have exited, while non-resident Indians (NRIs) purchased extra shares, accounting for 0.85 per cent of the total in the quarter.

Furthermore, the growing interest from domestic institutions comes as One 97 Communications (Paytm) shares have continued to plummet since the RBIs ban on its banking partner business, Paytm Payment Bank Limited (PPBL), was announced on January 31. Since the order, Paytms share price has dropped by 50 per cent, bringing the companys market capitalisation down to Rs 25,600 crore.

Details on Foreign Portfolio Investment:

Foreign institutions currently own 60.40 per cent of the fintech company, down from 63.72 per cent a year ago. This is due to a decrease in foreign direct investment (FDI) in Paytm, despite the fact that Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) Category 1 and 2 increased their ownership to over 15 million shares.

While other companies, such as Saif Partners, Resilient Asset Management, and Antifinwhich Jack Ma foundedkept holding around the same number of shares, Softbank (SVF India Holdings (Cayman) Limited) further decreased its position to 1.40 per cent in Q4FY24.

When new investors joined the FPI category, Paytms prior foreign institutional investorsBNP Paribas Arbitrage and Canada Pension Plan Investment Boardleft. Tiger Pacific Master Fund, based in New York and Hong Kong, entered the market during the quarter with 65,79,135 shares, or 1.04 per cent of the total.
Petrol and Diesel Prices On April 10, 2024: Today, on 10 April, new petrol and diesel rates have been released across the country. Every day at 6 am, government oil companies release new prices of petrol and diesel in the country. In such a situation, before leaving home with your car, know what are the rates of petrol and diesel (Petrol Diesel Rates) in your city.

Let us tell you that government oil companies reduced the prices of petrol and diesel on March 14. A relief of Rs 2 each was given in the price of petrol and diesel. However, since then there has been no major change in the price of petrol and diesel. Let us know what are the latest rates of petrol and diesel across the country.

In India, the pricing of petrol and diesel is subject to influences like freight charges, value-added tax (VAT), and local taxes, resulting in different rates across states.

Petrol-diesel prices in metros (Petrol Diesel Prices)

After this cut, the price of petrol in the national capital (Petrol Price Today in Delhi) is now Rs 94.72 per liter, which was earlier Rs 96.72 per liter. Whereas diesel (Diesel Price In Delhi) is Rs 87.62 per liter, which was earlier Rs 89.62 per liter. Today petrol has become Rs 104.21 per liter in Mumbai, Rs 103.94 in Kolkata and Rs 100.75 per liter in Chennai. Whereas the price of diesel has become Rs 92.15 per liter in Mumbai, Rs 90.76 in Kolkata and Rs 92.34 per liter in Chennai.

Where petrol and diesel became cheap and where expensive (Petrol-Diesel Fresh Rates)

Noida: Petrol is Rs 94.81 per liter and diesel is Rs 87.94 per liter

Gurugram: Petrol Rs 95.18 per liter and diesel Rs 88.03 per liter

Bengaluru: Petrol is Rs 99.82 per liter and diesel is Rs 85.92 per liter

Chandigarh: Petrol is Rs 94.22 per liter and diesel is Rs 82.38 per liter

Hyderabad: Petrol at Rs 107.39 per liter and diesel at Rs 95.63 per liter

Jaipur: Petrol is Rs 104.86 per liter and diesel is Rs 90.34 per liter

Patna: Petrol Rs 105.16 per liter and diesel Rs 92.03 per liter

Lucknow: Petrol is Rs 94.63 per liter and diesel is Rs 87.74 per liter

Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on April 10:

City Petrol Diesel Noida Rs 94.66 Rs 87.76 Gurugram Rs 94.98 Rs 87.85 Lucknow Rs 94.79 Rs 87.92 Chandigarh Rs 94.24 Rs 82.40 Jaipur Rs 104.88 Rs 90.36 Patna Rs 105.53 Rs 92.37 Hyderabad Rs 107.41 Rs 95.65 Bengaluru Rs 99.84 Rs 85.92

Factors Affecting Petrol And Diesel Prices In India

Crude oil price: The primary raw material for the production of petrol and diesel is crude oil, and as such, its price directly influences the ultimate cost of these fuels.

The exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the US dollar: As a major importer of crude oil, Indias petrol and diesel prices are also influenced by the exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the US dollar.

Tax: Various taxes on petrol and diesel are imposed by both the central and state governments. These taxes may differ across states, exerting a notable influence on the ultimate prices of petrol and diesel.

The cost of refining:

The final price of petrol and diesel is additionally influenced by the expenses incurred in refining crude oil into these fuels. The refining process can be costly, and the refining expenses may fluctuate based on factors like the type of crude oil utilised and the efficiency of the refinery.

The demand for petrol and diesel: The demand for petrol and diesel can also affect their prices. If demand for these fuels increases, it can lead to higher prices.

Know the price of petrol and diesel through SMS

You can also find out the latest rates of petrol and diesel in your city through SMS. If you are a customer of Indian Oil, then you will have to write RSP along with the city code and send it to 9224992249. If you are a customer of BPCL, then you can get information about the new price of petrol and diesel by writing RSP and sending it to 9223112222. Whereas, if you are a customer of HPCL, then you can find out the price of petrol and diesel by writing HP Price and sending it to 9222201122.
Veteran emerging markets investor Mark Mobius said that the Sensex could hit the 1 lakh mark in the next five years. The chairman of Mobius Emerging Opportunities Fund told CNBC-TV18, The Sensex will hit the 1 lakh mark within the next five years or sooner, as the Indian market needs to get bigger to attract more capital inflow. Talking about various sectors, Mobius was enthusiastic about the infrastructure space and said, One area where you can get a lot more scale is the infrastructure sector if you do IPOs of various infrastructure projects, be it bridges or toll roads. Earlier, he had also spoken positively about India and stressed that he is closely watching the countrys technology sector.

In FY 2024, 75 Indian companies tapped the capital markets through IPOs. These 71 companies raised a total of nearly Rs 62,000 crore, according to Prime Database data. Compared to last year, this figure has increased by 19%. If you remove LIC from the base year, this figure increases to 58%.

Mobius stressed that the major shift of funds from China to India is yet to happen due to the size of the Indian market. He said that the difference in market capitalisation between India and China is one of the main reasons why large foreign investors from the US find it difficult to invest in India.

Indian equities have seen foreign portfolio inflows of $1.2 billion (Rs 99,84,18,00,000) so far in calendar year 2024. Given the slowdown in China, he expects India to catch up in manufacturing and exports.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mark Mobius said that he is moving towards more and more technology. With a very young population, this is a very exciting time for the country. India offers an attractive consumer business, but it is the technology sector that he is watching closely. Under Modis leadership, Indias technology space has left many developed countries behind. If Modi wins a third term, I can only imagine that there will be a further push for digitisation, which would be great for India, Mark Mobius stated.

Mark Mobius is an American-born German emerging markets fund manager and founder of Mobius Capital Partners LLP. Previously, he worked at Franklin Templeton, where he led the Templeton Emerging Markets Group for over three decades.
Stocks To Watch on April 10: Domestic markets scaled new highs on Tuesday even though some profit booking was seen at higher levels. In todays trade, shares of Axis Bank, Paytm, ABFRL, ICICI Pru Life, Shivalik Rasayan will be in focus.

Maruti: The auto major on Tuesday said it has added a new assembly line at its plant in Manesar, Haryana, which has increased the companys total manufacturing capacity from 2.25 million units to 2.35 million units.

Paytm: Surinder Chawla, MD and CEO of Paytm Payments Bank has resigned on account of personal reasons, the company said in a regulatory filing yesterday. The resignation would be effective from June 26.

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, PB Fintech: The private insurance major has entered into a strategic partnership with Policybazaar to offer its products on the latters platform.

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Corporation: In an exchange filing said it has received GST notice for Rs 20.50 for FY19 from the Gujarat tax office.

Lupin: The pharma major announced launch of the first generic version of Oracea (doxycycline capsules 40 mg) in the US.

Axis Bank: Private equity major Bain Capital exited Axis Bank after selling the remaining 1% stake in the lender through the open market for Rs 3,574 crore.

Patanjali: Following the controversy surrounding misleading advertisements by Patanjali, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna have submitted affidavits to the Supreme Court, offering unconditional, unqualified apologies.

ABFRL: The company has incorporated a new subsidiary Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands for the purpose of proposed demerger of Madura Fashion and lifestyle business of the company.
The Delhi High Court on Monday pulled up the citys education department for the very sad state of affairs in the government schools in its north-east district and directed that responsibility be fixed on the officials concerned for the lapse. A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan took into account a scathing report given by lawyer Ashok Agarwal, who visited these schools and found many discrepancies including broken desks, serious shortage of classrooms as well as non-supply for books and writing material. It remarked that the authorities are not supposed to just make publications in the newspapers but also work on the ground level to address the shortcomings.

The secretary of education, who was physically present in the court and had earlier visited the schools to examine their condition, confirmed the findings in the report and assured that steps would be taken to drastically improve the situation in a time-bound manner. You should have known all this. Why do I have to call you? You should be going on ground level on your own. That is your job Your job is affecting lives of young children. They are in-charge of education, the bench, also comprising Justice Manmeet P S Arora, said.

You are not supposed to just publish announcements in newspapers that schools are hunky dory. There are 144 children in one classroom This is very sad state of affairs, added the bench. Agarwal contended that one of the schools in the district was being run from a tin building and two sections were at times being made to sit in a single classroom.

The court remarked that the authorities lack of planning resulted in apathy among the children for school and said accountability must be fixed of the officials. It also questioned how the children were expected to study in a tin building in such high temperatures.

The problem is that no senior functionarys children are studying in these schools. Thats the problem. There is no feedback. What is going to happen to our next generation? No wonder the jails are full. Do you understand the correlation?, Justice Manmohan observed.

The issue is highlighted because it came to the court. There is no supervision, he said. You should have gone there. Senior people are not supervising, the judge further told the secretary.

The education secretary assured the court that there is no shortage of funds and books. Writing material as well as desks would be provided in the schools to all the students, he said. He also said the tin building for one of the schools is a temporary arrangement and the students will be shifted to another building soon.

Let a detailed affidavit be filed by the secretary education to reply to the report. The secretary shall fix responsibility on officials who were remiss in performing their duties, the court ordered and fixed the matter for further hearing on April 23. The court was hearing a public interest litigation by NGO Social Jurist which was represented by Agarwal.

Earlier, the NGO had argued that the education of more than one lakh students studying in these schools were affected as they were forced to study in schools offering two hours of education per day or alternate day education. It was argued that inaction on the part of the Delhi government violated the fundamental right to education of the students as guaranteed under articles 14, 21 and 21A of the Constitution read with the provisions of the Right to Education Act.

Last month, the court had directed the secretary as well as Agarwal to visit the schools.
Digital India Corporation has announced vacancies for the position of engagement manager in their organisation. An engagement manager is responsible for forming a positive relationship with a client after they have signed a contract. Candidates who possess the desired qualifications related to these posts can apply via the official website dic.gov.in. The application process for DIC has commenced and the last date for filing the applications regarding this organisation is April 16. Candidates applying for these posts should go through all the points mentioned in the applications. This space articulates the important details related to the application process.

Qualifications

1. Candidates who are applying for this recruitment must have pursued their Bachelor of Technology/Master of Technology or Master of Business Administration with 5 years of experience.

2. They must have a graduate degree with 6 years of experience from any recognised university or institute.

3. The candidates should also have experience in preparing tech proposals with start-ups or the companies incubated with leading incubators.

4. Experience in Handling Policy-level execution of Innovation sprints will be an advantage.

Age Limit

As per the official notification of DIC Recruitment 2024, the maximum age limit of the candidates who want to apply for these posts are 58 years.

Number of vacancies

Three positions for engagement manager are available in Digital India Corporation.

Other details

1. The application process for the DIC posts will be completed via the online method.

2. As of now, only 6 days are remaining to apply for these posts. Interested aspirants who have not applied yet should apply for these posts immediately.

Other important conditions

1. Candidates, who are employed in regular or contractual employment under the Central or State government, are expected to attach a No Objection Certificate. This certificate should be gained from the employer concerned with the application.

2. Digital India Corporation has the right to fill all or some or none of the positions advertised without assigning any reason as it deems fit.

3. The positions are purely temporary for the project of Digital India Corporation.
The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has released the results of the 2nd Pre-University Examination (PUC) 2024 today, April 10. The pass percentage has seen a significant increase compared to last year. A total of 81.15% of the students have passed the exam this year while the pass percentage last year was 74.67%.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024 LIVE

Candidates can check their results by visiting the official website at kseab.karnataka.gov.in. To access the Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024, students will have to enter their registration number along with their subject combination/stream.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: District-Wise Pass Percentage

Dakshina Kannada district secured the first position (97.37%) in the second PUC examination. Udupi district got second position with 96.80% result and Vijaypur got third position with 94.89% pass percentage. Last year, the pass percentage of Dakshina Kannada was 95.33%, followed by Udupi at 95.24%, Kodagi with 90.55%, and Yadagiri  78.97%.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Toppers List

Science Stream Toppers:

Rank 1: A Vidyalakshmi of Dharwad Vidyaniketan SEPU College  598 marks

Rank 2: KH Urveesh Prashant of Adichuchangiri PU College, Mysore  597 marks.

Commerce Stream Toppers:

Ganavi M of Vidyanidhi PU College, Tumkur  597 marks

Pawan MS from Kumudwati PU College, Shimoga  596 marks

Harshit SH from Puranaprajna PU College, Udupi  596 marks.

Arts Stream Toppers:

Meda D, a student of NMKRV PU College, Bangalore  596 marks

Vedant from Vijayapura SSP College  596 marks

Kavitha BV from INDU INDP PU College, Bellary  596 marks.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: How To Check?

Step 1: Go to the KSEABs official website at karresults.nic.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, look for and click on the Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024 link, once activated.

Step 3: As a new window opens, enter the KSEAB registration number as well as select the subject combination or stream (like Science/Arts/Commerce). Then click on Submit.

Step 4: The 2nd PUC result will appear on a new screen.

Step 5: Check all the details and download the page.

This year, the Karnataka 2nd PUC exam was held from March 1 to March 23. The exam was administered across 1,124 centres across the state, accommodating roughly 7 lakh students.

Students must get at least 33 per cent to pass the exam. Candidates who narrowly miss this requirement may be promoted via the use of grace marks, which professors/ teachers might limit to a maximum of 5 per cent. Students who score below the cutoff will have to appear for the compartment tests. Any student who fails all of his or her subjects will have to redo the course.
Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Stream-Wise Statistics While 2,49,927 students passed in the science stream in PUC II exam, 1,28,448 students passed in the arts stream. Further, 1,74,315 students have passed in the commerce stream.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Once Again, Girls Perform Better Out of the 3,59,612 female students who took the exam, 3,05,212 passed. The pass percentage among girls is 84.87%. Out of the 3,21,467 male students who took the exams, 2,47,478 qualified. The pass percentage among boys is 76.98% In 2023, the pass percentage among girls was 80.25% while among boys it was 69.05%.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Almost 7 Lakh Students Took Exams About 6,98,000 students appeared for the exam. Out of the total, 5,52,690 students have passed.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Website Crashed? Check via SMS Step 1: Go to your phones inbox. Type KAR12 space and mention your registration number. Step 2: Send the message to 56263. Step 3: The result will be sent to you as an SMS.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Important Websites  pue.karnataka.gov.in,  manabadi.co.in, and  karresults.nic.in.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Pass Percentage Across Districts Dakshina Kannada -97.37% Udupi -96.80% Vijaypur -94.89% Uttara Kannada -92.51% Kodagu -92.13% Bangalore South -89.57% Bangalore North -88.67% Shimoga -88.58% Chikmagalur -88.20% Bangalore Rural -87.55% Bagalkot  87.54% Kolar -86.12% Hassan -85.83% Chamarajanagar -84.99% Chikkodi -84.10% Ramanagara -83.10% Mysore -83.13% Chikkaballapur -82.84% Bidar -81.69% Tumkur -81.03% Davangere -80.96% Koppal- 80.83% Dharwad -80.70 Mandya -80.50% Haveri -78.36% Yadagiri  77.29% Belgaum -77.20% Kalabarugi -75.48% Bellary -74.70% Raichur -73.11% Chitradurga -72.92% Gadag- 72.86%

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Know Your Grades Students scoring marks between 92-100 will be given a maximum 10 grade. Those securing between 83 and 91, will be awarded grade 9. Similarly, students receiving from 75 to 82 will get grade 8, from 67-74 grade 7, from 59-66 grade 6, from 51-58 grade 5, from 41-50 grade 4 and 35-40 grade 3.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: What to Check? 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. Remarks.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Exams Thrice; Second Exams in April-May As mentioned earlier, KSAB will be conducting PUC II exams thrice. However, students are required to register for exam 1 to be eligible for exams 2 and 3. However, the board introduced a remedial system that allowed students to retain their best scores from the first, second, and third examinations, referring to it as a student unfriendly mechanism. The KSEAB has announced that the second set of exams for PUC II will be held from April 29 to May 16. Students with poor marks can retake the exams at that time.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: District-Wise Pass Percentage Dakshina Kannada -97.37% Udupi -96.80% Vijaypur -94.89% Uttara Kannada -92.51% Kodagu -92.13%

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Result Link Activated; Follow These Steps to Check Scores  Visit the official website  karresults.nic.in or pue.kar.nic.  Click on the Secondary PUC Exam Results link on the homepage.  On the login page click on the registration number link. Enter your roll number.  Choose science, commerce or arts stream. Submit.  You will see the result on the screen.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Science Toppers A Vidyalakshmi of Dharwad Vidyaniketan SEPU College secured the first rank in the state with 598 marks in the science section. KH Urveesh Prashant of Adichuchangiri PU College, Mysore secured the second position with 597 marks.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Commerce Toppers Ganavi M of Vidyanidhi PU College, Tumkur secured the first rank with 597 marks in Commerce. Pawan MS-596 marks from Kumudwati PU College, Shimoga, Harshit SH from Puranaprajna PU College, Udupi secured rank 2 with 596 marks.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024 Declared: Direct Link to Check Marks Activated

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Arts Toppers With 596 marks, Meda D secured the first position in the state. She is a student of NMKRV PU College, Bangalore. Vedant from Vijayapura SSP College too secured 596 marks and Kavitha BV from INDU INDP PU College, Bellary also secured 596 marks. These students are from the art department.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Dakshin Kannada Top-Performing District Yet Again Dakshina Kannada district secured the first position (97.37%) in the second PUC examination. Udupi district got second position with 96.80% result and Vijaypur got third position with 94.89% pass percentage. Last year, the pass percentage of Dakshina Kannada was 95.33%, followed by Udupi at 95.24%, Kodagi with 90.55%, and Yadagiri  78.97%.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Around 5.52 Lakh Students Pass Exam About 6,98,000 students appeared for the exam. Out of the total, 5,52,690 students have passed.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Increase in Pass Percentage YEAR OVERALL PASS PERCENTAGE 2024 81.15% 2023 74.67% 2022 61.88% 2021 100% 2020 69.20% 2019 61.73%

Karnataka PUC Result 2024 Declared; 81.15% Pass A total of 81.15% of the students have passed the PUC II exam this year.
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Xi held talks with Simina, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcome ceremony for Simina and his wife Ancelly Simina prior to the talks between Xi and Simina. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China and Micronesia should enhance cooperation on infrastructure, expressing China's willingness to provide assistance to the island country in tackling climate change.

Xi's remarks came during his talks with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina, who is on a state visit to China from April 5 to 12.

China supports Micronesia in safeguarding national sovereignty and independence, taking a development path suited to its national conditions, revitalizing its economy and improving people's livelihood, Xi said.

Noting that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Micronesia, Xi said China is willing to advance the relations between the two countries.

He called on both sides to accelerate cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, increase partnerships on infrastructure, and strengthen exchanges in culture, health, education and sub-national regions. He welcomed more young people from Micronesia to study in China.

Xi said China is willing to provide climate change assistance to Micronesia within the framework of South-South cooperation and strengthen coordination and cooperation with the island country within the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum to jointly practice multilateralism.

Xi said that China's relationship with island countries is based on mutual assistance within the framework of South-South cooperation, and it is neither targeted at any third party nor should it be interfered with by any third party.

China maintains that any country seeking to develop relations with Pacific island countries should honor their independent choices, put development first, and adhere to openness and inclusiveness, Xi said.

Island countries have the right to choose a development path suited to their national conditions and to carry out friendly cooperation with all development partners, he added.

"China is ready to continue to provide support to the development of island countries to the best of its ability and carry out trilateral or multilateral cooperation," Xi said.

Simina said Micronesia acknowledges that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and supports China's position on issues concerning its core interests such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang.

The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, proposed by President Xi, are of great significance to helping developing countries achieve common development and promoting world peace, stability and prosperity, Simina said.

Simina thanked China for its valuable assistance to Micronesia and other Pacific island countries for their economic and social development over the years, and expressed his willingness to deepen cooperation in agriculture, fishery, economy and trade, investment, tourism and digital economy under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and jointly address climate change.

China's cooperation with the Pacific island countries is conducive to regional peace and development, and Micronesia will continue to promote such cooperation, Simina said.

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative, green development, agriculture, health care, infrastructure, development cooperation and other fields.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Xi held talks with Simina, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Xi held talks with Simina, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Xi held talks with Simina, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Xi held talks with Simina, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan hold a welcome ceremony for President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina and his wife Ancelly Simina prior to the talks between Xi and Simina in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Xi held talks with Simina, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina jointly witness the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative, green development, agriculture, health care, infrastructure, development cooperation and other fields after their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Xi held talks with Simina, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Editor: ZAD
The final results for the 2nd Pre University Certificate (PUC) has announced by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB). Students who have appeared for the Class 12 (PUC 2) can access their results on the official websites at Karnataka.gov.in, pue.kar.nic.in, karreults.nic.in and kseeb.kar.nic.in. Students will need their roll number, mentioned on the admit card, to check their class 12 result online. A total of 81.15% of the students who took the exams cleared it.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024 LIVE

This year, around 7 lakh students registered themselves for the examination. The exams for Karnataka 2nd PUC were held from March 1 to March 22. Heres all you need to know about the marking scheme, grading system of KSEAB and the minimum marks you need to qualify the exam.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Passing Marks

Candidates who appeared for this years Karnataka PUC 2nd exam must score a minimum of 33 per cent marks to clear the exam. Those who miss the minimum requirement will be provided grace marks. Teachers can only give up to 5 per cent grace marks to the students. Those who score less will have to appear again for the compartment test and those who fail all the subjects need to repeat the class.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Marking Scheme

The weightage of each subject in the Karnataka 2nd PUC exam is 100 marks, with some subjects including both theory and practical exams. All the students who appeared for the exam must pass both the theory and the practical exam independently.

As per a recent notification for the 2nd PUC exam, 20 marks will be considered internal marks for the subjects not having any practical exams. 10 marks will be given based on the first and second unit test and mid-term exams and the remaining 10 marks will be given on the basis of projects and assignments. The internal marks are applicable for subjects like Maths, language, and other core subjects.

For science stream students, the same 70+30 marking scheme will be applied which means, that out of 70 marks in the theory exam (for subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), the minimum passing mark is 24. For the practical exam, out of 30, students must score a minimum of 11 marks.

For the Arts stream, out of the 80 marks in the theory exam for subjects like Sociology, Geography, Political Science, and History, students must obtain 28 marks. The marking scheme applies to the regular students appearing for Karnataka 2nd PUC exam 2024.

Karnataka 2nd PUC Result 2024: Grading System

The board has also set up a grading system on a scale of 1 to 10 depending upon the students performance. For students scoring marks between 92-100 will be given a maximum 10 grade. Those securing between 83 and 91, will be awarded grade 9. Similarly, students receiving from 75 to 82 will get grade 8, from 67-74 grade 7, from 59-66 grade 6, from 51-58 grade 5, from 41-50 grade 4 and 35-40 grade 3.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackerays unconditional support to the Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP in the state and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre has ruffled the Oppositions feathers as the move is expected to bolster the ruling blocs prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing his partys annual rally on Gudi Padwa, Thackeray said he expects PM Modi to focus on the concerns of the youth and maintained the state should get a larger share of central revenue keeping in mind taxes it pays.

I dont have any expectations. When there is a need for a strong leadership in the country, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will back the BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP unconditionally. It is only for Narendra Modi, he asserted.

The MNS chief has not yet elaborated whether his party, which has not fielded any candidate so far, will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls though he made it clear that his party names, as and when they contest elections, will do so only on the MNS symbol railway engine.

WAR OF WORDS

Maharashtras Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed Raj Thackerays decision to extend unconditional support to the Mahayuti alliance.

In a post on social media platform X, he said: I am extremely grateful to MNS chief Raj Thackeray for extending support to the Mahayuti comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP. I welcome the decision to trust Prime Minister Narendra Modis masterly leadership to realise the dream of a developed country (Viksit Bharat) and for a strong foundation of the Maharashtra state. We all shall become bound to the solemn vow of fulfilling peoples expectations.

The opposition bloc, however, was unsparing in its attacks. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi took to social media to question the change in Raj Thackerays stance.

Raj Thackeray ji went all the way to Delhi only to be told by the HM that 2 seats would be spared for his party in the alliance and that too to be fought on BJP symbol. Imagine the humiliation and yet his unconditional support to the BJP. It takes courage to fight majoritarian forces that work against the interest of Maharashtra, with this decision its clear MNS lacks it, she said on X.

In another post, she said: Will Raj Thackeray ji next be announced as BJP star campaigner for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar? Will Raj Thackeray ji be a special invitee to Gujarat for the inauguration of projects taken away from Maharashtra? With unconditional support comes unconditional compromise. For both sides.

Uddhav Thackerays close aide and Sena leader Sanjay Raut too took a dig at Raj Thackeray.  Now what kind of miracle has happened suddenly, we should ask him. You have suddenly turned around and are supporting the enemies of Maharashtra. What will you tell the public? What is the reason behind this? Which file has been opened?

Businesses are driven away from Maharashtra, attempts are being made to break and cripple Mumbai. In such circumstances, if a party formed for Maharashtra pride backs enemies of Maharashtra, then a doubt arises in the minds of people. He (Raj Thackeray) has to answer the questions, Raut said.

The Congress, meanwhile, said Raj Thackerays move would not affect the MVAs prospects. Vijay Wadettiwar took a dig at the MNS chief, saying a tiger had turned into a lamb. When Raj Thackeray visited Delhi, it was evident that he will go with the BJP. But we did not expect that a tiger will turn into a lamb so soon. Will a fighter like Raj Thackeray become a slave? he asked. In 2019, Raj Thackeray had taken a firm stand against PM Modi and now he has extended support to the PM. Something is fishy here, he added.

Reacting to the attacks, BJP spokesperson Ram Kadam questioned Uddhav Thackerays maha gaddari (betrayal) with the ideology of Bal Thackeray. Raj Thackeray extended unconditional support while Uddhav, despite being Bal Thackerays son, betrayed his ideals by joining hands with his enemies. Raj is following his uncles ideals by supporting PM Modi.

WHY THE CHANGE IN STANCE?

Thackeray, who broke away from the undivided Shiv Sena and founded the MNS in 2006, asked his party workers to start preparing for the state assembly elections which are due in October this year.

For the 55-year-old firebrand leader known for his oratory skills, politics has come a full circle. He openly backed Modis candidature for the Prime Ministers post in 2014. He then changed tracks and went on to become his bitter critic, going to the extent of playing videos of promises made by the prime minister at his well-attended rallies, and pointing out how they remained unfulfilled.

However, opposing his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray, then head of the undivided Shiv Sena, has been the hallmark of Raj Thackerays politics. Even when he backed the BJP in 2014, he fielded candidates against the undivided Shiv Sena. The MNS leader, at the Gudi Padwa rally in Shivaji Park, explained why he changed his stand on Modi.

After 2014, I felt that what I heard in the (assurances given in) speeches (by Modi) were not materialising. I opposed him vehemently, but whenever he did anything good, say (like nullifying the provisions of) Article 370, I was the one who welcomed it. I organised a morcha (rally) in favour of the NRC (National Register of Citizens), Raj Thackeray said. The MNS leader asserted he never made personal attacks against PM Modi even as he took a dig at his cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut.

I do not criticise because I was not offered the chief ministers post, but I did not agree with their stand. They (Uddhav and Raut) are speaking against him (Modi) now. When I was saying this (during 2019 polls), then why didnt you resign because (now) you were dislodged from power and your party was broken? he asked.

The Shiv Sena suffered a split in June 2022 when a majority of its MLAs, led by now chief minister Eknath Shinde, revolted against Uddhav Thackerays leadership. Uddhav Thackeray had quit as chief minister following the revolt.
Eatala Rajender, former BRS leader and minister, is BJPs candidate from the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat in Telangana. Despite losing from two seats in the assembly election, Rajender, who was once a close aide of former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, has been given the responsibility of one of the most cosmopolitan seats in the state.

In a conversation with News18, the BJP leader makes a sensational claim that not only BRS, but the present Congress government too is tapping the phones of legislators. He also shares his plans for the development of Malkajgiri.

Edited excerpts:

How confident are you of victory?

The people of Malkajgiri have already decided that they want Narendra Modi as their prime minister. They know that I am an experienced person who fought for Telangana statehood, and worked as finance minister and health minister in the erstwhile BRS government. The people have already taken a decision to make me the winner so that their constituency sees unhindered growth.

What are the main issues plaguing this LS segment?

Malkajgiri is a newly expanded part of the city. There are no drains, roads, water pipes or 2BHK housing for the poor. Traffic congestion is high which needs to be addressed by building skywalks and a metro line towards Medchal. However, the biggest issue is unemployment. There are only a handful of software companies here. If voted to power, we plan to expand the IT footprint of the city to that area and generate employment opportunities. Many youths with degrees are unemployed because they lack certain skills. We plan to develop skill centres to provide training to these youngsters. Also, the issues pertaining to its adjoining assembly seat, Secunderabad Cantonment, can be solved only by the Union government. That is why people are keen to choose BJP.

Did BRS fail to develop Malkajgiri in the last 10 years?

I will not say that the BRS did not work at all in the last 10 years. The main reason behind their defeat is not their incompetence, but their attitude. They became arrogant and power was centralised among a few members of the family. Congress did not come to power in Telangana because they showed promise. Voters just wanted to bring down arrogant KCR, and that is why the Congress managed to form the government.

However, we are already witnessing the present governments failures in the state. All crops dried up within two months of them coming to power; the city is witnessing unprecedented power cuts. Their coffers are empty and they are unable to pay salaries to the staff in the electricity department. Contractors who have taken up government projects are not getting paid.

BRS has denied that they tapped phones of opposition leaders.

We have reports to confirm that phone tapping was done. Not only the BRS government, the present Congress government too is tapping the phones of legislators. This is a wrong practice. They are allowed to tap the phone of anti-social elements, but not those of MPs and MLAs.

In a recent public meeting in Tukkuguda, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said his party will conduct a survey to redistribute wealth of wealthy Indians. What would you say about that?

In 75 years of post-independence India, the Congress held power for more than 40 years in this state. They did not do anything of this kind at that time. So, who is going to believe them now? The Grand Old Party prides itself over taking part in the freedom struggle. However, they did not fulfil what was promised in 1950. During the adoption of the Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar talked about development with equal distribution of wealth. Why has that not been done till now?

BRS is going hammer and tongs after Congress over defection of leaders. Do you think this practice should be encouraged?

We know how the phrase Aaya Ram Gaya Ram was coined in Haryana. To keep such party-hopping in check, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi introduced the anti-defection law. However, its an irony that BRS is asking for disqualification of defectors today as KCR played the same game after 2018 elections. Even after winning 88 seats, he engineered defection from the Congress. The Congress, which was in the opposition, had objected to it. Now, the roles are reversed. Both parties are in the wrong. Why did an MLA who won on BRS ticket recently jump ship to the Congress? The public is watching everything and they will teach these parties a lesson in the elections.

The Telangana Bhavan is being renovated allegedly to conform to Vastu norms. Since you were close to KCR, can you throw some light on his fixation with Vastu?

KCR is an ardent follower of Vaastu and Panchangam. He rarely does anything without consulting these. However, we all have seen the results. He built a new Secretariat for himself following Vastu rules, but that did not help him. He faced a humiliating defeat. These disciplines do not help leaders. Leaders should have the guts to do what they promised the public. One should serve the public and seek their blessings. Political leaders cannot use the public just to garner votes and then vanish as soon as they come to power. People lost faith in KCR because he did not fulfil the promises he made.

You attended an Iftar dawat thrown by Bohra Muslims recently. The general outlook here is that the prime minister is anti-Muslim

PM Modi is not against any community. The Bohras are ardent admirers of our prime minister. They consider Modi-ji a part of their family. PM Modi is not anti-Muslim, he stands only against anti-social elements and dynasty politics. Look at the love he receives from Gulf countries. He is the best embodiment of our slogan  Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas.
Its barely been a fortnight since gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari died in an Uttar Pradesh hospital in police custody and thousands turned up as he was being laid to rest at Mohammadabad in Ghazipur district. This Lok Sabha seat is among a few the Bharatiya Janata Party was carefully weighing its options for as the opposition INDIA bloc, comprising the Samajwadi Party and Congress apart from others, has fielded the gangsters brother Afzal Ansari who has alleged that Mukhtar was murdered.

Now the BJP has finally unveiled its candidate for the Ghazipur Lok Sabha seat.

Who is Paras Nath Rai?

So who is this man set to take on the powerful Mukhtar Ansaris brother? Rai is said to be very close to Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, who it was speculated would throw his hat in the electoral fray from Ghazipur after resigning from his post. But, it seems, Sinha has ensured a trustworthy person fights from Ghazipur as his or his son Abhinavs candidature was not possible.

Paras Nath Rai has been attached to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the BJP, for years. An educationist, he is also associated with Madan Mohan Malviya Inter College in Ghazipur.

Sources say he has no experience in electoral politics. However, that doesnt mean Rai is new to politics as he has been associated with the BJP and served with it at the district level.

This upper caste BJP leader is a son of the soil who hails from the Manihari block of Ghazipur.

Amid ballot battle, sound of bullets from 1991

Ajay Rai, the UP Congress president, was born in Varanasi to Parvati Devi Rai and Surendra Rai in a Bhumihar Brahmin family who were natives of the Ghazipur district. Rai had a long-standing connection with Ghazipur and the Ansaris. It dates back to the 1990s and has its roots in the eighties.

In the 1980s, the rivalry of two gangsters  Brijesh Singh and Mukhtar Ansari  was well known in Uttar Pradesh. Ajay Rai was considered to be close to Brijesh Singh. Ansari saw Singh as his biggest enemy, and in the bloody world of gang wars, a friend of an enemy is also considered an enemy. So, the enmity between Rai and Ansari became more and more apparent.

On August 3, 1991, Ajay Rais elder brother Awadesh Rai was attacked outside his house by a group of unidentified men who came in a car, fired several rounds, and left immediately. A young Ajay Rai took his brother to hospital but the victim was announced dead. Rai strongly believed that it was Mukhtar Ansari who sent the shooters responsible for his brothers death.

Rai filed an FIR and fought a long legal battle of 32 years that resulted in a Varanasi court finding Mukhtar Ansari guilty of the murder and awarded him a life sentence.

The entire region of Ghazipur, Varanasi, Balia, and Mau has a significant Bhumihar presence who see Afzal Ansari as anti-Bhumihar for the 1991 killing.

Now, the question many are asking is will Ajay Rai seek votes for the brother of someone who murdered the Congress leaders own brother?
Launching a tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP MPs, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah led the Congress campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Bengaluru over the past two days, crisscrossing the IT city bursting at the seams.

Seeking votes for Bengaluru South candidate Sowmya Reddy and Bengaluru Central candidate Mansoor Ali Khan, Siddaramaiah exuded confidence that people in the state capital will vote out the BJP this time. Reminding them that it was the Congress that had made Bengaluru the worlds fourth largest IT city after Silicon Valley, Boston and London, the chief minister thundered that the prime ministers communal and divisive politics will soon expire.

Describing BJP MP Tejasvi Surya as an immature politician and two other candidates, PC Mohan and Shobha Karandlaje, as useless, he stressed on the need to elect the Congress this time. His roadshow had a massive following and some even expect a change this time. But, many believe it is all sound and fury.

The ruling Congress last won a seat from Bengaluru way back in 1999. Congress stalwart and former railway minister CK Jaffer Sharief was the partys last MP from the state capital. Understandably, the party is embarrassed and worried about this. The drought of seats in the city has made it feel like it is being taken for a ride by the electorate.

Bengaluru, with a population of more than 1.5 crore people, has three Lok Sabha seats. Parts of the city are also in the rural seat. It had two seats till delimitation in 2009 and, since then, the BJP has been winning all three seats. Before that, the saffron party had won both the seats in 2004.

Bengaluru South

When the city had two Lok Sabha seats, the north repeatedly elected Sharief and the completely urban south has voted against the Congress since 1977  this is barring 1989, when former CM R Gundurao of the Congress won by a big margin.

The south seat has been with the BJP since 1991. The Congress has made several attempts to win the prestigious seat, but failed. Even Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani lost from there in 2014.

The closest the Congress has come to winning it was in 2009, when the present revenue minister Krishna Byregowda lost to the BJPs Ananth Kumar by a small margin of 29,000 votes. Since then, the BJP has been winning this seat with a margin in lakhs with the Congress left groping in the dark.

This time, however, the Congress is making a serious attempt to win the seat by fielding former MLA Sowmya Reddy. She had lost to the BJP from Jayanagara by only 16 votes in the assembly election last year, and is hopeful of giving a tough fight to Tejasvi Surya.

Her helping hand  her father and transport minister R Ramalinga Reddys personal touch and political influence in the seat. He has won eight straight assembly polls from the same seat (Jayanagara and BTM Layout assembly segments) since 1989, and is considered an organisation man known for his ability to swing the result.

But Modi, mandir and Hindutva plus the BJPs appeal among the middle and upper middle classes are coming in the way of a march to Parliament. Somya told News18 that people are fed up with Tejasvi and will vote against him. But, rubbishing her statement, the sitting MP said Bengaluru South was a BJP citadel and he will easily sail through once again.

Bengaluru Central

Bengaluru Central is a newly carved constituency, which has been with the BJP since its creation in 2009. The party has fielded its sitting MP, PC Mohan, for the fourth consecutive term. Unlike north and south, central has five Congress MLAs of whom three are powerful cabinet ministers.

The Congress has always fielded a minority candidate here. It lost by 30,000 votes in 2009, 70,000 in 2014 and over one lakh in 2019.

This time, the Congress candidate is Mansoor Ali Khan. He is new to the seat and is solely dependent on the partys position to win. Since the constituency has a large number of Muslim and Christian voters, the Congress feels victory is in sight.

But, the result of the previous polls tells a different story. Mohan has maintained that he will win because of his work and Prime Minister Modi.

The Congress has strictly warned its MLAs and ministers that a defeat might deprive them of any power in the future, forcing them to hit the ground.

Bengaluru North

The Bengaluru North seat is witnessing a battle of the Gowdas. This seat has a large number of Vokkaliga voters, and both the BJP and Congress have fielded candidates from the same community.

The BJP has given a ticket to union minister Shobha Karandlaje instead of sitting MP DV Sadananda Gowda. The sulking former CM has reluctantly agreed to back her, holding BS Yediyurappa responsible for his plight.

A BJP MLA, ST Somashekhar, has openly pledged his support to the Congress candidate raising the hopes of Prof MV Rajeev Gowda, who is trying his luck for the first time. A former Rajya Sabha member, MV Rajeev Gowda is a new entrant to electoral politics and, like his fellow candidate Khan, is depending solely on party and his caste.

He is also expecting a breach in the BJP votes. Karandlajes candidature has not gone down well with some leaders and they may not actively take part in the campaign.

But, the BJP is hopeful of a win based on its old position. The PM is expected to hold a roadshow in this seat coming Sunday (April 14).

Bengaluru votes differently in assembly and parliamentary elections. In the assembly poll, the Congress mostly wins 40 to 50 per cent of the seats, strangely losing all the seats in the Lok Sabha election. Some blame the adjustment politics of Congress MLAs with BJP leaders for this trend.

It is an open secret that many Congress MLAs in the city dont want their own party MPs. They help the BJP win. The same BJP MPs help these MLAs win later. Unless this kind of adjustment is broken, the Congress cant win in the city, said a Congress leader, who had earlier lost on the party ticket.

The question all Congress members are asking is if the party will be able to break this jinx this time.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday released a new campaign song for Lok Sabha elections that showcases Ayodhyas Ram Mandir, Vande Bharat, Centres decision to end separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir and boost to Nari Shakti.

Calling India Modi ka Parivar, the song mentioned above reasons to say: Tabhi toh sab Modi ko chunte hain (Thats why people choose Modi). The new poll song even mentions that corrupt shiver in fear due to BJP governments policies.

The saffron party said that from every corner of the nation, people from diverse backgrounds, speaking in every language are saying one thing in unison  our collective dreams have taken flight.

From every corner of the nation, people from diverse backgrounds, speaking in every language are saying one thing in unison  our collective dreams have taken flight!    ,        pic.twitter.com/kwz0lHPebv  BJP (@BJP4India) April 10, 2024

The song has been sung in 12 different languages and showcases the people coming together on their diversity, while displaying the essential unity of the nation, the BJP said while describing the song.

In the end, thousands of people come together to form a giant collage representing the unifying force of PM Modi, the BJP added.

Earlier, in January, the party had launched its 2024 election campaign by releasing a video featuring a song dedicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP national president JP Nadda had shared a video of the campaign song over X, stating, A beautiful music video marking a decade of efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, which presents his leadership, working style, and continuous efforts in a very inspirational manner. Such efforts are making the dreams of crores of Indians a reality. Come, let us all pledge to carry forward the chain of these efforts through this new campaign of BJP through this song.

The party had also released a video in December, asserting phir aayega Modi (Modi will come again). The 10-minute video started with the sound of a conch shell followed by clips of his temple run, the installation of Sengol at the new Parliament building, and his public rallies.

The video also featured Indias recent achievements in various fields, including Chandrayaans successful landing on the Moons south pole.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking the Bharatiya Janata Partys election campaign in Tamil Nadu a notch higher with his third public meeting in the states Kongu region, on Wednesday, April 10. PM Modi addressed a public meeting in Coimbatores Vellore and will hold another in the districts Mettupalayam area later in the day, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

He will later travel to Maharashtra, where he will address a public meeting at Ramtek constituency in Nagpur.

PM Modi In Coimbatore

The Prime Minister is addressing rallies in Coimbatore to support NDA candidates, including BJP state president K Annamalai, Union Minister L Murugan, State general secretary AP Muruganandam, and Soumya Anbumani of ally Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) among others.

Annamalai is contesting from Coimbatore, Murugan from Nilgiris constituency, Muruganandam from Tiruppur and Soumya, wife of PMK president and Rajya Sabha MP, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, is fighting from Dharmapuri.

Addressing a public meeting at Vellore Fort grounds, PM Modi said that in the last 10 years, NDA has prepared the foundation for a developed Bharat.

We all need to unite to make India and Tamil Nadu Viksit in this 21st century. The central government of NDA has prepared the foundation of a developed nation in the last 10 years. You all must recall how India was seen before 2014. Our economy was weak and only scam-related news were used to be there, he said.

He stressed that India is emerging as a power in the world today and hes happy that Tamil Nadu has played a big role in this.

Tamil Nadu has made a huge contribution in taking India forward in the space sector. Tamil Nadus hard work has played a vital role in taking India forward in manufacturing. I am confident that the Defence Corridor being built in Tamil Nadu will take this state to new heights, the PM said.

Attacking the Tamil Nadu government, Modi said DMK wants to keep the state trapped in old thinking and old politics.

The whole DMK has become a company of a family. Due to DMKs family politics, the youth of Tamil Nadu are not getting a chance to move ahead. There are three main criteria to contest elections from DMK and move ahead in DMK. Three main criteria are family politics, corruption and anti-Tamil culture, he said.

DMK Party makes people fight in the name of region, religion and caste. DMK knows that the day people understand the politics of divide and rule, DMK will not get a single vote. That is why they make people fight among themselves for votes, I have also decided that I will continue to expose this decades-old dangerous politics of DMK, he added.

He later addressed a public meeting at Mettupalayam and said the place has both, the energy of Coimbatore and the beauty of Nilgiri Hills.

The tea of Nilgiri is famous across the country, and it is not possible for a chaiwala to not have affection for such a beautiful place of tea gardens, he said.

He also attacked the Tamil Nadu government and said, Everyone is saying DMKs exit will be by BJP and NDA.

Today, I am seeing that BJP is dominant in the entire Tamil Nadu, everyone is saying that DMKs exit will be done by BJP and NDA. The entire Tamil Nadu is saying Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar, he said.

He also slammed the Congress and DMK for promoting dynasty politics and said both family parties are keen to stay in power by uttering lies.

Congress and DMK made SC/ST, OBC yearn for houses and electricity for long, but BJP gave homes, electricity and free ration These family parties think that except their children, no poor tribal can sit on a high post. But for the first time, the BJP made a tribal woman the President of India, and at that time too, the INDI alliance opposed it, he said.

PM Modi had already toured the Kongu region twice for Lok Sabha poll campaigning, first with a public meeting on February 27 in Palladam, and second time during a rally in Salem on March 19.

PM Modi In Nagpur

In the Ramtek, PM Modi will campaign for Shiv Sena (ruling Eknath Shinde faction) candidate Raju Parwe. PM Modis rally is aimed at bolstering public support for the Shiv Sena candidate.
Ram milenge maryada se jeene mein, Ram milenge Hanuman ji ke seene meinyeh desh Ram ka hai (You will find Ram by living a virtuous life, you will find Ram in Hanumans heart, this country is of Lord Ram), says Congresss Imran Masood to News18.

Masood hit the headlines in 2014 when he used the infamous boti-boti comment for Narendra Modi. But now Masood is singing Ram Dhun as he makes yet another attempt to win from the Saharanpur Lok Sabha seat, this time as the Congress-Samajwadi Party candidate. This election is about rozi-roti (jobs-hunger), Masood says. He is taking on his bete noire and former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Raghav Lakhanpal who has promised a massive victory.

Out of nearly 19 lakh voters in Saharanpur, about 6.8 lakh are Muslims. Total votes are 19 lakh. If you subtract 6.8 lakh, we have 13 lakh votesSo what is the difficulty? Lakhanpal told News18 while campaigning in Deoband on Tuesday, the first day of Navratri. BJPs MLA from Deoband and UP minister Brijesh Singh added: This election is 13 lakh versus 6.8 lakhand the 13 lakh will win.

Saharanpur puzzle

The serial number one seat in Uttar Pradesh, Saharanpur, is known for close contests and has oscillated between the SP, BJP, and BSP for the last two decades. Lakhanpal of the BJP won it in 2014, but in 2019, the BSP candidate won the seat with SP and RLDs support. The reason was 7 lakh Muslim voters and 3.8 lakh Dalit voters along with some Jats converging for the opposition alliance here. Masood then finished third behind Lakhanpal. Now, the BSP is solo and has a new candidate in Majid Ali.

Many locals in Saharanpur city are rooting for Lakhanpal. They say even some Muslims may vote for him as fruits of development have reached them too. A Muslim man in Deoband told News18 that he will vote for Modi as his business is secure and law and order is good. Most Muslims in Deoband are, however, rooting for Majid Ali. In a Saharanpur village about 30 km away, local Muslims were critical of the Bahujan Samaj Party and Majid Ali, saying the BSP was dividing Muslim votes and this would pave the way for a BJP win again here.

The problem is Imran Masood never wins. He lost in 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2022, a group of Muslims said.

Masood riled by misuse of Rams name

Masood told News18 that he is fighting a rozi-roti ka chunav while the BJP is trying to distract from real issues. This country faces hunger and unemployment. When we speak of naujavan (youth), they speak of Pakistan. When we speak of kisan (farmers), they speak of Iran. Why dont you speak of Hindustan? Masood asked. He said the BSP was working in support of the BJP and hence Dalits would back him and sections of Rajputs are upset with the saffron party.

Masood seems riled By the slogan of some in the BJP that they have brought Lord Ram by building a temple in Ayodhya. They say Jo Ram ko laye hain, hum unko layenge. Who are they to bring Ram? Ram is GodCan anyone bring him? Ram is a slogan of faith, Ram is a thirst of ones mind. You will not find Ram in rounds of temples, you will find him in Shabri ke ber. Ram milenge maryada se jeene mein, Ram milenge Hanuman ke seene mein, he said.

The Congress also said that to find Ram, a person should lead a principled life. The person will then find Ram in his or her own mind and wont need to go find him. Ram ko koi nahi la sakta hai, yeh desh ram ka hai. Ram ke desh mein jo aastha jo samman mere Hindu bhai ke mann mein hai, woh aastha wahi samman mere Musalman bhai ke mann mein hai (No one can bring Ram, this country is of Lord Ram. Just like Hindus, Muslims also have respect for Ram), Masood said.

Masood and Majid Ali have no agenda

While Masood claims people will make him victorious as they are fearful of the fate of the Constitution, BJPs Raghav Lakhanpal says he will get a big victory with a margin of 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh votes. Due to Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanaths governance models, people are supporting us even more. This will be a game-changing election. People like Masood and Majid Ali have no agenda. Politics should not be a business but a noble act to serve peopleNot for changing parties and ideology every few months, Lakhanpal told News18.

On the ground, Lakhanpal seems to be running a solid campaign with the majority community rooting for him after he lost by a narrow margin in 2019. With two Muslim candidates as Lakhanpals main opponents, the BJP is banking on the 13 lakh-strong majority community to do the trick as the Muslim vote is at risk of division. Saharanpur votes on April 19 in the first round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections.
Sunaina Singh, a 35-year-old transgender, is all set to contest against BJP candidate Dulu Mahto from the Dhanbad seat in the Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand.

A zoology graduate from Dhanbads P K Roy Memorial College, Singh announced her candidature from the Uttar Pradesh-based Naqi Bhartiya Ekta Party (NBEP) on Tuesday.

Dhanbad, with an electorate of 22.54 lakh including 78 third-gender voters, will go to polls on May 25.

The opposition INDIA bloc is yet to announce the name of its candidate from the seat.

No development work has been carried out in Dhanbad, a major coal supplier. Cases of murder and extortion have also increased manifold here. My agenda is clear. I would like to work for improvement in education and create employment opportunities. The unemployment rate is high in Dhanbad and even educated youths are not getting jobs.

I also want to fight against corruption, which is one of the major deterrents in the path of the states progress, Singh told PTI.

Singh said initially, she wanted to contest as an independent candidate, but was later offered a ticket by the Chaudhary Zarar Ahmed Naqi-led NBEP.

Asked about funding for the polls, she said people from her community and the general public have been making donations to encourage her to fight the elections.

Singh, the district president of the Kinnar Maa Trust, also expressed anguish over the inequality against the transgender community.

My parents abandoned me at the hospital after my birth. The state president of our community took care of me after that I tried to find a job in Delhi, but faced a lot of discrimination. I finally returned to Dhanbad and decided to serve the people of the constituency, Singh said.
From Sandeshkhali to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah slammed the West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjees government, and even criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over Thailand picture in the partys manifesto, at a rally in Balurghat on Wednesday.

Sandeshkhali saw allegations of sexual assault and land grab by local TMC leaders. The BJP has been firm on its stand of supporting the survivors and has fielded one of them, Rekha Patra, from Basirhat. You are doing politics with Sandeshkhali? You appease and take vote. Bengals women are looking at you. Do you think those who saves the culprits of Sandeshkhali should be brought to power?"

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI probe into the alleged crimes against women.

ALSO READ | Shakti Swaroopa: PM Modi Dials Sandeshkhali Protester Rekha Patra, BJPs Basirhat Candidate

Mamata Banerjee is misleading people on the CAA. You file an application under the CAA and there will be no case against you. This is the law of the Modi sarkar. Mamata didi, you can oppose as much as you like, but we will give citizenship and this is our promise," said the Home Minister.

We will give citizenship to every Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist who came from outside India. Mamata ji, I want to ask you, what is your problem in giving citizenship to these people? You are happy to give citizenship to Rohingya, but you have problem with Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists?"

The Centre, in March, announced the implementation of the CAA. The purpose of this bill is to give Indian citizenship to refugees of six communities (Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Parsis), who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. It had led to protest over the exclusion of Muslims.

ALSO READ | CAA Will Never Be Taken Back, No Compromise: Amit Shahs Stern Message To Opposition

Responding to the criticism over the National Investigation Agencys (NIA) action, he said, Those involved in bomb blasts should be put in jail or not? Mamata didi is registering cases against NIA officers and saving those behind the bomb blasts."

Commenting on the Congress manifesto, Shah said, The Congress wants to remove the CAA, but they use a photo of Thailand in their manifesto because Rahul Gandhi frequently visits the country."
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, holds talks with Speaker of the House of Assembly Patricia Deveaux and President of the Senate Julie LaShell Adderley of the Bahamian parliament at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, China's top legislator, held talks with Speaker of the House of Assembly Patricia Deveaux and President of the Senate Julie LaShell Adderley of the Bahamian parliament in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that bilateral relations have made great progress since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Bahamas 27 years ago, with the continuous expansion of practical cooperation, increasingly close people-to-people exchanges, and mutual understanding and support on issues related to the two countries' core interests and major concerns.

China is willing to work with the Bahamas to deepen cooperation in various fields and accelerate the development of bilateral relations to bring increased benefits to the two countries and peoples, Zhao said.

Zhao noted that China has a high appreciation for the Bahamas' firm adherence to the one-China principle, which is the political cornerstone of friendly relations between the two countries and an important prerequisite for the deepening and expansion of practical bilateral cooperation.

"We welcome the Bahamas to join the Belt and Road Initiative at an early date to open broader space for mutually beneficial cooperation and common development," Zhao said, also expressing the hope that the Bahamas would join the "three global initiatives" and work with China to contribute to world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

China understands and supports the special concerns of small island countries related to the issue of climate change, and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with the Bahamas in addressing climate change, Zhao said.

He stressed that exchanges between legislative bodies are an important part of bilateral relations. The NPC of China is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges at various levels and in various fields with the House of Assembly and Senate of the Bahamian parliament, exchange experience in governance, and deepen friendship and cooperation.

"We will give full play to the functions and roles of legislative bodies, create a sound legal environment for the two countries to strengthen trade and investment cooperation and expand personnel exchanges, strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries," Zhao said.

Deveaux and Adderley said that the Bahamas adheres firmly to the one-China principle and admires the great achievements of the Chinese people.

They thanked China for the selfless assistance it has provided for the Bahamas' economic and social development, and said that the Bahamian parliament's House of Assembly and Senate are willing to strengthen exchanges with the NPC of China and contribute to promoting bilateral cooperation in fields such as the economy, trade, culture and legislation.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, poses for pictures with Speaker of the House of Assembly Patricia Deveaux at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Zhao held talks with Speaker of the House of Assembly Patricia Deveaux and President of the Senate Julie LaShell Adderley of the Bahamian parliament in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, poses for pictures with President of the Senate Julie LaShell Adderley of the Bahamian parliament at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Zhao held talks with Speaker of the House of Assembly Patricia Deveaux and President of the Senate Julie LaShell Adderley of the Bahamian parliament in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Editor: ZAD
The Congress says it has a solution to quench the thirst of a parched Bengaluru  Vote for their candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha election and they will bring to fruition the Mekedatu drinking water project.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while campaigning for the Bengaluru Lok Sabha seat, has been stressing on the importance of the project for Bengalurus sustainability and has appealed to people to vote for the Congress to ensure the city does not go thirsty again.

Soumya Reddys victory is essential if the Mekedatu project is to be implemented, said Siddaramaiah while campaigning for the Bengaluru South candidate who is contesting against BJPs Tejasvi Surya. The chief minister made similar appeals when he campaigned for Mansoor Khan in Bengaluru Central LS seat, Rajeev Gowda in the Bengaluru North LS seat and DK Suresh in the Bengaluru rural seat. All these seats have been hit by the drinking water shortage and low groundwater levels in peak summer months.

Political analyst Sandeep Shastri believes the Congress has been trying to focus on local issues to shift the spotlight away from the central leadership.

If the BJP has been taking a jibe at the Congress, asking them to settle their internal differences on Mekedatu, Siddaramaiah is making it clear that Karnataka has its own policy. They are countering the BJP by saying the Congress and DMK may be part of the same INDIA bloc but they will be taking care of the interest of their own state Karnataka, Shastri said.

Mekedatu is a proposed multi-purpose drinking water project involving the construction of a balancing reservoir on the confluence of the rivers Cauvery and Arkavathy, situated about 100 km from Bengaluru at the Kanakapura taluka in Karnatakas Ramanagara district. It aims to help meet the growing demand for drinking water in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. Estimated to cost around Rs 9,000 crore, Karnataka believes it can resolve the drinking water shortage in Bengaluru and Ramanagara districts.

Bengaluru has seen one of the worst droughts leading to drinking water and groundwater shortage in 100 years which has further prompted political parties like the Congress to take it up as a political issue in this Lok Sabha election campaign. When completed, the project is expected to supply over 4 TMC of water to Bengaluru city for drinking purposes.

It also aims at storing around 50 tmc ft of water by regulating water during floods and excess rainfall, while also harnessing 400 MW of renewable energy through a hydroelectricity plant.

The issue was revived during the 2019 elections when Karnataka sent a detailed plan to the Centre, saying they wanted to build the reservoir in Ramanagara, which is about 90 km from Bengaluru and close to the border with Tamil Nadu. In 2022, the party launched a five-day padyatra covering 170 km and about 15 assembly constituencies with the slogan Namma Neeru Namma Hakku (Our water, Our right). However, the protest was cut short owing to rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in the state. The Congress had also spoken about the project in the 2023 assembly elections.

This year, the Grand Old Party has raised the electoral pitch once again, saying the BJP did nothing to implement the Mekedatu project when it was in power.

Mekedatu is a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, just like the Cauvery water-sharing issue.

Tamil Nadu has been firm on its stand, stating that Karnataka has no right to decide on the Mekedatu project until a no-objection certificate is obtained from the other riparian states such as themselves and Kerala. According to Tamil Nadu, the documents submitted by the Karnataka government to the Central Water Commission (CEC) on why the Mekedatu project should be allowed were flawed and unfair.

In 2023, under the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government, a timeline was set for the first time for the construction of the dam. Bommai, in an interview to News18, had spoken of allocating Rs 1,000 crore for Mekedatu and announced that the work would commence by the end of 2023. The project is yet to take off.
Is there a day or week when Elon Musk is not in news? Well, not really. This time, the X (formerly Twitter) owner has threatened" Brazils Supreme Court judge who has launched an investigation into the billionaires social media platform for spreading fake news" and obstruction and incitement".

Musk in the latest post on X warned that he will do a full data dump" regarding claims that Justice Alexandre de Moraes put his finger on the scale" to get Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (commonly known as Lula) elected in 2022. But Musk said he will only do that once all X employees are in a safe place".

Why Did Musk Say That?

He said X employees in Brazil have been told they will be arrested" after judge Moraes ordered some X accounts to be blocked due to concerns of fake news and disinformation being spread online.

Xs Global Government Affairs account shared on Saturday that the platform had been forced by court decisions to block certain popular accounts in Brazil", and it would be threatened with daily fines if it does not comply.

For every day that X retains the accounts mandated to be blocked, a fine of 100,000 reais ($20,000) will be imposed on the social media giant, Reuters had reported.

Musk then said he will lift all restrictions imposed by the judge despite fines and arrest threats to his employees. As a result, we will probably lose all revenue in Brazil and have to shut down our office there," Musk wrote Saturday. But principles matter more than profit."

He also threatened to publish everything demanded by judge Moraes" and how requests violate the Brazilian law". This judge has brazenly and repeatedly betrayed the Constitution and people of Brazil."

What Else is Musk Claiming?

Musk has accused the judge of aggressive censorship" and of violating Brazilian laws and the countrys constitution.

In multiple posts, the user claimed de Moraes has thrown people in jail without trial for things they posted on social media" and required the censorship of specific posts, without giving users any right of appeal or even the right to see the evidence presented against them". Musk termed this aggressive censorship".

Meanwhile, Nikolas Ferreira, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil, posted on X on April 9 a part of his speech at the United Nations Headquarters, where he told the world what is actually happening in Brazil". The justice has ordered an investigation against me, the most voted deputy of the country, only for saying that Lula (Brazils President) is a corrupt who should be in jail", Ferreira said.

What Does Brazil Supreme Court Say?

Justice Alexandre de Moraes in his order said, The flagrant conduct of obstruction of Brazilian justice, incitement of crime, the public threat of disobedience of court orders and future lack of cooperation from the platform are facts that disrespect the sovereignty of Brazil."

As per news agency Associated Press, the text of the judgment read, Musk will be investigated for alleged intentional criminal instrumentalisation of X as part of an investigation into a network of people known as digital militias who allegedly spread defamatory fake news and threats against Supreme Court justices".

About Judge Alexandre de Moraes

The Brazilian judge is one of the 11 members of Brazils High Court who presides over the countrys Superior Electoral Tribunal. Judge Moraes has been known for fighting disinformation, whereas his critics accuse him of limiting and prohibiting free speech.

Recently, the judge ordered blocking of accounts of influential figures on social media. Most of whom are reportedly supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro has been under investigation over the January 8, 2023 riots in Brasilia. His supporters entered government buildings and attacked them. A week later, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in as president after winning the 2022 elections.

In 2020, Moraes ordered Facebook and Twitter to block certain accounts spreading illegal content. After the social media platforms agreed, the accounts were accessible by users if they changed the settings to show a foreign location. The judge demanded a complete blocking, which Facebook challenged.

In 2022, he banned Telegram temporarily for not complying with an investigation into neo-Nazi chat groups. The federal court later lifted the ban calling it unreasonable", given the impact it had on those who are not involved in the communication.
In a blow to yoga guru Ramdev and managing director of Patanjali Ayurved Balkrishna, the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday refused to accept their affidavits tendering unconditional apologies over publishing misleading" advertisements. The court said it was not blind" and the apologies came only when it was caught on the wrong foot". The matter will be next heard on April 16.

ALSO READ | We Are Not Blind, Will Rip You Apart: SC Rejects Ramdevs Apology In Misleading Patanjali Ads Case | Top Quotes

The court also came down hard on the State Licensing Authority for its inaction on the issue and said it is not going to take it lightly. We will rip you apart. Do you have the guts to do what you are doing? You are acting as a post office," the bench said in an unusually stern reprimand."

The court also criticised the Uttarakhand government for its failure to take action against Patanjali Ayurved for violating the law.

Heres all you need to know about the case.

WHO FILED IT?

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had filed a petition in the Supreme Court in August 2022 after Patanjali published an advertisement titled Misconceptions Spread By Allopathy: Save Yourself And The Country From The Misconceptions Spread By Pharma And Medical Industry (see below).

The petition mentioned the instances where Ramdev called allopathy a stupid and bankrupt science", and made claims about allopathic medicine being responsible for Covid-19 deaths. The IMA also accused Patanjali of contributing to vaccine hesitancy during the pandemic. The IMA stated the continuous, systematic, and unabated spread of misinformation" comes alongside Patanjalis efforts to make false and unfounded claims about curing certain diseases through the use of Patanjali products.

THE FIRST HEARING

On November 21, 2023, during the first hearing on the petition, Justice Amanullah orally warned Patanjali against claiming their products can completely cure" diseases, and threatened to impose a cost of Rs 1 crore on every product for which such a claim is made.

Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya, representing Patanjali, said there shall not be any violation of any law(s), especially relating to advertising or branding of products manufactured and marketed by it and, further, that no casual statements claiming medicinal efficacy or against any system of medicine will be released to the media in any form", as per the order passed on November 21.

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Drugs & Other Magical Remedies Act, 1954 (DOMA): Publishing a misleading advertisement is punishable with up to six months imprisonment, and/or a fine for the first offence. On the second offence, the period of imprisonment can extend to one year.

Section 89 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (CPA) states: Any manufacturer or service provider who causes a false or misleading advertisement to be made which is prejudicial to the interest of consumers shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years and with fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees; and for every subsequent offence, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to fifty lakh rupees."

The IMA petition has also highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Ministry of AYUSH and the Advertising Standards Council of India in January 2017, which prohibits misleading ads.

THEN WHY THE HEARING NOW?

On January 15, 2024, the SC received an anonymous letter addressed to the Chief Justice of India and Justice Amanullah regarding the continued publishing of false and misleading advertisements.

Taking note of it, a bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsannudin Amanullah on February 27 issued a contempt notice to Patanjali Ayurved and its MD Acharya Balakrishna for flouting earlier orders and continuing to propagate misleading claims about curing diseases with the companys products.

Asking the government for details of their consultation with other ministries so far, Justice Amanullah stated: The entire country has been taken for a ride! For two years you wait when the Drugs Act says this is prohibited?"

The court then placed a blanket ban until further orders on any further advertising or branding of Patanjali medicinal products.

During the next hearing, on March 19, the court was told that the reply to the contempt notice was not filed, after which it passed an order seeking the personal appearance of Balakrishna and Ramdev. It also made the Uttarkhand government a party.

On March 21, Balkrishna issued an unqualified apology to the Supreme Court regarding alleged misleading advertisements.

On April 2, the court strongly criticised Ramdev and Balkrishna, dismissing their apology as lip service".

The court gave one last opportunity to both Ramdev and Balakrishna to file a proper explanation affidavit saying the apology filed by the former was incomplete and a mere lip-service. You yourself said that the product they come out with cannot be backed. What did you do to publicise the same with the common public," the court asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Centre. The state of Uttarakhand also filed a detailed affidavit and assured the Supreme Court that strict action will be taken against Patanjali Ayurved as per law.

ON APRIL 9

Ramdev and Balkrishna tendered an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court.

I hereby tender my unconditional apology in regard to the issue of advertisements which occurred after the statement of counsel of respondent no. 5 (Patanjali) which was recorded in the order dated November 21, 2023, which I am informed has the force of an injunction," the affidavit read.

In the short affidavit filed, Ramdev tendered an unconditional apology for the November 2023 press conference as well. I sincerely regret this lapse and I wish to assure the court that the same will not be repeated," he said, adding, I hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the breach of the statement recorded in para 3 of the order of this court dated November 21, 2023".

APRIL 10: SC NOT CONVINCED

The apology is on paper. Their back is against the wall. We decline to accept this, we consider it a deliberate violation of undertaking," the bench said. Tendering apology is not enough. You should suffer the consequences for violating the courts order. We do not want to be generous in this case. Till the matter hit the Court, the contemnors did not find it fit to send us the (fresh apology) affidavits. They sent it to the media first. Till 7:30 pm yesterday it was not uploaded for us. They believe in publicity clearlyYou are defrauding the affidavit. Who drafted it, I am surprised."

ALSO READ | Patanjali Ads: Ramdev, Balkrishna Tender Unconditional Apology Before SC

Justice Amanullah asked if the apology is even heartfelt" to which senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Patanjali founders, said: What else needs to be said, my lords, we will. He is not (a) professional litigant. People make mistakes in life."

After the lawyers and officers admitted that mistakes were committed and that corrective measures would be taken, the SC said: What about all the faceless people who have consumed these Patanjali medicines stated to be cured diseases which cannot be cured? Can you do this to an ordinary person?"
The Allahabad High Court observed that offences under the Prevention of Children From Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act cannot merely be dismissed on the basis of compromise between the accused and the victim.

Dismissing a petition filed by one Sanjeev Kumar  an accused under POCSO Act  Justice Samit Gopal observed, Once the consent of the minor prosecutrix victim is immaterial for registration of offense, then such consent shall still remain immaterial for all practical purposes at all the stages including for compromise.

Merely because the minor prosecutrix has later on agreed to enter into a compromise with the applicant, (it) would not be sufficient to quash the proceedings under the POCSO Act, Justice Gopal noted.

The accused petitioner had sought setting aside of summoning and cognisance orders as well as a stay on the criminal proceedings underway before the special judge, POCSO Act, at Uttar Pradeshs Azamgarh against him.

The case was under sections 376 (rape), 313 (causing miscarriage without womens consent) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 3/4 of the POCSO Act, which was earlier lodged at the Bilariganj police station of the Azamgarh district.

In his petition, the accused had moved the court saying that a compromise had been entered into between the parties after the lodging of the FIR, conclusion of the probe and summoning of the applicant by a trial court for the alleged offenses. It added that the case be decided on the basis of the said compromise.

The victims counsel also supported the accused persons petition. However, opposing the plea, the state counsel noted that accusations against the accused said that he subjected the victim  aged 15 at the time of the incident  to sexual assault over period of three years.

It was also observed that the charge sheet was filed under various relevant sections, keeping in mind that the victim was a minor at the time of the incident. The trial court had summoned him after finding a prima facie offense against the applicant.

It was argued that the petition should be dismissed since a compromise in a case of this nature cannot be entertained.

Citing various Supreme Court judgments, the court in its order  dated April 2  noted that in the offenses which are alleged to have been committed under a special statute like POCSO, the prosecution cannot be quashed merely based on a compromise between the victim and the offender.

Justice Gopal also said that such a power is not to be exercised in cases of such heinous and serious crimes. Such offenses are not private in nature and have a serious impact on society, the court reportedly observed.

(With PTI inputs)
A Delhi Court dismissed chief minister Arvind Kejriwals plea seeking to increase his legal meetings in Tihar Jail from twice to five times a week on Wednesday.

Rouse Avenue Court rejected the Aam Aadmi Party national convenors plea, which he filed before it on April 4. In his plea, he had stated that he is facing multiple FIRs in various states, requiring a significant amount of legal work.

Kejriwal had argued that the number of meetings should be increased to accommodate this workload. The court had sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Tihar jail authorities regarding this matter.

Earlier today, the jail authorities told Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP leader Sanjay Singh that they wouldnt be able to meet Kejriwal. Citing security reasons, the officials said they will allot a new date for the meeting.

Last week, the jail authorities had told Mann that he can meet the Delhi CM, but only as a regular visitor in the mulaqat jangla.

The mulakat jangla is a room inside the jail with an iron mesh that separates the inmate from the visitor. By sitting on different sides of the mesh, a visitor and an inmate can talk to each other.

Citing sources, news agency PTI reported that Kejriwals wife Sunita and personal secretary Bibhav Kumar met with him inside jail on Tuesday. They said that this was Delhi CMs first in-person meeting with them since he was sent to judicial custody on April 1.

According to the jail manual, an inmate can meet physically or through video conference visitors twice a week. He has to give the names of such visitors prior to the meeting.

Lodged in jail number 2, Kejriwal has listed five names, including his wife, children, personal secretary and AAP MP Sandeep Pathak, whom he can meet in jail. As per jail protocol, he will have to add Manns name to the list.

Meanwhile, the Delhi CM approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Courts order rejecting his plea against his arrest and the Enforcement Directorate remand in the excise policy case.

Kejriwal was arrested by the central probe agency on March 21 and is in judicial custody till April 15. The ED had told a court that the AAP chief is the kingpin and key conspirator in the liquor scam.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court against the High Courts dismissal of the plea challenging his arrest and the Enforcement Directorate remand in the excise policy case on Wednesday.

The case was brought up before the Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud.

Mentioning the plea before the top court, senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, This is an urgent mentioning regarding Delhi chief minister. The arrest is based on an unrelied document and suppressed from us.

In response, CJI Chandrachud refused to hear the petition on an urgent basis and did not specify whether the matter will be heard today.

During the hearing, the CJI said, Please send an email, we will look into it.

Rejecting his plea, the HC bench headed by Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma on Tuesday said that Kejriwal collected kickbacks as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor.

In a major setback to his case, the court also said noted that materials collected by the federal agency revealed that Kejriwal conspired with others in the liquor policy scam. The ED case also reveals that he was involved in his personal capacity as well as the convenor of AAP, the court order read.

There cannot be any specific privilege for any one including the chief minister, the high court observed.

It also said, This court is of the opinion that the accused has been arrested and his arrest and remand has to be examined as per law and not as per timing of elections.

The HC noted that Kejriwals questioning over the timing of the arrest before General elections is absence of any mala fide on part of ED is not sustainable.

It said that casting aspersions on process of pardon and approver is like questioning the credibility of the judge. We hold that judges are bound by law not politics. Judgements are given on legal principles not political considerations, the HC remarked.

Confirming the Delhi chief ministers vicarious liability, the court said that the ED had enough material which led them to arrest Kejriwal.

It also noted that the case does not exist between the Central government and Kejriwal but between the ED and Kejriwal. The Court must remain vigilant that it is not influenced by any extraneous factors, it said.

Last week  when the HC had reserved its order on the petition  the federal agency had opposed the AAP chiefs plea saying that he cannot claim immunity from arrest on the grounds of elections because the law is applicable to both him and an aam aadmi (common man) equally.

The anti-corruption agency arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on March 21. The AAP chief is under judicial custody in Tihar Jail till April 15.

He faces allegations of direct involvement in a conspiracy related to the formulation of the excise policy favouring specific individuals. Kejriwal is also accused of collecting kickbacks from liquor business owners in exchange for favours, the ED had said.
India has begun monitoring virus strains amid the looming scare of bird flu globally, especially in the United States.

Last week, the Union government conducted an assessment of the prevailing flu strains in the country. Poultry firms, too, have been closely monitoring the situation.

Experts worldwide have raised a warning about the potential of a bird flu pandemic, which could be a hundred times more severe than Covid-19. The emergence of H5N1, also known as avian influenza, among dairy cows in the US, with a confirmed case of a human testing positive for the virus in Texas, has sparked considerable alarm.

Last week, the government assessed the prevailing influenza viruses in India. We did not identify any concerning levels of avian influenza. H1N1, known to cause swine flu, was detected, but there was nothing unusual noted, a top government official told News18.

Similarly, poultry firms across India have increased vigil and poultry. Avian influenza is a disease which results from infection of birds with influenza viruses. These viruses typically circulate among wild aquatic birds globally and have the potential to infect domestic poultry and other avian and animal species. While bird flu viruses typically do not infect humans, isolated cases of human infections have been reported across the globe.

According to Ranpal Dhanda, president of the Poultry Federation of India (PFI)  a lobby of over 2,500 members including farmers, veterinarians, breeders, processors, and other allied fields related to the poultry  no unusual trend has been spotted by the industry, so far.

Dhanda told News18 that news of bird flu could have been more concerning if it had surged about two months ago.

He noted that during winter, migratory birds arrive from various parts of the globe, potentially bringing such viruses with them. However, at present, it is the time when these birds leave India, reducing the likelihood of acquiring new infections.

Dhanda, who is also the president of Unnat Group engaged in the poultry feed and equipment business, stated that the association has instructed its members to remain vigilant and report any unusual activity. Nothing unusual has been observed so far, he added.

Prepare as if next pandemic will happen now

According to Dr Anurag Agrawal, Dean, BioSciences and Health Research, Ashoka University, the strategy of surveillance has to be similar to what we follow in case of influenza viruses.

We only need to follow the data and maintain strict vigil and respiratory infection surveillance.

Agrawal, the former director of the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), advised that India needs to follow the one health approach.

The One Health approach is a collaborative method that recognises the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and environmental health to address health challenges effectively.

Similarly, Dr Vishal Rao, a member of Karnatakas genomic surveillance committee, also called for adopting a one health approach.

Rao, who is also the dean for the Centre of Academic Research at Bengaluru-based HCG Cancer Hospital, advised that all Indian states and central government should be prepared to fight the pandemic even if the news around H5N1 fizzles out in a week.

We understand that avian influenza is a highly pathogenic virus, but it does not typically spread from human to human. Nonetheless, we should prepare ourselves as if it has the potential to cause the next pandemic. What is the point of learning from the second wave of Covid-19 if we do not begin preparing well in advance?
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI probe into alleged crimes against women, forcible land-grab in West Bengals Sandeshkhali. The court said it will monitor the investigation, and directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to file report on illegal conversion of agricultural land for pisciculture.

The investigating agency has also come up with a portal where people can register their voices. All witnesses will be given protection, sources said.

Sandeshkhali, a riverine island around 80 kilometres from Kolkata, has been in the news after local women alleged land-grabbing and sexual abuse by now-suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh and his men, who are involved in fish farming and trading.

Last month, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose had constituted a team of experts to conduct a study of the lands in Sandeshkhali that were illegally grabbed from villagers and turned into fish farms, and suggest ways to utilise them.

News agency PTI quoted experts in the field as saying that the topsoil of the farmlands allegedly snatched by Shajahan and now returned to the original owners have become unfit for agriculture due to the draining of saline water for fish farming, and the topsoil needs to be replaced to make those lands suitable for cultivation again.

Rekha Patra, an alleged victim of torture at the hands of Shajahan Sheikh and his aides, has been given election ticket by the Bharatiya Janata Party. She is fielded from Basirhat Lok Sabha seat. Sandeshkhali is part of that constituency.

Patra was among the most vocal protestors of Sandeshkhali. The police arrested Shibu Hazra, a local muscleman and Shajahan Sheikhs associate, based on her complaint.

Patra is also believed to have been part of the group that met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of his public meeting in Barasat on March 6 and narrated the plight of Sandeshkhali women to the PM.
A Delhi court has dismissed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals plea seeking more time with his legal team, saying he was using his allotted time for other work.

The Delhi Chief Minister had requested the court to allow him to meet his legal team five times a week instead of just two meetings as granted currently.

In its order, the court said, It appears that the applicant is not even utilising the permitted two legal interviews per week with his counsels solely for discussing his pending litigations. He has rather used the allotted time for purposes other than legal interviews.

The court observed that Arvind Kejriwal failed to satisfy this court that he had been using the two permitted legal meetings per week solely to discuss the pending litigations with his counsels.

The status report filed by the ED indicates that the applicant had dictated certain directions for being passed on to the Water Minister, to one of his lawyers (whose name he refused to disclose to the Investigating Agency) during the course of a legal meeting, the court order read.

Meanwhile, AAP leader Sanjay Singh has claimed that an inquiry has been launched into Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sending messages to his MLAs through his lawyers from Tihar jail.

After Kejriwal sent a message to AAP MLAs asking them to visit their constituencies and solve peoples problems, a threat was issued that his meetings with his lawyers and family members would be stopped, Singh claimed at a press conference without naming anyone.

The AAP Rajya Sabha MP alleged that he and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wanted to meet Kejriwal in jail but the meeting was cancelled by the prison authorities, even though a token number had been issued for it.

Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case stemming from the alleged excise policy scam. He is in judicial custody till April 15 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail. Since his arrest on March 21, he has sent messages to his party leaders and directions to Delhi ministers through his wife and lawyers.

Singh hit out at the Modi government and the ruling BJP, saying that they want to keep Kejriwal in Tihar under Hitlarshahi to break him emotionally.
A former cop arrested in the Telangana phone tapping case has been booked for kidnapping and extortion after the founder of a healthcare firm claimed that his business partners conspired with the cop to orchestrate a hostile takeover.

Officers, who served in Telanganas Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) are facing action over allegations of snooping on rivals and critics of the former Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government when it was in power in Telangana.

According to an Indian Express report, the fresh case against former DCP (Task Force, Hyderabad City) P Radhakishan Rao was registered at Hyderabads Jubilee Hills police station after the founder of a healthcare firm alleged that he was kidnapped and extorted of Rs 50 lakh at Raos behest.

He claimed that in November 2018, he was allegedly abducted by the Circle Inspector of Task Force (West Zone, Hyderabad City Police) and taken to Raos office, where he asserted he was threatened and coerced into transferring the shares in his company  valued at over Rs 100 crore  to his four partners, the Indian Express reported.

After learning of Raos arrest in an alleged phone tapping case through the news, he stated that he felt emboldened to approach the police.

According to his complaint quoted by the Indian Express, he established the company in 2011, which operates in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh with over 160 centers, providing basic healthcare facilities and ambulances.

In early 2018, he mentioned that a state government had invited tenders to manage emergency medical vehicles and ambulances, and his firm was on the verge of securing the contract for 1,500 vehicles due to its competitive operating cost. However, he alleged that his partners turned against him because the cost was too low, demanding ownership of the company.

In October 2018, he lodged two complaints at the Jubilee Hills police station accusing his partners of making threatening calls and intimidation. However, the police did not take action, attributing the issue to a dispute over share transfers among partners.

Subsequently, a case has been registered against Rao, the circle inspector, a sub-inspector, and his four business partners under Sections 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt), 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy), alongside Section 34 (common intention and joint criminal liability).

Meanwhile, the Nampally criminal court has extended Raos police custody until April 12.
The plot seems to have thickened in Jharkhands land scam case in connection with which the states chief minister Hemant Soren resigned before being arrested this year. Even as the opposition INDIA bloc sharpens its attack on the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging the arrests of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader as well as Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in separate cases just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections were illegal and motivated, the agency took custody of another accused, Mohammed Saddam, who allegedly forged the land records of 1940 following instructions from Soren. News18 has accessed a special report prepared by the ED that lists the forged documents with pictures.

The report is titled How was Md Saddam and gang used to fabricate the land records of Bargai land having area 8.86 acres at the behest of Bhanu Pratap in connivance with Hemant Soren? Apart from Soren and Saddam, Bhanu Pratap is another arrested accused in the case.

Based on the new evidences as below, ED filed production application before Special PMLA Court to produce Md Saddam Hussain. Special PMLA Court issued production warrant to produce Md Saddam Hussain on 9th April and ED may arrest Md Saddam Hussain for custodial interrogation, said the report.

Saddam was already in jail as he was arrested in a different land scam case, but the directorate on Tuesday formally arrested him and took him in three days remand, said a senior official in the agency.

ED arrested Saddam in connection with a land scam case, in which Hemant Soren is the prime accused. Land records related to property, usurped by Soren, were forged by him, added the source.

The special report stated, During searches at Md Saddam Hussains House, several forged and fabricated deeds have been found. Afsar Ali and Saddam both deposed before ED that these deeds are fake and forged. Kind attention is invited to sale deed no 3985 of 1940 between Balka Pahan and Asgar Hussain. This sale deed was fabricated by this gang at the behest of Bhanu Pratap Prasad in connivance with HS to usurp the subject land in favour of HS which is already in illegal possession of Hemant Soren.

During its investigation, the ED had written to the Registrar of Assurance, Kolkata, to investigate this matter. A four-member committee was formed by the Registrar, which confirmed the forgery and recommended a fresh FIR, said officials.
In a generation where many Indian citizens often do not have time to visit polling stations, an old lady from Karnatakas Chamarajanagar district is a role model for all young people in this regard. Due to standing in a queue to vote, young people tend to stay away from voting. They prefer staying at their homes.

But, the 81-year-old Chinnamma from Chikkati village in Karnataka, so far, has voted 41 times. Not only that, she hopes to increase this number by contesting the Lok Sabha elections on April 26. So far, Chinnamma has joined the local cooperative organisations including the Gram Panchayat, Zilla Panchayat, Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections. Every time she votes, she participates in the with enthusiasm. Recently, she cast her vote in the dairy elections as well.

Dont forget to vote, it is our right. I appeal to the young voters that it is our responsibility to choose a good candidate for the country, Chinnamma said to Local18.

Similarly, a remarkable 97-year-old woman Tijiya Bai Sahu, from a remote village in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh, passionately urges, Drop everything and cast your vote first. Last year, the Election Commission of India provided the elderly with the opportunity to vote from the comfort of their homes. Despite that, Tijiya Bai insisted on reaching the polling station on time to cast her vote.

A resident of Auri village in Borai panchayat of Patan block in Durg district, Tijiya Bai inspired voters of all ages as she embodies a deep sense of civic duty. Tijiya Bai said, Despite my age and health problems, I am determined to exercise my right to vote in person. As an elderly person of over 95 years, there is an option to vote from the comfort of my home using a ballot paper, but all these years I have always gone to the polling booth to cast my vote and I will continue to do so.

I want to go to the polling station and vote, she says determinedly. It is a celebration of democracy and I want to be a part of it. Voting in person makes me feel more connected to the process and allows me to contribute to our great nation, she added.
Sandeshkhali has become one of the biggest issues in West Bengal ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been up in arms against the West Bengal Chie Minister Mamata Banerjee over the alleged sexual assault of women by suspended TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh. On Wednesday, Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a rally in in North 24 Parganas, attacked Mamata Banerjee over the issue, saying it was a matter of shame that Mamata Banerjee, despite being a women chief minister, tried to protect the culprits.

Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI probe into the alleged crimes against women and forcible land-grab in Sandeshkhali. The court said that it will monitor the investigation, and directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a report on illegal conversion of agricultural land for pisciculture. The investigating agency has also come up with a portal where people can register their voices. All witnesses will be given protection, sources said.

Several local women in Sandeshkhali, a small riverine island in West Bengal, have alleged land-grabbing and sexual abuse by Shahjahan Sheikh and his men, who are involved in fish farming and trading.

Here is a look at the sequence of events that have unfolded in the Sandeshkhali case so far:

On January 5, 2024, a team of the Enforcement Directorate went to raid the premises of Sheikh Shahjahan. His supporters attacked the ED team, leaving three officials injured. They also helped Shahjahan escape.

On February 8, local women carrying brooms and sticks blocked the main road in Sandeshkhali, demanding the arrest of Shahjahan and his two aides, Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar. On February 9, women protesters attacked Hazras properties and set fire to his poultry farm.

On February 10, Shahjahans aide Uttam Sardar was arrested.

On February 13, a special 10-member female police team led by IPS Soma Das Mitra visited Sandeshkhali.

On February 14, notices were issued to senior officials in West Bengal by Lok Sabha Privileges Committee after a complaint was filed by BJP MP Dr Sukanta Majumdar, alleging that he was stopped by the state police from going to Sandeshkhali and was injured in the process.

On February 17, the police added charges of gangrape and attempted murder against Hazra and Sardar, following which Shiba Prasad Hazra was arrested on February 18.

On February 20, the Calcutta HC pulled up the West Bengal government and asked Sheikh Shahjahan to surrender.

On February 21, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said that police will listen to individual complaints in Sandeshkhali and strict action will be taken against the culprits.

On February 22, Sandeshkhali residents freed a childrens park taken over by Shahjahans men.

On February 23, locals set fire to properties belonging to Trinamool Congress leaders in Sandeshkhali.

On February 24, a TMC delegation visited the village and assured people that they will get justice.

On February 26, the Calcutta HC said that Shahjahan should be arrested.

On February 27, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda asked the Mamata Banerjee government to file a report within 72 hours if they fail to arrest Shahjahan.

On February 28, HC allowed senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari to visit the village.

On February 29, Shahjahan was suspended from TMC for 6 years and was finally arrested.
Delhi police have made scathing submissions opposing Umar Khalids bail plea in the 2020 Delhi riots case and said the former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) amplified a false narrative in his favour through social media. In its submissions to the Karkardooma court, police said Khalid was in contact with some actors, politicians, activists, and celebrities and sent them links by certain news portals against the Delhi Police.

These links were sent with a request to share them on their social media accounts to set a particular narrative and amplify it.

The arguments against Khalids bail plea were made on Tuesday before Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai.

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad said Khalid had sent text messages to Congress leader Jignesh Mewani, actors Pooja Bhatt, Swara Bhaskar, Zeeshan Ayyub and politician Yogendra Yadav among others.

Police said the former student leader was also in touch with news outlets like The Wire & Alt News.

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad said Khalids mobile phone data revealed he was in contact with some actors, politicians, activists and celebrities and sent them some links by certain news portals against the Delhi Police.

Citing his chats with these people  who have a considerable social media following  Prasad said Khalid amplified his narrative as part of a conspiracy.

Khalid is an accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 northeast Delhi communal riots. He has been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The SPP also played a video clip in the court, where Khalids father was being interviewed by a news portal.

The SPP said his father told the portal that they did not have faith in the Supreme Court. They dont have faith in the Supreme Court, and, therefore they came to the trial court. This is how they are creating a narrative (in his favour), he said.

The SPP said Khalid had requested members of a WhatsApp group to schedule protests after a particular top court proceeding.

He also rejected the contention of Khalid seeking parity with other co-accused, who have been granted bail.

The matter has been posted for Wednesday for rebuttal by Khalids counsel.

Khalid and several others have been booked under the anti-terror law UAPA and several provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the masterminds of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.

The violence erupted during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
An Indian diaspora body in the US has asked both government and private entities to work towards addressing the alarming rise in the deaths of Indian-origin students in the country. This request comes in the wake of a series of unfortunate incidents involving Indian students in the country that have garnered attention lately.

One of the latest cases involves 25-year-old Mohammed Abdul Arfath, an Indian student who had gone missing last month. Hailing from Hyderabad, Arfath was pursuing a Masters in IT from Cleveland University. Tragically, he was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday.

The causes of increasing incidents involving Indian students range from suspicious shootings/kidnapping, environmental deaths due to lack of safety knowledge (monoxide poisoning, hypothermia), mental issues suicides, and violent crimes, according to an analysis done by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS).

Spike in tragic deaths

The FIIDS said authorities should enhance safety education, improve search and rescue procedures, implement stricter rules against fraternity ragging; increase awareness of risks and safety, and provide mental health support. Since the beginning of 2024, there have been at least half a dozen deaths of Indian and Indian-origin students in the US. A spike in tragic deaths of Indian students in the United States has raised significant concerns among the Indo-American community as well as the Indian population.

Dr Lakshmi Thalanki from Boston, who collected data on the deaths of more than 10 students, noted, The sudden surge of deaths among Indian students is alarming and suspicious. On Tuesday, FIIDS submitted various recommendations to the Department of State, Department of Justice, Education Department, universities, student organisations as well as the Indo-American community.

Fear Of Hate Crimes

Since the sudden rise in suspicious deaths, rumours have been circulating around the Indian American community about potential hate crimes especially as many deaths are clustered around East and Midwest universities, especially in Cleveland Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. Some of them fear that the hate crimes are fuelled by negative propaganda against the community, FIIDS said.

Even though FIIDS did not find any conclusive facts to support the rumours, they may need to be investigated to timely address their concern, a media release said. Indian origin students, according to Open Doors Report (ODR) are 275k, making 25 percent of total foreign students and bringing in USD 9 billion per year in terms of fees and expenses, it said.

However, the recent increase in their deaths is concerning and, if not addressed, would impact their confidence in the safety of US universities, potentially impacting the inflow of students further, said Khanderao Kand, chief of Policies and Strategy at FIIDS. Here are the following recommendations by FIIDS to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian-origin students:

US Department of State : Collaborate with relevant agencies and foreign embassies to establish reporting mechanisms for hate crimes targeting Indian students. Provide guidance and support to consulates and diplomatic missions to assist victims of hate crimes and ensure their rights are protected.

: Collaborate with relevant agencies and foreign embassies to establish reporting mechanisms for hate crimes targeting Indian students. Provide guidance and support to consulates and diplomatic missions to assist victims of hate crimes and ensure their rights are protected. US Department of Justice and FBI : Form a dedicated task force to investigate hate crimes against Indian-origin students and communities. Enhance coordination with local law enforcement agencies to address hate crimes effectively. Investigate any connections or similarities in the incidents leading to any possible campaign of hate crimes or conspiracy.

: Form a dedicated task force to investigate hate crimes against Indian-origin students and communities. Enhance coordination with local law enforcement agencies to address hate crimes effectively. Investigate any connections or similarities in the incidents leading to any possible campaign of hate crimes or conspiracy. Universities : Introduce orientation programs and resources on safety for international students newly admitted to their universities. Develop and implement comprehensive diversity and inclusion programs to promote tolerance and understanding among students from diverse backgrounds.Establish support networks and resources for victims of hate crimes.

: Introduce orientation programs and resources on safety for international students newly admitted to their universities. Develop and implement comprehensive diversity and inclusion programs to promote tolerance and understanding among students from diverse backgrounds.Establish support networks and resources for victims of hate crimes. Foreign/Indian Students Organizations : Collaborate with local advocacy groups and civil rights organizations to raise awareness about hate crimes and provide support to affected students. Advocate for the introduction of cultural sensitivity training for campus security personnel and law enforcement officers.

: Collaborate with local advocacy groups and civil rights organizations to raise awareness about hate crimes and provide support to affected students. Advocate for the introduction of cultural sensitivity training for campus security personnel and law enforcement officers. Community Engagement : Foster dialogue and collaboration between Indian-origin students, local communities, and law enforcement agencies to address concerns and build trust. Organize community events and forums to promote solidarity and mutual support among students and residents of Indian descent.

: Foster dialogue and collaboration between Indian-origin students, local communities, and law enforcement agencies to address concerns and build trust. Organize community events and forums to promote solidarity and mutual support among students and residents of Indian descent. Jointly all of above to Combat Misinformation: Launch educational campaigns to debunk misinformation and promote accurate understanding of Indian culture, traditions, and religions. Partner with media organizations, community leaders, and academic institutions to counter false narratives and stereotypes perpetuated against followers of Indian origin religions. Provide resources and training to empower students and community members to identify and challenge misinformation.

(With agency inputs)
Diipa Buller Khosla is one of the most influential people in the world of entrepreneurship. In her never-ending quest for self-actualization, Khosla is about to embark on a third visit to Harvard, which will be a significant turning point in her career.

The highlight of the event will be Khoslas most recent project, a documentary titled Show Her the Money, which will be screened at Harvard Business School on April 11. This documentary explores the motivational stories of several female investors and business owners, calling attention to the enormous unrealized potential of the female population. Diipa Khoslas documentary is a global movement and a call to action rather than just a detached study of the current state of affairs. By upending the conventions of a venture capital business dominated by men, it sparks discussions and brings about real change.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Diipa Buller-Khosla (@diipakhosla)

Khosla had previously visited Harvard in 2022 when she accepted an invitation to speak at the Business School, where she discussed Diversity in the Beauty Industry. She strengthened her position in academia earlier this year when she spok about identity as a minority woman leader and universal issues of leadership.

Khoslas influence cuts across businesses and goes beyond academia. Her business endeavours demonstrate her dedication to social impact and creativity, such as her foundation Post for Change and her brand Inde Wild. She has also appeared on magazine covers and at fashion shows. Diipa Khosla confirms her position as a trailblazer, inventor, and global change agent as she makes her third visit back to Harvard.
In a world full of adventure lovers, the quest for the ideal travel destination never ends. Do you also turn to the internet to seek inspiration for your next journey? Heres a list of top 10 most googled travel destinations that will not only make your vacation planning process hassle-free but it will also add some exciting places to your travel bucket list.

Greece

Greece ranks among the most googled travel destinations worldwide attracting millions of tourists every year. The countrys iconic destinations such as Athens with its ancient ruins beauty and the breathtaking Santorinis stunning views are particularly popular among the travellers.

Spain

Spains iconic cities like Barcelona and Madrid are popular for its blend of traditional culture with modernity. The countrys coastal regions such as the Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands are ideal destinations for sun-lovers. Spains Malaga has many notable museums such as Picassos Birthplace House-Museum, the Pompidou Centre, the Carmen Thyssen Museum or the Centre for Contemporary Art.

Italy

When you think about Italy what comes to your mind? Pizza or Leaning Tower of Pisa? However, this country offers so much more which is why it remains as one of the top dream destinations for many. The Trevi Fountain in Rome is one of the most visited destinations in the world where tourists toss around 3,000 a day into the fountain.

Portugal

With diverse culture, mouthwatering cuisine and breathtaking views, Portugal is an unmissable destination for travellers. From the historic sites and architectural wonders in cities like Lisbon, Porto and Sintra to the indulgent culinary experience with its world-renowned cuisines, Portugal offers numerous options for the travellers to enjoy.

Croatia

The countrys coastline is a paradise for beach lovers offering rugged cliffs, crystal clear waters, breathtaking landscapes. Croatias Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracts many visitors for its waterfalls, lakes, and lush forests.

Cyprus

Cyprus is a gem waiting for the travellers to be explored. The Trood Mountains is an ideal place for adventure seekers for mountain biking, hiking, and exploring scenic trails. Get to know the country-side lifestyle by visiting the picturesque villages of Lefkara and Omodos offering a glimpse into Cyprus rural life and traditions.

Thailand

Destinations like Phuket, Koh Samui, and Krabi in Thailand offer a wide range of experiences with its breathtaking beaches with opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and island-hopping adventures. The countrys cuisine is sure to leave a lasting impression offering a variety of culinary experiences.

Egypt

Egypt is a land of ancient wonders and modern marvels that attract millions of visitors each year. From the iconic pyramids of Giza to the bustling streets of Cairo and the mesmerising Nile River, Egypt offers a plethora of experiences for travelers to discover.

Malta

With subtle sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife, Malta is one of most iconic destinations in Europe. The island of Gozo offers secluded beaches, rugged landscapes, and the iconic Azure Window rock formation.

Morocco

Known for its amazing hospitality, Morocco offers an exquisite travel experience with its incredible historical monuments, the vast and stunning snow-capped Atlas Mountains, the never ending windy Atlantic ocean coastline, and the impressive Sahara Desert.
Morarji Desai was a political figure known for his contributions to the independence of India against the British and his tenure as the fourth Prime Minister of India. He is remembered for his simplicity, integrity, and dedication to public service. He became a civil servant and served as the Deputy Collector for over 12 years. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhis ideology, Desai joined the Independence movement. He served as the Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979. He was also the Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1967 to 1971. Desai died on April 10, at the age of 99.

Facts about Morarji Desai You Probably Didnt Know
Siblings Day is observed on April 10. The day reminds us to appreciate the bond we share with our beloved siblings. On this day, we try to take an extra step and make our partner-in-crime (siblings) feel special. The day came into existence after Claudia Evart, a US-based legal professional, decided to celebrate her late siblings (older brother Alan, and sister Lisette).

As per the official website of Siblings Day, Claudia after the tragic deaths of both siblings at young ages, Evart realised how important and precious sibling relationships are. In her message for Siblings Day, she said, I lost both of them in tragic accidents. Like many, I have these photographs of my brother and sister, who are both gone, but remain with me daily, not just in these pictures, but in my daily thoughts and in my heart, making me understand the everlasting bond we have with our siblings.

Siblings Day 2024 Wishes

1. Happy Siblings Day, my brother, I wish and hope you have all the happiness in this world.

2. I would want you to be my sister in the life that comes after this one as well if there is one. Happy Sibling Day!

3. Im not sure what I would do in this world without you. When you are by my side, I can achieve everything. Thanks for being the constant support in my life. Happy Siblings Day!

4. We may fight a lot, but trust me, without your presence my life would be so boring. My childhood is special only because you were a part of it. Happy Siblings Day to you.

5. You are a blessing in my life and I cannot imagine my childhood without your presence. You are the best thing in my life and you will always have my back no matter what! Happy siblings day!

Siblings Day 2024 Photos

Siblings Day 2024 Messages

Wishing you a joyful siblings day. You are the best part of my life. But, Im the best kind in our family. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, sister. Have a wonderful Siblings Day. Happy siblings day sister! You are lucky to have a fantastic sibling like me! Sending you hugs on this siblings day! Even if we love to fight with each other, do know that I love you the most. I wouldnt trade you for anything in the world. I am so happy that you are my sibling. Im sending you love and hugs in honor of Siblings Day.

Siblings Day 2024: WhatsApp And Facebook Status

1. I hate to admit this, but you are the only enemy on earth whom I love! Happy Siblings Day, Brother!

2. My childhood would be incomplete without you. Our bromance is the best thing in the world. Happy siblings day, bro.

3. Siblings Day is a happy day because you are my sibling. Happy Siblings Day, brother.

4. Happy Siblings Day, my dear brother. I am not frightened of anything as long as you are at my side. Thank you for always looking out for me.

5. Sending lots of love to my wonderful brother on Siblings Day. I hope all of your dreams come true; you deserve nothing less.

6. Happy Siblings Day. You are not just my brother; you are my role model.

7. I quarrel with you the most but at the end of the day; I confide in you when I need comfort! Happy Siblings Day, My Baby Brother!

8. Happy Siblings Day Sister. Im lucky, I got you as my sister and best friend.

9. Thanks for being the best sister and guide. Your brother is always there for you to make you smile.

10. We have grown up sharing so many things. May our bond remain stronger. Happy siblings day to the best sister ever.

Siblings Day 2024: Quotes
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is gearing up for its highly anticipated release next month. At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, attendees were treated to an exclusive sneak peek of the film, showcasing Anya Taylor-Joy as a young Imperator Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth as the formidable biker gang Warlord Dementus. The event featured an extended preview, lasting several action-packed minutes, divided into three captivating parts. In the first part, Hemsworths Dementus encounters a young Furiosa. The second part shows Furiosas journey to becoming a fighter and the third part depicts her quest for revenge against Dementus.

Warner Bros. describes Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland they come across the Citadel presided over by the Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.

Director George Miller shared at CinemaCon that the films story spans 16 to 18 years. He and the team carefully crafted backstories for Furiosa and other characters, setting the plot for this highly anticipated prequel. We wrote the backstories for everybody, of Furiosa, for all those years and also for Mad Max in the year before. When Fury Road had enough traction, we thought, Oh, weve gotta go and do Furiosa, said Miller.

Miller, along with co-writer Nico Lathouris, has created a film that not only serves as a prequel to Fury Road but also expands on the Wasteland saga that began with Mad Max (1979), Mad Max II: The Challenge (1981) and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985).

Apart from Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga boasts a talented ensemble cast including Lachy Hulme, Tom Burke, Nathan Jones, John Howard, Angus Sampson, Daniel Webber and Charlee Fraser. Hulme plays the role of Immortan Joe, originally portrayed by the late Hugh Keays-Byrne.

With its thrilling storyline and compelling characters, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga promises to be a must-see film when it hits theatres on May 24.
Janhvi Kapoor has finally confirmed her relationship with Shikhar Pahariya after dating him for a while now. On Tuesday night, the actress attended the screening of her father Boney Kapoors new production, Maidaan, in Mumbai. However, what grabbed everyones attention was Janhvis customised necklace which had her boyfriends nickname Shikhu on it.

For more info: Janhvi Kapoor CONFIRMS Dating Shikhar Pahariya, Wears His Names Necklace at Maidaan Screening | Watch

Zendaya has offered up some rare remarks about boyfriend Tom Holland. In a joint interview with Vogue and British Vogue, the Challengers star praised her Spider-Man: Homecoming co-star for how he handled things after the film was released in 2017.

For more info: Zendaya on Relationship With Tom Holland And Her Future Kids: We Were Both Very Young But

After two years of announcing their separation, actor Dhanush and director Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth have officially started the process of getting divorced. The news suggests that theyre handling it amicably, with Aishwaryaa expected to have primary custody of their sons. A source mentioned to HT that theyve filed for divorce in Chennai. Since separating, theyve been apart, focusing on healing.

For more info: Dhanush-Aishwaryaa Divorce To See No Courtroom Fights: Primary Custody Of Kids To Go To | Deets

Swara Bhasker is enjoying the most beautiful phase of her life motherhood. She is cherishing each precious moment with her daughter, Raabiyaa. Through her regular updates on social media, she often gives fans a sneak peek into her journey as a mother. Recently, the actress joyously marked Raabiyaas first rice ceremony, known as Annaprashana, alongside her husband, Fahad Ahmad.

For more info: Inside Swara Bhasker And Fahad Ahmads Daughter Raabiyaas Annaprashana Ceremony

Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan, scheduled to be released tomorrow, faces a legal hurdle as Mysore court has ordered to halt the release over a plagiarism claim by a scriptwriter from Karnataka. The principal district and Session court in Mysore has issued an order prohibiting the release of Ajay Devgn starrer Maidaan in response to a script writer Anil Kumar in Mysore, who has alleged that the filmmakers have plagiarised his story.

For more info: Ajay Devgns Maidaan Faces Plagiarism Allegations By Scriptwriter, Mysore Court Orders Stay | Deets
Joker 2 Trailer: The first trailer of the highly-anticipated film Joker: Folie a Deux is finally here! Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga as Joker and Harley Quinn, Joker: Folie a Deux trailer promises DC fans a never-before-seen experience at the cinemas. Directed by Todd Phillips, the trailer was unvieled at the CinemaCon on Tuesday. The trailer has confirmed that Joker: Folie a Deux is set shortly after the events of 2019 film.

As previously revealed, the new Joker film will be a musical. The Joker 2 trailer offered glimpses of the same. It has also revealed that overall storyline. As per the trailer, Joker meets Harley Quinn for the first time at the mental asylum. Their romance blooms in the alleys of the asylum and soon, they prepare to wreak havoc on Gotham City. The trailer also reveals there will be a series of on-stage moments, putting the spotlight on Lady Gaga.

Watch the trailer below:

As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, at CinemaCon, director Phillips was asked if Joker 2 was categorised as a musical. He explained, I like to say its a movie where music is an essential element. To me that doesnt veer to far from the first film. (In the first film,) Arthur has music in him. He has a grace to him."

Last year, music composer Sam Slater shared details about Joker 2 in an exclusive conversation with News18. Given that Joker 2 has a musical name associated to it in the form of Lady Gaga, we asked him if Gaga is involved in the musical process or even sang a song or two in the movie, Sam said, You will just have to wait and see. But theyve done a great job, theyve done a really good job, thats all I can say."

Joker: Folie a Deux aka Joker 2 is set to release on October 4.
Priyamani, a celebrated actress in the South Indian film industry, has gained a devoted fan base. She has come a long way in her career with rich content-driven and commercial films. Despite a successful stint as an actress and many critically acclaimed films to her credit, the actress never got cast opposite top heroes of Tamil and Telugu cinema. In a recent interview, the Family Man fame star opened up on the same and said she still does not know what the exact reason is.

In an interaction with Galatta Plus, Priyamani mentioned, In all honesty, I am not trying to find fault with anybody, but I have heard from a lot of people that they dont want to cast me opposite them or along with them or in the film because probably of the fact that I might eat them up.

Priyamani maintains that the reasons for not being cast with A-list actors are not entirely clear to her, but she expresses contentment with her achievements nonetheless. While acknowledging feeling disappointed about not working with top-tier actors, she emphasised that visibility isnt solely dependent on co-starring with A-listers. I dont believe that you will be seen only when you act with a lot of A-listers. It has its advantages also. Somewhere, I did feel bad about why I was not cast with the A-list actors, though half of them are well acquainted, she said. However, Priyamani has worked with several Bollywood A-listers including Shah Rukh Khan. In a chat with India Today, she expressed her desire to reunite with SRK. I am ready. If he (SRK) calls me tomorrow and says, Come and work with me, I will go. I am that ready. I am going to give up everything and go if I get the opportunity to work opposite Mr Khan. You guys (media) have the power, please manifest it, she said.

Priyamani has been garnering love and applause for her supporting role in Shah Rukh Khans blockbuster hit Jawan and a pivotal role in Mohanlals courtroom drama Neru. Besides, her other films including Article 370 also managed to captivate the audiences attention.

Meanwhile, the Jawan actress is now geared up for the release of her film Maidaan which has been postponed to release on April 11. The film, directed by Amit Sharma, features Ajay Devgn as the protagonist.
Priyanka Chopra likes to keep her fans updated about her whereabouts. From informing fans about her work-related happenings to often sharing unmissable moments of spending quality time with her daughter, Malti Marie, the actresss Instagram handle is filled with engaging posts. This time, too, Priyanka Chopra was seen sharing some candid moments of her day-to-day activities. Showing off her foodie side, Priyanka shared a foodilicious post on Instagram.

The actress was seemingly on her way to shooting when she took the picture from inside the car of her partially eaten croissant. Just a girl and her (croissant) emoji, she wrote.

The following stories included more pictures from her work drive as the actress enjoyed the scenic beauty of the valleys. Apart from that, Priyanka Chopra also shared another goofy picture of her daughter, calling her a Rainy Day Shenanigan. In the picture, Malti Marie can be seen dressed in a cute pink outfit paired with purple boots and a white raincoat, looking adorable. She also had a bubble gun in her hand.

This picture of Malti Marie came right after Priyanka Chopra shared another interesting moment showing her daughter gorging on ice cream, donning a cool pair of shades.

While the actress is presently busy with the shooting of her upcoming Hollywood film, Heads of State, she never fails to take time to spend with her family, especially her daughter.

Priyanka Chopras Work Front

Priyanka Chopra recently resumed shooting her next film, Heads of State, alongside Idris Elba and John Cena. She even delighted fans with a BTS snapshot from the set, offering a sneak peek into the location.

Directed by Ilya Naishuller, the films shooting began in May last year. However, not much has been revealed so far about the storyline or characters. Priyanka Chopra is also set to start another production venture with Born Hungry, collaborating with Barry Avrich under her banner, Purple Pebble Pictures.

Notably, the actress is back to her usual life after spending a long vacation with her family in India. Priyanka Chopra along with her husband Nick Jonas and daughter Malti Marie arrived in India and took part in several family functions, including her brothers Roka ceremony and cousin Mannara Chopras birthday party. They celebrated Holi with friends and family members before taking off for the US.
Marathi actress Sai Tamhankar has double the reason to celebrate Gudi Padwa this year. She has gifted herself a swanky new Mercedes Benz. It was the apt day for the actress to buy the Rs 1.5 crore car. Gudi Padwa marks the start of the Marathi New Year and is considered an auspicious occasion for new beginnings. Sai Tamhankar treated her fans to the reveal of the luxurious Mercedes Benz, sharing a video on Instagram, which shows off the car. In the video, Sai Tamhankar is seen visiting the car store, completing the paperwork and taking possession of the car keys from the store manager. She also performs the ritualistic puja in front of the car as she is surrounded by family and friends. She is seen kissing the steering wheel as she steps into the car for the first time. She captioned the video: Do not let anyone ever tell you what you can or cannot do. Dream it, Achieve it, Live it ! As we embark on a new year; lets set newer goals and achieve them together!!

For Sai Tamhankar, this purchase symbolises more than just a material possession; it stands as a significant milestone in her career, signifying her career success in the Marathi film industry. By choosing to unveil this achievement on Gudi Padwa, Sai Tamhankar infuses her celebration with cultural significance, harmonising tradition with contemporary success. As Sai starts the new year with fresh ambitions and objectives, her new vehicle serves as a symbol of the rewards that hard work and commitment can yield.

Sai Tamhankar has appeared in successful films like Duniyadari, Sau Shashi Deodhar, Postcard and Classmates. She has also appeared in Hindi films like Hunterr, Love Soniya and in this years Netflix release Bhakshak, where Bhumi Pednekar played the lead. Sai will soon share the screen with Emraan Hashmi in Ground Zero.
Shehnaaz Gill has been getting an overwhelming response for her new song Dhupp Lagdi. The actress treated her fans to another single featuring her alongside Sunny Singh. The song was released on April 8. Well, today, Shehnaaz was spotted in the city and she was seen indulging in a fun banter with paparazzi.

In the video, shared by Viral Bhayani, we can see Shehnaaz promoting her song in a fun way. Paparazzi asked to pose for the camera when she said, Guys mujhe dhupp lagdi. This soon make everyone laugh. Fans also comment. One of the fans wrote, She is really cute yaar ..and very normal look, Another wrote, I absolutely love how shehnaaz always interacts with the paps as if they are her friends otherwise some celebs threats them as shit.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

Shehnaaz Gill, on Monday, shared a post on her Instagram handle featuring her as she sought blessings at the revered temple premises. In the picture, Gill can be seen holding a photograph of Lord Ganesha. The Bigg Boss 13 contestant captioned the picture, Ganpati Bappa Moryaa.

In another video that surfaced on the Internet, the Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan actress can be seen arriving at the temple with her brother Shehbaz Badesha. Dressed in a simple off white traditional kurta set paired with a heavily embellished orange dupatta, the actress radiated joy as she flaunted a bright smile for her sacred visit. The clip further showed her seeking blessings at the temple following which she distributed prasad and sweets among the shutterbugs.

Dhup Lagdi navigates the life of the small town farmers compelled to relocate in search of employment after floods destroy their crops. It depicts the pain and agony of women while bidding their fathers and husbands farewell as they migrate to cities in search of employment. The video featured Sunny Singh playing a farmer whereas Gill can be seen essaying the role of her partner.

Besides her music endeavours, Shehnaaz Gill is all set for her next project with director Amarjit Sarons Ranna Ch Dhanna. In the film, she will be seen alongside Diljit Dosanjh and Sonam Bajwa. Additionally, she has also been roped in for director Balwinder Singh Janjuas Sab First Class opposite Varun Sharma.
Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney recently disclosed her first-ever movie star crush and it is none other than the iconic Leonardo DiCaprio. In a candid video shared by IMDb, the actress expressed her admiration for Leonardo DiCaprios charm since her early days in the industry.

Sydney revealed, My first movie star crush was Leonardo DiCaprio. I think the first time I saw him in a film was Romeo + Juliet (1996). After that, I watched every other film hes ever done. Titanic (1997), I loved him in that. Sydney and Leonardo have shared screen space in Quentin Tarantinos popular 2019 film, Once Upon A Timein Hollywood.

Recalling her time shooting for the film, she said, When I got to work with him. I had to pinch myself, take in every possible moment that I could when I was working with him, trying not to faint.

Despite Sydneys admiration, Twitter users were quick to point out the age difference between the two stars, casting doubt on the possibility of a romantic relationship. Taking a dig at Leonardo, known for dating women who are mostly under 25, viewers argued that the actor might not be interested in Sydney as she is 26 years old now.

Leo when someone over 25 expresses interest. pic.twitter.com/WYmNh3PfyR Philly Philly  (@MonsieurPhilly) April 9, 2024

https://twitter.com/GandhiAOC/status/1777850952634015864

Another joked saying, Come on. He has to make an exception for this one.

Come. He has to make an exception for this one. pic.twitter.com/YDDQGksYwR why_so_serious (@catJAM_00) April 9, 2024

One user wrote, Probably too old for Leonardo DiCaprio.

Probably too old for Leonardo DiCaprio Faizan Sarwar Khan (@faizansarwar__) April 9, 2024

One vier also jokingly pointed out that the actress should have revealed this a few years ago.

Too old for him.Sorry girlie but you JUST missed your window. Olamide (@cruise_update6) April 9, 2024

Leonardo, despite receiving a lot of accolades and praise for his films throughout his career, has recently been infamous for dating women who are a lot younger than him in age.

At present, Leonardo is reportedly in a relationship with 25-year-old Italian model Vittoria Ceretti. He previously dated Camila Morrone for four years, ending their relationship shortly after her 25th birthday in August 2022. He has also been in a relationship with supermodel Gigi Hadid.
Everyones favourite lazy cat, Garfield, is all set to return to the big screen with the much-awaited The Garfield Movie. In the upcoming film, Garfield will take on a new adventure and is reunited with his long-lost father, Vic, a street-smart feline. Along with his faithful friend Odie, they are ready to embark on a hilarious robbery that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The Garfield Movie has sparked widespread excitement, with fans worldwide eagerly waiting for the release. In addition to the gripping plot, fans in India have another reason to catch the movie in theatres. Varun Sharma, famed for his comic role in Fukrey, is the voice of Garfield in the Hindi version of the film.

Talking about this exciting project, Varun Sharma told Bollywood Hungama, For me, lending my voice for The Garfield Movie has been a character I have followed since my childhood, and I resonate with his quirks. The entire dubbing process was an amazing experience, allowing me to relive all the best of my childhood memories.

Varun Sharma added that he was grateful to Sony Pictures Releasing International for the opportunity and is excited for the audience to have a great time viewing the film.

Even the makers are quite excited to introduce Varun Sharma as the voice of Garfield in the upcoming movie. Shony Panjikaran, General Manager and Head of Sony Pictures Releasing International, India stated, Garfield has a quirky personality, and Varuns phenomenal and humorous performances in recent films make him the perfect choice, as quoted by Bollywood Hungama.

Directed by Mark Dindal, the film is scheduled to hit theatres on May 24, 2024. Chris Pratt lends his voice to Garfield, while Samuel L. Jackson voices his long-lost father, Vic, in the English version. The screenplay, highly anticipated by fans, is crafted by Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove, and David Reynolds. The production boasts an impressive lineup of producers including John Cohen, Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosove, Steven P. Wegner, Craig Sost, Namit Malhotra, and Crosby Clyse. Sony Pictures will handle the global release of the film. This installment marks the third in the Garfield franchise, succeeding earlier hits like 2004s Garfield: The Movie and its 2006 sequel, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties.
Zendaya has offered up some rare remarks about boyfriend Tom Holland. In a joint interview with Vogue and British Vogue, the Challengers star praised her Spider-Man: Homecoming co-star for how he handled things after the film was released in 2017.

We were both very, very young, but my career was already kind of going, and his changed overnight. One day youre a kid and youre at the pub with your friends, and then the next day youre Spider-Man, she said. I definitely watched his life kind of change in front of him. But he handled it really beautifully.

Next up for Holland is a role in Londons West End production of Romeo and Juliet, scheduled for May. Zendaya said she could not be more proud.

Im going to try to see as many shows as I possibly can, she added.

While the pair have been linked for years, they are pretty private about their relationship.

That appears to have only heightened interest in them, based on a story Zendaya shared about a time the two were in Paris and wanted to visit the famed Louvre.

According to the Euphoria star, they were warned against it and told Its already busy. You might make it worse. They went anyway, she said, and photos of them taking in the exhibits made the rounds on social media.

It was actually fine, Zendaya recalled. You just kind of get used to the fact that, Oh, Im also one of these art pieces youre going to take a picture of. I just gotta be totally cool with it and just live my life.

And fame can have its perks. Zendaya said the museum actually allowed them to stay after closing.

It was one of the coolest experiences ever, she said. It was like Night at the Museum.

Zendaya also spoke about how she would not want for her future children to go through the spotlight effect. I dont necessarily want my kids to have to deal with this, the Disney Channel alum said of fame compromising her ability to live a normal and private life. (Im asking myself), what does my future look like? Am I going to be a public-facing person forever?
Brian Cox, a professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester and a science television programme presenter, said Higgs's name will be remembered as long as we do physics".
The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa units have criticised Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for the recent clash that happened at the prestigious Shree Rudreshwar Temple in Arvalem-Sanquelim. Tensions and arguments escalated between the Bhandari community and another group during the much-followed Palkhi festival at the temple last Sunday. The local police had to intervene and diffuse the situation.

Goa Congress leader Sunil Khwatankar termed the incident as a failure of law and order in the state. Khwatankar held Goa CM Sawant and his government responsible for the incident and said that the CM should step down. While speaking to reporters, Khwatankar attacked the BJP government, alleging it is part of their strategy to divide communities.

It was an unfortunate incident that happened in the CMs constituency. A peaceful gathering was attacked by a mob armed with lathis on the temple premises. Shockingly, this incident happened despite heavy police deployment. Instead of preventing this incident, the police were mute spectators. This proves that miscreants had a shield from the police and the current BJP government. Women who were attacked by these goons were asking the police to take action, and the police told them to give complaints in writing. When such incidents are happening in the CMs constituency, it raises serious questions not only over the law and order situation but also about the failure of intelligence of police. The CM, who is handling the Home portfolio, should immediately step down from his post and accept responsibility for this incident, the Congress leader said.

AAP leader Amit Palekar said, This act of police is not just against the Bhandari Samaj but also the Hindu culture at large. Even though the police were present when the scuffle broke out, they did not make any effort to stop the fight. Representing the Bhandari community, I would like to question the CM as to what Bhandaris have done for him to go against them?

Senior Congress leader Girish Chodankar accused the police of inaction and termed the incident as an attempt to create division between two communities, that was allowed by the police. The cops who were present in the temple premises, instead of stopping the attackers, were protecting them. Is this some force that is particularly targeting the Bhandari community in Goa? Earlier BJP divided people on the basis of religion, since that failed in Goa, they are dividing communities within religions.
Delhi Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand has resigned from the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Cabinet and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleging that the party was neck deep into corruption.

In a clear reference to the arrests of AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy scam, he said, I have handled seven portfolios as a minister in the Delhi government. The Aam Admi Party (AAP), which was born after a fight against corruption is now neck deep into corruption.

#WATCH | Delhi Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigns from his post as minister and also from Aam Aadmi Party pic.twitter.com/QF52GyjhiW ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

It has become difficult to remain in this party. So I am resigning. I dont want my name to be associated with this corruption, he added.

The minister also claimed that the AAP did not care about the representation of Dalits. I dont want to be part of a party that takes a backseat when Dalit representation is talked about. I am not joining any party, he explained.

Anand sent his resignation to AAP General Secretary Sandeep Pathak.

Meanwhile, AAP leader Sanjay Singh has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was behind Raaj Kumar Anands move. BJP is using central agencies such as Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to break our ministers and MLAs. Its a test for AAP ministers and MLAs, he said.

Anand was earlier called corrupt by BJP but now he will join the same party, he added.

Anand, an MLA from Patel Nagar, is the first Delhi minister to quit after the arrest of Kejriwal in the liquor policy case. Following the arrest of former Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia, Anand was handling education, land and building, vigilance, services, tourism, art culture and language, labour, employment, health, and industries in addition to his existing portfolios.

Anands house was searched by the ED in a customs-linked money laundering case in November 2023. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in a complaint to a local court had alleged false declarations in imports for customs evasions of over 7 crore. The ED then filed a complaint against Anand.
The war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress over the Katchatheevu island intensified on Wednesday ahead of the high-stakes Lok Sabha election after Digvijaya Singh called the issue nonsense and asked, Does anyone live on that island?

Singhs comments came after the issue of Katchatheevu was raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again during an election rally in Tamil Nadu this morning, saying that the Congress and DMK kept the state in the dark for many years and accused the grand old party for giving away the island to Sri Lanka.

I want to ask if anybody lives on that island, Singh said while talking to reporters. On being asked about the issue of the Indian fishermen who got arrested going there, the Congress leader said, Modiji speaks nonsense, without any head or tail.

#WATCH | Bhopal: On Prime Minister Modis statement regarding Kachchatheevu island, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh says, Does anybody live on that island? I want to ask pic.twitter.com/5XnwSNg2hC ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

Congress Leaders Carry No Guilt: BJP Hits Back

Soon after Digvijiya Singh sidelined the Katchatheevu issue, the BJP launched a strong criticism of the Congress party and claimed that its leaders comments regarding the Indian territory that was given to Sri Lanka reflects the partys mindset. The saffron party further demanded Congress to apologise unconditionally to Tamil Fishermen for such insensitive statements.

Slamming Digvijiya Singh over his comment on Katchatheevu, BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai took to X and wrote, Congress leaders carry no guilt for having compromised our territorial integrity & for putting the lives of our Tamil fishermen at risk.

Not a Blade of grass grows there for Aksai Chin & who lives there for Katchatheevu reflects Congress mindset, he said in the post, adding that Congress has to apologise unconditionally for such insensitive statements and for the remarks made on PM Modi.

Congress leaders carry no guilt for having compromised our territorial integrity & for putting the lives of our Tamil fishermen at risk. Not a Blade of grass grows there for Aksai Chin & who lives there for Katchatheevu reflects Congress mindset. Congress has to pic.twitter.com/oWK9OLpSFK  K.Annamalai ( ) (@annamalai_k) April 10, 2024

Actor and BJPs Lok Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradeshs Mandi Kangana Ranaut also replied to Digvijaya Singhs question and said because of this mindset, development could not take place in the remote areas of the country under the Congress rule. Nehrujis thinking of calling Aksai Chin a barren land is still alive in the Congress, Kangana Ranaut posted on X.

                                                    ,   pic.twitter.com/sRcs5qVVZH  Kangana Ranaut (Modi Ka Parivar) (@KanganaTeam) April 10, 2024

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also hit back and said every Congress leader thinks of country land as their personal property. Legal and historical opinion were against giving away the island to Sri Lanka. The island was significant to the fishermen of our country. Now the Congress is justifying this because they have tukde-tukde mentality, Shehzad said.
Google realises that people have one-two many devices that can be hard to keep a track of, and for this it has come out with the new version of Find My Device which also supports tracking of phones even when they have been turned off or even if their phones battery dies.

More importantly, Android users with other devices can also have a grip on their items like keys, luggage that are paired with Bluetooth trackers, and even find them in your room. These changes are coming to Android in the coming weeks, with some of them getting it earlier. If you have an Android phone with version 9 or later, the new Find My Device network will work. Google is bringing it for people in the US and Canada for now, more to be added later.

Google Find My Device Feature For Android: What It Offers

Help You Find Offline Phones

Find My Device (FMD) is now making use of the available tech to help you track devices like the Pixel 8 or the Pixel 8 Pro models. You can locate these phones even when they are turned off or the battery dies, thanks to a specialised Pixel hardware. Were hoping this tech comes to other devices eventually which makes the feature more useful to millions of Android users.

Never Lose Your Keys And Luggage Again

Android will now support more third-party trackers which means your keys, bags and even wallet will be easier to track if you use the compatible tracking tags from Chipolo and Pebblebee. Later this year, FMD will support tags from eufy, Jio and Motorola among others. The feature will also help you find items like keys that are really close to you but you cant see it. Headphones from brands like JBL and Sony will be getting an update that will make them compatible with FMD soon.

Share Tracking Devices With Others

Android users can share the tracking of their devices with friends and family and see its location. This can be helpful if you are staying under one roof and tend to misplace keys often. The owner of the tag can stop sharing when they feel it is not needed by the other person to avoid misuse.

Google assures of the security level of the FMD, which includes end-to-end encryption of location data as well as aggregated device location reporting, a first-of-its-kind safety feature that provides additional protection against unwanted tracking back to a home or private location, something that AirTags have become a victim of these days.
Two Chinese women were recently caught shoplifting. They are said to be infamous for stealing clothes from upscale clothing shops. Now, they have repeatedly escaped going to jail by using breastfeeding and pregnancy excuses. Over the past two years, women named Xiao Qing and Zhu Zhu have reportedly stolen about 2,800 yuan ( Rs 32,858) worth of clothes. After numerous dodges from the Chinese police over the excuse of being a nursing mother, the duo were finally arrested in March. Xiao Qing was sentenced to one year in jail, while Zhu Zhu was imprisoned for eight months for theft. The news has gone viral. The netizens of mainland China are disappointed over the fact that the children were used as tools for committing crimes. They called it utterly disgraceful on the social media platform Weibo, as quoted in Chinese media reports.

According to the South China Morning Post report, 30 and 39-year-old best friends named Xiao Qing and Xue Xue met through their jointly run clothing business. They suffered losses during the Covid-19 pandemic and were forced to close their shop, stopping their only source of income. Zhu Zhu has been married and divorced twice. She has seven children from her marriages  three from the first and four from the second. Xiao Qing has four children. Stressed to meet the financial demands of raising their children, the best friends turned towards crime after exploiting a loophole in Chinese law.

According to a law in China, pregnant and nursing mothers can avoid imprisonment for their offences. As a result, they started using their breastfeeding excuse to escape imprisonment and continued shoplifting from the upscale clothing shops. CCTV footage of their crime shows the duo using an empty baby stroller as the cover to steal the clothes. They used to stuff the items into it while walking inside the shop and quickly escape through the exit gate. During an interrogation, Zhu Zhu said that they used magnets to disable the security tags on the clothes and then sold those items for cash, as reported by SCMP.

They are currently serving their sentences outside the jail. They are constantly being monitored at their homes or other designated residences by the Chinese police officials.
While the newspaper industry in the West has been hit hard by the internet, it seems like a completely different story in India, especially when it comes to the circulation and readership of newspapers which remains intact. The history of the newspaper dates back to 1780 when the first printed newspaper was launched in India by Irishman James Augustus Hickey. Since then, newspapers have been an integral part of Indian households. While newspapers serve their key purpose of informing and educating readers about events from around the world, advertisements also now cover a major portion of the newspapers.

In the present time, advertisements are mostly focused on promotional events, brand campaigns, or obituaries. However, there was also a time when advertisements were made to merely congratulate people on travelling abroad.

A recent social media post shows how Indian newspapers used to congratulate citizens on having the opportunity to go abroad. Shared by an X user, the picture shows a cut-out of an English-language newspaper that includes an Indian residents image and details, along with a congratulatory message.

The ad congratulates Prahllada Shetty, Director of Kohinoor Rolling Shutters & Engineering Works Pvt Ltd., for travelling to the UK, West Germany, Switzerland and European countries for a business trip.

In the 70s ads were put in newspapers congratulating Indians who would be travelling abroad pic.twitter.com/O7Ekz16Lxy Backpacking Daku (@outofofficedaku) April 9, 2024

In the 70s ads were put in newspapers congratulating Indians who would be travelling abroad, the user wrote along with the picture.

Meanwhile, the social media post garnered a lot of reactions, leaving users divided. While many highlighted how Indian newspapers have come a long way in the past century, some even went nostalgic.

A user dropped a hilarious comment and wrote, Who knows, maybe like they need all sorts of stuff for a visa now, back then they needed a newspaper ad to prove intent, while another one commented, We have indeed come a long way in the last half a century.

You have no idea how tough it was to get a telephone, let alone a passport. Getting a ticket and visa to go abroad was like winning the Olympics, a user shared his thoughts on the struggles that Indians faced when travelling abroad.

Another user shared, Bon voyage post was a thing even in the 90s. Remember seeing a bunch of them in newspapers.

The tweet has so far gained over 150K views followed by more than 2,000 likes and several retweets.
The calm and picturesque countryside of Essex, England may seem as pretty as a picture. It looks appealing with all the peace and quiet, and sheep grazing around you; but the place holds an interesting secret. Sprawling over massive acres beneath a farm is an old nuclear bunker, completely prepared to face any incoming nuclear attack. This bunker is built 100 feet below the ground and people did not know about it for years. 76-year-old Mike Parrish, under whose house the bunker was built, was looking for something in his backyard one day when he came across a tunnel leading to this bunker; This 109 metre long tunnel is made of 10 feet thick concrete walls. It is so strong that it can withstand a normal earthquake. Mike Parrish says that he was aware of the bunker built under his home as told to him by his grandfather but before discovering the tunnel, he did not know how to access it.

Mike Parrish recounted the tale of excavating the hill using a bulldozer. He explained that back in 1952, during Winston Churchills administration, the government had erected a refuge due to fears of a Soviet Union attack. Mikes grandfather, Jim Parrish, owned a vast expanse of 2,000 acres of land. Consequently, the government procured 25 acres from this property to construct a bunker. The hill was excavated using a bulldozer, and then the soil was redeployed to conceal the construction, ensuring no one would suspect anything had been built underneath. Farming activities commenced atop the hill as a cover.

Situated just 5 miles from London, this location remained one of Britains most closely guarded secrets for decades. Soldiers utilised the bunker for training exercises, discreetly coming and going in civilian attire to avoid arousing suspicion. Notably, no convoy of vehicles was ever seen coming to or leaving from the site.

The bunker had all the arrangements for accommodation of 600 people. A hospital, several bathrooms, and a big canteen were built so that in case of an attack by atomic bombs, the entire government could take shelter in it. In the event of someone dying during this period, many coffins and body bags were kept here to keep the deceased. Because the government had to spend 3 million dollars every year on its maintenance, the bunker was closed in 1992.
What would you do if someone labelled you a bad date? Well, a man has reportedly responded to this question by taking legal action against 50 women after they called him a bad date on a Facebook page dedicated to sharing different dating experiences.

According to the New York Post, Stewart Lucas Murrey hailing from California, US, has filed a lawsuit seeking $2.6 million (Rs 21.60 crore approx.) against the women. These women have allegedly posted negative reviews about him on a Facebook page titled, Are We Dating The Same Guy?

This page, which originated in New York City in 2022, is actually a private Facebook group. Its part of a larger network of similar groups where women share details of their dating experiences in their respective cities. For instance, the Los Angeles chapter alone boasts approximately 53,000 members.

The women have accused Stewart of using legal threats to intimidate them. In response, the judge ruled in their favour by granting an anti-SLAPP motion to prevent the abuse of the legal system, as reported by FOX 11 LA. The judge further ruled that one woman, Vanessa Valdez, did nothing wrong by expressing her views about Murrey in the online group.

Another woman hit by the lawsuit, Kelly Gibbons shared her dating experience with Murrey on Are We Dating The Same Guy? after meeting him on a dating app and texting for a few weeks. Gibbons later decided not to meet Murrey in person. Gibbons described the interaction as unpleasant and wanted to warn the other women about his behaviour.

I wouldnt want my friend going out with someone like that, she told Times of London.

At the time of Gibbons post, there were only about 10,000 women in the group. Soon, other women joined Kelly Gibbons in sharing their bad interactions with Murrey.

Murrey has taken his case to GoFundMe where he received support from other men. My lawsuit is against multiple defendants, particularly key players who obsessively conspired to stalk, dox, and harass me. These practices are illegal violations of privacy and have become widespread because they are not addressed enough, he wrote.

Following Murreys page, the women have also launched their own GoFundMe page to fund their defence. The women, on their GoFundMe page wrote, We were simply coming together to share truthful accounts of our personal experiences. It is our opinion that this plaintiff poses a legitimate danger to the women of Los Angeles. Our negative interactions with him have spanned years. We plan to finally put an end to his harassing ways once and for all.
Voice notes on WhatsApp have become a widely used feature. Not only is it a faster and easier way to communicate when you do not want to get on a call, but it is also a go-to solution for those who are too lazy to type out long messages. But at times, this feature can be inconvenient for the recipient. They may not be in a position to listen to the message, for instance, if they are out on a busy road or sitting with other people. Recently, an entrepreneur expressed his displeasure towards voice notes, and the internet seems to agree.

Vedant Lamba, the founder of Mumbai-based Mainstreet Marketplace, received a voice note from a friend, and instead of replying, he became furious. He later asked the friend not to send him voice notes anymore. Vedant attached a screenshot of his conversation with his friend on the app with the caption, Am I the only one? on X. The screenshot shows that Vedant Lambas friend sent him a two-second-long voice note on Whatsapp Vedant replied that he was at a dinner and said he hates voice notes. He then stated, Never ever send me a voice note again.

Am I the only one pic.twitter.com/zw7fYrOHke Vedant Lamba (@vedulamba) April 9, 2024

Surely, Vedant is not the only to hold a grudge against voice notes there were many others who related to him on the internet. A user stated, Voice notes are horrendous. youre inconveniencing me, possibly making me physically move myself to a different room, or put in earphones, etc. so I can listen to YOU talk. just text me, is it really that hard.

Another individual sarcastically said, No, I dont even reply to messages with a voice note. If you are lazy then I am king of laziness. Interestingly, another person expressed that there is only one exception he would tolerate voice notes, My 6 YO is the only one who gets to send voice notes. Her privilege would also end once she can read and write easily.

No, I don't even reply to messages with voice note. If you are lazy then I am king of laziness  Tushar Bhargava (@btushar) April 9, 2024

My 6 YO is the only one who gets to send voice notes. Her privilege would also end once she can read and write easily. Sumit Ramani (@RamaniSumit) April 9, 2024

its just two seconds man, sunle :/ rachit (@rachitxdesign) April 9, 2024

voice notes are horrendous. you're inconveniencing me, possibly making me physically move myself to a different room, or put in earphones, etc. so I can listen to YOU talk. just text me, is it rlly that hard  Anush (@notanush) April 9, 2024

WHY. Voicenotes are gorgeous. They're little parcels of that person in audio. You can hear them from wherever they are, in real timethem chuckle, sniffle, their voice catch, them laugh instead of "hahaha". The throatiness if it's morning, the sleepiness if it's night. AND you (I'm done) (@Shayonnita15) April 10, 2024

A user however stated, Its just two seconds man, sunle.

Among so many people who hated voice notes, a person spoke in their favour. The user said, WHY. Voicenotes are gorgeous. Theyre little parcels of that person in audio. You can hear them from wherever they are, in real-time- they chuckle, sniffle, their voice catch, them laugh instead of hahaha. The throatiness if its morning, the sleepiness if its night. And you can reply in kind. You can play it at 2x speed, or extremely slow. Its a phone conversation, but broken up. Also, theyll play softly and just for you if you hold your phone to your ear- this is a feature most phones have!
Antarctica is known to be the home to the worlds largest ice sheets. Apart from being famous for its endless snowscape, it is also known for the penguins residing there. Many of us might not know that Antarctica has also been hiding hundreds of silent volcanoes under the thick layers of snow. According to a recent study published in Live Science, scientists have been studying these hundreds of volcanoes that are hiding silently under the frosty snow. The primary objective of conducting the study is to estimate the chances of these volcanoes eruptions. As per the study, there are as many as 138 volcanoes under the snow blanket. Due to this, Antarctica is also considered to be the largest volcanic region on Earth. Notably, 91 out of the 138 silent volcanoes were first discovered during a research study published in the journal Geological Society in 2017.

When studying volcanoes, scientists were unable to distinguish whether they were active or not. Currently, two of these volcanoes on the continent are found to be active, which are Mount Erebus and Deception Island. Both of these are said to be the southernmost active volcanoes in the world.

A postdoctoral research scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University in New York, Conor Bacon told Live Science about the research. He said, Erebus, which looms over the McMurdo research base on Scott Island, has been continuously erupting since at least 1972.

According to the NASA Earth Observatory, Mount Erebus has been seen emitting plumes of gas and steam and even occasionally spray out rock bombs, which collectively are known as strombolian eruptions.

On the other hand, Deception Island is the caldera of an active volcano, which last erupted in 1970, as per the Deception Island Antarctic Specially. Presently, the island is classified as green with no anticipated eruption by the Managed Area, which monitors the island for its volcanic activities.

Despite the two active volcanoes on Antarctica, it is filled with air holes and volcanic vents that release gases and vapours into the air and keep it balanced.
Besides Steve Jobs, one of the best-known heads of Apple was John Sculley who left the company in October 1993 at a time when it was headed towards a downfall. Having joined the company in May 1983 as its third president and CEO, Sculley worked side-by-side with Steve Jobs; however, eventually stepped down and handed over the responsibility to Michael Spindler.

Now, a video has surfaced on the internet showing Steve Jobs talking about Sculley and the importance of working with the right people. The video also got the attention of Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk who reshared the two-decade-old clip of the Apple founder, agreeing with his ideology.

While sharing the clip on his X handle, Musk wrote, Precisely, suggesting that he agrees with Steve Jobs opinion. Notably, Elon Musk has time and again expressed his admiration for the late Apple co-founder. Back in 2021, he also wished that he had an opportunity to talk to him.

Talking about the video, Steve Jobs in a 1995 interview shared how John Sculley got a disease of thinking that a real idea is 90 per cent of the work and not the process of making it work. One of the things that really hurt Apple was after I left, John Sculley got a very serious disease, and that disease Ive seen other people get it, too. Its the disease of thinking that a really great idea is 90% of the work, he said.

Highlighting the importance of craftsmanship, he added, There is just a tremendous amount of craftsmanship in between a great idea and a great product. And as you evolve that great idea, it changes and grows because you learn a lot more as you get into the subtleties of it. There are tremendous tradeoffs that you have to make.

Further in the video, Steve Jobs also highlighted the importance of working with the right people in the team and gave an example of an old man whom he met as a young kid.

Social media users also reacted to the video, with many agreeing with Steve Jobs viewpoints. A user wrote, Ideas are nice. Execution gives them substance, while another one commented, Apple was never the same after Steve Jobs died. Now theyre all about incrementalism instead of innovation. Plus, theyve gone woke. Everyone has a great idea but very few people have great execution, thats the difference between success and failure, another user wrote.
Police dogs are often employed by law enforcement agencies for critical tasks. Recently, one police dog named Enzo got multiple stab wounds while he was on duty. On March 29, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police in the USA were informed of a suicidal male in a South Las Vegas Boulevard apartment.

The officers reached the site and made contact with the man. They urged him to exit the apartment, but he refused and started a fire. In response, the police called crisis negotiators and K9 units. Shortly after the special forces arrived at the scene, the man exited the apartment with a knife, and as he tried to escape, Enzo chased him. The man then stabbed the dog multiple times.

The police officers managed to subdue the man and then rushed the injured K9 dog to a nearby veterinary hospital. The dog was soon airlifted to a veterinary trauma hospital for emergency treatment. A day later, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police gave an update on Instagram that Enzo is in stable condition. After staying in the hospital for a few days, the three-year-old Belgian Malinois returned home on April 4.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by LVMPD (@lvmpd)

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police shared a video of Enzo with his handler and wrote, ENZO is going HOME! Check out this video taken earlier today. He stopped by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department K9 Section Facility with his handler. Enzo will continue to recover for the next several weeks and will remain off the job. Thanks for the incredible outpouring of support after this incident.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by LVMPD (@lvmpd)

In the comments, many people urged the police department to retire the dog on medical grounds. An Instagram user wrote, So happy to see him relaxed and recovering and getting lots of pets and love. I hope he can retire! He did good and did his service. He almost died for it. Thank you, Enzo for your service!!! You deserve the very best good boy!!! Another person wrote, Praying for Enzo! Please retire him! How horrifying what this pup unnecessarily went through.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police also shared the gut-wrenching body cam footage which showed the officers rushing Enzo to the hospital

View this post on Instagram A post shared by LVMPD (@lvmpd)

Commenting on the video, an Instagram user wrote, I love that he was flown, just like we would fly any of our officers who needed immediate care. What a great example of teamwork in the heat of battle! Amazing work to all of the folks who were involved in this!
Testifying before a public hearing, Canadian officials have denied any knowledge of Indias alleged role in influencing Canadas federal elections. The senior Bureaucrats overseeing the 2021 election testified before a public hearing on foreign interference, dismissing any indication of Indian involvement in electoral processes.

During the hearing, panelists, including former Deputy Foreign Minister, Marta Morgan and Former Cabinet Secretary, Janice Charette, provided testimony indicating no evidence of Indian interference in the 2021 election. Morgan stated there was no information on Indian disinformation within the Canadian information ecosystem, while Charette highlighted the absence of Indian government tactics in the campaign.

Regarding funding from Indian sources to Canadian campaigns, panelists responded in the negative, further undermining allegations of Indian interference. The testimony comes amidst heightened scrutiny and a Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference by several countries Including China in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions. During the hearing, panelists stated that they found no evidence of Indian disinformation originating within the Canadian information ecosystem during the 2021 election.

Janice Charette, former senior public servant, highlighted the absence of tools or tactics employed by the Indian government in the electoral campaign. On the question of whether there was deliberation to assess the threat and consideration to counteract Indian disinformation in the electoral process, Charette said, I do not believe during the 2021 election that we saw evidence of the Government of India using those tools in the campaign.

Charette retired last year after serving as Canadas most senior public servant, as clerk of the privy council and secretary to the cabinet. She was appointed as the Interim Clerk of the Privy Council in March of 2021 and it was in that capacity that she served as the Chair of the Panel of Five for the 2021 election. Panelists also testified that they uncovered no trace of Indian disinformation in the Canadian information ecosystem during the 2021 election, casting doubt on claims of foreign interference.

Panel member Marta Morgan responding to the question, if the panel considered specific instances where threats constituted by Indian disinformation, said, There was no information suggesting that there was disinformation originating from that source in the Canadian information ecosphere during that period. Morgan is the former deputy minister of foreign affairs, who sat on the 2019 and 2021 panels.

To the question of possible funding from Indian sources for any campaigns, one of the panelists replied in the negative. Indias Ministry of External Affairs had earlier rejected Canadas allegation of India influencing the Canadian electoral process. Responding to CNN-News18s question on February 8, regarding the Canadian governments inquiry to scrutinise Indias role in the electoral process had called the allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections baseless.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, It is not the Government of Indias policy to interfere in democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs. We have been raising this issue regularly with them. We continue to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns.

The Canadian government created the Foreign Interference Commission to respond to concerns about foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. The Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions commenced its Stage 1 public hearings on March 27, 2024. Focused on the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, the inquiry seeks to address concerns about foreign states or non-state actors influencing electoral outcomes.

Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue while -underscoring their mandate to investigate potential interference in past elections had said, The Commission will hear evidence on the question of interference by foreign states or non-state actors in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, including any potential impact on those elections. The Commission aims to assess the flow of information to decision-makers and examine actions taken in response to potential threats. The Commission will complete an initial report by May 3 this year and deliver its final report by December 31.
A Mexican news outlet is facing ridicule after inadvertently broadcasting a prank involving a mans testicles during coverage of a total solar eclipse on Monday. This incident happened when the news program of RCG Medias 24/7 was showcasing viewer-submitted footage of the celestial event.

During the solar eclipse show, clips displayed on the screen unexpectedly showed a man obscuring the sun with his testicles, the New York Post reported. Anchors were left shocked. The clip, later dubbed as the testicular eclipse, was swiftly removed from the screen, with one of the anchors explaining that the footage had been submitted by viewers.

Eclipse show on Mexican media outlet turned into a mans testicle clown showDoes anyone genuinely still watching the news in 2024? pic.twitter.com/rwA2etbUzK  Andrew Tate (Fake x Parody) (@Cobratate_WR) April 9, 2024

Testicular eclipse

The anchor admitted the risks of including fan-submitted content, which can sometimes lead to embarrassing situations for broadcasters. According to New York Post, instances of sharing clips during solar events are not uncommon, with similar images circulating during the 2019 eclipse in Chile.

Even Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee reportedly posted a similar video on Instagram before deleting it. However, Mondays incident marks the first known instance of such an image being aired on television. Many have criticized the news outlet for failing to vet the submitted video before broadcasting it.

A user identified as Rhevolver claimed responsibility for submitting the clip to RCG Media, jokingly expressing satisfaction at the pranks success. Greetings to all my people from Saltillo who had to watch my eggs on television, Rhevolver wrote, poking fun at the situation. However, it is unclear whether the footage submitted was of Rhevolver himself.
Nobel prize-winning Physicist Peter Higgs, whose theory of an undetected particle in the universe changed science, has died aged 94, the University of Edinburgh said on Tuesday. Edinburgh University, where Higgs held a professorial chair for many years, said he had passed away peacefully on Monday at home following a short illness.

The discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012 at the CERN research centre near Geneva was widely hailed as the biggest advance in knowledge about the cosmos for over three decades and pointed physics towards ideas that were once science fiction. Peter Higgs was a remarkable individual  a truly gifted scientist whose vision and imagination have enriched our knowledge of the world that surrounds us, said Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, the university Principal and Vice-Chancellor.

We are sad to announce the death of Professor Peter Higgs, who has passed away at the age of 94. https://t.co/yVdsvoizeC The University of Edinburgh (@EdinburghUni) April 9, 2024

Higgs boson

What came to be known as the Higgs boson would solve the riddle of where several fundamental particles get their mass from: by interacting with the invisible Higgs field that pervades space. That interaction, known as the Brout-Englert-Higgs mechanism, won Higgs and Belgiums Francois Englert the Nobel prize in physics in 2013. Englerts collaborator Robert Brout died in 2011.

In 1964, Higgs first paper on the model was rejected by an academic physics journal at CERN as being of no relevance to physics. His revised paper, although published weeks after Englert and Brouts, was the first to explicitly predict the existence of a new particle. Over a weekend  I gradually realised that I knew two things that had to be brought together, he said. I had to go back to my office on the Monday and check that I hadnt made a mistake about this.

For nearly three decades, physicists at CERN and at Fermilab in Chicago replicated the Big Bang by smashing particles together, hoping to glimpse the Higgs boson in the resulting mini-explosions. CERNs massive Large Hadron Collider finally proved to be the sledgehammer needed to crack the nut, and in 2012 two experiments there independently found the Higgs boson.

Englert and Higgs were in the packed auditorium at CERN to hear the announcement of the discovery, while hundreds of thousands watched online. We have reached a milestone in our understanding of nature, CERN Director General Rolf Heuer said, to a roar of applause. Higgs, clearly overwhelmed, his eyes welling up, told his fellow researchers: It is an incredible thing that it has happened in my lifetime.

The Higgs boson completed the Standard Model, but fully understanding it is a work in progress. Its discovery allowed theoreticians to turn their attention to the vast portion of the universe that remained unexplained, as well as esoteric ideas such as the possibility of parallel universes. An atheist, Higgs disliked the nickname the God particle, which headline writers frequently bestowed on the boson that bore his name.

He had strong views on what was good and bad about science and resigned from a movement for nuclear disarmament when it began campaigning against the harnessing of nuclear energy. In 1962 Higgs married Jody Williamson, an American linguist and nuclear disarmament campaigner, who died in 2008. They had two sons. Higgs was modest about his achievements and shy of the media.

(With agency inputs)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the situation on the India-China border must be urgently addressed and that New Delhi values its relationship with Beijing as important and significant.

In an interview with US-based magazine Newsweek published on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi said matters between the neighbouring nations related to their borders must be resolved, hoping for constructive bilateral engagements. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also became the first Indian PM to be on Newsweek cover after former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Do read my interview with @Newsweek, in which I have shared my thoughts on various issues, both domestic and international. https://t.co/l4lejBTFfI@NancyCooperNYC @TellDM Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 10, 2024

For India, the relationship with China is important and significant. It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us, PM Modi said. He added that stable and peaceful relations between the neighbours are important for the world and the entire region.

I hope and believe that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, we will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquillity in our borders, he said.

Ties between India and China took a significant hit following a deadly clash in Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in more than four decades.

On China Competition

The US-China trade war and the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have significantly impacted global supply chains. Manufacturers worldwide are now compelled to review and reconfigure their supply chain strategies. These challenges have highlighted the risks associated with over-reliance on a single country or region for sourcing materials or components.

PM Modi told Newsweek that India is a perfect destination for those who want to set up trusted and resilient supply chains.

We have major global manufacturing entities setting up shops in India. We have initiated Production Linked Incentive schemes to strengthen manufacturing capabilities in India.

These PLI schemes extend to 14 sectors such as electronics, solar modules, medical devices, automobiles, among others. Given our strengths, India is now globally considered most suited for manufacturing world-class goods at competitive cost, PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said the government has taken transformative economic reforms by introducing the goods and services tax (GST), corporate tax reduction, bankruptcy code, reforms in labour laws and relaxation in FDI norms.

We have made significant improvements in ease of doing business. We are striving to make our regulatory framework, our taxation practices as well as our infrastructure at par with global standards.

We believe that when a country with one sixth of the worlds population adopts global standards in these sectors, it will have a big positive impact on the world, PM Modi said.

On Pakistan

Speaking on bilateral relations with another neighbour, Pakistan, PM Modi said he congratulated Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after the latter took over office. He said that India has been a staunch supporter of security and prosperity in the region in a peaceful atmosphere.

I have congratulated the Prime Minister of Pakistan on taking over office. India has always advocated for advancing peace, security and prosperity in our region in an atmosphere free from terror and violence, PM Modi said.
Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said three of his sons and his grandsons were killed during an Israeli bombing in Gaza Citys Shati Camp. He told news agency Al Jazeera that he was grateful that his sons were awarded this honour.

I am grateful to God for the honour he has given me in the deaths of three of my children and a few of my grandchildren, Haniyeh said, from Qatar. My sons were awarded this honour. They remained with our Palestinian people in Gaza, did not leave and did not run. (Israel) took advantage of the holiday and slaughtered them, he added.

A separate report by Haaretz said that the three sons who died were Hazem Haniyeh, Amir Haniyeh and Mohammad Haniyeh. His grandchildren Amal Haniyeh, daughter of Hazem Haniyeh, and Khalid and Razan Haniyeh (children of Amir Haniyeh) were also killed in the attack.

Meanwhile an Israeli official speaking to the newspaper said they fear the hostage deal will be impacted due to the death of Haniyehs children.

Haniyeh said that the death of his children will not affect Hamass ceasefire demands, according to a separate report by Reuters.

         pic.twitter.com/nnuT1JB09L   (@haaretznewsvid) April 10, 2024

The Israeli news agency Haaretz also released a video which showed Hamas chief listening in on a phone call as an official standing next to him held the phone close to him. It appears from the video that Ismail Haniyeh was being apprised of the deaths of his sons and grandchildren.

Israel police earlier this month said they arrested one of Ismail Haniyehs sisters as part of a terror probe in southern Israel. Sabah Abdel Salam Haniyeh, who is an Israeli citizen, was taken into custody in the town of Tel Sheva. The probe also involves Israeli security agency Shin Bet.

A spokesperson from the Israeli police confirmed that it was Haniyehs sister, said she is suspected of having contact with Hamas operatives and identifying with the organisation, while inciting and supporting acts of terrorism in Israel.

(We found) documents, media, telephones, other findings and evidence linking her to the commission of serious security offences against the State of Israel, the spokesperson said.
US authorities in the Texas city of Frisco announced the recovery of an Indian-American student who was earlier reported missing. Seventeen-year-old Ishika Thakores disappearance was reported on Monday, prompting a search effort with authorities issuing a Critical Missing Alert.

The police later confirmed her safe return but withheld details regarding her discovery. CRITICAL MISSING-Frisco PD is seeking assistance in locating 17-year-old Ishika Thakore, last seen Monday, Apr 8 at 11:30p in the 11900-block of Brownwood Dr. in Frisco. She is approx 54 and 175 lbs, last seen wearing a black, long-sleeve t-shirt and red/green pajama pants, Frisco Police said in its initial post on social media platform X on March 9.

CRITICAL MISSING-Frisco PD is seeking assistance in locating 17-year-old Ishika Thakore, last seen Monday, Apr 8 at 11:30p in the 11900-block of Brownwood Dr. in Frisco. She is approx 54 and 175 lbs, last seen wearing a black, long-sleeve t-shirt and red/green pajama pants. pic.twitter.com/L7fDV7HuEH Frisco Police (@FriscoPD) April 9, 2024

LOCATED

Confirming the safe return of Thakore, the Frisco police thanked everyone for the offers of assistance and words of support. LOCATED  The 17-year-old who was the subject of our Critical Missing Alert from earlier today has been located. Wed like to thank everyone for the offers of assistance and words of support, the police said in a subsequent update. Ishikas case underlines concerns increasing number of cases involving Indian students in recent month.

Another Indian student who went missing last month was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday. Hailing from Nacharam, Hyderabad, 25-year-old Mohammed Abdul Arfath, was pursuing a Masters in IT from Cleveland University. Arfaths death adds to a string of incidents involving Indian or Indian-origin students in the US. In 2024, at least 10 such cases have come to light. These deaths underline the broader challenges faced by Indian students studying in the US, with numerous reports underlining the frequency of such incidents.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping told former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou on Wednesday that external interference would not stop the reunification of the island and the mainland, as the two met in Beijing.

Differences in systems cannot change the objective fact that we belong to one nation and one people, Xi told Ma, according to a video of the meeting by Taiwans TVBS, adding: external interference cannot stop the historic cause of our reunion.

Former president Ma headed to China last week for what he called a journey of peace to calm tensions with Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control. On Wednesday afternoon, General Secretary Xi Jinping met with a delegation headed by Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing, state broadcaster CCTV said, without giving further details.

The discussions mark a rare meeting between current or former leaders in Beijing and Taipei and the first since a landmark cross-strait summit between the two men in 2015, when Ma was still president of Taiwan. He has been leading a delegation of 20 Taiwanese students and has visited technology firms, universities and historical sites across China.

Ma said prior to his departure on April 1 that the trip aimed to promote youth exchanges and to reduce hostility and accumulate goodwill with Beijing. Ma served two terms as Taiwans leader between 2008 to 2016, representing the Kuomintang (KMT) party, long more receptive to Beijing.

He oversaw an improvement in cross-strait ties and held a landmark summit with Xi in Singapore in 2015. But relations have plummeted since the 2016 election of his successor Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects Beijings claims. Since then, China has ratcheted up diplomatic and military pressure, and has refused to rule out using force to unify with Taiwan.

The election in January of Tsais deputy Lai Ching-te stands to worsen cross-strait ties, with Beijing having denounced him as a dangerous separatist. Lai has said he hopes to maintain the status quo with China. Chinese warplanes and ships maintain a near-daily presence around the island, as Beijing has ramped up military pressure against Taipei using what experts say are grey zone actions  tactics that stop short of outright acts of war.

Last month, Taiwan detected 36 Chinese warplanes around the island over a 24-hour period, the highest daily count this year. Taiwan was among the issues discussed by US President Joe Biden and Chinas Xi in a call last week. The White House said Biden pressed Xi to ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait ahead of Lais inauguration in May. Xi told Biden that Taiwan remains an uncrossable red line for Beijing, according to Chinese state media.
A JOINT operation between the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) and the police this week uncovered an illegal distribution network of unregistered and expired medicines including illicit products such as skin lightening creams in the farming town of Karoi in Mashonland West province.

The raid was conducted on Monday this week leading to the arrest of suspects while some of the medicines were confiscated.

This swoop was part of government efforts to curb the sale, consumption and distribution of dangerous drugs and medicines in Zimbabwe.

In a statement MCAZ director-general Richard Rukwata said the blitz discovered a widespread illegal operation involving the sale of unregistered, expired and unlawfully distributed medicines, including body-altering products like skin lightening creams. The raid led to the discovery of unregistered medicines, expired drugs and even registered medicines being sold unlawfully. Additionally, skin lightening creams and other body-altering products were recovered.

These medicines were being sold from flea market tables, car boot sales among other unauthorised places. All the medicines were being handled by unlicensed individuals.

As a result of our joint efforts, suspects were apprehended and handed over to the prosecuting authorities, and all recovered medicines were confiscated.

Rukwata said the operation was part of the authorities continued enforcement activities aimed at identified hotspots where individuals involved in the illegal distribution of unregistered medicines, expired drugs and other illicit medicinal products conduct their business.

The MCAZ remains committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of pharmaceutical products available to the public. Such collaborative actions underscore our dedicated efforts to curb drug and substance abuse across the nation while upholding regulatory standards and safeguarding public health, he said.

Rukwata called on the public to report any suspicious pharmaceutical activities to aid in creating a safer environment for all Zimbabweans.

We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious pharmaceutical activities to the authorities. Together, we can combat the distribution of unregistered and expired medicines, promoting a safer environment for all Zimbabweans, he said. Newsday
Speaker Mike Johnson will delay sending the House's articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate this week as previously planned. Republican senators requested more time Tuesday to build support for holding a full trial. The sudden change of plans cast fresh doubts on the proceedings, the historic first impeachment of a Cabinet secretary in roughly 150 years, the AP reports. Seeking to rebuke the Biden administration's handling of the southern border, House Republicans impeached Mayorkas in February but delayed sending the articles while they finished work on government funding legislation.

Johnson had planned to send the impeachment charges to the Senate on Wednesday evening. But as it became clear that Democrats, who hold majority control of the chamber, had the votes to quickly dismiss them, Senate Republicans requested that Johnson delay until next week. They hoped the tactic would prolong the process. While Republicans argued Tuesday that forgoing a full Senate trial would break precedent, most Senate Republicans voted to do just that when Donald Trump was impeached a second time on charges he incited an insurrection in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Their effort to halt the proceedings failed, though Trump was ultimately acquitted in the Senate trial.

"Our members want to have an opportunity not only to debate but also to have some votes on issues they want to raise," said South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the second-ranking Republican Senate leader. Under procedural rules, senators are required to convene as jurors the day after the articles of impeachment are transmitted for a trial. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has decried the impeachment push as a "sham," suggested Democrats still plan to deal with the charges quickly. "We're ready to go whenever they are. We are sticking with our plan. We're going to move this as expeditiously as possible," Schumer said. "Impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements," he told reporters earlier Tuesday. (More Alejandro Mayorkas stories.)
Arizona is suddenly poised to enact one of the toughest abortion laws in the country, thanks to Tuesday's court ruling. And just as suddenly, abortion has become a monumental issue in a presidential battleground state that just happens to have a Senate contest this year as well, reports the Hill. Coverage:

Kari Lake: The conservative GOP Senate candidate came out against the court ruling, calling it "out of step with Arizonans," per the New York Times. "I am calling on [Democratic Gov.] Katie Hobbs and the state Legislature to come up with an immediate commonsense solution," Lake said. Axios, noting that Lake previously praised the law in question, says her about-face "makes clear how painful of an issue abortion has become for Republicansand her attempt to make herself more palatable to moderates and independents as she runs for Senate."
In the early hours of Monday, police were called to the scenes of three deaths in three separate areas in and around Los Angeles. By Tuesday, they'd figured out how those three incidents were connected in an unimaginable way: A mother apparently murdered her boyfriend, then threw her two daughters out of a moving car on a freeway before ultimately dying herself in a crash miles away. The timeline, as reported by ABC 7 and NBC News :

5am: Johnson, who was at this point in Redondo Beach, plowed into a tree while driving more than 100mph. She did not survive.

Johnson, who was at this point in Redondo Beach, plowed into a tree while driving more than 100mph. She did not survive. 7:30am: Neighbors of the couple left their apartment to find a a trail of blood in the hallway, blood on the walls, and more blood inside the couple's apartment, to which the door had been left open. They called 911, and dispatchers asked them to check inside the apartment, where they found Chaney's body.

Johnson was in the process of divorcing the 9-year-old's father; it is not yet clear whether Chaney was the baby's father, but he and Johnson had been involved for years. Police are asking anyone with information, or who was on the 405 freeway in that area at the time of the incident, to get in touch with California Highway Patrol at (323) 644-9550 during business hours or (323) 259-3200 after business hours. (More California stories.)
In what some are calling a "huge breakthrough," the Biden administration on Wednesday laid out the first national standard to limit "forever chemicals" in drinking water. These long-lasting chemicals, found in the blood of nearly every American, help nonstick cookware, outdoor furniture, disposable packaging, and other products repel water and oil but are also linked to cancer, heart and liver damage, fertility problems, and other issues. In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency warned they are likely much more dangerous than previously believed. People are exposed through a wide variety of products, even dust. But Dr. David Andrews, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group, estimates at least 20% of exposure comes through drinking water , per CNN .

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS chemicals, a group of thousands of individual types of synthetic substances known as forever chemicals, contaminate nearly 50% of tap water in the US, according to a recent study by the US Geological Survey. A few states have passed laws requiring water utilities to look for and filter out the chemicals, but the new federal standard, setting limits for just six of the chemicals, will reduce PFAS exposure for some 100 million people, the administration says. Dr. Anna Reade, director of PFAS advocacy at environmental group NRDC, calls it a "huge breakthrough," per CNN. "This action will prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses," EPA Administrator Michael Regan says, per Politico.

Utilities will have three years to test for the chemicals and inform the public of the results, plus two years to install the necessary filtering systems. They must limit detectable levels of PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (GenX) to 4 to 10 parts per trillion depending on the chemical, per Politico and CNN. The administration estimates between 6% and 10% of US water systems will need new filtering systems, which will likely remove other contaminants as well. However, the American Chemistry Council argues the cost will be at least triple the EPA estimate of $1.5 billion annually. The administration is offering $1 billion in new infrastructure funding to assist with testing and treatment of public water systems and private wells. (More forever chemicals stories.)
Get the news faster.

Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster.

Click here to install our app on your desktop.

X
A ceasefire deal being negotiated between Israel and Hamas calls on the latter group to release 40 living hostages who are women, men over 50, or people with serious medical problems. However, in a potentially grim development, Hamas says it doesn't have that many hostages in those categories, reports CNN . As the BBC notes, that raises the possibility that "many more hostages than previously thought have died or that they could be in the hands of other armed groups, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad." It was not immediately clear how many hostages in those three categories were thought to exist.

Israeli officials view the Hamas count as accurate, reports Axios, and are asking that the group make up the shortfallthought to be in the single digitsfrom the remaining group of young male hostages, including soldiers. Israeli authorities have said about 100 people remain captive, and another 30 bodies are being held by Hamas. In exchange for the release of hostages, Israel would release 900 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas is still considering the latest proposal put forth by the US and is expected to respond soon to Qatari and Egyptian mediators. "The ball is in Hamas' court and the world is watching to see what it will do," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (More Israel-Hamas war stories.)
In their opening statements Wednesday, prosecutors characterized Chad Daybell as crafting an alternate reality so he could fulfill "his desire for sex, money, and power. When he had a chance at what he considered his rightful destiny, he made sure no person and no law would stand in his way," prosecutor Rob Wood said. Those who opposed him were considered "zombies" or "dark spirits," Wood added, per NBC News . Daybell, 55, is on trial for first-degree murder, insurance fraud, and conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of former wife Tammy Daybell, 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow, and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan. The children's mother, Lori Vallow Daybell, was sentenced to life without parole for the murders last July .

Prosecutors say the couple justified the three killings by creating a detailed and apocalyptic belief system, part of an elaborate scheme to eliminate any obstacles to their relationship and to obtain money from survivor benefits and life insurance. "The evidence will show that this was a convenient narrative," Wood told jurors, per the AP. "This narrative gave them the pretext to remove people from this world for their own good." Wood said that Chad Daybell described both children as being possessed before they disappeared, and that he repeatedly predicted to friends that Tammy Daybell would soon die.

Defense attorney John Prior gave his opening statement next, with East Idaho News reporting he began by describing Vallow Daybell as a "beautifully stunning woman" and "very sexual person" who "pursued him." Prior said he planned to call a DNA expert who will "say there was no DNA evidence, no hair sample of Chad Daybell on Tylee Ryan or on JJ Vallow" as well as a forensic pathologist who will dispute the characterization of Tammy Daybell's death as a homicide. Some of Chad Daybell's children plan to testify "that their mother was suffering from a number of maladies and she would refuse to see a doctor." Daybell has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial is expected to take 10 weeks. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if Daybell is convicted. (The AP recaps the case here.)
UPDATE

Apr 11, 2024 2:00 AM CDT

As fears of an Iranian attack on Israel increased, US President Biden on Wednesday vowed "ironclad" support of Israel, the BBC reports. The comments came during a joint appearance with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the White House lawn and appeared to be a response to Iran's insistence that America not get involved in any Iran-Israel conflict, the Guardian reports. "We also want to address the Iranian threat to launch a significant ... attack in Israel," Biden said. "As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel's security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad. Let me say it again, ironclad. We're gonna do all we can to protect Israel's security."

Apr 10, 2024 4:05 PM CDT

Iran has vowed to respond to an airstrike that killed senior military officials at its embassy in Syria last weekand Bloomberg reports American officials believe Iranian strikes on Israel are imminent. The US officials believe missile or drone strikes on Israeli targets are inevitable and could happen within days, Bloomberg reports, citing "people familiar with the intelligence." Reuters reports that on Wednesday, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the Damascus attack was the equivalent of an attack on Iran's own soil. "The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be," he said.
The US has been trying to extradite Julian Assange for more than a decade, a move that his native Australia has long opposed. President Biden on Wednesday told reporters he is "considering" Australia's request to drop the case. The BBC reports Australia's parliament in February passed a measure calling for Assange to be returned home. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese put it, "People will have a range of views about Mr. Assange's conduct ... but regardless of where people stand, this thing cannot just go on and on and on indefinitely." In response to a reporter's question, Biden said "we're considering it."

Assange was indicted on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks' publication of classified US documents. US prosecutors allege Assange, 52, encouraged and helped US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks published, putting lives at risk. The AP reports Australia argues there is a disconnect between the US treatment of Assange and Manning. Then-US President Barack Obama commuted Manning's 35-year sentence to seven years, allowing her release in 2017.

NBC News reports Assange spent seven years inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and the last five years in Belmarsh Prison outside London. A British court ruled last month that Assange can't be extradited to the United States on espionage charges unless US authorities guarantee he won't get the death penalty. The case has been adjourned until May 20. (More Julian Assange stories.)
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.
AFP | Beijing, China

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

China and Russia said Tuesday they would strengthen strategic cooperation as Moscow's top diplomat met President Xi Jinping in Beijing, further deepening ties as the war in Ukraine grinds on.

The two countries have in recent years ramped up contacts, and their strategic partnership has only grown closer since Moscow's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

On the tail-end of a two-day visit to China on Tuesday afternoon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with Xi.

"We would like to express our highest appreciation and admiration for the successes you have achieved over the years and, above all, over the past decade under your leadership," Lavrov told Xi, according to Russian news agencies.

For his part, Xi told Lavrov that China attached "great importance" to relations with Moscow and "stands ready, with Russia, to strengthen bilateral communication, (and) strengthen multilateral strategic coordination", according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Xi and President Vladimir Putin have agreed to maintain "close exchanges" to ensure the steady development of their ties, the readout said.

"China supports the Russian people to follow a development path that suits their national conditions, and supports Russia in combating terrorism and maintaining social security and stability," it added.

Earlier Lavrov met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, where he thanked China for its "support" after Putin's recent re-election, in which he was unchallenged by any meaningful opposition.

The Russian minister noted that Xi was among the first to send congratulations.

"Beijing and Moscow will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation on the world stage and provide each other with strong support," Wang said, according to Russia's RIA Novosti news agency.

"Under the strong leadership of President Putin, the Russian people will have a bright future," he added.

- 'Vassalage to China' -

Lavrov last visited Beijing in October for an international forum on Xi's flagship Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.

Analysts say China holds the upper hand in the relationship with Russia, with its sway growing as Moscow's international isolation deepens following its invasion of Ukraine.

That asymmetry is still "changing in China's favour" as it enables Moscow "to continue the war by providing very necessary materials for the Russian war machine", Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told AFP.

"Integrating Russia's economy, brainpower, and military technology into... a Chinese-led order with Eurasia at its geographic heart, is the only way Russia can sustain its confrontation with the West," he wrote in Foreign Policy magazine this week.

"China has stronger bargaining power and many more options than does Russia, and its leverage over its northern neighbour is growing all the time," he added.

"Russia is now locking itself into vassalage to China."

- 'Unlawful sanctions' -

US officials have recently warned Beijing against providing indirect aid to the Russian war effort and regularly urge China to wield its influence to help bring about peace in Ukraine.

In Brussels last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters that "China continues to provide materials to support Russia's defence industrial base".

And Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who wrapped up a visit to China on Monday, said she had warned officials of the consequences of supporting Russia's military procurement.

But Lavrov on Tuesday drew a parallel between the West's "unlawful sanctions" and efforts to curb China's access to sensitive US-made technologies.

At a press conference following bilateral talks, he accused the West of seeking to impede China's "economic, technological development opportunities, to put it simply in order to eliminate the competitors".

Wang, in turn, declared that Russia and China "always stick to the correct path on great matters of principle".

"China and Russia must take a clear-cut stand on the side of historical progress, on the side of fairness and justice," he said.

"(We must) oppose all acts of hegemony, tyranny and bullying; oppose Cold War thinking and separatist provocations; and actively push for the construction of a common future for all humankind," he said.

"As a force for peace and stability, China will stick to playing a constructive role on the international stage... and will never add oil to the flames," he added.
MONCTON, NB, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Medavie Blue Cross (MBC) has partnered with sanoLiving to provide sanoMidLife to its members - a platform that will support women through every stage of their menopause journey.

"We've heard first-hand from our members about the need for more menopause-related services. Our partnership with sanoLiving creates an innovative way to increase access to care for our members as we continue to focus on the support women need to navigate their benefits and provide forward-thinking options to support their health," said Anita Swamy, Senior Vice President Operations, Medavie Blue Cross.

Currently, more than 10 million Canadian women are navigating menopause, often with little support and misinformation about treatments. With sanoMidLife, Medavie Blue Cross members will have access to a national, dedicated virtual women's health platform tailored to provide personalized care and services that support women through every stage of menopause, often referred to as the menopause transition, capturing perimenopause and post-menopause as well.

"Many women lack support for their menopause transition due to the misunderstandings of what is 'normal' and misinformation about treatments," says Angela Johnson, CEO of sanoLiving. "Women are seeking solutions that allow them to thrive during midlife. We are thrilled about our alliance with Medavie Blue Cross, and our shared commitment to providing access to care that empowers women."

With this new service, Medavie Blue Cross and sanoLiving are opening up the conversation on menopause to break the silence, reduce stigma, and work to give women the access to care they need. Studies report 1 in 10 women exit the workforce due to unmanaged symptoms. Early onset of menopause and symptoms before age 45 can elevate the risk of health issues like heart disease, diabetes, dementia and osteoporosis.

To learn about this partnership or more about other Medavie women's health initiatives, please visit our website.

* We acknowledge this topic applies to many individuals beyond the gender identity of "woman." Alongside women, those who need this type of care have many varied and diverse gender identities.

About Medavie Blue Cross

Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the Hall of Fame of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures, one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and an Imagine Canada Caring Company.

About sanoLiving

sanoLiving is Canada's first dedicated virtual health platform for women's health, available in both French and English. Pioneering in midlife healthcare, we use AI coupled with expert clinicians to bridge knowledge and care gaps and combat menopause stigmas. Our service includes personalized assessments, access to skilled clinicians, diverse treatments (prescriptions to therapy), educational content, peer support, and AI assistance. Our AI not only educates but also ensures personalized, consistent care by forecasting outcomes and recommending timely interventions, aligning patient and clinician paths. More than a platform, sanoLiving champions a more inclusive society, openly bolstering women's health and empowering them to thrive, not just endure, through midlife.

SOURCE Medavie Blue Cross

Media Contacts: Gillian Ring, Communications Manager, Medavie Blue Cross, 902-233-0314, [email protected]; Crystal Richard, Publicist at sanoLiving, 506-860-0956, [email protected]
EDMONTON, AB, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - A new healing centre has opened in Alberta, welcoming in clients from across Canada. Nestled on 182 acres of pristine mountain land, Sacred Turtle Woman Healing Centre (STWHC) provides trauma-intensive programming partnered with full submersion in Indigenous culture. With capacity for 60 individuals, this much needed co-ed, 18+ facility strives to restore Indigenous identity with the resurgence of culture through sobriety being the focal point.

Sacred Turtle Woman Healing Centre welcomes in clients to begin their healing journey. (CNW Group/Sacred Turtle Woman Healing Centre)

Sacred Turtle Woman Healing Centre is a holistic Indigenous based facility located 48 minutes north of Edson, Alberta. Paying tribute to late Elder Victoria Whalen, STWHC embodies kinship, respect, kindness, and empowerment through traditional teachings and ceremonies while addressing issues pertinent to Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. This organization has created a culturally based wellness experience partnered with personal developmental programming to create strength in recovery.

Canada's ongoing opioid crisis is an epidemic. Addictive drugs claimed the lives of at least 1,706 Albertans in 2023, averaging 4 deaths each day. The previous record being 1,634 people dying in 2021 from drug and alcohol related overdoses. In 2022, Canada's death toll reached an alarming 7,328 fatalities. Our response to this epidemic is timely.

This new healing centre works to build long lasting recovery in each of their clients and encourages health reintegration into society. Fostering respectful, compassionate, culturally appropriate, and competent care that is responsive to the needs, values and beliefs of all their clients. In order for an individual to embark on their recovery journey, they need to be in a safe, supportive and culturally appropriate environment.

"When an individual heals, they in turn help their family heal. A healthy family helps to create and sustain healthy communities. Healthy communities help the nation thrive. We can successfully generate positive change by walking with others on their own healing journey and encouraging them to grow into their authentic selves." - Taylor Dumais, Executive Assistant.

Canada is overwhelmed with the deaths at hand and this new centre, having grassroots in addiction, is forming stable roots within the recovery community. They believe it takes a village, and it will take all of us to overcome addiction. In a world of bad news, we can strive together to make lasting change and positive impacts.

SOURCE Sacred Turtle Woman Healing Centre

Taylor Dumais, [email protected]
A pioneering New Jersey professor has won the A.M. Turing Award  which has been described as the Nobel Prize for computer science  for his groundbreaking work helping computer algorithms reflect the randomness of the real world.

Avi Wigderson, the Herbert H. Maass Professor in the School of Mathematics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, was honored for his insights on randomness in theoretical computer science and his decades of leadership in the field that brings together math and science, officials announced Wednesday.

The Turing Award is named for Alan M. Turing, the British mathematician known for his role in breaking codes to secure victories during World War II. The award presented by the Association for Computing Machinery comes with a $1 million prize supported by Google.

Several past winners have ties to Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study, which is an independent center for theoretical research that is not part of the Ivy League school, but is located nearby.

Other previous winners of the Turing Prize with ties to New Jersey include Bell Labs computer scientists and a winner from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, according to lists of honorees dating back to 1966.

Wigderson, 67, who described himself as happy and excited about winning the Turing Award, was also the co-winner of the 2021 Abel Prize in mathematics. He split an $880,000 prize with that award.

In explaining the importance of randomness to computing, Wigderson told NJ Advance Media numerous algorithms and applications require it to operate.

Cryptography uses randomness so that users can generate secret keys and protect their data and communication, Wigderson said in an email. Network protocols use randomization for efficient routing and fault tolerance. AI models use randomization for optimization.

Randomness is also used to speed up computations.

Association for Computing Machinery officials praised the professor for mentoring young researchers.

His vast knowledge and unrivaled technical proficiency  coupled with his friendliness, enthusiasm and generosity  have attracted many of the best young minds to pursue careers in theoretical computer science, according to the associations announcement.

Wigdersons work explores randomness, which when used in computer algorithms helps them better reflect the random nature of reality.

Avi Wigdersons work on randomness and other topics has set the agenda in theoretical computer science for the past three decades, said Jeff Dean, senior vice president of Google.

From the earliest days of computer science, researchers have recognized that incorporating randomness was a way to design faster algorithms for a wide range of applications. Efforts to better understand randomness continue to yield important benefits to our field, and Wigderson has opened new horizons in this area, Dean said.

Wigderson has been in his position at the Institute for Advanced Study since 1999 and has also taught at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of California at Berkeley and worked at IBM. A graduate of The TechnionIsrael Institute of Technology, he earned two masters degrees and a doctorate in computer science from Princeton University.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Tina Kelley may be reached at tkelley@njadvancemedia.com.
Federal authorities have charged the two men with carjacking a man at gunpoint in the parking lot of a restaurant as he was waiting for a takeout order.

The carjacking happened at a business in Newark on Dec. 9, 2023, at around 12:30 a.m.

Arraqeeb Williamscook, 23, of East Orange, and Washir Singletary, 30, of Newark, are now charged with carjacking and conspiracy to commit carjacking, the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey said.

Singletary is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Both men were arraigned in Newark federal court on Tuesday and are currently being held in custody.

The victim had placed the food order at about 12:25 a.m. and was outside of the restaurant pumping air into one of his cars tires as he was waiting for the order. The perpetrators then pulled up next to his car in a stolen Lexus, according to a criminal complaint.

As the victim was still pumping air into the tire, he heard the engine of his car revving. He looked up and noticed that Williamscook was in the drivers seat of his car, a BMW, prosecutors alleged. When the man tried to confront him, Williamscook lifted up his shirt, revealing a gun that he was carrying, authorities alleged.

When the man ran into the restaurant to ask for help, Singletary, who was still in the drivers seat of the Lexus, switched places with Williamscook, and took off in the BMW, charging documents alleged.

Williamscook was apprehended a short time later in the parking lot of the restaurant and Singletary was taken into custody the next day after a brief foot pursuit with police. A revolver that Singletary allegedly tossed as he was running from the cops was also recovered.

The BMW and has since been located by investigators. It was not clear as of Wednesday why it took authorities about four months to file federal charges against the two men.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached atnfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Pharmacy chain Rite Aid is closing more stores across the U.S., including one location in New Jersey, due to their Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

The company already was closing hundreds of stores nationwide earlier this year to address the companys debt situation that plunged the companys stores into bankruptcy, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

RELATED: Rite Aid store closings: See the full list

The closures come as the company tries to figure out what to do with its debt load amid many opioid-related lawsuits.

The company is more than $4 billion in debt and battling multiple federal lawsuits having to do with the companys alleged oversupplying of opioids.

In October 2023, the pharmacy chain announced it would be closing 400 to 500 stores to deal with its debt woes.

Now, the chain is closing 39 additional stores, including one in southern New Jersey.

Here are the following stores that are closing or are already closed in New Jersey. Note that the location in bold is the newest closure:

93 Atlantic Blvd., Beachwood

715 Haddon Ave., Haddonfield

121 West Main St., Moorestown

1636 Route 38 Suite 49, Lumberton

1434 S Black Horse Pike, Williamstown

210 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua

108 Swedesboro Road Suite 20, Mullica Hill

1147 Cooper St., Edgewater Park

546 Wrightstown-Sykesville Road, Wrightstown

2791 S. Delsea Drive, Vineland

37 Juliustown Road, Browns Mills

1426 Mount Ephraim Ave., Camden

Taunton Boulevard and Tuckerton Road, Medford

435 E. Broadway, Salem

7385 Maple Ave., Pennsauken

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
The Hudson music scene has plenty of musicians but not places for them to play. When Departed Soles Brewing Company started hosting live bands, it offered an opportunity that bands and promoters rushed to. Now, Jersey Citys premier promoter Dancing Tony Susco has put together a bill there for Saturday, April 20, that includes two new area bands, Kief Shuvel and Best Dressed Ghost, along with scene staple CR & the Nones.

Music venues are kind of far and few in between not just in Jersey City, but in Jersey overall in my opinion, opined CR & the Nones frontman Chris Gennone. So, I see it as a great asset to the JC live music scene.
A North Brunswick man has been arrested and criminally charged after a fatal crash last month, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office announced Tuesday.

Noah Reyes, 18, was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide.

Police were called to the scene of a car crash on Route 1 Northbound near the Goodkind Bridge in New Brunswick at approximately 7:08 a.m. on March. 6, authorities said.

According to officials, Reyes was driving Southbound on Route 1 in an Infiniti sedan, crossed over the median, and struck, Dennis Frick, 65, of Freehold, in his Ford pickup truck.

Frick was pronounced dead at the scene, the prosecutor said. Reyes was not injured.

Authorities said Reyes was driving " high rate of speed, but did not detail how fast he was allegedly going.

Reyes was arrested on April 1 and has since been released on pre-trial monitoring. He was ordered to surrender his passport and drivers license as a condition of his release.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Gliottone of the New Brunswick Police Department at 732-745-5005 or Detective Alleva of the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office at 732-745-4011.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or X @DeionRJohhnson.
An Asbury Park man has pleaded guilty to torturing and killing his pet cat last year, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office said Wednesday.

Bani J. Mezquititla, 19, admitted to two counts of animal cruelty after being accused of sexually abusing, restraining, and torturing the cat, leading to its death, authorities said.

Mezquititla, who appeared before state Superior Court Judge Chad N. Cagan, faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced on June 13, authorities said. He remains in the Monmouth County jail pending sentencing.

On March 2, 2023, a concerned citizen brought the body of a dead cat to the Asbury Park police headquarters, authorities said.

Police and the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals later determined that Mezquititla was the cats owner. He was arrested and charged the same day - before being taken to the the Monmouth County jail.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or X @DeionRJohhnson
NJ Transits board is set to vote Wednesday on the first fare increase in almost a decade.

Despite more than 900 public comments last month opposing it, a 15% fare increase proposal with no changes will be considered, according to documents.

There are 53 pages in the board agenda devoted to the fare hike proposal, including a summary of the 10 public hearings. But the basics of the proposal are unchanged from when it was first introduced. The agency will seek support for a 15% fare hike, starting July 1, implementation of an annual 3% fare hike starting on July 1, 2025, with no end date, eliminating the discount FlexPass and limiting the life of digital and paper tickets to 30 days from the purchase date. NJ Transit administration could propose a modified plan Wednesday, based on public comment or the board of directors also could modify the fare increase recommendation prior to voting on it.
I love how Fox News has a story of the day that they carry from morning into prime time at night.

On Monday, staring with 9 a.m. co-anchor Dana Perino, the story was that migrants were waiting to cross the border in unusually large numbers during the four minutes of totality and darkened skies during the eclipse.
Besides believing former President Donald Trumps foreign policy record is a friggin disaster, former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger is furious that Trumps supporters are brushing off Havana syndrome.

Kinzinger spoke to The Bulwarks Tim Miller this week for The Bulwark Podcast and went off:

I mean, look, the Havana Syndrome story that just came out. What is MAGA doing? Theyre calling it, oh, Russia has a ray gun? Sure. Yeah, youre always going after Russia. Russia is cooking the brains of American government workers with directed microwave energy, which weve known for deduces exists and can exist, so its not a magic ray gun on a sci-fi film. And MAGA is out there defending Russia and pretending like were making the who thing up, Kinzinger said.

Screw em. Period.

Havana syndrome is still under investigation but includes a string of health problems dating back to 2016, when officials working at the U.S. Embassy in Havana reported sudden unexplained head pressure, head or ear pain, or dizziness.

The injuries to U.S. government personnel for their families were part of a 60 Minutes report Sunday that suggested Russia is behind the incidents, one of which took place during the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius.

I can confirm that a senior DOD official experienced symptoms similar to those reported in anomalous health incidents, deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Monday. Singh referred questions on whether Russia had a role to the intelligence community, which is still investigating.

The official, who was not identified, was not part of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins official traveling delegation to Vilnius, Singh said, but was there separately, attending meetings that were part of the NATO summit.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
Russia is at it again. And they dont care if itll affect everyday people.

Thats FBI Director Christopher Ways warning about cyber campaigns against the United States by Russia, and even China, to disrupt critical infrastructure.

Like China, Russia continues to target critical infrastructure, including things like underwater cables and industrial control systems, both in the United States and around the world. And since its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, weve seen Russia conducting reconnaissance on the U.S. energy sector. Now, adding to that concern is that the Russians, like our other adversaries, dont care if their cyber campaigns affect civilians, Wray said.

With US congress now paralyzed from preventing any of Russia's actions, FBI Director Wray confirms Russians are not only attacking US critical infrastructure such as cutting undersea cables, but doing reconnaissance on the US energy sector. pic.twitter.com/HhpT9dQuG2  Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) April 10, 2024

Last year, The Justice Department said that it had disrupted a long-running Russian cyberespionage campaign that infected computer networks in dozens of countries, including in the United States, and resulted in the theft of sensitive information from governments.

Prosecutors linked the spying operation to a unit of Russias Federal Security Service, or FSB, and accused the hackers of stealing documents from hundreds of computer systems belonging to governments of NATO members, an unidentified journalist for a U.S. news organization who reported on Russia, and other select targets of interest to the Kremlin.

For 20 years, the FSB has relied on the Snake malware to conduct cyberespionage against the United States and our allies  that ends today, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen, the head of the Justice Departments National Security Division, said in a statement.

U.S. officials also warned nearly 100 countries last year that Russian intelligence is opening a new front in its efforts to destabilize democracies by amplifying doubts about the legitimacy of vote-counting and elections, senior government officials said Friday.

Russia has long advocated overtly and covertly for candidates it backs to win elections in other countries, but intelligence officials say they have recently identified a new tactic  sowing doubts about the reliability of democracy itself.

Russia appears encouraged by its success in amplifying the lies by former President Donald Trump and his supporters during and after the 2020 presidential election falsely blaming widespread fraud for his loss. Those lies helped spark the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and continue to resonate to this day.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
As a bill that would reauthorize a crucial national security surveillance program was blocked Wednesday by a conservative revolt, one GOP lawmaker had some choice words for his colleagues and the dysfunction in Washington.

Frustrating and moronic, Montanas Congressman Ryan Zinke told Axios.

When they complain that the trains not on time  well, you guys are the ones blowing up the tracks, he said.

The legislative impasse follows an edict earlier in the day from former President Donald Trump to kill the measure.

The breakdown comes months after a similar process to reform and reauthorize the surveillance program fell apart before it even reached the House floor. Speaker Mike Johnson has called the program critically important but has struggled to find a path forward on the issue, which has been plagued by partisan bickering for years. The procedural vote to bring up the bill Wednesday failed 193-228, with nearly 20 Republicans voting no.

It marks the latest blow to Johnsons leadership as he faces being ousted from his job in the same stunning fashion as his predecessor. Hours before the vote, the Republican leader made a final push urging for passage, saying Congress must address these abuses without cutting off the surveillance program entirely.

The bill in question would renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits the U.S. government to collect without a warrant the communications of non-Americans located outside the country to gather foreign intelligence. The reauthorization is currently tied to a series of reforms aimed at satisfying critics who complained of civil liberties violations against Americans.

But Republican opponents have complained that those changes did not go far enough. Among the detractors are some of Johnsons harshest critics, members of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, who have railed the speaker for reaching across the aisle several times since taking the gavel in October to carry out the basic functions of the government.

More from Axios on the vote: This is dysfunction. Nobody can lead this place. Look at it. What have we ever been able to really get accomplished? Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), a Freedom Caucus member who voted for the rule.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
She cant actually believe what shes been saying.

Its the conclusion from a pair of folks who called out Marjorie Taylor Greene over her recent comments about how Ukraine is treating certain people of faith.

This is a war on Christianity. The Ukrainian government is attacking Christians. The Ukrainian government is executing priests. Russia is not doing that. Theyre not attacking Christianity. They seem to be protecting it, so thats something else thats clear and obvious to many people that are looking closely to whats going on, Greene said.

Anne Applebaum isnt buying her false claims that basically echo Russian propaganda.

Given that the Russians famously repress evangelical Christians, in Russia and in occupied Ukraine, this is extraordinary. She cant have heard this by accident and she cant be repeating it because she thinks it is true, she posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Given that the Russians famously repress evangelical Christians, in Russia and in occupied Ukraine, this is extraordinary. She can't have heard this by accident and she can't be repeating it because she thinks it is true. https://t.co/Kvmv5YZu0M  Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum) April 9, 2024

Same goes for world-class chess champion Garry Kasparov, who co-founded the World Liberty Congress and is chairman of the Renew Democracy Initiative.

When Trump & his supporters started repeating Russian propaganda in 2015-16, I made a simple point: Many parties can arrive independently at the same truth, but not at the same lie. As with MAGA, Musk, et al now, repeating the same Ukraine falsehoods is an op, not a coincidence, he posted.

The truth is Russian Orthodox priests have faced persecution from state and church officials for supporting peace, according to numerous reports since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Publicly praying or calling for peace also poses risks of prosecution from the Russian state. Shortly after Russian troops invaded Ukraine, lawmakers passed legislation that allowed prosecuting thousands of people for discrediting the Russian army, a charge that in reality applies to anything that contradicts the official narrative, be it a commentary on social networks or a prayer in church.

Similar to Putins authoritarian regime, Russian church officials built a harsh hierarchy in the church that demands total conformity, Andrey Desnitsky, professor of philology at Vilnius University in Lithuania, told The Associated Press. If a priest refuses to read the patriarchs prayer, his loyalty is suspect.

If you are not loyal, then there is no place for you in church, added Desnitsky, a longtime expert on the Russian church.

And from a 2022 report on International Religious Freedom that examined religious freedom in Russia: Religious groups and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reported authorities continued to investigate, detain, imprison, torture, physically abuse persons, and seize their property because of their religious belief or affiliation or membership in groups designated extremist, terrorist, or undesirable, including Jehovahs Witnesses, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatars, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Tablighi Jamaat, followers of Turkish Muslim theologian Said Nursi, the Church of Scientology, Falun Gong, and multiple evangelical Protestant groups.

Former Republican Congressman Ken Buck recently dubbed Green Moscow Marjorie over her staunch opposition to providing aid to Ukraine.

My experience with Marjorie is, people have talked to her about not filing articles of impeachment on President Biden before he was sworn into office, on not filing articles of impeachment that were groundless made on other individuals in the Biden administration, he said in a CNN interview.

And she was never moved by that. She was always focused on her social media account, Buck continued. And Moscow Marjorie is focused now on this Ukraine issue and getting her talking points from the Kremlin and making sure that she is popular and she is getting a lot of coverage.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
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.
Fighting the tree disease ash dieback on Exmoor National Park, which includes part of North Devon, is set to hit 300,000.

The authority that oversees the park is budgeting a further 25,000 this financial year to combat the disease, bringing the total to that landmark figure.

While the park hopes the latest cash will help it overcome ash dieback throughout the park, its head of finance and operations, Ben Barrett, acknowledged this isnt entirely certain.

We hope it will be gone after this latest spending, but if not, we will have to continue to tackle it, he said.

Ash dieback, or ADB, has been present and spreading in the UK since at least 2012 and in Exmoor National Park since at least 2013.

The disease is caused by a fungus called Hymenoschyphus fraxineus (previously known as Chalara), which is native to northern China and parasitises the species of ash native to that area.

Because native European ash species didnt evolve with the fungus it cant defend itself and usually succumbs, leading to decline and the likely death of the tree.

It appears from studies so far that only 5-10 per cent of ash trees infected survive, and there are an estimated 800,000 ash trees in Exmoor National Park.

As one of Exmoors landowners, the Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) is required under the Occupiers Liability Act to be aware of and respond to risks posed by trees on its estate.

The ENPA said it believed about 40,000 ash trees were present on land it owned.
CROWN POINT  A 58-year-old mental health clinic owner charged last year with forging records to collect reimbursement payments has pleaded guilty to one of the offenses.

Suzanne Krischke, owner and manager of Crown Point Counseling, appeared in court Tuesday and pleaded guilty to one count of counterfeiting. The initial charge was a level six felony but was entered into judgment as a class A misdemeanor in accordance with a plea agreement. The remaining six felony counterfeit charges were dismissed.

Judge Pro Tempore Lemuel Stigler sentenced Krischke to one year in the Indiana Department of Corrections. Four months of the sentence will be served on home detention and the remainder will be served on probation, as stipulated in her plea agreement. She has also agreed to pay approximately $490 in restitution to Indiana Medicaid and perform 60 hours of community service at an approved location.

Krischke admitted to altering a document that she submitted to the state during an audit in 2019, the plea agreement said. She forged the signature of a doctor who had died prior to the date on the document, according to a probable-cause affidavit.

The affidavit, filed in June, shows Crown Point Counseling had been submitting requests for reimbursements to Indiana Medicaid between 2010 and 2016. Social workers and therapists who offer a certain level of care can request reimbursements from Medicaid by providing documentation of treatment plans as long as they have a medical doctor or psychologist sign off on the treatment plans within a certain amount of time.

The Family and Social Services Administration, the agency that administers Medicaid, conducted an audit of the clinic in 2017 through a third party. Auditors discovered some information in the initial documents Crown Point Counseling submitted did not warrant reimbursement. She would have had to repay these funds, documents say.

Krischke requested a reconsideration audit in 2019, which was permitted.

Krischke submitted new documentation for the bills that were found to be non-compliant in the first audit. These documents were found with discrepancies as well, the affidavit alleged.

"The defendant acknowledges that this false information was submitted as part of her effort to avoid repayment of an overpayment to the Medicaid program identified in a 2017 audit," the plea agreement said.

Investigators interviewed employees who said Krischke had told them to create false patient records for the second audit to comply with the reimbursement rules, documents show.

Krischke was represented by attorney Geoffrey Giorgi. The state appeared by Deputy Attorney General Maureen O'Donnell.
MICHIGAN CITY  A 26-year-old Michigan City man has been charged in a fatal shooting Monday afternoon in parking lot of Advance Auto Parts at 151 E. U.S. 20, Michigan City Police Capt. Kevin Urbanczyk said.

Gavin Mohamed, who is charged with felony murder, was captured by police on the city's north side a short time after the shooting, Urbanczyk said.

Several 911 calls were placed around 12:53 p.m. Monday reporting a person shot in the parking lot in question, according to Urbanczyk.

Officers responded to the scene and reportedly found 27-year-old LaPorte resident Dylan Andersen shot multiple times.

"Officers provided life saving measures to Andersen before he was transported to Franciscan Health Michigan City Hospital for emergency medical treatment," Urbanczyk said. "Andersen eventually succumbed to his injuries after arriving at the hospital."

Region police investigating death of infant brought in unconscious An autopsy is planned for Wednesday, according to Michigan City Police Capt. Kevin Urbanczyk.

Mohamed was quickly identified by police as a suspect in the shooting, Urbanczyk said. He was located a short time later and taken into custody.

Mohamed was charged Tuesday with murder and is scheduled to make an initial court appearance next Tuesday before LaPorte County Superior Court Judge Jaime Oss.

Second trial set in brutal slaying at Portage fishing area "Domonic and Jada then left the body of Derek on the path in the wooded area and drove away in his vehicle," police said.

The case remains under investigation, Urbanczyk said. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has video footage or any other information is encouraged to contact Michigan City Police Detective Sgt. Lendell Hood at 219-874-3221, extension 1074 or by email at lhood@emichigancity.com.

The department can also be reached through Facebook Messenger, the crime tip hotline at 219-873-1488, or at the WeTip Hotline for General Crime at 800-78-CRIME.

"You can always request to remain anonymous," police said.
CROWN POINT  The passenger killed last week when the driver of a semitrailer failed to slow for traffic and plowed into the rear of a Kia Sorento SUV along the local stretch of Interstate 94 has been identified by the Lake County Coroner's Office as Ty Freimuth, 39, of Niles, Michigan.

Freimuth and his family were returning from a spring break trip to Wisconsin Dells when the fatal crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. Thursday along eastbound I-94 at the Columbia Avenue overpass between Calumet Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard in Hammond, according to a gofundme fundraiser set up for his family.

Freimuth Family Freimuth family photo from gofundme account.

"Preliminary investigation shows that a semi was traveling in the second lane from the left and was slowing in traffic," Indiana State Police said in a statement. "A Kia Sorento SUV that was either slowing or stopped behind that semi, was rear-ended by another semi at a high rate of speed."

Initial impact pushed the Kia underneath the trailer of the front semi. A third semi was also rear-ended as a result of the crash, police said.

Freimuth died as a result of blunt force injuries from the crash, which the coroner's office has ruled an accident.

Police said the driver of the Kia and a child passenger were taken to the hospital for treatment of potentially life-threatening injuries.

Area police on the lookout for drivers on their phones "People know using their phone while driving is dangerous, but they do it anyway, and put themselves and others at risk," police said.

The Times has a request pending with ISP for the crash report, and the truck driver has not yet been identified nor is it clear whether the driver will be charged in the fatal crash.

The gofundme account says a woman and 2-year-old are hospitalized in Chicago "and have a very long road to recovery  all while trying to mourn the loss of Ty."

A firefighter who rescued the child reportedly told the family it took an hour and four saw blades to extricate him from the wreckage.

Motorists called on to have patience with slow moving farm equipment "In 2021, four occupants were involved in crashes with farm equipment in Indiana, which resulted in two deaths," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The fundraising effort is aimed at alleviating financial pressure on the family as the survivors face the challenge of recovering physically and emotionally, according to the gofundme page.

"So much is out of our hands, but this is one way we can help."

The gofundme fundraiser had generated $35,572 as of Wednesday afternoon.
Indiana's State Board of Education has given its approval for Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting to authorize Thea Bowman Leadership Academy in Gary.

It comes after CCSJ's Charter Authority Board voted to authorize Thea Bowman in January.

The charter school's current authorizer, Education One at Trine University in Angola, voted to revoke its sponsorship of the charter school last December.

The authorizer cited several shortcomings in its decision, including high staff turnover, poor academic performance and declining student enrollment.

It also cited the school for not meeting academic and organizational performance standards in multiple annual reviews.

During the meeting on Wednesday, Carrie Hutton, the executive director of CCSJ Charter Authority, presented information on how the school would help address the deficiencies noted by Education One to the state board.

Hutton said they agreed with the current authorizer's assessment of the charter school not meeting standards in some areas such as strategic planning and providing adequate support for post-secondary readiness.

However, she pushed back on many other weaknesses pointed out by Education One, mostly relating to academic performance.

Hutton noted that Thea Bowman's standardized test scores were consistent if not better than those of charter schools and traditional public schools in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago.

She also disagreed with Education One's assessment that the charter school's board was not up to par regarding good governance.

"Our expectation for exemplary governance does not include counting the number of questions each board member asks ... or the length of time that a board meeting lasts," Hutton said.

Hutton told the board Thea Bowman's academic success was a priority for CCSJ. She said faculty members from the college would work with the school to help in developing and implementing classroom curriculums, ensure teachers were properly licensed, and provide incentives to help retain staff members.

The executive director for Education One, Lindsay Omlar, also presented to the board information on why the authorizer decided to pull its sponsorship of Thea Bowman.

She told the state board that the charter school had been placed on probationary status and on a school improvement plan at the beginning of the school year to address areas of concern.

Instead of working on those concerns, Omlar argued, Thea Bowman pursued a change in authorizer in an attempt to avoid accountability.

Omlar also noted the limited communication between both authorizers, saying because of it, they have not been able to share more detailed information regarding the school's deficiencies.

However, she said they would respect whatever decision the board made.

"I'm not here today to sway your decision either way," Omlar said.

Prior to the vote, Indiana Sectary of Education, Katie Jenner, read a letter from Gary Mayor Eddie Melton expressing his support for Thea Bowman.

"I urge you to recognize the vital role Thea Bowman Leadership Academy plays in the city of Gary," part of the statement read. "It is a cornerstone of our educational system and a beacon of hope for our children."

A few of the state board of education members also raised some concerns, with Scott Bess reminding CCSJ that charter school authorizers are meant to hold schools accountable, not help operate them.

"There's a line between being an authorizer and running a school," Bess said.

He also said when similar situations arise in the future where authorizers come into disagreement, it should be encouraged for them to come together to work out their differences.

In a statement from CCSJ, Hutton said they were pleased with the outcome.

"We celebrate this decision and the opportunities for growth at Thea Bowman. We look forward to helping the school meet their potential," Hutton said.

The charter school's attorney, Jewell Harris Jr., said the school was elated with the state board's approval.

CCSJ will now become Thea Bowman's third authorizer starting July 1. In 2016, the school's first sponsor, Ball State University, revoked its sponsorship.

After the Indiana State Charter School Board declined to authorize the school, Thea Bowman was later able to find a sponsor with Education One.

Close Purdue President Mung Chiang speaks Thursday at Purdue Northwest's 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. hugs his former professor Pat Obi following his introduction Thursday at Purdue Northwest's 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony. While holding his trophy, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. pretends to take a bite of his Hall of Fame cookie Thursday at Purdue Northwest's 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Mayor Eddie Melton speaks during a press conference about recent drug and weapons busts. Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter gives remarks at a press conference about recent drug and weapons busts. Flanked by Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and Police Commander Jack Hamady, Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon speaks during a press conference about recent drug and weapons busts. Assistant Director LaLita Jones explains the principles of Liberty House Recovery Cafe. Executive Director Pastor Michael Pirtle gives guests an insight into the Liberty House Recovery Cafe. Liberty House Recovery Cafe has various games for clients. Lorese Wesley is the chief executive director at Veterans Life Changing Services Inc. The veterans group is being evicted from its premises. Its the only type of program in Northwest Indiana receiving financial assistance for homeless vets with special needs from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, through its Grant and Per Diem program. Aimee Gilbert was appointed Chesterton fire's deputy chief of community risk reduction and administration in January. She identifies risks and hazards within the community and offers resources to help mitigate them. Chesterton fire Chief Sean O'Donnell, left, and Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction and Administration Aimee Gilbert chat inside the fire station March 28. Linda Nethery speaking during PNW's Unleashing Empowerment panel discussion. Sandra Patino, right, speaking during PNW's Unleashing Empowerment panel discussion PNW held its inaugural Unleashing Empowerment panel discussion last Thursday where three alumna shared stories about their career paths and provided advice for current students. LaPorte County Republican Party Chairman Alan Stevens shares a few laughs with Doug Newland during a Dyngus Day gathering at the GOP headquarters in LaPorte. Bridget Darrell of LaPorte receives a necklace of red and white beads from Kim Heroldt, owner of Shooter's Bar & Grill during the city's Dyngus Day celebration. Lena Moffett (center) rides a charter bus going from bar to bar with other Dyngus Day participants in LaPorte. . GALLERY: The Times Photos of the Week Check out the Times' picks for the best images from the past week. Purdue President Mung Chiang speaks Thursday at Purdue Northwest's 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. hugs his former professor Pat Obi following his introduction Thursday at Purdue Northwest's 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony. While holding his trophy, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. pretends to take a bite of his Hall of Fame cookie Thursday at Purdue Northwest's 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Mayor Eddie Melton speaks during a press conference about recent drug and weapons busts. Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter gives remarks at a press conference about recent drug and weapons busts. Flanked by Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and Police Commander Jack Hamady, Gary Police Chief Derrick Cannon speaks during a press conference about recent drug and weapons busts. Assistant Director LaLita Jones explains the principles of Liberty House Recovery Cafe. Executive Director Pastor Michael Pirtle gives guests an insight into the Liberty House Recovery Cafe. Liberty House Recovery Cafe has various games for clients. Lorese Wesley is the chief executive director at Veterans Life Changing Services Inc. The veterans group is being evicted from its premises. Its the only type of program in Northwest Indiana receiving financial assistance for homeless vets with special needs from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, through its Grant and Per Diem program. Aimee Gilbert was appointed Chesterton fire's deputy chief of community risk reduction and administration in January. She identifies risks and hazards within the community and offers resources to help mitigate them. Chesterton fire Chief Sean O'Donnell, left, and Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction and Administration Aimee Gilbert chat inside the fire station March 28. Linda Nethery speaking during PNW's Unleashing Empowerment panel discussion. Sandra Patino, right, speaking during PNW's Unleashing Empowerment panel discussion PNW held its inaugural Unleashing Empowerment panel discussion last Thursday where three alumna shared stories about their career paths and provided advice for current students. LaPorte County Republican Party Chairman Alan Stevens shares a few laughs with Doug Newland during a Dyngus Day gathering at the GOP headquarters in LaPorte. Bridget Darrell of LaPorte receives a necklace of red and white beads from Kim Heroldt, owner of Shooter's Bar & Grill during the city's Dyngus Day celebration. Lena Moffett (center) rides a charter bus going from bar to bar with other Dyngus Day participants in LaPorte. .
Nobel Prize-winning economist and Gary native Joseph Stiglitz will deliver a lecture next week at the University of Notre Dame.

Stiglitz will give a lecture on inequality from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Central time Monday at Hesburgh Center for International Studies Auditorium at the University of Notre Dame's Hesburgh Center in South Bend. It's a rare public appearance for Stiglitz in his native northern Indiana.

He is scheduled to give a lecture entitled "The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society." as the inaugural Joseph E. Stiglitz Lecture on Inequality and the Good Society. The Keough School of Global Affairs' new lecture series will bring scholars to Notre Dame every year to discuss economic and social inequality as part of the university's overall "public commitment to giving primacy to issues of poverty and marginalization."

The lecture series is meant to both honor Stiglitz's legacy and share new scholarship and policy insights on economic and social inequality.

"Joseph Stiglitz is a scholar who has devoted his life to being both a serious scholar and an eloquent and tireless public intellectual in challenging conventional thinking and representing the voiceless and marginalized in the hallways of power in pursuit of the good society," the University of Notre Dame said in a news release. "Inequality is a complex and multi-dimensional challenge that is a major threat to our social fabric, our faith in core institutions and our democratic governance. And where inequality thrives, poverty persists. Addressing the twin challenges of inequality and poverty requires thoughtful, interdisciplinary responses and bold policy proposals."

Stiglitz is a Columbia University professor, former chief economist of the World Bank and former chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisers. He's won both the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and the John Bates Clark Medal.

Stiglitz has published a number of books, including "The Road to Freedom," "The Price of Inequality," "People, Power and Profits," "Freefall" and "Globalization and its Discontents."
Gov. Eric Holcomb is leading a delegation of Hoosier government and business leaders to Brazil and Mexico in an effort to further develop Indiana's agbiosciences and agriculture sectors internationally.

The Republican chief executive said Brazil and Mexico, like Indiana, have robust agbiosciences industries that are advancing global services, products and solutions across agriculture, food production and animal health.

"Indiana agriculture and agbiosciences continues to be a catalyst for economic and community growth, contributing $58.1 billion annually to the state's economy," Holcomb said.

"Brazil and Mexico both represent opportunities to collaborate and mutually advance trade, innovation and investment across the sector, spurring developments across food safety, security and sustainability that are critical to the global economy of the future."

The Indiana delegation, including Hoosier agriculture business executives, representatives from the Indiana Economic Development Corp., and Janet Holcomb, the state's first lady, is scheduled to leave Indianapolis Friday  heading first to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil.

The focus of Holcomb's first official visit to Brazil will be establishing relationships and identifying partnership opportunities in government, academia and industry to boost the $1.7 billion in annual trade between Indiana and the most populous South American nation that's home to some 215 million people, or about two-thirds the U.S. population.

Likewise, in Mexico City, the Indiana delegation is slated to participate in meetings beginning April 17 with Mexican government and business leaders to explore opportunities to increase trade, advance innovation and grow two-way investment across agriculture, agbiosciences and broader economic opportunities.

According to the IEDC, Indiana currently buys from and sells to Mexico goods and services worth approximately $13.4 billion a year.

Altogether, more than 1,050 foreign-owned business establishments, representing more than 40 countries and territories, are operating in Indiana employing more than 200,000 Hoosiers.

The governor and the Indiana delegation are expected to return to the Hoosier State from Mexico April 19.

This is Holcomb's 22nd foreign trade mission during his eight years as governor. The costs of the trip will be paid using private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation.

Northwest Indiana 2024 primary election early voting sites, hours Lake County Government Center, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point Judge Lorenzo Arredondo Justice Center, 3711 Main St., East Chicago Gary Public Library, 220 W. 5th Ave., Gary Lake County Courthouse, 232 Russell St., Hammond Hobart Police and Community Center, 705 E. 4th St., Hobart Lowell Town Hall, 501 E. Main St., Lowell Munster Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Rd., Munster Schererville Town Hall, 10 E. Joliet St., Schererville St. John Township Assessor's Office, 9157 Wicker Ave., St. John Wicker Park Breezeway, 8554 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland Winfield Government Center, 10645 Randolph St., Winfield Duneland YMCA Healthy Living Campus, 651 W. Morgan Ave, Chesterton Hebron Community Center, 611 N. Main St., Hebron NIRPC Building, 6100 Southport Rd., Portage North Porter County Government Complex, 3560 Willowcreek Road, Portage Porter County Administration Building, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso Union Township Fire Station #2, 267 N. 600 W., Valparaiso Valparaiso Fire Training Center, 355 Evans Ave., Valparaiso 302 W. 8th Street, Michigan City, IN 46360 LaPorte County Fairgrounds Small Project Building, 2851 W. State Road 2, LaPorte Wills Township Community Center, 6981 E. 350 N., Rolling Prairie Wanatah Town Hall, 104 N. Main St., Wanatah
Nadine Menendez, the wife of Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, asked a judge on Tuesday to delay her trial on bribery charges because of what her lawyers described as a serious medical condition that will require surgery and an extended recovery period.

Ms. Menendez, 57, did not publicly disclose the nature of the medical issue but indicated that she received a recent diagnosis for a condition that will require surgery within four to six weeks and potentially significant follow-up treatment. Ms. Menendezs lawyers, in a two-page letter to the judge, said they were providing further details in a separate submission that was filed under seal to protect Ms. Menendezs privacy.

Given her medical circumstances, Ms. Menendez is not able to assist her counsel in preparing for trial in the next four weeks, her lawyers wrote to Judge Sidney H. Stein of Federal District Court in Manhattan. The trial of Ms. Menendez, her husband and two New Jersey businessmen is scheduled to start on May 6, but her lawyers said she would not be in physical or psychological condition to participate.

The judge could grant a delay to Ms. Menendez but order the senator and the businessmen to go to trial as planned next month. The Menendezes have each asked the judge for separate trials, a request the judge has yet to rule on.
Granting a request by federal prosecutors, the judge overseeing former President Donald J. Trumps classified documents case ordered his lawyers on Tuesday to redact the names of about two dozen government witnesses from a public version of one of their court filings to protect them against potential threats or harassment.

In a 24-page ruling, the judge, Aileen M. Cannon, told Mr. Trumps lawyers to refer to the witnesses in their filing with a pseudonym or a categorical description  say, John Smith or F.B.I. Agent 1  rather than identifying them by name.

The special counsel, Jack Smith, had expressed a deep concern over witness safety, an issue that has touched on several of Mr. Trumps criminal cases. Among the people prosecutors were seeking to protect were career civil servants and former close advisers to Mr. Trump, including one who had told them that he was so concerned about potential threats from Trump world that he refused to permit investigators to record an interview with him.

Judge Cannons decision, reversing her initial ruling on the matter, was noteworthy, if only for the way it hewed to standard practice. After making a series of unorthodox rulings and allowing the case to become bogged down by a logjam of unresolved legal issues, the judge has come under intense scrutiny. Each of her decisions has been studied closely by legal experts for any indication of how she plans to proceed with other matters.
A former assistant principal at the Virginia elementary school where a 6-year-old boy shot his teacher last year has been indicted on eight felony counts of child abuse and neglect, according to court documents unsealed on Tuesday.

The former assistant principal, Ebony Parker, was indicted by a grand jury last month, according to Newport News Circuit Court records. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Last year, Howard E. Gwynn, the Newport News commonwealths attorney, asked for a special grand jury to investigate security failures that may have contributed to the shooting and to determine whether others were criminally responsible. His office could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday evening. Ms. Parkers lawyer also could not be immediately reached.

The charges against Ms. Parker came as adults are increasingly being held accountable in cases in which juveniles have caused gun violence.
In the two years since he was elected, President Yoon Suk Yeol has made his mark in foreign policy, forging deeper ties with the United States and Japan. But his business-friendly domestic agenda has been stalled by his own missteps and an opposition-controlled Parliament.

Now, Mr. Yoon is facing the threat of being a lame duck for the remainder of his single, five-year term.

In a parliamentary election held on Wednesday, voters were projected to have handed Mr. Yoon and his party a crushing defeat, giving the opposition one of its biggest electoral victories in recent decades. Polls closed at 6 p.m. and official results were expected on Thursday morning.

Dozens of parties were vying for the 300 seats in the National Assembly, South Koreas single-chamber legislature. However, the contest was largely between Mr. Yoons conservative People Power Party and the main opposition camp, the liberal Democratic Party.
Germany on Tuesday defended itself against accusations that its arms sales to Israel were abetting genocide in Gaza, arguing at the International Court of Justice that most of the equipment it has supplied since Oct. 7 was nonlethal and that it has also been one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

The case at the U.N. court in The Hague pits Germany, whose support for Israel is considered an inviolable part of the countrys atonement for the Holocaust, against Nicaragua, which brought the allegations to the court and is a longstanding supporter of the Palestinian cause.

Debate over Israels war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been muted in Germany, whose leadership calls support for Israel a Staatsrason, a national reason for existence, and where people have historically been reluctant to question that support publicly. But the mounting death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza have led some German officials to ask whether that unwavering backing has gone too far.

Lawyers for Germany said Tuesday that the allegations brought by Nicaragua had no basis in fact or law and rested on an assessment of military conduct by Israel, which is not a party to the case. Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, an official at Germanys Foreign Ministry and lead counsel in the case, told the 15-judge bench that Nicaragua had rushed this case to court on the basis of the flimsiest evidence.
In early March, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began amid dashed hopes that negotiators would reach a deal for a pause in the fighting in Gaza.

On Tuesday, as weeks of fasting were drawing to a close, the pace of the war had slowed. But the prospect of relief and peace of any duration in the embattled territory remained elusive.

Cease-fire talks are still sputtering, Hamas has dismissed the likelihood of a deal and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has doubled down on his vow to invade Rafah, the final stretch of the Gaza Strip that his military has yet to push into.

We will complete the elimination of Hamass battalions, including in Rafah, he said on Tuesday. No force in the world will stop us.
Only workaholics and delusional optimists should organize a Venice Biennale, as the Brazilian curator Adriano Pedrosa discovered during the countless flights and midnight meetings that have crammed his calendar for the past two years.

This would probably have taken five years and a team of intense researchers, Pedrosa said in a video interview, if he hadnt spent more than a decade mulling the possibilities, most recently as the influential artistic director of the Sao Paulo Museum of Art.

On April 16, when the press previews begin for the 60th international exposition, others will judge whether the 58-year-old curator has captured the zeitgeist of contemporary art with his two-pronged show, Foreigners Everywhere, in the sprawling spaces of the Giardini and the Arsenale.

The title is a provocation, weighted by the anti-immigrant agendas of Italy, Hungary and other countries in the last few years. Pedrosa, however, speaks about celebrating the foreigner and the historic waves of migration across the planet, offering a catalog of synonyms  Immigrant, emigre, expatriate  even as he expands the concept. I take this image of the foreigner and unfold it into the queer, the outsider, the Indigenous, he said.
NewJeans, one of the biggest K-pop acts, has asked a federal court in California to order Google to release the identity of the person behind a YouTube account that the members say is spreading defamatory statements about them.

The group said that a YouTube user with the handle @Middle7 made the statements in dozens of videos that were viewed more than 13 million times, according to the court filing. The groups lawyer, Eugene Kim, wrote that the account had also engaged in name-calling or other mocking behavior targeting NewJeans. The videos continue to inflict significant reputational damage, according to the filing.

The move, made on March 27, is the latest example of K-pop stars responding to the pressures they face from the fervid online fan culture in South Korea. The request, if granted, would allow the group to sue the YouTube user in South Korea for defamation and insult, which are criminal offenses in the country.

We regularly take legal action for violations of artists rights, Ador, the management agency for NewJeans, said in a statement, confirming that it was pursuing a case against the videos.
A European court made a significant climate ruling

Europes top human-rights court said the Swiss government had violated its citizens rights by failing to meet its climate targets. Experts said it was the first instance in which an international court had used human rights law to determine that governments were legally obligated to meet their climate goals.

A group of women, all 64 or older, argued that their health was at risk during heat waves related to global warming, and that by not doing enough to mitigate warming, Switzerlands government had violated their rights.

This is a landmark ruling, and it could trigger a wave of similar lawsuits in European countries, David Gelles, the managing correspondent of our Climate Forward newsletter, told us.

Implications: The womens lawsuit was the latest in a series of attempts to force governments in court to act against global warming.
Deal making runs into presidential politics

President Biden holds talks on Wednesday for Fumio Kishida, Japans prime minister, part of a state visit designed to show the U.S.s commitment to a staunch ally. Despite the pomp and ceremony, the presidential election will loom over the meetings, with Bidens opposition to Nippon Steels bid for U.S. Steel showing how the chase for votes is affecting deal making and economic policy.

Biden views relations with Japan as crucial. The summit will be just the fifth state visit of his administration, and reflects a different approach to that of his predecessor, Donald Trump. Both have been tough on China, but Biden has built alliances to hammer home the point. The president has cultivated relationships with Japan and South Korea (neighbors and big trading partners with China) and India (a regional rival), as well as Europe.

Biden is balancing that with swing-state politics. The president has campaigned in Philadelphia more than any other place during his presidency. Its not quite U.S. Steel country, and some Democrats are urging him to visit other parts of the state where Nippon Steels $14 billion bid for the Pittsburgh-based company is deeply unpopular.

The president needs to win over blue-collar voters to win Pennsylvania. Both Biden and Trump have courted union workers, notably during the auto industry strike last year. Biden is the first sitting president to visit a picket line.
Last April, dozens of lawyers and their guests gathered at the Columbus Inn in Wilmington, Del. The revered restaurant, with roots tracing back more than two centuries, was once a hangout for Buffalo Bill. Yet on this cloudless night, the crowd would have been happy to be partying almost anywhere.

Hours earlier, the lawyers and their client, Dominion Voting Systems, had negotiated an extraordinary $787 million settlement with Fox News. The deal was struck moments before opening arguments in a hotly anticipated defamation trial, in which Fox was accused of airing inflammatory lies that Dominion had thwarted Donald J. Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

Now the companys two main law firms could enjoy the spoils.

Susman Godfrey would pocket a thick slice of the settlement that Fox had just wired over.

Clare Locke, a smaller firm that specializes in the niche field of defamation law, wouldnt get a cut of the settlement. But Dominion had already paid it millions of dollars in fees, and the victory offered the firm the potential for something even greater.
The Chinese company NetEase said on Wednesday that it had struck a deal to distribute titles from Microsofts Blizzard Entertainment, restoring access to popular video games like World of Warcraft for Chinese gamers.

More than a year ago, NetEase and Blizzard called an end to their long-running partnership when renewal talks turned testy, with each side accusing the other of bad-faith negotiations. An uproar ensued among Chinese gamers, upset about losing access to a slew of popular titles from Blizzards parent company, the U.S. game developer Activision Blizzard.

NetEase said on Wednesday that it had reached the new deal with Microsoft, which acquired Activision Blizzard in a $69 billion deal in October. The two companies said they had also agreed to distribute NetEase titles on Microsofts Xbox game device.

We are thrilled to embark on the next chapter, built on trust and mutual respect, to serve our users in this unique community that weve built together, William Ding, NetEases chief executive, said in a statement.
The Department of Justice has weighed in on a court battle over an oil and gas pipeline in Wisconsin, saying that a Canadian oil company has been willfully trespassing on tribal lands in the state for more than a decade.

On Wednesday, lawyers for the Justice Department filed a brief saying that the company, Enbridge, lacks any legal right to remain on the land, part of a reservation of the Bad River Band, an Ojibwe group. But the brief largely sidestepped the question of whether a 1970s treaty between the United States and Canada gives Enbridge the right to operate the pipeline indefinitely, as the company asserts.

Enbridge is fighting demands by state, tribal and judicial authorities to shut down the pipeline known as Line 5, which crosses 645 miles of Wisconsin and Michigan, in lawsuits pending in federal appellate court in each state.

The cases are being watched closely by tribes that see them as important for their sovereignty as well as by states that want greater control over pipelines within their boundaries. Environmentalists in both states have raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of Line 5 and the companys proposals to shore it up.
Allen H. Weisselberg, Donald J. Trumps longtime financial lieutenant, was sentenced Wednesday to five months in a Rikers Island jail for perjury, capping a saga that has now landed him behind bars twice.

The sentence, handed down by a state judge in Manhattan, came five days before Mr. Trump is to go on trial in the same courthouse on accusations that he covered up a sex scandal. Mr. Weisselberg was not charged in that case, but he would not be headed to jail if not for his former bosss own troubles: Prosecutors set their sights on Mr. Weisselberg after he refused to turn on Mr. Trump.

Last month, Mr. Weisselberg, 76, pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury committed while he was being questioned in 2020 by the New York attorney generals office, which was investigating Mr. Trump for fraud.

In a perfunctory appearance before the judge, Laurie Peterson, Mr. Weisselberg, wearing a dark jacket and a blue surgical mask, showed little emotion. When the judge asked if he wanted to say anything, he simply responded, no, your honor.
Israel today is at a strategic point in its war in Gaza, and there is every indication that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is going to choose the wrong path  and take the Biden administration along for a very dangerous and troubling ride. It is so dangerous and troubling that Israels best option, when all is said and done, might be to leave a rump Hamas leadership in power in Gaza. Yes, you read that right.

To understand why, lets look back a bit. I argued in October that Israel was making a terrible mistake by rushing headlong into invading Gaza, the way America did in Afghanistan after 9/11. I thought Israel should have focused first on getting back its hostages, delegitimizing Hamas for its murderous and rapacious Oct. 7 rampage, and going after Hamass leadership in a targeted way  more Munich, less Dresden. That is, a military response akin to how Israel tracked down the killers of its athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics, and not how the U.S. turned Dresden into a pile of rubble in World War II.

But I understood that many Israelis felt they had a moral and strategic right and necessity to go into Gaza and remove Hamas once and for all. In which case, I argued, Israel would need three things  time, legitimacy, and military and other resources from the U.S. The reason: The ambitious goal of wiping out Hamas could not be completed quickly (if at all); the military operation would end up killing innocent civilians, given how Hamas had tunneled under them; and it would leave a security and government vacuum in Gaza that would have to be filled by the non-Hamas Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, which would have to be upgraded and transformed to take on that task.

In short, Israel would need to fight this war with the least collateral damage for Palestinian civilians and accompany it with a political horizon for a new relationship between Israelis and Palestinians, built around two nation-states for two indigenous peoples. Doing so would give Israel a chance to say to the world that this was not a war of vengeance or occupation, but a war to eliminate the Palestinian entity that was out to destroy any two-state solution  Hamas  and create the political space for a deal with the Palestinian Authority, which is still committed to a two-state deal. That approach would have won the support, funding and, I think, even peacekeeping troops of moderate Arab states like the U.A.E.
No sooner had a nearly unanimous United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza last month than the United States and Israel acted as if it were a meaningless piece of paper. Israel, unwilling to accept a U.N. mandate, continued bombing the overcrowded southern city of Rafah and besieging Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Shortly after the vote, Biden administration officials called the resolution, No. 2728, nonbinding, in what appeared to be an attempt to deny its status as international law.

It was a confounding approach from an administration that allowed the resolution to go through with an abstention after vetoing three earlier ones. It also triggered a predictable bout of hand-wringing over the value of international law. At the State Department press briefing after the resolution passed, the departments spokesman, Matthew Miller, said the measure would neither result in an immediate cease-fire nor affect thorny hostage-release negotiations. One reporter asked, If thats the case, what the hell is the point of the U.N. or the U.N. Security Council?

The question is valid, but its also misdirected. U.N. resolutions that are written without enforcement measures obviously cannot force Israel to stop what its leadership insists is a justified war necessary to remove Hamas and prevent another Oct. 7 massacre. But its just as obvious what entity can make Israel stop and isnt doing so: the United States.

Whatever the Biden administration might have thought it was doing by permitting the resolution to pass and then undermining it, the maneuver exposed the continuing damage Israels war in Gaza is doing to the United States longstanding justification for being a superpower: guaranteeing what U.S. administrations like to call the international rules-based order.
Have dinosaurs evolved on other worlds? Could we spot a planet of glowing organisms? What nearby star systems are positioned to observe Earth passing in front of the sun?

These are just a few of the questions that Lisa Kaltenegger has joyfully tackled. As the founding director of the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell University, she has pioneered interdisciplinary work on the origins of life on Earth and the hunt for signs of life, or biosignatures, elsewhere in the universe.

Dr. Kalteneggers new book, Alien Earths: The New Science of Planet Hunting in the Cosmos, to be published on April 16, chronicles her insights and adventures spanning an idyllic childhood in Austria to her Cornell office, which previously belonged to the astronomer Carl Sagan. She spoke with The New York Times about the intense public interest in aliens, the wisdom of trying to contact intelligent civilizations, and the weirdest creatures shes grown in her lab. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

You look for real aliens in the observable universe. How much is the diversity of opinion and emotion from people around the search for extraterrestrial life top-of-mind in your research? Or are U.F.O.s and sci-fi E.T.s something you have to tune out?
A decision by Arizonas highest court upholding an 1864 ban on nearly all abortions created chaos and confusion across the state on Wednesday. As abortion providers were flooded with phone calls from frantic patients, Republican lawmakers at the State Capitol blocked efforts to undo the ban, prompting angry jeers from Democrats.

Democrats, who seized on the decision to resurrect the 160-year-old ban as a pivotal election issue, tried to push bills through the Republican-controlled Legislature to repeal the ban, a move they said would protect womens health and freedom, and also force Republicans to take a formal vote on the law.

But Republican leaders in the Senate removed one bill from the days agenda on Wednesday, legislative aides said. In the House, a Republican lawmaker who had called for striking down the law made a motion to vote on a Democratic repeal bill that has sat stalled for months. But Republican leaders quickly scuttled that effort by calling for a recess, and later adjourned until next Wednesday.

Democrats on the Senate floor yelled Shame! and Save womens lives! as their Republican colleagues filed out of the chamber.
Pam Raphael pulled up to the Arizona State Capitol on Tuesday afternoon bearing ice-cold treats and red-hot anger. She had come to deliver an order of her frozen prickly pear and lime pops but was preoccupied by a just-released decision by Arizonas highest court that upheld an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions.

I am disgusted, Ms. Raphael, 50, said as she walked toward a rally by Democrats railing against the decision. She added that its nobodys business whether any woman decides to get an abortion.

The decision upending abortion care in a critically important battleground state inspired passionate reactions from Arizonans across the political divide, ranging from elation to disgust.

Some conservative voters and the states most ardent critics of abortion hailed it as a victory for women. Many Democrats, moderate independents and some Republicans said the Arizona Supreme Court had gone too far. But it was far from clear Tuesday that the decision would tip the balance in the November presidential election.
An Alabama man was arrested on Wednesday and charged with detonating an explosive device outside the state attorney generals office in Montgomery earlier this year, the Justice Department said.

The man, Kyle B.D. Calvert, 26, of Irondale, Ala., was indicted on two counts of malicious use of an explosive and possession of an unregistered destructive device, according to documents unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. He espoused antigovernment views and had acknowledged on social media that he had violent impulses, according to court documents.

Prosecutors say that Mr. Calvert detonated the device early on Feb. 24 outside the attorney generals office in downtown Montgomery. If convicted, he would face a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

It was not immediately clear if Mr. Calvert had a lawyer.

No injuries or major damage to nearby buildings were reported, the department said on Wednesday in a news release, noting that federal and state law enforcement found remnants of the device when they responded to the scene.
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law on Wednesday that will make it a state crime for a person to enter Iowa after having been deported or denied entry into the United States.

The new law, which is set to take effect July 1 but could face court challenges, joins Iowa with Texas in seeking to enforce immigration limits outside the federal system. Ms. Reynolds, who had said she would sign the legislation, accused federal officials of failing to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and putting Americans at risk.

The Biden administration has failed to enforce our nations immigration laws, putting the protection and safety of Iowans at risk, Ms. Reynolds, a Republican, said in a statement. Those who come into our country illegally have broken the law, yet Biden refuses to deport them. This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: enforce immigration laws already on the books.

A White House spokesman, Angelo Fernandez Hernandez, defended the administrations approach to the border, saying in a statement that federal officials had removed or returned hundreds of thousands of people from the United States this year. He also criticized congressional Republicans for failing to pass a border security bill.
Waves of intense weather were moving east across the South on Wednesday, bringing flash flooding and tornadoes along the Gulf Coast, with the potential for more destructive winds still looming, forecasters and local officials said.

In Mississippi, the severe weather follows an overnight storm that killed one person and left another injured.

A flash flood emergency was declared in the New Orleans area, where the National Weather Service said many roads in and around the city were underwater and impassable. In Slidell, La., a city northeast of New Orleans, the authorities were reporting that up to four potential tornadoes had ripped through buildings and streets. A tornado was also reported in Southeast Texas and severe weather damaged homes across several Mississippi counties.
President Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan announced a range of moves on Wednesday to further enhance military, economic and other cooperation between the two longtime allies as part of the presidents efforts to counter Chinas aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific region.

During a pomp-filled ceremony honoring the visiting Japanese prime minister, the president said the United States and Japan would create an expanded defense architecture with Australia, participate in three-way military exercises with Britain and explore ways for Japan to join a U.S.-led coalition with Australia and Britain.

Mr. Biden also announced that the United States would take a Japanese astronaut to the moon as part of NASAs Artemis program, which would be the first time a non-American has set foot on the moon.

This is the most significant upgrade of our alliance since it was first established, Mr. Biden said at a news conference in the White House Rose Garden along with the prime minister.
Thomas J. Gumbleton, a Roman Catholic bishop from Detroit whose nationally prominent support of liberal causes often clashed with church leadership, but who grounded his views in the 1960s Vatican reforms that promoted social justice, died on Thursday in Dearborn, Mich. He was 94.

His death was announced by the Archdiocese of Detroit, where he served for 50 years.

Bishop Gumbleton protested the United States involvement in the Vietnam War and U.S. foreign policy regarding Central America in the 1980s. He opposed fellow Catholic bishops by speaking out in favor of same-sex marriage and the ordination of women. He championed victims of clergy sexual abuse and blamed that advocacy for his ouster as pastor of St. Leo Catholic Church in Detroit in 2007, a contention that the archdiocese disputed.
Right-wing House Republicans on Wednesday blocked legislation to extend an expiring warrantless surveillance law that national security officials call crucial to gathering intelligence and fighting terrorism, dealing Speaker Mike Johnson a stinging defeat after former President Donald J. Trump urged lawmakers to kill the bill.

In an upset on the House floor, the measure, which would extend a section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act known as Section 702, failed what is normally a routine procedural test. On a vote of 228 to 193, 19 House Republicans, most aligned with the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, joined Democrats in opposing its consideration.

Such defections were once considered unthinkable but have become increasingly common as the hard right has rebelled against G.O.P. leaders.

It was unclear how Republicans would attempt to move forward.

We will regroup and reformulate another plan, Mr. Johnson said after the vote. We cannot allow Section 702 of FISA to expire. Its too important to national security. I think most of the members understand that.
Japan is giving the United States 250 cherry trees to replace more than 100 that will be torn up during construction around the Tidal Basin in Washington, the Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, said on Wednesday.

The gift honors the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which the United States will celebrate in 2026, Mr. Kishida said at a White House ceremony welcoming him for a state visit.

President Biden thanked Mr. Kishida for the cherry trees, which have become a symbol of the relationship between the United States and its longtime ally as well as a popular tourist attraction in spring. The mayor of Tokyo gave Washington 3,000 of the trees, which are not native to the United States, in 1912.
His case has sustained international attention and condemnation from First Amendment rights groups.

Mr. Assange has fought off U.S. efforts to extradite him. The charges could amount to a sentence of up to 175 years in prison, although U.S. lawyers have said that he was more likely to be sentenced to four to six years.

In February, Australias parliament passed a motion calling for Mr. Assanges release, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had discussed the matter in a meeting last fall with Mr. Biden.

In backing the motion, Mr. Albanese told the Australian parliament it is appropriate for us to put our very strong view that those countries need to take into account the need for this to be concluded.

Last month, the High Court in London ruled that Mr. Assange could not be immediately extradited to the United States until certain conditions were met.

The court gave the United States three weeks to give satisfactory assurances that Mr. Assange is permitted to rely on the First Amendment to the United States Constitution (which protects free speech), that he is not prejudiced at trial (including sentence) by reason of his nationality, that he is afforded the same First Amendment protections as a United States citizen and that the death penalty is not imposed.
Kari Lake, the leading Republican candidate for Senate in Arizona, was quick to denounce the state Supreme Courts ruling upholding an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions in the state. The law is out of step with Arizonans, she said in a statement. She called on state lawmakers to come up with a solution that Arizonans can support.

But Ms. Lake, an ally of former President Donald J. Trump and a 2020 election denier, had voiced enthusiastic support for the law less than two years ago, when she was in the midst of a scorched-earth campaign for the Republican nomination for governor. Asked then what she thought of the ban, she said she was thrilled it existed and called it a great law.

Asked for comment, the Lake campaign pointed to a post from Caroline Wren, a senior adviser to Ms. Lake, who insisted on Tuesday that Ms. Lake was not referring to the territorial-era law in the interview. But in that 2022 appearance, Ms. Lake cited the 1864 laws number in the Arizona state code.

Im incredibly thrilled that we are going to have a great law thats already on the books. I believe its ARS 13-3603, she said in a 2022 interview on The Conservative Circus With James T. Harris. She made other remarks in support of the 1864 law during that campaign as well.
As Representative Ruben Gallego campaigned for Arizonas vital Senate seat last week, he did something that might seem unusual to those who know him as a fierce liberal combatant: He struck a moderate tone.

Speaking to retirees in Goodyear, a politically divided Phoenix suburb, Mr. Gallego, a Democrat, addressed the surge of migrants at the border, suggesting that the asylum system was being abused and calling for more support for Border Patrol agents so they could really focus on those bad guys.

It was a shift from the Ruben Gallego of years past, when he slammed former President Donald J. Trumps border wall plans as stupid and accused him of scapegoating immigrants. The new message  stemming in part from an intensifying crisis under a far different president  represented a tacit acknowledgment that winning over Arizona voters may require a slide toward the middle.

Delicately turning to the political center is a time-honored tradition for candidates of both parties. But Mr. Gallego, who represents a liberal district in Phoenix and has a long history of identifying as a progressive, could face a tougher challenge than most in redefining himself in a battleground state with a decades-old conservative bent  even after a major court decision on abortion this week put Democrats firmly on offense in the state.
Allies of Donald J. Trump are discussing ways to elevate third-party candidates in battleground states to divert votes away from President Biden, along with other covert tactics to diminish Democratic votes.

They plan to promote the independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a champion for choice to give voters for whom abortion is a top issue  and who also dont like Mr. Biden  another option on the ballot, according to one person who is involved in the effort and who, like several others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the plans.

Trump allies also plan to amplify the progressive environmental records of Mr. Kennedy and the expected Green Party candidate, Jill Stein, in key states  contrasting their policies against the record-high oil production under Mr. Biden that has disappointed some climate activists.

A third parallel effort in Michigan is meant to diminish Democratic turnout in November by amplifying Muslim voters concerns about Mr. Bidens support for Israels war in Gaza. Trump allies are discussing running ads in Dearborn, Mich., and other parts of the state with large Muslim populations that would thank Mr. Biden for standing with Israel, according to three people familiar with the effort, which is expected to be led by an outside group unaffiliated with the Trump campaign.
The top American military commander in Europe warned on Wednesday that Ukraine could lose the war with Russia if the United States did not send more ammunition to Ukrainian forces, and fast.

The situation is extremely serious, Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, the head of the Pentagons European Command, told the House Armed Services Committee.

General Cavoli, who is also NATOs top military commander, said Ukraines allies had provided much of the equipment and arms that Kyiv needed to combat the larger Russian military, including all donated fuel and 90 percent of its tanks. But the United States gives Ukraine most of the two critical munitions that are in shortest supply: artillery shells and air-defense interceptors.

If we do not continue to support Ukraine, Ukraine will run out of artillery shells and will run out of air defense interceptors in fairly short order, General Cavoli said. Based on my experience in 37-plus years in the U.S. military, if one side can shoot and the other side cant shoot back, the side that cant shoot back loses.
At least three people were shot and injured on Wednesday at an outdoor event where about 1,000 people were celebrating Eid al-Fitr in West Philadelphia, the police said.

One of those who was injured was an armed 15-year-old who was shot by a responding police officer, said Kevin J. Bethel, the commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department.

At a news conference, Commissioner Bethel said that officers who were writing parking tickets on the outskirts of the event had responded after they heard a large volley of about 30 gunshots that had been fired between two factions in a park at about 2:30 p.m.

The three people who were injured were in stable condition, he said. One was a 22-year-old who was shot in the stomach. Another was a teenager who was shot in the right ring finger, the police said. And one was a 15-year-old who was shot in the shoulder and leg by a police officer. Commissioner Bethel said the teenager had a gun.
Ecuador was once famous for sheltering a man on the lam: For seven years it allowed the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to hole up in its embassy in London, invoking an international treaty that makes diplomatic premises places of refuge.

Then, last week, the South American nation appeared to tear that treaty to shreds, sending the police into the Mexican Embassy in Quito  over Mexicos protests  where they arrested a former vice president accused of corruption.

President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador defended the decision to detain the former vice president, Jorge Glas, calling him a criminal and citing the countrys growing security crisis to justify the move.

But his critics said it was one of the most egregious violations of the treaty since its creation in 1961. They saw a more personal motive: Mr. Noboas political agenda.
When Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, and then-President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan shook hands in Singapore back in 2015, they each extolled their meeting  the first top-level talks between the rival governments  as a breakthrough that could pave the way to a durable peace, ending decades of enmity.

But on Wednesday, as the two men met again in Beijing, the prospects for an amicable settlement over Taiwans future seemed more distant than ever.

Mr. Ma, who pursued closer engagement with China during his eight years in office, is no longer president of Taiwan. Fewer and fewer Taiwanese people now share his belief that Taiwan must see its future as a part of a greater China.

Since Mr. Ma left office in 2016, Mr. Xi has frozen high-level contacts with Taiwan, sought to isolate it on the global stage and tried to intimidate it with a tightening military presence around the island. Mr. Xi is profoundly suspicious of Taiwans current leadership, which has sought to assert the sovereignty of the island democracy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. The military prosecutor's office of the Gubadli region received information about the injury of an officer of Azerbaijani State Border Guard Service, senior lieutenant Rovshan Mammadov, as a result of shelling from the Armenian side, Trend reports.

Based on the information received, appropriate investigative measures were carried out together with employees of the Gubadli military prosecutor's office and the department of criminalistics and information technology of the military prosecutor's office.

In fact, in the military prosecutor's office of the Gubadli region, a criminal case was opened under articles 29120.2.7 (attempted murder of two or more people) and 29120.2.12 (attempted murder of a person due to national, racial, religious affiliation) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic, witnesses were interrogated, appropriate examinations were appointed and urgent necessary investigative actions were carried out.

The investigation is currently ongoing, all measures will be taken in accordance with legal requirements and generally accepted norms and principles of international law.

On April 10, around 15:20, it was discovered that two individuals from the direction of Nerkin Khnzoresk village of Armenia, opposite the positions of the frontier troops of the the State Border Service located in the Jijimli settlement, violated the state border, crossing approximately 300 meters into Azerbaijani territory, with about 200 heads of small livestock.

"The border guard of the Azerbaijani State Border Service preventing the violation of the state border was fired from a combat post of the Armenian Armed Forces, as a result of which Senior Lieutenant Rovshan Mammadov was wounded.

The serviceman was immediately evacuated to a medical facility.

At present, the operational conditions are stable and under the control of our units.

The responsibility for this regular provocation by the Armenian side falls entirely on the military-political leadership of Armenia," the statement of the State Border Service reads.
A representative of Reporters Without Borders was denied entry to Hong Kong on Wednesday while attempting to enter the city on a fact-finding mission about shrinking press freedoms there, the organization said.

Aleksandra Bielakowska, a Taipei-based advocacy officer for the group, said she had been detained for six hours at Hong Kong International Airport, where she was questioned and her belongings searched several times. She was later expelled without explanation.

Reporters Without Borders, which is based in Paris and advocates on behalf of journalists around the world, said it was the first time one of its representatives had been denied entry or held in Hong Kong.

We are appalled by this unacceptable treatment of our colleague, who was simply trying to do her job, Rebecca Vincent, director of campaigns for Reporters Without Borders, said in a statement.
The U.S. hosted Japans prime minister

President Biden welcomed Fumio Kishida, Japans leader, for a state visit yesterday in Washington. A few hours after we send this newsletter, the two will sit down for a state dinner in Kishidas honor, a distinction the U.S. reserves for only its closest allies.

The ceremony was meant to show Japans importance to the U.S. Its all part of a broader regional outreach intended to counter China, which included recent war games with South Korea. Later today, both will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines for talks that represent a more aggressive effort by the U.S. and its allies to isolate China.

Biden and Kishida announced a range of moves to enhance military, economic and other kinds of cooperation. Biden said the U.S. and Japan would create an expanded defense architecture with Australia, participate in military exercises with Britain and explore ways for Japan to join a U.S.-led coalition with Australia and New Zealand. He also said the U.S. would include a Japanese astronaut on a trip to the moon as part of NASAs Artemis program.

Officials also said that Biden is trying to solidify the U.S.-Japan relationship as much as possible before the election in November. Many in both Washington and Tokyo are worried that Donald Trump, whose unpredictability had kept many world leaders on edge, could return to power.
More than 100,000 people were forced to evacuate on Wednesday after devastating spring floods engulfed cities and villages across vast sections of Russia and Kazakhstan.

The floods affected multiple settlements across Russia in the South Urals region east of Moscow, in Western Siberia and near the Volga River, as well as at least five regions of Kazakhstan, which shares a long border with Russia.

Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlins spokesman, said on Wednesday that the situation was quite tense and the forecast was unfavorable as large amounts of water are coming to new regions.
Unfortunately for the workers burgeoning art career, the ruse was discovered and the painting was removed from the wall. It was not clear how long the painting had hung unnoticed.

The museum said the artwork was about 45 inches wide and 25 inches in length, but it did not say what it depicted or provide any details about the workers artistic background.

The museum and the worker agreed to part ways, the museum said. The man, a well-respected employee that the museum did not identify, was also banned from visiting his old workplace, the museum added.

You cant really have a person like that guarding the high-security wing, Ms. Nehler said.

Adding to the aspiring artists troubles, the police said on Wednesday that they were investigating him for property damage  for drilling two small holes in the museum wall to hang his painting.

The Pinakothek der Moderne has one of Germanys largest art collections, with more than 20,000 pieces of art, including works by prominent artists like Max Beckmann and Pablo Picasso. Besides the architectural and modern art sections, it is known for its large modern-design section.
President Biden has again criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and called his approach to the war in Gaza a mistake, underscoring how the conflict has strained relations between the two close allies.

Tensions between the Biden administration and Israels government have risen as the death toll in Gaza has climbed. Mr. Bidens frustration has hit a peak in recent weeks, according to a senior administration official, especially after the deadly Israeli strike this month on a convoy of aid workers.

In an interview that was recorded last week and aired Tuesday night on Univision, Mr. Biden again referred to the strike as outrageous and said he did not approve of Mr. Netanyahus approach.

I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, Mr. Biden said, echoing remarks he made last month. So I  what Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a cease-fire.

The Associated Press reported that the Univision interview was recorded last Wednesday  two days after the Israeli strike killed seven workers from the World Central Kitchen charity and the day before Mr. Biden and Mr. Netanyahu had a tense 30-minute phone call.

On that call, President Biden threatened to condition future support for Israel on how it addressed his concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. That prompted Israel to commit to allowing more food and other supplies into the besieged territory.

Chris Cameron contributed reporting.
As Eid al-Fitr approached, Amani Abu Awdas four children began asking her for new clothes and toys  festive items that Muslims customarily buy to celebrate the holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

But Ms. Abu Awda, a mother of four from northern Gaza, is now displaced with her family in a tent in the southern city of Rafah, far from any sense of festivity and the home that once hosted large family gatherings.

Oh, God, I couldnt get anything for them because of the high prices, she said Saturday, days before most Muslims worldwide would celebrate Eid al-Fitr. I had to go try and find used clothing. In normal days, we would never buy such things. But I couldnt even find any used clothes.

Eid al-Fitr  the three-day celebration beginning Wednesday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan  used to be a joyful time in Gaza. But with famine threatening Gaza amid Israels continuing military offensive, Palestinians there say there is little to celebrate.
Iran and Israel traded fresh threats on Wednesday amid heightened concerns over how and when Tehran might retaliate for an Israeli strike in Syria last week that killed several senior Iranian commanders.

The leadership of Iran has repeatedly vowed to avenge the deadly April 1 strike on an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus. U.S. officials said they were bracing for a possible Iranian response, and Israel put its military on alert.

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reiterated threats of retribution in a speech he made on Wednesday for Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Attacking an embassy building, he said, means that they have attacked our soil.

The evil regime made a mistake and it should be punished and will be punished, he added, according to IRNA, the state news agency.

The response from Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, was swift: If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack in Iran, he wrote in Persian on X.

Israel has not publicly taken responsibility for the strike in Damascus, but several Israeli officials have confirmed its involvement to The New York Times.

Analysts have cautioned that while both sides probably want to avoid open war, any miscalculation could spill over and lead to a broader regional escalation.

Israel has been trading fire with Iran-backed militant groups since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 ignited the war in Gaza.
Mounting international condemnation of the civilian suffering wrought by Israels military offensive in Gaza has put a spotlight on countries that are the biggest suppliers of funding and arms to Israels armed forces.

In the United States, by far Israels biggest military supplier, Democratic lawmakers are increasing pressure on President Biden to condition future military aid on Israels doing more to protect Gazas civilians. Germany, the second-largest arms supplier to Israel, this week defended itself at the United Nations highest court against allegations that its weapons sales made it complicit in genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

Even governments that account for a far smaller portion of aid or weapons sales to Israel are facing heated domestic debates and legal challenges over those supplies  with parliamentary votes or court orders putting a stop to exports in some countries.

Here is a look at the biggest suppliers to Israels military:

United States

The United States has a long history of sending aid to Israel, stretching back to the 1940s. In recent decades, most of the assistance has been in the form of military aid. In 2016, the Obama administration signed a 10-year agreement to supply Israel with $3.8 billion annually, most of that in foreign military financing grants, which allow Israel to buy American weaponry.

From 2019 to 2023, the United States supplied 69 percent of Israels arms imports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks the global weapons trade. President Biden has also been pushing for $14 billion in additional spending for Israel and for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, though approval for the funding remains stalled in Congress.

While support for Israel once had reliable bipartisan support in Washington, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted a chorus of congressional Democrats to urge Mr. Biden to leverage American weapons sales to try to change Israels decision making in the war.
An employee of the Pinakothek der Moderne art museum in Munich, Germany, reportedly hung up his own paintings next to works by Pablo Picasso or Franz Marc without asking anyone for permission.

The 51-year-old unnamed man was reportedly working in the museum technical department, which gave him access to the premises outside of visiting hours. He was thus able to casually drill holes into an empty wall and hang up his own paintings next to those of acclaimed painters from all over the world. It is unclear how long the paintings were up for between someone noticed that they werent supposed to be there, but according to a museum spokesperson, they couldnt have been up for too long because supervisors usually notice something like that immediately. As for the mans motivation, one can only assume that he believed showing his work in the museum would lead to future opportunities.

Photo: Dannie Jing/Unsplash

The unnamed man, who allegedly describes himself as a freelance artist, has now landed in hot water with the police because by drilling holes into a wall without permission, he technically became guilty of property damage. He is unlikely to suffer too harsh a punishment, but he has reportedly already lost his job at the museum and has also been banned from the premises.

German police are still investigating the incident. No details about the mans artworks, their style, or overall quality have been revealed so far.

Munichs Pinakothek der Moderne Museum is famous for modernist treasures by artists like Pablo Picasso, Franz Marc, and Oskar Schlemmer, among many others, so one cant blame the freelance artist for wanting to be in their company, even for a few days.
Danny Gonzalez, a 27-year-old Honduran man working in the United States, recently tried to fake his own death in an effort to stop his wife constantly asking him for more money.

Gonzales told reporters that ever since they married, two years ago, his Honduran wife would call him every week to complain that he had only sent her so much money, and that he needs to send her this much more. At one point, it got too much to bear, so he came up with a desperate plan to make her stop. The man decided to trick his wife into thinking that he had died, and to that end, sent her some photos of himself lying on a bed with cotton balls in his nostrils and mouth and covered with a white sheet. A message accompanying the photos let the wife know that he had died of a combination of cancer and asthma

Photo: Facebook

What the Honduran man working in the US didnt count on was his wife taking the photos to a local television station in Honduras, which actually showed them on television. All his relatives soon heard about his death, but while some, including his mother were devastated, others took a closer look at the photos and realized that he seemed to be grinning in some of them, and that the white sheet covering his body was actually a pillow cover.

As the photos went viral on social media and more people voiced their suspicion that Gonzales had faked his death, local media decided to investigate and it didnt take long for them to find out that the 27-year-old was actually alive and well. To his credit, he immediately admitted to staging his own death, but used his wife constant nagging as an excuse for it.

Photo: Facebook

My wife would call me every week just to ask to send more money. Every Saturday she would call me telling me I had sent her so much, and I needed to send her this much more, he told HCH. The rest of the week, not even a message. She would never send photos or ask me anything else. She kept asking me to send her mobile phones, but Id already sent six and she always rang me to tell me it had been stolen.

Some social media users in Honduras found Danny Gonzalez excuse hilarious, and a few even appeared to understand his reasons, but for the most part, the reaction to his message was negative. Some of his own family members accused him of being an ungrateful son for putting his own parents through the pain of thinking he was dead, and other people said that he could have come up with a less traumatizing way to put a stop to his wifes financial demands.

Photo: Facebook

Interestingly, Gonzales used the same tactic as this Thai conman we reported about last month. Not only did he use the same type of photos, but he even used the same deadly combo  asthma and cancer  as the cause of his death. I cant help but think that Gonzales was inspired by that story.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. An Azerbaijani State Border Guard Service unit preventing a violation of the state border was fired upon from an Armenian Armed Forces' combat post, wounding Senior Lieutenant Rovshan Mammadov, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani State Border Service.

On April 10, around 15:20, it was discovered that two individuals from the direction of Nerkin Khnzoresk village of Armenia, opposite the positions of the frontier troops of the the State Border Service located in the Jijimli settlement, violated the state border, crossing approximately 300 meters into Azerbaijani territory, with about 200 heads of small livestock.

"The border guard of the Azerbaijani State Border Service preventing the violation of the state border was fired from a combat post of the Armenian Armed Forces, as a result of which Senior Lieutenant Rovshan Mammadov was wounded.

The serviceman was immediately evacuated to a medical facility.

At present, the operational conditions are stable and under the control of our units.

The responsibility for this regular provocation by the Armenian side falls entirely on the military-political leadership of Armenia," the statement of the State Border Service reads.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Weber Shandwick is providing PR and marketing communications services to the Moroccan National Tourist Office in New York.

The work includes handling US events such as the Taste of Morocco Tourism sessions slated for Miami Beach (April 15), DC (April 16), and New York (April 18).

Potential attendees are invited to learn about what awaits travelers in the Kingdom of Light. The invitations include a complimentary Uber voucher to and from the events.

Weber Shandwicks contract informs the client that it cannot guarantee that the media will either use material that it distributes, or accurately report about it.

It also cant guarantee specific or overall results or returns from public relations, publicity, research or any other activity performed by the agency.

Weber Shandwicks Morocco team includes Danielle Karachi, Caitlin Musch, Yuna Komiyana, and Elizabeth Rodman.

The firm reports to Siham Fettouhi, executive VP-North America at the tourist office.
Plans to create a new format for a community forum to replace the Joint Policing Committees has been strongly condemned by elected representatives in Tipperary.

The impending replacement of Tipperarys Joint Policing Committee with a new body with less elected representatives was criticised at the monthly meeting of Tipperary County Council in Nenagh on Monday.

The plans will see the current system replaced by larger bodies made up of less elected representatives and instead draw from a larger pool of people across the community.

These new groups will be called Local Community Safety Partnerships and are already up and running in Dublin north inner city, Waterford and Longford and aim to identify and tackle community safety issues.

These new bodies comprise representatives of residents and community groups, business and education groups and statutory services such as An Garda Siochana, Tusla, HSE, the local authority and public representatives.

At Monday's meeting Councillor Roger Kennedy tabled a motion opposing the abolition of the current system in Tipperary which drew unanimous cross party and independent support from his councillor colleagues.

Cllr. Kennedy's motion was in support of a motion passed by Louth County Council which described the Joint Policing Committees as "one of the few useful reforms of local government in 2014" and opposes their abolition.

Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Ger Darcy said councillors know what is happening locally and people will often confide in their local councillor about issues causing them concern.

"As a member of the JPC here and in the old North Tipp constituency I think local representatives by their very nature are close to the people - local people tend to confide in their local councillor no matter what their political background is", the Cathorileach said.

"They have information that is very useful to a JPC and they give an opportunity to meet with a mber of the Gardai and get your point across. For the life of me I can't understand why anyone would want to take out local representatives from a community based committee or reduce their role", he said.

This view was echoed by several elected members who voiced their concerns that the abolition of the system would result in a diminution of local democracy and hamper vital communication between elected representatives and higher echelon Gardai.

Councillor Roger Kennedy added that only four other Joint Policing Committees around the country are functioning as effectively as Tipperary's and putting forward recommendations which benefit policing in the community.

Councillor Shane Lee, also a member of the Tipperary JPC said it is important to have elected representatives expressing the concerns of the community and to "have a place at the table", and Cllr. Sean Ryan said the JPC has provided invaluable guidance on crucial issues such as Garda CCTV systems.

Councillors said the JPC provides a vital conduit for communication on issues such as abuse of illicit drugs and anti-social behaviour and that disbanding the forum will erode another vital link between the community and their Gardai.
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona stunned punters in a Dublin pub with strong Offaly connections by popping in to mingle with them on Tuesday night.

He made the impromptu appearance at The Celt Bar on Talbot Street, owned by Coolderry man Noel Tynan, ahead of his show in Dublin.

The former French and Manchester Utd striker is in Dublin as part of his 'Cantona Sings Eric' tour and performs at Liberty Hall in the city on Wednesday evening.

Noel Tynan is a former recipient of the Offaly person of the Year award, and is a proud supporter of Offaly and his native Coolderry club.

The pub is popular haunt of Offaly supporters ahead of games in Croke Park.

'Eric Cantona legend from Manchester United in The Celt!' the pub proudly shared on social media.

The mercurial French player recently said of his new musical career: "Music has always been a part of my life. Ive always had music playing. Why start today, so many years later? Simply because I had lacked the time before".

As a player, Cantona was never far from headlines, particularly when he Kung Fu kicked a fan in 1995 after being sent off against Crystal Palace, which resulted in a lengthy ban.

He famously had a cryptic quote about seagulls following trawlers for sardines at a subsequent press conference.

Fans with Eric Cantona in The Celt

The highly decorated player won four Premier League titles and two FA Cups with Manchester United, including a memorable volleyed winner in the 1996 FA Cup final against Liverpool.

He was affectionately referred to as 'King Eric' by Manchester United fans. He signed from their bitter rivals Leeds, whom he had won a Division 1 league title with, prior to the rebranding of the league into a new format.
Simon Harris completed his first task after becoming Irelands youngest Taoiseach by filling Cabinet vacancies.

The new premier and Fine Gael leader promoted two junior ministerial colleagues to the Enterprise and Further Education portfolios.

Peter Burke, who had been Minister of State for European Affairs, was appointed Minister for Enterprise, and Mr Harris gave his former role of Minister for Further and Higher Education to Patrick ODonovan, a promotion for the Limerick TD who had been serving as Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Helen McEntee retained her Justice portfolio and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys also held on to their positions.

Mr Harris, 37, officially became Taoiseach after a ceremony with President Michael D Higgins at his official residence at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, shortly after a majority of Irish parliamentarians approved his premiership.

Mr Higgins signed the Warrant of Appointment and handed the Seal of the Taoiseach and the Seal of Government to Mr Harris.

Hours later, Mr Harris returned with his Cabinet after announcing a reshuffle of Fine Gael ministers and the two new ministers received their seal of office from Mr Higgins.

Hildegarde Naughton, who has retained her position as Government chief whip, is the new Minister of State for Special Education and leaves her position as junior minister at the Department of Health.

Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill, who had been a Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, fills the vacant role of Minister of State for European Affairs.

The remaining junior ministerial positions are expected to be filled by Mr Harris on Wednesday.

Mr Harriss nomination to become the countrys new premier was backed by 88 votes to 69, while the ministerial appointments were approved by 87 votes for and 68 against.

Mr Harris became Irelands fifteenth taoiseach after the surprise resignation of Leo Varadkar as Fine Gael leader three weeks ago.

Mr Varadkar formally resigned as taoiseach at an audience with Mr Higgins on Monday, hours before Mr Harriss appointment on Tuesday.

The Wicklow TDs wife Caoimhe, and young children Saoirse and Cillian, were in the public gallery of the Dail for proceedings, as were his parents Mary and Bart, brother Adam, sister Gemma and grandmother Ann.

Mr Harris has become leader of the Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Green Party coalition government with less than a year before a general election must be called.

Government TDs rose to applaud as the outcome of the vote was announced, and later cheered and hugged Mr Harris as he emerged from the parliament building at Leinster House in central Dublin ahead of his visit to the president.

Addressing the Dail, Mr Harris said he was committed to doing everything he could to honour the trust placed in him.

He said he hoped to lead a partnership government in a spirit of unity, collaboration and mutual respect.

He paid warm tribute to Mr Varadkar for his incredible service, highlighting his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the fallout from Brexit.

Mr Harris spoke of his love for his family, describing his wife as his rock and promising his children that being your dad will remain my most important job.

He accepted his new role in a spirit of humility, ready for the challenge, and full of energy and determination about what can be achieved.

As Taoiseach I want to bring new ideas, a new energy, and I hope a new empathy to public life, he added.

But politics is not about the office holder. This is not about me  its about all of us, all of us working together to serve the people.

He pledged to address acute housing shortages in Ireland, describing the crisis as the greatest societal and economic challenge of our generation.

Today, I recommit to moving mountains to help build more homes and drive more home ownership, he said.

He also promised to deliver improvements in healthcare provision, oversee a step change in care for older people, and achieve real and meaningful reform for people with disabilities.

Mr Harris also reiterated his support for the people of Ukraine and restated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

He said it was an opportune time to build a new social contract that renewed Irelands founding principles as a republic.

To create equality of opportunity, he said.

To support those who need the state the most. To protect our hard-earned economic success.

To use its benefits to deliver tangible outcomes to society. Time is short and there is lots to do.

Mr Harris said he wanted to rise above partisan politics and work to solve the greatest challenges facing Ireland.

The people expect us to do more; we should demand of ourselves no less, he added.

After Mr Varadkars resignation, Mr Harris emerged as the only contender to replace him as Fine Gael leader.

He has pledged to focus on more bread and butter issues and has repeatedly mentioned supporting small businesses facing high costs, helping farmers and focusing on crime and security.

Mr Harris has also made clear he intends for the coalition between Civil War-era rivals Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, as well as the Greens, to run its full term to March 2025.

During proceedings in the Dail, Opposition TDs repeatedly called for an immediate general election, as they criticised the nomination of a new taoiseach without first going to the electorate.

The sitting began with an address by Mr Varadkar, who said his work in politics had been the most fulfilling and rewarding time of his life.

But today is the beginning of a new era for my party, a new chapter in my life and a new phase for this coalition Government, he added.

Fine Gael deputy leader and social protection minister Heather Humphreys proposed Mr Harris as Taoiseach, with Peter Burke seconding him.

Fianna Fail leader and deputy premier Micheal Martin spoke in support of Mr Harriss nomination, as did Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.

Its a special day for you and I look forward to a constructive and effective co-operation in the time ahead, Mr Martin told Mr Harris.

Mr Ryan has said he is committed to continuing the coalition deal until the end of the mandate, and rejected calls for an election.

I hear others saying we have to have an election now. I fundamentally disagree because there is work to be done that we can deliver, he said.

Mary Lou McDonald, leader of main opposition party Sinn Fein, criticised Mr Harriss record in government as she restated her demand for a general election.

Another Fine Gael taoiseach is the last thing the people need. We need a change of leadership, we need a change of government, she said.

She accused the Government of trying to present a narrative that dresses up failure as progress.

Its your century-old cosy club, circling the wagons once again to cling to power at all costs, she said.

I believe that the people of Ireland deserve so much better.

If you really believe that your Government has the support of the people, then you should go before the people and get that mandate.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. A meeting of religious leaders will be held in Baku later this year, the chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Department (CMD), Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade told reporters, Trend reports.

He mentioned that inviting Armenian Catholicos Karekin II to the meeting will be taken into consideration.

"I don't think he deserves my invitation to Baku. I had once encouraged him to come to Azerbaijan, and he came and attended a religious convention. Revoltionism is the current worldview of the Armenian Church, headed by the Armenian Catholicos.

He is unable to acknowledge that Azerbaijan has freed its territory as of right now. They continue to disagree that Karabakh is a part of Azerbaijan. We invited him to acknowledge this truth, after which we would welcome him in Baku. The day will come when he will realize that life continues on," Pashazade stated.

Sheikhulislam said that today Armenians, and others who support them disseminate false information about Azerbaijan's purported demolition and destruction of churches in areas that have been liberated from occupation.

"I have no doubt that this defamation will be taken seriously by anyone. Armenians will eventually come to understand the reality," Pashazade added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Ammunition has been found and seized in the town of Khankendi, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry.

Additionally, it was noted that 11 automatic rifles, 4 pistols, a rifle, 11 live grenades, a grenade launcher, 3 shells, 14 igniters, 34 ammunition magazines, 1580 cartridges of different calibers, 13 bayonet knives, and other ammunition were found and seized on April 9 in the territory of Khankendi city.

Following the liberation of its lands, Azerbaijan began operations in November 2020 to clean its lands of mines, booby traps, and other weaponry left behind by illegal Armenian forces.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. In accordance with the plan approved by the Azerbaijan Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov a series of events on the occasion of the Ramadan holiday were held in types of troops, Army Corps, formations, and special educational institutions of the Azerbaijan Army, Trend reports.

During the events, the memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and Shehids (Martyrs) who sacrificed their lives for the independence, sovereignty, 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 events conveyed the Azerbaijan Defense Ministers congratulations on the Ramadan holiday to the military personnel. The preservation of the historical roots, national-cultural values, and traditions of the Azerbaijani people even in the most difficult periods was emphasized. It was also highlighted that the Ramadan holiday, which is a symbol of spiritual unity, solidarity, and equality among the worlds Muslims, is solemnly celebrated throughout the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan.

Concert programs with the participation of the teams of the Army Ideological and Cultural Center named after Hazi Aslanov were presented and a group of servicemen who distinguished themselves in military service was awarded at the festive events.

As part of the events, military personnel visited the graves of Shehids, met with the families of Shehids and the wounded, enquired about their concerns and wishes, as well as presented holiday gifts.

At the meetings, it was noted that Azerbaijan always pays tribute to the memory of Shehids. It was also emphasized that thanks to the attention and care of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, necessary work on solving concerns and problems of Shehids families and relatives is done.
A move to clamp down on regulated gambling in Latvias capital city, Riga, has been deemed against the law of the land by the nations Constitutional Court. Rigas City Council has tried to oust gambling since 2019, but with the latest ruling, the anti-gambling efforts are now futile.

Latvias Constitutional Court has pronounced itself on a matter that has impacted the Eastern-Europe country in a big way. The countrys Constitutional Court declared a previous ban on gambling in the countrys capital, Riga, unconstitutional. The ruling, which sent shockwaves throughout the nation, opined that the Riga municipality did not give sufficient reasons to back up their policy change.

According to the Constitutional Court, the Riga gambling ban would lead to the closure of gambling establishments around the countrys capital city. To understand the crux of contention, lets take a trip down memory lane, half a decade ago, when the city council decided to close down these wagering establishments.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

In early 2019, the Riga City Council government decided to shut down all the gaming venues in the countrys capital. The plan was extensive and would be implemented by the citys Public Relations Department, targeting establishments in the uptown and downtown areas of the capital city.

Nils Usakovs, the citys mayor at that time, issued orders for the municipalitys Legal Affairs Department and Urban Development Department to draft a council-wide decree that would see the licenses of the gaming establishments scrapped. The decree was to apply to all gambling venues in the capital city besides those located in four- and five-star hotels around the city.

At that time, the municipalitys argument point was that the countrys law on gambling permitted it to act in such a manner. Per the said laws, if the application of gambling on the said premises or locale created substantial impairment to the city residents, then the city or the local government council was permitted to act accordingly. In this case, they saw fit to terminate the permits of the said casino, bingo hall, gambling hall, and any betting shop.

At that time, Usakovs was adamant that this decision was made with the best interests of the Riga population at heart. He thus stated:

This is one task that we have to accomplish. We made the first step in 2017 when we banned gaming venues in the historical center of the city. At the same time, it is clear that the problem of gambling is the worst in the neighborhoods of Riga. That is why the municipality has to do everything in its power to finally make Riga a city completely free of gambling.

As the previous mayors statement had mentioned, the council had decided to shut down 42 gambling halls in 2017. But then, a spanner was thrown in the works of that plan as these establishments had gone to court to keep things running. The decree in 2019 was set to be effected within a 5-year time frame.

Details of the Latest Litigation Challenge

The legal challenge against the Riga municipalitys decision to ban gambling in the city was mounted by Alfor Ltd, Olympic Casino Latvia Ltd, and Joker Ltd, all gambling entities in the Eastern European country. Their argument against the citys spatial plan was based on violating the countrys Article 105 of its constitution, a clause safeguarding property rights and permitting the establishment of restrictions only through the proper channels.

The contest protested the city councils two decisions: closing down 42 gambling venues in the city center 6 years ago and canceling 139 permits for gambling establishments outside the city center last year. The legal challenge further postulated that the compulsory expropriation of property for public needs was a clause that was a preserve of exceptional cases, which the plaintiff felt was not the case.

With the city council decree having a deadline of 2025, the court was contacted to gauge the rationale of these decisions. Before the judgment, the Latvian Gambling Business Association had claimed that Riga City Councils actions were a direct violation of the rights of gambling merchants. Thus, it was contrary to the principle of legitimate expectations as well as the rights of foreign investors to participate in the Latvian economy.

In the courts pronouncement of the case, it admitted that, indeed, the municipality reserved the right to assess on its own where gambling restrictions ought to be imposed in its territory. The court further stated that when it came to territorial planning, the municipality reserved the right to establish as many territories as it deemed fit where gambling could not occur. Indeed, the city administration was within its rights per its implementation of the Latvian constitution. That said, the Constitutional Court stated that the municipality must comply with the principle of assessment of the territory set out in the authority granted.

It was therefore concluded that the Riga City Council failed to clearly state why the organization of gambling had been prohibited in the functional zoning of the spatial plan. Mind you, gambling as a commercial activity was one of the allowed uses of the said territory. Emphasis was also placed on the fact that as the council implemented its decree, fundamental rights stated in Article 105 of the constitution must be guaranteed. Likewise, other norms of the Latvian constitution must be followed, including the protection of individual rights of persons guaranteed within the perspective of potential risks to gambling addiction.

Consequently, the Constitutional Court found an infringement of fundamental rights outlined in Articles 1 and 5 of the Latvian constitution, prompting it to nullify the decree.

Latvias Current Gambling Outlook

Judging from the situation in its capital, you can imagine how scaled-down the gambling activities in Latvia are today. Currently, the country only features 3 operating casinos, 194 amusement arcades, one bingo amusement arcade, and 76 betting venues. That said, the industry is still generating quite a considerable amount of revenue reported in 2023, totaling 288 million ($313 million), representing a 9 % increase from the previous years figures.


V%C3%ADctor Manuel Fern%C3%A1ndez-%28cropped%29.

(Image by Wikipedia (commons.wikimedia.org), Author: Direccion de Relaciones Institucionales de la Universidad Catolica Argentina) Details Source DMCA



Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) April 10, 2024: The Supreme court's 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade animated fervent anti-abortion American Catholics. For some of them, a candidates stand on abortion became the single point of which they decided to vote for him or her, or not.

The Supreme Court's 6 to 3 ruling in the Dobbs case in 2022 gave fervent anti-abortion Catholics the victory that they had longed for by overturning Roe v. Wade. The Dobbs decision has thrown the doors open for states to regulate abortion within their respective state boundaries.

Some Democrats have even hoped to frame the upcoming 2024 elections as a referendum on the Dobbs decision.

The liberal Catholic President Biden has pledged his support of legalized abortion - thereby giving his conservative anti-abortion American co-religionists a reason not to vote for him in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

In the meantime, the Vatican's new 2024 Declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith titled "Dignitas Infinita: On Human Dignity" contains strong language about the Church's opposition to legalized abortion. That strong language is likely to encourage anti-abortion American Catholics in their anti-abortion fervor.

Now, during my adult life, I have devoted much time and energy to calling attention to the mature work of the American Jesuit Renaissance specialist and cultural historian and pioneering media ecology theorist Walter Jackson Ong, Jr. (1912-2003; Ph.D. in English, Harvard University, 1955).

I discuss Ong's mature work extensively in my 8,100-word review essay "Walter Ong's 1981 Book, Judith Butler's 2024 Book, and the Vatican's 2024 Declaration on Gender Theory: that is available online through the University of Minnesota's digital conservancy:

https://hdl.handle.net/11299/262103

The Vatican's 2024 Declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith titled "Dignatis Infinita: On Human Dignity" is available in English online through the Vatican's website:

Click Here

In my 8,100-word review essay, I zero in on only the subsection on "Gender Theory" in the Vatican's new 2024 document (numbered paragraphs 55 through 59). In other words, I skipped over most of the numerous other themes discussed in the new document. For example, I skipped over the discussion of abortion (numbered paragraph 47), as one of many grave violations of human dignity discussed in the document (numbered paragraphs 33-62). The Church's opposition to legalized abortion is well known. However, even though President Joseph Biden is a devout practicing Catholic, he nevertheless supports legalized abortion.

I have stated my own position on legalized abortion in my first OEN article "Why Obama Should Shun the Pope's Views on Abortion" (dated October 10, 2009):

Click Here

But also see Garry Wills. Article "abortion isn't a religious issue" (dated November 7, 2007) in the Los Angeles Times:

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).
Imagine a fortress, the walls and towers of which are made of rubber. They shift and bend, including new lands within their borders only to exclude them after at the whim of the castle overlord. They wave and stretch, they shrink and grow.

Plastic and malleable, their protection is steady yet temporary - and the inhabitants of the houses within these walls have no ability to predict when they will be left defenseless. Such is the overall state of "siege mentality" today - the attitude of societies, groups, or even entire countries, based on the shared feeling of being threatened by some outside force and, hence, the shared need to unite against it. In the foundation of it, as nearly always, is the basic sense of human community and our eternal struggle to find "our own", "our kind", a place and company where we belong. Humans are, at their core, a social species, and don't fare well alone in the long run.

A siege mentality feeds upon this natural urge. What is this mentality? It's "us versus them" - when a group identifies their enemies (real or perceived, or even manufactured) and rallies its members against them, perpetually threatened and in a state of "war". It boosts internal cooperation, cohesiveness, readiness to endure, etc. It comes from the medieval - when actual castle and fortress sieges were widespread. However, there's now a significant difference between the mentality of those medieval people in a besieged fortress and a mental construct of modern societies, besieged or seemingly besieged by an enemy force. Back then, castle walls were made of stone and mortar, today - of rubber and pragmatism.

Several countries of today have been consistently accused of possessing this mentality - namely Russia, Israel, Poland, China, among others. Here's my point of view: all of us do. In a smaller or larger measure, every country employs a siege mentality for its ends and to boost the cohesiveness of its society. It is a simple-to-use meal-ready-to-eat for the mind. And, in a curious recursive manner, every country loves to accuse their ideological, economical, or military adversaries of possessing this mentality - bolstering its own internal siege mentality. It is a self-perpetuating, self-sustaining, eternally-growing, malleable and plastic rubber castle.

Let's look upon the red, swallow-tailed crenelations of the rubber Kremlin wall. Why, one might ask, would you say they're made of rubber? It's as clear as day in the Russian case: the walls are ever firm, the enemy outside them is the "collective West", a term coined presumably around 2021, as this interesting article suggests, as there were no mentions of that particular phrase in official Kremlin statements before 2021. These walls have, for a long time, included states like Serbia - the NATO bombings are hard to forget. As this article is being written, in 2024, the rhetoric of Russian media is clearly meaning "our enemy" when they say the "collective West". And, in fact, there's equal measures of propaganda and truth behind it - going back in time far away, to the medieval times of actual fortresses and walls. Russia has been pursuing two particular points - that Russia and other countries outside Europe and North America are the majority (which, numerically, they are) and that Western activities are always aimed, with a neo-colonial flavor, at undermining the Russian state and other developing countries to maintain the post-WWII world order. This creates the hip paradigm of the threatened majority, with Russia continuously calling for new cooperation initiatives among the developing world and stating that the leadership role and the colonial-style supervision of western countries are over.

Let's now take a closer look at this trio of neighbors: Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. For decades, all of them were included within these rubber walls with an uneasy peace established between Azerbaijan and Armenia under the supervision of the Russian peacekeeping force. The cause for tensions? The everlasting dispute over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. In the wake of the first war over the region, it became de-facto independent; now, 30 years later, Azerbaijan has forcefully retaken it, much to the ire of many countries. Armenia accused Russia for not fulfilling its peacekeeping obligations, with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs blaming Armenia for not following its own part of the deal. Now, Russia and Azerbaijan have opened an impressive slew of new initiatives and agreements, drawing closer to each other as Azerbaijan draws farther from the "collective West" and the U.S. in particular. Armenia, to the contrary, has always maintained a European-oriented outlook, which caused Russia, who views the West as its almost eternal rival, great inconvenience. Armenia has viewed itself always as a European state, despite its post-USSR heritage and its membership in CSTO (which, after Azerbaijan's latest actions, is teetering on the brink of dissolution). In the latest years, Armenia drew especially close to France, and has been visited by many European and U.S. officials and delegations, as they see its willingness to cooperate with both sides - opening a convenient chink in Russia's armor.

Finally, Russia's patience ran out. Armenia "flew too close to the Sun", and we now witness stone turning into rubber. Armenia suddenly found itself outside the castle walls, despite its still-active CSTO membership, Azerbaijan quickly seized initiative and cut itself a piece, while Russia and Armenia mutually accused each other of breaking previously-signed agreements. Now Azerbaijan has found itself protected by these rubber walls, much closer to the castle's keep - with agreements, initiatives, and a trade deal motherlode waiting to be prospected. The proverbial "us" of the Russian siege mentality has shifted; Armenia is now not "us" anymore, and, as always, this shift has been very prominent in Russian media - with news and rhetoric mirroring the change, pitting the public against Armenia, focusing on how close Armenia has gotten and keeps on getting to "them". At the same time, the "U.S. spies" rhetoric in Azerbaijan has strengthened as the U.S. has taken a pro-Armenian position in the Nagorno-Karabakh's question. The castle walls of "us" protect Baku - for now. For how long? When will they bend again to include new lands and nations and exclude others, the ones who turned into "them"?

Russia is not the only one building these castles. The walls of the U.S. castle have not been as rubbery as some others, and yet they exist as well, standing tall and firm. On different levels of society across the world and nations, you will find smaller and smaller castles, stacked like Russian dolls: my family versus theirs, our subculture versus this subculture, liberals and progressives versus conservatives, the donkeys versus the elephants, Russia versus the collective West. Siege mentality is easy to instill and maintain - the more control over consumed media, the easier. Should it be weeded out? Or is this natural urge foundational to our species and we always have to look for "them" to blame and rally against, to bolster our own group? If so, one should truly wish for an alien invasion. Maybe then humans across Earth will finally unite, surrounded by mutual castle walls.
The Indian tile industry is abuzz with the news of AGL Tiles, a leading manufacturer, signing Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador in March 2024. This partnership between AGL and Kapoor is a win-win. AGL gets to use Kapoor's fame to reach more people, while Kapoor gets associated with a reputable brand. Let's take a closer look at AGL's great tiles and see how they match Ranbir's 
From 16 to 21 April Corradi returns to dOT - design Outdoor Taste, in the heart of the Brera Design District, to unveil its new solutions and the next evolutionary step in outdoor living. Bologna, 9 April 2024 - As unmissable as ever, Milan Design Week is again the ideal stage for Corradi. This year, the company based in Bologna will attend the Fuorisalone to showcase its Butterfly covering system, the 
A Senate subcommittee has summoned Boeing CEO David Calhoun to testify about the companys jetliners in an inquiry prompted by new safety-related charges from a whistleblower.

The panel said it will hold a hearing next week featuring a Boeing quality engineer, Sam Salehpour, who is expected to detail safety concerns involving the manufacture and assembly of the 787 Dreamliner. The subcommittee said in a letter that those problems could create potentially catastrophic safety risks.

Boeing would not say whether Calhoun plans to attend the April 17 hearing. In response to a query from The Associated Press, a spokesperson said only that the company is cooperating with the subcommittees inquiry and has offered to provide documents, testimony and technical briefings.

The Federal Aviation Administration has also been investigating Salehpours allegations since February, according to the subcommittee. The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Salehpour, whose concerns were featured in a New York Times article Tuesday, is also expected to describe retaliation he faced after bringing his concerns forward.

According to that account, Salehpour worked on the 787 but grew alarmed over changes to the assembly of the fuselage, the main body of the aircraft. That process entails fitting together and fastening giant sections of the fuselage, each one produced by a different company, according to Salehpours account.

Salehpour told the Times he believed Boeing was taking shortcuts that led to excessive force in the assembly process, creating deformations in the composite material used in the aircrafts outer skin. Such composites often consist of plastic layers reinforced by a mesh of carbon or glass fibers, increasing tensile strength and making them a useful substitute for heavier metals.

But composites can lose those benefits if they are twisted or otherwise deformed. Salehpour alleged that such problems could create increased material fatigue, possibly leading to premature failure of the composite, according to the Times account. Over thousands of flights, those pieces of fuselage could risk breaking apart mid-flight.

According to Salehpours account, Boeing not only failed to take his concerns seriously, it silenced him and transferred him to work on a different jetliner, a move he took as retaliation.

In a 1,500 word statement, Boeing said it was fully confident in the 787 and called concerns about structural integrity inaccurate. Boeing added that the issues raised in the Times story do not present any safety concerns and said the 787 will maintain its service life over several decades.

Retaliation is strictly prohibited at Boeing, the company added in the statement, noting that it encourages employees to speak up when issues arise.

Boeings safety record has been under a microscope since a door panel on a 737 Max 9 jet blew out over Oregon in early January. The panel plugged a space left for an extra emergency door on the jet, which was operated by Alaska Airlines. Pilots were able to land safely, and there were no injuries.

But accident investigators subsequent discovery of missing bolts intended to secure the panel rocked Boeing, which once boasted an enviable safety culture. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines  the two U.S. carriers that fly the Max 9  also reported finding loose bolts and other hardware in other panels, suggesting that quality issues with the door plugs were not limited to one plane.

Both the 787 and the 737 Max have been plagued by production defects that have sporadically held up deliveries and left airlines short of planes during busy travel seasons.

Calhoun, the CEO, announced in March that he will retire at the end of the year. That followed the departure of another high-ranking Boeing executive and the decision by Boeings board chairman not to stand for reelection in May.

-- The Associated Press
More than 100 handguns, long rifles, shotguns, automatic rifles, pellet and BB guns that Multnomah County deputies confiscated in drug busts, accepted at gun turn-in events or found abandoned will be melted and destroyed at an Oregon facility, under a proposal before the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Thursday.

The list also includes firearms that were stolen and that the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office recovered but that couldnt be returned to lawful owners who couldnt be located, according to an agenda request submitted by the sheriffs office.
The 40th annual Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn will end a week earlier than planned due to a warm spring and an early bloom of the millions of tulips grown at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm.

The festival, which began on March 22, had hoped to continue through May 5. Instead, festivities will end April 28.

We are disappointed to close early, but we know our visitors enjoy the beauty of our tulips, and we are concerned that by the week of April 29th we will have very few tulips left for you to enjoy, festival organizers wrote in a news release. As always, we are on Mother Natures time and not ours.

The tulip festival is an annual sign that spring has arrived in Oregon. Visitors are invited to walk through the tulip fields, purchase flowers and bulbs, visit the gift shop, dine with onsite food vendors and stop by the Wooden Shoe Vineyards wine tasting room.

In past years, the tulip blooming window has varied by as many as three weeks. Last year, according to the festival website, was the latest bloom season seen on the farm in 50 years.

Every year is different, and the last two years have truly showed opposite sides of our tulips blooming, the release stated. While we will not be open until May, now is the time to come, and our fields are ready.

This is a peak time to visit the more than monthlong festival, according to the regularly updated bloom status page on the festival website. The farm plants a mix of early, mid and late blooming tulip varieties, so visitors throughout the festival season have more chances to see the colorful flowers.

Mother Nature is in charge, and with this wonderful sunny, warm weather the tulips have bloomed very quickly this year, organizers stated. There is still time to come out and enjoy our events, delicious food, engaging activities, and unique retail offerings.

If you go: The 2024 Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, 33814 S. Meridian Road in Woodburn, is open through April 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

General admission tickets are only available to purchase online, not onsite. Day passes are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and free for children 12 and younger when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets can also be purchased online for additional activities, including wine tours, farm tours, tethered hot air balloon rides, wooden shoemaking classes and more. For tickets or more information, visit woodenshoe.com/events/tulip-fest.

-- Samantha Swindler covers features for The Oregonian/OregonLive and Here is Oregon. Reach her at sswindler@oregonian.com.

Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com.
Portland leaders agreed Wednesday to fork over a six-figure sum to end a public records battle before it headed to trial, marking the latest in a string of costly losses for the city over its failure to adhere to state transparency and disclosure laws.

Michael Kessler and his attorney  brother Alan Kessler  will receive $167,000 under the settlement that the Portland City Council unanimously approved.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. COP29, under Azerbaijan's leadership, will become a significant milestone towards a greener, smarter, and brighter future for all, Aly Abousabaa, Regional Director for Central and West Asia and North Africa of CGIAR, said in an interview with the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Trend reports.

Aly Abousabaa, Regional Director of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Center (CGIAR) for Central and West Asia and North Africa, and Director General of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) visited Baku ahead of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP), to be held in Azerbaijan this November.

Mr. Abousabaa, welcome to Azerbaijan. We are thrilled to see you in our country. First of all, we would like you to inform us about the main objective of your visit to Azerbaijan.

Thank you for your hospitality and keen interest in our work. I am here to discuss with our key Azerbaijan partners how CGIAR can support the country's COP29 objectives. CGIAR is a global network of 13 research centers with over 9000 experts in research-for-development (R4D). We focus on advancing global agricultural innovation to build sustainable food, land, and water systems to drive rural development and resilient livelihoods. As CGIAR's Regional Director for Central and Western Asia and North Africa (CWANA), I will be advocating for prioritizing the sustainable transformation of food, land, and water systems globally at COP29, where leaders will convene in November 2024 to make crucial decisions that will impact the lives of hundreds of millions of farmers and their communities.

During my visit, I discussed such matters with Azerbaijan's Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Majnun Mammadov, and Mr. Orkhan Zeynalov, Deputy Chief Negotiator at COP29, and with partner organizations such as FAO and the Genetic Resources Institute in Baku. CGIAR, through 13 global research centers like ICARDA, is dedicated to supporting Azerbaijan's government's success in COP29 by working closely with key stakeholders, National Agricultural Research Institutes, and the farming communities themselves.

Nowadays, natural resource management and climate change projections concern everyone. What measures is CGIAR taking in this direction?

Our agri-science and development experts closely monitor global warming predictions, and I have to say that we are very alarmed. Rising temperatures, even by half a degree, will amplify extreme weather events, posing significant challenges to agricultural production and increasing the likelihood of malnutrition, famine, and other agri-related catastrophes. This concern drives CGIAR's collective efforts to raise awareness of these existential challenges at COP29 so that there is an increased global understanding of the role that food, land, and water systems transformation can play in reducing and mitigating the impacts of an accelerating climate crisis.

In Central Asia, the Caucasus, and beyond, CGIAR research centers prioritize improved agricultural systems. This includes promoting improved land, soil, and water management practices, cultivating climate-smart crops, and conserving biodiversity. We support vulnerable small-scale producers in adapting to climate change by introducing heat or pest-resistant high-yielding crop varieties and work towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from food systems themselves. In the hot and arid CWANA region, more efficient irrigation and water management practices will play a vital role in enhancing agricultural production despite the challenges posed by climate change.

Scientists from Azerbaijan and ICARDA are also collaborating on genome sequencing, enhancing our understanding of genome evolution. This collaboration strengthens the diversity, quality, and adaptability of local varieties, and it supports the development of breeding programs focused on developing new, resilient crop varieties.

One CGIAR major project currently being co-led by ICARDA is the "Fragility to Resilience initiative (F2R)," which focuses on building resilient agri-food systems capable of withstanding climate change shocks, enables farmers to generate economic opportunities and improves incomes and livelihoods for rural communities across the region. We also recognize the unique challenges that communities face, as the F2R Initiative relates to food production in a region that suffers from extreme droughts, heat waves, and soil salinity. Accordingly, several CGIAR centers led by ICARDA have developed the concept of Integrated Desert Farming which aims to transform deserts into cultivable land and food production centers.

What research is being conducted worldwide on agricultural development in the context of globalization and digital transformation?

The digital age has revolutionized agricultural research for development. ICARDA is pioneering the use of tools and technologies like Earth Observation Systems, Open Access platforms, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Information and Communication Technologies, as well as Cloud Computing, which provide our scientists with advanced capabilities for data collection, analysis, and management.

For instance, ICARDA scientists have developed a digital tool that is benefiting Ethiopian goat and sheep breeders in Community-Based Breeding Programs (CBBPs), enabling more efficient data collection to improve the selection of best breeds and also increased access to new market opportunities. We are now expanding the successful pilot project to Jordan, Tunisia, and Mali. Similarly, in India, ICARDA's GeoAgro-iKrishi app and dashboard provide real-time farming advice to smallholder farmers on weather forecasts, optimal seeding times, early warning alerts about potential disease outbreaks, soil salinity/quality, etc. Thanks to this high- tech precision farming tool, farmers can improve resource management, fine-tune irrigation practices, optimize fertilization, and enhance overall productivity.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), in particular, holds immense potential for research in disease detection, weather prediction, and automated harvesting research. Using technologies such as drones and data analysis, AI optimizes the use of resources like water and fertilizer, leading to improved crop yields. I believe that the potential of AI will continue to grow, and our scientists will stay at the cutting edge of global advancements in the field. This is crucial to keep pace with such advancements and leverage them more effectively. However, it is also essential that we train our partners' experts in these emerging technologies to develop a universal understanding and allow them to more easily translate these advancements into impact on the ground for farming communities.

We would like you to share your thoughts on the COP29 event in Azerbaijan. What are the main expectations from this event?

COP29 in Azerbaijan holds great significance as a platform for global cooperation and decision-making to limit, adapt to, or even reverse the impact of global warming and mobilize financing for these activities. Outcomes from COP29 not only have the ability to influence and advance the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement to keep global temperature increases lower than 2oC, but they will also set the stage for a successful COP30 in Brazil.

My expectations for COP29 are exceptionally high, as I anticipate a strong focus on bolstering sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems, improving water management, and enhancing conservation agriculture and biodiversity protection. Building upon the foundation set by the COP28 Declaration on Food and Agriculture, COP29 has the potential to drive meaningful progress in addressing these pressing challenges and bringing about game-changing decisions for resilient food systems, which we urgently need in the dry areas such as Central Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East.

I have now participated in some 16 COPs, and I can confidently affirm that Azerbaijan, with its ongoing preparations, strong team, well-established infrastructure, and exceptional commitment to hosting this global high-level event, is well-positioned to make COP29 a great success.

Let us remind you that by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, 2024 was declared in our country as the "Year of Solidarity of the Green World." We would like your recommendations on how to overcome challenges for a "green" world.

Azerbaijan's declaration of 2024 as the "Green World Solidarity Year" is a commendable initiative. It reflects the country's strong commitment to green growth and its proactive approach to tackling global challenges. To achieve this goal, robust international collaboration will be vital. Sharing knowledge and green technologies with other nations will play a crucial role in driving lasting environmental progress and impact. Moreover, it's essential to enhance capacity building that will enable the responsible use of natural resources while simultaneously promoting eco-friendly practices for long-term success.

ICARDA and CGIAR are fully prepared to contribute to Azerbaijan's growth by working with our partners both in and outside of government to strongly reestablish our research programs, initiating joint projects, and leveraging CGIAR's global expertise on agri-resilience. Together, we can foster productive partnerships and scale up innovations that will transform farming communities. I wholeheartedly wish Azerbaijan great success in hosting COP29 and believe that this event, under Azerbaijan's leadership, will become a significant milestone towards a greener and smarter, and brighter future for all.
Oregon digital marketing agency Adpearance is selling its firm to Advance Local, the New York company that owns The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Andy Lobred, Advance Locals chief strategy officer, said 64 Adpearance employees are joining the company with the deal, and three-quarters of them work in Oregon. The companies didnt disclose terms of their transaction but said they plan to close the deal Wednesday.

Adpearance offers online advertising and marketing services, focused especially on the automotive market. It has offices in Lake Oswego and Northwest Portland.
The other day, I noticed that Lolati Wines won best of show in both the red and white wine categories at the 2024 Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival wine competition.

I had never heard of this winery, but when I realized their tasting room was close to my house, I hustled over to meet owner/winemaker Leigh Brown. A tasting room in Sherwood is the last place I expected to discover stories about harps and South African food.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov paid a working visit to the Slovak Republic, Trend reports.

As part of the visit, Mikayil Jabbarov was received by the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico, meetings were held with the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova, Deputy Chairman of the National Council Peter Ziga.

During the discussions, the expansion of ties in significant areas was emphasized. The importance of mutual visits, joint events, meetings and discussions in strengthening Azerbaijani-Slovak cooperation was noted. The Slovak side was informed about the wide opportunities in Azerbaijan for effective partnership in various fields, including trade, energy, investment, industry, humanitarian activities, as well as within the Alyat Free Economic Zone.

The importance of initiatives to strengthen trade and economic ties between countries, including an increase in mutual trade turnover, was noted, and the importance of exchanging information about products with export potential was emphasized.

It was stated that regional and global energy projects, in which Azerbaijan is an initiator and active participant, contribute to the energy supply of partner countries and in this context, energy cooperation is one of the priorities of relations with Slovakia.

During the meetings, information was presented about the favorable business environment in Azerbaijan, the opportunities created for investors, and the potential for implementing joint projects.

The parties considered the possibilities of developing energy, trade and investment cooperation and implementing joint projects, supporting initiatives in the industrial, agricultural, tourism, innovation spheres, joint actions for the transition to green energy, as well as the possibility of Slovakia joining energy projects in which Azerbaijan is a participant.
Metsa Spring Starts Pre-Engineering Project for Muoto Wood Fibre Packaging Products

The technology applied in Muoto products converts wet wood pulp into 3-dimensional packages without any intermediate steps. The technology applied in Muoto products converts wet wood pulp into 3-dimensional packages without any intermediate steps.

May 10, 2024 - After promising results from the ongoing demonstration phase, Metsa Spring  a part of Metsa Group  has decided to start a pre-engineering project for the first commercial factory producing the new packaging solution, Muoto.

Muoto products are wood-based alternatives to plastic packaging.

"Taking an idea to industrial scale is a long road with multiple different phases," said Niklas von Weymarn, CEO at Metsa Spring. "Deciding to start the pre-engineering project is a big milestone for us.

Based on the outcome of pre-engineering and the continued work in the demo phase, mainly using a unique demo plant in Aanekoski, Finland, Metsa Group will assess the possibility of starting this new business and investing in a factory to support that business. Metsa Group has already decided that the possible factory would be located at its Rauma site in Finland.

"Although many areas still need further development, we have now gathered enough proof to initiate this very important factory planning stage. The Muoto project has reached this point very quickly, considering that the project started almost from scratch for us in 2020," von Weymarn explained.

"A big thank you goes to our project team and our main partner Valmet," von Weymarn added.

The technology applied in Muoto products converts wet wood pulp into 3-dimensional packages without any intermediate steps, meaning that the new products would be ready to be shipped to end customers as such. In addition to being easy to mould into different shapes, Muoto is lightweight, strong, and recyclable.

The first usage cases ready for mass production will likely be light takeaway and lunch packages, berry containers, trays, and combo packaging. The final Muoto product catalogue will be decided when the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation has been finalised.

Earlier in the year, Metsa Spring appointed Veli-Pekka Kyllonen as Project Director, who will lead the pre-engineering project. His team will eventually comprise 5-10 experts, with recruitment currently ongoing.

Metsa Spring expects the pre-engineering project to be completed in early 2025.

Metsa Spring was established in 2018 as Metsa Groups innovation company. Metsa Spring invests in and supports potential sustainable innovations and technologies that find new purposes and higher value for Nordic wood to replace fossil-based materials and chemicals in everyday products.

SOURCE: Metsa Spring
Emmanuel "Manny" Espinoza, a pre-medical student enrolled at the University of Florida, is charged with homicide after fatally stabbing his mother at her residence during the weekend, as revealed by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Monday.

Pre-Med Student Fatally Stabs His Mother

Espinoza allegedly stabbed his mom, Elvia, more than 70 times after she welcomed him for a visit from college. Liable with first-degree killing and proof tampering, Espinoza is presently held in the Polk County Jail.

Sheriff Judd explained that Espinoza targeted specific areas in his mother's chest and stomach, informed by his medical schooling.

After the stabbing, Espinoza called 911 and admitted to the crime. Noticeably, he was listening to the song "No Church in the Wild" by Jay-Z and Kanye West during the circumstances.

Espinoza, the youngest of Elvia's three children, reportedly confessed to detectives that he had considered murdering his mom for a long time and certainly acted on it during his drive from Gainesville, where the university is situated, to Frostproof, his residence. Despite expressing annoyance with his mother since childhood, he also stated that he loved her.

While Espinoza was described as "remarkably brilliant" and had no history of mental illness or substance abuse, he declined the services of a public defender according to online court records. Additionally, he exercised his right not to be interviewed by investigators regarding the charges against him.

Read Also : Teen Sentenced to 40 Years for Arson Attack That Claimed Denver Family's Lives

Polk County Teacher Stabbed to Death by College Son

According to Judd, Elvia had contacted her son, Emmanuel, the youngest of her three children, that morning to inquire if she could visit him while he pursued his studies as a pre-med student at the University of Florida.

"Mom called on Saturday morning and said, 'Manny, I haven't seen you in a while. I want to come up to Gainesville to see you,'" the sheriff explained. "He replied, 'Well, mom, I'm visiting grandfather this weekend; he has an event, so I'll be in your vicinity.' She responded, 'That's great. Why don't you stay with me at the house?' And he agreed, saying, 'Sure, I'd love to.'"

Emmanuel arrived at his mother's residence in Frostproof around 2 p.m. that Saturday. According to a probable cause arrest document, he then put on his Air Pods and played "No Church in the Wild" by Jay Z and Kanye West as he approached the house.

Ring camera footage depicted Emmanuel approaching the front door with a knife concealed behind his back. Upon finding the door locked, he knocked, while Elvia was reportedly on the phone with her brother at the time.

Her brother overheard her say, "I think Manny is here," before she opened the door. According to the affidavit, that's when he heard Elvia screaming for help.

"The moment she opened the door, he charged in and began stabbing her," Judd recounted. "He claimed he knew where to stab her for maximum effect due to his biology classes. He said he noticed her hands were still moving, so he continued stabbing her."

Emmanuel sustained a cut on his hand during the attack and was observed washing his hands and the knife on an interior camera.

Additionally, there were no items found in his university room indicating premeditation. Elvia had no negative interaction with her son on that day and was eager to see him.

"She was truly the epitome of a perfect mom," Judd expressed. "She was immensely proud of his accomplishments, graduating number one in his high school class and attending the University of Florida."

Elvia's obituary portrayed her as a beloved teacher at Ben Hill Griffin Elementary School, a cherished family member, and a radiant presence in the lives of all who knew her.
A woman checked out of a hotel in Florida and informed the staff that she has intended to embark on a shooting spree guided by God due to the solar eclipse, despite Florida not being in the path of the celestial event.

Subsequently, she shot at two drivers on Interstate 10 before being arrested and charged with attempted murder by the Florida Highway Patrol on Monday.

Woman Fires at Two Drivers on Interstate 10

Taylon Nichelle Celestine, aged 22, from Georgia, entered the highway at approximately 115 miles (180 kilometers) from the Alabama border in the Florida Panhandle and proceeded westward.

Within a distance of 5 miles (8 kilometers), she discharged several rounds into a passing vehicle, causing damage to the auto glass and grazing the driver's arm, as stated by the department.

Following this, she targeted a second vehicle, striking the driver in the neck, resulting in injury. The wounded driver was quickly taken to a nearby hospital and got medical treatment, according to the agency.

Troopers intercepted the female after she had driven at approximately 16 miles (26 kilometers) and found that she had an AR-15 rifle and a 9mm firearm in her possession.

She was arrested and placed in the Holmes County jail, where she was charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and an improper firearm discharge.

Details regarding bail or Celestine's legal representation were not provided by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troubled Woman Asserts She Received Directives from "God" via Solar Eclipse

A disturbed woman unleashed gunfire on a Florida interstate, targeting two drivers, claiming she received an instruction from "God" through the solar eclipse, as per police reports.

Driving a purple Dodge Challenger with Georgia license plates, Celestine entered Interstate 10 at the 112-mile marker and began shooting at other vehicles within five miles of joining the highway in Washington County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Allegedly, she fired multiple shots at a passing car on the interstate. The male driver of the vehicle endured a bullet graze on his arm and was hit by glass shards when the bullet broke his window into small pieces, the agency reported.

Continuing westward on I-10, the thoughtless shooter, reportedly armed with both an assault rifle and a handgun, opened fire on a second vehicle near the 107-mile marker, the highway patrol said.

Celestine persisted in driving until highway patrol troopers intercepted her near the 96-mile marker and conducted a traffic stop.

Officers purportedly retrieved an AR-15 rifle and a 9mm handgun from the Challenger. Celestine was taken into custody without refusal and was transferred to Holmes County Jail, where she was accused of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and improper use of a firearm.

It remains unclear which firearm she purportedly used to target the other drivers and whether they were obtained legally. The investigation regarding thi case is still ongoing.
Los Angeles interlinked deaths are now the center of investigation for the California Highway Patrol. Authorities are now investigating a connected tragedy after an infant and a man were found dead and an SUV crashed.

Police authorities are suspecting that these three incidents are interconnected events after the discoveries of the two dead bodies and a fatal SUV crash in different locations. These incidents, occurring within a short span of time from each other, have sparked intense scrutiny as law enforcement agencies work to uncover any potential links between them.

Linked Investigations Unfold in Los Angeles

The unfolding tragedy began with the grim discovery of an infant's body along Interstate 405, a major artery in the Los Angeles area.

In one tragic incident, a baby girl, thought to be approximately 6 months old, was discovered deceased on the 405 Freeway in Westchester around 4:30 a.m., while a second girl, aged around 7-9 years, was found nearby and hospitalized with injuries.

A separate event unfolded when a man's body was found at a Woodland Hills apartment complex on Variel Avenue at approximately 7:30 a.m.

Adding to the complexity, a fatal crash resulting in a woman's death occurred in Redondo Beach around 5 a.m.

Authorities have stated that they suspect a connection between the 405 Freeway and Woodland Hills incidents but are still investigating the potential link to the Redondo Beach crash.

Details regarding these connections remain undisclosed. The initial report of the children found on the 405 came in around 4:30 a.m. at Centinela Avenue, prompting a response from the California Highway Patrol following multiple 911 calls reporting a medical emergency involving minors.

Upon arrival, officers discovered two injured children, with the baby girl found in the northbound 405 lanes pronounced dead at the scene.

Man's Body Found in Woodland Hills and Fatal SUV Crash

In a distinct yet potentially intertwined development, authorities discovered a deceased man at a Woodland Hills apartment complex, with the circumstances surrounding his death shrouded in mystery, prompting investigators to explore potential links to earlier events.

The LAPD revealed that during their investigation, homicide detectives uncovered two prior incidents: one involving two young children on the 405 Freeway and another in Redondo Beach related to a traffic collision.

Adding to the complexity, a fatal SUV crash occurred in Redondo Beach, resulting in the death of a woman. The details of the crash, including its causes, are currently under investigation as authorities delve into possible connections with the ongoing inquiries.

Collaborative Efforts in Investigation

Law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles, including the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the LAPD, are collaborating to unravel the interconnected incidents.

The CHP's Major Crimes Unit is actively seeking community cooperation to gather leads and information crucial for solving these cases.

As investigations progress, authorities emphasize the importance of public assistance in shedding light on these tragic events.

The community's vigilance is deemed vital in deciphering the complexities surrounding these incidents, which have captured widespread attention in the Los Angeles area.

The interlinked nature of these events underscores the urgency and significance of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to uncover the truth behind the connected deaths and the fatal SUV crash.
According to court documents, the previous assistant principal of a Virginia elementary school where a 6-year-old student shot his teacher last year has been charged with accusations of child abuse.

Former Virginia Assistant Principal Faces Charges of Child Abuse

Ebony Parker faces eight counts connected to the day of the shooting, each carrying an utmost sentence of five years in prison, as per the online docket. An arrest warrant for her has been issued.

The details of the charges were not instantly available due to the inability to access a copy of the indictment. The Newport News Commonwealth Attorney's Office did not respond instantly for comment, and it's ambiguous whether Parker has legal representation.

The firing, which happened on Jan. 6, 2023, resulted in first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner being purposefully shot by one of her students. Zwerner filed a $40 million lawsuit against the school district, pressing they failed to act on cautions about the child owning a firearm.

Parker resigned following the lawsuit. Lawyers for Zwerner welcomed the additional charges, emphasizing the failure of the school district to prevent the shooting.

The student's mother, Deja Taylor, was sentenced to two years on a state charge of felony child neglect. Taylor previously pleaded guilty to using marijuana while owning a gun, receiving a federal sentence before her state sentence begins.

James Ellenson, Taylor's lawyer, expressed disappointment that charges against school officials didn't come sooner, arguing his client doesn't bear the full responsibility for the incident. The prosecutor, Howard Gwynn, stated he wouldn't seek charges against the student due to his age.

Seven lawsuits have been filed versus school leadership for carelessness, with lawyers representing the families conveying hope that the criminal justice system will give an explanation and hold the administration liable.

Teacher Shot By 6-Year-Old Student Filed $40 Million Lawsuit

Each charge carries the highest penalty of five years in prison. Parker, a resident of Newport News, was on duty when the 6-year-old released a single shot at his teacher, Abigail Zwerner, during a reading class.

Zwerner, who has since recovered, filed a $40 million lawsuit alleging that Parker ignored multiple warnings about the child possessing a gun on school grounds that day.

The lawsuit outlines a sequence of alerts provided by school staff to administrators before the shooting. Despite these warnings, Parker allegedly failed to take appropriate action.

After a special grand jury inspection, Parker's accusations were issued on March 11 and exposed on Tuesday. A warrant for her arrest has been issued, though she remains at large.

Parker resigned from her position following the shooting, becoming the first school official and second person charged in connection with the incident.

Zwerner's lawsuit involves numerous parties, including the Newport News School Board, former Superintendent George Parker III, former Richneck principal Briana Foster Newton, and Parker herself. Zwerner, who no longer works for the school system, expressed a determination to hold those responsible for the tragedy accountable through both criminal and civil proceedings.
Acetaminophen use in pregnancy is thought to cause developmental problems in children like ADHD and autism, to name a few. However, a recent study published in the field challenges this association, suggesting that factors such as genetics may play a more significant role in neurodevelopmental disorders.

According to 2023 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 2.8% of children are diagnosed with autism by age 8, while 11.3% of children and adolescents receive a diagnosis of ADHD.

Additionally, 2.35% of children aged 3 to 17 are diagnosed with an intellectual disability. These statistics provide context for understanding the prevalence of these disorders in the general population.

Child Development Problems from Acetaminophen

The latest study unveiled in JAMA this week, meticulously analyzed data from a vast cohort of over 2 million Swedish children monitored over a span of 26 years.

Initially, their scrutiny hinted at a minute uptick in the likelihood of neurodevelopmental disorders among children whose mothers utilized acetaminophen during pregnancy.

Yet, revisiting the same dataset, the researchers embarked on a secondary investigation, focusing on siblings where acetaminophen was employed in one pregnancy but not the other.

To their surprise, this subsequent probe unearthed no discernible surge in neurodevelopmental issues linked to acetaminophen use. This revelation pointed to other contributing factors possibly elevating the risk of such disorders.

Brian Lee, co-senior author of the study and an associate professor at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health, emphasized the study's central message, providing reassurance to expectant mothers. He underlined that utilizing acetaminophen during pregnancy does not seem to pose a significant concern regarding autism risk.

Nonetheless, Lee also stressed the importance of women consulting their healthcare providers before commencing any medication regimen.

Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy Not Linked To ADHD o Autism

In the recent study, there were 185,909 children whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy; approximately 9% received diagnoses of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.

On the contrary, among the estimated 2.3 million children whose mothers did not take acetaminophen while pregnant, about 7.5% were diagnosed with one of these conditions.

Upon adjusting for variables like the mother's age, smoking habits, and existing maternal diagnoses of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability, the researchers observed a 5% heightened risk of autism, a 7% heightened risk of ADHD, and a 5% heightened risk of intellectual disability among children whose mothers had used acetaminophen during pregnancy.

Dr. Catherine Caponero, an OB-GYN at the Cleveland Clinic, expressed confidence in the study's outcomes. "This is a extensively researched medication during pregnancy," Caponero remarked. "Numerous studies have consistently shown it as one of the few safe options for pain and fever management in pregnant women."

J. Blake Turner, an assistant professor of social science in psychiatry at Columbia University, highlighted the potential risks of untreated fevers in expectant mothers.

Turner pointed to studies associating untreated fevers during pregnancy with an elevated risk of autism. "The risk can significantly escalate if fevers are left untreated," he cautioned.

Following an initial analysis indicating a slight elevation in the risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability among children whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy, the researchers proceeded with a secondary study focusing on sibling pairs.

This sibling control analysis, comparing instances where mothers took acetaminophen during one pregnancy and abstained during another, revealed no discernible connection between developmental disorders and acetaminophen usage.

The study concluded that any perceived association between acetaminophen and these disorders was non-causal.
During Monday's total solar eclipse, a mom in Texas delivered a baby girl and named her Sol, which is defined as "the sun" in Spanish.

Texas Mother Names Baby Girl 'Sol' Born During Total Solar Eclipse

Alicia Alvarez, 34, shared that she had always planned to pick a celestial name for her second child, having named her first child Luna, meaning "moon" in Spanish.

Despite going into labor earlier than expected, Alvarez didn't anticipate delivery on Monday, ahead of her April 17 delivery date. However, at 1:04 p.m. during the eclipse in Mansfield, Texas, Alvarez and her husband Carlos Alvarez greeted their second daughter, Sol Celeste Alvarez.

Alvarez recounted that her doctor had joked about the probability of the baby arriving during the eclipse, imagining a pairing of the sun and the moon. Despite initially brushing off the idea, the coincidence became a reality. Baby Sol was born normally and without an epidural at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces, and measuring 20 inches long.

Alvarez shared that Sol opened her eyes immediately after birth, seemingly eager to witness the eclipse. The older sibling, Luna Laura, aged 4, has already met her younger sister, and Alvarez reported that Sol is thriving, eating well, and displaying frequent smiles.

Alvarez plans to share the unique story of Sol's birth with her as she grows older, believing there to be significance in the timing and naming of her daughter.

Read Also : When Can You Feel Your Baby Move: Fetal Activity Throughout Pregnancy

Newborn Boy Witnessed Rare and Extraordinary Solar Eclipse

Wade Lucas entered the world on a remarkable day for our planet. Just three hours into his life, the newborn experienced a once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse, captivating millions as they gazed at the sky in hopes of catching a glimpse of the spectacle.

Ashley Lucas, Wade's mother, expressed her excitement about the cosmic coincidence, remarking, "What an exciting day for the world and what a cool story that our kid was born during the eclipse."

Ashley gave birth to Wade at 12:07 p.m. on Monday, amidst an extraordinary scene in the Ohio hospital room. As the eclipse unfolded, the sky darkened, casting an eerie darkness with only faint rays of light peeking through.

Originally scheduled for induction on Thursday, Ashley had planned to watch the eclipse with her older children from their home in Hamilton, Ohio.

However, circumstances led her to spend the day recovering from labor with her newborn son at Christ Hospital Medical Center in Liberty Township, conveniently situated on the eclipse's path of totality.

While Ashley remained indoors, her husband, Willie Lucas, and some hospital staff observed the eclipse outside, while Ashley managed to catch a glimpse from the window.

Ashley eagerly anticipates sharing the eclipse story with Wade as he grows older, reflecting on the surreal moment when the world was focused on their newborn.

Additionally, the irony of Wade's name, meaning "bringer of light," adds another layer of significance to the cosmic event surrounding his birth.

Texas Couple Welcomes First Baby During the 2024 Lunar Eclipse

In Fort Worth, Texas, another couple, Hannah Marsden and Clayton Croarkin, were preoccupied with the birth of their baby, Case Croarkin, during the eclipse excitement.

Despite initially planning to witness the phenomenon, Marsden went into labor on Monday, leading to a surreal experience of catching glimpses of the eclipse from her windowless delivery room.

Meanwhile, Dr. Lori Atkins, who was intending to watch the eclipse with her daughter, found herself delivering Case at Andrew Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott and White All Saints Medical Center, catching the tail end of the eclipse after the delivery.
Subscription to paid content

Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card.
I want to share a few more passages that I marked during my recent reading of Amy Tanner Thiriot, Slavery in Zion: A Documentary and Genealogical History of Black Lives and Black Servitude in Utah Territory, 1847-1862 (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2022).

It seems that the Saints in Utah were, by and large, unsympathetic to slavery

The presence of the enslaved in the Latter-day Saint settlements had caused discussion and dissent, but only fragments of the settlers reactions remain in the historical record. (87) Frances [sic] and Margaret Lockhart McKown left for Utah Territory with two enslaved people, but Margaret died on the way, and after Francis discovered the extent of antislavery sentiment in the territory, he returned to Mississippi. (59) [W]ithin a few years, most Mississippi enslavers left for California or returned to the South. (61) They [the extended Greer family, from Texas] planned to take the four enslaved members of the Camp household with them, but one of them, Daniel, did not want to return to slavery in the South. He ran away, and an ad hoc slave patrol hunted him down. Among those who were shocked at this evidence of Southern slavery was Bishop Edwin D. Woolley, a former Quaker from Pennsylvania. He had the four Southerners arrested and charged with kidnapping. The judge eventually threw out the case for lack of evidence, but Daniel remained in Utah. (26)

In 1859, Horace Greeley, the famous editor of the New York Daily Tribune, visited Utah Territory and interviewed Brigham Young. In the course of the interview, Greeley asked whether Utah planned to be a slave state. No, Brigham replied, she will be a Free State. He proceeded to explain that Slavery here would prove useless and unprofitable. I regard it generally as a curse to the masters. . . . Utah is not adapted to Slave Labor. (26)

It may or may not be relevant to note that some of the enslavers  notably Thomas S. Williams  change[d] from devout Latter-day Saints to outspoken opponents of Brigham Youngs control over the economics and politics of Utah Territory. (89)

And there are other indicators of attitudes toward Blacks and toward slavery on the part of Latter-day Saint leaders and future leaders:

Scottish immigrant and later Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Charles W. Nibley worked for Bankhead after he arrived in America. He recalled that his employers were the wealthiest in the area. Among other property, they owned two men negroes, Nate and Sam. He explained, It seems like harking a long way back to the days of slavery, but negro slavery was actually the law of the land and practiced to a small extent in 1860 and 1861 and 1862 in Cache Valley. Nibley continued, I felt quite elated when I could sleep with big Nate, the big black negro that Bankhead owned. Old Sam used to ask me if I had read any news of de wah, and I can remember very well him saying at one time, My God, I hope de Souf get licked. He concluded, Only once did I see the old man Bankhead get angry at his slaves, and at that time he tore around pretty lively and threatened to horsewhip them to death if they didnt mend their ways. A violent threat almost too ordinary to be mentioned in Southern memoirs was still memorable to Nibley seventy years later. (94) In 1855, Latter-day Saint apostle Orson Hyde traveled to Carson Valley as its probate court judge. His first criminal case was that of a Black man named only as Thacker, who had threatened to cut out and roast the heart of Sophronia Allen Rose. Fearing that the community would lynch Thacker, Hyde arrested him, fined him court costs, and suggested that for his own protection, he should join his unnamed enslaver in California. Thacker may be Robert Thacker (1832-) of Tennessee, who worked five years later as a waiter in Marysville, California. Although Latter-day Saints were the first to build towns in the area, the 1860 census shows a predominantly non-Latter-day Saint mining population. . . . The census does not specify legal status, and none of the Black or interracial families appear to be connected to the Latter-day Saint settlers. (331)

But lets look at the one significant law passed by the territorial legislature of Deseret with regard to the regulation of slavery within its jurisdiction. It reveals both what we would regard as Brigham Youngs problematic though paternalistic racism (and Orson Pratts impassioned opposition to slavery) and a seeming intent of mitigating or even gradually ending slavery within its jurisdiction:

Utah Territory . . . instituted a curious legal hodgepodge called An Act in Relation to Service (1852), identified by legal scholar Christopher B. Rich Jr. as patterned on the gradual emancipation laws of the Northeast or Midwest, rather than the slave codes of the South. The Act attempted to treat slavery as contracted labor and provided unusual legal protections, including a requirement that labor could only be sold with the consent of the servant. (12; compare 16) In 1852, in the wake of unrest involving the Indigenous and Mexican slave trade, the territorial legislature crafted legislation and held a debate over African American slavery. Despite impassioned opposition from Latter-day Saint apostle Orson Pratt, Brigham Young supported legislation allowing Black servitude. In a speech to the legislature, he identified the origins of slavery and race in the Bible. He said that those of African descent were created for service, but if slavery was practiced, it should be practiced humanely, since Southern slavery abused principles set forth in scripture. With Youngs support, the territorial legislature codified and regulated African American sales and servitude. Youngs explanations to the legislature and in other settings not only ensured the passage of the Act but also began a practice that prevented most Black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from holding the lay priesthood or participating in temple rites for more than a century. An Act in Relation to Service attempted to shift chattel slavery into a system of contracted labor. It decreed that those who took servants justly bound to them, arising from special contract or otherwise, into the territory shall be entitled to such service or labor by the laws of the Territory. Those taking servants into the territory must register written and satisfactory evidence [in the probate court] that such service or labor is due. The Act limited the term of service for servants and their children to the time required to fulfill the debt due his, her, or their master or masters. It forbade sexual intercourse between the enslaver / and enslaved or indentured of African descent, or any white person and any of the African race. Although an Act in Relation to Service prohibited sexual relations between Black and White and enslavers and enslaved, it did not specifically prohibit interracial marriage. Those with servants must correct and punish . . . when it may be necessary and must provide for those in their service, including food, clothing, recreation, and at least eighteen months of education between the ages of six and twenty years. (18-19)

The law forbade enslavers from sexual abuse or rape. Enslavers had to provide the enslaved with reasonable hours of work, along with comfortable habitations, clothing, bedding, sufficient food, and recreation and refrain from cruelty or physical abuse. Enslavers were obliged to provide eighteen months of school prior to the twentieth birthday. Any punishment should be reasonable and guided by prudence and humanity. If not, a probate judge could remove an enslaved person from a household (90).

Another way of looking at the Act is that it attempted to move some distance toward reducing the distance between slavery, on the one hand, and, on the other, indentured servitude and apprenticeship  which we today would probably also regard as oppressive and tyrannical. Moreover,

Perhaps by design, An Act in Relation to Service gave Brigham Young the ability to emancipate Green Flake and others left in the valley when their enslavers went to California in 1851. (19; compare 112, 113-114)

There are indicators, too, of Brigham Youngs concern about the status of unmarried enslaved people in the Salt Lake Valley (83).

In this context, I think it worthwhile to revisit something about which I posted here nearly three years ago:

In his important book Religion of a Different Color, Paul Reeve recounts an interesting episode involving Brigham Young:

An early mixed-race (Black and American Indian) member of the Church named William McCary  a rather marginal, somewhat erratic, and even unbalanced fellow, as it turned out, who ultimately and lamentably didnt remain in the Church  had encountered racial prejudice among some Church members.

In response to this, President Young counseled the Saints to use the man with respect. (The verb to use is employed here in a somewhat archaic sense common in Shakespeare. See below. In todays English, we would use the verb to treat.)

But some problems persisted. And Brother McCary continued to complain.

Was he in some way sub- or even non-human?

Its nothing to do with the blood, replied President Young, for of one blood has God made all flesh.

Professor Reeve comments on this exchange:

It was an echo of the same New Testament verse (Acts 17:26) that [Joseph] Smith quoted in his presidential platform three years earlier. Both drew upon the Bible to assert a broad commonality among humankind and were simultaneously acknowledging a wider racial debate then animating the scientific and Christian communities. In paraphrasing Acts 17:26, Young and Smith were referencing an important verse then commonly cited among nineteenth-century Christians. Believers used the verse to defend against a polygenesis theory then stirring scientific arguments about the origins of the various races. Scientists who promoted the polygenesis theory believed that there were multiple independent creations rather than just a single biblical creation. Each creation gave rise to a new race, which meant that whites and blacks were in fact from different species. Even though the two species could biologically reproduce, one argument was that an innate repugnance against interracial mixing was intended to preserve species distinction. Those who violated the innate repugnance were really violating nature, which was a sure sign of their moral degradation. Physical degeneracy followed and within a few generations the offspring of such unions would be sterile.

[See W. Paul Reeve, Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015), 128-131.]

Its become fashionable in recent years to demonize Brigham Young as a racist, even a vicious one  and, in some cases, essentially to forget that there was anything else to the man.

I resist this.

He wasnt perfect, of course. Nor has any subsequent apostle or president of the Church been perfect. Nor am I. Nor are his critics.

Use every man after his desert, wrote Shakespeare (in Hamlet II.ii), and who should scape whipping? Or, to paraphrase: Treat everybody purely according to his or her merits, and who wouldnt be worthy of censure or even punishment?

In racial matters, Brigham Young said some things that jar us today, and that we cannot endorse. Theres no denying this. He was, as we all are  even the prophets among us  a man of his time and culture and background.

But he was a good man, a remarkable man, indeed a great man, a sincere disciple of the Lord and a prophet who sought to do Gods will.

I choose to stand with him. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes. And, on the specific racial issue described above, President Brigham Young was  notwithstanding the dismissive stereotype of him thats currently in vogue  on the side of the angels.
On Patch Tuesday on April 9, 2024, Microsoft provided several security updates to fix 147 vulnerabilities. Microsoft classifies three vulnerabilities in Microsoft Defender for IoT as critical and classifies all but two of the other vulnerabilities as high risk. According to Microsoft, none of the vulnerabilities have been exploited for attacks to date. However, this could change at any time. Trend Micro has also spotted ZDI exploit code in the wild.

Microsoft offers sparse details on the vulnerabilities for self-searching in its security update guide. Dustin Childs presents the topic of Update Tuesday much more clearly in the Trend Micro ZDI blog  always with an eye on admins who manage corporate networks. According to Dustin Childs, he doesnt remember Microsoft ever patching as many security vulnerabilities in one month as it did this April.

The most important security vulnerabilities on Patch Day in April CVE vulnerable software Severity Impact exploited known in advance CVE-2024-29988 Windows smart screen high SFB yes (?) no CVE-2024-26257 Office high RCE no no CVE-2024-28925 and others Windows, Secure Boot high SFB no no CVE-2024-26221 and others Windows, DNS high RCE no no RCE: Remote Code Execution

SFB: Security Feature Bypass

The large number of vulnerabilities patched in April is due not least to a number of RCE (Remote Code Execution) vulnerabilities in the OLE DB driver for SQL Server (38), DHCP and DNS servers (9) and SFB vulnerabilities in Secure Boot (24). Although the updates for Secure Boot fix the errors, they still need to be activated with additional steps (KB5025885).

The latest security update for Edge is version 123.0.2420.81 from 4 April. It is based on Chromium 123.0.6312.106 and fixes several vulnerabilities in the Chromium base. The Microsoft developers have also fixed two Edge-specific security vulnerabilities.

Office vulnerabilities

Microsoft has closed two gaps in the products of its Office family, both of which are labelled as high risk. These include CVE-2024-26257, an RCE vulnerability in Excel. This affects Microsoft 365 Apps for Business and Office LTSC for Mac 2021  Office for Mac traditionally receives security updates with some delay. The second vulnerability is a spoofing vulnerability (CVE-2024-26251) in Sharepoint Server. In addition, CVE-2024-20670 is a spoofing vulnerability in Outlook for Windows.

Vulnerabilities in Windows

the best antivirus we've tested Norton 360 Deluxe Read our review Price When Reviewed: 24,99 Euro im ersten Jahr Best Prices Today:

The majority of the vulnerabilities, 91 this time, are spread across the various Windows versions (10 and newer as well as Server) for which Microsoft still offers security updates for all. Although Windows 7 and 8.1 are no longer mentioned in the security reports, they could still be vulnerable. If the system requirements allow it, you should switch to Windows 10 (22H2) or Windows 11 to continue receiving security updates.

0-day exploit in Windows or not?

In Microsofts information on the current Update Tuesday, there is no indication that any of the patched vulnerabilities are already being used in attacks or that exploit code for any of the vulnerabilities is in circulation. However, Dustin Childs notes in the ZDI blog that exploits for a vulnerability discovered by his colleague Peter Girrus have indeed been spotted in the wild.

This concerns the SFB (Security Feature Bypass) vulnerability CVE-2024-29988 in the Smart Screen Filter. It is similar to the vulnerability CVE-2024-21412 from February, which was exploited by the APT group Water Hydra (also known as Dark Casino) to inject malware. Exploitation of such a vulnerability means that Windows Defender does not mark a file downloaded from the Internet with the Mark-of-the-Web (MotW) attribute and therefore does not warn against opening the (potentially unsafe) file. This is therefore called a security feature bypass.

Critical IoT vulnerabilities

Microsoft only classifies three RCE vulnerabilities in Microsoft Defender for IoT (Internet of Things or Smart Home) as critical. These are supplemented by three EoP (Elevation of Privilege) vulnerabilities. It remains unclear how likely such an attack is at this point. However, you should take every possible attack on your lines of defense seriously.

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.
New FCC broadband nutrition labels go into effect beginning today, forcing ISPs to disclose all of the normally hidden costs and speeds.

And yes, the term nutrition label is accurate  theyre modeled after the list of ingredients you might find on a box of cereal, say, along with a breakdown of what youre being charged. Those labels must be posted on the websites of ISPs as well as in retail stores. The labels also cover both wired and wireless broadband plans, so you should see them, for example, in a Verizon store.

The idea is to allow consumers to know just exactly what theyll receive when they sign up for broadband service  and what theyll be charged for, too. The new labels wont eliminate the fees that are sometimes hidden in a customers bill  theyll just make them more obvious so that you can factor all of that in when evaluating broadband providers.

The labels must disclose important information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, and broadband speeds, the FCC says. They also include links to information about network management practices and privacy policies.

The process dates back to 2021, when Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which ordered the FCC to begin work crafting consumer-friendly broadband labels. In 2022, the FCC began actually creating those rules.

The labels themselves will look like this example, provided by the FCC:

FCC FCC FCC

Some ISPs are exempt, specifically smaller ISPs with less than 100,000 subscribers. But by October, theyll be required to comply, too.

Its unclear what will happen if an ISP does not comply with the new federal regulations. I tried signing up for new service with Comcast Xfinity, and couldnt find the new breakdown. I also tried Spectrums ISP service in North Carolina, and didnt see the new labels either. (The service timed out as it was showing a signup page.)

In October, the ISPs will also be required to make the broadband nutrition labels machine-readable  so that not only will you be able to see an accurate, detailed breakdown of the ISPs services, but automated tools will as well. Unfortunately, the new labels dont do anything to help the de facto monopolies that many broadband ISPs have, but at least youll know how much it will cost you.
Some of the best AI editing tools Google Photos offers, including Magic Eraser, are coming to Chromebooks  no subscription required. But PCs are apparently being left out in the cold.

Google has traditionally launched new features on its Pixel phones. Those have included Magic Eraser, along with Photo Unblur and Portrait Light, which use various AI tricks to spruce up your photos. Portrait Light, for example, can reposition the sun to light up your photo in a more attractive way, and Magic Eraser can simply zap an unwanted object from your picture.

Beginning on May 15, Google says it will open all three tools to pretty much anyone on iOS and Android, provided you have access to an Android 8.0 phone or an iPhone running iOS 15. Google wont charge any subscription fees, either.

But theres a catch if you prefer to work on a more powerful device, with a keyboard. Google is not making those editing tools available to PCs, whether it be as a dedicated Windows app or even the web. Instead, youll need a Chromebook, and only the very latest premium models, at that.

Specifically, your device must be a Chromebook Plus with ChromeOS version 118+, Google says. Unfortunately, thats all hidden in a footnote to Googles blog post announcing the new changes.

That Google is reserving its AI editing features for the new Chromebook Plus lineup isnt entirely unexpected; Google announced the new AI-powered Chromebook Plus lineup last fall, and mentioned Magic Eraser as a feature. They start at $399, and include models from Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, and more. Google is also expanding Magic Editor, which allows you to move objects around in a photo via AI, to all Pixel devices. Android and iOS users will get 10 free Magic Editor saves per month.

Still, isnt it high time that Google allows photo editing on the web? I can already view my Google Photos on the web, and perform basic edits. If you cant find an editing feature on the web, try using the Google Photos app on Android or iOS, Google helpfully suggests. Cmon.

With Microsoft bringing more and more AI features to its own Photos app, it seems like Google is just shooting itself in the foot by ignoring the PC.
Fidelity Bank, Ghanas largest privately-owned bank, reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs during the Women in Business Dialogue Series hosted by the Business and Financial Times.



Nana Esi Idun-Arkhurst, Divisional Director, Retail & Business Banking at Fidelity Bank, delivered impactful insights at the event, emphasizing the importance of cultivating investor-ready businesses and Fidelitys commitment to offering the resources and support they need to succeed.



The event, proudly sponsored by Fidelity Bank, took place at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, under the theme "Investing in Women-Owned Businesses for Ghana's Transformation Agenda: A Call for Action." The dialogue series provided a dynamic platform for influential leaders like Ms. Idun-Arkhurst to share invaluable perspectives and strategies for advancing gender equality and empowering women entrepreneurs.



During her panel discussion, Ms. Idun-Arkhurst emphasized the importance of women-owned businesses being investor-ready and credit-worthy. S



he highlighted the significance of strong financial practices, urging women entrepreneurs to develop disciplined habits from the inception of a business, regardless of its formality. This financial preparedness builds trust and credibility with potential investors or financial institutions.



"Immediate documentation of business activities is crucial to establish credibility and trust with stakeholders," she advised. "Whether seeking credit, equity, or grants, investors want to see tangible evidence of the business's prospects and financial viability."



Ms. Idun-Arkhurst emphasized that financial investment is not always the first step. She encouraged women entrepreneurs to focus on establishing a strong market presence and product quality.



"Sometimes, what the business needs is not money," she explained. "Focus on building a strong customer base, obtaining necessary certifications, and ensuring your product meets relevant standards. This will position you for success when seeking financial support."

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has addressed concerns by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) about its decision to implement the price floor for petroleum products from April 16, 2024.



NPA earlier, announced its decision as part of the New Pricing Guidelines for Oil Marketing Companies and other players in the industry.



Among other things, ACEP argued that the action taken by NPP is illegal because it falls beyond its purview.



In a press release, NPA explained that the price floor will not affect competition between OMCs and others in the energy sector nor will it impose high prices on consumers as ACEP and other stakeholders fear.



NPA is mandated by its Act to protect the interest of consumers and Petroleum Service Providers (PSPs) alike and uses its policies and regulations to achieve this mandate. A multi-stakeholder committee was established in 2021 with representation from all key stakeholders in the industry to assess the price deregulation policy which has been in operation since July 2015.



One of the major concerns that emerged from the committee's work was the inability of PSPs to sometimes fully recover their costs due to unhealthy price competition that sometimes occurs amongst them. The proposed solution to the above concerns is to set "price floors for BIDECs and OMCS/LPGMCS which take into consideration only the fixed costs, taxes, levies, statutory and distribution margins in the Prescribed Petroleum Pricing Formula. These are costs that apply to all PSPs, parts of the statement read.



NPA assured that because it is mindful of the price deregulation policy and how it promotes competition amongst players in the petroleum downstream Industry, the price floors will exclude the margins of the PSPs.



The Authority noted that PSPs are at will to determine their margins just as they currently do and as is expected of them under the price deregulation policy.



As already mentioned, variations in prices results from the freedom PSPs have been given to independently set their margins under the price deregulation policy. The amended pricing guidelines do not prevent the PSPs from doing this, hence, the competition that exists amongst PSPs will continue.



The NPA noted that it will publish the price floors prior to the start of each pricing window for the information of the public for ease of reference.



The Authority already has put in place measures such as the Petroleum Product Marking Scheme (PPMS), Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS), Fuel Monitoring System, among others to address other industry issues raised by ACEP such as the influx of illicit products through approved and unapproved routes, tax evasion, among others.



This explanation comes on the back of a recent announcement of a possible increment in petroleum prices. The price floor for petroleum products is part of the Amended Pricing Guidelines rolled out by the NPA on April 1, 2024.



According to the Amendment to the Pricing Guidelines, the NPA shall set and communicate price floors for the deregulated products for each pricing window.



In a letter to industry players signed by the Deputy Chief Executive of the NPA, Curtis Perry Okudzeto, the Authority advised all the Petroleum Service Providers to strictly comply with the guidelines.



The National Petroleum Authority promised that it shall periodically furnish Petroleum Service Providers with the full pricing formula, stating the specific taxes, levies, and margins applicable for each pricing window in excel format.



In contrast, the Chief Executive of the Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors, Dr Patrick Kweku Ofori, said there are still some concerns that need to be addressed before the floor price for petroleum products finally takes off from April 16, 2024.



Dr. Ofori opined that there is the need to take a second look at the fore rates which will be used by the NPA in setting the price floor.



We wish they could use Bloomberg Foreign Exchange rates, rather than Bank of Ghana rates, he said.

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
Nana Akomea has expressed worry over the staged kidnapping of some students of the Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School (PRESEC) where the kidnappers demanded GHc 340,000 from their supposed victim's family.



Six PRESEC students have been arrested by the Police for faking the kidnap of a student who, according to Police statement, plotted with his friends to dupe his parents.



The kidnappers managed to squeeze GHc 20,000 from the concerned family after negotiations and agreement to set their son free.



The kidnappers after receiving the amount refused to release the student insisting that the family further pays GHc 300,000 and threatened to send their son chopped into pieces if they fail to comply with their instruction.



It was later discovered that the kidnapping story was a ploy by the captive and his captors who are also students of the school and friends to extort money from the captives family for him to travel abroad.



The STC Chief Executive Officer, contributing to Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, wondered how a young boy could come up with such barbaric idea to extort money from his parents.



To him, this is the highest form of student misbehavior but called on the authorities to reform the suspects.



"I'm sure they are minors. They need counselling because they are teenagers," he appealed.









Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Officials of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has denied all allegations of a takeover by Sentuo Oil Refinery Ltd, a Chinese-owned private oil refinery.



This statement by TOR follows some allegations levelled against Ghanas only Refinery, TOR by the Executive Director of ASEPA, Mensah Thompson.



A statement issued on Monday, April 8 by Mr. Mensah Thompson had revealed that on April 4, ASEPA received a whistle-blower alert from a TOR insider about a meeting between TOR management and the Chinese-owned private oil refinery.



The meeting was allegedly convened to discuss the sale of the national refinery to the Chinese private owned company, Sentuo Oil Refinery Ltd.



The meeting, we were informed lasted from 10 am to 1 pm at the premises of the TOR after which there was a large celebration at Sentuo Oil Refinery Ltd to celebrate the outcome of the supposed meeting. The said meeting till now has not been reported in the media and neither has Tema Oil Refinery issued an official statement on the matter, he stated.



In view of this, ASEPA announced that it is invoking the Right to Information Law to compel both TOR and Sentuo Oil Refinery to disclose the nature of their relationship and confirm whether TOR has been out rightly sold to Sentuo, or if certain aspects of TORs operations have been transferred to Sentuo.



In response to the allegation, TOR in a statement on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, emphasised that no talks have ensued regarding the sale of the refinery.



According to the management of TOR, We have not entered into any unapproved mergers or acquisitions.



Giving more details, TOR explained that Sentuo currently pays them to store some of its crude oil in the refinerys storage tanks and when Sentuo is ready to refine the crude oil, TOR pumps it back to them.



The statement concluded by clarifying that, "TOR cherishes its relationship with its stakeholders. Therefore, any noteworthy adjustments or developments will be disclosed in a clear and open manner."



"As far as its activities are concerned, TOR is steadfast in its commitment to promoting understanding and explicitly asserts that the management of the Refinery has not been taken over."

Your browser does not support iframes.

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
Kwamena Duncan has charged the Police to swoop down on persons involved in mob justice on individuals who were falsely accused of stealing peoples genital organ.



The claims of disappearance of genitals leading to fear and panic among the public and attacks on innocent residents at Kasoa has become a serious matter of concern.



Male residents in Kasoa over the days have been on alert, especially walking in groups or avoiding busy areas, for fear of their penis going missing.



The missing penis story gained momentum to the extent that some persons were subjected to instant mob attacks following accusations of they masterminding the penis theft.



But the Ghana Police Service has discounted the claims and arrested nine persons for raising false alarm.



The Ghana Police Service notes with concern this increasing trend of persons making false claims of the disappearance of their genitals and blaming innocent bystanders that sometimes lead to mob attacks. We wish to caution the public against such criminal conduct that is likely to harm innocent people as well as disturb the public peace, a statement from the Police read.



Addressing the issue on Peace FMs Kokrokoo show, the former Central Minister asked the Police to extend their arrest to the persons who resorted to attacks on others over the false accusations.



The arrest shouldnt have been for only those who made the false alarm but also those who engaged in the mob attacks because videos of the incident are evident.



So, while arresting those making the false alarm, we must look further to those who took the law into their hands and falsely accuse people and as a result beat them with clubs and so forth so that we take it from all sides, Kwamena expressed.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Member of Parliament(MP) for Tolon Constituency in the Northern Region, Alhaji Habib Iddrisu has recognized the contributions of Sixty(60) persons for their meritorious contributions to the Tolon District.



The awardees according to him, are people who have impacted lives and contributed their quotas to the development of the district and constituency



The maiden edition of the Soyalana Excellent Service Awards ceremony was held for distinguished, hardworking men and women across the Tolon constituency who were honored for their exemplary service to their communities and constituency, he explained



The First Deputy Majority Chief Whip, who has always prioritised the constituencys development, gave recipients tabletop fridges, laptops, Television sets, motorbikes and citations.



Alhaji Habib Iddrisu also reiterated his resolve to prioritize the development of the area by ensuring that the infrastructure and human capacity of the constituency are developed for the benefit of all.



We can only succeed by being united irrespective of our political differences front, the reason why I call on everyone to contribute his or her quota to the development of the area by giving off his or best, he admonished.



Alhaji Habib Iddrisu before and upon assumption of office has hooked some communities to the national grid, empowered women in the constituency with the provision of start-up capital and granted scholarships to several students.







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
President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assented into law an Act of Parliament which seeks to revise and consolidate all laws relating to wildlife and protected areas known as The wildlife Resource Management Act, 2024 (Act 1115).



The Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2024 (Act 1115), which was sponsored by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, was passed by Parliament on 28th July, 2023, and assented to by the President on 1 March 2024.



The Wildlife Resources Management Bill, which had been pending for over 15 years, was previously laid before the fifth, sixth and seventh Parliaments, until it was eventually passed by the Eighth Parliament, on 28th July, 2023.



The news of the new law is contained in a press release dated 8th April, signed by the Minister in Charge of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor.



Among others, the new law brings Ghanas wildlife law in conformity with existing policies in the sector and provides for the implementation of international conventions on wildlife to which Ghana is a signatory. It provides for a new management structure to give legal backing to the involvement of local communities in wildlife management through the creation of Community Resources Management Areas (CREMAs) and provide higher penalties and sanctions regime for wildlife offences, deterrent enough to protect our wildlife resources.



"The law also provides for the implementation of several international wildlife conventions to which Ghana is a signatory, such as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitats (RAMSAR), 1971, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, (CITES), 1973, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (BONN), 1979, as well as several indicators in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).



He added that the Wildlife and Protected areas were previously regulated by the Wild Animals Preservation Act 1961, (Act 43), the Wildlife Conservation Regulation 1971 (L.I. 685) and the Wildlife reserve Regulations 1971 (L. I. 710).



According to the sector minister, these legislation which was passed over 50 years ago do not meet the current international best practices for wildlife protection and management, and did not provide a legal framework for the implementation for the Forest and Wildlife policy, 2012, the forestry Development Master Plan (2016-2036), and other national and international frameworks that guide sustainable resource management, all of which were adopted years after these laws were made.



Mr Jinapor said his ministry was committed to the effective implementation of this important piece of legislation for the efficient and progressive preservation and management of the wildlife resources of our country, in the spirit of transparency, anchored on integrity and utmost good faith, for the benefit of the Ghanaians.

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
Former NDC Deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho, has urged former President John Mahama to refrain from what he considers to be political immorality.



He contends that John Dramani Mahama's statement regarding the government's one-student, one-tablet program cannot be considered as vote buying, as Mahama himself implemented a similar initiative during his presidency.



Incontrovertible evidence capturing JMs Education Minister (now running mate), distributing laptops to schools. So, what is she saying about her bosss talk that laptops are being given to buy votes? Did Naana give hers to buy votes? Immorality in politics must stop in NDC, he said.



Background



Former President John Dramani Mahama has criticized the government's choice to provide tablets to Senior High School students ahead of the 2024 elections.



He argues that it is a move by the government to lure first-time voters to vote for them.



You bring a new curriculum, the children have no textbooks in basic school for the last four years and you think that giving pre-tertiary students tablets is more important. Of course, everybody knows the political expediency.



The pre-tertiary students are going to register in May because some of them will be turning 18 years and above, some are 18 already, and they are going to be the ones voting. So, this is a gift to entice them to vote for the current government.



Otherwise, if you are using GH1.3 billion to give pre-tertiary students laptops, our priority would have been different. Other things are begging for funding in our educational system than those laptops. But it is a bribe for them to vote for this government.





Source: ghanaweb.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 story has been updated with the number of arrests.

Five people were arrested in Philadelphia on Wednesday after at least two people were shot and injured not far from where residents were celebrating a Ramadan event, multiple sources said.

The shooting took place near the 4700 block of Wyalusing Avenue and 47th and Girard, where an Eid al-Fitr celebration was taking place for the end of Ramadan, according to Fox29 and 6abc Action News.
WILLIAMSPORT  Threats that a Montour County man is accused of making in multiple calls and emails to FBI offices have been detailed in an indictment handed up in U.S. Middle District Court.

Thomas Green, 32, of Danville, has been jailed since his arrest March 28 but the allegations against him had not been released until Tuesdays indictment that charges him with influencing a federal official by threat and interstate threats.

He is accused of making calls from his phone numbers beginning in 2019 to multiple FBI field offices reporting alleged criminal conduct.
By Rebecca Boone, The Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho  An Idaho man charged with three murders in an unusual doomsday-focused case crafted an alternate reality so that he could fulfill his desire for sex, money and power, a prosecutor told jurors Wednesday morning.

When he had a chance at what he considered his rightful destiny, he made sure no person and no law would stand in his way, prosecutor Rob Wood said.

Chad Daybell, 55, is facing charges of first-degree murder, insurance fraud, and conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of Tammy Daybell, 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan. Last year, their mother, Vallow Daybell, received a life sentence without parole for the killings.

Prosecutors say the couple justified the three killings by creating a detailed and apocalyptic belief system, part of an elaborate scheme to eliminate any obstacles to their relationship and to obtain money from survivor benefits and life insurance. Vallow Daybell referred to her two youngest kids as zombies, one friend testified during her trial.

The evidence will show that this was a convenient narrative, Wood told jurors. This narrative gave them the pretext to remove people from this world for their own good.

Daybells defense attorney John Prior presented a different picture to jurors  noting that Chad Daybell was a religious person but arguing that his belief in things like premonitions were fairly mainstream. Prior also explained to jurors that Lori Vallow Daybells brother, Alex Cox, had a violent history. He had previously been convicted of attacking Vallow Daybells third husband, and he shot and killed her fourth husband.

Lori Vallow Daybell sits during her sentencing hearing at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho, Monday, July 31, 2023. (Tony Blakeslee/EastIdahoNews.com via AP, Pool)AP

In opening statements, Daybells attorney argued that his client lived a normal, faith-focused life before he met Lori Vallow Daybell, who he said showered Daybell with attention. His legal team described her as a beautiful, vivacious person who drew Daybell into an extramarital relationship.

Daybells attorney also said he would present several experts in DNA, forensics and medicine who would testify that its impossible to determine what caused Tammy Daybells death and that none of Chad Daybells DNA was found with the childrens bodies.

Whats important are facts and evidence, Prior told the jury. Dont be distracted by speculation, dont be distracted by guesses or suspicions or hunches. It all comes down to facts and evidence.

The prosecutor, Wood, also described the basics of the case against Daybell, structuring his presentation for jurors like chapters in a book  an apparent reference to the defendants previous work as an author. Chad Daybell was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and self-published fiction loosely based on its teachings.

In fall 2019, prosecutors say he tried to fraudulently collect on his late wifes life insurance policy, and Vallow Daybell continued to collect both childrens social security benefits after they died.

Chad Daybell has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial is expected to take more than two months. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if Daybell is convicted. Daybells defense attorney John Prior did not return a phone message requesting comment. A judge has issued a gag order in the case, barring attorneys from talking to the media until the trial is over.

The grim story began in the fall of 2019, when extended family members reported the two children missing and law enforcement officials launched a search that spanned several states. The subsequent investigation took several unexpected turns.

Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell were having an affair when both of their spouses died unexpectedly, investigators said. Vallow Daybells husband was shot to death by her brother Alex Cox in Arizona in July 2019; the brother told police it was in self-defense.

Wood told jurors that the evidence in the case will show that Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell manipulated Cox into doing their bidding by promising him spiritual rewards.

FILE - Larry Woodcock speaks to media members at the Rexburg Standard Journal Newspaper in Rexburg, Idaho on Jan. 7, 2020, while holding a reward flyer for Joshua Vallow and Tylee Ryan. A self-published doomsday fiction author is on trial in Idaho in the deaths of his wife and his new girlfriend's two children. Chad Daybell has pleaded not guilty to murder, conspiracy and grand theft charges in the deaths of his late wife Tammy Daybell, as well as the children, Joshua "JJ" Vallow and Tylee Ryan. (John Roark/The Idaho Post-Register via AP, File)AP

Several months later, in October 2019, Tammy Daybell died. Chad Daybell initially told police she was battling an illness and died in her sleep, but an autopsy later determined she died of asphyxiation. Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell married just two weeks after Tammy Daybell died, surprising family members and drawing suspicion from authorities.

Friends later told detectives that Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell believed they had been reincarnated and were tasked with gathering people before a biblical apocalypse.

Wood said Chad Daybell described both children as being possessed before they disappeared, and that he repeatedly predicted to friends that Tammy Daybell would soon die.

The bodies of the children were eventually found buried in Chad Daybells yard. Tylee Ryans remains had been dismembered and burned, and JJs remains were bound.
The uncle of 1923 actor Cole Brings Plenty, who was found dead in Kansas on April 5, recently stressed to the public that his nephew wasnt on the run prior to his death.

As previously reported, the 27-year-old actor, who played Pete Plenty Clouds on the Yellowstone spinoff series, was found dead days after he went missing after authorities named him as a suspect in a domestic violence case.

His body was found in a wooded area around 11:45 a.m. after deputies responded to multiple reports of an unoccupied vehicle, according to The Johnson County Sheriffs Office.

So far, a cause of death has yet to be reported.

But his family has said the public should refrain from assuming he was on the run from authorities due to the domestic violence claim.

To further support the familys stance, Mo Brings Plenty, who is an actor on Yellowstone, shared a bevy of posts on Instagram several days ago about his nephews disappearance.

It has been suggested that Cole is on the run, but there is no evidence to support this claim, and we urge everyone to refrain from making unfounded speculations, he wrote in one of the posts.

In another post that went up the same day, Mo Brings Plenty reiterated his statement and expressed gratitude for those who searched for the missing actor. He also doubled down that his nephew wouldnt be running away from police.

It is not in his character despite what people think or say, his uncle wrote. It isnt worth it and he would know that.

The search began after authorities received a 911 call due to reports of a woman heard screaming in a Lawrence, Kansas, apartment on March 31. They named Cole Brings Plenty as a suspect after an investigation and said that traffic cameras showed him leaving the city immediately after the incident.

The search became expanded last Thursday when drones were utilized to comb parts of the city, according to KCTV.

But on Friday, Cole Brings Plentys father learned of his sons death and released a statement that was shared on Mo Brings Plentys Instagram account.

I learned this week how many people knew the goodness in Coles heart and loved him.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 10. Kazakhstan and China's Macau special administrative region have signed an agreement on mutual exemption from visa requirements for up to 14 days, Trend reports.

The document was signed by the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to China Shakhrat Nuryshev, and the Secretary of Administration and Justice of Macau Cheong Weng Chon.

According to the Kazakh MFA, the agreement will come into force after the completion of internal state procedures.

This agreement will give additional impetus to the development of trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, and tourism cooperation between the parties.

Meanwhile, an agreement on mutual visa exemption between Kazakhstan and China came into effect on November 10, 2023.

This agreement exempts nationals of both countries from visa restrictions for private concerns, tourism, medical treatment, foreign travel, transit, and business purposes.

Citizens of both countries could stay in their respective territories for up to 30 calendar days after crossing the border, for a total of 90 days in a 180-day period.

If citizens need to stay for longer than 30 days, they must get an entry visa in the appropriate category in advance. The visa-free regime does not allow the right to work, study, or engage in missionary activities.
By MICHAEL PHILLIS, The Associated Press

The Biden administration on Wednesday finalized strict limits on certain so-called forever chemicals in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured.

Officials say this will reduce exposure for 100 million people and help prevent thousands of illnesses, including cancers.

The rule is the first national drinking water limit on toxic PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are widespread and long lasting in the environment.

Health advocates praised the Environmental Protection Agency for not backing away from tough limits the agency proposed last year. But water utilities took issue with the rule, saying treatment systems are expensive to install and that customers will end up paying more for water.

Water providers are entering a new era with significant additional health standards that the EPA says will make tap water safer for millions of consumers  a Biden administration priority. The agency has also proposed forcing utilities to remove dangerous lead pipes.

Utility groups warn the rules will cost tens of billions of dollars each and fall hardest on small communities with fewer resources. Legal challenges are sure to follow.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the rule is the most important action the EPA has ever taken on PFAS.

The result is a comprehensive and life-changing rule, one that will improve the health and vitality of so many communities across our country, Regan said.

A North Shore Environmental Construction truck containing buckets of PFAS-laden firefighting foam is shown outside the Jefferson Fire Department on June 22, 2023, in Jefferson, Wis. (Drake White-Bergey / Wisconsin Watch, file)

PFAS chemicals are hazardous because they dont degrade in the environment and are linked to health issues such as low birth weight and kidney cancer. Theyve been used in everyday products including nonstick pans, firefighting foam and waterproof clothing. Although some of the most common types are phased out in the U.S., others remain.

Water providers will now be forced to remove contamination put in the environment by other industries.
By Peter Dujardin, Daily Press (TNS)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va.  A special grand jury in Newport News has charged a former school administrator with multiple counts of felony child neglect in the case of a 6-year-old who shot his teacher early last year.

Ebony J. Parker, the former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School, showed a reckless disregard for the human life of other students on Jan. 6, 2023, according to indictments unsealed Tuesday in Newport News Circuit Court.

Parker, 39, of Newport News, was charged with eight counts of felony child neglect, each punishable by up to five years in prison.

Abigail Zwerner, the teacher who was shot at Richneck Elementary School last year, listens as one of her attorneys talks to a reporter on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot/TNS, file)TNS

The charges come about 15 months after the first-grader shot his teacher, Abby Zwerner, in the Richneck classroom. Just before 2 p.m. that day  as Zwerner sat at a reading table and the boy at his desk  he suddenly pulled a gun out of his front hoodie pocket, pointed at his teacher, and fired a single round. The bullet went through the teachers left hand, striking her in the upper chest.

Zwerner has filed a $40 million lawsuit contending Parker ignored several stark warnings  including from other teachers at Richneck  that the boy had a gun in school.

The Newport News special grand jury asserts Parker failed to take action. The eight indictments all read identically, mirroring language from Virginias child neglect statute.

Being a person responsible for the care of students under the age of 18 at Richneck Elementary School, the eight indictments each say, Parker committed a willful act or omission in the care of such students that was so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life.

The special grand jury issued the indictments March 11, but they were unsealed by a court order Tuesday. A warrant was issued for Parkers arrest Tuesday morning.

The Newport News prosecutors office declined to comment on the indictments but is expected to release a report from the special grand jury on Wednesday afternoon.

Parker had worked for the Newport News school division since 2008 and had been Richnecks assistant principal for about two years at the time of the shooting. She resigned a few weeks afterward.

She has not responded to multiple attempts to reach her over the past year.

Her attorney in the criminal case, Curtis Rogers, could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday. According to court records, prosecutors are recommending that Parker could be released if she posts a $4,000 secured bond and surrenders her passports.

The 6-year-olds mother, Deja Nicole Taylor, 26, was charged with felony child neglect after the boy took her gun to school that morning. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years behind bars.

She also has been sentenced in federal court to 21 months for lying on a gun purchasing form about her marijuana usage and having both a gun and the drug at the same time.

Last May, Newport News Commonwealths Attorney Howard Gwynn asked for a special grand jury to probe whether any actions or omissions by school system employees also helped lead to the shooting.

Its unclear if the grand jury is expected to charge anyone else.
By Ty Oneil, The Associated Press

PRESCOTT, Ariz.  Its shaping up to be a long wildfire season, with Texas already seeing its largest blaze in recorded history and firefighters becoming overwhelmed with recent blazes in Virginia.

Just in the first three months of the year, more than 2,669 square miles (6,912 square kilometers) were charred in the United States. Thats more than half of last years total, and forecasters are predicting elevated risk of fires over the coming months in the Great Lakes region, parts of the Midwest, Southwest and in Hawaii.

Were going to be busy. I couldnt tell you exactly where right now, but we are going to be busy, said Alex Robertson, acting director of fire and aviation at the U.S. Forest Service.

With fires growing in size and duration, federal officials in charge of juggling resources and dispatching crews are pivoting to a new business model they describe as the biggest shift in wildfire management in decades. They say it will offer more flexibility when responding to wildfires and ensure that there are more personnel with the training and qualifications needed to deal with the most complex fires.

Its an idea that has been circulating for years due to the strain put on the wildland firefighting workforce as heat waves and historic drought tied to climate change have made wildfires harder to fight in the American West. Scientists have said climate change has made the region much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme, and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

In past years, a shortage of top-level Type 1 teams has resulted in Type 2 teams taking on bigger assignments  like those that threaten multiple communities and require more firefighters, aircraft and a constant stream of other resources. This season, 44 leadership teams have been formed to respond to the largest fires across the country.

Managers consider many factors when deciding a fires complexity, which can change amid developments ranging from fuel conditions and growth potential to risks to property and cultural resources.

Todd Abel, the deputy fire management officer with Arizonas Department of Forestry and Fire Management, has been part of wildfire management teams for more than two decades. There have been years when he returned home from an assignment only to pack up and leave again two days later for another one. He recalled doing that eight or nine times one summer.

Thats why theyre making more teams available for complex incident management, he said.

In 2021, California marked its largest single wildfire. The Dixie Fire was active for more than three months and grew to 1,505 square miles (3,898 square kilometers). Nearly 2,000 personnel were assigned to that fire.

The following year in New Mexico, more than 3,000 people were assigned to fight the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, a conflagration sparked by two prescribed burns that escaped from forest managers. The largest and most destructive wildfire in New Mexicos recorded history, it burned for more than four months before it was contained.

Aside from filling top command roles, recruitment of new wildland firefighters has been a priority across federal land management agencies. Many positions are seasonal, averaging six months. Some people dont return while others are promoted  and both cases leave positions empty.

The Forest Service hopes to hire around 11,300 firefighters this year.

Aravaipa Hotshot Katie Williamson, left, instructs a Wildfire academy student using a chainsaw, Monday, March 11, 2024, in Prescott, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)AP

The lengthening of fire season also has changed the makeup of seasonal fire crews and permanent positions. Jeff Rupert, director of the U.S. Interior Departments Office of Wildland Fire, said that in years past, more than one-third of the workforce consisted of seasonal crew members. That number is decreasing as more permanent positions are required.

New recruits must complete wildland fire training and pass a basic fitness test.

An annual wildfire training academy in Prescott, Arizona, marked a record-setting year, with more than 1,000 people turning out in March for a week of classroom time and work in the field.

Dozens of students kicked up clouds of dust as they used tools to dig their first handline in a place where fire is simulated by pink tape tied to bushes. There wasnt any choking smoke or chainsaws ripping through the brush while helicopters thundered overhead. Still, the workshop provided students with an idea of what its like to fight a wildfire.

Robertson said the first year for a firefighter is the most important.

Its when somebody determines whether this line of work is good for them, he said. Its a lot of work where you dont know where youre going to be the next day. Its very dynamic. A lot of unknowns.

Wildfire academy students gather for instruction in a classroom, Monday, March 11, 2024, in Prescott, Ariz. Forecasters are warning that the potential for wildfires will be above normal in some areas across the United States over the coming months as temperatures rise and rain becomes sparse. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)AP

For top-level managers who orchestrate battles against the largest fires, there are new courses that some will have to take  now that Type 1 and Type 2 teams are being reconfigured to form new management teams for complex fires. Between 50 and 90 people will make up the teams, each with expertise in their particular fields.

Jesse Bender, chair of the Incident Workforce Development Group, said the change has to do more with the administrative process of how government agencies respond to wildfires. She called it an opportunity to better align the business of fighting wildfires so the public knows its getting a highly trained and experienced group of people who can take care of firefighters on the ground and protect the things that communities value, including homes, wildlife, cultural landmarks and nature reserves.

The bottom line, she said, is we want to make sure we get enough people to all the fires to help those who need it.

Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed to this report.
A small central Pennsylvania borough on Tuesday night rejected a measure that would have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The North York Borough Council upheld a veto by the mayor, who had opposed the measure from the beginning and last month vetoed it immediately after council had approved the measure.
Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard.

You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, Stitcher and YouTube. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit!

Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | April 10, 2024

The state Supreme Court heard arguments this week concerning a federal law which grants gun manufacturers immunity from civil liability during a lawsuit over a young boys death. Lawmakers are taking another look at water privatization. Over 40 aftershocks were felt after that earthquake. Plus, a Pennsylvanian won big at the CMT Music Awards.

Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa.

Todays episode refers to the following articles:

If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too.

As sponsored by Renewal by Anderson of Central PA.
Anyone planning to do their student teaching in 2024-25 better set their alarms on Thursday to be ready around 9 a.m. when applications for stipends through Pennsylvanias new $10 million Student Teacher Support Program become available.

The stipends will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The process begins with downloading an application on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agencys website, www.pheaa.org/studentteacher.
With the issue of illicit drug use in hospitals now on B.C.s political radar, the Interior Health Authority has confirmed that some staff at Penticton Regional Hospital sought treatment last week after being exposed to what was believed to be fumes from illicit drugs in a patients room.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 10. Pakistan is interested in developing railway communication with Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

This was stated during a meeting between the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin and the First Deputy Minister of Railways of Pakistan Syed Ali Shah.

During the meeting, the Pakistani side spoke about the work being done to attract foreign investors to rehabilitate and expand the country's railway networks.

In this regard, Shah expressed deep interest in intensifying cooperation between Kazakhstan and Pakistan, the establishment of which could help bring bilateral and interregional trade to a qualitatively new level.

In turn, Kistafin noted the need to strengthen the dialogue, both within the framework of the Joint Working Group on Transport and Regional Connectivity and directly between the railway departments of the two countries.

In general, the parties noted significant potential for interaction in the transport and logistics field, including taking into account access to the Pakistani seaports of Karachi and Gwadar, which will provide access to African and Southeast Asian countries.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to organize negotiations at the level of authorized government bodies and interested organizations in Kazakhstan and Pakistan.

As previously stated by the Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Talgat Lastayev, Kazakhstan is interested in developing transport cooperation with Pakistan.
The last flights of the EAPT Malta 560 Main Event at Portomaso Casino came to an end. In total, 660 entrants were recorded on this event, generating a prize pool of 313,500, way more than the 200,000 guarantee. This Thursday, April 9, Day 1c became the biggest flight of all with 196 entrants. But out of this field, only 29 players managed to bag up chips and advance to Day 2, securing a spot in the money.

Among these 29 players, Alessandro D'Amore ended up as the chip leader with 644,000 chips. Thanks to a pretty good run during the last levels of the day, he finished ahead of Andrew Cutajar (586,000) and Marco Grandetti (583,000).

560 EAPT Malta Day 1c Top 10

Rank Player Country Chip count Big Blinds 1 Alessandro D'Amore Italy 644,000 64 2 Andrew Cutajar Malta 586,000 59 3 Marco Grandetti Italy 583,000 58 4 Arvydas Merfeldas Lithuania 531,000 53 5 Matthew Micallef Malta 500,000 50 6 Mark Vella Malta 431,000 43 7 Panteleimon Michalakellis Greece 337,000 34 8 Francesco Fiore Italy 335,000 34 9 David Lappin Ireland 332,000 33 10 Idan Levy Romania 328,000 33

Arvydas Merfeldas filled his bag with 531,000 chips tonight. "He is a very good player," David Lappin told PokerNews earlier in the day after he recognized him. The co-host of the Chip Race podcast and Unibet ambassador also made his way to the money, securing 332,000 chips for Day 2. He is followed by Idan Levy (328,000), who folded queens preflop today. A very wise move, as his opponent had aces.

Giovanna Dimartino will be back on Day 2 with 174,000 chips, which is below the average stack. Same situation for Adrian Ziemichod (173,000), while Eimantas Plekavicius (93,000), Nikola Minovic (85,000), and Luca Tramaglino (34,000) are in the last positions of the day.

Finally, Day 1d and Day 1 Turbo came to an end during the night. And thanks to these two last flights of the tournament, France's Mohamed Aissani became the overall chip leader with 700,000 chips.

Mohamed Aissani

Day 2 is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Wednesday, April 10 at noon, and to end when a winner is crowned. With 99 remaining players, the Day is expected to be very long. It will start on Level 16 (4,000/8,000 with a 8,000 big blind ante) and continue on 40-minute levels. Then blinds will increase every 20 hands on the final table.

As always, stay tuned to PokerNews as we bring you all the action throughout this tournament until we have the name of the winner!
Trump showed that he will never be a leader by suggesting that Arizona should clean up the reproductive rights crisis that he caused.

Trump said, Yeah, they did. Thatll be straightened out. As you know its all about states rights. Itll be straightened out. Im sure that the governor and everybody else are going bring it back to within reason very quickly.

The ex-president also said that he thinks that Florida will correct their abortion ban.

Video:

Q: Did Arizona go too far? Former President Trump: Yeah, they did. Thatll be straightened out. As you know its all about states rights. Itll be straightened out. Im sure that the governor and everybody else are going bring it back to within reason pic.twitter.com/Dc9qluxemc  CSPAN (@cspan) April 10, 2024

The nation has seen this behavior before from Trump. When the failed former president botched the response to COVID, he blamed the states and called on them to fix it.

Arizona would not have to fix the state Supreme Court decision if Trump had not recklessly caved to the far-right and nominated three anti-freedom extremists to serve on the Supreme Court.

Donald Trump is responsible for this crime against American women, and his spin that this is a states rights issue has already been rejected by voters across the country. Americans dont want a patchwork abortion policy. The American people want what they had before, which was a consistent national federal policy.

Trumps lack of leadership is pathetic. He is trying to take credit for getting rid of Roe, while taking none of the blame for the consequences. Donald Trump is trying to run away from what he did to a majority of Americans on freedom and choice, but it isnt going to work.

The American people know who is to blame for this tragedy, and they will hold Trump accountable in November.

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.

[wpedon id=344887 align=center]
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 10. Kazakhstan and Belgium have agreed to hold a joint business forum, Trend reports.

This topic was discussed during the meeting of the Vice-Minister of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan Kairat Torebayev with Rose Donck, Director - Head of Department State Visits and Belgian Economic Missions of the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency, in Brussels.

Approximately 200 companies from both countries will participate in the upcoming business forum, scheduled to take place in Belgium in 2024.

During the discussions, the parties addressed the volume of bilateral trade and acknowledged that it falls short of the existing potential.

Rose Donck, speaking on behalf of Belgium, mentioned that the last economic mission to Kazakhstan occurred in 2010. She stated that there are considerations within the agency to organize another economic mission to Kazakhstan in the near future.

Donck further elaborated that the agency plans to arrange a business seminar focusing on investment, trade, and economic opportunities in Kazakhstan for 200 Belgian firms. She also provided insights into the agency's global activities and functions.

On the other hand, Kairat Torebayev updated the counterpart on the operations of the Ready4Trade portal and extended an invitation to Rose Donck to participate in the Astana International Forum scheduled for June 13-14, 2024.

Meanwhile, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Belgium in 2023 amounted to $523.7 million, which is 1.7 percent higher than in 2022 ($514.9 million). By 2022-end, the volume of investments in the economy of Kazakhstan from Belgium amounted to $1.56 billion.
COLUMBIA  A former Dorchester School District Two teacher who resigned last fall after he was charged with child sexual abuse offenses in Tennessee has been suspended by the South Carolina State Board of Education.

The board agreed with the S.C. Department of Education that emergency action was required in the case of Andrew F. Ketron. After an April 3 hearing, the board decided Ketron's educator certificate should be suspended.

The board found Ketron posed a threat to the health, safety and welfare of students who could be under his instruction, according to the board's order.

According to the Department of Education, Ketron was certified Jan. 27, 2022. He taught middle school social studies.

Dorchester School District Two placed Ketron on administrative leave Oct. 4 after learning of the charges in Tennessee.

According to sheriff and court records in Sullivan County, Tenn., which lies in the far eastern region of the Volunteer State, Ketron is charged with one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child and 76 counts of statutory rape by an authority figure that occurred in 2020.

Ketron, who resigned from DD2 on Oct. 25, is free on a $100,000 bond. His next court hearing is June 27.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 10. The export of oil products from Kyrgyzstan to China amounted to 968.4 tons in January 2024, Trend reports.

Data from Kyrgyzstan's State Statistical Committee indicates that this figure increased by 74.4 percent compared to January 2023 (555.2 tons).

The total value of these exports reached $979,126, which is a 57-percent increase compared to January 2023 figures ($623,663).

China ranks third among the top importers of oil products from Kyrgyzstan in the first month of the year. Turkiye holds the first position, purchasing 10,058 tons for $6.148 million, while Uzbekistan follows in second place with 1,204 tons valued at $376,200.

Overall, Kyrgyzstan exported 14,677 tons of oil products in January 2024, which is a 34.5-percent increase compared to the 10,914 tons exported in the corresponding month of 2023. The total value of exports amounted to $10.280 million, which is a 58.5 percent increase compared to January 2023 ($6.487 million).

Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover reached $1.168 billion in January 2024, which is 36.8 percent higher than in January 2023. Exports amounted to $181.3 million, a 46.6 percent increase year-on-year. Imports increased by 35.1 percent compared to January 2023, reaching $987.5 million.
Mary Smith is proud of what she and her Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts team accomplished in what has been the most difficult year of their lives.

On March 2, 2023, tragedy struck the King Street doughnut shop when Smiths daughter, Allison, was involved in a car accident and died. She was 34.

Suddenly, the family was mourning their loss while also trying to keep the Charleston shop Allison Smith opened in 2011 going.

Mary Smith and other members of the family  who remembered their daughter, sister, wife and friend as a thoughtful person with genuine care for others  said at the time they would try to keep Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts open as long as they could.

They knew it would be hard, but they carried on with their early morning bakes. They continued to make creative doughnut flavors that have over the years brought national news outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Boston Globe, along with celebrity chef Rachael Ray, to 481 King St.

Eventually, the weight of it all became too much to bear.

On April 9, ownership broke the news to Glazed followers on social media that the shop would serve its last customers on April 17.

Her magic just hasnt been there, Mary Smith said of her daughter. Allison was Glazed, and Glazed was Allison.

For Mary Smith, brother Matthew Smith, husband Mark Remi and business partner Nir Arbiv, making the announcement brought back a wave of emotions they felt in the aftermath of the morning of Allisons death, when Darrius L. Frasier allegedly blew through a red light and smashed into her vehicle at a high rate of speed on Dorchester Road. Frasier was indicted on Jan. 5 on two counts of reckless homicide and is free on a $200,000 bond.
MONCKS CORNER  An off-duty Summerville police officer who claimed self-defense when he shot and killed a man outside a Chick-fil-A last month has been charged with murder.

Anthony DeLustro, 64, was arrested April 10 in the killing of Michael O'Neal, a 39-year-old resident of Pfafftown, N.C. SLED agents took DeLustro, now a former Summerville officer, to the Berkeley County Detention Center.

He appeared from jail on a video call before Magistrate Judge Martin Housand the evening of his arrest. Standing on crutches, DeLustro asked the judge for mercy. He recounted his time as a Sept. 11 first responder that resulted in him developing cancer, the death of his special-needs daughter and how he and his wife have been raising their two young granddaughters.

"We've been raising them and sending them to Catholic school and trying to provide a good life for them," said DeLustro. "Just any the mercy you can show me, where I could be with them and help them get through this, I would appreciate."

Housand did not set bond, meaning DeLustro will remain in jail for the time being. Under South Carolina law, only circuit court judges can set bond on a charge of murder. His next court date is at 2:30 p.m. June 14.

On March 20, DeLustro and O'Neal confronted each other in the parking lot of Chick-fil-A at 1312 N. Main St., where the two exited their vehicles, according to the arrest warrant and accompanying affidavit. Witnesses described DeLustro, a former New York City Police Department officer, as the aggressor in what escalated into a physical fight.
FLORENCE  The director of a closed Florence charter school allegedly put more than $114,000 of the schools money into her personal savings account.

Court-appointed receiver John Edward Haas' latest findings in his April 1 interim report are part of the ongoing court battle between former Palmetto Youth Academy Director Yvonne Brown-Burgess and Florence 1 Schools.

TD Bank failed to follow an October 2023 court order to freeze a Palmetto Youth Academy account. Debit card charges were approved and the account was overdrawn because the account wasn't frozen, according to the report.

Brown-Burgess legal counsel asked Haas to unfreeze her savings account at Pee Dee Federal Credit Union because she needed to use the funds in it to pay her mortgage. Haas believed her account needed to be more thoroughly investigated before unfreezing it.

Brown-Burgess provided copies of her Pee Dee Federal Credit Union statements Feb. 27 and told Haas she had been given $114,416 from Palmetto Youth Academy to increase her retirement benefits with the South Carolina Retirement System.

TD Bank on or around June 30, 2023, issued two cashier's checks drawn from the charter school's accounts made out to Brown-Burgess for a total $114,400, according to the report. She deposited the checks into her Credit Union savings account on Aug. 8, 2023. The money was not moved into the South Carolina Retirement System before the Credit Union account was frozen.

There was $115,005.91 in her savings account when it was frozen on Dec. 31, 2023.

If this savings account were to be unfrozen, then Ms. Brown-Burgess use of this money to pay her mortgage or other personal expenses could convert some or possibly all of the $114,400 in funds provided by the PYA for purchase of retirement credits into a use not intended by the PYA, according to the court report.
COLUMBIA  A South Carolina Senate committee voted to fast-track a sweeping and controversial energy policy reform bill despite concerns from members of the public  and some lawmakers  that the process was moving too quickly.

Dubbed the South Carolina Energy Security Act, the bill seeks to knock down a number of regulatory roadblocks to allow Dominion Energy and state-owned utility provider Santee Cooper to join together to develop a gas-fired power plant at a former coal-fired plant in South Carolinas Lowcountry as a response to the states burgeoning energy-capacity crisis. The facility most likely to be converted is the old Canadys coal-fired plant near Walterboro, which was decommissioned several years ago.

It also gives the companies significant leeway to build new gas pipelines to support the plant, and cuts the regulatory red tape involved in breaking ground on projects that have already received a thumbs-up from the Public Service Commission, the regulatory oversight body that oversees in-state utility projects.

But the bill  which advanced through the House of Representatives at a rapid pace late last month before landing on Senators desks for the first time last week  includes a series of policy changes some say go well beyond the scope of clearing the way for a new and reportedly necessary natural gas facility.

These changes were enough to leave lawmakers like Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, Tameika Isaac-Devine, D-Columbia, and Wes Climer, R-Rock Hill, with numerous questions before voting it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee to the full Senate on April 9.

Particularly after a single subcommittee meeting the previous week in which the only organizations to give verbal testimony were utility companies.

Less-significant bills are beat to death on the floor all the time, Gustafson said. If were going to do that, I think we need to do that bills just like this.
CLOVER  The Coast Guard said it is resuming the search for a missing man after his boat was discovered empty more than 80 miles from where he was last seen.

Family members of Jeffrey Kale, 47, of Clover told authorities he had gone on a fishing trip last weekend but was overdue for his return. The Coast Guard was notified about 10:30 p.m. April 6.

The initial search for Kale and his white 32-foot Cape Horn center-console boat was conducted across nearly 8,000 square miles. Boats were deployed southeast of Southport, N.C. The Coast Guard suspended the search April 8.

Another boater reported seeing Kale's vessel nearly 83 miles east of Wrightsville Beach, N.C. A commercial towing vessel was tapped to tow the boat back to shore.

The Coast Guard reported no damages were noticed on the boat and no one was aboard.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 10. Uzbekistan's Silk Avia airline will launch direct flights on the route Bukhara - Urgench - Bukhara, Trend reports.

The first flight on this route will be carried out on April 13, and starting from May 4, flights will be operated every Saturday on a regular basis.

Travel time will be 1 hour 15 minutes, which will significantly reduce travel time between regions without the need for a transfer in Tashkent.

The new route offers travelers the opportunity to explore the cultural and historical heritage of Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, on April 1, Uzbekistan Helicopters under Silk Avia brand launched flights on the Nukus - Muynak - Nukus route.

Flights operate three times a week: on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. Flights are carried out on the LET L-410 aircraft.
SPARTANBURG  Those flying the Confederate banner along I-85 suffered a defeat in court, but their attorneys said they dont plan to raise a white flag.

Judge Mark Hayes ruled Feb. 20 that a notice of violation Spartanburg County issued against the 120-foot flagpole is valid and the county Board of Zoning Appeals abused its discretion when it overturned the notice in January 2023.

Attorneys for the landowner filed a motion to reconsider. There was a subsequent hearing, and Hayes indicated April 5 that his initial ruling would stand.

An attorney for the property owner told The Post and Courier it will appeal this ruling. A county spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

It started when less than an acre of land near the end of Teaberry Road changed hands in December 2019. It was an end-of-year gift to Adam Washington Ballenger Camp No. 68, the Spartanburg chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Inc.

While tucked away on a seldom-used road just behind the tree line, the property sits close to where Interstate 85 and I-85 Business intersect. More than 80,000 cars pass by daily.

Robert K. Merting, an attorney for the new owner, emailed County Building Codes Director Gregg Hembree on Oct. 12, 2020, to see if a permit was required to raise a flagpole. The next day, Hembree responded: No permit is required for a flagpole.

Subsequent conversations with code officials received the same response, the camp reported, although they required a permit for electrical work at the site.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans contacted the Federal Aviation Administration, which sent a letter April 22, 2022, confirming that the pole would not obstruct air traffic.

On June 3, 2022, an electrical contractor got a permit, with the work described as power for decorative lights. The county inspected the electrical work July 7 of that year.

Some time afterward, a 30-foot-by-20-foot Confederate Naval Jack was unfurled atop the 120-foot pole.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 14:30:31

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 831 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

VICTORIA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / AI/ML Innovations Inc. (CSE:AIML)(OTCQB:AIMLF)(FWB:42FB), a leading company committed to acquiring and advancing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning technologies that address urgent societal needs, is proud to announce the launch of its innovative "Follow Your Heart" brand, featuring Micro Payment integration by TodaQ MicroPay. As part of this unique initiative, AI/ML's Follow Your Heart products have been selected as the first healthcare platform to leverage TodaQ MicroPay technology as the result of a successful Pilot Program, marking an important advancement in accessible healthcare solutions.Empowering Health Through Micro Payments: The Follow Your Heart BrandFollow Your Heart, powered by AI/ML's proprietary AI PrecisionPulse Neural Network, represents a new trend in cardiovascular health monitoring. With the tagline "Discover Wellness in Every Beat," Follow Your Heart embodies our commitment to empowering individuals to take control of their well-being. Now, with TodaQ MicroPay integration, Follow Your Heart can further empower its channel partners with micropayment and distribution capabilities for Blood Pressure estimates and other biometric data.Key Features of Follow Your Heart:Utilizes AI/ML's advanced Neural Net for Blood Pressure measurement Features EdgeAI and PrecisionPulse measurement technology for enhanced accuracy Offers seamless integration with TodaQ MicroPay for micropayment and distributionExpanding Access Through Retail Pharmacy and BeyondFollow Your Heart will be available for purchase through retail pharmacy channels and other outlets serving patients with hypertension. By making the product accessible through diverse channels, AI/ML aims to reach a wide audience and empower individuals to proactively manage their cardiovascular health.Paul Duffy, CEO of AI/ML Innovations Inc. stated, "We are thrilled to introduce the Follow Your Heart brand and its integration with TodaQ MicroPay. This collaboration represents an innovative advancement in healthcare accessibility, allowing individuals to access essential health solutions seamlessly. Follow Your Heart embodies our commitment to innovation and empowerment, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on individuals' lives." Hassan Khan, CEO and Founder of TodaQ Micro added, "We are excited to partner with AI/ML Innovations Inc. with a whole new approach to healthcare payments through Micro Payment technology. TodaQ MicroPay's integration with Follow Your Heart underscores our shared commitment to making healthcare more accessible and convenient for everyone. Together, we are working to reshape the landscape of healthcare payments, one innovative partnership at a time." ###Explore AI/ML's "Follow Your Heart Product Page" hereAbout AI/ML Innovations Inc. https://aiml-innovations.com/ AI/ML Innovations Inc. has realigned its business operations to capitalize on the burgeoning fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with an initial investment focus on emerging digital health and wellbeing companies that leverage AI, ML, cloud computing and digital platforms to drive transformative healthcare management solutions and precision support delivery across the health continuum. Through strategic partnerships with Health Gauge (95.2% owned by AIML), Tech2Heal (up to 22% ownership rights, with 12.44% currently owned by AIML), AI Rx Inc. (70% owned by AIML) and other planned accretive investments, the Company continues to capitalize on expanding growth areas, to the benefit of all the Company's stakeholders. AI/ML's shares are traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "AIML", the OTCQB Venture Market under "AIMLF", and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under "42FB".On behalf of the Board of DirectorsTim Daniels, Executive ChairmanFor more information about AI/ML Innovations:For detailed information please see AI/ML's website or the Company's filed documents at www.sedarplus.ca For further information, contact: Blake Fallis at (778) 405-0882 or info@ aiml-innovations.com Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.For AI/ML Innovations InvestorsCertain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, AI/ML Innovations' expectations concerning management's plans, objectives, and strategies, including strategies for defending the Company's intellectual property. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. AI/ML Innovations Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or circumstances or otherwise except as expressly required by applicable securities law. Further information regarding the uncertainties and risks can be found in the disclosure documents filed by AI/ML with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com SOURCE: AI/ML Innovations Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 15:16:23

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 419 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Eric Koeplin, the innovative founder and CEO of Alpha Principle, has been featured in an exclusive interview on Ideamensch, where he delves into his journey in the finance industry, the principles behind ethical investing, and his unique leadership style. Known for his approach to blending financial success with societal impact, and being named onBarron's listof America's best financial advisors, Koeplin's insights offer a rare glimpse into the mind of someone who has successfully navigated the complex world of finance with integrity and a commitment to positive change.In the interview, Koeplin discusses the importance of preparation, collaboration, and continuous learning in both personal and professional life. He emphasizes the exciting potential of ethical investing to redefine success in the financial world. Koeplin also shares his personal productivity habits, including the significant role that outdoor activities play in maintaining his focus and clarity.Highlighting the challenges and rewards of ethical investing, Koeplin reflects on his career's pivotal moments, from overcoming early doubts to achieving notable success with Alpha Principle. He candidly discusses the lessons learned from failures, the value of building genuine relationships, and the strategies that have fueled his business's growth and his career advancement.Koeplin also offers a unique business idea focused on connecting investors with ethical startups and initiatives, aiming to solve social challenges while providing meaningful investment opportunities. He discusses his reliance on digital planning tools like Teams and Wrike for staying organized and productive.One of the most personal segments of the interview includes Koeplin's advice to his younger self and his openness to mentoring the next generation of ethical investors and financial professionals. He shares his recent meaningful purchases, his favorite book for broadening his understanding of human history and behavior, and a documentary that resonated with his principles.This extensive interview with Eric Koeplin on Ideamensch is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of finance, ethics, and leadership. It not only sheds light on Koeplin's philosophy and approach to investment but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring professionals looking to make a difference in the finance industry.To read the full interview,click here .About Alpha Principle:Alpha Principle, led by founder and CEO Eric Koeplin, stands at the forefront of ethical investing, dedicated to merging financial success with positive social impact. Based in Denver, Colorado, Alpha Principle is committed to pioneering investment strategies that contribute to the well-being of society. Their motto is Better Investing. Greater Purpose.Contact: Eric.Koeplin@alphaprinciple.com SOURCE: Eric Koeplin
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 20:01:48

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 1011 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

A growing trend has been emerging among business and corporate professionals using Botox to enhance their appearance in order to gain an edge in the corporate world.NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Maintaining a polished appearance is often considered an unspoken requirement in the business and corporate world. As professionals and career seekers navigate their career paths, the pressure to look sharp and youthful can be intense. Botox, a non-invasive cosmetic procedure once reserved for celebrities and the social elite, has become a popular tool among individuals striving to present their best selves. It's no longer about vanity, it's almost a necessity. In an age where social media perpetually showcases perfection, a wrinkle-free, refreshed look can speak volumes about one's dedication to personal image and professional look.Botox use among business professionals looking to improve their appearance in order to advance their career has been trending in popularity. Image Credit: Edhar / 123RF. "There has been a surge inBotox proceduresamong business professionals, both women and men. First impressions matter. Looking your best can help you feel your best and be more confident. Botox has become a key component for many professionals of all ages looking to maintain a youthful, energized appearance," said Dr. Brandon Richland, MD.Dr. Richland is a well-known and respected Board-CertifiedNewport Beach and Newport Coast Plastic Surgeonserving patients in the Orange County / Southern California area. Specializing in most cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, he is dedicated to helping both women and men look and feel their absolute best. ReadBotox reviewsof patient experiences with Dr. Richland.Botox Use Among Executives in the Corporate WorldThe use of Botox goes beyond concealing the signs of aging. It acts as a subtle enhancer that can boost confidence, making individuals feel more competent and assertive in their daily corporate roles. The shift in marketing strategies by Botox providers, from celebrity endorsements to featuring real people and genuine results, reflects a broader change. It signifies an acceptance and normalization of the treatment among diverse demographics, including corporate professionals.In this competitive world, where each detail can edge one closer to success, Botox offers a quick and relatively non-invasive option to refine one's appearance. The shift in attitudes towards self-care and professional advancement, where looking refreshed can potentially influence career trajectories and pay rate. While the decision to undergo any cosmetic procedure is personal, therole of Botox transformationsin the business and corporate workspace, and the perceived benefits in enhancing not just looks but also self-assurance.Understanding Botox and Its UsesWhen Botox isinjected in small doses , it temporarily relaxes muscles. For appearance and aesthetic look, it's well-known for its capacity to smooth out facial wrinkles caused by the contraction of facial muscles.Botox works by interrupting the normal communication between nerves and muscles. It is a type of neurotoxin which, when administered correctly, prevents muscle contraction in targeted areas. The effects of these Botox injections are typically visible within one week and canlast for several months , necessitating periodic retreatment.Common Misconceptions About BotoxMany people believe that Botox results in an expressionless face. However, when performed by askilled Botox professional , it simply reduces the prominence of wrinkles without affecting the ability to show emotions. Botox is not only for women; men are increasingly using it to achieve a more relaxed and youthful look in the corporate world.Aesthetic Benefits of Botox in Reducing the Appearance of WrinklesBotox is widely embraced for itscosmetic aesthetic benefits , particularly in enhancing one's professional look by diminishing age-related skin concerns. It addresses specific problem areas on the face, contributing to a more refreshed and polished appearance.One of the primary cosmetic uses of Botox is for reducing the visibility of wrinkles. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing muscles, leading to a significant decrease in the forehead lines and crow's feet around the eyes. Users often see a smoother skin texture as a result.As a preventative measure, Botox can help forestall the development of new wrinkles and lines. Regular treatments may improve skin resilience and delay signs of aging, maintaining a youthful appearance that is often regarded as an asset in competitive work environments. Botox injections can also subtly enhance the lips, adding fullness and definition, known as a " Botox lip flip ". This is part of a broader ability to improve overall facial symmetry, a key element of classic attractiveness.Botox Procedure: What to Expect During Botox InjectionsWhen considering Botox to enhance one's appearance, it is essential to understand the procedure from consultation to care after treatment. Botox injections require precision and care, with particular attention paid to post-treatment guidelines to ensure the best results.The Botox injection process is generally quick and does not require anesthesia. Patients may feel a mild discomfort as the needle is inserted into the targeted facial muscles. The procedure involves administering small amounts of botulinum toxin to the areas with wrinkles and fine lines. Some patients may experience minor pain, but the sensation is temporary, lasting only a few moments during the injection.Post-Treatment After Care and TipsAfter receiving Botox, guidelines for care are straightforward. Patients are usually advised to avoid lying down for a few hours following the procedure and to steer clear of any strenuous activity for a period to prevent the Botox from spreading to unintended muscles. Mild bruising or redness at the injection site could occur in some patients, but theseside effectsare temporary. To aid in healing and maintaining results, patients should also schedule follow-up appointments as recommended.Botox, injected correctly, in the right places and in the right amounts, is helping professionals keep a more natural and youthful appearance. Image Credit: Edhar / 123 RF.Botox Consultation with a Dermatologist or Cosmetic SurgeonPrior to receiving Botox injections, it is recommended that one schedule a consultation with a dermatologist or board-certified plastic surgeon. During this meeting, patients should discuss their aesthetic goals, medical history, and any concerns regarding the procedure. The healthcare provider will evaluate if Botox is suitable for the patient and what results to expect, ensuring the treatment aligns with the patient's appearance goals.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 15:01:41

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 396 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 /duPont REGISTRY Group (DRG) has acquired Petrolicious, the world famous home of classic and collector cars content. This is the latest addition to DRG's fast-growing luxury driven lifestyle community."Petrolicious' often-copied but unparalleled film and media are the perfect complement to the duPont Registry Group," says DRG CEO, Antoine Tessier. "We look forward to creating the next great chapter in Petrolicious history." This announcement marks Petrolicious's return to the core elements that made it a pioneer in the high-end enthusiast world: Telling extraordinary stories of rare cars through films and features. Founded in 2013, Petrolicious has shown excellence in telling the most amazing stories about classic cars but most importantly the ones who drive them with world renown articles and films."Partnering with DRG global leading brands will re-invigorate the whole Petrolicious experience," says Petrolicious GM, Pat Devereux. "We are excited to continue producing the world-class content the platform has been creating for more than a decade - and launching new features to extend the reach and appeal of the brand." One of the first new features, The Petrolicious Film Competition, launches today. Film fans are invited to submit a film about why they - or someone they know - loves their car. The best film selected each month will win an award and be aired across the Petrolicious channels."Petrolicious has been making films about why people love their cars for years," says Devereux. "Now it's the turn of the talented audience to show us what they can do."Several of our best filmmakers started out making films for Petrolicious, so we hope we can find some new stars." For media inquiries please contact: media@ dupontregistrygroup.com About:duPont REGISTRY Group is the epitome of the high-end automotive lifestyle, bringing together culture, community, and commerce. duPont REGISTRY Group is a vibrant community of automotive enthusiasts. Its portfolio includes duPont REGISTRY, Sotheby's Motorsport, Canossa Events, Cavallino, and FerrariChat.Petrolicious is a leading platform dedicated to celebrating automotive culture and history through high-quality storytelling, film, and media. With a focus on classic and collector cars, Petrolicious connects automotive enthusiasts around the world with compelling narratives and insights into the world of vintage automobiles.Contact Information Media DRGmedia@ dupontregistrygroup.com 3055078799SOURCE: duPont REGISTRY GroupView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 19:18:28

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 981 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

VANCOUVER, BC / ACESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Europacific Metals Inc. (TSXV:EUP)(OTCQB:AUCCF) (the "Company" or "EuroPacific") announces the start of the 2024 exploration drill program at the Miguel Vacas mine area located approximately 180 km east by road from Lisbon and approximately 70 km east from Evora, the Alentejo region capital. The 2024 drill program encompasses a minimum of 1,500 meters of ore drilling with the objective of further defining initially a shallow open pit resource of oxide Copper mineralization which will be followed by step out drilling on the deeper (> 80m) sulphide ore. Crews are onsite, and drilling has begun on April 6, 2024.Karim Rayani, Chief Executive Officer, stated "We are pleased to announce the commencement of drilling at the Miguel Vacas Copper project located in Portugal. This program is designed to test structural framework while confirming the mineralization zone while expanding its potential. We are proceeding initially for eleven drill holes to confirm the extensions, and quality of the oxidized blanket amenable for an open pit heap leaching operation. We look forward to reporting back as operations continue." The Miguel Vacas target is located within a large, 328 square kilometers exploration license, Borba 2, which has a well-documented potential to host precious and base metals mineralization. The mineralized systems are enhanced by the presence of abundant Au and /or Cu mineral occurrences in shear zones hosted in Devonian and Silurian metasediments and in epithermal systems associated with intra-Ordovician volcanics.The mine is surrounded by extensive marble exploitations that do not interfere with the exploration areas. On the contrary the presence of these operations is considered to be a positive factor because of the excellent acceptance by the local marble operators of a mining group like EuroPacific and by their logistical support always available both in infrastructures and potentially mining equipment.Drill Program DetailsThe actual campaign will be driven based on previous drilling and analysis that showed significant high-grade copper mineralization that has continuity with historical drilling, over wide intervals (up to 6.7 m grading 2.57 % Cu in hole BOMV-4001). Please refer to EuroPacific News Release dated March 28, 2024, for more detailed assay results. The mineralized system extends on at least 2 km along l strike and is open at depth. The plan includes a total of 11 shallow holes to confirm previous results and detail the morphology of the oxidized blanket in order to outline a resource estimation over an initial segment of approximately 1,200m. A deep undercut hole is also planned to test the deeper sulphide zone for further follow-up.Figure 1 - Drilling of first hole GPDM-001 of the 2024 campaign. South end of the old pit Miguel Vacas pit. The pit is oriented NNW-ESE.Figure 2 - Location and Geology map. Drilling: past and planned for 2024 campaign About Europacific Metals Inc.Europacific Metals Inc. is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in Europe jurisdictions. EuroPacific Metals ("EUP") owns a total of 100% equity interest in EVX Portugal, a private Portugal based company, that holds the legal exploration rights from the Portugal Government on the Borba 2 ("Borba 2") exploration properties, covering approximately 328 square kilometers in the Alentejo region in Southern Portugal. Miguel Vacas is the most advanced prospect within the Borba 2 license.Qualified PersonTechnical information in this PR has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and approved for inclusion by Mr. Jose Mario Castelo Branco, EuroGeol, who is a "qualified person" with over 35 years' experience in the Exploration and Mining Geology industry. Mr. Castelo Branco holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Porto in Portugal. He is also a member of the Portuguese Association of Geologists, the European Federation of Geologists, Member of the Prospectors and Developers of Canada, the Society of Economic Geologists and the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsEuropacific Metals Inc. Mr. Karim RayaniChief Executive Officer, Director1100 - 1111 Melville StreetVancouver, BC V6E 3V6E: k@ r7.capital This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the exploration potential of the Company's properties. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "anticipate", "will", "expect", "may", "continue", "could", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, results of future exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals, changes in commodity prices and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Although the Company believes current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered are appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or enduring. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The readers should not rely on any historical estimates. The Company and the QP has not done sufficient work to classify historical estimate as a current resource. Company is not treating the historical estimate as a current resource. Additional work including drilling will be required to verify and upgrade historical estimates.SOURCE: Europacific Metals Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 12:05:29

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 1046 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Faraday Copper Corp. ("Faraday" or the "Company") (TSX:FDY)(OTCQX:CPPKF) is pleased to announce the results of four drill holes from its Phase III program at the Copper Creek Project, located in Arizona, U.S. ("Copper Creek"). One hole was drilled at Old Reliable to test resource expansion potential. Three holes were drilled at Area 51 as a follow-up to the recent Starship and Eclipse breccia discoveries (announced on January 16, 2024 and March 4, 2024).Paul Harbidge, President and CEO, commented "It is great to see our Phase III drill program delivering on our objectives of adding mineral inventory near the existing resource and making new discoveries in the district. Specifically, drilling at Old Reliable has confirmed that the mineralization remains open at depth. At Area 51, drill hole FCD-24-048 at the Eclipse breccia adds to the previous successes by expanding the known mineralization and drill hole FCD-24-049 has identified elevated gold grades at the Starship breccia".HighlightsAt Old Reliable, intersected 23.37 metres ("m") at 0.60% copper, 0.0242% molybdenum and 2.92 grams per tonne ("g/t") silver from 276.81 m in drill hole FCD-24-052. This intercept is within a longer intercept of 117.00 m at 0.40 % copper, 0.0285% molybdenum and 1.72 g/t silver from 222.46 m.This intercept at Old Reliable is outside the open pit Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") and confirms that the breccia-hosted mineralization is open at depth.At Area 51, intersected 43.24 m at 0.35% copper and 0.83 g/t silver from 65.23 m in drill hole FCD-24-048 at the recently discovered Eclipse breccia. This hole expands the known mineralization of the breccia.Demonstrated the potential for elevated gold grades at the Starship breccia with 0.22 g/t gold, 1.86 g/t silver and 0.12% copper over 18.52 m from 113.24 m in drill hole FCD-24-049. This intercept contains the highest gold:copper ratio on the project to date. (For true width information see Table 1.)Old Reliable was the site of small-scale underground mining for copper and molybdenum prior to World War II. Starting in the 1970s, an experimental in-situ leach operation recovered some of the near-surface copper oxide mineralization. The sulphide-hosted mineralization remains in place. During the 1990s, densely spaced vertical drilling led to resource definition to approximately 200 m below surface. Several of those drill holes end in mineralization and the resource is open at depth and laterally. Follow up drilling is planned for this area. Drill hole FCD-24-052was collared north of Old Reliable and drilled to the south (Figure 1). The hole was designed to test the depth extension of the mineralization and is entirely outside the open pit used to constrain the MRE (Figure 2). Mineralization is associated with chalcopyrite as cement within a hydrothermal breccia, as well as in veins surrounding the breccia domain. Molybdenite veins are also observed crosscutting the breccia and wall rock in the lower half of the drill hole. The drill hole intercepted Glory Hole volcanics with lesser granodiorite porphyry dykes from surface to 218 m, hydrothermal breccia to 324 m and granodiorite to the end of the hole at 409 m. Dominant alteration associated with the breccia is mainly sericite with locally abundant kaolinite. Similar alteration is common in other mineralized breccias.Area 51 was identified as highly prospective by integrating airborne versatile time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) geophysical data and short wave infrared spectral data together with geological mapping and sampling. Area 51 encompasses a porphyry intrusion with nine mapped breccia bodies over an area of approximately 400 m by 400 m, including Starship and Eclipse. The breccias are interpreted to have been emplaced at a shallow crustal level in the hanging wall of the northwest trending Holy Joe thrust fault, which brought Proterozoic metamorphic rocks in contact with younger sedimentary rock units to the east of Area 51. This fault is also thought to have controlled the emplacement of the Paleocene Glory Hole volcanics and Copper Creek granodiorite which host the mineral resource. Follow up drilling is currently in progress. Drill hole FCD-24-048was collared immediately east-southeast of the Eclipse breccia and drilled to the west-northwest (Figure 1). The mineralization consists of chalcopyrite and chalcocite. The highest grades are associated with chalcopyrite-pyrite and subordinate chalcocite cement in hydrothermal breccia (Figure 3). The hole intersected Glory Hole volcanics in the first 67 m, followed by 80 m of hydrothermal breccia and ends in granodiorite porphyry. Alteration within and near the breccia is sericite, which is associated with high-grade copper mineralization elsewhere on the property. Drill hole FCD-24-049was collared close to the surface outcrop of the Starship breccia and drilled steeply the Northwest (Figure 1). The mineralization occurs as chalcocite with subordinate chalcopyrite cement within a hydrothermal breccia, which also includes pyrite and quartz. This hole intersected 18.52 m at 0.22 g/t gold and 0.12% copper from 113.24 m. This intercept has the highest gold:copper ratio on the project to date. The hole intersected 55 m of hydrothermal breccia from 82 m with a shorter breccia interval of 5 m from 57 m. The breccia intercepts are interpreted as representing the margin of Starship which cross-cuts granodiorite and porphyry. As with the Eclipse breccia, alteration within and near the Starship breccia is sericite which, together with the localized occurrence of barite, suggests that the breccia was emplaced in the epithermal environment and may explain the elevated gold grades. Drill hole FCD-24-047was collared southeast of the Starship breccia and drilled steeply to the northwest to test the depth extent of the Starship breccia (Figure 1). The hole remained outside the breccia. The hole intersected Glory Hole volcanics from surface to 282 m which are intruded by granodiorite from 82 m to 129 m. Below 282 m the hole intersected Proterozoic host rocks including Dripping Springs quartzite, Pinal Schist and diabase. Figure 1: Plan View Showing Surface Geology and Location of Drill HolesFigure 2: Cross Section Showing Drill Hole FCD-24-052 at Old ReliableNote: The open pit shape is based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the report titled "Copper Creek Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment" with an effective date of May 3, 2023 (the "Technical Report") available on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca Figure 3: Cross Section Showing Drill Hole FCD-24-048 at Area 51Table 1: Selected Drill Results from Copper CreekDrill Hole ID
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 14:45:35

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 299 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / FBS, a leading global broker, introduces its revamped mobile trading application - the FBS app. The upgraded solution is available for Android and iOS users, providing them with all the tools and resources for online trading. To thank clients for choosing FBS, the broker launches exclusive in-app promotions, cutting spreads by half on several instruments throughout April and in early May.The new FBS app is designed to evolve into an all-in-one trading solution. Everything is available at the user's fingertips - from registration and account creation to opening and closing orders and funds management. The upgraded FBS app transforms trading experience, allowing users to seize market opportunities on the go, anytime.To help its clients uncover their trading potential, FBS additionally announces exclusive trading conditions for application users. During the four weeks after the release day, the FBS app will send daily alerts about designated happy trading hours, when spreads will be cut by 50% on select instruments, starting with the Gold - US dollar (XAUUSD) pair on April 11, 2024.In addition to the enhanced mobile experience, FBS continues to offer exceptional trading conditions, including:550+ trading instruments and zero overnight fees for trading Forex majors;Fast and stable order execution from 0.01 seconds;Tight spreads from 0.7 pips;High leverages up to 1:3000;Availability of VPS hosting for automated trading;No hidden commissions.FBS is committed to continuous improvement and ensures that traders have access to cutting-edge technology and exceptional trading conditions. The launch of the FBS app marks a significant milestone for the global broker. FBS will continue working on its mission to help clients maintain an efficient trading lifestyle and achieve their financial goals.To learn more about FBS and the FBS app, users can visit www.fbs.com Press Office FBS press@ fbs.com SOURCE: FBS
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 19:50:15

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 630 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / In case you missed it, six nonprofits are receiving $5,000 each through the FedEx Cares Purple Totes Grant Contest. Here's how the contest worked:FedEx employees were invited to form teams, pick a nonprofit in need of donations, and then post a photo on social media showing the team delivering donations to the nonprofit. (Donations were not required to be delivered in purple tote bags, although many teams opted to do so.)Entries were evaluated based on creativity of the photo, impact on the community, collaboration among the team, and the power of each team's story. Grants were awarded to the first-place team in three divisions based on the team size.In addition, employees were invited to vote on "People's Choice Awards" for the most creative, most impactful, and most engaging entries.More than 3,200 team members collected and donated over 4,700 totes worldwide through the contest, which is part of the FedEx Cares campaign to "Drive forward. Give back." Congratulations to the six winning teams.PISA Team Quercianella, Italy Small Division First Place Winner $5,000 grant to Casa Papa FrancescoThe PISA Team helped donate nine totes to the Casa Papa Francesco, a family-sized educational community in Quercianella - Livorno, Italy. The casa welcomes children from birth to 16 years of age and was designed and built with the wellbeing of the children in mind, valuing contact with nature and providing ample space for playtime and socialization, while giving support for their daily material needs.Paws for a Cause Medium Division First Place Winner Salt Lake City, Utah $5,000 grant to Humane Society of UtahTeam Paws for a Cause donated 65 totes to the Humane Society of Utah, the biggest open-admission animal welfare organization in the state. The 15-member team helped to bring in food, treats, blankets, towels, and 24 oversized items for the Humane Society to use for the animals.FedEx ACC Large Division First Place Winner Hyderabad, India $5,000 grant to ASRITHA Rainbow HomeThis team of 200+ FedEx employees donated more than 1,060 pounds of groceries and 1,700 hygiene products to the ASRITHA Rainbow Home, a nonprofit that helps young girls living in the streets of Hyderabad. The Rainbow House offers the girls opportunities to learn about proper nutrition, basic education, and social skills.NOKY Strong Independence, Kentucky People's Choice -- Most Creative Award Winner $5,000 grant to Joe Burrow FoundationThe NOKY Strong team collected 6,277 items for the Joe Burrow Foundation. These items included food and hygiene products that will be distributed to children and families in Greater Cincinnati (Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana) and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who are dealing with mental health issues and food insecurity.UAE Heartful Heroes Dubai, United Ara Emirates People's Choice -- Most Impactful Award Winner $5,000 grant to Senses Residential Day Care for Special NeedsThe UAE Heartful Heroes team donated more than 3,700 pounds of food and necessities to the Senses Residential and Day Care for Special Needs, a nonprofit that provides specialized programs for kids between 3-19.Melody Raymundo's Team Pasay City, Philippines People's Choice -- Most Engaging Award Winner $5,000 grant to Action for the Care and Development of the PoorMelody Raymundo's team donated more than 50 totes to the Action for the Care and Development of the Poor in the Philippines (ACAP). The totes were filled with school supplies, which will be used by kids in Palanyag San Dionisio Paranaque. The ACAP empower youth through educational and social development programs.Note: Award of the grant for nonprofits that do not have a U.S. affiliate and are not a registered Canadian charity are subject to final vetting and approval by CAF America.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: FedEx CorporationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: FedEx Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 16:40:58

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 743 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Mere weeks after hitting seven figures, Bitbot has continued its presale success, now with over $2.1 million in the bag, 80k Twitter/X followers, and over 27k in its Telegram community. For the Bitbot team, familiar with the market landscape and confident in their compelling product offering, this level of engagement and support comes as no surprise.Bitbot (BITBOT) is available to buy on the official site.Back in October, the Telegram trading bot market had under 10k daily active users. However, it has grown to around $1.4 billion in market cap since last summer. What's more, out of the $18 billion cumulative trading volume, $12 billion of that was generated in 2024 alone, indicating that the industry is multiplying its momentum every single day.Competitors Banana Gun (near +300% token price gains this year) and Maestro (lifetime trading volume, $4.7 billion) have proven popular despite both suffering security mishaps. The Bitbot team views this as billions of dollars in untapped potential in the Telegram trading bot space. The sector merely requires a secure alternative to catalyze an influx of thousands of new users. Such a development could transform the current niche status of Telegram trading bots, propelling the sector to a valuation well into the tens of billions.Superior Features Are Reeling in the InvestorsBitbot's Technical Product Advisor, Andrew Jacobs, has been carefully guiding the team to deliver a product and a presale that offers investors the opportunity to engage with a hallmark of safety, reliability, and innovation in the crypto trading bot arena."After watching the crypto trading bot market like a hawk, we can confidently say that we've learned from other people's mistakes and built the tool to make trading crypto as easy as checking your emails. Plus, with our team of ex-Wall Street traders and AI savvy devs, we believe our product offers the retail investor a technological advantage over the institutions." One specific mistake competitors are making is on the security front. Currently, all Telegram trading bots require users to submit their private keys, leaving users vulnerable to hackers-a fate that Unibot and Maestro suffered.The Bitbot team views the vulnerabilities found in Telegram trading bots as a major bottleneck, hindering user acquisition and suppressing market growth. Consequently, Bitbot is offering the industry its first chance to overcome this critical obstacle.In a newly released demo - a rare occurrence for products in presale - viewers are shown the frictionless manner in which users can gain market intelligence and place trades. This is likely to appeal to the legions of casual crypto investors who may have previously been scared off by the complexities of crypto trading.The Bitbot Token's Long Term Appreciation PotentialEven with security flaws on their record, solid competitors Unibot and Banana Gun currently have market caps sitting at around $130 million and $20 million, respectively. Given that Bitbot's non-custodial approach directly addresses the issues that have been holding its competitors back, the team is optimistic that the BITBOT token possesses the key ingredient to surpass these competitors in both market cap and token price gains.Bitbot's team believes that with perfect market timing - as altcoin season is likely just around the corner - and the impact of the Bitcoin halving, Bitbot is positioned as a key player. The team is optimistic that this strategic positioning could lead to double-digit returns, potentially making Telegram trading bots the success story of 2024.Up to 50% of Bitbot's revenue will be evenly distributed amongst BITBOT token holders, enriching the community and giving it the fuel to support the BITBOT token long term.Bitbot (BITBOT) is available to buy on the official site.About BitbotBitbot is a new Telegram trading bot that aims to put institutional-grade trading tools in the hands of retail users, to enable them to trade using a variety of advanced features, including sniping and copy trading.Audited by Solid Proof, Bitbot focuses on security and follows the motto, "Your keys, Your wallet, Your assets." To this end, the project has partnered with Knightsafe to deliver the world's first non-custodial telegram trading bot, mitigating counterparty risk and reinforcing this with anti-MEV and anti-rug technology.For more information on Bitbot (BITBOT), users can visit the website.Official Website | Whitepaper | SocialsBitbot is the source of this content. This Press Release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest.ContactBitbot Press RoomBitbot pr@ bitbot.com SOURCE: Bitbot
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 22:01:21

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 668 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Gold Mountain Mining Corp. ("Gold Mountain" or the "Company") (TSX:GMTN)(OTCQB:GMTNF)(FRA:5XFA) is pleased to announce that Mr. Calvin Cheung has agreed to act as the Company's new Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") effective immediately. Mr. Cheung has over 20 years of extensive experience in financial and accounting related functions, serving in senior management roles for over 10 of those years. He is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and holds a CPA (CMA) designation. Mr. Cheung's experience includes working with mineral resource companies including Great Panther Silver Limited where he previously served as senior financial accountant. More recently Mr. Cheung has been providing financial consulting and accounting services to heavy construction and resource development focused companies.About Gold MountainGold Mountain is a British Columbia based gold and silver production, exploration and development company focused on the development of the Elk Gold Mine, a producing mine located 57 kilometers from Merritt in South Central British Columbia. Additional information is available at www.sedar.com or on the Company's new website at www.gold-mountain.ca For more information, please contact:Gold Mountain Mining Corp.Ronald Woo, CEOEmail: IR@ gold-mountain.ca Website: www.gold-mountain.ca Twitter: www.twitter.com/goldmtnmine Forward Looking StatementsThis news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation regarding the closing of the Debt Settlement and the timing of the same, the closing of the Private Placement and the timing of the same, the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern, the pro forma ownership of Hedge and Nhwelmen and the exact number of shares to be issued by the Company, the impact of the Debt Settlement on the Company and the results thereof, including that it will allow the Company to address its significant working capital deficiency and provide operating capital to the Company so that it can go forward as a viable going concern, receipt of the regulatory and TSX approval, the removal of all secured debt, elimination of future interest payments and the ability for the Company to restart the mine, thereby significantly improving the Company's financial situation. Forward-looking statements include statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release and are not purely historical including any information relating to statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future and often, but not always, use words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. 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. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; the price of gold; and the results of current exploration. 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. Gold Mountain 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 TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this News Release.SOURCE: Gold Mountain Mining Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 15:03:05

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 593 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

The Portland, Maine-Based Ownership and Management Firm Fathom Companies Opened the Hotel in June 2021PORTLAND, ME / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 /Fathom Companies, the Maine-based hospitality enterprise, is proud to announce that the team at Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront and General Manager Ginny Hussey have been awarded the 2023 Connie Award for the highest-ranking Canopy hotel in the Americas region and General Manager of the Year. Canopy by Hilton has 40 hotel properties globally.Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront Canopy Portland Waterfront on the corner of Commercial and Center streets, the heart of the Old Port, Portland, MaineThe Annual Brand Awards, including the esteemed Connie Award recognition (named for the company founder Conrad Hilton) and General Manager of the Year Award recognition, are presented by Hilton to celebrate the properties and leaders who deliver incredible service from check-in to check-out and achieve the high-ranking guest satisfaction and quality assurance scores."The Connie Award is the highest honor at Hilton, awarded to hotels for exemplifying our founder Conrad Hilton's vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality," said Jenna Hackett, brand leader, Canopy by Hilton. "I want to congratulate Ginny and Canopy Portland Waterfront for earning these esteemed awards and thank each of the hotel's team members for continuing to deliver exceptional, welcoming stays for our guests while setting the standard for hospitality." Fathom Companies is known for developing successful projects by adding value through thoughtful design and fastidious attention to detail. Each property provides an authentic and unique local experience by creating a natural extension of its neighborhood with connection to local art, food, drink and culture.About Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront Opened June 2021, Canopy Portland Waterfront - located in the heart of Portland, Maine's Old Port neighborhood - is Hilton's first lifestyle hotel in New England. The property has 135 guestrooms and two restaurants for hotel guests and the public: Luna, the first indoor/outdoor rooftop bar overlooking Casco Bay, and Salt Yard, a cafe and restaurant that pays homage to Portland's pottery history and Old Port building icon E. Swasey & Co. The Canopy Portland Waterfront team is proud to support local businesses while providing an authentic experience for visitors. The hotel features unique art from more than 20 Portland-area creators, including photography, pottery, ceramics, woodwork, fabric textiles and other works from the Maine community. Follow on Instagram @canopyportlandwaterfront.About Fathom Companies Fathom Companies is comprised of two main divisions: a hospitality management arm that focuses on operations, sales, marketing, revenue management, and accounting and a real estate investment and development arm concentrating on developing and providing consulting services for ground-up construction, historic renovations, and repositioning of hotel, office, residential, and mixed-use properties. Fathom continues to expand its hospitality portfolio through development, ownership and/or joint venture partnerships as well as third-party management agreements. To learn more about Fathom Companies, visit www.fathomcompanies.com . Follow on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.About Canopy by HiltonCanopy by Hilton delivers elevated, boutique hotel experiences that celebrate the best of the neighborhood. Inviting, sophisticated design, bespoke food & beverage and crafted touchpoints deliver a locally inspired, high-end and welcoming stay. The Canopy portfolio includes 40 open properties around the globe with more than 30 under development across 18 countries and territories.Experience Canopy by Hilton by booking at canopybyhilton.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Learn more about Canopy by Hilton at stories.hilton.com/canopybyhilton and follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and PinterestContact Information Carla TracyCommunications, Fathom Companiescarla@ carlatracypr.com 646-591-7126SOURCE: Fathom CompaniesView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 14:30:26

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 439 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / In a compelling tale of personal perseverance and business resilience, Michael Youssef, the owner of HY Accounting, navigated the challenges of balancing a thriving business with the critical needs of his son, Ben, who battled a rare medical condition. The unfolding narrative underscores both the courage of a dedicated entrepreneur and the transformative impact of crisis on business strategy.Michael's journey began with the inheritance of his father's struggling accounting practice, which he rejuvenated into a flourishing enterprise. However, just as the business gained momentum, a harrowing ordeal unfolded with his son's health. Ben's mysterious symptoms led to a diagnosis of Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma (KHE), a rare disorder involving tumors within blood vessels.During Ben's extensive medical treatments spanning six months, Michael found himself torn between hospital corridors and boardroom tables. Remarkably, the business not only weathered this storm but continued to prosper. Michael attributes this resilience to the foundation he painstakingly laid early on-solid systems, capable staff, and effective processes."I started to really appreciate everything I had worked so hard to build," Michael reflects. "Without these structures in place, I wouldn't have had the freedom to be by Ben's side during his treatment." Despite his physical absence, Michael's team stepped up admirably. His emphasis on recruiting and empowering high-performing individuals paid dividends, ensuring the business remained steady during his extended periods away.Motivated by his experience, Michael conceived the Summit to Success Program, aimed at empowering small business owners with tools to navigate critical challenges. "Small business is the engine room of our economy," Michael emphasizes. "I want every entrepreneur to achieve the freedom they deserve." The program, inspired by Michael's own trials, addresses key factors contributing to business failure-cash flow management, effective marketing, strategic planning, and leadership development. It seeks to equip entrepreneurs with essential skills, minimizing the risk of burnout and fostering sustainable growth.Youssef's journey is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between personal adversity and professional evolution. Through innovation and compassion, he not only steered his business through turbulent times but emerged with a renewed commitment to support fellow entrepreneurs on their path to success.In Michael's words, "Life makes its own plans, and if anything like this happened to another small business owner, I would want them to be able to freely spend as much time with their family as possible." A story of triumph over adversity and a testament to the transformative potential of human determination.Michael shares his insider secrets here:CONTACT:Michael Youssef michael@ growthhub.consulting SOURCE: Michael Youssef
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 08:00:24

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 480 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / In a significant leap forward for global entrepreneurs, the much-anticipated Ilya Manin Mentorship has officially launched, promising to revolutionize the way entrepreneurs utilize crowdfunding, Web 3 and peer-to-peer marketing in today's era. Founded by the renowned entrepreneur Ilya Manin who has become an expert in these industries. Ilya's track record of success spans various sectors including web 3, decentralized finance, networking and building global teams and more, Ilya Manin Mentorship aims to demystify the complexities of web 3 adoption and crowdfunding for businesses at all stages of growth.At its core, Ilya Manin Mentorship is designed to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technologies and entrepreneurs who have a vision. The company offers bespoke services that help entrepreneurs identify solutions best suited to their needs, streamline their operations, enhance offerings, and ultimately gain a competitive edge in their respective markets. Whether it's through automating routine tasks, harnessing data for deeper insights, or creating entirely new services, Ilya Manin Mentorship ensures that entrepreneurs can leverage web 3 and crowdfunding in the most effective way possible.Beyond web 3, Ilya Manin Mentorship is set to transform the crowdfunding landscape. With a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within crowdfunding, the company provides end-to-end guidance for entrepreneurs to better their skillset to learn how to raise more funds. From crafting compelling narratives and designing effective ways to thrive, Ilya Manin Mentorship offers the mentorship and expertise necessary to maximize the success of crowdfunding endeavors."Ilya Manin Mentorship is more than just mentorship; it's a partnership with entrepreneurs aiming to redefine industries through web 3 and crowdfunding to bring their visions to life," said Ilya Manin, Founder. "Our mission is to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge, strategies, and support they need to succeed in today's fast-paced, technology-driven world." With a team of experts in web 3, crowdfunding, and business strategy, Ilya Manin Mentorship is uniquely positioned to assist entrepreneurs at every step of their journey. The company not only provides mentorship but also actively works with entrepreneurs to implement solutions, ensuring that the theoretical benefits of web 3 and crowdfunding translate into real, measurable results.As Ilya Manin Mentorship embarks on its mission to support the next generation of entrepreneurs, the company is poised to become a cornerstone of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. With plans to expand its services and continue innovating in the fields of web 3, crowdfunding and peer-to-peer, Ilya Manin Mentorship is dedicated to fostering the growth and success of entrepreneurs around the globe.For more information about Ilya Manin Mentorship visit https://ilyamanin.com/ About Ilya Manin Mentorship:Ilya Manin Mentorship is a leading mentorship program specializing in web 3, crowdfunding and peer-to-peer strategies for entrepreneurs. Founded by renowned entrepreneur Ilya Manin, the company leverages extensive expertise and innovative approaches to empower entrepreneurs to achieve growth, efficiency, and success.Media Contact:Name: Ilya ManinCompany: Ilya Manin MentorshipEmail:tabataman@ gmail.com SOURCE: Ilya Manin Mentorship
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. The Armenian opposition is demanding a referendum on the delimitation of the border with Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"The Armenian authorities themselves do not know when work on border demarcation will start or what maps will be adopted as a legal basis for it. This became evident during yesterday's closed-door meeting in the parliament, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. The former desperately defended Pashinyan's theses, while the latter was more constructive, expressing readiness to participate in the next discussions on the topic," writes the Armenian daily Zhoghovurd.

Meanwhile, the Armenian National Assembly (Parliament) discussed the issue of delimitation and demarcation of borders with Azerbaijan on April 9 at the initiative of opposition party factions.

The discussion of this issue was held in closed mode. Armenia's former Defense Minister, head of the opposition Hayastan parliamentary faction, Seyran Ohanyan, and nine other members of the Armenian parliament were not allowed to attend the session.

To note, the seventh session of the State Commission on State Border Delimitation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on State Border Delimitation and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held on March 7 at the conditional border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

The sides exchanged views on the delimitation issues. They proceeded to the agreement on the draft regulations on the joint activities of the State Commission on Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as discussed the drafts of the relevant instructions on the procedure of delimitation works.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 20:15:46

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 581 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

New members highlight strong representation from China and EuropeNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is pleased to announce new organizations that have joined its membership program, many through the Works with WELL network. The most recent additions to the network span industries including manufacturing, urban planning and air quality technology, and signify a continued prioritization of health and well-being of people across buildings, organizations and communities."The IWBI community is driving the movement for people-first places," said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI. "We're energized by the combined strengths of our global member organizations and proud that WELL is part of their efforts to achieve healthier spaces for a healthier world." New members include:Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning and Design Institute Bisly OU CHFT Advisory and Appraisal, Ltd. Foshan Sitzone Furniture Co., Ltd Gigahertz-Optik inBiot Monitoring S.L. Synetica Limited Xiamen Milesight IoT Co., Ltd.The IWBI membership community accompanies the uptake of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) offerings including WELL Certification, WELL ratings and WELL at scale programs, which stand at more than 5 billion square feet of real estate applying WELL strategies across 130 countries. Organizations have the opportunity to join IWBI's membership community through Works with WELL, which recognizes products and solutions that contribute to the achievement of specific features in the WELL Standard as indicated by a Works with WELL trademark. Works with WELL enrollment includes IWBI membership benefits.IWBI membership is a global initiative that offers commercial benefits, as well as brand visibility and networking opportunities. These new members join IWBI's existing membership community, which can be found here.There are two tiers of membership and a third designation for companies enrolled in the WELL at scale program. This allows companies to select the best fit for their organizational goals. Member benefits include discounts on the WELL Certification process and WELL AP credentialing program, specialized opportunities to publicize accomplishments and more touchpoints with IWBI leadership and across the broader community through members-only year-round events and enhanced digital engagement. The program creates opportunities for WELL advocates and champions to stay connected, share best practices, explore new shared initiatives and receive greater recognition for these efforts.About the International WELL Building Institute The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote health and well-being for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.Press contact: media@ wellcertified.com View original content here.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International WELL Building Institute on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: International WELL Building Institute Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/international-well-building-institute Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: International WELL Building Institute
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 18:47:24

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 657 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / ShelterZoom announced today its latest funding round, bringing the company's total capital raise to an excess of $22 million to date. This comes on the heels of the company's continuous technology breakthroughs in cybersecurity, as is showcased by the securing of master distribution agreements with TD SYNNEX (one of the world's largest global IT distributors) and one of Japan's leading technology distributors. The company is also launching infrastructure for each geographic region to host their data locally in direct response to the huge demand ShelterZoom has seen for its products from organizations in countries who need solutions outside of US territories."The enthusiasm we saw for this funding round shows the widespread need for easy-to-implement solutions which solve one of today's largest threats," said Chao Cheng-Shorland, CEO and Cofounder of ShelterZoom. "Each week I speak with organizations across a wide variety of verticals. All of them have stories of cyberattacks or attempts of cyberattacks on their company that span the gamut in terms of how hackers use any means available to breach security barriers. No company should be complacent about the reality we are now living in." The number of cyberattack victimsdoubled from 2022 to 2023and data breaches increased by 20% in the same time frame. Some regions, such as the Middle East, saw a 77% increase in ransomware attacks. Nowhere is this cybervulnerability more evident than the healthcare industry, which recentlysuffered the attackon Change Healthcare-one of the most widespread and devastating hacks in health care to date. The influx of AI-driven technology has led the UK Intelligence agencies topredict an even greater increasein cyberattacks this year."The demand for our products in Europe and other regions is just as high outside the US as within, so we're happy to announce we can now accommodate these organizations' infrastructure needs and help them scale their cybersecurity protections without requiring any additional financial outlay. Our solution is the simplest andmost powerful, yet affordable way for these companies to bring their workflow up to today's digital security standards," continued Cheng-Shorland.ShelterZoom's proprietary technology is one of the few solutions already on the market which provides a way to prevent cyberattacks while also incorporating key productivity features such as unlimited eSignatures and organizational tools. Built on their Document Token technology, the email native extension, Document GPS, protects digital content organically while reducing the threat surface for an attack. Already in use across dozens of verticals, the platform is applicable to nearly every industry and organizations of any size.ShelterZoom is deploying the latest funding to expand development of their healthcare solutions, with a focus on their groundbreaking cyber resilience and business continuity innovation, and additional expansion of Document GPS, including the upcoming public launch of a joint partnership with one of the largest organizations in the world.ABOUT SHELTERZOOMShelterZoom is a pioneering cybersecurity, digital content ownership/control and business continuity SaaS company recognized as a market leader by Gartner in both 2022 and 2023. Unlike other solutions on the market, ShelterZoom's patented Single Source Of Truth technology introduced an entirely new way to address cybersecurity at its root cause, by building an organic protection layer inside content (through tokenization). This allows content and documents to defend themselves from the inside out against cyber threats. ShelterZoom's next-generation suite of solutions have been fully integrated with Microsoft Outlook and Gmail to stop email attachment vulnerabilities causing data breaches and wire fraud as well as provide business continuity for healthcare during ransomware attacks and other cyber attacks, ensuring EMR downtime is not an issue.The multiple award-winning Web3 SaaS company was founded in 2017 and serves enterprises of all sizes and industries, including healthcare, financial, government agencies, law firms, non-profits, academia, and real estate.Links to data sources:Contact:Junard Pimienta junard.pimienta@shelterzoom.com SOURCE: ShelterZoom Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 09:00:28

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 506 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

By removing the academic and religious jargon often associated with theology, the podcast aims to make these important concepts more approachable and relatable for listeners of all backgrounds.WHEATON, IL / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 /Holy Post Media is excited to announce the launch of a new podcast, Curiously Kaitlyn, aimed at making theology accessible, meaningful, and fun for listeners of all ages. The podcast, hosted by author and theologian Kaitlyn Schiess, features a unique format: every week a kid asks a theology question - sometimes serious, sometimes silly - and Kaitlyn interviews a theological scholar to help answer it in a way that is easy to understand.Curiously Kaitlyn Show art for the Curiously Kaitlyn PodcastThe podcast's goal is to make big theological ideas more accessible to people from all walks of life. It does this by removing the academic and religious jargon that often surrounds these topics. The show's hosts hope to help listeners understand Scripture in a new way and see how these theological ideas can impact their lives and shape their view of God."We are thrilled to launch this new podcast that brings theology to life in a way that is both educational and entertaining," said Kaitlyn Schiess. "Our hope is that listeners of all ages will be able to engage with these important topics in a way that is accessible and enjoyable." Listeners can expect to hear a wide range of theological topics discussed on the podcast, from the nature of God to the meaning of life, all presented in a way that is easy to understand and relevant to everyday life. Whether one is new to theology or a seasoned scholar, this podcast offers something for all. The new podcast is now available on all major podcast platforms. For more information and to listen to the latest episodes, visit https://www.holypost.com/curiously About Kaitlyn Schiess:Kaitlyn Schiess is a published author, and doctoral student at Duke Divinity School, where she delves into the complex intersections of political theology, ethics, and biblical interpretation. She's a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a ThM in systematic theology. She is the author of "The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor" and "The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here." Schiess's work can also be seen at Christianity Today, The New York Times, Christ and Pop Culture, CT Women, RELEVANT, Sojourners, Fathom, and the Christian Research Journal, where she critically explores theology, politics, and culture.About Holy Post Media:Holy Post Media is dedicated to producing smart and entertaining content that helps people think Christianly and live faithfully in our increasingly post-Christian culture. It was launched in 2012 by Phil Vischer (creator of VeggieTales) and Skye Jethani (award-winning author and speaker).Contact:Jon HoughtonCEO, The Holy Postjon@ holypost.com (317) 670-8112Contact InformationJon HoughtonCEOjon@ holypost.com (317) 670-8112SOURCE: Holy Post MediaView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 15:01:34

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 653 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Omega Pacific Resources Inc. (CSE:OMGA) ("Omega" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its Non-Brokered Private Placement (the "Private Placement") announced March 27, 2024. The Private Placement consisted of the issuance of 6,184,000 common shares (each a "Common Share") of the Company on April 8, 2024 at a price of $0.50 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $3,092,000.The Company intends to use the net proceeds raised from the Private Placement for exploration of the Company's Lekcin and Williams properties, Williams Property option agreement cash commitments and for general working capital purposes. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with the applicable Canadian securities laws, expiring on August 9, 2024.Canaccord Genuity Corp. and 3L Capital Inc. served as financial advisors in connection with the Private Placement.In connection with the Private Placement, finder's fees were paid to Haywood Securities Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., Research Capital Corporation and PI Financial Corp. for a total of $83,960 in cash and 167,720 Common Share purchase warrants (each a "Finder's Warrant"). Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at $0.50 for 12 months.About Omega Pacific Resources Inc.Omega Pacific is a mineral exploration company focused on the development of mineral projects containing base and precious metals. The Company recently acquired an option to earn a 100% interest in the Williams Property, located in the Toodoggone region of the Golden Horseshoe. The Golden Horseshoe is a prolific and proven area of British Columbia known to host many gold, copper and silver deposits. The Company also holds an option on the Lekcin Property, located 120 km east of Vancouver, BC.On Behalf of the Board of DirectorsOmega Pacific Resources Inc.Jason LeikamChief Executive Officer and Director Tel: (778) 790-0886Email: info@ omegapacific.ca Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to the planned use of funds, payments pursuant to option agreements, and exploration. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including risks related to factors beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to: changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial and capital markets; uncertainties related to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; business and economic conditions in the mineral exploration industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks related to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions; risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with the specifications or expectations, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks related to adverse weather conditions and geopolitical risk and social unrest. 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. The Company 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.SOURCE: Omega Pacific Resources Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 14:30:12

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 393 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / PharmaCord LLC, a leading provider of patient support services for the pharmaceutical industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cindy Padgett as Chief Commercial Officer. In her new role, Padgett will be responsible for the commercialization of corporate and client initiatives, from solution design to customer experience optimization. As Chief Commercial Officer, she will oversee Solutions Development, Quality Operations, Legal Operations and Business Optimization and Standardization.Cindy Padgett, Chief Commercial Officer, PharmaCord "Cindy has been an invaluable member of our team for several years, consistently demonstrating strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a relentless commitment to excellence," said Nitin Sahney, Founder and CEO of PharmaCord. "We are confident that she will excel in her new role and help us further enhance the quality and efficiency of our commercial activities." With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Padgett has a proven track record of driving commercial success and enabling differentiated client experiences. Since 2017, she has served in various capacities for PharmaCord, most recently as the company's Vice President and General Counsel. Before joining PharmaCord, she served as Vice President of Reimbursement and Contracting for U.S. WorldMeds where she was actively involved in driving patient access for a variety of products. Padgett also served as Director of Fund Development at The Assistance Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and was previously General Manager for RxCrossroads. She has also been an active member in the community, serving as a board member for Kentucky Adoption Services and several roles within Boy Scouts in La Grange, Ky.Padgett holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Louisville and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law and is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.About PharmaCord As a patient services provider, PharmaCord works on behalf of top drug manufacturers to simply the patient prescription journey. Through a combination of its proprietary PharmaCord Lynk  technology suite, exceptionally talented team members and its non-commercial pharmacy PharmaCord Scripts , PharmaCord helps patients have a better experience accessing and adhering to their critical medications. To learn more about how PharmaCord improves commercial outcomes for life sciences companies, visit pharmacord.com Contact InformationPaige HobbsAssociate Director of Marketingphobbs@ pharmacord.com SOURCE: PharmaCordView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 15:01:15

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 417 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Rocket Doctor, a trailblazer in virtual healthcare, proudly announces at Google Cloud's Next 24 event that it is launching an automated engine for triaging patients for appropriateness for virtual care (RD Connect), alongside an AI-Copilot for clinicians, empowering them to reduce administrative burden and increase visibility into complex medical records (RD Health Voyager).In parallel, they have been selected to participate in the Google for Startups: AI First Accelerator. This places Rocket Doctor at the forefront of greenfield technology in artificial intelligence and large language models, joining a select group of high-potential technology startups from the U.S. and Canada in a transformative 10-week program.Matt Ridenour, Head of Startup Ecosystem - USA at Google, commented on the importance of this AI-focused accelerator in fostering new developments in emerging technology, as well as the innovation happening with companies like Rocket Doctor. "Our goal in running this program is ultimately to help support companies with big potential with the best of Google's people, products and programs. We're working with the selected companies to leverage Google's most advanced AI technologies - and in the case of Rocket Doctor, to help improve access to care to people around the world." Dr. William Cherniak, founder and CEO of Rocket Doctor, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "Being selected for Google for Startups: AI First Accelerator is a testament to our vision and the hard work of our team. This opportunity will accelerate our mission to empower health equity through the use of AI-enhanced digital technology, a supportive and clinician-led ecosystem, and a focus on public health insurance." Rocket Doctor's participation in the program will focus on further developing proprietary features, including RD Connect' and RD Health Voyager'. RD Connect optimizes patient-provider pairings through proprietary clinical algorithms and a rich database of over 300,000 data points. This initiative promises to significantly reduce healthcare delivery costs while improving patient satisfaction and health outcomes. RD Health Voyager empowers MDs to rapidly pull data from every part of a patient's past medical record and succinctly summarizes it, helping to reduce administrative work while streamlining clinical care."Our platform stands as a beacon for continuous care, not just episodic visits. With Google Cloud's support, we aim to enhance our AI capabilities, making our services even more intuitive and impactful to billions of people around the world," added Cherniak.Contact Information:Freddy DrucquerSenior Marketing Managerfreddy@ rocketdoctor.io SOURCE: Rocket DoctorView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 21:00:46

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 509 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Top Five Conveyor Car Wash Company Opens Fourth Location in PennsylvaniaTHOMASTON, GA / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the nation's fastest-growing express car wash companies, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest location in Washington, PA at 388 Washington Road.To celebrate the Grand Opening, Tidal Wave's brand-new Washington location is offering eight days of free car washes from April 10 - April 17. This limited-time promotion provides an opportunity for car owners to experience Tidal Wave's premium wash option, Graph-X4, at no cost. Additionally, any new customer that joins a Clean Club unlimited wash membership plan during Grand Opening week will enjoy their first month of unlimited washes for only $9.97 - saving up to $40."We opened our first Pennsylvania location in June 2023," said Tidal Wave Auto Spa founder and CEO Scott Blackstock. "We're excited to continue our growth in this great state with the opening of our brand-new Washington location. Our team is looking forward to providing folks in this community with our convenient and industry-leading conveyor car wash technology that is designed to make car care an easy, efficient, and exceptional experience for every customer." Tidal Wave Auto Spa is committed to providing every customer with an exceptional car wash experience through industry-leading car care technology, clean and attractive locations, and friendly customer service at every location. Stop by for a single wash or join Tidal Wave's Clean Club for the ultimate experience. Members can wash every day of the month for one convenient monthly payment and save time with exclusive club member wash lanes - plus, memberships can be used at any Tidal Wave location. For those needing to wash multiple cars, Tidal Wave offers discounted monthly family plans and fleet plans for businesses with five or more vehicles.The brand-new Washington express wash location is Tidal Wave's twenty-eighth opening this year and its fourth location in Pennsylvania. The company has plans for continued expansion in 2024, including the addition of Michigan, Idaho, Ohio and New Mexico into its footprint.For additional information, including upcoming locations, fundraising, fleet plans, and more, please visit: https://www.tidalwaveautospa.com/ About Tidal Wave Auto SpaTidal Wave Auto Spa is an industry-leading conveyor car wash company founded in 1999 by Scott and Hope Blackstock in Thomaston, GA. Tidal Wave is committed to providing cutting-edge car care technology and exceptional customer service at each of its 251 locations sprawling 27 states across the South, Midwest, and Northern United States. In 2020, Tidal Wave partnered with Golden Gate Capital to facilitate its accelerated growth across the country. Tidal Wave is one of the top five conveyor car wash companies in the country and has been included in the Inc. 5000 list for America's Fastest Growing Companies since 2020. The company was recognized as a 2023 Champion of Charity Honoree by Professional Carwashing & Detailing and has raised over $3 million dollars for organizations in their communities.Contact InformationHeather ColemanMarketing Managermedia@ tidalwaveautospa.com Andrea TraylorSenior Director of Digital Marketingandrea.traylor@tidalwaveautospa.com 2058212220SOURCE: Tidal Wave Auto SpaView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-04-10 19:01:56

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 785 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Innovative Web3 Social Platform Tomo Partners with Industry Leaders, Reinventing Social Media Monetization and EngagementLOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 /Tomo , an all-in-one Web3 social app, announces the successful closure of its Seed round funding led by Polychain Capital. Industry leaders like Consensys, Symbolic Capital, OKX Ventures, Nomad Capital, Story Protocol, dao5, KuCoin Ventures and HTX Ventures were among the investors. With an emphasis on integrating financial incentives into social media through blockchain, Tomo introduces an evolved social experience with its unique offerings, Tomoji - first-of-its-kind ERC-404 Launchpad on Base, and the multifunctional social wallet, TomoID.The founder ofTomo , Ryan Fang, shares the vision, saying, "We are thrilled by the support from our investors, enabling us to innovate in the SocialFi landscape. Tomo's mission is to pioneer a multichain Web3 Social Wallet that unlocks unique blockchain-enabled opportunities. We strive for seamless user experience while fostering new ways of connecting, gifting, and creating. Our vision extends to building a platform where every connection is valued, direct, and financially rewarding." Expanding its creative horizon, Tomo recently launched the ERC404 Meme Launchpad on Base chain, named Tomoji. Artist Sean Kyah Koons, in collaboration with Tomoji introduced a premier dragon-themed collection named'LONG'on Tomoji Launchpad. Tomoji allows for the fractionalization of NFTs, thereby enhancing market liquidity and offering a more flexible approach to ownership. Within the Tomoji launchpad, Tomojis provide seamless minting, gifting, and trading capabilities, giving users an intuitive and interactive platform to engage with digital art. Additionally, Tomojis are tradeable on exchanges.Following this, Tomo introduces a new feature, TomoID, along with a funding milestone. TomoID is a social wallet for content creators and businesses, featuring a link-in-bio tool and an affiliate program for crypto commissions. Users can place their unique TomoID in their social media bios, linking to a page with their profiles across platforms like Tomo, X, Instagram, TikTok, and more. Complementing these innovations, Tomo offers a reward system in the form of Tomo Points, encouraging active engagement with Tomo's features, serving as appreciation for the loyalty and contribution of early participants.Olaf Carlson-Wee, Founder and CEO of Polychain Capital, shared his insights on the investment, remarking, 'At Polychain, we back founders and projects that enable new behaviors. Our investment in Tomo aligns with this philosophy as we recognize Tomo's role in introducing an immense new user base to the Web3 space. Tomo adds financial incentives to the feedback loops already embedded in social media apps, optimizing the distribution of value created at the intersection of creators and fans.'Tomo's application offers accessible onboarding, interactive experiences, and earning opportunities. Tomo creates a transparent marketplace for social capital where users can engage in authentic and financially rewarding interactions. The platform features a native mobile app foriOSandAndroid ,Web version beta , account abstraction technology, self-custody, seamless cross-chain bridging, and user-friendly fiat onramp capabilities. Signing up is straightforward with options like X, Apple, Google, and Galxe accounts. Tomo simplifies the introduction to the blockchain by automatically setting up non-custodial wallets using ERC-4337 technology and operating on secure Linea and Base rollups. The 'Keys' system in Tomo allows users to purchase unique access to creators' content and direct messaging. Transactions involving these Keys carry a 10% royalty fee, split evenly between Tomo and the creators, contributing to a sustainable economy. Other features include public stories for key holders, group chats, direct messages, and simple ETH transfers.Marco Monaco of ConsenSys commented, Tomo's SocialFi strategy is not just another "bonding curve" fork. The team focuses on the social aspect with a clear vision and innovative Web3-native ideas. This investment is not just about the team but also about a tech stack that serves as a reference implementation for dApps aiming to bring millions into Web3: mobile app, account abstraction, transparent bridging, self-custody, fiat onramp, and cooperation with the Linea ecosystem. Tomo's approach marks a significant advancement in the dApps design and demonstrates how SocialFi can empower users and creators.'About Tomo:Tomois an all-in-one Web3 social app that transforms users' online presence into a universal social wallet, fostering genuine, spam-free connections and financial incentives. Tomo lets users engage directly with creators, participate in private discussions, and explore the new generation of digital art with Tomoji. Active participation earns users Tomo Points, enhancing your social capital. Join Tomo, where your social capital is valued.Website- https://tomo.inc/ Blog- https://medium.com/tomoinc Docs- https://docs.tomo.inc/ X (formerly Twitter)- https://twitter.com/tomo_social Web Beta- https://pro.tomo.inc/ iOS app- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tomo-inc/id6468010287 Android app- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tomo.app.unyxLONG- ContactPR ManagerMilena RepaTomo milena@ tomo.inc SOURCE: Tomo
Mabel Makun has confirmed that her marriage to famous comedian Ayo Makun, known as AY, has ended.

An interior decorator, Mabel, revealed this in a statement on her Instagram page on Tuesday night.

On Sunday, PREMIUM TIMES reported that AY confirmed on his Instagram page that his twenty-year marriage was on the brink of collapse.

But Mabel, who had maintained silence all the while, broke her silence by issuing a statement which confirmed that the marriage was over.

She wrote: I want to express my sincere gratitude for the supportive messages I have received from everyone. However, my silence should not be misunderstood. Also, the father of my children, whom I have been with for some years, deserves respect and privacy from me and all the concerned parties.

Most importantly, because of our children whose mental health and general well-being should be prioritised. Many lies have been peddled against me and attacks orchestrated on the social media space, but | I will honour my kids with my silence and not address any of these lies.

Dream ended

Mabel also said that her dreams of a lifelong marriage had ended.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Im committed to moving forward with grace and resilience. I have faith in a brighter future for both myself and the children.

While its unexpected for things to end this way, I quietly ask for guidance from my faith as I step into this new chapter of life, she noted.

The mum-of-two also sought peoples assistance in fostering an atmosphere of respect and understanding as she and her ex-husband navigated the changes.

She said, This is a challenging period, and I ask for privacy and consideration as we (my ex-husband and 1) find our path forward. I wish him the very best in his journey as well.

AY comedian

On Sunday, AY confirmed that his marriage was collapsing and acknowledged that neither his ex-wife nor him were entirely innocent in casting stones.

The 52-year-old comedian stated that many people wrongly assumed his silence meant he could not address issues.

Furthermore, he said his personality and abilities confirm that he has reached a stage where he cannot entertain the public with deep personal family issues.

Despite not struggling to defend himself, he noted that being the target of a negative narrative doesnt imply weakness.

He said: Some of us are just logical enough to understand the difference between opinions, values, beliefs, and facts.

They just might be too much concerning the individuals involved, not even when I have a grown-up daughter with access to social media. Her mental health needs to be protected from seeing things she can not be proud of online.

The comedian further revealed that his benefits from the 20-year-old union were his children, Michelle and Ayomide.

He showed off the benefits on his Instagram hours after he confirmed his marriage was slipping away.

READ ALSO: Stay away from my husband comedian ays wife warns pregnant friend

Background

It is the third time the couple would make headlines in eight years.

In February 2016, reports emerged that Mabel moved out of their Lekki residence for undisclosed reasons.

However, the couple that wedded in 2008 denied the rumours in a joint statement.

On 12 June 2017, this newspaper reported that a controversy trailed the marriage after Mabel urged a well-known Lagos socialite to maintain distance from her husband.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


In October 2023, Seychelles and the European Union (EU) agreed to allow the EU Naval Force to transfer suspected drugs and weapons traffickers in Seychelles waters and on the high seas to Seychelles for prosecution. Similar accords allow EU navies to transfer piracy suspects to Seychelles for trial.

Such bilateral agreements enable countries globally to navigate the unique legal and practical challenges of dealing with drug trafficking at sea. They typically include pre-authorisation to board each others vessels on the high seas, and to act on each others behalf if drug trafficking is encountered. Examples include agreements between European states and between the United States (US) and Central and South American states.

Navies patrolling the Western Indian Oceans high seas and eastern Africas territorial waters regularly intercept drug trafficking vessels smuggling narcotics, including heroin and methamphetamines, on the southern drug trafficking route (see map). Their crews often cannot provide evidence of their boats flag state  usually because owners conceal the vessels origin. If vessels lack a discernible flag state and are found to be transporting drugs on the high seas  which fall outside the jurisdiction of any state  navies typically seize and discard the shipment without making any arrests.

Although law enforcement powers against such stateless vessels on the high seas are contested, most agree that countries have limited policing power over them. Even when boats sail through eastern Africas territorial waters where governments have jurisdiction, most lack the assets to monitor and intercept them. This allows drug trafficking to proceed uninterrupted, and the same vessel can simply return with another load, hoping to avoid naval patrols.

There are however a few countries, like Seychelles, the US and Council of Europe member states, that claim jurisdiction over stateless drug trafficking vessels on the high seas. They argue that because these ships arent subject to any states control, they can be brought under the jurisdiction of the boarding state.

While eastern African coastal states focus on seizures in their national waters, international navies, typically from the global north, concentrate on the high seas. These navies are better resourced than their regional counterparts and can travel longer distances.

The Combined Maritime Forces Task Force 150, an international naval coalition, is the primary entity responding to drug trafficking in the high seas off Africas east coast. France, Australia, the US, Kenya, Seychelles and Djibouti are among the participating countries. The Combined Maritime Forces also coordinate patrols with the EU Naval Forces Operation Atalanta, whose counter-piracy mandate was expanded in 2022 to include crimes like drug trafficking.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Limited naval assets and jurisdiction on the high seas arent the only concerns. Navies fear potential human rights violations if alleged offenders are returned home. Globally, 35 countries still impose the death penalty for drug-related offences, including Iran and Pakistan, where many drug trafficking vessels destined for eastern Africa originate. Although some of these countries are abolitionists in practice, even returning alleged offenders to a country where they risk being sentenced to death can violate international law.

Considering the historic violations resulting from the war on drugs, safeguarding human rights should be the primary concern of any law enforcement efforts. This not only protects suspects rights but ensures procedural integrity.

Growing drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean has caused adjoining states to not only target criminal networks but also address the impact of more drugs moving through the region. Some of these efforts reflect policy reforms that are evolving from a focus on law enforcement to prioritising human rights and the harms caused by the drug trade, as in Mauritius. But the opposite is also true. Sri Lanka for example has reinstated the death penalty for drug-related offences.

When it comes to transnational drug trafficking, punitive domestic policies have global repercussions. They not only fail to mitigate drug trafficking locally but also affect how the problem is dealt with internationally. Human rights concerns are now often prioritised over arrests when foreign criminal networks are caught moving drugs on board stateless vessels on the high seas.

However, this legal lacuna doesnt have to leave responding states between the devil and the deep blue sea. In addition to entering into bilateral agreements to overcome jurisdictional challenges, states use these accords to address human rights concerns. Like the Seychelles-EU deal, some arrangements prohibit delivering the accused to countries that impose the death penalty.

But how practical are these agreements? An EU naval captain requesting anonymity told the ENACT project that although the EU-Seychelles agreement was a positive development, it must be part of a broader strategy. He anticipates many of the challenges the piracy prosecution model faces, including limited naval assets, gathering evidence for prosecutions and logistical difficulties when transferring suspects. Warships can take days to deliver suspects to countries and return to their patrol area  impeding their availability for other missions.

States should also guard against using these agreements to rubber-stamp human rights obligations and make seizures. The massive global supply of narcotics means seizures have a limited impact on the trafficking business model, which can adapt to countermeasures.

The EU naval captain also warned that these agreements would have little impact if they only targeted crew members. They should prioritise thorough investigations to identify the criminal networks orchestrating the trade and remove the vessels from circulation. That would not only improve the criminal justice response to drug trafficking at sea but could also prevent other human rights abuses related to drug trafficking.

If the EU-Seychelles agreement succeeds, it could inspire similar agreements between international navies and other African states responding to transnational crimes at sea.

Dr Carina Bruwer, Senior Researcher, ENACT, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Pretoria

ENACT is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Security Studies in partnership with INTERPOL and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime.

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Armenia is not against the start of border delimitation from four villages in the Gazakh region of Azerbaijan, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said, Trend reports.

"We are not opposed to starting the delimitation process from the Tavush region and four villages of the Gazakh region of Azerbaijan," he noted.

Meanwhile, Armenia's Parliament discussed the issue of delimitation and demarcation of borders with Azerbaijan on April 9 at the initiative of factions of opposition parties.

The discussion of the issue was held in closed mode. Armenia's former Defense Minister, head of the opposition Hayastan parliamentary faction, Seyran Ohanyan, and nine other members of the Armenian parliament were not admitted to the session.

To note, the seventh session of the State Commission on State Border Delimitation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on State Border Delimitation and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held on March 7 at the conditional border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

The sides exchanged views on delimitation issues and proceeded to the agreement of the draft Regulations on the joint activities of the State Commission on Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as discussed the drafts of the relevant instructions on the procedure of delimitation works.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Imo State Police Command says it has launched an investigation into the murder of a lawyer, Garricks Anyanwu, who was killed by assailants a week ago.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in the state, Henry Okoye, an assistant superintendent of police, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

Mr Okoye, who confirmed the incident, however, promised to make an official statement upon completion of investigation into the matter.

NAN however, gathered that Mr Anyawu was killed in his home town of Orodo in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state by some suspected assassins.

His decomposing body was later discovered in a bush on 5 April.

A family source, who pleaded anonymity said the deceased will be buried on Wednesday, 10 April, and declined further comment.

NAN further gathered that members of the deceased family had approached the police with a sworn affidavit to recover his remains for immediate burial.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

NAN recalls that a magistrate, Nnaemeka Ugboma, who was a former Chairman, Obudiagwa Customary Court in Oguta Local Government Area of the state was equally murdered by assailants.

Mr Ugboma was shot dead by gunmen on 2 February 2023 while presiding over a court session.

The gunmen, who reportedly rode in motorcycles, were said to have shot at 55-year-old magistrate after identifying him as their target.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) has arrested one Muhammed Zenabdin over criminal conspiracy and possession of suspected counterfeit currency amounting to $100,000.00 in Abuja.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejob,i disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja.

The operatives of the NPF-NCCC acting on solid intelligence performed a raid on a suspected cybercrime hideout located in Garki II, FCT, where Mr Zenabdin was arrested while other suspects fled the scene.

Mr Adejobu said the police using the search warrant protocol further gathered more evidence from the location which included the $100 000 in $100 bills believed to be counterfeits, along with sophisticated counterfeit detection equipment, international passports, mobile phones, and a luxury vehicle.

The Force spokesperson said the suspect had also confessed his illegalities and provided information about others.

The suspect has provided indicting confessional statements and also offered valuable information to aid in the apprehension of other members of the gang. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect(s) will face arraignment in court.

Read full statement below

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

PRESS RELEASE

CYBER SECURITY: NPF NCCC FOILS COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY RING, RECOVERS USD 100,000 IN FAKE NOTES

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC), delivering on its mandate to stamp and decimate the trend of cyber crime in the country, has made a significant breakthrough following the apprehension of one Muhammed Zenabdin M for criminal conspiracy and possession of suspected counterfeit currency amounting to one hundred thousand United States Dollars ($100,000.00).

While acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the NPF-NCCC conducted a raid on a suspected cybercrime hideout located in Garki II, FCT. Despite the escape of other members of the criminal gang, Muhammed Zenabdin M was successfully apprehended. Subsequent execution of a search warrant revealed compelling evidence, including One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars in one-hundred-dollar bills believed to be counterfeits, along with sophisticated counterfeit detection equipment, international passports, mobile phones, and a luxury vehicle.

The suspect has provided indicting confessional statements and also offered valuable information to aid in the apprehension of other members of the gang. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect(s) will face arraignment in court.

READ ALSO: Tinubu decries blanket stereotyping of Nigerians over cybercrimes

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun PhD, NPM, commended the Director of the NCCC, CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry, and his team for their diligent efforts in combating cybercrime. While assuring the public of their safety, the IGP issued a stern warning to all cybercrime threat actors, urging them to cease their illicit activities or face severe legal consequences.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,

FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FORCE HEADQUARTERS,

ABUJA

9th April, 2024

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Some members of the House of Representatives have used the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration to call for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

Aliyu Boya, the member representing Fufore/Song Federal Constituency of Adamawa State, in a statement, said peaceful coexistence among Nigerians is the key to achieving development.

Mr Boya urged Nigerians to always put the interest of the country above every other interest, adding that the motivation should be the love for humanity.

He encouraged the Muslim faithful to reflect on the significance of the celebration and share love everywhere they find themselves.

Speaking on the challenges facing the country, Mr Boya said Nigeria is going to turn the corner soon.

The government is working tirelessly to address the challenges and we are confident that they will soon become a thing of the past. I urge Nigerians to work as brothers and sisters and look to the future with hope.

We will continue to play our roles as a government and count on the prayers and support of the people to ensure a better Nigeria for all, he said.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

We must be our brothers and sisters keepersEl-Rasheed

The member representing representing Dukku/ Nafada Federal Constituency Gombe State, Abdullahi El-Rasheed, in his statement, urged Nigerians to be their brothers and sisters keepers as he stressed that achieving a better society would require all hands to be on deck.

The lawmaker also felicitated his constituency on the occasion of the Sallah as he assured of his commitment to building human capacity, employment creation and infrastructural development of his constituents.

Mr El-Rasheed urged the Muslim faithful to reflect on the significance of the celebration which marks the end of the one-month-long fasting, Ramadan, and share love everywhere they find themselves.

The House member urged Nigerians to continue to work for peace and unity to ensure the progress of the country.

I heartily celebrate with all our Muslim brothers and sisters across the country and the world at large on the occasion of this years Eid-el-Fitr.

It is a moment which calls for sober reflection, marking the end of the fasting season, Ramadan.

As Nigerians, we should see the need to sacrifice for a united country and promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

I wish you all happy celebrations and pray the Almighty Allah continues to bless us with love, peace and prosperity, he said.

We must persevere despite economic challengesOgunbanwo

In his message, the member representing Ijebu-ode/ Odogbolu/ Ijebu North-East Federal Constituency of Ogun State in the House of Representatives, Olufemi Ogunbanwo, called for unity and peace among Nigerians as Muslim faithful mark this years Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

Mr Ogunbawo in a message made available to journalists in Abuja appealed to Nigerians to persevere despite the harsh economic climate as he expressed confidence in the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to lead the country to a better place for all.

He urged Nigerians to be their brothers and sisters keepers as he stressed that achieving a better society would require all hands to be on deck.

The lawmaker urged Nigerians to always put the interest of the country above every other interest, adding that the motivation should be the love for humanity.

The government is working tirelessly to address the challenges and we are confident that they will soon become a thing of the past.

I urge Nigerians to work as brothers and sisters and look to the future with hope. We will continue to play our roles as a government and count on the prayers and support of the people to ensure a better Nigeria for all, he said.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


President Bola Tinubu has extended his warm congratulations to Aliko Dangote, the chairman of the Dangote Group, on the occasion of his birthday on 10 April.

The president joined the family and friends of Mr Dangote to celebrate the founder of the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa and one of Africas business lodestars.

Referencing the many industrial feats of the business colossus, President Tinubu extolled Mr Dangotes famed dauntless and inventive spirit, as well as his facility for excellence in any venture.

The president commended the chairman of the Dangote Group for his interventions and support for Nigerias young entrepreneurs, describing him as one of the industrialists who have kept the country on the global map as a haven for enterprise.

As Mr Dangote marks this birthday, the president wishes him many more prosperous years in his storied endeavours in Nigeria, Africa, and the world.

Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

(Media & Publicity)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Security agencies have destroyed several criminal camps of suspected terrorists attacking police facilities in Anambra State, Nigerias South-east.

The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the camps were destroyed last Friday when combined security agencies raided some terrorist camps in a forest located in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson said Amiyi and Ochuche communities within the council area were combed by the combined security team during a search for the suspected terrorists in the state.

He said apart from the destroyed camps, nine improvised explosive devices were recovered from the camps and defused by the police bomb squad during the operation.

Mr Ikenga said the combined security team comprised troops of the Nigerian army, personnel of the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Police Force.

Several camps were found and destroyed during the operation which lasted several hours, he said.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye, commended the Nigerian military for their steadfastness in supporting the fight against criminality, Mr Ikenga said.

Mr Adeoye equally thanked authorities of the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the National Immigration Service (NIS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and various vigilante groups across Anambra State for the synergy existing among them which he said was yielding fantastic results in the fight against insecurity in the state.

The statement did not specifically mention that the personnel of the SSS, NSCDC, NIS, NDLEA and vigilante groups took part in the joint operation.

Cult war in Anambra

There have been cult-related attacks and killings in Awka, the Anambra State capital, in recent times.

At least eight persons were reported killed in cult-related attacks in the last 10 days in the state capital.

Speaking, Mr Adeoye warned the suspected cultists operating in the state against further terrorising residents of the state capital.

Their days are numbered, he said of the cultists.

The police commissioner vowed that security agencies will not fold their hands and watch the cultists destabilise the state in the name of cult rivalry leading to fatalities.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


President Bola Tinubu has congratulated elder statesman, Ayo Adebanjo, on his birthday.

The president commended Mr Adebanjo for his decades of spirited advocacy for a united and equ

itable Nigeria, as well as for contributions to enriching the national discourse.

President Tinubu wished Mr Adebanjo a happy birthday and prays to God Almighty to grant him many more years in excellent health.

President felicitates Elegushi

President Tinubu has also congratulated Saheed Elegushi (Kusenla III), a traditional ruler, on the occasion of his birthday.

The president joined members of the Elegushi family, friends, well-wishers, and the people of Ikate kingdom in wishing Kabiyesi more years of good health on the throne and purposeful leadership to his people.

The president commended Mr Elegushi for his unwavering dedication to the welfare of his people since his coronation in 2010, and for building constructive relationships across the country that have helped to create a formidable network of support for government programmes and initiatives.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

President prayed for Gods unceasing guidance and protection on the royal father as he further advances his services to his community and the nation.

Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

April 10, 2024

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised alarm over the rising cases of infections and deaths from viral hepatitis globally.

Citing the 2024 Global Hepatitis Report,

WHO explained on its website Tuesday that hepatitis is the second leading infectious disease with 1.3 million deaths per year, the same as tuberculosis, a top infectious killer.

New data from 187 countries show that the estimated number of deaths from viral hepatitis increased from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022.

Of these, 83 per cent were caused by hepatitis B, and 17 per cent by hepatitis C. Every day, there are 3,500 people dying globally due to hepatitis B and C infections, it noted.

According to WHO, despite better tools for diagnosis and treatment, and decreasing product prices, testing and treatment coverage rates have stalled.

However, reaching the WHO elimination goal by 2030 should still be achievable, if swift actions are taken now, it noted.

More on report

The WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, was quoted to have described the data from the report as worrisome.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

This report paints a troubling picture: despite progress globally in preventing hepatitis infections, deaths are rising because far too few people with hepatitis are being diagnosed and treated.

WHO is committed to supporting countries to use all the tools at their disposal  at access prices  to save lives and turn this trend around, he said.

The updated WHO estimates indicate that 254 million people lived with hepatitis B and 50 million with hepatitis C in 2022.

Also, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and C infections is among people 3054 years old, with 12 per cent among children under 18 years of age while men accounted for 58 per cent of all cases.

The new cases,when compared to 2019, indicates a decrease in the number of infections, however the overall incidence of viral hepatitis remains high.

It noted that in 2022, there were 2.2 million new infections, down from 2.5 million in 2019 including 1.2 million new hepatitis B infections and nearly 1 million new hepatitis C infections, adding that more than 6000 people are getting newly infected with viral hepatitis daily.

Diagnosis, treatment

Across all the world regions, the report noted that only 13 per cent of people living with chronic hepatitis B infection had been diagnosed and approximately 3 per cent (7 million) had received antiviral therapy by the end of 2022.

While for hepatitis C, 36 per cent had been diagnosed and 20 per cent (12.5 million) received curative treatment.

These results fall well below the global targets to treat 80 per cent of people living with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C by 2030, but shows a slight but consistent improvement in diagnosis and treatment coverage since its last report estimates in 2019.

Hepatitis B diagnosis increased from 10 per cent to 13 per cent and treatment from 2 per cent to 3per cent, and hepatitis C diagnosis from 21 per cent to 36 per cent and treatment from 13 per cent to 20 per cent, it revealed.

Global burden

The burden of hepatitis viral infection varies regionally. Statistics have shown that the African region has the highest burden of hepatitis B.

The WHO African Region bears 63 per cent of new hepatitis B infections, yet despite this burden, only 18 per cent of newborns in the region receive the hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination.

In the Western Pacific Region, which accounts for 47 per cent of hepatitis B deaths, treatment coverage stands at 23 per cent among people diagnosed, which is far too low to reduce mortality, it noted.

Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Russian Federation and Viet Nam, collectively shoulder nearly two-thirds of the global burden of hepatitis B and C.

Achieving universal access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in these ten countries by 2025, alongside intensified efforts in the African Region, is essential to get the global response back on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, it noted.

The disparities in prices exist both across and within WHO regions, with many countries paying above global benchmarks, even for off-patent drugs or when included in voluntary licensing agreements.

The report added that only 60 per cent of reporting countries offer viral hepatitis testing and treatment services free of charge, either entirely or partially, in the public sector. Financial protection is lower in the African Region, where only about one third of reporting countries provide these services free of charge.

Challenges, call to action

According to the report, funding has remained a major challenge with regards viral hepatitis both at a global level, noting that the budget allocated is not sufficient to meet the needs.

This arises from a combination of factors, including limited awareness of cost-saving interventions and tools, as well as competing priorities in global health agendas. This report seeks to shed light on strategies for countries to address these inequities and access the tools at the most affordable prices available, the report said.

However, it highlighted that the approaches need to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030 includes expanding access to testing and diagnostics, shifting from policies to implementation for equitable treatment, strengthening primary care prevention efforts.

Others are simplifying service delivery, optimising product regulation and supply, developing investment cases in priority countries, and mobilising innovative financing.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Two years after a landmark judgement ordering the Nigerian government to implement the 35 per cent affirmative action, women groups and other concerned parties have condemned the governments failure to implement the ruling.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on 6 April 2022, ordered the Nigerian government to enforce the National Gender Policy by allotting 35 per cent of appointments in the public sector to women.

Since the ruling, governments at various levels, have failed to implement the policy by not meeting the 35 per cent women inclusion quota.

However, at a media dialogue organised by Women Radio 91.7 FM in commemoration of the two-year judgement, women groups have called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritise female representation in his government.

Need for women representation, collaboration

In her comments, the National President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA),

Amina Agbaje, lamented that the Tinubu-led administration appointed fewer women as ministers.

The proportion of women on Mr Tinubus ministerial list falls short of the 35 per cent affirmative action, with eight women out of 45 ministers.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Ms Agbaje said: If women were considered good enough to vote and campaign during elections, they should be considered good enough to be appointed to various political positions.

Ms Agbaje added that there is a need to sustain and continue the demand for more womens representation.

On her part, Rasheedat Medupin of the Sustainable Gender Action Initiative (SGAI) stated that the government needs to partner with civil society organisations to intensify efforts to implement the 35 per cent affirmative action and also make Nigeria a nation where womens voices are heard.

Ms Medupin, who appealed to the Tinubu-led government to uphold the judgement of 6 April 2022 by appointing more women into positions, added that Nigeria needs to accept women as accomplished leaders and ensure that gender policies are implemented.

According to Marshal Abubakar of Falana & Falana Chambers, the government must be reminded to obey the rule of law of judgment of 6 April 2022.

Mr Abubakar urged Nigerian women to go back to court to get the judgement enforced should the Tinubu administration fail to uphold the judgement, while also calling for the need to engage with stakeholders at the national assembly to canvass for constitutional amendment to allow women to occupy more seats.

More comments

Ngozi Nwosu-Juba of Vision Spring Initiatives also emphasised the need to involve more women at the grassroots and return to court to get the judgement enforced.

Ms Nwosu-Juba recommended that the ongoing constitutional review should be taken advantage of to revisit the five gender bills to make up for the lack of women in governance.

Zainab Yahaya Tanko of Nigerian Women Trust Fund stated that women have the numbers and must be adequately represented, while also calling for the need to intensify efforts until the judgement is implemented.

The consensus of the media dialogue is that the government must implement in full its own National Gender Policy that has been further made mandatory through the 6 April 2022 landmark judgement in favour of Nigerian women.

Background on Affirmative Action

A group of Nigerian civil society organisations led by the Nigerian Women Trust Fund filed a suit against the Nigerian government on 24 August 2020, seeking the implementation of the 35 per cent Affirmative Action as contained in the National Gender Policy which was adopted by the government in 2006.

The plaintiffs include the Women Empowerment & Legal Aid (WELA) Initiative, the Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF), the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD -West Africa).

Others are Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI), Women In Politics Forum (WIPF), 100 Women Lobby Group and YIAGA Africa.

On 6 April 2022, the case was won by Nigerian women with pro bono support from Falana and Falana Chambers.

Delivering the judgement, Donatus Okorowo agreed with the plaintiff that Nigerian women had been subjected to various forms of discrimination concerning appointments into key positions of government.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Federal High Court in Abuja has relieved a former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Okoh, of a contempt conviction resulting from the agencys disobedience to a Supreme Court order.

Donatus Okorowo, the judge, on 5 April, vacated the earlier order issued by Anwuli Chikere (now retired judge of the court) citing Mr Okoh for contempt in December 2019.

Mr Okorowos decision reversing Mr Okohs conviction followed BPE making a U-turn by committing to comply with the Supreme Court order at the heart of the contempt case.

The Supreme Court had issued the order stopping the BPE and its leadership from further negotiating to sell, transfer or hand over the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) Ltd, Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, to any person in violation of the contract it struck with BFI Group Corporation in the 2000s. But successive Directors-General of BPE had refused to comply with the order.

The disobedience to the Supreme Court order led to BFI Group initiating contempt proceedings against the BPE and Mr Okoh.

In its ruling on the contempt charge in December 2019, the Federal High Court in Abuja cited Mr Okoh for contempt and sentenced him to one month in prison.

But following a recent agreement by parties on compliance with the Supreme Court order, Mr Okohs lawyer, J.O Adesina, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on 12 March 2024, filed an application for the reversal of the contempt order against him.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

The lawyer prayed the court to discharge the applicant; the BFI Group, represented at the proceedings by Patrick Ikwueto, also a SAN, opted not to object to the request.

In his ruling on 5 April, the judge, Mr Okorowo, said given the agreement between lawyers to the parties, he was inclined to vacate the courts earlier order citing Mr Okoh for contempt and jailing him for one month.

The judge, however, ordered that the contemnors  Mr Okoh and BPE  must abide by the Supreme Court judgement.

It is further ordered that in the light of the submission of judgement creditor/respondent counsel and to uphold the majesty of the court in particular the decision of the apex court (Supreme Court) on the entire judgment that led to the contempt proceedings that BPE is duty bound to continue to fully abide by the order handed down by the Supreme Court in appeal number SC/12/2004 by satisfying the said judgment, a copy of the enrolled order seen by PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, read in part.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES reported that a five-member panel of the Supreme Court had in January upheld the lower courts decisions citing Mr Okoh for contempt.

It said there was incontrovertible evidence that the BPE and Mr Okoh disobeyed an earlier order of the Supreme Court stopping the agency from selling the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) Ltd to any other person or group except the BFI Group Corporation that won the first bid advertised in 2004.

The court said BPEs decision to further re-offer ALSCON for sale after the Supreme Court judgment was a flagrant disregard for the court, a contemptuous act.

However, Mr Okoh, who was sacked from office in January, had argued that he was not the Director-General of the bureau at the time the contract was struck between 2004 and 2006 with the BFI Group.

He was appointed CEO of BPE on 13 April 2017, five years after the said ruling of the Supreme Court, and was relieved of the position on 8 January 2024, three weeks before the contempt ruling of 26 January 2024.

In its determination to execute the Supreme Court judgment, the BFI Group filed a judgment enforcement suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In a decision on 30 September 2014, the Federal High Court in Abuja handed down an enforcement order, which BPE objected to and appealed.

On its part, the appellate court varied the enforcement order issued by the Federal High Court, but insisted that the judgment of the Supreme Court must be enforced.

It ordered the BPE to provide the mutually agreed Share Purchase Agreement for execution.

However, the BPE and the BFI Group could not find a middle ground on how to execute the SPA, with the BPE objecting to some documents annexed to the SPA.

The BFI Group subsequently initiated contempt proceedings against the BPE and Mr Okoh at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

In December 2019, the Federal High Court found the BPE and Mr Okoh guilty of contempt of court and sentenced Mr Okoh to imprisonment for one month until he purged himself of the act of contempt.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Military Board of Inquiry constituted by the Defence Headquarters to investigate the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta has commenced sitting.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the panel convened on Wednesday at the Governors Office Annexe in Warri South Local Government Area of the state.

The meeting, which was scheduled for 2.00 p.m., however, started at about 3.45 p.m. with six stakeholders from the Okoloba Community, Bomadi Local Government Area, in attendance.

The Okuama Community was, however, not represented.

The Director-General, Political and Security Services in Delta, David Tonwe, who ushered the Okoloba stakeholders into the meeting room, however, told journalists that they were not permitted to be part of the meeting.

The slain soldiers, made up of a commanding officer, two majors, a captain, and 13 others, were ambushed and murdered on 14 March.

They were said to have been responding to the crisis between Okoloba and Okuama communities which had allegedly been engaged in an aged-long land dispute.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

NAN recalls that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State had on Friday received the military board at the Governors Office Annexe, where he called for a transparent investigation into the killings.

The governor, who assured the panel that the state government would provide them with useful information, however, noted that innocent citizens should not be made to suffer any further.

We will also come up with our position paper to submit to you people before you leave.

That will guide you on the role that we have played as a state because if we do not come with this position paper, you will not know the role that the state has played, the governor said.

Earlier, on Friday, the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry, David Ajayi, an air vice marshall, said the panel was in the state to investigate the unfortunate incident that happened at Okuama.

We are here on a fact-finding mission and not to apportion blame. We are here to gather facts from security agencies, community leaders, and community dwellers.

This report will also help to ensure healthy communication that will enhance civil-military relations and ensure that economic activities thrive again in the affected communities, he said.

Mr Ajayi, however, called on the governor to assist the board in its assignment to ensure that relevant stakeholders were invited to give accounts of what led to the crisis.

NAN reports that the board is expected to be in Bayelsa State on Friday in continuation of its assignment.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. The US and the EU will not come and solve Armenia's problems, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said in parliament, commenting on the results of the Brussels meeting, Trend reports.

"We have illusory or unrealistic expectations that some allies or relatives will come and solve our problems. It is necessary to fix and consolidate the fact that we should solve all our problems ourselves," he said.

To note, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU High Representative and Vice President Josep Borrell, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, USAID chief Samantha Power, and Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan met in Brussels on April 5.

Additionally, as a result of the meeting, it was announced that the EU will put forward Armenia's Sustainability and Growth Plan for 20242027 for 270 million euros.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The massive show of force was a major factor in the abortion of the 4 June march. But also, some labour leaders sided with the junta. They viewed the march as, unnecessary, unprecedented and a Marxist conspiracy to topple the government. They lobbied fellow unionists and carried out propaganda against the march. However, for Chiroma, he had commanded the unarmed forces well, courageously stood against dictatorship and, written his name into history books.

Ali Chiroma departed on 2 April. So, I am not writing for him. Rather, I address the youth population to tell them about a man who stood for students interests, defended their right to education and a future.

Chiroma as president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) from 1984 to 1988, rejected the commercialisation of education. He also fought the detention of student leaders or their expulsion, as it happened at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in 1985.

Then, on 23 May, 1986, at least four ABU students and some other Nigerians were killed by the police, following a protest. The Chiroma leadership was enraged by what it termed the display of heartlessness and nonchalance of Professor Ango Abdullahi (the Vice Chancellor) over human lives. It was also angry by the fascist-like rationalization of the ABU killings by Police Commissioner Nuhu Aliyu.

It was particularly infuriated by the refusal of the Babangida regime to comment on the killings, three days after, to console the families of the victims, and pacify the students and the nation.

When government finally reacted by establishing the Abisoye Panel, and appointed the NLC Scribe, Dr Lasisi Osunde as a member, the NLC declined the offer. Its basis was the unilateral manner of the appointment and the localisation of its investigation to only the ABU crisis. To participate, it demanded the immediate suspension of Professor Abdullahi, Police Commissioner Nuhu Aliyu, the dismissal of Education Minister, Professor Jibril Aminu, and the unconditional release of all detained students. In its reaction, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) directed students not to appear or cooperate with the panel.

The refusal of the regime to meet NLCs demands led to its Central Working Committee, on 28 May, 1986, declaring Wednesday, 4 June, 1986, as a National Day of Mourning with Nigerian students. The Chiroma leadership instructed that the day was to be observed with peaceful marches throughout the nation and the submission of protest letters to the Military President and governors. Placards, depicting the deplorable situation in the country, were to be carried. NLC also directed its state councils to mobilise workers and other social forces for the marches.

Pressures, notwithstanding, led by Chiroma, the coalition of the NLC, ASUU and NANS went ahead to mobilise for 4 June. They distributed leaflets to groups like school children, market traders, religious bodies, women and youth organisations. They addressed press conferences and issued press statements countering governments intimidation. NLC asserted that, ban or no ban, the march will go on, and advised the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to withdraw the ban.

The regime viewed the planned demonstration as a declaration of war. Its Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, angrily declared that the NLCs decision, was the most irritating and annoying threat. That Congress has made itself a nuisance almost on every issue I hope they will not make the mistake of ever  (demonstrating). The government also declared that it will ensure, with all its might, the enforcement of the ban on public demonstrations. Equally, traditional rulers were mobilised to oppose the march for the sake of peace and unity.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Even the media joined in bringing pressure to bear on the NLC. The PUNCH, Tribune, New Nigerian and Daily Times expressed disappointment in the NLCs withdrawal of its Secretary, and the decision to march. The PUNCH of 2 June, 1986, warned that Enough is Enough, while the Vanguard of 4 June argued that the march would have been quite in order if it had evolved as a spontaneous reaction to the revolting incompetence  the crisis was handled. The Sunday Tribune in its 1 June, 1986 editorial said,  a mourning march or demonstration, peaceful or un-peaceful, was meaningless, irrelevant to the students crisis and therefore, uncalled for two wrongs never make a right.

Pressures, notwithstanding, led by Chiroma, the coalition of the NLC, ASUU and NANS went ahead to mobilise for 4 June. They distributed leaflets to groups like school children, market traders, religious bodies, women and youth organisations. They addressed press conferences and issued press statements countering governments intimidation. NLC asserted that, ban or no ban, the march will go on, and advised the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to withdraw the ban.

The failure of government to dissuade NLC led it to adopt drastic measures. State Police commissioners met with the IGP. All the General Officers Commanding the Army Divisions met with the Chief of Army Staff. The Military Governors and security chiefs met with the President.

The regime declared that it has decided to meet the challenge with all the resources at its disposal. The atmosphere in the State House, according to The Guardian of 8 June, 1986, had looked like the gathering of war lords pouring over location models and maps, taking stock and deciding what the next move against an aggression would be. ASUU President, Dr Mahmud Tukur noted that governments mood resembled that of a country resisting an invasion or planning to attack another country.

NANS warned the NLC not to capitulate to government pressures, as the failure of 4th June would have disastrous consequences for the struggle for fundamental human rights  the most important of which is life  and render the NLC into an irrelevant organisation.

Chiroma told Nigerians that by the total mobilisation and series of top level meetings the intention is clear. That it is an all-out-war, by land, sea and air against unarmed workers This incommensurate commitment of troops and efforts by government for a peaceful demonstration leaves no one in doubt as its intention to make it bloody.

The Congress, nevertheless, scaled down the march. With this, representatives of the industrial unions were directed to hold a rally at the Congress Secretariat, which would be addressed by Chiroma, and the outcome forwarded to General Babangida. This was to accommodate the capitulationists in the movement and avoid bloodshed.

Chiroma told Nigerians that by the total mobilisation and series of top level meetings the intention is clear. That it is an all-out-war, by land, sea and air against unarmed workers This incommensurate commitment of troops and efforts by government for a peaceful demonstration leaves no one in doubt as its intention to make it bloody.

Government, even so, saw Chiromas statement as not only confrontational but seditious in content, and aimed at generating social and political discontent (and) instability in the country which is capable of degenerating into chaos and anarchy.

The fourth of June saw the predawn arrest and detention of major labour leaders; the occupation of NLC secretariats across the country; and the stationing of military tanks in strategic places. In Lagos, Yemi Ogunbiyi of The Guardian wrote that, a police helicopter was hovering over the city. Armoured tanks took over positions in a few key places and some key government installations were manned in combat readiness. For all intent and purposes, the country was placed in a state of emergency.

Despite these, the representatives of the 44 industrial unions defied heavy rain and assembled in front of the NLC, which itself had been occupied by security forces. The massive show of force was a major factor in the abortion of the 4 June march. But also, some labour leaders sided with the junta. They viewed the march as, unnecessary, unprecedented and a Marxist conspiracy to topple the government. They lobbied fellow unionists and carried out propaganda against the march. However, for Chiroma, he had commanded the unarmed forces well, courageously stood against dictatorship and, written his name into history books.

Ahmed Aminu-Ramatu Yusuf worked as deputy director, Cabinet Affairs Office, The Presidency, and retired as General Manager (Admininstration), Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet). Email: aaramatuyusuf@yahoo.com

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


This week in history begins Jesuss journey to the cross, with a lot of twists and schemes. A lot of personalities played very active roles in planning His arrest and subsequent execution, some of whom include Caiaphas, Judas, and Pilate, among others. Aside from the messianic role He had been destined to play for humanity, His aversion to corruption, His constant affirmation of His supremacy and deity, and in particular, His condemnation of the highly lucrative money-changing business sent Him to the cross for you and I.

According to Jewish temple traditions, Jews were not allowed to give offerings in the temple in Jerusalem using their coins that had the image of Caesar stamped on them. This was deemed idolatrous. Thus, when they arrived at Jerusalem from neighbouring towns to celebrate the Jewish annual festivals, they were mandated by temple officials to change their coins through the money changers who hung around the temples premises. These money changers charged very exorbitant rates for their transactions.

Further, God specifically gave Moses the exact description of the types of animals that could be accepted for sacrifices in the temple for various annual festivals (Leviticus 22: 17-25). To be acceptable to God for sacrifice, these animals must be unblemished. Surprisingly, some Jews would still bring animals with various shades of defects and blemishes to the temple during the annual festivals for sacrifices, all of which would be flatly rejected by the temple officials. To be deemed acceptable, those who brought defective animals to the temple were also mandated to have their animals changed, a situation which also made the animal-changers to charge the people exorbitantly to have their animals switched.

It would interest you to know that Caiaphas, the High Priest, according to Jewish history, had a major stake in both the animal and the money-changing businesses, which explained why he and the rest of the aristocratic Sadducees hated Jesus so implacably. We would recall that Jesus once whipped the money changers out of the temple, scattering their money changing tables (John 2:14-15). We would now understand why Caiaphas, the High Priest, was ready to get rid of Jesus when the opportunity came his way. Jesus was denying them of a lot of free money.

Famed Jewish historians, Flavius Josephus and Herodotus, in their numerous accounts of Jewish history, wrote that Caiaphas, the High Priest, was very corrupt. Aside from plying his trade in the money and animal-changing businesses, he actually became the High Priest under very controversial and dubious circumstances. He was alleged to have bribed his way through the rank and file of the Roman government to clinch the juicy position. In fact, he used more than the stipulated number of years as High Priest, having bought his way into the hearts of the Roman government.

Just like our Saviour, if you dare stand up against this money-changing business, you could be cancelled or may be as good as dead. The money-changing business is at the centre of the worlds system. It is a very lucrative business in the world, and now, sadly, in the church. You cannot be part of the real Jesus of the Bible and be a monetiser of His grace and gifts.

Arent we seeing a repeat of history in these historical accounts? The crucifixion of Jesus came with an array of behind the doors scheming of corrupt religious leaders, ably facilitated by Judas, whose story will be told in the second part of this writeup. But here is the main point of this story: Jesus was hated to the point of death, not just because of His ministry or His miracles, but because He was a major stumbling block to the money-changing empire of the corrupt Roman elites. History is still repeating itself  the church of Christ has been fully monetised by a daring money-changing syndicate that has had many so-called pastors and ministers of God, both in word and in music, openly and brazenly trade the gifts of God in their lives for monetary benefits.

Just like our Saviour, if you dare stand up against this money-changing business, you could be cancelled or may be as good as dead. The money-changing business is at the centre of the worlds system. It is a very lucrative business in the world, and now, sadly, in the church. You cannot be part of the real Jesus of the Bible and be a monetiser of His grace and gifts.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

This week in history begins Jesuss journey to the cross, with a lot of twists and schemes. A lot of personalities played very active roles in planning His arrest and subsequent execution, some of whom include Caiaphas, Judas, and Pilate, among others. Aside from the messianic role He had been destined to play for humanity, His aversion to corruption, His constant affirmation of His supremacy and deity, and in particular, His condemnation of the highly lucrative money-changing business sent Him to the cross for you and I.

To be continued in part 2 as we dive into the Judass ministry.

Ayo Akerele is the senior pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through ayoakerele2012@gmail.com.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Despite many remaining challenges, Rwanda has staged one of the most impressive comebacks of our times. National leaders, led by President Kagame, rejected the policies of hate and division and retribution, and they rebuilt from the ashes. That is a triumph for the people of Rwanda. And it should stand as a model for other nations seeking progress and reconciliation. It is, after all, possible.

In a world convulsed by war, genocide, fear, and disillusionment, imagine a country that has actually rebuilt 30 years after an horrific genocide, a place where reconciliation is widespread, and perpetrators are an integral part of the growth and progress. As we contemplate the future of Gaza, of Palestine, of Israel, Ukraine, and of other conflicts garnering far less press coverage, is there any cause for hope of a better future?

Thirty years after a million people were slaughtered in less than three months in a genocide, there is a country where life expectancy has more than doubled, where a million people have been lifted out of poverty, where women are the majority in parliament, and where 98 per cent of the population has health insurance. A country which is ranked as one of the highest in ease of doing business and investment, and where its method of reconciliation, Gacaca, has led, remarkably enough, to forgiveness and inclusiveness.

Imagine, too, a country that now leads the second largest continent in the world in socio-economic development, and in homegrown solutions to poverty, gender equity, and participation. This country is Rwanda. The genocide against the Tutsi began 30 years ago on 7th April, 1994.

Thirty years ago, instead of intervening to stop the genocide, US diplomats were merely talking about acts of genocide and actually blocked opportunities to intervene and stop the slaughter. Some parallels with the Middle East today are unsettling.

How did Rwanda move from slaughter by machete to startling improvements in human development? What lessons might the world learn about peace and reconstruction? Once the killing had stopped, it required vision and creative new ways to hold the post-genocide leaders accountable for post-genocidal progress. Rwandas systematic national planning, its vision for the future, national leadership, and performance-based governance (a homegrown solution called Imihigo,) are some of the essential elements. Too, a concerted focus on gender equity has transformed politics, economics, and family life.

Gender equity in education and public policy is fundamental to reducing poverty. Research shows that countries that promote womens rights and increase their access to economic resources and education grow faster, are more peaceful, and have less inequality and corruption than countries that do not support womens rights. In Rwanda, gender equity is embedded in the constitution, in education, and in national and local life. Women are visionary leaders in Rwanda, with 61 per cent representation in parliament and half of the Presidents cabinet.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Rwanda is one of the leaders on the continent in education. With a near-universal primary school enrolment, a digital transformation with nationwide network coverage, and IT innovations in education, Rwanda has become a model for the continent in educational progress.

A strong focus on homegrown policies and initiatives such Imihigo, or performance-based governance, where local and national leaders are periodically required to show the impact of policies and genuine progress, has contributed to significant improvement in local political participation, in access to services, and in improved human development indicators.

What lessons are applicable to the acts of genocide in Gaza and the Middle East? In Ukraine? First, the world can and must try to stop the slaughteras it did not do in Rwanda. The most immediate needs of food and access to health care must be assured. But what of the aftermath? What hope is there for Gaza and Israel?

Reconciliation is the starting point. The world considers this situation in the Middle East hopeless, impossible  but look at Rwanda. In 100 days, over a million members of the Tutsi minority group, as well as Twa and Hutu who and stood up against the genocide, had been murdered by Hutu militias. Author Philip Gourevitch pointed out: The dead of Rwanda accumulated at nearly three times the rate of Jewish dead during the Holocaust. It was the most efficient mass killing since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. When peace was restored, political will was the starting point, belief in the impossible. Look at how the Rwandans did it with Gacaca, where over a ten-year period, one million suspects were tried in community-based trials, one of the worlds most ambitious post-conflict justice and reconciliation programmes.

Despite many remaining challenges, Rwanda has staged one of the most impressive comebacks of our times. National leaders, led by President Kagame, rejected the policies of hate and division and retribution, and they rebuilt from the ashes. That is a triumph for the people of Rwanda. And it should stand as a model for other nations seeking progress and reconciliation. It is, after all, possible.

Margee Ensign was the president of the American University of Nigeria from 2010-17 and 2021-22. She is currently the president of the American University in Bulgaria and author of Rwanda: History and Hope and co-editor of Confronting Genocide in Rwanda.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has extended his warmest greetings to the people of the state and the entire Muslim ummah on the occasion of Eid el-Fitr 1445 AH, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement signed by the spokesperson to the governor, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, Mr Namadi emphasised the importance of continuing the spirit of generosity beyond the Ramadan. He urged the well-to-do in society to maintain their support for the needy.

Governor Namadi highlighted the significance of Eid el-Fitr as not just a time for celebration but a period for reflection on the values of patience, compassion, and communal support that are central to the Ramadan experience. He praised the citizens for their steadfast faith and dedication during the fasting period, despite the prevailing economic hardship.

The governor also called on all residents of the state and Nigeria to pray for the nations economic recovery and for improvement in national security. He stressed the importance of unity and collective effort in overcoming the challenges facing the state and the country at large.

Mr Namadi emphasised his administrations commitment to translating the visions encapsulated in his 12-point agenda into tangible realities for the people of the state. He highlighted the importance of prioritising such developmental initiatives to uplift the living standards of citizens and foster economic prosperity across the state.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Thousands of Muslim faithfuls trooped out in Maiduguri, Yola and Damaturu  the capitals of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, respectively, to observe prayers for the Eid-el-Fitr on Wednesday.

The Eid-el-Fitr prayers held peacefully in the three states, which were hotbeds of violence at the peak of the insurgent activities of Boko Haram.. There had been past festivities that were disrupted by the insurgent group.

In Maiduguri, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi, joined other Muslim faithfuls to observe the prayers at Ramat Square.

The two rakaat prayers were led by Imam Shettima Saleh, who prayed for the total restoration of lasting peace in Borno.

A colourful durbar was organised by the Shehu of Borno to mark the occasion.

In Yola, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the Waziri of Adamawa, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri joined other faithfuls at the prayer ground. The prayer was led by Imam Ahmadu Bobboi.

Mr Bobboi, in his sermon, urged Muslims faithfuls to live in peace and embrace the spirit of forgiveness and tolerance.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

He prayed for peace and stability of Adamawa State and the nation in general.

A colourful durbar was also held by horsemen from the 36 districts of Adamawa Emirate.

In Yobe, the Deputy Governor Idi Gubana led government delegation to the prayer observed at Damaturu Central Mosque.

The Chief Imam, Sheikh Goni Kamsulum, who led the prayers, enjoined the Muslims to continue practicing the lessons they learned about keeping brotherhood during the month of Ramadan.

He also called on parents to monitor their wards and the company they keep to ensure discipline.

In his Sallah message presented by his deputy, Governor Mai Mala Buni congratulated Muslim faithfuls on the successful completion of the one-month Ramadan fast and wished them a peaceful celebration.

He reminded the people of the need to continue praying for the unity, peace, security, and prosperity of Yobe and Nigeria in general. (NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has congratulated Muslim residents of the territory as they mark the end of Ramadan with Eid el-Fitr celebrations.

In his message on Wednesday, he wished that the supplications made to Allah will be answered on completing the important religious duty.

I also most heartily congratulate the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of this religious obligation and pray that the supplications made to Almighty Allah will be answered, he said.

He called on Muslims to imbibe the values of compassion, generosity, and unity at the core of Islam.

Mr Wike encouraged everyone to embrace the spirit of Ramadan beyond the month of fasting.

He urged continued acts of kindness and support for one another even after Ramadan.

I urge us, however, not to limit these acts of charity, love, and tolerance to only the holy month but should inculcate this culture into our everyday lives, he stated.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Significance of prayer and unity

Highlighting the importance of prayer, Mr Wike called on all Nigerians to pray for the countrys prosperity and unity, especially in overcoming current challenges.

He emphasised the need for unity and respect among residents, regardless of background or religion.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts by the FCTA to improve infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security.

Mr Wike reiterated his commitment to creating a vibrant and resilient capital city.

He urged everyone to celebrate responsibly and stay vigilant about security at all times.

The progress we have made so far, especially in the areas of security and provision of infrastructure in the road and rail sectors and reforms in the administration of the FCTA, have been recognized and applauded.

By investing in these key areas, we aim to create a more vibrant and resilient FCT, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

As we celebrate Eid el-Fitr, I urge all residents to celebrate responsibly and be security-conscious at all times, the minister said.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Popular Bauchi-based Islamic cleric, Idris Abdulaziz, who fled into exile amid a protracted political feud with Governor Bala Muhammad, has returned home after the intervention of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Abdulaziz fled after security agents raided his Dutsen Tanshi residence in the Bauchi metropolis on 24 January to execute a search warrant.

Mr Abdulaziz had been having a running battle with Governor Muhammad whom he openly campaigned against. He supported Mr Muhammads main opponent, Abubakar Sadiq of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the 18 March 2023 election.

He left Bauchi State to flee alleged persecution, threat of arbitrary arrest and detention by the state government following charges accusing him of blasphemy against religious creed.

To the execution of the said search warrant, over 250 police, civil defence and military personnel were mobilised and they stormed the house of our client in the early hours of Thursday 25th January 2024, his lawyer, Ahmad Musa, told PREMIUM TIMES in January.

Mr Abdulaziz was subsequently declared wanted on 8 February with bounties placed on him by the police for contempt of court.

But on Tuesday Mr Abdulazizs lawyer confirmed his homecoming to PREMIUM TIMES.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

The police spokesperson in the state, Ahmed Wakil, also on Tuesday said Mr Ribadu intervened and settled the feud between the cleric and the governor. He said the declaration of Mr Abdulaziz wanted by the police has been suspended.

Such action (of wanted declaration) is hereby suspended. However, today on 8th April 2024, Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, Auwal Musa Mohammad, PSC, in his effort and dedication to promoting peaceful coexistence and harmonious relations among the figures in the state, spearheaded a peace pact between Malam Idris Abdulaziz and the Government of Bauchi State at the Police State headquarters.

The peace pact was signed and witnessed by the Director, of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), the Commandant Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Bauchi State, the police spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, security agents in the state blamed the crisis on a communication gap which they said will be corrected.

The Commissioner of Police as the Chairman of the Security and Allied Agency in Bauchi state, resolved to ensure that the communication gap that was identified as the causative agent among others responsible for deteriorating the relationship between the parties would be addressed without hesitation.

He expressed his unequivocal appreciation to the Executive Governor of Bauchi State Sen. Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, CON, KAURAN BAUCHI, for honouring the call of NSA (Mr Ribadu) and other relevant stakeholders to the peace accord and maintaining that the written commitment that was signed would be judiciously observed by the parties concerned, the police spokesperson said.

The police also cautioned Mr Abdulaziz, saying while he enjoys the right to freedom of speech, he should not use his pulpit to insult or make derogatory and abusive statements against colleagues who hold different opinions.

A Sunni, his preaching and opinions are considered stern by followers of some Islamic sects in Hausa-speaking northern Nigeria. His ordeals began last April when he criticised some Sufi scholars of the Tijjaniyya Islamic sects during one of his lectures.

READ ALSO: Police declare Bauchi cleric wanted

In difficult times I dont need the support of Ibrahim Niase, Abdulkadir Jelani, Ahmad Tijjani (Sufi scholars), and even Prophet Muhammad except for Allah, Mr Abdulaziz said in the lecture on the oneness of God.

The comments ignited a controversy in Bauchi State and beyond. While his brethren in the Sunni sect supported him, some of his rivals from the Sufi sect called for his prosecution, accusing him of disrespecting a religious creed. The state government subsequently took over the case and prosecuted him.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has revealed the cause of the fire that engulfed many buildings in the Dosunmu market axis of Lagos Island on Tuesday.

The agencys spokesperson, Nosa Okunbor, in an update, said the fire outbreak was caused by a generator set.

Investigation revealed that the fire started from a shop where a generator set was being refueled while still on.

The generator ignited in the process and the person fueling the generator threw the fuel to the building opposite, causing the fire to escalate, Mr Okunbor said.

The fire affected about 15 buildings out of which six had collapsed, the agency said.

Recurring fire outbreaks

The fire outbreak at Dosunmu market came 24 hours after a similar incident involving a three-storey building with 20 built-up shops and three warehouses occurred at the Balogun market on Monday, the same axis where Tuesdays incident occurred.

Govt orders indefinite closure of Dosunmu market, environs

Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has directed that commercial activities in Dosunmu Street and its immediate environs be suspended immediately until further notice.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Distress, CBD, Bola Lawal, announced the closure and suspension when she led a delegation to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

According to Mrs Lawal, who monitored the incident, the measure had become necessary to prevent possible loss of life and maintain peace and order in the area.

She listed the markets affected by the closure to include Dosunmu, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Moshalashi, Woro Pedro, Obanikoro Street, Ago Tawa, Idumagbo Avenue, Idumagbo, Ido  Oluwo and Oju Olobun Street.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The impact of an accident on Wednesday in Lagos threw two adults off an 18-seater bus into the Lagos lagoon.

The Lagos Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said this in a statement in Lagos.

He said that personnel of the Marine Police were in search of the two adults, a male and female, who fell off the LT 18-seater bus.

Mr Farinloye said that the crash involving the bus with registration number FKJ 872 YA occurred by Adeniyi Adele axis inward Lagos Island, on the third mainland bridge.

He said that the driver of the vehicle, who was on speed, swerved off the road and hit the bridge railings.

He said that the impact forcefully pushed the two passengers off the bus into the Lagos lagoon.

The victims, an adult male and female are being searched by the Marine Police.

Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later

The injured have been evacuated to a nearby hospital, Farinloye said.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. The deployment of CSTO peacekeepers would lead to the formation of a puppet government in Armenia, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said, Trend reports.

"CSTO observers would be present in Armenia as a peacekeeper, not an ally. Thus, Armenia would be excluded from its system of security guarantees," he emphasized.

Meanwhile, as Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said earlier in an interview with the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, his country has effectively frozen its membership in the CSTO.

"The Collective Security Treaty Organization, in our assessment, has not fulfilled its security obligations to the Republic of Armenia, especially from 2021 to 2022. The practical result of this CSTO policy is that we have frozen our participation in the organization," he stated.

Pashinyan mentioned that, as of September 2023, Armenia has no permanent representative in the CSTO.

"We do not participate in CSTO negotiations at the highest level. We do not block CSTO decisions, but we do not participate in them either," he added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
( Read 4079 Times)

Kota: Congress candidate Prahlad Gunjal, contesting from the Kota-Bundi Lok Sabha constituency, conducted a robust outreach program on Tuesday in various villages of the Keshavaraypatan Assembly constituency, including Gudli, Mandhorajpura, Sunagar, Sarasla, Balod, Roteda, Azanda, Ghat Ka Barana, Deikheda, Makhide, Badakheda, Baswada, Papdi, Gendoli, and many others. While addressing the villagers, Gunjal emphasized the importance of acknowledging regional achievements before discussing national agendas.

He questioned the previous MP, Mr. Birla, about his accomplishments in the region during his ten-year tenure. Gunjal highlighted the disillusionment among the locals, who had high hopes for significant improvements in irrigation, electricity, and employment opportunities after Mr. Birla assumed the powerful position of Lok Sabha Speaker. Despite these expectations, the region did not witness substantial progress, leaving the constituents disheartened.

Gunjal urged the villagers to ponder whether they should continue to bestow their trust on someone who failed to deliver on promises even after being supported twice in the past. He emphasized the significance of local support and expressed confidence that with their blessings, he would be able to bring about the necessary changes in the region.

During his outreach program, Gunjal received a warm welcome from the villagers, with many adorned in traditional attire and garlands. Several prominent figures, including MLA C.L. Premi, former district president Mahavir Meena, district president Chandraavati Kanwar, Deputy District President Brijmohan Sharma, Keshavaraypatan Sarpanch Vijendra Hada, and district council member Amritlal, along with more than a dozen Sarpanches and representatives, attended the event.

Source :
Highlighted in the company's latest report, 3Shape plans to inspire sustainability awareness in the dental industry through its new 5-year sustainability plan.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 3Shape, the global innovator in digital dentistry, is proud to unveil its 2023 Sustainability Report and comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy with a five-year 2028 plan. The initiative, formally approved by 3Shape's Board of Directors, is an integral part of the company's commitment to 'enabling superior dental care for every patient, every time'.

The report details 3Shape's sustainability strategy, steps taken so far, and achievements to date in areas such as climate action, pollution, diversity and inclusion, employee wellbeing, responsibility towards consumers and end-users, governance, and integrity.

CEO Jakob Just-Bomholt says: "In 3Shape, we pride ourselves in being a purpose-driven company, working towards enabling superior dental health care for every patient, every time. Our pursuit of excellence goes beyond profits; It's a commitment to leave a positive impact on society and the planet."

The five pillars of 3Shape's sustainability strategy address key areas related to its core business and the company internally. These include the company's focus on enabling better patient health, mapping greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact, global employee diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), establishing an ESG governance framework, sustainable product development, and gender diversity among innovators.

"We strongly believe that the more effectively we integrate sustainability practices into our core business strategy, the more they will stimulate innovation, promote a positive company culture, and inspire others in the industry to take action," said Just-Bomholt.

According to Just-Bomholt, 3Shape's sustainability journey is still maturing. However, the company made solid progress in 2023 by conducting a double materiality assessment, adopting a data-driven sustainability strategy, and setting explicit 2028 sustainability goals. 3Shape also established an internal ESG Council, recognizing that leadership representation across the organization is critical for ensuring responsible sustainability governance, ownership, and action-taking across the business. Further steps were taken to strengthen the Sustainability Governance Body by welcoming Karsten Munk Knudsen - CFO of Novo Nordisk - as Chair of the ESG Committee and Sustainability Champion of the Board of Directors.

In 2022, 3Shape established its Code of Conduct, which outlines the company's value system, approach to doing business, stance against corruption and bribery, and views on human rights. Additionally, a Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC) sets standards for how 3Shape expects its suppliers to behave regarding social, ethical, and environmental business practices.

For more information, 3Shape's full 2023 Sustainability report is publicly available on https://www.3shape.com/esg2023

CONTACT:

Jessica O'Sullivan-Munck

Director & Head of Corporate Communications

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/3shape/r/3shape-charts-sustainable-course-with-release-of-comprehensive-sustainability-report-2023,c3958554

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/22994/3958554/2722461.pdf 3Shape Sustainability Report 2023 https://news.cision.com/3shape/i/image-title-page-sustainability-report-lng,c3286879 Image-Title Page Sustainability Report-lng
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Russia is always ready to assist in the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said during the weekly briefing, Trend reports.

"All territorial disputes and mutual claims between Baku and Yerevan should be settled by political and diplomatic methods," she added.

According to her, there are necessary mechanisms for establishing sustainable peace and prosperity in the region.

"First and foremost, they are a series of trilateral agreements involving the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia. The Russian Federation is always ready to assist in finding solutions, including the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border," Zakharova said.

To note, the seventh session of the State Commission on State Border Delimitation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on State Border Delimitation and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan was held on March 7 at the conditional border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

The sides exchanged views on the delimitation issues and proceeded to the agreement of the draft regulations on the joint activities of the State Commission on Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as discussed the drafts of the relevant instructions on the procedure of delimitation works.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
LONDON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey indicates reducing greenhouse gas emissions grew in importance for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in 2023 but that greater support from enabling policies and funding is needed.

As regulation and customer expectations increase, and climate change continues to impact small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) at a greater rate, SMEs are prioritizing taking climate action. In the past year, reducing emissions grew in priority for 44% of SMEs surveyed, and maintained the same level of priority for 53% of SMEs.

View PDF SME Climate Action Survey 2024

Compared to last year's survey data from the SME Climate Hub, SMEs are facing an 11% increase in pressure to take climate action from shareholders, investors and customers.

Although SMEs suggest they want to take climate action, the survey also indicates they need more support.

Of the 288 SMEs polled, 52% cited lack of policies or government-sponsored incentives and benefits as barriers to climate action. Insufficient funding was cited by 52% of respondents, with 39% saying lack of data about current emissions was hampering action on climate change. A lack of time was seen by 29% as a barrier to action, while 29% suggested lack of skills and knowledge were impeding their ability to act.

Maria Mendiluce, CEO, We Mean Business Coalition, co-founder of the SME Climate Hub, said: "In order to transition to a clean and just economy, we cannot leave behind small businesses and the communities they serve. Small businesses are the nimble changemakers we need to push climate action forward, but we need an all-of-society approach that enables this action. Support mechanisms from governments and incentivizing programs from partners such as financial institutions and corporate supply chain leaders are essential to enable small businesses to take more comprehensive action."

The survey, polling businesses across 44 countries and 25 sectors, was carried out by the SME Climate Hub , a global initiative focused on mobilizing SMEs toward climate action and led by We Mean Business Coalition . It is the third annual survey of SME Climate Hub signatories, assessing the current state of climate action among SMEs and focusing on the critical role of policy support and financial incentives.

Notes to editors

Download the survey

For more information, please contact [email protected]

PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2375294/SME_Climate_Action_2024.pdf

SOURCE We Mean Business Coalition(WMBC)
First industry advertising co-op driving mission with consumer education-based ads

CHICAGO, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an industry still trying to find its voice, the cooperation between two major advocates can crank it up to the proverbial, eleven. Acannability, the industry's first-ever advertising co-op, has been given a significant portion of Public Service Announcement space by industry leader Curaleaf to run ads in support of cannabis education to consumers.

The media donation fortifies the company's efforts to deliver accurate industry information through wide-reach advertising. Curaleaf is Acannability's first MSO (multi-state operator) member that also has an international reach in Europe. This support gives Acannability further resources to drive its mission forward: be the cooperative voice of education and quality standards and the go-to source for accurate information on hemp and marijuana products.

Acannability given significant portion of Public Service Announcement space by Curaleaf to run cannabis education ads Post this

"This industry is far beyond the days of acting as the taboo posterchild," said Acannability Director of Business Development Brad Spirrison. "By building an army of industry experts and resources, pulling up a chair to the same open table, we can develop member-driven messaging opportunities to spread the word on this game-changing plant. It should be talked about at an appropriate level, not at a whisper or a mumble. This buy-in will allow us to deliver messaging with a bang vs. a sputter. Let's pull the pin!"

The outreach began on March 19 with ads on "I CANN" and "Cannabis comes in many forms" from Acannability's successful 2022 "Why Legal?" campaign, running in Arizona, Florida, and Illinois. There are plans to run further ads from this same campaign, as well as Acannability's latest "TLC with your THC" campaign.

Acannability is led by proven executives, informed by hands-on industry leaders, and guided by a team of renowned scientific and business advisors. "The catalyst for the creation of Acannability as the first-ever cannabis advertising cooperative was a gathering of cannabis license holders and hemp innovators," explains Acannability Co-founder James Malackowski. "We built Acannability at the urging of the entire supply chain, from field to retail." Acannability is for producers, growers, retailers, ancillary businesses, advocacy and patient support groups, and trade associations. The co-op provides an inclusive environment for businesses and advocates for the health and wellness of consumers.

SOURCE Acannability
AUSTIN, Texas, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Baxter Planning, the leading provider of Service Supply Chain technology, today announced the general availability of our latest Artificial Intelligence-driven solution, BaxterPredict Prophet.ai.

Prophet.ai is the newest component of their BaxterPredict platform. This module utilizes AI to eliminate the guesswork associated with New Product Introduction (NPI) and Last Time Buy (LTB), allowing for much sharper decisions and better savings on service parts spend.

"Prophet.ai is completely customer driven. Our customers have wanted to solve these problems for decades. The technology is finally available, and we have seen dramatic results with our pilot customers: savings of up to 12% of annual inventory spend while driving increases in service level agreement (SLA) performance in their businesses," stated Chad Hawkinson, Baxter Planning's Chief Product Officer.

Powered by AI and Baxter Planning's unique Service Supply Chain domain expertise, BaxterPredict Prophet.ai allows its users to:

Predict product lifecycles and spare parts demand decades into the future

Accurately predict NPI stock levels

Accurately predict future demand to support more accurate LTB decisions

Identify excess inventory earlier through improved visibility into future spare parts demand

Consume excess inventory more effectively through service extensions and part sales

"This technology could be a real game changer for us. I can see how it will help us make much better Last Time Buy decisions. I jokingly said Baxter should get a Nobel Prize in Supply Chain for this work," stated a Baxter Planning Prophet.ai pilot customer.

The Baxter Planning team has been dedicated to partnering with its Service Supply Chain customers and has found real value and opportunity with this application of AI into its products. The company plans to invest further in AI for a variety of use cases to truly optimize Service Supply Chains.

Learn more at baxterplanning.com.

About Baxter Planning

Founded in 1993, Baxter Planning is the world leader in Service Supply Chain technology. Global customers with even the most complex service operations trust our team to help them set the spare parts plan, manage the order execution, and streamline escalation management.

BaxterPredict, their end-to-end predictive platform, transforms Service Supply Chains using best practices, AI/ML, and domain expertise to drive cost reduction, increase resiliency, refine optimization, and enable end-to-end visibility control. Baxter Planning customers see reduced spend in inventory, logistics, and operations while increasing their customer satisfaction. Customers using Baxter Planning's software manage more than $11 billion in inventory across 35,000 locations in more than 120 countries.

Baxter Planning is a portfolio company of Polaris Partners, a private investment firm with offices in Boston, San Francisco, and New York. To learn more about Polaris, visit https://www.polarispartners.com/.

SOURCE Baxter Planning
SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Alair Homes is excited to announce the establishment of Alair Springfield, a groundbreaking new venture that marks a significant milestone in the company's expansion. This newest addition to the Alair network introduces the renowned brand to Missouri, promising to blend legacy with innovation in the custom home and renovation market. At the helm of this pioneering expansion are Travis Miller and Aaron Wyssmann, whose leadership qualities, commitment to integrity, and unwavering pursuit of excellence have earned them their roles as Alair partners.

"Alair Springfield is not just an expansion; it's a statement of our commitment to excellence and innovation," said Rob Cecil, President of Alair Homes. "With Travis and Aaron leading the way, we're set to redefine what homeowners in Missouri can expect from their living spaces."

Alair Springfield distinguishes itself as the first Alair office in the region, laying the foundation for the brand's introduction to homeowners across Missouri and the Ozarks area. This venture is not just a geographic expansion but also a fusion of expertise and vision, resulting from the strategic alliance between two of the region's leading construction entities: Travis Miller Homes and Ozarks Remodeling & Design. By merging these legacy businesses, Alair Springfield is set to redefine the standard of custom home construction and renovation in Springfield, Missouri.

The launch of Alair Springfield is strategically timed to coincide with their first appearance as Alair Springfield at the HBA Home & Outdoor Living Show, marking a significant step in establishing their presence in the region and showcasing their commitment to excellence and innovation in the home building and renovation industry.

A Legacy of Excellence with Travis Miller Homes

For over two decades, Travis Miller Homes has stood as a pillar of the Springfield community, garnering recognition and accolades for its exceptional workmanship and service. Awards from the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield, Habitat for Humanity, and 417 Magazine, among others, testify to the company's commitment to quality and excellence.

"Joining Alair Homes and becoming a part of something bigger has always been a dream of mine," shared Travis Miller. "This partnership allows us to leverage Alair's resources and networks to bring even greater value to our clients."

Transforming Visions into Reality with Ozarks Remodeling & Design

Ozarks Remodeling & Design has carved out a niche for itself with its exemplary home renovation projects, earning the admiration and trust of clients throughout Springfield and its environs. The company's dedication to transforming living spaces into personalized dream homes has been acknowledged with numerous awards, including the prestigious 2023 Guildmaster Award with Distinction.

"Alair's commitment to quality and innovation perfectly aligns with our vision at Ozarks Remodeling & Design," said Aaron Wyssmann. "We're excited to join forces and set new benchmarks in the home renovation industry."

The Alair Advantage: A Union of Strengths

The collaboration between Travis Miller Homes and Ozarks Remodeling & Design under the Alair banner symbolizes more than a partnership; it represents a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence. With the backing of Alair's extensive network, Alair Springfield is poised to offer unmatched construction experiences, leveraging a vast array of resources, operational support, and collective expertise from over 100 locations worldwide.

"Aaron and Travis are exceptional leaders with an amazing team. We are excited to add our energy, resources, and infrastructure to their mission. It's a powerful collaboration of people dedicated to helping others live better," stated Dave Young, Regional Partner at Alair Homes.

Alair Springfield is committed to elevating the custom home building and renovation experience in Southwest Missouri, promising a blend of local insight and global standards of excellence.

Visit Alair | Travis Miller Homes at the HBA of Greater Springfield Home and Outdoor Living Show

April 12  14, 2024

Wilson Logistics Arena at the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds.

Booth G-7

About Alair:

Founded in 2007, Alair Homes is North America's largest, privately held custom home building and renovation company. With a rapidly growing network of franchises since 2012, Alair has become a trusted name in over 100 locations across North America. Our distinctive approach is cemented in partnerships with esteemed architects, proficient trade partners, and innovative designers, ensuring homeowners a distinctive construction management experience. Striving for continuous improvement through our proprietary Client Control construction project management methodology, Alair is dedicated to delivering meticulously crafted, beautiful homes while ensuring a transparent, client-focused journey from conception to completion. Learn more at www.AlairHomes.com

SOURCE Alair Enterprises Ltd.
OAKVILLE, ON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX: AQN) (NYSE: AQN) ("AQN") today announced plans to release its first quarter 2024 financial results on Friday, May 10, 2024, before market open. AQN will hold an earnings conference call at 8:30 a.m. eastern time on Friday, May 10, 2024, hosted by Interim Chief Executive Officer, Chris Huskilson, and Chief Financial Officer, Darren Myers.

Conference call details are as follows:

Date: Friday, May 10, 2024 Time: 8:30 a.m. ET Conference Call: Toll Free Dial-In Number 1 (800) 715-9871

Toll Dial-In Number 1 (647) 932-3411

Conference ID 2875788 Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/obfgqcep

Presentation also available at: www.algonquinpower.com

About Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. and Liberty

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp., parent company of Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility with approximately $18 billion of total assets. AQN is committed to providing safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy and water solutions through its portfolio of generation, transmission, and distribution utility investments to over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada. In addition, AQN owns, operates, and/or has net interests in over 4 GW of installed renewable energy capacity.

AQN's common shares, preferred shares, Series A, and preferred shares, Series D are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQN.PR.A, and AQN.PR.D, respectively. AQN's common shares, Series 2019-A subordinated notes and equity units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols AQN, AQNB, and AQNU, respectively.

Visit AQN at www.algonquinpower.com and follow us on X.com @AQN_Utilities.

SOURCE Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.
CERTIFICATION INCLUDES NEW PACKAGING SEAL FOR PRODUCTS MADE WITH INGREDIENTS GROWN BY AMERICAN FARMERS

ST. LOUIS, April 10, 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 Nebraska, where the state's farmers sold $29.4B 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 its grower partners in Nebraska whom the brewer purchases nearly $2.5M in corn from each year. Consumers in Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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."

"The agricultural sector is tremendously important to the people of Nebraska, and this effort by the American Farmland Trust and Anheuser-Busch with their U.S. Farmed program will help people in the agricultural sector in Nebraska and across the country," said Nebraska State Senator John Lowe (District 37), Chairman of the Senate General Affairs Committee.

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/us-farmed.

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.

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch
Economists win Readers' Choice Awards for best business article in general antitrust, best business article in general economics, and best academic article in mergers

BOSTON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Analysis Group, one of the largest international economics consulting firms, is honored to have seven of its competition experts named as 2024 Concurrences Antitrust Writing Award winners in three categories.

Readers' Choice Award: Best General Antitrust Business Article

In "OECD Gender Inclusive Toolkit May Inform Competition Policy," Managing Principals Jee-Yeon Lehmann and Lisa Pinheiro and Vice President Marissa Ginn discuss gender considerations in competition policy in response to the release of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) Gender Inclusive Competition Toolkit.

As society focuses on gender equity and other social justice issues, competition authorities around the world are also taking notice, including in the US, Canada, and other OECD member nations. From concerns about potential biases in algorithmic decision making to factors that may contribute to gender disparities in the labor market, competition authorities are increasingly debating the role of competition policy in addressing gender equity issues.

The article describes the OECD's framework for how gender-based considerations could be investigated in the early stages of market definition and competitive effects analysis, including how a gender lens could be applied to data collection efforts when relevant. Using publicly available data from a large online retailer, the authors also provide an illustrative example of how such a framework could be applied to the early stages of a merger investigation. In their conclusion, the authors note that, regardless of whether gender should be considered in the context of competition policy, "the desire for completeness and thoroughness [of related analyses] should be balanced with considerations of efficiency and an understanding of the burdens to the relevant parties, particularly in light of competition authorities' resource constraints." The article was originally published in Law360.

Readers' Choice Award: Best Mergers Academic Article

In "Economic Analysis of Merger Remedies," CEO and Chairman Martha S. Samuelson and Vice Presidents Ishita Rajani and Alex Robinson address potential anticompetitive effects of mergers and explore the evolving merger remedies landscape from the perspectives of practitioners and regulators. They examine key economic issues considered by antitrust agencies in the selection and design of merger remedies for horizontal and vertical mergers.

The authors discuss recent developments in the design of remedies, including the role of data-related remedies and the trend of litigating the fix, as agencies balance protecting pre-merger competition and a merger's efficiency-enhancing potential while avoiding unnecessary restraints on competition. They also provide updated case studies to illustrate applications of merger remedies in an environment of evolving industry structures, competitive dynamics, and antitrust considerations. The article was originally published in the fifth edition of Global Competition Review's Merger Remedies Guide.

Readers' Choice Award: Best General Economics Business Article

In "The Proper Measure of Profits for Assessing Market Power," Managing Principal David Hutchings and external coauthors Michael Cragg, Patrick Holder, and Bin Zhou describe how to calculate economic profit and rates of return using firm financial data, and they set forth some of the key economic issues when considering whether a given level of profit may be reflective of the presence and exercise of market power. The authors also make a number of recommendations for how to properly use accounting data to assess a firm's market power, in particular when the firm might have significant intangible assets. The article was originally published in the American Bar Association's Antitrust Magazine.

The Concurrences awards, a joint initiative between the magazine and the George Washington University Competition Law Center, recognize compelling scholarship in the areas of antitrust and competitive markets. The three-month evaluation process for the 2024 Antitrust Writing Awards involved 60 international antitrust experts who reviewed 600 submissions.

To learn more about Analysis Group's capabilities, visit AnalysisGroup.com

About Analysis Group:

Analysis Group is one of the largest international economics consulting firms, with more than 1,200 professionals across 14 offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Since 1981, we have provided expertise in economics, finance, health care analytics, and strategy to top law firms, Fortune Global 500 companies, and government agencies worldwide. Our internal experts, together with our network of affiliated experts from academia, industry, and government, offer our clients exceptional breadth and depth of expertise.

Contact:

Analysis Group

Eric Seymour, 617-425-8103

[email protected]

SOURCE Analysis Group
Leading mobility platform chosen for expanded deployment following successful initial installations, paving the way for safer streets and smoother traffic flow in Arlington

OVERLAND PARK, Kan, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NoTraffic, the developer of the world's leading mobility platform, today announced that the city of Arlington has selected its innovative system to revolutionize traffic management. Following a successful initial deployment at select intersections, the city is expanding the implementation to additional locations throughout the city, benefiting from the transformative technology.

Arlington chose NoTraffic's system for its proven ability to enhance safety and reduce congestion. The decision to expand usage underscores the system's success in detecting and seamlessly integrating evolving AI technologies for urban transportation challenges. For traffic engineers and the city, the system offers a cost-effective, all-in-one solution, eliminating integration costs and the need for multiple suppliers. It provides a future-proof, single hardware platform for evolving city needs. On the public front, the advantages are significant, encompassing enhanced safety, reduced traffic times, and savings in fuel costs. These outcomes translate into a substantial return on investment for the city, ultimately fostering a positive impact on the economic well-being of the community.

"Arlington has always been at the forefront of embracing groundbreaking technologies to enhance the quality of life for our residents. NoTraffic's system expansion aligns with our broader goals of creating a smart and efficient transportation network that caters to the needs of residents," said Mayor Ross of Arlington. "By reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions, we are not just improving daily commutes but also contributing to a sustainable and eco-friendly future for our city."

NoTraffic is empowering the future of transportation by revolutionizing traffic lights into a cloud-connected digital grid to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and safety while enabling the next generation of mobility. This transformative approach enables real-time traffic management, reducing congestion, accidents, and emissions while supporting municipal planning and optimizing mobility for all.

NoTraffic's platform transforms any signalized intersection into a software defined infrastructure within a couple of hours. Its AI-enabled mobility platform prioritizes safety by adapting to the diverse needs of modern transportation, including the detection of vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, the company offers a first-ever mobility marketplace, in a single platform, with access to multiple services for enhanced safety, data analysis, efficiency, detection and more to be flexible and scalable, catering to the unique needs of different cities today and in the future.

"We are thrilled to see Arlington embrace our traffic management solution. The decision to extend the implementation to more intersections highlights the positive impact our system has had on the city's transportation infrastructure," said Tal Kreisler, CEO and Co-Founder of NoTraffic. "At NoTraffic, we are committed to creating innovative, future-proof solutions that address the evolving needs of Arlington and many additional municipalities within the DFW Metroplex and across the State of Texas."

NoTraffic is currently deployed in numerous locations across North America, and operating currently in more than 25 states, including in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, parts of Canada and more, serving millions of drivers per day. They were recognized and awarded as a TIME100 Most Influential Company.

About NoTraffic

NoTraffic, the developer of the world's leading mobility platform, is on a mission to digitize the backbone of transportation and streamline the next generation of traffic mobility. The company's end-to-end, mobility management platform leverages AI and edge computing to reconfigure signalized city intersections into one fully automated, cloud-connected hub. In less than 2 hours of installation, the platform can classify all road users including  private vehicles, public transportation, emergency services, pedestrians and more  and respond accordingly to traffic conditions in real-time to reduce travel times and CO 2 emissions and improve safety. Ranked in TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential Companies list, NoTraffic is trusted by leading states in North America and has formed strategic partnerships with major communication giants such as AT&T and Rogers Communications. The company was founded in 2017 by Tal Kreisler, Uriel Katz, and Or Sela.

Media Contact:

Mike Katznelson

Headline Media

[email protected]

IL:+972 58 428 8810

US: +1 914 233 5302

UK: +44 203 769 0660

SOURCE NoTraffic
President and CEO Michael J. Charlton launches a robust plan to achieve measurable goals in improving social determinants of health, expanding medical education opportunities and setting the pace for nationwide technology improvements through "AtlantiCare Powered by Oracle Health."

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/  AtlantiCare  the region's largest healthcare organization and largest non-casino employer, with more than 6,500 team members and providers serving the community in more than 100 locations  recently unveiled its VISION 2030. The six-year initiative reflects the ambitious, people-driven and reimagined approach of AtlantiCare under the leadership of President and CEO Michael J. Charlton, who was appointed to the position in October 2023. VISION 2030 also launches with the strength of several new partnerships including Oracle Health, representing a significant leap forward in AtlantiCare's digital transformation strategy. In addition, a clinical training affiliation with Drexel University College of Medicine will focus on medical education programs that grow and diversify the healthcare talent pipeline. AtlantiCare also announced that it is bringing world-renowned clinical excellence to the region through an affiliation with Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute and a partnership with Global Neurosciences Institute.

Michael J. Charlton, President and CEO, AtlantiCare announces VISION 2030.

VISION 2030 is focused on transforming the way healthcare is defined, measured and delivered nationwide. AtlantiCare's plan prioritizes better outcomes achieved through innovation, compassion, integrity and humanity. Founded on AtlantiCare's 125 years as an anchor institution in the region, VISION 2030 continues AtlantiCare's deeply held commitment to improving health throughout the communities it serves by anticipating and adapting to changing influences on health globally, regionally and locally. The plan is shaped by four strategic pillars  serving community, workplace excellence, accelerating transformation and growing market share  each having aggressive, measurable goals.

"VISION 2030 puts AtlantiCare in the driver's seat of a new journey that upends the current paradigms prevalent in healthcare by investing in new technologies, accelerating transformation and ending disparities in care," said Charlton. "All of this requires AtlantiCare to reimagine our business, make bold decisions and deliver care to our community in a way that is easy, frictionless and, above all else, steeped in humanity. Yes, our goals are ambitious. But they are achievable because our team members are fully invested in the mission and the communities we serve."

Measurable Goals

The following goals have been set forth for each of the VISION 2030 pillars:

Serving Community

Reduce food insecurity for patients by 6%

Reduce unsheltered homelessness by 20%

Expand life expectancy by 5 years

Increase annual fundraising for the AtlantiCare Foundation by 20% year over year

Workforce Excellence

Establish a medical school in New Jersey to diversify and strengthen talent pipeline

to diversify and strengthen talent pipeline Establish AtlantiCare YOUniversity  a clinical career program launched earlier this year to grow talent locally

Equip team members with best-in-class learning and development

Accelerating Transformation  AtlantiCare powered by Oracle Health

Leverage real-time data to increase efficiency and improve care delivery

Implement technology that transforms care and delivers frictionless experiences

Utilize genomics and AI to drive personalized medicine

Enable safe and seamless movement of information across an interconnected ecosystem

Growing Market Share  Reinvesting in Programs, Services and People

Enhancing services and increasing access and excellence in key service line priorities including behavioral health, cardiology, neurosciences, oncology and orthopedics as well as an expanded emergency department

Grow market share in the region by 5%

Expand to a $2 billion organization

Major New Partnerships

To advance VISION 2030 goals and ensure their achievement and longevity, AtlantiCare has partnered with some of the most prestigious organizations in the healthcare space:

Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute  AtlantiCare has entered into an affiliation with Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute to give patients access to their advanced research, clinical trials, and nationally recognized expertise in cancer treatment and therapies. As one of the top-ranked hospitals in the nation, Cleveland Clinic attracts patients from around the world seeking advanced treatments and expert knowledge. Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute is collaborating with AtlantiCare to deliver high-quality care to patients through an affiliation designed to enhance and improve clinical quality, service delivery, cost management and patient experience. Through this affiliation, South Jersey residents will have streamlined access to national experts, ensuring them of a care plan that includes the latest advances in cancer treatment.

"We look forward to working with AtlantiCare because of our shared values and commitment to delivering clinical excellence," said Hetty Carraway, MD, Vice Chair for Strategy and Enterprise Development and Director of the Leukemia Program, Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute. "We are eager to share best practices to improve outcomes and safety and provide high-quality care for patients in South Jersey."

Oracle Health  "AtlantiCare Powered by Oracle Health" positions AtlantiCare to best serve its communities, patients and workforce, and represents a significant move forward in AtlantiCare's digital transformation. Through the partnership, Oracle Health is providing the clinical and operational applications and secure, high-performance infrastructure AtlantiCare needs to remain at the forefront of the changing healthcare landscape. AtlantiCare is also one of the first-named Innovation Partners for Oracle's new generative AI-based Oracle Clinical Digital Assistant (CDA). The technology enables clinicians to use voice commands to reduce time "on the computer" and focus more on patient interactions. AtlantiCare is providing essential feedback to help shape the solution. In addition, AtlantiCare Powered by Oracle Health includes the Comprehensive Command Center, which provides near-real-time enterprise transparency that will help the network perform at peak efficiency, streamline operations and improve care delivery.

"Oracle and AtlantiCare have a shared mission to improve healthcare both for providers and the patients they serve," said Mike Sicilia, Executive Vice President, Oracle Global Industries. "Together, we are reimagining every aspect of a healthcare operation, from staffing and supply chain efficiency to using generative AI to help reduce burnout. Our goal is to help make AtlantiCare the model for more connected and effective care."

Drexel University College of Medicine  AtlantiCare aims to increase the number of graduate medical students it already trains annually as part of the current AtlantiCare medical and residency programs. AtlantiCare has entered a Clinical Training Affiliation with Drexel University College of Medicine to provide clinical training to year 3 and year 4 medical students at its state-of-the-art facilities.

"Drexel University College of Medicine is excited about our collaboration with AtlantiCare," said Charles B. Cairns, MD, Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean of the College of Medicine and Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs at Drexel University. "The region has a wonderful pool of compassionate people driven to care for their community and make their mark in healthcare. This affiliation will support excellent clinical training, inspire young minds, nurture top-notch medical professionals, enhance health innovation, and ensure the pipeline of talent is equipped to meet the ever-growing and evolving needs of the region and beyond  from primary care to highly specialized medicine."

Global Neurosciences Institute  AtlantiCare has entered a clinical partnership with Global Neurosciences Institute (GNI) to take its nationally recognized, comprehensive neurosciences services to the next level of care. GNI brings to the partnership experts who will enhance AtlantiCare's already robust services. This will include providing a comprehensive array of treatments and therapies, from a complete range of neurosurgical services supporting AtlantiCare's Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center designation combined with innovative functional neurosurgical procedures to neurology services treating diseases including Alzheimer's Disease/Cognitive Disorders, Parkinson's Disease/Movement Disorders, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis and more.

"Our goal has always been to ensure that all patients have access to the best, most innovative care and treatment available," said Erol Veznedaroglu, MD, the Founder and President/CEO of GNI. "We are committed to eliminating barriers between narrowly focused medical specialties to enable holistic, collaborative, patient-centered care and are excited to work with AtlantiCare to make that vision a reality."

More About Michael J. Charlton

Michael J. Charlton, MHL, is the president and CEO of AtlantiCare Health System. He leads a team of more than 6,500 caregivers in serving a population of over 1,000,000 across southeastern New Jersey. A purpose-driven, visionary leader with a background as a successful entrepreneur in the hospitality industry, Charlton excels in fostering collaboration and innovation. As leader of the anchor institute in the region, he is committed to driving transformative change in how healthcare is delivered.

About AtlantiCare

AtlantiCare is an award-winning integrated healthcare system based in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, whose team of more than 6,500 serves the community in over 100 locations in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Ocean counties of southern New Jersey. Committed to an innovative approach to providing best-in-the-industry care, AtlantiCare nurtures a vision of building healthy communities drives its mission of making a difference in health and healing, one person at a time. Learn more at atlanticare.org or 1-888-569-1000.

SOURCE AtlantiCare
Transaction to Support BearCom's Expansion into Video Security Solutions

GARLAND, Texas and CALGARY, AB, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BearCom, a premier North American integrator of voice, security & data solutions, today announced the acquisition of The Surveillance Shop ("TSS"), a leading Canadian commercial security integrator. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Calgary, TSS provides standalone and fully integrated security solutions for small, medium, and enterprise customers across Canada and the United States. TSS' core product offerings include security camera systems, intrusion alarms, access control & intercom, perimeter security, and land mobile radios.

"We are thrilled to welcome TSS to the BearCom family," said Les Fry, CEO of BearCom. "TSS' integrity and technical leadership across the spectrum of security solutions are incredible additions to our team. TSS accelerates BearCom's vision of providing comprehensive solutions to meet customers' needs across mission-critical voice, security, and data solutions."

"We are delighted that BearCom recognized the mission-critical security offerings TSS provides across North America, and we look forward to the growth opportunities this combination creates," said Curtis Dyck, CEO & Founder of TSS. "By joining the BearCom family, our customers and employees gain access to BearCom's broad product, service, and solution offerings alongside significant geographical reach."

The acquisition of TSS marks BearCom's first acquisition since Siris' investment in December 2023 and aligns with BearCom's growth strategy of expanding capabilities across key solution sets, including video security, access control, and wireless enablement.

"TSS brings decades of innovative security solutions expertise and expands BearCom's presence in Canada," added Mike Pietrunti, BearCom's Vice President of M&A. "We appreciate that TSS saw a fit with BearCom and look forward to partnering with additional businesses to accelerate BearCom's growth going forward."

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, and Norton Rose Fulbright acted as legal advisers to BearCom. Ernst & Young acted as financial advisor and Bennett Jones LLP acted as legal advisor to TSS.

About The Surveillance Shop

The Surveillance Shop is a commercial security integrator that is recognized as Avigilon's largest Canadian partner. Since 1999, TSS has grown to four locations throughout Canada, designing, installing, and supporting high-definition surveillance camera systems, card swipe access control solutions, alarm systems, and intercoms. https://www.survshop.com/

About BearCom

Founded in 1981, BearCom is Motorola's largest Channel Partner in North America, and a leading provider and integrator of wireless voice, security, and data solutions across the U.S. and Canada. BearCom is headquartered in Garland, Texas. www.bearcom.com

Media Contacts:

Dana Gorman

H/Advisors Abernathy

(646) 784-0446

[email protected]

SOURCE BearCom
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili and the Ambassador of China to Georgia, Chou Tsien have signed an agreement on exemption from visa requirements, Trend reports.

After entering into force, the agreement will allow citizens of Georgia to travel to China without a visa and stay in the country for 30 days at a time. The agreement will enter into force after the completion of internal legal procedures by the two states.
Report Shows Impersonation and Investment Scams Most Prevalent Types in EU's Largest Economy; Scam-Reimbursement Rates Lag Behind Rest of Continent

BERLIN and NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a report released today, BioCatch  the global leader in digital-fraud detection and financial-crime prevention powered by behavioral biometric intelligence  published findings showing Germany suffers less from the purchase scams tormenting the rest of the continent and more from typical impersonation and investment scams. Most often, these attacks come from native German-speakers residing in Eastern Europe, both making these scams appear more legitimate to German victims and contrasting with the English-speaking world, where most attacks originate in Asia. Fraud victims in Germany also received fewer refunds than those scammed elsewhere in Europe.

"If there's good news for German banking customers," BioCatch Director of Global Fraud Intelligence Tom Peacock said, "it's that Germany has some of the best financial regulation in the world. We've seen the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) take the lead in identifying and then issuing regular alerts about prevalent investment scams in the country. German prosecutors have also proved effective in breaking up criminal phishing networks."

While Germans may lag a bit behind other European nations in their adoption of online banking and mobile-payment systems, this is rapidly changing. BioCatch's first-ever Germany fraud trends report shows annual growth in mobile-payment adoption rose by nearly 44% last year (more than double what it was in the UK), bringing with it equal amounts of convenience and new risk of fraud and financial crime.

BioCatch also expects the rapid advancements in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to impact Germany just as it will the rest of the world.

"GenAI will undoubtedly lead to more attacks against Germans that are also more sophisticated than those threats we see today," BioCatch Regional Vice President Paul Davis said. "Already, this new technology can craft a scam in perfect German, impersonating an official's or loved one's voice and appearance to dupe the victim into sending the scammer money. In the future, GenAI tools will be able to identify potential victims, build a dossier of their weaknesses, and automatically devise and then refine attacks, drastically reducing the skill level necessary for human perpetrators."

Other Key Germany Report Findings:

Germans Less Likely to Receive Scam Refunds than Others in EU: Legislation in Germany requires banks only reimburse victims of unauthorized fraud (phishing attacks). Even in those cases, the victim must still prove they weren't negligent, delaying the refund process and leading to low refund-rates compared to the rest of Europe .

Legislation in requires banks only reimburse victims of unauthorized (phishing attacks). Even in those cases, the victim must still prove they weren't negligent, delaying the refund process and leading to low refund-rates compared to the rest of . Online Banking Often Tedious: Germany's response to anti-money-laundering (AML) failings in recent years has led to a reduction in risk-tolerance among financial institutions in the country, adding friction and headaches to the digital banking experience.

response to anti-money-laundering (AML) failings in recent years has led to a reduction in risk-tolerance among financial institutions in the country, adding friction and headaches to the digital banking experience. Lack of Crypto Understanding a Vulnerability: Only a third of Germans polled fully understood how crypto works, leaving more than 60% of the population susceptible to falling victim to a crypto scam.

Only a third of Germans polled fully understood how works, leaving more than 60% of the population susceptible to falling victim to a scam. Room for Growth in Online Banking: Less than 40% of Germany uses advanced digital banking services to apply online for new accounts or cards (39%), aggregate their accounts (30%), or use digital wallets (27%).

Click here to access BioCatch's full 2024 Digital Banking Fraud Trends in Germany report and learn how to safeguard your financial institution against an ever-expanding array of fraud threats.

About BioCatch:

BioCatch stands at the forefront of digital fraud detection, pioneering behavioral biometric intelligence grounded in advanced cognitive science and machine learning. BioCatch analyzes thousands of user interactions to support a digital banking environment where identity, trust, and ease coexist. Today, more than 30 of the world's largest 100 banks and more than 180 total financial institutions rely on BioCatch Connect to combat fraud, facilitate digital transformation, and grow customer relationships. BioCatch's Client Innovation Board, an industry-led initiative featuring American Express, Barclays, Citi Ventures, HSBC, and National Australia Bank, collaborates to pioneer creative and innovative ways to leverage customer relationships for fraud prevention. With more than a decade of data analysis, 90 registered patents, and unmatched expertise, BioCatch continues to lead innovation to address future challenges. For more information, please visit www.biocatch.com.

Media contact:

Jay Jones

[email protected]

SOURCE BioCatch
DUBAI, UAE, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , one of the world's top three crypto exchanges by trading volume, is revolutionizing the user experience for crypto purchases with the integration of Google Pay. This innovative solution allows users across 35 currencies to seamlessly acquire cryptocurrencies with just a single click, eliminating the need for complex payment processes.

Google Pay  A Widespread Convenience Solution for a Global Audience

Bybit Simplifies Crypto Purchase with Google Pay Integration Across 35 Currencies

Bybit prioritizes user convenience and empowers users to enter the crypto market effortlessly. The Google Pay integration streamlines the purchase process, allowing users to leverage their preferred payment method for a frictionless experience. Furthermore, Bybit offers competitive currency rates, ensuring users get the most value for their money.

This integration caters to regions with high Google Pay penetration, making it easier than ever for users to participate in the crypto space.

"Bybit is committed to providing users with the most convenient and cost-effective ways to enter the exciting world of cryptocurrency. The Google Pay integration marks a significant step towards achieving this goal, offering a seamless and secure experience for all," said Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit.

For more details, please visit: https://www.bybit.com/fiat/trade/express/home

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is one of the world's top three crypto exchanges by volume with 25 million users. Established in 2018, it offers a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One's reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press .

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2383456/Bybit_Simplifies_Crypto_Purchase_Google_Pay_Integration_Across_35_Currencies.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2267288/Logo.jpg
To celebrate the community grocer's 10th birthday, Fresh Thyme Market is asking local bakeries to submit their better-for-you recipes by April 26 for a chance to win a grand prize of $5,000 for their business and an additional $5,000 toward a charity.

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh Thyme Market , a full-service specialty natural foods and grocery retailer with 70 stores in 10 states throughout the Midwest, is giving local bakeries the chance to win $10,000 in celebration of its 10th birthday. To honor a decade of freshness, Fresh Thyme Market is inviting local bakeries to submit fresh, better-for-you cake recipes for a chance to be named the brand's official 10th birthday cake, plus a cash prize of $5,000 for their business, an additional $5,000 donation towards a Fresh Thyme Market local Feeding America food bank, and mentorship from an expert panel*.

To honor a decade of freshness, Fresh Thyme Market is inviting local bakeries to submit fresh, better-for-you cake recipes for a chance to be named the brands official 10th birthday cake, plus a cash prize of $5,000 for their business, an additional $5,000 donation towards a Fresh Thyme Market local Feeding America food bank, and mentorship from an expert panel*.

"We are excited to celebrate our 10th birthday with this contest that not only honors our commitment to fresh, wholesome ingredients, but showcases the talented bakeries in our communities," said Liz Zolcak, president at Fresh Thyme Market. "At Fresh Thyme, we're dedicated to helping provide consumers with healthier solutions for real living, including during those moments of celebration. Better-for-you can look different to different people, and we're proud to be a go-to resource for both everyday shoppers and bakers looking for these types of products."

Fresh Thyme Market invites all local bakeries and community members in the communities it operates in to celebrate the brand's 10th birthday by submitting a cake recipe or casting a vote for the winner. Local bakeries with a Fresh Thyme Market in their state** are invited to submit the following at freshthyme.com from today until April 26, 2024 at 11:59pm CT*:

Their winning better-for-you cake recipe using one produce item and three other Fresh Thyme Market-branded ingredients

Three finalists will have their cakes sampled during in-store events on May 18, 2024 at all Fresh Thyme Market locations. Shoppers at these locations will have the opportunity to taste and vote for their favorite cake to be named the winner. Plus, Fresh Thyme Market is raffling off 10 Fresh Thyme Market gift cards valued at $100 each to shoppers who participate.

Since 2014, Fresh Thyme Market has been the go-to Midwest destination for local, fresh, and quality food. What started with a single location in Illinois has now flourished into 70 stores across 10 states and a growing team of over 4,000 individuals, all united by Fresh Thyme Market's commitment to quality products and service. Looking towards the future, Fresh Thyme Market is proud to continue being a place for shoppers to discover the latest trends and experience the latest in innovation.

Here's to another decade of freshness, community, and supporting local businesses.

To learn more and find a Fresh Thyme Market location near you, visit freshthyme.com .

About Fresh Thyme Market

Fresh Thyme Market, a local, community-focused grocer with 70 stores in 10 states throughout the Midwest, was born from a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives. Every day Fresh Thyme Market works to be a trusted resource in our communities, bringing people access to real food at real affordable prices. With a local focus on what the community needs, each store provides fresh, natural, and organic food at affordable prices. By offering an immersive, intuitive shopping experience, Fresh Thyme Market meets people wherever they are on their journey to living a healthier lifestyle. To learn more, visit freshthyme.com .

* Terms and conditions apply. See OFFICIAL RULES below.

** Fresh Thyme Market stores can be found in the following 10 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Fresh Thyme Market 2024 10th Birthday Cake Contest

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

1. HOW TO ENTER: The Fresh Thyme Market 2024 10th Birthday Cake Contest (the Contest) begins at 9:00 a.m. CST on April 10, 2024 and ends at 2:00 p.m. CST on May 18, 2024. Sponsors computer is the official time-keeping and counting device for the Contest. To enter a submission, go to https://ww2.freshthyme.com/fresh-thyme-turns-ten follow the prompts as directed to enter the Contest and upload high resolution picture of the submission and submission entry, inlcuding a recipe with the requirements listed below (collectively, the Submission). Submissions will be accepted 9:00 a.m. CST on April 10, 2024 until 11:59 p.m. CST on April 26, 2024 (the Entry Period).

Submission may not be obscene, pornographic, or otherwise inconsistent with the Sponsor's brand or image, and must adhere to the submission requirements herein. Entrants represent and warrant that their Submission is the original work of such entrant, has not been copied from others, has not previously won awards, does not violate the rights of any other person or entity, and has not been published previously. Entrants further represent and warrant that publication of their Submission via various media, including Web posting and on merchandise, will not infringe on the rights of any third party.

Entering a Submission grants Sponsor the right to publish, use, adapt, edit and/or modify the Submission submitted in any way, in any and all media, without limitation, and without consideration to the entrant. Sponsor is not responsible for late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, illegible entries, and such entries will be disqualified. One (1) Submission will be selected and the prize will be awarded in accordance with Sections 3 and 4 below. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Contest at any time.

Entering the Contest does not make you an automatic winner. During the Entry Period, participants may enter only one unique Submission. Sponsor is not responsible for late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, illegible entries, and such entries will be disqualified. One (1) Submission will be selected and the prize will be awarded in accordance with Sections 3 and 4 below. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Contest at any time.

2. ELIGIBILITY: Entrants must be a resident of the following states or an entity qualified to do business in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin. Employees of Fresh Thyme Market and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, representatives or agencies, and their immediate families or persons residing in the same household of such employees (collectively "Sponsor & Others"), and other individuals/entities associated with this Contest, are not eligible to enter or win. This Contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law and is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

RECIPE & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

recipe must include a fruit or vegetable;

recipe must include three (3) Fresh Thyme Market branded items (e.g. vanilla extract, flour, eggs, sugar, etc.);

Bakery or Entrant must be located within 100 miles of a Fresh Thyme Market location;

3. PRIZE, ODDS OF WINNING PRIZE and APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE ("ARV"): The prize for this Contest consists of the following (the Prize): a mentorship program with industry experts, $5,000 for the winning Submission and a donation of $5,000, made to a charitable organization of Fresh Thyme Markets choosing that aligns with Fresh Thyme Markets brand pillars of Real Quality, Real Experience and Real Community. Total ARV: $5,000. Other than shipping of the prize money (which will be paid for by Sponsor), all other costs associated with the Prizes not specified or mentioned and all applicable federal state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. No transfer of Prize, Prize substitution or cash equivalent of Prize is permitted, except at Sponsors sole discretion, and then only for a prize of equal or greater value. The Sponsor & Others make no warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the use of the Prize including, without limitation, quality, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In the event any component of any Prize is unavailable, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute for a prize of equal or greater value.

4. WINNER SELECTION

a. Top six (6) Submissions: On or about April 29, 2024, a panel of three qualified Fresh Thyme Market team members (the "Judges"), will review all the Submissions received during the Entry Period. The Judges will confirm the Submissions are eligible and meet the Recipe and Entry Requirements, then judge the Submissions using the Initial Judging Criteria below. The six (6) Submissions with the highest Judges score will be the semi-finalists (the Semi-Finalists). In the event of a tie, the Submission with the highest score in Judging Criteria (1) Creativity of Recipe will be declared a Semi-Finalist. In the event there is still a tie, the Submission with the highest score in Judging Criteria (2), Visual Appearance, will be declared a Semi-Finalist. All decisions of Judges and Sponsor are final and binding. The six (6) Semi-Finalists will be contacted via email on or around May 7, 2024 to request they come to the Fresh Thyme Market offices for the Semi-Final Round on May 6, 2024 in Downers Grove, IL.

Initial Judging Criteria:

1) Creativity of Recipe (50%)

2) Visual Appearance (50%)

b. Semi-Final Round: On or about May 6, 2024, the six (6) Semi-Finalists will each bring their baked cake and recipe to the Fresh Thyme Market Headquarters, located at 2650 Warrenville Road, Suite 700, Downers Grove, IL 60515 from 11am-1pm CST, for Judging by the Judges. The Judges will review the Semi-finalists Submissions against Semi-Finalist Judging Criteria below. The top three (3) Submissions with the highest Judges score will be entered into the Final Selection on May 18, 2024. In the event of a tie, the Submission with the highest score in Judging Criteria (1) Taste will be declared the Finalist. In the event there is still a tie, the Submission with the highest score in Judging Criteria (2), Creativity of Recipe, will be declared a Finalist. In the event there is still a tie, the Submission with the highest score in Judging Criteria (3), Visual Appearance, will be declared a Finalist. All decisions of Judges and Sponsor are final and binding. The three (3) finalists will be contacted on or around May 7, 2024.

Semi-Finalist Judging Criteria:

4) Taste (40%)

5) Creativity of Recipe (30%)

6) Visual Appearance (30%)

c. Final Selection: On or about May 18, 2024, all Fresh Thyme Market stores will host a Summer Grilling Birthday Party Event (the "Event") from 11am-2pm, asking shoppers to taste test and vote for their favorite of the three (3) Finalists cakes. The cakes for the Events will be baked according to the recipe provided in the Entry Period Submission by commissary bakeries and shipped to Fresh Thyme Market stores.

d. Winner Announcement. The cake with the most votes from the Final Selection Events will be declared the Winner and will be contacted on or about June 10, 2024.

The potential winner will be required to sign and return a notarized Affidavit of Eligibility/Compliance (including, without limitation, providing his/her respective Social Security Number for tax purposes) and a Liability/Publicity Release, as allowed by state law, by the return date specified in the prize notification letter. Additionally, the potential winner will receive an I.R.S. Form 1099 in the amount of the actual value of the Prize, as required by law for tax reporting purposes. If any required documents are not returned within the required number of days, or if mail is returned to Sponsor, or if the potential winner is ineligible or has other wise failed to comply with these Official Rules, then the potential winner will be disqualified and Sponsor will have the right to select an alternate winner or deem the Prize un-awarded.

5. RELEASE: All entrants agree to release the Sponsor & Others from any and all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses of any kind to persons and property, including any accident, loss, injury or death resulting from entry into the Contest and/or occurring or in any way related to the Prizes.

6. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. Entrant agrees that Sponsor & Others are not responsible or liable for and entrant hereby releases Sponsor & Others from any claims arising from: (1) incorrect or inaccurate transcription of entry information or late, lost, stolen, illegible, incomplete, misdirected, or entries received through impermissible or illegitimate channels, all of which will be disqualified; (2) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunctioning of any telephone, computer, network, hardware or software; (3) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any service; (4) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest; (5) electronic or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (6) any injury or damage to persons or property, including but not limited to entrants computer, which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the Contest or from downloading any material from Sponsors Website(s), regardless of whether the material was prepared by any Sponsor, or a third party, and regardless of whether the material is connected to a Sponsors Website by a hypertext link.

7. PRIVACY: Sponsor's use and collection of information provided by entrants (including information provided on the entry form) is subject to Sponsor's privacy policy, a copy of which can be found at: Privacy Policy | Fresh Thyme (the "Privacy Policy"). By entering this Contest you consent to that collection and use in accordance with the Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy you should not enter.

8. GENERAL CONDITIONS: NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO WIN A PRIZE. Contest entries will be declared to be made by the authorized account holder of phone number or email submitted at the time of entry. "Authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to a mobile phone number by a telephone service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution etc.) that is responsible for assigning phone numbers and email addresses. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to prohibit the participation of an individual if fraud, use of robotic, automatic, programmed or like entry methods, or tampering is suspected; if the individual fails to comply with any provision in these Official Rules; or acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner.

If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failure, human error or any other cause beyond the control of Sponsor that corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Contest, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, substitute prizes, amend these Official Rules, or discontinue the Contest at any time with or without notice; such changes will apply to all entries received prior to or after the change. Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor. INTERNET CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. Sponsors failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. Once submitted, entries become the exclusive property of the Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. The winners, in accepting their Prizes, consent to the use of their names, addresses (city, state), photographs, videos, and likenesses for purposes of advertising, trade and promoting in any and all media on behalf of the Sponsor, without further compensation, except where prohibited by law.

9. GOVERNING LAW & VENUE: The courts in DuPage County, Illinois will have sole jurisdiction of any controversies regarding the Contest and the laws of the state of Illinois shall govern without regard to choice of law provisions. Each entrant waives any and all objections to jurisdiction and hereby irrevocably submits to the venue of those courts within DuPage County, Illinois.

10. WINNERS LIST: A winners list can be requested between 6/24/2024 and 7/26/2024 by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Fresh Thyme Market 2024 10th Birthday Cake Contest, Winners List Request, 2650 Warrenville Road, Suite 700 Downers Grove Illinois 60515

11. SPONSOR: Lakes Venture LLC, dba Fresh Thyme Market, 2650 Warrenville Road, Suite 700, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Media Contact:

Anna McAndrew

(847) 224-8113

[email protected]

SOURCE Fresh Thyme Market
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Capella Space Corp., an American space tech company with data and satellite solutions for government and commercial applications, announced it has joined the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) as a founding member. A pioneer in Earth observation, Capella Space is an American space tech company with data and satellite solutions for government and commercial use. Capella Space is the first U.S. company with a constellation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, delivering high-quality, high resolution SAR imagery through a fully-automated ordering and delivery platform. Capella Space provides easy access to frequent and timely information affecting dozens of industries worldwide, including defense and intelligence, supply chain, insurance, maritime and others. With market-leading SAR satellites and unparalleled data infrastructure, Capella Space delivers reliable global insights that sharpen our understanding of the changing world while also improving decisions about commerce, conservation, and security on Earth.

At Space Symposium, Capella Space will be demonstrating how their sensors can be used to detect space and ground environment anomalies and subsequently share with other members of the Space ISAC. The objective of this demonstration is to show how Capella Space's advanced space infrastructure can be leveraged to quickly identify threats and disseminate that knowledge to other low Earth orbit satellite operators to better protect US space assets from environmental and hostile interference.

This development will immediately impact the global space community and collaboration in the Space ISAC. Post this

According to Erin Miller, Space ISAC's Executive Director, "Capella Space joining the Founding Board brings the global space industry access to capabilities from a leading SAR technology company that is doing monitoring and reporting of cyber and space infrastructure threats  that's not something most people usually think SAR offers." This new founding membership underscores our unwavering commitment to increasing our collective defense of commercial and international space systems and demonstrates Capella Space's desire to lead the commercial LEO owner operators to normalize sharing of threat information in the Space ISAC.

"We're honored to lend our unique satellite technology and radar capabilities to enhance the Space ISAC's threat detection scenarios," said Frank Backes, Chief Executive Officer of Capella Space. "We're committed to joining forces with other industry leaders in helping to protect valuable US space assets."

Capella Space's Founding Membership will allow the Space ISAC to leverage advanced tools, capabilities, and features that align seamlessly with the mission of the ISAC. The advent of commercial space has created a wealth of information from a new generation of low Earth Orbit satellites. Capella Space is the first U.S. company to bring that data back to Earth to help humanity obtain a clear and accurate picture of the planet with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).

Looking ahead, Space ISAC and Capella Space are eager to leverage this collaborative opportunity. Together, the two will drive innovation, address key challenges, foster growth, and protect humanity. This milestone will serve as a catalyst to harness the mission of Capella Space and fuel further progress in the Space ISAC community.

BACKGROUND

Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) is a 501(c)(6) organization that serves as the all-threats security information source for the public and private space sector. Founded in 2019, Space ISAC became an official member of the National Council of ISACs in 2020. The Space ISAC Watch Center achieved initial operational capability in March 2023.

Space ISAC is located at the Kevin W O'Neil Cybersecurity Research and Education Building at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. The Space ISAC serves to facilitate collaboration across the global space industry to enhance our ability to prepare for and respond to vulnerabilities, incidents, and threats; to disseminate timely and actionable information among member entities; and to serve as the primary communications channel for the sector with respect to this information. After opening the Watch Center in 2023, member services include support for response, mitigation, and resilience initiatives, while breaking down communication silos of public-private information sharing.

Space ISAC founding members include: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton, MITRE, SES, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Purdue University, the Space Dynamics Laboratory, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, The Aerospace Corporation, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Microsoft, L3Harris, Deloitte and Capella Space.

SOURCE Capella Space
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Capella Space Corp. and Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) are pleased to announce a successful kick off of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Owner Operators Affinity Group, an Affinity Group for Commercial Owner Operators to better understand threat and security concerns. Space ISAC Affinity Groups represent a market sector, and our vision is to bring together Commercial Owner Operators across the phenomenologies (radar, optical, communications, etc.) on how to design, understand, and report security threats. This event marked a significant milestone in enhancing security collaboration within the space industry.

At the kick off event, government and industry leaders from FBI, DHS, US Space Force, Capella Space, and Viasat gathered to emphasize the critical importance of LEO Owner Operators sharing threat intelligence within the Space ISAC. This effort aims to address evolving security challenges and promote a more resilient space environment.

The kick off event was an outstanding success, with attendees engaging in insightful discussions, networking, and sharing best practices. Government and industry leaders highlighted the value of collaborative threat intelligence sharing and the positive impact it can have on the entire space ecosystem.

According to Frank Backes, Chief Executive Officer of Capella Space, "We are honored to co-chair the LEO Owner Operators Affinity Group to help facilitate collaboration with other leading Commercial Owner Operators in the field. Capella Space's expertise in low Earth orbit signals intelligence will bring unique value in better understanding threats to space infrastructure."

Participating organizations in the LEO Owner Operators Affinity Group include commercial space companies that maintain membership in good standing with Space ISAC and operate space assets in LEO. The mission of this Affinity Group is to provide a forum for sharing security architecture, detection methods, and paths to identify threats and security concerns among commercial LEO Owner Operators. Through this effort, members will gain valuable insights and strategies to enhance their security posture in the dynamic space environment.

BACKGROUND

Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) is a 501(c)(6) organization that serves as the all-threats security information source for the public and private space sector. Founded in 2019, Space ISAC became an official member of the National Council of ISACs in 2020. The Space ISAC Watch Center achieved initial operational capability in March 2023.

Space ISAC is located at the Kevin W O'Neil Cybersecurity Research and Education Building at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. The Space ISAC serves to facilitate collaboration across the global space industry to enhance our ability to prepare for and respond to vulnerabilities, incidents, and threats; to disseminate timely and actionable information among member entities; and to serve as the primary communications channel for the sector with respect to this information. After opening the Watch Center in 2023, member services include support for response, mitigation, and resilience initiatives, while breaking down communication silos of public-private information sharing.

Space ISAC founding members include: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton, MITRE, SES, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Purdue University, the Space Dynamics Laboratory, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, The Aerospace Corporation, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Microsoft, L3Harris, Deloitte and Capella Space.

SOURCE Capella Space
Dr. Razmi Will Discuss Promises and Challenges for AI to Improve the Health of the World Population

NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Ronald M. Razmi, a leading expert in healthcare AI with a medical background that includes work at the Mayo Clinic, proudly announces the launch of the global tour for his book, AI Doctor: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare  A Guide for Users, Buyers, Builders, and Investors (Wiley, 2024.) Drawing from his extensive background as a cardiologist, McKinsey consultant, CEO of a digital health company, and founder of Zoi Capital, Dr. Razmi offers a sober examination of the drivers and barriers to the adoption of AI in healthcare.

Cardiologist, Entrepreneur, and Venture Capitalist Dr. Ronald Razmi Announces Book Tour for AI Doctor: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

This month, Dr. Razmi will engage with the investor and healthcare communities at several key industry events, starting with an exclusive New York City book launch organized by The Foreign Press Association on April 16th. This event will feature a discussion between Dr. Razmi and Ian Williams, the president of the Foreign Press Association. Following this, there will be an event at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on April 18, where Dr. Pete Szolovits, professor of Artificial Intelligence at MIT, will engage in a fireside chat with Dr. Razmi. The dialogue then extends globally with Dr. Razmi participating in two pivotal events in the Middle East: a panel discussion at the Bahrain-C3 Davos of Healthcare from April 21-22, and a presentation at the Saudi American Healthcare Forum on April 25th, highlighting the global impact of AI on healthcare. These are the first four of a 20-event tour going through the end of 2024.

In "AI Doctor," Dr. Razmi not only charts the evolution of AI in healthcare but examines the many barriers that have kept digital technologies from having the desired impact. He examines the business models for the entrepreneurs and the investors in this sector and offers frameworks for the various stakeholders to make optimal decisions as they evaluate which AI applications to buy, build, or invest in.

The release of AI Doctor and Dr Razmi's active participation in discussions on AI in healthcare, as he recently showcased in Newsweek, Healthcare Business News, and ABC Tampa, underscores a pivotal moment for the industry. As healthcare stands on the brink of an AI revolution, Dr. Razmi's work offers invaluable insights to ensure that the industry focuses on the achievable use cases and the best business models.

"AI Doctor: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare" is now available on Amazon and major bookstores. For more information about Dr. Razmi, his work, and detailed event information, please visit https://zoicap.com/ai-doctor-book.

About Dr. Ronald Razmi

Dr. Ronald Razmi, as Co-Founder and Managing Director at Zoi Capital, has a distinguished career that blends his medical expertise with technological innovation. Originally a cardiologist, Dr. Razmi was a trailblazer in using MRI technology for cardiac care. His transition into the AI field is driven by a desire to infuse his medical knowledge into technological advancements. At Zoi Capital, he plays a pivotal role in transforming the industry by developing AI solutions that are grounded in real-world expertise and address genuine needs. His forthcoming book, "AI Doctor: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare," is a testament to his commitment to this field. Additionally, his extensive contributions to digital health are evident through numerous publications in esteemed scientific journals and his active participation as a speaker and writer in the digital health arena.

Press Contact:

Janie Mackenzie

856-473-2166

SOURCE Dr. Ronald Razmi
Governor Cox signs school panic alarm legislation, Utah becomes sixth state to pass law

SALT LAKE CITY, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTEGIX, the leader in incident response solutions for K-12, commends Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. Don Ipson, Rep. Ryan Wilcox and the Utah Legislature following the signing of Alyssa's Law. This legislation, included as part of the state's largest school safety measure, H.B.84 , will require Utah public and charter schools to have emergency communication systems.

Utah Representative Ryan D. Wilcox joined by school safety advocates Lori Alhadeff and Max Schachter.

"With this bill, it is clear that Utah is focused on driving national standards for school safety," said CENTEGIX CEO Brent Cobb. "Sadly, recent events have brought to light what many of us know instinctively: in a crisis, every second matters. An emergency alert system that is easy to use in a crisis; immediately alerts responders with room and floor level location information; and can communicate to everyone on campus saves lives . Thanks to leaders like Gov. Cox, Sen. Ipson and Rep. Wilcox supporting this important legislation, Utah students and teachers will be safer and can focus on instruction and learning."

Alyssa's Law is named for Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, and has been championed by Alyssa's parents, Lori and Dr. Ilan Alhadeff. Alyssa's Law has garnered support across the political spectrum as a common-sense solution for school safety.

The new law requires schools to adopt emergency communications systems such as CENTEGIX's CrisisAlert platform, a rapid incident response solution that protects students and staff members by empowering teachers and staff to immediately get help with a discreet panic button on a wearable badge. CrisisAlert operates via a private network, the ideal solution for schools where gaps in Wi-Fi and poor cellular signals can often disrupt connectivity. With intelligent response mapping and campus-wide notification capabilities, CrisisAlert can simultaneously send a school into lockdown while immediately providing first responders with exact location information, enabling them to respond faster in an emergency situation.

CENTEGIX protects over 11,500 sites across the United States with three of the ten largest US school districts, including Nevada's Clark County Schools. Exceeding Utah's H.B.84 requirements, CENTEGIX brings peace of mind to classrooms across the country.

Nationwide, CENTEGIX's CrisisAlert platform has successfully delivered more than 300,000 alerts, with ninety-eight percent of alerts attributed to everyday events, such as a medical emergency or student altercation. To learn more about school safety trends, download CENTEGIX's 2023 Spring School Safety Trends report here .

About CENTEGIX

CENTEGIX is the industry leader and largest wearable safety technology provider for K-12 education with over 600,000 badges in use. The cloud-based CENTEGIX Safety Platform initiates the fastest response time for emergencies, from the everyday to the extreme, anywhere on campus. Leaders nationwide trust CENTEGIX's innovative safety solutions to empower and protect people (every day). The company offers advanced silent panic alarm technology, real-time digital mapping capabilities, and intuitive panic button systems, empowering schools to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies. Operating in partnership with educational institutions nationwide, CENTEGIX is committed to creating safer learning environments for students and staff alike. Visit CENTEGIX at centegix.com and follow them on Facebook @CENTEGIX and Twitter @_CENTEGIX.

MEDIA CONTACT

Caroline Payne, 214-738-2047

[email protected]

SOURCE CENTEGIX
NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global central nervous system (cns) stimulant drugs market size is estimated to grow by USD 6486.71 mn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. The Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant drugs market encompasses treatments for conditions like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep apnea, and narcolepsy. According to recent studies, ADHD affects 5.3%-5.9% of children and adolescents globally, and up to 20% of Europeans annually. Key players include Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Thoracic Society, Sleep Care Online, Independence Pharmaceuticals, and various hospitals and clinics. Market growth is driven by industry coverage, inorganic growth, and cutting-edge innovations.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant Drugs Market

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant Drugs Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.8% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 6486.71 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.6 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 43% Key countries US, Canada, UK, Germany, and China Key companies profiled Astellas Pharma Inc., Azurity Pharmaceuticals Inc., Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc., Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc., Ironshore, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Plc, KemPharm Inc., Merck and Co. Inc., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Purdue Pharma LP, Sanofi SA, Shionogi and Co. Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Tris Pharma Inc., Viatris Inc., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Segment Overview

This central nervous system (cns) stimulant drugs market report extensively covers market segmentation by Distribution Channel (Hospitals, Others) Application (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Narcolepsy, Others) Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, Rest of World (ROW))

Market segmentation by Distribution Channel

The Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant Drugs Market is a significant segment of the healthcare services industry, with hospitals and clinics being major consumers. These medications are used to treat various conditions, including ADHD, narcolepsy, and sleep disorders like sleep apnea. The American Thoracic Society also recognizes the use of CNS stimulants for managing sleep disorders in patients with respiratory diseases. The senior population is another growing demographic for these drugs, as they help improve focus and alertness. Industry coverage projects a strong growth trajectory for the market, with inorganic growth strategies from innovators like Independence Pharmaceuticals driving success. Projections indicate continued demand for CNS stimulant drugs in hospitals and clinics at the country level. Active players in the market prioritize cutting-edge research and development to meet current priorities and implement strategies that cater to the needs of child & adolescent psychiatry, sleep care online, and the senior population. Financial details suggest steady revenue growth for the market, making it an attractive industry for investment.

Geography Overview

The Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant Drugs Market in North America is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of CNS disorders, particularly in child and adolescent populations. In the US and Canada, healthcare services, including Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, are at the forefront of addressing conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep disorders like sleep apnea and narcolepsy. The American Thoracic Society and Sleep Care Online are key players in this industry, providing cutting-edge solutions and innovations. Industry coverage includes hospitals, clinics, and country-level initiatives. Notable companies like Independence Pharmaceuticals are actively contributing to inorganic growth through acquisitions and partnerships. Projections indicate a positive growth trajectory, with financial details suggesting continued success. Strategies focus on addressing current priorities, such as improving accessibility and affordability, while maintaining a senior population focus. The market's success hinges on its ability to adapt and cater to the evolving needs of patients and healthcare providers.

Insights on the market contribution of various segments including country and region wise, historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Download a Sample Report

The Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant Drugs Market has seen significant advancements, transitioning from first-generation anti-epileptic drugs like phenobarbital to third-generation drugs such as rufinamide and lacosamide. Newer drugs offer wider therapeutic ranges, fewer side effects, and simpler pharmacokinetics, leading to increased adoption. Key players include Independence Pharmaceuticals, Hospital, and Clinic entities, with industry coverage focusing on Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Sleep apnea, Narcolepsy, and the Senior population. Projections indicate active growth in the Cutting Edge, Innovator sector. Financial details and success factors are driving strategies in this market.

The Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant Drugs Market encompasses medications like methylphenidates and amphetamines for treating conditions such as ADHD. While effective, these drugs have side effects including sleep problems, appetite reduction, and cardiovascular risks. Long-term use of RITALIN may cause heart and brain damage. Key players include Independence Pharmaceuticals, Hospital/Clinic entities, and Industry Coverage firms. Growth is driven by success factors like cutting-edge research and strategies in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Sleep Apnea, and Narcolepsy. Organizations like American Thoracic Society and Sleep Care Online are also involved.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

The Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant Drugs Market in the healthcare sector holds significant importance, particularly in the sub-specialties of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Two key conditions, Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy, are commonly treated with CNS stimulants. The American Thoracic Society and other medical organizations project a growth trajectory for this market, especially in the senior population. Pricing analysis is crucial at the country level for active players in the market. Sleep Care Online and hospitals/clinics are significant channels for the distribution and consumption of CNS stimulant drugs. The market's future is promising, with continued research and development in the Central Nervous System domain.

Market Research Overview

The Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulant Drugs Market represents a significant sector in the pharmaceutical industry. These drugs, such as Hexamethylene, Adolescents, Psychiatry, Sleepless, Cocaine, Levels, Actives, Narcopyschiatry, Induce, Dependence, Pharmacology, Trajectory, Synthetic, Systems, Cutting-edge, Treatment, Growth, Projects, Groth, Trajectory, and Factors, work by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. The CNS stimulant market is driven by the rising prevalence of neurological disorders and psychiatric conditions, as well as the increasing demand for effective treatment options. The market is also influenced by factors such as technological advancements, regulatory policies, and industry trends. Despite challenges, the market is expected to continue growing, offering opportunities for innovation and expansion.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Special one-day event invites healthcare executives to hear from colleagues in the industry about membership medicine's growing role in large medical groups and organizations

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Concierge Choice Physicians (CCP), the nation's leading full-service concierge medical service provider, announces a special event for healthcare executives titled "Embrace Challenges and Change with Informed Choices: A Symposium on Concierge Medicine in Healthcare Organizations" to be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at The Beekman Hotel, 123 Nassau Street, New York, NY 10038.

This unique, one-day event will feature executives from several large medical groups and hospital systems discussing their experience with CCP's membership medicine programs in a series of small, interactive roundtable discussions.

Topics and speakers include:

Navigating the Optics of a Concierge Program: How We Achieved Buy-In from Board Members, Physicians and Patients , led by Adam R. Stracher , MD, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Primary Care, Physician Organization and Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs, Weill Cornell Medicine





, led by , MD, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Primary Care, Physician Organization and Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs, Weill Cornell Medicine Creating a Winning Scenario: Finding the Right Revenue Formula for Physicians and the System , led by Timothy P. Seibert , MPH, Chief Administrative Officer, Executive Director-Primary Care Weill Cornell Medicine





, led by , MPH, Chief Administrative Officer, Executive Director-Primary Care Weill Cornell Medicine Retain and Recruit: How Our Concierge Program Attracts Physicians in a Competitive Hiring Environment , led by Cary Fitchmun , MD, Managing Partner, Arroyo Medical Group, Member, Board of Directors, Physicians Choice Medical Group IPA





, led by , MD, Managing Partner, Arroyo Medical Group, Member, Board of Directors, Physicians Choice Medical Group IPA Aligning a Community-Based, Mission-Driven Healthcare Organization with Membership Medicine , led by Chad Wadell , MD, FACP, Site Director, Internal Medicine, Member, Board of Directors of Mission Heritage Medical Group and Mission Hospital Foundation





, led by , MD, FACP, Site Director, Internal Medicine, Member, Board of Directors of Mission Heritage Medical Group and Mission Hospital Foundation Who, What, Where? Navigating the Physician Participation Process, led by Joe H. Nguyen , MD, Partner Physician, Mission Heritage Medical Group-Internal Medicine

Concierge medicine programs have been popular in smaller, private medical practices and groups for decades but, today, the programs have expanded into markets that were previously considered incompatible with membership medicine, like hospital systems and multi-physician groups. Concierge Choice Physicians' flexible and blended approach to membership medicine has driven a lot of that change.

"Large medical groups and hospital systems are now our fastest growing market," says Keith Elgart, Chief Operating Officer at Concierge Choice Physicians. "This symposium is a great way for executives who may be interested in membership medicine in their organizations to connect and engage with their colleagues who have done so successfully. They can hear first-hand how the programs work, how they benefit physicians and patients, and how they support revenue goals and physician retention efforts."

Registration information for the complimentary event, "Embrace Challenges and Change with Informed Choices: A Symposium on Concierge Medicine in Healthcare Organizations," is available at www.ccpmd.com/roundtable, or call 877.888.5590 or email [email protected] to learn more.

About Concierge Choice Physicians (CCP)

Dedicated to providing real options for patients and physicians, Concierge Choice Physicians is the largest private provider of the full range of concierge programs available today, Hybrid and FullFlex. The company provides innovative, flexible and affordable models proven to work in medical practices of any sizefrom solo physicians to large medical practice corporationsboth independent and affiliated with hospitals or health systems. Headquartered in Rockville Centre, NY, the company has worked with more than 500 physicians in 29 states. For more information, please visit www.ccpmd.com.

SOURCE Concierge Choice Physicians
Google Cloud AI integration will enable Covered California to verify more than 50,000 health care documents with an 84 percent verification rate monthly, providing residents with affordable, high-quality health care options at unprecedented speed.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud Next '24, LAS VEGAS -- Covered California, California's health insurance marketplace, announced today that it is leveraging Google Cloud's AI solutions to help streamline the organization's efforts to provide California residents with affordable, quality health insurance.

Covered California logo

Google Cloud's AI solution, Document AI , will help improve the consumer and employee experience by automating parts of the documentation and verification process when residents apply for coverage. Once the solution is live in June, residents will be able to securely upload their documents through the Covered California online application and receive instant verification status, simplifying access to health insurance.

In 2013, 17.2 percent of the state's 39 million residents lacked access to basic health insurance. By 2022, that number was 6.5 percent. Covered California launched a pilot program in 2023, with Google Cloud and Deloitte, to test the viability of Document AI. This AI-powered solution uses machine learning (ML) to automate the repetitive task of verifying resident information, improving speed and accuracy of data extraction, and gaining insights for data-driven decision making.

The initial results proved successful, with Covered California achieving a document verification rate of 80-96 percent, depending on the document type, for an average of 84 percent. The previous solution had a completion rate of only 18-20 percent. And Covered California officials believe the new Google Cloud-powered system's success rates will only continue to improve.

"This whole journey started with broad conversations about what Google Cloud can do and where AI is going," said Karen Johnson, Covered California's chief deputy executive director. "The effectiveness of Google Cloud's solutions on its open-cloud infrastructure enabled our team to automate document verification, meet high validation thresholds and consistently keep up with shifting state legislation. We are very pleased with these initial results; Document AI has reliably fulfilled its promises and we are confident in our ability to effectively leverage it."

Processing a significant volume of documents manually, Covered California recognized the lag that manual systems have historically created in getting people the coverage they need. While essential to authenticating sensitive, personally identifiable information (PII) such as identity and income, health insurance verification processes have traditionally been time consuming. To improve the experience of both its customers and employees, this new solution will meet accuracy, efficiency, and scalability requirements.

Covered California is also using Google Cloud's Assured Workloads to manage and maintain FedRAMP compliance and Google Security Operations to help eliminate security blind spots and safeguard against attacks, part of the organization's broader efforts to protect the integrity of consumer personal information.

"We are excited to collaborate with Covered California in its mission to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Californians," said Brent Mitchell, Google Public Sector's vice president, U.S. state and local government and education. "Our AI-powered solutions, including Document AI, are helping to streamline the enrollment process and ensure that residents can get the coverage they need more seamlessly. We are committed to working with Covered California to help the organization continue to find innovative ways to improve the enrollment experience for everyone across the state."

To learn more about Covered California's mission to ensure Californians have access to high-quality, affordable insurance, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.

About Covered California

Covered California is the state's health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.

Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California's consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

SOURCE Google Cloud
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. The Kremlin hopes that difficult moments in relations between Russia and Armenia will find a solution through dialogue, Russia's Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, Trend reports.

"Soon, the leaders of Russia and Armenia will have an opportunity to discuss everything. Dialogues at the working level are taking place, which is also very important. Armenia is a close partner and ally of Russia, a country with which Russia is united by many integration formats, such as the CIS, EAEU, and, of course, historical bilateral relations," he added.

Meanwhile, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia does not want to argue with Russia, but relations with Russia are being transformed.

The PM stated in parliament that now there is a transition from the relations of historical Armenia and Russia to the relations of real Armenia and Russia.

"It is sometimes as painful as the internal transformation in Armenia itself. But everything should be done to fill this transformation with 'positive stories'. Armenia is ready for such work with Russia, and relations with Russia are hard to overestimate from the point of view of Armenia's economy, security, and statehood," he added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The company will launch three new technologies at the upcoming LogiPharma 2024 event

MONROE, Ohio, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CSafe, a leading active and passive temperature-controlled shipping solutions provider for the biopharmaceutical industry, announces it is launching three new technologies at the international LogiPharma 2024 event, which takes place April 16-18 in Lyon, France. The products build upon CSafe's comprehensive, data-leveraged portfolio of solutions, integrating real-time data tracking to ensure maximum visibility and confidence throughout the shipping journey.

"2024 marks a bold year of innovation for CSafewe're redefining the landscape of cold chain logistics," said Patrick Schafer, CSafe CEO. "We're constantly listening to our customers, and that ensures we're able to meet their current needs and anticipate and address their future challenges."

CSafe's new technologies address the most pressing challenges that pharmaceutical companies and other key players in the cold chain industry face today.

CSafe's Multi-Use Dewars, the first in the CGT Cryo Series, are designed to serve the quickly growing cell and gene therapy market. These cryogenic, reusable dewars maintain the coldest temperature range of any dewar available on the market, -150C or colder. This cutting-edge technology uses liquid nitrogen dry vapor units and includes a built-in TracSafe RLT real-time data tracking device.

CSafe Connect Control Tower, the company's new white-glove shipment monitoring service, provides customers with ultimate visibility into real-time shipping data such as GPS location, cargo temperature and more. The company's dedicated service team monitors shipments 24/7/365 to identify and escalate potential temperature deviations or issues to the appropriate stakeholders. The service also includes shipment creation and preconditioning, as well as reporting upon shipment delivery.

Silverpod MAX RE is CSafe's newest reusable shipping solution, designed to help customers meet their sustainability targets. An evolution of CSafe's flagship Silverpod technology, the Silverpod MAX RE is a highly durable pallet shipper made entirely of reusable components. It uses high-performing, recyclable PCM coolants to enable safe storage before and during shipping and provides 120+ hours of qualified thermal protection. An integrated real-time tracking device offers customers the ultimate in shipment visibility.

CSafe is known for being a trusted provider of temperature-controlled and digital solutions that help life science organizations protect and transport critical, life-enhancing products, anywhere in the world. The addition of its latest products strengthens its comprehensive portfolio of offerings, and underscores its commitment to meeting customer demands through creative solutions.

"We're paving the way for solutions that set high standards in the industry and, above all, elevate the customer experience," said Tom Weir, CSafe COO and CTO. "These new products signal that we're innovating for what's next."

The company holds numerous patents, and its latest round of innovations continue to push boundaries that set it apart from competitors. Recently, the patented designs for CSafe's air cargo containers have been upheld by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), reaffirming the novel and innovative nature of CSafe's inventions.

Media Contact:

Emma Lupp

VP of Global Marketing

Direct: +41447976125

Email: [email protected]

Web: csafeglobal.com

About CSafe

CSafe offers a comprehensive suite of thermal shipping solutions for pharmaceutical cold chain shipping needs around the world. With a "patient-first" focus, deep industry expertise and commitment to innovation, CSafe delivers industry-leading products in both the active and passive segments. CSafe's end-to-end portfolio including active and passive bulk air cargo, parcel, cell and gene and specialty last-mile use cases and the ability to meet the complete range of pharma cold-chain shipping requirements with industry-leading quality and reliability. Offering nearly any size, duration and temperatureCSafe is at the heart of your cold chain. csafeglobal.com

SOURCE CSafe
Inc.'s seventh annual Female Founders list highlights entrepreneurs with world-changing companies

SAN DIEGO, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. today announced its seventh annual Female Founders list, honoring 250 extraordinary women whose innovations and ideas are shaping the world to be a better place.

These founders come from many diverse industries and bring unique stories of success from each stage of the entrepreneurial journeyfrom startup to going public, being acquired by big buyers, and spending decades at the helm of an organization. They are reinventing everything from shoes to food and challenging issues like financial literacy and reproductive health.

Durana Elmi, COO of Cymbiotika

Durana Elmi, COO of Cymbiotika, of the Inc. Female Founders list, stated:

"I am incredibly proud and humbled to be part of an exceptional group of women who are not just reshaping our society and culture but also excelling in every field they venture into. My love and admiration for these remarkable women inspire and motivate me to show up and contribute to our community. Being recognized and named on the 2024 Female Founders list by Inc Magazinea publication held in high regard as a leading authorityis a tremendous honor. This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of my phenomenal team at Cymbiotika. It's an honor to celebrate our joint efforts and the pioneering spirit that drives us to make meaningful contributions and succeed together."

Recently awarded San Diego Business Woman of the Year, Durana has guided the Cymbiotika brand into immense success. Recognized on Fortune's Best Place to Work in Retail list for the third consecutive year, Durana nurtures an environment that is supported and led by women. With 67% of Cymbiotika's footprint being women, Cymbiotika is built on a culture of collaboration, where team members collaborate, solve problems, and work together to bring the company to new heights.

As a mother to two daughters, Durana finds daily inspiration in the women around her, striving to be an exemplary role model. She is a dedicated leader at Cymbiotika, committed to empowering her female colleagues and championing gender equality. This approach cultivates a work atmosphere that motivates women to pursue their best lives and fosters a world where women are equipped to glow from within.

Each year, Inc. editors review thousands of applications highlighting female founders challenging the status quo and tackling some of the world's biggest problems. The list features women who have overcome challenges and lifted those around them while leading impactful organizations nationwide. They join the ranks of previous honorees, including Kim Kardashian, Cameron Diaz, Eva Longoria, Jessica Alba, Tracee Ellis Ross, Rihanna, Serena Williams and Shonda Rhimes.

Diana Ransom, Inc. Executive Editor, stated:

"The past year, for many, will go down as one of the hardest everbetween a funding freeze and ad-spending pullback. The female founders on this year's list are a testament to what triumph over adversity looks like. They should all be proud of this singular accomplishment."

To see the complete list, go to: https://www.inc.com/female-founders

After launching in 2018, the Female Founders list is one of Inc.'s most esteemed franchises. Inc. magazine's Female Founders issue (April 2024) will be available online on April 9 at https://www.inc.com/magazine and on newsstands on April 16.

Join the Female Founders conversation using #FemaleFounders.

About Inc.

The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc., offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning, multiplatform content reaches over 50 million people monthly across various channels, including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced yearly since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion among the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com .

About Cymbiotika

According to Durana Elmi, health has different meanings for each person. But at Cymbiotika, it's deeper than the absence of illnessit's about having the energy to chase your passions. It's about taking care of yourself to better care for your loved ones. It's about creating a safe and healthy home environment. It's enjoying each precious moment life offers without being held back. It's about living life with intention. Cymbiotika understands that this path isn't always straightforward. But that's why we're hereto offer guidance, share our knowledge, and provide life-changing products to support your unique journey to health and vitality. Health isn't just a destination; it's a lifelong journey, and we're committed to helping you make that journey as happy, vibrant, healthy, and amazing as possible. Learn more today at www.cymbiotika.com

SOURCE Cymbiotika
Telecom innovator and Internet inventor speak at the 36th annual gathering of the Club de Investigacion Tecnologica in Costa Rica on AI and its place in society

DUBLIN, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "It's a country's responsibility to ensure all citizens have high-speed broadband and access to the health and wealth that AI can bring to its people." This was the stark warning from Granahan McCourt founder and CEO David McCourt as he spoke at Costa Rica's prestigious Club de Investigacion Tecnologica this week, urging all small countries like Costa Rica to take a leadership role in the global AI race.

"We need guard rails, transparency, and fairness, but stopping the role of AI in the development of society is a mistake," continued McCourt.

Vint Cerf, founder of the internet, was speaking with telecom innovator, David McCourt, in Costa Rica about the Past, Present and Future of the Internet in an AI world (PRNewsfoto/Granahan McCourt Capital)

Speaking alongside Vint Cert, recognized as one of "the fathers of the Internet", McCourt presented his vision for the future, adding: "Technology is a solution for cheaper and better education, cheaper healthcare, and a cleaner environment. However, without connectivity, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' will only get wider."

The Costa Rica Times calls McCourt "synonymous with innovation in the telecom realm". The paper went on to say McCourt's work is "a testament to the possibilities that lie in harnessing technology to bridge gaps and connect countries".

Having spent his 30-year career at the intersection of public policy, business and society, The Economist describes him as possessing "impeccable credentials as a telecom revolutionary", which started when he founded the first competitive phone company in America. McCourt went on to become the first to launch the triple play that is voice, video and data  today considered the norm- and has founded or bought over 30 companies in nine countries.

As the founder and Chairman of National Broadband Ireland (NBI), McCourt now spearheads the rollout of the Irish Government's National Broadband Plan, which is well regarded as one of the most successful multi-billion-dollar megaprojects in the world. Laying enough fibre to go around the world nearly four times, McCourt's team at NBI is deploying its network to over 1.1 million people across 569,000 rural homes, farms, schools and businesses. Acting on the Irish Government's mandate, no-one will be left behind, setting up Ireland to become the first country in Europe to provide high-speed broadband to 100% of the population.

"With its National Broadband Plan, the Irish Government has set a blueprint for other nations to follow, rolling out an ambitious plan to give all citizens access to the world's leading fiber connectivity. How we live, work, communicate, and govern is all going to change in this new world order, and it all starts with building the right foundations with ubiquitous access to high-speed broadband," said McCourt.

Roberto Sasso, President of the Club de Investigacion Tecnologica, commented: "As an entrepreneur, business leader, and informed media commentator, David McCourt is helping the world understand the existential need for high-speed Internet for all, not just the city dwellers, and how to harness the opportunities in Artificial Intelligence and seize opportunities to view it as our friend, not foe. We are honored to have David join us in Costa Rica and fascinated to hear the comparisons he makes between Ireland and Costa Rica, both as small countries with successful track records of bold policy decisions and innovative practices."

During his time in Costa Rica, McCourt is also shooting content for his upcoming TV documentary 'An Inquiry into the AI Health & Wealth of Nations', exploring the real-life stories of people at the cutting edge of developments in Artificial Intelligence.

"Costa Rica has already made tremendous steps to harness the transformational benefits of Artificial Intelligence, and through our new TV documentary, we're set to shine a light on the work Costa Rica has done to use AI to solve major challenges, from regenerating the rain forest, to pioneering sustainable fishing practices. We've also spent time with amazing talents like Pedro Capmany, who has inspired the world with his use of AI in popular music. We plan to tell these captivating stories, shot in Costa Rica's beautiful environments, and share them with the world."

About David McCourt

David McCourt is the Chairman and CEO of Granahan McCourt Capital, a global technology, media and telecommunications firm renowned for innovation and partnering with countries and corporations to solve societal problems and create jobs. He is also the Chairman of National Broadband Ireland, delivering the Irish Government's National Broadband Plan.

Recognized as one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, McCourt is also an Emmy Award-winning television producer and is the author of the bestselling book Total Rethink. He is the inaugural economist in residence at USC Annenberg, inaugural executive in residence for Entrepreneurial Economics and Innovation at Georgetown University, and an Adjunct Full Professor at University College Dublin specializing in AI.

Visit:

www.nbi.ie

www.granahanmccourt.com

www.davidmccourt.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2383845/Granahan_McCourt_Capital.jpg

SOURCE Granahan McCourt Capital
WASHINGTON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hear how Deesha Dyer, a hip-hop journalist without political connections, conquered her imposter syndrome and landed one of the most coveted jobs at The White House at a Headliners book event on Thursday, April 25 at 1 p.m.

Undiplomatic book cover

Though Dyer had been repeatedly told she had, "an attitude problem that would lead to nowhere," she rose to become White House social secretary, one of the senior protocol faces in the Obama administration. In a memoir titled, "Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created the Best Kind of Trouble," Dyer candidly details her journey of her life before, during and after her time at the Obama White House.

Tickets cost $5 for members of the National Press Club and $10 for the general public. Pre-ordered books will be available for pickup and signing at the event. Attendees will also be able to purchase books at the door.

Purchase your ticket here - https://www.press.org/events/npc-headliners-book-event-deesha-dyer-undiplomatic

The program will include a question-and-answer session. To submit a question in advance, put "DYER" in the subject line and email it to [email protected]

PRESS CONTACT: Cecily Scott Martin for the National Press Club; [email protected]; (202) 662-7525

SOURCE National Press Club
Company Shares Fiscal Year 2023 Environmental, Social & Governance Report

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, in celebration of Earth Month, Del Monte Foods, Inc. published its fiscal year 2023 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting the company's commitment to being Growers of Good and demonstrating progress against the company's ESG goals.

Del Monte Foods demonstrates progress against 2025 ESG goals in 2023 ESG Report.

"At a time when concern over global resources and food insecurity are on the rise, I'm proud to lead a company that is committed to reducing our impact on the environment, championing the diversity of our team members and giving back to the communities in which we live and work," said Greg Longstreet, President and CEO of Del Monte Foods. "Thanks to the efforts of our committed Del Monte Foods team members, we continue to make progress toward our 2025 ESG goals and have already reached many of them. Even as we celebrate these milestones, we continue to push forward and work to make good on our pledges to be a grower of good for our people, our communities and the planet we all share."

In line with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) industry standards, Del Monte Foods' 2023 ESG Report maps progress across the company's three ESG focus areas: Nourishing the Planet, Nourishing People, and Nourishing Communities. A selection of report highlights within each focus area follows.

Nourishing the Planet  The company is working to build its environmental integrity through eight impact areas, including:

Carbon Footprint Reduction : Since 2021, the company has seen a 6% reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 total emissions and set a net-zero target, committing to carbon reduction targets in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Net Zero Standard.

: Since 2021, the company has seen a 6% reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 total emissions and set a net-zero target, committing to carbon reduction targets in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Net Zero Standard. Regenerative Agriculture : Created a collaborative forum for organic tomato growers, where they can share best practices, learn more about regenerative agriculture processes and collaborate to enrich the collective community and planet.

: Created a collaborative forum for organic tomato growers, where they can share best practices, learn more about regenerative agriculture processes and collaborate to enrich the collective community and planet. Sustainable Packaging: Began incorporating post-consumer resin (PCR) in plastic beverage cups, marking progress against the company's goal to include 25% recycled content in plastic packaging. By 2030, the company aims to make 100% of plastic packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable.

Nourishing People  The company is continually working to care for its team members at an individual level, for example:

Creating Inclusive Culture : Earned a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion.

: Earned a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. Diversity in Management : Maintained diversity in management with women and people of color filling over 50% of Senior Manager or higher roles; an 8% increase since 2020.

: Maintained diversity in management with women and people of color filling over 50% of Senior Manager or higher roles; an 8% increase since 2020. Del Monte Foods Education Scholarship: Awarded ten $5,000 college scholarships to team members' children in a new annual program.

Nourishing Communities  The company continues to find effective ways to make nutritious food accessible and bring nutrition education to families and communities, including:

Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools Program : Continuing a $5 million commitment, Del Monte Foods reached 1.25 million families and engaged over 4,000 schools in 2023 with its Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools program in partnership with Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The program strives to improve the physical, mental and social emotional well-being of children. The company continues to make progress toward its goal of reaching 75% of students that represent Black, Indigenous and people of color populations.

: Continuing a commitment, Del Monte Foods reached 1.25 million families and engaged over 4,000 schools in 2023 with its Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools program in partnership with Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The program strives to improve the physical, mental and social emotional well-being of children. The company continues to make progress toward its goal of reaching 75% of students that represent Black, Indigenous and people of color populations. Team Member and Company Donations: Team members made donations to nonprofits of their choice through the Donation Matching Program, and Del Monte Foods donated over 4.7 million pounds of food, with a value of more than $3.3 million through partnerships with the American Red Cross and Feeding America.

"We're so excited to showcase the hard work Del Monte Foods has been doing to strengthen our commitments to growing good for the planet and the people on it," said Molly Laverty, Director of Environmental, Social & Governance at Del Monte Foods "Sustainability is not only good for the planet, it's simply good business. This report reflects our dedication to integrating our purpose into every aspect of our operations as we continue to do our part to build a more sustainable future for generations to come."

To download the 2023 ESG Report and for further information on Del Monte Foods' programs, visit this link.

About Del Monte Foods

For more than 135 years, Del Monte Foods, Inc. has been driven by our mission to nourish families with earth's goodness. As the original plant-based food company, we're always innovating to make nutritious and delicious foods more accessible to consumers across our portfolio of beloved brands, including Del Monte, Contadina, College Inn, Kitchen Basics, JOYBA, Take Root Organics and S&W. We believe that everyone deserves great tasting food they can feel good about, which is why we grow and produce our products using sustainable and earth-friendly practices for a healthier tomorrow.

Del Monte Foods, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited (Bloomberg: DELM SP, DELM PM) and is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. For more information about Del Monte Foods and our products, please visit www.delmontefoods.com or www.delmonte.com.

Media Contacts:

Drew McGowan

Del Monte Foods

[email protected]

415-637-5732

Courtney Mains

Edelman

[email protected]

408-835-5323

SOURCE Del Monte Foods, Inc.
ORLANDO, Fla., April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Demetree Global, a leading multi-strategy family office based in Winter Park, Florida, announced today that Demetree Real Estate has successfully closed on a $10 million refinancing of a five-property portfolio within the Orlando market. Financing was provided by Symetra Investment Management Real Estate ("Symetra").

The closing took place on March 20th. "The refinancing supports our long-term commitment to the Orlando Market and underscores our ongoing investment in the growth and prosperity of our community," stated Corey Dean, Director of Development and Financing, Demetree Real Estate. "We thank Symetra for being a great financial partner."

Evidence of Demetree's entrepreneurial spirit and vision is built into skylines, executive office centers, suburbs, multi-tenant facilities, mini-storage, student housing, real estate development projects, and retail shopping centers throughout Florida. In addition to selling land to Walt Disney, the Demetree Global family of companies invests in joint venture opportunities, land deals, and multi-use projects.

"Demetree has built a phenomenal reputation through its history in Orlando and has successfully helped build and maintain Orlando," added Seth Heller, managing partner, Demetree Global. "Orlando is not just a city; it is our Diamond in our backyard," this sentiment was taught to the team by the founder, William C. Demetree Jr., and has been continuously echoed by Mary Demetree, the Chair of the Board.

"Symetra is an excellent capital partner for the Demetree organization; they immediately recognized the quality of these assets, the future growth of this market, and the incredible opportunity of a partnership with our team," Seth Heller continued.

About Demetree Global (DG): The Demetree Organization has been a pioneer in the central Florida market for over 75 years. As one of the oldest and most active multi-strategy family offices, it has recently transformed into a private equity institutional operation. The various divisions of the Demetree organization include Real Estate, Ventures, and Capital. Demetree has a rich history in Land Development, Construction, Commercial Real Estate, Rentals, and Brokerage Services. The growth and prosperity of Demetree contribute to its mission and goal of putting the community first. As the company continues to evolve, it adds various internal and external services that facilitate growth in the city and the community.

For information on Demetree Global, please visit www.demetreeglobal.com.

Press Contact: Jessica Santoli

Marketing and Communications Director

Demetree Global

Direct: (407) 422-8191

[email protected]

SOURCE Demetree Global
PLYMOUTH, Minn., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DSG (Dakota Supply Group) celebrated a major milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for its new facility in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on April 9, 2024. The event marks the start of construction on the new facility. The facility is set to open in 2025.

DSG celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for its new facility in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on April 9, 2024. Post this DSG (Dakota Supply Group) celebrated a major milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for its new facility in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on April 9, 2024. The event marks the start of construction on the facility, which is set to open in 2025. The new 39,000-square-foot facility at 4212 High Tech Lane an outdoor yard. DSG has been a proud supplier to the Sheboygan market for nearly a century. This expanded location will offer a comprehensive range of products and solutions from top manufacturers to professionals in the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC industries.

The new 39,000-square-foot facility at 4212 High Tech Lane an outdoor yard. DSG has been a proud supplier to the Sheboygan market for nearly a century. This expanded location will offer a comprehensive range of products and solutions from top manufacturers to professionals in the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC industries.

Several esteemed guests attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including Chairman Dan Hein, Town of Sheboygan; Mayor Ryan Sorenson, City of Sheboygan; Chairman Vernon Koch, Sheboygan County Board; Deidre Martinez, CEO of the Sheboygan Chamber of Commerce; Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu; Paul Weaver, Developer with Project 4 Services; and Chris Herzog, President of A.C.E. Building Services. Additionally, members of DSG's executive, regional, and branch leadership teams and ambassadors from the Sheboygan Chamber of Commerce were also present.

"We are delighted to announce our newest location in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. This investment signifies our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and convenience to our customers, employee owners, and the Sheboygan community. Just as we've done in other regions, our goal is to become a partner in Sheboygan's growth and success story, offering a comprehensive range of products and services tailored to meet the evolving needs of the local market," said Paul Kennedy, President & CEO. "This new facility is not just about bricks and mortar; it's about strengthening relationships and fostering prosperity for years to come."

As one of the most diverse independent wholesale distributors in the region, DSG supplies a broad range of products and solutions from leading manufacturers to professionals in the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, communications, utility, automation, waterworks, and onsite sewer and well industries. Since our founding in 1898, our growing employee owned business has been headquartered in the Midwest and proudly serves across America's heartland.

SOURCE DSG - Dakota Supply Group
SHELTON, Conn., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Edgewell Personal Care Company (NYSE: EPC) will report its financial results for the second quarter fiscal year 2024 before the market opens on May 8, 2024. Edgewell will discuss its results during an investor conference call that will be webcast on May 8, 2024, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer Rod Little and Chief Financial Officer Dan Sullivan.

All interested parties may access a live webcast of this conference call at www.edgewell.com, under "Investors," and "News and Events" tabs or by using the following link:

http://ir.edgewell.com/news-and-events/events

For those unable to participate during the live webcast, a replay will be available at www.edgewell.com, under "Investors," "Financial Reports," and "Quarterly Earnings" tabs.

About Edgewell Personal Care:

Edgewell is a leading pure-play consumer products company with an attractive, diversified portfolio of established brand names such as Schick and Wilkinson Sword men's shaving products; Schick and Billie women's shaving products; Edge and Skintimate shave preparations; Playtex, Stayfree, Carefree and o.b. feminine care products; Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, Bulldog, Jack Black and Cremo sun and skin care products; and Wet Ones moist wipes. The Company has a broad global footprint and operates in more than 50 markets, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, Japan, the U.K. and Australia, with approximately 6,800 employees worldwide.

SOURCE Edgewell Personal Care Company
NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes market size is estimated to grow by USD 104.27 million, at a CAGR of 7.08% between 2022 and 2027. Increasing government and healthcare organization initiatives drive market growth. Efforts to enhance healthcare access for neurological disorder patients include the WHO's collaboration with stakeholders to improve epilepsy care and the Welsh Government's focus on disorders like epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Brain Awareness Week, organized by Dana Alliance, raises global awareness of brain research benefits. Moreover, increased public funding for neurological disorders boosts demand for EEG electrodes, fueling market growth.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global EEG Electrodes Market 2023-2027

Get deeper insights into the market size, current market scenario, future growth opportunities, major growth driving factors, the latest trends, and much more.

Buy full report here

Report Coverage Details Page number 158 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.08% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 104.27 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 6.14 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 39% Key countries US, Canada, Germany, UK, and Japan

The high cost of EEG devices and procedures is the challenge that affects the growth of the market:

The high cost of EEG devices and procedures poses a challenge to market growth. The expense deters many end users from utilizing EEG devices. Prices vary based on channel count, ranging from USD1,000 to over USD25,000 for 1 to 32 channel headsets, and over USD25,000 for those with more than 64 channels. Additionally, maintenance fees and recurring costs add to expenses. Affording neurodiagnostic tests is difficult for uninsured patients, who typically spend over USD200 on an EEG test and over USD2,500 for extended monitoring if needed. Thus, the high costs hinder market growth forecasts.

Learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges available with Technavio.

Read Sample PDF Report Now

The eeg electrodes market has segmented by Product (Disposable EEG electrodes and Reusable EEG electrodes), End-user (Hospitals, Clinics, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)).

The disposable EEG electrodes segment is poised for significant market share growth in the forecast period. These electrodes are discarded after single use, a preference rising among end-users due to their advantages. Their demand is notably driven by the imperative to prevent infectious diseases. Valued at USD 134.19 million in 2017, disposable EEG electrodes are priced lower than their reusable counterparts. Additionally, they offer enhanced safety, cost-effectiveness, and time-saving benefits, eliminating the need for reprocessing and storage. Consequently, these advantages are anticipated to propel the growth of the disposable EEG electrodes segment in the global EEG electrodes market.

North America is estimated to contribute 39% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

For insights into the contribution of all the segments and regional opportunities in the report

View Sample Report

Key Companies in the eeg electrodes market:

Ambu AS, Compumedics Ltd., Conmed Corp., Dixi Medical, Johnson and Johnson Services Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medical Computer Systems Ltd., Natus Medical Inc., Neuroelectrics Barcelona SLU, NeuroWave Systems Inc., Nihon Kohden Corp., PMT Corp., Rhythmlink International LLC, SPES MEDICA SRL, Technomed, Wuhan Greentek Pty. Ltd., BIOPAC Systems Inc., Cadwell Industries Inc., Medtronic Plc, SOMNOmedics GmbH

Ambu AS: The company offers EEG electrodes such as Ambu Neuroline Cup electrode, Ambu Neuroline Subdermal.

Analyst Review:

The global disposable EEG electrodes market is experiencing substantial growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) propelled by several key factors. One significant driver is the increasing demand for disposable EEG electrodes, fueled by technological advancements and the rising prevalence of neurological disorders worldwide. One of the leading factors contributing to the growth of the market is the alarming increase in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) cases, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HAIs pose a significant risk to hospital patients, healthcare professionals, and visitors due to the transmission of bacterial and other microbial infections. The lack of sanitation and precautionary measures in healthcare facilities has further exacerbated the prevalence of HAIs, emphasizing the critical need for disposable products over reusable ones to mitigate infection risks.

The CDC's report highlights the severity of HAIs in American hospitals, prompting healthcare facilities to adopt stringent infection control measures. Similarly, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has raised concerns about the rising incidence of HAIs in European countries, driving the demand for disposable EEG electrodes as a preventive measure against infection transmission. Neurological diseases such as essential tremor, dystonia, and others contribute significantly to the global healthcare burden, with high mortality rates and disease burden. The increasing cases of neurological disorders necessitate the use of EEG electrodes for diagnostics, particularly in invasive procedures like direct cortical recordings. Disposable needle EEG electrodes offer superior electrical conductivity and eliminate the need for extensive skin preparation, making them preferable for such procedures.

Within the EEG electrodes market, the cup electrode segment is witnessing the fastest growth rate due to its advantages over needle electrodes. Cup electrodes offer ease of use, reduced risk of electrode lift and displacement, and improved patient comfort. Moreover, advancements in cup electrode technology have enhanced their performance, making them increasingly favored by healthcare professionals and patients alike. In addition to neurological disorders, mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), require early diagnosis and monitoring using EEG electrodes. The availability of technologically advanced disposable EEG electrodes has facilitated accurate diagnosis and improved patient outcomes in surgical procedures and other clinical settings.

However, market growth is influenced by various factors, including the negotiating power of suppliers, after-sales services, hospitalizations, and healthcare expenditure. Nevertheless, the growing awareness of HAIs and the advantages of disposable EEG electrodes are expected to drive market expansion, particularly in Asian countries like Japan and China, where the geriatric population is rapidly increasing.

Market Overview:

The EEG electrodes market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the rising prevalence of neurological disorders like epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Technological advancements have led to the development of disposable EEG electrodes, meeting the demand for infection prevention and patient safety. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a concern, prompting the adoption of disposable products to reduce the transmission of bacterial infections among hospital patients. With increasing cases of neurological disorders globally, there's a growing awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. This trend, coupled with the availability of technologically advanced EEG electrodes, is expected to drive market growth, particularly in Asian countries like Japan and China.

Related Reports:

The electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) devices market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.59% between 2022 and 2027.

The US - neurodiagnostic and monitoring devices market size is estimated to grow by USD 827.88 million at a CAGR of 6.19% between 2023 and 2028.

ToC:

1 Executive Summary

2 Landscape

3 Sizing

4 Historic Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Segmentations

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Vendor Landscape

11 Vendor Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced it will report results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2024, after the market closes Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The Company will host an investor conference call at 10 a.m. ET on April 25, 2024, to discuss its results.

The conference call may be accessed by dialing 800-579-2543 and giving the conference ID EHCQ124. International callers should dial 785-424-1699 and give the same conference ID. Please call approximately 10 minutes before the start of the call to ensure you are connected.

A live webcast of the conference call and an online replay of the conference call can be found on the Company's investor website at https://investor.encompasshealth.com.

About Encompass Health

Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 160 hospitals in 37 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact:

Kennedi Spurling | 205-970-5912

[email protected]

Investor Relations contact:

Mark Miller | 205-970-5860

[email protected]

SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. Russia has been proving itself as an effective mediator for the South Caucasus, Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said during the weekly briefing, Trend reports.

"Then the West emerged. It began acting against countries in the region out of rage, envy, and fear that peace would be formed here," Zakharova noted.

''Every sovereign state, including Armenia, has its own vision. The only problem is that occasionally, Western meddling shatters the already established harmony in the region,'' she added.

To note, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU High Representative and Vice President Josep Borrell, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, USAID chief Samantha Power, and Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan met in Brussels on April 5.

As a result of the meeting, it was announced that the EU will put forward Armenia's Sustainability and Growth Plan for 20242027, worth 270 million euros.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Industry thought leader selected to oversee strategic planning, mergers & acquisitions, and performance benchmarking line of business.

TAMPA, Fla., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Engage fi, a leading consulting firm guiding banks and credit unions through technological advancements and strategic decision making, is pleased to announce the appointment of Fabio Biasella to Director of Strategic Services. Biasella brings a wealth of expertise and strategic vision that align with Engage fi's commitment to delivering valuable guidance to its client partners.

In this pivotal role, Biasella will spearhead efforts to enhance client strategy and board planning which will include consultations, scenario planning, and executive roadmap development to influence organizational direction, setting clients up for future growth and success. He will also provide comprehensive merger & acquisitions support, conduct client performance benchmarking, and drive thought leadership initiatives.

Biasella joins Engage fi with over 30 years of experience in retail banking with a focus on strategic and financial analysis. With a distinguished background having previously led Strategic Advisory Services for Raddon for over 16 years and executive-level positions at several high-performing financial institutions, Biasella is renowned as an industry thought leader. With an extensive background spanning over 200 board management and strategic planning sessions, he has been instrumental in driving the development of plans and innovative solutions that have maximized value for financial institutions. Biasella is a frequent keynote speaker and presenter at national credit union and bank events and a quoted thought leader and commentator in leading industry publications.

"We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Fabio as he joins the Engage fi team," said Andres Pasantes, President & Chief Operations Officer at Engage fi. "His industry knowledge and strategic expertise combined with his passion for driving growth will further strengthen our client partnerships."

With the increasing demand for strategic services, Biasella and the Engage fi team are poised to provide unparalleled support and direction to banks and credit unions striving to compete in the evolving financial landscape.

For more information about Engage fi and its services, please visit: Engagefi.com.

About Engage fi

With over 1,500 successful projects completed, the team at Engage fi is a blend of consultants, educators, integrators, and advocates. We are laser-focused on guiding financial institutions through our proven process and enabling them to make informed, timely decisions on vendor relationships so they can change at the speed of the consumer. Engage fi has negotiated over $3 billion in savings and incentives for our clients. We have a unique approach, and our strategic projects are as unique as the clients we serve. Let's Engage!

For media inquiries, please contact:

Shannon Crandall

Director of Marketing

[email protected]

480-686-4253

SOURCE Engage fi
New Auto Chart Reader Accessory and Epson Edge Color Lite Software Work with the Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer to Provide a Full Color Managed Workflow

ORLANDO, Fla., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- (ISA Booth #1734)  Furthering its dedication to providing customers with advanced color accuracy, Epson today announced the new Auto Chart Reader Accessory and Epson Edge Color Lite software solution designed to extend color management capabilities for Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer and Epson Edge Print customers. The comprehensive color management workflow creates color profiles and quickly verifies and calibrates color, helping print shops save time and resources by avoiding reprints due to color inaccuracies. The Auto Chart Reader will be on display at ISA Sign Expo in Orlando, Florida from April 10-12 in Epson's booth, #1734.

Epson's Auto Chart Reader and Epson Edge Color Lite software extend color capabilities for the SD-10 spectrophotometer. Post this When paired with the Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer, the new Auto Chart Reader and Epson Edge Color Lite Software provide quick, easy and automated color chart measurements. The color management workflow creates color profiles and quickly verifies and calibrates color, helping print shops save time and resources by avoiding reprints due to color inaccuracies.

"Effective color management is paramount for print shops," shares Eric Holm, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc. "Epson is known for its dedication to color management, accuracy and precision. The Auto Chart Reader, along with the full suite of color management tools including the Epson SD-10 and Epson Edge Color Lite software, equip print shops with a comprehensive solution from a single manufacturer to achieve exceptional color results with Epson professional printers."

When paired with the Epson SD-10, the Auto Chart Reader provides quick, easy and automated color chart measurements. The accessory helps to quickly achieve precise, consistent and repeatable color regardless of changing print conditions. Designed to better control color with little color management expertise needed, it can assist in the creation of ICC color profiles for accurate color on virtually any media. It also verifies color and calibrates profiles over time to keep prints looking great over the life of the printer. The portable solution will automatically detect chart position and media thickness  making operation simple. It is compatible with a variety of media up to 13 mm thick, including textiles, vinyl, acrylic, and plastics.

The Auto Chart Reader Accessory includes Epson Edge Color Lite,1 a new software that integrates into the Epson Edge software ecosystem. Additional features of the new solution include:

Quickly and automatically measure charts  Single charts can be measured in about five minutes

 Single charts can be measured in about five minutes Auto detect chart position and media thickness  Chart boundaries and media thickness are detected automatically for a nearly hands-off experience

 Chart boundaries and media thickness are detected automatically for a nearly hands-off experience Create ICC profiles for virtually any media  Aqueous, solvent, resin, UV, and dye-sublimation Epson print technologies can be profiled 2,3

 Aqueous, solvent, resin, UV, and dye-sublimation Epson print technologies can be profiled Verify existing profiles  Avoid costly misprints due to inaccurate color by using the verification tools to confirm color accuracy

 Avoid costly misprints due to inaccurate color by using the verification tools to confirm color accuracy Compact, portable design  The included travel case makes it easy to travel with and store when not in use

 The included travel case makes it easy to travel with and store when not in use Developed and supported by Epson  Epson Edge Color Lite drives the SD-10 and Auto Chart Reader from inside existing workflows in Epson Edge Print Pro

Availability

The Auto Chart Reader will be available in fall 2024 through Epson Authorized Professional Imaging Resellers for an estimated MSRP of $2,095. It is compatible with Epson SureColor printers that run Epson Edge Print.4 The Epson SD-10 Spectrophotometer is sold separately. For additional information, visit www.epson.com/proimaging.

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

1 Epson Edge Color Lite requires Epson Edge Print PRO account for usage and an Epson Cloud Solution PORT account for licensing 2 Media must be within measurable length, width and height 3 Reflective profiles only; transmissive profiles are not supported 4 All SureColor wide-format production printers are compatible with Epson Edge Print PRO; some models require the software to be purchased and installed separately

EPSON, Epson Edge, SureColor and Epson Cloud Solution PORT are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2024 Epson America, Inc.

SOURCE Epson America, Inc.
BISMARCK, N.D., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amidst the vast plains and rugged landscapes, North Dakota's culinary scene is steadily making waves with the recent recognition of three James Beard Award nominees in 2024. These nominations underscore the state's growing influence on the national food scene and showcase the rich tapestry of flavors and culinary talent present in the region.

Nordic culinary traditions meet contemporary elegance with a modern menu and inventive cocktails at Huckleberry House in Bismarck, North Dakota.

North Dakota Tourism invites visitors to experience the innovative dishes that celebrate local ingredients and traditions. From traditional Midwestern favorites to creative fusion cuisine, a trip to North Dakota isn't complete without a stop - or a few! - at these must-try spots. Each with its own history, story, and motivation, no matter the mood you may be in, there is a restaurant that will suit all palates.

Bismarck

Anima Cucina

A bustling cafe by day transforming into an Italian inspired pasta & wine bar at night, Anima Cucina is inspired by the soul of "la bella vita," the good life that connects us all. Enjoy a cup of coffee or house-made pastry in the morning; a lunch menu of artisan sandwiches and more in the afternoon; and slow the day down with a curated wine list, craft beer, charcuterie, fresh pasta, and unique Italian style entrees in the evening. Chefs Kenny Howard and Heath Stocks were also nominated for the 2024 James Beard Awards.

Butterhorn

A dream of owners Shane Cornelius and Stephanie Miller, a Top Chef contestant, Butterhorn in downtown Bismarck is a fresh take on Midwestern cuisine to the table, with a French and Italian influence. The team at Butterhorn is dedicated to incorporating local ingredients, and the promotion of seasonal produce and proteins located in North Dakota and the surrounding states. Stephanie's North Dakota roots often shine through the menu with regional dishes including lefse, bison and kuchen.

Huckleberry House

Huckleberry House is where Nordic culinary traditions meet contemporary elegance in a riverside setting. Inspired by an 1800s boathouse, this restaurant features two levels of indoor and outdoor dining. Chef Cody Monson provides a unique twist to modern Nordic dishes while local mixologist serves up inventive cocktails (think Huckleberry Cooler), and classic design elements for a distinctive dining experience by the river.

Fargo

BernBaum's

Hidden inside a quaint, mid-century antique furniture shop, BernBaum's is a vegetarian Scandinavian-Jewish fusion bagel concept that brings a taste of old New York to Fargo modeled after shops in NYC's Lower East Side. Andrea Baumgardner was nominated for Best Chef Midwest by The James Beard Foundation in 2024 and 2020. Food & Wine magazine considers BernBaum's as having "the best bagels in the country" and "one of the best restaurants in Fargo."

Luna Fargo

Originating as a coffee shop, Luna Fargo has grown into the "neighborhood's kitchen." Luna is a wine and beer lounge, providing an ever-evolving menu of food that honors North Dakota's local providers and Midwestern tastes. At Luna, they celebrate the 'Everyday,' with thoughtful drink selections paired with desirable comfort foods made from scratch with the finest local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. Luna's kid-friendly menu and environment opens the doors to families of all ages. Luna is the first collaboration with Nikki Ness Berglund and Chef Ryan Nitschke, who also own Nova Eatery in Fargo and are 2024 Outstanding Restaurateur nominees by the James Beard Foundation for Sol Ave. Kitchen in neighboring Moorhead, MN.

Nicholes Fine Pastry

A James Beard Foundation Outstanding Bakery nominee in January 2024, Nicholes Fine Pastry is located on Downtown Fargo's Historic Eighth Street and creates small batch baked goods in the European tradition as well as classic American and local favorites. Each creation thoughtfully planned out by Nichole Hensen, head chef and founder. A North Dakota native, Nichole attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California and returned to Fargo from California to bring a bit of Paris to the prairie and opened Nichole's Fine Pastry in 2003.

Rosewild at Jasper Hotel

The culinary experience at Rosewild pays homage to the rich flavors of the region, drawing inspiration from local produce and North Dakota's traditions. Whether it's a hearty breakfast, leisurely lunch, delightful dinner, or a casual cocktail, Rosewild is a destination in downtown Fargo that has an innovative twist of the beloved, Midwest classics and culinary heritage. Chef Austin Covert was nominated for James Beard's Outstanding Chef in 2022.

Grand Forks

Harry's Steakhouse

Voted a Top 100 Romantic Restaurants by OpenTable, Harry's Steakhouse is a second-generation steakhouse that is intentional with every steak served. The steaks are cut to specifications for consistency and aged a minimum of 21 days for flavor and tenderness. Sourced from the top 2 percent of the humanely raised 1881 Hereford brand and raised on ranches throughout the state and Midwest region, dubbed the "Napa Valley of Beef."

Skies 322

Skies 322 is a destination for seasonally inspired menus, brilliantly crafted cocktails, and gracious North Dakota hospitality. Skies 322 started as Sanders 1907, and has exuded Midwestern traditions, respected foundations, and good hospitality since its opening. Part of the recently opened Olive Ann, a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Grand Forks, the relaxed elegance and inviting atmosphere of Skies 322 is not to be missed.

Medora

Theodore's Dining Room

Theodore's Dining Room offers dishes from the Old West with modern flair. From crisp salads and delectable brussels sprouts to bacon-wrapped steaks and tantalizing bison osso bucco, all taste buds will find dishes to savor at Theodore's. Beyond the fantastic menu, the experience at Theodore's is like no other. Set inside the historic Rough Riders Hotel, built in 1884, the elegant space boasts intricate stained-glass windows from a Wisconsin church as well as hand-crafted cocktails and local brews on tap at TR's Tavern.

Minot

Prairie Sky Breads

A local independent bakery, coffee shop and community hub serving homestyle, from scratch food. Starting out with small appearances at the Minot Farmer's Market, the demand for Prairie's delicious sky bread was so high, they opened their first brick and mortar in 2020. Partnering with local farmers and small businesses, Prairie's is considered a "Community Supported Bakery," with year-round bread subscriptions, mouth-watering bread varieties, and delicious pastries.

Watford City

Slow Ride Tequila Cocina

Slow Ride is a hotspot in Watford City! This former car dealership is now a high-end tequila and taco establishment that boasts an eclectic vibe and serves up a delicious twist on Mexican cuisine. From infused tacos to kid-friendly fare, Slow Ride caters to all ages.

For more on legendary ways to experience the culinary scene in North Dakota, visit https://www.ndtourism.com/culinarytrail .

Follow North Dakota Tourism on Facebook at facebook.com/TravelND , on Instagram at instagram.com/northdakotalegendary/ , on TikTok at tiktok.com/@travelnorthdakota , or on Twitter at twitter.com/NorthDakota and get tips on what to see and do all year long.

SOURCE North Dakota Tourism Division
James Beard Award-Winning Restaurateurs Take Philadelphia-born Concept National

PHILADELPHIA, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal Donuts & Chicken (formerly Federal Donuts)the Philadelphia-founded donut, fried chicken, and coffee companyannounces plans for national expansion with new franchising opportunities. Known for its delectable flavors created by a James Beard Award-winning chef, and its devoted following, Federal Donuts & Chicken is now expanding throughout the US. Pennsylvanians will see an influx of store openings soon, including in Radnor, Willow Grove and Conshohocken, PA.

Fried Chicken Sandwich Combo

Established in 2011, Federal Donuts & Chicken was founded as a culinary passion project that quickly gained dedicated fans for its crispy hand-battered fried chicken and freshly made donuts (like the company's classic spiced cake donuts tossed hot in either Strawberry Lavender, Cinnamon Brown Sugar, or Cookies & Cream house blended sugars). Federal Donuts & Chicken has skillfully expanded its offerings in the continuous pursuit of being a flavor destination. Notable additions to the menu include LTO Fried Chicken Sandwiches, Chicken Tenders with house-made dipping sauces like its signature Rooster Sauce, and breakfast items like The Early Bird (an egg sandwich with a hand-battered chicken tender on a potato roll). The 3-Piece Chicken dinner is among additional delectable options coming soon.

"We are grateful that Federal Donuts & Chicken has resonated with Philadelphians for over a decade. It's their support that has allowed us to continue to grow within the region and beyond," says Michael Solomonov & Steve Cook, FD&C founders. "We are excited to move into the next chapter partnering with some of the industry's most successful restaurateurs."

Federal Donuts & Chicken CEO, Jeff Benjamin, partnered with FD&C founders, Chef Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook, and NewSpring Franchise in 2022. Jeff has partnered with Marc Vetri for over two decades, opening critically acclaimed Italian restaurants.

"I have admired and respected Michael and Steve's culinary vision for excellence and seen first-hand how they have created an elevated menu of fan favorites available for all to enjoy," says Jeff Benjamin, CEO at FD&C. "I am thrilled to now lead the expansion as CEO and allow FD&C to reach its full potential."

The first local franchisees are a team of respected local entrepreneurs, Chris Magarity, Mike Sloane and Michael Heller. In this role, they will help develop and execute the FD&C's Philadelphia suburban expansion plans. On the heels of last month's first launch in Las Vegas at Red Rock Casino by Stations Casino, the Federal Donuts & Chicken is poised for both regional and national expansion. Franchisees can now own a piece of the iconic, mouth-watering experience of FD&C, and open stores in their local markets.

"As born and raised Philadelphians, we saw the opportunity to expand the beloved Federal Donuts & Chicken brand across our state," says Chris Magarity of FD&C. "Our dedication to exceptional hospitality is at the core of our mission, and we are excited to contribute to this ongoing franchise initiative."

Potential franchisees, multi-unit and single location entrepreneurs who are interested in owning and operating FD&C locations can go to www.federaldonutsandchicken.com to learn more.

For more information or to coordinate an interview with a representative from Federal Donuts & Chicken, please contact Madeline Airey directly at (609) 649-2042 or [email protected] .

ABOUT FEDERAL DONUTS & CHICKEN

When Federal Donuts & Chicken burst onto the scene in 2011, it raised the bar on these comfort classics, giving Philadelphians a whole new reason to get out of bed in the morning. Founded by five trailblazers including James Beard Award-winning restaurateurs Chef Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook, Federal Donuts & Chicken offers best-in-class donuts, fried chicken, and coffee. And when paired with warm hospitality and a deep commitment to the community, FD&C is a hometown hero.

Federal Donuts & Chicken fans, above all else, flock to the shops for the extraordinary flavors. Spiced-cake Donuts are served Fancy (glazed & topped each morning in unexpected flavors), Classic (in old-fashioned milk glazes), or Hot Fresh (made-to-order and tossed in custom sugar & spice blends). Hand-battered and twice-fried Chicken comes as Tenders and Wings (with house-made dipping sauces or dry seasonings), the Fried Chicken Salad, and the famous Fried Chicken Sandwich with Rooster Sauce (among a menu of chicken sandwiches). Coffee comes hot or iced and includes the signature Donut Latte (made with steamed milk steeped with donuts & warm spices).

With ten locations around Philadelphia, including two arena stands, Federal Donuts & Chicken is looking to bring the magic to your hometown very soon. For more information about franchising opportunities, store hours and rotating menu, visit www.federaldonutsandchicken.com .

SOURCE Federal Donuts & Chicken
BANGALORE, India, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Finance Cloud (FinCloud) Market is Segmented by Deployment Model (Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud), by Application ( Revenue Management , Business Intelligence , Asset Management , Customer Relationship Management , Enterprise Resource Planning , Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030.

The global finance cloud market was valued at USD 23.67 Billion in 2020, and is projected to reach USD 90.11 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.4% from 2021 to 2030.

Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/ALLI-Manu-1O81/Finance_Cloud_Market

Major Factors Driving The Growth Of Finance Cloud (Fincloud) Market

The Finance Cloud (FinCloud) industry is expanding due to a number of important factors. First of all, companies are adopting cloud-based systems to support their operations and adapt to changing client expectations due to the growing demand for flexible and scalable financial services solutions. Second, the increased emphasis on operational effectiveness and cost reduction pushes financial institutions to use cloud technologies, which provide affordable substitutes for conventional IT infrastructure.

FinCloud solutions, which offer strong security protections and regulatory compliance capabilities, are increasingly being utilized by businesses due to the strict regulatory requirements around data security and compliance. Together, these elements fuel the growing market growth by increasing the usage of Finance Cloud solutions.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/ALLI-Manu-1O81/finance-cloud

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF FINANCE CLOUD (FINCLOUD) MARKET

In the banking sector, business intelligence (BI) is essential to performance optimization and strategic decision-making. With the help of powerful BI tools and analytics dashboards provided by Finance Cloud solutions, companies can empower stakeholders to extract meaningful insights from massive volumes of data. Cloud-based BI tools help financial organizations recognize new trends, reduce risks, and take advantage of market possibilities by facilitating data integration, visualization, and predictive analytics. Organizations may foster innovation, increase operational effectiveness, and achieve sustainable development in a data-driven environment by utilizing FinCloud for business intelligence.

In the financial industry, traditional on-premise IT infrastructure frequently has high initial costs, ongoing maintenance costs, and constrained scalability. Pay-as-you-go pricing mechanisms and the absence of significant hardware investments make Finance Cloud solutions an affordable substitute. Furthermore, by enabling financial institutions to scale their computer resources in response to demand, FinCloud services save operating costs while guaranteeing peak performance.

Robust security measures and compliance standards are necessary in the banking business due to stringent regulatory requirements. Finance cloud providers follow industry-specific rules like GDPR, PCI DSS, and SOC 2 and make significant investments in cutting-edge security technology. Financial institutions may reduce security risks, guarantee data privacy, and uphold compliance by utilizing FinCloud services, all without having to take on the responsibility of creating and overseeing intricate security procedures in-house. By offering cutting-edge tools and analytical capabilities to improve pricing strategies, increase revenue streams, and reduce revenue leakage, Finance Cloud (FinCloud) solutions are propelling growth in revenue management. Cloud-based revenue management tools provide real-time insights into customer behavior, market trends, and sales success. This allows financial institutions to precisely anticipate revenue projections, find cross-selling possibilities, and dynamically alter price.

In the financial sector, customer relationship management (CRM) is crucial for fostering enduring bonds, encouraging client loyalty, and optimizing lifetime value. Finance Cloud solutions provide robust CRM systems with a wealth of features that let businesses automate marketing campaigns, consolidate client information, and customize interactions across several channels. Financial institutions are able to offer targeted services, proactive assistance, and tailored experiences thanks to cloud-based CRM systems, which give insights into client preferences, behavior patterns, and engagement metrics. Organizations may increase customer happiness, retention rates, and overall profitability in a cutthroat market by utilizing FinCloud for CRM.

For financial institutions, asset management which includes the effective administration of investments, portfolios, and assets under management (AUM) is a crucial job. Financing Cloud solutions provide extensive asset management platforms that expedite the processes of risk assessment, portfolio analysis, and investment decision-making. By offering real-time visibility into asset performance, compliance needs, and market trends, cloud-based asset management solutions help businesses optimize asset allocation, reduce risk, and increase investment returns. Financial institutions may enhance portfolio diversity, boost operational effectiveness, and provide customers with better investment outcomes by utilizing FinCloud for asset management.

Buy Now: https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=ALLI-Manu-1O81&lic=single-user

FINANCE CLOUD (FINCLOUD) MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

For the duration of the predicted period, the Public Segment is in a leading position.

These resources are shared by several organizations, and consumers usually pay for the services either on a subscription or as-needed basis. In their own data centers, the cloud provider hosts and maintains public cloud services, providing cost-effectiveness, scalability, and flexibility.

The services sector will expand between 2021 and 2030 with the highest CAGR of 16.1%.

In order to assist organizations pick, configure, and personalize their finance cloud solutions to match their unique demands and industry laws, financial cloud services provide professional consultation throughout the early phases of deployment. These professionals guarantee a smooth cloud migration, streamlining financial procedures and guaranteeing best practices compliance. Furthermore, managed services are essential for the continuous upkeep and administration of financial apps and cloud infrastructure.

Between 2021 and 2030, Asia-Pacific would have the greatest CAGR (17.5%).

Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/ALLI-Manu-1O81/Finance_Cloud_Market

Key Players:

Amazon Web Services, Inc.

Acumatica , Inc.

ARYAKA NETWORKS, INC.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

International Business Machines Corporation

Microsoft

Oracle

SAP SE

Unit4

Sage Group plc

Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/ALLI-Manu-1O81/Finance_Cloud_Market

SUBSCRIPTION

We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans.

DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS!

- High Confidence Parallel Computing Cloud Server Market

- Cloud ERP Market

- Finance Cloud Service Market

- Cloud Financial Accounting Software Market

- Cloud Financial Close Solutions Market

- Full-stack Cloud Solution Market

- Cloud Data Warehouse Solutions Market

- Cloud Hosted Hardware Security Module market is projected to reach USD 2374.8 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 720.5 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 18.3% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Cloud Database Audit System Market

- Cloud Database Management Systems Market

- Cloud-based DevOps market is projected to reach USD 26390 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 8511 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 16.5% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Public Cloud Performance Management Market

- Industry Cloud Platform market is projected to reach USD 433 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 310 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 4.9% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- The decentralized finance market was valued at USD 13.8 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach USD 497.9 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 43.4% from 2023 to 2032.

- The community cloud market was valued at USD 4.7 Billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach USD 82.9 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 33.6% from 2023 to 2032.

- Healthcare Cloud Solution Market

- Cloud Data Replication Software Market

- Cloud Financial Close Solutions Software Market

- Payment Processing Solutions market size is projected to reach USD 52060 Million by 2027, from USD 33810 Million in 2020, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.9%.

- The global Trade Finance market was valued at USD 8014110 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 11631260 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- The Saudi Arabia Trade Finance market size was USD 111.38 Billion and it is expected to reach USD 134.85 Billion by the end of 2026, with a CAGR of 2.63% during 2020-2026.

- Construction Equipment Finance Market

- The healthcare finance solutions market was valued at D115.94 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach D276 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2023 to 2032.

- The alternative finance market was valued at D173.9 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach D920.9 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 18.5% from 2023 to 2032.

- Embedded Finance Market

- Finance Transformation Service Market

- Natural Language Processing for Finance Market

- Logistics Finance Market

- The global Microfinance market size is projected to reach USD 414980 Million by 2028, from USD 184250 Million in 2021, at a CAGR of 12.1% during 2022-2028.

- The global personal finance software market size was valued at USD 1,024.35 Million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 1,576.86 Million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2020 to 2027.

- The asset finance software market was valued at D3.8 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach D11.1 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 11.5% from 2023 to 2032.

- The global Blockchain Supply Chain Finance revenue was USD 16260 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 126170 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 33.6% during the review period (2023-2029).

DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US!

Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs.

Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs.

To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS: REACH OUT TO US!

Valuates Reports

[email protected]

For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225

WhatsApp: +91-9945648335

Website: https://reports.valuates.com

Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/

https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean

https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish

https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Valuates Reports
HONG KONG, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OKX Ventures, the investment arm of leading Web3 technology company OKX, has issued updates for April 10, 2024.

OKX Ventures Partner Jeff Ren Highlights the Mission and Vision of OKX Web3 at 'The Future is Now' HK Web3 Festival Side Event

OKX Ventures Partner Jeff Ren recently delivered an opening speech at 'The Future is Now,' an HK Web3 Festival side event that took place on April 6 at ALTO Bar and Grill. The event, hosted by OKX Web3 and co-hosted by OKX Ventures, Solana, Aptos, Polyhedra and ZA bank, brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of the Web3 community.



Key highlights from Jeff's speech include:

OKX Web3's commitment to accelerating ecosystem growth and adoption by providing robust support to developers across various chains and protocols.

OKX Web3, one of the most active contributors in the Web3 space, is not only focused on product development but also invests in building foundational infrastructure, governing ecosystem protocols, and bringing more use cases to blockchain. This multifaceted approach drives accessibility and real-world blockchain utility.

Guided by their "Ethos of Access," OKX Web3 is committed to working with the community to power a decentralized future, fostering a strong, supportive relationship with Hong Kong and the region's growing Web3 ecosystem.

Jeff concluded his speech by emphasizing: "Together with our thriving community, we are just beginning to unlock crypto's possibilities. Let us move forward boldly to build this future powered by open technology for all."



To learn more about OKX Ventures, visit https://www.okx.com/ventures.

For further information, please contact:

[email protected]

About OKX Ventures

OKX Ventures is the investment arm of global leading crypto exchange and Web3 technology company OKX, with an initial capital commitment of USD100 million. It focuses on exploring the best blockchain projects on a global scale, supporting cutting-edge blockchain technology innovation, promoting the healthy development of the global blockchain industry, and investing in long-term structural value.

Through its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who contribute to the development of the blockchain industry, OKX Ventures helps build innovative companies and brings global resources and historical experience to blockchain projects.

Find out more about OKX Ventures here .

Disclaimer

SOURCE OKX Ventures
Acquisition of New Hampshire chartered trust company expands F.L.Putnam's wealth management platform with comprehensive trust services, a new office in Nashua, New Hampshire

LYNNFIELD, Mass. and NASHUA, N.H., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- F.L.Putnam Investment Management Company today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Darwin Trust Company (Darwin), a New Hampshire-chartered trust company. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2019 by Attorney John Gosselin and Melissa Sommer, CFA, CPA, Darwin provides a comprehensive suite of trust services to high-net-worth individuals and families across the U.S. The team services more than 110 clients from offices in Arlington, Mass. and Nashua, N.H.

"This acquisition is another important step towards our commitment to deliver sophisticated services and solutions that help our clients better manage their financial lives," commented Tom Manning, CEO of F.L.Putnam. "Darwin is a valued partner to clients throughout the U.S. and we are pleased to have identified such an exceptional team to lead our trust business."

"We are thrilled to be joining forces with F.L.Putnam, a firm that shares our commitment to providing exceptional service and personalized solutions to clients," said John Gosselin, co-founder of Darwin. "This acquisition represents an exciting new chapter for Darwin as it allows us to leverage F.L.Putnam's extensive resources and expertise to enhance the value we deliver to our clients. I am confident that our combined strengths will position us for continued growth and success in the years to come. I want to express my gratitude to our dedicated employees, loyal clients, and supportive partners who have been instrumental in our journey thus far."

Upon closing, Darwin will become part of F.L.Putnam. The trust company will retain the Darwin name and Melissa Sommer, co-founder, CEO and president of Darwin will serve as Managing Director. All Darwin employees located in Arlington will relocate to F.L.Putnam's headquarters in Lynnfield, Mass.

"This deal is an endorsement of the entire Darwin team and what we have built over the past five years," commented Melissa Sommer. "We look forward to working alongside Tom and the team at F.L.Putnam to provide holistic solutions to meet the needs of our collective client base. Darwin was built on our team's commitment to serve as a true fiduciary and understand as much as we can about our clients to act in their best interest always. F.L.Putnam operates with the same values, and we look forward to our future together."

The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval from the New Hampshire Banking Department.

About F.L.Putnam Investment Management Company

F.L.Putnam is an independent registered investment advisor that serves individuals, single and multi-family offices, endowments, foundations, and other RIAs. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of investment management, financial planning, consulting, and family office solutions that help clients build, preserve, and manage their wealth. Headquartered in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, F.L.Putnam has been serving clients nationally for more than 40 years. For more information, please visit www.flputnam.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Darwin Trust Company

Darwin is a non-depository New Hampshire-chartered trust company. The company provides a comprehensive suite of trust services to high-net-worth individuals and families across the U.S. The team currently serves clients from its offices in Arlington, Mass. and Nashua, N.H. More information is available at www.darwintrust.com.

Disclosure: Registration with the SEC should not be construed as an endorsement or an indicator of investment skill, acumen or experience. F.L.Putnam is not licensed to provide and does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice to clients. Advice of qualified counsel or an accountant should be sought to address any specific situation requiring assistance from such licensed individuals. This article should not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement of any particular security, products, or services. Nothing in this communication is intended to be or should be construed as individualized investment advice. All content is of a general nature.

Contact

KWM Communications

Kellie Walsh

914-315-6072

[email protected]

SOURCE F.L.Putnam Investment Management Company
DENHAM SPRINGS, La., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The appearance and proper maintenance of a building can heavily influence customer experience. For more than 13 years, Facilities Maintenance Management (FMM), an expert in facility and property maintenance solutions across Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, has consistently grown and adapted to become a major regional industry leader. With FMM's recent acquisition of HGI Facility Management (HGI) based in New Orleans, the company's footprint in the New Orleans market and throughout the Gulf South region has been significantly reinforced.

FMM's acquisition of HGI includes a comprehensive range of facility and property maintenance solutions for diverse sectors, including professional office buildings of all sizes, financial institutions, food service, hospitality, schools, and churches. Notably, the acquisition solidifies FMM's strong client base in the financial institution sector, where the company now serves more than 400 bank branches across five states.

"We are thrilled to welcome HGI to our team," said Steven Davis Jr., FMM's CEO. "This acquisition aligns perfectly with our strategic vision of growth and expansion, enabling us to continue to broaden our service offerings and geographical reach."

Blaine Gahagan and Steven Hebert, the former Managing Partners of HGI, will join FMM as Senior Asset Managers.

"Joining forces with FMM marks an exciting new chapter for us," said Gahagan. "Our seasoned team is committed to maintaining the same level of dedication and excellence that our clients have come to expect while leveraging enhanced services and expertise from FMM."

Headquartered in Denham Springs, LA, FMM boasts a robust network of offices and administrative presence strategically located in Gulfport, MS; New Orleans, LA; Lake Charles; LA; Pensacola, FL; and Houston, TX. The company recently relocated to a new 30,000-square-foot office headquarters, with a state-of-the-art, 20,000-square-foot warehouse under construction that will offer rapid fleet support and parts and equipment inventory.

The company's new headquarters underscores FMM's ongoing commitment to excellence in responsive customer service, a commitment that is also reflected in its proprietary Tech Track software. Tech Track empowers the company's commercial clients to streamline facility management processes, facilitating seamless work order submissions, access to property history, expense reviews, and accounting functionalities, enhancing operational efficiency and transparency. For more information about FMM, visit www.fmmla.com .

About FMM

Facilities Maintenance Management (FMM) offers comprehensive facility and property maintenance, property management, roofing, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and construction services to both commercial and residential clients across Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Based in Denham Springs, La., FMM operates with administrative offices strategically located in Gulfport, Lake Charles, Pensacola, and Houston. The company's diverse client base spans hospitality, financial institutions, schools, churches, service stations, and professional office buildings of all sizes. For additional insights into FMM and its offerings, please visit www.fmmla.com .

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Steven Davis, Jr., CEO

Facilities Maintenance Management (FMM)

225.268.6288

[email protected]

SOURCE Facilities Maintenance Management
North America's Leading Blow Dry Bar Franchise Inks Momentous Deal to Further Extend East Coast Footprint

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blo Blow Dry Bar, North America's original blow dry bar and blow dry bar franchise, has announced a signed agreement for three locations in New York. As the brand looks to continue to make significant development strides, Blo Blow Dry Bar partnered with former multi-unit Subway owner, Carrie Faden, to expand across the east coast.

Construction for the first location at 22 Clifton Country Rd. in Clifton Park is currently underway, with the remaining two bars slated for the Albany area.





is currently underway, with the remaining two bars slated for the area. With a strong franchising foundation as a Subway multi-unit franchisee, overseeing the launch of many locations during her tenure with the company, Carrie Faden is a seasoned veteran in the realm of business.





is a seasoned veteran in the realm of business. A longstanding resident of Saratoga, New York , Faden has recognized the demand for Blo Blow Dry Bar's services in the local market. As a mother, she eagerly anticipates sharing her passion for the growing beauty industry with her daughters.

Faden's career started in the beauty industry before she decided to become a full-time mom. After a few years and eagerly looking for her next endeavor, Faden started to look into various franchise opportunities before deciding on Subway. After finding great success within the QSR space, her journey now returns to where it all started, within the beauty industry.

As she ventures into this new territory, Faden will benefit from her strong background and schooling in beauty and cosmetics. This combined with her longtime passion and desire to open a beauty-related business, and a commitment to women's empowerment, will serve as essentials tools to achieve success.

"As an accomplished multi-unit franchisee with a history of success in the food industry, I'm thrilled to embark on this exciting new journey with Blo Blow Dry Bar," expressed Faden. "Transitioning from Subway to the beauty sector presents an exhilarating challenge, as I have always found that my true passion lies within the beauty industry, helping others to look and feel their very best. I'm genuinely excited to introduce this fantastic concept to the New York City metropolitan area."

According to the IFA's 2024 Economic Outlook, personal services remain at the forefront of franchise expansion, boasting the highest growth rates in both the number of establishments and overall output. Projections indicate a 3% surge in the number of establishments, reaching close to 125,000 locations, while output is expected to soar by 7.3% to $45.5 billion. Additionally, the industry is set to contribute approximately 610,000 jobs to the franchise market.

"We're delighted to have Carrie Faden join the Blo Blow Dry Bar family," added Vanessa Yakobson, CEO of Blo Blow Dry Bar. "Her wealth of experience as a multi-unit franchisee, coupled with her strong grasp of the franchise business model, positions her as an excellent candidate for Blo. We believe her expertise and dedication to community empowerment will make significant contributions to the brand as we make strides toward our growth goals."

With a favorable real estate landscape and vast opportunity for market growth, company executives are actively seeking franchisees to continue to expand in key markets across the country.

The growing franchise is just at the start of the runway, staking its claim as a leader in the $47 billion a year industry and continues to expand at a rapid rate. Every year, more cities across the globe are painted pink. Every day, a new guest discovers how wonderful the Blo Blow Dry Bar experience is. Superior service and consistent results are a top priority for all guests as well as franchisees. The brand goes beyond beauty  it is strategically positioned to meet growing customer demands within the wellness and self-care industries with an established foundation for business success.

Blo Blow Dry Bar is currently seeking single- and multi- unit operators to join the brand's rapid expansion. For more information about franchise opportunities visit https://franchise.blomedry.com/.

About Blo Blow Dry Bar

Blo Blow Dry Bar is North America's original blow dry bar and the world's largest blow dry bar franchise. The company transformed beauty norms and reinvented the salon industry when it launched the "no cuts, no color" concept: only blow outs. Since opening its first location in Canada in 2007, Blo has grown to over 150 locations across the U.S. and Canada and continues to expand rapidly. The brand has also evolved over time, adding makeup services, a membership program, and quality retail products to its bars. With a mission to enhance the lives of those in the community through the power of flawless blow outs and beauty services, Blo Blow Dry Bar offers perfectly styled hair and exceptional customer experiences seven days a week. For more information visit www.blomedry.com .

Media Contact: Taylor Nortman, Fishman Public Relations, 847.945.1300, [email protected]

SOURCE Blo Blow Dry Bar
In 2024, over 18% of Fortune 500 companies provide birth doula support through a reimbursement rearrangement where covered employees search and vet these providers and pre-pay for services before being reimbursed. This process leaves room for errors and creates obstacles for many people trying to utilize the benefit.

This is why Stork Club launched managed birth doula care in 2023. The program showed remarkable clinical outcome improvements: a 45% reduction in C-sections and a 58% decrease in preterm births among Stork Club study participants. Additionally, the Stork Club birth doula care program shows a substantial return on investment  169% ROI due to a reduction in medical interventions and readmissions and healthier mothers and their babies.

"Growing maternity care deserts put pregnant people at serious risk and create a cycle of unacceptable health inequalities for their children. A primary factor behind these care shortages is the scarcity of healthcare professionals, which restricts access to vital preventative, prenatal, and postnatal care. Add the scarcity of maternity care providers from diverse backgrounds to this, and you get the ongoing maternity crisis we're experiencing in the US: Black women dying three times more often due to maternity events than white women. At Stork Club, we are laser-focused on enabling clinically designed care managed through vetted providers nationwide to improve access to care for all and address the social determinants of health to lessen these inequities. Thanks to Fors Marsh for choosing us as their trusted partner for many years in a row," added Jeni Mayorskaya, Founder and CEO of Stork Club. This commitment highlights the importance of culturally concordant care and equity in health access, aligning with the broader mission to provide comprehensive reproductive care at all stages of life for all people.

Beyond the onsite birth doula care initiative, Fors Marsh's partnership with Stork Club extends to a broad spectrum of family-building and reproductive health programs. For over three years, Fors Marsh has offered employees inclusive coverage for fertility treatments, prescription medications, adoption, and surrogacy, underlining their dedication to the diverse needs of today's families. Central to this support system is the Stork Club care partner, providing one-on-one care plan guidance and connecting members to a plethora of experts  including leading fertility and pediatric nurses, OB/GYNs, doulas, lactation consultants, sleep consultants, and more  available to assist at every stage of life.

Join the Stork Club Founder and CEO, Jeni Mayorskaya, in a critical dialogue on maternity care at the Business Group on Health (BGOH) 2024 Annual Conference in Tucson, Arizona. Ms. Mayorskaya's speaking session on "Mitigate Health Inequity and Improve Maternal Outcomes with Birth Doulas" will take place on April 10th at 5:20 PM local time. At the session, the speakers will discuss ways onsite birth doula care improves clinical outcomes for mothers and babies and reduces employer healthcare costs.

For more information about Stork Club, its birth doula program, and its 100% cost-at-risk performance guarantees , please visit Stork Club's website.

About Stork Club

Stork Club is an enterprise end-to-end reproductive care benefits solution built for employers to help them win, retain, and engage top, diverse talent while making their people healthier and significantly reducing overall reproductive care costs. Stork Club offers a flexible suite of programs to support every person at all stages of their reproductive journey, including fertility care (e.g., IVF, egg freezing, natural conception); support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, as well as with inclusive reproductive midlife care like menopause, men's health optimization, and adult gender-affirming care.

Stork Club has received recognition as an EHIR Academy alumni and has been recognized in the CB Insight Digital Health annual report as one of the 150 most promising digital health companies transforming healthcare worldwide. Headquartered in San Francisco, Stork Club has raised $32.7M from investors, including General Catalyst, Bowery Capital, and Slow Ventures.

To learn more, visit: www.joinstorkclub.com . You can subscribe to our news here and follow Stork Club on LinkedIn .

About Fors Marsh

At Fors Marsh, we take on issues that matter. As a team of researchers, advisors, and communicators, we work together to shape the systems that shape our lives. Fueled by empathy and grounded in evidence, we bring together the science of research and the art of communication. We look at human behavior from all angles to design targeted solutions that influence decision-making and move people to action. Fors Marsh is a certified B Corp and a Just employer and, for the fourth straight year, among other workplace recognitions and awards, it has been named a Top Workplaces USA awardee. More information is available at forsmarsh.com .

Media Contacts

Simone DeMarco

Head of Marketing, Stork Club

[email protected]

SOURCE Stork Club Fertility, Inc
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 8. Turkiye became the first country to impose a trade embargo against Israel. This was stated by the head of the Turkish Ministry of Trade Omer Bolat said, Trend reports.

The minister noted that Turkiye did not announce sanctions against Israel, but decided to impose an embargo due to the fact that the efforts of the international community did not lead to a solution to the crisis in Gaza.

Earlier, the Turkish Ministry of Trade announced the introduction of restrictions on the export of 54 items of industrial goods to Israel. Among them are various types of products from steel, aluminum, paints, electrical cables, jet fuel, oil, fertilizers, as well as industrial machinery, cement, building materials, metalworking equipment and chemicals used for metal processing.
Annual GLIDE Power of One Charity Lunch Auction to be Hosted by Salesforce Chair and CEO Marc Benioff, Powered by eBay

SAN FRANCISCO, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than 60 years, GLIDE has been dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis and transforming lives. GLIDE announced today its annual Power of One Charity Lunch Auction, an exclusive lunch auction launched by Warren Buffett more than 20 years ago, will now be hosted by Salesforce Chair and CEO Marc Benioff. The one-of-a-kind event has raised $53 million to support GLIDE's transformative programs and services that lift people out of poverty, hunger, and homelessness, and advance equity through systems change. Bidding for this year's Power of One Charity Lunch Auction will be powered by longtime auction partner eBay and will open on Sunday, May 5 at 7:30 pm PDT and close on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 pm PDT. The winning bidder will enjoy a memorable lunch for eight with Benioff.

GLIDE Logo

"We are so grateful that Marc Benioff is continuing Warren Buffett's legacy of supporting San Francisco's most vulnerable," said Dr. Gina M. Fromer, GLIDE President and CEO. "Warren Buffett's vision, generosity, and friendship over the last two decades has enabled GLIDE to directly improve the lives of thousands daily. This legacy is in excellent hands with Marc, who has long been an outspoken champion for equality and justice in the Bay Area and worldwide."

"The baton is in the right hands with Marc Benioff," said Warren Buffett. "He's going to do a wonderful job improving on what I did over the years. With Marc's enthusiasm and commitment, along with GLIDE's leadership and volunteers, GLIDE will be able to continue providing its vital services for San Francisco."

"I'm incredibly humbled to continue Warren's legacy by supporting the Power of One Charity Lunch Auction, and I'm so grateful for the passion of Susie and the leadership of Warren and Reverend Cecil Williams," said Marc Benioff. "We're thrilled to work with GLIDE, building on their great work to support the amazing city of San Francisco."

Conceived by the late Susie Buffett, GLIDE launched the Power of One Charity Lunch Auction in 2000 and initially raised $25,000. In 2003, at Warren Buffett's suggestion, the auction moved to eBay attracting bidders from all over the world, and since then, has raised more than $53 million to support GLIDE. Buffett's grand finale Power of One Charity Lunch Auction in 2022 raised a record-breaking $19 million. eBay for Charity is one of the world's largest charitable platforms, enabling eBay's global community of 132 million buyers to support the causes that matter most to them.

Over the past 21 years, eBay has powered the legendary auction on the eBay for Charity platform, opening the doors for participation by its worldwide charitable community.

"As a globally recognized leader who wrote the book on changing the world for good, Marc is the natural successor to host the iconic Power of One lunch," said eBay CEO Jamie Iannone. "Together, eBay and GLIDE have inspired more than $50 million in charitable giving over two decades of annual auctions. Since its inception, eBay for Charity has helped thousands of organizations around the world raise more than $1.1 billion on our platform, and we look forward to building on that legacy."

The funds raised by the Power of One Charity Lunch Auction help GLIDE extend its reach and deepen its impact. A cornerstone organization in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, GLIDE's services have expanded to meet the challenges of the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased opioid overdoses and widening income disparity. GLIDE implements evidence-based solutions that help more people in need exit crises and find stability and pathways out of poverty. Focused on impact and combating systems that foster inequity, GLIDE is influencing institutions of power, advancing policies and investments that break intergenerational cycles of poverty and homelessness.

Bidding starts at $25,000, and all bidders must be pre-qualified before the start of the event. To pre-qualify, visit eBay.com/GLIDE.

About GLIDE

For more than six decades spanning political, economic and cultural changes, GLIDE has served as a social justice movement, social service provider and spiritual community dedicated to strengthening communities and transforming lives. GLIDE is a nationally-recognized center for equity, dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. Through our integrated comprehensive services, advocacy initiatives, and inclusive community, we empower individuals, families, and children to achieve stability and thrive. GLIDE is on the forefront of addressing some of society's most pressing issues, including poverty, housing and homelessness, and racial and social justice.

About Salesforce

Salesforce is the #1 AI CRM, empowering companies to connect with their customers in a whole new way through the power of CRM + AI + Data + Trust on one unified platform: Einstein 1. For more information visit: www.salesforce.com.

About eBay for Charity

eBay for Charity enables members of the eBay community to connect with and support their favorite charities when they buy or sell in the U.S. and abroad. Sellers can donate up to 100 percent of the proceeds to a charity of their choice, while buyers can add a donation to their purchase during checkout. To date, more than $1.3 billion dollars has been raised for charity by the eBay community, and the program is on track to raise an additional $600 million by 2025. Visit www.eBayforCharity.org for more information.

About eBay

eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to create economic opportunity for all. Our technology empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world, providing everyone the opportunity to grow and thrive. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2023, eBay enabled more than $73 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.

SOURCE eBay on behalf of GLIDE
Fastest-Growing Physical Therapy Franchise Introduces Partnership Program for Aspiring Physical Therapist Entrepreneurs

SARASOTA, Fla., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, the country's fastest-growing physical therapy franchise, is officially launching its Partnership Advantage Program, a unique initiative for licensed physical therapists wanting to open their own clinics to partner with seasoned entrepreneurs. This exclusive partnership will allow more physical therapists (PTs) the opportunity to pursue business ownership and contribute to the growth, establishment, and expansion of FYZICAL clinics nationwide.

FYZICAL's Partnership Advantage Program is a platform designed to empower licensed PTs, matching them with well-funded entrepreneurs with strong business acumen. FYZICAL will facilitate introductions between PTs and entrepreneurs in similar market areas. If it's a match, individuals will design a partnership agreement that aligns with their business goals. The Partnership Advantage Program introduces an alternative path to clinic ownership, where PTs can maintain their autonomy, build a dynamic team, and bring patient-centered care back to the forefront of private practice.

"Over one thousand PTs who were interested in opening their own clinics reached out to FYZICAL last year, but many lacked the financial means necessary to pursue these ambitions," said Brian Belmont, CEO of FYZICAL. "That's why we created this partnership - to bridge this gap and provide resources to PTs aspiring to become entrepreneurs, enabling them to secure ownership stake and significantly elevate their earning potential."

The Partnership Advantage Program was inspired by the success story of Chris Bailey, PT, DPT, who owned a private physical therapy clinic outside Erie, Pennsylvania. He was looking for opportunities to grow his practice when he connected with Karla Mazza, a seasoned entrepreneur interested in owning another company. The two went into business together, combining their strengths and capitalizing on the business model. Today, they stand as exemplars of entrepreneurial success, having transitioned into FYZICAL multi-unit owners and running successful and highly profitable clinics.

"My goal was to expand throughout the Erie, PA, region, but as a solo clinician, I knew it would be difficult," said Bailey. "Karla had the expertise to execute the expansion with her extensive business and marketing experience. By partnering together, we've witnessed remarkable growth, scaling from one clinic to four and leading a team of 20 clinicians," continued Bailey. "The success that we've achieved has been unparalleled, and it's inspiring to see others form partnerships like ours with FYZICAL's Partnership Advantage Program."

To learn more about FYZICAL's Partnership Advantage Program, visit https://www.fyzicalfranchise.com/partnership-advantage-program. To learn more about franchising with FYZICAL, visit https://www.fyzicalfranchise.com.

About FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers:

FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers stands at the forefront of the health and wellness industry as the nation's fastest-growing physical therapy franchise, boasting an extensive network of over 550 locations that span across 46 states. Committed to a holistic approach, FYZICAL provides top-notch, personalized care plans to treat patients of all ages experiencing muscle, joint, and neurological conditions including balance and vestibular issues. As an advocate for patient choice and direct access, FYZICAL empowers individuals to take control of their well-being to achieve optimal physical health and balance. For more information about FYZICAL or to find the nearest location, visit fyzical.com.

Media Contact: Camille Douglas, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 248-841-0937

SOURCE FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers
Geotab European fleet customers can now seamlessly integrate vehicle data from various Stellantis brands such as Opel, Fiat, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Citroen, or Peugeot in MyGeotab.

LONDON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Geotab Inc, a global market leader in connected transportation solutions, today announced an expanded partnership with Mobilisights , a business unit of the world's leading automotive group and mobility provider Stellantis.

Geotab Inc. logo

Stellantis, headquartered in the Netherlands, manufactures brands including Opel, Vauxhall, Abarth, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Alfa-Romeo, DS Automobiles, Citroen, and Peugeot, making it a powerhouse of the automotive sector. Mobilisights was set up last year as an independent business unit, fully dedicated to growing the company's data services business.

The partnership with Geotab brings the connected car concept closer to reality. Data from the Stellantis vehicle-embedded telematics system can now easily integrate into the MyGeotab platform. This web-based management software tool helps fleet companies manage vehicles in near-real time. Via this expanded partnership, fleet managers with Stellantis-branded vehicles can now benefit from the seamless combination of Geotab solutions and data from Stellantis-embedded telematic systems*.

"With Mobilisights, we have established a new business unit under the Stellantis umbrella that enables forward-looking, data-based services. We are proud to partner with Geotab, permitting Fleet Managers to optimise their fleet efficiency for 14 automotive brands," says Sebastien Fraysse, Head of Sales EMEA in Mobilisights.

"Thanks to the integration with Geotab, Geotab's fleet customers can now also easily and seamlessly access the telematic data from their Stellantis vehicles without the need for additional hardware or software," he adds.

Modern connected vehicles, including Electric Vehicles (EVs), and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), can analyse a wide range of data points: location, speed, braking and acceleration, to tyre pressure and battery charge monitoring. The new partnership will allow Geotab to build on Mobilisights' extensive data and enhance its offering with deeper insights into fleet performance across all ranges of vehicles.

MyGeotab oversees the health and intricacies of a mixed fleet, using its proven integration and analytics capabilities to deliver the greatest value to fleet managers. Geotab can integrate data not only from different proprietary OEM telematics devices but also from different sources (such as third-party devices or Geotab's own GO9 telematics device) via a multi-functional API (a software interface that supports multiple operations or functionalities within a single system).

Geotab's particular strength in harmonising data from multiple sources, including the unique aspects of electric vehicle operations, underscores its commitment to supporting the transition and management of electric fleets. This will ultimately contribute to more efficient, productive, and sustainable fleet operations.

Specifically, the partnership will deliver the following benefits to users:

Time savings: fleet managers no longer have to switch between different proprietary platforms and manually extract and aggregate data.

fleet managers no longer have to switch between different proprietary platforms and manually extract and aggregate data. No additional hardware: As vehicles are equipped with telematics devices from Stellantis at the point of manufacture, no external devices are needed.

As vehicles are equipped with telematics devices from Stellantis at the point of manufacture, no external devices are needed. No downtime: When using factory-fitted telematics devices, the data can be activated remotely, eliminating downtime and the need to visit the installer's workshop.

When using factory-fitted telematics devices, the data can be activated remotely, eliminating downtime and the need to visit the installer's workshop. Integration of different powertrains: Data from internal combustion engines, hybrid, and electric vehicles is available at a glance.

Data from internal combustion engines, hybrid, and electric vehicles is available at a glance. Rich, near real-time data set : Stellantis native connectivity provides near real-time data, up to every 1 second for some signals.

: Stellantis native connectivity provides near real-time data, up to every 1 second for some signals. Powerful tools: Analyses and reports on various aspects such as fleet activity and driver behaviour, such as harsh acceleration and braking, that impact on road safety.

Analyses and reports on various aspects such as fleet activity and driver behaviour, such as harsh acceleration and braking, that impact on road safety. Future proof: Integration with Geotab's fleet management provides access to the Geotab ecosystem, including its Software Development Kit (SDK), API and the marketplace with third-party hardware and software add-ins.

Christoph Ludewig, Vice President OEM Europe at Geotab, says: "The cooperation with Stellantis, a heavyweight in the automotive industry, is a significant milestone. Our customers will benefit from the efficient and straightforward use of telematics. Advanced data analytics is essential for the future of mobility, including electrification and the integration of autonomous vehicles. This is why partnerships between OEMs and data specialists are so important today and why we continue to expand our ecosystem."

The partnership with Stellantis expands Geotab's growing integration options for embedded telematics across Europe.

*In a first phase, the Mobilisights integration for Geotab will be available in Europe for the leading Stellantis brands Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Citroen, DS Automobiles, Jeep, Lancia, Peugeot, and Opel/Vauxhall.

About 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, with single-digit percentage compensation of the remaining emissions, while creating added value for all stakeholders. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com .

About Mobilisights

Mobilisights is the Stellantis autonomous data company with unique access to embedded data telematics from fourteen automotive brands. Mobilisights envisions a 'smarter' world where innovative applications and services leverage connected vehicle datasets, and the insights they provide, to dramatically transform and continually improve everyday lives for consumers and businesses.or more information, visit www.mobilisights.com or follow: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobilisights

About Geotab

Geotab is a global leader in connected transportation solutions. We provide telematics  vehicle and asset tracking  solutions to over 50,000 customers in 160 countries. For more than 20 years, we have invested in ground-breaking data research and innovation to enable partners and customers, including Fortune 500 and public sector organisations, to transform their fleets and operations. With over 4 million subscriptions and processing more than 75 billion data points a day, we help customers make better decisions, increase productivity, have safer fleets, and achieve their sustainability goals. Geotab's open platform and Marketplace, offers hundreds of third-party solution options. Backed by a team of industry leading data scientists and AI experts, Geotab is unlocking the power of data to understand real-time and predictive analytics  solving for today's challenges and tomorrow's world. To learn more, visit www.geotab.com/uk , follow @GEOTAB on X and LinkedIn or visit the Geotab Blog .

CONTACT: Tony Brown, European Communications Manager, Geotab, [email protected], +44 (0)7796 888955

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2380515/Geotab_Inc__Geotab_expands_OEM_integration__together_with_Mobili.jpg
SHANGHAI, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first national-level import-themed expo, enters its seventh year, more industry players are hailing the expo as "rewarding and forward-looking".

Past CIIEs saw fruitful results

442 new products, technologies and services debuted at the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE). (PRNewsfoto/CIIE)

Over the years, companies from 173 countries and regions have made appearances at the CIIE and achieved $424.23 billion in tentative transactions.

As Danish Industry, Denmark's largest business organization, said, the CIIE is a must-attend event for Danish companies interested in doing business in China and some 20 Danish companies exhibited products at CIIE 2023.

French companies, from industry giants like L'Oreal, LVMH, and INAPORC to small and medium-sized enterprises, have also benefited from the annual trade fair.

"The CIIE is a great opportunity for us to promote France and French companies," said a representative of Business France, the trade and investment office of the French Embassy. "Over 1,000 new French companies grow their businesses in China every year, and we are very confident that more French companies will form partnerships with Chinese companies."

In addition to the Business Exhibition, 72 countries and international organizations wowed visitors with their scientific and technological achievements, culture and art at the Country Exhibition of the sixth CIIE.

Hongqiao Forum highlights global issues

Eyeing to become a more productive event, organizers of the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, a crucial part of the annual CIIE, held a symposium in Beijing in early March and invited more than 130 important figures to contribute to this year's topics.

Last year, the forum saw a record attendance of over 8,000 people and featured 22 sub-forums on a range of subjects, from financial reform and innovation to digital governance.

Yi Xiaozhun, former deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization, said that the forum should maintain its focus on openness to promote cooperation and mutual benefits.

CIIE 2024 welcomes more participants

The seventh CIIE will hold another series of global roadshows in Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, France, Denmark and Italy this April.

"So far, over 240,000 sqm of the Business Exhibition area has been booked by early exhibitors," said Wu Zhengping, deputy director-general of the CIIE bureau.

Grab your spot now at: https://www.ciie.org/exhibition/f/book/register?locale=en&from=press

ContactMs. Cui Yan

Tel.0086-21-968888

Email [email protected]

Website http://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ciieonline

Twitter https://twitter.com/ciieonline

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2383708/CIIE.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1938442/4641451/CIIE_Logo.jpg

SOURCE CIIE
On the tenth anniversary of its founding, Hero Digital is expanding its mission to solve the hardest problems for the world's leading brands.

CHICAGO, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hero Digital, an award-winning digital agency known for its Customer Experience (CX) innovation, has launched the next phase of its evolution. On the tenth anniversary of its founding, Hero Digital has announced its new brand missionto solve the hardest problems for the world's leading brands.

Accompanying this announcement is a renewed digital experience through the Hero Digital website, which features a tailored design embodying this mission statement in its totality.

"Hero Digital has experienced tremendous growth over the past ten years. As a result, we saw the need to expand our vision to be bigger and bolder," said Jay Dettling, CEO of Hero Digital. "Solving problems is what we do. We're proud to partner with ambitious business leaders who want to capture enormous opportunities no matter where they are in their digital maturity."

Hero Digital's new mission is simple, but not easy.

"We know this is a bold statement, and we're proud to stand behind it," said Challin Baro, VP of Marketing at Hero Digital. "Hero Digital has provided beautiful customer experiences to its clients since its inception a decade ago. That craftsmanship, combined with deep technical expertise with the world's leading enterprise platforms, truly positions us to solve our clients' most unique, interesting, and complex business problems."

Turning hard problems into opportunities requires a change in approach. While most companies have at least begun the first phase of a transformation with new technology and customer experiences, they now face new challenges and barriers to growth. Hero Digital partners with these business leaders across healthcare, B2B, financial services, and technologyat every point of their journey. Hero Digital doesn't sell off-the-shelf solutions. They listen, learn, then bring the right tools and get to work.

Hero Digital's expert problem solvers heighten brand and commerce experiences, elevate creative, and drive results through marketing and data insightsall infused with thoughtful artificial intelligence.

Hero Digital's five offerings include AI & Insights Activation, Performance Optimization, Innovation & Value Strategy, Experience Design, and Platform & Product Development. These offerings are the building blocks to inventing new solutions, transforming how customers engage with brands, and continuously optimizing processes and campaigns to drive performance.

Hero Digital's solutions and technology partnerships have gained recognition from leading technology companies, including Adobe, Optimizely, and Salesforce.

Over the past two years, Hero Digital was named the Adobe Digital Experience Emerging Partner of the Year for superior creativity and deep Adobe expertise in designing and developing exceptional customer experiences. Additionally, Hero Digital was awarded Optimizely's DXP Partner of the Year for North America two years in a row for exceptional expertise in driving innovation and customer success using Optimizely's solutions. Hero Digital and Salesforce's joint client, Merz Aesthetics, showcased the power of the platform for healthcare and manufacturers on stage at Salesforce Connections. Through a deep partnership with Salesforce, Hero Digital's teams deliver digital solutions across ecommerce and digital experiences.

Hero Digital's expanded mission is now visible on the new HeroDigital.com. As Hero Digital embarks on the next decade of its journey, its global teams seek to create a future where every customer interaction creates delight, builds trust, and fosters loyalty.

About Hero Digital

Hero Digital is the leading, independent digital agency designed to solve the hardest problems of the Fortune 1000. Through a holistic mix of strategy, creative, marketing, technology, and data, we shape growth and create value for many of the world's leading brands. Hero's expert problem solvers help companies like Zoom, Comcast, U.S. Bank, Nagase, Cedars-Sinai, and UNC Health create a future where every customer interaction creates delight, builds trust, and fosters loyalty. To work with Hero Digital or learn more, please visit www.herodigital.com.

Hero Digital Contact:

Mattie Van Gundy, Account Supervisor

[email protected]

713.409.1835

SOURCE Hero Digital
Lesley Albanese succeeds former Executive Director Terrence J. Giroux as CEO and Constantine G. Katsarakis has been promoted to COO

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. , a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced Lesley Albanese has been named as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2024. Albanese succeeds Terrence J. Giroux, who served the Association for 36 years and left an indelible mark on the organization. Additionally, Constantine G. Katsarakis has assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer after 12 years in various leadership roles within the organization, most recently as Associate Executive Director.

"Lesley Albanese's career in non-profit leadership has been defined by her commitment to the free enterprise system and her belief in individual liberty," said James F. Dicke II, Chairman of the Horatio Alger Association Board of Directors. "With more than two decades of experience, Lesley brings an entrepreneurial leadership style that will serve our membership well. Her tremendous strengths in strategic planning, fundraising and major events will allow the Association to build upon its strong foundation and continue to innovate, especially as our best-in-class Scholarship Program grows to meet the evolving needs of students in the United States and Canada."

With a strong record of successfully driving major campaigns and initiatives, Albanese joins the Association from the Cato Institute in Washington, DC where she most recently served as Senior Vice President for Initiatives. There, she was a member of the Institute's senior leadership team, collaborating with the president, executive management and scholars on a range of strategic objectives and priorities. Notably, Project Sphere, an initiative to address polarization and preserve the institutions of American democracy, rule of law and freedom of speech. Established in 2019, this innovative program includes the Sphere Education Initiatives that provide professional development programming and classroom resources for K-12 teachers and administrators nationally. A mission-driven leader, in addition to Cato, Albanese has held key roles at the National Constitution Center (Philadelphia, PA) and FreedomWorks.

Albanese was selected following a national search in partnership with Heidrick & Struggles, a global executive search firm specializing in assisting philanthropic, government, higher education, academic, and non-profit clients in identifying new leadership.

"It is an honor to be named as Chief Executive Officer of this esteemed Association," said Albanese. "I am both humbled and grateful to the Board of Directors for its confidence in me to steward this organization and to advance its vital mission  to promote and preserve the American Dream. So much has been achieved over these last 77 years and I look forward to working closely with the Membership, headquarters team, and our Scholars and Alumni Scholars to build upon the Association's record of success."

Katsarakis has played an integral part in the Association's growth in the United States and Canada over the past decade. He has designed and executed fundraising campaigns and initiatives to advance annual giving programs, major and long-term gifts and the Horatio Alger Endowment Fund. Katsarakis also directed the Association's operations and helped advance Membership as well as governance activities for the Board of Directors. His promotion to Chief Operating Officer will help to ensure a seamless transition in leadership for the Association and continuity of critical institutional knowledge.

"Constantine's expansive work at the Association in key areas such as operations, fundraising, strategic communications and more has prepared him exceptionally well for this new role," said Gregory E. Abel, President of the Board of Directors. "His belief in our mission and the power of higher education has already solidified him as a trusted leader and advisor to Members, partners and staff."

Katsarakis added, "I have been privileged to serve the Association for 12 years and couldn't be prouder to assume this new role. I look forward to partnering with Lesley as we continue to increase the Association's impact and reach, especially as we move towards its 80th anniversary in 2027. We are both deeply committed to the Association's mission  to protect and advance the American Dream for future generations."

In support of its mission, Horatio Alger Members have built one of North America's largest privately funded, need-based scholarship programs. 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the Association's Scholarship program and over the past four decades, Horatio Alger Members have provided more than $262 million in need-based scholarships to 37,000 Horatio Alger Scholars  more than half of whom are first-generation college students. For six consecutive years, Charity Navigator has awarded the Association its highest rating  four stars  based on its accountability, transparency and fiscal health. Only 17 percent of charities have attained this same level of success.

For more information regarding the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., please visit www.horatioalger.org and/or follow the organization on Facebook , Twitter (X) and Instagram .

Headshots available upon request.

About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2024, the Association is awarding more than $18 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships to 1,800 students across the United States and Canada, and continuing to provide comprehensive academic, personal, and professional support services to its Scholars. Over the past 40 years, more than $262 million has been awarded in undergraduate, graduate, military veteran and career and technical education scholarships to more than 37,000 deserving students. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org .

CONTACT:

Carly Colombo

[email protected]

SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.
NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global hospital furniture market size is estimated to grow by USD 7.83 bn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.38% during the forecast period. The global hospital furniture market is driven by international accreditation, particularly from the Joint Commission International (JCI). Over 1,000 hospitals worldwide have obtained JCI accreditation, adhering to rigorous standards for infrastructure, services, and amenities. Medical tourists prefer JCI-accredited hospitals, leading to increased demand for high-quality furniture. Key products include respiratory equipment, smart beds, examination chairs, and disposable income influences market growth in developing economies. Regulatory compliance, patient comfort, and ergonomics are essential considerations.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Hospital Furniture Market 2023-2027

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Hospital Furniture Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.38% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 7.83 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 7.28 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 32% Key countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and UK Key companies profiled ActiveAid LLC, Arjo AB, Baxter International Inc., Biomedical Solutions Inc., Chang Gung Medical Technology Co. Ltd., GF Health Products Inc., GPC Medical Ltd., IndoSurgicals Pvt. Ltd., Industrias H. Pardo SL, Invacare Corp., LINET Group SE, Medline Industries LP, Narang Medical Ltd., NAUSICAA MEDICAL SAS, PARAMOUNT BED HOLDINGS Co. Ltd., Renray Healthcare, STERIS plc, Stryker Corp., Sunrise Medical LLC, and The Brewer Co. LLC

Segment Overview

This hospital furniture market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application (Physician furniture, Patient furniture, Staff furniture) Product (Hospital beds, Specialty medical chairs and tables, Others) Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, South America)

Market segmentation by Application

The Hospital Furniture Market encompasses Stretchers, Hospital Beds, Chairs, Scrub Sinks, Waste Containers, Trolleys, and various other essentials. The beds segment, including ICU beds, Fowler beds, ordinary hospital beds, pediatric beds, maternity beds, witness steady growth due to increasing work-related injuries, age-related diseases, and medical emergencies. The hospital chairs sector includes birthing chairs, dialysis chairs, ophthalmology chairs, ENT chairs, dentistry chairs, pediatric chairs, bariatric chairs, and geriatric chairs. End-users, such as Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, and Clinics, require patient furniture like examination sofas, examination lights, drawers, benches, over-bed tables, and physician's furniture, including examining tables and surgical chairs. Chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiac arrest further boost the demand for these products. Staff's Furniture, such as wheelchairs and walkers, are also integral to the market.

Geography Overview

The Hospital Furniture Market in North America has experienced significant growth due to the increasing number of casualty admissions, particularly in chronic diseases such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers. This trend has led to increased demand for wound care devices, medical carts, and specialized beds including powdered, manual, electric, semi-electric, and bariatric models. The region's robust healthcare infrastructure, advanced medical technology, and patient-centered care have further fueled sales. Major industry players cater to various medical facilities and services including intensive care, acute care, critical care, long-term care, home care, and obstetrics. With growing healthcare awareness and modern healthcare practices, the market encompasses examination tables, operational tables, and obstetric tables. Additionally, mobility equipment such as bariatric wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and medical furniture costs for bedside tables and instrument stands, are essential considerations in this market. Government initiatives, hospitals and clinics, and elderly illnesses such as paralysis and obesity also contribute to the market's expansion.

Insights on the market contribution of various segments including country and region wise, historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Download a Sample Report

The older population is expanding globally, with 8.87% being 65 years and above (World Bank Group). This demographic shift significantly impacts developed and developing countries, including the US, South Korea , China , Japan , Italy , Russia , Australia , Germany , Taiwan , Canada , Poland , and Ukraine . The hospital furniture market caters to various needs, such as stretchers, ICU beds, geriatric chairs, and examination sofas, for end users like Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, and Clinics, addressing chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiac arrest.

, , , , , , , , , , and . The hospital furniture market caters to various needs, such as stretchers, ICU beds, geriatric chairs, and examination sofas, for end users like Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, and Clinics, addressing chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiac arrest. The hospital furniture market is highly competitive, led by major players like Arjo, Invacare Corporation, and Stryker. New entrants face challenges due to high manufacturing costs and lack of large-scale facilities. Key trends include advanced medical technology, patient-centered care, and expansion in developing countries. Products include chronic wound care devices, beds (manual, electric, semi-electric), tables (examination, operational, obstetric), and mobility equipment (bariatric beds, wheelchairs, scooters). Costs cover bedside tables, instrument stands, and other medical furniture.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

In the context of the evolving healthcare landscape, the Hospital Furniture Market plays a pivotal role in addressing the needs of chronic disease patients, elderly illnesses, and obesity-related issues. Patient expectations for quality care and comfort are paramount, driving the demand for advanced hospital furniture designs. Analyst Reviews suggest that the Hospital Beds Segment will witness significant growth due to the increasing number of hospital admissions and the need for Regulatory Compliance. Hospital infrastructure, including hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, and medical centers, require mobility equipment and physician furniture to ensure efficient Healthcare Delivery. Insurance & Reimbursement Scenarios also impact the market dynamics, with disposable income being a crucial factor in Developing Economies. The Hospital Furniture Market encompasses plain hospital beds, examination chairs, ophthalmic chairs, dental chairs, physician furniture, staff furniture, and examination couches, catering to the diverse needs of the healthcare industry.

Market Research Overview

The Hospital Furniture Market encompasses a wide range of products designed for healthcare institutions. These include chairs, tables, cabinets, and various types of beds such as chronic care, intensive care, and operating tables. Hospital furniture is expected to be durable, easy to clean, and adjustable to cater to different patient needs. Additionally, it should be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing to create a calming environment for patients. Other essential hospital furniture includes storage systems, patient lifts, and mobility aids. The market for hospital furniture is driven by the increasing demand for quality healthcare services and the need to replace aging infrastructure. Companies like Bedside Mobility, Invacare, and Stryker are major players in this market. The use of advanced materials and technology in hospital furniture production is also a growing trend. Overall, the hospital furniture market is a significant contributor to the healthcare industry, ensuring that patients receive optimal care in comfortable and functional environments.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
CARMEL VALLEY, Calif., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor America and Premier Hyundai of Seaside recently donated $20,000 to the Food Bank for Monterey County to support hunger relief initiatives in the local community. The donation is a part of Hyundai's corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, which seeks to uplift the community by supporting programs that address food insecurity. A ceremonial check was presented to the organization in Carmel Valley, California.

(left to right) Joyce Kennaday, Michelle Karajelian, Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility and external relations, Hyundai Motor America, Melissa Kendrick, chief executive officer and executive director, Food Bank for Monterey County, Joe Homen, dealer principal, Gentil Sena, Joe Enea, Premier Hyundai of Seaside in Carmel Valley, Calif. on April 8, 2024. (Photo/Hyundai)

"At Hyundai, our vision is Progress for Humanity, which means giving back to the communities where we live and work," said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor North America. "Food insecurity is a major issue that many families face, so Hyundai is proud to continue our partnership with Food Bank for Monterey County who is working to end this crisis in the community and provide nutritious meals to people in need."

"Premier Hyundai of Seaside recognizes the incredible work the Food Bank for Monterey County does for our local community," said Joe Homen, general manager, Premier Hyundai of Seaside. "Our dealership is committed to delivering excellent service to our customers, and it is important to us that we play a bigger role by helping the most vulnerable of our neighbors."

The Food Bank for Monterey County is committed to ending hunger and transforming the health of the community through good nutrition, serving as a central hub for providing high-quality, fresh produce, and educational resources to over 160 local nonprofit network members.

"Our vision is to move from one of the hungriest to one of the healthiest counties in all of California," said Melissa Kendrick, chief executive officer and executive director, Food Bank for Monterey County. "With the generous support of corporate sponsors like Hyundai, together, we can continue to nourish the 1 in 3 children and 1 in 4 residents we currently serve."

As Hyundai is committed to delivering high performance, eco-friendly vehicles like the IONIQ 5, the Food Bank for Monterey County is also committed to functioning in a way that is environmentally conscious. The organization upholds the utmost standards of sustainability, efficiency, and food safety in their acquisition and distribution practices, and the facility itself contains 480 solar panels and a custom warehouse set up.

Foodbank for Monterey County

The Foodbank for Monterey County is working to end hunger and transform the health of our community through good nutrition. We are the largest, most comprehensive provider of emergency supplemental food in our community. We currently serve 1 in 3 children and 1 in 4 residents in the county. For the past 30 years, we have been on the frontlines of fighting hunger and addressing vital nutritional needs in our community. Our mission is to end hunger in Monterey County and we will not rest until we achieve this goal. For more information: foodbankformontereycounty.org.

Hyundai Hope

Hyundai Hope is a corporate social responsibility initiative from Hyundai Motor North America, committed to the principal of Progress for Humanity and the goal of improving the wellbeing of society. Hyundai Hope dedicates time and supplies resources to nonprofit organizations that support the health and safety of individuals and foster positive growth in communities. For more information, visit www.HyundaiHope.com.

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
HANNOVER, Germany, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- iF International Forum Design GmbH has announced an impressive lineup of events for 2024, kicking off with the celebration of winners at the iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT Gala. Programming for 2024 includes two firsts: the inaugural Trend Conference and launch of an immersive Metaverse Experience, aiming to celebrate and connect the global design community.

Immersive Metaverse Experience

For the first time, iF DESIGN AWARD 2024 winners will debut in an immersive Metaverse world alongside the official award ceremony in Berlin on April 29, 2024. During the event, iF Design CEO Uwe Cremering will honor outstanding design achievements while launching the innovative iF DESIGN AWARD Metaverse Experience, titled "The Landmark of Design Excellence."

Design enthusiasts are invited to explore this new virtual realm where they can discover the best of the iF DESIGN AWARD 2024, featuring the iconic iF Design Gold Trophy and all 75 Gold Awards in an interactive setting. This experience will provide a platform for networking and inspiration within the design community and expand with virtual conferences throughout the year.

Inaugural Trend Conference

Immediately following iF DESIGN AWARD NIGHT, iF Design will host its inaugural Trend Conference on April 30th. The first-of-its-kind event will explore how design can help drive the transformation towards a future worth living. Designers and industry experts will hear insights into global design megatrends, based on the invaluable research published in the third annual iF Design Trend Report, released that same day. All attendees of the Trend Conference and participants of the iF DESIGN AWARD will receive access.

The Trend Conference will feature an esteemed lineup of speakers, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise, including Uwe Cremering, iF International Forum Design GmbH; Lisa Gralnek, iF Design USA; Anne-Liese Prem, tomorrowstories; Ziyuan Zhu, IDEO; Giulia Frittoli, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG); Nadine Clarke and Richard Trigg, Tangent London.

2024 iF DESIGN AWARD Winners

The 2024 iF DESIGN AWARD received 10,800 entries from 72 countries. A panel of international experts, consisting of 132 jury members, including 11 from North America, evaluated submissions from 9 design disciplines and 82 categories to select 2,294 winners from 52 countries.

Among the winners are 275 North American and South American recipients who are industry giants of tech, as well as lighting, product, interior design and architecture, and industrial design teams. Eight North and South American projects were also recognized as iF Design Award Gold winners including Apple, Avabrum/Greco Design, Campana, HP, Oru Kayak, and Treevia Forest Technologies.

"The IF Award has such a grand history of honoring great design from around the globe," said Primo Orpilla, Co-Founder & Principal of iF DESIGN AWARD-winning Studio O+A. "We are honored and humbled to have our Adidas project selected amongst the many great projects as a winner!"

SOURCE iF International Forum Design GmbH
BANGALORE, India, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Industrial Chemicals Market is Segmented by Type (Chlorinated Cleaner, Surfactants , Hydrocarbon Based), by Application ( Metal Processing , Food & Beverage, Building Service, Vehicle Cleaning , Engineering Machinery).

The Industrial Cleaning Chemicals market was valued at USD 17160 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 23060 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

Get Free Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-13F9345/Global_Industrial_Cleaning_Chemicals_Market

Major Factors Driving the Growth of Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market

The need to maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in industrial facilities across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, food and beverage, and automotive, is the primary driver of the growth of the industrial cleaning chemicals market. The need for industrial cleaning chemicals is driven by strict laws governing workplace safety and hygiene requirements as well as a rising industry understanding of the significance of keeping clean and sanitized surroundings to ensure product quality and employee well-being.

Additionally, the market is growing due to the increasing use of automated cleaning solutions and the demand for effective, environmentally friendly cleaning procedures. The industrial cleaning chemicals market is also growing as a result of developments in chemical compositions meant to maximize cleaning effectiveness while reducing environmental impact.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-13F9345/global-industrial-cleaning-chemicals

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF INDUSTRIAL CLEANING CHEMICALS MARKET

The demand for industrial cleaning chemicals has been driven by the increased focus on safety and industrial hygiene in a number of industries in recent years. To maintain a safe and healthy working environment, industries like manufacturing, healthcare, food processing, and transportation place a high priority on cleanliness. Industrial cleaning chemicals are essential for upholding cleanliness requirements because they efficiently remove residues, grease, oil, and other impurities from surfaces and machinery. The market for industrial cleaning chemicals is growing as businesses attempt to meet strict regulations and raise workplace safety standards.

The market for industrial cleaning chemicals is growing as a result of the expansion of the manufacturing sector globally, especially in emerging nations. To maintain operational effectiveness and product quality, manufacturing facilities need to undergo routine cleaning and maintenance. The requirement for industrial cleaning chemicals for sanitation, surface cleaning, and equipment maintenance rises in direct proportion to the intensity of production activity. In addition, the implementation of sophisticated production techniques like lean manufacturing and Industry 4.0 demands the application of specific cleaning agents to guarantee the best possible operation of robots and automated equipment.

An increasing number of people are conscious of the effects that industrial operations have on the environment, which is why industries are using environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint and adhere to environmental rules, manufacturers are looking more and more for environmentally friendly substitutes for conventional cleaning chemicals. Consequently, there is an increasing need for industrial cleaning solutions that are made with biodegradable components, have a low volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration, and have less effect on the environment. Businesses that provide eco-friendly cleaning solutions are well-positioned to benefit from this development and acquire a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

The need for industrial cleaning chemicals is being driven by the use of industrial cleaning robots that are outfitted with specific cleaning solutions. These robots are used in many different sectors to increase operational efficiency and automate cleaning procedures. Industrial cleaning agents that are specially designed to work with cleaning robots guarantee compatibility and maximize cleaning efficacy. The need for appropriate cleaning agents is anticipated to rise in tandem with the growing use of cleaning robots in sectors like logistics, healthcare, and auto production. Food safety and cleanliness are major priorities in the food and beverage business in order to guard against contamination and guarantee product quality. Industrial cleaning supplies are essential for keeping kitchens, manufacturing lines, and storage spaces in food processing plants sanitary.

Industrial cleaning chemicals are essential for maintaining sterile workplaces and halting the spread of illnesses in the healthcare industry, which includes clinics, hospitals, and pharmaceutical production facilities. Healthcare facilities need efficient cleaning and disinfection solutions due to the continuous focus on infection control and patient safety. Healthcare settings are increasingly requesting the use of industrial cleaning solutions designed with antimicrobial agents, such as hydrogen peroxide and quaternary ammonium compounds. Specialized cleaning chemicals will be in greater demand as the healthcare industry grows worldwide due to population changes and technological improvements.

The need for industrial cleaning chemicals is being driven by the fact that many enterprises are outsourcing their cleaning and maintenance processes to specialist cleaning service providers. A broad variety of cleaning chemicals are needed by cleaning companies to meet the various demands of their clients in various sectors. Demand for industrial cleaning chemicals from cleaning service providers is predicted to rise as companies depend more and more on outsourcing to simplify operations and cut expenses. Additionally, in order to improve their service offerings and obtain a competitive edge in the market, cleaning businesses are looking for creative and affordable cleaning solutions.

Own It Today  Buy Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-13F9345&lic=single-user

INDUSTRIAL CLEANING CHEMICALS MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

When it comes to the product category, surfactants hold the biggest market shareroughly 60%.

Engineering machinery is the next most common use for products, after metal processing.

With a combined market share of almost 20%, the top 5 global producers of industrial cleaning chemicals are Ecolab, BASF, Eastman Chemical, Nouryon, and Solvay. With around 8% of the market, Ecolab is the most dominant of them all.

With a market share of over 39%, North America leads the market, followed by China and Europe, with respective shares of roughly 18% and 30%.

Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-13F9345/global-industrial-cleaning-chemicals/3

Key Players:

BASF AG

Ecolab

Stepan

Nouryon

DOW

Solvay S A

Henkel

Huntsman

Eastman Chemical

Arxada

Evonik

Sasol Limited

RUST-OLEUM

ExxonMobil

Shell Global

Chevron Phillips Chemical

Keyuan Petrochemicals

Hebei Feitian Petrochemical

Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-13F9345/global-industrial-cleaning-chemicals/1

SUBSCRIPTION

We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans.

DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS!

- Industrial Cleaning and Maintenance Chemicals Market

- The Cleaning Chemicals for Industrial and Commercial Establishments market is projected to reach USD 114340 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 72680 Million in 2022, with the CAGR of 7.5% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Industrial Cleaning Agent Market

- Cleaning Chemicals Market

- Tank Cleaning Chemicals Market

- Aircraft and Aviation Cleaning Chemicals Market

- Solvents Metal Cleaning Chemicals Market

- Car Cleaning Chemicals market is projected to reach USD 2623.5 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 1544 Million in 2022, with a CAGR of 6.9% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Aircraft Cleaning Chemicals market was valued at USD 36 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 50 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- The Cleaning Chemicals for Industrial and Commercial Establishments market is projected to reach USD 114340 Million in 2029, increasing from USD 72680 Million in 2022, with the CAGR of 7.5% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Industrial Cleaning Services market was valued at USD 19440 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 27990 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- Industrial and Institutional Cleaning Chemicals market was valued at USD 36640 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 47720 Million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

- Semiconductor Components Cleaning Chemicals market was valued at USD 1448 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1991.2 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- Stainless Steel IBC Container Market

- Autonomous Commercial Floor Cleaning Robot Market

- Unmanned Cleaning Robot Market

- Polymethyl Methacrylate market was valued at USD 3574 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 4547.1 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 2.1% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- Hydrogen Peroxide Market

- Steam Chemical Indicator Market revenue was USD 137.9 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 214 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period (2023-2029).

- Sodium Chlorate market was valued at USD 1788 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 2043 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 1.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Chemicals market was valued at USD 1801 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 6160.9 Million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 22.8% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US!

Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs.

Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs.

To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS: REACH OUT TO US!

Valuates Reports

[email protected]

For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225

WhatsApp: +91-9945648335

Website: https://reports.valuates.com

Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/

https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean

https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish

https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Valuates Reports
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. The World Bank has increased its support for Turkiye from $17 billion to $35 billion, Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said, Trend reports.

"Within the framework of our close cooperation with the World Bank, a financial cooperation program for the next five-year period has been established. Funding of $1.5 billion has been received from the World Bank for three separate projects, which will be used to ensure the security of energy supply and support the green transformation process of enterprises in Turkiye," he added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
CHICAGO, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Industrial Vehicles Market size is projected to grow from USD 49.2 billion in 2024 to USD 64.3 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.6%, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Government investments in infrastructure development projects are fuelling the growth of the industrial vehicles market on a global scale. Initiatives aimed at modernizing transportation networks, constructing new warehouses, and enhancing logistics capabilities require a robust fleet of industrial vehicles for efficient material handling and transportation operations. As regions prioritize infrastructure improvements to bolster economic growth, the demand for industrial vehicles, including tow tractors and container handlers, is steadily increasing.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=164686137

Browse in-depth TOC on "Industrial Vehicles Market"

344 - Tables

93 - Figures

366 - Pages

Industrial Vehicles Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 64.3 billion by 2030 Growth Rate CAGR of 4.6% Largest Market Asia Pacific Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2024-2030 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Vehicle Type (Forklifts, Aisle Trucks, Tow Tractors, Container Handlers), Drive Type (ICE, Battery-operated, Gas-powered), Application, Capacity, Level of Autonomy, & Region Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Emergence of rental and leasing in the industrial vehicles sector Key Market Drivers E-commerce expansion and warehousing dynamics

Aisle trucks segment is anticipated to show the fastest growth in the global industrial vehicles market.

During the forecast period, the aisle truck market will experience the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in volume. Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold a significant market share. In this region, the aisle truck segment of the industrial vehicles market is propelled by the manufacturing and industrial sectors, notably in industries such as automotive, oil & gas, and energy & utilities. Many industries, including food & beverages, electronics, and automobiles, necessitate large-scale deployment of material handling equipment like aisle trucks to ensure efficient warehouse and factory operations. In April 2023, Toyota Material Handling, a subsidiary of Toyota Industries Corporation (Japan), announced two additional models within its Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) truck series: the Toyota BT Vector VCE100A and VCE120A. These introductions feature an enhanced and modernized ergonomic operator compartment, incorporating intuitive controls and an interactive color touchscreen.

The healthcare application segment has promising avenues in the global industrial vehicles market.

In the healthcare sector, there is a growing adoption of non/semi-autonomous and autonomous forklifts for the hygienic and secure movement of pharmaceutical products, assembly of medical devices, and sorting and control of expired products. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is expected to transform interactions between humans and machines, enhance drug recovery processes, and facilitate risk analytics applications. The ongoing digitalization is anticipated to bring substantial changes to hospital operations. As a result, there is an increased need for efficient handling of medical equipment and medicines, coupled with strict regulations imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), further driving the demand for autonomous industrial vehicles.

Autonomous industrial vehicles find applications in the healthcare industry's manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing processes, specifically for diagnostic instruments, testing instruments, and surgical devices. This trend is expected to propel the global industrial vehicles industry in the foreseeable future. Companies such as Daifuku Co., Ltd, JBT, Kion Group AG, Toyota Industries Corporation, and Kuka AG, among others, provide AGVs tailored for healthcare. For instance, in April 2023, EK Robotics GmbH unveiled MEDI MOVE, a transport platform explicitly designed for automated transport systems in hospitals within the healthcare industry.

Germany to lead the industrial vehicles market in Europe.

During the forecast period, Germany is poised to lead as the fastest growing and largest market for industrial vehicles in Europe, driven by several key factors. Germany's robust industrial landscape, particularly in manufacturing, automotive, and logistics, propels industrial vehicle demand. Moreover, major players such as KION Group AG (Germany) and Jungheinrich AG (Germany), who are actively expanding their business within Germany and internationally, significantly influence market growth. For example, in February 2023, KION Group AG announced that it is building a new spare parts and solutions distribution center near Aschaffenburg, Germany, for industrial trucks and services along with supply chain solutions segments of the company. Such development, like establishing distribution centers, is a testament to Germany's expanding industrial vehicles market. Additionally, Germany's stringent safety standards and emphasis on operational efficiency further drive the country's adoption of industrial vehicles. With these favorable market conditions, Germany remains poised to maintain prominence in the European industrial vehicles market.

Inquire Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=164686137

Key Market Players:

The major players in Industrial Vehicles Companies include Toyota Industries Corporation (Japan), KION Group AG (Germany), Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd (Japan), Jungheinrich AG (Germany), Crown Equipment Corporation (US), and Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (US), among others.

Recent Developments

In March 2024, EP Equipment (China) announced that Boendgen Baustoffe (Germany) purchased the EFL electric forklift series to upgrade its fleet.

In January 2024, Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (US) launched the J32-40UTTL Li-Ion forklift truck. The new electric truck has a load-carrying capacity of 1.4 to 1.8 tons.

In December 2023, Konecranes (Finland) announced that it had supplied 7 Konecranes SMV 16-1200 C (16 ton) forklifts to Eldorado Brasil (Brazil) along with two gantry cranes in Q3 of 2023.

In September 2023, Marvell announced the plans for a new R&D center in Pune, India. This upcoming establishment is expected to double the current workforce capacity.

In November 2023, KION Group AG announced the launch of 24-volt Fuel Cell Systems for its warehouse trucks. The company added that up to 5,000 fuel cell systems can be produced yearly at the Hamburg plant. The company has invested around USD 11.9 Million in this project.

In September 2023, Toyota Material Handling Japan (TMHJ), a segment of Toyota Industries Corporation, introduced a new fuel cell lift truck (FC lift truck).

Get 10% Free Customization on this Report:

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=164686137

Browse Adjacent Market: Automotive and Transportation Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Construction Equipment Market - Global Forecast to 2030

Farm Equipment Market - Global Forecast to 2028

Electric Construction Equipment Market - Global Forecast to 2030

Autonomous Forklift Market - 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: [email protected]

Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/industrial-vehicle-market.asp

Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/

Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/industrial-vehicle.asp

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2297424/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
Transceiver Module Realizes Smooth Upgrade from GPON to XG/XGS-PON

IRVINE, Calif., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Integra Optics., an Infinite Electronics brand and innovative, global supplier of carrier-grade fiber optic components, has announced the launch of its latest innovation, the XGS-PON & GPON combo OLT SFP+ BiDi optical transceiver module. This module integrates the functionality of XG(S) PON OLT and GPON OLT optical modules, facilitating seamless network rate deployment within Optical Distribution Networks (ODNs) based on Optical Network Unit (ONU) requirements.

Integra Optics' new transceiver module helps future-proof networks by enabling a smooth transition from GPON to XG/XGS-PON.

This transceiver module enables a smooth transition from GPON to XG/XGS-PON, effectively future-proofing network infrastructures against evolving demands without necessitating infrastructure overhaul. A standout feature is its ability to support up to 20 km reach over single-mode fiber (SMF) at 10/2.5 G and 10/10 Gbps data rates, ensuring robust and efficient long-distance connectivity. It adheres to the SFP+ MSA and is compliant with GPON/XGS-PON standards, showcasing its versatility and readiness for diverse network environments.

The product accommodates a wide range of operational conditions, offering both industrial operating temperature (-40 to +85 C) and commercial temperature (0 to +70 C) versions, making it suitable for various deployment scenarios.

A key advantage of the XGS-PON & GPON Combo OLT SFP+ module is the elimination of the need for external wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) equipment, simplifying network architectures and significantly reducing both construction and maintenance costs.

Furthermore, the module features a Digital Diagnostic Monitoring (DDM) interface as per the QSFP28 Multi-Source Agreement (MSA), enhancing network reliability through real-time monitoring and diagnostics.

"The integration of GPON and XGS-PON functionalities into a single optical module not only signifies a leap in technology but exemplifies our commitment to innovation and understanding the needs of the telecommunications sector," said Senior Engineering Manager Marlena Miller. "This module is designed to solve real-world networking challenges, offering unparalleled distance coverage, compliance with industry standards, temperature versatility and a simplified network design."

Integra Optics' new XGS-PON & GPON combo OLT SFP+ BiDi optical transceiver module is available and ready for immediate use. For details on this product, please visit Integra Optics' website. For inquiries, call +1 (877) 402-3850.

About Integra Optics:

As a global provider of carrier-grade fiber optic components, Integra Optics is the company that understands that business and consumer end users expect their internet and phones to work 100% of the time. That's why Integra Optics is 100% focused on uptime. Its mission is to ensure that its customers turn up services faster, build out the fiber networks they need to be competitive, and keep them up and running.

About Infinite Electronics:

Infinite has a global portfolio of leading in-stock connectivity solution brands. The brands help propel the world's innovators forward by working urgently to provide products, solutions and real-time support for their customers. Backed by Warburg Pincus, Infinite's brands serve customers across a wide range of industries with a broad inventory selection, same-day shipping and 24/7 customer service. Learn more at infiniteelectronics.com.

Press Contact:

Peter McNeil

Integra Optics

17792 Fitch

Irvine, Calif. 92614

+1 (978) 682-6936

SOURCE Integra Optics
The Only Hospital on the Island Was Facing Closure This Summer

LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalina Island has had a full-service hospital since 1960, but the CEO of Catalina Island Health reported in January that the hospital was running out of money and might not be able to stay open past June of this year. Catalina Island Health is the only hospital and primary care clinic on the island. Of the 4,200 residents on the island, 733 are members of L.A. Care Health Plan, the largest health plan in Los Angeles County. At the urging of the health plan's CEO, the L.A. Care Board of Governors unanimously approved a $2 million grant to help sustain the hospital until the end of the year.

"L.A. Care is deeply committed to supporting the health care safety net that serves our members and all of Los Angeles County, said John Baackes, L.A. Care CEO. "Catalina needs a hospital and primary care clinic to keep its community healthy. We know this grant is just lifeline and not a long-term solution, but it will give Catalina Island Health the time it needs to find a permanent solution."

In addition to the grant, L.A. Care is boosting the hospital's Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and urging other health plans to step up and do the same. This will give Catalina Island Health the time needed to make an affiliation arrangement with a larger organization, so it can continue to provide services to this isolated population.

"On behalf of the residents of Avalon and the entire Catalina Island Community, I would like to thank John Baackes and the L.A. Care Board of Governors for this $2 million grant to keep Catalina Island Health open during these financially trying times," said Jason Paret, CEO, Catalina Island Health. "Their foresight to make this investment to help us remain solvent avoids the future reality that would result in the County of Los Angeles spending tens of millions of dollars to provide limited emergency medical care for our residents and visitors."

Despite the isolation of being on an island, because it's in Los Angeles County, the state considers Catalina Island Health an urban facility. This makes it ineligible for some state funding offered to rural facilities.

"I want to thank L.A. Care and its Board of Governors for stepping up and helping to ensure that the doors to Catalina Island Heath remain open so that quality health care remains accessible for Island residents and tourists alike," said California Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, who represents Catalina Island. "As I have been all along, I remain committed to marshalling all available resources to raise awareness of and to overcome the unique challenges facing the island."

Last month, with the support and assistance of Assemblymember Lowenthal, Catalina Island Health hosted a meeting at Cal State Long Beach to lay out what the loss of medical care on Catalina Island would mean for residents there and L.A. County. L.A. Care CEO John Baackes joined the meeting, along with representatives from the offices of Assemblymember Lowenthal, State Senators Lena Gonzalez and Ben Allen, Supervisor Janice Hahn, and Congressman Robert Garcia. They heard from representatives of Catalina Island Health, the L.A. County Fire Department, the City of Avalon, and local business leaders. The hospital closure's impact goes beyond just the Catalina Island community.

"This small hospital not only provides essential healthcare for island residents, it is the only source of emergency care for the over one million tourists who visit Catalina every year," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents Catalina Island. "It would be catastrophic if this hospital were to close and would have ripple effects across our emergency response system with every emergency patient needing to be flown via helicopter to the mainland for care. This grant keeps this crisis at bay, and I am committed to working on a long-term solution to keep this hospital operating in the future."

The $2 million grant is a part of L.A. Care's $205 million Elevating the Safety Net, an initiative launched in 2018 to address a growing physician shortage in Los Angeles County. It includes multiple programs and grants to recruit and retain highly qualified primary care physicians in the county safety net. Elevating the Safety Net is part of L.A. Care's commitment to advancing health equity for members and their communities, giving everyone the fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

About L.A. Care Health Plan

L.A. Care Health Plan is the largest health plan in Los Angeles County serving more than one of every four Angelenos. It is also the largest publicly operated plan in the country. L.A. Care offers four health coverage plans including Medi-Cal , L.A. Care Covered , L.A. Care Medicare Plus and the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan , all dedicated to being accountable and responsive to members. As a public entity, L.A. Care's mission is to provide access to quality health care for L.A. County's low-income communities, and to support the safety net required to achieve that purpose. L.A. Care prioritizes quality, access and inclusion, elevating health care for all of L.A. County. For more information, follow us on X , Facebook , LinkedIn and Instagram .

About Catalina Island Health

As Avalon's only hospital, Catalina Island Health serves the medical needs of Santa Catalina Island's 4,000 residents as well as the more than one million visitors who travel to Catalina each year.

SOURCE L.A. Care Health Plan
MIAMI, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, Florida, proudly announces its achievement of Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) with Excellence for Medical Travel Services. This is Nicklaus Children's Hospital's second GHA Accreditation with Excellence, a distinction that underscores its commitment to providing the highest quality care to its pediatric patients.

GHA accreditation reflects our commitment to our international patients and their families. Post this Nicklaus Children's Hospital

With a legacy of over 70 years, Nicklaus Children's Hospital has earned widespread recognition for its commitment to pediatric medicine, boasting a 307-bed facility that caters exclusively to the unique healthcare needs of children. The hospital's dedication to excellence is evident through numerous specialty programs that have been consistently ranked among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report since 2008.

Dr. Andrea Maggioni, Director of Global Health at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, expressed deep satisfaction in the hospital's accreditation milestone, remarking, "Achieving a recognition of "Excellence in Medical Travel Services" by Global Healthcare Accreditation underscores our longstanding commitment to pediatric care and affirms our dedication to meeting the highest standards of quality and safety for traveling patients. We are immensely proud of our Global Health team's efforts in addressing the unique needs of our international and domestic patient families and their supporting medical travel partners."

Teresita Lopez, Nicklaus Children's Operational Director of Global Health, said, "GHA accreditation reflects our commitment to sustaining hospital-wide processes aimed at providing the best possible experience for our international patients and their families. We are honored to maintain this recognized standard of excellence, which instills confidence in patients and their families as they seek medical care abroad."

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 Accreditation for Medical Travel Services validates Nicklaus Children's Hospital's unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care to pediatric patients, both locally and internationally. The accreditation signifies the hospital's adherence to rigorous standards designed to enhance the patient experience and ensure optimal outcomes throughout the medical travel journey.

Ms. Renee-Marie Stephano, GHA's Chief Executive Officer, praised Nicklaus Children's Hospital for its outstanding accomplishment, underscoring the pivotal role of GHA Accreditation in enriching patient experiences for pediatric medical travelers and enhancing the hospital's visibility on the global healthcare stage. She commented, "Nicklaus Children's Hospital's accreditation underscores its steadfast commitment to providing quality, compassionate care. We celebrate their dedication to excellence and advancement in pediatric healthcare, establishing a standard of excellence for pediatric medical travel services. This achievement reflects their unwavering dedication to ensuring that children worldwide receive the highest level of care and attention."

GHA Accreditation not only enhances patient experiences but also elevates organizations' visibility within the global healthcare landscape, facilitating access to quality care for pediatric 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 campaign, available in English, Spanish, Arabic and other languages. The campaign aims to educate the market about the substantial benefits of selecting hospitals that have achieved GHA accreditation for their pediatric medical travel programs.

About Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Where Children Matter Most

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with approximately 850 attending physicians, including more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 307-bed hospital is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org

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.

Organizations interested in contacting Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) can make a request at [email protected] | www.GlobalHealthcareAccreditation.com

SOURCE Global Healthcare Accreditation
One of the Nation's Fastest-Growing Pizza Brands Elevates its Product Innovation and Digital Prowess

TOLEDO, Ohio, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Marco's Pizza, one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brands, announces the appointment of three marketing leaders as it continues to drive product innovation and enhance the customer experience. Joining the team are Ben Halliwell as senior vice president of digital marketing, Tanisha Chea as vice president of brand marketing and Kathleen Kennedy as director of culinary innovation.

Marcos commitment to innovation is a top priority for 2024.

After being appointed in June 2023, Chief Marketing Officer Denise Lauer hired industry experts to help drive Marco's Pizza forward through innovative products and digital marketing advancements. As a challenger brand in the category, Lauer looks to drive continued sales growth and achieve new levels of customer engagement.

Product innovation took center stage last year with the successful rollouts of a Magnifico Pizza line LTO, a partnership with Mike's Hot Honey, and the launch of a new permanent menu item, the Pizzoli. Now, the focus is to build off this great momentum and continue to bring new Italian-inspired tastes to the pizza category using only high-quality, fresh ingredients.

In addition to new products, Marco's commitment to new technology is also a top priority as the brand rolled out its Marco's Order Management System (MOMS), a proprietary 100% cloud-based technology platform, which gives Marco's the flexibility to customize and pivot to meet ever-changing consumer demands compared to an off-the-shelf technology stack.

"We made great strides last year in evolving our brand strategy, digital and product innovation pipeline," said Lauer. "Looking ahead, we have plans to launch a transformative brand strategy geared to wake up minds, hearts and tastebuds of consumers everywhere. This new team has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life and I cannot wait to show America what Marco's is all about!"

SVP of Digital Marketing, Ben Halliwell, comes with an impressive 20-plus-year history of driving customer growth across e-commerce, performance marketing, loyalty, and digital platforms in the telecommunications and restaurant industries. Known for leading digital transformation initiatives and delivering brand affinity, he has a proven track record with several recognizable consumer brands, including Inspire Brands, HSNi, and Time Warner Cable.

In his new role, Halliwell is excited to learn from the Marco's team while sharing perspectives from his own experiences to build off the success that's built Marco's into the brand it is today. As Marco's further solidifies its positions as one of the fastest growing pizza brands, Halliwell is responsible for enhancing the e-commerce customer experience, optimizing digital demand, paid media and creating a marketing engine to convert and engage consumers from trial through loyalty.

Also playing a key role in Marco's next era is VP of Brand Marketing, Tanisha Chea, and her 15-year expertise in consumer marketing and integrated multi-channel launch campaigns for restaurant brands such as Krispy Kreme, Carrabba's Italian Grill and Taco Bell. In addition to her brand marketing responsibilities for Marco's, she works closely with newly appointed Chef Kennedy on overseeing new product development.

Finally, the newest addition to the Marco's team is Director of Culinary Innovation, Kathleen Kennedy, who boasts more than 40 years of experience. Having been inspired at a young age by family members who loved to cook, she went on to hold executive chef, product development, and consulting positions for global brands such as Kraft, Starbucks, Walmart and more. Kennedy noted she knew Marco's was a brand she could get behind because of the quality of its food. As director of culinary innovation, she looks forward to accelerating future innovations and developing, testing, and bringing new flavors to the Marco's menu.

With Marco's targeting continued growth following an impressive 2023, these additions to its leadership team help strengthen its strong development support system. In addition to a network of industry leaders, Marco's offers technology and tools to help identify territories for expansion, plus support in real estate, construction management, field operations, and information related to financing. FRANdata, a leading research and advisory firm that analyzes the franchise market, reports Marco's 2023 FUND Score of 895 is in the top 1% of all evaluated franchise systems and is among the top three scores for all QSR brands.

The brand's recent performance has earned multiple awards and recognition: Ranking in Newsweek's 2023 America's Best Customer Service in the pizza chains category, earning a spot on QSR's Top 50, appearing on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious Top 500 ranking, and most recently claiming the No. 48 spot on Entrepreneur's 2024 Franchise 500 ranking .

For more information on Marco's Pizza franchise opportunities, visit marcos.com/franchising or contact Beth Heminger at [email protected] or 866-731-8209.

ABOUT MARCO'S PIZZA

Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza is one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the United States. Marco's was founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale ("Pat") Giammarco and thrives to deliver a high-quality pizza experience, known for its dough made from scratch and its three fresh signature cheeses. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate over 1,200 stores in 34 states with locations in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. Most recently, Marco's Pizza was ranked No. 48 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2024 "Franchise 500" ranking. Other recent accolades include a high ranking on Newsweek's 2023 "America's Best Customer Service" in pizza chains list, earning a spot on QSR's Top 50, and being featured on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious "Top 500" ranking.

SOURCE Marco's Pizza
TRIANGLE, Va., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This April, Marine Toys for Tots, America's premier children's Christmastime charity, is bringing attention to their year-round programs to help underprivileged children beyond the holiday season.

For more than 75 years, Toys for Tots has been dedicated to providing books, toys, and educational resources to children in struggling families who would otherwise go without when they need comfort and hope the most. The organization, known for its core mission of Christmastime charitable efforts, has evolved into a year-round force for good  ensuring that no child is forgotten any day of the year.

Since 2008, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program has worked to provide economically disadvantaged children across America with direct access to books and educational resources that enhance their ability to read and communicate effectively. Since the launch of the Literacy Program, Toys for Tots has delivered over 57 million books to children in need  including more than 4.1 million books last year alone.

"Our goal is to dramatically change the landscape for economically disadvantaged children and provide books and educational materials to ensure their future success," said LtGen James Laster, President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Another year-round initiative that supports disadvantaged children is their Foster Care Initiative. This initiative provides resources and emotional relief to children navigating the challenges of Foster Care. In 2023, the initiative provided support to more than 332,000 at-risk children. The Program also provides support to an average of 10 million disadvantaged children during the annual holiday campaign, including Native American children. The Toys for Tots Native American Program provides toys, books, and other gifts to children living on remote Reservations across the Nation.

The year-round and Christmastime support are beacons of light for disadvantaged children as they face a world of uncertainty. Together, we can help hope flourish for children in need across the Nation and ensure that no child is forgotten.

For more information about Toys for Tots year-round programs, please visit https://www.toysfortots.org/programs/year-round-outreach/

Media Contact:

Ted Silvester

VP Marketing and Development

(703) 649-2021

[email protected]

SOURCE Toys for Tots
WASHINGTON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's 2024 Student Launch challenge will bring students from colleges, universities, high schools, middle schools, and informal education groups to launch amateur rockets and payloads Saturday, April 13, starting at 8:30 a.m. CDT at Bragg Farms in Toney, Alabama, near NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.

Live streaming will begin at 8:20 a.m. CDT on NASA Marshall YouTube and Student Launch Facebook.

Hundreds of students from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico launched amateur rockets near NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, during the Agencys 2023 Student Launch competition.

Media interested in covering student launch events in person should contact Taylor Goodwin at 938-210-2891.

Seventy teams from 24 states and Puerto Rico are participating this year with 53 teams expected to launch in-person. Any team not traveling to Alabama may conduct final test flights at a home launch field.

NASA also welcomes the return of the Rocket Fair on Friday, April 12, from 3-6 p.m. at the Von Braun Center East Hall in downtown Huntsville. This event is free and open to the public as students display their rockets and answer questions from the media and NASA engineers.

Schedule of Events:

April 12 : Rocket Fair at the Von Braun Center East Hall.

Rocket Fair at the Von Braun Center East Hall. April 13 : Launch Day, gates open at 7 a.m. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. (or until the last rocket launch) at Bragg Farms. Lawn chairs are recommended. Pets are not permitted.

: Launch Day, gates open at The event runs from to approximately (or until the last rocket launch) at Bragg Farms. Lawn chairs are recommended. Pets are not permitted. April 14 : Tentative rain day on Sunday in case of inclement weather on April 13 starting at 8:30 a.m. at Bragg Farms.

Winners of the student launch will be announced on Friday, June 7 during a virtual awards ceremony once all teams' flight data has been verified.

About the Competition

Student Launch provides relevant, cost-effective research and development of rocket propulsion systems and reflects the goals of NASA's Artemis campaign, which seeks to put the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.

Each year, the payload component changes to reflect current NASA missions. This year's payload challenge is inspired by the Artemis missions.

Students will design a SAIL (STEMnaut Atmosphere Independent Lander) payload. It must deploy mid-air, safely return to the ground without using a parachute, and be reusable to launch the same day without repairs or modifications. The payload will contain a crew of STEMnauts, four non-living objects representing astronauts. Students will choose metrics to determine the endurance of the lander, considering acceptable descent and landing parameters.

Middle and high school teams can choose to attempt the lander payload or develop their own science or engineering experiment.

Eligible teams compete for prizes and awards and are scored in nearly a dozen categories including safety, vehicle design, social media presence, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) engagement. Teams can also win the Altitude Award in each division based on how close they get to the altitude they projected their rockets would reach months in advance to launch day.

Marshall's Office of STEM Engagement hosts Student Launch to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM through real-world experiences. Student Launch is a part of the agency's Artemis Student Challenges - a variety of activities exposing students to the knowledge and technology required to achieve the goals of the Artemis missions.

In addition to the NASA Office of STEM Engagement's Next Gen STEM project, NASA Space Operations Mission Directorate, Northrup Grumman, National Space Club Huntsville, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Association of Rocketry, Relativity Space and Bastion Technologies provide funding and leadership for the competition.

For more information about Student Launch, please visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-student-launch/

SOURCE NASA
CINCINNATI, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Life Science division of Meridian Bioscience, Inc., a leading global provider of diagnostic testing solutions and life science raw materials, has announced the launch of a comprehensive menu of glycerol-free NGS enzymes for use in all steps of a Next Generation Sequencing ("NGS") workflow. With this latest release, Meridian establishes itself as the sole provider of the most extensive array of glycerol-free NGS enzymes to diagnostic developers, which is essential for enabling the preparation of sequencing kits that can be shipped and stored at ambient temperature. The ability to ship and store reagents without restrictions democratizes NGS, allowing global access.

Shipping sequencing kits in dry ice and storing them in freezers has always been inconvenient for NGS developers and researchers. Meridian's glycerol-free enzyme formats enable lyophilization, providing a sustainable alternative by reducing carbon emissions associated with cold-chain logistics. This eradicates reliance on energy-intensive refrigeration and freezing methods. Additionally, eliminating cold-chain requirements simplifies transportation logistics, reducing packaging materials and transportation costs.

In addition to the shipping and storage stability enabled by being glycerol-free, the enzymes are available in a high-concentration format, meeting the demands for miniaturization, often required in point-of-care devices. This format not only allows for the utilization of smaller reagent volumes but also maximizes the sample input quantity while ensuring consistent performance. Meridian's new glycerol-free high-concentration enzymes empower NGS assay developers to engineer the next generation of NGS diagnostic tests and workflows. This product launch stems from Meridian's strategy to pioneer sustainable and innovative raw materials for diagnostic assay manufacturers.

"At Meridian, the driving force behind product innovation is our unwavering commitment to understanding and alleviating our customers' challenges. With the introduction of our new NGS glycerol-free enzymes product line, we are poised to eliminate the logistical hurdles our customers encounter in handling critical raw materials for NGS applications. In addition to offering these innovative enzymes, we can customize lyophilized reagents designed for specific NGS applications and provide them in bead formats if needed. Our objective with these innovations is to empower our clients to elevate and broaden their NGS capabilities globally," commented Lourdes Weltzien, Ph.D., President of Life Science, Meridian Bioscience.

For more information on Meridian's NGS enzymes, please visit www.meridianbioscience.com/ngs-enzymes

About Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

Meridian is a fully integrated life science company that develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes a broad range of innovative diagnostic and life science products. We are dedicated to developing and delivering better solutions that give answers with speed, accuracy, and simplicity that are redefining the possibilities of life from discovery to diagnosis. Through discovery and development, we provide critical life science raw materials used in immunological and molecular tests for human, animal, plant, and environmental applications. Through diagnosis, we provide diagnostic solutions in areas including gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections and blood lead level testing. We build relationships and provide solutions to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers, veterinary testing centers, physician offices, diagnostics manufacturers, and biotech companies in more than 70 countries around the world. Meridian is a privately held company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Meridian's website address is www.meridianbioscience.com.

Contact:

Courtney Schulz

Director of Digital and Corporate Communications

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

Phone: 513.271.3700

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
Ms. Long to oversee the firm's financial operations

PITTSBURGH, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Baker International , a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, today announced that Stephanie Long has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In this role, Ms. Long will lead the firm's financial operations and will collaborate across the organization on important strategic initiatives to position Michael Baker for continued growth and expansion into new markets and geographies. Ms. Long also joins the firm's Executive Committee and will be a key partner to Michael Baker's parent company, DC Capital Partners.

"Over the past five years, Stephanie has played a key role in reshaping our Finance organization to better align with our growth objectives and strengthening relationships with those who lead the projects our clients entrust to us," said Brian A. Lutes, Chief Executive Officer at Michael Baker International. "In her new role as CFO, Stephanie will continue to be an asset to our company as we grow and expand our business to Reimagine Michael Baker as a full-service engineering and consulting firm."

Ms. Long joined Michael Baker in 2019 as Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis. Throughout her tenure with the firm, Ms. Long also served as Interim CFO from February 2022 to December 2022, and Senior Vice President, Finance. Before joining Michael Baker, Ms. Long worked for GNC, Educational Management Corporation and Deloitte Consulting, among others.

Ms. Long holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from West Virginia University.

About Michael Baker International

Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services spanning five distinct Verticals: Infrastructure, Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and Services, Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) and Sustainable and Resilient Solutions (SRS). The firm's Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design and civil engineering for diverse bridge, highway, water, rail and transit and aviation projects, as well as planning, architecture, environmental and construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner to clients, providing comprehensive services and solutions, delivering expertise and quality, and embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations  like intelligent transportation, engineered models and public safety software as a service (SaaS).

The firm's 3,900 employees across more than 85 office locations are committed to Making a Difference for clients and communities through a culture of innovation, collaboration and technological advancement while Reimagining Michael Baker to become a full-service engineering and consulting firm over the next five years.

To learn more, visit https://mbakerintl.com/ .

Contact: Julia Covelli

[email protected]

(866) 293-4609

SOURCE Michael Baker International
ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) has selected the 2024 recipients of its annual awards honoring lawmakers, individuals, businesses and nonprofits whose efforts improve the lives of servicemembers, survivors, veterans, and their families. The awards ceremony will be held Tuesday, April 16 on Capitol Hill. The recipients:

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) each will receive the Arthur T. Marix Congressional Leadership Award. These four members of Congress led efforts on both sides of the Senate and House Armed Services committees to help pass the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which supports $886.3 billion in funding for national defense, including a 5.2% pay increase for servicemembers  the largest pay raise since 2002. It also includes provisions to support military families and invests billions of dollars in quality-of-life issues, such as housing, child care, health care, and post-service career opportunities.

(D-R.I.), (R-Miss.), (R-Ala.) and (D-Wash.) each will receive the Arthur T. Marix Congressional Leadership Award. These four members of Congress led efforts on both sides of the Senate and House Armed Services committees to help pass the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which supports in funding for national defense, including a 5.2% pay increase for servicemembers  the largest pay raise since 2002. It also includes provisions to support military families and invests billions of dollars in quality-of-life issues, such as housing, child care, health care, and post-service career opportunities. Betsy Dudley , national security advisor for Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), and Elizabeth Field , formerly a director at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), each will receive the Colonel Paul W. Arcari Meritorious Service Award, which honors congressional staff members who have made significant contributions to the uniformed services community. Dudley has been helping military families by working to improve the Basic Allowance for Housing and addressing DoD's ongoing child care shortage. Field's work at the GAO contributed to increased congressional oversight involving DoD's management of family and unaccompanied housing.

, national security advisor for Rep. (D-Wash.), and , formerly a director at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), each will receive the Colonel Paul W. Arcari Meritorious Service Award, which honors congressional staff members who have made significant contributions to the uniformed services community. Dudley has been helping military families by working to improve the Basic Allowance for Housing and addressing DoD's ongoing child care shortage. Field's work at the GAO contributed to increased congressional oversight involving DoD's management of family and unaccompanied housing. The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) and The ROCKS Inc. each will receive MOAA's Distinguished Service Award. KDVA has been a leader in recognizing and supporting the millions of Americans and Koreans who served in the Republic of Korea during their military careers. With more than 10,000 members, KDVA is focused on supporting the U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliance and its veterans. Since its inception, The ROCKS Inc. has been working to fill gaps in Army mentorship, especially for those in underserved communities. A major focus for the organization is providing scholarships for ROTC and Junior ROTC students. In 2023, the organization awarded $7 million to students to pursue their post-secondary education goals.

"MOAA is honored to recognize these partners and advocates for their unwavering support of the uniformed services community," said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), MOAA's president and CEO. "They are tackling and addressing the issues that matter most for our men and women in uniform, as well as our veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors. We are proud to work alongside them and thank them for their dedication."

About MOAA: MOAA is the nation's largest and most influential association of uniformed service officers and their surviving spouses. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. With more than 360,000 members from every branch of uniformed service  including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, former officers, and surviving spouses  MOAA is a powerful force speaking for a strong national defense by representing the people who make a strong national defense possible. MOAA is an association of officers and surviving spouses representing and supporting all ranks across all services, at every stage of their careers. It is the leading voice on compensation and all benefit matters for all members of the uniformed services community. MOAA supports two charities, one that provides scholarships to children of uniformed servicemembers and one that prevents and protects all currently and previously serving veterans and their families from crisis.

SOURCE Military Officers Association of America
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 10. A telephone conversation between Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has been held, the Turkish media said, Trend reports.

Additionally, it was noted that during the telephone conversation, the leaders discussed bilateral relations between Turkiye and Iran, as well as regional and global issues.

Simultaneously, the leaders congratulated each other on the occasion of the Ramadan holiday.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
ZEELAND, Mich., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MillerKnoll, a collective of dynamic design brands, received the 2024 Disability Matters North America Award. Presented annually by Springboard Consulting LLC, the award honors companies for their innovative programs and successful strategies related to outreach, recruitment, engagement, and retention of candidates, employees, and customers with disabilities. Previous winners of this award include Guardian Life Insurance, Colgate-Palmolive Company, and Kohl's.

Rebecca Greier Horton, Senior Strategist and Global ENABLED Business Resource Group Lead, MillerKnoll, accepting Disability Matters Award

This is MillerKnoll's first time receiving this recognition. The company was honored for its work in increasing awareness of disability issues both internally and through its work with clients.

This award underscores MillerKnoll's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts and the work of the associate-led Business Resource Group (BRG), ENABLED, which advocates for accessibility and inclusion.

Cheryl Kern, Vice President, Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, MillerKnoll commented, "Disability Matters is a renowned diversity thought leader, and a forerunner in elevating the needs of the disabled community. We are proud to see our commitment to increasing equity and access acknowledged across our organization and in partnership with our clients. As an industry leader, MillerKnoll remains committed to leveraging best practices and policies, to better address the needs of our associates and stakeholders."

Disability Matters also recognized MillerKnoll's work with clients, specifically the company's role in supporting the design of The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement at Drake University. The Institute's new progressive facility was imagined using inclusive design principles, providing an equitable experience for all people.

Led by renowned architectural firm BNIM, in collaboration with the Harkin Institute and MillerKnoll, four guiding principles were developed for the Harkin Center's building and site design: generous space, equitable experiences, clear path, and individual empowerment. MillerKnoll applied those tenets to its furniture strategy, contributing to a site that goes beyond universal design to be truly inclusive. Local to Des Moines, Iowa where the Harkin Institute is located, dealer Pigott also collaborated on every stage of the project.

Jason Rosenblatt, Senior Design Strategist, MillerKnoll added, "A significant portion of the design process (for the Harkin Institute) occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this passionate team was challenged to drive forward by shifting to an entirely virtual design and advisory process. We are incredibly proud of the outcome and look forward to our continued work as an advocate for more Inclusive Design led practices and policies around the globe."

To learn more about MillerKnoll's DEIB journey, visit our website.

To read more about designing the Harkin Center, view the project profile and the e-book co-authored by The Harkin Institute, BNIM, and MillerKnoll, ALL  The Making of The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center.

Image credit: Courtesy of Springboard Consulting, LLC.

About Springboard

Founded in 2005, Springboard is recognized as the expert in mainstreaming disability in the global workforce, workplace, and marketplace. Serving corporations and organizations throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia, Springboard has become a trusted partner in relation to disability issues and initiatives across every business category. Springboard annually honors exemplary organizations in these categories through the Disability Matters Awards.

About MillerKnoll

MillerKnoll is a collective of dynamic brands that comes together to design the world we live in. MillerKnoll brand portfolio includes Herman Miller, Knoll, Colebrook Bosson Saunders, DatesWeiser, Design Within Reach, Edelman, Geiger, HAY, Holly Hunt, Knoll Textiles, Maharam, Muuto, NaughtOne, and Spinneybeck|FilzFelt. MillerKnoll is an unparalleled platform that redefines modern for the 21st century by building a more sustainable, equitable and beautiful future for all.

SOURCE MillerKnoll
CALGARY, AB, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Nanalysis Scientific Corp. ("Nanalysis" or the "Company", (TSXV: NSCI) (OTCQX: NSCIF) (FRA: 1N1) announces that Kham Lin has resigned as a director of the Company effective April 9, 2024, and the Board of Directors has accepted his resignation. The Company would like to thank Mr. Lin for his contributions throughout his tenure as director of the Company.

About Nanalysis Scientific Corp. (TSXV: NSCI) (OTCQX: NSCIF) (FRA: 1N1)

Nanalysis Scientific Corp. operates two primary businesses: Scientific Equipment and Security Services. Within its Scientific Equipment business is what the Company terms "MRI and NMR for industry". The Company develops and manufactures portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers or analyzers for laboratory and industrial markets. The NMReady-60 was the first full-feature portable NMR spectrometer in a single compact enclosure requiring no liquid helium or any other cryogens. The Company has followed-up that initial offering with new products and continues to have a strong innovation pipeline. In 2020, the Company announced the launch of its 100MHz device, the most powerful and most advanced compact NMR device ever brought to market.

The Company's devices are used in many industries (oil and gas, chemical, mining, pharma, biotech, flavor and fragrances, agrochemicals, law enforcement, and more) as well as numerous government and university research labs around the world. The Company continues to exploit new global market opportunities independently and with partners. With its partners, the Company provides scientific equipment sales and maintenance services globally.

In 2022, through its subsidiary KPrime, the Company was awarded a five-year, $160 million contract with the Government of Canada to provide maintenance services for passenger screening equipment in Canadian airports. This has resulted in the expansion of the Company's Security Services business. The Company is providing airport security equipment maintenance services for the Government of Canada in each province and territory of Canada. In addition, the Company provides commercial security equipment installation and maintenance services to a variety of customers in North America.

Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements and Legal Disclaimer

All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipates", "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed", "positioned" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and 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 expressly required by applicable law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Nanalysis Scientific Corp.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Japan's Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Masahito Moriyama have signed an agreement to advance sustainable human exploration of the Moon.

Japan will design, develop, and operate a pressurized rover for crewed and uncrewed exploration on the Moon. NASA will provide the launch and delivery of the rover to the Moon as well as two opportunities for Japanese astronauts to travel to the lunar surface.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, and Japans Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Masahito Moriyama, hold signed copies of an historic agreement between the United States and Japan to advance sustainable human exploration of the Moon, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the NASA Headquarters Mary W. Jackson Building in Washington. Under the agreement, Japan will design, develop, and operate a pressurized rover for crewed and uncrewed exploration on the Moon. NASA will provide the launch and delivery of the rover to the Moon as well as two Japanese astronaut missions to the lunar surface. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Today, President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida also announced "a shared goal for a Japanese national to be the first non-American astronaut to land on the Moon on a future Artemis mission, assuming important benchmarks are achieved."

The pressurized lunar rover is intended to enable astronauts to travel farther and work for longer periods on the lunar surface. The signing took place April 9 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Along with Nelson and Moriyama, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) President Hiroshi Yamakawa also participated in the signing.

"The quest for the stars is led by nations that explore the cosmos openly, in peace, and together. This is true for the United States and Japan under the leadership of President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida," said Nelson. "America no longer will walk on the Moon alone. With this new rover, we will uncover groundbreaking discoveries on the lunar surface that will benefit humanity and inspire the Artemis Generation."

An enclosed and pressurized rover will enable astronauts to travel farther and conduct science in geographically diverse areas by serving as a mobile habitat and laboratory for the astronauts to live and work for extended periods of time. It will be able to accommodate two astronauts for up to 30 days as they traverse the area near the lunar South Pole. NASA currently plans to use the pressurized rover on Artemis VII and subsequent missions over an approximate 10-year lifespan.

"It was an honor to sign the historic implementing arrangement that will be long remembered as the symbol of the new era of Japan-U.S. partnership for the lunar exploration," said Moriyama. "Under the partnership stronger than ever, we will drive the initiative together with JAXA, including the development of the pressurized rover that vastly extends the exploration capability on the lunar surface, to realize the shared goal for Japanese and American astronauts to, together, explore the moon."

The arrangement falls under the "Framework Agreement Between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation in Space Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, For Peaceful Purposes," which was signed in January 2023 and recognizes the nations' mutual interest in peaceful exploration.

The framework agreement facilitates a broad swath of joint activities between the countries, including space science, Earth science, space operations and exploration, aeronautical science and technology, space technology, space transportation, safety, and mission assurance, and much more. In addition to the agreement for lunar surface exploration, the partners will build on the framework agreement with future agreements for Japan's participation in NASA's Dragonfly mission and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The U.S. and Japan also intend to collaborate on JAXA's Next-generation Solar-observing Satellite, SOLAR-C, which will investigate the mysteries of solar atmospheres by conducting observations of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

"The pressurized rover will be a powerful contribution to the overall Artemis architecture as Japan and the U.S. go hand in hand with international and industry partners to the lunar surface and beyond," said Yamakawa. "JAXA is ready to assist MEXT and push this forward with our science and technological expertise to establish sustainable human presence on the Moon."

Under the Gateway Implementing Arrangement signed in 2022, NASA will also provide an opportunity for a Japanese astronaut to serve as a Gateway crew member on a future Artemis mission and Japan will provide Gateway's environmental control and life support systems and cargo transportation.

Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman, first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon, make new scientific discoveries, and explore more of the lunar surface than ever before for the benefit of all.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis campaign at:

https://www.nasa.gov/artemis

SOURCE NASA
Statewide Entity to Focus on Community Engagement, Workforce Development, Education & Stronger Statewide Advocacy

Recognized Sustainability Leaders Across California Support USGBC Communities Unifying into Statewide Organization

LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- USGBC California launches this month as an independent nonprofit unifying six regional communities across the state that were originally founded in collaboration with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). USGBC California's vision is to help transform communities across California to become more sustainable, resilient and equitable for all through direct community engagement, workforce development and education. The new structure and entity create a centralized entry point where anyone can engage with and become part of the green building movement, help increase grassroots engagement in our local communities, and position California as a national and global leader in sustainable building design, construction, and operations. The organization will bring together all stakeholders from industry executives and workers to residents and youth in one unified platform across the state.

The regional chapters, which all have 20-plus years of history in their communities, will maintain their strength of knowledge and respective local leadership through Regional Advisory Boards, within the umbrella of USGBC California's unified platform. These include (from south to north): San Diego (SDGBC), Orange County (USGBC-OC), Los Angeles (USGBC-LA), Central Coast (CCGBC), Northern California (USGBC Northern California), and Redwood Empire (USGBC Redwood Empire).

As an entity, the U.S. Green Building Council-Los Angeles (USGBC-LA), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 2002, will change its name to USGBC California, and its digital platform, programming, and staff will transition to serve the whole state. Ben Stapleton, Executive Director of USGBC-LA since 2019, will become Executive Director for USGBC California. A regional volunteer leadership group will be formed to run a new Los Angeles Chapter.

"California is a global leader in the fight against climate change. Standing as the 5th largest economy in the world, our state is experiencing the increasing impacts of climate change and yet, has an enormous opportunity to be a profound part of the solution. This comes with unique challenges that require a unified, collaborative approach in order for us all to adapt, grow, and thrive," states Stapleton, who spearheaded the unification. "Buildings account for more than 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in California, and everyone should feel empowered to reduce those impacts. We will strive to accelerate action against climate change on a local level and uplift our collective voice to influence policy, advocacy and programming to better support our communities in addressing climate resilience and occupant health."

"California plays a crucial role in advancing sustainability efforts not only within the state but also on a national scale, setting an example and inspiring similar initiatives elsewhere," said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, USGBC. "By bringing together aligned chapters, USGBC California is creating a stronger unified voice for promoting environmentally friendly practices in the built environment. We look forward to working closely with USGBC California to accelerate the transition towards healthy, resilient, equitable and sustainable buildings and communities."

Washington, D.C.-based USGBC will actively partner with USGBC California to help support the rapid decarbonization of the California economy and improve the health, resilience, environmental quality, and social equity of California communities by improving the design, construction, and operation of buildings. They will also work together to grow a thriving, diverse coalition of organizations and professionals committed to improving the California built environment and positively influencing state and local policy outcomes.

The new organization will focus much of its effort on accelerating positive change through both existing and new initiatives that can be rolled out statewide for greater regional impact led by local community members, leveraging USGBC California's digital platform, content, and tools. The initial focal points will be:

Workforce Development

Environmental Justice

Building Electrification

Embodied Carbon

Climate Resilience

USGBC California will leverage successful regional content, programming and events, ranging from youth education to greening affordable housing to wildfire defense; volunteer-run and topic-based Committees, from environmental justice to building decarbonization to corporate sustainability; a year-round training portfolio that includes multiple certifications for workers and tradespeople; a full career center with job listings, Professionals Directory, Career Fairs and internship program; a Net Zero Accelerator to advance innovative companies and technologies from around the world; an active coalition on advocacy and policy matters that supports and stewards top sustainability priorities; thought leadership events, and more.

California Sustainability Leaders Support

"When I look at our environmental movement, I see a dire need. We need a new environmentalism based on building the clean energy and green projects we need as fast as we can. I am excited to see USGBC California help unite this green movement."

- Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

"Working together as USGBC California, the California regional communities will add powerful support to state efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. The Green Building Councils have brought together practitioners from all segments of the building community, educating and showcasing climate-friendly practices. USGBC has established itself as a strong, trusted voice on urban planning and design helping to build the market for advanced construction materials and efficient technologies. Today's announcement will help advance California's ambitious climate goals."

- Mary Nichols, Distinguished Counsel, Emmett Institute for Climate and Sustainability, UCLA School of Law

"The U.S. Green Building Council has been an important voice in the climate movement, bringing the expertise of building professionals into the policy arena to help us make effective and pragmatic policy to accelerate sustainable building practices. Bringing all the regional communities into a new, independent and unified USGBC California will broaden the impact on practitioners throughout the state and strengthen their influence in Sacramento."

- Senator Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park)

"USGBC is a strong, well-established brand that represents innovation, rigor and accountability in sustainable building construction and management. USGBC California will be a vital partner and convener of communities and practitioners across the state as we push to scale. I look forward to working with USGBC California to extend and amplify our state's longstanding leadership."

- Andrew McAllister, Ph.D., Commissioner, California Energy Commission

USGBC California Community Leader Quotes (south to north)

"Collaboration at this scale will enable a unified USGBC California to bring new and exciting opportunities for increased statewide advocacy, workforce development, training, and education. It will also accelerate innovation to drive building decarbonization for the San Diego region while empowering individual members to enhance their impact and seize new opportunities for growth and influence."

- Colleen FitzSimons, Executive Director of San Diego Green Building Council

"California is a leader in green building, raising standards for communities across the country. Building on our local work in Orange County, we look forward to leveraging our local impact to propel the state further and into an even greater leadership role within the green building movement."

- Robyn Vettraino, Principal, VCA Green, USGBC Orange County

"As USGBC-LA, we've dramatically grown our member community, our programs, and training over the past five years. This transition provides us and all the California communities the opportunity to serve over 40 million people, becoming one powerful voice of advocacy around critical statewide issues, and we appreciate the support of USGBC in this new structure."

- Ben Stapleton, Executive Director, USGBC-LA

"A unified USGBC California will be the keystone so that all Californians can share in a sustainable and equitable built environment, ensuring the health of California's ecosystems for generations to come."

- Cash Upton, Board President, Central Coast Green Building Council

"Uniting under the banner of USGBC California only strengthens our commitment to advancing green buildings in our state. The Northern California community stands to benefit from the broader expertise and collaboration across California, harnessing expertise and valuable insights that will influence the green building movement statewide and beyond."

- Kevin Hydes, Founder, Integral, USGBC Northern California

"Speaking on behalf of the US Green Building Council Redwood Empire Chapter Board, we are immensely proud to serve as representatives of the Redwood Empire in this groundbreaking collaboration for green building across California. With the formation of USGBC California, we anticipate a wealth of opportunities for professional and workforce development. Our members can look forward to a robust lineup of educational programs and trainings designed to elevate their skills and knowledge, empowering them to make significant contributions to the advancement of sustainable practices in the built environment."

- Oren Wool, Interim Executive Director, US Green Building Council Redwood Empire

For questions regarding the USGBC California, please contact Julie Du Brow, Director of Communications and Partnerships, at [email protected] , or Ben Stapleton, Executive Director, at [email protected] .

About USGBC California

USGBC California is a 501(c)3 non-profit and member-based organization whose vision is to transform California's built environment into a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable region for all. USGBC California is comprised of green building communities across the state. We lead by inspiring leaders throughout our communities to take action on climate change, public health, and environmental justice while educating, developing, and empowering a diverse talent pipeline through our training, mentorship, and direct-to-community programs. We connect by merging interdisciplinary perspectives and collaborations to create positive systemic change. We advocate through promoting innovative, impactful policy solutions addressing the most urgent environmental and social challenges of our time. ( www.usgbc-ca.org )

Media Contact:

Julie Du Brow, 310-922-1301

[email protected]

SOURCE USGBC California
VANCOUVER, BC, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - OceanaGold Corporation (TSX: OGC) (OTCQX: OCANF) ("OceanaGold" or the "Company") will release its operational and financial results for the First Quarter of 2024 after market close on Tuesday April 30th, 2024. The results will be made available on the Company's website at www.oceanagold.com. The Company will hold its 2024 Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "AGM") on Thursday June 6th, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Results and Conference Call Details:

Senior management will host a conference call / webcast to discuss the quarterly results on Wednesday May 1st, 2024 at 10:00 am Eastern Time.

To register, please copy and paste the link into your browser: https://app.webinar.net/ejwKB7YEJy6

Toll-free North America: +1 888-390-0546

International: +1 416-764-8688

If you are unable to attend the call, a recording will be made available on the Company's website.

Virtual AGM Details:

The Company will hold its AGM on Thursday June 6th, 2024 at 4:00 pm Eastern Time. The meeting will be held virtually via a live webcast accessible on the day at: https://meetnow.global/M97VL9Q.

The record date to determine the holders of the Company's common shares who are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the AGM is April 17th, 2024. Detailed voting and participation instructions for eligible shareholders will be provided in the Company's Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Management Information Circular.

About OceanaGold

OceanaGold is a growing intermediate gold and copper producer committed to safely and responsibly maximizing the generation of Free Cash Flow from our operations and delivering strong returns for our shareholders. We have a portfolio of four operating mines: the Haile Gold Mine in the United States of America; Didipio Mine in the Philippines; and the Macraes and Waihi operations in New Zealand.

SOURCE OceanaGold Corporation
FARMINGTON, Conn., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Otis Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: OTIS) will host a conference call on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. ET. Otis Chair, CEO & President Judy Marks and Executive Vice President & CFO Anurag Maheshwari will discuss the company's first quarter results and 2024 outlook.

We encourage you to join through our webcast link. A corresponding presentation and news release will be available on www.otis.com prior to the call and a recording will be available on the website later in the day. If you are unable to join via the webcast, please contact Otis investor relations ([email protected]) for alternative dial-in information. Additional investor updates are also available on www.otis.com from time to time.

About Otis

Otis is the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company. We move 2.3 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.3 million customer units worldwide, the industry's largest Service portfolio. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 71,000 people strong, including 42,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram , and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo.

Media Contact: Investor Relations Contact: Katy Padgett Michael Rednor +1-860-674-3047 +1-860-676-6011 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Otis Worldwide Corporation
NEWARK, N.J., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic is pleased to announce a significant firmware update for its full frame mirrorless LUMIX S5II and S5IIX cameras that improves the shooting experience and enhances sharing functionality for both images and videos.

Listening to creators needs, S5II Firmware V3.0 and S5IIX Firmware V2.0 delivers efficiency in both production and post-production workflows, providing important time (and therefore cost) saving benefits.

Panasonic today announced a significant firmware update for its full frame mirrorless LUMIX S5II and S5IIX cameras that improves the shooting experience and enhances sharing functionality for both images and videos.

In line with LUMIX's continuous commitment to supporting creators, the firmware will be available to download free of charge from the LUMIX Global Customer Support website https://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/ at 9:00 pm EDT April 21, 2024.

S5II Firmware Version 3.0 / S5IIX Firmware Version 2.0

1. Enhancement of Production Workflows

New Native Camera to Cloud Integration with Adobe's Frame.io

Compatibility with Frame.io Camera to Cloud is now supported, enabling images and videos to be automatically uploaded, backed up, shared, and worked on jointly via the cloud. Recorded content is sent to the Frame.io platform through an internet connection via Wi-Fi or USB tethering, enabling seamless sharing of captured photos (JPEG/RAW) and Proxy videos. This empowers creators to receive remote real-time feedback during capture and enables collaborative editing among production teams using their preferred creative software. Frame.io Camera to Cloud streamlines the workflow from shooting to editing, enhancing overall efficiency in the creative process.

Proxy Video Recording

This new feature records a low bit-rate proxy file when recording video. Simultaneously recording a proxy file that is linked with the original video recording enabling a faster delivery from production to post.

2. Improved Basic Performance

Real-time Auto-focus Recognition (Animal Eye, Car, Motorcycle Recognition)

The improved real-time auto-focus system enhances the highly accurate Phase Hybrid auto focus of the S5II and S5IIX, efficiently recognizing people amongst multiple subjects. It also features an animal eye recognition function, to focus on and follow animal eyes, as well as a car and motorcycle recognition function, which is ideally suited for shooting motorsports.

Enhanced E.I.S. Performance

In addition to Standard, High mode is newly added to E-Stabilization (Video) function, which electronically corrects large shakes when shooting on the move. A perspective distortion correction has also been added to correct distortion that tends to occur during video shooting when using a wide-angle lens. Combined with Active I.S. Technology, it is now possible to achieve even more stable footage when shooting on the move.

3. Expanding Creative Options

SH Pre-burst Shooting

The newly introduced SH pre-burst shooting function records bursts before shooting begins. When set to the SH PRE mode, the camera begins burst shooting from the moment the user half presses the shutter button, allowing retroactive burst shooting up to the moment the shutter button is pressed down fully.

 Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

 All functions may not be available depending on the situation.

 Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

 Frame.io, the Frame.io logo, and Camera to Cloud are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe in the United States and/or other countries.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is a leading provider of Consumer Lifestyle technologies, as well as innovative Smart Mobility, Sustainable Energy, Immersive Experiences, and Integrated Supply Chain solutions. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Holdings Corporation. One of Interbrand's Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2023, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic's ideas and innovations at na.panasonic.com/us

Follow Press Updates for Panasonic LUMIX:

Internet http://us.panasonic.com/news

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/lumix

Instagram http://www.instagram.com/lumixusa

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/lumixusa

SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America
As environmental consciousness rises, consumers and businesses alike are shifting towards paper bags made from recycled materials or sourced from sustainably managed forests, reflecting a commitment to reducing plastic usage and supporting environmentally responsible practices.

WILMINGTON, Del., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Paper Bag Market by Product Type (Sewn Open Mouth, Pinched Bottom Open Mouth, Pasted Valve, Pasted Open Mouth, and Flat Bottom), Price Point (Premium, Medium, and Economy), End User (Agriculture and Allied Industries, Building and Cons, Food and Beverage, Retail, Chemicals, Pharmaceutical, Merchandise, and Others), and Distribution Channel (B2B and B2C): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20232032" According to the report, the global paper bag market was valued at $4.8 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $8.4 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.8% from 2023 to 2032.

Request The Sample PDF Of This Report @: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A16182

Prime determinants of growth

Environmental awareness and sustainability initiatives are significant drivers of the paper bag market. With increasing concerns about plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on the environment, consumers, businesses, and governments are seeking alternatives that are eco-friendly and sustainable. This heightened awareness has led to a shift from plastic bags toward paper bags, which are biodegradable, recyclable, and renewable resources. As consumers become more conscious of their environmental impact, consumers are actively choosing products and packaging options that align with their values of sustainability. On the other hand, Innovations in material and design are creating significant opportunities for the paper bag market by enhancing the functionality, durability, and aesthetic appeal of paper bags. Advanced materials such as reinforced paper and bio-based coatings are making paper bags more robust and suitable for carrying heavier loads, expanding their application across industries beyond traditional retail. In addition, the development of water-resistant coatings enables paper bags to withstand moisture and protect contents during transportation and storage, making them a preferred choice for food delivery and other specialized uses.

Report Coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2021 $4.8 Billion Market Size In 2031 $8.4 Billion CAGR 5.8 % No. Of Pages In Report 310 Segment Covered Product Type, Price Point, End User, Distribution Channel, And Region Drivers Environmental Awareness And Sustainability Initiatives Change In Consumer Preferences And Lifestyle Trends Increase In Adoption By Retailers And E-Commerce Platforms Opportunities Innovations In Material And Design Increase In Awareness Of Environmental Issues Restraints Competition From Alternative Packaging Solutions High Production Costs

The flat bottom segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By product type, the flat bottom segment held the major share of the market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-fourth of the global paper bag market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to growing concerns about environmental impact, owing to which consumers are seeking eco-friendly alternatives to traditional packaging. Thus, manufacturers are responding by developing flat-bottom paper bags made from recycled materials or sourced from sustainably managed forests. The pasted open mouth was the fastest-growing segment of the market in 2022. As businesses and consumers prioritize eco-friendly alternatives, pasted open-mouth paper bags are gaining traction due to their recyclability, biodegradability, and versatility across various industries, including agriculture & allied industries, building & construction, food & beverage, retail, chemicals, pharmaceutical, merchandise, and others.

Procure Complete Report (305 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/a2b98b4feffdb5a1f8521186ef7a4112

The medium segment to retain its dominance by 2032

By price point, the medium segment held the major share of the market in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global paper bag market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. As businesses seek to differentiate themselves in competitive markets, customization options play a crucial role in medium-priced paper bags. Brands leverage custom printing, embossing, and unique designs to enhance brand visibility and create memorable experiences for end-user industries. The medium-priced paper bag market is influenced by a combination of sustainability trends, technological advancements, consumer preferences, and economic factors, thereby driving continued growth and innovation within the packaging industry. Premium was the fastest-growing segment of the market in 2022. Premium paper bags are made up of durable material and high-grade paper materials, which include thick and sturdy paperboard, Kraft paper, or specialty papers. The premium paper bag segment includes the use of eco-friendly and sustainable materials, such as recycled paper and biodegradable coatings, reflecting the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible packaging solutions.

The retail segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By end user, the retail segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-fifth of the global paper bag market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. With growing environmental awareness, retailers are shifting away from plastic bags toward paper bags, which are biodegradable and recyclable, aligning with consumer values. Another trend is the emphasis on branding and customization, as retailers use paper bags as a platform to convey their brand identity and engage with customers through visually appealing designs and messaging. The chemicals segment was the fastest-growing segment of the market in 2022. Advancements in paper bag manufacturing technologies, such as water-resistant coatings and barrier materials, are enhancing the suitability of paper bags for packaging a wide range of chemical products, including powders, granules, and liquids.

B2B to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By distribution channel, the B2B segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global paper bag market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The versatility and customization capabilities of paper bags help meet the specific packaging needs of businesses. Manufacturers are offering a wide range of paper bag options, including various sizes, strengths, and printing options, to cater to diverse B2B requirements. In addition, the expansion of e-commerce and online purchasing platforms in B2B distribution presents opportunities for paper bag manufacturers to provide packaging solutions tailored to the needs of online sellers and distributors, thus driving the growth of this segment. The B2C segment was the fastest-growing segment of the market in 2022. The rise of e-commerce platforms and the increase in preference for home delivery services, which require efficient and eco-friendly packaging solutions notably contribute toward the market growth. In addition, advancements in printing technologies allow businesses to customize paper bags with branding, messaging, and designs that resonate with their target audience, creating opportunities for brand differentiation and customer engagement.

Inquiry Before Buying @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A16182

Europe to maintain its dominance by 2032

By region, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifths of the paper bag market. A growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility, driven by increasing awareness of plastic pollution and regulatory measures to reduce single-use plastics, contributes toward the market growth. This trend has led to a significant shift toward eco-friendly packaging solutions such as paper bags across various industries, including agriculture and allied industries, building & construction, food & beverage, retail, chemicals, pharmaceutical, merchandise, and others. Asia-Pacific was the fastest-growing region of the market in 2022. The increasing adoption of eco-friendly packaging solutions is driven by amplified environmental awareness and regulatory measures to curb plastic usage.

Leading Market Players

Mondi Plc

Smurfit Kappa Group Plc

International Paper Company

Novolex Holdings, Inc.

Ronpak

United Bag, Inc

Global-Pak, Inc

PaperBag Limited

York Paper Company Limited

Welton Bibby and Baron Limited

The report analyzes these key players in the global paper bag market. These players have adopted various strategies such as expansion, new product launches, partnerships, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report helps determine the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player.

Related Report:

Paper Pallet Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/paper-pallet-market-A32188

Growlers Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/growlers-market-A16946

Silicone Storage Bags Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/silicone-storage-bags-market-A07782

Wine Corks Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/wine-corks-market-A09159

Cigarette Paper Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/cigarette-paper-market-A07776

Laptop bag Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/laptop-bag-market-A08027

Egg Packaging Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/egg-packaging-market-A06380

About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry

Contact:

David Correa

1209 Orange Street,

Corporation Trust Center,

Wilmington, New Castle,

Delaware 19801 USA.

Int'l: +1-503-894-6022

Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285

Fax: +1-800-792-5285

[email protected]

Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com

Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com

Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube |

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Allied Market Research
Competing in a market increasingly dominated by national chains and tech giants presents significant challenges

DALLAS, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Parks Associates' new primary consumer research, announced today at ISC West, reports only 7% of US internet households that bought a security system in the past 12 months purchased through a local home security company, a significant drop from 22% in Q4 2021. The study Residential Security Dashboard highlights adoption of security systems and the challenges facing small, local security businesses, including limited marketing budgets, lesser brand recognition, and the complexities of offering cutting-edge technology at competitive prices.

Parks Associates Parks Associates at ISC West: Among Recent Buyers Of Security Systems, Only 7% Of Purchases Are Coming From Local Home Security Companies

The research shows more and more households are buying from national security providers and big-box retailers since 2021. Hardware companies need to help support the smaller players by offering scalable solutions, preferential pricing strategies, and technical support that can help level the playing field.

"Consumers are buying more from national providers and significantly less from the local dealers," said Elizabeth Parks, President & CEO, Parks Associates. "The hardware companies need to better support the local dealer market. For small, local companies, competing in a market increasingly dominated by national chains and tech giants presents significant challenges."

Hardware manufacturers can empower local security companies by providing access to the latest security technologies, training for installation and maintenance, and partnership opportunities for co-branded marketing initiatives. These efforts would allow smaller companies to differentiate themselves through personalized service and local expertise.

"This support not only aids in the survival of small businesses in the face of industry consolidation," Parks said, "but also ensures that customers continue to have access to diverse security solutions tailored to their specific needs."

Consumer Insights Dashboards present survey-based consumer research that tracks adoption, purchases, and demand in the residential security market. It visualizes the most important metrics informing the strategic decision making of companies across the residential security market.

At its upcoming CONNECTIONS Conference, Parks Associates invites local dealers to attend Dealer Day at CONNECTIONS on May 8 in Dallas, Texas, at the Hilton Granite Park Dallas/Plano. Dealers are also invited to the VIP Dealer Reception, hosted by Nice, at the Union Bear Brewing Co.

To schedule an interview with an analyst or to request specific data, please contact Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein at [email protected] or 972-490-1113.

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates, a woman-founded and certified business, is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates provides business intelligence and research services through its proprietary methodologies developed over decades, including quarterly surveys of 10,000 internet households.

The company's expertise crosses many industries: home security and smart home, streaming video, broadband and pay-TV services, digital media and platforms, gaming, Wi-Fi and home networks, connected health, support, consumer electronics, home control systems, energy management, and tech solutions for the multi-dwelling (MDU), small-to-medium business (SMB), and commercial building markets.

Each year, Parks Associates brings thousands of leaders together for its webinars and annual events. The firm hosts the annual executive research and strategy conferences CONNECTIONS, Connected Health Summit, Smart Energy Summit, Smart Spaces, and Future of Video. https://www.parksassociates.com

Follow Parks Associates on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

SOURCE Parks Associates
Quaker unveils the next iteration of the brand's global platform, You've Got This, with interactive digital photo experience and pop-up galleries across Toronto, including takeover of Union Station

NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Quaker brings to life its first-ever global brand platform, 'You've Got This,' with '100 Reasons to Rise,' a moving black-and-white photo series and accompanying digital experience brought to life by world renowned photographer and Academy Award nominee, Misan Harriman. The magnetic project features imagery and audio interviews of 100 everyday heroes, ages one through 100, as they sit down for breakfast on an important day of their lives - a day that matters - leaning into the universal human truth that how we rise influences the rest of our day. '100 Reasons to Rise,' illustrates how our mornings  and a wholesome, nourishing breakfast  can unite people from all walks of life and across the world, as they prepare to take on their days.

Quaker Debuts 100 Reasons to Rise, an Inspirational Photo Project Shot by Acclaimed Photographer Misan Harriman

Backed by Quaker's own research, '100 Reasons to Rise' embodies some striking insights about the need for hope and inspiration in today's world. Amid this search, Quaker found that over 40% of respondents said in a recent global survey that mornings are the most hopeful part of their day. Moreover, the brand found that a staggering 70% of us find hope in the people around us and nearly 2/3 said stories of people overcoming their challenges can help them keep going. Continuing the 'You've Got This' platform's focus on everyday heroes, '100 Reasons to Rise' epitomizes the survey's findings through the stories of 100 unsung heroes in the small, intimate moments that make up their morning routines before a pivotal day in their lives. The stories highlighted in this project aim to provide inspiration, encouragement and hope to others as they push through on their own important days.

"We're thrilled to kick off the next phase of the larger 'You've Got This' platform with '100 Reasons to Rise,' a universally unifying project that's a natural extension of the brand's journey forward," said Ciara Dilley, Global Vice President of Marketing, Quaker. "The campaign celebrates everyday people who awaken the potential in others on the days that matter most. Misan Harriman was the perfect choice to lead this because of his innate ability to capture the authenticity of human connection, which is truly the sentiment behind this project."

'100 Reasons to Rise' spotlights real-life stories directed and photographed by Misan Harriman, with additional photography by Domizia Salusest, including a one-year-old on his big day as a ringbearer, a 61-year-old man gearing up to meet his new grandson for the first time, and an 86-year-old woman who fuels her zest for life through movement, like salsa dancing. In the photo series, Misan Harriman beautifully encapsulates the inherent humanity of our morning rituals and the authentic human experience at breakfast, a moment of hope and a fresh start.

To introduce '100 Reasons to Rise' to the masses, Quaker created an interactive digital experience, capturing both the stunning images and the personal stories of the subjects, bringing to life the importance of how we rise. Additionally, to go beyond digital and engage with local audiences, Quaker is turning '100 Reasons to Rise' into a captivating in-person exhibit, inclusive of an interactive pod for visitors to watch an inside look of the photo series, with narration by Misan Harriman. Kicking off in Toronto at The Harbourfront Centre on April 10th for one day only, the installation will then make its way to one of Toronto's most iconic morning hubs and highest footfall commuter stations, Union Station, from April 17th  19th. Additional locations in metropolises across the world to be announced in the future.

"This project recognizes individual stories of how we start the day and demonstrates that, regardless of what life throws at us, we have fortitude and hope," said Misan Harriman. "For Quaker to be bold enough to allow us to go to people's homes and really observe them as they live, that adds a layer of authenticity that always comes through in the lens. Quaker is one of the few brands in the world with whom it makes sense to do something like this. It was lightning in a bottle."

To enjoy the Quaker '100 Reasons to Rise' digital experience and celebrate these 100 humble heroes, please visit 100ReasonsToRise.com.

For further information or media inquiries please contact Tom Piccolo, [email protected].

About The Quaker Oats Company

The Quaker Oats Company, headquartered in Chicago, is a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., one of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies. For more than 140 years, Quaker's brands have served as symbols of quality, great taste and nutrition. Quaker Oats, Quaker Rice Cakes and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars are consumer favorites. For more information, please visit www.QuakerOats.com, www.Facebook.com/Quaker or follow us on X and Instagram @Quaker.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

SOURCE PepsiCo
Queen Letizia of Spain has appointed state lawyer Maria Dolores Ocana Madrid as her right-hand woman. This is the first time in the country's history that a woman will head Her Majesty's Secretariat.

ADVERTISIMENT

Currently, 51-year-old Maria is the chief public prosecutor at the Ministry of Education, but very soon she will replace Jose Manuel Zuleta, Duke of Abrantes, who has held this position for the past decade. This was reported by HELLO.

In 2019, Ocana Madrid was seen with the Queen at the inauguration of the World Center for Healthy Eating in Valencia. Maria's appointment to her new position will officially take place on April 30.

Meanwhile, Jose, 63, is the son of Jose Manuel de Suleta de Reales y Carvajal, 13th Duke of Abrantes and Virginia Alejandro y Garcia. He joined the General Military Academy in 1979 and graduated as a lieutenant in 1984.

ADVERTISIMENT

Jose first started working for the royal household in the mid-1990s and joined Prince Felipe's office in 2007 to assist the then-princess. Shortly after Felipe became king in 2014, Jose was appointed head of Queen Letizia's Secretariat.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
HSINCHU, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan has recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of the Yuehan Hall in Taipei. The new building will become the future home of NTHU's Taipei School of Economics and Political Science (TSE) and will provide an additional resource for the entire University.

NTHU has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Taipei School of Economics and Political Science in Taiwan. From right: Former NTHU president Hocheng Hong, NTHU president W. John Kao, the chairman of TSE, Huang-Hsiung Huang, Taipei City mayor Wan-An Chiang, and the former mayor of Taipei, Wen-Je Ko. (Photo: National Tsing Hua University)

The front section of the Hall has historical significance and will be completely renovated according to the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act. The rear section will be demolished and be replaced with a new building consisting of 12 floors above ground and 3 floors underground. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

NTHU president W. John Kao said that the Yuehan Hall is of great importance to NTHU since it served as the University's preparatory office in the 1950s, adding, "This is where NTHU began to lay down roots in Taiwan, and it will soon become another NTHU's starting point into the future."

The chairman of TSE, Huang-Hsiung Huang, said that TSE's mission is to train leaders in international political economy with a focus on Asia, to meet the challenges of the future, and to fully participate in shaping the world's future development. The TSE will have a decisive head start in fulfilling this mission by having a teaching and research base in Taipei City.

Huang added that the International Conference Room at the TSE will be equipped with the latest AI equipment, which will provide a seamless audiovisual connection to its classrooms at NTHU and also facilitate online conferences, forums, and seminars in international politics, economics, and geopolitics with first-class academic institutions around the world.

Former NTHU president Hocheng Hong said that the TSE was made possible by the largest donation to the social sciences ever made in the history of Taiwan, which brought hope to the country's many institutions of higher education struggling with budgetary shortfalls. Indeed, this same funding model has been adopted by many of the semiconductor research institutes established at various universities in recent years.

The restoration of Yuehan Hall and the construction of the new TSE building behind it will be carried out according to the highest standards, at a projected cost of about NT$930 million. Major funding will be provided by the TSE Foundation, which, upon completion of the project, will donate the buildings to NTHU.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Yung-Hsien Wu said that the Center for Continuing Education is planning to use the TSE building for both its master's degree program in Regulatory Affairs for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices and a credit-bearing class in finance. In addition, the Center's program in Chinese as a Second Language plans to use the TSE building to hold Chinese classes for foreign students and teacher training.

Yuehan Hall is located at the intersection of Jinshan South Road and Jinhua Street in Taipei City. When NTHU's founding president, Mei Yi-Qi (whose courtesy name was Yuehan), died in 1962, alumni began raising funds to build a memorial hall in his honor.

Media contact:

Holly Hsueh

NTHU

(886)3-5162006

[email protected]

SOURCE National Tsing Hua University
Waterset is set to debut on Saturday, April 20

APOLLO BEACH, Fla., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Richmond American Homes of Florida, LP, a subsidiary of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MDC), is pleased to announce the grand opening of Waterset (RichmondAmerican.com/Waterset) in Apollo Beach. This exciting new community will offer five single- and two-story floor plans from the builder's sought-after Seasons Collection (RichmondAmerican.com/Seasons), designed to put homeownership within reach for a variety of buyers. Each home in the notable neighborhood will boast desirable features, such as elegant primary suites with private bathrooms, as well as designer-curated finishes and fixtures (RichmondAmerican.com/Curated).

The exciting new Hillsborough County community of Waterset will open on April 20.

Community tours

Prospective homebuyers and area agents are encouraged to stop by Waterset for community tours on Saturday, April 20, from 12 to 3 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be provided and attendees will have an opportunity to enter a prize drawing.

More about Waterset:

New single- and two-story homes from the $400s

5 Seasons  Collection floor plans with open layouts

Collection floor plans with open layouts Professionally selected fixtures and finishes

3 to 4 bedrooms and approx. 1,570 to 2,350 sq. ft.

Community pool, clubhouse, sport courts and parks

Prime location near the beach and within close proximity of Tampa , Sarasota and St. Petersburg

Call 813.560.8588 or visit RichmondAmerican.com for more information.

About M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.

M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1972. MDC's homebuilding subsidiaries, which operate under the name Richmond American Homes, have helped more than 240,000 homebuyers achieve the American Dream since 1977. One of the largest homebuilders in the nation, MDC is committed to quality and value that is reflected in each home its subsidiaries build. The Richmond American companies have operations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. Mortgage lending, insurance and title services are offered by the following MDC subsidiaries, respectively: HomeAmerican Mortgage Corporation, American Home Insurance Agency, Inc. and American Home Title and Escrow Company. M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDC." For more information, visit MDCHoldings.com.

SOURCE M.D.C. Holdings, Inc.
Engine center's GTF capacity to increase 40% by 2025

CHICAGO, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- (MRO Americas) Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, today announced a $20 million investment to increase the GTF maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capacity of its West Palm Beach Engine Center. The expansion will accommodate a 40% increase in capacity and is expected to be complete by the second half of 2025.

Pratt & Whitneys West Palm Beach facility to increase GTF engine capacity by 40% through 2025.

To accommodate the planned growth, the facility will increase its workforce by 25% over the next year and will add critical equipment in areas such as machining, test, clean and warehousing. It will also incorporate transformative technologies developed at the recently announced North American Technology Accelerator.

"The expansion at West Palm Beach is the latest example of our global investment to support the GTF fleet," said Kevin Kirkpatrick, vice president of Global Aftermarket Operations at Pratt & Whitney. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to support customers and maintain their trust as we carry out the GTF fleet management plan."

West Palm Beach was transformed into a fully capable GTF MRO engine center in mid-2021. It was the first Pratt & Whitney facility to adopt an automated system that assembles the high-pressure compressor (HPC) rotor and a refined overhead engine handling system. Since implementation, Pratt & Whitney has seen a more than 25% improvement in HPC rotor yield and a 50% reduction in process turnaround time.

In 2023, Pratt & Whitney announced three GTF MRO facility expansions and five shop activations to support the growing GTF fleet. There are currently 16 active GTF MRO engine centers around the world, with another three expected to come online by 2025.

The GTF MRO network is part of Pratt & Whitney EngineWise solutions, which provide operators with a full range of aftermarket services resulting in long-term, sustainable value. Visit prattwhitney.com/enginewise for more information.

About Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. To learn more, visit www.prattwhitney.com.

About RTX

With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses  Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon  we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact [email protected].

SOURCE RTX
Ryvu PRMT5 inhibitors show potential best-in-class profiles, including a strong antiproliferative effect on MTAP-deleted cell lines and a good safety window versus MTAP WT cells.

Ryvu's WRN inhibitor program has demonstrated target engagement and selective potency with a synthetic lethal effect; in vivo efficacy studies exhibited pronounced tumor growth inhibition in an MSI-H colorectal cancer xenograft model.

efficacy studies exhibited pronounced tumor growth inhibition in an MSI-H colorectal cancer xenograft model. Ryvu's proprietary ONCO Prime discovery platform, which recently received a PLN 26 million (approx. USD 6.6 million ) grant from the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, has identified novel drug targets in KRAS-mutant patient-derived cells (PDCs) with therapeutic potential in colorectal cancer; the ONCO Prime platform has broad potential across multiple tumor types.

) grant from the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, has identified novel drug targets in KRAS-mutant patient-derived cells (PDCs) with therapeutic potential in colorectal cancer; the ONCO Prime platform has broad potential across multiple tumor types. RVU120 shows efficacy both as a monotherapy and synergistically in combination with ruxolitinib in preclinical models of myeloproliferative neoplasms, including myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera.

MEN1703 (SEL24), presented by partner Menarini Group, shows cytotoxic activity in myelofibrosis cell lines as a monotherapy and synergistically in combination with ruxolitinib.

KRAKOW, Poland, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryvu Therapeutics (WSE: RVU), a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focusing on novel small molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology, presents preclinical data from its synthetic lethality pipeline, RVU120, and MEN1703 (SEL24) at the 2024 AACR Annual Meeting, April 5-10 in San Diego, California.

"We are excited to present our latest advancements in oncology therapeutics at the AACR Annual Meeting this year. Strong preclinical data from our two lead synthetic lethality programs  PRMT5 and WRN  are encouraging as we make progress toward the identification of competitive clinical candidates," said Krzysztof Brzozka, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Ryvu Therapeutics.

Dr. Brzozka added, "We are also proud of our ONCO Prime target discovery platform, which recently received a significant grant from the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, giving validation and financial support to our innovative drug discovery efforts. At AACR, we present promising data in KRAS-mutant patient-derived colorectal cancer cells, where the ONCO Prime platform has identified promising novel drug targets. With these initial data, we continue to expand the platform's potential to discover novel anticancer targets across various tumor types."

The ONCO Prime target discovery platform aims to identify novel drug targets based on patient-derived primary cell cultures, omics characterization, and functional assays. It already supports preclinical development of Ryvu programs, including PRMT5 and WRN. In March 2024, the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP) recommended awarding a PLN 26 million (approx. USD 6.6 million) grant to Ryvu to cover five years of ONCO Prime research activities retroactive to May 2023. The ONCO Prime platform covers a broad spectrum of tumor types, and data from colorectal cancer are presented in AACR Poster No. 4684, 'A comprehensive platform for identification of KRAS-specific synthetic lethal targets using patient-derived cells.'

AACR 2024 Poster highlights:

Abstract Title: 'Discovery of novel MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitors as targeted therapeutics for MTAP-deleted cancers.'

Session Name: HDAC and Methyltransferase Inhibitors

Session date and time: Tuesday, April 9, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST

Poster Number: 4598

Ryvu has developed potentially best-in-class MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitors showing favorable drug-like properties and effective PRMT5 inhibition dependent on MTA binding.

Ryvu PRMT5 inhibitor has a robust antiproliferative effect on MTAP-deleted cell lines and provides a good safety window for MTAP WT cells, as shown in a wide cell line panel.

Novel Ryvu compounds are characterized by significantly improved PK profile that allow for oral administration.

I n vitro safety evaluations did not reveal any significant liabilities of the tested compounds.

safety evaluations did not reveal any significant liabilities of the tested compounds. The correlation between compound exposure and on-target effect was confirmed in PK/PD and efficacy studies in MTAP-deleted tumor models.

Abstract Title: 'Discovery of WRN inhibitors as targeted therapy in the treatment of microsatellite unstable (MSI-H) tumors.'

Session Name: Novel Antitumor Agents 4

Session date and time: Tuesday, April 9, 1:30 PM  05:00 PM PST

Poster Number: 5942

Structure-based optimization performed at Ryvu facilitated the rapid expansion and delivery of a compound library with novel intellectual property (IP), demonstrating target engagement in cells and selective potency over other RecQ family members.

The pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds were favorable, allowing progress to in vivo studies, which confirmed the efficacy of Ryvu's WRN inhibitors in xenograft MSI-H cancer models.

Data on Ryvu's WRN inhibitors provide pharmacological proof-of-concept with synthetic lethal effect and support WRN inhibition as a new, targeted oncological therapy in MSI-high tumors.

Abstract Title: 'A comprehensive platform for identification of KRAS-specific synthetic lethal targets using patient-derived cells.'

Session Name: New Targets, Technologies, and Drug Delivery Systems

Session date and time: Tuesday, April 9, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST

Poster Number: 4684

Ryvu's cutting-edge drug discovery platform uniquely combines high throughput capabilities with the precision and translational impact traditionally associated with later, lower throughput stages.

By leveraging human stem cell-derived model cells (PDC), patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and clinical samples, we have created a groundbreaking approach to identifying synthetic lethal (SL) targets specific to oncogenic pathways.

In conjunction with our novel ranking algorithm, these models have successfully identified potential drug targets in KRAS-mutant cellstargets that remained undetected in immortalized CRC cell lines, likely due to genetic and epigenetic alterations accumulated over years of cell culture.

Chemical compound screening has produced promising results that have been further validated through comparison with a varied collection of patient-derived CRC cultures, ensuring the findings' reliability and clinical relevance.

These data position Ryvu's primary model platform as an invaluable resource for target discovery research with broad applicability across a variety of tumors.

Abstract Title: 'Combination JAK1/2 and CDK8/19 inhibition demonstrates enhanced efficacy in myeloproliferative neoplasms.'

Session Name: Targeted, Combination, and Differentiation Therapies

Session date and time: Wednesday, April 10, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST

Poster Number: 7225

RVU120, a highly selective and potent CDK8/19 inhibitor, shows potential efficacy as both monotherapy and in combination with ruxolitinib (RUX), a JAK1/2 inhibitor, for the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and polycythemia vera (PV).

In vivo treatment with RVU120/RUX+RVU120 significantly reduced disease manifestation (splenomegaly, WBC, fibrosis scoring, hematopoiesis) compared to VEH/RUX.

These data suggest that inhibition of JAK1/2 and CDK8/19 could be a novel therapeutic strategy in MPNs.

Abstract Title: 'MEN1703/SEL24 exhibits promising antitumoral activity in preclinical models of myelofibrosis both as a single agent and combined with ruxolitinib.'

Session Name: Novel Antitumor Agents 2

Session date and time: Sunday, April 7, 01:30 AM  05:00 PM PST

Poster Number: 665

MEN1703 (SEL24) demonstrates efficacy both as a monotherapy and in combination with the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib (RUX) in preclinical models of myelofibrosis (MF).

MEN1703 demonstrated anti-tumoral efficacy in MF preclinical models, exhibiting in vitro activity at clinically relevant concentrations. Notably, the combination of MEN1703 with the standard of care, RUX, exhibited synergistic effects and molecular analyses confirmed the inhibition of downstream targets of PIM.

activity at clinically relevant concentrations. Notably, the combination of MEN1703 with the standard of care, RUX, exhibited synergistic effects and molecular analyses confirmed the inhibition of downstream targets of PIM. The results support the therapeutic potential and relevance of MEN1703 in treating myelofibrosis.

Posters are available on https://ryvu.com/our-research/.

About Ryvu Therapeutics

Ryvu Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focused on novel small-molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology. Internally discovered pipeline candidates use diverse therapeutic mechanisms driven by emerging knowledge of cancer biology, including small molecules directed at kinase, synthetic lethality, and immuno-oncology targets.

Ryvu's most advanced programs include RVU120, a selective CDK8/CDK19 kinase inhibitor with the potential to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors, currently in Phase II development (i) as a monotherapy for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (r/r AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) as well as (ii) in combination with venetoclax for the treatment of patients with r/r AML. Another clinical program, SEL24 (MEN1703), is a dual PIM/FLT3 kinase inhibitor licensed to the Menarini Group. Ryvu Therapeutics has signed multiple partnering and licensing deals with global companies, including BioNTech and Exelixis.

The Company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Krakow, Poland. Ryvu is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and is a component of the mWIG40 index. For more information, please see www.ryvu.com.

SOURCE Ryvu Therapeutics
PADUA, Italy and NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Safilo Group  one of the eyewear industry's key players in the design, manufacturing and distribution of prescription frames, sunglasses, outdoor eyewear, goggles, and helmets  and Marc Jacobs - the renowned American global brand - announce the early renewal of their multi-year global licensing agreement for Marc Jacobs branded eyewear until December 2031.

SAFILO AND MARC JACOBS ANNOUNCE THE RENEWAL OF THEIR GLOBAL EYEWEAR LICENSING AGREEMENT

"Since the beginning of our partnership in 2004 we have collaborated profitably to make Marc Jacobs an iconic landmark within the eyewear category, offering unique and highly distinctive models in every collection. During these 20 years the brand has grown to become one of the most emblematic brands of Safilo's contemporary and premium offering, with a strong global appeal for both men and women, and with still many new opportunities for growth in its core US market as well as worldwide." declared Angelo Trocchia, CEO of the Safilo Group

Marc Jacobs International CEO, Eric Marechalle, states: "We look forward to the continued success of our partnership with Safilo. Working together to further the unique Marc Jacobs vision to the eyewear category, through new and exciting global opportunities remains our key objective."

About Safilo Group

Safilo is a global player in the eyewear industry that has been creating, producing, and distributing for over 90 years sunglasses, prescription frames, outdoor eyewear, goggles and helmets. Thanks to a data-driven approach, Safilo goes beyond the traditional boundaries of the eyewear industry: in just one company it brings together Italian design, stylistic, technical and industrial innovation, and state-of-the-art digital platforms, developed in its digital hubs in Padua and Portland, and made available to Opticians and Clients for an unmatched customer experience. Guided by its purpose, See the world at its best, Safilo is leading its Group legacy, founded on innovation and responsibility, onwards towards the future.

With an extensive global presence, Safilo's business model enables it to monitor its entire production and distribution chain. From research and development in five prestigious design studios, located in Padua, Milan, New York, Hong Kong and Portland, to its company-owned production facilities and network of qualified manufacturing partners, Safilo Group ensures that every product offers the perfect fit and meets high quality standards. Reaching approximately 100,000 selected points of sale worldwide with an extensive wholly owned network of subsidiaries in 40 countries and more than 50 partners in 70 countries, Safilo's well-established traditional wholesale distribution model, which encompasses eyecare retailers, chains, department stores, specialized retailers, boutiques, duty free shops and sporting goods stores, is complemented by Direct-to-Consumer and Internet pure player sales platforms, in line with the Group's development strategies.

Safilo Group's portfolio encompasses home brands: Carrera, Polaroid, Smith, Blenders, Prive Revaux and Seventh Street. Licensed brands include: Banana Republic, BOSS, Carolina Herrera, Dsquared2, Etro, Eyewear by David Beckham, Fossil, havaianas, HUGO, Isabel Marant, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade New York, Levi's, Liz Claiborne, Love Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Missoni, M Missoni, Moschino, Pierre Cardin, PORTS, rag&bone, Stuart Weitzman, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Jeans and Under Armour.

The parent company, Safilo Group S.p.A., is listed on the Euronext Milan organized and managed by Borsa Italiana (ISIN code IT0004604762, Bloomberg SFL.IM, Reuters SFLG.MI). In 2023, Safilo Group recorded net revenues for Euro 1,024.7 million.

About Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs International was founded in New York City, in 1984. The following year, Jacobs received the distinct honor of being the youngest designer ever to be awarded the fashion industry's highest tribute: The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent.

With stores across the globe, Marc Jacobs International now includes RTW and accessories, kids wear, multiple award winning fragrances, the bookstore Bookmarc and Marc Jacobs Beauty.

Contacts:

Safilo Group Investor Relations

Barbara Ferrante

[email protected]

Ph. +39 049 6985766

https://www.safilogroup.com/en/investors

Safilo Group Press Office

Elena Todisco

[email protected]

Mob. +39 339 1919562

Barabino&Partners S.p.A.

Pietro Cavallera

mailto:[email protected]

Ph. +39 02 72023535

Mob. +39 338 9350534

Marc Jacobs Press Office

Michael Ariano

Global Head of Public Relations Publicist to Marc Jacobs

[email protected]

SOURCE Safilo Group
NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Xponential Fitness, Inc. ("Xponential" or the "Company") (NYSE: XPOF). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

The class action concerns whether Xponential and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until April 10, 2024 , to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Xponential securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On June 26, 2023, short-biased analyst firm Fuzzy Panda published a research report titled "Xponential Fitness (XPOF)  'Abusive Franchisor That Is A House Of Cards'" (the "Fuzzy Panda Report"). Among other revelations, the Fuzzy Panda Report alleged that Xponential's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") Anthony Geisler has had a long history of misleading investors, including being exposed on camera for using "boiler room" tactics to mislead investors in connection with a prior venture and issuing false claims that Xponential "never closed a store." The Fuzzy Panda Report disclosed that its examination of 64 Franchise Disclosure Documents ("FDDs") demonstrated 8 of 10 Xponential brands are losing money monthly and more than 50% of its studios never make a positive financial return. The Fuzzy Panda Report also revealed that more than 100 of Xponential's franchises were for sale at a price 75% less than their initial cost and that the same-store sales ("SSS") and average unit volume ("AUV") the Company reports to investors selectively and misleadingly exclude underperforming stores.

Following publication of the Fuzzy Panda Report, Xponential's stock price fell $9.39 per share, or more than 39%, to close at $15.72 per share on June 27, 2023.

Although Xponential attempted to deny the allegations in the Fuzzy Panda Report, on December 7, 2023, Bloomberg Businessweek ("Businessweek") published an expose on the Company that largely corroborated the Fuzzy Panda Report's allegations entitled "Club Pilates, Pure Barre Owners Say Xponential Left Them Bankrupt." The article stated that Businessweek had interviewed dozens of former business partners, employees, and franchisees of the Company who revealed that Xponential misled many franchisees into a "financial nightmare." The article stated that CEO Geisler "has a track record of combative management, deploying growth-at-all-costs tactics and unleashing aggressive reprisals against anyone who gets in his way." The article disclosed that these unscrupulous tactics caused "many of the company's franchisees . . . [to] have either declared bankruptcy or los[e] their retirement savings."

Following publication of the Businessweek article, Xponential's stock price fell more than 26% over two trading days on heavy trading volume to close at less than $9 per share on December 11, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
This partnership marks a significant milestone for Southern Reins Logistics as they elevate their operations to exceed customer expectations.

DALLAS, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Turvo Inc . ("Turvo" or "the Company"), provider of a leading collaboration application designed for the supply chain, announces a strategic partnership with Southern Reins Logistics, a leading full-service provider of customized freight solutions headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Southern Reins Logisitcs

With a commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions, Southern Reins Logistics has chosen Turvo as its technology partner to enhance efficiency, visibility, and customer service in its 3PL business. Turvo's modern and intuitive approach, real-time tracking, and available integrations align seamlessly with Southern Reins Logistics' mission to provide transparent freight solutions.

Jake Mathis, Founder & CEO of Southern Reins Logistics, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, "Turvo represents the next level of technology that will propel Southern Reins Logistics forward. We believe this partnership will streamline our operations and empower us to achieve unprecedented growth."

Turvo's advanced analytics, the industry's most widely accepted Driver App, and collaborative network capabilities are key to Southern Reins Logistics' continued success.

"Southern Reins Logistics will significantly scale their 3PL operations with Turvo's modern TMS,'' stated Billy Sarracino, CEO of Turvo. "This partnership highlights Turvo's ability to empower market-leading 3PLs to drive continuous growth through our differentiated platform and tech-forward ecosystem."

About Turvo:

Turvo provides a collaborative Transportation Management System (TMS) application designed specifically for the supply chain. Turvo Collaboration Cloud connects freight brokers, 3PLs, shippers, and carriers to unite supply chain ecosystems, delivering outstanding customer experiences, real-time collaboration, and accelerated growth. The technology unifies internal and external systems, providing one end-to-end solution that streamlines operations, enhances analytics, and automates business processes while eliminating redundant manual tasks. Turvo's customers include some of the world's largest Fortune 500 logistics service providers and shippers as well as small to mid-sized freight brokers. Turvo is based in Dallas, Texas, with offices in Hyderabad, India. (www.turvo.com).

For Turvo media inquiries, please contact Kendall Scott, at 972-742-4778, [email protected].

SOURCE Turvo
Toxicology Experts Recommend Checking for Deadly Rodenticides This Season

MINNEAPOLIS, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- When Geoff Pender and his family decided to get away for a holiday on the lake, they took their curious cockapoo named Soho with them. While relaxing in their rental cabin, they noticed that Soho had pulled something out from inside a crack where the stone fireplace had pulled away from the wall. It turned out to be a deadly rat poison called Vacor that was taken off the market in the U.S. in the late 1970s.

Curiosity could have killed Soho, when she found some extremely dangerous rat poison hidden in the chimney of a rental property.

"When you rent a vacation property, especially one that is advertised as pet friendly, you don't expect to have your dog poisoned by something hidden in the house," said Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline. "While Soho's poisoning occurred away from home, we would like to remind all pet lovers to check their surroundings for dangerous materials regardless of where they are at."

"It was certainly a very dramatic situation," Pender explained. "We were sitting around the cabin when my son noticed that Soho had gotten into something tucked behind the fireplace. She ripped open the packaging and powder went everywhere. After we realized that it was rat poison, we knew we needed to urgently get this dog to the hospital. We also called Pet Poison Helpline, who gave us initial guidance and started collaborating with the veterinarian on a treatment plan."

Vacor is a rodenticide with a very narrow margin of safety. Pets can develop symptoms including stomach upset, heart rate and rhythm abnormalities, low blood pressure, and neurologic signs including significant depression, body tremors and seizures. Damage to the pancreas may also occur.

"We don't know how much she ingested," Pender added, "but whatever it was, even the smallest amount can cause serious problems or be fatal. What if it had been a small child that had found the package?"

The closest emergency hospital to the cabin was a 45-minute drive away in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. When Pender arrived, the medical team at Kingston Regional Pet Hospital induced vomiting and administered medical grade activated charcoal. The toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline advised the treating medical team to provide IV fluid therapy to help with cardiovascular perfusion, monitor Soho's heart rate, rhythm, and blood pressure closely, watch for any neurologic signs to develop, and monitor blood glucose levels. It was also recommended to continue monitoring Soho's blood glucose levels for one week after the ingestion due to the potential for pancreatic damage. With the diligent care provided by the veterinary staff at Kingston Regional Pet Hospital, Soho did well and was able to return home the following day after the initial concerns with poisoning had resolved. Once back in Ottawa, a mobile veterinarian fitted her for a blood glucose monitor.

The experience left the family shaken, but better educated about what to do the next time they rent a property.

"It was very traumatizing on the dog, and very traumatizing on us," Pender said. "We would strongly recommend that people with pets inspect everything in reach very carefully. Really scope it out and get in there. Don't rely on your pet to find something."

Soho was successfully treated and released, but has developed an issue with her liver. The family is monitoring her to see if her liver issues are related to the rodenticide ingestion.

"We would also like to strongly encourage all property owners, particularly those who rent or share their homes with other guests, to thoroughly inspect your property, both inside and out," Pender suggested. "Not only check for harmful poisons that can be accessed by pets, but any other potentially dangerous situations. You know your property better than a visitor."

"Rodenticide poisoning is unfortunately a very common occurrence," Dr. Schmid added. "In fact, rodenticides appear twice on our list of Top 10 Toxins in 2023." Signs of rodenticide poisoning vary depending on the product's active ingredient but may include vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, incoordination, tremors, seizures, paralysis, increased drinking and urination, kidney failure, bruising, new swellings due to bleeding, and difficulty breathing.

One particular hospital, Animal Emergency and Specialty Center of Northwest Arkansas, has seen a number of recent rodenticide pet poisoning cases, including one situation where twin Maltese puppies named Love and Joy were rushed to the hospital after coming in contact with a bait station. In another case, a mixed breed dog named Evie was transferred from a local clinic to the emergency hospital after ingesting 20-30 zinc phosphide mole and gopher poison pellets.

"When it comes time to do your spring cleaning, keep your pets and children in mind," said Dr. Schmid. "Make sure dangerous items like rodenticides, cleaning supplies and other toxic materials are safely stored and kept out of accidental reach. If your pet does come into contact with something you fear is dangerous, call your veterinarian immediately or contact Pet Poison Helpline. We're here to help you and your veterinarian care for your pet with the best outcome possible."

Pet Poison Helpline created Toxin Tails to educate the veterinary community and pet lovers on the many types of poisoning dangers facing pets, both in and out of the home. All the pets highlighted in Toxin Tails have been successfully treated for the poisoning and fully recovered.

About Pet Poison Helpline

Pet Poison Helpline, your trusted source for toxicology and pet health advice in times of potential emergency, is available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. We are an independent, nationally recognized animal poison control center triple licensed by the Boards of Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Pharmacy providing unmatched professional leadership and expertise. Our veterinarians and board-certified toxicologists provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline's fee of $85 per incident includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the case. Based in Minneapolis, Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

Contact: Dr. Renee Schmid

Pet Poison Helpline

(952) 806-3803

[email protected]

SOURCE Pet Poison Helpline
Fans can vote online now through April 18th to help SDF win the Webby People's Voice Award

SAN FRANCISCO, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), the nonprofit organization supporting the development and growth of the Stellar network, today announced that its Stellar Aid Assist solution has been nominated for "Best Use of Web3" in the 28th Annual Webby Awards. Hailed as the "internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the internet.

Stellar Aid Assist provides organizations, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a blockchain powered option to easily and efficiently disburse aid at scale during times of crisis. A first-of-its-kind blockchain solution, Stellar Aid Assist powers instant, transparent, and low-cost transfer of funds in bulk to thousands of recipients  even if they don't have bank accounts. UNHCR, for example, has delivered over $2 million in aid to individuals displaced and impacted by the war in Ukraine through the solution since its pilots launch in December of 2022.

"Nominees like the Stellar Development Foundation are setting the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet," said Nick Borenstein, General Manager of The Webby Awards. "It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the nearly 13,000 entries we received this year."

In addition to blockchain technology, Stellar Aid Assist leverages the capabilities of USDC stablecoin issuer Circle , money transfer company MoneyGram International , and digital wallet provider Vibrant , in order to make seamless disbursements possible.

As a nominee for "Best Use of Web3," SDF's Stellar Aid Assist is also eligible to win a Webby People's Voice Award, which is voted online by fans across the globe. Supporters can cast their votes online from now until April 18th.

About Stellar

Stellar is more than a blockchain. Powered by a decentralized, fast, scalable, and uniquely sustainable network made for everyday financial products and services and a thriving and passionate ecosystem that includes a non-profit organization driven by a mission, Stellar is paving the path to unlock the world's economic potential through blockchain technology. Built with speed and low costs in mind, the Stellar network provides builders and financial institutions worldwide a platform to innovate in decentralized finance, issue assets, and to send and convert currencies in real time creating real world utility. Founded in 2014, the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) supports the continued development and growth of the Stellar network and also serves the ecosystem of NGOs, corporations, universities, small businesses, governments, and solo entrepreneurs building on the Stellar network through tooling, funding and strategic collaborations. Together, Stellar is where blockchain meets the real world.

About The Webby Awards

Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites and Mobile Sites; Video; Advertising; Media & PR; Apps & Software; Social; Podcasts; Games and AI, Metaverse & Virtual. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received nearly 13,000 entries from all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include WP Engine, LinkedIn, Verizon, YouGov, NAACP, KPMG, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Vox Media, The Hustle, Podcast Movement, It's Nice That, Convince & Convert, The Neuron, The Gradient, Last Week in AI, MKT1, Bens Bites, The Tilt, Orangeletter, AIGA and The Standard Hotel.

SOURCE The Stellar Development Foundation
The Media Personality and New York Times Best-selling Author Teams Up with Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council for the "Love, Your Mind" Campaign

NEW YORK , April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stephen A. Smith joined the national "Love, Your Mind" campaign today, sharing his personal mental health journey in a new public service advertisement (PSA) to normalize mental health conversations and destigmatize asking for and receiving help. The "Love, Your Mind" campaign, from Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council, encourages a more open, accepting and proactive society when it comes to mental health.

In the PSA , Stephen A. Smith, noted for hosting the Stephen A. Smith Show podcast, opens up about his struggles following the deaths of his loved ones, and how he found solace and healing after reaching out to his family, pastor and friends for support. He encourages people to take care of their own mental health and notes the tips and tools available at LoveYourMindToday.org to help provide this care.

"After losing my mother  although the grief never ends  I spent two years so burdened by grief, I knew my mental health was compromised," said Stephen A. Smith. "Once I focused on taking care of my mental health, however, it helped me get through that dark chapter in my life, propelling me forward. I am honored to partner with 'Love, Your Mind' to help inspire others to be more open about their mental health. I hope this powerful initiative will empower more people to do the same."

"We know that Black individuals, and particularly Black men, often face unique barriers and community stigma when it comes to seeking support for their mental health," said Dr. William A. Smith, chief executive administrator at Huntsman Mental Health Institute. "By partnering with Stephen A. Smith to share his powerful story, we will continue to normalize and elevate the importance of taking care of our minds."

"We're grateful for the opportunity to work with Stephen A. Smith, whose candor and vulnerability encourages everyone to talk more openly about mental health," said Heidi Arthur, chief campaign development officer at the Ad Council. "Through inspiring and relatable voices like Stephen's, we hope to empower everyone to take care of their mind so that they can lead happier and healthier lives."

The "Love, Your Mind" campaign first launched in October 2023 and was developed to reach people in the U.S. who experience mental health challenges while also holding attitudes and beliefs that may discourage them from seeking help. Since launching, the campaign has driven over 222K visits to LoveYourMindToday.org for free mental health resources.

Stephen A. Smith donated his time and his studio space for the video shoot. Additionally, New York City-based production company RUOKAY supported the creation of the PSA as a production partner. Global advertising agency Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB) conceived the spot and script.

For more information about the "Love, Your Mind" campaign, visit LoveYourMindToday.org or follow the campaign on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok.

About Huntsman Mental Health Institute

Huntsman Mental Health Institute brings together 75 years of patient care, research and education into one of the nation's leading academic medical centers focused on mental health. Nestled in the campus of University of Utah, Huntsman Mental Health Institute serves the community with 1,600 faculty and staff in 20 locations providing inpatient and outpatient services for youth, teens and adults as well as a comprehensive crisis care model which includes the nationally recognized SafeUT app and the 988 Crisis hotline for Utah. Our mission is to advance mental health knowledge, hope and healing for all. Learn more at HMHI.utah.edu and join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X and LinkedIn.

About The Ad Council

The Ad Council convenes creative storytellers to educate, unite and uplift audiences by opening hearts, inspiring action and accelerating change around the most pressing issues in America. Since the non-profit's founding, the organization and its partners in advertising, media, marketing and tech have been behind some of the country's most iconic social impact campaigns  Smokey Bear, A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste, Love Has No Labels, Tear the Paper Ceiling and many more. With a current focus on mental health, gun safety, the opioid epidemic, skill-based hiring and other critical issues, the Ad Council's national campaigns encompass advertising and media content, ground game and community efforts, trusted messenger and influencer engagement, and employer programs, among other innovative strategies to move the needle on the most important issues of the day.

In November 2022, the Ad Council announced a Mental Health Initiative, uniting brands, marketers, media companies and nonprofits to address the mental health crisis throughout the U.S. at scale. With a founding investment from Huntsman Mental Health Institute, the multi-year initiative aims to change social norms and create a society that is more open, accepting and proactive when it comes to mental health.

To learn more or get involved, visit AdCouncil.org, join the Ad Council's communities on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X, and view campaign creative on YouTube.

SOURCE The Ad Council
Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays, which commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Its date changes every year, as it depends on the lunisolar calendar.

ADVERTISIMENT

Different denominations use different calendar systems, so Catholics and Orthodox have different Easter dates. The Religious Information Service of Ukraine has shared the dates of Easter for Catholics and Orthodox up to 2050 to see when they will coincide.

At the First Ecumenical Council in 325 AD, it was decided that Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon that follows the vernal equinox.

However, it so happened that in the sixteenth century the Roman Catholic Church introduced the Gregorian calendar and began celebrating Easter with the Gregorian Easter. At the same time, the Orthodox Church continued to use the Julian calendar, so this holiday is still celebrated on different days.

ADVERTISIMENT

Dates of Easter celebrations until 2050

This year, Catholics began celebrating Easter on March 31, and in Ukraine, the celebration will begin only on May 5, 5 weeks later.

However, sometimes it happens that the dates of Easter according to the Gregorian calendar and the Alexandrian calendar coincide. This is exactly what will happen in 2025. Both Catholics and Orthodox will celebrate Easter on April 20.

In addition, both denominations will celebrate Easter on the same day in 2028, 2031, 2034, 2037, 2038, 2041, 2045, and in 2048.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- STV, a leading professional services firm that plans, designs and manages infrastructure projects across North America, today announced that Chris Statham has joined the firm as chief financial officer.

In this role, Statham will be responsible for advancing the goals of STV's 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, strengthening financial operations and executing the firm's financial strategy to further drive the rapid growth STV has experienced over the past few years.

Transformational growth requires transformational leadership, so we are excited to welcome Chris to STV Post this Chris Statham Joins STV as New CFO

"Since launching our Strategic Plan, our company has grown significantly, with 3,000 employees and more than 60 offices in North America," said Greg Kelly, CEO at STV. "Transformational growth like this requires transformational leadership, so we are excited to welcome Chris to our team as we gain momentum on our strategy and further position the firm for growth in the future."

A seasoned finance and strategy executive, Statham joins STV with over 25 years of experience working in the engineering industry and with some of the largest and most complex public financial institutions and private equity firms across the country. He has deep expertise in financial planning, modelling, risk, accounting, technology and mergers and acquisitions and has successfully reimagined and redesigned project and financial management processes to support long-term growth and improve efficiency.

Statham holds a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Lehigh University and a master's in business administration from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. He is also a Certified Public Accountant in the state of New York.

About STV

Founded in 1912, STV is a leading national infrastructure-focused professional services firm, providing engineering, architectural, planning, environmental, program management and construction management services for transportation systems, buildings, water and other facilities. Headquartered in New York City, the company has more than 60 offices across North America. The firm is ranked 37th in Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 11th in its transportation category. In 2022, STV signed the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) Pledge, becoming one of the first architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms to commit to advancing equity in infrastructure. Learn more at stvinc.com.

SOURCE STV
Sixteenth Annual Subaru Share the Love Event Exceeds Goal, Donating $31.6 Million to Charitable Organizations Around the Country

CAMDEN, N.J., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that the 2023 Subaru Share the Love Event surpassed its goal, reaching a total of $288 million in donations over the past sixteen years of the event. Last year, the initiative raised $31.6 million overall for charities nationwide, with Subaru and its retailers donating over $24 million to local organizations through the hometown charity portion of the campaign.

16th annual Subaru Share the Love Event exceeds goal, donating $31.6 Million to charitable organizations nationwide. Post this In 2023, the Subaru Share the Love Event celebrated 16 years of giving back on behalf of customers. For every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at any participating Subaru retailer from November 16, 2023, through January 2, 2024, Subaru and its retailers donated a minimum of $300 to charity. The initiative raised $31.6 million overall for charities nationwide, with Subaru and its retailers donating over $24 million to local organizations through the hometown charity portion of the campaign For the past 16 years, through the Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru and its retailers have donated to charities like the ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels America and the National Park Foundation, as well as over 2,100 hometown charities. At the end of the 2023 Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru and its retailers donated $288 million.

In 2023, all Subaru retailers across the U.S. participated in the annual Share the Love Event, demonstrating their commitment to being "More Than a Car Dealer." Customers purchasing or leasing during the campaign period could choose one of four national charity partners or a local hometown charity of the retailer's choice to receive donations. The overwhelming majority of donations, over three-quarters, went to local charitable organizations, with more than $24 million being donated to over 830 hometown charities close to Subaru owners' hearts.

Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America, Inc.: "Here at Subaru, our commitment to community is all about showing love and support in ways that make a meaningful difference. This year, Subaru retailers and customers demonstrated their dedication by donating a record amount to local and national organizations. Subaru is truly More Than a Car Company, and we're incredibly grateful to our retailers and customers who share our values and helped make the 2023 Share the Love Event a tremendous success."

Since 2008, Subaru of America and its retailers have held the Share the Love Event at the end of the year through the holiday season to give back to charities in the communities Subaru retailers know and love. From November 16, 2023, through January 2, 2024, for any new vehicle purchased or leased at every retailer around the country, Subaru and its retailers donated a minimum of $300 to charity. Subaru has a longstanding relationship with national charity partners, including The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels America, and the National Park Foundation, who collectively received over $7 million in donations. Subaru and its retailers nationwide selected 832 hometown charities within their local communities, and overall, these organizations received a record $24 million in contributions.

For more information on the Subaru Share the Love Event, please visit www.subaru.com/share.

Subaru and its retailers are committed to helping their communities through the Subaru Love Promise. To learn more about the Love Promise initiative, please visit www.subaru.com/love-promise.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Diane Anton

Corporate Communications Manager

(856) 488-5093

[email protected]

Adam Leiter

Corporate Communications Specialist

(856) 488-8668

[email protected]

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.
Taiwan Tourism Administration Promotes its Ambitions to be the Cruise Industry's leading Home Port in Asia

MIAMI, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA), in collaboration with Taiwan International Ports Corp. (TIPC) and the Maritime and Port Bureau, MOTC (MPB), proudly unveiled the Taiwan Pavilion at the world-renowned Seatrade Cruise Global 2024, the premier event for the cruise industry, hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center from April 8-11, 2024.

Dr. Trust Lin, Deputy Director-General of Taiwan Tourism Administration, met with executives from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, including Chad Berkshire, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer, and Brian Gilroy, VP Revenue Management & Itinerary Planning.

Innovatively blending tradition and ambition, the Taiwan Pavilion is designed in the likeness of a Taiwanese sky lantern. Each facet shares an aspect of Taiwan, including its rich culture, exquisite delicacies, breathtaking nature, and key ports, inviting cruise industry executives to choose Taiwan as their cruise lines' next port of call.

The booth's inauguration was marked by an exclusive VIP reception that saw the attendance of senior officials from TTA, TIPC, and MPB. The event was graced by luminaries from global cruise lines, industry associations, and port authorities from adjacent countries. The reception put Taiwan's best foot forward, with speeches delivered by TTA Deputy Director General, Trust Hsin-Jen Lin, a performance by dancers from Taiwan's indigenous Amis tribe, a presentation on Taiwan's cruising prospects, a fusion of Taiwanese and Western snacks, and a sky lantern launching ceremony. With Taiwan's officials and international industry leaders inscribing their hopes for Taiwan's cruise sector on an inflatable lantern, and symbolically launching it into the exhibition hall's 'sky', they together created a visible spectacle of shared dreams and mutual prosperity.

Dr. Trust Lin, Deputy Director-General of Taiwan Tourism Administration underscored the Taiwan's successful recovery of its cruise industry: "Prior to the pandemic, Taiwan was the second largest source market for cruise passengers in Asia. In 2019, over a million passengers embarked on cruises from Taiwan, with over 600 cruises calling in Taiwan or using it as a home port, generating an economic value of approximately US$1 billion. As of 2024, Taiwan's cruise industry has recovered to around 70% of the pre-pandemic levels. Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA), Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC), and the Maritime and Port Bureau (MPB) have all introduced incentives to invite more cruise ships to call at Taiwan or use Taiwan as a home port."

Taiwan's endeavor to promote its ports at Seatrade Cruise Global 2024, particularly Keelung and Kaohsiung as home ports, leverages its position as the 2nd largest source market for cruising in Asia. This initiative underscores the potential for leading cruise lines to anchor their Asian operations within Taiwan's welcoming shores, offering travelers unparalleled access to the myriad of experiences that The Heart of Asia has to offer.

Taiwan, with its picturesque landscapes nestled between mountains and sea, boasts rich biodiversity and a vibrant tapestry of cultures. Throughout the year, it hosts a plethora of themed events, each season bringing its own unique charm. From the north to the south and everywhere in between, Taiwan's charming towns showcase rich local traditions and captivating cultural heritage, exuding an irresistible allure.

Taiwan's stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and diverse culture make it a captivating destination year-round. From north to south, charming towns offer unique traditions and cultural experiences. Additionally, Taiwan's culinary scene, ranging from vibrant night markets to Michelin-recommended restaurants, is a highlight for cruise passengers. Explore more about Taiwan's cruise industry at bit.ly/CruiseTaiwan .

ABOUT TAIWAN TOURISM ADMINISTRATION

The Taiwan Tourism Administration is the official government agency of Taiwan (R.O.C.) responsible for domestic and international tourism policy development and execution. The Eastern US market is managed by the New York office of TTA. For more information, visit eng.taiwan.net.tw .

SOURCE Taiwan Tourism Administration
Center's name reflects Chivukulas' generosity and passion for health and wellness.

TAMPA, Fla., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) revealed plans this week for a new center focused on men's health made possible with the generous contribution of Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula to the TGH Foundation.

The Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula Men's Health Center, named in recognition of the couple's $6.5 million donation, is an excellent complement to the highly successful USF's Pamela Muma Women's Health Center, which opened in 2019 and is driven by a meaningful partnership between TGH and USF Health. The Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula Men's Health Center will provide seamless, coordinated, comprehensive primary and preventive care for male patients, just as the Muma Center focuses on women's health. Services will be available to members of the Chivukula Health Center and tailored to the needs of each individual patient, offering annual visits with providers, as well as priority access for urgent, acute, and chronic health care needs.

"With the generous support of the Chivukulas, we're able to increase access to world-class care for men across the Tampa Bay region," said Tampa General Hospital president and CEO John Couris. "At the Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula Men's Health Center, like at the Pamela Muma Women's Health Center, our patients can gain access to timely appointments and test results, as well as care coordination for those who need to see a specialist or schedule a surgery."

Tampa General is currently evaluating locations and developing plans for the new center. Construction on the Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula Men's Health Center is expected to begin in the next couple of months, with plans to open in 2025.

The $6.5 million contribution marks the first donation to TGH Foundation from the Chivukula family. The couple is passionate about health and wellness and sees this investment as an opportunity to increase access to world-class care.

"Personal wellness and life longevity are of utmost importance to us. With this investment, we're encouraging others to seek care at Tampa General and benefit from the world-class providers available right here in our own community," said Dr. Jagadamba and Krishna Chivukula.

Krishna Chivukula is Chairman of the Board and Founder of INDO-MIM, a leading global supplier of Metal Injection Molded products with locations in the US, India, and Europe. Dr. Jagadamba Chivukula is a retired neonatal physician. They recently moved to the Tampa Bay region from Princeton, New Jersey.

"We are extremely honored to partner with the Chivukula family as they make their first gift to Tampa General. Much like the impact of the Muma Women's Center, this investment truly elevates the standard of care we can provide to our male patients. It also ensures that we can offer high quality holistic care - just in the way this family so proudly prioritizes," said Frann Leppla, vice president and chief philanthropy officer at the TGH Foundation.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 981-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2023-24 Best Hospitals, with six specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings  in the top 100 nationally in the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women and top 25 in Florida in the 2023 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit of approximately $240.3 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Muma Children's Hospital at TGH, the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes TGH North which is comprised of three hospitals and several outpatient locations in Citrus and Hernando counties, 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact: Amanda Bevis

(202) 680-9262 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
NEW YORK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The professional chef's cooking secret is a pantry staple that's probably already in most people's refrigerator. It's butter! But if home cooks wants to take their cooking to the next level, high-quality European butter from France is the ingredient that the best chefs use to make everything taste better. Follow the secret techniques that cookbook authors and chefs have discovered to make dishes that rise above the rest.

Sweet or Savory Tarts are easy to prepare and always a winner made with European Butter from France European Butter from France takes grilled cheese from ordinary to extraordinary. Spreading butter on both sides of the bread adds an extra layer of rich flavor to this classic dish.

Simply spread on bread and one can immediately ascertain the distinctive taste and irresistible tang that is unique to French butter. Charles Duque, Managing Director, Americas for the French Dairy Board explains, "Because most French butter is cultured and has a higher percentage of butterfat it's the top choice of chefs who are looking for the best flavor and texture in everything from simple scrambled eggs to laminated dough pastries like croissants or pain au chocolat."

Brown is Beautiful

Steak and Cake cookbook author Elizabeth Karmel recently shared her recipe for Pear, Blue Cheese, and Walnut Tarts in her What's 4 Dinner newslette r. With only 6 ingredients, each one is crucial, but especially the butter. Karmel shares, "When I make puff pastry tarts, I use pure melted butter to coat any uncooked fruit or vegetables and to brush the exposed part of the puff pastry. I choose a high-fat European butter over cream or an egg wash for a couple of reasons. First, I want the tart to taste of butter all the way through. Puff pastry is made with butter and I don't want to introduce an eggy or milky flavor to the pastry. Second, the butter melts seamlessly into the puff pastry and doesn't create a 'cooked' surface. It also promotes better browning and tastes great!"

Clever Cookie

Bakery cookies often taste better than homemade, and the reason is butter. Pastry Chef Online Jenni Field shares that while many recipes call for creaming butter and sugar, that's not what she recommends. Says Field, "Using melted browned butter in cookies rather than creaming solid butter with sugar does a couple of things. First, it prevents "puff," so you end up with cookies that have a nice crunch. Since you don't have the air bubbles from creaming, the crumb of the cookies will be much tighter. It's the way to go if you want a crunchy cookie."

She adds, "Another thing using browned butter does is to add something that is almost 100% fat rather than whole butter, which can contain up to 20% water. This means you will have less gluten development--almost no gluten development if the browned butter is the only liquid in the recipe--so you will end up with a cookie that is "shorter," or more sandy/crumbly, and a bit more fragile."

Sandwich Smarts

Everyone loves grilled cheese sandwiches, but the secret of how to cook them perfectly is revealed in Butter by Dorie Greenspan. Greenspan cooks her sandwiches in clarified butter. "The butter flavors the bread and allows it to color deeply without becoming too dark or worse, burnt," says Greenspan who instructs readers to brush both the cooking surface and the bread with butter.

Clarified butter has a higher smoking point and is easy to make with butter from Europe, because it has less water than typical butter, 82% vs 80%, respectively.

Best Burgers

Cookbook author Amy Sherman shares how butter is the secret to make the most delicious burgers and sliders. "Home cooks are often frustrated with how dry burgers can be. You don't need a higher fat grind of beef to make juicy flavorful burgers, but rather frozen butter." Sherman freezes French butter and then grates it into the meat using a box grater. "For one pound of 85% lean ground beef, grate 2 Tablespoons of frozen French butter. If you use salted butter, you won't even need to salt the meat. This makes enough for 3 generous burgers or 8 sliders."

Just as cooking sandwiches in butter adds flavor, so too does cooking and basting the burgers or sliders in clarified butter. Don't forget to toast buns in clarified butter on the grill. Find even more chef's tips and tricks at TasteEurope: Butter of France .

More information about Taste Europe | Butter of France:

In France, butter is a key ingredient in many dishes as well as a staple in every kitchen. This is promoted in the U.S. through the initiatives led by the French Dairy Inter-branch Organization (CNIEL, for its acronym in French) in cooperation with the European Union. The joint effort aims to promote the benefits of French butter, its consumption, as well as introduce the U.S. to the myriad of differences between European and domestic butter and to increase exports. For more about the campaign, visit: www.TasteEurope.com and join the conversation with #ButterofFrance on social networks through Facebook TasteEuropeButterofFrance & Instagram @TasteEurope .

About CNIEL:

CNIEL is the French inter-branch organization for cow's milk, created in 1974. It brings together producers, cooperatives, private industries, distributors, and food service stakeholders with the aim of carrying out collective actions in the service of the French dairy sector.

For more information:

Laura Baddish

[email protected]

917-601-0051

SOURCE Taste Europe Butter of France
BOSTON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Temu, the e-commerce platform known for its affordable quality merchandise, has joined the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), a global coalition committed to fighting identity theft and online fraud.

Founded in 2003, APWG brings together efforts from leading tech companies, financial institutions, top cybersecurity firms and governmental agencies to tackle cybercrime. This collaboration involves exchanging data, conducting research, and launching public awareness campaigns. Phishing, a widespread cybercrime, seeks to illicitly gather sensitive information through deceptive communication channels.

In 2023, APWG documented nearly five million phishing attacks worldwide, a record high that underscores the growing threat.

Through its APWG membership, Temu hopes to contribute its experience in safeguarding customer data and thwarting impersonation efforts. It also stands to learn from the experience of the other members, including the latest best practices in combating phishing and identity theft.

"A safe shopping experience is of utmost importance to our customers, especially as we expand into more markets globally," said a spokesperson from Temu. "Joining APWG underscores our dedication to shielding our users from scams and staying abreast of the latest global best practices in cybercrime prevention."

Temu's decision to join APWG is part of its ongoing effort to provide a secure shopping environment for its customers. The platform has experienced significant growth since its inception in the US, and now caters to 58 markets worldwide.

In February, Temu was independently certified by leading global testing organization DEKRA to pass the Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA). This certification highlights Temu's commitment to enhancing user privacy and security. In November, the platform partnered with the San Francisco-based cybersecurity firm HackerOne to launch a bug bounty program, encouraging ethical hackers to find and report security vulnerabilities. Temu has also strengthened login security for its users by implementing multi-factor authentication.

About Temu

Temu is an online marketplace that connects consumers with millions of sellers, manufacturers and brands around the world with the mission to empower them to live their best lives. Temu is committed to offering the most affordable quality products to enable consumers and sellers to fulfill their dreams in an inclusive environment.

About the APWG

Founded in 2003, the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) is a not-for-profit industry association focused on eliminating the identity theft and frauds that result from the growing problem of phishing, crimeware, and e-mail spoofing. Membership is open to financial institutions, online retailers, ISPs, solutions providers, the law enforcement community, government agencies, multilateral treaty organizations, and NGOs. There are more than 2,200 enterprises worldwide participating in the APWG.

SOURCE Temu
Celebrating the spirit of acceptance, The Help Group is hosting a variety of events including the 11th Annual Special Needs Resource Fair, the Festival of Arts Exhibit, and a thought-provoking webcast focusing on redefining potential in autism.

LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During Autism Acceptance Month this April, The Help Group, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit agency dedicated to serving families and individuals with special needs through its schools and programs, is organizing several community gatherings as well as a webcast focused on the topic of autism acceptance, free of charge. These events aim to link families with vital resources in the Los Angeles region and spotlight the unique talents of individuals, including those on the autism spectrum.

"Autism Acceptance Month underscores the importance of understanding and embracing the 1 in 36 children diagnosed with autism," remarked Dr. Laurie Stephens, Sr. Director of Autism and Clinical Services at The Help Group. "These community events offer valuable opportunities to celebrate neurodiversity while equipping families with resources to support their children realizing their fullest potential."

The Help Group's annual Festival of Arts, a cherished event, will once again showcase the talents of student artists. Taking place on Sunday, April 14th, from 12-3 pm at the Brad Buckman Photography Studio in Burbank, CA, this year's theme, "I See the World, The World Sees Me," honors neurodiversity through three captivating displays of student artwork:

"Through Our Eyes": Featuring over 150 diverse paintings

"The Art of STEM": Showcasing innovative 3D designs and graphic art

"In Focus: Images and Words": A captivating fusion of photography and student expression

Sponsored for the 11th consecutive year by Bear Givers, a nonprofit organization fostering creativity for those with special needs, the exhibition underscores The Help Group's belief in the transformative power of art through self-expression.

"Our students' pride in sharing their talents represents a significant moment of achievement," remarked Dr. Susan Berman, President & CEO of The Help Group. "We extend our gratitude to Bear Givers for their ongoing support of our remarkable young artists."

The art exhibition is open to the public and free to attend. For further details, please visit https://thg-art-show.eventbrite.com.

The Help Group will present a complimentary webcast, "Rethinking Potential for Autistic Youth" on Wednesday, April 17th, at 10 am PT. Moderated by Dr. Shayne Horan, VP of Schools at The Help Group, the panel will include Sue Anne Kaples, Director of Schools at The Help Group, and Dr. Laurie Stephens, Senior Director of Autism & Clinical Services at The Help Group. The webcast will provide insights on presuming competence in autistic individuals, nurturing passions through personalized approaches, and leveraging strengths to unlock limitless potential and promote well-being. Drawing from personal anecdotes and real-life experiences, Ms. Kaples and Dr. Stephens will craft a narrative that honors the unique journey of each individual with autism. To reserve your spot, please visit https://THGWebcast.eventbrite.com.

The Help Group will be hosting its 11th Annual Special Needs Resource Fair on Sunday, April 28th, from 11 am to 2 pm at its Autism Center in Sherman Oaks. Expecting a turnout of over 1,000 attendees and featuring more than 70 exhibitors and speaker sessions, this complimentary community event offers an invaluable opportunity for parents, families, and professionals to explore the diverse range of support services available for the special needs community in Los Angeles.

Co-presented with LA Parent Magazine, the Resource Fair will showcase representatives from schools, camps, medical and therapeutic services, financial and estate planning firms, advocacy groups, recreational programs, vocational services, residential programs, and more. Attendees will have the chance to discover resources tailored for individuals with autism, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays, and emotional challenges.

"The Resource Fair serves as an empowering platform connecting families to solutions and paving the way for new opportunities," remarked Dr. Susan Berman, President & CEO of The Help Group. "We're honored to facilitate this collaborative event aimed at fortifying the special needs community."

In addition to the exhibitors, guests can partake in family-friendly activities such as interacting with local therapy dogs, engaging in sensory tables, participating in arts and crafts, contributing to a community art mural, enjoying fun fitness activities, and more. A food cart, a food station managed by vocational students, and complimentary Peet's Coffee will also be available.

For more information and to RSVP for this complimentary event, please visit www.thehelpgroup.org/resource-fair.

By fostering understanding, celebrating diversity, and providing essential resources, these initiatives provide much needed support for the special needs community. From the Festival of Arts to the enlightening webcast and the annual Special Needs Resource Fair, these events embody The Help Group's commitment to embracing neurodiversity and redefining potential to support every person in reaching their fullest potential.

ABOUT THE HELP GROUP

The Help Group believes that dignity, hope, opportunity, and love are the birthrights of all. They strive to transform lives by recognizing, cultivating, and celebrating the individual gifts of those with special needs related to autism, learning differences, ADHD, developmental delays, and emotional challenges. Their dedication to this mission shines through their family of innovative educational, therapeutic, residential, and vocational programs, as well as their advancement of cutting-edge research, professional training, outreach, and public policy advocacy.

www.thehelpgroup.org

SOURCE The Help Group
FUQING, China, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Association of Fuqing Clansmen Limited Anniversary Celebration and China-Indonesia "Two Countries, Twin Parks" Promotion Conference took place from April 1st to 4th in Fuqing, Fujian province, marking the 35th anniversary and convening the Ninth Council Members' Representatives Congress of the association with the theme of "Unity and Love for Homeland at Heart, Carrying on Traditions While Innovating for the Future".

The International Association of Fuqing Clansmen Limited Anniversary Celebration and China-Indonesia "Two Countries, Twin Parks" Promotion Conference held in Fuqing City, Fujian province

According to Fuqing Media Convergence Center, nearly 400 overseas Chinese from across the globe gathered in their hometown of Fuqing to reminisce about their roots, discuss collaboration, and strengthen ties.

Over the past 35 years, The International Association of Fuqing Clansmen Limited has upheld its founding principles of "Unity, Love for Homeland, and Development", actively uniting fellow countrymen both domestically and abroad, playing a significant role in driving Fuqing's reform and opening-up initiatives as well as its pursuit of high-quality development.

The promotional conference for the China-Indonesia "Two Countries, Twin Parks" project was simultaneously held during the congress. The event featured the signing of ten projects across sectors such as technology, finance, agriculture, and real estate. These signings represented a new milestone, propelling Fuqing's international trade, economic, and cultural exchanges to a higher level.

SOURCE Fuqing Media Convergence Center
RESTON, Va., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Internet Society Foundation today announced the opening of its 2024 application cycle for the Research Grant Program. This program offers grants up to US$500,000 to support researchers around the world who are examining the critical issues surrounding the future and sustainability of the Internet.

The Internet Society Foundation encourages independent researchers, non profit organizations, and public research institutions worldwide to submit proposals that delve into the following thematic areas:

A Trustworthy Internet

Decolonizing the Internet

Greening the Internet

The Internet Economy

"Creating new knowledge through rigorous research is essential in ensuring the Internet's long-term health," said Sarah Armstrong, Executive Director of the Internet Society Foundation. "By supporting a diverse range of researchers, we gain a deeper understanding of the Internet's impact on society and can use that evidence to shape a more equitable and sustainable future."

"Our research involved technical work, field visits, and collaborative workshops with rural users. The Global South, especially the rural areas, are very contextual. Building technologies the way big tech does may not work well because if it's irrelevant to the users, they wouldn't use it. Without the Internet Society Foundation grant, it would have probably been impossible to do this research." - Francis Saa-Dittoh, University for Development Studies, Ghana. (Learn more about Francis' research that is using artificial intelligence to promote digital inclusion).

Independent researchers may receive funding up to US$200,000, while organizations and institutions can receive up to US$500,000.

The application window for the 2024 Research Grant Program opens on 3 April and closes on 14 May 2024, at 21:00 UTC.

The Internet Society Foundation is committed to open access research. All funded projects must be published and made freely available to the public. The program also strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups in the research community.

To learn more about the program and submit an application, please visit the Internet Society Foundation website: https://isoc.pub/ResearchGrant.

About the Internet Society Foundation

The Internet Society Foundation was established to support the positive difference the Internet can make to people everywhere. Guided by our vision of an Internet for Everyone, the Foundation's philanthropy efforts champion ideas and enable communities to unlock the Internet's potential to tackle the world's evolving challenges. The Foundation awards grants to Internet Society Chapters as well as non-profit organizations and individuals dedicated to providing meaningful access to an open, globally-connected, secure and trustworthy Internet for everyone.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Regulatory fines, criminal penalties, and class-action settlements paid by corporations in the United States since 2000 have now surpassed $1 trillion. Over that period of time, total annual payouts for corporate misconduct grew from around $7 billion per year in the early 2000s to more than $50 billion in recent years, according to a new report by Good Jobs First .

This amounts to a seven-fold increase in current dollars  a 300% increase in constant dollars.

These figures are derived from Violation Tracker , a wide-ranging database containing information on more than 600,000 cases from about 500 federal, state and local regulatory agencies and prosecutors as well as court data on major private lawsuits.

The database shows that 127 large parent companies have each paid more than $1 billion in fines and settlements over the past quarter-century. The most penalized industries are financial services and pharmaceuticals, followed by oil and gas, motor vehicles, and utilities.

"The fact that penalties have reached the 10-figure level suggests that we have been living through a continuous corporate crime wave," said Philip Mattera, Good Jobs First research director and lead author of the report. "Every year, companies pay out billions of dollars for a wide range of offenses. Many large corporations are fined or enter into settlements over and over again, often for the same or similar misconduct."

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration accounts for more than one-third of the 600,000 cases in Violation Tracker, which includes only fines of $5,000 or more. But because OSHA's fines have been kept artificially low and are often below that threshold, the agency accounts for only $3 billion of the $1 trillion total (for example, a company in 2024 pays a maximum fine of just over $16,000 when an employee is killed on the job).

Among the findings:

Bank of America has by far the largest penalty total at $87 billion. It and other banks, both domestic and foreign, account for six of the 10 most penalized parent companies.

Other bad actors include BP (mainly because of the Deepwater Horizon disaster), Volkswagen (because of its emissions cheating scandal), Johnson & Johnson (largely because of big settlements in cases alleging its talcum powder causes cancer), and PG&E (due to cases accusing it of causing or contributing to wildfires in the West).

Recidivism is a major issue. Half a dozen parent companiesall bankshave each paid $1 million or more in over 100 different cases, led by Bank of America with 225. Two dozen parents have at least 50 of these cases on their record.

All of the top 10 and 95 of the 100 most penalized parent companies are publicly traded. The most penalized privately held company is Purdue Pharma, which is going out of business for its role in causing the opioid crisis.

In more than 500 of the cases involving criminal charges, the U.S. Justice Department offered the defendant a deferred prosecution or non-prosecution agreement, thus allowing it to avoid entering a plea. Numerous companies have gotten more than one of these leniency agreements.

Cases brought by state and local government prosecutors and regulators account for $215 billion of the trillion-dollar total. Nearly two-thirds of that amount came from actions brought by groups of state attorneys general or financial regulators acting in concert. California and New York far surpass the rest of the states in the penalties achieved through single-state actions.

We call on prosecutors and regulators to supplement monetary penalties with other kinds of remedies, such as forcing companies to divest from lines of businesses in which they were engaged in serious misconduct. The Justice Department also needs to be more aggressive in bringing criminal charges against individual corporate executives in the most serious cases.

We also call for greater consistency among states in their commitment to enforcement. Taking what appears to be a half-hearted approach to enforcement in states including South Dakota and Utah deprives residents of the protections contained both in state regulations and in the federal laws the states help to enforce.

"Numerous states also need to improve their disclosure practices, so that the public can see how much enforcement they are actually doing," said Good Jobs First research analyst Siobhan Standaert, co-author of the report.

Contact: Philip Mattera [email protected]

SOURCE Good Jobs First
The Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg has ordered the removal of two Russian oligarchs from the EU sanctions list. This is about co-founders of the Alfa Group concern Mikhail Fridman and Pyotr Aven. The decision was made on April 10.

ADVERTISIMENT

This is stated by the court. It argued that:

"none of the reasons stated in the initial sanctions acts is sufficiently substantiated";

accordingly, the inclusion of Aven and Fridman in the sanctions lists was not justified.

"Speaking of the extension of the acts, the court considers that the Council of the EU has not provided any additional evidence compared to that on which it relied in the original acts," the document says.

The court saw no connection between Russian oligarchs and Putin

At the same time, it is emphasized that, in the court's opinion, although there are reasons to believe that Fridman and Aven are close to the entourage of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin or to him, "they do not demonstrate that [the oligarchs] supported actions or policies that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."

ADVERTISIMENT

In addition, the court said, these grounds do not prove that Fridman and Aven provided material or financial support to Russian individuals responsible for the annexation of Crimea or the destabilization of Ukraine. Nor do they prove "that they benefited from these individuals."

Fridman and Aven are founders and shareholders of the Russian Alfa-Bank. After the outbreak of a full-scale war in Ukraine, they left Russia but found themselves under EU and UK sanctions. In August 2023, they were also added to the US sanctions list.

As reported earlier, the holding of Russian oligarchs Friedman and Aven, ABH Holdings (ABHH, Luxembourg), filed a lawsuit against Ukraine with the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) for more than $1 billion. The Russian businessmen are demanding this compensation for the nationalization of Sense Bank, formerly known as Alfa-Bank Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Thorntons will kick-off construction of its first Markham location with a groundbreaking ceremony this Friday.

Lisa Blalock, President, Thorntons Mayor Roger Agpawa, Mayor of Markham Derrick Champion, Economic Development Director of Markham Other elected officials and community leaders

MORE |
Company to initiate Phase 1 study of Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) prevention in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Q2 2024





Second IND application for refractory Crohn's disease expected in Q3 2024





Highly scalable platform enables efficient pipeline expansion and opportunity beyond first two indications

SAN DIEGO, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tr1X, Inc., an autoimmune and inflammatory disease cell therapy company focused on the development of novel allogeneic regulatory T cell therapies (Allo-Tregs) and allogeneic regulatory T cells expressing Chimeric Antigen Receptors (Allo-CAR Tregs), today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for TRX103 for the prevention of Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) in patients undergoing HLA-mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The company plans to initiate a Phase 1 study of TRX103, an investigational allogeneic off-the-shelf Tr1 Treg therapy, for this indication in the second quarter of 2024. Additionally, the company is on track to submit an IND for TRX103 for patients with refractory Crohn's disease in the third quarter of 2024.

"The FDA's clearance of our IND for TRX103, the first ever allogeneic engineered Tr1 regulatory T cell product, is an important milestone that could quickly provide us with proof-of-concept data while we continue to develop TRX103 for multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease," said Maria Grazia Roncarolo M.D., Co-Founder, President and Head of R&D at Tr1X. "Donor-derived autologous Tr1 cells have shown clinical promise in improving immune reconstitution and reducing GvHD but have limited potential due to lack of feasibility and high cost. TRX103, an off-the-shelf product with unique biological properties compared to other Treg and CAR-T cell therapies, has the potential to reduce inflammation, suppress pathogenic cells, and reset the immune system. TRX103 is currently produced cost effectively at scale in a fully closed end-to-end system using a process that yields billions of cells in a single campaign. This should enable Tr1X to develop further pipeline candidates that address even larger patient populations with equally unmet medical needs."

"Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only curative treatment for many advanced blood cancers and genetic and acquired diseases. However, there remains a burden of morbidity and mortality related to GvHD and its complications, including severe infections," said Monzr M. Al Malki, M.D., lead investigator of the Phase 1 study, Associate Professor in the Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, and Director of the Unrelated Donor, Haploidentical and Cord Blood Transplant Programs at City of Hope National Medical Center. "As a result, innovative treatments are urgently needed. We look forward to starting this first-in-human trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability and clinical activity of these allogeneic Tr1 Treg cells and their potential to benefit patients in this setting."

About TRX103

TRX103 is an investigational allogeneic off-the-shelf engineered T cell product generated from CD4+ cells sourced from healthy donors. These donor-derived CD4+ cells are engineered to produce cells that mimic the function of Tr1 regulatory T cells. Tr1X is developing TRX103 for the treatment of several immune and inflammatory disorders. Multiple preclinical models of disease have shown TRX103 to be tolerable and effective and to have the potential to reset immune systems to a healthy state. TRX103 has the potential to overcome major limitations of current cell therapies for autoimmune diseases, which include limited persistence and side effects including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity.

About Tr1X

Tr1X is a privately held biotechnology company focused on engineering cures for immune and inflammatory diseases. Founded by industry veterans, including the scientists behind the discovery of Tr1 cells, the company's pipeline of off-the-shelf allogeneic cell therapies is being developed for the treatment of and potential cure of autoimmune diseases with high unmet medical need. The company is backed by leading investors, including The Column Group, NEVA SGR and Alexandria Venture Investments, and has received additional grant support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). For more information visit www.tr1x.bio.

Investor Contact:

Tr1X Investor Relations

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Julie Normart

[email protected]

SOURCE Tr1X, Inc.
All TA Truck Service Emergency Roadside Assistance (ERA) vehicles are now equipped with the HAAS Alert Safety Cloud digital alerting platform, a software that sends "slow down" and "move over" alerts to oncoming drivers when an ERA vehicle activates its flashing lights and is stopped alongside a roadway. These digital alerts are sent directly to drivers using popular navigation apps like Waze and Apple Maps, and through the infotainment screens of 2018 and newer Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles.

"HAAS Alert's real-time digital notifications provide a safer work environment for the thousands of team members who provide emergency roadside services to professional drivers in need of help," said Debi Boffa, TA CEO. "Safety is our top priority, and we are extremely proud to drastically improve roadside working conditions and better protect both our team members and professional drivers."

"Our collaboration with TravelCenters of America is a vital step forward in our shared commitment to road safety," said Cory Hohs, CEO of HAAS Alert. "By offering Safety Cloud digital alerts, we can help more roadside service workers get home to their families every night."

The NATSO Foundation in 2023 unveiled a strategic partnership with HAAS Alert to enhance safety for the industry's roadside service technicians. Under this program, the NATSO Foundation aims to connect HAAS Alert with the nation's vast network of truck stop and travel center locations.

"We are pleased that TA is implementing the software into its ERA vehicles," said Lisa Mullings, NATSO Foundation President. "By reminding drivers to comply with Move Over laws, we can significantly decrease risk, making highways safer for all."

About TravelCenters of America

TravelCenters of America Inc., part of the bp portfolio, is a full-service travel center network operating under the TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express brands. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, its nearly 19,000 team members serve guests in over 300 locations in 44 states, with a mission of returning every traveler to the road better than they came. Offerings include diesel and gasoline, truck maintenance and repair, full-service and quick-service restaurants, stores with food, beverages and merchandise, car and truck parking and other services dedicated to providing great experiences for guests. TA is also committed to meeting the evolving needs of professional drivers and motorists as the nation shifts toward the increased adoption of alternative fuels and electric vehicles. For more information, visit www.ta-petro.com.

About HAAS Alert

HAAS Alert's mission is to build lifesaving mobility solutions, making vehicles and roads safer and smarter. HAAS Alert achieves this by delivering digital alerts from emergency response, municipal and private fleets, work zones, and connected infrastructure to nearby drivers and vehicles through its cloud-based safety platform (Safety Cloud). Learn more at www.haasalert.com.

About NATSO Foundation

The NATSO Foundation is the research, education, and public outreach subsidiary of NATSO. The Foundation provides tools and resources for truck stops and travel centers to future-proof their business. The Foundation provides resources for how truck stops help people through the Bill and Carolyn Moon Scholarship, training courses, human trafficking awareness, and Amber Alerts. It also provides fundraising efforts for the community through grants, endowments, and event fundraisers. Find out more about the NATSO Foundation at https://www.natso.com/natsofoundation .

TravelCenters of America

Contact: Tina Arundel

Senior Director, Communications

Phone: 440-250-4758

Email: [email protected]

NATSO

Contact: Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman

Vice President, Public Affairs

Phone: 703-739-8578

SOURCE NATSO Foundation
Work includes trimming along more than 3,400 miles of power lines

HOLMDEL, N.J., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) is trimming trees along more than 3,400 miles of power lines across its 13-county service territory as part of its ongoing efforts to help enhance electric service reliability. This comprehensive vegetation management program is designed to help keep power flowing to customers by helping to reduce tree-related outages, such as those that can occur during severe weather.

This year's $32.5 million plan is the first of an annual $1.5 million increase in tree trimming agreed to as part of a settlement with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). JCP&L will also spend an additional $2.5 million for each of the next five years to further expand the tree-trimming zones along 18 high-priority circuits throughout their central and northern New Jersey service territory. These circuits were identified through historical outage data.

Jim Fakult, President, JCP&L: "Falling trees and branches are the number one cause of power outages for our customers in New Jersey. Our year-round tree-trimming efforts are one of the most effective proactive steps we can take to help ensure safe, reliable and affordable electric service to our customers, especially as we move into the summer storm season."

Completed on a four-year cycle, JCP&L's tree-trimming program includes inspecting vegetation near power lines to ensure trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree while maintaining proper clearances around electrical equipment. Tree trimming is conducted by certified forestry contractors under the company's direction.

To learn more about JCP&L's vegetation management efforts, visit firstenergycorp.com/trees.

Since January 1, contractors have trimmed trees along more than 638 miles of power lines, with a total of 3,419 miles expected to be completed by year end.

While JCP&L's tree-trimming program is designed to lower the risk of tree-related outages, work is limited to company rights-of-way. In 2023, 86% of tree-related outages in JCP&L's service territory were caused by trees located outside of these rights of way. If you believe a tree poses a risk to power lines, you can report it on JCP&L's website, and company foresters can assess the situation.

JCP&L will trim trees in the following counties and municipalities over the next two months:

Burlington  Chesterfield , Mansfield, New Hanover, North Hanover, Pemberton, Springfield , Wrightstown

 , Mansfield, New Hanover, North Hanover, Pemberton, , Hunterdon  Alexandria , Clinton, Delaware Twp ., East Amwell, Flemington , Frenchtown , Holland Twp., Kingwood, Lebanon , Milford , Readington , Stockton , Tewksbury , West Amwell

 , Clinton, ., East Amwell, , , Twp., Kingwood, , , , , , West Amwell Mercer  East Windsor, Hightstown

 East Windsor, Hightstown Middlesex  Cranbury , Laurence Harbor , Monroe, Old Bridge

 , , Monroe, Monmouth  Aberdeen, Asbury Park , Avon-by-the-Sea , Bradley Beach , Englishtown , Howell , Manalapan , Matawan , Neptune Twp ., Neptune City , Ocean Twp ., Wall

 Aberdeen, , , , , , , , ., , ., Morris  Chatham , Chatham Twp., Chester , Denville , Harding, Long Hill , Madison , Mountain Lakes , Mt. Olive , Parsippany-Troy Hills

 , Chatham Twp., , , Harding, , , , , Parsippany-Troy Hills Ocean  Beachwood, Berkeley, Brick , Island Heights , Jackson , Lakehurst , Lakewood , Manchester , Plumsted, Point Pleasant Boro, South Toms River , Toms River

 Beachwood, Berkeley, , , , , , , Plumsted, Point Pleasant Boro, , Passaic  Ringwood, Wanaque , Wayne

 Ringwood, , Somerset  Bernards, Bernardsville , Bridgewater , Far Hills , Peapack and Gladstone , Warren Twp .

 Bernards, , , , and , . Sussex  Andover , Andover Twp ., Byram , Franklin , Fredon , Frelinghuysen, Green Twp., Stillwater , Walpack

 , ., , , , Frelinghuysen, Green Twp., , Union  Berkeley Heights , Springfield , Summit

 , , Warren  Allamuchy, Blairstown , Hardwick , Hope , Independence, Knowlton, Washington

Crews are also continuing a multi-year effort to identify and remove deteriorated ash trees that have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer. Nearly 53,000 dead and dying ash trees have been removed in JCP&L's service area, primarily in northern New Jersey, since the initiative began in 2017.

JCP&L works with municipalities to proactively inform them of vegetation management schedules. In addition, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way are notified prior to work being performed. To help further decrease tree-related outages, JCP&L's foresters are also working to educate residents who live near company equipment about the importance of properly maintaining trees on their own property.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JCP_L, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of workers using bucket trucks to trim trees near FirstEnergy power lines are available for download on Flickr. A video explaining FirstEnergy's vegetation management techniques can also be found on YouTube.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Navigating the requirements for global pay data reporting is complex, especially for companies operating in multiple countries or jurisdictions. With Trusaic's new Global Pay Data Reporting solutions, you can easily manage continually evolving requirements. Trusaic's new suite of products includes the EU Pay Transparency Directive Preparedness Assessment, Illinois Compliance Statement Equal Pay Diagnostic and California Pay Data Reporting, among other jurisdictional assessments.

Fair pay is a growing concern around the world, and many countries now require organizations to report on their employee pay data. On March 30, 2023, the European Union approved new pay transparency directives for its EU member states to close the gender pay gap across the EU. Several U.S. states, including Illinois and California, also have their own pay data reporting requirements. Consequences for non-compliance vary by location, but can include fines, reputational damage, and legal action.

Trusaic's new Global Pay Data Reporting solutions feature robust analytics that give all organizations greater insight and visibility into their employee pay data. In addition, users of popular HCM platforms from Workday, UKG and SAP can benefit from seamless, partner-certified integrations.

EU Transparency Directive Preparedness Assessment

Trusaic's proactive EU Transparency Directive Preparedness Assessment can identify potential pay discrimination, differences in overtime participation, and discrepancies in job category representations to make companies aware of potential pay equity issues before they file global pay data reports. The assessment includes a comprehensive analysis by year, protected class, location, and job category, including:

Comprehensive pay gap analysis.

Pay gap significance test.

Wage distribution analysis.

Highest gender/race/ethnicity wage combinations.

Overall financial exposure.

Trusaic experts also provide an interpretation of the results, guidance for including remarks in submissions, and remediation strategy recommendations.

Illinois Compliance Statement Equal Pay Diagnostic

Like most of the U.S., Illinois has a persistent gender pay gap. When Illinois amended its 2003 Equal Pay Act, it created major changes to pay equity compliance in order for private employers with more than 100 employees to receive an Illinois Equal Pay Registration Certificate (EPRC).

Trusaic's Illinois Compliance Statement Equal Pay Diagnostic helps Illinois companies ensure compliance and obtain equal pay certification through:

Comprehensive pay gap analysis at the intersection of factors such as gender, race/ethnicity, age, disability, and more.

Pay gap significance test.

Wage distribution analysis.

Equal pay risk assessment.

Employee pay and demographic report preparation.

Employee list and wage filing.

Root cause identification and remedy.

Custom remediation strategies. Illinois companies must certify corrective action is taken to address pay disparities as part of Equal Pay Certification requirements.

companies must certify corrective action is taken to address pay disparities as part of Equal Pay Certification requirements. Equal pay compliance statement.

Equal pay certification application preparation.

Public facing demographic report.

Continuous pay gap monitoring to enable 3-year EPRC recertification.

California Pay Data Reporting

The California Pay Transparency Act requires private employers of 100 or more employees and/or 100 or more workers hired through labor contractors to annually report pay, demographic, and other workforce data. This year, the state also required new data points for employees working onsite, remotely in California, and remotely outside of California.

Trusaic's California Pay Data Reporting includes:

Comprehensive pay gap analysis.

Pay gap significance test.

Wage distribution analysis.

Equal pay risk assessment.

Pay data report preparation.

Equal pay certification.

"Complex reporting regulations and deadlines make it challenging for organizations to ensure compliance across different jurisdictions," says Robert Sheen, CEO, Trusaic. "Trusaic's Global Pay Data Reporting suite features a simple, one-click solution powered by our advanced analytics that enables users to feel confident in their reporting."

Pay data reporting requirements are expanding around the world with 54 global jurisdictions already having adopted or in the process of implementing some form of pay data reporting requirement. Trusaic created the Pay Equity Definitive Guide to help organizations manage and track the evolving requirements.

About Trusaic

At Trusaic, we're on a mission to empower organizations to create a more equitable working world for all. We champion human potential through our industry leading technology platform and first-to-market partnerships and integrations, enabling organizations to achieve pay equity, foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce, hire economically disadvantaged individuals and ensure employee access to affordable healthcare.

SOURCE Trusaic
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TUSK Practice Sales ("TUSK") the premiere healthcare M&A Advisor, advised Dynamic Growth Dental in its affiliation with Dental365. The transaction was led by Josh Swearingen, Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at TUSK Practice Sales. Alex Cherniavsky and Sam Lupton spearheaded the diligence and analytics efforts for TUSK.

Since its founding in 2018, Dynamic Growth Dental has scaled to a 9-location DSO. Dynamic Growth Dental has provided premier dental care to widespread communities in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Ryan Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Dynamic Growth Dental, commented, "Engaging TUSK to run a marketed sales process was the best choice we could've made for our organization. TUSK was thorough in their financial and operational analysis and clearly understood our goals. TUSK's in-house analytics team and expertise in the space were crucial to our process. Our organization is thrilled with the results the TUSK team generated for us. We are looking forward to beginning the partnership with Dental365."

Dental365's Founder and CEO, Scott Asnis, shared, "We are excited to welcome the doctors and staff to the Dental365 family. I am confident that together we will build on the great success of these offices."

About Dynamic Growth Dental

Dynamic Growth Dental Support is a dental support organization (DSO) headquartered in Ephrata, PA. Founded to provide business solutions for dentists, our goals, operating principles, and ethic of service are at the heart of everything we do for our practices, their patients, and the communities we serve. For more information, please visit www.dynamicgrowth.dental.

About Dental365

Founded in 2014, Dental365 is a full-service dental practice based on the concept of providing convenient and affordable dental care for the entire family. They offer modern, concierge dentistry services from board-certified specialists. Dental365 has locations throughout the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Whether patients are seeking a cosmetic treatment such as porcelain veneers or a restorative procedure like a dental bridge, Dental365's caring doctors can help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. For more information, visit https://www.godental365.com/professionals.

About TUSK Practice Sales

TUSK Practice Sales ("TUSK") provides M&A Advisory services in the healthcare industry. TUSK has completed over $1B of healthcare transactions. With an in-depth understanding of the marketplace and access to 100's of buyers nationwide, we help our clients confidently pursue M&A transactions that maximize their long-term value. With our significant collective experience of over 125+ years of practice transactions, we offer our clients solutions that help them achieve their strategic and financial objectives. For more information, visit www.TuskPracticeSales.com.

SOURCE TUSK Practice Sales
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) will host its first quarter 2024 earnings conference call on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT (11:00 a.m. ET). Financial results will be released before the NYSE market opens.

The Company invites investors and other interested parties to listen to the live webcast of the conference call at www.vulcanmaterials.com. To participate by phone, call 800-267-6316 approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start. For international calls, the number is 203-518-9843. The conference ID is 1104565.

A replay of the webcast will be available after the call at the Company's website.

Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 index with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, is the nation's largest supplier of construction aggregates  primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel  and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. For additional information about Vulcan, go to www.vulcanmaterials.com.

Investor Contact: Mark Warren (205) 298-3220

Media Contact: Jack Bonnikson (205) 298-3220

SOURCE Vulcan Materials Company
POMONA, Calif., April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy (COP) received a significant donation from 986 Pharmacy CEO and Co-founder Ken Thai, PharmD, APh, to name the current P1 pharmacy classroom the "986 Pharmacy Classroom."

WesternU held a dedication ceremony on April 4, 2024 to honor Dr. Ken Thai and his family for this generous gift. Dr. Thai's generosity to WesternU dates back more than a decade and includes student awards through his foundation as well as recent large endowments to support community pharmacy practice initiatives. COP Dean Sunil Prabhu, BPharm, PhD, offered a toast to Dr. Thai and his family.

WesternU named its P1 classroom the 986 Pharmacy Classroom in honor of 986 Pharmacy CEO and Co-founder Dr. Ken Thai. Post this

"Ken, in your relatively young career, you've made such tremendous success and we as a College are privileged that you have chosen us as a partner in your journey," Prabhu said. "We are very grateful to you for your generosity and for your commitment to WesternU and our students, especially to the unwavering support that you have given them. We hope that we will be partners with you going forward, for many years."

Prabhu also acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Lilia Xu, PharmD, Vice President of Strategic Development of 986 Pharmacy and a member of the COP Dean's Advisory Council, and COP alumnus Dr. Kevin Mancilla, PharmD '22, who is also with 986 Pharmacy.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception included several of Thai's family and 986 Pharmacy colleagues, COP students, staff and faculty, and WesternU dignitaries. WesternU President Robin Farias-Eisner, MD, PhD, MBA, told Thai the University is grateful to him.

"His pharmacy franchise serves as a platform for pharmacists to become independent pharmacy owners," Farias-Eisner said. "That is an amazing service to society because that's what it is all about - giving back and paying it forward, both directions, in order to help his colleagues. I am very impressed by that level of altruism and generosity."

WesternU Board of Trustee member Tony Chan, PharmD, is also a pharmacist and entrepreneur. He has known Thai for more than 20 years, and described him as hardworking, dedicated and diligent.

"Philanthropic effort can really have a transformative impact on the lives of other people, support many worthy causes, and foster positive societal change," Chan said. "This is what I really believe in. We should all get together and create this ripple effect that will make positive changes to all the younger generations. I want to thank Ken Thai, his wife, and his beautiful children for their generosity to support this program to make this school a successful one."

WesternU Provost Paula Crone, DO '92, said Thai is a visionary leader whose unwavering support of the College of Pharmacy and WesternU has already made a big difference.

"The naming of this classroom serves as a testament to Dr. Thai's enduring legacy toward the significant role he has played in shaping the future of pharmacy education. It also symbolizes the strong partnership between academia and industry and what it can do, and that's exemplified by the company he cofounded, 986," Crone said. "May this dedication ceremony inspire future generations of pharmacists and remind all of us of the profound impact that dedication, tenacity, generosity and collaboration can have on advancing education and health care."

Thai, in his remarks, said that Chan and others like him who have donated generously motivated him to do the same.

"I don't think anything I'm doing is great or new. I do feel that I'm paying forward those who paid forward before me," Thai said. "I feel like we're in turbulent times. A lot of folks, students especially, do not feel the same about independent community practice as they once did. The pride that we once showcased may not be as strong as it once was. And I really felt as a member of that community that we need to stand up for that. We need to do something to really show them that we're alive and we're thriving. You can still make it work. We can still do something special to allow the future generations of pharmacists to feel what we felt, to enjoy some of what we enjoyed, and to be where we are today."

Thai said he felt humbled and a little embarrassed by this outpouring of admiration.

"I feel I am up here representing my team. It's really the 986 independent pharmacists I'm standing before all of you representing," he said.

This donation resulted from a desire to showcase and represent independent pharmacists and community pharmacists. Thai said he tells his team members - 986 Pharmacy is now 500 strong  that he has accomplished everything he ever dreamed, and they are an integral part of this process. Several of the 986 team are from WesternU, so the reason he supports the University is simple.

"You put me in a position where I had no choice because you brought talent, you brought the future in my hands," Thai said. "You allowed them to be where they are today because they are living out the American dream because of what you've done as a school, as an institution, as a faculty. And as a beneficiary of that, from the standpoint of a practitioner and health care provider, I had to give back. You made me have no choice but to say thank you. What can I do to provide some type of giveback to the community and to the students that have impacted my life and provided what I have today? So I really need to thank you, all of you."

About Western University of Health Sciences



Western University of Health Sciences (www.westernu.edu), located in Pomona, Calif. and Lebanon, Ore., is an independent nonprofit health professions university, conferring degrees in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences, dental medicine, medical sciences, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and veterinary medicine. WesternU is home to WesternU Health, where the best in collaborative health care services is offered.

SOURCE Western University of Health Sciences
The media attacks and violent actions against Ferrexpo's Ukrainian operations bear signs of blackmail and attempted raider seizure of business. However, the presence of the world's leading investment groups among the company's shareholders will not allow these intentions to be realized and will cause reputational losses to the state.

ADVERTISIMENT

Economic journalist Serhii Liamets writes about this in his column on Censor.net.

He notes that Ferrexpo has recently recovered its sales figures and reached profitability, and the drop in the share price is due to information attacks on the company.

"Ferrexpo's share price on the London Stock Exchange has been falling for a long time. Initially, it was due to a full-scale war and objective obstacles to the supply of products to global markets. But now, thanks to the TIS-Ruda terminal in Odesa, the company has recovered its sales figures and is even profitable. However, the share price continues to fall rapidly because some people have been deliberately driving down the company's share price for years through dirty media campaigns," says Liamets.

Assuming who can benefit the most from such attacks, the economist reminded that a few months ago the debts of the Finance and Credit bank, which belonged to the majority owner of Ferexpo, Kostiantyn Zhevaho, were bought by a private company.

ADVERTISIMENT

"They will surely benefit from any scandal because investors in public companies are careful to avoid any risks. But I'm sure of one thing: what is happening in Ukraine against Ferrexpo and its companies is not a story about establishing the rule of law. It is not even about bringing Zhevaho to justice for real or imagined violations. This is more like a classic Ukrainian story about forceful pressure, blackmail, and an attempted raider seizure of business," emphasized Liamets.

The journalist emphasized that the attempts to take over the company are being made with the strong support of administrative resources. This is evidenced by the disproportionately high bail amounts for Ferrexpo's top managers  UAH 999 million, even though the prosecutor's office demanded a bail amount of UAH 157 billion.

ADVERTISIMENT

Mr. Liamets emphasized that BlackRock, a powerful international company with trillions of dollars in assets, is among Ferrexpo's shareholders.

"Ukrainian homegrown raiders probably think they can squeeze out a player like BlackRock from Ferrexpo's shareholders. This is a real game with fire because an investor of this level can resolve issues directly at the level of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And believe me, our president will do everything to remove tension from these relations. And if it turns out that these games are allegedly being played on behalf of Zelenskyy, the president's response will be extremely harsh," Liamets believes.

The journalist reminded that BlackRock and JPMorgan are jointly creating a $15 billion fund to invest in Ukraine's reconstruction. Accordingly, those who are trying to destroy their large investment through administrative pressure are harming Ukraine's reputation and jeopardizing billions of dollars in investment projects.

ADVERTISIMENT

"Shadowy players are using force and raiding to break the global standard of doing business. In my opinion, the case is hopeless and reputationally harmful. I don't know how much longer it will last. But I think that this game will end very badly for those who are playing it," concludes Sergii Liamets.
The highest and most active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna in Sicily, has started to release rings of smoke into the sky. The unusual phenomenon confused netizens, but locals are not panicking, as they know that these rings are not dangerous to them.

ADVERTISIMENT

The volcano, whose height reaches more than 3,300 meters, erupted more than once last year, so it is the focus of scientific attention. According to Fox News, citing a volcanologist at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, this time Etna is breaking all records.

Unusually-shaped smoke began to be seen over the mountain last week. The Gigantic rings were simply floating over the volcano, slowly dissolving in the air under the influence of the wind. At night, they were illuminated.

ADVERTISIMENT

"Etna is breaking all previous records. Late in the evening of April 2, 2024, a small vent opened up, from which trickles of hot gas were escaping. The next morning, it became apparent that these trickles were forming a significant number of vapor rings, and this activity continues to this day, having already released hundreds, if not thousands, of these pretty rings," the expert wrote.

Etna has formed "volcanic vortex rings," as scientists call them, due to the rapid release of gas and vapor from the newly formed crater.

It is believed that only the Sicilian volcano can produce smoke rings in such impressive numbers. This is due to its location, the climate in Sicily, and other factors. A similar phenomenon in other places quickly dissipates due to strong winds.

ADVERTISIMENT

Is it safe for tourists

Uninformed travelers may think that smoke rings are a signal of a possible eruption, but volcanologists are not in a hurry to make conclusions. Currently, Sicily is receiving tourists as usual, and the picturesque phenomenon has not even affected the airport.

Moreover, the locals jokingly called Etna "The Lord of the Rings," and scientists joke that the volcano wanted to please the world with something beautiful amid the terrible news coming from different parts of the world recently.

Thousands of such rings are not dangerous to humans, so there is no question of evacuating the area around the volcano. Tourists and other observers only joke that Etna looks like an "experienced smoker".

ADVERTISIMENT

How often does Etna erupt

Etna is located at the junction of two tectonic plates: African and Eurasian. The former is in continuous motion, which directly affects the volcano's activity. Sometimes Etna erupts several times a year, and sometimes for a month.

It happens that lava demolishes crops and houses on its way, but most often local residents suffer from ash. On average, one of the villages near the mouth suffers serious damage once every 150 years.

The last eruption, which was the focus of media attention, occurred at the end of 2023. The airport was closed and traffic was restricted.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
Prayagraj, April 10 : The Allahabad High Court has held that criminal proceedings under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cannot be quashed on the basis of a compromise between the accused and the prosecutrix-victim.

Dismissing a petition filed by one Sanjeev Kumar, an accused under the POCSO Act, Justice Samit Gopal observed: "Once the consent of the minor prosecutrix victim is immaterial for registration of offence, then such consent shall still remain immaterial for all practical purposes at all the stages, including for compromise. Merely because the minor prosecutrix has later on agreed to enter into a compromise with the applicant, would not be sufficient to quash the proceedings under the POCSO Act," the court added.

The accused-petitioner had sought setting aside of summoning and cognisance orders as well as seeking a stay on criminal proceedings going on before special judge, POCSO Act, at Azamgarh against him under Sections 376 (rape), 313 (causing miscarriage without women's consent) and other sections of IPC and 3/4 of the POCSO Act.

The accused had moved this court on the ground that after the lodging of the FIR, the conclusion of the investigation and summoning of the applicant by the trial court for the alleged offences, a compromise had been entered into between the parties and hence, the pending case be decided in terms of the said compromise.

The counsel for the opposite party -- the survivor also supported the petition of the accused.

On the other hand, opposing the plea of the accused-applicant, the counsel for the state submitted that the accusations against the accused revolved around subjecting the victim to sexual assault over a period of three years, with the victim being around 15-years-old during the commission of the alleged offence.

It was also contended that since the victim was a minor at the time of the incident, the charge sheet was filed under relevant sections, and the trial court, after finding a prima facie offence against the applicant, summoned him accordingly.

It was also argued that the petition should be dismissed since a compromise in a case of this nature could not be entertained.
Lucknow, April 10 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will address an election rally in Kathua district in Jammu on Wednesday.

This will mark Yogi Adityanath's first visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Jammu and Kashmir BJP unit has mobilised party leaders from the divisional level up to the district level to ensure maximum turnout and make the rallies a historic event.

The Parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir for all five Lok Sabha seats will be held in five phases, with each phase covering one seat.

The election schedule is as follows: April 19 for the Kathua-Udhampur Lok Sabha seat, April 26 for the Jammu-Reasi seat, May 7 for the newly-created Rajouri-Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, May 13 for the Srinagar seat, and May 26 for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat in the Kashmir region.

Meanwhile, later on Wednesday, Yogi Adityanath will also address meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut as well.
Ukraine has not replenished its gold reserves on the global market for three years. This figure remains at 27.1 tons, but the National Bank reports an increase in the share of gold in the country's international reserves, which is due to the rising cost of the metal itself.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to the Ministry of Finance, this was achieved through the purchase of gold scrap  the state buys gold and products made of this metal from pawnshops and melts them into ingots.

Since 2021, the physical volume of gold in the NBU's reserves has remained unchanged, with metal reserves amounting to 0.87 million troy ounces (27.1 tons). Of these, 25 tons are held in cash, and 2.1 tons are held in non-cash form.

In particular, Ukraine has about 2,000 refined gold bars that meet the international LGD (London Good Delivery) standard. Such bars weigh 400 troy ounces (12.5 kg) and cannot be bought in commercial banks.

In 2023, Ukraine ranked 58th among all countries in terms of gold reserves. We are very far from the top of the list:

The United States has 8133 tons; Germany  3355 tons; Italy  2452 tons.

The NBU has named the processing of gold scrap as the main source of replenishment of monetary gold in international reserves. Unredeemed metal and products made of it are bought in pawnshops and melted down to 999.9.

ADVERTISIMENT

However, the monetary share of gold in Ukraine's international reserves increased from $1.76 billion in February to $1.92 billion in March. This was due to the rise in the price of the metal on the global market. It is worth noting that since the beginning of 2024, the gold price has set several historical highs  currently, the price record is at $ 2,350 per ounce.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Pilibhit, April 10 : A farmer from Raniganj village in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit was mauled to death by a tiger within the core forest area of the Mala Forest range in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR).

The incident happened on Tuesday late afternoon.

Bhole Ram, 55, was in the forest with two other farmers to graze cattle when the big cat ambushed him.

The incident occurred 18 km from the main Pilibhit city area on Tuesday.

Pilibhit DFO Manish Singh said that despite warnings, locals continue to venture into the reserveas core area, increasing the risk of human-tiger conflicts. The body of the farmer has been sent for post-mortem.
Chennai, April 10 : The Tamil Nadu forest department, which has been on an intensive search mission to capture the elusive leopard spotted on April 2 at Mayiladuthurai, has detected pug marks of the animal.

The pug marks were found on Tuesday near the Nandalaru stream in Kanjivay village of the district following which the forest department has sought assistance from the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department.

A total of 13 special teams of the forest department have been on the lookout for the leopard ever since it was spotted.

The Mayiladuthurai district administration and the district police are also involved in the search operation. However, even after eight days, there was no sign of the animal. But on Tuesday, the pugmarks were found and the forest department intensified the search.

With the support of the Water Resources Department and the local people, the forest department has identified culverts and other hiding spots nearer to water bodies and traps have been set in these areas. Infrared drones are also pressed into the search operations.

Two veterinarians, Kalivanan and Vijayraghavan are also in the team of forest officials in search of the leopard to use tranquillizer and capture it once it's spotted. Cages have also been set up at many probable spots near water bodies to trap the leopard, forest department sources told IANS.

Mayiladuthurai district has 1,000 hectares of reserve forests along the coastal areas but this is the first time that a leopard has been spotted in the district.

The Divisional Forest Officer Abhishek Tomar appealed to the local people not to make noise during the search operation. He also called upon people not to panic and to take care of children below the age of 10 years and also aged people.
New Delhi, April 10 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh will not be able to meet Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail on Wednesday.

The AAP said that the Tihar Jail had cited security reasons.

"Yesterday, the time for Bhagwant Mann and Sanjay Singh to meet Kejriwal was fixed. Now, Tihar Jail will inform about the new time," said AAP.

According to sources in the jail, the administration had received a letter for a meeting with CM Kejriwal.

"Today, the DIG of Tihar will reply to the letter. The DIG's reply will provide information about security and some dates for the meeting will be suggested. After that, on those dates, if Sanjay Singh and CM Bhagwant Mann wish, they can meet CM Kejriwal," said the prison source.

CM Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in the alleged excise scam. Since March 21, CM Kejriwal has remained in custody, initially under the ED's jurisdiction and subsequently in Tihar Jail.
Tel Aviv, April 10 : The Cairo indirect peace talks between Israel and Hamas have again hit a roadblock after the latter refused to release 40 hostages as demanded by the Israeli side.

Hamas, according to Israel's defence ministry sources, has informed mediators that they donat have 40 women and elderly hostages to be released. However, Israel has insisted that for any further continuation of ceasefire talks, a minimum of 40 hostages have to be released.

The Hamas side led by its political head Ismael Haniyeh informed the mediators, including Qatar and Egyptian leaders, that touching the figure of 40 would be difficult and that they may have to include healthy male hostages which was not agreeable.

Sources in Israel's defence ministry told IANS that there was a major division in the Hamas leadership regarding the release of hostages. The political bureau of Hamas led by Ismael Haniyeh was in agreement with an immediate ceasefire while the military side led by Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif wanted a hard bargain or a total withdrawal of the Israeli military from the Gaza strip.

This, contradictory position of the Hamas leadership has led to the mediatory talks getting failed time and again, as per the sources in the Israel war cabinet and defence ministry.
New Delhi, April 10 : Actress Sonakshi Sinha talked about how she nailed the number 'Tilasmi Bahein' from the Sanjay Leela Bhansali series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' in one shot.

The actress said she had never done a one-take song in her career and that it was the filmmaker who pushed her to give her absolute best.

Talking about shooting for 'Tilasmi Bahein' at the trailer launch, Sonakshi said: "I can't tell you how difficult it was because I still can't believe that it happened first of all and how quickly it happened. We had rehearsed for the song, which we had to shoot in a span of four days."

"I went on set, and we shot till about 3 p.m., and then Sanjay just got up and decided that 'nahi mujhe yeh nahi karna, mujhe kuch aur karna hai'."

The actress shared an anecdote from the set.

"He decided to sit down with the ADs, call them one by one, and make them dance to the song. We just thought he was having a good time, entertaining himself by doing all of this on set and at 7 p.m. Do something like what this guy did over here and get on the table and do that 'junglee dance, which you are so good at doing anyway. Then chair ke saath yeh karna, woh log haath-pair dabayengay... Fir tum hookstep pakadlena'," she revealed.

"So, this is how that whole song is designed. Then I said cut karke loge na He had set up the camera by then, and he said nahi nahi this is one shot," said Sonakshi.

"I have never done a one-take song in my career, and the first time it was supposed to happen, it was going to be for a Sanjay Leela Bhansali song. I needed to rehearse a couple of times before I was able to pull this off," the actress added.

However, it was the filmmaker's confidence in her that made her ace the shot.

"He was really confident,encouraging, and he believed in me that I could do it. I think that really pushed me to give my absolute best shot and it was 'Okayed' in the first take itself," she said.
Monte Carlo, April 10 : World no. 1 Novak Djokovic moved past Roman Safiullin 6-1, 6-2 at the Monte-Carlo Masters to reach the third round in the Principality for the 14th time.

The top seed Serbian arrives in Monte-Carlo having not won a title this season, with his best result a semifinal run at the Australian Open. Having failed to advance beyond the quarter-finals in his seven previous appearances in the Principality, Djokovic will hope this is the week he can return to top form and change that record.

Competing in his first match as the oldest World No. 1 in the history of the ATP Rankings, 36-year-old Serb produced a ruthless performance against Safiullin. He forced Safiullin into errors with his depth of shots to advance after one-hour and 10-minutes, ATP reports.

In the heavy conditions after the morning rain, Djokovic quickly adjusted. He raced through the first four games to lead 4-0, sealing the opening set in 33 minutes. He continued to look in control in the second set, ending the match with a 16-9 winner to unforced error count.

The 98-time tour-level titlist is a two-time Monte-Carlo champion, triumphing in 2013 and 2015. He will meet Lorenzo Musetti in the third round after the Italian defeated Arthur Fils 6-3, 7-5. Musetti, 22, upset Djokovic in Monte-Carlo at the same stage last season.

In other action, Djokovicas countryman Miomir Kecmanovic ended Matteo Berrettinias winning run. Kecmanovic dispatched the Marrakech champion Berrettini 6-3, 6-1 in 75 minutes to set a third-round clash against Grigor Dimitrov.
Kolkata, April 10 : Four days after the attack on the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths at Bhupatinagar in East Midnapore district, the West Bengal Police have not arrested anyone so far.

Opposition parties have started accusing the state police of adopting the Sandeshkhali line in going slow about the arrests. In the case of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, the now-suspended Trinamool Congress leader and the mastermind of the January 5 attack on the ED and CAPF personnel Sheikh Shahjahan managed to remain absconding for 55 days.

Questions are being raised at the police after they failed to make a single arrest on the FIR registered by NIA, the same cops, however, are quite active on the counter-FIR filed against the NIA sleuths.

The counter-FIR has been filed against NIA by the family members of Monobrata Jana, one of the two Trinamool Congress leaders arrested by NIA on October 6 morning. The attack took place while the NIA sleuths were returning from Bhupatinagar after arresting Jana and his associate Balai Charan Maity.

The state police have already sent notices to two NIA officials to join the investigation in connection with the attack on their men. Both have been asked to be present at Bhupatinagar Police Station on April 11. One of the two officials is a complainant in the case of the attack on NIA sleuths and the other is the one who suffered minor injuries.

The officer who suffered minor injuries has also been asked to bring the medical report concerned along with him. Even the NIA sleuths have been asked to bring that vehicle to Bhupatinagar police station which was damaged during the attack.

Rabindra Nath Maity, one of the BJP legislators from East Midnapore district claimed that the police in the case of the Bhupatinagar incident are exactly following the same line as it was done in the case of Sheikh Shahjahan after the Sandeshkhali attack on ED sleuths. aThose responsible for the attack on the NIA sleuths at Bhupatinagar are actually under the safe shelter of the police," he alleged.

State Congress president and the party Lok Sabha member, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged the "district police do not have any moral guts to arrest the accused since all of them are close associates of the ruling Trinamool Congress".
Sonipat, April 10 : The Jindal School of International Affairs, the Jindal India Institute, and the Jindal Global Centre for G20 Studies jointly hosted Eric M. Garcetti, Ambassador of the US to India, on the campus of O. P. Jindal Global University in Sonipat. Ambassador Garcetti delivered a distinguished public lecture on the theme 'The Most Consequential Relationship of the Century: Indo-American Ties' to an audience of more than 200 students and faculty members.

Sonipat, April 10 (IANS) The Jindal School of International Affairs, the Jindal India Institute, and the Jindal Global Centre for G20 Studies jointly hosted Eric M. Garcetti, Ambassador of the US to India, on the campus of O. P. Jindal Global University in Sonipat. Ambassador Garcetti delivered a distinguished public lecture on the theme aThe Most Consequential Relationship of the Century: Indo-American Tiesa to an audience of more than 200 students and faculty members.

Against the backdrop of deepening and broadening US-India relations, which are drawing global attention, this lecture held profound significance. Ambassador Garcetti's perspective on Indo-American ties transcended diplomatic cliches and delved into shared aspirations and the collective pursuit of a world characterised by '4 Ps' - peace, prosperity, planet, and people.

Ambassador Garcetti also narrated personal memories of magical moments he experienced during his visits to India since childhood. He said he had a deep emotional connection with India for decades and remarked that "India never left my soul".

He mentioned that US President Joe Biden had told him that India "was the most important country in the world" and that Washington's ties with New Delhi were "the most consequential" for shaping the world order in the 21st century.

Ambassador Garcetti termed the ties between the US and India as "not an additive relationship but a multiplicative relationship" between the world's two largest democracies, underscored by a robust exchange in education, trade, and the joint venture of envisioning a green energy future. During the interactive session that followed, the audience engaged the Ambassador on a diverse array of topics spanning domestic politics in India, racial discrimination in the US, regional security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, the role of Artificial Intelligence and critical and emerging technologies in the US-India strategic partnership, and the potential of multilateral groupings like Quad being expanded or extended to include more countries.

On controversies regarding comments made by the US about internal developments in India, Ambassador Garcetti said that the US is a unique democracy where every branch of government, the news media and civil society has its own views and opinions about different countries. These opinions are frequently aired publicly as part of the open American political system. At the same time, the US is ready to also take criticism from other countries as part of this liberal ethos. Ambassador Garcetti praised India for organising the upcoming mammoth general elections with nearly one billion voters in the electorate and said that "the US has something to learn from India" in how to improve its electoral practices and procedures.

On the question of Arunachal Pradesh being an integral part of India, the Ambassador was categorical that China has no business in renaming places that are part of Indiaas sovereign territory. He reiterated that the US fully supports India's sovereignty and that the defence cooperation between the two partners is reaching unprecedented levels to deter aggressive authoritarian rival countries. He said that as two democracies, the US and India thought and felt alike about the threat posed by dictatorial regimes like that of China and that the convergence of values was the key factor driving Washington and New Delhi closer.

Speaking on this occasion, C. Raj Kumar, the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, remarked, "We owe a tremendous intellectual debt to American universities for their open and generous support and capacity building of Indian higher education institutions. The way US universities have attained the highest standards in the world and solved the most intractable problems facing humanity is worth learning from and emulating for Indian academia. Education is going to be a transformative driving factor in the US-India partnership."

The Dean of the Jindal School of International Affairs, Dr. Sreeram Chaulia, who was also present at the event, cited Ambassador Garcettias view that the US-India partnership had presently only reached the point of being "midway up the mountain" and referred to the limitless possibilities that lay ahead.

Chaulia echoed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's comments that "you ain't seen anything yet" in the US-India friendship and pointed to the fact that "the two countries were jointly combating shared adversaries and remaking the Indo-Pacific in a way that only allies do."

While the US and India are not formal allies, many of the domains of bilateral cooperation are agoing in the direction of a de facto alliance-like friendship."

Owing to this level of close intimacy, it is not uncommon that the US and India disagree on some matters. But "the basic fundamentals of the relationship are so strong that such disagreements and differences in assessment should not be exaggerated", Chaulia concluded.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 10 : With April 26, the date for voting in the Lok Sabha polls getting closer in Kerala, it is getting clearer by the day that the battle is primarily between key INDIA bloc partners the Congress-led UDF and the ruling CPI(M)-led Left, with the BJP-led NDA in for a triangular fight in two constituencies.

In the 2019 General Elections, barring the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, the NDA candidates finished a distant third and managed a 15.64 per cent vote share.

On the other hand, the UDF which won 19 seats secured a vote share of 47.48 per cent and the Left Front which bagged just one seat got 36.29 per cent votes.

An analysis of the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies reveals that, while the BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others claims that this time big surprises are in store, figures tell a different story.

Things may not be as easy as the BJP leadership thinks. In the 2019 polls, only in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency did the BJP candidate get above three lakh votes and finish in second place.

The BJP candidates could manage above two lakh votes in just four constituencies, namely Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Palakkad and Attingal.

In nine constituencies the NDA candidates mustered above one lakh votes and in six constituencies their candidates could not even manage one lakh votes.

Out of the 20 constituencies, NDA candidates got the least votes in Kannur (68,509) and the highest votes in Thiruvananthapuram (3,16,142).

As things stand now, a very clear triangular fight has emerged in Thiruvananthapuram where the BJP candidate, Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar is facing off against the sitting Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor and the CPI candidate Panniyan Ravindran.

At Thrissur actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi is fighting the INDIA bloc partners.

The other constituencies where the BJP appears to be putting all its energy into is at Attingal, where Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan is facing off against sitting Congress MP Adoor Prakash and CPI(M) candidate V Joy and at Palakkad where their candidate is local BJP veteran Krishnakumar who is facing off against the CPI(M)as A Vijayaraghavan and the Congressa VK Sreekandan.

At Pathanamthitta also the BJP is expecting to put up a stiff triangular battle as it has managed to rope in Anil Antony, son of Congress veteran, AK Antony.

However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and AK Antony have already said in public that the NDA will not even finish second in any of the constituencies and AK Antony went a step further to say that the best days of the BJP were in 2019 when the Sabarimala temple issue was at its peak and this time they will only create noise and settle for third place.
New Delhi, April 10 : Digital infrastructure solutions company iBUS, on Wednesday said, that it has raised $200 million from the government-backed National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIF) to support the growth of India's digital infrastructure.

New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) Digital infrastructure solutions company iBUS, on Wednesday said, that it has raised $200 million from the government-backed National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIF) to support the growth of Indiaas digital infrastructure.

According to the company, the funds raised will be deployed towards scaling iBUSa operations through organic and inorganic growth initiatives.

"Digital infrastructure is critical to our countryas growth and with a 60 per cent (year-over-year) growth, iBUS is geared up to participate and contribute to the Bharat story. We were looking for the right investment partner and with NIIF we found partners who are completely aligned with our vision," Ram Sellaratnam, Group CEO at iBUS, said in a statement.

Moreover, the company said that the investment will be directed towards developing new infrastructure solutions to address evolving market demands and technological advancements.

"Our investment in iBUS marks the eighth investment by our infrastructure fund and the second in digital infrastructure, underscoring our belief in the transformative power of digital technology for Indiaas economy," said Vinod Giri, Managing Partner - Master Fund at NIIF.

In addition, the company mentioned that this investment aligns with the government's Digital India Mission, aimed at transforming the country into a digitally-empowered society and a global knowledge economy.
Ticks are arthropods that parasitize animals and humans. With the arrival of spring and warming weather, these small but dangerous insects wake up after their winter sleep and look for something to eat.

ADVERTISIMENT

Ixodes ticks that live in grass can transmit diseases dangerous to humans, such as encephalitis and borreliosis. The Ministry of Health has explained how to protect yourself and realize that you should see a doctor.

It is almost impossible to notice that you are being bitten by a tick because these insects are very small. In addition, the parasite's saliva contains painkillers.

If you see that a tick has already attached itself to your skin, do not apply oil to it, because, while panting, the insect can squirt more fluid into the wound, which will contain pathogens.

Also, when twisting it out, you should never crush it or tear off a part of its body, so if you have the opportunity, it is better to seek medical help right away.

ADVERTISIMENT

Unfortunately, the appearance of the insect cannot be used to tell for sure whether it has infected you or not. Only a laboratory can give a definitive answer. However, within a few days after the bite, symptoms may begin to appear that will make it clear that the tick was not a simple one.

What the bite site looks like in case of infection

If you experience redness, itching, or a feeling of heat in the area where you were bitten, you should consult a doctor.

In addition, the bite site will look different depending on the type of infectious agent. For example, in the case of Lyme disease, a characteristic red spot appears on the skin, which is called a "bull's eye".

ADVERTISIMENT

Encephalitis

This viral disease affects the brain and is usually transmitted through a tick bite. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease, so doctors can only reduce the symptoms.

The incubation period of the disease usually lasts 7-14 days, but there are cases when it manifests itself after 70 days. Most infected people first notice a fever of up to 38-40 degrees. They may also experience weakness, nausea, muscle pain, and lack of appetite. After that, infected people feel better for about 8 days, but then the second phase of the disease begins.

The best protection against tick-borne encephalitis is early vaccination. This is especially important for people who are often outdoors, such as foresters, military personnel, or fishermen.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease, also known as borreliosis, is a bacterial disease. The incubation period usually lasts up to 30 days.

ADVERTISIMENT

The primary symptoms of this disease are a fever of up to 38-39 degrees, redness at the tick bite site that may look like a target and migrate, as well as joint pain, heart pain, or partial paralysis.

It is worth noting that in 20-30% of cases, a red spot may not appear at the bite site.

If the disease is not detected and stopped as soon as possible, it will become chronic and cannot be treated with effective medication. That is, the longer you do not see a doctor, the harder it will be to cure you.

Subscribe to OBOZ.UA's Telegram and Viber channels to keep up with the latest developments.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 10 : Kerala celebrated Eid-Ul-Fitr on Wednesday, as devout Muslims made a beeline to mosques and Eid Gahs at several places across the state.

Muslim population in Kerala accounts for 24 per cent of the 3.30 crore state population, and this time, the activity was high.

With the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on April 26, candidates were spotted at the open-air Eid Gahs.

Shashi Tharoor was present at the Eid Gah at his constituency here, and was seen interacting with the devotees. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan was spotted at the popular mosque at Beemapally in the capital city.

Senior Muslim clerics across the state were busy as they led the prayers at various mosques. On Tuesday late evening, after sighting the moon, clerics announced that in Kerala, Eid will be celebrated on Wednesday.

All state government, private offices and educational institutions in Kerala are closed on account of Eid-Ul-Fitr .
New Delhi, April 10 : The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), on Wednesday, cautioned investors to not fall for fake videos or deepfakes of Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD and CEO of NSE, recommending stocks.

Such videos appear to have been created using sophisticated technologies like AI to imitate the voice and facial expressions of the NSE MD and CEO.

"Investors are cautioned to not believe in such audio and videos and not follow any such investment or other advice coming from such fake videos or other mediums. It may be noted that NSE's employees are not authorised to recommend any stock or deal in those stocks," the exchange said in a statement.

The NSE said it has also reached out to social media platforms to take down these objectionable videos, wherever possible.

As per the exchange's process, any official communication is made only through its official website www.nseindia.com, and the exchange's official social media handles.

"Everyone is requested to verify the source of communication and content which is sent out on behalf of NSE and to check the official social media handles," the stock exchange cautioned in its advisory.

"All investors are requested to take note of the same and verify the information coming from NSE or its officials from its website www.nseindia.com as the official information," the stock exchange added.
Kochi, April 10 : The Enforcement Directorate, which last month initiated an investigation into a money laundering case involving Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan's IT firm and the Cochin-based mining firm CMRL, has asked a top official of CMRL to appear before them on Thursday at their office here.

The ED is understood to have also informed the company that in the days to come, a few other officials will have to appear too.

This case is already being probed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).

It was last month that the Kochi office of the ED filed an ECIR in the case.

The ECIR is similar to the FIR lodged by the police for cognisable offences.

This issue was first raised last year by Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan based on a media report, which quoted an Income Tax Department officer as saying that "CM Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan's IT firm Exalogic had received Rs 1.72 crore from the mining company CMRL, in which the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) has around 13 per cent stake".

When the SFIO began its probe, the KSIDC approached the Kerala High Court seeking a stay, which was disallowed.

Veena, whose IT firm was based in Bengaluru and now not in operation, approached the Karnataka High Court seeking a stay, but was disallowed.

Vijayan and the CPI(M), of late are tight-lipped on this issue, after initially dismissing all charges as baseless.
New Delhi, April 10 : The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday announced a drone initiative in collaboration with Kasturba Gandhi Medical College, Manipal in Karnataka, to enable faster delivery of health outcomes in rural areas.

In a video posted on X.com, the apex research body described that the initiative will use drones to swiftly transport clinical samples from limited-resource hospitals in rural areas to tertiary hospitals with advanced diagnostic facilities.

It may help surgeons to make faster and more accurate critical medical decisions, especially when a sample is sent for investigation during a cancer surgery; and will also improve patient outcomes.

"Next milestone achieved in healthcare delivery via drone! Tissue sample transported mid-surgery from a peripheral hospital for advanced pathological testing at the tertiary setting for deciding if the resected tissue is cancerous or not," ICMR said in a post.

The initiative, in partnership with TSAW Drones, a healthcare drone logistics start-up, will help reduce the risk of infection to patients, boost their convenience and compliance, and cut down the burden on tertiary care hospitals.

The ICMR had, in October last year, announced its tie-up with TSAW Drones for a study across three locations in Telangana, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh on transporting medical supplies by drones.

"Imagine a scenario where a patient walks into a secondary care hospital for a cancer procedure. The sample is swiftly sent to a testing facility using a drone and the surgeon receives diagnostic reports within 20 minutes. This will eliminate the need for repetitive surgeries and reduce infection risks for the patient," the ICMR said.
New Delhi, April 10 : Delhi Prison Department, on Wednesday, said that they have fixed an advance Security Liaison meeting with Additional Director General (Police), Punjab, Delhi Police and Tihar Administration for Friday, ahead of a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The meeting is scheduled to be held in the office of Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) at Tihar Prison Headquarters in the national capital.

"Prison Department, Delhi has fixed an advance Security Liaison meeting with Additional Director General (Police), Punjab, Delhi Police and Tihar Administration on April 12 at 11:00 a.m. in the office of Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) at Tihar Prison Headquarters for making security arrangements and completion of Codal Formalities as mandated in Delhi Prison Rules, to arrange a meeting of Honourable Chief Minister of Punjab, with Arvind Kejriwal currently lodged in Tihar Jail," Tihar administration said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh will not be able to meet Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail.

The AAP said that the Tihar Jail authorities had cited security reasons.

"Yesterday, the time for Bhagwant Mann and Sanjay Singh to meet Kejriwal was fixed. Now, Tihar Jail will inform about the new time," said AAP.
Mumbai, April 10 : Actress Gitanjali Mangal, who portrays the role of Miraya in the television show 'Vanshaj', shared that she sprained her ankle while shooting for a romantic sequence in the show.

Recently, actor Mahir Pandhi suffered a torn hamstring on the sets, and a few weeks later, Gitanjali suffered the injury, which later turned out to be a ligament tear.

During a romantic sequence between Miraya and Nikhil (Aryan Arora), the security guard at the Mahajan household, Gitanjali, accidentally slipped on the grass and sprained her right ankle.

Gitanjali Mangal said: "It was an amazing sequence where we all were having fun celebrating Holi, and there was a highlight in Miraya's budding love story. However, I sprained my ankle badly while running towards Nikhil in the shot. I continued to shoot, but when I couldn't bear the pain any longer, the production house and the entire team immediately rushed and took me to a doctor, where it turned out that it was a sprain with a ligament tear and swelling in the tissues around the joint."

"I have been recovering and have been walking around with the support of my team and fellow actors. The directors have been kind enough to improvise the scenes where I don't have to do much movement or stand for a longer period as the telecast of the episodes is close. Big shoutout to my co-stars Mahir Pandhi, Kanchan Dubey, Nisha Nagpal, and Parinitha Seth for being there throughout like a family," she added.

'Vanshaj' revolves around heated family disputes, particularly concerning inheritance conflicts within the Mahajan household, with Digvijay or DJ (Mahir Pandhi) on one side and Yuvika (Anjali Tatrari) on the other.

'Vanshaj' airs on Sony SAB's Vanshaj from Monday to Saturday.
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, April 10 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Wednesday said that JD-S will not win a single seat in the state during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Shivakumar said that the three JD-S contestants, as NDA candidates, will lose the election.

"The Bengaluru Rural BJP candidate, C.N. Manjunath, will also be defeated," the Deputy Chief Minister told media persons after meeting Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in Bengaluru.

He said that Congress will win in Mandya, Hassan, Kolar and Bengaluru Rural.

"The experts who predicted BJP's win are now hesitant with their predictions," he said.

JD-S State President H.D. Kumaraswamy is contesting from the Mandya while Congress has fielded industrialist Venkataramane Gowda aka Star Chandru from the seat.

On meeting the Congress President, the Deputy Chief Minister said: "I have given a report to the President on how things are shaping up in the state. We have also discussed Rahul Gandhi's Karnataka visits."

He said that Kharge will visit Kalaburagi on April 12 to file the nomination papers. Kharge's son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani is the Congress candidate from the Kalaburagi seat.

He said that the Congress candidate will not be changed in the Dharwad Lok Sabha seat. "We have great respect for Dingaleshwara Swamiji who has announced his candidature as an independent candidate. If he had made the decision earlier and approached us, it could have been different. Now, the party's young candidate is carrying out the campaign well," he said.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi is the BJP candidate from the Dharwad seat.
New Delhi, April 10 : Delhi Police on Wednesday detained several BJP workers who were protesting at Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Marg demanding the resignation of incarcerated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Police also used water cannons to disperse the crowd after they tried to break through the barricades to move towards AAP headquarters, which is also on DDU Marg.

Meanwhile, a protester said that Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva was seriously injured due to water cannons. He has been taken to R.M.L. Hospital.

Delhi BJP workers led by Sachdeva had gathered at DDU. Carrying placards, BJP workers, including the cityas Lok Sabha candidates, raised slogans against the AAP-led Delhi government.

A senior police official said that the detained BJP workers have been taken to nearby police stations.

Following the protest by Delhi BJP workers, the traffic cops also issued an advisory advising commuters to avoid certain routes and plan journeys accordingly.
Kolkata, April 10 : Maldaha-Uttar, one of two post-delimitation Lok Sabha constituencies in Malda District in West Bengal is heading for a close three-cornered contest involving the Congress, the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.

While the BJP has re-nominated its sitting Lok Sabha member, Khagen Murmu, the Congress' candidate is former party MLA from the district, Mostaque Alam.

On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress has fielded former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Prasun Banerjee, who resigned from service as an Inspector General of Police just a few days before his name was announced as a ruling party candidate.

What is keeping the BJP and the Congress ahead in this race is the fact that both Murmu and Alam have their roots in the Maldaha-Uttar constituency.

Besides being the sitting BJP MP from Maldaha-Uttar constituency, Murmu had also been a former three-time CPI(M) legislator from Habibpur (ST), one of the seven Assembly constituencies under this particular Lok Sabha.

On the other hand, Alam is a two-time Congress legislator first from 2001-2006 and then from 2016 to 2021 from Harishchandrapur, another Assembly constituency under Maldaha-Uttar.

However, the only connection that the TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee has with the district is his assignment as a former cop in Malda.

In fact, Prasun Banerjee has started feeling the heat of his "outsider" tag, as a section of the ruling party's district leadership has refrained from actively hitting the streets in his support.

This resentment is following the decision of the top leadership to deny re-nomination to two-time elected MP from Maldaha-Uttar, Mausam Benazir Noor.

Holding the family lineage of the iconic Congress leader from the district and former Railway Minister, ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, Noor got elected from Maldaha-Uttar as a Congress candidate for two consecutive terms in 2009 and 2014.

However, she joined the Trinamool Congress before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the ruling party nominated her from Maldaha-Uttar, but she was defeated by BJP's Khagen Murmu by a margin of around 65,000 votes.

After the 2019 results were declared, the general observation by analysts was that the division in the minority votes between Trinamool Congress, the CPI(M) and the Congress against consolidation of Hindu votes in favour of the BJP in the four-cornered contest helped Murmu to get elected by a comfortable margin.

While this time also the Hindu vote factor is there, the positive point for the Congress' Alam is that the spirit of unity between the Left Front and the Congress, who have a seat sharing arrangement in West Bengal, can be felt in right earnest.

The district CPI(M) leadership is fully involved in campaigning for the Congress candidate and this should translate in good results for Alam.

Maldaha-Uttar, or the entire Malda District to be precise, is globally acclaimed for the production of juicy and pulpy mangoes.

The 'Fazli' variety of mangoes produced there is in demand globally. In fact mango-production is considered to be the principal source of income for a large section of the population in Maldaha-Uttar with voter strength of over 14 lakh.
Lucknow, April 10 : Samajwadi Party (SP) on Wednesday released its manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2024.

The party's 20-page vision document titled 'Hamara Adhikar' promises the caste census by 2025.

SP has said in its manifesto that the caste-based census will be conducted by 2025. On this basis, justice and participation will be ensured for everyone by 2029.

It said that by 2025, all government vacancies of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes will be filled.

Akhilesh Yadav, who released the document at the Samajwadi Party headquarters in Lucknow, said that if voted to power, the party would provide MSP on all crops under the Swaminathan formula.

"Samajwadi Party believes that MSP should be given to farmers on all crops, including milk," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav said that there is large-scale unemployment in the country and papers are being leaked intentionally.

"The people who leaked the paper are from BJP," he said.

The document further states that all agricultural/farmer loans, including those of landless farmers, will be waived off in 2024 and free irrigation will be provided to farmers.

The Farmers Commission will be constituted to monitor agricultural loans and provide relief to farmers on a regular basis.

The manifesto also promises a pension of Rs 5,000 per month for all small and marginal farmers (less than 2.5 acres of land) including landless/tenant farmers.

The document also promises the establishment of a market every 10 kilometres in all agricultural states.

"A rolling fund of Rs 10,000 crore will be set up to ensure timely payment to sugarcane farmers in UP and private agricultural labourers will be paid 40 per cent of their wages by MNREGA," the SP manifesto promises.

Akhilesh Yadav also promised that MNREGA wages will be increased to Rs 450 and working days will be increased to 150.

On the lines of MNREGA, the Urban Employment Guarantee Act will be implemented in the first parliamentary session of 2024.

"All vacant government jobs will be filled immediately. The laptop distribution scheme for youth will also be implemented," it says.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz "will not be a chancellor of peace if he wants to freeze this war" that the aggressor country Russia has unleashed against our country. If the conflict is frozen, only Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will benefit.

ADVERTISIMENT

Zelenskyy said this in an interview with the German newspaper Bild. He noted that the Russian leader would use the pause in the war to prepare for a new attack.

"Of course, some people will be happy. The world will say: 'Yes, we managed to freeze the conflict, the missiles are not flying,'" the president said.

However, this joy will last until Russia increases production and stockpiles of military equipment, missiles, drones, and analyzes all the mistakes it made when it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"It looks like a break when you are watching a movie. But this is not a movie, this is reality. This is a break. But this break is for Putin," Zelenskyy warned those who believe in the positive effect of freezing the war.

Earlier, the German government said that it did not support the idea of freezing the war in Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's position on supporting our country, which is repelling Russian aggression, remains unchanged.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Chennai, April 10 : Six members of a family, including two children, were killed when the car they were travelling in hit a two-wheeler and then overturned.

The incident happened at Sivarakottai near Thirumangalam in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday morning.

Two others were critically injured and admitted to a hospital at Sivarakottai.

The deceased were identified as Kanagavel (62), Krishnakumar (56), Pandi (35), Nagajothi (28), Shiva Aadhamika (8) and Shiva Sree (7).

The deceased were travelling from Tirunelveli to their native place, Madurai after attending a temple festival.

Madurai Superintendent of Police, B.K. Aravind visited the accident site and shifted the bodies of the victims to the Government Medical College, Madurai.

The Kalligudi police have filed a case and an investigation is on.
Kolkata, April 10 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Wednesday, accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of shielding the accused in the 2022 Bhupatinagar blast case with her attempts to implicate the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths investigating the case.

"There was a blast. Is it not necessary to take action against the accused in the blast? But in this case, when the NIA officers started investigation in the matter and were attacked in the process, the Chief Minister is making all attempts to implicate the investigating official by registering a case against the central agency officials," the Union Home Minister said while addressing a rally in South Dinajpur district in support of the party candidate from Balurghat and the BJP's state president in West Bengal Sukanta Majumdar.

However, he added that since the NIA officials are investigating the case on the orders of the Calcutta High Court, they will take appropriate action against the accused persons behind the blast.

The Union Home Minister also launched a scathing attack against the Chief Minister and the ruling Trinamool Congress on the "illegal immigration" issue in West Bengal.

"The Chief Minister will never take any concrete action against the illegal immigrants since they constitute the majority of the vote bank of her party. In Assam too, there was the problem of illegal immigration before. But that has stopped completely now after the BJP came to power in West Bengal. So I am saying today that illegal immigration will be completely stopped in West Bengal as well if BJP comes to power in the state in the coming days," said the Union Home Minister.

According to him, the Chief Minister always opposes constructive steps like the abolition of the triple talaq system or the introduction of CAA to pursue her appeasement politics.

"The abolition of triple talaq has brought relief for lakhs of minority women. The CAA notification is meant to grant citizenship to genuine refugees who have been victims of religious fanaticism. However, Mamata didi might try, the CAA will be implemented at any cost," Amit Shah said.

He concluded his speech by stressing that the BJP should cross the figure of 30 in West Bengal in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls to achieve a figure of over 370 nationally.
Mumbai, April 10 : Ajit Pawar's led NCP along with BJP have stepped up efforts to organise the MahaYuti's public rally to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Khadakwasla which is a crucial assembly segment of the Baramati constituency.

Both parties expect the proposed rally to be held in April end or early May which will not only keep the Baramati seat in mind but also the Pune, Shirur and Maval seats where BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena have fielded their nominees respectively.

Baramati is a high-profile constituency where sitting MP Supriya Sule, who is the daughter of Sharad Pawar, the NCP SP nominee is pitted against Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar.

The polling in Baramati is slated for May 7 while in Maval, Pune and Shirur on May 13.

A senior NCP leader said that Khadakwasla is being zeroed in on being the BJP stronghold with the sitting legislator.

He said that NCP and BJP together hope to woo the voters from urban areas apart from the rural and semi-urban areas in the Pune district.

"NCP Chief Ajit Pawar has made it clear that the party has decided to join the MahaYuti government on the development issue and wants PM Modi to become a prime minister for the third time to further expedite the development process," the NCP leader said.

He said that a rally by PM Modi would help lure the fence sitters and increase the vote share of MahaYuti nominees in Baramati, Pune, Shirur and Maval.

State Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, who is BJP's cluster head for Baramati, Pune, Shirur and Maval seats, said that the party has sent a request to PM Modi's office seeking his time for a public rally though he has yet to convey his confirmation.

On the other hand, NCP Pune District Chief Pradip Garatkar pointed out that the party has conveyed to allies that the PM's public rally can be held in Khadakwasla.

"We are hopeful about the PM's timing for the same," he said.

MahaYuti's move to organise the PM's rally is important especially when Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule are approaching the voters raising the BJP's divisive politics and accusing it of engineering a split in NCP and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.

A section of MahaYuti hopes that Modi can counter these allegations by projecting the BJP-led NDA government's Viksit Bharat plank apart from playing up a slew of initiatives taken for the benefit of farmers, OBCs, women, youth and tribals.

A BJP leader from the Pune district said that although the NCP-led by Ajit Pawar is contesting, the BJP has swung into action with full force and is contesting the Baramati election with a resolve to win and defeat Sharad Pawar.
New Delhi: Former CEO of the NITI Aayog and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant during a panel discussion on 'Solving the Energy Trilemma: Access, Affordability, Availability' the Raisina Dialogue 2024. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, April 10 : The last 10 years have transformed India's medical education and have added more to the country, said Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO on Wednesday.

"Decade of transformation in Indian medical education! Finally more Doctors in India," he wrote in a post on X.

He said that in the years between 2013-14 to 2023-24, medical colleges have "doubled" to more than 800, "with the National Medical Commission (NMC) now green-lighting 112 new medical colleges".

Further, Kant noted a 110 per cent increase in undergraduate seats in medical colleges, while postgraduate seats surged by 118 per cent.

"A quantum leap by India towards ensuring a bright and greatly accessible future of medical education for the country," he said.

Earlier in February, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told Lok Sabha that the doctor-population ratio in the country stands at 1:834.

He said it is better than the WHO standard of 1:1000. The minister citing NMC data shared that there are 13,08,009 registered Allopathic doctors and 5.65 lakh Ayush doctors.
New Delhi, April 10 : Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Wednesday said that Ukraine's attack on the Zaporozhye facility is an act of "nuclear terrorism", media reports said.

New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Wednesday said that Ukraine's attack on the Zaporozhye facility is an act of "nuclear terrorism", media reports said.

"As soon as the West realises that the attacks on the Zaporozhye facility were carried out by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Western myth about Ukraine and Zelensky will fall apart," Maria Zakharova told Sputnik news agency.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry had urged the international community to respond to Kiev's attacks on the Zaporozhye facility

"The attack is nothing more than the act of nuclear terrorism," Moscow said.

Media reports quoted Zakharova as saying that Western nations have created a monster with potential consequences that they are now reluctant to acknowledge.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces carried out a drone attack on the Zaporozhye plant.
New Delhi, April 10 : Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday said that the events in Gaza have left a bitter taste for Muslims around the world, media reports said.

"Bloody events in Gaza have left a bitter taste for Muslims around the world. They are attacking women, children and the elderly since Israel has failed to defeat Palestinian fighters," Khamenei said during his Eid al-Fitr speech, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Iran's supreme leader has also promised retaliation for the attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria.

"By attacking our consulate in Syria, they have attacked our soil," Khamenei said during his speech.

He said that the "evil" regime must and will be punished for the consulate attack.

Iran's Vice President for Legal Affairs Mohammad Dehqan has said that the country would file a lawsuit against Israel for its deadly attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria.

On April 4, Iran said that Israel violated international law by attacking its consulate in Syria, killing 14 people.
Bengaluru, April 10 : The BJP has strengthened its position in AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's home turf Kalaburagi parliamentary constituency with the joining of Nitin Guttedar.

Incidentally, Mallikarjun Kharge's son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani is the Congress candidate from the Kalaburagi seat.

Umesh B Jadhav, sitting BJP MP who defeated Congress chief Kharge in the 2019 General Elections is contesting again from here.

Nitin Guttedar is a prominent leader from the Afzalpur Assembly constituency in Kalaburagi District. He contested as an Independent candidate and secured second position as he lost to Congress candidate MY Patil by 4,594 votes.

Karnataka BJP President, BY Vijayendra welcomed Nitin Guttedar and his supporters to the party at its headquarters.

Vijayendra stated, "I welcome Nitin Guttedar and his followers to the BJP with warmth. His joining the BJP will have a great impact on the results of the Kalaburagi Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP is strengthened by his joining the party."

He added that including Kalaburagi, the BJP-JD(S) alliance is working to win all 28 seats in Karnataka.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept his word. The promises made in the manifesto are literally implemented. Even after 10 years of rule, the popularity of Prime Minister Modi is increasing. We are working with a conviction of re-electing Prime Minister Modi. He is working for the country without resting even for a single day. He attended the funeral of his mother for only two hours," Vijayendra said.

Nitin Guttedar said that he had got an opportunity to join the BJP and organise it. "I will work for Prime Minister Modi and ensure the party's victory in Kalaburagi District and pass on the message to the state," he stated.
New Delhi, April 10 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sandeep Kumar for seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Chief Minister of Delhi, also noting the frivolity of his petition.

Referring it to a recurring film sequel, the court expressed displeasure at being embroiled in what he termed a "political thicket". The court stressed the need to deter such repetitive litigation by imposing significant costs on Kumar.

"This is not a James Bond movie sequel," the court said.

When the plea came up before Justice Subramonium Prasad on Monday, he had said that it was nothing but a "publicity interest petition". The court's remark had come after a division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan had refused to entertain a similar PIL last week. The petition, filed by Hindu Sena President Vishnu Gupta, claimed that the situation after CM Kejriwal's recent arrest by the ED constitutes a breach of constitutional trust mandated by the Constitution.

Kumar's plea marked the third unsuccessful similar petition, with the court imposing a hefty fine of Rs 50,000 on him.

On Wednesday, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet P.S. Arora questioned the basis of Kumar's plea and reminded his counsel of previous rulings rejecting similar petitions. Despite warnings from the bench, Kumar's counsel persisted in arguing the case, prompting the court to assertively impose the fine.

Dismissing Kumar's arguments and criticising him for attempting to politicise the proceedings, the court stressed its role as a judicial body and urged Kumar to refrain from turning the courtroom into a platform for political discourse.

Kumar defended his actions, stating that he approached the court in his individual capacity, not as part of a public interest litigation (PIL). However, the court remained resolute in its stance.

With the imposition of the Rs 50,000 fine, the court sent a clear message that such baseless petitions would not be tolerated, reaffirming its commitment to upholding the rule of law and judicial decorum.

Stating that CM Kejriwal is the ex-officio Vice Chairman of the State Disaster Management Authority under Section 14 (4) of the Disaster Management Act, who presides over the meeting of the state authority in the absence of its Chairman, Sandeep Kumar had submitted that the CM cannot discharge his duty on this count while in custody.

"A disaster may happen suddenly, at any time, and therefore the unavailability of the Chief Minister may result in paralysing disaster management in Delhi, which may affect the right to life of all the citizens under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

"It is submitted that the job under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 is an all-time job and no risk can be taken in this matter by leaving this to the fate of the Chief Minister, who is currently under judicial custody," Kumar had said in his plea.

"The Chief Minister while lodged in jail has incurred an incapacity to carry out his constitutional obligations and functions under Articles 239AA (4), 167 (b) and (c) and proviso to sub-section (4) of Section 14 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and hence he can no longer function as the Chief Minister of Delhi," the petition read.

The petitioner had also said that CM Kejriwal, while in jail, prevents the Lieutenant Governor from exercising his Constitutional obligations and functions under Article 167 (c) of the Constitution, which is identical to Section 45 (c) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and for this reason also, he cannot continue in office.
Hyderabad, April 10 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) candidate from Peddapalli Lok Sabha constituency Koppula Eshwar and other leaders faced embarrassing moments during the campaigning at mine of state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

The former minister along with former MLA Korukunti Chandar and other leaders had gone to GDK-1 Incline mine in Ramagundam to campaign for May 13 election.

A section of women employees pulled up the BRS leaders for not addressing their problems when they were in power.

A woman asked them what they did when women workers were transferred from the workshop.

Koppula Eshwar, who worked in SCCL for many years, tried to pacify her. She alleged that Eshwar's relatives were given jobs in office without making them enter the mines. The workers asked what the leaders sitting in air-conditioned rooms would know about their problems.

Eshwar, who suffered defeat in recent Assembly elections, has been fielded by BRS from Peddapalli parliamentary constituency.

Eshwar, who had been representing Dharmapuri Assembly constituency since 2009, lost to Congress' Laxman Kumar in the election held on November 30, 2023.

He was minister for Scheduled Castes development and welfare of backward classes, minorities and the disabled in the BRS government from 2019 to 2023.
Bengaluru, April 10 : In a boost for the country's semiconductor industry, the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) on Wednesday forged an alliance with global industry association SEMI.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a strategic move to foster collaboration and synergies between the two bodies, with the aim of enhancing the Indian semiconductor ecosystem and global partnerships, they said in a statement.

The collaboration will connect Indian stakeholders to the global semiconductor manufacturing and design supply chain, addressing areas such as manufacturing, enabling policies, design, skilling, R&D, academia and supply chains.

"We expect our collaboration with multiple partners on 'SEMICON India 2024' in September to serve as a catalyst in these efforts," said Ajit Manocha, President and CEO of SEMI.

SEMI represents over 3,000 member companies in the semiconductor design and manufacturing supply chain.

The partnership also aims to harness research data to further these goals.

"As we stand at the cusp of an unprecedented transformation, the MoU between IESA and SEMI marks a pivotal moment for India's semiconductor industry," said Ashok Chandak, President of IESA.

The collaboration will also see both organisations leveraging their events and initiatives to enable companies to meet, form new partnerships and advance the emerging Indian manufacturing and design ecosystem.

This strategic partnership "symbolises our collective resolve to propel India into global semiconductor orbit by harnessing SEMI's extensive international network and IESA's deep-rooted expertise in the Indian ESDM Industry," Chandak added.

According to Dr Veerappan, Chairperson of IESA, "We are poised to unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth, collaboration, and technological advancement between Indian and global players."
In 2024, Russia plans to recruit about 400,000 more contract soldiers. The Kremlin needs this to compensate for the significant losses incurred as a result of the war against Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

This is stated in an intelligence report by the UK Ministry of Defense. Thus, Russia continues to conscript conscripts in the spring and fall.

This year's conscription began on April 1, and Russia intends to draft about 150,000 people aged 18 to 30.

These conscripts serve a 12-month term of service in all branches of the Russian armed forces, but are not currently involved in hostilities in Ukraine.

Conscripts are deployed to garrisons throughout Russia.

At the same time, ground units usually form a separate unit from the battalion, which includes contract soldiers, and some conscripts are likely to serve in units adjacent to the border with Ukraine.

"Russian troops in Ukraine are manned by contract soldiers and some reservists mobilized at the end of 2022. Conscripts are usually pressured to sign up for contract service and then serve in Ukraine. It is likely that the Russian authorities do not want to risk combat losses among conscripts, which would likely be unpopular. Losses among volunteer soldiers are more tolerable to society," the British intelligence emphasizes.

ADVERTISIMENT

It is noted that in 2024, Russia seeks to attract about 400,000 contract soldiers to support its forces in Ukraine, which have suffered significant losses, as well as to implement previously announced plans to increase the number of armed forces to 1.32 million this year and 1.5 million next year.

As a reminder, Russia's new offensive in Ukraine is expected to take place around the end of May or June. Now our army needs maximum military assistance from our partners, as it is very difficult to resist the well-equipped Russian army.

Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that, according to his information, Russia would announce a new mobilization of 300,000 soldiers on June 1.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
New Delhi, April 10 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday claimed that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was being denied basic rights in Tihar jail and wasn't even allowed to meet his family members and lawyers.

Bristling over the 'unjust' treatment to the Delhi CM, the Rajya Sabha MP mounted a scathing attack on the Modi government and asked, "Does it want to convert the Tihar jail into Hitler's gas chamber?"

Addressing a Press conference on Wednesday, Sanjay Singh slammed the Centre and BJP for 'justifying' the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, in a money laundering case linked to Delhi liquor-gate.

"The BJP has no morality left to give us lecture on political probity and integrity," he said while elaborating on the 'sacrifices' made by Kejriwal before and after turning to public life.

The AAP Rajya Sabha MP alleged that Tihar jail officials were being 'pressurised' to deprive Arvind Kejriwal of basic rights, including a meeting with old parents.

"It's ridiculous that an elected Chief Minister (Bhagwant Mann) and MP are offered token numbers and then it is cancelled without any reason," Singh said, objecting to the cancellation of their meeting with AAP supremo in Tihar jail.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP MP Sanjay Singh were supposed to meet Delhi CM on Wednesday, however, it was called off at the last hour due to 'security reasons'.

According to AAP leaders, the duo were scheduled to meet Kejriwal at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday but the Tihar jail authorities communicated to the party that it was being called off due to security issues and a new meeting time would be conveyed soon.
New Delhi, April 10 : Russian Grand Mufti Ravil Gainutdin has said that the terrorist attack on the Crocus City concert hall near Moscow was aimed at spoiling the relationship between the Russian Federation and the Islamic world, media reports said.

"The terrorist attack is a severe blow to the Russian Muslim community. The attack was aimed to spoil relations between Russia and the Islamic world," Russian Grand Mufti Ravil Gainutdin said, as reported by RT.com

On March 22, terrorists attacked the Crocus City concert hall near Moscow leaving 145 dead and more than 500 injured.

Gainutdin said that the US and its Western backers have long been attempting to blow up societies by creating an atmosphere where people of different religions developed enmity between themselves.

He said that the terrorists identified as nationals of Tajikistan have shocked Muslims not only in Russia but across the globe.

Russia has said that there is 'significant evidence' of Ukrainian involvement in the terrorist attack.
Amaravati, April 10 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) general secretary Nara Lokesh on Wednesday dared Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for a debate on welfare schemes.

He said that the TDP is ready for a debate on welfare schemes implemented by its government between 2014 and 2019 and the schemes undertaken by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government during the last five years.

Nara Lokesh remarked that Jagan Mohan Reddy, is a master in crediting Rs 10 in the accounts of the poor in the name of welfare and looting Rs 100 from them in various ways. He mentioned that in the past five years Jagan increased the power tariff nine times and was resorting to withdrawing welfare schemes in the guise of hefty power bills.

"We are ready for an open debate on under whose regime more welfare has been done. Are you ready for the debate," Nara Lokesh asked during his interaction with the residents of Jupiter Apartments and nearby areas in China Kakaki in Mangalagiri Assembly segment as part of his ongoing election campaign.

Nara Lokesh, who is son of TDP president and former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, said that Jagan Mohan Reddy is the only chief minister who has withdrawn 100 welfare schemes.

During the previous election campaign, Jagan Mohan Reddy has made umpteen promises to the people but after coming to power, he is moving behind the screens as he is scared of people questioning him, the TDP general secretary remarked.

Pointing out that the Videsi Vidya scheme implemented during the TDP regime for the poor students to go abroad for further studies has been cancelled by Jagan Mohan Reddy, he said that both the daughters of the chief minister are pursuing their higher studies abroad.

"Does Mr Jagan feel that the students for the middle and lower middle class should not pursue their higher studies abroad," Lokesh asked and said that in the name of Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena he stopped fee reimbursement.

Nara Lokesh promised to revive the fee reimbursement scheme and also hand over the certificates to over six lakh students by making a one-time settlement to all the educational institutions, which has been pending for long.

He alleged that those who are posting some comments on social media questioning Jagan Mohan Reddy on the promises that he has made are being subjected to harassment by registering false cases against them. He stated that the entire Telugu Society has been living under constant fear for the past five years.

The TDP general secretary said that if Chandrababu is back as the chief minister the state will certainly move forward on the progressive path but "if Jagan Mohan Reddy is back the attacks on SCs, STs and BCs will go up and will be reported daily".

Calling Jagan as a "destructive ruler", Lokesh said that he has totally "destroyed" Amaravati and Polavaram projects.

"One State one capital is our slogan and within 100 days of coming back to power, the Amaravathi works will be taken up again and all the dues to the farmers who have sacrificed their lands will also be cleared on a war footing basis," Nara Lokesh added.

Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections will be held simultaneously with the the Lok Sabha polls on May 13.
Chennai, April 10 : Asserting that the DMK-Congress alliance is founded on discrimination and division, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused both parties of lying to grab power in Tamil Nadu.

"DMK-Congress is founded on discrimination and division. Their aim for this election is to make Modi leave the country while our priority is to rid the country of its vices like corruption, discrimination and poverty," PM Modi said while addressing a massive gathering of BJP workers at Mettupalayam in Coimbatore -- his second political rally of the day in the state.

"Congress-DMK has deprived the SC-ST-OBC for decades. The INDI alliance has never trusted the potential of the people of India," he added.

Thanking the people of Tamil Nadu, he expressed complete faith in them to help the BJP emerge victorious in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"April 19 is going to be an important day to envisage the future of Tamil Nadu," he said while accusing DMK of indulging in massive corruption.

PM Modi said that Congress had long back fought elections with the slogan of 'Garibi Hatao' but poverty was never removed and it was under the NDA government that as many as 25 crore people came out of poverty.

He said that the Congress was playing a dangerous game of discrimination and division in the country while the DMK was doing the same in Tamil Nadu.

"The NDA government provided water to crores of people through the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' but the DMK was providing water connection on the basis of the politics followed by the individual," he said.

"Everywhere I have been to in Tamil Nadu, I have witnessed huge support for the BJP and people seem to be ready to give a nice send-off to the DMK. I guarantee that we will develop the Kongu and Nilgiris area of Tamil Nadu. This is Modi's guarantee," he mentioned while recalling that the region has always been supportive of the BJP and had elected a party leader to the Lok Sabha even during the period of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"The INDI alliance partners do not want any tribal to be in power. However, the BJP and the NDA made a tribal woman the President of India. Both Congress and DMK had strongly opposed her," he stated.

Earlier in the day, while addressing a rally from the Vellore Fort grounds, PM Modi accused the DMK of keeping Tamil Nadu trapped in old thinking and old politics.

Lamenting DMK's brand of politics, PM Modi said, "DMK contests on family politics, corruption and anti-Tamil culture." He added that DMK's family has destabilised the youth of Tamil Nadu and has facilitated systematic loot, depriving Tamil Nadu of its development.

"Corruption is DMK's copyright," said PM Modi.
Hyderabad, April 10 : The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has announced Lasya Nivedita, sister of sitting MLA Nanditha who died in a road accident in February, as its candidate for the by-election to the Secunderabad Cantonment Assembly constituency.

BRS President and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday approved the candidature of Nivedita. The main opposition party hopes to capitalize on the sympathy perceived to have built up, following Nandithaas death within three months after her election in the 2023 Assembly polls.

The by-election to Secunderabad Cantonment, one of the Assembly segments of Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency, is scheduled to be held along with the Lok Sabha polls on May 13.

Nanditha, 37, who died in a car crash near Hyderabad on February 23, was the daughter of BRS leader and five-time MLA from Secunderabad constituency, G. Sayanna, who had passed away on February 19 last year due to illness.

She had defeated her nearest rival, Narayanan Sri Ganesh of the BJP by a margin of 17,169 votes. He recently joined the ruling Congress and it named Sri Ganesh as its candidate for the bypoll.

The by-election is crucial for the Congress, which has a slender majority in the Assembly and will be looking to make inroads into Hyderabad as it drew a blank in the state capital in the 2023 polls. The Congress had won 64 seats in the 119-member Assembly but drew a blank in the Greater Hyderabad region, which elects 24 MLAs.

The by-election is also important for Congress as Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was elected from Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat in 2019.
Jerusalem, April 10 : Israel's Ministry of Transport on Wednesday said it has held an exercise, with a simulation scenario of a prolonged power outage, to improve preparedness for a possible "multi-arena war."

The ministry's authorities, departments and companies, as well as senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office, the National Emergency Management Authority, the army's Home Front Command, and others participated in the exercise, Xinhua news agency reported.

The purpose of the exercise was to improve the readiness of the transportation sector to deal with a high-intensity war, particularly in a dark scenario, according to a statement by the ministry.

During the exercise, issues including challenges concerning sea, land, and air traffic, potential shortages of drivers, supply chain management, information dissemination, and legal considerations during emergencies were discussed.

It emphasized strengthening the integration and mutual relations between authorities and organizations to respond to significant events, such as a possible electricity crisis, in a multi-sector scenario.

Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev noted that the ministry is mulling a multi-year strategic plan to promote readiness for emergencies in the coming years.
New Delhi, April 10 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed a Delhi court on Wednesday that Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K. Kavitha has already been examined in Tihar Jail on April 6 in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

On Tuesday, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court extended Kavitha's judicial custody till April 23 in a case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Last week, she had moved the court opposing the CBI's plea seeking to question and record her statements in jail, urging the court to recall its order. Notably, the court on April 5 allowed the CBI to question Kavitha in Tihar Jail.

The central probe agency had sought time to reply to Kavitha's plea. On April 6, Kavitha's counsel Nitesh Rana had told the court that the probe agency thwarted the due process of law by filing the plea "behind her back".

"I have grave apprehension that the CBI may not have divulged the facts to obtain a favourable order from the court," Rana told the court, as he urged it to keep the order in abeyance until Kavitha's side is heard.

On Wednesday, the CBI counsel apprised Baweja that the agency is not filing any reply in the matter.

"We have already examined her on April 6," the probe agency's counsel said.

Noting the submissions, Special Judge Baweja adjourned the matter to April 26 for arguments on Kavitha's application opposing the court's order allowing CBI to question her in jail.

However, Kavitha's counsel Rana and Deepak Nagar said they would like to argue the application.

The ED had arrested Kavitha, the daughter of BRS President and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, on March 15 after conducting searches at her residence in Hyderabad.

Kavitha's plea stated that it is extremely disappointing and unfortunate that an application has been moved by the CBI for purported examination of the applicant while still in custody without serving a copy either upon her or her counsel.

"Such a practice is unknown to the basic tenets of criminal jurisprudence and thus cannot be sustained in the eyes of law," it was stated.

On the other hand, the CBI had sought the court's permission to interrogate and record Kavitha's statements regarding the WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu's phone and the documents of a land deal in which Rs 100 crore was allegedly paid to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in kickbacks.

The special counsel for the ED, Zoheb Hossain, had earlier told the court that Kavitha conspired with other people and was actively involved in the payment of kickbacks to the tune of Rs 100 crore.

Hossain had claimed that she was involved in establishing the money laundering ecosystem, i.e., M/s Indo Spirits, through her proxy, which generated proceeds of crime worth Rs 192.8 crore.
Colombo, April 10 : Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Santosh Jha on Wednesday said that India is prepared to share the advanced defence equipment with Sri Lanka.

"We are not only producing our national requirements but we are also willing to make these capabilities available to our friendly partner countries like Sri Lanka," the High Commissioner said.

He said that India's defence exports stand at nearly 2.6 billion US Dollars a year.

He said that following the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat or 'self-reliant India', there is a significant capability development within the Indian defence industry.

"Our government has promoted this vision through enabling policies and frameworks, initiatives such as the establishment of defence industry corridors, and supporting and handholding different stakeholders," the High Commissioner said adding that the defence industry has been promoted to collaborations between private and government-owned enterprises.

He said that India has invested in research and development and promoted the use of innovation and new-age technologies to build the capabilities that are future-ready.

He said that the Indian defence industry today rolls out state-of-the-art systems, advanced technologies and world-class equipment which ranges from fighter aircraft and helicopters to naval vessels, from electronic warfare systems to cyber security solutions and from small arms to large-calibre precision long-range artillery systems.

The High Commissioner said that over the last five-year there has been a ten-fold increase in defence exports. "India has exported defence hardware and software to more than 85 countries while more than 100 indigenous firms are active in the field," he said.

The Envoy also explained the support extended to Sri Lanka, during the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis.

"We are driven by the sense of responsibility and obligation for closest friend and neighbour. We stood shoulder-to-shoulder with our civilisational twins when it was needed most, and without any hesitation," he said.

The High Commissioner reiterated that India's approach to Sri Lanka was guided by the neighborhood-first policy and SAGAR vision.

"For us, as close and proximate neighbours, cooperation is the only option. It is not driven by choice and opportunity alone," he added.
Bengaluru, April 10 : The battle for the influential Vokkaliga vote bank is on in Karnataka ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Following a delegation of NDA candidates visiting the Adichunchanagiri Mutt, the spiritual centre of Vokkaligas on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that the "pontiff is a wise man and will not get involved in politics."

Congress state President, Shivakumar hails from the Vokkaliga community which influences election results in south Karnataka region and he managed to tilt the vote bank towards the grand old party.

The JD(S) which derives its core strength from the Vokkaligas, has joined hands with the BJP to reclaim its supremacy over the community's votes.

Dy CM Shivakumar further stated that the "seer knows that the Congress government is there in the state and the Union government is at the Centre."

"It is clear what they have done and what we are doing. I am sure he will not be involved in any politics. It is also a known fact that the JD(S) supremo (Deve Gowda) divided the Vokkaliga mutt earlier," Dy CM Shivakumar stated.

Former PM Deve Gowda is accused of throwing his weight behind a bid to establish another mutt parallel to the Adichunchanagiri Mutt earlier.

Dy CM Shivakumar said, "The first victory of the Congress is its unity in Karnataka. Their (BJP) first defeat is that they remain a divided house. The BJP has changed 15 faces in the Lok Sabha election as they had faded away from the minds of the people. This in itself is a defeat."

"Former CM Kumaraswamy was removed from the CM's chair by former CM BS Yediyurappa and others who accompanied him today to the seer. Kumaraswamy is a Vokkaliga leader. Doesn't he have any shame? I hope that pontiff Nirmalanandanatha remembers it all," he stated.

"Earlier, the BJP dethroned Kumaraswamy from the CM's post and now they have accompanied him to the seer. People are not fools. Why would the voters believe their calculation of forming the government after four years in the state?" Dy CM Shivakumar questioned.

Talking about the visit to the seer, former Dy CM and BJP MLA, Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan stated that seeking blessings from Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji has sent out a message of unity to the people of the state and the Congress was panicking.

"The Congress is not able to get the position of an Opposition party. There is no use in voting for Congress candidates. The leadership of Congress is not able to face the heat of the developments that are shaping up in the state. They are haunted by the fear of defeat and issuing statements as per their whims and fancies," he added.

Earlier in the day, all NDA candidates including former CM Kumaraswamy, BJP candidates from Bengaluru city, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Tumakuru and Kodagu-Mysuru MP seats visited the seer, who blessed them.
New Delhi, April 10 : Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with gait analysis can greatly improve treatments for people with fractures, suggests a study on Wednesday.

Gait analysis can help doctors gauge how an individual stands and walks, especially in the case of a fracture.

The study showed a significant association between the rates of hospital readmission after fracture surgery and the presence of underlying medical conditions.

Together with AI, early gait analysis can be key in providing insights into the injury's impact on locomotion and recovery which can help personalise and improve rehabilitation strategies.

Using AI can help predict "post-injury complications such as infection, malunion, or hardware irritation among individuals with lower extremity fractures", said the researchers in the paper, published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research.

The findings "demonstrate the profound impact that integrating machine learning and gait analysis into orthopaedic practice can have, not only in improving the accuracy of post-injury complication predictions but also in tailoring rehabilitation strategies to individual patient needs," said corresponding author Mostafa Rezapour, of Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

The personalised approach "is a step forward in our quest to optimise rehabilitation strategies, reduce recovery times, and improve overall quality of life for patients with lower extremity fractures," Rezapour said.
Territorial concessions to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, which, according to the American press, Donald Trump offers in his "peace plan," will not help stop the war. Russian aggression can only be stopped by supporting Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was stated by British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in an interview with CNN after his meeting with US presidential contender Donald Trump. He criticized Trump's "peace plan".

According to Cameron, everyone wants peace, but it cannot be achieved by appeasing the aggressor.

"Peace will come through strength, not through weakness and a policy of appeasement of the aggressor," Cameron said.

At the same time, the British minister used this very term: "policy of appeasement". It is commonly used to describe the policy of concessions made by Western democracies to Adolf Hitler in the 1930s. As you know, it led to the complete collapse of the Versailles system, the League of Nations, and the collective security system, radically changed the balance of power in Europe, significantly weakening the geopolitical positions of the UK and France, while strengthening Germany, led by Hitler.

ADVERTISIMENT

In this way, Cameron put an equal sign between the two aggressors and tyrants, Hitler and Putin, and made it clear what awaits the world if the situation repeats itself.

On April 9, during his visit to the United States, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron met with former US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The topic of their conversation was Ukraine, in particular, further support from the United States.

Cameron tried to convince Trump to allow the US Congress to provide Ukraine with $60 billion in military aid. However, his efforts seem to have failed, The Guardian reported.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
New Delhi, April 10 : The Supreme Court, delivering its verdict on a curative petition by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), on Wednesday overturned the September 2021 decision which had upheld the arbitral award in favour of the Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt Ltd (DAMEPL), which used to operate the Delhi Airport Metro line.

A bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, ordered that the execution proceedings pending before the Delhi High Court for enforcing the 2017 arbitral award must be discontinued and the amounts deposited be refunded to the DMRC.

aThe part of the awarded amount, if any, paid by the petitioner (DMRC) as a result of coercive action is liable to be restored in favour of the petitioner. The orders passed by the High Court in the course of the execution proceedings for enforcing the arbitral award are set aside," said the Bench, also comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Surya Kant.

The decision came on a curative plea filed by DMRC challenging the restoration of the award in favour of Reliance Infrastructure arm DAMEPL.

In 2017, a three-member arbitral tribunal passed a unanimous award in favour of the DAMEPL accepting the Airport Metro operator's claim that running operations on the line was not viable due to reasons such as structural defects.

Subsequently, a division bench of the Delhi High Court partly allowed the appeal filed by the DMRC. However, the award was restored by the Supreme Court on a special leave petition filed by the DAMEPL.

In its latest judgment, the apex court said: aWhile the cure notice contains allegations about the line not being operational, there is evidence on the record indicating that the line was in fact runninga..The award contains no explanation as to why the steps which were taken by the DMRC were not 'effective steps' within the meaning of the termination clause."

Further, it said that the arbitral tribunal ignored the specific terms of the termination clause and erroneously rejected the CMRS (Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety) sanction as irrelevant.

The Supreme Court said that the "Division Bench (of the High Court) correctly held that the arbitral tribunal ignored vital evidence on the record, resulting in perversity and patent illegality, warranting interference".

The Division Bench applied the correct test in holding that the arbitral award suffered from the vice of perversity and patent illegality, it added.

In 2008, the DAMEPL entered into a contract with the DMRC for running the Airport Metro line till 2038. As disputes arose between the parties, the DAMEPL stopped operating the Metro on the airport line and invoked the arbitration clause against the DMRC, alleging a violation of the contract and sought a termination fee.
Marital status cannot take away woman's identity: Madras HC on temple not permitting widow entry. Image Source: IANS News

Chennai, April 10 : Madras High Court rejected the bail application of BJP's Mayiladuthurai district President in a case against him and six others for allegedly attempting to extort money from Dharmapuram Adheenam Sri Masilamani Swamy.

The prosecution case is that BJP district President K. Agoram and co-accused tried to blackmail Masilamani Swamy, stating that they have obscene videos and audio clips from the Mutt.

The BJP leader was arrested from Mumbai by a special team of Tamil Nadu police and has been in judicial custody since March 15, 2024.

Single bench judge of the Madras High Court, Justice T. V. Thamilselvi dismissed the bail petition of K. Agoram in the case after the prosecution informed that he was accused in more than 40 cases and that a history sheet was opened against him.

The prosecution also informed the court that some of the co-accused are still absconding and that granting bail to the accused would lead to tampering of evidence.

Agoram was arrested on the basis of an FIR registered by Mayiladuthurai police on February 25, 2024. The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by Viruthagiri, brother of Masilamani Swamy with Mayliduthurai district Superintendent of Police.

Viruthagiri in his complaint, said that a person named Vinoth of Aduthurai and Senthil who were serving in the Mutt jointly, began to threaten him stating that they had obscene audio and video clips involving the Mutt's head.

The complainant said that the duo had threatened him and the Mutt that they would make this video public through television channels and social media platforms if the Mutt did not pay the money they demanded.

In the complaint, Viruthugari alleged that the threat was issued at the instance of Agoram, advocate Jayachandran of Seiyur and educationist Kodiyarasu.

Mayiladuthurai police lodged the FIR under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 389 (putting a person in fear in order to extort), 506 part II (criminal intimidation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
Mumbai, April 10 : Actress Ayesha Khan, who is gearing up for the release of her new song 'Khali Botal' with her 'Bigg Boss 17' co-star Abhishek Kumar, has shared that they shot for the music video of the song for more than 18 hours in a day.

The music video was shot in a palace in Patiala in extremely hot temperatures with actors donning heavy costumes adding to their challenges.

Talking about the song, the actress said: "The concept is a love story and not quite at the same time. That's the most interesting part about it. The aesthetic we've gone for is very regal, with symmetric frames and magnanimity. And of course, the best part is working with Abhishek. I never knew that he was such a good actor. He performed super well and we've both poured our hearts and souls into making this song."

Recollecting her experience from the making of the music video, she said, "We shot in a mahal (palace) which was in Patiala. It was extremely hot and the costumes were so heavy that I went dizzy dancing. We actually shot for more than 18 hours a day to make sure we didn't compromise quality. So, we've worked really hard on this beautiful song and we hope it brings really good feedback".

The song will soon be released under the label of T-Series.
Kolkata, April 10 : The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the West Bengal Police not to take any coercive action against the National Investigation Agency (NIA) staff based on a counter FIR registered against them at the Bhupatinagar police station in East Midnapore district after an agency team was reportedly attacked there on April 6.

A single-judge bench of Justice Jay Sengupta also directed that any questioning of NIA staff by the state police must be videographed, and that too after serving a notice 62 hours in advance.

To recall, an NIA team was attacked on the morning of April 6 when they were returning from Bhupatinagar after arresting two local Trinamool Congress leaders in connection with a blast there in December 2022 that killed three persons.

Soon after the NIA registered an FIR at the Bhupatinagar police station over the attack on its staff, a counter FIR was lodged against them by the family members of one of the two arrested Trinamool leaders, accusing the central agency staff of molestation.

On Tuesday, the NIA approached the bench of Justice Sengupta challenging the counter FIR. After hearing both sides on Wednesday, Justice Sengupta barred the state police from adopting any coercive action against the NIA officers.

Incidentally, while addressing an election rally in South Dinajpur district on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of shielding the accused in the 2022 Bhupatinagar blast case with her attempts to implicate the NIA officers investigating the matter.
New Delhi, April 10 : Raaj Kumar Anand, the Social Welfare Minister in the Arvind Kejriwal-led government stepped down from his position on Wednesday. He is also understood to have resigned from the AAP.

While speaking to the Press, the AAP minister bared his soul and shared the reasons behind quitting Chief Minister Kejriwal's government, despite having 7 portfolios in his command.

"I am stepping down as minister. This government has no morality left to continue in power," he told mediapersons.

"I came into politics on Kejriwal's promise that politics will change and in turn the country will also change. Sadly, the politics didn't change but the leaders have changed," he said, showing his displeasure over the party's changed stand on corruption.

"The AAP took birth from the womb of an anti-corruption movement but today it finds itself in deep-rooted corruption," he said, ruing the party's plight.

He also slammed the AAP leadership for abandoning the teachings and legacy of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and twisting his ideals as per suitability.

"Baba Saheb Ambedkar's ideals have been forgotten and forgone. His photos are displayed at every Press conference but his ideals are not being followed," he said, taking a swipe at the party leadership.

He also slammed the party over not giving due recognition and representation to the Dalit community and marginalised sections of society.

"The AAP has 13 MPs in the Rajya Sabha but there is not a single Dalit or woman leader. The party also betrayed them in recent appointments at departmental level," said the former AAP minister.
Mumbai, April 10 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday challenged Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray to show one good work he did for the people of Mumbai in the last 25 years when his party ran the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

After the inauguration of the election office of Piyush Goyal, the BJP Lok Sabha nominee from Mumbai North, at Kandivali, Fadnavis said the Narendra Modi government transformed the lives of the common people in Mumbai in the last 10 years.

"The Modi government at the Centre and the coalition regime in the state (MahaYuti) have made life easier for every section of the society by launching several developmental projects in Mumbai.

"The coming elections are for the development of the common man. The Modi government has been working tirelessly for the past 10 years to transform the lives of the common people,aa said Fadnavis, as he appealed to the voters of Mumbai North to elect Goyal by a record margin.

"The Modi government deserves a third term to keep the engine of development running at full speed," Fadnavis said.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Goyal said the Modi government has brightened the future of the common man.

aaUnder the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, no one can stop India from becoming a global power," he said.

Mocking the Shiv Sena (UBT), Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar said the party ran away from Mumbai North out of fear, as 'Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai' slogans are being raised in every lane of the constituency.

He also claimed that Goyal will win by a record margin of 5 lakh votes, while the MahaYuti will bag all the six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai.
Bhopal, April 10 : The Election Commission of India on Wednesday announced polling in Madhya Pradesh's Betul Lok Sabha constituency will now be held on May 7, in the third phase of the elections.

The election in Betul, scheduled to be held on April 26, was put off after the sudden death of BSP candidate Ashok Bhalavi on Tuesday.

In a fresh notification on Wednesday, the EC said: aThe Commission has decided to hold the adjourned poll in 29 Betul (ST) PS of Madhya Pradesh in the third phase of the general election of Lok Sabha 2024."

Now, polling will be held in the Betul seat, along with the Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Bhopal, Rajgarh, and Vidisha constituencies.

The date for filing nomination papers for the fresh BSP candidate has been fixed on April 19, and the last date for withdrawing nomination is April 22, according to the ECas notification.

Bhalavi had complained of chest pain on Monday night and was rushed to the hospital, but declared dead there. Doctors later confirmed that Bhalavi died of cardiac arrest.

The body of Bhalavi was handed over to his family late on Tuesday and the last rites were performed with tribal rituals on Wednesday morning.

Congress candidate from Betul, Ramu Tekam was one of the pallbearers.
Itanagar, April 10 : The BJP on Wednesday released its 'Sankalp Patra' (manifesto) for the Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections promising 25,000 jobs for youths, new schemes for girls, women, farmers and state's infrastructure development.

The 'Sankalp Patra', released by BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda, committed that if elected to the government, the party would double the per capita income within the next 5 years, aiming to become the second largest economy with the highest per capita income amongst northeastern states by 2047.

Later Nadda said on the X: "This 'Sankalp Patra' will act as a catalyst in our ongoing efforts to elevate Arunachal Pradesh into a leading state by rapidly advancing infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, and education."

He said that under the guidance of PM Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Kandu, the party will carry out our DTH model of Development, Transparency and Harmony and ensure the dream of 'Viksit Arunachal' in sync with 'Viksit Bharat'.

The BJP promised to augment the financial assistance under PM Kisan Yojana from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000 and to launch the 'Arunachal Pradesh Agri-Infra Mission' under Atma Nirbhar Yojana to ensure holistic agricultural infrastructure.

The party, if elected to power, also announced to launch 'Mithun and Yak Rearing Mission' to preserve indigenous breeds and enhance the livelihoods of local communities.

For the girls and women, the saffron party assured to revamp the 'Dulari Kanya Scheme' to provide cumulative financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to every girl enrolling in graduation or professional courses and to provide LPG cylinders for Rs 400 to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

Under the PM Mudra Yojana, the BJP committed to offering collateral-free low-interest loans up to Rs 10 Lakhs to young women entrepreneurs.

In line with the Arun Shri Mission, a corpus fund of Rs 1,000 crores would be launched to upgrade existing government schools and provide quality education to students, the 'Sankalp Patra' said adding that 'Arunachal Pradesh Gati Shakti Master Plan' would be initiated to boost multi-modal connectivity and integrated infrastructural development by implementing critical projects across roadways, railways and airways.

The party also promised to work towards the holistic infrastructural development of the Tirap-Changlang-Longding (TCL) districts to ensure equitable development and a fleet of Suryodaya EV buses and EV charging stations would be introduced to ensure net zero emissions.

The BJP, if returned to power, assured to allocate Rs 1,000 crores towards ensuring healthcare for all by modernising the medical infrastructure and increasing the bed capacity in all Sub-Centres, PHCs, CHCs, and district hospitals.

Under Medicine from the Sky Initiative, the ruling party promised to connect over 500 remote villages using drones to deliver life-saving drugs, essential medical supplies and diagnostic samples.

The other key promises, announced in the 'Sankalp Patra' include the launch of revamped Seva Aapke Dwar 3.0, assigning one Jansevak Volunteer for every 100 households to guarantee efficient doorstep delivery of government services, establishing women-run Suryodaya Canteens to provide locally-made nutritious food, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana free rice grains would be provided to 8.5 lakh people every month.

The BJP also promised to launch the 'One Tribe-One Weave' initiative to provide comprehensive support to artisans from the initial stages of product development to successful market entry.

The party pledged to organise the annual Arunachal Pradesh Cultural Mela, an exceptional celebration designed to uplift and showcase the rich cultural heritage of tribal communities in Arunachal.

The magnificent 'Statue of Valour' in a vibrant village would be constructed symbolising the bravery and resilience of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, the Sankalp Patra said.

Elections to the two Lok Sabha seats -- Arunachal West and Arunachal East -- and 50 of the 60 Assembly seats in Arunachal will be held on April 19.

The counting of votes for the Assembly elections will be done on June 2, while the results of the Lok Sabha elections will be announced on June 4.
New Delhi, April 10 : After a long month of fasting, ending your Roza with a grand gesture is befitting. Elevate the spirit of Eid al-Fitr with gift-giving to dear ones with lots of love. Make Eid even more special as you choose from our list of this season's latest offerings.

The Versace La Greca

Exemplifying the essence of elegance and sophistication, this petite jewellery watch is set to redefine fashion and timekeeping, capturing the essence of modern femininity. This exquisite timepiece boasts a dainty 28mm case, perfectly tailored for the contemporary woman who appreciates both style and precision, expressing a distinctive and refined charm. Featuring the same iconic Greca motif on its jewellery bracelet and its top ring, it creates a harmonious and stylish connection between form and function, embracing the spirit of luxury and craftsmanship. Becoming a true piece of jewellery, the Versace La Greca becomes the perfect accessory to adorn the wrist, making a statement of class, style, and timeless sophistication.

Walk in colours with Arizona EVA by Birkenstock

The timeless classic, Birkenstock Arizona, stands out. Modeled on the iconic cork sandal, it is constructed from ultra-light and highly flexible EVA, embodying durability and style. Tested for harmful substances, it offers impressive features such as waterproofing and ultra-lightweight design. Available in captivating new hues like Fondant Pink, Elemental Blue, Surf Green, and Roast across specific styles, there's a choice to match every individual's taste and personality. Rs. 4,990/- The Spring/Summer collection is available at Birkenstock stores across India and online at www.birkenstock.in

Jo Malone London Cologne Intense Range: Red Hibiscus

An exotic solar floral inspired by a chance encounter with a rare and vivid flower in a tropical forest. Notes of striking red hibiscus are complemented by a touch of jasmine sambac and the sensuality of vanilla. Discover the latest Cologne Intense. The collection includes Red Hibiscus Cologne Intense 50ml, Rs. 11,200; Red Hibiscus Cologne Intense 100ml, Rs. 15,900/- The collection will be available exclusively in Jo Malone London stores across India.

50 Shades of Women Fragrance Collection by Plum BodyLovin

In a world as diverse and vibrant as the women who inhabit it, Plum BodyLovin's new collection, "50 Shades of Women," featuring a luxury Eau De Parfum (Perfume) and a Body Mist celebrates the multifaceted nature of femininity like never before. Price: Luxe Perfume - Rs. 899 | Body Mist - Rs. 575/- Availability: https://plumgoodness.com

Fitflop's Spring Summer 2024 Range Blends The Best Of Fashion & Functionality

UK-based brand FitFlop unveils its Spring Summer 2024 range, featuring an array of striking colourways and fashion-forward styles that incorporate the best of footwear technologies. Right from water-resistant slides, and buckle & toe-post sandals; to flip flops and sandals incorporating embellishments, beads and metallic detailing, the latest drop spotlights the brand's key silhouettes and bestsellers like the Trakk II Buckle for men as well as the Halo Bead & Lulu Leather for women. The colour palette is a vibrant mix of solid shades, summery pastels, neon tones and ombre hues making for the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe. With prices starting at Rs. 3999/- from FitFlop is available across 8 exclusive brand outlets as well as 200+ multi-brand outlets of Metro Brands, online marketplaces, and at www.fitflop.in

Cruise through the urban nightscapes with Casio's Edifice Nighttime Drive Series

Casio, the renowned innovator in timepiece technology, proudly announces the latest evolution of its acclaimed Edifice series. Rooted in the dynamic realm of motorsports, the EDIFICE line epitomizes the brand's core ethos: "Speed and Intelligence". Each timepiece encapsulates the relentless pursuit of excellence, mirroring the adrenaline-charged essence of high-speed racing. From sleek designs to cutting-edge functionalities, the Edifice series embodies the perfect harmony between speed and intellect, symbolising Casio's unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining horological standards.

The ECB-2000NP-1A timepiece boasts a distinctive design that mirrors the captivating hues of the night sky and urban lights. The bezel features a unique two-colour gradation process, transitioning from a deep blue ion plating to a mesmerizing yellow-gold, reminiscent of the city lights at dusk. Priced at Rs. 23,995/-, the ECB-2000NP-1A features Tough Solar technology, world time, a stopwatch, a countdown timer, and multiple alarms, ensuring reliable performance.

Another stellar addition to the Nighttime Drive Series, the ECB-40NP-1A is crafted with blue ion plating and titanium carbide coating. The timepiece is modelled on the configuration of a formula car suspension and boasts a lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced resin case, ensuring optimal comfort and durability for everyday wear. The bezel features a mesmerizing two-color gradation, reminiscent of the night sky above and the glow of city lights below. Priced at Rs. 16,995/-, the ECB- 40NP makes for a stylish accessory off-track.

The Edifice Nighttime Drive series is up for grabs across Casio India stores and Offline and Online Retail Partners across the country. Customers can also grab these exclusive timepieces online at casio.com

Swarovski Unveils Venus Campaign For Spring/summer 2024

To launch her Spring/Summer 2024 collection, Swarovski Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert has imagined a new brand campaign inspired by the iconography of Venus. The campaign, which stars top models Irina Shayk, Fei Fei Sun, Imaan Hammam, Karlie Kloss, and Abby Champion, reimagines Venus as a collection of bejewelled modern muses, each representing facets of contemporary womanhood, from strength and empowerment to creativity, grace, and elegance. Adorned with treasures from a Spring/Summer 2024 collection inspired by the underwater universe, each muse becomes a bold and joyfully extravagant archetype.

Forevermark Setting Three Diamonds Earrings

Symbolizing the journey of womanhood, these earrings represent the milestones and dreams that define a woman's life. They celebrate the triumphs and aspirations of every woman who wears them.

Bring home the brilliance with this classic collection available at 36, Turner Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050 & Unit 35, Ground Floor, Oberoi Mall, Yashodham, Goregaon, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400063 or shop online at forevermark.com

IKEA's new festive collection, GOKVALLA

Festive occasions are a time when families come together and bond over cherished memories, good food, and a lot of laughter. During these moments, whether you are hosting an intimate get-together or a grand soiree, adding special touches with the right decor adds to the festive cheer. To add a hint of sparkle to your home, IKEA brings you the GOKVALLA collection, which includes hanging decorations, serveware, textiles, vases, and lanterns inspired by tile patterns from the Middle East.

LoveChild's Newest Skincare Marvel

Say goodbye to tired-looking eyes and hello to a refreshed, rejuvenated appearance with LoveChild by Masaba's 'Roll with It' Under Eye Cream. They're practically screaming for some TLC! Enter LoveChild by Masaba's latest innovation: the 'Roll with It', Rs. 700 Under Eye Cream is your ultimate depuffing companion!

All its products are available online on LoveChild by Masaba.in, houseofmasaba.com and House of Masaba stores across the country. They are also available on marketplaces such as Nykaa, Amazon, Myntra, Purplle, Flipkart, Tata Cliq Palette, and Tira.

Kate Spade New York's dazzling Spring/Summer 2024 collection

As Eid festivities approach, Kate Spade's new Spring/Summer 2024 collection offers a touch of glamorous elegance perfect for the occasion. The latest collection features jewellery that shimmers with a festive spirit along with handbags with playful prints and vibrant hues that add a touch of whimsy to any Eid ensemble, ensuring a stylish and joyful celebration.

Noise launches Noise ColorFit Ore Smartwatch with a 2.1" dynamic AMOLED display

Noise, India's leading smartwatch, and connected lifestyle brand, is expanding its smartwatch lineup with the launch of the Noise ColorFit Ore, demonstrating a dedication to innovation and setting industry benchmarks. The smartwatch brings forth a category-leading AMOLED smartwatch designed to enrich the lives of its users, making them experience the idea of "Live Large".

Noise ColorFit Ore stands out with its remarkable 2.1" dynamic AMOLED display, setting a new standard in visual excellence. It showcases ultra-thin bezels that add to the sleek design and uninterrupted viewing experience.

Launching in a range of vibrant colour options such as Elite Black, Elite Silver, Classic Brown, Space Blue, and Jet Black, the smart wearable is available for purchase on Amazon and gonoise.com at a launch price of Rs. 2,999.

Rattan Flower Vase Set Of 3 by Plate & Peonie

Brighter, Earthy, and Natural, Plate & Peonie's rattan vases are a harmonious balance between casual and elegant. Every piece is hand woven with its different shapes and textures to add beautiful fresh flowers or dried pampas. Priced at Rs. 3,000/- To shop click Here.

Bandhej Embroidered Suit Set by Kahva

This suit showcases the rich cultural heritage of India. The vibrant red colour symbolizes love and prosperity, making it an ideal choice for celebrations and special occasions. Bandhej, adds a touch of ethnic charm to the ensemble, with its intricate patterns meticulously created by skilled artisans. Price: Rs. 7,500/- After Discount: Rs. 3,750/- Link to shop: Kahva

Lock Your Look In Place: Barcode Professional's New Hair Sprays Set The Trend

Introducing Barcode Professional's Ultra Strong Hair Spray - your ultimate styling ally for any hair challenge. Infused with a powerful pro-vitamin B5 & Keratin complex, this hair spray offers maximum control and an extreme look for all-day perfection. Its aqua-resistant formula resists water, sweat, and sun damage, ensuring your hair stays flawless in any situation. With a flexible yet silky finish, Barcode Professional's Ultra Strong Hair Spray gives you the confidence to rock any hairstyle with ease. Say goodbye to dry, damaged hair and hello to long-lasting style and protection. Price: Rs.1,149/- To purchase click Here

Conceal the deal with Colorbar's 24Hrs Wear Concealer Pots: Just Correct, Conceal and Go!

These concealing and correcting pots deliver a satin-smooth matte finish with a feather-light touch, seamlessly blending into your skin without any pore-clogging worries. Whether you're heating the dance floor or just chilling out, they ensure that your flawless beauty stays put.

Infused with the magic of Squalane and Jojoba Oil, these pots serve as skincare superheroes too. Squalane locks in moisture for a dewy glow, while Jojoba Oil replenishes and protects your skin from UV damage, preserving its natural luminosity. And the cherry on top? Colorbar's Clean Beauty Promise! Cruelty-free, 100% vegan, dermatologically tested, and free from parabens, because beauty should always be authentic. So, make sure to grab your magic pots, available at Colorbar outlets nationwide and online at www.colorbarcosmetics.com.

Sol de Janeiro Drops Delicia DrenchTM Range Exclusively on Nykaa

Nykaa announces the exclusive launch of Sol de Janeiro's Delicia DrenchTM Range. As a part of its ongoing commitment to offering the latest and most innovative beauty products to its customers, Nykaa is proud to bring this beloved Brazilian brand's latest indulgent body care line to Indian shores.

Sol de Janeiro is renowned worldwide for its luxurious formulations and intoxicating scents inspired by the vibrant energy of Brazil and promises to transport users to the sun-soaked beaches of Rio de Janeiro with every use. Whether you're looking to hydrate your skin or uplift your spirits, Delicia DrenchTM is designed to make you feel radiant from the inside out. Sol de Janeiro is exclusively available in India on the Nykaa website and app and in 50+ retail stores across India.

RAS' Lumiere Satin Matte Lipsticks - 7 luxurious shades for you to choose your shade of confidence!

RAS Luxury Skincare's Lumiere Satin Matte Lipsticks are crafted with precision to deliver unparalleled colour payoff and a velvety smooth finish. Infused with nourishing botanical oils, these lipsticks provide a creamy matte texture that glides effortlessly, all while nourishing and hydrating the lips. Formulated to suit all Indian skin tones, RAS' lipsticks offer long-lasting wear for up to 8 hours, ensuring a fresh and radiant pout throughout the day. Buy here!

Colby: The Classic Shoulder Bag for Spring'24 by Michael Kors

When shopping for a new bag this season, don't miss out on the new Colby bag from Michael Kors' Spring Summer 2024 collection. The bag combines modern chic with pragmatic details. Crafted in an assortment of coloursvibrant neons, easy neutrals, signature classics and moreit is the perfect bag to collect this season as well as last a lifetime. If there's one classic accessory that will surely never go out of style, it's the Colby bag taking you straight into the spring season.

Outhouse Jewellery and John Jacobs come together to unveil a Futuristic Eyewear Collaboration

Unveiling a collaboration steeped in utopian futurism, Outhouse Jewellery x John Jacobs envisions a strong sense of self-expression and boldness reflecting a new era of sunglasses. The partnership between the two brands epitomises their dedication to experimental craftsmanship, where eyewear transcends mere functionality. Founded with the concept of space exploration, the brands bring together signature elements of both - Outhouse Jewellery's iconographic and bold designs, and eyewear expertise by John Jacobs. A price range starting from Rs. 6000/- Available at the outhouse, johnjacobseyewear.com, lenskart.com, Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, ajio and, all John Jacobs and Lenskart Outlets.

Roma Narsinghani launches Lola & Koki, a collection that pays homage to her Sindhi Culture

Roma Narsinghani unveils her latest masterpiece: Lola & Koki. This collection represents a profound fusion of cultural exploration and sustainability, reflecting Roma's journey to reconnect with her Sindhi roots while championing eco-consciousness in the fashion industry.

Rooted in Roma's upbringing, Lola & Koki delves into her Sindhi culture, drawing inspiration from historical literature, folk music, dance, and traditional crafts. It's a homage to resilience, celebrating the enduring spirit of the Sindhi heritage and the global Sindhi diaspora's narrative of diversity. To know more about Roma Narsinghani, please visit: Website

Red Grapefruit Ade 4 shade by Etude

This shade offers a vibrant colour reminiscent of a refreshing red grapefruit. Priced at Rs. 450/- Available on myntra.com

Bikano eyes the south market, and launches the "Madras" and "Tasty Saga" Flavor Mixtures

Bikano, India's leading packaged snacks brand, proudly announces the launch of its latest offerings - the "Madras" and "Tasty Saga" Flavor Mixtures. This expansion into the southern Indian taste palette marks a significant milestone for Bikano as it aims to cater to diverse regional preferences and tap into new markets.

Chic Summer Essentials by Forever New

Forever New's Summer Essentials offers a perfect blend of style and comfort for the warmer months. From breezy dresses to versatile accessories, this collection has everything you need to stay cool and fashionable all summer long. With lightweight fabrics, vibrant prints, and on-trend designs, Forever New ensures you're ready for any summer adventure, whether it's a beach getaway or a casual day out with friends.

Perona's Future Classics Revealed

Embracing the ethos of "statement simplicity," Perona's design philosophy for SS24 focuses on effortless styling for maximum impact. Key elements include interchangeability, adaptability, perennial designs for longevity, and effortless maintenance, catering to the modern, on-the-go lifestyle. Attention to detail remains paramount, with artisanal touches such as geometric embroidery, playful prints, and unexpected textures enhancing the classic silhouettes. Available at Stores and perona.com

Step up Your Style this Eid with Bata's 10/10 Collection!

Celebrate Eid with Bata's all-new spring-summer 10/10 Collection. Pick the perfect gift from an exciting range of dazzling heels from Bata Red Label & Hush Puppies, chic women's casual sandals from Bata Comfit, and the coolest sneakers by North Star - all inspired by global fashion trends. Combining premium design with comfort, these are sure to elevate your loved one's style quotient to a ten on ten. Shop from your nearest Bata store or on Bata.com.

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid

Whether you want to go for subtle lips or nail the bold colours, L'Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick is your perfect pick for your Eid glam. Available in 9 captivating shades, this lipstick guarantees intense colour payoff and a comfortable matte finish that doesn't interrupt your festivities. Whether you prefer a traditional red or a soft nude, be assured that your lip colour will remain vibrant all day long. Embrace the magic of a flawless matte lip  that is sure to compliment all your Eid looks, available at a price of just Rs. 999.

Experience Radiant Beauty this Eid with Urban Color London's Matte & Glow Duo Blusher by Modicare Limited

Add a playful pop of colour that lasts all day, and elevate your beauty game at just Rs. 1150/-

Experience the magic of Advanced Optical Technology that flawlessly blurs imperfections, giving your skin a radiant, airbrushed glow that looks completely natural. The lightweight formula ensures comfortable wear throughout the day, so you can confidently flaunt your beauty. Formulated in Italy, this extraordinary blusher is available in two stunning variants  'Mysterious' and 'Secret'. Both shades are carefully curated to complement all skin tones, offering a seamless and effortless application that glides smoothly for effortless blending.

Fastrack's First-Ever Ceramic Watches Make Perfect Gift for Eid

This Eid, break free from the ordinary and gift your loved ones something truly special  the gift of style that endures. Imagine a watch crafted with sleek, luxurious ceramic  a statement piece that exudes effortless sophistication. That's the essence of the Fastrack Cerame. But its beauty goes beyond the surface. Each timepiece boasts a robust stainless steel build and a multifunction movement, ensuring both impeccable style and lasting performance. Let the Fastrack Cerame be his signature statement, as timeless and enduring as the dunes that inspired its design.

VegNonVeg/ Essentials: Where Comfort Meets Timeless Style

VegNonVeg Essentials Collection is back, where timeless classics meet contemporary comfort. Crafted for those who value style without compromise, this collection brings forth a fresh take on everyday staples. The latest addition to the Essentials collection offers the perfect blend of classic aesthetics and modern ease. From the reliable short-sleeve t-shirts to the effortlessly cool shorts, and the laid-back allure of loose-fit pants, each piece exudes a sense of effortless style. Discover a range of versatile neutrals with some pops of colour, catering to every mood. Shop in stores or online at https://www.vegnonveg.com

Off-White Embroidered Silk Anarkali Kurta With Trousers & Dupatta by Libas

This Anarkali-shaped silk suit set from Libas is a must-have for going out during the festive season. The set includes a white kurta adorned with floral embroidery and Zari detailing, paired with solid trousers and a floral net dupatta, ideal for daytime festivities. You can complete the look with hoop earrings, a box clutch bag, and comfortable strappy sandals. Link to shop.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Velvet Collection

Introducing Anastasia Beverly Hills' latest marvel, The Lip Velvet Collection, redefining lip artistry with its velvet-smooth lip mousses. Crafted with precision, each shade delivers stunning colour and a plush, cushioned feel for enduring comfort, while its blurring formula effortlessly transitions from natural to glamorous looks in a single sweep. Price: Rs. 3200/- Availability: Sephora, Nykaa, Tira, Tata Cliq, Myntra, Boddess, SS Beauty and ABH exclusive stores in Mall of India Noida, Phoenix Palladium, Mumbai

Moira Soft Focus Waterproof Setting Powder

Moira introduces their Soft Focus Waterproof Setting Powder, a hydrophobic formula with Microspheres for a flawless finish, reducing pores and controlling oil with Silica while being cruelty-free and free from harmful ingredients. Price: Rs. 1,720/- Product Link- https://moirabeauty.in

Lakme's Invisible Sunstick

For those who prefer an invisible shield against UV rays, Lakme's Invisible Sunstick is a game-changer. The easy-to-use, portable stick glides smoothly over the skin, is 100% invisible and leaves no residue. It's a perfect on-the-go companion for those spontaneous outdoor adventures, ensuring you stay protected without compromising your style. This game-changing product redefines sun protection with its weightless, tinted mattifying formula and is priced at Rs. 899/-

N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in
New Delhi, April 10 : Known for his socially relevant films and for playing a crucial role in the revival of contemporary Marathi cinema, filmmaker Umesh Kulkarni's latest Short 'U=Me', focussing on destigmatisation of AIDS, will be released on YouTube on April 11.

It all started when Dr.Sanjay Pujari from Pune who has worked with infectious diseases for over a quarter of a century approached veteran actor Dr. Mohan Agash who recommended Kulkarni for the project.

"In fact, Dr.Pujari is himself a cinema buff and understands the reach of this medium," Kulkarni tells IANS.

Adding that it was an intentional decision to release the Short, which has been to multiple film festivals abroad, on YouTube, the director states: "We wanted the 25-minute film to be accessible to all. It was important that a movie with such a subject was not restricted only to the film festival circuit," says the director about the film written by Dr Vivek Bele.

Ensuring that the movie turned out to be an engaging fiction experience and not just message delivery, the director points out: "Thankfully, excellent actors like Shweta Basu Prasad and Arjun Radhakrishnan came on board for this project by Arbhaat Films."

While the film will have its India premiere at NFAI on April 11, there will be a special screening for guests in Mumbai on April 12.

For someone like Kulkarni, Shorts are an extremely important format as they allow directors to approach stories in their peculiar way without the pressure of market forces.

"With feature films, the entire dynamics change as there is much investment involved and thus the pressure of recovering it. So, a Short film gives you more freedom as a form. And in today's time, it is easier to share, thanks to platforms like YouTube.

While everyone has been talking about Malayalam cinema nowadays, not long back critics were raving about Marathi cinema.

This FTII pass-out points: "A few young filmmakers including me were watching Marathi films and just could not relate to them. And then we decided that we should make films in our language that were not only relatable but also brought up contemporary social and political issues."

"People like Nagraj Manjule, Nikhil Mahajan, Sujay Dahake and I jumped in. Some of us are from film schools. That is how this whole new wave of Marathi cinema came in. The audience response was excellent," he notes.

While the Marathi new wave lasted for around 10 years (2005-2015), things have now become tough for young directors.

"Let us not forget that Hindi films do well in Maharashtra. So, we are pitted against big guns and not many theatres release Marathi films. It is a tough battle, but we are fighting it."

Instrumental in setting up several film clubs across Maharashtra and other places, he feels that every town must have one.

"Film literacy is extremely important. It is paramount that people get exposure to cinema other than Bollywood and Hollywood. They should also be introduced to different formats. More film festivals will also help," he hopes.

Kulkarni has been spending a lot of time in Kashmir lately and holding workshops there but makes it clear that there are no immediate plans to make a film there. "It is the people and their culture that fascinate me," he smiles.

The director who made 'Murder in the Courtroom' for an OTT platform asserts that digital mediums have proven to be a boon for directors like him. "The platform was very supportive and the docu-series reached a wide audience," concludes Kulkarni who is currently working on another project for an OTT platform.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized former US President Donald Trump's "peace plan" to end the war with Russia. This plan, according to sources, involves territorial concessions by Ukraine to Russia.

ADVERTISIMENT

Zelenskyy called Trump's "plan" very primitive. The head of state said this in an interview with the German newspaper Bild.

"If we are talking about simply giving up our territories, and if this is an idea, then the idea is very primitive. I think if Trump has his approach to ending the war quickly, then I would be happy to listen to that idea. But we need strong arguments," he emphasized.

Zelenskyy added that Ukraine does not need a fantastic idea, but a real one, because we are talking about human lives, so we cannot joke and take risks.

The president made it clear that he does not want to negotiate with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and is not going to give up Ukrainian territories to Russia. He explains that the head of the Russian Federation cannot be trusted, as he has said one thing and then acted differently.

ADVERTISIMENT

Zelenskyy also commented on the possibility of Trump's visit to Ukraine  the American politician has been invited here both publicly and privately. "We have expressed a desire for Donald Trump to come to Ukraine so that he can see the situation with his own eyes and draw certain conclusions. I am ready to meet with him. Trump said that "he wants to, but he doesn't know when he can do it." Soon? "I hope so," the president said.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
New Delhi, April 10 : Two infants were rescued and four members, including a married couple, of a child trafficking gang were arrested, a Delhi Police official said on Wednesday

The gang, after luring poor families, used to take away their children and sell them to others, police said.

The accused were identified as Gurmeet Singh, 41, his wife Hasmeet Kaur, 37, Mariyam, 30, and Naina, 24, all residents of Delhi.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer, Jimmy Chiram said that information regarding a child trafficking gang, being seen near the Sonia hospital, was received at Nangloi police station on April 2. A police team was dispatched to the spot and apprehended four persons, including a woman carrying a baby girl, as they were seeking to take the child to an undisclosed location.

"The infant rescued was around 15-20 days old. Accordingly, a case under Sections 370 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and 81 of the JJ Act was registered," the DCP said.

During the probe, the infant, rescued from them, was traced back to Punjab's Fazilka.

"She was to be sold for a hefty sum before the vigilant officers intervened. The parents of the rescued baby girl were informed accordingly," said the DCP.

On interrogation, the four accused, including three women, disclosed that they lured poor families and took away their children to sell to others.

"They had got this rescued baby girl from Punjab and tried to sell her in UP but could not find a customer, and later, were trying to sell in Delhi but got caught," the DCP said.

During the further investigation in this case, information about another child, a baby girl, aged about three months and sold in Chandigarh for about Rs 2.5 lakh, was disclosed.

"Accordingly, a team was sent and in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, they rescued the child from a couple in Chandigarh," the DCP said.
New Delhi, April 10 : Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is reportedly planning to visit India later this month to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announce his mega investment plans, as the country doubles down on its EV adoption strategy.

However, an official confirmation on Muskas India visit from the tech billionaire or his electric car company was yet to come.

Musk is slated to meet PM Modi "in the week of April 22 in New Delhi", Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

The X owner, accompanied by other top Tesla executives, is also likely to make an announcement about his investment plans and setting up of a potential $2-3 billion manufacturing plant in the country, the report mentioned.

According to Musk, the entry of Tesla in India, as the company scouts for factory land, will be a "natural progression".

"All vehicles will go electric and it is just a matter of time," the Tesla CEO said.

India, like other nations which have adopted EVs, should also have more and more electric cars going forward, according to the X owner.

Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu are reportedly on top of Teslaas agenda to start EV manufacturing and export the vehicles as well. During his visit to the US last year, PM Modi had invited the tech billionaire to explore opportunities in the country for investments in the e-mobility sector.
New Delhi, 10 April : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday asked President Droupadi Murmu to rollback the privatisation policy of Sainik Schools keeping in view the national interest.

He said that Indian democracy has conventionally kept the armed forces away from any partisan politics and the past successive governments have kept the armed forces and its affiliate institutions away from the shadows of varying political ideologies.

"I want to bring to your kind notice an investigative report based on an RTI reply, which described that Sainik Schools are being privatised using a new PPP model introduced by your government, and now 62 per cent of these schools are said to be owned by the BJP-RSS leaders," Kharge wrote to the President.

"In the national interest, Congress demands the complete rollback of this privatisation policy and annulment of MoUs, so that children studying at Armed Forces Schools retain the desired character, vision and honour required for the service of the nation," Kharge wrote.

He explained that there are 33 Sainik Schools in the country which were fully government-funded institutions operated under the aegis of the Sainik Schools Society (SSS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

"In 2021, the Central government brazenly initiated the privatisation of Sainik Schools. As a result, MoUs have been signed for 40 out of the 100 new schools, based on this model, where the Union Government provides an Annual Fee Support of 50 per cent of fee (subject to an upper limit of Rs 40000/- per annum for 50 per cent of the class strength (subject to an upper limit of 50 students) per year from Class 6 onwards till class 12, on Merit-cum-Means basis. This in effect means, that for a school that has classes till 12th standard, SSS offers to provide support of a maximum Rs 1.2 crore per annum, among other incentives," Kharge letter reads.

He said that the report also found that out of the 40 MoUs that have been signed, 62 per cent have been signed with individuals and organisations belonging to the RSS-BJP-Sangh Parivar which also includes a Chief Minister's family, several MLAs, BJP office-bearers and RSS leaders.

"This is a blatant step to politicise the independent Sainik Schools  a preparatory platform which plays a leading role in sending cadets for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy," he wrote.

"It is evident that it has been effected to ideologically indoctrinate Armed Forces at the entry-level. No political party has ever done this, as there is a general national consensus to keep the valour and courage of our Armed Forces away from partisan politics," Kharge wrote.

He said that it is not surprising that the Central government has broken a well-enshrined convention.

"In the grand plan of RSS to hurriedly thrust its ideology, they have dealt a body blow to the very nature and ethos of the armed forces. Imparting ideologically slanted knowledge in such institutions shall not only destroy inclusiveness but also damage the national character of the Sainik Schools, by influencing their character through partisan religious/corporate/family/social/cultural credos," Kharge said.
Bengaluru, April 10 : The Maharashtra Ekikarana Samithi (MES), which is seeking the merger of Karnataka's Belagavi district with Maharashtra, on Wednesday announced that it has decided to field its candidates in Belagavi and Karwar Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.

With the entry of the MES, the direct fight between the BJP and the Congress has now turned into a triangular contest as there is a significant presence of Maratha voters in two districts.

The MES has decided to field Mahadeva Patil as its candidate in Belagavi and Niranjan Sardesai as the candidate for the Karwar Seat. Patil has been a worker of the MES for more than 50 years whereas Sardesai has been working for it for 15 years.

With both leaders known for their anti-Kannada and anti-Karnataka stands, Patil, after the declaration of his candidature, accused the Karnataka government of "dominating" Marathi-speaking people in Belagavi and other parts and people need to vote for his MES to prevent "atrocities".

The Belagavi seat has already become a high-profile constituency with the BJP fielding former CM Jagadish Shettar, who recently rejoined the party, as its candidate, while Mrinal Hebbalkar, son of state Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar is the Congress candidate.

After the MES lost its prominence in assembly elections, the Maratha voters supported the BJP. However, Laxmi Hebbalkar and Dr Anjali Nimbalkar, both from the Congress, emerged as their leaders in the region.

Nimbalkar, who lost to the BJP from Khanapur Assembly seat in 2019, is the Karwar candidate of the Congress. The BJP has denied a ticket to Hindutva firebrand and former Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde and fielded Sormer speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri.

It is to be seen whether the national parties continue their domination in the region or the MES will be able to make a comeback.
Kochi, April 10 : With the mercury rising in the state, the Kerala High Court has passed a resolution exempting advocates from wearing gowns during the summer season.

This exemption will be in force till May 31.

Temperatures have been rising across the state, climbing beyond 40 degrees in a few districts.

This decision came after the full court considered a request by the Kerala High Court Advocates Association seeking relaxation. It decided to allow advocates appearing in the district courts to wear a white shirt with a band while making the use of a black coat and gown optional and for those appearing before the High Court, the gown is also optional.
New Delhi/Chandigarh, April 10 : Is the Congress now walking a tightrope in its ties with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after the Delhi High Court quashed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy case?

In a setback for the Delhi Chief Minister, the court observed on Tuesday that the AAP leader "conspired with others" and was "actively involved in using the proceeds of crime", as per the materials shared by the ED.

Even as the high court shocker gave the BJP fresh ammo against Kejriwal, who is now under more pressure to step down as the Chief Minister, the Congress is in a bind over how to explain its position vis-a-vis its relations with the AAP.

Delhi Congress sources said the party leaders here are feeling discomfort over its alliance with AAP following the developments related to the alleged liquor policy scam.

While both the parties did not stitch an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls for the 13 seats in Punjab, they have done so in Delhi. The Congress' 'failure' to name three candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Delhi to date has also triggered speculation.

With such state-wise poll pact in place, while the Delhi unit of the Congress is maintaining a stoic silence, the Punjab leaders are mincing no words in slamming Kejriwal and AAP over the ED custody and the developments that followed.

Senior Congress leader in Punjab, Pratap Singh Bajwa, has launched a scathing criticism of the AAP and its government in the state, which speaks volumes about the "unease" that exists in the ties between the two allies of the INDIA bloc.

Bajwa, who is also the leader of opposition in the Punjab Assembly, came down heavily on the AAP government's failure to end corruption in Punjab.

"The AAP had vowed to end corruption in the state. The party also said it would adopt a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Now, the government owes an explanation to the people of Punjab as to why it has failed to end corruption in the state. The AAP government should also tell why it failed to end the VIP culture," Bajwa said.

Political observers feel that Bajwa's outbursts against the Bhagwant Mann-led government reflect Punjab Congress' discomfort and dilemma over playing the role of opposition in the state, with the party leadership having an alliance with AAP in Delhi.

Meanwhile, highlighting the AAP government's alleged failures on various fronts, Bajwa said AAP's promises and commitments to end the drug menace in the state have proven hollow.

"Deaths caused by drug overdose have become a new normal during the two-year rule of the AAP. Similarly, the law and order situation has deteriorated as the AAP government has done nothing to curb the growing crime rate in the state," he added.
New Delhi, April 10 : Hailing the process of development, good governance and empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir which "is to be seen to be believed", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged the foreign media to visit the region to witness firsthand the "sweeping positive changes" happening on the ground.

"I would encourage you to visit Jammu and Kashmir to witness firsthand the sweeping positive changes happening on [the] ground. Do not go by what I or others tell you. I went to Jammu and Kashmir just last month. For the first time, people have a new hope in their lives. The process of development, good governance and empowerment of the people is to be seen to be believed," PM Modi told Newsweek in an interview.

Replying to another question, PM Modi stated that India's minorities don't buy the narrative of religious discrimination anymore.

"These are usual tropes of some people who don't bother to meet people outside their bubbles. Even India's minorities don't buy this narrative anymore. Minorities from all religions, be it Muslim, Christians, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain or even a micro-minority like Parsis are living happily and thriving in India," he said.

Prime Minister Modi specifically mentioned how his government has worked hard and come up with a unique saturation coverage approach for the first time when it comes to schemes and initiatives.

"They are not restricted to a group of people belonging to a particular community or geography. They are meant to reach everyone, which means that they are designed in such a way that there cannot be any discrimination. Be it amenities like houses, toilets, water connection or cooking fuel or be it collateral free credit or health insurance, it is reaching every citizen irrespective of his community and religion," he told the visiting Newsweek team at his residence in the national capital recently.

Calling India "the mother of democracy", PM Modi said that India is a vibrant democracy, not only because its Constitution says so, but also because it is in the genes of the people of the country.

"Constantly increasing voter participation is a big certificate for the people's faith in Indian democracy. A democracy like India is able to move ahead and function only because there is a vibrant feedback mechanism," he mentioned.

PM Modi added: "There are a few people in India and in the West who have lost [connection with] the people of India - their thought processes, feelings and aspirations. These people also tend to live in their own echo-chamber of alternate realities. They conflate their own dissonance with the people with dubious claims of diminishing media freedom."
SEBI bans Subhash Chandra, Punit Goenka from holding position of director or key personnel till further orders. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, April 10 : The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a settlement order to Utkarsh Small Finance Bank upon the payment of Rs 1.24 crore by the lender.

SEBI had issued a show-cause notice dated March 16, 2023, to Utkarsh Small Finance Bank whereby the markets regulator had alleged violations of certain provisions of the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations.

Subsequently, the bank filed a settlement application in this regard. The bankas settlement application and the SCN were disposed of by SEBI pursuant to the present settlement order.

aTherefore, in view of the acceptance of the settlement terms and the receipt of the settlement amount as above by SEBI, the instant adjudication proceedings initiated against the applicants vide SCN dated March 16, 2023, is disposed of in terms of Section 15JB of the SEBI Act read with Regulation 23(1) of the settlement regulations based on the settlement terms," the SEBI order said.

SEBI also said that pending the adjudication proceedings, the applicant proposed to settle the instant proceedings initiated against it, without admitting or denying the findings of facts and conclusions of law, through a settlement order and filed a settlement application with SEBI.

After attending a meeting with the internal committee of SEBI on January 16, 2024, in terms of the settlement regulations, the applicant vide letter dated January 27, 2024, proposed the revised settlement terms.

The High Powered Advisory Committee ('HPAC) considered the settlement terms proposed and recommended that the case may be settled upon the payment of Rs 1.24 crore by the applicant as settlement amount towards the settlement terms.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at sanjeev.s@ians.in)
Guwahati, April 10 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday claimed that the BJP's winning margin will increase if Rahul Gandhi campaigns in the state for the Congress candidates.

Congress has announced that Rahul Gandhi will come to Assam on April 17 to take part in two public gatherings. He will campaign for Gaurav Gogoi in the Jorhat Lok Sabha seat and United Opposition Forum candidate Lurinjyoti Gogoi in Dibrugarh.

Sarma took a jibe at the Congress leader's visit and said: "Let Rahul Gandhi campaign for his party's candidates. This will help the BJP to increase the winning margin. After Rahul Gandhi's visit, BJP candidates in two seats will gain at least 25,000 more votes."

He also claimed that the opposition has failed to pose any challenge before the BJP in these two seats.

"We will win 13 seats in Assam. The only seat open for the contest is Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency. Congress and AIUDF have been trying to get that seat. We are also seriously fighting in Dhubri seat," Sarma added.

According to the Chief Minister, Assam will become a Congress-free state in 2026.

"Except a very few leaders, nobody will stay in the Congress till 2026. Everybody will leave the party in the next two years," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also address a public gathering on April 17 in the Nalbari district.
Hamas delegation to reach Cairo this week for truce talks, temporary ceasefire likely. Image Source: IANS News

Chennai, April 10 : Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israel air strike in Gaza on Wednesday.

Palestinian media outlets have reported that the grandchildren of Haniyeh were also killed in the attack.

Haniyeh, according to Hebrew media has confirmed the killings and in a statement said, "All of Gaza's citizens paid a price with the blood of their children including mine."

Arabic and Hebrew media have reported that they were killed in a vehicle at the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza city.

It may be recalled that Haniyeh's 14 close family members including his brother and family were killed in an Israeli air strike in October 2023.

Palestinian media had earlier reported that Haniyeh's granddaughter Roaa Haniyeh, a doctor was also killed as was his son Hazem Haniyeh in February 2024.
Ukraine can still remain a "sovereign, independent and democratic country". This will happen if our country is able to "defend its sovereign territory and deter Russian aggression." However, the war in Ukraine "has a price," U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, said.

ADVERTISIMENT

The head of the Pentagon explained how much the Ukrainian victory could cost American taxpayers during a hearing in the US Senate. They were discussing the budget request of the US Department of Defense for fiscal year 2025.

The request of $850 billion may seem too much to some. However, everything has a price, and Ukraine's loss in the war will cost many times more, according to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

"The price of US leadership is real. But it is much lower than the price of US abdication," he told lawmakers.

The military officer explained his opinion. "US abdication," i.e., stopping military aid to Ukraine, could lead to "Kyiv falling." This "definitely puts the Baltic states," which are NATO members, at risk of war. Thus, it would draw US troops "into a prolonged war in Europe," Austin told lawmakers.

ADVERTISIMENT

As reported, Ukraine has already become a hostage to the internal political confrontation in the United States on the eve of the elections. The Republicans, at the behest of former US President Donald Trump, who expects to return to the White House, have been blocking the allocation of new aid to Ukraine for many months in a row. And without it, according to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, our country may be defeated in the war with Russia.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!
Agartala, April 10 : Following the instructions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), a multi-layer security arrangement has been put in place along the 5,437-km long international borders in eight northeastern states to thwart any unlawful activities before and during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections beginning April 19, officials said on Wednesday.

Senior officers of the Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are often visiting the bordering areas in the northeast, holding a series of meetings and sensitising their troops deployed along the international borders, both fenced and unfenced, ever since the announcement of the election schedule on March 16.

The police observers appointed by the ECI are also visiting the villages and trouble-torn areas along the international frontiers to supervise and review the security arrangements.

Top security officials said that special measures are also being taken along the international borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, Bhutan, and Nepal.

Ravi Gandhi, BSF ADG, Eastern Command, is now on a three-day visit to the bordering areas in Mizoram and Assam, where he was briefed about the operational situation.

The BSF ADG, along with other senior officers, also visited the India-Bangladesh borders in Karimganj and Cachar districts in Assam where they reviewed the operational preparedness.

Gandhi also interacted with the commanders and troops of the BSF and officials of the Integrated Chief Posts (ICPs) at Sutarkandi during his visit.

Last month, the officer visited the India-Bangladesh bordering areas along Tripura, and interacted with the jawans posted along the frontiers.

Elections to the 25 Lok Sabha seats across the eight northeastern states will be held in the first three phases of the seven-phase parliamentary elections, with 15 seats going to the polls in the first phase (April 19), seven in the second phase (April 26), while polling in four seats will be held in the third phase (May 7).
Ramtek : , April 10 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused the INDIA bloc of spreading lies that the Constitution and democracy will be in jeopardy if the NDA retains power after the Lok Sabha elections, asking was democracy not threatened during Emergency?

Attending an election rally in support of the MahaYuti nominees from Ramtek, Nagpur, and Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, PM Modi said, "As soon as a poor man's son becomes the Prime Minister, they (opposition) feel democracy and the Constitution are in danger. The INDIA bloc leaders can't see the poor people moving forward in life.

"There is a saying in Marathi that 'water doesn't divide if hit by a stick'. Hit any number of sticks in the water, it won't make any difference. So no matter how much these people attack a poor man's son, Modi will not back down from taking measures for the country's development.

"These (opposition) leaders are trying to divide the country with full force. They know that if everyone in the country is united, their politics will not work."

Addressing the gathering in Ramtek, the Prime Minister also said there had not been a single election with the NDA in power when the opposition did not raise the 'democracy and Constitution in danger' cry.

"Even when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government was formed, the opposition was singing the same tune," said PM Modi.

The Prime Minister also said that if the INDIA bloc becomes strong, it will tear the country into pieces.

"Even today they leave no stone unturned to pit one community against the other," PM Modi said.

He also attacked the INDIA bloc for not accepting the invitation for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, saying they only criticise Sanatan Dharma.

"This year, Lord Ram will be seen in a temple on Ram Navami. But will you let such an alliance win even one seat in Maharashtra? Shouldn't they be punished for their sins," the Prime Minister asked.

He also alleged that the Congress left the OBC community behind and ended Babasaheb Ambedkar's politics.

"Babasaheb was not given the Bharat Ratna, while the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were not brought into the mainstream by successive Congress governments. I would like to appeal to the citizens of Maharashtra and the country to unite and vote in the name of the nation," PM Modi said.

aYou should vote to strengthen the country's foundation for the next 1,000 years. We want people to vote for a developed India," the Prime Minister said.

Pointing at the various surveys predicting a landslide victory for the BJP-led NDA, PM Modi said, "Let me give them a simple formula... When the opposition insults Modi, it means Modi will win again. When the opposition says bad words about my parents, it means Modi's victory is certain. When the EVM issue is raised, it means the Modi government will win again."
Washington, April 10 : The United States is putting behind recent irritants and acrimony in ties with India with a high-level visit by a top official to Delhi next week and glowing reviews of the bilateral relationship with one official who says it has scaled to "new heights".

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is visiting India next week, according to a senior Biden administration official, to "celebrate elements of our bilateral relationship, compare notes on the Indo-Pacific, and also talk about next steps in technology cooperation".

The official, who spoke to reporters in the background about the ongoing state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, added: "We think these are all effective, prudent elements of taking the US-India relationship to the next level."

The official also said that for President Joe Biden, efforts to develop a stronger relationship with India were among his "proudest" achievements.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan gave an equally glowing account of the relationship with India while addressing reporters separately.

"The partnership between the US and India, a country in BRICS, has gone to new heights with an engagement across technology and security and so many other dimensions," he said, in response to a question if the US is worried by the growing clout and membership of BRICS, a group that draws its name from the first letters of its original members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It was recently joined by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates; and Saudi Arabia is contemplating joining as well.

The senior administration official used the word "excelled" to describe the level of engagement between the two countries.

Campbell's visit to India will be his first in his new role as Deputy Secretary of State, which is roughly the rank of a minister of state in India. He has been the Biden administration's czar on the Indo-Pacific bilaterally with rim countries and for the Quad, a multilateral group comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia, which has seen robust growth after Biden came to office.

There was not a hint in these remarks of recent irritants in the relationship caused by remarks by US diplomats in New Delhi and Washington DC. These elicited strong responses.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena for her remarks on the case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The State Department followed this with a call for "a fair, transparent and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal". It had elicited a statement from the MEA saying it took "strong objection".

The US also expressed concern over the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act and said it was monitoring it closely. The bilateral relationship faced its biggest challenge in recent months with the US Justice Department accusing an Indian citizen of trying to organize the killing of a Khalistani activist in the US, at the behest of a serving official who was identified in court filings as CC1.

The Biden administration went on to call for India to conduct its own investigations to ascertain the facts. New Delhi agreed and set up an inquiry, which, according to recent reports, has found that it was a rogue operation ordered by an official of the Research and Analysis (RAW), who has since been removed from the organisation.

These news reports also indicated that the US has been informed of the findings. But the State Department recently said it is still waiting for a report. These exchanges of words and acrimony put a cloud over the relationship. But it's clear from these remarks by top American officials that the damage, if any, was peripheral and ephemeral leaving the core in good health, and as NSA Sullivan put it, scaling "new heights".
New Delhi, April 10 : Determined to return to power for a third straight term with a huge majority, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken an unsurpassable lead over the opposition in campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Displaying massive zeal and an exceptional level of energy, PM Modi has so far covered the length and breadth of the country, sharing with the voters his clear vision about how his government aims to achieve the goal of 'Viksit Bharat'.

Political analysts believe that PM Modi, whose popularity remains sky-high despite being in the government for the past 10 years, has stolen a march on his political opponents in reaching out to the people in several states. He will be touring many regions in the days to come.

Political watchers feel that ait seems PM Modi is exhibiting a significant campaign intensity leading up to the 2024 general elections".

In what shows his deep dedication to work and duty, PM Modi remains engaged in sending his views across to the people down to the grassroots levels.

He addressed several rallies, held roadshows, and gave interviews to ensure a public connect over the last fortnight.

He has so far held over 20 rallies and roadshows, demonstrating a vigorous effort to connect with the voters in different parts of the country.

Another method to reach out to people from various strata of society is through interviews with regional and national media.

By giving interviews to regional media outlets like Thanthi in Tamil Nadu, the Assam Tribune, and Amar Ujala in Uttarakhand, PM Modi aims to resonate with the voters on local issues and concerns.

In global outreach, he also engaged with international publications like Newsweek and interacted with influential figures like Bill Gates. This reflects PM Modias broader vision for India's future and an attempt to project leadership on the global stage.

His recent interaction with online gamers was a significant engagement. It was an engagement with the first-time voters through interactions with gamers which showed an innovative approach to connect with a younger demographic.

Meanwhile, the opposition appears to be lagging in terms of campaigning intensity that keeps PM Modi going, with little or no significant efforts by the INDIA bloc being reported. Political observers say that their complaints about a lack of a 'level playing field' suggest frustration and possibly a sense of being overwhelmed by the BJP's campaign blitz.
Gurugram, April 10 : The cyber cell of the Gurugram Police has arrested a private bank employee for allegedly providing account details to cyber criminals.

Priyanshu Diwan, ACP (cybercrime), said the accused has been identified as Himanshu Gangwar, an employee with the Yes Bank.

According to the police, a man filed a complaint with the cyber police on December 2023 alleging that he was duped of Rs 6 lakh in the name of task-based jobs on social media.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to providing account details to cyber criminals to be used in committing cyber fraud in return for a commission.

The Gurugram Police have arrested 11 bank officials in the last couple of months for their alleged involvement in cyber fraud.
Kohima, April 10 : Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday that his party is making all-out efforts to unite the country, while the BJP is busy with "artificial uniformity".

Ramesh, who was on a two-day campaign trail in support of the Congress candidate for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland, S. Supongmeren Jamir, alleged that the BJP government at the Centre signed different agreements with the Naga groups without making any substantial progress towards a permanent solution to the Naga political issue.

In 2015, the Centre signed the 'Framework Agreement' with the NSCN-IM, but the details of the pact were never revealed to the public, Ramesh claimed.

In 2017, the Central government signed the 'Agreed Position' with the working committee of the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), but no action has been taken since the agreement was inked, the Congress leader told the media.

Ramesh also said that in 2023, the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation announced that it would abstain from the Assembly elections unless Eastern Nagaland was granted autonomy.

The abstention was lifted after the Union Home Ministry agreed to meet their demands, Ramesh said, adding that a year later, the ENPO has been left hanging, and is now calling upon the people to boycott the Lok Sabha elections.

"The BJP government only makes grand announcements, which are followed by zero action. It only cares about headline management. The so-called double-engine government in Nagaland is a joke. What the state needs is a permanent solution to its political issue, and that's what the Congress has committed in its Nyay Patra," Ramesh said.

The Congress leader also claimed that in November last year, talks between the government and the NSCN-IM broke down.

Ramesh also said that Article 371 (A) was inserted in the Constitution in 1963 when Nagaland was formed, and the special provision aimed at safeguarding the traditional cultures and customs of Nagaland, which is under threat now.

The Congress Rajya Sabha MP also said that the neighbouring Manipur has been burning for the past 11 months, as he expressed fear that similar tensions can spread to the other northeastern states as well.
Jaipur, April 11 : Shiv Sena's Rajasthan coordinator and former minister Rajendra Singh Gudha on Wednesday said that his party will extend full support to the BJP on all 25 seats of the state to ensure that it achieves a hat-trick in the Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a press conference here, Gudha said: "According to the BJP and (Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra CM) Eknath Shinde's discussions in view of the Lok Sabha elections, we have decided to give full support and cooperation to the BJP. At the same time, whatever responsibility is given for the election campaign under the direction of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, we will accept and fulfil it."

He also accused former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of misusing government machinery.

Gudha said that about half a dozen false cases, including under the POCSO Act, were filed against him during the previous Congress government at the behest of CM Gehlot.

"In the last five years, Rajasthan came at the forefront of the country in terms of atrocities against women. When I raised my voice against it in the house, I was dismissed and action was taken against me out of vengeance. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, we will campaign with the BJP on all 25 seats of Rajasthan and will organise big meetings mainly in Jalore-Sirohi, Jhunjhunu, and Sikar Lok Sabha constituencies. I claim that we will score a hat-trick by winning 25 seats for the third time," he said.

Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot is contesting elections from the Jalore-Sirohi LS seat.

BJP national Secretary and state Co-in-charge Vijaya Rahatkar, who was also present, thanked Gudha.

"We will get support on many seats in Rajasthan with the support of Shiv Sena. Due to the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today everyone is enthusiastic to join the BJP family," she added.
Amaravati, April 11 : Launching a scathing attack against Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said on Wednesday that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief beats even chameleons in changing colours.

Reacting to Naidu's promise that if the TDP is voted to power in Andhra Pradesh, it will double the monthly honorarium of village and ward volunteers to Rs 10,000, Jagan Reddy recalled that he had earlier called for abolishing the volunteer system, while Naidu's 'adopted son' Pawan Kalyan had even accused the volunteers of indulging in the trafficking of women.

"I'm not sure how many colours a chameleon changes, but Chandrababu Naidu's adaptability has surpassed that. Now he claims that if he regains power, he will allocate Rs 10,000 for the volunteers. Today, I address this man directly - Your deceit is well-known to everyone," Jagan Reddy said while addressing a public meeting at Gurazala in Palnadu district as part of his election campaign.

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief predicted that Naidu, if voted to power, will do away with the volunteer system and later reintroduce it as Janmabhoomi committee members.

"Then, you will further perpetuate corruption by offering them Rs 10,000. This defines your fraudulent political tactics," he said.

"Earlier, Naidu called for the abolishment of the volunteer system, and even his alliance partner Pawan Kalyan heavily criticised it. Pawan Kalyan even tweeted that 'volunteers are Jagan's Pegasus' who are involved in the human trafficking of women. But now Naidu is promising to give Rs 10,000 to the same volunteers, which means he has finally accepted the good governance of the YSRCP government," Jagan Reddy claimed.

"Naidu, until recently, criticised the volunteer system we established, branding them as disruptive and confrontational. He disparagingly referred to volunteers as mere 'sack men' and vowed to abolish the system altogether. He even alleged that the volunteers intrude on households, particularly when the women are alone," the Chief Minister said.

He also asked the people to vote for 'fan' (YSRCP symbol) for jobs and welfare measures, and not for a rusty 'cycle' (TDP symbol).

The Chief Minister also claimed that his government provided over 2,31,000 jobs in the last 58 months, but during Naidu's tenure, only 32,000 jobs were given.

"The YSRCP government has taken both development and welfare initiatives to every household in Andhra Pradesh. The upcoming election is not a contest between Jagan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu, it is a battle between the poor and the likes of Naidu who are associated with frauds," the Chief Minister said.

He also claimed that Naidu had promised to waive farmers' loans, free electricity to farmers for 12 hours during the day, and so on, but he never fulfilled them.

"It is only the YSRCP government that is providing the farmers with input subsidies, free electricity, crop insurance, MSPs, financial assistance under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, and Rythu Bharosa Kendra to help farmers in all villages, which became a role model in the country," claimed the Chief Minister.

Elections to the 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh will be held simultaneously on May 13.
Bengaluru, April 11 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lodged a police complaint on Wednesday against seven persons for allegedly spreading fake news to stir up communal tension ahead of the coming Lok Sabha polls.

Meanwhile, the Congress' state unit also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the BJP for circulation of fabricated content and violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Siddaramaiah said: "The miscreants supported by the unholy alliance of BJP-JDS have fabricated a piece of disinformation mimicking a report from the Kannada newspaper. This fake news is loaded with content that stirs up communal tensions and has been widely disseminated across social media platforms. I have already lodged a complaint with the police about this. We have information about the vested interests behind this and the police will take necessary action."

The police complaint has been lodged with the West Division CEN (Cybercrime, Economic Offences and Narcotics) police station in Bengaluru.

Siddaramaiah said that "resorting to such deceitful tactics to win elections, rather than engaging with political opponents through fair and honest means, shows the intellectual bankruptcy of the BJP and JD-S. A party that has ruled the country for 10 years should not have stooped to such a despicable level of manufacturing fake news to win an election".

"Be cautious before believing and sharing fake news. We will root out the creators of such fake news and those backing them through legal means," the Chief Minister added.

State Congress' Media and Communications Chairman Ramesh Babu, General Secretary Vijay Mathikatti and Legal Cell Vice Chairman Diwakar Narayanaswamy lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, saying social media accounts associated with BJP released a spurious image mimicking a newspaper clipping, featuring an image of Siddaramaiah and accompanied by misappropriate quotes, to falsely assert that the CM prioritised Muslim votes over those of Hindus, among other communal and inflammatory statements.

"Given the gravity of the legal violations by the BJP partyas official handle, and considering the specific offences under IPC's Sections 153 A, 504 and 505 (2), Sections 79(3)(b) of the IT Act and violations of the Model Code of Conduct, it is incumbent upon the responsible authorities to act decisively and ensure accountability," the Congress said, demanding swift action.
Bengaluru, April 10 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President, D.K. Shivakumar, has been served a notice by the State Lokayukta on Wednesday in connection with the disproportionate assets (DA) case, sources confirmed.

Shivakumar has been asked to provide all documents in his defence regarding the case.

The development is seen as a setback for Shivakumar, who is busy with strategising and executing election campaigns for the Congress.

Shivakumar is also at the forefront of election campaigns with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

In a controversial move, the Congress government had withdrawn the permission given to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the matter.

The case was handed over to the CBI by the then BJP government headed by former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

The case was then handed over to the Lokayukta by the Congress government on November 23, 2023.

The CBI had questioned the Karnataka government's decision in the court, claiming that it is in the last phase of filing the charge sheet against Shivakumar.

The Supreme Court had recently quashed the case probed by the Enforcement Directorate against Shivakumar.

Shivakumar had recently claimed that even after the DA case was quashed and permission withdrawn for the CBI probe, the central probe agencies still served notices to him, his family and business partners and accused that they were harassed.

The CBI had alleged that the assets of Shivakumar's family, which was amounting to Rs 33 crore in 2013 had increased to Rs 166.79 crore by 2018.

The preliminary probe proved the increase of 44.93 per cent additional property disproportionate to the sources of income, sources said.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has spoken out about Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries. He believes that such strikes pose a risk of affecting global energy markets.

ADVERTISIMENT

However, according to the Pentagon chief, "Ukraine knows best" which targets will be most effective in achieving the current tactical and operational objectives of the Ukrainian army. The Pentagon chief made the statement on April 9 at a meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

According to Bloomberg, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have recently been increasingly resorting to strikes deep into Russian territory. The targets included oil refineries. In this way, the Ukrainians were trying to prevent the supply of fuel for the occupation army, as well as to reduce Moscow's export revenues.

And during a meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Republican Senator Tom Cotton asked Austin about recent media reports about "recommendations" to Ukraine from the White House not to attack Russian oil refineries.

ADVERTISIMENT

"Why is the Biden administration preventing Ukraine from carrying out some of the most effective attacks on Russia's military capabilities?" he asked.

Austin confirmed the connection between Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and the situation in global energy markets. However, he said that Ukraine has the right to decide when and where to strike.

"Of course, these attacks may have an additional effect on the global energy situation. But, frankly, I think Ukraine knows better, pursuing its tactical and operational goals, which can directly affect the course of the current struggle," Austin said.

Tom Cotton responded to the Pentagon chief's statement by accusing the Biden administration of hindering effective Ukrainian actions for political reasons.

"It seems to me that the Biden administration doesn't want gasoline prices to go up in an election year," the senator said.

ADVERTISIMENT

At the same time, Austin reiterated his call for the House of Representatives to approve additional military support for Kyiv. He emphasized that such assistance also provides jobs for Americans by increasing US defense production.

To recap: On March 22, the FT reported on the fears of US officials that attacks on Russian refineries could lead to higher fuel prices.

As OBOZ.UA wrote:

 The Institute for the Study of War noted that drone attacks on oil refineries are forcing Russia to seek gasoline imports from Kazakhstan. So far, the aggressor country has not bought fuel. However, Moscow has already asked Astana to create an "emergency reserve" of 100,000 metric tons of gasoline for it.

ADVERTISIMENT

 Drone attacks on Russian refineries forced the aggressor to impose a ban on gasoline exports, and now Russia is trying to increase sales of crude oil abroad. However, analysts believe that soon oil exports from the Russian Federation may also fall along with its production volumes if there is no place to store the raw materials.

 According to Reuters' NATO source, drone strikes on oil refineries in Russia could have disrupted the operation of more than 15% of Russian facilities.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Multi Corporation has bought a majority stake in UK specialist retail asset and property manager Realm. The acquisition signals the return of Multi Corporation to the United Kingdom where it had a significant presence between 2001 and 2021 having developed or managed major retail destinations across the country including the

[]
"UK buyers have had to contend with record-high house prices for many years, but when you also add considerably higher mortgage rates to the mix, its no surprise that more of us are looking abroad for a holiday home in the sun"

- Jason Harris-Cohen - Open Property Group

The latest analysis from quick sale specialists, Open Property Group, has revealed that Spain, Portugal and Italy are the top searched locations for Brits looking for a holiday home.

Open Property Group analysed a number of Google Search Trends concerning holiday home interest and how this interest has changed over the last six months.

The research shows that searches for holiday homes in general are up 5.3% in the last six months, however, at 4.2%, searches for holiday homes in the UK have seen a lower uptick in interest.

In contrast, searches for the term buy property abroad have surged by 10.2%, while searches for international properties are up by 15.4%.

Further analysis by Open Property Group shows that its Spain and Portugal remain the clear winners when it comes to our destination of choice.

Searches for holiday homes in Spain have boomed by 78.6% in the last six months, with buyer search interest in Portugal also up by 71.2%.

Italy has also seen an increase in holiday home searches, up by 50%.

However, Anglo-French interest hasnt fared as well, with searches for holiday homes in France falling by -22%, while interest in America has nosedived by as much as -86%.

CEO of Open Property Group, Jason Harris-Cohen, commented: UK buyers have had to contend with record high house prices for many years, but when you also add considerably higher mortgage rates to the mix, its no surprise that more of us are looking abroad for a holiday home in the sun.

"In fact, there are many more who are keen to make the move altogether and its not uncommon for us to see buyers utilising the quick sale route for a stress-free, fuss-free exit from the UK market in order to start their life abroad as quickly as possible.
Another successful roadshow showcasing more than 150 "good, clean, and fair" wines from Italy and the US

New York, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New York, April 9th, 2024 - The renowned Italian wine association, Slow Wine, has just concluded its nationwide wine tour across the United States, celebrating the release of the 2024 Slow Wine Guide, which features both Italian and U.S. editions. The U.S. guide is currently available for purchase via the Slow Food USA website.

Top trade and media representatives participated in Slow Wine's five-city 2024 USA Tour, which showcased more than 140 Italian producers and 32 domestic wineries from California, Washington, Oregon and New York. The New York City event on March 19th drew more than 410 industry professionals, with more than 100 in Washington DC on March 18th and Austin on March 21st, 150 in Denver on March 25th and 300 in San Francisco on March 27th.

"There's tremendous momentum propelling the Slow Wine movement in the U.S.," said Deborah Parker Wong, who directs the U.S. guide in conjunction with managing editor Pam Strayer. "And our community will keep growing as viticultural practices continue to shift away from the use of synthetic inputs." Parker Wong, Strayer and a team of coordinators begin research on the 8th edition of the U.S. guide in May.

This year's Tour edition was sponsored by Consorzio Tutela Vini Oltrepo Pavese, Consorzio di Tutela Sicilia DOC, Consorzio Asolo Prosecco, Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo, Pastificio Di Martino, Mediterranean Aperitivo-Consorzio del Vermouth di Torino, S. Bernardo.

"We were impressed by the warm welcome received during the tour. It is always a pleasure to return to our two main markets, New York and San Francisco, which have been part of the Tour for over 10 years now." said Giancarlo Gariglio, editor-in-chief of the Slow Wine Guide. "The team and the wineries also enjoy exploring new markets every couple of years and we were all pleasantly surprised with the crowds in Washington DC, Austin, and Denver. Media and industry professionals eagerly greeted our producers, demonstrating enthusiasm and a genuine desire to deepen their knowledge of wines and wineries that align with Slow Wine's principle of sustainable agriculture. We eagerly anticipate returning next year for a brand new edition."

The tasting events showcased wineries producing high quality wines that align with Slow Wine's dedication to sustainable agriculture, as described in the 2020 Manifesto created by the Slow Wine Coalition. This coalition encompasses a unified global network of individuals within the wine industry committed to advocating for a wine revolution founded on principles of excellence, environmental sustainability, land preservation, and the advancement of rural, social, and cultural welfare.

About Slow Wine

The Slow Wine Guide evaluates more than 2,000 Italian wineries, more than 402 American, and includes a small selection from Slovenia, treating each with the utmost respect and attention. The Slow Wine team prides itself on the human contact it has built with all producers, which is essential to the guide's evaluations. While other guides limit their focus to a blind tasting and brief write-up, Slow Wine takes the time to get personal with each winery in order to create a well-informed, detailed review of the wines themselves and the people behind the production. Slow Wine selects wineries that respect and reflect their local terroir and practice sustainable methods that benefit the environment. For the first time ever, those wineries that receive the snail or the official Slow Wine seal are 100% free of chemical herbicides, a distinction that the Slow Wine Guide continues to passionately support.

About Colangelo & Partners

Colangelo & Partners specializes in premium food, wine and spirits brands, and has long-established relationships with the key press that drive these business categories and help determine the industry leaders. Agency principals have years of experience in retail and distribution as well as communications, a rare combination that gives Colangelo & Partners invaluable insights into consumer purchasing behavior. The agency focuses on "closing the loop" between creative communications programs, distribution, promotion, publicity and the consumer in order to maximize the efficiency of its communications programs and deliver measurable results. http://www.colangelopr.com/

SOURCE Slow Wine
The 61st edition of the Bologna Childrens Book Fair opened on Monday, April 8, drawing 1,523 exhibitors from 100 countries and regions around the world. Slovenia is this years Guest of Honor. Katja Urbanija, who handles international cooperation and promotion at the Slovenian Book Agency, said, We are especially excited to showcase our illustration. She said that Slovenia has a large presence at the fair, and sales into international markets have been strong. Hopefully Bologna will give us an extra kick. The world is opening to Slovenian publishing, which is great to see.

Publishers are eager to return to business as usual after the disruption and lingering effects of the Covid crisis. For Rosemary Stimola, owner of Stimola Literary Studio, It was my first Bologna in five years, since before the pandemic. Everyone is very happy to see peopleit feels so wonderful to see faces and hug people.

Judy Brunsek, sales and marketing director at Canadas Owlkids, said, Were all trying to figure out, whats the new normal? During the pandemic people were going crazy for books. But now all the funding is gone and sales are flatter. What are we using for comparison year over year? The pandemic is finally behind us and Im thinking this is the baseline year.

Sharing impressions from her meetings with publishers, including a number of new clients, she said, Everyone has an individual strategy for what theyre looking for. A Polish publisher said whats really working for them is books for younger kids. I had a great meeting with a Chinese publisher who was looking for warm, family type books. And the funny stuff is really working for us, she said, citing a spring 2025 picture book called I Need Pants.

The Chinese exhibitors are back in Bologna, both buying and selling, which has not been the case for several years. The fair serves as a platform for Chinese publishers to gather and gain intel from the broader book publishing community. Among those addressing the Chinese publishers directly was Roberta Franceschetti, co-founder of Content Makers and Mamamo.it, who discussed the broader challenges facing childrens publishers.

Chinas market can remain opaque to outsiders, and statistics coming from the Kingdom are difficult to parse. One thing that is undeniable is that it is large and robust, particularly when it comes to childrens books, with some 40,000 new titles published each year serving more than 360 million children and young people. For the past several years, social media has been driving book sales, and influencers, typically using shortform video, are a key marketing channel. These influencers can range from celebrities to micro-level influencers such as a leader of a mothers group in community or housing estate. They drive activity on ecommerce platforms, said Zhao Bing, a publishing consultant, during a session covering the Chinese childrens market.

How much of a sales driver is shortform video in China? Janne Mller, foreign rights agent for Gyldendal Group Agency in Denmark, told PW that when the Chinese translation of their bestselling title The Incredible Bus by Jakob Martin Strid was launched in China last month, it was promoted initially on social media and sold 4,000 copies in the first 30 minutes and an additional 1,000 copies in the next 24 hours. Its amazing how effective social media can be there, Mller remarked. This is not an inexpensive book and it is quite large, weighing it a 2.5 kilos [5.5 pounds].

Making the Rounds

Mary McAveney was attending her first Bologna as president and CEO of Abrams Books. Referring to the childrens market, she said, It feels a little tough, particularly with middle grade, especially with Barnes & Noble cutting back in that category. Our YA sales are up significantly, she said. It comes down to who has the property everyone wants to buy. What it means is that were focusing on our franchises. Its harder to break out a debut author. Abramss new Fanfare imprint speaks to the migration of middle grade readers to comics.

The shadow of U.S. censorship and book banning looms large. With picture books, McAveney said, Its starting to feel like banning books is hurting sales. Now when an entire Florida or Texas school district says theyre not buying a book, it makes a difference, she said. Although sales are challenging, she believes strongly that the books need to be published. My sense is that older readers can find the books on their own even if theyre not in schools. But for younger kids, parents are more susceptible, and teachers rely on taxpayer dollars.

Suzanne Garrett, director of international sales at Andrews McMeel, was pleased at the amount of stop-by traffic shed seen throughout the fair. Her company publishes several popular comics series, including Big Nate and 8-Bit Warrior. A lot of publishers are looking for the kinds of things we publishsome Ive worked with before, some not. She reported a lot of attention for a new series, Hopscotch Girls (out April 30) by Kathryn Holmes, which focuses on girls who are starting a business, and appeals to publishers looking for something more than pink and glitter, for middle grade girls. Several publishers were seeking out early reader graphic novels too: Theyre looking for a way to start kids reading comics, and hoping that will branch out into something else.

NorthSouth, the U.S. division of Swiss publisher picture book publisher NordSud Verlag, is a flurry of activity. Lawrence Schimel, who joined the company in March 2023 as senior editor, told PW on Wednesday afternoon that he had 57 meetings scheduled. He said he was energized by all the face time and that personal contact is so helpful for finding out peoples taste. Compared to previous years, he said that more deals are being made at the fair. As both a publisher and a literary translator, hes guided by the philosophy that pitching is not so much about a project, but about the relationship youre building with the editor.

In particular, Schimel is seeing longer illustrated books that expand beyond the traditional 32-page picture book format and age range. He cited the forthcoming NorthSouth title The Gray City by Torben Kuhlmann (Sept.), creator of the Mouse Adventures series, as an example of this trend. Schimel himself translated The Book of Denial by Mexican author Ricardo Chavez Castaneda, illustrated by Alejandro Magallanes (Enchanted Lion, Jan. 2024), which clocks in at 148 pages and is geared for readers 14 and up. Hes also noticing an uptick in fully gorgeous illustrations rather than the usual spot art in chapter books and novels.

In addition, he shared that NordSud has acquired the German bilingual publishing house Edition bi:libri, a longtime collaborator. In the U.S., the two companies co-published bilingual editions of a number of key NorthSouth titles, including The Rainbow Fish and Little Polar Bear.

Andie Krawczyk, who serves in the dual role of managing director and sales and marketing director, is attending the fair for the first time, having joined NorthSouth in January from Chronicle Books. Everyone Ive spoken to says theyre reinvigorated by the community and creativity at the fair, she said. She was delighted to see so many illustrators at all points in their career, lining up for portfolio reviews. On her way back from Bologna, shes looking forward to meeting her colleagues at parent company NordSud Verlag in Zurich.

Agents Weigh In

Another Bologna first-timer, Katie Gisondi at Laura Dail Literary Agency, was thrilled to be in attendance. Everyone has a really optimistic outlook; everyone is excitedly building their lists, she said. Romantasy, of course, was a big topic of interest. Every meeting starts off with a joke: you know what Im going to ask for. She reported a slight uptick in interest in YA thrillers. Before, people would say that it doesnt work unless its a big name, or wed get some pushback if it was too American.

As far as middle grade, Gisondi said, People are looking for the right middle grade that fits their list. No one wants to give up on middle grade because its such an important age group. The softness in middle grade feels like its lessening; theres more openness to seeing things. Publishers are realizing there are empty spots on their lists that they need to fill. I feel like its only up from here.

She also pointed out a potentially positive use for AI: providing an early translation of a section of the book, just to share between publishers and not for publication, so editors can get a better sense of the content. It takes a lot of heavy lifting off the co-agents back. But we dont support any outside usage of AI, such as for covers, audio narrators, or actual translation.

Like Schimel, Kirsten Hall, owner of the Catbird Agency, felt that people are really focused on relationships between companies, and relationships between agents and clients, she said. Hall, whose client list only publishes picture books, says shes seeing a fierce protectiveness of picture books and their place in childrens literature. In picture books, shes noticing an interesting blending of fiction and nonfiction. Lists dont have to be one or the othertheres more overlap. Those editors are sitting in on the same meeting.

Erin Files, director of foreign rights at Aevitas Creative Management, welcomed this years expansion of the BCBF agents center. Im a big fan, she said. Describing the overall atmosphere, Files said, Last year [the fair] felt more muted. This year feels like the new normal. In terms of YA trends, she noted, Its still either romantasy or theyre so sick of hearing about romantasyif youre burned out or if youve been burned. I feel like were cresting the wave right now.

Challenges remain for the middle grade category, she said. Middle grade seems tough everywhere except the Netherlands. I have been hearing that publishers in the Netherlands are translating [titles] from non-English publishers, such as Korean YA. Korea has a large English-speaking population, and books translated from English are not as appealing to them. She also reported seeing more Asian publishers, though shes not sure its at pre-pandemic levels yet.We dont have the romantasy titles, said Allison Hellegers, foreign rights director and agent at Stimola Literary Studio, but the book thats catching a lot of peoples eyes and getting the most laughs is a picture book, We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang (Tundra, Apr.; Pushkin has U.K. rights). Its an alien invasion story about how to treat other people who are different from you with kindness. Shes also seeing a lot of interest in The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber, first in a middle grade series that Scholastic just published. Its fun and escapist a young Karen McManus.

One fair highlight for Hellegers: Ive enjoyed all of the people who are looking for things that are out of the box. They want to set new trends, not just follow them. Because we dont have romantasy I thought we might have a quiet fair, but thats not the case.

Kirsten Hall at the Catbird Agency said, Many people Ive spoken with share the sense I did, which was remorseand FOMO!for not having attended Bologna last year. It feels as if the fair is really finally bouncing back post-pandemic. Im so glad thats the case. Because there is no comparison to the unexpected and fruitful alchemies that happen in the hallways of the Bologna fiera.

The next edition of the fair will take place March 31 through April 3, 2025.

Click here to see our photo highlights from the fair.
Publishing professionals from across the world gathered for the 61st Bologna Childrens Book Fairwhich runs April 8 through 11to learn about the latest trends, celebrate accomplished artists, and forge connections with colleagues in the industry. PW takes you on a photo tour with highlights from the event, featuring authors and illustrators from near and far, award announcements, after-hour publisher parties, and more.

The aisles stayed crowded throughout the fair, which featured more than 1,500 exhibitors from 100 countries and regions around the globe. Photo: Diane Roback.

On April 9, Maria Russo, former childrens books editor at the New York Times, moderated a panel titled Dead Bunnies and Naked Bottoms: Meeting the Challenges of Childrens Publishing Across Cultures, focusing on intercultural successes and failures, taboos, and publishing strategies. Here, panelists (from l.) Erik Titusson, founder and publisher of Lilla Piratforlaget (Sweden); author-illustrator Beatrice Alemagna (Italy and France); Russo; Neal Porter, v-p and publisher of Holiday House/Neal Porter Books (U.S.A.); and Dolores Prades, founder, director, and editor of Instituto Emilia (Brazil). Photo: Roback.

Cindy Loh (l.), publisher of AMEET Publishing and LEGO Books, in a meeting with Patty Sullivan of p.s. ink. Photo: Roback.

Italian illustrator Eleonora Pace in action at the Creative Companys stand. Photo: Kantor.

A photo-op with Dav Pilkeys Dog Man. Photo: Roback.

Bologna veteran Klaus Flugge, who attended the very first Bologna Book Fair in 1964, greets longtime friend and publisher Markus Weber of Moritz Verlag in Frankfurt, on the Andersen Press stand. Photo: Roback.

Licensing also plays an important role at the fair. Iconic brands such as American Girl and Barbie were on display, along with up-and-coming properties. Tailored Stories, a new Colombia-based company by Maravillarte, in collaboration with Kreaktiva Lab, was named a Licensing Star of 2023 by the Bologna Book Fair. Karen Loewy, head of Kreaktiva, described the product as wearable stories: childrens clothing that features a QR code leading to a voice-narrated story. Here, Loewy showcases their products with colleague Violeta. Photo: Kantor.

A stand at the fair presents the exhibition Drawing for Palestine, which offers 56 illustrations for sale with the intent of raising awareness about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. The illustrations are all for sale with proceeds going to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Photo: Kantor

In the Literary Agents Center, (from l.) Nicole Eisenbraun and Ginger Clark of Ginger Clark Literary meeting with book-to-film guru Eddie Gamarra. Photo: Roback.

Further reflecting the fraught geopolitical climate, the BACHI Collective, which stands for Bolognas Authors for Collective and Human Illustration, invited fairgoers to contribute drawings in response to the prompt Children should never be Responses included soldiers and other burdensome roles that young people are forced to take on in times of war. The finished illustration will be sold for charity, with proceeds benefitting the children of Palestine. Photo: Kantor.

Sylvia Vardell, president of the International Board on Books for Young People, at a celebration following the announcement of IBBYs Hans Christian Andersen Awards for lifetime achievement in childrens literature. This years winners are Austrian author Heinz Janisch, for writing, and Canadian artist Sydney Smith, for illustration. Photo: Kantor.

Greg Heffley looking a bit overwhelmed by it all. Photo: Kantor.

Nicola Robinson of Australias Indigenous Literacy Foundation, which was named the 2024 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award laureate. Photo: Kantor.

A celebration with the Catalan Publishers Association. Photo: Kantor.

Attendees view the 16 finalists for the 2024 Silent Books Contest for wordless picture books. The selections were narrowed down from 250 participants, hailing from 57 countries. Photo: Kantor

A celebration of Finnish author-illustrator Tove Janssons Moomins, which took place Tuesday night. Photo: Kantor.

Macmillan threw a stand party to toast Roger Priddys retirement in June. His accomplishments over the last 24 years were recapped in the speeches, including 200 million books sold around the world. Lets keep making books and having fun! he said. Photo: Roback.

Artwork on display from Solo una noche by Andrea Antinori, winner of the BCBF International Award for Illustration. Photo: Kantor.

Fans pose with the Gruffalo. Julia Donaldsons picture book, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, turns 25 this year. Photo: Kantor.

Promising illustrators from around the world descended on the fair for a chance to showcase their artwork. Photo: Kantor.

Hello Kitty says ciao! The iconic Sanrio character celebrates her 50th birthday this November. Photo: Kantor.

Bridging the worlds of the page and screen, childrens book luminary Mo Willems and the team behind his Hidden Pigeon Company hosted a party on Monday evening. The company is an extension of Willemss library of kids and family IP, including popular characters such as The Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, Elephant & Piggie, and Unlimited Squirrels, many of which have beenor will soon beadapted in an animated format. In his toast, Willems said that beyond creating content, the mission of Hidden Pigeon is to inspire children. Our job is not to make; our job is to spark. (From l.): Emily Meehan of Union Square and Co., Willems, and Hidden Pigeon CEO Karen Miller. Photo: Kantor.

Cin cin, and see you at next years fair, March 31 through April 3, 2025!

Click here to read our overview of this year's fair.
Camille Kellogg at Bloomsbury has acquired world rights to debut author Amber Hamilton's Seven Deadly Thorns, a YA dark academia romantic fantasy featuring a girl with forbidden magic and the Huntsmanher fellow student and also a princetasked to hunt her down lest he be the one to die. Forced to work together, the two will discover terrible secrets, sinister threats, and an irresistible attraction. Publication is planned for October 2025; Caitlin Blasdell at Liza Dawson Associates brokered the two-book deal.



Jess Harold at Henry Holt has bought, in an exclusive submission, Roar of the Lambs, a speculative YA thriller by Jamison Shea, in which a clairvoyant 16-year-old girl discovers a mysterious box that triggers a vision of the apocalypse and must partner with the irresistible heir of a powerful local family to stop them from unleashing an evil that could destroy the world. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the six-figure deal for world English rights.



Tiffany Colon at Scholastic has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Should Tomorrow Come by Charlene Thomas (Seton Girls). Sydney Michaels bumps into cute boy stranger Marcus Burke in NYC during an impromptu morning trip. They spend the rest of the day together, and Sydney cant believe that after all the loss she's faced in the past two years, this perfect day gets to be hersuntil an accident at the end of the night, quite literally, leaves her stuck in it. Publication is set for summer 2025; Ann Rose at the Tobias Literary Agency sold world rights.



Charlotte Greenbaum and Mariko Tamaki at Abrams/Surely Books have bought world rights to a YA graphic novel by Jeremy Holt (l.), illustrated by Dave Cole, in an exclusive submission. The Gravestone Sessions follows Ezra, a nonbinary high school student and sculptor struggling with their senior art thesis of identity. When they find a way to communicate with the dead, they become obsessed with exploring their lineage to try to lend context to their present in order to graduate. Publication is slated for 2027; Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management represented the author and illustrator.



Samia Fakih at First Second has acquired world rights to Quiet Appetites, a YA graphic novel by Casey Gilly (l.) and Morgan Beem, about a family who moves to the rural English countryside and is haunted by something ancient. Publication is scheduled for 2026; the authors were unagented.



Grace Scheipeter at Oni Press has bought world rights to The Autism Journals, a YA graphic novel by Daniel Bowman Jr. (l.), illustrated by Rinnah Shaw. Told partly through journal entries and social media exchanges, this coming-of-age story follows a brilliant and sensitive autistic teenager through his senior year of high school. Publication date has not been set; Keely Boeving at WordServe Literary negotiated the deal.



Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired Goodbye, French Fry by journalist Rin-rin Yu, a middle grade novel about a Chinese American girl dealing with all the taunts and teasing that grade school can bring, loosely based on the author's own life. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Regina Brooks at Serendipity Literary Agency handled the deal for world English rights.



Nicholas Magliato and Celina Sun at Penguin Workshop have bought Happy Birthday and a untitled Valentine's Day companion book, by author-illustrator Steph Stilwell. In these novelty board books, each page presents a new party item, cheering on the reader with punny positivity and celebration. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Aliza R. Hoover at the CAT Agency brokered the deal.



Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Three Little Witches and the Spooky Old House by Peggy Archer (l.) (A Hippy-Hoppy Toad), illustrated by Gaia Bordicchia, about three not-so-scary witches who stir up a cozy Halloween surprise. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Kristina Sutton Lennon at Focused Artists represented the author, and Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the artist.



Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman has bought the picture book Marabella's Moment, written and illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler (Don't Ask Cat). No one notices Marabella, but Marabella notices everything. When she fills up the blank wall in the schoolyard with spectacular chalk drawings of what she sees, Marabella inspires others to notice the world around them. Publication is planned for spring 2025; the author-illustrator represented herself.



Aneeka Kalia at Viking has acquired world rights to Music of the Bells by Anitha Rao-Robinson (l.), creator of the Kindness Is Everything podcast, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat. A South Indian girl finds a way to blend parts of her old life from India with her new life in a new country through her love of dance. Publication is set for spring 2026; Tanusri Prasanna at DeFiore and Company represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.



Harold Underdown at Astra Young Readers has bought world rights to How We Fly by Sara Levine (l.), illustrated by Diana Mayo, a look at the many methods of flight, across nature and beyond. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.


Premium online access is only available tosubscribers. If you have an active subscription and need to set up or change your password, please click here

New to PW? To set up immediate access, click here.

NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. For off-site access, click here. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com.
PWxyz, parent company of Publishers Weekly, and the Seville, Spainbased Lantia publishing company, have ended their business relationship. The centerpiece of the agreement gave Lantia the right to produce the bimonthly publication PW en Espanol. However, with the termination of the deal, Lantia and its related businesses are no longer authorized to use any of PWxyzs trademarks or copyrighted material.

The two parties signed the initial four-year agreement in 2020. While Lantia produced quality coverage, the business opportunities did not materialize as expected, explained Carl Pritzkat, PWxyz COO. Pritzkat added that PW will continue to explore ways to meet the needs of the Spanish-language publishing market, including expanded coverage on PWs media platforms.
The IDF may launch a direct strike against the Islamic Republic. This will happen if Iran launches a missile attack on Israel from its territory.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was stated by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. His comment is related to the escalation of tensions between the states after the deaths of high-ranking generals of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during Israel's strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria.

"If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and strike Tehran," the minister said in a post on X in Farsi and Hebrew.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated his promise to take measures in response to Israel for the attack on its consulate in Damascus.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the conflict between Israel and Iran is entering a new phase. Iran is currently preparing to respond to Israel's attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria.

The conflict between the two countries, which has long been a proxy war, escalated with the outbreak of the civil war in Syria. In particular, Israel accused Iran of attempting to create a land corridor through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon and warned that it considered this a significant strategic threat. In response, Iranian leaders called Israel an "illegitimate Zionist regime." Since then, the conflict between Israel and Iran has moved to a "hot" stage.

ADVERTISIMENT

In Damascus, an air strike destroyed an extension of the Iranian consulate. Eight (according to some reports, six) people were reported killed, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the highest-ranking commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Kremlin is concerned about China's position on bilateral relations with Russia. Despite Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's statements about a "comprehensive partnership" and common international interests, Beijing is unwilling to participate fully in it.

ADVERTISIMENT

In addition, China continues to hold the upper hand in Russian-Chinese relations, despite recent reports of its willingness to increasingly assist Russia in the military operations in Ukraine. This is stated in the analysis of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

They drew attention to Russian media reports after Lavrov's meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on April 9. According to Russian media reports, the two sides discussed joint efforts by Russia and China to combat the West's perceived "dual containment."

Lavrov said that the Russian-Chinese "comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation" had reached an "unprecedented level" and that Russia and China had mutual international interests and would coordinate efforts to resolve internal and external problems.

ADVERTISIMENT

Analysts also note that China and Russia "exchanged views" on possible ways to end the war in Ukraine. Both sides called international meetings discussing ending the war without Russia "useless." In addition, Moscow positively assesses China's proposals, probably referring to the 12-point "peace plan" that China unveiled in February 2023.

"The ISW continues to assess that the Kremlin is concerned about China's reluctance to fully participate in the unlimited partnership desired by Russia," the report said.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
When Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida heads to the White House on Wednesday to meet with President Biden, he comes as the leader of a nation that has quietly become Americas most important ally. But Japan has become Americas most important ally in a rather unconventional way: by speaking softly and keeping a decidedly lower profile than other, more vocal U.S. allies.

The past decade has witnessed the emergence of a new Japan on the world stage. Rocked by Chinas behavior during the COVID epidemic, by Russias invasion of Ukraine, by Chinas continuing threat to Taiwan and its expansionist territorial claims in the South China Sea -- as well as by the growing North Korea nuclear threat -- Japan has been shedding the pacifist restrictions the victorious United States imposed in the country's postwar 1947 constitution.

The turnaround began under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2014, when Japan asserted its right to collective, alliance-based self-defense should Japan come under attack. Under Abe, Japan abandoned its once-sacrosanct process-oriented foreign policy that was expressed through participation in UN-based multilateral institutions, focusing instead on critical bilateral and multilateral partnerships. It has continued under Prime Minister Kishida, who in his masterful leadership of the G7 last year highlighted the importance of Ukraines fight, oft noting that What is happening in Europe today could happen in East Asia tomorrow.

Recognizing its strategic centrality at this moment of geostrategic peril, Japan is revamping its military and will double defense spending by 2027. The move is arguably the largest-ever peacetime defense spending increase by a democratic ally of the U.S. -- and second only to the U.S. defense buildup in the early 1980s. Japan is acquiring counterstrike capabilities, including medium-range missiles that could deter China, and deepening its ties to regional security partners as well as Europe.

Japan is already playing a central role in meeting our nations principal strategic challenge: the threat posed by the Peoples Republic of China, especially the defense of Taiwan. More American troops  54,000  are stationed in Japan than any other foreign country, along with a significant proportion of the equipment and materiel needed for Taiwans defense.

Japan is the international gateway to Taiwan -- Japans Yonaguni Island, part of Okinawa, is just seventy miles away, as Lt. Gen. Koichiro Bansho (JSDF, rtd.), the former head of Japans Western Army, has noted. Yonaguni is central to the defense of the first island chain, which runs from the Kuril Islands in the north of Japan to Malaysia in the south. Five of the nine entry points for China to the broader Pacific go through Japan.

Japan is also our gateway to the Indo-Pacific writ large. Thanks to its long-term engagement with Southeast Asia, Japan has forged relations of deep trust with nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. These countries often vacillate between their economic dependence on China and their security dependence on the United States.

Japans longstanding cooperation with the Philippines, especially the Philippine Navy, remained strong when former President Rodrigo Duterte turned against the US. The Japan-Philippines relationship helped paved the way for what has become, under his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., a close trilateral relationship embodied in the historic first-ever U.S.-Japan-Philippines leaders meeting that will take place at the White House after the US-Japan summit. Extending US-Japan security cooperation and economic cooperation to the Philippines bolsters our alliance against the Peoples Republic of China significantly, especially as Taiwan, Japans own Senkaku Islands, and the Scarborough Shoal all have been subject to encroachment by China.

The U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral relationship enhances the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), the Indo-Pacific democratic partnership of Japan, Australia, India and the U.S., which has tightened coordination on supply chains, security and international development. It, in turn, is being enhanced by the revived U.S.-Japan-South Korea relationship.

Japan is central to all these relationships. Although Japan has quietly eclipsed more visible American allies, the nation has been characteristically discreet in its emergence as America's most important partner. A humble posture allows Japan to cultivate the very relations of trust in the Indo-Pacific that are central to Japans ability to project so-called soft power.

This works to the advantage of the United States: a recent ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute poll showed Japan to be the most trusted major power among ASEAN opinion leaders, while the same poll showed most Southeast Asians, shockingly, would prefer to align with China over the U.S. if they had to choose sides.

For far too long, Japan spoke softly but failed to carry a big stick. Now, by speaking softly, it has enhanced American diplomacy. By starting to carry its own sticks, Japan is both enhancing the U.S.-Japan alliance and making a significant contribution to Indo-Pacific security. We would expect nothing less from our most important ally.

Kenneth R. Weinstein is Japan Chair at Hudson Institute.
Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale

Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada.

Search Real Estate
The White House has called Russia's accusations of terrorist financing against Burisma, a company registered in Ukraine, "nonsense." Everyone, including Moscow itself, understands that the attack on "Crocus City Hall" was carried out by ISIS.

ADVERTISIMENT

The statement was made by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Ukrinform reports. He reminded that the United States had warned Russia about the possibility of a terrorist attack.

"This is nonsense. Russia knows that ISIS committed the terrorist attack in Moscow, we know that ISIS committed the terrorist attack in Moscow. We warned Russia about a possible terrorist attack in Moscow, everything else is noise," Sullivan emphasized.

On April 9, it was reported that the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on terrorist financing against the Ukrainian oil and gas company Burisma. It is the company that has allegedly paid for terrorist attacks in Russia in recent years, according to the committee.

Deputies of the Russian State Duma claim that terrorist financing in Russia is carried out by "high-ranking officials of the United States and NATO countries."

ADVERTISIMENT

Interestingly, the IC version denies the Kremlin's version of Ukraine's involvement in the events, as Burisma, according to them, financed the "elimination of prominent political and public figures" and not the shooting of Picnic fans.

It should be noted that Burisma remains the largest private gas producer in Ukraine. Its president and founder is former Minister of Ecology Mykola Zlochevskyi. After he fled Ukraine in 2014, the company created a board of directors, which included Hunter Biden, the son of the current US president.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

 Earlier, the White House said that despite the involvement of ISIS in the horrific terrorist attack near Moscow, the Kremlin is spreading disinformation. Russia is shifting the blame to Ukraine following Kremlin political narratives.

 The White House also said that the U.S. Congress should act as soon as possible on a bill that would provide additional aid to Ukraine. Because U.S. lawmakers are taking so long to approve the document, Ukraine is losing ground on the front lines.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Videos

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Retail investors now own a larger share of smallcap companies than they did a year ago, thanks to their conviction in mutual fund (MF) schemes focused on this segment.

Data from Capitaline shows that MFs average holding in the National Stock Exchange Nifty Smallcap 250 Index stood at 9 per cent at the end of the October-December quarter of 2023-24 (FY24), up from 7.76 per cent in the same quarter of 2022-23.

During this period, the number of companies with over 20 per cent MF holdings rose from 20 to 26.

Market observers indicate that early trends suggest further increases in ownership during the January-March quarter of FY24.

The growing MF pie in small and midcap stock ownership has raised regulatory concerns regarding liquidity.

Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Board of India urged fund houses to stress-test their schemes to ascertain their ability to manage sudden surges in redemptions.

According to MF executives, there were concerns that the substantial free float ownership of smallcap stocks by MFs could lead to liquidity issues during market downturns.

In the calendar year 2023, small and midcap schemes accounted for 40 per cent of the total net inflows into active equity schemes, receiving Rs 64,000 crore of the total inflow of Rs 1.6 trillion.

These flows were driven by improved performance, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and the Nifty Smallcap 100 gaining 46.6 per cent and 55.6 per cent, respectively, in 2023, more than double the rally seen in the Sensex and Nifty 50 indices.

However, inflows into small and midcap funds have moderated in the past two months.

In January, combined flows into largecap and flexicap funds surpassed those into smallcap funds for the first time in 17 months, due to a decline in smallcap fund inflows and a surge in investments into the two largecap-oriented schemes.

A similar trend was observed in February.

Fund managers and wealth managers advise that while theres no need to completely avoid smallcap funds, investors should rebalance their portfolios to restore exposure to desired levels after the skewed rally.

In times like these, it is crucial for investors to ensure their asset allocation is appropriate. If the recent rally has skewed their portfolio exposure in any category, its advisable to rebalance accordingly, Sailesh Raj Bhan, chief investment officer of equities at Nippon India MF, said in an interview last week.

As of December, the top five smallcap firms with the highest MF holdings were Kalpataru Projects, Equitas Small Finance Bank, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals, PVR Inox, and Multi Commodity Exchange of India, with MFs holding over 30 per cent stake in these companies.

Crompton Greaves had the highest MF investment in value terms, with MFs 36 per cent holding valued at Rs 7,170 crore as of December 31, 2023.

MF holding in the midcap space also surged during the one-year period. MFs held an average 10.6 per cent stake in Nifty Midcap 150 companies in December 2023, compared to 9.35 per cent a year before.

The holding showed a comparatively modest rise in the case of Nifty 100 companies, with the average ownership increasing from 8 per cent to 8.5 per cent in a year.

Due to growing inflows, the majority of smallcap fund managers increased the number of stocks in their portfolios over the past year to avoid concentration.

An analysis by Business Standard revealed that the top five smallcap schemes held an average of 105 stocks at the end of February 2024, compared to 89 at the end of January 2023.
Sir Osborne Smith was the first governor of the Reserve Bank, serving from April 1, 1935, to June 30, 1937.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi releases a commemorative coin at the 90th anniversary celebrations of the Reserve Bank of India in Mumbai, April 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The RBI commenced operations on April 1, 1935, based on the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission.

Sir Osborne Smith was the first governor of the Reserve Bank, serving from April 1, 1935, to June 30, 1937.

A professional banker, he served for over 20 years with the Bank of New South Wales and 10 years with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia before coming to India in 1926 as managing governor of Imperial Bank of India.

The Reserve Bank of India, which performs the dual role of monetary policymaking and regulating banks, enters its 90th year on Monday, April 1, 2024.

IMAGE: Modi with RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das at the event. Photograph: ANI Photo

RBI, unlike many other central banks, is a full-service central bank.

The functions of the Indian central bank include:

Regulating and supervising commercial and co-operative banks

Regulating the foreign exchange (forex) market

Supervising payment and settlement systems

Making monetary policies

Issuing currency

Managing government debt

Acting as gatekeepers of the external sector

IMAGE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other dignitaries were also present at the event. Photograph: ANI Photo

Factoid

Burma (now Myanmar) seceded from the Indian Union in 1937, but the RBI continued to act as the Central Bank for Burma until the Japanese Occupation of Burma and later until April 1947.

After the Partition of India, the RBI served as the central bank of Pakistan until June 1948, when the State Bank of Pakistan commenced operations.

Sir Benegal Rama Rau, a member of the Indian Civil Service, was the longest-serving governor of the RBI, serving from August 1949 to January 1957.

Dr Manmohan Singh, who was RBI governor from September 16, 1982, to January 14, 1985, went on to become the finance minister of the country and then prime minister (2004-2014).

In 2018, Dr Urjit Patel became the first governor to resign in 43 years, possibly over differences with the government regarding the RBI's surplus distribution.

Shaktikanta Das, the 25th governor, is set to become the longest-serving governor after Sir Benegal Rama Rau once he completes his second term in December this year.

The evolution

Initially, the RBI played a developmental role in a country that had just become independent. While the initial focus was on agriculture, with the start of the Plan period, the RBI pioneered the concept of using finance to catalyse development.

It was instrumental in setting up many institutions like the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation of India, the Industrial Development Bank of India, and the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development, among others, to develop the financial infrastructure of the country.

With economic liberalisation in 1991, the RBI's focus shifted back to core central banking functions like monetary policy, supervision and regulation of banks, overseeing the payments system, and developing the financial markets.

The Journey

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
'The BJP will not win a single seat in Punjab.'

IMAGE: Sheetal Angural, Sushil Kumar Rinku, Preneet Kaur and others with the Bharatiya Janata Party's Punjab president and former Congressman Sunil Jakhar and the BJP's state in-charge and former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani after joining the BJP, Chandigarh, March 29, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

After Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, Congress leaders shared the stage with the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi to showcase the INDIA (India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc's solidarity with it.

However, in Punjab, the same INDIA grouping has withered away because the Congress, the principal Opposition party in the state, has refused to have an alliance with AAP which is in power.

Last week, the Congress got a jolt when its Lok Sabha MP from Ludhiana, Ravneet Singh Bittu, quit the party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Three former Congress leaders -- Captain Amarinder Singh, Sunil Jakhar and Bittu -- are now in the Punjab BJP.

Will this trouble the Congress which won eight out of Punjab's 13 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 in the face of the Modi wave in North India?

Can the Congress maintain the same tally or do better in the 2024 general election?

"Punjab has 65 percent of secular and nationalist vote and the Congress always has a chance in the state. Both Congress and AAP have the same vote bank," Pratap Singh Bajwa, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab assembly, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com.

The concluding segment of a two-part interview:

Part 1 of the Interview: 'What BJP did in Maharashtra they are doing in Punjab!'

It is being said that the Punjab BJP is the old Congress party because so many of your leaders have moved to the BJP.

The BJP's old cadres are very upset with the current Punjab leadership. They have as their leader in Punjab Sunil Jakhar who was Congress state president.

Captain Amarinder Singh is calling the shots in the BJP. His wife Preneet Kaur is their Patiala candidate. She was a Congress candidate earlier.

I openly challenged that the BJP will not win a single seat in Punjab. Last time they won two seats though.

Is it not true that the BJP is banking on the 38.5 percent Hindu votes in Punjab by capitalising on the Ram Mandir?

In Punjab we have 35 percent Hindu votes. I think it is less than that because there are 65 percent of Sikhs in Punjab. And I have not counted the Muslims and Christian population. In Hindus too there are Scheduled Caste and Backward Class who do not vote for the BJP.

It is only the upper caste Hindus who vote for the BJP in Punjab.

Is this the reason the BJP got only 6.6% votes in the 20022 assembly elections in Punjab? Can the Ram Mandir play some role in improving the BJP's chances?

I am saying even if 60 percent of Hindu votes are with BJP, then 40 percent are with the Congress in Punjab.

As far as the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is concerned we have never opposed it. We are happy it was constructed. A majority of Hindus of Punjab want to have the best relations with the Sikh community.

Don't you have a problem convincing your cadres about not having an alliance with AAP in Punjab and having an alliance in Delhi?

I have been opposing the alliance with AAP in Punjab from day one. The logic that I gave to the party high command is that AAP is ruling Punjab and we are the main Opposition. If we get with them and tomorrow there is an anti-incumbency vote, then it will not come to the Congress. This anti-incumbency vote will go either to the BJP or the Akali Dal if we tie up with AAP.

As I told you, Punjab has 65 percent of secular and nationalist vote and the Congress always has a chance in the state. Both the Congress and AAP have the same vote bank.

When the entire country voted for Narendra Modi in 2014 and 2019, why did Punjab resist the Modi wave?

Sikhs have always fought against thw Delhi Darbar right from the Mughal days and the atrocities committed by Aurangzeb.

They fought against the British too and after Independence Punjab fought against the (wrong policies of) the Congress party which was ruling at the Centre.

A majority of Sikhs stand against (wrong policies of) whosoever is ruling Delhi.

The psyche of Punjab Sikhs is closer to that of Marathas of Maharashtra. They always fight against the wrong policies of the Centre. Be it the farmers issue or not giving minimum support price for crops by the central government. Not to open the Punjab border as our international border at Attari is closed for the last 10 years (for trade).

There were two (major) ports in Gujarat before 2014 and now they have made six (major) ports in Gujarat.

Punjab is not on the BJP's agenda.

Withdrawing the three farm laws didn't help the BJP?

It didn't help because the demands of farmers were not met as promised.

The main demand of the farmers of Punjab was implementation of the Swaminathan report which spoke about MSP on C2+50 percent.

They gave the Bharat Ratna to Dr Swaminathan, but rejected his report that was beneficial to farmers.

The BJP's Bharat Ratna to Dr Swaminathan is like the British giving Victoria Cross to Mahatma Gandhi and not giving freedom to India.

The people of Punjab know their tricks and therefore I am saying, the BJP will not win a single seat in Punjab.
'The last six years have been full of uncertainty. We've been constantly worrying about what will happen next.'

IMAGE: Professor Shoma Sen. Photograph: Kind courtesy Koel Sen/X

It's been five days since Professor Shoma Sen, accused in the Elgar Parishad case, got bail from the Supreme Court, but she hasn't managed to step out of Byculla Jail in central Mumbai. Nor has her daughter or husband been able to speak to her even on the phone, since they had finished their phone-call quota for last week before her bail order came.

Waiting to meet her mother, Koel Sen recalled the many frustrations she has experienced in the six years since her mother was suddenly arrested in June 2018. The 36-year-old independent film-maker spoke to Jyoti Punwani about how these years changed her.

So what's holding up your mother's release?

A lot of things.

The bail was granted on Friday. On Saturday, we went to the NIA court, but the PP (public prosecutor) was absent. On Monday, the judge was absent. Now we're hoping she'll be out on the 10th.

That's also the day all of the Bhima Koregaon accused will be brought to court, so at least I'll get to meet her.

It must be really frustrating.

Well, in comparison with what we've gone through in the past, this is nothing. Now, we know by the end of this process, she'll be out.

The last week has been okay actually. I was following the arguments when they were being live streamed by the Supreme Court and for the first time I felt that the judges were actually listening.

In the lower courts and even the high court, you sit at a distance, you can't hear a thing when the judges are speaking; you have to rely on the lawyers to tell you what happened.

How have the last six years been for you? You were just 30 when your mother was arrested.

It's been a traumatic time, and no one should have to go through this. But it has made me more resilient and patient.

Like every mother and daughter, we would talk every two or three days whenever I was away from home. When someone that close to you is suddenly taken away from you, and you realise that person is there, but she's not going to be around when you need to talk to her...

It's very tough. You may ultimately meet her in jail, but the moment that you need her, she's not there for you.

Learning to live without the availability of your mother is an experience that forces one to grow up.

There's another thing. When you are free, you don't value relationships that much. But the fear of losing your mother, of not having her around for long -- that makes you realise how important she is. That's when both of you forget all your childhood disagreements and value each other more.

IMAGE: Koel Sen, Professor Shoma Sen's daughter. Photograph: Kind courtesy Koel Sen

What was the most difficult time for you?

The COVID-19 lockdown. Forget meeting her, my father and I were not able to talk to her on the phone for months; we couldn't even send a letter as the postal service wasn't working. We didn't know what was happening to her.

It was inexplicable to us how those inside the jail must be feeling.

I spoke to Sudha Bhardwaj (another accused in the Elgar Parishad case) after she got bail, and she told me that some prisoners simply went crazy, unable to reach out to their families.

My father and I had a very difficult time. Our anxiety levels shot up, and anxiety-related disorders set in. Not just Ma's health, but our health too was affected.

In fact, the last six years have been full of uncertainty. We've been constantly worrying about what will happen next.

At the same time, you must have had to support her too, psychologically.

I wanted to support her, but could only do so up to a point. I'd meet her in jail, be around if she needed anything. I gave my best, but there were times I'd get overwhelmed.

It wasn't just that the future seemed hopeless. It was just the overall experience.

When I would go for the mulaqaat, every time I'd walk through the jail door, anxiety would set in and I'd start feeling it's all so unjust. I used to feel: She doesn't deserve this, I don't deserve it, why are we being made to suffer this?

Feelings of frustration and helplessness would just overwhelm me. It felt like we were being subject to emotional violence in some ways.

Do you feel your mother should have been less of an activist, and remained an academic, and thereby avoided this suffering?

My mother will always do what she has to do.

Growing up, I've told her to be less active. I was worried about her strong convictions and her readiness to step up for others. I've seen her take risks, so there was a fear. As a child you want your parents for yourself.

But when she was arrested, she wasn't even that active. It was most unexpected. At that time, any question of arrest wasn't even in our minds. She was due to retire, she was making plans for a retired life.

IMAGE: Koel Sen during one of her work outings. Photograph: Kind courtesy Koel Sen

Did her arrest change the attitudes of your friends and colleagues towards you?

To be honest, I was lucky. I've received immense support from friends, they've gone out of their way to help. My colleagues too have been very supportive.

But the paranoia that gripped me after her arrest and remained with me all these years became a hindrance in communicating with others. I was always on edge, irritable and snapping at others even when they were trying to help. That did affect my relationship with some people who couldn't understand my behaviour.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'I can feel the master's pain, because he must be sitting there and cursing and saying, 'Why was I born?''

IMAGE: Part of a span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge is suspended on the container ship Dali in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, March 26, 2024. Photograph: US Army Corps of Engineers/Handout/Reuters

Ever since he got the news of the MV Dali's collision with the iconic, 47-year-old Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore harbour, Captain Peter Jhanjee has been rivetedly tracking subsequent developments on television from his home in Virginia.

Though he now works as vice president operations and strategic growth, for a US technology solutions company, former Mumbaikar Captain Jhanjee once guided ships as large as the South Korea-built, nine-year-old Dali, loaded with freight, across the world.

And what happened at 1.28 am on March 26, on the Patapsco river, took him back many years to his days as a master and to the nightmares of captaining a large freighter under a bridge.

The Francis Scott Key bridge accident was the disaster all captains pray does not befall them, because crossing under a bridge is always tricky, especially a continuous truss, older-style bridge equipped with none of the protective measures to prevent calamitous collisions and crumpling collapses that newer bridges are safeguarded against.

The Dali collision might very well become sadly the maritime disaster with greatest insurance payout ultimately.

Captain Jhanjee, after earning his bachelor of science in maritime operations at the Australian Maritime College, Tasmania, began his career with the Shipping Corporation of India in 1972.

He retired several years ago from the merchant navy, as a master for the Dole shipping firm, after 25 years of life at sea.

While much has changed since his day, Captain Jhanjee offers insights, based on his experience, to Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com on what might have occurred aboard the 1,000-foot ship that cold night, one hour after it left bustling Baltimore port.

The first of a multi-part interview:

IMAGE: An aerial view of the Dali cargo vessel which crashed. Photograph: Maryland National Guard/Handout/Reuters

When you first saw the visuals and heard about the crash, as someone who has vast experience in shipping, what was your reaction? What were some of questions that immediately popped into your head before the theory building and speculation began?

My first impression was that there was a power failure and that the ship had lost its steering. That was exactly what I thought.

Secondly, when I reviewed the footage the second time, I saw that there was a big puff of smoke from the chimney stack.

There can be various reasons for that puff of smoke. It could be just the exhaust being let off, which was one theory.

The smoke was a larger puff than usual. I questioned it in my mind: Was there an explosion or something else had taken place?

Then the emergency lights came on and shortly afterwards the emergency lights diminished again. So, all this went through my mind immediately -- power failure, loss of steering, and loss of propulsion.

The ship was already underway. I don't know what the river and tidal current situation was at that time.

Was it a strong current?

Was it an ebb flow?

What was happening with the tide?

How was it affecting the ship?

Reading, later on, I found that the ship was at eight knots, which is a pretty healthy speed.

Why was the speed that much? Was it because it had to counteract some of the current that was coming at it?

Or was that normal speed for a ship that was outward bound in a channel with hopefully very little traffic.

IMAGE: A view of the Dali. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters

Your first reaction?

It was shock. I have driven over that bridge quite often by car. Then a lot of my thoughts were going out to the captain and chief engineer.

When you are underway in local waters, you have pilots on board -- one pilot or two. The pilot is supposed to be the local knowledge and take you through everything. But what should be noted, they are there to only offer advice.

What is logged in the logbook is that the ship is on master's orders and pilot's advice. The master is finally responsible for anything that happens to the ship.

IMAGE: National Transportation Safety Board investigators aboard the Dali. Photograph: Peter Knudson/NTSB/Handout/Reuters

You immediately felt for the master?

Oh, absolutely. But my first thought, being a master myself, or an ex-master/retired master, always goes to the master because there are a lot of things in close quarters that you have no control of. You are at the mercy of the winds and the elements.

Initially my thoughts were for the master, and as the story developed, there was a chief engineer involved as well, for him too.

I don't know how the situation is in the United States, but they may be behind bars for a little while until things are sorted out or they may be under house arrest and not allowed to move without security.

And I don't know how much the various companies themselves (owners, charterers and management) will actually support the captain and the chief engineer, because now all the inspections and liabilities etc will come into play and everyone will have to fend for themselves. We have to see what happens.

IMAGE: People look at wreckage of the Francis Scott Key bridge lying across the deck of the Dali as salvage work continues in Dundalk, Maryland. Photograph: Julia Nikhinson/Reuters

What could be possibly the fate of the ship and its crew and would this involve a much larger insurance pay out than is typical given it took down a whole long bridge?

Oh my God. Yeah. I can feel the master's pain, because he must be sitting there and cursing and saying, 'Why was I born?'

Yes, the insurance is going to be very big. It's going to be a big payout compared to other insurances payouts in such situations across the world.

This is going to be very, very large. I think I read somewhere that the largest one prior to this was about $600 million (the Costa Concordia disaster is so far the worst maritime disaster and before that was the Titanic).

I think this will cross the billion dollar mark. It was a chartered ship. It was run by a management company that had its local offices in the United States. It was operated by a third company. All of these people are going to have some sort of insurance involved. All of them will have a piece of the pie.

Then you have the shore side of things. There was loss of life -- six people lost their lives. How are they going to be compensated?

The bridge itself, they are talking about $600 million, (initial estimate). And it's going to take a lot of time, so then there's loss of wages, there's loss of revenue for the port. All of that has to be taken into account because somebody's going to claim all this.

The insurance companies are going to make a killing. A lot of lives are going to be affected.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
'For the last two elections, the Congress manifesto has been thrown into the dustbin. This manifesto will also be thrown into the dustbin by the people of India.'

'They are just shouting 'nyay, nyay, nyay, nyay'. If you cannot give nyay to your loyal workers, your leaders, how can you give nyay to the people of this country?'

IMAGE: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, P Chidambaram and K C Venugopal, releases the party manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in New Delhi, April 5, 2024. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

Sanjay Nirupam, who was recently expelled by the Congress for six years, reveals for the first time that he was offered a Rajya Sabha seat by the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2016 and tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com why he regrets refusing the offer.

Part 1 of the Interview: Why I Quit The Congress: Sanjay Nirupam Spills The Beans

You won the 2009 Lok Sabha election from the Mumbai North seat as a Congress candidate but lost the same seat to the BJP's Gopal Shetty in 2014. You again lost to the undivided Shiv Sena's Gajanan Kirtikar from Mumbai North West seat in 2019. You have seen the steady decline of the party since 2009.

What are the most important reasons for the decline of the party?

The Congress won the 2004 Lok Sabha elections by fluke. There was not a huge difference between the seats won by the BJP and Congress, but because the other regional parties were closer to the Congress than the BJP, they allied with the Congress.

From 2004 to 2009, Dr Manmohan Singh and the Congress gave fairly good governance. They did a very good job.

Lot of rights-based programmes and laws were enacted. But from 2009 somehow I felt that the UPA II government and Congress were derailed. There was no control of the Congress party over the UPA II government.

Somehow not even Soniaji or Rahul Gandhi were able to check how the regional parties took governance for granted. By 2011, the India Against Corruption movement led by (Kisan Baburao) 'Anna' Hazare started and since then Congress went into a massive tailspin.

Then Narendra Modi arrived on the scene in 2014 and he led an aggressive, successful, election campaign riding on the IAC movement. The Supreme Court too had ordered lot of investigations (into the alleged coal and 2G spectrum allocation scams) and that led to a huge perception that the Congress supported corruption.

When we were contesting the 2014 election, we all knew there was something wrong in the party. We knew it would not be very easy to win that time. And we lost. Everybody lost.

A huge Modi wave swept across India from and Mumbai to Amritsar, from Gujarat to Assam and since then the Congress has seen a dramatic drop in its Lok Sabha tally.

Despite the 2014 setback we all started working hard to revive the Congress. In 2015, I was made the MRCC (Mumbai Regional Congress Committee) president. I started working very hard and led all the movements from the front.

Every day I was on the street and leading various agitations (against the Modi government). More than 60 (police) cases were filed against me because of those movements.

Before the 2019 election happened, one more thing had happened. I am saying this for the first time.

In 2016, I got a call from a top BJP leader. I'm not naming him. The BJP offered a Rajya Sabha seat to me and requested me to join them. But I was so much involved with the Congress party that I only thanked them for considering my name.

I flatly refused to join the BJP. I told this leader that I had sworn myself to revive the Congress.

He told me the Congress was beyond redemption and that I was wasting my talent in the Congress.

Was this a central BJP leader or a BJP leader from Maharashtra who invited you to join?

Let's not get there. I am not naming names.

I was very obliged and humbled by that offer. But I very humbly refused to join the BJP. I was more interested in reviving the Congress then. Today I have realised that it was a mistake. I took a wrong decision at that time. I should have joined (the BJP) at that time only.

Let me remind you that in 2016 (when I did not quit the Congress) and even today (when I finally quit the party) I was not under any ED or CBI pressure.

Then 2019 Lok Sabha election happened and we all fought aggressively and everybody lost.

Even Rahul Gandhi lost from Amethi. But he had the luxury of fighting another seat and he won that seat (Kerala's Wayanad from where he is again contesting in 2024). Which is fine but then shouldn't others also get such opportunities?

I was promised that I will be named as the Congress's Lok Sabha candidate from Mumbai North West but that went to the Shiv Sena (UBT).

IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi files his nomination for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad, April 3, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

You've gone public with your statement that the Congress is being arm-twisted by Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). Why is the Congress allowing it? What are the electoral compulsions before India's grand old party?

I'm as much perplexed because the Congress is the main Opposition party in the Vidhan Sabha (in Maharashtra), bigger than the SS (UBT) or NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).

We have our own vote bank which is safe and protected while the SS (UBT)'s vote bank is completely, vertically, split. Nobody knows how much vote at this point of time will the SS (UBT) is controlling. But our vote is very much clear.

Given this ground situation, the Congress should have not come under the pressure from Uddhav Thackeray and allowed him to arm-twist the Congress.

I can only blame the people from the state Congress unit for surrendering the interests of the party in Mumbai.

You are now also blaming the state Congress leadership...

Please record my statement. These people should be blamed for that. These people should be held responsible for the Congress's demise.

Who are these people from the Maharashtra Congress?

We can discuss that some other time.

What is your prediction? How will the Congress fare in the 2024 general elections?

The Congress is going to lose very badly. I don't think they will be able to cross the tally of 2019 (the Congress won 52 Lok Sabha seats then).

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray at the Bharat Jodo Nyay Manzil-INDIA Rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo

Were you upset with the party because the Mumbai North West seat went to the SS-UBT? Is that the main reason why you quit the Congress?

Every seat is important for us. Everybody has a political ambition. There is nothing wrong if someone desires to contest an election, win it and represent the Congress in Parliament or assembly or wherever.

As far as Mumbai is concerned, the whole country knows that one of the top leaders of the Congress has abandoned the party's interests. Why should I not care for my seat?

Every politician has a right to be ambitious and further his personal interest and that of the party he represents.

Your political journey began as a Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP in 1996 which was cut short during your second term in 2005. In 2024 today you are again heading back to your parent party.

Not necessary. I can't say at this point in time. Right now I'm feeling very relieved after leaving the Congress.

I will let you know later what is going to be my next course of action.

Is the BJP's 2016 offer still available to you?

I don't think. I don't think so. I've just shared this information with you.

What will be your message to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi?

Ideologically, the Congress has become completely bankrupt. They have their outdated ideas and their ideologies. Their approach has become outdated because the people who are outdated are heading the party.

The people who don't have the grassroots connection are controlling the party. The people who don't have any connect with grassroots workers are the leaders who are controlling important positions. They are controlling the party.

Some people who are very close to the party high command are very politically naive. They don't have any experience. Nobody knows them. But they have become the high command's eyes and ears.

Are you pointing towards Jairam Ramesh?

Ramesh is not the only responsible person. He is only an ideologue, he cannot run the party. The Congress must have mass leaders at the helm and occupy all the important positions in the top policy-making units in the party.

You must have got a chance to look at the Congress manifesto.

Do you think it has the potential to attract people to vote for their programmes?

For the last two elections (in 2014 and 2019), the Congress manifesto has been thrown into the dustbin. This manifesto will also be thrown into the dustbin by the people of India because they don't have any faith in the party.

They (the Congress) are just shouting 'nyay (justice), nyay, nyay, nyay.'

If you cannot give nyay to your loyal workers, your leaders, how can you give nyay to the people of this country? The whole idea is outdated, unappealing and will be thrown into the dustbin soon.

Will you regret your decision to quit the Congress if the INDIA alliance forms the next government in Delhi just like you are regretting your decision to not join the BJP in 2016?

I don't think so. I don't think so.

I don't think this party (the INDIA alliance) will come to power. I don't think this party will come to power ever. I'm not talking about 2024.

They will not come to power because they're not ready to improve themselves. They are not able to amend their working.
Politics changes the meaning of maps. Driven by the winds of the world, the periphery can become the center. And vice versa. Secondary areas acquire a new value. A mutation of this nature is taking place in the far south of the American continent. An episode drew attention last Thursday, when the Argentine president, Javier Milei, traveled to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, to meet with the head of the United States Southern Command, Laura J. Richardson, and announce the creation of a naval base in that town.

To gauge the dimension of that announcement, we need to zoom out and observe the global scene. An expanding phenomenon is that the hardening of American rhetoric regarding China is increasingly being modulated with military arguments. Shortly before traveling to Argentina, on March 14, General Richardson made a report before the Committee on Armed Services of the U.S. Senate. One of the key issues of her presentation was the need to neutralize Chinese and Russian influence in Latin America. Regarding China, Richardson said: The Peoples Republic of China (PCR) understands the importance of economics and the intertwined role of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in achieving its Chinese Dream  the PRC reclamation of Chinas central role in world affairs. In Latin America and the Caribbean, USSOUTHCOM recognizes the opportunity to collaborate with our partners, build their capacity, and increase their resiliency to the pervasive challenges and threats they face. Conversely, the PRC is exploiting a fragile security environment and taking advantage of the regions need for economic investment to gain influence and advance its malign agenda. The PRC knows that economic power is a prerequisite for global military power and it is imperative that we view the PRCs economic activities, particularly in the Americas, as connected to their global political and military desires.

This message, in which the adjective malign is repeated several times, could be formulated even more crudely. The United States is foreseeing, on a very hypothetical, hazy horizon, a military conflict with China, and that presumption is reshaping the map of the world. This mutation can be seen more clearly by observing the role that the Panama Canal has played over the years. After its expansion in 2016, this canal registered 14,000 ship crossings per year, which means 6% of global trade. The first users of that passage are the United States. And 13% of traffic goes to China.

What would happen if a military confrontation were to occur between the United States and China? Most likely, the Panama Canal would be closed to obstruct the flow of food and energy to Chinese ports. This scenario would make naval traffic through the far south of the continent a strategic matter. That is the reason why Americans have first insisted that the Chinese must not build a logistics base there for supplying and repairing ships; and, second, why the U.S. has just announced that it is building a base itself, taking advantage of the availability offered to them by the Milei government, which has declared itself an unconditional ally of Washington.

The South Atlantic seems destined to have a previously unknown significance in the global game. The role of Argentina would also change. Until now, the main geopolitical fact of relevance in that area was the presence in the Falkland Islands of a NATO power, the United Kingdom, associated with its historical ally, Chile. A combination between the United States and Argentina would alter the relative weight of these actors. Milei was explicit in his speech to Richardson: Argentinas setback in the area was a missed opportunity, which the Chileans took advantage of by extending the only logistical link between the American continent and Antarctica. This projection over the South Pole is another of the arguments in defense of the construction of that naval base.

Milei did not justify this association with the United States with pragmatic arguments. For him, it is an ideological mandate. On Thursday night, in that very distant city, he explained that the United States and Argentina share the same ideas of political liberalism and economic capitalism. He regretted that his country had distanced itself from them for 100 years. But he assured that he will now resume that historical thread, joining those who defend the values of the West against those who seek to subjugate our freedom.

If you connect these words, in which an echo of the Cold War can be detected, with a few facts, you will see how Mileis policy, in addition to being pro-American, is also anti-Chinese. The first gesture that demonstrated this was his explicit refusal to join the BRICS, a club of countries led by Xi Jinping. After the defeat of leftist Peronism in Argentina, BRICS leaders ruled out Argentinas incorporation and hoped that their representatives would stop attending the meetings. That is why they were surprised when, speaking from Buenos Aires, the Foreign Ministry made the rejection explicit. That animosity had a much closer target than China: Lula da Silvas Brazil, which is a founding member of that league.

Another reason for tension between the Milei government and China has to do with the operation of a Chinese deep space station in the Argentine province of Neuquen, in Patagonia, on the Andes Mountains. In her speech before the Senate, Richardson spoke of this establishment as part of the Chinese military rollout in the region. The statement refutes Beijings official position that it is a scientific base for observation of deep space, that is, without the capability to monitor the orbits in which the satellites move, many of them for military use. Richardson hinted about concerns that are more distressing for the military apparatus to which she belongs: the fear of systematic missile attacks that could target American satellites. The Argentine Ministry of Defense has ordered an inspection of the Neuquen base, which it designated with the euphemism of visit, but clarified that it would not be imminent.

The same ministry made another gesture: it preferred to buy a small fleet of North American F-16 fighter planes, sold by Denmark, in exchange for acquiring equivalent devices, sold by the Chinese through Pakistan. Conditioning this operation was one of the most relevant priorities of United States diplomacy in Buenos Aires in recent years.

What will be the Chinese reaction to these unfriendly movements? Its a mystery. For now, the only tangible drawback in the bilateral relationship with Argentina goes back to before Mileis arrival. It is the suspension of two gigantic hydroelectric plants planned in the province of Santa Cruz. Construction work in one of them did not exceed 40%. And in the other it barely reached 20%. The paralysis is apparently due to environmental concerns, but there was also a conflict with the local partner that the Argentine government had imposed during Cristina Kirchners presidency, the company Electroingenieria, closely linked to power. The fact is that Chinas investment in that project is now on hold. And there are already a legion of laid-off workers.

There is one front on which the Chinese have great potential for damage: the currency swap line between the Argentine Central Bank and its equivalent, the Peoples Bank of China. The reserves of that institution are very scarce and would collapse if an order came from Beijing to suspend this loan, which amounts to $18 billion, of which $4 billion are freely available. Perhaps this mystery will be cleared up in a few weeks, when Foreign Minister Diana Mondino travels to Beijing leading a trade mission.

The geopolitical developments of a military nature in the far south of the continent are a consequence of the political change that occurred in Argentina with the last presidential elections. That Copernican turn of events led Argentina from a Kirchnerism that had Bolivarian overtones to a conservative liberalism that is more aligned with the United States than the previous administrations of Mauricio Macri or even Carlos Menem in the 1990s. The assertion of the sagacious sociologist Juan Eugenio Corradi is proven yet again: the polarization of domestic politics is always taken advantage of by the great powers to obtain the alignment of smaller-scale countries in the global game of chess.
Asserting that stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for the entire region and the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed hope that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, the two countries will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquillity at their borders.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, in Ramtek, Maharashtra, April 10, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The prime minister made these remarks in an interview with Newsweek magazine, which described India's rise as "unstoppable".

The New York-based magazine said India's "rapid upward economic trajectory and increasing diplomatic, scientific and military weight make it an emerging superpower of ever-growing importance to the United States and the world".

During the wide-ranging interview carried by the magazine under the headline "Narendra Modi and the Unstoppable Rise of India", the prime minister talked about a host of issues including the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, ties with Pakistan, Quad, Ram temple and democracy, among others.

In the interview, which is the first to be given to a US magazine in the recent past, Modi said for India, the relationship with China is important and significant.

"It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us. Stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for not just our two countries but the entire region and world," he said.

"I hope and believe that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, we will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquillity in our borders," Modi said.

Asked about ties with Pakistan, Modi said he has congratulated the prime minister of Pakistan on taking over office and asserted that India has always advocated for advancing peace, security and prosperity in the region in an atmosphere free from terror and violence.

On the imprisonment of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, Modi said, "I won't comment on matters internal to Pakistan."

Talking about China and the Quad grouping, the prime minister said the US, Australia, Japan, India, China are members of many groups.

"We are present in different combinations in different groups. Quad is not aimed against any country. Like many other international groupings, like SCO, BRICS and others, Quad is also a group of like-minded countries working on a shared positive agenda," he said.

The Quad grouping comprises India, the US, Australia and Japan.

On criticism of abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, Modi said, "I would encourage you to visit Jammu and Kashmir to witness firsthand the sweeping positive changes happening on (the) ground. Do not go by what I or others tell you. I went to Jammu and Kashmir just last month. For the first time, people have a new hope in their lives."

"The process of development, good governance and empowerment of the people is to be seen to be believed," he said.

"People are reaping the peace dividend: Over 21 million tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2023. There has been a significant decline in terror incidents. Organized bandh/hartals (protests), stone pelting, which once disrupted normal life, are now a thing of the past," the prime minister said.

On the significance of the newly-inaugurated Ram temple at Ayodhya, Modi said the name of Shri Ram is imprinted on our national consciousness.

"His (Lord Ram) life has set the contours of thoughts and values in our civilization. His name echoes across the length and breadth of our sacred land. Therefore, during the 11-day special ritual I observed, I made a pilgrimage to the places that carry the footprints of Shri Ram. My journey that took me to various corners of the country showed the revered place Shri Ram holds within each of us," he said.

"The return of Shri Ram to his birthplace marked a historic moment of unity for the nation. It was a culmination of centuries of perseverance and sacrifice. When I was asked to be part of the ceremony, I knew I would be representing the 1.4 billion people of the country, who have waited patiently for centuries to witness Ram Lalla's return," he said.

"During the 11 days leading up to this auspicious event, I carried with me the aspirations of countless devotees, eagerly anticipating this day. The ceremony itself brought the nation together into a celebration, akin to a second Diwali. Every home was illuminated by the light of Ram Jyoti. I see it as a divine blessing that I could experience the consecration ceremony as a representative of 1.4 billion Indians," he said.

On the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Modi said his government has an excellent track record of fulfilling promises.

"By the end of the second term, even the most popular governments start losing support. Discontent toward governments has also increased in the last few years in the world. India stands out as an exception, where popular support for our government is increasing," he asserted.

Hailing India as "the mother of democracy", Modi said that as the largest democracy in the world, over 600 million people voted in the General Elections in 2019 and in a few months from now, over 970 million eligible voters will exercise their franchise.

"More than one million polling stations would be set up across India. Constantly increasing voter participation is a big certificate for the people's faith in Indian democracy. A democracy like India is able to move ahead and function only because there is a vibrant feedback mechanism. And our media plays an important role in this regard. We have around 1.5 lakh (150,000) registered media publications and hundreds of news channels," he said.
The Calcutta high court on Wednesday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation investigation into allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, which had witnessed protests over the issues.

IMAGE: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad supporters stage a protest against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the Sandeshkhali incident, outside Banga Bhavan in New Delhi. Photograph: Ayush Sharma/ANI Photo

Stating that the investigation will be monitored by the court, a division bench presided by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam directed the CBI to file a comprehensive report on the alleged illegal conversion of agricultural land into water bodies for pisciculture after conducting a thorough inspection of revenue records and physical inspection of land alleged to have been converted.

The court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali and submit a comprehensive report to it on the next date of hearing.

The bench, also comprising Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, directed that the matter will be heard again on May 2, the date on which the CBI was asked to file the report.

ED officials were attacked on January 5 by a mob when they went to Sandeshkhali to search the premises of now-suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh in connection with a ration distribution scam case.

Passing the judgement, the court observed that an impartial inquiry is required to be done by an agency which has the power to probe the criminal angle stated to be involved.

"In the interest of justice and fair play and for expeditious consideration of the various complaints and allegations, an impartial inquiry is required to be conducted," the court said.

The state was directed to provide the required support to the agency.

Noting that the petitioners had prayed for the constitution of an enquiry committee to be headed by a retired judge of the high court, the division bench said that it decided to order an investigation by the CBI considering the nature of allegations involving crimes against women and grabbing of land of locals, including those belonging to Scheduled Tribes and the volume of complaints placed before it by one of the petitioners.

Around 600 complaints in the form of affidavits, including those of alleged sexual atrocities, land grabbing and other crimes such as assault and destruction of property, had been submitted before the court by petitioner-lawyer Priyanka Tibrewal.

Directing that the copies of the affidavits filed by the petitioner be forwarded to the CBI, the court said that if the complaints disclose cognisable offences, the agency will proceed in accordance with the law.

The bench directed that the parties in the matter, which involved a suo motu motion by the court over allegations of sexual atrocities on women and the land grab of people belonging to Scheduled Tribes along with a few PILs, can submit their complaints within a fortnight to the CBI.

It said that to ensure confidentiality, the investigating agency will create a dedicated portal or email ID for the registration of complaints.

The court said it decided to hand over to the CBI the probe with regard to allegations and complaints of people of Sandeshkhali as the central agency is already probing the attack on ED officials there.

The court directed the district magistrate of North 24 Parganas to give adequate publicity of the order in the area and issue a public notice in newspapers in Bengali script.

The court said the CBI will have the power to require any person, organisation, police, government authority, and others to furnish information on matters which may be useful or relevant to the matter.

Ordering installation of CCTV cameras in sensitive places and LED street lights in Sandeshkhali within 15 days, the court directed the state government to sanction necessary funds.

The bench asked the CBI to issue necessary direction to the state police as to how and in what matter protection to the victims and witnesses can be granted without insisting on the strict procedures stipulated in the 'witness protection scheme'.
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Rameshwar Sharma has kicked off a controversy by saying that Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh will be packed off to Pakistan after ensuring his defeat in the Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituency of Madhya Pradesh.

Photograph: @digvijaya_28/X

Taking a strong objection to Sharma's remark, Singh told reporters that his lawyers were examining the statement.

"BJP workers have reiterated their resolve to ensure victory of the party candidate (Rodmal Nagar) by more than one lakh votes in the Biora assembly segment (part of Rajgarh Lok Sabha seat), and we will win the Lok Sabha seat by more than eight lakh votes," Sharma told reporters in Biora on Monday.

"The 'Raja' (Singh) who is roaming here will be sent packing in such a manner that he will not get a place in Hindustan but in Islamabad or Lahore as his fans no longer exist in Madhya Pradesh and the country, but they exist across the border. They both like each other," he further said.

Reacting to Sharma's statement, Singh said, "I don't want to talk anything new about it. They don't have any issue other than this. The statement is being examined by my lawyers and they will take action accordingly."
The PMLA Adjudicating Authority on Wednesday paved the way for the Enforcement Directorate to take possession of about Rs 752-crore worth of assets of Congress party-promoted National Herald newspaper as it upheld a freezing order issued for these properties last year.

IMAGE: Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Pawan Kumar Bansal leave National Herald office, amid the ED raid at the media house in New Delhi, August 2, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo

The authority said in its order that it believes that the movable assets and equity shares that were attached by the ED are proceeds of crime and linked to the offence of money laundering.

The agency can now take possession of these assets like the Herald House at ITO in Delhi, land and building in Mumbai, Lucknow and some other locations.

The final confiscation of these assets can be done once the trial court rules in favour of the prosecution (ED).

The central agency had attached these properties in November last year by issuing a provisional attachment order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Associated Journals Ltd and Young Indian.

The National Herald is published by AJL and owned by Young Indian Private Limited.

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are majority shareholders of Young Indian with 38 percent shares held by each one of them.

The Congress had then called the agency action "petty vendetta tactics" and dubbed the ED a "coalition partner" of the BJP.

The agency had alleged in a statement that in this case the shareholders and donors of the Congress were "cheated" by the office-bearers of AJL and the party.

In the statement, the ED had said it had issued an order to provisionally attach properties worth Rs 751.9 crore.

"Investigation revealed that Associated Journals Ltd is in possession of proceeds of crime in the form of immovable properties spread across many cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow to the tune of Rs. 661.69 crore and Young Indian is in possession of proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs. 90.21 crore in the form of investment in equity shares of AJL," it said.

The Gandhis, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Pawan Bansal, D K Shivakumar (Karnataka deputy chief minister) and his MP-brother DK Suresh were questioned and their statements were recorded by the agency in connection with the case.

The money laundering case stems from a court order -- Metropolitan Magistrate of Delhi -- that took cognisance of a private complaint against alleged irregularities in the National Herald's affairs on June 26, 2014.

The court had held that seven accused persons and entities, including Young Indian, "prima facie" committed offences of criminal breach of trust under various sections of the IPC, including cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, dishonest misappropriation of property and criminal conspiracy, the ED said.

"The accused persons hatched a criminal conspiracy to acquire properties worth hundreds of crores of AJL through a special purpose vehicle-- Young Indian. AJL was given land on concessional rates in various cities of India for the purpose of publishing newspapers," the agency said.

It added that AJL closed its publishing operations in 2008 and started "using" the properties for commercial purposes, it alleged.

It said the AJL had to repay a loan of Rs 90.21 crore to the All India Congress Committee, however, the AICC treated the said loan of Rs 90.21 crore as non-recoverable from AJL and sold it for Rs 50 lakh to a newly incorporated company Young Indian "without" any source of income to pay even Rs 50 lakh.

"By their action, the shareholders of AJL as well as donors of Congress Party were cheated by the office bearers of AJL and Congress Party," the agency claimed.

After purchasing the loan of Rs 90.21 crore from AICC, Young Indian demanded either re-payment of loan or allotment of equity shares of AJL to it, the ED said.

AJL, it added, held an Extraordinary General Meeting and passed a resolution to increase share capital and issue fresh shares worth Rs 90.21 crore to YI.

"With this fresh allotment of shares, shareholding of more than 1,000 shareholders was reduced to a mere 1 percent and AJL became a subsidiary company of YI. YI also took control over properties of AJL," the agency said.
The Maratha community is not backward and hence it does not require reservation in government jobs and education, a petitioner argued before the Bombay high court on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil speaks to the media over Maharashtra Cabinet approving the draft of the bill for 10% Maratha reservation, in Mumbai, February 20, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

A full bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya, Justices GS Kulkarni and Firdosh Pooniwalla started hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the Maharashtra government's February 2022 decision to grant 10 percent reservation to the community under the Socially and Educationally Backward Class category.

As an interim relief, the petitioners have sought a stay to appointments in government departments or admissions to educational institutes under the quota.

Senior counsel Gopal Sankaranarayana, appearing for one of the petitioners, on Wednesday submitted that the issue had been already decided by the Supreme Court.

"The Supreme Court has in May 2021 quashed the (earlier) reservation granted to the community. There has been no change in the status of persons from the Maratha community since 2021 to merit reservation," he said.

"It is unfortunate that every time we (petitioners) have to come to court because the government wants to placate a particular community which is very powerful," advocate Sankaranarayana further said.

The government has been time and again claiming that the Maratha community is backward, but this was not the case, he argued.

"Members of the Maratha community have been in the mainstream of society and are dominant in politics. They are a forward community and hence do not require reservation," Sankaranarayana said.

The senior lawyer further claimed that the data on which the government relied to grant fresh reservation under the SEBC category was the same as that in 2021.

"Data is the same. Unless some mysterious collapse has taken place in the last 36 months (since May 2021 judgment of SC) that requires its revisiting the reservations, there is no reason for granting reservation," Sankaranarayana added.

The state government provided a quota to the Maratha community under the SEBC category in 2022 after the SC set aside the earlier reservation granted to the community on the ground that it led to the overall reservation in Maharashtra breaching the ceiling of 50 percent.

The state witnessed a fresh agitation for Maratha quota, led by activist Manoj Jarange, last year.

The hearing on the interim reliefs sought by the petitioners will continue on April 15.
The Delhi high court on Wednesday expressed its displeasure over repeated filing of petitions seeking the removal of Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal from the post of chief minister after his arrest.

IMAGE: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal being brought to Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the alleged money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy case, in New Delhi, April 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The court said once it dealt with the issue and opined that it fell in the executive domain, there should not be any "repeat litigation" as it was not a James Bond movie that would have sequels.

A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan pulled up petitioner Sandeep Kumar, a former AAP MLA who sought the removal of Kerjiwal from the office, for trying to involve the court in a "political thicket" and said it will impose costs of Rs 50,000 on him.

"This is not like a James Bond movie where we will have sequels. (Lt) Governor will take a call on this. You are trying to involve us in a political thicket, that's all," remarked the court.

The bench, also comprising Justice Manmeet PS Arora, reiterated that it cannot impose governor's rule in the capital.

Observing that the petitioner was "making a mockery of the system", the court said, "Rs 50,000 costs on you. We will pass the order."

On March 28, the court dismissed a PIL for Kejriwal's removal, saying that while the petitioner had failed to show any legal bar that prohibited the arrested chief minister from holding office, there was also no scope for judicial interference in such cases as it was for the other organs of the State to look into the issue.

It also said it cannot declare a breakdown of the constitutional machinery in the national capital.

On April 4, the court refused to entertain a second PIL on the issue and said it was Kejriwal's personal choice to continue as the chief minister and granted liberty to the petitioner to approach the lieutenant governor.

On Wednesday, Kumar's counsel argued that his case required interpretation of the Constitution and that on account of his arrest in a money laundering case, Kejriwal was now not qualified to hold the office of the chief minister.

Justice Manmohan said if there was a grievance, an appeal should have been filed against the earlier decisions instead of filing a third petition on the same issue.

As the petitioner's lawyer continued to argue and questioned where he must go if the government was not according to the Constitution, the court told him not to make political speeches.

"Please don't give a political speech here. Go to a corner of the street and do it over there. Please don't do that. Your client may be a politician and he may like to get involved in politics but we are not involved in politics. We stay out of politics," said Justice Manmohan.

"You are making a mockery of the system. Don't reduce us to a joke. It is only because of people like you, your client, that we are reduced to a joke. We are imposing some heavy costs on you. Please don't come back with repeat litigation," added the judge.

The court further said the petitioner was "persisting" in spite of the remarks made by a single judge while dealing with his petition earlier this week and said imposition of costs was the only way to "take care" of the petitions that are coming up on a "daily basis".

"This is enough. Look at the court. The court is packed with litigants. Have some courtesy," the court said.

Kumar's petition was listed before the acting chief justice's bench after it was transferred to it from Justice Subramonium Prasad's court.

While dealing with the petition on April 8, Justice Prasad had said it was filed for "publicity" and "heavy costs" should be imposed for it.

In his petition, Kumar had said after Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy for Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party convener incurred an "incapacity" to carry out the chief minister's functions under the Constitution.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, hours after the high court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the federal anti-money laundering agency.

He is currently in judicial custody.
Peter Higgs, the British physicist and Nobel Prize winner behind the 'God' particle, passed away at his home in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the age of 94, The Washington Post reported.

IMAGE: Peter Higgs addresses the traditional Nobel gala banquet at the Stockholm City Hall on December 10, 2013. Photograph: Henrik Montgomery/TT News Agency via Reuters

His reflections on the origins of mass sparked a nearly five-decade, multi-billion dollar search for a subatomic particle, later known as the 'Higgs boson', which was thought to hold the key to understanding the nature of the universe.

In a statement, the University of Edinburgh announced his passing on April 8 but did not cite a cause.

His hypothesis required the presence of a particle that was undiscovered then. It was eventually dubbed the 'God Particle', a playful nod to its apparent significance in the creation explanation.

According to The Washington Post, five others published similar ideas at almost the same time, as it would require thousands more scientists, working in vast multinational collaborations, to eventually find the Higgs boson.

However, the groundbreaking idea became associated with Higgs. He and one other theorist were the recipients of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Peter Ware Higgs was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England on May 29, 1929. The family frequently moved because his father was a sound engineer for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Higgs first believed he would become a chemist, but quickly realised he was 'hopeless in the lab' and changed his career path to theoretical physics.

He landed in the University of Edinburgh following his three degrees from King's College London, which included a PhD in physics in 1954.

He retired from the college in 1996.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray will address rallies in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, a Shiv Sena leader said on Wednesday.

IMAGE: MNS chief Raj Thackeray during the 'Gudi Padwa' rally being held at Shivaji Park, in Mumbai, April 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

A day after the MNS chief declared his unconditional support for the ruling Mahayuti alliance, Sanjay Shirsat, the spokesperson for the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, claimed the move would avoid the potential vote division in elections.

"There was a possibility of vote division which could have resulted in us (Mahayuti) slightly missing our target to win 45 plus seats in Maharashtra. Now, we will definitely achieve our target," Shirsat told reporters.

Raj Thackeray on Tuesday announced unconditional support to the 'Mahayuti' alliance of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party in the state and backed PM Modi, a move that is expected to bolster the ruling bloc's prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

When asked whether the MNS chief will campaign for Mahayuti, Shirsat replied in the affirmative.

"Yes, he will hold rallies across the state, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city. We will organise his rallies as per his schedule," he said.

Shirsat further said the chief minister would declare the Mahayuti nominee for the Aurangabad Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has fielded Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Chandrakant Khaire from Aurangabad against All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen's sitting MP Imtiaz Jaleel.

"The prime minister is scheduled to address a poll rally today (in Ramtek). Tomorrow, CM Shinde will declare the name of the candidate for Aurangabad," Shirsat added.
Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday took a dig at Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, saying doubt arises in the minds of people when an outfit formed to safeguard the pride of Maharashtra backs its "enemies".

IMAGE: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray being felicitated during the 'Gudi Padwa' rally being held at Shivaji Park, in Mumbai on April 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Raut's comments come a day after MNS president Thackeray announced unconditional support to the ruling 'Mahayuti' alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP in the state and backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The MNS leader did not elaborate whether his party, which has not fielded any candidate so far, will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Wednesday, Raut said his party is fighting for Maharashtra's pride.

He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party has taken in its fold "all corrupt persons".

"Businesses are driven away from Maharashtra, attempts are being made to break and cripple Mumbai. In such circumstances, if a party formed for Maharashtra pride backs enemies of Maharashtra, then a doubt arises in the minds of people. He (Raj Thackeray) has to answer the questions," Raut said.

On Tuesday, addressing his party's annual rally in Mumbai on Gudi Padwa (traditional Maharashtra New Year that symbolises fresh beginnings, auspiciousness), Raj Thackeray said he expects PM Modi to focus on the concerns of the youth and maintained the state should get a larger share of central revenue keeping in mind taxes it pays.

"I don't have any expectations. When there is a need for a strong leadership in the country, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will back the BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP unconditionally. It is only for Narendra Modi," he asserted.

He had also attacked his cousin and Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray and Raut for criticising Modi.

Uddhav Thackeray parted ways with long-term ally BJP in 2019 over the issue of sharing the chief ministerial post and formed government in alliance with the Congress and NCP (then undivided).

The Shiv Sena suffered a split in June 2022 when a majority of its MLAs, led by now Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, revolted against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. Uddhav Thackeray quit as CM following the revolt.
Terming as "unjustified", the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the decision of the Indore administration to cancel its permission for a prayer meeting of the Christian community scheduled there on the ground of a law and order situation.

IMAGE: Christian preacher Paul Dhinakaran. Photograph: Courtesy Paul Dhinakaran on Facebook

The order has paved the way for the prayer meeting.

"Prima facie, we find that the revocation of the permission which was granted in favour of the petitioner of holding the prayer meeting is not justified," a bench comprising justices BR Gavai, Satish Chandra Sharma and Sandeep Mehta said.

"The permission which was granted vide order dated March 22, 2024 and revised on April 05, 2024 specified various conditions so as to safeguard the interest of all the stake-holders and also to ensure that no law and order situation would arise. In these circumstances, the revocation of permission, in our view, was not justified, the bench said.

The bench also issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh government and the Indore administration on the plea of one Suresh Carletons.

The petition was filed against the order of the high court upholding the revocation of the nod to hold the prayer meet.

"It is needless to say that the petitioner will be entitled to hold the prayer meeting at 5:00 p.m. today, i.e, 10th April, 2024, however, the same shall be subject to the petitioner's strictly complying with the directions/conditions stated in order dated March 22, and March 05, this year," it said.

The bench directed its registry to communicate the order "forthwith to the registrar (Judl.), high court of Madhya Pradesh, Bench at Indore, who shall communicate the same to the collector, Indore".

Earlier, the Indore administration cancelled the permission for a prayer meeting of the Christian community scheduled on Wednesday, citing law and order situation.

Chennai-based Christian preacher Paul Dhinakaran is slated to address about 8,000 persons as the keynote speaker at the meeting.

An assistant election officer of the Indore Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh, in an order issued on Sunday, cancelled the permission for the prayer meeting, for which nod was given on April 5.

The order stated that there is opposition to the meeting from Hindu outfits and other social organisations, who have filed a complaint in this connection with the poll officer.

After the complaint, the in-charge of the Tukoganj police station submitted a report on the law and order situation, based on which the permission given earlier was cancelled.

In the complaint by the representatives of different Hindu organisations to the assistant election officer on April 5, it was alleged that the prayer meeting was being organised with an intention to mislead people of the Hindu community and encourage them for conversion.

"There is a strong possibility that the event might disturb peace," the complaint said, adding that its permission should be cancelled.

Carleton, chairman of the prayer meet's organising committee, rejected the allegations of the Hindu organisations.

"In our prayer meeting, only those 8,000 persons of the Christian community who live in Madhya Pradesh were invited. In the meeting, we were going to pray collectively for the happiness, peace and harmony of the country," he had told PTI.

He had said the prayer meeting was to be held under the banner of 'National Prayer and Ministry Alliance', an outfit led by Christian preacher Dr Paul Dhinakaran, who was going to participate in the programme as the keynote speaker.

Carleton had filed a petition in the Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh high court challenging the administration's order to cancel the permission for the prayer meeting at the last moment.

After hearing both sides, the bench of Justice Subodh Abhyankar of the high court rejected the petition on Monday.

"This court is of the considered opinion that it might be true that the intention of the petitioner to convene such meeting must be purely religious in nature, however, the concern raised by the respondents can also not be said to be unfounded, looking to the various objections they have received from other religious organisations," the bench had said.

"In such circumstances, the possibility of apprehension raised by the respondents of disruption of the law and order situation can also not be said to be unsubstantiated," the order had said.
No university administrator anywhere would consider entrusting the entire admission process to a computer. However, many of them view artificial intelligence (AI) as a valuable tool for initial screenings of the vast pool of annual applicants. Its also a rising trend in corporate recruiting. According to a recent Infojobs report, AI was used by 5% of Spanish companies for hiring in 2023, with plans to extend this to another 11% soon. Ultimately, human judgment prevails in the final decision-making process. While Spanish public universities do not currently use AI for this purpose, private universities may embrace it in the future. The application of AI in student selection was a topic of discussion among university officials at the Reinventing Higher Education conference co-hosted by Spains IE University and the University of Miami in Florida.

The top areas where AI can bring huge benefits are healthcare and education. So, I think its a mistake to try to avoid or ban it, said University of Miami President Julio Frenk, who has launched a pilot program in admissions. We review 50,000 applications every year and select around 8,000 to 9,000 students. If advanced language models can enhance selection, admission committees can make better-informed, fairer decisions for students.

The University of Miami requires candidates to submit their grades and write an essay about their life experiences. We seek traits to spot individuals whove conquered challenges. While we still need human judgment, AI can efficiently sift through huge applicant pools. Frenk firmly denies their approach is elitist. Its pointless to accept someone only for them to leave after a year because theyre overwhelmed by the workload. This approach helps us focus our scholarships more effectively.

Universities looking interested in applying AI in admissions processes need to clearly define the essential skills and competencies they require in students. By integrating an AI platform and training a customized algorithm, they can identify candidates who meet their criteria, while reducing individual biases. AI can also schedule and conduct interviews, keeping candidates informed throughout the admissions process. People must monitor the process closely and analyze student grade data for insights on trends and areas for improvement.

David Garza, rector and executive president of the prestigious Monterrey Institute of Technology (TEC) in Mexico, says his university has not considered using AI in admissions because their priority has been on applying it in teaching. TEC created its own bot to answer practical questions from university students and help teachers plan and prepare classes. Garza says hes in favor of AI in admissions because it can help us synthesize information. However, the final decision in a sensitive process like this one should remain in the hands of committees. TEC requires an admission exam, a summary of academic achievements and an essay. If the applications authorship is in doubt, a video is requested. TEC annually admits 6,000 students who go through a special high-school prep course, and another 6,000 from a pool of 18,000 applicants.

A class at Spain's IE University in Madrid. IE

Many universities in Singapore, a global powerhouse in AI research, use AI in admissions processes. But not Singapore Management University. Its vice-rector for research, Archan Misra, attended the conference in Miami and told us that if the university decides to use it in the future, it would implement a kind of feedback loop, so that students who exhibited the same pattern of success would be consistently selected. Misra, a computer science professor, offered another useful application of language models. Were considering AI to suggest interview questions for students, but the interviewer has the final call on which questions to ask. Its a tool, not an AI-based student ranking system.

At IE University, with campuses in Madrid and Segovia, the admission process is quite complex since it attracts students from 160 countries. They have a unique approach to using AI in admissions. University President Santiago Iniguez described their development of an AI application to assist students in selecting a major. We have two applications that provide uniform answers to the students questions and help them identify the most suitable major. Iniguez believes these types of applications are very helpful as they store and draw on all the information from previous candidate interviews.

IE University no longer gives as much weight in admissions to essays and motivational letters, said Iniguez. Letters of recommendation have also dropped in importance. The AI used in admissions weighs an applicants complete academic record, admission test results and interview (to assess maturity). IE University accepts 9% of its applicants.

Minerva University president and founder Ben Nelson, which claims to be more selective than Harvard with a 1% admission rate, is concerned about AI in admissions leading to false positives and false negatives. He advises rigorous testing before implementation. It can be useful, but you have to be very confident about it. His San Francisco-based university uses many of its own automated formulas to evaluate the applicants mathematics and language achievements, and the rest of the process is manual. About 25,000 students apply to Minerva every year.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
A prominent Indian diaspora body has urged various agencies of the US government, universities and student associations to work towards addressing the spike in the deaths of Indian-origin students in the US in recent months.

IMAGE: Mohammed Saleem, father of 25-year-old Indian student Mohammed Abdul Arfath who was found death in Cleveland, Ohio, speaks to the media in Hyderabad. Photograph: ANI Photo

An analysis of the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) found the causes of these incidents range from suspicious shootings/kidnapping, environmental deaths due to lack of safety knowledge (monoxide poisoning, hypothermia), mental issues triggering suicides, and even suspicious accidents to violent crimes.

The FIIDS said authorities should enhance safety education, improve search and rescue procedures, implement stricter rules against fraternity ragging; increase awareness of risks and safety, and provide mental health support.

Since the beginning of 2024, there have been at least half a dozen deaths of Indian and Indian-origin students in the US.

A 25-year-old Indian student who had been missing since last month was found dead in the US city of Cleveland this week.

Last week, an Indian student in Ohio, Uma Satya Sai Gadde, died and the police are investigating the case.

Last month, a 34-year-old trained classical dancer from India, Amarnath Ghosh, was shot dead in St Louis, Missouri.

Last month, the consulate 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 foul play.

Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian-American student at Purdue University, was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana on February 5.

On February 2, Vivek Taneja, a 41-year-old Indian-origin IT executive, suffered life-threatening injuries during an assault outside a restaurant in Washington. In another tragedy, 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict in Georgia.

A spike in tragic deaths of Indian students in the United States has raised significant concerns among the Indo-American community as well as the Indian population.

Dr Lakshmi Thalanki from Boston, who collected data on the deaths of more than 10 students, noted, The sudden surge of deaths among Indian students is alarming and suspicious.

On Tuesday, FIIDS submitted various recommendations to the Department of State, Department of Justice, Education Department, universities, student organisations as well as the Indo-American community.

Since the sudden rise in suspicious deaths, rumours have been circulating around the Indian American community about potential hate crimes especially as many deaths are clustered around East and Midwest universities, especially in Cleveland Ohio, Illinois and Indiana.

Some of them fear that the hate crimes are fuelled by negative propaganda against the community, FIIDS said.

Even though FIIDS did not find any conclusive facts to support the rumours, they may need to be investigated to timely address their concern, a media release said.

Indian origin students, according to Open Doors Report (ODR) are 275k, making 25 per cent of total foreign students and bringing in USD 9 billion per year in terms of fees and expenses," it said.

"However, the recent increase in their deaths is concerning and, if not addressed, would impact their confidence in the safety of US universities, potentially impacting the inflow of students further, said Khanderao Kand, chief of Policies and Strategy at FIIDS.

FIIDS also announced the launch of a survey of Indian-American students regarding their concerns and safety.
The Delhi Police told a court on Tuesday that former Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid amplified a false narrative in his favour through social media, completing its arguments against his bail plea in the 2020 Delhi riots case.

IMAGE: Former JNU student Umar Khalid. Photograph: ANI Photo

Khalid is an accused in the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 northeast Delhi communal riots. He has been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The arguments against Khalid's bail plea were made on Tuesday before Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Bajpai.

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad said Khalid's mobile phone data revealed he was in contact with some actors, politicians, activists and celebrities and sent them some links by certain news portals against the Delhi Police.

These links were sent with a request to share them on their social media accounts to set a particular narrative and amplify it.

Citing his chats with these people -- who have a considerable social media following -- Prasad said Khalid amplified his narrative as part of a conspiracy.

The SPP also played a video clip in the court, where Khalid's father was being interviewed by a news portal.

The SPP said his father told the portal that they did not have faith in the Supreme Court.

"They don't have faith in the Supreme Court, and, therefore they came to the trial court. This is how they are creating a narrative (in his favour)," he said.

The SPP said Khalid had requested members of a WhatsApp group to schedule protests after a particular top court proceeding.

He also rejected the contention of Khalid seeking parity with other co-accused, who have been granted bail.

The matter has been posted for Wednesday for rebuttal by Khalid's counsel.

Khalid and several others have been booked under the anti-terror law UAPA and several provisions of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly being the "masterminds" of the February 2020 riots, which left 53 people dead and over 700 injured.

The violence had erupted during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Amid the Bharatiya Janata Party's repeated 'Muslim League imprint' barb over the Congress manifesto, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said history is witness as to who joined hands with the forces that wanted to divide the country and asserted that history does not change by "spewing lies" from political platforms.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses an election rally. Photograph: ANI Photo

Gandhi said that the 2024 Lok Sabha polls are a fight between two ideologies, with the Congress, which has always united India, on one side and those who have always tried to divide people on the other side.

"This election is a fight between two ideologies! On one side there is the Congress, which has always united India, and on the other side there are those who have always tried to divide people," the former Congress chief said in a post in Hindi.

History is witness as to who joined hands with the forces that wanted to divide the country and strengthened them and who fought for the unity and independence of the country, Gandhi said.

"Who stood with the British during the 'Quit India Movement'? When India's jails were filled with Congress leaders, then who was running the government in the states with the forces that divided the country?" he said.

History does not change by "spewing lies" from political platforms, he added.

Gandhi's remarks come amid repeated attacks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the Congress manifesto bears a 'Muslim League imprint'.

The Congress has moved the Election Commission against his remarks while party chief Mallikarjun Kharge has said that "there is a stink of RSS" in Modi's speeches.

The Congress has alleged that the prime minister is resorting to the "cliched Hindu-Muslim script" as he is scared that the BJP may struggle to even cross the 180-seat mark in the Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress has countered the BJP pointing out that Jan Sangha founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the president of the Hindu Mahasabha then, was himself part of the coalition government in Bengal with the Muslim League in the early 1940s.
IMAGE: How elephants are beating rising summer temperatures. Photograph: ANI

When a leopard enters a village...

The Top Videos of the Week, listed by Shailajanand Mishra.

Also see: Did you know this about Parveen Babi?

Why Ravi Kishan became a chaiwala.

Videos chosen by you through your likes on iShare.

When A Leopard Enters A Village...

Location: Delhi

As lines between Nature and humans increasingly blur, both animal and humans pay the price.

All Videos: ANI

Ravi Kishan Turns 'Chaiwala'

Location: Gorakhpur

Elections can make politicians do unusual things.

And if you are an actor -- especially one whose latest screen outing has been lauded -- well...

IITian Converts Mahindra Bolero Into Self-Driving SUV

Location: New Delhi

Even Anand Mahindra took to social media to praise the innovation.

Mamata Banerjee Knows How To Have Fun

Location: Jalpaiguri

Here's what she did on a visit to Jalpaiguri.

Uff! Summer Heat Catches Up With Elephants

Location: Tiruchirappalli

Special arrangements have been made at the Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at M R Palayam in Tiruchirappalli to help the pachyderms staying with them to cool off.

Did You Know This About Parveen Babi?

Location: Mumbai

She was the first choice for a Yash Chopra film that is much talked about even today for its incredible casting.

A certain actor called Gopal Bedi, who played the menacing villain in many, many Hindi films -- he has acted in over 200, says Wikipedia -- makes this stunning revelation.

You might, incidentally, better know the actor by his popular screen name, Ranjeet.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Rain. Low 43F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

Tonight

Rain. Low 43F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Downtown Bellows Falls has been the scene of two serious pedestrian-vehicle accidents, including one fatal, since the beginning of the year.
The followers of the psychic Gisella Cardia take part in prayer, while kneeling before the Virgin in Trevignano Romano, a town in the Metropolitan City of Rome.

Lake Bracciano is located on the outskirts of Rome. Along its shores, on the third of each month, a surreal scene is repeated, combining psychics, prime-time television and alleged supernatural phenomena. A 54-year-old Sicilian woman  Gisella Cardia, whose real name is Maria Giuseppe Scarpulla  gathers hundreds of faithful Catholics to pray to the Virgin Mary. Her supposed spiritual power emanates from one of the statuettes of the Madonna, which she possesses. Her followers claim that the Virgin cried blood on two occasions (and regular tears on a few others). But Gisella, as they call her, is also respected as an instrument of God.

Her acolytes insist that shes capable of multiplying food. And, unlike the cases of bread and fish which are described in the Gospels, shes able to reproduce gnocchi and pizza. This is the definitive proof that convinces many of her faithful followers, who have made important donations to a woman who has been convicted of fraud and of falsely declaring bankruptcy. Gisella  a psychic  has challenged the Catholic Church with the ceremonies that she hosts.

Wednesday, April 3, was different from other Wednesdays. Cardias popularity has grown in recent months, after the Italian media covered her shady criminal past (she was sentenced to two years in prison for falsely declaring bankruptcy). The Church  fed up with the monthly show that has already lasted five years  decided to investigate her case. The bishop of the corresponding diocese, Monsignor Marco Salvi, had the approval of the Vatican. Following a televised confrontation on one of the programs that dedicates hours to this matter, he handed down a ruling.

After several verifications, the bishop declared that the analysis of a committee of experts  [which included] a mariologist, a theologian, a psychologist and a canonist, as well as the external consultancy of some specialists  decreed that the apparitions explained by Cardia have no ecclesial value, nor can they be used as such, not even in the civil sphere.

The bishop also prohibited the psychic from appearing again in the Trevignano meadow where she prays with her faithful and a huge statuette of the Virgin, threatening her with excommunication. Because of this, the level of interest in the case exhibited this past Wednesday was unlike anything previously demonstrated.

Gisella Cardia with her husband, Gianni, on May 3, 2023. Future Publishing (Future Publishing via Getty Imag)

That day, the fenced enclosure was prepared to welcome the faithful at 2:30 p.m. The guests didnt know if the psychic would appear: Gisella had already disappeared in another occasion.

Pier Giorgio, 72, walked slowly along the mile-long rocky path that leads to the site. He assured EL PAIS that he didnt give a damn what the bishop said. Is the bishop God? No, right? he asked rhetorically. But what if the psychic were to be excommunicated? Would he still come to prayer? Of course. This is a difficult journey.

Little by little, many more participants arrived. Angelo Abruzi  a 61-year-old man with a flower in his hand, who came all the way from the region of Apulia  also had no qualms about placing himself beyond the ecclesiastical perimeter, so long as its convenient to protect the psychic. Look, I wouldnt come here if I didnt think something supernatural was happening. Do I look like a hiker?

The faithful followers of Gisella Cardia pray the rosary before the Virgin in Trevignano Romano. Antonio Masiello (Antonio Masiello/EL PAIS)

In 2014, the psychic bought the statuette  which supposedly cries blood  while on a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Virgin of Medjugorje, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. And some of her faithful followers  coming from all over the world  claim that theyve seen subsequent miracles take place. Andrea is one of these true believers: the burly man acts as the volunteer doorman of the miraculous compound in Trevignano Romano. He told EL PAIS that he previously led a life filled with luxury cars, expensive sneakers and outings to nightclubs... that is, until he became a follower of Cardia. Andrea is one of the devotees who claim to have seen the Virgin cry (although he clarifies that he only saw water, not blood). Another one of his colleagues  who has ties to Italian TV magnate Paolo Vasile  also claims to have seen the same thing. On Wednesday, he was giving high-fives to attendees as they walked through the door, wishing them good prayers.

Both men admit that the psychic is suffering the unspeakable these days: She faces an ordeal like that of Jesus before the cross. But when asked, they wouldnt clarify whether or not she plans to attend the monthly meeting after the bishop has prohibited the celebration by decree.

In the background of the ceremony, theres the imposing Virgin, as well as a huge cross, before which Cardias fans knee. Theres also a man paragliding, which adds the aura of a Paolo Sorrentino film to the scene. The atmosphere on Wednesday was filled with anticipation: everyone was waiting for the psychic, who promised not to back down even an inch after the Church criticized her.

Even those who dont support Cardia were waiting around for her. At the entrance to the meadow, there were three women from the committee thats been set up against the psychic and her association. Among other things, they protested that the land where the prayer is held  which belongs to the Association of the Virgin of Trevignano Romano, an NGO  shouldnt be fenced off, as its a natural park.

I hope this ends as soon as possible. Were the circus of Italy, lamented Italia Laudano, a resident of this town of 5,000 inhabitants, which has become the focus of religious programming and gossip. Do I know Cardia? Of course, in the past, she used to be seen in town. She would go to the hairdresser she would go around saying that she could multiply gnocchi and pizzas. And that she was pregnant with the Holy Spirit! Well, let her show us the ultrasound! she scoffs, challenging the psychic with the cynicism and irony typical of Rome. Laudanos sarcasm is present even when she confronts the doorman of the premises: Hey, you, warrior of light! she shouts to Andrea, who never loses his smile.

Andrea  a volunteer from the Gisella Cardia Association  acts as the doorman to the area where the rosary is prayed. Antonio Masiello (Antonio Masiello/EL PAIS)

The rosary prayer began. Inside, there were about 100 devotees. Someone took the microphone and began listing miracles. But Gisella still didnt appear. Minutes passed, with the uncertainty growing. Shes not coming, Im telling you, one of the protesting women insisted, while some of those gathered raised their arms or knelt down in the meadow in prayer. Shes a scammer, the same woman grumbled.

Beyond the difficulty in accepting her supposed miracles, she refers to the psychics case of falsely claiming bankruptcy. She also tells EL PAIS about the money that some believers gave her. One of the victims is poor Luigi Avella, a retired official from the Ministry of Economy, who gave her 123,000 euros ($134,000) because he thought the Virgin would help his sick wife. Now, as he has announced publicly, Avella wants the money back.

After a while, the psychics supporters read a statement to the media: Mrs. Gisella Cardia wont be present at the prayer on April 3, so as to demonstrate her effective communion with the Catholic Church. She thus hopes to be able to open a dialogue with the bishop of Civita Castellana, Monsignor Salvi, the note stated.

However, that dialogue will be complicated, because the diocese  backed by the Vatican  has already ruled that theres nothing supernatural about Cardias show. And many who were present at the ceremony last Wednesday, like Laudano, believe that the psychic has escaped again. Hopefully [shes gone] and she should take her Virgin, her pizzas and her gnocchi with her.

Shell find out for certain on May 3, when the next ceremony is supposed to happen.

One of the followers of the psychic Gisella Cardia is swarmed by reporters at the entrance to the premises. Antonio Masiello (Antonio Masiello/EL PAIS)

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Few politicians can boast a career like that of the German conservative Wolfgang Schauble. He spent half a century as a parliamentarian and was important figure in the governments of Helmut Kohl and Angela Merkel. His name is linked to two crucial moments in modern German history in which he played a key role: German reunification and the European debt crisis. Now, in his posthumous memoirs, published this Monday, he gives details about the scandal of illegal financing of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) that led to Kohls fall from grace and does not hesitate to talk about plots to depose both Merkel and Kohl.

The attempt to seize the leadership from Merkel came after the 2015 refugee crisis, when Edmund Stoiber  already out of office at the head of the Christian Social Union, a sister party of the CDU  encouraged Schauble to do so. He wanted to convince me to overthrow Merkel to become chancellor myself, he comments on something he also refused on this occasion out of loyalty, but also for strategic reasons. Stabbing Merkel in the back, in his opinion, would have caused serious long-term damage to the CDU without really solving the problem.

Although Schauble was generous in his shows of respect for Merkel, he did not skimp on criticism either. He acknowledged the chancellors intellect. However, tensions between the two became evident during the Greek sovereign debt and eurozone crises, where he embodied the rigor of the strict austerity policy imposed by Germany on the European Union. Merkel did not share his ideas on financial and monetary policy, and finally reached the limit of what is bearable. The Minister of Finance at that time  from 2009 to 2017  even considered leaving his position at some point due to the lack of Merkels support at crucial moments.

The whole debate almost amused me a little, because I knew my age, I had been a paraplegic for more than a quarter of a century, and I was generally in poor health, says the politician who, as minister of the interior, survived an assassination attempt in 1990 perpetrated during a campaign event.

Wolfgang Schauble with Angela Merkel at a CDU convention in April 2000. MARTIN GERTEN (efe)

The more than 600 pages of the volume are the legacy of a historic politician who died in December 2023 at the age of 81, having left politics in 2021, when the social democrat Olaf Scholz took over the Chancellery. Under the title of Wolfgang Schauble: Memories. My life in politics, the former champion of austerity reviews his political career that coincides with such important events as the fight against terrorism by the Red Army Faction (RAF) in the 1970s and 1980s; the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989; and the 2008 financial crisis, when, in his opinion, his effort managed to make the euro more stable than many believed possible by imposing harsh public spending cut programs. Not only have Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus been able to survive the crisis, but Greece is also doing remarkably well today, he says of some countries in which he became one of the publics most hated villains. Towards the end of his tenure, he was also a key player in Germanys response to the refugee crisis of 2015.

Born in a small town in Baden-Wurttemberg, southern Germany, in September 1942, Schauble acknowledges that the experience of being born during the war did not influence him as much as growing up in the early years of West Germany. Without a doubt, the Cold War has marked my political thinking to this day, the politician wrote, his eyes fixed on the images of tanks through the streets of Berlin.

Raised in a conservative family in which there was a lot of discussion about politics, which, as he acknowledges, marked him for life, he began his law studies in 1961 and soon ended up in politics and entered the German parliament in 1972. Thus he began a long career in which he held such important positions as head of the chancellery, minister of the interior, minister of finance, president of the Bundestag, and leader of the CDU and the conservative parliamentary group.

Schauble remembers how in his early years, he was often accused of being an ambitious careerist and of coldly calculating his steps to climb the to the next step, which is something he categorically rejects. His career led him to become an important figure in the Helmut Kohls government (1982-1998), as minister of the interior the main negotiator of the document that would make German reunification possible in 1990. He served as president of the CDU between 1998 and 2000, since he was forced to leave after the partys illegal financing scandal came to light. Regarding this dark chapter in the history of the CDU, Schauble details that a black box already existed in the conservative parliamentary group before coming to power.

Kohl had created the account during his time as chairman of the parliamentary group, as a reserve outside the partys finances, he writes. The appeal of this slush fund was due to the simple fact that the Federal Court of Accounts did not control party financing at that time. Kohl had taken advantage of this loophole and spoke half-jokingly of his war chest. He later admitted to having received some two million Deutsche Marks for the party in the 1990s without declaring it as a donation, but never revealed the names of his alleged donors.

The scandal plunged the party into the worst crisis in its history and also affected Schauble. Moreover, prior to the 1998 elections, he had considered the possibility of removing Kohl, as requested by colleagues within the party. Schaubles personal battle for leadership failed on principle. I owed my career to Helmut Kohl, and I had been part of his success. My word that I would not betray him was true. In the end, members recognized that the party could not overthrow Kohl without self-destructive consequences.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
The friendship of the two peoples must be maintained, no matter what happens, said Gustavo Petro in Caracas when he had not yet spent 100 days in office as the first leftist president of contemporary Colombia. It is a reconciliation, said Nicolas Maduro, his host on that afternoon of November 1, 2022, in reference to what was the first meeting between the presidents of two countries with deep connections following a break in diplomatic relations. Less than 18 months later, the two leaders are meeting for the sixth time, on this occasion to draw a line under a few weeks of estrangement marked by Petro, who described the disqualification of opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado from the Venezuelan presidential elections, scheduled for July, as an anti-democratic coup. The meeting was scheduled on a symbolic date, April 9, the anniversary of the assassination in Bogota of Colombian liberal leader Jorge Eliecer Gaitan in 1948, a politician who Maduro praised a year ago as a symbol of the struggles for the dignity of the humble peoples.

The rapprochement between Colombia and Venezuela  a process that has been forged through two previous trips to Caracas by Petro and several presidential meetings at summits  froze a few weeks ago due to the calls made from Bogota, initially by the Colombian Minister for Foreign Affairs Luis Gilberto Murillo, to promote free, fair, and competitive elections in Venezuela. Colombia has been far from alone in the international community in raising its concerns, nor it is the only country on good terms with Venezuela to have done so. Brazil also spoke out after the reversal made by the Maduro government on the electoral commitments signed last year in Barbados. Not only has the Venezuelan government disqualified Machado, it has also prevented the registration of her designated substitute, academic Corina Yoris, and imprisoned leading members of her party, Vente Venezuela. Although Petro did not initially react to the disqualification, the latest maneuvers by the Maduro administration prompted his criticism, which was angrily responded to by the Venezuelan president signaling  without naming names  a cowardly left.

When Petro was elected, ambassadors were reappointed in both countries and a border that has witnessed the passage of several million Venezuelan migrants over the last decade was formally reopened. At the same time, Maduro also recovered relevance on the world stage after several years of diplomatic and economic isolation due to Venezuelas authoritarian drift. The two presidents need each other. On the one hand, between 2022 and 2023, Petro attempted to lead the search for a solution to the Venezuelan conflict through efforts to resume the stalled talks between the Maduro government and the opposition Unitary Platform, which eventually resulted in the Barbados agreement. A year ago, Petro organized an international conference to discuss the problems derived from the prolonged Venezuelan crisis, which came to nothing and did not leave him in a very good light.

On the other hand, for Colombia, Venezuelas involvement in negotiations with the ELN, the last remaining guerrilla organization in a country that has suffered decades of internal armed conflict, has been fundamental. The talks, which have been held at rotating venues outside Colombia and were initiated in Caracas, have produced concrete results, such as temporary ceasefires. However, they are advancing slowly and without producing widespread enthusiasm in a society that sees the conflict worsening amid a proliferation of armed groups and the ambitious and complicated policy of Petro to negotiate with all of them in parallel. This month, from April 12 to 22, the talks will resume in the Venezuelan capital.

The recent friction between Petro and Maduro over the elections in Venezuela has resulted in the economic issue being buried in the bilateral agenda. One of the main attractions and commitments of the reactivation of relations was trade, which peaked between the two countries in the 1990s. Although the opening of the border in September 2022 sparked the exchange of some $143 million over the following year, it is still far from the records set decades ago. Despite the disagreements, Colombia has made progress in the reopening of five of its consulates in Venezuela, which this year have begun to provide services to its nationals in the country.

The overcoming of the diplomatic impasse is evidenced not only by Tuesdays visit, but also by the meeting of Foreign Ministers Murillo and Yvan Gil on Monday in Cucuta, the largest and most populated Colombian city on the border between the two countries. At the meeting, the Colombian minister announced that the Maduro government has proposed Colombia act as an electoral observer in the July elections. As of yet, there has been no definitive response from Petros government.
Norwegian video technology vendor Neat has appointed Jason MacBride as its new regional director for Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ).

Based in Sydney, MacBride will focus on accelerating Neats growth across A/NZ and the wider Oceania region.

The impact of the last few years has led A/NZ organisations to adapt and re-adapt to rapid change. Optimising hybrid work with new technologies and processes remains a major investment focus and shows no signs of slowing down, MacBride said.

Were seeing huge growth driven by customers looking beyond traditional video conferencing setups for flexible and easier to operate devices that support hybrid working.

My focus will be on working closely with the team at Neat and our wider partner community to ensure our customers have access to the latest product innovation that delivers the best collaboration experiences possible.

MacBride joins Neat after more than seven years at Poly. His priorities include channel partner growth and expanding Neats customer footprint into new vertical industry sectors.
Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow, Japan's prime minister said at the White House.

President Joe Biden, right, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands after holding a joint news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House, April 10, 2024, in Washington.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday they will establish stronger military ties in the face of Chinas expansive claims to Taiwan and the South China Sea.

But Japans entry into the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States is still pending, they said.

After meeting with Biden at the White House, Kishida said the two leaders confirmed that unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion in the Indo-Pacific or elsewhere in the world were unacceptable and would be met with resolute action.

From such a perspective, we agreed that our two countries will continue to respond to challenges concerning China through close coordination, Kishida said. At the same time, we confirmed the importance of continuing our dialogue with China.

The Japanese prime minister said that Tokyo also stood with the United States against Russia's aggression against Ukraine, based on a recognition that Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.

Kishida called for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and encouraged Beijing, which claims the democratic island of Taiwan as part of its territory, to pursue peaceful resolution with Taipei.

But with Beijing taking an increasingly assertive stance on its vast territorial claims  including firing water cannons at Philippine vessels  the leaders pledged greater deterrence.

Wearing aviator sunglasses throughout the press conference, Biden said he and Kishida agreed to improve security cooperation, including modernizing command and control structures to increase the interoperability and planning of our militaries.

He called the planned upgrade of security ties with Tokyo the most significant change in relations since the U.S.-Japan alliance was inked in 1951. It will include a new shared air-missile defense architecture that would also be available to Australia, the president said.

Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom would soon begin holding trilateral military exercises, Biden added. But he maintained that the moves were not aimed at any one nation.

In our alliance we have with Japan, its purely defensive in nature, he said. The things we discussed today improve our cooperation, and are purely about defense and readiness.

AUKUS pact

In the lead-up to Wednesdays summit, there were suggestions that Japan would be unveiled as a new partner in the AUKUS security pact.

The U.S. ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, wrote in an op-ed last week that Tokyo was set to become the first outside partner of Pillar 2 of AUKUS, which aims to establish a single defense-industrial base across the three countries at the heart of the security pact.

However, there were no announcements after the summit, with Biden saying only that our AUKUS defense partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom is exploring how Japan can join our work in the second pillar, which he called a benchmark in cooperation.

Kishida noted Japan already enjoyed close bilateral relations with the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia  including taking part in recent joint military exercises  and so would continue to work closely with each, even if not as a formal partner of AUKUS.

We want to contribute to peace and stability in the region, and therefore we have consistently supported AUKUS, he said. We have established various relationships, but for Japan to have direct cooperation with AUKUS, nothing has been decided.

To join Pillar 2 of AUKUS, Japan would have to put in place export-control and secrecy measures to ensure that American defense technology secrets do not fall into the wrong hands, with U.S. officials still reviewing recent changes by Canberra and London.

A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of Biden and Kishida summit, said while Japan can potentially bring a great deal to AUKUS Pillar 2, it was still early days, with Biden still not having signed-off on Australian and British participation.

We expect the consultations will take a period of months, and it will take a portion of the 2024 calendar year before the AUKUS Pillar 2 vision is fully fleshed-out, and with that [the ability] to assign specific partners to specific Pillar 2 projects, the U.S. official said.

Japan brings a great deal to the table  that's why we are announcing that the AUKUS partners want to begin consultations with Tokyo as soon as possible, the official said. But we have a way to go.

Differences of opinion

Kishida and Biden also touched on some differences of opinion, such as the U.S. presidents recent decision to oppose the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japans Nippon Steel for US$14.9 billion.

Biden said last month that U.S. Steel must remain domestically-owned, creating some backlash in Japan given the countrys long alliance with the United States.

The United States Steel Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock, PA., Feb. 26, 2024. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

On his way to Washington, Kishida called the dispute a private matter between Nippon Steel and American regulators, and he reiterated that during the press conference on Wednesday.

We understand that discussions are underway between the parties, he said. We hope these discussions will unfold in directions that would be positive for both sides. Japan believes that appropriate procedures based on law are being implemented by the U.S. government.

Kishida and Bidens summit comes a day before the pair meet with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in what has been billed as the first trilateral meeting between leaders of the three countries.

Analysts say the meeting at the White House is set to further bolster U.S. security ties in the South China Sea with its two major allies amid the ongoing dispute between China and the Philippines over a remote Philippine outpost at the seas Second Thomas Shoal.

Beijing has said the cooperation among the U.S. allies is stoking bloc confrontation and escalating an arms race in the Asia-Pacific.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.
More than 80% of journalists say they have faced harassment and violence while doing their jobs.

Chinese authorities use drones to monitor and follow foreign journalists as they report from the country, as well as detaining, harassing and threatening them with non-renewal of their work permits if they report on topics deemed sensitive by the government, according to a new report on journalists' working conditions.

Four out of five members who responded to the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China annual working conditions survey said they had experienced "interference, harassment or violence" while trying to do their jobs in China during the past year, the FCCC report found.

Local governments are increasingly using technology to keep track of foreign media workers, the report found.

"During a trip to Poyang Lake, where we were reporting on the status of the Yangtze River dolphin, we were followed by multiple cars with plainclothes individuals inside," the report quoted a journalist with a European media organization as saying.

"At one point, the plainclothes individuals appeared to use a drone when a blocked sandy road prevented them from getting closer by car," they said.

A cameraman from Hong Kong Cable TV is restrained from photographing the crowd waiting to buy tickets for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, July 25, 2008, in Beijing, China. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)





Another European journalist reported similar high-tech surveillance when on a reporting trip to two provinces affected by extreme weather events linked to climate change.

"We were followed by multiple carloads of plain clothes officers," the report quoted them as saying. "Drones were sent out to follow and observe us when we got out of our vehicle to film/collect interviews. When we moved on foot to a spot, the drones would follow us."

Respondents also told the FCCC they had reason to believe the authorities had "possibly or definitely" compromised their WeChat (81%), their phone (72%), and/or placed audio recording bugs in their office or homes, the report found.

Endless cat-and-mouse game

Another journalist with a European newspaper described reporting in China as "an endless cat-and-mouse game."

"Whatever strategy you try, the Chinese surveillance and security system adapts and closes the gap," the report quoted them as saying. "Whatever strategies you use, the space for reporting keeps getting smaller and smaller."

A foreign reporter of many years' experience in China who gave only the surname Lok for fear of reprisals told RFA Cantonese that she expects her communications apps to be monitored at all times.

"I was talking about an issue with a friend here [in mainland China] ... and may have mentioned it on WeChat," Lok said. "Later, he was called in by the police to 'drink tea'"  a euphemism for being called in for questioning.

Journalists crowd a National People's Congress press conference a day before the opening of the annual session of China's parliament, in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on March 4, 2019. (Greg Baker/AFP)





"It turned out that the problem wasn't him, but the conversation he had with me, she said. We have to be careful, because a lot of trouble has come from talking to people on WeChat."

A second Hong Kong journalist who gave only the surname Wong for fear of reprisals said it used to be easier for journalists to evade official surveillance than it is now.

"The Chinese government's digital surveillance methods are comprehensive," Wong said. "You could describe them as a dragnet, in which every move the target makes is visible to them."

Online surveillance

Huang Chao-nien, an assistant professor at the National Development Institute of Taiwan's National Chengchi University, agreed, adding that the government has used online surveillance to target journalists for years.

The government has long used an internet development model that intervenes in the market to control tech companies ... forcing them to cooperate with the government in carrying out political surveillance and controls on public speech, he said.

More than half of the journalists who took part in the FCCC annual survey said they had been "obstructed" at least once by police or other officials, while 45% encountered obstruction by unidentified persons, the report said.

Some had been warned not to join the club as it was deemed an "illegal organization," while others were threatened with non-renewal of their visas and work permits if they didn't toe the line, the report said.

Areas deemed particularly sensitive by Chinese officials were even harder to work in, it said, adding that 85% of journalists who tried to report from the far western region of Xinjiang in 2023 experienced problems.

"In Xinjiang we were followed the entire time," the report quoted a European journalist as saying. "It was particularly unpleasant in Hotan, where we counted about half a dozen plainclothes following us by car or on foot."

"In Korla, we at some point had six cars following us. When we did a U-turn and then a detour over an abandoned construction site and dust road, they all faithfully followed us," the journalist said.

Chinese policemen manhandle a photographer, center, as he photographs a news event near the No. 1 Intermediate People's Court, in Beijing Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014. (Andy Wong/AP)

And the definition of sensitive areas appears to be expanding.

"An increasing number of journalists encountered issues in regions bordering Russia (79%), Southeast Asian nations (43%) or in ethnically diverse regions like Inner Mongolia (68%)," the report said.

More than 80% said potential sources and interviewees had declined to be interviewed because they didn't have prior permission from their superiors to speak to foreign media. Fear of reprisals is even being felt among experts, pundits and commentators, the report said.

"Academic sources, think tank employees and analysts either decline interviews, request anonymity, or dont respond at all," it quoted respondents as saying.

Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Beijing, April 10, 2024.

President Xi Jinping on Wednesday reasserted China's territorial claim on democratic Taiwan, likening it to a "family reunion," in a meeting with former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, who is currently on a controversial tour of China.

"Differences in systems don't change the fact that we belong to one nation and one people," Xi told Ma, according to video footage of the meeting broadcast by Taiwan's TVBS. "Our reunification cannot be prevented by external interference," Xi said during a meeting with Ma at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi, who referred to Ma as "Mr. Ma Ying-jeou" rather than as Taiwan's former president, said there was no topic that was off the table in discussions with Taiwan.

The meeting comes as Xi's administration has refused government-to-government talks offered by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who has repeatedly said the island won't be giving up its sovereignty or democratic way of life to be ruled by Beijing, which hasn't ruled out the use of military force to annex Taiwan.

Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou (C) and members of a delegation of young people from Taiwan visit the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing, April 8, 2024. (Chen Yehua/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Ma, whose Kuomintang party, or KMT, once ruled China, fled to Taiwan after losing a civil war to Mao Zedongs communists in 1949 and ruled as an authoritarian dictatorship for several decades before being voted out in democratic elections in 2016, arrived in China on April 1 for an 11-day visit aimed at promoting peace.

He told Xi that both sides of the Taiwan Strait believed in the "one China" policy, a position that nods to Beijing's claim, but doesn't specify how or when "unification" might happen.

He called on people on both sides of the Strait to "oppose Taiwan independence, seek common ground while reserving differences, shelve disputes, and create a win-win situation in which both sides jointly pursue peaceful development."

Anger back home

But Ma's trip has sparked anger back home.

Taiwan has never been ruled by the Chinese Communist Party, nor formed part of the 73-year-old Peoples Republic of China, and most of its 23 million people have no wish to give up their sovereignty or democratic way of life to be ruled by China, according to multiple public opinion polls in recent years.

Last year, Tsai and her officials criticized an earlier China trip by Ma for undermining the island's government, because the former president's insistence on a Chinese identity for Taiwan shores up Beijings territorial claims.

Ma first met Xi in Singapore in late 2015 for a landmark summit shortly before the current Taiwan president, Tsai Ing-wen, won a landslide election victory in January 2016. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party in January won a third presidential election in a row in a further endorsement of Tsai's approach.

Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou (with cap) visits the Great Wall of China on the outskirts of Beijing, April 9, 2024. (Ma Ying-jeou Foundation via AFP)

Lunghwa University of Science and Technology assistant professor Lai Jung Wei said Ma's trip has been packed with symbolic visits designed to play to Chinese nationalistic sentiment, which insists that Taiwan is a renegade province awaiting "unification," including a ceremony at the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, a mythical figure from whom all Chinese people are said to be descended.

"Xi Jinping's 'Chinese dream' is full of nationalism ... and the idea of the celestial dynasty [destined to rule China through the ages] has a long history," Lai told RFA Cantonese. "Politically, his approach and the Chinese dream of Xi Jinping ... work together."

"[Ma] is also very unhappy with the current leadership under the Democratic Progressive Party and its pushback against Chineseness in recent years."

He said Ma has shed tears in public several times during the current trip, in a bid to appeal to nationalistic emotionality.

Meeting comes amid warnings

The second Ma-Xi meeting comes on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the U.S.' Taiwan Relations Act into law, requiring Washington to take steps to help the island defend itself, including through arms sales, despite Beijing's vocal opposition.

A spokesman for the U.S. Department of State told Taiwan's Central News Agency on Monday that the U.S. is closely monitoring Beijing's actions, following reports of Chinese drone activity on Monday around the Taiwan-controlled island of Kinmen, which lies just six kilometers off the Chinese coast.

"We continue to urge restraint and no unilateral change to the status quo, which has preserved peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region for decades," the spokesman said.

"We urge [China] to engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwan to reduce the risk of miscalculation."

The meeting also comes amid warnings that Beijing is waging a disinformation and propaganda war against Taiwan that could undermine the island's democracy.

Analysts display examples of pro-China disinformation on YouTube and TikTok in a presentation to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the United States, April 8, 2024. (Kitty Wong/RFA)

Shun-Ching Yang, analyst lead of the Digital Intelligence team at Doublethink Lab, told a seminar at Taiwan's representative office in Washington on April 8 that the lab's researchers had identified more than 10,000 posts on Facebook, Douyin, TikTok and other social media platforms believed to be part of a Chinese-led disinformation campaign targeting Taiwan in the run-up to January's elections.

"We found that the Chinese authorities' main strategy is smear campaigns, targeting the ruling party or its allies, and using current social problems to target people's fears," Yang said. Much of the content used generative AI, while some videos on TikTok featured real-life online celebrities, in a bid to appeal to a wider audience.

Smear campaign

Eve Chiu, CEO and editor-in-chief of the Taiwan FactCheck Center, said China's Ministry of State Security used AI anchors to launch a large-scale smear attack on President Tsai, while an e-book titled "The Secret History of Tsai Ing-wen" circulated widely among pro-China accounts on YouTube and Facebook.

One included a deep-fake video of president-elect Lai Ching-te appearing to endorse opposition KMT and Taiwan People's Party candidates in the election.

Many of the disinformation posts were forwarded by well-known social media accounts in China, known as "big V" accounts, she said.

Chihhao Yu, software engineer, information designer, and co-director of Taiwan Information Environment Research Center, said the center had recently carried out an in-depth analysis of pro-China proxy accounts on TikTok and its Chinese counterpart Douyin.

"When compared with similar accounts on Douyin, the content being forwarded is highly similar," Yu said, adding that some pro-China content had originated on YouTube, suggesting Beijing is seeking to expand its influence on international social media platforms.

Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin.


More than 1,000 in Myawaddy have crossed into Mae Sot in a single day.

Myawaddy residents line up at Friendship Bridge No. 1 to cross into Thailand on April 9, 2024.

More than 1,000 residents on Myanmars border have fled to neighboring Thailand since Wednesday morning amid escalating armed clashes and junta airstrikes near the important trade town of Myawaddy, residents told Radio Free Asia.

Airstrikes were conducted all of Tuesday night, and one jet fighter dropped at least eight bombs in an hour early Wednesday morning, a woman in Myawaddy told RFA on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

The explosions were louder than before in the town, she said.

One man in Myawaddy said normally only about 100 people use Friendship Bridge No. 1 between Myawaddy and the Thai border city of Mae Sot in one day.

But this morning, there were more than 1,000 people, he said, declining to be named for security reasons. Of course, they are worried about the battle. So, all are fleeing to their relatives in Mae Sot.

A Myanmar citizen who fled to Mae Sot said junta helicopters hovered over the crammed bridge as people streamed across the border while bombs exploded nearby.

Smoke was seen in the sky, he said. All the people ran into Mae Sot. A huge crowd could be seen at the border bridge.

Thailands army has increased security in Mae Sot, according to Myanmar nationals living there. Thai military vehicles and soldiers observing the border were seen under Friendship Bridge No. 1.

Myawaddys trade zone

The Karen Nation Union, or KNU, and allied guerrilla armies began their attack on junta troops in Myawaddy on Saturday.

On Sunday, junta troops requested evacuation of over 600 soldiers and their families through Mae Sot, as well as administrative documents, according to Thailands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Thai soldiers patrol near Friendship Bridge No. 1 in Mae Sot on April 10, 2024. (RFA)





One flight left Mae Sot International Airport on Sunday night, but subsequent flights scheduled for Monday and Tuesday were canceled at the request of Myanmars military. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Myanmars junta have not released any information on how many boarded the flight.

Karen National Union joint forces stormed the juntas Infantry Battalion 275  located two miles from Myawaddy  on Tuesday, but junta forces have put up a strong resistance, the Myawaddy man told RFA.

Junta airstrikes demolished some homes near a highway bus station close to Infantry Battalion 275, civilians living in Myawaddy said.

Forces aligned with the junta have been patrolling Myawaddys downtown area, residents said. While most government offices have closed, the juntas immigration office was issuing border passes on Wednesday to those who wanted to enter Thailand.

The Karen National Union would become much more powerful if it captures Myawaddy and gains control of the areas crucial border trade, according to Than Soe Naing, a political commentator.

It is about to capture the special trade zone, he said. If Myawaddy township is captured, the resistance forces and people in Myanmar could enjoy new opportunities for the resistance forces and civilians.

RFA was unable to contact KNU spokespersons Padho Saw Kale Sae and Padho Saw Taw Nee by telephone on Wednesday to ask about Wednesdays fighting.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he is horrified by the idea that his predecessor compromised Philippine sovereignty.

In this March 30, 2014 file photo, Philippine Marines raise the Philippine flag on the first day of their deployment on the dilapidated navy ship BRP Sierra Madre at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the South China Sea.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday denied the existence of a gentlemans agreement between his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, and China that Manila would not make repairs to a rusting military outpost in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

Dutertes former spokesman, Harry Roque, has said the previous Philippine government entered into a deal with Beijing to keep the status quo in the waterway, which has become the scene of increasingly tense confrontations between the two nations.

As part of the deal, Duterte allegedly agreed the Philippines would not send construction materials to repair the BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated World War II-era naval ship that was deliberately run aground on Second Thomas Shoal in 1999.

We dont know anything about it, Marcos told reporters before leaving for talks with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington There is no documentation, no record. We were not briefed [about it] when I came into office, no one told us that there was that agreement.

Marcos said his staff were demanding information from ex-Duterte officials, but we still havent got a straight answer.

I am horrified by the idea that we have compromised through a secret agreement, the territory, sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Philippines, Marcos said.

Since taking office in June 2022, Marcos has reversed Dutertes pro-China policies, realigning with the United States and granting American troops greater access to Philippine bases.

Duterte has not directly commented on the supposed deal, but the Chinese embassy in Manila has alluded to it on a number of occasions after Chinese vessels have been accused of harassing Filipino supply boats heading to the Sierra Madre.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, while disregarding overlapping claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Manila has been going back on its words and provoking China over Second Thomas Shoal, without directly mentioning any agreement.

Roque has not replied to requests for comment made by RFA affiliate BenarNews, but he has been quoted widely in local media saying he stands by his earlier statement.

The gentlemans agreement is to respect the status quo on the entire West Philippine Sea dispute, he said, referring to the portion of the South China Sea within Manilas exclusive economic zone.

As Marcos left on Wednesday afternoon for Washington, the Philippine military reported that some 48 Chinese vessels  mostly from its maritime militia  were being monitored near another disputed outcrop, Scarborough Shoal, and three Philippine-occupied features in the South China Sea.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
Monks from the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism chant while studying prayer books in the courtyard of Nanwu Temple in Kangding in southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2008.

In the event of the Dalai Lamas death, Buddhist monks are banned from displaying photos of the Tibetan spiritual leader and other illegal religious activities and rituals, according to a training manual Chinese authorities have distributed to monasteries in Gansu province in Chinas northwest, a source inside Tibet and exiled former political prisoner Golok Jigme said.

The manual, which lists 10 rules that Buddhist clergy should follow, also forbids disrupting the process of recognizing the Dalai Lamas reincarnation, said the source from inside Tibet who requested anonymity for safety reasons.

Tibetans believe they should determine his successor in accordance with their Buddhist belief in reincarnation, while the Chinese government seeks to control the centuries-old selection method.

The 14th Dalai Lama, 88, fled Tibet amid a failed 1959 national uprising against Chinas rule and has lived in exile in Dharamsala, India, ever since. He is the longest-serving Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader in Tibets history.

The manual, which was seen by Radio Free Asia and was issued to monks in Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the historical Amdo region of Tibet, is the latest effort by Beijing to crack down on the religious freedom of the Tibetan people, experts and rights groups say.

A screenshot of the page in a Chinese government-issued training manual listing 10 rules for Tibetan Buddhist monks to follow in the event of the Dalai Lamas death. (Citizen journalist)

It is part of Beijing's systematic attempts to make Tibetan Buddhists more loyal to the Chinese Communist Party and its political agenda rather than to their religious doctrine, said Bhuchung Tsering, head of the research and monitoring unit of International Campaign for Tibet in Washington.

This goes against all tenets of universally accepted freedom of religion of the Tibetan people that China purports to uphold, he told RFA.

China has imposed various measures to force Tibetan monasteries to conduct political re-education and has strictly prohibited monks and ordinary Tibetans from having contact with the Dalai Lama or Tibetans in exile, whom Beijing sees as separatists.

The Chinese government has intensified its suppression of Tibetan Buddhism in the Tibetan Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan-populated areas in China in recent years.

The latest government campaigns against the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhists religious practices in Gansu province represent another attempt by the Chinese government to interfere in the Dalai Lamas reincarnation process," said Nury Turkel, a commissioner on the bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, or USCIRF.

Turkel called on the U.S. government to sanction Chinese officials who violate religious freedom.

Separatist ideology

The manual also says monks are forbidden to engage in activities that undermine national unity, hurt social stability in the name of religion or require cooperation with separatist groups outside the country, the source said.

It says no illegal organizations or institutions will be allowed to enter monasteries and that the education system for monks cannot harbor elements of separatist ideology.

He Moubou (C), secretary of China's State Party Committee, visits Tibetan monks in Machu County, Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in China's Gansu province, March 19, 2024. (Citizen journalist)

The rules also prohibit the promotion of separatist ideas and the dissemination of separatist propaganda via radio, internet and television or by other means, and forbids deception in the form of open or covert fraud, the source from inside Tibet said.

While the Chinese government implements various political education and activities targeting Tibetans, the primary focus seems to be eradicating Tibetan identity through the dismantling of Tibetan religion and culture, said Golog Jigme, who was imprisoned and tortured by Chinese authorities in 2008 for co-producing a documentary on the injustices faced by Tibetans under Chinese rule. He now lives in Switzerland and works as a human rights activist.

There are 10 Tibetan autonomous prefectures in Chinese provinces bordering Tibet, including ones in Gansu, Sichuan, Qinghai and Yunnan, where many ethnic Tibetans live.

Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu province, where authorities distributed the manuals, is home to about 415,000 Tibetans speaking the Amdo dialect.

The province has about 200 large and small monasteries under its administration.

During a visit to two counties in Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in March, He Moubao, secretary of Chinas State Party Committee emphasized the need for Tibetans to Sinicize religion and to implement the Chinese Communist Partys policy on religious work. Monks should be guided in this regard to maintain national unity and social stability, he said.

A Tibetan Buddhist monk holds two Chinese government textbooks on religious policies and laws and regulations given to monks at a monastery near Xiahe in China's Gansu province, May 8, 2008. (Ng Han Guan/AP)

Communist China egregiously violates the religious freedom in Tibet by Sinicising Tibetan Buddhism to fulfill its political and ideological goals and agenda," said former USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee.



To say that no one can lawfully practice Buddhism after His Holiness the Dalai Lama passes away is an indication of imposing more religious repressions in Tibet later, he told RFA.

China, which annexed Tibet in 1951, rules the western autonomous region with a heavy hand and says only Beijing can select the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, as stated in Chinese law.

Tibetans, however, believe the Dalai Lama chooses the body into which he will be reincarnated, a process that has occurred 13 times since 1391, when the first Dalai Lama was born.

At his home in Dharamsala earlier this month, the Dalai Lama, whose given name is Tenzin Gyatso, told a gathering of hundreds of Tibetans during a long-life prayer offering to him that he was in good health and was determined to live for more than 100 years.

He has said on several occasions that his successor would come from a free country without Chinese interference.

Additional reporting by Tashi Wangchuk, Rigdhen Dolma and Kelsang Dolma for RFA Tibetan. Translated and edited by Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Experts say the problem will not be serious for farming, but water supply plants could be compromised.

Residents of Ehomes Phu Huu apartment complex, Phu Huu ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City use buckets and basins to collect water from tankers due to water outages April 3, 2024.

Facing drought and saltwater intrusions in southern Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on authorities to ensure people have sufficient drinking water, a government dispatch said Monday.

Through mid-May, the Mekong Delta region could experience three waves of saltwater intrusion  when ocean water seeps into sources of freshwater  and so far in 2024, the problem has been much worse than normal, the dispatch said.

The governments communique came after TV footage showed residents of an apartment complex in Thu Duc, a subcity of Ho Chi Minh City, lined up around the block on April 3, buckets in hand, to get water from a truck.

The facilities 4,000 residents had received a notice that their water would be turned off for maintenance, but experts told Radio Free Asia that water supply issues like these could be caused by a drought in the region and saltwater intrusion.

Experts acknowledged the problem, but were not alarmed, saying that there would be very little effect on agriculture, and issues with water supply to homes would not be too serious.

The management board for the Ehome Phu Huu Residential Complex said on April 4 that water had been restored to the apartment building. RFA Vietnamese contacted the board on April 5, and the person who answered the phone confirmed that water was running but was not able to answer questions about why the water had been shut off.

Residents of Ehomes Phu Huu apartment complex, Phu Huu ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City use buckets and basins to collect water from tankers due to water outages April 3, 2024. (laodong.vn)

The Thu Duc Water Supply Company, which provides water to many areas of the city, had announced several suspensions of service on its website, saying that shutting off the water was to maintain or construct water pipelines or to coordinate with the construction of other projects.

Calls by RFA to the company went unanswered.

Water cuts have been a recurring problem in the city, a resident who wished to remain anonymous due to security reasons, told RFA.

The situation has been worsening recently. Water cuts often start at 5:30 a.m., and sometimes by 11:00 p.m. we havent seen the water back or have only a few drops, he said. Having water cuts is terrible. We dont even have water to wash our hands, not to mention other things.

Saltwater intrusion

The recurring water cuts are likely the result of saltwater intrusion, Ho Long Phi, the former Director of the Center for Water Management and Climate Change at the National University in Ho Chi Minh City, told RFA.

According to my assessment, saltwater is intruding further and further inland, affecting water supply plants and, therefore, shortening water supply times, he said, adding that the effect is most pronounced in the Mekong River Delta in the countrys south, and the Dong Nai River are which flows through Ho Chi Minh City.

He said the problem is not serious enough to bring about water shortages yet, but it does affect the capacity of water supply plants.

Residents of Ehomes Phu Huu apartment complex, Phu Huu ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City use buckets and basins to collect water from tankers due to water outages April 3, 2024. (laodong.vn)

The shortage may also be because the drought has dried out some of the places where water is pumped out of the ground, Le Anh Tuan, the Deputy Director of the Climate Change Institute at Can Tho University, told RFA. Can Tho is the largest city in the Mekong Delta region in Vietnam.

He said that because these places are drying out, supply plants in Ho Chi Minh City and other places must transport water from elsewhere, which cuts into that locations supplies.

Additionally coastal areas have to get water from elsewhere as theirs has become too salty, he said, adding that in some cases, the water coming from the tap is salty.

Residents of Ehomes Phu Huu apartment complex, Phu Huu ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City use buckets and basins to collect water from tankers due to water outages April 3, 2024. (laodong.vn)

Tuan said that the current drought was not as serious as the one in 2016.

He said that people in the region will have to endure shortages for the next four to six weeks until the rainy season begins.

Agricultural activities have almost finished, therefore, the damage to agriculture is not significant, he said. What concerns me the most is the damage to water supply infrastructure.

Consequently, residents (in these rural areas) rely on on-site groundwater, which is neither cost-effective nor environmentally sustainable."

Translated by Anna Vu. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
The Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation also called for the release of imprisoned activists.

A group representing Vietnams Khmer Krom indigenous people has sent a petition to the United Nations Secretary General requesting the suspension of Vietnam's membership of the U.N. Human Rights Council, or UNHRC, and calling for the release of imprisoned activists.

The Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation, or KKF, posted an open letter on the website change.org on April 4 to collect signatures. The letter said, Vietnam's recent crackdown on the indigenous Khmer-Krom community has reached alarming levels, with widespread reports of arbitrary arrests, unjust imprisonment, and religious persecution."

Around 1.3 million Khmer Krom live in a part of Vietnam that was once southeastern Cambodia. They face discrimination in Vietnam and suspicion in Cambodia, where they are often perceived not as Cambodians but as Vietnamese.

The KKF pointed out that courts in several southern provinces sentenced four Khmer activists, Thach Cuong, To Hoang Chuong, Danh Minh Quang, and Dinh Thi Huynh, to prison  three for the crime of "abusing democratic freedoms" under Article 331 of the criminal code.

According to the KKF, they were imprisoned simply for promoting rights by disseminating the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and organizing people to celebrate International Human Rights Day (Dec. 10) and International Women's Day (March 8).

Indeed, those books and documents should have been distributed by the Communist Government of Vietnam in ethnic minority areas and indigenous ethnic areas, but they did not do it. They hid it. They didnt apply it. They just signed with the U.N.," Tran Xa Rong, Second Vice President of the KKF, told Radio Free Asia by phone from Italy on April 9.

The petition said that in addition to targeting activists, the Vietnamese government also arrested and defrocked Khmer Krom Buddhist monks at the end of March.

Monk Thach Chanh Da Ra, abbot of Dai Tho pagoda, along with follower Kim Khiem, were arrested for abusing democratic freedoms under Article 331 while four monks Duong Khai, Thach Qui Lay, Kim Sa Ruong, Thach Chop, and two followers Thach Ve Sanal and Thach Nha were detained under Article 157 of the criminal code.

The local government also sent excavators to destroy the lecture hall that was built by monk Thach Chanh Da Ra three years ago as a place of study for monks and followers.

"This act of cultural and religious desecration not only deprives the Khmer-Krom people of their places of worship but also constitutes a grave violation of their cultural heritage and identity, said the KKF in its open letter.

These human rights violations are clear evidence of Vietnam's failure to uphold its obligations as a member of the UNHRC.

By condoning and perpetrating such abuses, Vietnam has demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the core values of the United Nations, the letter said.

Vietnam is a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term and is lobbying its supporters for reelection.

RFA sent emails to Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the UN Secretary General with a request for comments on KKF's allegations but did not immediately receive a response.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn.
U.S. President Joe Biden has described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the war in Gaza as a mistake in an interview broadcast Tuesday on the U.S. Spanish-language television network Univision, during which he also urged the parties to the conflict to agree to a ceasefire of between a month and a half and two months. What Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country, he said, expanding the same argument he used last week to pressure Netanyahu during a telephone call between the leaders.

The hardening of Bidens tone comes as threats between Iran and Israel are increasing, although, for the moment, without escalating from words into action. The dialectical clash is being staged amid growing fears that tension between the two countries could spark a regional conflict. Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei used his speech Wednesday to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan to reiterate Israel will be punished for bombing the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1. Israel responded that if Tehran carries out attacks from its own territory there will be a direct armed response, according to Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

When the Zionist regime attacks an Iranian consulate in Syria, it is as if it has attacked Iranian soil. That malicious regime has made a wrong move. It should be punished, and it will be punished, the Iranian leader posted on X, echoing the words of his speech, which he delivered to a crowd while holding a rifle in his left hand. If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack in Iran, Katz responded on social media, directly tagging the Iranian leader in a text repeated in Hebrew and Persian.

Subsequently, Khamenei published another message in which he criticized some Muslim governments for helping Israel. The Zionists suck the blood of a country for their own benefit when they gain a foothold in a country. Those helping the Zionist regime are helping bring their own destruction.

Of the dozen people killed in the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, seven were members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Three days earlier, another bombing attributed to Israel killed some 40 people near the Damascus International Airport. Threats of retaliation have prompted thousands of Israelis to stockpile food, water, and electricity generators in the face of a possible attack by Tehran. Iran backs and supports both the Palestinian fundamentalists of Hamas and the Shiite Islamist group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Pressure from Tehran has been added to pressure from Washington. The United States, despite being Israels primary ally, has maintained a certain level of criticism over Netanyahus decisions. Biden has once again publicly aired his dissatisfaction with the way in which the Israeli leader is conducting a conflict in which over 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in six months and a large proportion of the 2.3 million inhabitants of the Strip are on the verge of starvation.

The U.S. president also described the deaths of seven employees of the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK) on April 1 in an Israeli strike as outrageous. He also emphasized that there is no excuse for Israel to maintain its blockade on food and medicine supplies for the Palestinians in the Strip. Biden said he had confirmed with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt that everything was in place for these supplies to reach the Gazan population. It should be done now, Biden said.

The latest proposal put forward by the U.S. on a ceasefire  to which there has still been no response  would involve in a first phase the release of 40 of the 133 hostages still held in the Strip in exchange for 900 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, of whom 100 would be considered high-ranking, according to the Israeli press. There are, however, serious doubts about the number of hostages still alive in the hands of the different militia factions in Gaza. Hamas has even acknowledged, according to Israeli media, that it is unable to gather together 40 live hostages between women, minors, the elderly, the sick, and the wounded.

The U.S. president and the Israeli prime minister held a telephone conversation last week in which Biden told Netanyahu that U.S. support was contingent on Israel allowing humanitarian access to Gaza. Israel subsequently announced the opening of the Erez border crossing, which separates the north of the Strip from Israel, and the port of Ashdod, but these transit points still remain closed.

Danger of escalation in Lebanon is real

The level of tension on the border with Lebanon, another of Israels open fronts since the Hamas attacks of October 7, also remains high. The danger of escalation is real, according to the commanding officer of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Spanish Lieutenant-General Aroldo Lazaro. There is no military solution to the current confrontation and violence; a political and diplomatic solution is the only way forward, he said through a statement in which he called on the parties  Israel and Hezbollah  to end the fighting. For the end of Ramadan, on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, UNIFIL calls for a return to the cessation of hostilities, and a move towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict, Lazaro posted on X.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Despite heightened security measures following the deadly attack on Crocus City Hall, thousands of Central Asian migrants attended Eid al-Fitr prayers in Moscow on April 10. Police and volunteers monitored Muslim worshippers at prayers after earlier warnings of potential terrorist threats. The three-day celebration marks the end of dawn-to-dusk fasting during the month of Ramadan.
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

Looking ahead, well be changing up the newsletter format and will start sending it out every week. Until then, it would be great to hear more about what you like about the newsletter currently and would want more of moving forward. Send me an e-mail to StandishR@rferl.org with your thoughts. Dont be shy! :)

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now.

Listen to the Talking China In Eurasia podcast.

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google | YouTube

Looking At Beijing's Ukraine Shuttle Diplomacy

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently wrapped up a trip to Beijing where he met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, for talks on a series of "hot topics" amid Moscow's grinding war against Ukraine.

Finding Perspective: China has emerged as a close diplomatic ally for Russia and visits like this are becoming increasingly common.

Among those hot topics explored on April 8, Lavrov and Wang discussed bilateral ties and big issues like the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Asia-Pacific. The pair also said their governments had agreed to start a dialogue on Eurasian security with the aim of "double counteracting" the European-Atlantic alliance led by Washington.

The visit came as Moscow slowly but steadily advances on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine amid cracks in Western support.

In recent months, Beijing has also resumed some of the stagnant shuttle diplomacy between Kyiv, Moscow, and European Union capitals that began as the war entered its second year.

From March 2-11, Li Hui, the special representative on Eurasian affairs that Beijing appointed as its envoy, was doing the rounds in Europe as he sought to "mediate and build consensus" to end the "Ukraine crisis," which is how China officially refers to the grinding war.

Li's diplomatic rounds were similar to his previous tour, which failed to generate any headway. During his initial visit in May 2023, he promoted Beijing's 12-point paper (often referred to as a peace plan) that set out general principles for ending the war but did not get into specifics.

This time around, Li's European stops looked much more geared toward getting a feel for EU resolve toward the war and probing for cracks and space that could allow for an end to the war on more Russian-friendly terms.

There are few indicators that Li's shuttle diplomacy has generated any positive momentum. The 12-point paper received a lukewarm reception in both Russia and Ukraine when it was released in February 2023, and was criticized by Brussels and Washington for accommodating Moscow while not condemning the invasion.

Why It Matters: Li's recent trip looks less designed to find solutions to end the war than to gauge the levels of Ukraine fatigue among Europe's top brass.

Beijing has good reason to send out such a scouting mission. Elections for the European Parliament will come in June and the specter cast by November's U.S. presidential election is hanging over the continent.

The flow of U.S. weapons is currently held up in Congress and a victory for former President Donald Trump could further hamper support for Kyiv -- and there's major questions about whether European support alone could sustain Ukraine on the battlefield.

Both Beijing and Moscow are seeing some blood in the water at the moment and are looking to see if there's more.

The week before his recent visit to China, Lavrov said that China had proposed the most reasonable peace plan so far for resolving the Ukraine conflict -- and Russian President Vladimir Putin will reportedly travel to China to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in May.

All this growing coordination comes with a Swiss-hosted international peace conference in the summer about the war in Ukraine, where the issue of territorial concessions and what terms Kyiv and Moscow might be willing to accept will be hotly debated.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. European Lawmakers React To Chinese Hacking Campaign

The U.S. Justice Department unsealed an indictment in late March that says Chinese government-backed hackers carried out a multiyear campaign against lawmakers and critics around the world, including every European Union member from a group of deputies with hawkish views on China.

My colleagues and I spoke with some of those affected.

The Details: The indictment says Chinese government-backed hackers in 2021 went after "every European Union member" of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a global group of lawmakers.

Some 66 lawmakers from 12 EU-member parliaments are listed on IPAC's website, along with members from Britain, the United States, Ukraine, Japan, and others. The Chinese hackers also tried to infiltrate 43 British parliamentary accounts linked to lawmakers that were also IPAC members or had expressed critical views on China.

We spoke with several IPAC-affiliated lawmakers targeted in the hacking campaign. Many said they received suspicious e-mails like the ones the U.S. indictment says were used to try to gain access to their accounts -- with some even being notified about it by their respective intelligence and cybersecurity agencies.

All of the lawmakers say the attempts were unsuccessful.

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said on March 25 that more than 10,000 e-mails -- which appeared to come from news outlets, politicians, and critics of China -- were sent as part of the campaign that relied on using phishing e-mails containing hidden tracking links.

Antonio Milososki, a lawmaker and former foreign minister for North Macedonia, told us that cyberattacks had been a mainstay since he joined IPAC in 2021.

Pavel Popescu, a Romanian IPAC member who led his country's parliamentary National Security and Defense Committee in 2022, told us that he saw the hacking attempts as a badge of honor.

"This [U.S.] investigation is not a surprise to me, but only a simple confirmation that everything I've done over the years in parliament has been done well," he said.

Beyond the IPAC members, the sprawling Chinese hacking cybercampaign targeted U.S. officials, senators, journalists, Chinese political dissidents, Western military and tech companies, as well Britain's election watchdog and members of the European Parliament.

2. A China-Kazakhstan Spy Saga

A leading Kazakh sinologist and former senior government adviser, Konstantin Syroyezhkin, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison on high-treason charges in 2019, has been released on parole five years early, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported.

What You Need To Know: The 67-year-old scholar was released from a maximum-security prison on April 4, but no further details were provided.

Syroyezhkin was sentenced on October 7, 2019. Details of the charges were not made public, but several local media outlets, as well as The Wall Street Journal, reported that he was accused of selling classified documents to people associated with Chinese intelligence.

Syroyezhkin is a former Soviet KGB agent, and from 2006 until his arrest in 2019, he worked as a leading expert and analyst at the presidential Institute for Strategic Research where he conducted research on China and Kazakh-Chinese relations.

It's unknown if Syroyezhkin has the right to remain in Kazakhstan or not, with reports from the time of his conviction saying that he was stripped of his citizenship.

3. Anti-China Terrorism In Pakistan

Five Chinese workers and their local driver were killed in a suicide bomb blast in northwestern Pakistan on March 26. Since then, Chinese contractors have halted construction on two major dam projects where the workers were assigned.

What It Means: The most recent attack was preceded by another attack on Chinese interests in the country in March near the strategic port of Gwadar.

The declining security situation highlights both the added pressure that the roughly $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is facing in the country, as well as the dangerous reality facing some Chinese megaprojects.

The Chinese companies working on the dam projects have demanded that Pakistani authorities come up with new security plans before reopening the sites where around 1,250 Chinese nationals are working.

On April 6, the Pakistani government announced that it would take disciplinary action against senior officials responsible for providing security to Chinese workers in the country.

The security of Chinese workers is a major concern to both governments and has become a growing point of friction between Beijing and Islamabad as Chinese nationals have been more frequently targeted by militants.

Across The Supercontinent

Not So Sweet: Beekeepers in Hungary say their "survival is at stake" because of plunging domestic honey prices, with some experts pointing to cheap, "fake" honey flooding the market from China as the culprit, RFE/RL's Hungarian Service reports.

Calling Comrade Xi: A conspiracy-minded fringe organization called Group for Romania is facing internal discord after some prominent members of the group publicly appealed to Putin and Xi for protection from Bucharest's so-called "Judeo-Euro-Atlantic political regime," RFE/RL's Romanian Service reports.

Yellen In Beijing: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen wrapped up four days of talks in China with a warning to the country's banks and exporters that attempts to bolster Russia's military capacity for its war in Ukraine will be met with sanctions.

Brussels Gets Tough: The European Commission announced that it is launching an investigation into Chinese suppliers of wind turbines.

This comes as Brussels continues with another probe into Chinese electric vehicles, as well as solar panels, where the EU says they're facing unfair market advantages through subsidies.

One Thing To Watch

The United States, Britain, and Australia are set to begin talks on bringing new members into their AUKUS security pact as Washington pushes for Japan to be involved as a deterrent against China, the Financial Times reported.

AUKUS, formed by the three countries in 2021, is part of their efforts to push back against China's growing power in the Indo-Pacific region. China has called the AUKUS pact dangerous and warned it could spur a regional arms race.

Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish
Dozens of Israelis were injured, several critically, when a "swarm" of Hezbollah drones hit near the northern Israeli town of Binyamina in one of the bloodiest attacks on the country since October 2023.

Hezbollah is an armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon.

CNN reported that the United Hatzalah rescue service said it had "provided assistance to over 60 wounded people in various conditions -- some of them in critical, serious, moderate, and light condition."

National emergency service Magen David Adom (AFMDA) said at least 67 people were injured, four with life-threatening injuries, in the attack some 60 kilometers north of Tel Aviv in the Haifa district.

Hezbollah -- which is considered a terrorist group by the United States, although the EU has only blacklisted its armed wing -- claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had launched a "swarm of attack drones" at Israel's Golani military training camp in Binyamina.

The Israeli military did not provide specifics about the affected site. Iran-allied Hezbollah has fired hundreds of rockets and drones into Israel, although most have been shot down or caused little damage and few casualties.

Earlier in the day, angry UN peacekeepers said Israeli forces had smashed into a gate of one of their bases in Lebanon, causing about 15 minor injuries.

"At around 4:30 a.m., while peacekeepers were in shelters, two IDF Merkava tanks destroyed the position's main gate and forcibly entered the position in the Ramia area," said the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), adding that the Israeli forces left after about 45 minutes.

Israel later claimed the tanks had come under fire when they crashed into the base gate.

The action came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said UN peacekeepers must "immediately" pull out of the combat zone in southern Lebanon and directly addressed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"The time has come for you to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah strongholds and from the combat zones," Netanyahu said, accusing Guterres of making UNIFIL soldiers "human shields" and "hostages of Hezbollah."

"Mr. Secretary-General, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm's way. It should be done right now, immediately," he said.

UNIFIL is a 9,500-strong mission created in 1978 tasked with monitoring a cease-fire that ended a 33-day war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah.

Forty nations that contribute to UNIFIL said in a joint statement on October 12 that they "strongly condemn recent attacks" on the peacekeepers. The United States and European leaders have demanded Israel stop firing at the peacekeepers, with U.S. President Joe Biden on October 12 saying he was "absolutely, positively" telling Israel to stop.

Fears of an all-out regional war grew as signs indicated Israel could be preparing to launch a direct strike on Iran in retaliation for Tehran's massive missile strike on Israel on October 1.

Biden on October 13 said he had ordered the Pentagon to send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and troops to Israel as part of U.S. efforts "to defend Israel."

Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said the system will help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran's missile attacks. The THAADs are similar to Patriot missile systems but can cover wider areas, analysts say.

"It is part of the broader adjustments the U.S. military has made in recent months, to support the defense of Israel and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias," Ryder said.

The French presidency on October 13 said President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call, told counterpart Masud Pezeshkian it was Tehran's "responsibility" to back efforts to lower tensions in the Middle East. The Iranian presidency also reported the call, saying the sides discuss ways to end the conflict but also using heavily belligerent language toward Israel.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on October 13 said Tehran was prepared for a "war situation," although he stated his government desired peace.



"We are fully prepared for a war situation. We are not afraid of war, but we do not want war, we want peace and we will work for a just peace in Gaza and Lebanon," he said while on a visit to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.



Israeli warplanes hit a 100-year-old mosque in a village of Lebanon near the border early on October 13, a day after a marketplace was hit in the southern city of Nabatiyeh, according to Lebanon's official National News Agency.



Lebanon's Health Ministry reported deadly strikes in other areas of the country, including one on a Shi'ite Muslim village in a mostly Christian mountainous area.



Hezbollah said it launched rockets at Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory on October 13 as ground troops conducted incursions into the country's south.

A Hezbollah statement claimed it targeted a "gathering" of Israeli forces in the village of Maroun al-Ras "with artillery shells."

Hezbollah fired hundreds of projectiles from Lebanon into Israel on October 12 as Israelis celebrated Yom Kippur, an important holiday on the Jewish religious calendar.



The escalation comes as Israel is also conducting fresh attacks in Gaza and is expected to strike Iran in retaliation for a missile attack earlier this month.



Palestinian medical officials said on October 13 that an Israeli strike killed a family of eight and wounded seven others in the central Gaza Strip.



The attack late on October 12 hit a home in the Nuseirat refugee camp, killing a couple and their six children, who ranged in age from 8 to 23, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where the bodies were taken.



Israel continues to strike what it says are militant targets in Gaza nearly every day for more than a year into the war with Hamas, which is designated a terrorist group by the United States and European Union.

The Israeli Army said in a statement on October 13 that forces operating throughout the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours had attacked about 40 targets and killed dozens of militants.

Both Hamas and Hezbollah are allies of Iran. Israel has repeatedly said it will respond to Iran's missile attack on October 1, which Tehran said was launched in retaliation for Israel's military operations in Gaza and Lebanon and the killings of a string of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.



Washington believes Israel has narrowed down targets in its potential response to military and energy infrastructure, NBC reported on October 12, citing unnamed U.S. officials.



There is no indication that Israel will target Irans nuclear facilities or carry out assassinations, the NBC report said, adding that Israel has not made final decisions about how and when to act.



Araghchi said there would be "no red line" for Iran in defending its citizens from the potential strikes.



"While we have made tremendous efforts in recent days to contain an all-out war in our region, I say it clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests," Araghchi wrote in a post on X on October 13.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP
Aleksandr Skobov has been a thorn in the side of authoritarian governments for more than four decades, from the Soviet era to President Vladimir Putin's long rule. And now, in pretrial detention in St. Petersburg and facing prison, he is in no mood for compromise.

"On principle I refuse to comply with fascist laws," he told RFE/RL late last month, shortly after the Russian government designated him a "foreign agent" on March 22. "I don't intend to get into debates with the government. I will not try to prove my innocence. I will not label my writings, and I will not write any financial reports for them."

"A criminal case could be launched at any moment," he concluded.

He was right: On April 3, the 66-year-old was arrested and charged with "justifying terrorism" for a social-media post about the Ukrainian attacks that damaged the Crimea Bridge that links Russia with the Ukrainian region of Crimea, which Moscow occupied in 2014. The following day, a St. Petersburg court ordered Skobov held in pretrial detention for at least two months.

"If you take any of my articles or YouTube videos, you can find a whole bouquet of possible charges," Skobov said in the March 31 interview. "Discrediting the army. Inciting hatred and enmity. Justifying terrorism. The rehabilitation of Nazism. I directly equate the actions of the Stalin regime with those of Hitler's during World War II."

Another reason for Skobov's prosecution, his supporters believe, is his leadership role in the Free Russia Forum, a group of mostly exiled opposition figures founded by former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and activist Ivan Tyutrin in 2016 that has been declared "undesirable" in Russia. If he is charged with participation in an "undesirable" organization, he could face up to six years in prison.

"I am a member of the forum's council, and I regularly participate in its broadcasts," Skobov told RFE/RL. "I help write its statements and official pronouncements. Several of them I have written myself. I am actively involved, and I do not intend to stop."

Skobov said he was drawn to the group because "it was the only opposition organization that categorically rejected the idea of the peaceful transformation of Putin's dictatorship toward democracy using the procedure established by that dictatorship."

"It was the only organization that, beginning with the annexation of Crimea, unambiguously stood by Ukraine as a victim of aggression," he added. "We try to help the Ukrainian Army and the Russian volunteer formations that are fighting with them."

Writing on Facebook after Skobov's arrest, writer and critic Mikhail Berg said Skobov suffered from "an unbearable fear of being afraid."

"And that is why he chooses the most painful forms of criticizing the authorities," he wrote. "He shouts even though the authorities have long been destroying people for whispering or even for just opening their mouths."

Parallel Lives

Born in Leningrad, as St. Petersburg was called then, in 1957, Skobov participated in his first anti-government protest when he was 19. He and other members of an underground organization threw about 100 flyers calling for "humanistic socialism" from the roof of a downtown building on the eve of the 25th congress of the Soviet Communist Party. Several of the protesters were kicked out of their universities, but Skobov -- a first-year history student at Leningrad State University -- got off with a disciplinary meeting of the Komsomol youth group.

In October 1978, he was arrested for publishing an underground, anti-government magazine called Perspectives. He spent half a year in a KGB prison before being sentenced to forced psychiatric treatment.

"In the late 1970s and early 1980s, political prisoners in Soviet psychiatric hospitals were rarely forcibly medicated, although there were such cases, of course," Skobov said. "But I was treated more or less OK. Most of the doctors that I encountered tried to avoid playing the role of executioners or stranglers."

He spent three years in confinement.

In 1982, he was again sentenced to psychiatric treatment, this time for a samizdat article he wrote defending Chile's former socialist president, Salvador Allende, who died in unclear circumstances in 1973, and criticizing the rightist dictator General Augusto Pinochet. That article was deemed "anti-Soviet propaganda."

This time, Skobov spent five years in the hospital before being released in the summer of 1987 during the initial phase of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's liberalization campaign.

In many ways, Skobov and Putin led parallel lives during this period. Putin was born in Leningrad almost exactly five years before Skobov and studied at Leningrad State University just before him. But as Skobov became drawn into a life of opposition to authoritarianism, Putin joined the KGB secret police.

The president's official biography insists that Putin always worked for the KGB's First Directorate, which carried out counterintelligence operations. However, rumors have persisted for years that he worked for some time in the Fifth Directorate, which was responsible for suppressing internal dissent and prosecuting political dissidents. At the time, a senior figure in that department was Viktor Cherkesov, a longtime member of Putin's inner circle who served as his deputy when he headed the Federal Security Service -- the KGB successor organization -- in the 1990s and who died in 2022.

In 2022, journalist and researcher Konstantin Sholmov published a photograph of a KGB archival document from 1976 that he said was on display at the Political History Museum in St. Petersburg. The document, a protocol of a search of the residence of Leningrad artist and dissident Oleg Volkov, named "Lieutenant Putin" as one of the officers carrying out the search.

In 2013, a series of photographs emerged showing a 1989 Leningrad protest during which KGB operatives roughly detained dissident Valery Terekhov. One of the men in the photograph resembles Putin. The Kremlin later denied that the man was Putin, saying the future president had already been sent to East Germany by 1989.

Prominent human rights activist Aleksandr Cherkasov of the banned rights group Memorial told the news outlet Agentstvo earlier this month that he believes Putin was involved in the investigation of Skobov. He said Skobov had told him Putin staked out his Leningrad apartment in November 1982 when prominent dissidents gathered to celebrate Skobov's birthday.

Despite the danger growing around him after he was designated a "foreign agent," Skobov refused to consider emigration.

"I'm not going to quit," he said.

"Today anyone in Russia who disagrees with Putin's Nazi regime is taking a risk," he added, "even if he doesn't really stick out or act publicly. Since the regime has already made the transformation from 'hybrid totalitarian' to totalitarian, it demands not just silence from its loyal subjects, but active participation. And even avoidance can be dangerous."

Opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's suspicious death in prison on February 16 was "to be expected," Skobov said.

"Navalny constantly laughed in [Putin's] face, and a dictator cannot stand that," he added. "Unfortunately, I don't think it will be the last death of a political prisoner in Putin's Russia."

Written by Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RL's North.Realities
Latin American diplomacy has been ramped up over the crisis between Mexico and Ecuador. Both the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Organization of American States (OAS) met Tuesday in extraordinary sessions to address Ecuadors raid on the Mexican Embassy in Quito last Friday. In the first session, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena thanked the countries of the region for their support and asked for backing on a lawsuit against Ecuador in the International Court of Justice, which will be presented in the coming days. A meeting with all the heads of state, including Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Brazilian President Lula da Silva, is also being discussed. The government of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has responded to the accusations, describing Mexicos attitude as a provocation and justifying the assault on the Mexican embassy as a necessary step to avoid impunity.

Today, CELAC has a huge responsibility, and the obligation to demonstrate to the international community that breaches of international law are unacceptable, but above all that they carry consequences, Barcena said in her speech at the extraordinary session. It is time to see a united CELAC. Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld also participated in the meeting and justified the actions of Noboas administration, stating that the asylum granted to former vice-president Jorge Glas was a provocation to her country. As a sign of strength, Lopez Obrador on Tuesday afternoon released the content of a call he had held with Lula da Silva in which the Brazilian president expressed his complete solidarity. With Da Silvas support, the Mexican government will seek to take the matter to the highest level of regional diplomacy, Barcena added.

After several weeks of escalating bilateral tensions, Ecuadorian police raided Mexicos diplomatic headquarters without permission, mistreated and pointed guns at Mexican officials, and forcibly removed Glas, who has been convicted in two corruption cases. The attack was condemned by many countries around the world. Embassies are a sacred place in international diplomacy and inviolable territory for local authorities. What happened is unprecedented in the history of the region; neither in the worst moments, nor in the darkest moments, has there been such a clear violation of the most basic norms of diplomatic coexistence, added Barcena. A very dangerous threshold was crossed in this authoritarian act.

Alejandro Davalos speaks during a meeting of the OAS Permanent Council, March 9. Lenin Nolly (EFE)

The Ecuadorian authorities stated from the outset that the assault on the embassy was ordered due to the suspicion that Glas was attempting to flee illegally while waiting for a safe-conduct from Noboas government to leave Ecuador for Mexico City. Mexico has rejected this justification, and on Tuesday Lopez Obrador released a video in which a dozen Ecuadorian agents are seen entering the diplomatic headquarters, breaking down the door and dragging Glas out while pointing a gun and throwing the legation chief to the floor. The Ecuadorian security forces attacked the physical integrity and dignity of the head of the Foreign Ministry of our Embassy, Roberto Canseco, by pointing a gun at him, harassing him, and subduing him on more than one occasion, added Barcena.

Barcena also responded to Ecuadors accusations that Mexico first violated the Vienna Convention by granting asylum to a person convicted of corruption. Faced with Ecuadors arguments that Mexico would have abused diplomatic immunities by sheltering a common criminal, I reiterate that Mexico strongly rejects this position, she said. It is false that we were planning an imminent escape. We were not going to proceed in that way. The foreign minister explained that Mexico had at all times maintained dialogue in good faith with Ecuador and that they had thoroughly examined the information passed to them by the Ecuadorian authorities on the judicial case against the former vice-president. The behavior of the government of Ecuador was disproportionate and cannot set any precedent.

Ecuadors Vice Minister of Human Mobility Alejandro Davalos said Tuesday at the OAS session in Washington that the actions of his country were a necessary step to avoid impunity and prevent the former high-ranking official from evading justice. In the extraordinary session of the permanent council, Davalos, on behalf of Foreign Minister Sommerfeld, read a broad argument in which he assured that the raid had been justified as the only way to comply with the sentences against Glas for illicit association to commit a crime and bribery, the latter carrying a sentence of eight years handed down in 2020. The vice minister accused Mexico of having promoted impunity by granting diplomatic asylum to the former vice president in its legation.

By offering Glas sanctuary, Mexico undermined these aspects by allowing him to remain in the premises, preventing the functioning of the Ecuadorian judicial system which, Davalos emphasized, had convicted Glas in trials that complied with all guarantees. Mexicos ambassador to the OAS, Luz Elena Banos, was not present at the meeting.

Despite the fact that Mr. Glas was subject to enforceable sentences for common crimes, the Mexican embassy received him as a guest and later he was considered an asylum seeker, thus managing to evade justice, Davalos stressed in his speech. The former vice-president, he added, represented a flight risk. Mexico, declared Davalos, has emphasized the importance and respect it gives to the institution of asylum. However, its attitude undermines and denaturalizes the figure of diplomatic asylum by granting it to a convicted fugitive from Ecuadorian justice.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Destruction has reached every corner of the Gaza Strip. Satellite images of the Palestinian enclave show critical infrastructure in ruins, cities razed to the ground and the precarious conditions in which hundreds of thousands of displaced people are living. The map below highlights the buildings that have been damaged during six months of the Israeli offensive.

Up to 57% of buildings in the Strip have been destroyed or damaged, according to analysis carried out at the University of Oregon, but that figure rises to 75% in Gaza City. The capital of the Strip was the initial target of Israeli strikes in retaliation for the deadliest attack in the history of the Jewish state by Hamas militias on October 7, 2023. A comparison of satellite images taken before the conflict and today shows the devastation in the city, especially in the neighborhoods closest to the sea.

The detail of the photographs taken by the European Space Agencys Sentinel-2 satellite reveals the scale of the tragedy. Al-Shifa Hospital, once the largest medical complex in the Strip, was besieged by Israeli troops for two weeks. It is now an empty shell of charred buildings, rubble, and corpses, as reported last Saturday by a World Health Organization mission that gained access to what remains of its facilities.

Over the months, the Israeli army expanded its offensive into the south of the enclave, where civilians had been forced to withdraw while Gaza City was under siege.

Four months ago, Israeli troops entered southern Khan Younis, the second largest town in the Strip. It had been singled out by the Israelis as Hamas stronghold. On Sunday, the Israeli military announced the withdrawal of ground troops from the area, in a move aimed at recovering in preparation for future operations, according to an Israeli military intelligence spokesman. The city has been razed to the ground, several residents who have returned after the Israeli withdrawal told Reuters.

More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, according to the Hamas-controlled Gazan Health Ministry. At least 13,000 were children, according to UNICEF. The destruction of health infrastructures prevents the civilian population from accessing the most basic medical care, medicines, or vital treatment. The following comparison shows the area around the main hospital in Khan Younis this April and in 2023.

In Rafah, the last Palestinian town before the border with Egypt, more than 1.4 million displaced people are crowded together, out of a total population of 2.2 million Gazans.

The situation of more than half of Gazans who are still alive is catastrophic, as international organizations pointed out two weeks ago. The entire population of the Strip is suffering from malnutrition, one million people have lost their homes, and two out of three have been displaced, according to a report by the U.N. and the World Bank. A large proportion of refugees live in tents on the outskirts of towns, as seen in this view of Rafah.

What were wastelands just a few months ago have become fields of tents. Such is the extent of the new camps set up by displaced Gazans that you can walk for miles around them. The white and blue tarpaulins under which Gazans seek shelter are visible from satellite images. Other details are visible at ground level, such as the conditions of the families who on Tuesday were preparing for the end of Ramadan.

A family prepares for the end of Ramadan in a tent in Rafah last Monday. Mohammed Salem (REUTERS)

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Two Roscommon villages will feature in this weekend's television programme 'Raised by the Village', the last in the series.

Teenager Cian from Dublin city centre visits the Payne family farm in Tulsk and Drogheda teen Eireann visits the Burke family farm in Elphin.

Cian helps out on the Payne farm, but also visits a local dog kennel, Dottie's Dog House where he helps walk the dogs and he does a spot of beekeeping with local beekeeper David Nally.

Eireann visits the mart, and Elphin Day Care Centre to help with the meals on wheels as well as doing lots of work on the farm, including herding sheep.

On both farms, Eireann and Cian become part of the family and trade in their late nights gaming and scrolling for early mornings milking and cleaning.

Cian from Dublin city centre with the Payne family farm in Tulsk.

After a hugely successful first season in 2019 RTE One's Raised by the Village returned for a new four part series. Roscommon will feature in the last of the series on Sunday at 6.30 p.m..

Each episode of this brand new Irish-developed parenting format features two urban families who need major help with a teenager veering-off-the-rails and are taking drastic steps to get it.

In the past, there was no internet, no parenting manuals and no behavioural psychologists. You relied on the village and their collective wisdom to figure out your parenting problems.

As the saying goes:

"It takes a village to raise a child"

The teenagers live with local families and take part in local activities, experiencing an early-to-rise, wi-fi free outdoor lifestyle thats a million miles away from their worlds of Playstation, TikTok, fast food, late nights and all-day lie-ins.

An immersive new take on the tv parenting programme, Raised by the Village is for every Irish parent whos ever wondered if raising their kids in a slower-paced, more community-centred environment might make a real difference?
Check List of Most Visited Websites in India in March 2024, You'll Be Surprised!

There comes a survey related to which websites people search often to understand what and how people think.

Most visited websites in India in March 2024: The time has changed indeed. Earlier, when people used to stay outdoors playing games and talking to their neighbors, a majority of people are nowadays busy on their mobile phones. People not only spend time on mobile phones but they also spend more time on the Internet.

If your Internet is not working, people consider a mobile phone only a box. Likewise, there comes a survey related to which websites people search often to understand what and how people think.

Advertisement

Most visited websites in India in March 2024:

1. google. com

2. youtube. com

3. facebook. com

4. xh*mster. desi

5. instagram. com

6. aajtak. com

7. samsung. com

8. ssyoutube. com

9. xh*mster. com

10. xh*mster42. desi ~

11. whatsapp. com

13. twitter. com

16. amazon. in

17. gtp. fyi

20. wikipedia. org

26. t. me

27. openai. com

38. reddit. com

44. netflix. com

50. ip*rntv. net

So, these were the websites that were searched the most in India in the month of March 2024.
If the geopolitical strategy of the Biden administration had to be summarized in a single principle, it could well be to prepare alliances for new challenges, be they the rise of China, the aggressiveness of Russia or the nuclear threat from North Korea. And in these preparations, Japan is a fundamental ally. Washington is making it clear this week with a quasi-state visit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in which the military alliance and the collaboration of the respective defense industries will be reinforced, and which will end with an unprecedented trilateral meeting with the Philippines.

The three countries have objectives, interests and  truth be told strategic concerns that are increasingly converging in areas such as the South China Sea, said White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby in a conversation with journalists on Monday. We will try to find ways to deepen the collaboration with our closest partners to ensure a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region.

Kishida arrived in the United States on Monday with his wife, Yuko, for a four-day visit in which he will receive the highest level of attention possible. It is not officially a state visit, since he is not the top leader of his country  Emperor Naruhito is  but he will be offered a state dinner at the White House with nearly 200 guests on Wednesday, and on Thursday he will deliver a speech before both houses of Congress. The Japanese flags to welcome him are already decorating the streetlights of the main avenues in Washington D.C.

On Wednesday the Japanese prime minister, who is running for re-election in September as leader of his party, the conservative Liberal Democratic Party, will also participate in a welcome ceremony at the White House and, after a meeting with President Joe Biden, both leaders will hold a joint press conference.

Fumio Kishida visits the Arlington Military Cemetery, in the State of Virginia, this Tuesday. Joshua Roberts (REUTERS)

The link with Tokyo is the most important bilateral relationship in the Indo-Pacific, according to Chris Johnstone, an expert analyst on Japan at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) in Washington.

Both countries share deep suspicions about the rise of China and the giants growing influence in the Asia Pacific. Tokyo is a fundamental player in that region and increasingly active in the rest of the world. Japan is also further removed from the official pacifist policy that it adopted in the post-war period: it has been modernizing its armed forces for a decade, and has promised to double its defense budget to reach 2% of GDP. In addition, it is the cornerstone of the network of mini-economic and security alliances that the United States has woven in Asia to counteract Chinas strength, from the Quad (U.S., Japan, Australia, and India) to the U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral ties, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

During Kishidas visit, the two allies plan to further strengthen their partnership, senior U.S. officials have said. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell indicated last week at an event that these plans include steps for collaboration and coordination of their defense industrial policies, with the aim of jointly developing, and in the future facilitating co-production of, leading defense teams.

Japan is emerging as a possible base for shipyards and munitions production, including Patriot missile defense systems that could be re-exported to Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of [developing] a joint capability between allies as a fundamental part of deterrence and our collective combat capability. It is part of a broader issue for the United States to allow greater and easier cooperation in technology and defense with our closest partners, because we need it, says Johnstone.

Collaboration with Aukus

On Monday, the three members of the military alliance known as Aukus (Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) announced that they are considering collaborating with Tokyo in its so-called Pillar II, the joint development of strategic weapons in areas such as artificial intelligence, submarine warfare, or hypersonic equipment.

There is broad consensus that Japan should be one of the first partners, if not the first, to be included as part of an expanded effort on specific projects, Johnstone said. But senior U.S. officials stress that before deeper integration, Japan must resolve issues such as a stronger cyber defense or tougher legislation on top secret information.

The two countries will also strengthen and update their bilateral military alliance, signed after the end of World War II, to allow them to respond more agilely to the threats they perceive from China and, increasingly, from North Korea, and Beijings harassment of the democratically governed island of Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory. Biden and Kishida are expected to announce steps to strengthen the exchange of information and improve the coordination of their commands, although without reaching the level of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, where the forces of both countries are managed by a joint command.

If we think about North Koreas provocations, the nuclear threats, Chinas maritime assertiveness and that countrys broader military buildup, this is a natural step in the development of the alliance that will contribute to the deterrent effect, according to the CSIS expert.

On Thursday, Biden will also host Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the president of the Philippines, for the second time in just over a year, before holding a trilateral meeting that will focus on Beijings growing pressure on Manila in the South China Sea, where both governments maintain a bitter territorial dispute. The trilateral forum, the first among these partners, sends an unequivocal signal that both Washington and Tokyo are on Manilas side in the face of Beijings growing maritime aggression, says Lisa Curtins, director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). The Philippines, after the rapprochement with Beijing favored during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte, has increasingly entered the orbit of American alliances in the Marcos era.

Close cooperation between Japan, the United States and the Philippines is essential for an open and free order, based on the rule of law, and for the economic prosperity of the region, the prime minister declared last Friday.

But not everything will be smiles and flattery at the meetings between American representatives and their Japanese counterparts. Standing between the two are the aspirations of the Japanese company Nippon Steel to acquire U.S. Steel for $15 billion, a plan that has been criticized by both President Biden and the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Kishidas trip also seeks to reinforce Japans position in the face of a hypothetical victory for Trump at the November election, given the possibility that the former president could demand greater investments in defense from Tokyo or try to seek a pact with China that could destabilize the Asia Pacific region.
The Netherlands' industrial output continued its declining trend in February, though at a slower pace compared to Janaury, figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics showed on Wednesday.

Industrial production dropped 2.3 percent year-on-year in February, following a 4.8 percent decrease in the previous month. Production has been falling since April 2023.

Among sectors, the transport equipment industry declined the most by 13.8 percent, followed by the machinery segment with a 9.1 percent fall.

On a monthly basis, industrial production expanded by 1.4 percent in February.

Industry producers were slightly more negative in March than in February, as they were less positive about expected activity and more negative about their inventories.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The International Atomic Energy Agency says Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) came under drone strikes for the second time within two days.

For the first time since November 2022, Europe's largest nuclear power plant was directly targeted Sunday, prompting warning by the UN nuclear watchdog that it has raised the risk of a "major nuclear accident."

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the agency's team of experts stationed at the Russian-occupied plant reported hearing bursts of rifle fire followed by a loud explosion at 11:05 am local time Tuesday.

At the same time, an incoming drone had detonated on the roof of the plant's training center.

It marks an ominous development and a major worsening of safety and security, the IAEA chief said.

The incident did not pose any threat to nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP, but there are ZNPP staff routinely present there. The IAEA team requested immediate access to the building to assess the possible impact but the Russian military, which controls the plant, did not allow it.

"Today's reported incident - although outside the site perimeter - is an ominous development as it indicates an apparent readiness to continue these attacks, despite the grave dangers they pose to nuclear safety and security and our repeated calls for military restraint", said Grossi.

"Whoever is behind them, they are playing with fire. Attacking a nuclear power plant is extremely irresponsible and dangerous, and it must stop," he added.

It is not clear who carried out the attack.

Russia had blamed Ukraine for Sunday's attacks on the Zaporizhzhya plant, but Ukraine denied it.

The incident adds to the deepening concern over the already highly precarious nuclear safety and security situation at the massive nuclear power plant, which has been shelled several times since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The nuclear power plant lost all off-site power eight times since then, according to IAEA.

Its all six reactors have been shut down for the past 20 months.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Greenidge Generation Holdings Inc. (GREE) reported fourth quarter net income from continuing operations of $2.7 million. Earnings per share was $0.36, for the quarter. Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA was $3.6 million. Total revenue was $19.6 million, for the quarter.

Greenidge CEO Jordan Kovler said: "Our team's collective efforts enabled us to deliver $0.36 in earnings per share and $3.6 million in adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter, beating our previous guidance."

Greenidge ended the fourth quarter with $13.3 million of cash and $68.7 million of debt at book value. Greenidge reduced its debt by $85.3 million in 2023, representing over 54% of its total debt.

For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Advertising agency, Centaur Media Plc. (CAU.L), Wednesday announced that it has received a proposal from Waterland Private Equity Investments B.V. to acquire the company's issued and to be issued shares.

The company stated that Waterland has been given a time-limit till May 8 to formally submit an offer or withdraw the proposal.

The U.K-based company further said that it is confident about Centaur's growth strategy and its ability to maintain a competitive edge within the market.

Currently, Centaur's stock is surging 23.13 percent, to 49.25 pounds on the London Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Vice President Kamala Harris met with families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas on October 7.

The Vice President underscored that President Joe Biden and she have no higher priority than reuniting the hostages with their loved ones, the White House said.

She also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to bring home the remains of those who have been confirmed to be dead. The Vice President reaffirmed that the threat Hamas poses to Israel must be eliminated and denounced the rise of antisemitism worldwide.

She expressed her continued support for these families and they discussed the agony and pain felt over the past 6 months. Harris told them that the Biden Administration works to secure the release of all the hostages. She provided an update on U.S. efforts to secure the release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Canadian firm Rakuten Kobo Inc. has unveiled its latest e-readers with color displays - the Kobo Clara Colour and the Kobo Libra Colour.

These devices are the company's first foray into the world of colored e-readers, and they are priced at $149.99 and $219.99, respectively.

The new e-readers are designed with the same sleek look as their black-and-white predecessors, the Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Clara 2E, but with the addition of colorful screens. The company claims that the devices can last up to 42 days on a single charge, based on 30 minutes of daily reading at 30 percent screen brightness with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off.

The Kobo Libra Colour, which is compatible with the Kobo Stylus 2 (sold separately for $69.99), has a 7-inch screen and 32GB of storage. The Kobo Clara Colour, on the other hand, has a 6-inch display and 16GB of storage. Both devices feature E Ink's newest Kaledio color screen , which transitions from a 300ppi grayscale resolution to 150ppi in color mode. The color palette of the screens is subtle and pastel-like. Furthermore, both devices are IPX8 certified, meaning they can withstand submersion in water for up to an hour at depths under two meters.

The brand also introduced a new black and white e-reader, the Kobo Clara BW, priced at $129.99. Additionally, recycled material covers with built-in stands are available for purchase for all three new devices.

Pre-orders for all three devices begin on April 10, with sales starting on April 30.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) Wednesday announced that it has agreed to acquire Alpine Immune Sciences Inc. (ALPN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative, protein-based immunotherapies.

Vertex will acquire Alpine for $65 per share or around $4.9 billion in cash. The transaction was unanimously approved by both the Vertex and Alpine Boards of Directors and is anticipated to close later this quarter.

Alpine's lead molecule, povetacicept (ALPN-303), is a highly potent and effective dual antagonist of BAFF (B cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation inducing ligand). Through Phase 2 development, povetacicept has shown potential best-in-class efficacy in IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

"Alpine is a compelling strategic fit for Vertex and furthers our ambition of using scientific innovation to create transformative medicines targeting serious diseases with high unmet need in specialty ," said Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., FASN, Chief Executive Officer and President of Vertex. "We look forward to welcoming the talented Alpine team to Vertex and believe that together we can bring povetacicept, a potential best-in-class treatment for IgAN to patients faster. We also look forward to fully exploring povetacicept's potential as a 'pipeline-in-a-product' and adding Alpine's protein engineering and immunotherapy capabilities to Vertex's toolbox."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Sami Qoko

By Chubeka Kulu, Development Fundraiser, Rhodes University

In the heart of Motherwell, Eastern Cape, Siphiwe-Sami Qoko's journey unfolded amidst the contrasting experiences of a middle-class upbringing and the trials of financial difficulties. Her childhood was shaped by the comfort of a loving home and the challenges of economic uncertainty. Still, it was underpinned by her parents' unwavering belief in the power of resilience and education.

Choosing to study Fine Arts at Rhodes University was a pivotal decision for Sami. Though initially uncertain, the welcoming atmosphere of the university and the familiar streets of Grahamstown (Makhanda)  her father's hometown  quickly felt like home. Here, Sami wasn't just following her passion; she was honouring her family's legacy of dedication and perseverance.

Sami's academic path, however, was fraught with hurdles. The spectre of financial instability loomed large, threatening to curtail her aspirations. But relief came in the form of the Isivivane and Hillensberg Trust bursary, a crucial support that eased the financial strain and allowed her to channel her energies into her studies. This support wasn't merely monetary; for Sami, it represented hope and the embodiment of her parents' sacrifices to ensure she received a quality education. With the bursary's assistance, she excelled academically, securing academic merit at the end of 2023, a testament to her hard work and dedication.

Looking to the future, Sami is not only focused on completing her degree but also on laying the groundwork for a career that transcends financial limitations and embraces the full spectrum of her talents and aspirations. The bursary, in her eyes, is more than just funding; it's the foundation upon which her dreams and ambitions are built.

Sami's narrative is a rallying cry for today's youth, advocating for love, empathy, and self-awareness as drivers of change. She dispels doubts about self-worth with a message of relentless pursuit of one's passions, asserting that determination and belief in oneself will eventually lead to recognition and achievement. "Dont ever doubt that youre good enough," she says.

Her story is more than a personal success story; it's a reflection of the transformative impact of education, the importance of perseverance, and the strength derived from the support of loved ones. Sami's journey is a beacon of hope for aspiring artists and dreamers, a reminder that with passion, resilience, and support, anything is achievable.

To contribute to the nurturing of future leaders like Sami, consider making a donation. Your support can pave the way for the next generation of artists, thinkers, and leaders to realise their potential and make a lasting impact. For more information on how you can make a difference, please visit https://www.ru.ac.za/donate.
Next gen Hilux has been revealed in the form of new Tacoma and 6th Gen Toyota 4Runner bears a lot of semblances inside and out

Among the most iconic Toyota 4X4 in North American market, 4Runner has seen a generation update. Currently in its 5th Gen avatar, Toyota has now unveiled 6th Gen 4Runner that will be launched in the coming months. The most interesting element of 6th Gen 4Runner is that it looks similar to the recent Tacoma pickup, to be launched in India as new Hilux.

6th Gen Toyota 4Runner Unveiled

5th Generation of Toyota 4Runner was launched back in 2009 and has held its ground for 15 fricking years! In its lifetime, 5th Gen 4Runner based on the same platform as FJ Cruiser, saw multiple facelifts and special editions to keep the sales going. With 6th Gen model, 4Runner finally makes the shift to TNGA platform on which other Toyota vehicles are based.

Were particularly interested in the uncanny similarities that new 4Runner bears with recently launched Tacoma. Front fascia is not exactly identical to that of Tacomas. But bear semblances in the form of headlights, grill, bumper design and those sweet flared wheel arches. New 4Runner almost looks like a slightly larger version of Tacoma.

The wheel track has been increased and can now accommodate 265/70-18 tyres which work out to be 33 inches tall. Also facilitating these new tyres is an increase in wheelbase from 2,789 mm to 2,849 mm. If youre wondering, yes. Wheelbase matches that of Land Cruiser and Lexus LX. Rear-most window now kinks up and neatly flows into the roof, paying homage to 1st and 2nd Gen models.

At the rear, C-shaped LED tail lights, large roof-spoiler and muscular rear haunches grab attention. External equipment differs with different trims. More lifestyle-oriented trims like TRD Pro and Trailhunter are the more appealing ones where one favours hard-core off-road worthy setup and other takes an overlanding approach. Platinum trim takes a luxurious approach.

So, Trailhunter packs additional bash plates, roof rack, a snorkel and even more robust rock sliders than TRD Pro as it is geared more towards overland-style off-road expeditions. TRD Pro is geared towards high-speed trails and gets Fox QS3 dampers with adjustable compression with the help of a clicker.

Powertrains and equipment

On the inside, there are more similarities to Tacoma than there are differences. For starters, overall dashboard layout, instrument cluster, centre console and other attributes including all the buttons and knobs look similar to the ones seen in Tacoma. In top-spec trims, Toyota will offer a 14-inch infotainment screen that supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with a fully digital instrument screen.

Toyota will offer a 3rd row seating with 4Runner as it has with current model. However, 6th Gen 4Runner will get hybrid powertrains and the batteries for this system are stashed where 3rd row seating would be. So, hybrid variants could only feature 2-row seating. As evident from external dimensions, there is a huge cargo space as well. Looking at 6th Gen 4Runner, we couldnt help but wonder if this is how nex-gen Fortuner will look like in India?

Where powertrains are concerned, Toyota will offer a 2.4L i-Force 4-cyl Turbo engine that is rated for 278 bhp of peak power. Higher trims will get Toyotas 2.4L i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain that packs a total system output of 326 bhp. Said i-Force Max is not yet offered with Tacoma pickup truck. Transmission options include an 8-speed autobox and both engines pack more punch than current 4Runners 4.0L V6 Petrol and 5-speed auto combo.
Hyundai India has reported robust sales figures for the month of March 2024, showcasing its resilience in the competitive automotive market

Hyundai sold a total of 53,001 units in March 2024, marking a significant increase from 50,600 units sold during the same period last year. Top 3 cars from Hyundai are their SUVs  Creta, Venue and Exter. Together, these 3 cars have amassed over 34k units in sales last month. Lets take a look at the breakup of sales performance of each Hyundai car in March 2024.

Hyundai Sales Breakup March 2024

Hyundai Creta topped the sales charts with 16,458 units sold in March 2024, up 17 percent over 14,026 units sold in March 2023. It was also a MoM growth of 8 percent when compared to 15,276 units sold in February 2024. Maintaining a strong presence on the top 10 cars list, the Creta was at No. 2 after the Tata Punch. To further boost Creta sales, Creta N Line was launched last month.

Hyundai Venue suffered a YoY setback in sales down by 4 percent to 9,614 units in the past month from 10,024 units sold in March 2023. It was however an 8 percent growth on a MoM basis over 8,933 units sold in February 2024. At No. 3 was Hyundai Exter micro SUV with 8,475 units sold last month. It has regaled buyers in this segment with several USPs including many first in segment features.

Hyundai i20 has seen a 22 percent YoY decline in sales to 5,155 units in March 2023, posting a YoY de-growth was also the Hyundai NIOS i10, sales of which dipped as much as 46 percent YoY to 5,034 units, down from 9,304 units sold in March 2024. It was however a marginal 2 percent MoM growth over 4,947 units sold in February 2024.

Hyundai Aura, Verna, Alcazar, Tucson

Lower down the sales list was the Hyundai Aura/Xcent that has seen significant YoY growth by 29 percent to 4,883 units in March 2024. This was over 3,774 units sold in March 2023 while MoM sales dipped 3 percent. Lackluster sales were reported for the Hyundai Verna which fell 54 percent on a YoY basis to 1,716 units in the past month from 3,755 units sold in March 2023. MoM sales saw a marginal improvement over 1,680 units sold in February 2024.

Hyundai Alcazar (1,420 units) and Tucson (110 units) each posted YoY de-growth by 44 percent and 81 percent respectively. However, it was the Kona and Ioniq 5 electric models that have seen good acceptance among buyers in the country with 71 units of the Kona and 65 units of Ioniq 5 being sold last month.

Hyundais ongoing efforts to enhance its product offerings, expand its dealership network, and invest in cutting-edge technologies to maintain its competitive edge in the Indian automotive market. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, Hyundais strong sales performance in March 2024 underscores its resilience and ability to adapt to changing market dynamics, positioning the company for continued growth and success in the future.
Dennis Quaid (Houston, Texas) turns 70 this Tuesday, April 9, and this celebration will have little to do with the one in the 1980s when his partner at the time, Meg Ryan, rented a small plane and put up a large sign that read: Happy Birthday, Dennis and had it fly over a concert where Quaid and his band, the Eclectics, were playing. This year, the actor, producer and now, most of all, musician, far away from the excesses of Hollywood, rising fame and cocaine, will be celebrating it in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has decided to settle down and live with his fourth wife (40 years his junior), focusing on what he loves the most: Christian country-rock.

Quaids life has been something of a journey over the past 70 years. The son of Juanita, a real estate agent, and Will, an electrician, Dennis studied dance and theater at high school and had a clear idea of his path at university in his hometown of Houston, which he eventually left to move to Los Angeles to try to pursue a career that took him a couple of years to get off the ground. But since then he has never looked back. He has worked on more than 100 films, series, projects of all kinds (albeit with scarcely any major award nominations) and has plans for the future; this year the long-awaited biopic about Ronald Reagan is due to be released. In his latest movie, directed by Sean McNamara and which has been in the making for more than five years, he plays the role of the famous actor and former U.S. president, alongside the likes of Penelope Ann Miller, Jon Voight and Mena Suvari. However, cinema  where he has starred in movies such as Postcards from the Edge, Something to Talk About, Frequency, Dragonheart, Far From Heaven and the popular The Parent Trap  is no longer his greatest passion. He is now devoted to music and, above all, religion.

Although Quaid was raised Catholic, he was not close to God for many years. The 1980s and 1990s were wild times for him and at the age of 29, he was already getting divorced for the first time, from fellow actress PJ Soles. In the 1980s he became a heartthrob among actresses and celebrities and, while dating Lea Thompson, he bumped into Meg Ryan on the street and he fell head over heels for her. When they coincided in the filming of Innerspace, the rest was history. Once they fell in love, they got married on Valentines Day in 1991 and had their son Jack, who is now an actor, in April of the following year (in 1990 he had told this newspaper that he wanted to be a father: I know how to take care of children because Im just like them, he said then). Together they became the poster couple for golden Hollywood but, like most things in Tinseltown, their relationship was very much paper-thin. He was unfaithful to her during their marriage on many occasions, and in 2001 their relationship finally ended after she had an affair with Russell Crowe, her co-star at the time.

Diana, Princess of Wales, with actors Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan (and Ryans husband Dennis Quaid) at the premiere of When Harry Met Sally in London in November 1989. Princess Diana Archive (Getty Images)

The Ryan-Quaid romance and marriage was fodder for the tabloids, and it certainly wasnt easy for the two stars at the center of the attention. Dennis acknowledged years later that it was difficult to manage the meteoric rise to fame of Americas sweetheart in the 1990s. When we met, I was the big deal, and then my career... he explained, mimicking the sound of a cars brakes, on NBCs Megyn Kelly Today show in the U.S., in 2018. And I have to admit it, I actually did feel like I disappeared. The couple was also affected by his health issues. To prepare for the role of the tuberculosis-ridden gunfighter Doc Holliday in Wyatt Earp, directed by Lawrence Kasdan in 1994, the actor had to lose almost 45 lbs, which caused him to develop anorexia nervosa that almost killed him. My arms were so skinny that I couldnt pull myself out of a pool, he told Best Life magazine in 2006. For many years, I was obsessed about what I was eating, how many calories it had.

And then there were the drugs, another chapter that marked Quaids life (and his insane relationship with Med Ryan, as he described it). Years later, he has recounted on more than one occasion that it was impossible for him to escape from there. In the interview with Kelly, he said he was doing cocaine pretty much on a daily basis during the 80s. I spent many, many a night screaming at God: Please take this away from me  Ill never do it again. Because Ive only got an hour before I have to be at work. And then, about 4 oclock in the afternoon, I would go: Thats not so bad. He was looking for the joy of life, and the drugs were fun, then theyre fun with problems, and then theyre just problems after a while.

Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan arrive at the premiere of The Parent Trap in Los Angeles, in July 1998. Barry King (Getty Images)

Then he suddenly had a revelation. This was back in 1990. I remember going home and having kind of a white light experience that I saw myself either dead or in jail or losing everything I had, and I didnt want that, he said last summer during an interview with People magazine. I was in a band and we got a record gig... They broke up the night they got it, and they broke up because of me, because I was not reliable, he confessed. Then I realized that if I didnt change, I was going to be dead in five years. The next day I was in rehab, he explained to Kelly. This voluntary rehabilitation was followed by a return to his roots, to the God of his youth. Quaid believes that addictions force people to fill a hole inside us: When youre done with the addiction, you need something to fill that hole, something that really works, right? And the divine calling reached him in the form of music.

Quaid wrote the song On My Way to Heaven in honor of his mother, Juanita, to let her know that he was well, that he had found his way again. He went back to reading the Bible, but also started reading the Koran and other religious texts. Thats when I started developing a personal relationship. Before that, I didnt have one, even though I grew up as a Christian, he said in that interview with People. As a result, he has now released an album called Fallen: A Gospel Record For Sinners. I grew up at the Baptist church; I love the hymns that I remember from being a kid. The songs are self-reflective and self-examining, not churchy. All of us have a relationship with God, whether youre a Christian or not, he argued.

Dennis Quaid and Laura Savoie at the premiere of The Long Game in Austin, Texas, in March 2023. Gary Miller (Getty Images)

His relationship with God has gotten him through his three divorces (with Soles in 1983, Ryan in 2001 and Kimberly Buffington, who he married in 2004 and separated from in 2018) as well as times of heartache such as the illness of his young children. Quaid and Buffington had twins via surrogate in November 2007, and by mistake the babies received a blood anticoagulant dose of 10,000 units, instead of the standard 10 they were scheduled for, in two batches. They had to spend a long period of time in the neonatal ICU at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Now, at the age of 16, Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace are two fully healthy teenagers. The hospital had to pay $250,000 for each of the children and, after the incident, the actor set up the foundation that bears his name to raise awareness of medical errors.

In interviews, the actor always says that he believes he is a good father, and that he enjoys raising his children, although now, after his divorces, he is not so close to them. The actor secretly remarried in June 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although they had barely been dating for a year, he had planned a wedding in Hawaii that April with his girlfriend, businesswoman Laura Savoie (now 31), but the pandemic disrupted their plans and they decided to get the blessing of a pastor in Santa Barbara, California, by the sea and with no other witnesses. Now theyve decided to move south to Nashville, where Quaid has produced his album and feels at home away from the hills of Tinseltown. Maybe its because Im older, but there doesnt seem to be the sense of community in Hollywood that I felt in the 70s, even into the 80s, he said in an interview with Variety last year. Its always been about people in their cars, but today its even more so. People stay in their trailers, theyre on their phones. Theres not the same kind of communication there once was. L.A. has been very good to me, and I have great friends. But it is hard to make friends. There is a lot of self-involvement. In Nashville, you know your neighbors, he argued. People come to Hollywood to reinvent themselves. Playing a role. People come to Nashville to create music where you have to be yourself. So, you become more of yourself. And thats reflected in life here. And Dennis Quaid certainly doesnt need to reinvent himself again.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
It was 1970 when 14-year-old Lisa Niemi met the teenage son of the owner of the Houston dance company she attended. His name was Patrick Swayze. It was love at first sight for both of them, and five years later, at ages 19 and 21, respectively, they got married. Their long marriage was as solid as it was discreet, but it came to an end in September 2009, when Swayze, who had by then become one of the most charismatic actors and dancers in Hollywood, died from pancreatic cancer. Afterward, Niemi released a couple of books and a documentary, and she sat for some interviews. Now, almost 15 years after the death of the star of Dirty Dancing, she has returned to the interviewers chair to talk about her last days with the love of her life.

For 50 minutes the now 67-year-old Lisa Niemi Swayze chatted with the television couple Amy Robach and T. J. Holmes on their podcast, Amy and T.J., where she explained that as soon as the actor was told of his illness, he knew that it was a death sentence. From the first moment he found out he had pancreatic cancer, he turned to me and said: Im a dead man, Niemi crudely recounts in the talk. I didnt know much about pancreatic cancer, but he did, and from what he knew, every time you knew heard someone had had pancreatic cancer, he was like, Well, hes out of here. The actor himself knew it and made it public, and in an interview with journalist Barbara Walters in a special on the ABC network in January 2009, he acknowledged that he was not giving up, but that he knew that he had no more than two years left. In the end, it was nine months.

The dancer has also recalled what it was like when her husband received his diagnosis in January 2008 (he would make it public a couple of months later). The doctors performed an endoscopy and later, while he was still in the hospital, they gave her the result: it was pancreatic cancer. It was then up to Niemi to inform her husband of the illness and decide when and how to do it. He was recovering from anesthesia after the test and she did not want to tell him while he was still woozy, so she decided to wait a few hours, fell asleep and, when she woke up, she found a doctor sitting in front of her husband, with him still in bed: I knew the doctor had just told him. And so it was, she says now, the doctor told him: You can go ahead and treat it as aggressively as you want, but think about getting your affairs in order sooner rather than later. Thats a tough thing to hear. Hence, he called his sister-in-law, an oncologist in Texas, to help them with the treatment and she recommended that they enter a clinical trial and go for it.

From the first moment the couple, who had no children, decided that every bit of energy they had would be used to help him live, and above all they tried to be optimistic without being naive. She acknowledges that it was not easy and that she cried often but always in secret, because once her husband saw her crying and it scared him. Your life turns on a dime, and its just never going to be the same after that. Everything shifted. We always called ourselves optimistic realists, because we probably knew in all likelihood how it was going to turn out, but we held out that he would be the one to make it through it, because miracles do happen. We kept so positive about everything, but I tell you what, it was like living in a complete nightmare 24/7, she remembers now.

He never gave up the fight for his life, as Niemi also said, and she mentions a particularly painful moment when they were both taking a walk around their ranch in New Mexico and Swayze asked her to go camping one last time. It was a beautiful day, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and he said: I want to live.Although September 14 will mark 15 years since the actors death, it is still difficult to talk about him for someone who was his partner for almost 40 years. It brings up memories that are, you know, are not all that pleasant, she acknowledged in the interview with Holmes and Robach, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. But I know what these people feel like when to fight for somebody they love. And to do it with a disease that has so little resources. Its like, Yeah, we all got to go at some point, but give us a fighting chance. Hence, Lisa Niemi is now dedicated to drawing attention to pancreatic cancer and its symptoms: The earlier you catch it, the better.

In May 2014, Niemi remarried. Her second husband is a divorced jeweler named Albert DePrisco, whom she met through mutual friends about three years after Swayzes death. Then comments poured in, many of them angry, from some of Swayzes followers. Yes, I got a lot of flack, like: How dare you? There are some pretty rabid Patrick fans who think Im evil, that they dont like me because I was married to him, she said in the talk. There was a lot of criticism, and you just learn to deal with it and move on. I was so tempted so times to say: Hey, girlfriend, stand in my shoes, tell me about it. Go ahead, tell me that because I lost my husband, I dont love him anymore. How could you say that? Its ridiculous. For her, the actor is still with me. I still have a relationship with him; hes physically not here, but every day hes with me, I feel him there. What was really unusual was... I really fell in love with Albert, and it [...] was interesting how it didnt affect my love for Patrick one bit. Just because you lose a loved one does not mean that you stop loving them, and that you dont have that love to give. I think Albert and I were lucky to find someone to give that love to.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Escondido  Even as their retirement party was being held in the parking lot, Estradas Mexican restaurant owners Guillermo and Lilly Estrada were busy doing what they have for decades  moving like furious blurs in the kitchen preparing meals for an overflow crowd.

After 54 years in business inside the same non-descript building on Quince Street just south of Second Avenue in Escondido, Estradas final day in business was Friday.

The couple is retiring, ending an era of serving the gold-standard Mexican food in the North County, said Escondido attorney and longtime customer Ken Lounsbery.

Dozens of longtime customers filled the place Friday for one last chance to eat what many said has been the best Mexican food in town for a half-century.

Weve been coming here for 54 years and theyre probably responsible for 40 pounds Im wearing, said Arlene Shuster, who along with her husband, Bob, own Shuster Oil right across the street.

I cant resist their chili rellenos, she said. They are the best anywhere. Weve been all over and whenever I go to another Mexican restaurant, even in other states, I always order chili rellenos to compare. Nothing has ever compared.

They have the best salsa in town, added Bob Shuster. Youve got to try it.

The business was purchased in 1953 by Guillermo Estradas father when it was a bakery. A couple years later, Avelino Estrada and his wife Maria took control and turned the business into a Mexican restaurant.

Guillermo Estrada, 64, Avenlinos brother, has been cooking in the restaurant for more than three decades and has been working there in some capacity since he was 10 years old. He took control of the restaurant after his brother died.

He said its time to rest.

Were retiring after all this time. Its been coming on. Were pretty beat, pretty tired. We spend 14 to 16 hours a day here. It takes its toll after 30 some years.

He said when the conversion from a bakery to a restaurant began, it started with tacos and gorditas (a pastry made with masa and stuffed with cheese, meat, or other fillings). We introduced gorditas (to Escondido), which no one had ever heard of before. They were from our hometown of El Paso, Texas.

The retirement party was organized by Lounsbery and the Shusters and more than 100 people said they would be attending over the three hours it was scheduled in the middle of the day.

We still have customers who have been coming in since Day 1, Estrada said. Generations of families have been customers.

Several people Friday said they cant begin to estimate how many meals theyve eaten at Estradas. Hundreds, for sure, some said.

Jack Raymond agreed that you would never know the quality of food behind the doors of the small building.

If you come here, especially for dinner, youre going to see somebody you know, he said. All the old-timers come here.

This is an institution and the end of an era. It happens. its sad. We wish them well in retirement.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
SAN DIEGO  A North County man at the center of a Panamanian murder investigation pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court Wednesday, admitting to fatally stabbing his girlfriend, dismembering her body with a machete and dumping her remains in the jungle.

Brian Brimagers plea comes three weeks after the FBI Laboratory concluded that blood found under the handle of a machete he owned matched the victims DNA.

The retired Marine pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree foreign murder of a U.S. national, a rarely used charge that must be approved at the highest levels of the Justice Department. To bring the charge, both the defendant and victim must be U.S. citizens, and the defendant must have since left the country where the crime was committed, as in the 2011 case.

Brimager had previously been facing a first-degree charge, which meant prosecutors would have had to prove premeditation if the case had gone to trial.

Family members of the slain woman, Yvonne Baldelli, sat in the front row of the packed courtroom Wednesday, eager to hear Brimagers admissions once and for all.

In the plea agreement read aloud by the judge, Brimager, 39, admitted stabbing Baldelli, 42, in the left side of her back with a knife, using a machete to dismember her body, stuffing the remains in a green military-style backpack and hiding the bag in the jungle.

The plea agreement calls for a recommended sentence of 20 to 30 years, although U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller has the discretion to sentence him up to the maximum of life in prison. Sentencing has been set for May 25. With the plea, Brimager also largely gave up his right to appeal the conviction.

With Brimager pleading guilty to all the things he did, it was good for us, Baldellis father, James Faust, said after the hearing. Its been 4 1/2 years of torture not knowing what really happened.

What continues to haunt the family is motive. The couple wasnt married, had no communal property. Why murder?

He couldve just walked away. She couldve just walked away Faust said.

The Orange County couple moved to Isla Carenero off Panama in September 2011 for a fresh start after Brimager had left the Marines. Baldelli, with sewing machine in tow, had planned to start a bathing suit line in the tropics. Brimager would sing and play guitar in bars.

But paradise didnt last long, with witnesses later reporting that Brimager appeared to be abusing Baldelli. Shortly after arriving on the island, Brimager also began communicating with the mother of his child back in San Diego County, prosecutors said. Brimager promised to return to the U.S. to join them.

Prosecutors said Brimager was known to buy large amounts of cocaine for people on the island, and told one acquaintance that he had to leave the island because his nose was going to fall off.

Baldelli was last seen November 2011.

Brimager admitted concealing and destroying evidence of the Nov. 27 murder, including dumping a bloody mattress from their hostel in the ocean after the slaying, getting rid of Baldellis beloved King Charles spaniel and giving away many of her belongings.

Baldellis computer included a search for washing mattress blood stain, prosecutors said.

He also allegedly gave his machete to a neighbor before leaving Panama, and it was put up for sale online. Brimager is accused of posting a comment on the ad saying the machete had been his: Dont worry, I only dismembered one stripper with it so its hardly used ;), prosecutors said.

Over the next several months, Brimager sent emails from Baldellis computer pretending to be her, telling her family and friends she had happily left for Costa Rica with another man, according to the plea agreement. Brimager even traveled to Costa Rica and withdrew money from her bank account while there, he admitted.

Brimager headed back to San Diego, marrying the mother of his child within weeks and settling in Vista. He fathered a second child with her.

Baldellis family soon became suspicious and launched an investigation, eventually getting the FBI and Panamanian authorities involved. They traveled to Panama and organized search parties for her, coming up empty handed but convinced she was dead.

Meanwhile, Brimager continued to obstruct the investigation, lying to the FBI when questioned about the disappearance, the plea agreement states.

Two years after Baldelli went missing, a farm worker clearing brush in a swampy part of the island uncovered her remains, in the military-style backpack.

By then, Brimager had already been arrested in the case, on charges of lying to federal agents. A charge of foreign murder of a U.S. national was then added.

Authorities put little credence into an anonymous caller who told Panamanian investigators in 2012 that hed helped a man dispose of a missing foreign womans body in the jungle.

We dont believe anyone else was involved, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Conover.

Brad Patton, one of Brimagers defense attorneys, said a number of factors led to a change of plea but did not go into detail, noting more would be revealed at sentencing.

He wanted to resolve this matter and take responsibility for his actions, Patton told reporters outside the courthouse.

He described Brimager as a devoted husband and father who served honorably in the Marines. He said Brimager wanted to express deep condolences to Baldellis family and friends.

Brimagers wife continues to support him, Patton said. She has attended just about every, if not every, court hearing since his June 2013 arrest.

The case has made international headlines, including a 48 Hours episode on CBS that took an in-depth look at the investigation.

Brian Brimager took a young womans life in a heinous way and then further victimized her family by creating a cruel lie that she was happily traveling the world with another man, U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said in a statement Wednesday.

Now that Brimager has finally admitted his crime, we hope that the truth, and knowing that their daughters murderer will serve decades in prison, will give this grieving family a sense of justice and peace.
Some of the ads used on Facebook and Instagram during the 2016 United States presidential election. They were sent to users who were expected to be most receptive to them.

The European elections on June 9, in which more than 370 million citizens are eligible to vote, has become fertile ground for disinformation and political manipulation. The EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) issued a warning about it in October, and there is great concern in the organization about the effect that generative artificial intelligence (AI) may have on the process. This technology is able to produce compelling texts and hyperrealistic videos, which could be used to propagate false information and influence citizens votes.

But the spread of hoaxes and biased messages is not the only problem that voters face. There are political parties that use digital advertising tools provided by social media to personalize and segment their message with the aim of influencing the electorate. This is what Cambridge Analytica did in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, in that case using data from 80 million users fraudulently captured through Facebook.

Audience segmentation, that is, dividing voters into groups that share certain characteristics, is a legal practice widely used in political marketing. Political microtargeting, on the other hand, which analyzes the interests of individuals, and not their groups, is not allowed in the EU. Article 9.1 of the General Data Protection Regulation prohibits the processing of personal data that reveals the political opinions of citizens. And that is exactly what the ideological profiles created by microtargeting do. The practice keeps a kind of political file on individuals made from available information in their browsing history or in their reactions on social media.

Appearance of a summary sheet from Who Targets Me tool, which reveals the number of times the user has been exposed to personalized political advertising.

Despite being prohibited, microtargeted political advertising is still a common practice in Europe. The privacy protection group NOYB (None of Your Business), led by Austrian activist Max Schrems, filed a series of complaints last year against several German political parties for having resorted to this technique in the 2021 federal elections.

In Spain, all parties tried to reform the Electoral Regime Law (LOREG) through the Data Protection Law (LOPD, 2018) to allow parties to collect personal data regarding the opinions of citizens from the web and social media ahead of the 2019 elections. A group of jurists and associations pressured the Ombudsman to appeal this change to the Constitutional Court. And the Constitutional Court struck down the change.

That was the biggest victory of my career, recalls Borja Adsuara, one of the lawyers who put forward the appeal. We managed to stop some parties that had given themselves permission to use websites and social media to collect the political opinions of citizens linked to their personal data. In other words, matching them to the names and surnames of real people, he points out.

However, there are parties that continue to support this technique, even though it is banned. The digital rights activists network Xnet has launched the Who Targets Me? campaign in coordination with a coalition of European groups and organizations with the same concerns. Its aim is to analyze how Facebook and Instagram, Metas two star social networks, exploit user data to make individualized profiles for political purposes.

The campaign pivots around the Who Targets Me tool, a browser extension that allows users to collect, catalog, and display personalized electoral advertising targeted to Facebook users while they browse that platform. The tool tracks and processes the anonymized data received from campaigns and posts on social media, stores it, and subsequently processes it.

The more users download the extension, the more valid the data that analysts extract from them will be. The objective is to find out which parties resort to microtargeting and at what times during the campaign. Xnet will prepare a report with this data that it will publish once the electoral period ends.

A person holds a phone in which the Instagram app is seen on the screen. Unplash

Experts and legislators agree that microtargeting is a practice that threatens the proper functioning of democracy. These techniques, which use digital data analysis to provide users with information specially tailored to their profile, are in danger of seriously influencing the voter. After influencers, political parties are the second-largest group of clients in the information manipulation industry. They buy bots, user profiles, etc., explains Simona Levi, founder and coordinator of Xnet. The parties microtargeting strategies seek to manipulate users psychologically. They are based on sending us the information we want to see, which creates information bubbles. Telling us what we want to hear, and not what they think, is not convincing, it is manipulating.

Any data about a persons political opinions is strictly protected by the [EU General Data Protection Regulation], says Felix Mikolasch, a privacy lawyer at NOYB. Not only is that data extremely sensitive, but it also allows for large-scale manipulation of voters, as Cambridge Analytica has demonstrated, he notes.

Disinformation and manipulation in the AI era

Two weeks ago, the European Commission asked X, TikTok, Facebook, and other large platforms to take steps to stop the circulation of suspicious content that seeks to influence voters. Fearing a barrage of interference and disinformation, Brussels has published a series of guidelines for platforms with more than 45 million active users in the EU, which is aimed at combating harmful AI-powered content and misleading political advertising. Google, Meta, and TikTok have set up specially focused teams to combat misinformation around the elections.

In Europe, there are 24 official languages to monitor, and mastery of so many languages is not a common feature among content moderators. Hence, the European Commission has a special interest in strengthening this area. According to a report by X collected by Euronews, the social network only has one content moderator per language who is fluent in Bulgarian, Croatian, Dutch, Portuguese, Latvian, and Polish in its global team of 2,294 people. There is no one to cover 17 of the EUs official languages, including Greek, Hungarian, Romanian, and Swedish: everything in those languages is entrusted to AI.

The threat of misinformation and the spread of fake news is now common in all elections, at least since the 2016 presidential election that brought Donald Trump to the White House. The danger has increased considerably with generative AI. There are now particular fears that deepfakes made by AI could have a direct influence on the votes of millions of citizens. This technology allows bad-faith actors to generate videos in which any politician can appear in any situation, saying anything.

A recent Microsoft report warns that China will try to influence the U.S. presidential elections in November, as well as the South Korean and Indian elections, with content generated using AI. The technology company expects that several cyber groups associated with Beijing and Pyongyang are already working on it, as they did in Taiwan. Although the impact of this content remains limited, Chinas growing experimentation with memes, videos, and audio will continue, and may prove effective in the future, the study concludes.

Critically, confidence in the EU electoral process will depend on our ability to rely on secure cyber infrastructure, as well as the integrity and availability of information. It is up to us to ensure that we take the necessary steps to achieve this sensitive but essential objective for our democracies, said Juhan Lepassaar, the CEO of Enisa.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition




Speaker Mike Johnson will delay sending the Houses articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate this week as previously planned after Republican senators requested more time Tuesday to build support for holding a full trial.

The sudden change of plans cast fresh doubts on the proceedings, the historic first impeachment of a Cabinet secretary in roughly 150 years. Seeking to rebuke the Biden administrations handling of the southern border, House Republicans impeached Mayorkas in February, but delayed sending the articles while they finished work on government funding legislation.

Johnson had planned to send the impeachment charges to the Senate on Wednesday evening. But as it became clear that Democrats, who hold majority control of the chamber, had the votes to quickly dismiss them, Senate Republicans requested that Johnson delay until next week. They hoped the tactic would prolong the process.

While Republicans have argued against a speedy dismissal of charges, most Senate Republicans did just that when Donald Trump, the former president, was impeached a second time on charges he incited an insurrection in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. He was ultimately acquitted.

Our members want to have an opportunity not only to debate but also to have some votes on issues they want to raise, said South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the second-ranking Republican Senate leader. Under procedural rules, senators are required to convene as jurors the day after the articles of impeachment are transmitted for a trial.

There is no reason whatsoever for the Senate to abdicate its responsibility to hold an impeachment trial, Johnsons spokesman, Taylor Haulsee, said in a statement announcing the delay.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. D-N.Y., who has decried the impeachment push as a sham, suggested Democrats still plan to deal with the charges quickly.

Were ready to go whenever they are. We are sticking with our plan. Were going to move this as expeditiously as possible, Schumer said.

Impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements, he told reporters earlier Tuesday.

House Republicans charged in two articles of impeachment that Mayorkas has not only refused to enforce existing law but also breached the public trust by lying to Congress and saying the border was secure.

Democrats  and a few Republicans  say the charges amount to a policy dispute, not the Constitutions bar of high crimes and misdemeanors.

Ultimately, I think its virtually certain that there will not be the conviction of someone when the constitutional test has not been met, said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.

Romney said he was not sure how he would vote on the Senates process but wanted to at least express his view that Mayorkas has done a terrible job, but hes following the direction of the president and has not met the constitutional test of a high crime or misdemeanor.

Still, with elections approaching, Republicans want to force Congress to grapple with the Biden administrations handling of the southern border as long as possible.

I think there are a lot of Democrats who really want to avoid the vote. I dont blame them. I mean, this is the number one issue on the minds of Americans, Thune said.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat who is facing a tough reelection bid in Ohio, called the impeachment trial a distraction and pointed to Republican senators rejecting a bipartisan deal aimed at tamping down the number of illegal border crossings from Mexico.

Instead of doing this impeachment  the first one in 100 years  why are we not doing a bipartisan border deal? Brown said.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
The mugshots of Ethan Crumbley and his parents Jennifer and James Robert Crumbley. OAKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE (via REUTERS)

On Tuesday, the parents of the teenager who shot and killed four fellow students at his Michigan school in 2021 were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 to 15 years for failing to take actions that could have prevented the killing.

Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents in the US to be convicted for their responsibility in a mass shooting perpetrated by a minor in their care, in this case at the school he attended (the usual pattern in such cases is for the shooter to be a student or alumnus of the school where the shooting takes place). Both were convicted of involuntary manslaughter on March 15, after prosecutors presented evidence of the existence that the weapon was improperly stored in their home, as well as their indifference or at least inattention to their sons mental health. According to prosecutors, tragically simple actions such as keeping the gun locked up could have prevented the shooting. The couple stood trial separately in Oakland County Court, 40 miles north of Detroit.

Their son Ethan Crumbley  the shooter  had drawn dark images of a gun, a bullet and a wounded man on a math assignment, along with phrases expressing despondency. Staff at Oxford High School, the school he attended and where the shooting took place, did not require him to go home, but they were surprised when the Crumbleys did not volunteer to remove him during a brief meeting with teachers in which they were informed of their sons disturbing signs.

That same day, on Nov. 30, 2021, the 15-year-old pulled a gun from his backpack and began shooting at the school. After pleading guilty at trial in 2022, Ethan, now 17, is serving life in prison for four counts of murder and other crimes.

During the trial, testimony from the parents of the four victims was heard, which proved decisive in convincing the jury of the Crumbleys guilt. They all asked the judge to sentence Ethans parents to 10 years, branding them as failures whose selfishness led to four deaths and a community tragedy.

The blood of our children is on your hands, said Craig Shilling, who wore a hoodie with his son Justin Shillings image on his chest, AP reports. Not only did your son kill my daughter, but you both did as well. While you were purchasing a gun for your son and leaving it unlocked, I was helping her finish her college essays, Nicole Beausoleil, Madisyn Baldwins mother, said as she looked at James and Jennifer Crumbley in the face.

Alarming signs that no one saw

The thoughts wont stop. Help me. My life is useless. Blood everywhere, Ethan wrote in his math notebook, along with drawings of a gun, a bullet and a gunshot victim. Ethan told a school counselor he was sad; his grandmother had died, and his only friend had suddenly moved away. But he claimed the drawing only reflected his interest in the world of video games.

The Crumbleys were summoned to a meeting at the school that lasted less than 15 minutes. They failed to mention that the gun their son drew resembled the one that James Crumbley, 47, had purchased just four days earlier: a Sig Sauer 9mm that the teenager had described on social media as his beauty.

After the meeting, the parents refused to take their son home, opting to return to work and agreeing to a list of mental health services provided by the school. The faculty agreed to let Ethan stay there, as one of the school counselors felt that it would be safer for the young man to remain at the school than to stay home alone. But no one checked his backpack. That same day, he pulled out his gun and killed four students and wounded seven others with it.

At the trial, there was no testimony from specialists about Ethans mental state. But the judge, over the defenses objections, allowed the jury to see excerpts from his diary. I have zero help for my mental problems and its causing me to shoot up the  school, he wrote. I want help but my parents dont listen to me so I cant get any help.

When asked if Ethan had experienced hallucinations months before the shooting, Jennifer Crumbley, 46, told jurors that he was simply messing around. This Tuesday, before the sentence was handed down, she expressed her deepest sorrow and said shed had no idea her son was capable of killing.

My husband and I used to say we had the perfect kid... I didnt have a reason to do anything different, she said. With the benefit of hindsight and information I have now, my answer would be drastically different. She also said: Never think that this could not happen to you. The prosecution has tried to mold us into the type of horrible parents that only a mass or school shooter could be bred from.

During the trial, the prosecutor demonstrated how a simple padlock could have secured the gun.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
U.S. President Joe Biden gestures after giving remarks, on the day he announced a new plan for federal student loan relief during a visit to Madison Area Technical College Truax Campus, in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S, April 8, 2024.

President Joe Biden has unveiled a plan to relieve student debt. More than 43 million people in the country owe about $1.77 billion, and many of them have found themselves in financial trouble because they cant pay the installments, which can increase over time due to interest. More than 25 million students must pay back more than they borrowed.

The Biden administration has taken some steps to alleviate the debt, such as canceling debt for thousands of borrowers, in addition to its Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, which cut some borrowers monthly payments in half and eliminated the monthly bill for others.

What is different with this new plan is that Biden and his administration seek to ensure that it will hold up in the face of any legal roadblocks. To this end, he has established specific groups of beneficiaries, focusing on those who have financial difficulties in paying their debts.

When will it begin?

No date has yet been set for the start of this new program. However, the Biden administration has mentioned that it expects it to be implemented before the November elections, which could help attract more votes for the president to be reelected for a second term.

Who will benefit?

This new plan would reduce payments for 25 million borrowers, and eliminate the debt of more than four million. Under the plan, 10 million borrowers would see relief of $5,000 or more.

Those whose loan balances have ballooned due to interest would have up to $20,000 of their interest balance written off.

Debtors considered low- and middle-income who are enrolled in income-driven repayment plans would have their entire interest balance wiped out. According to administration estimates, 23 million borrowers would have their interest balance forgiven.

Those who meet the requirements for loan forgiveness, but have not yet applied for it under programs such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness or SAVE program, will have their debts cancelled.

Also, debts will be cancelled for undergraduate students who began repaying their loans more than 20 years ago, and graduate students who began repaying their loans 25 years ago or more.

Similarly, people who enrolled in programs or colleges that lost federal funding due to deception or fraud will have their debt forgiven, while those who attended institutions that left them with a large debt but few job opportunities will be eligible.

Finally, borrowers who have trouble repaying their loans for medical or child care expenses would also benefit. However, it has not been specified how these beneficiaries will be chosen.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
KYODO NEWS - Apr 10, 2024 - 22:11 | World, All

Chinese President Xi Jinping maintained during his meeting with former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are inseparable and praised him for opposing the island's independence, according to Chinese and Taiwanese media.

Their second talks, following a historic cross-strait summit in 2015 in Singapore, came ahead of the May 20 inauguration of Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te, who China sees as an independence advocate.

Ma belongs to the opposition Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang (KMT), which calls for dialogue with the mainland. He shook hands with Xi for 16 seconds, and the two used "Mr." to address each other.

In his opening remarks at the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital, Xi appreciated Ma's promotion of the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and said that compatriots on both sides of the strait belong to the same Chinese nation.

There is "no force that can separate us," he added, in an apparent warning to Taiwan's ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party headed by Lai and the United States, which helps the island maintain self-defense capabilities through unofficial ties.

Xi said compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait must "resolutely oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities and interference from external forces," according to China's official Xinhua News Agency.

The Chinese leader also expressed condolences over a deadly quake that hit Taiwan a week ago, which killed 16 people and injured more than 1,100.

Ma underlined the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, saying if a war breaks out, it will cause "an unbearable burden" on both sides.

"Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait definitely have enough wisdom to peacefully handle cross-strait disputes and avoid heading into conflict," he said.

The former Taiwan leader, who served between 2008 and 2016, has been on the mainland since April 1. Beijing considers Taiwan its territory and aims to bring the self-ruled democratic island into its fold by force if necessary.

Cross-strait relations deteriorated after the DPP's Tsai Ing-wen replaced Ma. China has shunned talks with the DPP government and increased military pressure on the island.

During their previous talks in 2015, Xi and Ma agreed to uphold the so-called 1992 consensus between China's Communist Party and the KMT, an unwritten agreement that there is only one China and that each side can interpret that in their own way. The DPP government rejects this idea.

Last year, Ma became the first former Taiwanese leader to visit the mainland since the two sides split in 1949 due to a civil war. This time, he has been leading a delegation, including students, in China and arrived in Beijing on Sunday after visiting Guangzhou and Shaanxi provinces.

Taiwanese media initially reported that Ma may hold talks with Xi on Monday but later pointed to the possibility of them being pushed back to coincide with a summit Wednesday in Washington between U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Both Japan and the United States have strengthened exchanges with Taiwan despite their lack of official diplomatic relations amid China's increasing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Related coverage:

Taiwan's Lai seeks cooperation with Japan as he meets Tokyo governor
Harold Brown, 92, and Darlene Brown, 87, have received their COVID vaccines at home.

DocGo's Amanda McMann packs supplies for an in-home COVID vaccination visit.
The Zerod family: Micha, Marilyn, Andy and Rick

Stats showing how many people with disabilities received COVID-19 vaccinations in Michigan through DocGo.

Self-care 14%

Mobility 19%

Cognition 11%

Hearing 12%

Independent living 18%

Vision 26%

At least our voices are being heard, the health care system is not very disability friendly for any type of health care

Jeanine Rowe at an event supporting accessible health care.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 10, 2024 - 20:31 | All, Japan

Seven & i Holdings Co. said Wednesday it will spin off and list its Ito-Yokado supermarket operations as early as fiscal 2027 as part of efforts to drive the struggling business's growth by leveraging external capital.

The spinoff will allow Seven & i to focus its resources on its cash cow Seven-Eleven convenience store business. The Japanese retail giant, which bought the U.S. convenience store chain Speedway LLC in 2021, is considering more acquisitions in North America, it said.

"We have concluded that it is best (for the supermarket business) to be able to make investments for its growth on its own," Seven & i President Ryuichi Isaka told reporters in Tokyo.

Seven & i will continue to hold a stake in the unit even after the share sale and will maintain collaboration between the supermarket and the convenience store businesses in the area of food development, it said.

The supermarket unit has been undergoing a major restructuring in recent years that has involved the closure of unprofitable stores and an exit from its apparel business, amid increasing competition with online retailers and discount stores.

The move follows ValueAct Capital, a U.S. investment fund and an activist shareholder of the Japanese retailer, demanding last year that the company completely separate its convenience store operations from its other businesses to increase corporate value.

Facing such pressure, Seven & i sold its struggling department store unit Sogo & Seibu Co. to U.S. fund Fortress Investment Group LLC in September last year.

Separately, Seven & i said its group net profit for the year ended February fell 20.1 percent from a year earlier to 224.62 billion yen ($1.5 billion) on sales of 11.47 trillion yen, down 2.9 percent.
Capita said on Wednesday that it has extended its customer experience contract with a "leading" European integrated telecoms company for two years from January 2024, with an option to extend for a further two years.

The contract - worth more than 95m over four years - will see Capita continue to deliver on-shore and near-shore end-to-end customer experience services for the client, including inbound customer inquiries, chatbots, social media engagement and managing customer technical support.

Corinne Ripoche, chief executive of Capita Experience, said: "We are very proud to extend this contract, which builds on the success of our long-standing strategic partnership since 2008.

"We will be focused on delivering a customer-centric approach which anticipates customer needs, through a seamless and personalised experience.

"We'll continue to leverage technology to meet our customer's very high-quality requirements."
Energean announced on Wednesday that it has finalised its farm-in to Chariots offshore acreage in Morocco, after obtaining all the necessary approvals from the Moroccan authorities.

The FTSE 250 company said that as part of the farm-in agreement, Energean paid $10m in cash on closing.

The board said the move solidified the firms position in the region, with a revised participation structure in the Lixus and Rissana licences.

In the Lixus licence area, Energean now held a 45% stake, operating alongside Chariot at 30% and ONHYM at 25%.

Similarly, in the Rissana licence area, Energean's participation stood at 37.5%, with Chariot holding an equal share, and ONHYM maintaining a 25% interest.

At the same time, Energean said it had inked a rig contract with Stena for the use of its Stena Forth drill ship.

The deal would encompass the drilling of an appraisal well, with an option for an additional well.

Energean said the focus of the operation would be on the Anchois field within the Lixus licence area, with drilling scheduled for the third quarter of this year.

The company said the primary objective of the appraisal well would be to conduct a drill stem test on the main gas-containing sands.

Additionally, the consortium aimed to target an estimated 11 billion cubic metres of gross unrisked prospective resource.

We are delighted to start working in Morocco, where we hope to repeat our previous successes in the Mediterranean - enhancing domestic production, helping to meet the country's growing demand, with the potential for exports for any surplus supply, and facilitating both energy security and long-term coal reduction, said chief executive officer Mathios Rigas.

At 0800 BST, shares in Energean were up 0.48% at 1,048p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Warren East, the former boss of Rolls-Royce and ARM Holdings, has been appointed as chair of NATS as the air traffic control company attempts to repair its reputation following last August's IT system meltdown which led to more than 700,000 passengers facing disruption.

East will replace current chair Paul Golby, who will step down after 10 years in the role in September.

Major disruption on the August bank holiday in 2023 that led to the grounding of flights across UK airports was blamed on an IT systems failure of the flight planning system at NATS, which suffered a "significant lack of pre-planning", according to an independent report of the incident released last month.

The report said NATS failed to prepare with "any multi-agency rehearsal of the management of an incident of this nature and scale, and found that off-site engineers took 90 minutes to arrive to fix the situation.

East, who led aerospace manufacturer Rolls-Royce between 2015 and 2022, and spent 12 years as CEO of chip designer ARM Holdings, is currently a non-executive director for Tokamak Energy, C-Capture and ASML Holding and a strategic advisor to Avina Clean Hydrogen.

NATS CEO Martin Rolfe said East's knowledge and insight into aviation and his experience of technology-led transformation "will be enormously valuable".

Aviation is vital to our society and economy, and the essential infrastructure which NATS provides underpins that important function," East said in a statement. "The next decade or so brings huge challenge alongside multiple possibilities as the sector faces the necessity of the energy transition together with the opportunities presented by advancing technology."
Affordable homes developer Vistry has signed two new deals with Homes England to deliver 1,000 mixed-tenure homes in the Midlands.

The first deal involves the regeneration of City Hospital in Birmingham, which has outline planning permission for 750 homes, of which more than 50% will be affordable or private rent tenures.

The second deal will see Vistry build 250 mixed-tenure homes in Hardingstone, Northamptonshire, which already has more than 50% of sites presold.

Vistry said the majority of the 1,000 new homes will be manufactured off-site using timber frames from the Vistry Works East Midlands factory in Leicestershire.

"These deals further evidence the benefit of our long-term strategic partnership with Homes England, enabling the Group to deliver a significant number of mixed tenure homes in the Midlands," said chief executive Greg Fitzgerald.

"Furthermore, the unique capabilities of Vistry Works will allow us to utilise timber frame manufacturing at scale across both sites, speeding up housing delivery whilst reducing carbon emissions."
The government is investing more than 55m in expanding facial recognition systems  including vans that will scan crowded high streets  as part of a renewed crackdown on shoplifting. The scheme was announced alongside plans for tougher punishments for serial or abusive shoplifters in England and Wales, including being forced to wear a tag to ensure they do not revisit the scene of their crime, under a new standalone criminal offence of assaulting a retail worker.  Guardian

More than 7.4 million people in the UK struggled to pay a bill or a credit repayment in January, according to a financial regulator. The figure is less than last year but is still significantly higher than before the cost of living crisis began. According to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which tracks the number of households in financial difficulties, 5.8 million people reported that they were struggling to pay a large bill in February 2020.  Guardian

A UK energy company is to start drilling at the biggest oil field discovered in the North Sea in at least 20 years in spite of a net zero crackdown on the industry. EnQuest plans to bring two fields onstream which have the potential to produce 500 million barrels of crude oil over coming decades. The sites, which neighbour Kraken oil and gas field, 80 miles east of Shetland, will reignite the political battle over the North Seas future in which Labour has threatened to block new production citing environmental concerns.  Telegraph

Klarna intends to grow its business by deploying generative artificial intelligence instead of hiring new staff. The buy now, pay later credit business believes that it will continue to expand its operations and revenue despite a hiring freeze that was announced in December, because AI is making work more efficient.  The Times

Elon Musk is wrong to say that artificial intelligence will overtake human intelligence next year, according to one of the worlds leading AI scientists. Yann LeCun, Metas chief AI scientist and one of the so-called godfathers of the technology, said that while artificial general intelligence was achievable, it could take decades to arrive.  The Times
photo: Jennifer Boyle

Katrina Carrasco's debut novel, The Best Bad Things, won a Shamus Award and was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award and Washington State Book Award. Her essays and short stories have appeared in various publications and online, including Witness magazine, Post Road magazine, and Literary Hub. She has received support from the Corporation of Yaddo, Jentel Arts, Artist Trust, and other foundations and residencies. Her second novel, Rough Trade (MCD/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, April 9, 2024), blends deeply researched historical fiction with riveting queer adventure.

Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less:

A band of smugglers and the reporter who's gone undercover to expose them pursue each other through the queer underworld of the 1880s Pacific Northwest.

On your nightstand now:

How Much of These Hills Is Gold (C Pam Zhang); The Jakarta Method (Vincent Bevins); Borderlands/La Frontera (Gloria Anzaldua). New, just read, and revisiting: I've heard lots of great things about Zhang's book and it's next up on my to-read list; I recently finished Bevins's gripping nonfiction about the CIA's brutal anti-Communist activities overseas; and I've read Anzaldua's classic text before but am spending time with it again as I work on a new project.

Favorite book when you were a child:

This is a three-way tie between Doomsday Book (Connie Willis), Invitation to the Game (Monica Hughes), and So You Want to Be a Wizard (Diane Duane). I loved the pure escapism of these stories. I was also young enough that I could almost convince myself it was possible to discover a book that would teach me magical powers and/or be transported through space and time!

Your top five authors:

Valeria Luiselli, Elif Batuman, Patrick O'Brian, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Maggie Nelson. These are my current top five authors; I have many more who are dear to me. When I read these authors, I feel so much energy and awe--in a manner particular to each artist, their writing opens my brain to new ways of seeing things.

Book you've faked reading:

I don't think I've done this. If I don't like something, I'll just put it down and be honest about why (if asked).

Book you're an evangelist for:

Master and Commander (Patrick O'Brian) is the first book in the Aubrey/Maturin series, which contains the best portrait of a lifelong friendship I've ever read. I love rereading these books; it feels like visiting old friends. I recommend Master and Commander a lot and have the rest of the books on hand to lend out if someone gets hooked.

Book you've bought for the cover:

Popisho (Leone Ross) has a gorgeous, colorful cover that caught my eye in the bookstore. And I loved the book! The prose is lush and poetic, and the book's magical realism elements are richly imagined.

Book you hid from your parents:

Not so much hid, but hid that I had read it: I found a copy of Eye of the Needle (Ken Follett) in my mom's room, was super embarrassed by the sex scenes, and put it back a few days later without ever saying anything about it.

Book that changed your life:

Shanghaiing Days (Richard H. Dillon) is a collection of nautical anecdotes, history snippets, and tales of sailors and scoundrels in the 1800s, with a focus on the Pacific Seaboard. It captured my imagination and provided seeds of inspiration for two of my novels, one shelved and the other my debut, The Best Bad Things.

Favorite line from a book:

"Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon." --Annie Proulx, Close Range: Wyoming Stories

Five books you'll never part with:

Braiding Sweetgrass (Robin Wall Kimmerer), The Sympathizer (Viet Thanh Nguyen), Cantoras (Carolina de Robertis), Blood Meridian (McCarthy), Woman Hollering Creek (Sandra Cisneros). I have a favorites shelf and each book on it is special for a reason, but these are a small sample: I return to Braiding Sweetgrass for hope in the face of the climate crisis; The Sympathizer truly stunned me with the lyricism and imagery revealed in every line; I read Cantoras while falling in love and it holds the echoes of those feelings; Blood Meridian is vicious and shocking and reminds me that words can be packed with gunpowder; and Woman Hollering Creek first taught me how a short story can make and unmake itself to take any shape and flow between languages.

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

Red, White, & Royal Blue (Casey McQuiston) was so cute and so restorative, a dose of queer happiness just when I desperately needed one. I was delighted by every plot twist and romantic development. Maybe if I pick it up again in 10 years it will feel like the first time again!
By Tomoyuki Tachikawa, KYODO NEWS - Apr 11, 2024 - 11:28 | All, Japan, World

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed Wednesday to bolster their security alliance with China's growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region in mind, while vowing to become "global partners" as their ties evolve.

At their 85-minute summit held during Kishida's state visit to the United States, the first by a Japanese premier in nine years, the two leaders also confirmed they will join hands in advancing relations between their forces and strengthening supply chains for crucial products such as semiconductors to tackle China's regional clout.

After Japan and the United States mapped out around 70 agreements, including on defense and economic matters, Biden said at a joint press conference with Kishida, "We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies again, because our alliances are America's greatest asset."

"We're modernizing command-and-control structures and we're increasing the interoperability and planning of our militaries so we can work together in a seamless and effective way. This is the most significant upgrade in our alliance since it was first established," Biden added.

Kishida said he reaffirmed with Biden the importance of the bilateral alliance and need for a new global partnership as geopolitical tensions rise across the world amid China's military buildup and North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

The prime minister said he discussed China and North Korea with Biden, saying they agreed on the critical importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and that Washington "backs" Tokyo's efforts to resolve the long-standing issue of Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese nationals.

Tokyo has been at odds with Beijing over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The uninhabited islets are administered by Japan, but China has laid claim to them since the early 1970s, calling them Diaoyu.

Biden said the Senkakus are covered by Article 5 of the 1960 Japan-U.S. security treaty, as Tokyo relies on Washington for military protection. The provision calls for the United States to defend territories under Japanese administration from armed attack.

As for North Korea, Kishida said a path to dialogue with the nation is "open," reiterating his eagerness to hold a summit with leader Kim Jong Un to build "fruitful" bilateral relations. Biden welcomed the premier's desire to engage with North Korea.

Tokyo and Washington have no diplomatic ties with Pyongyang. Recently, North Korea has rejected any contact or negotiations with Japan, saying the abduction issue has already been resolved.

In the space field, Kishida and Biden agreed on shared goals regarding the U.S.-led lunar exploration Artemis program, which could see a Japanese astronaut become the first non-American to travel to the Moon.

At an arrival ceremony for the Japanese premier, Kishida said Japan and the United States will "take the lead" in grappling with global challenges, while looking "10 years and also 100 years ahead" in developing relations.

Biden told Kishida in front of the media at the outset of their summit that the U.S.-Japan alliance has become stronger than ever.

"We are therefore working together, across all domains and at all levels, to build a global partnership that is fit for purpose to address the complex, interconnected challenges of today and tomorrow for the benefit of our two countries and the world," the leaders said in a joint statement.

Kishida said Japan and the United States are "now at the forefront" in maintaining a free and open international order, adding that the two nations are "indispensable" to each other in driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

On the security front, Kishida and Biden confirmed deeper cooperation between the U.S. military and Japan's Self-Defense Forces as threats posed by China and North Korea escalate.

Japan is set to establish a joint headquarters to command its ground, maritime and air forces by the end of March 2025. The United States is arranging to strengthen the functions of its command headquarters in Japan in line with the move, government officials said.

Kishida and Biden also agreed to pave the way for further joint development of key defense equipment so the decades-old alliance between the United States and Japan can enter a new stage to underpin stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The leaders, meanwhile, pledged to create a framework so that Japanese private companies can undertake extensive repairs of U.S. Navy warships, enabling the vessels to operate for longer without returning home for maintenance.

Japan and the United States are likely to flesh out details of the summit agreements at two-plus-two talks involving their defense and foreign ministers in the near future, the officials said.

Kishida and Biden also made a commitment to reinforce supply chains, with some democracies adversely affected by what the United States calls "economic coercion" by authoritarian countries.

On Ukraine, which Russia invaded in February 2022, Kishida said he told Biden that Japan will continue imposing severe sanctions on Moscow and supporting Kyiv. His assurance came as a bill for fresh U.S. aid for Ukraine is stalled in the House of Representatives due to opposition from some Republicans.

Ahead of the summit, a welcome ceremony took place at the White House. After their meeting, Kishida and Biden held a joint press conference and released statements before the president hosts an official dinner party.

Kishida and his wife Yuko on Tuesday night attended an informal dinner with Biden at a restaurant in Washington. Biden posted a picture of himself and the prime minister sharing a ride in the presidential limousine, known as "The Beast."

Related coverage:

U.S. cross-party lawmakers hail Japan PM visit, strength of alliance

U.S., Australia, Britain eye defense tech cooperation with Japan

State dinner Biden to host for Kishida filled with Japanese elements
Imagine settling down after a long day, ready to unwind with your favorite show, only to be greeted by the dreaded buffering icon. You're not alone in your quest for quality streaming. Fifty-three percent of consumers across India ramped up their video streaming consumption in 2022. It highlights the growing demand for seamless, high-quality video experiences.

This surge underscores the crucial link between streaming quality and viewer satisfaction. After all, in the digital age, smooth streaming is not just a luxury. It's what viewers expect and demand.

Understanding Streaming Quality

Streaming quality hinges on several key elements, such as resolution, bitrate, and the seamless nature of playback.

Resolution, measured in pixels, determines the sharpness and clarity of the image. Meanwhile, bitrate, or the amount of data transmitted per second, influences the video's overall quality and smoothness. Lastly, smooth playback, free from buffering and interruptions, is crucial for an enjoyable viewing experience.

Your internet speed is pivotal here, as higher speeds support better quality streams without lag. Additionally, the algorithms streaming platforms use to adjust quality based on your connection and your streaming device impact the quality of your stream.

These factors define your streaming experience, highlighting the importance of a robust internet connection, advanced technology, and practical platform choices.

Consider the following tips to further enhance your streaming experience.

1. Optimize Your Internet Connection

A high-speed and reliable internet is the backbone of uninterrupted streaming. With India's average download speed reaching 101 Mbps in 2024, the foundation for high-quality streaming is stronger than ever. Yet, to fully leverage these speeds, consider optimizing your home Wi-Fi.

Upgrading to a router supporting the latest technology can significantly boost performance. Correctly positioning your router to avoid obstacles and reduce the distance to your device helps eliminate dead zones. For ultimate stability, consider switching to a wired connection, especially for devices used for streaming. It bypasses Wi-Fi's fluctuations entirely, ensuring a smoother streaming experience.

2. Adjust Streaming Settings Manually

Matching the video resolution with your internet speed is wise to dodge buffering and maximize your streaming sessions. If your connection is slower, opt for lower resolutions like 480p or 720p to keep videos playing smoothly. You can safely enjoy the crispness of 1080p or even 4K on a faster connection without interruption.

Remember, higher resolutions mean more data consumption. So, if you're mindful of data caps, finding a middle ground is critical. This balancing act ensures you get the best picture quality without exceeding your data limits or suffering through endless loading screens.

3. Use a VPN for Streaming

A VPN can transform your streaming experience by circumventing ISP throttling. In this standard practice, your internet provider deliberately slows down your connection speed based on your activities, such as streaming.

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and masks your online activities. That makes it difficult for ISPs to apply these speed restrictions, potentially improving your streaming speeds and quality. When choosing a VPN for streaming, look for one with a vast network of fast servers to minimize latency and ensure smooth streaming.

Equally important is selecting a VPN that upholds strong privacy policies to protect your online activity and personal data from prying eyes. This combination of speed and security will help you enjoy a superior streaming experience.

4. Keep Your Streaming Device in Top Shape

Regularly maintaining your streaming device is crucial for optimal performance and quality. Ensure your device's software is up-to-date. Manufacturers often release updates that improve efficiency and fix bugs. Similarly, managing your device's storage by deleting unused apps and clearing the cache can prevent sluggishness.

Additionally, monitor background processes. Apps running in the background can take over your device's resources, affecting streaming quality. Limiting these can free up processing power, leading to smoother playback.

Remember, the performance of your device is critical in your streaming experience. A well-maintained device guarantees you get the best possible quality without unnecessary interruptions.

5. Explore Advanced Equipment Options

Suppose your current setup struggles to keep up with newer streaming standards or when it frequently buffers, even with a strong internet connection. Consider upgrading to the latest streaming devices or accessories. Upgrading to high-quality routers can significantly improve Wi-Fi strength and stability. Meanwhile, streaming sticks offer a cost-effective way to turn any TV into a smart streaming powerhouse.

In addition, with built-in streaming capabilities, smart TVs provide a seamless viewing experience with the latest features and apps. These upgrades can enhance streaming performance, ensuring you enjoy your favorite content in the best possible quality without technical hiccups.

6. Monitor Your Bandwidth Use

Understanding and monitoring your household's bandwidth consumption guarantees a smooth online experience for everyone. Its fundamental, considering that most households now require around 700GB of home internet data monthly for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Consider setting device priorities within your network to manage your bandwidth effectively. This approach ensures that high-demand activities like streaming or gaming get the lion's share of bandwidth during peak usage times.

Another strategy is scheduling high-quality streaming during off-peak hours when fewer devices compete for bandwidth. It can help prevent network congestion, reduce buffering, and improve overall streaming quality, making online activities more enjoyable and efficient.

7. Choose the Right Streaming Service

When choosing a streaming service, it's essential to recognize that they vary significantly in content quality and streaming technology. Compare each service's streaming quality options to find the best fit for your needs. Look for those that provide HD, 4K, or HDR content if you have the internet bandwidth to support it.

Moreover, investigate the robustness of their content delivery networks. A more extensive network can mean a more stable and faster streaming experience, especially during peak hours. Likewise, be aware of user reviews, as they can offer invaluable insights into the service's performance.

Considering these elements, you can select a streaming service that meets your content preferences and delivers a superior viewing experience.

8. Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength

Enhancing your Wi-Fi signal can significantly improve your streaming experience. Optimal router placement means keeping it central and away from obstructions and electronic interference. Use Wi-Fi extenders for larger homes or areas with Wi-Fi dead zones to boost the signal reach.

Alternatively, mesh network systems provide a seamless and powerful Wi-Fi network across the house. It guarantees a fast, reliable connection that can handle high-quality streaming without lag or buffering. These strategies can make a world of difference in the consistency and quality of your streaming.

Unlocking Flawless Streaming

Enhance your internet connection, optimize your device settings, and select a suitable VPN to elevate your streaming quality. Remember, combining these strategies can transform your viewing experience from frustrating to flawless.
On Tuesday, April 9th, 2024, the Indian stock markets reached record highs. The BSE S&P Sensex rose above 75,000 points, hitting a high of 75,124, while the NSE Nifty achieved a summit of 22,768. However, due to profit-taking at higher levels, the benchmark indices ended marginally in the red. At 07:20 AM, Gift Nifty futures showed that the Nifty may open on a positive note, quoting around 22,830 compared to the previous day's close of 22,643 on the NSE Nifty.

Paytm: One97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm, has seen a decline in its UPI market share, dropping to 9 percent in March according to NPCI data. This is the lowest it has been in the last four years. This decline is linked to regulatory restrictions placed on its associate, Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL), by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In February, before the payments bank issue arose, Paytm's UPI market share had already fallen to 11 percent from 11.8 percent in January. In other news, the shareholding pattern for the quarter ending March 2024 indicates that domestic retail investors have increased their stakes in Paytm by 1.68 percent. Retail investors now hold a 14.53 percent stake in Paytm, up from 12.85 percent previously, while mutual funds held a 6.15 percent stake in Paytm for the quarter ending on March 31, up from 4.99 percent in the previous quarter, according to the filings.

Godrej Properties: The Real Estate Regulatory Authority in Gurugram has refused to grant an extension for the Godrej Air Phase 4 project, which is a group housing project being developed by Godrej Properties in Sector 85 of Gurugram. The reason for the rejection was the persistent non-compliance with the Real Estate (Regulations & Development) Act 2016. Despite several reminders, the promoter of the project failed to rectify the deficiencies in the application, including discrepancies between the bank balance details provided in the Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) and the CA certificate, as well as license renewal.

RattanIndia Power: Ankur Mitra has resigned from his position as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and key managerial personnel of the company, effective from April 9. On the same date, Manish Ratnakar Chitnis has been appointed as the new CFO by the board. Furthermore, Gaurav Toshkhani has been named as the Company Secretary (CS) and key managerial personnel, effective immediately, succeeding Lalit Narayan Mathpati.

Protean eGov Technologies: According to reliable sources, an IT solutions company is getting ready to launch a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) offering. The QIP is expected to have a base issue size of Rs 170 crore, with a green shoe option of Rs 75 crore, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Equirus has been selected as the banker for the transaction.

Finolex Industries, Adani Enterprises: Finolex Industries, a PVC pipe manufacturer, has sold its leasehold rights for a 25-acre land parcel in Pimpri, near Pune, to Terravista Developers, a company of the Adani Group for Rs 470 crore. The deal has been confirmed by documents obtained by CRE Matrix, a firm that specializes in real estate data analytics. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) had initially leased the land to Finolex Industries. AdaniConneX, a joint venture between Adani Enterprises and US-based EdgeConneX, plans to develop the land into a large data center.

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail: The company has established a new entity, Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands to facilitate the proposed separation of the Madura Fashion and lifestyle businesses from the parent company, as announced earlier.

IndusInd Bank: IndusInd International Holdings (IIHL), which is the promoter of IndusInd Bank has signed a definitive agreement with Invesco India Asset Management to form a joint venture. According to the agreement, IIHL will acquire a 60 percent stake in Invesco India Asset Management, while Invesco Limited will retain a 40 percent stake in the newly created joint venture. Both IIHL and Invesco will be classified as sponsors of the joint venture.

ICICI Lombard General Insurance, PB Fintech: On April 9, a leading general insurance company, ICICI Lombard, announced its strategic alliance with Policybazaar, a digital insurance platform. The goal of this partnership is to combine ICICI Lombard's diverse product portfolio with Policybazaar's extensive reach to offer accessible insurance solutions to approximately 1 crore customers. The collaboration will provide customers with access to a broad spectrum of insurance products, such as motor insurance, health insurance, travel insurance, home insurance, and business insurance, as stated in a joint statement released by the companies.

Lupin: A pharmaceutical company has recently launched its first generic version of Oracea (Doxycycline capsules, 40 mg) in the United States. The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has approved Doxycycline capsules for the treatment of inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of rosacea in adults. According to IQVIA MAT data as of February 2024, these capsules, which are used exclusively for this purpose, have recorded an estimated annual sales figure of $128 million in the US.

Shyam Metalics and Energy: A metals manufacturing company has announced its plans to establish a new facility for producing stainless steel hot rolled coils (HRC) at its existing plant in Sambalpur, Odisha. The company disclosed in an exchange filing on April 9 that it will invest between Rs 650 to Rs 750 crore in the project. The board approved the company's expansion strategy on July 27, 2023, and the new facility will have an annual production capacity of 0.3 million metric tons. The plant will focus on producing 200 and 400-series stainless steel HRCs.

Exide Industries: On Tuesday, the battery manufacturer Exide announced its acquisition of a 26 percent stake in Clean Max Arcadia Private Ltd for Rs 5.34 crore. Clean Max Arcadia is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established and promoted by Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Pvt Ltd for the production and supply of solar power. With this acquisition, Exide aims to become a captive consumer of solar power and reduce its power expenses while boosting operational efficiency at its factory in Bawal, Haryana. The acquisition has been disclosed in a regulatory filing.

Paisalo Digital: The company reported that its Assets Under Management (AUM) experienced a 32 percent growth, reaching Rs 4,622 crore by the end of the March FY24 quarter. During the same period, disbursements increased by 38 percent to Rs 3,588 crore, and co-lending loan disbursements doubled to Rs 1,128 crore. The customer base also expanded significantly, from 1.50 million at the end of the March FY23 quarter to 4.29 million at the end of the March FY24 quarter.

Patel Engineering: According to a report by Moneycontrol, the Mumbai-based EPC firm is expecting a significant increase in its order book from Rs 19,134 crore in December 2023 to approximately Rs 25,000 crore in FY25. The company's CFO, Kavita Shirvaikar, stated that the order book stood at Rs 20,806 crore in March 2023. She anticipates that the growth in the sectors they serve will result in the order book surging to around Rs 25,000 crore in FY25.

PB Fintech: PB Fintech, the parent company of Policybazaar, a digital insurance platform, announced on April 9th the establishment of its fully-owned subsidiary, PB Pay. The promoter of PB Fintech approved the incorporation of PB Pay last month, with a paid-up capital of Rs 27 crore. PB Pay will operate as a payment aggregator.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Two correction officers on Rikers Island were left bloodied Sunday in separate incidents, the New York Post reported.

At about 1 p.m., an officer attempted to break up an apparent gang fight between about 10 inmates in the George R. Vierno Center, which spilled out of a cell and onto the tier, law enforcement sources told the outlet.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The Muslim American Society of Staten Island hosted its annual prayer and celebration of Eid al-Fitr this morning, marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, and bringing together thousands of Muslim community attendees on Staten Island.

The Eid al-Fitr prayer commenced at 8 a.m. at Midland Beach Park on Father Cappodanno Blvd following Takbeerat (the recitation of Allahu Akbar) at 7:30 a.m. Attendees were instructed to bring their own prayer rugs for a more comfortable prayer experience.

Notably, this years Eid celebration held extra significance as attendees expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine, particularly those in Gaza.

Today we had record numbers more than any other year, said Abdullah Akl, director of the public advocacy and civic engagement team of MAS-SI, It was a great celebration of everyone coming together.

The Muslim American society family and friends gather in Midland Beach to pray and celebrate Eid Mubarak, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel

The prayer was conducted in a solemn and respectful atmosphere, reflecting its spiritual significance. However, amidst the serene ambiance, there remained a sense of mournful sincerity, heightened by the ongoing bombardment in Gaza.

Today I am here on behalf of Islamic Relief, to share with you that Ramadan 2024 was a historical Ramadan for the Muslim American Community, said Ahmed Shahata, CEO of Islamic Relief, a sponsor for the event, Domestically or internationally, Muslims or non-muslims, we thank you for the unlimited support since October 7, for our brothers and sisters in Gaza.

Muslims around the world celebrate the holiday annually, which can last from one to three days depending on the tradition. The term Eid Mubarak, which translates to Blessed Feast in Arabic, is the greeting shared during Eid festivals.

The Muslim American society family and friends gather in Midland Beach to pray and celebrate Eid Mubarak, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel

Children present at the event were delighted to receive gifts and goodie bags that served as a token of appreciation for all attendees.

Additionally, refreshments such as coffee and assorted sweets were offered, allowing everyone to partake in a pleasant post-prayer gathering.

Children receive gifts after the prayer service at the Muslim American society family and friends gathering in Midland Beach to pray and celebrate Eid Mubarak, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel

Among the festivities, prayers and thoughts were dedicated to those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, underscoring the spirit of compassion and empathy within the Muslim community.

We trust that the Muslim American Community and the friends of Palestine will continue to support Humanitarian aid for our brothers and sisters in Gaza, said Shahata.

The Saeed and Toska families adorned in traditional Eid dresses, enjoy the The Muslim American Society gathering in Midland Beach to pray and celebrate Eid Mubarak, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel

Alongside the festivities, attendees had the opportunity to access various social services provided by MAS-SI. Representatives informed participants about essential programs such as the food pantry they offer and assistance with food stamps application.

At the newly opened community center in Dongan Hills, which is accessible to all, participants had the opportunity to learn about upcoming youth programs scheduled for the months ahead.

The Muslim American society family and friends gather in Midland Beach to pray and celebrate Eid Mubarak, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Jan Somma-Hammel

The center, established in 2011, has been dedicated to empowering and nurturing the Muslim community in our borough. Their mission revolved around creating and providing resources that enable their community to grow stronger both spiritually and socially.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Proud retiree from the Bored of Education, as he jokingly called it, grateful rank-and-file-er of the United Federation of Teachers and the unofficial president of The Albert Shanker Fan Club, Francis X. Silvestri passed away on Saturday. He was 80.

Mr. Silvestri believed in academia. He graduated from Xavier High School and Georgetown University with an acumen for languages, including classic Greek and Latin. He earned a masters in Biology at Hunter College as one of the first males to attend the Manhattan campus.

After enormous encouragement from his late wife, Patricia M. Silvestri, he started a career in the New York City public school system. His first teaching job was science at Tottenville High School. He eventually taught biology at Sarah J. Hale in Brooklyn.

Classroom work at the latter school  to which he jokingly referred to as Sarahs Jail  inspired serious consideration of the truant officers civil service examination. He passed it with flying colors and was thrilled with Attendance Teacher posts at Susan Wagner High School and McKee Tech.

Stationed on Staten Island with the central office known as BASIS, he found his professional home.

Mr. Silvestri worked part-time at Kingsborough Community College and the Borough of Manhattan Community College as an adjunct professor in Anatomy and Physiology. He taught countless students in the subject who then went on to be physicians assistants and serve in the medical field.

In retirement, Mr. Silvestri helped tend to his wife, Patricia, who suffered a steady demise from Multiple Sclerosis. He also enjoyed watching his grandsons play ball at Snug Harbor Little League, Livingston.

If he had a hobby, it was being a devout Roman Catholic. For years, he opened the church each morning at Assumption, New Brighton. He was an avid morning Mass-goer at either Sacred Heart or Blessed Sacrament, both West Brighton. Eventually he watched those early services on The Net (formerly The Brooklyn Prayer Channel) and received the Host almost daily at home from the amazingly dedicated eucharistic ministers of the Sacred Heart community and its pastor, the Rev. Rhey Garcia.

The Silvestri family extends their gratitude to the phenomenal staff at Visiting Nurses Services, Dr. Frank Scafuris office, plus the physicians themselves  Dr. Scafuri, Dr. Bob Griswold, Dr. Luna Xu, Dr. Allen Fung, Dr. Craig Campbell and geriatric wellness pro Lisa Lubarsky.

Mr. Silvestri leaves behind a daughter, Pamela Silvestri Cavagnaro, son-in-law David Cavagnaro and grandchildren Andrew and James.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates general prayers and/or a donation to Sacred Heart R.C. Church of West Brighton  987 Castleton Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. where the funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 13 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation at the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City public school students didnt have to get up early for classes on Wednesday morning  as they had the day off from school.

Students have one day off this week for Eid al-Fitr, a holiday that many Muslims around the world celebrate to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Eid means a festival or feast in Arabic, and there are two major Eids in the Islamic calendar year. Eid al-Fitr is a three-day long festival, while Eid al-Adha  usually celebrated in June  is four days long.

Eid al-Fitr means the breaking of the fast  in this instance, Ramadan. There are celebrations that include special morning prayers, greetings of Eid Mubarak, sweet dishes prepared at home, gifts given to children, and encouragements to forgive and seek forgiveness.

Students in public schools will also have the day off for Eid al-Adha on Monday, June 17.

The two school holidays were added in 2015 by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio.

According to the 2023-2024 academic calendar, schools will close later this month for spring recess, which includes Passover, from April 22 to 30. They will return to classes on May 1.

And students in grades 3-8 might have even less instructional time this month if they are preparing and taking state exams. Paper-based testing for English language arts exam will be held from April 11 to 12, and computer-based testing will be held from April 11 to 19.

Students will then have off for classes on May 27 for Memorial Day, June 6 for Anniversary Day/Chancellors Conference Day, June 17 for Eid al-Adha and June 19 for Juneteenth.

The last day of classes for New York City public schools is Wednesday, June 26.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A new scholarship available to Staten Island high school students, sponsored by St. Clares R.C. Church through a mobile app partnership, aims to foster emotional intelligence of young people through community service.

Cmtyhelp is a community-focused app that thrives on fostering close-knit communities through secure and rewarding mutual assistance. It is now offering its first Cmtyhelp Scholarship  thanks to a $2,500 donation and partnership with St. Clares Church in Great Kills.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A new student loan forgiveness proposal could cancel up to $20,000 for borrowers, according to the federal government.

The Biden-Harris administration announced new plans on Monday to cancel student debt for tens of millions of Americans under the Higher Education Act. In total, according to the administration, the plans would fully eliminate accrued interest for 23 million borrowers, would cancel the full amount of student debt for more than 4 million borrowers, and would provide more than 10 million borrowers with at least $5,000 in debt relief or more.

If implemented as proposed, heres what the plans would do.

Cancel up to $20,000 in interest for all borrowers who have accrued or capitalized interest on their loans since entering repayment.

All borrowers would be eligible for this debt cancellation.

Low- and middle-income borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan or other income-driven repayment plans would be eligible for their entire interest balance since entering repayment to be canceled if they made $120,000 or less per year individually or as married filing separately, $180,000 or less per year as a head of household, or $240,000 or less per year as married borrowers who file joint taxes.

This proposal would forgive interest balances built up to date for 25 million borrowers, with 23 million likely to have all of their balance growth forgiven.

Automatically cancel debt for borrowers who would otherwise be eligible for loan forgiveness under income-driven repayment plans, like Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) or Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), but arent enrolled in those programs.

The U.S. Department of Education would use data it has available to identify borrowers enrolled in SAVE who have been in repayment for at least 10 years or more and have taken out small balances of loans, according to the federal government.

Under SAVE, borrowers who originally took out $12,000 or less in loans and have been in repayment for 10 years are eligible to get remaining debt canceled. For every additional $1,000 in loans taken out (up to $21,000 for undergraduate and $26,000 for graduate), a borrower is eligible for relief after an additional year of repayment. For example, if a borrower took out $14,000 in loans, they are eligible for debt relief after 12 years of repayment.

Under the PSLF, borrowers in public service for 10 years who have made 120 months of qualifying payments can get their remaining student debt canceled.

This action would cancel debt for around 2 million borrowers across the country.

Cancel student debt for borrowers with undergraduate loans who entered repayment at least 20 years ago and debt for graduate school borrowers who entered repayment at least 25 years ago.

Borrowers with undergraduate debt would qualify for forgiveness if they entered repayment 20 years ago or more, and borrowers with graduate school debt would qualify for forgiveness if they entered repayment 25 years ago or more, according to the plan.

Cancel student debt for borrowers who previously enrolled in low-financial-value programs.

Those who took out loans associated with institutions or programs that lost their eligibility to participate in the federal student aid program or were denied recertification would be eligible for relief. And those who attended institutions or programs that closed or failed to provide sufficient financial value would also be eligible for relief. Financial value would be measured based on indicators like excessive student loan default rates or unaffordable debt burdens relative to income.

Cancel student debt for borrowers experiencing hardship that prevent them from fully paying back their loans now or in the future.

Borrowers predicted to fall into default on their student loans would be eligible for automatic relief under this proposal. Those experiencing other cost burdens could also receive relief through an application process.

This plan could provide relief to millions of borrowers who experience hardship  such as borrowers who are at high risk of defaulting on their student loans, who could be eligible for automatic relief, or families who are burdened with other expenses like medical debt or child care who can apply for relief in the future, according to the administration.

If youre looking for relief sooner, you also may qualify for one of the federal governments existing student loan forgiveness programs. Visit studentaid.gov for more information.

These plans are on top of actions already made to cancel student debt for Americans, such as fixing the PSLF and income-drive repayment plans, launched the SAVE plan, and canceling student debt for borrowers defrauded or cheated by their schools.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 10, 2024 - 08:32 | All, World, Japan

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Tuesday submitted a resolution underscoring the significance of the robust alliance between Washington and Tokyo, a day ahead of official talks between President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The nine-page resolution, introduced by six senators, recognized the importance of the decades-old alliance that serves as the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and welcomed Kishida's official visit to Washington.

It said the Senate "stands ready to support efforts to build a more capable and modernized alliance to address regional and global security challenges."

The six senators included Ben Cardin, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Risch, a Republican and ranking member of the panel, and William Hagerty, who was U.S. ambassador to Japan under Biden's predecessor Donald Trump.

Among many other points, the resolution said the Senate applauds Japan's commitment to increase defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product by 2027 and its strong and continued support for Ukraine since Russia's invasion of the country in February 2022.

"Our alliance with Japan is ironclad, and we have never been more strategically aligned with our friends in Tokyo than we are today," Cardin said in a statement. "Japan is a key partner in addressing the most pressing issues across the globe and even in outer space."

"I am proud to have colleagues on both sides of the aisle join me in introducing this resolution," he said.

Kishida arrived in Washington on Monday evening, marking the first visit to the United States by a Japanese prime minister as a state guest since 2015. He will hold formal talks with Biden and attend a state dinner on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Japanese leader is slated to address a joint session of Congress and participate in an unprecedented trilateral summit also involving Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Related coverage:

Yellen says U.S. not to decouple from China, seeks overcapacity fix

Kishida arrives in U.S. for 1st state visit by Japan PM in 9 years
KYODO NEWS - Apr 10, 2024 - 22:32 | World, All

The death toll of the deadly earthquake that struck Taiwan a week ago rose to 16 on Wednesday, with the island's leader Tsai Ing-wen vowing a speedy recovery during a visit to the hardest-hit eastern county of Hualien.

Thanking those engaged in relief efforts, Tsai told reporters her government is "fully committed to implementing post-disaster recovery and revitalization plans as quickly as possible," and providing the greatest support to people and businesses affected by the quake.

The president also expressed appreciation for support from the international community, including donations pledged by the Japanese government and private sector as well as a drone team dispatched by Turkey for search operations.

Meanwhile, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world's largest contract chipmaker, has pledged assistance to disaster victims, with the head of the TSMC Charity Foundation inspecting damage in Hualien on Tuesday.

The quake, which registered magnitude 7.2 according to Taiwan authorities, tilted buildings and caused landslides, injuring more than 1,100 people and leaving three still missing.

Related coverage:

China's Xi tells ex-Taiwan leader both sides are inseparable

TSMC awarded $6.6 billion in U.S. grants for chip plants in Arizona

Taiwan quake death toll rises to 13, with 6 still missing
An overhaul of the countrys merger regime will make it harder for deals to go ahead in markets dominated by a handful of corporate giants, but could also be costly for smaller companies, experts say.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced merger reforms on Wednesday that include requiring the countrys competition watchdog be notified of planned mergers and removing the Federal Court from the review process.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers, ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb and assistant minister Andrew Leigh on Wednesday. The Treasurer said the proposed reforms would strengthen the economy and lift living standards. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Gilbert + Tobin partner Simon Muys said the reforms would give the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission more power at a time when it was already blocking many deals.

In the 12 months to last December, the ACCC blocked six transactions, which is the most its blocked in any year since 2006, when it blocked just as many he said. The reforms will make deals, particularly in markets where there are large players, or a degree of concentration, much harder to do.
The Federal Court has determined three women who launched legal action against Qatar Airways after they were invasively searched cannot sue because of the rules that govern international air travel.

On Wednesday Federal Court Justice John Halley found Qatars Civil Aviation Authority were immune from foreign prosecution. He found the women could not bring a claim against Qatar Airways under the Montreal Convention, saying the proposition was fanciful, trifling, implausible, improbable, tenuous or one that is contradicted by all the available documents or other materials.

The governments decision to reject Qatar Airways from increasing its flights was controversial. Credit: Alamy

The Montreal Convention is a multilateral treaty used to establish airline liability in the event of death or injury to passengers.

The women, who are represented by Marque Lawyers, were granted leave to re-plead their claim against a third party  the Qatar governments airport company, MATAR. This leave to re-plead is limited to claims pertaining to the alleged conduct of the airport employees. The women will also be able to re-plead that MATAR owed a duty of care to prevent the nurses, who are not MATAR employees, from conducting the searches.
A little further on, Leigh fits in seven paragraphs on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, increase in aircraft speed, magnetic strip credit cards, cars that turn out to be lemons, Chinas Great Leap Forward, Mao Zedong importing 250,000 sparrows from the Soviet Union, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara.

In one four-page gallop, he touches on philosopher John Stuart Mill, the invention of the mirror, the advent of clocks and train timetables, Lord Byron, Britains Poor Laws, the Luddites, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy and Charles Dickens.

Andrew Leigh, economics academic, author and assistant minister for competition in the Albanese government, is also a long-distance runner. He has taken his love of running the trails around Canberra to economic history with a book giddy with speed as it sprints from how much effort it took Babylonian workers in 1750 BCE to create light to the threat posed to humanity by the singularity.

Credit:

Economics is known as the gloomy science, but Leigh  across 190 pages  doesnt give the reader time to become depressed or question their economic choices. He says he wants his small book to tell a big story. That story is the development of modern capitalism, which, as Leigh argues, is a story of innovation and creativity.

The structure of the book means Leigh has to leap over important developments. For instance, the Punic Wars, and how they pitted Rome and its policy of plunder economics  seizing the assets and people of another state  against the trade-based policies of Carthage dont get a mention.

But model Miranda Kerr gets a reference, as does a six-year-old chimpanzee called Raven, who outperformed professional share brokers by throwing darts to choose her stocks. Not that economics isnt made more interesting with models and chimpanzees. Leigh knows that the best way to keep a reader turning the page is to make economics both engaging and relevant to their everyday life.

Hence, he tells Paul McCartney that you can buy love, reveals that ski resorts happen to report more snow on weekends and touches on the importance of McDonalds to the rise of franchising. By furnishing these types of public touchstones through this book, Leigh is able to sneak in some fundamental economic theories and the people behind them.
Its hard to believe writer-director Alex Garland began work on his script for Civil War a year before the attack on the US Capitol in 2021. The Trump presidency and its polarisation of American society were enough to get him started on a scenario centring on the presence of a dictator in the White House.

A greater leap of the imagination is the narrative twist that has California, a traditionally liberal Democrat fiefdom, forging an anti-government alliance with the staunchly Republican state of Texas under the banner of Western Forces. There are other groupings, including a bundle of seemingly diverse regions that team up as the Loyalist States, but the details are left for us to sort out.

We spend the film in the company of a small party of journalists whose progress across the country is so packed with the horrors of war that most of their energies are concentrated on surviving. Never mind about political analysis or the workings of journalism, for that matter. Two of the group take lots of photographs, but nobody ever talks about writing or filing a story about the atrocities theyre witnessing in a gory close-up.

Kirsten Dunst, cast as Lee, a much-admired photojournalist and her colleague Joel (Brazilian actor-director Wagner Moura) want to get from New York to Washington because Joel has an urgent desire to interview the president. Their mentor and journalistic rival, Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson), has hitched a ride with them because he wants to get to the wars front line in Virginia, and Jessie (Priscillas Cailee Spaeny), a young photographer aspiring to get a start in war reporting, has persuaded them to let her tag along. Nobody talks about taking sides. Sammy sums up the state of play when he says that the rebel forces are so divided that theyll probably try to kill one another off should they manage to gain power. So much for democracy.
Its set in 1977 and Halloween is rolling around just as Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian), host of Night Owls, a Chicago talk show, is getting desperate. His ratings have been on the slide since the breakdown he suffered after the untimely death of his wife, and theyre showing no sign of recovery.

In explaining their inspirations, they hark back to their childhood fondness for Don Lane, the lanky American who dominated the Australian chat show in the mid-70s and early 80s. It was Lanes interest in interviewing clairvoyants and other devotees of the supernatural that endeared him to the brothers, who were already passionate fright-fest fans. And its paid off. The film has become a low-budget box-office hit in the US.

Late Night with the Devil is pitched at both horror movie addicts and nostalgia buffs with a taste for old television formats. Its an unlikely marriage, yet somehow the films Australian writer-directors, Colin and Cameron Cairnes, make it work by applying a healthy dose of raw satire.

As a result, hes counting on Halloween to give him the boost he needs. Deciding to go for shock value, hes booked a psychic, a professional sceptic, a parapsychologist and her patient  a teenager said to be possessed by the devil. Then, quite justifiably, he hopes for fireworks.

Naturally, the script features assorted borrowings from The Exorcist. They were inevitable. More original is the films shooting style, which successfully recreates the look and atmosphere of a 1970s television studio. The Cairnes used three pedestal cameras, lit the set with lamps of the period and brought in a group of jazz musicians to perform as a house band, and memory does the rest.

The cast is Australian except for Dastmalchian. A familiar face from a series of superhero movies, he has a volatile charm that evaporates rapidly once the action accelerates and the guests start doing battle  although Lilly (Ingrid Torelli), the teenager at the centre of the storm, remains remarkably composed during the intervals in which the devil isnt actually in possession. Told about her performance when under his spell, she says, Oh, Im so sorry, sounding like a well-mannered private schoolgirl whos stepped on somebodys toe.

Don Lane and Bert Newton, 1980: Late Night with the Devil is inspired by Lanes TV show. Credit:

The main villain, apart from Lucifer, is the sceptic Carmichael Haig (Ian Bliss), a pompous know-it-all whos out to nag everybody into agreeing with him. And the most sympathetic is Delroys foil Gus (Rhys Auteri), who abandons his role as the shows jolly fat man once things begin to heat up, then tries to inject a little good sense and decency into proceedings. But its much too late.
La Chimera 

Rated M, 133 minutes

In Greek myth, the chimera was a fire-breathing creature with the head of a lion and the body of a goat: a monstrous hybrid, something that ought not to exist. But in English and other languages, chimera is also a general term for that which doesnt exist, materially speaking: a mirage, a trick of the light.

As this suggests, there are a lot of allegorical things going on in La Chimera  the most striking film yet from the Italian director Alice Rohrwacher, following her similarly dreamy, yet ambitious Happy as Lazzaro in 2018. Literally speaking, were in a rural backwater somewhere like Tuscany, where an abashed dandy named Arthur (Josh OConnor), otherwise known as the Englishman, arrives after a stint in prison.

La Chimera is the most striking film yet from the Italian director Alice Rohrwacher. Credit: PalaceFilms

Arthur isnt much of a talker, but he has a gift  the gift of finding lost things, as one character puts it. Specifically, he goes dowsing with a twig like a water diviner, except his sixth sense isnt for underground streams, but for artefacts from centuries past. Like Jesus with his miracles, he attracts a band of local disciples, and together they go about raiding tombs in search of Etruscan antiquities, to be sold at a fraction of the price they would go for if acquired by legitimate means.
Firefighter Kristy Lakeman worked through the night last Friday rescuing people from floodwaters and dealing with roofs collapsing in southern Sydney as heavy rain battered the city.

When she arrived home to Russell Vale in the Illawarra on Saturday morning, she found her property and the entire township blanketed with lumps of coal.

Kristy Lakeman next to her pool, which is still black with coal dust, at her Russell Vale home. Credit: Louise Kennerley

There was coal all over the road - you wouldnt have been able to get through the road unless you had a four-wheel-drive, Lakeman said. It was blocking all of the gutters and the drains, and it was all over our front grass, all through our backyard, and in our pool, it was just everywhere.

The Illawarra was hit by 194.8 millimetres of rain on Saturday and 35.4 millimetres the previous day as a weather system moved from Queensland down the NSW coast, Bureau of Meteorology records show. The extreme weather was in line with the expectations of scientists that climate change will cause more rain in short, heavy downpours rather than drawn-out drizzle.
Advertisement

Eating outBrisbane Brisbanes best ramen? Theres a new contender in town These precisely presented bowls specialise in chicken-broth ramen, and are turning heads with both local noodle nerds and Japanese expats. Matt Shea April 10, 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

The giddy arms race in Brisbanes ramen scene has to this point largely been defined by tonkotsu, the thick, heady pork-bone broth popularised by shops such as Taros Ramen, Genkotsu Ramen, Beppin Ramen & Cake, and Hakataya. But ramen has always been defined by its regional variations, and as Brisbanes familiarity with Japanese noodle soup has grown, so too has a demand for different interpretations. Take the popularity of Beppins white tori paitan ramen, a semi off-menu item that adds chicken fat to a clear chicken broth to produce a distinctively creamy, white soup. Lulu Ramens special chicken and bonito ramen. Morgan Roberts Its this style thats being championed by Lulu Ramen, which opened quietly in Paddington in mid-December. Of the seven bowls on the menu, two are built upon a chicken paitan broth thats also simmered with dried scallops, dried shrimp and sardines.

Advertisement

Elsewhere, theres a vegan interpretation of tori paitan ramen; two bowls made with a clear chintan broth, which simmers chicken with oysters, mussels, dried shrimp, sardines and bonito; a ma po tofu vegan ramen; and a dry-style ramen served with duck breast. Its not just Brisbane, but the whole of Australia, says Emily Guo, who owns Lulu Ramen with her husband, Vincent Zhao. Its always pork ramen. Some might have a chicken ramen special, but their main menu is pork. Where to find Brisbanes best ramen Guo and Zhao have experience running food and beverage venues in and around Adelaide, including the Heidrun Estate cellar door, which they still own. This is their first dedicated ramen outlet, but Zhao has been studying how to make Japanese noodle soup for 15 years, and just last week he was in Japan meeting six different ramen cooks. That attention to detail shows in what he and Guo land on the table.

Advertisement

Take Lulus carefully frothed chicken cappuccino ramen, which comes with carefully sliced chicken breast cooked at a low temperature for three hours, and is topped with bamboo shoots, shredded leek, spring onion, snow peas and fried lotus, and finished with black pepper. Or its chicken and bonito chintan ramen, with a clear broth topped with the same chicken along with bamboo shoots, spring onion and snow peas. Lulu Ramen more closely resembles a full-service restaurant than a traditional ramen shop. Morgan Roberts Noodles are sized differently depending on the bowl and are produced in-house on a specially imported Yamato noodle-making machine that uses local wholemeal flour. It all adds up to something slightly more expensive than your average ramen shop, with just about all of Lulus bowls priced at either $22 or $23 (only a special chicken and bonito chintan ramen, which is topped with both chicken and duck breast, clocks in at a more expensive $29). But the experience matches that price point, with Lulu resembling a full-service restaurant more than a rustic ramen shop.

Advertisement

Located at the back of the Rosalie Mews building, its grey tiles and black walls are offset by smart pale timber furniture and clusters of lanterns. During the day, the space fills with natural light, drawing your attention to some nifty wall art produced by a friend of Guo and Zhaos. We wanted the inside to be bright and light, Zhao says. A lot of ramen shops can be very dark, with all the dark wood, Guo adds. Brisbane is very hot, so we wanted to use these lighter colours to give the space a cooler feel. Lulu also serves gyoza, karaage chicken, edamame and seaweed with sesame sauce, along with other sides. Morgan Roberts Beyond ramen, Lulu serves a small selection of snacks that includes chicken karaage, gyoza, edamame and a tempura platter.

Advertisement

The drinks list is short but interesting, and includes Daku cloudy sake, Mio sparkling sake and Eikun Junmai Shiboritate namachozo (single pasteurisation sake). There are also three cocktails, and Asahi beer by the bottle. Its been a soft opening until now, Guo says. Vincent is working on a new menu. Chicken broth is very new here, so we wanted to do it slowly to see the reception. When people come in, I think 90 per cent really like it  weve had some good feedback from Japanese people in particular. One left us a Google review saying that it reminded them of their home town. Open Sun-Wed 11am-8pm, Thu-Sat 11am-8.30pm 6/21 Nash Street, Paddington, (07) 3399 4667 luluramen.com.au

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up
KYODO NEWS - Apr 10, 2024 - 09:00 | All, Podcast

Episode 40: Tokyo Toilet project

Have you gone to see the transparent public restrooms yet?

Three Kyodo News journalists  Yamaguchi-san, Toma and Horiuchi-san  talk about an article Toma wrote about the Tokyo Toilet project tour, in which participants visit and learn about the renovated public restrooms in the capitals Shibuya ward. Listen as they discuss which architects were involved and the reasoning behind some of the designs.

Article mentioned in the podcast:

Revamped public toilets tours give visitors unique view of Tokyo

Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents.

More podcast episodes:

Podcast [English World] Episode 39: Cherry blossoms

Podcast [English World] Episode 38: Peruvian food

Podcast [English World] Episode 37: Retro Japanese games
Its often argued that puberty blockers are urgent and necessary to prevent mental health harm, up to and including suicide. But Cass also found the evidence was weak regarding their impact on mental health conditions and gender dysphoria  a feeling of distress that your gender identity does not match your physical form. The second phase of treatment  the use of masculinising or feminising hormones  in those under the age of 18 also presents many unknowns, according to Cass. Hormone treatments can have irreversible effects, such as a permanently deeper voice and facial hair for people born as women. They can also lead to infertility. Cass said hormones from age 16 should be an option but recommended extreme caution and a clear clinical rationale as to why the person could not wait until they were 18. Clinicians, Cass wrote, were unable to determine with any certainty which children and young people would go on to have an enduring trans identity. For most young people, a medical pathway will not be the best way to manage their gender-related distress, Cass wrote.

In response to the report, Australian governments and health services backed their existing approach. The report also prompted an immediate backlash from LGBTQ groups, who said it ignored the consensus of major medical bodies around the world and lacked relevance to Australia. Vice-president of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH)Dr Portia Predny, disputed Cass conclusion that the evidence base for affirming care was weak, saying that, for ethical reasons, it was not feasible or ethical to conduct randomised control trials to collect the highest quality of evidence. Carlie Morris of Parents for Transgender Youth Equity said young people know who they are and can work with clinicians to seek out options for their care.

The Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne, which runs Australias largest childrens gender service, did not respond when asked if it would reassess the evidence for gender-affirming treatment of children in the wake of the policy change in the UK. As always, our gender service is underpinned by both national and international research methodology, and we will continue to monitor outcomes that will inform best practice, a spokesperson said. The NSW Health Department referred to a review already being conducted by its clinical advisory group into emerging evidence, and Health Minister Ryan Park said his department continued to monitor developments in the evidence. The release of the report coincides with the finalisation of a Queensland Health evaluation of its childrens gender service.

A spokesperson for Australian Health Minister Mark Butler backed comments from LGBTQ groups and several experts that the system for the treatment of transgender children was different in Australia compared with the UK, but nonetheless dubbed the Cass report significant. Everyone, including the states and territories who are responsible for these services in Australia, will take the time to consider this review which has just been released, they said. Loading The Australian Medical Association has historically fully supported gender-affirming care, saying there needs to be easier access to it. However, AMA president Professor Steve Robson backed a number of elements of the Cass report, including a call for more research. Others supported the recommendations.

A parent from PAGD, a Victorian support group for families questioning affirming care, who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of public backlash if they were identified, said: We hope this is a wake-up call to Australian medical and educational institutions and that we will finally see some caution and questioning around what is happening to our children. The parent said that in far too many cases our concerns have been ridiculed, our input ignored and our knowledge of our own children dismissed by schools, professionals and politicians. Mel Jefferies, a young woman who regrets her gender transition and has returned to her birth gender, also welcomed the Cass report. Mel Jefferies describes herself as a detransitioner. Credit: Chris Hopkins I made permanent decisions off temporary feelings by medically transitioning. And the whole medical system is enabling that  if people are pushing this and causing substantial harm; how do you come back from this?

Equality Australia legal director Ghassan Kassisieh said Australia required parental consent before young people could access treatment, so it was already too difficult for trans young people to access the care and support they need. Associate Professor Ada Cheung. Endocrinologist and head of the University of Melbournes trans health research group Associate Professor Ada Cheung said there was already substantial observational evidence reporting on the wellbeing of transgender young people on puberty blockers. She noted that four studies rated as high quality showed those treated with puberty blockers had less depression and anxiety, less self-harm and suicidality and fewer problems with peer relations. The Cass report goes against the consensus of professional medical associations around the world and I dont think it is relevant to practice in Australia, she said.
Northern Beaches Hospital is cutting staff from its mental health and maternity units as it searches for a new chief executive, and the multibillion-dollar company running it restructures about $1.6 billion in debt owed to overseas investors.

The changes to staffing levels come two months after the state government abandoned plans to invest $7.5 million in mental health services at the hospital, saying the previous government had promised the funding without guaranteeing the hospital could deliver the promised youth mental health beds.

Healthscope has a contract with the NSW government to run the public wing of Northern Beaches Hospital until 2038. Credit: Nick Moir

Hospital management on Monday informed nursing staff of a proposed restructure of staffing levels across its public, private and short-stay mental health units.

Under the plan, the number of full-time nurse unit managers would be halved, with the remaining two managers receiving a pay rise to oversee 61 mental health beds across four specialist wards.
The Higgs boson is the 18th and arguably the most important in the Standard Models bestiary of subatomic particles, which includes such curiosities as the quarks, leptons and bosons. All the others had been detected in atom-smashing machines known as particle accelerators, the last having been the quark, which was detected by scientists in 1995. The Standard Model contains many other particles  such as quarks and W bosons  each of which has been found in the last four decades using vast particle colliders, but the Higgs had remained elusive. The Higgs boson is critical to the Standard Model because interacting with the Higgs field is what gives all the other particles their mass, and not finding it would have profoundly undermined our understanding of the universe. There are four fundamental forces in nature: gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. Gravity and electromagnetism are both long-range forces, whereas the strong and weak forces only operate inside the nucleus. The Standard Model includes all these forces except gravity. However, before Higgss theoretical discovery, it could not explain why some particles have mass and others do not. Professor Peter Higgs visits the Science Museums Collider exhibition, London, 2013. Credit: Getty Even the idea of the Higgs boson was so important that it was called the God Particle by the Nobel Prize-winner Leon Lederman, who had wanted to call it the Goddamn particle on account of its elusiveness, but his publishers would not agree. Higgs regularly pleaded with colleagues to stop referring to it as such. First of all, Im an atheist, he told the Daily Telegraph. The second thing is I know that name was a kind of joke and not a very good one. I think he shouldnt have done that as its so misleading.

Despite the expenditure of billions of pounds and the application of some of the most brilliant minds in the world, the Higgs boson went undetected for many decades. There were some scientists who believed that it did not exist and others that, even if it did exist, it would never be found. Professor Stephen Hawking, in a spirit of mischief, bet $100 with another academic that it did not exist. Higgss supporters believed that the best hope lay in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a 27km circular underground particle accelerator costing 3 billion that came online at the Cern laboratory in Geneva in 2007. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Credit: CERN Higgs himself was cautiously optimistic, though even he doubted that the boson would be found in his lifetime. I shall open a bottle of something, he said when asked what he might do if it was found. It will be champagne  whisky takes a little more time to drink. That bottle could finally be opened on July 4, 2012, when researchers from two experiments at the Large Hadron Collider in the Cern Laboratory announced their discovery and confirmed the prediction that Higgs made all those years ago. Rather than champagne, Higgs celebrated the discovery with a can of London Pride, saying in his typically modest manner: Its very nice to be right sometimes. He did, however, admit that he had no idea what the discovery would mean in practical terms. Peter Ware Higgs was born on May 29 1929, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the son of Thomas Higgs, a BBC engineer, and his Scottish wife Gertrude, nee Coghill. His fathers work took the family around the country, and he was educated at Cotham Grammar School in Bristol. At 17, he moved to the City of London School, where he developed a passion for mathematics.

He studied physics at Kings College, London, and was quickly marked out as a member of the awkward squad. On one occasion, he gave a talk entitled How can scientists be sure the observations they make are real? which, according to contemporary accounts, aroused considerable controversy. He took a doctorate in 1954 on the vibration spectra of molecules and then spent six years moving between the University of Edinburgh, University College London and Imperial College before landing a permanent position as a lecturer in Mathematical Physics at Edinburgh in 1960. In 1961, Higgs read a paper by the Japanese-American physicist Yoichiro Nambu that based a theory of elementary particles on an analogy with the theory of superconductivity, introducing the concept of spontaneously broken symmetry. This inspired him to begin the theoretical work that led in the summer of 1964 to the publication of his first paper suggesting what became known as the Higgs boson. According to one popular version of the story, he came up with the concept during a walk in the Cairngorms. Entitled Broken Symmetries, Massless Particles and Gauge Fields, the paper, published in the journal Physics Letters, ran to only 79 lines of text and just five equations and was merely concerned to demonstrate that there was no theoretical obstacle to this sort of theory. A second, equally short paper was rejected by Physics Letters, apparently because the editors felt that it was of no obvious relevance to physics. Higgs sent it to a rival publication in America. Dispirited by the reception of his theory, Higgs wrote a note to one of his post-graduate students, saying: This summer, I have found something that is totally useless. It took many years before physicists realised the significance of his ideas. He recalled that when he gave talks at Harvard and Princeton: I was facing audiences who thought I was a crackpot. It was not until some of the mathematical problems associated with his theory were cleared up seven years later that it gained international credibility. A mild-mannered man, Higgs was so modest about his achievements that he refused to talk about the Higgs boson, preferring to give it the more impersonal tag the scalar boson. He remained active in particle theory into the 1970s but felt that he had got rather left behind by later developments in the field. Eventually, he decided that he was getting on a bit for a theorist and decided to concentrate on teaching and one or two minor things involving other types of symmetry in quantum mechanics. He was appointed Professor of Theoretical Physics at Edinburgh in 1980.

Given his natural reticence, colleagues and friends were surprised when Higgs hit the headlines in September 2002 over an article headlined Clash of the atom-smashing academics, which appeared in the Scotsman newspaper concerning remarks that Higgs had made about Hawking to a journalist over dinner. Higgs was reported to have said, among other things, that Hawkings celebrity status had given him undeserved instant credibility and that communication between Hawking and theorists in other fields was difficult. Higgs quickly wrote to Hawking explaining the context in which he made the remarks and Hawking wrote back saying that he was not offended, but adding that he still thought (or hoped) that the Higgs boson would never be found. The Nobel Prize and its ensuing publicity proved awkward for the press-shy Higgs. On the day the award was announced, he planned to drive into the Scottish Highlands so that the prize committee and the inevitable horde of journalists would not be able to find him. But his son pointed out that he had not driven for several months and the battery on his car would likely be flat. Instead, he slipped out of his Edinburgh home early, leaving behind the mobile phone he never used, and camped out at a pub in Leith. Later, he bumped into a neighbour who congratulated him on the award. What award? came his mischievous reply. He later claimed that his life had been ruined by the discovery of the Higgs boson and the way in which he was thrust into the limelight. My relatively peaceful existence was ending. My style is to work in isolation and occasionally have a bright idea, he told Frank Close in his biography Elusive: How Peter Higgs Solved the Mystery of Mass (2022). Higgs was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1983 and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1974. Other prizes awarded in recognition of his work included the Paul Dirac Medal (1997), the Hughes Medal of the Royal Society (1981), the Rutherford Medal (1984), the Royal Medal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2000) and the High Energy Particle Physics Prize of the European Physical Society (1997). He was appointed a Companion of Honour in 2013.

Higgs never minded upsetting people over matters of principle, however. He refused to fly to Jerusalem to receive the Wolf Prize in 2004 because it was a state occasion attended by Israeli president Moshe Katsav, and Higgs was opposed to the countrys policies towards the Palestinians. He did not own a television and only bought a laptop shortly before his Nobel Prize was announced, although he struggled to use it. He also had a love-hate relationship with the University of Edinburgh, only accepting its requirement for him to have an email account if someone else would read his messages. (I had to write to him and would get handwritten responses, recalled the Telegraphs former science editor, Roger Highfield.) He used to campaign against the universitys South African investments, was a prominent trade union activist and took part in demands for greater staff involvement in the management of the physics department. For many years, he refused to speak with the universitys principal, having failed to convince management that the 1960s student protests were a valid cause. Professor Peter Higgs, poses for photographs in front of a statue of James Watt after receiving an honorary degree of doctor of science, from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 2012. Credit: Getty Higgs formally retired in 1996, having long complained that the university only kept him on just in case his work won a Nobel Prize. He was horrified when, in 2017, the university named the Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics in his honour, insisting that in todays climate, he would be unemployable in academia.
Ashley Semmens was destined for a life in the water.

A prodigious swimmer who grew up in the surf clubs and swimming pools of Adelaide, he went toe-to-toe with Grant Hackett in the 800-metre freestyle at the 2003 Australian championships, before a career as a navy diver.

Former navy diver Ashley Semmens at Anzac Square and Memorial Galleries in Brisbane. Credit: Paul Harris

If there was water, I was in it, he said. The ocean used to be a place that grounded me.

That changed on February 11, 2009, when Semmens was part of a navy dive crew conducting a counter-terrorism drill in the depths of Sydney Harbour. The drill became a waking nightmare when able seaman Paul de Gelder was attacked by a bull shark, leaving Semmens to clean up all sorts of body parts strewn across the boat where de Gelders colleagues saved his life.
A dog was fatally shot by police during the arrest of a woman at Trigg Beach on Tuesday night.

A WA Police spokesman said officers had been called to the beachs car park over concerns for a persons welfare when they observed a woman sitting inside a Toyota RAV4 which had allegedly been stolen from a Victoria Park house earlier in the day.

Officers attempted to speak with the 39-year-old female driver of the vehicle, who was in the company of a dog, however, she fled on foot down a beach track, he said.

The dog then became aggressive towards officers and OC [capsicum] spray was deployed.
Whenever I wander around Perths CBD I sometimes have to check myself that I havent stumbled onto the set of a post-apocalyptic drama, such is the collapse of contemporary dress standards.

Dont get me wrong: I dont bow to the decrees of the Queer Eye/Project Runway/Trinny and Susannah style council. But when I go into a city aspiring to strut its stuff on the world stage I expect residents and visitors to have checked themselves in the mirror between getting out of bed and walking down the Hay Street Mall.

Dressed up to head into Perth: Pat Carlene and Janet; Bob and Gwen Maughan; Fay and mother Mena Whittome; Stephen and Neil Wilson. Credit: Courtesy Joan Carney, Catherine Maughan, Bruce Hoar, Neil Wilson.

These sartorial shockers sent me back to my family photo album, which is bursting at the seams with images of my fashion-plate father Enrikas and his future wife, one-time Betts and Betts saleswoman Mary, who looked like they stepped straight out of an episode of Mad Men or The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.

So you imagine my delight when I discovered an entire exhibition devoted to street photography during the month-long Boorloo Heritage Festival that celebrates Perths penchant for going to town dressed to the nines, even if it was just to visit the Boans butter mountain.
The protests of October 9 were a moment of awakening for our nation. We must not surrender our civilisation to anti-civilisational [sic] forces, Dutton said. There was a widespread view among Labor MPs on Wednesday that Wong was testing the waters on Palestinian recognition before a possible vote on the issue in the United Nations General Assembly in coming weeks. Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said it was in Israels interests for there to be a two-state solution. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Asked if Australia would vote in favour of Palestinian statehood if the matter came up for a UN vote, Wong said on Wednesday: Well see what comes forward. Her comments have been welcomed by pro-Palestinian advocates and progressive Labor activists, who have campaigned for many years to shift Labors position on the question of statehood.

However, the speech has further strained the governments fraught relations with prominent Jewish groups, which were already angry with the government over its decision to appoint a special adviser to review the Israel Defence Forces killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six colleagues. Loading Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said Wongs speech was not the way to treat a friend and ally of Australia, such as Israel while Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler said: Any talk of recognition of Palestinian statehood in such close proximity to the 7 October attacks is entirely premature and will be seen as a reward for those attacks. Israel is currently at war with a genocidal terrorist organisation, which perpetrated horrors on the Jewish people not seen since the Holocaust. Carr, who led a successful internal Labor uprising against Julia Gillard in 2012 over granting Palestine observer status at the United Nations, described Wongs comments as moderate, diplomatic positioning by Australia that accords with an emerging international consensus.

Stating that the rusted-on, pro-Israel faction within Labor had contracted dramatically in recent years, Carr said there was a strong consensus within the party in favour of Palestinian recognition. Labor will be carried towards this announcement by Israels war crimes and the general inhumanity in the way it has conducted the war in Gaza, he said. Loading Israel has insisted it does everything possible to minimise civilian casualties and that removing Hamas from power was essential to preventing more terror attacks like the one that occurred on October 7. The Labor Friends of Israel group, led by former MP Mike Kelly, said the government should not make such a move without clear preconditions including Palestinian recognition of Israel, the renunciation of violence and the removal of Hamas.

Our position is that we completely reject and oppose unilateral recognition, the group said. Stressing that she believes Hamas has no governing role in the future of Gaza after it launched terrorist attacks that killed an estimated 1200 people on October 7, Wong said theres currently an international discussion about the pathway beyond the conflict. Spain, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia announced last month they would jointly work toward recognition of a Palestinian state. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has said the UK would consider recognising a Palestinian state as part of an effort to bring about an irreversible peace settlement, and the Biden administration has reportedly considered such a move when the war in Gaza ends. Wong said in her speech that it would be wrong to see recognition of Palestine as a reward for an enemy because Israels own security depends on a two-state solution.

The UN Security Council this week referred the Palestinian Authoritys bid to become a UN member state to its 15-member membership committee, which does not include Australia. A later vote could then be held by the UN General Assembly, where Australia would cast a vote. Loading The vast majority of UN member states already recognise Palestinian statehood, including almost every country in Africa, South America and Asia. Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni said: Its high time that Australia joined the other 139 like-minded countries around the world in recognising Palestine.
Penny Wong has stepped with care into a ferocious debate on Palestine with an argument that is utterly rational but totally incendiary.

The foreign affairs minister has set out a clear case for a Palestinian state in a way that lends Australian support to growing international concern about Israels conduct of the unrelenting war in Gaza.

But she has set off a furious reaction from peak Jewish groups and guaranteed a partisan dispute with the Liberals when the Australian argument will have little or no influence on a practical outcome.

That is because the challenge is not the domestic rhetoric. Its the international reality.
Thousands of Queensland government employees still work from home  some up to five days a week  after the COVID pandemic ushered in a new era of remote work.

And the union representing thousands of public servants has revealed it will fight to let them keep doing it.

In 2023, 51 per cent of all Queensland public sector workers clocked up some of their hours from home, up slightly from 49 per cent in 2022, according to the latest Working for Queensland survey.

Staff at the Office of Industrial Relations and the State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning department were most likely to log in remotely, with 82 per cent of employees in both departments saying they worked from home.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 10, 2024 - 09:59 | All, World, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida secured a $2.9 billion investment in his country from U.S. tech giant Microsoft Corp. in the area of artificial intelligence, as he started off on Tuesday a series of engagements during his official visit to Washington.

During a meeting with Kishida in the U.S. capital, Microsoft President Brad Smith revealed the company's largest-ever investment in the Asian country, which includes measures to upgrade its data centers that are essential for AI use and to bolster cloud computing.

Kishida arrived in Washington on Monday for the first state visit by a Japanese leader in nine years, with the two countries deepening economic and security relations amid China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

He told Smith it is important for Japanese companies to work with global firms such as Microsoft, expressing hope that the U.S. company will continue to help boost the development of AI in the Asian nation, the Japanese government said.

Microsoft is planning to open a research base in Tokyo, its first in Japan, in a bid to promote research in the fields of AI and robotics, company sources said, adding it will improve equipment at its facilities in the country by introducing advanced semiconductors.

Later Tuesday, Kishida told business leaders at an event hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that Tokyo and Washington can lead the international community toward stability and prosperity.

Kishida added Japan will join hands with the United States to accelerate global economic growth in critical technologies, including semiconductors, AI, quantum computing and clean energy, by expanding mutual investment.

On Tuesday morning, Kishida laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery that honors unidentified soldiers who died in war, while the national anthems of both Japan and the United States were played.

The national flags of the two countries were on display in front of the White House in celebration of Kishida's visit to the United States.

During his stay in Washington, Kishida is scheduled to hold a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday and to address a joint session of the Congress the following day, according to Japanese government officials.

Kishida, who is slated to return to Tokyo on Sunday, and Biden are expected to reaffirm bilateral cooperation in various areas ranging from security and state-of-the-art technologies to the resilience of supply chains.

On Thursday, Kishida and Biden are set to hold an unprecedented trilateral summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., against the backdrop of an increasingly unstable security environment in Asia, the officials said.

Kishida's visit to the United States comes after Nippon Steel Corp., Japan's biggest steelmaker, said last month that it is committed to its $14.1 billion plan to acquire United States Steel Corp., following opposition to the buyout voiced by Biden.

Concern that the move could undermine bilateral ties was shrugged off by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, who said Monday, "The United States relationship with Japan is a lot deeper and stronger and more significant than a single commercial deal."

During his trip to the United States, Kishida is planning to visit North Carolina, with Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's largest automaker by volume, constructing a new battery plant in the southeastern state to beef up its electric vehicle line.

Kishida is eager to showcase Toyota's contribution to job creation and investment in the United States, given the possibility that Donald Trump, who has criticized the U.S. trade deficit with Japan, may be reelected as president in November, political experts said.

Related coverage:

Microsoft to invest $2.9 bil. in Japan to enhance AI data centers
Melbournes housing crisis has deepened as asking rents for both houses and units hit another record high, prompting tenants, housing advocates and the real estate industry to clamour for solutions.

Asking rents for houses hit a median $570 per week in the March quarter, up 3.6 per cent on the previous period and 14 per cent year-on-year, the latest Domain Rent Report, released on Thursday, shows. For units the median was $550  up 5.8 per cent on the three months to December and 14.6 per cent up when compared to the March quarter last year.

The vacancy rate was an ultra-low 0.8 per cent; the same as this time last year, but down from the December quarters rate of 1.2 per cent.

Domain head of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell said growth previously appeared to be slowing, but had picked up pace over the typical changeover period the rental market experiences in summer.
Peach-hued sunsets, palm trees swaying in the breeze, exhilarating ocean swims and the gentle, sensual allure of the hula dance. Theres so much to love about Hawaii, but it tends to be an expensive destination.

Throw in a weak exchange rate to the US dollar (one Aussie dollar was buying 65 US cents at the time of writing) and it can be a wallet-busting paradise. The good news is it doesnt have to be. Ive visited more than 20 times and picked up a few budget hacks along the way.

Theres so much to love about Hawaii, but it tends to be an expensive destination. Credit: iStock

Flights from Australia are relatively cheap, if you avoid peak season and school holidays. Keep an eye on sale fares. Jetstar (jetstar.com), for example, regularly offers return flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Honolulu for under $600. Hawaiian Airlines (hawaiianairlines.com.au) sale fares to Honolulu (return) are often priced around $1000 and include wine, beer and island-inspired meals. Economy and Extra Comfort passengers may check in one 23-kilogram bag plus theres an 11-kilogram cabin allowance. That first sip of a Mai Tai on the rocks always sends me straight into holiday mode.

Once youve landed in Honolulu, there are several transport options from the airport to Waikiki or the North Shore. As in many parts of the world, taxis are the most expensive. Shared shuttle rides to Waikiki hotels are under $US20 ($31) a person, and Ubers arent much more, so long as surge pricing isnt in effect.
Security There are two people in the line in front of me, so its blissfully easy. Its well-organised, with channels that are easy to follow and plenty of large trays for hand luggage. A security officer takes out a tube of sunblock from my plastic bag and places it in what looks like a microwave to test it. Ive never seen this before. Check-in Creature comforts  Plaza Premium Lounge. As Im in transit, but dont have a boarding pass, Im directed to an easy-to-find SAS self-check-in kiosk immediately after the security line. It takes me less than a minute to get my pass. There are also airline representatives at counters around the corner if I need extra help, although SAS isnt manned at that hour.

Food + drink For a small terminal, there are plenty of good choices for places to have breakfast. I start off at Wondertree on the upper level, ordering a blueberry smoothie for 6 ($11.62.) This cafe has a menu that ranges from the big English breakfast (14.50) to avocado smash and a Moroccan breakfast. I eventually sit at a high stool at The Perfectionists Cafe (couldnt resist) under the atrium with several others who also have their laptops out. I befriend an Australian woman at the table and we mind each others laptops when we each go to the loo. Its a very convivial space. Pull up a stool at The Perfectionists Cafe. Credit: Alamy Retail therapy Theres limited shopping compared to some terminals, but there is a Ted Baker, Hamleys Toys, Harrods and several other ubiquitous stores such as Sunglass Hut. There is also a collection service if you wish to shop online first.

Passing time I have a little less than five hours between flights, but it goes quickly, especially as I can set up my laptop, easily connect to good, free Wi-Fi, and work or surf the internet. For exercise, I walk around the two levels and look at the shops, but its not a big terminal. The verdict Perhaps the terminal works less well when its crowded, but Im travelling in peak holiday season and even when it fills up it seems to run smoothly and does not feel overcrowded. The openness of the building with lots of sky really helps reset my circadian clock after the long flight from Australia. The score out of 5
Julian Assanges supporters have urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intensify his efforts to convince Joe Biden to drop the charges against the WikiLeaks founder after the US president said he was considering Australias request.

Albanese said he was encouraged by Bidens comments, which followed persistent lobbying and a successful House of Representatives motion in February that called on the United States and Britain to bring the matter to a close so that Mr Assange can return home to his family in Australia.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in 2014. Credit: AFP

Asked about Australias request to drop the charges against Assange on Thursday (AEST) as he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for an official visit, Biden said: Were considering it.

This is an encouraging comment from President Biden, Albanese told the ABC, adding Australia had consistently lobbied for the US government to drop its pursuit. Enough is enough, theres nothing to be gained by Mr Assanges continued incarceration.
This recognized certification seeks to improve clinical and administrative outcomes, quality, transparency and safety in patient-centered care.

Santo Domingo:--- Through an inter-institutional agreement with Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA), the Medico Express San Isidro outpatient health center is set to become the first healthcare service provider in the Dominican Republic and the wider Caribbean region to attain GHA Certification for Excellence in Medical Tourism Patient Experience.

This certification, facilitated by GHA, will equip the clinical and administrative staff of this center with training and tools necessary for enhancing its standards of excellence in quality and experience for both local and international patients. By optimizing their medical tourism programs, the center aims to bolster confidence in the country as a secure health tourism destination.

The agreement signing ceremony saw the participation of Renee Marie Stephano, Executive President of GHA and founder of the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), Alejandro Cambiaso, Executive President of Medico Express, Vice President Francesco Fino, and other key executives, including Felipe Amador, CEO of Advanced Capital Group.

Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso expressed his commitment to ensuring world-class care with state-of-the-art technology through this partnership, emphasizing the centers dedication to the Dominican and tourist populations. Medico Express San Isidro, renowned for its innovative preventive, diagnostic, surgical, and emergency services, is poised to lead in accessibility, medical tourism, and the digital transformation of the Dominican health sector.

The center will soon inaugurate a modern international department aimed at facilitating medical evaluations and procedures for tourists promptly and affordably, thereby contributing to the growth of health tourism in the country.

Medical tourism is a vital economic driver for the Dominican Republic, creating jobs and facilitating knowledge and technology transfer. The eastern region, previously lacking medical services with such standards, stands to benefit significantly from this development.

Renee Marie Stephano highlighted the Dominican Republics ranking in the Medical Tourism Index (MTI), where it stands 19th globally and second in Latin America, underscoring its prominence as a premier health tourism destination in the Caribbean.

GHAs training and certification services will impart essential skills and protocols to Medico Express staff, positioning the center as a hub of excellence and regional reference in medical care and patient experience.

Medico Express will soon launch in the eastern zone, offering a wide range of services including emergency care, clinical laboratory, vaccinations, advanced imaging studies, and various specialized consultations spanning gynecology, pediatrics, psychology, cardiology, dermatology, and more.

Global Healthcare Accreditation, endorsed by the International Society for Quality (ISQua), focuses on improving clinical and administrative processes, prioritizing patient experience and medical care safety in medical tourism.
Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State (R) presents a customised Car Plate Number to Pelumi Nubi during the Governor's meeting with Nubi at the Lagos House, Marina, Nigeria, April 8, 2024. (News Agency of Nigeria/Handout via Xinhua)

by Olatunji Saliu

ABUJA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Pelumi Nubi arrived Sunday afternoon at the terminal point of her epic 68-day solo road trip from London to Lagos, in Nigeria's southwest region, greeted by the warm embrace of family, friends, government officials and admirers -- marking the end of an adventure that transcended boundaries and inspired hearts.

The 28-year-old globetrotter and travel content creator on Jan. 30 embarked on a quest of a lifetime, traversing vast distances and diverse landscapes, all behind the wheel of her trusty vehicle, or "travel buddy," which she calls "Lumi, The Car."

Charting her course through 17 countries, navigating through challenges, triumphs and unforgettable moments of discovery, Nubi said her solo road trip was not merely a physical expedition but a testament to the power of passion, perseverance and the relentless pursuit of dreams.

"I feel so good to be home. Honestly, the homecoming has been so amazing and really welcoming," she said, acknowledging cheers from a crowd of admirers and well-wishers who gathered for a carnival-like homecoming celebration.

Despite encountering obstacles, including a harrowing accident in an undisclosed location in late March, with severe damage to the front bumper and a shattered windscreen of "Lumi, The Car," Nubi remained undeterred, drawing strength from her determination and resilience.

Her unwavering spirit propelled her forward, fueling her belief that "adventure awaits those bold enough to seek it." Dubbed "the first black woman to solo drive," Nubi as a dauntless traveler attracted mere accolades, embodying the spirit of empowerment and possibility.

Her parents said they approved of the solo road trip because she had been exhibiting courage since 2016, and had already visited over 80 countries before embarking on the latest adventure in January. In the words of Timothy Nubi, her father, the avid globetrotter's arrival marked "the end of anxiety for the family," saying the solo travel was rather a nightmare for her relatives.

"Every night we could not sleep. So, it has been two months of fun for the whole world but not for us," Timothy told the media.

On Sunday evening, the Lagos state government announced Nubi as its ambassador while presenting her with a brand new Chinese-brand GAC car and a new home as gifts. Nubi has donated "Lumi, The Car" to a tourism facility in Lagos.

"This solo drive has shown that it is possible; anything and everything you want is possible," she told the media Sunday, noting along the way, she carved a path of courage, leaving behind a legacy that resonated far beyond the miles she traveled.

"You can do it, so go after it with all you have got, with all your energy, with all your life," Nubi said. 

Pelumi Nubi poses with her brand new Chinese-brand GAC car presented from Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State during visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Marina, Nigeria, April 8, 2024. (News Agency of Nigeria/Handout via Xinhua)
Ethical questions abound as wartime AI ramps up



Paris, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



Artificial intelligence's move into modern warfare is raising concerns about the risks of escalation and the role of humans in decision making.

AI has shown itself to be faster but not necessarily safer or more ethical. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Friday that he was "profoundly disturbed" by Israeli media reports that Israel has used AI to identify targets in Gaza, causing many civilian casualties.

Beyond the "Lavender" software in question and Israeli denials, here is a tour of the technological developments that are changing the face of war.



- Three major uses -



As seen with Lavender, AI can be particularly useful for selecting targets, with its high-speed algorithms processing huge amounts of data to identify potential threats.

But the results can only produce probabilities, with experts warning that mistakes are inevitable.

AI can also operate in tactics. For example, swarms of drones -- a tactic China seems to be rapidly developing -- will eventually be able to communicate with each other and interact according to previously assigned objectives.

At a strategic level, AI will produce models of battlefields and propose how to respond to attacks, maybe even including the use of nuclear weapons.



- Thinking ever faster -



"Imagine a full-scale conflict between two countries, and AI coming up with strategies and military plans and responding in real time to real situations," said Alessandro Accorsi at the International Crisis group.

"The reaction time is significantly reduced. What a human can do in one hour, they can do it in a few seconds," he said.

Iron Dome, the Israeli anti-air defence system, can detect the arrival of a projectile, determine what it is, its destination and the potential damage.

"The operator has a minute to decide whether to destroy the rocket or not," said Laure de Roucy-Rochegonde from the French Institute of International Relations.

"Quite often it's a young recruit, who is twenty years old and not very up-to-speed about the laws of war. One can question how significant his control is," she said.



- A worrying ethical void -



With an arms race under way, and clouded by the usual opacity of war, AI may be moving onto the battlefield with much of the world not yet fully aware of the potential consequences.

Humans "take a decision which is a recommendation made by the machine, but without knowing the facts the machine used", de Roucy-Rochegonde said.

"Even if it is indeed a human who hits the button, this lack of knowledge, as well as the speed, means that his control over the decision is quite tenuous."

AI "is a black hole. We don't necessarily understand what it knows or thinks, or how it arrives at these results", said Ulrike Franke from the European Council on Foreign relations.

"Why does AI suggest this or that target? Why does it give me this intelligence or that one? If we allow it to control a weapon, it's a real ethical question," she said.



- Ukraine as laboratory -



The United States has used algorithms, for example, in recent strikes against Huthi rebels in Yemen.

But "the real game changer is now -- Ukraine has become a laboratory for the military use of AI", Accorsi said.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 the protagonists have begun "developing and fielding AI solutions for tasks like geospatial intelligence, operations with unmanned systems, military training and cyberwarfare", said Vitaliy Goncharuk of the Defense AI Observatory (DAIO) at Hamburg's Helmut Schmidt University.

"Consequently the war in Ukraine has become the first conflict where both parties compete in and with AI, which has become a critical component of success," Goncharuk said.



- One-upmanship and nuclear danger -



The "Terminator", a killer robot over which man loses control, is a Hollywood fantasy. Yet the machine's cold calculations do echo a fact of modern AI -- they do not incorporate either a survival instinct or doubt.

Researchers from four American institutes and universities published in January a study of five large language models (a system similar to the ChatGPT generative software) in conflict situations.

The study suggested a tendency "to develop an arms race dynamic, leading to larger conflicts and, in rare cases, to the deployment of nuclear weapons".

But major global powers want to make sure they win the military AI race, complicating efforts to regulate the field.

US President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping agreed in November to put their experts to work on the subject.

Discussions also began 10 years ago at the United Nations, but without concrete results.

"There are debates about what needs to be done in the civil AI industry," Accorsi said. "But very little when it comes to the defence industry."
ByteDance profits jump 60%, outstripping tech rivals: Bloomberg



Beijing, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



The profits of TikTok owner ByteDance jumped around 60 percent in 2023, Bloomberg reported Wednesday citing sources, beating online rivals Tencent and Alibaba.

ByteDance has grown into one of the world's biggest tech firms -- best known in most countries as the creator of video app TikTok -- since its birth in a Beijing apartment 12 years ago.

The company has rocketed in recent years to become one of the most valuable tech giants in the world, worth around $225 billion, according to market intelligence firm CP Insights.

Bloomberg's report, which cited "people familiar with the matter", said the company's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization soared to more than $40 billion from around $25 billion in 2022.

The report said sales also grew to nearly $120 billion from $80 billion.

The reported results mark the first time that ByteDance has overtaken archrival Tencent in both revenue and profit, Bloomberg said, adding that the internal figures had not been independently audited.

ByteDance did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

The company launched TikTok in 2017 and the app took the world by storm, crossing a billion users in four years.

The app was an international version of Douyin, which was released in China in 2016 and now has hundreds of millions of users.

Thanks to the explosive growth of these apps, ByteDance has branched out into e-commerce and travel bookings and also released a video editing app.

The Chinese company says it has more than 150,000 employees in almost 120 cities around the world.

A privately held firm, ByteDance does not release revenue and profit figures but media estimates of its earnings put it on par with some of the biggest firms in the world.

bur-je/pbt

Tencent
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing.

Xi asked Lavrov to convey sincere greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Xi said China and Russia have embarked on a new path of harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between major countries and neighbors, which has benefited the two countries and their peoples and contributed wisdom and strength to international fairness and justice.

"President Putin and I have agreed to continue to maintain close exchanges to ensure the smooth and steady development of China-Russia relations. The two sides should take the opportunity of celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the China-Russia Years of Culture to fully implement the important consensus reached by President Putin and me," he said.

Xi stressed that China supports the Russian people in following a development path that suits their national conditions, and supports Russia in combating terrorism and maintaining social security and stability.

China always attaches great importance to the development of China-Russia relations, and stands ready to strengthen bilateral communication with Russia and enhance multilateral strategic coordination in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Xi said.

He added that the two countries will show more responsibility, unite countries in the Global South in the spirit of equality, openness, transparency and inclusiveness, promote the reform of the global governance system, and vigorously lead the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Lavrov conveyed President Putin's cordial greetings and good wishes to President Xi. Lavrov said that under the strong leadership of President Xi, China has made achievements that have attracted global attention and provided important opportunities for other countries to achieve common development, which Russia deeply admires.

Lavrov said the priority of Russia's foreign policy is to comprehensively consolidate and upgrade relations with China, and the smooth reelection of President Putin guarantees the continuity of Russia-China relations.

He added that Russia is willing to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen bilateral and multilateral coordination, and work with other countries of the Global South to strengthen solidarity and cooperation in order to contribute to creating a more fair and just international order. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)
Iran's Khamenei renews threat of reprisals against Israel



Tehran, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei again warned Israel Wednesday that it "will be punished" for a Damascus air strike that killed seven Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals.

"The evil regime made a mistake in this regard; it must be punished and will be punished," Khamenei said in a televised speech after Eid al-Adha prayers in Tehran.

Khamenei said the April 1 strike, which levelled the five-storey consular annexe of the Iranian embassy to Syria, had run roughshod over international agreements providing for the inviolability of diplomatic premises.

"The consulate and embassy offices in any country are the territory of that country," he said. "When they attacked our consulate, it means they attacked our territory."

Khamenei has led Iranian officials in a succession of promises to avenge the strike, which was widely on blamed on arch foe Israel.

One of his senior advisers, Yahya Rahim Safavi, warned on Sunday that Israeli embassies were "no longer safe".

Israel said last week it was strengthening its defences and pausing leave for combat units following Iran's retaliation threats.

Iran does not recognise Israel, and the two countries have fought a shadow war for years.

Iran charges that Israel was behind a wave of sabotage attacks and assassinations targeting its nuclear programme.
IS suspects held in Germany for enslaving Yazidi children



Berlin, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



Two suspected members of the Islamic State (IS) group have been arrested in Germany accused of enslaving and sexually abusing a pair of Yazidi girls in Syria and Iraq, prosecutors said Wednesday.

The Iraqi suspects, identified only as Twana H. S. and Asia R. A. , are accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and membership of a foreign terrorist organisation, the federal prosecutor's office said.

They were arrested Tuesday in Regensburg and the Roth district, both in the southern state of Bavaria.

The pair were married under Islamic law and were members of IS in Iraq and Syria from 2015 to 2017. During this time they held two Yazidi girls, aged five and 12, as slaves, according to prosecutors.

The Yazidis are a Kurdish-speaking group hailing from northern Iraq. They have for years been persecuted by IS militants who have killed hundreds of men, raped women and forcibly recruited children as fighters.

Twana H. S. repeatedly raped both children, with the help of Asia R. A. , who prepared a room and put make-up on one of the girls, they said.

The girls were punished with "harsh physical violence" when they made what the suspects viewed as mistakes. The elder girl was beaten with a broomstick while the younger one's hand was scalded with hot water, the prosecutors said.

The suspects are accused of exploiting the children by forcing them to do housework.

They also allegedly stopped them from practising their own religion, forcing them instead to follow Islam.

Before leaving Syria in November, 2017, the suspects handed the girls over to other members of IS, the prosecutors said.

"All of this served the organisation's objective to destroy the Yazidi religion," they said in a statement.

The suspects are being held in pre-trial detention.

In another case, a German woman who joined the jihadist group was last year handed a 14-year jail term by a Munich court for enslaving a five-year-old Yazidi girl and letting her die of thirst.
Sons of Hamas leader killed in Gaza as truce talks drag on



Gaza Strip, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



The leader of Hamas said on Wednesday Israel had killed three of his sons in an air strike in Gaza as the war in the Palestinian territory raged despite ongoing truce negotiations in Cairo.

Qatar-based Ismail Haniyeh said his three sons and "some of" his grandchildren had been killed in the strike in an interview with Al Jazeera.

The strike came as talks in Cairo aimed at a ceasefire and a hostage release deal dragged on without signs of a breakthrough. Israel did not immediately comment on the strike.

The United States has been ramping up pressure on Israel to agree to a truce, increase the amount of aid it allows into the Gaza Strip and abandon plans to invade the southern city of Rafah.

US President Joe Biden labelled Israel's conduct of the war a "mistake" in an interview broadcast on Tuesday.

Wednesday marked the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, with Gazans gathering to pray amid the devastation of the six-month war.

Tens of thousands also flocked to Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound where one worshipper, nurse Rawan Abd, said: "It's the saddest Eid ever... you could see the sadness on people's faces."

Israeli forces meanwhile kept up combat operations and air strikes in Gaza, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed no let-up in the campaign to destroy Hamas and bring home the hostages.



- 'Disproportionate response' -



Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said on Wednesday that militarily "Hamas is defeated", but insisted that Israeli troops would nevertheless enter Rafah and return to Khan Yunis, from which they withdrew last week.

The army would have to fight for years to come "in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank and in the Lebanon front", he added.

More than 1.5 million civilians are sheltering from the war in Rafah, the last Gazan city yet to face an Israeli ground invasion.

The United States has repeatedly warned against an invasion, although it said on Tuesday it believed an invasion of Rafah was not "imminent".

Biden, voicing his growing frustration with the hawkish Netanyahu, issued some of his sternest criticism yet of the war.

"I think what he's doing is a mistake," Biden told the US Spanish-language TV network Univision in an interview that aired on Tuesday night having been recorded last week. "I don't agree with his approach."

He urged Netanyahu to "just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into" Gaza.

Talks, mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, have been ongoing in Cairo since Sunday, with Hamas still considering the latest proposal.

Hamas member and spokesman in Doha Hossam Badran told AFP: "Hamas is studying the offer presented... It has not responded yet."

A framework being circulated would halt fighting for six weeks and see the exchange of about 40 hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Beyond Washington, there has been a growing chorus of international criticism aimed at Israel's conduct of the war and the paucity of aid entering the territory.

On Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that what he called Israel's "disproportionate response" in Gaza risked "destabilising the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world".

Spain is among several Western nations, including Ireland and Australia, to have suggested they would recognise a Palestinian state in the near future as a starting point for wider peace talks rather than as an end goal.

The war broke out with Hamas's October 7 attack against Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.

Palestinian militants also took about 250 hostages, 129 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli army says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 33,482 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.



- 'Famine-like conditions' -



In central Gaza -- the only area where Israeli troops are actively deployed -- a strike on home in the Nuseirat camp killed 14 people, the health ministry said.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that "Israeli troops are continuing to operate in the central Gaza Strip and killed a number of terrorists over the past day".

The military added that aircraft had "struck dozens of terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including military sites, launchers, tunnel shafts and infrastructure".

Humanitarian groups have accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war in besieged Gaza, where UN experts say half the population is facing "catastrophic" food insecurity.

Washington's recent tougher line with Israel, its main ally in the region, has brought some results, according to the US Agency for International Development.

Recent days had seen a "sea change" in aid deliveries, said USAID administrator Samantha Power, with Israel reporting 468 trucks entering from Egypt on Tuesday.

However, Power stressed that Israel needs to do more, saying that "we have famine-like conditions in Gaza, and supermarkets filled with food within a few kilometres away" in southern Israel.

According to the UN, before the war and its accompanying devastation an average of 500 aid trucks a day entered the territory.

Washington has also resumed funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees after cutting it weeks ago following Israeli claims that some UNRWA staff took part in the October 7 attack.

Regional tensions have surged amid the Gaza war, while Israel has been widely blamed for an April 1 strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed seven Revolutionary Guards.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel that "the evil regime made a mistake in this regard. It must be punished and will be punished".

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz replied with a Persian-language post saying "if Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack Iran".

burs-fg/dcp/hkb
UK police arrest five after protesters target defence ministry



London, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



Police arrested five people suspected of criminal damage Wednesday after the Ministry of Defence's London headquarters was sprayed with red paint in protest at arms sales to Israel.

The arrests came just hours after police charged three people with public order offences for staging a pro-Palestinian protest outside the London home of opposition leader Keir Starmer.

The incidents come amid debate in Britain over the acceptable limits of public demonstrations, with fears for lawmakers' safety increasing since the start of the war in Gaza.

Protest groups Palestine Action and Youth Demand said their activists had spray-painted the ministry's facade.

"We no longer accept the continuation of this death project as the UK allows the funding of arms to Israel," Youth Demand posted on social media, alongside video of the stunt.

Transport police officers assigned to a central London protest made the five arrests after spotting "a group of people spraying paint on a building along the Embankment," London's Metropolitan Police said.

"We will never tolerate people causing criminal damage to buildings under the guise of protest," the force said on X, formerly Twitter.

Earlier, the Met said two women and a man had been charged under section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 over the protest Tuesday outside Labour leader Starmer's home.

"This power stops the harassment of a person at their home address if an officer suspects it is causing alarm or distress to the occupant," it added.

The accused, all in their 20s, were arrested outside Starmer's Kentish Town house in north London.

They had hung a banner outside the house reading: "Starmer stop the killing", surrounded by red handprints.

They also laid rows of children's shoes in front of the door to signify children killed in Gaza.

The three are due to appear in court on Wednesday.

Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose home was targeted by environmental protesters last year, has urged police to halt protests outside lawmakers' residences, parliament, and political party offices.

In February, he claimed Britain was descending into "mob rule" in comments that were criticised by civil liberty groups.

UK lawmakers have reported receiving a surge of abuse since Hamas's deadly attack on Israel on October 7.

Earlier this year, Sunak's government announced a package of pound31 million ($39 million) towards boosting MPs' security.

pdh-jj/jwp/bp
CORRECTED: Sons of Hamas leader killed in Gaza as truce talks drag on



Gaza Strip, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



The leader of Hamas said on Wednesday Israel had killed three of his sons in an air strike in Gaza as the war in the Palestinian territory raged despite ongoing truce negotiations in Cairo.

Qatar-based Ismail Haniyeh said his three sons and "some of" his grandchildren had been killed in the strike in an interview with Al Jazeera.

The strike came as talks in Cairo aimed at a ceasefire and a hostage release deal dragged on without signs of a breakthrough. Israel did not immediately comment on the strike.

The United States has been ramping up pressure on Israel to agree to a truce, increase the amount of aid it allows into the Gaza Strip and abandon plans to invade the southern city of Rafah.

US President Joe Biden labelled Israel's conduct of the war a "mistake" in an interview broadcast on Tuesday.

Wednesday marked the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, with Gazans gathering to pray amid the devastation of the six-month war.

Tens of thousands also flocked to Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound where one worshipper, nurse Rawan Abd, said: "It's the saddest Eid ever... you could see the sadness on people's faces."

Israeli forces meanwhile kept up combat operations and air strikes in Gaza, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed no let-up in the campaign to destroy Hamas and bring home the hostages.



- 'Disproportionate response' -



Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said on Wednesday that militarily "Hamas is defeated", but insisted that Israeli troops would nevertheless enter Rafah and return to Khan Yunis, from which they withdrew last week.

The army would have to fight for years to come "in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank and in the Lebanon front", he added.

More than 1.5 million civilians are sheltering from the war in Rafah, the last Gazan city yet to face an Israeli ground invasion.

The United States has repeatedly warned against an invasion, although it said on Tuesday it believed an invasion of Rafah was not "imminent".

Biden, voicing his growing frustration with the hawkish Netanyahu, issued some of his sternest criticism yet of the war.

"I think what he's doing is a mistake," Biden told the US Spanish-language TV network Univision in an interview that aired on Tuesday night having been recorded last week. "I don't agree with his approach."

He urged Netanyahu to "just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into" Gaza.

Talks, mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, have been ongoing in Cairo since Sunday, with Hamas still considering the latest proposal.

Hamas member and spokesman in Doha Hossam Badran told AFP: "Hamas is studying the offer presented... It has not responded yet."

A framework being circulated would halt fighting for six weeks and see the exchange of about 40 hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Beyond Washington, there has been a growing chorus of international criticism aimed at Israel's conduct of the war and the paucity of aid entering the territory.

On Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that what he called Israel's "disproportionate response" in Gaza risked "destabilising the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world".

Spain is among several Western nations, including Ireland and Australia, to have suggested they would recognise a Palestinian state in the near future as a starting point for wider peace talks rather than as an end goal.

The war broke out with Hamas's October 7 attack against Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.

Palestinian militants also took about 250 hostages, 129 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli army says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 33,482 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.



- 'Famine-like conditions' -



In central Gaza -- the only area where Israeli troops are actively deployed -- a strike on home in the Nuseirat camp killed 14 people, the health ministry said.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that "Israeli troops are continuing to operate in the central Gaza Strip and killed a number of terrorists over the past day".

The military added that aircraft had "struck dozens of terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including military sites, launchers, tunnel shafts and infrastructure".

Humanitarian groups have accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war in besieged Gaza, where UN experts say half the population is facing "catastrophic" food insecurity.

Washington's recent tougher line with Israel, its main ally in the region, has brought some results, according to the US Agency for International Development.

Recent days had seen a "sea change" in aid deliveries, said USAID administrator Samantha Power, with Israel reporting 468 trucks entering from Egypt on Tuesday.

However, Power stressed that Israel needs to do more, saying that "we have famine-like conditions in Gaza, and supermarkets filled with food within a few kilometres away" in southern Israel.

According to the UN, before the war and its accompanying devastation an average of 500 aid trucks a day entered the territory.

The non-governmental UNRWA USA has resumed its support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, while the Biden administration is yet to restore funding that was suspended following Israeli claims that some UNRWA staff took part in the October 7 attack.

Regional tensions have surged amid the Gaza war, while Israel has been widely blamed for an April 1 strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed seven Revolutionary Guards.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel that "the evil regime made a mistake in this regard. It must be punished and will be punished".

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz replied with a Persian-language post saying "if Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack Iran".

burs-fg/dcp/hkb
Mali junta 'suspends' activities by political parties



Bamako, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



Mali's ruling military junta on Tuesday suspended all political activities, saying the move is needed to maintain public order.

"Until further notice, for reasons of public order, the activities of political parties and the activities of a political character of associations are suspended across the whole country," under a decree decided by junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, a government spokesman said.

The decree came after more than 80 political parties and civil groups on April 1 issued joint statements calling for presidential elections "as soon as possible" and an end to military rule.

The country has been ruled by juntas since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, with the worsening security situation compounded by a humanitarian and political crisis.

In June 2022, the junta said presidential elections would be held in February and power transferred back to civilians on March 26.

But the elections were postponed and the junta gave no further indication as to its intentions.

Government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga justified the suspension of party activities by the "sterile discussions" during an attempt at national dialogue earlier this year. Opposition voices have been largely stifled under junta rule.

The junta banned the activities of a rare new opposition coalition in March, citing "threats of disturbance to public order".

The group was highly critical of military rule and proposed "a new way" for Malians who since 2012 have seen the country ravaged by groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

The UN said last month that at least four organisations had been dissolved in Mali since December 2023, including groups related to good governance, elections and the opposition.

Since seizing power in 2020, the junta ended several alliances, including with the European Union and former colonial power France, and instead fostered closer ties with Russia.
SYDNEY, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Police have launched investigations in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), after an overnight stabbing left one man dead and another critically injured.

According to a statement by NSW Police Force, emergency services were called to a home on Oxford Street in Kingscliff, just after 8:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday.

A 29-year-old man sustaining a stab wound received treatment from paramedics. But he was later declared deceased at the scene.

A second man, aged 66, was found with significant arm injuries. The man who lived at the home was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital for further treatment.

A crime scene has been established at the property and an investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police also noted that they are searching for a man who is believed to have been with the 29-year-old prior to the incident.

The coastal town of Kingscliff is located near the border between NSW and Queensland states. 
Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of the Republic of Suriname, poses for a photo during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Paramaribo, Suriname, April 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)

by Xinhua writers He Bing, Wang Zhiying and Wang Linyuan

PARAMARIBO, April 10 (Xinhua) -- "We could move the bilateral relations between Suriname and China to the next level, strengthening cultural cooperation, business cooperation and investment cooperation," said Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of the Republic of Suriname.

Santokhi made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua in the capital Paramaribo ahead of his state visit to China, during which he expressed optimism about the enduring friendship and cooperation between Suriname and China. He added that his country would enhance its relationship with China in several areas.

Suriname is a Caribbean country, covering an area of approximately 160,000 square km with a population of over 600,000.

China is one of the major countries in the world, said Santokhi. "Even (though) we are a small country, Suriname and other Caribbean countries can learn a lot from China," he said.

In May 2018, Suriname signed a memorandum of understanding with China to jointly build the Belt and Road. Since then, the two countries have embarked on numerous mutually beneficial projects within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework, including airport roads, the Regional Hospital Wanica, and the Suriname Agricultural Technical Cooperation Center, among others.

"The BRI, proposed by (Chinese) President Xi Jinping, ... promotes connectivity, giving opportunity for all the partners to develop their infrastructure," Santokhi said.

Santokhi further said the connectivity brought by the BRI has also created bridges for regional economic development and cooperation, benefiting all participating countries.

"The initiative plays a comprehensive role in the area of investment and development, and it helps to strengthen partnership among countries and also develop intra-regional cooperation," Santokhi said.

Suriname is one of the earliest Caribbean countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, and in 2024, the two countries will celebrate the 48th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

Santokhi reaffirmed Suriname's adherence to the one-China principle, emphasizing mutual respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Regarding regional multilateral cooperation, Santokhi expressed Suriname's willingness to closely interact and strengthen cooperation with China to practice multilateralism, stressing that the BRI can be implemented through the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Community of Caribbean States (CARICOM) cooperation and also promotes the integration process of the region.

"The important part of this type of cooperation is promoting South-South cooperation, and based on this type of cooperation, we can also improve the connectivity between Latin American countries and China," said Santokhi.

Suriname, with its extensive marine protected areas and one of the highest forest coverage rates in the world, holds significant importance for global ecological balance.

In terms of environmental protection and climate change response, Santokhi emphasized that there are shared interests and cooperation opportunities between Suriname and China.

"Suriname is a carbon negative ranked country, but also a country with a very low-lying coastline and threatened by the impact of climate change through droughts in the interior. As a small country, we cannot address it alone," said Santokhi, mentioning that Suriname needs the cooperation of the world, and particularly technical assistance from China.

Furthermore, Santokhi positively evaluated the advancing Chinese modernization and high-quality development.

"I had attended one training session organized by the Communist Party of China, and there I got the first lesson on advanced socialism with Chinese characteristics," said Santokhi, noting that in the timeline of China, everything is based on a tailor-made program.

"We can learn a lot from China in the area of economic development, particularly in improving the welfare of the people," Santokhi added.

Since the arrival of the first batch of Chinese immigrants in 1853, the Chinese community has played a significant role in the Surinamese society. In 2014, the Chinese New Year was officially designated as a legal holiday in this Caribbean country. Santokhi, who is a fan of Chinese culture, noted his participation in various Chinese cultural events, including the anniversary of the first Chinese settlement in Suriname.

"The presence of the Chinese community is enriching the Surinamese culture," said Santokhi.

Santokhi's state visit to China is scheduled for April 11 to 17. When asked about his plans and expectations for the visit, Santokhi highlighted the enormous cooperation potential between Suriname and China in infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, and energy, among others.

During his state visit to China, "three to four days are only reserved for the investment community, for the private sector, for companies," said Santokhi, aiming to promote more Chinese investment in Suriname and strengthen bilateral cooperation. Enditem

(Xinhua reporter Li Mengxin also contributed to the story.)

Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of the Republic of Suriname, speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Paramaribo, Suriname, April 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Mengxin)
* FIRST NAME

* LAST NAME

* EMAIL Your email address

* PASSWORD Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Show

* YEAR OF BIRTH You must be at least 18 years old to create an account 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906

* Required fields

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice

CREATE ACCOUNT

I'LL TRY LATER

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Speaking to reporters at Horsham police station, he said: I have been concerned by the rise in retail crime as Im sure many others are either seeing it or on social media, which is why today weve announced a strong set of measures to clamp down on retail crime.
Lord Cameron can claim honourably to have done everything he can  and if its not enough, thats Trumps fault. Trumps obstinacy is of no comfort to Ukrainians, but it could help Biden hold on to power (hopefully not too late for Kyiv). Nearly 60 per cent of Americans support sending additional weapons to Ukraine, according to an Ipsos poll in February for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Although foreign policy rarely has a direct impact on voters, the notion of Trump as an agent of chaos  capable only of tearing things down, not building them up  is gaining traction.
He said Cooper was only seeking to be transferred within the long term and high security prison estate, that there had not been concerns about his behaviour during previous temporary moves and that the MOJs arguments overstate the differences between certain prisons.
Theres a risk that Ukraine will lose more ground to Putin, and no one wants to be in a situation in November, where we could have acted, we could have helped, we could have beaten back Putin, we could have started the process of getting a Ukraine win and getting a just peace but we failed to do that.
In an email to the PA news agency, Ms Halls team said that Mr Khan has a record of dishonesty on this matter  especially when he had, last election, said he was not going to bring in the Ulez expansion and then did so anyway.
Workers produce photovoltaic modules at the workshop of a new energy company in Yi-Hui-Miao Autonomous County of Weining, southwest China's Guizhou Province, July 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

The "overcapacity" charges reveal Washington's double standard on practicing the principles advocating market economy, free trade and the global division of labor, which the United States has claimed to embrace for centuries.

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A top priority of U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during her just-concluded second China trip was to raise Washington's concerns to Beijing over the so-called "overcapacity" in China's flourishing green industries.

Prior to her visit, "Chinese overproduction" accusations coming out of Washington have flooded mainstream Western media, claiming that China could overwhelm world markets with cheap exports of solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs).

Washington's concerns are as unfounded as they are misleading. They are also a reflection of the zero-sum mindset of some policymakers in Washington.

In recent years, Washington has grown increasingly agitated over China's high-tech advancement, fearing the possible loss of its global technological supremacy. It has adopted a "small yard, high fence" strategy, slapped semiconductor sanctions against China, and blacklisted a number of Chinese tech firms under the pretext of national security.

The "overcapacity" charges also reveal Washington's double standard on practicing the principles advocating market economy, free trade and the global division of labor, which the United States has claimed to embrace for centuries: Whenever U.S. industries are in an advantageous position, Washington champions the omnipotence of the market and free global trade; but when American companies face serious competition, the United States looks the other way, and puts up a protectionist shield.

David Fickling, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist, said in a recent opinion piece that "Yellen junks 200 years of economics to block China clean tech" and that the attempt is a protectionist disaster that will impede the path to net zero.

Robots weld bodyshells of cars at a workshop of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Li Auto Inc. in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Instead of criticizing the fast development of green industries in China, the United States should shift its focus to strengthening its own. Bloomberg has noted that the crux of the issue for advanced economies, including the United States, lies in the efficiency and competitiveness of Chinese electric carmakers, including their technological prowess and modern transport infrastructure.

In fact, contrary to an "overcapacity problem," the clean energy sector is struggling to meet global demand amidst urgent climate change concerns and widespread efforts towards energy transition.

At the end of 2023, the International Renewable Energy Agency projected that in order to keep the Paris targets alive, global renewable power capacity must grow by around 1,000 GW a year through 2030.

In 2023, a year with a record high capacity addition, the world had an increase of around 507 GW, half of what was needed to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach, according to the International Energy Agency's Renewables 2023 report.

One of the most prominent obstacles to the global energy transition, the report said, is insufficient financing in developing countries, where capital can be two to three times higher than in mature renewable energy markets. Behind the investment gap lies the Western-dominated financial order, which puts monetary gains over developmental rights.

Instead of fanning Sinophobia to slow China's growth, Washington would be better served by sharpening its own technological strength and clean energy infrastructure. This also needs a commitment to defending free market ideals, which the United States claims to support.

China and the United States have more, not fewer, common interests. It is China's stance that the two sides should help rather than hinder each other's development, both in traditional areas such as trade and agriculture, and in emerging areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence.

Before departing for Washington following her China visit, Yellen repeated Washington's pledge not to seek decoupling from China. Simply rejecting "decoupling" verbally is not enough to create a healthy economic relationship between the world's top two economies. Only win-win cooperation in deeds can.
And if you vote for Reform, all you're going to do is put Keir Starmer in power and then we're going to get no action on those things that you care about: migration is not going to come down, the boats will not be stopped, and he will adopt an ideological approach to net zero, reverse the changes I've made.
JERUSALEM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Ministry of Transport on Wednesday said it has held an exercise, with a simulation scenario of a prolonged power outage, to improve preparedness for a possible "multi-arena war."

The exercise held on Tuesday evening was participated by the ministry's authorities, departments and companies, as well as senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office, the National Emergency Management Authority, the army's Home Front Command, and others.

The purpose of the exercise was to improve the readiness of the transportation sector to deal with a high-intensity war, particularly in a dark scenario, according to a statement by the ministry.

During the exercise, issues including challenges concerning sea, land, and air traffic, potential shortages of drivers, supply chain management, information dissemination, and legal considerations during emergencies were discussed.

It emphasized strengthening the integration and mutual relations between authorities and organizations to respond to significant events, such as a possible electricity crisis, in a multi-sector scenario.

Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev noted that the ministry is mulling a multi-year strategic plan to promote readiness for emergencies in the coming years. 
President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua meets with French ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua met with French ambassador to China Bertrand Lortholary in Beijing on Tuesday.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and France, Fu said. It is also the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism.

In order to implement the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron on enhancing exchanges and cooperation in various fields, Xinhua News Agency will take the lead or participate in hosting a series of activities on China-France cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and send a strong team to cover the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"It is believed that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-France media exchanges and cooperation will achieve new results and help elevate bilateral relations to a new level," said Fu.

Lortholary said this year is of great significance for the development of France-China relations. France attaches importance to strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges with China. 
Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sept 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sept 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (17) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sept 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (134) Jun 2013 (203) Jul 2013 (292) Aug 2013 (350) Sept 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (347) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (437) Jan 2014 (543) Feb 2014 (472) Mar 2014 (525) Apr 2014 (526) May 2014 (470) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sept 2014 (440) Oct 2014 (471) Nov 2014 (496) Dec 2014 (535) Jan 2015 (535) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (578) Apr 2015 (657) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (672) Jul 2015 (727) Aug 2015 (803) Sept 2015 (922) Oct 2015 (919) Nov 2015 (798) Dec 2015 (789) Jan 2016 (781) Feb 2016 (834) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (864) May 2016 (945) Jun 2016 (1042) Jul 2016 (880) Aug 2016 (1034) Sept 2016 (965) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (884) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sept 2017 (999) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1045) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (808) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sept 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (934) Jul 2019 (949) Aug 2019 (936) Sept 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (848) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (787) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sept 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (811) Dec 2020 (781) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sept 2021 (790) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (692) Jan 2022 (694) Feb 2022 (654) Mar 2022 (740) Apr 2022 (745) May 2022 (748) Jun 2022 (701) Jul 2022 (704) Aug 2022 (702) Sept 2022 (699) Oct 2022 (737) Nov 2022 (718) Dec 2022 (692) Jan 2023 (662) Feb 2023 (611) Mar 2023 (692) Apr 2023 (652) May 2023 (696) Jun 2023 (701) Jul 2023 (742) Aug 2023 (737) Sept 2023 (732) Oct 2023 (749) Nov 2023 (751) Dec 2023 (732) Jan 2024 (746) Feb 2024 (687) Mar 2024 (738) Apr 2024 (723) May 2024 (750) Jun 2024 (712) Jul 2024 (756) Aug 2024 (797) Sept 2024 (773) Oct 2024 (326)
The number of registrations of natural and legal persons decreased in the first two months of 2024 by 2.02%, compared to the same period of 2023, totalling 25,626 units, of which 67.4%, or 17,288, are limited liability companies (SRL), according to data centralised by the National Trade Register Office (ONRC), consulted by AGERPRES.

The most registrations were recorded in the municipality of Bucharest, namely 5,274 (up 8.72% compared to January-February 2023) and in the counties of Ilfov - 1,361 (up 2.42%), Cluj - 1,325 (up 1.21%), Timis - 1,217 (down 9.12%) and Iasi - 1,069 (down 4.96%).

At the opposite pole, the lowest number of registrations was recorded in the first two months of 2024 in the counties of Tulcea - 159 (down 4.4% compared to the same period in 2023), Covasna - 163 (minus 27.61%), Ialomita - 167 (plus 6.59%) and Mehedinti - 181 (plus 3.87%).

According to the ONRC, the areas in which most registrations were made are: wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (4,759; minus 5.26%, compared to the first two months of 2023), transport and storage (3,180; plus 7.51%) and construction (2,436; minus 9.68%).
A minibus driven by a young man who was hiding 11 migrants was stopped by the authorities from leaving the country through the Nadlac border crossing point and the Romanian driver is under criminal investigation.

"A Romanian citizen aged 24 years old, driving a van registered in Romania, showed up for border formalities on the way out of the country. According to the documents accompanying the goods, he was transporting car parts on the Romania-Spain route. Following a thorough check of the vehicle, 11 foreign nationals were discovered hidden in the cargo compartment," Arad Border Police said on Wednesday.

Following checks it was established that the migrants are from Egypt, Pakistan and India, and are aged between 20 and 39 years. They entered Romania legally on the basis of personal documents.

The driver is under investigation for smuggling migrants and the foreigners in the van for attempting to cross the state border fraudulently.
The Romania - Republic of Moldova Employers' Association for Sustainable Development (PDDRM) is to be launched on May 16, 2024, when the "PDDRM - Romania - Republic of Moldova Multiannual Economic Plan" conference will take place, Iuliu Stocklosa, chairman of the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIB), announced during a specialized event.

According to a press release from the CCIB, Iuliu Stocklosa participated on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in the Romania - Republic of Moldova Business Forum, organized on the sidelines of the 12th session of the Mixed Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Collaboration (Mixed Commission), the co-presidents of this Commission being the minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism from the Romanian side, Stefan-Radu Oprea, and the vice-prime minister, the minister of economic development and digitization, from the Republic of Moldova, Dumitru Alaiba, told Agerpres.

The Business Forum was attended by officials from the two sides participating in the works of the Joint Commission, as well as numerous representatives of the business milieu from both Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

Chairman Stocklosa expressed the CCIB's full readiness to promote and support any initiative from the business environment of the two states aimed at contributing to the success of the integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European Union of which Romania is a part.
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

Maplewood Mayor Nikylan Knapper slipped out of her last city council meeting Tuesday night without any comment about her upset loss in last weeks municipal elections.

Knapper was easily defeated in the April 2 balloting, falling to former Mayor Barry Greenbergs write-in campaign by an almost 2-to-1 margin.

Overall, Greenberg picked up 63% of the vote and had a winning margin of 419 votes out of 1,671 cast.

Along with avoiding questions Tuesday by using a side door of City Hall, Knapper also appears to have deactivated her campaigns Facebook account and she did not respond to messages left Wednesday.

Greenberg will be sworn as mayor, for a second time, before the April 23 council meeting. After serving 14 years on the council, Greenberg was elected to the top spot in 2017, only to lose to Knapper in 2021.

Greenberg attended Tuesdays meeting but did not comment during the public forum portion of the proceedings.

After Tuesdays meeting, Greenberg said he had no specific plan for making any widespread changes in the city administration.

I need to reacclimate myself to the position of mayor, he said.

Taking a look at last weeks voting in Maplewood, the numbers indicate that voters were clamoring for change more now than they were in 2021, when they elected Knapper over Greenberg.

Keeping in mind that only 261 more votes were cast in this mayoral election than in 2021, Greenberg garnered 1,045 votes  almost 500 more tallies than the 588 he received in 2021.

On the other hand, Knapper pulled in 626 votes this time around, about 200 votes less than the 822 she earned three years ago.

Knappers three-year run as mayor, the first for an African American in the solidly progressive suburb of about 8,200, took a negative turn shortly after she took office.

Several council members who publicly supported Knapper against Greenberg in 2021, Jenny Schmidt and Sarah Crosley, quickly cooled in their support.

In December, both told the Post-Dispatch that they became disillusioned with Knapper after she failed to keep her promises about improving transparency and community involvement.

The dissatisfaction that Knapper had created among former supporters was even more evident during this recent campaign.

Former council member Sandi Phillips, a quiet Knapper supporter in 2021, and Jon-Erik Hanson, Knappers first treasurer, both turned up as key leaders in Greenbergs successful write-in effort.

The ebbing support for Knapper became more publicly evident last fall, when her increasingly contentious relationship with city manager Michael Reese led to him abruptly resigning in September.

The city eventually agreed to pay Reese about $165,000 to get him to leave quietly, a settlement amount that city officials seemed reluctant to disclose until news organizations filed public information requests.

But further stirring up civic ire was what came closely on the heels of Reeses departure.

Knapper and her allies, five of the six city council members, conducted a behind-closed-doors search for a new city manager.

The job opening was not posted in any professional publication and no employee search firm was used. The field of candidates included only two people  with one candidate being Amber Withycombe, a close friend and political ally of Knapper.

As the hiring process continued in early December, former Knapper supporter Crosley aimed some criticism at Maplewood council members.

Everyone on the council needs to decide when theyre tired of saying yes to (Knapper), she said. They have some soul-searching to do.

But later in December, Knappers five council allies voted in favor of hiring Withycombe as Reeses replacement and paying her $157,000 a year.

Only one council member, Chasity Mattox, voted against Withycombes hiring.

Prior to being hired in late December, Withycombe had no prior experience in city management and does not have a college degree in public administration.

Withycombes husband, Josh Kryah, also had served as Knappers treasurer and was appointed by the mayor to several city boards.

Both Knapper and Withycombe served on the board of the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District and also were involved with the ill-fated campaign of council member Shana Jones.

Jones, praised by local media for her pandemic relief work in 2020, resigned from the council in 2022 after only five months when her past felony convictions on fraud and forgery charges began circulating in Maplewood.

When pressed for a specific response about Withycombes position with the city, Greenberg adopted a wait-and-see approach.

I havent worked with Amber before, so I need to figure out what her strengths and weaknesses are before I make any decisions, he said.

In the weeks before this past election, Knappers campaign showed signs of losing traction.

She declined to respond to a request by the League of Women Voters to debate Greenberg, and her campaign was two weeks late in filing a report that should have been submitted in February with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

The last campaign reports filed with the state show that Knapper eventually passed Greenberg in fundraising, taking in $8,156, compared to Greenbergs $6,423.

Helping Knapper pass Greenberg was a single $3,000 donation made two weeks before the election by Bruce Tarkington, a retired Brentwood, Tennessee lawyer. Tarkington also contributed $7,000 to Knappers 2021 campaign that raised about $13,000.

And while Knapper lost her office, she is not the only person whose political clout took a hit in last weeks balloting. St. Louis County Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, D-Maplewood, a supporter of Knapper, also came up on the short end of the ballot stick.

Not only did voters oust Knapper, but two incumbent Maplewood Richmond Heights school board members who ran with Clancy and Knappers support  Julie Francois and Rachel Goltzman  also were defeated at the polls.

One of the winners in that school board race was the aforementioned Jenny Schmidt, the former Knapper supporter-turned-detractor.
WINDHOEK, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula on Wednesday outlined the ministry's performance and plans to meet the evolving health and social needs of the country's growing population.

Namibia's population surged from 2,113,077 in 2011 to 3,022,401 in 2023, according to a preliminary report from the 2023 Population and Housing Census released in March, a significant increase that poses challenges for health service delivery.

"This increase in population size has implications on the delivery of health and social services as most of our health infrastructure was established when the population was 1.4 million. As the population size increases, so does the health and social needs," Shangula said in a statement.

Shangula said the ministry is allocating 10.9 billion Namibia dollars (about 584 million U.S. dollars) for the 2024/2025 financial year, with a significant portion dedicated to operational expenditure and infrastructure development. This includes the construction, maintenance and modernization of health facilities across the country, he said.

"More than 85 percent of the Namibian population depend on public health and social services provided through hospitals and other health facilities managed by the ministry. These include 322 clinics, 56 health centers, 34 district hospitals, four intermediate hospitals and one national referral hospital," he said, adding that there are more than 1,150 outreach points.

According to Shangula, the portfolio of services offered at public health facilities consists of primary health care services, including health promotion, preventive and curative interventions, immunization, as well as tertiary and specialized services offered at our tertiary health care hospitals.

Key projects and initiatives will include the expansion and construction of Intensive Care Units, upgrading dialysis units at seven hospitals, improvements in medical oxygen infrastructure, and various renovations and maintenance work to ensure the quality and readiness of health facilities. 
ST. LOUIS  After several high-profile cases of fraud that included St. Louis, state regulators will gain access to new oversight tools for childhood nutrition programs, a top U.S. Department of Agriculture official told the Post-Dispatch Tuesday.

Cindy Long, administrator of the USDAs Food and Nutrition Service, said a new federal rule ups monitoring requirements and requires more financial reporting from the nonprofits that operate the child nutrition programs, which distribute meals to low-income children in schools and during the summer. Another pending rule will clarify the process for removing bad actors or nonprofits that struggle to operate the programs.

In addition, she said USDA staff are working to give state regulators, who oversee the day-to-day operations of the meal distribution programs, new data monitoring tools to better track program participants and find red flags.

These programs are highly decentralized, Long said in an interview. You have family day care providers in their homes, you have little summer programs, maybe 40 to 60 kids all over the state. No one can be there all the time. But we can do a lot better at monitoring the information we do have, which is around the numbers of meals theyre serving, the claims, and empowering states much more strongly with those kind of tools.

The child nutrition programs  the Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program  offer federal reimbursement to nonprofits and school districts that provide meals to low-income children. During the pandemic, the programs drew headlines for the wrong reasons.

In Minneapolis, federal prosecutors in 2022 charged nearly 50 people tied to nonprofit Feeding our Future for stealing some $250 million from the USDAs child nutrition programs. Prosecutors said then it was the largest pandemic-era fraud scheme to date.

After a Post-Dispatch report, federal prosecutors in October charged the head of one Missouri nonprofit, Connie Bobo, for claiming some $11 million she wasnt entitled to receive and using the money to buy property and luxury goods. Prosecutors a year ago also subpoenaed records on Influence Church, which also claimed tens of millions of dollars from the program and was the subject of a Post-Dispatch investigation, though charges were never filed.

Long said some of the fraud was due to pandemic-era conditions that curtailed state regulator visits to monitor the programs and allowed huge, drive-thru-style grab-and-go events where a weeks worth of meals could be distributed at once, allowing large claims.

I certainly think its reasonable to say that the unique set of circumstances under COVID were kind of a perfect storm, Long said. Its very distressing when you see these kind of alleged criminal activities. They also did get caught. There are mechanisms in place to deal with the folks who are truly undertaking criminal activity.

And, Long said, FNS doesnt want to strangle the vast majority of nonprofits who are trying to provide a needed service to children.

We are trying to hit the sweet spot, she said. A lot of the folks that operate these programs and operate them very well are small nonprofits that are committed to supporting the kids in their community.

Some of the problems with the programs were also tied to a waiver of rules requiring meals to be served in a congregate setting. Missouri made national headlines in 2022 for being the only state to pull out of that waiver after regulators grew concerned with massive claim numbers from some nonprofits.

Long said FNS did not want to throw the baby out with the bathwater on non-congregate meal distribution, and noted that Congress recently approved a non-congregate feeding option for rural areas.

Im confident thats going to be a game-changer in those places where its just not feasible to bring kids together and you just dont have a mechanism for a captive audience that you do during the school year, Long said. I do not think that non-congregate in and of itself represents a risk. Its like anything else, youve just got to manage it properly.

Long was in St. Louis for the FNS-sponsored Healthy Meals Summit, part of its Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative. The program awarded $30 million in grants to rural school districts around the country for new equipment and initiatives to provide healthier food to school children. Awardees and others in the school lunch industry were invited to gather and share practices at one of three conferences, the first of which was in St. Louis this week. Four districts in the western portion of Missouri received grants.

The funding comes as a new final rule is nearly complete mandating healthier school meals, including by cutting sugar and salt.

The Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, funded with American Rescue Plan Act money, will also soon award $52 million in grants to spur new partnerships between school districts and food producers.

Its the biggest single investment in school meals, outside of the reimbursement for the meals, in over 30 years, Long said.
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A top priority of U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during her just-concluded second China trip was to raise Washington's concerns to Beijing over the so-called "overcapacity" in China's flourishing green industries.

Prior to her visit, "Chinese overproduction" accusations coming out of Washington have flooded mainstream Western media, claiming that China could overwhelm world markets with cheap exports of solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs).

Washington's concerns are as unfounded as they are misleading. They are also a reflection of the zero-sum mindset of some policymakers in Washington.

In recent years, Washington has grown increasingly agitated over China's high-tech advancement, fearing the possible loss of its global technological supremacy. It has adopted a "small yard, high fence" strategy, slapped semiconductor sanctions against China, and blacklisted a number of Chinese tech firms under the pretext of national security.

The "overcapacity" charges also reveal Washington's double standard on practicing the principles advocating market economy, free trade and the global division of labor, which the United States has claimed to embrace for centuries: Whenever U.S. industries are in an advantageous position, Washington champions the omnipotence of the market and free global trade; but when American companies face serious competition, the United States looks the other way, and puts up a protectionist shield.

David Fickling, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist, said in a recent opinion piece that "Yellen junks 200 years of economics to block China clean tech" and that the attempt is a protectionist disaster that will impede the path to net zero.

Instead of criticizing the fast development of green industries in China, the United States should shift its focus to strengthening its own. Bloomberg has noted that the crux of the issue for advanced economies, including the United States, lies in the efficiency and competitiveness of Chinese electric carmakers, including their technological prowess and modern transport infrastructure.

In fact, contrary to an "overcapacity problem," the clean energy sector is struggling to meet global demand amidst urgent climate change concerns and widespread efforts towards energy transition.

At the end of 2023, the International Renewable Energy Agency projected that in order to keep the Paris targets alive, global renewable power capacity must grow by around 1,000 GW a year through 2030.

In 2023, a year with a record high capacity addition, the world had an increase of around 507 GW, half of what was needed to keep the 1.5-degree target within reach, according to the International Energy Agency's Renewables 2023 report.

One of the most prominent obstacles to the global energy transition, the report said, is insufficient financing in developing countries, where capital can be two to three times higher than in mature renewable energy markets. Behind the investment gap lies the Western-dominated financial order, which puts monetary gains over developmental rights.

Instead of fanning Sinophobia to slow China's growth, Washington would be better served by sharpening its own technological strength and clean energy infrastructure. This also needs a commitment to defending free market ideals, which the United States claims to support.

China and the United States have more, not fewer, common interests. It is China's stance that the two sides should help rather than hinder each other's development, both in traditional areas such as trade and agriculture, and in emerging areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence.

Before departing for Washington following her China visit, Yellen repeated Washington's pledge not to seek decoupling from China. Simply rejecting "decoupling" verbally is not enough to create a healthy economic relationship between the world's top two economies. Only win-win cooperation in deeds can. 
When an illustrated edition of Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale was released in 2019, educators in Clayton, Missouri needed little debate before deciding to keep copies in high school libraries. The book is widely regarded as a classic work of dystopian literature about the oppression of women, and a graphic novel would help it reach teens who struggle with words alone.

But after Missouri legislators passed a law in 2022 subjecting librarians to fines and possible imprisonment for allowing sexually explicit materials on bookshelves, the suburban St. Louis district reconsidered the new Atwood edition, and withdrew it.

Theres a depiction of a rape scene, a handmaid being forced into a sexual act, says Tom Bober, Clayton district's library coordinator and president of the Missouri Association of School Librarians. Its literally one panel of the graphic novel, but we felt it was in violation of the law in Missouri.

Across the country, book challenges and bans have soared to the highest levels in decades. Public and school-based libraries have been inundated with complaints from community members and conservative organizations such as as Moms for Liberty. Increasingly, lawmakers are considering new punishments  crippling lawsuits, hefty fines and even imprisonment  for distributing books some regard as inappropriate.

The trend comes as officials seek to define terms such as obscene and harmful. Many of the conflicts involve materials featuring racial and/or LGBTQ+ themes, such as Toni Morrisons novel, The Bluest Eye, and Maia Kobabes memoir, Gender Queer. And while no librarian or educator has been jailed, the threat alone has led to more self-censorship.

Already this year, lawmakers in more than 15 states have introduced bills to impose harsh penalties on libraries or librarians.

Utah enacted legislation in March that empowers the states attorney general to enforce a new system of challenging and removing sensitive books from school settings. The law also creates a panel to monitor compliance and violations.

Awaiting Idaho Gov. Brad Littles signature is a bill that empowers local prosecutors to bring charges against public and school libraries if they dont move harmful materials away from children.

The laws are designed to limit or remove legal protections that libraries have had for decades, says Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom.

Since the early 1960s, institutions including schools, libraries and museums  as well as educators, librarians and other staffers who distribute materials to children  have largely been exempt from expensive lawsuits or potential criminal charges.

These protections began showing up in states as America grappled with standards surrounding obscenity, which was defined by the Supreme Court in 1973.

Ruling 5-4 in Miller v. California, the justices said obscene materials are not automatically protected by the First Amendment, and offered three criteria that must be met for being labeled obscene: whether the work, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient interest, whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law, and whether the work lacks "serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Eventually, almost every state adopted protections for educators, librarians and museum officials, among others who provide information to minors.

Until recently, police and prosecutors were unable to pursue charges against public libraries over materials that make certain individuals uncomfortable, stated a 2023 report from EveryLibrary, a national political action committee that opposes censorship.

Arkansas and Indiana targeted educators and librarians with criminalization laws last year. Tennessee criminalized publishers that provide obscene materials to public schools.

Some Republicans are seeking penalties and restrictions that would apply nationwide. Referring to pornography in the foreword to Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation's blueprint for a possible second Donald Trump administration, the right-wing group's president, Kevin Roberts, wrote that the people who produce and distribute it should be imprisoned. Educators and public librarians who purvey it should be classed as registered sex offenders.

Arkansas version was temporarily blocked by a federal judge after a coalition of librarians and publishers challenged the legality of subjecting librarians and booksellers to criminal charges if they provide harmful materials to minors.

Indiana lawmakers stripped away educational purposes as a defense for school librarians and educators charged with giving minors obscene or harmful material  felonies punishable by up to 2 years in jail and $10,000 in fines. It's likely a matter of when  not if  a lawsuit is filed, and the anxiety has created a chilling effect.

Its putting fear into some people. Its very scary, said Diane Rogers, a school librarian who serves as president of the Indiana Library Federation. If youre a licensed teacher just being charged with a felony potentially gets rid of your license even if youre found innocent. Thats a very serious thing.


We apologize. A page no longer exists or an error has occured on our server.



Return to Our Home Page




April 10, 2024: In the Black Sea, Russia is still able to operate several submarines that can submerge to escape attack by Ukrainian armed USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels) which have damaged or destroyed several Russian warships. Now Ukraine is about to receive a land-based weapon that can attack and destroy Russian submarines even if they are submerged. This is the new Swedish SLWT (Saab Lightweight Torpedo) or simply Torpedo 47, which entered service in 2022 with the Swedish and Finnish navies. It can be launched from ships, aircraft, helicopters, and land based coastal launchers.

Torpedo 47 is designed to operate most effectively in shallow coastal waters and is 2.85 meters long with a diameter of 400mm. Thats 16 inches, the standard dimension of lightweight torpedoes. Torpedo 47 weighs 340 kg and has a warhead containing 50 kg of explosives. It is powered by a lithium battery than enables the torpedo to move at up to 70 kilometers an hour against targets 20 to 50 kilometers away depending on the speed of the torpedo. Torpedo 47 can hit submarines at depths of more than 300 meters. Active (sonar) and passive (listening only) guidance systems are used.

Ukraine could use a helicopter or large UAV to carry and launch Torpedo 47, in addition to using a land-based launcher on a dock or an anchored offshore platform. Russia has four Kilo class submarines available in the Black Sea, operating from bases on the Crimean Peninsula. Kilos launch Kalibr land attack cruise missiles from their torpedo tubes while submerged. These missiles have a range of more than 1,500 kilometers and carry a warhead with 450 kg of explosives. Kalibr was based on the earlier American Tomahawk missile and proved to be about as capable as the earlier models of the Tomahawk. The Russian Kilos in the Black Sea have long been targets because those Kalibr missiles were used to attack targets in Ukraine.

There were six Kilos in the Black Sea when Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. Two of those were damaged or destroyed by missiles or air-delivered bombs within the first year of the war. Ukrainian armed USVs destroyed several Russian warships, and the rest of their Black Sea Fleet was moved to ports about a thousand kilometers from Crimea to protect them from more Ukrainian attacks. Russian ships and submarines can still launch Kalibr missiles at Ukrainian targets, but these missiles can be intercepted by Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile systems. These anti-aircraft systems only cover key portions of Ukraine. There are still plenty of less important targets in Ukraine lacking protection that the Kalibr missiles can hit. Russia is apparently saving its growing inventory of Kalibr missiles for a mass attack in the future that can overwhelm air defenses with numbers. Meanwhile the Ukrainian Torpedo 47 system will give the Kilo submarines something to worry about.
by Austin Bay April 10, 2024

Three invasions with extraordinary global impact and history-shaping consequences have occurred since January 2021 -- the month Joe Biden became America's president and his administration began directing U.S. foreign and federal domestic policy.

The invasions in reverse chronological order:

1. Hamas' October 2023 genocidal invasion of Israel. Hamas is committed to Israel's elimination, which means committing genocide.

2. Vladimir Putin-led Russia's February 2022 all-out conventional attack to seize Ukraine.

3. The illegal alien disruption and "political transformation" invasion that began in spring 2021 after Biden, by presidential directive, effectively ended U.S. border controls.

In late spring 2024, all three invasions are reaching near-simultaneous crises. Ukrainian defenders face ammunition, weapons and manpower shortages. Israel's war with Hamas terrorists has been a tactical and operational success, but strategically, Israel confronts political isolation and a multifront war with Iran and Iranian proxies. To Biden's dismay, America's unsecured borders have become the critical political issue in 2024's presidential election.

Money is a special kind of ammunition. It takes wealth to procure weapons, food, fuel, medicine and ammo, to recruit and train soldiers, to repair damaged infrastructure roads and hospitals. Money also funds the social safety net -- wars on poverty.

Budget authority has made the U.S. Congress a key financial and political battleground in all three wars. The rough sketch: Moderate Democrats and Republicans favor funding Israel's defense and providing solid international political support. Hard-left Democrats -- schooled on "progressive" academic Marxist social theory spiked with antisemitism -- oppose funding Israeli defense. Some oppose Israel's existence.

That's why Biden wavers on open support for Israel.

Israel has the power to destroy Hamas and end Hamas' genocidal threat. However, Iran, Hamas' master, is the real enemy. Iran seeks nuclear weapons and vows to eliminate Israel -- another genocidal threat.

A wider Middle Eastern war with Iran will involve U.S. forces. The administration and Congress must make it clear to Iran it supports Israel's right to exist with security, without threat of atrocity and genocide.

Sending that message means standing aside as Israel destroys Hamas.

Addressing the Ukraine and U.S. border invasions, however, should be separate issues. Republicans have watched the border deteriorate. The Republicans argue, sensibly, we need to defend our borders as well as Ukraine's.

So they tied funding Ukraine to securing U.S. domestic borders -- meaning they want the Biden administration to enforce the laws on the books. However, progressive Democrats, influential in the Biden administration, want to keep the illegals coming.

The next census is one reason. Blue states have lost people. Millions of illegals in blue states protect congressional districts. Self-serving politics is bad enough, but I think the hard leftists ultimately seek to destroy American social and political cohesion. They argue their agenda promotes social justice of some type, hence a transformation invasion assuring leftist political domination. What it does is make it easier for authoritarians like China and Russia to dominate the world.

The Republicans have a strong strategic case for border security and election integrity. The unsecured border isn't "the immigration problem" of the past. The unsecured border deleteriously affects multiple issues. The massive illegal alien wave the Biden administration encouraged undermines economic growth, distorts job creation and overwhelms state and local social welfare and anti-poverty "safety nets."

There are health and public safety dimensions. Limiting disease transmission -- human and animal diseases and plant pests -- is an obvious border security mission, but millions of illegal aliens have avoided health checks. The Biden administration shrugs.

Drug cartels use the illegal alien invasion to smuggle people and narcotics with ease. Failing to enforce border law is intimately tied to the "fentanyl drug epidemic" and a factor in the increase in violent crime.

Failing to enforce laws breeds disrespect and ultimately disdain for law and order.

Russia is gearing up for a summer offensive. Ukraine needs aid right now. There are several proposals that have bipartisan congressional support. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) recently suggested using an estimated $8 billion in seized Russian assets to fund more Ukraine aid. Don't want any longer, use it.

Kurt Volker, former State Department Special Representative for Ukraine, favors a new Ukraine lend-lease law. Congress passed one in May 2022, but lend-lease was never used -- arms were delivered free of charge. The law expired in 2023. Volker told an RBC-Ukraine reporter that a new lend-lease would make "hundreds of billions available to Ukraine to borrow at Ukraine's discretion." So do it.

As for the border? Efforts by Texas' state government demonstrates all Biden has to do is restore Trump administration border policy.

Or we wait for a national election to repudiate Biden's neglect and malfeasance.
Quickplay Brings Generative AI to Programmers to Optimize Storefront Search and Discovery Tools

Curator Assistant continues close collaboration with Google Cloud

Toronto, Ontario( )

Quickplay is using the power of Generative AI to help content programming teams drive deeper discovery into their content libraries with a new product that continues the companys innovation partnership with Google Cloud.

At Google Cloud Next 24 and the NAB Show this month Quickplay is unveiling a Curator Assistant that turbocharges programming teams ability to expedite connections between consumers and relevant content. Building on Quickplays successful debut of its AI-powered Media Companion at IBC 2023, the Curator Assistants thorough search capabilities enable creation of storefront rails that contain more titles that engage consumer interest; and can be programmed faster, offering up valuable programmer time.

OTT providers programming teams are the unsung heroes of content search, said Paul Pastor, CBO and Co-Founder of Quickplay. Curator Assistant gives them increased power to put the greatest assortment of relevant titles front and center before viewers. Programmers will no longer be limited by their own or licensed metadata - they can literally leverage the entire Internet, with conversational search, to program their service and drive more discovery opportunities that are personalized to the user or cohort.

Curator Assistant leverages Generative AI to help programmers discover new opportunities to merchandize their content. With Curator Assistant integrated into the Quickplay CMS, programming teams can conversationally engage with the tool to set up rails aligned with topical or seasonal content or passion verticals that address viewers personal interests. Google Vertex AI leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) to return results that tap into a much broader database than traditional metadata tagging. Query results are matched in the Quickplay CMS against available content rights and user profiles, resulting in content presentation that is both surprising and relevant. These innovations are enabled by a modular, cloud based, open-AI platform architecture that plugs into AI marketplaces with ease and time-to-market advantages.

Curator Assistant doubles down on Quickplays commitment to optimizing AI-driven search, discovery and personalization. Media Companions debut at IBC put conversational interaction directly into the hands of viewers by using LLMs to provide deeper insights into content libraries; Curator Assistant empowers programming teams to ensure increased Storefront visibility for topics and titles of interest by:

Providing a natural language interface for assisted discovery, including catalog browsing, filtering, and cross-referencing assets.

Augmenting content metadata with additional insights, including micro-genre descriptors, emotional tags, and embeddings to strengthen results.

Determining natural content breakpoints to identify binge markers and ad-breaks that can improve usability and expand monetization.

Auto-generating content rails based on results extracted from the catalog and further refining results based on a variety of engagement metrics.

Personalizing content carousels based on individual taste preferences, content analyses, and consumption patterns.

Alongside Quickplays existing Streaming Analytics and A/B testing framework, these tools help content curators discover novel approaches to maximize audience engagement.

Empowering curators to create dynamic storefronts with relevant and personalized content suggestions leveraging platforms like Vertex AI will drive more engagement, retention and monetization opportunities for clients, said Juan Martin, Quickplays CTO and Co-Founder. Our goal is to elevate a curators impact with this tool in surfacing content that would otherwise not have been captured through traditional metadata programming tools.

Our partnership with Quickplay emphasizes not only cutting-edge technology through Generative AI use cases but also thought leadership and expertise in optimizing the viewer experience," says Anil Saboo, Director of Industry ISV Partnerships at Google Cloud . Together, Google Cloud and Quickplay are setting new standards for the future of OTT, pushing boundaries and shaping the landscape of content delivery.

In demonstrations at Google Cloud Next 2024 (April 9-11) and NAB Show 2024 (April 13-16), Quickplay will show how the integration of Generative AI with Quickplays CMS is leading the way to optimal search experiences. In addition, Quickplay will share thought leadership in Generative AI-powered content discovery via two presentations: Martins Driving Viewer Engagement With AI-Powered Conversational Search" at Google Cloud Next and Creating and implementing AI-powered Conversational Search to Drive Viewer Engagement'' by Naveen Narayanan, Senior Director, Product Innovation and Strategy, at NAB 2024. Naveens presentation will be delivered at the Broadcasting Engineering and IT Conference Application of Large Language Models (LLMs) in Media at 11:30 AM Saturday, April 13 in Rooms W220-W221 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

ABOUT QUICKPLAY:

Quickplay is leading cloud transformations of OTT and in-home experiences for pay-TV, telcos, and MVPDs. The companys cloud-native platform leverages a transformative open architecture for unparalleled performance in delivering premium video, handling complex use cases, and scaling to millions of viewers. Founded by a team that has built and operated dozens of Tier 1 OTT services worldwide, Quickplay is powering immersive sports, live experiences, and personalized entertainment on any screen. The company is headquartered in Toronto and has additional locations in Los Angeles, San Diego, Chennai, India, and Europe. Quickplay is a two-time winner of the Google Cloud Industry Solution Partner of the Year Award for Media & Entertainment. For more information, visit https://quickplay.com/.
Can Data Normalisation Fix FAST?

Arguably, the two biggest challenges in the FAST ecosystem are managing the ad experience and delivering ROI for the brands that support the platform. Evan Shapiro, CEO, ESHAP, Patrick Courtney, SVP, Head of Streaming & Business Development, Fuse Media, and Laura Florence, SVP Global FAST Channels, Fremantle, agree that standardizing the data they collect and delivering on the promise of programmatic advertising is the key to making it all work. But as this clip from Streaming Media Connect 2024 reveals, it's easier said than done.

Shapiro says to Courtney, Whether it's the sellout rate or the over frequency or any of the other colliding elements of this, the answer is going to wind up being data, right? The more we can drill into the data and use each user's anonymised, privacy-protected, unique identity, the better that environment is going to be for each user. The question is, how do we pull everybody together to get the data that makes that necessary?

Courtney notes that disparate data gathered across platforms is the essential problem. I don't know how you pull it together, he says. There has to be some sort of forcing function, and maybe things like Walmart's acquisition of Vizio are part of that[it creates] this need to standardise measurement across platforms.

Shapiro says, In the United States, we had Nielsen, which was a monopoly for many years, and then they fell out of favour. Now, we have a Joint Industry Committee (JIC) that allows for a multi-pronged currency and measurement ecosystem in the UK. All the stakeholders own the JIC, and there's basically one unit of measurement. And it compares all of the sides of the platform: Netflix, broadcast, and soon-to-be YouTube, I hope. We don't have anything close to that here, and we keep grappling with the conversation. But how do you sell interoperability? You have TV, digital, and all these other platforms, and I'm sure you're selling across [all of them]. Are the buyers buying that way?

Courtney says, There used to be a separation between digital media and TV. Now they're just video investment teams, and they're buying across social, YouTube, connected TV, pay TV, linearbut not everybody buys that way. So it's a difficult challenge. I'm not envious of our sales team and our integrated marketing teams. How do we take this package to advertisers A, B, C, and D? And I think that's something that is kind of just table stakes now, is to understand how you do that.

He notes the unique strengths that Fuse has in dealing with these issues due to its multicultural and diverse audience. We reach a certain segment of audiences across platforms, and we sell that contextually against premium long-form content for the most part, he says. And that is a really strong sell, and that gives us the value proposition to our advertising partners to spend with us. The way that we can sell is different than the way Tubi might sell, or a Samsung TV Plus might sell. And I think that creating a collaborative ecosystem, in which all of the data is shared, that actually creates a healthier advertising ecosystem for everybody.

Shapiro says that it is helpful to think about the situation from the consumer's standpoint. Users lean on known brands because discoverability for new products is very difficult due to data fragmentation and a perception of an overwhelming amount of offerings (the paradox of choice). With more unified data across platforms, he says, user preferences could more easily be carried across different providers. Additionally, he notes that a lack of data standardization makes ad buying extremely difficult. Big tech death stars have vast advantages regarding cohesive user data, which is impossible for smaller players to compete with. Walmart and Vizio are another example of a big power shift. They're both huge retailers who are suddenly now television companies, he says. And that's the ecosystem we now live in. He asks Florence for her thoughts on the situation.

Florence says there is a desperate need for a benchmark that advertisers can agree on to ensure content is valued correctly. I need that benchmark that advertisers can agree on because they're going to know that our IP is IP that is a lean-in active watch scenario, she says. It's family-friendly. These are the things that are going to help them discover that this is worth taking the effort on. I can only do that in pieces right now, and it's not being done at the value the content is worth. We need that normalisation because we can't make this content, and we cannot keep it going if it's a fraction of the actual value that it is worth to an advertiser.

See videos of the full program from Streaming Media Connect February 2024 here.

We'll be back in person for Streaming Media NYC May 20-22, 2024. More details here.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Related Articles
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- It took about 12 days for a batch of China-made TV modules, onboard a China-Europe freight train, to arrive in Poland, where they would be assembled into complete televisions.

TCL Photoelectric Technology (Chengdu) Co., Ltd., a producer of TV modules located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is satisfied with the speed of the rail delivery in March, which allowed two factories nearly 10,000 kilometers apart to coordinate production.

"The transportation time of China-Europe freight trains is about half that of sea transport, which gives the factory plenty of time to finish orders placed by our European clients," said the company's logistics manager Shu Yongjun, adding that the company has increased deliveries through the rail route since the start of this year.

The company is among a growing number of manufacturers and traders that have opted for the land-based rail route, which connects China and more than 200 European cities, after regional turmoils disrupted the vital shipping lane on the Red Sea.

In late January, Sinoboom, a Changsha-based producer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), sent off two China-Europe freight trains carrying over 500 MEWPs to the Netherlands. The equipment was to be used in the construction and maintenance of stadiums, factories and business complexes.

"We used to rely on sea transport to deliver our products (to Europe). After the Red Sea crisis, we switched to China-Europe freight trains," said Zhang Liyong, head of the logistics department of Sinoboom.

Data from China's railway operator showed that the number of China-Europe freight train trips reached 2,928 in the first two months of 2024, up 9 percent year on year. The volume of goods transported via the route during this period increased by 10 percent from a year earlier.

Several local operators have reported a surge in services. The volume of goods carried by China-Europe freight trains departing from Chongqing, a transportational hub in southwest China, jumped two times month on month in January and remained on that high level in February, according to Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd.

Despite its longer journey, Asia-Europe sea freight traditionally costs less than rail freight. However, this advantage has been minimized by the Red Sea crisis, which prompted many shipping companies to redirect to longer and more expensive routes through South Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

"Train trips departing from Chongqing to Europe can now arrive 7-10 days earlier than through Red Sea shipping, and cost 30 percent less," said Zhou Shulin, chief supervisor of Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics.

It is not the first time that China-Europe freight trains have played the role of stabilizer for global supply chains. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the route helped cushion the intercontinental flow of goods against constant disruptions in maritime and air traffic.

Economist Pan Helin said China-Europe freight trains not only offer an efficient logistic option, but also drive infrastructure construction and industrial upgrading in countries along the route.

"Many countries in Central Europe and Central Asia are landlocked, so the rail route plays an important role in their economic development and foreign trade," Pan said. "It will facilitate the emergence of a trade belt and promote industrial integration along the route." 
Panda lovers present panda-shaped buns during the "cloud gathering" and fan-sharing event for panda Xiang Xiang in Tokyo, Japan, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Qiaomei)

TOKYO, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Despite torrential rains on Tuesday morning, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of panda lovers gathering here for a fan-sharing event for Xiang Xiang, a Japan-born panda who returned to China last year.

Among them was Yu Akutsu, a panda wood sculptor from Saitama prefecture who arrived at the Chinese embassy in Japan clad in panda-themed attire. He inscribed a heartfelt message to Xiang Xiang and pinned it onto the wall of blessings dedicated to the beloved panda.

Xiang Xiang, a female panda born in June 2017 at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, was the first panda naturally born and raised at the zoo in the nearly three decades since You You, born in 1988. Her parents, Shin Shin (female) and Ri Ri (male), were both on loan from China, where the ownership of the cubs they give birth to belongs.

After her birth created a sensation in Japan, from her name, and public debut, to her birthdays, Xiang Xiang has always been a trending topic in local media and a popular star among Japanese people.

The name Xiang Xiang was chosen from more than 320,000 suggestions that people sent to the zoo three months after she was born.

In February this year, Xiang Xiang returned to Sichuan, which is known as the hometown of giant pandas.

Approximately 200 panda fans from across Japan were attracted to Tuesday's "cloud gathering" and fan-sharing event, which was also attended by Wu Jianghao, the Chinese ambassador to Japan, Deputy Governor of Tokyo Rinji Nakamura, and Wu Hailong, president of China Public Diplomacy Association.

They tuned in online to witness Xiang Xiang's daily life at the Bifengxia Giant Panda Base, a giant panda research and breeding facility in China's southwestern province of Sichuan.

The fans also interacted with Xiang Xiang's caregiver, Zhao Lanlan, and gained insights into the panda's current well-being.

In his address, Ambassador Wu Jianghao emphasized that pandas symbolize the gentle and friendly culture of China, representing goodwill and harmony.

As both Chinese and Japanese peoples cherish giant pandas, he advocated for peaceful coexistence, generational friendship, mutual cooperation and common development.

The ambassador also expressed his hope for more interactions between the two nations through the endearing giant panda, fostering Sino-Japanese friendship and cooperation for stable and healthy bilateral relations.

Wu Hailong said that Xiang Xiang, alongside other pandas residing in Japan, has made unique contributions to enhancing the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese people, serving as a bridge of affection.

He warmly welcomed the Japanese public to visit Xiang Xiang in China, hoping that the panda family would continue to bring joy and friendship to both nations.

Yutaka Fukuda, director of Ueno Zoo, shared the zoo's history with Chinese giant pandas and Xiang Xiang's journey from birth to maturity.

He pledged continued cooperation with the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, aiming to contribute to wildlife conservation and the development of Sino-Japanese friendship.

In October 1972, the pioneering visit of giant pandas Kang Kang and Lan Lan marked the beginning of Sino-Japanese panda diplomacy, and Japan's panda fever has never waned over the past 50 years.

As cuddly envoys of friendship between China and Japan, giant pandas have continuously strengthened mutual understanding and communication, nurturing the enduring "panda bond" between the two nations.

In November last year, panda photographer Takahiro Takauji, who also runs the famous blog "Mainichi Panda," embarked on his first trip to China. He not only fulfilled his long-standing wish to reunite with Xiang Xiang but also witnessed firsthand the development and changes in China.

In March of this year, he returned to Sichuan and experienced "Chinese speed" by taking the high-speed rail alone, truly feeling the warmth and hospitality of the Chinese people. "The stage for Xiang Xiang in China has already been set, and I am full of expectations and excitement for its future," the photographer said after two visits.

Messages left on the wall for Xiang Xiang included promises from Japanese fans to visit her when they have the chance. According to the China National Tourism Office in Tokyo, many Japanese travel agencies are launching panda sightseeing tours to Sichuan, citing the opportunity to see Xiang Xiang, and the response has been extremely enthusiastic with many sign-ups.

Besides pandas, Sichuan also boasts scenic spots like the UNESCO World Heritage site Jiuzhaigou Valley, and it is hoped that more Japanese people will explore the natural beauty of Sichuan through Xiang Xiang and develop an affection for China by getting to know and appreciating Sichuan, according to a staff member with the administration. 

A Japanese panda lover captures a screenshot as a video footage of panda Xiang Xiang is played during the "cloud gathering" and fan-sharing event for her in Tokyo, Japan, April 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Jiang Qiaomei)
JERUSALEM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Canadian flag carrier Air Canada has resumed its flights to Israel, the Israel Airports Authority said on Wednesday.

The flights, which were suspended on Oct. 8 last year following the outbreak of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, restarted with an Air Canada plane departing from Toronto Pearson International Airport and landing on Tuesday at Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv.

According to the airline, the resumed schedule initially consists of four non-stop return flights a week from Toronto to Tel Aviv.

Starting in May, the airline will operate three return flights from Toronto and one from Montreal per week.

Earlier this month, British Airways, Dutch airlines KLM, and Spain's Iberia Express resumed their flights to Israel.

A monthly report published by the Israel Airports Authority earlier this week showed that in March, more than 902,000 passengers passed through Ben Gurion Airport, compared to 697,000 in February and only 382,000 in November last year, the first full month after the onset of the conflict. 
This photo taken on Jan. 20, 2023 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

The recent claim from White House officials regarding expressing concerns to China about "election interference" is a classic display of projecting suspicions onto others.

WASHINGTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The New York Times recently quoted researchers and government officials who asserted that "covert Chinese accounts are masquerading online as American supporters of former President Donald Trump," purportedly aiming to sway the outcome of the November U.S. presidential election.

Microsoft also released a so-called report, claiming that China will use artificial intelligence to disrupt the U.S. election.

China maintains a longstanding policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, including the United States. This American recurrent tactic not only aims to discredit China but also reveals a profound insecurity within the U.S. establishment, driven by an unfounded fear of China's growth.

In recent years, during U.S. election cycles, both Republicans and Democrats have consistently propagated the Sinophobic narrative of "Chinese election interference."

This narrative was exemplified when then-President Donald Trump baselessly accused China of interference during a United Nations Security Council meeting on nuclear non-proliferation in September 2018, offering no evidence to support his claims.

Moreover, during the 2020 presidential election campaign, Trump and his team persisted in hyping up allegations of Chinese "interference." Such claims were conclusively debunked as false by the U.S. National Intelligence Council in a report released in March 2021.

The recent claim from White House officials regarding expressing concerns to China about "election interference" is a classic display of projecting suspicions onto others.

From inciting "color revolutions" to engaging in armed aggression, examples were abundant where the United States directly or indirectly interfered in the internal affairs of other countries. Since the advent of the Internet era, the United States has become even more adept at using cyberspace to carry out "influence campaigns" against other countries to achieve its foreign policy goals.

The New York Times claimed in its report that social media accounts linked to China have engaged in such activities as "promoting conspiracy theories, stoking domestic divisions and attacking President Biden ahead of the election in November."

Once more, the world witnesses the hypocritical spectacle of the thief accusing others of theft. In a recent exclusive report, Reuters news agency revealed that in 2019, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency launched a covert campaign on Chinese social media platforms aimed at manipulating public opinion within China to undermine its government.

"The CIA created a small team of operatives who used bogus internet identities to spread negative narratives" about the Chinese government "while leaking disparaging intelligence to overseas news outlets," the report said.

A huge slogan board stands in front of the U.S. Capitol building during a protest against government surveillance in Washington D.C., the United Sates, Oct. 26, 2013. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

It appears that camouflaging themselves as ordinary netizens and spreading rumors online is clearly a tactic employed by U.S. intelligence officers as part of their cognitive and information warfare against China.

Accusations of "Chinese intervention in U.S. elections" also serve as a convenient scapegoat for U.S. politicians, deflecting attention away from their inability to solve U.S. internal discord and systemic woes.

Recent years have witnessed significant turmoil and chaos in domestic U.S. politics, epitomized by Trump's unprecedented dual impeachments during his presidency and Biden's impeachment inquiry, seemingly retaliatory actions by House Republicans. These events underscore the relentless partisan attacks driven by self-serving agendas within American politics.

American politicians failed to reflect on the root cause of the malfunctioning of the U.S. democratic system due to heated partisan struggles and the resulting dissatisfaction of voters. Instead, they haphazardly link their own election chaos with China, aiming to gain political advantage over election rivals by playing the "China card" and inciting anti-China sentiment. 
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing on Wednesday.

Compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same Chinese nation, Xi said. The over-5,000-year history of the Chinese nation saw successive generations of ancestors move and settle down in Taiwan and people from across the Strait fight side by side to recover the island from foreign invaders, he said.

People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese, Xi said. "There are no knots that cannot be untied, no issues that cannot be discussed, and no force that can separate us," he said.

The distance of the Strait cannot sever the bond of kinship between compatriots from across the Strait, Xi said.

He said that the difference in systems does not alter the reality that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, and external interference cannot hold back the historical trend of national reunification.

Calling youth "the hope of the country and the future of the nation," Xi encouraged young people from both sides of the Strait to aspire to become more proud, confident, and assured in their identity as Chinese people, work together for the long-term prosperity of the Chinese nation, and continue to create new glory of the nation.

People on both sides of the Strait share the same bloodline, culture and history as well as the same responsibility for the nation and the same aspiration for the future, Xi said. He stressed grasping the cross-Strait situation from the perspective of the overall interests and long-term development of the Chinese nation.

Xi underscored the importance of guarding the common home of the Chinese nation resolutely.

Compatriots on both sides of the Strait should resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence" and foreign interference, Xi said, calling for jointly pursuing the bright future of peaceful reunification.

It is a shared aspiration of compatriots across the Strait for a peaceful home and a harmonious family. Therefore, it is imperative to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, said Xi.

He underlined the crucial importance of upholding the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, and having the common understanding that both sides of the Strait belong to one country and one nation.

Xi also stressed the need to work together for the long-term well-being of the Chinese nation.

Describing this goal as grand yet simple, Xi said it is to enable compatriots on both sides of the Strait to realize their aspirations for a good life, ensure a better life for all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, and jointly realize the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

"We always bear in mind the well-being of Taiwan compatriots," he said, noting that the mainland has made solid efforts to ensure that Taiwan compatriots enjoy more interests, improve their well-being and have a better future.

Xi highligted the effort to foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, stressing that compatriots across the Strait have always been members of one family who are supposed to interact frequently and therefore develop closer relationship. He vowed more robust measures to promote cross-Strait exchanges, interaction and integration.

Xi called on compatriots on both sides of the Strait to strengthen their confidence in Chinese culture, consciously become its guardians, inheritors, and promoters, and enhance the sense of belonging, identity, and honor of the Chinese nation.

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The wheels of history are rolling on toward the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, said Xi, stressing that, eventually it will be accomplished through the successive efforts of compatriots from both sides of the Strait.

He expressed grief over the loss of lives in the 7.3-magnitude earthquake that jolted waters off the coast of Hualien on April 3, and extended his sympathies to those affected by the disaster.

Ma said that upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence" are the common political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

People on both sides of the Strait belong to the same Chinese nation, and they should deepen exchanges and cooperation, jointly carry forward the Chinese culture, improve the well-being of compatriots on both sides, and work together for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Ma said.

Representatives of young people from Taiwan shared their ideas at the event.

Wang Huning and Cai Qi attended the meeting. 

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
MOSCOW, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The flood situation in Russia is "tense" as the water levels continue to rise, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

Peskov noted that the forecast is "unfavorable" so far as floods have reached new regions, including the Kurgan region and the Tyumen region.

The spokesperson called for efforts from government officials at all levels to help people.

More than 13,000 residential buildings have been flooded in Russia, and over 7,700 people have been evacuated in the worst-hit Orenburg region, local media reported Wednesday.

In the Kurgan region, over 4,500 residents were preventively evacuated, most of them from the Zverinogolovsky district, where the situation is the most serious, said Vadim Shumkov, the regional governor.

The water level in Tobol River in the region is expected to reach 9-11 meters, Shumkov said, adding that the flood peak is forecasted to arrive on April 11-14. In the Zverinogolovsky district, the water level of Tobol River rose to 9.52 m, with 1.27 m remaining to the critical level.

In the flood-prone Yalutorovsky district of the Tyumen region, preventive evacuation of residents has begun, the TASS news agency reported Wednesday, citing local authorities.

The passage of the flood wave in the Tyumen region is expected in three to five days, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said Wednesday.

Due to a continuous rise in daily average temperatures, snowmelt, and rivers thawing, floods have been ravaging Russia's western Siberia, the Volga region and the Central Federal District. 
OSLO, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Norway and five other North Sea countries have inked a joint declaration on cooperation to bolster the protection of critical energy and telecommunications infrastructure in the North Sea.

The declaration underscores a shared commitment to fortify vital infrastructure crucial for energy security, resilience, and the safety of offshore workers, the Norwegian government said in a press release on Tuesday.

Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom (UK), and Denmark have all signed the declaration.

The joint declaration comes in response to heightened concerns stemming from incidents of damage to energy pipelines and subsea fiber optic cables in the North Sea.

"We have a common interest with our neighbors around the North Sea basin to secure critical infrastructure. This is essential both for energy security and resilience, and to ensure the safety of those working offshore," Terje Aasland, Norway's Minister of Energy, said in the release.

The North Sea hosts a plethora of critical infrastructure including subsea fiber optic cables, gas and oil pipelines, electricity transmission cables, and offshore wind installations. 
HEFEI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The ancient Hui-style architecture is known for its profound history and culture. Featuring unique white walls, black tiles, flying eaves and upturned corners, the architecture withstands the test of time and makes to the modern time amid the beautiful mountains and rivers. In recent years, some colleges and universities have begun to explore the use of digital technology platform to improve the historical and cultural heritage protection system of Hui-style villages. Digital technology plays a critical role in digital protection, safety assessment, boosting cultural industry and so on.

"Digital protection can realize the surveying and mapping of a single building as well as the overall layout of ancient villages. It can also create three-dimensional virtual simulation models, video animations and other series of information resources. People can see the shape, structure, decoration details and even the construction process of ancient buildings," Xuan Wei, dean of College of Architecture & Art, Hefei University of Technology, pointed out.

"When hidden safety risk appears in our ancient buildings, we can send alerts in time, and start to repair and renovate timely. Visitors can learn more about the history and culture and the literary allusion and legends that happened and told here, " said Du Meng, first secretary of the Party Committee of Xidi Village, Huangshan City.

Digital technology enables Hui-style architecture and Huizhou culture to spread more widely, promotes the revival of local traditional culture, assists rural revitalization, and fosters the development of the cultural and tourism industry.

Xuan Wei(C front), dean of College of Architecture & Art, Hefei University of Technology, discusses the modeling of ancient Hui-style architecture with her colleagues in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Jan. 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Guo Chen)

Students of College of Architecture & Art, Hefei University of Technology, visit an ancient village to conduct a survey in Huangshan, east China's Anhui Province, July 29, 2023. (Xinhua)

This picture provided by College of Architecture & Art, Hefei University of Technology, shows digital models of ancient Hui-style dwellings in Xidi Village of Yixian County, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua)

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Workers work on an assembly line at a plant of Xiaomi in Beijing, capital of China, March 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

China's NEV industry featuring innovative thinking and innovation capabilities has achieved leapfrog development, and made continuous progress in core technologies through nearly two decades of practice.

HEFEI/PARIS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- In addition to the EU's mandate for customs registration of electric vehicle (EV) imports from China and potential retroactive tariffs, the United States and Britain are also preparing to conduct so-called anti-subsidy investigations or national security risk investigations into China's EV.

China's EV exports face headwinds.

This is because relevant countries are pursuing protectionism and trade barriers in the name of "fair competition" and "national security," which violates the principles of market economy and WTO rules.

It also reflects the growing competitiveness of China's new energy vehicle (NEV) industry.

During a recent field visit, Xinhua reporters found that Chinese NEVs' competitive advantages depend not on subsidies, but on supply chain integrity and industrial concentration, full market competition, and rapid technology upgrade promoted by the super-large market.

China's NEVs not only provide diversified choices for global consumers, but also help more countries achieve green and low-carbon transformation and sustainable development.

The first-mover advantage of China's auto industry in the transition to new energy is driving the transformation of the global auto industry.

China's NEV industry has been a highlight of the global auto industry, with its huge market size and strong growth potential.

Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that in 2023, China's NEV production and sales increased by 35.8 percent and 37.9 percent year-on-year respectively. The sales accounted for nearly 65 percent of total global NEV sales. China has been the world's top producer and seller of NEVs for nine years in a row.

China's huge consumer market provides a favorable environment for the research and development and upgrade of NEV technology. Meanwhile, due to the higher level of acceptance among Chinese consumers of vehicle intelligence and new technologies, many automotive companies are prioritizing the launch of new products and technologies in the Chinese market.

This photo taken on March 25, 2024 shows assembly lines at a plant of Xiaomi in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Compared with traditional cars, NEVs are more electrified, intelligent, internet-connected and digitalized. China's NEV industry featuring innovative thinking and innovation capabilities has achieved leapfrog development, and made continuous progress in core technologies through nearly two decades of practice.

BYD has a special "technical fishpond" that contains various technologies to meet market demand, said Wang Chuanfu, chairman of BYD, China's leading NEV manufacturer.

Thanks to intelligent technology such as autonomous driving and intelligent cockpit, China's NEV products have been recognized by the market.

Globally, Chinese enterprises have shown advantages in mass production and upgrade speed, with faster and more efficient innovation cycles.

Chinese vehicles are "simply good cars and people buy them," Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore headquartered in Belgium, was quoted by the London-based Financial Times as saying.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said Sunday that Chinese EV manufacturers' rapid development is a result of constant tech innovations, a well-established supply chain system and full market competition, not subsidies.

The accusations of "overcapacity" by the United States and Europe are groundless, he said.

Wang also noted that the development of China's EV industry has made an important contribution to the global response to climate change as well as green and low-carbon transformation.
Genocide Awareness Week Will Discuss Assyrian Genocides

(AINA) -- The 12th Rosenbluth Family Charitable Foundation Genocide Awareness Week is a series of lectures, exhibits and storytelling by distinguished survivors, scholars, politicians, activists, artists, humanitarians and members of law enforcement. This week-long event seeks to address how we, as a global society, confront violent actions and current and ongoing threats of genocide throughout the world, while also looking to the past for guidance and to honor those affected by genocide.

The Assyrian genocide will be discussed on Wednesday, April 17 in a panel titled the Indigenous Assyrian and Native American Experience: From Attempted Eradication to Preservation and Cultural Revitalization. The panel will be moderated by Prof. Sargon Donabed and will include Prof. Mariam Georgis and artist Esther Elia.

Click here for the full schedule.

Nationalism, State Violence and Genocide

This year's conference theme of nationalism, state violence and genocide revolves around the role of the state in facilitating and shaping the perpetration of genocidal violence. By focusing on the genocidal state, Genocide Awareness Week 2024 seeks to explore and examine different forms of authoritarian and exclusionary forms of nationalism; how extremist form of national identity are constructed and maintained; race and racial science; cultural erasure; religious nationalism, and how mass violence is engineered and facilitated by genocidal states using technology and propaganda and other related topics.

As in previous years, our approach invites a range of academic experts, activists, survivors and governmental officials to provide presentations and discussions from a variety of perspectives. Our approach is also comparative in orientation with a range of historic and contemporary examples that highlight the underlying patterns, processes and the continuities and discontinuities between different cases of genocide. These include the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide, Rwanda and Bosnia among various other well-known and lesser-known case studies. It is also intended that such a wide-ranging and comparative approach will help provide insights relevant to current events and trends at the local, national and international levels.
The bottom line of marketing requires individuals or companies engaged in livestreaming sales must inform consumers who are selling products and what goods are being sold, according to an official from China's top market regulator said on Tuesday. Kuang Xu, head of the State Administration for Market Regulation's division for law enforcement and inspection, remarked during a briefing on introducing a regulation on how to implement the Consumer Rights Protection Law. The State Council, the nation's cabinet released the regulation in March, which will go into effect on July 1. In a response to consumer concerns in the modern era, provisions on business operators' obligations, with specific and refined rule, including those on online consumption, livestreaming sales and personal information protection. Kuang applauded the rapid growth of livestreaming sales, stating that the new pattern of marketing has helped stimulate and innovate consumption. However, he noted its relatively complicated business strategy, consumers now find it challenging to defend themselves when attempting to return items or report deceptive advertising. According to data he disclosed showed that in the past five years, the market size of live-streaming sales increased by 10.5 times, however customer complaints have also increased by 47.1 times during the same period, which is significantly higher than traditional e-commerce. To maintain the order of emerging businesses, the new regulation stipulates that those who sell goods or provide services through the internet, television or telephone must introduce their business content via the home page, video screen, voice call or catalog. As per the regulation, the sales platforms must also disclose to consumers with the name, business address and contact information of good sellers. "The provisions apply to livestreaming sales, which means those engaged in the business must tell consumers who sell goods and what goods are sold, in order to ensure the transparency of the business information," Kuang clarified. Furthermore, the regulation mandates platforms that engage in live-streaming sales to establish working systems to help solve consumption-related issues and to notify users on who operates the streaming rooms and who is responsible for the live-streaming to consumers. "The requirement is to standardize the business of live streaming sales by improving the management of platforms," Kuang continued. At a briefing, Chen Yifang, an official from the Supreme People's Court, released at the briefing that a number of legal studies are being conducted by the top to better tackle new issues in consumption, so that consumers' legitimate rights and interests can be strongly protected, this move is to improve efficiency of carrying out the regulation. "We're doing research on live-streaming sale, rewarding live-streaming hosts, online booking and personal information protection of consumers," said the chief judge of the SPC's No 1 Civil Adjudication Tribunal. "We're also accelerating the formulation of a judicial interpretation on handling punitive damage cases involving food and drug." She added that the top court is also optimizing measures related to public-interest litigation regarding consumption, with more participation in relevant legislation. caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday urged the United States to fulfill its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence" and to cease sending the wrong signals to separatist forces.

"We urge the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques with concrete actions," said Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Zhu made the statement at a regular press conference of the office while responding to a media inquiry regarding remarks made recently by Laura Rosenberger, chair of the board of trustees of the "American Institute in Taiwan."

The one-China principle is the political foundation and fundamental premise for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, Zhu said.

The U.S. "Taiwan Relations Act" and "Six Assurances" seriously violate the one-China principle, the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and the basic norms of international relations, and grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, the spokesperson said, calling them "entirely wrong, illegal, and invalid."

"The Chinese government has consistently and resolutely opposed them from the outset," she said.

Responding to another media inquiry, Zhu said the United States continued fabricating various concepts and using various excuses to strengthen military collusion with China's Taiwan region, which is "extremely irresponsible."

She expressed firm opposition to any form of official exchanges and military ties between the United States and China's Taiwan region.

"The Democratic Progressive Party authorities' attempt to collude with external forces to pursue 'independence' by force will inevitably fail," she said. 
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Tuesday that it would hold an emergency meeting of its 35-nation Board of Governors on Thursday over recent attacks at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP). #XinhuaNews
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China will remove foreign ownership restrictions on some value-added telecom services provided within domestic pilot areas, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Wednesday.

The value-added telecom services will include internet data centers, content delivery networks and internet service providers, online data processing and transaction processing, information publishing platforms and information delivery services excluding services related to internet news information, online publishing, internet radio and television, internet culture management, and information protection and processing services.

The pilot areas are Beijing's national comprehensive demonstration zone for expanding opening-up in the service sector, Lingang new area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and the pioneer area for socialist modernization in Shanghai, Hainan Free Trade Port, and Shenzhen pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics, according to the circular.

The move is China's latest effort to expand opening-up, align itself with high-standard international economic and trade rules, stimulate market competition and vitality of business entities, serve the building of a new development pattern, and share the development dividends of China's digital economy with the world.

Vice Commerce Minister Guo Tingting said at the China Development Forum 2024 last month that China will further expand its high-level opening up, offering more opportunities for foreign investors.

As China continues to lift market access restrictions in the manufacturing sector, it will also promote the opening up of sectors such as telecommunications and medical care to create more trade and investment opportunities for foreign investors, said Guo.

The country will also launch a campaign to boost investment, continue to optimize services, and fully ensure national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises, Guo said. 
MANILA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investment (FDI) that flowed into the Philippines grew year-on-year by 89.9 percent in January to 907 million U.S. dollars, the country's central bank said Wednesday.

"The increase in FDI was supported mainly by the 173.2 percent expansion in nonresidents' net investments in debt instruments to 820 million dollars from 300 million dollars in January 2023," the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said in a press release.

The BSP added that reinvestment of earnings likewise increased by 16.4 percent to 99 million dollars from 85 million dollars.

Meanwhile, the BSP said that nonresidents' net investments in equity capital, other than reinvestment of earnings, posted net outflows of 11 million dollars in January this year from the net inflows of 93 million dollars in January 2023.

The inflows for January came mainly from Japan and the United States, infused mostly in manufacturing, real estate, construction, and wholesale and retail trade industries, the BSP added. 
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that China is willing to work with Micronesia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and continuously enrich the connotation of China-Micronesia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Zhao added that the NPC is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia and provide legal guarantees for bilateral practical cooperation.

Noting that both China and Micronesia are Global South countries, Zhao said China is ready to work with Micronesia and other Pacific island countries to jointly build an even closer community with a shared future.

Simina said Micronesia firmly upholds the one-China principle, commends the global initiatives proposed by China, and is willing to deepen exchanges between the legislative bodies and strengthen practical cooperation in various fields with China to inject new impetus into the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual respect and common development. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with a delegation of senior officials from the New Ideas Party of El Salvador, led by the leader of the party and Vice President-elect Felix Ulloa, in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with a delegation of senior officials from the New Ideas Party of El Salvador, led by the leader of the party and Vice President-elect Felix Ulloa, in Beijing on Wednesday.

Han said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and El Salvador more than five years ago, bilateral relations have developed rapidly in an all-round way.

The Chinese side is willing to work with the El Salvador side to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate mutual trust, deepen cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and enhance communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, he said.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) is willing to build a new type of political party relations with the New Ideas Party of El Salvador and push for steady and long-term bilateral relations, Han said.

Ulloa thanked China for its support and assistance since the two countries established diplomatic ties, saying that bilateral cooperation and exchanges are progressing smoothly and the friendship between the two peoples is constantly deepening.

He said that El Salvador adheres to the one-China principle, and the New Ideas Party is willing to learn from the experience of the CPC in governance and explore a development path suited to the country's national conditions. 

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with a delegation of senior officials from the New Ideas Party of El Salvador, led by the leader of the party and Vice President-elect Felix Ulloa, in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
BEIRUT, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran can close the Strait of Hormuz if necessary, but it won't do so, said Alireza Tangsiri, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) naval forces, on Tuesday.

"If we want, we could close this waterway, but we do not do that... It is because as long as we use this waterway and this strait, our neighbors should use it as well," Tangsiri said in an interview with Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen TV channel.

In the meantime, he described the presence of Israel in the neighboring country, which also sits on the strait, as a threat to Tehran, stressing the security of the region and the Strait of Hormuz is a common responsibility.

The IRGC Navy chief also referred to the presence of the United States in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman as a critical concern for Iran and neighboring countries, stressing that their security is interconnected.

He noted that the IRGC Navy "constantly monitors the U.S. movements, actions, and behavior" to defend the facilities in the waters.

According to Tangsiri, traffic through the strait continues, with more than 85 oil tankers and ships passing through safely every day.

The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most crucial oil transit chokepoint, strategically linking crude producers in the Middle East with key markets across the globe. 
F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming is home to the 90th Missile Wing. (U.S. Air Force)

A physician assistant in command at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming was fired after less than three months on the job without a detailed explanation offered by the service.

Air Force Lt. Col. Jimmy Stanley was relieved Friday as the commander of the 90th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron by Col. Johnny Galbert, commander of the 90th Missile Wing, according to the base.

The base cited a loss of confidence in Stanleys ability to lead the squadron  a phrase common among the military services when a commander is fired.

Stanley, who works in aerospace medicine, graduated from the Interservice Physician Assistant Program in 2007, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards. He has treated patients in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina, in addition to Cheyenne, Wyo., where Warren Air Force Base is located.

He entered active-duty service in September 2007 through a direct appointment and has received the Air Medal and Bronze Star, among other awards and decorations, according to his service record.

Lt. Col. Tanya Berg has assumed command of the medical squadron, which provides an array of health services, including dental, family practice, flight medicine and immunizations for the base.

Warren Air Force Base hosts roughly 3,360 service members and 964 civilian employees, according to the base. Its largest unit, the 90th Missile Wing, operates, maintains and secures 150 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer joined senior leaders of the U.S. Army Recruiting and Retention College and the U.S. Army Recruiting Command at a Dec. 21, 2023, ceremony at Olive Theater, Fort Knox, Ky., to honor the newest members of the recruiting force. (U.S. Army Recruiting Command)

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told House lawmakers on Wednesday that her service is feeling a lot better about recruiting this year after missing its goal for new soldiers for two consecutive years.

I dont want to be overconfident, the Armys top civilian told members of the Houses defense appropriations subpanel while testifying alongside Gen. Randy George, the Armys chief of staff. But I think we both feel that we have a good shot at making that goal this year, which I think would be very, very important.

That goal, she added, is to ship 55,000 new recruits to Army basic training by Sept. 30, the end of fiscal 2024, and fill its delayed-entry coffers with another 5,000 recruits who would move to initial entrance training later. Meeting that basic recruiting goal would match the Armys enlistment efforts from fiscal 2023, when it sent about 55,000 recruits to initial military training, falling about 10,000 short of its goal of 65,000. But that was an improvement from fiscal 2022, when the Army shipped fewer than 45,000 new recruits to basic training, falling 15,000 short of its goal.

Pentagon officials have noted in recent years that the military recruiting environment is among the worst in U.S. history. Only about 23% of Americans between the ages of 17 to 24 qualify for military service, fewer than previous generations, according to Defense Department data. Among them, only about 9% has shown interest in the military, the data shows.

To counter the problem, the Army has launched myriad of new recruiting programs aimed at beefing up and professionalizing its recruiting force. Wormuth said Wednesday that the service has begun one of those newer efforts to build a corps of permanent enlisted and warrant officer recruiters in lieu of soldiers temporarily taking recruiting assignments.

The first tranche of soldiers who will train to work in those new specialties have been selected and will complete their training and reach recruiting stations by the end of summer, she said.

Were picking soldiers that are a little bit more inclined to be good salespeople for the United States Army, Wormuth said, noting the recruiting course is also getting longer and more difficult. So, weve really updated that and again, I think thats helped our recruiters be more effective in the field.

Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., said he was worried outside factors could impact military recruiting. His home state, he noted, adopted a $20 minimum wage for fast food workers this month  a pay rate more than double what the most junior troops make early in their careers.

Were competing from a recruitment perspective with fast food workers, right, and those guys arent putting their lives on the line every day like our soldiers are, said Garcia, a former Navy pilot. Right now if youve asked an 18-year-old if he wants to go work at the In-N-Out [Burger] for $22 an hour or join the Army for the equivalent of $12 an hour, youre going to get 95% of them going to In-N-Out even if they love the country, even if they want to serve  they just cant afford to go join the Army right now. And thats a fundamental problem.

Garcia proposed Congress adopt a bill to bolster pay for junior troops in the ranks of E-1 to E-6, starting service members at about $31,000 per year in basic pay. A similar measure was included in the House version of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, the annual bill that sets lawmakers spending and policy priorities for the Pentagon. But the measure did not make the final NDAA that passed in December.

Garcia asked for Wormuths help in pushing for the measure to become law later this year.

We need help on this, he said. We need more pull from the secretaries, we need more pull, frankly, from the president in prioritizing this pay gap right now.  Theres other things driving the recruiting problems  but the pay is significant.
The Coast Guard Cutter Dependable sits moored to the pier during a Heritage Recognition Ceremony in Virginia Beach, Va., April 9, 2024. (Nick Ameen/U.S. Coast Guard)

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dependable has lived up to its name.

That was made clear Tuesday in a ceremony in Virginia Beach, Va., to honor the Dependable and its 56 years of service to the nation, according to a Coast Guard news release.

The ceremony, which served to celebrate the Dependables legacy, underscored the cutters reputational motto, Count on Us  Credibility Built on Excellence, in the presence of cutter leadership, current and former crew members, families and friends.

The event also marked the ships exit from active-duty service for an indeterminate time, placing it in commission, special status. Dependable served as a Coast Guard Atlantic Area asset and was most recently homeported in Virginia Beach at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

I am proud and humbled to have served with and led the men and women of the Dependable, said Cmdr. Kristopher Ensley, the cutters commanding officer. These sailors represent everything that is right about our Coast Guard and our Nation: they have lived with honor, respect, and an absolute devotion to their duty. Over the past 10 months, I have seen them care for each other, care for our ship, and execute our missions  protecting America, enforcing our laws and saving lives. They have lived up to the 56 years of legacy of Dependables history. They have lived up to the standard set by our motto: the Coast Guard and America have been able to Count on Us.

Dependables most recent mission ended in February after 59 days at sea, during which its job included maritime safety and security in the Florida Straits and Windward Passage in support of Homeland Security Task Force-Southeast and Operation Vigilant Sentry. During the deployment, Dependable:

Located and deterred four unlawful voyages with approximately 100 migrants on board.

Rescued 33 people aboard a 25-foot vessel in distress 6 miles off Haitis coast during heavy seas. Crew members conducted the search and rescue mission in 8-to-12-foot seas and winds gusting to 46 mph, saving all on board.

Dependable now transitions into an inactive shipyard status as part of the Coast Guards program to temporarily adjust operations to better reflect the approximate 10% shortage of enlisted members. The current crew will transfer to new units.

The Coast Guard cannot maintain the same level of operations with our current shortfall  we cannot do the same with less, said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Heath Jones in a joint statement. Conducting our missions is often inherently dangerous, and doing so without enough crew puts our members and the American public at increased risk.

Dependable is a 210-foot, Reliance-class medium endurance cutter with a crew of 76. Since commissioning in 1968, Dependable has executed counterdrug and migrant interdiction operations, enforced federal fishery laws, and conducted search and rescue missions in support of Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane renders honors to the Battleship Missouri Memorial as the cutter returns to homeport in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, April 9, 2024. (Charly Tautfest/U.S. Coast Guard)

HONOLULU (Tribune News Service)  The Coast Guards Honolulu-based Indo-Pacific Support Cutter CGC Harriet Lane returned to port Tuesday after its first patrol across Oceania.

Its a new mission for an old ship. The Harriet Lane is a 40-year-old, 270-foot Medium Endurance Cutter  known to the Coast Guard personnel who operate them as 270s. It arrived in Hawaii in December after undergoing over a years worth of renovations at a Baltimore shipyard. Its the 11th cutter to be assigned to the Honolulu-based Coast Guard District 14.

In January it set sail for its first patrol, heading south into the high seas where members of its crew boarded fishing vessels to look for signs of illegal fishing. Over the course of its 79-day deployment, the cutter and its crew made port calls in American Samoa, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and the Marshall Islands.

Over the course of the patrol, its crew participated in 27 vessel boardings and documented 12 violations of fishery laws.

The Coast Guard has worked to increase its presence and operations in the Pacific. In February 2023, Rear Adm. Michael Ryan, the Coast Guard deputy commandant for operations and policy, told military news outlet Defense One that the service intends to triple its deployments in the Pacific in coming years.

The Lanes commanding officer, Cmdr. Nicole Tesoniero, said the Harriet Lane delivered on a commitment made to our Pacific partners for a more robust and persistent Coast Guard presence across the region ... My confidence is bolstered by knowledge that the Harriet Lane is manned with a dedicated, professional and compassionate crew that could not be better equipped to handle the unique demands of this mission.

Many Pacific Island countries lack navies or coast guards of their own, limiting their ability to patrol and enforce laws in their often vast territorial waters. Many have signed shiprider agreements with the U.S. Coast Guard, in which local officials and law enforcement professionals ride along in U.S. vessels, giving local authorities access to U.S. personnel and resources to assist in operations.

Over the course of the Lanes deployment, the ship and the crew did four boardings on the open ocean, with the rest in the maritime territoryor Exclusive Economic Zonesof Pacific Island countries alongside local authorities. Tesoniero said that working with shipriders aboard the Lane and learning about each countrys unique needs was a highlight of the deployment.

Even ones that embarked for two or three days fell into the fold with the crew, she said.

The Lane and its crew also did a series of training and community outreach during port calls along the way. Ensign Aaron Motis said that a highlight of his deployment was visiting schools in Vanuatu, where members of the crew taught children about ocean safety and conservation.

Motis said throughout the deployment it was great helping out the community and just like experiencing each culture and how different each one was and how theyre super welcoming.

The Coast Guard has played an increasingly important role in U.S. strategy in the Pacific as Washington and Beijing compete for influence in the region. China has worked to build up influence around the globe, bringing several countries into its Belt and Road Initiativea series of Chinese government-funded construction and infrastructure projects around the globe.

In Pacific Island nations that includes ports to support Chinese vessels and seafood-processing plants. Pacific Island nations rely on fishing charters and licenses to foreign fishermen as a critical source of income for their economies and have to walk a fine line between preserving and profiting from the fish in their waters.

Vanuatu is one of the countries that has signed the Belt and Road Initiative. In February, members of the Vanuatu police who were aboard the Lane as shipriders and working with the U.S. Coast Guardmen boarded several fishing boats and found that six Chinese vessels were violating local laws, including failing to record fish caught in their logbooks.

The Lanes visit was the first time in years Vanuatu officials were able to physically inspect Chinese vessels actively fishing in their waters. In a statement to Reuters about the alleged violations, the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu said the boats had fishing permits from Vanuatus government and that no crimes had occurred because Chinese companies obey Vanuatu laws.

On Friday, Chinas ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong told reporters in the region that shiprider agreements and boardings of Chinese vessels are illegal and not binding to third parties. When asked about the remarks at a news conference for Lanes return to Hawaii, Coast Guard District 14 commander Rear Adm. Michael Day said its an inaccurate statement, so I welcome the opportunity to correct the record.

Day said, These bilateral engagements are made in accordance with international law, with the host nation and the United States ... We do these boardings at the behest of the host nations that invite us to work with them collaboratively to protect their EEZs. He added that the U.S. does not target Chinese vessels and regularly boards vessels flagged to other countries that are operating around the region, and that most shiprider agreements have existed for decades.

The Lanes crew has had little time for rest between arriving in Hawaii in December and deploying in January. Theyre set for a busy year, with plans to deploy again as soon as June with another long patrol of the Pacific to make room in Pearl Harbor for international ships coming in this summer to participate in Exercise Rim of the Pacificthe worlds largest naval war game.

Honestly, most of this in-port will be preparing for our next out-port, Motis said.

(c)2024 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Visit at www.staradvertiser.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A spill fence dams a stream near Camp Mujuk, a Marine Corps base near Pohang city, South Korea, April 10, 2024. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP MUJUK, South Korea  Roughly four tons of diesel fuel from this Marine Corps base 180 miles southeast of Seoul leaked into a nearby stream last week, according to Pohang city officials and an environmental group.

The spill was first reported April 2 by city residents who complained of a smell from the Gwangmyeongcheon, a stream that flows alongside Camp Mujuk, a Pohang city official said by phone Tuesday.

South Korean officials customarily speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

City investigators deduced the fuel came from Mujuk, less than a quarter-mile from the stream, and began containing it with spill fences and absorbent pads, the official said. The fuel has since been contained and is nearly all collected, the official added.

A Marine Corps Forces Korea spokesman said the command was aware of a diesel fuel incident but provided no further details.

Our focus is containment and fuel recovery, Capt. Rocco Hipolito said in an email Tuesday. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Each year about 4,000 Marines pass through Mujuk, the only Marine Corps base in South Korea, for amphibious exercises, according to Marines.mil and the official Mujuk website.

Each year about 4,000 Marines pass through Camp Mujuk, the only Marine Corps base in South Korea, for amphibious exercises. (Luis Garcia/Stars and Stripes)

Hipolito said the camps Environment and Facilities Office is monitoring the situation and working with local authorities.

In a letter to the base Tuesday, Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-deok said the city was concerned about damage to local residents and environmental pollution.

The mayor requested that the base install an oil spill berm to prevent another incident and to help remove nearby soil that may have been contaminated, according to a copy of the letter obtained by Stars and Stripes.

The Korean Federation for Environmental Movement, a non-governmental organization with 52 chapters across the country, said it estimated four tons of fuel spilled and that city workers had collected 20 tons of water mixed with fuel from the stream.

Mujuks leaders should get to the bottom of the accident and make an official apology, the organization said in a news release Tuesday.

Nearly all the absorbent pads were gone from the stream Wednesday, though spill fences remained in several areas.

Across the two-lane road next to the stream, people with hiking gear walked on a path as farmers collected garlic from their fields.

Jeon Jae-woo, the owner of a noodle shop next to the stream, said he recalled an oily smell last week.

I was too busy with customers to investigate, but I remember seeing a rainbow-colored sheen along the waters surface, he said.
Gate 8 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Va. (Steve Earley, The Virginian-Pilot/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Two months before losing command of Virginia Beach-based Naval Special Warfare Group Eight, fired Navy SEAL Capt. Richard Zaszewski was accused of driving under the influence, according to court records.

Naval Special Warfare Command announced March 20 that Zaszewski was relieved of duty due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command. Court records show Zaszewski is facing a misdemeanor charge in Virginia Beach General District Court for a first-offense driving while intoxicated charge stemming from a Jan. 19 arrest.

Zaszewski is a 26-year career sailor. He entered the military in May 1997 and was promoted to captain in August 2019. At the time of his arrest, Zaszewski was the commanding officer of the Virginia Beach-based SEAL unit at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.

Virginia Beach police stopped Zaszewski around 2 a.m. Jan. 19 for weaving in and out of lanes, according to the arrest report. The sailor failed a field sobriety test and his blood alcohol level was logged at 0.18%, or more than twice the states legal limit, according to the report filed in court.

While Navy officials have declined to comment on whether the criminal traffic charge is related to the firing, Hampton Roads-based law firm JAG Defense said the Navy has had a consistent zero-tolerance policy regarding the misconduct of leaders for decades.

Any commanding officer charged with an offense like a DUI is going to be removed from command. The Navy cannot  and does not  tolerate misconduct from its senior leaders, said Grover Baxley, founding attorney of JAG Defense and a former active-duty judge advocate in the Air Force.

Navy leaders are held to a high standard of personal and professional conduct, the service said in a March news release when announcing Zaszewskis firing.

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, the service said.

Lt. Cmdr. Chelsea Irish, spokesperson for Naval Special Warfare Command added, The decision was made with careful consideration of the facts and the imperative to uphold the high standards of Navy leadership.

When asked if Zaszewskis arrest was related to his firing, Irish declined to provide additional information.

Zaszewski is among six commanding officers to be fired by the Navy this year, according to reports from multiple defense media outlets. He declined to comment at this time through his defense attorney, Robert Morecock.

Throughout his nearly three decades with the Navy, Zaszewski has received 26 awards and decorations, including a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars including one with a V for valor in combat, five Defense Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Baxley, who has represented Navy commanding officers since 2005, said senior leaders are held to a higher standard. Junior enlisted personnel or junior officers, he said, may face consequences such as negative evaluations or nonjudicial punishment, but junior sailors can still progress in their naval careers with a DUI on their record.

For a commanding officer, if they are relieved of command due to misconduct like a DUI, they are not going to be competitive for future command positions or promotion, Baxley said.

Baxley is licensed to practice before military courts. His firm, JAG Defense, operates offices in Norfolk and Virginia Beach as well as Cataumet, Mass.

If an officer is relieved for misconduct like a DUI, Baxley said they will be required to show cause for continued naval service. The accused officer may present their case to a board of inquiry made up of three senior officers. The board determines if the officer should be retained or discharged and what service characterization the officer should receive (honorable, general or other than honorable).

If the officer is retirement-eligible, the board will also recommend the rank the member should be permitted to retire, Baxley said. The board of inquirys findings and recommendations are forwarded to the secretary of the Navy, who makes the final decision on disposition.

Zaszewskis next court hearing is scheduled for May 15.

caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com

2023 The Virginian-Pilot.

Visit pilotonline.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Sasebo Naval Base in Japan is home to a number of U.S. Navy vessels, including the USS America amphibious assault ship. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)

Two Japanese contractors were declared dead Tuesday after they were pulled from a tank on a barge at a Navy base in southwestern Japan, a Sasebo Police spokesman said Wednesday.

The men were found unconscious aboard the commercial barge used to service a U.S. vessel, Sasebo Naval Base spokesman Aki Nichols told Stars and Stripes by email Wednesday.

The men  Takahiro Sasahara, 54, and Seitaro Hamada, 33  were confirmed dead at off-base hospitals, the police spokesman said by phone Wednesday. They were working on a sewage treatment system for the vessel.

The base called the Sasebo city fire department at 12:07 p.m. to report two men found in a 16-foot-deep tank and an odor of gas at the site, a spokesman for the citys fire bureau said by phone Wednesday.

Some Japanese government spokespeople may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

The men, in cardiac arrest, were lifted from the tank by base firefighters after the local firemen arrived, the bureau spokesman said.

The base is assisting and cooperating fully with the Nagasaki Prefectural Police who have initiated an investigation into the incident, Nichols said.
The crew of a Hawaii-based HC-130J Hercules makes contact with three mariners stranded on Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, after dropping them a radio on April 8, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard)

The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard found and rescued three men Tuesday from a tiny atoll south of Guam, where they spent more than a week after they were left stranded.

The men, all in their 40s, set sail from Polowat Atoll, Micronesia, on March 31 in a small, open 20-foot skiff powered by an outboard motor, according to a news release from Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, Sector Guam. The men had experience navigating in those seas.

The skiff was damaged, though the release did not specify how or when, and the motor rendered inoperative.

A week later, on April 6, a relative reported her three uncles had not returned from Pikelot Atoll, approximately 115 miles northwest of Polowat Atoll, a part of Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Pikelot, a low coral island covered with palm trees and shrubs, is a speck just 2 miles long and 1 miles wide in a search area the Coast Guard described as 78,800 square miles of the South Pacific.

Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam mobilized a search that drew a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and the Guam-based Coast Guard cutter Oliver Henry.

The Poseidon crew found the three Sunday thanks to a message they left on the Pikelot beach.

In a remarkable testament to their will to be found, the mariners spelled out HELP on the beach using palm leaves, a crucial factor in their discovery, Coast Guard Lt. Chelsea Garcia, the search and rescue mission coordinator, said in the release. This act of ingenuity was pivotal in guiding rescue efforts directly to their location.

The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Oliver Henry makes contact with three mariners stranded on Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 9, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard)

The Poseidon crew left the men survival packages, and the Oliver Henry was rerouted to Pikelot, the release said.

Coast Guard Guam spokeswoman Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir acknowledged a request for further information Wednesday.

On Monday, a Coast Guard HC-130J Super Hercules  a search-and-rescue aircraft engineered for long-range flights  from Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, flew over the island and dropped a radio to the men, according to the release.

They reported being in good health, with access to food and water, according to the Coast Guard, though their skiff, they said, was damaged.

They expressed a desire for assistance in returning to Polowat, the release states.

An aerial view of Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia. (U.S. Air Force)

The Oliver Henry arrived Tuesday morning, took the men and their equipment, including their skiff, aboard and returned them to Polowat, according to the Coast Guard.

Whether were out there protecting valuable resources or saving lives, were not just visitors  were members of this vibrant maritime community that connects all these islands, Lt. Ray Cerrato, the Oliver Henrys commander, said in the release. This recent operation near Pikelot Atoll hits home the kind of difference we can make. Its about more than just performing a duty; its about the real human connections we forge and the lives we touch.

Tuesday was not the first time three lost mariners signaled military aviators from Pikelot.

In August 2020, an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueler, looking for another missing skiff, spotted the Morse code signal SOS laid out in palm fronds and a boat alongside it on the beach. The Stratotanker, with a crew of Hawaii and Pennsylvania Air National Guard members aboard, was searching for three Micronesian sailors who wound up stranded on Pikelot, 120 miles from their departure point.

An Australian navy Tiger attack helicopter landed to give food and medical assistance to the three and a Micronesian patrol boat, the FSS Independence, arrived later to carry them home.
VIENTIANE, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Lao officials are gaining a deep understanding of withholding tax for non-residents, aiming to help the Lao government earn more revenue from business units in the country.

A seminar on withholding tax for non-residents is being held in Lao capital Vientiane from April 8 to 10, aimed at increasing knowledge of withholding tax among Lao tax officials, according to a report issued on Wednesday from the Lao Ministry of Finance.

A commonly used method for collecting taxes on transactions with foreign countries is withholding tax.

In order to conduct tax audits, point out errors, and ensure proper and fair taxation, tax officials must have correct knowledge of tax laws and double taxation agreements, according to the report.

The seminar aims to encourage tax officials across the country to better understand this field and provide correct guidance to taxpayers. 
A medium tactical vehicle deployed with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 arrives at Lombrum Naval Base, Papua New Guinea, in September 2021. (Nicolas Bartholomew/U.S. Navy)

Three U.S.-funded projects are in the works to refurbish a navy base built by American forces in Papua New Guinea during World War II.

The proposed upgrades, costing up to $25 million, include a jetty renovation, maritime training center and small boat facility at Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island, according to an April 2 announcement by Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific.

These  projects will support the [Papua New Guinea Defence Force], maritime security operations, U.S. military personnel participating in joint exercises, and the [U.S. Indo-Pacific Command] Theater Campaign Plan with various critical facilities, the announcement said.

The projects follow visits to Papua New Guinea last year by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

A defense cooperation agreement signed during Blinkens visit in May increases security cooperation between the two countries amid concerns about growing Chinese influence in the South Pacific.

Lombrum has already been upgraded with a medical facility, security fencing, communications gear and a chapel as part of a 2018 deal between Australia and Papua New Guinea, The Australian newspaper reported at the time.

The new proposed projects include a 7,556-square-foot regional maritime training center, a 7,351-square-foot small boat facility and refurbishing a 118-foot-long jetty, according to Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific.

The projects combined cost was estimated at between $11 million and $25 million, according to the notice.

Manus is an 800-square-mile rock in the Bismarck Sea north of New Britain. It is just over 1,000 miles south of Guam, where Marines will begin relocating from Okinawa this year, and 1,300 miles east of Darwin, which hosts a 2,000-strong Marine rotational force.

During World War II, the U.S. built wharves, a 9,000-foot runway and accommodations for tens of thousands of troops on Manus.

It was a venue for the trials of Japanese war criminals and, in recent years, served as an offshore processing center for immigrants attempting to illegally enter Australia by sea. The center, for years a point of contention, held 1,400 immigrants in 2014. It was shut down in October 2019.

The projects in Papua New Guinea can been seen as a counter to a Chinese defense pact with the nearby Solomon Islands, which may lead to forward basing rights for Chinese navy vessels, Paul Buchanan, an American security expert based in New Zealand, said by email Tuesday.

Although deep draft US and Australian vessels are not likely to use the Lombrum Naval Base (since that would require much more infrastructure development like dredging and pier/dock extensions), smaller vessels like patrol boats and even the US littoral combat vessels could well rotate through that facility and others in PNG, he said.

The naval base, along with an airstrip at Lombrum, will allow the U.S. and Australia to keep a close eye on Chinese naval movements and support anti-piracy and counter-poaching operations in the Bismarck, Coral and Solomon seas and the wider Southwest Pacific, Buchanan said.
Brig. Gen. Maurice Barnett, commanding general of 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, speaks during a closed-door meeting with NATO allies and partners on Sembach Kaserne, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The talks focused on integrating air defense capabilities. (U.S. Army)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  The United States voiced an urgent need for NATO countries to better integrate air and missile defense capabilities during closed-door talks with European allies in Germany, officials said.

The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command hosted the Tuesday talks, which examined Russias military tactics in Ukraine among other things.

The conflict in Ukraine is rapidly altering our conceptions of security in Europe, 10th AAMDC Commanding General Brig. Gen. Maurice Barnett told attendees at Sembach Kaserne, according to a transcript obtained by Stars and Stripes. Many minds are now focused on how we fight large scale combat operations in an alliance structure against a peer adversary.

Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 prompted NATO to deploy various air and missile defense systems to the blocs eastern flank to target possible incoming air threats.

While different systems continue to work alongside each other, they dont necessarily work ideally with each other.

For example, systems made by different countries often are unable to share air pictures collected by their radars because of technical and policy constraints.

To date, efforts at integration have largely been slow and methodical, hampered by factors such as competition between arms manufacturers and disagreements among governments over the best way forward.

U.K. Maj. Ben Johnston, assigned to 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Commands strategy, plans and policy office, facilitates discussions during a closed-door meeting with NATO allies and partners on Sembach Kaserne, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Johnston said the need to integrate allied air defense capabilities grows more urgent by the day. (U.S. Army)

Maj. Ben Johnston, a British soldier assigned to the 10AAMDC who helped organize Tuesdays meeting, said the aim of the talks was to help allies come up with the most effective ways to operate more cohesively.

Its important to hold these talks now because the necessity to integrate air and missile defense capabilities grows more urgent by the day, Johnston said on the sidelines of the event.

Moscow has been observed targeting critical infrastructure in Ukraine with cruise missiles and following up with dozens of one-way attack drones. To combat this type of combined attack, NATO must have long-range, medium-range and short-range air and missile defense systems at its disposal, Johnston said.

After decades of focusing on counterterrorism, many alliance members have identified gaps in their air defense capabilities.

Looking at the amount of assets we have to defend within NATO Europe and the available systems we have, there is a shortage, said Lt. Col. Tony Theunisse of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, who attended Tuesdays meeting.

Col. Jus Kuijpers, from left, and Lt. Col. Antony Theunisse of the Netherlands military and Lt. Col. Jimmy Wilhelmsson of the Swedish military, listen to Lt. Col. Derk Zielman of the German military speak during a closed-door NATO meeting on air defense on Sembach Kaserne, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (U.S. Army)

Theunisse  who serves as the deputy director of the Germany-based Competence Center for Surface Based Air and Missile Defense  said as NATO members build air defense capabilities, its important to ensure systems work with each other while also working to integrate current systems.

Its a priority, Theunisse said. We need change now. Air defense is not a small part of what we do within NATO Europe; its a very big part.

Representatives from new NATO members Finland and Sweden participated in the talks, along with representatives from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Romania. Non-NATO member Austria also took part.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. (Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg)

BRUSSELS  The European Parliament on Wednesday voted in favor of a major migration deal, bringing the landmark legislation close to approval as Europes political center tries to fend off an ascendant far right ahead of key elections.

The package aims to overhaul the European Unions approach to migration and asylum and resolve a long-standing source of tension: some E.U. countries doing more than others. It asks front-line countries such as Greece, Spain and Italy to build detention centers, speedily process claims and quickly deport unsuccessful claimants. Other countries are obligated to resettle more people or provide financial compensation  a provision known as a solidarity mechanism.

Final approval of the deal could come within weeks.

Since more than 1 million people sought refuge in Europe in 2015 to 2016, the E.U. has been struggling to find a common and effective approach to managing migration and asylum, with wide divides between those countries that opened their doors and those that slammed them shut. In recent years, anti-migrant sentiment has soared across the continent, and the far right has seized on it, pushing the issue into the political mainstream and narrowing that gap.

As the United States debates border control heading into the November presidential election, the issue is also dominating discussion in Europe ahead of E.U. elections in June. With far-right candidates leading in polls, E.U. negotiators were under pressure to deliver a deal  and they did.

The legislative package, known as the migration and asylum pact, took three years to negotiate and is being touted by Brussels as a major breakthrough. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it historic and a huge achievement for Europe.

After nearly a decade of blockade  it is done. Europe will manage migration in an orderly way, and on our terms, Margaritis Schinas, a European Commission vice president overseeing migration policy, posted on X.

But the deal has faced fierce criticism from rights groups, which see it as a major setback for human rights, and from experts, who suspect it will do little to lower the number of migrant arrivals.

Wednesdays vote was briefly interrupted by protesters who chanted, This pact kills. Vote no! The disturbance prompted the Parliaments president to call for calm.

Though the pact has been pored over for years now, it is not clear how some of its key provisions will work. It is not immediately obvious, for instance, how the screening of asylum seekers will be streamlined without violating peoples rights, or how the new rules will help increase the proportion of people ordered to leave who are actually deported.

Human rights groups and refugee advocates are alarmed by the changes, including rules forcing children as young as 6 to provide biometric data.

This agreement will set back European asylum law for decades to come. Its likely outcome is a surge in suffering on every step of a persons journey to seek asylum in the E.U., Eve Geddie, director of Amnesty Internationals European institutions office, said in a statement when the deal was struck. From the way they are treated by countries outside the E.U., their access to asylum and legal support at Europes border, to their reception within the E.U., this agreement is designed to make it harder for people to access safety.

The deal comes as various E.U. countries, notably France and Germany, move to the right on immigration and migration.

In December, as the E.U. migration and asylum deal was struck, the French Parliament adopted a bill that imposes tough rules on immigrants, notably making it harder for them to obtain benefits or for their children to become French citizens. The legislation was an effort to head off Marine Le Pen and her far-right National Rally party.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has vowed to take a tougher line as support for the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is on the rise.

The new E.U. rules still must be approved by member states, though experts predicted that could happen relatively quickly, since political agreement has already been reached. From there, countries will need to figure out how to actually implement the measures.

Now, it is all about the implementation, Valerie Hayer, chair of the centrist Renew Europe political group, said in a statement. Ultimately, the success of the reform hinges on how Member States put it into practice.

E.U. officials on Wednesday vowed support for member states, as well as increased cooperation with countries along migrant routes.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies urged member states to tread carefully as they move forward.

The Pact focuses on the normalization of detention and speedier processes at borders. Both are worrying. Detention damages people. Quick decisions can risk returning people who should be granted asylum, the organization said in a statement.

In the Pacts implementation, E.U. countries must ensure the systemic use of detention is avoided at all costs, and that individuals are always treated as individuals, the federation said.
Kindergarteners listen to a lesson at Kaiserslautern Elementary School in Germany in August 2023. Registration for prekindergarten has begun this week at 80 Defense Department schools, marking the launch of the first full-day preschool program in most U.S. military communities worldwide. (Department of Defense Education Activity/Facebook)

Registration for prekindergarten at 80 Defense Department schools began Wednesday, marking the launch of the first full-day preschool program in most U.S. military communities worldwide.

A spending bill passed last month by Congress included $75 million for universal prekindergarten, allowing the Department of Defense Education Activity to go ahead with a program that military parents have long desired.

The 80 schools preparing to welcome American 4-year-olds when the new school year starts in August include M.C. Perry Primary School in Iwakuni, Japan, which was the first in DODEA to offer prekindergarten this year.

All children eligible for DODEA schools who turn 4 on or before Sept. 1 may be registered, which can be done online at dodea.edu/registration.

An additional 10 schools will join the program in later phases, according to DODEA.

In the Pacific, all 23 primary schools are preparing to open their doors to prekindergartners this fall.

In Europe, all but five of the 34 DODEA primary schools will have prekindergarten. Wiesbaden, Aukamm, Ansbach, Ramstein and Kleine Brogel elementary schools arent equipped with the proper space or facilities to provide the program right away, said Jessica Tackaberry, a DODEA-Europe spokeswoman.

Prekindergarten start dates at those schools will be based on circumstances at each location, Tackaberry said.

Kleine Brogel will need modifications to current space and the remaining schools will need new facilities, she said.

About $8.8 million of the $75 million in federal funds for DODEA universal prekindergarten in fiscal year 2024 is for military construction, Tackaberry said. The remainder is for operations, a large portion of which will go toward pay and benefits.

DODEA has created 250 new teaching jobs to meet its goal of a student-to-teacher ratio of 18-to-1.

The agency also plans to hire about the same number of educational aides across each region for the start of school and we are actively seeking applicants for those positions, Tackaberry said.

Hiring for the upcoming school year is about 70% complete for teachers, she said. Teaching positions are full-time and DODEA is recruiting a mix of local and stateside applicants, Tackaberry said.

There will be certified early childhood educators in every prekindergarten classroom, she said, as well as a full-time educational aide working alongside the teacher.

DODEA has selected The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, which is centered on age-appropriate, play-based learning, according to its website.

DODEA will offer transportation to all prekindergarten students living outside of the walking zone and within the commuting area, the agency said.

Students will begin and end their day according to their schools bell schedule.

The first day of school typically will be 10 days after K-12 students start, though the schedule may vary by location.
Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the NATO supreme allied commander, answers a question Jan. 18, 2024, at a news conference in Brussels. (NATO)

WASHINGTON  The commander of U.S. forces in Europe warned Wednesday that Ukraine will be outgunned 10 to one by Russia in weeks if the U.S. fails to approve additional funding for military aid that has stalled in Congress.

Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who leads U.S. European Command and is NATO supreme allied commander, told the House Armed Services Committee that Russias artillery advantage over Ukraine will soon double, allowing Ukraine to only fire back one shell in response to 10 Russian ones.

The situation is extremely serious, he said. The biggest killer on the battlefield is artillery  and should Ukraine run out, they would run out because we stopped supplying.

The U.S. provides the lions share of 155mm caliber artillery shells to Ukraine and is also the main supplier of the countrys ground-based air defense  the most critical things on the battlefield, Cavoli said.

Russias frequent large-scale missile attacks on Ukraine are expected to become more devastating as Ukraines supply of interceptors for air defense dwindle, he said.

Those attacks would absolutely cripple the economy and the civil society as well as the military of Ukraine if they were not defended against, Cavoli said. Without U.S. provision of interceptors, that will happen.

Cavoli offered his assessment of the two-year war as a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine and Israel that passed the Senate in February continued to languish in the House. The White House requested the funds in October.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has indicated he will bring the supplemental bill to the floor for a vote, but the slow pace has infuriated many lawmakers and has prompted efforts to force a vote without Johnsons approval.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said Wednesday that one tool to circumvent Johnson, a discharge petition, is only a few members short of the 218 member signatures necessary to trigger action in the House.

In the meantime, Ukrainian soldiers are rationing their artillery shells in anticipation of the supply running out, Cavoli said. They are now being out-shot by the Russians five-to-one.

European countries are attempting to fill the artillery gap by increasing their production rates, but the 11,000 shells that they are producing per year are not enough, and Ukraine will remain really dependent on the U.S. in 2024, according to Cavoli.

The [necessary] production level is not in sight right now. We think its at least months away, and that is why this is such an important time right now, he said.

Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, said the U.S. has had to get creative to continue to help Ukraine without additional funding from Congress. The Pentagon announced Tuesday that it sent Ukraine thousands of Iranian-made weapons that had been seized en route to Houthi militants in Yemen.

The delay in American weapons support has already given Russia the upper hand, according to Wallander. Russian forces have made advances as Ukrainians are forced to decide what to defend, and Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure are really harming the countrys electricity grid.

We are already seeing the effects of the failure to pass the supplemental, she said.

Cavoli said he was optimistic that Ukraine this year will be able to hold onto the territory it currently controls but only if the U.S. and other allies maintain a steady flow of supplies.

Ukraine remains almost entirely dependent on external support to stay in this fight, he said. The severity of this moment cannot be overstated. If we do not continue to support Ukraine, Ukraine could lose.
President Donald Trump signs a National Security Presidential Memorandum as he announces the withdrawal of the United States from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

VIENNA  For the past 15 years, the most important clues about Irans nuclear program have lain deep underground, in a factory built inside a mountain on the edge of Irans Great Salt Desert. The facility, known as Fordow, is the heavily protected inner sanctum of Irans nuclear complex and a frequent destination for international inspectors whose visits are meant to ensure against any secret effort by Iran to make nuclear bombs.

The inspectors latest trek, in February, yielded the usual matrices of readings and measurements, couched in the clinical language of a U.N. nuclear watchdog report. But within the documents dry prose were indications of alarming change.

In factory chambers that had ceased making enriched uranium under a 2015 nuclear accord, the inspectors now witnessed frenzied activity: newly installed equipment, producing enriched uranium at ever faster speeds, and an expansion underway that could soon double the plants output. More worryingly, Fordow was scaling up production of a more dangerous form of nuclear fuel  a kind of highly enriched uranium, just shy of weapons grade. Iranian officials in charge of the plant, meanwhile, had begun talking openly about achieving deterrence, suggesting that Tehran now had everything it needed to build a bomb if it chose.

Fordows transformation mirrors changes seen elsewhere in the country as Iran blows past the guardrails of the Iran nuclear accord. Six years after the Trump administrations controversial decision to withdraw from the pact, the restraints have fallen away, one by one, leaving Iran closer to nuclear weapons capability than at any time in the countrys history, according to confidential inspection reports and interviews with officials and experts who closely monitor Irans progress.

While Iran says it has no plans to make nuclear weapons, it now has a supply of highly enriched uranium that could be converted to weapons-grade fuel for at least three bombs in a time frame ranging from a few days to a few weeks, current and former officials said. The making of a crude nuclear device could follow in as little as six months after a decision is made, while overcoming the challenges of building a nuclear warhead deliverable by a missile would take longer, perhaps two years or more, the officials said.

Iran recently has sought to dilute some of its highly enriched uranium, signaling, in the view of U.S. officials, that it is seeking to avoid a conflict by self-imposing limits on its supply of near-weapons-grade fuel. But Fordows machines are making highly enriched uranium at a faster rate than ever before, and the countrys combined stocks of uranium fuel continue to increase, records show. The trend is unmistakable: From interviews with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials at the nuclear watchdogs Vienna headquarters and with more than a dozen current and former U.S. and European intelligence and security officials  many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters  the emerging view is one of Iran advancing slowly but confidently, accumulating the means for a future weapon while making no overt move to build one.

The collapse of the deal, meanwhile, has sharply curtailed the IAEAs ability to monitor Irans activity or investigate any reports of secret weapons activity, the officials and experts said. A U.S. official with knowledge of internal discussions at the IAEAs governing board conceded that the nuclear watchdog is less capable now of detecting a nuclear breakout by Iran. Such an event could bring cascading consequences, from a Middle East arms race to a direct Israel-Iran conflict that could unleash a wider regional war, said the official.

For now, the U.S. official said of Iran, they are dancing right up to the edge.

President Biden vowed early in his presidency to seek to restore or revamp the deal, but the administrations efforts ran into a wall of political opposition at home and indifference from Iran. In December 2022, a video recording captured Biden acknowledging that the accord was dead, although the administration has not said so formally.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby recently acknowledged what he called the futility of the effort to revive the deal, and said the administration had stopped putting energy and effort into it. He said Biden remains determined to stop Iran from acquiring the ability to make nuclear weapons, but he conceded that the United States has few fewer tools to achieve that end.

He would prefer  vastly prefer  to do that through diplomacy, Kirby said in a White House briefing in September. But thats just not a viable option right now.

A broken pact spurs Iranian defiance

The 2015 Iran nuclear accord  negotiated during Barack Obamas presidency by the United States and five other world powers, plus the European Union, and known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA  is technically still in effect, even if only as a shell. European countries continue to recognize the accord, and IAEA inspectors are allowed to visit Fordow and a few other facilities under preexisting agreements. But since the U.S. withdrawal, Iran has asserted its right to cancel any parts of the agreement it wants to ignore. In practice, that means almost all of it.

Under the pact, effective in early 2016, Iran agreed to accept severe curbs on its ability to make enriched uranium or other fissile material that could be used to make nuclear weapons. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran also agreed to intrusive monitoring and inspections and to tight limits on its total uranium stockpile, ensuring that Tehran could not accumulate enough enriched uranium to produce even a single bomb.

But the agreement drew widespread criticism, including from congressional Republicans and some Democrats who opposed sanctions relief for Iran and expressed skepticism over Tehrans intentions to honor the agreement. The Israeli government attacked the accord as broadly inadequate, criticizing in particular its sunset provisions that allowed several key restrictions to expire in just 15 years, by 2031.

Donald Trump vowed as a presidential candidate that he would withdraw from the JCPOA and did so in 2018, calling the agreement a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.

The Trump administration instead reimposed old sanctions and added new ones in an unsuccessful unilateral attempt to pressure Tehran. Irans response was to begin systematically flouting the accords major provisions while blasting the United States for negotiating in bad faith.

Today, six years after the pullout, Tehran has bolted past nearly all the pacts constraints on the amount and type of enriched uranium it can possess, IAEA documents show. Irans actions appear to have been emboldened, U.S. and European diplomats say, by its deepening alliance with Russia, a signatory to the JCPOA that has emerged as an important strategic and economic partner since Moscows full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The alliance with Russia makes a difference regarding how Iran feels towards the United States and the Europeans  you can see that they now feel very comfortable about defying the West, said a senior European diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations at the IAEAs 35-nation board of governors.

Whether Iran will ultimately decide to make a nuclear bomb is unclear. Irans leaders have been cautious about risking a direct confrontation with Israel or the United States, as would almost certainly happen if a secret bombmaking program was discovered.

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who issued a fatwa  or religious edict  against nuclear weapons in 2003, repeated his official opposition in a June 2023 speech, declaring weapons of mass destruction to be contradictory to Islam. He said Western countries know very well that we are not pursuing nuclear weapons. Iranian officials frequently accuse Western governments of hypocrisy in focusing on Irans nuclear program while saying nothing about Israel, a nuclear-armed country that is not subject to IAEA oversight.

Emails requesting comment from Irans mission to the United Nations were not answered.

Freed of the deals restraints, Iran appears to believe that it has a legal, slow-but-sure path to becoming a threshold nuclear state  a country that possesses the means for making nuclear bombs but stops just short of doing so  without putting itself at risk of a military strike, intelligence officials and weapons experts said.

Theyre not crossing red lines  theyre moving boundaries, said Robert Litwak, a nonproliferation expert and senior vice president at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a Washington think tank. Hedging is Irans sweet spot.

Irans nuclear inner sanctum

One of the profound changes envisioned by the architects of the JCPOA was the transformation of the underground facility known formally as the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. Designed by Iran as a secret factory for making enriched uranium, it was built inside tunnels cut 300 feet into the side of a craggy mountain just northeast of Qom, an ancient city and pilgrimage site in arid north-central Iran. Western intelligence agencies detected the facility while it was still under construction, and Obama revealed the plants existence to the world in 2009.

Before the 2015 nuclear deal, Fordows gleaming production halls hummed with the sound of about 3,000 centrifuges. These slim cylindrical machines spin at supersonic speeds to create a form of uranium that contains higher concentrations of an isotope called U-235, the part of uranium that can be easily split to create a nuclear chain reaction. Even in the plants pre-JCPOA days, Fordow produced only low-enriched uranium with a U-235 purity of 3 to 20%, IAEA documents show. Thats typical of the uranium fuel used in civilian nuclear power reactors.

Fordow now is a symbol of the nuclear deals collapse. Under the pact, most of Fordows centrifuges were mothballed, and the rest were allowed to make isotopes only for medical applications and civilian research. All fissile uranium was removed. Then, after the Trump decision in 2018, the plant slowly came back to life. Since 2018, IAEA inspectors have watched production of enriched uranium at Fordow go from zero to more than 700 pounds a month this past February, according to the latest IAEA report released to member states last month.

The qualitative difference in the fuel is even more startling. Fordows most refined product today has a U-235 purity of 60%, IAEA reports show.

There is no reason to be at 60%, said a second European diplomat privy to internal discussions of the IAEAs governing board. Sixty percent is very close to weapons grade. They could go there with the flip of a switch.

Fordow began making the highly enriched fuel in 2022, but the rate of production has steadily increased over the past two years. Irans largest uranium-enrichment plant, at Natanz, also now makes uranium enriched to 60%, and the combined stockpile of the fuel stood at nearly 270 pounds when inspectors visited in February, the reports show.

Irans decision to dilute some of the high-enriched fuel has kept the total from climbing precipitously. But the fuels high purity gives Iran a pathway for making several bombs worth of weapons-grade uranium quickly, using Irans existing equipment, current and former U.S. officials and weapons experts said. Weapons-grade uranium is enriched to at least 90% U-235.

Iran is believed to possess nearly all the technological know-how and equipment it needs to build a crude nuclear device. Documents stolen from a Tehran warehouse by Israeli operatives in 2018 confirmed what U.S. intelligence agencies had concluded years earlier: Iran launched a crash program on a nuclear weapons design in the early 2000s before apparently abandoning the effort in 2003, around the start of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Documents released by Israelis showed Iranians developing and testing components for a nuclear device in the early 2000s.

They have already taken most of the steps they would need to take, said David Albright, an expert on Irans nuclear program and the president of the Institute for Science and International Security, who has analyzed many of the documents. Irans most significant challenge in the early 2000s was obtaining highly enriched uranium or plutonium for a bomb, and they have solved that problem, even better than they expected. You can tell from their statements that they are well aware of what they have, Albright said.

A new boldness

The enhanced capabilities are reflected in a new boldness in Irans public statements about its nuclear facilities.

Earlier this year, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran used a provocative term, deterrence, in describing the purpose of Irans nuclear program. In a nuclear weapons context, deterrence refers to the threat that a country would use weapons of mass destruction in response to aggression by another power.

Referring to Irans nuclear program in a January interview, AEOI Director Mohammad Eslami specifically said that deterrence has been achieved with the help of God, without having to violate any rules or regulations.

In terms of our national security, we do not want to do it, Eslami said of Irans philosophy regarding nuclear weapons. But then he added: It is not about the lack of capability. This is a very important point.  We should not underrate our current achievements, thinking that we are not there yet.

Eslamis predecessor at the AEOI, Ali Akbar Salehi, summarized the state of affairs more colorfully in a February interview, likening Irans nuclear program to a collection of automobile parts that only need to be assembled. Have you made a gearbox? I say yes. An engine? But each one is for its own purpose.

The comments drew an uncharacteristically sharp rebuke from the IAEA, an organization whose mission is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, assembled or not.

All this loose talk about nuclear weapons is extremely unhelpful, and I frankly deplore it, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in an interview. If you are a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, you are not supposed to have nuclear weapons in any way  assembled, disassembled, in a drawer, in a cupboard, or whatever. You should not pursue it; you should not have it. Period.

A nuclear domino effect

In a region beset by war  both the hot war in the Gaza Strip and the long-running shadow conflict between Iran and Israel - Tehrans progress is being monitored with growing unease. Israels military and spy services have a long history of covert action to slow Irans nuclear progress, from assassinations of Iranian scientists to cyberattacks on nuclear facilities, including the cyber-sabotage operations known as Stuxnet. Emerging evidence of an Iranian nuclear breakout effort could trigger Israeli airstrikes on Tehrans nuclear facilities. A retaliatory salvo from Irans increasingly sophisticated missile or drone fleet could spark a wider Middle Eastern war.

The specter of a nuclear-capable Iran could also prompt other countries in the region  including Saudi Arabia and Turkey  to reconsider their security choices. Grossi, in the interview, warned of the potential for a destabilizing domino effect.

More than one country has expressed, literally, that seeing Iran having a nuclear capability would trigger themselves to seek that capability as well, he said. If that happens, he added, it could lead to potentially unraveling the nonproliferation regime writ large.

Mindful of the growing danger, Grossi has called urgently for the 2015 agreement to either be reinstated or replaced with a new version, to give Irans neighbors more clarity about its nuclear intentions.

If we are left in limbo, bad things may happen, he said.

For now, prospects for restoring or revising the pact remain gloomy, as even ardent supporters of the JCPOA acknowledge. With no agreement in place, persuading Tehran to step back from the edge will probably be difficult at best, current and former U.S. officials said.

Its going to be pretty awkward to get back to a place of confidence, where we know that Iran has not moved to within epsilon of having a nuclear device, said Ernest Moniz, the physicist and former U.S. energy secretary who helped negotiate the 2015 accord.

Any real progress that might come in the future will almost certainly have to be part of a broader agreement between Iran and the West, said Moniz, who is now CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a Washington nonprofit. And that will be very challenging and probably extremely difficult to reach.
French-Brazilian mathematician Artur Avila delivers a lecture at Nankai University in Tianjin Municipality, north China, April 3, 2024. (Nankai University/Handout via Xinhua)

TIANJIN, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese mathematics researchers are enthusiastic, hardworking and dedicated, which makes people very hopeful for the development of the Chinese community in mathematics, said Artur Avila, a world-renowned mathematician, in an interview with Xinhua during his recent visit to Tianjin Municipality, north China.

French-Brazilian mathematician Avila was officially appointed as a guest professor at Nankai University in early April, starting a new journey of his mathematical communication and cooperation.

Avila, who works as a professor at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, is known for his profound contributions to the field of dynamical systems and spectral theory.

In 2014, he was awarded the Fields Medal, one of the highest honors a mathematician can receive.

Avila's academic experience in mathematics is full of cross-cultural exchange and integration. After completing all his studies in Brazil, he chose to move to France to be exposed to different people and different mathematics.

"I think that one thing that's very important is to change your environment from time to time. You need to get outside of your initial field to see a little bit more of the diversity of math," Avila said.

He added that mathematics is very international. Seeing different groups of mathematicians and different culturally influenced mathematics can be very important for the development of any mathematician.

Avila also believes that China's mathematics discipline has performed well in the quality of education.

"I feel that in a sense China is being seen as a more important part of mathematics in the world. It's becoming more and more unavoidable to interact here," Avila said.

Actually, Avila had a deep cooperation with two of Nankai University's professors. The pair came up with a surprising idea that provided a new way of attacking a well-known problem.

"Seeing such a new idea was unexpected to me, which was really nice and gave me more enthusiasm to keep collaborating with them," Avila said, adding that he was very happy to come to Nankai University to visit their workplace.

Avila also delivered a lecture in Nankai University. While sharing his ideas, he was impressed by the enthusiasm and curiosity of young Chinese students for mathematics.

"From the young students, I felt enthusiasm. They really want to understand how is actually the process that still ahead of them. They think hard about how the future will go. I try to answer and be helpful to the best of my abilities. I hope it will help them," Avila said.

He said that China has been making good progress in the field of mathematics, and he has five Chinese PhD students, whose diversified research styles show the vitality and potential of China's mathematical community, which is exactly what mathematics needs.

"Mathematics is international. There's not one style of doing mathematics. Different cultures can be developed within China," Avila said, adding that he expects that more and more countries can strengthen mathematical cultural exchanges to spur innovation. 

French-Brazilian mathematician Artur Avila (R) is appointed as guest professor of Nankai University in Tianjin Municipality, north China, April 3, 2024. (Nankai University/Handout via Xinhua)

French-Brazilian mathematician Artur Avila delivers a lecture at Nankai University in Tianjin Municipality, north China, April 3, 2024. (Nankai University/Handout via Xinhua)
Family members of hostages held by Hamas and their supporters gather at the site of the Nova music festival in southern Israel in February to demand the release of their loved ones. (Heidi Levine for The Washington Post)

TEL AVIV  As Israel and Hamas try to hammer out the thorny details of a U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal, Israeli officials are seeking the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. But they dont actually know how many of them are alive.

So far, Hamas has failed to provide Israeli negotiators with a list of the remaining hostages, raising fears that the group has lost track of them amid the war  or worse, that it might not want to reveal how many have been killed.

Israel says that 133 hostages are still in captivity, ranging from toddlers to the elderly, and that 36 of those hostages are confirmed dead.

But the fates of about 100 hostages  including Israelis and foreign nationals, peace activists and soldiers, mothers and grandfathers  are still unclear, six months after the start of the war. The uncertainty is not only complicating negotiations but also leaving the hostages families in anguish.

The pain of each passing day is almost exponential, said Jon Polin, the father of 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a dual Israeli-American citizen who was abducted from an outdoor music festival on Oct. 7.

In gruesome footage posted by his captors, Goldberg-Polin is shown packed into the back of a truck, his arm blown off by a grenade. Maybe he was treated, Polin and his wife, Rachel Goldberg, hoped. We remain optimistic because we have no choice, he said.

On that day, Hamas and allied militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 253 others, dragging them back to Gaza and kicking off a devastating war. Since then, 112 hostages have been either freed or released, including during a four-day pause in November, but none of those who returned home said they saw Goldberg-Polin in captivity; bodies of an additional 12 have been brought back to Israel.

In Gaza, in their search for hostages, Israeli forces have raided hospitals, dug up gravesites and scoured tunnels used by Hamas to evade capture and hide from Israeli bombs. They say they found boxes of medicine meant for the captives, DNA evidence inside a tunnel, and security camera footage showing hostage Shiri Bibas and one of her two young sons after she arrived in Khan Younis on Oct. 7.

In February, Israeli commandos freed two hostages in Rafah in southern Gaza in a rescue operation that killed at least 67 Palestinians. Last week, Israeli troops recovered the body of Elad Katzir, 47, a farmer the military said was buried by his captors south of Khan Younis.

But for the families of the hostages, more is unknown than known. Refael Franco, former deputy head of Israels National Cyber Directorate, who ran hostage tracking in the early days of the war, said that as Israels intelligence dries up, it is having trouble estimating where the hostages are. Because of this, he said, Israel is worried about miscalculating how many are dead.

None of the hostages have been seen by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Israeli authorities are starting to hedge, saying that dozens are dead and dozens are alive, but not much else.

Still, Israeli officials signaled this week that a release deal might be in the offing.

We are ready to pay a price in order to return the hostages, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Monday, calling their return the armys highest commitment. Also Monday, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that negotiations had reached a critical point.

The optimism came as talks were underway in Cairo on Sunday and Monday, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States. President Joe Biden ramped up the pressure on both sides last week to secure a deal.

The goal more broadly is to reach an accord that will halt the fighting and free the hostages and some Palestinian prisoners, while increasing aid to Gaza, which is on the brink of famine. At least 33,482 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

But while Israel wants the hostages released, it is also seeking to topple Hamas and sees an open-ended troop presence in Gaza as the way to keep the militants from regrouping. For its part, Hamas wants Israel to free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, allow displaced residents to return to northern Gaza, including its own members, and then withdraw completely from the enclave.

On Tuesday, Hamas said it was studying the latest proposal but called the terms nothing new. The group has not said publicly how many hostages are alive and did not respond to a request for comment. Biden, speaking to reporters Wednesday, said the United States was still negotiating a deal.

For Sharone Lifschitz, whose 83-year-old father, Oded, remains in Gaza, the lack of information about the hostages is particularly jarring, given the sheer amount of footage emanating from the original attack. On Oct. 7, Hamas and other fighters live-streamed the atrocities and flooded their social media channels with footage of the carnage. In some cases, the gunmen hijacked the victims social media accounts and sent images of the dead or abducted victims to their relatives.

Were in this roller coaster of emotion that I never knew existed, Lifschitz said.

Her mother, Yocheved, was one of the first hostages released by Hamas in late October. Yocheved and Oded, both peace activists, were taken from kibbutz Nir Oz, less than two miles from the Gaza border.

Also abducted from Nir Oz were Shiri Bibas, 32, her husband, Yarden, 33, and their two young sons, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, then 9 months old. Shiri Bibas was filmed on Oct. 7, terrified and clutching her children as gunmen forced them into captivity. The militants also recorded Yardens abduction and later released a video in which he was forced to say that his wife and sons were killed in an Israeli airstrike.

Israeli officials have not confirmed their deaths but have told the family that they are very concerned about their well-being.

The heartbreak and anxiety is unbearable already, said Ifat Zeiller, a cousin of Shiri Bibas. After six months, she said, our message to the world has changed from listen to us to  dont forget us. 

Ofri Bibas-Levy is Yarden Bibass sister. At a rally in Jerusalem on Sunday, she lamented that Kfir, the youngest hostage, would not be with the family for the upcoming Passover holiday.

What can I tell my children, all of our children, about what has changed since Oct. 7? she said. There is no security, no trust  133 hostages are still in hell.
Smoke rises from a derailed cargo train in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 4, 2023. (Dustin Franz/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern has reached a $600 million settlement agreement to resolve a consolidated class action lawsuit filed against the railroad after its fiery derailment of a train carrying toxic materials in East Palestine, Ohio, last year.

The company said if the agreement in principle is approved by the court, it will resolve all class action claims within a 20-mile radius of the February 2023 derailment and personal injury claims filed by residents within a 10-mile radius of the wreck.

Norfolk Southern said residents and businesses will be able to use compensation from the settlement in any manner they see fit to address potential adverse impacts from the derailment, including health care or medical monitoring, property restoration or compensation for business losses.

Residents within 10 miles of the derailment would be able to get compensation for past, present or future personal injury from the derailment, the railroad said.

The settlement comes after residents in the East Palestine area began filling lawsuits shortly after the derailment. Multiple lawsuits were consolidated into one case under Judge Benita Pearson in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Ohio.

After the derailment, some residents moved and many remain concerned about the potential for long-term health effects from the fire and the burning of toxic vinyl chloride that sent up a towering plume of smoke above East Palestine.

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board told Congress last month that the decision to burn the vinyl chloride from tank cars in the days following the wreck in East Palestine wasnt justified, and that first responders and officials making the decision didnt have all the information they needed.

If the agreement in principle is approved, payments could start going to members of the class by the end of this year, according to the company and plaintiffs attorneys.

Actual payments to residents, business owners, property owners and workers in the area will be determined by attorneys for the class, with the highest levels of compensation to the residents closest to the derailment site.

Jayne Conroy, one of the lead plaintiffs attorneys, said she believes it is the largest derailment settlement in U.S. history, and called it a very significant amount of money, for roughly 100,000 people in a 20-mile radius.

We are very pleased with this settlement, with where it fits with other historic settlements, Conroy said. It actually could get money to people very quickly in the scheme of what litigation usually looks like, which can be many years.

Conroy noted that the cost of cleanup of contamination from the derailment is also separate and not a part of this settlement.

Norfolk Southern said the settlement of the class action lawsuit does not include or constitute any admission of liability, wrongdoing or fault. The company expects this to be its largest settlement related to the East Palestine derailment. It had already tallied more than $1 billion in charges for its response.

The railroad also on Monday issued preliminary financial results for the first quarter of 2024, including the impact of the $600 million settlement, expenses associated with layoffs and departures of managers for job reductions, the cost of recruiting a new chief operating officer and other expenses.

Norfolk Southern said its revenues were down 4%. The company is also working to fight off a takeover proposal from Ohio-based activist investor firm Ancora Holdings Group, which said it believes it can make Norfolk Southern into a safer, more sustainable railroad that is growing profitably, according to a statement.

Under activist investor pressure, Norfolk Southern last month announced it would replace its chief operating officer with John Orr, an executive from Canadian Pacific Kansas City. Norfolk Southern agreed to pay $25 million for a waiver of non-compete provisions in an agreement Orr had with CPKC and for other financial and commercial considerations.

The railroad said Monday it also expects a $50 million to $100 million business impact from the March 26 Baltimore bridge collapse to its second quarter revenue, depending on the duration of the port outage. It said it has taken steps to mitigate supply chain disruptions from the Baltimore bridge collapse, including new service to flow freight between the Port of New York and New Jersey and the Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore.

With the impact of the derailment class action settlement, Norfolk Southern said its preliminary income from railway operations in the first quarter was $213 million, down from $711 million into the first quarter of 2023. The year-ago results included the impact of $387 million in charges recorded due to the East Palestine derailment, and would otherwise have been more than $1 billion.

Misti Allison, an East Palestine resident, said after the announcement of the class action settlement that she was glad to see progress, but so much more needs to be accomplished.

Allison said thousands of people have joined the class action, and she questioned whether the proposed $600M settlement, after legal teams are paid, will be an impactful amount per family to cover their health care needs and losses.

She said she is still awaiting the release of the NTSBs full investigation report into the cause of the derailment and is among those pushing for passage of stricter rail safety regulations. The legislation has stalled in Congress. Earlier this month, the Biden administration issued a rule establishing new requirements for the size of train crews.

2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Visit at ajc.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack implied that China may be favoring Brazilian corn and soybeans partly in retaliation against recent restrictions on ownership of American farmland. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack implied that China may be favoring Brazilian corn and soybeans partly in retaliation against recent restrictions on ownership of American farmland.

Vilsack said his counterpart in China recently brought up Arkansas move to force seed company Syngenta AG, which is controlled by Chinas Sinochem Holdings Corp., to sell 160 acres of farmland in the state.

The action  the first enforcement taken under legislation signed into law by Republican governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders that bans prohibited foreign entities from owning Arkansas farmland  is part of the constant ripping of China that has prompted it to spurn U.S. agriculture products, Vilsack said.

We had a trade deficit of $6 billion in the first quarter of this fiscal year; Chinas purchases are $6 billion less than they were a year ago, Vilsack said in an interview Tuesday. Why would that be? Is it just Brazil, or was there a reason why the Chinese ag minister asked me about Syngenta?

Why was it brought up, Vilsack asked: It was a signal.

An email sent to the Chinese embassy in Washington on Tuesday wasnt immediately answered. Chinas Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Vilsack said the U.S. needs to diversify by working more with other countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Still, he said the U.S. would like to be able to continue doing business with China.

What we have to have I think in this country is a bit more nuanced conversation about China, and a bit more complex conversation about China, he said. At the same time, we need to diversify away from over-reliance on China.

With China buying fewer crops from the U.S., Brazil has overtaken America as the worlds top corn shipper after already doing so with soybeans.

With assistance from Gerson Freitas Jr., Tarso Veloso and Luz Ding.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
The Pakistani nation Wednesday marked Eid ul Fitr with prayers for brethren in Gaza, who have been facing death and destruction for the past six months at the hands of oppressive Israeli forces.

At least 33,360 Palestinians have been confirmed killed in six months of war, which began on October 7, Gaza's health ministry said in its latest update, with thousands more dead feared unrecovered in the rubble.

Hamas is currently studying a ceasefire proposal put forth by Israel, but the group said it does not meet the demands of freedom fighters.

In their Eid messages, Pakistans top leadership expressed solidarity with the war-torn nation and impressed upon the international community to ensure immediate peace in Gaza and provision of assistance to the Palestinians.

The day kicked off with Eid prayers, which marked an end to the month-long holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn till dusk. The three-day festival is observed to celebrate the completion of the fasting month by believers across the world.

In a bid to ensure that the religious festival witnesses no untoward situation, security has also been tightened across the country, with thousands of police personnel deployed.

Genocide

President Asif Ali Zardari felicitated the Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion and urged them to show compassion and generosity and share their happiness with the poor and needy.

In a statement, he said: "I pray to Allah Almighty to bring immense blessings, happiness, peace, and security to everyone on this blessed day."

"After all the fasting, prayers, and charity in the sacred month of Ramadan, we should be thankful to Allah Almighty for bestowing all the blessings and happiness on us."

"Eid ul Fitr is the day to share our happiness with others and show generosity to the deprived sections of society. On this auspicious day we should help the needy, poor, orphans, and destitute and share the happiness of Eid with them," he continued.

The president said Eid sends Pakistanis the message that as a nation, they are determined to overcome challenges, extend a helping hand to the needy, and [be] ready to work for a bright and prosperous future for everybody.

"In our everyday lives we should make an effort to become a united and strong nation by showing brotherhood and tolerance and ensuring social and economic justice and mutual unity and solidarity," he said,

Moving on, he added that on behalf of the Pakistan nation, I want to give the message to the oppressed Muslims of Gaza and Palestine that the whole Pakistani nation express solidarity with you.

"We impress upon the international community to ensure immediate peace in Gaza and provision of assistance to the Palestinians. The oppression, barbarity, and genocide by Israel is the gravest violation of human rights."

The president stressed that on this occasion of happiness, the nation should also not forget the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He assured that the whole Pakistani nation stood with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters.

Compassion, generosity

In his statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz extended his heartfelt greetings to the countrymen, noting that the day marked the end of Ramadan, a month of immense blessings, spiritual growth, forgiveness, patience, tolerance, and resilience.

The underlying message of Eid is that of solidarity, compassion, generosity, and harmony, and inspires us to build a peaceful and prosperous society, the prime minister, whose government faces an uphill task on the economic front, said.

He reminded people that while they enjoy the celebratory delight of this great occasion, they must not forget the least fortunate.

PM Shehbaz also asked the nation to remember those martyrs who have sacrificed their lives so that the masses live in peace and tranquility.

We salute our gallant veterans who work tirelessly to protect our borders, maintain internal security and contribute to peacekeeping missions abroad. They deserve our utmost respect and recognition.

He also urged Muslims around the world to remember their Palestinian and Kashmiri brothers and sisters who are facing the worst kind of atrocities of the occupation forces and they will be constrained to enjoy the joys of Eid.

We all pray to Almighty Allah to ease their difficulties.

May the underlying meaning and significance of Islam spread among us all as a guide to the emancipation of humanity and may the world be filled with peace and harmony. Ameen!

Remembering martyrs

Pakistans armed forces, alongside Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Service Chiefs, also extended their heartfelt wishes to all citizens, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

"For a soldier, the true essence of Eid lies in the pride of serving on the frontlines, safeguarding our nation, away from loved ones and the festivities of Eid.

May the blessings of Allah shower upon our beloved homeland, ushering in peace and prosperity. Ameen."

The ISPR said on this auspicious occasion, let us reflect upon the unwavering courage of our national heroes, serving as a beacon of inspiration for both the Armed Forces of Pakistan and the entire nation.

We remain eternally grateful to these brave souls and their families for their sacrifices. Let us pay homage to the martyrs of Pakistan, who laid down their lives in defence of the motherland, ensuring its safety and sovereignty.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday made telephone calls to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to convey greetings on the auspicious occasion of Eid ul Fitr.

During the separate telephonic conversations, the premier vowed to further strengthen Islamabads ties with Doha and Ankara.

Talking to Sheikh Tamim, PM Shehbaz reiterated the close fraternal ties between Islamabad and Doha and reaffirmed Pakistans desire to closely working with Qatar in all areas of common interest.

He reiterated his government's commitment to deepen economic and trade relations between the two countries.

The emir of Qatar warmly reciprocated Eid greetings and conveyed his best wishes to the people of Pakistan.

The prime minister reiterated his invitation to the Qatari emir to undertake an official visit to Pakistan who assured that he was keen to visit Pakistan at an early date.

Both leaders renewed their commitment to work closely with each other and further broaden the cooperation in all mutually beneficial fields.

While, in phone call to the Turkish president, PM Shehbaz underscored deeply-rooted and historical relations between the two countries and reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all sectors of mutual interest.

Both leaders exchanged Eid greetings and sincere wishes for peace, prosperity and unity for the people of Pakistan and Turkiye.

The two leaders reaffirmed that they will continue to firmly and resolutely support each other on their core national interests.

They also called for peace in Palestine. The prime minister reiterated his invitation to President Erdogan to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

The visit would provide the opportunity to convene the 7th session of High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) scheduled to be held in the near future.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have felicitated the nation and the Muslim Ummah on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul- Fitr and urged them to show compassion and generosity and share their happiness with the poor and needy.

In a message, the President prayed to Allah Almighty to bring immense blessings, happiness, peace and security to everyone on this blessed day.

Asif Ali Zardari said the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr sends us the message that as a nation we are determined to overcome challenges, extend a helping hand to the needy and ready to work for a bright and prosperous future for everybody.

He called for making an effort to become a united and strong nation by showing brotherhood and tolerance and ensuring social and economic justice and mutual unity and solidarity.

The President, on behalf of the Pakistani nation, he expressed solidarity with the oppressed Muslims of Gaza and Palestine..

He impressed upon the international community to ensure immediate peace in Gaza and provision of assistance to the Palestinians. He said the oppression, barbarity and genocide by Israel is the gravest violation of human rights.

Asif Ali Zardari further said that, on this occasion of happiness, we should not forget the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He assured that the entire Pakistani nation stands with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters.

The President said Pakistan would continue moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute according to the United Nations resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said this day marks the end of Ramazan, a month of immense blessings, spiritual growth, forgiveness, patience, tolerance and resilience.

The Prime Minister said the underlying message of Eid is that of solidarity, compassion, generosity and harmony and inspires us to build a peaceful and prosperous society. While we enjoy the celebratory delight of this great occasion, we must not forget the least fortunate amongst us. He appealed to the entire nation to help those around who deserve our support so that they could also share the joys of this occasion.

Paying rich tribute to martyrs, Shehbaz Sharif said we should also remember those, who have sacrificed their lives so that the nation lives in peace and tranquility. He said the entire nation salutes the gallant veterans who work tirelessly to protect country's borders, maintain internal security and contribute to peacekeeping missions abroad. They deserve our utmost respect and recognition.

Shehbaz Sharif also urged Muslims around the world to remember their Palestinian and Kashmiri brothers and sisters who are facing the worst kind of atrocities of the occupation forces and they will be constrained to enjoy the joys of Eid. We all pray to Almighty Allah to ease their difficulties.
Geng Shuang (C, front), China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting on Colombia at the UN headquarters in New York, April 9, 2024. The Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to promote Colombia's national development and work for sustainable peace. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, April 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to promote Colombia's national development and work for sustainable peace.

One of the main obstacles to the implementation of the peace agreement is the inadequate progress in key areas such as rural reform, land distribution, and reintegration of ex-combatants. China encourages the Colombian government to continue to scale up its efforts in these areas, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. "We look forward to such efforts being translated into a solid foundation for advancing the peace process."

There is a need to promote the process of dialogue and reconciliation and consolidate the momentum for peace, he told the Security Council.

China welcomes the extension of the cease-fire between the government and the National Liberation Army, and looks forward to the progress in the seventh round of peace talks between the two sides. China also welcomes the recent announcement by the government on the launching of peace talks with other armed groups, he said.

"We hope the parties in Colombia will demonstrate willingness and determination to engage in peaceful negotiation, reduce conflict and violence, create a favorable environment for dialogue and consultation, and further consolidate and expand the effective outcomes of such talks," he said.

The security situation in Colombia should be improved through concrete efforts in order to strengthen the confidence of all parties in peace, said Geng.

A secure and stable environment is particularly important for enhancing the confidence of all sectors of the population in the peace process. China supports the government of Colombia in fully implementing the relevant security policies, continuing to increase its deployment of security forces in former conflict areas where effective control is absent, and strengthening the protection of women, children, ethnic minorities, and ex-combatants, he said.

China commends the significant work done by the UN Verification Mission in Colombia in terms of promoting the peace process in the country. China stands ready to continue to support the mission and international and regional partners in providing support and assistance to the advancement of a Colombian-led and Colombian-owned peace process, he said. 
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, undertook a visit to Miran Shah & Spinwam in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he joined troops in celebrating Eid, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.

Commencing with Eid prayers at the frontline, the army chief offered supplications for enduring stability and prosperity of Pakistan, ISPR said.

He conveyed heartfelt Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to the troops, commending their unwavering dedication and service to the nation.

Subsequently, COAS Asim Munir received a comprehensive briefing on operational readiness and the prevailing security landscape, with a specific focus on border security measures along the Pak-Afghan Border.

Acknowledging the formations monumental efforts in fostering peace and stability, COAS attributed these strides to the sacrifices of our martyrs, facilitating secure environment conducive to socio-economic development, particularly in the newly merged districts and throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Emphasizing the adverse impact of terrorism upon development, COAS underscored the collective imperative to safeguard the hard-earned peace.

He urged all stakeholders, especially the local populace, to remain vigilant against adversarial elements seeking to destabilize the region.

Maintain unwavering focus on your professional duties in service to the nation, COAS concluded.

Earlier, on arrival, COAS was warmly received by Commander Peshawar Corps.
The abuse took everything from me. It broke me as a boy, and it broke me as a man

A man has told a court that the abuse he suffered as a young child broke him as a boy and as a man until he finally found help.

Alan Dunne waived his anonymity in order to have his abuser, 74-year-old Bernard Swaine, named.

Swaine was convicted by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 31 counts of indecent assault following a six day trial last January. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to six years in prison.

Swaine of Ballyneety Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent assault on dates between 1983 and 1986. He had one previous conviction for assault which dated back to 1968.

Mr Dunne was aged between seven and ten years old at the time. Swaine was 26 years older.

Mr Dunne told the jury during the trial that on the first incident of abuse he was staying the night in Swaines home when he got behind him in a bed and anally raped him.

He recalled regularly visiting Swaines home afterwards and said Swaine would abuse him by touching his genitals while he masturbated. He said this pattern of behaviour went on for about three years.

Garrett McCormack BL prosecuting told the court that the first offence relates to the first incident while the remaining counts were sample charges which represented the continued abuse on a regular basis.

Mr Dunne (48) read his own victim impact statement to the court, which said: How do you measure the impact of rape and sexual abuse can have on a person and then imagine that abuse is being perpetrated against a child.

To say it crushes your soul and well-being is an understatement.

Your mind never lets you forget, and that is the kicker.

The abuse took everything from me. It broke me as a boy, and it broke me as a man until I finally found help.

Mr Dunne described how he has suffered from depression, anxiety, and self-loathing which I put on myself for not speaking up sooner.

He said: I really would not be here today if it werent for my wife and children.

Mr Dunne told Swaine: You took the most precious thing  you took my childhood, and I will never get that back.

Passing sentence today Judge Crowe praised the eloquence of what Mr Dunne had described as his survivor statement.

She acknowledged evidence that as a child Mr Dunne had complicated feelings for Swaine.

Before the abuse he had found Swaine to be jovial, friendly and engaged with children and in the aftermath of the abuse he remained in contact with him due to complicated feelings of what he said was a sense of love and fear, the judge said.

Judge Crowe said that through therapy Mr Dunne now understands that at the time he was desperate for a father figure which led to him staying in touch with Swaine.

The judge further acknowledged that the abuse took everything from Mr Dunne and left him with feelings of despair and self-loathing. She said his statement was the most eloquent description of the impact on this man who was a blameless and innocent child at the time.

Judge Crowe said Swaines crimes represented a wholesale violation of a childs bodily integrity adding that it had long-term serious implications for Mr Dunne.

She said Swaine had insinuated himself into the confidence of this child and his parents and had created a situation where Mr Dunne could stay in his home. She said Swaine had abused the trust placed in him repeatedly and regularly.

Judge Crowe said the abuse had far reaching and deeply serious consequences for Mr Dunne whom she had shown considerable dignity in the way he dealt with the case. She accepted that Mr Dunne had strived to escape the memories of the abuse but had to overcome this to ultimately report Swaine to the gardai.

She accepted evidence from Garnet Orange SC defending that Swaine will have to forgo the council house he had lived in all his life if incarcerated and that he suffers from many medical conditions.

Judge Crowe also accepted that Swaine has suffered psychiatric difficulties as result of the case.

She said the seriousness of the case must be marked by the imposition of a considerable custodial sentence before she noted that the maximum sentence available to the court was 10 years.

Judge Crowe said a headline sentence of nine years was appropriate for the first offence in the case and reduced this sentence to six years having taken into account Swaines mitigating and personal circumstances.

She imposed concurrent terms of four and half years for the remaining offences, having set an initial headline sentence of six years for these counts.
Gardai discovered Mr Curtins body outside Mr Cahills home at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen, on November 4, 2023.

A man has been remanded in custody on a charge of murdering a father-of-two in Limerick City last year.

Joe Cahill, (44), appeared before Limerick District Court, charged with murdering Gerard Curtin, (42), on November 4, 2023.

Gardai discovered Mr Curtins body outside a home at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen, in the early hours of the morning in question.

Joe Cahill was initially charged with intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Mr Curtin when he appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court sitting in Ennis on November 5 last year.

Ger Curtin

A post mortem was carried out by the State Pathologist, however Gardai said the results were not being released for operational reasons.

Mr Curtin, of Spit Land, Old Cork Rd, Limerick, had criminal convictions including for theft, burglary, and criminal damage.

The murder charge was first introduced before Limerick District Court on March 4th, it has emerged.

Mr Cahill did not seek bail then as bail in respect of a murder charge can only be sought in the High Court, in Dublin.

Mr Cahill, who is represented by Kerry solicitor Eamonn Dillon, was remanded in continuing custody yesterday, to appear before Limerick District Court on May 8th for service of the States Book of Evidence ahead of his trial.
Brady's trial for perverting the course of justice was due to go ahead this week

Garda killer Aaron Brady's trial for perverting the course of justice has been delayed for a third day following discussions between the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Brady's lawyers.

Michael O'Higgins SC, for Brady said this morning that he had taken an instruction from his client and arising from that a matter has been put to the DPP. Lorcan Staines SC, for the prosecution, said that he wants to consult with the director before moving forward.

He said he will have his instructions by tomorrow .

Brady's trial for perverting the course of justice was due to go ahead this week but was adjourned to allow the defence time to consider additional evidence that has been served in recent days. During that time, Mr O'Higgins has also been in discussions with his counterpart for the DPP.

Brady and his co-accused Dean Byrne are charged with conspiring to persuade a State witness not to testify during Brady's trial for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013.

Padraig Dwyer SC, for Mr Byrne, said that he is not involved in the matter being discussed between Brady's lawyers and the DPP.

Brady (33) of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh and Dean Byrne (30) from Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Dublin, are accused of conspiring to persuade prosecution witness Daniel Cahill not to give evidence in order to pervert the course of justice between April 8, 2020, and June 22, 2020.

Brady is also accused of recording the playing of a video of a witness being interviewed by gardai, thus embarking upon a course to pervert the course of public justice between February 20, 2020 and May 7, 2020,

During Brady's murder trial in 2020, the court was told that a video of a witness telling gardai that he heard Brady admit to murdering a garda was circulating on social media.

Trial judge Mr Justice Michael White described the dissemination of the video as "the most outrageous contempt of court" and a "deliberate attempt to intimidate" the witness and others who were to give evidence.

In August 2020 Brady was convicted of murdering Detective Garda Donohoe, a garda acting in accordance with his duties. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 40 years to be served. He is being held at Portlaoise prison.
Ms O Doherty brought before Mr Justice Conor Dignam at the High Court on Wednesday following her arrest

Journalist Gemma O'Doherty has strongly rejected claims she harassed the mother of a young man who took his own life, and that any attempt to jail her for alleged contempt is "outrageous and unlawful.".

Ms O Doherty brought before Mr Justice Conor Dignam at the High Court on Wednesday following her arrest by members of an Garda Siochana..

The judge agreed to adjourn the application which could see Ms O'Doherty jailed over her alleged failure to comply with the terms of an injunction obtained by Edel Campbell, to later this week.

This is to allow her obtain instructions and have her lawyer present in court, and to obtain all the relevant legal documents in the case.

Under the terms of the injunction, which is to remain in place pending the full outcome of the proceedings Ms O'Doherty is restrained from harassing or intimidating her, and from disclosing any confidential information about Ms Campbell and her family.

The injunction was granted as part of proceedings Ms Campbell has brought against Ms O'Doherty, over the use of the image of her deceased son, Diego Gilsenan, in the Irish Light newspaper, which is edited by Ms O'Doherty.

Ms O'Doherty was ordered to remove Mr Gilsenen's images from any media platforms under the defendant's control, or from publishing any images of herself and her family on any medium.

Gemma O'Doherty arriving at the High Court in Dublin

It is claimed that in a series of video posts by Ms O'Doherty last year the defendant has made statements in clear disregarding and in breach of the court's orders.

This led to the application against Ms O'Doherty over her alleged contempt.

On Wednesday Ms O'Doherty who appeared before the court without her legal representative being present, or without any court documents told the judge she had never harassed anyone in her life, or that she had ever met Ms Campbell.

She said that she was defamed and her good name had damaged and she had been defamed by Ms Campbell in a radio interview broadcast by RTE.

She described the injunction against, which was not appealed, as being unlawful and said that she was not prepared to comply with it.

She said that the plaintiff complaints are an attempt to prvent her from doing her job as "an award winning" investigative reporter who cares about persons who deaths have been "covered up."

She told the judge that "if you do jail me, it would be jailing me for being an investigative journalist, I would not like to be in your shoes" adding that such an action would make news all over the world."

She said the injunction should never have been granted.

She claimed the law which prevents the third party funding of legal actions, known as 'champerty and maintenance' has been broken by the plaintiff.

She said that a fund raiser allegedly for legal expenses, had been organised for Ms Campbell that raised over 24,000 and she had reported the matter to the Gardai.

Many of the donors to this fund raiser where anonymous, Ms O'Doherty added. .

Ms Campbell, Ms Doherty added had said in that interview that the defendant "hated" her. Ms Doherty said that she didnt hate anybody.

It was accepted that she had published "a postage stamp sized picture of the plaintiff's late son, but said it was part of a story investigating the sudden deaths of young people in Ireland.

Ms O'Doherty said that after receiving complaints from Ms Campbell she decided as an investigative journalist to probe Mr Gilsenen's death, stating that she believes the inquest into the death, was "shambolic", and that persons including Ms Campbell had questions to answer, and that the case raised issues about drug dealing.

She also told the court that she believes that Ms Campbell is being used by other parties.

Ms O'Doherty also said that she had posted a copy of the coroner's report into Mr Gilsenen's death, which she said is a public document and something the court could not direct her to remove.

David Kennedy SC, with Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe Bl instructed by solicitor Ciaran Mulholland for Ms Campbell told the court said that his client wanted "nothing more" than for Ms O'Doherty to comply with the injunction.

However the defendant had refused to do so leaving his client with "no option" other than bring the motion alleging contempt.

The matter had been before the court on many previous occasions, and Ms O'Doherty had opted not to attend in person.

At this stage Ms O'Doherty was well aware of what the application is about, counsel said.

Counsel said that his client was not complaining about the positing of the inquest outcome, but it is their case that the commentary about his client, clearly amounted to harassment of Ms Campbell.

Counsel, when rejecting all of Ms O'Doherty's claims said it was "news to me" that a Garda investigation was underway regarding the fund raiser.

Counsel said that given the amount of times Ms Campbell's legal team have had to appear before the courts in respect of the matter, they were effectively working on a pro-bono basis.

Ms Campbell has sued Ms O'Doherty over the alleged unauthorised publication of the image of plaintiff's late son following his death in 2021.

She claims Ms O'Doherty has wrongly and unlawfully used the image in an article on media controlled by Ms O'Doherty allegedly linking unexplained deaths to the Covid-19 vaccination.

Ms Campbell secured an injunction restraining Ms O'Doherty from harassing the plaintiff, or from publishing Ms Campbell's and her late son's images or any personal confidential material about them.

Ms ODoherty is also restrained from encouraging or inciting others to intimidate the plaintiff.

Ms ODoherty was also ordered to remove any image of the plaintiff and her late son from any form of media that she owns or operates.

The plaintiff claims Ms O'Doherty is a journalist and the publisher of The Irish Light, a free periodical newspaper, and the publisher/editor of the www.irishlightpaper.com website.

Ms Campbell, from Kingscourt, Co Cavan, claims that despite making several pleas to Ms O'Doherty to cease using her son's image, the defendant refused to do so.

Ms Campbell further claims that the unauthorised and repeated use of her son's image amounts to harassment and a breach of her constitutional rights.

She claims that it has caused her emotional pain, suffering and harm.

Ms O'Doherty rejects all of the allegations of wrongdoing made against her and says that she removed the image as a gesture of goodwill.
He was described by his solicitor as an old school bachelor farmer who had been living on his own. He previously ran the farm with his brother who is now dead.

Evidence showed a number of dogs were living in unsuitable conditions in sheds and a trailer on Mr Dempseys property

A man from Co Laois was convicted of animal welfare offences following an inspection carried out by the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

John Dempsey, of Strahard in Mountmellick, appeared before Portlaoise District Court on Monday in relation to animal cruelty offences, failing to comply with an animal health and welfare notice and failing to dispose of a bovine carcass.

He was described by his solicitor as an old school bachelor farmer who had been living on his own. He previously ran the farm with his brother who is now dead.

Evidence showed a number of dogs were living in unsuitable conditions in sheds and a trailer on Mr Dempseys property. Two female dogs were found extremely underweight while pregnant and had fleas.

The evidence was provided by ISPCA inspector James McCormack, who attended the property on July 28, 2022. One of the dogs was found with open sores on its back.

After he attempted to seize the dogs, Mr Dempsey followed him back to his car and banged on the window. While Mr McCormack waited for gardai, a jeep and trailer were parked in front of the door of a shed to block it.

On September 5, 2022, Mr Dempsey was served an animal health and welfare notice requiring him to maintain any dogs on his property in appropriate condition.

This was a case of severe neglect of several animals over a prolonged period, Mr McCormack said.

Efforts to engage with the defendant on numerous occasions went unanswered making the situation more difficult. Communication is always key and there was none in this instance.

"Thankfully, all animals rescued are now in loving caring homes, living the lives that they deserve. Suffering cannot be tolerated, and offenders will be brought before the courts.

Mr McCormack returned to the Laois property on January 4, 2023 to find a German Shepherd being kept despite the notice in filthy conditions without bedding or water.

A further inspection last Friday found a dead sheep in a trailer with two lambs attempting to suckle and a cows carcass. When Inspector McCormack found the gate to the property was padlocked when he seized the dog.

Judge Nicola Andrews imposed a disqualification order prohibiting Mr Dempsey from keeping dogs or cats for five years and a three-month prison sentence suspended for 24 months.

He was fined 2,500 and ordered to pay costs of 3,233.16.
(ECNS) -- The bustling Qingming holiday, resurgence in the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), along with record-high imports and exports in the first two months, underscore the vitality of China's consumption, production, and foreign trade, signaling an upward trajectory of its economy.

Surging tourist numbers and soaring spending

During the three-day Qingming Festival holiday, the number of travelers surged, coupled with escalated spending.

Domestic tourism during the holiday reached 119 million trips, an 11.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019, with domestic tourists spending 53.95 billion yuan ($7.46 billion) in total, up by 12.7 percent, according to data from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Travel portal Trip.com Group said that over the holiday, bookings for short-distance tours to destinations within cities customers live in grew 211 percent year-on-year, while bookings to neighboring destinations located outside the cities they live in skyrocketed 350 percent year-on-year.

Zhou Maohua, macro researcher at the Financial Market Department of Everbright Bank, suggested that China's proactive policies to boost employment and income will bolster domestic consumption capacity and willingness.

Three PMI numbers rebound above boom-bust line

In March, China's three PMIs experienced a significant rebound above 50, surpassing the boom-bust line. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the manufacturing PMI surged to 50.8 from 49.1 in February as manufacturers accelerated production after the Spring Festival holiday.

China's non-manufacturing PMI also rose, coming in at 53 in March versus February's 51.4.

The country's composite PMI, which includes both manufacturing and non-manufacturing activities, climbed to 52.7 in March from 50.9 in February.

The National Bureau of Statistics attributed this to "accelerated production and business activities, leading to a rebound in China's economic prosperity."

Wen Tao, an expert at the China Logistics Information Center, views the manufacturing PMI's return to expansion as a notable economic improvement.

An article on Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao cited experts saying that the PMI's return above 50 signifies that China had found new growth engines and was no longer solely reliant on real estate to drive expansion.

With China's productivity growing, enterprise profits also improved.

From January to February, total profits of industrial enterprises above the designated size stood at 914.06 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.2 percent, representing continuous growth since last August, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Imports and exports reach a historic high

In addition to PMI numbers, China's imports and exports also showed positive signs of economic rebound.

Trade in the first two months of this year amounted to 66 trillion yuan, marking a new historical peak.

The General Administration of Customs noted that this roughly matches China's entire annual foreign trade value 20 years ago.

Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank, anticipates a stronger-than-expected economic recovery, with the first quarter economic growth rate projected to reach approximately 5.0 percent, laying a solid foundation for annual targets.
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- As China works to send more taikonauts on long-term missions in space, ensuring their well-being has become a matter of public concern. The cutting-edge devices aboard the Tiangong Space Station have proved to be invaluable tools in maintaining the safety and health of the these taikonauts in a zero-gravity environment.

The China Manned Space Agency has recently unveiled fascinating footage of a taikonaut crew engaging in rigorous workouts in space to mitigate the physiological impacts of prolonged exposure to microgravity.

The agency said that taikonauts in orbit need one to two hours of exercise daily to counteract the effects of microgravity, which include muscle loss, abnormal heart rates and immune system disorders. The three-module space station has fitness areas stocked with various equipment, including rowing machines, treadmills and resistance devices, so that taikonauts can stay fit.

The crew members in orbit were also seen wearing specially designed uniforms equipped with elastic resistance bands that enable them to experience elastic force, inducing muscle tension and counteracting the detrimental effects of a weightless environment on muscle.

During spaceflight, medical staff on the ground can continuously monitor the body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and other physiological indicators of any taikonaut in orbit in real-time, and they maintain regular communication.

During the Shenzhou-11 mission in 2016, China tested its first space-Earth telemedical consultation system. The orbiting taikonauts transmitted their physiological data from the spaceship, allowing doctors on Earth to provide diagnoses and prescriptions, which were subsequently returned to the crew in space.

The Chinese "space home" also features an onboard clinic for its residents, providing various devices that monitor vital signs regularly. Additionally, the clinic is able to track organ functions and offer emergency first aid and trauma medical supplies, according to the space agency.

Available devices include cardiopulmonary resuscitators and ultrasound machines, and they are designed to be more compact than normal to save space aboard the orbiting station.

The real-time data of taikonauts is accessible thanks to wearable monitoring equipment. Even if a spacecraft enters the blackout zone -- a zone that a spacecraft passes through when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, where communication with the ground is interrupted -- the equipment on taikonauts' suits can store their data for future analysis by ground personnel.

The Tiangong Space Station also offers a unique service in space that is not available to their peers aboard the International Space Station: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment. In their latest video update, the Shenzhou-17 taikonauts can be seen using a TCM diagnostic instrument to test their health. And in 2022, the Shenzhou-13 crew was spotted receiving acupuncture in zero gravity, garnering millions of views on social media. 
Leonard Iliuta (36) sexually assaulted his colleague by repeatedly touching her upper thigh as he gave her a lift home

AN assistant nursing director has been spared jail for groping a co-worker while telling her he was a sex addict who had had threesomes.

Leonard Iliuta (36) sexually assaulted his colleague by repeatedly touching her upper thigh as he gave her a lift home after their shift at a Dublin health facility.

Giving him a four-month suspended sentence, Judge John Hughes said Iliuta had been in a position of responsibility more senior to the victim and the assault had a significant effect on her.

The woman told Dublin District Court it had been hard to come to terms with what happened to her.

The accused, a father-of-two of Seaview Mews, Seatown West, Swords, Co Dublin had pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman in the incident during the Covid pandemic.

He was found guilty following a non-jury trial and the case came back before the court for sentencing.

The woman read out her victim impact statement, telling the judge she suffered anxiety after the assault and it was like carrying around a ton of bricks.

However, after Iliuta was convicted, she had put down those bricks.

Iliuta, who had no previous convictions, came to Ireland from Romania nine years ago, his barrister Gareth Casey said.

The accused did not accept the courts verdict but Mr Casey asked for leniency.

Judge Hughes said the victim had found herself in a most precarious situation in IIiutas car and his actions were not trivial or insignificant.

He said it was not simply a moment where he had casual brushing contact with the victim that was misinterpreted. It was also not the case that Iliuta misread the situation or simply attempted to steal a kiss.

It was a far more serious thing and had a far more serious impact, he said.

He suspended the sentence for two years, ordering probation supervision and that the accused undergoes treatment appropriate to those convicted of a sexual assault offence.

He also ordered the accused to pay 2,000 compensation to the victim and have no contact with her.

During the trial, the victim said she had been reluctant to accept a lift from Iliuta but he was quite persistent.

As he drove her home, the conversation became sexual in nature.

He stated that he was addicted to sex and there was nothing he hadnt done, such as cheating on his girlfriend, the victim said.

He said hed had threesomes before and hed previously been with a man. There didnt seem to be any shame behind it.

He asked her if she had had sex with her female roommate and seemed quite interested in the answer.

He also asked when are we going for a drink? and his hand continuously moved from the gearstick to her leg

Every time he touched my leg he lingered a bit more and his hand would go up close to my vagina, she said.

She asked to get out at traffic lights but he insisted on bringing her to her door. When she tried to move out of the way, his hand moved to her other knee and motioned my legs back towards him," she said.

He asked if anybody else was home, and when she said there was, he insinuated that his house was free and we could go to his house.

When she left the car, he grabbed her hand but she pulled away, and returned home shaken up.

Mr Casey had put it to her the relationship with Iliuta had been entirely professional and friendly.

Most of my dealings with Leo made me uncomfortable, he was over-familiar to me from the moment we met, she said.

I thought from the beginning he was very overly friendly, very touchy considering we didnt know each other.

There was no conversation of a sexual nature, Iliuta told the court in evidence.

I never touched her leg in the car.

He insisted to the court their relationship had been "friendly."

He claimed the victim told him she and her colleagues were on drugs because of work pressure and he said maybe this is the reason for these allegations maybe that I would report this.

Judge Hughes said he did not find the accuseds version credible.
Mr Luczak, who has lived in Ireland for 17 years, was charged with possessing drugs worth 13,000 at the Abbeyshrule Aerodrome

A POLISH pilot charged over a seizure of about 8.5m of cocaine allegedly flown into the midlands in 2022 will go on trial in November.

Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) officers, supported by other units, monitored a Cessna single-engine aircraft landing at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome, Co Longford, shortly after 6pm on August 4, 2022.

Later that evening, they intercepted two vehicles in the Lough Owel area in Co Westmeath, recovering 120kg of cocaine from one car.

Officers arrested Tim Gilchrist, 56, of Mavis Bank, Newrath, Waterford and pilot Michal Luczak, 43, a Polish national formerly with an address at Primrose Avenue, Jigginstown, Naas, Co. Kildare, and now living in Skerries, Dublin.

Mr Luczak, who has lived in Ireland for 17 years, was charged with possessing drugs worth 13,000 at the Abbeyshrule Aerodrome on August 4, 2022.

The father of two remains on bail and has indicated he would plead not guilty.

He appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at this weeks sessions of Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Johnson heard Mr Luczaks jury trial was expected to last two weeks.

He scheduled it to commence on November 26 but ordered that the matter could also be listed for mention a week beforehand.

The father of two was remanded on continuing bail.

Mr Gilchrist, who has never applied for bail since his arrest, appeared at the same court on March 1 when he pleaded guilty to possessing drugs worth 13,000 for sale or supply at Lough Owel, Irishtown, Co. Westmeath, on the date of his arrest.

The offence can attract a ten-year sentence.

Michael OHiggins SC, defending, had said his client had no prior convictions, and he applied for an adjournment to prepare documentation about his clients good character for the next hearing.

Judge Johnson remanded Mr Gilchrist in custody to appear again on July 2 for sentence but did not think it necessary to seek a probation report at that stage.

Garda evidence and a mitigation plea will also be heard at his next court appearance.
Nikita Flynn (24) had come under pressure to get money for her then boyfriend, who had a drug debt, when she stole just under 2,000.

Nikita Flynn had been under pressure from her former boyfriend, the court heard

A shop worker repeatedly stole from the tills in two separate jobs she had at a discount store and a fast-food restaurant in a breach of trust, a court has heard.

Nikita Flynn (24) had come under pressure to get money for her then boyfriend, who had a drug debt, when she stole just under 2,000.

Judge Treasa Kelly adjourned the case for a year and said she would consider leaving the accused without a criminal record if she paid the money back in full.

Flynn, of Belvedere Road, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to stealing 1,925 in cash while she was working at Mr Price, Coolock Retail Park, and McDonalds, Omni Shopping Centre, Santry.

Dublin District Court heard the offences happened on dates between September 2022 and January 2023.

A garda sergeant said that in the Mr Price incidents, Flynn took cash from the till on 15 occasions while she was working at the shop, in amounts totalling 1,650.

While she was working at McDonalds, she took money from the till on two occasions, to the value of 275.

Flynn had no previous convictions. At the time, the accused had been affected by a family bereavement, her solicitor Colleen Gildernew said.

Flynn had also been in an abusive relationship with someone who had a drug debt and she was put under a lot of pressure to get money for him.

She was no longer in this relationship and her current partner was very supportive.

The incidents had not derailed her career, as Flynn was now working for another fast-food outlet and was training to be a manager. A probation report said she was at a very low risk of reoffending.

Its a very serious offence because its a breach of trust, its a serious amount of money and it was going on over a period of time, the judge said.

Judge Kelly accepted that this lady has turned her life around.

She said if the money was paid, she would possibly apply the Probation Act.
Beckett was also separately charged with a total of 27 sexual offences against 11 separate complainants, all of whom were teenage girls

Former Lagan College welfare officer Neil Beckett at Laganside Court last June.

A school health and welfare officer has appeared in court where he denied raping a teenage girl.

Neil Clarke Beckett, who is currently suspended from his post at Lagan College, was charged with  and denied  a total of five offences.

The 43-year old, from Kilmore Village in Downpatrick, was charged with raping a child on a date between December 15, 2013 and December 15, 2015.

When the charge was put to the accused at Belfast Crown Court, he replied "not guilty".

A further four charges involving the same complainant were then put to the former Army Cadet leader.

He was charged with one offence of sexual grooming and four counts of sexual assault on dates between December 15, 2013 and December 15, 2015 - and entered 'not guilty' pleas to all of them.

Beckett was also separately charged with a total of 27 sexual offences against 11 separate complainants, all of whom were teenage girls.

He denied a total of 25 charges of sexual assault and a further two charges of sexual communication with a child.

All of these offences span a period from September 2018 to February 2023 and involve alleged abuse against both pupils at Lagan College and Army Cadet students.

After all 32 charges were put to Beckett, Judge Donna McColgan KC confirmed that his trial will commence on September 9.
Their failures in duty of care have had devastating consequences. Accountability is required to ensure such tragedies are avoided in the future.

My precious daughter was swept into the sea  mother of Aoife Winterlich as Scouting Ireland finally accepts liability over 14-year-olds death

A judge has strongly criticised Scouting Ireland for failing to accept liability sooner for the death of a 14-year-old girl on a scout trip in 2015.

Aoife Winterlich died after being knocked by a wave from rocks near Hook Head Lighthouse, Co Wexford.

Judge Christopher Callan said the organisation fell short, creating a huge burden for relatives of Aoife Winterlich to carry.

He made the comments at Dublin Circuit Court after negligence suits taken by members of her family were settled for just over 54,000, plus their legal costs.

Aoifes mother, Anne Winterlich, said the family had been trying for eight years to have Scouting Ireland held accountable and was absolutely disgusted it took the organisation so long to do the right thing.

The heartbreak caused by Scouting Irelands negligence cannot be overstated, she said.

Their failures in duty of care have had devastating consequences. Accountability is required to ensure such tragedies are avoided in the future.

The teenager, from Walkinstown in Dublin, died five days after being swept into the sea at the Co Wexford lighthouse.

She had been part of a group of 14 children who were accompanied by two scout leaders on a trip to Tramore, Co Waterford, in the aftermath of Storm Desmond in December 2015.

On the way back to Dublin, the group made an unscheduled stop at Hook Head.

The visit was not part of the original excursion plans, nor were parents notified about it prior to the outing.

During an inquest in 2017, it emerged the scout leaders were in a restaurant when several of the children went down from the lighthouse to the rocks. Four ended up being knocked into the water.

There was a conflict of evidence over whether the children had been told to stay within the confines of the lighthouse grounds.

The tragedy was compounded by the death of Aoifes father, Martin, weeks later from cancer.

Proceedings were issued in 2018 against Scouting Ireland and the Commissioner of Irish Lights on behalf of Aoifes mother Anne, and her brothers Martin, Jack and Craig for suffering and loss as a result of her death.

But the matter was only settled this morning, shortly before the trial of the case was due to begin.

Finbarr Fox SC, instructed by Emer Lyons of Lyons Skelly Solicitors, said the approach to settle came very late in the day.

I welcome it, but I criticise the timing of it. It should not have taken eight years, he said.

The cases against the Commissioner of Irish Lights were struck out following Scouting Irelands acceptance of liability.

The court heard the brothers had forgone any part of the settlement and wished it to go to their mother.

Approving the settlement, Judge Callan said: This is an unbelievable tragedy for the family, compounded by the death of the father in the meantime.

Many of us have children who have been scouts. The scouts is a great organisation, particularly for children who may not be sporting.

But in this instance, they fell short in not accepting liability soon enough and moving this on soon enough for the family.

For this to have lasted so long is really a huge burden for this family to have to carry. One would hope this now brings closure to this particular part of their lives.

Speaking outside court, Aoifes mother Anne said she was relieved Scouting Ireland had finally accepted liability.

She spoke warmly about her daughter, saying Aoife was kind, caring and full of life and brought joy to those around her.

She was an incredible daughter, a wonderful sister and an amazing friend. Someone who could make you smile no matter what, said Ms Winterlich.

She added that her daughters bright future had been snatched away due to a fatal decision made by Scouting Ireland.

Ms Winterlich said scout leaders made the unscheduled stop at Hook Head without parental consent.

The children were left unsupervised for a significant period, leading to my precious daughter being swept into the sea by the turbulent waves, she said.

Hook Head is not a place to leave a group of 14-year-olds unattended in a storm.

Ms Winterlich said thousands of parents entrust scout leaders with the safety of their children, but that trust was breached by Scouting Ireland that day.

These failures continued when, despite requests from the coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane, and the former Minister for Children, Katherine Zappone, to conduct an incident report, they avoided sharing the results of their investigation, she said.

When such negligence is involved, we find it unacceptable that no mandatory investigation was automatically conducted into the events leading up to Aoife being swept into the water.

Scouting Ireland has been contacted for comment about the outcome of the case.
John Drury received a broken leg in the incident along with broken ribs and facial inuries

A 33 year old man who admitted assaulting another man (42) who had desecrated his older brothers grave has received a suspended prison term at Sligo Circuit Court.

Darren Kyle of Hillview Drive, Ballymote appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly on Monday for sentencing for assault causing harm to John Drury after the men agreed to meet up at Townpark, Ballymote at around 11pm on April 17th 2021.

Mr Drury received a broken leg in the incident along with broken ribs and facial inuries which the court heard may have been life threatening had they progressed. Pictures of the injuries were handed in to the court.

Kyle, who had a previous conviction for assault causing harm and another for affray, had pleaded guilty at an earlier sitting last October to assaulting Mr Drury.

Outlining the case, Mr Leo Mulrooney BL (prosecuting) with Ms Elisa McHugh. State Solicitor told how Mr Drury had been in a relationship with a woman who previously had one with Darren Kyles older brother Gerard for a number of years.

Gerard Kyle and the woman had child together who was Darren Kyles nephew. There was an acrimonious break-up of the relationship between Mr Drury and the woman with subsequent court hearings as a result and certain orders made against him. Mr Drury then went on to desecrate the grave of Gerard Kyle.

Mr Drury was at home with a house mate on the night of April 17th 2021 and he stated that he had been drinking but that he was not drunk.

He decided to text Darren Kyle, asking him about a bicycle he had lent him some time ago.

Kyle replied that the bike had been broken in half and not to text him again. Mr Drury texted that he was sorry for desecrating the grave of his brother and that this had been a sacrilegious thing to do.

Investigating Garda Thomas Murray told Mr Mulrooney that he believed Mr Drury was genuine in his apology.

Mr Mulrooney said that after the exchange of texts, a phonecall was made between the two men which lasted for 13 seconds.

Darren Kyle told Mr Drury to come down to the park and they subsequently met up there.

Kyle arrived with another person. Mr Drury attempted to apologise but he was struck with a punch to the face which knocked him to the ground.

Kyle and the other man then proceeded to punch, kick and stamp on Mr Drury who said he felt he had been concussed.

Mr Drury said he was scared and thought he was going to die or else get badly hurt. He recalled a passer by coming on the scene and an ambulance being called and coming to at Sligo University Hospital.

Mr Drury told Gardai that Kyle did this to him in revenge for the attack on his brothers grave. Garda Murray said he attended the secene at 11.10pm and found Mr Drury lying on the grass and it was clear he had sustained a serious injury to his leg.

On April 23rd, Mr Drury agreed to make a statement. He accepted there had been a background of animosity between him and Kyle.

A medical report was read to the court from the Accident and Emergency Department of Sligo University Hospital. It outlined how Mr Drury had sustained fractured ribs, a broken leg with multiple head and facial injuries. He underwent an operation for his broken right leg.

He was discharged on April 23rd and referred to a hospital in Derry for his facial injuries.

In reply to Mr Joe Barnes BL, instructed by Mr Toma MacSharry, solicitor (defending), Garda Murray said he had rang the victim on the morning of the court but he did not wish to attend.

He also did not wish to prepare a victim impact statement. Mr Barnes went on to outline how Kyle had 5,000 in court for his victim.

He hadnt come to the notice of Gardai in the past three years and had moved to Ballina where he was working in a meat factory.

A reference from the defendants boss was handed in to court. Mr Barnes said three of the defendants siblings had passed away and that he had been particularly attached to his older brother Gerard.

Kyle took to the witness box to read out a letter of apology to Mr Drury. He said it had been an inexcusable assault.

Im truly sorry and I hope that one day you can forgive me for my actions, he said.

Kyle agreed that he had been assessed by the probation service as being of medium risk of re-offending due to substance abuse and anger management issues.

The defendant undertook to co-operate with the probation service and to carry out all of its directions. He accepted there was cannabis use but that was all in terms of drugs.

Mr Barnes pleaded that the probation report pointed to certain mental vulnerabilities of the defendant.

Mr Barnes pleaded that the defendant had shown genuine remorse and did not seek to excuse his behaviour in any regard though the desecration of the grave resulted in his committing an offence which he otherwise mightnt have committed.

He will wholeheartedly embrace any programme directed by the court including abstaining from alcohol or other substances, said Mr Barnes.

Judge Connolly noted that at the defendants sentencing for affray in 2019 he was ordered to enter a bond to keep the peace for a year and this seemed to be in place at the time of the assault on Mr Drury.

Mr Mulrooney said this was an aggravating matter for the court to consider.

Passing sentence, Judge Connolly said there seemed to be a very unfortunate and disagreeable context to the matter.

Mr Drury seems to have taken out his anger on the deceased bother of Darren Kyle and it was a despicable act to desecrate the grave, an act which the court found difficult to understand, said the Judge.

He said he was here to judge the actions of the defendant and not Mr Drury. It was not open to members of the public to take the law into their own hands.

An aggravating factor was the particularly violent nature of the assault. It was a sustained attack while he was on the ground resulting in serious injuries.

The fact the defendant had re-offended within the period of a previous bond was a kick in the teeth for the court and judiciary system after a chance had been extended to him.

A mitigating factor was the unusual context of the desecration of the grave of the defendants brother and this gave an indication as to why the defendant would harbour such anger and would have had an emotional effect on him.

The Judge said the court could not fathom why the men had met up as they did. It seemed there was some inevitablity about this matter and this gave the court pause for thought.

He imposed a sentence of two years and six months suspended in full for four years. He said this was against his better judgement.

It was made a condition of the suspended term that the defendant enter a bond to be of good behaviour for 4 years and undergo 18 months supervision by the probation services.

He must also refrain from taking drugs for four years, engage with the mental health services and attend anger management counselling.

A sum of 2,000 was ordered to go to Mr Drury and the remaining 3,000 to be paid to the trustees of Ballymote cemetery for its upkeep.
Winifred Ward felt threatened into taking part in insurance scam, court hears

A poet falsely claimed she was carrying three passengers when she crashed her car into a ditch.

Winifred Ward (35), of Citygate Apartments, Connolly Street, Sligo, pleaded guilty to attempting to defraud Axa Insurance by making a gain for herself and a loss for the insurance company.

Garda Declan Divilly told Judge Kenneth Connolly at Sligo Circuit Court that he was called to the scene of a single-vehicle accident at Cloongeeny, outside Tubbercurry, on January 15, 2018.

Gda Divilly said he found Ms Ward uninjured but her black Nissan Primera was stuck in the ditch.

Ward told Gda Divilly she had been carrying three passengers who had walked away from the scene to get help.

Gda Divilly took the names and details of the three other women who were reported by Ward as being in the car when she crashed. The court heard that following the accident, the three personal injuries claims were lodged against Axa Insurance.

The court heard Ward had a falling out with her friends who she had named as being passengers and posted a number of Facebook comments

Counsel for the DPP, Leo Mulrooney BL, told Judge Connolly that shortly after the claims for compensation were lodged, suspicions as to their authenticity were raised. This was in part due to posts on Facebook by Ward in the days after the accident.

The court heard Ward had a falling out with her friends who she had named as being passengers and posted a number of comments related to such. Axa Insurance appointed an investigator, who approached Ward and asked about the matters which led to the Facebook posts.

Ward spoke freely to the investigator and told them that following the accident she rang her friend, who told her to tell gardai there were three passengers in the car with her.

An agreement struck between Ward and the three supposed passengers was that they would make a claim for compensation on Wards insurance policy.

It was agreed that Ward would receive 2,000 from each claimant.

Ward gave a statement to gardai and later was arrested and interviewed under caution. The court was told she made full admissions.

The scheme was concocted between when the accident happened and the 15 minutes it took Gda Divilly to reach the scene

Gda Divilly told Judge Connolly that Ward said she felt threatened by the women concerned and that was why she initially agreed to go ahead with the scheme. Gda Divilly said he believed Ward was being truthful when she said she felt threatened by the other parties as there was history of bad blood at the time.

The court heard the scheme was concocted between when the accident happened and the 15 minutes it took Gda Divilly to reach the scene.

Gda Divilly also agreed with defence counsel for Ward that she was placed under pressure by the other parties.

The court heard Ward had 88 previous convictions, including 49 for public order offences, three for assault and the remainder for theft and criminal damage. She also had four convictions for possession of an offensive weapon, the court heard.

The court was told one charge of arson had been taken into consideration during another episode of offending by Ward.

The arson charge related to her setting fire to an 18 jumper in Penneys.

At a previous court appearance, Ward was described as a highly intelligent person who had a bright future

Defence counsel Colm Smyth SC appealed to Judge Connolly to consider the considerable difficulties faced by Ward in her life.

The court heard she suffered from clinical depression and addiction issues with both alcohol and drugs. Almost all of her offending related to times her addiction and mental health difficulties were at their worst and she was trying to cope as best she could.

Judge Connolly acceded to a request by Mr Smyth to delay sentencing until a medical report be furnished to the court.

At a previous court appearance, Ward was described as a highly intelligent person who had a bright future.

The court heard she excelled at writing poetry and in the past had performed at the Hawks Well Theatre.

The prosecution is the latest in a series of convictions pursued by Axa Insurance over fraudulent claims.

Following the trial, Axa fraud investigation manager Colm Featherstone said: Axa welcomes the prosecution of persons for insurance fraud as it seeks to protect our customers.

In February, a security guard in Galway who took part in a staged car accident that led to five ambulances being called to the scene was spared prison but was fined 5,000.

Aleksander Qatja was one of seven people involved in a staged two-car collision at Baile an Choiste, Headford Road, Galway, on April 8, 2014.

He was driving an Audi A4 with his then wife in the passenger seat when they were rear-ended by a Citroen Saxo with four people in it.

Both parties claimed not to know each other. However, inquiries by Axa Insurance found Qatjas wife had paid a 200 deposit to secure the Citroen drivers insurance policy 12 days before the collision.
The 48-year-old was discovered by gardai allegedly screaming and shouting his head off when officers responded to the incident on Sunday night of last week.

Veteran crime figure Alan Fatpuss Bradley is facing court later this month after he was arrested by gardai who responded to a panic alarm which was activated after a disturbance at a Finglas pub.

The 48-year-old was discovered by gardai allegedly screaming and shouting his head off when officers responded to the incident on Sunday night of last week.

Gangland criminal Bradley ,who is understood to be suffering from bad health in recent times, was allegedly in a highly intoxicated state when he was arrested by gardai for public order offences.

One local source said that before gardai arrived at the scene, Bradley had entered the pub and demanded to speak to a female that he believed was in the premises but then got agitated when he was asked to leave.

Bradley has not been in trouble with the law for a number of years and the last time that he was under known active investigation by gardai was back in November, 2021.

While Fatpuss was arrested on Easter Sunday this year, it was the night after Halloween in 2021 when the criminal was filmed beating an innocent delivery driver in Finglas in a video that was shared online and went viral.

In the shocking video, the criminal repeatedly punches and kicks his victim on a Finglas street while the victim's family and friends plead with him to stop.

The victim was left with a broken jaw and other injuries but he never made a complaint to gardai and Bradley was never prosecuted despite gardai actively investigating the assault.

He was later arrested in relation to the 2021 assault but the DPP has decided not to prosecute the matter, the Irish Independent understands.

Gardai investigating an assault that occurred in Finglas, Dublin 11 on 1st November 2021 arrested one male in relation to this investigation, a garda spokeswoman said last night.

He was later released without charge pending the preparation of a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Investigations are ongoing, she added.

The brutal beating was recorded by Alans younger brother Wayne (45) who the Irish Independent has learned is currently the subject of a fraud investigation by specialist gardai.

A file on the fraud case has been sent to the DPP but the last time that Wayne came to media attention was in February of last year when he was involved in anti-immigrant protests in Finglas and urged other demonstrators to leave their weapons at home.

Wayne Bradley, who like his older brother Alan, was a close associate of murdered gang boss Eamon 'The Don' Dunne, posted a series of messages on his Facebook account before the demonstration.

He warned those attending the planned protest not to bring weapons as it "will ruin what we started.

Many were conscious of some elements within the Finglas demonstrations, for example, the gangland criminal Wayne Bradley

Wayne served a five-year jail sentence for his role as a look-out during a raid on a Tesco store in Celbridge, Co Kildare, in 2007 under the direction of slain gang boss Dunne while older brother Alan served a six-and-a-half year sentence in high security Portlaoise Prison for the same offence.

Alan Bradley was the second-in-command of the 2007 crime, just behind gang boss Eamon The Don Dunne and also has close links to several major gangland criminals in the capital.

He was considered a major player in robberies in the 1990s and early 2000s.

He was suspected of involvement in at least a dozen robberies, including a 1996 heist at the Santry Omniplex which netted about IR600,000 and, at around the same time, a robbery at Dunnes Stores in Cornelscourt, Dublin, worth about IR400,000.

There were also an exceptional number of robberies in 2005 to which his gang was linked.

Sources say that both brothers now spend most of their time outside of Finglas and since being released from jail have not got actively involved in a number of dangerous criminal feuds blighting the locality.
Photos show stylish wooden floor in the sitting with double doors opening to a large kitchen dining area with a glass wall and double doors at the back.

Christopher 'Git' Waldron's Cabra home is now up for sale

Gangland figure Christopher Git Waldron has lost almost 900,000 to the Criminal Assets Bureau as his Cabra home goes up for sale.

Waldron, along with his brother David, have been the targets of CAB in a series of long-running cases in which their properties have been the focus of High Court actions.

Git Waldron was an associate of Eamonn the Don Dunne and he and his brother are believed to have filled the void left by Dunne after his murder in Cabra, Dublin, in 2010. They are also known associates of Wayne and Alan 'Fatpuss' Bradley.

The house for sale

This week Gits Cabra home at Killala Road was advertised for auction later this month with a reserve price of 275,000.

But last year a similar end-of-terrace house on the same road went for 344,000.

Waldrons house might be expected to reach an even higher price tag having a two-storey extension added at the back and side of the house.

A granny flat at the rear of the property is also likely to add value and attract the attention of investors.

An estimated 430,000 was spent on renovated the house, according to CAB which was bought by Waldron for a bargain 50,000 in 2013, according to the Price Property Register.

Inside Waldron's home

Within six months of the purchase, he was granted planning permission to carry out the refurbishment which doubled the size of the house.

Adding the 77,000 from seven designer watches which have already been sold along with a sum of cash, adds up to a loss of around 860,000.

The house is currently being advertised on Daft to be auctioned by BRG Gibson in an on-line auction on the 25 April.

The house is described as being: Finished to a high standard internally, the property is sure to appeal to a range of buyers and investors alike.

Photos show stylish wooden floor in the sitting with double doors opening to a large kitchen dining area with a glass wall and double doors at the back.

The bedrooms all have plenty of fitted storage and the extension has a large bright attic space.

Just last month CAB announced they had taken charge of the property to bring an end to the long-running legal case.

Bathroom in the home

In the context of those proceedings the Bureau provided evidence that Christopher Waldron funded the purchase of the subject assets through the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Cabra and Finglas areas of Dublin, it was stated.

Waldron held onto another property in Finglas after the case with CAB was settled late last year.

At a brief High Court hearing it emerged it was agreed the Cabra house would be turned over to CAB but that the Finglas property would be returned to the suspected mobster.

The Sunday World previously photographed a shirtless Git Waldron outside his Cabra home where he has been living.

In June 2022 Git Waldron hit the headlines after he bought suits for some mourners and carried the coffin at the funeral of gangland feud victim James Whela Whelan.

Bedroom in the home

Whelans murder in April that year, is part of a feud involving members of the gang led by the Finglas criminal known as Mr Flashy.

Git Waldron was keen to show his support to Whelans side at his funeral carrying Whelans coffin into the church.

The back of the property

Christopher Waldron has more than 40 previous convictions, including two for assault and one for drug dealing in 2001.

His brother David Waldron, a convicted drug dealer, is the target of a 2.9 million CAB case which went through a two-day hearing earlier this month, ahead of a judgement being made.

It centres around three properties in Dublin, Kildare and Wexford, including Darview a luxury mansion.
Italian Carabinieri seized a massive haul of sophisticated fake banknotes

Europol and Italian cops have busted a gang which forged over 6 million worth of fake cash which was being distributed across Europe.

Over 60 members of the crew were busted this week in total in a day of action carried out by the Italian Carabinieri and French National Police, supported by Europol.

Of the 63 arrests, 62 were made in Italy, with one in France. The organised crime group was based in Naples and was involved in the distribution of high-quality counterfeited banknotes in several denominations.

It has been reported that the operation came under the control of the Camorra mafia.

Fake 50s

The operation and cash distribution was widespread across Europe, including Ireland.

The intricate fakes were referred to as Napoli Group banknotes by Europol cops, which were characterised by a high level of sophistication.

The forged security features displayed on the fake banknotes were of high quality, according to European Central Bank analysis.

As part of the probe, the Carabinieri had traced 83 sales of the cash, arrested seven couriers and seized over 200,000 in fake 20, 50 and 100 denominations.

The investigation was started by Carabinieri anti-counterfeiting investigators in January 2023, with support from Europol.

The group was mostly active in France, Spain, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

High tech forgery operation

During the action day, Europol deployed technical support to cross-check the information against Europols databases and the European Central Banks systems.

According to police, the counterfeiters operated standard office hours, opening for business from 9am to 5pm during the week, and to 1pm on Sundays.

The notes were ranked by quality, including texture and colour, according to cops.

The 50-euro notes were dubbed Maradonas, after Napolis famed Argentinian striker and Serie A-winning hero Diego Maradona.

It has been reported that the operation came under the control of the Camorra mafia.

Last month, Camorra assassins gunned down an engineer in Naples after he exposed the organisation's construction racket.

Salvatore Coppola (66) was shot in the face by his killers in the car park of a Deco store, just metres away from an Apple Headquarters, in San Giovanni a Teduccio.

The victim reportedly had past ties in the mob world and had once been a white-collar criminal close to the Mazzarella clan - historically considered to be one of the most powerful groups of the Camorra.

Police believe he was murdered for breaking the Mafia's strict code of silence.

Coppola was ambushed by the Camorra assassins on March 12 before they fled - leaving behind no trace or eyewitnesses.
BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Entrepreneurs from multinational corporations and economists reiterated that China is indispensable in terms of the global supply chain and closer cooperation is a win-win choice.

Airbus, for example, said its cooperation with Chinese companies covers the entire industrial chain, from procurement, production and installation of large components to aircraft final assembly and delivery, and the company benefited from such close ties in its business expansion.

George Xu, CEO of Airbus China, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview last month that "in the past, we had to ship all the big parts from Europe, which took 60 days. (Later,) we worked with a Chinese partner, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, to produce the parts locally and deliver them 'door to door' to our Tianjin final assembly line."

"The locally made parts are comparable to those made in Europe in terms of both quality and costs," said Xu.

Currently, Airbus has about 200 suppliers in China, and components produced by Chinese companies are found on all Airbus commercial jetliner types.

Thanks to strong local suppliers and a stable regulatory environment, the building of the second line of the Airbus A320 Family Final Assembly Line Asia (FALA) in north China's major industrial port city of Tianjin is in full swing.

Juan Tubio, general manager of FALA, told Xinhua that "(there is) a very stable regulatory environment around us, the Tianjin Free Trade Zone umbrella is helping us to work in a very close collaboration and discussion with the Tianjin Port and the Tianjin Customs."

"We are now building the second assembly line that will be entering into service in late 2025, and in theory, doubling our capacity in Tianjin," he said.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has also reiterated the company's long-term commitment to the Chinese market during his visit to Shanghai last month.

"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.

Data shows that 151 of Apple's 200 major suppliers have production activities in China.

Earlier in March, Apple announced that it would expand its applied research lab in Shanghai and establish a new lab in Shenzhen later this year. And a new flagship Apple store opened on March 21 in Shanghai.

To boost global supply chain cooperation, China will hold the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in November this year after the first CISCE was successfully held in Beijing last year.

Ren Hongbin, head of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said that an exhibition area for advanced manufacturing would be added to the second CISCE.

The new exhibition area will focus on new quality productive forces from perspectives including front-end research and development and design, application of new materials, processing of key components and smart manufacturing, said Ren.

Besides the new exhibition area, the second CISCE will also have exhibition booths categorized into various sections, including clean energy, smart vehicles, digital technology, healthy lifestyles, green agriculture and services for supply chains.

"Today, China is indispensable for the world. It is impossible to isolate China, although there are such attempts," Kresimir Macan, a Croatian political and economic expert, said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"The attempts of decoupling or de-risking from China will eventually backfire on those who impose them," said Macan.

China remains a crucial trading partner for most countries worldwide despite so-called decoupling from China, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

"China's still probably the number one trading partner for the majority of countries in the world," ADB Chief Economist Albert Park was quoted by CNBC as saying. "The story of China being delinked from the global economy, I think those are probably generally very overdone or very partial."

China's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.2 percent year on year to a new high of 126.06 trillion yuan (about 17.7 trillion U.S. dollars) last year, and the country seeks to achieve a GDP growth rate of around 5 percent this year. 
We uncovered within the Encrochat data images of firearms he was conspiring to supply which could have caused serious harm and devastation in our community

A gangster dad caught at Manchester airport wearing a 70k Rolex while on the way to Dubai with his criminal son has been jailed in the UK for 23 years.

Asim Tufail was wearing the expensive timepiece when he was arrested on January 18 2021, while waiting to board a flight.

He was arrested alongside his son Junnaid Tufail who was wearing a watch worth 11,000.

Both dealers, from Northenden in Manchester, were busted when investigators infiltrated the EncroChat communications network.

They had both been using the secretive network to organise their criminal activities and to boast about their crimes.

In one message, Asim Tufail, who went by the EncroChat handle 'asassinnew', said he hoped to move between 2 million and 4 million a fortnight, according to a report in the Liverpool Echo.

In another, his son Junnaid, whose EncroChat name was 'babyassassin', shared a picture of a home gym which cost 10,000 to build.

The pair also arranged to supply four 9mm handguns and a Magnum 44 revolver.

Some of the messages exchanged between them and various gang members involved threats of serious violence to recover drug debts believed to be in excess of 3 million.

A few months after the Tufails were arrested at Manchester Airport, police discovered Peter Lawler from Liverpool was also part of the conspiracy.

He was arrested at his home address where officers seized approximately half a kilo of heroin.

The gang's criminal enterprise was brought down 2020 as part of an international operation targeting criminals who used EncroChat to evade detection.

Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit Investigation Team said the gang had mistakenly thought that they could get away with conducting their criminal business by using the encrypted mobile platform  but they were sadly mistaken.

My officers worked meticulously to identify who the Encro handles belonged to, to ensure the organised crime group were brought to justice, Detective Chief Inspector Russo said.

We uncovered within the Encrochat data images of firearms he was conspiring to supply which could have caused serious harm and devastation in our community."

She added: Thankfully, the crime group have now been sentenced for their crimes and will spend a significant period of time in custody.

"I hope this outcome demonstrates that the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit is unrelenting in its pursuit of offenders and that we work tirelessly to proactively investigate serious organised crime, including the use of guns and the supply and distribution of drugs in our region."

At earlier court hearings, prosecutor Tim Storrie KC told Minshull Street Crown Court that guns, drugs, money and threats of violence formed the basis of the business run by Asim Tufail, and on occasions, assisted by his son.

The pair were both avid users of EncroChat, where prosecutors said their discussions referred to handguns, Skorpion machine guns and also grenades.

Mr Storrie said that Baby Assassin boasted that he had a box of grenades left, presumably to sell on.

He also claimed to have rocket propelled grenades available, the court heard.

Asim Tufail was deployed to threaten one user into complyingon pain of violence. He was also involved in another incident in which another EncroChat user had fallen into debt.

Tufail (52) was jailed for 23 years for blackmail, conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons and money laundering.

Peter Lawler (53) was jailed for four years and four months for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and participation in activities of an organised crime group.

Danny Parmar (42) was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons.

Junnaid Tufail (23) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and three counts of conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons and will be sentenced at a later date.
A garda detective who gave evidence to the tribunal said Ms Kaur had been left very traumatised and damaged after her employment with the firm.

Bhappa Singh (pictured at the back of this photo) owns the Bombay House in Skerries

THIS is the owner of the Dublin restaurant who has been ordered to pay 143,000 to a former employee who said she was subjected to almost daily sexual harassment and discrimination while working there.

Sharanjeet Kaur, a chef and mother of two from India, was awarded the sum in the Workplace Relations Commission who heard she was sexual harassed, threatened with blackmail and deportation and worked 50 hours a week for as little as 200 a week with just five minutes break every day.

Bhappa Singh, who owns Bombay Bhappa Ltd trading as the Bombay House restaurant in Skerries, north Dublin, walked out of the WRC hearing at the end of January as he was unhappy gardai attended.

A garda detective who gave evidence to the tribunal said Ms Kaur had been left very traumatised and damaged after her employment with the firm.

The Sunday World called to Mr Singhs restaurant this week to seek comment from him. Staff said he wasnt there but said they would pass on our details to him.

One staff member said he didnt think the case would affect business.

I think all the customers in Skerries still love him [Singh] because hes been here for so long. I think they trust him. He is a very nice guy. He treated me well.

Every second day there is news coming from the Workplace Relations Commission.

Mr Singh did not get in contact and the Sunday World later called to his home, but a woman demanded to know why we had called to the home and subsequently said he wasnt there.

Ms Kaur took the case with the assistance of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland which said they saw similar cases of exploitation of migrant workers from outside the EU all the time.

Ms Kaur said when she was working as a chef in Malaysia in 2020 she was put in contact with Singh, who offered he a position as a chef in Bombay House.

He told her she would have free accommodation but needed to cover her flight costs and work permit. Singh told her he could organise the work permit but it would cost 17,000.

M Kaur said her father took out a loan to pay for the work permit and paid Singh in cash in India in September 2021.

The permit said she would be paid 30,000 per year or 576.92 per week. When she arrived in Ireland she was taken to accommodation which she shared with seven of Singhs employees, six men and one woman. She shared a double bedroom with the other woman.

Bombay House

Despite the permit saying she would be paid 576.92 per week Ms Kaur said in reality she worked approximately 50 hours a week over six days and was paid approximately 200 per week, earning just 4.46 per hour.

She also said she had only one daily five minute lunch break and was never paid annual leave.

Ms Kaur said Singh would pay her 500 into her bank account each week but then drive her to an ATM and get her to take out 290 to return to him in cash.

The WRC heard she was subjected to a catalogue of distressing treatment over the course her employment from September 2021 until she was fired in November 2022. She said there were three main perpetrators who were referred to in the WRC ruling as R1, R2, and R3 as they did not provide evidence by way of rebuttal.

She said R1 berated her for spending time with a man of Pakistani origin and threatened to tell her family that she was having improper relations with him. She said R2 repeatedly told her that he wanted [her].

He touched my cheek, arms and upper body and said that he wanted to spend time with me; that he wanted to kiss me; and that he wanted to have sex with me.

Ms Kaur said as there was CCTV in the kitchen R2 would follow her in the cold room where he would touch her. She said she dreaded having to go into the cold room as she feared sexual assault and rape.

Adjudicator Elizabeth Spelman upheld her complaints on various grounds including discrimination and employment rights breaches.
Out-of-control patient fell on medic during his hospital ordeal

A prominent hospital emergency consultant has revealed his nearly four-day ordeal after ending up as a patient on a trolley, waiting for a bed.

Dr Mick Molloy, an emergency consultant in Wexford Hospital, even had an out-of-control patient fall on top of him during his time in hospital.

Detailing the traumatic experience during the May bank holiday weekend last year, Dr Molloy said he had developed an acute neurological emergency condition which meant he was left paralysed on a hospital trolley for four days.

He endured almost four days on a trolley and was moved to a hospital corridor at one point as he was shifted seven times to make way for patients who needed care, leaving him with difficulty sleeping and exposure to lights.

I spent nearly four days in limbo not knowing when a bed would become available, he said.

Knowing everything I know about the health service, there is nothing I could do about it. There was no button to press and no person to call. The hospital was full.

Dr Molloy, who was not in his own Wexford Hospital emergency department and is not disclosing the location of the hospital in which he was treated, said gardai had to be called due to the behaviour of patients who were out of control.

One of these patients fell on him at one point as he was lying on a trolley.

He praised the care he received from hospital doctors and staff, saying he was seen twice a day.

I was paralysed. I had lost the power of my legs, but there were just no beds available.

Although he was an emergency consultant and known to the medics, Dr Molloy said he got no special treatment and endured the agony of not being able to sleep properly along with the lack of privacy.

He had a number of scans done privately in advance after he felt unwell. He did so in a bid to relieve the pressure and speed up the treatment.

He availed of the scans through his insurance before going to the hospital in order to speed things up and he knew he had a spinal or brain issue. He anticipated he needed steroids and immunoglobulins to recover.

Dr Molloy experienced light, noise and lack of privacy during the ordeal.

He revealed the extent of his experience at the annual meeting of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) in Killarney, Co Kerry, this past weekend.

He had lost the power in his legs and had just a little power in his hands, while also experiencing difficulty breathing.

After nearly four days, he eventually got a bed  but just for four to five hours before being transferred to a private hospital. In all, he spent around seven days in hospital and then returned to work a few days after discharge.

I had no difficulty seeing the consultants. I was seen twice a day. But they did not make any difference. There were just no beds available.

As an emergency consultant on the front line, he is sometimes confronted by anxious families who have a loved one on a trolley who say the doctors would not treat one of their own like this.

Unfortunately, I dont have the say. Everyone gets a bed based on priority of illness, Dr Molloy said.

People at end of life and those who have acute emergencies such as appendicitis would be classed as emergencies for a bed, but there are no guarantees, he said.

Commenting on the criticism of consultants in University Hospital Limerick for the lower take-up of a more flexible work contract and roster, he said there could be multiples of specialists available but they would still end up having too few beds.

He was supported by emergency consultant Dr Peadar Gilligan of Beaumont Hospital and Dr Eoin Kelly of Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda, who both called for more beds.

Our colleagues are being blamed for something that is not their fault, Dr Kelly said.

Over the course of the conference, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and HSE chief Bernard Gloster called on more consultants in University Hospital Limerick  which has the most severe trolley crisis  to sign up for a new work contract allowing more flexibility on rostering experienced doctors in the evenings and at weekends.

Dr Denis McCauley, the new president of the IMO, also stressed the need for more hospital beds and said another 5,000 should be opened to relieve overcrowding.

Bed occupancy is running at 88pc, which is 11pc over the recommended upper limit and cancellation of surgeries is now a feature throughout the year to cope with the trolley crisis.
All Newshub operations are to be shut down and 250 people will lose their jobs.

The last 6pm news bulletin will air on July 5.

External talks are still ongoing but no outside deals have been confirmed yet, staff have been told.

Warner Bros Discovery said talks were ongoing with third parties to provide a pared-back news service - such as a 6pm bulletin for the Three channel.

The announcement comes after an all-staff meeting which has been held at a meeting hall close to Newshub's office in Auckland's Eden Terrace on Wednesday morning.

Newshub staff were told by Warner Bros Discovery management in February it planned to axe the entire news operation with the possible loss of up to 300 jobs from June 30.

The newsroom was losing too much money, staff were told.

Since then, it is understood there have been talks between Warner Bros Discovery and a number of media firms, including Stuff, about ways that part of the business could be preserved. It has been suggested that could include the production of a "slimmed-down" news bulletin by a third party.

Meanwhile, TVNZ staff will today hear the fate of its Sunday current affairs show, after the company confirmed on Tuesday it was axing the on-air version of Fair Go, and the Midday and Tonight news programmes.

Spinoff founder Duncan Greive said the changes would be irreversible, and a "tragic" outcome for those affected.

More to come

-RNZ.
More heavy rain and strong winds are being forecast for New Zealand today.

The West Coast is set to get the worst of the torrential rain that has been drenching parts of the region.

MetService says up to 450mm of rain hit Westland on Wednesday and another 350mm is forecast by 9pm on Thursday.

There are eight orange heavy rain warnings in the South Island, and one in Taranaki.

SH6 from Franz Josef to Makarora was closed overnight and the Waiho River has breached an alert level.

Meanwhile, in the Bay of Plenty, rain is forecast to become more frequent this evening.

Tomorrow, rain is expected to be heavy at times, easing late in the evening.

RNZ is New Zealand's statutory civil defence lifeline radio broadcaster, providing vital information and updates as they come to hand.

Check out the frequencies here.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) advises that in times of crisis or civil defence emergency a battery powered radio or a car radio remain essential lifelines if power is out and other forms of communication are unavailable.

Follow Thursday's weather updates with RNZ's blog:
The death of the 71-year-old on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is being attributed to a medical event.

Emergency services were called to the crossing on Tuesday, April 9, following the man's death.

Police understand it was a medical event not a fall, says a police spokesperson in a statement released today.

A helicopter was unable to be deployed due to cloud.

"With the support of us, NZ Police, and New Zealand Land Search and Rescue, a rahui has been in place on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing since Tuesday and will be lifted at 6am on Friday, April 12," says a Department of Conservation spokesperson.

A rahui sets a temporary prohibition around the rahui area and limits access for that period in order to acknowledge the death and to express sympathy to the whanau of the deceased, says the Department of Conservation.

It provides time for tapu - sacredness - to dissipate following the death allowing time for healing and recovery of the natural elements at place as well as the people; in particular the grieving whanau.

The Department of Conservation says transport operators for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing have been made aware of the rahui.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is located in the Tongariro National Park - New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From left to right, Juan, Adrian and Ramon consult weather data from one of their stations in Granada.

Angel Mengibar Granada Wednesday, 10 April 2024, 10:07 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X (antes Twitter)

LinkedIn

Telegram

Threads

The people of Granada province no longer look to the sky to try to predict the weather, instead they turn to social media for their meteorological information.

In fact there are dozens of Granada-based weathermen who have accumulated thousands of followers and have become a reference in the province. Some have even received financial offers to produce a specific forecast. But they don't accept the offers as their service is amateur and completely altruistic. It's a hobby that they do from the comfort of their own homes.

The Alhambra is on Juan's doorstep. In between running his tourist apartments in the lower Albaicin area of Granada city this librarian who works in the hotel business finds time to consult the data from his own weather station.

He has a weather device capable of measuring the amount of rainfall, the direction and speed of the wind and the temperature installed on the roof of the building. The device is connected to the internet so that the data is uploaded to different platforms which can be accessed by all.

"It is a system that anyone can buy and integrate wherever they want. It's affordable for everyone, it's not expensive. It measures the current data, but it does not predict the weather tomorrow. With this measurement we create a record that helps us to understand the behaviour of the weather in the area, which helps us to make a forecast," Juan Castro, who is in charge of the @meteoalbaicin account, explained to SUR's sister paper in Granada, Ideal.

He has more than 2,000 followers who appreciate Juan's meteorological content focused on the Albaicin and the surrounding area.

Zoom The Granada weathermen at work. Pepe Marin

Juan reports with data, but also with images and videos that are proving hugely popular among his followers and he's not the only weatherman in Granada. Adrian and Ramon also spend their free time studying the weather and sharing their reports online.

They base their information on official data used by national organisations such as Spain's state weather agency Aemet or the Meteored to portal forecast the weather, but with a more local touch. "There are two main models: the European and the American. Using different mathematical procedures, they calculate the probability of rain, wind or any other parameter in an area. From there, they obtain the specific forecast for a municipality. We are more of the 'granaino' model", jokes Ramon Serrano, referring to the name in Spanish for people from Granada.

'Granaino' model

The head of @meteovegas, an account from Vegas del Genil with around a thousand followers emphasises the local nature of his information and forecasts, as well as those shared by his colleagues in the province. "We use more local data because we know the area better and we take into account some details that the more generalist stations overlook. In addition, we share our knowledge with each other and get feedback," he adds.

During Holy Week the official forecasts from various bodies predicted rain throughout the afternoon on Maundy Thursday, but the Holy Week brotherhoods did not give up.

"I went to my own sources and there was no rain anywhere here in Granada. The previous days had been very rainy and people were very pessimistic, so I alerted the brotherhoods themselves to be prepared. In the end they went out in procession and thanked me for my forecast. They even offered me money in exchange for a prediction, but I didn't accept it. This is a hobby, not a job", reveals Adrian Gonzalez, the owner of @Granada_Meteo.

Local knowledge

His profile has more than 6,200 followers, who consult the information gathered by his two stations in Ogijares and Alomartes.

In front of La Torre de la Vela, the three amateurs analyse the weather situation in Granada city with the help of a mobile device. A tablet privately displays the numbers recorded by each station, while different internet web platforms allow free public access to any user.

It is reliable information that draws on science, but also on a certain amount of local knowledge. "We ignore all the conspiracy theories related to climate. We don't believe in them, but sometimes you see certain clouds that tell you it is going to rain a lot. We try to be right all the time, but measuring the weather is complicated," they say, showing a passion for public service for the people of Granada.
Chus Heredia Malaga Wednesday, 10 April 2024, 10:54 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X (antes Twitter)

LinkedIn

Telegram

Threads

The Junta de Andalucia's drought committee for Malaga province, which includes the Costa del Sol, is holding back on making an official announcement about whether residential communities will be allowed fill their swimming pools this summer.

Following the declarations of the minister of agriculture Carmen Crespo last week, the drought committee - despite previously making an exception for public swimming pools in hotels, sport and health centres and campsites - said it is not the body's decision to make an official ruling on filling or refilling pools.

During a meeting on Tuesday 9 April, the contributions of the latest rains were analysed, with water restrictions relaxed until October, as reported yesterday by SUR. The limit of consumption per inhabitant is increased by 25% and goes from 160 litres per inhabitant per day to 200. It will be up to each respective municipality to ensure these restrictions are being followed.

And that seems to be the philosophy: the committee sets limits on how to reach water savings, with consumption a matter for each municipality. The same applies to the use of beach showers, foot baths and public fountains. Secretary general for water Ramiro Angulo chaired the meeting in Malaga and said: "Although the rains have helped to improve the situation, we cannot think the drought is over, so we must continue to maintain saving measures that help to ensure the most efficient use of resources".

Irrigation

With regard to irrigation, the drought committee agreed to apply an increase of up to 6 hm to the irrigable area of the Guadalhorce region of Malaga province. In the Axarquia area there will be an increase in recycled water farmers can use to irrigate their crops due to the increase in supply contributions. On the other hand, the Guaro Plan has been suspended until further notice. In the Axarquia region, water transfers from Malaga city will be suspended from this Thursday 11 April.

Prudence

Concluding the meeting, Angulo asked those present to remain prudent and responsible and stressed the importance of continuing with investments and awareness campaigns. It was concluded that the current measures will again be reviewed in June.

Reservoirs continue to rise due to runoffs

Meanwhile, the reservoir levels in Malaga province continue to rise. On Tuesday afternoon they were close to 164 cubic hectometres, an increase of 67 in just one month thanks to the contributions of storm Nelson late last month.

La Concepcion, which supplies much of the western strip of the Costa del Sol, leads the provincial reserves, with 39 hm3. Behind, Guadalteba (36.74 hm3); Vinuela (29.91); Guadalhorce (24.08), and Conde de Guadalhorce (22.77). Overall the reservoirs are holding around 27% of their total capacity.
Pilar Martinez Malaga Wednesday, 10 April 2024, 12:16 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X (antes Twitter)

LinkedIn

Telegram

Threads

The idea of living in Spain began to cross their minds many years ago. So much so that Liudmila, a Russian psychology teacher from Moscow, and her husband, a doctor in the same city, started saving for the huge investment ten years ago - their daughters even studied Spanish at a Moscow school in preparation for the big move.

The Spanish 'golden visa' scheme, which from 2013 until now allowed foreigners who invested more than half a million euros in a home in Spain to obtain residency, was key to making this dream a reality. "If there hadn't been this visa we wouldn't have bought this house in Marbella. Spain was our goal and having this residence permit was very important," said Liudmila, who also pointed out they have been able to start a new life with their youngest daughter "who is happy at school in Las Chapas". "My eldest daughter is studying at a university in the UK and my in-laws also live with us here," she added.

International destination

Liudmila said that in 2013, coinciding with the year Spain launched the golden visa, she and her family visited Marbella for the first time on a one-week holiday. They were delighted. In 2017 they returned on holiday and then in 2021 they selected from Moscow, through a real estate portal, the three-bedroom house in which they now call home. "We invested 510,000 euros in this house in 2021 and a year later we came to live here. Then my husband went back to Moscow, but we are confident that he will be back again soon," she said. When asked why they chose Marbella Liudmila answered quickly: "It's a town where it's easy to sell and buy a house and it's a very international destination where we are happy. We feel very protected, and that's very important."

Despite the turbulent adventure of starting a new life in a country without knowing the local language, it has become clear to her that "I want to think that I have another future here". Liudmila also said learning Spanish has been key. "We have studied without rest and I already have the B1 and my daughter is doing very well at school," she said, adding that for the past few months she has been reading Spanish writers. "I like reading a lot and it has been, along with television, a good way to accelerate the learning of Spanish," Liudmila said.

"I love the life in Marbella"

Although she works online as a psychology teacher in Russia, she is already thinking about getting her degree recognised in Spain and continuing her career in Malaga province. "I love the life in Marbella, its beaches and mountains, and being able to go from one place to another without big traffic jams. Here our dream has come true," she said while thinking of other families who have had their dreams of investing in Spain dashed following the government's plan to abolish the golden visa scheme.

"Many will be in the process of saving, as we did, but they will no longer have the opportunity to live here," she said. When reflecting on the granting of her visa, she said the gathering of documentation was not very complicated, with the process taking about five months.

Highest concentration of investments

Liudmila's case is one of the many foreigners who in the ten years this golden visa has been in force have made Marbella one of the areas in Spain with the highest concentration of investments of more than half a million in homes in order to obtain residency.

Experts in foreigners' affairs, such as Ricardo Bocanegra, said Russians, Arabs and, more recently, Israelis have been looking to the Costa del Sol for this type of investment, some of which are close to half a million euros and many others in excess of two or three million.
GAZA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, Palestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses said Tuesday

Eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes targeted a house belonging to the Abu Yousef family in the camp, completely destroying the house and causing damage to nearby homes.

Medical sources told Xinhua that 14 people, including children, were killed in the airstrike, and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. All the injured were transported to hospitals.

Earlier in the day, the Gaza health ministry announced that the Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip reached 33,360 since the start of the war on Oct. 7 last year. 
Alfonso Torices Madrid Wednesday, 10 April 2024, 23:19 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X (antes Twitter)

LinkedIn

Telegram

Threads

The mental health of people in Spain has suffered a steady but serious deterioration in recent years, but it is also worsening at an accelerated rate. These are the two main conclusions of a study carried out by the Axa Foundation, which has questioned people aged 18 to 75 in 16 developed countries on three continents (Europe, America and Asia) on the subject. The study has found that the number of psychological disorders in Spain is higher than the international average.

Just over a third of young people and adults, 34%, have mental health problems. The percentage indicates that the situation has got much worse in the space of just one year, as there are now 30% more people with mental health problems this year than in 2023. The number of people affected is even higher than in 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, when 28% of Spaniards admitted to having psychological problems.

The biggest cause of concern among Spaniards is depression. Up to 17% suffer from it, but this is closely followed by the trio of anxiety, phobias and post-traumatic stress, with 16% of Spaniards saying that they suffer from one of these conditions.

Eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia) are in third place with 3% of the population having such a condition. The percentages of these disorders are very high and like the general data, they have also shot up in the last twelve months, with a rise of 25%.

The spread of psychological distress has been steadily increasing over the last decade, but it spiked with the pandemic

One of the risk factors that explains this deterioration in mental health is the high level of stress reported by Spaniards. Almost two out of three, 62%, report habitually living with a medium-high level of stress. This is the highest percentage since the pandemic began and three points higher than in 2022.

Among the most common contributing factors reported by one in three people in Spain are financial difficulties, social isolation and bereavement (all above 20%), in addition to family problems, separations or traumatic events.

Sick leave due to psychological disorders has doubled in Spain (up 111%) in the last seven years and 61% of this enormous increase has occurred since the start of the pandemic.

Almost 4.5 million people in Spain take anxiolytics and hypnotics on a daily basis, which is 11% more than a decade ago. Consumption has skyrocketed in the last three years from 87 out of every thousand to 93 out of every thousand Spaniards taking them daily.

Antidepressants are taken on a daily basis by 4.6 million people in Spain; 97 out of every thousand. This figure represents an increase of 45% in just one decade.

The 34% of people in Spain with mental health problems is two points above the international average and only five of the 16 countries involved in the analysis reported a higher percentage. The country that reported the highest number of people with mental health problems was the USA (40%), followed by Turkey (38%), the UK and Ireland (37%) and Mexico (36%), with Japan as the country with fewest problems at just 19% of the population. Switzerland and France came in at 26%.

22% of people self-diagnose

The study indicates that Spain is the country with the second highest average stress level after Ireland (only two points higher) and it is the country with the highest percentage of habitual consumption of psychotropic drugs.

It is the country where the highest number of people have taken them at some time; 36%; with the exception of the UK, where most citizens reported taking antidepressants, anxiolytics and sleeping pills every week, at 16%. It is also the country where most people take them at least once a month, at 27%.

Up to 65% of those with psychological problems have asked a doctor for help in the last twelve months - half of them a psychologist or psychiatrist - a rate only slightly exceeded by France and Belgium at 67%. However, 22% of the population admit to self-diagnosing.

Only four out of ten people in Spain believe that the public health system gives them the appropriate support to treat their mental health problems. This 40% satisfaction rate is five points lower than a year ago and four points higher than the average for the 16 countries analysed.
Alfonso Torices Madrid Wednesday, 10 April 2024, 23:30 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X (antes Twitter)

LinkedIn

Telegram

Threads

Sexual assaults on minors, with teenage girls being the main victims, continue to increase in Spain and, what is even worse, the attacks are becoming increasingly serious.

This is the main conclusion from Anar Foundation's close examination of this social problem, all too often kept hidden and victims silenced. This non-profit organisation that helps children and adolescents at risk is shedding light on a drama about which there is hardly any official data. How? It is thanks to the valuable information provided daily by the victims themselves, 4,500 of whom the foundation has helped and supported over the last five years via its helplines and its teams of specialists connecting and co-ordinating with emergency services, police forces, social services and legal services.

Its analysis indicates that sexual violence against children and adolescents continues to increase here in Spain. There were 55% more victims in 2023 who, directly or with the support of a family member or friend, dialled 900 202 010 or used the chat facility to ask for help than there were five years earlier in 2019. The trend has been growing year on year for more than a decade. Requests for help from minors to Anar for sexual assaults have quadrupled in fifteen years. Behind the increase in assaults is the fact that traditional patterns of abuse have continued and are now being joined by new variants such as gang assaults, widespread access to pornography among minors and cyber-abuse.

Gang assaults now account for more than one in ten assaults and have increased five-fold in 15 years

The bulk of these attacks still come from an adult family member or acquaintance, but more than one in ten (11%) involve a group, meaning that reported gang assaults have increased five-fold since 2008.

Furthermore, nine out of ten assaults reported to Anar are done in person, but between 5% and 6% are directly carried out via the internet, chat rooms or social media.

Just over 3% are grooming cases (adults contacting minors to obtain graphic images or other sexual favours) and over 2% are sexting, as well as sharing intimate images without the victim's knowledge or permission. Another 1.3% are being pressured to participate in handling pornography, and the remaining 1.4% are circumstances involving sexual exploitation and prostitution.

Not only have calls for help from minors gone through the roof, but they are also increasingly more serious and alarming in nature. The bulk of the allegations involve forced touching or masturbation and 11% are unwanted kisses, but up to 20% are rapes. Of the 4,500 cases in the last five years, nine out of ten are in the top categories for being serious attacks. For example: one in three are abuses suffered on a daily basis; almost half are attacks that last more than a year; up to 70% of the calls require the urgent mobilisation of resources (psychologists, health workers, social workers, police or prosecutors).

Three out of ten victims do not even consider reporting the assault

The typical victim is an adolescent girl. The average age is 12.5 years and 80% are girls, who are up to four times more likely to be assaulted than boys. Six out of ten cases are between 13 and 17 years old, most of them girls performing poorly educationally and who are unhappy at school. However, there is a specific male subtype too - boys under the age of nine. These boys suffer the most aggressive assaults at this early age. In 86% of cases their attacker is a family member.

The aggressor, on the other hand, is a man, an adult in eight out of ten cases and also a person very close to the victim 80% of the time. In half of the cases it is a member of the family and in three out of ten cases it is the father or the mother's partner. The attacks mostly take place in the family home, in the homes of acquaintances or at school, and 10% of the aggressors are repeat offenders. However, there is an increase in attacks by boyfriends or ex-boyfriends (5%) and 21% of the abuses committed by other minors are, in particular, cases of sexting and forced contact with pornography.

Significant and lasting injuries

The consequences of this menace to society are serious and long-lasting. Four out of ten victims helped by Anar suffer sudden changes in behaviour or mood-swings, major psychological problems (21%), self-harm and eating disorders and almost one in ten suffers from suicidal behaviour or suicidal thoughts. In addition, seven out of ten, especially the youngest children, do not receive psychological treatment after the incident(s).

Another negative aspect is that three out of ten victims have neither reported the sexual assault nor consider doing so. One of the reasons for this reticence is the lack of support they receive from their family or those around them: in 40% of cases there is zero response; in 18% of cases the family does not believe them; in 21% of cases they take no action for fear of being picked on again, and in 10% of cases they even blame the child or make excuses for the aggressor. When the silence is broken, in seven out of ten cases that first step is taken by the mother.

Anar's experts take the view that the most valuable weapon against this plague is prevention, which is why they call for the following: more awareness-raising and training campaigns to stop and take action against such attacks; proper, clear sex education in schools, and the immediate creation of a court system specialised in handling cases of violence against children and adolescents, something which the law has been demanding for two years and yet remains to be implemented.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A state Supreme Court judge Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by Onondaga County Sheriff Toby Shelley to stop the county from closing the prison in Jamesville.

The county officials say they want to shut down the prison and move all of the incarcerated people to the downtown jail to save money and address staffing shortages.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Two firefighters were injured fighting a fire in a vacant house on Syracuses South Side Tuesday night, officials says.

One firefighter received leg burns fighting the fire at 610-612 Oneida St., said Syracuse District Fire Chief Matthew Craner, a spokesperson for the department. The firefighter was taken to a hospital in stable condition, he said.
VIENNA, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Tuesday that it would hold an emergency meeting of its 35-nation Board of Governors on Thursday over recent attacks at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).

The meeting, to be held at the agency's Vienna headquarters, is "convened by the Chair of the Board following two separate letters addressed to him by, in chronological order, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, requesting a meeting of the Board," the IAEA said in a note to media.

In a separate statement, the United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog said it had been "informed" of the latest drone attack on the training center of the ZNPP on Tuesday, but said the incident "did not pose any threat to nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP."

The IAEA said its experts stationed at the plant "reported hearing bursts of rifle fire followed by a loud explosion" on Tuesday morning, "the same time that the ZNPP later said an incoming drone had detonated on the roof of the facility's training center."

The IAEA experts haven't been granted access to the training center building to assess the impact, as they were "informed that the military security situation did not allow it," according to the statement.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said the incident on Tuesday is "an ominous development as it indicates an apparent readiness to continue these attacks, despite the grave dangers they pose to nuclear safety and security and our repeated calls for military restraint."

"Attacking a nuclear power plant is extremely irresponsible and dangerous, and it must stop," said Grossi.

The IAEA chief said he plans to brief the UN Security Council about the situation at the ZNPP next week.

Tuesday's attack on the ZNPP was the latest in a series of drone attacks on the facility in recent days. The attacks on the plant on Sunday caused damage to the building housing one of the plant's six reactors, but nuclear safety has not been compromised, the IAEA said in an earlier statement.

According to the agency, the recent attacks on the ZNPP marked the first time since November 2022 that the plant was "directly targeted in military action."

However, the IAEA has not said who was to blame for the attacks.

Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of staging the attacks. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the recent shelling on the ZNPP was "a very dangerous provocation" with negative consequences.

Ukraine has denied involvement in the drone attacks.

The ZNPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe with a total capacity of six gigawatts. At the end of February 2022, the facility was taken under Russian control. 
A bill gaining momentum in Congress would ban TikTok, one of the most widely used social media apps. Some TikTok content creators are worried about the potential ban cutting their income and losing access to a creative outlet, but other creators remain undeterred by the looming threat.

TikTok is a popular social media app dedicated to short-form videos created by and for users. The app is owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance. Lawmakers in support of the bill have claimed that TikTok is a threat to national security because the Chinese government could use its intelligence laws to obtain the data of U.S. app users from ByteDance.
AnnMarie Taliercio is president of UNITE HERE Local 150, based in Syracuse.

The workers who lost their lives in the collapse of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge were following the American dream. They came to this country to build a better life for themselves, and, in the process, to improve our lives. They came here to become workers for the many jobs yet to be filled.

There are 9 million job openings in America, according to a report issued last month by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And we currently have 6.1 million unemployed workers.

The math is simple  if every unemployed worker in America took a job tomorrow, we would still have more than 3 million jobs left to fill.

Which makes one wonder why we spend billions every month, just to keep workers that the United States needs and who want to work out of this country.

Migration is a labor issue. Worldwide, millions are leaving their homes seeking safety and a better way of life for their families.

Heartbreak or outrage seem to be the only two emotions felt when we see images of people trying to enter our country at our Southern border. Some Americans demand harsher enforcement, others call for a more welcoming stance.

When you see those faces of desperation, think about this  in a very short period of time, all of them will be seeking work  and we need workers to keep our communities intact.

Thats where the labor movement comes in.

You wont hear this from panicked politicians, but the crush of people seeking to come into our country can be good news  if we understand their needs and acknowledge our own. We need workers to be hired into our entry-level jobs. And yes, even to fill the potholes on our aging bridges and roads.

True, newcomers to our country need assistance for a short while, but then they need a job. Once employed, the immigrants, shortly become new Americans and contributing members of our society. They become the taxpayers, the consumers, our neighbors  and hopefully members of our own union family.

At present we are witnessing one of the largest peacetime movements of people in world history. It will not be stopped with even the tallest wall and largest police presence. It will not be managed by adding more social services. The vast majority of people seeking to enter our land are not criminals; nor are they helpless and needy. They are ready and able workers.

While politicians turn to law enforcement or social services to address the needs of migrants, the voice of organized labor is often left out of the solution.

Most of the jobs left unfilled are in the service sector. Many of these jobs can be filled by immigrant workers  if we change our immigration policies. Immigrants have traditionally walked into these positions; cleaning rooms, cooking and serving our meals, washing our dirty dishes and linens, taking care of our sick, our aging parents and young children. They are usually the people who plant and harvest our food. In general, immigrants add substantially to our economy.

Anyone who has visited communities rebuilding after natural disasters knows how important laborers from other countries are to these efforts. These too are the jobs that immigrant workers take  jobs that require someone with a lot of heart, even though they might have less than perfect English.

So then why do so many of us see the border as a crisis instead of an opportunity? Why do we allow politicians to stoke our fears instead of seeing our common bond as workers? Its time to put the fear aside.

We can be the ones who help these new workers find their needed place in our economy and at the same time ensure that they will be treated and paid fairly, both of which are included in the goals of the American labor movement.

Organized labor can organize workers, wherever they come from. Every worker waiting at the border is a potential union member. Every union member does the work that builds the American economy. Lets stop wasting time and talent and find the right way to get these workers the legal status they need. The American labor movement has always shown the world what a good neighbor really means. May our brothers in Baltimore rest in peace.
If Ukraine falls, blame Williams

To the Editor:

Russia may soon takeover Ukraine thanks to the antics of Congressman Brandon Williams and his fellow extremists. They have refused to greenlight a clean up or down vote on providing military aid to Ukraine, thereby playing games with our national security. If Ukraine collapses, voters here should blame Brandon Williams.

David M. Driesen

DeWitt

Williams absent on local issues

To the Editor:

I am troubled by the absence of representation from Rep. Brandon Williams regarding local issues and concerns. Since taking office, he has passed no meaningful legislation for our district. Oneida County Executive and fellow Republican colleague, Anthony Picente, recently shared his concern regarding the lack of engagement from Williams in local issues.

Williams is an absentee representative, who does not meet regularly with local officials to serve our district. I hope that my neighbors here in NY-22 will learn more about the three Democrats running in the upcoming June 25 primary to replace him. Any one of them would be an improvement.

Karen Savoca

Munnsville

Klee Hood will do more for climate

To the Editor:

Im a retired teacher who disagrees with New York State United Teachers endorsement of John Mannion for Congress. I did my own research on the NY-22 Democratic candidates before choosing whom to support.

Fighting climate change is important to me because I want our kids and grandkids to have a bright future. Its why I spent my career educating the next generation in the classroom. When I did my research, I found that in the state Senate, Mannion voted against the Build Public Renewables Act, which prioritizes renewables. He also voted against the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which prohibits harmful pesticides. His record on climate and environment is disappointing. Our children deserve a representative in Congress who will tirelessly advocate for a livable future.

Thats why I support Sarah Klee Hood for Congress. Her vast experience in climate includes working with local businesses to create hundreds of clean energy jobs. While serving in the Air Force, she advised on foreign affairs and managed a budget worth millions.

Klee Hood is highly qualified for Congress, so imagine my disappointment when I discovered that NYSUT did not interview all candidates prior to the endorsement! She is the daughter of two union members, and shell fight for us union members as NY-22s representative in Congress. I encourage all educators to do their own research before the June 25 primary.

I hope you will join me in voting for Sarah Klee Hood, who will champion educators and the next generation in Congress.

Margaret Orman

Utica

Williams loves science but not climate

To the Editor:

This year it feels clear that our climate is changing. We have had the warmest and least snowy January on record.

When it comes to protecting the climate, it makes sense to look to our representative, Republican Brandon Williams, for guidance since he is on the is the chair of the Energy Subcommittee in the House.

Reading about Williams experience as a child watching the last Apollo moon landings, which ignited in him a lifelong love of science, engineering, astronomy, and space travel, this appointment makes sense.

Williams actions on the Committee contradict that thought. His only climate related legislation is a resolution to condemn the Biden administration for its ban on the issuance of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits. LNG, a product of fracking, harms the climate by emitting methane at every stage of its production.

Methane is 85 times more potent as a greenhouse gas in the first 20 years after it is emitted than carbon dioxide is. Before transport, LNG is chilled to minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit! The energy used to chill, deliver, and warm to a usable temperature make LNG responsible for nearly twice the greenhouse gas as ordinary gas.

After returning from last years COP28 Climate Conference, Williams stated that, in his opinion, the Biden administration make an overemphasis on wind and solar. His solution, nuclear power, presents its own set of pollutants: carbon emissions and storage of toxic wastewater.

Disappointingly, Williams lifelong love of science does not transfer to protecting the climate.

Rebecca Mays-Vandewater

Oriskany

Read GOPs blueprint before you vote

To the Editor:

Congressman Brandon Williams of the 22nd Congressional District belongs to the Republican Study Committee, which recently released its blueprint for the future, should their party gain control of the government in the next election. It calls for a nationwide ban on abortion without exceptions; a ban on the abortion pill; increasing the retirement age for Social Security ,which is already at age 67 for those born in 1960 or later; defunding the police by slashing block grants for community policing; and ending the red flag provisions that keep guns from dangerous people. It also calls for slashing funding the Affordable Care Act, which would take health care away from millions of Americans.

Citizens, I urge you to pay attention! Radical policies like these could become the law of the land. Brandon Williams views are too extreme for voters in the 22nd Congressional District.

Alan Beyel

Syracuse

Williams not part of energy solution

To the Editor:

Like most Upstate New Yorkers, I value our landscape and clean water. I want us all to do everything possible to preserve and protect it. I am encouraged when elected officials share that value.

Unfortunately, Rep Brandon Williams, who sits on important congressional committees in the energy, education and transportation sectors, is a loud negative voice when it comes to popular ideas such as electric school buses or investment in renewable energy. Any proposal for improving our energy footprint is met with complaints about cost and bird deaths, rather than suggestions that might protect our planet.

I have waited and hoped for Williams to become a part of the solution. I no longer expect that to happen. Like so many of my Upstate neighbors, I look forward to electing a real representative who values the land and water we need.

Marlene Bissell

Munnsville
Le Creuset is a renowned brand when it comes to French kitchenware goods. Crafted by hand in France, Le Creuset products are fashioned from top-notch materials like stoneware, cast iron, or stainless steel, which excel in retaining heat for extended periods and ensuring even cooking. As a result, they have garnered widespread affection from both professional chefs and amateur cooks.

The brand recently released a list of deals for their ShopFTT like the Signature Sauteuse for $200 and the set of 2 Heritage Baking Dishes with $55. Other deals include a huge discount on the Signature Round Wide Oven, the Round Wide Oven with Baker Lid, and the beautiful Olive Branch Collection Signature Chefs Oven.

The Signature Sauteuse is on sale on the Le Creuset website.Courtesy of Le Creuset

Signature Sauteuse - $200 (was $350)

Combining the features of a deep saute pan, fry pan, and Dutch Oven, this cookwares curved base and shorter sides make it perfect for tasks like whisking sauces, tossing stir-fries, stirring creamy risottos, and serving bubbling casseroles directly from stove to oven to table.

Heritage 2-Piece Square Baking Dish Set - $55

The larger size is perfect for indulgent desserts, hearty casseroles, roasting vegetables, marinating meats, broiling fish, and more. The smaller dish is great for breading and prep work, or for making casseroles and gratins for two.

Olive Branch Collection Signature Chefs Oven - $268 (was $335)

Combining functionality with aesthetic appeal, its ample size and depth render it the perfect container for soups, pastas, braising, and even baking.

Signature Round Wide Oven - $280 (was $430)

The distinctive wide base facilitates searing and browning meats and vegetables without overcrowding, while also simplifying the serving of soups and casseroles straight from the pot. Its ample size makes it well-suited for family gatherings and hosting events, or alternatively, for batch cooking and meal preparation to save valuable time on hectic days.
WASHINGTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is justifying a policy that restricts public access to affordable and clean technology while rejecting a fundamental economic principle, a protectionist move that would negatively impact both the United States and the global environment, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

In response to Yellen's comment that Chinese government support is currently leading to production capacity that significantly exceeds domestic demand and what the global market can bear, the report said that she is rejecting one of the most fundamental principles of economics for more than 200 years -- comparative advantage.

"If a country can manufacture goods at lower costs than you can, you shouldn't raise tariff barriers. Instead, you should import the goods, and send back something in return where your industry is more efficient," said the report.

"In attacking China's clean-technology exports, however, the world is cracking down on one part of the economy where the private sector is dominant, and where the prospects for reducing global emissions are good," it said, adding that Chinese clean-technology firms are no more dependent on soft money than rivals elsewhere in the world.

It noted that the advantage of unilateral tariffs like those being considered by the United States and the European Union is that they don't need to hold up to the rigor of trade law. In the absence of a functioning World Trade Organization, it's a neat way of painting anti-climate protectionism as green industrial policy.

"If China's clean-tech investments have become a perceived problem for the United States and the European Union over the past year, it's as much to do with the way that the political establishment and major domestic companies in those markets have quietly soured on the energy transition over the same period," said Bloomberg. 
Roll Call for the Absent

No matter where Aggies are, whether it is as few as two or as many as the thousands who gather on Texas A&Ms main campus in College Station, they come together each year on Muster day. Ceremonies are often held by Aggie Clubs or other groups, and each event is unique, reflecting the personalities of the communities. From casual barbecues to formal events in hotel ballrooms, Musters are as diverse as Aggies themselves.

Regardless of formality, at each Muster, Aggies remember those lost in the local area, support the loved ones left behind and share memories from their time at Texas A&M. At the beginning of a Muster ceremony, a speaker addresses the crowd to reflect on the importance of the Aggie Family. Then, the Roll Call for the Absent is read, naming local fallen Aggies. As each name is called, family members or friends present for that Aggie reply, Here, and a candle is lit in their memory.

Find your local muster

History of Muster

The inspiration for Muster's official date can be traced back to San Jacinto Day, a Texas holiday that celebrates the states defeat of the Mexican Army in the Battle of San Jacinto. In 1899, the Corps of Cadets decided to host their own celebrations on Texas A&M's campus and held a San Jacinto Field Day on April 21.

During the world wars, this tradition of meeting on April 21 evolved to include a memorial for those who were absent. In World War I, Aggies met all over the trenches of Europe and at Army posts throughout the U.S.

The most famous Aggie Muster was held during World War II in 1942 on the small island of Corregidor in the Philippines. Maj. Gen. George Moore, Class of 1908, directed that a list be made of all Aggies fighting on Corregidor. The story of Aggies honoring San Jacinto Day was wired back to the U.S. and made headlines, encouraging a war-weary nation.

Muster on Campus

Like other Muster ceremonies, the campus event honors current and former students in the local community. It lasts all day, starting with a flag-raising ceremony at sunrise. The 50-year reunion class is invited back to campus for a Camaraderie Barbecue, where they tell old Aggie war stories, and current students share their Aggie experiences.

Following the ceremony in Reed Arena  the largest Muster in the world  a rifle volley is fired and a special arrangement of Taps is played.

Learn more about Muster
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.
GAZA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Three sons of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Hamas Political Bureau, along with his three grandchildren, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City Wednesday.

Hamas' media office reported that the sons were killed by a strike on their car while they were driving in Al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City. Three of Haniyeh's grandchildren were also killed in the raid, Hamas said.

Later in the day, Israel officially confirmed the attack.

"An aircraft struck three Hamas military operatives that conducted terrorist activity in the central Gaza Strip," Israel's Shin Bet security service and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a joint statement.

According to the statement, the three sons who were killed are Amir Haniyeh, Mohammad Haniyeh, and Hazem Haniyeh.

The IDF added in the statement that it is "aware of claims that other relatives of Haniyeh were harmed, among them a minor. This information is not verified by the IDF."

Haniyeh said in an interview with Al Jazeera TV after the attack that the killing of his sons would not affect Hamas' demands in Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

Haniyeh, the 61-year-old Hamas leader, is based in Qatar. 
Action to Support Farmers in coping with Wet Weather

The National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) held an online meeting, Tuesday, 9 April. The members of the committee representing all players in the agri sector, outlined the steps and the actions they are taking around the country to support farmers in coping with the wet weather, and its impact on their farming enterprises.

This committee is the entire industry working together to find solutions. We have to make sure we have fodder in yards for people who need it over the next 10 days.

Paul Moore from the Climate Services Division in Met Eireann provided a climate update on the rainfall in Ireland over the last 12 months. He highlighted the extremely wet months the country has experienced and also provided a rationale for the heavy rainfall.

Eoin Sherlock from the Forecast Division in Met Eireann gave a forecast for rainfall for the next week or so, and also discussed the monthly forecast which is currently showing a signal for more settled weather later in April.

The Committee was addressed by the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, who announced the introduction of a Fodder Transport Support Measure to provide additional assistance to livestock farmers most severely affected by the prolonged exceptional weather conditions. In many of these cases the delayed turn out to grass because of the very poor ground conditions has meant that some farmers are now running out of fodder. The full details of the Transport scheme are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3fb7f-minister-for-agriculture-food-and-the-marine-charlie-mcconalogue-announces-fodder-transport-support-measure/#

Teagasc Enterprise specialists provided the committee with updates on the impact of the wet weather on the tillage crops sector and the cattle, sheep and dairy sectors. The Grassland research department provided an update on the grass growth figures and predicted grass growths for the week ahead. The presentations are available at https://www.teagasc.ie/about/our-organisation/national-fodder-and-food-security-committee-/

Teagasc has set up a Fodder Register to help connect farmers who have fodder available with those farmers that require it. Farmers can contact the local Teagasc Advisory office to register as having feed available, or to enquire if there are farmers on the register from whom they might source feed.

Chair of the National Fodder and Food Security Committee, Mike Magan said: This committee is the entire industry working together to find solutions. We have to make sure we have fodder in yards for people who need it over the next 10 days. He thanked the committee members for their contributions and urged them to continue to work together to support farmers.

Helplines

Teagasc has also set up two helpline numbers to provide advice to farmers on how to manage their farms through this difficult weather period. The Helplines will be open initially for a two week period up to Saturday 20th April.

Teagasc National Crops Helpline: 059 918 3533

Teagasc National Grassland Helpline: 059 918 3155

Livestock farmers were urged to contact tillage farmers to explore options where animal feed such as maize, fodder beet and straw could be grown on contract for them for winter 2024.

See: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/collaborative-farming/contract-forage-cropping/
joyee Newbie

Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 24 Thanked: 418 Times

A Day in the Life of a Blackbuck Fanatic



Let me take a moment here to discuss this trait of mine which I only know babies to have, but riding in a car, be it in the busiest city or a highway, either night or day, I always feel sleepy. It could be just half an hour's drive and you may find me dozing away in the backseat. Perhaps the sound of the car has an effect on me similar to Missy's teacup in the thriller Get Out. Who knows? All I know is that I spent most of the four-hour drive to the resort sleeping!



The Blackbuck Resort seemed to be built in an African savannah, with the thorny bushes and rocky red soil. After off-roading a bit into te middle of nowhere, we reached the JLR lodge. After parking and checking into the lodge, we treated our tastebuds to some delicious coffee. Let me tell you a bit about our room. At this resort located by a scenic lake, there were individual cottages connected by a long path. Ours was at the far end of it, with a magnificent view of the lake. It had a balcony and a lot of it was built with wood, and made that lovely sound when you walk over the floor boards. It had a spacious bedroom, with lots of windows and some furniture which made it feel like from the olden days. Somehow it felt like a hunter's cabin in the woods. I felt completely refreshed after a shower. And to top it all, I found a well stocked tea cozy with enough material to serve up a full blown tea party! I ask you, what's better than eating a sachet of milk powder in the midday breeze? (I love eating milk powder)



















Soon it was time for lunch and for that, we went to the Gol Ghar, the resort's dining hall. It was similar to our room - wooden beams, and an airy feel. We were the only ones there that day. The staff served us a big platter decked with jeera rice, dal fry, bowls of chicken curry, and a vegetable curry. The food tasted home cooked and wholesome, with every dish tasting wonderful. Be careful if you happen to eat here - they can be deceitful. They served something so flavorful and called it jeera rice. It was downright biryani, I tell you!





The feast



And don't get me started with the gulab jamuns. They weren't gulab jamuns either - just hot little spheres of syrupy happiness in a bowl. Four golden brown masterpieces floating in pure joy. Normally, I don't like gulab jamuns - I find them too sticky and uncomfortable. But that bowl has a right to its own little paragraph for the delight it gave me.



Our plates squeaky clean and our stomachs suitably swelled, we went out in the afternoon sun for a digestive walk. As I have mentioned previously, this place is near the 15th century Bidar fort. So while walking around or exploring the grounds of the lodge, you will see small signs of medieval style brickwork - at the edges of the pavement, little nooks and crannies, a little bridge on the far end of the place - which might have been built to remind us of the magnificent fort. Or maybe just because they look nice. I have no way of knowing. But with that and the cute little cottages, this place had a retro, out of the way charm. I have a feeling that the resort doesn't get too many guests, but I have to admit that the upkeep was remarkable. It is nice to know that not everything which isn't opulent, glamorous or expensive can be enjoyable. Sometimes the joy lies in the small things.









They use solar energy to power each cottage



Not too far from our cottage was a little jetty to the lake. A couple of small pedal boats and coracles were gently swaying in the little shore. The lake was quite big, and in the searing midday sun it glittered like crumpled wrapping paper. Next morning, we were going to go for a boat ride in that lake.



But this evening, we were going on a safari. After almost blacking out for an afternoon nap, I woke up a new girl. As the saying goes - naps are the enemy of a cup of coffee because it does its job ten times better and is good for the body too (I made that up). At the parking lot awaiting us was Mr. Hussain, who was our guide for the safari. We hopped onto the jeep and sped out (more like grumbled out - jeeps are so loud!) into the Blackbuck Sanctuary.







The Blackbuck is a magnificent member of the antelope family, native to India and Nepal. It stands up to one meter tall and its corkscrew horns make it look even more impressive. In the 20th century, the blackbuck population was rapidly dwindling, thanks to poaching and unrestricted hunting. But conservation efforts and making it a protected animal have almost doubled its numbers from before. The blackbuck, which is comparatively light in weight (can reach up to 57 kilograms) is a very fast runner and can reach up to 80 kilometers per hour, and they are extremely shy. On our safari, the closest we got to one was about hundred meters. Perhaps they are introverted. Who knows? But they sure are beautiful. They have little goatees of white hair on their chins, and the males had long, spiraling horns which I wouldn't want to get in the way of. Their eyes were lined with black, and their coats were a rich husk color. In the red rays of leaving sun, the whole landscape lit up with reds and yellows and greens, with a herd of Blackbuck in its midst.









One of our forefathers













Dont want to get in the way of those horns!





Looks angry





A magnificent animal



The blackbuck's habitat lies in savannah like, scrubby vegetation. Little valleys rolled away into the blanket of a horizon which the sun pulled over its head. Short grass, thorny bushes and small trees were in plenty, and along with the terracotta soil, we were transported into Sub Saharan Africa, at least that is how I imagined it to be. It felt like a rugged dreamland. Other than the blackbucks, we saw no other creatures apart from langurs, a couple of Drongos and other small birds. It wasn't a very thrilling safari, but I don't think that it needed to be. The sanctuary is a quiet, beautiful place in nature which will do its best without being an attraction for loud tourists who will only shatter the calm beauty it has. Same goes for anywhere else, as a matter of fact.













I'm not on twitter!









A natural watering hole and selfie point





Tiny yet you can't miss it





Watch your step!



We drove back to the lodge and bid goodbye to Mr. Hussain, who was a fun companion. And at the Gol Ghar, we were welcomed with steaming hot aloo pakoras and hot cups of coffee. They rolled down a white screen and played a wildlife documentary on a projector. I loved the atmosphere of the dining hall with one side open to the lake in the distance. It was dark when we were drinking our evening coffee, but I could feel the calming presence of nature at an arm's length.





Engrossed



We lazed around inside our room until dinnertime, before returning to the Gol Ghar where they served us a yummy meal of piping hot rotis, dahi bhindi (a dish made with okra and curd), chicken, paneer masala, and a heartwarming beetroot halva. It was lovely.



While eating, I was telling my dad a ghost story. And guess what! Right at the scariest moment, in the dimly lit Gol Ghar, we heard sounds of yelling and screaming of both man and beast. The war cries, accompanied with banging metal sounds, had me a little disturbed. Just when I was starting to get a little imaginative about the sounds, my dad asked the cook about it. He said with a wry smile that close by were fields of crops which wild boars really liked. To stop the animals from eating up their harvest, the farmers came up with the idea of putting up a noisy recording which was played on loop throughout the night. The din drove the boars away. We burst out laughing since it nearly drove me away!







After another walk to aid our digestive tracts, we went to a clearing where two of the staff had set up a telescope. This was to be the highlight of the trip, at least for me as I have never used one before! I peered into the little end and there, right before my eye, was one of the most magical things I have seen - the craters on the surface of the moon. The telescope was very powerful, as I could see each little depression clearly. They had to keep adjusting it, since apparently the moon could match Usain Bolt in moving out of focus. But it was lovely. The sun gave out heat and energy, while the moon glowed fairy light - calm and clarity.





The twenty year old telescope



We walked back to our room and I collapsed in bed. No part of today was tiring, but I was out like a light. Force of habit, I guess



Next morning, I took a bath and put on my cap for the rising sun. We made our way to the little jetty with a friend from the staff who was going to babysit us while we were out boating on the lake. We got onto a pedal boat. Surprisingly, the other guy just sat by and let us roam around on our own! How amazing is that! It was my first time boating and I pedaled my heart out while my captain gave me orders which I faithfully misunderstood. It was an exhilarating experience, being out in the middle of a big waterbody. We explored every corner of the lake. It was a beautiful day, with the trees on all sides nodding at us from a distance. After at least two hours, I masterfully guided the ship into the harbor where people greeted me with joy. I was a much-loved pirate back from sea to my lovely motherland. It was lovely, the peace and calm. I sure am coming back for more!









I'm good with imaginary fish, I can do without the real ones





Pedal the wheels off!







Back at the Gol Ghar, I helped my seafarer's appetite to warm poha, papaya, toast and pongal (sweet porridge). I must say that the food and the service that I experienced at the resort was nothing like anything I have seen before. The food especially was so tasty and the menu so thoughtfully prepared. My dad was complaining that he had put on some pounds in the matter of a single day!



Soon after breakfast, we bade farewell to the lovely people at the resort and I prepared to nap the three hour drive home. And with that, my dear friend, we ended our little journey to the land of the Blackbuck. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay here - the food was excellent like I said, and the service was just as good. And we got a top class cottage as the cherry on the cake. But more importantly, I got a glimpse into a little-known place in nature. I whole heartedly recommend a visit. For me, it was the perfect birthday present.



Wish you all the best! Thanks for reading!



My thirteenth birthday was barely a week away and by some miracle I wasn't doing cartwheels in excitement like I usually (try to) do. My dad, noticing my boredom, decided to give me my birthday present before time by announcing a trip to a nature reserve in Karnataka! My face made a flip from the depths of idleness to glee as we got packing immediately. My father and I left the next day in our little Alto K10 for a one-day trip to JLR's Blackbuck resort, not very far down the familiar read to Bidar Fort on the northern tip of Karnataka.Let me take a moment here to discuss this trait of mine which I only know babies to have, but riding in a car, be it in the busiest city or a highway, either night or day, I always feel sleepy. It could be just half an hour's drive and you may find me dozing away in the backseat. Perhaps the sound of the car has an effect on me similar to Missy's teacup in the thriller. Who knows? All I know is that I spent most of the four-hour drive to the resort sleeping!The Blackbuck Resort seemed to be built in an African savannah, with the thorny bushes and rocky red soil. After off-roading a bit into te middle of nowhere, we reached the JLR lodge. After parking and checking into the lodge, we treated our tastebuds to some delicious coffee. Let me tell you a bit about our room. At this resort located by a scenic lake, there were individual cottages connected by a long path. Ours was at the far end of it, with a magnificent view of the lake. It had a balcony and a lot of it was built with wood, and made that lovely sound when you walk over the floor boards. It had a spacious bedroom, with lots of windows and some furniture which made it feel like from the olden days. Somehow it felt like a hunter's cabin in the woods. I felt completely refreshed after a shower. And to top it all, I found a well stocked tea cozy with enough material to serve up a full blown tea party! I ask you, what's better than eating a sachet of milk powder in the midday breeze? (I love eating milk powder)Soon it was time for lunch and for that, we went to the Gol Ghar, the resort's dining hall. It was similar to our room - wooden beams, and an airy feel. We were the only ones there that day. The staff served us a big platter decked with jeera rice, dal fry, bowls of chicken curry, and a vegetable curry. The food tasted home cooked and wholesome, with every dish tasting wonderful. Be careful if you happen to eat here - they can be deceitful. They served something so flavorful and called it jeera rice. It was downright biryani, I tell you!The feastAnd don't get me started with the gulab jamuns. They weren't gulab jamuns either - just hot little spheres of syrupy happiness in a bowl. Four golden brown masterpieces floating in pure joy. Normally, I don't like gulab jamuns - I find them too sticky and uncomfortable. But that bowl has a right to its own little paragraph for the delight it gave me.Our plates squeaky clean and our stomachs suitably swelled, we went out in the afternoon sun for a digestive walk. As I have mentioned previously, this place is near the 15th century Bidar fort. So while walking around or exploring the grounds of the lodge, you will see small signs of medieval style brickwork - at the edges of the pavement, little nooks and crannies, a little bridge on the far end of the place - which might have been built to remind us of the magnificent fort. Or maybe just because they look nice. I have no way of knowing. But with that and the cute little cottages, this place had a retro, out of the way charm. I have a feeling that the resort doesn't get too many guests, but I have to admit that the upkeep was remarkable. It is nice to know that not everything which isn't opulent, glamorous or expensive can be enjoyable. Sometimes the joy lies in the small things.They use solar energy to power each cottageNot too far from our cottage was a little jetty to the lake. A couple of small pedal boats and coracles were gently swaying in the little shore. The lake was quite big, and in the searing midday sun it glittered like crumpled wrapping paper. Next morning, we were going to go for a boat ride in that lake.But this evening, we were going on a safari. After almost blacking out for an afternoon nap, I woke up a new girl. As the saying goes - naps are the enemy of a cup of coffee because it does its job ten times betteris good for the body too (I made that up). At the parking lot awaiting us was Mr. Hussain, who was our guide for the safari. We hopped onto the jeep and sped out (more like grumbled out - jeeps are so loud!) into the Blackbuck Sanctuary.The Blackbuck is a magnificent member of the antelope family, native to India and Nepal. It stands up to one meter tall and its corkscrew horns make it look even more impressive. In the 20th century, the blackbuck population was rapidly dwindling, thanks to poaching and unrestricted hunting. But conservation efforts and making it a protected animal have almost doubled its numbers from before. The blackbuck, which is comparatively light in weight (can reach up to 57 kilograms) is a very fast runner and can reach up to 80 kilometers per hour, and they are extremely shy. On our safari, the closest we got to one was about hundred meters. Perhaps they are introverted. Who knows? But they sure are beautiful. They have little goatees of white hair on their chins, and the males had long, spiraling horns which I wouldn't want to get in the way of. Their eyes were lined with black, and their coats were a rich husk color. In the red rays of leaving sun, the whole landscape lit up with reds and yellows and greens, with a herd of Blackbuck in its midst.One of our forefathersDont want to get in the way of those horns!Looks angryA magnificent animalThe blackbuck's habitat lies in savannah like, scrubby vegetation. Little valleys rolled away into the blanket of a horizon which the sun pulled over its head. Short grass, thorny bushes and small trees were in plenty, and along with the terracotta soil, we were transported into Sub Saharan Africa, at least that is how I imagined it to be. It felt like a rugged dreamland. Other than the blackbucks, we saw no other creatures apart from langurs, a couple of Drongos and other small birds. It wasn't a very thrilling safari, but I don't think that it needed to be. The sanctuary is a quiet, beautiful place in nature which will do its best without being an attraction for loud tourists who will only shatter the calm beauty it has. Same goes for anywhere else, as a matter of fact.I'm not on twitter!A natural watering hole and selfie pointTiny yet you can't miss itWatch your step!We drove back to the lodge and bid goodbye to Mr. Hussain, who was a fun companion. And at the Gol Ghar, we were welcomed with steaming hot aloo pakoras and hot cups of coffee. They rolled down a white screen and played a wildlife documentary on a projector. I loved the atmosphere of the dining hall with one side open to the lake in the distance. It was dark when we were drinking our evening coffee, but I could feel the calming presence of nature at an arm's length.EngrossedWe lazed around inside our room until dinnertime, before returning to the Gol Ghar where they served us a yummy meal of piping hot rotis, dahi bhindi (a dish made with okra and curd), chicken, paneer masala, and a heartwarming beetroot halva. It was lovely.While eating, I was telling my dad a ghost story. And guess what! Right at the scariest moment, in the dimly lit Gol Ghar, we heard sounds of yelling and screaming of both man and beast. The war cries, accompanied with banging metal sounds, had me a little disturbed. Just when I was starting to get a little imaginative about the sounds, my dad asked the cook about it. He said with a wry smile that close by were fields of crops which wild boars really liked. To stop the animals from eating up their harvest, the farmers came up with the idea of putting up a noisy recording which was played on loop throughout the night. The din drove the boars away. We burst out laughing since it nearly drove me away!After another walk to aid our digestive tracts, we went to a clearing where two of the staff had set up a telescope. This was to be the highlight of the trip, at least for me as I have never used one before! I peered into the little end and there, right before my eye, was one of the most magical things I have seen - the craters on the surface of the moon. The telescope was very powerful, as I could see each little depression clearly. They had to keep adjusting it, since apparently the moon could match Usain Bolt in moving out of focus. But it was lovely. The sun gave out heat and energy, while the moon glowed fairy light - calm and clarity.The twenty year old telescopeWe walked back to our room and I collapsed in bed. No part of today was tiring, but I was out like a light. Force of habit, I guessNext morning, I took a bath and put on my cap for the rising sun. We made our way to the little jetty with a friend from the staff who was going to babysit us while we were out boating on the lake. We got onto a pedal boat. Surprisingly, the other guy just sat by and let us roam around on our own! How amazing is that! It was my first time boating and I pedaled my heart out while my captain gave me orders which I faithfully misunderstood. It was an exhilarating experience, being out in the middle of a big waterbody. We explored every corner of the lake. It was a beautiful day, with the trees on all sides nodding at us from a distance. After at least two hours, I masterfully guided the ship into the harbor where people greeted me with joy. I was a much-loved pirate back from sea to my lovely motherland. It was lovely, the peace and calm. I sure am coming back for more!I'm good with imaginary fish, I can do without the real onesPedal the wheels off!Back at the Gol Ghar, I helped my seafarer's appetite to warm poha, papaya, toast and pongal (sweet porridge). I must say that the food and the service that I experienced at the resort was nothing like anything I have seen before. The food especially was so tasty and the menu so thoughtfully prepared. My dad was complaining that he had put on some pounds in the matter of a single day!Soon after breakfast, we bade farewell to the lovely people at the resort and I prepared to nap the three hour drive home. And with that, my dear friend, we ended our little journey to the land of the Blackbuck. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay here - the food was excellent like I said, and the service was just as good. And we got a top class cottage as the cherry on the cake. But more importantly, I got a glimpse into a little-known place in nature. I whole heartedly recommend a visit. For me, it was the perfect birthday present.Wish you all the best! Thanks for reading! Last edited by KarthikK : 9th April 2024 at 23:19 . Reason: Minor formatting corrections
Google joined the ranks of fellow cloud service providers Amazon and Microsoft on Tuesday with the announcement of custom silicon for its data centers.

Googles Axion line of processors represents its first Arm-based CPUs designed for the data center. Axion delivers industry-leading performance and energy efficiency and will be available to Google Cloud customers later this year, Amin Vahdat, the companys vice president and general manager for machine learning systems and cloud AI, wrote in a company blog.

According to Google, Axion processors combine the companys silicon expertise with Arms highest-performing CPU cores to deliver instances with up to 30% better performance than the fastest general-purpose Arm-based instances available in the cloud today and up to 50% better performance and up to 60% better energy-efficiency than comparable current-generation x86-based instances.

Google is the third of the big three cloud service providers to develop their own CPU designs, explained Bob ODonnell, founder and chief analyst with Technalysis Research, a technology market research and consulting firm in Foster City, Calif.

All these companies want to have something thats unique to them, something they can write their software to run on and to do things more power efficiently, he told TechNewsWorld.

Data center power usage is one of their greatest costs, and Arm designs are generally more power efficient than Intel, he continued. Googles not going to get rid of Intel, but Axion gives them a new option, and for certain types of workloads, its going to be a better alternative.

There are also market considerations. Everyone wants an alternative to Nvidia, ODonnell said. Nobody wants a company that has a 90% market share unless youre the company with the 90% share.

Bad News for Intel

Benjamin Lee, an engineering professor at the University of Pennsylvania, explained that Google can customize its hardware components for greater performance and efficiency by designing its own CPU.

Much of this efficiency comes from building custom controllers that handle important computation for security, networking, and hardware management, he told TechNewsWorld. By handling the bookkeeping computation required in data center servers, these custom hardware controllers free more of the CPU for user and customer computation.

The use of Arm processors in the data center is unfortunate news for Intel, which has historically dominated the data center market with its x86 processors, he noted.

Googles Axion processor (Image Credit: Google)

This announcement shows an accelerating transition away from x86 architectures and more towards Arm for the server market, which is the ultimate prize for chip companies, added Rodolfo Rosini, co-founder and CEO of Vaire, a reversible computing company with offices in Seattle and London.

I suspect Arm will get more out of this announcement than Google in the long run, he told TechNewsWorld.

Rise of Proprietary Silicon

Axion is another example of major players  such as Apple and Tesla  investing in their own chip designs, observed Gaurav Gupta, vice president for semiconductors and electronics at Gartner, a research and advisory company based in Stamford, Conn.

We see this as a major trend, he told TechNewsWorld. We call it OEM Foundry Direct, where OEMs bypass or take assistance with design firms and go directly to the foundry to get their silicon. They do this for better cost and roadmap control, IP synergies, and such. We will continue to see more of this.

With this announcement, Google is putting its substantial financial and technical weight behind a market trend for semiconductors  like CPUs and accelerators  to be designed according to how they are going to be used, explained Shane Rau, a semiconductor analyst at IDC, a global market research company.

No single CPU or accelerator can handle all the workloads and applications that Googles cloud customers have, so Google is bringing another choice for CPU and AI acceleration to them, he told TechNewsWorld.

TPU v5p General Availability

In addition to the Axion announcement, Google announced the general availability of Cloud TPU v5p, the companys most powerful and scalable Tensor Processing Unit to date.

The accelerator is built to train some of the largest and most demanding generative AI models, the company explained in a blog. A single TPU v5p pod contains 8,960 chips that run in unison  over 2x the chips in a TPU v4 pod  and can deliver over 2x higher FLOPS and 3x more high-bandwidth memory on a per-chip basis.

Googles development of Tensor SoCs for its Pixel phones and the advancement of more powerful Tensor Processing Units for data center use underscore its commitment to accelerating machine learning workloads efficiently, observed Dan deBeaubien, head of innovation at the SANS Institute, a global cybersecurity training, education and certification organization.

This distinction highlights Googles approach toward optimizing both mobile and data center environments for AI applications, he told TechNewsWorld.

Abdullah Anwer Ahmed, founder of Serene Data Ops, a data management company in Dublin, Ohio, added that Googles TPU adds another option for lower-cost inferencing to Googles cloud.

Inference costs are what users pay to run their machine-learning models in the cloud. Those costs can be as much as 90% of the total cost of running ML infrastructure.

If a startup is already using Google Cloud and their inferencing costs start to overtake training costs, it may be a suitable option to move to Google TPUs for a cost reduction, depending on the workload, Ahmed told TechNewsWorld.

Promoting Sustainability

In addition to improved performance, Google noted that its new Axion chips will contribute to its sustainability goals. Beyond performance, customers want to operate more efficiently and meet their sustainability goals, Vahdat wrote. With Axion processors, customers can optimize for even more energy efficiency.

Data centers use a lot of power since they run 24/7. Reducing power consumption does help contribute to sustainability, Ahmed said.

The Arm-based CPU is much more energy efficient than the x86, added ODonnell. Thats a huge deal because energy costs are enormous in these data centers. These companies have to work to reduce that. Thats one of the reasons theyre all leveraging Arm.

As the demands for compute go higher, you cant do that forever because theres only so much capacity in the world, so you have to be smarter about it, he added. Thats what theyre all working to do.
TEHRAN, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, on Wednesday exchanged views on the latest developments in bilateral ties and the situation in Gaza.

During a phone call, they also discussed other regional developments and exchanged greetings of the Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

The Iranian foreign minister said he hoped that Muslim states could enhance cooperation, underlining the urgent need to end the profound humanitarian disaster affecting the Palestinian people, particularly the citizens of Gaza.

Amir-Abdollahian also expressed his hope for the delivery of large-scale humanitarian aid to Gaza to help people in the Palestinian coastal enclave avert famine. He called for support from Muslim states and urged the international community to fulfill its obligations in this regard.

More than 33,400 Palestinians have been killed, and over 76,000 others injured in the Gaza Strip since Israel began its offensive against Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry.

The conflict began after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 Israelis, according to Israeli authorities. 
UNITED NATIONS, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The UN group in Mozambique has dispatched a team to the area of the deadly sinking of a makeshift ferry, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday.

Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the team is to work on a primary assessment and to support the national authorities' response efforts. It also will provide support to survivors and families impacted by the tragedy.

"Our colleagues on the ground stand ready to assist Mozambique and reiterate its willingness to support the government in its response to disasters," Dujarric said. "In a statement, the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Mozambique, Dr. Catherine Sozi, said that she is deeply saddened by the death of all the people who died in the accident, many of them children."

The shipwreck occurred on Sunday near the Island of Mozambique, in Mozambique's northern province of Nampula.

The ferry carried 130 people who fled Mossuril following a panic caused by misinformation about a cholera outbreak, Silverio Nauaito, the local administrator, told media. There were only 12 survivors reported so far, and 30 people, including 17 children, already were buried. A search continued.

Local authorities on Monday put the death toll at 97.

Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi reported late on Monday that more than 100 people died in the sinking, according to published reports. 
Facepalm: Microsoft reportedly locked down a server leaking company files and employee data. In what could be described as a "rookie mistake," the Azure server was left wide open to the internet without a password. Anyone with a browser had free access to any data on the server for at least a month but probably longer.

Researchers at SOCRadar discovered the breach on February 6 and immediately informed Microsoft. The server contained company data, including credentials for logging into other internal databases and systems. Redmond secured the server on March 5. It's unclear how long the data was publicly accessible before the researchers found it.

The breach was severe enough that other secured systems, including currently operating services, were at severe risk of intrusion.

"[The exposed data] could result in more significant data leaks and possibly compromise the services in use," SOCRadar researcher Can Yoleri told TechCrunch.

While SOCRadar confirmed that the server is now secured, Microsoft has refused to comment on the incident. It is unclear if it secured all other potentially exposed systems with new passwords. One would assume they were, but with a breach that was literally a rookie mistake on Microsoft's part, who can say for sure? It is also unknown whether anybody other than the researchers accessed the data.

Microsoft employees exposed internal passwords in security lapse.



"It's not known for how long the cloud server was exposed to the internet, or if anyone other than SOCRadar discovered the exposed data inside."

https://t.co/F4Ksa6h1k4  Mert SARICA (@MertSARICA) April 10, 2024

Microsoft is not new to data leaks and breaches. Firewall Times lists 21 instances since 2010 in which the company or its products have been responsible for internal or third-party security breaches. Only a few were credited to internal mistakes rather than attacks from bad actors.

The last internal mishap was in 2019 when a customer service and support server was "misconfigured," exposing the data of 250 million Microsoft customers dating back to 2005. Microsoft had left the server wide open after a December 5, 2019, security group change. Researchers discovered the unsecured server after search engines began indexing its files. Microsoft quickly secured the server after being notified of the leak on December 29.

As for external threats, Microsoft is a huge target, so it's no wonder attackers are constantly picking away at the company's products and services. Most recently, the US Cyber Safety Review Board lambasted Redmond over a "preventable" Exchange Online hack by Chinese state-sponsored hackers. The attack allowed access to the email of over 500 government employees, including high-ranking White House cabinet members and members of Congress.

Image credit: Blue Coat Photos
WTF?! Arm's CEO has sounded a warning bell about the energy requirements needed to advance AI algorithms. He cautions that in a few years, "AI data centers" could require so much electricity that it could jeopardize the US power grid.

Arm CEO Rene Haas has highlighted the unsustainable energy demand of AI technology, warning of potential severe consequences if significant breakthroughs are not achieved soon. Speaking before the announcement of a $110 million funding program for AI research at universities in the US and Japan, Haas emphasized the urgent need for effective research to prevent stagnation in AI development.

According to Haas, US-based AI companies currently consume around four percent of the country's overall power. However, by 2030, the operation of chatbots and remote generative services in AI data centers could require as much as 20 to 25 percent of the entire US power grid. Haas particularly emphasized the "insatiable" energy demand of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT.

These dire predictions regarding AI energy consumption are increasingly prevalent, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) projecting that this year's power consumption for AI data centers will be 10 times higher than it was in 2022. Despite being consumer-oriented web services, chatbots exhibit significantly higher power requirements compared to simple Google search queries.

The IEA estimates that a single ChatGPT request consumes almost 10 times as much energy as a Google search. If Google were to adopt LLMs for its Search service, the company would require an additional 10 terawatt-hours (TWh) of power per year. A recent report in The New Yorker stated that ChatGPT consumes more than half a million kilowatt-hours of electricity per day, whereas the average US household uses just 29 kilowatt-hours in the same timeframe.

The US government, along with government authorities worldwide, will likely be compelled to intervene and impose strict limits on power consumption for both traditional and AI data centers, as noted in the IEA report. Haas suggested that both hardware accelerators and AI algorithms need to become much more efficient, or this new era of relentless AI evolution may soon reach a halt.

However, improved efficiency could potentially be leveraged by Big Tech and AI companies to enhance AI computing capabilities while maintaining the same level of power consumption. Another potential solution to AI's energy challenge would involve expanding energy capacity, as major companies like Amazon are already trying to do.
Throughout his journey, accomplished cybersecurity professional and captivating public speaker Jonathan Hernandez faced countless trials and tribulations, including people who discouraged him simply because of his background. Hernandez says some doubted his skills and even told him that he was "just trying too hard" because of his accent, interactions that are not uncommon for many immigrants paving their way through a professional industry. Such a road takes intense dedication and profound belief in oneself. Still, Hernandez conquered his fears and earned his battle scars, letting his accomplishments speak for themselves and silencing doubters.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Hernandez moved to Ohio at 19 with limited knowledge of what to expect about living in the United States. Initially taking a job as a restaurant server in the customer industry, the innovative mind used this opportunity to hone his perspective and strengthen his communication skills.

Hernandez used this position for two years until he earned an internship with two State of Ohio Government agencies for one year, which welcomed him into cybersecurity. He attended Columbus State Community College, where he obtained an associate of science in cybersecurity and was ultimately hired as a cybersecurity apprentice. He has a stellar track record, working for a Fortune 100 company as well as one of the largest and best hospitals in the country.

Hernandez enrolled in Western Governors University (WGU) to earn his bachelor's and IT certifications, contribute to the broader cybersecurity community, enhance his social networking skills, and dive into public speaking. Along his journey, Hernandez has received numerous accolades, including an Advanced Technological Excellence Award recipient from the National Science Foundation. Hernandez shared his apprentice experience while representing Columbus at the JP Morgan Chase virtual career event in 2020. He has since conducted at least 15 webinars, one of which was attended and watched by 4.5k people in Asia. As a public speaker, he has spoken at several conferences, such as the Central Ohio ISSA Infosec Summit 2023, the Raices conference, and NKU's cybersecurity symposium.

Hernandez's talent and magnetism as a public speaker have been recognized numerous times. He was one of the speakers at WGU Ohio's 5th anniversary and at his own commencement exercise. During these events, he represented his family, himself, and those who have a dream to come to the United States and find success like Jonathan has. He shared his journey of overcoming obstacles as an immigrant and emerging triumphant. Hernandez's success story was prominently featured on WGU's website, and he was recognized by FutureCon as one of the outstanding cybersecurity professionals in 2022, being hailed for his contributions to the cybersecurity field.

Hernandez's journey in cybersecurity has instilled in him the importance of seeking guidance and continuous learning at every opportunity. By surrounding himself with mentors and experienced individuals, he has sculpted a sponge-like approach to education, which allows him to constantly grow and remain relevant in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.

Hernandez's consistent adoption of new information and techniques has led him to own a broader skill set that spans governance, risk and compliance, threat and vulnerability management, security awareness, and application security. Accompanied by his unparalleled ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders, it's clear why he is considered an expert in the field. Hernandez's victorious journey as an immigrant impacting his industryboth in the United States and in his homeland of the Philippinesis a genuine testament to the power of determination and adaptability. If you want to get in contact with Jonathan or continue to follow his journey, you can do so by connecting with him on Linkedin.
Experts warn against eye damage linked to unprotected viewing as the solar eclipse captivated millions.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology underscores the peril of gazing directly at the sun during the eclipse, stressing the potential for retinal burns and serious vision complications.

Understanding the Risks of Solar Eclipse

In response, NASA and medical authorities advocate for using eclipse glasses or approved handheld solar viewers during the celestial event on Monday, April 8. Dr. Nicole Bajic, a surgical ophthalmologist affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic, underscores the significance of shielding one's eyes to prevent enduring visual impairment amidst the excitement of this rare occurrence.

Despite the common belief that the moon completely blocks out the sun during an eclipse, it's crucial to remember that harmful rays of sunlight can still penetrate and cause damage to your eyes.

Doctors caution that even brief glimpses of the sun during an eclipse can lead to temporary or permanent damage to the macula, a critical part of the retina responsible for central vision.

Posing Threat to Eyesight

Once retinal tissue is destroyed, it cannot regenerate, resulting in irreversible central vision loss. NASA underscores the swift onset of potential damage, noting that a person's retina can be harmed within approximately 100 seconds of unprotected exposure to the sun's intense rays.

This timeframe varies depending on factors such as the sun's intensity and individual differences in ocular health. It's essential to recognize that even during partial phases of a solar eclipse when up to 99% of the sun's surface is obscured, the remaining crescent sun remains potent enough to cause retinal burns.

Moreover, because the retina lacks pain receptors, individuals may not immediately realize the extent of the damage, leading to delayed intervention and irreversible vision impairment.

While it's a common misconception that the moon completely blocks out the sun during an eclipse, it's imperative to understand that harmful rays of sunlight can still threaten your eyesight.

Doctors caution that even brief exposure to the sun during an eclipse, even for just a few seconds, can lead to temporary or permanent damage to the macula, a critical part of the retina responsible for central vision.

This warning comes from medical experts, emphasizing that once retinal tissue is damaged, it cannot regenerate, resulting in irreversible central vision loss.

Also read : Google to Stream Free Live Coverage of Monday's Solar Eclipse

According to NASA, a person's retina can sustain damage within approximately 100 seconds of unprotected exposure to sunlight during an eclipse.

However, the exact duration varies based on factors such as the sun's intensity and individual variations in eye health.

Even during the partial phases of a solar eclipse, when up to 99% of the sun's surface is obscured, the remaining crescent sun remains potent enough to cause retinal burns.

It's important to note that because the retina lacks pain receptors, individuals may not immediately recognize the damage, and by the time they realize it, it may be too late to salvage their vision.
A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Florida, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Peking University is now looking into the significant impact of remote work on transportation behavior and its subsequent effects on carbon emissions and public transit revenue.

The study, published in Nature Cities, reveals a complex scenario where the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to both environmental benefits and financial challenges for urban transportation systems.

More Remote Workers Mean Massive Cuts in Carbon Emissions

According to the findings, a 10% increase in remote workers could result in a 10% reduction in carbon emissions from the transportation sector, amounting to nearly 200 million tons of carbon dioxide annually across the United States.

This reduction in emissions is primarily attributed to fewer car trips as a result of remote work arrangements. However, the same proportion of remote work also correlates with a significant decrease in transit fare revenue, amounting to a staggering $3.7 billion nationally, representing a 27% drop.

The study's lead author, Shenhao Wang, Ph.D., highlights the nuanced implications, stating, "Transit agencies need to be very concerned...whether the effects are positive or negative depends on the stakeholder."

Read Also : Low-Income US Families Fear Impact of Internet Subsidy Loss Over Healthcare Access

(Photo : CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

People are pictured in a subway train in the Manhattan borough of New York on April 1, 2024.

The Future of Urban Transport

The research period, spanning from April 2020 to October 2022, utilized data from various sources, including Google's remote work patterns, the Federal Highway Administration's car travel data, and national transit ridership data.

Through rigorous analysis, the researchers uncovered notable disparities in the response of public transit ridership compared to car travel in the face of remote work trends.

Yunhan Zheng, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and lead author of the study, explains, "People mostly rely on transit to go to work. When people start to work from home, their need to commute is largely reduced. So, a large portion of transit ridership was no longer needed."

This observation underscores the swift decline in transit ridership relative to car travel, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies within transit agencies to address evolving commuter behaviors.

In response to these challenges, the study suggests potential avenues for transit agencies to mitigate revenue losses while accommodating remote work trends.

Zheng proposes, "They could provide more services during the off-peak hours in residential areas to better serve remote workers." This adaptive approach reflects the necessity for transit agencies to align their services with shifting commuter patterns to maintain financial sustainability.

As remote work continues to persist as a prevalent workforce trend, policymakers are urged to consider the multifaceted implications for urban transport and environmental sustainability. The study's findings offer valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between remote work policies, transportation behavior, and economic viability within urban environments.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.
Peter Higgs, the man behind the Higgs boson theory, also known as the 'God particle,' died last Monday, April 8, 2024, at the age of 94 in his home in Edinburgh.

Throughout his life and career, Higgs was particularly down-to-earth. He dedicated himself to the field and gave the world the chance to identify what makes up the universe, which was confirmed half a century later.

The Life and Career of Peter Higgs

The renowned British physicist Peter Higgs was born on May 29, 1929, at Newcastle upon Tyne in Northumberland, England. Dr. Higgs graduated with First Class Honors in Physics from King's College, University of London, in 1950.

He later received his Master of Sciences degree in 1951 and his doctorate in 1954 for his thesis, "Some Problems in the Theory of Molecular Vibrations," both from King's College.

In 1954, Dr. Higgs moved to the University of Edinburgh and spent two years as a research fellow before moving to London in 1956, where he took up an ICI Research Fellowship at the University of London and later at Imperial College. He also took his knowledge as a Temporary Lecturer in Mathematics at the University College.

He returned to Edinburgh in 1960 and became a lecturer in Mathematical Physics at Tait Institute. In 1964, he submitted his papers about the Higgs field, with one getting rejected. However, upon revision, he introduced the existence of a heavy boson, later known as the Higgs boson, in his theory.

Dr. Higgs spent the remainder of his time after his monumental discovery of the 'God particle' as a reader in mathematical physics and professor of theoretical physics at Edinburgh until he retired in 1996.

Read Also: Scientists Develop New Technology That Could Be a Solution to Removing Harmful Nanoplastics From Water

Peter Higgs and the Higgs boson Particle

In 2013, almost half a century later, Higgs, along with Francois Englert, shared the Nobel Prize in Physics "for the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles, and which recently was confirmed through the discovery of the predicted fundamental particle, by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider."

CERN, a.k.a. the European Council for Nuclear Research, spent almost fifty years searching for what Dr. Higgs and the other studies that share his beliefs presented decades ago. It suggests that there was a field at first, and the boson is a wave that interacts with the field to get its mass.

The more the particle interacts with the field, the heavier it is. All things we know of in the universe, including humans, are made up of particles that Dr. Higgs presented in the mid-1960s.

Peter Higgs was at age 84 when he received his Nobel Prize.

Peter Higgs Dies at 94

With this confirmation, Higgs received recognition for his work but is best known for ducking away from the fame and glamor of it all. In 2014, CERN used the Large Hadron Collider's atom-smashing data to create music, giving sound to the famed Higgs boson particle, which was proven two years earlier.

Dr. Higgs spent his retired years at his home in Edinburgh and passed away here last April 8. According to Alan Walker, a fellow physicist at the University of Edinburgh and close friend, Dr. Higgs died because of a blood disorder.
Russian military units in Ukraine are reportedly leveraging Starlink satellite internet terminals, a product of Elon Musk's SpaceX, to facilitate communication and coordinate attacks in the regions of eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

These terminals are also used on the battlefield to control drones and other military technologies.

Black Market Network for Starlink Terminals

Despite the ban on Starlink devices in Russia, a thriving black market network has emerged, allowing these terminals to reach Russian forces.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the intricate operations of black market sellers who smuggle the terminals into the country and ensure their delivery to the front lines.

Surprisingly, some of these terminals were originally purchased on eBay, indicating a complex supply chain facilitating their illegal distribution. Reports suggest that the illicit trade of Starlink terminals extends from occupied Ukraine to Sudan.

Sudanese dealers are reportedly involved in reselling units to the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group implicated in various atrocities, including ethnically motivated killings, abuse of human rights activists, sexual violence, and the destruction of communities.

Hundreds of these terminals have reportedly been distributed among the Rapid Support Forces members.

Musk's Response, Congressional Scrutiny

In February, Elon Musk responded to prior claims alleging that Russian soldiers had been using Starlink terminals in the conflict with Ukraine, stating that no Starlinks had been sold directly or indirectly to Russia.

The Kremlin also denied these allegations However, despite these assertions, "thousands of the white pizza-box-sized devices" have reportedly made their way to "some American adversaries and accused war criminals."

Following these reports in February, House Democrats have called on Musk to take action, expressing concerns that the Russian military's use of the technology could potentially violate US sanctions and export controls, as reported by Business Insider.

Notably, Starlink can deactivate individual terminals, and each device is equipped with geofencing technology intended to prevent unauthorized usage in specific countries.

Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether black market sellers can circumvent these safeguards.

House Democrats are pressing for action from Musk amid revelations about the use of Starlink technology. Musk has taken measures to restrict Ukraine's access to the technology, citing that the terminals were not intended for military use.

Reports indicate that Musk previously blocked Ukraine's utilization of Starlink near Crimea, effectively halting the country's plans for a naval fleet attack.

This move drew criticism from Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who condemned Musk's decision, attributing civilian casualties to it and criticizing Musk's perceived ignorance and ego.

In response, Musk refuted these claims, asserting that Starlink was never operational in the vicinity of Crimea and, therefore, there was no action to disable it.

He clarified that the policy was established before Ukraine's planned naval fleet attack. Furthermore, Ukraine encountered a setback in the conflict's early stages when it lost access to over 1,300 Starlink terminals due to payment issues.

Reports indicate that SpaceX imposed a monthly fee of $2,500 per terminal, totaling $3.25 million monthly, consistent with the company's premium pricing structure.

However, it's important to note that SpaceX has contributed over 3,600 terminals to Ukraine as part of its support efforts.
A newly introduced tech is coming to Texas, with the Texas Education Agency introducing an AI-powered essay grader that will automatically check the student's work for the state-mandated standardized tests. These tests are known to measure Texan students' proficiency in reading, writing, social studies, and science fields, as part of their curriculum.

The tests will not change and will remain human-made, but they will be checked by Texas' latest AI development which claims to be different from ChatGPT.

Texas Brings AI-Powered Student Essays Grader

The Texas Tribune reported the arrival of an AI-powered technology to schools, dubbed as the "auto scoring engine" or ASE by the Texas Education Agency to grade student essay tests. This means that there would no longer be the need for human graders to check their answers after the standardized tests, as mandated by the Lone Star state.

According to the San Antonio Report, the AI will initially process all the tests from students, and only 25 percent of these responses will be handed to human graders for further review.

Through this, Texas is looking at as much as $15 to 20 million in savings with this new AI tech, reducing the need to hire human graders through third-party agencies.

Texas' AI is Different from ChatGPT

The Texas Education Agency website shows that the scores given by the AI and human graders are comparable for most kids' answers, with the organization naming Cambium and Pearson as contractors.

"This kind of technology is different from AI in that AI is a computer using progressive learning algorithms to adapt, allowing the data to do the programming and essentially teaching itself," said TEA.

Moreover, the Texas Education Agency shot off comparisons of their AI grader with ChatGPT, claiming that it is a closed database with student response data that are only accessible by TEA, Cambium, and Pearson.

AI Developments for Schools

In the early days of AI and its introduction to the world, there were fears that AI could turn students lazy and rely on technology to create schoolwork and the like. However, there were advocates like Sal Khan of Khan Academy who advocated for integrating the learning experience with AI, offering his platform's lessons and materials with GPT-4 from OpenAI.

There are also significant advancements towards applying AI-based curriculum for US public education, equipping students with the knowledge to learn the ins and outs of the technology. In California's Orange County, its Department of Education is now pursuing teaching AI to schools, as its two administrators are AI specialists, introducing the tech and deploying it to learning institutions.

Additionally, some companies now develop AI-powered gun detectors to help improve security in schools, with Iterate.AI from Silicon Valley sharing it to campuses.

In Texas, AI graders will now check student essays from standardized tests automatically, looking to save millions with this new initiative and have less reliance on the workforce.
MOGADISHU, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Piracy attacks on the seas off the coast of Somalia remain a threat, with two hijackings reported in the first quarter of 2024, according to a new report released Wednesday by a global anti-maritime crime body.

The latest report by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)'s International Maritime Bureau (IMB) called on shipping vessels to remain vigilant as they transit along the Somali coast and the Gulf of Aden, as piracy still remains a threat despite attacks having declined since 2017.

The IMB said one vessel was fired upon, boarded and reported an attempted approach.

"These incidents were attributed to Somali pirates who demonstrated mounting capabilities, targeting vessels at great distances from the Somali coast," the IMB said.

ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said the resurgence of Somali pirate activity is worrying, and now more than ever, it is crucial to protect trade, safeguard routes and ensure the safety of seafarers who keep commerce moving.

"All measures to ensure the uninterrupted free flow of goods throughout international supply chains must be taken," he added.

The African maritime industry, along the Indian Ocean, had previously been greatly affected by piracy, which raised the costs of shipping as insurance companies and private ship security companies increased their premiums to mitigate the risks.

The IMB advised vessels to cooperate by maintaining strict anti-piracy and robbery watches and reporting all attacks and suspicious sightings to local authorities as well as the IMB piracy reporting center.

It said the center would also liaise with local and regional authorities to render necessary assistance.

According to the IMB, the Indian Navy launched an operation in the Indian Ocean on March 15, during which 35 Somali pirates were captured and a previously hijacked vessel and its 17 crew were released. 
Two indigenous tribes have initiated legal proceedings, alleging that major social media corporations are worsening the distressingly high suicide rates among Native American youth.

Facing Legal Action Over Impact on Native American Youth

Filed on Tuesday in a Los Angeles county court, the lawsuit specifically names Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram; Snap Inc., the proprietor of Snapchat; ByteDance, the parent organization of TikTok; and Alphabet, the conglomerate that manages YouTube and Google.

Virtually all teenagers across the United States engage actively on social media platforms, with about one in six describing their usage as "almost constant."

Nonetheless, the lawsuit contends that Native American youth are particularly vulnerable to the addictive aspects of these platforms due to their profit-oriented design choices.

Lonna Jackson-Street, chairperson of the Spirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota, underscored the longstanding issues of teen suicide and mental health within Indian Country, attributing a portion of the problem to the strategies adopted by social media corporations.

Associated Press reported that the tribes are pressing for accountability from these corporations, insisting that they take responsibility for developing features that intensify the compulsive use of social media among youth, particularly within reservations.

Legal Battle Against Social Media Giants Intensifies

In their legal action, the lawsuit outlines "a deliberate and sophisticated endeavor that has imposed an enduring, significant, and lasting burden on the Tribe and its members," diverting limited resources from crucial areas like education and cultural preservation.

A surge in comparable lawsuits involves various entities such as U.S. school districts, states, cities, etc. They allege that TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube exploit children and adolescents by incorporating features that encourage incessant scrolling and account checking.

For instance, New York City, along with its schools and public hospital system, accuses these platforms of contributing to a childhood mental health crisis, disrupting education, and depleting resources. Similarly, school boards in Ontario, Canada, argue that platforms engineered for compulsive use have fundamentally altered children's cognition, behavior, and learning patterns.

Google refuted the allegations, stating, "The allegations in these complaints are simply not true." Spokesperson Jose Castaneda emphasized their commitment to ensuring young users a safer and healthier online experience.

Castaneda highlighted their collaboration with youth, mental health professionals, and parenting experts in crafting services and policies to provide age-appropriate experiences and robust parental controls.

Snap Inc. outlined its approach, offering an alternative to a continuous online content feed. The company expressed its ongoing dedication to improving Snapchat as a platform that fosters connections among close friends and supports adolescents as they navigate various challenges.

Native Americans have seen a sharp rise in suicide rates, outpacing the overall U.S. population, according to CDC data. Accessing mental health care is challenging, compounded by historical colonization and social stigma.

Despite this, social media offers connections to culture for many Native Americans, although discrimination online is a concern.

Andrea Wiglesworth, a researcher and member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation and Shawnee Tribe, notes the complexity of Native American identity, which varies across tribes and communities, adding to existing social pressures.
In Los Angeles, Fairfax High School students are grappling with a concerning matter as school officials launch an investigation into accusations of inappropriate photo sharing among the student body.

Launching Investigation

As reported by the LA Times, Fairfax High School students are confronting a significant issue following a probe by school authorities into allegations of inappropriate photo sharing within the student community.

This incident underscores concerns regarding the misuse of technology among students and its potential repercussions on the community.

While the precise origin and method of creation of these photos remain undisclosed, the school district has confirmed the investigation, underscoring that such conduct contradicts the school's core values.

In addition to probing the creation and dissemination of the photos, school officials are considering appropriate disciplinary measures, if warranted.

The outcome of this investigation is hoped to underscore the importance of responsible technology usage among students and highlight the potential ramifications of misconduct.

Previous Incidents, Concerns Regarding AI in School

This isn't the first time technology has been misused by students. Similar incidents have occurred in other schools, highlighting the challenges schools face in the digital age.

A recent incident at Laguna Beach High School has sparked concern and confusion. School officials are investigating allegations that a student used artificial intelligence to create and share unauthorized images of classmates.

The nature of these images remains undisclosed, but the incident raises questions about the potential misuse of technology and its impact on student privacy.

School administrators are working to understand what transpired and will likely implement new measures to address the responsible use of AI within the school environment.

Also read : OpenAI Wants to Incorporate ChatGPT in Classrooms, Releases Comprehensive Guide for Teachers

Last month, a 16-year-old student from Calabasas disclosed being victimized by a former friend who utilized artificial intelligence to create and disseminate pornographic images of her.

This disturbing incident comes on the heels of another troubling event in January when AI-generated sexually explicit content featuring Taylor Swift surfaced on various social media platforms.

Legal experts caution that while California state laws concerning child pornography and disorderly conduct could potentially be invoked to prosecute a student who shares a non-consensual nude photo of a classmate, the applicability of these laws becomes less clear-cut in cases involving AI-generated deepfakes.

Several federal bills have been put forward to address the legal gaps in combating such digital abuses. One proposed legislation seeks to criminalize the production and distribution of AI-generated sexually explicit material without the consent of the individuals depicted.

Additionally, another bill aims to provide victims with the means to pursue legal recourse against perpetrators of such malicious digital manipulation.
South Korea is set to inject nearly $7 billion into artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives by 2027, a move aimed at bolstering its position in the competitive semiconductor market, President Yoon Suk Yeol announced on Tuesday.



The country, renowned for housing industry giants such as Samsung and SK Hynix, seeks to capitalize on its dominance in memory chip manufacturing to emerge as a frontrunner in AI chip development, according to a report by AFP.

South Korea Bets Big on AI

President Yoon emphasized AI's pivotal role in shaping the future of the semiconductor industry, citing its indispensable contribution to technological advancements.



Against this backdrop, South Korea plans to channel approximately 9.4 trillion won ($6.94 billion) into AI and AI semiconductor ventures by 2027. A separate fund of 1.4 trillion won ($1 billion) will also be established to support the growth of innovative AI semiconductor enterprises.



Key stakeholders from leading tech firms, including Samsung, SK Hynix, Naver, and AI chip startup SAPEON, convened at the high-profile meeting to deliberate on President Yoon's direction.



Semiconductors underpin South Korea's export-oriented economy. The surge in demand for advanced chips, particularly those powering AI systems like ChatGPT, has spurred heightened investment in this sector globally.



Given geopolitical considerations and the intensifying US-China rivalry, South Korea and Japan are positioning themselves as contenders in the semiconductor arena.

The objective is to bolster domestic chip production through substantial investments and incentives, thereby reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

The Competitive Semiconductor Market

Silicon Valley giant Nvidia is currently dominating the AI chip market, with SK Hynix playing a crucial role by supplying high-bandwidth memory chips. South Korea's ambition extends beyond memory chips, with President Yoon expressing aspirations to lead the future AI chip market.



President Yoon's announcement coincided with the United States' unveiling of subsidies worth up to $6.6 billion for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), aimed at incentivizing advanced chip production within its borders.



Similarly, Japan recently announced subsidies of up to $3.9 billion for a chip venture, signaling its commitment to revitalizing the semiconductor sector.



Meanwhile, China has been steadfast in its efforts to nurture a robust domestic chip industry, motivated by concerns over reliance on Western technology and US trade restrictions.



Semiconductors remain South Korea's flagship export, with March witnessing semiconductor exports reaching $11.7 billion, the highest level in nearly two years and constituting a significant portion of the country's total exports, as noted by AFP.




A recent study explored whether artificial intelligence (AI) can effectively replace humans in market research endeavors, shedding light on potential shifts in traditional research methodologies.



The study examines the viability of utilizing large language models (LLMs) as substitutes for human participants in generating research outputs.

Using AI in Market Research

Led by researchers Peiyao Li and Zsolt Katona from the University of California, Berkeley, Noah Castelo from the University of Alberta, and Miklos Sarvary from Columbia University, the study delves into automated market research facilitated by advanced AI technologies.



The study highlights that LLMs, leveraging their advanced linguistic capabilities, can produce outputs comparable to those derived from human surveys. By analyzing agreement rates between human- and LLM-generated data sets, researchers observed agreement rates ranging from 75% to 85%.



Peiyao Li emphasizes the versatility of LLMs in text generation, particularly in the context of automated market research. LLMs can effectively interpret prompts and generate text responses, offering a novel approach to perceptual analysis across various product categories.



The research methodology devised by the study authors involves harnessing readily available data from the internet, allowing market researchers to rely solely on LLMs for conducting research.



Zsolt Katona underscores the foundational principle that LLMs, while eliminating the need for direct human interviews, ultimately derive their data from human sources.



"It is important to note that with LLMs, while market researchers may not require interviews with human research subjects, the ultimate data does originate from human beings, using available data," Katona said in a press release statement.



"LLMs have been engineered to accurately replicate human responses based on machine learning of actual human perceptions, attitudes, and preferences."

Read Also : Superhuman AI Can Be Smarter Than Every Human on Earth by 2025, Elon Musk Claims

The Core LLM

Noah Castelo explains the core functionality of LLMs, which involves processing prompts and generating coherent textual continuations.



"The core LLM takes a prompt as an input and generates a continuation of text as output. With proper prompting, the LLM can then generate comparisons and assessments of various brands or products in a given category and produce results that are, at the moment, 75%-85% in agreement with research featuring human participants," Castelo said.



Despite the promising potential of LLM-powered market research, the study authors caution against complete reliance on automation, particularly in scenarios where human input remains indispensable.



While automation may enhance efficiency and reduce costs, its applicability across all product categories remains subject to scrutiny.



"While we are very excited about the possibilities we've seen through our research, we recognize that this is just the beginning and going forward, LLM-based market research will be able to answer more nuanced questions as the market research field begins to tap and develop its potential," says Sarvary.



So, can AI replace humans in future market research? The researchers said "not always".



The findings of the study were published in Marketing Science.
Apple has unveiled its latest artificial intelligence system, Reference Resolution As Language Modeling (ReALM), asserting that it surpasses GPT-4 in certain aspects, according to a report by TechXplore.

Apple Unveils ReALM

In recent years, large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 have been at the forefront of technological advancements as companies strive to enhance their offerings and attract more users.



Apple, however, has been perceived as trailing behind in this domain, particularly with its Siri digital assistant, which has seen minimal advancements in artificial intelligence capabilities.



The Apple team contends that their ReALM system represents more than just an effort to catch up with competitors; it is positioned as a superior product that outperforms existing LLMs, especially in handling specific types of queries.



According to the paper authored by the Apple team, ReALM stands out in providing more precise responses to user inquiries due to its unique ability to interpret ambiguous on-screen references and access both conversational and background information.



By leveraging contextual cues from the user's screen and ongoing device processes, ReALM aims better to understand the user's intent behind a query, thereby enhancing the accuracy of its responses.

Apple Claims ReALM Surpasses GPT-4

The researchers assert that extensive testing against various LLMs, including GPT-4, has demonstrated ReALM's superior performance in certain tasks.

They further suggest that Apple plans to integrate ReALM into its ecosystem, potentially improving Siri's ability to provide more relevant answers, albeit likely requiring users to upgrade to iOS 18 upon its release later this year.



The researchers highlighted the significance of reference resolution in understanding and effectively handling various contexts in their paper, including both conversational and non-conversational elements such as on-screen entities and background processes.



They underscored the transformative potential of LLMs in resolving references of diverse types, showcasing substantial enhancements over existing systems across different reference categories.



The paper's findings indicate promising results, with ReALM's smallest model achieving comparable performance to GPT-4 and its larger models significantly surpassing it.



This suggests that ReALM could represent a notable advancement in AI technology, particularly in the realm of reference resolution, where traditional LLMs have faced limitations.

"This paper demonstrates how LLMs can be used to create an extremely effective system to resolve references of various types, by showing how reference resolution can be converted into a language modeling problem, despite involving forms of entities like those on screen that are not traditionally conducive to being reduced to a text-only modality," the researchers wrote.

"We demonstrate large improvements over an existing system with similar functionality across different types of references, with our smallest model obtaining absolute gains of over 5% for on-screen references. We also benchmark against GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, with our smallest model achieving performance comparable to that of GPT-4, and our larger models substantially outperforming it."

The research team detailed their findings on the arXiv preprint server.




The lingering shadows etched into the infrastructure of Hiroshima serve as mysterious reminders of the catastrophic events that unfolded on August 6, 1945, when the city fell victim to the devastating impact of an atomic bomb.

Despite decades passing since the tragedy, these "shadows" continue to perplex many, prompting questions about their origin and what they really are. However, experts have some explanations about their true nature, unlocking the mysteries that shroud these haunting imprints.

Deciphering the Shadows: A Glimpse into History

The aftermath of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima revealed a scene of devastation, captured vividly in eerie before-and-after photographs.

Among the spooky remnants were the peculiar shadows that adorned the remains of the city's infrastructure. These shadows, depicting the outlines of human beings, bicycles, and various objects, left an indelible mark on the landscape, serving as silent witnesses to the horrors of that fateful day.

Related Article : Jawbone Of Hiroshima Bombing Victim Reveals Amount Of Radiation Fatal To Humans

Misconceptions Dispelled: Unveiling the Truth

Contrary to popular belief, these bizarre shadows were not the result of instantaneous vaporization, as commonly assumed. Expert analysis has debunked this misconception, citing the immense energy required for such a phenomenon to occur. Instead, the shadows were cast by the atomic energy that swept through Hiroshima, encountering objects in its path.

As the energy was absorbed by these objects, the surrounding areas were bleached, creating shadow-like impressions that endure as poignant reminders of the tragedy.

A Symbol of Tragedy and Resilience

Among the saddest displays of these shadows is the Human Shadow Etched in Stone exhibit at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. This haunting silhouette is believed to depict the final resting place of an anonymous individual who perished in the blast.

Despite their anonymity, these shadows serve as symbols of the countless lives lost and the enduring resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Auctioning Memories: Preserving History

In a tribute to the events of that fateful day, a watch frozen in time at the moment of the Hiroshima bombing was recently auctioned for over $31,000. This artifact, bearing witness to one of the darkest chapters in human history, serves as a tangible link to the past, ensuring that the memories of Hiroshima endure for generations to come.

The shadows left behind at Hiroshima stand as solemn reminders of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare. While they may fade with time, their significance remains drawn in the annals of history, serving as enduring symbols of remembrance and resilience in the face of tragedy.

Aside from these shadows, the Hiroshima atomic bombing also exposed a weird survivor of the tragedy. It's not a person or an animal, but a nearly 400-year-old bonsai tree.

The Japanese white pine bonsai which endured years of survival is now displayed in the museum courtyard for viewing.
Elon Musk, the owner of the social media site X (previously known as Twitter), recently implemented automatic changes to URLs on the platform that caused controversy and raised questions about whether users were in danger of falling victim to scams.



Musk rebranded Twitter to X and changed its blue bird emblem after buying it for $44 billion in 2022. According to a Gizmodo report, Some users noticed that X was automatically altering Twitter.com URLs to X.com on the iOS app a few days ago. Moreover, users observed that regardless of where "Twitter" was in the URL, posts with "NetfliTwitter.com" unexpectedly became "Netflix.com."



The automated changes in X sent users to the original URL, not the actual website, which was a risk. The updated URLs might enable phishing efforts to obtain login credentials.



Vigilant X users, such as @yuyu0127_, took action to avoid exploitation. They bought names like "netflitwitter.com" to prevent fraudulent activity and warned users about automated URL changes.



On Tuesday, X stopped automatically switching "NetfliTwitter.com" to "Netflix.com" on iOS. Reports suggest that further word changes mimicking real websites persisted, despite the lack of examples provided.

Escalating Tensions with Brazil

This controversy occurs after a Supreme Court justice began an investigation into Elon Musk's behavior on Sunday, escalating tensions with Brazil.



Elon Musk's decision to reinstate X accounts, which the judge had barred, escalated this situation. The tech mogul aggressively opposed Justice Alexandre de Moraes' account-blocking order. According to Reuters, Musk called for Moraes' resignation and said that X would abolish all limitations, calling them unlawful.



On Saturday, X announced the order to ban social media accounts without mentioning the timeframe.

Read Also : NASA's Hypersonic Aerodynamics Software Vulnerability Exposed by Chinese Researchers

Tesla CEO Elon Musk leaves the Tesla Gigafactory electric car plant as he holds his son X  A-XII during a visit on March 13, 2024 near Gruenheide, Germany.

Elon Musk Acknowledges Consequences of Social Media Remarks

In a separate update reported by TechTimes, Elon Musk's recent deposition shows a major shift in his view of social media's significance.

The Tesla CEO acknowledged the financial consequences of his Twitter remarks in his deposition. His statement appears throughout Ben Brody's defamation case against Musk from last autumn.



Brody, 22, claims Elon Musk spread a conspiracy theory, falsely accusing him in an Oregon far-right conflict. The X owner's legal team tried to keep his almost two-hour deposition transcript confidential, but the court refused.



Throughout the deposition, Musk answered Brody's attorney, Mark Bankston,'s questions about his social media activities, particularly after acquiring Twitter. Musk asserted consistency in his postings but acknowledged that his actions may have hurt the platform.



Elon Musk acknowledged that his postings may affect the firm financially, but he prioritized interesting or noteworthy material over financial reasons.



The tech billionnaire remained unsure about Brody's lawsuit's objectives, indicating his counsel may be profit-driven. Musk's tweets last summer endorsed a far-right conspiracy theory tying Brody to the Oregon incident, which prompted the lawsuit.
Jack Ma, the co-founder of Alibaba Group Holding, has made a return to the spotlight with a rallying call for innovation and reform within the Chinese tech giant.

Ma, who stepped back from public view after the halt of Ant Group's initial public offering in 2020, has resurfaced to address the company's internal dynamics and the challenges it faces in an evolving AI-oriented e-commerce landscape.

Jack Ma Urges Alibaba Staff to Embrace AI

In a recent internal memo to Alibaba employees, Jack Ma emphasized the importance of recognizing mistakes and embracing innovation to propel the company forward. Nikkei tells us that Ma's message, which was published on the company's intranet, emphasized a shift away from rigid performance metrics and toward prioritizing customer value.

He stated, "The core change of this past year is not to catch up with key performance indicators, but to recognize ourselves and return to the track of valuing customers."

Ma's return to the forefront of Alibaba's operations coincides with the company's ambitious restructuring efforts. Alibaba announced plans to split into six main business units and pursue separate initial public offerings for most of them.

However, the journey has been turbulent, marked by challenges such as the abrupt cancellation of the planned listing of its logistics arm, Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, in March.

Jack Ma, CEO of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, gestures as he speaks during his visit at the Vivatech startups and innovation fair, in Paris on May 16, 2019.

Jack Ma Is Optimistic About Alibaba's Future

Despite these hurdles, Ma expressed confidence in Alibaba's current leadership, commending Chairman Joe Tsai and CEO Eddie Wu for their courage in implementing forward-thinking reforms.

He urged employees to embrace change and innovation, particularly in light of technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI). Ma emphasized, "The AI era has just arrived. Everything has just begun, and we are at the right moment!"

Alibaba's stock responded positively to Ma's message, registering a nearly 5% increase on Wednesday. However, the company has faced significant market challenges over the past year, with its stock losing roughly a quarter of its value.

Joe Tsai, executive chairman of Alibaba, echoed Ma's sentiments in a recent podcast interview, acknowledging past mistakes and emphasizing the importance of refocusing on customer needs.

Tsai candidly admitted, "We have fallen behind because we forgot who our real customers are." He highlighted Alibaba's commitment to simplifying its structure and prioritizing core businesses such as cloud computing and e-commerce.

The tech giant's efforts to revitalize its operations also include substantial investments in content creation. Tabao, Alibaba's flagship shopping platform, announced a 10 billion yuan (US$1.38 billion) subsidy for content creation this year, aiming to enhance user engagement through initiatives such as live streaming and short videos.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.
TUNIS, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed and four others injured in a car collision in Tunisia on Tuesday, private radio station Jawhara FM reported.

Jawhara FM, citing a security source from Sidi Bouzid, reported that "the fatal crash occurred this evening in the El Brij area of the Bir El Hafey delegation in central Tunisia's Sidi Bouzid Province when a taxi collided with a car."

"The injured were transferred to the emergency department of the Sidi Bouzid regional hospital," it added.

Safety authorities have pledged to launch an investigation into the causes and circumstances of the accident. 
Afghan kids learn in makeshift schools six months after major quake



Zindah Jan, Afghanistan, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



Children sit shoulder to shoulder crammed in rows on the floor of a shipping container with lesson books in their laps, the remains of their school unrepaired in the six months since a major earthquake devastated their village in western Afghanistan.

Hundreds of schools are still damaged since a series of strong quakes jolted Afghanistan's Herat province in October, with many students returning to lessons in tents and containers in March, according to the Herat education department.

Girls and boys in the village of Nayeb Rafi in Zindah Jan district studied in a packed container tucked between tents and small, blue homes newly built on a barren stretch of land.

"I really want to study, to have a school, and become a teacher to teach my friends," said 11-year-old Siyah Gul.

She wants to make the most of her lessons in the makeshift classroom before she is soon excluded under Taliban government rules which bar girls and women from secondary education and universities.

The October quake killed more than 1,500 people and damaged or destroyed more than 63,000 homes, according to an assessment published in February by the United Nations, the European Union and the Asian Development Bank.

Many people are still living in tents and temporary shelters, the World Health Organization said in February.

Education is the second-most affected sector, the report said, with nearly 300 public schools and other learning centres damaged and 180,000 students facing learning disruptions.



- 'Completely destroyed' -



In the village of Chahak, deep cracks scar the walls and ceilings of its pale blue schoolhouse. Broken windows still hang from their hinges and piles of dust fill the corners of classrooms.

"Chahak village was completely destroyed by the earthquake and we still haven't been provided with permanent shelters," said teacher Mohammad Naseem Nasrat.

"Our school too, which was wrecked by the earthquake, has not been restored so far. I don't know if there are plans to or not," said the 25-year-old, adding that the village's children "face an uncertain future" without proper schools.

Decades of conflict have devastated Afghanistan's education system, with an estimated 3.7 million children out of school, 60 percent of them girls, according to the UN children's agency UNICEF.

Poverty and access to schools in remote areas are major hurdles, while cultural norms often prevent girls from attending school.

One in five children aged between five and 17 are engaged in child labour, according to the United Nations, in a country facing deep economic, humanitarian and climate crises.

Eleven-year-old Sefatullah's school in Kashkak village was destroyed by the recent quakes.

"We don't have books and notebooks to study and write in," he said.

Four children were killed when the school collapsed, said teacher Mohammad Dawood, who now gives lessons in a framed tent with a large UNICEF logo on the outside.

The makeshift school serves two villages, six classes and has only one teacher -- Dawood.

"On days when it is windy or raining, we are in big trouble, we can't carry on with this situation for much longer," he said.
Kremlin says 'very tense' situation in flooded regions



Moscow, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



The Kremlin on Wednesday said the situation in Russian areas hit by massive floods was "very tense", warning that water levels were still rising and could affect more regions.

Whole villages and cities in Russia's southern Urals and western Siberia have been engulfed by overflowing rivers, with the Orenburg region the worst affected.

"The situation is very, very tense," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"The water is continuing to rise. Large (amounts of) water are coming to new regions."

He said that President Vladimir Putin was not intending to visit the flood zone, where thousands have been evacuated.

"At the moment, there are no such (plans)," Peskov said.

He said the Russian leader is "getting information and coordinated the work of all branches of authorities".

Russia and neighbouring Kazakhstan have been battling the floods for days.

The Ural river in the Orenburg region began to flood the main city, Orenburg, on Wednesday. The hub has a population of 550,000.

The river had already almost entirely flooded the city of Orsk.
South Korea opposition set for landslide in parliamentary election



Seoul, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



South Korea's opposition was heading towards a landslide victory Wednesday in parliamentary elections, exit polls indicated, in a major blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The outcome if confirmed will at the very least leave Yoon as a lame duck for the three remaining years of his term in office, and could even open the way for his impeachment.

The Democratic Party (DP) of Lee Jae-myung -- survivor of a January knife attack by a disgruntled voter -- and its satellites are forecast to win as many as 197 seats, up from 156 in the last parliament.

Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) and its partner were projected to be trailing on between 85 to 99 seats, down from 114, the exit polls conducted by three major broadcasters indicated.

All opposition parties combined may even have secured a super-majority of 200 in the 300-seat parliament, which could in theory allow them to attempt to remove Yoon from office before his term ends in 2027.

That includes the new Rebuilding Korea party, led by former justice minister Cho Kuk, which capitalised on discontent with the two main parties to pick up a projected 12-14 seats.

"The people have won, the will to judge the Yoon Suk Yeol administration is very clear," Cho said after the vote, local media reported.

On the campaign trail, he vowed to make Yoon "first a lame duck, then a dead duck".

"The figures today show the strong anger of people at Yoon for his two-year governance," political analyst Yum Seung-yul told AFP.

"What if he won't change even with this stunning election outcome? I think there will be even more public anger and that worries me."



- Lee's revenge -



Yoon beat Lee in South Korea's closest-ever presidential election in 2022 and has taken a tough line with the nuclear-armed North while improving ties with Washington and former colonial occupier Japan.

But Lee, while fending off a slew of graft probes he says are politically motivated, has secured revenge with the election result following a bruising and polarising campaign.

"I'll watch the people's choice with a humble heart," Lee said after the vote, local media reported.

From the start of his presidency, Yoon has been unpopular, with ratings hitting the low 30s, and the PPP's lack of control of the National Assembly stymying his socially conservative legislative agenda.

This includes planned healthcare reforms -- that are backed by voters but have sparked a crippling strike by doctors -- and a pledge to abolish the ministry of gender equality.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said that "exit polls are disappointing... We will watch the vote count", the Yonhap News Agency reported.



- No babies -



On Yoon's side were shifting demographics, with voters aged 60 and older now outnumbering those in both their 20s and 30s in a country with the world's lowest birth rate.

Younger Koreans have been put off politics by a political class dominated by older men who ignore their concerns.

Many say this was underlined by the horrific 2022 Halloween crowd crush in Seoul that killed more than 150 mostly young people.

The younger generation is also struggling economically, with cut-throat competition in education, fewer job opportunities and sky-high housing costs.

"There is definitely less interest in this election among the people around me than last time. I think it is because they feel rather disappointed," business owner Kim Yong-ho, 24, said outside a polling station in Seoul's Gwangjin district.

The tone of the campaigning has also put many voters off, lacking in substantive policy debate and marked instead by shrill calls to "imprison" Lee or "punish" Yoon.

"I am truly ashamed of our country's politics and government," Kim Do-kyung, 47, an activist for migrant women and their children, told AFP.

This has been accompanied by hate speech and disinformation online that experts worry could lead to more attacks like the one on Lee in January and another weeks later.



- Onions -



The DP favours a less hawkish approach towards Pyongyang, and Lee has made a number of pro-China remarks. One doctored video showed him bowing to a statue of Mao Zedong.

It has also latched onto a gaffe by Yoon last month about the "reasonable" cost of green onions, a staple in Korean cooking that has soared in price.

The humble vegetable became a popular prop at DP rallies, and the election commission even banned voters from bringing them to polling stations.

The first official results were expected later Wednesday.

burs-stu/ceb/cwl
At 9 a.m. on April 9th, a China-Europe freight train (Hefei) loaded with Anhui-made white goods set off from Hefeibei Station, heading to Central Asia, carrying a total of 110 TEUs valued at 7.9 million yuan. Reporters learned from Hefei Customs that the departure of this train marks a significant milestone for the China-Europe freight train (Hefei), having reached a cumulative total of 4000 trains since its inaugural journey in 2014. The service has seen a steady increase from an initial 1 to 2 trains per month to an average of 2 trains per day. The proportion of "Made in Anhui" products has risen from 10% at the start to 95% today, demonstrating the growing trend of "Anhui goods transported by Anhui" and supporting more Anhui products to reach international markets. The outbound cargo includes "Made in Anhui" vehicles, photovoltaic energy storage equipment, integrated circuits, household appliances, while the return trips bring back Russian timber, German coffee roasting machines, fiberglass hoses, among other items, indicating an increasingly diverse range of goods. As of now, the China-Europe freight train (Hefei) covers 18 countries and 144 city stations. It is reported that to promote the development of the China-Europe freight train (Hefei), the Luzhou Customs under Hefei Customs has actively implemented the "Railway Express Clearance" supervision model. This has effectively improved the efficiency and convenience of transit transportation and customs clearance for export goods on the domestic section of the China-Europe railway. The scale of operations has grown from less than 200 trains in three years to over 800 trains annually. In addition, the practice of segmented settlement of return freight charges for the China-Europe freight train (Hefei) is upheld, thus reducing taxes and lowering the financial burden on enterprises. Furthermore, continuous optimization and improvement of supervisory services are maintained, always keeping a "724" hour customs declaration mechanism in place, providing comprehensive customs guidance throughout the process, and ensuring that train goods are "inspected upon arrival, checked promptly, and released immediately." "In the first three months of this year, a cumulative total of 306 trains were dispatched, transporting 25,140 TEUs with a cargo value of 3.09 billion yuan," said Yang Jinxia, Deputy Director of Luzhou Customs. "Next, the newly constructed Hefei International Land Port Customs Supervision Site will be put into operation. We will continue to promote the logistics supervision model centered on railway transportation and linked by multimodal transport, aiding in the construction of an integrated 'air-rail-sea' logistics system."

Source: Anhui Daily
by Xinhua writer Naftali Mwaura

NAKURU, Kenya, April 10 (Xinhua) -- With palpable joy, Pauline Mogambi cast an admiring gaze at the indigenous vegetables blooming on her farm in the northwestern Kenyan county of Nakuru, about 180 kilometers from the capital, Nairobi.

The mother of two is an early adopter of conservation agriculture, which promotes soil health through minimal tillage alongside organic methods of controlling crop pests and diseases to boost yield. Ever since she started practicing zero tillage, intercropping and application of compost manure, her one-acre farm has produced enough to feed her family and sell surplus at local markets.

"I have been a farmer for two decades and used to grapple with depressed harvests, but when I embraced conservation agriculture and organic weed and pest control methods, total crop yield shot up," Mogambi told Xinhua at her farm on Monday.

Smallholder farmers in Nakuru County, one of Kenya's breadbaskets, have not been spared the challenges posed by a warming planet, including voracious pests, diseases, market volatility and shrinking arable land. The Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR), through its Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa, has nevertheless assisted these farmers in deploying technologies and innovations that enhance climate resilience, promoting food and nutritional security.

In Kenya, the initiative dubbed "Ukama Ustawi," which translates to "partnership and progress," is being implemented in Nakuru and Kenya's eastern counties of Embu and Makueni.

Mogambi's farm has served as a demonstration site for various innovative practices, including zero tillage, stripping, intercropping, crop rotation, mulching and agroforestry. Since adopting these climate-smart farming techniques, Mogambi has reported a threefold increase in maize, legume, kale, tuber and fruit harvests, improving both her family's nutrition and income.

"Currently, I am able to harvest 36 bags of maize and 20 tons of silage, and before embracing conservation agriculture, I used to harvest a maximum of seven bags of maize. Now I am proud to say farming is my full-time employer," Mogambi said.

Boaz Waswa, a soil scientist with the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), a member of CGIAR, said that indigenous knowledge and innovation are key to boosting the resilience of local smallholder farmers.

According to Waswa, these farmers should be empowered to increase crop diversification, zero tillage and the use of organic manure and drip irrigation to boost crop yield and combat hunger, poverty and malnutrition. "When we diversify crops, households will have more nutritious food and better incomes. We also need to apply agroecological solutions that improve soil health."

He said that the deployment of these climate-smart innovations has also been gender-inclusive, ensuring that women and youth farmers are empowered to cope with climatic shocks.

The "Ukama Usawa" initiative, which is being implemented in 12 African countries, including Kenya, has enhanced yield stability at the smallholder level, boosting the fight against rural hunger and poverty, Waswa added.

On the southern edge of Nakuru County, where Serah Ndung'us two-acre farm is located, a variety of crops including maize, beans, kales, potatoes and avocado trees create a green foliage that grabs the attention of passersby. The middle-aged farmer is a champion of sustainable practices, including agroforestry, conservation agriculture, intercropping and mulching, that have guaranteed her bumper harvests in any given season.

Ndung'u said that smallholder farmers are keen to transition from conventional methods of growing crops that have proved unsustainable. Skills gained through the initiative have enabled her to leverage climate-resilient innovations to boost the production of cereals, legumes, tubers and vegetables.

"Sometimes it can turn very dry in my locality, but through mulching, drip irrigation, and minimum tillage, I am able to retain soil moisture on my farm and grow different crop varieties to maturity," Ndung'u said. 
South Korea opposition set for landslide in parliamentary election



Seoul, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2024



South Korea's opposition was heading towards a landslide victory in Wednesday's parliamentary elections, exit polls indicated, in a major blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The outcome, if confirmed, will at the very least leave Yoon as a lame duck for the three remaining years of his term in office.

However a super majority that would open the door for the opposition to impeach the president looked out of reach as tallies continued into the early morning Thursday.

Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) and its partner party were expected to hang on to over 100 of the National Assembly's 300 seats, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported, denying the Democratic Party, led by Lee Jae-myung, of the 200 needed for the super majority.

Also in play was the new Rebuilding Korea party, led by former justice minister Cho Kuk, which capitalised on discontent with the two main parties to pick up a projected 12-14 seats.

"The people have won, the will to judge the Yoon Suk Yeol administration is very clear," Cho said after the vote, local media reported.

On the campaign trail, he vowed to make Yoon "first a lame duck, then a dead duck".

"The figures today show the strong anger of people at Yoon for his two-year governance," political analyst Yum Seung-yul told AFP.

"What if he won't change even with this stunning election outcome? I think there will be even more public anger and that worries me."



- Lee's revenge -



Yoon beat Lee in South Korea's closest-ever presidential election in 2022 and has taken a tough line with the nuclear-armed North while improving ties with Washington and former colonial occupier Japan.

But Lee, while fending off a slew of graft probes he says are politically motivated, has secured revenge with the election result following a bruising and polarising campaign.

"I'll watch the people's choice with a humble heart," Lee said after the vote, local media reported.

From the start of his presidency, Yoon has been unpopular, with ratings hitting the low 30s, and the PPP's lack of control of the National Assembly stymying his socially conservative legislative agenda.

This includes planned healthcare reforms -- that are backed by voters but have sparked a crippling strike by doctors -- and a pledge to abolish the ministry of gender equality.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said that "exit polls are disappointing... We will watch the vote count", the Yonhap reported.



- No babies -



On Yoon's side were shifting demographics, with voters aged 60 and older now outnumbering those in both their 20s and 30s in a country with the world's lowest birth rate.

Younger Koreans have been put off politics by a political class dominated by older men who ignore their concerns.

Many say this was underlined by the horrific 2022 Halloween crowd crush in Seoul that killed more than 150 mostly young people.

The younger generation is also struggling economically, with cut-throat competition in education, fewer job opportunities and sky-high housing costs.

"There is definitely less interest in this election among the people around me than last time. I think it is because they feel rather disappointed," business owner Kim Yong-ho, 24, said outside a polling station in Seoul's Gwangjin district.

The tone of the campaigning has also put many voters off, lacking in substantive policy debate and marked instead by shrill calls to "imprison" Lee or "punish" Yoon.

"I am truly ashamed of our country's politics and government," Kim Do-kyung, 47, an activist for migrant women and their children, told AFP.

This has been accompanied by hate speech and disinformation online that experts worry could lead to more attacks like the one on Lee in January and another weeks later.



- Onions -



The DP favours a less hawkish approach towards Pyongyang, and Lee has made a number of pro-China remarks. One doctored video showed him bowing to a statue of Mao Zedong.

It has also latched onto a gaffe by Yoon last month about the "reasonable" cost of green onions, a staple in Korean cooking that has soared in price.

The humble vegetable became a popular prop at DP rallies, and the election commission even banned voters from bringing them to polling stations.

Official results are expected later Thursday.

burs-stu/ceb/cwl/nro/des
BISHKEK, April 9 (Xinhua) -- President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov received on Tuesday visiting Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, the press service of the Kyrgyz president reported.

During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on the further expansion and deepening of cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in political, trade, economic, water, energy and other areas that are of mutual interest.

Japarov, noting Kyrgyzstan's commitment to expanding and strengthening cooperation with Kazakhstan, emphasized that for Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan is not only a fraternal state, but also one of the main trading partners.

Both sides mutually emphasized the progressive growth of trade turnover between the states in recent years and expressed interest in the further desire to increase mutual trade to 2 billion US dollars through joint investment and industrial projects.

Bektenov conveyed warm words of greeting from President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and expressed gratitude for the fraternal assistance in connection with the flood in the regions of Kazakhstan.

In conclusion, the president of Kyrgyzstan expressed confidence that the results of the visit and the joint work of the governments will contribute to the further development of bilateral relations between the countries. 
VIENTIANE, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government has pledged to intensify efforts to lower the high rate of child marriage and adolescent pregnancy in the country.

The Lao government has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), launching a critical report titled "Understanding Pathways to Adolescent Pregnancy in Southeast Asia: Findings from Lao PDR."

This collaborative effort marks a milestone in addressing the pressing issue of adolescent pregnancy through comprehensive research and analysis, Lao News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Laos has the highest child marriage and adolescent pregnancy rates in Southeast Asia, with 30.5 percent of Lao women married before the age of 18 and 17.4 percent having their first child before the age of 18, according to the report.

The Lao government is deeply committed to addressing adolescent pregnancy and child marriage through integrated strategies and evidence-based interventions. The insights from this report are invaluable in guiding the government's efforts to ensure a healthy and promising future for the younger generation.

The report identifies key pathways to adolescent pregnancy and offers tailored policy and programming recommendations to address this complex issue effectively. It also emphasizes the need for accessible, high-quality sexual and reproductive health information and services. 
A jailed trader accused of stealing $US110 million ($167 million) on the Mango Markets exchange is facing a criminal trial that will test the reach of a US crackdown on cryptocurrencies.

Prosecutors charged Avraham Eisenberg with manipulating Mango Markets futures contracts on October 11, 2022, to boost the price of swaps by 1300 per cent in 20 minutes. He then borrowed from the exchange against the inflated value of those contracts, a move the government claims was a theft.

Avraham Eisenberg has been accused of stealing $US110 million on the Mango Markets exchange. Credit: Internet

A jury was selected in New York federal court, where groundbreaking crypto cases have played out. FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced there last month to 25 years in prison for orchestrating a multibillion-dollar scheme, while Terraform Labs and co-founder Do Kwon were found liable for fraud in civil trial over the firms 2022 collapse, which wiped out $US40 billion in investor assets.

Eisenbergs jury includes a Millennium Partners employee who formerly worked at Goldman Sachs, a chief investment officer of a family office, a Broadway performer and choreographer, and a line producer for films and television.
Jason Robinson remembers the moment that made him decide to go into practice for himself.

I was working in an accounting firm, and there was a client who lived regionally. They were asked to come into Melbourne to sign their tax return with pen and paper in the office. And I thought, in what world does it make sense to get an elderly couple who are running a farm in regional Victoria to drive three hours into Melbourne to sign a tax return, when they could have done it over email with digital signature technology?

Modern advisory firms are adopting tech to stay ahead of the game. Credit: iStock

Nowadays, it might seem laughable that any accounting firm wouldnt accept digital signatures. But Robinson sees it as a telling example of how you either keep up or fall behind in the advisory industry.

I always think back to that scenario and go, how can people still run a business that way? And thats why the accounting firms that are leveraging technology are growing faster and going further than the firms that arent using that technology.
Museum of Old and New Art curator Kirsha Kaechele is seeking legal advice after being ordered by the Tasmania Civil and Administrative Tribunal to allow men entry into her artwork the Ladies Lounge.

As a result of the tribunals decision, announced on Tuesday, Mona has 28 days to either close the lounge, allow men entry or change the work in some way. Kaechele, the wife of Mona founder David Walsh, said she was considering her options, including an appeal.

Kirsha Kaechele installs the Ladies Lounge at Mona. Credit: Mona/Jesse Hunniford

Admitting men does not appeal to me, Kaechele said. Appealing the decision is more appealing. They want me to reform the artwork. I could consider this, but I fear it may be beyond reform. I need the full 28-day period to absorb the decision and compose myself, and my response.

I will be seeking counsel. As the hugely influential gender theorist Judith Butler has long argued, gender is a performative construct. To which Id add: so is the legal system.
Advertisement

Review Eating outMelbourne Why our reviewer is excited about eating this icy food all through Melbournes winter Layers of coarse flakes, fine fluffy clouds and blow-torched ice  how can frozen Japanese water be so amazing? Dani Valent April 10, 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 The signature creme brulee kakigori with layers of sweet meringue, different textures of ice and hidden strawberry swirls. Simon Schluter 2 / 5 Hiroshi Kawamata works with ice to make Japanese shaved ice desserts known as kakigori. Simon Schluter 3 / 5 Rare cheese, a rich cheesecake-inspired kakigori with pineapple compote. Simon Schluter 4 / 5 Cafe au lait kakigori. Simon Schluter 5 / 5 The Japanese ice shaving machine. Simon Schluter Previous Slide Next Slide Japanese$$$$ Everything at new cafe Sebastian Kakigori is calm and organised  except me. Im buzzing, possibly gasping, as venerable chef Hiroshi Kawamata blow-torches a bowl of ice. Applying heat to ice may not seem like the most sensible way to create a dessert but Hiroshi knows what hes doing. Hes a master of kakigori  Japanese shaved ice desserts  and this is his signature creme brulee. Its quite a process. A shaving machine is set to work on a bespoke ice block. Coarse flakes are showered into a large ramekin: this is the weight-bearing portion. Thats followed by fine flakes: the fluffy clouds atop. Vanilla custard and strawberry jam are added as well. Hiroshi then coats the layered ice with meringue, spinning the ramekin on a disc so he can trim the edges and flatten the surface.

Advertisement

I experienced the same mesmerised joy I feel when watching a trapeze artist spinning from a high rope. And then the blowtorch comes out: the dangerous part when the trapezist lets go and leaps, held by hope and 10,000 hours of training. Hiroshi keeps the dessert spinning while he sprinkles the meringue with sugar, then colours it with swift sweeps of heat. If I was agog watching this, imagine me eating it, tapping through the crisp burnt sugar to the sweet meringue and into textures of ice with surprise creamy bursts and strawberry swirls. How can frozen water be so amazing? Hiroshi Kawamata works with ice to make Japanese shaved ice desserts known as kakigori. Simon Schluter Sebastians ice is shipped from Kanazawa, made using water from Mount Hakusan, a sacred peak. Its frozen over two days and agitated to remove bubbles so it is completely clear. Ive long worried about food miles, now Im shuddering at the thought of ice miles, but apparently the manufacturing process is four times more energy efficient than the way we make ice in Australia. Given the ubiquity of ice cafes  not to mention artisan cocktail ice  surely, someone can open a factory here?

Advertisement

I experienced the same mesmerised joy I feel when watching a trapeze artist spinning from a high rope. Meantime, Ill froth over Sebastian Kakigori. Other flavours include rare cheese, a rich cheesecake-inspired kakigori with pineapple compote; a fragrant strawberry and rose concoction with elderflower jelly; and the cafe au lait that made me feel like I was eating panforte, tiramisu and affogato all at once. Cafe au lait kakigori. Simon Schluter Hiroshi Kawamata opened the first Sebastian in Tokyos trendy Shibuya neighbourhood in 2011. It was a Spanish restaurant initially, and when he started doing shaved ice, it was a slow burn until he came up with treats such as the icy creme brulee. By 2015, Sebastian was serving 500 portions a day and was a key player in transitioning shaved ice from summer treat into a year-round delicacy. Melbourne has dynamic serial restaurant entrepreneur Kantaro Okada (279, Leonie Upstairs, Chiaki) to thank for luring Hiroshi here. Sebastian is superb and makes me excited about eating icy food all through winter.

Advertisement

The low-down Vibe: Laboratory precision melded with artisan workshop Go-to dish: Creme brulee kakigori ($35; can share one between two) Drinks: Teas and milk brews made with single origin Japanese teas Cost: Kakigori $28-$35 This quirky Korean shaved ice treat is set to be the coolest dessert of summer

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up
CLUB CLASH History is about to be made at Melbournes posh men-only establishment The Australian Club as the 1600-odd members prepare to vote  for the first time ever  in a contested election for the presidency of the William Street institution. The Australian Club is for men only. Credit: James Davies The contest, between former lawyer Justin Lethlean and ex-PwC partner and Tupperware boss Charles Henry, looks to be another confrontation between the forces of conservatism and progress that have riven the club for years, with the issue of allowing women to join a regular flashpoint. Strangely, the push to drag the club into something resembling the modern world and admit female members does not appear to be an issue in the upcoming poll, with Lethlean  who has been labelled by the clubs conservative young fogies as a supporter of womens membership  on the record as being happy to park that debate, for the present, while he deals with other issues.

Loading What issues? Well, theres finances for one, with a $1.2 million loss for the 2021-2022 financial year raising many a bushy eyebrow at the club, especially after the $900,000 profit in the previous year. There are a few other things on Lethleans to-do list, but first he must overcome his presidential rival Henry, who has the backing of the clubs General Committee and the band of ex-presidents known internally as the cardinals  in a nod to the papal fashion in which the club has traditionally chosen its leaders  and that has always been enough to settle the matter. Until now. Members were informed late on Tuesday by club president Peter Hay  who didnt sound a bit happy about it  that the date set for the Lethlean-Henry showdown was April 29, with instructions on how to vote going out two weeks earlier. We asked the club if it had a comment for us on Wednesday and the lady, ironically enough, who answered the phone there politely sent us about our business. Neither Lethlean nor Henry could be contacted for comment.

Nuclear power enthusiast Daniel Walton will lead Labor think tank The McKell Institute. Credit: John Shakespeare NUKE FACES Peter Duttons mission to make Australia nuclear-powered is to get a much-needed jolt of juice on Thursday as Labors industrial-scale ideas factory, the McKell Institute, announces former union heavyweight  and nuclear power enthusiast  Daniel Walton as its chairman, replacing Rudd/Gillard-era minister Craig Emerson. If you havent heard of Walton, wed be surprised. As Australian Workers Union national secretary, he was pretty handy at getting his name in the paper, never more so than when a journo needed a quote from a Labor-type undermining the partys long-standing opposition to nuclear energy.

Of course, as chairman of McKell  the Labor think tank once closely linked with the partys NSW Right faction but which has sensibly diversified in recent years  Walton, who called it quits with the union last year to take up some private sector roles, wont be churning out policy papers or anything like that. Its not even a full-time gig. Loading Chris Bowen, Labors energy minister who has also been having a mixed time trying to shoot down the nuclear policy kites Duttons Coalition has been increasingly sending aloft, better hope it stays that way. Anyway, Walton said he saw his new role as helping McKell satisfy the stronger public appetite for practical, progressive policy reform. I know Im stepping into massive shoes, and I will certainly be bothering Craig frequently for his advice and wisdom, Walton reckons.

NOVEL APPROACH Readers might recall last weeks ripping read all about the intriguing subplot in the Liberal preselection for the WA seat of Tangney, involving two fictional accounts of future Chinese subjugation of our beloved homeland, written 20 years apart. And now that one of our novelists, former SAS soldier and Survivor Australia contestant Mark Wales, has won the right to contest the seat for the party at the next election, CBD immediately feared that history might keep repeating itself, and not in a good way. Thats because Dennis Jensen, who held the seat between 2004 and 2016, blamed coverage of his novel The Skywarriors for losing his preselection for Tangney, with the former MP always insisting that his book was misrepresented by the media as a work of erotic fiction, costing him his spot on the ballot. Now, while not everyone would agree that thats exactly how it went down, wed hate to see anything like that happen to Wales.
The birthplace of the Royal Australian Air Force is under threat, with plans to demolish historic buildings in Point Cook that were essential to Australias efforts during the Second World War.

The Defence Department has slated for demolition what are possibly Australias only remaining World War II British-built hangars, along with an armament store built between the wars.

The RAAF base at Point Cook was the birthplace of the RAAF. Credit: National Trust

The department wants to knock down 19 buildings from the Royal Australian Air Force Point Cook Base, the original home of Australias air force in 1921.

The National Trust said the hangars and store are irreplaceable buildings of international historic importance.
Judged purely on a metric of dealing himself and his party back into contention after a bad election loss, Peter Dutton has done a good job as Liberal leader.

In the past 12 months, hes got the Coalition around level pegging with the government in the polls, and hes dragged Anthony Albanese down to the point where they share similar levels of personal disapproval.

Credit: Illustration: Dionne Gain

The next election is not too far away  today marks the second anniversary of the first full day of the 2022 election campaign  and if the trend continues, Dutton has some sort of show of becoming prime minister in May next year.

That prospect concentrates the mind, especially given the condition of the country. Australias social and economic models are collapsing under their own weight. To keep the economy on a growth path, we have to import human beings. Our main export is what we extract from the ground. Immigration and commodity prices determine our fortunes.
The chief executive of icare, Richard Harding, has quit his $1 million-plus role at the state insurer as the agency has been ordered to rein in its ballooning expenses.

Harding, who earned more than $1 million in 2022-23, is the highest-paid public servant in NSW.

Richard Harding has quit as CEO of icare.

He was appointed in 2021, after the insurer, which provides workers compensation insurance to 3.6 million public and private sector employees in NSW, was the subject of intense scrutiny. A 2020 investigation by the Herald and ABC TVs Four Corners revealed the underpayment of claims to injured workers while senior executives claimed almost $4 million in salaries and bonuses.

A subsequent parliamentary inquiry also exposed a litany of problems, with some staff members alleged to have stolen tables, televisions, crockery and iPads from its office.
Needs of aged care

Senior economics writer Matt Wade perceives the economic value of universal and affordable childcare in the tradition of universal Medicare (Costly childcares slippery slope, 10/4).

With a falling birthrate and an imminent huge increase in the proportion of the population requiring aged care services, it would be logical for economists to move towards a similar view of aged care.

Wade reports that quality of care varies across Australias childcare sector, but across the aged care sector, the aged care royal commission found universal neglect and a default setting of substandard care.

Universal Medicare has resulted in the same high quality of healthcare being provided to everyone in Australia, whatever their socio-economic status.

Moving towards both universal childcare and universal aged care would bring the economic benefit of increased public trust in these services, which would contribute to greater overall participation in the paid workforce.

Ruth Farr, Blackburn South Kindness of strangers

Despite the constant reports of violence, trolling and ill-will, there is still a lot of simple kindness in the community.

In particular, I would like to thank the passing stranger who stopped to assist me when my mobility scooter broke down.

With gentle good humour, she made phone calls for me, and stayed with me until help arrived.

I am so grateful to have met such kindness, which deserves to be more widely celebrated.

Lesley Hanks, Clifton Hill Pies speed limit

Its disappointing that the minister for culture in Chechnya has banned music that is too slow or too fast. This means Chechnyan fans of the Magpies will be no longer able to join in our great anthem, Good Old Collingwood Forever, which is played at 120 bpm, just over the new Chechnyan limit of 116.

Peter Kay, Carlton North Invest in justice

Re youth crime, in 2018, retired Pentridge Prison chaplain Peter Norden said his decades of work in the criminal justice system had convinced him that 80 per cent of prisoners should be dealt with by remedial methods instead of imprisonment, which tends to turn relatively low-level offenders into repeat offending serious criminals. Research shows most prisoners suffer from serious social disadvantages. These include domestic violence, unstable housing, cognitive problems, poverty, drug addiction, a lack of qualifications, and long-term unemployment. A further aspect of difficulties for First Nations people is systemic and prevailing racism particular to colonisation.

Other research in NSW revealed such disadvantages plus previous imprisonment are prevalent in specific areas with inadequate infrastructure resources.

The cost of imprisoning one youth (under 18 years) a year in NSW in 2023 was nearly $1 million, and almost twice this in Victoria.

Imagine an equivalent expenditure on a range of long-proven preventative and remedial interventions from early childhood onwards, involving a range of long-proven effective intervention practices from health, education and community practitioners, involving across-government co-operation installing needed local infrastructure resources.

What a more mature, cohesive and safer society we would become. How to get community and politicians behind such justice reinvestment?

Jennifer Gerrand, Carlton North Save the past

The governments plan to remove independent oversight of the Public Records Office (Fears

over integrity of records amid digital push, 10/4/) will erode the most important protection of

the agencys integrity  its governing body.

Like many people, I have spent hundreds of hours at Shiel Street in North Melbourne where our states records are stored. It is a trove of information and data that captures almost every aspect of Victorias past. The governance of such an institution is paramount.

And the thought of any government meddling with its guardianship beggars belief. At a time when almost anything can be faked, there has always been something reassuring about the integrity of the offices collection of original documents, and the governance framework that supports it.

The need to modernise practices must never be confused with the principles of sound organisational stewardship.

The Public Records Advisory Council needs to stay.

Charles Reis, Flinders

Make EVs cheaper

Your correspondent (Letters, 10/4) cites economist Nicki Hutley on getting electric vehicles off the road and how wonderful riding on a tram can be as an alternative means of transport. Living in Kensington, your correspondent is spoiled for choice  trams, trains, bicycle tracks or even walking. The CBD is just up the road.

In the outer suburbs, public transport is a bit of a dream. Infrequent bus services, long crosstown commutes to the factories and warehouses spread across Melbourne.

The outer suburbs need cars because Melbourne is designed for cars. This is the habitat of the gas guzzler.

Replacing the gas guzzler with an EV makes perfect sense economically and environmentally. What we need are affordable EVs.

Ken Rivett, Ferntree Gully Political point-scoring

The federal opposition has predictably weighed in and attacked Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong for raising the issue of recognition of a Palestinian state. It has criticised the move, yet the Australian position is identical to that of the British Foreign Minister, David Cameron. Would the opposition foreign affairs spokesman, Simon Birmingham, like to explain why he is right and Cameron and Wong are wrong?

The Middle East is complicated enough without Australian politicians trying to make it a source of political scoring for political reasons.

Noel Turnbull, Port Melbourne Roads to progress

Concrete roads are said to date back to Roman times, when volcanic ash was mixed with limestone and water. While the concrete roads in Boroondaras heritage-listed areas are now about 100 years old, they are

long past their expected lifespan of 40 years (Concrete plan to save heritage roads, 10/4).

Preserving history has merit. It is a sentiment too often trashed by progress.

However, in this instance, would it be possible to use some of the materials that have been developed to reduce the high carbon emissions concrete production usually necessitates, and also recycle some waste products?

There are many new products from which to choose. They could offer better durability, and keep Boroondara up to date, while maintaining tradition.

Jennie Stuart, Balwyn Restricted inquiry

The governments decision to appoint former defence force chief Mark Binskin to investigate and report on the death of an Australian aid worker in Gaza is good politics. But its efficacy is debateable.

I would be surprised if Israel allowed anyone, let alone a foreign military officer, to conduct an open investigation into its intelligence services to the extent required.

I would guess that information on this matter deemed necessary would be released to Binskin at Israeli discretion when, where and how it deemed appropriate.

Jim Lamborn, Doncaster Correcting the ill-informed

Thank you, Shane Wright (Comment, 10/4), for debunking the ill-informed connections being made in relation to our large immigration and housing.

Your example of Scone, NSW, and the areas around Melbourne and Sydney universities showed what is really going on.

Julie Broomhall, Timboon Gather round, it was great

Gather Round is a South Australian initiative and should remain so.

Not only was Adelaide buzzing with an amazing vibe, so, too, was the hinterland of Clare, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.

Gather Round should remain in Adelaide. South Australia has created something unique, we were there for the first time this year, and well make certain we regularly return.

The footy is the focus but there is the wine, the food, the vibe and the sheer enjoyment of friendly hospitality.

With games planned for the Barossa, the reinvigoration of the Norwood wine and food festival, and the fact that nothing in Adelaide is more than 25 minutes away from where you stay, its the perfect location for a festive footy celebration.

Well done, South Australia. Well be back.

Brian Martin, Wendouree Remember Waverley?

Your correspondent (Letters, 10/4) offers the interesting suggestion of more local community facilities for AFL and suggests a stadium be considered in the south-eastern suburbs.

One did exist in those suburbs and regularly accommodated up to 90,000 people. It was called Waverley Park.

Brian Kidd, Mt Waverley Climbing activated

The most electrifying activation (Letters, 9/4) we remember of public space was our daughter calling out, look at me, Dad, and (horror-terror), shes up a tree climbing around. Much better activation than sitting around in a park stuffing your face with food, then a soft drink while looking at your mobile phone.

James Richardson, Langwarrin AND ANOTHER THING

Foreign affairs

One gets the feeling if Hamas and Netanyahu were rendered impotent then peace between the Israelis and Palestinians would be more likely.

Phil Alexander, Eltham Penny Wong, now, after youve resolved the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, can you please fix the one between China and Taiwan?

Henry Herzog, St Kilda East Lets imagine how AUKUS might play out. A UK protectionist government withdraws from the agreement, and Japan confirms its reported intention to join Australia and the US. Beware the teeth of the resulting acronym: JAUS.

Jenifer Nicholls, Armadale As AUKUS evolves into JAUKUS with the entry of Japan, we miss the opportunity to engage with China and promote a peaceful CAUKUS.

Greg Curtin, Nunawading Furthermore

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon explain that again please. At the end of the Carlton v Fremantle game an initial wrong decision about a mark can be the basis of a right decision about dissent? Go figure.

Andrea Plantinga,

Point Lonsdale
Rome: A television ad in which Italian nuns are offered potato chips instead of communion wafers has provoked the ire of conservative Catholics.

They are demanding that the advert for Amica Chips be withdrawn immediately because it is blasphemous.

Conservative Catholics say the advert should be withdrawn immediately because it is blasphemous. Credit: twitter.com/GianLink

In the 30-second advertisement, a group of young nuns are seen filing through a cloister into a chapel. Their mother superior finds there are no communion wafers left so fills up a chalice with chips.

As the novices line up in front of a bespectacled priest, they are surprised to be given chips instead of the holy sacrament, with the lead nun opening her eyes wide in astonishment as the salty snack crunches in her mouth.
Tel Aviv: Israeli airstrikes have killed three sons of Hamas top political leader in the Gaza Strip, striking high-stakes targets at a time when Israel is holding delicate ceasefire negotiations with the militant group. Hamas said four of the leaders grandchildren were also killed.

Ismail Haniyehs sons are among the highest-profile figures to be killed in the war so far. Israel said they were Hamas operatives, and Haniyeh accused Israel of acting in the spirit of revenge and murder.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Credit: AP

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike that killed Haniyehs sons, saying in a statement that they were all operatives in the Palestinian Islamist groups armed wing.

The deaths threaten to strain internationally mediated ceasefire talks, which appeared to gain steam in recent days even as the sides remain far apart on key issues.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
SEOUL, April 10 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party overwhelmingly led exit polls in parliamentary elections, a survey from three local broadcasters showed Wednesday.

The Democratic Party and its satellite party were projected to secure 178-197 seats, including the directly-contested constituency seats and the proportional representation (PR) slots, the joint exit polls from KBS, MBC and SBS showed.

The ruling conservative People Power Party and its satellite party were estimated to win 85-110 parliamentary seats.

The minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party was forecast to snatch 12-14 seats, and the minor center-right New Reform Party was predicted to take one to four seats. The minor center-left New Future Party was estimated to win a maximum of two parliamentary seats.

The quadrennial polls for 300 members of the National Assembly were carried out at 14,259 voting stations across the Asian country to let voters cast ballots for 254 constituency seats and 46 PR slots.

The exit polls were conducted for 12 hours through 6:00 p.m. local time at about 2,000 polling stations with around 500,000 voters, in addition to some 50,000 early voters surveyed over phone.

A separate exit poll from broadcaster JTBC showed that the Democratic Party and its satellite party were estimated to garner 168-193 seats, while the People Power Party and its satellite party were projected to secure 87-111 seats. 
MOSCOW, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Russia has demanded an objective investigation into an attack on the country's embassy in Lithuania, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Wednesday.

Molotov cocktails were thrown at the Russian embassy building in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius twice in recent days, causing damage to the building, Lithuanian media reported.

During her weekly press briefing, Zakharova said that the attack on the Russian embassy stemmed from Vilnius' deliberate policy of Russophobia.

The spokesperson demanded that the Lithuanian side ensure the security of the Russian diplomatic mission, all those involved in the attack must be punished, and all damage caused to the building must be reimbursed. 
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak held a news conference on April 9th to update the community on a 15-month fentanyl distribution investigation his office, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations and the DEA launched following a tip from a very observant detention deputy.

On December 17, 2022, a Laramie County Sheriff's Office Detention Deputy located a door that had been manipulated going from the detention center laundry room to a secured area within the jail. While investigating the door, a shattered glass block was located on the exterior wall of the jail. Detention staff reviewed video footage and identified an inmate who had gained access to the secured area. Further review of video footage identified a vehicle and an individual who was suspected of delivering drugs to the inmate through the opening in the glass block wall.

The investigation was turned over to the Laramie County Sheriff's Office Detective assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force. The LCSO Detective and his partner, an Agent with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations, identified a drug organization operating out of Colorado and Mexico. The organization was supplying fentanyl and methamphetamine to numerous individuals in Laramie County and Southeast Wyoming.

The two detectives began the 15-month investigation that led to the arrest of 32 suspects. Twelve (12) suspects, who were higher level dealers, were prosecuted by the United States Attorneys Office and received sentences ranging from 33 to 75 months in federal prison. Several defendants are still awaiting trial or sentencing; thus, their names are being withheld. Nineteen (19) lower-level dealers and users were prosecuted by the Laramie County District Attorneys Office. Most received sentences of time served and probation. The names of the defendants awaiting trial or sentencing are being withheld.

Operation Shattered Glass seized 16,385 fentanyl pills (1,638 grams), 604 grams of methamphetamine, 64 grams of heroin and 4 grams of cocaine. The detectives also seized five (5) firearms from drug dealers who were not allowed to possess firearms. The investigation resulted in 45 search warrants.

Sheriff Kozak said, That which does not kill us makes us stronger, except for fentanyl; fentanyl kills. Thus, my office will always place the highest priority to stop fentanyl distribution. Fentanyl poisoning was the cause of 17 deaths in Laramie County in 2023 and the agencies who came together as one team for Operation Shattered Glass care! Sheriff Kozak added, Opioid addiction is hard, but regret is harder. To illustrate his point, Sheriff Kozak referred to Korysa Shepard who was arrested for drug possession during the operation. She was released from the Laramie County Jail in February of 2023 and went to Fort Collins, where she died of an overdose. Sheriff Kozak said he now gives Narcan, a drug that counteracts opioid poisoning, to each addicted inmate who is released from his jail. Sheriff Kozak is starting a Correctional Treatment Unit in the jail. The unit will be staffed by master level counselors, who will provide group and individual treatment to inmates who request help. The Sheriffs Office also has three Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) counselors on staff to help those suffering with chemical dependency. Sheriff Kozak wants to make it clear, If you distribute fentanyl in Laramie County, my office will go after you and seek federal prosecution. However, if you ask for help with addiction, we will be there for you.

The Laramie County Sheriffs Office thanked the following agencies who assisted in making Operation Shattered Glass a huge success:

- Cheyenne Police Department Community Action Team (assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force)

- Cheyenne Police Department Patrol Division

- Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations Southeast and Southwest Enforcement Teams

- Wyoming Highway Patrol

- Laramie County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division

- Drug Enforcement Administration (Colorado and Wyoming)

- North Metro Drug Task Force (Colorado)

- Northern Colorado Drug Task Force (Colorado)

- Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office (Colorado)

- Thornton Police Department (Colorado)

- Larimer County Sheriffs Office (Colorado)

- Department of Homeland Security

- Laramie County District Attorneys Office

- District of Wyoming United States Attorneys Office

- District of Colorado United States Attorneys Office

ARRESTS:

Prosecuted by the United States Attorneys Office (12 federal defendants)

- Ryan Bennett, Felon in Possession Firearm, Intent to Deliver Fentanyl (66 months federal prison)

- Jospeh Flores, Intent to Deliver Fentanyl (24 months federal prison)

- Raymond Paddock, Intent to Deliver Fentanyl (33 months federal prison)

- Daniel Ellis, Intent to Deliver Fentanyl (63 months federal prison)

- Michael Guzman, Intent to Deliver Fentanyl (75 months federal prison)

- Ashley Hyatt, Intent to Deliver Fentanyl, Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl (65 months federal prison)

- Cesar Lerma Hernandez, Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl (57 months federal prison)

- Miguel Guerrero-Castaneda, Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl (57 months federal prison)

- Three defendants are awaiting sentencing  names withheld

- One defendant is awaiting trial  name withheld

Prosecuted by the District Attorneys Office (19 defendants)

- Jesse Coolbaugh, Introduction of Controlled Substance to a Jail (3-5 years state prison)

- Jordanne Cole, Drug Possession

- Amber Wessel, Unrelated arrest warrant

- Lily Bullis, Drug Possession

- Brandon Oram, Unrelated arrest warrant

- Wilbur Turner, Drug Possession

- Gail Ellis, Drug Possession

- Olivia Merrill, Drug Possession

- Nolan Meeks, Drug Possession, and an unrelated arrest warrant

- Korysa Shepard, Drug Possession (Died of fatal drug poisoning)

- Derrek McNalley, Unrelated arrest warrant

- Brady Ehlers, Unrelated arrest warrant

- Three defendants are awaiting sentencing  names withheld

- Four defendants are awaiting trial  names withheld

Outstanding Arrest Warrant

- Anthony Bryant, District Attorneys Office, Warrant

Anthony Bryant is at large. The Laramie County Sheriffs Office has placed him on the most wanted list and is asking for the publics assistance in locating him.

Finally, Sheriff Kozak awarded the commendation award to the detention deputy who uncovered the jail smuggling operation and the meritorious service award to the LCSO and DCI detectives who led Operation Shattered Glass. Their names are being withheld due to their undercover duty assignment and the severe impact they made on a dangerous drug organization. The actions of these lawmen saved lives. Sheriff Kozak also awarded the teamwork ribbon to every law enforcement officer, prosecutor, and agency who assisted.
TIRANA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A state guarantee of four billion Albanian lek (around 42.6 million U.S. dollars) was approved by the country's government for the processing industry sector Tuesday.

The funding was given the green light by the Council of Ministers of the Government of Albania, and will be used mainly for automation of production lines. It will also be used for liquidity for the purchase of raw materials for the processing industry, said the Ministry of Finance in a statement.

The clothing industry is believed to be the major beneficiary. Minister of Finance Ervin Mete disclosed recently during a meeting of the National Economic Council that details regarding instruments of the guarantee for the clothing processing sector would be approved by the government soon.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the value of the guarantee will cover 70 percent of loans from the banking system, with a comparatively low margin above the base rate.

While Albania's real estate and construction sectors have experienced robust growth recently, agriculture and industry, the two most important sectors in its economy, experienced a decline in growth in 2023. (1 U.S. dollar = 93.9 Albanian lek) 
The Married at First Sight Australia bombshells just keep coming . This time, groom Timothy Smith has revealed he was jailed for his part in a million-dollar drug smuggling operation in 2006.

The 52-year-old got busted back in 2006 for moving loads - and we mean LOADS - of marijuana between the US and Canada after learning to pilot a helicopter.

Tim felt so ashamed he kept it hush-hush from MAFS AU producers throughout his casting for the show.

Now he's sharing the wildest and most "terrifying" lessons he learned from his time behind bars with some of the worst offenders in the US, in hopes it'll stop others from making similarly bad decisions.

"I'm sorry for what I did. I'm sorry to everyone I hurt. But I don't want anyone to do what I did," Smith told A Current Affair in a tell-all interview.

Revealing how it all began, Tim said he was approached in a Canadian nightclub by a group looking for a helicopter pilot, which he quickly became.

"It was $100,000 a trip for a couple of hours of work," he said of his smuggling.

"I would take off from a little unmanned airport. I had the helicopter sorted and I'd fly up a valley and into a creek," he recalled. "I'd meet a 4WD and land behind it and within a minute the helicopter would be loaded with marijuana and I'd fly south into the US."

It's reported he did over 20 trips (that would have earned him $2 million!) before getting caught in late 2006. He was nabbed by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement after returning to LA from Australia, where he was visiting his mother who had cancer.

"My world changed. I was shipped off to a federal facility. No guards, four walls, 180 guys, good or bad," Tim said.

He was sentenced to a year in a maximum security prison after he owned up to his crimes.

An insider close to Timothy told So Dramatic! that Timothy's "time in prison was terrifying", he was in prison alongside "the worst offenders in the country".

"He once told me the story of how he was chained to a serial killer in the Mojave Desert while he was waiting for his first Con-Air [inmate transport] ride," they recalled.

Another source told the outlet that "Timothy really paid the price for what he did".

According to the insider, Tim was allegedly homeless returning to Australia after his stint in prison.

"When he returned to Australia, he had nothing. He was deported from a country he had built his entire life in and can never go back to," they said. "He had to start his entire life over again from scratch."

Reflecting on his past, Timothy told A Current Affair: "If I could go back and change it, I would. that decision in 2006 keeps affecting me. Unfortunately - or fortunately - it shapes who I am today."
MADRID, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday reiterated the need for recognizing a Palestinian State as part of the solution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has claimed an estimated 33,000 Palestinian lives.

Calling the conflict "one of the most deplorable humanitarian disasters of this century," Sanchez said in the Spanish Congress (lower house of Parliament) that "Israel's disproportionate response is overturning decades of humanitarian law and threatens to destabilize the Middle East and the world."

He asked all parties involved for a permanent ceasefire and condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, which triggered the months-long conflict, as well as demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages.

Sanchez insisted on the need to "bet on peace," and establish contacts that are "more necessary than ever to save lives and ensure security and peace in the region, which has a direct impact on our security, economy, and social cohesion."

He added that most European countries agree on the need for a two-state solution to the conflict and the creation of a Palestinian State.

"It is fair, it is demanded by the social majority" and it is in the interest of Spain, said Sanchez. "Spain is prepared to recognize the Palestinian State."

Also on Wednesday, Spanish government spokesperson Pilar Alegre announced that Sanchez would initiate a round of talks with European leaders, saying the prime minister is scheduled to meet with the leaders of Ireland and Norway on Friday to promote the two-state solution. 
Guest Commentary

By Lee Harding

When it comes to fossil fuels, the world wants what Canadas got. The problem is that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesnt care.

Fresh proof came with the recent visit of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the first Greek leader to come to Canada in more than 40 years.

According to Prime Minister Trudeaus office, Mitsotakis was here to march in Montreals Greek Independence Day Parade, discuss shared interests, and cut the ribbon as Greece purchased Canadian-made firefighting planes.

However, during an interview with CTV, Mitsotakis said his country would of course like to start importing Canadian liquified natural gas (LNG).

We are a big entry point for LNG, not just for the Greek market, but also for the Balkans, for Eastern Europe. Theoretically, we could even supply Ukraine, said Mitsotakis.

In principle, yes, we are very interested in obtaining LNG at competitive prices.

Mitsotakis said Greece has built a major facility outside the city of Alexandroupolis to process incoming LNG tankers. He said Greece will pump LNG to the rest of Europe and needs more at home as the country abandons coal.

Much of Europes energy has traditionally come from Russia or Middle Eastern autocracies. Over a decade ago, author Ezra Levant made the case for Canadas Ethical Oil as a better alternative. Canadas status as a democratic state that respects human rights and extracts oil with a minimal environmental footprint is as good as it gets. Mitsotakis, a Harvard-educated investment banker, understands that quite readily today.

Canada is a country (for) which we share so many values, said Mitsotakis. I think we see eye-to-eye on many of the challenges that we face.

Still, there was no mention of energy exports in Trudeaus public comments regarding Mitsotakis or official government communications about the visit.

Mitsotakis can take little consolation that his treatment is not unusual, as true as that may be. In the past 18 months, both Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz returned home without official assurances that Ottawa was eager to offer bulk quantities of Canadian LNG.

Kishida came to Canada in January 2023, making no secret of his high expectations to reach an LNG export agreement with Canada. Scholz came to Canada in August 2022, hoping to reach an LNG deal. Canada is our partner of choice, Scholz said at the time.

Somehow, Trudeau said at a press conference with the German leader that there was no business case for LNG exports to Europe. Instead, he took the chancellor to an empty field in Newfoundland that was the chosen site for a future Canadian facility to export carbon-neutral hydrogen.

That will help Germany a little, but not nearly enough. The country turned to Qatar and signed a 15-year LNG export deal.

Canada is currently the worlds fifth-largest producer of natural gas. But, as is the case with oil, facilities to sell it overseas are very limited. Canada has no LNG export facilities currently operating. Any LNG exports to Europe must go through a U.S. export terminal.

While Kitimat, BC will open a major export facility in early 2025, plans to build an LNG pipeline to ports on the East Coast have fallen apart due to high costs.

On Monday, Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean said onerous regulatory procedures were to blame.

With massive natural gas reserves, Canada can no longer wait on the LNG sidelines, burdened by an onerous regulatory system. Our allies and trading partners need us. We must have more LNG export facilities approved and built, Jean said in a statement.

Jean is right. Canada has scuttled one opportunity after another during the Trudeau era, first by smothering pipeline development with onerous regulations. The Northern Gateway pipeline was banned, with the government citing environmental concerns off the coast of northern British Columbia. However, its worth noting that despite these concerns, 50 tankers passed through the same waters every day with exports from Alaska.

Other proposals, such as the Energy East pipeline, were held up in red tape until its proponents decided the project wasnt worth it. A 30,000-page application went to waste, as did the aspiration for Maritimes refineries to process Canadian products instead of those from the Middle East.

The Trans Mountain pipeline was also mired in delays until the government purchased it, after which its progress continued at a painfully slow pace. Years behind schedule and six times over budget, costing $34 billion, the long-delayed pipeline is finally ready for crude deliveries.

Bill C-69, dubbed by former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney as the No More Pipelines Act, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada last fall. The development is welcome but cannot restore lost time.

Canada is also poorly positioned to seize another significant opportunity  the European demand for oil as it seeks to reduce its reliance on Russia.

The Canadian government appears to be more interested in achieving zero carbon emissions, even when sacrificing economic growth.

Too bad that makes zero sense.

Lee Harding is a Research Fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
Bhopal Police crack robbery case within few hours





By Bhavana Aparajita

Shukla

In a swift action, Bhopal Police arrested three persons in connection with a robbery and recovered Rs 49 lakh from them in the State capital Bhopal, an official said on Tuesday. The incident occurred at a house located in Chunabhatti locality late on Monday night and accused involved in it were nabbed within five hours of the crime, the police added.

Bhopal Commissioner of Police Harinarayan Chari Mishra told to The Hitavada, We received information at around 12 in the night, that some people had entered inside a house and committed a robbery worth Rs 50 lakh and ran away with some jewellery.

Acting on the information, the police began searching and immediately raided a few places in the city. During the raid, the police arrested three accused and recovered Rs 47 lakh from them. In the investigation, it was revealed that the servant of the house was involved in the crime. He called the accused to commit the robbery. The servant also pretended to be beaten up by the accused and pretended to be injured so that no one would suspect him. But the contradictions and facts found helped the police reveal the entire matter, the officer said. The Police Commissioner further added that three accused, including the servant were arrested so far and some other accused in the crime were absconding with the remaining Rs 3 lakhs. Efforts were on and soon all the accused would be arrested, he said.
BJP saved Manipur for future generations, does not support separatism: LS candidate Basanta Singh By Gunjan Sharma





Imphal, Apr 10 (PTI)

The BJP stands for a united Manipur and there can be no separate administration in the state for any particular community, says Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh, the law minister of the strife-torn state and the saffron party's candidate from Inner Manipur in the Lok Sabha polls.

Stating that the Congress is nowhere in the picture in the state, Singh said the BJP will win "hands down" in Manipur and asserted that the public knows his party is the only pathway towards peace.

He also asserted that the BJP has saved Manipur for future generations.

"We as a party and government stand for a united Manipur  there should be no separatism of any kind, we have been like this for centuries and will remain like this. During the Second World War, France and Germany went to war and today they are the best of allies and neighbours," Singh told PTI, responding to a question about the demands of the Kuki-zo community for a separate administration.

"We should give hope to the people and talk about the unity of the state. Now is not the time to be divisive, now is the time to be united," he added.

The hill state has witnessed sporadic, sometimes intense, ethnic clashes since May 3 between the majority Meitei community and the Kukis, resulting in the loss of more than 200 lives. While the Meiteis have concentrated in Imphal city, the Kukis have shifted to the hills.

Polling for the two Lok Sabha seats in Manipur will be held in two phases on April 19 and 26. While Inner Manipur and some segments of Outer Manipur will vote in the first phase on April 19, the remaining segments of Outer Manipur will vote on April 26.

"People are convinced that if Manipur is going to be on the path of peace, the BJP is the only pathway that can provide that. The Congress has failed miserably. When they governed Manipur for over 15 years, there were many deaths that were unnatural, more than 1,800 of which are being inquired into right now," Singh, a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, told PTI in an interview.

Asked if the conflict that has been going on for more than 11 months will have any impact on the party's performance in the Lok Sabha elections, Singh said, "The Congres is not in the picture, it's the BJP which will win hands down in Manipur and contribute towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi being sworn in for the third time."

"Yes, people are concerned that the conflict has been going on for a long time. We have made people understand why the conflict has been going on  we have also gone to the people and shown them  we have explained what we have contributed towards keeping Manipur one, united. At the same time, to save the indigenous people of Manipur, the central and the state governments have contributed to the agenda ," he said.

Responding to criticism from opposition parties and other quarters about the handling of the Manipur crisis, Singh said, "As the prime minister has already said, it was the government's timely intervention that has improved the situation in the state and the public knows that as well. My priority is to ensure the return of peace as well as the displaced people."

Singh, who belongs to the Meitei community, is the son of Thounaojam Chaoba Singh, who served as the Union Minister of State for sports, youth affairs, culture and food processing in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The 59-year-old Singh is the MLA from the Nambol constituency in Bishnupur district. He is pitted against Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of the Congress from the Inner Manipur seat, which encompasses the valley districts.

The BJP has decided not to contest from the state's other constituency, Outer Manipur, where it has extended its support to NDA ally the Naga People's Front candidate Kachui Timothy Zimik, a retired Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer.

Among the party's achievements in the state listed by Singh during his campaign are fencing on the Indo-Myanmar border, implementation of the Inner-Line Permit (ILP), scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that allowed people to move freely between India and Myanmar, deployment of a new border guarding force, steps towards implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, and identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.

"To save Manipur, these steps have been taken and people are aware that to save Manipur these steps are needed, which previous governments didn't take  we have saved Manipur for future generations," he said.

Posters of political parties, mega rallies and visible movement of leaders -- the traditional elements of campaigning -- are conspicuously missing in violence-hit Manipur.

The only visible hint of the impending election is the hoardings put up by local election authorities, urging citizens to exercise their franchise.

Amid the muted election fervour, major party figures have refrained from visiting the conflict-ridden state to canvass for votes or make electoral pledges.

While the BJP has enlisted prominent figures such as Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah as star campaigners, the Congress lineup includes Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other key leaders.
Crisis caused by Israel-Hamas conflict unacceptable: Kamboj





UNITED NATIONS,

INDIA has termed the UN Security Council resolution that demanded immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramzan a positive step, asserting that the humanitarian crisis resulting from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is simply unacceptable. We are deeply troubled by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis has deepened and instability has been increasing in the region and beyond, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, told a UN General Assembly meeting here on Monday. She said India views the adoption of a resolution on March 25 by the UN Security Council as a positive step.. Kamboj said the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially women and children.

The resulting humanitarian crisis is simply unacceptable, she said, adding that Delhi has strongly condemned the deaths of civilians in the conflict and it is imperative to avoid the loss of civilian lives in any conflict situation. The UNSC resolution, adopted last month, demanded an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramzan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire. It also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as the humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs. The adoption of the resolution had come as a breakthrough in the Israel-Hamas conflict which had been on for more than five months then.

The 15-nation Council adopted the resolution, put forth by the 10 non-permanent elected members of the Council, with 14 nations voting in favour, none against, and an abstention by the US, a permanent member. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had said that the long-awaited resolution on Gaza must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable. However, on March 22, just three days before the Council adopted the resolution, permanent members Russia and China vetoed a different resolution on Gaza tabled by the US.
Distt Admin cracks whip against those selling books with fake ISBN numbers, inflated prices





Staff Reporter

In the series of action being taken against the mafia active in the field of School Education, the District Administration has conducted raids at different book depots in the city on Tuesday. The District Administration teams conducted raids at Gorakhpur-based Sangam Book Depot, Ukhri Tiraha-based New Radhika Book Palace, Children Book Depot, Naudara Bridge and Radhika Book Depot, Gol Bazar. As per sources, all these raids were conducted following the directives issued by Collector, Deepak Saxena to check selling of textbooks with fake ISBN Numbers. It may be mentioned that ISBN is the acronym for International Standard Book Number. This 10 or 13-digit number identifies a specific book, an edition of a book, or a book-like product (such as an audiobook). Since 1970 each published book has been allocated a unique ISBN. In 2007, assigned ISBNs changed from 10 digits to 13. ISBNs are helpful when you want to find and buy an exact copy of a book. There are unauthorized resellers of ISBNS and this activity is a violation of the ISBN standard.
Nationhood comes from common sense of history, vision of future: NSA





New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI)

Nationhood is constituted by people who share a "common sense of their history" and a "common vision of their future", National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said as he released an 11-volume book series that charts different phases of the history of ancient India and its accomplishments.

Addressing a gathering at the launch event here on Tuesday, the NSA said, "People who have got a different sense of history, 'if my hero is your villain', you and I cannot make a nation."

Describing India as a "civilisation of antiquity" and "civilisation of continuity" spanning thousands of years, Doval also said that it was a "paradox" that the narrative that has been brought is that probably, "the first chapter about Indian history in any western, this thing... Is that it starts with Alexander".

After releasing the series 'History of Ancient India', published by Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and Aryan Books, he said it consists of scholarly papers contributed by a "large body of scholars".

Vol I of the series, which covers a vast array of fields, is titled 'Prehistoric Roots' while Vol IX is on 'Science and Technology, Medicine'.

Doval said while discussing the project during its inception phase several years ago with S Gurumurthy, VIF chairperson, he had shared the "new idea and thinking" to contribute to something that would be able to give a "new sense of identity and pride, not only to our countrymen but also to our coming generations".

"Our self-image, our identity is deeply connected to your own perception of history, and... Perception of what you are," the NSA said.

He described the series as not an end, but a "means to an end", and the end objective is to build "a nation on the basis of a sense of common heritage, of common background from which we come from, having pride in our ancestry and achievements of the past, and having a vision for the future".

Earlier in his speech, Doval said nations or members of nationhood are "those people who share a common sense of their history, common sense of our ancestors, common sense of their achievements of their past, and a common vision of their future. All those who believe in that they make one nation. People who have got a different sense of history, 'if my hero is your villain', you and I cannot make a nation".

He said the research papers are of "very high quality" and "great references" have been quoted.

There are a few aspects about Indian history that nobody questions, including "our detractors", he said.

"One is its antiquity, that it is one of the oldest civilisations, and probably a human life had evolved, and society had perfected to a very high (level). Now, who did it? Were they the original people or they came from outside?

"There may be a bias about that but they will all say that this is a civilisation of antiquity. The second is its continuity. It has been continuing for thousands of years without disruption. And, the third feature, its vast expanse, where the footprint of the civilisation was very visible," he added.

On Alexander's connection with India, Doval cited William Jones and said that he was a big Sanskrit scholar who said that "nowhere in Sanskrit or Pali or Prakrit literature or local dialects, he could find any mention of Alexander". There is "no mention", the NSA added.

It was a "non-event, it was a very small event of history" where some raiders on horseback, probably wanted to plunder, but faced resistance and returned.

"But you make such a mountain of it as if the world history has changed with Alexander the great conqueror," he said.

Foreign domination was "responsible to some extent" for the feeling of nationhood not developing, he said.

Then, there was a deliberate attempt to "destroy" the vestiges of the proof of that. Now, it's not only the temple, the religious bigotry. But institutions like Nalanda or Taxila universities, or the libraries, etc., were the "prime targets", they had to be destroyed and any sources from where Indians could connect themselves to their glorious past, he added.

But, there was another reason -- Indians' mindset. "For us events and personalities were very secondary," Doval said.

"Now, this combination of these factors deprived us of our own existence and identity. And history is important for your identity," he said.

Doval said anything that scholars have quoted or any inference drawn in this work is based on a "solid, scientific foundation".

"When we started the project, we said, let it be totally authentic, we don't want to generate propaganda material. The foundation of such kind of intellectualism does not have a long shelf life," he said.

The volume is "bulky and expensive" and so its dissemination is a bit constrained.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented this work and told about it, and it has found "a place of prominence in his library".

The prime minister suggested that these can be donated to libraries and that idea is still there.

The NSA further said "may be we probably will accomplish" it and send it to various western and eastern universities. The people associated with the upcoming maritime museum in Lothal, Gujarat have also shown interest in this, he said.
ED arrests Delhi-based man in Rs 5,000 crore cyber fraud case





NEW DELHI,

THE Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday said it has made a fresh arrest in an ongoing money-laundering investigation linked to the alleged duping of common people to the tune of about Rs 5,000 crore through cybercrimes and online gaming. Punit Kumar aka Puneet Maheshwari was arrested on April 3 from Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport shortly after he arrived from Nepal, the agency said in a statement. Kumar, a resident of Delhis Moti Nagar area, is accused of defrauding the general public through various cyber fraud schemes, laundering the proceeds of crime and siphoning those out of India, it said. He devised a distinctive method of defrauding individuals, utilising servers located in the UAE to orchestrate scams, with a parallel system established in India to support the syndicates operations in the UAE, the agency alleged. The man, the agency alleged, is one of the important kingpins within a syndicate responsible for orchestrating a series of cybercrimes and online gaming schemes across India between 2020-2024, amounting to huge illicit gains of Rs 4,978 crore -- all of which has been siphoned abroad.

The accused had been avoiding summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate. The central agency last month arrested another accused in the case -- Ashish Kakkar -- from a hotel in Gurugram. He is lodged in jail under judicial custody at present. The money-laundering case stems from police FIRs registered in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and some others. The agency said its investigation into cybercrime cases has found that fraudsters use different modus operandi for cheating and generation of proceeds of crime such as investment fraud, part-time job fraud, online shopping fraud and loan fraud, among others. Among these, it said, the most prevalent modus operandi used for duping the general public through cybercrimes is to lure them into investment fraud by guaranteeing profit against investment (such as multi-marketing scheme) and providing an alluring return to develop faith in the customer.

Thereafter, they lure the customer to invest in some fraud scheme that offers handsome returns. The depositors invest their life savings and when they demand their return, the fraudsters ask them to pay another sum in the guise of certain taxation or processing fees etc, it said. This continues until the customer himself stops investing in their fund and the fund invested or transferred to the bank accounts provided by the fraudsters is gone, the ED said. A similar criminal act was done in this case, the ED alleged, and the proceeds of crime were layered and accumulated in the bank accounts of the companies or firms controlled by Kakkar and his associates and subsequently sent out of India as foreign outward remittances.
ED makes fresh arrest in PMLA case against Soren





RANCHI :

THE Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made a fresh arrest in connection with its ongoing alleged land grab linked money laundering investigation against former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, official sources said Tuesday. Mohammed Saddam Hussain was lodged in jail as part of a separate money laundering case linked to a similar alleged land scam case of Jharkhand and the central agency took his custody in the instant case after an application was made to the court, the sources said.

This is the third arrest in the case after 48-year-old Soren and former State Government Revenue Department sub inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad. Saddam is alleged to have forged land records related to the 8.86 acre land in Ranchi that the ED has alleged was illegally acquired by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader. The ED had arrested Saddam in the first money laundering case in April last year after it recovered some hand-written diaries allegedly from his and some of his associates possession. These diaries, according to the ED, cash payments made to Prasad were mentioned. Soren was arrested by the ED in January shortly after he resigned as the chief minister. He is currently lodged at the Birsa Munda jail at Hotwar in Ranchi under judicial custody.

A chargesheet was filed by the ED against Soren, Prasad, Sorens alleged frontmen Raj Kumar Pahan and Hilariyas Kachhap and an alleged associate of the former CM, Binod Singh, on March 30 before a special PMLA court here. The ED has also attached the Ranchi land and requested the court for confiscation of the 8.86-acre plot. The money laundering investigation stems from multiple FIRs registered by Jharkhand Police in land scam cases against several persons including state government officials. The prime accused in the case is Prasad, also a custodian of government records, who is alleged to have misused his official position by providing assistance to several persons including Soren in their activities linked to illegal occupation, acquisition and possession of proceeds of crime in form of landed properties, the agency had said in a statement. A racket of land mafia is active in Jharkhand which used to forge the land records in Ranchi, it has claimed.
CHICAGO, April 9 (Xinhua) -- The parents of a mass shooter at the Oxford High School shooting in U.S. state of Michigan were sentenced on Tuesday to 10 to 15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter during a sentencing hearing in a Michigan courtroom.

This is the first time in the United States that parents have been charged and convicted in their child's mass shooting at a school.

Ethan Crumbley, then 15 years old, opened fire inside his school, the Oxford High School, on Nov. 30, 2021, killing four students and injuring 7 others. His parents were arrested after days of chase by the police.

Separate juries in Oakland County convicted Jennifer and James Crumbley in February and March, respectively, of four counts of involuntary manslaughter each for deaths of four students killed by their son in November 2021. Ethan, now 17, pleaded guilty as an adult to the 2021 shooting at Oxford High School in suburban Detroit and has been sentenced to life in prison.

Before giving her sentence, Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews said the convictions were not about poor parenting, but confirmed the repeated actions or lack of actions by the Crumbleys, local media reported.

The sentencing grids gave guidelines for what sentences the Crumbleys can receive. And the guidelines take into account a defendant's prior criminal record and specific issues related to the offense.

Prosecutors argued that Jennifer and James were grossly negligent in the 2021 shooting, ignoring warning signs about their son's declining mental health, not telling school officials the family owned guns when they met with school officials the morning of the shooting to discuss a disturbing drawing Ethan had drawn on desk.

Prosecutors also argued the Crumbleys bear responsibility for the shooting because they did not secure the family's guns.

Prosecutors called for 10 to 15 years in prison, highlighting the couple's lack of remorse. 
EXODUS





MANY in the Congress party had already sensed a possible exodus of party rank and file with the onset of the election season. They tried to alert the party leadership only to no avail. As a result, the number of people leaving the Congress party has been swelling every passing day. And to be sure, there is no corrective action from the leadership. With the elections just round the bend, the countrys oldest political party stands on the verge of a virtual collapse -- unless a miracle halts the decline decisively. The problem is with the leadership -- so devoid of deep thinking and strategic planning for organisational revival. The problem is also with the cadres, so to say, that depended so heavily on just one family as the saviour of the party. If a serious efforts is not made on an urgent basis to halt the decline, the Congress party is sure to acquire a ghost-like existence -- with no definition to talk about. Everybody who leaves the Congress party has more or less the same story to tell -- of how he or she tried to awaken the leadership on possible dangers and how the leadership just ignored him or her. Each leader who opts out of the party also talks of the ideological vacuum the Congress party has -- indicated by the partys refusal to attend the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya, or by the partys continuous and senseless opposition to wealth-creators such as Adani and Ambani (who the Congress accuses of being Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modis personal friends and his Governments policy-beneficiaries) ...!

The details are more or less the same, though the person highlighting those is different each time. Despite this grim reality, the Congress leadership is living in its own paradise, unwilling to listen to voices of reason and sanity, all the time willing to dump those who pick up courage to speak the truth. This is, in the nutshell, the present-day story of the Congress party -- of a downward slide that appears impossible to be stemmed by anyone. The leaders who opt out of the party also tell something that is common to all -- the effort of multiple coteries that operate within the organisation to douse the voice of reason. The persons to be blames, of course, belong mainly to the Gandhi family -- the mother, the son, and the daughter. There also is the son-in-law to add to the devastation. All these plus some others in the top echelon keep getting the flak from the rank and file, though to no avail. Much to the contrary, the top echelon often tries to isolate those who wish to speak the truth and expect corrections.

Of course, Congress leader Mrs. Sonia Gandhi complains that her partys ranks are getting emptied out because of the threat of punitive action by the Modi Government -- through official agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), for example. But the hollowness in such a charge is easily discernible to one and all. But living in their own paradise, the top leaders of the Congress party refuse to think calmly and deeply about their failure -- of both, leadership as well as credible political narrative. Another factor that contributed vastly to the exodus was the second across-the-country East-West trip -- Nyay Yatra -- undertaken by Mr. Rahul Gandhi at a wrong time with a wrong point to push. Many expert political analysts blame this Nyay Yatra for a push to the exodus as it served no purpose whatsoever. Cumulatively, all these aspects have only pushed further the exodus of countless numbers of leaders from the Congress party in the past some time. For the countrys oldest political party, all this does not serve well particularly when the elections are right on head.
HC dismisses Kejriwals plea challenging arrest





NEW DELHI :

IN A massive setback to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed his petition challenging his arrest in a money laundering case stemming from the alleged Excise scam, saying there was no contravention of legal provisions. Besides his arrest, Kejriwal, who is currently in judicial custody in Tihar jail, had also challenged his subsequent remand in Enforcement Directorates custody, which the court said was not illegal. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said the Enforcement Directorate was in possession of enough material which led to Kejriwals arrest, and the trial court remanded him in the custody of the agency by a well-reasoned order. The court is of the view that the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal was not in contravention of legal provisions.

The remand cant be held to be illegal, said Justice Sharma while delivering the verdict. She read out the judgement for 25 minutes and also explained certain portions of her decision in Hindi. The court clarified that it was not dealing with Kejriwals bail plea but his writ petition challenging the arrest on certain grounds. It emphasised that law applied equally to all and courts were concerned with constitutional morality and not political morality, apparently referring to Kejriwal and his AAP claiming that he was arrested to put his partys LS poll campain in jeopardy. AAP says it is hopeful of relief from SC: FAILING to get any reprieve from the Delhi HC, the Aam Aadmi Party Tuesday said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will move the Supreme Court against his arrest by the ED, and maintained the Excise Police case was the biggest political conspiracy of the country to finish the party.

Senior AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj told a press conference soon after the HC order that they are hopeful the Supreme Court will provide relief to Kejriwal in the same way it granted bail to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh recently. We respect the institution of the high court but we respectfully submit that we do not agree with its order and will move the Supreme Court against it, Bharadwaj said. The so-called Excise Policy scam is the biggest political conspiracy to finish off the party and Kejriwal, he alleged. He claimed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have failed to recover even one rupee of illegal money in the case. The entire matter is not related to money laundering, rather its the biggest political conspiracy of the country. Its a conspiracy to crush and finish off Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab, he said. AAP leader Jasmine Shah, who also addressed the presser, said, The investigation has been going on for two years but not even a single penny has been recovered. But what happens? You arrest top leaders of a national party and put them in jail as part of a conspiracy.
Im unfazed by Oppns provocation: Modi





Our Correspondent

BALAGHAT,

From the heart of Madhya Pradesh, Modi, a devotee of Lord Mahakaal, bows only before public or the God. He has learned from Lord Mahakaal to endure insults for the service of nation and to suppress anti-national forces without any fear. Im unfazed by their provocation, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a mammoth gathering at the School of Excellence ground in Balaghat on Tuesday. He was in Balaghat to garner vote for BJP candidate from Balaghat Lok Sabha seat Bharti Pardhi. Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, Cabinet Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, BJP candidate Bharti Pardhi and other leaders were present on the dais. In his speech, Modi pledged to work for the betterment of tribal community, the women and for the nation as a whole. PM Modi extended greetings to the people of Balaghat on Navratri and said The land of Balaghat is a witness to the might of Indias women power.

In tirade against his opponent PM Modi said that for decades after independence, Congress stuck to outdated notions, viewing India through the lens of poverty. Their attention on infrastructure was limited to a few major cities where their leaders resided, while neglecting others cities, towns. PM Modi said that BJP is guided by the principle of inclusive development, prioritises every nook and corner of the nation. BJP government pumps large funds into modern infrastructure projects across cities and villages, exemplifying its commitment to progress for all. PM Modi highlighted his vision for Madhya Pradesh and stated that BJP government is revitalising MP, completing projects like the Balaghat to Gondia broad gauge railway line, which was initiated three decades ago. BJP aims to grant Waraseoni handloom sarees of Balaghat the prestigious GI tag, elevating them like Banarasi sarees. He claimed this is Modi Ki Guarantee of a developed India from a developed Madhya Pradesh, a result of a decade of tireless effort.
Nagpur Lok Sabha.. Rising number of independents reducing third front impact





By Vikas Vaidya

There was a time when Nagpur Lok Sabha polls used to witness third front impact. There are several fights in the constituency which were triangular ones. The winner had to face tough battle. For example in 1967, Congress candidate Narendra Deoghare won the Nagpur polls defeating A B Bardhan of Communist Party of India when N L Bele and Madhav Aney of Vidarbha movement were in the run. Now, number of Independent candidates contesting polls has increased which is reducing the impact of the so-called third front. Apart from rise in number of independents, more candidates are contesting from new smaller parties. In the past with candidates like A B Bardhan, Communist Party had a larger impact. Later on, Forward Bloc which fielded Lion of Vidarbha Jambuvantrao Dhote, acted as third front creating problem for main parties like Jansangh, Janata Party and Congress. In recent times, Bahujan Samaj Party too gave tough fight. In 2004, BSP candidate Jayant Dalvi managed to clinch only 57,027 votes when Vilas Muttemwar of Congress defeated Atal Bahadur Singh of Bharatiya Janata Party by over one lakh votes. But in 2009, BSPs Manikrao Vaidya garnered 1,18,741 votes when again, Congresss Vilas Muttemwar won.

Obviously Vaidyas votes were those of Congress. From 2014, the impact of third front started reducing because of rising number of Independents and some smaller parties fielding candidates. In 2014, BSPs Dr Mohan Gaikwad secured a whopping 96,433 votes. At the same time, some candidates contested polls on the ticket of parties including Aam Aadmi Party, Ambedkar Party of India, Gondwana Gantantra Party, Democratic Secular Party, Bahujan Mukti Party, Janata Dal (United), Hindustan Janata Party etc. The number of Independents was 20. Nitin Gadkari won the election by over 2.5 lakh votes. In 2019, total 13 candidates contested Nagpur Lok Sabha polls as Independents. The impact of so-called third front started reducing from 2004. In 2019, there was a clear fight between Nitin Gadkari and Nana Patole (Congress) where the former won by a margin of over 2 lakh votes. Some local parties like Chhattisgarh Swabhiman Manch, Hum Bharatiya Party, Rashtriya Jan Sambhavna Party, Akhil Bharatiya Manavta Paksh, Bharatiya Manavadhikar Federal Party and Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi were added to the list of parties contesting Lok Sabha polls in 2019.
Naxals call for boycotting upcoming LS polls





Our Correspondent

KONDAGAON,

BANNERS and pamphlets installed by Naxals in Chhotedongar forests for boycotting Lok Sabha elections were removed by Indo Tibetan Border Police personnel. The 29th battalion of ITBP is deployed in Chhotedongar village for anti-Naxal operations. The ITBP personnel and police are taking continuous efforts for reducing Naxal activities Information was received about movement of Naxals in Kumaribeda village and nearby areas under Chhotedongar police station limits. Based on the information, ITBP personnel, led by Assistant Commandant Anil Kumar, had left for

area domination. During area domination, ITBP recovered banners and pamphlets pasted by Naxals on trees. Through these banners and pamphlets, Naxals called for boycotting Lok Sabha elections besides assembly elections in Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha. ITBP personnel motivated villagers to participate in voting since this is their right.
SIX MONTHS AFTER OCT 7...





By Girish Linganna

Since October 7, Israel has been engaged in a dual conflict. On one front, they are fighting against Hamas in Gaza, where the militants crossed the border and caused the death of over 1,100 people. On the other front, Israel is facing a broader range of Iranian-backed militias across the region. Among these militias, Hizbullah is the most powerful and has been launching missile attacks almost daily on towns and army bases in northern Israel.

SIX months have passed since the beginning of Israel-Hamas war on October 7 last year, but instead of agreeing to the UN ceasefire plan, Prime Minister Netanyahu has expanded the confrontation to Syria by bombing the Iranian embassy in Damascus. On April 1, an alleged Israeli airstrike destroyed a building within the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus. The explosion resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including several influential Iranian officers. This event marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, as it targeted a location that should have been considered off-limits according to international standards. The crucial question now is how Iran will respond, whether by directly attacking Israel or its primary supporter, the United States. Damascus is the capital city of Syria. It is located in the south-western part of the country, near the border with Lebanon. Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and holds great historical and cultural significance. The airstrike resulted in the death of General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a prominent figure in Irans Quds Force, the expeditionary branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). General Zahedi held the position of operations chief in Syria and Lebanon for several years and was believed to have a close relationship with Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia militia and political party. Additionally, his deputy and five other IRGC officers lost their lives in the explosion.

This incident marks the highest-ranking Iranian commander to be assassinated since the US drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani in 2020. The Iranian Quds Force is a special forces unit within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It supports and coordinates with proxy militias and insurgent groups in the Middle-East, advancing Irans interests abroad through training, funding, and weapons. It plays a significant role in Irans regional influence and asymmetric warfare strategy. General Qassem Soleimani, who was the commander of the Quds Force, was a prominent figure in Irans military and played a crucial role in expanding Irans influence across the Middle East. However, he was killed in a US drone strike in January 2020, resulting in a significant loss for the Quds Force. Despite his death, the Quds Force continues to operate under new leadership and remains an essential component of Irans regional strategy. While Israeli officials did not openly acknowledge their involvement in the airstrike on the embassy compound, their private statements strongly imply their responsibility. However, they did put forth the argument that the entity behind the attack was justified in doing so. Daniel Hagari, the army spokesperson, referred to the targeted building as a civilian building that had been camouflaged to appear as a military facility.

It is indeed true that the IRGC officers were not in Damascus to discuss reduced pistachio tariffs( Iran is a major pistachio producer). Its frustrating to hear Iranian officials using the sanctity of consular buildings as an excuse, especially considering that the Islamic Republic began with the hostage-taking at the American embassy in Tehran in 1979. However, despite these contradictions, the sanctity of consular buildings is a well-established global norm. If the presence of military personnel alone were enough to disregard this norm, some of Israels own embassies would also be considered legitimate targets. Even Saudi Arabia, a long-standing rival of Iran, swiftly condemned the strike without explicitly naming Israel. Since October 7, Israel has been engaged in a dual conflict. On one front, they are fighting against Hamas in Gaza, where the militants crossed the border and caused the death of over 1,100 people. On the other front, Israel is facing a broader range of Iranian-backed militias across the region. Among these militias, Hizbullah is the most powerful and has been launching missile attacks almost daily on towns and army bases in northern Israel. However, Hizbullah has refrained from initiating an all-out war.

This restraint is driven by the reluctance of most Lebanese people to be dragged into a war and Irans cautious approach to risking its most valuable proxy. Israel has been cautious about launching deep strikes into Lebanon to avoid provoking a strong response from Hizbullah. Instead, it has primarily focused its attacks on southern Lebanon, although it has recently extended its strikes into the Bekaa Valley, an agriculturally rich region in eastern Lebanon where Hizbullah has a significant presence. However, Israel does not hesitate to target Syria. After enduring a decade of civil war, Bashar al-Assads regime is too weak to retaliate, and the Iranian-backed militias in Syria lack the extensive arsenal possessed by their Hizbullah counterparts in neighbouring Lebanon. Syria has become a prime target for Israel, offering a wide range of potential objectives such as Iranian officers, allied militias, and shipments of weapons destined for Hizbullah. Since October 7th, Israel has conducted numerous strikes in Syria, resulting in the elimination of a significant portion of the IRGCs high-ranking officials in the country. Following the assassination of Suleimani, Iran responded by launching a barrage of ballistic missiles at two American bases in Iraq. This attack, although the largest of its kind thus far, fell short of the more aggressive and forceful retaliation advocated by certain hardliners.

However, the recent bombing of an Iranian consular building by Israel has potentially increased domestic pressure on Iran to respond more significantly. Iran has endured months of Israeli attacks, and now that Israel has effectively targeted Iranian territory, there is a possibility that Iran may opt for a direct response rather than relying solely on its proxies. In a statement on April 2nd, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei hinted at the potential for direct action, stating that the evil regime will be punished by the hands of our brave warriors. Iran has a history of favouring indirect methods of warfare, relying on proxies to carry out its actions. Israel is engaging in a high-risk strategy in Syria. It believes that it currently has a unique chance to weaken Irans proxy forces in the region, while Iran is hesitant to engage in a large-scale retaliation due to concerns about escalating into a broader war. So far, this gamble has paid off for Israel. However, it is important to remember that past outcomes do not guarantee future results. If Israel oversteps its boundaries, the region could quickly descend into a more chaotic and complex conflict.
WASHINGTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The New York Times recently quoted researchers and government officials who asserted that "covert Chinese accounts are masquerading online as American supporters of former President Donald Trump," purportedly aiming to sway the outcome of the November U.S. presidential election.

Microsoft also released a so-called report, claiming that China will use artificial intelligence to disrupt the U.S. election.

China maintains a longstanding policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, including the United States. This American recurrent tactic not only aims to discredit China but also reveals a profound insecurity within the U.S. establishment, driven by an unfounded fear of China's growth.

In recent years, during U.S. election cycles, both Republicans and Democrats have consistently propagated the Sinophobic narrative of "Chinese election interference."

This narrative was exemplified when then-President Donald Trump baselessly accused China of interference during a United Nations Security Council meeting on nuclear non-proliferation in September 2018, offering no evidence to support his claims.

Moreover, during the 2020 presidential election campaign, Trump and his team persisted in hyping up allegations of Chinese "interference." Such claims were conclusively debunked as false by the U.S. National Intelligence Council in a report released in March 2021.

The recent claim from White House officials regarding expressing concerns to China about "election interference" is a classic display of projecting suspicions onto others.

From inciting "color revolutions" to engaging in armed aggression, examples were abundant where the United States directly or indirectly interfered in the internal affairs of other countries. Since the advent of the Internet era, the United States has become even more adept at using cyberspace to carry out "influence campaigns" against other countries to achieve its foreign policy goals.

The New York Times claimed in its report that social media accounts linked to China have engaged in such activities as "promoting conspiracy theories, stoking domestic divisions and attacking President Biden ahead of the election in November."

Once more, the world witnesses the hypocritical spectacle of the thief accusing others of theft. In a recent exclusive report, Reuters news agency revealed that in 2019, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency launched a covert campaign on Chinese social media platforms aimed at manipulating public opinion within China to undermine its government.

"The CIA created a small team of operatives who used bogus internet identities to spread negative narratives" about the Chinese government "while leaking disparaging intelligence to overseas news outlets," the report said.

It appears that camouflaging themselves as ordinary netizens and spreading rumors online is clearly a tactic employed by U.S. intelligence officers as part of their cognitive and information warfare against China.

Accusations of "Chinese intervention in U.S. elections" also serve as a convenient scapegoat for U.S. politicians, deflecting attention away from their inability to solve U.S. internal discord and systemic woes.

Recent years have witnessed significant turmoil and chaos in domestic U.S. politics, epitomized by Trump's unprecedented dual impeachments during his presidency and Biden's impeachment inquiry, seemingly retaliatory actions by House Republicans. These events underscore the relentless partisan attacks driven by self-serving agendas within American politics.

American politicians failed to reflect on the root cause of the malfunctioning of the U.S. democratic system due to heated partisan struggles and the resulting dissatisfaction of voters. Instead, they haphazardly link their own election chaos with China, aiming to gain political advantage over election rivals by playing the "China card" and inciting anti-China sentiment. 
China's upcoming lunar mission has garnered global attention for more reasons than one. The Chang'e 6 robotic probe will not only make an ambitious and unprecedented attempt to collect samples from the lunar far side, it will also carry three European science payloads to the site.

The mission holds great significance because the new samples will enable scientists to study and better understand the history and the physics of the moon.

According to the China National Space Administration, the three foreign science payloads include a radon measuring instrument from France's national space agency that will help study the movement of lunar dust and some volatile chemicals between the lunar regolith, a layer of unconsolidated rocky material, and the lunar exosphere.

The second foreign science payload is a passive laser retroreflector from Italy's National Institute for Nuclear Physics that will be used as a laser range-finder for the Chang'e 6 lander.

The third payload, developed by the Swedish Institute of Space Physics with support from the European Space Agency, will be the first-ever dedicated negative ion instrument flown beyond Earth. It will seek to detect negative ions emitted from the lunar surface as a result of interaction with solar wind.

More than 20 proposals from foreign space agencies and research organizations contested for the golden opportunity to join the Chang'e 6 mission and touch down on the moon's little-known far side, which has so far been the subject of scientific speculation and wild imagination. The three from France, Italy and Sweden emerged as winners.

Yang Yuguang, a senior space industry observer and vice-chair of the International Astronautical Federation's Space Transportation Committee, said that opening a nation's spacecraft to other nations' science payloads has become a common practice among space powers because international cooperation can maximize a mission's scientific value.

"An opportunity to put your science devices on a spacecraft, especially a historic one like the Chang'e 6, is always enthusiastically sought by scientists around the world," he said.

China and Europe have engaged in space industry cooperation for many years, and such collaborative projects have brought benefits to both sides, Yang said, citing the successful cooperation in data relay during China's Tianwen 1 Mars mission.

Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said the Chang'e 6 mission will offer European scientists the first chance to deploy their instruments on the lunar far side, which will be a landmark moment for the planetary research community in Europe.

"Through this move, China has shown its sincerity and capability to bolster international space cooperation, and it will also definitely advance the collaboration in lunar exploration and development between China and Europe," Wang said.

A Long March 5 heavy-lift rocket, carrying the Chang'e 6 robotic probe, is scheduled to blast off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on the east coast of Hainan province in the coming weeks.

If everything goes according to plan, the spacecraft will make a series of flight maneuvers and finally land in the South Pole-Aitken Basin.

Like Chang'e 5, its predecessor, the Chang'e 6 spacecraft is a product of the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing and also consists of four components  an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a reentry module.

After collecting dust and rocks on the moon, the ascender will transport the samples to the lunar orbit for transfer into the reentry module, which will carry them to Earth.

Meanwhile, scientific instruments on the lander will continue to perform their operations as long as they have sufficient power.

The United States, the former Soviet Union and China have brought lunar samples to Earth, but none has ever obtained soil from the far side of the moon.

Although the far side had been previously photographed by spacecraft, no probe had ever touched down on it until China's Chang'e 4 mission, which landed in the South Pole-Aitken Basin in January 2019.
HOUSTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- From Texas to Georgia and parts of Florida Panhandle, more than 30 million people living across U.S. South and Southeast are under a severe storm threat with risks of damaging winds, flash flooding and tornadoes on Wednesday.

Alerts of "life-threatening" flood due to heavy downpours are in effect for over 13 million people in parts of the area, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

An estimated 12 inches of rain has fallen in parts of eastern Texas and western Louisiana over the last 36 hours, and storms capable of 2 to 3 inches of rain per hour will keep tracking through the region throughout Wednesday.

In the coming hours, storms moving through the region will likely produce "a few tornadoes ... with a couple intense tornadoes possible," the storm center said. "Widespread damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 80 mph [are] likely."

Earlier on Wednesday, Jasper County in eastern Texas issued a disaster declaration as flooding damage was reported in homes and businesses in the town of Kirbyville having nearly 12,000 residents, the county sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.

"All major roads coming into Kirbyville are shut down due to flooding," the office said. Surrounding cities are under a flash flood emergency warning until noontime.

At least 11 school districts in Louisiana are closed on Wednesday as severe weather moves into the area. Louisiana State University also said classes would be held online on the day.

On Wednesday morning, a damaging wind gust of 83 mph was reported in Hackberry, Cameron Parish, around 15 miles southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

A wind gust of 71 mph was reported in east New Orleans with several other gusts topping 60 mph across the coastal state.

Category 1 hurricanes have sustained winds of at least 74 mph. This report was a singular, sudden burst of wind but was capable of significant damage, CNN reported.

The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued the highest possible severe thunderstorm warning on Wednesday morning, asking people in parts of the state's capital city Baton Rouge to prepare for "destructive...hurricane-force" winds.

"Mobile homes will be heavily damage. Expect considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles," the service warned.

At least 24 homes have been damaged or destroyed in several counties across Mississippi after a severe thunderstorms hit the state Tuesday night, Governor Tate Reeves said in an update Wednesday morning.

Reeves warned residents that the state is expected to experience more severe weather on Wednesday.

A tornado watch from the Storm Prediction Center is in effect for nearly 4.5 million people living in southeastern Louisiana, including New Orleans, and portions of southern and central Mississippi, including Jackson, until 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT).

Another tornado watch has also been issued by the Storm Prediction Center for more than 1.5 million people living in southern Alabama and portions of the Florida Panhandle, including Pensacola, until 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT). 
A prominent advocate of online safety and publisher of Internet Safety Magazine based in Nigeria, Rotimi Onadipe, has called the attention of Nigerians to Section 24 (1) of the Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015.

Rotimi Onadipe made the call in Ibadan on Saturday during a special edition of his organisation's weekly broadcast, which was aimed at educating users about online safety, fraud prevention and other dangers associated with the use of internet or social media.

Addressing newsmen and members of the public in Ibadan, Onadipe noted that many individuals, companies and organisations are of the opinion that computer, internet or social media can be used at any time to post or share any information about anyone without considering its negative impact.

He said: "In today's internet age, cyberstalking is on the rise and people are being bullied and blackmailed almost on a daily basis. The reputation of many individuals, companies and organisations have also been damaged due to defamatory messages that have been posted and shared online by some people."

"There are also several reports of divorced marriages, broken homes, companies that folded up and people that felt embarrassed, depressed and attempted suicide after the victims discovered that defamatory messages shared about them on social media have gone viral."

The online safety advocate attributed the rise in the spread of defamatory messages about people to ignorance of many Nigerians about Section 24 (1) of Nigeria's Cybercrime Act 2015, adding that law enforcement agencies needed to create more awareness about the Act so as to prevent the menace of cyber stalking.

"The National Assembly, National Orientation Agency, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), The Nigerian Police etc. have urgent and important roles to play in creating more awareness about the Act and educating members of the public about it."

"Many people are yet to be informed about Nigeria's Cybercrime Act 2015. It is very important that we find out what the Law says as regards to sharing of defamatory messages about people on the internet," he added.

Making reference to the Act, Onadipe said: "The Law is clear and Ignorance of the Law is not an excuse."

"Section 24 (1) of the Cybercrime Act 2015 says that any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network that:

(a) is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character or causes any such message or matter to be so sent; or

(b) he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent:

Commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than #7,000,000.00 (seven million naira) or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment."

In his final remarks, Onadipe said, "Nigeria's Cybercrime Act of 2015 is very informative and educative." He advised Nigerians to get the copy and urged them to embrace it, study the whole Section of the Act and ask questions about it from relevant stakeholders. He assured that this will increase people's awareness about the offence and punishment involved when defamatory messages about people are posted or shared online.
It is expedient to recall that the Federal Government towards the end of last year, 2023, specifically in the month of November, made its resolve to adopt a bottom-up approach to tackle the perennial crisis facing the nations power sector. The disclosure was made by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.

Adelabu, who spoke at the third annual workshop for Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria (PCAN) in Abuja said the new approach was part of the short term strategies being considered to allow the industry to pay attention to those issues that makes it difficult for the different segments in the sectors value chain to realize their potential.

The minister, who was the special guest said the present administration was determined to provide a reliable and regular supply of electricity to households and businesses in the country.

He said the ultimate goal of the new approach was to ensure that the bottlenecks, from the consumers, up to distribution and transmission infrastructure, that have made it difficult for a significant portion of electricity generated currently not to get to the end users were removed.

Given the foregoing backdrop, it is germane to note that the federal governments resolve to put an end to Nigerias power crisis with a bold new approach, as implied in the ministers speech at the event cannot in any way be mistaken as it has not been easy for Nigeria to find a lasting solution to the crisis. Without a doubt, it seems that the crisis have over the years remained intractable, particularly as it has defied every policy objectives aimed at resolving it.

In fact, recent events suggest that the situation has become more deplorable than it was given the unprecedented erratic power grid collapses that were witnessed, and which have significantly impacted (and still impacting) on households, businesses, and the overall economy.

In fact, delving into the challenges show that Nigeria has in the recent times, particularly since the new government been led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commenced on May 29, 2023, experienced frequent system collapses in power grid, leading to widespread blackouts. On one of such occasions in September 2023, power levels dropped to zero megawatts, affecting the entire country.

Despite being a major oil and gas producer, Nigeria has been struggling to maintain a stable grid. The multiple and persistent collapse of the power grid has been attributed to technical issues. In fact, the situation has become so bad that not more than 50% of the population has access to regular power supply, forcing many to rely on generators and alternative sources.

As gathered, the theoretical maximum power Nigeria could produce is 12,500 megawatts (MW), but it typically generates only a quarter , and it has become so bad that on the day of a recent blackout, power levels reached a mere 273 MW, far below the daily average of 4,100 MW.

Without any scintilla of hyperbole, it is germane to lament in this context that the privatization of the power sector has not met expectations regarding energy availability, affordable tariffs, and prepayment meter accessibility.

To worsen the situation, the governments removal of fuel subsidies has triggered the high cost of alternative electricity sources, such as generators and inverters, so much so that not a few households and businesses are struggling to survive.

Considering the foregoing background, it is not an exaggeration to opine that the high cost of power resulting from lack of electricity is adding a huge percentage to the cost of everything across markets in the country, and seriously eroding the competitiveness of the economy, even as the chronic power shortages have been reducing the incentive for manufacturing to increase production and create more jobs.

It is not as if the government is literarily folding its hands, and watch Nigerians suffer, but all efforts that have so far been put in place over the years to tackle the crisis are yet to yield results. For instance, the roadmap for power sector reform in 2010 was designed to comprehensively transform the power industry through privatization, raising output to 40,000 Megawatt (MW) by 2020 and attracting investment in the market. Regrettably, the lofty milestones were missed because of the decay occasioned by mismanaging privatization.

All the same, there is still an urgent need for the government to adopt bold approaches toward resolving the crisis.

Firstly, the urgency to review the privatization policy in the power sector should not be dismissed with mere wave of the hands as a comprehensive review of the privatization process is essential. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched as not a few industry watchers are unanimous in their views that the federal government should consider it expedient to commence a review of the operational licenses issued to Generation Companies (GenCos) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) 10 years ago, as the purpose of the privatization has been defeated by what can in this context be dubbed to be Nigerian Factors. After all, the licenses granted to operators and players in the power sector under the privatization exercise was designed to last for 10 years, implying that it has 10-year moratorium from November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2023

In a similar vein, it is been widely suggested that investment in infrastructure in the power sector should be of priority. In this case, there should be an urgent need for upgrading of transmission lines, investment in renewable energy, and improvement in the distribution of networks as they are critical steps to take.

Another critical area that needs top priority in tackling the prevailing power crisis in the country is that of empowering the state governments by allowing them to build their own power plants in order to enhance local energy production. For instance, the 188MW Geometric Power Plant in Aba, Abia State is a significant milestone that promises to transform the energy landscape for its residents. In fact, the benefits that are inherent in the Geometric Power Plant become visible when seen through the prism of the fact that under the Enugu Distribution Company (Disco), Abia receives a mere 11.8% of power from the national grid (approximately 472MW), which must be distributed across the state and neighboring states.

However, the introduction of the Geometric Power Plants 188MW is particularly noteworthy, as it significantly bridges the gap in meeting the regions energy needs. Without a doubt, the Geometric Power Plant represents progress in Nigerias electricity challenges and serves as a beacon of hope for improved power generation, transmission, and distribution.

Without a doubt, resolving Nigerias power crisis demands a bold new approach that combines technical improvements, policy reforms, and innovative solutions to ensure reliable and affordable electricity for all.
The National Automotive Design and Development Council and the African Export-Import Bank have disclosed plans for the development of the Nnewi Auto Industrial Park.

The NADDC further explained that the goal was to create a mutually beneficial relationship, where Afreximbank would provide funding and possibly other resources, while it oversees the planning, development, and execution of the Nnewi Auto Industrial Park.

It stated in a release that the partnership occurred when the Director-General of National NADDC, Joseph Osanipin, visited the Regional Chief Operating Officer of Afreximbank, Eric Intong.

According to the statement, At the meeting, Osanipin highlighted the significance of the Nnewi Auto Industrial Park, describing it as a new solution to the challenges confronting parts manufacturers in Nigeria, which will also invigourate the automotive sector and propel Nigeria towards a future of enhanced job creation and economic prosperity.

Intong applauded commencement of the Nnewi Auto Industrial Park and also assured of Afreximbanks readiness for a productive partnership with the council.
President Bola Tinubu has joined the Muslim faithful to observe Eid-el-Fitr prayers, urging Nigerians to continue to have faith in his government and remain patriotic citizens.

While addressing journalists after the prayers at the Eid Ground at the Dodan Barracks, the President said the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, which is aimed at bringing prosperity to Nigerians, is being diligently implemented.

Encouraging Muslims celebrating the conclusion of Ramadan to extend the values of sacrifice and resilience beyond the fasting period, President Tinubu emphasized the need for Nigerians to prioritize the exhibition of love for their country.

''The resilience and sacrifice that we have shown and made during these months should be preserved. Be a kind and cheerful giver. We must love our country more than any other country, because that is the only one we have.

''We must continue to protect the integrity of our government and leadership.

''The Renewed Hope Agenda is alive, well and fine, and Nigerians should continue to be very hopeful. Without hope, there is no salvation. Without hope, there is no development. Without hope, there is no life. Eid Mubarak, the President told journalists at the end of the prayers led by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla.

Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam urged Nigerians to shun all acts of violence, ensure peaceful co-existence, and continue to have faith in the country.

He asked those in leadership positions to remain faithful to their oaths of office and work towards alleviating the suffering of the less privileged.

Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Gaza and other areas of conflict, the Chief Imam said.

He offered prayers of Gods guidance, wisdom, and protection for President Tinubu and the Lagos State government, as well as for peace and stability in the country.
The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has threatened to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for alleged defamation.

Edu made this known in a letter signed by her counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), to BBC Abuja and London offices.

The letter alleged that the media organisation reported that N30 billion was from the suspended Minister recovered in the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The lawyer claimed that the publication which he described as false have dented the reputation of his client, Edu.

Our client has suffered immeasurable reputational damage, psychological trauma and anguish as a direct consequence of the publication and dissemination of the article, it read.

Edu is also demanding 50 million dollars from the media organisation as compensation.

The letter read, We represent Dr. Betta Edu, the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as "our client") and we have her express instructions to write you inthe termssethereunder.

We write to express our deep concern regarding the recent article published by the BBC on its website: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-Africa (Last accessed on 9th April 2024 at17:40 GMT) titled: "Betta Edu Probe: Nigeria Recover $24m in Poverty Minister Investigation- EFCC" with the byline "Nigeria Has Recovered 30bn Naira ($24m; 19m) as Part of an Ongoing Corruption probe Into a Suspended Minister, the Financial Watchdog Says".

The aforesaid article, which presents information purporting to relate to an ongoing corruptionprobeinto the activitiesof the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria, is replete with innuendoes and insinuations which suggest that N30bn has been recovered in the course of the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from our client and that the 50 bank accounts connected with the recovered sums are linked to our client.

Furthermore, your article proceeds to cast aspersion on our client by referencing her earlier suspension (to allow for unfettered investigations) in the following terms: "Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Betta Edu was initially suspended in January over the alleged diversion of $640,000 of public money into a personal bank account."

First and foremost, the language used in describing our client's purported involvement in the alleged corruption case suggests guilt without allowing for the presumption of innocence, which is fundamental in any fair and unbiasedreporting. The reckless manner in which the article was crafted, without providing our client with the opportunity to respond to the allegations before its wide publication, is a clear breach of journalistic fairness and due process and demonstrates a complete disregard for journalistic integrity and professionalism.

The headline, content, and tone of the article imply guilt on the part of our client, without any concrete evidence to substantiate such claims. This is a blatant attempt to tarnish our client's reputation and undermine her credibility which she has earned over the course of her distinguished career in both private and public life.

For the avoidance of doubt, our client has neither been indicted nor found culpable of any act of financial impropriety in relation to her stewardship of the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry in Nigeria. It is also pertinent toemphasize thatneither N30billion nor any amount whatsoever has been traced to or recovered from our client's bank accounts nor has any proceed of crime been traced or recovered from her to warrant the scurrilous article under reference.

Suffice it to say that in the aftermath of the publication of this scandalous article (which the BBC caused to be disseminated to millions of persons across the globe), our client has been inundated by calls and messages from friends, associates expressing their shock and consternation. Our client has suffered immeasurable reputational damage, psychological trauma and anguish as a direct consequence of the publication and dissemination of the article."
Chairman Ola Olukoyede's recent statements epitomize the rot within Nigeria's criminal justice system  all talk and no action. Like those before him, his penchant for sensationalism, with phrases like, "As it is now, we are investigating over 50 bank accounts... That's a big deal," is not just infuriating; it's an egregious insult to the intelligence of every Nigerian who yearns for real accountability and justice.

Nigerians are not merely fatigued; we are seething with righteous indignation. We demand justice  swift, severe, and unyielding  for the countless victims of corruption who have been denied their rightful recompense. This sentiment was echoed by numerous voices, including those pointing at the actions of Betta Edu, whose suspension again brought to the forefront the widespread corruption entrenched within the system.

However, amidst these revelations, Nigerians are weary of mere sensationalism. We demand tangible outcomes  convictions, restitution, and accountability. It's time for actions, not just empty rhetoric.

While Olukoyede basks in the fleeting glow of his agency's ostensible diligence, the grim reality remains unchanged. Mountains of corruption cases languish within the EFCC's archives, accumulating dust alongside the shattered dreams and stolen futures of millions of Nigerians. Ex-governors, present senators, and a cesspool of corrupt officials continue to roam free, untouched by the very system that claims to hold them accountable. Betta Edu's case, a mere drop in the ocean of endemic corruption engulfing our nation, serves as a poignant reminder of the pervasive impunity that festers within our institutions.

Once again, Chairman Ola Olukoyede offers empty words disguised as pleas for support in the fight against corruption. His recent appeal to stakeholders  the National Assembly and the judiciary  to aid the EFCC's mission is nothing more than a ceremonial gesture, devoid of any real commitment to change. Nigerians are tired of these hollow pleas, which only serve to mask the systemic failures and corruption within our institutions.

In the face of such egregious failure, Chairman Olukoyede's hollow words are not just insulting; they are an affront to our collective dignity and a slap in the face of every Nigerian who has suffered at the hands of corruption. We demand action  decisive, relentless, and uncompromising. We demand accountability  not just for Betta Edu, but for every venal official who has plundered our nation's resources and exploited our people for personal gain.

Enough with the empty rhetoric. It's time for Chairman Olukoyede and the EFCC to stop hiding behind words and start delivering tangible results for the Nigerian people. Anything less is not just disappointing; it's an insult to our intelligence, a betrayal of our trust, and a mockery of our aspirations for a better, corruption-free future.

Let's be brutally honest: Nigerians are not just tired; we are seething with righteous indignation. We demand justice  not tomorrow, not next year, but right now. We demand justice  not in words, but in actions; not in promises, but in convictions; not in theatrics, but in real, tangible results.

In his feeble appeal, Olukoyede implores every Nigerian to be a corruption fighter, as if we haven't been fighting this battle every single day of our lives. But let's call it what it is: a hollow plea from an institution that has failed us time and time again. In a country where corruption is more than just a problem  it's a way of life  such appeals are meaningless without concrete action.

In a real justice system, you don't plead with corrupt leaders  you hold them accountable. You pursue them with unwavering determination, regardless of their status or influence. Yet, all too often, the EFCC's efforts seem to be directed at apprehending petty criminals, while the real culprits roam free, laughing at the ineffectiveness of our institutions.

It's time for the EFCC to stop playing games and start doing its job. It's time for Chairman Olukoyede to stop hiding behind press releases and start taking real, meaningful action against corruption. The Nigerian people deserve better  and we won't stop demanding it until we see real change.

Nigerians are exhausted from being pacified with hollow promises and symbolic gestures. What we demand now is action  bold, resolute, and unyielding. We demand accountability  not just from those at the bottom of the corruption hierarchy, but from the powerful individuals who operate with impunity at the highest levels.

Chairman Olukoyede, if you genuinely aspire to enact change, it's time to cease appealing to the conscience of corrupt politicians and start holding them answerable. No more empty rhetoric; we demand tangible results that benefit the Nigerian populace. Anything less than this is a betrayal of our trust and a mockery of our desire for a corruption-free future. The moment for transformation is upon us, and we refuse to accept anything less than justice  not only in words but in actions.

Let's not ignore the damning truth about the shameless Nigerian judiciary  an institution that should serve as the bedrock of justice but is instead tainted by the foul stench of corruption. In a system where nepotism reigns supreme and external influences dictate proceedings, can we truly expect fair outcomes, especially from the federal courts in Abuja? Far too often, rather than upholding the law, the judiciary acts as a shield for the corrupt elite, safeguarding them from accountability and shielding wrongdoers from facing the consequences of their actions. This betrayal of trust not only undermines the very essence of our democracy but also deepens the wounds of a nation already torn apart by corruption and injustice. It's a shameful reality that stains the integrity of our judicial system and erodes the faith of the people in the pursuit of true justice.

Rather than reveling in the limelight of superficial investigations, Olukoyede should redirect his focus towards achieving concrete outcomes. Nigerians aren't just fatigued; we're incensed by the relentless parade of empty assurances, theatrical performances, and grandiose declarations. We demand justice  prompt, severe, and unwavering  not the hollow facades of anti-corruption efforts that we've grown accustomed to.

Furthermore, we demand to hear breaking news that reflects real progress in the fight against corruption. We want to see headlines announcing convictions and sentences for those who have plundered our nation's resources. We want tangible evidence that the wheels of justice are turning, and that no one  regardless of their status or influence  is above the law.

Yet, what do we get instead? Endless tales of investigations, countless promises of accountability, but where are the outcomes? We are tired of being fed empty words and hollow assurances. We demand action, not just rhetoric. It's time to break through the facade of sensationalism and confront the harsh reality of corruption head-on.

We must delve deeper, beyond the surface-level arrests and publicized investigations. We need to root out the corruption that festers within the very institutions entrusted with upholding justice. It's not enough to go after low-level criminals; we must also hold accountable those who manipulate the system for their own gain  the magistrates, judges, lawyers, police, investigators, prosecutors, and all those who facilitate the perversion of justice.

Let's expose their corruption, strip away their veneer of respectability, and hold them to account for their crimes. The rot runs deep, but we cannot allow it to continue unchecked. We must pursue justice relentlessly, no matter where it leads us.

Nigerians are not fools; we see through the smoke and mirrors of media sensationalism, recognizing it for what it truly is  a hollow attempt at self-aggrandizement. We demand substance, not spectacle, action, not empty words. It's time to break the cycle of impunity and ensure that justice is served, no matter who stands in its way.

While Olukoyede revels in the spotlight of superficial investigations, the stark reality remains unchanged. Mountains of corruption cases gather dust within the EFCC's archives, while the perpetrators of grand corruption roam free, untouched by the very system that purports to hold them accountable. Betta Edu's case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive impunity that plagues our institutions, highlighting the stark disconnect between rhetoric and reality.

Enough with the empty rhetoric. It's time for Chairman Olukoyede and the EFCC to transcend sensationalism and deliver tangible results for the Nigerian people. We demand action  decisive, relentless, and uncompromising. Accountability must be upheld, not just for Betta Edu, but for every corrupt official who has plundered our nation's resources and exploited our people for personal gain.

In a nation where corruption corrodes trust in institutions, the EFCC's inability to secure convictions only fuels public skepticism. It's imperative for the EFCC to reassess its priorities, prioritizing the quality of investigations and the efficacy of legal proceedings over mere theatrics. A robust justice system hinges on accountability, transparency, and, above all, tangible outcomes  something that cannot be achieved through hollow promises and theatrical displays.

As Nigerians await the outcomes of these investigations, there's a growing consensus that actions must speak louder than words. The EFCC must pivot towards a more substantive approach, demonstrating its commitment to upholding the rule of law and delivering justice for all citizens. Anything less would be a disservice to the nation and its democratic ideals.

This social indictment is not about the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, as a person, but about a rotten system. It's about the pervasive culture of impunity that allows corruption to thrive unchecked. It's about a judiciary that fails to hold the powerful accountable and instead becomes complicit in their crimes. It's about a society where corruption is not just accepted but expected, where the pursuit of personal gain trumps the common good. Until we address these systemic issues, the fight against corruption will remain an uphill battle, and justice will continue to elude us.

If not, it should be disbanded or restructured into the ineffectual antithesis called the Nigeria Police Force, and let each state create its own state police and EFCC. We cannot continue like this. Good God, I am incensed.
Zain Zafar Solving Equations (Jodi Fillingame)

Zain Zafar, a grade 12 student at the International School Westpfalz GMBH is this years recipient of the International Cambridge Educations Top in Country (Germany) Award for Mathematics.

Landstuhl Mayor Ralf Hersina preventing Zain Zafar with Cambridge Award (Jodi Fillingame)

I had the pleasure of speaking with him and principal Jodi Fillingame. When asked how one becomes nominated for this award, Zain responded that it actually came as a surprise. He took an internal Cambridge exam and did exceptionally well on it. This exam placed him on a nomination list and he was eventually notified of winning the prestigious award. Upon listening to him speak about his curriculum in A-level mathematics. I could instantly tell how driven and focused Zain is.

I asked Zain what got him interested in Mathematics. He expressed that his dad, a mathematics professor, is his inspiration. Zain said that it has been very helpful in his journey to have his dads guidance and support and to witness his passion for mathematics. He shared, Because I moved a lot in my childhood years, about four countries, Ive not had much of a base subject I could study just because of different languages and voices except for mathematics which has been the same throughout.

I also asked Zain, what goes into training for the award. Although the award came as a surprise, getting to the level of advanced mathematics Zain is at took some serious discipline. He conveyed a huge part of it was scheduling. He decides what he wants to learn and makes a schedule to practice it. In preparation for the exam, he would choose one topic a week and after completing a set of problems, he would redo them until he was confident in the area.

Not being afraid to ask for help was another aspect, getting as much help as possible from his dad and other staff helped him to grow. He said, To me, success is not to do extraordinary things. It is to do ordinary things at an extraordinary rate, because you really want to keep the basics grounded.

Its not common to hear about such advanced mathematics being taught at the high school level. However, after listening to the way principal Jodi Fillingame spoke about her and the rest of the staffs support for Zain, it is clear that the International School is unique and the programs are authentically about each student.

Zain Zafar and Principal Jodi Fillingame with Award (Jodi Fillingame)

She emphasized how proud she, and the rest of the school are of Zains achievement. When asked how the school offers support to their students she replied, Students are in the center we really try to stay true to our motto, Dare to do what you dream. The school works hard to help students realize their dreams and create a game plan to help them achieve those dreams. They instill future skills, resilience, and the drive to be self-starters. This is evident in Zains hard work and the things he has on the horizon.

Whats next for Zain? The award has helped him enroll into a nearby university where he has started studying Aviation Management. In the near future he hopes to be accepted into the prestigious Technical University of Munich where he wants to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace. This would be another outstanding achievement. Principal Fillingame has no doubt he will succeed in his future in advanced mathematics. She and the rest of the faculty extend their support to Zain and other students in any way they can even once they become alumni.

I asked Zain if he had any tips for other kids who want to get better at math. He shared how important it is to explore all avenues in mathematics to continue to grow. That it truly is about putting in the work even when it is mundane. He said, There are no cheat codes or hacks, and referenced Kobe Bryan saying that to go all the way Never ever rest in the middle. Rest at the end.
MAM | Media And Advertising Hashtag Orange appoints Su Yin Teh, ex-CFO of WPP, as advisor for international business expansion In a strategic move to propel global growth and market penetration, the integrated marketing agency, Hashtag Orange, has announced the appointment of Su Yin Teh as their advisor for international business expansion. Read More...

MAM | Media and Advertising Infectious Advertising appoints Prashanth Kumar as chief digital officer Infectious Advertising has appointed Prashanth Kumar as chief digital officer. A pro at digital and strategy, Prashant has rich and varied experience across markets. Read More...
One constable was severely injured after an attack on a police camp at Shitulia in Sandeshkhali, today. Tension prevailed here after the attack on a police camp.

Police said that Sandip Mondal, the injured police constable was admitted to a private hospital in the city. Three persons were detained in this connection. Police sources said that Mondals condition deteriorated at the hospital. The attack happened late Monday night, when a group of miscreants entered into the camp with bamboo sticks and unleashed an attack on police. Mr Mondal was hit by the bamboo stick and received severe injury. He was admitted to a Khulna government hospital and later shifted to Kolkata. The cops have detained three persons concerning the attack. Local police said that a group of miscreants, late Monday night, suddenly barged into a temporary police camp that was located at a flood centre in the Shitulia area of Sandeshkhali.

The cops present there were caught by surprise and were attacked by the miscreants with rods and sticks, said a senior police official. On Tuesday morning, the police detained three persons as suspects of the attack. The police have also started a detailed investigation into the reason behind the sudden attack. The police were giving rounds in the area to prevent any escalation.

Advertisement

A gang of dacoits also barged into the residence of Mriganka Mondal at Dulduli in Hingalganj area in North 24-Parganas last night. However, Mr Mondal raised an alarm and villagers arrived at the spot. One dacoit was caught and handed over to the police.
The Income Tax Bar Association Calcutta, celebrated its centenary at a function held in the Science City auditorium last week.

It is the oldest tax bar in the country. A documentary on the history of the association was shown at the function.

K M Dixit, principal chief commissioner of Income Tax, West Bengal and Sikkim was the special guest. Manoranjan Panigrahy, principal chief commissioner of income tax, Patna, Jharkhand and Bhubaneshwar was the guest of honour. The president of the association S K Tulsiyan gave the welcome address while J P Khaitan, senior advocate, Calcutta High Court was the chairman of the event. The association felicitated its veteran members, who are associated for more than 40 years. The programme was moderated by Himadri Mukhopadhyay, secretary of the association and Siddhartha Ray, joint secretary of the association.

Advertisement
Reputed Kolkata-based industrialist and the chairman of Ambuja Neotia Group, Harshavardhan Neotia arrived at the office of the ED at Salt Lake on the outskirts of Kolkata on Tuesday morning.

While entering the central agencys office, Mr Neotia confirmed that he had been summoned by the ED for questioning. He, however, refused to divulge the reasons behind the call up. I will tell you everything later, was his crisp reply. ED officials, too, are maintaining silence on the matter. In October 2014, Harsh Neotia and painter Suvaprasanna were grilled by the ED in relation to the multi-crore Saradha chit-fund scam.

While Suvaprasanna was grilled in connection with selling a company held by him to the Saradha Group chief, Sudipta Sen, Mr Neotia was questioned for his reported links with the company, which was basically an art venture. Harsh Neotia is quite well-known in Kolkata circles as an art connoisseur. However, it is not clear whether he has been summoned at the EDs office in connection with that old case or if there is any new development. The ED is investigating several corruption cases starting from the recruitment case. The central agency has already claimed that these cases involved huge financial transactions.

Advertisement
A special meeting to discuss the life and philosophy of Sri Aurobindo was held at Sri Aurobindo Smrititirtha, Chandannagore. The meeting also discussed the commemoration of the consecration of his relics at the organisation.

On 31 March, 2010 the relics were consecrated at the organisation, situated at Beraichanditala.

Bhaskar Mukhopadhyay, scholar and a researcher on Sri Aurobindo, spoke on the significance of consecration of the relics.

Advertisement

Sri Aurobindo came to Chandannagore, which was then a French colony, on 21 February, 1910 after being acquitted from the Alipore bomb case. He stayed at various places for more than a month. Finally, he left for Puducherry on 31 March, 1910.

Chandannagore was a seat of the revolutionary movement. There were various secret organizations and bomb manufacturing units. Sir Charles Teggart, the famous police commissioner of Calcutta had visited Chandannagore but could not unearth a single bomb manufacturing unit.
Amidst the huge uproar over the issue of BJP leader Jitendra Tiwaris alleged meeting with SP of NIA Dhan Ram Singh in Kolkata, the agency has summoned him to New Delhi and also has appointed a new DIG-ranked officer at its Kolkata office today.

IPS officer Rakesh Roshan will replace him. The Trinamul Congress alleged that Tiwari met the SP and handed him a list of TMC party leaders, whose houses should be raided.

TMCs Kunal Ghosh also claimed at a press meet that he has video footage of that alleged meeting and claimed that after that meeting NIA has conducted raids in Bhupatinagar.

Advertisement

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already made it a poll issue.

PM Narendra Modi, while campaigning in north Bengal said that raids will be stricter in the coming days.

TMCs national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also posted in his X handle about this issue.

Meanwhile, BJP leader and former mayor of Asansol Municipal Corporation, Jitendra Tiwari has refuted the allegations as baseless and has threatened to lodge a defamation suit against Kunal Ghosh and others within seven days if they fail to provide any video footage of his alleged meeting with SP of NIA in Kolkata.
Traditional fervour and gaiety marked the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr on Wednesday across Jammu and Kashmir.

A large Eid congregation was held at Srinagars Hazratbal shrine on the banks of the Dal Lake.

A large number of Muslims also assembled in Jammu, Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Banihal, Kathua and other parts of the Union Territory to offer prayers on the occasion.

Advertisement

However, the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid (AAJ) said: The Jama Masjid Srinagar is closed for Eid prayers. Chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was scheduled to deliver Eid sermons, has been placed under house arrest. Police personnel have closed the gates of the Jama Masjid. This is for the fifth consecutive year that the authorities have prohibited Eid prayers at the Jama Masjid.

Continued closure of the Jama Masjid belies claims of religious freedom in Kashmir, AAJ posted on X.

Offering Eid greetings, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha wrote on X; The auspicious day inspires us to dedicate ourselves to the service of humanity. May the holy festival bring good health, happiness and prosperity in everyones lives.

Former chief ministers Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were among those who offered prayers at the shrine.

A genocide of Palestinians is going on while Muslim countries are silent. I hope they wake up and break their silence on this murder of humanity, Abdullah said after offering his prayers at Hazratbal.

On India-Pakistan ties, he said the two nations can progress only when they have friendly relations. We cannot progress if we have hostile and confrontationist relations, Abdullah said.

I urge the affluent class in the society to help those who do not have any resources to celebrate Eid. The prevailing situation has regrettably increased the social gap with uncertainty looming large over the poorest of poor, daily wagers, and marginal farmers, pushing them to the brink of hunger. On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the well off in our society should lend all support to the people in need, Abdullah added.

Mehbooba condemned the closure of the Jamia Masjid for Eid prayers, saying: This is interference in religious matters.

In Jammu, the biggest congregation was held at the Eidgah in the main city and Mecca Masjid at Bathindi, where hundreds of devotees performed Namaz-e-Eid.
Actor Bhumi Pednekar recently shared her heartfelt connection with Jaipur, the Pink City, where she was shooting for her upcoming project. Through a series of Instagram posts, she reminisced about her childhood spent in Jaipur, describing it as her Nani ghar (grandmothers home) where she enjoyed carefree summers with her cousins. However, after the loss of her grandparents, she felt disconnected from the city until her recent visit reignited those cherished memories.

Reflecting on her 45-day stay in Jaipur, Bhumi expressed how deeply she felt reconnected to her past and present experiences. She confessed to leaving a piece of her heart in the city, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to return.

In her upcoming web series Daldal, Bhumi is set to portray the role of a determined cop, DCP Rita Ferreira, grappling with both the ghosts of her past and the challenges of her present. The series, directed by Amrit Raj Gupta and based on Vish Dhamijas Bhendi Bazaar, follows Ritas pursuit of a cold-blooded serial killer while battling her own inner demons.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Bhumi has been receiving praise for her performance as a journalist in the recently released Bhakshak. The film, directed by Pulkit and produced by Gauri Khan and Gaurav Verma, revolves around a womans relentless quest for justice. With a stellar cast including Sanjay Mishra, Aditya Srivastava, and Sai Tamhankar, Bhakshak is currently streaming on Netflix.

For Bhumi Pednekar, Jaipur isnt just a shooting location; its a city brimming with cherished memories and a profound sense of belonging. As she continues to captivate audiences with her versatile roles on screen, her personal connection to Jaipur adds a layer of authenticity and warmth to her performances.
After a long wait, fans of Avatar can finally breathe a sigh of relief as James Cameron gears up to bring the next installment of the sci-fi saga to the big screen. Following a 13-year gap between the original Avatar and its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, Cameron is now aiming to shorten the time between films with Avatar 3.

In a recent interview on the Soundtracking with Edith Bowman podcast, Cameron revealed his plans for Avatar 3, stating that hes tweaking the script based on audience feedback from the second film. He hinted at expanding the role of Loak, played by Britain Dalton, even suggesting that the character might serve as the narrator for the third installment.

Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, who portrays Tuk in the franchise, shared her excitement for the upcoming film, promising that it will surpass expectations. She teased new Navi clans and Pandoras diverse landscapes, leaving fans eager for more.

Advertisement

Cameron himself dropped hints about the narrative, mentioning the significance of fire and the introduction of two entirely new cultures in Avatar 3. Familiar faces like Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver will return, joined by newcomers like Game of Thrones star Oona Chaplin.

Avatar: The Way of Water left audiences on the edge of their seats as Jake and Neytiri navigated parenthood and faced new threats to Pandora. Now, the adventure continues as they seek refuge with the Metkayina people amidst another human invasion.

As always, Cameron is at the helm, bringing his visionary storytelling to life once again. With his track record of blockbusters like Titanic and The Terminator, fans can expect nothing short of cinematic excellence.

Filmed in the picturesque landscapes of New Zealand, Avatar 3 was initially slated for release in December 2024 but has been pushed back to December 2025. Nevertheless, anticipation remains sky-high as Cameron continues to work his magic behind the scenes, promising an epic cinematic experience for audiences worldwide.
A Burnsville grocery store owner pleaded guilty Wednesday to a fraud charge in the sprawling Feeding Our Future case.

Hoda Ali Abdi, 53, of Burnsville was charged in February with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She's the 18th defendant to plead guilty in the massive case, admitting in federal court on Wednesday that she submitted fake invoices, collecting more than $1 million in federal reimbursements for claiming to provide food as a vendor and serve meals at her distribution site to children in need  when little to no food or meals were actually provided.

She told U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel she was nervous on Wednesday, but made no comment about her involvement in the case. She declined to answer questions after the hearing, which was her first court appearance since charges were filed.

Her attorney, Thomas Kelly, said she has cooperated with the government throughout the process.

"This is obviously a horrible, tragic mistake," Kelly said. "She's very contrite and remorseful about the situation."

Abdi, who has no prior criminal history, could face 24 to 30 months in prison. She also could owe nearly $1.3 million in restitution  the amount she received in the scheme from 2021 to 2023.

Abdi, who owned Alif Halal LLC in Burnsville, applied to be a vendor providing food to distribution sites run by co-conspirators. She also applied to run her own food distribution site. She was sponsored by Feeding Our Future and St. Paul nonprofit Partners in Nutrition, also called Partners in Quality Care, which were both tasked with overseeing meal sites.

Alif Halal LLC claimed to be a vendor to other co-conspirators' food distribution sites, which submitted the fake invoices from Abdi to collect $3 million in reimbursements. Abdi was charged by criminal information, a charging document typically used when a defendant has agreed to plead guilty instead of the case going to a grand jury.

In March 2023, more than a year after the FBI raided Feeding Our Future's offices and publicly revealed the massive fraud investigation, agents spoke with Abdi. Afterwards, some of her co-conspirators asked her to lie to investigators, prosecutors said and Abdi confirmed Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded meal programs at the center of the case reimburse nonprofits and schools for providing food to low-income children after school or during the summer.

The now-defunct St. Anthony nonprofit, Feeding Our Future, grew to become one of the largest sponsors of the programs in Minnesota. It oversaw hundreds of distribution sites during the pandemic, when federal waivers loosened in-person monitoring and oversight, making the program more vulnerable to fraud, investigators have said. Its executive director, Aimee Bock, has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to charges.

Since September 2022, 70 people have been charged in the case, which prosecutors say involved a system of kickbacks and bribes among associates, who used the money to buy luxury cars and homes instead of feeding children. The first trial is scheduled to start April 22.
In a jolt to the beleaguered Aam Aadmi Party, Delhi Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand on Wednesday resigned, saying he was unable to stand corruption that has engulfed the party.

He said he has resigned from the party and the Arvind Kejriwal cabinet.

Addressing a press conference, Anand said he does not want to be part of any corrupt practices, further adding that it was no longer possible for him and became difficult to carry on as a minister.

Advertisement

As a Delhi government minister, I have seven departments. Today I am very sad, and therefore have come forward to share my sorrow, he said.

While speaking to reporters, the politician said, I am stepping down as minister. This government has no morality left to continue in power.

He said the sole reason for joining the AAP was the promise made by the AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal that politics will change which will help bring better changes in the country.

On a sad note, he further said, politics did not change, but the leaders did, expressing displeasure over the present situation and charges of corruption on the party.

He further alleged that the partys leadership was drifting away from the teachings of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, and also claimed that the party had no place for Dalits, and claimed that the community felt cheated, which made it further difficult for him to remain in the party.

Anand said that on becoming the minister, his only intention and vision was to pay back to the society, and now did not want to be a part of the party where representation from the Dalits is not given due importance.

The AAP was born out of the anti-corruption movement, but today it finds itself in deep-rooted corruption, he said.

There are 13 party MPs in the Rajya Sabha, but not one woman or a Dalit leader, he added.

Meanwhile, back in November last year, the businessman-turned-politician reportedly faced searches conducted by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in the alleged liquor policy scam case.

He was elected to the Delhi assembly in 2020 from the Patel Nagar assembly constituency.
Even as the BJP intensified its protests for the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Wednesday said if the Delhi chief minister steps down, the saffron party will finish the AAP.

Our ministers will be put in jail. Punjabs CM and ministers will be put in jail and then they will ask for his resignation. They will put MK Stalin, Revanth Reddy, Kerala CM, Tejashwi Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav in jail, Singh said while addressing a press conference in Delhi.

The AAP MP said that the Narendra Modi government wants to keep Kejriwal in jail. He also alleged that a threat has been given to the Delhi CM that he will be stopped from meeting his family and lawyers after he conveyed a message to AAP MLAs to visit their area and address peoples concerns.

Advertisement

The Modi government wants to keep an elected Chief Minister of Delhi in jail two days ago, Arvind Kejriwal met his lawyer and during that meeting, he gave the message that the elected MLAs should go to their areas and listen to the problems of the people. And just on the basis of this message, an inquiry has been set up against him and a threat is being given that you will be stopped from meeting your family and lawyers, Singh claimed.

His remarks came after BJP workers and supporters staged a massive protest in the national capital demanding Kejriwals resignation after the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea challenging his arrest in the money laundering case.

The Delhi police used water canons to disperse the protesting BJP workers and detained several of them.

Meanwhile, AAP leaders held a meeting at Kejriwals residence regarding the strategy for Lok Sabha elections. Kejriwals wife Sunita Kejriwal also attended the meeting.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, AAP MPs Sandeep Pathak and Sanjay Singh, ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj, Gopal Rai and party leader Jasmine Shah were among the other leaders who attended the meeting, sources said.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that the North-Eastern states have been freed of insurgency under the NDA rule.

Sarma said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several peace accords were signed which paved the way for peace in the restive region.

Drawing a parallel, Sarma highlighted a recent roadshow by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Tinsukia, pointing out the absence of extensive security measures compared to previous gatherings, which were marred by security concerns due to insurgency activities.

Advertisement

Reflecting on the past, Sarma recalled frequent bombings, IED explosions, and tragic loss of lives, especially among the youth and law enforcement personnel, due to insurgent attacks.

He underscored the remarkable transformation evident in the present scenario, citing the absence of insurgency not only in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh but also in other regions like Karbi Anglong and eastern Assam.

Sarma attributed this shift towards peace to Prime Minister Narendra Modis tenure, asserting a significant reduction in insurgency activities across Assam.
A meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will be held on April 26 for the election to the posts of mayor and deputy mayor.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Municipal Corporation of Delhi will be elected in the ordinary meeting of Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

The ordinary meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for the election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 11:00 am in Aruna Asaf Ali Auditorium. The last date for filing nominations for the election is Thursday 18 April 2024, an official statement said on Wednesday.

Advertisement

Nominations in this regard can be filed in the office of the Municipal Secretary on any working day from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The post of Mayor of Municipal Corporation of Delhi is reserved for Scheduled Castes for the third year.

In 2023, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates Shelly Oberoi and Aaley Muhammad Iqbal were re-elected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor in Delhi respectively after BJP candidates withdrew their nominations.

This comes at a time when Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is in jail in connection with the excise policy case. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21.

The post of mayor in the national capital sees five single-year terms on a rotational basis with the first year reserved for women, the second for the open category, the third for the reserved category and the remaining two again for the open category. Delhi gets a new mayor after the end of a financial year.

The municipal elections in Delhi were held on December 4 and the results were announced on December 7.

The AAP came out victorious with 134 seats out of 250. The earlier election for the post of mayor saw high drama with AAP and BJP councillors clashing with each other during one of the meetings. Three attempts to elect the Mayor failed due to bickering between the AAP and BJP.

The AAP also moved the Supreme Court over the elections. Shelly Oberoi was elected mayor of Delhi in the fourth attempt after the wrangling.
The Orissa High Court on Wednesday upheld a trial court order convicting Barabati-Cuttack MLA of outgoing Odisha Assembly, Mohammed Moquim in the Odisha Rural Housing & Development Corporation (ORHDC) corruption case.

Its pertinent to note here that a special vigilance court had sentenced the lawmaker a three-year rigorous imprisonment term.

Earlier on 29 September 2022, Moquim, Managing Director, M/s Metro Builders Pvt Ltd along with Vinod Kumar, IAS and others, was convicted by Special Judge Vigilance, Bhubaneswar and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 3 years and to pay fine of Rs 50,000, and in default of payment of fine, to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for a period of 6 months on each count for the offence U/s 120-B/468/471/420 IPC for obtaining pecuniary advantage in favour of M/s Metro Builders Pvt Ltd in the guise of loans meant for rural poor from ORHDC, the Odisha Vigilance directorate said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Advertisement

The convict Moquim had later moved the High Court challenging the conviction order passed by the Special Judge Vigilance, Bhubaneswar.

With the High Court verdict, Moquim stands disqualified to fight elections given the fact that the Peoples Representatives Act debars those who are awarded a two-year or more jail term, to contest polls for six years. Unless he gets relief from the Supreme Court, the lawmaker will stand disqualified to fight the polls.
Slamming MK Stalin-led DMK over corruption and anti-Tamil culture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday claimed that the party wanted to keep people of Tamil Nadu trapped in old thinking and old politics.

DMK has become a company of a family. Due to DMKs family politics, the youth of Tamil Nadu are not getting a chance to move ahead. There are three main criteria to contest elections from DMK and move ahead in DMK. Three main criteria are  family politics, corruption and anti-Tamil culture, Modi said in his address to a gathering in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu.

The prime minister said that he would continue to expose the dangerous politics of the ruling party in Tamil Nadu.

Advertisement

DMK Party makes people fight in the name of region, religion and caste. DMK knows that the day people understand the politics of divide and rule, DMK will not get a single vote. That is why they make people fight among themselves for votes, I have also decided that I will continue to expose this decades-old dangerous politics of DMK, he asserted.

Hailing the contribution of Tamil Nadu in the growth of Indias manufacturing and space sector, Modi said, India is emerging as a power in the world today and I am happy that Tamil Nadu has played a big role in this. Tamil Nadu has made a huge contribution in taking India forward in the space sector. Tamil Nadus hard work has played a vital role in taking India forward in manufacturing. I am confident that the Defence Corridor being built in Tamil Nadu will take this state to new heights.

The PM is leading the BJPs efforts to grow its foothold in the South Indian state where its presence is currently limited. In the Lok Sabha elections, the saffron party is hoping for a double digit growth in its vote share in Tamil Nadu.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the proceedings before a special PMLA court in an alleged money laundering case against lottery king Santiago Martin.

Staying the trial court proceedings, a bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan issued a notice seeking a response from the Directorate of Enforcement on lottery king Santiago Martins plea against the decision of the PMLA special court in Ernakulam, Kerala.

The special PMLA court in Ernakulam had refused to defer proceedings on Santiago Martins application seeking that the trial in the alleged money laundering case be kept in abeyance till the predicate case registered by the CBI is decided.

Advertisement

Senior advocate Aditya Sondhi and advocate Rohini Musa, who appeared for Santiago Martin, said that the special court ought to have considered that the trial in the PMLA case can commence only after the conclusion of the trial in the predicate case.

Martin was an accused in the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Cochin. Based on this, the ED filed a complaint implicating seven accused persons, including Martin, in a PMLA case.
The mention of literary festivals might raise a yawn or even a groan; they seem to have proliferated to such an extent that Kolkata, as a case in point, has three in the space of a month. And this is when the printed page is believed to be yielding inexorably to the Internet device, and when children of schoolgoing age are understood to be averse to the reading habit. And yet, these book events seem to draw reasonable crowds and are obviously adequately sponsored to the extent that they are not loss-making.

Perhaps it is the presence of celebritywriters that attract the attendance and the investment, but not all speakers are celebrities, and the sprinkling of well-known names can hardly ensure a full house for every session. The Dibrugarh Literary Festival last month was the first of its kind, and different from the norm in many important respects. It was held in the spacious premises of Dibrugarh University with an enthusiastic and engaged audience of young people which lent it a special characteristic. Every session of the three running concurrently was sold out and the students asked the relevant and occasionally penetrating questions.

It can be assumed that if the festival had continued beyond the scheduled three days, the youthful audience would not have flagged in their support. For the writers, the students affection was a unique encouragement. Three-fifths of the speakers were women, a gender proportion rarely achieved by such events. The age profile of the females was low, which added to their attraction for the student body. There were no celebrities to attract that elusive species known as the general reader or those that gape at authors they have heard of but have never read and have no intention of reading.

Advertisement

Therefore, no Salman Rushdie, Shashi Tharoor, Amitav Ghosh or Raghuram Rajan whose presence fills vast open spaces. Neither were there Geetanjali Shree or Arundhati Roy. In lieu of these worthies, there was a stimulating cocktail of writers from near and distant foreign lands; Trinidad, Brazil, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia.

The Indian contingent was equally eclectic: A highly distinguished Assamese film maker, a Goan writer/activist, an online platform editor, military historians, two retired diplomat-authors, skilled moderators (as one would expect) from the Indian Police and Administrative Services, feminists, thriller authors, poets, and scribes of diverse dimensions who had incidentally served as cultural representatives in Indian embassies abroad. Given the different venues (other than the main auditorium, these were converted classrooms) the proceedings ran smoothly, other than for the inordinate delay in starting the inaugural session due to the late arrival of a main speakers.

It is time in India to shed our capacity for infinite patience in deference to late-coming important personages. It would be no loss to humankind to forego the statement of any chief guest when balanced with the inconvenience and growing irritation of the waiting audience. The opening speeches by the Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University Jiten Hazarika, Damodar Mauzo and Jahnu Barua, were au point to the occasion and some asides were noted on freedom of expression and the necessary environment for the exercise of human rights in a country as diverse and layered as federal India.

But neither in this nor any subsequent session was there any political statement that could unduly agitate the government or opposition. There were some social occasions when the writers did not conform to the national stereotype. A Sikh poet was flamboyant in an energetic dance which was certainly not the bhangra. A female Vietnamese translator also proved equally unrestrained. A Bhutanese screenwriter and Brazilian illustrator were unreticent in attempting an Assamese folk dance.

It was an inspired choice to request a writer from Vietnam  not officially sponsored, he assured me  to offer the concluding vote of thanks. On the off-piste calendar, the visit to a tea estate owned by Manoj and Vineeta Jalan provided insight into one resource of what was the wealthiest district in undivided Assam. This literary programme was organized by the Foundation for Culture, Arts and Literature (FOCAL) and intended to connect the student community of Dibrugarh University and its affiliated colleges with the vast realm of global literature and intellectualism, fostering a spirit of exploration and exchange that transcends boundaries.

The chief organizer of FOCAL is Rahul Jain whose meticulous skills were abundantly in evidence. An epitome of calm management, he was the backstage conductor of all the moving parts. But when he chose to moderate a session on contemporary Sri Lanka, it became clear that his direction of front stage developments was also second to none.

(The writer is a former foreign secretary and author of both fiction and non-fiction books.)
In the complex tapestry of Indian politics, one figure stands out: Mr Narendra Modi, the enigmatic Prime Minister who continues to defy conventional wisdom. While the global narrative often associates him with rightwing populism, Mr Modis appeal extends far beyond simplistic categorisations. His paradoxical popularity among Indias educated elite challenges preconceived notions, underscoring the need for a nuanced understanding of his leadership. At the heart of Mr Modis allure lies his ability to navigate the intricate web of class and caste dynamics in Indian society.

Despite hailing from a backward caste himself, Mr Modi has adeptly positioned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a pan-Hindu entity, bridging divides between high-caste groups and marginalised communities. This astute manoeuvring has earned him steadfast support across diverse segments of the population, including the traditional business and trading communities. By transcending conventional barriers, Mr Modi has forged a coalition that defies easy characterisation, a testament to his political acumen. Economic factors further bolster Mr Modis standing among Indias elite.

Under his stewardship, the country has witnessed robust GDP growth, albeit with disparities in distribution. The emergence of an affluent middle class, characterised by a rapid increase in disposable income, has solidified Mr Modis appeal among those who have reaped the benefits of Indias economic ascent. His probusiness policies, coupled with a vision for India as a global economic powerhouse, resonate with a demographic that prioritises financial stability and prosperity. However, it is Mr Modis brand of strongman leadership that truly sets him apart. In an era marked by uncertainty and geopolitical upheaval, many view his decisive approach as a beacon of stability.

Advertisement

Mr Modis unapologetic nationalism and pragmatic foreign policy have endeared him to segments of the elite who value assertiveness on the global stage. His willingness to challenge Western norms while championing Indian interests strikes a chord with those who yearn for a leader unafraid to defy convention. Yet, Mr Modis ascent is not without controversy. Critics decry his administrations treatment of minority communities, citing concerns over religious intolerance and authoritarian tendencies. The recent arrest of political opponents has reignited fears of state overreach.

While many acknowledge these shortcomings, they contend that the broader trajectory of Mr Modis leadership outweighs isolated missteps. Moreover, Mr Modis strategic positioning as a nationalist leader adept at navigating the complexities of global geopolitics has earned him admiration beyond Indias borders. His diplomatic prowess and vision for Indias role on the world stage have garnered international attention and respect, further bolstering his stature as a statesman of consequence.

In essence, Mr Modis popularity among Indias elite defies easy explanation. It is a complex amalgamation of identity politics, economic pragmatism, and admiration for strong leadership. As India navigates an uncertain future, Mr Modi remains a polarising figure, revered by many and reviled by some. Yet, his ability to command loyalty across disparate constituencies speaks to a deeper resonance that transcends conventional political calculus.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Shangla District personifies the violent badlands since eons. Ancient relics of Alexanders Greek army, Buddha sculptures and the mushrooming of madrassas are part of its antiquity and civilisational turmoil. Populated by the fierce Pasthun Yusufzai tribes and other Pashtun tribes  it remains a hotbed of conservatism, intolerance, and violence. The most famous Pakistani daughter of violence, Malala Yousufzais father was born in Shangla.

Unsurprisingly, lawlessness is rampant, and the only modicum of societal intervention (if at all) is not by the official assertion of the Pakistani State but by the regressive elements of clergy, quarrelsome tribal leaders, or by the multitude of extremist organisations that thrive within the region. The locals simply do not like outsiders, enforcement of non-local/societal laws, or the newness of progressive development. With concepts like honour killing and intra-tribal supremacism thriving, it is hardly surprising that Malala Yusufzai had to ultimately abandon and flee  the Pakistani State will always struggle to support development projects and the different thinking of so called outsiders.

Amongst the newest group of outsiders representing alien sensibilities, work or even culture are the burgeoning ranks of Chinese in Pakistan. In July 2021, a bus carrying Chinese workers in the neighbouring Upper Kohistan district was detonated killing nine Chinese and four Pakistanis who were working on a hydroelectric project (whose contract, like almost all in Pakistan, is outsourced to the Chinese). It was a huge security lapse and loss of face for the Pakistanis who have guaranteed security to the Chinese personnel and assets, and yet, routinely fail to secure the same.

Advertisement

Even though the attack was traced to a commander of the Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistanis stuck incredously to the oft-repeated and unconvincing line of a foreign hand (implicit was the so-called Indian-Afghan nexus). Chinese pressure on the Pakistanis to guarantee protection led it to dedicate a complete division known as the Special Security Division (34th Light Infantry Division) to protect the imperatives of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Yet the Chinese and their assets are routinely targeted and hit with deadly consequences.

The nativist mood of the locals was summed up by a Balouch commander who took responsibility for a deadly suicide attack by stating in a video message, China, you came here without our consent, supported our enemies, helped Pakistani military in wiping [out] our villages, but now its our turn. The Baloch Liberation Army guarantees you that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor will fail miserably on Baloch land. The exact same sentiment of unwantedness for the Chinese cuts across the wide swathe of traditional Pashtuns, Sindhis or even Punjabis.

Unfortunately for the Chinese and even the Pakistani citizenry, the Pakistani Armed Forces are more adept at manipulating national politics and pursuing commercial activities than they are in countering terrorism. The Pakistani security apparatuss capabilities have been repeatedly questioned by the Chinese who have gone as far as suggesting protection by private security companies, but the same was obviously dismissed by an embarrassed Pakistani state.

The fact that the Pakistani military itself may be compromised with internal radicalisation and its pernicious role in creating many of these terror organisations compounds the issue. The ability of the Pakistani State to control these groups to do what it wants, and not do what it doesnt want, is not limited. These groups have localised agendas which are deeply ingrained and uncompromisable. Therefore, there is always a conflict of interest and the situation often takes a dangerous and bloody turn. The continuing violence against the Chinese presence took another turn last week when yet another suicide bomber attack killed five Chinese workers in Shangla District.

These workers were working on Pakistans biggest hydropower project, again outsourced to the Chinese. Expectedly the Pakistani reassured the Chinese of exemplary punishment to those involved and more assurances of enhanced protection  but the fact remains that this script has been seen multiple times. Pakistan would singularly account for maximum killing of Chinese, anywhere in the world. Apparently even in this incident the Pakistanis recalled their instinctive foreign elements line, downplaying the fact that the incident occurred despite the police protection given to these Chinese workers.

The miffed Chinese are now conducting their own parallel and independent investigations into the incident, much to the discomfort of Islamabad. The lines between religious extremist organisations or those seeking secessionism on ethnic lines are often blurred  both feed on each other and have clearly metastasized out of Pakistans control. For the fairly conservative Pakistani regime the Chinese are a lifeline to socio-economic sustenance, and therefore they would like the locals to overlook the presence of the Chinese or their socio-economic imprint as necessary for survival.

But for the vast mass of locals fed on religious, cultural and civilisational mistrust and antipathy towards outsiders, the Chinese presence cannot be easily accepted. They are seen as modern-day usurpers, intruders and even plunderers in the mould of the Americans, Soviets, Britons, or other powers that tried to control these restive lands unsuccessfully. The fact that these attacks are not IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) based, carried out from the safety of distance for the perpetrators, but entail physical suicide bombers exemplifies the deep hatred for the Chinese presence.

Whether it was the handiwork of the Balouch groups, Pashtun groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or even local tribes does not matter  what it shows is the level of intolerance towards the Chinese presence in Pakistan. The patent Pakistani tactic of running with the hare and hunting with the hound in terms of valourising religious fundamentalism has run its full course, and now the proverbial chickens are coming home to roost, be it in Afghanistan (where the Taliban has broken off with Pakistan) or within Pakistan itself, as the security situation deteriorates steadily.

The incident points to the continuing sense of deprivation, inequities, interferences, and alienism as perceived by the locals, despite the so-called aid and support from Pakistans iron-brother, China. The Shangla attack is only symptomatic of the guaranteed chaos that lies ahead

(The writer is Lt Gen PVSM, AVSM (Retd), and former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry)
BRUSSELS (AP)  Russian businessmen Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven won a court case Wednesday over a European Union decision to sanction them for their alleged role in Russias war against Ukraine.

The EU General Court said a lack of evidence justified their removal from a list of persons who faced restrictive measures between February 2022 and March 2023. The EU in March last year kept Aven and Fridman on the lists. The two have also challenged that decision in separate cases still pending.

Fridman is a founder of Alfa Group and ranks as one of Russias wealthiest tycoons. The groups Alfa Bank, Russias largest non-state bank, was sanctioned by the EU in March 2022, prompting Fridman to leave the board to try to help the bank skirt sanctions. Aven headed Alfa Bank until March 2022, but like Fridman left the board after the EU move.

The EU has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia since Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine. The measures have targeted the energy sector, banks, the worlds biggest diamond-mining company, businesses and markets, and subjected Russian officials  including Russian President Vladimir Putin  to asset freezes and travel bans.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed Wednesday's ruling.

Of course representatives of big business have the opportunity to challenge these sanctions decisions ... and they are doing that, Peskov told reporters. In any case, we consider all these sanctions illegal, unfair and destructive."

Neither Fridman nor Aven had directly criticized the war. They instead asked well-known anti-war Russians to sign a letter asking that EU sanctions against them be lifted.

Leonid Volkov, the chief of staff to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, signed the letter and later said he regretted doing so.

Volkov said the decision to delist Fridman and Aven was very bad because it showed that tycoons could have sanctions lifted without publicly criticizing Putin or the war in Ukraine.

What the Europeans have done now makes no sense, Volkov wrote on social platform X.

Fridman and Aven never said a word in public against the war and did not go into conflict with Putin. The EU Court simply gave them what they wanted on a silver platter. For what? What signal is the court sending to Putin, his friends, and Russian oligarchs? he added.

Aven, of Russian and Latvian nationality, and Fridman, who holds Russian and Israeli passports, were placed on the list for restrictive measures after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The two challenged the decision and the General Court said their inclusion was not justified because there was insufficient evidence that they provided material or financial support to Russian decision-makers, or were associated with war efforts undermining Ukraine.

Story continues

The General Court considers that none of the reasons set out in the initial acts is sufficiently substantiated and that the inclusion of Mr Aven and Mr Fridman on the lists at issue was therefore not justified, the Luxembourg-based court said in a statement.

Fridman has called the war a tragedy and for the bloodshed to end. He previously lived in Britain but reportedly returned to Moscow after fighting between Israel and Hamas began.

Last year, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions against four Russians on the board of Alfa Group, including Aven and Fridman.

Rulings by the General Court can be appealed to the European Court of Justice.

___

Emma Burrows in London contributed to this report.
As the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the state finds itself embroiled in a whirlwind of uncertainty and confusion over candidate selection. The recent developments in key constituencies highlight the complexities and challenges faced by opposition parties in navigating the intricate social and political dynamics of Indias most populous state.

One of the focal points of this tumultuous saga is Meerut, a constituency historically dominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, the shifting social calculus and the emergence of new contenders have rendered the seat a battleground for political supremacy. The Samajwadi Partys (SP) attempt to tap into Dalit votes by fielding Bhanu Pratap Singh was met with internal resistance, underscoring the intricacies of caste politics and regional affiliations. The narrative extends beyond Meerut, with similar dramas unfolding across the state.

In Bijnor and Moradabad, the SPs experimentation with Dalit candidates reflects a strategic attempt to broaden its voter base. However, internal rifts and conflicting interests have muddled the partys agenda, leaving supporters bewildered and disillusioned. The chaos is further compounded by lastminute changes and defections, as seen in the case of Rampur and Baghpat. The SPs indecisiveness in finalising candidates not only undermines its credibility but also exposes the fragility of opposition unity in the face of a resurgent BJP. Amidst this political quagmire, the Congress finds itself grappling with its own set of challenges. The last-minute replacement of candidates in Sitapur and Mathura underscores the partys struggle to assert its relevance in a landscape dominated by regional powerhouses and a formidable ruling party.

Advertisement

The implications of these developments are far-reaching, with ramifications not only for the electoral outcome but also for the broader democratic fabric of the nation. The erosion of trust in political institutions and the disillusionment of voters with the political process are ominous signs that demand urgent attention. At the heart of this conundrum lies a fundamental question of representation and accountability. The rampant horse-trading and opportunistic manoeuvres by political elites betray a stark disconnect between the aspirations of the electorate and the actions of their elected representatives. In the midst of this chaos, it is imperative for opposition parties to introspect and realign their strategies.

A cohesive and principled approach, grounded in the values of inclusivity and integrity, is essential to counter the hegemony of the ruling party and uphold the democratic ethos of the nation. Ultimately, the fate of Uttar Pradesh lies in the hands of its citizens. As they navigate through the labyrinth of political intrigue and manoeuvring, they must seize the opportunity to demand transparency, accountability, and genuine representation from their elected leaders. In the crucible of democracy, amidst the cacophony of competing voices and vested interests, the true test lies in the resilience and determination of the people to forge a path towards a more equitable and just future.
The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (Odisha) has sought for the protection of child rights during the poll campaigning and election rallies in the State.

In an official letter to the Odisha Chief Electoral Officer, the OSCPCR said It would like to call upon your high office to ensure that children are not used by political parties and candidates in the fray in the upcoming polls.

The Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha will be held simultaneously in four phases on May 13, 20, 25 and June 1.

Advertisement

As there are instances in the past polls of children being deployed by candidates in canvassing, we would like to take up the matter for the larger interest of protection of child rights, said the letter.

Though the misuse of children either by parties or candidates has not come to notice till date, possibility of misuse of this nature may not be ruled out in the coming days when the election campaign will gather heat.

As it has been stated by the Election Commission of India, political leaders and candidates should not use children for campaign activities in any manner, including holding a child in their arms, carrying a child in a vehicle or at rallies.

The OSCPCR would like to seek your prompt intervention to ensure that political parties do not use children in campaigning in any form whatsoever, including for distribution of posters and pamphlets or sloganeering.

OSCPCR seeks zero tolerance towards the use of children in any manner during the electoral process by parties and candidates, the OSCPCR concluded.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claimed that the SP and Congress were spreading rumors that Rajputs were angry with the BJP and pointed out that these were just futile attempts to damage the saffron party.

We will convince everyone. Rumours were also spread in 2014, 2019 (general) and 2022 (state) elections against the BJP, he said, adding that they alleged the same for the backward people and Brahmins. But all these are just rumours to damage the BJP, he pointed out.

Addressing an election rally in Behat town of Saharanpur on Wednesday, Singh said the SP will be finished after the 2024 elections and so will be the Congress.

Advertisement

The minister said the condition of SP has become such that it changes candidates every day, while Congress is not getting any candidates. After Lok Sabha elections people will ask who is SP because SP is a finished party. People will ask who is Congress? This is the condition of these people.

He said,As far as SP and Congress are concerned. I remember during the 2017 assembly elections, these people started the narrative that the backward people of UP were angry with the BJP. In 2019, they raked up the rumour that Brahmins are angry. In 2022, the narrative was that Jats are angry. Now this rumour is being spread that Rajputs are angry with the BJP. But the Congress and the SP are not ready to accept that the whole of Uttar Pradesh was angry with them.

Singh said as soon as BJP got majority in Parliament, the practice of triple talaq was ended. We do politics of justice and humanity, not of caste, creed and religion. We had promised the day we would get the majority, we would build a grand temple of Lord Ram on the land of Ayodhya. We have done that, he said.

Singh said the BJP fulfills its promises. We abolished Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.

The minister said India was the only country in the world to land at Chandrayaan on the south pole of the Moon. This has been possible under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he stressed.

Singh said that Our Prime Minister got 22,500 of our children rescued, who were trapped in Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine war. PM Modi got the war stopped for four and a half hours by talking to the Presidents of Russia, Ukraine and America, this is the strength of India.

He said BJP got the mandate in 2014 and in 2019, the public blessed the party with even more seats. As per the wishes of the people, the work of raising the profile of India in the world is being done under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.
In this article, we look at 25 countries where Christian population will increase the most by 2050. You can skip our detailed analysis on religious affiliations in the corporate world, and head over directly to the 10 Countries where Christian Population will Increase the Most by 2050.

According to PEW Research Centers projected figures for 2020, Christianity is the most practiced religion in the world, with around 2.4 billion adherents, representing about 31% of the global population. The numbers are forecasted to grow 22.4% to exceed 2.9 billion by 2050, which would remain equivalent to the groups current share of the worlds overall population (31%). Islam is likely to be the fastest growing religion during this period, with the number of Muslims increasing from 1.9 billion in 2020 to nearly 2.8 billion in 2050.

The United States of America has the largest Christian population in the world, with Christians making up over 70% of the countrys overall population. You can find out more about this and other Christian-majority countries in the world by heading over to our article, 30 Countries with Highest Christian Population in the World.

There are several large corporations in the United States that are known for having deep religious roots. One of them being, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), which embraces spirituality at the workplace and enshrines in its core values the companys commitment to strive to honor God. Another way which Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) uses to build religious inclusion into its corporate culture is through its chaplaincy program that offers pastoral care to employees that require it. Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) is one of the largest processors and marketers of beef, pork, and chicken in the world.

Hotel chain Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) is also known for having a dominant influence of religion in its culture. According to a 2018 report by the Washington Post, Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) has long supplied its hotel rooms with religious texts, including the Bible. Some years back, the company released a statement to The Associated Press on the matter, saying that this tradition is appreciated by most of its guests, as many of them are not digitally connected and prefer having religious books available in their rooms at Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR)s hotels.

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) too, for decades, provided prayer cards to travelers with Alaska Airlines in-flight meals. The practice continued for about four decades, from the 1970s through till 2012 before the company decided to put it to an end. Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) said it stopped the tradition to respect the diverse beliefs of passengers, as well as of employees who worked for the airline. Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK) is the sixth largest airline in the world. You can read more on this in the 20 Largest Airlines in the World in 2024.

Fast food chain Chick-fil-A is another example of a company having deep religious roots. Its restaurants remain closed on Sundays to allow employees a day of rest or worship. The decision was taken by its founder Truett Cathy, a conservative Christian, in 1946 and continues to remain in practice. On the other hand, burger chain, In-N-Out Burger, prints Bible references on its cups and wrappers. The restaurant's founder was a devout Christian, and made sure to share his religious beliefs through his company. The practice has been carried forward by his family. The burger chain is now being led by his granddaughter, Lynsi Snyder, who recently stated that she turned to God after losing her father as a teenager, and later three failed marriages. Snyder continues to carry on the legacy of her elders by expanding the number of religious references on the packaging.

25 Countries where Christian Population will Increase the Most by 2050

NaughtyNut / Shutterstock.com

Methodology

Countries where Christian population will increase the most by 2050 are listed in ascending order of the estimated increase in population of Christian in these countries between 2020 and 2050. Data related to projections have been sourced from the PEW Research Center.

If interested, you can also take a look at the 25 Countries where Muslim Population will Increase the Most by 2050.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

Lets now head over to the list of countries where Christian population will increase the most by 2050.

25. Ivory Coast

Christian Population in 2050: 16.5 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 5.8 million

Percentage Increase: 54.3%

Christians account for 44% of the overall population of Ivory Coast, which is likely to increase from 10.7 million in 2020 to 16.5 million in 2050.

24. Argentina

Christian Population in 2050: 43.2 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 6 million

Percentage Increase: 15.5%

Argentina is a predominantly Christian-majority country, where Christians make up 85% of the countrys population. This figure is likely to increase to 86.6% with the projected increase of another six million Christians between 2020 and 2050.

23. Indonesia

Christian Population in 2050: 33 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 6.27 million

Percentage Increase: 23.3%

Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country in the world, with a sizable Christian minority comprising 10% of the overall population. Between 2020 and 2050, the population of Christians in the country is projected to further increase 23.3%.

22. Peru

Christian Population in 2050: 37.7 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 6.32 million

Percentage Increase: 20.1%

More than 95% of Perus population identifies as Christian. This share is likely to hold with the countrys Christian population projected to grow by another 6.32 million between 2020 and 2050.

21. Venezuela

Christian Population in 2050: 36.1 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 6.56 million

Percentage Increase: 22.2%

Venezuela had a little over 29 million Christians in 2020, who made up for 89% of the countrys population. Of these, about 71% identified as Catholics, while the remaining were Protestants.

20. Brazil

Christian Population in 2050: 192.6 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 7.21 million

Percentage Increase: 3.9%

Brazil has the second largest population of Christians anywhere in the world, with over 185 million people in 2020. With a projected increase of another 7.2 million people over the next three decades, it is projected to be among countries where Christian population will increase the most by 2050.

19. Colombia

Christian Population in 2050: 57 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 8.41 million

Percentage Increase: 17.5%

Christianity was introduced to Colombia during the 14th century by Spanish colonizers, and has since grown into being the predominant religion in the country. About 79% of the Christians in Colombia identify as Catholics.

18. Cameroon

Christian Population in 2050: 25.8 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 9.07 million

Percentage Increase: 54.2%

Next on our list of countries where Christian population will increase the most by 2050, with an estimated growth of over 9 million Christians projected by the PEW Research Center between 2020 and 2050. There are nearly 17 million Christians in Cameroon currently.

17. United States

Christian Population in 2050: 262 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 9.1 million

Percentage Increase: 3.6%

Christians comprised 90% of the overall population in the US in 1990. That figure has come down to 75.5%. Despite that, it has the largest Christian population anywhere in the world, with nearly 253 million people practicing the religion in 2020.

16. Ghana

Christian Population in 2050: 33.5 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 11.16 million

Percentage Increase: 50%

Ghana is a Christian-majority country in Africa, with Christians making up nearly three-fourths of the overall population. This share is likely to drop by around six percentage points by 2050 due to a projected increase in the population proportion of Muslims from 17.5% to 22.3%.

15. Rwanda

Christian Population in 2050: 25 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 11.4 million

Percentage Increase: 86%

Rwandas Christian population was estimated to be 13.2 million in 2020. It is projected to nearly double over the next three decades to touch the 25 million mark in 2050.

14. Guatemala

Christian Population in 2050: 29 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 11.54 million

Percentage Increase: 66.4%

Guatemala is next on our list of countries where Christian population will increase the most by 2050. The groups population is projected to increase by 66.4% from 17.4 million in 2020 to around 29 million in 2050.

13. Mexico

Christian Population in 2050: 130.2 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 11.58 million

Percentage Increase: 9.8%

More than 118 million Mexicans identify themselves as Christians, with a large majority of them being Catholics. It ranks third among countries with the highest population of Christians in the world.

12. Mozambique

Christian Population in 2050: 29.4 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 12.64 million

Percentage Increase: 75.4%

Mozambique is a Christian-majority country, with a sizable Muslim minority who make up 17% of the countrys population. There are 16.7 million Christians in Mozambique, representing 60% of the country.

11. Angola

Christian Population in 2050: 37.6 million

Estimated Increase in Population between 2020 and 2050: 15.36 million

Percentage Increase: 69.2%

Angolas Christian population is projected to grow by over 15 million people between 2020 and 2050, which will raise the groups proportion of the overall population from 89.5% to 90.5% during the time period.

Click to continue reading and see the 10 Countries where Christian Population will Increase the Most by 2050.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. 25 Countries where Christian Population will Increase the Most by 2050 is originally published on Insider Monkey.
SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

If youre willing to put in some work and purchase a fixer-upper instead of a turnkey home, you can save big.

Read Next: 8 States To Move to If You Dont Want To Pay Taxes on Social Security

Trending Now: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

The median price for a fixer-upper is $283,000  29% lower than a move-in-ready home, StorageCafe reported. Moreover, in 20 out of the 50 largest U.S. cities, fixer-uppers cost 50% less than move-in-ready homes.

Heres a look at the cities where youll save $100,000 or more if you purchase a fixer-upper, as identified by StorageCafe.

Miles Cui / Getty Images

1. Los Angeles

Turnkey home median asking price: $2 million

Fixer-upper median asking price: $1.05 million

Potential savings: $945,000

Check Out: 3 Most Expensive Hawaiian Islands To Live On and the 3 Cheapest

Learn More: Im a Real Estate Agent: These 5 Cities Are Becoming Unaffordable

Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity.

TriggerPhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

2. Kansas City, Missouri

Turnkey home median asking price: $399,900

Fixer-upper median asking price: $170,000

Potential savings: $229,900

Be Aware: ChatGPT Unveils: 5 Worst Cities To Buy a House in 2024

benedek / Getty Images

3. Dallas

Turnkey home median asking price: $500,000

Fixer-upper median asking price: $283,000

Potential savings: $217,000

marchello74 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

4. Chicago

Turnkey home median asking price: $424,000

Fixer-upper median asking price: $235,000

Potential savings: $189,000

Richard Thornton / Shutterstock.com

5. Bakersfield, California

Shutterstock.com

6. Corpus Christi, Texas

Turnkey home median asking price: $324,700

Fixer-upper median asking price: $164,000

Potential savings: $160,700

Explore More: 5 Types of Homes That Will Plummet in Value in 2024

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

7. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Turnkey home median asking price: $325,000

Fixer-upper median asking price: $172,450

Potential savings: $152,550

Davel5957 / iStock.com

8. Fresno, California

Turnkey home median asking price: $452,050

Fixer-upper median asking price: $303,500

Potential savings: $148,550

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

9. Omaha, Nebraska

Turnkey home median asking price: $358,000

Fixer-upper median asking price: $210,000

Potential savings: $148,000

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

10. Colorado Springs

Turnkey home median asking price: $575,000

Fixer-upper median asking price: $438,500

Potential savings: $136,500

Find Out: 30 Southern Hidden Gem Cities That Are Perfect for Retirees

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

11. Louisville, Kentucky

Turnkey home median asking price: $319,950

Fixer-upper median asking price: $185,000

Potential savings: $134,950

Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

12. Raleigh, North Carolina

Turnkey home median asking price: $532,998

Fixer-upper median asking price: $398,250

Potential savings: $134,748

Story continues

Ron_Thomas / Getty Images/iStockphoto

13. Long Beach, California

Turnkey home median asking price: $972,000

Fixer-upper median asking price: $837,499

Potential savings: $134,501

lucky-photographer / Getty Images

14. Las Vegas

Turnkey home median asking price: $529,839

Fixer-upper median asking price: $400,000

Potential savings: $129,839

For You: Barbara Corcoran: Investing In 3 Things Will Help Sell Your Home Fast

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

15. Minneapolis

Turnkey home median asking price: $330,000

Fixer-upper median asking price: $204,950

Potential savings: $125,050

ivanastar / Getty Images/iStockphoto

16. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Turnkey home median asking price: $399,000

Fixer-upper median asking price: $275,000

Potential savings: $124,000

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

17. Oklahoma City

Turnkey home median asking price: $292,990

Fixer-upper median asking price: $178,200

Potential savings: $114,790

TrentGarverick / Getty Images/iStockphoto

18. Columbus, Ohio

Turnkey home median asking price: $279,450

Fixer-upper median asking price: $164,900

Potential savings: $114,550

Discover More: 7 Florida Cities That Could Be Headed for a Housing Crisis

Arina P Habich / Shutterstock.com

19. Aurora, Colorado

Turnkey home median asking price: $624,970

Fixer-upper median asking price: $513,990

Potential savings: $110,980

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

20. Jacksonville, Florida

Turnkey home median asking price: $349,993

Fixer-upper median asking price: $239,450

Potential savings: $110,980

Conchi Martinez / Shutterstock.com

21. Atlanta

Turnkey home median asking price: $459,900

Fixer-upper median asking price: $350,000

Potential savings: $109,900

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

22. Cincinnati

Turnkey home median asking price: $279,450

Fixer-upper median asking price: $169,900

Potential savings: $109,550

Read Next: 7 European Cities Where You Can Buy Luxury Homes for $100,000 or Less

f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

23. Houston

Turnkey home median asking price: $342,990

Fixer-upper median asking price: $235,495

Potential savings: $107,495

Kruck20 / iStock.com

24. Orlando, Florida

Turnkey home median asking price: $489,900

Fixer-upper median asking price: $386,000

Potential savings: $103,900

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

25. Baltimore

Turnkey home median asking price: $237,450

Fixer-upper median asking price: $135,000

Potential savings: $102,450

Kruck20 / Getty Images

26. Memphis, Tennessee

Turnkey home median asking price: $229,900

Fixer-upper median asking price: $128,900

Potential savings: $101,000

Check Out: Why Floridas Retirees Are Fleeing  And Where Theyre Going Instead

Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images/iStockphoto

27. Indianapolis

Turnkey home median asking price: $299,900

Fixer-upper median asking price: $199,450

Potential savings: $100,450

Data is sourced from StorageCafe and is accurate as of April 1, 2024.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 27 Cities Where Youll Save Big If Youre Willing To Buy a Fixer-Upper
Tesla CEO Elon Musk will be in India later this month to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Musk and Modi last met in New York in June.

According to a Reuters report, Musk is expected to make an announcement on his plans to invest and open a new factory in India during his visit to the country.

The billionaire businessman is likely to reveal his India plans soon, Reuters quoted sources as saying.

He will be accompanied by other executives during his visit to the country. Neither Tesla, nor the prime minister's office is yet to comment on the reported visit. There are also chances that Musk's plans to visit India might be changed.

Tesla has been lobbying India to reduce import taxes on electric vehicles even as it has been considering the idea of setting up a factory in the country.

A Reuters report had earlier said Tesla officials are expected to visit India in April to look at sites for setting up a manufacturing plant.

According to sources, Tesla had also started production of right-hand drive cars at its German plant for exporting to India.
Hollywood veteran George Lucas will be felicitated with an honorary Palme d'Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, the festival organisers have announced.



Lucas, best known for creating the long-running and smash hit franchises "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones", will receive the honour at the closing ceremony of film gala on May 25.

"The Festival de Cannes has always held a special place in my heart. I was surprised and elated when my first film, 'THX-1138', was selected to be shown in a new program for first time directors called the Directors' Fortnight.

"Since then, I have returned to the festival on many occasions in a variety of capacities as a writer, director and producer. I am truly honoured by this special recognition which means a great deal to me," the 79-year-old director said in a statement.

Previous recipients of the honorary Palme d'Or include Michael Douglas, Tom Cruise, Forest Whitaker and Jodie Foster as well as Harrison Ford, a regular leading man for Lucas in Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies. Ford was feted at the festival last year.

The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will be held from May 14 to 25. French actress Camille Cottin will host the opening and closing ceremonies.

"Barbie" filmmaker Greta Gerwig will serve as jury president for the main competition.
The highly anticpated sequel to Robert Pattinson's 'The Batman', 'The Penguin', created by Lauren LeFranc and season two of 'The Great Indian Kapil Show' are ready to grace the OTT platforms this week.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will approach the Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging this arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi Liquor Policy case after the setback from the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.

His petition is likely to be mentioned before the Chief Justice of India at 10.30 am for an urgent hearing. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.



The Delhi High Court had upheld his arrest in a money laundering case stemming from the Delhi Excise Policy case, saying the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was left with "little option" after he skipped repeated summonses and refused to join the investigation.



Though Kejriwal had moved the Supreme Court on the night of his arrest itself, the Chief Minister withdrew the petition the next day as it was clashing with the ED application for remand before the trial court. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, on behalf of Kejriwal, had mentioned to Justice Sanjiv Khanna-led Bench at the time that Kejriwal would fight the remand and come back.



Meanwhile, the chief minister's wife Sunita and personal secretary Bibhav Kumar him inside Tihar Jail on Tuesday. This, according to AAP sources, was Kejriwal's first in-person meeting with them since he was sent to judicial custody on April 1. Currently, he is in jail number two of Tihar.



"His wife Sunita Kejriwal and his personal secretary Bibhav Kumar met him at 'mulakat jangla' of Tihar jail on Tuesday at 3 pm. The jail administration allowed them to meet for half an hour," a source told PTI. So far, Sunita Kejriwal and other family members have been talking to the Delhi chief minister via video call or over the phone.



The AAP sources said Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann are likely to meet Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday. Mann's office has sought time to meet Kejriwal in jail.



Kejriwal has given the names of six people, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, whom he wants to talk to or meet in the jail.



However, the Tihar administration said that the date and time are yet to be decided.


Launching a blistering attack on the opposition INDIA bloc, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused the Congress of creating a north-south divide to break the country.

Addressing an election rally at Guraru block of Gaya district which falls under Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat, he also accused the Congress and the RJD of indulging in the politics of appeasement.

The Congress party is creating a north-south divide to break the nation which the NDA-led Central government and people of the country will not allow. Their leader Rahul Gandhi is maintaining a stoic silence on this, Shah said.

People have now made up their mind to give a befitting reply to such divisive forces in the Lok Sabha polls and will ensure 400 plus seats for the NDA, the BJP leader said.

They (Congress and RJD) are indulging in politics of appeasement and that is the reason they are protesting the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, said Shah.

Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. The NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019, which Congress never wanted, he said.

During the Congress regime, terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country were a routine affair, but after Modi became the prime minister, we carried out surgical strike and destroyed terror camps in Pakistan, said Shah.

Praising the developmental works done by the NDA government, he said, India will become the third largest economy in the world when Modi ji becomes the PM for the third term. Modi ji becoming PM for the third term means complete elimination of Left Wing Extremism and terrorism.

The BJP leader also claimed that the Congress and RJD chief Lalu Prasad never wanted Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

They kept on creating hurdles in the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. But, Modi ji made it possibleNow, Lord Rama will celebrate his birthday at Ayodhya temple on April 17 (Ram Navami), he said.

As far as development works done by the NDA in Bihar are concerned, Shah said the NDA government made Aurangabad and its surrounding areas and districts in Jharkhand Naxal-free in the last five years.

Several ITIs, central and Jawahar schools, mobile towers and bank branches have been opened in Aurangabad and Gaya districts in the last five years, he said.

The electorate of Bihar will ensure that the NDA wins all 40 seats in Bihar, said Shah.

He also claimed Congress and RJD leaders never thought of conferring Bharat Ratna to former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, but Modi did it, said Shah.

The union home minister further claimed, The Congress and its allies, including RJD, opposed ban on triple talaq, Uniform Civil Code, ban on Popular Front of India, criticised Ramcharitmanas and National Song of India Vande Mataram.

The Congress and RJD leaders are involved in more than 45 corruption cases amounting to Rs 12 lakh crore, he alleged.

Shah said the NDA government has decided to pay the invested money to all those who were duped by the Sahara group.
Tucked in the scenic East Coast Road 150 kilometres north of Chennai, the Union Territory of Puducherry was up in arms demanding justice for the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl. Though close to Tamil Nadu geographically and linguistically, the Union Territory had alway differed in ideas, ideologies and polity.

The Union Territory will witness a straight fight between the two national parties - BJP and Congress. While BJP has nominated A. Namassivayam, a Congress turncoat and a minister in N. Rangasamy's cabinet, sitting MP V. Vaithilingam will seek renomination from the Congress ticket. Vaithilingam in 2019 got over 50 per cent of the votes and won by a huge margin. The ruling All India N. Rangasamy Congress (AINRC), led by CM Rangasamy is supporting Namassivayam who will contest in the lotus symbol.

It is for the first time that the two national parties will face each other in the Union Territory. Over the years, there have been many contenders. The fight is between the BJP and the Congress. But AINRC, which is in alliance with the BJP, and the DMK, which is part of the Congress-led INDIA bloc will have a huge say in the election.

Who is Namassivayam?

Hailing from the Mannadipet constituency, Namassivayam wields a considerable clout in his Vanniyar community in Puducherry, and is a relative of Rangasamy. In 2016, as the Congress committee president in Puducherry, Namassivayam stitched the Congress-DMK alliance to ensure that the Congress comes back to power. A turncoat, who began his political career with the DMK and then switched to the Congress to become a key player in the national party, jumped to the BJP in 2021, months before the assembly polls. His exit from the Congress in Puducherry snowballed into several body blows to the Congress. The entire Congress infrastructure in Puducherry crumbled. With an engineering background, the 55-year old Namassivayam is BJPs sole hope in Puducherry.

Who is Vaithilingam?

Sitting MP and a two-time chief minister, Vaithilinagam is a staunch Congress loyalist with a political career spanning over five decades. In 2021, when the Narayansamy government fell, Vaithilingam was the assembly speaker. A politician who started his political career as an office bearer of the youth Congress, Vaithialingam hails from the popular Reddiar community in Puducherry. In 2019, he won the Lok Sabha polls by securing 3.25 lakh votes as against AINRCs K. Anarayanasamy who got 1.5 lakh votes.

The fight for Puducherry and BJPs entry

While the DMK and the AIADMK fought the seat till 2000s, the emergence of PMK in Puducherry saw a change in the polity. Rangasamy exit from Congress to launch his own party brought in further changes in the Union Territorys political landscape. The Congress always had an edge there, while the BJP was a minor player. In 2004, BJPs Lalitha Kumaramangalam secured 1.72 lakh votes but lost to PMKs M. Ramadoss, who got 2.41 lakh votes. In 2009, BJPs candidate M. Visweswaran finished fifth and lost the deposit with just 13,442 votes.

However, since 2016, particularly after the appointment of Kiran Bedi as the Lieutenant Governor (LG), Puducherry began witnessing changes. The V. Narayanasamy-led Congress government faced huge backlash, with Bedi at the helm of affairs. Three members were nominated to the assembly by the LG and were given voting rights which never existed in the history of Puducherry. The political fight of LG nominating the MLAs and giving them voting rights went to court, which ruled in favour of Bedi. Following this, the Puducherry unit president Swaminathan opened the BJPs account in the assembly. Subsequently, Bedi was replaced by the partys all-time loyalist Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan. She was given the additional charge along with Telangana. Nominating Tamilisai was a clear political move and not an administrative one to reform Puducherry. And then, the Narayanasamy government fell. The second-in-command in his cabinet - Namassivayam - switched sides to the BJP. This helped the BJP test waters in the Union Territory in 2021.

BJP renewed its alliance with AINRC and ensured that a coalition government was in place. Rangasamy could not be in terms with the BJP for over two months. While he was sworn in as the chief minister in May 2021, immediately after the election, it took two months for the cabinet to be in place. The BJP did not agree for any portfolio less than the home minister.

And, in 2024 again, even before the poll bugle was sounded by the political parties across India, the BJP appointed its trusted Nirmal Kumar Surana as the incharge for Puducherry. In 2021, it was Surana who ensured the realignment of MLAs in the Union Territory and got BJP to power in alliance with AINRC. It was decided in the beginning of 2024 itself that the BJP will contest the lone seat and take it forward to 2026 assembly polls.

The poll issues in Puducherry

While the Congress will focus on the poor-centric policies of the ruling AINRC-BJP combine, the BJP is trying to tap the anti-incumbency against Vaithilingam. We will talk about the BJP trying to divide people in the name of religion. Women safety, law and order, poor excise policy, mushrooming of pubs and rest bars, availability of drugs are the major issues here,Vaithilingam told THE WEEK.

The rape and murder of a nine-year old girl Aarthi had turned to be a huge issue in Puducherry, exposing the loopholes in the AINRC-BJP government, thus paving way for the Congress to use women safety as a poll plank.

However, Surana has a different point of view. We have a good chance of winning in Puducherry. People believe that we can bring all the central government projects to Puducherry. Like any other Union Territory, Puducherry should get the maximum benefits, he told THE WEEK.

But, BJPs stand of not considering statehood for Puducherry might embarrass the saffron party as it goes to meet the people. In fact, the DMK had promised statehood for Puducherry in its election manifesto. Also, the confusion in the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme to give ration through the PDS shops has also turned into a huge embarrassment for the ruling combine, as the Centre has not released ample funds for the scheme.

If Namassivayam wins and goes to Delhi as the MP, the BJP will capture all the 30 MLA seats. Their ultimate aim is to trample the Rangasamy Congress and get to power, said an associate of Rangasamy, who preferred to remain anonymous.

The BJP believes that their road to power in Tamil Nadu is via Puducherry. Though the AINRC has no regrets in sacrificing the seat for the BJP, Rangasamy and his Appa Paithiyasamy - the god he believes - will have to give way for the BJP in Puducherry in 2026.
Susan Vineyard / Getty Images

Whole Foods has made grocery shopping feel like an art form. With stores that showcase rows of gourmet cheeses, organic produce and sumptuous meats, picking out groceries can be an aesthetic experience. However, Whole Foods has also earned the nickname Whole Paycheck because of how expensive the offerings can be if you dont know how to save money there.

Find Out: Im a Frugal Shopper: Always Buy the Cheapest Version of These 7 Foods

Read Next: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

The good news is that you dont have to forfeit a fortune, or the flavor, if you want to shop at Whole Foods. You just have to shop a little more strategically and focus on some of the internal Whole Foods brands.

Sponsored: Credit card debt keeping you up at night? Find out if you can reduce your debt with these 3 steps

Nut-Based Milks

According to Delish, Whole Foods has distinguished itself among its competitors for the delicious and diverse varieties of nut-based milks it offers for customers. However, the publication singled out the 365 almond milk option as particularly popular with shoppers.

Olive Oil

Delish also had a passionate rave about the 365 brand of unfiltered extra virgin California olive oil. Proclaiming in all caps, with clapping hands for emphasis, there are so many and they are all so pure and good, there is no doubt about the publications stance on the quality of Whole Foods brand olive oil.

Discover More: 5 Food Items You Should Always Buy at Walmart

Specialty Cheeses

In an unofficial Reddit community devoted to Whole Foods shoppers and even employees, users opined about their favorite products. One item in particular came up quite often  the range of specialty cheeses that Whole Foods offers.

Ushers were enthusiastic about their ability to find cheeses at Whole Foods that other stores didnt seem to offer. One Redditor cited Saint Agur and Midnight Moon as absolute favorites.

Meat and Seafood

Redditors also gave their approval to the fresh meat and seafood options available to Whole Foods shoppers. They singled out the ribeye and salmon as particularly delicious.

For one Redditor in the thread, breakfast simply isnt complete without salmon and cheese on a 365 bagel.

That sliced salmon with butter on a bagel or blue cheese on a bagel [in] the morning is the perfect breakfast and only takes as long [to] make as it does to toast your bagel, they wrote. I feel like my body CRAVES the fish and blue cheese so much with every bite. Those have got to be really good for you.

Hand Soaps

While Whole Foods is best known for its organic and high-quality food  the word is, after all, in the name of the store  it also features well-regarded bathing, beauty and hygiene products.

Story continues

In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked the 365 brand foaming hand soap high on its list of expert-picked seven best hand soaps for 2024. The publication named the Whole Foods brand hand soap as the best for its budget.

Weve selected this 365 by Whole Foods Market hand soap as our best budget pick because of what you get for the price. Not only is it free of parabens, phthalates, and animal products, but this soap is gluten-free, which minimizes the risk of allergic reactions for those with celiac disease and wheat allergies, said writer Kayla Randolph.

Better yet, prices for the Whole Foods brand dont vary based on the scent, which can happen with other brands.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Whole Foods Brand Products Worth Buying
The Samajwadi Party released a 20-page manifesto today, titled Janta Ka Maang Patr, Humara Adhikar (The Publics demands - our rights).

The manifesto kicks off with the larger aim to integrate the weakest and the most impoverished across all sections of society.

The broad heads of the manifesto are: Constitutional rights; Social and Economic rights; Social Justice; Farmers welfare; Youth and Employment; Health and Education; Women Empowerment; Labour Welfare; Jungles and environment; and Industry and Commerce.

One of the most interesting heads is the right to aata (flour) and data. The partys promise to give high quality wheat flour instead of grains and to set up aata plants near mandis to generate employment.

The data promise includes the provision of Rs 500 worth of data to every ration card holding family. While the manifesto labels this as a means to end the digital divide, there is no mention of the periodicity with which this data will be made available.

The manifesto, which is peppered with photos and quotes from Chaudhary Charan Singh to Mulayam Singh Yadav and from Mahatma Gandhi to Bhim Rao Ambedkar, focuses on the rights to save the Constitution, democracy, the freedom of the press and democratic institutions, plus the right to justice and equality.

For farmers, it promises MSP on milk and all agricultural products based on the M.S. Swaminathan formula. The other big promise is the constitution of a Farmers' Commission to monitor farmers debts and to provide continuous relief to them.

The manifesto takes the employment guarantee to urban India with the promise to implement a MNREGA-like Act. It also takes on paper leaks, which have been endemic in the state, and promises to curb them all.

It promises an increase of health expenditure to 3.5 per cent of the GDP, which is more than one percentage point over current expenditure.

For women below the poverty line, it promises a monthly pension of Rs 3,000. There is also mention of reviving the Old Pension Scheme for para-military and others. For traders, there is the promise of a review of the GST regime and for weavers, special schemes.

The manifesto makes multiple references to Artificial Intelligence - from its use in mapping smart village clusters to putting the country on the forefront of AI developments.

On one of the most important issues - the caste census - the party has promised to get this conducted by 2025, the same year by which it will also fill in all vacant posts of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and backward classes.
The Congress has mocked Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray for his decision to back the NDA in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, stating that the "tiger has turned into a lamb".

Ending days of speculations, the MNS on Tuesday evening offered its unconditional support to the ruling 'Mahayuti' alliance of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP. "This support is only for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA alliance. Now everyone should prepare for the elections," he said at his party's Gudi Padwa rally.



Thackeray added that he always had close relations with the BJP and its leaders. "Shiv Sena had formed an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party around 1990. After that my closeness increased with BJP, I had good relations with Gopinath Munde and Pramod Mahajan," said the MNS leader, who also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I was the first person in the country who said that Narendra Modi should be the Prime Minister of the country," he said.



There were rumours that the MNS would side with the NDA after Raj Thackeray met Home Minister Amit Shah last month. It is said the BJP leaders believe Raj Thackeray can help eat into the Maratha votes which might go for Uddhav Thackeray. Notably, the MNS has not fielded any candidate for the Lok Sabha elections yet.



To this, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday said MNS chief Raj Thackeray's support to the ruling BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra will not affect the opposition coalition MVA's election prospects. "When Raj Thackeray visited Delhi, it was evident that he would go with the BJP. But we did not expect that a tiger would turn into a lamb so soon. Will a fighter like Raj Thackeray become a slave?" Wadettiwar reacted.



Wadettiwar added that Raj Thackeray had taken a firm stand against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 but now has extended support to the PM. "Something is fishy here," he added.



Raj Thackeray, a 55-year-old firebrand leader known for his oratory skills, had openly backed the NDA in 2014 but later switched to the Opposition. He went on to criticise the ruling BJP government and even played videos of promises made by Modi at his well-attended rallies, pointing out how they remained unfulfilled.



However, Raj has always been at loggerheads with his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray. Even when he backed the BJP in 2014, he fielded candidates against the undivided Shiv Sena.



Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday thanked MNS president Raj Thackeray for his support. Asked whether Mahayuti will give Lok Sabha seats to the MNS to contest, Shinde said the Raj Thackeray-led outfit has not put any conditions for supporting the three-party alliance. "The MNS leader has extended support to the leadership of PM Modi and his agenda of development," said the CM.


As the scuffle between West Bengal's ruling TMC and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) intensifies, a top official of NIA in Kolkata has been called to NIA headquarters in Delhi. Shortly after, the agency appointed a new DIG-ranked officer at its Kolkata office to supervise the cases.

SP Dhan Ram Singh was called to Delhi via a midnight order from the headquarters. Singh took the early morning flight on Wednesday. Sources with the NIA said it was a "routine visit" and not a "recall" order. The NIA is yet to officially respond to the reports though DIG Rakesh Roshan has been given the additional charge of West Bengal. He flew down to Kolkata from Odisha on Tuesday evening.



The developments came as the TMC, in a memorandum to the Election Commission, alleged that the BJP was misusing the NIA to target its political opponents. The TMC also claimed it had footage of BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari meeting SP Singh at his residence on March 26.



The TMC also submitted a copy of the visitors register at Singhs residence with evidence of Tiwari's visit. The party said Tiwar was seen entering the residence with an envelope in his hand. An hour later, he was seen leaving empty-handed.



TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, accompanied by state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, held a press conference wherein he alleged that Tiwari was indeed carrying money in the white envelope. Tiwari is a former TMC leader who switched sides with the BJP some years back.



Meanwhile, the former mayor of Asansol Municipal Corporation, called the allegations baseless. "If it is proved that we held any such meeting, then I will leave politics. Feeling the pressure, the TMC is trying to brand the NIA raid as a political conspiracy. According to the laws of our country, they (TMC) should prove the allegations against me. Apologise if you cant prove it, or I will file a defamation case within seven days," he was quoted by The Indian Express.



Tiwari added, "My party has already made our stand clear. People of Asansol love Modi ji. The candidate doesnt matter; the vote will go to BJP only. However, whoever is the BJP candidate, my role will definitely be vital. Maybe thats why the TMC, out of frustration, is doing this."


A section of students of Jawaharlal Nehru University have been on an indefinite hunger strike since April 1, protesting against the university administration's alleged inaction in a sexual harassment complaint.

What's their complaint?

A female student of JNU alleged that she was sexually harassed on the night of March 31 on the campus by four people, including two former students. The university administration has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The complainant, however, has claimed that the "perpetrators" of the crime were roaming around freely.

A section of students, along with the victim, are sitting on strike at the varsity's main gate demanding the four students be declared out-of-bounds and their registration be cancelled.

What has the administration done so far?

JNU administration has ordered a probe into the incident. It had also declared the two former students out-of-bound on April 1 and initiated an inquiry into the matter, Chief Proctor Sudhir Kumar had told PTI.

On Thursday, the varsity administration issued proctorial inquiry notice to 21 students, including the victim and JNUSU president Dhananjay, for blocking the main entrance gate of the campus.

JNU vice-chancellor Santishree D. Pandit, yesterday, met the protesting students and asked them to shift their protest to the Sabarmati Lawns, saying it was causing inconvenience to people. I have assured them that action will be taken in the case as per rules once they have cleared the site," Pandit told PTI.

Did JNU V-C threaten the protesting students?

The protesting students, however, released a video of the vice-chancellor talking to them at the protest site and alleged that they were "threatened" to clear the site. In a statement, the protesting students said, "We are deeply troubled by the recent actions of the vice-chancellor of JNU. Instead of addressing the issue of sexual harassment with empathy, she has resorted to threats and rude behaviour towards the victim."

"It's appalling that she would choose to attack the victim's career and those in solidarity, rather than offering support and seeking justice."

In the video, Pandit can be purportedly heard saying, "I will give you a day's time to resolve this, okay? I hope you realise who I am. If you don't realise it when you get up you will realise. You are all good children I don't want your future to be ruined.

"You can sit at Sabarmati Lawns. The moment you open this gate your issue will be resolved, this is my promise to you," the VC can be heard saying in the video.

Film shooting row

Meanwhile, the shooting of a web series on the 'Emergency period in India' in the campus was disrupted by the varsity's students' union on Saturday, even as the administration said that it has granted permission for the shooting to take place on campus premises.

The JNUSU objected to the shooting of the web series on campus at the administration block, terming it as "commercialisation" of the university space and demanded to know why permission was granted to film at the administration block when students are barred from protesting at the site.

In an email to Pandit, the students union demanded to know why the shooting was allowed within 100 metre radius of the administration block while the students are barred from entering the space to stage protests.

The students' body demanded to know why the team was granted permission to gather students for shooting, claiming that it was involving students in the shooting of the web series.

The students body also demanded to know details of the monetary transaction with the administration for the shooting.

(With PTI inputs)
The Aam Aadmi Party, on Wednesday, claimed that the resignation of Delhi minister Raaj Kumar Anand vindicates its stand that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest was aimed at finishing the party, and accused the BJP of using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI to "break our ministers and MLAs".

Anand, who was holding various portfolios including social welfare, resigned from the Delhi cabinet and quit the AAP, claiming that the party has become corrupt. He also alleged that Dalits were not given representation in the party.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said, "It is 'agnipariksha' (trial by fire) of AAP ministers and MLAs," he said.

He said although the resignation may demotivate some party workers, the party will stand strong against attempts to break the organisation.

Singh said earlier the BJP used to call Anand corrupt "when a raid was conducted against him by the ED but now the party will welcome him into its fold with garlands".

Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that Anand may have been coerced to quit the AAP and added that the party will not call him a betrayer.

Many people will think that we will now blame Anand and call him a betrayer. But we won't call him any of these things. Because we guess he might have got scared. He is a family man and has kids and relatives. Not everyone is Sanjay Singh and they can rot in jail for so many days," Bharadwaj was quoted as saying.

Bharadwaj claimed that Anand had told his close colleagues that whenever he used to be more active, he had received phone calls. "If this is how a Dalit MLA is threatened, imagine what will be the situation of the people," he added.

Announcing his resignation, Anand said, "This party (AAP) doesn't respect Dalit MLAs, councillors and ministers. In such circumstances, all Dalits feel cheated. We live in an inclusive society, but it is not wrong to talk about proportion. It is difficult for me to remain in the party with all these things."

He also hit out at Kejriwal, who is in Tihar jail after being remanded in judicial custody in an excise policy-linked money laundering case and has failed to get any relief from the Delhi High Court, saying, "Till yesterday, we were under the impression that we are being framed, but after the High Court verdict, it seems that there is something wrong at our end."
Israeli officials are worried that the decision to pull back troops from Khan Younis and the surge in humanitarian aid reaching the Gaza Strip will be detrimental to their position during the hostage release talks, a local Israeli media has reported.

"Officials in Jerusalem think both moves hurt negotiations," Ynet news site quoted unnamed Israeli sources. "We gave up our strong bargaining chips for nothing and now Hamass position is even tougher to crack," Ynet quotes Israeli sources saying.



The report comes as another round of hostage release and ceasefire talks continue in Cairo. Hamas has been seeking an end to a war and a troop withdrawal. On Wednesday, the militant group responded that they are studying Israel's proposal for a ceasefire despite it not meeting the demands of Palestinian militant factions.



"The movement (Hamas) is interested in reaching an agreement that puts an end to the aggression on our people. Despite that, the Israeli position remains intransigent and it didn't meet any of the demands of our people and our resistance," Hamas said in a statement following the latest ceasefire proposal.



The US is also pushing Israel to call for a six-to-eight-week ceasefire. The White House has recently shown a major shift in its Israel policy though it continues to adamantly deny it.



"What Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country," Biden told Univision, a US Spanish-language TV network, in an interview aired Tuesday. "Ive spoken with everyone from the Saudis to the Jordanians to the Egyptians. Theyre prepared to move in," Biden said. "Theyre prepared to move this food in. And I think theres no excuse to not provide for the medical and food needs of those people. It should be done now."



On whether Netanyahu is more concerned about his own political survival than Israels national interest, Biden said, "I think what hes doing is a mistake I dont agree with his approach."



The video, however, was taped last Wednesday, which is two days after the IDFs deadly strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy and a day before Biden held a call with Netanyahu during which he reportedly threatened to cease support of Israel during the war unless he ensures the flow of humanitarian aid to Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a statement said that it took out three sons of Ismail Haniyeh, who is chairman of Hamas' political bureau. All three of them were military operatives of Hamas, IDF added.

The three slain men were identified as Amir Haniyeh, Hazem Haniyeh and Mohammad Haniyeh. According to Israel, all of them were neutralised in an aerial operation.

"The IDF and ISA [the Israeli Security Agency] eliminated three Hamas military wing operatives in the central Gaza Strip Earlier today (Wednesday), directed by IDF and ISA intelligence, IAF aircraft struck three Hamas military operatives that conducted terrorist activity in the central Gaza Strip.

"The three operatives that were struck are Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, Mohammad Haniyeh, a military operative in the Hamas terrorist organization, and Hazem Haniyeh, also a military operative in the Hamas terror organization.

"The IDF confirms that the three operatives are the sons of Ismail Haniyeh, chairman of Hamas's political bureau," BBC quoted the IDF statement as saying.

The British media added that the critical air raid took place at the Al-Shati camp on the beach to the west of Gaza City. Along with Mohammad, Amir and Hazem, many of Ismail Haniyeh's grandchildren were also killed in the attack. They were reportedly travelling to a family member's residence to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr.

Ismail Haniyeh reportedly added that the martyrdom of his sons will not affect Hamas' ceasefire talks with Israel.

"The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people... Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position," Haniyeh reportedly told Al Jazeera from Qatar.
India, 10th April 2024: In a move that signals a fresh impetus to convenience retail, Invenco by GVR, a subsidiary of the Vontier Corporation, unveiled its brand-new office in Bengaluru today. This strategic expansion marks a significant milestone for Invenco by GVR, solidifying its leadership in shaping the industry's future.



The state-of-the-art facility becomes the central hub for Invenco by GVR's core functions, including engineering, IT services and data analytics. This technology centre will provide hardware- and software-based technical solutions to the group and house a team of 250 highly skilled professionals.



The companys other strategic technology centres are located at Houston, USA; Auckland, New Zealand; Florence, Italy; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.



Bengaluru was chosen for the site because it is among the most exciting technology centres around the world and can support a rapid ramp-up of the companys plans.



Bengalurus reputation as an innovation hub aligns perfectly with Invenco by GVRs vision, said Karthik Ganapathi, President of Invenco by GVR. Setting up our new hub in Bengaluru is a major step forward in our mission to become the go-to operating system for convenience retail. This new space empowers our team to develop and deliver cutting-edge solutions that will transform the industry for our global clientele.



The Bengaluru office signifies more than just physical growth for Invenco by GVR. It reflects the companys commitment to fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.



Designed to empower the team, the new facility positions Invenco by GVR to deliver unparalleled value to clients across India and the globe.



ABOUT VONTIER



Vontier (NYSE: VNT) is a global industrial technology company uniting critical mobility and multi-energy technologies and solutions to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving, more connected mobility ecosystem. Leveraging leading market positions, decades of domain expertise and unparalleled portfolio breadth, Vontier enables the way the world moves  delivering smart, safe and sustainable solutions to our customers and the planet. Vontier has a culture of continuous improvement built upon the foundation of the Vontier Business System and embraced by over 8,500 colleagues worldwide. Additional information about Vontier is available on the Companys website at www.vontier.com.



ABOUT INVENCO by GVR



Invenco by GVR, a Vontier business, is a global leader in the convenience retail industry. Built to help customers adapt and innovate to stay ahead, Invenco by GVR will be the operating system for convenience retail, producing agile solutions for accelerated growth and value. Invenco by GVR Solutions can be found in nearly 165,000 connected devices across 50,000 convenience stores in more than 50 countries. To find out more about Invenco by GVR visit www.invenco.com.



(Disclaimer: The above content is a press release and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
Sonipat, 10 April, 2024: The Jindal School of International Affairs, the Jindal India Institute, and the Jindal Global Centre for G20 Studies jointly hosted Eric M. Garcetti, Ambassador of the United States of America to India, on the campus of O.P. Jindal Global University in Sonipat on 8 April, 2024. Ambassador Garcetti delivered a distinguished public lecture on the theme The Most Consequential Relationship of the Century: Indo-American Ties to an audience of more than 200 students and faculty members.



In the backdrop of deepening and broadening US-India relations, which are drawing global attention, this lecture held profound significance. Ambassador Garcettis perspective on Indo-American ties transcended diplomatic cliches and delved into shared aspirations and the collective pursuit of a world characterised by 4 Ps  peace, prosperity, planet, and people.



Ambassador Garcetti also narrated personal memories of magical moments he experienced during his visits to India since childhood. He said he had a deep emotional connection with India for decades and remarked that India never left my soul. He mentioned that US President Joe Biden had told him that India was the most important country in the world and that Washingtons ties with New Delhi were the most consequential for shaping the world order in the twenty-first century.



Ambassador Garcetti termed the ties between the US and India as not an additive relationship but a multiplicative relationship between the worlds two largest democracies, underscored by a robust exchange in education, trade, and the joint venture of envisioning a green energy future. During the interactive session that followed, the audience engaged the Ambassador on a diverse array of topics spanning domestic politics in India, racial discrimination in the US, regional security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, the role of Artificial Intelligence and critical and emerging technologies in the US-India strategic partnership, and the potential of multilateral groupings like Quad being expanded or extended to include more countries.



On controversies regarding comments made by the US about internal developments in India, Ambassador Garcetti said that the US is a unique democracy where every branch of government, the news media and civil society has its own views and opinions about different countries. These opinions are frequently aired publicly as part of the open American political system. At the same time, the US is ready to also take criticism from other countries as part of this liberal ethos. Ambassador Garcetti praised India for organising the upcoming mammoth general elections with nearly one billion voters in the electorate and said that the US has something to learn from India in how to improve its electoral practices and procedures.



On the question of Arunachal Pradesh being an integral part of India, the Ambassador was categorical that China has no business to rename places that are part of Indias sovereign territory. He reiterated that the US fully supports Indias sovereignty and that the defence cooperation between the two partners is reaching unprecedented levels so as to deter aggressive authoritarian rival countries. He said that as two democracies, the US and India thought and felt alike about the threat posed by dictatorial regimes like that of China and that the convergence of values was the key factor driving Washington and New Delhi closer.



Speaking on this occasion, Dr. C. Raj Kumar, the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, remarked that We owe a tremendous intellectual debt to American universities for their open and generous support and capacity building of Indian higher education institutions. The way US universities have attained the highest standards in the world and solved the most intractable problems facing humanity is worth learning from and emulating for Indian academia. Education is going to be a transformative driving factor in the US-India partnership.



The Dean of the Jindal School of International Affairs, Dr. Sreeram Chaulia, who was also present at the event, cited Ambassador Garcettis view that the US-India partnership had presently only reached the point of being midway up the mountain and referred to the limitless possibilities that lay ahead. Dr. Chaulia echoed Indias External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankars comments that you aint seen anything yet in the US-India friendship and pointed to the fact that the two countries were jointly combating shared adversaries and remaking the Indo-Pacific in a way that only allies do. While the US and India are not formal allies, many of the domains of bilateral cooperation are going in the direction of a de facto alliance-like friendship. Owing to this level of close intimacy, it is not uncommon that the US and India disagree on some matters. But the basic fundamentals of the relationship are so strong that such disagreements and differences in assessment should not be exaggerated, Dr. Chaulia concluded.



(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
MUMBAI, India, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kikkoman India held its second Culinary Experts Meet-up at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai in February which was attended by a galaxy of more than 135 professional chefs, restaurateurs, distributors, representatives of educational institutions, journalists, and culinary students.







Participants came from all over India - Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Goa and etcetera, for a lively discussion on the best ingredients and latest food trends in India.



The first part of the event focused on the theme of Smart Use of Ingredients, Cooking Methods and Sauces, Beyond Expectations: The Science and Exciting Possibilities of Food which featured keynote speeches by Indian industry leaders, followed by discussions on the latest trends in the Indian food service industry, the compatibility of ingredients and seasonings, and the scientific possibilities of cooking methods.



Dr Miho Imamura of Kikkoman Corporation's Research and Development Division, who has studied the compatibility of food ingredients and seasonings in India, gave a presentation on the outcome of this research: The KIP (Kikkoman Ingredients  Seasoning Pairing) System.



Dr Imamura began by stressing how important it was for Kikkoman to understand India's unique food culture. "Our research has enabled us to evaluate the compatibility of ingredients and seasonings as perceived by Indian chefs, based on the flavour profiles of the ingredients and seasonings. This allowed us to scientifically demonstrate the compatibility of Kikkoman Soy Sauce with chicken, mushrooms, and rice, which chefs have traditionally perceived," she said.



But the research, she added, also suggested the possibility of creating new tastes by unexpected combinations such as watermelon with soy sauce and pineapple with soy sauce. Leading Indian culinary experts and chefs had shown great interest in Kikkoman's research and discussions with them would continue.



"Kikkoman will continue to propose new ways, based on scientific evidence, to use our soy sauce to make Indian food even more delicious and to conduct research and development of seasonings suited to Indian ingredients," said Dr Imamura.



After her presentation, the new Kikkoman Dark Soy Sauce was unveiled, along with the winners of the 2nd Kikkoman Cooking Contest held in January 2024.



The second part of the Culinary Experts Meet-up comprised a networking event where guests were treated to a special menu featuring Kikkoman Soy Sauce. A special dinner was served by Chef Sadik Khan, a pioneer of Asian cuisine in India. A wide range of Chinese and Asian dishes using Kikkoman Soy Sauce and the new Kikkoman Dark Soy Sauce were served for guests to enjoy.



Mr. Osamu Mogi, Representative Director and Senior Executive Corporate Officer, International Operations Division of Kikkoman Corporation, expressed his appreciation for all those who attended and the contribution of chefs and culinary professionals.



India, he said, is one of the most important markets in the world for Kikkoman and promoting Kikkoman Soy Sauce in India is a very important mission.



"With chefs from all over India creating new dishes using Kikkoman Soy Sauce, we feel that the potential for Kikkoman Soy Sauce to be accepted as an important ingredient in Indian homes and kitchens is increasing every day," said Mr Mogi. "Kikkoman will continue to grow its business by betting on the great potential of India's growing food culture. We will continue to work with the people of India to co-create new delicious experiences with Kikkoman Soy Sauce."



Kikkoman India started operations in February 2021 and launched the Kikkoman Honjozo Authentic Soy Sauce Experience programme in October of the same year. The Culinary Experts Meeting is part of the Kikkoman Honjozo Authentic Soy Sauce Experience. The goal of the event is to generate new ideas and interaction among culinary professionals through interesting discussions on food-related topics. With over 350 years of history and an unwavering commitment to India, Kikkoman aims to contribute to the creation of delicious new experiences in India for the next 100 years and beyond.



About the Kikkoman Honjozo Authentic Soy Sauce Experience in India



Kikkoman is on a mission to put a bottle of Kikkoman Soy Sauce on the shelf of every Indian kitchen. Having started to expand its operations in India, Kikkoman India is pleased to announce the Honjozo Authentic Soy Sauce Experience. The goal is to make its popular, naturally brewed Kikkoman Soy Sauce an everyday ingredient for all restaurants and households. Launching this movement across India is the first of many activities to introduce Japan's No. 1 soy sauce brand to India.



The Honjozo Experience movement comprises three elements: Developing talent and fostering exchanges among chefs; educating everyone on the use of soy sauce through cooking sessions and contests; and learning the contribution Kikkoman Soy Sauce can make by experimenting through R&D in food culture.



Chefs are going to cook up a storm using Kikkoman Soy Sauce. From professional chefs to student chefs, all are going to experiment and learn what can be done with it. Through cooking contests, videos, talks, and workshops, the Honjozo Experience movement will bring together chefs, students, restaurants, hoteliers, the media, and industry leaders as well as government representatives to explore how Kikkoman Soy Sauce can enrich any and all dishes served in India.



About Kikkoman and Kikkoman India



With a history spanning over 350 years and based in Japan, the current Kikkoman corporate entity was established through the merger of eight families in 1917. The company's internationalization strategy began some 60 years ago, with its entry into the United States market. Kikkoman has become a global business, expanding to over 100 countries, with 11 soy sauce production sites worldwide that distribute its products all over the world to millions of consumers.



Kikkoman India is solely responsible for importing all Kikkoman products, and is responsible for managing all production, marketing, sales, and distribution in India.



Link to Media Kit:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BTVN9EbAXdsldE5fyssi0pEywIMFWZzd?usp=drivelink



Press Contact:

Anuj Jodhani,

anuj@kikkomanindia.com,

+91-7045666888



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2381111/CulinaryExpertsMeetup_2024.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
Toyota

Conventional wisdom often holds that leasing a car is not a smart financial move. Youre likely to pay more over the lease life than you would take out a loan for the car. Youre limited in the number of miles you can drive. And you may get hit with wear-and-tear charges if you return the lease with dents and dings.

Find Out: These 10 Used Cars Will Last Longer Than an Average New Vehicle

Read More: 7 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)

Plus, when you return the lease, you wont have any trade-in value to defray the cost of your next new car.

In spite of this, leasing isnt bad for everyone. If youre the type who wants to avoid emergency car repairs and headaches that come with driving a high-mileage vehicle, a three-year lease provides a solution.

Plus, you can get more cars for your money with a lease since your monthly payments tend to be lower. Leasing a vehicle may even allow you to drive a hybrid vehicle, which often comes with a higher sticker price but can save you money on gas.

TrueCar.com found 58 lease deals on hybrid vehicles this month. Here are eight hybrids you can lease for 36 months, around or under $400 per month.

Toyota

Toyota Corolla

$288/mos.

If youre looking for an affordable lease that will virtually cut your gas costs in half, as well, consider the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. The only vehicle on this list for under $300 a month, the Hybrid Corolla gives you city mileage of up to 50 mpg, according to CarandDriver.com.

Check Out: 7 Best Luxury Cars Worth Every Penny

Read Next: 6 Cars With Bad Reviews To Avoid

DREW PHILLIPS / Hyundai

Hyundai Tucson

$325/mos.

The Hybrid Hyundai Tucson goes head-to-head with the RAV4 and CR-V as a compact SUV with all the safety and infotainment features you need at roughly $50 less per month than the comparable Toyota and Honda models. Edmunds.com pointed out that the upscale-feeling cabin and roomy cargo space set it apart from competitors in its class.

Learn More: 5 Best Japanese Cars for Retirees on a Budget

Honda News

Honda Accord

$341/mos.

The Honda Accord could be your answer if youre looking for a comfortable family car that wont break the bank. Packed with safety features like Pedestrian Detection and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, the Accord is fun and easy to drive. CarandDriver.com puts the Accord on its list of 10 Best Cars and Editors Choice, rating it #1 in mid-size family sedans.

Toyota

Toyota Camry

$341/mos.

Just as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 Hybrids can go head-to-head in any comparison, the Toyota Camry stands up to the Honda Accord. It might even become a matter of personal preference, as both brands are reliable and affordable. The Camry costs the same to lease as the Accord, on average, and has been ranked the best-selling car in the U.S. for years, according to CarandDriver.com.

Story continues

Honda News

Honda CR-V

$370/mos.

Newly redesigned last year, the Honda CR-V crossover SUV hybrid gets 35 mpg in ConsumerReports.org testing. It features all the infotainment technology you would expect, including an 8-speaker audio system, wireless Qi charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Whether youre off on a road trip with friends or want an energy-efficient vehicle for your daily commute, the CR-V fits the bill.

For You: 8 Classic Cars for Retirees To Buy for Hobby and Investment

Ford

Ford Maverick

$384/mos.

The only pickup truck  and the only vehicle from an American manufacturer  on the list of affordable hybrid vehicles, the Ford Maverick represents the companys commitment to sustainability. The Maverick comes in at a surprisingly affordable $384 per month. The Maverick is a mid-size pickup truck that provides an alternative to Fords all-electric F-150 Lightning, filling a niche for those who want excellent gas mileage and a more compact pickup truck.

Toyota

Toyota RAV4

$387/mos.

For just a few more bucks than the CR-V, you can choose the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which TrueCar.com said provides better off-road performance with a trail-tuned package. The RAV4 Hybrid boasts a combined 40 mpg. Motortrend.com put the RAV4 up against the Honda CR-V last year, giving the RAV4 top honors and calling it the best product Toyota makes.

Toyota

Toyota Prius

$401/mos.

Toyota pioneered hybrid vehicles with the launch of the Prius in 1997, so its not surprising that Japanese auto manufacturers continue to dominate the list of affordable hybrid vehicles. Even though the Prius edges in at just over $400, making it the priciest hybrid on this list, we had to include this trendsetter. Redesigned for 2023 now with more sporty styling, a wider stance, and more tech-forward design, making it well worth the price tag.

Disclaimer: Photos are representational and dont necessarily depict the make and model listed.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Hybrid Vehicles You Can Lease and Stay Within Your Budget
Thane, Apr 10 (PTI) TJSB Sahakari Bank on Wednesday reported a 25.41 per cent jump in its net profit for fiscal year 2023-24 at Rs 216.36 crore.





The total business of the city-based urban cooperative bank increased 7.20 per cent to Rs 22,463 crore, which included a 9.19 per cent growth in advances to Rs 7,875 crore and 6.15 per cent increase in deposits to Rs 14,588 crore.





Its chairman Sharad Gangal said the bank is targeting to increase the overall business mix to Rs 25,000 crore in the next three-four years.





The bank, which currently operates 139 branches, is also aiming to increase this count to 150 by the end of FY25.



The new branches to be added in the current fiscal include Moshi, Baramati and Wagholi in Pune, and Anand Nagar in Thane city, he said.





The gross non-performing assets ratio showed an improvement in FY24, ending at 3.66 per cent as against 3.99 per cent in the year-ago period.
Washington, Apr 10 (PTI) Members and supporters of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) globally have observed a day of protest and fasting in solidarity with party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged money laundering case.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, hours after the high court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the federal anti-money laundering agency. He is currently lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail.

AAP volunteers in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia gathered in front of Indian embassies and popular locations on Monday to protest Kejriwal's arrest and call for his immediate release, a media release said.

"Arvind Kejriwal is a symbol of hope for millions of Indians who are fighting for a more just and equitable society," said AAP member Jeswanth Reddy from Los Angeles. "His arrest is an attack on democracy and the right to dissent. We will not be silenced."

AAP volunteers in Washington DC held a vigil in front of the Indian Embassy, while AAP members and supporters in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, London, Dublin, Berlin, Oslo and Melbourne among others organised a day-long hunger strike in prominent locations to bring attention to the threat to democracy and plight of opposition leaders in India.

"We are standing in solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal and all those who are fighting for justice and democracy in India," said AAP volunteer Parveen Khard in London.

"We will not rest until Kejriwal is released and the Modi government rescinds its authoritarian actions".

People from all over the world are showing their solidarity with our leader Arvind Kejriwal by fasting today and sending a clear message against the unjust arrest and harassment of opposition leaders in India. AAPs strength has been its grassroots members around the world and their mass show of support is very encouraging, said Pankaj Gupta, AAP National Secretary and Overseas Convener.

They demanded the immediate release of Kejriwal and other opposition leaders including Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Jain and Jharkhand ex-CM Hemant Soren among others.

"Also, harassment of opposition parties must stop immediately and finally, ensure free and fair parliamentary elections, said Kamaljit Sidhu from AAP Toronto, Canada.
Lahore, Apr 10 (PTI) An Islamabad-bound PIA flight carrying Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and a high-level delegation back from their visit to Saudi Arabia was diverted to Lahore airport, causing inconvenience to hundreds of other passengers, according to a media report on Wednesday.

Interestingly, the incident came close on the heels of Prime Minister Sharif recently declaring a ban on the red carpet at events in his favour, which earned accolades for signalling a shift towards eradicating the VIP culture and encouraging a culture of humility within the realm of public service.

Quoting a PIA spokesperson, the Dawn newspaper reported that the Pakistan International Airlines flight from Jeddah to Islamabad, carrying Sharif and his daughter Maryam back from their visit to Saudi Arabia, was diverted to Lahore airport on Monday.

When asked whether this was special treatment, the spokesperson of the ailing national flag carrier said, VIPs were treated like commercial passengers.

The flight PK842 carrying 393 passengers, which was supposed to land in Islamabad at 10:30 pm on Monday, was diverted to Allama Iqbal International Airport here and landed at 9:25 pm, the report said.

The Prime Minister, the Chief Minister and other VIPs disembarked at Lahore, which caused inconvenience to hundreds of other Islamabad-bound passengers, the report said, quoting sources.

Official sources said the commercial flight from Jeddah to Islamabad carried the official Pakistani delegation returning from Saudi Arabia. Apart from Sharif and Maryam, the delegation included Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and others, along with their family members.

Videos circulating on social media showed passengers expressing their anger, but they had no other option but to wait until the VIPs disembarked before continuing their journey to Islamabad.

After offloading about 79 passengers, the flight eventually took off for Islamabad and landed at the Islamabad International Airport at 11:17 pm instead of 10:30 pm.

Prime Minister Sharif was in Saudi Arabia on his first foreign visit after assuming charge last month.
Tehran, Apr 10 (AP) Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated on Wednesday a promise to retaliate against Israel over the killings of Iranian generals in Syria.

Khamenei spoke at a prayer ceremony celebrating the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, saying the airstrike that demolished Iran's consulate in Syria earlier this month was wrongdoing" against a diplomatic post that is considered Iranian territory.

When they attack our consulate section it looked like they attack on our territory, Khamenei said.

The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished.

The strike killed 12 people: seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, four Syrians and a Hezbollah militia member.

Israel has not acknowledged its involvement, though it has been bracing for an Iranian response to the attack that was a significant escalation in their long-running shadow war.

State TV broadcast Khamenei's remarks live. He did not elaborate on the way Iran would retaliate.

Khamenei also criticised the West, particularly the US and Britain, for supporting Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

It was expected they (would) prevent (Israel) in this disaster. They did not. They did not fulfil their duties, the Western governments, he said.

Iran supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. It does not recognize Israel.(AP) RUP
Tel Aviv (Israel), Apr 10 (AP) US President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza a mistake and called for his government to flood Gaza with aid, ramping up pressure on Israel to reach a cease-fire and widening a rift between the two staunch allies that has worsened as the war has dragged on.

Biden has been an outspoken supporter of Israel's war against Hamas since the militant group launched a deadly assault on October 7. But in recent weeks his patience with Netanyahu has appeared to be waning and his administration has taken a more stern line with Israel, rattling the countries' decades-old alliance and deepening Israel's international isolation over the war.

The most serious disagreement has been over Israel's plans for an offensive in the southernmost Gaza city of Rafah and the rift has spiraled since, worsened by an Israeli airstrike last week on an aid convoy, which killed seven workers with the food charity World Central Kitchen (WCK), most of them foreigners.

Israel said the deaths were unintentional but Biden was outraged.

Biden's comments, made in an interview that aired late Tuesday after being recorded two days after the WCK strike, highlight the differences between Israel and the US over humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, where a monthslong war has led to warnings of imminent famine.

What he's doing is a mistake. I don't agree with his approach, Biden told Spanish-language broadcaster Univision.

He was responding to being asked if Netanyahu is prioritizing his political survival over the national interest.

Biden said Israel should agree to a cease-fire, flood beleaguered Gaza with aid for the next six to eight weeks and allow other countries in the region to help distribute the aid. It should be done now, he said.

Hunger in Gaza is overshadowing the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, a typically joyous festival during which families celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Israel halted aid deliveries to Gaza in the early days of the war, but under US pressure has slowly increased trucks allowed to enter the territory. Still, aid groups have complained that supplies are not reaching desperate people quickly enough, blaming Israeli restrictions, and countries have attempted other ways to deliver them including air drops and by sea.

Israel says its has steadily ramped up aid throughout the war, opening up more entry points for trucks to enter and to reach especially hard-hit areas like northern Gaza, an early target of Israel's in the war.

Israel blames aid groups for being too slow to deliver aid once it's inside Gaza. Those groups say logistical issues and the precarious security situation  underscored by the WCK strike  complicate aid deliveries.

Israel and Hamas are currently engaged in talks meant to bring about a cease-fire in exchange for the release of hostages captured by Hamas and others who stormed across the border on October 7. But the sides remain far apart on key issues, including the return of Palestinians to hard-hit northern Gaza.

Netanyahu has vowed to achieve total victory in the war, pledging to destroy Hamas' military and governing capabilities to prevent a repeat of the October 7 attacks and to return the hostages. He says that victory must include an offensive in Rafah, which Israel says is Hamas' last major stronghold, but more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people are currently seeking shelter there.

Six months into the war, Israel is growing ever more isolated, with even its closest partner increasingly vocal about its discontent in the war's direction and longtime trading partners like Turkey taking potentially painful economic steps to express dismay.

Netanyahu is under pressure to decide on a postwar vision for Gaza but critics say he is delaying because he doesn't want to anger his ultranationalist governing partners, who support resettling the Gaza Strip, which Israel withdrew from in 2005 and an idea Netanyahu has ruled out.

Israel launched the war in response to Hamas' cross-border assault, where militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took roughly 250 people hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

More than 33,200 Palestinians have been killed in the relentless fighting, according to Gaza's Health Ministry which doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says most of the dead are women and children. Israel says it has killed some 12,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The war has ignited a humanitarian catastrophe. Most of the territory's population has been displaced and with vast swaths of Gaza's urban landscape levelled in the fighting, many areas are uninhabitable. (AP) NPK

NPK
Jerusalem, Apr 10 (AP) Israel's foreign minister threatened Wednesday that its country's forces would strike Iran directly if the Islamic Republic launched an attack from its territory against Israel, as tensions between the rival powers flare following the killings of Iranian generals in a blast at the Iranian consulate in Syria.

If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran, Israel Katz said in a post on X in both Farsi and Hebrew.

The remarks came after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated early Wednesday a promise to retaliate against Israel over the attack on its consulate in Damascus earlier this month.

Tehran holds Israel responsible for the strike that leveled the building, killing 12 people. Israel has not acknowledged its involvement, though it has been bracing for an Iranian response to the attack, a significant escalation in their long-running shadow war.

Khamenei spoke at a prayer ceremony celebrating the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, saying the airstrike was wrongdoing" and akin to an attack on Iranian territory.

When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory, Khamenei said, in remarks broadcast by Iranian state TV. The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished.

Neither Katz nor the Ayatollah elaborated on the way they would retaliate.

Among 12 killed in the blast on Apr 1 were seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, four Syrians and a Hezbollah militia member.

Khamenei also criticised the West, particularly the US and Britain, for supporting Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

It was expected they (would) prevent (Israel) in this disaster. They did not. They did not fulfil their duties, the Western governments, he said.

Iran supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. It does not recognise Israel. (AP) SCY

SCY
Brussels, Apr 10 (AP) Russian businessmen Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven won a court case on Wednesday over a European Union decision to sanction the pair for their alleged role in Russia's war against Ukraine.

The EU General Court said a lack of evidence justified their removal from the list of persons submitted to restrictive measures between February 2022 and March 2023.

Fridman is a founder of Alfa Group and ranked as one of Russia's wealthiest tycoons. The group's Alfa Bank, Russia's largest nonstate bank, was sanctioned by the EU in March 2022 and Fridman left the board thereafter to try to help the bank skirt sanctions. Aven headed Alfa Bank until March 2022, but like Fridman left the board after the EU imposed sanctions.

The EU in March last year kept Aven and Fridman on the lists for restrictive measures. The two have also challenged that decision in separate cases still pending.

The EU has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia since Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine. The measures have targeted the energy sector, banks, the world's biggest diamond-mining company, businesses and markets, and subjected Russian officials  including Russian President Vladimir Putin  to asset freezes and travel bans.

Aven, of Russian and Latvian nationality, and Fridman, who holds Russian and Israeli passports, were placed on the list for restrictive measures after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The pair challenged the decision and the General Court said that their inclusion was not justified because there was not enough evidence they provided material or financial support to Russian decision-makers, or were associated with war efforts undermining Ukraine.

The General Court considers that none of the reasons set out in the initial acts is sufficiently substantiated and that the inclusion of Mr Aven and Mr Fridman on the lists at issue was therefore not justified, the Luxembourg-based court said in a statement.

Fridman has called the war a tragedy and for the bloodshed to end. He had lived in Britain, but reportedly returned to Moscow after fighting between Israel and Hamas began.

Last year, the US Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions against four Russians on the board of Alfa Group, including Aven and Fridman.

Rulings by the General Court can be appealed to the European Court of Justice. (AP)



RUP

RUP
Colombo, Apr 10 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to contest the presidential election later this year under a new symbol, according to his top aide.

Wickremesinghe, 75, will represent several parties as a national candidate, Senior Presidential Advisor and UNP senior leader Ashu Marasinghe told reporters on Tuesday.

The veteran politician has led the United National Party (UNP) since 1994. He has served as prime minister on five occasions, leading six governments.

In May 2022, Wickremesinghe replaced Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister following anti-government protests over the unprecedented economic crisis in the island nation. Two months later, he replaced Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the President to serve the balance term until the end of 2024.

"People such as Minister Prasanna Ranatunga have said many, including himself, have an issue supporting Wickremesinghe if he contests the Presidential election under the elephant symbol. Likewise, we in the UNP too have an issue with him contesting under the pohotuwa. Therefore, Wickremesinghe is expected to contest under a new symbol, Marasinghe was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror newspaper.

He said more than 80 per cent of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will support Wickremesinghe in the next election scheduled to take place later this year.

We welcome the proposal made by SJB MP Talatha Athukorala that both the SJB and the UNP should unite. We expect others in the SJB to support Wickremesinghe even if SJB leader Sajith Premadasa decides against such a move, he said.

He said that it is not possible to hold both the Presidential election and the general election on the same day according to the Constitution.

Further, he said that cash-strapped Sri Lankas economy has begun to recover with foreign reserves growing up to USD 5 billion, while the tourism sector has experienced an unexpected gain during this year.
Geneva, Apr 10 (AP) Switzerland's government said Wednesday it will host a high-level international conference in June to help chart a path toward peace in Ukraine after more than two years of war, in hopes that Russia might join in the peace process one day.

The lakeside Burgenstock resort is expected to host the June 15-16 gathering. It's expected to draw top government officials from dozens of countries, following on a plan laid out by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in recent months.

Swiss daily Neue Zurcher Zeitung reported Wednesday that U.S. President Joe Biden, who is expected to attend a G7 summit in neighboring Italy on June 13-15, could attend.

The Swiss government said early talks toward arranging the conference involved the European Union and envoys from the so-called Global South, including Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

At its meeting today, the Federal Council took note of the results to date and discussed the next steps. There is currently sufficient international support for a high-level conference to launch the peace process, the federal government in Bern said in a statement.

It acknowledged some unknowns leading up to the conference, but in view of Switzerland's long-standing diplomatic tradition and the encouraging feedback received during the exploratory phase, it considers it its responsibility to contribute to the peace process in Ukraine. (AP)



AMS
London, April 10 (PTI) A grand new exhibition that brings together many previously unseen works to explore the life and legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the 19th century founder of the Sikh Empire, opened at the Wallace Collection museum in London on Wednesday.

Ranjit Singh: Sikh, Warrior, King features historic objects from the legendary rulers court, courtiers and family members, including those personally owned by the Maharaja and the most famous of his wives, Maharani Jind Kaur. Besides the glittering weaponry associated with the period of his reign between 1799 and 1849, the collection brings together intricate miniature paintings and exquisite jewellery from the Sikh Empire, drawn from major public and private collections.

This show has been four years in the making, primarily looking at the Sikh arms and armour of the Wallace Collection as a window into the past and adding some context with portraits, textiles, jewellery, the fine objects from the period to tell the story of the Lion of Punjab, Davinder Toor, guest curator of the exhibition, told PTI.

This exhibition is a unique opportunity, through adding context, to examine the period of time and also deconstruct how it is that we have got where we are today, particularly in diaspora communities exploring their identity. We look at the complex relationships that cross cultural boundaries and bring out themes of love, devotion, overcoming adversity, said the British Sikh scholar.

Londons Wallace Collection is renowned as the home of one of the finest collections of arms and armour in the world and for the first time its Sikh treasure trove is placed in its historic and artistic context, complete with traditional music of the time.

These works of art deserve to be better known by the public, and I am thrilled that they will be in the spotlight as we tell the incredible story of Ranjit Singh. As well as his military prowess and political genius, the Lion of the Punjab was known for the diversity and tolerance he fostered in his Empire, and celebrating this has never been more important, said Dr Xavier Bray, Wallace Collection Director and co-curator of the exhibition.

Themed across five rooms, the exhibition opens with a look at the warrior culture handed down to Ranjit Singh from the Sikh Gurus; the masters of war section explores his insatiable appetite for expansion; Lahore Durbar explores his reign as a popular ruler and family life with several wives; his modernising phase explores Ranjit Singhs cordial relations with foreign powers; and the legacy section examines the aftermath of the collapse of the Sikh kingdom, with his son and heir Maharaja Duleep Singhs bust marking the final object of the display.

The new exhibition, on till October, showcases a richly mounted sword in gold and gemstones thought to have belonged to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Other highlights include an incredibly fine miniature painting of Ranjit Singh, on public display for the first time from the Toor Collection, and the lavishly decorated golden throne of the ruler, on loan from the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum.

The rulers extravagant durbar in the imperial walled city of Lahore was associated with sumptuous objects, with examples of such objects in the exhibition demonstrating the sheer variety of cultural and artistic influences of this unique kingdom. Also, in the spotlight are the multi-faith themes of the era, with Hindu symbolism merging with the traditions associated with Sikh warriors.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh is famous for quashing the ambitions of the ferocious but disunited Afghan tribes on his north-western border. To seal his victories, the Maharaja took the fabled Koh-i-Noor diamond from the Afghans, which had been looted from the famous Peacock Throne of the Mughals during the Persian invasions of Nadir Shah. Now a part of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, the exhibition also has a very early sketch of the infamous Koh-i-Noor among its many dazzling displays.
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Illinois Tool Works implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

A total of 12 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership

Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock

To get a sense of who is truly in control of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 82% to be precise, is institutions. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Illinois Tool Works, beginning with the chart below.

Check out our latest analysis for Illinois Tool Works

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Illinois Tool Works?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that Illinois Tool Works does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Illinois Tool Works' historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. Illinois Tool Works is not owned by hedge funds. The company's largest shareholder is The Vanguard Group, Inc., with ownership of 8.8%. With 8.8% and 7.1% of the shares outstanding respectively, Briar Hall Management LLC and BlackRock, Inc. are the second and third largest shareholders.

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 12 shareholders have a combined ownership of 51% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Illinois Tool Works

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our information suggests that Illinois Tool Works Inc. insiders own under 1% of the company. It is a very large company, so it would be surprising to see insiders own a large proportion of the company. Though their holding amounts to less than 1%, we can see that board members collectively own US$246m worth of shares (at current prices). In this sort of situation, it can be more interesting to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 17% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Illinois Tool Works that you should be aware of before investing here.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Tallinn (Estonia), Apr 10 (AP) Russian authorities have extended the deadline for a preliminary probe into the still unexplained death of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, his ally said Wednesday.

Ivan Zhdanov, director of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, said on the messaging app Telegram that the deadline has been extended until April 20, which means that there is still no official information from the government about the cause of death of President Vladimir Putin's fiercest foe.

Navalny, 47, suddenly died in February in a remote Artic penal colony, where he was serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges widely seen as politically motivated. Russia's penitentiary authorities said the politician felt unwell and fainted after a walk in prison yard, but no cause of death has been revealed to date.

According to Navalny's allies, his mother was shown a medical certificate stating that her son died of natural causes. They and Western leaders have blamed the death on the Kremlin, accusations Russian officials have vehemently rejected.

Navalny was buried Friday in a Moscow suburb in a funeral that drew thousands of mourners amid a heavy police presence. The politician had been jailed since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow to face certain arrest after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin.

His team has said that talks with Russian and Western officials about a prisoner swap involving Navalny were underway and reached final stages just days before his sudden and unexplained death. Navalny's longtime associate Maria Pevchikh accused Putin of getting rid of Navalny in order not to exchange him, but offered no evidence to back her claims, and they could not be independently confirmed.

Putin said last month, also without offering any evidence, that several days before Navalny's death, certain colleagues, not from the (presidential) administration told him about an idea to exchange Navalny for certain people held in penitentiary facilities in Western countries. He said he supported the idea, adding that his one condition was that Navalny wouldn't return to Russia.

But unfortunately, whatever happened, happened, Putin said.

US officials said there had been no discussions between Russian and the United States over swapping Alexei Navalny with prisoners from the West. (AP) ZH

ZH
London, Apr 10 (PTI) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday issued a fulsome apology after his choice of a trendy pair of Adidas trainers attracted harsh comments online.

In a video posted on social media last week, the British Indian leader was seen sporting a pair of white Samba trainers from the well-known German sportswear brand during an interview in Downing Street.

Sambas are described by Adidas as a "legendary shoe with a rich history" and have the distinction of being considered on trend, something footwear enthusiasts said had been damaged by the senior politician attempting to appear trendy.

"I issue a fulsome apology to the Samba community," Sunak told LBC Radio when asked about the furore.

"But, in my defence, I would say I have been wearing Adidas trainers including Sambas  and others, in fact  for many, many years. The first pair my brother got for me many, many years ago  my first pair of fun Adidas trainers as a Christmas present. I haven't looked back since. So, I've been a long-time devotee," he said.

The 43-year-old admitted that the Samba pair on display last week was freshly bought, but that did not diminish his long association with the brand.

As ever, I remain intrigued and amused by the amount of focus on what I'm wearing," added a laughing Sunak, who has been at the receiving end of barbs for expensive Italian designer slippers and curiously short length of his trousers in the past.

After the video was posted on Instagram on Friday, fashion experts said it was likely the death knell for the Samba trainers after the UK PM was seen wearing them in the post about his governments tax policy.

British GQ magazine said that "in a bid to present himself as young and hip, Rishi Sunak took an eternally cool sneaker and ruined it for everyone."

Footwear historian Elizabeth Semmelhack told The Times that Sunak attempted to tap into what is a widespread fashion moment but had done so in a way that lacks authenticity.
*India elected to several key UN bodies, wins significant re-election to International Narcotics Control Board.



Jain spiritual leader honoured with the US President's Gold Volunteer Service.



India US partnership has gone to new heights: US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.



US President Joe Biden welcomes Japanese PM Fumio Kishida at White House as they aim for deeper ties.



Stories related to political developments in Pakistan.



Stories on Israel-Gaza war.



Stories on Russia-Ukraine war. *
Indore, Apr 10 (PTI) Three persons including a couple were detained here on Wednesday on suspicion of abducting a two-month-old child from a train in Gwalior district, the Government Railway Police (GRP) said.

Superintendent of Police (GRP) Mrigakhi Deka told PTI that Umesh Ahirwar, a resident of Chhatarpur, lodged a complaint on April 5 that his infant son was abducted by an unknown person on the Malwa Express when he and his wife were asleep during the travel.

The Ahirwars were returning by the train after a visit to Vaishno Devi. When he woke up at Dabra station, he found the child missing.

On Monday afternoon, a couple from Indore district handed over the child to Indore GRP, claiming that they found him abandoned on the same train, SP Deka said.

"During interrogation, we found that the statements of the couple did not match. Therefore, they were taken into custody, and detailed interrogation is being carried out," she said.

A relative of the suspect couple who was traveling with them too was detained for questioning, she added.

The child's family identified him, and his mother was allowed to feed him while the legal formalities of handing him back to the parents were underway, the GRP official said.

The abduction case was being probed from the angle of human trafficking, Deka added.
Durg (Chhattisgarh), Apr 10 (PTI) At least 12 people were killed and 14 injured -- all employees of a private firm -- as a bus they were on fell into a 'murum' soil mine pit in Chhattisgarh's Durg district on Tuesday night, officials said.

The incident took place around 8.30 pm near Khapri village under Kumhari Police Station limits when the victims were returning home after work from a distillery, Durg Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla said.

According to preliminary information, the bus with more than 30 people onboard skidded off the road and plunged into the 40 feet deep 'murum' mine, he said.

"12 people, including three women, were killed in the accident," he added. Shukla had earlier confirmed the death toll to be 15.

Murum, a type of soil, is mostly used for construction.

Soon after being alerted, a police team reached the spot and launched a rescue operation along with the teams of State Disaster Response Force and locals, Shukla said.

Durg Collector Richa Prakash Choudhary told reporters a magisterial probe had been ordered into the incident.

"The bus was carrying workers of Kediya Distilleries located in Kumhari area. So far the deaths of 12 people have been confirmed. Of the 14 injured, 12 have been taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur ,while two others are undergoing treatment at a hospital here," she said.

The company has offered compensation to the victims, the collector said, adding, they will also get similar help from the administration.

A magisterial enquiry will be conducted into the incident and action will be taken against the guilty, Choudhary said.

Visuals of the spot showed bus turning turtle after falling down. Amid darkness, the rescuers had to toil hard initially

President Droupadi Murmu in in a message on social media platform X said, "I am deeply saddened by the news of deaths of several people in a bus accident in Durg district of Chhattisgarh. My deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I wish for speedy recovery of the injured."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The bus accident that happened in Durg, Chhattisgarh is very painful. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration has been engaged in providing all possible assistance to the victims."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the accident and said adequate arrangements have been made for treatment of the injured people.

"Received the news about the death of employees of a private company in a bus accident. I pray that departed souls rest in peace and may God give strength to the bereaved family members," Sai said.
Kolkata, Apr 10 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the eastern region at 5.10pm.



CAL8 WB-HC-SANDESHKHALI-LD-CBI

Cal HC orders CBI probe into alleged crimes against women, land grabbing in Sandeshkhali

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI investigation into allegations of crimes against women and land grabbing in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali, which had witnessed protests over the issues.



CAL7 JH-CAVE IN-DEATH

Jharkhand: Three women buried alive, five injured in cave-in

Jamshedpur: Three tribal women were buried alive and five others injured in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district when a heap of soil caved in on Wednesday, a police officer said.



ELN78 ELECTIONS-AR-NADDA-INDIA BLOC

INDIA bloc an arrogant alliance full of corrupt leaders: Nadda

Doimukh (Arunachal Pradesh): Taking a dig at the opposition INDIA bloc, BJP president J P Nadda on Wednesday termed it a ghamandiya (arrogant) alliance, which is full of corrupt leaders.



ELN70 ELECTION-OD-RANGOLI

Kandhamal administration installs selfie points, organises Rangoli competitions to attract voters

Berhampur (Odisha): Odisha's Kandhamal district administration has set up special selfie points and organised street plays and a rangoli competition to maximise voter turnout.



ELN69 ELECTIONS-WB-AMIT SHAH LD-RALLY

Amit Shah slams Mamata for misleading people on CAA, facilitating infiltrators

Balurghat (WB): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of "misleading" people on the CAA and "facilitating" infiltrators for vote bank politics, emphasising that refugees should apply for citizenship without apprehension.
New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday will visit Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra during which he will address three rallies to campaign for BJP candidates and attend other programmes, sources said.

Shah will first travel to Mandla in Madhya Pradesh where he will perform puja at Maa Narmada Pujon Rapta ghat. After that, he will garland the statue of Rani Durgavati in the town.

Subsequently, the senior BJP leader will address a rally at the local police ground under the Mandla Lok Sabha constituency, sources said.

In the afternoon, he will travel to Katni in Madhya Pradesh where he will offer prayer at Vijaynath Dham mandir in the town and then he address a rally at the town, which comes under the Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency.

In the evening, Shah will travel to Nanded in Maharashtra where he will address a rally for the BJP candidate.
New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI) The Congress on Wednesday cited a media report which claimed that at least 20 newly incorporated firms purchased electoral bonds worth about Rs 103 crore, as it alleged that the Narendra Modi government's scheme deliberately "muddied the waters" of corporate political donations.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh cited a report by The Hindu, which said that despite companies in existence for less than three years not being allowed to make political contributions, data shows that at least 20 such newly incorporated firms purchased poll bonds worth about Rs 103 crore.

Ramesh alleged there are four primary channels of corruption in the "electoral bond scam" and everyday a new dimension emerges to the "PayPM Scam", "confirming the shocking reality of the corruption which has engulfed this country through Narendra Modi's encouragement".

"An update on the 'Farzi Companies' who have been donating chanda to political parties - 1.Chanda Do, Dhandha Lo. 2.Theka Lo, Rishvat Do 3.Hafta Vasuli 4.Farzi Company (Shell Companies)," he said in a post on X.

An investigation by the Hindu has revealed that at least 20 newly incorporated firms - more likely to be shell companies - purchased Electoral Bonds worth about Rs 103 crore, Ramesh said.

"This is a direct violation of rules which prevent companies less than three years old from donating to parties. This is not a coincidence. The Modi Sarkar's Electoral Bonds Scheme deliberately muddied the waters of corporate political donations," he alleged.

The electoral bond scheme got rid of the provision which limited corporate donations to 7.5 per cent of their average net profit during the previous three years, he said.

It introduced complete anonymity for donors, preventing public oversight of donations. The prohibition on companies less than three years old was one of the last few guardrails that remained to prevent an influx of political funds coming in from shell companies, Ramesh said.

"This last safeguard was also routinely violated under the Prime Minister's supervision," he alleged.

Ramesh pointed out that in 2017 itself, the Election Commission of India had warned that Electoral Bonds may lead to the use of "black money through shell companies".

The RBI had also flagged the possibility of firms misusing bearer bonds for money laundering, he said.

"The Modi Sarkar overruled their objections, presumably to ensure the steady flow of Chanda. To no one's surprise, the ECI and the RBI's warnings were prophetic," Ramesh said.

Following a Supreme Court directive, the State Bank of India (SBI), which was the authorised seller of electoral bonds, shared the data with the poll panel on March 12.

The SBI said a total of 22,217 electoral bonds of varying denominations were purchased by donors between April 1, 2019, and February 15 this year, out of which 22,030 were redeemed by political parties.
Srinagar/Jammu, Apr 10 (PTI) Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated on Wednesday across Jammu and Kashmir with traditional fervour and gaiety.

A large congregation of devotees assembled at Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake in Kashmir.

Former chief ministers of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were among those who offered prayers at the shrine.

"A genocide of Palestinians is going on while Muslim governments are silent. I hope they wake up and break their silence on this murder of humanity," Abdullah said after offering his prayers at Hazratbal.

On India-Pakistan ties, he said the two nations can progress only when they have friendly relations.

"We cannot progress if we have hostile and confrontationist relations," Abdullah said.

Authorities did not allow devotees to offer prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid in the old Srinagar city.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief priest of Kashmir who was scheduled to deliver the Eid sermon at Jamia Masjid, was placed under house arrest ahead of the congregational prayers.

Mufti condemned the closure of Jamia Masjid for Eid prayers saying "this is interference in religious matters".

Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan, is being celebrated across India after the crescent Moon was sighted on Friday evening.

In Jammu, the biggest congregation took place at Eidgah and Mecca Masjid, where hundreds of devotees performed Namaz-e-Eid.

"We congratulate everyone on Eid. We should spread love and brotherhood and not create enmity among people," Mufti Ainayatula Qasmi said.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha extended his greetings to the people on the occasion.

"The auspicious day inspires us to dedicate ourselves to the service of humanity. May the holy festival bring good health, happiness and prosperity in everyone's lives," he said.
Gonda (UP), Apr 10 (PTI) A case was filed on Wednesday against BJP candidate Kirtivardhan Singh, who is seeking reelection from Gonda Lok Sabha seat, for violating the model code of conduct, a senior official said here.

District Magistrate Neha Sharma said the case was filed against Singh at Chhapia police station for organising a workers' conference at his farmhouse in Maskanwa on April 3 without permission. The matter came to light after photos and videos of the event were posted on the Facebook account of the BJP candidate.

An investigation was launched into the matter under the supervision of the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC), following which a flying squad team lodged the case, Sharma said.

She said that if any political party or candidate holds rallies, public meetings, road shows and other such activities without permission, a case will be filed against them for violation of the model code of conduct.
Bengaluru, Apr 10 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Mysuru and Mangaluru in Karnataka to campaign for the Lok Sabha polls on April 14, a state party leader said on Wednesday.





Modi had held mega rallies in Kalaburagi and Shivamogga last month



BJP General Secretary V Sunil Kumar said the Prime Minister would address a mega rally in Mysuru and hold a roadshow in Mangaluru.





Speaking about Modi's itinerary on April 14, the state's convenor for the partys Lok Sabha Election Management Committee said that the PM will be addressing a public meeting at 4 pm that day, in which party workers from Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Mandya and Hassan Lok Sabha constituencies will gather at Mysuru's Maharaja College grounds







Speaking to reporters here, Kumar said this would be a mega meeting in which leaders of both the BJP and the JD(S) will take part along with the prime minister.



"At 6 pm on April 14, Modi will hold a roadshow for about 1.5 km in Mangaluru from Narayana Guru circle to Nava Bharat circle," he said, adding that local leaders and functionaries of the party are already working for the success of these two programmes.



Kumar said Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also be visiting Bengaluru on April 15 and meet with the media. He will be interacting with eminent personalities of the state at 4 pm at Indian Institute of Science, and at 7 pm he will be in a discussion with intellectuals, he added.





Karnataka is going to the polls in two phases. While 14 Lok Sabha segments in the southern parts of the state will vote on April 26, the remaining 14 constituencies in the northern parts will vote in the second phase on May 7.
Kohima, Apr 10 (PTI) Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday alleged that the BJP government at the Centre has been pursuing the policy of bluff and rule, besides maintaining the divide and rule strategy of the British.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made several promises to the people of Nagaland about solving the Naga political issue but those were not kept, Ramesh alleged in a press conference at Kohima.

In the coming Lok Sabha elections, people need freedom from this BJP-led government, he said.

The British ruled India for 200 years following the policy of divide and rule. Now, for the last 10 years, the BJP government under Prime Minister Modi has been following a policy of not just divide and rule but more importantly bluff and rule, Ramesh said.

The Centre signed a Framework Agreement with the NSCN-IM in 2015 and Modi termed it as a game changer, he said.

The central government also inked an Agreed Position with Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) comprising seven organisations in 2017, he said adding that Modi made promises to the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO) on its demand for a separate state.

Every time Modi makes promises, he says it is a game changer People dont know the details of the different agreements and promises. But what we all know is that people have been bluffed by Modi, he claimed.

The most important issue for the people of Nagaland and the country is freedom. In 1947, we got freedom from divide and rule, while in 2024 we need freedom from bluff & rule, he said.

The BJPs agenda is to destroy the essence of Indias diversity including the varieties in religion, ethnicity, region, food and dress, he alleged.

The BJP-ruled Manipur has been burning for 11 months where people have been targeted for their religion and ethnicity, the senior Congress leader said.

Ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities since May last year have claimed at least 219 lives in Manipur.

Ramesh said he is afraid that what started in Manipur will spread over to other northeastern states to destroy the diversity of the region.

The BJP has bluffed the Meiteis, Kukis and Nagas and the present situation is the outcome of its bluff and rule policy Manipur should be a wake-up call to people of the northeast, he claimed.

Ramesh affirmed that the Congress, once back in power, will work for protection of diversity of India which, he claimed, is under threat under the BJP-RSS.

He reiterated that special provisions guaranteed to the Nagas under Article 371(A) of the Constitution, especially with regard to ownership of land and its resources, would be protected at any cost lest it would also be done away with like Article 370 for Jammu & Kashmir.

On the Naga issue, Ramesh said that the Centre had started negotiations with the Naga group in the 1990s and the Congress was close to signing an agreement in 2013 but the party was defeated in the 2014 elections.

The framework agreement of 2015 came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years, with the first breakthrough in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed after decades of insurgency in Nagaland which started soon after Independence in 1947.

There is a lot of history to what has happened to Nagaland but a new chapter must begin by embracing all sections of Naga society. It has to be an all-inclusive permanent settlement, he said.

Indians want freedom from bluff and rule, people want freedom of speech, want jobs and justice, Ramesh voiced.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Panaji, Apr 10 (PTI) The Congress on Wednesday said the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Goa are being fought to save the identity of the coastal state, and called it a tussle between the power of people and that of money-muscle.

The two Lok Sabha constituencies in Goa - North Goa and South Goa - will go to polls in a single phase on May 7. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power in the state and at the Centre, and the opposition Congress are the main contenders.

"The INDIA bloc has presented the best candidates in both the parliamentary constituencies - North Goa and South Goa," Leader of Opposition in the Goa legislative assembly Yuri Alemao told PTI.

The Congress has fielded Ramakant Khalap in North Goa and Viriato Fernandes in South Goa.

"This election is fought for the sake of Goa's identity. If the state's identity has to be protected, people will have to come out and vote for the INDIA alliance candidates. The idea is to save what is left in Goa's interest. This election is for saving the identity of Goa," Alemao said.

Asked about the choice of Fernandes, a former Indian Navy captain, as the candidate against BJP's Pallavi Dempo, an entrepreneur, in South Goa, Alemao said the Congress nominee has a glorious background of having served the Indian army.

"He has been a very patriotic person. His work speaks volumes about his love for the country. He has been a Kargil war hero as well," the LoP said.

Alemao said Fernandes, during the last ten years, had raised several issues in the interest of Goa and Goans.

"He is the best choice that the India alliance has in South Goa," he added.

In Goa, it is going to be a fight between people's power and money-muscle power, according to Alemao.

"We are confident that the opposition bloc will have the support of 66 per cent of Goans, while only 32-33 per cent will remain with the ruling party," he claimed.

The LoP said that the Congress had appealed to the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) to join the opposition alliance.

"But the RGP fielded its own candidates, which shows that it is not serious about fighting against the ruling dispensation. They are here to divide votes," he said.
New Delhi, Apr 10 (PTI) The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Wednesday challenged in the Delhi High Court an order of the Lokpal directing the CBI to probe two properties which are in the name of the party.

Justice Subramonium Prasad said he will hear the matter on April 23.

The petitioner, the JMM, represented through senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Arunabh Chowdhury, challenged the March 4 order of the Lokpal of India which was passed on a complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren.

"Ex facie this is a wrong order," the senior counsel submitted.

The anti-corruption ombudsman has directed the CBI to probe within six months the alleged benami properties linked to JMM chief Shibu Soren.

The Lokpal, which has also directed the CBI to investigate into two properties belonging to the JMM, passed the direction while disposing of the August 5, 2020 complaint of Dubey, who represents Jharkhand's Godda constituency in Lok Sabha.

The petition, filed in the high court through advocate Abhishek Roy, said the Lokpals order was ex facie bad in law and without jurisdiction and that it was passed behind the back of the JMM and which was outside the purview of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

It said no notice was issued to the JMM before passing of the order and no opportunity was granted to it to be heard.

In his complaint to the Lokpal, Dubey had said Soren and his family members indulged in rampant corruption and amassed huge wealth, assets and properties, disproportionate to their known and declared sources of income, by adopting unscrupulous and corrupt means, in his own name and the names of his family members, friends, associates and various companies in various districts of Jharkhand, including Ranchi, Dhanbad and Dumka, among others.

The Lokpal has also asked the CBI to apprise it of the progress the investigation makes by way of sending monthly reports.

Besides, the Lokpal has also said the two properties stood in the name of the JMM, a political party founded by Soren, and they were purchased through him in 2014.

"The JMM is controlled and run by the RPS (respondent public servant, that is, Shibu Soren) and his family members, who wield enormous political clout," it had said.

The party appears to be virtually a family affair, with RPS and his several family members holding important political positions. The RPS, being the president of the JMM, is actively associated with its decisions and transactions, the Lokpal had said.

In the light of the material on record, without casting any aspersions on the JMM as a political party, with which we have nothing to do in the matter, we are of the considered view that the role of the RPS in acquisition of these two properties in the name of JMM should be investigated, it had said in the March order.

The Lokpal has said Soren was at the centre of the issues involved and considering the nature of the allegations and the number of properties that have emerged in the preliminary inquiry report, it would be failing in its statutory duty if the sources of the funds utilised in the purchase of these properties are not probed thoroughly.

The complaint said Soren and his son, former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, have made huge investments in various companies owned by Amit Agarwal, who is a close friend, and his family members, according to the order.
Gurugram, Apr 10 (PTI) Residents of Dingerheri and nearby villages breathed a sigh of relief after a special CBI court in Panchkula on Wednesday convicted four gang members in the infamous double-murder and gang-rape incident in Haryana's Nuh district while acquitting the others.

Family members of the accused who were acquitted said truth finally won despite it taking eight years.

Karamjit Rao, a resident of the Dingerheri village, said the six acquitted accused were released from Ambala jail following the court order.

"Our village residents were lodged in jail illegally for the last eight years despite being innocent. The verdict has brought joy not only for the families of those acquitted but also the villagers," Rao said.

The court convicted Hemant Chouhan, Ayan Chauhan, Vinay and Jai Bhagwan -- all notorious criminals with multiple charges of heinous crimes against them.

They had entered the house of the victim in Nuh district in the Mewat region on the intervening night of August 24-25, 2016, armed with lathis, iron rods and a hand pistol.

The criminals had gang-raped a woman and a minor female in their home. They then went on to loot ornaments and cash from the.

The special court framed charges on March 15, 2021, taking note of the accused persons charge-sheeted by the Haryana Police as well as the CBI.

Four of the seven accused arraigned by the CBI were convicted by the special court while three were acquitted. The accused cited by the Haryana Police were also acquitted.

The sentence will be pronounced on April 15, the court has said.

The acquitted men are Tejpal, Amit, Ravindra, Karmjeet, Sandeep and Rahul Verma. One accused, Amarjeet, is still absconding.
Kochi, Apr 10 (PTI) A gang leader was allegedly hacked to death near Chengamanad in Ernakulam district in the early hours of Wednesday, police said.

Vinu Vikraman, the gang leader, who is accused in several cases, including murder, was allegedly hacked by persons also with a history of criminal activity, around 2 am in a village under the Chengamanad police station limits.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital but could not be saved, police said.

The police said that two persons allegedly involved in the incident have been taken into custody.

A detailed probe into the incident has been launched, they added.
Iran released four conservationists who had worked to save the endangered Asiatic cheetah before they were convicted on espionage charges and spent five years in prison, local media reported on Tuesday.

The Tehran newspaper Etemad said authorities released on Monday night Niloufar Bayani and Houman Jowkar, who were part of a group of five activists convicted in 2019 on internationally criticized espionage charges.

Later on Tuesday, several Iranian media outlets, including the semiofficial ILNA news agency, said two other conservationists were also released, Sepideh Kashani and Taher Ghadirain.

The four are among more than 2,000 prisoners granted amnesty on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, which celebrates the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The United Nations Environment Program on Monday welcomed the release of Bayani and Jowkar, who are members of the nonprofit Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation. Iranian authorities released Sam Rajabi, another member of the group, in 2023.

The conservationists were arrested in 2018, along with Kavous Seyed-Emami, the 64-year-old founder of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation. Seyed-Emami, an Iranian-Canadian dual citizen, died while awaiting trial under disputed circumstances.

Bayani was sentenced to a 10-year prison term in 2019, while the others received six-to-eight-year terms on espionage charges. The case against members of the nonprofit Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation came as protests and unrest shook parts of Iran amid a government-imposed internet shutdown.

(AP)
Automakers are sharing driving data with brokers  and could be 'screwing' with your car insurance premiums

While shopping around for new car insurance, Temieka Clay says she received a denial letter. In it, an insurance broker suggested she pull her NexisLexis report to find out why.

Upon doing so, Clay discovered over 600 records from her cars OnStar Smart Driver system detailing her driving behavior, according to WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News.

Don't miss

The OnStar app, you think safety if [your car] gets stolen, the Georgia-based motorist told the local TV news show. But certainly not spying on me and sending information to the insurance company.

Clay says the system was tracking activity on her Chevy Camaro, such as acceleration, high-speed and hard-brake events, and the car manufacturer General Motors (GM) was sharing it with data brokers.

She suspects the shared data is to blame for what she claims was an 80% spike in her insurance premiums, despite no accidents or tickets on her record.

Driver says automakers are 'screwing' with insurance

Some insurance providers offer usage-based insurance, where rates are set based on monitoring of driving behavior. Data can be collected via technology installed in your vehicle or a cars built-in system, such as OnStar, according to Forbes Advisor.

These insurance policies hold the promise of lowering your premiums if youre a good driver. But this doesnt seem to be the case for many motorists. Forbes Advisor cites a TransUnion survey from 2022 that found insurance rates decreased for only 48% of respondents enrolled in such data-tracking programs. Rates stayed the same for 30% of respondents, while 18% saw their rates increase. The remaining 4% said they didnt know if their rates were affected.

But insurance companies may not require you to sign up for a usage-based policy in order for them to gather this type of information. Many modern vehicles offer optional features in their connected car apps that rate your driving. Turning these features on, however, may put your data at risk of being shared with brokers such as NexisLexis, a company that helps track auto incidents for insurance companies.

Story continues

Read more: Suze Orman says Americans are poorer than they think  but having a dream retirement is so much easier when you know these 3 simple money moves

Software company owner Kenn Dahl, who claims hes always been a careful driver and has never been in an accident, says his insurance premiums jumped by 21% in 2022. Like Clay, he shopped around for new insurance, but received a number of high quotes, he told The New York Times. An agent recommended he pull his LexisNexis report.

According to the report, GM shared his Chevy Bolt driving data with LexisNexis, which was analyzed to create a risk score for insurers to use as one factor of many to create more personalized insurance coverage, LexisNexis spokesperson Dean Carney told The Times.

The experience left a bad taste in Dahls mouth.

It felt like a betrayal, he told The Times. Theyre taking information that I didnt realize was going to be shared and screwing with our insurance.

GM isnt the only automaker sharing driving data. Ford and Kia, among others, participate in a data exchange program with LexisNexis. In 2022, LexisNexis risk services revealed they were gathering data on more than 10 million cars.

Automakers and data brokers insist they have drivers permission to collect this data, reports the Times, but often these agreements can be found in fine print or privacy policies that consumers typically dont read when activating tracking features.

How to find out if your car is 'spying' on you

GM says its OnStar Smart Driver service is optional and aims to help customers learn more about their safe driving behaviors or vehicle performance. Spokesperson Malorie Lucich told The Times that when a customer accepts the user terms and privacy statement, they consent to sharing their data with third parties.

But Jen Caltrider, a researcher at Mozilla, says its impossible for consumers to try and understand these privacy policies and called cars a privacy nightmare.

The car companies are really good at trying to link these features to safety and say they are all about safety, Caltrider notes. Theyre about making money.

There are ways for you to check how your driving data is being shared. Check your connected car app to determine if youve signed up for one of these features  Lucich said customers can unenroll from Smart Driver at any time.

And you can always request your LexisNexis report or Verisk report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Verisk is another data company connected to the insurance industry.

A GM spokesperson also told Channel 2 Action News in a statement: As of March 20th, OnStar Smart Driver customer data is no longer being shared with LexisNexis or Versick. Customer trust is a priority for us, and we are actively evaluating our privacy processes and policies.

What to read next

Jeff Bezos told his siblings to invest $10K in his startup called Amazon, and now their stake is worth over $1B  3 ways to get rich without having to gamble on risky public stocks

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

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

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron is in Washington on Tuesday to press senior Republicans to unlock money for Ukraine, after meeting a skeptical Donald Trump in Florida.

Cameron says victory for Ukraine is vital for American and European security, but the former president and presumptive Republican candidate is a critic of continued U.S. support, and lawmakers aligned with him are holding up an aid package for Kyiv in Congress.

The U.K.s Foreign Office confirmed the meeting, which was described as productive by the British side.

The U.K. government said its standard practice for government ministers to meet allied nations opposition leaders in election years.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in February with U.K. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, who is the favorite to become prime minister in an election later this year. When Cameron was prime minister in 2012, he met the then-Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

British officials did not say how the meeting went. Cameron and Trump have had several notable differences of opinion in the past. Cameron called Trumps proposal during his first presidential campaign to ban Muslims from the U.S. divisive, stupid and wrong.

In a statement, Trumps campaign said the meeting was held to discuss several issues impacting both countries, including upcoming elections in both Britain and the United States, the implications of Britains withdrawal from the European Union, the need for NATO allies to meet their commitments on defense spending and ending the killing in Ukraine.

The statement did not elaborate on those topics but added that Trump, Cameron and British ambassador to the U.S. Karen Pierce, had also discussed their mutual admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Cameron was British prime minister during the U.K.s 2016 referendum on whether to leave the European Union  a move he opposed but Trump enthusiastically supported. Cameron resigned after voters narrowly rejected his call to remain in the bloc.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unexpectedly brought Cameron back into government last year as Britains top diplomat.

In Washington, Cameron plans to urge U.S. lawmakers to approve a new aid package for Ukraine, warning Congress that it is putting the security of the West at risk by continuing to hold up the funding. Hes due to hold talks with lawmakers including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, and is hoping to meet House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose role is key.

In a video posted last week on social network X, Cameron said: Speaker Johnson can make it happen in Congress.

A $60 billion package of military aid is bogged down in the House of Representatives as populist conservatives seek to block further funding for the two-year-old conflict and some mainstream Republicans demand concessions on border security before supporting the bill.

After Cameron urged U.S. lawmakers in February not to show the weakness displayed against Hitler in the 1930s, Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene said he should worry about his own country.

Ahead of his trip, Cameron said that success for Ukraine and failure for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin are vital for American and European security.

This will show that borders matter, that aggression doesnt pay and that countries like Ukraine are free to choose their own future, he said. The alternative would only encourage Putin in further attempts to re-draw European borders by force, and would be heard clearly in Beijing, Tehran and North Korea.

Cameron is also due to discuss the Israel-Hamas war, including efforts to reach a sustainable cease-fire and get more aid into Gaza, in talks with officials including Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. The U.K. is sending a Royal Navy ship to the eastern Mediterranean to bolster efforts to open a maritime aid corridor between Cyprus and a temporary U.S.-built pier in Gaza.

(AP)
Tesla has settled a lawsuit brought by the family of a Silicon Valley engineer who died in a crash while relying on the companys semi-autonomous driving software.

The amount Tesla paid to settle the case was not disclosed in court documents filed Monday, just a day before the trial stemming from the 2018 crash on a San Francisco Bay Area highway was scheduled to begin. In a court filing requesting to keep the sum private, Tesla said it agreed to settle the case in order to end years of litigation.

Shares of Tesla Inc., down 30% this year, slipped 1% before the market opened Tuesday.

The family of Walter Huang filed a negligence and wrongful death lawsuit in 2019 seeking to hold Tesla  and, by extension, its CEO Elon Musk  liable for repeatedly exaggerating the capabilities of Teslas self-driving car technology. They claimed the technology, dubbed Autopilot, was promoted in egregious ways that caused vehicle owners to believe they didnt have to remain vigilant while they were behind the wheel.

Evidence indicated that Huang was playing a video game on his iPhone when he crashed into a concrete highway barrier on March 23, 2018.

After dropping his son off at preschool, Huang activated the Autopilot feature on his Model X for his commute to his job at Apple. But less than 20 minutes later, Autopilot veered the vehicle out of its lane and began to accelerate before barreling into a barrier located at a perilous intersection on a busy highway in Mountain View, California. The Model X was still traveling at more than 70 miles per hour (110 kilometers per hour).

Huang, 38, died at the gruesome scene, leaving behind his wife and two children, now 12 and 9 years old.

The case was just one of about a dozen scattered across the U.S. raising questions about whether Musks boasts about the effectiveness of Teslas autonomous technology fosters a misguided faith the technology, The company also has an optional feature it calls Full Self Driving. The U.S. Justice Department also opened an inquiry last year into how Tesla and Musk promote its autonomous technology, according to regulatory filings that didnt provide many details about the nature of the probe.

Tesla, which is based in Austin, Texas, prevailed last year in a Southern California trial focused on whether misperceptions about Teslas Autopilot feature contributed to a driver in a 2019 crash involving one of the companys cars.

(AP)
The head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said on Tuesday that he was very, very concerned about Chinas aggression toward Philippine forces near disputed islands in the South China Sea.

The Chinese coast guard has repeatedly clashed with Philippine patrol vessels near the Philippines-occupied Second Thomas Shoal. Last month, several Filipino seamen were injured when a Chinese vessel sideswiped a smaller Philippine vessel and another two Chinese coast guard ships used high-pressure water spray to shatter the Philippine vessels windscreen.

Asked if the submerged reef in the Spratly Islands was the most dangerous flash point in his area of command, U.S. Adm. John Aquilino told a forum at the Lowy Institute, a Sydney-based international policy think tank: Im very concerned about whats happening at the Second Thomas Shoal.

Im very, very concerned about the direction its going, Aquilino said. These actions are dangerous, illegal and they are destabilizing the region.

Whats next and how far are they willing to go in that area? Aquilino asked.

The United States, Japan, the Philippines and Australia held their first four-way joint exercises in Philippine waters in the South China Sea on Sunday, which they said were intended to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in a region contested by China.

Aquilino said the joint exercise demonstrated the nations ability to operate safely, effectively and lawfully in the region.

Those types of events and things are exactly what we need to do to demonstrate that strength amongst the like-minded allies and partners and that we will continue to operate anywhere that international law allows, Aquilino said.

Chinas military said Sunday that it had conducted air and sea patrols and that all activities that disrupt the South China Sea are under control, an apparent response to naval exercises by the U.S. and its allies.

(AP)
A top Chinese leader will lead a delegation to North Korea this week, both countries announced Tuesday, in what would be the highest-level meeting between the two countries since the pandemic began.

Zhao Leji, who is chairman of the National Peoples Congress and considered the No. 3 official in the ruling Communist Party, will visit North Korea from Thursday to Saturday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

No details were released on what was described as a goodwill visit, except that the delegation would attend the opening ceremony for the China-North Korea Friendship Year.

The specific arrangements for the visit are still under negotiation, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

A dispatch from North Koreas official KCNA news agency also announced the trip.

Zhao is one of the seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee, the Communist Partys top leadership body headed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Zhaos visit to North Korea will be the first bilateral exchange involving a Chinese Politburo Standing Committee member since the pandemic started. In 2019, the two countries held a pair of summit meetings, for one of which Xi traveled to Pyongyang.

North Korea and China are expected to hold a number of exchanges to mark the 75th year since they established of diplomatic ties, according to South Koreas Unification Ministry.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been pushing to boost partnerships with China and Russia in a bid to strength his regional footing and join a united front against the United States.

Kim traveled to Russia in September for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The U.S., South Korea and others accuse North Korea of supplying conventional weapons for Russias war in Ukraine in return for advanced weapons technologies and other support.

China, North Koreas biggest source of aid, is believed to have long shipped clandestine assistance to help keep afloat its impoverished socialist ally, which it views as a bulwark against U.S. influence on the Korean Peninsula.

China is key to North Koreas economy. There is a limit that Russia can do for North Korea economically, Park Won Gon, a professor at Seouls Ewha Womans University. For the short-term assistance, shipments of food or crude oil can be made. But to make its economy grow in the long term, North Korea needs investments and markets. China is the only country that can provide those to North Korea.

(AP)
Haitis National Police agency says that it has recovered a hijacked cargo ship laden with rice following a gunbattle with gangs that lasted more than five hours.

Two police officers were injured and an undetermined number of gang members were killed in the shootout that occurred Saturday off the coast of the capital, Port-au-Prince, authorities said in a statement.

It was a rare victory for an underfunded police department that has struggled to quell gang violence following a spate of attacks that began Feb. 29.

Police said in the statement Sunday that those responsible for the hijacking were members of two gangs, named the 5 Seconds and the Taliban gang. They said gunmen seized the transport ship Magalie on Thursday as it departed the port of Varreux.

Radio Tele Metronome reported that the gangs kidnapped everyone aboard the ship and stole some 10,000 sacks of rice out of the 60,000 sacks it was carrying.

The ship was headed to the northern coastal city of Cap-Haitien.

Also on Sunday, online news site Radio graphie reported that the Taliban gang used a front loader to demolish a police station in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Canaan where at least four police officers were killed in a recent attack. The station was no longer operational.

Gang violence continued on Monday, with police using megaphones to order the evacuation of the Champ de Mars area near the National Palace in downtown Port-au-Prince as heavy gunfire erupted nearby.

The most recent gunbattle between police and gangs comes more than a month after gunmen began targeting key government infrastructure. They have burned down multiple police stations, opened fire on the main international airport that remains closed and stormed Haitis two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

The ongoing violence forced Prime Minister Ariel Henry to announce he would resign once a transitional presidential council is formed.

Henry was in Kenya to push for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country when the attacks began and remains locked out of Haiti.

(AP)
Special counsel Jack Smiths team urged the Supreme Court on Monday night to reject former President Donald Trumps claim that he is immune from prosecution in a case charging him with scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

The brief from prosecutors was submitted just over two weeks before the justices take up the legally untested question of whether an ex-president is shielded from criminal charges for official actions taken in the White House.

A Presidents alleged criminal scheme to use his official powers to overturn the presidential election and thwart the peaceful transfer of power frustrates core constitutional provisions that protect democracy, they wrote.

The outcome of the April 25 arguments is expected to help determine whether Trump faces trial this year in a four-count indictment that accuses him of conspiring to block the peaceful transfer of power after losing the 2020 election to Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump has argued that former presidents enjoy immunity for official acts in office. Both the judge presiding over the case, Tanya Chutkan, and a three-judge federal appellate panel in Washington have forcefully rejected that claim.

The Supreme Court then said it would take up the question, injecting uncertainty into whether the case  one of four criminal prosecutions confronting Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president  can reach trial before Novembers election.

In their latest brief, Smiths team rehashed many of the arguments that have prevailed in lower courts, pointedly noting that federal criminal law applies to the president.

The Framers never endorsed criminal immunity for a former President, and all Presidents from the Founding to the modern era have known that after leaving office they faced potential criminal liability for official acts, Smiths team wrote.

Prosecutors also said that even if the Supreme Court were to recognize some immunity for a presidents official acts, the justices should nonetheless permit the case to move forward because much of the indictment is centered on Trumps private conduct.

Smiths team suggested the court could reach a narrow determination that Trump, in this particular case, was not entitled to immunity without arriving at a broader conclusion that would apply to other cases.

A holding that petitioner has no immunity from the alleged crimes would suffice to resolve this case, leaving potentially more difficult questions that might arise on different facts for decision if they are ever presented, they said.

(AP)
Dozens of antisemitic flyers, many containing suspected rat poison, were discovered in Chicagos Lincoln Park area on Monday morning, according to 43rd Ward Alderman Timmy Knudsen. The incident has sparked outrage and concern among local residents, with Knudsen vowing to hold the perpetrators accountable.

The flyers, which featured logos from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), were found in clear zip lock bags on vehicles and doorways. The ADL confirmed on social media that they were aware of the incident and had spoken to Knudsen and the police.

This is not the first time the area has seen such incidents, and Knudsen warned the perpetrators that their actions would not be tolerated. To the people who are spreading these flyers, I have a clear message: You are committing acts of hate, he said. Your threats against the Jewish community are repulsive, vile, and will not be tolerated in our community.

Knudsen assured the Jewish community that he would stand with them against antisemitism and ensure their safety. While whoever is spreading these messages is seeking to spread hate and fear, know that my office and our governing partners are committed to ensuring that Chicago remains a place where everyone is celebrated, included, and safe, he said.

The ADL Midwest thanked Knudsen for his support and called on the police to thoroughly investigate the incident. Chicago residents continue to be targeted with antisemitic and white supremacist propaganda, they said.

The Chicago Police Department has launched an investigation and recovered 84 clear zip lock bags containing the flyers and unknown substance. They urge anyone with information to come forward and assist in the investigation.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The State Department has greenlighted an emergency $138 million in foreign military sales for Ukraine to provide critical repairs and spare parts for Kyivs Hawk missile systems.

The U.S. announced the move Tuesday saying that Ukraine has an urgent need for the maintenance support to keep the missile system running.

The announcement follows a similar, small-sized round of $300 million in munitions support the Pentagon announced last month after it was able to convert contract savings to be able to offset the cost of providing the aid. Both the State and Defense Departments have been looking for ways to continue to get Ukraine support while a $60 billion Ukraine aid package remains stalled in Congress.

The HAWK is a medium range surface-to-air missile system that provides air defense, which is one of Ukraines top security needs.

Ukraine has an urgent need to increase its capabilities to defend against Russian missile strikes and the aerial capabilities of Russian forces, the State Department said in a memo outlining the sale. Maintaining and sustaining the HAWK Weapon System will enhance Ukraines ability to defend its people and protect critical national infrastructure.

During a Capitol Hill hearing Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said without the support  the U.S. risks that Ukraine will fall to Russia.

Ukraine matters, and the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine will have global implications for our national security as well, Austin said.

If Kyiv falls, it could imperil Ukraines Baltic NATO member neighbors and potentially drag U.S. troops into a prolonged European war.

The work on the Hawk systems will be performed by contractors from Massachusetts-based RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon and Huntsville, Alabama-based PROJECTXYZ. The State Department said the parts needed to repair the systems will come from U.S. Army stock, third-country donations, commercial off-the-shelf components and new production.

(AP)
The IDF has confirmed the withdrawal of its 98th Division from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, after four months of fighting in the area. According to military officials, the division had achieved its goals in Khan Younis and will now prepare for additional operations, including an expected offensive in Rafah.

In a statement, the IDF said that it will continue to work to increase humanitarian aid deliveries in the Gaza Strip, in an effort to maintain legitimacy for its ongoing operations against Hamas. The military also expressed confidence in its ability to handle any constraints that may arise from a potential hostage deal with Hamas, including the possibility of a lengthy truce and the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza.

The withdrawal of the 98th Division comes as the IDF prepares for the next phase of its operations in Gaza. The military has stated that it remains committed to defeating Hamas and ensuring the safety of Israeli civilians.

The development has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising the IDFs efforts to balance military objectives with humanitarian concerns, while others have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the strategy.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The IDF announced Tuesday that they have destroyed the remains of a drone that was shot down by Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon on Saturday. The IDF Air Force carried out the strike, targeting the wreckage of the Elbit Hermes 900 drone, which was downed by a surface-to-air missile.

In response to the downing of the drone, the IDF launched a counterattack on Saturday, targeting sites belonging to Hezbollahs air defense unit in northeastern Lebanons Baalbek region.

The incident has raised tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire in recent days. The IDF has stated that it will continue to take action against Hezbollahs military infrastructure in Lebanon.

The Elbit Hermes 900 drone is a advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of conducting surveillance and attack missions. Its downing has sparked concerns about the increasing use of advanced weaponry by Hezbollah.

The situation remains volatile, with both sides warning of further escalation. The international community has called for restraint and a peaceful resolution to the situation.

In a statement, the IDF said, The Air Force struck the aircraft earlier today and destroyed it. We will continue to defend our borders and protect our citizens.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
In an interview with right-wing host Wayne Allen Root, former President Donald Trump commented about the voting habits of Black and Jewish people, claiming that both groups vote for Democrats out of habit.

Jewish people by habit just vote for the Democrats. And Black people, by habit, vote for the Democrats, Trump said. Any Jewish person that votes for Biden does not love Israel.

He went on to say that he doesnt understand how Jewish people can vote for Democrats, citing his own support for Israel.

Root agreed with Trumps assessment, saying, Its habit. Thats all it is.

Trump also claimed that his own efforts, such as criminal justice reform and funding for Black colleges and universities, should have earned him more support from the African American community.

The comments have sparked outrage, with many criticizing Trump for oversimplifying complex political issues and perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Others have defended Trumps comments, arguing that he is simply stating the obvious about the voting habits of Black and Jewish people.

Democratic National Committee spokesperson, Adrianne Shropshire, released a statement saying, Trumps comments are a disgrace and show his complete disregard for the diverse experiences and perspectives of Black and Jewish Americans.

The American Jewish Committee also released a statement, saying, Trumps comments are a simplistic and inaccurate representation of the complex political views of the Jewish community.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
An activist who criticized Moroccos decision to normalize relations with Israel was sentenced to five years in prison, as some of the Arab worlds largest pro-Palestinian protests continue to sweep the country.

Abdul Rahman Zankad of Mohammedia, Morocco was arrested in March after posting on Facebook about the Israel-Hamas war and Moroccos 2020 decision to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, the Moroccan Space for Human Rights said in a statement.

A court on Monday found him guilty of insulting a constitutional institution and incitement. He was also fined 50,000 Moroccan dirhams ($5,000). The civil liberty advocacy group, which organizes the legal defense of protesters, called the charges baseless and said the proceedings violated Zankads right to a fair trial.

Tens of thousands of protesters across the political spectrum have taken to the streets in Morocco to denounce Israel and express support for Palestinian groups, including Hamas. The protesters have criticized Israels allies including the United States and chanted demands for the government to overturn normalization.

Morocco was one of four Arab nations to establish ties with Israel in 2020, as part of the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which led to both the United States and Israel recognizing Moroccos claim over the disputed Western Sahara.

Authorities have allowed protests, with few exceptions, including not allowing a recently planned rally at a northern Moroccan university. Some members of parliament have backed their demands. Both the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Palace have issued statements denouncing the war and expressing solidarity for Palestinians in Gaza but not signaled any intent to cut ties with Israel.

Moroccos constitution generally allows for freedom of expression, although it is illegal to criticize the monarchy or King Mohammed VI and those who do can face prosecution. Human rights associations have raised concerns about a rise in prosecutions stemming from online post in recent years.

Zankad is a member of Moroccos Al Adl Wal Ihsane, a banned but tolerated Islamist association that has been a driving force behind many of the countrys protests since the war began.

On Monday the group called said his sentence only serves to solidify the certainty that we are in a state riddled by authoritarianism and tyranny.

We condemn this unjust ruling in the strongest terms. It is a continuation of the unjust rulings targeting opponents from Al Adl Wal Ihsane, journalists, and leaders of the Rif Movement, it added, referencing a 2016 protest movement whose leaders were later sentenced and imprisoned.

The group has also condemned the prosecutions of other opponents of normalization. That includes Said Boukyoud, who in November was sentenced to three years in prison for insulting the king in a series of Facebook posts about normalization.

It also includes 13 protesters who were arrested in Sale, Morocco in November for incitement and organizing an unauthorized demonstration after they blocked the entrance to the French grocery store Carrefour. In Morocco and elsewhere, the chain has faced boycotts since its franchises in Israel announced they were providing food to Israels military last year.

Their case has not yet been decided.

(AP)
In a rare event, the IDF confirmed on Tuesday night that it struck a position in Syria which was being used by Hezbollah.

The IDF attacked military infrastructure established on the front in Syrian territory which according to intelligence served as a Hezbollah terror base, the IDF statement said.

The IDF holds the Syrian regime responsible for everything that happens in its territory and will not allow actions that can lead to the entrenchment of Hezbollah on the Syrian front.

Army Radio reporter Doron Kadosh commented: This announcement indicates an interesting change of direction by the IDF regarding taking responsibility for attacks in Syria.

In the past, the IDF was careful not to take responsibility for any attack in Syria, neither along the border nor deep inside the country. Attacks on Syrian positions that were used by Hezbollah on the border also occurred quietly, without being publicized. These attacks were published from time to time in foreign reports.

During the war (and especially in the last two months), the IDF began to take responsibility for attacks directed against Hezbollahs entrenchment on the front in the Syrian Golan Heights.

The Israel Defense Force has released Footage showing Strikes within the last few hours on a Outpost of the Syrian Arab Army in Southwestern Syria which was being utilized by Iranian-Backed Militias, as well as at least 2 Observation Posts and other Hezbollah Sites in Southern pic.twitter.com/a9DHG3wfzb  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 9, 2024

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The tiny Persian Gulf state of Qatar is Hamass main financial backer and also hosts the virulently anti-Israel Al Jazeera media outlet. So how can Qatar be trusted to serve as one of the main mediators in hostage release talks? And why isnt US President Joe Biden, who has no problem blaming Israel for Hamas atrocities in Gaza, pressuring Qatar to use its influence to release Israeli hostages?

Its true that for years, Israel legitimized Qatars financial support of the terror group by allowing the Gulf state to deliver suitcases full of cash to the Gazan enclave for humanitarian needs. But it is now apparent that Qatar was well-aware that its funding was being used for terror purposes.

An article by JNS on the topic entitled Terror-Supporting Qatar Is No Friend Of The West quotes Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, as saying there is no doubt that Qatar is a rich and sophisticated enemy of Israel. It hosts and funds the leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood, including its Palestinian offshoot Hamas, and owns the rabidly anti-Israel Al Jazeera TV station.

Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told JNS that the Qataris burned Israel the same way they burned the United States time and time again. Theyre masters of the double gamepresenting themselves as moderates who want to play a Switzerland-type role in the Middle East when in truth they are ideological and financial supporters of Islamic extremism.

Goldberg said he doesnt believe Qatar is an ally of the United States, but sadly Doha has an enormous influence network bought and paid for in Washington. When theres a policy of retreat or appeasement, American officials tend to empower bad actors like Qatar to serve as interlocutors with adversaries.

Goldberg said that the Biden administration could and should have put maximum pressure on Qatar on Oct. 8, but didnt. What was essential from day one was putting the Qataris to a choiceface severe consequences or deliver the hostages, he said. We never did that, he said. Instead, Goldberg said, families of hostages were instructed by Qatari-funded non-profits to remain quiet and even praise Qatar.

According to Con Coughlin, The Telegraphs defense and foreign affairs editor and a distinguished senior fellow at Gatestone Institute, Qatar is playing a double game by pretending that it is a neutral observer in attempts to negotiate a Gaza ceasefire with the U.S., while at the same time using its state-owned Al Jazeera news channel to propagate pro-Hamas propaganda.

Coughlin told JNS that Israels willingness to allow Qatar to continue providing aid to Gaza while Hamas still controlled the enclave now appears to have been a serious strategic miscalculation, as it is now clear that Qatari funding that was supposed to be used to provide humanitarian relief was instead diverted to fund the development of Hamass terrorist infrastructure.

Washingtons relationship with Qatar is mainly driven by its desire to maintain its Al Udeid military base in the Gulf state, which plays a key role in supporting CENTCOMs military operations in the Middle East, Coughlin said. This is why the U.S. State Department often turns a blind eye to the Qataris support for hardline Islamist groups such as Hamas, the Taliban and the Muslim Brotherhood.

A recent confidential report by US and Israeli intelligence professionals on behalf of lawyers of the families of October 7th victims reached the same conclusion, Times of Israel reported this week.

The report states: Qatar operates not as an independent mediator as it claims, but benefits directly from the bloodshed and geopolitical fallout and unrest that result from its policies.

Even worse, the report concludes that Qatari funding and policies led directly to October 7.

The Doha-Gaza Alliance at all levels  financial, political, and military  has resulted in the current regional upheaval, the impact of which is being felt worldwide. Continuing to allow Qatar to act as a key mediator in the Gaza conflict is mistaken.

The authors of the report say that it includes material about Qatars malevolent activities that have been known to US intelligence for years but not acted upon. These findings include, among other things, the fact that Qatar has been completely aware and supportive of Hamass military buildup and evil goals for over a decade despite publicly declaring that its funding for Gaza was only being used for humanitarian purposes. The report says that the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his government were well aware that the vast majority of funds Qatar was sending to Gaza were going to assist Hamass terror infrastructure, weapons, and training.

Qatar has provided at least $2 billion to Hamas, a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. In addition, it allows full freedom to Muslim Brotherhood leaders to operate in the country, including Dohas banking and investment sectors.

And Qatars influential Al Jazeera Network not only maintains an editorial policy backing these outlawed groups, it also provides them platforms (including special programming, interviews, social media feeds, etc.) through which to push the Muslim Brotherhoods political platform.

The negative impact of the Qatari-Muslim Brotherhood nexus to US policy interests includes bloodshed, unrest, and instability in a wide range of locations, most immediately in the Middle East and Africa, the report continues. These local conflicts have far-reaching implications for US policy going beyond the region  with Russia and China oftentimes appearing to be the main beneficiaries of the instability these conflicts have created.

Qatar actively backs extremist terrorist groups in at times open defiance of US government policy and interests, the report says, adding that Doha allows these groups along with Iran to use its financial institutions to avoid US sanctions. Large-scale money laundering also appears to be taking place by these groups with the knowledge of the Qatari authorities.

JNS also addressed the issue of Qatars generous donations to US universities, saying that its strategic and questionable approach to funding also suggests efforts to advance nefarious state interests rather than purely philanthropic motives.

For example, the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) has just released new research regarding the flow of funds from Qatari foundations to Cornell University.

The research reveals previously unknown channels through which billions of dollars have been directed to the university, raising critical concerns about transparency and foreign influence.

According to ISGAP, the findings specifically shed light on the significant influence of Qatari state proxies, such as Qatar Foundation and Qatar National Research Fund. These entities are used to mask direct Qatari government investment in U.S. universities, as part of Qatars soft-power strategy regarding the West.

ISGAPs research shows that the Qatari Emir and the Qatari government are directly behind the industry funneling billions of dollars into leading American universities such as Texas A&M, Georgetown, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, Virginia Commonwealth and others.

In light of the findings, ISGAP has issued letters to relevant authorities calling on Cornell to close its campus at Doha Education City and expose all contracts related to the university partnership with Qatar. Earlier this month the Board of Regents at Texas A&M decided to end the universitys 20-years partnership with Qatar and close the TAMUQ campus in Qatar.

Charles Asher Small, executive director of ISGAP, called upon American universities to follow Texas A&Ms decision to pull out from Doha Education City. Qatar, a state that supports, funds and hosts terrorists should have no place in Americas higher education.

ISGAP initiated the Follow the Money research project in 2012, focusing on the illicit funding of U.S. universities by foreign entities promoting anti-democratic, antisemitic ideologies, often linked to terrorism. This ongoing investigation unearthed substantial Middle Eastern funding, primarily from Qatar, to U.S. universities, previously unreported to the Department of Education (DoED) as required by law, revealing billions of dollars in unreported funds. This groundbreaking work led to a federal government investigation in 2019.

Despite its close ties to the United States and other Western nations, Qatar has cultivated an extensive network of Islamist partners, hosting, supporting and representing entities such as the Muslim Brotherhood, maintaining ties with Iran, hosting the Taliban, supporting Hamas and backing militias in Syria and Libya.

It is clear that Qatar is no friend of the West. By hosting Hamass leaders, allowing Al Jazeera to spread anti-Israel propaganda and funding U.S. universities in exchange for influence, Qatar has demonstrated clearly it is on the side of evil.

In Inbars view, Israel needs to take the gloves off and Qatars leadership should pay for their behavior.

At the same time, he added, Israel should increase efforts to delegitimize Qatars behavior in the United States.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Muhammed Ibrahim Srour, a Lebanese money changer accused of funneling funds from Iran to Hamas, was found dead in the town of Beit Meri, east of Beirut, on Tuesday. According to Saudi news agency Al Hadath, Srours body was discovered after he lost contact with family and friends last Thursday, prompting an investigation.

Sources told Alarabiya that Srour had been wanted by the Mossad since 2018 and was a teller at a Hezbollah-owned money exchange agency. Additionally, Lebanese media reported that Srour, 57, was found dead in a villa with a large sum of money nearby, which was not taken by the assassin.

Srours name was on a list of individuals sanctioned by the US for their involvement in transferring funds from Iran to Hamas Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
As Pesach approaches, many people look for ways to educate and learn about the Pesach holiday ahead of the Seder. In this list, well take a look at the top 10 videos from YidFlicks for Pesach, each with its own unique twist.

Click here to watch the top 10 Pesach videos:

1: Shazak! Out of Egypt: The Pesach Story

Come along on a spectacular journey from slavery to freedom! The beautiful illustrations and cartoon style of Out of Egypt brings the Exodus narrative to life in a way that is fun and educational for the entire family. Laugh, thrill and cheer as the adventure of Pesach unfolds in this incredible video. Brought to you by Shazak, creators of Queen of Persia and Miracle Lights.

2: The Animated Hagadah

The Animated Haggadah, presented in charming claymation, follows the protagonist Danny on a journey through the Passover story. Experience the trials and triumphs of the Israelites, from slavery to freedom, in this delightful and engaging retelling of the Haggadah. Perfect for all ages, this claymation adventure brings a fresh perspective to the Passover seder, making it a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone.

3: Meir Kids  The Pesach Story

Come along for this three part Pesach special. First, as Sammy is practicing Ma Nishtana, he falls asleep and goes back in time to the days of Mitzraim. Sammy and his fiends reenact the Pesach story. See what life was like back in the days when the Jews were slaves.





Click here to watch the top 10 Pesach videos:

4: Pesach with Morah Malkie

Join Morah Malkie in an exciting Pesach adventure. This thirty minute video includes puppets, singing, story time and lots of learning! This video is geared towards children ages 2-4.

5: Rabbi Paysach Krohn | Living Lessons  Pesach Edition

Join the world famous Rabbi Paysach Krohn, for stories which expand upon the value of Mesorah and of taking guidance from parents and Torah leaders; the greatness of Gedolim, Hachnasas Orchim, especially during the seder; and the importance of thinking about others.

6: Morah Esters Pesach Special

Come along and learn with Morah Ester all about Pesach. Find out why the Jews were slaves in the land of Egypt, why we eat matzah on Pesach, learn the Mah Nishtana and hear all about what different items on the Seder plate!

Click here to watch the top 10 Pesach videos:

7: Pesach Music Videos

Enjoy incredible Pesach themed music videos from a number of the top Jewish artists. Watch music videos including The Maccabeatss Dayenu, Ma Nishtana, Nirtza, along with The Seder Song from the inspiring Zusha, The Greatest Pesach from the Y Studs, and so many more!

8: Incredible Science EPIC Chol Hamoed Show

With millions of views of his outrageous science and physics videos, Yochanan Ghoori has now created a special Chol Hamoed YidFlicks show! Watch as things pop, wizz, bang, and whir as you learn about how the world works  and get thoroughly entertained in the process.

9: Pesach Cooking Like a Pro!

Learn how to cook delicious food for Pesach with the top kosher chefs worldwide! Whether youre looking for traditional basics from your Bubbys kitchen, or new wholesome recipes with fresh ingredients and a modern twist, this video has got you covered.

10: Pesach In Dubai

Follow Shoime Zionce on his amazing Dubai Pesach trip!
For the last many years Misaskim LA has assisted the amazing Hurwitz family who have been graciously hosted at The KMR Pesach Program. Rabbi Yitzi smile brings a tremendous amount of light and energy to all that come in contact with him.

Rabbi Hurwitz the Shliach to Temecula was diagnosed with ALS many years ago yet despite not being to physically move he has been giving Shiurim and attending minyanim with the help of his family and care givers.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

The program gives the family a much needed and deserved break while at the same time the Guests at KMR substantially donate towards the annual budget of the round the clock care Rabbi Hurwitz needs.

To get Rabbi Hurwitz to KMR which is in Cabo San Lucas it requires alot of extra medical care as well as a private jet to facilitate the move.

We should all be zoche to see the Geula Bkarov and Rabbi Hurwitz having a Refua Shelayma.

Tizku Lmitzvos

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
We've all done the dash up and down the High Street in a desperate search for a cashpoint. Inevitably, it's when you're most in need that you find there's not one in sight. But the search is only getting harder -more than half of free cash machines have been removed in some parts of the country over the past five years, new figures reveal. A growing number of areas are becoming cash deserts, as bank branches continue to rapidly retreat from high streets, leaving a literal hole in the wall. And it seems nowhere is safe - high proportions of cash machines are closing in city centres and rural areas alike. In Hayes and Harlington, west London , 100 of the 189 free cashpoints have been torn out since 2019, according to the cash machine network group Link. In North Somerset, 30 of the 57 have disappeared. Meanwhile in Cheadle, south of Manchester, 29 out of 55 have gone. In many urban areas, free-to-use ATMs are being converted into ones that charge a fee to withdraw money, Link reports. The City of London, a key centre of hospitality and entertainment where tourists and locals rely on access to cash, has lost 270 free-to-use machines. Meanwhile, in Glasgow more than 70 have been turned into pay-to-use machines.
Astrazeneca's boss is massively underpaid and deserves a raise, according to one of its leading investors.

Speaking ahead of the pharmaceutical companys annual meeting tomorrow, a top 20 shareholder threw its weight behind making Pascal Soriot the FTSE 100s first 150million chief executive.

AstraZeneca is asking its shareholders to approve a performance-based deal that could hand him up to 18.7million this year.

That would take his total earnings to 153million since he took over in 2012.

Investor groups have branded the package excessive and urged shareholders to vote against it.

Pay packet: Astrazeneca is asking its shareholders to approve a performance-based deal that could hand Pascal Soriot (pictured) up to 18.7m this year

The looming row was highlighted by the Mail on Sunday last weekend.

But in a major boost for Soriot ahead of the vote, Florida-based GQG Partners said the French-Australian executive has earned the right to a decent pay rise because of his turnaround efforts at AstraZeneca.

Soriot, 64, has been widely hailed for reviving the fortunes of one of Britains biggest drug companies and providing millions with a life-saving Covid-19 vaccine. He also fought off an unwanted takeover bid from US rival Pfizer.

Rajiv Jain, chief investment officer at GQG, told the Financial Times: There is a compensation issue at AstraZeneca.

The chief executive is massively underpaid, given AstraZenecas impressive turnaround since he joined more than a decade ago.

Norges Bank Investment Management, which is a top 10 shareholder, has also signalled it will be voting to approve Soriots pay.

This is in contrast to two influential shareholder advisory groups, Glass Lewis and ISS, who last week urged investors to vote against the excessive pay plan at the annual meeting.

Under the proposal, Soriot could earn a bonus worth up to 300 per cent of his nearly 1.5million base salary, plus performance-related share awards worth up to 850 per cent of base pay.

This is an increase on the previous pay deal, which permitted a 250 per cent bonus and awards worth 650 per cent of his base salary.

AstraZeneca has argued that the increase is necessary to increase the competitiveness of the business against its rivals in the US and Europe.

Emma Walmsley, chief executive of UK rival GSK, was paid 12.7million last year compared with Soriots 16.9million. Albert Bourla, head of Pfizer, took home 17million.

One of the top earners worldwide in the drug sector is David Ricks, boss of Eli Lilly, who was paid 21million in 2023.

Leading business figures in the City, including Julia Hoggett, head of the London Stock Exchange, are pushing for executives to receive higher salaries.

She called for a constructive discussion around executive pay, saying Britain needed to attract top talent.
Rescue: Frasers and Next are said to be considering saving Ted Bakers European business

Frasers Group and Next are both in talks to buy Ted Baker out of administration. Mike Ashleys Frasers and Lord Wolfsons Next are said to be considering saving the fashion chains European business.

The companies  two of the biggest names on the High Street  have spoken to administrators at Teneo about a full or partial sale, according to The Times. The report said bidders have less than six weeks to make an offer and a buyer could be announced this month.

Hundreds of Ted Baker staff were laid off earlier this week in plans to close 15 stores.

The company behind the fashion brands UK shops, No Ordinary Designer Label Limited (NODL), hired administrators last month as it failed to win over younger shoppers.

Next and Frasers are known for snapping up retailers in crisis.

Ashleys retail empire has snapped up toy-maker Hornby and luxury marketplace Matches Fashion in recent months  although the latter later collapsed.

Next owns Jack Wills and Victorias Secret


Business is booming at the Chinese owner of TikTok despite attempts in Washington to ban the video-sharing app.

Profits at Bytedance rose 60 per cent last year to more than 30billion after revenues at the Beijing-based technology group hit 94billion as it closed in on the 100billion mark.

This topped the 63billion in 2022. TikTok, launched in 2016, has exploded in popularity since the pandemic, with over a billion users worldwide today.

These include some of the worlds biggest stars such as Kylie Jenner, Selena Gomez and Will Smith. It has been suggested that Smith earns so much from TikTok that he no longer needs to act.

And it has become a vehicle to help people who are unknown to find fame and fortune.

Top of the Toks: TikTok has over a billion users worldwide including some of the worlds biggest stars such as Selena Gomez, left, and Will Smith, right

Factory worker turned social media star Khaby Lame is currently the worlds most-followed person on the app, with a whopping 161.4m followers.

Lame, 23, found a career as an influencer after losing his job and now makes millions of pounds a year through adverts and brand endorsements.

And TikToks growing popularity has also led to its parent firm Bytedance becoming one of the worlds most valuable start-ups  worth 200billion.

But its latest bumper figures come as the group faces mounting pressure in the US.

Last month Washington moved a step closer to banning TikTok after the House of Representatives passed a bill calling for parent company Bytedance to sell its stake in the US version  or face the boot.

The company has been accused of allowing the Chinese government to access sensitive user data and influence users.

TikTok, which has an estimated 170m users in the US, has denied these allegations.

Bytedance is not owned or controlled by the Chinese government. It is a private company, TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew said in a testimony to Congress last month.

TikTok maintains that its data is stored outside China, in Singapore and the US.

Some experts say the strong 2023 profits act as a further red flag for regulators.

This is another flex-the-muscles moment for Bytedance and TikTok showing massive advertising and subscriber growth. This will further fuel the regulatory spider web in the US, said Dan Ives, analyst at Wedbush.

The Indian government pulled the plug on the app in 2020 after a violent clash at the India-China border.

Officials said apps such as TikTok posed a threat to sovereignty and integrity.

The UK has resisted a ban, but the app was blocked from Government devices last year after a review found there could be a risk.

In February Universal Music pulled millions of songs from TikTok in a row over payments.

Universal, which controls a third of the worlds songs, including hits from Taylor Swift and the Beatles, accused it of offering a bad deal. Social media sites pay labels and musicians to stream their music.
Defence deal: BAE Systems has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Defence to repair L119 Light Guns

The UKs largest defence company BAE Systems has landed another Government contract as the war in Ukraine rumbles on.

It has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Defence to repair L119 guns used against Russia. The gun is known for its accurate firepower and easy mobility and has been extensively used by Ukrainian forces.

BAE has benefited from rising global defence spending in the wake of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine  and demand has also been stoked by conflict in the Middle East and US-China tensions.

Under the contract, BAE will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services in Ukraine.

As the original manufacturer of the howitzer, BAE has been working with allied governments since the start of the war to help with training and support.

It reported bumper results for 2023, raking in sales of 25billion and profits of 3billion.
KPMG's Dutch division was fined 20m after hundreds of its staff were found to have shared answers in training courses

Accounting giant KPMG received the biggest fine ever handed out by the US audit watchdog after senior partners and managers cheated on professional exams.

The Big Fours Dutch division was fined 20million after hundreds of its staff were found to have improperly shared answers in mandatory training courses between 2017 and 2022.

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which issued the fine, also said KPMG Netherlands had repeatedly misled investigators about the misconduct.

The growth of this widespread answer sharing was enabled by the firms failure to take appropriate steps to monitor, investigate, and identify the potential misconduct, the regulator said.

Staff who were singled out by the US audit watchdog included Marc Hogeboom, who is the former head of the Dutch firm, who was fined 120,000.

He was also banned for life from working for a company that audits US public companies.

Both Hogeboom and KPMG Netherlands have agreed to pay their respective fines without admitting or denying the findings.

Stephanie Hottenhuis, the chief executive of KPMG Netherlands, said the regulators conclusions were damning.

She said: I deeply regret that this misconduct happened in our firm. Our clients and stakeholders deserve our apology. They count on our quality and integrity as this is our role in society, with trust as our licence to operate.

KPMG Netherlands has implemented measures to check whether the training tests are being completely properly, Hottenhuis added.
A four-day computer meltdown at National Savings and Investments has been blamed on a technical issue that led to a flood of customers being blocked from accounts.

Its not known how many of its 24 million customers were unable to log in to access savings accounts and Premium Bonds on Saturday, but hundreds reported they were still blocked until yesterday when the problem was sorted out.

Despite speculation the major IT glitch was caused by a cyber attack, the Government-backed savings giant is adamant this was not behind the chaos caused for customers.

NS&I initially blamed heavy online traffic and systems updates but later admitted to a technical issue.

NS&I introduced two-factor authentication into its account log-in process two years ago as an extra layer of security to try and stop hackers from stealing data. Customers now get a one-time passcode sent to their mobile phone to log in to their account.

Glitch: A four-day computer meltdown at National Savings and Investments led to a flood of customers being blocked from accounts

Tina Deeming, 64, of Loughborough, Leicestershire, was blocked by NS&I on Saturday morning from getting access to vital funds by cashing in 500 worth of Premium Bonds.

The retired IT consultant says: I was greeted by a message stating there were intermittent log in problems. I tried many times over the weekend and got very frustrated as I need the money for groceries and the rent.

As late as yesterday lunchtime customers trying to log in were still being greeted with a Were aware of an intermittent issue with our website while logging in and are working hard to fix this. Thank you for your patience and sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Eddie Ferguson, 77, a retired IT manager from Stockport, Greater Manchester, was also one of the many that contacted us reporting a problem after trying to log in over four separate days.

Eddie says: It is pathetic. The idea of introducing double-authentication to ensure the system is safe is a great one  but only if it actually works.

The length of the delay indicates possibly a more serious problem with a computer system meltdown or a cyber attack.

NS&I would not comment on how many customers were blocked from logging in. It said some problems may also have been caused by time drift.

This is when the device you are using to log on, such as a laptop, is out of sync with the mobile phone to which an authentication code is sent.

To solve this it suggests you check time and date settings on your phone and make sure it has updated.

toby.walne@dailymail.co.uk
(Reuters) -German carmaker BMW reported a slight boost in first-quarter sales on Wednesday, driven partially by demand for electric cars, as it hailed the delivery of its millionth fully-electric vehicle in a milestone for the company.

BMW delivered a total of 594,671 vehicles in the first quarter, a rise of 1.1% on the same time last year, according to a statement from the company.

Sales of electric vehicles were at 82,700 during the first three months of the year, representing a 27.9% year-on-year increase.

In March, BMW said it expected its spending on the transition to fully-electric models to peak in 2024.

The group expects deliveries of fully electric and premium vehicles to drive a slight increase in automotive deliveries for 2024, it said.

(Reporting by Louis van Boxel-Woolf and Tristan Veyet; Editing by Miranda Murray and Rachel More)
A new Boeing quality engineer whistleblower has spoken out about concerns over alleged shortcuts in assembling the 787 Dreamliner.

Following the revelations, a Senate subcommittee has now called a hearing next week on Boeing issues and recent apparent safety failures.

Sam Salehpour, a Boeing quality engineer, is expected to speak on the safety concerns of the manufacturing of the 787 Dreamliner in a 17 April hearing that the subcommittee has called.

The subcommittee has summoned Boeing CEO David Calhoun to testify about the companys jetliners, various reports have revealed, following Mr Salehpour voicing alleged crucial flaws in aNew York Times article on Tuesday.

Boeing said in a statement that the company is cooperating with this inquiry, adding that it has offered to provide documents, testimony and technical briefings, and is discussing with the committee about the next steps.

Boeing CEO David Calhoun has been summoned to testify on 17 April (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Mr Salehpour told The New York Times that he worked on the 787 but became concerned about changes to how the giant sections of the planes fuselage, the main body, were fitted together in assembly.

The whistleblower said that the fuselage came in several parts, all from different manufacturers, and were not the same shape while they were being put together.

The engineer became alarmed, alleging that Boeing was taking shortcuts, resulting in excessive force being applied to narrow unwanted gaps in the assembly connecting pieces of the Dreamliners fuselage.

Mr Salehpour claimed that the force led to deformations in the composite material that is used in construction, which could contribute to material fatigue and premature failure of the composite.

Boeing conceded that those manufacturing changes were made, but Paul Lewis, a spokesperson for the company, told The New York Times there was no impact on durability or safe longevity of the airframe.

The engineer claimed that shortcuts were taken in the assembly process (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Mr Lewis added that Boeing had done extensive testing on the aircraft and determined that this is not an immediate safety of flight issue.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it has been investigating Mr Salehpours allegations but declined to comment further to The New York Times.

Boeing said in a statement that the claims about the structural integrity of the aircraft are inaccurate and it is fully confident in the 787 Dreamliner due to the comprehensive work done to ensure the quality and long-term safety of the aircraft.

The whistleblower alleged to the outlet that he was repeatedly retaliated against when he raised his issue with the shortcuts he claimed Boeing was taking.

A 787 Dreamliner (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Salehpours lawyer, Debra Katz, detailed that Boeing allegedly did not listen to her clients concerns, but instead silenced him and transferred him to work on a different jetliner.

Story continues

Boeing, however, said in its statement that retaliation is strictly prohibited at Boeing and that it encourages workers to speak up when issues arise.

Boeing has been under intense security throughout this year since a door panel blew out mid-air over Oregon on an Alaska Airlines flight using a 737 Max jet in early January.

The door plug fell off shortly after takeoff, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the aircraft.

In the aftermath, regulators temporarily grounded nearly 200 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. This led to the cancellation of thousands of flights.

Amid the ongoing safety concerns, the Boeing CEO and two top executives announced last month that they are planning on stepping down from their positions.

Mr Calhoun said that the Alaska Airlines incident was a watershed moment for Boeing, and that he had decided to leave the company at the end of the year.

The Independent has contacted Boeing for comment.
Create a profile and get matched along with other lesbian singles in your area

Dating site for lesbians is a good solution to satisfy other lesbian singles locally. by creating a profile and getting matched with other lesbian singles, you can find an ideal match for you. you could flick through the profiles of other users to find someone you may like to chat with. lsi key words for dating site for lesbians:

lesbian dating, lesbian dating site, lesbian singles, lesbian dating application, lesbian dating site for seniors, lesbian dating site for people with disabilities, lesbian dating site for singles over 50, lesbian dating site for single mothers, lesbian dating site for people who have herpes, lesbian dating site for individuals with hiv, lesbian dating site for people who have cancer tumors, lesbian dating site for individuals with disabilities, lesbian dating site for individuals with psychological state dilemmas, lesbian dating site for people with drug abuse dilemmas, lesbian dating site for people who have hiv, lesbian dating site for people who have cancer tumors, lesbian dating site for individuals with mental health problems, lesbian dating site for people who have drug abuse dilemmas.

Get alerts:

Find love and companionship with a senior lesbian partner

Finding love and companionship with a senior lesbian partner is a rewarding experience. there are many senior lesbian dating websites available, and all of them offer a number of features that will make dating more convenient and enjoyable. some of the most crucial features of a senior lesbian dating site will be the opportunities it offers allowing you to connect along with other seniors and for finding appropriate lovers. many of these websites provide a number of features that will make dating more fun and enjoyable, such as for example chat rooms, message boards, and user pages. theres also many features that can make dating more convenient. for example, a number of these web sites offer matching solutions which will help you see a compatible partner. these services can match you with a senior lesbian partner predicated on your passions, location, along with other facets. finally, a majority of these web sites provide a variety of support solutions. these solutions will allow you to relate with other seniors and obtain suggestions about dating and relationships. they can also help you find support groups as well as other resources that can help you improve your dating experience. if youre trying to find a way to find love and companionship with a senior lesbian partner, a senior lesbian dating site is a superb option.

Seniors will find love and companionship because of the right partner

With only a little imagination and effort, seniors can find matches which are ideal for them.there are many senior lesbian dating sites available that appeal to this population.these dating websites provide a safe and comfortable environment for seniors to find love.there are numerous factors why seniors must look into dating online.online dating is a safe and protected option to relate solely to people.it can also be an easy strategy for finding a match.many senior lesbian dating sites offer a quick and simple search procedure.another advantage of on line dating is that it really is an even more individual experience.senior lesbian dating internet sites enable seniors for connecting along with other seniors in a safe and confidential environment.this allows seniors to explore their interests and find a match thats suitable for them.there are some senior lesbian dating websites available that are ideal for seniors.these dating websites provide a safe and comfortable environment for seniors discover love.

Get willing to fulfill your ideal match with your senior lesbian dating site source

Are you seeking a dating site that provides senior lesbians? if thats the case, you are in fortune! our senior lesbian dating site source has everything you need to find your dream match. our site is filled with active seniors wanting love. therefore whether youre a senior trying to find a new friend or a potential love match, our site is perfect for you. plus, our site is full of features thatll make your dating experience amazing. from our user-friendly program to the extensive search capabilities, weve all you need to get the perfect match. why wait? register today and start browsing our amazing senior lesbian dating site source.

This page: http://lesbiansugarmommy.com/older-lesbian-dating/

Connect with senior lesbian singles within area

Looking for somebody in life? discover our set of senior lesbian singles locally! finding a girlfriend or boyfriend who shares your exact same age range can be a great and exciting experience. but may be difficult to find an individual who can also be a senior lesbian. this is because senior lesbians are a relatively new demographic, and many folks are still not really acquainted with them. if you should be shopping for someone who is similar in age and passions, then you should think about joining a senior lesbian dating website. these sites are made specifically for senior lesbians, in addition they provide a variety of benefits you will not find on other dating sites. one of the best reasons for senior lesbian dating sites is the fact that they offer a safe and comfortable environment. this is because senior lesbians are often worried about being judged or refused by other people. senir lesbian dating web sites additionally provide a wide range of benefits. these sites can help you find someone whom shares your passions, plus they will help you relate with other senior lesbians in your town. these websites offer many different advantages that you will not find on other dating web sites, and they will allow you to relate with other senior lesbians inside area.
FCA

The failures of our financial regulators  the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)  are well documented.

After each failure we had to listen to them squirm, explaining how they missed balance sheet anomalies that led to systemic failures, or why they did not act sooner to protect investors.

Sometimes an inquiry, years after the event, opines, telling us what we already knew: that financial regulation in the UK is ineffective in the prevention of wrongdoing.

Where regulation has succeeded is in the asphyxiation of our capital market. Regulation has reduced the London Stock Exchange (LSE) to a fraction of its former size.

It has destroyed confidence with the imposition of ever-evolving obstruction of regulated firms, entrepreneurs and investors with new layers of red tape under the wide ranging and conveniently loose interpretation of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), and its EU cousin the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) I and II.

This matters, because firms quoted on the LSE generate wealth, create employment, pay pensions, make tax contributions, and contribute to the economic growth of the country. Democracy, in the end, must be paid for.

At a national level politicians know that the demands being made of them by an expectant public are insufficiently funded by our current income.

Ironically, Labours Rachel Reeves, the chancellor in waiting, is currently campaigning to convince people that she can be trusted on the economy  yet it was the legacy of her New Labour forebears that mutilated that same economy by vast amounts of legislation.

The FSA was abolished post the financial crisis, but it was seamlessly replaced with the FCA and PRA in what seemed more like a reshuffle of activities and a corporate rebrand.

The FCA states that its role and objectives are primarily defined by the FSMA and that it is accountable to the Treasury and to Parliament; it claims that its strategic objective is to make sure relevant markets function well. But if the ever-diminishing capital value and relevance of the LSE is a metric of functioning well, it already fell at the first hurdle many years ago.

The Government has finally spotted this and added, since 2023, a secondary objective of facilitating, subject to aligning with relevant international standards, the international competitiveness and growth of the economy of the United Kingdom and its growth in the medium to long term.

As anyone knows, muddled top-level objectives that contradict one another is a recipe for further confusion and certain failure. Unless radical and unlikely changes happen soon, the secondary objective is a mirage. It has arguably already failed.

Story continues

In addition the FCA has operational objectives which are seemingly not subordinated to its strategic objective. However, there is no indication that these operational objectives  to protect consumers, to protect and enhance the integrity of the UK financial system, and to promote healthy competition between financial services providers in the interests of consumers  are subordinated to the new secondary objective at all.

This continuing muddle appears to allow the FCA to do much as it pleases on a day-to-day basis, delivering more crazy initiatives, red tape, and pictures of grinning employees, as anyone who receives their monthly emails will attest.

It is probable that these contradictions will surface in strategic and systemic failures in the future. In the armed forces, strategy delivers the aim, which translates to subordinated orders, which are delivered on the ground. Usually this works well unless the strategy is wrong in the first place.

The FCA might claim that it achieves some of its operational aims, but as things stand it will always fail on the execution of a strategic aim  and at what cost?

The FCAs strategic failures litter the financial services landscape like destroyed tanks on a battlefield. It was accused of negligent complicity over the Woodford and London Capital & Finance scandals.

According to the Financial Times, the FCA was reportedly warned of problems at Woodford in 2015, four years before the eventual collapse. The Gloster report into LCF concluded that the FCA did not discharge its functions in respect of LCF in a manner which enabled it effectively to fulfil its statutory objectives.

For context, the FCA budget is 755 million a year, with the chief executive Nikhil Rathi  from 2005 to 2008 Private Secretary to Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown  being paid a salary of 455k.

FCA chief executive Nikhil Rathi is paid a salary of 455k - Eddie Mulholland

According to The Observer, the FCA paid bonuses of 125m to staff between 2016 and 2021. Presumably this was justified as the cost of talent in a Government organisation subject to limited oversight.

Has the FCA gone rogue under the noses of a bamboozled Treasury? Has the FCA model of raising fees from the firms it regulates (rather than the taxpayer) encouraged the capture of fees and fines, as opposed to investigation of wrongdoing

Has this greater independent status scared civil servants, who might prefer the comfort of dealing with cash-strapped Government departments pleading for funding, as opposed to oversight and engagement avoidance?

Why is the FCA often so happy to settle with firms in their grasp? The legal system, meanwhile, appears to make it ever more difficult for firms and individuals to defend themselves. Is the FCA now simply an unsupervised, untouchable, self-serving, elite operating almost at arms length above our democratic system?

London had established itself as Europes and, at times, the worlds, preeminent financial centre, founded on free trade and the basis of caveat emptor.

In a short space of time this has changed, as the main financial market participants stood by and complicity allowed their industry to be destroyed by an army of petty-minded lawyers feasting off an increasingly complex regulatory handbook driven by the FCA and PRA. FSMA 2000 has fostered a monster, and it now needs to be repealed as a matter of urgency.

Rupert Lowe is the Business and Agriculture Spokesman for Reform UK

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.
Rite Aid will soon close its last remaining location in Centre County, as a result of Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring, according to court documents dated from last week.

The final remaining location  at 1536 N. Atherton St. in Ferguson Township  will close May 23, a company spokesperson told the CDT in an email. The pharmacy will close May 2.

An employee who answered the phone Wednesday said staff were informed of the closure a couple days ago. And, because the nearest Rite Aid locations will now be outside Centre County in Tyrone and Huntingdon, the employee assumed most working locally were out of luck when it came to working elsewhere for the company.

The closure comes six months after Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy protection after losing about $3 billion over the last six years. The companys stock has lost nearly 95% of its value since August.

In mid-November, Centre County boasted four Rite Aid locations. But the South Atherton store closed Nov. 29, followed by the Westerly Parkway location Dec. 5 and then the Bellefonte site Dec. 12. A company spokesperson told the CDT, at the time, it could not rule out closing the countys last remaining store, on North Atherton Street.

In connection with the court-supervised process, we notified the Court of certain underperforming stores we are closing to further reduce rent expense and strengthen overall financial performance, the company said in a written statement from November 2023. At this time, we have not made or confirmed any decisions on additional specific store closures as part of our financial restructuring process.

Last week, Rite Aid announced plans to close another 53 stores  including 12 in Pennsylvania, with the last Centre County location among them. Since October, Rite Aid has announced the closure of more than 250 stores.

The national drugstore chain, which was founded in Scranton in 1962, still has more than 1,500 stores concentrated on the East and West coasts  which puts it firmly behind Walgreens (8,200-plus stores) and CVS (9,000-plus).

According to Deutsche Bank analyst George Hill, Rite Aid operated on a much thinner profit margin compared to its competitors, who have moved more aggressively into health care, opening clinics and adding other sources of revenue. Among other reasons for the bankruptcy, The Associated Press mentioned online competitors like Amazon, waning COVID-19 vaccine/testing business, staffing issues, financial risk from lawsuits over opioid prescriptions, etc.

Going through Chapter 11 will help significantly reduce the companys debt while helping to resolve litigation claims in an equitable manner, the company said in October.

Once the State College area Rite Aid closes, only two locations within 25 miles of State College will remain open. The Tyrone location (1365 Logan Ave.) in Blair County is listed at 21 miles away, and the Huntingdon store (9635 William Penn Highway) in Huntingdon County is 23 miles away.
United States Consumer Financial Protection Bureau CFPB

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is considering a ban on mortgage banks charging homebuyers for the lenders title insurance policy, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Lenders title policies protect lenders from issues that may arise with the title of the property, but they are paid by the borrower. The homebuyer also has the option to purchase an owners title policy, which protects the equity they build on the property.

While the draft measure may be abandoned altogether, Bloomberg reported that in its current form it would apply to both home purchase and refinance transactions.

According to the publication, the CFPB will release a request for information on closing costs, including title insurance and other fees, as soon as late April. Sources told Bloomberg that any final proposal on changes to closing costs, including title insurance, would not come until 2025.

The CFPB would not comment on the possible ban on lenders charging buyers for their title policy, but a spokesperson noted in an email that the CFPB is looking carefully at closing costs and fees consumers may encounter throughout the mortgage process.

We are working with agencies across the government to foster greater competition in the mortgage market and help Americans save money when purchasing or refinancing a home, the spokesperson added.

During his 2024 State of the Union address in early March, President Joe Biden announced a housing plan, noting that the CFPB would be pursuing rulemaking and guidance to address anticompetitive closing costs imposed by lenders on homebuyers and homeowners.

These charges  which benefit the lender but not the borrower  can add thousands to the upfront costs of a mortgage, the White House said in a prepared statement. Those upfront costs cut into the amount of homebuyers down payments and reduce homeowners available equity.

Both the mortgage industry and the title industry have not taken kindly to the news of the CFPBs latest proposal.

Title insurance is one of the most essential, but least expensive, parts of the home buying process, Diane Tomb, the CEO of the American Land Title Association, wrote in an email. We have real concerns about how this proposed framework would undermine the critical protections provided by title insurance. We will continue our efforts to educate the CFPB as to how the title insurance market works and collaborate with policymakers on thoughtful approaches to housing affordability.

Story continues

Bob Broeksmit, the CEO and president of the Mortgage Bankers Association, also believes that the CFPB does not fully understand how the mortgage industry operates.

The CFPBs attack on the costs for the services required to successfully underwrite a home loan  title insurance, appraisals, credit reports, and flood hazard mapping  reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of how the mortgage market works and a disturbing lack of awareness of existing regulations, which the Bureau itself has promulgated and lauded, that provide full fee transparency and give consumers the ability to shop, Broeksmit wrote in an email. Our members spent hundreds of millions of dollars complying with those rules when they were established less than a decade ago, and another massive and costly revamp is not an effective solution and only increases costs while creating a false appearance of addressing housing affordability.

This measure under consideration is just the latest attempt by the CFPB to cut borrowers closing costs by reducing or removing title insurance coverage. Last month, the agency, in conjunction with Fannie Mae and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, announced a pilot program to waive the requirement for a lenders title insurance policy for certain refinance transactions.

In March 2023, a report from PoliticoPro showed that Fannie Mae was considering piloting a program to bypass traditional title insurance and attorney opinion letters (AOLs), which drew resistance from trade groups. The introduction of AOLs had already frustrated groups representing the title industry the previous year. In August 2023, Fannie Mae said it was no longer considering the pilot program.

CHLA is concerned about the costs and competition for title insurance, and that is why we have supported Attorney Opinion Letters and the Fannie Mae title pilot program that FHFA has greenlighted, Scott Olson, the executive director of the Community Home Lenders of America, wrote in an email. However, it is important that any proposal does not reduce transparency and protects smaller lenders and their borrowers against the emergence of exclusive deals between title companies and large lenders that results in even less competition.

According to a report from the CFPB, the median home-purchase loan costs, including title insurance, rose to nearly $6,000 in 2022. However, a report from ALTA shows that the cost of title insurance coverage has decreased 7.8% nationwide since 2004 and roughly 5% from 2019 to 2021. In addition, ALTA noted that in some state the price of title insurance is regulated and set by the states insurance regulator.
Empowering meaningful First Nation participation and leadership in renewable energy

Disponible en francais

CIB loans $33 million towards the Tilley Solar f acility in Newell, Alberta.

The First Nations' investment is expected to generate returns for the community which can be re-invested into other economic development projects.

Will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 14,200 tonnes annually.

NEWELL, AB, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Alexander First Nation, First Nation Power Development (FNpower), Concord Green Energy (a subsidiary of Concord Pacific), and the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) have reached financial close on the Tilley Solar Project.

Tilley solar site in Newell, Alberta (CNW Group/Canada Infrastructure Bank)

The CIB committed $33 million to the Tilley Solar project, located 200 kilometres southeast of Calgary in Newell, Alberta, on Treaty 7 Territory. The total project cost is $52 million and will include the economic interests of the Alexander First Nation and FNpower, an Indigenous-owned organization dedicated to empowering First Nation community ownership and participation in the emerging renewable energy industry.

The CIB's investment towards the solar facility advances First Nation economic participation in the clean energy transition, along with improving grid stability and reliability by adding needed electricity generation.

With First Nations in an ideal position to take on meaningful ownership and drive economic reconciliation opportunities, this project demonstrates a First Nation-led initiative actively participating in the renewable energy industry while aiding in diversifying the sector.

The 23.6-megawatt solar farm, which includes 69,450 fixed-tilt solar photovoltaic panels, will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta by approximately 14,200 tonnes annually.

The sustainable, large-scale energy project will support long-term socio-economic benefits for the Nation and their partners. The project will generate more than 280 full-time jobs at peak and is estimated to create $14 million in direct labour income and add $6 million of indirect labour income.

In collaboration with the Alberta Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative, led by PrairiesCan, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) contributed $1 million to Alexander First Nation towards its investment in the Tilley Solar Project. The ISC support advances reconciliation in securing First Nation ownership of the clean power project.

Following the CIB's recent investment in the Deerfoot and Barlow Solar projects in Calgary, Tilley Solar represents the CIB's second Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative clean power investment to reach financial close in Alberta.

Story continues

The CIB will continue to collaborate with First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities on infrastructure projects in partnership with, and for the benefit of Indigenous communities across Canada.

Endorsements

Directly impacting the Alexander First Nation through job creation and long-term economic prosperity, our investment in the Tilley Solar Project will help foster economic reconciliation while advancing a more sustainable grid. Our collective approach to project development sets an example for future partnerships of Indigenous leadership in renewable projects that can be replicated across Canada.

Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank

With the CIB's investment in the Tilley Solar Facility, the renewable energy sector will continue to expand as Indigenous communities lead the way in the transition toward a greener economy. Projects like the Tilley Solar Facility help ensure that Indigenous communities continue to benefit economically while contributing to the transition toward a greener renewable energy sector for generations to come.

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities

I would like to thank the CIB for their tremendous support and dedication to the Tilley Solar Project. This signifies the economic viability of the project for our Nation for many years to come. With that comes long-term careers/jobs for our Nation members, consistent revenue for the Nation, and our footprint into the green energy space. I would also like to thank and congratulate Alexander Business Centre, First Nation Power Development, and Concord Green Energy for their unwavering hard work and commitment to bring this project into fruition. I am beyond excited to see the end product as a green energy source which is important to us as First Nations people who are stewards of the land. Hiy hiy

Chief George Arcand Jr, Alexander First Nation

It is with great pride that we were able to complete this investment that will generate a consistent revenue stream for our Nation over the next 30 years. I want to thank our partners  the CIB for their tremendous support and commitment to ensuring this investment would be financially viable for our Nation, First Nation Power Development for all their hard work to pull this project together and for including Alexander First Nation, and Concord Green Energy and Concord Pacific for their commitment to ensuring this project is majority owned by its First Nations Partners and for providing the financial support we needed. We look forward to more clean energy projects as we see combining environmental stewardship and economic participation as the future business model for our Nation.

Ian Arcand, Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Business Corporation

Having worked for First Nation communities over the last 15 years, it's been incredible to witness the evolution in economic participation. The Alexander First Nation and Alexander Business Corp demonstrate that First Nations people can create their own methods for meaningful economic participation, especially in emerging industries like the renewable energy sector. For this project we were very fortunate to have met an industry partner that understands the importance of inclusion and how to build meaningful relationships; Concord Green Energy is setting the bar for economic reconciliation within the energy industry. Most importantly, the partnership would not have been possible without the support of the Canada Infrastructure Bank who are truly looking out for the interests of the Indigenous partners.

Firman Latimer, CEO, First Nation Power Development

This great partnership with Chief George Arcand and the Alexander First Nation is our second major solar project with Alberta First Nations. We have been seeing this sector grow in Alberta and look to scale up on more projects in solar and hydro like Amisk Hydroelectric on the Peace River.

Terry Hui, President and CEO, Concord Pacific Group

Indigenous leadership in the clean energy space is resulting in more job-creating projects that will deliver affordable, reliable, and clean power to communities. The Alexander First Nation's Tilley Solar Project is an innovative example of economic reconciliation, as we build our net-zero future. The Government of Canada is pleased to support this vital work.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

The Tilley Solar project will reduce carbon emissions, contribute to a greener and more sustainable economy, and support Indigenous Peoples continuing to be leaders in green energy. Alexander First Nation's equity purchase of the project will advance the Nation's economic prosperity with the creation of jobs and mentorships for their community members. Congratulations to Alexander First Nation on the financial close of the Tilley Solar Project.

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services

The efforts of the Alexander First Nation to embrace partnerships and collaboration to bring this project forward are commendable. Job creation from partnerships on clean energy projects is exactly what we need to be considering today. I look forward to seeing future economic developments that follow Alexander First Nation's example of creating sustainable energy and community opportunity.

The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages

I am truly pleased to see such incredible support from the CIB for the Tilley Solar Project. Economic reconciliation starts with action, and this is an amazing step in the right direction towards a brighter future for our province. This project will provide immense economic benefit to Alexander First Nation, creating jobs and long-term economic stability. Prosperity for Indigenous communities across Alberta is vital to ensure we all move forward together, and investments in projects like these is an amazing example of such work. I tip my cap to all the important work that went into this, and I look forward to seeing this project come to fruition.

Rick Wilson, Alberta Minister of Indigenous Relations

Learn More:

Canada Infrastructure Bank

Alexander Business Corporation

First Nation Power Development

Concord Pacific

Canada Infrastructure Bank Logo (CNW Group/Canada Infrastructure Bank)

FN Power Logo (CNW Group/Canada Infrastructure Bank)

Alexander FN Logo (CNW Group/Canada Infrastructure Bank)

Concord Green Energy Logo (CNW Group/Canada Infrastructure Bank)

Alexander Business Centre Logo (CNW Group/Canada Infrastructure Bank)

SOURCE Canada Infrastructure Bank

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2024/10/c3038.html
We joked this one as it happened . . . Here's a peek at the aftermath and more celebration by the organization that promised Kansas City MILLIONS in donations for the pet shelter but then never delivered . . . Check-it:



Its the story that captured the hearts of Kansas City, said Tori Fugate, of the KC Pet Project, a nonprofit that handles animal control for the city and operates shelters. Forget a solar eclipse. We were on goat watch.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Mountain goat stuck under Kansas City bridge survives rocky rescue An escaped mountain goat that somehow got stuck under a Kansas City bridge has survived a rocky rescue effort and now may be reunited with the owners who suspect he was stolen from their farm

Watch: Escaped mountain goat rescued from Missouri bridge - UPI.com Firefighters and animal rescuers teamed up in Missouri to rescue an escaped mountain goat spotted climbing the support pillars under a highway overpass bridge.

Developing . . .
Crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried is screened in a New York courtroom as he prepared to face charges related to the collapse of his FTX crypto exchange. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison last month. (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)

Forget what T.S. Eliot said about April. For the crypto community and its related scamsters, the cruelest month was March.

That month saw a string of jury verdicts and judicial rulings that laid bare the dark underside of cryptocurrency trading, reinforcing its reputation as a haven for fraud and other illegality. The terrain hasn't proved any more inviting in April thus far, as regulatory investigations and judicial rulings continue to rock the asset class and its promoters back on their heels.

From the standpoint of ordinary investors and the economy as a whole, this is all good. As I've written before, the value of crypto tokens, from bitcoin down to the jokiest versions such as dogecoin, is so nebulous that they lend themselves to schemes aimed at separating unwary or gullible investors from their (real) money.

The 'crypto' nomenclature may be of recent vintage, but the challenged transactions fall comfortably within the framework that courts have used to identify securities for nearly eighty years.

U.S. Judge Katherine Polk Failla

The value of cryptocurrencies can be placed anywhere. They dont produce income like bonds, and their prices cant be pegged to liquid markets like those of public company securities. To this day, no one has ever explained what cryptocurrencies are useful for, other than paying ransom to crooks holding databases or computer systems hostage.

As recently as Monday, Change Healthcare, a medical transactions processor owned by United Health Group, received a second demand for a ransom payable in crypto tokens only weeks after paying a reported $22-million ransom to rescue personal information, including payment data and medical records for thousands of patients.

That hack of Change's database disrupted healthcare claims payments nationwide, even forcing some medical providers to lay off workers or shut down entirely for lack of funds.

The new demand apparently came from a ransomware group that feels it has been cheated by its partners in the first demand, who may have absconded with the original payoff. If there's no honor among thieves, as the adage says, that goes double in crypto. No, not double  squared.

Let's take a look at crypto's March Madness before moving on to April.

The highest-profile blow, of course, was the March 28 sentencing of convicted crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried for his conviction in October on seven fraud counts related to the collapse of his FTX crypto exchange.

Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan sentenced Bankman-Fried to a 25-year prison term and ordered him to forfeit more than $11 billion. Kaplan observed that Bankman-Fried had scarcely expressed remorse for his crimes. Kaplan justified the lengthy term by observing from the bench that otherwise Bankman-Fried would "be in a position to do something very bad in the future, and its not a trivial risk.

Story continues

That's not all. The day before Bankman-Fried's sentencing, federal Judge Katherine Polk Failla issued a ruling that may have a more far-reaching effect on the crypto business. Failla cleared the Securities and Exchange Commission to proceed with its lawsuit alleging that the giant crypto broker and exchange Coinbase has been dealing in securities without a license.

Read more: Column: Vanguard, one of our top investment firms, shuns crypto 'like the plague.' That's good for its customers

What's important about Failla's ruling is that she dismissed out of hand Coinbase's argument, which is that cryptocurrencies are novel assets that don't fall within the SEC's jurisdiction  in short, they're not "securities."

Crypto promoters have been making the same argument in court and the halls of Congress, where they're urging that the lawmakers craft an entirely new regulatory structure for crypto  preferably one less rigorous than the existing rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

As it happens, Bankman-Fried made the same pitch in his appearances before congressional committees, back in the day when he was viewed as the last seemingly honest crypto promoter, before it was discovered that he had illegally appropriated his customers' holdings to fund his and FTX's own investment ventures.

Failla saw through that argument without breaking a sweat. "The 'crypto' nomenclature may be of recent vintage," she wrote, "but the challenged transactions fall comfortably within the framework that courts have used to identify securities for nearly eighty years."

Failla also took a swipe at the crypto gang's amour-propre, rejecting Coinbase's argument that the case should fall within the "major questions doctrine," an informal rule that requires regulatory initiatives to be explicitly authorized by Congress if they involve issues of "vast economic and political significance." Since Congress hasn't enacted regulations specifically aimed at crypto, Coinbase said, the SEC's lawsuit should be dismissed.

The judge's opinion of that argument was withering. "While certainly sizable and important," she wrote, "the cryptocurrency industry 'falls far short of being a "portion of the American economy" bearing vast economic and political significance.'"

Crypto simply "cannot compare with those other industries the Supreme Court has found to trigger the major questions doctrine." Those include the American energy industry and the conventional securities industry itself, she wrote.

Read more: Column: The crypto scam is on life support. Why are some lawmakers trying to give it CPR?

Failla's ruling followed another in New York federal court in which a judge deemed crypto to be securities.

In that case, Judge Edgardo Ramos refused to dismiss SEC charges against Gemini Trust Co., a crypto trading outfit run by Cameron and Tyler Winkelvoss, and the crypto lender Genesis Global Capital.

The SEC charged that a scheme in which Gemini pooled customers' crypto assets and lent them to Genesis while promising the customers high interest returns is an unregistered security. The SEC case, like that against Coinbase, will proceed.

Both rulings tended to negate a 2023 ruling from federal Judge Analisa Torres of New York in an SEC enforcement action against Ripple, the developer of a crypto token known as XRP. Torres found that under some circumstances the token might not be a security. But her ruling is being buried by an onslaught of decisions by her colleagues that the crypto marketers and exchanges are dealing in unregistered securities, which is illegal.

The hangover from March continued into this month. On April 5, a federal jury in New York found Terraform Labs and its chief executive and major shareholder, Do Kwon, liable in what the SEC termed "a massive crypto fraud."

The case involved Terraform's so-called stablecoin UST, a crypto token that was pegged 1 to 1 with the U.S. dollar. Kwon was not in court to hear the verdict; he is in custody in the Balkan country of Montenegro while U.S. and South Korean authorities vie for his extradition.

Terraform had claimed that UST coin would automatically "self-heal" via a software algorithm if its value fell below the $1 peg. That happened in May 2021. When the coin did return to its $1 value, the SEC alleged, Terraform and Kwon bragged that the price restoration was a triumph over the "decision-making of human agents in a time of market volatility."

In fact, the algorithm had nothing to do with it. According to testimony at the trial, which began in late March, Terraform was secretly bailed out by the trading firm Jump Trading, which may have invested tens of millions of dollars to prop up UST and emerged from the deal with a profit that may have exceeded $1 billion. Failing to disclose that arrangement to investors broke the law, the SEC said.

Kwon and Terraform also lied to the public that Chai, a South Korean financial firm akin to Venmo, was using Terraform to process transactions; in fact, Chai had ceased using Terraform in 2020, the SEC said.

These deceptions, the agency alleged, painted a picture of robust health within Terraform that came apart in May 2022, when UST again depegged from the U.S. dollar and could not be restored. The value of UST fell in effect to zero, the SEC said, "wiping out over $40 billion of total market value ... and sending shock waves through the crypto asset community."

Terraform is now bankrupt; no charges have been brought against Jump.

These events should give American lawmakers pause as they ponder what to do, if anything, about regulating crypto. At a hearing Tuesday of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the committee chairman, warned that crypto is a potential threat to national security.

"Bad actors  from North Korea to Russia to terrorist groups like Hamas  arent turning to crypto because theyve seen the ads and bought the hype," Brown said. "Theyre using it because they know its a workaround. They know that its easier to move money in the shadows without safeguards, like know-your-customer rules or suspicious transaction reporting.... We must make sure that crypto platforms play by the same rules as other financial institutions."

Brown's words were amplified by Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, who urged Congress to enact reforms the Treasury has proposed that would strengthen sanctions on "foreign digital asset providers that facilitate illicit finance."

On Monday, meanwhile, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)  perhaps the most uncompromising foe of crypto on Capitol Hill  took aim at stablecoins by urging the House Financial Services Committee to avoid trying to write rules that would "fold stablecoins deeper into the banking sector."

Given the potential of stablecoins and their ilk to "undermine consumer protection and the safety and soundness of the banking system," she warned, any so-called reforms "could amplify and entrench these risks rather than mitigate them."

What is driving the interest of politicians in promoting an asset class that hasn't shown any value except where fraud or theft is involved? As is so often the case, it's money  the green, foldable kind.

Crypto promoters have been stepping up their lobbying in Washington; crypto firms spent nearly $20 million on lobbying in the first nine months of 2023, according to the watchdog group Open Secrets.

As a push for a new regulatory approach, especially among House Republicans, dovetails with an election year, much more spending would appear to be in the offing. It's a win-win-lose situation, with politicians and crypto promoters poised to win, and ordinary investors as well as the economy as a whole poised to lose.

Get the latest from Michael Hiltzik

Commentary on economics and more from a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Sign me up.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In this post we share a bevy of local news amid a chaotic day full of gunfire, police chases and political posturing.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

KC man charged in shooting of KCPD officer during car stop A Kansas City man faces multiple felony charges after he shot a KCPD officer during a stop Monday night.

Suspect in custody after shots fired at sheriff's deputy Tuesday afternoon A suspect was taken into custody Tuesday after firing gunshots at a sheriff's deputy. No law enforcement was injured in the incident, according to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.

Lee's Summit man pleads guilty to sextortion scheme that included minors Marek Redding, 20, pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography, one count of distributing child pornography, and one count of extortion.

15-year-old causes 'considerable damage' while fleeing Clay County deputies in stolen car Sunday A 15-year-old nearly struck a Clay County deputy and caused "considerable damage" while driving a stolen vehicle early Sunday morning, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

I-35 closed near Gardner following chase, shots fired at deputy I-35 southbound is closed past U.S. 56 Highway and I-35 northbound is closed past Gardner Road.

1 seriously injured after shooting at QuikTrip parking lot in Independence One person was seriously injured in a shooting Tuesday afternoon at a QuikTrip parking lot in Independence.

18-year-old shot and killed in Raytown over the weekend The Raytown Police Department reported on Tuesday that one teenager died in a weekend shooting.

Camaro splits in half, driver critically injured after crash Tuesday afternoon in KCMO A driver was critically injured after a crash Tuesday afternoon in the 8300 block of Blue Parkway Drive in Kansas City, Missouri.

Rape charge against former KU basketball player dropped Former University of Kansas basketball player Arterio Morris had rape charges in Douglas County, Kansas, dropped against him on Tuesday.

KBI chief, Stand Up for Kansas say marijuana's more menace than medicine | Opinion Opponents of medicinal marijuana lay out their case against legalization of medicinal weed.

Mushroom hunter finds human remains in Independence, death investigation underway The body was already partially decomposed meaning it may take an extended period of time before a cause of death is determined

Missouri man executed for 2006 murders of cousin and her husband A Missouri man who killed his cousin and her husband nearly two decades ago was put to death late Tuesday afternoon.

Repealing Missouri ban on food stamps for people with drug felonies would improve public safety * Missouri Independent People with drug felonies on their record are excluded from receiving benefits in Missouri from food aid after they are released from prison.

Kansas City police: Driver hospitalized after impact of crash with tree causes vehicle to split in half Kansas City police say a black Chevy Camaro was traveling east on Blue Parkway Drive at a high rate of speed.

Developing . . .
Right now biz lady, reality show celebrity & hottie Kylie inspires our afternoon peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Local Cash Lessons

Program helps Kansas Citians build savings accounts, become financially empowered A program in Kansas City is helping people save more money as they work to become financially empowered.

Barbie Bit Too Much For The Dotte

'It would not be a good time': Neighbors of proposed Amusement Park warn roads can't support traffic Barbie world and many more themed rides are one step closer to coming to Bonner Springs.

DEI For The Whole Family

Black mothers at KCMO nonprofit highlight inequities in care, need for maternal education KSHB 41's Alyssa Jackson spoke with Black mothers at Uzazi Village, a KCMO nonprofit that highlights inequities in care and the need for maternal education.

Show-Me Conservation

'The water wars are coming': Missouri looks to limit exports from rivers, lakes * Missouri Independent Missouri House members voted for legislation that would limit exports of water outside the state. The Senate is considering a similar bill.

Kansas Dust Bowl Daze Return

Dust Storm Causes Reduced Visibility In Kansas - Videos from The Weather Channel A dust storm in northeast Kansas created a challenging time for drivers, as visibility was reduced to almost zero along rural roads. - Videos from The Weather Channel | weather.com

Show-Me Retro Sounds

Proudly analog, a Missouri family business keeps cassette tapes alive for new generations Once seen as a musical relic, audio cassettes have survived the eras of CDs and streaming to win over music lovers of a new generation. That's in large part thanks to the National Audio Company in Springfield, Missouri, the largest cassette manufacturer in the world.

Tech Scares Politicos

'Zero-trust world': Experts explore future of AI in politics "Somebody took the plunge, and whether or not that was ethical remains to be seen, but now we are starting to talk about it," said Chris Kovac, co-founder of the KC AI Club and Kovac.ai Marketing.

Classic Spring/Summer Fashion Inspires Reality Star

Kylie Jenner's Vintage Chanel Thongkini Is Two Years Older Than She Is It's been a tour de force of rare swimwear during the Kardashian-Jenner family trip to the Turks and Caicos.

Prez Teases Forgiveness

Biden says he's considering Australia's request to drop prosecution of Wikileaks founder Assange President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he is considering a request from Australia to drop the decade-long U.S. push to prosecute Wikileaks founder Julian Assange for publishing a trove of American classified documents. For years, Australia has called on the U.S. to drop its prosecution against Assange, an Australian citizen who has fought U.S.

MAGA Doubts Pro-Life Fight

Trump says Arizona abortion ruling went too far Former President Donald Trump said Arizona's Supreme Court went too far in ruling the state's 160-year-old near-total abortion ban can be enforced.

Show-Me College Cash Crisis

MOHELA can't escape the student loan spotlight The spotlight has shined brightly on student loan servicer Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) amid fights for student debt relief and complaints about its handling of student loan payments. And on Wednesday, Congress puts the agency in its sights, with a Senate hearing dedicated to the allegations that have clouded MOHELA's reputation.

Ukraine Considers Front Runner

Zelensky says he will listen to Trump's ideas to end war 'with pleasure' | CNN Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would listen to former US President Donald Trump's ideas to end the war in Ukraine with "pleasure" but trod carefully around the issue during an interview at the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece.

Warning Amid Ongoing War

Israel Gaza: Netanyahu making a 'mistake', says Biden The US president says Israel should allow full access for aid to reach Gaza for six to eight weeks.

Far East Future

China and Taiwan are destined for 'reunification', Xi tells former president Chinese leader using meeting with Ma Ying-jeou to promote peaceful 'reunion' as only alternative to annexation, say analysts

Talk Show Smackdown Regret

Former 'Howard Stern Show' writer reflects on 'sadness and anger' after hitting man on livestream Former "Howard Stern Show" writer Elisa Jordana is apologizing after a video of her hitting her alleged boyfriend went viral.

Ask The Pro

I'm a porn star - here's my number one tip for men who want to have more sex "For a while I was self conscious about it but then I just sort of embraced it," porn star Johnny Sins said about his short hair cut.

Airborne Tags Adjusted

From MHOMS to RIBBS, see 37 nods to Kansas City-area legends hidden in aviation codes Next time you fly through MCI, your favorite university or barbecue dish could help guide the way. Find out how.

Blvd Buffet Reporting

Dish & Drink KC: Bunuelos at La Bodega and pork rolls at Paris Banh Mi Bunuelos and pork rolls keep the community rock n' rollin' through the weekat La Bodega and Paris Banh Mi.

Thank Chiefs Front Office

Travis Kelce still 'doesn't know' how he scored Taylor Swift Travis Kelce confessed he doesn't know how he started dating his girlfriend Taylor Swift during the latest episode of his podcast, New Heights.

Celebrate Urban Cup . . .

PH Coffee's Annual Customer Appreciation Day: A Blend of Coffee and Community | Northeast News PH Coffee, located on 2200 Lexington Ave, is gearing up to host their highly anticipated annual customer appreciation day on April 20th, from 7 a.m....

Forecast For Midweek

There's a chance of a few showers late this afternoon and evening Higher chance of scattered showers farther east of the metro across central Missouri

Steve Aoki - Everything You Do is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Taking part in the Mediterranean Yacht Show are boats more than 24 meters long, making it the only sector event in Greece targeting the upper luxury yachting level

The 9th annual Mediterranean Yacht Show (MEDYS) will be organized from April 27 to May 1 in Nafplion, ANA reports.

According to a statement, owners of 120 vessels have voiced interest in the 95 available berths at the port of the southern Greek city, leading to another year with a waiting list.

Taking part in the Mediterranean Yacht Show are boats more than 24 meters long, making it the only sector event in Greece targeting the upper luxury yachting level.

The Show is jointly held by the Greek Yachting Association and the Municipality of Nafplion and is under the auspices of the Ministries of Tourism and Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Gerd Fahrenhorst
Sky Vacations announces Gastronomic Adventure across India led by renowned Chef Prasad



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - April 10th, 2024 - For Immediate Release

Sky Vacations announces Gastronomic Adventure across India led by renowned Chef Prasad

New York, April 8, 2024: Sky Vacations announced today the launch of its highly anticipated A Culinary Journey Through India led by award-winning Chef Prasad Chirnomula, the latest in their popular chef led culinary programs.

This immersive, luxury 15-day journey, November 4-18, 2024, promises to delight travelers senses and palate with a curated selection of culinary experiences, luxurious accommodations and guided cultural sightseeing across iconic cities of Delhi, Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and Mumbai.

Chef Prasad Chirnomula, a two-time Honoree of the prestigious James Beard Foundation, brings his wealth of culinary expertise and passion for Indian cuisine to lead travelers on a personal exploration, with insight that no one else can provide.

The land program, priced at $29,316 for two guests, and strictly limited to 16 people, begins in the vibrant city of Delhi, where participants will enjoy welcome cocktails at Cirrus 9 and indulge in the culinary creations of Michelin-starred Chef Vineet Bhatia at Dhilli. Subsequent days will feature visits to historical landmarks such as Rashtrapati Bhawan and Humayun's Tomb, complemented by sumptuous meals at acclaimed restaurants like Indian Accent and ROOH.

Travelers will visit Varanasi, take a boat along the Ganges River, savour local cuisine at Varuna and a private coal barbecue dinner at Udayan, complete with live dance performances.

The journey continues to Agra, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort before enjoying tandoori delicacies at Esphahan. In Jaipur, travelers explore the majestic Amber Fort and indulge in a royal thali lunch at The Raj Palace, followed by a cooking demonstration of traditional Rajasthani dishes at Thakur Durga Singh's haveli.

The program concludes in Udaipur and Mumbai, where participants will enjoy culinary sessions, cultural tours, and immersive dining experiences at iconic locations such as Bedla House and Masala Kraft.

"We are honored to be working with Chef Prasad on this extraordinary journey. The insight that Chef Prasad brings to both the culinary and historic elements of the trip are unmatched making this the trip of a lifetime for those who have dreamed of visiting India and seek the best culinary experiences when they travel says Richard Krieger, Director of Sky Vacations.

For information and booking inquiries, visit https://www.skyvacations.net/a-culinary-journey-through-india/

To explore Sky Vacations' diverse portfolio of travel experiences, visit www.skyvacations.net or call 1.877.666.3113.

About Sky Vacations:

Sky Vacations is a proud Active Member of the United States Tour Operator Association (USTOA) and member of The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), National Tour Association and the African Tourism Board.

Media Contact:

Priya Chhabra

Email: priya@skyvacations.net

Direct Line: +1 248 653 1618

###
The school cafeteria versions of popular kids grocery store snack kit Lunchables is packed with too much sodium, a consumer watchdog group warned on Tuesday.

Lunchables developed two new versions of the snack kit specifically to be available nationally as part of school lunch programs for the first time last year. But a new report from Consumer Reports said it recently compared the nutritional profiles of two Lunchables kits served in schools and found they have even higher levels of sodium than the Lunchables kits consumers can buy in stores.

Consumer Reports said sodium levels in the store-bought lunch and snack kits it tested ranged from 460 to 740 milligrams per serving, or nearly a quarter to half of a childs daily recommended limit for sodium. The group found that sodium levels in the turkey and cheddar school versions of Lunchables contained 930 mg of sodium compared to 740 mg in the store-bought version.

Consumer Reports said it tested 12 store-bought versions of Lunchables and similar ready-to-eat meal kits, including from Armour LunchMakers, Good & Gather, Greenfield Natural Meat Co. and Oscar Mayer, and also found lead, cadmium, or both in all, although none of the kits exceeded any federal limit. The testing also surfaced high levels of sodium in the other lunch kits.

Cadmium has been linked to kidney and bone disease and cancer, according to the World Health Organization. As natural elements, heavy metals such as lead and cadmium are in the soil in which crops are grown and thus cant be avoided. Some crop fields and regions, however, contain more toxic levels than others, partly due to the overuse of metal-containing pesticides and ongoing industrial pollution.

There is no safe level of lead for children, however, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lead bio-accumulates in the body, which means it stays and builds up over time, so ongoing exposure, even at extremely low levels, can become toxic. Children, especially infants, are particularly vulnerable because a smaller dose of lead can have a larger health effect on them compared with adults.

Consumer Reports tests also detected at least one type of phthalate or phthalate replacement chemical in every kit it tested, except for Lunchables Extra Cheesy Pizza, it said. Lead and cadmium can cause developmental problems in children over time, even in small amounts.

Called everywhere chemicals because they are so common, studies have linked phthalates to childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular issues, cancer and reproductive problems such as genital malformations and undescended testes in baby boys and low sperm counts and testosterone levels in adult males.

Story continues

The non-profit consumer group said it has petitioned the US Department of Agriculture, which oversees the federally assisted school meal program, to remove Lunchables food kits from school cafeterias, as a result.

Lunchables are not a healthy option for kids and shouldnt be allowed on the menu as part of the National School Lunch Program, Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said in a statement. The Lunchables and similar lunch kits we tested contain concerning levels of sodium and harmful chemicals that can lead to serious health problems over time. The USDA should remove Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program and ensure that kids in schools have healthier options.

Lunchables, made by Kraft Heinz, took its packaged ready-to-eat kids meals directly into K-12 school lunchrooms nationwide through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) for the first time last year. The NSLP, established in 1946, provides lunch daily to nearly 30 million students in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions.

But the company first had to re-formulate the ingredients to ensure the products met federal guidelines.

The rollout included two specially-created Lunchables options for schools (separate from Lunchables sold in grocery stores)  labeled turkey and cheddar and extra cheesy pizza. Kraft Heinz told CNN that the turkey and cheese option contains 6 grams of saturated fat and 930 milligrams of sodium while the extra cheesy variety contains 7 grams of saturated fat and 700 milligrams of sodium.

Kraft Heinz said both options were made using a specialized recipe that incorporates more protein and whole grains to keep kids powered throughout the day, reduced saturated fat and sodium, and an increased serving size.

The Lunchables pizza variety for schools (with 700 mg of sodium) compared to 510 mg in the store version. Eating foods with too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure and hypertension, Consumer Reports said.

The introduction of Lunchables in schools came amid proposed changes to school food guidelines by the USDA, which oversees the federally assisted school meal program. The proposed changes aimed to reduce added sugars and sodium levels in school-provided lunches. The standards would reduce sodium limits gradually over several school years.

The USDA in a statement to CNN late Tuesday said the agency takes very seriously our responsibility to ensure school meals are of the highest nutritional quality.

At the same time, it said the USDA doesnt allow or disallow individual food items. Our requirements address the overall content of meals  some of them on a daily basis and others on a weekly basis. So, the Lunchables described in the article would need to be paired with fruit, vegetables and milk. In addition, a school who wanted to serve a higher sodium product one day has to balance that with lower sodium items on others.

Kraft Heinz told CNN in a statement Tuesday the company has taken steps to improve the nutrition profile of Lunchables. The effort, it said, includes launching Lunchables with fresh fruit, in partnership with Fresh Del Monte, and reducing the sodium in all Lunchables crackers by 26%.

All our foods meet strict safety standards that we happily feed to our own families. We are proud of Lunchables and stand by the quality and integrity that goes into making them, the company said.

Presence of additives

Consumer Reports also pointed to concerning additives included in many of the Lunchable products. Additives are ingredients added by manufacturers to stimulate appetite and extend shelf life.

The presence of additives is a key indicator of whether a food is ultraprocessed, said Carlos Monteiro, emeritus professor at the school of public health at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. In 2009 Monteiro created NOVA, a system of classifying food into categories from minimally processed to ultraprocessed.

In terms of food processing, additives are essential to creating ultraprocessed foods, Monteiro said. Additives in ultraprocessed foods are those that use color, texture, flavor, and everything people like. So these products are made appealing not with real food, but with additives, he said.

Such additives include preservatives to resist mold and bacteria; emulsifiers to keep incompatible ingredients from separating; artificial colorings and dyes; de-foaming, bulking and bleaching agents; and added or altered sugar, salt and fats intended to boost flavor to a bliss point that is hard to resist.

Food additives are considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration, but not everyone agrees. Watchdog groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) provide lists of concerning chemicals found in food, as well as added sugars, salt and fats. A growing number of grocery stores and a few restaurants have also taken steps to ban worrisome chemicals from foods they sell.

According to ingredients listed on the Kraft-Heinz Away from Home website, CNN found the turkey and cheese Lunchables contains tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), a petroleum-based chemical found in pesticides. Studies have found TBHQ may lower immune response to flu and Covid-19 vaccines, may various roles in the development of cancer, and may even alter DNA.

The Lunchables also contains the pesticide sodium diacetate, which adds sourness and fights fungus and bacteria, carrageenan, which has been shown to create inflammation and digestive issues in animals, and sodium nitrate, a preservative used in cured deli meats, hot dogs, bacon and sausage that has been linked to cancer and other diseases.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Costco is making gold off its own gold.

The retail chain is making $100 million to $200 million a month by selling gold bars, according to a Wells Fargo equity research note. Last October, the company began selling 1-ounce bars made of nearly pure 24-karat gold priced at about $2,000.

"We view the addition of gold/silver as a smart move for Costco, as it only reinforces its value position," the report said. "That being said, pricing at that level and shipping costs suggests it's a very low-profit business at best."

Rand Refinery-brand 1-ounce gold bars at a Costco in Daytona Beach during a preview tour of the store on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.

Equity analysts said the wholesaler priced its gold appropriately by selling about 2% above spot prices to members before a 2% cash back reward for executive members and an extra 2% in cash back for those with a Citi card.

The metal was responsible for about $100 million in sales between its debut and the end of the fiscal quarter ending Nov. 26.

Costco food court: If you aren't a member it may mean no more $1.50 hot dogs for you

Costco also selling silver coins

The warehouse retailer has committed to the metal market by also selling silver coins recently. The coins are sold in tubes of 25 and are nonrefundable.

The 1-ounce Canada Maple Leaf Silver Coins were priced at about $680 before selling out online earlier this month.

Also for sale are coins with a maple leaf on the front and a silhouette of King Charles III on the back, which may be available for less at your local warehouse. Costco members can buy a total of five tubes of coins.

Also found on the site: a 2024 1-ounce Canada Maple Leaf 24-karat gold coin priced at $2,219.99.

Price of gold is up 0.87% today

Costco's success with the metal comes as spot prices for gold rose more than 13.70% since the start of 2024.

The price of gold traded at $2,349.44 per troy ounce as of 9 a.m. ET Monday, a 0.87% increase since Sunday.

The lowest trading price between the 24-hour period was $2,318.90 per ounce while the highest was $2,365.35 per ounce.

Contributing: Mike Snider, USA TODAY, Tony Dong and Farran Powell, BLUEPRINT

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Costco's gold bars rake in up to $200 million a month: Experts
By Jeff Murphy, April 9, 2024



Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, right, recently visited with active duty military students and veterans at the Military and Veterans Success Center during a visit to the University of Central Missouri.





WARRENSBURG, MO  Missouri Gov. Mike Parson had an opportunity to learn more about progress being made at the University of Central Missouri while also discussing a new book, No Turnin Back - G57, during a visit to campus on Monday, April 8.



After flying into Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport, the governor began his afternoon visit to this area by meeting briefly with UCM aviation students and faculty before heading to Whiteman Air Force Base by car to celebrate the Month of the Military Child. This was an opportunity show his appreciation for the dedication and commitment of the families of more than 12,000 Missouri children who face unique challenges and experiences due to their parents roles in the military.



Following his visit to Whiteman AFB, the governor and his staff headed back to Warrensburg and UCM. They began their campus tour outside the W.C. Morris Science Building (WCM) guided by Roger Best, UCM president, and David Pearce, executive director for governmental relations, who briefed him on improvements that have taken place at WCM since 2015. That same year, when Parson was a state Senator, he stood outside the facility and announced a major capital funding bill that led to significant renovations to WCM. The governor was also briefed by Best on improvements that are underway at the nearby Humphreys Building. Pending legislative action later this spring, UCM could receive an additional $9.9 million to help fund major renovations at Humphreys. This would bring Missouris contribution to nearly $40 million in total funds to help modernize the building and address deferred maintenance needs.



The next stop was on the third floor of WCM where the governor was greeted by Dr. Dana Tucker, associate professor of biology  cell biology, and Adam Dye, a junior biology major and undergraduate research assistant. They spoke about the Glow Worms Research Project in which they are involved. After learning more about their research, the tour moved on to the lower level of the Elliott Student Union where the governor visited the Military and Veterans Success Center. While Parson exchanged stories with active duty military members and veterans about his service in the U.S. Army, Courtney Swoboda, director of Military and Veteran Services, spoke about how the center serves its military students and their families, and also highlighted the universitys recent third-place national ranking as a 2024-2025 Military Friendly School and as a Military Spouse Friendly School.



The governor finished his visit to UCM with a book signing at the Student Advising Center, where he posed for photos with staff, and signed copies of his commemorative biography, No Turnin Back  G57. This was one of a series of book signing events that have taken place across the state since a kick-off event in Marceline, Missouri on Feb. 26.



The 300-page book focuses on Parsons journey from humble beginnings growing up in the small, rural Missouri community of Wheatland, to become a county sheriff, a legislator, and to eventually hold the highest office in the state.



In announcing the book earlier this year, Gov. Parson said, Like so many Missouri families, Teresa and I truly lived our American Dream, one of faith, family, and patriotic service. Life has pulled us in many different directions, but readers will find everything that led us here, to the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as the Governor and First Lady of the State of Missouri.



The book is co-authored by Dr. Jim Jones. Net earnings from its sale go to the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation, a nonprofit that supports jobs for Americas Graduates-Missouri, children with special needs, and other programs focused on the states children.



In addition to being involved in tours with the governor, members of the UCM Board of Governors and the Presidents Council were among those, including faculty, staff and students, who attended the book signing. Individuals who want to learn more are encouraged to visit the No Turnin Back  G57 website.







Missouri Gov. Mike Parson speaks with Dr. Dana Tucker, right, associate professor of biology  cell biology, and Adam Dye, a junior biology major and undergraduate research assistant, during a visit to W.C. Morris Science Building at UCM.
The support for EU enlargement remains in place in the European Parliament and the European Commission and the most important thing for candidate countries is to do their homework.

That's according to EU Ambassador to Moldova Janis Mazeiks, who gave a comment to an Ukrinform correspondent in Chisinau.

For us what has been important is that there has been strong support for the Republic of Moldova, both in the European Parliament and with the European Commission. So we're looking forward to this continuing to be the case, the ambassador said to a question of whether a pro-Russian stance of to politicians in some member states could hamper the enlargement.

The ambassador acknowledged the existence of certain domestic developments in individual EU member states but noted that the main thing for Brussels is to see that Moldova does its homework so that there is no lack of clarity about not only intentions but also about the work the country is doing, in other words, its progress towards the EU membership that would be merited.

Read also: Ukrainian heads of cities to attend International Mayors Summit 2024 in Moldova

Asked by Ukrinform about whether the prospects for Ukraine and Moldova accession could trigger reforms in EU decision-making and enlargement policies, the ambassador said some discussion is ongoing about the need for reforms, but the EU top leadership has stated that you should be ready for enlargement also in the framework that exists.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Portuguese government has assured Ukraine of its full support for the countrys EU accession.
The European Union has reassessed the need to support Moldovas defenses, which was triggered by Russian invasion of Ukraine.

That's according to the EU Ambassador to Moldova Janis Mazeiks, who gave a comment to Ukrinform in the lead up to the International Mayors Summit in Chisinau.

As for what we are doing here in the Republic of Moldova, in the past we were engaged in practically all spheres of life except for defense. And for the past several years, weve had - and that's basically wa's triggered by the Russian aggression in Ukraine - is rethinking of our engagement, the ambassador said.

The EU is now rebuilding the capacity of Moldovas armed forces, he noted.

Because this was one area where for decades literally nothing was being done with equipment not being changed, people not being trained. So now we are engaged in this sector and this is something that is now being brought in substantive numbers, the diplomat said.

In the second year of the program, the EU doubled the Moldovan defense budget.

Read also: Ukrainian heads of cities to attend International Mayors Summit 2024 in Moldova

So in the past year, our support has been not about lethal equipment, it was about demining, about hospitals, about communications equipment, and about vehicles. But this year, there is a plan also to have the lethal component in it. So we will continue working with that, said Mazeiks.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Russian missiles and drones have repeatedly breached the airspace of Ukraines neighbors. Recently, the debris from a Russian drone were found in Moldova, in an area close to the Ukrainian.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the newly appointed Lithuanian Defense Minister, Laurynas Kasciunas, have discussed further all-round support for Ukraine.

That's according to a statement posted on the website of the head of state, Ukrinform reports.

During the meeting with Kasciunas as part of his first foreign visit in this position, Zelensky thanked Lithuania for its comprehensive assistance and readiness to support Ukraine until victory.

Zelensky emphasized the importance of Lithuania's continued leadership in the international coalition on demining and the development of cooperation in the defense industry.

"Thank you for your support, for everything you have been doing since the beginning of the full-scale war. I know that our teams are working on a document on security commitments. We expect it to lay a new foundation for enhanced security of our states," he said.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukrainians are particularly grateful for Lithuania's financial contribution to the implementation of the Czech initiative to purchase artillery rounds and for the allocation of funds for a batch of drones.

According to him, it is extremely important for Ukraine that partner countries make decisions on the timely and unimpeded supply of much-needed equipment, weapons and ammunition.

The two also discussed further comprehensive support from Lithuania, in particular in training Ukrainian service members and implementing rehabilitation programs for wounded defenders.

Photo credit: Office of the President of Ukraine
04/09/2024

By Ed Brennen

Granted, the chances of a shark attack on campus are slim. But that doesnt mean UMass Lowells Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team isnt prepared for one.



Ten student emergency medical technicians (EMTs) recently attended the National Collegiate EMS Foundations annual conference in Baltimore. One of the speakers was Benjamin Abo, medical director for Discovery Channels Shark Week. His presentation on treating traumatic injuries in dangerous locations resonated with several of the student EMTs, including Cooper Ferrari.



His talk reminded me that even when dealing with a more serious injury, staying calm and applying what we know can save someones life, says Ferrari, a junior exercise science major from Waltham, Massachusetts.



At the conference, UML was recognized by the foundation as a silver-level EMS Ready Campus, its highest designation ever; the university had achieved bronze status in 2018. The recognition is valid for three academic years, but UML can apply for the highest tier, gold, at any time. The universitys EMS team is primarily staffed with UML students who have been trained as emergency medical technicians, and it provides around-the-clock coverage to the campus community.



Asst. Director of Emergency Management David Muse, who accompanied the students to Baltimore, says achieving silver is a significant milestone for the EMS program.



Image by UML EMS

Its a testament to our programs excellence in emergency medicine, emergency management and disaster preparedness, and it highlights our dedication to maintaining a safe campus environment, says Muse, who joined UML last December from Mass General Brigham, where he was enterprise emergency preparedness manager.Nearly 1,200 representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities attended the conference, where they learned the latest in medical and trauma response, disaster preparedness and emergency management. Students also participated in a skills competition that tested their ability to treat a simulated patient.The competition gave me a lot more confidence in my skills. I proved to myself that I can work efficiently with a team, says Caralynn Spinosa, a first-year applied biomedical science major from North Andover, Massachusetts. It encouraged me to strive for roles with more responsibility in the future.Several of the sessions focused on emotional intelligence and treating patients with empathy.Its imperative to get your patient comfortable with you because, at the end of the day, EMTs are strangers providing care in a crisis, says Zachary Fornal, a junior criminal justice major from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.Formal adds that his career options as an EMT expanded tenfold after hearing from doctors, medics, military personnel and business owners at the conference.For Charles Poku-Mensah 23, the conference opened his eyes to the danger of burnout.When I first joined EMS, I was under the impression that this is a field where you work 24/7 whenever you are available.  I learned at the conference that this is not a sustainable way of working, says Poku-Mensah, a mechanical engineering alum from Worcester, Massachusetts. Taking breaks, even in periods when I am not doing too much, is crucial for long-term commitment.Other students attending the conference were UML EMS Asst. Manager Joe Mendes , Field Supervisor Joseph Tropeano and EMTs Steven Poliquin, Justin Cahill, Dillon Neveu and Anaya Galvao.During a roundtable discussion with campus EMS leaders from across Massachusetts, the UML students connected with members of Boston College EMS. They now plan to visit each others campuses and learn about their operations.Building connections like these truly highlights the sense of community brought about by collegiate EMS, says Mendes, who now plans to apply for Massachusetts regional coordinator position with the National Collegiate EMS Foundation.
Crown Castle Inc.

Moskowitz Brings 25+ Years of Tower Industry Experience and Proven Track Record of Value Creation

HOUSTON, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE: CCI) (Crown Castle or the Company) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Steven J. Moskowitz as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 11, 2024. Mr. Moskowitz will also join the Board on that date.



"We are excited to welcome Steven as Crown Castles next leader. His appointment marks the conclusion of a robust process during which the CEO Search Committee and the Board unanimously determined that Steven is the candidate best suited to oversee our strategy and path forward. He possesses all the key skill sets that the Board was looking for, including strong operating experience with domain expertise, strategic capital allocation, proven value creation, and prior CEO experience leading high-performing teams," said P. Robert Bartolo, Chair of the Crown Castle Board of Directors.

"Steven's breadth and depth of experience in domestic and international towers and small cell solutions is unique in the industry, and we know that he will provide valuable insights as we continue our progress on the strategic and operating review of the company's enterprise fiber and small cell business, and tower growth opportunities. We are confident that under Stevens leadership, Crown Castle is well positioned to execute on its strategic initiatives and drive enhanced value for our shareholders."

With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Mr. Moskowitz has cultivated a reputation for effective execution and efficient growth. Mr. Moskowitz held several executive leadership roles over his 12 years at American Tower Corporation, including seven years as EVP and President, of the U.S. Tower business. During his tenure, American Towers U.S. operations became the largest and most profitable U.S. wireless infrastructure company, tripling in size to more than 20,000 cell sites and expanding the indoor DAS network division, growing Adjusted EBITDA approximately 5x, representing more than 85% of the corporations profitability.

Most recently, Mr. Moskowitz served as CEO of Centennial Towers Holding LP, where he created a leading provider of build-to-suit cell sites in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. Prior to Centennial, Mr. Moskowitz served as the CEO of NextG Networks, a provider of fiber-based small cell solutions. During his tenure, he successfully scaled the business, significantly increasing revenue and cash flow, and doubling the asset base prior to its sale to Crown Castle in 2012.

I have long admired Crown Castles quality portfolio of communications infrastructure, and Im pleased to join as CEO during such a pivotal time in its history, said Mr. Moskowitz, incoming President and CEO of Crown Castle. I believe the opportunities are significant for Crown Castle, and I look forward to working alongside the Board and leadership team to continue to strengthen the Companys operations and unlock value for shareholders.

In connection with Mr. Moskowitzs appointment, Anthony J. Melone, who has served as Crown Castles Interim President and CEO since January 2024, will assume the role of Special Advisor to the President and CEO of Crown Castle until May 31, 2024, to ensure a seamless transition, and will remain a Crown Castle board member.

Commenting on Mr. Melone, Mr. Bartolo added, We thank Tony immensely for his service to the Company as Interim CEO during this period of transition and know that we will continue to benefit from his valuable contributions as a director.

The Crown Castle Board of Directors retained a leading global executive search firm, Russell Reynolds, to assist in the CEO search process.

ABOUT CROWN CASTLE

Crown Castle owns, operates and leases more than 40,000 cell towers and approximately 90,000 route miles of fiber supporting small cells and fiber solutions across every major U.S. market. This nationwide portfolio of communications infrastructure connects cities and communities to essential data, technology and wireless service  bringing information, ideas and innovations to the people and businesses that need them. For more information on Crown Castle, please visit www.crowncastle.com.

CAUTIONARY LANGUAGE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts are hereby identified as forward-looking statements. In addition, words such as estimate, anticipate, project, plan, intend, believe, expect, likely, predicted, positioned, continue, target, seek, focus and any variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include (1) statements and expectations regarding the process and outcomes of Companys Fiber Review Committee, including that it will help enhance and unlock shareholder value, (2) that the actions set forth in this press release best position the Company for long term success, including our Boards regular evaluation of all paths to enhance shareholder value, (3) that the Company will benefit from the experience and insights of the newly appointed directors, (4) that the Company will identify the best path forward to capitalize on significant opportunities for growth in our industry, and (5) statements and expectations regarding the Companys revenue for fiscal year 2024. Such forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including prevailing market conditions, risk factors described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. Unless legally required, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Our filings with the SEC are available through the SEC website at www.sec.gov or through our investor relations website at investor.crowncastle.com. We use our investor relations website to disclose information about us that may be deemed to be material. We encourage investors, the media and others interested in us to visit our investor relations website from time to time to review up-to-date information or to sign up for e-mail alerts to be notified when new or updated information is posted on the site.

Important Stockholder Information

On April 4, 2024, the Company filed a revised preliminary proxy statement and a WHITE proxy card with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) in connection with its solicitation of proxies for its 2024 Annual Meeting. THE COMPANYS STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING WHITE PROXY CARD, AND ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders may obtain the proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement, and other documents as and when filed by the Company with the SEC without charge from the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

Participant Information

The Company, its directors, director nominees, certain of its officers, and other employees are or will be participants (as defined in Section 14(a) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) in the solicitation of proxies from the Companys stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2024 Annual Meeting. The identity, their direct or indirect interests (by security holdings or otherwise), and other information relating to the participants is available in the Companys revised preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 4, 2024, on the section entitled Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock (on page 89) and Appendix C (on page C-1). All these documents are or will be available free of charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

CONTACTS:

Dan Schlanger, CFO

Kris Hinson, VP & Treasurer

Crown Castle Inc.

713-570-3050

MEDIA:

Andy Brimmer / Adam Pollack

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

212-355-4449




BlackRock

BlackRock unveiled the first active equity ETFs in Europe last month as the U.S. giant took another step in the active ETF space.

The ETFsthe iShares World Equity High Income UCITS ETF (WINC) and the iShares US Equity High Income UCITS ETF INCUoffer two distinct geographic exposures while blending the higher end of the actively managed spectrum with the ETF wrapper.

The two products select dividend paying stocks using a rules-based or systematic approach while selling call options and buying futures in a bid to generate additional income.

WINC and INCU have total expense ratios (TERs) of 0.35%.

WINC sells call options and buy futures on large and mid-capitalization developed market equity indices, such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100, Nikkei 225, and Euro Stoxx 50, while INCU mirrors the same methodology with the S&P 500 index.

However, the launches are a departure from the many passive high-dividend UCITS ETFs currently available in the European market.

WINC and INCU might be more akin to active giant JP Morgan Asset Managements equity offerings, however, BlackRocks use of derivatives separates it.

Active Income

On BlackRocks decision to sell call options as part of the strategy, Andrew Limberis, investment director at Omba Advisory & Investments, said this might narrow the universe of investors that would buy the product.

These products are very complex as they use several different financial derivatives, he said.

They certainly have not gone for a simple product. The way investors traditionally would be looking at passives is very different to how one would look at this strategy.

Stephan Kemper, chief investment strategist, team advisory desk, at BNP Paribas Wealth Management, added the European market might have an unjustified hesitation to invest in an ETF that uses derivatives.

Though I would disagree, many think derivatives are generally bad and this prejudice could make some people suspicious about the product without doing further research.

Looking at the call options in more detail, Limberis said the ETFs are a couple of percent out of the money, which may potentially affect additional profits.

Call options have no intrinsic value if the underlying is trading below the cost of the strike price of the call option contract. When buying a call option, the underlying market must rise above the strike price of the option to make a profit.

They will then really push for income if you are only going a few per cent 'out the money' on the call options, he added.

Dividend income

Looking at the ETFs dividend-generating capacity, Kemper said its dividend rotation model could leave them open to being stung by negative market sentiment.

Story continues

To use an extreme example, if we are about to have a recession in Germany, but we are close to dividend season in Germany, the model may begin rotating into German equities to get dividends while ignoring market sentiment, he said.

This could make you lose much more on the movement of the stock itself compared to the collected dividends.

In addition, Kemper noted he struggles with pure dividend strategies as they ignore buyback yields, a vital part of the total shareholder yield.

Investor View

Both Limberis and Kemper agreed the product would not be a core holding for most investors.

For very specific cases, Limberis noted they could be swapped out neatly if the investor is in a position that requires a high degree of income.

The ETFs are suited to somebody in early retirement, for example, that needs a bit of income but also wants to stay invested and needs that capital growth from equities, he said.

In a very specific case, it could function to some degree as a core allocation, especially the world version. But for the most part, it is about the income you are getting from equities.

One year ago, Kemper said he might have seen the two products as a core portfolio allocation but today there are other possibilities to source income.

I can still get close to 4% on European investment grade credit, I can still get between 6% and 7% on European hybrids which are issued from investment grade issuers, he said.

If you are more of an offensive investor there are other ways to allocate assets nowadays.

The lack of competing products in Europe may reflect the price point of the two ETFs, particularly the U.S.-focused ETF, Limberis noted.

Even for active strategies, he warned the two ETFs are not particularly cheap, but this can be justified through the more rigorously managed style of the ETF versus other active competitors.

If they had been a lot more active, they could justify how active they are being and therefore the higher fee, Limberis said. They are doing more than existing competitors, at least within the European landscape.

However, Kemper added: The price looks reasonable. They are substantially cheaper than any other active solution.

Active ETFs Rising

Overall, Limberis said the start serves as further evidence of the rise of active strategies in Europe and the appetite for strategies that present an opportunity for a wider positive tracking difference to the benchmark index.

In Europe, we have active strategies with a much narrower tracking difference. This one seems to be building on that and looks to be a bit more active, which is starting to appeal to different investors.

Echoing his thoughts, Kemper added the launch signals positive movement for the active ETF space in Europe.

They are combining two strategies which so far have been purely passive in Europe. This is certainly something to showcase what you can do with active ETFs.

Looking forward, Limberis said that BlackRocks launch represents the first of many in the active space.

This strategy is now starting to push the boundaries in terms of tracking error, and we are going to see that extended more over the next 18 months.

This article originally appeared in etf.com's sister publication, etfstream.com, at this link.





Permalink |  Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved
The education community is reeling from a startling revelation: a sharp decline in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completions among high school students.

The latest data from the Department of Education paints a grim picture: as of March 29, FAFSA completions have plummeted by 40 percent compared to the previous year. This alarming trend, primarily attributed to the turbulent rollout of a new FAFSA form, has raised concerns about the accessibility of federal aid and its potential ramifications for college enrollment, especially among disadvantaged student demographics.

Unveiling the Data Divide: Submissions vs. Completions

A significant breakthrough in data collection methodology has shed light on the magnitude of the FAFSA crisis. For the first time, federal data distinguishes between FAFSA submissions and completions, providing insights into the accuracy and completeness of applications. While FAFSA submissions have declined by 27 percent year-over-year, the completion rate has taken a more precipitous dive, plunging by 40 percent. This stark disparity underscores the prevalence of errors within submitted forms, exacerbated by the inability to rectify mistakes until processing concludes in mid-April.

Bill DeBaun, Senior Director of Data and Strategic Initiatives at the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), has drawn attention to this divergence, noting that FAFSA submissions now outnumber completions by a staggering 30 percent. This surge in submissions, largely attributed to the inability to make corrections, highlights the systemic flaws undermining the FAFSA system's efficacy.

READ ALSO : Tax Data Issues Threaten FAFSA Processing Again, Delaying Aid Delivery

The Ripple Effect: Implications for College Enrollment and Equity

Beyond administrative challenges, the FAFSA crisis threatens to have far-reaching implications for college enrollment and equity in higher education. With colleges already grappling with delayed timelines for disbursing financial aid packages, the lack of accurate cost information exacerbates prospective students' uncertainty. This ambiguity could dissuade students from making informed decisions about their educational pursuits, potentially resulting in declining enrollment rates.

The ramifications for low-income and first-generation college students, who rely heavily on federal aid to access higher education, are of particular concern. The FAFSA is a vital gateway to opportunity for these individuals, unlocking doors that would otherwise remain closed. However, the decline in completion rates threatens to exacerbate existing disparities in access to higher education, perpetuating cycles of inequality and hindering social mobility.

Mobilizing for Reform: Addressing the Root Causes

As the academic year draws to a close, advocates for college access are sounding the alarm, calling for urgent action to address the systemic issues plaguing the FAFSA system. Policymakers and educational institutions must collaborate to streamline the application process, provide adequate support to students navigating the financial aid system, and ensure the timely dissemination of accurate information.

Addressing the root causes of the FAFSA crisis requires a concerted effort to reimagine a more equitable and accessible framework for distributing financial aid. By prioritizing the needs of students and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, we can pave the way for a future where every individual can pursue their educational aspirations without barriers or limitations.

In conclusion, the steep decline in FAFSA completions is a wake-up call for the education community. It underscores the critical importance of federal aid in expanding access to higher education and empowering students from diverse backgrounds. As we confront the challenges posed by the FAFSA crisis, let us seize this moment as an opportunity to enact meaningful reforms and reaffirm our commitment to educational equity and social justice.
The Association of Black Students at Washington University in St. Louis made headlines recently as they staged a sit-in at a campus dining hall, protesting racial hostility.

The catalyst for this action was an alarming incident where a group of students reportedly hurled eggs and spewed racial slurs last month, as reported by the Associated Press. The sit-in not only served as a visible manifestation of dissent but also sparked crucial conversations about the prevalence of racism within academic institutions.

Voices of Concern: Workers' Unease and Community Response

According to the association, the targeted attack on minority dining hall workers prompted them to express gratitude through handwritten thank-you notes. This gesture underscored the solidarity among students and highlighted the importance of supporting marginalized members of the university community. Furthermore, the association's Instagram post condemning the incident resonated widely, shedding light on the enduring legacy of racism within elite institutions like Washington University.

David Cook, president of a local food workers union, provided insight into the emotional toll experienced by the targeted workers during the incident. Speaking to the St. Louis Dispatch, Cook emphasized the intimidation and discomfort felt by the workers, many of whom are hard-working individuals dedicated to serving the student body. His remarks underscored the profound impact of racial hostility not only on the victims but also on the broader campus community.

READ ALSO : Pitzer College's Removal Of Study Abroad Program At University Of Haifa In Israel Sparks Debate Over Academic Freedom And Activism

Institutional Response: Navigating Challenges and Commitment to Change

In response to the incident, the St. Louis Dispatch reported that disciplinary actions were taken against the perpetrators, including the suspension of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and the Alpha Phi sorority. These measures sent a clear message that acts of racism and discrimination have no place within the university's ethos and will be met with swift consequences. However, they also highlighted the need for sustained efforts to address underlying issues of systemic racism and foster a more inclusive campus environment.

Julie Hail Flory, the university's spokesperson, issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the incident and reaffirming the institution's commitment to addressing the community's concerns. While maintaining confidentiality regarding specific investigations, Flory emphasized the university's dedication to upholding fairness and due process principles. Her remarks underscored the institution's proactive approach to confronting incidents of harassment and fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity.

Confronting Systemic Racism: Calls for Institutional Accountability and Structural Change

Moving forward, Washington University must translate words into action by implementing concrete measures to combat racism and promote diversity and equity on campus. This entails addressing immediate incidents and undertaking broader initiatives to cultivate an environment where all members of the university community feel valued and respected. It requires ongoing dialogue, education, and accountability to dismantle systemic barriers and create a more just and inclusive campus culture.

In conclusion, the sit-in organized by the Association of Black Students at Washington University in St. Louis poignantly reminds us of the enduring challenges posed by racism within academic institutions. The incident underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to confront and eradicate bigotry in all its forms. The university can chart a path toward a more equitable and inclusive future by amplifying marginalized voices, holding perpetrators accountable, and fostering a culture of solidarity and empathy.
Amidst a backdrop of hope and anticipation, President Biden recently addressed a crowd at Madison Area Technical College in Wisconsin.

The resounding message displayed on screens around the stage was clear: "Canceling Student Debt." Though offering few new details, this long-anticipated announcement underscored the administration's commitment to providing relief for hardworking Americans burdened by student loan debt. With a promise to deliver on his campaign pledge, Biden emphasized the imperative of alleviating the financial strain millions across the nation faced.

Biden's Announcement: A Resounding Call for Student Debt Relief

The contours of Biden's plan for student debt relief have gradually taken shape, offering glimpses into potential pathways for borrowers seeking respite. Under the proposed plan, borrowers falling into specific categories would be eligible for partial or complete debt cancellation. These categories include individuals whose accrued interest has surpassed their initial loan amounts and those who have diligently repaid loans over a span of 20 years or more. This targeted approach, designed to address the diverse needs of borrowers, aims to make the audience feel understood and catered to while mitigating the economic repercussions of mounting student debt.

Biden's broader economic agenda, as articulated during the announcement, positions the resolution of the student debt crisis as a pivotal component. Recognizing the detrimental impact of escalating debt burdens on local economies, Biden emphasized the imperative of holistic intervention to foster economic resilience and mobility. In addition to debt relief initiatives, Biden highlighted complementary efforts to expand access to career and technical education, promote tuition-free community college, and bolster American manufacturing- a comprehensive and multifaceted approach aimed at catalyzing sustainable growth and opportunity. This comprehensive approach should reassure the audience about the long-term solutions being proposed.

READ ALSO : Biden's Push To Eradicate Junk Fees In Higher Education Gains Momentum

The Plan Unveiled: Categories for Debt Relief and Economic Impact

While Biden's student debt relief plan has garnered praise from advocates and Democratic lawmakers, it has also elicited criticism and skepticism from conservative quarters. Beth Akers, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, questioned the efficacy and targeting of the proposed measures, characterizing them as politically motivated rather than rooted in sound policy. Despite acknowledging that borrowers in need would benefit from the plan, Akers raised concerns about its broad applicability and potential ramifications on fiscal prudence.

Navigating Challenges and Promoting Equity: Perspectives on Biden's Plan

Nevertheless, proponents of debt relief view Biden's announcement as a critical step toward addressing systemic inequities and empowering marginalized communities. Aissa Canchola Banez, policy director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, hailed the plan as a testament to Biden's commitment to social justice and economic equity. By prioritizing the needs of vulnerable borrowers, mainly Black and Latino individuals disproportionately impacted by student debt, Biden's plan holds the promise of transformative change-a sentiment echoed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who emphasized the importance of alleviating the burden of student loan debt for communities of color.

In conclusion, Biden's unveiling of a comprehensive student debt relief plan marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding higher education and economic opportunity. As the administration navigates the complexities of implementation and potential legal challenges, the overarching goal remains clear: to provide tangible relief for millions of Americans burdened by student loan debt. Whether through targeted interventions or broader structural reforms, the pursuit of equity and prosperity remains at the forefront of Biden's vision for a more inclusive and resilient future.
Allied Analytics LLP

The growing adoption of personalized medicine and precision medicine approaches further fuels the demand for drug discovery informatics solutions.

Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Drug Discovery Informatics Market by Application (Drug Discovery, Drug Development), Function (Sequencing and Target Data Analysis, Library and Database Preparation, Docking, Molecular Modelling, Others), and End User (Biotechnology Companies, Pharmaceutical Companies, Contract Research Organizations, Other End Users): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the "drug discovery informatics market" was valued at $2.9 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $7.9 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 10.5% from 2023 to 2032.

Prime Determinants of Growth

The key factors that drive drug discovery informatics market growth are the rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, and various others, the rise in R&D activities for drug discovery, and the surge in demand for target drug therapy. For instance, according to the report published by IQVIA in June 2022, it has been estimated that oncology trial starts reached historically high levels in 2021, up 56% from 2016 and mostly focused on rare cancer indications.

Request Sample of the Report on Drug Discovery Informatics Market Forecast 2032: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A07074

A record 30 oncology novel active substances were initially launched globally in 2021, and a total of 159 have been launched since 2012. Thus, the rise in the number of research activities increases the demand for performing clinical trials to launch the new molecule in the market which increases the demand for outsourcing service provider, and hence, boost the growth of the market.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size In 2022 $2.9 Billion Market Size In 2032 $7.9 Billion CAGR 10.5% No. Of Pages In Report 280 Segments Covered Application, Function, End User, And Region Drivers Increased Research Spending on Informatics by Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Companies Focus On Drug Discovery Using Informatics Software Growing Demand and Support for Rare Disease and Orphan Drug Research Opportunities Growth In Emerging Markets Restraint High Cost of Drug Discovery Informatics Software

Want to Explore More, Connect to our Analyst - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/A07074



Recession Impact

During a recession, governments, academic institutions, and private funding sources might decrease investment in research and development (R&D) projects, including drug discovery initiatives. This reduction in funding can limit the resources available for conducting research, acquiring new technologies, and hiring skilled personnel.

Further, pharmaceutical companies may reassess their R&D priorities and allocate resources to drug discovery programs with potentially higher returns on investment or greater market demand. This shift in focus could lead to increased investment in certain therapeutic areas, such as infectious diseases or chronic conditions, while reducing investment in others.

The drug discovery segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

By application, the drug discovery segment dominated the market in 2022 and is expected to continue this trend during the forecast period. Drug discovery segment is expected to grow with a CAGR of 10.7% during the forecast period. The increase in R&D activities for the development of novel drugs and molecules is the primary reason for the drug discovery segment growth.

The sequencing and target data analysis segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

By function, the sequencing and target data analysis segment is expected to register a faster CAGR of 11.1% during the analysis period. Bioinformatic solutions are essential in constructing primary and secondary databases housing nucleic acids, proteins, and other biomolecule sequences. Informatics software is employed to effectively mine and manage genome sequencing data, facilitating the discovery of genes and targeted proteins. This procedure significantly contributes to the advancement of potential drug development.

The pharmaceutical companies segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

By end use, the pharmaceutical companies segment dominated the market in 2022 and is expected to grow with a higher CAGR of 10.8% during forecast period. Pharmaceutical firms are extensively employing informatics software in pre-clinical research, target identification, compound screening, and lead identification. This heightened utilization across diverse drug discovery applications is expected to propel the growth of the drug discovery informatics market.

North America to maintain its dominance by 2032

Region wise, North America dominated the market in 2022 and is expected to continue this trend during the forecast period. North America has a strong healthcare system and many Contract Research Organizations (CROs), which boost drug discovery efforts in the United States. On the other hand, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow faster during the forecast period. This growth is because more pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are starting up in countries like China, India, and Thailand, among others in the Asia-Pacific region.

For Procurement Information - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A07074

Leading Market Players:

Certara

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

Infosys Ltd.

Charles River Laboratories

Collaborative Drug Discovery, Inc.

Eurofins DiscoverX Products

Jubilant Biosys

Selvita

Novo Informatics Pvt. Ltd.

ChemAxon Ltd.

Albany Molecular Research Inc.

Oracle

Accenture

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Illumina, Inc.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global drug discovery informatics market. These players have adopted strategies such as partnership and collaboration 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.

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

Intl: +1-503-894-6022

UK: +44-845-528-1300

Hong Kong: +852-301-84916

India (Pune): +91-20-66346060

Fax: +1-855-550-5975

help@alliedmarketresearch.com

Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com

Follow Us on: LinkedIn Twitter




LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Apr, 2024) Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif conveyed greetings to Muslims on Eid-ul-Fitr, emphasizing the festival's essence of love, sacrifice, compassion, and brotherhood.

In her message, she said Eid-ul-Fitr is a special reward and gift of Allah,The Almighty, for the Muslims. The promotion of love and brotherhood on this day is a requirement of gratitude, she said.

The CM said that it is the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to share happiness with the poor on Eid. It is commendable to be aware of and help those in need within your community, she maintained.

The CM emphasized that the joy of Eid is enhanced when lower class and domestic workers are included in the celebrations.

The CM underscored the importance of promoting feelings of brotherhood and love by forgetting mutual grudges and differences on this day. May the day of Eid and every other day bring a message of lasting happiness for every member of the beloved homeland, she prayed.

Maryam Nawaz said the Eid day should be remembered especially for those who sacrificed their lives for the country. She asked people not to forget the families of martyrs on the day of Eid.
(@FahadShabbir)

SUKKUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Apr, 2024) Eid ul Fitr celebrated here on Wednesday with full religious passion and enthusiasm.

About 700 Eid congregations were held in the district, including 887 in mosques and at open places.

The religious scholars in their sermons highlighted the importance of Eid-ul-Fitr and urged the people to help the poor.

They also prayed for progress and prosperity of the country and the people.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Athens, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Apr, 2024) At least three girls were found dead Wednesday off the rocky northwestern coast of the Greek island of Chios after their migrant vessel capsized, coastguard officials said, with a search and rescue operation underway.

Their mother had confirmed the disappearance of the girls, aged five, seven and 10, the Greek coastguard told AFP.

Three navy vessels have rescued 19 migrants, including eight minors and the mother of the girls who drowned, on the boat that set off from Turkey overnight.

It was not clear how many people the boat was carrying, authorities said, though public broadcaster ERT reported that 27 people, mainly Afghans, were on board.

Authorities were alerted by three Afghans who managed to swim to the Chios coast during the night, ERT said.

The islands in the northeastern Aegean Sea are one of the gateways for migrants seeking to reach the European Union.

More than 11,300 arrivals have been recorded on Greek islands since the beginning of this year, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees.

Around 45,000 asylum-seekers arrived in Greece in 2023, most departing from islands close to the Turkish coast. According to the United Nations, this was the highest number in four years.

In June 2023, 82 people were drowned and hundreds went missing when their ship sank off the coast of Pylos.
(@FahadShabbir)

Monte Carlo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Apr, 2024) Andrey Rublev's Monte Carlo Masters title defence ended at the first hurdle on Wednesday with a straight-sets defeat by Australian Alexei Popyrin, while Jannik Sinner eased through.

The Russian never got going in the second-round tie as Popyrin eased to a 6-4, 6-4 win at the traditional clay court warm-up for the French Open.

The world number 46 will face compatriot Alex de Minaur, who beat Tallon Griekspoor in three sets, for a possible quarter-final against Novak Djokovic.

"I enjoyed coming out on centre court for the first time. First tournament on clay of the year and I have good memories from clay last year," said Popyrin, who won his second ATP title in Croatia on clay in 2023.

"I am feeling really comfortable on it and happy to beat a guy who was in form, confident and the defending champ. It was an awesome match."

The loss extended a poor run of form for Rublev, after a defeat in his opening match against Tomas Machac in Miami and losing to Jiri Lehecka in the Indian Wells last 32.

The sixth seed had a break point to level at 5-5 in the second set, but found the net and Popyrin closed out the victory.

Rublev lifted his first Masters 1000 title in Monaco last year by beating Holger Rune in the final.

Australian Open champion Sinner cruised through, though, seeing off American Sebastian Korda 6-1, 6-2.

The world number two converted seven of the 12 break points he created and saved all three of the ones he faced in a dominant performance.

The Italian will next play Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany in the last 16.

"Every year, it's tough to come here and try to perform well, but I'm very happy about this performance and let's see what is coming in the next round," said Sinner, who lost to Rune in the semi-finals 12 months ago.

"I haven't served very well, but I returned very well, I stayed close to the baseline.

"

- Angry Medvedev through -

Daniil Medvedev made short work of a potentially tricky opening tie with Gael Monfils, sealing a 6-2, 6-4 win.

But it was not all plain sailing for the Russian on court as he remonstrated with umpire Mohamed Lahyani over a line-judge call.

Trailing 4-1 in the second set, Medvedev recovered his composure to win five straight games and open his clay court season with an authoritative win.

"It was a tactical game here and there but I felt good," said Medvedev.

"I played good speed where I could defend well and not give him (Monfils) two easy balls."

The world number four will next go head-to-head with fellow Russian Karen Khachanov in the third round, with either Alexander Zverev or Stefanos Tsitsipas waiting in the last eight.

Speaking about his next opponent, the 2021 US Open champion said: "I think Karen likes (clay) more but I can play well on clay... Even when I am 45 I can say I have a Rome Masters title, so I can play well on it and I am happy about it."

Medvedev has reached at least the semi-finals in all four of his previous tournaments so far this season.

Two-time champion Tsitsipas showed signs of a return to his best, thrashing Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-1, 6-0 in just over an hour.

French 14th seed Ugo Humbert progressed with a 6-1, 6-4 success against China's Zhang Zhizhen.

He will next take on Lorenzo Sonego, who ensured former top-10 player Felix Auger-Aliassime's miserable run of form continued, winning 6-4, 7-5.

Italy's Sonego only reached the main draw as a lucky loser after the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz.

Poland's Hubert Hurkacz also went through in straight sets, defeating Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5, 7-6 (7/4).

Three-time Grand Slam runner-up Casper Ruud is up next for Hurkacz, after the Norwegian brushed aside Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 6-4.
Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Apr, 2024) In the dead of night a drone hovers over a prison in southern France, secretly dropping packages to inmates inside. But one parcel becomes stuck in the railing outside a cell window, and guards seize three others.

Across France, prisoners have been making orders online for drones to illegally bring them everything from drugs and phones to their favourite fast food, often just outside their window.

The botched delivery in southern France in early 2023 led authorities to bring down a business called "Drone2France" that had been delivering goods to more than a dozen prisons in France and Belgium.

Inmates from late 2022 to December 2023 had been making orders via social media app Snapchat, paying an average of 450 Euros ($490) per package, weighing a maximum 350 grams (12 ounces).

The service provider required a minimum order of four packages per delivery, and they often fell from the drone's claws in potato sacks.

Another setup called "Air Colis" ("Air parcel"), busted in western France in September, lowered down contraband stuffed in socks on the end of fishing line.

And in another incident in southern France, authorities found parcels containing more than 100 grams of cocaine and 700 grams of cannabis.

Hundreds of such deliveries are made a year, prison guards say.

"There isn't a day when there isn't a drone flying over, whether on the mainland or in overseas territories," said Dominique Gombert of prison guard union FO Justice.

Last year, more than 1,000 drones were detected in flight over penitentiaries, 400 of which were "blocked", a source close to the case said.
Guayaquil, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Apr, 2024) Ecuador's ex-vice president Jorge Glas, whose capture in a dramatic raid on Mexico's embassy in Quito sparked a global outcry, was back in prison Tuesday after a short hospital stay, officials said.

Glas, 54, was admitted to the hospital on Monday after he refused to eat for 24 hours while detained at the Guayaquil maximum security prison, officials said, where he was taken after being captured last Friday.

The former vice president was taken back to his cell Tuesday, the SNAI prisons authority reported, after his health recovered to "acceptable parameters."

Ecuador security forces stormed the embassy on Friday night, a rare incursion on what is considered inviolable diplomatic territory, to arrest Glas, who had been granted asylum by Mexico.

Glas -- who had already served time on corruption charges -- was the subject of a fresh arrest warrant for allegedly diverting funds intended for reconstruction efforts after a devastating earthquake in 2016.

The intrusion triggered a political storm, with Mexico, several other Latin American states, Spain, the European Union and the UN chief condemning it as a violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention governing international relations.

Mexico, which cut diplomatic relations and pulled its embassy personnel from Ecuador, said it would file a complaint at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

- 'Basic diplomatic norms' -

On Tuesday, the White House issued a condemnation of the raid.

"The Ecuadoran government disregarded its obligations under international law as a host state to respect the inviolability of diplomatic missions, and jeopardize the foundation of basic diplomatic norms in relationships," said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

His comments were more critical than earlier ones from the State Department, which Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador earlier said had not been not sufficiently strong.

Lopez Obrador noted Tuesday that President Joe Biden had not personally spoken out against the Ecuadoran operation, describing the US and Canadian reactions to the raid as "very ambiguous."

"We are economic and commercial partners. We are neighbors and their position was very vague," he said at his regular morning news conference.

Glas was vice president under former leftist president Rafael Correa, who has been living in exile in Belgium since 2017 and was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for corruption.

Correa said Tuesday that Ecuador had done "irreparable damage" to its global standing.

"There is a kidnapped person whose life is in danger, whose human rights, all due process have been violated, whose asylum has been disrespected," Correa said of Glas.

"I ask the world to make whatever political and judicial pressures are necessary, because this is not going to stop."

A Brussels-based lawyer for Glas told AFP on Monday that she feared for his life and pleaded for international help.

"I believe that Jorge Glas is at grave risk, at imminent risk, in the hands of the (Ecuadoran) government. It was a kidnapping, and I believe at any moment they could kill him," Sonia Vera said.

Former presidential candidate Luisa Gonzalez said Tuesday neither Glas's family nor lawyers had been able to see him while he was in the hospital.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Oshawa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Apr, 2024) Dan Carter once was a drug addict living on the streets, but now runs a Canadian city and draws from his darkest times to tackle a housing crunch and an addiction crisis.

"I truly believe in my heart of hearts that everyone is worth saving," says the mayor of Oshawa, Ontario, admitting that in the past he himself consumed copious amounts of cocaine and alcohol.

"That's why it matters to me where we are today and the complexities of housing or homelessness, and addiction," he explains.

Carter, 64, was in 2018 elected mayor of this city of 189,000 residents near Toronto, as citizens and authorities began to take notice of soaring opioid overdoses and homelessness.

Today, Carter says, Canada has the "most serious health crisis" ever and is calling for a national state of emergency to focus on affordable housing and battling addiction.

In Oshawa alone, the number of homeless people jumped from 45 before the Covid-19 pandemic to more than 300 today -- a rise echoed across Canada.

"It's expensive (and) it's very hard to find a place you can rent around here," says Chris Harris, a homeless man whose partner died of an overdose.

Carter set up a first-of-its-kind regional reception center in Oshawa which offers meals and temporary accommodations but also medical and psychological care.

He also established a program to increase collaboration between first responders and social workers, and another aimed at collecting used syringes in parks and public spaces. Last year alone, Oshawa emergency services responded to more than 500 overdose calls.

All of these accomplishments were inspired by his own experiences.

"By the time I was 31, I was mentally, emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually broken," says the politician.

"Addiction took me to every dark place you could possibly imagine."

- 'Sober up or die' -

Born in New Brunswick in eastern Canada, Carter experienced a difficult childhood marked by the death of his mother and brother, learning disabilities linked to his dyslexia and a sexual assault that he hid for a long time.

As a young adult, he spent a few days in prison for forging a check, an episode that still haunts him decades later.

"I have to travel to the United States regularly and I have to get clearance every single time... because I have a criminal record," he says.

Carter turned his life around in his early 30s thanks to his sister. "She said, 'You got two choices: you can either sober up or you can die today," he recalls.

After a detox treatment, the man whom everyone just calls Dan got back on his feet and by chance landed a job in television despite having "no formal education, no journalism degree and no skills or abilities" and "losing my hair."

His dyslexia continued to dog him, but his progress in reading and his "natural curiosity about people" allowed him to pursue a career in media for more than 20 years.

Grateful for all the help he received at that time, he in turn wants to extend his hand to those most in need.

"Dan is as frustrated as everybody else in that those solutions don't come quick enough," comments Nathan Gardner, director of the Back Door Mission shelter, who described the homeless population as facing "a lot of despair."

But Carter is not losing optimism. "We can do better than what we're doing today," he says.
Seoul, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Apr, 2024) South Korea's opposition was set to triumph in parliamentary elections on Wednesday, with exit polls suggesting it increased its majority in a major blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The Democratic Party (DP) of Lee Jae-myung -- survivor of a January knife attack and myriad scandals -- and its satellites are forecast to win between 184 and 197 seats, up from 156 in the last parliament.

Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) and its satellite party were expected to have secured 85 to 99 seats, down from 114, the exit polls conducted by three major broadcasters indicated.

All opposition parties combined may even have secured a super-majority of 200 in the 300-seat parliament, which could in theory allow them to attempt to impeach Yoon.

That includes new party Rebuilding Korea, led by former justice minister Cho Kuk, who is facing corruption charges that he denies, which was projected to have won 12-14 seats.

"The people have won, the will to judge Yoon Suk Yeol is very clear," Cho said after the vote, local media reported.

Yoon beat Lee in South Korea's closest-ever presidential election in 2022 and has taken a tough line with the nuclear-armed North while improving ties with Washington and former colonial occupier Japan.

But Lee, while fending off a slew of graft probes he says are politically motivated, has secured revenge with the election result following a bruising and polarising campaign.

"I'll watch the people's choice with a humble heart," Lee said after the vote, local media reported.

From the start of his presidency, Yoon has been unpopular, with ratings hitting the low 30s, and the PPP's lack of control of the National Assembly has stymied his socially conservative legislative agenda.

This includes planned healthcare reforms -- that are backed by voters but have sparked a crippling strike by doctors -- and a pledge to abolish the ministry of gender equality.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said that "exit polls are disappointing... We will watch the vote count", the Yonhap news Agency reported.
Small-business owners can learn how to obtain federal contract dollars through becoming HUBZone-certified companies Wednesday, April 17.

Devan Costa Cargill and Deb Farris will present a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network workshop titled HUBZone Opportunity Workshop: Powell from noon-1 p.m. at the Park County Library Powell Branch, located at 217 E. Third St. To register, go here. Registration is free.

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 U.S. government is the largest customer in the world. It buys all types of products and services -- in both large and small quantities. Government contracts are a tremendous financial opportunity for small businesses, and the government works to make sure small businesses get at least 23 percent of all federal contracting dollars.

Census tract 9654.02 in Park County is a governor-designated HUBZone for 2024. The HUBZone program provides federal contracting advantages to qualified HUBZone small businesses. Small-business owners can learn more about the program during the workshop and whether their businesses will qualify to potentially obtain an advantage in government contracting.

Costa Cargill is the Wyoming SBDC Network regional director for Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties. Farris is deputy district director of the U.S. SBA for the Wyoming district office.

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.
Endeavour Silver Corporation

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endeavour Silver Corp. (Endeavour or the Company) (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) is pleased to announce the first drawdown of $60 million of the $120 million senior secured debt facility (the Debt Facility) for the development of the Terronera Mine in Jalisco state, Mexico. The debt facility is provided by Societe Generale and ING Bank N.V. and closed last year (see news release dated October 10, 2023). All references to dollars ($) in this news release are in United States dollars.



Construction of the Terronera mine is well underway and remains on track and has satisfied all conditions precedent to first draw. Key terms of the Debt Facility remain consistent with those previously announced in the Companys news release dated April 18, 2023 and the hedge contract terms have now been executed, further reducing financial risk in the project. The key terms of these contracts are as follows:

Forward sales amounting to 68,000 ounces of gold have been executed at $2,325 per ounce, representing 55% of planned gold production during the initial three years of operations.

There is no requirement to hedge silver sales.

Forward purchases of US$45 million equivalent Mexican peso over the remaining construction period have been hedged at $16.56 per US dollar.



About Endeavour Silver  Endeavour is a mid-tier precious metals company with a strong commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices. With operations in Mexico and the development of the new cornerstone mine in Jalisco state, the company aims to contribute positively to the mining industry and the communities in which it operates. In addition, Endeavour has a portfolio of exploration projects in Mexico, Chile and the United States to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer.

Contact Information

Galina Meleger, VP, Investor Relations

Email: gmeleger@edrsilver.com

Website: www.edrsilver.com

Follow Endeavour Silver on Facebook , X , Instagram and LinkedIn .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release 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. Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding the development and financing of the Terronera Project including: anticipated timing of the project and the Companys ability to continue to draw on the remaining funds in the Debt Facility, estimated project economics, Terroneras forecasted operations, costs and expenditures, and the timing and results of various related activities. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

Story continues

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, production levels, performance or achievements of Endeavour and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited changes in production and costs guidance; the ongoing effects of inflation and supply chain issues on mine economics; national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; financial risks due to precious metals prices; operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits; satisfaction of conditions precedent to drawdown under the Debt Facility; the ongoing effects of inflation and supply chain issues on the Terronera Project economics; fluctuations in the prices of silver and gold, fluctuations in the currency markets (particularly the Mexican peso, Chilean peso, Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar); and challenges to the Companys title to properties; as well as those factors described in the section risk factors contained in the Companys most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Companys mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, forecasted mine economics as of 2024, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with managements expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.






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.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for LMS Compliance is S$0.35 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With S$0.38 share price, LMS Compliance appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

LMS Compliance's peers are currently trading at a discount of 47% on average

Does the April share price for LMS Compliance Ltd. (Catalist:LMS) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. 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 LMS Compliance

The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. 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, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM5.46m RM5.77m RM6.04m RM6.27m RM6.47m RM6.66m RM6.84m RM7.01m RM7.17m RM7.34m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 7.25% Est @ 5.69% Est @ 4.60% Est @ 3.83% Est @ 3.30% Est @ 2.92% Est @ 2.66% Est @ 2.48% Est @ 2.35% Est @ 2.26% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 7.6% RM5.1 RM5.0 RM4.8 RM4.7 RM4.5 RM4.3 RM4.1 RM3.9 RM3.7 RM3.5

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM44m

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 (2.1%) 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 7.6%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM7.3m (1 + 2.1%)  (7.6% 2.1%) = RM135m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM135m ( 1 + 7.6%)10= RM65m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM109m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of S$0.4, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. 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.

dcf

Important Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at LMS Compliance 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 7.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.873. 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.

Moving On:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it 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. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For LMS Compliance, we've put together three additional elements you should assess:

Risks: Take risks, for example - LMS Compliance has 3 warning signs (and 1 which is concerning) we think you should know about. 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! 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.
Environmental and human rights activists are calling on the Nigerian government to withhold approval of Shells plans to sell off its operations in the Niger Delta  unless the oil giant does more to tackle pollution in the region caused by the industry. Henry Ridgwell reports.
Environmental and human rights activists are calling on the Nigerian government to withhold approval of plans by the London-based oil giant Shell to sell off its operations in the Niger Delta, unless the oil giant does more to tackle pollution in the region caused by the industry.

For decades, foreign energy firms have extracted hydrocarbons from the Niger Delta, and Shell is by far the biggest investor. It has earned the companies  and the Nigerian government  billions of dollars. Locals, however, have long complained of massive environmental damage.

You cant grow crops. You cant drink the water. You cant fish because the fish are dying or theyre dead, said Florence Kayemba, Nigeria director at the civil society group Stakeholder Democracy Network, based in Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta.

Shell Oil announced in January it is pulling out of its onshore and shallow water operations the region. It intends to sell its Nigerian subsidiary, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), to Renaissance, a consortium of five mainly local firms. The sale would include existing mining licenses and infrastructure. Shell says it is part of a plan to transition away from fossil fuels.

Civil society groups say Shell must do more to clean up the environment before it leaves. A recent report by a Dutch organization, the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations, or SOMO, warned the divestment plan is a ticking time bomb.

Communities fear that, once Shell exits, they will never see their environment restored or receive compensation for lost livelihoods, the SOMO report said. Most people in the Delta depend on farming and fishing, occupations that are impossible when the soil and waterways are deeply contaminated.

Florence Kayemba of the Stakeholder Democracy Network, which contributed to the SOMO report, told VOA that the Nigerian government must scrutinize the sale more closely.

We are very concerned about the legacy of pollution being left behind by Shell  not only Shell but also other oil companies that have divested their assets from the Niger Delta, she said.

We believe that its very important for the federal government to look into these issues, because the oil is not going to flow forever, Kayemba added. You will have a post-oil Nigeria. You will have a post-oil Niger Delta. And we need to have an environment that is functional.

Oil companies like Shell have often blamed theft and sabotage for oil spills, a claim contested by environmental groups. Locals also seek to make money from unlicensed small-scale production known as artisanal refining, according to Kayemba.

What you have is a situation where artisanal oil refining is just reinforcing what has been happening, she said. And yet that pollution had already existed. So, by the time you get to disentangle this, it becomes really difficult. Who is to blame who?

A report commissioned in May 2023 by Bayelsa State, one of the major oil producing regions in the Niger Delta, estimated that it would cost some $12 billion to clean up decades-old oil spills in the state over a 12-year period. It blamed Shell and the Italian oil firm ENI for most of the damage.

Both Shell and ENI dispute the findings.

The SOMO report claims Shell is now selling its operations to domestic companies that may not have the capability to deal with the aging infrastructure and legacy of oil exploration.

Shell is selling its oil blocks and infrastructure as going concerns to companies that appear, in several cases, to lack the finances and willingness both to deal with the old and damaged infrastructure and to undertake responsible closure and decommissioning when this becomes necessary, the report said.

Shells exit exposes the communities of the Niger Delta to major ongoing risks to their environment, health, and human rights, long after the oil industry ceases and likely for generations to come, it added.

In a statement to VOA, Shell said that Onshore divestments by international energy companies are part of a wider reconfiguration of the Nigerian oil and gas sector in which, after decades of capability building, domestic companies are playing an increasingly important role in helping the country to deliver its aspirations for the sector.

As divestments occur, mandatory submissions to the Federal Government allow the regulators to apply scrutiny across a wide range of issues and recommend approval of these divestments, provided they meet all requirements, the statement said.

Shell added that it will continue to deploy its technical expertise under the terms of the sale to the new buyers.

The Nigerian government has indicated it intends to approve Shells divestment plans. Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigerias petroleum minister, told the World Economic Forum in Davos that the government is committed to fostering a business-friendly environment in the sector.

On the part of the government, once we get the necessary documents, we will not waste time to give the necessary considerations and consent, Lokpobiri said at Davos January 18, according to Reuters.

The Nigerian Ministry for Petroleum Resources did not respond to VOA requests for comment.
Israel said Wednesday it killed three sons of Hamas' supreme leader Ismail Haniyeh in an airstrike in Gaza, saying all the siblings belonged to the militant group's armed wing.

Four of Haniyeh's grandchildren also were killed in the attack as Hazem, Ameer and Mohammed Haniyeh were driving with the children near the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. Ismail Haniyeh is originally from Shati.

Haniyeh, who lives in exile in Qatar, heard of the news while visiting wounded Palestinians who had been transported to a hospital in Doha. He confirmed the deaths in an interview with the Al Jazeera satellite channel, saying his sons "were martyred on the road to liberating Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

"The criminal enemy is driven by the spirit of revenge and murder and does not value any standards or laws," Haniyeh said.

His sons are among the highest-profile figures to be killed so far in the six-month Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza. The Israeli military described the three siblings as a cell commander and two military operatives.

The brothers were traveling with family members in a single vehicle targeted by an Israeli drone, Al-Aqsa TV said.

All the people of Gaza have paid a high price, the Hamas leader said. I am one of them.

It was not immediately clear how the deaths of Haniyehs sons and grandchildren might affect the monthslong cease-fire talks being brokered by international mediators, but Haniyeh said Hamas would not cave in to pressure.

"The enemy believes that by targeting the families of the leaders, it will push them to give up the demands of our people," he said. "Anyone who believes that targeting my sons will push Hamas to change its position is delusional."

Hamas said Tuesday it was studying an Israeli cease-fire proposal but that it was "intransigent. Hamas has demanded that Israel withdraw all its troops from Gaza and end the war, which Israel has rejected.

Negotiations for a more limited cease-fire have extended for weeks without resolution. The U.S. pushed Hamas on Tuesday to accept terms for a six-week halt in the fighting, along with a return of some of the 100 or so hostages Hamas is holding in tunnels in Gaza in exchange for the release of several hundred Palestinians jailed in Israel.

Biden criticizes approach to war

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden said in an interview aired late Tuesday that he does not agree with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus approach to Israels war against Hamas, and that Israel should call for a halt in fighting to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries.

The Spanish-language network Univision interviewed Biden on April 3, two days after an Israeli attack killed seven staff members from the aid group World Central Kitchen in Gaza.

Biden said there is no excuse for not providing food and medical aid to the people of Gaza, and that those efforts should be done now.

What I'm calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a cease-fire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country, Biden said. I've spoken with everyone from the Saudis to the Jordanians to the Egyptians. They're prepared to move in. They're prepared to move this food in.

The White House said last week that Biden made similar points when he spoke with Netanyahu in a phone call, emphasizing that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Minister David Cameron said Tuesday that his country will not block arms sales by British companies to Israel.

"The latest assessment leaves our position on export licenses unchanged," Cameron said in Washington.

"Let me be clear, though, he added, we continue to have grave concerns around the humanitarian access issue in Gaza."

Israel declared war on Hamas after the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages. Israels subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 33,000 people, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the war could have ended months ago if Hamas had put down its guns, stopped hiding behind civilians and surrendered.

The top U.S. diplomat said Biden has been very clear about our concerns, our deep concerns about Israel's ability to move civilians out of out of harm's way to care for them in the event of an Israeli attack on the southern city of Rafah.

Blinken said he does not see anything imminent happening in Rafah and that he does not believe anything will occur before U.S. and Israeli officials meet next week.

The U.S. opposes the planned Rafah attack, with White House officials saying the Israelis have not shared an attack date with Washington.

Netanyahu said Monday an undisclosed date has been set for Israels military to invade Rafah on the Gaza-Egyptian border, a region where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering to try to remain safe. Netanyahu says an Israeli offensive is necessary to win its war against Hamas.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a Senate hearing Tuesday that a deadly famine in Gaza would likely accelerate violence and ensure a long-term conflict. The U.S. has continually pressed Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza to feed famished Palestinians.

Some international critics have contended that Israel is committing genocide with indiscriminate attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, taking little care for their safety as it hunts down Hamas militants.

But Austin dismissed the contention, saying, "We don't have evidence of that."

Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping met former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday, wrapping up an 11-day journey of peace aimed at promoting unification between Taiwan and China.

Although unification with authoritarian China has little support in democratic Taiwan, according to public opinion polls, Ma and Xi used the meeting to promote a vision they say looks to avert conflict and highlights shared historic and cultural roots instead of differences.

Following a 15-second handshake in front of some cameras, the two sat down and delivered some brief remarks. Xi praised Ma for opposing Taiwan independence, committing to the 1992 Consensus, which stipulates that there is only one China, and promoting peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait.

Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese People, Xi said during his opening remarks. There is no grudge that cant be resolved, no issue that cant be discussed and no force can separate us.

In response, Ma, who was Taiwans president from 2008 to 2016, said that while the two sides of the Taiwan Strait developed under different systems, the people all belong to the Chinese nation.

If a war breaks out between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, it will be an unbearable burden for the Chinese nation, Ma said, adding that Beijing and Taipei should create a win-win situation and pursue peaceful development by seeking common ground and setting aside their differences.

The visit is the first time that a Chinese leader has hosted a former Taiwanese president in Beijing since the Kuomintang  the political party to which Ma belongs  lost in the Chinese Civil War and fled to Taiwan in 1949.

Blood ties

Through the trip, the Chinese government is trying to emphasize that cross-strait relations rest on blood and ethnic-based nationalism, analysts say.

Beijing wants to show that the precondition for peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait is accepting this sort of blood and soul nationalism, said Ja Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.

Chen Fang-yu, a political scientist at Soochow University in Taiwan, agrees.

In a way, he is amplifying Chinese Communist Partys talking points through this trip, he told VOA by phone.

During his trip, Ma visited several cultural and historic sites and repeatedly emphasized that Taiwan and China are connected by shared cultural roots.

Cultural exchange is a common language and emotional resonance between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and any attempts to decouple Chinese culture from Taiwan will not succeed because Chinese culture has a long history and is deeply rooted in the blood of the Chinese people, he told journalists after visiting the Palace Museum in Beijing Monday.

Mas comments were met with mixed responses in Taiwan. Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP, said since Mas comments represent only his personal views, it respects the itinerary of his trip.

Mas China-friendly opposition Kuomintang, or KMT, said it hoped the meeting between Ma and Xi could continue to promote a better foundation for cross-strait exchanges in the future.

In addition to serving two terms as president, Ma was the former chairperson of the KMT.

According to reports in Taiwan, the current chairperson of the KMT, Eric Chu, has been invited to lead a delegation of party members for a visit to China in June. In response, the KMT said if there are any upcoming overseas trips, it would announce them in a timely manner.

Counter narratives

Mas meeting, which was originally scheduled for Monday but was changed at the last minute to Wednesday, comes amid a busy week of meetings in Washington. The leaders of the United States and Japan are hosting a bilateral meeting. After that, the two will be joined by the president of the Philippines for a trilateral summit on Thursday. One key driver of both meetings is the three countries shared concerns about Chinas growing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.

Some analysts say the timing of the Ma-Xi meeting shows it is part of Beijings efforts to push back against the high-profile summits.

Beijing wants to show that its in a position of power in comparison to the big alliance meeting in D.C., Lev Nachman, a political scientist at National Chengchi University in Taiwan, told VOA by phone.

Chen at Soochow University added that Beijing wants to use Mas trip to reiterate its opposition to foreign interference in Taiwan-related affairs. The Chinese government is using his trip to realize their own strategic objectives, and Ma is happy to go along with them, he told VOA.

During his remarks on Wednesday, Xi emphasized that external forces cannot stop the historic trend of the reunion of the family and the country.

According to the National Chengchi University Election Study Center, support for unification as soon as possible has long been very low in Taiwan, with 1.2% supporting that option in 2023. The center has been tracking opinions since 1994, two years before Taiwan held its first direct presidential elections.

A recent Pew Research Center poll released in January found that most of those surveyed, 67%, identify as primarily Taiwanese, while 28% consider themselves primarily Taiwanese and Chinese. Some 3% consider themselves primarily Chinese.

Since the meeting also comes just weeks ahead of the inauguration of Taiwans new government under the pro-sovereignty DPP on May 20, Chen and Nachman said Beijing is trying to reinforce the narrative that the KMT can bring peace to the Taiwan Strait while the DPP only wants to sabotage cross-strait relations.

Both think Beijings attempt to influence Taiwanese public opinion will have limited results.

The Chinese governments narrative doesnt offer enough context to assure Taiwanese voters, Nachman told VOA.

In addition, Chen thinks Mas trip will not have much impact on the status of cross-strait relations.

His trip is part of Chinas overall strategy against Taiwan, where they try to offer benefits to opposition parties while continuing to unleash different kinds of threats against the ruling party, he said.
Politicians and news outlets in Colorado expressed anger over the expulsion from a Republican gathering this past weekend of an experienced politics reporter who was told that the state party chairman "believes current reporting to be very unfair."

Journalists and prominent politicians, including the former chair of the Colorado Republican Party, came to the defense of Colorado Sun reporter Sandra Fish and against current state Republican Chairman Dave Williams, who said he had "no apologies" for ejecting Fish.

The controversy follows the contours of attacks on the press nationally, partly brought on by former President Donald Trump with the popularization of the term "fake news." The ejection also appears to have influenced an endorsement Monday in the Republican primary race.

The state Republican Party announced on the social media platform X that it was endorsing U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert over one of her primary opponent, Deborah Flora, in the state's 4th Congressional District race, partly because "Deb Flora lied about participating in the CD4 Assembly process, & now she's boot licking fake journalists who only help Democrats."

The post was a direct reply to Flora's post on X defending Fish, in which Flora said the expulsion was "wrong and a violation of the First Amendment."

The chair, who introduces himself on the partys website as "Dave 'Let's Go Brandon' Williams," is seeking the nomination to run for the 5th District seat held by Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, who is retiring from Congress.

In a text, Williams said he had no apologies for kicking Fish out of the assembly in Pueblo on Saturday and accused her of being a "fake journalist" and The Colorado Sun of being biased. When asked by text for examples, Williams did not respond. The Colorado Sun is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan news outlet that covers Colorado.

"I invite anyone to share any example of The Colorado Sun or Sandra Fish being unfair or inaccurate. So far I have heard nothing," said Larry Ryckman, editor of the news outlet. "The Founding Fathers weren't any big fans of newspapers back in the day. But they understood that a healthy democracy demands free, unfettered press."

The assembly, held about two hours south of Denver, was partly to select representatives to the Republican National Committee and to work on a party platform for the election.

"There are 900,000 Republicans in the state of Colorado and a lot of unaffiliated voters who are interested in what happens at this assembly. And how they find out is via reporters like me being there to cover it," Fish told The Associated Press by phone Monday.

"I am, as one person on Twitter noted, a little old lady and I've been in this business for a long time, and I just don't think it's right to eject a reporter from a meeting like this," said Fish, who has covered politics since 1982.

Fish said she heard rumors prior to the event that she'd be barred from attending, and she asked event organizer, Eric Grossman, who texted her Thursday that he'd get back to her.

"Thanks. I've been covering these assemblies for at least seven cycles and have never had issues before," Fish texted back. Ryckman attempted to reach Williams on Thursday night to discuss but said Williams never responded.

Before dawn on Saturday, Grossman texted Fish saying she wouldn't be included on the press list and that "the state chairman believes current reporting to be very unfair."

"I went anyway because, come on, this should be an open event," said Fish, who was checked in and given press credentials that she wore around her neck along with a Colorado Sun nametag.

About an hour later, security asked her to leave. Fish showed her press credentials, then Grossman arrived and soon a sheriff's deputy was called. Fish left with the deputy.

"We make no apologies for kicking out a fake journalist, who actually snuck into our event," Williams said in a text. "Her publication is just an extension of the Democrat Party's PR efforts, and the only backlash we see is from the fake news media, radical Democrats, and establishment RINOs who hate our conservative base."

Grossman, in a text, said Fish's actions were "a selfish political stunt."

Republican state Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer defended the reporter, writing in a post on X: "Sandra Fish is a fair; honest and respected reporter, as a Republican I'm embarrassed by the GOP chair."

Former Colorado Republican Party chair Kristi Burton Brown also chimed in on X, describing Fish as "hard-hitting but fair. ... This is a dangerous take by the current (Colorado GOP). ... Transparency is necessary for our nation."

Among other stories, Fish has reported on how the Colorado Republican Party under Williams' leadership paid for mailers that subtly attacked one of Williams' primary opponents, and that fundraising slowed under his chairmanship.
Reporting conditions in China have improved since the global pandemic but foreign journalists still face obstacles including visa problems, surveillance and harassment, according to a new survey.

The annual survey by the Foreign Correspondents Club of China, or FCCC, found that 81% of respondents said reporting conditions have somewhat improved, but nearly all the journalists said the reporting environment does not meet international standards.

Key issues remain, including difficulty in obtaining long-term visas, which leaves foreign news bureaus understaffed; reporters being obstructed by police or other officials while on assignment, and harassment when reporting in Xinjiang and border regions.

The FCCC each year surveys more than 155 correspondents from Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. Its latest report is based on 101 responses to that survey which looks at working conditions for foreign media.

A spokesperson for Chinas embassy told VOA via email that the FCCC members account for less than half of the foreign journalists in China, which means it cannot represent all of them, and that China has made efforts to support foreign media.

Referring to the FCCC as an illegal organization, never recognized by China, the email added that Beijing is against using the freedom of the press as an excuse to smear China with false information.

In response to concerns over visas, the spokesperson said, In 2021, China and the US reached some common grounds. China has implemented what's been agreed, while the US has not fully delivered.

Accessing visas is one of the main difficulties cited in the survey. About one-third of respondents said their bureaus remain understaffed because of difficulty in extending or successfully applying for new visas.

Chinese authorities have mostly issued short-term visas. In 2023, only one U.S. outlet was able to get accreditation, the FCCC found. And Canadian media have had no resident reporter in China for four years.

Respondents said that as pandemic restrictions eased, they have returned to an uncertainty over what stories will result in surveillance or trips being cut short.

Four out of five of those surveyed said they experienced interference and harassment, and more than half reported being blocked from reporting or filming by police or other officials.

Nearly all those who reported from Xinjiang or Tibet said they experienced increased harassment. But journalists who reported or tried to travel to other border regions in the country also reported harassment.

After Xinjiang, the area with the most reported obstacles was the border with Russia, with 79% of journalists trying to report from there experiencing difficulties.

One journalist at a European outlet, whom the FCCC does not name, described being followed by several vehicles during a reporting trip to a town along the Russian border.

They did not interfere during any of our interviews, although they did reach out to at

least one interviewee afterwards. When we checked into our hotel, the hotel staff

referred to us as the journalists state security had warned them about earlier, the reporter said.

Similar experiences were reported by journalists who traveled to Inner Mongolia. The FCCC detailed three cases of plainclothes individuals warning people to not speak with journalists or of following news crews.

The FCCC in its report notes, Foreign journalists are, according to Chinas own regulations, free to report on a wide range of topics and speak to whomever they want.

The survey showed an increase in journalists being invited for tea  a tactic where Chinese officials invite foreign media to an informal meeting. During the meetings, journalists are asked about their coverage and while the FCCC says the exchanges are usually cordial, it notes they can be used as a form of intimidation.

Surveillance is another concern, with respondents seeing more sources declining interviews or requesting anonymity.

Nearly all those surveyed said they believe they are targeted with digital surveillance through communication apps or that their homes or offices are bugged. Four of those surveyed said that officials referenced information that could have been known only if the authorities had access to private accounts or devices.

The FCCC says the restrictions and harassment prevents media from reporting a more balanced and nuanced picture of life in China.

The result is coverage of China that cannot fully capture its massively complex dynamics, the FCCC said in its report. Correspondents, restricted in where they can travel and with whom they can speak, no longer have the luxury of delving deeply into topics and painting a nuanced picture of the country. The result is coverage of China that is narrower in scope and less representative.

China has a poor press freedom record, ranking 179 out of 180 countries, where 1 shows the best environment, on the Press Freedom Index.

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, which compiles the index, said China is conducting a campaign of repression against journalism and the right to information worldwide.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include a response from China's embassy in Washington, which came after publication.
Five people are dead after a fire in a residential building in Hong Kong Wednesday.

News outlets say the early morning fire began at a gym on the first floor of the building in the citys Jordan neighborhood.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze within an hour after receiving the first distress call. More than a dozen people were injured, and many residents were still in the building calling for help after the fire was extinguished.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse.
By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission has updated its report on state-led distortions in the Chinese economy, adding new sectors and potentially opening the door to anti-dumping complaints from EU chip and clean-tech producers.

The update, published on Wednesday and stretching to 712 pages, adds details of what the EU executive considers to be distortions in sectors of telecom equipment, semiconductors, the rail industry, renewable energy and electric vehicles.

It retains the steel, aluminium, chemicals and ceramics sectors of the initial report in 2017. There is no similar EU report for any other country.

The report is a tool for EU industries to use when filing complaints about dumping practices. If Chinese prices and costs are found to distorted, they can be replaced with those from another country to calculate normally higher dumping tariffs.

"This could be taken as an invitation to sectors that have not yet brought anti-dumping complaints to explore their use," said Laurent Ruessmann, partner at trade law firm Ruessmann Beck & Co.

The Commission has typically launched about 10 anti-dumping investigations per year, many concerning steel products.

It is now looking to shield EU firms from cheap clean-tech products, with a review of subsidies received by Chinese wind turbine suppliers and an anti-subsidy investigation into imports of Chinese electric vehicles.

The report, however, will not play a part in these investigations as it only concerns dumping.

The report covers the role of the Chinese state in planning to meet economic objectives, the importance of state-owned enterprises, preferential access to land, labour, raw materials and energy and state support for specific sectors.

In most sectors, including electric vehicles, it refers to Chinese overcapacity.

China's parliament, the National People's Congress, said in March the government would take steps to curb overcapacity. Beijing argues the recent U.S. and EU focus on risks from China's excess capacity is misguided. Its state media has denounced these concerns as part of an effort to limit China's rise.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
European Union lawmakers approved Wednesday a major revamp of the bloc's migration laws aimed at ending years of division over how to manage the entry of thousands of people without authorization and depriving the far right of a vote-winning campaign issue ahead of June elections.

The members of the European Parliament voted on the so-called Pact on Migration and Asylum, regulations and policies meant to help address the thorny issue of who should take responsibility for migrants when they arrive and whether other EU countries should be obliged to help.

The proceedings were briefly interrupted by a small but noisy group of demonstrators in the public gallery who wore shirts marked "this pact kills" and shouted "vote no!"

The 27 EU member countries must now endorse the reform package, possibly in a vote in late April, before it can enter force.

The plan was drawn up after 1.3 million people, mostly those fleeing war in Syria and Iraq, sought refuge in Europe in 2015. The EU's asylum system collapsed, reception centers were overwhelmed in Greece and Italy, and countries further north built barriers to stop people entering.

But few have admitted to being happy with the new policy response to one of Europe's biggest political crises, and even the lawmakers who drafted parts of the new regulations are unwilling to support the entire reform package.

"I'm not going to open a bottle of champagne after this," Dutch lawmaker Sophie i'nt Veld, who drew up the assembly's position on migrant reception conditions, told reporters on the eve of the plenary session in Brussels. She said she planned to abstain from some of the votes.

In't Veld described the pact as "the bare minimum" in terms of a policy response, but she does not want to torpedo it by voting against. "We will not have another opportunity to come to an agreement," she said.

Swedish parliamentarian Malin Bjork, who worked on refugee resettlement, said that the pact does not respond to "any of the questions it was set to solve."

She said the reform package "undermines the individual right to seek asylum" in Europe because it would build on plans that some EU countries already have to process migrants abroad. Italy has concluded one such deal with Albania.

"We cannot have a situation where people systematically, in their thousands, die on their way seeking protection and refuge in Europe," Bjork told reporters.

The new rules include controversial measures: facial images and fingerprints could be taken from children from the age of 6, and people may be detained during screening. Fast-track deportation could be used on those not permitted to stay.

"The pact will lead to more detention and de facto detention at the EU's external borders, including for families with children, which is in clear violation of international law," said Marta Gionco from Picum, a network of migrant rights defense organizations.

Mainstream political parties want to secure agreement on the pact ahead of Europe-wide elections on June 6-9. Migration is likely to be a campaign issue, and they believe the new reforms address concerns about an issue that has been a consistent vote-winner for far-right parties.
On April 8, a road bridge collapsed over railway tracks in the town of Vyazma, western Russia, killing one person and injuring five. Local media speculated the bridge collapsed due to old age, although authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.

A number of X users shared what they called footage of the bridge collapse, some with commentary stating or implying that Russia, in using its resources to wage war against Ukraine, is neglecting domestic problems, like its decaying infrastructure.

The Kyiv Post, Ukraines oldest English-language newspaper, included a screen capture of that footage in its story on the incident.

Olexander Scherba, a Ukrainian diplomat and the countrys former ambassador to Austria, shared that footage on X, with the following comment:

In #russia, a bridge near Smolensk falls on a strategically important railway. Sad.

#StandWithUkraine #RussiaIsCollapsing

However, the footage accompanying Scherbas post is misleading.

While a bridge did collapse in Vyazma recently, the footage shared by Scherba and others is actually from the 2018 collapse of a freeway bridge over the Trans-Siberian Railway in the city of Svobodny, near Russias border with China  the opposite side of the country from Vyazma.

Footage of the 2018 incident was posted to YouTube at the time.

In that footage, a truck is crossing the bridge as it collapses. According to initial reports, including by The Associated Press, authorities said the truck driver broke his leg and suffered chest wounds, although no deaths were reported.

The Associated Press has published footage showing the aftermath of the Vyazma bridge collapse, but not the moment the bridge collapsed. Footage of the moment the bridge collapsed has been posted on social media.

The hashtag shared by Scherba, #RussiaIsCollapsing, and comments by other pro-Ukraine accounts, reflects a narrative being shared on X and other social media platforms.

Supporters of Ukraine have argued that Russia is using up resources to attack Ukraine, and specifically to destroy Ukrainian infrastructure, while neglecting decaying infrastructure at home.

Some media outlets have also expressed that view.

In its report on the Vyazma incident, the Kyiv Post said the cause of the bridge collapse was not immediately clear, but added there has been a surge of utility infrastructure failures in Russia during the winter due to decades of disrepair, which can be attributed to prolonged government negligence and, in some cases, corruption.

NBC News reported in February that a raft of accidents and utility network failures in Russia had left people without heat, noting that the countrys Soviet-era infrastructure has not been uniformly modernized.

And with the economy now firmly directed on the war in Ukraine, funding for such repairs is only scheduled to fall over the next couple of years, NBC said.

The Washington Post made a similar argument in a December 2023 article whose headline read, As Russia bombs Ukraines infrastructure, its own services crumble:

While disasters now raise suspicions of sabotage linked to the war in Ukraine, poorly maintained infrastructure is a long-standing and persistent problem in Russia  the result of old Soviet-era systems in need of repair and costly maintenance, decades of endemic corruption, and the governments prioritization of defense and security budgets, as well as the development of major cities over regional towns."
Families of American Israeli hostages demanded an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, saying it is the only means to win the release of their loved ones who have been held by Hamas since the militant group attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, the families said they are working with the Biden administration to encourage all our parties to reach a deal.

Only by doing so, the horror that the civilians of Gaza have been experiencing for the last six months can also come to an end, said Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of American hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen.

The White House briefed the families on the Biden administrations efforts to secure the release of all hostages and an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, during a meeting earlier Tuesday with Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Vice President underscored that President [Joe] Biden and she have no higher priority than reuniting the hostages with their loved ones, according to a White House readout of the meeting. She also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to bring home the remains of those who have been tragically confirmed to be deceased.

The U.S. is pushing Hamas to accept a deal with Israel to halt fighting in Gaza for six weeks while releasing some of the more than 130 hostages held by the U.S.-designated terror group in exchange for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinians it has jailed.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Washington on Tuesday that a very serious proposal was presented to Hamas in Cairo last weekend and should be accepted.

The ball is in Hamas court, Blinken said. The world is watching to see what it does.

One of the hostage families rejected efforts to separate the hostage release from military de-escalation in Gaza.

These two things must be linked. No conversation about the region should be had without it starting with 133 hostages must come home, said Jonathan Polin, father of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the dozens who were kidnapped during a music festival in Israel on Oct. 7.

The hostage families expressed sympathy for the Palestinians in Gaza.

You can believe, as we do, that it is horrible that innocent civilians in Gaza are suffering, said Rachel Goldberg, Hersh Goldberg-Polins mother. And at the same time, you can also know that it is horrible and against international law, for hostages to be held against their will.

About 1,200 people were killed during the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. Around 250 were taken hostage.

As of mid-February, 112 hostages had been freed, most during a weeklong cease-fire in November, while 36 more are believed to have died or been killed in Gaza during the six months of fighting.

No cease-fire deal as Ramadan ends

President Biden had originally set the beginning of Ramadan, which started on March 10, as the deadline for another Israel-Hamas cease-fire.

In response to VOAs question during the White House briefing Tuesday, national security adviser Jake Sullivan blamed Hamas for the fact that the Muslim month of fasting is set to end on Wednesday with still no cease-fire.

The world should say at this moment to Hamas, It's time. Let's go. Let's get that cease-fire,' he said. We're ready. I believe Israel is ready and I think Hamas should step up to the table and be prepared to do so as well.

Sullivan said that as of Tuesday morning, Qatari negotiators facilitating the cease-fire talks had not received a response from Hamas on whether theyll accept the latest U.S. proposal presented in Cairo over the weekend by CIA Director Bill Burns.

The proposal was sent days after a tense phone call between Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the U.S. president pressed the Israeli prime minister to empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home.

From the Israeli perspective, Netanyahu has flexibility in negotiating the number of Palestinian terrorists to be released as part of the deal, said Jonathan Rynhold, head of the Department of Political Studies at Israels Bar-Ilan University.

There's much less flexibility on permanent cease-fire, on things that Israel would believe would give Hamas a military advantage, he told VOA.

Israels counter-offensive in Gaza has killed more than 33,000 people, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to Gaza health officials. The Israeli military says several thousand Hamas fighters are among those killed.
The head of the National Guard and other top Guard generals say a new legislative proposal that would move National Guard units with space missions into the Space Force would jeopardize national security by potentially creating a void in space expertise across the military.

Asked about the proposal during an exclusive interview late Monday, General Dan Hokanson, National Guard bureau chief, told VOA that 86% of space-related Guard members who were surveyed on the subject have signaled they would prefer to stay in the National Guard and would not switch over to an active-duty service branch.

Even if only 50% would go into that new organization, Hokanson said, that would significantly reduce the level of experience and really the operational experience that our guardsmen bring every single day today. And I would hate to do anything that jeopardizes that.

Instead, he has long supported creating a Space National Guard, which would absorb the Guard members who work in space missions. Officials say about a third of the U.S. militarys total space capacity resides within the National Guard.

The proposal would set a dangerous precedent, and it would jeopardize our national security, Major General Laura Clellan, National Guard adjutant general for the state of Colorado, told reporters earlier Monday.

Major General Richard Neely, National Guard adjutant general for the state of Illinois, added that it would create a significant strategic gap.

Separately, Hokanson said the National Guard was adding six new State Partnership Programs in 2024, more than any year since 2003. These include recent NATO member Finland, who will partner with the commonwealth of Virginia, and Sweden, whose U.S. state partner will be announced later this week.

Hokanson pointed to Russias invasion of Ukraine as a primary reason for the sharp increase in State Partnership Program participants.

He said training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in Arizona remained on track.

This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.

VOA: What are your thoughts about moving National Guard members with space missions into the Space Force?

General Dan Hokanson, National Guard bureau chief: When you look at the capabilities that the National Guard brings ... about 45% of them work in the aerospace or high-tech industry ... so they not only have their skills as space professionals within the National Guard, but they also bring their civilian skill set to work ... I think it's that capability that we should retain in the National Guard. ... I think the best thing personally for me, for our nation, is to allow us to create a component within the National Guard so the same people in the same town with the same civilian jobs can be doing what they did last drill weekend the next weekend.

VOA: Major General Laura Clellan says this proposal would jeopardize national security. Do you agree with that?

Hokanson: Yeah, I think I do. And the reason I say that is, when you look at, about 86% said they would really rather stay in the National Guard, and when you look at our space professionals, we can't afford to lose any capability at all. And even if that's more than actually would [leave the military], even if only 50% would go into that new organization, now you've got to retrain the 50% that don't. And that would significantly reduce the level of experience and really the operational experience that our guardsmen bring every single day today.

VOA: Naysayers say cost is one of the reasons that a Space Guard isnt needed.

Hokanson: I would say that it's cost-neutral. Frankly, I have the money within our budget ... and it's basically replacing the name tapes on their uniforms and the signs in front of the buildings and the flags for those units. ...That cost would come if you created the other organization, as well, and so, there's no disruption. It's a continuity of the levels of readiness, and frankly, it keeps the organization put together and retains all that experience.

VOA: Explain the State Partnership Program and where it is going this year.

Hokanson: It originated in 1993 after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and it helped [former Soviet Union nations] transition from a communist system to a democratic system, or civilian control of the military. And if you look at the original three Baltic states  Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia  30 years later, they're now NATO's allies, and they've completed the transition. But if you look at where we are today, we've got partnerships with 106 countries, and it truly is an incredibly great program.

VOA: And this year, the program is adding Finland, Palau, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sweden and Tanzania.

Hokanson: Yes.

VOA: I think 2003 is the last time that this many partnerships were added. Why now?

Hokanson: I think what you're seeing in many cases is with Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, many countries are looking at, Hey, we never thought a war in Europe would happen again, and it has. They're realizing ... that they need to have [military] capability primarily ... to deter people from doing things to challenge their borders. ... But also, the National Guard is very involved in domestic responses in terms of natural disasters. And when you look at the global environment now, we're seeing an increase in natural disasters and sometimes an increase in scope and scale. And because we have learned a lot, and we've really tried to instill what we've learned, we share that with our partners.

VOA: Finland and Sweden have made a massive about-face from military neutrality to joining NATO and picking up a state partnership. What states are partnering with them?

Hokanson: We will announce it later this week. Many states want to be partners with Sweden. The same with Finland, but Finland did have an existing relationship with the Virginia National Guard going back over 20 years. In the case of Finland, because they've got an established relationship with Finland, they'll be partnered with Virginia. In terms of Sweden, there's a lot of competition. And of course, Sweden has a say in that, so we're hoping later this week to have an answer.

VOA: Has the partnership between Niger and Indiana been paused?

Hokanson: No, they still maintain communication. And obviously, we're working closely with the military to determine really the level of engagement that they want to continue with in the future. We don't want to do anything that they don't want to do, and vice versa with our training, as well.

VOA: Where does training in Ukraine stand now?

Hokanson: We continue to provide that capability. We currently have the Mississippi National Guard thats training the Ukrainians in Germany. And right now, we plan to continue doing that indefinitely like we had before the war. And so right now, the [congressional] funding has gotten us there. When you look at the training of their F-16 fighter pilots, which we're doing in Arizona with the Arizona National Guard right now, we have the funding for those students. But I think if we increase the student load, it may require additional funding to cover that.

VOA: There's debate now on whether the United States should continue supporting Ukraine through funds. Should the U.S. continue to support its Ukrainian partners

Hokanson: I can't answer for our country, but I will tell you, visiting the Ukrainian soldiers, seeing our soldiers training with them, it is great value added to them. And you've got a country here that's trying to defend their borders and trying to prevent the invasion from another country. And we're doing everything we can to train them, to defend their nation to the best they absolutely can.

VOA: Is the National Guard helping to train the Taiwanese?

Hokanson: We've had training exercises with the Taiwanese for years, but nothing like what we've been doing with Ukraine.

VOA: What do you think is your biggest accomplishment?

Hokanson: Its meeting every single mission we've been asked to do. And you look at all the things that occurred  we had COVID, we had Jan. 6, we had the withdrawal from Afghanistan. We've had multiple major disasters. We've had the war in Ukraine. We've got the war in Gaza. Our guardsmen, the biggest accomplishment was them. They answered every call they were given whenever they were needed, wherever they were needed. ... And really, that's not my accomplishment. It's our team facilitating them, supporting them and their families and their employers so they could do all that.
A media watchdog said Wednesday that Hong Kong authorities expelled one of its officials who had arrived to cover the trial of pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai.

Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, said Aleksandra Bielakowska was detained for six hours at an airport before being deported.

Bielakowska, a Taiwan-based advocacy officer for RSF, had traveled to Hong Kong to meet with journalists and attend the trial, along with RSFs Asia-Pacific Bureau Director Cedric Alviani. But, the watchdog said, authorities at the airport detained, searched and questioned Bielakowska.

A copy of the deportation documents, shared with VOA, states only that Bielakowskas expulsion is to be imminent and/or immediate.

Rebecca Vincent, director of campaigns at RSF, told VOA the reason provided to Bielakowska by Hong Kong authorities was vague, and that she had previously traveled there with no problem.

Vincent said that RSF's Alviani had been admitted to Hong Kong but left for safety reasons after Bielakowska was deported.

The team are "now safely back in Taipei," she added.

RSF said it was appalled by the treatment of Bielakowska and called for Hong Kong authorities to provide an explanation and guarantee that its team will be able to return to cover Lais trial.

We have never experienced such blatant efforts by authorities to evade scrutiny of court proceedings in any country, which further highlights the ludicrous nature of the case against Jimmy Lai, and the dire erosion of press freedom and the rule of law in Hong Kong, Vincent said in the published statement.

The Hong Kong governments Security Bureau did not immediately reply to VOA's request for comment.

Bielakowska and Alviani had planned to cover Lais trial, which is nearing the 60-day mark. The 76-year-old publisher is accused of sedition and collusion with foreign forces under Hong Kongs national security law. He has pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, former publisher of the Apple Daily newspaper could face up to life in prison.

The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Counterterrorism and Human Rights, Ben Saul, earlier this year raised concerns about the trial, including alleged use of evidence obtained by torture.

Hong Kong authorities have disputed accusations that the trial against Lai is unfair.

RSF representatives, including Bielakowska have previously traveled to Hong Kong to meet with journalists. In December, members of the watchdog attended the opening of Lais trial.
U.S. House lawmakers rejected an attempt to reform a controversial foreign intelligence program Wednesday, the latest blow in Speaker Mike Johnsons effort to lead a narrow Republican majority.

A renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, failed to advance, 228-193, following a warning from former President Donald Trump on TruthSocial.

Trump said that FISA was illegally used against me, and many others. They spied on my campaign!! he wrote, using all capital letters.

A Justice Department investigation found in 2019 that surveillance of Trump campaign aide Carter Page continued for months after it should have ended.

The law  also referred to as Section 702  allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect data on foreigners overseas without obtaining a warrant. But it has received the most criticism for so-called backdoor searches that allow collection of U.S. citizens data. An attempted reform would have required the FBI to secure a warrant before collecting data.

Were enacting sweeping changes  50 reforms, 56 to be exact  to the program that are in the base text that will stop the abuse of politicized FBI queries and prevent another Russia hoax debacle, among many other important reforms, Johnson told reporters Wednesday morning. No more of the intelligence community relying on fake news reports to order a FISA order, no more collusion.



But Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene  who has filed a procedural motion to remove Johnson from the speakership  said those reforms were not enough.

It's like asking the deep state to hold itself accountable, Greene told reporters Wednesday. The FBI is abusing American people's trust. The [Justice Department] has abused the American people's trust. So, this doesn't give me confidence that it will stop it.

Nineteen House Republicans voted against the bill. Democrats said Wednesday that the proposed FISA reforms had not secured their votes.

Whatever the vote count is, or whatever happens to that, it's because the speaker has chosen not to advance this issue in a single standalone process. If he chooses to go a different route, then we'll reassess, Representative Pete Aguilar, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said Wednesday morning.

An attempt to pass surveillance laws failed in December when House leadership pulled a vote amid internal Republican divisions.

Johnson argued to colleagues in a letter on Friday that the law would establish new procedures to rein in the FBI, increase accountability at the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, or FISC, impose penalties for wrongdoing, and institute unprecedented transparency across the FISA process so we no longer have to wait years to uncover potential abuses.

Christopher Wray, the director of the FBI, warned against some of the proposed changes in a speech Tuesday to the American Bar Association.

"Bottom line, a warrant requirement would be the equivalent of rebuilding the pre-9/11 intelligence 'wall,' " he said in his prepared remarks. "As the threats to our homeland continue to evolve, the agility and effectiveness of 702 will be essential to the FBIs ability  and really our mandate from the American people  to keep them safe for years to come.

Unless Congress acts, authorization for the program expires on April 19.

Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.
After spending a morning loading his freshly harvested sugar cane crop onto a cart under a blazing sun, Krishan Pal feels a little dejected. He says profits from his one-hectare farm in Indias northern Uttar Pradesh state have dwindled in recent years due to rising costs of essentials like fertilizer and pesticide.

This government is not looking at the expenses we incur," he told VOA. "It is not helping farmers.

Despite his frustrations, Pal will back Prime Minister Narendra Modis ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, which is seeking a third term in upcoming general elections.

I think this is a nation of Hindus. Hindus should stay in power, he said.

Politically pivotal region

For the estimated 200 million residents of Uttar Pradesh  a state more populous than Brazil and lesser developed than other Indian states  issues such as falling incomes, joblessness and rising prices are talking points among urban and rural communities as April 19 elections approach.

In a market in Muradnagar town, a group of shopkeepers discuss their businesses while awaiting customers. Mohammed Ashraf says his business of supplying fresh milk to customers has shrunk due to competition from young unemployed people entering the same line of work.

There are no jobs in companies, Ashraf said. In 10 years, what has the government given? Employment avenues have [been] reduced. People want jobs, businesses, not just roads. What will young people do?

But for many voters, such concerns remain on the back burner. Across the towns and villages of Uttar Pradesh, the overwhelming sentiment is staunch support for Modis ruling BJP  much as it was in the 2014 and 2019 elections that cemented its political dominance.

And because of its sheer numbers  the state determines 80 of 543 elected lawmakers in India's lower house of parliament  whichever party holds sway over Uttar Pradesh is most like to secure the parliamentary majority needed to govern.

Favorable polls

Most recent surveys project a landslide victory for BJP in the six weeks of voting that begin April 19, with the party taking 70 of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh alone.

Surveys also indicate an opposition alliance called INDIA is expected to fare poorly in the state, with the once regionally dominant Samajwadi Party, which ruled Uttar Pradesh between 2012 and 2017, picking up less than 10 seats.

Regional support for BJP, say analysts, is fueled by the partys Hindutva ideology, which puts Hindu national identity and improved governance at heart of its movement. Since 2017, Uttar Pradesh has been headed by prominent BJP official Yogi Adityanath, a Hindu priest turned politician.

Despite the lack of jobs and widespread regional poverty, some farmers like Kapil Tyagi say theyre satisfied with local development since Modis rise to power.

The government has done good work, he said. A water tank has been installed. The electricity supply is regular, and we will be getting a road soon.

As Tyagi spoke, a group of people gathered around, nodding silently in agreement.

Some 40 kilometers away in bustling Ghaziabad, the largest city in western Uttar Pradesh, entrepreneur Manan Anand says he found it easy to secure a bank loan for his venture.

In a state that once had a high crime rate, he says, hes happy to see safety has improved.

Modis government is doing fairly good as compared to earlier governments, said Anand. Girls and women can go out easily in the evening, that was not the case earlier.

Although Anand says more needs to be done to expedite development, hes optimistic the Modi government is on the right track.

Modi guarantees

Modis appeal is built on a variety of factors, according to political analyst and author Neerja Chowdhury.

He is seen as the king of Hindu hearts, she told VOA. He has flagged nationalism and national pride in a big way  BJP has given social welfare schemes that have given money in the hands of many people, what he calls Modi guarantees.

In January, Modi inaugurated a grand temple in Ayodhya dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Ram that stands on the site of a demolished 16th-century mosque, fulfilling a longstanding BJP pledge to rebuild the Uttar Pradesh holy site. Symbolizing the countrys surging Hindu cultural nationalism, it has since drawn pilgrims by the tens of thousands.

Indians are by nature religious, and Modi and the BJP have brought this to the fore. The opening of the temple has been packaged politically as if Modi played a pivotal role in its construction. He is perceived as the man who delivers, said political analyst Rasheed Kidwai.

Even if people face hardship such as lack of jobs, they feel their national roots, their faith, their culture is getting primacy.

The BJP is also credited with stitching up alliances with small parties to widen its support base throughout the state.

Launching his election campaign from the Uttar Pradesh city of Meerut on March 31, Modi expressed confidence about his partys reelection.

Our government has started work for our next term. We are preparing the roadmap for the next five years and talking about the big decisions we will take in the next 100 days, he told a huge crowd. Modi also spoke about Indias growing stature in the global community and said he aimed to make the country the worlds third largest economy.

On that same day, top leaders of the opposition INDIA alliance gathered in Delhi to accuse Modi and his ruling BJP of undermining democracy by intimidating and arresting political rivals, charges Modi denies.

Officials with the Samajwadi Party, the main opponent to BJP and part of the broader opposition alliance, have also said that protecting democracy and the right to social justice are critical to national development.

Criticism aside, analyst Chowdhury says Modi appeals to a young, aspiring nation.

He is talking about India 10 years down the line, 25 years down the line, 50 years down the line, selling people dreams which the opposition is not able to match.

A good showing in Uttar Pradesh will be pivotal to Modis ambitions of surpassing his partys present tally of 303 seats in parliament. Indias elections will be held in seven phases over six weeks with votes being counted on June 4.
In Gabon, Christians joined Muslims this week to pray for peace as the country holds a month-long national dialogue intended to pave the way for military leaders to transfer power to a civilian government.

Clerics say that among the approximately 700 civilians who attended this years Eid al-Fitr prayers Wednesday at the Central Mosque in Gabon's capital, Libreville, were scores of Christians. The Eid al-Fitr prayers marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Tidjani Babagana, grand imam of Muslims in Gabon, told Gabon's state TV that during prayers he launched an appeal for reconciliation, peace, temperance and internal harmony among citizens who are looking forward to changes at the helm of the government. He also reminded civilians who are waiting for the government to improve their living conditions that it is a prescription in the Holy Quran to respect state authority.

Babagana said both Muslims and Christians should celebrate Eid al-Fitr as a sign of fraternity, interreligious tolerance and living together in peace, despite the challenges Gabon is facing.

The faithful who gathered for prayers say the country has suffered a crime wave  including theft, assault and highway robbery  since transitional president General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema ordered the release of over 500 prisoners in late March.

The general seized power from President Ali Bongo in a bloodless coup last August. Nguema said he took control to improve living conditions in the oil-producing nation because its citizens remained poor during the 56 years of leadership by Ali Bongo and his father, Omar Bongo.

Gabon's Civil Society Group says the central African state now faces the challenges of a transition to civilian rule. A transitional charter introduced by the general last November bars all members of the current government from becoming candidates in presidential elections, with the exception of Nguema.

This month, Nguema launched what is billed as an Inclusive National Dialogue, which he said will prepare an economic blueprint and a calendar to organize elections that will hand power to civilians.

Bruno Nguema Ela, the president of Gabon's citizens in the diaspora, took part in Eid al-Fitr prayers. He said opposition and civil society want Nguema to reassure civilians that he will not hang on to power.

Ela said Gabon's diaspora is happy with efforts by Nguema to stop the Bongo dynasty from maintaining its grip on power, and added that the transitional government should make sure it hands power to civilians so Gabon does not sink into social unrest and political crisis.

Firman Maurice Nguema, one of the spokespersons with the commission that will lead discussions in Gabon's national dialogue, said General Nguema is committed to providing Gabon with functioning state institutions before handing power to constitutional order. He said Nguema wants Gabon to be a peaceful country where democratic choices and rights and liberties of civilians are respected.

The transitional government says Christians joined Muslims in feasts across the central African state this week. Muslim clerics say that nationwide, prayers were for peace and a return to constitutional order without chaos.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned Iran Wednesday not to attack Israel from Iranian territory, more than a week after a suspected Israeli strike hit Irans consulate in Syrias capital.

"If Iran attacks from its own territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran," Katz said in a post on the social media platform X.

Katz also messaged the account of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the post.

Hours earlier, Khamenei said Israel must be punished for the consulate attack.

When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory, Khamenei said, in remarks broadcast by Iranian state television.

Israel has carried out airstrikes in Syria in recent years against Iran-linked targets. Iran said the April 1 attack on the consulate killed seven military advisers.

As Israel carries out its counteroffensive aimed at defeating the Iran-backed Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip, there have been frequent cross-border clashes between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Iran also supports the Houthi militants in Yemen, who have carried out months of attacks targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Police in Malawi have arrested a newspaper journalist over an online story published last year exposing fraudulent activities involving a corruption suspect charged with conspiracy to defraud the Malawi government.

The journalist, Macmillan Mhone, who works for the daily Nation Newspaper in Blantyre, was arrested Monday following the story he allegedly wrote in August of last year when he was working for the online publication Malawi24. The story exposed fraudulent activities involving corruption suspect Abdul Karim Batatawala, who was charged with conspiracy to defraud the Malawi government.

Mhone's lawyer, Joseph Lihoma, told VOA on Tuesday that Mhone was yet to be charged.

Mhone's preliminary charges include conduct likely to cause breach of peace and cause public alarm.

The arrest comes two months after another local investigative journalist, Gregory Gondwe, went into hiding following a tip from military sources about plans to arrest him for writing a story about corruption in the military.

Several press freedom advocates and human rights campaigners, including the Committee for Protection of Journalists and the Media Institute for Southern Africa  known as MISA-MALAWI  have condemned Mhone's arrest.

Golden Matonga, the chairperson for the Media Institute for Southern Africa in Malawi, called on police to release the journalist without conditions.

"Malawi is one of [the] beacons of hope for democracy," said Mantonga. "To see this backsliding of our democracy is saddening for us in the journalism profession and also for everyone who wished our democracy to continue to grow."

In a statement, MISA-Malawi also said the story in question does not cause fear or public alarm.

Pearson Nkhoma, the director of the board of the online publication Malawi24, where the story was published, said police have arrested Mhone based on wrong information because he never wrote the story.

"If anyone has a screenshot indicating that Macmillan has the byline, then those people are basically lying," he said.

Nkhoma said it is surprising that police have arrested someone who no longer works for Malawi24 on the matter concerning the publication.

VOA did not get a comment from the police because calls to the national police spokesperson went unanswered.
EU flags. Photo: Getty Images

This week, EU finance ministers will discuss in Luxembourg the reform plan and investment agenda presented by Ukraine that aims to receive 50 billion in macro-financial assistance until 2027.

Source: Reuters with reference to its sources in the German Ministry of Finance

Details: Reuters sources said, without going into details, that Ukraine had determined 15 key areas and 69 reform plans.

Sources in the German Finance Ministry said they welcomed Ukraine's "ambitious" approach.

Financial support in the form of grants, which make up one-third of the fund, and loans, which make up the rest, will be provided on the basis of the implementation of reforms in Ukraine.

Background:

It was reported at the end of March that the Ukrainian government expected the European Commission to approve the reform plan prepared by Kyiv within the framework of the Ukraine Facility, which provides for 50 billion of macro-financial assistance until 2027.

The instrument is set for 2024-2027, with a total amount of 50 billion. Ukraine has already received the first tranche of 4.5 billion.

On 18 March, the government approved a reform plan for the Ukraine Facility, which is the basis for financial support from the European Union.

Support UP or become our patron!
Fresh gunfire erupted Tuesday in downtown Port-au-Prince, forcing aid workers to halt urgently needed care for thousands of Haitians.

Weeks of gang violence have forced about 18 hospitals to stop working and caused a shortage of medical supplies as Haiti's biggest seaport and main international airport remain closed, said aid workers with The Alliance for International Medical Action, a Senegal-based humanitarian organization.

"The situation is really challenging and affects our movement on a daily basis," said Antoine Maillard, the organization's medical coordinator based in Port-au-Prince.

Gang violence has driven about 17,000 people in the capital from their homes. Many are crammed into abandoned schools and other buildings where they often share a single toilet.

Maillard said aid workers were able to reach one of the camps for displaced people on Tuesday, "but there were too many gunshots to provide support."

He said the health crisis is worsening. It is difficult to find basic medications including antibiotics and antidiarrheals since gang violence has shuttered suppliers. The limited medication available has doubled and even tripled in price.

That means Haitians like 65-year-old Denise Duval are unable to buy needed medication or see a doctor.

"My health right now is not good," she said, adding that she has high blood pressure and often feels dizzy. "From hearing gunfire all the time, my heart beats a lot."

Duval is taking care of three grandchildren whose mother migrated to the neighboring Dominican Republic in search of work. The mother sends money when she can, but Duval said it's not enough to buy medication and support the children at the same time.

"We're living day-by-day and hoping that something will change," she said as she sat outside her home and washed dishes in a bucket.

Gunfire echoes daily throughout Port-au-Prince, though the gang violence has somewhat subsided in certain areas since gunmen began attacking key government infrastructure on Feb. 29.

Key roads remain impassible, preventing Haitians like 52-year-old Nadine Prosper from reaching one of the few operating hospitals.

Prosper lost her lower left leg in Haiti's 2010 earthquake, and she's unable to get the medication she needs.

"I'm still suffering," she said as she walked back to her house with a cane in one hand and groceries in the other. "When the pain comes, if I don't have painkillers, that's the hardest part."

Haiti's largest public hospital, the State University Hospital, is among those closed. Located in downtown Port-au-Prince, it has been seized and looted by gangs that also pillaged nearby pharmacies.

While some private clinics and hospitals are operating, they remain inaccessible to the majority of people in a country where 60% of the population earns less than $2 a day.

Dr. Priscille Cupidon, medical activity manager for Doctors Without Borders, said the ongoing fighting resembles a war.

"The country's deepening political and economic crises have left medical facilities with few resources," she wrote in an essay published Tuesday. "Our health care system is falling apart."

Cupidon, who runs a mobile health clinic, said a medical team visited a neighborhood near the center of Port-au-Prince late last month that it hadn't been able to access since Feb. 29.

"The medical needs in the area are very high and are only likely to grow now that health care is so limited," Cupidon said.

Gangs are estimated to control 80% of Port-au-Prince.

The violence forced Prime Minister Ariel Henry to announce last month that he would resign once a transitional presidential council is created.
Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of the Ramadan fast, will begin Wednesday, according to Saudi Arabia, home to two of Islams holiest sites.

The timing of Eid al-Fitr, which translates to the feast of breaking the fast, is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with the Muslim lunar calendar. In Saudi Arabia, Eid al-Fitr is expected to be a four-day holiday.

In Indonesia, which at 220 million has one of the worlds largest Muslim populations, the celebration is called Lebaran. An estimated 193 million Indonesians will travel home to celebrate for an entire week with their families.

The mass exodus of Indonesians from the capital, Jakarta, usually creates hours of traffic jams, especially on the main island of Java.

But across the Muslim world, Ramadan observances this year were overshadowed by the war in Gaza, where Israels military response to the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 has killed at least 33,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. In that attack, Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages that day.

As Eid begins, Gaza is on the brink of famine. Although more aid is starting to trickle into Gaza, displaced Palestinians seeking shelter say that the supplies are not enough for the increasingly dire conditions.

There isn't enough food. I hadn't received a box in two months. Yesterday, we got a box that won't be enough for me or my kids and the other 18 people with us. If one person got a box every day, it wouldn't be enough," said Fayez Abdelhadi in a Gazan camp.

The World Health Organization has reported children dying of complications linked to malnutrition and starvation since last month and noted that the lack of medical supplies has led to other preventable deaths.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters and The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.
Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid al-Fitr holiday Wednesday, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. But events were overshadowed by the worsening crisis in Gaza and Israel's expected military offensive in Rafah city after six months of war.

"We should not forget our brothers and sisters in Palestine," imam Abdulrahman Musa said in Kenya's capital, Nairobi. "They have been subjected to unjustified aggression and a lot of violence (as) the world is watching in silence."

In a holiday message, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent support to Gaza, which he called a "bleeding wound on the conscience of humanity."

In Istanbul, thousands of worshipers gathered at the Aya Sofya Mosque for prayers, some carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in support of people in Gaza, where the United Nations and partners warn that more than a million people are at threat of imminent famine and little aid is allowed in.

Elsewhere, people were grateful for the plenty they had after a month of fasting and reflection. Before the Eid al-Fitr holiday, markets around the world teemed with shoppers. Residents poured out of cities to return to villages to celebrate with loved ones.

In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, nearly three-quarters of the population were traveling for the annual homecoming known locally as "mudik."

"This is a right moment to reconnect, like recharging energy that has been drained almost a year away from home," said civil servant Ridho Alfian, who lives in the Jakarta area and was traveling to Lampung province at the southern tip of Sumatra island.

For Arini Dewi, Eid al-Fitr is a day of victory from economic difficulties during Ramadan. "I'm happy in celebrating Eid holiday despite the surge of food prices," said the mother of two.

Jakarta's Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, was flooded with devotees offering morning prayers.

Preachers in their sermons called on people to pray for Muslims in Gaza who were suffering after six months of war.

"This is the time for Muslims and non-Muslims to show humanitarian solidarity, because the conflict in Gaza is not a religious war, but a humanitarian problem," said Jimly Asshiddiqie, who chairs the advisory board of the Indonesian Mosque Council.

In Berlin, worshipers reflected the world, coming from Benin, Ghana, Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey.

"It's a day where we feel grateful for everything we have here, and think and give to those who are poor, facing war and have to go hungry," said Azhra Ahmad, a 45-year-old mother of five.

In Pakistan, authorities deployed more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces to maintain security at mosques and marketplaces.

In Malaysia, ethnic Malay Muslims performed morning prayers at mosques nationwide just weeks after socks printed with the word "Allah" at a convenience store chain sparked a furor. Many found it offensive to associate the word with feet or for it to be used inappropriately.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for unity and reconciliation in his message on the eve of Eid, saying no groups should be sidelined based on religion or any other reason.

"We must be firm, resolute and unwavering in our commitment to foster values and build a dignified nation," he said. "However, let us not take this as a license or opportunity to insult, undermine, or damage the cultural practices and way of life of others."
In the latest setback for Myanmars military rulers, resistance forces have seized nearly total control of a key border town straddling the main overland trade route between Myanmar and Thailand.

The juntas defeat in Myawaddy town on Myanmars eastern border follows previous territorial losses in the north along the Chinese border and in the western state of Rakhine, bordering Bangladesh.

The armed wing of the Karen National Union, or KNU, Myanmars oldest ethnic armed organization and group, says it is now in control of most of the town and pursuing remaining junta forces in the area.

Myanmar has been in chaos since General Min Aung Hlaing and his military forces overthrew the democratically elected government in February 2021. The coup sparked widespread armed resistance by a loose alliance of ethnic groups and civilian-led defense forces.

Most of the conflict has been confined to rural areas. But on Friday the KNU announced it had seized a major junta base in Myawaddy with the surrender of 617 military personnel and family members.

The KNU says it now controls most of the town, which sits on the main highway between Thailand and Myanmar. Billions of dollars worth of goods pass through it each year.

Padoh Saw Taw Nee, spokesperson for the KNU, told VOA early Tuesday that the juntas 275 Battalion is still in Myawaddy town with their division commander with them. It might be not more than 300 or 400 [personnel] left. We dont hear anything about [new] fighting yet, negotiations are continuing.

The Irrawaddy, a Myanmar news outlet, reported later Tuesday that the Karen National Liberation Army and its allies had launched an attack on the battalion, the last junta forces in the area.

Padoh Saw Taw Nee said things are in place for the KNU to take over administrative duties, adding that junta forces who surrendered in Myawaddy are still being accounted for. He said the KNU are bracing for a heavy response from the military.

Usually, they make a heavy retaliation with the airstrikes. They always say, Whenever you take a place, it doesn't matter, you can take the territory, but we just have to destroy the place so you cant set up your administration. So, we need to be very careful about it, he said.

The ruling State Administrative Council, or SAC, has violently cracked down on dissidents since the coup, with more than 4,800 people killed and more than 20,000 people detained, according to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners Burma, a monitoring group in Thailand.

But the military has been on the defensive since a coalition of resistance forces staged a sudden counteroffensive in October. Armed ethnic groups captured dozens of military-held townships and posts in northern Shan State, while the ethnic Arakan Army has made significant gains in Rakhine state in the west.

In another sign of changing fortunes, Myanmars shadow government, the National Unity Government, or NUG, claimed responsibility last week for more than a dozen drone attacks on junta bases in the capital, Naypyidaw.

The SAC is facing multiple battlefield defeats, in Karen State most dramatically, with the possible takeover of the border town of Myawaddy after months of fighting, said David Scott Mathieson, an independent Myanmar analyst. On the ground, the SAC is in retreat in multiple locations, in Kachin, Arakan, and Karenni and Shan [states].

But, Mathieson told VOA, the military has a large country to retreat into, with a network of bases and arms production. They may be losing but this doesnt indicate theyre finished just yet. Their reaction to further losses or the spread of fighting into central Myanmar will be extreme force. For the SAC, savagery is a strategy.

In a bid to stem its run of defeats, the military recently activated a national conscription law with the aim of drafting 60,000 new recruits a year, including 5,000 by the end of April.

The law is hugely unpopular, with many young people seeking to avoid the draft. Many have fled to Thailand, which has taken in an estimated 45,000 Burmese refugees since the coup in 2021. Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said this week that Thailand is preparing to receive 100,000 more.
The parents of a teenager who took a handgun to school and killed four of his classmates in 2021 received sentences Tuesday of at least 10 years each for failing to take steps to prevent the tragedy.

Jennifer and James Crumbley, who were tried separately earlier this year, were each convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths caused by their then 15-year-old son at his high school in Oxford, Michigan. Seven people also were wounded.

The Crumbleys are the first parents in the U.S. to be convicted in a mass shooting caused by their child.

Late last year, 17-year-old Ethan Crumbley received a life sentence after pleading guilty to 24 charges, including first-degree murder.

Judge Cheryl Matthews said Tuesday that the parents convictions were not about poor parenting but about ignoring things that would make a reasonable person feel the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

These convictions confirm repeated acts, or lack of acts, that could have halted an oncoming runaway train," Matthews said.

The parents did not know that Ethan had taken a handgun  which was freely accessible at home  to school on the day they were called there about a disturbing sketch he had drawn of a gun and wounded man. The sketch included a plea for help.

Hours later Ethan removed the handgun from his backpack and opened fire, killing Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17, and Justin Shilling, 17.

Some information is from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Threats by the Cambodian government to take legal action against journalists are increasing, sparking concerns about constraints on press freedom, says an annual report by the Cambodian Journalists Association (CamboJA).

The group monitors incidents of harassment and restrictions on journalists. Pressure on independent media outlets has increased since the government of former Prime Minister Hun Sen began cracking down on political dissent before the 2018 general election. Several independent media outlets have closed since then, and six media licenses were revoked in 2023, compared to two cases in 2022.

In Cambodian Journalism Situation Report 2023, released on March 20, CamboJA recorded 32 cases of harassment of 59 journalists, six of them women. In 2022, CamboJA recorded 35 cases of harassment against 54 journalists, eight of them women.

Legal action was involved in 15 of the 32 cases. These included lawsuits, license revocation, arrests or threats of legal action. At least five journalists were sued, charged with crimes or imprisoned.

We caution against drawing any firm conclusions from these numbers, the report said, adding that some journalists are understandably afraid to report for fear of further reprisal.

Nop Vy, executive director of CamboJA, told VOA Khmer that harassment has had a significant impact on journalists performance and writing. He said this affects peoples rights to access information to get comprehensive information.

When journalists do not have the time or ability to write in-depth information, quality information helps the society. People cannot get information about various aspects of the society in every aspect, he said.

Nop Vy urged the government to prosecute those who harass or intimidate journalists and to end the impunity that has permitted the harassment to continue.

Ministry of Information spokesman Tep Asnarith challenged the reports findings, citing ministry data showing that journalists were able to carry out their responsibilities in all parts of the country last year.

Tens of thousands of journalists, as well as more than 2,000 traditional and modern media outlets, have been working to cover, produce and disseminate all forms of information, as well as to report freely and safely at all times by professional manner, with transparency and gaining the trust and support of the general public, he said.

At an editors forum in December, Prime Minister Hun Manet said the achievements and success of the government are due to the participation of journalists in partnership with the government.

He said the government has always promoted freedom of expression and the press, as well as encouraged more capacity building in the field of journalism and the strengthening of media professionalism and ethics.

CamboJA launched a new website in March that will report on journalist harassment, provide quarterly and annual updates on the status of journalists, provide data sources, and support advocacy efforts for press freedom.

Press freedom advocate Reporters Without Borders ranked Cambodia 147th out of 180 countries in 2023 for its escalation of government persecutions of the independent media.

Ser Davy in Phnom Penh contributed to this report.


Russia and Kazakhstan ordered more than 100,000 people to evacuate after swiftly melting snow swelled rivers beyond bursting point in the worst flooding in the area for at least 70 years.

The deluge of melt water overwhelmed scores of settlements in the Ural Mountains, Siberia and areas of Kazakhstan close to rivers such as the Ural and Tobol, which local officials said had risen by meters in a matter of hours to the highest levels ever recorded.

Late on Tuesday, levels of the Ural River in Orenburg, a city of around 550,000, reached 9.31 meters (30.54 feet) exceeding the critical level of 9.30 meters (30.51 feet), the regional governor said. He urged residents in areas at risk to evacuate.

"I am calling for caution and for those in flooded districts to evacuate promptly," Denis Pasler said on Telegram.

City residents paddled along roads as though they were rivers. Dams and embankments were being strengthened.

Upstream on the Ural, floodwaters burst through an embankment dam in the city of Orsk last Friday.

Regional officials said water levels in Orsk had subsided by 21 centimeters (.68 feet) and now stood at 9.07 meters 29.75 feet), still well over the official danger level of about 7 meters (22.96 feet). Russia's Emergencies Ministry said water levels had declined in a number of areas but described the situation as "still difficult."

The Ural is Europe's third-longest river, which flows through Russia and Kazakhstan into the Caspian.

Evacuation order

Sirens in Kurgan, a city on the Tobol River, a tributary of the Irtysh, warned people to evacuate immediately. Regional officials said floodwaters would continue to rise for three days and predicted a "difficult situation" until the end of April.

A state of emergency was also declared in Tyumen, a major oil-producing region of Western Siberia, the largest hydrocarbon basin in the world. Russian news agencies said Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov had arrived in the city as part of a regional tour assessing flood danger.

"The difficult days are still ahead for the Kurgan and Tyumen regions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "There is a lot of water coming."

Tyumen is about 200 kilometers (124.27 miles) north of Kurgan.

President Vladimir Putin spoke to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, where more than 86,000 people have been evacuated because of the flooding. Tokayev said the flooding was probably the worst in 80 years.

The most severely hit areas are Atyrau, Aktobe, Akmola, Kostanai, Eastern Kazakhstan, Northern Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions, most of which border Russia and are crossed by rivers originating in Russia such as the Ural and the Tobol.

Russians beg for help

In Russia, anger boiled over in Orsk when at least 100 Russians begged the Kremlin chief for help and chanted "shame on you" at local officials who they said had done too little.

The Kremlin said Putin was being updated on the situation but had no immediate plans to visit the flood zone as local and emergency officials were doing their best to tackle the deluge.

In Kurgan, a region with 800,000 residents, drone footage showed traditional Russian wooden houses and the golden kupolas of Orthodox Churches stranded alongside an expanse of water.

Russian officials have said some people ignored calls to evacuate. Kurgan Governor Vadim Shumkov urged residents to take the warnings seriously.

"We understand you very well: It is hard to leave your possessions and move somewhere at the call of the local authorities," Shumkov said. "It's better that we laugh at the hydrologists together later and praise God for the miracle of our common salvation. But let's do it alive."

In Kurgan, water levels were rising in the Tobol. Russia said 19,000 people were at risk in the region.

Rising waters were also forecast in Siberia's Ishim River, also a tributary of the Irtysh, which along with its parent, the Ob, forms the world's seventh-longest river system.

It was not immediately clear why this year's floods were so severe as the snow melt is an annual event in Russia. Scientists say climate change has made flooding more frequent worldwide.
South Koreas left-leaning opposition appears headed for a decisive victory in Wednesdays legislative election, according to exit polls, an outcome that could hamper the agenda of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The main opposition Democratic Party is on track to easily maintain its majority in the 300-seat National Assembly and could exceed a crucial two-thirds threshold if smaller, allied parties are counted, according to the exit polls conducted by three national broadcasters.

According to tentative figures, voter turnout was at 67%, the highest in more than three decades for a legislative election. The vote was widely seen as a midterm referendum on Yoon, who is two years into a single, five-year presidential term.

Yoon, a former chief prosecutor, has seen consistently low approval ratings as he deals with issues such as rising food prices, excessive housing costs, labor disputes and a plummeting birth rate.

Final election results are not expected until early Thursday. Depending on the oppositions margin of victory and how it chooses to wield its power, the results could severely restrict Yoons ability to govern.

If left-leaning forces win more than 200 seats, they would have the ability to override Yoons veto on legislation. They could also start the process of constitutional revision and even impeach Yoon.

Some high-profile opposition politicians have hinted they would pursue Yoons impeachment, although it is not clear on what grounds. Yoon has been embroiled in a series of scandals, including one involving hidden camera footage appearing to show his wife accepting a luxury Dior bag as a gift. Yoon has also pursued criminal charges against critical journalists and media outlets at a record pace.

Lee Sang-sin, who focuses on political science and public opinion at the Korea Institute for National Unification, says he does not expect opposition forces to immediately pursue impeachment, noting the countrys Constitutional Court  which could strike down any such effort  is filled with Yoon allies.

If liberals do have the supermajority, it is uncharted territory. So nobody knows, Lee added. According to Korean media, no single political force has ever controlled two-thirds of National Assembly seats.

The Democratic Party has supported constitutional changes, including allowing presidents to serve a second term, and for the National Assembly rather than the president to nominate the prime minister. Any changes to the constitution must be approved by more than 50% of voters in a national referendum.

Changing the constitution is also very hard. I still think the possibility that they even try would be very low, Lee said.

Since taking office, Yoon has faced significant barriers to his domestic legislative agenda, since opposition forces already controlled the 180 seats needed to block any attempts to delay legislative procedures.

But South Koreas powerful presidency has given Yoon a relatively free hand in foreign policy. Yoon has used that power to move his country much closer to the United States, its longtime ally, as well as Japan, South Koreas former colonial ruler.

Foreign policy was not an issue in the election, which was instead dominated by allegations of corruption, intra-party divisions and fierce personal attacks.

Yoons foreign policy direction may not be greatly affected by the election result, according to Benjamin A. Engel, research professor at the Institute of International Affairs at Seoul National University.

The National Assembly is extremely weak when it comes to foreign policy. They can critique and complain, but Yoon doesnt have to change unless he wants to for political reasons  which he never seems to do  for better or worse, Engel said.

Much depends on whether South Koreas liberals can overcome their fierce internal divisions, which resulted in a one-time rising political star, former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, splitting from the DP to form his own party just ahead of this election.

I think, honestly, no one really knows at this point, said Mason Richey, associate professor of international politics at Seoul's Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. It depends on how many seats the Democratic Party gets, how Yoon reacts, and how his party reacts.
Taiwan Navy Commander Admiral Tang Hua said during a trip to Maryland that the self-governing island wants more cooperation with the U.S. and other countries amid military pressure from China.

But as to whether or not he would hold direct talks with U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, as reported by Reuters, Tang said he would not comment so as to avoid China's protest causing trouble to the U.S. side.

Speaking to VOA on Monday at this year's Sea-Air-Space Conference hosted by the Navy League of the U.S. at National Harbor, outside of Washington, Tang said he would meet with navy personnel from the U.S. and other countries.

"I think the People's Liberation Army's problem with Taiwan is not just about Taiwan," he said. "It may be in the East China Sea or the South China Sea. It is a global issue, not an issue specifically targeting Taiwan."

Taiwan split from China in 1949 after the nationalists lost to the communists and fled to the island, where they established a government that eventually became a democracy.

China claims Taiwan is a breakaway province that must one day reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

China also has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea and claims most of the South China Sea as its own, putting it in conflict with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The U.S. supports a "One China" policy that Beijing is the only recognized government of China while maintaining non-diplomatic relations with Taiwan and vowing to defend its right to self-governance.

In response to a Reuters question at a briefing March 29 about the Taiwan Navy chief's trip to the U.S., Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China firmly opposes "military collusion between the U.S. and Taiwan."

He urged the U.S. to "immediately stop official interactions and military contact with Taiwan, and refrain from sending any wrong message to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces."

Tang said other countries' navies at the conference were also looking to partner up.

"Not only are the U.S. military, but also the navies of various countries here. In fact, regarding much of our current cooperation, you just heard them talk about many things, including manpower issues, shipbuilding issues, and demand and cooperation, so I think on these occasions, everyone is seeking opportunities for cooperation and integration," he said.

Tang, along with Rear Admiral Chung-Hsing Wei, defense attache with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S., and the visiting Taiwan delegation attended meetings and speeches of naval leaders from the U.S. and other countries.

He also visited the booths of major U.S. military manufacturers at the exhibition, including Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, and inquired about weapons and equipment with companies that have procurement projects with Taiwan.

This included General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which produced four MQ-9B "SkyGuardian" drones for Taipei.

A senior official from the company also told him that he will join a U.S. Taiwan Business Council delegation to visit Taiwan in early June.

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.
The tenacity of Ukrainian troops will soon be no match for Russias manpower and missiles should U.S. lawmakers fail to approve additional security assistance for Ukraine, the top American general in Europe told lawmakers, part of a stark warning about the direction of the more than two-year-old conflict.

U.S. military officials have warned repeatedly in recent weeks that Russian forces have been able to make incremental gains in Ukraine and that without renewed U.S. backing, Ukraines forces will eventually falter.

Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday, the commander of U.S. European Command described the battlefield in blunt terms.

"If we do not continue to support Ukraine, Ukraine will run out of artillery shells and will run out of air defense interceptors in fairly short order, said General Christopher Cavoli, explaining that Kyiv is dependent on the United States for those key munitions.

"I can't predict the future, but I can do simple math, he said. "Based on my experience in 37-plus years in the U.S. military, if one side can shoot and the other side can't shoot back, the side that can't shoot back loses."

Cavoli also said the failure of U.S. lawmakers to approve a $60 billion supplemental security package is already giving Russia a significant advantage.

"They [Ukraine] are now being outshot by the Russian side 5-to-1," he told lawmakers. That will immediately go to 10-to-1 in a matter of weeks.

We are not talking about months. We are not talking hypothetically, Cavoli said.

Multiple U.S. officials have warned that Ukraines military has been forced to ration artillery and air defense capabilities as Kyiv waits for U.S. lawmakers to approve the supplemental assistance.

We are already seeing the effects of the failure to pass the supplemental, Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander told the panel, testifying alongside U.S. European Commands Cavoli.

We dont need to imagine, she said, blaming the lack of U.S. provided artillery for why the Russian attacks are getting through.

That supplemental defense package passed in the U.S. Senate back in February, but leadership in the House of Representatives has so far refused to bring the legislation to the floor for a vote.

During a press conference on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said lawmakers were continuing to actively discuss our options on a path forward.

Its a very complicated matter at a very complicated time. The clock is ticking on it, and everyone here feels the urgency of that, Johnson said. But whats required is that you reach consensus on it, and thats what were working on.

House Democrats, however, have voiced frustration with Johnsons refusal to call a vote.

The House has waited months now to approve the security package to help protect Ukraine, said Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. Weeks ago, we were too late. And now every day is at an extreme cost to our ability to deter Russia.

Another Democrat on the committee, Representative Elissa Slotkin, scolded Johnson, saying he needs to call a vote despite opposition from a small group of House Republicans.

We do need to get it over the finish line, she said. I accept that hes at risk of losing his job over that choice, but thats what leadership is  its the big boy pants and making tough choices.

Some Republicans, though, chastised Democratic lawmakers for what they described as misguided priorities.

"Weve got hundreds of thousands of Americans who are dying, fentanyl overdoses, child and human sex trafficking, not to mention 178-plus countries that are crossing our border, said Republican Representative Cory Mills.

But, oh wait, thats not the priority. Lets secure Ukraines borders, he said.

VOAs Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.
BERN (Reuters) - Switzerland put forward on Wednesday proposals for UBS and three other systemically relevant banks aimed at protecting the country from a repeat of last year's Credit Suisse collapse.

The government's 209-page report outlines 22 measures designed to strengthen current regulations for banks known as "too big to fail" (TBTF), after gaps were found in the existing rules following UBS's rescue takeover of its banking rival.

The proposals aim to improve corporate governance and supervision, for example, by giving more powers to Swiss financial market regulator FINMA.

They also aim to make the banks more resilient by increasing capital requirements and ensuring liquidity in a crisis, as well as improving cooperation between authorities.

Following are some of the main recommendations:

* Capital requirements for systemically important banks should be tightened in a targeted way and supplemented with a forward-looking component.

* Preference should be given to measures aimed at strengthening capital requirements of systemically important banks, the report said, without giving figures.

* Strengthen capital requirements for foreign participations  and thus for parent banks  within a financial group.

* Examine the requirements for remuneration systems, especially on the design of variable remuneration and clawbacks.

* Better define corporate governance requirements at banks by strengthening the requirements on the board of directors and their responsibility for corporate culture.

* Introduce a senior managers regime to ensure a clearer assignment of responsibilities.

* Allow public disclosure of supervisory procedures; FINMA's right to issue fines will be examined.

* Strengthen the risk-bearing function of AT1 capital instruments on a going-concern basis by having clear criteria for suspending coupon payments.

* Abolition of AT Capital Instruments, whose write-off was a contested part of the Credit Suisse rescue, was rejected.

* Examine improving cooperation between the various authorities in a crisis. The government, FINMA and Swiss National Bank have been criticised for letting the situation at Credit Suisse worsen before they eventually intervened.

* Introduce a public liquidity backstop for systemically important banks. The provision of liquidity in the Credit Suisse case only came about through the application of emergency law.

* Creating the legal option for a temporary public ownership of a bank in crisis as final resort was rejected, due to the potential moral hazards.

(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Alexander Smith)
Turkey has announced restrictions on trade with Israel and Turkish Airlines has suspended flights to the country as a consequence of the war in Gaza. As Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, the moves come as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reverses his rapprochement efforts, which proved unpopular among voters in last months elections
Switzerland said Wednesday it will host a high-level international conference in June aimed at ending Russias two-year war on Ukraine but acknowledged that Moscow is unlikely to join the peace process.

The conference is set for June 15-16 at the lakeside Burgenstock resort near Lucerne and could draw top officials from dozens of countries. Swiss daily Neue Zurcher Zeitung reported that U.S. President Joe Biden, Ukraines key global supporter, may attend, but White House officials said no decision had been made about which U.S. officials may be there.

The conference follows a plan laid out in recent months by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis. The top Swiss diplomat said more than 100 countries would be invited to the conference.

"The first country that we spoke with, after Ukraine, of course, was Russia, because a peace process cannot happen without Russia, even if it won't be there for the first meeting," Cassis told reporters in the Swiss capital, Bern.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned last week that any negotiations to end fighting in Ukraine could be successful only if Moscow's interests are taken into account. He called the Swiss round of peace talks a Western ruse to rally broader international support for Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there will be no peace in Ukraine until Russia's goals are met, although the extent of his current objectives is unclear.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 after seizing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Putin sought to take over all of Ukraine, a Soviet satellite state until 1991. But the battle lines have been stalemated, with Russia now controlling perhaps a fifth of the country, including Crimea.

Swiss President Viola Amherd called the June meeting a "first step" in a process toward a lasting peace in Ukraine that could lead to a second, follow-up gathering.

"We're not going to sign the peace deal at this conference," she said.

"It has to be clear from the start that Russia  sooner or later  has to be there," Cassis said. "Now, it's not mandatory that it's there the first day. We could also imagine that on the first day, people might agree about how to better invite in Russia."

"We have to agree: That's the backbreaking work ahead of us," he said.

Zelenskyy said in his daily address Wednesday that Ukraine must be able to defend its airspace, its land and its waterways as part of a just end to the war. "We have no right to make a mistake in any of these aspects," he said. There needs to be "a clear position of the world regarding the just end of this war," said the Ukrainian leader.

Russian bombardment

On the battlefront, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that Russia targeted the country with 17 aerial drones, two cruise missiles and a ballistic missile.

Ukraines air force said it shot down 14 of the drones, with the intercepts taking place over the Mykolaiv and Odesa regions. Ukrainian air defenses also shot down two of the three missiles, which also targeted Odesa.

Oleh Kiper, the regional governor of Odesa, said on Telegram the Russian attack focused on energy, transport and logistics infrastructure, damaging several sites and injuring at least two people.

The governor of Mykolaiv, Vitaliy Kim, said on Telegram the drone attack damaged energy infrastructure there, causing power shutdowns that were resolved after several hours.

Russias Defense Ministry said Wednesday it stopped a Ukrainian drone attack overnight, destroying five aerial drones over the Bryansk region.

There were no immediate reports of damage in Bryansk.

Zelenskyy has said Kyivs forces will lose its war with Russia without the additional U.S. armaments.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
The head of the United Nations climate agency says humanity only has two years left to save the world, and is calling for dramatic changes to curb heat-trapping emissions and financial decisions that prioritize the climate.

In comments Wednesday, U.N. Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said that while he knows the warning may sound melodramatic, action is essential.

"Who exactly has two years to save the world? The answer is every person on this planet," Stiell said. "More and more people want climate action right across societies and political spectrums, in large part because they are feeling the impacts of the climate crisis in their everyday lives and their household budgets."

The warning was particularly aimed at G20 nations, which include developed and developing economies like the United States, China and India. Those nations are responsible for 80% of planet-heating emissions, which Stiell asserts should force them into the center of mitigation projects.

Poorer countries cannot foot the bill for enacting climate mitigation strategies. Developing countries, not including China, which considers itself a developing country, face an estimated $2.4 trillion annual cost to meet their climate and development priorities by 2030.

However, not everyone is convinced fear-stoking warnings lead to effective action.

"'Two years to save the world' is meaningless rhetoric  at best, it's likely to be ignored, at worst, it will be counterproductive," said Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer, who is also a professor of international affairs.

United States government data reveals that carbon dioxide and methane levels in the atmosphere reached unprecedented peaks last year in addition to being the hottest year on record. Concurrently, global carbon dioxide emissions surged by 1.1%.

If emissions continue at their current rate, Stiell said it "will further entrench the gross inequalities between the world's richest and poorest countries and communities.

Currently, governments are not close to meeting emission mitigation targets.

Some information for this report was provided by the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
In recent years, the United States has seen an unprecedented surge in undocumented migrants from India, most slipping in through Mexico. But as the U.S.-Mexico border faces growing pressure, many are turning to a less conventional path: crossing the expansive and lightly guarded border with Canada.

In fiscal year 2023, U.S. border agents encountered nearly 97,000 undocumented Indian migrants nationwide, including more than 30,000 at the northern border, according to data from the Customs and Border Patrol or CBP.

Encounters include apprehensions and expulsions. In fiscal year 2019, more than 16,000 Indian migrants were encountered nationwide, CBP data shows.

In recent months, the numbers have continued largely unabated. Between October 2023 and February 2024, nearly 14,000 Indians were encountered at the U.S.-Canada border.

The record influx is part of a migration rush through Canada that has overwhelmed border security officials and unsettled communities in northern U.S. states. CBP data show that there were nearly 190,000 encounters at the Canadian border in 2023, more than six times the number in 2021.

A spokesperson for the Indian embassy in Washington said the "extent of illegal immigration from India to the United States is unclear."

"We have been constantly engaged with the United States authorities including through dialogues such as the India- U.S. Consular Dialogue and the Homeland Security Dialogue to enhance cooperation and strengthen people to people ties and to facilitate legal mobility and migration and to check illegal immigration and human trafficking," the spokesperson said in a statement to VOA.

Indians drawn to US asylum process

The end of the COVID-19 pandemic has spawned a rise in global migration. While people migrate for different reasons, experts say many Indian migrants are drawn to the U.S. by the Biden administration's perceived openness to asylum-seekers.

"Overall, people are looking to come to the U.S. because they've heard about the asylum process here," said Chirag Patel, a Maryland-based immigration lawyer who handles Indian asylum cases.

Patel and other experts say the flow of asylum-seekers to the border will likely keep up as they anticipate potential policy changes with the November U.S. presidential election.

"People are trying to get a lot of things in before November, but also obviously before January, if November ends up being in favor of Trump," Patel said.

'From all over the globe'

Once a trickle, the flood of Indian asylum-seekers entering the country shows the changing face of unauthorized migration to the U.S.

"They're coming from all over the globe, literally all over the globe," said Muzaffar Chishti, senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute.

The rise in unauthorized Indian migration has made Indians the third-largest group of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. There were about 725,000 undocumented Indians in the U.S. in 2021, more than from any other country outside the Western Hemisphere, according to a recent Pew Research Center report.

Though many have genuine claims of persecution, experts say Indian asylum-seekers are predominantly economic migrants, drawn by the prospect of a better life in the U.S.

"Very few of these are the professionals," said Devesh Kapur, Starr Foundation professor of South Asian studies at Johns Hopkins University. "Because these youths are not very well-educated, their economic opportunities in India are pretty limited."

Most are relatively well off by Indian standards and hail from Punjab and Gujarat, two of India's more prosperous states with a long history of immigration to the United States.

"One of the mistakes we make is to think it's the poor that migrate," Kapur said. "The poor in South Asia simply cannot afford to take a flight."

But those who can often lack a legal pathway into the United States. U.S. student visas are hard to come by, and because of a massive backlog of immigration cases, an immigrant visa can take up to 20 years to secure.

That leaves the "donkey route" as the only option for many Indians anxious to reach America. The sometimes-dangerous journey across several continents, widely publicized on social media, is facilitated for a hefty fee by global human trafficking networks.

The cost of getting to the U.S. can exceed $50,000, but even a small-scale landlord in Punjab can afford it. An acre of agricultural land in the fertile state can command the same price, Kapur noted.

While Indian migrants often take the donkey route to Mexico, many find Canada a quicker and safer option, according to experts.

Political scientist Shinder Purewal said the current Canadian government's push to attract international students has made it easier for Indians to obtain visas.

"It's easier to get a visa to Canada than to Pakistan," said Purewal, who teaches at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, British Columbia.

Until recently, Indians often moved from Canada to the U.S. when they couldn't get Canadian residency, Purewal said.

"Now, more and more people are just entering Canada so they can just go straight to the U.S. because the economy is better, job prospects are better there," Purewal said.

In a statement, Canada's immigration agency said all study permits are reviewed "holistically" to ensure applicants "respect Canada's immigration laws and regulations."

"Canada's visa policy decisions are made in an effort to support travel and people-to-people connections, while preserving the integrity of our immigration system," the agency said. "We continuously monitor the impacts of our visa policy for both visa-exempt and visa-required countries and consider objective criteria when deciding whether to lift or impose a visa requirement. And new developments would be communicated publicly."

But economic prospects are not the only reason Indian migrants choose the U.S. Support from established Indian communities in the U.S. also influence their decision.

A smuggling network recently uncovered by U.S. investigators ferried Gujarati migrants from the Canadian border to Gujarati American-owned business establishments in the Chicago area.

"People who come have a way of coming," said Pawan Dhingra, an associate provost and associate dean of the faculty at Amherst College who teaches immigration studies. "They have a connection to the country. If it was just escaping India, they could just go anywhere in the world."

Not all cross border safely

Despite its reputation for safety, crossing the Canadian border has occasionally proven fatal for Indian migrants.

In January 2022, an Indian family of four was found frozen to death in Manitoba just meters from the U.S. border. In March 2023, the bodies of eight migrants, including four Indians, were recovered from the St. Lawrence River.

Maureen Silcoff, a Canadian refugee and immigration lawyer, said the extreme risks migrants take show their dire need to flee hardship.

"People don't simply pick up and leave their homes, their communities, their families, their jobs out of a sense of wanting a thrilling adventure," Silcoff said in an interview. "People become desperate, and sometimes people are subject to very serious human rights abuses, and they try to alleviate those kinds of problems and other hardships by relocating to another country."

VOA immigration reporter Aline Barros contributed to this article.
The U.S. military said late Monday it destroyed an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Houthi militants in Yemen toward ships in the Gulf of Aden.

U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the missile was likely targeting the U.S.-flagged, U.S.-owned container ship MV Yorktown, which was being escorted by a U.S. Navy destroyer.

It was determined the ABSM presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels in the region, CENTCOM said.

The United States is leading a coalition effort to help protect the key shipping route through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea from attacks by the Yemen-based, Iran-backed Houthis.

The Houthis, designated by the U.S. as a terror group, have said their campaign targeting ships is in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
The United States is welcoming South Korean sanctions imposed on Russian vessels suspected of transporting weapons from North Korea, despite Russian protests.

We applaud the recent actions taken by the ROK to disrupt and expose arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia  including the sanctions  on two Russian vessels involved in arms transfers to Russia, a State Department spokesperson said.

It is important for the international community to send a strong, unified message that the DPRK must halt its irresponsible behavior, abide by its obligations under U.N. Security Council resolutions, and engage in serious and sustained diplomacy, the spokesperson said Friday via email to the VOA Korean Service.

South Korea on April 2 unilaterally sanctioned two Russian vessels involved in delivering military supplies from North Korea to Russia.

The next day at a press briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called Seouls move an unfriendly step that leads only to escalation of tensions and will affect South Korea-Russia relations in a negative way.

She said Moscow would respond to the sanctions but did not specify how.

On Friday, Russia said it had summoned South Koreas ambassador.

The South Korean sanctions followed Russias veto of a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for the annual extension of the U.N. experts panel that monitors sanctions on North Korea. The panels mandate ends at the end of April.

The ties between Pyongyang and Moscow have been growing since a summit in September. Since then, North Korea has been providing munitions that Russia needs to fight its war in Ukraine.

The ROK government getting involved in applying sanctions, seizures, and other active counterproliferation authorities and capabilities against the North is a huge step forward in joint cooperation to counter, protect and contain the DPRK regimes weapons exports, said David Asher, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Asher worked on disrupting North Koreas illicit financial, trading and weapons of mass destruction networks under the George W. Bush administration.

In an email to VOA on Monday, Asher added, I fully expect ROK-U.S.-Japan cooperation to expand in counterproliferation, including the identification and targeting of weapons supply networks using intelligence operations, law enforcement, and sanctions.

A day after announcing the sanctions, Seoul said it had seized a vessel that was suspected of violating U.N. sanctions on North Korea. South Korea said it was investigating the DEYI, a cargo ship that was en route to Russia from North Korea via China, after seizing it in waters off the South Korean port city of Yeosu.

This reinforces that countries can implement U.N. sanctions, on their own, as they have responsibility to do so, especially after Russia blocked the U.N. experts panels mandate, said Anthony Ruggiero, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Ruggiero has over 19 years working on financial sanctions and proliferation issues, including ones involving North Korea.

There is a broad international and domestic set of legal authorities that countries like South Korea could rely on to go after illicit exports and maritime activities by North Korea, but it is a matter of whether countries are willing to stop vessels making illegal actions, Ruggiero said during a telephone interview on Monday.

A U.N. Security Council resolution passed in 2017 authorizes member states to seize, inspect, freeze and impound vessels in their territorial waters found to be conducting illicit activities with Pyongyang and carrying banned goods from North Korea.

A State Department spokesperson told VOAs Korean Service on Thursday that the U.S. is coordinating closely with the ROK in its investigation of this ship in connection with U.N. sanctions violations.

Despite Russias veto of the 1718 Committee Panel of Experts mandate in order to bury reporting on its violation of U.S. Security Council resolutions, U.N. sanctions on the DPRK remain in place, and all U.N. member states are still required to implement them, the spokesperson said.

Nate Evans, the spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the U.N., said Monday that U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield will travel to South Korea and Japan next week to discuss ways to monitor international sanctions on North Korea.

South Korea estimated in March that North Korea has shipped about 7,000 containers full of munitions to Russia since last year. The U.S. assessed the same month the number of containers to be 10,000.

Joshua Stanton, an attorney based in Washington who helped draft the Sanctions and Policy Enforcement Act in 2016, told VOA on Monday via email that Seoul could seize ships carrying weapons from North Korea to Russia if certain criteria are met.

Seoul could do so if South Korea has reasonable cause to believe that the vessel is engaged in sanctions evasion, and if one of the following conditions is also met: the [vessels] flag state consents, the vessel is stateless, or the ship enters a South Korean port.
The United States restricted trade with five companies on Wednesday that it said help produce and procure drones for use by Russia in Ukraine and by Iran-backed Houthis in Red Sea shipping attacks.

The companies from Russia and China were among 11 additions to the Commerce Department's Entity List, which means suppliers need licenses before shipping goods and technology to them.

Russia has intensified its drone and missile strikes against Ukrainian energy facilities in recent weeks, causing significant damage and threatening a repeat of the blackouts experienced in the first year after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The Commerce Department added a Chinese entity, Jiangxi Xintuo Enterprise Company, for supporting Russia's military through the procurement, development and proliferation of Russian drones, it said.

Shenzhen Jiasibo Technology Company of China was cited for being part of a network procuring aerospace components, including drone applications, for an aircraft company in Iran. Three Russian entities  Aerosila JSC SPE, Delta-Aero LLC, and JSC ODK-Star  were added for being part of the network.

"These components are used to develop and produce Shahed-series UAVs which have been used by Iran to attack oil tankers in the Middle East and by Russia in Ukraine," the Federal Register notice said, referring to unmanned aerial vehicles.

Attacks on ships, including oil tankers, by Iranian-backed Houthis have disrupted global shipping through the Red Sea. Yemen's Houthi militia say they are retaliating against Israel's war against Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.

Companies are added to the U.S. Entity List when Washington deems them a threat to U.S. national security or foreign policy. Suppliers must then be granted licenses, which are likely to be denied, before shipping goods to entities on the list.

The two United Arab Emirates citations, Khalaj Trading LLC and Mahdi Khalaj Amirhosseini, were added for apparently violating Iran sanctions by exporting or trying to export items from the United States to Iran through UAE, according to the posting.

Four Chinese entities were cited for acquiring U.S. items to support China's military modernization efforts, it said. They are LINKZOL (Beijing) Technology Company, Xian Like Innovative Information Technology Company, Beijing Anwise Technology Company and Sitonholy (Tianjin) Company.

U.S.-Chinese military contacts resumed late last year, but tensions continue due to fundamental differences over Taiwan and the South China Sea that remain dangerous potential flashpoints.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pumped billions into buying and developing equipment as part of his modernizing efforts to build a "world-class" military by 2050, with Beijing's outsized defense budget growing at a faster pace than the economy for some years.
Hamass supreme leader Ismail Haniyeh said Wednesday that Israel had killed three of his sons and two of his grandchildren in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip.

Mideast news accounts said that Hazem, Ameer, and Mohammed Haniyeh were killed with other family members in the strike on a car they were driving near the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City. Ismail Haniyeh, who now lives in exile in Qatar, is originally from Shati.

He confirmed "the martyrdom of my three sons and some of my grandchildren in an interview with news channel Al-Jazeera but said that the deaths would not affect the militant groups demands in cease-fire negotiations with Israel. Hamas media reported two of Haniyeh's grandchildren were killed in the attack and a third wounded.

"Our demands are clear and specific, and we will not make concessions on them, Haniyeh told pan-Arab Al-Jazeera TV. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position."

There was no immediate comment about the attack from the Israeli military.

Hamas said Tuesday it was studying an Israeli cease-fire proposal but that it was "intransigent. Hamas has demanded that Israel withdraw all its troops from Gaza and end the war, which Israel has rejected.

Negotiations for a more limited cease-fire have extended for weeks without resolution. The U.S. pushed Hamas on Tuesday to accept terms for a six-week halt in the fighting, along with a return of some of the 100 or so hostages Hamas is holding in tunnels in Gaza in exchange for the release of several hundred Palestinians jailed in Israel.

Biden criticizes approach to war

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden said in an interview aired late Tuesday that he does not agree with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus approach to Israels war against Hamas, and that Israel should call for a halt in fighting to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries.

The Spanish-language network Univision interviewed Biden on April 3, two days after an Israeli attack killed seven staff members from the aid group World Central Kitchen in Gaza.

Biden said there is no excuse for not providing food and medical aid to the people of Gaza, and that those efforts should be done now.

What I'm calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a cease-fire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country, Biden said. I've spoken with everyone from the Saudis to the Jordanians to the Egyptians. They're prepared to move in. They're prepared to move this food in.

The White House said last week that Biden made similar points when he spoke with Netanyahu in a phone call, emphasizing that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Minister David Cameron said Tuesday that his country will not block arms sales by British companies to Israel.

"The latest assessment leaves our position on export licenses unchanged," Cameron said in Washington.

"Let me be clear, though, he added, we continue to have grave concerns around the humanitarian access issue in Gaza."

Israel declared war on Hamas after the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages. Israels subsequent counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 33,000 people, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the war could have ended months ago if Hamas had put down its guns, stopped hiding behind civilians and surrendered.

The top U.S. diplomat said Biden has been very clear about our concerns, our deep concerns about Israel's ability to move civilians out of out of harm's way to care for them in the event of an Israeli attack on the southern city of Rafah.

Blinken said he does not see anything imminent happening in Rafah and that he does not believe anything will occur before U.S. and Israeli officials meet next week.

The U.S. opposes the planned Rafah attack, with White House officials saying the Israelis have not shared an attack date with Washington.

Netanyahu said Monday an undisclosed date has been set for Israels military to invade Rafah on the Gaza-Egyptian border, a region where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering to try to remain safe. Netanyahu says an Israeli offensive is necessary to win its war against Hamas.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a Senate hearing Tuesday that a deadly famine in Gaza would likely accelerate violence and ensure a long-term conflict. The U.S. has continually pressed Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza to feed famished Palestinians.

Some international critics have contended that Israel is committing genocide with indiscriminate attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, taking little care for their safety as it hunts down Hamas militants.

But Austin dismissed the contention, saying, "We don't have evidence of that."

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
OTTAWA, ON, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - Federal budget 2024 is looming, and as we await news of the government's investment priorities, the health system remains under unprecedented strain. Consistent, focused investment to stabilize and rebuild our health systems will be needed over the next several years. A comprehensive plan with clear accountabilities will lead to meaningful transformation.

CMA logo (CNW Group/Canadian Medical Association (CMA))

We are calling on all levels of government to ensure investments into the health system are optimized to address remaining gaps to support the health and well-being of Canadians. A collaborative, constructive and focused effort on the part of the federal, provincial and territorial governments is needed to create meaningful change in how health care is planned for and delivered from coast to coast to coast. It's time to do the work in a transparent and accountable way so that Canadians can receive health care when and where they need it.

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is pleased that all provinces and territories have now signed bilateral health agreements with the federal government, complete with accountability measures and health data modernization metrics. We welcome the efforts of some jurisdictions to increase mobility of health workers, reduce administrative burden and create team-based care models.

Unfortunately, the same critical challenges remain:

6 million+ Canadians without a family physician or other primary care provider;

lengthy wait times for surgeries, and diagnostic and life-saving treatments; and

emergency departments across the country routinely operating well beyond capacity and hospitals well above full occupancy levels.

These are challenges in every province and territory in Canada. Years of neglect have led us to where we are today, and solutions cannot be implemented overnight. Our challenges will not be resolved in silos. Collaboration is needed.

The solutions to Canada's health crisis are many: investing in team-based care, implementing pan-Canadian licensure for physicians, reducing administrative burden, scaling virtual care, expediting training and licensing for international medical graduates and creating a national health workforce strategy. The CMA and other medical organizations continue to point to meaningful solutions to our current crisis and are here to help.

We know what needs to be done.

We need action. We need it now.

Dr. Kathleen Ross

CMA President

About the CMA

The Canadian Medical Association leads a national movement with physicians who believe in a better future of health. Our ambition is a sustainable, accessible health system where patients are partners, a culture of medicine that elevates equity, diversity and wellbeing, and supportive communities where everyone has the chance to be healthy. We drive change through advocacy, giving and knowledge sharing  guided by values of collaboration and inclusion.

Story continues

SOURCE Canadian Medical Association (CMA)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2024/10/c9798.html
Oh, you like podcasts? Sign up for Vultures new recommendation newsletter 1.5x Speed here. Photo-Illustration: Vulture

On December 17, 2005, a tremor rippled through New York City as two doofy white guys faux-rapped (or frapped) about mackin on Magnolia Cupcakes and hittin The Chronicles of Narnia on a formless weekend afternoon. The men in question are, of course, a young Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell, performing on the now-legendary digital short Lazy Sunday. The vid was written by the Lonely Island  the comedy trio of Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer, all early in their Saturday Night Live tenure  and produced as one of the very first SNL Digital Shorts. The video was well-received on the broadcast, but the thing burned through the cultural stratosphere after unofficial rips were uploaded to YouTube, then just mere months in existence. Those clips swiftly racked up previously unimaginable view counts, and Lazy Sunday became one of the first objects to achieve internet virality in the modern sense. You can bet that the three-minute-long video will feature prominently in The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast (an admirably generic title), which launched earlier this week with the premise of convening the trio to talk through their body of digital shorts.

Yeah, its another rewatch podcast, that still-ballooning genre featuring the actual participants of the object being reappraised. Such works essentially serve as extended oral histories, and good ones are mostly hard to come by. As a listener, I usually find it hard to navigate past the arbitrariness of the enterprise or, more pointedly, the emotional sense that nostalgia is a swamp; the past as a morass causing the people revisiting it to be forever stuck in place. When it works, though, its usually because the stories are good, the vibes are strong, and the project actually serves its function to situate you within the era around the work being discussed. Actually taking the history of oral history seriously, in other words.

The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast feels like its checking off those boxes, even at this early stage. The first episode is largely throat-clearing stuff, as it has to perform the customary task of swiftly establishing the trios oft-told origin story and path into SNL. But even then, somethings clicking, and it has plenty to do with Meyers, who serves here as de facto host, anchor, and interlocutor. Meyers, whom you can also find on the Apple Charts podcasting about vacations with his brother Josh on Family Trips, factors into this history because the Lonely Islands ascendance took place during his tenure as head writer (2006-2014); early in the first episode, he talks about the trios integration into SNL as a kind of pivot point for when he started to feel settled in the role.

But Meyers is also doing a lot of small things to keep the show from being unfocused or overly navel-gazey. One of the first stories told pertains to the ill-fated Spider-Man musical, Turn Off the Dark, which became this disastrous media spectacle in the run-up to its 2011 Broadway opening due to the litany of backstage accidents that took place during rehearsal; an unfortunate but unambiguously funny thing that became fodder for material in Meyerss writers room. The tale seems only tangentially related to the Lonely Island, a shaggy bit of shoot-the-shit on a hangout pod. Which is true, but in telling this story, Meyers is also establishing the scene and vividly conjuring the feeling of that particular moment in time: the mid-to-late 2000s stretch when we were not yet addicted to smartphones; when the superhero film genre was defined by very good movies by Sam Raimi and Christopher Nolan; when Magnolia Cupcakes were still hot commodities; and when three doofy guys could move the culture with a string of music parodies that were so phallic, so stupid, and so utterly sublime. For a certain layer within the once-scorned millennial generation (namely, mine, which was in college when those tracks were coming out), the Lonely Island was deeply formative. To my surprise, while writing this, I realize I can still recite more than a few Lonely Island bangers by memory: Im on a Boat, Dick in a Box, Motherlover, Jizz in My Pants, etc. What can I say? I was a teen boy once.

Indeed, when viewed from an angle, the trios discography can be said to be a distilled time-capsule bottling of American culture right before its descent into social-media hell. This further supports the historiographical interestingness of The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast. Lets go back to Lazy Sunday, which turned out to be equally noteworthy for comedy and internet historians alike. The shorts success cemented the trios standing within Saturday Night Live, and not only would they go on to function as SNLs bridge into digital ubiquity  just think about how many people primarily interface with the show on YouTube today instead of actually watching the broadcast  but their contributions would play a meaningful role in helping usher in a new age for the institution. (Not to overstate their impact, of course: This era was also defined by a cohort that included Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, and Fred Armisen, among others.)

Lazy Sunday was also a very early instance of a defining tension in what we now know as the platform economy. Back in December 2005, YouTube barely possessed name recognition, let alone a business model, when the short spread like wildfire on the service. YouTube would be acquired by Google for $1.6 billion less than a year later, partly off the cultural momentum and conversations about the digital videos power generated by the virality of Lazy Sunday, but the Lonely Island, SNL, and NBC would never directly benefit from the phenomenon they created. You couldnt kind of write a story about YouTube without mentioning us, Schaffer told Variety back in 2015, as part of an oral history celebrating the shorts ten-year anniversary. But we didnt end up selling Lonely Island to Google for $1.6 billion. In so many ways, the Lonely Island was at the precipice of things that made the world we know today, which makes this podcast a bit of oral history Im looking forward to digging into.

1.5x Speed: A Weekly Newsletter of Podcast Recommendations and Reviews Listening notes for the top shows, from Vultures critic Nick Quah. 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.
What is it with Apple TV+ sending its characters to space? First, there was Snoopy in Space, then Reese Witherspoon on The Morning Show, and now, seemingly, Maxine and Evelyn on Palm Royale. At least thats what this episodes opening moments, in which the pair are helming a NASA rocket, would lead us to believe. But rather than it being a dream sequence or colossal leap over the shark, it turns out that the duo are doing a simulation post-moon landing, which has given everybody in Palm Beach space fever.

As they look out at the vastness of faux outer space, Maxine calls it an endless horizon full of possibilities, while Evelyn thinks shes going to vomit. Those juxtaposing reactions mirror their respective thoughts on the destruction of Normas rolodex. When an elated Maxine tells her that everybody is finally free from the shackles of their secrets, Evelyn is horrified. Sure, everybody is free, but what exactly does freedom mean in the world of Palm Royale? And could that cause more problems than it solves? According to Evelyn, the rolodexs blackmail was an instrument for preventing societal collapse. It was the delicate thread tying their world together and dictating the rules of engagement, and without it? Everything crumbles and anarchy reigns.

Maxine tests that theory by gauging whether or not the women of Palm Beach would attend a consensual Beach Ball without the threats  but alas, no. In destroying what she perceived as the negative part of their high society, Maxine accidentally destroyed the parts that she liked as well, so now she has to try to put them back together. Luckily, she sees a glimmer of hope when the women tell her that their interest in the gala might be rekindled if a special guest of honor were to attend.

But who could that possibly be? Right on cue, Douglas tells Maxine that his and Perrys shoddy real-estate deal landed the Prince of Luxembourg as an investor, and we can practically see the light bulb go off above Maxines head. But when Douglas doesnt invite her to the business dinner, the show suddenly takes a turn into wacky sitcom territory, with Maxine trying to weasel her way into Douglass business to meet and invite the Prince to the Beach Ball. Harkening back to Lucy trying to get Ricky to let her perform at the Tropicana, Maxine hatches a scheme to show up to the dinner uninvited while dressed in the national colors of Luxembourg. But unfortunately, Dinah intercepts her before high jinks ensue.

Little do Douglas and Perry know that Maxines antics are the least of their concerns when it comes to spoiling this deal because the feminist group has already used the rolodex to send dirt on Perrys corrupt business practices to the Miami Herald. This is just the first domino to fall in their plan to use the rolodex to topple the patriarchy, but the good times come to a screeching halt when Evelyn storms in, furious that Linda destroyed the rolodex. This is news to the whole group. By acting in her own interest, Linda managed to piss off both sides of the spectrum. She tries to defend herself from Virginia, wondering who might get hurt along the way if they follow through with their plan. I dont know, maybe all the people whove been doing all the hurting up until now, Virginia shoots back before bringing up the fact that people assume that Linda gave her the money for the bookstore. With Virginia being the shows only Black character, Palm Royale is finally flirting with a conversation about the role race plays in their society. It barely scratches the surface and relies on implication more than anything, but at least theyre acknowledging the role Lindas privilege has in her decision. Shes still able to straddle the fence between the haves and have-nots, and Virginia doesnt have that luxury.

That being said, it might not be entirely fair to say that Linda made this choice solely for herself. Technically, I think it was also made for her ailing father, who she excitedly tells about the gun being destroyed. He tells her that shes finally free, but it seems like hes free too now. It feels like he was painfully hanging on to protect her out of fear that the gun would one day be found and hed have to deny that she shot him. Now, knowing that its really gone for good, he can die in peace without worrying about what will happen to his trigger-happy daughter. But what does this new freedom mean for Evelyn? Her entire marriage was tied together by this secret, so it makes sense that she didnt want everybody to be free of it. Skeet assures her that he has no interest in getting a divorce, adding, I will take care of you when the time comes. At first, I took this to mean that shell be taken care of in his will, but when Evelyn responded with, Is that a threat? I wasnt so sure. I think its entirely possible that Skeets statement was positive, and Evelyns response is just a reflection of how paranoid living under the constant threat of blackmail for 20 years has made her. Its like when an abused dog doesnt know how to be a pet.

Speaking of the threat of being exposed, Ann from the Shiny Sheet was finally able to confront Maxine about the discrepancies she discovered about her supposed pageant wins. I thought Maxines days of being an unreliable narrator were behind us, now theres new revelations? Apparently, when Ann looked up those records, Maxine wasnt listed as the winner at all. Instead, all of the names belonged to long-dead Palm Beach socialites  but the photos were Maxine. She tells Ann that she grew up a nobody in an orphanage, and all she had were the glamorous ladies of the Shiny Sheet. Much like Monica Garcia on the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Maxine watched and studied these fancy women from afar, using that information to scratch and claw her way into their orbit. And like the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, the women of the Palm Royale werent fooled so easily.

But the way this pageant inconsistency was being drawn out sounded like it was going to be something juicy. This is just anticlimactic, and even Ann agrees. Thats it? she says. Maxine thought this was some big bombshell that Ann was going to publish in an expose, but instead, she just stands up and tells Maxine to give her a hug. The one positive thing to come from this otherwise pointless digression is the budding friendship between Maxine and Ann, one of the few genuine, non-transactional ones she has in this town.

In fact, this is a great episode for Maxine making friends. Just look at her new GBF, Robert! Taking solace in the fact that he rejected her advances because hes gay (thats at least one reason), Maxine is able to come to peace with her former nemesis-turned-crush. So much so that during the episodes big space party, he sees that shes demoralized by failing to get the Prince of Luxembourg to come to the Beach Ball, so he brings her home and has a surprise for her. The invitations to the Beach Ball have already been sorted, and already include the blackmail that had been destroyed in the fire. This is just like when that Pixar animator saved Toy Story 2 by having a backup file saved on her home computer. Does this seem a little convenient? Yes, but thats Palm Royales way. In any case, the Beach Ball is saved, and she didnt even get the Prince to come  but somebody else did.

Robert kicks Maxine out to entertain a gentleman caller, who is none other than the Prince himself, whom he connected with at the space party. (Alexa, play Gay or European from the Legally Blonde: The Musical cast recording.) Im glad his royal highness is able to do some good in Palm Beach, because thus far hes come across like a scam artist. He refuses to take photos, wont come to the Beach Ball, and is collecting a fat check from Perry and Douglas for them to use his name on their death-trap condo. It seems to me like hes just some guy pretending to be a prince, and youd think that Maxine, who pulled a very similar stunt but not nearly as well, would be able to see through his ruse. Then again, real princes can scam, too, so who am I to doubt his royal title?

At the very end of the episode, as Linda does LSD with her dying father and a rocket gets launched into space, we find out what exactly Norma has been struggling to say for quite some time now. Ro, ro, ro, it sounds like, making Robert think it was her calling for him, while I suspected she was crying out for her beloved rolodex. But alas, as she stumbles over to the guns displayed on the wall and pulls one down, we find out she was saying, Revolver. Now Normas packing heat, but who the hell is the gun for? Her relatives-turned-captors? Linda, who destroyed her blackmail collection? Or, god forbid, herself? Ive spent this whole show praying for more Carol Burnet airtime, even citing her presence as the key ingredient that makes its tone make sense, so we better not be losing Norma just as shes finally entering the fold.

Shiny Sheet Headlines

 Its incredible timing for this space-themed episode to air during the week of the total solar eclipse. What other show is doing synergy with the moon?

 Unless theyre playing the long game, it feels like they dont know what to do with Kaia Gerber anymore, so they just have her pop up with a plate of hors doeuvres at all these galas to say hi.

 At the end of the episode, we find out that one of the women from the feminist groups husbands number was called in the draft, reminding us that theres a whole war going on. It feels fitting how little that comes up when were hanging out with the rich people, but now this new storyline will hopefully further underscore the divide between these two worlds.
The twins were born April 6, 1931 in Astoria, to Abraham Fredrik Lyla and Katherine (Sackrison) Sotka whose grandparents had immigrated to the United States from Finland. The couple settled in Eden Valley. Corliss and Norman graduated in 1949 from Naselle Grays River High School. Corliss married Joseph Edward Florek in November 1950 and Norman married Phyllis Rae Boldt in February 1951. Joseph and Corliss children are: Joseph Edward, Jerrold Samuel (deceased), Carolyn, Kristy, Katherine Joanne, John, Kenneth (deceased) and James. Norman and Phylliss children are Darrel, Diane and Marilyn. This story was written by Alta (Smith) Meserve who was the owner and editor of the Grays River Builder. The story ran in the Grays River Builder newspaper on July 29th 1937.

Grays River, Wa. The Sotka Family Story

One of the finest citizens of the Crooked Creek country is Abram Sotka. He is a man to whom much credit can be given for he is a self made

man in the strictest sense of the word. Abram Sotka was born in Finland and is the only survivor of a large family. In the year 1853 in which he was born there were no educational advantages for the poor and little for the rich. His father was a small farmer who eventually lost his farm and thereafter lived by day labor. The only school afforded him was a few weeks of Confirmation school. Even the rich were not very well served in those days. Mr. Sotka remembers when the first school was organized in his neighborhood but it was not for people like himself. He wisely decided to arrange his life along lines where there was greater opportunity and when he was 18 a brother who had come to the new country sent him a ticket and he started out with a group of his fellow countrymen bent on the same errand. They went first to England embarking at Liverpool. His ticket cost him about $40 to cross the ocean but a few years later when he came from Michigan to Astoria he paid $100 for a ticket. He was eighteen years old when he crossed the ocean. He went directly to Michigan where he worked in the mines and on the railroads until he had saved enough money to repay and join his brother in Astoria in 1882. In Astoria he fished and worked in a saw mill.

He was married in 1885 to Mary Tano. Mrs. Sotka was born in Sweden but they lived so close to the border of Finland that it was the most used language so she learned Finnish instead of Swedish. She was the middle one of eight children. All but three of them remained in Sweden but she came to America in 1884. She had been running a boarding house until their marriage. After their marriage the Sotkas remained for a time in Astoria but one morning decided to visit Gabriel Karvonen who lived at Crooked Creek. They were delighted with the place. It was quite to their liking and accordingly they bought 80 acres from him and found themselves farmers. There were already buildings and some clearing. A small house was down on the river bank and they had about 14 cows, a few sheep and other animals. To this they added 80 acres of school land which they purchased and these two tracts make the present Sotka farm. Clearing of land and keeping up their work kept them busy for quite some time and they were bothered quite a little by freshets which came up frequently and surrounded the house with water. It was so inconvenient that as soon as they could they built a new house (1906). This is the present Sotka home. It is roomy, comfortable type, one of the substantial kind that gives a family a feeling of pride and security. Peter Tervo and Mr. Lanto were the carpenters and you will find traces of their handiwork on many homes in this part of the country. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sotka are members of the Finnish Lutheran Church in Naselle and have always lived in such a way that they have carried the respect of their neighbors and have been of use to the community. He was always keenly interested in education as he had abundant opportunity for realizing its benefits. He was eighteen years a member of the school board. When he first became director they had five months of school which has gradually increased until they have now nine months. He was one of the first directors of the Lower Columbia Dairy Association and is still a director. He spoke of their earlier attempt to buy out the Osbourne creamery. Of their six children there are still four living and all occupy satisfactory places in the communities in which they live. Fred stays on the place with the old folks and assists in the management of the farm. He was married to Lila Sackrison and has two attractive children, a girl and a boy. Mrs. Sotka is a member of the famous Eden orchestra, playing one of the violins. Fred has been school director for many years. August Sotkas mind ran to civic duties and we find him one of the early road supervisors and after that he was County Commissioner. He built the road link connecting Rosburg and Crooked Creek and also the Rosburg bridge which afforded a connection for the people south of Rosburg with the Ocean Beach highway. He was in the spruce division of the service during the world war stationed at Tillamook. Miss Ida Junttila became his wife in 1921 and they have two daughters, Evelyn, who is ready for high school and Mae, a winsome miss of six. Mrs. August Sotka was one of the organizers of the Eden Orchestra. They live on their own farm which they purchased from Eric Junttila, an uncle of Mrs. Sotka and later they added 60 acres, which they bought from Fletcher Olmstead. Then there is Ernest. We cant say so much about him for he is an old bachelor and his case is similar to that of a mother when you say that you have said it all. His family still have hopes that he may make history some day and maybe he will. I didnt have the opportunity to get any details concerning that, only that he lives at home and helps with the farm and makes himself generally useful in the family and community. He and his brother built an electric system which furnishes adequate light and power for all their needs on the farm. They do not have electric extension into Crooked Creek but their privately owned power plant is very efficient, and their lights cost them nothing which is quite a satisfaction. The last of the Sotka children was a girl, Martha, who was a bride of last year and left the Eden community to live at Grays River when she became Mrs. Lloyd Worrel. She is a talented young lady being one of the leading pianists of that area. She took her first instruction from Mrs. Elmer Durrah and has been the pianist for the orchestra for many years. I talked to Mr. and Mrs. Sotka and the family in the evening and they looked so contented and free from care that I asked, How long since you have quit active farming? Havent quit yet, chorused the entire group. So I leave the picture with you of a man who began at the bottom and with his loyal helpful partner made the long hard climb to comfort, prosperity and security in their old age. Surrounded by their family and old neighbors they carry on from day to day equal to the tasks that come to them and able to enjoy a serene and comfortable old age. As the twilight thickens about them they can look back at their life with few regrets and the rest of us are glad to have them still with us and hope it may remain that way for many years yet to come. As transcribed by Wahkiakum County Historical Museum volunteer Evelyn (Morris) Huerd #610.
Looking at First National Financial Corporation's (TSE:FN ) insider transactions over the last year, we can see that insiders were net buyers. That is, there were more number of shares purchased by insiders than there were sold.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

Check out our latest analysis for First National Financial

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At First National Financial

The Co-Founder & Executive Chairman Stephen J. Smith made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for CA$9.8m worth of shares at a price of CA$33.06 each. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of CA$38.10. While it does suggest insiders consider the stock undervalued at lower prices, this transaction doesn't tell us much about what they think of current prices.

Stephen J. Smith purchased 699.73k shares over the year. The average price per share was CA$35.90. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

First National Financial is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Does First National Financial Boast High Insider Ownership?

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. It's great to see that First National Financial insiders own 38% of the company, worth about CA$870m. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

So What Do The First National Financial Insider Transactions Indicate?

It is good to see the recent insider purchase. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. Along with the high insider ownership, this analysis suggests that insiders are quite bullish about First National Financial. Looks promising! So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Our analysis shows 2 warning signs for First National Financial (1 is concerning!) and we strongly recommend you look at these before investing.

Story continues

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

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.
Italian trade unions to stage protest on Thursday over workplace deaths.

At least three people were killed and four are missing following an explosion at a hydroelectric power plant on Lake Suviana in northern Italy on Tuesday.

A search continues for the missing workers after the blast led to the partial collapse of the underground structure at Bargi, about 70 km south-west of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region.

Five workers were hospitalised, three of them with serious injuries, following the disaster which is believed to have been caused after a turbine exploded on the eighth floor underground.

The blast sparked a fire that led to the collapse of a ceiling and flooding at depths of up to 40 metres, making rescue efforts complicated and dangerous.

#Bologna, #esplosione in centrale idroelettrica di #Suviana: 100 #vigilidelfuoco, di cui 61 inviati in rinforzo dalle regioni limitrofe, impegnati nelle delicate operazioni di soccorso [#10aprile 7:30] pic.twitter.com/vE3QRxrQkQ  Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) April 10, 2024

The crew of technicians had been carrying out maintenance work on the plant which dates to the 1970s and is operated by Italian energy provider Enel.

The three Italian men killed by the explosion were aged 36, 45 and 73, according to local news reports.

Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday said she is following "the terrible news with concern", offering solidarity to the families of the victims and the injured, and thanking all those involved in the rescue effort.

The disaster has reignited a debate in Italy about workplace deaths and comes ahead of a day of strikes and protests on Thursday to highlight issues including safety in the workplace.

Photo Vigili del Fuoco
New stamp issued on Berlusconi's birthday.

Italy has issued a postage stamp in honour of the late four-time former prime minister and media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi who died last year aged 86.

The Italian postal service unveiled the stamp on Sunday 29 September, the birthday of Berlusconi, a controversial and divisive figure who dominated public life in Italy for decades.

There were 350,000 copies issued of the 1.25 stamp which shows a smiling Berlusconi against a backdrop of the flags of Italy and the European Union, along with "1936-2023" and "Italia".

The Italian government, of which Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia is a coalition partner, approved the initiative last year following his death.

Emesso oggi dal Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy un #francobollo commemorativo di Silvio Berlusconi, imprenditore e uomo di Stato, quattro volte Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri.@ipzs @mimit_gov



Visita la sezione #Filatelia del nostro sito: pic.twitter.com/pRZvvD2nvg  Poste Italiane (@PosteItaliane) September 29, 2024

In a statement released after news of the stamp was first announced, Forza Italia said it was a "fitting recognition of a great Italian who served and honoured the Republic in all the roles he held: entrepreneur, sportsman, political leader and statesman".

Berlusconi is among around a dozen figures being commemorated with stamps in Italy this year, including radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi on the 150th anniversary of his birth, Saint Thomas Aquinas on the 750th anniversary of his death, and opera composer Giacomo Puccini on the centenary of his death.

The release of the Berlusconi stamp comes days after Milan city council voted to appeal against the government's contentious decision to rename Malpensa airport in honour of the late premier.

Photo Poste Italiane
Dining chat: A waiter gave our anniversary bubbly to the table next to us. What should we have done?
The long-awaited Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) has started operating. Under the scheme, a payment of up to $150,000 can be made to consumers who have experienced misconduct and the business liable to pay compensation does not do so, usually because it has closed its doors.

The establishment of a compensation scheme was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry that uncovered widespread misconduct during its hearings in 2018.

Royal commissioner Kenneth Hayne recommended a compensation scheme of last resort. Credit: Eddie Jim

There had been a long history of misconduct, particularly by financial advisers and managed investment schemes. Clients of financial advisers, for example, were awarded compensation after receiving negligent advice, only to see the firms employing the advisers go into administration.

The victims, who were mainly older investors and retirees, were left with nowhere to turn, except, in some cases, through expensive legal action.
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 In the middle of lockdown, comedian Sam Kissajukian began painting his subconscious. Over a five-month period, Kissajukian  who had never painted before  produced an extraordinary 300 paintings, during what he would later learn was an extended bipolar manic episode. He tore through generations of genres: a self-portrait of himself aged 70, a Blue Period, a flirtation with cubism, a 60-centimetre nude of a fellow comedian titled A man trapped in a painting he doesnt understand. He made miniatures and dioramas and T-shirts and shadow puppets. Kissajukian painted with feathers. He painted his dreams. Kissajukians paintings sell for thousands of dollars. They have been acquired by Australian and international art collectors and exhibited at Brisbane Powerhouse and the Maitland Regional Art Gallery. A solo exhibition is planned in the UK later this year. But during the pandemic, Kissajukian was headed for a crash. Comedian and artist Sam Kissajukian. Credit: Wolter Peeters I was not sleeping and just painting non-stop, says Kissajukian, a mental health advocate and guest on People Like You, a podcast on complex mental illness launched this week by national mental health organisation SANE.

Advertisement

I felt I wanted to really communicate subconscious. And this is where things went awry and I became very manic because I started changing my sleep cycles every day so that I would lucid dream and be able to transcribe the imagery that I saw into the paintings. Kissajukian invented a digital 3D space gallery  the Museum of Modernia  to house the art with its own currency and internal logic (the business plan is art where every single step has to make me laugh). A US philanthropist invested in the concept. A construction site that never ends. Acrylic on canvas by Sam Kissajukian. Credit: Catherine Busia  The manic episode in isolation started entering into the real world and then it had this peak, catastrophic end where I lost all my money. I spent five or six months in a very severe depressive state, Kissajukian says. I wasnt able to think, I wasnt able to paint. All the projects that I had done, I was so embarrassed about. It was a difficult time, Kissajukian says, but also one of the best things that could have happened to him. I had been in denial that I needed help but thats when I went to a psychiatrist. In May 2022, Kissajukian was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental health condition that involves cycles of extreme high and low mood. Loading

Advertisement

I had a fear that people would label me as crazy, Kissajukian tells the People Like You podcast. But Ive realised the diagnosis is helpful for me because it gives people that dont understand my mental state a word to then make sense of me. Its a safe word for them because they say Sams behaviour can be explained. If I dont understand it, Im not going to label him crazy or psycho. He has bipolar. Liminal Wimmelbild by Sam Kissajukian. Credit: Catherine Busia People Like You is hosted by SANE ambassador Cameron Solnordal and features guests including Kissajukian, writer Elfy Scott, Aboriginal education specialist Dean Duncan and author Sandy Jeffs. An estimated 880,000 Australians over 18 are living with complex mental illness in any year, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, severe anxiety, OCD, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance-use disorders and eating disorders. Loading Ive lived with the diagnosis of schizophrenia for over 20 years and I can sit back and ask some of the questions that I know that people wont be too scared to answer or too reticent to answer because were all in the same boat with this one, Solnordal says.

Advertisement

Kissajukian was a stand-up comedian for 10 years before the pandemic and believes his bipolar was masked by the touring cycle. A gig like is like an adrenaline rush and then afterwards, you would crash, he says. I was just kind of crashing and peaking but over the longer tours, say three or four months, I would have a month or two where I would be very depressed afterwards. And I just thought that was the result of touring. Sam Kissajukian: 300 Paintings. Credit: Tony Palliser Kissajukian is now on medication, which he says has given him a level of stability, although he initially worried it would dampen his creativity. I thought I had to be manic to produce things. Actually, if I just focus on avoiding mania, which then would trigger depressive states, and try to stay in the middle, Im able to more consistently create and produce. Sure, its not as fast, but I also dont have to have those down periods where I cant produce anything. In late 2022, Kissajukian was invited to perform at the Sydney Fringe. I didnt know what to do, so I just literally told what happened over the last year with a slideshow. The show  300 paintings  won Best Comedy and Directors Choice Award at the Sydney Fringe and has since travelled to Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.

Advertisement

A second show  Museum of Modernia  walks the audience through the digital space museum Kissajukian invented towards the end of his five-month manic episode. Last month, it won the Mental Health Awareness Award at the Adelaide Fringe. The idea was to take people inside the mind, where its all my warped logic applied to everything, and you slowly have to learn, he says. It was like an escape room but of art. A psychiatrist who saw one of the shows said it was the best explanation of the bipolar mind he had ever heard. I was shocked at how many people related to it. Either people with bipolar or people who had been undiagnosed and related to the way of thinking. Kissajukian felt a responsibility to those who contacted him, including one man who told him he thought he had low-level demonic possession rather than bipolar disorder. Loading He has become an ambassador for SANE, providing information about bipolar disorder at his shows and recommending that people seeking assistance with mental illness contact the organisation. This information regarding the traits of manic and depressive episodes can be used to view the artworks, Kissajukian writes in his artist statement.
Nathan Templeton, a popular former reporter with Sevens morning show Sunrise, has been found dead in a park near the Barwon River in Geelong.

The 44-year-old is reported to have suffered a medical episode while walking his dog.

Seven reporter Nathan Templeton at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Credit: X

Police confirmed they were called to a park in Newtown, Geelong, on Tuesday at 2.30pm. Templeton was found dead at the scene.

His death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
The state has contributed $8 million, just over half of which is being spent on the interior. The rest of the cost is being borne by co-developer Nokturnl, which will hand the asset back to the state once it begins its 30-year tenancy deal. WAtoday understands Nokturnl will be up for $100,000 in rent per month  meaning the state governments additional investment in the hall should have paid for itself within five years. Plans for a renewal of Perths Yagan Square have been revealed. Credit: WA government Despite the negative publicity surrounding the Yagan Square dead zone and the anti-social behaviour it had attracted, Nokturnl directors Drew Flanagan and Ross Drennan said it was the precincts central location that drew them to the project.

And the pair, who led a tour of the new development on Wednesday, are positive the revamp will be enough to revitalise it. So, what went wrong? The precinct, named after a prominent Noongar leader, opened to much fanfare in March 2018. At the time, then-premier Mark McGowan said he believed the Barnett-era project would become Perths new beating heart. Instead, it became a major problem for his government. Food vendors began leaving the market hall in droves, with those indoors complaining that a lack of visibility and lower than anticipated foot traffic had left them with little choice.

And those issues were only exacerbated by the pandemic. It also became a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, gaining the nickname fight square and a mobile police booth offering around the clock security. Planning Minister John Carey alongside Nokturnl directors Drew Flanagan and Ross Drennan. Credit: Jesinta Burton By 2022, the state government had called on the industry to come forward with tender submissions and lead a major redevelopment of the empty market hall. Nokturnls directors, the state government and planning professionals agree the primary issue was the market halls complete lack of visibility, as well as a lack of direct access.

Loading How have they fixed it? And will the changes be enough? Drennan said the companys tender centred around activating the heart of the precinct and ensuring passersby knew what was actually there  and adding a rooftop bar. Now, he says the hospitality hub is pretty hard to miss. Youll see hundreds of people on the different levels, and we hope that curiosity will bring people in and keep drawing them back, he said.

A crucial factor buoying visitation will be the foot traffic generated by the adjacent Edith Cowan Universitys new city campus development when it opens its doors to between 8000 and 10,000 students in 2026. Drennan believes that foot traffic will make a significant difference, as will the live events already in the pipeline. Obviously, there has been a lot of discussion around the existing challenges Yagan Square has had over recent years, he said. But if you look around at the amount of activity happening in the area, the second the doors are open, and its being used, and the ECU is finished across the road, I think itll be a completely different space. The state government is at pains to remind everyone the development was the brainchild of its predecessor, but Carey is adamant the revamp the McGowan/Cook government has spearheaded will make it work.

ECU City will extend from Perth Busport to Yagan Square. Carey defended the state governments multi-million dollar spend on yet another project redo, which comes as the state prepares to right a historic wrong by aiding the transformation of the 20-year-old Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and dragging it to the river. And he said the fact Yagan Square was situated in a critical part of the city meant the additional investment was almost non-negotiable. The reality is that I cant have it sitting here empty and not being used, were fixing it, he said. When it opens, this will be bustling with people  something that wasnt achieved previously.

We see that this [redevelopment] is needed if we want to make Yagan Square work and Nokturnl have runs on the board they are credible hospitality providers, and we have full confidence that this time, with the investment, with the redesign, we can make this successful. You are seeing investment right in the heart of the city... but Im very confident that the redevelopment of Yagan Square will address some of the previous and current issues and bring a lot more people to the heart of the city. When asked about the City of Perths contribution to the project, Nokturnl director Drew Flanagan praised the council for helping to guide the team through the development approvals process. But Carey was quick to point out it was being paid for out of the states coffers and ensure the city could not claim credit for the developments progress, including its Lord Mayor-turned-political opponent Basil Zempilas. While the City of Perth claims credit for these types of projects, they are not actually making any financial contribution, he said.
Flow Capital Corp.

TORONTO, ON, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Flow Capital Corp. (TSXV:FW) (Flow Capital), a leading provider of flexible growth capital and alternative debt solutions, announces a follow-on investment in an existing portfolio company, MiniLuxe Holding Corp. (TSXV:MNLX) (MiniLuxe or the Company).

The additional capital infusion of US$2.0M will be used for working and growth capital. Since Flow Capitals initial investment of US$2.5M in 2021, MiniLuxe has demonstrated impressive growth, expanding its studio fleet footprint and continuing to deliver industry-leading innovation in its products & services.

This follow-on investment further underscores our firms strong conviction in MiniLuxes mission and business, their leadership team, and their ability to capitalize on the current opportunity set. We are enthusiastic about the Companys outlook for 2024 and beyond, said Alex Baluta, CEO of Flow Capital.

We appreciate Flow Capitals business model and are pleased to expand our partnership while refinancing the maturity of our initial debt with Flow to 2027. The flexibility of having a non-amortizing loan facility with very few covenants allows us to have optionality on how we best use this incremental capital across both working capital needs and strategic investment opportunities, said Tony Tjan, CEO of MiniLuxe.

Flow Capital continues to focus on helping high-growth companies achieve their objectives by providing fast access to growth capital. Flow Capital invites growing technology companies, seeking covenant-light founder-friendly growth capital, to apply for funding directly on their website at www.flowcap.com/apply .

About Flow Capital

Flow Capital is a diversified alternative asset investor and advisor, specializing in providing minimally dilutive capital to emerging growth businesses. For more information on Flow Capital, please visit www.flowcap.com .

About MiniLuxe

MiniLuxe a Delaware corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts. MiniLuxe is a lifestyle brand and talent empowerment platform servicing the beauty and self-care industry. The Company focuses on delivering high-quality nail care and esthetic services and offers a suite of trusted proprietary products that are used in the Companys owned-and-operated studio services. For over a decade, MiniLuxe has been elevating industry standards through healthier, ultra-hygienic services, a modern design esthetic, socially responsible labor practices, and better-for-you, cleaner products. MiniLuxes aims to radically transform a highly fragmented and under-regulated self-care and nail care industry through its brand, standards, and technology platform that collectively enable better talent and client experiences. For its clients, MiniLuxe offers best-in-class self-care services and better-for-you products, and for nail care and beauty professionals, MiniLuxe seeks to become the employer of choice. In addition to creating long-term durable economic returns for our stakeholders, the brand seeks to positively impact and empower one of the most diverse and largest hourly worker segments through professional development and certification, economic mobility, and company ownership opportunities (e.g., equity participation and future franchise opportunities). Since its inception, MiniLuxe has performed over 3.5 million services.

Story continues

For further information, please contact:

Flow Capital Corp.

Alex Baluta

Chief Executive Officer, Flow Capital Corp.

alex@flowcap.com

47 Colborne Street, Suite 303,

Toronto, Ontario M5E 1P8





MiniLuxe Holding Corp.

Christine Mastrangelo

Corporate Secretary and Investor Relations, MiniLuxe Holding Corp.

 cmastrangelo@miniluxe.com

www.miniluxe.com

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Companys beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Companys control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements 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 may contain statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, will continue, will occur or will be achieved. The forward-looking information contained herein may include, but is not limited to, information relating to the current or prospective performance of one or more of the Companys investments and the book value per common share of the Company.

An investment in securities of the Company is speculative and subject to a number of risks including, without limitation, risks relating to: the need for additional financing; the relative speculative and illiquid nature of an investment in the Company; the volatility of the Companys share price; the Companys ability to generate sufficient revenues; the Companys ability to manage future growth; the limited diversification in the Companys existing investments; the Companys ability to negotiate additional royalty purchases from new investee companies; the Companys dependence on the operations, assets and financial health of its investee companies; the Companys limited ability to exercise control or direction over investee companies; potential defaults by investee companies and the unsecured nature of the Companys investments; the Companys ability to enforce on any default by an investee company; competition with other investment entities; tax matters, including the potential impact of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act on the Company; the potential impact of the Company being classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company; the Companys ability to pay dividends in the future and the timing and amount of those dividends; reliance on key personnel, particularly the Companys founders; dilution of shareholders interest through future financings; and general economic and political conditions; as well as the risks discussed in the Companys public filings. 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 and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

In connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Assumptions about the performance of the Canadian and U.S. economies over the next 24 months and how that will affect the Companys business and its ability to identify and close new opportunities with new investees are material factors that the Company considered when setting its strategic priorities and objectives, and its outlook for its business.

Key assumptions include, but are not limited to: assumptions that the Canadian and U.S. economies relevant to the Companys investment focus will remain relatively stable over the next 12 to 24 months; that interest rates will not increase dramatically over the next 12 to 24 months; that the Companys existing investees will continue to make royalty payments to the Company as and when required; that the businesses of the Companys investees will not experience material negative results; that the Company will be able to successfully integrate and grow the businesses of its predecessor companies; that the Company will continue to grow its portfolio in a manner similar to what has already been established; that tax rates and tax laws will not change significantly in Canada and the U.S.; that more small to medium private and public companies will continue to require access to alternative sources of capital; that the Company will have the ability to raise required equity and/or debt financing on acceptable terms; and that the Company will have sufficient free cash flow to pay dividends. The Company has also assumed that access to the capital markets will remain relatively stable, that the capital markets will perform with normal levels of volatility and that the Canadian dollar will not have a high amount of volatility relative to the U.S. dollar. In determining expectations for economic growth, the Company primarily considers historical economic data provided by the Canadian and U.S. governments and their agencies. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements.

The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. All subsequent written and oral forward- looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.

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.




Proposed deportation laws would be relaxed under changes favoured by the Coalition to make it easier for relatives from blacklisted countries to come to Australia, as the Albanese government faces a backlash from migrant communities.

Some MPs have received more than 500 emails from voters concerned about the bill now before a Senate inquiry to ban entire nationalities from coming to Australia unless their government accepts the involuntary return of its citizens.

The powers  which Labor failed to rush through parliament last month  were in part a response to a crucial High Court case to be heard next week that could release a second group of migrants into the community if indefinite detention is deemed illegal for those who refuse to co-operate with being deported.

The government expects to win the case, but was mistaken about its prospects in the November High Court decision that made indefinite detention illegal for those with no prospect of deportation, with Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil telling Sky News she had been advised the government would probably succeed.
In his role as chairman Warren East is expected to oversee the modernisation of NATS' various tech systems - Rolls Royce/PA

The former boss of Rolls-Royce has been appointed chairman of Britains air traffic control provider as the embattled organisation seeks to repair its reputation.

Warren East will take the helm of NATS, formerly known as National Air Traffic Services, after a meltdown of the companys systems in August that caused chaos at the countrys biggest airports.

The veteran executive previously ran jet engine maker Rolls from 2015 to 2022, having previously been chief executive of chip designer Arm Holdings.

During his time at Rolls, Mr East spent most of his tenure steering the company through costly problems with its Trent 1000 engines and the financial impact of the pandemic.

He is set to replace Dr Paul Golby, who has been chairman of NATS for the past decade, in September.

The departure of Mr Golby comes after NATS was criticised by airlines for its handling of a system failure that affected 700,000 passengers over the August bank holiday.

A review of the incident, published last month, concluded that the IT problems had been prolonged because NATS engineers were working from home.

Mr Easts appointment could raise speculation about the position of Martin Rolfe as chief executive of NATS, who has faced calls to resign from budget carrier Ryanair.

NATS boss Martin Rolfe has clashed with airline bosses including Ryanair's Michael O'Leary - Dorset Media Service / Alamy Stock Photo

On Wednesday, Mr Rolfe said he was looking forward to working with Mr East, adding: His knowledge and insight into the aviation sector, the role of critical UK infrastructure and the experience he has of technology-led transformation will be enormously valuable.

Mr East said: Aviation is vital to our society and economy, and the essential infrastructure which NATS provides underpins that important function.

The next decade or so brings huge challenges alongside multiple possibilities as the sector faces the necessity of the energy transition together with the opportunities presented by advancing technology.

Im delighted to be joining NATS to work with the board and the NATS team as we navigate through this exciting and crucial period.

He is expected to oversee the modernisation at NATS as the company  which manages some of the most crowded skies in the world  upgrades its various systems to make flying more efficient.

NATS is a public-private partnership partially owned by airlines, including British Airways and easyJet, pension funds and the Government.

However, following last summers IT meltdown, the company has clashed with airlines repeatedly.

Ryanair boss Michael OLeary has accused Mr Rolfe of mismanagement and incompetence and called for the chief executive to be sacked.

Story continues

Mr Rolfe declined to respond to criticism during a parliamentary committee hearing last year.

He said: For me to respond directly would normalise this behaviour as a way of doing business, which is not something that any responsible business leader would want to 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.
Markus Krebber, CEO of the energy company RWE, speaks at the annual press conference at Group headquarters. According to RWE CEO Markus Krebber, the high prices for imported liquefied natural gas make a recovery of German industry to the level before the Ukraine war unlikely. Bernd Thissen/dpa

Germany industry is unlikely to fully recover from the energy crisis caused by the Ukraine war because of high prices for imported liquefied natural gas, said the head of energy multinational RWE Markus Krebber.

"Gas prices in continental Europe, especially in Germany, are structurally higher now, because we, in the end, depend on LNG imports, Krebber told the Wednesday edition of the Financial Times.

German industry is at a disadvantage, he added. "Youre going to see a bit of recovery, but I think were going to see a significant structural demand destruction in the energy-intensive industries," Krebber told the paper.

European gas prices have collapsed by 90% compared to the record levels of 2022. However, they are above the average values before the crisis and therefore almost two thirds higher than at the same time in 2019, according to the commodity price agency Argus.

Germany had to say goodbye to natural gas supplies from Russia due to the Russian war against Ukraine.

Krebber believes that the decision by then chancellor Angela Merkel in 2011 to shut down nuclear power plants without replacing the fuel with an energy source other than Russian pipeline imports was a mistake.

"When you know exactly what you want to shut down, you need to immediately start thinking about how do I get the new technology in the ground?" he pointed out.
Svenja Schulze German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, speaks on aid for Ukraine after the meeting of the Federal Cabinet in the Chancellery. Michael Kappeler/dpa

The German government proposed a 15-point package of support for Ukraine's economic reconstruction in a new paper released on Wednesday.

The proposed measures are centred on financial subsidies and low-interest loans for small- and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine as well as investment guarantees for German companies interest in doing business there, the Development Ministry announced on Wednesday.

The ministry said it is working with the Ukrainian government to create a financial institution for rebuilding Ukraine modelled after the Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW), a state-owned investment bank formed after World War II to rebuild West Germany.

"Ukraine needs more than weapons to survive this war. It is also important that the economy continues to function and that the country can finance reconstruction," said Development Minister Svenja Schulze.

She said that West Germany's experience with the KfW credit institution showed that favourable financing for small- and mid-sized companies is one of the most effective measures for reconstruction.

The KfW, Schulze said, was "an enabler of the economic miracle of the 1950s and 1960s."

The World Bank currently estimates the costs of reconstruction in Ukraine at around $486 billion.

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said that every opportunity should be used to help the Ukrainian economy in these difficult times and to open up prospects for growth and investment.

"Public funds alone will not be enough for reconstruction. That is why the German government is focusing on involving the private sector more in the reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine," Habeck said.

The issues paper is a contribution to the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will take place in Berlin on June 11 and 12. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are jointly hosting the conference.
Gordon Deegan

A businessman has paid out 1,500 in child maintenance arrears to avoid being sent to prison  but only after a judge sent him to the courthouse cells for 30 minutes to allow the man to reflect.

At the Family Law Court, the man paid out the 1,500 in maintenance arrears for his two children after Judge Alec Gabbett said he was satisfied that the man has significant funds in his company account where the firm was able to generate average annual revenues of over 100,000.

In January, Judge Gabbett rejected the mans court application to have the 300 maintenance per week reduced and told the man that he has a report "that tells me that you are living in a spacious five-bedroomed house and your ex-wife is living in a vermin-infested house with your two children.

Prior to Judge Gabbett ordering the man into custody on Wednesday afternoon, the man was offering to pay 300 towards the arrears and was seeking a week to come up with a payment plan for the arrears.

Judge Gabbett told solicitor for the man, Tara Godfrey: He is not going to fool me. His company could discharge the entire 1,500 liability if he wanted to.

Ms Godfrey said that her client is not going to take the money from the company to pay the arrears.

In response, Judge Gabbett said: That demonstrates to me exactly the nature of the man, and he is going to do exactly as he sees it.

This man simply thinks he can do what he wants to do.

The judge continued: I am not satisfied at all with 300, and I think it is time that he went into custody and saw the inside of a cell. This man simply thinks he can do what he wants to do.

Judge Gabbett said all the chaff presented to him about the mans personal finances is designed to put me off the target and he is not going to put me off. I am on the target.

I want that money and I want it today. He is custody now, as far as I am concerned, and he can go to the cells.

Judge Gabbett said that the man lives in a house valued at 370,000 and has a healthy business.

There are sufficient funds in the company to discharge the order, the judge said.

Judge Gabbett said that there was a significant amount of money in the company and he is paying himself the minimum amount from the company to avoid paying maintenance.

Ms Godfrey rejected that this was the case and the man told the court that he has paid himself the same wage for the past four years.

Ms Godfrey said the man had been paying the 300 in maintenance per week from November 10th to February 23rd and had been paying 150 a week since.

After a 20-minute adjournment after Judge Gabbett sent the man to the cells, Ms Godfrey returned to court to say that her client has been able to pay the 1,500.

Judge Gabbett said he was satisfied that the man has purged his contempt with the payment of 1,500 but said that he was concerned over the man's wilful contempt of the court offer prior to that.
High Court reporters

Cyril "Dublin Jimmy" McGuinness worked for and was friendly "all his life" with former billionaire Sean Quinn, the deceased gangster's brother Fran McGuinness told the High Court.

Cyril, who was suspected of a number of attacks on former Quinn business premises following the collapse of the Quinn empire, including masterminding the abduction of Kevin Lunney, also lived in a Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, property once owned by Mr Quinn, Fran McGuinness said.

Truck dealer Mr McGuinness (62), originally from Pinnock Hill, Swords, Co Dublin, and currently living on the Dublin Road, Newry, Co Down, claims he has been the victim of Garda harassment over several years simply because of his brother.

"I believe that in the absence of getting him (Cyril) that I was on the side of the Swords Road and I was their second choice", he said.

Mr McGuinness is suing the Garda Commissioner and the State over what he says was the unlawful search of his truck business premises next door to the former family home at Pinnock Hill in Swords on August 23rd, 2014.

He claims the gardai wrongly associated him with the Quinn attacks and that information used to swear the warrant for the search was untrue.

He claims gardai caused unnecessary damage to two gates to the premises by using an acetylene torch and seized important documents for his UK truck trading companies. They also took envelopes containing 2,000 and 1,800 which were commission payments for other traders which he later had to make up for, he said.

The defendants deny the claims, say the search was lawful, that there were no envelopes containing money and that copies of other documents seized were returned to him.

Mr McGuinness said he had been estranged from Cyril for many years before his death. His brother collapsed and later died of a cardiac arrest following a police raid of Cyril's Derbyshire, England, home in 2019.

Mr McGuinness told his counsel Eanna Mulloy SC, instructed by John Geary Solicitor, that the August 2014 search came after a number of incidents between 2008 and 2012 when gardai seized some 15 vehicles in total along with other property, some of which was later returned.

He brought court proceedings over these seizures but there were so many of them now he did not know how they were going, he said.

There was "bad blood" between him and the gardai "but I did not donate anything", he said. He believed the fact that Cyril was his brother was "the driving force" behind the Garda attention on him.

Under cross-examination by Gerard Clarke SC, for the defendants, Mr McGuinness said it was not unusual at all for him leaving around two envelopes containing large amounts of cash in the unlocked office portacabin of his easily accessible premises at Pinnock Hill.

Asked by counsel what complaints he wanted dealt with, he said he wanted the court to deliver me some satisfaction in relation to the police cutting down my gates and taking my property, as well as over what he said was Garda harassment for the last 30 years.

They made an allegation that hey could connect me with the arson attacks on the Quinn property and I had nothing to do with it, he said.

Document copies

He also said the first he knew that copies of every document seized in the search had been returned to his solicitor in 2014 was on Tuesday in court.

Asked by counsel and the judge to explain why he had introduced Cyril into the case, he said he wanted to make the court aware of the background to the 2014 search.

He said Cyril was a person of notoriety and they suspected him of being involved in the arson of the Quinn property.

Counsel said he was quite notorious and there were many newspaper stories that he was supposed to be the mastermind behind the campaign against the former Quinn property.

He replied: Does that make it true. He was friendly with Sean Quinn all his life and he worked for him as a subcontractor and lived in Derrylin in a property once owned by Sean Quinn.

I am not and never was my brothers keeper, and I am saying that is why I have been subjected to Garda harassment.

He accepted he had several convictions for road traffic offences, including disqualifications for dangerous and careless driving. He had referred to himself in an affidavit as having an unblemished record, but that was because at the time he did not think motoring offences affected his standing.

There are none for arson because that is what your clients (gardai) believe I was involved in, he said.

The case continues before Mr Justice David Nolan.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said formal recognition of Palestine by Ireland will happen.

Speaking in the Dail, Micheal Martin said he was bringing a formal proposal on the recognition of Palestinian statehood to Government.

The Government had previously said it was working with other European countries on a joint declaration of recognition for Palestine.

On Tuesday, Mr Martin said: For the past six months, Ive maintained ongoing discussions with ministerial colleagues and other countries about how a joint formal recognition of Palestinian statehood could be a catalyst to help the people of Gaza and the West Bank, and in furthering an Arab-led peace initiative.

Weve agreed that the undermining of the Oslo Accords and therefore the agreement to create two states has reached the point where the accords approach with recognition after a final agreement is not credible or tenable any longer.

Ive discussed this with those in the region who are working on peace initiatives and co-ordination with other countries continues intensively.

Weve discussed this between the government parties and it is my intention to bring to Government a formal proposal on recognition when these wider international discussions are complete.

Mr Martin, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs, added: But be in no doubt, recognition of a Palestinian state will happen.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin was speaking shortly after a Cabinet reshuffle by the new Taoiseach Simon Harris (Maxwell Photography/PA)

He was speaking following a Cabinet reshuffle by new Taoiseach Simon Harris.

Outlining his own priorities, Mr Martin said there was a desperate overwhelming need to return some hope to Gaza.

While saying he was realistic about the limits of what Ireland could reasonably be expected to achieve by itself, the minister said the Governments position has been widely acknowledged and appreciated.

Mr Martin noted that Ireland had defended the work of UNWRA, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and decided to intervene in the ICJ case filed by South Africa.

He said: I have said very directly and in person to the Israeli government that the shocking crimes of Hamas and the need to secure the release of the hostages cannot justify the scale and terrible humanitarian catastrophe of the war it is waging.

I am in no doubt that war crimes have been committed and I utterly condemn the ongoing bombardment of the Gazan people.

I have ensured that we worked on behalf of the victims of this terrible war  the hostages and the people of Gaza.

Mr Martin said he had taken an approach of building international alliances through direct diplomacy, rather than angry speeches and unilateral action.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (Niall Carson/PA)

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said Irelands recognition of Palestinian statehood should happen now.

She said: Taoiseach, I also want to put it to you that you put your money where your mouth is on the issue of Palestine.

The Israeli slaughter and war crimes in Gaza continue as we speak  they are broadcast live.

And words are not enough, condemnation is not enough. Action is needed.

So recognition of the state of Palestine has to happen now. Why the delay? Why the equivocation? Its long past time that this was done.

She also called on the Government to implement the Occupied Territories Bill, which would prohibit trade and economic co-operation in illegal settlements deemed occupied under international law.
Children in Belmullet, Newport, Louisburgh and Westport will welcome a first-of-its-kind creative roadshow led by Laureate na nOg Patricia Forde next week.

The Whole Wild World Bus Tour will bring over 30 childrens authors and illustrators on a 1,400km journey along the Wild Atlantic Way, gifting a book for every kilometre to children at events on the way.

Belmullet Library will host an as Gaeilge event for 170 school pupils on Thursday, April 18 where they will hear from Patricia Forde and former Laureate na nOg and childrens author Aine Ni Ghlinn;

Other special guests and speakers include Maire Zepf, author of the Rita picture book series, Chris Haughton, creator of picture books including Little Owl Lost and Oh No, George!; and Jane Mitchell, author of Run for your Life which is shortlisted for the KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards 2024.

The tour will visit Newport National School, Books at One in Louisburgh and Tertulia Books in Westport before travelling onto Galway.

Laureate na nOg is an initiative of the Arts Council, which is managed and delivered on their behalf by Childrens Books Ireland, and also supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Patricia Forde stated she is very excited at the prospect of meeting young readers and writers in Mayo next week.

This tour is about igniting imaginations and ensuring that Mayo will have another generation of great writers and illustrators by bringing books and their creators to an audience that doesnt often get a chance to meet them in their own local area," she said. "We will have exciting Irish authors and illustrators on board, hoping to inspire and to be inspired, to share stories and have lots of fun."

Meanwhile, Elaina Ryan, CEO of Childrens Books Ireland insisted it is so important that our small towns, rural communities and more remote schools get access to really exciting and memorable experiences with Irish childrens books.

"Patricia Forde is our first Laureate na nOg from the West of Ireland, and her goal with the Whole Wild World Bus Tour is to make sure that young readers all along the west coast get to meet some of our most talented writers and illustrators and nurture the spark of creativity within themselves," she added.

The Whole Wild World Tour will visit schools, libraries, and cultural venues in a further five counties over a two-week period, concluding at Kinsale Library in Cork on Sunday, April 28.

The full route and schedule, with booking information, can be found at www.childrenslaureate.ie.
The new series of An Ril Deal is nearing the finale as TG4 and Adare Productions search for the next big thing in the world of Irish dancing and there is lots of Mayo interest.

Fantastic performers of all styles of traditional dance entertain viewers over eight episodes on the show; from Step dancers, Sean-Nos dancers to Set dancers, even a fusion of styles can be seen as they battle it out in the hopes of reaching the finale to be crowned winners of An Ril Deal.

The sixth episode features exciting entertainer Grainne O'Toole from Louisburgh

There are no age restrictions on the dancers- young and old and everything in between are showing us their moves.

The sixth episode next Sunday features exciting entertainers from Mayo  Grainne O' Toole, from Louisburgh, and Atlantic Waves based in Crossmolina, Moffatt School of Irish Dance.

Mayo entertainers Atlantic Waves have a very entertaining and impressive dancing style

The episode also features Dublin performers Caitlin Clarke (Donnybrook, originally from San Francisco), Scoil Rince Aisling Keogh (Drimnagh), Derry dancer Molly OHagan (Swatragh) Belfast stars Ellie Holmes and Youcef Belouazani (World champion Irish dancer-Lenadoon) and Donegal talent Aleksandr Manziuk (Milford, originally from Ukraine).

Atlantic Waves based in Crossmolina, Moffatt School of Irish Dance will feature on the TG4 television show on Sunday evening

Keeping a close eye on all the talented hopefuls are the three judges, all experts in the Irish dancing field Labhras Sonai Choilm Learrai and Ronan OConnell, from Galway, and Maynooth-native Una Ni Fhlatharta.

This is the ultimate free-for-all Irish dance competition and a celebration of all the Irish dancing traditions.

An Ril Deal started on March 10 and it is airing over eight weeks every Sunday at 8.30pm on TG4 and on the TG4 Player - TG4.ie.
This column comes with a health warning. It will be a bit heavy for some of you and if it is as hard to read as it is to write then we could all be in trouble. In recent times, I have been pondering some of the great conundrums of this world we live in. Where we live here in Ireland and as part of the EU with, of course, our friends across the pond, we like to style ourselves as the West or the Free World. It is a bit of propaganda that underpins and promotes the notion that democracy and especially liberal democracies are the only proper way to run the world and so we dictate terms to the rest of the world and particularly to Russia and China.

Its fair to say that we are doing OK here. In a materialistic sense, we would probably score an eight out of ten. On social justice, we could score perhaps a six out of ten, on humanitarianism, perhaps five out of ten, on the distribution of wealth, perhaps two out of ten and on climate action, maybe one out of ten - though that could yet prove to be generous.

While we glorify democracy as a success story, across the world there are nations and countries, many of whom are committed to democracy as a system of government who do not see the same benefits as the West enjoys. How can this be? Exploitation is one part of the answer. Since the dawn of time, the strong have exploited the weak. Countries with considerable resources, even to this day, are at the mercy of those with even more commercial clout.

Russia, China and India are strong enough to stand on their own two feet. They have the resources and particularly in the case of China, the manpower. They dont have to bow to the West, they dont have to request any favours. They can see for themselves how best they can plan to expand so that their economies remain in a position to compete. They are doing, perhaps on a different scale and at a different pace, what the West has been doing for the best part of a century.

Captain Boyle in OCaseys Juno and the Paycock put it succinctly, "the whole world is in a state of chassis". And that sums up where we are now. War is raging in Ukraine, Gaza, the Sudan and to a lesser extent in quite a number of countries (Haiti, Yemen, Lebanon comes to mind) around the world. And apart from Ukraine nobody seems to care, nobody from this wonderful world of democracy is prepared to take an initiative to defuse this powder keg.

So whats the problem? Why is Ukraine so special? Why does the West invest billions of dollars to assist Zelensky? It would be fine if the billions were going into rebuilding the country but most of the money is invested on bombs, ammunitions and the accoutrements of war. The main beneficiaries of this spending are the arms manufacturers in the US, the UK, France, Germany, The Netherlands and even Ireland.

The same is true of the arms industries in Russia and China. The arms manufacturers have a vested interest in war. It would be interesting to learn who has a vested interest in arms manufacturing. We hear much about corruption in practically every country where an election takes place and so the question is could the arms industry be free of corruption?

Could democracy be corrupt? Now theres an interesting question. Even if it is not corrupt, it is hardly a concept we can proudly support. Is Putins 80% vote in Russia any less corrupt or requiring of scrutiny than what we witnessed following the last US Presidential election? No disrespect to either of the current putative candidates in the US presidential race but surely the people of the US deserve better.

Could there be a bigger problem? It takes millions of dollars (a billion!) to contest the Presidential election in the US. Capitalism is the means whereby most of this money is raised. Can any corruption be linked to these donors, many of whom contribute inordinate amounts of money to these campaigns? Capitalism separates the very wealthy from the very poor and capitalism continues to guarantee inequality between the people and countries. George Bernard Shaw, himself a pacifist and opposed to the arms industry, posed the question in his play Major Barbara - what price salvation now? If he was around today he might rephrase the question: what price Capitalism now?

Freedom of speech

Some months back, Sabina Higgins, the wife of our esteemed President, Michael D Higgins, had the temerity to suggest, in a letter to The Irish Times that until such time as President Putin and President Zelensky sat down to talk, the killing and destruction in Ukraine (mostly) and Russia would continue. It was and remains a valid observation. History teaches us that all wars end with some sort of negotiated settlement.

Unsurprisingly, the so-called world powers took no notice of Ms Higginss controversial suggestion. It was left to the usual suspects here to take aim at her and at the President for not exercising more control over his errant spouse. Her right to freedom of expression was defended by some, but in the main, the commentary was entirely negative - it was not her place, she should not have posted on the Aras website, she overstepped the mark, she failed to point the criminal finger at Putin, she failed to honour Zelensky, etc etc. And, as per usual, the criticisms came from the media, those great defenders of free speech, the politicians and the learned members of the legal profession.

The people, also known as the general public, did not really get engaged or enraged. Their silence could be attributed to the fact that they had more pressing matters on their minds or that they could well have agreed with the view of the Presidents wife. We wont ever know now because the hoi polloi of Irish society consigned a legitimate issue expressed by a woman of some importance to the dustbin, put the lid on it and said there now Ms Higgins, stay in your place. The upshot of this mildly controversial episode is that Ms Higgins has been muzzled.

More recently, Pope Francis, in an interview, gave it as his view that Ukraine and Russia should sit down and work out a negotiated settlement of the war. The Pope of Rome does not have the clout that he once had and in our increasingly secular and irreligious world there are declining numbers who listen to him. Yet, Pope Francis is a man of some stature and his view of things might be as valid as those of Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak or Emanuel Macron to name just a few of our wonderful world leaders.

Pope Francis does not supply armaments to warring factions so he could be seen as an honest broker where those other world leaders would not. One would have thought that his intervention might have attracted some support but it sank without trace. There was some media commentary around the fact that he referenced the white flag (of surrender?) in his comments. That put an end to any serious consideration of his appeal for a negotiated settlement. The world leaders or the Putins or the Zelenskys wont be found on the battlefields so there is nobody to plead the case of those who will be asked to make the supreme sacrifice. Nobody there to encourage a settlement.

And of course, if one wished to engage in a little bit of whimsy, one could sympathise with poor auld Netanyahu. There he is with the war in Gaza won, except for the minor matter of rounding up a smattering of Hamas fighters and securing the release of hostages and he is under intense pressure to negotiate a settlement with a defeated enemy. One could understand his frustration if it were not for the fact that 30,000 (and counting) innocents are not alive to support and enjoy a negotiated settlement.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Partly sunny and rather mild; a few scattered showers are possible, but mainly in the Poconos and along and north of the I-80 corridor..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with a few showers; many only get a couple hundredths of an inch at most but a bit more in the Poconos and points north...maybe as much as a quarter of an inch.




Image source: Getty Images

When you like something, it's natural to want to share it with others. However, if that "something" is your Costco membership card, you should definitely think twice before sharing.

Costco membership is non-transferrable. This means only you can use your membership card. Each membership comes with two cards, so you can add one member of your household. Otherwise, you're allowed up to two guests while you shop -- but a member must pay at checkout.

Some folks may try to skirt this policy by lending a friend or family member (or, worse, a stranger) their membership card. Unfortunately, this is a risky choice that is likely to backfire.

They'll probably get stopped at checkout

As most regular Costco shoppers already know, you need to show your membership card often. Often, you need it just to get through the door (other than guests).

More importantly, you definitely need it to check out. Even if you use self-checkout, you're going to have to scan a membership card. Plus, an employee may also check your card -- and the picture of you on it -- before you even start checking out.

If the person doesn't match the picture on the card, they won't be able to check out. You may also be subject to some questions about how they came to be in possession of your card.

Misbehavior will come back on you

Should the stars align and someone gets through checkout using your membership card, you're not necessarily off the hook. That purchase is now forever tied to your membership account. If anything hinky occurs, it's easily traced back to you.

For example, say you scan your membership card for a stranger and it turns out they used a stolen credit card. Guess whose name and address is on file for that transaction? Hint: It's not them.

While it's unlikely you'd wind up in legal trouble if you can show you weren't the perpetrator, you'll still need to admit that you broke the terms and conditions of your membership. Which leads to

Your Costco membership could be revoked

If there's an honest mistake -- perhaps you didn't realize your teenager couldn't check out with your membership card -- then you'll likely get a warning. Folks with a history of misuse, however, will typically have their membership revoked.

Fun fact: Costco (and pretty much any other business or organization) can revoke your membership at any time, for any reason (not prohibited by law).

Sharing your membership card is specifically against the rules of said membership. Costco is well within its rights to revoke that membership if you break the rules. And the company will happily do so. Costco has 130 million cardholders -- it isn't worried about losing one or two.

Story continues

Gift them a Costco Cash Card instead

If you really want to share the Costco experience, there are a few ways your friends and/or family can check out Costco with you:

You can bring them as a guest. You get up to two guests per visit. Keep in mind that only members can make purchases, so you'll need to put anything they want to buy on your own credit card and have them pay you back later. (On the plus side, more credit card rewards for you!)

You can add them as your second cardholder. If you're the Primary Member, you can add someone else from your household to your account. They'll get their own card and have all the same shopping privileges you do.

Gift them a Costco Shop Card. Only members can buy Costco Shop Cards, but non-members can use them to pay for Costco purchases. Note that Costco's usually generous return policy may not apply to returns made by non-members.

It's always fun to share what we love with the people we love. But there's a right way to do it -- and a wrong way. Make sure you're choosing the right way to share your Costco love so you don't wind up on the wrong side of the rules.

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.Brittney Myers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Here's What Happens When You Let Someone Else Use Your Costco Membership Card was originally published by The Motley Fool




Image source: Getty Images

The dream of retiring early has been around for decades -- many of the ideas behind it come from the 1992 book Your Money or Your Life. In recent years, online communities have popularized what's now known as the FIRE movement, with FIRE being short for "financial independence, retire early." One financial independence subreddit currently has 2.2 million members.

It's understandable why the movement appeals to so many people. Being able to call it quits on a career at a young age gives you more time to enjoy life, without the daily grind of working for a living. But how many people actually make it happen? Here's the answer.

Only a small percentage of Americans retire early

Few Americans retire early, but the exact amount depends on your definition of early retirement. Here's the percentage of retired Americans in four age ranges, according to retirement data from 2016 to 2022 gathered by The Motley Fool:

40 to 44: 1%

45 to 49: 2%

50 to 54: 6%

55 to 59: 11%

So, if you count early retirement as retiring in your 30s or 40s, that's rare. Only 1% of Americans from 40 to 44 are retired, and only 2% of those from 45 to 49. We don't have data on how many people in their 30s are retired, but it's presumably far less than 1%.

If you want to retire in your 50s, that's more common, although still far from the norm. Even among Americans who are 55 to 59, only a few years away from claiming Social Security, about 9 out of 10 are still working.

Early retirement hasn't become more common, despite its increased popularity. In fact, it's less common than it used to be. From both 2002 to 2007 and 2008 to 2015, retirement rates were higher among people in their 40s and 50s.

What does it take to retire early?

Early retirement and traditional retirement have the same ultimate goal: Save enough money to last you the rest of your life. The difference is that early retirement involves doing it much sooner. For that reason, the FIRE movement is all about maximizing your savings rate -- the portion of your income you save and invest.

For most people, a savings rate of 15% to 20% is a smart goal. Early retirees typically save at least 25%, and often much more. Some manage to save 50% or more of what they make.

It's hard to reach and maintain these kinds of high savings rates. The people who do it usually either earn a large income, cut back heavily on spending, or both. You'll have a much easier time if you earn a high income. If not, you can still do it, but you'll need to be strict about how much you spend.

Story continues

Save for retirement, but make sure to enjoy the present

Everyone needs to plan for retirement. If you'd like to retire earlier than most, then you'll need to save accordingly.

Be careful not to let goals of early retirement ruin your quality of life in the present. Some people practice extreme frugality, cutting practically everything they don't need to raise their savings rate. There are even those who live in vans so they can save on rent.

You don't need to cut spending relentlessly to save for retirement. There are other ways to speed up the process, including:

Invest heavily in the stock market. Historically, the stock market has an average return of about 10% per year. Make sure to invest in stocks with most of your portfolio to maximize growth.

Save through tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Anyone can open an individual retirement account (IRA), and you can deduct contributions from your taxable income. If you meet the income limits, you could also open a Roth IRA, which allows you to make tax-free withdrawals in retirement (but doesn't allow you to deduct contributions on your taxes).

Make the most of your 401(k), if your employer offers one. Another popular way to save is a 401(k), a workplace retirement plan. Many employers will even match contributions up to a certain amount, so take full advantage if yours does.

Increase your income every year. If you want to increase your savings rate, the best option is making more money. Negotiating a raise, finding a new job, and starting a side business are all options that can help you earn more.

There's nothing wrong with being careful about your spending, within reason. But it doesn't make sense to spend years suffering, just so you can retire as soon as possible. It's better to take a more balanced approach. Find a plan that works for your retirement timeline and allows you to enjoy life in the here and now.

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.Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Here's How Many Americans Actually Retire Early was originally published by The Motley Fool
Workers' Day

When: Wednesday, 01 May 2024 Where: Start time: 13:00 Enquiries: Tiisang Monatisa tiisang.monatisa@wits.ac.za

South African public holiday

Workers' Day celebrates the role played by Trade Unions and other parties to achieve equal employment standards for everyone.
Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. 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. Nonetheless, only a fool would ignore the risk that a loss making company burns through its cash too quickly.

So, the natural question for PYC Therapeutics (ASX:PYC) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. In this report, we will consider the company's annual negative free cash flow, henceforth referring to it as the 'cash burn'. Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn.

Check out our latest analysis for PYC Therapeutics

How Long Is PYC Therapeutics' Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is the amount of time it would take to burn through its cash reserves at its current cash burn rate. When PYC Therapeutics last reported its December 2023 balance sheet in February 2024, it had zero debt and cash worth AU$25m. In the last year, its cash burn was AU$20m. Therefore, from December 2023 it had roughly 15 months of cash runway. That's not too bad, but it's fair to say the end of the cash runway is in sight, unless cash burn reduces drastically. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

How Is PYC Therapeutics' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Although PYC Therapeutics reported revenue of AU$21m last year, it didn't actually have any revenue from operations. To us, that makes it a pre-revenue company, so we'll look to its cash burn trajectory as an assessment of its cash burn situation. While it hardly paints a picture of imminent growth, the fact that it has reduced its cash burn by 24% over the last year suggests some degree of prudence. 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 PYC Therapeutics To Raise More Cash For Growth?

Even though it has reduced its cash burn recently, shareholders should still consider how easy it would be for PYC Therapeutics to raise more cash in the future. 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 comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate).

Since it has a market capitalisation of AU$398m, PYC Therapeutics' AU$20m in cash burn equates to about 5.0% of its market value. Given that is a rather small percentage, it would probably be really easy for the company to fund another year's growth by issuing some new shares to investors, or even by taking out a loan.

So, Should We Worry About PYC Therapeutics' Cash Burn?

The good news is that in our view PYC Therapeutics' cash burn situation gives shareholders real reason for optimism. Not only was its cash burn reduction quite good, but its cash burn relative to its market cap was a real positive. Cash burning companies are always on the riskier side of things, but after considering all of the factors discussed in this short piece, we're not too worried about its rate of cash burn. Taking an in-depth view of risks, we've identified 2 warning signs for PYC Therapeutics that you should be aware of before investing.

Of course PYC Therapeutics may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
One simple way to benefit from the stock market is to buy an index fund. But if you choose individual stocks with prowess, you can make superior returns. For example, the Insurance Australia Group Limited (ASX:IAG) share price is up 35% in the last three years, clearly besting the market return of around 8.2% (not including dividends).

Let's take a look at the underlying fundamentals over the longer term, and see if they've been consistent with shareholders returns.

View our latest analysis for Insurance Australia Group

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

During three years of share price growth, Insurance Australia Group moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we'd expect the share price to be up.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

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?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Insurance Australia Group the TSR over the last 3 years was 48%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

It's good to see that Insurance Australia Group has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 34% in the last twelve months. Of course, that includes the dividend. Notably the five-year annualised TSR loss of 0.4% per year compares very unfavourably with the recent share price performance. We generally put more weight on the long term performance over the short term, but the recent improvement could hint at a (positive) inflection point within the business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Insurance Australia Group better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Insurance Australia Group .

Story continues

If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Australian 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.
Key Insights

Fielmann Group's estimated fair value is 63.16 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Fielmann Group's 41.60 share price signals that it might be 34% undervalued

Analyst price target for FIE is 51.36 which is 19% below our fair value estimate

Does the April share price for Fielmann Group AG (ETR:FIE) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Fielmann Group

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 232.5m 260.0m 228.0m 264.0m 269.1m 273.3m 276.7m 279.5m 282.0m 284.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 1.95% Est @ 1.53% Est @ 1.24% Est @ 1.04% Est @ 0.89% Est @ 0.79% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 5.6% 220 233 194 213 205 198 189 181 173 166

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 2.0b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 5.6%.

Story continues

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 284m (1 + 0.6%)  (5.6% 0.6%) = 5.7b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 5.7b ( 1 + 5.6%)10= 3.3b

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 5.3b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 41.6, the company appears quite undervalued at a 34% 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.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now 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 Fielmann Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 5.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.086. 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 Fielmann Group

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Specialty Retail market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the German market.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. 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. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Fielmann Group, we've put together three relevant elements you should explore:

Risks: You should be aware of the 1 warning sign for Fielmann Group we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does FIE'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.
Iran's stealth drones have become the new blueprint for international warfare

Iran has become a global drone powerhouse as countries around the world copy its technology.

Russia has become increasingly reliant on Iranian drones to fight its war in Ukraine.

Iran can easily bypass Western sanctions and buy electronic parts from Asian suppliers.

Iran's stealth drones and their copycats are popping up on battlefields from Ukraine to Sudan, making it a standout in global drone warfare and raising concerns about increasing military instability around the world.

In the past forty years, Iran has emerged as an expert in low-tech drone warfare thanks to decades of Western sanctions that forced the country to innovate weapons production by any means possible.

Countries around the world are now increasingly taking inspiration from Iran's drones. Bloomberg reported this week that at least six countries had ramped up production of Iranian drones in the past two years, bringing the total number of countries producing drones with Iran's help to at least a dozen.

The issue has become of particular importance as Russia becomes more reliant on Iranian tech to produce its drones for the war in Ukraine. Iran maintains that it isn't selling drones to Russia, but documents and extensive reporting indicate otherwise.

Business Insider reported in January that Russia was probably already in possession of an explosive new version of Iran's Shahed drone, causing massive headaches for Ukraine's air defenses.

Iran's Shahed-136 drones are frequently popping up on Ukrainian battlefields, despite being made up almost entirely of American and European parts  highlighting just how easy it is for Iran to bypass Western sanctions and buy electronic parts from Asian suppliers and front companies, as Bloomberg reported.

Iran is meanwhile pocketing foreign money in exchange for its much-coveted drone tech and expertise.

Bloomberg reported that the country was primarily using model airplanes propelled by lawnmower motors and guided by US-made components to power its drone empire. But despite the seemingly makeshift nature of the weapons, both the US and Israel  two of the most powerful militaries in the world  are struggling to defend themselves against the stealth drones that are reported to circumvent Western defenses by shadowing American drones.

In January, an Iranian exploding drone hit a US military base in Jordan, killing three US service members. The Washington Post cited a defense source who said the weapon was a small attack Shahed-101.

The drone was able to sneak past American defenses by shadowing a US drone also landing at the base  a trick believed to have been picked up from Russia, Bloomberg reported.

"Russia and Iran are learning from each other. That is almost as important as the technology-sharing itself," Matthew McInnis, a Pentagon intelligence officer who was a State Department representative for Iran, told the outlet.

But Iran's influence goes beyond Russia. Iranian-backed Houthis have curtailed trade in the Red Sea in recent months by perpetrating drone attacks on cargo ships.

Bloomberg reported that Ethiopia had used Iranian drones to squash rebellions in the country, while Tajikistan, Algeria, and Venezuela were also partnering with Iran.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Jack Ma took to an internal Alibaba forum to voice his support for a company undergoing a turbulent restructuring, emerging from seclusion for the second time in months to try and shore up sagging morale at the Chinese e-commerce pioneer he co-created.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The billionaire, who had retreated from the public spotlight in recent years, penned a lengthy memo in which he blessed efforts by new leaders Joseph Tsai and Eddie Wu to revive a stalled company. He said Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is now on the right track and urged staff to stay the course.

Ma, whos still revered by many of the companys 200,000-plus employees, struck a markedly more upbeat tone than just four months ago, when he spoke up for the first time in years only to criticize its direction and laud a rival.

This time, he reiterated calls to think outside the box and escape the big company trap. But he emphasized growth was returning and Alibaba was moving forward despite flip-flops over the past year, for instance on first pushing then nixing the listings of its Cainiao logistics arm and $11 billion cloud business. Alibabas shares rose almost 4.9% in Hong Kong, or the most in about two months.

We are starting to operate on the diseases of a big company, returning again from an organization that makes decisions slowly back to the highest levels of efficiency and a market-first approach, to once again allow the company to be simple and agile, Ma wrote in a memo that the company also distributed to staff.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says

Alibaba may focus on providing valued services to customers vs. achieving internal targets, with a likely focus on e-commerce, cloud and AI which were specifically named in founder Jack Mas rare internal company memo dated April 10. This raises the likelihood it will cede fiscal 2025 profit gains to boost revenue growth in select businesses.

- Catherine Lim and Trini Tan, analysts

Click here for the research.

Alibaba, which is grappling with the aftermath of bruising regulatory crackdown and Covid-era turmoil, is trying to revitalize a sprawling empire that spans e-commerce and cloud services. Since ushering out former CEO Daniel Zhang, Tsai and Wu have focused on trying to integrate its separate parts while shedding marginal assets to focus on core businesses.

Story continues

Mas first memo in November was viewed as a signal of a gradual return to public life, breaking about two years of silence after clashing with Beijing. For many Alibaba employees, its a welcome change at a time the company is struggling with direction.

Ma didnt drill down into specifics, or directly address some of the more fundamental questions surrounding the internet company he built into Chinas most valuable corporation  before Beijing and Covid wiped out growth.

Its still bleeding market share to rivals such as PDD Holdings Inc. and ByteDance Ltd. At the same time,the likes of Baidu Inc. are pushing forward into the potentially transformative AI arena. Alibaba posted a lower-than-projected 5% rise in December quarter revenue  well off the pace of previous years.

Read More: Jack Ma Returns to Rally Troops as Alibabas Troubles Deepen

In response, the company green-lit a $25 billion buyback program to appease investors. Tsai has said Alibaba will focus on integrating its various businesses and regaining its market dominance, rather than on working through major deals or IPOs.

On Wednesday, Ma referenced a video interview with his longtime lieutenant Tsai. In the chat with shareholder Norges Bank posted last week, Tsai talked about how Alibaba shouldnt be afraid to admit past mistakes.

Since he took over Alibaba from Zhang, the company has reshuffled the managers at most of its major divisions  including the original commerce arm  and explored the sale of non-core assets such as physical retail operators.

This path of reform and innovation has never been accompanied by applause, because what we are changing are the bad habits we love the most and what we are reforming is our vested interest, Ma wrote. He closed with a common refrain of encouragement in Chinese: Add oil, Alibaba!

--With assistance from Yasufumi Saito.

(Updates with share jump and analysts commentary from the fourth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Welsh Ambulance Service exploring drone use for defibrillator delivery

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Apr 10th, 2024

The Welsh Ambulance Service has taken a step closer to using drones to fly defibrillators to patients.

The Trust has teamed-up with the University of Warwick and industry partners SkyBound to explore whether drone-delivered defibrillators could make a difference to someone in cardiac arrest.

When someone has a cardiac arrest, they either stop breathing entirely or take gasping or infrequent breaths.

As well as immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a defibrillator can help to restart their heart while waiting for the emergency services to arrive.

More than 6,000 people have a cardiac arrest in the community in Wales every year.

In a cardiac arrest, every second counts, said Carl Powell, the Welsh Ambulance Services Clinical Lead for Acute Care.

We will always send an ambulance as quickly as possible on lights and sirens, but starting chest compressions and delivering an electric shock with a defibrillator in the meantime could mean the difference between life and death.

If youre helping someone in cardiac arrest, it might be difficult to find a defibrillator soon enough to make a real difference, especially in rural areas and especially if youre the only person there, which is why were thinking about better ways to get help to patients.

Professor Nigel Rees, the Trusts Assistant Director of Research and Innovation, said: Drone-delivered defibrillators might sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but if its the quickest way to get a defibrillator to a patient, its a fantastic tool in our locker to improve survival rates.

Lone bystanders arent currently instructed by ambulance call handlers to leave a patient to retrieve a nearby defibrillator, as the priority is the chest compressions.

Delivering a defibrillator directly to them would negate the need to leave the patient, and potentially improve chances of survival.

Funding from Resuscitation Council UK enabled the Drone-Delivered Defibrillators study  or 3D Project  to conduct a number of test flights to demonstrate the feasibility of delivering a defibrillator via drone after a 999 call.

Further funding from the National Institute of Health Research and Health and Care Research Wales has enabled the 3D Project to enter its next phase, which is to interview people who have helped someone in a real-life cardiac arrest to understand the difference that a drone-delivered defibrillator could have made.

This summer, researchers will also perform long-distance beyond visual line of sight flights to demonstrate how real-time communications between the 999 control room and a drone operation team would work during a cardiac arrest call.

Dr Christopher Smith, Clinical Lecturer in Emergency Medicine at the University of Warwick, said: Early CPR and defibrillation are crucial if we are to improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Drones may be one way of getting a life-saving defibrillator to more patients faster than before.

This project allows us to optimise the processes required and is an important step in making an effective drone-delivered defibrillator system a reality for the UK in the near future.

Gemma Alcock, Chief Executive at SkyBound, added: This collaboration represents a significant step forward in leveraging technology to potentially save lives, particularly in remote areas where access to defibrillators can be challenging.

Our involvement underscores the very reason SkyBound came into fruition, as the initial inspiration came from the experience I gained as a beach lifeguard where I dealt with a life-critical incident.

This was the foundation of our commitment to harnessing innovative drone solutions to enhance emergency response and ultimately, save lives.

The 3D Project is one of a number of studies involving the Welsh Ambulance Service, which earlier this month was granted University Trust status by Welsh Government in recognition of its commitment to drive research and innovation.

Professor Rees said: We have an extensive research portfolio, and this is an example of the longstanding partnership we have with the University of Warwick and other partners conducting research and innovation that is of international significance.

University Trust status formally recognises the world-class research we undertake to improve public health and patient care-enhancing knowledge, as well as advancing treatments in the NHS and making a difference to peoples lives.

It also helps our patients, population and stakeholders to understand the vital links between health, education and research which lead to better outcomes for us all.

The 3D Project is due to conclude in October 2024 and the results will be available in early 2025.

Picture: SkyBound Rescuer
Welsh Government appointed Working Group backs public sector 4-day working week trial

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Apr 10th, 2024

A Welsh Government appointed group has said that a four-day week in devolved public services is a progressive and innovative way of working which merits further consideration.

In April 2023, the Welsh Government took a significant step towards exploring the feasibility of a four-day work week in the public sector by establishing a dedicated Working Group under the Workforce Partnership Council (WPC).

It came in response to growing calls for more flexible working arrangements and aimed to delve into the practical and service delivery implications of such a change.

The Working Group, embracing a social partnership model, gathered input from various stakeholders, including four-day week practitioners, academics, and the Scottish Government, across eight meetings.

It established four subgroups to focus on different aspects of the initiative, eventually reaching a consensus on a shared definition of the four-day week concept.

Contrary to a one-size-fits-all approach, the Group highlighted the importance of a pilot program that is willingly embraced by both employers and employees, underpinned by thorough discussions and negotiations.

The key recommendation encourages devolved public sector employers, trade unions, and the Welsh Government to collaborate through the WPC to identify potential participants for a 4-day week pilot, taking into account the diverse nature of public services.

The backdrop to the Working Groups establishment was a blend of political debate, public interest, and academic inquiry into the potential benefits and challenges of reduced working hours without a loss in pay.

Previous discussions and reports, including a notable debate in the Senedd and insights from the Future Generations Commissioner, laid the groundwork for this exploratory initiative.

The Groups findings and recommendations underline an innovative stance towards work-life balance, suggesting that a four-day work week could lead to numerous benefits, including improved employee wellbeing, recruitment, and retention, as well as potential increases in productivity.

The Working Group recognises various risks associated with the introduction of a four-day work week for employers, service delivery, and employees but believes these can be managed and mitigated through careful planning and consultation with workers and their unions.

Identified risks include:

Equality risks : Potential widening of inequalities between office and frontline workers, especially in continuous operations, which could negatively impact workers based on gender, race, and other characteristics, and affect entitlements to welfare benefits.

: Potential widening of inequalities between office and frontline workers, especially in continuous operations, which could negatively impact workers based on gender, race, and other characteristics, and affect entitlements to welfare benefits. Financial risks : Costs for employers to hire additional staff to maintain service levels after reducing working hours.

: Costs for employers to hire additional staff to maintain service levels after reducing working hours. Undeclared hours and work intensity risks : Increased undeclared working hours or work intensity as employees try to complete the same workload in fewer hours.

: Increased undeclared working hours or work intensity as employees try to complete the same workload in fewer hours. Workforce development risks : Reduced time for learning and development due to decreased working hours and increased workload pressures.

: Reduced time for learning and development due to decreased working hours and increased workload pressures. Service delivery risks : Challenges in maintaining 24/7 services without increasing staff numbers and potential impacts on service quality, exemplified by the practice of call cramming in social care.

: Challenges in maintaining 24/7 services without increasing staff numbers and potential impacts on service quality, exemplified by the practice of call cramming in social care. Personal risks : Hidden costs for workers, such as higher home heating bills or leisure expenses during additional free time, and the loss of the workplace as a refuge.

: Hidden costs for workers, such as higher home heating bills or leisure expenses during additional free time, and the loss of the workplace as a refuge. Team management risks: Increased complexity in managing teams and maintaining communication and engagement across more complicated shift patterns.
Alibaba Group Holding has fundamentally changed its corporate culture to put customers first in its adaptation of technology, its co-founder Jack Ma wrote, as he stepped into a social media hubbub over the hubris that caused what was once the world's largest e-commerce platform to lose ground to competitors.

"We hacked away at the big-company disease," according to Ma's memo to Alibaba employees. "We turned the company from a cumbersome organisation into one that is simple and agile, where efficiency comes first, and the market comes first."

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) will upend the e-commerce industry of today, because that time span is like a century in the internet era, wrote Ma, who remains influential in Alibaba as the company's largest single shareholder, even after his 2019 retirement. "The AI era has just arrived. Everything has just begun, and we are in the moment!"

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Ma's memo to staff echoes a podcast interview made last week by executive chairman Joe Tsai, when the Alibaba co-founder conceded to Norges Bank Investment Management's CEO Nicolai Tangen that "mistakes" had been made by the company since its establishment in Ma's Hangzhou flat in 1999.

A screengrab of Alibaba Group Holding' co-founder and executive chairman Joe Tsai (right) with Nikolai Tangen of Norges Bank Investment Management (left). Photo YouTube/Norges Bank Investment Management. alt=A screengrab of Alibaba Group Holding' co-founder and executive chairman Joe Tsai (right) with Nikolai Tangen of Norges Bank Investment Management (left). Photo YouTube/Norges Bank Investment Management.>

"We have fallen behind because we forgot who our real customers are," Tsai said in the podcast. "Our customers are the users who use our apps [for] shopping, and we did not give them the best experience. In a way, we stepped on our own foot and did not focus on where we can add value."

The capital markets have punished Alibaba for its mistake. The company's stock has plunged 77 per cent from its 2020 record of HK$307.40 per share in Hong Kong to HK$70.50 in recent trading, faring worse than the 31 per cent decline in the Hang Seng Index over the same period. Alibaba has lost HK$2.6 trillion (US$332 billion) in value over that period.

Story continues

Tsai touched on a number of topics in the 37-minute podcast, from Alibaba's challenges and US-China relations to his work routine and his love of sports. Tsai is also chairman of the South China Morning Post, wholly owned by Alibaba.

He also commented on the state of China's AI industry. China is about two years behind the United States in the global AI race, but the country will develop its own ability to make high-end graphics processing units over the long term, Tsai said.

Tsai's candid admission of the missteps at Alibaba generated an uproar on China's social media. There is nothing to fear from mistakes because nobody is error-free, but the "truly terrifying" spectre is hubris and the refusal to change, Ma wrote. He affirmed the "admirable courage and wisdom" by Tsai and Alibaba's CEO Eddie Wu in leading the change at the company.

"We made countless mistakes in the past 25 years, and we will [continue to] make mistakes in the next 77 years" over the course of Alibaba's aim to span three centuries, wrote Ma. "Facing problems is not to deny the past, but to find the way responsibly to the future."

The messages by the two co-founders served the same purpose to boost morale at Alibaba, which Tsai conceded had been low over the past three years due to a combination of factors. Another overarching theme was to remind employees to better understand the needs and challenges ahead.

Alibaba's most fundamental change this year is to abandon the blind pursuit of performance indicators, and focus instead on customer value, wrote Ma, echoing Tsai. To return to its growth track, Alibaba simplified its structure in February to focus on two core businesses - cloud computing and e-commerce - in the wake of a sweeping restructuring announced a year ago.

The company's flagship shopping platform Tabao said it would provide 10 billion yuan (US$1.38 billion) of cash to subsidise content creation, such as live streaming and short videos, on the platform in 2024, Cheng Daofang, general manager of Taobao and Tmall Group's e-commerce content unit, said at an event last month.

Two weeks ago, Alibaba withdrew the initial public offering of its logistics operation Cainiao in Hong Kong, and has offered to buy all remaining shares in the unit, in a major change that seeks to achieve synergy between its delivery arm and core e-commerce operations. Ma thanked the staff and their families for their understanding and support on these changes, which he said was critical for Alibaba to return to a healthier development track.

Four months earlier, Ma encouraged Alibaba's employees in an internal memo to embrace change and stick to the company's original vision. PDD Holdings, which operates the Chinese budget shopping platform Pinduoduo and Temu, was closing in on Aliibaba's valuation and Taobao's market share.

"The important [question] is not who to catch up with today, but to think about how tomorrow's e-commerce should improve the consumer experience," Ma wrote.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
At the end of January, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (Social Democratic Party, SPD) stated in several interviews that Germany had to prepare for a direct war with the nuclear power Russia. He cited the next three to five years as a period that had to be used intensively to arm ourselves and make Germany fit for war again.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius speaks during a press conference at Exercise Griffin Storm 2023, held last June in Lithuania. [AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis]

With the new structure of the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces), which Pistorius announced last Thursday, these insane war plans are being realised. In presenting the plans, Pistorius made no secret of what was at stake: The transformation of the Bundeswehr from a formation primarily geared toward global missions abroad into a military force able to conduct total war.

His letter to the parliamentary group leaders of the parties in the Bundestag (German parliament) states:

The entire Bundeswehr will position itself according to guiding principles that can be derived from the overarching goal of war capability: Growth capability, scalability, dynamic robustness, digitalisation (future technology, operational command) information superiority, war supply.

The central measures, which are detailed in a 34-page document entitled Bundeswehr of the Future, include the creation of a standardised central command structure for national operational planning and command of missions. To this end, the existing Territorial Command (for domestic operations) and the Operational Command (for operations abroad) will be merged into a joint Operational Command of the Bundeswehr.

This measure means the de facto reestablishment of a general staff, which was banned in the Potsdam Agreement of 1945 following the criminal role played by the German military leadership in the two world wars. Now it is being tacitly reintroduced. Civilian control over the Bundeswehr, which was enshrined in West Germanys post-war constitution, is being removed with the return of the old war and great-power ambitions of German imperialism.

Compared to the status quo, the new target structure of the armed forces is significantly less top-heavy and clearly focussed on operational planning and command in an emergency, the document states. The aim is to establish a single-source command capable of fighting a war and to create the conditions for consistently strengthening the troops.

In addition, the Bundeswehr of the future must enhance the role of the branches of the armed forces in order to fulfil the requirement of war capability. In addition to the traditional military forces of the army, air force and navy, the existing area of cyber/information space (CIR) will be established as a fourth armed force. The CIR will play a key role not only in the digitalisation of the armed forces, but also in identifying hybrid tactics of actors who threaten security... as early as possible in order to be able to react to them.

In other words, the Bundeswehr is preparing to take the lead in the field of drone warfare and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The potential for mass murder using these technologies is currently becoming apparent in the genocide in Gaza. The emphasis on AI and CIR is also about suppressing the growing opposition to war and massively expanding attacks on democratic rights and control of the internet under the guise of the fight against Russias hybrid warfare.

As in the past, the policy of war abroad requires the establishment of a total military state at home. It is not only the regionally deployed homeland security forces, which were previously managed by the various federal state commands, that are being transferred to the army proper in accordance with the organise as you fight principle. The civilian organisational areas are also to be directly aligned in accordance with this principle. This applies above all to the creation of structures for the comprehensive mobilisation of the reserve and the planned reintroduction of compulsory military service (conscription).

These moves leave no doubt that the German ruling class has decided once again to recruit masses of young people as cannon fodder for its wars. Thus the document states, irrespective of the political decision to be made about compulsory military service or compulsory civilian service, including in peacetime, a consistent orientation of the structures of the personnel sector towards an emergency situation also includes the preparation and examination of conscription and enlistment processes.

What this means concretely can be seen in Ukraine. At the behest of NATO, the Zelensky regime has already sacrificed hundreds of thousands on the front lines and is currently preparing a law to mobilise half a million more soldiers. Just a few days ago, the official age limit for reservists to be called up was lowered from 27 to 25. At the same time, there are reports about the criminal methods used to forcibly recruit men.

Significantly, Pistorius announced the structural reform on the same day that NATO celebrated its 75th anniversary and used its meeting in Brussels for a massive escalation of the war against Russia. The Bundeswehr is currently preparing the permanent stationing of 5,000 combat troops in Lithuania. On Monday, Herr Pistorius saw off the first advance detachment.

The Bundeswehr of the Future document also identifies Russia as the main adversary. For the Bundeswehr, The turning point in security policy means that the primary focus of its actions today is once again the ability to deter and defend against state attacks. Today, this means resolutely opposing attacks by states such as Russia that trample on the international legal order.

The propaganda of defence against an attack by Russia turns reality on its head and ties in directly with earlier German war lies. The German wars of aggression in the two world wars of the 20th centuryincluding the war of annihilation against the Soviet Union, which cost the lives of 30 million Soviet citizenswere justified by the ruling class in the German Empire and under Hitler with the same arguments.

Today, German imperialism is once again the aggressor. With the systematic military encirclement of Russia and the anti-Russian coup in Kiev in February 2014, Germany, the US and the other leading NATO powers provoked the reactionary intervention of the Putin regime in the first place. Now they are escalating the conflict in order to prevent the imminent collapse of the Ukrainian troops on the front lines and to realise their war aims: To militarily defeat Moscow in Ukraine in order to secure control of the country and subjugate the resource-rich and geostrategically central Eurasian landmass as a whole.

The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) analysed and warned of the objective driving forces behind this in 2014, after the then-government in Berlin had announced the return of German militarism at the Munich Security Conference:

The propaganda of the post-war erathat Germany had learnt from the terrible crimes of the Nazis, had arrived at the West, had embraced a peaceful foreign policy, and had developed into a stable democracyis exposed as lies. German imperialism is once again showing its real colours as it emerged historically, with all of its aggressiveness at home and abroad.

This is exactly what is now happeningwith all its far-reaching consequences. In the Middle East, Berlin is supporting Israels genocide of the Palestinians, which is itself part of the imperialist subjugation of the entire Middle East and the war offensive against Russia and China.

The SGP declares war on this madness. The only way to stop the development towards world war and dictatorship is to build a conscious socialist movement of the international working class against war and its root cause: the capitalist profit system. This is what we are fighting for in alliance with our sister parties in the upcoming European elections.
Australian medical workers continue to speak out in solidarity with their colleagues in Gaza where 84 percent of health facilities have been damaged or destroyed and over 500 health workers killed.

Australian and New Zealand Doctors for Palestine demonstrate in Sydney, Australia, April 2024 [Photo: Instagram/anzdoctors4palestine]

Israels recent targeted assassination of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers and destruction of Al Shifa Hospital, where 400 bodies, including medical staff and patients, have been found in the ruins, are only the latest horrors in the six-month genocide.

Australian medical workers who have spoken against these and previous Israeli war crimes are viciously attacked by local Zionists in a campaign of threats and intimidation, particularly targeting members of the Australian and New Zealand Doctors for Palestine and similar social media groups.

Zionist thugs have used the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) complaints process to lodge bogus allegations of antisemitism. They have doxxed medical professionals opposing Israels ethnic-cleansing attacks on Palestinians in Gaza.

The Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee (HWRFC) has been conducting a defence campaign against this anti-democratic intimidation since January and has turned to health workers across Australian and internationally for support. The World Socialist Web Site has published numerous statements in support of this campaign from individual health workers, as well as other rank-and-file committees, including NHS Fightback in Britain, the Sri Lankan Health Workers Action Committee and the Committee for Public Education in Australia.

The HWRFC urges medical professionals and other sections of the working class in Australia and internationally to oppose these unprecedented attacks on freedom of speech and democratic rights.



Statements and letters of support can be sent to these addresses:

Email: sephw.aus@gmail.com

Twitter: @HealthRandF_Aus

Facebook: facebook.com/groups/hwrfcaus



This week the Health Workers Rank-and-File Committee received the following comment from a New South Wales GP:

I was saddened, if not surprised, when I saw reports about the October 7th attacks but the horrific scenes from that day were soon to be eclipsed by the genocide inflicted on the entire population of Gaza by the Israeli regime.

I joined online conversations on a GP social media group to defend human rights for the people of Palestine, but those exchanges were deliberately targeted for shutdown by pro-Zionist doctors.

I was disturbed by this successful silencing of human rights advocates on this doctors group and joined another Facebook group called Australia and New Zealand Doctors for Palestine (ANZDFP). This group provided a place where healthcare workers could discuss the harrowing events of Gaza in the context of being silenced or shunned in our workplaces if we expressed any sympathy for the victims of targeted mass slaughter in Gaza.

But ANZDFP was infiltrated by Zionists who would take screenshots of posts and then re-post on their Instagram doxxing pages. The method used is to post a screenshot of a social media statement of the healthcare worker and edit it with a Zionist narrative scrawled at the top with the aim of intimidating and harming the reputation of the doctors. There were repeated threats to target these healthcare workers for supposedly being pro-Hamas or pro-terrorist.

The Zionists have also posted personal photographs of these doctors, including their children, as a way of doubling-down on the intimidation and fear. They also send links of their handiwork to the employers of doctors and make malicious AHPRA notifications and boast that they will get us fired.

They routinely conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism so that they can silence any doctor who opposes genocide as an antisemite. If any doctors reply to these posts to defend their reputations, their comments are deleted so there is no right of reply.

The people who organise and contribute to these Zionist pages feign outrage about the targeting of the 600 Zionists on WhatsApp but they dox and smear Australian doctors every day for opposing genocide.

We have responded to the doxxing by following the series of actions recommended on the e-safety commissions website for victims of doxxing. All to no avail.

This intimidation has been going on since November 2023. When the Zionist group of 600 was doxxed (an action that neither I or my colleagues knew about or supported) we were bemused to see the government spring to the defense of Zionists. Yet pro-Palestinian victims of this Zionist witch-hunting have been ignored for many weeks.

I hope the promised anti-doxxing legislation is applied evenly to all, but fear that it is being introduced only as a cudgel to silence the free speech of Australians who oppose genocide.

Australian medical professionals protest in Sydney [Photo: Instagram/anzdoctors4palestine]

We doctors of ANDFP remain undeterred and will continue to speak out against the systematic silencing of Australian doctors and the complicity of the Australian government with the Gaza genocide. We feel it is part of a medical doctors ethical obligation to oppose genocide.

We share social media posts to increase awareness, we engage in letter-writing campaigns and petitions, and we attend marches in our towns and cities organised at a grassroots level. We march shoulder to shoulder with our courageous anti-Zionist Jewish allies to demonstrate that many Australians oppose the attempt to dehumanise and annihilate the people of Gaza.

We have been encouraged to see more and more Australians engage in attempts to boycott the genocide and to oppose the transfer of weapons to Israel to kill more civilians. Yet, it is not enough. Now is the time to oppose apartheid and genocide being committed by the Israeli regime. We need to see freedom of expression for widespread solidarity from the Australian people.

It should be natural for the workers unions to be at the vanguard of this mobilisation in support of justice and the protection of civilian life as stated in the Geneva Convention but many of the large workers unions in Australia are just as beholden to Israel as the Labor Party seems to be.

Yet, the winds of change are stirring. Even as the media may try to blackout the genocide and our unions and political parties bow to their donors, the average Aussie does not support genocide if they are made aware of it.

We at ANZDFP call for Zionist doxxing social media pages to be subject to takedown notices as they are causing harm in the Australian health community.

We also believe it is time for the Australian people to send a message to government:

Stop arming a regime that is accused in the ICJ of committing genocide and call for an immediate ceasefire!

The people of Gaza must be set free of the burden of Israeli domination and collective punishment!
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka held a meeting to launch two books on the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which is vying for political power in the country in upcoming elections.

A section of the audience for the book launch meeting on April 4 2024

The meeting, held last Thursday at the Public Library auditorium in Colombo, was attended by about 80 party members, supporters, workers, students and youth.

The first book was the fourth Sinhala language edition of Politics and Class Nature of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna written by the late Keerthi Balasuriya, founding general secretary of the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL), forerunner of the SEP.

The second was The Right-wing Trajectory of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna: A Marxist Analysis, a collection of World Socialist Web Site articles on the politics of the JVP written by K. Ratnayake, the WSWS national editor in Sri Lanka. It was published in both Sinhala and Tamil languages.

Prior to the meeting, SEP and IYSSE members and supporters campaigned among the workers and students in universities and workplaces, distributing thousands of Sinhala and Tamil leaflets about the book launch and its political significance.

Wilani Peiris

SEP Political Committee member Wilani Peiris, who chaired the meeting, said the two books presented a devastating exposure of the politics of the JVP from its inception. When the JVP was formed in the late 1960s, it was based on a toxic mixture of Maoism, Castroism and Sinhala populism and postured as an opponent of imperialism, she said.

She explained that the JVP emerged following the betrayal of Trotskyism in Sri Lanka by the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), which entered a bourgeois coalition government with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in 1964.

Opportunist leaders of the international Pabloite movement, who directed this betrayal, rejected Trotskyism and the revolutionary role of the working class and promoted the theory that Stalinism could be pushed to the left, the speaker said.

She explained that the JVPs program was anti-working class from its inception. This party launched an adventurist rebellion in 1971, which was ruthlessly suppressed by the SLFP-LSSP-Stalinist CP coalition government. During this operation, police killed two RCL members and the partys publications were banned.

In the 198889 period, when JVP was launching fascistic attacks in the name of opposing the Indo-Lanka accord, three RCL members were killed by its gunmen. Quoting from Balasuriyas book, Peiris showed how the RCL, based on Marxism, fought to educate workers and youth on the class nature of the JVP.

IYSSE member Sakuntha Hirimuthugoda

IYSSE leader and SEP Political Committee member Sakuntha explained that when the JVP controlled the Inter-University Student Federation prior to 2012, they postured as champions of free education, as heroes in the fight against privatization.

Now they are saying that the private sector should be involved in education under government regulation, he said. Now they say that the public service should be made smaller. That means the workers in the public sector should be laid off.

Is this any different from [President] Wickremesinghes program? There is no difference. They are thus exposing their true selves. They masqueraded as anti-imperialists and leftists to deceive the public. Now they have abandoned all that and are showing their ugly capitalist faces.

He explained, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the JVP, demands that already suffering working people change their consuming habits to dedicate themselves to solving the economic problems of the country. In this manner, Dissanayake suggests that workers and youth should shoulder the burden of the capitalist crisis.

Final speaker K. Ratnayake began by outlining the critical international situation and warning that US imperialism, in its military drive to reassert its global domination, was dragging mankind into a catastrophic third world war. This military drive has found its expression in the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and the Zionist Israeli regimes war of extermination against the Palestinians in Gaza with the full backing of Washington.

K. Ratnayake

He said that hundreds of thousands of workers and young people had protested against Israels war in Gaza. Workers were also engaged in struggle to defend their social and democratic rights. Only the International Committee of the Fourth International and its sections, including the SEP in Sri Lanka, were providing a perspective to prevent the danger of war by building a unified movement of the international working class based on socialism.

The speaker explained that Sri Lanka had experienced one of the sharpest expressions of the global crisis of capitalism: Exactly two years ago, a mass uprising erupted in Sri Lanka which lasted to July, involving millions of workers and rural poor.

Why did such a massive movement end in failure? The government tried to take repressive measures and failed. The opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya [SJB] and the JVP called for an interim government to promote illusions in parliament. Trade unions, supported by the fake left Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), subordinated the workers to this call by the SJB and JVP and betrayed the mass struggle, he said.

As a result, the ruling class could conspire to elevate Wickremesinghe as president to begin implementing the International Monetary Funds (IMF) brutal austerity measures. Now the struggles of workers, youth and the poor are reemerging against the governments attacks on social and democratic rights, Ratnayake stated.

Explaining the JVPs evolution, the speaker referred to Balasuriyas work, explaining that its ten chapters were written to defend and develop the standpoint of the Trotskyist-Marxist program for the independent mobilisation of the working class against capitalism.

At the time, the JVP glorified Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, Mao-Zedong and peasant guerrillaism. This organisation had nothing to do with Marxism, he said.

Balasuriyas work was published in 1970. Proving its assessment, just a few months later, the JVP launched an adventurist armed struggle in which around 15,000 rural youth were slaughtered by the SLFP-LSSP-CP coalition government. The JVP leaders were imprisoned.

Amid mass opposition to this repression, the JVP political prisoners were released from jail by the right-wing United National Party regime of J.R. Jayawardene, which came to power in 1977.

Ratnayake explained that the rightward turn of the JVP coincided with the globalisation of the world economy. This sharp shift in the world economy undermined all nationalist programs. Not only the JVP, but all organisations based on nationalist programs rapidly turned to the right and abandoned their radical rhetoric.

The Jayawardene government pursued open market economic policies seeking to transform the country into a cheap labour platform for international capital. To suppress working class resistance to its attack on basic social rights, the right-wing regime stoked anti-Tamil racialism that led to war in 1983 against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The JVP was an ardent supporter of this bloody war, from its inception to its end in May 2009, Ratnayake explained.

Exploiting the JVPs fascistic violence against political opponents and workers, the UNP government, beginning in 1989, launched a brutal repression to suppress widespread social unrest among rural youth, massacring 60,000 and killing JVP leaders and members.

Ratnayake explained that the remaining JVP members reassembled the party in 1994 with the help of a section of the ruling class and rapidly integrated itself into the political establishment as a parliamentary party. It joined the coalition government of President Chandrika Kumaratunga in 2004, accepting four ministerial posts. Thoroughly discredited, the JVP organised the National Peoples Power (NPP) in 2015 as an electoral front to resurrect its political fortunes.

Its rightward turn has taken the sharpest form as the Sri Lankan ruling class faces an unprecedented economic and political crisis that erupted into the open in 2022. The NPP/JVP leaders are in an all-out campaign to convince the capitalist class in Sri Lanka and the international powers, including the US, that their party is the only alternative to save capitalist rule, the speaker said.

The JVP has cultivated close relations with all the foreign diplomats in Colombo to demonstrate that it is a respectable party that can be counted upon. US Ambassador Julie Chung has met the JVP/NPP leaders three times.

The JVP/NPP leaders met with IMF Mission for Sri Lanka, led by its chief Peter Breuer, twice and discussed its austerity demands. If it comes to power, the JVP/NPP will implement the IMFs brutal austerity no less ruthlessly than Wickremesinghe, Ratnayake emphasised.

The ruling parties as well as the opposition, including the JVP, are now engaging in an election campaign seeking to channel seething anger among workers, poor and young people into illusions in parliament. This is a conspiracy because any future regime that comes to power will not only implement the austerity agenda but will take dictatorial measures to suppress working people.

The SEP emphasises that there is no solution for the working class within the capitalist system. Workers cannot place their faith in any of the capitalist parties, or the trade unions, whose program is war, austerity and dictatorship. Instead, the working class must intervene as an independent force with a socialist program. To this end, we are calling on workers and the rural masses to build their own democratically-elected action committees to fight for their fundamental social and democratic rights.

We have proposed the building of a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses based on delegates elected from those action committees, as the basis for a fight to establish workers' power and to begin the socialist reorganisation of society. Workers in Sri Lanka must unite their struggles with those of the international working class. This is the revolutionary way forward for workers and youth.

Ratnayake called on workers and youth to join the SEP.
UK Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron was rebuffed by Donald Trump after seeking to get the US Congress to release $95 billion in war funding, including $60 billion earmarked for NATOs war with Russia in Ukraine.

The Biden administrations funding bill is being blocked in the House of Representatives, where Trumps Republicans have a majority.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, left, speaks during a meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Washington. [AP Photo/Kevin Wolf]

Cameron was acting in the first instance as a representative of British imperialism and other European powers concerned that the war against Russia will be lost without additional funding for Ukraines armed forces. Ahead of his trip, Cameron and Stephane Sejourne, his French counterpart, wrote an op-ed in the Telegraph, stating, We are both absolutely clearUkraine must win this war. If Ukraine loses, we all lose. The costs of failing to support Ukraine now will be far greater than the costs of repelling Putin. But, as discussed during the Paris Conference in February, we must do even more to ensure we defeat Russia. The world is watchingand will judge us if we fail.

In words aimed at the US Republicans they wrote it is not for France and Britain alone to solve these challenges we can rally others to join us in overcoming them.

Ukrainian President Zelensky intervened Monday, the first day of Camerons US visit, insisting, It is necessary to specifically tell Congress that if Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war. If Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked.

In his mission to keep the UK at the forefront of NATOs US-led war, former prime minister (2010-15) Cameron posted on social media last week from a foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Britains put forward its money for Ukraine this year. Sos the European Union. America needs to do it. That is blocked in Congress.

Speaker [Mike] Johnson can make it happen in Congress. Im going to go and see him next week and say we need that money, Ukraine needs that money. It is American security, its European security, its Britains security, and they need our help.

The House of Representatives Speaker Johnson, a Christian fundamentalist fascist, is a pivotal figure in scheduling a House vote on military aid to Ukraine. Known as MAGA Mike, he played a major role in supporting Trumps failed coup following the 2020 election.

Camerons trip to see Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Florida mansion could hardly have gone worse and was later described only as a private dinner. He was the last person to choose to influence Trump, who is currently demanding the withholding of Ukraine funds to weaken President Joe Biden in the run up to Novembers presidential electionsand because he is mainly set on conflict with Americas main economic rival, China.

Trump in fact played a major role in Camerons downfall as prime minister. In 2016, Cameron advocated Britain remaining in the European Union, a position supported by then President Barack Obama but opposed by the stridently anti-EU Trump. Cameron stood down following the victory of the Leave campaign.

In February, Cameron likened those blocking aid to Ukraine as appeasers of Hitler in the 1930s. He wrote an opinion piece in The Hill declaring, As Congress debates and votes on this funding package for Ukraine, I am going to drop all diplomatic niceties. I urge Congress to pass it I do not want us to show the weakness displayed against Hitler in the 1930s. He came back for more, costing us far more lives to stop his aggression.

In response, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a leading Trump backer in Congress, said, David Cameron needs to worry about his own country, and frankly, he can kiss my ass.

The same month Cameron characterised Trumps position of allowing Russia to do whatever the hell they want to NATO members who dont contribute enough financially as not a sensible approach.

Following his meeting with Cameron, a Trump campaigns readout said they discussed, the upcoming US and UK elections, policy matters specific to Brexit [and] the need for NATO countries to meet their defense spending requirements, and ending the killing in Ukraine as well as their mutual admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

To make matters worse, Camerons meeting with Johnson in Washington never happened as the Speaker refused to meet him. A UK Foreign Office official was forced to claim. Theyre in contact but [their] diary is not working.

Cameron added, Ive got a whole lot of meetings and Im not quite sure who I am and who Im not seeing. He was, however, able to meet Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who favours releasing the funding to Ukraine.

Nevertheless, Camerons trip was viewed as a friendly intervention by Biden. And he was afforded a joint press conference after meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In a fulsome introduction, Blinken made clear that Britain was in the front ranks of backing Washingtons agenda not only in confronting Russia, but also backing Israels genocide in Gaza and in militarily challenging China.

Blinken said of their talks, we of course reaffirmed the imperative of continuing to support and help Ukraine defend itself against the ongoing Russian aggression. He warned that that the supplemental budget request [for Ukraine] that President Biden has made of Congress is urgent and its imperative We look to see that brought before the House and to get a vote as quickly as possible.

He continued, In the Indo-Pacific, our two countries are aligned on the key issues before us in the Indo-Pacific: ensuring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, standing up when the [Peoples Republic of China] is engaged in unfair trade practices and non-market practices

The AUKUS (US/UK/Australia) military alliance was declared to be vital in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. Australias selection last month of British companies to develop nuclear-powered submarines is a milestone in actually integrating our defense industrial bases.

Cameron said in reply that continued funding for Ukraine was vital, not just for Britain but was critical to US economic interests. We know that if we give the Ukrainians the support they deserve, they can win this war And of course, in terms of the money they need and the support they need, perhaps nothing is more important than the supplemental that the Congress is looking at, at the moment.

In the most bloodthirsty terms, Cameron insisted that the best thing we can do this year is to help keep the Ukrainians in this fight and I make that argument to anyone who will listen to me I argue that it is extremely good value for money for the United States and for others. Perhaps for about 5 or 10 percent of your defence budget, almost half of Russias prewar military equipment has been destroyed without the loss of a single American life. This is an investment in United States security.

While Camerons move to immediately shift Trumps position fell flat, the New York Times insisted that he was correct to meet the former, and possibly future, president. It cited Leslie Vinjamuri, director of the US and Americas programme at leading UK thinktank Chatham House, insisting, It may not feel tasteful, but its shrewd, pragmatic politics of the kind Britain especially has historically been so good at, and probably of the kind that will work best with Trump.

There is a lot at stake in US defence of Ukraine and Europes security, she added, and frankly, I think the effort to influence the US may be wiser and more effective than the aspiration to Trump-proof Europe.
From left, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican-Kentucky), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (Democrat-New York) and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (Republican-Louisiana) at the Capitol in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. [AP Photo/.J. Scott Applewhite]

Following a two-week congressional recess, Democratic and Republican politicians alike have made clear that the top priority for Congress and the White House is passage of tens of billions of dollars in additional military funding for Ukraine in the US-NATO proxy war against Russia, for Israel in its genocidal war against Gaza and for the ongoing transformation of Taiwan into a military staging ground for a future war against China.

At the same time, the Democratic leadership of the Senate has put as the first and most immediate item on the agenda the passage of a renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which otherwise expires on April 19. Section 702 sanctions warrantless electronic surveillance. It has been used by US law enforcement agencies to violate Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures since 2008.

On April 8, in his first major speech on the Senate floor since March, Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for bipartisan cooperation on the legislative front to renew Section 702 and for House Republicans to join the Democrats in approving the nearly $100 billion National Security Supplemental that was passed earlier this year by the Senate.

Schumer declared that preventing FISA from lapsing will take bipartisan cooperation and swift action. He added, The House is currently working on the best path forward on FISA, and the Senate stands ready to jump into action to prevent this important national security authority from lapsing.

Under Section 702 of FISA, the National Security Agency (NSA) and other US intelligence agencies are authorized to collect the digital communications, including text messages and emails, of those living outside the US without a warrant. Section 702 also allows the collection of data of US citizens if they interact with a foreign target of US surveillance.



Turning to war funding for Ukraine, Schumer demanded that Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans snap out of their paralysis and pass the National Security Supplemental.

The National Security Supplemental bill passed two months ago by the Senate earmarks over $60 billion for the Ukrainian government to prosecute the US-NATO proxy war against Russia. Most of the funds will go to filling the coffers of US arms manufacturers.



The war package also includes over $14 billion for Israel and $4.8 billion for more missiles and submarines to Taiwan.



The situation in Ukraine is desperate, Schumer said, attacking the Republicans as agents of Vladimir Putin for refusing to date to bring the measure to the floor of the Republican-controlled House for a vote. Schumer said:

Lets be blunt. The biggest reason Ukraine is losing the war is because the hard-right in the Congress has paralyzed the United States from acting. ... Speaker Johnson has to decide for himself whether or not he will do the right thing for Ukraine, for America and for democracy, or if he will allow MAGA Republicans to hand Vladimir Putin a large victory.

Schumer added that he was confident if Johnson placed the bill on the House floor without strings attached, it would pass. While the exact contours of a House bill providing tens of billions in additional military aid to Ukraine remain unclear at this point, there is no question that a majority of Democrats and Republicans support sending the weaponry to Kiev.



A few far-right Republicans and Trump loyalists are opposing the additional military aid to Ukraine, not on an anti-war basis, but because they prioritize war with China. There is also Trumps aim of sabotaging Bidens agenda to further the former presidents bid to recapture the White House in the November presidential election. To this end, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has promised to file a motion to vacate against Speaker Johnson, targeting him for removal as Speaker of the House if he brings a Ukraine aid bill to the floor.



Last month, The Hill reported that a growing chorus of Democrats had pledged to vote in favor of saving Speaker Johnsons job if a motion to vacate is filed. If the choice is between Ukraine aid and providing a vote to stop a motion to vacate, or no Ukraine aid, I think theres a lot of Democrats who would be willing to assist in getting it done, Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut told the publication.



So long as [House Minority Leader] Jeffries is  OK with this strategy, I think well provide however many [votes] are needed, Himes said. My own guess would behow many members are there of Marjorie Taylor Greenes merry band? Fifteen? Twenty? We could easily provide that number in a motion to vacate.



Rep. Jared Moskowitz (Democrat-Florida), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told The Hill he too would come to Johnsons rescue over the war package. If youre telling me Speaker Johnson comes out with a bill thats going to stand by Ukraine and Israel ... and then theres a motion to vacate him over that, no, Im not gonna support that, he said.



In February, Washington Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said, Democrats would support Johnson if he moved the Senates National Security Supplemental. California Democrat Eric Swalwell likewise told The Hill in March that Greenes antics may provide the best shot at getting needed aid to Ukraine.



Interviewed on CBS News Face the Nation program last Sunday, Rep. French Hill (Republican-Arkansas), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, called for the renewal of FISAs warrantless surveillance authorization, telling host Margaret Brennan he was confident that we will have support for renewing the authorization for the use of 702, which he claimed played a vital role in keeping America safe.



Asked to comment on a possible timeline of votes in the House, Hill said he thought Johnson would bring up the supplemental appropriations for Ukraine, for Taiwan, for Israel immediately after completing the work on FISA and FISAs extension. He continued, That deadline of April 19 makes it a priority for the first few days that we are back. But Ukraine remains the priority, as does our support for Israel and Taiwan, and, yes, I believe [Speaker Johnson] is fully committed to bringing it to the floor immediately thereafter.



At a joint press conference held Tuesday with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron at the US State Department, Secretary of State Antony Blinken began his remarks by demanding that Congress pass the supplemental war package.



Blinken said he and Cameron discussed the imperative of getting assistance to Ukraine now. This included munitions, air defenses and artillery, he added.



Cameron echoed Blinkens remarks, saying that perhaps nothing is more important than the Supplemental that the Congress is looking at, at the moment. Cameron opined that it was profoundly in your interest, and your security and your future and the future of all your partners, to release this money and let it through.



Prior to lobbying Congress publicly at Tuesdays press conference with Blinken, Cameron met privately with Donald Trump to discuss Ukraine war funding.



The New York Times has reported that in private meetings with donors earlier this year, Speaker Johnson repeatedly pledged to support military funding for Ukraine. The Times reported that at a February fundraiser, Johnson assured a supporter, Were going to do our job and send weapons and money to Ukraine.



The bipartisan support for the war package, including pledges from Democrats to save the job of Speaker Johnson, a far-right evangelical Christian and diehard opponent of abortion rights, should he bring the bill forward, reveals again the true priorities of the Democratic Party. It is willing to work with anyone to transfer billions of dollars to the crisis-ridden Zelensky government, which is itself allied with neo-Nazis and fascists.



The central focus of the Democratic Party is prosecuting and escalating the war against Russia, up to and including the use of nuclear weapons. This underscores the fact that there is no lesser evil in the 2024 presidential election between the fascist Trump and Genocide Joe Biden. Both candidates, and their respective parties, represent the financial oligarchy and the US military-intelligence apparatus and are bringing humanity to the brink of catastrophe.



The urgent task is to establish the political independence of the working class from both parties of the corporate-financial oligarchy and halt the descent into world war, genocide and dictatorship by uniting working people internationally on the basis of an anti-capitalist, socialist program.


The UAWs Solidarity House headquarters, undergoing renovations.

In 2023, the net assets of the United Auto Workers union apparatus rose, despite the decline in the unions membership to the lowest level since the 2009 bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler.

The UAWs recently released US Labor Department financial filing (LM-2) shows that despite the installation of a reform leadership headed by President Shawn Fain, the salaries of staff and top officers, as well as overall spending by the UAW, were up sharply over 2022.

Fain has claimed that the UAW was turning over a new leaf and ending its decades-long program of union-management collaboration. But its financial filing shows that the apparatus continues to receive a significant portion of its income through direct or indirect subsidies from the auto companies, as well as income from its investments in Wall Street. These income streams have allowed the union to expand its highly paid and bloated staff, as well as fund an assortment of lavish leadership conferences at exclusive venues from which rank-and-file members are largely excluded.

UAW members dues collected by Solidarity House are invested in a range of mutual funds with holdings in US and global stocks, including companies whose workforces are nominally represented by the UAW. The UAWs investments include holdings in hedge funds, notorious for imposing deep cuts on workers, such as Bardin Hill Investment Partners, with operations based in the Cayman Islands, and Kohlberg Investors IX, to name only a two.

Thus, the UAW apparatus has directly benefited from the rise in the stock market driven by Wall Streets relentless and ongoing assault on the social position of the working class.

Fueled by the rise in the value of its massive stock portfolio, net spending for the UAW, less payout for strike benefits, rose from $258 million in 2022 to $318.4 million in 2023. Compensation to headquarters staff rose from $52.57 million in 2022 to $58.96 million in 2023.

The nominal reason for keeping such a gargantuan hoard is to maintain the UAWs strike fund. However, the UAW hardly ever calls strikes, and when it does, it tries to limit them as much as possible. This was the case in the stand up strike last year, which had the vast majority of auto workers continuing to work throughout. The strike fund is in reality a means of backstopping the incomes of the union apparatus, not a weapon to fight the corporations.

The UAW has not released how much is in the strike fund. It is not reported in the LM-2, but in previous years the apparatus has disclosed how much it contains to the news media. Not so this year. The WSWS contacted the UAW to ask for this information but was told that the information is not publicly available. What is the UAW apparatus concealing?

The UAWs largest expense$5 millionwent to Jenner & Block, one of the law firms comprising the supposedly independent UAW monitor. With the recommendation and support of the UAW, Jenner & Block was appointed by a court as part of a consent decree to wrap up the federal investigation into UAW corruption.

Rank-and-file Mack Trucks worker and socialist Will Lehman, who ran for UAW president against Fain, noted the blatant conflict of interest in having Jenner & Block, a law firm that represents General Motors, involved in UAW oversight. Lehman cited this as part of a complaint he filed with the Department of Labor over the UAW monitors refusal to consider his protest of massive voter suppression in the UAW national officers election.

Mack Trucks worker Will Lehman (left) speaking to Ford Kentucky Truck workers in August 2022

The entire election process in 2022 demonstrated the nexus between the UAW apparatus, the corporations and the state. With the support of the Biden administration, the courts and the monitor, the UAW apparatus worked to suppress voter turnout to ensure that the election would result in the appointment of one of the two candidates of the apparatus itself.

Other facts contained in the LM-2 filing include:

Substantial sums of money go to purchases that have no conceivable relationship to the interests of workers. This includes $599,859 on promotional items: umbrellas, pens, t-shirts, notebooks, duffel bags, rain ponchos, etc.

Many of the expenses are murky. For example, according to the financial report, $13,544 went to Elite Snipe Gun and Rifle Detailing Services for firearms training. The business address appears to be someones home in Detroit. Elite Snipe Gun is not listed in any business listings, including the state of Michigan corporate registry.

Over $1 million was spent on flights, including $651,000 for Delta Airlines alone. Another $1 million went for catering, including $467,599 for one banquet contract.

The UAW staff is studded with relatives of current and previous UAW officials, including disgraced former Vice President Norwood Jewell, who was sentenced to a jail term for his role in UAW corruption.

The incorporation of the pseudo-left into the apparatus

The UAW has increased both the size of its bureaucratic apparatus and their level of pay. Among those benefiting are individuals connected to pseudo-left tendencies such as the Democratic Socialists of American and Labor Notes. They have been brought on board as part of the attempt of the UAW apparatus to rebrand the union as responsive and reformed. The aim of this maneuver is to give the Fain administration a public relations facelift. Among those added to the UAW payroll in the last year include:

Donald Chris Brooks ($172,591), a member of the DSA and former Labor Notes writer who devised Fains phony stand up strike strategy.

Brian Shepherd ($131,522), a member of the DSA who is heading the UAW unionization campaign.

Jonah Furman ($106,667), UAW communications director. He was a writer for Labor Notes and former organizer for Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign

Ben Dictor, a labor attorney and former finance director for Bernie Sanders. His Eisner & Dictor law firm was paid a total of $484,870 by the UAW in 2023.

Brandon Mancilla, Region 9A Director, ($203,829), a DSA member who oversaw the sellout of Harvard grad workers in 2021.

Vail Kohnert-Yount ($107,610), assistant Region 9A director, a Democratic Party operative and Harvard law school graduate who received her appointment after donating $25,000 to Shawn Fains election campaign.

Mike Miller ($207,049), director of Region 6, a graduate of UCLA and an associate of Brandon Mancilla. He has overseen the isolation and betrayal of strikes by academic workers on the West Coast, where he resides.

Dictor, Furman and Brooks were recently the subject of a highly favorable article published by the Wall Street Journal (Three Young Activists Who Never Worked in an Auto Factory Helped Deliver Huge Win for the UAW, October 30, 2023) extolling the 2023 sellout contracts at the Big Three. According to the Journal, a foremost mouthpiece of Corporate America, the three were given a national platform during one of the most active years for strikes in nearly a generation. The result was a sharper and more bitter collective-bargaining battle with Detroitand one of the biggest wins in decades.

In reality, the contacts, far from being big wins, barely impacted the auto companies bottom lines. They set the stage for a massive downsizing, which has already begun, as management moves to shift the massive cost of the transition to EVs onto the backs of workers.

The fact that the Journal, not known for its sympathies for workers, speaks in such glowing terms of the pseudo left operatives indicates the important role they are playing in shoring up the UAW apparatus, a key support for the Democratic Party and US capitalism as a whole.

The UAW financial report states that the union spent $14 million on political lobbying in 2023, but in reality its political role in supporting the Democratic Party is much greater. A large amount of the time of the UAWs paid staff is spent campaigning for the Democrats. A case in point is Kohnert-Yount. Her parents are well-heeled Democratic Party donors, and she worked as an intern in the Obama White House. She also worked in the US Department of Labor as a political appointee of Obama.

Most of the pseudo-left operatives brought into the UAW apparatus come from upper-middle-class backgrounds. In outlook, lifestyle and income they are far removed from the lives of workers on the shop floor. Brooks is a graduate of the Union Leadership and Activism program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Dictor is a graduate of Cardozo School of Law and the University of Florida.

The elevation of Fain to the UAW presidency did not represent the reform of the UAW, let alone the restoration of rank-and-file control. The installation of Fain is part of an operation by the Biden administration and the Democratic Party to refashion and shore up the deeply discredited UAW apparatus, and more broadly the American unions as a whole, to restore their effectiveness in suppressing the opposition of autoworkers to the ruling class program of austerity and global war.

President Joe Biden is greeted by Shawn Fain, President of the United Auto Workers, as he arrives to speak to a United Auto Workers' political convention, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

Events are rapidly exposing the fraud of UAW reform. Only months after the supposed historic 2023 national auto agreement, the meager gains presented by Fain, such as the elimination of temporary workers and their conversion to full-time, and a just transition to electric vehicles, are being exposed as fraudulent as the companies carry out mass layoffs.

To wage a fight, autoworkers should take up the call by Will Lehman and the International Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees for the construction and expansion of a network of rank-and-file committees in the auto plants and other industries. The aim of these committees is not to win positions in the corrupt UAW apparatus, but to abolish it and return power to workers on the shop floor.
February 28 marked four years since COVID-19 was first reported in New Zealand. Today, the virus is still circulating, with new strains, including the more infectious variants like JN.1, having arrived two years after the Omicron variant became widespread.

Initially, with strict border controls and lockdowns imposed by the Jacinda Ardern-led Labour Party government, New Zealand was largely successful keeping the pandemic at bay.

However, under pressure from big business and the media, Ardern abandoned the governments elimination policy in late 2021 and adopted the criminal let it rip agenda that has killed more than 27.4 million people globally. Last year Arderns successor, Chris Hipkins, announced the formal end of all remaining public health measures.

The policy has been reinforced by the recently installed far-right National Party led coalition government. Health NZ last month declared that household contacts of people with COVID-19 no longer need to test daily unless they develop symptoms. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) will likely only be available free until June, with the government non-committal about paying for more.

On April 2, Health NZ declared that 3,399 new cases, of which 67 percent were reinfections, had been reported the previous week, with seven more deaths attributed to the virus. Nationwide wastewater readings suggest that the real number of cases is twice as high.

Despite ongoing attempts by the political establishment to convince the population that the COVID pandemic is over or no worse than seasonal influenza, in 2023 the coronavirus caused more than 12,000 hospitalisations and 1,000 deaths.

Total deaths in New Zealand attributed to COVID will pass 4,000 this week, but the real toll is likely higher. According to Health NZ there are 226 deaths that may or may not be COVID-related, and 1,773 people who died shortly after being infected with COVID, but whose deaths have been deemed unrelated to COVID.

Otago University epidemiologist Michael Baker warned in the Conversation last month that a fifth wave of the virus, which entered the country during the summer, was significantly larger than the fourth wave, signaling that we cannot rely on the comforting assumption that COVID will get less severe over time. Baker condemned the growing pandemic complacency from political leaders and sections of the public.

The government is doing its best to bury any evidence of the ongoing dangers. Last week Health Minister Shane Reti and Finance Minister Nicola Willis falsely claimed that they had established a Long COVID expert advisory group as part of the governments response. Health NZ was forced to reveal the group was actually established in 2022 but disestablished the same year.

Baker and colleagues, including Amanda Kvalsvig (Otago University) and Matire Harwood (Auckland University) are meanwhile turning their attention to the undercounting of Long COVID.

International evidence indicates that between 5 to 15 percent of all infections can lead to Long COVID, which can persist for up to four years, with symptoms that fluctuate from mild to severe. With every re-infection, the chances of developing Long COVID increase, and there is no known cure.

Some of the most prevalent symptoms of Long COVID

According to the New Zealand researchers, there are more than 200 individual symptoms linked to Long COVID, with the dominant ones being fatigue and brain fog. While some are mild and transient, other effects can be life-altering, including heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome and a range of neurological effects.

Baker said in a Radio NZ interview that Long COVID can be damaging to the entire population, and can affect the brain development of children and teenagers. It can also impact on foetuses. In response, Minister Nicola Willis flatly said the government would not commit to adopting any minimum standards to prevent it.

According to Professor Kvalsvig, teachers are the most vulnerable occupation to getting COVID, and therefore Long COVID, followed by healthcare workers. Some who had the virus early in 2020 are still not well. So the experience of being not listened to and not believed has been very harmful for them alongside the very considerable health impacts that theyve had from Long COVID, she said.

Culpability for the dire situation in schools rests with the teacher unions, the NZ Educational Institute (NZEI) and Post-Primary Teachers Association (PPTA). Both opposed demands to close the schools when the pandemic first hit, and assisted in reopening them after Labour ended the zero-COVID policy.

Neither union has mounted any campaign, or called strike action, to protect the health and safety of teachers and students. Nor have they raised any demands for nationwide protections, such as the provision of air filters, to minimise in-school impacts.

In a sign of the measures that will be used in workplaces, hospitals and elsewhere, Associate Education Minister David Seymourthe leader of the far-right ACT Partyrecently declared that parents should send sick children to school in the name of combating a so-called truancy crisis. Seymour stated last week: As we move out of a COVID periodor have moved out of a COVID periodweve got to look at other challenges we face like not enough kids going to school.

This criminal policy has nothing to do with helping children learn. The aim is to ensure that parents keep working without being interrupted to care for their sick children.

Presenters to a webinar on April 3 titled Long COVIDAre we taking it seriously enough? organised by the Helen Clark Foundation, said that a Long COVID registry, established in July last year, showed that most sufferers were in the mid-40s age bracket, often needing to work while looking after households. Most were healthy before COVID. Researcher Paula Lorgelly said many now have a quality of life similar to patients suffering cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Patient advocate Jenene Crossan said that because of the absence of bio-markers, large numbers of people do not even know they have Long COVID. Trying to get a diagnosis was like the wild west, and doctors lacked the time and resources to deal with chronic conditions.

Baker warned that schools and workplaces are cutting corners on safety. He called for a massive cultural shift, saying it should not be regarded as normal to get multiple respiratory infections over and over again. The government needed to take the leadership and insist such a situation is intolerable, Baker said.

However Baker, who was a Labour government advisor, well knows that the perspective of trying to pressure any government has proven to be a dead end. When Labour abandoned its elimination policy and subsequent health protections it did so against the advice of the vast majority of public health experts.

The National-ACT-NZ First government has already made its intentions clear. With hospitals facing overcrowding, understaffing and a lack of resources, vital funding is being cut. Last week the Health Ministry announced 134 jobs would be axed as it seeks to slash its budget by $78 million by 2025.

The attitude of New Zealands ruling elite to the lives and well-being of the working class was summed up by ACT Party MP and Minister for Workplace Relations Brooke Van Velden, who blurted out last year when she was the party health spokesperson: When it came to COVID, we completely blew out what the value of a life was, completely, Ive never seen such a high value on life.

A strategy to eliminate COVID-19, which is an international issue, includes mass testing, contact tracing, the safe isolation and treatment of infected patients, the universal use of high-quality masks, and the provision of clean indoor air. There must be a vast expansion in funding for Long COVID research and a systematic program of scientific education.

Such a strategy, however, will never be implemented under capitalism, which subordinates all public health spending to the insatiable profit interests of the financial oligarchy. It requires a turn to the working class and the building of a mass socialist movement fighting to restructure society on the basis of social need, not private profit.
On April 15, Jay Leno's Garage will feature the all-electric North American-style Vector fire truck from REV Fire Group. Here is Mike Virnig, president, REV Specialty Vehicles Segment speaking with host Jay Leno about the Vector. (Photo: Business Wire)

OCALA, Fla., April 10, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--REV Specialty Vehicles Segment, which includes fire apparatus brands E-ONE, KME, Ferrara, Spartan Fire Chassis, Spartan Emergency Response, Smeal, and Ladder Tower, announces the Vector, its all-electric North American-style fire truck, will feature on the April 15 episode of the award-winning series "Jay Lenos Garage." REV Specialty Vehicles President Mike Virnig is the Vector spokesperson, interviewed by Jay Leno.

With over 3.6 million subscribers, "Jay Lenos Garage" is a YouTube web series about motor vehicles, primarily cars and motorbikes starring Jay Leno, legendary comedian, and veteran host of "The Tonight Show." The show is filmed at Jay Lenos Big Dog Garage in Burbank, California.

"We are honored to have our Vector fire truck feature in an upcoming episode of Jay Lenos Garage," said Mike Virnig, president, REV Specialty Vehicles. "Jay is a great motor vehicle aficionado with a devoted audience, and we cant ask for better exposure to show off the features and benefits of the first fully electric North American-style fire apparatus."

The episode includes a drive-around and demonstration which examines how the Vector excels at sustainability and performance with low to no carbon emissions, less noise pollution, range extension for prolonged power needs and life-long batteries. In addition, the show looks at how the Vector can pump four hose lines at 750 gallons per minute for four hours on a single charge  allowing for continuous emergency response, when needed.

The first Vector went into service at Mesa Fire and Medical Department in January, marking Arizonas first fully electric North American fire engine in service. In addition, one of the two Spartan Emergency Response Vector fire trucks built for Toronto Fire Services will be on display at FDIC International (Fire Department Instructors Conference) in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 18 to 20, 2024; Booth 4200.

About REV Group, Inc.

REV Group companies are leading designers and manufacturers of specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services, which serve a diversified customer base, primarily in the United States, through two segments: Specialty Vehicles and Recreational Vehicles. The Specialty Vehicles Segment provides customized vehicle solutions for applications, including essential needs for public services (ambulances and fire apparatus) and commercial infrastructure (terminal trucks and industrial sweepers). REV Groups Recreational Vehicles Segment manufactures a variety of RVs from Class B vans to Class A motorhomes. REV Group's portfolio is made up of well-established principal vehicle brands, including many of the most recognizable names within their industry. Several of REV Group's brands pioneered their specialty vehicle product categories and date back more than 50 years. REV Group trades on the NYSE under the symbol REVG. Investors-REVG

Story continues

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240410106523/en/

Contacts

Julie Nuernberg

Sr Director, Marketing & Communications

+1.262.389.8620 (mobile)

julie.nuernberg@revgroup.com
Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of Michigan high school student Ethan Crumbley, who killed four of his classmates and injured seven others on November 30, 2021, were each sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Pontiac, Michigan, James Crumbley speaks before his sentencing for involuntary manslaughter in a school shooting committed by his son. His wife, Jennifer Crumbley, center, listens. [AP Photo/Ed White]

The prosecution, conviction and sentencing of Jennifer, 45, and James Crumbley, 47, concludes the first case in the US in which parents have been held criminally responsible for a mass shooting carried out by their child. Ethan Crumbley, who was charged as an adult with 24 counts, including first-degree murder, pled guilty on October 22, 2022 and, more than a year later, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The parents of Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 years old when he carried out a shooting spree between classes at Oxford High School, were convicted of involuntary manslaughter in separate jury trials earlier this year. All three Crumbleys are eligible to appeal their convictions.

While it is true that the Crumbleys were negligent and morally culpable for the crime committed by their son, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald seized upon the evidence against the parents to bring a case against them that establishes a dangerous and reactionary legal precedent.

The case opens the door to criminally prosecuting parents for what is fundamentally an expanding and horrendous social crisis of mass school shootings carried out by children. The Crumbleys have now been convicted and sentenced to long prison terms for failing to stop the murders carried out by their son.

The Crumbleys were given the opportunity to speak before their sentences were imposed by Judge Matthews. Both expressed remorse for what their son had done but refused to admit that they were responsible for the crimes he committed.

Jennifer Crumbley, who had asked the court before the hearing to impose a sentence of house arrest instead of prison time, addressed the families of the victims. She said, I stand today not to ask for your forgiveness, as I know it may be beyond reach, but to express my sincerest apologies for the pain that has been caused.

James Crumbley, who asked before the hearing for the court to impose a sentence of time served in jail, said to the families, I cannot express how much I wish that I had known what was going on with him or what was going to happen, because I absolutely would have done a lot of things differently.

The family members of the victims also spoke before the sentencing about the impact on their lives of the horrific deaths of the high school students at the hands of the shooter. They condemned the inaction of the Crumbley parents, who they said could have prevented the shooting from taking place.

The evidence presented during both jury trials showed that the Crumbley parents acted recklessly in regard to the murder weapon and were unresponsive to indications that their son was suffering from mental and emotional distress.

Ethan Crumbley murdered Madisyn Baldwin, age 17, Tate Myre, age 16, Hana St. Juliana, age 14, and Justin Shilling, age 17, with a 9mm SIG Sauer semi-automatic pistol which James Crumbley had bought for him as an early Christmas present. Even though he purchased a cable lock for the gun, James never used it to secure the weapon in the household.

Four days before the school shooting, Jennifer took her son to a firing range to use the weapon and then boasted about it on her Instagram account. During testimony, Jennifer was asked why the gun had not been secured in the house, and she said that this was her husbands responsibility.

On the day of the shooting, Ethans parents had been called to a conference at Oxford High School and presented with a violent sketch that Ethan had made which depicted a gun and a shooting victim with the words, The thoughts wont stop Help me, The world is dead and My life is useless.

The parents declined to take Ethan home with them that morning and said nothing during the meeting about the gun to which their son had access. They did not request that his backpack be searched by high school staff and left the meeting to go back to work.

When the parents were asked about the mental health issues facing their son, including evidence in his text messages that he was hallucinating and experiencing extreme paranoia, they said they had no idea that he was having psychological problems, and, in one instance, Jennifer said Ethan was joking with her when he said he was seeing things.

Before handing down the sentence, Judge Cheryl Matthews of the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac, Michigan, said, Parents are not expected to be psychic. But these convictions are not about poor parenting. These convictions confirm repeated acts or lack of acts that could have halted an oncoming runaway trainrepeatedly ignoring things that would make a reasonable person feel the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

Speaking before the sentencing, the Democratic Party Prosecutor Karen McDonald did not address the broader implications of the Crumbley case but engaged in grandstanding, saying, These were tragic and awful deaths, what these families have gone through. And it is preventable. It is preventablethat is my message.

Later in the day, during an interview with National Public Radio, McDonald tried to minimize the significance of the case, claiming she didnt even contemplate that the criminal prosecution and conviction was the first case of its kind in US history.

McDonald then said, I dont like to hear the commentary that suggests that its opening the door to criminalizing bad parenting or could be used in a disparate way. She then added, I would never stand for the proposition that we should be held accountable for what our kids do and thats just simply not what the case was about.

However, as Ekow Yankah, a professor at the University of Michigan Law School, told the New York Times, the effect of the ruling on Tuesday would be felt beyond the state. He said:

This is going to be a precedent, most obviously in Michigan and its home jurisdiction, but prosecutors all over the country will see this as a new and viable form of liability. I think we should not underestimate the precedential power of this case, even as we recognize that the facts were quite extraordinary.
As founder of one of the largest employers in the world, Amazon.com Inc. Founder Jeff Bezos has several thoughts on running a business, workers and work-life balance.

Amazon, which has more than 1.5 million employees worldwide, has also been controversial over the years, with some employees complaining about not receiving bathroom breaks and being forced to use bottles while others report unsustainable wages for grueling work. But that would seem to come with the territory as the world's second-largest employer.

According to Amazon, their average pay for customer fulfillment and operational roles is $20.50 per hour. Based on a 40-hour work week, those employees make an average of $42,640 per year. In 2023, the average salary in the U.S. was $59,384, meaning employees are paid well below market rate likely adding a degree of truth to some of the claims.

Don't Miss:

But with 1.5 million employees, Bezos has more control over people's lives than nearly any other corporate entity on the planet. Humans spend, on average, 90,000 hours working throughout their lives, or about 10 years of continuous work and 15% of their total life span.

In an interview conducted in India, Bezos laid out some of his philosophy on work and life. In the interview, the panel asked Bezos, "Is there something you think is a sheer waste of time?" to which Bezos replied, "People have very high standards for how they want their work-life to be. If you can get your work-life to be where you enjoy half of it, that is a home run, that is amazing."

In this context, Bezos explained that everything in life has "overhead" and things people aren't going to enjoy about their jobs. Whether it's meetings or committees, there's no such thing as a perfect job.

Trending: This platform is offering an industry-leading 5.1% APY on their high-yield savings account.

"You could be a Supreme Court justice, and there are still going to be pieces of your job you don't like," he said.

The issue is that most don't get anywhere close to enjoying even 50% of their work. If you can get to at least 50% enjoyment of your job, you're doing much better than everyone else, according to Bezos. This is true outside of work as well because there are plenty of aspects of life people don't enjoy, but "that's a part of it."

Story continues

As a senior executive, "you should have the least stress," Bezos said. Bezos highlighted that there is a false idea that executives like CEOs are under the most stress because they control the company, and the growth of the company falls on them. But Bezos said executives have one of the easiest jobs because they're one of the few people who can control nearly every aspect of their jobs.

"You're in charge, why don't you delegate the stress?" Bezos asked.

These ideas exemplify that there are plenty of things in life out of people's control that they don't like, and while you can minimize them, you can't get rid of them.

Read About Startup Investing:

"ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now!

Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga?

This article Jeff Bezos Says, 'People Have Very High Standards' For Their Work-Life Balance  If You 'Enjoy Half of It, That's a Home-Run' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Another tax plan, another choice.

For the second time this year, Gov. Laura Kelly must decide whether to veto far-ranging legislation that would upend how  and how much  Kansans pay in income taxes. The Democratic governors determination may hand lawmakers in both parties an election year victory, or kick off a new round of conflict over taxes with no clear resolution.

Over the weekend, the Legislature sent Kelly a sweeping tax plan that would take the state from three personal income tax brackets to two and implement a host of other changes, including eliminating income taxes on Social Security benefits. The annual cost to state revenues is estimated at $635 million the first year and roughly $460 million each year after.

In January, Kelly vetoed a tax package passed largely with Republican votes that would have set a single income tax rate. By contrast, the new proposal enjoyed bipartisan support but divided Democrats. While passing the House 119-0, it cleared the Senate 24-9, with some Democrats opposed. Only one Republican voted no.

Kelly, more than a year into her second term, has built her time in the governors office on promises to never take Kansas back to the budget crisis under former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, whose signature income tax cuts left the state struggling to pay for expenses. She has also called for tax cuts amid the growth of the states massive cash reserves, fueled in part by federal pandemic aid.

Whether Kelly judges the most recent tax measure financially sustainable may determine its fate  and the answer is potentially no.

Earlier in the week, before the Legislature passed the tax plan, lawmakers considered a different proposal that would have maintained the three-bracket structure and cost less. The bill passed the Senate but hit a wall in the House. Hours before the vote, Kelly addressed House Democrats in an unsuccessful effort to generate support for the proposal, which she had endorsed.

During her speech, Kelly set down markers that now suggest she may find the new tax plan heading to her desk too costly.

I think most important to me, quite honestly, is the fact that were able to do these cuts but still have  in a fiscally responsible way. This is sustainable, Kelly told the gathering of House Democrats on Thursday.

We had a cap, a ceiling, on the amount we could cut taxes and still be able to operate  fund our schools, fund our roads, fund our water plan. All of those kinds of things. We had a cap, and that was $425 million in the out year, in fiscal year 29.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly speaks to House Democrats while attempting to build support for a tax plan compromise.

The bill eventually approved by lawmakers runs about $460 million a year after the first year, upwards of $35 million higher than Kellys ceiling. On Friday night, Kellys chief of staff, Will Lawrence, reiterated the $425 million cap to reporters, though he cautioned he wasnt saying what action the governor would take.

Story continues

The concerns didnt persuade most lawmakers.

Typically, when we look at the fiscal impact, we go out about three years, Rep. Adam Smith, a Weskan Republican who chairs the House Tax Committee, said of the process of crafting legislation. When weve been looking at this tax cut plan, weve been looking out to five years just to make sure that we are sustainable and fiscally responsible.

Kansas is one of numerous states weighing tax cuts. In 2024, at least 14 states, including Missouri, have income tax reductions taking effect, according to the Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that advocates for tax reform. Ohio and Montana are consolidating tax brackets and Georgia is adopting a flat tax.

A large amount of bracket consolidation has taken place across states in recent years, said Katherine Loughead, a senior policy analyst and research manager at the Tax Foundation. States collectively had more than 200 tax brackets in 2018, compared to 158 today.

Its prudent that lawmakers in Kansas are trying really hard to make sure that this is sustainable, that there is enough revenue currently and in the future to support these cuts. And there really is, Loughead said.

The proposed tax cuts are small compared to the amount of revenue growth the state has seen over the past several years, Loughead added, and are comparable to cuts made by roughly half of all states in recent years.

The legislation would tax income at rates of 5.55% in the top bracket and 5.15% in the bottom bracket. For individuals, $23,000 a year in taxable income marks the dividing line between the two rates; $46,000 for married couples filing jointly. Under current Kansas law, the tax brackets are set at 3.1%, 5.25% and 5.7%, with individuals making over $30,000 a year in taxable income taxed at the top rate.

The bill raises the personal exemption allowance amount from $2,250 for all taxpayers to $18,320 for married couples filing jointly and $9,160 for everyone else. Each dependent would lead to an additional $2,320.

The measure also eliminates taxes on Social Security income, lowers the statewide mill levy for schools from 20 mills to 19.5 mils and accelerates the elimination of the state sales tax on food to July 1, six months ahead of current law.

Kelly will face pressure to sign the bill. Even though the measure doesnt go as far as the flat tax supported by GOP lawmakers earlier this year, Republicans and other supporters of a flat tax are backing the latest proposal.

Governor Kelly should sign this compromise and make good on her claims to want tax relief for our state. Vetoing another tax bill means she is unserious and uncommitted to the families in our state, Elizabeth Patton, state director of Americans for Prosperity-Kansas, a group linked to Charles Koch, said in a statement.

If Kelly vetoes the measure, she risks significant numbers of Democrats joining Republicans to override the veto in the House. At a minimum, a veto would put House Democrats in an awkward situation, forcing them to weigh whether to reverse their previous support for the bill and side with Kelly.

During a caucus meeting Friday night, Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, a Leawood Democrat, asked if Kelly supported the package. I am not interested in being part of a revolt or a splintering with the governor who pulled us out of the Brownback bankruptcy tax experiment, Poskin said.

House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, replied that indications are the governor is not happy with it but added he hadnt received official word Kelly opposed the measure.

Republicans would likely have the votes necessary to override a possible veto, as long as every House Republican who voted for the bill supports override along with Rep. Marvin Robinson, a Kansas City, Kansas, Democrat who often votes against the governor.

In the Senate, five senators  all Republicans  missed the tax vote. Override supporters would only need to win over three. Additionally, Sen. David Haley, a Kansas City, Kansas, Democrat who passed on voting on the measure, had previously flirted with voting to override Kellys veto of the flat tax.

Kelly could potentially sidestep the issue by signing the bill  or allowing it to become law without her signature  and then line-item vetoing spending from the state budget to compensate for the cost of the tax package. Lawmakers sent Kelly a budget on Friday.

A veto would almost certainly not be the end of the tax debate when the Legislature returns to Topeka in late April. Both Republicans and Democrats want to be able to run for re-election on having delivered tax cuts, and Kelly has promised to call the Legislature into special session if a tax plan she finds acceptable doesnt pass.

The threat of a special session provides lawmakers an extra incentive to find a deal acceptable to Kelly. Kansas law prevents legislative candidates from soliciting contributions from PACs and lobbyists while the Legislature is in session. A special session during campaign season could prove highly disruptive to fundraising efforts, as well as keep incumbent lawmakers in Topeka away from their districts.

But for now, lawmakers wait.

I see a future where this is probably going to get vetoed, Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, said on Saturday.
KPMG offices in London

KPMG has been handed a record fine after senior partners and managers were found to have cheated on professional exams.

The accounting firms Dutch arm was fined $25m (20m) by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) over a cheating scandal involving hundreds of employees.

The US audit watchdog found that widespread improper sharing had occurred in KPMG Netherlands from 2017 to 2022, and that the firm had repeatedly misled investigators about the misconduct.

PCAOB said that hundreds of professionals in KPMG Netherlands improperly shared answers in mandatory firm training courses, including for US auditing standards, professional ethics and independence.

The regulator said the scandal went as high as partners and senior leaders of the firm, including Marc Hogebooms, the former head of KPMG Netherlands, assurance practice and a member of the firms management board.

This also included answer sharing at a delivery centre serving KPMGs offices in the Netherlands and the UK.

PCAOB said: The growth of this widespread answer sharing was enabled by the firms failure to take appropriate steps to monitor, investigate, and identify the potential misconduct.

The penalty against KPMG Netherlands is the largest fine ever handed out by the US audit watchdog.

The regulator also handed Mr Hogeboom a $150,000 fine and permanently banned him from working at a firm which audits US public companies.

KPMG Netherlands and Mr Hogeboom agreed to pay the penalties without admitting or denying the findings.

KPMG, which operates as a global network of member firms, said that employees at all levels of seniority who participated in answer sharing have been sanctioned, with some leaving the firm.

Stephanie Hottenhuis, the chief executive of KPMG Netherlands, described the regulators conclusions as damning.

She said: I deeply regret that this misconduct happened in our firm. Our clients and stakeholders deserve our apology. They count on our quality and integrity as this is our role in society, with trust as our licence to operate.

Ms Hottenhuis said the firm has reviewed its approach to mandatory testing and made changes to its learning and development programmes.

The Netherlands business has also introduced controls to monitor whether training tests are being completed appropriately.

It is the latest in a series of ethics scandals to hit the Big Four accountants in recent years

In 2022, the Financial Reporting Council discovered that scores of accountants cheated in ethics exams after online tests were introduced during the pandemic in response to Covid restrictions.

Story continues

Dozens of trainee accountants in Britains biggest auditing firms were found to have swapped answers by email or messaging services such as WhatsApp on a number of occasions.

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.


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



ALAN RITCHSON IS best known for his role in Prime Video's hit action-thriller-mystery series Reacher, where he plays the titular Jack Reachera large man who's good at solving mysteries, fighting on behalf of the little guy, and kicking all sorts of ass. In the time since the show, which is based on author Lee Child's Jack Reacher book series, Ritchson has done a number of interviews, showing the world who he is and what he believes in.

The latest, a cover story for The Hollywood Reporter, finds the towering action hero (who this month will also appear alongside Henry Cavill in Guy Ritchie's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare) explaining why faith remains important to his life, but showing issue with the way some of his fellow Christians today have become "vitriolic." He also expressed concern with how one particular person has been rallied around: former President Donald Trump.

Trump is a rapist and a con man, and yet the entire Christian church seems to be treat him like hes their poster child, and its unreal," he says. "I dont understand it.

In the same cover story, Ritchson also addressed an Instagram post of his from 2020 that recently went viral, where he wears a t-shirt that reads "Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor." Taylor was a 26-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed in her apartment back in in March 2020 by police in Louisville, Kentucky as part of a botched drug raid.

The image of the Reacher star gained traction due to the show's popularity in some conservative circles, but he didn't back down from the message his t-shirt bore when pressed on it nearly four years later by THR.

That was a tragic case, he said. Cops get away with murder all the time, and the fact that we cant really hold them accountable for their improprieties is disturbing to me... I mean, you shouldnt have to spend more time getting an education as a hairstylist than as a cop whos armed with a deadly weapon."

You Might Also Like
Andre 3000 will bring his big bag of flutes to the 2024 Newport Jazz Festival, which the former OutKast rapper will headline along with Nile Rodgers & Chic, Kamasi Washington, Elvis Costello, Brittany Howard and Robert Glasper.

This year is the 70th anniversary of the storied summer staple, which will take place from August 2-4 at Fort Adams State Park in Rhode Island and also feature sets from: Laufey, Cory Wong, Dinner Party (featuring Terrace Martin, Glasper and Washington), Thievery Corporation, Samara Joy, Noname, PJ Morton, Galactic with Irma Thomas, Moonchild, Meshell Ndegocello, Sun Ra Arkestra and Christian McBrides Jam Jawn, among many others.

More from Billboard

The general public onsale will kick off on Wednesday (April 10) at 1 p.m. ET here.

In January, 3000 announced a lengthy run of 2024 dates in support of his surprise solo jazz instrumental album, New Blue Sun, which included multiple dates at the Blue Note club in New York, the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta and a five-night stand at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever in early March. The dates will roll on this month with a trio of gigs at Joshua Tree, CAs iconic Pappy & Harriets as well as spots at the ATL Jazz Festival on May 27 and the Roots Picnic on June 1-2 in Philadelphia.

In keeping with his no bars pledge, 3000 will also not rap at a number of other jazz festivals this summer, including the Toronto Jazz Fest (June 28), the Gent Jazz Festival (July 12) and the North Sea Jazz Festival (July 13).

Check out the full poster for the 2024 Newport Jazz Festival below.

Best of Billboard
HOLLAND  Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration records indicate that Holland-based LG Energy Solution Michigan Inc. received seven citations for alleged violations stemming from a case opened on Oct. 25, 2023.

The violations included two willful violations, which each drew $70,000 penalties, for the "control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)."

As construction continues at LG Energy Solution in Holland, MIOSHA has found seven violations by the company revolving around workplace safety.

According to the OSHA website, the standard covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start up of the machines or equipment, or release of stored energy could cause injury to employees. The standard also establishes minimum performance requirements for the control of hazardous energy.

A willful violation is the most serious type of violation a company can be cited for by OSHA. It means the employer either knowingly failed to comply with requirements or acted with plain indifference to employee safety.

The five other citations were for serious violations carrying a $7,000 fine each. Four of them were ultimately reduced to $3,500 each.

Those were for a variety of items, including the control of hazardous energy, safeguards for personal protection, selection and use of work practices, and for issues with training requirements necessary for employees who face a risk of electric shock.

Serious violations are a step down from willful violations and exist when a workplace hazard could cause an accident or illness that would most likely result in death or serious physical harm, unless the employer did not know or could not have known of the violation.

MIOSHA spokesperson Mike Krafcik said an OSHA Information System code is used to indicate high-gravity citations. Citations are rated 1-10, with 10 being the highest severity and probability of occurring. All seven citations LG received were scored a 10.

In a statement provided to The Sentinel, LG said it is appealing the citations.

Employee safety is a top priority at LG Energy Solution, the company said. The company takes all matters of safety seriously and works with team members and regulatory agencies to keep employees safe and ensure compliance. We strongly disagree with and are appealing the willful and related citations recently issued by MIOSHA.

Val Gent, communications manager for LG Energy Solution, said the company would not provide further comment while the appeal process is ongoing.

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

The citations come months after MIOSHA launched an investigation into a fatal industrial injury that occurred at LG. The injury occurred on Friday, Sept. 15, and involved a 41-year-old Louisiana man who was part of a crew working on the new construction in Holland when he suffered a serious head injury and later died.

A pipe had been pressurized for testing and, during the pressure release process, a plate broke free and struck the victim, damaging his hard hat and causing the injury.

According to Krafcik, that investigation was closed and no citations were issued.

 Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: LG Energy Solution fined over $150K for MIOSHA violations
Hes 73, with an animal on his head, notes one observer when clapping eyes on Benjamin Franklin  and Benjamin Franklins hat  upon his arrival in Paris. How then was this unlikely figure, for all his lightning bolts of inspiration, going to charm the supremely image conscious French court into buying into the American Dream?

Step forward Michael Douglas, gamely and gammily entering the period drama fray late in his career in Franklin (Apple TV+). It falls to Douglas to convince us over eight episodes that the politician, for all his physical frailty (he was a martyr to gout) and unkempt appearance was possessed of such scintillating wit, charm and bon mots that he single-handedly brokered an alliance that proved key into turning the United States from a bold idea into a global power.

That he almost does it is credit to a determinedly unshowy performance that stays grounded while those all around him are flying high on airs and graces. Though his mission is often kneecapped by a script that isnt half as clever as it needs to be (lines such as one mans traitor is another mans patriot sound like theyve been hewn from a fortune cookie), Douglas combines twinkly-eyed insouciance with gravel-voiced gravitas to prove that Franklin was the real deal.

So much so that you want to know rather more about him and rather less about the flotilla of characters that breeze in and out of a story that focuses entirely on Franklins eight-year stay in France. A dizzying succession of young French bucks with pomaded wigs litter the action, getting giddy on dreams of heroism as they turn the head of Franklins impressionable grandson, Temple (Noah Jupe), offering little more than irritating distraction.

The same could be said for Franklins rather cringe-making flirtation with the endlessly pouting Madame Brillon (Ludivine Sagnier), 40 years his junior, a liaison designed to demonstrate Franklins supposed animal magnetism. The chemistry just doesnt spark.

Where Franklin does come to life is in the political power play that, while not exactly subtle  the key players are forever playing actual chess  does feel like eavesdropping on history being made. Thibault de Montalembert (the oily Mathias from Call My Agent!) excels as the scheming Comte de Vergennes, Daniel Mays adds a hint of Blackadder as a duplicitous doctor, while, best of all, Eddie Marsan plays John Adams as relentlessly dour, the polar opposite of Franklins easy charm.

There are fascinating side stories too, most notably the all too brief appearance of the cross-dressing Chevalier dEon, whose gender fluidity both scandalised and fascinated the Parisian elite. I am a fact that does not yet have a name, the Chevalier confides in Franklin, a line that had me putting in a request for a spin-off series.

But that was a mere titbit in a solidly structured if somewhat glacially paced slice of history. Be still your patriotic bones because Franklin (somewhat inevitably, as its told from an American perspective) sees both the French and the British come in for a fair amount of lampooning. Luckily, Douglas just about sells it.

Franklin is on Apple TV+ from Friday 12 March

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 actor, who played Jerry Gergich on the NBC sitcom, will share never-before-told stories about working on the show

CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images; HarperCollins Publishers Jim O'Heir and the cover of 'Welcome to Pawnee'

Jim OHeir is taking readers back to Pawnee.



The Parks and Recreation actor, 62, exclusively shared the cover of his new book, Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles and Parks and Recreation, with PEOPLE. Forthcoming from William Morrow this fall, the book details the sitcoms lasting impact, as well as OHeirs experience on the show, from his initial audition to the series finale.



O'Heir played the ever-positive Jerry Gergich on the sitcom, which followed the employees of a fictional Indiana town's Parks department, and ran from 2009 to 2015 on NBC. Though the actor has appeared in numerous well-known television shows, including Curb Your Enthusiasm and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, OHeir says there was something special about his time in Pawnee.

HarperCollins Publishers 'Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation' by Jim O'Heir

Ive seen some showbiz craziness over the years, OHeir said in a statement. Ive been on sets where tensions were high and morale was low. Then came Parks and Recreation. I had never experienced such kindness and collaboration with other actors, writers, crew and producers.

Related: 'Parks and Recreation'' s Jim O'Heir Reveals Chris Pratt Shares Some of Hollywood's Biggest Spoilers

OHeir, along with Parks costars Chris Pratt, Rob Lowe, Retta and show creators Greg Daniels and Mike Schur, will explore the origins of the show, as well as the brilliance of its cast, which also starred Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. Additionally, the book will feature new stories about the stars, like birthday celebrations at Rashida Jones house and bonfires in Nick Offermans backyard.



The heart of the book, however, is OHeirs appreciation for the dedication of the shows fans, both old and new, especially as Parks celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.

CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images Jim O'Heir

The Parks fan base is incredibly loyal and always has tons of questions for me about what went on behind the scenes, OHeir added. Ive written this book to give them a peek into the world of how a great sitcom gets made. I want to share with them what it was like to work with the amazing cast and crew day after day, as well as the highs and the lows of a show that was always on the brink of cancellation.

Related: Rashida Jones Created  and Shot!  Spinoff on Parks and Rec Set with Amy Poehler, Adam Scott, Paul Rudd, Kathryn Hahn

With O'Heir's nostalgia-fueled recollections of the show  he is also the co-host of the Parks and Recollections podcast  the author has one goal in mind for this new book.



My hope is that, after reading this book, the fans will feel even more connected to the show they fell in love with, he said.

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.



Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles and Parks and Recreation will hit shelves on Nov. 19 and is now available for preorder.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Michael Lockshin, a Russian American filmmaker shown at his home in Los Angeles, adapted a classic Russian novel for the big screen. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Soon after Russian tanks crashed into Ukraine, Michael Lockshin realized he was making a dangerous movie. The director had spent 69 days, and $15 million, filming "The Master and Margarita" in Russia and Croatia, and now he was in Los Angeles beginning postproduction.

With just one previous feature to his name, Lockshin had been entrusted with a cultural treasure  adapting a complicated modernist novel as beloved to Russians as "The Catcher in the Rye" is to Americans.

Hed co-written the script, focusing on the tragic love story between a writer in Stalinist Russia and his devoted paramour. A veiled chronicle of novelist Mikhail Bulgakovs relation to a totalitarian Kremlin that banned his work, the Russian-language movie would be a satire, a paean to creative freedom, and a surrealist revenge fantasy that culminates in the burning of Moscow.

Lockshin, who was born in America but raised in Russia, thought he was making a fable about a nightmarish past. Then came the war, and the criminalization of even mild dissent. As Lockshin continued editing the footage in an apartment off La Brea, the film that was emerging seemed to have strikingly timely echoes.

In Vladimir Putin's increasingly fearful Russia, the film's fate became uncertain. Would it ever be finished, much less allowed to open? With so many voices silenced, might buying a ticket be a quiet act of rebellion?

Lockshin is burning incense in his living room, on a hill with a view of downtown Los Angeles. He lives with his wife, a graphic designer, and their big dog. He does not want his location advertised, though he knows it would not be difficult for enemies to find him.

Russia just kind of disintegrated, says Lockshin, 42, a lanky man with a trim chevron mustache and an unhurried but slightly wary air. Were in full-fledged Stalinist purges at the moment  something we couldnt have imagined. It happened very fast.

He speaks English with a flawless American accent and Russian with a flawless Moscow accent  a function of his singular childhood and the family drama surrounding it, which he does not particularly want to talk about.

He was famous across the USSR as a boy for reasons beyond his control. In October 1986, when he was 5 years old and growing up in Houston, his father, a biochemist and ardent communist, became convinced the FBI was persecuting him. His father packed up the family  Lockshin, his mom, his two siblings  and defected to the Soviet Union with idealistic visions.

Most defections went in the opposite direction, and Soviet officials treated their arrival as a propaganda bonanza. But ordinary Russians beheld the Lockshins bright, hopeful faces on the news with disbelief and derision.

The government installed the family in a four-room apartment in Moscow and gave his father a lab to work in. Michael Lockshin became a Soviet schoolboy. When it was cold and gray, which was often, he fantasized about Texas sunshine.

He mastered Russian quickly and read Dostoevsky and Tolstoy in the original. His home was filled with American books and copies of the New Yorker. He watched a VHS tape of "Forrest Gump" again and again. Straddling two cultures, he was conscious of being an outsider.

I was definitely the only American in my school, probably one of the only Americans in any Russian school, he says. I had this kind of crazy world at home, and no one to talk to outside. No one could relate to it.

The USSR, far removed from his fathers fantasies, was entering its death spiral  Homo sovieticus on the verge of extinction. It was the era of glasnost and perestroika. Long-banned books were circulating legally. McDonalds opened in Pushkin Square.

One day, Lockshin and his classmates marched across the cobblestones of Red Square to Vladimir Lenin's tomb to pay tribute to the waxy corpse of the countrys most sacred personage. What Lockshin remembers is the sense of mockery and cynicism, not just from classmates but from teachers.

Members of pro-government youth clubs gather near a statue of Vladimir Lenin in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2022 to form the shape of the country on a map. Michael Lockshin recalls how, as a boy, he and schoolmates had to visit Lenin's tomb. (Dmitri Lovetsky / Associated Press)

There was a lot of faking going on  the teachers who had to teach the Lenin stuff, Lockshin says. I was always very skeptical of ideology. I was always a little ironic about it.

In 1991, when Lockshin was 10, the hammer and sickle flag came down and the old Russian tricolor went up.

Everyone around just was envious of the Western world. As soon as you didnt have to do any of the communist stuff, no one was sad about it," he says. "The system was so dysfunctional, and people were so tired of faking it.

He went on to study psychology at Moscow State University, then traveled the world and began making a name for himself as a director of commercials. One whimsical beer ad featured actor David Duchovny. At that point, Russia was part of the wider world, and Lockshin was free to travel between there and Los Angeles.

He never advertised his childhood. He wanted to distance himself from his familys peculiar story.

It was never my calling card. I didnt want that to be part of my main identity. There were many times when he wished his family had not left America, but I wouldnt be who I am today if that didnt happen.

His father, divorced, is now growing old in Moscow, estranged from Lockshin and his other children. Apparently an unreconstructed communist, he was quoted in a Russian-language publication saying of his family: They went over to the other side of the barricades. I alone remain true to my convictions.

"The Master and Margarita" went unpublished for a quarter-century after Bulgakov's death in 1940.

Pervaded by magic and mysticism, Bulgakovs masterpiece was a far cry from the weary socialist realism mandated by an officially atheistic state. The books three story lines involve a persecuted writer in 1930s Moscow, a gentlemanly Satan who arrives to visit mischief on the literary scene, and the drama between Pontius Pilate and a Christlike prophet in ancient Jerusalem.

The books publication in the 1960s inspired Mick Jagger to write Sympathy for the Devil. Inglorious film and TV adaptations appeared, some of them stringently faithful to what became a kind of sacred Russian text.

In 2020, Lockshins first full-length feature, "Silver Skates," a family-friendly film set in 19th century St. Petersburg, was Netflix's first Russian-language original. With its success, producers asked Lockshin whether he had any ideas about how to bring Bulgakovs book to the screen.

It was daunting because its one of the best-loved books not only in Russia but around the world, he says. Its sold 100 million copies. When they first approached me, I said, This is just impossible to translate into a movie.'"

But working with his co-writer, Roman Kantor, Lockshin decided to focus on the relationship between the devoted Margarita and the writer known as the Master. Foregrounding the love story was not the obvious choice; the Master doesnt appear until a third of the way into the book.

As Lockshin studied the novel and Bulgakovs life, it reinforced his sense of the projects anti-authoritarian message.

Bulgakov has written this novel kind of about himself and his relation to a totalitarian state, but he had to do it in a veiled way, Lockshin says. It was a way to talk about that.

In Lockshins film, government power is terrifying and arbitrary. The Master is denounced by critics, banned from the writers union and consigned to a psychiatric ward. The bereft Margarita becomes a witch with the power of flight and invisibility, which she uses to exact flamboyant vengeance on the writers tormentors, while Satan wreaks havoc with the aid of a succubus and a talking cat.

Lockshin created a Moscow that never existed, full of the monumental megalomaniac architecture that Stalin had envisioned but never completed. Its architecture that makes the individual feel insignificant, an ant in the system, Lockshin says.

The film climaxes with Moscows incineration, the Master's fantasy of revenge  a scene that is not in the novel but Lockshin believes is a fair extrapolation of Bulgakovs intentions. Meanwhile, the Christlike prophet declares that all power is violence against people.

Lockshin settled in Los Angeles in late 2021, with the filming complete, and he was assembling a first cut in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. On social media, he posted coverage critical of the war. Russian lawmakers quickly passed a law: 15-year prison terms for pushing narratives counter to the government version.

His Russian producers, relying in part on government money, warned Lockshin to keep quiet. They suggested he cut scenes depicting the Master's brutalization by the secret police.

People said, Take out a few scenes, whats the big deal?' I was getting a lot of that," he says. "Just, Lets get it out there, its still powerful.

The movie, Lockshin had come to realize, was not about Stalin's Russia but Putin's Russia.

Its about an artist who stays free inside despite realizing it could lead to his demise," he says. "I wasnt willing to compromise anything that took out any of the political scenes. Thats the core of their drama. Its definitely not just a political movie, but those parts play out in an emotional way."

The movie was in limbo through 2022, and ultimately his producers backed him. It helped that some of the financing came from a source in the United Kingdom, unbeholden to Putins government.

As work continued, Anna Drubich, the music composer, based in Los Angeles, directed an 80-person Russian orchestra over Zoom. Everyone who knew I was working on 'The Master and Margarita' said, This is so important,'" she says. "I think this book appeals to Russian people on different levels. For some its a fantasy story about Satan. For some its a very deep political statement.

The film, at 2 hours, premiered in Russian theaters in late January. It is possible authorities allowed its release because it was much anticipated, and "they couldn't imagine it was so timely," Lockshin says.

Anna Drubich, at the Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards ceremony in Los Angeles in 2023, wrote the music for "The Master and Margarita." (Jerod Harris / Getty Images)

The first week, Lockshin says, 1.5 million people saw it. The films themes struck a responsive chord in a country where dissent had been criminalized and the fear of arbitrary arrest was pervasive.

A Russian-language website based in Latvia called it the first worthy film adaptation of Bulgakovs novel, with scaldingly relevant parallels to Putins Russia. In Russia itself, where the independent media have all but disappeared, reviews were more oblique. But even the state newspaper, Izvestia, was laudatory.

Still, the backlash was swift. Putins propagandists found the American-born directors antiwar posts and denounced him as a traitor to his adopted country. They called for the films banning and the directors prosecution. Threats arrived. In Stalins time, guys like you would be shot.

Russian novelist Dmitry Glukhovsky, pictured in Germany in 2016, denounced Russia's war against Ukraine and was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison. (Bernd Weissbrod / Getty Images)

Ukrainian-born producer Alexander Rodnyansky, pictured in Los Angeles in 2018, said he fears that attacks by Russian propogandists on Michael Lockshin are not over. (Chris Pizzello / invision / Associated Press)

Im called a Russophobe and hater of Russian culture, Lockshin says.

Lockshin found himself in the position of many creative artists who had fled Russia. He contacted Dmitry Glukhovsky, 44, a popular Russian novelist in exile who denounced the war in Ukraine and was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison. He now lives in Europe. Glukhovsky told Lockshin he was probably safe in the United States, though a convenient target for criticism.

Hes an easy target because hes an American citizen. Hes independent-minded. They unleashed the dogs against him, Glukhovsky says. Seeing this movie is practically an act of civil resistance in a society where you cant afford any civil resistance. I would say it is a manifesto.

Lockshin found another ally in Alexander Rodnyansky, a 62-year-old Ukranian-born producer who was forced to flee his longtime home in Moscow after speaking out against the war. He told Lockshin that there was no hope of appeasing Putins pro-war patriots, unless he was willing to beg forgiveness and publicly support the war with a visit to Russian troops. Lockshin said he would never do so.

"That means you are not going to go back to Russia," Rodnyansky recalls replying. "The good news about this is, you are free.

Rodnyansky fears the attacks on Lockshin are far from over. He might easily be declared a foreign national or criminally prosecuted, he says.  You cant imagine how easy it is now.

Every day, life in Russia seems to serve up eerie echoes of the film. In December, cringing apologies were extracted from Russian celebrities who attended an almost naked bacchanal deemed unseemly during wartime. In the movie, the editor of a literary magazine is forced to grovel for publishing a suddenly disfavored play.

After opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in an Arctic prison in February, his mother charged that the Russian government was withholding his body until she agreed to a secret burial. In the movie, the Pilate character orders Roman soldiers to hide the body of the executed prophet.

All these things that seemed to be from the past in the movie became the present, Lockshin says.

His film now resides in another kind of limbo. To see it in the States is almost impossible; there have been only a few private and college screenings.

Lockshin hopes to find an international distributor, but nothing has been easy since the war happened. He expects he would be arrested if he returned to Russia, but I dont want to check.

Lyudmyla Gubianuri, director of a museum dedicated to Mikhail Bulgakov in Kyiv, Ukraine, points out a plaque depicting the author. It was covered with red paint in 2023 as a sign of protest again the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Sergei Supinsky / Getty Images)

"The Master and Margarita" is still playing in Russia. In a country where people are forbidden from standing arm in arm at a street protest, they sit shoulder to shoulder in the dark.

He says the film has drawn 5.5 million people to date, making it the top-grossing film in its 18-plus ratings category in Russian history. People email him to say they've seen it two or three times.

Being in a movie theater with like-minded people is important, he says. They feel that theyre not alone out there.

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 biggest royal wedding of 2023 took place in June in Amman, Jordan, when Crown Prince Hussein wed Rajwa Al Saif, an architect from Saudi Arabia. With the news today that they are expecting their first child, we take a look back at their love story. How did Rajwa and Hussein meet? Not much has been disclosed about the early days of their relationship, but here's everything we know so far.

They met through a mutual friend.

Courtesy Royal Hashemite Court

"I met Rajwa through an old friend from school," Hussein revealed in May 2023, per Vogue Arabia. "I consider myself lucky because it is not every day you meet someone like Rajwa."

It's unclear which school Hussein is referring to; he attended high school Kings Academy, Jordan, college at Georgetown University in D.C., and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom in 2017.

In fact, both Rajwa and Hussein attended American universities; Hussein graduated from Georgetown in 2016 with a bachelor's in international history, and Rajwa graduated with a bachelor's in architecture from Syracuse in 2017.

Rajwa and Hussein formally got engaged at Rajwa's family's home in August 2022.

Courtesy Royal Hashemite Court

The two got engaged at the home of Rajwa's parents, Khalid Al Saif and Azza al-Sudairi in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; both Hussein's parents, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, were in attendance. "The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce the engagement of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II to Ms Rajwa Khaled bin Musaed bin Saif bin Abdulaziz Al Saif, and extends its sincere congratulations on this occasion," the royal family shared.

Prince Hussein wrote on his Instagram after the news, "Alhamdullillah. We pray that God grants us His blessings. Grateful to my dear Jordanian family for their heartfelt support and kind wishes."

Queen Rania wrote on Instagram, "I didnt think it was possible to hold so much joy in my heart! Congratulations to my eldest Prince Hussein and his beautiful bride-to-be, Rajwa." In Arabic, she wrote, "I prayed to Allah - like me, like every mother - to grant you good and to find the one you love, Rajwa came. Congratulations to my son, Prince Al-Hussein, and our precious and sweet bride Rajwa - May Allah bless you and make you happy and complete well."

Rajwa and Hussein made their first public appearance in October 2022.

Handout - Getty Images

Soon after, Rajwa began appearing more regularly with the Jordanian royal family. Notably, she attended Hussein's sister Princess Iman's royal wedding.



Rajwa and Hussein got married on June 1, 2023.

Courtesy Royal Hashemite Court

Queen Rania threw her future daughter-in-law a henna party ahead of the wedding, where she said to Rajwa's mom, "we and Al Hussein will take the very best care of Rajwa. This is her country, and she is among her family and her people." After her marriage, Rajwa is now known as HRH Crown Princess of Jordan, or Crown Princess Rajwa. Royals from around the world attending the wedding, including the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Royal Hashemite Court announced Hussein and Rajwa were expecting their first child, due summer 2024.

"The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein are expecting their first baby this summer," a statement reads. "The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations to Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah on this occasion, and wishes Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa good health and joy as they welcome their baby."

You Might Also Like
Mean Girls Star Avantika Has Not Been Cast as Rapunzel in a Live-Action Tangled Despite Racist Backlash She's Receiving

Disney has not announced plans to make a live-action reimagining of the hit 2010 animated movie

Matt Winkelmeyer/Variety via Getty Avantika Vandanapu on August 11, 2022 in Hollywood, California.

Though Disney has never formally announced plans to make a live-action reimagining of Tangled, actress Avantika became the subject of racist messages on social media after unfounded rumors linked her to the role of Rapunzel.

Different fan accounts took to TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter) to share ideas about who they would like to star in a live-action version of the 2010 animated film, which starred Mandy Moore.

One X user's now-deleted post caused a frenzy after the user claimed that "sources" said the actress, 19, and School Spirits actor Milo Manheim, 21, were cast as the film's lead couple, according to BuzzFeed News. The original X user then shared another post and wrote: alright i deleted #that tweet i tweeted it for fun but people took it seriously and decided to be racist."

Sources say Avantika and Milo Manheim have been screen testing as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider for the Tangled Live-Action, read the original post, per BuzzFeed News. As a result, TikTok videos of who the audiences would fan cast began to circulate.

In a follow-up post, the user added, Fyi never wanted avantika to be set up, i really liked the fan cast so i took the opportunity and mixed it with milo (since at that time i was still a stan).

Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Avantika Vandanapu on November 30, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Related: Halle Bailey Ignored 'Little Mermaid' Naysayers: 'I Think About the People Who Lift Me Up' (Exclusive)

The Mean Girls actress, who is of South Asian descent, faced racist backlash on multiple social media platforms following the now-deleted post.

Several Instagram users have flooded Avantika's personal Instagram profile, writing, youre NOT rapunzel . Others wrote, the last person to be rapunzel, and dont be rapunzel  ur gonna ruin my childhood ok?

Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images Avantika Vandanapu on February 09, 2024 in New York City.

However, Avantika's fans came to her defense in the comment section as well. She is my rapunzel , one user wrote in a comment on her Monday Instagram post. How can u see avantika and not think Disney princess, added an X user.

#AVANTIKA as #RAPUNZEL her vibe is so rapunzel!  , a TikTok user wrote in the videos caption.

Never Have I Ever star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan also voiced support for Avantika on X. "and they finally woke up to realize it was all just rumours and the sources never existed. good job! and to the racists, yall still need a hobby fr ," Ramakrishnan wrote.

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.

AJ Pics/Alamy "Tangled"

Related: Amanda Seyfried Poses with Her Mean Girls Counterpart Avantika in Fun Photos: 'Karen Meet Karen'

A spokesperson for Disney did not respond to PEOPLEs request for more information on Tuesday.

Avantika is, however, working on a fantasy princess project with Disney: In November 2022, Avantika celebrated being cast in a Disney+ adaptation of the book A Crown of Wishes, which shell also executive produce. At the time, she said the project was going to launch a new era of princesses for disney. i can't wait to go on this journey with you all, she added.

The treatment of Avantika's "fan cast" in the unannounced live-action film follows the similar racist backlash that Halle Bailey faced when she was cast as Ariel in The Little Mermaid.

Bailey then addressed the negativity, and told PEOPLE that she has learned to rise above the criticism. "I don't really think about the naysayers," said the 23-year-old actress.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Despite the implication of its title, Franklin is not a comprehensive biopic of Benjamin Franklin; rather its a narrower drama about his 1776-1785 time in France attempting to secure an alliance to help America triumph in the Revolutionary War. That was, to be certain, a key period in the tale of both the nation and the Founding Father. Nonetheless, Apple TV+s eight-part series, which premieres Apr. 12, is the dreariest sort of history lesson, as bloated and clunky as it is shallow and suspense-free. Starring and executive-produced by Michael Douglas, it transforms this unique chapter in Americas origin story into the lamest of prestige-TV slogs.

An adaptation of Stacy Schiff's book A Great Improvisation, Franklin, France, and the Birth of Americawritten by Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder, and directed in its entirety by Tim Van Pattencommences on Dec. 3, 1776, with Franklin (Douglas) arriving on the Brittany Coast, desperate to find a way to bolster the Revolutions flagging prospects. With the Continental Army in disarray, Franklin seeks to negotiate a union with France that will turn the tide against the formidable British empire. For this mission, hes brought along his wide-eyed grandson Temple (Noah Jupe), a teenage pup whose father is presently in jail for traitorously siding with Americas enemy, thus creating some tension between Franklin and the boy. Even so, such friction isnt enough to unduly strain their bond, especially since Temple, like everyone else in France, is in awe of Franklin, whose reputation (including as the creator of electricity) means that everywhere he goes, hes greeted like a celebrity.

Franklin views its subject with similar awe, albeit less for his pioneering past accomplishments than for his acute intellect, deft wit, and colorfully canny personalitywhich, early on, includes his fondness for passing gas (What is electricity compared to a good fart?). Douglas embodies the icon with vibrant confidence and slyly understated seriousness, his Franklin the sort of easygoing titan who knows that winning people overand getting what he wantsrequires more finesse than ferocity, especially in a country where decorum and ceremony are so highly prized.

Be it his refusal to quit drinking in the face of a serious bout of gout, or his rapport with the men and women of the court in both Versailles (where he soon becomes unwelcome) and Passy (where he takes up indefinite residence), his Franklin is a nuanced and three-dimensional creation. All in all, its a fine performance that never devolves into over-the-top caricature, maintaining the characters humanity even during the myriad corny instances in which he triumphs courtesy of his cleverness.

Michael Douglas and Noah Jupe Apple TV+

Unfortunately, those moments are plentiful in Franklin, as are ho-hum dilemmas that play out in veritable slow motion and tedious diversions that pad the actions hefty eight-hour runtime. Once on French soil, Franklin partners with British pal Edward Bancroft (Daniel Mays) and theater superstar Beaumarchais (Assaad Bouab), and hes promptly rejected by government minister Comte de Vergennes (Thibault de Montalembert), with whom he had hoped to broker a deal.

The Era of Great Video Game Adaptations Continues With Fallout

Since theyre not welcome in and around King Louis XVI (Tom Pezier), Franklin and Temple shack up with aristocrat Chaumont (Olivier Claverie) and his wife (Florence Darel), who are convinced that aiding the American cause will be a profitable enterprise. With Chaumont in his pocket, Franklin begins smuggling weapons and supplies back home, and he also initiates a chaste quasi-romance with Madame Anne-Louise Britton (Ludivine Sagnier), who has a talent for the harpsichord and whose daughter Cunegonde (Lily Dupont) catches the eye of Temple, much to the pleasure of Cunegondes adulterous dad (Marc F. Duret), who dreams of his own alliance with the Franklins.

These are some of the numerous threads strewn throughout Franklin, which additionally focuses on Franklin teaching Temple how to master chess (because chess is just like diplomacy!); Temple befriending the Marquis de Lafayette (Theodore Pellerin), who yearns to fight alongside America in its war against Great Britain; Franklin raising support via pamphlets published via his personal printing press; and Bancroft conspiring behind his buddys back with the English, who are eager to thwart the Americans undertaking.

Some of these storylines are more vital than others, but none resound with urgency, and many are simply dispatched by the proceedings at the midway point in order to make room for even less important concerns, such as Temples rebellious friendship with Chaumonts son Jacques (Aitor de Calvairac) and his tacked-on romance with Black stage performer Odette (Sonia Bonny). For a series with this much going on, its almost startling to discover how little of it is engaging, or of serious consequence.

While Van Pattens direction is sturdy and the production design is suitably opulent and authentic, Franklin crawls toward its every narrative destination. It generates minimal electricity from its protagonists personal or professional endeavors, the latter of which revolve around his wooing of Vergennes, who believes that siding with America poses strategic and financial benefits for his country, but who finds himself waging an uphill-battle campaign to persuade his colleagues to see things his way.

Statecraft is often the center of the materials attention. Still, the energy of each scene, each exchange, and each turn of events is drearily low, and that continues to be the case even once John Adams (Eddie Marsan) shows up to endlessly complain about, badmouth, and spar with Franklin. Adams is rendered in a simplistic and grating register, and regardless of the accomplished Marsans best efforts, the character proves merely another of the shows stock types.

Walton Goggins Is the Gunslinging Ghoul Fallout Fans Have Been Waiting For

Franklin abounds in political machinations, as American, British and French forces scheme to come out on top of this geopolitical conflict, yet the shows lethargy only grows more crushing as it proceeds toward a finale that boasts almost as many endings as The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Taking an ostensibly fascinating and critical phase of Franklins life and distending it to monotonous lengths, it squanders Douglas charming lead performance and says nothing about its subject that couldnt have been gleaned from countless superior sources. In the process, it feels like the one thing a big-budget historical TV series should not: homework.

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.
Benjamin Franklins diplomatic mission to France during the American Revolution is front and center in the Apple + TV series Franklin, and the series star and executive producer Michael Douglas hit the Croisette in Cannes to talk up the show ahead of its world premiere tonight at the Canneseries festival.

Douglas told a packed room of reporters at the Barriere Le Majestic hotel that Cannes was the natural choice to premiere the show that makes its global streaming premiere on Apple on Friday, April 12.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

This is where our project is based. The story is about Benjamin Franklin coming to France to save America, said Douglas. We spent 165 shooting days in Paris and around France in 2022, and not only is it based on Franklin coming here in 1776/7, but we filmed it all in France, and its the least we can do to come back here to premiere it.

Douglas is Cannes regular. He was here last year for the film festival, where he received an honorary Palme dOr for his lifes work.

Ive been here many, many times, Douglas said. These are all stories I will have to tell after I die. I have wonderful memories here.

The story of Franklin begins in 1776 when Benjamin Franklin, 70 and a famous inventor but with zero diplomatic training, travels to Paris to try and convince the French monarchy to underwrite Americas experiment in democracy. Standing in his way are British spies, French informers and jealous colleagues. But Franklin prevailed, helping to negotiate the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and the peace treaty with England in 1783.

America has a lot to thank France for, said Douglas. I dont think people know how much of a role France played in saving our country, he noted. [So] thank you for the Statue of Liberty and also for our country.

Franklin, based on the non-fiction book A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America by Pulizter Prize-winning writer Stacy Schiff is a co-production between Apple and ITV Studios America.

Two-time Emmy-winner Tim Van Patten (Band of Brothers, The Sopranos) directed the 8-episode limited series, from a script by Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder. Executive producers include Philippe Maigret, Mark Mostyn, and Tony Krantz.

This is the second time Douglas has played the founding father, having lent his voice to Franklin for an episode of the PBS series Freedom: A History of US in 2003.

Douglas, like the other English-speaking actors in Franklin, including Brits Noah Jupe and Daniel Mays, speak French in the series, as their real-life characters did while in Paris. For some, acting in a foreign language was a challenge.

Its different filming in French, said Jupe, who admitted he hadnt studied the language before getting the role of Temple Franklin, Benjamins illegitimate grandson, in the series. The rhythm is much different. It felt like singing. It felt more expressive. I loved acting in French.

The 80-year-old Douglas noted that given the current state of American politics, and worldwide democracy, Franklin is more than just a history lesson.

It is a great reminder for me of how fragile Democracy is and how generous France was and is, he said.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
NewJeans Want YouTube to Identify an Online Hater So They Can Sue Them in South Korea

NewJeans at the 2024 Billboard Women In Music event. - Credit: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic/Getty

NewJeans are asking a federal court to make Google reveal the identity of a user whos allegedly been posting false and defamatory videos about the K-pop stars on YouTube.

The ex parte application was filed at the end of March after NewJeans made a criminal complaint in South Korea, but authorities were unable to move forward with the case because they could not identify the anonymous user. NewJeans lawyer tried an informal request to get the information from Google, but that was unsuccessful, leading to the court filing.

More from Rolling Stone

According to court docs obtained by Rolling Stone, the YouTuber posts under the handle @Middle7 and has made as many as 33 defamatory videos about the members of NewJeans. The @Middle7 account has approximately 12,700 subscribers, according to the application, and as of this March their videos had been viewed more than 13.8 million times.

While anonymous online haters doing what they always do  hating  is nothing novel, the defamation laws in South Korea are flexible enough for NewJeans to pursue a suit like this. The ex parte application claims @Middle7 has engaged in name-calling or other mocking behavior against NewJeans, all of which constitute defamation and/or crime of insult under the laws of the Republic of Korea.

NewJeans lawyer in the U.S. did not immediately return Rolling Stones request for comment, nor did a rep for Google. NewJeans label/management company Ador told The New York Times, We regularly take legal action for violations of artists rights.

To that point, this kind of case is not necessarily new for NewJeans or Ador. Even a cursory scroll through the official Ador Twitter account reveals several statements from the past couple of years regarding similar legal proceedings and privacy protections for members.

Unsurprisingly, its somewhat easier for K-pop groups and their teams to clamp down on online vitriol  and take legal action  if users are using platforms in South Korea. As a result, trolls have flocked to international platforms, like YouTube, in the hopes it might offer more protection. But thats not always the case, as The Times notes: Last year, a lawyer for the K-pop group IVE went through the U.S. courts to obtain the name of a YouTuber accused of making false statements about one of the bands members; that subsequently led to a successful civil suit in South Korea.

Best of Rolling Stone
No evidence of foul play in death of actor Cole Brings Plenty, deputies say

Five days after his body was found in Johnson County, deputies say there is no evidence of foul play in the death of 1923 actor Cole Brings Plenty, according to a news release from the Johnson County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday..

Brings Plenty, 27, an actor from Lawrence best known for his starring role in the Yellowstone spinoff, was reported missing by his family after an alleged domestic violence incident on March 31.

Police said they responded early that Sunday to reports of a female victim screaming for help at a Lawrence apartment. Brings Plenty, who police later identified as a suspect, fled before they arrived.

Traffic cameras showed Brings Plenty leaving Lawrence immediately after the incident, traveling south on U.S. 59 highway in a 2005 Ford Explorer. Police asked for the publics help in finding Brings Plenty, who was wanted on charges related to the incident.

Around 11:45 a.m. April 5, deputies responded to West 200th Street and Homestead Lane near Edgerton, Kansas, to an unoccupied vehicle. There, they found a man deceased in a nearby wooded area, and later identified him as Brings Plenty.

Police said they remained in close contact with the Brings Plenty family during their investigation. No other information from police or deputies was available Wednesday, including his cause of death.

Brings Plenty was most known for playing a Native American sheepherder named Pete Plenty Clouds in the TV show 1923, a prequel to the show Yellowstone, which his uncle Mo Brings Plenty starred in. Cole Brings Plenty also appeared in Into the Wild Frontier and The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger, both western TV shows, according to IMDb.

He was also a student at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence.

Police suspect no foul play in the death of Cole Brings Plenty, who was found dead in Johnson County, Kansas, April 5.

Lawrence Police issued a statement Wednesday after Johnson County investigators said there was no evidence of foul play in Brings Plentys death.

In the statement, Police Chief Rich Lockhart said he was saddened by the tragic outcome of the case. He also said he learned through their own investigation that Lawrence Police lack proper engagement with the local Native American community.

I learned through this series of events that our police department must work harder to increase trust with our Native American community members, Lockhart said. Through meeting with Coles family members and members of our Native American community, I clearly see that we are not where we need to be in partnering with a community that is very important to Lawrences history and to its current culture.

Its my hope that future bridges we build and partnerships we form between our Native American community and our police department will create a relationship that will not only increase trust and understanding but will also be a model for other communities, he said.

The Star did not immediately receive a response from a spokesperson of the Brings Plenty family, but they shared a statement from Joe Brings Plenty Sr. on social media following his sons death.

In the statement, he asked for privacy as the family processed their grief and figure out how to move forward.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the prayers and positive thoughts you sent for Cole, Joe Brings Plenty said. We would also like to thank everyone who came to walk beside us as we searched for my son and provided the resources we needed to expand our search areas.

I learned this week how many people knew the goodness in Coles heart and loved him, he said.

The Stars Andrea Klick and Bob Cronkleton contributed to this report.
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Silk Logistics Holdings fair value estimate is AU$1.72

Silk Logistics Holdings' AU$1.52 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

The AU$2.37 analyst price target for SLH is 38% more than our estimate of fair value

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Silk Logistics Holdings Limited (ASX:SLH) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

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 Silk Logistics Holdings

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$12.6m AU$16.2m AU$23.1m AU$17.7m AU$14.9m AU$13.4m AU$12.5m AU$12.0m AU$11.7m AU$11.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ -23.30% Est @ -15.67% Est @ -10.32% Est @ -6.57% Est @ -3.95% Est @ -2.12% Est @ -0.84% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 11% AU$11.3 AU$13.2 AU$17.0 AU$11.8 AU$9.0 AU$7.3 AU$6.1 AU$5.3 AU$4.7 AU$4.2

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$90m

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 (2.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 11%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$12m (1 + 2.2%)  (11% 2.2%) = AU$139m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$139m ( 1 + 11%)10= AU$50m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$140m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$1.5, the company appears about fair value at a 12% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

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. 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 Silk Logistics 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 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.858. 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 Silk Logistics Holdings

Strength

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

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 Logistics market.

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Significant insider buying over the past 3 months.

Threat

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it 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. 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 Silk Logistics Holdings, we've compiled three essential factors you should explore:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 5 warning signs with Silk Logistics Holdings (at least 1 which is a bit unpleasant) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does SLH'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 ASX 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.
Plans Revealed for King Frederik and Queen Margrethe of Denmark's First Birthdays Since the Change of Reign

King Frederik will mark his first birthday as monarch with a public appearance while his mother's milestone will be a more low-key celebration

Maja Hitij/Getty Images Then-Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and his mother Queen Margrethe visit the Brandenburg Gate on November 10, 2021 in Berlin, Germany

King Frederik of Denmark and his mother, Queen Margrethe, are ringing in their spring birthdays with separate celebrations.

On April 9, the Danish Royal House announced the plans for the first birthday of the Kings reign, along with a mention of the lower-key festivities planned for the birthday of the former monarch.

"HM The King turns 56 years old on 26 May 2024. On this occasion, His Majesty and The Royal Family will appear on the balcony of Frederik VIIIs Palace at 12:00," the court said in a statement about the celebration in Copenhagen.

"The Royal Life Guard will be in red full-dress uniforms on The Kings birthday, and The Life Guard will carry out a grand changing of the guard ceremony on Amalienborg Palace Square at 11:50," it added.

The ceremonial charge by members of the military on royal grounds for the monarchs birthday is somewhat similar to Trooping the Colour in the U.K., which honors the sovereign's official birthday each June. The detail that King Frederik will be joined on the palace balcony by the "royal family" likely means his wife, Queen Mary, and their four kids, Crown Prince Christian, 18, Princess Isabella, 16, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, 13, just like on his accession day in January.

Related: Genoveva Casanova Returns to Instagram After Months 'Where I Needed Peace' amid King Frederik Affair Rumors

Meanwhile, Queen Margrethes upcoming birthday next week, her first birthday since her abdication in January, will be less of a spectacle.

"HM Queen Margrethes 84th birthday on 16 April 2024 will be celebrated privately at Fredensborg Palace and in connection with the changing of the guard at Fredensborg Palace, The Band of the Royal Life Guards will perform a small concert in the Inner Palace Yard," the Danish Royal House said in the statement.

Fredensborg Palace is a seasonal retreat for the Danish royal family often used in the summer month.

On New Years Eve, the Queen of Denmark caused shock across Denmark when she used her annual year-end speech to announce that she was abdicating the throne on Jan. 14, the 52nd anniversary of her accession.

Keld Navntoft / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty Queen Margrethe of Denmark gives her New Year's speech from Christian IX's Palace, Amalienborg Castle, in Copenhagen, Denmark, on December 31, 2023, announcing her abdication.

Related: Meet Denmark's Royals: Your Guide to the Danish Monarchy's Family Tree

The royal announcement was unexpected, as Queen Margrethe previously hinted she intended to reign for life like her relative Queen Elizabeth. While the monarch cited the "extensive back surgery" she had in 2023 as leading her to think about the future, some wondered if the decision was driven to save the marriage of her eldest son and his wife following rumors of infidelity. The Danish Royal House never commented on the report.

Queen Margrethe became the first Danish monarch to voluntarily step down from the throne in nearly 900 years, and the shift was made official when she signed a declaration of her abdication at Christiansborg Palace two weeks later.

MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Queen Margrethe signs a declaration of abdication as Crown Prince Frederik becomes King Frederik X of Denmark and Prince Christian watches on on January 14, 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 declaration made her eldest son King Frederik X and his wife Queen Mary, while their eldest son Christian became the new Crown Prince as heir. The royal couples three younger children each moved up a spot in the line of succession, and Queen Margrethe retained her royal title with "Her Majesty" styling.

The Danish prime minister pronounced Frederik as King on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace, where he appeared emotional and made a short speech.

Bringing his family front and center on the historic day, the new King was joined by his wife and kids on the terrace of the royal residence. In a rare instance of royal PDA, King Frederik and Queen Mary surprised onlookers with a kiss, prompting cheers from those gathered below.

JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty King Frederik and Queen Mary share a kiss on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark on January 14, 2024.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Its the one positive review Netflix likely does not want. Prince Andrews friends tell The Daily Beast he is delighted with his portrayal (by Rufus Sewell) in the streamers latest buzzy drama Scoop, which dramatizes the 2019 BBC Newsnight interview that crystallized Andrews disgrace and precipitated his withdrawal from public life.

The interview, conducted by anchor Emily Maitlis (Gillian Anderson), famously included Andrews denial of sweating, and of ever having met Virginia Roberts Giuffre, and his using a pizza night with his daughters as an alibi. Giuffre alleged Andrew had sexually assaulted her three times when she was a minor and being trafficked by Andrews former friend, Jeffrey Epsteina claim Andrew has always denied. He later paid Giuffre a rumored $12m in an out-of-court settlement.

Based on the book, Scoops, by former Newsnight talent booker Sam McAlister (Billie Piper), Scoop tells the trajectory of events leading to the interview being recorded in Buckingham Palace from McAlisters point of viewand with her talents and persistence as central to securing the sit-down. Andrew is portrayed as a vain buffoon, rather than villainous alleged abuser.

A friend of Andrews who has spoken to the prince since the one-off film was released told The Daily Beast: Obviously Andrew regrets doing the interview, and if he had his time again he wouldnt do it. That said, he feels Scoop is much more even-handed than he expected. Its fair to say he was delighted by Rufus Sewells portrayal of him.

Prince Andrew Shows His Face as Netflixs Scoop Recalls Scandalous Interview

Another friend of the dukes told The Daily Beast: I think the show, to the satisfaction of everyone who actually knows the guy, made clear that Andrew was an extremely good convener of people. He did actually play a valuable role for the royals with Pitch@Palace and his other business-focused advocacy work. When he was at a business meet-and-greet in a conference room in Hong Kong, there was real energy when he entered the room. Those things are otherwise as dull as ditch water. He flew the flag for British business. He knows he screwed up monumentally over Epsteinbut nobody is now doing what he did then. He still has a lot to offer.

The friend added: The irony of course is that Newsnight got gutted anyway [the nightly show was cut to 30 minutes, and more than half of its 60 staff were fired], and Andrew is very much back in the fold.

Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew in 'Scoop.' Peter Mountain/Netflix

A friend of the king and queen said that Charles, who is battling cancer, was vanishingly unlikely to have watched the show and that he regarded the Andrew question as settled, and that there was no way back to an official, public role for Andrew but that he would continue to be welcomed at non-state, family occasions. Buckingham Palace did not respond to a request for comment on the drama, including whether the king had watched it.

Scoop is one of two TV dramas focusing on the notorious Newsnight interview; in a few months time, A Very Royal Scandalexecutive-produced by Maitliswill debut on Amazon Prime Video, and it is unknown whether McAlister will be portrayed as central to the whole enterprise as Scoops showed her. Ruth Wilson will play Maitlis, and Michael Sheen, Andrew. Whether the prince will be as happy with the second drama as he is with the first remains to be seen.

While there was expectation that Scoop would reignite criticism of Andrew, Andrews friends are not the only ones to feel he has come out of it rather better than might have been expected. The Daily Mail columnist Liz Jones, for example, wrote that the show, had a surprising effect on me... I started to feel sorry for Prince Andrew, something I never thought would happen.

Billie Piper as Sam McAlister, on the phone in 'Scoop.' Peter Mountain/Netflix

Jones argued that Scoop shows the Newsnights team courting of Andrew was duplicitous, and that their promises of an opportunity to set the record straight were self-serving and concluded, Watching it, youd have to conclude the prince was played.

Hugo Rifkind in the London Times described Rufus Sewells Andrew as dazzlingly charismatic. Sewell himself told the Telegraph that while researching the role, people he met who worked with Andrew liked him, adding: And there are people who still like him, you know?

However, the historian Andrew Lownie told The Daily Beast that Andrew was deluded if he thought Scoop had done him any favors. He said the show had only created renewed interest in Andrews misdeeds, pointing, for an example, to an article in the Daily Mail about the obstacles Lownie has faced while trying to access official records of Andrews days as a trade ambassador for a biography he is working on.

Gillian Anderson as Emily Maitlis in 'Scoop.' Peter Mountain/Netflix

The whole thing has been stirred up again when it had gone quiet, said Lownie. Prince William said he never wanted the Panorama interview with his mother to be shown again because only by not being shown again do television interviews get forgotten.

So it was extraordinary to see Andrew out riding on Friday morning, the day the film about his Newsnight interview came out. If ever there was a day to keep a low profile, that was it. But Andrew keeps pushing, keeps testing because he is so keen to restore his reputation. He, and others, believe that he has been traduced unfairly. They say he may have acted foolishly but he has not been convicted of anything illegal. And the truth is he is having some success because he is so determined, and other members of the family are focused on other things.

A representative for Andrew did not respond to a request for comment on how Andrew felt about the show.

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.
Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa are expecting their first child, the Royal Hashemite Court announced today.

"The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein are expecting their first baby this summer," a statement reads. "The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations to Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah on this occasion, and wishes Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa good health and joy as they welcome their baby." The baby news was shared with a portrait of Hussein and Rajwa from their wedding.

Courtesy Royal Hashemite Court

Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al Saif were married in a lavish royal wedding in June 2023. Royals from around the world attended the wedding, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Beatrice, and many, many more. The couple met through a mutual friend, and it's unclear when they started dating. They got engaged at Rajwa's home in Saudi Arabia in August 2022.

Princess Rajwa's last major public appearance was in January, when she and Prince Hussein undertook their first royal visit as a married couple, and traveled to Singapore.

The royal baby will be Queen Rania and King Abdullah's first grandchild. If the baby is a boy, he will be second in line to the Jordanian throne behind Prince Hussein. If the baby is a girl, she won't be in the line of succession.

You Might Also Like
King Abdullah and Queen Rania's eldest son has a whole new royal role: fatherhood!

Jordanian Royal Court/Getty Images Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa attend the wedding of Princess Iman in March 2023

Princess Rajwa and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan have some happy news to share: shes pregnant!

The Royal Hashemite Court announced that the couple is expecting their first child on Wednesday.

"The Royal Hashemite Court is pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Princess Rajwa Al Hussein are expecting their first baby this summer," they said in the announcement. "The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations to Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah on this occasion and wishes Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa good health and joy as they welcome their baby."

On social media, the pregnancy announcement was accompanied by a smiling photo of Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa after they tied the knot on June 1, 2023.

The baby on the way will be the first grandchild of Queen Rania and King Abdullah.

According to Gerts Royals, the new addition will receive the titles of His/Her Royal Highness and Prince/Princess.

Related: Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan Marries Rajwa Alseif in Dazzling Royal Wedding

Jordan Pix/Getty Images

A male child will become second in line to the throne of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. According to the countrys constitution, adopted in 1952, the throne is hereditary to King Abdullah Ibn Al-Husseins dynasty and passes in linear succession from the king to his eldest son, and so on. If the baby is female, there will be no change to the line of succession.

Crown Prince Hussein is heir to the throne, followed by his younger brother, Prince Hashem. Queen Rania and King Abdullah are also parents to daughters Princess Iman and Princess Salma.

Hussein and Rajwa tied the knot in a dazzling royal wedding in June 2023. Royals from around the world traveled to Amman for the major celebration, including Prince William and Kate Middleton. The wedding was held nearly a year after Crown Prince Hussein announced his engagement to Rajwa Alseif, who received a princess title on their June 1 wedding day.

Sharing their engagement news on social media  like many modern couples!  Prince Hussein posted a formal portrait with Rajwa along with a hopeful message for the future.



"We pray that God grants us His blessings. Grateful to my dear Jordanian family for their heartfelt support and kind wishes," the crown prince captioned the snap.

Royal Hashemite Court/Albert Nieboer/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan announced his engagement to Rajwa Alseif in August 2022.

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!

Princess Rajwa was born in Saudi Arabia and went to college in the U.S. She earned a degree in architecture from Syracuse University in New York, as well as a professional designation degree in visual communications from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.

Crown Prince Hussein is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and serves as a captain in the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army.

While the couple has kept the story of how they connected private, Princess Rajwa has embraced her royal role. A few weeks after their epic wedding, she joined her husband and in-laws for a private trip to Sun Valley, Queen Rania said. The Jordanian royals seemed to have traveled stateside for Allen & Co.'s annual conference at the Sun Valley Lodge in Sun Valley, Idaho, famously nicknamed summer camp for billionaires.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
From left: Russell Simmons, actress Margot Bingham, actor Michael K. Williams and actor Sean Combs pose at the HBO "Boardwalk Empire" season premiere on September 6, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Mark Davis via Getty Images

Among the funniest pieces of news I encountered in an otherwise unfunny news cycle was that Russell Simmons, hiding out Bali, still managed to receive a court summons all the way from the United States. The honors came from Drew Dixon, who is suing Simmons for defamation of character after he denied sexually assaulting her.

It takes a full 24 hours to get to Indonesia, a country with no extradition treaty with the U.S., from most states. But I wish I couldve seen Simmons face when he received the one thing that (most folks assume) he moved out there to avoid. He reportedly got the summons in front of people. There was swearing involved.

A much flashier show, of course, was the Department of Homeland Securitys March 25 raids on the homes of Sean Diddy Combs, who probably suffered his Worst Week Ever, or at least the worst since Cassie aired him out in a lawsuit last November. Quieter was Dixons lawsuit against Antonio L.A. Reid  the record executive legend most responsible for Ushers early-career success  for assault and harassment.

Cassie and Dixons suits against Diddy, Reid and Simmons (all of whom have proclaimed their innocence) were a result of the now-expired window created by the New York Adult Survivors Act. But Cassies suit in particular  which Diddy settled in less time than it takes paint to dry  seemed to precipitate a series of men in hip-hop finally being held accountable for their alleged sexual transgressions.

The original 2017 #MeToo movement brought to heel numerous male celebrities, but it focused largely on white perpetrators and their (often white) victims. With the notable exception of Bill Cosby, a lot of Black men skated by  arguably because #MeToo was a moment for white women and largely disregarded Black women. (That #MeToo was created by Tarana Burke, a Black woman, is an irony not lost on me.)

If there is a #MeToo reckoning happening within Hip-Hop, several men should be sweating through their 1,500 thread count sheets: Trey Songzs career manages to remain just unremarkable enough to fly under the radar despite milesofsexualmisconductallegations. Several men have remained entirely unscathed, including Nelly (who settled a rape case) and Dr. Dre (who pleaded no contest to domestic violence).

But if R. Kelly is any indication  it took a multi-evening documentary in the middle of #MeToo to finally get him up outta here  cancellations wont come easy, especially since theres no consistency in our approach. Chris Brown will grow old and die never living down what he did to Rihanna 15 years ago because we saw the aftermath; the Grammys still has a special award named after Dr. Dre because we have no photos of what he did to Dee Barnes.

As with #MeToo, many folks first response to years-old allegations is: Why now and not then? Its a question easily answered with the mildest amount of brainpower: The world was far less receptive to women with any sexual allegations than it is now  and you can tack on more time still for Black women. Imagine a video vixen from the late-1990s Bad Boy heyday blowing a whistle on Diddy. Shed be dragged through the mud simply because she shook her ass on video  so obviously, she cant be credible.

Unfortunately, accusing bad Black actors requires we deal with the tearing Black Men down contingent, who are seemingly content with ignoring the allegations and any details therein in the interest of preserving the sanctity of their Black icons. That dude on Facebook you havent seen in the 25 years since you graduated high school is happy to let you know from the comfort of his mamas basement that hes stridently convinced that all sexual assault allegations against all Black men are a conspiracy from the White Mans Illuminati.

Of course, predators come in all shades, but the more complicated issue is asking people to atone for quarter-century-old sins. We dont expect any of these men to do any prison time for allegations from the 1990s, but they might go a long way to getting their justice if they have to acknowledge what theyve done.

Diddy and Simmons are both absurdly rich. Imagine if they were found guilty and forced to provide financial restitution to their victims. Or imagine Simmons acknowledging that he has sexually mistreated women during his storied four-decade career, working to restore those victims and perhaps donating money to causes that benefit other victims  that would be a stunning gesture.

Alas, virtually no powerful Black men in hip-hop who have been accused of assault have outright admitted wrongdoing. Let the internet tell it, there could be a few others ripe for the fall. Maybe one of them will break the pattern. But I doubt it.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.
Veteran Japanese character actor Tadanobu Asano is having a very overdue breakthrough moment. The chameleonic film star has been a mainstay of Japanese cinema for nearly three decades, while also regularly appearing in prominent supporting parts in big Hollywood productions. But his irresistible performance in FXs period series Shogun is giving him an all-new level of global recognition.

Asano co-stars in Shogun as Kashigi Yabushige, the scheming lord of Izu, a rugged region of feudal Japan where much of the series takes place. Playing the character with lived-in swagger and a fatalistic sense of humor, Asano has become one of the shows clear fan favorites, with Reddit and Twitter threads popping up to revel in his characters antics. Asano announced himself early in Shoguns run: As many have marveled, Yabushige makes his entrance to the show by boiling a man alive but then wins the audience over again with his gruff charisma before the first episode has even finished. Wily, put-upon and forever anticipating his imminent demise, Yabushige is mostly just very fun to watch, as Asano somehow makes a man of brutal, medieval circumstance vividly relatable.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Shogun is the second screen adaptation of James Clavells 1975 best-selling historical novel of the same name, following the popular 1980 TV miniseries produced by Paramount, starring Richard Chamberlain and Toshiro Mifune. Many years in the making, the pricey new version has become a big win for FX and Disney, with analysts estimating that it will soon be  if it isnt already  the House of Mouses most watched streaming series to date. The studio is also banking on some awards recognition for the show, with Disney putting Asano forward for the Emmys in the category for best supporting actor in a limited series.

A survey of Asanos filmography features starring roles in projects from many of Japans most acclaimed directorial voices of the past 30 years, including Takashi Miike (Ichi the Killer), Takeshi Kitano (Zatoichi), Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Journey to the Shore), Shinya Tsukamoto (Gemini), Hirokazu Kore-eda (Maboroshi), Shunji Iwai (Picnic), Gakuryu Ishii (Electric Dragon 80.000 V) and Nagisa Oshima (Taboo). On the international front, he has collaborated with top regional auteurs  Thailands Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Last Life in the Universe), Taiwans Hou Hsiao-hsien (Cafe Lumiere), Russias Sergei Bodrov (Mongol)  as well as a growing roster of Hollywood titans, like Martin Scorsese (Silence), Roland Emmerich (Midway), Johnny Depp (Minamata), Marvel with its Thor movies (Asano played Hogun) and Warner Bros. with the Mortal Kombat franchise (as Raiden). Throughout it all and whatever the part, Asano has remained consistently and beguilingly watchable.

Shogun follows the intertwined plights of three principal characters, all loosely based on real figures from Japanese history: John Blackthorne (played by Cosmo Jarvis), an adventure-seeking English sailor who finds himself marooned in the Japans; Lord Yoshii Toranaga (the revered Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada), a high-level lord and crafty statesman; and Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai), an aristocratic woman tasked with serving as the translator for Tornaga and the barbarian Englishman. As lord of Izu, Asanos Yabushige oversees the region where Blackthornes ship happens to wash ashore, setting in motion a series of events that test his ostensible loyalty to Lord Toranaga, whose hand will soon be forced to make a play for power over all of Japan.

With just two episodes of Shogun yet to air, The Hollywood Reporter connected with Asano over Zoom in Japan to discuss the genesis of his portrayal of Yabushige.

So, believe it or not, Im currently Zooming to you from Izu Peninsula outside Tokyo, where I happen to live  which is your character Yabushiges domain on the show. Technically, I think that means you are my Lord.

Really? Well then, thats exactly right. I am your Lord!

I offer my most humble respect and I apologize for the impertinence of these questions.

Thank you. Proceed. (Laughs.)

So, in some recent promotional materials about your performance, FX has described Yabushige as: Oozing charisma and wit, Asanos Yabushige is that dreadful lord wed all love to grab a sake with. That really captures some of the fun of your portrayal. So I have to ask, knowing everything you know about him, would you sit down for sake with Yabushige? Id be inclined to say yes, but theres a risk that hed have me boiled alive.

Oh, I dont think I would  Ive studied him too deeply and I know him too well. Hes the kind of person who would be sipping water and only pretending to drink sake while youre getting drunk  just to gain the advantage. I would take a pass on that sake invitation.

What are some of your other impressions of him as a character?

Well, other people in his circumstance would probably consider the pressures they are under and the tremendous power that is above them, and they wouldnt question or challenge many things. But Yabushige is different. He completely understands that power and those pressures, but he nonetheless dares to ask questions and take actions. Hes always thinking, If I were to do this, what would happen? In a way, even though hes a schemer, I think you could say that hes very honest. And hes always up to something interesting.

Tadanobu Asano in Shogun

What was your preparation process like for Shogun? Did you read James Clavells book?

I didnt read the original book, but I spent a lot of time with the screenplay, which I understand is quite loyal to the book. One of the directors I worked with earlier in my career taught me a method of preparation that involves reading the script many, many times. I dont just read it repeatedly though; I change my perspective each time so that Im imagining the story from the point of view of the different characters, pretending that Im going to play each one of them. This method allows you to gain a more rounded understanding of the story, as well as the character that you will actually be presenting. The process was especially useful for the role of Yabushige, who is a very multi-layered character.

What were some of the details that were important to you as you began putting your performance together?

When I was reading and rereading the scripts, I didnt have access to the whole story at once. We mostly shot the series chronologically and I got the scripts in blocks. So, for example, when I was reading the first episode, there was that scene where Yabushige is on top of the cliff and he feels that he is being tested by Blackthorne. So, rather than making one of his subordinates do the dangerous climb, Yabushige decides that hes the one who should do it  because he feels Blackthornes eyes on him. From that brief scene, I was able to get a peek into part of Yabushiges character, and from there on I could continue developing that side of him. Hes often understanding himself based on the way he suspects other characters see him. With each script and situation, I got another piece of him, and I kept building him up in this way. I was always looking for more fun and interesting ways to portray him.

In some ways, Yabushige struck me as the shows most relatably modern character  from both a Western or more contemporary Japanese point of view  because hes always balancing his self-interest against his loyalties, whereas most of the other characters are deeply duty-bound  to their lord or their god. Even Blackthorne, to an extent, is often expressing his motivations in relation to his church and country. At the same time, thanks to how brilliantly you play him, Yabushige feels entirely like a man of his time  totally alive within the world of the story.

Well, thank you! But I have to say that I played everything as it was written in the screenplay. I tried to be very faithful to the script and didnt edit anything. It was all there. But I did try to put myself into the character and I often thought about how to make him relatable to todays viewers in the way that you describe. So, I think that mix came from trying to be very loyal to the spirit of the script, while also putting myself into the character.

Tadanobu Asano in Shogun

How do you adjust your acting style when youre performing in a samurai story? Films and series of this kind are such a deeply established genre in Japan, with conventions and mythology that have evolved over decades. When youre playing a character from the feudal past, are you guided more by your own imaginings of how people might have lived in those times, or do you look to the history of samurai cinema for guidance and inspiration?

Whats most interesting in creating a period piece like this is that no one alive today has witnessed how people actually lived in that age  meaning, we all have absolutely no idea how people really spoke and behaved. We only have old works of art to go by. I try to imagine how people of that era may have felt and lived. Of course, Ive watched many, many Jidaigeki [Japanese period drama, usually set during the Edo period of 1603 to 1868] movies, but not from the perspective of trying to imitate them. When I see a performance or character I like, maybe there are a few things I can learn. But mostly, I understand that the actor was probably trying to do the same thing that Im always trying to do  putting themselves into the character and imagining how people lived in those circumstances.

Youve been a big star in Japan for a long time, and youve appeared in some prominent Hollywood films. But Shogun seems to be giving you a new level of global visibility  the shows a hit and youve become a fan favorite. What its like to be experiencing this kind of success overseas at this stage in your career?

Im extremely happy that people are recognizing my work and that Im getting to experience this kind of moment. But Im also very sad that a good friend of mine, Kevin Turen, who passed away recently, isnt here to see it. This isnt directly related to your question, but Kevin was largely responsible for me having this great opportunity, and I always wanted to live up to his hopes and expectations for me. So Im very sad he didnt get a chance to see me perform in Shogun. [At this point in the interview Asano became somewhat emotionally overwhelmed and took a moment to regain his composure.] Im sorry 

Oh no, Im sorry. My condolences on the loss of your friend. How was it that you came to know each other?

Some time ago I played Ghengis Kahn in a film called Mongol (2007). It was actually a Russian production and it got nominated in the best foreign film category at the Oscars. As a result of that, the film was screened in the U.S. market a bit and Kevin happened to go see it with his father. Not long after, he came to Japan and through a friend of a friend, he looked me up and we had the opportunity to have dinner together. At that time, Kevin was already a producer. He told me that if I was interested in being a part of more international productions, he was happy to support me however he could. Thats when I decided I had to start studying English. Later, I went to the States and stayed at Kevins house for over three weeks. He then introduced me to CAA, and from that relationship, I was able to work on films like the Thor movies and Scorseses Silence. It wasnt like Kevin introduced me to any specific projects, but he really looked after me throughout that whole period  and I was able to take this bigger step into the global industry with his encouragement and help. Thank you for letting me talk about him here.

Of course. I understand FX is putting you forward for the Emmys in the best supporting actor category for a limited series. This must be a new step for you as well  the whole Hollywood awards campaign process.

Honestly, Im not even sure what Im supposed to do, exactly. (Laughs.) But Im very happy that people globally are embracing the character that I portray. At the same time, it doesnt really seem so real yet. But I can feel the momentum that is building around the show, and Im very happy for the whole team.

Tadanobu Asano in Shogun

Youve played such a diverse range of characters across your career. I happened to rewatch Koji Fukadas art house thriller Harmonium (2016) right around the time Shogun was premiering  and wow, the character you play in that film is so disturbing and so different from your humorous, charismatic take on Yabushige. Youve arguably already done it all  loads of artistic projects, as well as some big action movies, even Marvel. Are there any new challenges youre looking for at this moment?

What Im most interested in right now is playing a part that doesnt have many lines of dialogue. I would be very interested in exploring how much Im able to convey without saying anything. Drama can communicate powerful feelings, even messages, through the language of cinema alone. So, how much can I bring across without actually verbalizing? This is the kind of challenge Im interested in right now.

New episodes of Shogun release weekly on Tuesdays and are available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
The post The Sympathizer Review: A Captivating Look at the Vietnam War, with Multiple Robert Downey Jrs. appeared first on Consequence.

The Pitch: Half French and half Vietnamese, a man known only as The Captain (Hoa Xuande) was always an outsider as a child  and as an adult in the thick of the Vietnam War, he remains trapped between two worlds, because he not only serves as an aide to a South Vietnamese leader called The General (Toan Le), but secretly works as a spy for the North Vietnamese forces on the verge of winning the war. (You might call him a Sympathizer but to whom?)

When Saigon falls in 1975, The Captain is ordered to accompany The General to the United States as a refugee, continuing his life of subterfuge even while his loyalties grow increasingly tested. It doesnt help that throughout the series The Captain finds himself aligned with an assortment of American men of various professions (all played by Robert Downey Jr.); all of them are unique characters in their own right, except for what they represent to The Captain  the promise of false help.

Good Morning, Vietnam: While the subject matter is at many points quite heavy, The Sympathizer is a surprisingly lively, engaging limited series that isnt afraid of finding the humor in certain situations. Showrunners Park Chan-wook (Oldboy) and Don McKellar (The Red Violin) do a masterful job of bringing Viet Thanh Nguyens Pulitzer Prize-winning novel to the screen, with a dynamic cast led by a breakout performance from Hoa Xuande.

Even the way in which the show plays with the opening HBO logo makes it clear that this show intends to be something different, playing with audience expectations right from the beginning. Prior to release, the most attention-grabbing element of The Sympathizer was that freshly anointed Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr. would be playing multiple characters. Yet what might sound like a gimmick ends up being an essential lynchpin of the story being told here, just one of many meta touches that certainly put some strain on the fourth wall, in compelling and unexpected ways.

Apocalypse Now: One way in which The Sympathizer excels at exploring the Western perspective on Vietnamese culture is Episode 4 of the series, which is focused around the making of a Vietnam War movie called The Hamlet. Every cliche of the genre gets amplified, with guest stars including David Duchovny and John Cho fully committing to the Hollywood parody in action; Duchovny in particular stands out for how far hes willing to take his character. (It might be the most unlikeable hes been on screen since 1991s Dont Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead.)

Yet even the filming of The Hamlet is rooted in The Captains perhaps unreliable narration, which drives the narratives jumps through time and space. While occasionally, the shifts in time period can be a bit hard to follow, the way in which the series past and present are constantly in dialogue creates some profoundly affecting moments. In one episode, two sequences are spliced together  men partying on the eve of battle, and the next days bloody combat  with match cuts that unite life and death, breaking our hearts for relative strangers.

Sympathizer Review HBO

The Sympathizer (HBO)

Platoon: As mentioned, Hoa Xuande is extraordinary as The Captain, pushed to so many emotional extremes over the course of the series while remaining a sympathetic anchor for the audience. Theres so much hes asked to play here  the confident spy, the passionate lover, the rebellious prisoner, the heartbroken son  that it creates legitimate excitement for whatever he does next; it feels like his range as an actor is infinite.

Downey Jr. is The Captains most common on-screen ally/adversary, albeit (as mentioned previously) as different characters, from a pop culture-loving CIA agent to a professor with a fetish for Asian culture to a mildly mad filmmaker. Each different role is a different flavor of bonkers, all existing in a heightened reality that might threaten to push the series in an over-the-top direction, yet never crosses the line. Meanwhile, the always wonderful Sandra Oh (a frequent Don McKellar collaborator) stands out as Sofia Mori, whose complicated relationship with The Captain once he arrives stateside is a source of not just comedy and romance, but tragedy and suspense as the story continues.

And nearly everyone from the largely Vietnamese ensemble gets an opportunity to shine, with two of the standouts being Fred Nguyen Khan and Duy Nguyen as The Captains lifelong friends Bon and Man  while their individual stories are quite different, the ways in which life and war beat them down register so clearly in their performances.

The Verdict: This review has made multiple references to the Vietnam War  but as a title card at the beginning of the series explains, thats what Americans call it. In Vietnam, its known as the American War.

Thats not a mind-blowing revelation, but it still sets the perfect tone for whats to come: Vietnamese is spoken throughout the series (no Hunt for Red October cheating here). Vietnamese music is heavily featured on the soundtrack, along with pop hits of the mid-20th century. And the shows depiction of what it was like to leave Saigon just before the end of the war is some of the years most harrowing, captivating television. Its truly transportive television, the kind of show that really does open your eyes to a new perspective on the world  and keeps you surprised the entire time.

Where to Watch: The Sympathizer premieres Sunday, April 14th on HBO and Max.

Trailer:

The Sympathizer Review: A Captivating Look at the Vietnam War, with Multiple Robert Downey Jrs.

Liz Shannon Miller

Popular Posts

Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
When does a war end? When the final shots are fired? When the treaties are signed? When the POWs come home? For The Captain, the nameless, half-Vietnamese, half-French protagonist and narrator of the new HBO limited series The Sympathizer, the Vietnam War never really wraps up. It follows him from Saigon to Los Angeles, where he continues his duties as a communist sleeper agent who really likes R&B (especially the Isley Brothers) and sort of digs America in general.

Based on the Pulitzer-winning 2015 novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen and created by Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar, The Sympathizer is a story of one young mans life of absurdity and divided soul  part spy thriller, part dark comedy, but very much its own thing. Its about the shifting sands of identity, and the hazards of true belief.

Hoa Xuande in The Sympathizer. (Hopper Stone/HBO)

Its also a showy platform for newly minted Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr., who splits himself into quarters to play a cross-section of paternalistic white men lingering on the edge of the action. All are instrumental to the fate of The Captain, played by Hoa Xuande with a more subtle form of shape-shifting, the kind that requires chameleonic deception that eventually wears on the soul. Already a North Vietnamese plant when the series begins in Vietnam, The Captain is sent to the States when Saigon falls, assigned to stick close to a venally corrupt South Vietnamese general (Toan Lee), who dreams of returning to his native country and leading an uprising against the communist regime. In the meantime, The General opens a liquor store within shouting distance of the Hollywood sign and wonders who the spy in his midst might be. The General isnt terribly bright.

The Captain, however, is. He might even be self-aware, if only he could figure out who or what that self is. He falls for an older woman (Sandra Oh, wonderful as always) who works as a secretary in a local university Oriental Studies program. He lands a gig as an advisor to an Apocalypse Now-like Vietnam War movie. All the while hes sending coded communiques back to his handler in Vietnam, and even killing a couple of people who get in the way of his work in L.A. He does little of this with a smile. To be The Captain is to have the weight of the topsy-turvy world on your shoulders. I was a synthesis of incompatibilities, he says in a voiceover that doubles as an epic confession sprinkled throughout the series. Like his home country, he is torn in half by forces beyond his control, in a Cold War that often defies logic.

Everywhere he looks  everywhere we look  theres Downey, who was also an executive producer with his wife, Susan Downey. He plays The Captains CIA contact, a sardonic raconteur with fried orange hair and a demeanor that suggests Hunter S. Thompson. He plays an effete, eager-to-appropriate Oriental Studies professor who prides himself on his insight into the Asian psyche. Hes a right wing California congressman, a cross between a 70s-era Ronald Reagan and Charlton Heston, looking to funnel money to The Generals insurgent cause. And hes the ego-mad filmmaker behind the aforementioned war movie, braying about his commitment to authenticity as he condescends to the actual Vietnamese on the set.

Robert Downey Jr. in The Sympathizer (Hopper Stone/HBO)

The movie episodes also feature a scary/funny David Duchovny as a committed method actor going off the deep end, which only adds to the series hall-of-mirrors feel: Recall that Downey played a committed method actor (in blackface) making a Vietnam War movie in the comedy Tropic Thunder.

Theres a healthy dose of vanity in Downeys multiplicity, but the same could be said for any other star  Peter Sellers, Alec Guinness, and Eddie Murphy come to mind  who has taken on multiple roles in the same project. Downey turns each of his personas into a unique creation, and the casting works on a thematic level as well. In subtle ways the characters all represent the same thing to The Captain: paternalistic but duplicitous white men who think they know more about The Captain than he does himself. If they only knew.

The three directors  Park, Marc Munden and Fernando Meirelles  and lead screenwriter McKellar face a tricky task here. Nguyens novel blends big moments and deep trauma (including torture sequences) with deadpan absurdity, the tragic with the ridiculous; its a feat of tone-switching more readily and nimbly achieved on the page than on the screen. The series keeps up the balance for a while, especially in the earlier episodes, as The Captain acclimates to Los Angeles living and faces the allure of Western democracy and capitalism. But as The Sympathizer moves toward wrapping up its narrative, and The Captain returns home to tie up some loose ends of his psyche (and keep the fight going), the story loses focus. The drama grows muddled. Character motivation gets fuzzy, even within the standards of a series largely defined by ambiguity. What reads as deliciously dry on the page can get a little sloppy on TV.

Sandra Oh in The Sympathizer. (Hopper Stone/HBO)

But the images, and the rich incongruities, still linger. It might be a while before you want to eat a hardboiled egg again, or drink a bottle of Coke. Most memorable is Xuandes face in those moments when The Captain switches gears from implacable mole to anguished cultural in-betweener, stuck in a situation that takes the untenable to extremes. The Captains Vietnam War is fated to continue into perpetuity, from the jungles to the palm trees and back.

The Sympathizer premieres on Sunday, April 14, on HBO and Max.

The post The Sympathizer Review: Robert Downey Jr. Shines With 4 Roles in Park Chan-wooks HBO Limited Series appeared first on TheWrap.
Motorcycle show

Spend the weekend at the mall checking out some of the hottest two- and three-wheeled rides around. The Rushing Wind Biker Church will host the annual motorcycle show. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Colony Square Mall, 3575 Maple Ave., Zanesville.

Live music

Get ready to rock as Just Angelo performs at Kick-N-Ax. The show is scheduled to run from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Upcoming at the venue is Corvus Redd, who will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 20; and Backbone Acoustic at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27. For more information call 740-487-0007. Kick-N-Ax, 970 Linden Ave., Zanesville.

Comedy show

The popular and long-running improv television show Whose Line Is It Anyway? is coming to Marietta. The popular improvisational comedy show originally aired in 1998, and the nostalgia lives on. Current cast members will perform their 90-minute set at 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Peoples Bank Theatre in Marietta. Laugh the night away as cast members Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Joel Murray and Jeff B. Davis sing, dance and act out hilarious scenes. Stiles and Proops have been permanent cast members since the original series. The show welcomes all but is deemed PG-13 for mild adult humor and language. Tickets start at $47 and can be purchased by visiting https://peoplesbanktheatre.com.

The Oddities and Curiousities Expo will return to the Bricker Building in Columbus on April 20 and 21.

Expo show

The Columbus Oddities & Curiosities Expo returns on Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21. Take a break from the norm and head to Columbus for a creepy good time. According to the Facebook event post, "You'll find items such as taxidermy, preserved specimens, original artwork, horror/Halloween inspired pieces, antiques, handcrafted oddities, quack medical devices, creepy clothing, odd jewelry, skulls/bones, funeral collectibles and much more." Guests can take a rat or jackalope taxidermy class or an Entolomogy and bug pining class for an additional charge. The event is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Kids aged 12 and younger are admitted free. For more information call 918-895-0840. Ohio State Fairgrounds, Bricker Building, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus.

Appalachian Outlaws

The Secrest Summer Concert Series marks its return for 2024 with Appalachian Outlaws on Thursday. Grab your buds and head to Secrest Auditorium for this free indoor kick-off party and concert. Appalachian Outlaws will be performing your favorite hits. This is a free, family-friendly event. For more information call 740 454-6851. Secrest Auditorium, 334 Shinnick St., Zanesville.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Rushing Wind motorcycle show is this weekend at mall in Zanesville
Ridofranz / Getty Images

If youve ever wondered what a CEO made in their first job, weve spoken with someone who shared insights into his journey from an entry-level position to being in charge of an entire business.

Find Out: How To Earn $4,000 a Month in Passive Income

Try This: One Smart Way To Grow Your Retirement Savings in 2024

Here we will review how much a current CEO made in his first role and how it inspired him to continue on until he moved up to his executive position.

Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity.

First Job Earnings of a Current CEO

I thought Id hit the jackpot when I landed my first job out of college  investment banking in New York City with a $55,000 salary, shared Neal K. Shah, CEO of CareYaya Health Technologies, one of the fastest-growing health tech startups in America devoted to recurring senior care.

Even though Shah runs his own company now, he had to start in an entry-level position where he had to work his way up to increase his salary. While the salary felt like it was a lot of money at the time, he quickly learned that life can get pretty expensive when youre out on your own for the first time in a big city.

Was This Starting Salary Enough?

As a middle-class kid from North Carolina, I quickly realized that the cost of living in the Big Apple was far higher than Id imagined, noted Shah. Ultimately, I stuck with the work and built a hugely successful career in NYC finance, and by the time I was 35, I was running a $250 million hedge fund.

While finding any kind of work straight out of college is exciting because youre finally out in the real world making money on your own, the reality of a high cost of living can hit you fairly quickly. You realize your salary isnt enough to have the lifestyle you dreamt of as a broke college student. Youre making money, but youre putting in long hours in the hopes of getting noticed so that you can move your way up.

Discover More: 30 Best Games That Pay Real Money in 2024

Finding Inspiration To Keep Going

How did his first gig inspire him? Shah provided the following powerful lessons on finding inspiration to improve upon his first job.

Lesson #1: You Have To Start Somewhere

That first salary taught me the importance of starting somewhere and working your way up, shared Shah.

Even though the first role didnt pay enough to enjoy a lavish lifestyle, Shah felt that he had to commit to getting better at his job to move up the ranks one day. If theres one common lesson from many rags-to-riches stories, its that you have to begin the journey somewhere.

Story continues

Numerous tales exist of CEOs who had humble beginnings as they tried to carve their path. If youre currently unsatisfied with your role or salary, theres hope that you can create opportunities for yourself today that will pay off in the future.

Lesson #2: The Importance of Delayed Gratification

That first salary in investment banking was a lesson in delayed gratification, commented Shah. It opened doors and gave me a foothold in the competitive world of New York City finance.

When you start working in your profession, youll want to see some progress so that it feels worth it. Unfortunately, in many industries, you have to spend years working your way up the ladder until youre satisfied with your position and the salary.

Working in a competitive environment can inspire someone since you have to invest in yourself and find ways to stick out from the pack. Then, you must accept the importance of delayed gratification, meaning you have to wait a bit longer to achieve your goals. You wont always be able to stand out instantly, as you may have to prove yourself for many years.

Lesson #3: Success Isnt Always Linear

That first job taught me that the path to success isnt always a straight line  sometimes, you have to make short-term sacrifices for long-term gains, noted Shah. Even though the cost of living was high and the salary didnt stretch as far as Id initially thought, I knew that if I could prove myself in that role, it would lead to bigger and better opportunities down the line.

Achieving any level of measurable success wont always be simple, and there will be periods when it doesnt feel like youre making any progress at all. While Shah struggled and had to make sacrifices to increase his salary and improve his standing in his company, he knew that it would pay off one day.

Shah elaborated, Building a startup like CareYaya requires a willingness to take leaps of faith. You have to be willing to invest a lot of time, capital, and effort in your vision, even when the payoff isnt immediate.

The effort and determination required for Shah to move up in the finance industry helped him when he eventually started his own company, as these lessons inspired him to stay focused when he was branching out into the unknown. The lessons you pick up from an entry-level role can help you in your career journey, even if you choose to leave the industry.

What Led to a Career Change?

Financially, I had achieved more than I ever dreamed possible when I was a middle-class kid from North Carolina, but it took a personal crisis to make me realize that I wanted something more than just financial success, reflected Shah.

While some people work their way up in a company to eventually become the CEO, others try to start their own business to leap to the top level. Shah noticed the potential to start a business due to a personal tragedy that motivated him to try something else.

Spotting a New Opportunity To Start a Company

Witnessing firsthand the challenges of dementia, cancer, and end-of-life care as a family caregiver, I knew I couldnt go back to just chasing profits, said Shah. I wanted to use my skills and resources to make a real difference in peoples lives.

This experience shaped Neals leadership philosophy at CareYaya, the health tech startup revolutionizing elder care nationwide through artificial intelligence and human capital innovation.

Becoming the CEO of a startup was a risky proposition, but Shah took with him the lessons from his first role, which helped him overcome the challenges involved in getting a business off the ground.

Closing Thoughts

Shah concluded, The personal experiences along the way taught me the true meaning of success.

He noted that CareYayas goal is to measure its impact by the lives it touches and the families it supports. If youre looking to start your own company or feel stuck in your current role, the lessons in this article should help you find the motivation to keep going.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a CEO: Heres How Much I Made in My First Role & How That Inspired Me To Keep Going
Sebastian Lelio is setting the soundtrack of a feminist revolution with musical film The Wave (La Ola)  it just wrapped production.

The Academy Award-winning director helms the film that follows music student Julia (Daniela Lopez) who gets involved in the growing feminist #MeToo movement on her university campus. Amid the excitement of protest marches, per the official synopsis, Julia joins her friends in dancing and singing, revisiting her own experiences of mistreatment. As she gathers the courage to share her own abuse story, she unexpectedly becomes a central figure in the movement  a role she didnt foresee, which forces her to address her identity as a survivor in a society that promises change but remains resistant to it.

More from IndieWire

Avril Aurora, Lola Bravo, and Paulina Cortes also star. See below for first-look images.

Lelio co-wrote the screenplay with Manuela Infante, Josefina Fernandez, and Paloma Salas. The writer/director/producer was inspired by the mass protests and university rallies that took place during the so-called feminist May in 2018 that created an iconic moment in the Chilean consciousness and reverberated across the world, as described in a press statement.

I am fascinated by the idea of using the musical genre with its aura of romance and splendor to speak about the inspiring young feminist movement in Chile, mutual consent in the post #MeToo era, and the political potential of the individual or collective voice, Lelio said. The Wave explores the collision between the urgency for change and the status-quo through the intoxicating power of dance, music and a band of masked women who are determined to change the world.

Co-screenwriter Infante added, I was a teacher at the university when about 100 female students lay siege to its main building. I stood very close to them and learned a lot from them. In fact, their experiences and stories are part of the foundations of this movie about what comes after the feminist uprising.

The films original musical compositions have been created collaboratively by 17 female Chilean musicans including Ana Tijoux, Camila Moreno, and Javiera Parra, as well as the films award-winning composer, Matthew Herbert, who previously collaborated with Lelio on The Wonder, A Fantastic Woman, Gloria Bell, and Disobedience.

Ryan Heffington is the choreographer behind the musical sequences. Heffington has worked with recording artists including Sia and Florence and the Machine, as well as on the series Euphoria and Transparent and the films Tick, Tick Boom! and Baby Driver.

Along with Lelio, The Wave is produced by Pablo Larrain, Juan de Dios Larrain, and Rocio Jadue, who stated that the goal of the film was to showcase the remarkable journey of Latin American feminists who, over the last decade, have shattered paradigms and secured rights through their activism.

The feature is produced by Fabula and co-financed by Participant, who worked with Lelio on A Fantastic Woman and Fremantle. Lelios previous films include Participants A Fantastic Woman, for which he won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, the BAFTA Award nominated The Wonder, and the multi award-winning Gloria Bell.

Lelio is next set to direct The Voyagers with Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones, based on the real-life relationship between astronomer Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan, who produces the feature.

See the first look images of The Wave below.

Best of IndieWire

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Well Go USA has landed North American rights for Dutch action thriller Invasion about a daring military operation in the wake of a hostile attack on the Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curacao.

Studiocanal, which is handling international rights, said it was also in the process of closing deals to Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

More from Deadline

The movie is a co-produced by Amsterdam-based Storytellers and Studiocanal company Dutch Film Works.

Director Bobby Boermans (Mocro Maffia, Goldon Hour) reunites with Storytellers having previously collaborated on the drama series High-Flyers teaming up with The Royal Dutch Airforce.

The drama unfolds in the wake of an unexpected attack on the Dutch overseas territories of Curacao and Aruba by a neighboring dictatorship.

As the conflict rapidly escalates, the barracks in Aruba come under fire and the airspace is closed, but the Dutch ambassador is yet to be evacuated. Three young marines embark on a daring rescue mission.

The cast features Tarikh Janssen, Jasha Rudge, Ortal Vriend, Gijs Blom, Gijs Scholten van Aschat, Raymond Thiry and Fedja van Huet.

The movie is co-written by Philip Delmaar and Lucas de Waard from an idea by Errol Nayci at Storytellers, who is producing. The film was made with the logistical support of the Royal Dutch Navy.

Were very happy to have secured international partners in key markets for our action-packed film Invasion, said Studiocanal Head of International for films and series Sales Chloe Marquet.

The film delivers multiple impressive action sequences with high production value, in the exotic landscapes of the Caribbean Basin Invasion will enjoy a long life and we are thrilled to collaborate for the first time with Well Go for the US release of the film, we trust their experience to bring this crowd-pleaser to the American audience.

Dutch FilmWorks will open Invasion in theatres in the Netherlands on April 11.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
"He Was Yelling At The Chef Because He Put Our Lives In Danger": International Travelers Are Sharing Their Nightmare Hotel Experiences

"He Was Yelling At The Chef Because He Put Our Lives In Danger": International Travelers Are Sharing Their Nightmare Hotel Experiences

Recently, I asked the BuzzFeed Community about the wildest and worst hotel experiences they've had while traveling internationally.

Here are 11 of their top answers:

1."I was stationed in Turkey in 1999, when our family left our base to stay in a five-star hotel in Kusadas, Turkey. As I lay in bed early the first morning, I was staring at the ceiling when I heard a cracking sound. I woke my wife in time for us to both watch a crack forming in the ceiling. As we contemplated our predicament, the crack shot across the ceiling as dust particles fell. My wife erupted from bed to snatch our youngest child. I did the same with our son, and we bolted to the adjoining room, where our eldest two were sleeping. From the safety of their room, we heard a roaring crescendo from inside ours. We looked back into our room to see nearly the entire ceiling had fallen."

Sturti / Getty Images

"Chards of plaster lay atop our pillows. We were lucky to escape uninjured."

radscissors76

2."Our hotel in Amsterdam last week had a drink voucher for each guest as a 'thanks for choosing us' gift. When I (a 45-year-old man) went to the bar with my mom (70) to use the voucher, we met another American, probably my mom's age, who struck up a conversation once she heard us speaking English. It was her last night there, and we made idle chit-chat about travel and our lives in the States. At one point, my mom got up to use the bathroom, and once she was out of earshot, the lady got up, walked to me while giving me a look, and said in my ear, 'Room 303. Knock three times. After your mom's asleep.'"

"Then she walked to the elevators. Needless to say, I did NOT knock on 303 that night."

matchwolf

3."Australia 1996 or '97. My American parents were living in China and decided to take us all to Australia for the Lunar New Year break. We were driving through the interior between Sydney and Surfer's Paradise. We passed a perfectly nice-looking hotel but decided to go on just a little longer for the drive. Hours and hours later, we finally came across another motel  a cinderblock [chain hotel]. So gross. The walls, cinderblock inside, too, were growing mold. We opened one bed to find the most spiders I had ever seen in one place."

Samsung DE / Via giphy.com

"My mom wanted to go back to the other place or just drive all night. Dad wouldn't. She sat up in a chair all night holding my 8-month-old sister while my other sister (17) and I (19) shared the one twin bed that didn't have spiders in it. Dad snored all night. He's the only one besides the baby who slept."

freyathwarrrior

4."I was on a trip to Kenya with my wife and friends, and we had a guide who put us up in a hotel. We came out to [the] patio for the big dinner they served nightly and were seated. Then, dozens and dozens men came to [the] buffet and cut in front of me. They were loud and cleared out all the food. Our Kenyan guide told us to stay seated and say nothing. After some very tense moments [with us] not understanding what was happening, he guided us out without food. I saw our guide was waving his hands and yelling at the chef loudly for a couple of minutes before he walked over to us. He said he was yelling at the chef because he put our lives in danger."

"A local politician brought his 'bully boys' to eat the food for free. They were his enforcers who would sometimes kill their political rivals on behalf of the politician. That was one time they could have all that lemon pepper chicken."

spiritedcowboy23

5."We were honeymooning in Greece, and the first place we stayed had a bathroom with no toilet. It was a hole in the floor with foot pads for squatting."

Japatino / Getty Images

"And when we did get a place with a toilet, there was a can for the used paper."

boringwolf75

6."I was visiting Istanbul with my mom a few years ago. We were going to be in Istanbul for five days, and we stayed in one room. My mom got the bed, and I was on a rollaway bed they made up for me. After a long day of tourism and walking around on the third day, I was looking forward to a shower and a short nap before the evening. Unfortunately, when we returned to our room, my bed had been taken away!"

"We called the desk, and they said their hotel was full and that I should sleep in the same bed as my mom (which, of course, I didn't want to do!). I was fuming! They said they couldn't get a bed until the next day (I told them to bring back the bed that I was already using).

We tried to find another hotel, but most of them were already booked up, so I had to just deal with it until they brought me another (more uncomfortable) bed the next day.

In the meantime, I wrote a review on Trip Advisor stating what happened, and they demanded that I take down my review!! Of course, I didnt!!"

sillylight62

7."[I was] in Prague for one night. I got a room at a very nice old hotel that was opened in the early 1900s. I got in around 10 p.m. and was leaving the next day for Vienna. I got up to my room and discovered there was no lock on the door. I called the desk, and they didn't understand what I was complaining about. They didn't understand why I needed a lock?!?"

"I asked for another room, but they said they had no other rooms available.

There was a small dining table and two chairs in the room. I took one of the chairs and wedged it against the door knob. I didn't sleep exactly well that night."

brandonbear35

8."I stayed in a hotel in Zimbabwe that looked beautiful from the outside but had a traditional thatched roof for the ceiling. When I walked in, there was a huge spider on the wall above my headboard. I karate-kicked it, killed it, and left it on the wall in case there were any others who needed to see what might happen to them if they wandered by. I later realized that there were these white, pretty-looking things up in the thatch  which, upon closer inspection, turned out to be spider nests."

"There was nowhere else to go or other options for the night, so I put everything I had into my backpack and zipped it tightly, including my shoes, pulled up the corners of the sheets and blankets onto the bed to not give any walkways to critters who might try to visit, and prayed a long prayer for safety. Unforgettable, for sure!"

angrybubble67

9.We stayed in a bungalow on Koh Samui [in Thailand]. There was a copy of [the travel guide] Lonely Planet lying around, so I read what it had to say about Koh Samui. There was an entire paragraph about how the bungalow owners would murder each other to eliminate the competition. I asked our bungalow owner about this, and he replied, 'That doesn't happen much anymore.'"

Roland Neveu / LightRocket via Getty Images

kbbpll

10."This was in Bahrain. A friend was supposed to come for a night before I delivered some training, but she stood me up. So I rented a cheap room. When I arrived, there was a full-on disco in the basement, with the whole building thudding. Several ladies with thick makeup were draped over the lounge chairs, and a man was vomiting outside by a bush. The lift opened to a massive rat scampering merrily along the corridor. There was no lock on the door, and the thump of the disco made it all the way up to the sixth floor."

NBC / TV Land / Via giphy.com

"I lugged a heavy set of drawers to block the door. There were suspicious, ummmmm, stainson the sheets, so I lay in my clothes on top of the bedspread. The hotel was called Phoenix, and as far as I was concerned, it could definitely have gone up in flames (empty, of course)."

nikkimadans

11.And finally: "I was in London many years ago with some friends. We were poor college students doing the hostel tour but wanted to stay in a hotel for a few nights. We picked one with good ratings and checked in. Went into our room. Our 'two queen bed room' was two single beds on wheels and two single beds zipped together. The beds on wheels would move when you slept, so you'd start in the room and end up in the bathroom by the morning. The two beds zipped together did not stay zippedever."

Barry Winiker / Getty Images

"The window had no screen and was tied with a shoelace. It frequently opened, and, one time, a pigeon flew into our room. Another time, it opened during the night, and my friend almost fell out the window going to the bathroom.

My pillow had blood on it. When I told housekeeping, she said it was probably just hers and gave me another pillow. I would have complained, but I'm pretty sure we were in one of the best rooms there. We left a few days later. Stayed in a hostel, [which was] infinitely better than the hotel room."

bkomistr

What's the worst hotel experience you've had while traveling  internationally or not? Share your stories in the comments!

Note: Some responses have been edited for length/clarity.
Joe Feller

Somewhere in Pennsylvania, an Acura fan bought a new black NSX from a local dealership in 1991. When the owner brought the car back around to the dealership to be serviced, one of the service technicians reportedly decided to take it for a joy ride under the guise of a test drive. A wreck ensued, causing extensive damage to the car.

After battling back and forth with the dealer to get his car fixed, the dealership opted to replace the 1991 model with a white 1992 NSX. When he called his insurance company to add the new car to his policy, the agent mentioned that the NSX was becoming a rare model and the price would start to increase. The owner opted to cancel the insurance, instead covering it and parking it in a barn, where it has slept comfortably until very recently with only 2,002 miles showing on the odometer.



Joe Feller

Now up for sale, the NSX is ready for a new caretaker. The owner is moving and liquidating all of his assets, enlisting the help of family friend Joe Feller to broker the sale of the car.

ADVERTISEMENT

The owner took me on a tour of his garage a few years ago and I saw there was a car under a cover, Feller told Road & Track. I asked what it was and he said it was an Acura NSX. Years went by and I recently told him what they are worth, so he trusted me to be his consultant and get the car on the internet.

The white exterior is covered in a three-decade layer of dust and the interior shows signs of mold, but Feller says the NSX has been stored in a heated garage and its in remarkably good condition. Its scheduled for a thorough detailing by AMMO NYC in the near future. The engine could face some extensive reworking, but the exterior is undamaged; the owner would not even let people see or get near the car while in storage.

Joe Feller

Still wearing its original Yokohama tires, the NSX is an absolute time capsule.



He kept a copy of the dealer package [paperwork and brochures] from the first car and the dealer package from the second car isn't even opened, Feller says. He kept a lot of other knickknacks that was gifted to him back in the day [that will be sold with the car.]

Story continues

Feller and the owner havent yet determined the sales platform or if he will broker the deal privately, but theyre expecting to generate a six-figure deal. Currently, the information and more photos are posted on the Honda NSX Lovers Facebook group.



Joe Feller

You Might Also Like
These cozy baked pasta are bound to become everyone's favorites.

Justin Walker

If we were ranking classic comfort foods, pasta bake recipes would probably take the top spot. With their crispy edges and bubbling interiors, they satisfy like no other dish can. And while lasagna or noodles may get all the limelight, there are plenty of other pasta shapes that are right at home in a baking dish.

Ranging from rich and decadent to light and nutritious, these pasta bakes are hard to resist. Another plus? Most can be prepped ahead and baked when it's time to eat. So preheat your oven and get some water boiling: it's pasta bake time.



Related: The Six Best Pasta Shapes to Use When Making a Baked Pasta Dish

Baked Penne With Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Loaded with chopped chicken, sliced mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and provolone cheese, this Italian-inspired bake is perfect for when you're craving something hearty and packed with flavor. Even better, the recipe makes enough for two separate meals, so you can stash one in the freezer for later.



View Recipe

Creamy Baked Ziti

Bryan Gardner

This meatless main leans on cream cheese for richness and couldn't be easier to pull together. Serve with a big green salad to balance out the creaminess.



View Recipe

Lasagna With Meat Sauce

Brie Goldman

A blend of ground beef and Italian sausage bulk up the meat sauce in this classic-for-a-reason lasagna. Three cheesesmozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan Reggianoadd creamy perfection while no-boil noodles make assembly a breeze.



View Recipe

Spinach Manicotti in Creamy Tomato Sauce

A clever trick for stuffing the pasta tubes (spoiler alert: pipe it!) makes baked manicotti easier than ever to pull off while a touch of cream in the marinara adds just the right amount of richness.



View Recipe

John Legend's Mac and Cheese

Andrea Araiza

We have Grammy- and Oscar-award-winning musician, actor, and music producer John Legend to thank for this baked macaroni and cheese recipe. The key to achieving cheesy bliss in every bite? Alternating layers of noodles and cheese in the baking dish.



View Recipe

Creamy Baked Tortellini With Spinach

Nico Schinco

Our baked tortellini recipe employs a few tricks to pull together a super satisfying dinner in no time: We stir a bit of cream cheese and adobo seasoning into a quick-cooking turkey ragu to enrich its flavor and texture, then sneak in a hefty amount of spinach to up the vegetable quotient. The best part? It's on the table in 35 minutes flat.



View Recipe

Very Vegetable Lasagna

Anson Smart

Rather than simply sneaking a bit of produce into the filling, this vegetarian lasagna recipe ups the ante by replacing some of the noodles with planks of zucchini. Very vegetable indeed.



View Recipe

Chicken-and-Gnocchi Bake With Broccolini

Lennart Weibull

Baked pasta recipes are not just about noodleshere, pillowy gnocchi are tossed with shredded chicken, tender broccolini, and a mixture of Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses. A pack of store-bought gnocchi and a rotisserie chicken make this dish extra easy.



View Recipe

Tuna Casserole

Rachel Marek

To keep our tuna casserole from drying out, we make a quick, creamy sauce from sauteed onion, chicken broth, and milk, then fold in al dente pasta, canned tuna, and peas. A crunchy topping of panko and Parmesan turns golden brown in the oven while the savory noodle mixture bubbles underneath.

View Recipe

Three-Cheese Skillet Lasagna

Make a quick, garlicky tomato sauce and break lasagna noodles into pieces, then layer both in a skillet with ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses for a more casual, scoopable twist on lasagna.



View Recipe

Sausage-and-Kale Stuffed Shells

Justin Walker

Put in the work ahead of time and be rewarded with a satisfying supper at a later date. In this made-for-the-freezer recipe, a blend of wilted kale and spicy sausage adds nutrients, flavor, and heft.



View Recipe

Baked Shells and Broccoli With Cheesy-Creamy Cauliflower Sauce

Chris Testani

In this lightened-up pasta bake, an easy cauliflower sauceenriched with salty pecorino cheesecoats a combination of whole-wheat shells, smoked ham, and broccoli, while a handful of whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs adds a final touch of crunch.



View Recipe

Baked Ziti With Sausage and Bechamel

Lennart Weibull

Creamy bechamel sauce and savory Italian sausage are layered with noodles in this decadent baked ziti recipe. While a bit more labor-intensive than other baked pasta recipes, it'll all pay off when you pull this stunner out of the oven.



View Recipe

Kugel Muffins

Chris Simpson

Noodle kugel is typically served during the Jewish holidays, but this sweet and savory bake is good enough to whip up as an anytime side or brunch disheven more so when it's fun-size, just like this recipe.



View Recipe

Baked Broccoli-and-Artichoke Shells

Ryan Liebe

Rather than stuffing the pasta shells, we combine them with crisp bacon, broccoli, and artichokes and bathe the whole thing in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. A sprinkling of crispy panko and a 20-minute stint in the oven later, a seriously delicious dinner is served.



View Recipe

Tuna-Noodle Casserole With Cauliflower

Linda Pugliese

We give tuna casserole a lighter look by swapping in pappardelle noodles and adding an entire pound of cauliflower (which cooks alongside the pasta to cut down on dishes). There's no cheese in this version, just a creamy sauce kicked up with a few dashes of Tabasco.



View Recipe

Speedy Baked Ziti

Lennart Weibull

Sweet or spicy Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and cheese are baked in the same skillet to produce a delicious meal that's quick enough for busy weeknights.



View Recipe

Famous Lasagna

Yunhee Kim

One bite of this layered masterpiece and you'll know why this dish got its name. To speed up the process, you can swap in a jar of store-bought marinara for the homemade meat sauce and no-boil noodles for dry.

View Recipe

Chicken Tetrazzini

David Loftus

White wine, thyme, mushrooms, and frozen peas add flavor and heft to this light and lovely chicken tetrazzini recipe. Make it your ownor simply use up the ingredients you have on handby switching up the herbs or incorporating a mix of cheeses.



View Recipe

Baked Spaghetti and Mozzarella

Par-cooking the noodles keeps them from turning to mush while this simple, garlicky spaghetti recipe does its thing in the oven. We love the mild flavor that fresh mozzarella, which is chopped and scattered on top, contributes to the dish.



View Recipe

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.
Alyeska Resort, Alaska, has received nearly two feet of snow in the past 24 hours at the top of the Glacier Bowl Express lift, bringing its seasonal upper mountain snowfall to 727 inches.

Alyeska's upper mountain is now almost 100 inches past its seasonal average of 650-plus inches. And the storm isn't entirely done yetOpenSnow reports that the resort could see another five inches of snow in the next five days.

According to KSL News, as of April 8th, Alyeska had outpaced every other U.S. ski resort in terms of snowfall.

AMERICA'S SNOWIEST: Back by popular demand, Utah still has 4 of the top 5 snowiest resorts in North America this season. #utwx  pic.twitter.com/7rTp0F3wmB  Matthew Johnson (@KSL_Matt) April 8, 2024

Alyeska isn't a stranger to being the number one recipient of snowfall. The resort is considered the snowiest or one of the snowiest ski resorts on average in the U.S., depending on who you ask.

However, Alyeska's snowy dominance wasn't a given at the start of the 2023-2024 winter, thanks to the arrival of an El Nino. In Alaska, El Ninos can create drier, less snowy winters.

But the El Nino isn't the only player in the snowfall game; other factors also impact how any given winter pans out. Therefore, the USDA notes that dry Alaskan winters "are not a certainty" during El Ninos. And this winter at Alyeska, the dice rolled in the favor of skiers, delivering plenty of snow.

Despite the successful winter, Alyeska plans to close earlier than several North American ski resorts on April 28th.

The closing day announcement sparked frustration amongst skiers on social media.

"Didn't you guys stay open till late May with way less snow?" wrote one commenter. Several others parroted this sentiment, wondering why, with over 700 inches of snowfall, Alyeska was calling it quits so soon.

At Alyeska, the answer likely has to do with running a financially sustainable operation.

In a 2017 conversation with the Reno Gazette Journal, a Californian ski industry insider explained that "a lack of business" is one of the key factors that determine when many resorts close.

As the weather warms up, day ticket visitors tend to dwindle, leaving resorts without a key source of income, the insider said. Other challenges, like snowpack levels rapidly changing in the spring, can also create logistical hurdles.

Alyeska's probably faces a similar situation. Yet, even after the resort shuts down, there should be plenty of snow to enjoyprovided you're willing to work for it.

Related: Palisades Tahoe, CA Is Prime For A Long And Prosperous Spring Ski Season

Don't miss another headline from POWDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing.

We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional 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 POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos.
Authorities Looking for Owner of Cat with Heart-Shaped Nose Who Was Found Alone in Strawberry Dress

"This kitten is extremely affectionate and a family must be missing her," Everett Massachusetts Animal Control said

City of Everett (MA) Animal Control Office/Facebook Cat found in dress

Authorities with the Everett - Massachusetts Animal Control are asking for the publics help to locate the owner of a lost cat.

FOUND KITTEN- WEARING A STRAWBERRY DRESS, the organization announced in a Facebook post on Monday, April 8.

Included in their message was a photo of the fashionable feline  wearing a white dress with multiple strawberries throughout the design. The white cat with gray ears stared into the camera for the photo.

City of Everett (MA) Animal Control Office/Facebook Cat found in dress

According to the post, the older kitten was found curled up in a driveway near the Parlin School.

Anyone with information on who she belongs to is urged to call the Everett Police Dispatch at (617) 387-1212 or e-mail ACO [Animal Control Officer] stacia.gorgone@cityofeverett.org.

The social media post was shared more than 250 times as of Tuesday, April 9, afternoon. Concerned users also hoped that the cat was reunited with its family.

Related: How One Woman Returned a Lost Cat to Her Owner  From 600 Miles Away

One person who said the animal was obviously well loved added that they were praying she gets HOME.

Best of luck and a lifetime of love and happiness to this cutie, another person commented.

On Tuesday, Everett - Massachusetts Animal Control shared another update on the cat, this time in video form.

We are calling her Strawberry since the young Good Samaritan, who helped her, named her that, the organization wrote in their caption.

Related: Missing Cat Reunites with Family After Using Home Doorbell Camera and Calling Out for 'Mom'

They also shared a video of Strawberry being held by one of the officers as the individual spoke sweetly to the animal, reassuring it that it was in good hands.

Here is a better view of this kitten's white and strawberry dress she had on- Does anyone recognize it? the post asked.

She loves to lay in the ACOs lap and grab her hand with her paw until she gets some cuddles. This kitten is extremely affectionate and a family must be missing her, they wrote before once again sharing ways to get in contact with the department and claim the pet.

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.

The nose & thumbs are too cute! and the [strawberry emoji] dress! Someone nearby must be missing her, one person wrote under the video.

Many fawned over the sweet clip. Others offered their homes if the cats previous one was not located soon.

If she needs a home please let us know. We have a senior cat and disabled puppy, another person shared.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
The Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary is the first in the state to receive the Dark Sky Sanctuary designation.

BEAVER ISLAND  The star-filled night skies on Beaver Island are a special thing, and DarkSky International officials agree.

The International Dark Sky Places Program recently announced the formal recognition of the Michigan State Wildlife Research Area on Beaver Island as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

It will be known as the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary. The distinction also makes it Michigans first certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

According to a press release from the Beaver Island Association, Beaver Island Chamber President Paul Cole helped lead the effort for the dark sky designation.

Cole said the recognition is important because it helps raise awareness about the valuable resource of the islands dark skies.

Increasingly we see that visitors come here to enjoy our uniquely dark skies," he said in the release. "Designation of the DNRs research area as a Dark Sky Sanctuary will help us protect that resource.

Beaver Island is home to Michigans first certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

The Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary contains a total of 9,425.5 acres. It is comprised of 9,195.5 acres of the State Wildlife Research Area on Beaver Island owned and managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and 230 acres of land at Millers Marsh that is owned by Central Michigan University.

According to officials, Beaver Island's unique geography makes it ideal for stargazing. It is geographically isolated, accessible only by ferry or plane in good weather, and light pollution is minimal.

Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you

As defined by DarkSky International, a Dark Sky Sanctuary consists of public or private land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment, and that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural or educational value, its cultural heritage or public enjoyment.

The new designation comes after several years of work by members of the islands Dark Sky Task Force that was organized by the Beaver Island Chamber and the Beaver Island Association. They worked in cooperation with Peaine and St. James townships, the DNR, Central Michigan University and others.

A map showing the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary on Beaver Island.

"This certification demonstrates a significant commitment by the Beaver Island community, community officials, advocates and resource managers to recognize and share the value and importance of natural night skies," said Amber Harrison, Dark Sky Places program manager, in a statement. "Through education and advocacy, these efforts protect the natural and cultural setting of the island against the threat of increased growth. It is a testament to our collective dedication to conservation and sustainable tourism, ensuring that the wonders of the night sky remain unspoiled for present and future generations. I am excited to continue our work towards growing the certification area to include the full island in the future."

Kevin Boyle, a member of the island's task force and vice president of the Beaver Island Association, celebrated the designation and what it means for the island's future.

Combining the wilderness designation the state has made for this special place on our island with recognition of it as a Dark Sky Sanctuary will help us protect this important resource, said Boyle in the release. We plan to add to the astronomy programs we already have with additional presentations at the BIC Center and occasional displays at our museum. We also plan to make sure visitors to the island know how to enjoy the dark skies of the sanctuary without disturbing its protected nature. Eventually, we hope to expand the boundaries of the sanctuary to include the entire archipelago.

A dedication event for the sanctuary is set for Sept. 20, 2024.

 Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0979 and adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Beaver Island receives Dark Sky Sanctuary designation
TechCrunch

Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest asset managers, has confirmed that over 77,000 customers had personal information compromised during an August data breach, including Social Security numbers and driver's licenses. The Boston, Massachusetts-based investment firm said in a filing with Maines attorney general on Wednesday that an unnamed third party accessed information from its systems between August 17 and August 19 "using two customer accounts that they had recently established. We detected this activity on August 19 and immediately took steps to terminate the access, Fidelity said in a letter sent to those affected, adding that the incident did not involve any access to customers Fidelity accounts.
British Airways Is Offering Status Matching With Delta, United, and More  When to Apply

The eligible airlines include Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air France/KLM, Scandinavian Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

Courtesy of British Airways

British Airways is making it easier for passengers in the United States to fly in style with a new limited-time status match offer.

The airline is welcoming members of eight different airline loyalty programs to status match for free, British Airways shared with Travel + Leisure. Eligible customers who apply by May 7 will receive either British Airways Silver or Gold status for six months with the ability to extend that to a full year with the purchase of two qualifying flights.

The eligible airlines include Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air France/KLM, Scandinavian Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

Travelers who hold gold status with Delta, for example, can receive British Airways Silver status, while Delta Platinum members can receive British Airways Gold status. The same goes for United Airlines Premier Gold members, who are eligible to receive British Airways Silver status, or Uniteds Premier Platinum and Premier 1k members, who are eligible to receive British Airways Gold status.

American Airlines customers already receive benefits when flying with British Airways since the airlines are both members of the Oneworld Alliance.

Beyond the six month period, travelers can extend the status match when they book two qualifying flights or one roundtrip flight. To qualify, the flight must be a business or first class ticket originating in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, marketed by British Airways, and operated by British Airways, American Airlines, Aer Lingus, Iberia, or Finnair.

To request status matching, customers must apply online and upload proof of their existing airline status. Customers will then be notified if they are eligible via email within about five business days.

Airlines all around the world offer status matching as a perk, allowing travelers to test a new loyalty program before fully committing to that airline.

Beyond status matching, British Airways is offering a spring sale with big savings on international trips to London, Madrid, India, and beyond. To take advantage, the sale must be booked by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 23.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
(Reuters) -Macy's ended a nearly two-months long proxy contest with Arkhouse Management by adding two of the activist investor's nominees to its board, the U.S department store chain said on Wednesday.

The retailer also said it continues to engage with Arkhouse and Brigade Capital Management over their revised buyout proposal.

In March, Arkhouse and Brigade raised their offer to acquire Macy's stock they do not already own for $24 per share, valuing the retailer at $6.6 billion, after the company rejected an earlier bid made in December.

Arkhouse, which has a 4.4% stake in Macy's, then nominated nine director candidates to the company's board in February, triggering a proxy battle.

Arkhouse said on Wednesday it withdrew the rest of its board nominees after the company appointed Richard Clark and Richard Markee as independent directors.

"So it ends the potential for a proxy fight, which would have been very expensive and a big distraction and probably Arkhouse didn't even really want it because they're trying to buy the whole company," Morningstar analyst David Swartz.

Clark and Markee will join the board's finance committee, which in addition to its existing responsibilities, will oversee the evaluation of the proposal from Arkhouse and Brigade, Macy's said.

"Our buyer group has begun receiving due diligence to progress discussions toward a potential transaction to acquire the company," Arkhouse said.

Since the first bid in December, Macy's has cut 2,350 jobs and in late February announced a turnaround plan where it would shutter around 150 stores through 2026.

The department store chain is facing weak demand due to rising competition from online retailers and lower relevance among younger shoppers.

Macy's board will now consist of 15 directors. The company's shares were down 1.9% at $19.32 in early trading.

(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Shailesh Kuber)
Eid al-Fitr is about to start as Ramadan ends. Find Eid prayer times near Columbus

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan  the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, a time when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food and drink. Every day during this month, Muslims focus on God-consciousness, self-reflection and self-improvement.

With the expected sighting of the crescent moon on the night of April 9, nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide and the roughly 1% of Ohioans who are Muslim will commemorate the end of Ramadan with a celebration called Eid al-Fitr, expected to fall on April 10.

Shawwal, the Islamic month that succeeds Ramadan, begins immediately upon the sighting of the crescent moon, or "Shawwal moon."

An Indonesian Muslim uses a telescope to see the new crescent moon, which signals the end of Ramadan.

The first day of Shawwal brings Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. A crescent moon is predicted to appear in the sky tonight, which would end Ramadan and start Eid al-Fitr.

The next day, Muslims will wake up early in the morning to get ready to attend mandatory Eid prayers at local masjids. Some Sunnahs, or the way of the Prophet, include wearing one's best clothes and perfume, and saying Takbeer to praise God on the way to Eid prayers.

Muslims will hug their friends and family and greet them with Eid Mubarak, meaning blessed festival in Arabic.

Looking for Eid prayer locations in Columbus? Find out below.

Children watch their fathers pray during an event called Eid al-Fitr, which helps mark the end of Ramadan, a fast for Muslims during daylight hours, and lasting one lunar cycle, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Tuesday, June 4, 2019. The event, drawing a few thousand Muslims, is one of several community ones in the area designed to bring various Islamic communities together.

Eid al-Fitr prayer times and locations in Columbus

Noor Islamic Cultural Center*

Greater Columbus Convention Center400 N. High Street, ColumbusTakbeer: 8:30 amSalat: 9:00 am*Prayer will NOT be at any of the NICC Locations

Polaris Masjid Islamic Center of Delaware County

8542 Cotter Street, Lewis CenterFirst Eid Khutbah: 7:20 amSecond Eid Khutbah: 8:15 am

Islamic Foundation of Central Ohio

1428 East Broad Street, ColumbusFirst Eid Prayer: 7:30 amSecond Eid Prayer: 8:30 am

Masjid Ibn Taymiyah and Islamic Center

2334 Mock Road, ColumbusFirst Prayer: 8:30 amSecond Prayer: 9:30 am

April 8, 2024: People buy dry fruits ahead of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a market in Kandahar.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr is the first of two celebratory days in the Islamic calendar, both observed every year. Though the holiday is marked on one day, some countries will celebrate this festival for as long as three days.

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar. The two holidays follow the Islamic Hijri calendar, a lunar cycle. Each year, Ramadan and both Eid holidays fall about 11 days earlier than the year before because of the lunar cycle. The sighting of the crescent moon determines the start of these holidays.

Eid in Arabic means "festival" or "feast," and Fitr means "breaking the fast." In other words, Eid al-Fitr literally means festival of breaking the fast.

When is Eid al-Adha, the second Eid in the Islamic calendar?

The second Eid, Eid al-Adha, will fall on the 10th day in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is predicted to fall on the evening of June 16, and end on the night of June 17.

Know of other Eid prayer times and locations in Ohio? Please email Mariyam Muhammad (mamuhammad@gannett.com) or Jason Rossi (jrossi@gannett.com) with information.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When is prayer for Eid al-Fitr? What to know to celebrate in Columbus
Homeowners across the country are unfortunately being forced to worry more than ever about extreme weather events caused by the changing weather patterns. And some of those homeowners are taking action by buying a type of disaster-resistant domicile called a Q Cabin.

The Q Cabin, created by an architect and entrepreneur named Vern Sneed, consists of a frame made out of a half-circle of non-combustible steel. As Sneed explained to the East Bay Times, the part of a traditional house that is most vulnerable to fire is the roof  with Q Cabins, the curved, non-combustible roof gives a fire nowhere to be sucked into.

While the end result may look a little strange to some  the New York Times described it as "a little like a small, smartly designed airplane hangar"  one person's airplane hangar could be another person's futuristic, modern home.

According to the Q Cabin website, the "sweeping curves" of the Q Cabin "are harmonious with nature and the interiors have huge soaring volumes unmatched in the tiny house industry."

Whether one appreciates the aesthetics of the design or not, one undeniable benefit of the Q Cabin  or other such disaster-proof housing  is the peace of mind that protecting yourself and your family against wildfires brings. A large Q Cabin is around 1,400 square feet and costs $350,000.

Wildfires have grown more frequent and more severe over the last 50 years as global temperatures have risen. Southwestern states, like Texas, New Mexico, and Southern California, have seen the greatest increases, but the spread has not been limited to that region.

According to one study published in the scientific journal Science, there are now twice as many homes in the United States located within wildfire perimeters as there were 30 years ago.

Luckily, Q Cabins is not the only company looking to give people the reassurance that disaster-resistant housing can bring.

One company in the Philippines is manufacturing a new type of construction material it calls "structurally insulated panels" that can withstand many types of natural disasters. In Washington state, architects have built a "Tsunami-proof house" in Puget Sound. And there are many other examples.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
A traveler pets the airport therapy dog Alita while walking through Istanbul Airport in Turkey, Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Istanbul Airport has made five new hires to a provide stress-free travel experience for anxious passengers. | Khalil Hamra

Dogs have been important airport employees for years, with TSA canines sniffing out explosives and other illicit items, but a new team of therapy dogs at Istanbul Airport is providing a different kind of security.

Therapy dogs at airports are nothing new  there are programs in place in dozens of airports worldwide. While many of these programs involve weekly visits rather than a constant team of therapy dogs, Istanbul Airport has recently hired five certified therapy dogs as official airport employees.

According to The Associated Press, the dogs work during the peak travel hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., although their veterinarian said their hours may vary depending on the dogs temperament. Each dog is assigned a handler, who cares for the canines and facilitates interactions with airport guests.

What is a therapy dog?

Therapy dogs are dogs that have been trained to provide emotional or physical support. According to the AAHA, emotional support dogs can assist humans by offering companionship and can often help with depression, anxiety and certain phobias, but they arent trained to perform specific tasks.

Volkan Gul is the handler of one of Istanbul Airports dogs, a border collie named Alita. He told The Associated Press that Alita has been very popular at the airport, with people constantly petting her, and that she helps them relax while traveling.

According to San Jose Mineta International Airport, the first airport therapy dog program began in the wake of 9/11. The airports chaplain brought her own trained therapy dog, Orion, to help calm passengers and airport employees who were stressed by the event. Orion was a hit, and the airports program continues today with 42 dogs, one cat and one rabbit.

Which airports have therapy dogs?

There were therapy dog programs in place at 72 U.S. airports as of 2020, according to Vane Research. Dogs arent the only kind of therapy animal: LiLou, the worlds first airport therapy pig, made her debut at San Francisco International Airport in 2017.

There are therapy dog programs in place at a number of U.S. airports, including the Welcome Waggin Program at Tulsa International Airport, the K9 Crew at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP) at Los Angeles International Airport, the Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) at Denver International Airport and the Wagging Tails Brigade at Philadelphia International Airport.

While the Istanbul crew is Turkeys first airport therapy dog program, there are others in Europe, such as the Essex Therapy Dogs at London Southend Airport.

A traveller pets the airport therapy dog Kuki while walking through Istanbul Airport in Turkey, Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Istanbul Airport has made five new hires to provide stress-free travel experience for anxious passengers: therapy dogs that are ready to offer support with snuggles, belly rubs and sloppy kisses. | Khalil Hamra

Does the Salt Lake City airport have therapy dogs?

Although Salt Lake City International Airport does not have a formal therapy dog program, animals from Intermountain Therapy Animals, or ITA, come to the airport once a week to provide comfort to anxious travelers. According to KSL, handlers bring them both by the gates and in the terminal.

Cindy Yorgason told KSL in 2022 that she had been with ITA for a decade and bringing therapy dogs to the airport for about nine years, and she had seen firsthand how the animals can alleviate travel stress.

Weve had people that have flight anxieties, and just having the dogs sit with the people, they get their blood pressure down, they relax, she said. Everybody  employees, flight attendants, pilots  it doesnt matter who, they just love to see the dogs and get a little relief.
Britons who dream of working from home in a picturesque hilltop town in Tuscany or a whitewashed village in Puglia are in luck as Italy launches a new visa scheme to attract digital nomads.

The new visa is aimed at highly skilled professionals who are able to work remotely.

After the UK left the EU, Britons lost the right to simply move to Italy, find a job and start a new life, as had been possible before.

They must now obtain a work visa, and for those with the right set of skills, the digital nomad option could be perfect.

With rock bottom birth rates, an ageing population and a struggling economy, particularly in the south of the country, Italy is keen to attract newcomers and the wealth they bring with them.

It is hoped many of them can be persuaded to help repopulate towns and villages across the country that are dying as a result of emigration overseas, a drift to the cities and a decline in farming.

The scheme was proposed two years ago but finally became reality this month when it was signed off by the coalition government of Giorgia Meloni.

Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, has unveiled the new visa after years of planning - REMO CASILLI/REUTERS

We have a thousand marvellous hamlets and remote working can revive them, Dario Franceschini, the then culture minister, said when the scheme was first discussed. Now that people can work without being physically present in the office, the isolation of these places is no longer a problem but part of their beauty.

Italy is investing millions of euros in EU grants and loans to revive villages in each of its 20 regions, including the stunning settlement of Rocca Calascio in the mountains of Abruzzo, which is overlooked by a 1,000-year-old castle.

The scheme is available to all non-EU citizens, not just Britons, and is aimed at people who are already employed by companies outside Italy but are able to work wherever they like.

The Italian government defines a digital nomad as a non-EU citizen who carries out a highly qualified work activity with the use of technological means that allow them to work remotely, either as a self-employed worker or as an employee of a company not resident in Italy.

After one of the wettest winters on record in the UK, the prospect of enjoying a slice of la dolce vita may be hard to resist.

But before Britons start packing their suitcases, there is a good deal of red tape to contend with. Applicants must have at least six months experience in the sector in which they work and an annual salary of at least 28,000 (24,000).

Evidence of a home and health insurance

They must also show evidence that they have found somewhere to live in Italy and also demonstrate that they have medical insurance. And anyone with a criminal conviction in the last five years will not be eligible.

Successful applicants will be granted a visa stamped with the words digital nomad  remote worker.

Once they arrive in Italy, they will have eight days in which to apply for a residency permit, known in Italian as a permesso di soggiorno. It is a relatively straightforward process that can be done at the local police station.

The visa will last for one year but can be renewed once it has expired, and successful applicants will be able to bring family members with them.

For those interested in the scheme, the first step is to book an appointment with the nearest Italian consulate or embassy.

Italy will join a growing list of countries offering a digital nomad visa. In Europe, Spain, Germany, Greece and Portugal are among the countries that have set up the schemes.

Further afield, the visas for remote workers are also available in countries including Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil and Saint Lucia.

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.
New Jersey, Utah among best states to work from home, according to WalletHub report

Tyson Oldham works in his home office as his son Carson, 7, rattles his chair in Highland on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. WalletHub recently published a report finding New Jersey and Utah are the overall best states for remote work.

WalletHub recently published a report finding New Jersey and Utah as the overall best states for remote work.

According to the report, WalletHub ranked all states and Washington, D.C., on work environment and living environment. The dimensions were then analyzed by 12 key metrics, ranging from share of workers working from home to internet cost and cybersecurity. Factors such as how large and how crowded homes are in each state were also measured.

The maximum value a state could get was 100: 60 for work environment and 40 for living environment, per the report. Here are the five highest-ranking states in total points:

New Jersey (64.76).

Utah (64.47).

Delaware (64.25).

Maryland (63.59).

Washington, D.C. (62.87).

Washington, D.C., New Jersey and Maryland ranked best for work environment, while Utah, Colorado and Texas were listed best for living environment. In addition, Washington, D.C., ranked the highest for share of population working from home and Mississippi was listed the highest for share of potential telecommuters.

Remote work can save money

Global Workforce Analytics, a employer-centered consulting firm, estimated in a 2021 report that employees save between $600 and $6,000 per year by working at home half the time. The savings are reportedly from reduced costs for travel, parking, and food and balanced out with added energy and home food costs.

Similarly, a 2022 survey by Owl Labs found that employees who worked at an office spent twice as much money ($863 per month) than those who worked remotely ($432 per month).

Cassandra Happe, a WalletHub analyst, said in WalletHubs report that remote work can save people a lot of money on transportation expenses, but factors such as cost of internet and cost of energy can greatly impact peoples savings and productivity.

Will remote work continue on?

Katrina Burch, the director of the Industrial-Organizational Psychology Graduate Program at Western Kentucky University, said in an emailed statement from WalletHub that work-from-home roles will continue to increase in 2024 and beyond.

This is because organizations that allow remote work options will increase the available talent pool for positions and perhaps have a better capacity to attract top talent.

Remote work continues to be utilized. Around a third of workers in the U.S. fully work remotely if available, and 41% work remotely part time on a hybrid setup, according to a recent study published by Pew Research Center.

Most employees want to work in a hybrid or flexible way ... work from home is here to stay, and companies should lean into the trend as opposed to trying to return to prior ways of working, said Katina Sawyer, an associate professor at the University of Arizona, per the emailed statement.
Nigora Tokhtabayeva developed her love of jewelry from her grandmother in Uzbekistan, who believed in the spiritual and protective power of amulets and other jewelry.

It was one of the reasons the young Uzbek jewelry designer started her own sustainable jewelry brand, called Tabayer, in Miami where she grew up as a teen. Her modern knot hoops have been worn by Tracee Ellis Ross, Meghan Markle, Gwyneth Paltrow and many more celebs.

More from WWD

With sustainability in mind, Tokhtabayeva was selected to design a trophy for Fashion Trust U.S.s second year of handing out awards to young designers at a Los Angeles ceremony on Tuesday night.

We are immensely honored to collaborate with Tabayer on the trophy design for this years Fashion Trust U.S. awards, said Tania Fares, founder of Fashion Trust U.S. Its crucial for us to align with creatives who not only share our vision but also embody our ethos of fostering and nurturing innovation in the fashion industry. Were excited to unveil the [trophy] design and are confident it will mark a memorable highlight of this years ceremony.

The Tabayer design team decided to create a handheld sculpture rather than a larger trophy like the one presented last year in a creation imagined by jewelry designer/sculptor Ana Khouri, who is based in New York but originally from Brazil.

The Fashion Trust U.S. trophy.

Tokhtabayevas handheld version is modeled after the jewelry designers Oera motif, which employs a gold line that loops around like a needle and thread, as seen in Tabayers collection of rings, bracelets and necklaces. That design was important to create a tension and balance within the sculpture to represent each designers journey to achieving impossible feats in their own way, the jewelry designer explained.

Tokhtabayeva, who is on the FTUS advisory board, cast the trophy in bronze and finished it with 18-carat fair-mined gold, which was placed atop a concrete base. The trophys rivet details are an homage to the U.S. fashion industrys history with long-standing clothing companies like Levi Strauss & Co., which began selling work wear blue jeans in the 1870s.

We wanted to approach the design of this trophy as a sculpture, Tokhtabayeva said. Hopefully, it will be something that the award winners will want to proudly put in their homes as a piece of art.

.

Best of WWD
The morning after Joan Nathan's 80th birthday party last year  a long-table Palm Springs gathering on the grounds of a hacienda-style compound where Samuel Goldwyn, Lucille Ball and Judy Garland are said to have lived at various times  guests from the nighttime celebration were invited to brunch at the midcentury showcase Abernathy House.

The partygoers who had come from Denmark, Germany and cities across the U.S. poured themselves coffee and took in the glamorous poolside setting after celebrating Nathan the previous evening with testimonials and dinner made with the help of her family, friends and colleagues. Grilled cabbage with spicy sour agave nectar from D.C.'s Centrolina chef Amy Brandwein; Lulu chef David Tanis' citrus, olive and fennel salad; lamb sent from Philadelphia by Zahav chef Michael Solomonov; a new Tehachapi Heritage Grain Project rice variety from Anson Mills' Glenn Roberts; Sherry Yard's knockout birthday cake infused with passion fruit curd, plus many other courses. The toasts and dancing went late into the night.

Read more: The best cookbooks for spring 2024

Now, with the arrival of the California desert morning, in walked Nathan, bright-eyed and bearing sweets. Surrounded by the aroma of cinnamon, sugar and toasted nuts, the author of Jewish Cooking in America set down platters of schnecken she'd made herself and watched with satisfaction as the group descended on the sticky pecan rolls still warm from being reheated in the oven.

This is a woman who almost never arrives empty-handed. Even at her own birthday brunch.

Hot pecan rolls: Joan Nathan, in her kitchen, turns over a batch of her Ann Arbor schnecken after they've baked so that they're served with the pecans on top. After the dough proofs, the schnecken are placed bottom-side-up atop the pecans and then baked. Hot and ready to eat. Deb Lindsey / For The Times

And, of course, her schnecken  "snails" in German  come with a story or three. Schnecken recipes have appeared in a few of Nathan's 12 cookbooks, sometimes tracing the historic evolution of the rolled sweet and sometimes describing the bakers who either shared their recipes or inspired her own recipes.

But the cookbook with Nathan's latest version of schnecken is one that for the first time fully focuses on her own story, from inquisitive schoolgirl to the world's preeminent expert on Jewish food.

Of course, like any Joan Nathan book, "My Life in Recipes" is packed with stories about other people's lives.

Zelig-like in her ability to observe notable people and events in the worlds of food and politics, but hardly ordinary herself even as she gently but persistently cajoles secret family recipes from home cooks around the world, Nathan's life reflects the ever-broadening tastes of the American palate.

Consider that when she was living in New York and working for the Mayor's Office of Midtown Planning and Development during the Abraham Beame administration, Nathan was one of the driving forces behind the 1974 founding of the still-running Ninth Avenue International Food Festival, possibly New York's first public gathering for such a multiplicity of culinary cultures. At the time, 22 different cuisines were said to be represented in businesses along the avenue. A who's who of food world figures were involved in the inaugural event, including Madhur Jaffrey, Edna Lewis and Diana Kennedy, who, as Nathan writes in "My Life," "stood outside Alps Drugstore demonstrating guacamole."

Though the title of Nathan's first cookbook, "The Flavor of Jerusalem" (written with Judy Stacey Goldman), might lead some to think it was a book devoted only to Jewish recipes, the subtitle  "International Recipes From the Many Cuisines of the Sacred City"  reveals her lifelong search for what binds many disparate cultures together.

Her 2005 book, "The New American Cooking," examined how immigrants shaped our tastes for the better. In "King Solomon's Table" (2017), she explored the food of the Jewish diaspora, including Salvadoran latkes and Brazilian-Belarusian grouper fish. And her definitive 1994 book "Jewish Cooking in America," which also became a PBS series, not only told stories about cholents, kugels and latkes but of the Cajun, Moroccan, Syrian and other countries' influences on the Jewish table.

Read more: Joan Nathan talks immigrant food and a recipe for matzo brei chilaquiles from her new cookbook, 'King Solomon's Table'

She might be a potent blend of her mother's desire to "embrace the new" as Nathan describes the New York-born Pearl Gluck and her father Ernest's tether to "the Old World that he left behind" when he came to the U.S. in 1929  early enough to get many but not all of his family members out of Germany before the killing of Jews in concentration camps began. For all of his ties to Germany, however, Nathan's father loved to eat out in the Chinese and Italian restaurants of Providence where the family spent many years. All of which is to say Nathan's work exudes a respect for tradition  leading Jews of many different political convictions and cooking abilities to trust her when they need holiday recipes  as well as an openness and even eagerness to learn and experience "the new."

One of Joan Nathan's holiday recipes from "My Life": Passover Pecan Lemon Torte With Lemon Curd Filling. The torte is made with matzo meal. (Deb Lindsey / For The Times)

This might be why, after studying in France and Italy, then working in New York at the Mission of the Malagasy Republic (now Madagascar) to the United Nations, she was drawn to Israel and found herself working for Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek, a complicated politician known for his advocacy of Israeli-Palestinian coexistence. Through her job as foreign press attache, she acquired a Rolodex of contacts and met several dignitaries. Among them, Barbra Streisand and human rights activist Elie Wiesel, who, as she writes in "My Life," asked her what she did "to ward off depression." She told him that she usually tried to find a new walk in the city. "When I asked him the same question, he replied, 'With me, it's not so easy.'"

Her time working for Kollek is what set Nathan on her path as a cookbook writer intent on finding the human connections to the recipes she published.

"I saw how food  and not just food  but eating together, eating at somebody's table, no matter who it was, it's a way of saying, I like your food. I like you," she says over the phone. "People get much more relaxed. I learned that from Teddy Kollek. He was able to break down so many barriers through eating with people."

Read more: A new Mediterranean cookbook from Jose Andres celebrates 'dishes that belong to the people'

One of the best stories Nathan tells in "My Life in Recipes" centers on a lunch she and Kollek shared with the leader of an Arab village between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. After "Turkish coffee infused with whole cardamom pods," Kollek delivered the news that Jerusalem would not be paying for the paved road the village wanted because it was too expensive.

Then the mezze arrived  Bedouin cheese, hummus "drizzled with olive oil from the village," baba ghanouj, kubbeh, "just-from-the-oven pita" and arak. The leader asked again for his road. Again, Kollek said no.

"Undaunted, the mukhtar nodded again, and out came the main dish ... one of the great Palestinian dishes from the city of Nablus," Nathan writes.

It was mousakhan, chicken "roasted with cumin, cinnamon and pine nuts, with tons of sauteed onions colored pink by sumac ... served on a large pita bread soaked in olive oil while being warmed in the oven."

Joan Nathan's recipe for Palestinian mousakhan. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

"As we feasted, something remarkable happened: We forgot to be uncomfortable. ... By the time we had eaten our fill of chicken and were sipping our mint tea, everyone had gotten what they wanted."

The mayor got "one of the finest meals of his life." The village got their road. "And me? Well, I got a lifelong career. I also got my favorite chicken dish."

All these years later, of course, with cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas breaking down, civilian killings continuing to rise in Gaza and Israeli hostages still being held, such a meal is hard to imagine today.

"People were talking to each other then," Nathan says.

Back in 2001, just after the publication of her book, "The Foods of Israel Today," Nathan wrote a story for this paper in which she said, "I have visited Jewish Israeli home cooks of Moroccan, Libyan and Iraqi backgrounds. ... I have sat on the floor in Druze, Syrian Alawite and Kurdish kitchens, molding kibbeh. ... I have visited Palestinian villages where I have tasted sun-kissed figs plucked straight from the trees and Israeli-Arab villages where celebratory pancakes are baked in a tabun oven set into the earth and served stuffed with candied sesame seeds. ... Sadly, I could not have had those first experiences today. There is too much turmoil in the country that tears apart human relations."

Yet her dream, "that Jews and Arabs can share the bounty of this land that they both claim," she wrote then, was still strong.

Now, she says over the phone, "It's much worse. I think fear on both sides is just too much. There are a lot of friendships between Jews and Arabs that are no longer. It's just a sad time in our history."

I ask Nathan if she still thinks food can bring people together.

"Well, I think sitting down can," she says. "A week before Oct. 7, a friend invited me [to dinner with] a Palestinian family and we talked about things. It was amazing. After that dinner, the wife and I went walking. But after Oct. 7 happened, I just couldn't call her. Then her husband reached out and said he had been working with a Jewish-Arab choir. Through this whole time, this choir has been practicing in Jerusalem and now they were coming over to the States. You know, all he wanted was people to come to the concert. And I thought, what an amazing thing to help support. ... How can that not break down barriers if you talk to people?"

The Recipes

Find Joan Nathan at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on Saturday, April 20, 4 p.m., at USC's Ray Stark Family Theatre, where shell discuss food memoirs with Rosa Jackson and Klancy Miller.

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.
In an environment where theft is a growing issue, knowing whats covered is crucial.

In an environment where rates are so low that carriers are struggling to turn a profit, cost-cutting measures are vital. Only not every cost should be cut. Insurance, while one of the higher costs for motor carriers and freight brokers, is the one thing that can protect a company from massive loss. Jessie Merritt, Reliance Partners executive vice president of sales, was on a recent episode of WHAT THE Truck?!? to break down the importance of insurance and knowing what is covered under a current policy.

One of the most important things to consider when it comes to scaling and growing a [trucking] company or freight brokerage is that its critical that your claims get paid, Merritt said. There is no right or wrong way to buy insurance as long as you know what youre buying and you know whats covered.

For example, most motor carrier policies have a towing supplement, which typically falls under physical damage. This supplement typically covers about $10,000-$15,000 in tow truck services. Its not out of the ordinary for a wrecker service to charge more than that depending on distance traveled, any additional vehicles needed, the state the accident occurs in and a multitude of other factors. So a tow could open the carrier up to a sizable loss without proper coverage.

Most carriers have a stronger understanding than freight brokers of what their insurance covers. More recently, though, freight brokers have started carrying their own insurance so they dont have to rely on just the carriers insurance.

Merritt breaks down the three most common insurance policies for brokers. Contingent cargo is only going to pay its contingent upon the failure of the motor carriers coverage. It will take awhile to get a denial from their insurance, which will take awhile for the shipper to be made whole. Its a challenge if the shipper cant wait a while for payment. The second type is cargo legal liability. It will pay if youre legally liable for the cargo, [through a] written contract or verbal agreement. The third is shippers interest. If the shipper has an interest in the claim being paid, it will be paid. Know what you bought and what the common exclusions are.

When theft or loss occurs, its important to cooperate with local authorities even though the volume of claims and thefts is overwhelming to law enforcement. Its crucial that carriers and brokers have information ready for the police report, and if stolen or lost cargo is found, its of utmost importance to go get it as there isnt space for the police to hold it.

Story continues

What can fleets do to mitigate costs? According to Merritt, there are a few options for motor carriers. It could be, take on a deductible or a retention depending on size. Look at all insurance policies to see if you feel like youre getting a fair shake in the marketplace, and make sure your agent is going out to market and getting you competitive rates. On the liability side, make sure your house is in order with safety scores and inspections. Safety scores have a big bearing on insurance premiums as well as claim history.

With the rise of cargo theft in various forms, its more prevalent now that brokers and motor carriers have more sustainable insurance coverage. Insurance companies are in business to be profitable, and the theft trend is having a negative impact on the insurance industry  to the extent that their losses over time are going to prompt some to restrict coverage.

Click here to learn more about Reliance Partners.

The post Managing insurance costs for growing operations appeared first on FreightWaves.
Somersworth Eagles raise $4K for Wentworth-Douglass Hospital cancer patients

The Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Foundation has received a $4,000 donation from the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Somersworth Aerie #1877, to support cancer patients at the Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass.

DOVER  The Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Foundation has received a $4,000 donation from the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Somersworth Aerie #1877, to support cancer patients at the Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass.

The money was raised in collaboration with Grandview Campground in Rochester and First Class Auto Body in Boston.

"The generosity of the Somersworth Eagles and their partners exemplifies the community's unwavering support for cancer patients in our care," said Maryellen Burke, chief development officer of the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Foundation. We are so grateful to them, and many other organizations like them. We would not be able to assist our patients in the ways that we do without their continued support.

The funds raised will underwrite the cancer centers supportive and wellness services, which offer integrative therapies and support that are often not covered by insurance. The program includes acupuncture, Reiki, massage therapy and exercise classes, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. The program also allows patients to meet with oncology social workers, nutritionists, and patient navigators, as well as supporting basic needs for those who cannot afford transportation, gas cards, groceries, or other necessities during treatment.

Eagles member Connie Matthews recently completed her cancer treatments at Wentworth-Douglass and was able to ring the bell  a tradition for all patients who have completed their treatment.

The donation was personal to the Eagles, because member Connie Matthews recently completed her own cancer treatments at Wentworth-Douglass and was able to ring the bell  a tradition for all patients who have completed their treatment.

"The dedication of our members to support cancer patients, like Connie, reflects our commitment to our community's well-being," said John Allard, aerie conductor and Eagles NH state secretary. We are honored to support Wentworth-Douglass and everything they do for our community.

Members of the club also include Javon Epps, Bob Nadeau, Marc Lavacchia, Cindi Allard, Doris Noble, John Jones, Lee Lassonde, and Rita Dupu

Local YMCAs and Dartmouth Health Childrens partner as hosts for National Healthy Kids Day

MANCHESTER  Dartmouth Health Childrens, New Hampshires only pediatric health system, will sponsor the Granite YMCAs, the Keene Family YMCA, and the YMCA of Greater Nashuas annual Healthy Kids Day, a free and family-friendly event.

Healthy Kids Day is a national initiative focused on improving the health and well-being of kids and families. Celebrated each spring, YMCAs across the country are hosting community-facing events that teach healthy habits, encourage active play and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity.

The Granite YMCAs Healthy Kids Day events in the Seacoast area will take place as follows:

YMCA of the Seacoast

Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

550 Peverly Hill Road, Portsmouth, N.H.

YMCA of Strafford Countys Camp Coney Pine

Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

63 Lowell St., Rochester, N.H.

Portsmouth Regional Hospital achieves Healthgrades 2024 Patient Safety Excellence Award

PORTSMOUTH  Portsmouth Regional Hospital has been recognized as a 2024 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient by Healthgrades, the leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor. This is the sixth consecutive year that Portsmouth Regional Hospital has earned this recognition.

Providing safe, high-quality patient care, and a comfortable and positive experience for patients and their families is a top priority for all of our colleagues, said Dean M. Carucci, chief executive officer of Portsmouth Regional Hospital. And the continued recognition from national consumer organizations is proof that were doing something right. Im proud of all of our colleagues at Portsmouth Regional Hospital for all they do every day to care for our patients, communities, and each other.

Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates for approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine this years top-performing hospitals for patient safety.

During the 2020-2022 study period, nearly 170,000 potentially preventable safety events occurred among Medicare patients in U.S. hospitals, with four patient safety indicators accounting for close to 75% of these incidents.* Healthgrades analysis revealed that patients treated in hospitals receiving the 2024 Patient Safety Excellence Award have a significantly lower chance of experiencing one of the four leading safety indicators than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals:

In-hospital fall resulting in fracture (approximately 52% less likely)

Collapsed lung due to a procedure or surgery in or around the chest (approximately 56% less likely)

Pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital (approximately 67% less likely)

Catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital (approximately 71% less likely)

Portsmouth Regional Hospital has cultivated an outstanding safety culture that prioritizes the well-being of both patients and staff, setting a high standard for patient safety nationwide, said Brad Bowman MD, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades. Were proud to recognize Portsmouth Regional Hospital for providing top-quality care while preventing serious injuries to patients during their hospital stay.

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour House postponed to April 24

ROCHESTER  Tickets are still available for The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour on Wednesday, April 24 at the Rochester Opera House. This fundraiser for Greater Seacoast Community Health was originally scheduled for April 3, but was rescheduled due to a winter storm. Doors open at 6 p.m. and films begin at 7 p.m.

Event proceeds assist local individuals and families in accessing quality, affordable primary and preventive health care services through Greater Seacoasts network of community health centers: Goodwin Community Health in Somersworth and Families First Health & Support Center in Portsmouth.Tickets are $28.50 each and include all ticket fees. Visit www.rochesteroperahouse.com or call 603-335-1992 to learn more.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: National Healthy Kids Day, Somersworth Eagles raise $4K for cancer patients: Seacoast health news
Ogunquit, Maine named one of the top 2024 vacation spots in the world: Here's why

OGUNQUIT, Maine  If you live in Ogunquit and are looking to visit the worlds best getaway this year, then you wont have to travel far, according to Real Simple magazine.

According to the New York-based publication, youre already there.

In a list that includes London, the Greek Islands, and Tokyo, Real Simple named Ogunquit, Maine, the home of Marginal Way, Perkins Cove, and the Ogunquit Playhouse, as the number-one vacation destination of 2024.

If you dont want to venture out of North America, this New England town in Maine offers a peaceful charm, staff writer Erica Lamberg said in her recent article.

Lifeguards on station at Ogunquit Beach on Saturday, June 6, 2022.

The piece notes the towns scenic sandy beaches, sprawling rocky cliffs, and tree-lined streets, and recommends the Dunes on the Waterfront at 518 Main Street, for those looking for a place to stay.

Ogunquit Playhouse: Summer lineup includes 'Waitress,' return of Sally Struthers and more

Alice Pearce, the executive director of the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce, called the community a gem, blessed with natural resources.

The town is very charming and has that small-town appeal, Pearce said.

Visitors enjoy Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine, in early 2024. The historic path is one of many landmarks in the town, which is being hailed by a New York magazine as the top travel destination of 2024. (Credit: Deb Cram)

Pearce also noted the towns ordinances, which keep Ogunquits business community franchise-free and allows it to flourish with so many locally owned shops, restaurants, and other venues.

Its hard to find that kind of authenticity, Pearce added. That quality really resonates with people and makes them feel welcome.

Ogunquit lifeguards Alma Hallowell, Christian Saulnier and Colby Lapointe keeping eyes on the swimmers.

In addition to Ogunquit, London, the Greek Islands, and Tokyo, U.S. national parks, Alaska, Northern Lights destinations, and Old Quebec City also made the list.

Ogunquit is often regarded as a high-ranking travel destination. For the fourth year in a row, for example, Tripadvisor, an online travel agency, ranked Ogunquit Beach as among the 25 best beach destinations in the country in 2023, as part of its annual Travelers Choice Awards.

The only beach on that list in New England! the Chamber noted on its website.

And, according to the Chamber, the fun doesnt stop when the days get shorter. In 2023, Travel + Leisure Magazine ranked Ogunquit second on its list of the top 25 Christmas towns in the United States. Every December, Ogunquit holds its annual Christmas by the Sea celebration, which includes concerts, parades, tree-lightings, and more.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ogunquit, Maine named one of the top 2024 vacation spots in the world
Ponant is returning to its roots in small-ship cruising.

The French cruise line just added a new 79-foot sailing catamaran to its fleet. Christened Spirit of Ponant, the multihull will set sail in Corsica this July before heading to the Seychelles for the winter. The vessel can be privately chartered for week-long voyages or booked on a per-cabin basis on select itineraries.

More from Robb Report

Founded in 1988 by officers of the French Merchant Navy, Ponant has long offered exciting global itineraries that fully immerse guests in the high seas. Robb Reports marine editor Michael Verdon voyaged to the North Pole on Ponants luxury icebreaker last year, in fact. The Ponant fleet has expanded over the past three decades and now includes 13 ships that range from the 492-foot ice-class Le Commandant Charcot to the 288-foot Le Ponant. Spirit of Ponant will be the smallest and most intimate vessel in the lineup.

The rear cockpit.

Based on Lagoons Seventy 7 model, the newcomer was built in Bordeaux, France. The cat features six generous staterooms for up to 12 guests and cabins for four crew. Ponant says seafarers can expect personalized service, including a private chef, tailored activities, and other high-end touches.

The concept and design of this Lagoon Seventy 7 yacht has been praised by everyone in the industry, won over by the spacious interior and exterior areas, Guillaume Le Brec, the experienced skipper in charge of this project at Ponant, said in a statement. Guests will really appreciate the high-end finishings as much as her exceptional sailing qualities.

Furthermore, the itineraries are completely customizable, too. The inaugural seven-night roundtrip voyages from Bonifacio can be tweaked to the travelers interests, with the captain offering recommendations. After a stint in Corsica, Spirit of Ponant will cruise around Mahe, a.k.a. the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, for the winter season.

The swim platform.

The Spirit of Ponant is a new expression of our pioneering spirit, as the travel format is a first in the luxury cruise sector, adds Ponant CEO Herve Gastinel. Our guests will experience what it is really like to be a sailor, including interacting with the captain to create a voyage that meets their desires and expectations.



Rates start at $8,250 (7,500) per person based on double occupancy for a single cabin booking in Corsica. For more information or to book, visit the Spirit of Ponant website.

Best of Robb Report

Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
She's from Green Bay. He's from the United Kingdom. On their wedding day, they went head over heels at Kwik Trip.

Newlyweds Pati Holschbach and James McKenzie-Brown kicked up their heels at the Kwik Trip on Lombardi Avenue in Green Bay after exchanging their vows on March 29. Holschbach is from Green Bay and has always loved Kwik Trips, but when she met McKenzie-Brown, who is from the United Kingdom, he was smitten, too.

GREEN BAY - When James McKenzie-Brown came to Wisconsin from the United Kingdom, he didnt just fall head over heels for Pati Holschbach.

He fell in love with Kwik Trip, too.

It was Holschbach first, mind you, and the popular Wisconsin-based convenience store chain second. Thats important to note in a love story that spans 3,903 miles, two and half years and countless Big Buddy fountain drinks.

When it came to their wedding day on March 29, it just seemed right that it was all three of them  a nurse from Green Bay, an armed police officer from London and Kwik Trip store No. 827 on Lombardi Avenue  together in their photos.

Love, Wisconsin style.

To appreciate the sweetness of the photo shoot, at a gas station on the happiest day of their lives, you have to first get to know the couple.

To tell people our story of how we began, if anybody else would tell me this story, it would sound kind of, I would say, crazy, Holschbach said.

The two met on Tinder. She was living in Milwaukee at the time and had the distance for potential matches on the dating app set to within 80 miles. He was in Twickenham, just outside London, and had his set to 10 miles. There were 3,903 miles and a whole big pond between them. Their profiles should never have crossed paths but somehow they did.

Love works in mysterious ways.

Within 24 hours, they were talking. Eighteen days later, on Dec. 8, 2021, he flew to Wisconsin to see her. From the moment they said hello to one another, it felt different.

We both just knew, Holschbach said.

They felt incredibly comfortable around each other and discovered they had similar senses of humor. They had both chosen the careers they did, because they wanted to help people. They both enjoyed going to estate sales and looking for antiques.

But one of the things that really attracted me to him and him to me was we both absolutely love animals, like were obsessed with dogs and cats, she said. Were the kind of people where anytime we see a dog, we have to point it out, like its our first time seeing a dog.

It was Holschbachs elderly 15-year-old rescue pitbull, Minnie, who sealed the deal. An excellent judge of character but leery of men due to her past, the first thing she did when McKenzie-Brown came to visit was climb right into his lap and snuggle in.

She wouldnt even climb in my lap and I was her mom, Holschbach said. Then I just instantly knew. Yep, this is the one.

They were engaged on April 13, 2022  four months and five days after they met.

After Pati Holschbach and James McKenzie-Brown exchanged vows on March 29 at the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay, they celebrated with photos at a place they both love: Kwik Trip.

Big Buddy drinks are their go-to, but you can't beat the fried chicken

Before they could marry, they had to secure a K-1 visa, which allows a U.S. citizen to bring a fiance or fiancee to the country for the purpose of marriage and becoming a lawful permanent resident. It was a process that stretched across nearly two years and required many back-and-forth trips.

Thats where Kwik Trip enters the story.

McKenzie-Brown found himself enthralled with all that is Midwest culture whenever he came to visit. Potluck staples  cant-miss fare like walking tacos, scotcheroos, Snickers salad and especially beer dip  fascinated him. Being from the U.K., where people love nothing more than to talk about the weather, he also appreciated Wisconsins four seasons, sometimes all in the same week, as a goldmine of conversation.

More local flavor YouTuber Nick Johnson spent 3 days in Green Bay, discovered a 'uniquely American' city, super nice people, lots cheese

Holschbach grew up in Green Bay and graduated from Green Bay East High School in 1996. She was well acquainted with the joys of Kwik Trip and its status as a Wisconsin institution. She knew her future husband had to experience it for himself.

He was like, You want to take me to a gas station? she said. Im like, Yes! But you just wait, you just wait.

He was immediately smitten. He loved it all, from the feeling that he had just walked into a little city all onto itself to the signature see ya next time from the clerk on his way out the door.

During the couples many trips back and forth to the airport or on the drive up to Green Bay to see Holschbachs parents, Kwik Trips became a part of their lives. Their go-to is the Big Buddy fountain soda, but the Glazers doughnuts, Cinnabon cinnamon roll-flavored cappuccinos and the cheesy chicken casserole are also among their favorites.

And you cant beat their fried chicken, Holschbach said. Their fried chicken is really good.

After the ceremony at the Brown County Courthouse, it was off to Kwik Trip on Lombardi Avenue

One of the conditions of being issued a K-1 visa is that once the fiance comes to the United States, the couple has just 90 days to get married. That makes planning a large, elaborate wedding nearly impossible, so Holschbach and McKenzie-Brown opted for a small, intimate ceremony with family and a few friends.

There were two things they knew they wanted to be part of the day.

One was a hand-tied bridal bouquet of five dozen white carnations from Petal Pusher Floral Boutique in the Broadway District. Holschbach had worked for owner Nichole Campbell years ago and adored that same bouquet Petal Pusher had created for a wedding expo. She never forgot it.

The other was to have photos taken at Kwik Trip by Erika Krause Photography. Holschbach has known her for 14 years, ever since she was the labor and delivery nurse assigned to the birth of her second child at Aurora BayCare and then again for her third child. Krause was excited to do her first bride-and-groom-at-Kwik Trip photo session.

More: 'See ya next time': How a neighborhood grocery store grew into today's Kwik Trip phenomenon

After the couple exchanged vows in a civil ceremony at the Brown County Courthouse, they headed to a Kwik Trip, where the employee in charge told them not only was it OK to shoot photos inside the store but that it happens all the time.

They were just the nicest bunch of people, Holschbach said.

They even gave them a complimentary doughnut as a prop. There are shots of the happy couple with intertwined arms with Big Buddy cups, sharing a smooch in one of the aisles and standing by a cooler door that reads Cold Beer Enter Here.

Two of their favorites portraits were taken outside, with Holschbachs bouquet and McKenzie-Browns mini Union Jack flag outshone only by the smiles on their faces.

You might be wondering if there was a Kwik Trip-themed wedding dinner with fancy three-tiered plates of Glazers, platters of fried chicken and barbecue pork rib sandwiches and baskets of reasonably priced bananas. There was not. They did their dining at Italian restaurant Angelina in downtown Green Bay.

Years from now, when they look back at the photographs taken at store No. 827, what might they think?

Im sure well probably say, Oh my God, we really had our pictures taken at a gas station.' But thats just part of our personality, Holschbach said. Well just more so, I think, remember it for how much fun it was and just how happy everyone was and how supportive they were. It was a great day. It was a very joyous day ... and thats conveyed in the pictures.

The couple, who just moved to Kimberly, already know how theyll celebrate their anniversary each year: a fountain drink at Kwik Trip and dinner at Angelina.

Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on X @KendraMeinert.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Couple's love for Kwik Trip made for picture-perfect wedding day
This small town in North Carolina ranks among the best places in the South. Heres why

A town nestled in the North Carolina mountains is small  but it makes a big impression.

So much so, Brevard ranks No. 9 on a list of best small towns in the South, according to results published April 10 from USA Todays 10Best.

The website  which creates travel-related rankings  said it made the latest list after asking travel experts and editors to choose the top Southern destinations that had fewer than 25,000 residents. It presented the finalists to readers, who could vote for their favorite towns up to one time per day over the course of a month.

In the resulting list of readers choice award winners, Brevard was the only place in North Carolina to land a spot in the top 10. The town received nods for its downtown shopping and proximity to outdoor attractions.

Youll find plenty of retail therapy to satisfy your credit card, along with several museums to explore the areas history, 10Best wrote in its report. Beyond those bustling streets, you can hike your way to 250 waterfalls, conquer the mountain biking trails, and ascend to new heights while rock climbing.

Brevard  a roughly 30-mile drive southwest from Asheville  is no stranger to earning wide acclaim. Earlier in April, the town of about 7,700 people made it onto Money magazines list of the 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. as it was praised as an under-the-radar gem.

Though Brevard made its mark, North Carolina destinations missed out in 10Bests other small-town categories, including the top coastal towns and college towns. The website in the past has said it doesnt share the number of people who vote in its contests.

For the Southern rankings, award winners were chosen from the following 17 places: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. 10Best used a U.S. Census Bureau map to define the region, the website told McClatchy News in an email.

The highest-ranking destination was Starkville, Mississippi. Rounding out the top five:

Batesville, Arkansas, at No. 2

Thomasville, Georgia, at No. 3

West Monroe, Louisiana, at No. 4

Maysville, Kentucky, at No. 5

Two North Carolina beer scenes rank among the nations best  and well toast to that

This NC city lacks for nothing  and ranks as top up-and-coming place in the South
Whenever Abraham Lincoln felt the need to give someone a piece of his mind, he would fire off a harsh letter. Putting pen to paper was his way of unloading his fury. A classic example is the scathing note he penned to General George C. Meade, who he blamed for failing to capture Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg.

Image (left) via Library of Congress / Abraham Lincoln papers: Series 1. General Correspondence. 1833-1916: Abraham Lincoln to George G. Meade, Tuesday, July 14, 1863 (Meade's failure to pursue Lee)

Lincoln was distressed immeasurably by Meades failure but Meade never learned of Lincolns immeasurable distress. Instead, Lincoln put the note in a drawer with the label Never sent. Never signed. He made a habit of writing hot letters but never sending them. It was a way for him to deal with his rage but without the carnage that accompanies spewing unprocessed vitriol. As Maria Konnikova wrote, these unsent angry letters served as a type of emotional catharsis, a way to let it all out without the repercussions of true engagement.

The Art of the Active Pause

Learning about Lincolns habit is a stark reminder of the value of reflecting on rather than reacting to our emotions. Contrary to cultural pressure to express ourselves, sitting on what is bothering us can act as an emotional windshield wiper, clearing the screen and providing a sharper perspective. In the heat of the moment, it is hard to know the difference between what is urgent versus what is important. As one patient said to me, Everything Everywhere All at Once could be the title of my life. Finding ways to press pause and override the itch to react is good for us and good for our relationships.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

The impulse to lash out can feel like an imperativeespecially with popular TikTok therapists reminding us to always feel your feelings and to say what we feel. Plus, with a send button at our fingertips, there is little friction between putting our feelings in writing and sending our thoughts out into the world. With an actual letter, finding an envelope and address, plus getting a stamp all take time and time can be a godsend.

It never fails to surprise me how much emotions shift over the course of a week, an hour, or even a night. As the old saying goes, Everything looks better in the morning. A patient with a standing appointment on Tuesdays afternoons often tells me how something distressing happens soon after our sessionan argument with her partner on Tuesday evening or an issue with a coworker on Wednesday morningand she has an impulse to tell me about it. But by the time our appointment rolls around a week later, the incident no longer occupies center stage. Whatever felt so earthshaking at the time feels like a minor tremor seven days on.

One of the marketing tools of therapy apps is how quickly the therapist responds. Some even offer unlimited 24/7 messaging. Other than in an emergency situation, I am not convinced that having a therapist at ones fingertips is productive. It deprives the individual of the opportunity to sit on their emotions or even work through the situation on their own. Counter to the questionable advice that masquerades as therapy on social media, waiting it out and not reacting to or listening to ones feelings is often a better strategy. Not every heated emotional situation is a 5-alarm fire requiring attention or expression or professional intervention. Maybe emotions are getting a little too much airtime in our daily lives. As psychologist Adam Grant pointed out recently on X, feelings are nothing but emotional signals in the brain. It is possible that spending less time thinking about how were feeling might help us feel better.

Image via X: @AdamMGrant

There is evidence that the most effective way to deal with our emotions is to take a step back from them. If composing an email but not pressing the send button proves too tempting, consider some other science-backed strategies that might help you gain some perspective such as pretending to be a fly on the wall, or considering what you would tell a friend in the exact same situation, or imagining how you will feel about whatever is going on six months from now. Like writing a letter but never sending it, these self-distancing techniques invite us to step outside of our immediate experience and whirlwind of swirling emotions.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Speaking of swirling emotions, a favorite strategy of therapists who work a lot with teens is to ask them to vigorously shake up a snow globe and then watch the glitter settle. The analogy is cleartheir brain is like a churned up glitter jarall cloudy and hard to see throughbut with time, the glitter will fall to the ground and everything will be clearer.

Maybe Lincoln would have enjoyed a glitter jar too.

Getty Images via Getty Images
Meteorologist Chris Tomer has declared right now to be a "waiting game" for the West Coast until April 18th.

The Wasatch in particular could see 14-18 inches of snow from this weather pattern. Watch below.

From 4/14 to 4/18, Tomer predicts that some areas will see as much as 18 inches. Park City and Alta, for example, are predicted to see 18 inches, while other areas will see much less: Jackson Hole will see 2 inches and Grand Targhee will see 6 inches.

The Wasatch will see the snowfall from April 15th to the 18th.

Bridger Bowl is predicted to receive 10 inches, with Red Lodge receiving 8, and Big Sky coming in ahead with 16 inches forecast for the resort.

The Sierra will see their snow starting on the 12th, lasting until the 14th.

This means that California will see some snowfall from this pattern as well, but not as much as Utah. Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe will get a 1 inch dusting, and Mammoth Mountain is predicted to do slightly better, seeing 5 inches.

The northeast will see similar amounts as California: Tomer forecasts that Sugarloaf, ME, will receive 1 inch, as will Mt. Washington in New Hampshire.

Overall, Utah is the place to ski and ride for the upcoming weather pattern. But even a dusting is appreciated. It is April, after all.

Related: Why A "Bad Bear" Temporarily Closed Palisades Tahoe's Granite Chief Lift

Don't miss another headline from POWDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing.

We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional 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 POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos.
Brazilian startup Salvy, a mobile carrier for businesses, was the only company based in Latin America in Y Combinator's latest batch, the accelerator confirmed to TechCrunch.

That's a significant drop compared to cohorts that went through the accelerator during COVID when it was remote, but also more recent classes: There were 33 Latin American companies in Y Combinators Winter 2022 batch, 16 in summer 2022 and 10 in winter 2023.

One caveat to the stark Winter 2024 group data point is that the directory is not exhaustive; some companies prefer to remain in stealth mode. But that doesn't explain the steady and now seemingly complete decline of Latin American startups in the companys startup cohorts, and neither does the fact that Y Combinator post-pandemic batches are smaller and in-person again. In fact, you'd have to go back to summer 2015 to find a group with just a single Latin American participant.

The accelerator also cut down on efforts it previously made to incentivize startups to apply, such as the global outreach tours that once included stops in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. The last such tour took place in 2022, and it was virtual, TechCrunch learned. It is one of several things that changed at YC since 2022 and its return to in-person batches.

Says Cristobal Griffero, whose startup Fintoc was part of YC's W21 cohort: "The number of YC deals has decreased overall, not just in Latin America. But if we consider that about 8% of the companies were from the region in the W22 batch, versus the current one where the region represents less than 1%, it becomes clear that Latin America is being disproportionately affected."

Unpacking what's at play is a worthy exercise for what it says of 2024 Y Combinator, but also of the state of LatAm startups more broadly, and where the Rappis of tomorrow could fit in.

Yesterday's flavor?

YC declined to comment, but by now, we know its team always says it funds founders, not ideas. In other words, it doesn't think in terms of startup categories. Still, its batches typically reveal a lot about what's in fashion among entrepreneurs and investors. This year, it's clearly AI.

With nearly double the number from the Winter 2023 batch and close to triple the number from Winter 2021, AI startups dominated at Y Combinators Winter 2024 Demo Day, my colleague Kyle Wiggers noted.

On the other hand, fintech representation has shrunk compared to previous batches: Only 8% of YC's latest batch is listed as fintech in its director, compared to 24% in the winter of 2022. Historically, around one-third of the 231 Latin American companies that went through YC focused on fintech.

These data points could explain in big part why Latin American startups are less present in this batch. In a region with a strong need for better financial inclusion, fintech has long been a sector that entrepreneurs have loved to tackle. In contrast, deep tech companies represent only 10% of the Latin American and Caribbean startup ecosystem.

Deep tech and fintech aren't mutually exclusive; AI-enabled fraud detection, for instance, would fall under both categories. But an AI-hungry YC would still be less aligned with Latin America's tech scene.

It's not just AI, though; it's YC's take on AI that makes it even more geographically challenging. Out of the 89 AI startups in its latest batch, 73 were based in the U.S. and Canada, 3 in Europe, and 26 remote. So much for the Paris AI buzz.

Maybe the French AI scene is overhyped. But judging by the number of Demo Day pitchers with French accents, YC isn't backing fewer European founders than in previous years, where France was quite well represented. Only this time, maybe they aren't based in Europe  only 13 batch participants are, according to YC's directory.

Despite its virtual programs, YC has really been a Bay Areabased program for most of its 15 years. And in a conversation between longtimes YC partners Dalton Caldwell and Michael Seibel, Seibel conceded that startups can still "win" elsewhere but argued that the San Francisco Bay Area is still the place to be.

"Getting into the Bay Area is so relatively easy [compared] to all the other things you have to do to succeed. Choosing where to live is so relatively easy [compared] to all the other things you have to choose correctly. Why not pick up the easy wins? It's an easy percentage multiplier. And this game is so hard, you might as well take the easy ones."

This belief is even more widely shared for AI startups, Brazilian entrepreneur Bruno Vieira Costa told TechCrunch. "My own company is building generative AI models [and] based in Rio, so I don't see it as necessarily true, but I understand for more junior founders, this must be relevant for mindset and references." Vieira Costa's task automation startup Abstra was part of Y Combinator's summer 2021 batch.

Abstra's founder thinks in-person batches are better for founder success, but there are trade-offs. Relocating to the Bay Area is hard for many Latin American founders, and perhaps riskier. Their experiences, college backgrounds and professional networks resonate less with U.S. investors, Vieira Costa said. Conversely, U.S. references were peppered through Demo Day, with founders mentioning their "nationwide" reach and their degrees whose fame isn't always international.

While one cohort is not a trend, maybe YC, too, is returning to its U.S.-focused roots. YC's latest request for startups called for companies to "bring back manufacturing to America"  a term that many in Latin America find grating  and the "new defense technology" section only mentioned the U.S. "Silicon Valley was born in the early 20th century as an R&D area for the U.S. military.  This decade is the time to return Silicon Valley to these roots," partners Jared Friedman and Gustaf Alstromer wrote.

If YC continues to slant toward U.S. companies, that doesnt mean its cohorts would be less diverse. Several YC alumni with Hispanic founders were U.S.-based when they applied.

Do LatAM startups need YC?

Founders who went to YC often call the experience "life-changing," and the impact usually goes beyond their companies. Colombian startup and YC alum Rappi, for instance, turned into a startup factory. Looking into its multiplier effect, entrepreneurship network Endeavor found out that 130 founders previously worked at the on-demand delivery company, whose founders also invested in two dozen startups.

Rappi is on the list of YC alumni with the most revenue, but otherwise, there isn't that much overlap between the accelerator's Latin American bets and the region's top startups.

"When you look at the biggest startups coming out of Latin America in the past five years, they didn't go through YC," Latitud co-founder and COO Gina Gotthilf told TechCrunch via email. "We don't know why, but it might be that YC is better at assessing the U.S. market and opportunity. Latin America is hard, there's a lot of local context that's hard to understand if you don't have a local grasp and strong network."

Latitud describes itself as "the operating system for every venture-backed company in Latin America and offers a software platform for software platform for incorporation and compliance, with funding from a16z and NFX. It also recently spun off its VC arm, Latitud Ventures. On some level, it makes YC a competitor, but also a potential co-investor. Salvy, the Brazilian company from its latest batch, is a Latitud portfolio company "where we were the first investor," Gotthilf said.

Despite her bullishness about the region, Gotthilf can also see why an AI-heavy cohort includes fewer Latin American startups. "Most of the companies pitching [YC] are doing something in AI. I believe that core AI companies building LLMs in Silicon Valley have serious leverage right now and that real innovation in the field won't be coming from Latin America so soon."

This is also a reminder that many startups from the region aren't applying to YC, or even seeking VC funding at all. A recent report on Latin American SaaS startups showed that one-third went for the bootstrapping route. This has pros and cons: It pushes startups to be more efficient but can also get in the way of bigger ambitions.

Griffero thinks that another factor is the region's fragmentation, which makes it more difficult for founders to support each other, but he's optimistic. "This situation is likely to change soon, as I'm seeing more founders from the region who are starting to think globally, instead of self-imposing the limit of being X for LatAm."

Unlike predecessors like Mercado Libre, these companies will find venture capital firms both local and global willing to look at them and offer them less dilutive terms that weren't the norm before YC became a potential rival.

There's still the question of whether the math will add up for investors, since massive exits are still a rare occurrence for Latin American startups. But even if they succeed, doing it outside of YC means they won't be part of its 10,000-alumni network. A lose-lose situation, or the price to pay for SF evolving from "doom loop" to "boom loop"? You decide.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Denver Police Department said a tractor-trailer driver crashed into and killed a pedestrian on Wednesday morning.

The crash happened around 10:50 a.m. in the 2900 block of Arkins Court, which is in the Five Points neighborhood of Denver near the South Platte River. The pedestrian, a man, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to police.

FOX31s Vicente Arenas spoke to several people at the scene.

I was right over here and all I heard was crying and yelling, Tim Beesley said.

Ray Folks says he saw it happen.

(The victim) was having trouble keeping his legs up under him. The front left tire caught him. Thats when he lost his balance and fell. Rear tire went right over him, Folks said.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

The initial investigation indicated a tractor-trailer was driving on Arkins Court when a pedestrian fell into the roadway.

The tractor-trailer initially left the scene but was eventually located and returned. The driver indicated they did not know that the pedestrian had fallen into the road and was hit.

According to police, the driver was interviewed and released. They had not been cited as of the last update.

The investigation was ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
This is the second article in an 11-part series from Masood Textiles. It was written by Abdul Haleem Anjum, senior manager, yarns and R&D at Masood Textile Mills Limited.

Recognizing cotton as the cornerstone of its high-quality garments, vertically integrated textile producer Masood Textile Mills (MTM) is prioritizing sourcing the most sustainable cotton available. In line with this commitment, the Pakistan-based company has embraced regenerative cottona revolutionary method poised to redefine sustainable cotton production.

More from Sourcing Journal

Regenerative cotton

Regenerative cotton farming employs a holistic approach to cultivation, aiming to improve soil health, biodiversity, water retention and the overall ecosystem. This method stands in stark contrast to conventional cotton farming, which heavily relies on synthetic fertilizers to maximize yield. While seemingly productive in the short term, conventional practices ultimately harm the environment and human health by degrading soil quality. Regenerative cotton, on the other hand, leverages research-based practices that nurture the land.

Recognizing this, MTM implements various sustainable practices throughout its operations, including cover cropping, which involves planting additional crops between cotton growing seasons. This helps suppress weeds, enhance soil health and encourage the presence of beneficial insects.

MTM also adopts crop rotation by regularly alternating cotton with other crops. This prevents nutrient depletion in the soil and disrupts pest life cycles, contributing to long-term soil fertility and health. Additionally, MTM minimizes soil disturbance through minimum tillage practices. This protects soil structure and fosters beneficial microbial activity that is crucial for maintaining soil health and productivity.

Techniques such as compost application and cover cropping enrich the soil with organic matter, promoting water retention, improving soil fertility and fostering a healthier ecosystem. Moreover, MTM utilizes natural fertilizers like composted manure and green manure from cover crops. This reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers, fostering a balanced soil ecosystem and contributing to long-term soil health.

The culmination of these sustainable practices goes beyond environmental benefits. Regenerative cotton produces high-quality cotton fibers, benefiting both the environment and ensuring superior textiles for Masoods customers.

Story continues

Lok Sanjh partnership

Demonstrating its commitment to sustainable cotton, MTM has partnered with Lok Sanjh Foundation (LSF)a nonprofit, non-governmental organization working with the rural communities, particularly with women farmers in Pakistanfor the Regenerative Cotton Supply Chain 2024-25 initiative. This agreement between MTM and LSF aims to establish a regenerative cotton supply chain in the Layyah and Haroonabad districts of Punjab, Pakistan.

Through this collaboration, Masood will directly empower and train 2,000 farmers across 4,000 acres in Layyah and 1,000 farmers across 2,000 acres in Haroonabad on regenerative cotton farming practices. This includes providing technical advice, solutions to production issues and training on regenagri techniquesa regenerative agriculture initiative aimed at securing the health of the land and the wealth of those who live on it.

Masood will also facilitate access to essential farm inputs such as farmyard manure, natural mineral fertilizers and bio-pesticides. They will also organize farmer-to-farmer exchanges to encourage knowledge sharing and accelerate learning. In addition, Masood will assist farmers in maintaining records for regenerative cotton certification and support the certification process. To encourage participation, Masood will offer premium prices for cotton produced using regenerative methods.

Masood acknowledges the importance of equipping farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills for regenerative cotton farming success. For the 2024-25 crop season, Masood has outlined a comprehensive training and capacity-building program, including understanding each farms existing conditions through baseline surveys and farm history analysis and aiding farmers in registering as certified regenerative cotton growers.

The program also ensures proper soil testing and developing customized nutrient management plans in collaboration with agricultural department labs to improve and maintain soil health.

Adding to its benefits, the program establishes farmer groups to promote knowledge sharing and facilitate collective problem-solving, with Masood providing training on various RegenAgri production techniques within these groups.

Beyond the field

The positive impact of Masoods initiative extends beyond the cotton fields of Layyah and Haroonabad. By promoting regenerative practices, Masood is contributing to improved soil health, increased biodiversity and enhanced water conservation. This, in turn, benefits not just the farmers and the surrounding communities but also the wider ecosystem. As the use of regenerative cotton grows, the textile industrys environmental footprint can be significantly reduced.

Sustainable future

Masoods initiative in regenerative cotton is an example of how a textile producer can embrace sustainability throughout its supply chain.

By partnering with LSF and empowering farmers, Masood is not only ensuring a secure supply of high-quality cotton but also contributing to a healthier environment and a more sustainable future for the textile industry as a whole. This initiative sets a precedent for responsible sourcing and demonstrates the positive impact collaboration can have on the environment, farmers and consumers alike.

As the industry continues to evolve, Masoods commitment to regenerative cotton positions them at the forefront of sustainable textile production. Their efforts have the potential to inspire other industry players to adopt similar practices, paving the way for a future where fashion and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

To learn more about Masood Textile Mills Limited, click here.
Theo Huot de Saint-Albin was a 9-year-old elementary school student when he first contracted COVID-19 in July 2020, near the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Four years later, as much of the world has moved on from the pandemic and resumed normal life, Theo, now nearly a teenager, is still battling the effects of long COVID.

"What happened directly after COVID-19 was worse than my actual COVID-19," Theo, now in seventh grade, told "Good Morning America." For me, I have chronic migraines ... it doesn't mean the migraine is terrible every day. It's very unpredictable. It goes in waves. But it's always there. It never leaves."

Over the past four years, Theo has contracted COVID-19 a total of three times, and each case has been mild. It's what happens in the weeks and months after the COVID-19 diagnosis that he says has impacted his ability to learn, go to school and play with friends.

In addition to battling chronic migraines, Theo was also diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, a blood circulation disorder that can cause dizziness, lightheadedness and a rapid heartbeat, according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

PHOTO: Theo Huot de Saint-Albin, now 12, first contracted COVID-19 in July 2020. (Meredith Eubanks)

He said he also suffers from symptoms like muscle pain, extreme fatigue and brain fog, and takes around two dozen medications and supplements each day to help manage his symptoms.

"There's no real way to tell how I'm going to feel," Theo said, noting that some days he is able to go to school for only a half-day, while other days he feels closer to his pre-COVID-19 self, and still others he can't move beyond the couch all day.

"It's especially hard because it's 'invisible,'" Theo said of his long COVID diagnosis. "Sometimes it's hard to get people to believe you as well because they can empathize with something they know is there. 'Oh, you have a broken leg, I can see that. Wow, you can't walk. That must be tough.' But, your head hurts? 'I don't see a big bulge on your head. I don't see bandages wrapped around it.'"

An 'invisible' condition impacting potentially millions of kids

While battling long COVID can seem lonely, Theo is far from alone, data shows.

An analysis published in February in the journal Pediatrics reported that as many as 5.8 million children in the United States have developed long COVID, or between 10% to 20% of children who have contracted COVID-19.

Figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a smaller but still noteworthy estimate of 1.3% of children in the U.S. having had long COVID as of 2022.

Long COVID is diagnosed when patients still have symptoms at least four weeks after they have cleared the infection, according to the CDC. In some cases, like Theo's, symptoms can be present for months or years.

It's not clear if long COVID symptoms last a lifetime. Many people eventually recover, but scientists are still working to understand who is most affected, and why.

MORE: 4 years later, experts are just beginning to 'scratch the surface' of understanding long COVID

Symptoms vary and can include fatigue, difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness brain fog, joint and muscle pain and continued loss of taste and smell, according to the CDC.

In kids, symptoms of long COVID can also include rashes, diarrhea, heart issues and diabetes, according to the research published in Pediatrics.

Part of the complication with long COVID is there is no single test or bloodwork to diagnose it. Instead, doctors have to rule out other conditions and rely on patients to describe and track their symptoms, which can be difficult with kids.

For Theo, it took nearly two years for him to be diagnosed with long COVID, according to his mom Meredith Eubanks.

Eubanks said she was told "no" by doctors when she would ask if her son might have long COVID, and faced misdiagnoses along the way, like Lyme disease. Both she and Theo struggled to answer when asked roughly how many doctors he had seen over the past four years.

In April 2022, Eubanks said Theo was diagnosed with long COVID by an infectious disease group at a local children's hospital in Atlanta, where the family lives. But the hospital, according to Eubanks, had no answer to her question of "Now what?" in terms of treatments and rehabilitation.

PHOTO: Theo Huot de Saint-Albin, now 12, is pictured with his mom, Meredith Eubanks. (Meredith Eubanks)

For that, the family traveled over 600 miles to Baltimore, where Dr. Laura Malone, a pediatric neurologist, had established the Pediatric Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation Clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, a pediatric-focused nonprofit health organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

PHOTO: Theo Huot de Saint-Albin, now 12, is pictured on his first visit to the Pediatric Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation Clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. (Meredith Eubanks)

"They were the first place we got to where they were like, 'Here's a list of symptoms, and did you have any pre-COVID, and what did you have post-COVID?'" Eubanks said, recalling how Theo checked nearly all of the symptoms on the list. "I just remember that was such relief. It was just like, 'Oh, you know, they're recognizing this and it's official, and Theo is not alone.'"

Malone said she and her team at the Kennedy Krieger Institute established the clinic in the summer of 2020 as they saw reports of adults developing long COVID. As the pandemic continued, demand began to grow.

"Everybody was, early in the pandemic, very focused on hospitalized cases, and the sequela after people get care in the ICU or are very critically ill with the acute infection, and that's not generally what we see in pediatrics," Malone said. "Most children can have a relatively mild infection and then go on to develop long-term sequela. So, that took a little bit of time to recognize and for patients to seek care, both from their primary care doctors and then also from clinics like us."

PHOTO: Dr. Laura Malone, a pediatric neurologist, is director of the Pediatric Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation Clinic at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. (Kennedy Krieger Institute)

As long COVID became more recognized, Malone said the clinic has seen steady demand from pediatric patients across the country, while she said other patients may go undiagnosed.

"You have to look at a lot of behavioral changes, especially in younger children, to say, 'Something seems off'.' So I do think that [long COVID] is probably a little bit under-recognized still," Malone said. "We do see that there can be a lot of resiliency in children, and so despite them sometimes maybe having the symptoms, they may not always bring it up to family members or doctors but rather just try and manage the symptoms, and it's only when it gets to be intolerable that sometimes it will present to more medical care."

Helping kids return to 'normal' life

Along with there being no diagnostic test for long COVID, there is also no cure for the condition. Much of what can be done for patients is symptom management, according to Malone.

For kids, she said that means helping them manage their symptoms so they can, at least to some degree, return to school and social activities.

"Participation in life and all the activities, including education, that kids are designed to be participating in is really important," Malone said. "One of our big focuses is to try to provide accommodations to get kids back into school, but meet them where they are, because they may not be able to do a full course load, or they may not be able to make it through the full day of school, but there is still benefit if they can go for an hour, and gradually increase that over time to getting them back into that sort of routine, and getting them back into the social aspects of school and the educational aspects."

PHOTO: Theo Huot de Saint-Albin, now 12, does water therapy as part of his recovery from long COVID. (Meredith Eubanks)

Patients at the clinic see not only medical doctors like Malone, but a team of experts including behavioral and neuropsychologists, social workers, pain specialists and physical therapists.

Ellen Henning, Ph.D., a pediatric psychologist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, said patients often struggle with anxiety and depression due to long COVID. She said new research is also suggesting that long COVID itself could be influencing mental health symptoms due to factors like inflammation in the brain and lower levels of serotonin.

"We learn new things constantly and we adjust as we as we go," Henning said. "We try to provide the best supports that we can and then we all are always integrating new knowledge and adjusting things as we need to."

MORE: New long COVID study uncovers high inflammation in patients as Senate calls for more research on 'crisis'

In October, the clinic received a $5 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services that it is using to help train school nurses and other community health care providers to identify long COVID in students and provide accommodations for students already diagnosed with the condition.

"We have a lot of families and children that say that they have to educate, sometimes, their providers and tell their doctors at home about what's going on and about long COVID," Malone said. "That can just be really exhausting for kid, so that's a big thing that we've been working on, and we're really proud of that."

Theo said while his long COVID symptoms continue, he has felt more at ease since receiving his diagnosis and as the condition becomes more recognized.

PHOTO: Theo Huot de Saint-Albin, now 12, was diagnosed with long COVID in 2022. (Meredith Eubanks)

With the help of Malone and the team at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, Theo is back in school for periods of time and working on catching up with his classmates.

"We have a lot of hope," he said. "I know I'm going to finish school at some point. Maybe a little later than most people, but who knows. And I think I'm going to get better. With all the research that's going to come out, hopefully, something will help me more than anything else."

12-year-old describes 4-year battle with long COVID originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
DENVER (KDVR)  The Lakewood Police Department was looking for a missing 12-year-old, but she has since been found.

According to police, a Hispanic female went missing on April 2.

Police said she has been known to frequent the 2700 block of West Bates Avenue in Denver.

Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather

According to Lakewood PD, the girl had a long history of running away. But thankfully, she was found safe.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
14 dogs found confined, some in wooden crates covered with plastic tarps, at Florida home: deputies

14 dogs found confined, some in wooden crates covered with plastic tarps, at Florida home: deputies

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Deputies seized 14 dogs, including puppies, who were confined without food and water, from a Stuart home earlier this week.

The Martin County Sheriffs Office responded to a home, located at 937 Southeast Spruce Street, to find the dogs being kept in deplorable conditions, confined, and lacking sufficient food, water, and space to move.

Man caught on camera violently stomping his dog in Florida

Some of the animals were locked up in small man-made wooden crates covered in plastic tarps with little airflow, while others were cramped into crates.

The owner of the home, Rosetta Saez, 47, told detectives she was unaware of what was happening in her own backyard and claimed that Daniel Alajahaum Wilson, 19, owned the dogs.

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Daniel Alajahaum Wilson (Martin County Sheriffs Office)

Rosetta Saez (Martin County Sheriffs Office)

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Martin County Sheriffs Office

Wilson, who also lives at the home, told officials he breeds and sells the dogs. He was arrested and charged with 14 counts of animal cruelty and is being held on a $40,000 bond. Saez was also arrested and is being charged with animal cruelty on a $2,500 bond.

Unexpected behavior: Bald eagle chick killed by father within hours of hatching

Deputies seized the animals and took them to the Humane Society of Treasure Coast, where they were officially signed over to them, and are receiving medical attention and proper care.

Anyone interested in financially contributing to the caring for these animals can contact the Humane Society of Treasure Coast at 772-223-8822.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
An Australian wildlife protection group has lots to celebrate after they saved and rescued 16 Asiatic Black Bear cubs from a home in Luang Prabang, Laos. The group, called Free the Bears, say the home belonged to a wildlife poacher who hoped to use the cubs as fodder for a bile farm. Thankfully they found the cubs before the worst happened and have since brought the cubs somewhere where they could be safe.

Life has changed overnight for the cubs, who now receive constant care and attention from local and international conservationists.

According to Reuters, Free the Bears works with local communities and governments across Asia to protect the Asiatic Black Bear (or moon bear, as they are also known because of their distinctive markings), as well as sun bears, which are also at risk across Southeast Asia. But nothing could've prepared them for what they found during a raid in the house of a Chinese national last March.

Related: Alaskan Woman Captures Precious Moment Bear Cub Cries to Mom

On the day of the raid, neighbors heard the cubs crying from within the home and called Laos police. When police arrived at the property they found the 16 bear cubs inside what appeared to be a bear bile farm scheme, a practice where bile is extracted from a bear's gallbladder to later be used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is legal to do in China, but illegal in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and other countries.

Police said there was one additional cub found on the premises, but it died before authorities could remove the cubs from the home.

"When we arrived at the house there were bear cubs everywhere," Fatong Yang, animal manager with the charity, told France 24. In total, they found 10 male cubs and six females. The cubs each weighed between 1.3 to four kilograms and were believed to be about two to four months old.

"Cubs this small are extremely vulnerable. In the wild their mothers would never leave them and we suspect the mothers were killed by poachers," Yang explained.

Matt Hunt, head of Free the Bears, said they'll be bringing in experts from Cambodia to help them care for the cubs, as this is the largest rescue they've seen.

"This is the most bears we've rescued in a single year and we're only three months into 2024," he said. The bears have since been transported to the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Hunt told Reuters they're also debating expanding their play, housing and veterinary facilities to accommodate all of the cubs. He added that the cubs are currently being bottle fed and will stay at their sanctuary until they are big enough to survive on their own.

"[I was] so happy sixteen of the seventeen are alive," he told France 24, "and have a second chance to live a life free from fear and suffering".

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.
A teenager is facing multiple charges after Hall County deputies said he possessed child sex abuse materials.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Hall County investigators recently received cyber tips from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

The GBI stated someone at a home on Parks Road had downloaded videos of children engaged in sexual acts. The videos were reportedly downloaded between April 10 and April 28, 2023.

TRENDING STORIES:

On Tuesday, Hall County investigators conducted a search warrant at the home. Mario Javon Lindsey, 19, was arrested and his electronic devices were seized.

He was charged with three felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. More charges are pending after forensic processing of the electronic devices.

Lindsey was booked into the Hall County Jail. He is currently being held without bond.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
Rock Island attorney Tionn Fambro Carter has been appointed an Associate Judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit of Illinois.

She was appointed to the position by the Circuit Judges of the 14th Judicial Circuit, and will be the first Black woman to serve as a judge in the circuit, according to a Tuesday press release.

Rock Island attorney Tionn Fambro Carter has been named a new Associate Judge for the 14th Judicial District of Illinois. (photo submitted)

She will be sworn in on Monday, April 15th at the Rock Island County Justice Center by retired Circuit Court Judge Lori Lefstein. The 14th Judicial Circuit includes the counties of Rock Island, Henry, Whiteside and Mercer.

Carter earned her law degree in 2008 from Southern Illinois University Law School, where she was recently honored as an Alumni of the Decade.

She is a graduate of Illinois Womens Institute for Leadership Training Academy.

Carter is a shareholder of Brooks Law Firm, P.C., in Rock Island, where her practice of law includes family law, criminal, juvenile, immigration and workers compensation.

She has been active in the community where she serves as a Board Member of the Public Interest Law Institute and the Rock Island County Bar Association. She is a recipient of the Rock Island County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Project Thomas L. Kilbride Award. She is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and has held several committee assignments.

She has taught criminal law and paralegal studies at Brown Mackie College.

Carter fills the vacancy of former Associate Judge James Heuerman, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Circuit Court Judge Stanley Steines.

As an Associate Judge, she will handle both civil and criminal cases. Carter lives in Rock Island County with her husband and children.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Allegheny County Police filed two dozen charges against Noah Sadowski and even more against Dylan Morris on Tuesday.

Investigators say the pair brutally attacked and tortured a 60-year-old man inside his Little Street home in Sewickley for four hours late Sunday night into Monday morning.

Honestly, its shocking, its terrifying. Its pretty close to where we live. It makes me glad we have a security system, said Sewickley resident Rachael Wonderlin.

According to the police report, the two armed men ambushed the victim on his back patio while he was smoking a cigarette.

Investigators say Morris told the victim, Im here for my watch, accusing him of stealing a gold Rolex from him.

Officers say Morris and Sadowski then threw the man on his kitchen floor, put glue and duct tape on his eyes, gagged and taped his mouth shut, handcuffed him, peed and spit on him, poked his body with knives, pistol whipped him, punched and kicked him, threatened to kill him, burned him with lit cigarettes, and smoked crack cocaine and blew it into his face.

They allegedly even stopped to cook dinner mid-attack.

Thats really disturbing. Thats disturbing anywhere and especially when its close to your home, its a lot worse, said Wonderlin.

Police say Sadowski and Morris also forced the victim to send them money via CashApp and stole his phone, a lockbox with jewelry in it, coats, and an antique clock.

They allegedly unhandcuffed him and told him not to move for 15 minutes after they left.

The victim was able to get help from a neighbor around 3 a.m. and was taken to the hospital.

Its awful for this guy. This is going to essentially disturb the rest of his life. This is a massive trauma, said Wonderlin.

At last check, neither Sadowski nor Morris had been taken into custody.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Missing Beaver County man found dead during search of Monongahela River in Elizabeth Township Recall alert: Hand sanitizer, aloe recalled amid warnings they could cause coma, blindness Man charged after 2 dogs found dead in garbage bags, 50 animals removed from Butler County home VIDEO: Police searching for 18-year-old charged in shooting death of teen in Braddock DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
For the second time in less than a week, an inmate has been found dead at Fulton County Jail.

An inmate identified as Travis Landrey was found dead in his cell on Wednesday morning.

Lifesaving measures on Landrey were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead. A preliminary investigation determined Landreys death to have been a suicide.

Landrey was initially arrested in October 2022, in connection to the murder of 57-year-old Christopher Eberhart and carjacking in Buckhead.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Eberhart, a Gainesville framer who was waiting to start construction, was found shot to death in an upscale Buckhead neighborhood on Oct. 13. He was found dead in the driveway of a vacant lot.

Landrey escaped to Alabama before he was eventually arrested and charged with murder, hijacking a motor vehicle, felony murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

He was booked into the Fulton County Jail in November 2023, according to jail records.

TRENDING STORIES:

This news comes less than a week after inmate, 37-year-old Leonard Fortner was found stabbed to death inside the jail.

The Fulton County Jail is in crisis, and it has been for decades, Labat said.

Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat called the conditions inside the jail a crisis in a news conference the very next day.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
MicroStrategy Inc (NASDAQ:MSTR), a provider of enterprise analytics and mobility software, has reported an insider sale according to a recent SEC filing. Executive Chairman and 10% Owner Michael Saylor sold 5,000 shares of the company on April 8, 2024. The transaction was executed at an average price of $1537.4 per share, resulting in a total sale amount of $7,687,000.Michael Saylor has a history of selling shares in the company over the past year, with a total of 300,000 shares sold and no shares purchased during that period.The insider transaction history for MicroStrategy Inc shows a pattern of insider sales, with no insider buys and 124 insider sells over the past year.

MicroStrategy Inc (MSTR) Executive Chairman, 10% Owner Michael Saylor Sells 5,000 Shares

On the valuation front, MicroStrategy Inc's shares were trading at $1537.4 on the day of the insider's recent sale, giving the company a market cap of approximately $24.45 billion. The price-earnings ratio stands at 51.14, which is above both the industry median of 26.825 and the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.

MicroStrategy Inc (MSTR) Executive Chairman, 10% Owner Michael Saylor Sells 5,000 Shares

Considering the stock's price of $1537.4 against the GuruFocus Value (GF Value) of $248.17, MicroStrategy Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 6.19, indicating that the stock is Significantly Overvalued based on its GF Value. The GF Value is calculated considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.For more information on insider trades at MicroStrategy Inc, visit the company's insider trade history page on GuruFocus.

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.


MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD)  Muskegon Public Schools students will soon have more opportunities to experiment with different careers thanks to a $2 million grant.

The money will go toward a first-of-its-kind Career Exploration Center for students in grades six through 10, the office of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters announced Wednesday in a release.

The Career Exploration Center focuses on exposing MPS students to various careers, said MPS Superintendent Matthew Cortez in a statement.

Students will participate in several realistic student experience modules, which will help them decide which career paths to pursue.

The district also plans to introduce adult employment training in the evenings.

The Career Exploration Center will be housed at the new Charles Hackley Middle School campus. The community will get a first look on May 2, according to the release.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Shomari Figures, an attorney and Democratic candidate for Alabama's 2nd Congressional District, poses for a portrait in Montgomery, Alabama on Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector)

This is one in a series of profiles of the candidates in the April 16 2nd Congressional District runoff. Yesterday: House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels. Tomorrow: Former Sen. Dick Brewbaker.

Shomari Figures talked to a lot of kids during his campaign.

On a recent Saturday, Figures attended the Easter event at Blount Cultural Park in Montgomery, where he spoke with children old enough to speak for themselves and to parents about kids still too young to talk. He took a photo with a boy who recognized him from being on television.

Figures, an attorney and native of Mobile, often took the time to explain the new congressional district, which includes parts of Mobile, Montgomery and the Black Belt. The district was changed after a lengthy legal battle and now provides the opportunity for a Democrat to win.

Shomari Figures

Age: 38

Residence: Mobile

Occupation: Lawyer

Education: B.A., Criminal Justice and History, University of Alabama, 2006; J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 2010.

Party: Democratic

Previous Political Experience/Campaign: First time candidate

Fundraising: Through March 27, Figures raised $387,498 and spent $338,836. A group called Protect Progress spent $1.7 million in support of his campaign.

He said that its important to build up communities, especially in rural areas, with infrastructure.

To many of our communities in this district, they just dont have that luxury and so those communities need the federal government to be there for them and so thats what I want to focus on, he said.

Figures said that addressing poverty in the district would mean assessing each communitys particular needs. He said he wants to ensure that they are taking full advantage of programs, especially for addressing poverty for the elderly and for children.

The poverty conditions faced by a kid in Castleberry, Alabama is different than what it looks like for a kid in Montgomery, Alabama or Mobile, Alabama, he said.

Figures returned to Mobile to run for office, leaving behind his role as deputy chief of staff and counselor to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in Washington, D.C. He said he could use his D.C. relationships and what he learned there to better serve the district.

Figures said that his highest priorities included health care access, including Medicaid expansion, which Alabama has not opted into. While the decision to implement the program will be up to the state government, Figures said that the federal government could offer certain reimbursements to states to encourage them.

So thats priority number one: How can we help people in the state of Alabama get better access to health care and live longer? he said.

Figures also said he would vote to codify Roe v. Wade.

Chandra Davis, a Montgomery resident, said that she had had a child after her tubes were tied, which had impacted her financially.



Theres a grand depreciation and a differentiation between how people of color are treated at the doctor, between our counterparts and so we got into that conversation on what did we think would possibly change? she said. And I told him that it has to do with the systemic overlook and that we are groomed into a different type of understanding when you are a person of color. 

Figures also said he wanted to improve education. To keep teachers in the classroom, Figures said that federal resources could be leveraged. He said that teachers should be in a modern environment, and they shouldnt treat good teachers as an expendable resource.

Like we have teachers here that devote their lives, their time, their energy, their hearts and their careers, to educating the future workers of this state, and, we have not been there for our teachers in the way that we need to be, he said.

Figures said that he wants to see the country go beyond treating LGBTQ+ people differently. He said he doesnt think that people should be discriminated against because they make some people uncomfortable.

They deserve to be able to live in a country where they can be happy, where they can have the same pursuit of happiness and the same rights and privileges without fear of being fired or terminated or expelled or were treated differently because of who they are, he said.

Figures said that he believes in climate change and wants to listen to experts.

The Protect Progress PAC, which supports blockchain work, has supported the Figures campaign. Figures said that there have been no promises made.



I believe that innovation is, in blockchain technology, particularly is something that has enormous potential and will be something thats incorporated into technological innovation and advancement for decades to come, he said. I do believe in that. And I believe that any regulations or the regulations that we put in place need to be informed and tailored towards an understanding of that. Im not opposed to regulation.

Figures said that representing both the urban and rural parts of the district would mean a lot of listening, and added that the economy of Alabama flows from rural to urban areas.

We cant just suck the resources, the beneficial resources out of our rural communities without reinvesting in those communities to make them more economically viable and addressing their unique challenges as a whole, he said.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post 2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures wants to build up communities appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
MANHATTAN (KSNT)  Police in Manhattan say three people are under arrest following a search warrant executed Monday.

The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) announced in a press release that three people were arrested on April 8 in the 2400 block of Charolais Lane. They were arrested on probable cause offenses mostly related to illegal drugs. The following lists what the three individuals were arrested for.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Junction City police chief out, search starts for replacement

21-year-old Distribution of controlled substance causing death Distribute or possess with the intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use Possession of marijuana Two counts of aggravated battery knowingly causing great bodily harm or disfigurement Distribution of controlled substance causing great bodily harm Two counts of distribute opiates/opium/narcotics or stimulant of an unknown quantity Distribution of opiate/narcotic/certain stimulant/heroin with a dosage of 10- <100 within 1000 feet of a school Distribution of controlled substance causing great bodily harm Four counts of distribution of opiates/opium/narcotics/stimulant of an unknown quantity

38-year-old Distribution of opiate/opium/narcotics/stimulant/heroin <3.5 grams within 1000 feet of a school Possession of opiates/opium/narcotics Use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation Probation violation Use/possession with the intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body Possession of a depressant Trafficking contraband into a correctional/care facility

36-year-old Distribution of opiate/opium/narcotics/stimulant/heroin <3.5 grams within 1000 feet of a school Three counts of possession of opiate/opium/narcotic or certain stimulant Use/possession with the intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body, possession of depressant Distribution or possession with the intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use Distribution of certain depressant dose 10-<100 units Possession of marijuana Distribution or possession with the intent to distribute marijuana within 1000 feet of a school <25 grams



These recent arrests underscore our unwavering dedication to combatting the detrimental consequences of illegal narcotics trafficking, including the tragic loss of lives. We remain resolute in our pursuit of justice and accountability, ensuring those responsible are held accountable for the harm inflicted upon our society. RCPD press release excerpt

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
The family allegedly kidnapped a man in Mexico, then claimed to be able to work as an intermediary to negotiate the ransom, prosecutors allege in federal court filings

Getty U.S. Border Patrol vehicle

When a man was allegedly kidnapped at gunpoint from his home in Playas de Rosarito, Mexico, in November 2022, his family in Los Angeles County were allegedly contacted by a neighbor offering to negotiate a ransom.

In the days that followed, a younger man and woman allegedly crossed the border into California and met those family members at a McDonalds in San Ysidro, Calif., where, per the criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE, the family handed over $30,000 in cash.

But, prosecutors now allege Mario Alex Medina, the neighbor promising to work as an intermediary was actually in on the kidnapping  and, that, even after the ransom was paid, the hostage, identified in federal court documents only by his initials R.V., was, per the indictment obtained by PEOPLE, left tied up and alone in a small subterranean trench.

On Tuesday, April 9, Mario, 53, and the younger man and woman, who are identified as Marios son, Jose Salud Medina, 31, and his sister, Maria Alejandra Medina, 50, were indicted in the kidnapping scheme.

The three family members are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking and one count of conspiracy to demand a ransom payment. Mario, known as Shyboy, and Jose, nicknamed Gordo, are also each charged with one count of making a foreign communication with intent to extort.

Mapped cell phone data included in the federal criminal complaint

The alleged multi-day scheme began November 5, 2022, per the indictment, which asserts that Mario directed and assisted the break-in, and that his family members, listed as co-conspirator hostage takers then pistol-whipped R.V. and fired a shot next to his head.

The following day, a call was allegedly placed to the hostages family members, demanding $70,000 for R.V.s release.

Over several days, family members received through WhatsApp photographs and videos of R.V. in captivity. One video sent on November 7 depicts hostage takers beating Victim R.V. with their fists, feet, and a hammer, per the indictment.

Days later on November 10, prosecutors allege that R.V.s family members received a ransom call threatening to kill Victim R.V. if the family members did not pay $30,000 in ransom.

This time Mario  who R.V.s family later told law enforcement had always expressed interest in their property per the criminal complaint  also allegedly told the family that he could help negotiate the transaction through his son, who he allegedly told them did not associate with good individuals and that Jose could therefore obtain more information about the kidnapping.

Prosecutors allege in the indictment that the next day Jose and Maria crossed the border and collected $30,000 in cash.

Dont worry about it, Maria allegedly told the family, per the criminal complaint, adding we can pretty much guarantee [R.V.] will be safe.

Later that November 11 day, Mexican law enforcement rescued R.V. in the Mexican state of Baja California, Ciaran McEvoy of the Department of Justice tells PEOPLE, adding that authorities believe he was held somewhere between Tijuana and Rosarito.

Mario, a Mexican citizen who appeared in district court in Bakersfield, Calif., on Monday, is slated for a detention hearing there Thursday, April 11. He is currently represented by Mai Saleh Shawwa  who did not respond in time for publication  but will be reassigned following his transfer to Los Angeles, McEvoy tells PEOPLE.

Maria, an American citizen who has been in federal custody without bond since March 26, is slated for arraignment in district court in downtown Los Angeles April 16, per the Central District of California U.S. Attorneys Office. PEOPLE contacted Marias federal public defender, Shannon M. Coit, who did not respond in time for publication.

Jose Medina, an American citizen, is incarcerated in Mexico. It is unclear who is representing him there.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Israels military confirmed Wednesday that an airstrike carried out in the Gaza Strip has killed three of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyehs sons.

"The three operatives that were struck are Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, Mohammad Haniyeh, a military operative in the Hamas terrorist organization, and Hazem Haniyeh, also a military operative in the Hamas terror organization," the IDF and Israels Shin Bet intelligence agency said in a joint statement, adding that the trio "conducted terrorist activity in the central Gaza Strip."

Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV station said Hazem, Ameer and Mohammed Haniyeh were killed in a strike near the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, according to The Associated Press. Ismail Haniyeh, who is originally from Shati, has 13 children and has been living in exile in Qatar.

"The criminal enemy is driven by the spirit of revenge and murder and does not value any standards or laws," he told Al Jazeera on Wednesday during a phone interview.

IRANS LEADER SAYS 4 THREATENING WORDS TO ISRAEL, BLASTS THE US AND WEST FOR DISASTER IN GAZA

Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on March 26.

"The enemy believes that by targeting the families of the leaders, it will push them to give up the demands of our people," he reportedly added. "Anyone who believes that targeting my sons will push Hamas to change its position is delusional."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Al-Aqsa TV station aired footage of Haniyeh purportedly receiving the news of the deaths while visiting wounded Palestinians who had been transported to a hospital in Doha. As an aide received the news on his phone, Haniyeh nodded, looked down at the ground and slowly walked out of the room.

DEMOCRAT SENATORS VOICE CONCERNS OVER ISRAEL WAR STATUS AS BIDEN ATTEMPTS CHALLENGING BALANCE WITH PROGRESSIVES

The strike happened after Irans leader on Wednesday threatened to take action against Israel during a prayer ceremony. He also criticized the U.S. and the West for their involvement amid tensions in the region.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke at a prayer ceremony celebrating the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan when he promised to retaliate against Israel  saying "it will be punished"  for an airstrike that demolished Irans consulate in Syria earlier this month.

In his remarks, Khamenei said the strike, which left several Iranian generals dead, was "wrongdoing" and akin to an attack on Iran itself.

Fox News Lawrence Richard and The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: 3 of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's 'terrorist' sons killed by Israeli airstrike, IDF says
The exorcism of a 3-year-old girl in San Jose, California led to charges being filed against her mother, uncle and grandfather, but now recently released court documents are shedding new light on what happened during that deadly night in 2021.

Claudia Hernandez, her brother Rene Aaron Hernandez Santos, and her father Rene Trigueros Hernandez, has been charged with causing great bodily injury to a girl identified as Arely Doe, resulting in her death, according to a 50-page memorandum filed last week by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.

Arely was found dead in a "church" on private property on Sept. 24, 2021, with her mother, uncle and grandfather who are accused of assaulting her for 20 hours, according to the memorandum, which was obtained by CBS News this week. USA TODAY is working to obtain the document.

Arely "fought for her life as three trusted adults forcibly grabbed her by her neck, torso, back, and legs, smothered her by repeatedly attempting to pry open her mouth to make her vomit, and held her with so much force that she had internal bleeding and injuries," prosecutors wrote in the memorandum explain why the three family members should go to trial.

All three have pleaded not guilty, and the county court is in the process of setting a trial date. They are being represented by public defenders. USA TODAY contacted Santa Clara County's public defender's office but did not get an immediate response Wednesday.

Here's what you need to know about the case and whether it's heading to trial.

The entrance to Iglesia Evangelica Apostoles y Profetas church, which is in a backroom of a multi-family home located on the 1000 block of 2nd Street in San Jose, Calif., seen on Friday, May 6, 2022. It was the location of the killing of a 3-year-old girl, in an alleged exorcism.

Arely Doe told mom 'I love you' during abuse, court docs say

Arely "struggled to escape from her abusers," including clamping her mouth to stop the adults who were trying to pry it open, prosecutors said in the memorandum.

As Arely was "fighting for her life," she also told her mother, "I love you," they wrote.

"When pressure was applied to her neck and torso, she was repeatedly rendered unconscious for moments at a time," according to the memorandum. "This ongoing assault resulted in the tragic death of Arely."

How did Claudia Hernandez know her daughter was 'possessed?'

When a San Jose police officer spoke to Claudia Hernandez, she said, "they were praying for Arely," prosecutors wrote. Although Arely had no medical issues, the young girl was "possessed," her mother told the officer, prosecutors said.

The night before the exorcism, Arely was screaming and crying, she told the officer, they said. The mother said she "knew it was not her baby because Arely was always happy," they said in the memorandum.

Hernadez said Arely was saying "no, no, no" in her sleep while moving her arms out, but she still put the girl to bed because the "possession" was "not really bad," according to the memorandum. The next day when the mother came back to Arely's room after grabbing her some milk, she said she saw her daughter "screaming, crying, and stretching her arms out," prosecutors wrote.

When a paramedic asked Hernandez why Arely had blood on her face, the mother said: "Because she was forcibly trying to open Arelys mouth and Arely was biting down hard in response," prosecutors wrote.

Arely Doe's mom, uncle stuck fingers down her throat, court doc says

On the day of the "exorcism," Claudia Hernandez told Arely's uncle to pray for her daughter, according to the court record. After Arely went to sleep briefly, she woke up and started screaming again, the mother told the officer, the memorandum said.

Claudia Hernandez and Rene Aaron Hernandez-Santos then got a trash bucket and tried opening Arely's mouth to get her to throw up, prosecutors said.

"(Claudia Hernandez) then explained that she has seen movies that show objects can get possessed," the mother told the police officer, according to prosecutors. "She told (Rene Aaron Hernandez-Santos) that they had to remove everything from the room. They moved all the furniture from the room except the bed."

Arely would bite her mother's and uncle's fingers when they again tried to open her mouth and stick their fingers down her throat, prosecutors said. The two ultimately stopped because the girl calmed down, they said in the memorandum.

The entrance to Iglesia Evangelica Apostoles y Profetas church, which is in a backroom of a multi-family home located on the 1000 block of 2nd Street in San Jose, Calif., seen on Friday, May 6, 2022. It was the location of the killing of a 3-year-old girl, in an alleged exorcism.

Arely Doe's mom, uncle and grandfather tried to make her vomit, court docs say

The two then took Arely to their "dad's church" around 7 a.m. that day, and that's when Claudia Hernandez said she noticed red marks on her daughter's face, court records show. They then held Arely up over the trash can and her mother put her hand on the girl's throat to control her head as her daughter was struggling and saying "No," according to prosecutors.

Arely's grandfather, Rene Trigueros Hernandez, arrived at the church around noon, according to the court record. Arely's mom, uncle and grandfather prayed before taking turns grabbing the girl's neck and trying to make her throw up in the trash can, it says.

"Claudia described Arely as being very strong and described Arelys resistance to their force as her flailing," prosecutors wrote. "Claudia said she was holding around her jaw."

Once Claudia Hernandez saw "blood vessels burst on Arely's face," the three laid the girl down and "then repeated their previous actions to try to make her vomit," they said.

"Claudia grabbed Arely by her torso and Rene (Aaron Hernandez-Santos) grabbed her neck," prosecutors said. "Arely finally vomited in the trashcan."

Arizona exorcism: Boy dies after man attempted to get 'demon' out of him, officials say

'God had taken Arely,' Claudia Hernandez told her brother after the exorcism

Arely was "cold to the touch" around 6 p.m., the court documents say.

"Claudia said she thought maybe she was dead but that she had never seen a dead body," according to the court filings. "They continued to pray. She moved her onto the floor and then kept praying. Claudia called her mom, sister, best friend, husband, and boss before she called 911."

Claudia Hernandez spoke to her crying brother after detectives interviewed the two of them.

"Claudia told Rene Jr. that while she was in the other interview room God came to her and told her that God had taken Arely on Thursday, and it was because of demons," according to the memorandum. "Claudia told Rene Jr. that God gave her the solution, and everything was going to be okay. Claudia also said that God told her they were not going to be guilty."

Claudia Hernandez saw visions of 'men in white,' court docs say

Claudia Hernandez said she did not want to kill her daughter, and that San Jose police detectives would not understand because "they did not believe in God," prosecutors wrote. The mother then said her daughter was "possessed because she was asleep, she continued to twitch and her stare was different," they wrote.

Claudia Hernandez also spoke to her brother about visions of "men in white" and how they and God took Arely from her hands, the filing says. Arely's grandfather told his daughter not to tell the police anything, according to the document.

More: Tennessee grandmother Amy Brasher charged in 3-year-old's death the day after Christmas

Arely Doe's grandfather spoke to San Jose police about what happened in the church

When police asked Rene Trigueros Hernandez, a self-proclaimed "elder of the church," about the term "exorcism," he said: "That was something they did not practice in their religion," prosecutors wrote.

"(Rene Trigueros Hernandez) said an exorcism is when they put holy water and they pass alcohol," according to the memorandum. "He said Arely was possessed and when that occurs they just pray."

Police brought Arely's grandfather a doll so he could show them what they did to her.

"He described grabbing her firmly for an hour and a half while she was either sleeping or making noises and screaming," prosecutors wrote. "Rene Sr. said when the demon comes out people have to vomit it up and the vomit will be green or foamy."

The judge's decision on whether to have a jury trial for the three family members was pushed back to May 13 to allow attorneys to submit briefs arguing whether there was sufficient evidence to uphold charges, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Prosecutors: 3-year-old California girl killed during family 'exorcism'
3 pups caught in legal limbo in Macomb get new homes, 3 other siblings up for adoption

Three of six pups that spent a year with Macomb County Animal Control because they were caught in a legal limbo are putting their best paws forward in new homes, while their three siblings await their turns to connect with forever families.

Danica, Dash, Dodge, Daytona, Diesel and Dale celebrated their first birthdays in January in the animal shelter in Clinton Township. Since then, a civil case has progressed involving the owner of the Oakland County rescue that brought them to Michigan from another state when they were puppies.

"We have a court order saying we have ownership of them," Chief Animal Control Officer Jeff Randazzo told the Free Press.

Macomb County Animal Control employees gather six dogs together for a photo after celebrating their first birthdays during a birthday PAW-ty in their honor at the Macomb County Animal Control in Clinton Township on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. The puppies were born at an Oakland County rescue and were 10-weeks-old when they arrived at Macomb County Animal Control having grown up there while waiting for their case in court where criminal charges were filed against the rescue owner, who refused to take them back.

The pups were put up for adoption in March. As of Tuesday, Dale, Dash and Daytona were adopted. Danica, a female, and Diesel and Dodge, both male, are available for adoption, according to animal control. Randazzo said he would like to see the pups adopted on or before an adoption event April 20.

The dogs, Australian cattle dog mixes, came to animal control in March 2023, when they were 10 weeks old and Randazzo said they were sick with parvo, a highly contagious disease. He said the puppies were surrendered by a foster person in Macomb County after they became sick and the rescue wouldn't take them back.

Rescue operator had choice: Pay $70K or forfeit dogs

A civil forfeiture action was filed against Karmen Schooly of Pontiac-based TriCounty Dog Rescue, which Randazzo said brought the puppies to Michigan. He previously said the foster person received the puppies directly from a truck that brought the puppies in from out of state.

The judge at 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore determined in January that the puppies were abandoned, and Schooly had until noon Jan. 31 to pay $70,255 or the dogs would be forfeited. She did not pay, per the court and Randazzo. Randazzo said animal control had spent more than $60,000 to care for the six dogs.

Schooly filed an appeal Jan. 29 in Macomb County Circuit Court. The court's case management filed a notice of intent to dismiss the appeal Feb. 23 because it was deficient for failing to file two items within the time required by Michigan Court Rules. A document was filed in early March, per online records. The case is listed as undisposed, but no future court dates are listed.

Schooly also has a hearing April 25 in 42-2 District Court, where she is charged with health practice-unauthorized practice, abandoning/cruelty to animals and unregistered animal shelters/pounds.

Schooly previously told the Free Press the six pups were healthy when the foster brought them to animal control, but "weren't getting adopted quick enough." She said the charges "are ridiculous."

Randazzo previously said the dogs were with animal control so long for several reasons, including the defendant changing lawyers and court postponements. He said he offered to sterilize the puppies, with names related to auto racing, but said the rescue owner would agree to do so only if the charges were dropped.

Daytrips and smiles

Randazzo said volunteers have been taking the pups on day trips to socialize them, which allows the pups to ride in cars, and go to parks and homes where they can learn skills, such as going up and down stairs.

Daytona eats his birthday cake during a birthday PAW-ty in his honor along with five other siblings at the Macomb County Animal Control in Clinton Township on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. The puppies were born at an Oakland County rescue and were 10-weeks-old when they arrived at Macomb County Animal Control having grown up there while waiting for their case in court where criminal charges were filed against the rescue owner, who refused to take them back.

"Just like daily lives that they're going to be seeing, that they've never experienced before," Randazzo said.

Animal control said Daytona was adopted Saturday. The other two adopted pups, Randazzo said last week, were "doing great" in their new homes, which also have other pets.

"We go through a long process with them about talking about the case and how long they've been here. It's really crucial conversations that we have," he said.

Word of the six pups being available hit animal control's Facebook page in a March 18 post and video, which stated "they will need patient families that will understand that all they have known is shelter life."

The dogs are good jumpers

Randazzo said the new owners will have to work with the pups, who are "extremely smart," and staff and volunteers have been working hard with them during the last several months, including having them in playgroups with other dogs.

A photo and details about each dog, as well as other animals available for adoption, are available on the animal control's website. The pups were all black and white, except for Daytona, who is brown and white.

Bios for the remaining pups state they have begun learning basic commands, would benefit from continued training and are good jumpers (so a secure yard or supervised playtime would be ideal). They state the shelter is willing to help pay for training costs, and the pups would thrive in an active home with a family that can provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

Diesel recently was featured on animal control's Facebook page wearing a Detroit Lions jersey in a photo shoot with nine other dogs at Ford Field.

Danica's post had an interesting extra tidbit: "One really cool thing about Danica is that she knows how to smile! If you say 'Cheese' she will show her beautiful pearly whites as if she's having her picture taken!"

The sibling dogs are "very bonded," according to their bios. They state the dogs can be adopted separately, but they would thrive in a home where they can stay together. The adoption fee is $150 per pup, per the website.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 3 pups caught in legal limbo in Macomb have new homes, siblings wait
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)  Joseph Beltran, a third-grader at Hal Henard Elementary School, was named a 2024 recipient of the Tenn Under 10 Award. Beltran is being honored Tuesday night during a reception at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.

According to a release from Hal Henard Principal Janet Ricker, the Tenn Under 10 Award aims to celebrate Tennessee third-grade students from communities across the state who have overcome obstacles on their literacy journey.

Sisters stem cell donation allows Bristol woman to get life-changing eye surgery

The award program is powered by PNC Financial Services and operated by the Governors Early Literacy Foundation (GELF). The foundation selects ten qualifying winners each year to become Little Literacy Leader ambassadors.

The recipients of the award, including Beltran, will be featured in GELFs marketing and communications for the year, including being the face of video productions, social media, outreach to the press and more. The most vital prize for winning a Tenn Under 10 Award, however, is the post-secondary education scholarship each child receives.

According to Tenn Under 10s website, parents of winning children will be given a TNStars College Savings 529 Program scholarship account, a post-secondary savings program managed by the Tennessee Department of Treasury. A scholarship of at least $1,000, provided by GELF, will be deposited in their account and invested until used following the students high school graduation or GED equivalent.

Teachers and school administrators are responsible for submitting nominations to the GELF.

Second Kingsport 7 Brew now open, next one to open in Greeneville

Winners for the Tenn Under 10 Award are chosen based on the following four key values, as it relates to literacy learning:

Tenaciously driven

Eager to read

Noticeably growing

Nonstop learner

Principal Ricker said in the news release that Hal Henard Elementary hosted a Literary Parade send-off for Beltran on Tuesday morning, where faculty, staff and students wished him and his family luck on their journey to Nashville to attend his reception.

Representatives from the Governors office will be at Hal Henard on May 16, as well, to meet Beltran and formally present his award to him. Ricker said Hal Henard takes pride in celebrating all students literacy journeys and accomplishments.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
A 4-year-old boy was recovering from surgery Wednesday after he was critically injured in a shooting crossfire in a bustling section of the Humboldt Park neighborhood the day before, according to a local alderman.

The boy was riding in a car when he was struck in the back about 3:50 p.m. Tuesday in the 3300 block of West North Avenue, Chicago police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said.

A police spokesperson said Wednesday that they havent made any arrests and detectives were still investigating.

Ald. Jessie Fuentes, 26th, told the Tribune Wednesday morning that the boy was in a vehicle driven by his grandmother on the way to get a treat at Dunkin. Their car was caught in the crossfire, Fuentes said, when someone in a black Infiniti fired shots at a light-colored SUV. The boy suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, but his grandmother wasnt injured, she said.

The grandmother was extremely brave because she acted quickly, Fuentes said. She did not freeze. She rushed him to St. Marys Hospital, where they were able to stabilize him before transferring him to Stroger, a trauma center, to undergo surgery.

That grandmother quite literally saved that young mans life, Fuentes added.

Fuentes said the boy was still in critical condition after surgery Tuesday night, but that his condition had stabilized.

Some employees on West North Avenue said they were shaken up after the shooting, especially because the street is relatively busy with foot traffic at restaurants and other stores in the middle of the day. Fuentes said many of the businesses want to be helpful and part of the solution.

Were going to be working on making sure we continue to do safety walks, that were enhancing programming in the community, she said. We are working on organizing a peace march in the community, as well as having violence prevention organizations mediate any gang tension that there may be that contributed to yesterdays events.

Fuentes asked people with information about the shooting to contact the 14th Police District CAPS office at 312-744-8290 or CAPS.014District@chicagopolice.org.

rjohnson@chicagotribune.com
About 40 percent of U.S. Latino adults believe the U.S. should push for an immediate cease-fire in Israels war with Palestinian militant group Hamas, according to a new poll.

An Ipsos-Axios poll, published Tuesday, asked 1,000 Latino and Hispanic Americans about their views on the Israel-Hamas war, which has raged on for more than six months since the group launched a surprise assault on southern Israel that killed more than 1,100 people.

The group was split over the extent of U.S. involvement in the conflict. Pollsters found that 40 percent support a U.S. push for an immediate cease-fire, while 39 percent said the U.S. should not be involved. About 16 percent said the U.S. should continue to support Israel with arms and funds.

The president is facing increasing pressure from both lawmakers and voters over the worsening conditions in Gaza, where more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed since early October.

The pressure ramped up last week after an Israeli airstrike killed six aid workers with the World Central Kitchen and their Palestinian air driver. The group was delivering aid to a warehouse in central Gaza when the strike hit at night.

Biden issued his sharped criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in the wake of the attack, telling him in a phone call that U.S. policy on the war could change should Israel not take the immediate steps to prevent a worsening humanitarian situation.

It marked a notable shift from the president and follows a series of findings that showed most Americans disapproved Bidens handling of the conflict.

The poll found Bidens favorability among Latinos, a key voter group for the incumbent, has fallen by 6 points since the summer. Bidens main 2024 rival, former President Trump, saw a rise in support by 3 points.

The findings come as President Biden works to reach and secure voters of color ahead of the November election. Last month, Bidens reelection campaign dropped a Latino-focused ad targeting Trump for his controversial comments about immigrants in which he claimed immigrants were poisoning the blood of America.

The Axios/Ipsos poll was conducted with Noticias Telemundo from March 22-24, with a sample of 1,012 Latino/Hispanic adults. The margin of error is 3.6 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
5 Arrested in Connection with Torture Death of Michigan Woman Held Captive in Pennsylvania

Authorities are also investigating the death of a second woman that is related to this case, the district attorney said

Luzerne County District Attorney's Office Nicole Cuevas-Ingram

A Michigan woman who traveled to Pennsylvania to visit someone she thought was a "friend" allegedly ended up being held captive, tortured and killed by that person and four others who are now facing murder charges, the Luzerne County district attorney announced.

On April 9, Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce said at a press conference that the badly decomposed body of Nicole Cuevas-Ingram, 38, of Saginaw, Mich., had been found buried in the basement of a home in Wilkes-Barre on Feb. 27.

Her body was wrapped in a tarp and tied with electrical cords and rope and her head was covered in two plastic shopping bags, according to court documents obtained by the Times Leader.

Her remains were surrounded by moth balls in the basement of the home, where she was buried in April 2023 after being viciously killed, Sanguedolce said at the press conference, which was streamed by PAhomepage.com and viewed by PEOPLE.

Cuevas-Ingram came to Wilkes-Barre in 2023 with one of the people that murdered her that resided at 142 Carlisle Street believing they were friends, the district attorney alleged.

Obviously that went awry fairly quickly," he said. "I think she came really just for a visit and tried to get home but was unsuccessful in that endeavor unfortunately by nature of the fact that she couldnt escape her kidnappers that resulted in her death.

On April 9, the five suspects  Desiree Linnette, 43, and her daughter, Sarai Doyle, 24, of Edwardsville; Jason Race, 43, and Faith Beamer, 39, of Wilkes-Barre; and William Wolfe, 54, were arrested.

Luzerne County District Attorney's Office (2) Desiree Kehaun Linnette, 43 (left); William Benjamin Wolfe, 54

They are charged with homicide, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aggravated assault and abuse of a corpse.

Luzerne County District Attorney's Office (3) Sarai Kamalani Doyle, 24 (left); Faith L. Beamer, 39; Jason P. Race, 43

While Cuevas-Ingram was held captive, the district attorney alleged she was handcuffed to a basement post, and over the course of several weeks, she was severely beaten.

The beatings resulted in bruising, a broken ankle, nearly all of her ribs were broken, her nasal cavity was destroyed, her head was shaved, she was stabbed and slashed in several places including her arm, torso and all over her back, and her hyoid bone in her neck was broken, that is generally indicative to investigators of strangulation, Sanguedolce said.

The evidence revealed she was kicked and stomped and strangled, he said.

According to court documents obtained by the Times Leader, a witness saw Cuevas-Ingram drooling and with a shaved head in the kitchen.

When Cuevas-Ingram soiled herself while she was handcuffed, Linnette and Race allegedly became so angry that Race stomped on Cuevas-Ingrams head until she died, the court documents state.

Investigators claim to have found the black boots Race allegedly wore when he stomped on Cuevas-Ingrams head, according to the court documents.

Her death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation, he said.

During the press conference, Sanguedolce also said authorities are investigating the death of a second woman, Deborah Fox, 69, who could be related to this case.

Fox was the former owner of the home, where Cuevas-Ingram was allegedly held against her will, tortured and killed, Sanguedolce said.

Her decomposed body was found in a wooded area in Wilkes-Barre on March 26.

Police are continuing to investigate both cases.

The suspects are being held without bail at various correctional institutions in the area, the district attorney said. It is unclear whether they have retained attorneys who can speak on their behalf.

Anyone with information regarding past residents of the property or anyone with information about the remains is asked to contact members of the Wilkes-Barre Police Detective Division, either Lt. Matthew Stash at 570-208-0911 or Detective James Conmy at 570-208-6775.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
JACKSON, Miss.  The six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who last month were handed yearslong federal prison sentences for torturing two Black men were each sentenced to more than a decade in prison in state court Wednesday.

Former Rankin County Sheriff's deputies Brett McAlpin, Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke, and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield pleaded guilty to state charges in August after Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker accused them of bursting into a home without a warrant, calling them racial slurs, beating them, assaulting them with a sex toy, and shooting Jenkins in the mouth in January 2023. Kristen Clarke, U.S. assistant attorney general of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, described the attack as "torture."

Elward was sentenced to 45 years, Dedmon was given 25 years, McAlpin, Middleton and Opdyke were each sentenced to 20 years, and Hartfield was handed 15 years in prison Wednesday. Time served for the state charges will run concurrently with their federal sentences.

The men previously pleaded guilty to more than a dozen federal charges and were sentenced to between 10 and 40 years in federal prison in March. The former officers, some of whom referred to themselves as the "Goon Squad," created a false cover story and fabricated evidence to hide their crimes, according to the federal indictment.

"The state criminal sentencing is important because, historically, the state of Mississippi has lagged behind or ignored racial crimes and police brutality against Blacks, and the Department of Justice has had to lead the way," Malik Shabazz, a lawyer for Jenkins and Parker, said Tuesday. "The nation expects a change on Wednesday."

Brett McAlpin walks into the courtroom during the 'Goon Squad' sentencing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Miss., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. McAlpin's sentence was 20 years in total.

What charges did the former Mississippi officers face?

The six former officers pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and hinder prosecution, according to a statement from the office of Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch.

Dedmon and Elward pleaded guilty to additional charges of home invasion and Elward pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, the release said. McAlpin, Middleton, Opdyke and Hartfield also pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and hindering prosecution.

Hunter Elward listens to Circuit Judge Steve S. Ratcliff during the 'Goon Squad' sentencing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Miss., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Elward was sentenced to 45 years in state prison.

Ex-officers each get more than a decade in federal prison

U.S. District Court Judge Tom Lee sentenced Hartfield, who used a stun gun on the men and helped discard evidence, to 10 years in prison last month. Lee handed McAlpin a sentence of more than 27 years. McAlpin, the chief investigator and highest-ranking deputy at the scene, struck Parker with a piece of wood, stole from the property and pressured the other officers to go with the false cover story, the indictment said.

Dedmon devised the plot to cover up the involved officers' misconduct and was sentenced to 40 years in prison - the longest prison term given in the case. Lee sentenced Opdyke, who according to the indictment assaulted the men with a sex toy during the attack, struck Parker with a wooden kitchen implement and helped get rid of evidence, to 17 years in prison.

Elward was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Middleton, described as the group's ringleader, was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Jenkins, Parker file civil rights lawsuit

Jenkins and Parker have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit seeking $400 million in damages. Shabazz and the NAACP have also called for Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey's resignation and called on the Justice Department to launch a pattern-or-practice investigation into Rankin County, similar to the investigation recently opened in Lexington, Mississippi.

Michael Jenkins and his father Melvin Jenkins listen during a press conference after the 'Goon Squad' sentencing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Miss., on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ex-Mississippi 'Goon Squad' officers get additional prison time
Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers were sentenced to decades in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to state charges related to the racially motivated torture, sexual assault and shooting of two Black men in January 2023 and their subsequent actions to cover up their crimes.

The group of officers, all white, includes five former Rankin County sheriff's deputies -- Christian Dedmon, Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke -- as well as former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield. The sheriff's deputies had dubbed themselves the "Goon Squad" for their willingness to use excessive force, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to the office of Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Finch, the six former officers pleaded guilty in a Rankin County Circuit Court on Aug. 14, 2023, to aggravated assault, home invasion, obstruction of justice/hindering prosecution in the first degree and conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice.

'Depravity': AG blasts white officers sentenced in racially motivated torture of 2 Black men

McAlpin, Middleton and Opdyke were each sentenced Wednesday to 15 years, according to the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, while Elward and Dedmon were sentenced to 20 years and Hartfield to 10 years.

The judge did not follow the recommendation of prosecutors, giving each of the defendants longer sentences than what was recommended by the state, according to Jackson ABC affiliate WAPT.

PHOTO: Eddie Parker, left, and Michael Jenkins, right, speak out with their attorney Malik Shabazz during a press conference on March 18, 2024 in Jackson, Miss. (WAPT)

In their guilty pleas, the six former officers admitted to breaking into a home where Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker were residing without a warrant after a white neighbor reported that the men were staying with a white woman and alleged "suspicious" activity. They then proceeded to arrest Jenkins and Parker "without probable cause" that they committed any crimes, according to the DOJ.

During the incident, the officers beat Jenkins and Parker, mocked them with racial slurs, sexually assaulted them with a sex toy, forced them to strip naked and shower together and shocked them with Tasers for roughly 90 minutes while handcuffed, according to court documents obtained by ABC News. Jenkins was also shot in the mouth by Elward, per the DOJ.

Former Mississippi officers sentenced after pleading guilty to torture of Black men

Parker, accompanied by his attorneys and local NAACP leaders, spoke to reporters outside the courtroom after the sentencing on Wednesday morning and thanked those who supported the victims.

"Ya'll gave us the strength. I appreciate all of ya'll. Today, Rankin County made a believer out of me, made a believer out of hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of people," Parker said. "So I'm just thankful now that I'm here to see it. And I'm glad, you know, Michael is here to see it with me."

"I'm appreciative of my lawyers fighting for us ... all our family man, they've been riding with us. It's been, it's been up and down and up and down. It's still up and down," he added. "Still a roller coaster man, we're gonna go ride this thing out."

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said in a statement on Wednesday following the sentencing that the officers "violated the trust of all the citizens they swore to protect."

"These former officers also violated the trust of the other men and women who honorably wear the uniform - every one of whom will feel the repercussions of the mistrust they sowed between law enforcement and the people. These criminal acts make a difficult job even harder and far more dangerous. And it is left to us all to commit ourselves to repairing that damage," Fitch added.

PHOTO: Michael Corey Jenkins speaks outside the federal courthouse in Jackson, Miss., March 19, 2024. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

The state sentencing comes after all six officers pleaded guilty to 16 felony charges related to this case in federal court last August and received federal prison sentences ranging from 10 to 40 years in March.

They will serve the federal and the state sentences concurrently.

"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 on March 21.

PHOTO: Eddie Terrell Parker speaks outside the federal courthouse in Jackson, Miss., March 19, 2024. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

"Officers who violate constitutional rights will be held accountable by the Justice Department for their crimes that harm individual victims and betray the trust of entire communities," he added.

Following the incident, the two victims faced false charges for months, according to the DOJ, stemming from the officers' plan to cover up their actions by tampering with and planting evidence, including drugs and a gun.

Attorneys for Jenkins and Parker, along with NAACP leaders, continued to call for the resignation of Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey when they spoke out after the sentencing on Wednesday.

"Bryan Bailey is ultimately responsible for all of the actions of the Goon Squad because they -- he -- should have been doing his job. He should have been monitoring his department," Malik Shabazz, the lead attorney representing the victims, said.

ABC News has reached out to Bailey for comment.

PHOTO: Former Rankin County sheriff's deputies Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, Daniel Opdyke and former police officer Joshua Hartfield appearing at the Rankin County Circuit Court in Brandon, Miss., Aug. 14, 2023. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

Following the federal sentencing last month, Bailey said in a statement to WAPT that "Violations of established rules and regulations will not be tolerated by this department, and anyone who violates the law will be brought to justice."

"As the duly elected and acting Sheriff of Rankin County, I will remain committed to the betterment of this county and this sheriff's department moving forward," he added. "Together with the honest, hard-working men and women currently with this department, we will strive daily to make this community a safer and more secure place to live for everyone."

The Department of Justice launched an investigation into the incident in February 2023, along with the FBI, amid outrage from the community and as attorneys for Jenkins and Parker filed a notice of claim for a $400 million federal lawsuit.

When asked about the status of the lawsuit, Shabazz told ABC News in March that the lawsuit is still in court and they are "fighting."

In an October 2023 response to the complaint obtained by ABC News, the officers denied the allegations alleged in the lawsuit.

6 former Mississippi police officers sentenced on state charges in torture of Black men originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Bakersfield, California, product Kevin McCarthy may no longer be in the House speakers chair, but the traits that got him there  and arguably also resulted in him being the first speaker ever ousted  remained on display Tuesday night.

In an hour-plus talk before a Georgetown University student audience six months after he was unceremoniously stripped of the Houses top job, McCarthy was by turns charming, a tad bitter, and still eager to challenge critical questions with a handy dose of whataboutism.

The talk, entitled How Strong Is Our Democracy, allowed questions only from Georgetown students, not members of the press.

And the students had some good ones: In one of the most direct challenges, a student asked McCarthy if he had turned his back on democracy by rehabilitating former president Donald Trump, infamously taking a photo with him at Mar-A-Lago only weeks after he had publicly blamed him for the Jan. 6 sacking of the U.S. Capitol and saying Trump should lead the party.

Once applause for the questioner died down, McCarthy said he had to challenge the premise. If I let your question stand and just answer it the way it was, then people would think what you said was true, he said.

Did I go to Mar-a-Lago? Yeah. But I didnt say that at Mar-a-Lago, or that basis, right? So thats not true, McCarthy said.

He said Trump has asked him to visit while McCarthy was in the area for a fundraiser. He agreed to drop by, he said, without telling anyone else it was happening.

Thirty minutes later, The New York Times has it. I thought I was going to go by and no one was going to know about it, he said. Trump asked him if McCarthy or his staff had leaked it, and McCarthy said no. He asked, McCarthy said, if he thought Trumps staff had leaked it. McCarthy said no.

Who do you think leaked it? he said Trump asked. You, McCarthy replied.

And he looks at me, and he goes, Well, its good for both of us, you know.



At another point, McCarthy was pressed by the moderator on McCarthys equating Democratic challenges to the elections of Republican presidents and the one he supported by voting on the House floor against certification with President Joe Bidens election in 2020.

McCarthy said the key difference was the number of electoral votes Republicans challenged on Trumps behalf was not actually enough to overturn the election.

Challenging something doesnt mean youre overturning something. A challenge is a challenge, he said. A challenge is, Is there something wrong here? Can you answer the question?

McCarthy also blamed fellow former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for politicizing so much during her final tenure from 2019 to 2023, including, he said, the reaction of the House sergeant-at-arms, who is partially in charge of security for the Capitol, to Jan. 6.

McCarthy said he did not talk to the sergeant-at-arms until two days after the Jan. 6 insurrection, despite having been pulled out of his office by officers when the attack began.

She made the policing of the Capitol be political, he said.

As for whether Trump is a danger to democracy, a critique Democrats and others make in the wake of Jan. 6 and Trumps comments about suspending the U.S. Constitution and being a dictator on his first day of a second term, McCarthy turned that back around, as well.

Is it a threat to democracy if you keep somebody off the ballot? Just because you dont like them? he asked, clearly referring to the attempts by some Democrats and legal scholars to keep Trump off the ballot because of the insurrection.

(The U.S. Supreme Court said Colorado could not enforce a provision in the Constitution prohibiting people who had tried to overthrow the government off the states presidential primary ballot after Trumps candidacy was questioned.)

But McCarthy also showed a softer side. He blamed the proliferation of news outlets for the rising tribalism in American institutions, including politics.

We dont have two parties in Congress. I think weve got like five or six different kinds of parties, he said. And if I just had my own party that had eight people not in it, Id still be speaker.

He was referencing the eight House Republicans, who, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), voted with all Democrats for McCarthys ouster in October. McCarthy blamed his ouster on a personal vendetta by Gaetz, something Gaetz has denied.

That McCarthy had not forgotten, much less forgiven, the circumstances of his forced exit was clear.

Let me give you the truth about that. And Ill give you the truth why Im not speaker: because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old, McCarthy said.

He quickly seemed to back down, adding: Did he do it or not? I dont know.

Near the end, when it was apparent the number of students wanting to ask questions outweighed the time left for the talk, McCarthy offered to stay longer. It was an unsurprising overture from a man who often stopped taking reporters questions in the Capitols hallways so he could stop and take a picture with random visiting tourists.

Ill stay a little longer if they keep asking, McCarthy said. I dont have a job anymore.

Related...
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA)  Over a dozen Federal Aviation Administration workers in orange ATC-lettered T-shirts stare into the air in a 360-degree room more than 100 feet above ground.

Some of them are using binoculars. Some are assigned to look out the north side of the tower. Others look out of the south.

SUN n FUN Aerospace Expo: What you need to know

All of them are relaying information to a single person who then provides instructions to the thousands of pilots flying in and out of Lakeland Linder International Airport during the six-day Sun n Fun Aerospace Expo.

Two planes fly over Lakeland Linder Intl Airport during Sun n Fun Wednesday

Theyre calling out high wing, low wing, color of the aircraft, assistant director at Lakeland Linder International Airport Adam Lunn said.

And say rock your wings. Theyll look to verify that the pilot acknowledges by rocking their wings, and then theyll tell them either to proceed into the airport and land, or they may have them turn out and restart the approach procedure again.

Lunn said 60 air traffic controllers from the FAA have been brought in from all over the country, including from California and Alaska, to work Sun n Fun this week.

Hundreds of thousands of people visit Lakeland for the event, which is celebrating its 50th year.

Months before the event, pilots are given a Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAM, with specific instructions on how to take off and land for the massive event.

Florida man assaults real estate agent ahead of open house, deputies say

It runs very smoothly. Its like clockwork, said Jeff Linebaugh, a pilot who flew his P-51

Mustang during Wednesday afternoons air show. We all study and look at the traffic patterns, the flows, who were going to talk to, and it makes it very easy.

That way everybodys on the same page. You have to perform these key details in order to be safe. You cant just come whizzing in, said Aaron Brook, who flew to Lakeland from Oregon.

Even Amazons air operations are worked into the air traffic control plan.

We coordinate both with the carriers that fly for Amazon as well as the FAA months in advance to make sure we have schedules aligned and that we build in specific windows for the aircraft to come in and out during the show, said Lunn.

With thousands of takeoffs and landings this week, Lakeland Linder International Airport has become one of, if not the, busiest airports in the world.

The dozens of air traffic controllers will continue keeping track of every plane through Sunday, the last day of the event.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
8 students arrested in 1 day as fights break out at Newark High. What's happening?

Eight students have been charged following multiple fights that occurred at Newark High School on Tuesday, according to police. And police are still expecting additional arrests in the coming days.

One fight alone involved more than 15 students. It took well over a dozen officers to resolve the situation, police said, only to see more altercations break out. At least two officers, one of which was hit with pepper spray, received minor injuries as they tried to break up the fights, while no student injuries were reported.

Newark High and other Christina School District schools were off Wednesday, but district officials said they would refrain from commenting on ongoing investigations. However, a spokesperson noted any students involved will face appropriate disciplinary and legal consequences. Delaware's largest teachers union, the Delaware State Education Association, declined to have members speak on the subject Wednesday "due to the nature" of the event.

These high-volume arrests on one high school campus fall into a concerning pattern for schools.

Back in 2018, a freshman looks over his class schedule in the hallway as the freshmen class at Newark High School get tours of their new school before the upperclassmen join them.

Arrests on school property were already up nearly 43% in 2023-2024 data in mid-March, when compared with data in 2018-2019 from Delaware State Police. Since 2020, the top offense in those arrests has been marijuana possession. With over 330 arrests so far, it must be noted the data is not limited to students, the school day or the standard school year.

Educators say they are battling challenging student behavior overall since pandemic shutdown.

Nationwide, the National Center for Education Statistics cites a 56% increase in classroom disruptions from student misconduct within the 2021-2022 school year, while rowdiness outside of the classroom grew by 48%.

In Delaware last school year, there were about seven suspensions for every 50 kids. Out-of-school suspensions alone were up 7.7% from pre-pandemic figures, though the most recent Delaware school discipline data ends in 2023. That data continues to show disproportionate discipline faced by students of color. In Christina, suspensions have climbed since reopening, but figures have actually remained slightly lower overall in 2023 compared to 2019.

Just last month, state lawmakers created a Student Behavior and School Climate Task Force, as described in legislation led by Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend.

The new group owes the state its recommendations by this fall.

Student fights in Delaware: Teachers are battling poor student behavior post-COVID. Lawmakers strain for answers

Big fight breaks out into smaller fights in Newark

Newark Police Department

The large fight involving more than 15 students broke out shortly before 1 p.m., according to Newark Police Lt. Andrew Rubin.

As officers and school staff attempted to stop the initial fight, multiple smaller fights errupted in hallways nearby, resulting in school resource officers requesting additional police to assist.

More than a dozen Newark officers, along with multiple officers from the University of Delaware, Christina School District constables and school staff, were required to bring order in the school, Rubin said.

One Christina school board member said he learned of the incident from media reports.

"I've been tossing and turning ever since I found out about this," Naveed Baqir said. "And you know the crazy part? As a board member, I have not received a single notification that something happened in the school."

Baqir said the issue of fights in schools throughout the district isn't new. The board member and other district stakeholders have even begun workshops on these challenges, but solutions have not been fast-coming. He plans to speak on this at the next board meeting April 16.

"The only answers I get: 'This is a nationwide problem.' 'This is a statewide problem.' 'Every school deals with it,'" Baqir said. "OK, you know, sure. But what are we going to do about it?"

Back in Newark High, after order was restored Tuesday, Rubin said police arrested six students in connection with the initial fight. One of the students resisted arrest, but was eventually taken into custody.

The students  three boys and three girls, all between the ages of 14 and 16  were each charged with disorderly conduct. One of the boys was also charged with resisting arrest.

All of the students were released to a guardian to appear in Family Court at a later date. Rubin said none of the students was injured, though one officer suffered a minor injury that did not require medical attention.

City police plan to have additional personnel present throughout the day Thursday, as students return to school.

More on the data: Some Delaware students are suspended far more than others. How schools are addressing this

Pepper spray fires as school lets out

Several fights broke out at Newark High School on Tuesday.

As school was being dismissed, Rubin said another fight broke out.

During this incident, a police officer stepped in as a 14-year-old girl tried to pepper spray another girl. The officer was instead struck by the pepper spray.

The 14-year-old girl was taken into custody and charged with offensive touching of a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct. A 15-year-old girl was also arrested and charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Both girls were released to a guardian to appear in Family Court at a later date. The officer who was pepper sprayed did not require medical attention.

Tuesday's incidents remain under investigation and additional arrests are expected in the coming days, Rubin said.

Got a story? Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com, and reach Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 8 students arrested in 1 day as fights break out at Newark High
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  An 82-year-old pilot was injured after a small plane flipped during takeoff at the Clarence Aerodrome on Wednesday afternoon, according to New York State Police.

Police said that the single-engine plane was taking off when the front tire sank in the mud, causing the plane to flip upside down. The runway at the aerodrome, located on Transit Road in Amherst, is all grass.

First responders assisted in getting the pilot out. The pilot was transported to ECMC to be treated for minor injuries.

The incident is still under investigation.

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.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 10, 2024 / Minteo, the Latin American startup that raised a $4.3M USD investment from institutional investors in 2022 to build blockchain-based infrastructure across LATAM, has announced the release of COPM, the first stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the Colombian peso and backed by audited financial reserves in regulated financial entities. There are already over 100,000 Colombians using COPM via Littio.





This is one of several economies where the company is launching, with plans for operations in Mexico, Chile, and Peru all underway; as the company builds a "settlement layer for LATAM" to enhance cross-border trade in the region and connect LATAM to other G7 currencies on-chain.

Santiago Rodriguez, CEO and Co-Founder of Minteo, explains that to develop a more robust blockchain ecosystem with real-world use cases, local stablecoins are essential: "It's almost impossible for the real economy to operate on highly volatile cryptocurrencies. Dollar-based stablecoins like USDC are useful as products for saving and investment, but in LATAM people and businesses use their local currency for day-to-day transactions. We believe that our stablecoins will enable local payments, remittances, RWA tokenization and advanced financial products to be built on-chain."

Transparency is the key pillar behind stablecoin adoption and consumer trust, and this is something that Minteo is highly aware of and relishes. "COPM is a fully-reserved stablecoin via cash deposits in regulated banks. For each stablecoin in circulation, there is always a peso safeguarded in a bank that is supervised by the Colombian government agency responsible for overseeing financial regulation and market systems in the country," explains Minteo's CEO. Minteo also works with BDO, one of the world's largest auditing firms, to provide monthly attestation reports.

The team behind Minteo brings over a decade of experience building financial infrastructure and technology startups in Latin America. This includes founding companies like Vlipco, the company behind payments' gateway Wompi, acquired by Bancolombia, and Easy Taxi, one of the largest cab-hailing apps, acquired by Cabify.

"Our team has significant experience building these new types of complex products, and we take the responsibility of building new technology in the financial services industry very seriously. We are building our stablecoins with all the best industry practices regarding security, compliance, risk management, and user experience," added William Duran, Co-Founder at Minteo.

Story continues

Minteo's stablecoins have benefits applicable to any industry and for any type of financial operation. In the fintech sector, it offers high transactional speed, and 24/7 availability: as it also works on weekends and holidays, surpassing the traditional limitations of banking institutions and mitigating currency risks. For e-commerce, it facilitates instant pay-outs, and allows instant swaps with other on-chain currencies. For remittances, it offers low transactional costs and nearly immediate availability, eliminating many third-party fees and brokers.

"I'm excited for what products people will build on top of our stablecoins. I can imagine there will be lending, cross-border, payments, and derivatives startups who will all benefit from having compliant and secure currencies on-chain," added William.

Contact Information:

William Duran

press@minteo.com

Carolina Calkins

carolina@calkinspr.com

SOURCE: Minteo

.

View the original press release on newswire.com.
9-year-old, baby fly out of SUV on freeway in moms deadly rampage, California cops say

A woman is accused of abandoning her two children on a freeway, where one died, in part of a deadly rampage that began miles away, California police say.

Los Angeles police said they got a call about a homicide at a Woodland Hills apartment shortly after 7:30 a.m. Monday, April 8, according to an April 9 news release.

Richard Berglund told KNBC that he stumbled upon the gruesome scene at the unit neighboring his.

I went outside of our unit, and I saw blood on the floor, Berglund told the outlet. I started calling in there and said, Hello? Hello? Is anybody there? And nobody answered.

He told KNBC he stepped inside the apartment.

I saw two legs that were on the floor, so I called 911 and said, Something bad has happened here, Berglund told the outlet.

About four hours earlier, a 34-year-old woman and Jaelen Chaney, 29, got into an argument at the apartment they shared with her two children, ages 9 and 8 months, police said. McClatchy News is not identifying the woman to protect the identities of her children.

The argument turned violent, and the woman is accused of stabbing Chaney, according to police.

Chaney died from his injuries on scene, where a knife with DNA evidence was found, police said.

After the stabbing, police said the woman fled with her two children inside her dark-colored Porsche SUV.

Then, about an hour later, police said witnesses saw two children expelled from the SUV driving on the 405 Freeway near Culver City.

The infant died at the scene, while the 9-year-old was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries, according to police.

At about 5 a.m., police said the woman drove her SUV more than 100 miles per hour down Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach, then crashed into a tree.

She was pronounced dead on scene, according to a Redondo Beach Police Department news release.

Police are calling the incident a double murder-suicide.

Mom punishes 7-year-old by making him walk home, then she runs him over, AL cops say

Mom locks 6-year-old son out of car, then hes killed trying to get in, CA cops say

Mom takes videos of child beating sibling with belt, Florida cops say. Hit hard, baby
Abcarian: California workers, does your boss bug you after hours and on weekends? This bill is for you

Assemblyman Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) has introduced a bill that would allow workers to disconnect from their jobs after hours. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Matt Haney, the Democratic assemblyman from San Francisco, has a text thread with a group of childhood friends. One works in biotech/bioscience, one in film media and one has a job in the fitness industry.

Earlier this year, Haney told me, one of them shared a link to a story about a new law in Australia that gives workers the right to disconnect, that is, to avoid answering most pesky texts, emails and phone calls from bosses once the workday ends.

My friends all starting chiming in about how they feel that work/life balance is awful and people dont get any time where they can switch off, Haney, 41, said Monday. Especially since the pandemic, I think this has gotten a lot worse. More people doing remote work has further blurred the lines of when people are on and off work.

Just imagine: You end your workday at 6 p.m. and when the boss Slacks you at 8 p.m., you ignore them. Or youre enjoying your leisure time on Saturday morning, and when the boss texts, you ignore them. The beauty part? Unless its about scheduling, or an actual work emergency, your boss cant do a damn thing about it.

Crazy idea, right?

Not really. It turns out its not just Australians who are enshrining in law the idea of a better work/life balance. At least a dozen other countries have enacted similar practices, including Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Spain and Portugal. In France, they call it le droit a la deconnexion. In the U.K., the Labor Party has embraced the right to switch off or the right to rest as part of its New Deal for Working People. In 2022, Ontario became the first Canadian province to give workers the right to disconnect.

Work has changed drastically compared to what it was just 10 years ago, Haney said in a statement announcing Assembly Bill 2751 on April 1. Smartphones have blurred the boundaries between work and home life. Workers shouldnt be punished for not being available 24/7 if theyre not being paid for 24 hours of work. People have to be able to spend time with their families without being constantly interrupted at the dinner table or their kids birthday party, worried about their phones and responding to work.

Read more: Abcarian: The boomer versus millennial grudge match is silly

His bill, which will be aired in the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee in the coming weeks, would require a public or private employer to establish a workplace policy that provides employees the right to disconnect from communications from the employer during nonworking hours, except as specified. Employment contracts would have to clearly outline working and nonworking hours.

It would not apply to workers who have collective bargaining agreements.

Companies who routinely violate the law could face fines, Haney said, but the main idea is to let employees know what to expect from their work. Terms can be subject to negotiation. For example, Haney said, Some people would like to disconnect between 7 and 10 p.m., and after their kids are asleep they are fine to be connected to.

The increasingly blurry lines between work and leisure time are not a new problem in our digitized, overly connected world. Academic journals abound with pieces about the negative effects of the 24/7 workplace. Even before the pandemic, which shifted work practices for millions of people starting in 2020, the issue was a hot topic.

Read more: Abcarian: I wanted to hate what UC Berkeley parents are doing in the name of safety, but I can't

In 2016, a study led by a researcher at Lehigh University found a link between organizational after-hours email expectations, i.e. anticipatory stress and emotional exhaustion. The results, it said, suggest that modern workplace technologies may be hurting the very employees that those technologies were designed to help.

In a 2019 article for the Notre Dame Journal of International and Comparative Law, labor attorney and former Marquette University law professor Paul Secunda wrote that work is being done not only at home, but in transit and on vacation. The result has been loss of privacy and autonomy, causing a detrimental impact on safety and health, an attendant loss of productivity, and a lack of time for any leisure or recreational activities alone or with family and friends. Employees need to unplug to regain appropriate work-life balance.

Some have pointed out to Haney that legislators are some of the worst offenders when it comes to after-hours demands on employees. In its headline on Haneys bill, Politico joked, The call is coming from inside the House.

Haney gets that. He co-authored a bill that would let California legislative staffers unionize, which is expected to happen in the next year or so, and he has modified his own expectations about his staff. Since writing the bill, he told the New York Times, he has tried to refrain from calling employees after hours and on weekends.

Read more: Abcarian: Flamin' Hot Cheetos and iPhones are ruining my kid and yours

Unless its an emergency, he said. Ive become a lot more cognizant of that.

Naturally, business groups are not wild about Haneys proposal. The California Chamber of Commerce opposes it, particularly for so-called exempt employees who are salaried and are not covered by laws governing overtime and mandatory breaks.

Conservative outlets like Fox News and the Wall Street Journal have pounced: Progressive ideas that originate in Sacramento have a habit of becoming mainstream in the Democratic Party, opined the Journal. Too bad theres no way for the rest of the country to disconnect from Californias unreal politics.

To which Haney replies: Isnt time with family among the most fundamental of American values? This is a very conservative idea in many ways. You go home and you sit down with your family and your phone keeps pinging? Thats not the American dream.

Indeed. For many workers, the infamous knock brush noise announcing the arrival of a new Slack message after hours is more like the stuff of nightmares. Haney's bill would offer workers some much needed, if metaphorical, earmuffs.

@robinkabcarian

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This will be the abortion election, and Republicans are bracing for voter retribution

Democrats and abortion rights advocates gathered outside the Arizona Capitol on April 9, 2024, shortly after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that an 1864 near-total abortion ban is enforceable. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror

It didnt take long for the panic to set in among Republicans after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday morning to ban virtually every abortion in the Grand Canyon State.

Suddenly, some of those who proudly declared their anti-abortion bonafides when it was purely theoretical were staring down a reality that wasnt so clear cut  and is politically disastrous.

Within an hour, one of the top Republicans in the state Senate was publicly saying the court got it wrong and lawmakers needed to work quickly to repeal the Civil War-era ban that the justices said is now the law of the land.

Minutes later, another GOP lawmaker  this one in a hotly contested swing district  declared that the decision cannot stand and that legislators should be looking for ways to empower these women  not take them back in time.

Then there was the Republican legislator whose husband is a Supreme Court justice who voted to uphold the 1864 abortion ban. Less than three hours after the ruling, this pro-life lawmaker who cheered on the U.S. Supreme Court stripping abortion rights away from American women after nearly 50 years (and urged the court to do so) said that Arizona should swiftly repeal the territorial ban and allow abortion up to 15 weeks.

Suddenly, these supposedly anti-abortion Republicans see value in modernizing Arizonas abortion laws. What they really mean is that they clearly see just how politically disastrous the state Supreme Courts ruling is.

Ironically, the anti-abortion zealots who brought this case and convinced the court to enact a law from 1864  a time when doctors didnt believe in washing their hands but did believe that the body contained four humors that needed to be balanced for good health  may have just done more to ensure the protection of abortion rights in Arizona than pro-choice activists ever have.

Its almost certain that voters in November will get to decide whether to enshrine access to abortion as a right in the Arizona Constitution. That campaign already seemed to have a good chance to succeed, given the strong voter support for similar measures in states like Kansas and Ohio, both of which are decidedly more Republican than Arizona.

After Tuesdays ruling, it seems almost impossible to imagine a scenario in which that constitutional amendment is rejected.

The result of the decision is to give voters a binary choice: A total ban or abortion up to 24 week, said Chris Baker, a Scottsdale GOP political consultant. Most voters will not vote in favor of a ban. Weve seen that in other states already.

This decision is the best possible thing that could have happened to the ballot initiative.

Republicans who proudly declared their anti-abortion bonafides when it was purely theoretical are staring down a reality that isn't so clear cut  and is politically disastrous.

Abortion rights were already top of mind for Democrats as they plan their most concerted effort ever to wrest control of the legislature from Republicans, who have controlled it almost exclusively for about 60 years. Now, they smell blood in the water.

You better believe that were going to make sure that voters know abortion is on the ballot, and that Democratic majorities will protect abortion rights in Arizona, said Samantha Paisley, the national press secretary for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee.

When SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, it was a watershed moment for Democratic campaign efforts, Paisley said. The result has been Democrats winning control of legislative chambers and governors offices across the country. In many cases, reproductive rights and abortion are are the center of those campaigns.

Were seeing the power of abortion at the ballot. It will be a compelling case for Arizona voters, she said. Abortion is on the ballot, and Arizona is the most important battleground in 2024.

Republican campaign consultant Barrett Marson said Republicans are potentially walking into a buzzsaw on abortion, and largely will lose the ability to focus on favorable issues, like the economy and border security, because of Tuesdays ruling.

This will now be a one-issue campaign. This will be an election about abortion rights, and thats not where Republicans want to be, he said.

While Democrats still face an uphill climb to win majorities in Arizonas legislature  Republicans hold a one-seat advantage in each chamber  Democratic campaign consultant Tony Cani said Tuesdays ruling means abortion will remain a legitimate problem for Republicans up and down the ballot in November.

Republicans are not going to be able to hide from this issue, he said.

Before today, there was a small chance at least one would flip. Now, its likely one chamber will flip, and possible both will.

 Barrett Marson, GOP campaign strategist

That is particularly true for those Republicans who were in office in 2022 and voted for the 15-week ban that the Arizona Supreme Court effectively nullified on Tuesday, citing a legislative intent portion of the measure that declared lawmakers didnt want the restriction to repeal the 1864 abortion ban. That ban couldnt be enforced at the time, but just a few months later, SCOTUS overturned Roe, putting that dormant law back in play.

Its clear that those who voted for this 15-week ban, this was the intention, Cani said of the revival of the Civil War law. And voters wont like it when Republicans try to lie and say it wasnt.

Just how important the ruling will be on who wins in November will come down to how aggressively Democrats campaign on the issue, Cani said. The voters who will be most motivated by the ruling are exactly the voters Democrats have to target in the election.

Marson said those new voters motivated by the abortion ban  many of whom will be young or first-time voters  will turn out in record numbers and will boost Democrats up and down the ballot. And he expects Democrats will largely succeed in convincing them to boost their candidates, which in turn will expand the map in the effort to change who controls the legislature.

If Im a betting man, Id say the odds of Democrats flipping control of at least the (state) House or the Senate, or both, just got much better, he said. Before today, there was a small chance at least one would flip. Now, its likely one chamber will flip, and possible both will.

Whether that happens will come down to how effective campaign and candidate messaging is. But its clear, Marson said, that Democrats are in the catbird seat.

Id much rather be a Democrat on this ballot than a Republican, he said.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post This will be the abortion election, and Republicans are bracing for voter retribution appeared first on Arizona Mirror.
Right to abortion unlikely to be enshrined in Maine Constitution after vote falls short

FILE - Participants in the annual anti-abortion rally surround the state house in Augusta, Maine, Jan. 14, 2012. An effort to amend the Maine Constitution to enshrine the right to an abortion is coming up short. The measure fell shy of a two-thirds majority in the Maine House Tuesday, April 9, 2024 failing to clear the hurdle for sending the amendment to voters for ratification. (AP Photo/Joel Page, File)

An effort to enshrine the right to abortion in the Maine Constitution appears to have failed after a vote to send the proposal to voters for ratification fell short in the House.

Hours after a court ruling set the stage for a near-total ban on abortions in Arizona, the Maine House voted 75-65 Tuesday night in favor of the amendment  but it fell short of the necessary two-thirds majority.

For a constitutional amendment to pass in Maine, both chambers of the legislature have to approve it by a two-thirds majority, then voters have the final say at the ballot box. The Maine Senate delayed a final vote Wednesday by setting the measure aside, pending a review of what it would cost. But without House approval, it is effectively dead.

Maine already has one of the nations least restrictive abortion laws. The amendment was an effort to head off any future legislative debate on the issue.

Republicans described the proposal as political theater because the outcome was a forgone conclusion. But the roll call ensures lawmakers' votes will be on record, which could have consequences in an election year, amendment supporters said.

Last nights vote was infuriating and shameful, but it will galvanize Mainers from all corners of the state," Lisa Margulies, from the Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, said Wednesday morning, chastising lawmakers for not letting voters have the final word at the ballot box. Now we know where every elected official in the House stands on reproductive rights.

The vote came after the Arizona Supreme Court gave the go-ahead to enforce a long-dormant law that bans nearly all abortions. The law, which predates Arizonas statehood, provides no exceptions for rape or incest and allows abortions only if the mothers life is in jeopardy.

Maine was one of more than a dozen states considering ballot measures dealing with abortion for this year or for 2026. Amendments are currently on the November ballot in Florida, Maryland and New York.

Abortion questions have appeared on statewide ballots seven times since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. In each case, the side backed by abortion-rights advocates prevailed  even in conservative states such as Kansas and Kentucky and swing states such as Michigan and Ohio.

Maine's Democratic-controlled Legislature last year approved a law that allows abortions at any time if deemed medically necessary by a doctor. Maines previous law, adopted in 1993, made abortions legal until a fetus becomes viable outside the womb, at roughly 26 to 28 weeks.

___

Associated Press reporter Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed to this report.
Reproductive rights advocates gather on the steps of the Arizona Supreme Court to speak out against a near-total abortion ban from 1864 being considered by the judges on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. The ban includes no exceptions for rape or incest and allows only abortions performed to save the patients life. (Photo by Gloria Rebecca Gomez | Arizona Mirror)

The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled to make abortion largely illegal in the Grand Canyon State, reinstating a 160-year-old law that forbids all procedures except those to save a womans life.

Justice John R. Lopez IV, writing for the court in a 4-2 split decision, said that a 2022 law allowing abortions up to 15 weeks of gestation depended on the existence of a federal constitutional right to abortion. And since the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated that right in the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling two years ago, that law cant overrule one first passed in 1864, when Arizona was a territory.

Absent the federal constitutional abortion right, and because (the 15-week abortion law) does not independently authorize abortion, there is no provision in federal or state law prohibiting (the 1864 laws) operation. Accordingly, (the 1864 law) is now enforceable, Lopez wrote.

And that means abortions are illegal in every case except to save a womans life.

In light of this Opinion, physicians are now on notice that all abortions, except those necessary to save a womans life, are illegal, Lopez wrote.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes called the ruling unconscionable and and affront to freedom.

Make no mistake, by effectively striking down a law passed this century and replacing it with one from 160 years ago, the Court has risked the health and lives of Arizonans, Mayes said in a written statement. Todays decision to reimpose a law from a time when Arizona wasnt a state, the Civil War was raging, and women couldnt even vote will go down in history as a stain on our state.

The ban will go into effect in 59 days.

Anti-abortion groups celebrated the ruling. Cathi Herrod, president of Center for Arizona Policy, which backed the 15-week law while it was moving through the legislature and is behind many of Arizonas abortion regulations, said that the high court ruled with an eye toward a neutral interpretation of the law, and not to advance partisan priorities.

Todays decision preserves a system designed to be blind to all but the law, and in doing so, it upholds the right of life for all Arizonans.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Arizona governor responds

In a post on social media site X, formerly Twitter, Gov. Katie Hobbs sounded the alarm over the decision and vowed to continue working to protect access to abortion.

It is a dark day in Arizona, she wrote. We are just fourteen days away from one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country. But my message to Arizona women is this: I wont rest, and I wont stop fighting until we have secured the right to abortion.

Gov. Katie Hobbs on April 9, 2024, at a press briefing reacting to the Arizona Supreme Courts ruling that an 1864 near-total abortion ban is enforceable. (Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror)

During a news conference held shortly after the ruling was released, the Democrat called on the Republican-led legislature to repeal the 1864 law, saying it was the right thing to do. Two attempts this year to do just that stagnated in the legislature, where the GOP-majority has the power to decide which bills get heard.

But it seems unlikely that Republicans will respond to the renewed request. House Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen filed an amicus brief in the case advocating for the reinstatement of the Civil War-era law, saying that lawmakers never intended to supersede the ban when they passed the 15-week law.

If Republican lawmakers wont act, Hobbs said, then Arizona voters can in November, when an abortion access amendment is expected to make it onto the ballot.

To the people across Arizona who are concerned about the future of abortion rights in our state, who are worried about their bodily autonomy, who dont want to see the freedom of their wives, sisters and daughters restricted, you can make your concerns known at the ballot box, she said.

Reproductive rights advocates are concerned that a return to a near-total ban will result in uneven health care access for women, as those who can afford to leave the state to seek abortions elsewhere will do so and women who cant shoulder the cost will be forced to continue carrying unwanted or dangerous pregnancies. Morgan Finkelstein, who in 2020 was forced to travel to California because of Arizonas limited abortion providers to receive a selective reduction when one of her twins developed a critical heart defect, said that the experience was traumatic and should not have to be endured by anyone.

Hobbs told reporters that, while she expects abortion advocacy groups to help women access the health care they need, she is open to discussing ways to support that effort with other governors, including Californias Gavin Newsom.

Hobbs highlighted her executive order that concentrates prosecutorial authority for abortion law violations in Mayes office as the most effective strategy to prevent the criminalization of doctors by overzealous prosecutors. And while some county attorneys have signaled an interest in challenging that executive order in court, Hobbs said she is confident in the orders legal basis.

Bring it on, she said. I would not have issued the executive order if I didnt think it was legally sound.

Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick, medical director of Camelback Family Planning, one of a handful of private abortion clinics in the Valley, told the Arizona Mirror that shes committed to keeping her doors open for the entire 59 days that the ruling is paused.

It is business as usual, and health care as usual, and we will try to see as many people as we can, she said.

But Goodrick, who has practiced in Arizona for more than 20 years, said shes confident the November election will bring change, as voters flock to the polls in response to the extremist ruling.

The background

The dilemma arose in the summer of 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to abortion and sent the power to regulate the procedure back to the states. Then-Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich went to court to reinstate the 1864 abortion ban, and convinced a trial court judge that the Civil War-era law should be enforced instead of the 15-week ban passed just months earlier.

The consequences for reproductive health care in Arizona were instantaneous: An uncertain legal landscape led the majority of the states nine abortion clinics to provide intermittent services for months. The 1864 law carries with it a 2- to 5-year mandatory prison sentence for doctors who perform abortions for any reason other than saving a patients life, and the 2022 law punishes doctors with a class 6 felony and a revoked license.

Women were cut off from potentially life-saving care as the abortion rate saw record lows that year. Whereas abortions in Arizona have consistently exceeded 13,000 since 2011, in 2022 that number plummeted to just 11,407 procedures.

With two conflicting statutes on the books, uncertain doctors shutting their doors rather than risk prison time, and state officials vying over which ban to implement, Arizona courts were tasked with figuring out how to make the laws coexist.

Proponents of the near-total ban argued that the 2022 law included a provision that stated it wasnt meant to repeal any laws that came before it, signifying that the 1864 law should reign supreme. But reproductive rights advocates pushed back, pointing out that if the 1864 law wasnt overruled by the 15-week law based on that interpretation, then neither were the numerous abortion law restrictions enacted in Arizona in the 50 years since Roe v. Wade was decided. And keeping in place laws that mandate an ultrasound, a 24-hour waiting period and an informational consultation, among other requirements, meant that abortion must be preserved to some extent.

The near-total ban was brought back into play by a Pima County judge who nullified an injunction holding it at bay that was erected in 1973, under the auspices of Roe.

But the Arizona Court of Appeals later ruled that the 15-week ban should supersede its predecessor, with the judges noting that if the GOP-majority legislature had intended to completely outlaw abortion, it should have been done so explicitly instead of passing what amounted to a gestational limit.

Less than two months later, Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-abortion legal firm, filed an appeal with the Arizona Supreme Court on behalf of Dr. Eric Hazelrigg, the medical director of a chain of Valley-wide anti-abortion pregnancy centers. Hazelrigg was admitted into the case to fill the role of guardian ad litem, representing the interests of the unborn in Arizona. The position was added in 1973 when the near-total ban was first challenged.

In a December hearing, Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Jake Warner urged the justices to reverse the appellate courts decision, saying that the lower court erred when it ruled to permit elective abortions up to 15 weeks under the 2022 law.

Warner argued that both the 1864 near-total ban and the 15-week gestational ban outlaw all but the most life-threatening procedures. Instead, the way to harmonize the two laws is by allowing the exception baked into the 15-week law for immediately life-threatening situations to modify the requirements of the 1864 law, he said.

Until 15 weeks, Warner explained, all abortions would be prohibited unless the mothers life is in danger, as the 1864 law mandates. After the 15-week point, the threshold for obtaining an abortion would be raised, so that only immediately life-threatening emergencies would merit a procedure. A cancer patient, Warner said, is facing a life-threatening situation, but not an immediately dangerous prognosis, and so they would not be permitted to obtain an abortion to begin treatment.

In a written statement issued after the Arizona Supreme Courts ruling on Tuesday, Warner called the decision a win for the right to life.

Life is a human right, and todays decision allows the state to respect that right and fully protect life again  just as the legislature intended, he said.

Planned Parenthood Arizona attorney Andy Gaona, meanwhile, rebutted that if the Arizona legislature truly meant to outlaw virtually all abortions, it should have made its intention clearer. GOP lawmakers in Arizona modeled the states 15-week ban after the Mississippi law in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, under the assumption that the U.S. Supreme Court would uphold that law and the Arizona copy could stand.

But Arizona lawmakers left out a key provision from the Mississippi law: a clause which stated that any abortion that complied with Mississippis 15-week law but violated any other abortion law was nonetheless illegal. Gaona pointed to that as proof that Arizona lawmakers never intended to completely ban abortion.

While the courts worked through the legal parameters of abortion in Arizona, the election of pro-choice Democrats to statewide offices two years ago dampened the threat of a state ban to some degree.

Gov. Katie Hobbs, who ran on a promise to protect abortion access, issued an executive order in July concentrating the prosecutorial authority for abortion law violations in the Arizona Attorney Generals office. Doing so preemptively barred any of the states 15 county attorneys from using Arizonas abortion laws to take a doctor to court. At least one county attorney, Yavapais Dennis McGrane, who joined Hazelrigg in advocating for the 1864 law, has indicated an interest in pursuing abortion law violations. AG Kris Mayes, meanwhile, has vowed never to prosecute a single case.

But the legal strength of Hobbs executive order has yet to be tested in court. Shortly after she issued it, county attorneys threatened to mount a legal challenge against it, though none has since materialized.

November 2024: the solution?

Reproductive rights groups are aiming to stave off threats from the court rulings and GOP-backed laws by enshrining abortion access in the state constitution this November. The Arizona Abortion Access Act would guarantee the procedure as a right up to 24 weeks of gestation, in a mirror of the standard in Roe. The act would also include an exception for procedures performed after that time if the doctor considers it necessary to safeguard the life, physical or mental health of their patient.

Because it is a constitutional amendment, the initiative needs to collect 383,923 signatures to qualify for the ballot and be considered by Arizona voters. Earlier this month, the campaign announced it has gathered 500,000 signatures, and it plans to continue collecting more to ensure a buffer against signatures that are eventually thrown out during the verification process.

Organizers for a ballot initiative that would amend the Arizona Constitution to protect abortion rights set up outside the Arizona Capitol on April 9, 2024, shortly after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that an 1864 near-total abortion ban is enforceable. (Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror)

Along with securing enough signatures, supporters of the act must also contend with opposition from the It Goes Too Far Campaign, which is aiming to convince voters that the ballot proposal is too extreme. In an emailed statement, Campaign Manager Leisa Brug said that, despite the Arizona Supreme Courts ruling, the 15-week gestational ban remains the law of the land, and the campaign is focused on ensuring that the effort to enshrine abortion protections doesnt undermine that.

Our campaign is committed to exposing the real impact of the vague language of this amendment, she said, in an emailed statement. Arizonans deserve to know.

Democrats in Arizona and across the country are counting on the abortion issue to mobilize voters and deliver wins for party candidates. Abortion access has proven to be a highly motivating concern, even in red states like Kansas, where a record number of voters showed up to reject a legislatively referred ballot measure that would have given lawmakers the power to eliminate abortion protections, and in Virginia, where voters awarded Democrats a legislative majority to defend against the anti-abortion policies of the states Republican governor.

Vice President Kamala Harris placed the blame for the Arizona Supreme Courts ruling squarely on former President Donald Trump, who is running to recapture the White House. The campaign to reelect President Joe Biden and Harris has sought to underscore Trumps involvement in overturning Roe, and link his presidency to the proliferation of abortion bans across the country.

Arizona just rolled back the clock to a time before women could vote  and, by his own admission, theres one person responsible: Donald Trump, Harris said in an emailed statement. This even more extreme and dangerous ban criminalizes almost all abortion care in the state and puts womens lives at risk. It provides no exceptions for rape, incest, or health. Its a reality because of Donald Trump, who brags about being proudly the person responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade, and made it possible for states to enforce cruel bans.

Trumps appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court bench secured a conservative majority that later struck down the constitutional right to abortion.

In a joint statement, Arizona Democratic Party Chairwoman Yolanda Bejarano and state Senator Eva Burch, who has recently become the face of abortion access in Arizona after sharing the difficulties she faced obtaining an abortion, denounced anti-abortion Republicans and vowed to back reproductive rights efforts in November.

The decision to choose when and how to start a family belongs to each of us as individuals. Donald Trump and extremist Republicans at every level of government have been undermining these rights for years, and we have had enough, the two said in an emailed statement. Arizona Democrats are ready to do whatever it takes to protect the people of Arizona from these out-of-touch extremist policies, and take it to the ballot in November.

Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Abortions are banned in Arizona after the Supreme Court upholds an 1864 law appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
A Gustavus Adolphus College business professor indicted on fraud and money laundering charges last week will remain jailed pending a mental health evaluation, an unusual step in white-collar cases that was prompted by screeds calling for the execution of federal authorities.

A federal magistrate judge on Wednesday ordered James Anthony Kroger, 45, of Cottonwood, Minn., to stay detained after prosecutors drew attention to a couple of writings that he produced and aimed at law enforcement and judicial officials.

In a two-part series dubbed "The Kroger Report"  one of which totaled 1,114 pages  Kroger accused the FBI of trying to kill him with fighter jets and infect him with rabid bats. Most troubling to prosecutors, however, was a lengthy and detailed passage calling for U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger to be publicly executed.

"This isn't a case where we risk the defendant threatening people or we risk him obstructing people," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Melinda Williams. "This is a case where he has already done it. When he says he's going to hurt people, we should believe him."

A federal grand jury indicted Kroger last week on wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud and money laundering charges stemming from allegations that he embezzled $690,000 from a joint real estate venture.

Kroger has been an assistant professor at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, Minn., since January, and previously taught at Bemidji State University and elsewhere in the country. He responded to a Star Tribune request for comment preceding his Friday arrest by sharing both "Kroger Reports," which he said he also sent to the Lyon County Sheriff in Marshall, Minn., and federal law enforcement and judicial officials.

The report includes allegations of misdeeds against the business partner whom prosecutors allege Kroger victimized. It also features selfie photographs of Kroger posing with a statue of a green extraterrestrial holding what appears to be fake firearms.

Luger's office cited those reports as grounds to keep Kroger jailed as his fraud case proceeded, arguing that no conditions of release could ensure the public's safety. Williams on Wednesday said that the government has not yet decided whether to pursue additional charges related to Kroger's statements calling for Luger to be executed.

Writing in the report, Kroger said Luger's "acts of terrorism and capital crime, even high treason, rise to a level that has never before been seen in Minnesota and has rarely been seen in America."

"He should expeditiously face the federal death penalty on multiple charges and counts and if convicted be lethally injected as expeditiously as possible," Kroger wrote. "My personal preference is public hanging, even nationally televised hanging, but lethal injection may now be the only method used."

U.S. Magistrate Judge David Schultz acknowledged Wednesday that the charges filed against Kroger do not alone warrant pretrial detention. But he agreed that Kroger's writings amounted to "strong" evidence of a danger to the public, and he ordered that Kroger undergo a mental health evaluation to determine whether any conditions could be imposed to ensure a safe release from jail as his fraud case continued.

Kroger is accused of embezzling more than $690,000 from a real estate company he helped manage with a business partner based in Scotland. According to the charges, Kroger and the partner, who is not identified in the indictment, set up the company to buy Texas properties sold at auctions for unpaid taxes.

Kroger instead allegedly used the funds on "extravagant personal purchases," laundered money through purchases of gold and silver bullion and vehicles, and filed a fraudulent petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to conceal his scheme.

Jordan Kushner, Kroger's attorney, argued Wednesday that Kroger did not directly threaten anyone and instead took part in "inept" efforts to use the legal process to get compensation for what he believed were crimes committed against him by federal law enforcement officials  including a February 2023 raid on his family's farm property for which he is demanding up to $9 trillion from the government.

"His weapon was his words," Kushner said. "He didn't understand the impact or potential legal impact of what he was saying. I don't see anything in here that warrants additional charges."

Williams said that analysts for the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit reviewed Kroger's writings and determined that he posed a continuing threat, citing the complexity of the fraud he is accused of and his recent history of escalating acts when he has encountered the criminal justice system.

Williams cited Kroger's resume  which includes degrees from the University of Minnesota and University of South Dakota as well as two master of law degrees from Georgetown University  as evidence that he understood the gravity of his words aimed at law enforcement officials, victims and witnesses involved in his case.

"This is far beyond just radical stuff," she said. "This is designed to scare people. This is designed to hurt people."
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) torched his onetime colleague Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday for his characterization of his Mar-a-Lago photo-op with Donald Trump in the weeks after the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack.

During a forum at Georgetown University, an attendee asked the former House speaker if he felt he had turned his back on democracy by helping to rehabilitate Trumps image with that visit to the Florida estate.

McCarthy infamously posed for a photo with the former president at Mar-a-Lago, weeks after saying Trump bore responsibility for the insurrection.

In response to the query, McCarthy claimed that Trump had asked him to visit while he was in Florida for a fundraiser, and he agreed without telling anyone.

Whether I like you or dislike you, if something bad happens in your life, I want to be the first person to call you, he said.

Now you play anything you want into me going to Mar-a-Lago, but I simply got a phone call, and I was down there doing a fundraiser when I come by and see the president, he added.

Kinzinger, one of two Republicans who served on the Jan. 6 committee, was unimpressed by McCarthys portrayal.

Its pathetic, he told CNNs Kaitlan Collins. I mean, look, Im not saying this for sympathy, but during the Jan. 6 stuff, my family and I were getting death threats. Do you know how many times I heard, as a former friend of Kevin McCarthy, from Kevin McCarthy? None! Instead, he called Liz Cheney and I: Pelosi Republicans.

Adam Kinzinger on McCarthy defending his visit to Mar-a-Lago after Jan. 6 as just checking on a friend: My family and I were getting death threats. Do you know how many times I heard, as a former friend of Kevin McCarthys, from Kevin McCarthy? None. pic.twitter.com/7t0OpjXv1K  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) April 10, 2024

McCarthy went to Mar-a-Lago for one reason, Kinzinger said.

He needed to become speaker, and he knew that he didnt have time to take out the MAGA. And if he wanted to win, he needed them, he said. So he went down to enlist the help of Donald Trump for fundraising, which Donald Trump helped him with.

He added, And in that process, it was like a ambulance showing up to a person in cardiac arrest. He took the paddles to Donald Trump and brought him back to political life.

Related...
Adams stops short of calling for deportation of migrants who allegedly hurt cop during shoplifting arrest: This is my position

Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday stopped short of calling for the deportation of two migrants accused of injuring an NYPD officer who was trying to arrest them for shoplifting from an Upper East Side Target.

If you are a repeat offender of a violent act in his city, after you serve your time, you need to leave this city. That is my position, Adams said during his weekly press conference at City Hall when asked about the vicious April 2 attack.

The tepid response stood in stark contrast to the position Hizzoner took less than two months ago  when he called on overhauling the citys controversial sanctuary laws for migrants accused of serious offenses.

Mayor Adams stopped short of calling for the deportation of two migrants who allegedly injured a police office after getting caught shoplifting. Paul Martinka

Adams in February floated changing the current policy to allow local law enforcement to turn migrants over to federal immigration officials if they were suspected of a serious crime.

I want to go back to the standards of the previous mayors who I believe subscribe to my belief that people who are suspected of committing serious crimes in this city should be held accountable, Adams fumed to reporters in City Hall on Feb. 27.

They didnt give due process to the person that they shot or punched or killed, he added.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, no relation to the mayor, immediately shot down even taking up any such proposals.

Yusneiby Machado (left) and Brayan Freites allegedly wrestled with an officer while resisting arrest after allegedly shoplifting in a Manhattan Target. Obtained by NY Post

Any changes to the citys sanctuary laws  which date back to Mayor Ed Koch and were further solidified by Adams immediate predecessor Bill de Blasio  would have to go through the council.

On Tuesday, the mayor played down reports of criminal activity involving migrants, telling reporters that those bad actors only account for a small percentage of the total number of asylum seekers who have come through the city.

Since spring of 2022, nearly 190,000 migrants have come through the Big Apple as part of the crisis.

Adams noted at his press conferences that the citys sanctuary laws dont apply to asylum seekers. Paul Martinka

Adams also stressed that the Big Apples controversial sanctuary policies had no bearing on migrants or asylum seekers in the citys care after being released into the county by federal border authorities.

Sanctuary City is if youre here, and you are undocumented, we are not allowed to turn you over to ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement), were not allowed to deny you services, he told reporters.

Sanctuary city is not for migrants and asylum seekers, they are paroled into the country legally.
Montclair's private attorney issued a subpoena last week, seeking to depose a local activist in connection with discrimination claims filed by the town's finance officer. In response, the plaintiff's attorney has decried the move as a transparent attempt by the township to buoy its defense by falsely implying the CFO leaked confidential documents to the public.

The subpoena seeks to compel Sarah Avery, a vocal critic of the council, to produce a slew of documents related to last year's ransomware attack, annual financial audits dating back to 2017, legal invoices and "confidential" documents, all of which the order alleges were provided to Avery by an unnamed municipal employee.

Avery, who regards herself as "a whistleblower against fraud and corruption"  although she is not a township employee and, therefore, not legally a whistleblower  criticized the council during its March 26 meeting for protecting former Township Manager Timothy Stafford, who has been accused of discriminating against multiple female employees, including CFO Padmaja Rao.

Sarah Avery

During her time at the lectern, she referred to court documents filed in Rao's lawsuit. When her allotted two minutes had passed, Mayor Sean Spiller repeatedly alerted Avery that her time was up, but she did not yield the floor.

Avery punctuated her ongoing allegations of corruption within Town Hall by asking, "How are you going to retaliate against me, Mayor?"

Six days later, the subpoena was issued, and she is scheduled for deposition in the case on April 29.

"To drag a member of the public into [Rao's lawsuit] is just designed to intimidate and chill other members of the public," said Nancy Smith, who represents Rao in the discrimination claim and was retained by Avery after the subpoena was issued.

CFO Padmaja Rao's lawsuit against Montclair

Rao, who has served as chief financial officer since 2015, filed suit against Stafford, and the municipality as an entity in October 2022. In her complaint, Rao alleged a pattern of bullying and abusive behavior against female employees at the hands of Stafford, who served as Montclair's chief executive until his ouster last year.

Furthermore, Rao accuses Stafford and Spiller of shutting her out of multiple duties as CFO in retaliation for her having raised concerns about the former's conduct, potentially falsified certifications signed by multiple council members that permitted them to receive government health benefits, alleged discriminatory practices at the Fire Department, and a supposed culture among the governing body of shielding Stafford from consequence, the complaint said.

Last year, the township's previous defense counsel rebutted Rao's allegations, describing her as unethical, and accused her of using her position to obstruct government affairs, said prior reports by The Record and NorthJersey.com.

On April 3, Smith filed a motion to quash the subpoena, along with certified statements from herself and Avery, both of which accuse the township of trying to silence dissent and using the order to imply Rao had leaked documents to Avery.

"[By] initially denying almost every [request under the Open Public Records Act]  including my own  they probably dont even know what theyve produced," Smith said of township officials. "But they should look it up before they send subpoenas to the public and backhandedly accuse my client of giving confidential information to members of the public, which we categorically deny."

Nancy Erika Smith, the attorney for Padmaja Rao in her whistleblower suit against the town of Montclair and former manager Tim Stafford, addresses the town's outside counsel, Derrick Freijomil, while Judge Stephen Petrillo looks on. Newark's Historic Courthouse, May 26, 2023.

Stefani Schwartz, who currently represents the township in the case and issued the subpoena, did not respond to multiple requests for comment, and no formal responses to Smith's motion appear on the court's website.

In her own signed certification, Avery seconds Smith's allegations that the April 1 subpoena is an attempt to intimidate critics and "interfere with [her] life."

"What role do I play [in the lawsuit] other than being a whistleblower on fraud and corruption?" Avery said during an interview last week. She asserted that all her documents were obtained from Superior Court, the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission and public records requests submitted to the township clerk's office, which she said are logged on the municipality's online OPRA portal.

"Its all there," she said.

A quick search through the portal, which launched in October, returns four dozen requests submitted by Avery between December and March. Anything she requested before the portal was live is recorded in a spreadsheet she uses to track all her OPRA requests, with dates and brief descriptions of what she sought.

As for the supposed confidential records the subpoena asks Avery to produce, she denies possessing any such thing.

"I have legal bills. I have IT consultant bills. I have minutes about the payment of [last year's cyberattack] ransom," Avery said. All documents given to her by a township employee, as stated in the subpoena, would only refer to records furnished by the clerk and her staff, Avery said.

"I met with her once," she said of Rao.

In that meeting, Rao invited Avery to the finance office after she inquired about why the most recent audit had not yet been published on the municipal website, Avery said. Rao explained that the release was delayed due to the June cyberattack, according to Avery, but no documents were exchanged and the resident turned to OPRA as she searched for more information about the attack and its resulting ransom.

"She never gave me anything personally," Avery said.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Montclair NJ woman is served subpoena in discrimination case with town
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The World Central Kitchen (WCK) said another one of its volunteers was hurt in an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) air strike that took place on April 1, separate from a strike that killed seven volunteers that same day.

WCK said a Palestinian staff member, named Amro, was gravely injured in the strike on al-Bashir Mosque in Deir al-Balah.

According to the organization, the attack happened just 15 minutes before another IDF strike killed seven of its volunteers who were providing aid in Gaza. The air strikes happened within miles of each other.

World Central Kitchen says 7 volunteers killed in IDF strike in Gaza

Amro was off duty and in a home near the mosque. The area is near WCKs warehouse and newly built kitchen. He had injuries to his head and hand.

Amro was taken to a hospital where he was in a coma briefly before a team airlifted him to another hospital where he was recovering as of April 10. World Central Kitchen said Amro is getting stronger daily.

The organization said the air strikes are flagrant reminders of the harrowing conditions humanitarian aid workers and Palestinian families continue to face every minute of every day.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Advocates call for universal after-school programs in NYC

Advocates call for universal after-school programs in NYC

JACKSON HEIGHTS, Queens (PIX11)  Living in New York City comes with a hefty price tag, and not having a universal after-school program in place is really costing parents.

A local organization is calling on elected officials to take action.

PIX11s Grace Gomez has more in the video player.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Airman 1st Class Julia Hall, 22nd Maintenance Squadron repair and reclamation apprentice, works on an aircraft at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, March 12, 2024. Hall was a part of a volunteer team on the project to fix 'Doc', a B-29 bomber. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Paula Arce)

Something incredible has been happening in Wichita, Kansas at the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport lately. A group of five Airmen, led by Master Sgt. Kenneth Jenkins, 22nd Maintenance Squadron flight chief, have been volunteering their time for a special project: restoring "Doc," a B-29 Superfortress. The team has dedicated countless hours to repairing and manufacturing cables that previously deemed Doc unflyable. Doc is one of only two Superfortresses flying today, so keeping her going is more than just a job; it's personal.

Theres people who are still alive that flew this aircraft during World War II, Jenkins told Airman Paula Arce in a story for McConnell Air Force Base. Theres a lady who just turned 99 that put the rivets into that aircraft back in the 1940s.

Staff Sgt. Jacob Alvarado, 22nd Maintenance Squadron repair and reclamation journeyman, works on an aircraft at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, March 12, 2024. Alvarado was a part of a volunteer team to fix 'Doc', a B-29 bomber. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Paula Arce)

When younger people get involved, its really neat, said Jenkins. Being an older guy, we get sentimental about old equipment. The fact that we had so many younger people step up and volunteer to do this on their own time - its awesome.

The work in Wichita is coming full circle, with a storied history of the aircraft. At the Cairo Conference in 1943, President Roosevelt pledged his support to the Chinese in their fight against Japan. Roosevelt committed America's newest bomber, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress , to bomb Japan from bases in China and India by the spring of 1944. At the time, less than 100 B-29s had been built, and a mere 15% of them were actually flyable. Roosevelt had to quickly ramp up production to make good on his word. WATM's Miguel Ortiz explained, "Hurried development of the B-29 was pressed on with little regard for cost, monetary or labor wise. Though B-29s and their components were assembled across the country from Washington to Georgia, the majority of B-29 work was done at Boeing's plants in Wichita, Kansas. With production so rushed, much of the assembly line was located outdoors. The workforce battled heavy snowfall and negative temperatures during the winter of 1943-1944 to keep B-29s flowing into the hands of aircrews. On some days, workers could only operate in 20 minute stretches before they had to retreat to the warmth of one of the gasoline heaters laid out on the flight line."

B-29 assembly was an enormous undertaking (Public Domain)

"Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, Roosevelt's promise was not met, though he determined that it was close enough," Ortiz said. "The first 130 B-29s made the 11,500-mile journey from the U.S. to airbases in China and India by May 8, 1944. On June 15, 68 B-29s took off for the first bombing of the Japanese mainland since the Doolittle Raid of 1942. Unfortunately, the mission failed to hit its target and resulted in the loss of six aircraft."

B-29s at Boeing's Wichita plant (Public Domain)

While Roosevelt's commitment fell short, the impressive B-29s had a lasting impact and a critical role in the war. It's why volunteers donated hundreds of thousands of hours over two decades to get her up and going again, and why Jenkins and his team are repairing Doc. According to Arce, "Jenkins believes it is crucial to continue to preserve aircraft like Doc so future generations understand the past and help create a deeper appreciation for the aircraft that brought America to victory time after time."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgqPAmJJ1BA

So where can you see Doc? You can find a full schedule on Doc's friend's website.

READ MORE ON WATM:

Today's Springfield Armory isn't your grandpa's Springfield Armory

4 of the weirdest things the Nazis ever did

How Apple TV+ followed Band of Brothers and The Pacific with Masters of the Air

The 5 most legendary snipers of all time
Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Killen, discusses a bill to cap property tax increases on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 9, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday approved a bill that caps increases in the assessed value of properties.

HB 73, sponsored by Rep. Philip Pettus, R-Killen, passed the chamber on a 97-1 vote. The measure limits increases in assessed values on residential and commercial property to 7% of the assessed value of the property from the previous year.

Under existing law, there is no limit on increase in assessed values of real property. This bill will provide for a cap on real property tax assessment under certain conditions, Pettus said in introducing the bill.

The cap was originally set at 3% for residential properties and 5% for commercial properties, but an amendment offered by Pettus changed both caps to 7%. Pettus said on the floor that the 7% cap was negotiated with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, the Alabama League of Municipalities and several groups.

The cap would not apply to property that have been renovated; if theres been new construction, not including standard repairs, or if theres been a change in ownership, unless it was between family.

Pettus amendment will repeal the cap on Oct. 1, 2029 and require the Alabama Department of Revenue and the Alabama Ad Valorem Advisory Committee to submit findings and recommendations regarding the impact of the cap on the property values to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and to the Legislative Services Agency by Dec. 31, 2026.

Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, said he supported sunsetting the legislation. Capping the tax at 7% instead of 3% was a good idea, he said.

With that, Hill asked the sponsor if he knew that property taxes that have been raised can be contested. The sponsor said he did. Hill then asked if the resolution is not favorable, the decision could be appealed in circuit court. The sponsor agreed.

So, they-can-do-it-as-they-will-without-any-constraints is really not accurate. There are constraints on what they do, Hill said.

Hill said that he supports capping taxes that go into the General Fund, but since a significant portion of property taxes go to counties, cities and schools, he introduced an amendment that would apply the cap only to revenue going to the state.

The amendment was tabled on a 69-17 vote.

Hill then offered a second amendment that would allow a county commission to put the cap in effect if the county has a population growth of at least 1.5%.

Whether or not this goes into effect, to diminish the amount of monies that come to your county, that are capped in this way, is up to the county commission, Hill said.

The amendment failed on a 79-15 vote.

Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey said in a phone interview he was happy the bill was amended to a 7% cap, and he felt that compromise is fairer to school districts across the state. While fast growing areas like Auburn, Huntsville and Baldwin County could be more impacted, Mackey said the 7% cap would still meet the needs of most schools districts.

I think 7% was the right place to land for local government. Its the right place for the state, he said.

Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale, spoke in support of the bill, saying that fast-growing areas in his district had been impacted by steep property tax increases.

You have families that have property, that have been in that family for generations, and now they cant afford to live there because of property taxes and insurance, Easterbrook said. Theyre having to move. Theres nothing right about that.

Easterbrook spoke against property taxes in general, saying he would support eliminating the property tax altogether, calling it the most unfair tax out there.

The only reason we have property taxes, that was the only way they could collect taxes in the horse and buggy days, because they couldnt find people. If you didnt pay your property tax, they sold the land, he said.

The bill moves to the Senate.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Alabama House approves bill capping property tax increases appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
A close-up photo of a copper Intrauterine device (IUD). (Getty)

The Alabama House Judiciary Committee Wednesday approved legislation Wednesday that would recognize a right to obtain and dispense contraception in the state.

HB 279, sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, explicitly states that individuals have a right to have access to contraceptives meant to prevent pregnancy, and that health care providers have the right to distribute contraceptives and provide information about them.

Under existing law, there is no explicit recognition of the right to distribute and use contraceptives, Daniels said.

The bill also includes an enforcement provision, which allows the attorney general, health care providers and individuals to file civil lawsuits against laws that prohibit or interfere with the distribution or use of contraceptives.

The committee approved the bill on voice vote.

The legislation comes as reproductive rights have taken center stage in the nation and the state.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down federal abortion rights protections in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, voters in a number of states, including Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, have approved ballot questions that bolstered support for abortion access.

Several other states, including Arizona and Florida, are likely to have abortion access questions on this Novembers ballot.

Alabama, which has an effective ban on abortion, came under the spotlight in February when the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children and that parents can collect civil damages for their destruction.

The ruling halted in vitro fertilization programs in the state and led the Alabama Legislature to pass a bill extending civil and criminal liability protections to IVF providers.

On March 26, Democrat Marilyn Lands, who campaigned on a platform of overturning the states abortion ban, won election to the Alabama House of Representatives, flipping a Republican seat in the Huntsville area.

A man speaking into a microphone

Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, speaks at an announcement of a Working for Alabama legislative package at the Alabama State Capitol on March 21, 2024. The package is intended to increase Alabamas low workforce participation rate. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

President Joe Biden has put abortion rights at the center of his re-election campaign. Former President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee, on Monday said he would back away from a proposed nationwide 16-week abortion ban and let states like Alabama decide, an announcement that drew criticism from anti-abortion groups and mistrust from abortion rights organizations.

Lawmakers on the committee introduced amendments that added language about the process for a woman getting pregnant such as prior to the implementation of the embryo to make the provisions consistent throughout the bill.

Lets say you are a Catholic doctor who doesnt believe in contraception, asked Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga. Does the person have to provide contraception if the patient says, I would like contraception?

Daniels said the bill does not impose a mandate on the physician.

It does not stand between the citizens and their doctor, he said. It is only between, basically, the government and the doctors office.

Contraception is generally difficult to access in Alabama. The state does not require insurers to cover contraception. Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that Alabama teens are less likely than their peers around the nation to use contraception. According to the CDC, Alabama has the fifth-highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation.

The bill moves to the Alabama House of Representatives. It needs at least four legislative days to pass; there are nine days left in the session.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Alabama House Judiciary Committee approves bill establishing right to contraception appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama man arrested in connection with explosive device that went off outside office of state attorney general

A 26-year-old Alabama man was arrested Wednesday after being indicted on federal charges in connection to the detonation of an explosive device outside the state attorney generals office in February.

Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, of Irondale, will face charges of malicious use of an explosive and possession of an unregistered destructive device, according to a news release from the US Department of Justice.

An explosive device was detonated outside the office of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall in Montgomery in the early morning of February 24, authorities said at the time. No one was injured.

My staff and I are breathing a collective sigh of relief this morning knowing that this individual has been taken off the streets, Marshall said Wednesday in a news release. Although more information will be provided in the weeks to come, I think it is safe to say that this was not a random act of violence.

Calvert appeared in court Wednesday and was appointed counsel from the federal defenders office.

CNN has sought comment from that office.

The Justice Department has no tolerance for acts of violence targeting those who serve the public, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a release Wednesday.

If convicted, Calvert could be sentenced to between five and 20 years in prison, according to the Justice Department.

Case details were unsealed Wednesday by the US District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WRBL)  The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Alabama announced that an Irondale, Alabama, resident was charged with detonating an explosive device right outside the Alabama Attorney Generals Office.

According to the attorneys office, 26-year-old Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert was arrested on Wednesday on charges of malicious use of an explosive device and possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Based on the indictment and information shared by the attorneys office in a press release, an explosive device went off on Feb. 24 around 3:45 a.m. outside of the Alabama Attorney Generals Office near the intersection of Washington Avenue and South Bainbridge Street.

The attorneys office says no one was injured during the incident and there was no major damage to nearby buildings. ALEA agents and troopers along with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives special agents and Montgomery Police Officers responded to where the device detonated.

PHENIX CITY: Law enforcement presence at Highway 280 and U.S. 80

Calvert is scheduled to appear in a Montgomery federal court on Wednesday. If Calvert is convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Alabama Attorney General issued the following statement regarding Calverts arrest.

My staff and I are breathing a collective sigh of relief this morning knowing that this individual has been taken off the streets. Although more information will be provided in the weeks to come, I think it is safe to say that this was not a random act of violence. We are grateful to our federal and local partners for their assistance in this matter and are pleased that the offender faces federal charges carrying significant prison time. Attorney General Steve Marshall

The FBI Mobile Field Office, Montgomery Resident Agency Office, ALEA, and the Alabama Attorney Generals Office investigated Calverts case. Middle District of Alabama Assistant U.S. Attorneys Russell Duraski and Brett Talley are prosecuting the case.

Previous Reports:

Explosive device goes off outside Alabama Attorney Generals office over the weekend

Police searching for person of interest in explosive device that went off outside Alabama Attorney Generals office

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Two recent studies by the U.S. Geological Survey, done in cooperation with the New Mexico Environment Department, found the Albuquerque urban area significantly contributes PFAS to Rio Grande.

The comprehensive survey of New Mexicos major rivers and evaluation of groundwater quality across the state is critical in helping NMED protect these valuable resources, Andy Jochems, source water protection team lead from the New Mexico Environment Department, stated in a news release. The science provided by the USGS helps us make informed decisions about our drinking water resources into the future.

PFAS, frequently called forever chemicals, are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of common items, such as firefighting foams, non-stick cookware and fast-food packaging. The chemicals are found in many places across the nation and can stay in the environment for a long time, according to USGS. PFAS are known to cause cancer and developmental, reproductive, immune system, and endocrine problems in animals and people.

Wildlife at Holloman AFB have high levels of chemical contamination, UNM study says

USGS said their initial statewide study sampled 117 groundwater wells and 18 surface water sites across New Mexico between August 2020 and October 2021. PFAS were detected in all major rivers in New Mexico, with the highest concentrations at sites downstream of urban areas. Total PFAS concentrations from surface water samples ranged from 1.0 to 155.4 nanograms per liter. PFAS were detected at 27 groundwater sites, though no results exceeded the EPAs 2016 health advisory limit.

The USGS conducted a follow-up study to examine the water quality in the Rio Grande as it flows through Albuquerque. Scientists found that the urban area significantly contributes to the levels of PFAS in the Rio Grande.

Is the Rio Grande in Albuquerque safe to swim in?

USGS scientists collected water samples from upstream and downstream of the urban area of Albuquerque, as well as treated water released from the wastewater treatment plant. Researchers found that PFAS levels were approximately 10 times higher in the river downstream of the urban area compared to upstream locations.

Researchers also noted that the PFAS levels changed over the 24 hours the team took samples from the Rio Grande. Some of the changes seemed to be from treated wastewater being released into the river. Other changes may have been from stormwater washing PFAS off streets and other surfaces in the Albuquerque area when it rained.

Our study highlights the complex nature of chemicals associated with urban areas and their impact on river systems, Kimberly Beisner, USGS hydrologist and lead author of the studies, stated in the news release.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Alexandria school administrators on leave after autistic student wanders blocks away from campus

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  Several top leaders at the Jefferson-Houston Pre-K  8 IB School are now on administrative leave, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) leaders confirm.

The move comes just five days after a DC News Now report revealed a 4-year-old student with special needs wandered several blocks off school grounds during the school day back in March.

ACPS leadership had not responded to DC News Nows request for comment or information on the matter until Wednesday, when they forwarded a letter that went home to families at the school.

Herndon girls robotics team qualifies for international competition

In the letter, ACPS Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt called the March 19 incident deeply concerning and said both the head of schools and academic principal were now on administrative leave as the incident is investigated.

The 4-year-old student at the center of the incident is a girl named Rylie. She has autism and is nonverbal.

Her mother, Brianna Davis-Suggs first told DC News Nows Hayley Milon when she went to pick up her daughter from school that day, she was nowhere to be found.

Rylie had wandered off school grounds and was found several blocks away by a bus driver near the busy King Street Metro station.

Fairfax County Public Schools weighs later middle school start times

That bus driver took her to police who reunited her with her mother.

Rylie hasnt been back to school since and her mother is still rattled emotionally.

In a phone conversation with DC News Nows Randi Bass on Wednesday, Davis-Suggs said shes still fighting for her daughters safety, working to find a new school, and looking into legal action.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
When you buy and hold a stock for the long term, you definitely want it to provide a positive return. Furthermore, you'd generally like to see the share price rise faster than the market. Unfortunately for shareholders, while the Mueller Water Products, Inc. (NYSE:MWA) share price is up 40% in the last five years, that's less than the market return. Looking at the last year alone, the stock is up 15%.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

Check out our latest analysis for Mueller Water Products

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

During five years of share price growth, Mueller Water Products achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 22% per year. This EPS growth is higher than the 7% average annual increase in the share price. So one could conclude that the broader market has become more cautious towards the stock.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

It's good to see that there was some significant insider buying in the last three months. That's a positive. On the other hand, we think the revenue and earnings trends are much more meaningful measures of the business. This free interactive report on Mueller Water Products' earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Mueller Water Products the TSR over the last 5 years was 54%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

Mueller Water Products shareholders gained a total return of 17% during the year. But that return falls short of the market. The silver lining is that the gain was actually better than the average annual return of 9% per year over five year. This could indicate that the company is winning over new investors, as it pursues its strategy. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Mueller Water Products , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

Story continues

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The man who robbed a Hillsboro bank on April 3 and is a suspect in another attempted robbery remains at large as investigators released a surveillance photo of the suspect.

The man walked into the Heritage Bank, 9515 NE Windsor Street, around 1 p.m. that afternoon and gave a note to a teller demanding cash.

Eden Cannabis employees quit as owners lose count of recent robberies

Once the robber got an undisclosed amount of money, he turned and ran out of the bank. Investigators said the same man later tried to rob a Dominos Pizza in Beaverton but failed.

Both Hillsboro and Beaverton police are investigating the separate cases. The bank robbery in Hillsboro is case 24-6564. The attempted robbery in Beaverton is case 24-940774.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Read the full story on The Auto Wire

Alleged Police Impersonator Carjacks Mustang, Crashes Running From Cops

A chaotic scene unfolded in National City, California on the morning of April 8 after an alleged police impersonator carjacked a Mustang, later leading police on a chase which ended in a violent crash. Its sadly just another incident in a string of similar crimes plaguing many cities.

This is how you really disappoint your mother.

Reportedly, a man produced a police badge to the Ford Mustang owner, pulling her out of the pony car before taking off in it, reports NBC San Diego. Thats like something you see in movies with a loose cannon cop who decides to commandeer someones vehicle by force.

But the suspect wasnt a cop. The real police responded to the theft, with the suspect leading them on a chase through the city.

In the process of that police pursuit, the alleged police impersonator crashed the Mustang nose first into a Ford F-150. OnScene TV was there to capture the aftermath of the wreck. The pony car didnt fare too well, although the pickup seemed to take the collision like a champ.

A man was wheeled away on a stretcher, his neck in a brace. Its unclear who that man was, but he didnt appear to be in handcuffs. NBC San Diego reports the driver in the F-150 and he was injured, so that must be the man in the neck brace.

But they also reported the man in the Mustang was also hospitalized. A woman was captured in the video also being put on a stretcher. A police spokesman in the OnScene TV video stated she was a passenger in the Mustang.

One witness told NBC San Diego the Mustang driver tried running away from the crash on foot but police officers chase him down. He claims officers tackled the man to the ground and handcuffed him.

While there were at least two people injured, nobody was killed and no shots were fired. But the stolen Mustang is definitely a total loss. And this is partly why your insurance rates are so high these days.

Image via 911 Video News/YouTube

Follow The Auto Wire on Google News.

Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.


The former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization was sentenced to five months in prison Wednesday for perjury stemming from former President Trumps civil fraud case.

Allen Weisselberg, Trumps longtime financial gatekeeper, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony perjury last month as part of a deal with the Manhattan district attorneys office.

The charges stemmed from a 2020 deposition with the New York attorney generals office as it built its sprawling civil fraud case against the Trump Organization, but as part of the deal, he also admitted to lying during his trial testimony and another deposition last year.

In his July 17, 2020, deposition with the attorney generals office, state lawyers questioned Weisselberg over the size of Trumps Manhattan triplex apartment in Trump Tower. The property was listed on the former presidents financial statements as 30,000 square feet in size, but it is actually less than 11,000 square feet.

Weisselberg told state lawyers he didnt find out about the error in the triplexs listed size until Forbes reported it and that he was never present when Trump described the size of the property. He has now admitted that both remarks were untrue.

The inquiry into Weisselbergs perjury was spurred by his October testimony in the civil fraud trial, in which he was also a defendant. Without pleading guilty to a specific charge, he admitted as part of his plea deal that he falsely testified he never focused on the triplex throughout the course of his work for the Trump Organization.

Prosecutors with the district attorneys office said in charging documents that the Trump Tower triplexs size was material to the attorney generals investigation.

The civil fraud trial ended earlier this year with a New York judge ruling that Trump and top executives, including Weisselberg, conspired to alter the former presidents net worth for tax and insurance benefits.

Weisselberg was ordered to pay more than $1.1 million, plus interest, and barred for three years from serving in top leadership positions in any New York corporation or business entity. He was also barred for life from serving in the financial control function of any New York business.

In a statement, Weisselberg lawyer Seth Rosenberg said the ex-CFO accepted responsibility for his conduct and now looks forward to the end of this life-altering experience and to returning to his family and his retirement.

Trump was ordered to pay $454 million, plus interest, and faced similar business-related penalties. All penalties are paused for the time being, while the defendants appeal, after they posted a $175 million bond in the case.

Weisselbergs five-month sentence marks his second stint in prison, after the former CFO pleaded guilty in 2022 to evading nearly $2 million in taxes over a decade through back-channel compensation from the Trump Organization. He was sentenced to five months at the Rikers Island jail for the tax evasion and served nearly 100 days there.

The longtime Trump allys plea deal does not require him to testify in Trumps hush money trial, which is scheduled to begin Monday. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records and has pleaded not guilty.

The Associated Press contributed.

Updated at 11:09 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, was sentenced Wednesday to five months in jail for lying under oath about his role in Donald Trumps financial statements.

Seth Rosenberg, one of Weisselbergs lawyers, and prosecutors from the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg made no comment during the sentencing hearing.

Weisselberg, who didnt address the court either, was escorted out of the room shortly after the hearing concluded, The Associated Press reported.

Allen Weisselberg accepted responsibility for his conduct and now looks forward to the end of this life-altering experience and to returning to his family and his retirement, Rosenberg said in a written statement shared with HuffPost.

The court proceeding lasted approximately three minutes, according to The New York Times.

Allen Weisselberg, a former longtime executive in Donald Trumps real estate empire, arrives at a court in New York, on April 10, 2024. Yuki Iwamura via Associated Press

Last month, Weisselberg pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury after reaching a deal with Manhattan prosecutors.

Weisselberg, 76, had falsely claimed during sworn depositions in July 2020 and May 2023 and his testimony in Trumps civil fraud trial in October that he had no involvement in inflating the value of the former presidents Manhattan penthouse  one of the properties that is at the center of the case against Trump.

I never even thought about the apartment. It was de minimis, in my mind, Weisselberg said during the October trial. It was not something that was that important to me when looking at a $6 billion, $5 billion net worth.

But Forbes revealed both notes and past communications between him and the outlet in which Weisselberg tried to prop up the value of the apartment as early as 2012.

A review of old emails and notes, some of which the attorney generals office does not possess, show that Weisselberg absolutely thought about Trumps apartment  and played a key role in trying to convince Forbes over the course of several years that it was worth more than it really was, the report states.

Still, even though Weisselberg admitted to lying in all three depositions, he only pleaded guilty to charges with regards to his July 2020 testimony before Attorney General Letitia James office, who brought Trumps civil fraud case, sparing him a potentially even longer sentence.

Separately, Weisselberg served about 100 days in Rikers Island after he was sentenced to five months in prison in January 2023 for avoiding taxes on about $1.7 million he received in off-the-books job perks. The judge had said he would be eligible for release after a little more than three months if he exhibited good behavior. He had previously pleaded guilty to 15 counts he was charged with after he came to an agreement with prosecutors.

Weisselberg has worked for Trumps family since 1973 when he was employed as an accountant for the former presidents father, Fred Trump, before going on to work with Donald Trump.

Despite his legal challenges, he has continued to stand by the former president and has failed to directly implicate him.

After leaving the Trump Organization, he came to an agreement to receive a $2 million in a severance package as long as he didnt cooperate with any probes unless he was legally compelled to. The company is also footing his legal bills.

Weisselberg is not expected to be a witness in Donald Trumps hush money case set to begin later this month. The former president was indicted for falsifying business records in regards to hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied wrongdoing.

Related...
FREEHOLD, New Jersey  Republican Jack Ciattarelli is making his third run for New Jersey governor, seeking to build on the momentum he had when he nearly defeated incumbent Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy in 2021.

Speaking to a room full of supporters at the American Hotel, where Abraham Lincoln stopped on his way to the White House in February 1861, Ciattarelli promised to steer the state back from the left after two terms under Murphy. Ciattarelli largely pledged to follow through on what hes proposed in his last two gubernatorial runs: cut taxes, promote school choice, overhaul public school curriculum to ensure age-appropriate lessons and pursue a constitutional amendment to put term limits on state lawmakers.

He criticized Murphy for his Covid-19 policies, overseeing sky-high taxes, overdeveloping suburbs and seeking to build windmills offshore.

Its time for a commonsense problem solver. A chief executive officer. A hands-on CEO who knows exactly what needs to be done and is willing to do it. I think I know a guy, said Ciattarelli, a former business owner and three-term state Assemblymember.

Ciattarelli joins state Sen. Jon Bramnick in seeking the Republican nomination for governor, though others have been considering it. In a video released a couple hours before Ciattarelli announced, Bramnick touted his past election victories, particularly in a legislative district with more Democrats than Republicans that President Joe Biden won in 2020.

That will easily translate into our next gubernatorial election. We dont need to lose anymore elections, Bramnick said.

Ciattarelli has been a sort of permanent candidate for years, so his campaign launch is a formality. He said hed run again the day he conceded his three-point loss to Murphy three years ago, and hes effectively been campaigning ever since: writing op-eds for Gannett newspapers and traveling around the state to keep up his profile.

He first ran for the Republican nomination in 2017 but was defeated by then-Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who lost the general election to Murphy.

His strong showing against Murphy in 2021 came amid a Republican insurgency in Trenton, when the party picked up several seats in the state Legislature, most notably the one held by Senate President Steve Sweeney.

Across the country, political talking heads were asking themselves how the hell a guy with a name most people couldnt pronounce defied the polls, the predictions and the pundits, said Ciattarelli  pronounced chet-a-rell-ee.

How the hell did we nearly knock off an incumbent governor in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by one million? In all 21 counties and 564 towns, we almost pulled it off because of people like you.

That close call had its own political effect in the Statehouse, with Murphy and Democratic leaders sharpening their attention on affordability and creating new tax rebate programs.

Ciattarelli said its not enough. The state still has the highest-in-the-nation property taxes, state spending is at historic levels and, he said, New Jersey is impossible to retire in. He committed to capping property taxes for homeowners at 1 percent and freezing them for people 70 years and older. He also said hed lower business taxes to be more competitive with states such as Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Ciatarelli proposes a pair of public school reforms: one to the school-funding formula that determines how much state aid each district gets and the other to whats taught in the classroom. When he ran four years ago, Ciattarelli seized on Republican anger over sex education standards and requirements to teach diversity and tolerance.

The newest idea from Ciattarelli is term limits. He said hed fight like hell to limit state legislators to no more than eight years in office, saying change is something we must embrace, not fear.

All those ideas would likely prove difficult, if not impossible, with a Legislature led by Democrats. But past Republican governors have been able to make deals with Democrats, and Ciattarelli said hes someone who can convince Democrats to support our ideas but is not one who surrenders to Democratic Party bosses over hot dogs and hamburgers," an apparent jab at Bramnick for his relationship with Murphy.
A new slander trial against Amanda Knox began in Italy on Wednesday, almost a decade after her conviction for the murder of her 21-year-old British roommate was tossed out by the countrys highest court.

Despite Italys Cassation Court finding in 2015 that Knox and her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, had not murdered Meredith Kercher in 2007for which both had spent four years in prisonshe has still taken flak over her slander conviction for wrongly accusing a Congolese bar owner of the murder. Knox has sought to have her slander conviction dropped in light of a European Court of Human Rights ruling in 2019 that found her rights had been violated during her interrogation.

A retrial for her slander conviction was ordered by Italys top court last fall.

As that trial began Wednesday, neither Knox nor Patrick Lumumba, the bar owner she wrongly accused, were present in the courtroom, according to the Ansa news agency. Carlo Dalla Vedova, a lawyer for Knox, was quoted saying the 36-year-old had wanted to attend but could not, as she is busy taking care of her two young children, one of whom was born recently.

Amanda Knox Media Circus Hits Peak Weird on 15th Anniversary of Murder

Once vilified in the media as Foxy Knoxy when she was a 20-year-old student and accused murderer, Knox is now active in the U.S. as an advocate for criminal justice reform, writer, podcaster, and producer.

She said back in December that she was hopeful the slander retrial would finally vindicate her.

On the one hand, I am glad I have this chance to clear my name, and hopefully that will take away the stigma that I have been living with, she said on her Labyrinths podcast.

On the other hand, I dont know if it ever will, in the way I am still traumatized by it, Knox said, adding that she suspects people will still hold it against me because they dont want to understand what happened, and they dont want to accept that an innocent person can be gaslit and coerced into what I went through.

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 European Union plans to provide lethal military aid to Moldova, EU Ambassador to Moldova Janis Mazeiks told reporters in Chisinau on April 10.

Moldova, like its neighbor Ukraine, is an EU candidate country. Tensions between Moscow and Chisinau have been mounting since February 2022 amid fears that the war may spill into Moldova via Transnistria, a Moldovan territory occupied by Russian troops since the early 1990s.

Speaking ahead of the International Mayor's Summit in Chisinau, Mazeiks said that EU military aid to Moldova has been helping Moldova reform its military for several years.

The European Peace Facility, first adopted in December 2021, provided Moldova with 7 million euros (now $7.6 million) to support its military's medical capabilities and de-mining.

The EU adopted another 40 million euros (now $43.4 million) in June 2022 to broaden the scope of this support, strengthening the Moldovan Armed Forces' logistics, cyber-defense, drone units, and command and control.

This support effectively doubled Moldova's defense budget, according to Mazeiks.

"In the past, our support has been non-lethal equipment, so it has been about demining, about hospitals, about communications equipment, about vehicles, but this year there is a plan also to have the lethal components," Mazeiks said.

Moldova has also received bilateral military support from countries like Germany and the U.S. since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a bilateral defense deal in March, laying the groundwork for future military training, intelligence sharing, and increased defense consultation between the two countries.

Macron pledged France's "unwavering support" for Moldova in the face of the threat from Russia.

Read also: Moldovan border guards discover drone debris

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and newly-appointed Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, stand for a portrait during a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. | Stephanie Scarbrough

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Celeste Maloy share something in common: A month after Johnson earned the power to yield the gavel, Maloy was sworn into Congress. The two share a mutual experience of juggling newly bestowed responsibilities within the confines of an extremely divided government.

Joining Boyd Matheson on KSLs Inside Sources Tuesday, the two discussed what is needed of lawmakers like them during such testing times.

We only have one-third of the federal government and the smallest majority in history, said Johnson, R-La. The key to success is being realistic, he said, before quoting Ronald Reagan, who taught us a long time ago, Id rather get 70% or 80% of what I want than go over the cliff with a flag waving.

This mindset played an instrumental role in his decision to strike a deal with the Senate and White House to support the $1.2 trillion funding package that ultimately avoided a shutdown. In his mind, it was the best possible product in the given circumstances.

Maloy, who represents Utahs 2nd District, admitted shes only served in this really, small majority, adding, We dont have easy days right now.

Many constituents have questioned Maloy on her decision to vote yes on the spending package  Why are you scared of a shutdown? and Whats wrong with a shutdown?  but she said the consequences of voting no were clear to her.

The obvious ones are federal agencies failing to pay their employees, sparking a panic, and the markets reacting to the news. But shutdowns only work if you have a united front, she explained. You cant do that when you have a one-vote majority, and you dont all stand shoulder to shoulder.

Unless youve been living under a rock somewhere, youve probably noticed that were not doing that very well right now, Maloy said, arguing a shutdown wouldnt have put House Republicans in a strong bargaining position.

Johnson acknowledged the infighting within the party but pointed to many colleagues like Maloy, a governing conservative.

She believes what I do, he said. Celeste and I and our colleagues are in here every day, fighting for like the Republican Party platform. ... Were trying to defend the core principles, the founding principles of this nation and thats whats at stake.

Rep. Maloy says Congress needs to project optimism

The actual legislative work happens behind the scenes, despite the politicking on display through the news media. Maloy said she senses the frustration and confusion from constituents, who expect higher productivity from Congress.

They want us to give them some optimism ... to show up and say, We have a plan. Weve got this under control. Were going to take care of it, Maloy said.

She recalled her visit to Jerusalem over the weekend and said the concern over Capitol Hills efficiency is international.

The people of Israel are concerned that we dont believe in our own system anymore, the congresswoman said. They used to be sure that we would defend freedom, justice, the rule of law and peace in the world and were not projecting that very well right now.

She said both the outside world and the citizens of the U.S. need less drama and a ship moving in the right direction.

The Republican-controlled House has resisted passing the Senate and White House-approved border security bill packaged with funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. GOP representatives argue the supplemental package doesnt go far enough on Republican priorities related to the border.

Johnson said President Joe Biden has failed to project peace through strength, and thats why everything is such a tinderbox.

Thats why our adversaries are acting so provocatively, its why weve got now hot wars in two critical areas of the globe, the speaker said. We have got to restore that strength because its essential not only for us for our liberty and opportunity and security. ... We need America to be strong and a good America is good for the whole country. That is a true north.

What will happen to FISA reauthorization?

After a two-week recess, House lawmakers must take up a contentious issue: reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, set to expire on April 15. This law allows the U.S. government to surveil foreigners and American citizens.

Republicans are divided on how to approach this reauthorization. Some are pushing for an amendment to require the FBI to get a warrant to conduct a search. All eyes are on Johnson, whose every move is being closely scrutinized since he faced a threat of being ousted.

The Wall Street Journal reported Johnson made the case for reforming FISA, and touted it as an important tool against terrorism in a meeting with House Republicans Wednesday morning.

Johnson said with his background in constitutional law as a defender of liberty in the courts for two decades, and as chairman of the Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government, he wants to protect the privacy of American citizens.

Theres their data online and, their phone messages and all the rest, he said. What happened is over the last several years some rogue agents at the FBI abused the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The speaker noted the law is meant to track known terrorists overseas and prevent threats to the homeland. He told Matheson the Republican Party agrees on more than 56 major reforms to the law that are meant to balance the protection of liberty and the protection of the physical safety.

Despite the consensus Johnson signaled, the House has failed to pass the reauthorization in two prior attempts.

Maloy said she has been involved with this issue since her time as a staffer under former Rep. Chris Stewart, who helped draft amendments for FISA.

The voters of the 2nd District are more keyed into this than the average American is, she said, saying she tends to bring up this issue with her colleagues on the Judiciary and Intelligence committees.

Im excited to see how this plays out this week, Maloy said. She added she is looking forward to seeing the amendments pass, which would be a huge accomplishment stamp for the months that Ive had here.
The NJ Transit board is set to vote Wednesday on a fare increase proposal that could raise fares 15% on July 1 and 3% annually indefinitely  without having completed an analysis of how best to restructure the agency.

Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, NJ Transit's former board chair and Department of Transportation commissioner, announced a study would get underway "very quickly  a year ago this month. It would examine consolidating the corporate structure, looking at fares and weighing "service realignments."

That study, however, was only recently begun, and very little is known about it.

Story continues below photo gallery

NorthJersey.com has not yet received the contract with North Highland  the company hired to conduct the study  more than two months after the request was filed with the state Department of Transportations records custodian. That department hired the company to conduct the NJ Transit study. State law requires that contracts be produced immediately.

What exactly North Highland has been asked to study, when the Atlanta-based consultant group started the work and why it took nearly a year after the analysis was announced to get started is not known because the two agencies involved in the procurement process  DOT and the state Treasury Department  have not responded to requests for comment.

Long range consequences to NJ Transit fare hike vote

The NJ Transit fare increase proposal has long-ranging fiscal consequences because it would allow the agency to raise fares annually by 3%  a decision that will be made without the board having first seen the deeper study that would look at the agencys finances, recommendations for how to cut costs and considerations of whether annual fare hikes are necessary.

NJ Transit spokesman Jim Smith confirmed to NorthJersey.com that the analysis started, but did not say when. When asked if any board members raised concerns about whether the fare proposal vote should be paused until the study is concluded, Smith said, As weve shared as part of our extensive public outreach on the FY25 fare adjustment proposal, the proposal addresses the urgent, short-term need to close the $106.6 million gap" in the operating budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

Confusion and mystery have clouded the restructuring effort from the beginning.

When Gutierrez-Scaccetti first announced the restructuring in April 2023, she said it would be led by DOT and NJ Transit, and that the agencies hadnt yet decided if a consultant would be brought on to assist. What work, if any, took place between April and December 2023 is unknown  even as NJ Transit was making budget preparations with Murphy administration officials ahead of the governors budget presentation in February, knowing that a plug for a deficit of more than $100 million was needed.

Story continues

When former NJ DOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti first announced the NJ Transit restructuring in April 2023, she said it would be led by DOT and NJ Transit.

In December, NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett was asked by a reporter for an update on the study. He said it was now being handled by the state Treasury Department.

The Treasury Department said at that time it signed off on a waiver so DOT could hire the consultant, but that Treasury is not involved in the restructuring effort.

By the end of January, NJ Transit officials announced it would propose a budget with a 15% fare increase in July, 3% annual fare increases after that and $96 million in cuts to its operating budget to close the gap anticipated for fiscal year 2025.

Work on the fiscal restructuring study had not yet begun.

At some point, North Highland was selected as the consultant for the study and hired at a cost of $6.7 million, according to DOT. The contract was set to begin Jan. 8, 2024 and end Jan. 7, 2025, according to NJ START, the procurement website for the Treasury Department. But a link to the contract documents and additional information generates a server error message.

As of April 9, NJ START indicated none of the contract money had been spent, even though work has already begun, according to NJ Transit.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Transit fare hike vote set without report on fiscal woes
Another possible arson incident at SJSU being investigated by campus police

(KRON)  Police are investigating another possible incident of arson on the campus of San Jose State University, the second over the past two weeks. In two separate incidents on March 31 and April 8, SJSU University Police Department officers responded to reports of fires in two restrooms in the Martin Luther King Library.

Over 400 stolen vehicles recovered in Oakland, East Bay, 181 arrested

Both fires were extinguished and no injuries were reported, according to campus police. The restroom incidents have been under considerable investigation by SJSU UPD and Cal Fire, officials said.

Photo: SJSU University Police Department

UPD is seeking information regarding a subject described as a person of interest in those fires (pictured above). These incidents follow another incident on March 31 in which law enforcement responded to a fire on the SJSU campus that was determined to be arson.

The suspect in that incident was found on security camera footage.

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to contact SJSU UPD at (408) 924-2222.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Another person of interest wanted in connection to Jack in the Box homicide

Another person of interest wanted in connection to Jack in the Box homicide

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Another person of interest is wanted in connection to a homicide that killed a teenage Jack in the Box employee in northwest Charlotte, according to Charlotte Crime Stoppers.

The incident occurred on Friday, March 29, at the Jack in the Box at 220 N. Hoskins Road.

PREVIOUSLY: Suspect charged for shooting, killing teenager in northwest Charlotte: CMPD

Credit: Charlotte Crime Stoppers

Credit: Charlotte Crime Stoppers

Credit: Charlotte Crime Stoppers

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

This is a developing story; check back for updates

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the Alaska and Wyoming Democratic presidential contests

FILE - A welcome sign is shown Sept. 22, 2021, in Tok, Alaska. President Joe Biden will face Democratic voters this Saturday, April 13, 2024, in a pair of nominating contests in Alaska and Wyoming that are unlikely to produce any surprises. In Alaska, 15 delegates are at stake in a party-run primary, which will be conducted by voice vote in the state's 40 legislative districts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden will face Democratic voters this Saturday in a pair of nominating contests in Alaska and Wyoming that are unlikely to produce any surprises.

In Wyoming, Democrats will award 13 delegates using a presidential preference vote held at caucuses in each of the states 23 counties. Seven names will appear on the ballot, but Biden is the only major candidate competing for votes. Caucusgoers will have the option to vote for Uncommitted, which has been used in some other states to register a protest vote against the sitting president.

In Alaska, 15 delegates are at stake in Saturdays party-run primary, but the event wont resemble any other presidential nominating contest held so far this year. Democratic voters will convene in meetings in each of Alaskas 40 state House districts and indicate their support for Biden in a voice vote. Most of the district meetings will be held virtually by video conference, although participants in Fairbanks and Juneau have the additional option of attending and voting in person. State party officials had originally planned to hold a vote-by-mail primary to conclude on April 6, but they revamped their plans after U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota suspended his campaign, leaving Biden the only remaining candidate to qualify for the Alaska ballot. Rather than cancel the primary as Florida and Delaware did last month, the party changed the event to a simple voice vote and pushed it back a week to coincide with the state House district caucuses. Doing so reduced the cost of the primary from $450,000 to $10,000, according to the state party chairman.

Biden has already surpassed the number of delegates hell need to officially claim the nomination at the convention this summer.

Alaska Republicans held presidential caucuses on Super Tuesday in March. Wyoming Republicans will complete their process of awarding presidential delegates next week at their state convention.

In 2020, Biden won the Alaska primary, 55% to 45%, and the Wyoming caucuses, 72% to 28%, over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Both events were held shortly after Sanders suspended his campaign but before Biden unofficially clinched the nomination. Sanders carried both states in the 2016 primaries against Hillary Clinton.

Both Alaska and Wyoming vote reliably Republican in presidential general elections. The last Democratic presidential candidate to win either state was President Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

DECISION NOTES

In Wyoming, Biden is the favorite in the caucuses as he faces no major challengers on the ballot. The first indication that he is winning statewide on a level consistent with the overwhelming margins seen in most other contests held this year may be sufficient to determine the statewide winners.

In Alaska, Biden is the only eligible candidate. Determining the winner will be a matter of waiting for the state party to announce when the outcome is official.

Here are the Saturday contests at a glance:

DELEGATES AT STAKE ON SATURDAY

Democrats: 28 (Alaska 15, Wyoming 13)

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CONTESTS (2)

PARTY-RUN EVENTS (2): Alaska primary, Wyoming caucuses

SATURDAY TIMELINE

11 a.m. EDT: First county caucus begins in Wyoming

12:15 p.m. EDT: Most county caucuses begin in Wyoming

1 p.m. EDT: Final county caucus begins in Wyoming

2 p.m. EDT: Voice vote session convenes in 16 of 40 Alaska districts

4 p.m. EDT: Voice vote session convenes in 16 of 40 Alaska districts

6 p.m. EDT: Voice vote session convenes in 8 of 40 Alaska districts

7 p.m. EDT: Deadline to submit Wyoming caucus results to state party

11 p.m. EDT: Final Alaska results expected

ALASKA

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY (D): Biden is the only candidate eligible to receive votes. 15 delegates are at stake.

WHO CAN VOTE: Only registered Democrats may participate in the party-run primary.

RESULTS EXPECTED: The voice vote sessions will be held at different times throughout the day, depending on the location of the district. The state party chairman is expected to announce the final result no later than 11 p.m. EDT.

WYOMING

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY (D): Biden, Jason Palmer, Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson, Uncommitted and three others. 13 delegates are at stake.

WHO CAN VOTE: Only Democrats who registered by Tuesday may participate in Saturdays Democratic caucuses. Caucusgoers must live in the county to participate in that countys caucus.

RESULTS EXPECTED: Caucus start times vary by county, but caucus officials have until 7 p.m. EDT to report their results to the state party.

UNCOMMITTED ON THE BALLOT

Wyoming

ARE WE THERE YET?

As of Saturday, there will be 128 days until the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and 206 days until the November general election.

___

Follow the AP's coverage of the 2024 election at https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024.
The murder trial of 54-year-old Nicolae Miu for a violent encounter along Wisconsin's Apple River that left a teenager dead and four others injured is drawing to a close, with closing arguments underway Wednesday morning. Miu faces five felony counts and a possible life sentence in the death of Isaac Michael Schuman, a 17-year-old from Stillwater who died of stab wounds.

Dozens of witnesses who were at the recreational area  a popular summer spot for tubing  on July 30, 2022 saw the fight and its aftermath. Miu has pleaded not guilty.

Here is a recap of each day's testimony in the nine-day trial.

Monday, April 1

A graphic video of the chaotic river encounter was shown in court on the opening day of trial. The 3-minute, 25-second cell phone clip quickly emerged as key to both the defense and the prosecution. A jury of 14 people  eight men, six women  were selected.

Tuesday, April 2

Schuman's friend Jawahn Cockfield, who captured the cell phone video, testified that he started filming to record a stranger who was "looking kind of suspicious."

Schuman's mother Alina Hernandez also took the stand, tearfully testifying that he was already dead by the time she was able to rush to the scene from her home in Stillwater.

Wednesday, April 3

Miu's former wife Sondra testified that her ex-husband was a peaceful person, and that she saw him knocked to the ground after he left their group in search of a friend's missing phone. It wasn't uncommon for him to carry a pocketknife, she said.

Stabbing victim A.J. Martin took the stand testifying that he was certain he would die. He was left holding his own intestines, and went on to be hospitalized for 27 days. Another victim testified that she thought she'd been punched before looking down to find her torso sliced.

Thursday, April 4

Registered nurse Andrea Beldazo shared her attempts to save Schuman, as she heard laughter turn to screaming among people in his group.

Witness Janell Duxbury testified that Miu punched her friend in the face when she approached the group and yelled at Miu to leave them alone. Soon after, she testified, "chaos and yelling broke out."

Friday, April 5

Miu's longtime friend, Ernesto Torres-Chaguez, testified that he asked Miu to bring a pocket knife to cut twine used to hold their inner tubes together, and that he doubted Miu would hurt anyone. Another in their group said she told police that she saw Miu toss something toward the riverbank after the fight and that he appeared scared.

Monday, April 8

The defense argued that the teens provoked the attack when they confronted Miu. Several in Schuman's group testified they heard Miu say he was "looking for little girls," but those comments were not captured on video or reported to police, the defense said.

Tuesday, April 9

Miu took the stand. He acknowledged he lied to police about whether he had a knife when he got into the fight. He said he suspected the group had found the lost phone, and that the young people began surrounding him and calling him names.

He said he felt panicked as the group of young people drew closer and called him a pedophile.
Jurors in the trial of a Prior Lake man are sorting two starkly different portraits of Nicolae Miu, whose decisions during a confrontation with a group of teenagers along the Apple River are at the heart of this Wisconsin murder trial.

The jury started deliberating about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, following closing arguments from the prosecution and defense at the St. Croix County Courthouse in Hudson. Miu is facing a first-degree intentional homicide charge in the death of Isaac Schuman, 17, with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, and attempted murder charges against four others.

In his closing argument, prosecutor Karl Anderson pushed against the defense narrative that Miu feared for his life in the moments leading up to the stabbings. "Nicolae was not in fear, he snapped," Anderson said.

Defense attorney Corey Chirafisi countered that Miu was scared and surrounded by drunk people who were yelling at him. "They got in his face, they screamed at him, they called him names, they swore at him, they put hands on him," Chirafisi said.

Deliberations continued until the late afternoon, with the jury returning to the courtroom at one point for another viewing of a three-minute, 25-second video that shows parts of the confrontation between Miu and the group. The jury was scheduled to reconvene first thing Thursday to continue deliberations, and at the end of the day Chirafisi said they requested a chance to revisit parts of the video again in the morning.

The prosecution also asked the jury to consider lesser charges depending on what they decide about Miu's intent.

The confrontation took place July 30, 2022, at a popular recreation area near Somerset, Wis.  a longtime destination for inner-tubing in the summer months. Besides Schuman, Miu also stabbed Alexander Martin, Dante Carlson, Anthony Carlson and Rhyley Mattison. As seen in the video, the confrontation quickly escalated from shouting and pushing into bloody violence.

Miu, 54, admits to the stabbings but claims he feared for his life. He says he approached the group in the first place because he was looking for a cell phone that someone in his own group of inner-tubers had lost while in the water.

Turning to the jury and nodding to a TV where photos of Schuman appeared, Anderson called the teenager's death senseless. He said Miu should have walked away.

"He was angry and he snapped, and he knew it. If he was actually in fear, he would have left," Anderson said.

Schuman was stabbed in the torso with enough force that the pocketknife went through two ribs and into his heart, according to testimony. He died almost immediately. In the video, multiple people can be heard yelling and screaming in the immediate aftermath as someone shouts: "Is this real?"

When authorities arrested Miu near the river about an hour after the stabbing, prosecutors said the lies he told showed him trying to hide his crime. On the stand, Miu acknowledged he initially denied to police that he'd been carrying a knife when the scuffle broke out. When first interviewed by investigators, he'd said two young men had pulled knives and that he grabbed one of them.

Miu testified that, as he approached the group in search of the lost phone, they began to pepper him with taunts about being a pedophile. They surrounded and pushed him, he said, causing a feeling of panic. His attorney noted that Miu had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery in 2020.

"This man, who had heart surgery, is terrified of what's going on," Chirafisi said. "If you believe it's probably self-defense, he's not guilty. If you believe it's possibly self-defense, he's not guilty."

"Nic didn't move toward Isaac Schuman," Chirafisi added. "Isaac Schuman moved toward him."

While Miu faces up to life in prison, prosecutors on Tuesday also requested that jurors consider lesser charges.

That could include second-degree intentional homicide, or first- or second-degree reckless homicide for the death of Schuman; and a series of lesser possible charges for stabbing the other four individuals. The lesser charges could come into play if the jury does not believe that Miu intended to kill Schuman or was trying to kill the others.

In his instructions, Judge Michael Waterman told the jurors to draw their own conclusions from the evidence. The verdict must be unanimous.

"There is no magic way for you to evaluate the testimony; instead, you should use your common sense and experience," Waterman told the jurors. "In everyday life, you determine for yourselves the reliability of things people say to you. You should do the same thing here."

Star Tribune staff writers Greta Kaul and Louis Krauss contributed to this story.
The Arizona Supreme Court hoisted a sword of Damocles over the state on Tuesday by reviving a near-total ban on abortion that had been moribund for almost a half-century.



To date, our legislature has never affirmatively created a right to, or independently authorized, elective abortion, Justice John Lopez IV wrote for the majority. We defer, as we are constitutionally obligated to do, to the legislatures judgment, which is accountable to, and thus reflects, the mutable will of our citizens.

The law appears to be the oldest abortion ban in the United States to become enforceable since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The 1864 law predates Arizona statehood itself by almost a half-century. It would also impose some of the severest restrictions in the country when it goes into effect. The law only allows the procedure to be performed to save the mothers life; it does not include exceptions for rape and incest.

The state Supreme Courts ruling will not take effect immediately. The courts justices instead held that the decision could only be enforced prospectively under the stay and that it would be suspended for two weeks while the parties in the case decide what their next course of action will be in the lower courts.

It is a dark day in Arizona, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said in a statement after the ruling was announced. We are just fourteen days away from one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country.

Tuesdays ruling will have significant consequences for Arizonans who want to end a pregnancy. While neighboring states like California and Nevada allow the procedure on much more expansive terms, the costs of out-of-state travel may put it beyond access for many pregnant patients. It will also have major ramifications for state politics as Republicans continue to wrestle with the electoral backlash to overturning Roe.

At the center of the legal battle were two competing state laws on abortion. In March 2022, then-Governor Greg Ducey signed a law that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of gestation. But the state also did not repeal existing statutes that had banned the procedure more broadly, including the 1864 law adopted by the territorial legislature.

The 2022 law did not take effect immediately because Roe v. Wade remained the law of the land. That barrier fell in June 2022 when the Supreme Court erased the constitutional right to obtain an abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. After Dobbs, abortion providers and state officials faced off in court over whether the 15-week ban had superseded the earlier ones.

Lower courts held that the 15-week ban, as the most recently enacted statute, was the operative one. But a four-justice majority on the state Supreme Court disagreed. We conclude that [the 2022 law] does not create a right to, or otherwise provide independent statutory authority for, an abortion that repeals or restricts [the 1864 law], but rather is predicated entirely on the existence of a federal constitutional right to an abortion since disclaimed by [Dobbs], Lopez wrote.

Two of the justices, Ann Timmer and Robert Brutinel, argued that the court should have instead read the later law to clarify the earlier one. The two laws, they wrote, can and should be interpreted harmoniously to permit their joint enforcement until the legislature or the people, through the initiative process, say otherwise. They argued that the state legislature could not have intended to hide elephants in mouseholes, borrowing a phrase from an unrelated U.S. Supreme Court precedent.

A seventh justice, Justice Bill Montgomery, had recused himself from the case in December after Planned Parenthoods Arizona chapter found a 2017 Facebook post where he said the group was responsible for the greatest generational genocide known to man. The courts membership expanded from five to seven in 2016 after Arizona Republicans passed a bill to add two new seats, which they promptly filled with two Republican justices.

Tuesdays ruling comes less than a week after organizers announced that they had gathered enough signatures to put a ballot initiative on abortion rights on the November ballot. If voters approve the measure this fall, the state constitution would protect a fundamental right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability. Arizona lawmakers would only be able to regulate the procedure before then to advance a compelling state interest, essentially restoring the pre-Dobbs framework.

Another open question is whether the 1864 law will truly take effect. Top state officials, including Hobbs and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, said they would decline to enforce the law while in office. The states county prosecutors have sent mixed signals about whether they will follow suit. Nevertheless, even if some officials decline to enforce the ban, its effect will be felt in other ways. Eight of the states nine clinics that perform abortions closed after Dobbs because of the legal uncertainty surrounding abortion access in the state, leading to a sharp drop in abortions in the state.

This week, former President Donald Trump roiled Republican conversations about a potential national abortion ban if the Republican Party retakes power in Washington this fall. In a vague video statement on Monday, he appeared to suggest that he supported a state-by-state approach but did not rule out signing federal legislation that would restrict abortion. (A de facto second-term playbook for the Trump administration known as Project 2025 erases any uncertainty in this regard: The Dobbs decision, it reads, is just the beginning.) Though Trump has said he supports in vitro fertilization access and abortion exceptions for rape and incest, he has also often touted his role appointing three justices in the Dobbs majority. Some high-profile Republicans have already refused to follow his lead.

The Arizona ruling added to that uncertainty by forcing some Republican candidates and officials in the Grand Canyon State to go on the defensive. The courts most high-profile critic from the right was Kari Lake, the GOPs 2022 nominee for governor and its current nominee for a Senate seat. I oppose todays ruling, and I am calling on Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support, Lake said in a statement.

Other potentially vulnerable Republicans also criticized the ruling. Todays ruling is a disaster for women and providers, Representative Juan Ciscomani, a Republican who represents a swing district that he won by just 400 votes in 2022, said on Twitter. In Arizona, our 15-week law protected the rights of women and new life. It respected women and the difficult decision of ending a pregnancyone I will never personally experience and wont pretend to understand.

Despite some Republicans criticism of the ruling, it is nevertheless the product of a concerted effort by their party to make it nearly impossible to obtain an abortion in the stateboth by overturning Roe v. Wade at the national level and by appointing state Supreme Court justices to an expanded court who would be willing to enforce an abortion ban that predates womens suffrage by more than 50 years.

Lopez, the decisions author, insisted that the ruling does not rest on the justices morals or public policy views regarding abortion. For their sake, I hope that is correct. By imposing a near-total ban on abortion upon Arizonans from above, the state Supreme Court may have only opened the door for the states voters to enshrine more permissive abortion laws than would have otherwise existed. The rulings impact may only be temporary from a legal perspective. But its effects will be enduring for Arizona women who must make life-altering decisions until then.
Industry experienced a ~22% year-over-year revenue increase while surpassing the $4 billion mark for the first time

WINNIPEG, MB, April 10, 2024 /CNW/ - The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) today released its 2024 State of the Industry (SOI) Report showing the North American pet health insurance sector grew another 21.9% in 2023.

NAPHIA Logo (CNW Group/NAPHIA - The North American Pet Health Insurance Association)

This year's SOI Report indicated, for the first time, the North American pet insurance industry had exceeded the $4 billion mark, with a record-setting $4.27 billion USD in total premiums sold in 2023 (a 21.9% increase from $3.5 billion USD in 2022) and over 6.25 million pets insured across North America (a 20.9% increase from the 5.17 million pets insured in 2022).

In Canada, total premium volume* totalled $485.5 million CDN, an increase of 29.8% over the previous year. With an estimated 16.4 million pets in Canada, and an average penetration rate of 3.52% (5.52% for dogs and 1.67% for cats), Rick Faucher, NAPHIA President and Chief Partnerships Officer with Fetch Pet Insurance, expressed his optimism for the industry's continued long-term growth in the country.

"Last year, the Canadian market experienced its highest year-over-year growth rate since 2015 and outperformed the US market," said Faucher. "With the continued growth of the Canadian market and current penetration rate for dogs and cats in Canada, we see a tremendous upside for the industry in Canada and are very encouraged about the future."

NAPHIA Executive Director Kristen Lynch noted the 23.6% average growth rate in Canada over the past five years demonstrates that many Canadian pet owners understand the value of pet insurance and experience its impact in mitigating unexpected veterinary costs.

"At a time when households are experiencing growing financial pressures, pet insurance provides owners with financial protection to cover the rising costs of veterinary care," said Lynch. "Our industry's strong growth is evidence that Canadian pet families recognize the value of pet health insurance coverage and appreciate the certainty it offers in those instances when their pet has an unexpected illness or injury."

The SOI Report is published annually to provide NAPHIA members, industry regulators, media, and other interested parties with key benchmarks on the updated status of the North American pet insurance industry.

* As reported by NAPHIA members

Some Industry Highlights:

NAPHIA's State of the Industry (SOI) Report has been published using data compiled, aggregated and validated by the global multinational risk management and advisory firm Willis Towers Watson. NAPHIA members and SOI participants represent 99% of all pet health insurance coverage in effect in North America.

Story continues

To view the results and download the full report, please visit: https://naphia.org/industry-data/

Canada

$485.5 million CAD  total premium volume (29.8% increase YoY)

577,785  total number of pets insured (13.6% increase YoY)

$258.2 million CAD  total amount of claims paid in 2023 (22.8% increase YoY)

Majority of insured pets reside in Ontario (37.9%), British Columbia (18.7%) and Alberta (16.4%)

75.5% of insured pets were dogs versus 24.5% cats

Average accident and illness premium for dogs was $940.91/year or $78.41/month CAD

Average accident and illness premium for cats was $488.73/year or $40.73/month CAD

Canada represents ~10% of the total number of insured pets in North America

United States

$3.91 billion USD  total premium volume (21.6% YoY)

5,676,776 million  total number of pets insured (17.1% increase YoY)

$2.48 billion USD  total amount of claims paid in 2023 (29.8% increase YoY)

More than a third of U.S. insured pets reside in California (18.3%), New York (7.5%) and Florida (6.2%)

78.6% of insured pets were dogs versus 21.4% cats

Average accident and illness premium for dogs was $675.61/year or $56.30/month USD

Average accident and illness premium for cats was $383.30/year or $31.94/month USD

The US represents ~90% of the total number of insured pets in North America

About NAPHIA

The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) is comprised of reputable pet health insurance organizations from across Canada and the United States. As the industry's trade association, NAPHIA works to advance and grow the pet insurance industry and marketplace through proactive research, data sharing, benchmarking initiatives, advocacy efforts, strategic partnerships, resource sharing and the dissemination of information to collaboratively address challenges and opportunities.

SOURCE NAPHIA - The North American Pet Health Insurance Association

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2024/10/c4544.html
Arizona Supreme Court Justices from left; William G. Montgomery, John R Lopez IV, Vice Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer, Chief Justice Robert M. Brutinel, Clint Bolick and James Beene listen to oral arguments on April 20, 2021, in Phoenix. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, April 9, 2024, that the state can enforce its long-dormant law criminalizing all abortions except when a mothers life is at stake. | Matt York

Arizonas Supreme Court has effectively reinstated an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions in the state, by a 4-2 vote. In a landmark decision, the state was given the go-ahead to begin enforcing the old law. The sole exception is to save the mothers life.

The Tuesday decision threw out an earlier lower court decision that concluded doctors couldnt be charged for performing abortions in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, per The Associated Press.

But as the The New York Times reported, while the law is enforceable, the Arizona Supreme Court put the decision on hold so that a lower court could hear challenges to the laws constitutionality. Abortion providers said they expected to continue performing abortions through May as their lawyers and Democratic lawmakers searched for new legal arguments and additional tactics to delay the ruling.

While conservatives hail the decision, Arizonas Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes told reporters she will not enforce the law. Let me be completely clear, as long as I am attorney general, no woman or doctor will be prosecuted under this draconian law in this state, Mayes said in a statement.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, also a Democrat, expressed hope that the GOP-controlled Legislature will repeal the 1864 law.

The court battle

After the U.S. Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, enforcement of the old Arizona law was blocked by a Tucson court. When the nations highest court overturned Roe in June 2022, Arizonas attorney general at the time, Mark Brnovich, a Republican, asked a state judge to remove the injunction and allow the 1864 law to be enforced. The issue then wound its way up to Arizonas high court.

NBC reported that the Civil War-era law  enacted a half-century before Arizona even gained statehood  was never repealed and an appellate court ruled last year that it could remain on the books as long as it was harmonized with a 2022 law, leading to substantial confusion in Arizona regarding exactly when during a pregnancy abortion was outlawed.

The state has been operating under a ban on abortion after 15 weeks gestation.

The 1864 law

As the Times explained, The territorial-era ban was never repealed. And the Arizona Supreme Court said Arizonas Legislature had not created a right to abortion when it passed the 15-week ban. Because the federal right to abortion in Roe v. Wade had now been overturned, nothing in federal or state law prevented Arizona from enforcing the near-total ban, the court wrote.

Planned Parenthood doctors told the media that criminal penalties will likely only apply to doctors.

While not saying it explicitly, the Arizona Supreme Court seemed to agree. In this weeks ruling, the court found that in light of this opinion, physicians are now on notice that all abortions, except those necessary to save a womans life, are illegal. And per AP, The justices noted additional criminal and regulatory sanctions may apply to abortions performed after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Jake Warner, of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian advocacy group that argued for reinstatement of the law, said at a news conference that he believed county prosecutors had the authority to enforce the law as written, and so protect unborn life here in Arizona, as reported by the Times.

According to The Washington Post, in an October New York Times-Siena College poll, 59% of Arizona registered voters said abortion should be mostly or always legal; 34% said it should be mostly or always illegal. The article quoted findings from a March Fox News poll in which 39% of Arizona voters said abortion would be extremely important in deciding their vote for president, while 32% called abortion very important as they vote. Voters who supported Biden in 2020 were nearly twice as likely to say the issue would be extremely important in their vote, 51% to 27%, the Post reported.

Kari Lake, a Republican who lost her bid for Arizona governor to Hobbs, and is now running for the Senate, on Tuesday asked the state legislature and Hobbs to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support. She had previously been an outspoken critic of abortion, but recently moderated her stance, the Post reported.

Like former President Donald Trump, with whom shes been closely allied, Lake has recently said that abortion should be a state-by-state decision, not a federal one.
Arizona's ban on abortion sets up the swing state for an election 2024 showdown

With virtually all abortions in the state soon to be outlawed, Arizona has moved front and center in the national fight over reproductive rights that could help sway the election between President Biden and former President Trump.

The state's Supreme Court set off political shock waves Tuesday when it reinstated a law from 1864  decades before Arizona became a state  banning abortions except when the mother's life is at risk.

In response to the ruling, Biden pointed out that the law was first put into place when Arizona was a territory  and long before women had the right to vote.

"This ruling is a result of the extreme agenda of Republican elected officials who are committed to ripping away womens freedom," the Democratic president said in a statement. "Vice President [Kamala] Harris and I stand with the vast majority of Americans who support a womans right to choose."

Harris announced that she would visit Tucson on Friday as part of her "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms" tour. She released a video statement hours after the ruling, blaming Trump for Arizona's law.

"Its a reality because of Donald Trump, who brags about being proudly the person responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade, and made it possible for states to enforce cruel bans," Harris said in a statement.

The decision came one day after Trump released a video on social media announcing his current stance on abortion, saying he supports leaving the issue to states. He also took credit for appointing the conservative Supreme Court justices who would go on to vote to overturn Roe vs. Wade, returning decision-making power over the divisive issue to the states in 2022.

Asked on Wednesday whether Arizona had gone too far, Trump told reporters: "Yeah, they did. That'll be straightened out. As you know, it's all about states' rights. It'll be straightened out. I'm sure that the governor and everybody else are going bring it back to within reason."

Arizona had previously banned abortions after 15 weeks. Advocates with Arizona for Abortion Access, a reproductive rights organization, say they have enough signatures to put a state constitutional amendment that would protect abortion access on the ballot. The group said Tuesday that it had collected well over the roughly 384,000 signatures required to put the measure before the states voters in November.

Read more: Trump says leave abortion to the states. That's where it gets complicated

The issue could prove pivotal in the election in Arizona, where Democrats make up 29% of the electorate and Republicans 35%. A recent KFF poll found that people who vote because they deem abortion the most important issue on the ballot lean Democratic.

The state high court's ruling landed at 10 a.m., just minutes before Chris Love, a spokesperson for Arizona for Abortion Access, began a news conference in the state Capitols rose garden. Her voice cracking, she told supporters gathered that passing the ballot measure in November is as critical today as it was yesterday."

"Today is a clear example of what's at stake," Love said laterin an interview. "We still have a Legislature that is controlled by antiabortion folks, representatives. And at any point in time, they can do anything with the law. And so enshrining abortion in our constitution gives Arizonans the certainty that their rights are protected."

The near-blanket ban goes into effect in about two weeks, and Love emphasized that people less than 15 weeks pregnant who are seeking abortions can still get them, for now.

The ban is expected to send Arizonans seeking abortions to Southern California.

The last time abortion was unavailable in Arizona, right after the Dobbs decision [overturning Roe], we absolutely saw spikes in our volume, said Sue Dunlap, chief executive and president of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, one of the largest abortion providers in the nation. I have every expectation, when this goes into effect, we will see dramatically more patients.

After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe in 2022, Dunlap said, abortions provided by the organization increased by 22%.

I went to one health center parking lot, and one car after another was from Arizona, she said.

Democrats seized on the ruling to push their abortion rights message  and to raise funds.

"Help us continue to fight for abortion access across the nation by electing fiercely pro-choice women," Colleen Davis, endorsements manager of Her Bold Move, wrote in an email appeal for the group, which promotes female candidates who support abortion rights.

Read more: Inside the abortion clinic setting women free all day long in post-Roe Arizona

Alice Stewart, a GOP strategist who worked on the presidential campaigns of antiabortion candidates such as former Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), said the day's news would undoubtedly "motivate the pro-abortion crowd"  giving Democrats a needed boost in the swing state.

The reality is those in the pro-life community that fought to overturn Roe vs. Wade, taking this issue out of the hands of unelected justices and putting it in the hands of elected legislators, need to realize that could mean the pro-choice community is going to win, Stewart said.

She praised former presidential candidate Nikki Haleys position on abortion during the GOP primary as a smart tactic  talking about reasonable abortion limits, not abortion bans.

If the goal for Republicans is to broaden the electorate past Republican primary voters and appeal to independent voters and suburban women, there has to be a more nuanced position on abortion, Stewart said.

Both Democratic and Republican candidates in the tight race for Arizona's U.S. Senate seat condemned the ruling.

"I'm sorry to the women of Arizona," Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said in a video posted to social media. "The fact that women in Arizona now have less rights than they ever had, have no control over their bodies  it's just inhumane. But we're not done. The state Supreme Court has had their say. We will have our say."

His most prominent Republican opponent, Kari Lake, a former newscaster and loyal Trump supporter who has supported abortion restrictions, said she also opposed the ruling. She called for the governor and state Legislature to "come up with an immediate common sense solution."

Lake said she agreed with Trump that abortion "is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people"  but she disagreed with her state's ruling.

At a PBS debate during her run for governor in 2022, Lake said she believes that "life begins at conception."

She also said: "I don't think abortion pills should be legal."

Love, with Arizona for Abortion Access, said she didn't trust Lake's statement Tuesday.

"Some of the antiabortion legislators that have been clear about their position for years and years are now trying to moderate that position. And I'm telling folks, don't believe the hype," Love said.

Arizona's U.S. senators  outgoing independent Kyrsten Sinema and Democrat Mark Kelly  lambasted the decision as endangering women's health and pressuring doctors.

"This is a really sad day for the state of Arizona," Kelly said.

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
School choice opponents warn that students with disabilities lose their federal protections when they enroll in private schools. "It's important for Arizona families to be aware of the rights they give up when they leave the public school system," said the state's Attorney General Kris Mayes. But the latest special education scandal casts further doubt on whether these rights help some parents at all. The details reported by The Arizona Republic are chilling and the district's response is infuriating.

"This child has been through hell," said Sandy Zelenka, recounting how her autistic second grader, Levi, was treated by Peoria Unified School District's autism program before transferring to a private school in 2020. Levi was restrained for long periods in an unfurnished closet-sized room until Zelenka was alerted by an assistant.

Six other families have come forward to The Arizona Republic with more recent allegations, including unexplained physical markings such as a black eye, bruising, and a bloody cut. They demanded answers but were stonewalled by district officials, who deny any abuse or mishandling by employees.

But school employees said "children are not safe in the program, and problems have been long-standing," The Arizona Republic reported. They also accuse the district of concealing records from parents.

Two of the families have already switched their kids to private schools and can use Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) to help pay for tuition and other services. Under the program, students with disabilities get extra funding based on their needs.

While school choice opponents boast of robust federal protections, the reality for students in Peoria Unifiedand public schools across the countryis much different.

The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees a free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities. When it was first signed into law in 1975 (then known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act), public schools routinely discriminated against disabled students.

IDEA requires schools to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in consultation with parents that describes a student's needs, sets goals, and establishes what services the school will provide. However, school officials have the final say over what's included in an IEP, and their incentiveto comply with federal mandates at the lowest possible costis at odds with parents' desire to get the best education possible.

Parents also have little recourse if they don't agree with an IEP's provisions or how it's carried out by the school. They can either use IDEA's due process procedures to get an administrative hearingwhich can be time-consuming and costlyor enroll their child in a private school and sue the school district for reimbursement, which has financial risks and upfront costs that many can't afford.

Suffice it to say the entire special education apparatus is rigged against students. IDEA only provides accountability if parents have the time, financial means, and doggedness to navigate a highly bureaucratic system that's tilted against them. But even then, nothing is guaranteedCalifornia's Irvine Unified School District spent over $1 million in legal fees fighting a single family just to make a point to other parents.

In 20212022, parents made 10,806 mediation requests and filed 35,650 complaints against public schools nationwide, indicating that many families aren't satisfied with their special education services. Private school choice programs in states such as Arizona, Florida, and Indiana allow parents to opt out of this byzantine system altogether, and it's working: There are now at least 137,000 students with disabilities in the U.S.including over 10,000 in Arizona's ESA programusing school choice to access options that better fit their needs.

There are many bad arguments against school choice, but fear-mongering about students losing their federal protections is the most ridiculous. Special education is terribly broken, and school choice is the only thing that actually tips the scale in the favor of parents.

The post Arizona's Battle Against School Choice for Special Needs appeared first on Reason.com.
DENVER (KDVR)  A 17-year-old driver is facing charges for driving a stolen car involved in a single-vehicle rollover crash on March 30 on Interstate 225 that resulted in another teens death.

Police are now saying that speed was likely the most significant factor leading to the crash.

All of the vehicles occupants were ejected from the vehicle just before 7:30 a.m. Police identified the car as a stolen 2016 Kia Sorrento with five teens inside.

1 killed in auto-pedestrian crash in Five Points

The car was traveling north on I-225 just south of East 6th Avenue when the driver lost control, resulting in the rollover crash, according to police.

One teen, a 15-year-old girl, died at a local hospital from injuries sustained in the crash, police reported. Four of the teens were taken to area hospitals with varying injuries, and the fifth was evaluated by paramedics on scene and released to a guardian.

Several deadly crashes have happened on the same stretch of Interstate 225 near Alameda Avenue heading northbound. (Rogelio Mares, KDVR)

A crash on I-225 north was closing all lanes as of 8:30 a.m. on March 30.

A crash on I-225 north was closing all lanes as of 8:30 a.m. on March 30.

A crash on I-225 north was closing all lanes as of 8:30 a.m. on March 30.

The Aurora Police Department issued an arrest warrant for the driver who the agency identified as a 17-year-old. The driver is facing charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and two counts of motor vehicle theft. Aurora police will not identify the teen because he is a minor.

The crash closed a section of the interstate for several hours as police investigated.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Aurora police are still investigating the crash. Usage of seatbelts, as well as alcohol and drugs, are still being investigated as other contributing factors.

The agency told FOX31 on April 1 that the stretch of I-225 near Alameda Avenue has a disturbing trend of deadly or serious injury crashes. APD said that all of the deadly crashes in the area were because of excessive speed.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
"The employee considers himself as an artist and most likely saw his role in the museums installation team as a day-job," a museum spokesperson said

Prisma Bildagentur/Universal Images Group via Getty The Pinakothek Museum of Modern Art

An art museum employee was fired after trying to show off one of his own works of art.

A 51-year-old employee of Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, Germany  who had not been identified by the museum or police  installed his own self-made painting in the museums modern art floor, according to The New York Times, the Telegraph and the BBC.

The museum told the Times that the technician had been working on a new exhibit when he detoured to the art gallery area to put up his painting. Museum spokesperson, Tine Nehler told the outlet that the man went unnoticed in the gallery because he had been carrying tools.

To install the art, which measured 24 inches x 47 inches, he drilled two holes along a wall, according to the Telegraph and Times. The museum did not say what his art depicted. However, speaking to The Guardian, a spokesperson remarked, "All I can say is that we did not receive any positive feedback on the addition from visitors to the gallery."

Related: British Museum Fires Employee After a Number of Items Found to Be 'Missing, Stolen, or Damaged'

Police sources told the Telegraph and the BBC that the worker installed the painting hoping it would lead to an artistic breakthrough.

The employee considers himself as an artist and most likely saw his role in the museums installation team as a day-job to support his true calling, a museum spokesperson said in a statement to The Guardian.

The addition to the gallery  which also featured some of the worlds top artists including Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso, per the Telegraph  came to the museum's attention shortly before it opened for the day, although it remained up on the wall until closing, according to The Guardian.

Related: Van Gogh Painting Stolen from Dutch Museum Returned Over 3 Years Later Inside IKEA Bag

The museum reported the incident to the police and Nehler said the art was returned to the worker, who has been banned from returning to the museum.

Nehler told the Times that the reasoning behind the ban was simple: You cant really have a person like that guarding the high-security wing.

The Pinakothek der Moderne did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on the incident.

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.

A similar incident happened a few weeks ago at the Bundeskunsthalle museum, when a student smuggled her own painting inside and put it up in one of its exhibitions.

The museum ended up posting a picture of the art on its social media in order to identify the artist and then her painting was eventually auctioned off by the gallery. The proceeds from the sale of her portrait titled Georgia were given to an art charity called ArtAsyl in Cologne, BBC reported.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Six weeks after two guns were found in an assistant principals vehicle at Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts, the weapons are still in possession of the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office.

Stephen Brock, who had served as assistant principal at the Title I elementary school since the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year, is no longer employed by the school district as of Feb. 28, the day the firearms were found.

Beaufort County Schools spokesperson Candace Bruder would not say whether Brock resigned or was fired, although the districts policy handbook indicates that the presence of firearms on school property is grounds for termination at the discretion of the superintendent.

An attempt to reach Brock via Facebook Messenger was unsuccessful. His public social media accounts indicate he began teaching in 2010 and received his masters in general education in 2015. He previously taught at La France Elementary School in Anderson County.

No criminal charges have been filed.

Brock drew the attention of school officials on Feb. 28 after coworkers reported he was slurring his speech, walking funny and had fallen asleep in his office while conducting a risk assessment of a student, according to a Sheriffs Office incident report.

Believing Brock might be under the influence of something, district personnel contacted one of their safety officers  distinct from a deputy school resource officer  who asked Brock for permission to search his vehicle in the employee parking lot. The assistant principal consented, the report says.

In the center console of Brocks truck, the officer found two Smith & Wesson handguns: a 357 revolver and a 915 semi-automatic pistol, unloaded and without a magazine. He also discovered five .38 special Aguila rounds, which are compatible with the revolver.

Police said the weapons were properly stored, but they were confiscated at the request of the school district, said Sheriffs Office spokesperson Maj. Angela Viens.

Although Brocks concealed weapon permit had expired in December, police did not bring charges forward because they believed he had begun the renewal process, said Viens. The S.C. Law Enforcement Division says the process can take up to 90 days.

The SRO, who did not notice any abnormal behaviors while speaking with the assistant principal, also noted in the report that Brock had no ill intent with the weapons.

Brock told the SRO he was on a new medication prescribed by his doctor, adding that the school district wanted to give him a drug test and search his truck for alcohol.

When asked whether Brock was drug tested by the school, Bruder said the district is unable to comment on an employees personal health information.

A message sent to HHSCA parents by the district the afternoon of Feb. 28 stated, We are writing to let you know that it was discovered that an employee had two personal weapons in their vehicle in the parking lot. Law enforcement was immediately contacted. Out of an abundance of caution, this individual was removed from our campus.

Charges could be applied retroactively if police discover Brock had not filed for a renewed CWP, according to Viens. Because the search occurred before South Carolinas Constitutional Carry bill took effect in early March, the facts of the case would be weighed under prior state law, which says possession of a firearm on school property without a CWP is a felony.

Brock reached out to the Sheriffs Office about reclaiming his firearms in the weeks following the incident, Viens said, but the agency must complete a list of checks and signoffs before the weapons can be released from the evidence locker.

It was not immediately clear whether Brock would keep his South Carolina teaching certification. As of Tuesday, his name had not appeared under the Department of Educations Orders of Disciplinary Action, which become public record when the state suspends or reinstates a teachers license.

The Beaufort County School District has since hired a new assistant principal, whose first day on the job was March 7.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  One person was seriously injured after a rollover crash in north Austin on Wednesday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media.

Around 1:31 p.m., medics responded to the rollover at Dessau Road and Brighton Lane. The Austin Fire Department also responded to assist with a vehicle rescue and extrication, medics said.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

One person was removed from the vehicle and was reported unconscious. That person was taken to Dell Seton with critical life threatening injuries, medics said.

Additionally, another patient was taken to Dell Seton with nonserious injuries.

No other details were released Wednesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The Assyrian Church of the East and Its Ties With Russia

The Primate of the Assyrian Church of the East, His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Awa III , has headed this ancient sea for only two years and has already visited Russia twice. In November 2023, the President of the Russian Federation V. Putin signed a decree awarding the Catholicos "for his great contribution to the preservation and development of spiritual and cultural traditions, strengthening peace and harmony between peoples" with the Russian state award - the Order of Friendship. In an interview with the Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate (No. 3, 2024), His Holiness Mar Awa spoke about the close ties between the Russian and Assyrian peoples, the dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church of the East, and the goals of his ministry.

Assyrians in Russia in the time of Nicholas II

Your Holiness, the Assyrian people have longstanding close ties with the Russian people, which was especially evident in the late 19th century and during the First World War. The best proof of this fact is your ancestors who served in the Russian army during those years. Tell us about them.

My maternal great-grandfather, Shmuel Khan, became a full Cavalier of the Cross of St. George. His father, my great-great-grandfather, Bejan, according to our family legend, also received the St. George Cross. He came fr om Targavar district, fr om the Urmia county1, where in the late 19th century there was a Russian vice-consulate, and in the early 20th century - the Russian military presence and the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Urmia. Bejan was killed by the Kurds in 1907.

Shmuel Khan was a commander of the Targavar Assyrians' squad and served on the Persian-Turkish border. During World War I, in September 1914, he defended Urmia against the Kurds. In his detachment were 250 Assyrians, and with them was a detachment of 60 Cossacks. At the beginning of the siege, the Cossack commander was killed by a sniper, and Shmuel Khan took charge of the united detachment. The fighting went on for almost three days, and the Kurdish attack was repelled. Later he took part in a retaliatory expedition of Russian detachments, the Kurds were driven back. He then commanded the 3rd separate Assyrian cavalry centuria [a hundred men] as part of the Assyrian units fighting in the Russian army.

Shmuel Khan died on the 3rd of March 1918 (according to the Julian calendar, which Assyrians used then; 16 March according to the Gregorian calendar) together with the Assyrian Catholicos Mar Shimun XIX. During the First World War, His Holiness the Catholicos had communication with Emperor Nicholas II through Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich and conveyed words of support to the Emperor in the war with the Ottoman Empire. The Assyrian people were then living in the Ottoman Empire and were fighting for autonomy. Nicholas II responded by conveying words of gratitude for the support and expressed his hope that the Russian people would free the Turkish Christians fr om oppression. When the Russian Civil War broke out in 1918, the Assyrian people were still resisting the Turks, but the Entente countries pressured the Catholicos to negotiate with the Kurds. Catholicos Mar Shimun was invited to a reception with the Kurdish leader Simko Shikak. Shmuel Khan accompanied him. It was the Saturday before Lent: he warned the Catholicos that there might be provocations, and he was right. Almost all the Assyrians at the reception were shot, more than a hundred people were killed, and among them were the Catholicos and my great-grandfather. In 2014, a monument to Patriarch Mar Shimun XIX was unveiled on the grounds of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary ("Mat Maryam") in Moscow.

Shmuel Khan's son Avimalek is also connected with Russia: he studied here, became an officer and commanded an Assyrian cavalry unit of two hundred horsemen fighting on the Russian side on the southern flank of the Caucasus Front in Persia. His niece Florence is my mum.

Given that my ancestors lived in Russia, I have a special appreciation for Russian culture. The personality of Emperor Nicholas II, who had contacts with my predecessor, and his family are of great interest to me. Of Russian writers, L. Tolstoy is of particular importance. In his novels he analysed the spirituality of Russia, of the average believing Russian, and I find that very interesting.

Assyrian parishes in Russia

Today, the life of Assyrians in Russia is centred around the parushes of the Assyrian Church, the main of which is the Moscow church of the Blessed Virgin Mary ("Mat Maryam"). Your visit in 2023 was timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of that parish. What is its significance in the life of Assyrians in Moscow?

The Moscow parish of the Assyrian Church began to take shape back in 1996, when Metropolitan Mar Gewargis of Iraq (later His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Gewargis III, now retired) laid the foundation stone of the church. However, bishops and priests had come before, and the church community itself was formed in the early 1990s.

The parish was officially established in 1998. My predecessor, His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV, consecrated this church dedicated to the Most Holy Mother of God during his visit to Moscow. During all these years the parish has been growing, living a liturgical life, developing and improving. Subsequently, other Assyrian communities appeared in different parts of the country: the parish of the Great Martyr George in Krasnodar, the parish in Rostov-on-Don. The significance of the Moscow parish is extremely important: it is a representation of the Assyrian Church of the East in Russia, uniting many representatives of our people living in the Russian Federation. In addition to regular services, it is a true centre of the Assyrian community in Russia.

In 2024, Assyrians living in Russia will celebrate two more anniversaries - the 10th anniversary of the consecration of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Krasnodar and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the village of Urmia in the Krasnodar region. What are these places?

These are significant places for us, and there are plans to solemnly mark those dates. The Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious was built in 2008 and solemnly consecrated in 2014 by His Holiness Catholicos Mar Dinkha IV. I accompanied His Holiness on that visit and also participated in the consecration. Now, an Assyrian parish lives and develops around that church.

The Kuban village of Urmia is historically very important for us. At the end of XIX century pogroms of Assyrians had begun in the Ottoman Empire. More than a hundred thousand Assyrians were killed or forcibly converted to Islam. That continued until 1923. Then, 100 years ago, many of our ancestors left historical Urmia and moved to Russia. Some of them settled in Kuban. Our ancestors named the new settlement Urmia, in memory of their homeland. A farm was formed in the new place, and later a kolkhoz appeared. Our community still exists there. This place is very significant for us, because our ancestors transferred there the memory from our native places, from the territory of Iran and Turkey, and tried to recreate our home there.

As part of your visit in 2023, you first went to a small Assyrian community in Vladimir. How did it come into being?

We are very grateful to Metropolitan Tikhon of Vladimir and Suzdal, who received us during our visit to Vladimir. It should be said that Assyrian communities in Russia appeared more than a century ago. Assyrians settled in different cities and regions of the Russian Empire: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Tiflis, in Yerevan province and even in such remote places from the centre as Kotlas. The small community and parish in Vladimir have existed for about a hundred years and came into existence after the First World War. The community consists of 35 people, but throughout its existence it has carefully preserved Christian traditions and the heritage of the Assyrian people, passing its experience from generation to generation.

The basis of the inter-Christian dialogue

Your Holiness, there is an official dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. Could you please tell us what topics are addressed in the interaction between the Russian Church and the Assyrian Church?

The dialogue officially began in 2014. It was a joint decision of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and my predecessor, His Holiness Catholicos Mar Dinkha IV. For seven years, from its founding until 2021, I was a member of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. It is now active, doing a lot of work on the interaction between our Churches. We have not yet delved into theological issues, but I do believe that theological consultations within the framework of the commission's activities are necessary for us to discuss issues that have been and partly are canonical obstacles between the two Churches in the past and now. We need to exchange ideas, discuss and analyse historical events, canonical problems, and the theological understanding of each side of the nature and hypostasis of Jesus Christ.

What does the Dialogue Commission do?

First and foremost, the commission addresses issues of humanitarian, social, ethical problems facing our Churches. Especially in the sphere of Christian morality, which is important both for society and for the world as a whole. The Russian Orthodox Church is part of the family of Eastern Orthodox Churches, and we have much in common that we can discuss and agree on. On the agenda are the problem of the individual and humanitarian issues, upholding traditional values, student exchange and academic co-operation, and the situation of persecuted Christians in the Middle East and elsewhere.

We also have common programmes of youth activities. In the summer of 2023, the first World Youth Congress of the Assyrian Church of the East was held in Erbil, Iraq. The forum gathered more than three hundred participants from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, India, Great Britain and a number of countries of continental Europe, as well as from the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We plan to hold such conventions every three years. Generally, each diocese holds its regional youth congress once a year. And in 2019 we have decided to hold a united, worldwide congress. We are glad that we were finally able to realise this. Such congresses are necessary so that young Assyrians, scattered around the world and raised in Europe, Russia, America, Asia, could visit their historical homeland in the Middle East, get acquainted with each other, join the spiritual traditions and culture of their ancestors, visit the land wh ere their parents and grandparents lived, [lands] wh ere ancient churches and monasteries are located.

The youth delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church was also present at the congress. We were happy to receive guests from Russia, and they enjoyed their time in Iraq. They were able to experience the ancient homeland of the Assyrian Church.

What, in your opinion, are the foundations common to the Russian and Assyrian Churches?

There are many common grounds for our dialogue. Firstly, the Apostolic faith. Secondly, the common moments in the history of our two peoples, who had to defend their faith and protect their identity against enemies and persecution. There are many more things that bring us together than those that divide us. Two peoples and two Churches, we have gone through many historical stages together, suffering, defending our faith, defending the right to our faith. The only difference is the experience. We do not have a homeland called Assyria. We once did, many centuries ago. But it is in our hearts.

The publishing house of the Moscow Theological Academy is preparing for publication a translation of your book. What is it about?

The book is an introduction to the sacramentology of the Church of the East and is intended for theological schools. The original idea was to make it a manual for pastors. In the process of writing, the book became more theological. It deals with the seven sacraments of the Assyrian Church, ancient liturgical texts, and the works of the holy fathers on liturgical topics. Special attention is given to two unique sacraments that exist only in the Assyrian Church - the sacrament of the Consecration of leaven and the sacrament of the Sign of the Cross. For example, the Sanctification of the leaven is linked to the tradition that after the Last Supper Christ gave the Apostle Thomas some of the leaven for baking the Eucharistic bread, and since then it has been regularly replenished in the sacrament of the Sanctification of the leaven. The consecrated leaven itself is used to prepare the bread for the Eucharist.

The book is currently being translated into Russian. In addition, it has already been translated into Armenian and published in Armenia; there is an Arabic translation prepared in Iraq.

Preserving the faith and the people

As Primate of the Assyrian Church, what do you see as the main goals of your ministry?

One of my most important aspirations as Primate of the Assyrian Church - and I hope with God's help I will be able to fulfil it - is to find answers to the challenges of our Church, our people and our faith. Most of the faithful now live in the diaspora; our numbers in the Middle East are very small compared to other religious groups. And this is a challenge for us - how do we preserve our Christian faith, our Assyrian identity? Particularly in the diaspora. Yes, in the Middle East we are fighting for ourselves, Assyrians have a long history of struggle and persecution for their faith and tradition. But even in the diaspora, we face the challenges of maintaining our identity. How do we maintain our faith, how do we maintain our Christian morality in the face of all that is happening in the world, all the societal and social changes sweeping the Western countries? To be able to meet this challenge is a great feat. I always try to remember what I need to especially focus on in my ministry.

Of course, the relationship of our Church with other Churches on many different levels and platforms is also very important to us. We are in official dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church and with the Roman Catholic Church, but we also have very good relations with other Churches, in particular with the Syriac [Oriental] Church. Inter-Christian relations are very important. When I was a bishop, I headed the Department of External Church Relations, so it has always been part of my work and my ministry.

What helps you in your ministry as Primate of the Church and spiritual leader of the Assyrian people?

God, to Whom I am eternally grateful for our faith, our holy theological heritage, our liturgical practice, the history of our people, our Aramaic language. All of these [things] give me the strength to continue in ministry. When I study our faith, immerse myself in history and theology, I draw strength. I visit our communities around the world, meeting Assyrians in different countries, in different social and cultural circumstances. The Assyrian life in Russia is different from [that of the] Assyrians in the United States, Australia or the Middle East. This diversity also gives me much experience and strength, and I thank God for that.

His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Awa IIIDeacon Alexander Cherepenin spoke with me

The Assyrian Church of the East is derived from the Christian communities that emerged in the first century in the territory of the Parthian Empire (Mesopotamia). According to tradition, it was founded by St. Thomas the Apostle from the 12, St. Thaddeus, the Apostle from the 70 and his disciple St. Marius the Apostle. The Assyrians were one of the peoples who adopted Christianity in the territory of Parthia, but they were the only ones who have preserved the Christian faith in the region ever since.

The sea was historically located in Seleucia-Ctesiphon, the capital of the region. When the Sassanid Empire adopted Zoroastrianism as the state religion, Christians began to be persecuted. A few decades after the Third Ecumenical Council, in which the Assyrian Church did not participate due to its geographical isolation from the rest of the Christian world, it found itself out of eucharistic communion with the Churches of the Roman Empire - Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. From the V century, the [Assyrian] Church carried out active missionary work in the territories of India, China, Mongolia, Central Asia, Yemen, Qatar. Since 652 it was under the rule of the Arabs.

Due to their education, Christians became the cultural elite in the Arab Caliphate and later in the Mongol Empire. The Assyrian Church flourished in the XII-XIII centuries: in addition to a wide geographical coverage, influential politicians became members of the Church; in particular, Sartaq Khan, son of Batu Khan, was its member. In the XIV century, after a series of numerous mass pogroms, the decline of the Church occurred, and its borders were reduced to the territories of Kurdistan, Syria and India. The invasion of Tamerlane greatly undermined the position of the Assyrian Church. From the XVII century the capital of the Church became the settlement of Qudshanis in Turkey, and Assyrian Christians formed their own millet (an officially recognised self-governing religious community) in the Ottoman Empire. In the late 19th century, Assyrians dreamed of establishing autonomy or a state of their own. During the First World War, the Assyrian people were persecuted by the Turkish authorities: many and many thousands were killed or died as a result of forced relocation. A significant number of Assyrians left their historical homeland during those years, people were scattered all over the world. In 1954, the Patriarch was exiled and for a long time his sea remained in the USA.

Today the Church consists of the dioceses of Iraq, Iran and Russia; India and UAE; Syria; Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon; Europe; Eastern USA; Western USA; California; Canada. Since 2021, the Primate of the Church is His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Awa III. Since 2015, the residence of the Catholicos is in Erbil, Iraq. The [Assyrian] Church unites about 400,000 believers.

The Assyrian Church of the East confesses the Nicene Creed and recognises the first two Ecumenical Councils. The doctrine is based on the tradition of the Antiochian theological school; among the theologians honoured are Diodorus of Tarsus, Theodore of Mopsuestia and Nestorius of Constantinople. Because of the veneration of Nestorius, historiography has come to assume that the Assyrian Church professed Nestorianism. However, the Church itself rejects this view, citing the Book of Heraclides, the last work of Nestorius, in which he sets forth a doctrine significantly different from the Nestorianism condemned at the Third Ecumenical Council. At this point it is difficult to speak of a systematised dogmatics of the Assyrian Church of the East; its theological heritage is scattered. There existed two major theological schools, the Edessa and Nizibis schools. Notable among the major theologians are the Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, the Venerable Jacob of Nizibis, Aphrahat of Persia, Narsai of Nizibi, Babai the Great, and others. The traditional Christological formula was fixed by Babai the Great in the seventh century: "two natures, two Qnomas in one person and one will of Christ."

His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Awa III (born 1975) is the Primate of the Assyrian Church of the East since 13 September 2021. He is a native of Chicago. He graduated from Ignatius Loyola University of Chicago in 1997, University of Saint Mary of the Lake (Illinois, USA) in 1999, the Pontifical Oriental Institute (Rome, Italy) in 2001 (Licentiate) and defended his doctoral dissertation in 2007.

At the age of 16, in 1991, he was ordained a subdeacon, and in 1992, His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV ordained him a deacon. In 2006, he was ordained to the rank of Chorbishop (archpriest), and two years later he was elevated to the rank of an archdeacon (protopresbyter).

In 2008, he was ordained a bishop and became the first American-born bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East. Since 2015, he was Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Assyrian Church, and since 2016 - co-chair of the Commission for Dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church of the East.

On the 8th of September 2021, at a meeting of the Holy Synod in Erbil, he was elected Primate of the Assyrian Church of the East. The enthronement took place on the 13th of September 2021 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Ankawa.

1Urmia is one of the nineteen historic cities of Iran and is estimated by scholars to be 3,000 years old.
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) has become one of the most valuable healthcare stocks in the world, largely due to a couple of exceptional drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy. While the former is a diabetes drug and the latter is approved for weight loss, consumers have been using both to help lose weight. And their effectiveness has created significant demand, which has translated into incredible sales and profit growth for Novo Nordisk in recent years.

But the company arguably is not doing as well as it could as there are constraints on both the demand and supply side. Novo Nordisk is investing billions into additional capacity and has been working with contract manufacturers to help increase the supply of these drugs. On the demand side, not everyone who wants these drugs can afford them.

The good news is that health insurers are starting to warm up to the idea of providing coverage for them. Let's see what this could mean for the stock and its investors.

Multiple health insurers to cover Wegovy

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, multiple health insurers in the country are going to provide coverage of Wegovy for Medicare patients. This includes CVS Health, Elevance Health, and Kaiser Permanente. That means there could soon be an influx of new demand for Wegovy, which can cost over $1,000 out of pocket.

The caveat, however, is that the coverage will be to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in high-risk individuals who also have Medicare drug plans. Earlier this year in March, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wegovy for heart-related risks after the drug demonstrated encouraging results in clinical trials. Health insurers are seeing a benefit in Wegovy's use beyond just weight loss, and that has given them more of a reason to provide coverage for the drug.

Production capacity remains an issue

This is an encouraging development for Novo Nordisk and will provide it with greater incentive to secure more supply of Wegovy. The big challenge thus far has been in producing enough medication.

But Novo Nordisk has been making efforts to ramp up production. Last year, it announced plans to invest $6 billion to create facilities in Denmark as part of a multiyear goal to increase capacity. However, some of those plants won't come online until 2029.

More recently, Novo Nordisk's parent company, Novo Holdings, announced it would be acquiring drug manufacturer Catalent. Following the deal, Novo Nordisk will acquire multiple manufacturing sites that could help to increase its capacity by as early as 2026.

Story continues

In the short term, Novo Nordisk has been using multiple contract manufacturers (Catalent being one of them) to help fill orders. And that's something it may need to rely on further until its capacity increases. Now, with demand potentially rising even higher in the near term, there could be an even greater need to secure more supply.

Sales have been strong and could go higher

While there are challenges ahead for Novo Nordisk, not having enough supply to meet surging demand can be a good problem -- especially if the company has a plan to bolster its supply. The company appears to have such a plan.

Last year, it generated impressive results, with revenue totaling 232.3 billion Danish kroner ($34.8 billion) rising by 36% when factoring out the impact of foreign exchange. And its net profit of 83.7 billion Danish kroner ($12.6 billion) grew by 51%.

Novo Nordisk's sales and profits have been flying high thanks to the growing popularity of Wegovy and Ozempic, and that's a trend that doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. This month, retail giant Costco Wholesale has begun offering access to Ozempic and other popular weight-loss treatments via Sesame, which runs a direct-to-consumer healthcare marketplace.

By making these drugs more accessible, Novo Nordisk's impressive numbers could look even better in the future. Although it may be a challenge to increase supply, the company is in a solid position right now.

Should you invest in Novo Nordisk?

Novo Nordisk is an excellent healthcare company to invest in. Although its valuation may not look cheap as the stock trades at 46 times its trailing earnings, there's a lot of long-term growth ahead.

The company has the potential to become a trillion-dollar stock, considering the massive opportunities in the weight loss market. If you're a long-term investor willing to buy and hold for years, Novo Nordisk could be a fantastic stock to add to your portfolio today.

Should you invest $1,000 in Novo Nordisk right now?

Before you buy stock in Novo Nordisk, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Novo Nordisk wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

See the 10 stocks

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 8, 2024

David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool recommends CVS Health and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Novo Nordisk's Stock Could Get Another Boost, Thanks to This Huge Development was originally published by The Motley Fool
Attackers laughed as they raped and murdered a woman in Israel on October 7, witness says

Editors Note: This story contains graphic and disturbing accounts of sexual violence. It was originally published on January 4, 2024, and updated on April 10, 2024, with additional information concerning the account of an attack on a kibbutz.

Five men came out of the van and captured a woman, ripping off her clothes as they formed a circle around her. One raped her and killed her with a knife. Then he raped her again, said Raz Cohen, a survivor of Hamas murderous rampage in Israel on October 7.

Cohen had gone to the Nova music festival in the desert of southern Israel to be with his girlfriend of two months, Maya. She tried to flee with another friend and was killed, he said. Cohen saw another young woman shot in the head as he ran to hide in a bush  the spot where he witnessed the rape, he told CNN.

Israeli police are documenting cases of rape and sexual violence committed as Hamas fighters burst into Israel from Gaza, attacking the music festival and kibbutz communities near the border. About 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage in the attacks that were condemned globally and led to a massive Israeli military response. Israels subsequent war on Hamas in Gaza has claimed the lives of more than 22,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health.

But the United Nations and human rights organizations were slow to denounce the reports of rape and mutilation against Israelis  mostly girls and women but also men. And Hamas has denied its fighters committed sexual violence during the coordinated attacks.

The UN agency UN Women released a statement in December condemning the attacks and saying it was alarmed by the numerous accounts of gender-based atrocities and sexual violence during those attacks.

The personal belongings of festival-goers are seen at the site of an attack on the Nova festival by Hamas gunmen from Gaza, near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip. This photo was taken days after the attack. - Ronen Zvulun/Reuters/File

Its a fact, Cohen said. Its what happened.

Cohen said a white van pulled up about 30 meters from his hiding spot and five men in civilian clothes got out.

They catch a girl and they started to pull her clothes off, he said. After they pulled the clothes off, one of them started to rape her. It was something like 40 seconds. After he raped her, he take a knife and kill her, murder her. After he did it, he continued to rape the dead body.

The other men around the victim did not seem angry, Cohen said.

They always laugh. I think it was for fun. They murdered a lot of people for fun.

Along with the sounds of apparent mirth, Cohen previously told The New York Times he could recall the terror of the woman he saw killed. I still remember her voice, screams without words, he said.

After the rape, Cohen told CNN he saw the group go after another woman and a man. He said they were killed with knives and an ax.

CNN cannot independently verify Cohens account. A CNN investigation and analysis of video and witness testimony from the Nova festival shows how the rave turned to carnage.

Cohen, 24, says he ran across the open desert field to escape the mass arrival of attackers. He described feeling like he was on a firing range  with nowhere to hide and bullets coming from left, right and behind.

Ive run in the open field and I was very close to some girl, he said. When I passed her  I heard that she fell on the ground. Im looking back  and I saw that she got shot in the head  I looked at the girl but I cant help her so I keep running away until I get to the bush.

Cohen had to wait nine hours in the bush for rescuers to arrive, he said.

Raz Cohen had gone to the Nova music festival in the desert of southern Israel to be with his girlfriend. - CNN

In November, Israeli Police Superintendent Dudi Katz said officers had already collected more than 1,000 statements and more than 60,000 video clips related to the attacks that included multiple accounts from people who reported seeing women raped.

He added that investigators did not have firsthand testimony, and it was not clear whether any rape victims survived.

Rami Shmuel, an organizer of the music festival attended by Cohen, previously said he saw female victims with no clothes as he made his escape, and has no doubts about what happened.

Their legs were spread out and some of them were butchered, he told CNN.

A combat paramedic who did not want his name published also told CNN in November that he saw bodies of two teenage girls in one kibbutz and had no doubt at least one of them was raped.

Her pants are pulled down toward her knees and theres a bullet wound on the back side of her neck near her head, he recounted. Theres a puddle of blood around her head and theres remains of semen on the lower part of her back.

In response to subsequent reports raising questions about the account  specifically about the location, which he identified as Kibbutz Beeri  the paramedic referred questions to the IDF. A spokesman pointed to a report from the United Nations that found grounds to believe accounts of rape and gang rape in the October 7 attacks, and added: In the case in question, the combat paramedic shared his personal experience when he arrived at the scene of the massacre. Considering the privacy of the victims and their families, it is not possible to provide more information about the case.

In a statement to CNN, the kibbutz said: We have no other information. It is important to note that we do not dispute that sexual violence has been part of Hamas plan and been conducted in other places according to testimonies, just not on said girls, who have been brutally murdered nonetheless.

Cochav Elkayam-Levy, a human rights law expert at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, has formed a civil commission with colleagues to document evidence of the attacks. She was determined that the atrocities should not be overlooked or forgotten, especially because the victims are unable to speak for themselves, she said.

Well never know everything that has happened to them, Elkayam-Levy told CNN in November. We know that most women who were raped and who were sexually assaulted were also murdered.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed litigation against multiple companies regarding natural gas prices during 2021s Winter Storm Uri.

According to the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office, Drummond is filing lawsuits against Enable entities (ET Gathering & Processing successor by merger to Enable Midstream Partners, Enable Oklahoma Intrastate Transmission, Enable Gas Transmission and Enable Energy Resources) and Symmetry Energy Solutions LLC.

RELATED STORY: OK AG announces potential legal action over alleged market manipulation during Feb. 2021 winter storm

During Winter Storm Uri, officials say both Enable and Symmetry promoted natural gas and handled intrastate pipelines in Oklahoma. One of their customers was the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA).

The A.G.s Office says GRDA is Oklahomas biggest public power utility and that many of the states public schools, cities, counties and hospitals get natural gas from Symmetry.

Although the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission keeps interstate pipeline workers from owning the product they market, intrastate pipelines dont have the same rules. Many states have certain restrictions on intrastate pipeline owners to match federal rules, but Oklahoma does not, according to Drummond.

According to the lawsuit, the companies used a variety of tactics to drive up the index prices, including reduction of supply and submitting trades at unconscionable price levels to charge GRDA exorbitant fees dictated by the artificially inflated index prices.

I believe the level of fraud perpetrated on Oklahomans during Winter Storm Uri is both staggering and unconscionable, said A.G. Drummond. While many companies conducted themselves above board during that trying time, our analysis indicates that some bad actors reaped billions of dollars in ill-gotten gains. It is important that we do everything in our power to hold bad actors accountable for their actions.

RELATED STORY: Oklahoma AG launches Winter Storm Uri tipline

Winter Storm Uri made its way though the state in February 2021. Before it left the continental U.S., it broke records with snow, ice and frigid temperatures and caused destruction in the southern part of the country. It also raised the need for natural gas.

The lawsuits alleges that Enable and Symmetry relied on the higher demand during Winter Storm Uri and planned to artificially reduce supply.

They knew that it would bring sustained below-freezing temperatures, and that it would increase demand for natural gas. Armed with this knowledge, Defendants used that time to prepare, but not in the way that was rightfully expected from them, the lawsuits say.

Instead of ensuring adequate natural gas supplies to GRDA, upon information and belief Defendants spent the weeks and days before Winter Storm Uris arrival in Oklahoma taking deliberate steps, which continued after Winter Storm Uris arrival, to reduce the availability of natural gas in Oklahoma. They did so with the objective of driving natural gas prices  and their resulting profits  exponentially higher, to the detriment of GRDA and everyone else in Oklahoma.

The companies reaped billions of dollars in extra profit from their wrongful conduct and the resulting surge in prices during the storm, according to the lawsuits.

RELATED STORY: Attorney Generals Office to monitor natural gas supply, marketing activity during frigid weather

According to the A.G.s Office, the litigation against ET Gathering & Processing, Enable Oklahoma Intrastate Transmission and Enable Energy Resources alleges violations of the Oklahoma Antitrust Reform Act, violations of the Oklahoma Common Carrier statute, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraud, constructive fraud, bad faith breach of contract, civil conspiracy and negligence.

Officials say the lawsuit against Symmetry alleges violations of the Oklahoma Antitrust Reform Act, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraud, constructive fraud, bad faith breach of contract, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty.

Symmetry Energy Solutions responded saying,

Symmetry Energy Solutions is reviewing the lawsuit filed today by the State of Oklahoma. Symmetry, like many others, suffered the adverse effects of Winter Storm Uri and adamantly denies the unfounded allegations in the lawsuit, which it will vigorously defend. Symmetry spokesperson

AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl in response to Attorney General Drummonds investigation into artificially inflated natural gas prices during Winter Storm Uri responded saying,

This is welcome news from Attorney General Drummond for Oklahomans struggling with higher utility costs. The companies who reaped billions of dollars on the backs of hard-working Oklahomans during Winter Storm Uri must be held accountable. Frustrated utility customers have been demanding to know why they are paying for a once-in-a-generation storm for decades. Oklahomans are relieved action is being taken against the companies who bilked customers out of billions of dollars in a matter of days. They further demand the recovered funds are returned to the utility customers immediately. AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl

Corporation Commissioner Kim David today released a statement following the announcement from Attorney General Gentner Drummond that he filed lawsuits on behalf of the Grand River Dam Authority, against Enable entities and Symmetry Energy Solutions, as a result of his investigation of artificially inflated natural gas prices during Winter Storm Uri.

Shortly after joining the Corporation Commission, I formally asked Attorney General Gentner Drummond to investigate possible wrongdoing by natural gas marketers and pipeline operators during Winter Storm Uri. After heeding my request, the Attorney General, as the states chief prosecutor, opened an investigation and determined that a lawsuit is necessary to protect Oklahoma ratepayers.

While these lawsuits were filed on behalf of the Grand River Dam Authority, I am hopeful that the Attorney General will pursue additional litigation against other companies so that all determined overpayments may be returned to Oklahoma ratepayers. I appreciate todays announcement and will monitor these lawsuits as they move forward.

Commissioner Bob Anthony released the following statement about 2021 Winter Storm lawsuits: I am thankful the AG says he will pursue additional litigation against other  bad actors [who] reaped billions of dollars in ill-gotten gains from the February 2021 Winter Storm. Hopefully the beneficiaries of his next actions will include the residential retail customers of the states largest monopoly public utilities  customers victimized not only by market manipulation during the storm but by an unnecessary ratepayer-backed bond financing scheme fraught with hiring irregularities, cost discrepancies, apparent overpayments, and a billion-dollar cost overrun.

The petitions filed in Osage County District Court can be found here and here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Many Muslims in Austin are bidding farewell to the holy month of Ramadan and celebrating the festival of Eid al-Fitr at the North Austin Muslim Community Center Tuesday evening  but work awaits to improve sidewalk conditions near the mosque.

The City of Austins Transportation and Public Works Department confirmed Wednesday no road closures or traffic signal changes are planned in the area surrounding the mosque ahead of Wednesday nights celebrations. However, a TPWD spokesperson noted plans are in place to fill in existing sidewalks along that North Lamar Boulevard corridor.

That fill-in work will run along North Lamar between Braker Lane and Parmer Lane, with planned improvements including eight-foot-wide shared-use paths wherever possible, or five-foot-wide sidewalks in more limited segments. That construction is poised to begin in the next few months, the spokesperson added.

Previously, department crews had constructed an eight-foot-wide shared-use path on the eastern side of North Lamar Boulevard between Caddo Street and the On the Green Apartments, located north of Oak Brook Drive.

When looking at the wider North Lamar pedestrian network, city officials are considering the possibility of a pedestrian bridge crossing over Walnut Creek. Under that tentative idea, the bridge would link up with shared-use paths and sidewalks along North Lamar Boulevard on both sides of Walnut Creek.

Along with the possible pedestrian bridge, work is planned to add more pedestrian hybrid beacons at Little Oak Drive and at the On the Green Apartments. However, that awaits approval from the Texas Department of Transportation, due to TxDOTs ownership of North Lamar Boulevard.

The schedule and timeline for both the pedestrian bridge and extra crossings are undetermined at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Creator of Ladies Lounge Kirsha Kaechele at the Hobarts Museum of Old and New Art (Screengrab/ The Project)

A court in Australia has ordered Hobarts Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) to allow entry to men into a women-only art exhibition following a legal battle.

The Tasmanian civil and administrative tribunal on Tuesday found the museum to be in violation of the state's anti-discriminatory law and ordered Mona to allow "persons who do not identify as ladies" to enter the exhibition.

The order comes after a New South Wales man took legal action against the museum after being denied entry into the "Ladies Lounge" during his visit last April.

Inside the lounge, women are served champagne by male butlers while they have a private view of the displayed artworks by the likes of Pablo Picasso and Sidney Nolan.

The space was inaugurated in 2020  based on the concept of misogynistic old-fashioned Australian pubs  where women were largely excluded till the 1960s.

The lounge's ladies-only restriction was challenged by Jason Lau, who argued that the museum had violated the anti-discrimination laws by failing to provide a fair provision of goods and services in line with the law to men.

The museum claimed that the sense of exclusion towards men was the idea behind the installation and held their ground.

Kirsha Kaechele, the artist behind the installation, told Guardian Australia last month that she was absolutely delighted that the museum was taken to court.

The men are experiencing Ladies Lounge, their experience of rejection is the artwork, she said.

Ms Kaechele said the lounge was a response to the lived experience of women forbidden from entering certain spaces throughout history and promoted equal opportunity.

The petitioner said the promotion was "vague" and lacking context. He argued that denying men access to some of the museum's important works was discriminatory.

Monas lawyer Catherine Scott last month claimed that the lounge was covered under 26 of Tasmanias Anti-Discrimination Act, which allows "discrimination in any programme, plan, or arrangement designed to promote equal opportunity for disadvantaged people".

Judge Richard Grueber rejected Mona's arguments and ordered the museum to start admitting men within the next 28 days.

Mr Grueber stated that women generally experience some broad societal disadvantage and women artists as a group experience disadvantage in respect to display of artworks.

But blocking men from the lounge could not be deemed an achieved improvement, he said.

The relevant opportunity that the Ladies Lounge is intended to promote to achieve equality is not readily apparent from Ladies Lounge itself, in the way that, say, a gender-based scholarship or a quota system for the appointment of women to particular positions or a women-only medical clinic might self-evidently point to purposes of addressing systemic gender-based inequality of opportunity in education, employment or access to medical services," he wrote, according to News.com.au.

Mr Lau is male. As he does not identify as a lady, he was refused entry to the Ladies Lounge. He had paid the full entry price for Mona but was not able to experience the artwork contained within the Ladies Lounge. The refusal to permit Mr Lau entry to the Ladies Lounge was direct discrimination, Mr Grueber added.
PORTSMOUTH  Emergency personnel are conducting a search after receiving a report a person jumped off the Portsmouth side of the high-level Piscataqua River Bridge on Interstate 95 Wednesday morning.

New Hampshire State Police are leading an investigation after being notified about the person at 10:05 a.m. Wednesday, the agency announced Wednesday afternoon.

A motorist along the bridge reported the incident to state police after seeing the person climb over the bridge's metal railing and jump down toward the water, accoding to state police.

New Hampshire State Police and local police and fire and rescue personnel were investigating in the area of the high-level Piscataqua River Bridge on Interstate 95 between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

State and local authorities responded to the area around the bridge and the fast-moving river Wednesday morning, scattering around and working to find the person.

"Emergency personnel from the New Hampshire State Police, Portsmouth Police Department, New Hampshire Fish and Game, New Hampshire Marine Patrol, and United States Coast Guard have worked extensively to locate the individual," state police said Wednesday afternoon. "The investigation remains active and ongoing."

Local police and fire and rescue personnel from Portsmouth, Newington and Kittery, Maine responded to the area.

New Hampshire State Police and local police and fire and rescue personnel were investigating in the area of the high-level Piscataqua River Bridge on Interstate 95 between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Portsmouth Fire Department Assistant Chief Jason Gionet said crews were dispatched at 10:09 a.m. Wednesday.

More local news: EPA sets strict new PFAS limits; Portsmouth confirms it must lower levels in water

An overwater drone command was stationed on Patterson Lane in Newington, and law enforcement was present at the Atlantic Heights neighborhood in Portsmouth and at an Eliot, Maine boat launch.

New Hampshire State Police and local police and fire and rescue personnel were investigating in the area of the high-level Piscataqua River Bridge on Interstate 95 between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

This story may be updated.

If you need help

The National Alliance on Mental Illness - New Hampshire offers the following resources to those in distress:

NH Rapid Response Access Point  Call/Text 1-833-710-6477  If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis, you can call and speak to trained and caring clinical staff. Youll be served by compassionate providers from mental health centers in your community who can help you access vital resources in an emergency.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  Call or text 988 for 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. (Chat option is also available at 988lifeline.org).

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Authorities search Piscataqua River in area of I-95 bridge
Law enforcement officials in Southern California have apprehended a 26-year-old inmate who walked away from a minimum-security facility in Los Angeles on Monday.

Rafael Rodriguez came to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations Male Community Reentry Program from Orange County on March 13, 2019, a CDCR news release stated.

The 26-year-old was sentenced to 12 years for kidnapping, inflicting great bodily injury and assault with a firearm, along with an enhancement for the use of the firearm. He had been at the MCRP facility in L.A. since mid-January this year.

Just before 8 a.m. on April 8, Rodriguez was reported missing after authorities received an alert that an ankle monitor had been removed.

Staff immediately initiated an emergency count and confirmed Rodriguez was missing, authorities said. A search was quickly initiated and CDCRs Office of Correctional Safety and local law enforcement agencies are assisting.

State prisoner on the loose in Southern California

Rodriguez was described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He had last been seen wearing khaki pants and a black hooded sweatshirt.

A little more than 24 hours after he removed his ankle monitor and walked away from the facility, officials say he was captured in L.A. and taken to the California Institute for Men.

His case will be referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office for possible escape charges, authorities said in an updated release.

Pursuit suspect surrenders after high-speed chase in Southern California

The Male Community Reentry Program allows those sentenced to state prison to serve the end of their sentences at the reentry center where tools and services necessary to transition from custody to the community are provided. The program is voluntary and only available to men who two years or less remaining on their sentence.

Since 1977, 99 percent of all people who have left an adult institution, camp or community-based program without permission have been apprehended, officials said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A meningitis survivor shared his painful story with 8 News Now as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers changing its age recommendations for meningitis vaccination.

In 2005, Jonathan Deguzman was turning in a paper for one of his college courses when he felt as though he had come down with the flu. He went home and took a nap, to only wake up 12 days later.

Next thing I remember, its 12 days later, and I woke up from a coma, Deguzman said.

Deguzman contracted bacterial meningitis and to save his life, doctors had to amputate all ten of his fingers and both of his feet.

It not only hurt me physically but mentally as well. If I knew this vaccine was available, I would have gotten it, Deguzman explained.

About 10-15% of people who contract the bacteria will die from it. 20% of those who survive will be left with severe disabilities including amputation and potential hearing loss.

This bacteria can actually take a healthy individual, and within 24 hours can potentially be fatal, Dr. Wendy Wright said.

Bacterial meningitis is transmitted through respiratory droplets but can also be transmitted through kissing and sharing water bottles.

Currently, the CDC recommends that people get their first meningitis vaccine between the ages of 11-12 for both girls and boys and a second dose at the age of 16.

However, right now the CDC is looking at revising the schedule to optimize protection against meningitis.

One way the CDC would do this is by removing the earlier age group vaccine and instead recommending two doses of the vaccine between 16-18 years old.

Dr. Wright said making any revisions could be detrimental.

We have seen a 90% decline in bacterial meningitis since the introduction of this vaccine. And we hate to see that lost and the progress that weve made lost by eliminating that vaccination, she said.

In the meantime, Deguzman continues his dancing with a troop in San Diego, and helps others with disabilities as a vocational counselor,

Working with students with disabilities, between 16-22 and the importance of employment and getting ready for the future, he said.

You should seek immediate medical care if you have meningitis symptoms like a fever, a severe headache that doesnt go away, confusion, vomiting, and a stiff neck.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Video shows Lacey pursuit that ended in wrong way I-5 crash. Bail set for suspect Monday

A 32-year-old Puyallup man accused of shooting another man and leading Lacey police on a high-speed pursuit is being held in the Thurston County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Frank Jonathan Taylor made his preliminary appearance in Thurston County Superior Court on Monday.

Lacey police arrested Taylor on Sunday after a lengthy pursuit that ended in a wrong-way collision on Interstate 5 in south Thurston County. The pursuit occurred four days after he allegedly fled the scene of a shooting on the 1200 block of Boone Street Southeast, which is south of Pacific Avenue and west of Sleater Kinney Road.

Police booked him into the county jail on suspicion of first-degree assault with a gun, second-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, eluding police and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Judge Mary Sue Wilson found probable cause for the crimes relating to the pursuit Monday and set the bail amount. She determined the court could not be assured he would attend his next court hearing or that he would not interfere in the case. She also believed there was substantial danger he may commit another violent crime.

Judge Sharonda Amamilo previously found probable cause to order a warrant for Taylors arrest for crimes related to the shooting incident.

Deputy Prosecutor Daniel Scida said Taylor poses a serious risk to public safety and asked the court to set bail at $250,000.

Scida alleged Taylor intentionally shot someone twice on April 3 with a firearm he could not lawfully possess and then fled from police.

He drove at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, Scida said. He rammed three police vehicles went on a high-speed chase for over 20 minutes and then drove the wrong way down I-5 and collided with a private individual.

Bradley Dodge, brother of the man who was shot, told Wilson his brother is mostly paralyzed from the chest down as a result.

This is going to change the rest of his life, Dodge said. Unable to walk again, unable to care for himself. Unfortunately, this gentleman (Taylor) has shown that he is an absolute risk to society. We are hoping to hold him accountable.

Kevin Griffin, Taylors public defense attorney, acknowledged that the circumstances were incredibly serious, but he added Taylor should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Griffin asked Wilson to consider Taylors financial circumstances and set bail at $15,000. He said that amount would have just as much impact as $250,000.

Taylor has a lengthy adult criminal history dating back to 2009 that includes vehicle prowling, assault, theft and drug charges among other crimes.

The investigation

A probable cause statement describes the investigation into the shooting and the pursuit from the perspective of law enforcement.

Lacey police responded to the shooting at 3:35 p.m. April 3 on the 1200 block of Boone Street Southeast. Their statement indicates officers arrived to find a man with two gunshot wounds at the base of his neck, just above the collarbone.

First responders transported the injured man to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia and he was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for care. The statement says the man may have suffered permanent paralysis of his lower extremities.

Witnesses told police an argument broke out between the gunshot victim and another man over gas money, according to the statement.

The victim allegedly engaged in a physical fight with the other man and then tried to stop him from leaving the scene in a vehicle. Taylor allegedly got out of the vehicle, shot the victim and then drove away.

Lacey police located Taylor on Sunday after following a cell phone ping that showed the Puyallup man driving back to the Lacey area, according to the statement.

The pursuit began at 3:42 p.m. when Taylor passed a patrol vehicle near the intersection of Draham Street and Carpenter Road Northeast. Police say he drove a small black sedan that had been stolen out of Olympia.

Taylor allegedly failed to yield for a traffic stop and continued driving at a high speed through Lacey.

He eventually made it onto southbound Interstate 5 and continued driving at speeds up 120 miles per hour while weaving in and out of traffic, according to the statement.

Taylor left southbound I-5 at Exit 88 near Grand Mound and then entered northbound I-5. An officer conducted a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver that forced the vehicle to come to a stop.

Law enforcement tried to box the vehicle in with their patrol cars, but the statement says Taylor backed up his car and rammed the patrol cars to escape. At that point, Taylor allegedly turned around and began traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-5.

Taylors car collided with the passenger side of a civilian vehicle after driving the wrong way for about three-quarters of a mile, according to the statement. The collision disabled Taylors car and he immediately surrendered with his hands in the air.

The statement says Taylor wasnt injured in the crash but the occupants of the other car sustained minor injuries.

Court records show Taylors arraignment has been scheduled for 9 a.m. April 23 at Thurston County Superior Court in Olympia.
Bakersfield PD asks for help to locate runaway missing 17-year-old

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Police are asking for help to locate an at-risk teen who was last seen Sunday and reported missing out of southwest Bakersfield.

The department said Isaiah Beach, 17, was last seen at around 11:18 p.m. in the 3000 block of Pecangrove Drive.

Isaiah Beach, 17

Beach is considered at risk because he has no history of being a runaway.

California is giving up to $150,000 to help first-time homebuyers

Beach is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black beanie, a black hooded sweatshirt, tan cargo pants and white shoes.

Anyone with information on Beachs whereabouts is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
CHICAGO  In an about-face, Mayor Brandon Johnson is now asking aldermen to approve using another $70 million in city funds to maintain this years migrant response.

This week, the mayors office began briefing City Council members on plans to push through the item as a means to keep afloat the citys costly response to the 38,000-plus asylum seekers who have made their way to Chicago since 2022.

The mayors office declined to comment Wednesday, but sources familiar with the briefings said his team hopes to allocate the $70 million from previous city surpluses, similar to a budgetary trick his predecessor Lori Lightfoot introduced on her way out the mayors office last year.

If approved by City Council, the $70 million would augment $150 million already set aside in his 2024 budget for the migrant response. Thats an amount he has long acknowledged would be inadequate, but the mayor has also said its not incumbent on the city to shoulder so much of the burden.

In February, state, county and city officials projected about $321 million would be needed to sustain the citys migrant operation through the end of the year. The state and county pledged about $250 million of that, leaving a $70 million hole sources said Johnson initially agreed to provide before backing off. Johnson bristled at that characterization at the time and told reporters: There are a number of matters that need to be worked through.  No one in the state of Illinois, in this country, is questioning Mayor Brandon Johnsons commitment to this mission.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker seemed to support that sentiment in remarks to reporters Tuesday, despite the back-and-forth two months ago over the $70 million, among other kerfuffles between city and state teams related to the migrants. Asked about reports of Johnson asking the City Council for the money, the governor defended the mayors record on working very hard at addressing the crisis of the incoming migrants that have been sent here from Texas.

Theyre being treated as best they can be, Pritzker said. Its not as (if) the city has fallen down on providing work. And so this is just a continuation of what the citys offered us.

The governor appeared more open to tying himself to Chicagos migrant response, after previously distancing himself at times. He said that for those who complain about the expenditure thats being made, lets be clear first: This is just basic  nobodys getting any fancy luxuries out of this.  These are, first of all, human beings. They deserve to be treated with humanity.

It wasnt always this way. Emails released to the Tribune this week in response to an open records request show how the Pritzker administration and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkles office failed to push city officials to attend a joint news conference to announce the funding effort. The motivation was at least in part political, as Pritzker prepared to deliver his Feb. 21 budget address to the General Assembly, which would have to approve any additional state funding.

In a Feb. 6 email to Cristina Pacione-Zayas, then Johnsons deputy chief of staff, and other city and county officials, Deputy Gov. Grace Hou emphasized the need to present a united front on migrant funding.

I want to reiterate the importance of having at least a joint public statement on this plan before the Governors address, Hou wrote in a late-night email. Is there any way to advance this?

The plan in question called for maintaining enough shelter space for 15,000 asylum-seekers through the summer before reducing capacity to 10,000 available spaces by fall, according to records obtained by the Tribune. Officials determined following that path would require an additional $321 million in funding.

But the city balked at providing its share. The day after Hous email, city officials canceled a scheduled meeting, records show.

Later that afternoon, Pacione-Zayas responded: The city is not in support of a press conference at this time because there are several outstanding decision points, adding that the Johnson administration could consider a joint statement. She suggested a huddle today to confirm core messages.

The following week, Pritzker and Preckwinkle put out a statement announcing they would seek an additional $250 million in combined state and county funding. City Hall was notably absent.

Nearly $300 million has been expended on the migrant crisis since the first bus sent by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott arrived in Chicago in August 2022, according to the citys cost dashboard. Pacione-Zayas, now Johnsons chief of staff, recently told reporters that projections of this years costs might fall, however, after the administration trimmed down operations via resettling migrants, closing shelters and beginning evictions of the longest-term residents.

Indeed, the citys migrant shelter apparatus dipped from a late-December population high of 14,900 to 9,400 on Wednesday. About 100 migrants have been evicted from the system so far. But concerns still remain ahead of the summer, given the arrival of the Democratic National Convention  and possibly many more buses from Texas  in Chicago.

In their presentation to aldermen this week, Johnson officials noted budget cuts would not be needed at this point and said they had always planned for a scenario where they would dip into city surpluses to use around $70 million on the migrant mission. They explained the biggest areas the money would go toward would be staffing, leases and food, as has always been the case.

The strategy is similar to a move Lightfoot made in May 2023, when she introduced an item to designate $51 million in surpluses toward migrant care shortly before leaving office. That became the subject of one of the first acts of rebellion against Johnson after he took over later that month; during his first City Council meeting, three of his opponents temporarily blocked the measure, which later passed.

The early resistance from aldermen indignant over what they described as runaway spending at the expense of longtime Chicagoans foreshadowed the upcoming year of battles over what the city should do for the migrants, many of them Venezuelans who arrive impoverished and lacking legal work authorization.

The $70 million items path to council passage will likely also be uphill, especially as political goodwill in some corners of City Hall has evaporated over the months.

That goodwill too appeared to be shaky from Johnsons side as recently as this month. In an April 3 appearance with reporters, the mayor seemed to throw cold water on the idea of allocating that $70 million even as some progressives were mobilizing behind that in City Council.

No, there has not been additional money. Theres $150 million that we appropriated, Johnson told reporters. Were still fully assessing and evaluating what this mission is going to require.  This is really an undertaking that is unprecedented. The real resources have to come from the federal government.

-------

(The Tribunes Olivia Stevens contributed reporting.)

____
In an about-face, Mayor Brandon Johnson is now asking aldermen to approve using another $70 million in city funds to maintain this years migrant response.

This week, the mayors office began briefing City Council members on plans to push through the item as a means to keep afloat the citys costly response to the 38,000-plus asylum-seekers who have made their way to Chicago since 2022.

The mayors office declined to comment Wednesday, but sources familiar with the briefings said his team hopes to allocate the $70 million from previous city surpluses, similar to a budgetary trick his predecessor Lori Lightfoot introduced on her way out the mayors office last year.

If approved by City Council, which Johnsons administration hopes will happen as early as next week, the $70 million would augment $150 million already set aside in his 2024 budget for the migrant response.

Johnsons budget chair Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, confirmed the likelihood of the spending item facing a vote next week. The Budget Committee is set to meet Monday, ahead of the full council meeting Wednesday, though Ervin said he not seen legislation regarding the proposal yet.

$150 million is an amount the mayor has long acknowledged would be inadequate, but he has also said its not incumbent on the city to shoulder so much of the burden.

In February, state, county and city officials projected about $321 million would be needed to sustain the citys migrant operation through the end of the year. The state and county pledged about $250 million of that, leaving a $70 million hole sources said Johnson initially agreed to provide before backing off. Johnson bristled at that characterization at the time and told reporters: There are a number of matters that need to be worked through.  No one in the state of Illinois, in this country, is questioning Mayor Brandon Johnsons commitment to this mission.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker seemed to support that sentiment in remarks to reporters Tuesday, despite the back-and-forth two months ago over the $70 million, among other kerfuffles between city and state teams related to the migrants. Asked about reports of Johnson asking the City Council for the money, the governor defended the mayors record on working very hard at addressing the crisis of the incoming migrants that have been sent here from Texas.

Theyre being treated as best they can be, Pritzker said. Its not as (if) the city has fallen down on providing work. And so this is just a continuation of what the citys offered us.

The governor appeared more open to tying himself to Chicagos migrant response, after previously distancing himself at times. He said that for those who complain about the expenditure thats being made, lets be clear first: This is just basic  nobodys getting any fancy luxuries out of this.  These are, first of all, human beings. They deserve to be treated with humanity.

It wasnt always this way. Emails released to the Tribune this week in response to an open records request show how the Pritzker administration and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkles office failed to push city officials to attend a joint news conference to announce the funding effort. The motivation was at least in part political, as Pritzker prepared to deliver his Feb. 21 budget address to the General Assembly, which would have to approve any additional state funding.

In a Feb. 6 email to Cristina Pacione-Zayas, then Johnsons deputy chief of staff, and other city and county officials, Deputy Gov. Grace Hou emphasized the need to present a united front on migrant funding.

I want to reiterate the importance of having at least a joint public statement on this plan before the governors address, Hou wrote in a late-night email. Is there any way to advance this?

The plan in question called for maintaining enough shelter space for 15,000 asylum-seekers through the summer before reducing capacity to 10,000 available spaces by fall, according to records obtained by the Tribune. Officials determined following that path would require an additional $321 million in funding.

But the city balked at providing its share. The day after Hous email, city officials canceled a scheduled meeting, records show.

Later that afternoon, Pacione-Zayas responded: The city is not in support of a press conference at this time because there are several outstanding decision points, adding that the Johnson administration could consider a joint statement. She suggested a huddle today to confirm core messages.

The following week, Pritzker and Preckwinkle put out a statement announcing they would seek an additional $250 million in combined state and county funding. City Hall was notably absent.

Nearly $300 million has been expended on the migrant crisis since the first bus sent by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott arrived in Chicago in August 2022, according to the citys cost dashboard. Pacione-Zayas, now Johnsons chief of staff, recently told reporters that projections of this years costs might fall, however, after the administration trimmed down operations via resettling migrants, closing shelters and beginning evictions of the longest-term residents.

Indeed, the citys migrant shelter apparatus dipped from a late-December population high of 14,900 to 9,400 on Wednesday. About 100 migrants have been evicted from the system so far. But concerns still remain ahead of the summer, given the arrival of the Democratic National Convention  and possibly many more buses from Texas  in Chicago.

In their presentation to aldermen this week, Johnson officials noted budget cuts would not be needed at this point and said they had always planned for a scenario where they would dip into city surpluses to use around $70 million on the migrant mission. They explained the biggest areas the money would go toward would be staffing, leases and food, as has always been the case.

The strategy is similar to a move Lightfoot made in May 2023, when she introduced an item to designate $51 million in surpluses toward migrant care shortly before leaving office. That became the subject of one of the first acts of rebellion against Johnson after he took over later that month; during his first City Council meeting, three of his opponents temporarily blocked the measure, which later passed.

The early resistance from aldermen indignant over what they described as runaway spending at the expense of longtime Chicagoans foreshadowed the upcoming year of battles over what the city should do for the migrants, many of them Venezuelans who arrive impoverished and lacking legal work authorization.

The $70 million items path to council passage will likely also be uphill, especially as political goodwill in some corners of City Hall has evaporated over the months.

That goodwill too appeared to be shaky from Johnsons side as recently as this month. In an April 3 appearance with reporters, the mayor seemed to throw cold water on the idea of allocating that $70 million even as some progressives were mobilizing behind that in City Council.

No, there has not been additional money. Theres $150 million that we appropriated, Johnson told reporters. Were still fully assessing and evaluating what this mission is going to require.  This is really an undertaking that is unprecedented. The real resources have to come from the federal government.

Chicago Tribunes Olivia Stevens contributed.
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD)  Battle Creek has scheduled six meetings to lay out proposed changes to how its fire stations are organized and answer questions about the plans.

The city says it needs make changes because Station 2 on Washington Avenue and Station 3 on Cliff Street are more than 100 years old and no longer suitable as modern fire stations. It has proposed building a new Station 2 near where the current one stands. It would close Station 3 altogether and merge its crew into Station 1 on E. Michigan Avenue.

The city has researched, assessed, and studied the fire stations over the years, with the help of a variety of consultants. We have discussed this information with our Battle Creek Fire Department team, and feel we have the best proposal for the city, a Wednesday release said.

At the upcoming meetings, City Manager Rebecca Fleury, Fire Chief Bill Beaty and an architect will break down station costs for residents and show images. People can offer feedback about what they want from the fire department.

The meetings are scheduled for:

April 17, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Station 1 at 195 E. Michigan Ave.

April 27, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Station 2 at 145 N. Washington Ave.

May 1, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Station 3 at 222 Cliff St.

May 6, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Station 4 at 8 S. 20th St.

June 1, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Station 5 at 1170 W. Michigan Ave.

June 3, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Station 6 at 2401 Capital Ave. SW.

The April 17 meeting will be recorded and later be available online and broadcast on cable. The city is still working to get ASL, Spanish and Burmese interpretation set up at various meetings.

The city says it will post more information about the meetings on its website soon. Questions can be directed to the fire department at 269.966.3519 or by emailing publicinput@battlecreekmi.gov.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Dozens of San Francisco Bay Area religious schools, temples, mosques, churches, and community centers will receive funding from the California Governors Office of Emergency Services to help prevent violence and hate crimes.

State funding will pay for physical security enhancements at each location deemed at high risk for violent attacks and hate crimes due to ideology, beliefs or mission, according to Gov. Gavin Newsoms office. Nearly 200 organizations statewide qualified to receive $39 million in grants, the governor announced Wednesday.

These important security investments will help protect diverse communities across the state from acts of violence and hate. Regardless of background, faith, or identity, every Californian deserves safety and security, Newsom said.

San Francisco mosques windows smashed by skateboard vandal

The competitive grant process was administered by Cal OES. Its California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program experienced a spike in demands from schools and religious groups asking for more security. Over the past few months, the state reviewed a record 1,254 applications across California, nearly double the previous record.

Possible security enhancements for each location include: Reinforced doors, gates, high-intensity lighting and access control systems, as well as inspection and screening systems.

San Jose man arrested at church, accused of snatching $53K in donations

Schools, community centers, and religious places of worship that were awarded state funding Wednesday in the Bay Area include:

Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, $250,000

Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires School, San Francisco, $250,000

Park Day School, Oakland, $210,000

Brandeis Hillel Day School Marin, San Rafael, $248,000

Prospect Sierra School, El Cerrito, $500,000

Archdiocese of San Francisco/Our Lady of the Visitacion School, San Francisco, $208,000

South Peninsula Hebrew Day School, Sunnyvale, $250,000

St. Catherine of Siena School, Burlingame, $250,000

International Society for Krishna Consciousness of the Bay Area, Berkeley, $250,000

Islamic Center of Bay Area Bosniaks, San Jose, $250,000

Congregation Bnai Tikvah, Walnut Creek, $250,000

Congregation Beth Abraham of Oakland, Oakland, $242,000

Islamic Center of Fremont, Fremont, $380,000

Kehillah Jewish High School, Palo Alto, $244,000

Jewish Community High School of the Bay, San Francisco, $191,000

Pilgrim Baptist Church, Castro Valley, $131,000

Congregation Beth Sholom, San Francisco, $250,000

Shia Association of Bay Area, San Jose, $150,000

Funds are awarded through a competitive grant process for organizations targeted on the basis of race, religious affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status or similar criteria.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
BBB warns of third-party travel sites that promise great deals but end up with big charges

Channel 2 Action News is looking into travel websites that promise great deals but come with lots of extra charges after you book.

Caphenia Smith said she got a confirmation email from third party booking site Best Ticket Fare that showed her flight times on American Airlines for her trip to Raleigh for the price she paid -- $114.

I got to the counter and American Airlines had no idea who I was, Smith told Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Justin Gray.

It was only in the airport when she called Best Ticket Fare for help that she was told she didnt have a confirmed seat and shed have to pay more than $200 extra for that. She was flying standby.

These people have hidden fees. These people do not have any intentions of honoring your ticket. When you pay that low rate, it is the catch. Its the bait, Smith said.

The Better Business Bureau gives Best Ticket Fare an F rating.

TRENDING STORIES:

BBB reviewer Todd S. wrote last month, Do not book any airline tickets with Best Ticket Fare!! This is a scam! They call you the day after you book a flight and try to tell you that your price has increased.

The BBB recently issued a scam alert for third-party travel websites and extra charges.

Many of the sham third-party sites call back after you book demanding more money for things like baggage or confirmed seats.

Once you make that payment, youll receive a call from the company saying theres been a sudden price increase or that you have to pay an extra charge to complete a booking and a company would never do these things, Taelore Hicks from BBB of Atlanta said.

Smith ended up paying American Airlines an extra $200 for a seat on the flight that she thought shed already booked.

They (Best Ticket Fare) were trying to get more money from me to get out. And I said, absolutely not. Id rather pay it to American Airlines. And thats how I was able to get back home, Smith said.

The BBB said you need to do your research on any third-party website before booking and check all flight details directly with the airlines.

IN OTHER NEWS:




Bear Grylls' son Marmaduke towers over him in family photo on 18th birthday

Bear Grylls shared a family photo to celebrate his son Marmaduke turning 18 years old  and the internet has been left stunned at how tall he is.

The 49-year-old survival expert and television presenter posted two photos of himself, Marmaduke, and wife Shara Cannings Knight to his Instagram on April 6.

He shared two family photos, alongside the caption: "18 today! We love you so much Marmaduke keep shining bright!"

Related: Bear Grylls made Friends star Courteney Cox eat a scrotum full of maggots

And while there were plenty of comments wishing the lad a happy birthday, there were also plenty pointing out how tall Marmaduke is.

"Bear Junior is turning out to be a Grizzly," one person wrote. Another then joked: "You must look up to him a lot," while a third person commented: "Bear Grylls looks like he is the son."

Grylls and Cannings Knight tied the knot in 2000, and also have two other sons. Their youngest child, Huckleberry, was born in 2009, while his brother, Jesse, the couple's eldest child, was born in 2003.

Recently, Grylls spoke about how he had become a fully Irish citizen (he was born in Donaghadee, and lived in Northern Ireland until he was four) in the last few years, and now carries an Irish passport.

Gareth Cattermole - Getty Images

Related: Best streaming services 2024  including Disney+, Netflix, BBC iPlayer and Apple TV+

"I'm a very proud Irish citizen," he told the Irish Times. "I'm very grateful for the (Irish) connection. Since Brexit it's saved the day, to be honest."

Just last month, it was announced that Grylls would be joining forces with Holly Willoughy for a brand new game show set to come to Netflix in 2025.

The show will take British celebs to the Central American jungle, where they'll be met by Grylls himself.

You Might Also Like
Beijing allegedly sent a bus of Chinese students to support a Canadian Liberal politician as part of a campaign of election interference in 2019 and 2021, according to an official briefing.

Previously classified documents have been unveiled as part of a public inquiry into foreign meddling in Canadian elections.

The bus allegation is included in a 2023 Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) briefing for the prime ministers office on how Beijing had clandestinely and deceptively interfered in both the 2019 and 2021 general elections, reported The Globe and Mail, a Canadian newspaper.

The document was in response to media reports that China was running a campaign to influence the 2021 poll. It suggested Beijing sought to inflict damage on the Conservative Party, which it viewed as more hawkish towards the Chinese Communist regime.

In 2021, Chinas foreign interference activities were almost certainly motivated by a perception that the Conservative Party of Canada was promoting a platform that was perceived to be anti-PRC, the document said, referring to the Peoples Republic of China.

It added that online and media activities were aimed at discouraging Canadians, particularly of Chinese heritage, from supporting Conservative politicians, including leader Erin OToole.

Beijing allegedly discouraged Canadians of Chinese heritage from supporting Conservative politicians, including leader Erin O'Toole - Canadian Press/Shutterstock

Justin Trudeau, the prime minister, is set to testify later on Wednesday. He has previously publicly dismissed foreign interference reports and accused the Conservatives of being sore losers.

The intelligence documents indicate Beijing was behind the chartering of a bus full of Chinese students who were dispatched to help Liberal politician Han Dong secure his party nomination.

It suggests the students were pressured to do so and warned that their student visas would be in jeopardy and that there could be consequences for their families back in the PRC if they declined to support him.

Mr Dong has denied knowledge of anything nefarious. The Liberal Party also allows international students to vote in party nominations in the constituencies where they live.

Canadian intelligence officials considered it likely that China had provided $250,000 (145,000) for influence operations during the 2019 poll.

The document states that multiple cabinet ministers and senior officials had been briefed on the allegations of Chinese operations.

Existential threat 

Until [foreign interference] is viewed as an existential threat to Canadian democracy, and governments forcefully and actively respond, these threats will persist, it added, according to the Globe and Mail.

The briefing adds, however, that the task force assigned to monitor foreign interference concluded that the Chinese activities did not affect the overall election result.

The CSIS has also warned that a series of redacted documents tabled before the inquiry may include uncorroborated information that is single-sourced or incomplete and requires further investigation.

Conservative MP Kenny Chiu, who has also been named as a possible target for disinformation - Canadian Press/Shutterstock

China has previously denounced accusations of interference as baseless.

Mr OToole and Conservative MP Kenny Chiu, who has also been named as a possible target for disinformation, have both testified in the inquiry.

Last week, Mr OToole said he believes Chinese meddling cost his party up to nine seats, although he conceded that it did not change the outcome of the election.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
A woman accused of embezzling more than $8.5 million from her employer to bankroll her lavish lifestyle is headed to prison, federal officials say.

The 60-year-old, from St. Petersburg, Florida, was given a six-year sentence Monday, April 8, after pleading guilty to wire fraud late last year, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia said in a news release.

McClatchy News reached out to her attorney for comment April 10 and was awaiting a response.

While working as the office manager and executive assistant for a yard management services company in Alpharetta, Georgia, the woman used company credit cards for family trips overseas, plastic surgery and other exorbitant purchases, prosecutors said.

Her spending spree included a resort wedding for her daughter that cost upwards of $172,000 and spending more than $600,000 on designer handbags and other items at Saks Fifth Avenue, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

She also spent over $238,000 on tickets to sporting events, including the Kentucky Derby, the Masters and the Stanley Cup finals, according to the release.

Investigators said from 2015 until 2020, the woman charged the purchases to her employers credit cards and made them refund her personal credit card for the purchases she made.

She worked in a position of trust for a company that expected her to honor that trust, Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said in the release.

Instead, she chose to abuse it and her personal greed not only hurt the company, but everyone who worked for them.

The woman coded and approved the purchases, sometimes passing them off as legitimate expenses such as newspaper ads, according to prosecutors.

She further hid her scheme by spreading the charges across different job sites, authorities said.

Her six-year sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release, prosecutors said. She was also ordered to pay over $8.6 million in restitution.

Alpharetta is about a 30-mile drive northeast from downtown Atlanta.

Man has kids roam the streets collecting money for fake nonprofit, Florida cops say

HOA treasurer stole $230,000 from neighbors, deposited money in her accounts, feds say

Twins learn doctor is their dad  and he secretly inseminated mom in 1984, suit says
King Philippe - Filip of Belgium delivers a speech at a plenary session of the European Parliament. The Belgian King will be addressing the Parliament on the occasion of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Pool Laurie Dieffembacq/Belga-POOL/dpa

The Belgian king said the public had lost trust in democratic institutions in a speech to the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday.

"I am worried about the loss of faith and trust in our institutions, and about the growing autocratic trend around the world," King Philippe told EU legislators. "That is why our institutions will need to work on greater credibility as to their own operations," he said.

King Philippe is the second Belgian monarch to give a speech in the European Parliament and the first to do so in its Brussels chamber. His uncle, King Baudouin, addressed the legislature in Strasbourg in 1987.

Belgium is currently responsible for chairing talks among EU member states and representing them in negotiations with the parliament, a role that rotates among the 27 member states every six months.

King Philippe said policymakers need to address "the main concerns and fears of citizens, by presenting them results. We therefore need to involve citizens themselves more closely in democratic processes."

"Individuals must remain the measure in all things, and cannot be the possession of a state, or used to glorify a leader, a single religion or a single ethnic group" he added.

The king said Ukraine's defensive war against Russian invasion "is our battle too. It is about defending our security, and our values. We too feel threatened."

He also urged the EU to "remain united in the fight against climate change," and called for greater energy independence.

"Climate policy also helps us achieve that other great ambition: the strategic independence of the EU. The more we make our energy consumption renewable, the less dependent we are on imported energy."

King Philippe of Belgium stands in front of the Brandenburg Gate during a visit by the Belgian royal couple to Germany. The Belgian king said the public had lost trust in democratic institutions in a speech to the European Parliament in Brussels on 10 April. Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Can Belleville officials keep you from displaying Confederate flags and swastikas?

In Reality Check stories, BND journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? newsroom@bnd.com.

A weekend demonstration in Belleville raised questions about what local governments can do if a resident publicly displays symbols that neighbors find offensive, like the Confederate flag and swastikas.

A group of 25 people marched through the streets Saturday to protest public displays like those in a neighborhood near Union Elementary School. Yard signs expressing resident Stewart Lannerts political views feature the Confederate flag and swastikas and reference the enslavement of Black people on plantations.

The protesters called on Belleville to take action.

But governments cant prohibit yard signs because of their content or viewpoint, according to Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory and legal experts from the International Municipal Lawyers Association and American Civil Liberties Union.

Thats because the same law that protects peoples right to protest  the First Amendments guarantee of free speech  also protects their right to express themselves in signs like Lannerts.

Lannert said his Confederate flag sign criticizes protests that led to the removal of statues of historical figures across the country. He uses swastikas on signs that compare politicians to Nazis. He said hes encouraging people to think for themselves with the signs referencing plantations.

Gregory described the signs as divisive and inappropriate, noting that children walking to Union Elementary pass by them. While she doesnt approve of the signage, she said theres nothing the city can do about it.

I wish there was, Gregory said.

Amanda Karras, executive director and general counsel of the International Municipal Lawyers Association, said precedents set by past legal cases show the First Amendment protects even offensive speech. The international lawyers association is a resource for local government attorneys.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1977, for example, that Nazis displaying swastikas had the right to march through Skokie, a village in Cook County that was home to many Holocaust survivors at the time. The Supreme Court has also ruled specifically about signage: A government passing stricter rules for certain types of signs is unconstitutional, the justices ruled in their unanimous 2015 decision.

The ACLU, which advocates for constitutional rights in legal cases, represented the Nazis in the landmark decision from 1977 despite disagreeing with their clients message.

Ed Yohnka, spokesman for the ACLU of Illinois, said the organization opposes the government making decisions about what to censor. It has also argued that the government shouldnt refuse to allow a specialty license plate bearing the Confederate flag because members of the public found it offensive.

The First Amendment requires skepticism toward government efforts to suppress or regulate certain ideas, Yohnka stated in response to BND questions. If the government has the power to limit hate speech, it also has the power to regulate speech about other ideas it deems dangerous.

Yohnka said a recent example is governments trying to restrict classroom instruction about LGBTQ issues.
James Dawkins was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the attack

Antwane Lenoir/Facebook Antwane Lenoir

A Miami pastor was stabbed to death in his church, and a man who had been living on the property has been charged with his murder.

Antwane Lenoir, 41, was found by police suffering from multiple stab wounds to the neck at Westview Baptist Church on Saturday, April 6, the Miami-Dade Police Department says in an arrest report obtained by PEOPLE.

The day of the stabbing, police say that Lenoir, a pastor, had requested for a locksmith to change the churchs locks. That afternoon, the arrest report alleges, Lenoir got into a verbal altercation with James Dawkins.

Police allege that Dawkins repeatedly stabbed Lenoir without any provocation and fled the scene on foot.

Police later located and arrested Dawkins, who was charged with first-degree murder, police say. It is not immediately clear if he has entered a plea.

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.

Yovonka Bryant, the victims cousin, told WSVN that Lenoir had been letting Dawkins live in the church prior to the incident.

He was a very nice man, and he would give you the shirt off his back, Bryant said of her cousin. He was so generous and so kind to a lot of people.

Lenoirs wife, Bree, told CBS that she and her husband had four children.

"He was a very good example of a selfless individual, a joy-filled person, she told the outlet. He always smiled, even if things were looking kind of grim or dreary, you wouldn't know it by his countenance.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Robotic Specialist Danielle Woods (right) and Surgical Technologist Nikki Bread prepare an operating room for surgery at Benefis Health System in Great Falls. The hospital was recently recognized as one of the 150 best places to work in healthcare in the U.S.

Benefis Health System in Great Falls has been recognized by an influential healthcare publication as one of the top 150 places in the nation to work in the healthcare industry. Benefis was the only healthcare establishment in Montana to have made this year's list, compiled and presented by Becker's Hospital Review.

Becker's Hospital Review is a trade magazine for medical industry that provides healthcare news and analysis written specifically for executive leadership. It is the leading magazine/website in the U.S. for hospital business news.

According Becker's Hospital Review's website the annual list of best places to work is based on nominations and editorial research. The list highlights hospitals, health systems, and healthcare companies that prioritize workplace excellence and the happiness, satisfaction, well-being and fulfillment of their employees. Organizations do not pay and cannot pay to be included on the list.

Benefis was highlighted this year for maintaining a no-layoff policy and providing annual pay increases to its employees for 20 consecutive years, as well as its benefits, culture, and processes to encourage staff input. Becker's Healthcare Review rated employee satisfaction at Benefis as 4.06 out of a possible perfect ranking of 5.00, and noted the hospital's low turnover rate of 14.10%

"Outside of insurance and retirement plans, employees benefit from discounted prescription medications up to 90% through the 340(b) program, free vaccinations, and free medication reviews," Becker's observed. "Team members are encouraged to provide operational input via convenient, formalized feedback channels in order to make their voices heard on matters like staffing, new processes, solutions and policies."

The richness of our benefits demonstrates to our employees we are supporting their long-term health, financial well-being, and retirement security, as well as helping recruit in this competitive, challenging healthcare environment, said Casey Buckingham, Benefis Health System senior vice president and chief human resources officer. We know that being a great place to work is a process of continual assessment and improvement. We pride ourselves on being the largest private employer in the area  and on being the employer of choice.

Beckers also highlighted the generosity of Benefis employees toward each other, patients, and the community. It noted that in 2023, more than 47% of Benefis employees participated in the annual employee giving campaign, raising over $520,000 for the Benefis Foundation. That included more than $109,000 for the Caring For Our Own Fund, which assists fellow employees and volunteers experiencing emergencies. Hospital employees also donated more than 5,143 hours to coworkers in need.

Beckers also recognized Benefis as a top place to work in healthcare from 2014 to 2019, and Forbes magazine recognized Benefis in its ranking of Americas best employers in America.

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Benefis Health System named to top 150 places to work in healthcare
AUSTIN (KXAN)  For many Central Texas counties, the eclipse experience went better than expected.

We didnt have any issues, said Lampasas County Judge Randal Hoyer. It was a magnificent eclipse.

KXAN Investigates checked in with nearly 20 county judges. More than a dozen, and Austin 311, reported zero formal complaints filed following the eclipse. While we previously found sky-high hotel prices, the main concern Monday was traffic.

Its a lot of people all leaving at the same time, said Matt Purcell, who was stuck in traffic on the way out of the eclipse festival in Burnet County. Tens of thousands of people.

Milam and Lee Counties reported heavy traffic jams. So did Blanco, where officials say less than a hundred motorists called the county frustrated.

Eclipse as seen from Austin (KXAN Photo/Josh Hinkle)

Crowds not as intense as anticipated

Travis County Judge Andy Brown  who, along with other county judges issued an emergency declaration prior the eclipse  said it seemed like everything went really well during Commissioners Court on Tuesday. Photos were shown of traffic hot spots, which officials anticipated and likened to rush hour.

Officials said preparation and planning paid off.

If we had not prepared, said Travis County Chief Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Carter, what we did experience would have been a challenge.

Carter noted a pretty moderate level of traffic and crowds across Texas path of totality.

Overall, the eclipse operation, youre right it went well, said Travis County Chief Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Carter. I think we all benefited as a community from the  weather forecast. We had 24-48 hours of notice and warning that it might be a potential for clouds, rain. I think that mitigated some of the rush of folks coming in potentially. We did have some crowds here but they werent as intense as we anticipated.

The county will conduct a survey to review its planning and see what went well, what didnt and how departments can continue to improve in the future, Carter said.

MORE: Sky-high prices cast shadow over eclipse

County judges reflect on eclipse

KXAN reached out to 18 county judges to get their reflection on how things went. Of the 14 that responded, all said no formal complaints were filed.

KXAN did not immediately hear back from officials in Burnet, Hays, Kendall and Kerr County. We will update this article when we do. Heres a sampling from the counties that shared an update on how things went:

Austin 311: Austin 311 does not have service requests set up to take complaints regarding the eclipse. However, I completed a search for Austin Transportation and Public Works Departments Parking Violation Enforcement service request and searched the requests with the keyword, eclipse. I could not find any service requests for the search I made, said Public Information Specialist Marisa Potter.

Bell: I dont have any numbers that I can share. I checked with our Emergency Management Coordinator several times during the day and he reported no significant issues. The day was uneventful from [an] emergency management point of view, said County Judge David Blackburn.

Blanco: The county judges office said while there were traffic backups, it went better than expected. EMS Chief Ben Oakley said there were no formal complaints but less than 100 people called the county frustrated with traffic.

Caldwell: At this time, it would appear that Caldwell County officials received no such complaints, said Director of Communications Miles Smith.

Fayette: There were no problems with traffic. I-10 was relatively light.

Gillespie: My office has received no complaints related to the eclipse, said County Judge Daniel Jones.

Lampasas: Crowds were down significantly and not what was anticipated. County Judge Randal Hoyer said: We didnt have any issues  it was a magnificent eclipse  it was a good day.

Lee: Traffic was pretty rough, according to the county judges office. Giddings Police took control of traffic lights and tried their best to keep the flow going. While it was inevitable it wasnt going to be perfect, no complaints were filed.

Mason: The county judges office said the county received very positive feedback. Everything ran very smoothly. We were definitely inundated. The only concerns their office was aware of involved the city park charging for admission. People didnt think that was necessary.

Milam: The eclipse went well here in Milam County. We had several visitors from as far away as Sweden who came in early and spent time with us at our Jubilee Days event. They were made BBQ cookoff judges, enjoyed the rodeo, and then stayed for the music as well. Downtown Cameron was packed with visitors with the new venues open and chair[s] laid out all over the town square. Traffic prior to the event was not too bad; however, following the eclipse the traffic was heavy on the major highways into the evening as folks made their way back towards Houston and other points south and east of the area. Our Emergency Management group was located in the Emergency Operations Center and the first responders were well prepared for whatever might happen. But all in all, we had an enjoyable day here in Milam County with only some minor traffic issues on the major highways, said County Judge Bill Whitmire.

San Saba: Everything went very smoothly, according to the county judges office.

Travis: There were only a few traffic delays that werent out of the ordinary. No complaints on price gouging or any other issues, Judge Andy Browns office said.

KXAN previously reported price gouging protections did not apply to the eclipse because a state of emergency was never declared by the governor or president. We reached out to Attorney General Ken Paxtons office to see if they received any complaints. Unfortunately, for months, Paxtons office has repeatedly ignored our requests for comment.

KXAN filed a public records request to see what, if any, complaints were made statewide.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
President Bidens welcoming of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a State visit this week is being packaged as the crowning partnership to the administrations strategy of linking closer American partners in the Indo-Pacific as a counter to Chinas ambitions in the region.

Biden and Kishida are expected to announce some 70 new initiatives to elevate the military, intelligence, research and development partnership between the U.S. and Japan to the next level, administration officials previewed for reporters in a call Tuesday night.

In the last 60 years, you would define this relationship between the United States and Japan as one of alliance protection. I think this State visit ends that era and defines the next period of time as alliance projection, a senior administration official said.

The U.S. is Japans only mutual-defense treaty ally, making it significantly dependent on protection from the U.S. in the face of provocations by China in the surrounding seas, and North Koreas nuclear threats.

But the U.S. views Japan as a linchpin of security in the region and a critical partner in the Indo-Pacific able to exercise influence with neighbors, and able to contribute significantly to addressing conflict on the global stage.

The dozens of announcements to come out of the State visit are focused on aligning closer U.S. and Japanese military cooperation and coordination  with U.S. forces undergoing a restructuring to better coordinate with Japan establishing a new, Joint Operations Command overseeing their ground, maritime and air forces.

The U.S. and Japan are launching a military-industrial council to co-align and co-produce defense weapons, elevating Japans weapons industrial capacity, an official said.

The two countries will link up with Australia for an integrated air defense network and the U.S. and Japan are also expected to deepen intelligence cooperation, with the administration saying it was confident Tokyo has taken steps to address its security  following the U.S. discovery of a significant Chinese hacking of Japans government computer networks.

I think its fair to say that our Japanese partners and allies have taken substantial steps on information security, and procedures that protect the most sensitive of information potentially shared between the United States and Japan, a senior administration official said.

You will see over the course of the next few days that we are stepping up our intelligence cooperation.

Japan will also be made a lunar exploration partner and cooperation between NASA and Japans JAXA will also be expanded  a Japanese astronaut is expected to be chosen as the first non-American to land on the moon in a future mission.

Biden and Kishida will also announce new research partnerships on artificial intelligence between American and Japanese universities.

What isnt expected to come up in conversation between Biden and Kishida is the presidents opposition to Japans Nippon Steel effort to buy U.S. Steel.

No, three administration officials said in unison after a reporter asked if the topic is expected to be broached.

The relationship between the United States and Japan is far bigger and more significant than a single commercial deal, one of the senior administration officials said earlier in the call.

I just think that this single commercial transaction does not define, not only the visit, but the relationship and its potential, or what it is actually delivering in the region or across the globe.

Kishidas State visit marks the fifth such event hosted by the administration and serves as a capstone to State visits held for countries that the administration has singled out as central to exercising influence in the region  including India, Australia and South Korea. Biden hosted French President Emanuel Macron in December 2022 for the first State visit of his administration.

Japan is a member of the Quad security grouping with India and Australia, a member of the Group of 7 nations at the forefront of supporting Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia, and is deepening ties with South Korea and the Philippines at the initiative of the U.S. Following the state visit, Kishida will participate in a trilateral summit with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday.

Everything that were doing of purpose on the global stage, were doing with Japan, said one senior administration official.

Another significant aspect of the State visit administration officials were keen to highlight is the Japanese prime minister being in Washington during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, commemorating a gift of the delicate trees to Washington in 1912 from Tokyo citys mayor.

A senior administration official listed the gift of Cherry Blossom trees as on par with the Statue of Liberty as two of the most consequential gifts provided by a foreign country.

Last month, the National Park Service said that 158 Cherry Blossom trees would have to be cut down for renovation to Washington D.C.s Tidal Basin on the National Mall.

Kishida, who will have a planting ceremony on the national mall on Wednesday, has offered to provide the U.S. cherry blossom saplings when the time is right to replace these felled trees, to signal their continuing friendship and partnership, an official said.

I think well find that its initiatives like this, that may not be as significant as new arrangements on military command structures or joint co-production on the military side, but theyre deeply significant to our peoples, the official said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Biden administration straddled the line on a controversial Canadian oil pipeline in a court filing Wednesday, saying a lower courts order to drain portions running through tribal land may violate a 1977 treaty but agreeing with a Native American tribe that the operator is trespassing on tribal land.

In an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, the Justice Department (DOJ) agreed with the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians that Enbridge lacks any legal right to remain on Chippewa land in Wisconsin. A lower court, the Western District of Wisconsin, correctly rejected Enbridges arguments that the Administrative Procedure Act or the 1992 agreement authorizes it to remain on these lands, DOJ lawyers wrote.

However, the administration also wrote that the district court did not properly consider U.S. obligations under a 1977 treaty with Canada in ordering the closure of the pipeline, and that the appeals court should reconsider the decision by Judge William Conley to halt it by 2026. The Justice Department did not take a position on whether the order did in fact violate the treaty.

The Bad River Band has been engaged in the legal battle with Enbridge since 2019, specifically seeking to shut down a portion of the pipeline known as Line 5 that runs through Wisconsin and Michigan.

We are grateful the US urged the court not to let Enbridge profit from its unlawful trespass. But we are disappointed that the US has not unequivocally called for an immediate end to Enbridges ongoing trespass, as justice and the law demand, Bad River Band Chair Robert Blanchard said in a statement. Enbridge should be required to promptly leave our Reservation, just like other companies that have trespassed on tribal land. We are hopeful that the appeals court will put an end to Enbridges shameful decade of trespass and not condone its exploitation of our land and sovereign rights.

Shutting down Line 5 before relocating the pipeline outside of the Reservation would violate the 1977 Transit Pipeline Treaty between the U.S. and Canada. The Government of Canada has made its position clear, an Enbridge spokesperson told The Hill. Such a shutdown is not in the public interest as it would negatively impact businesses, communities and millions of individuals who depend on Line 5 for energy in both the U.S. and Canada.

Updated at 5:09 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House and Capitol Hill.

In todays edition, we examine how Joe Biden is building a massive campaign operation. Plus, national political correspondent puts Donald Trump's new abortion stance in historical context.

Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.

Biden is beefing up his campaign. Trump appears to be lagging behind.

By Peter Nicholas, Allan Smith, Vaughn Hillyard, Adam Edelman and Ben Kamisar

President Joe Biden has been scooping up record-making donations and plowing the money into an expanding campaign operation in battleground states that appears to surpass what Donald Trump has built thus far.

Flush with $71 million cash at the end of February  more than twice that of Trumps campaign  Biden parlayed his fundraising advantage into a hiring spree that now boasts 300 paid staffers across nine states and 100 offices in parts of the country that will decide the 2024 election, according to details provided by the campaign.

Trumps advisers would not disclose staffing levels, but his ground game still seems to be at a nascent stage. His campaign hired state directors in Pennsylvania and Michigan last week, people familiar with the recruitment process said.

Do you have a news tip? Let us know

Combined, the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee have fewer than five staff members in each of the battleground states, said two Republicans familiar with the committee and the Trump campaigns organizational structures in 2020 and 2024.

At this point in 2020, the Trump Victory organization already had state directors, regional directors and field organizers on the ground in battleground states, testing field operations and activating volunteers, the two people said.

This is like comparing a Maserati to a Honda  2020 had staff and the bodies in place to turn out the vote, one said. This current iteration is starting from ground zero, and were seven months out from the election. It makes no sense and puts them at a huge disadvantage to Biden, who is staffing up in droves.

The dynamic illustrates how Trump and Biden are waging different bets on the path to victory in November.

Bidens view is that a muscular campaign operation will impress upon voters that hes championed popular policies and will propel them to completion if re-elected, his advisers said. The question is whether brick-and-mortar offices and phone banks will be enough to overcome nagging doubts about his age and fitness.

Trump faces a different predicament. His political strength has always been rooted more in an emotional bond with his loyal base than in any political apparatus. Hes running strong in the polls, but is awash in dramas, distractions and several ongoing trials.

Read more 

Trump tries to chip away at the growing gender gap

Analysis by Steve Kornacki

Trump is set to run this fall with an abortion stance that no Republican nominee has taken since 1976  which, perhaps not coincidentally, was the last election before the emergence of the gender gap that has loomed over American politics for decades now.

Trump announced Monday that he wants the issue left to the states, declining to take a stand on a federal abortion ban. Its similar to the position that President Gerald Ford staked out when he sought a full term 48 years ago. That was the first presidential election held in the wake of the Supreme Courts 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that had deemed abortion a constitutional right.

In response to that decision, the GOPs ascendant conservative wing demanded a constitutional amendment to override Roe and prohibit nearly all abortions. But Ford sought a middle ground and argued that Roe should simply be reversed and the matter remanded to each state. While Ford did narrowly lose to Jimmy Carter that year, the most striking feature of the result  at least from todays vantage point  is the complete lack of a gender gap. Among both men and women, per exit polling data, Carter edged out Ford by the exact same margin.

This hasnt happened since. Four years later, Ronald Reagan, who had run against Ford from the right in the 1976 primaries, won the GOP nomination and staked out more conservative turf on cultural issues. Out from the GOP platform went support for the Equal Rights Amendment; in was a call to ban abortion through a constitutional amendment. That fall, Reagan defeated Carter in a landslide, but among women his margin was just one point. It was with men that Reagan ran up the score, crushing Carter by 17 points.

The gender gap was born. And as every subsequent GOP platform has pledged support for a human life amendment to the Constitution, it has endured.

Certainly, abortion isnt the sole reason for the gender gap. The 1980 GOP platform was part of a broader rightward shift and a long-term cultural, demographic and geographic reorienting of the partys coalition. And its also true that on the issue of abortion itself, there isnt a massive gender gap. A Pew Research Center survey last year showed broad support for legal abortion in most or all cases, with men only marginally less supportive than women.

The backdrop for the current abortion debate differs from 1976 in a significant way, with Roe v. Wade now struck down. Still, Trumps position, like Fords, does put him at odds with conservatives who favor federal action to restrict or even outlaw abortion across the country. Whether this will sway any voters in his favor is an open question. But with the gender gap climbing to all-time highs in the last two elections, Trump is calculating that this will at least help him chip away at it.

Thats all from The Politics Desk for now. If you have feedback  likes or dislikes  email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com

And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Biden calls for temporary ceasefire in Gaza to allow for humanitarian aid in policy shift

President Joe Biden said that Israel should call for a six-to-eight-week ceasefire with Hamas to allow for humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Mr Biden made the remarks in an interview with Univision conducted last week that aired on Tuesday evening.

So I what I'm calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country, he told Univision journalist Enrique Acevedo.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greets US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Tel Avivs Ben Gurion airport on 18 October 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

The words signal a shift for Mr Biden, who had previously called for a ceasefire to be coupled with a release of hostages. Mr Biden said that he had spoken with the governments of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.

They're prepared to move in, he said. They're prepared to move this food in. And I think there's no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now.

Mr Biden also vocally criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that Mr Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza is a mistake. This comes months after Mr Biden has vocally supported Israels strategy to combat Hamas after the terror group conducted a surprise attack on October 7 wherein militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages.

Last week, Mr Biden spoke with Mr Netanyahu after an Israeli airstrike killed seven aid workers for World Central Kitchen in Gaza.

I think its outrageous that those four, three vehicles were hit by drones and taken out on a highway where it wasnt like it was along the shore, it wasnt like there was a convoy moving there, Mr Biden told Univision.

A readout of the call said that Mr Biden called the airstrike unacceptable and made clear to the prime minister that US policy would depend on whether Israel can announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.

At the same time, Mr Biden signed a bill to keep the government open last month that also halted funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

He also told Univision that he hopes for the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to pass a national security supplemental bill that would provide military aid to Israel.

As you know, if we had a vote tomorrow, if the new speaker of the House of Representatives had the guts to call for a vote and on Ukraine, it would pass overwhelmingly and the majority of Republicans in both House and Senate would vote for it, he said of House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Earlier this week, The Independent reported that the US State Department had seen an unprecedented of internal dissent memos regarding the war in Gaza.

-Andrew Feinberg and Mike Bedigan contributed reporting.
President Bidens reelection campaign on Wednesday launched Out for Biden-Harris, a new national initiative aimed to mobilize LGBTQ voters.

The launch includes a series of virtual organizing and training events focused on reaching new volunteers, especially in battleground states, by engaging surrogates from the community  like Virginia state Sen. Danica Roem (D) and former undersecretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones. It will also include a virtual organizing call featuring actor Wilson Cruz, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) and Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson to mobilize supporters.

LGBTQ+ voters are a force to be reckoned with. They were critical to our victory in 2020, and they will be critical to winning again this November, campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement

The goal of Out for Biden-Harris is to reengage LGBTQ volunteers who helped elect Biden and Vice President Harris in 2020, when nearly 11,000 volunteers from the community helped. The reelection campaign argued that the Biden-Harris administration is the most pro-LGBTQ in history and noted it has been endorsed by top LGBTQ organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, the National Center for Transgender Equality and Equality PAC.

Additionally, there will be a series of Out for Biden-Harris events in key swing-state cities, including Phoenix, Ariz.; Ferndale, Mich.; Milwaukee; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Harrisburg, Pa.; and Las Vegas.

Chavez Rodriguez in Wednesdays statement also warned what another term for former President Trump could mean for LGBTQ rights.

LGBTQ+ Americans couldnt have more at stake this election: Donald Trump and his extremist allies are running to gut LGBTQ+ rights and erase history as their top priorities. LGBTQ+ Americans deserve leaders who will fight for every Americans freedom and dignity, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden on Wednesday said his administration is considering a request from Australia to drop the United Statess prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Were considering it, Biden said when asked about the issue during a meeting with Japans prime minister at the White House.

Assange, who is Australian, has been indicted on 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse stemming from the WikiLeaks publication of classified U.S. documents in 2010. Prosecutors have alleged Assange put lives at risk through the publication of the materials.

Australia has argued there is a disconnect between how the U.S. has treated Assange and Chelsea Manning, the U.S. intelligence analyst who was arrested for disclosing sensitive documents to WikiLeaks. Manning served seven years of her 35-year prison sentence before then-President Obama commuted her sentence.

First Amendment advocates have also argued the governments prosecution of Assange is a threat to free speech.

The United Kingdom last month delayed Assanges extradition, stating the United States needed to guarantee he will not face the death penalty.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SACRAMENTO, California  Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is considering leaving the Biden administration to mount a run for California governor in 2026, people briefed on his deliberations told POLITICO.

Becerra and supporters have had conversations over the past weeks where the secretary and former California attorney general indicated to fellow Democratic officials and operatives that he would leave Washington after the November election and join the crowded field to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom in two years.

The people were granted anonymity to describe private conversations, which they characterized as more serious in recent weeks.

Becerra has parked nearly $1.55 million thats usable in the governors race in a committee for Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2030.



He spoke at an event Tuesday in San Francisco about the state of healthcare in the U.S.

I miss California, Becerra said at the start of a talk at Mannys in the Mission, a watering hole for political types.

Becerra later smiled and nodded silently when someone in the audience yelled governor! as he paused between questions.

When asked by POLITICO after the event if he planned to run, Becerra sidestepped the question.

"It's a blessing to hear that someone is saying that I'm running for governor because I don't know who they are," Becerra said. "I am secretary of HHS and, by law, I have to be secretary of HHS and nothing else. So I'm gonna do my job as best I can. It's a thrill, I think my mom would be happy to hear that someone thinks I can run for governor as well," he said.

When pressed, Becerra said he wasn't making calls to supporters and then an aide abruptly cut off the questioning.

Becerra, 66, has been a road warrior for Biden, ricocheting across the country in recent months to discuss health issues crucial to the administration in 2024, especially on the need to protect abortion rights. The return home for the Sacramento native would mark the culmination of a frustrating and at times rocky tenure atop the nations health agency. For President Joe Biden it would be the latest sign that, should he win a second term in November, he would have to restock his ranks with Cabinet nominees who could face difficult nomination fights.

Becerras impending departure also could represent a blow to the president as Democrats struggle to court Latino voters across the West and other key states. Becerra is the first Latino to lead HHS. It would also make him just one of a handful of Cabinet members to leave during a first Biden term thats been notable for the lack of turnover among its department heads.

Within the Biden administration, the health secretary is largely viewed as genial and a willing team player in selling the presidents agenda, spending much of his tenure outside of Washington promoting a range of health policies. His early difficulties in managing an influx of children at the southern border in 2021 cost him influence in the White House. Subsequently he often played a secondary role in policymaking decisions that shaped the administrations health agenda.

At a POLITICO Health Summit in March, Becerra seemed open to a policy passed by San Francisco voters that would require drug screening for welfare recipients, saying we should be willing to consider anything that helps us tackle this drug addiction crisis.

Though Becerra has since played a larger role in promoting the White Houses efforts to lower drug prices and defend abortion rights, theres been little expectation among Democrats close to the administration that Biden would seek to bring him back for a second term  or that Becerra would want to stay on the job another four years. Already, some in Democratic health circles have begun speculating about who might be in the running for HHS secretary should there be a vacancy following the election.

Becerra had been under consideration for other roles in Bidens Cabinet before accepting the HHS job in 2021. At the time, the Stanford graduate won national acclaim for overseeing the Golden States torrent of legal fights with the Trump administration, namely his defense of a Republican lawsuit challenging Obamacare. Before returning to Washington, Becerra succeeded Vice President Kamala Harris as California attorney general by way of appointment from former Gov. Jerry Brown and spent nearly 25 years in the House of Representatives culminating in a stint as chair of the Democratic caucus.

Becerra had a poor showing in a Los Angeles mayoral race decades ago, but hes long had his eye on higher statewide offices in California. In 2016, he mulled a run for U.S. Senate  the race that Harris ultimately won.

Californias governors race in the post-Newsom era presents a new opportunity. Already, the field is bursting at the seams with Democrats. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis was the first to declare her candidacy last year and has built a fundraising lead. Former Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond followed and have amassed endorsements from state and local officials. Former state Controller Betty Yee formally jumped into the race late last month, and Attorney General Rob Bonta is poised to enter the contest. Bonta arguably would most be impacted by a run from Becerra because both would run on their records as attorneys general.
Biden is increasingly Trumpian on Gaza and dealing in alternative facts, says State Dept official who resigned over war

President Joe Biden has become increasingly Trumpian in his rhetoric over Israels war in Gaza, dealing in alternative facts to justify US support for the longtime ally, according to a former State Department official who resigned over the war.

Annelle Sheline, who worked in the State Department for one year before leaving last month, said Mr Bidens refusal to use his leverage to pressure Israel to prevent more bloodshed in Gaza was part of the reason she resigned.

This policy decision is making him seem increasingly Trumpian  the disregard for reality, offering alternative facts, she told The Independent.

Theyre just going to keep pretending that people cant see with their own eyes whats coming out of Gaza  what Israeli soldiers themselves are posting, the horrific crimes that theyre committing.

Dr Sheline cited the Biden administrations claims that it had not found any examples of Israel breaking international humanitarian law, and its refusal to accept the International Criminal Courts findings that it was plausible that Israel is committing genocide as examples of the presidents disregard for reality.

Part of why I voted for Joe Biden that he was he seemed like a decent guy. He wasnt someone like Trump, who was just out for his own self-interest, she said. Now, after six months of essentially unconditional support, its becoming really hard to continue to see him as somebody who is compassionate.

He must know whats happening to people in Gaza, and yet the policy doesnt change, she added.

Asked to respond to Ms Shelines comments, a White House spokesperson told The Independent that Mr Biden had many times ... advocated for more aid to get in for civilians in Gaza and stressed the need for Israel to do more to ensure innocent civilians are protected.

Mr Biden has nonetheless received sharp criticism for his multiple public missteps throughout the conflict, including spreading incorrect facts and questionable judgement.

Dr Annelle Sheline resigned from the State Department last month over the Biden administrations support for Israels war in Gaza. (Provided)

In the early days of the war, the president questioned the rapidly increasing death toll among Palestinians , declaring he had no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using to count their dead. That led to pushback from the United Nations and multiple aid agencies, who said the numbers were reliable.

Mr Biden also told the world that he had seen pictures of terrorists beheading children, a claim that was later corrected by the White House.

The president later said it was  fact  that Hamas had their headquarters, their military hidden under a hospital, referring to Israeli claims that Hamas had built a vast network of tunnels under al-Shifa hospital, which it was then attacking  a claim that was belied by the evidence.

Dr Shelines comments come amid reports of almost unprecedented opposition to US policy on Gaza and Israel within the State Department.

The Independent reported this week that eight dissent memos  a formal process by which staff can express concerns internally about a policy  were sent by staff in the first two months of the war, with a ninth dissent memo sent just last month.

That number is significantly more than the single dissent memo that was sent in the first three years of the Iraq War, widely considered to be one of Americas biggest foreign policy disasters.

Several former State Department officials interviewed by The Independent have spoken out against Mr Bidens unconditional support for Israel, claiming that his politics was hampering investigations into whether Israel was breaking international humanitarian law.

The White House has repeatedly denied that Israel is committing war crimes. On Wednesday, just one day after the killing of seven international aid workers with the World Central Kitchen, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby tersely rejected the notion that the US should reconsider sending weapons to Israel.

Parachutes drop supplies into the northern Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. (Associated Press)

The State Department continues to review incidents as they arise, he said , emphasising that they havent found an incident yet that has pointed to a violation of international humanitarian law.

Dr Sheline echoed other former State Department officials who said the Biden administration was ignoring existing laws regarding US weapons sales because of its commitment to providing support to Israel.

This is another aspect that makes it difficult to distinguish him from Trump, in disregarding the law, she said. Biden is not necessarily doing this in his own self interest, but still, hes disregarding the law.

Israel has repeatedly said it has imposed no limits on aid entering Gaza and denied breaking international humanitarian law.

Dr Sheline described Mr Bidens warning to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would reconsider its policy in Gaza if Israel did not increase the amount of aid going in as too little, too late.

I find it very frustrating because there have been those who have said that the US didnt have that much leverage, which I knew wasnt true, she said. But just one phone call and suddenly Israel says theyre going to open the Erez crossing and theyre going to allow aid through.

Some are saying there has been a shift in US policy, but that is not the case for people on the ground in Gaza. People are still being killed. Clearly, he needs to use a lot more of this leverage, she added.

Netanyahu and Biden have been long-term allies (AFP via Getty Images)

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza following a devastating surprise attack by Hamas on 7 October that killed 1,200 people. More than 200 people from Israel were taken hostage.

Since then, Israels war has killed more than 33,000 people, according to the Palestinian health ministry  some 13,000 of them children. The United Nations and multiple aid organisations working on the ground have warned that Gaza is on the brink of a major famine, and have blamed Israel for blocking the delivery of aid into the strip.

Israel provoked international outrage last week for an attack on an aid convoy that killed seven aid workers belonging to World Central Kitchen. That brought the number of aid workers killed by Israels offensive to more than 220, according to Oxfam.

The killing of the aid workers, including an American citizen, by three precision Israeli airstrikes, caused an uproar around the world and brought a renewed spotlight on Mr Bidens insistence on continuing arms deliveries.

On the same day of the deadly strike, the Biden administration approved the transfer of thousands more bombs to Israel , and is currently weighing an $18bn sale that includes fighter jets and other equipment.

Despite the internal opposition in the State Department, there have only been two public resignations linked to the war. Dr Sheline left her post at the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labors Office of Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department in March and spoke out publicly against the war after being encouraged to do so by her colleagues. She described the level of opposition in the State Department as unprecedented.

Ms Sheline said her infant daughter was one of the main reasons she resigned. She remembered learning about the Rwandan genocide at school, and wondering what her daughter would later learn about this war.

As she learns about this in school, I can only imagine how, looking back at this policy, well just see how unconscionable it was, she said. And how did people allow this to continue for months and months, even when we were all watching it on our phones?

I just wanted to be able to tell her that I did not stay silent.
Joe Biden says the US will do 'all we can to protect Israel's security' - EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Joe Biden has warned Iran not to launch an attack on Israel, amid reports of an imminent missile strike targeting the country.

The US president said his commitment to Israels security was ironclad and that Washington would do all we can to protect it from an attack by Tehran in retaliation for a strike in Syria that killed senior Iranian generals.

On Wednesday evening, Bloomberg reported that US intelligence officials believed an attack on Israeli soil was imminent and could involve high-precision missiles.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Mr Biden said: We also want to address the Iranian threat  theyre threatening to launch a significant attack in Israel.

As I told Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, our commitment to Israels security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad. Let me say it again, ironclad  all we can to protect Israels security.

A Pentagon official on Wednesday night declined to comment on reports that the US was preparing to intercept Iranian missiles, and to join retaliatory strikes by Israel.

The official told The Telegraph the US government was aware of Irans rhetoric and that both Israel and the US take it seriously.

Foreign embassies have reportedly already begun evacuations in anticipation of an attack in the coming days, after Irans supreme leader said Israel must be punished for an air strike on an Iranian embassy compound in Syria.

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the strike, which killed two generals and five military advisers on April 1. The most high-profile victim was Mohamed Reza Zahedi, who led the elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard in Lebanon and Syria until 2016.

In a speech to mark the end of Ramadan on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei vowed to take revenge on Israel.

When they attack the consulate, it is as if they have attacked our soil, he said. The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be.

Two days after the attack, he said the Zionist regime would receive a slap in the face in retaliation.

Military targets

US officials reportedly believe any Iranian strike would likely be on military and government buildings, not civilian targets. One source told Bloomberg that an attack was considered a matter of when, not if.

Any strike could escalate the conflict in the Middle East to a direct war between two of the regions biggest powers.

Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, has said Israel would respond to an attack with its own strike on Iranian soil.

Speaking to troops in northern Israel, Mr Gallant said Iran would face a powerful response in its territory.

In this war, we are being attacked from more than one front  from different directions, he said.

Any enemy that tries to attack us will first of all be met with a strong defence. But we will know how to react very quickly with a decisive offensive action against the territory of whoever attacks our territory, no matter where it is, in the entire Middle East.

Iran has been accused of supporting Hamas in its war against Israel and of stoking the conflict through its proxy groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

The attack on Israel could come from Lebanon, where Hezbollah is located, although intelligence officials reportedly believe it could also be launched from elsewhere in the region.

Tehran has long avoided attacking Israel directly but Khamenei said that our fighters would be involved in Irans revenge.

Israeli officials have said they will wait for the Iranian attack before launching a planned assault on Rafah, in the south of Gaza, where the Israeli government has vowed to root out remaining Hamas fighters.

A woman distributes sweets in Rafah to mark the end of Ramadan. Israel has threatened to attack the southern Palestinian city - Abed Rahim khatib / Avalon

Iran has also blamed Britain and the US for its role in the air strike on April 1, and argues that Israels Western backers are complicit in the deaths of its troops.

While the US has publicly warned Israel against attacking Rafah because of expected civilian casualties, Washington has remained supportive of the war against Hamas and committed to Israeli security.

Earlier on Wednesday, Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, said the UK was absolutely clear about the threat that Iran poses to the region and pointed to British participation in strikes against the Yemeni Houthis, another Iranian proxy group.

Britain stands with our allies, crucially, including the United States, we stand up for Israels right to self-defence, he told Fox News.

The UK Government has retained diplomatic ties with Iran throughout the conflict, despite Lord Camerons declaration that the country is a thoroughly malign influence in the region and in the world.

On Wednesday evening, Lufthansa, the German flight operator, announced it was suspending flights to Tehran due to the current situation in the Middle East.

A spokesman said the company was constantly monitoring the situation in the Middle East and are in close contact with the authorities.

Separately on Wednesday, three sons of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed by an Israeli strike in central Gaza.

The IDF said they were operatives of Hamass military wing. Haniyeh said several of his grandchildren had also been killed.

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.
Biden may now miss deadline to appear on Alabama presidential ballot  as well as Ohio

President Joe Biden may now miss the deadline to appear on Alabamas presidential ballot, election officials in the state have said, citing the timing of the Democratic National Convention.

Both the president and the vice president may be certified as the nominees of their party past the deadline.

Republican Secretary of State Wes Allen said on Tuesday in a letter to Alabama Democrats and the Democratic National Committee that according to state law, the parties must provide a certificate of nomination for the president and vice president at least 82 days before the election on 5 November  15 August at the latest.

The Democratic convention, where the party will officially select its nominees, starts on 19 August.

Mr Allen said in his letter that hell be unable to certify the names of the Democratic Partys candidates for President and Vice President for ballot preparation for the 2024 general election if his office doesnt receive a valid certificate of nomination from the Democratic Party following its convention by the statutory deadline.

This comes after the office of the Ohio secretary of state sent a similar message last week. The state also has a certification deadline before the Democratic convention.

The chief legal counsel for the Ohio secretary of state told the Democrats that the Democratic National Committee would have to change the dates of its convention or the Ohio legislature would need to create an exemption to the states rules.

Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states, the Biden campaign said. State officials have the ability to grant provisional ballot access certification prior to the conclusion of presidential nominating conventions. In 2020 alone, states like Alabama, Illinois, Montana, and Washington all allowed provisional certification for Democratic and Republican nominees.

The office of the Alabama secretary of state said in a statement to CNN that Under Alabama law, there are no provisional certifications for candidates. All candidates must comply with current Alabama law to gain ballot access.

The Republican legislature in Alabama passed a law in 2020 to accommodate the timing of the Republican National Convention, changing the deadline from 82 days to 75 days before the election. When former President Donald Trump was nominated as his partys nominee in 2020, the convention began on 24 August and the election was on 3 November  a span of 71 days.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
President Biden encouraged residents of Arizona to vote for his reelection Wednesday in response to a state Supreme Court ruling that upheld an 1864 law and made performing abortion a felony.

Biden at a press conference with the Japanese prime minister was asked what he would say to the people of Arizona in the aftermath of the ruling.

Elect me. Im in the 20th century  21st century. Not back then, the president said. They werent even a state.

The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected arguments that it should uphold the current 15-week abortion ban signed in 2022 by then-Gov. Doug Ducey (R) and enforced after the end of Roe v. Wade.

Instead, the court ruled that the Civil War-era law passed before Arizona was even a state should be enforced. The court ruled to lift a stay on the law, meaning it goes into effect in 14 days.

However, the justices also sent the case back to a lower trial court to sort out questions about the laws constitutionality.

The century-old law makes abortion a felony punishable by two to five years in prison for anyone who performs or helps a woman obtain one. It includes an extremely narrow exception for when it is necessary to save a pregnant persons life.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) called for the 1864 ban to be repealed, and the states Democratic attorney general has said she will not enforce any bans on abortion.

Biden and his campaign have made abortion access a central pillar of his reelection effort, warning that former President Trump and Republican leaders pose a grave threat to reproductive health care after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

Polling has shown abortion is one area where voters trust Biden more than Trump. A Wall Street Journal poll of swing state voters published last week found 45 percent of surveyed voters trust the incumbent more on the issue, compared with 33 percent who prefer the former president.

Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, earlier this week declined to say whether he would support federal legislation banning abortion, instead insisting it should be left up to each state to determine abortion policy by vote or by legislation.

But Biden aides seized on the Arizona ruling to argue leaving abortion policy to the states meant arcane, restrictive bans that leave women across the country with little access to the procedure.

Trump said Wednesday that Arizona went too far with the ruling and predicted it would be straightened out.

And as you know, its all about states rights. That will be straightened out, he said. And Im sure that the governor and everybody else are going to bring it back into reason, and that will be taken care of, I think, very quickly.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the care economy during an event Tuesday at Union Station in Washington, D.C., where he told care workers they "represent the best of who we are as Americans." Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

April 9 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden called for increased pay for care workers, and guaranteed paid leave for those who care for family members, in a speech Tuesday at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station.

Biden highlighted his administration's investments in what he called the care economy, before a group of caregivers that included representatives from the AFL-CIO, AARP and National Domestic Workers Alliance.

"You care workers represent the best of who we are as Americans," Biden told the crowd. "We look out for one another in America. We leave nobody behind."

"If we want the best economy in the world, we have to have the best caregiving economy in the world," he added to applause.

Biden spent the first part of his speech recounting how his family helped him with his two sons after his wife and daughter were killed in a car crash in 1972, six weeks after he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the care economy during Tuesday's event at Union Station in Washington, D.C., where he vowed to increase care worker pay and guarantee paid family leave. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

"Lucky I had a family. My mother, my father, my sister, my brother all moved in, helped me take care of my kids," Biden said. "I didn't have any money. I mean, I made a living, but I didn't have any money. And what I tried to do is figure out how I was going to raise my boys."

Biden told the crowd of caregivers "you're the heroes," because you "do it out of love and concern, not because of the pay, because they're not getting the pay they need."

People wave posters as President Joe Biden delivers remarks Tuesday on the care economy during an event at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Biden, who vowed to improve the care economy in last month's State of the Union address, listed the high costs of childcare and home care for aging or disabled family members.

"A typical family spends $11,000 a year on childcare per child. If you live in a big city, that can be $17,000 for each child," Biden said. "The cost of long-term care for aging loved ones and people with disabilities rose 40% in the last decade."

President Joe Biden arrives to deliver remarks on the care economy during an event at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station where he told the crowd "no one should choose between caring for a parent whos raised them, a child who depends on them, or a paycheck that they need." Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Biden called out the so-called sandwich generation that is taking care of both their children and their aging parents, as he vowed to guarantee paid leave in the United States, just as it is in other parts of the world.

"In the United States of America, no one -- no one should choose between caring for a parent who's raised them, a child who depends on them, or a paycheck that they need," Biden said, as he also called for increased pay for caregivers.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks Tuesday on the care economy at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

"Care workers are predominately women, as well -- women of color and immigrants who are overworked, overlooked and underpaid. It's not enough just to praise them for all they're doing; we have to pay them."

Biden touted next year's budget that calls for guaranteed, affordable, quality child care in which "most families will pay less than $10 a day per child," as he also promised to restore the expanded Childcare Tax Credit.

The president said his administration also plans to expand Medicaid home care services and will create a national paid family and medical leave program that will allow up to 12 weeks to care for a newborn, a sick loved one or oneself without losing income.
Israel to open new crossing, 'flood Gaza with aid'; war of words with Iran heats up

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the Israel-Hamas war for Wednesday, April 10. For the latest news on the conflict in the Middle East, view our story for Thursday, April 11.

Less than a week after President Joe Biden said conditions in Gaza are unacceptable and demanded they improve, Israel said it will open a new land crossing to allow more humanitarian aid to enter the embattled territory.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told reporters Wednesday the new border crossing, between the southern Israeli community of Zikim and the coastal northern Gaza town of As-Siafa, would make it easier to bring in supplies from overseas and from Jordan to the east.

These breakthroughs have a direct impact on the flow of aid  we plan to flood Gaza with aid," Gallant said. "It will also streamline security checks and strengthen our work with international partners.

Providing a direct access to northern Gaza, where an estimated 300,000 Palestinians still live despite the widespread destruction from Israeli bombardment, would also facilitate the influx of assistance to the area. The vast majority of aid has been trucked in through southern crossings more than 20 miles away, a long distance to cover amid the dangers of war.

The U.S., other nations and humanitarian organizations have been clamoring for Israel to let more food, medicines and other necessities into Gaza, where the U.N. says half the population is facing "catastrophic'' hunger. On Thursday, Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the U.S. policy regarding Gaza would be determined by how Israel addresses humanitarian concerns, according to a White House readout of their call.

A boy distributes sweets to displaced Palestinians as they attend a special morning prayer to start the Eid al-Fitr festival, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at a school-turned-shelter in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2024.

'The ball is in Hamas' court': US urges militants to accept latest cease-fire plan

Developments:

 French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said his nation has no immediate plan to impose sanctions on Israel to force it to allow more humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. France has been among the most vocal critics of Israel's war in Gaza.

 The commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards navy warned that Tehran could close the Strait of Hormuz if "the enemy comes to disrupt us." About a fifth of the volume of the worlds total oil consumption passes through the strait.

 The 468 trucks carrying aid that entered Gaza on Tuesday were the highest total since the war began in October, the Israeli military said.

150,000 Palestinians could return home under deal proposal

Israel would allow 150,000 displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza without security checks under terms of a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement the U.S. has proposed, but Israeli leaders don't believe Hamas is ready to cut a deal yet, Reuters reported Wednesday.

Israel's compromise on Palestinians returning home would remove a major stumbling block in negotiations being held in Cairo, but Hamas continues to insist on a permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of all troops from Gaza, which Israel opposes. In exchange for its concession, Israel wants a list of the female, elderly and sick hostages Hamas still holds alive.

That list may not include the 40 hostages Israel is seeking in the first phase of a truce because Hamas has told negotiators it can't locate that many captives fitting that description, CNN reported.

Hamas leaders have said the latest Israeli offer does not meet their demands but they're willing to study it.

Iran's Khamenei says Israel's 'evil regime made a mistake'

Israel has to be punished for the April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate compound in Damascus, Iran's supreme leader said Wednesday.

"When they attack the consulate, it is as if they have attacked our soil," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday in a speech marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be."

Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, in which suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Iran's consulate in the Syrian capital on April 1 in a strike that Iran said killed seven military advisers.

"If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran," Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote in a social media post.

Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official and now a regional analyst, said Iran will probably try to calibrate its response to avoid direct retaliation from Israel while continuing to exert influence in the Middle East through proxies.

"While the world sits on edge waiting for the inevitable Iranian response,'' Melamed said, "it's important to note that the regime has thus far acted strategically, that it will respond in order to send a message of strength and restore its deterrence capacity, but that it will do so at the time it calculates will best achieve its successful return of deterrence.

Biden calls Netanyahu's strategy in Gaza a 'mistake'

Netanyahu's approach to the war in Gaza is a "mistake" and Israel should declare a cease-fire to allow more desperately needed humanitarian aid into the embattled enclave, Biden said in a newly released interview.

Biden, in a Univision interview conducted last week, said Israel should allow "total access" to all food and medicine flowing into Gaza for six to eight weeks. The White House later clarified that the pause in fighting should be part of a hostage deal.

"I've spoken with everyone from the Saudis to the Jordanians to the Egyptians," Biden said. "They're prepared to move this food in. And I think there's no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now."

Biden also lashed out at what he called the "outrageous" April 1 attack on the World Central Kitchen food convoy that killed seven aid workers. The trucks were clearly marked and the Israeli military had been provided details on the trip. The Israel military said days later that a series of mistakes led to the accidental attack. Two officers were removed from command positions days after the drone strikes.

Aid delivery to Gaza by sea to resume

Aid deliveries to Gaza from ships in Cyprus will resume soon, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said Wednesday. The program has been on hold since the Israeli strike on a truck convoy April 1 that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers. Cyprus has about 1,000 tons of aid destined for Gaza.

Sea deliveries have been challenging because of the lack of a proper dock, and shipments were delivered on a temporary jetty made of rubble assembled by the WCK. The U.S. is building a dock on Gaza's Mediterranean coast that will allow more streamlined delivery of aid, which will be pre-screened in Cyprus with Israeli oversight. The dock is scheduled for completion by May 1 at a cost of $180 million to over $200 million, ABC News reported.

Sons of Hamas leader killed in Israeli airstrike

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said Wednesday that three of his sons and other family members were among those killed in an Israeli air raid on a vehicle in a refugee camp near Gaza City. Haniyeh said family members had been gathering for Eid al-Fitr  which marks the end of Ramadan  at the Shati Camp when they were targeted. Haniyeh lives in exile in Qatar but said his family has remained in Gaza.

"I thank God for this honor," he said in a statement. "With this pain and blood, we make hopes, future and freedom for our people, our cause and our nation."

Al Jazeera reported a car carrying the three sons  Hazem, Amir and Mohammad  was hit by a drone-fired missile. Haniyeh, speaking to Al Jazeera, said he has lost about 60 family members since the war began with a Hamas-led attack on Israeli border communities Oct. 7. Israel falsely believes it can break the resolve of the Palestinian people by targeting the families of its leaders, Haniyeh said.

Anyone who believes that targeting my sons will push Hamas to change its position is delusional," he said.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the attack, describing the three sons as operatives in the Hamas armed wing.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gaza war updates: Israel to open new crossing, 'flood Gaza with aid'
By Laura Sanicola

(Reuters) -Oil prices settled up $1 on Wednesday after three sons of a Hamas leader were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, feeding worries that ceasefire talks might stall.

Brent crude futures settled up $1.06, or 1.2%, to $90.48 per barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled up 98 cents, or 1.2%, to $86.21.

"The oil market has been and continues to be very reactive to news out of Gaza," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC in New York.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the attack, describing the three sons as operatives in the Hamas armed wing. On Tuesday, Hamas said it was studying an Israeli ceasefire proposal in the more than six-month-old Gaza war but called it was "intransigent" and said it met none of the Palestinian demands.

A continuing conflict could drag in other countries, particularly Hamas-backer Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Mexico's decision to curb crude exports in order to supply domestic refineries also supported prices and led to record low U.S. imports of Mexican crude in early April.

In early trade oil prices fell after U.S. government data showed crude oil and fuel inventories swelled by much more than expected on weak demand and lower oil exports.

U.S. crude stocks climbed by 5.8 million barrels in the week ended April 5, more than double the rise of about 2.4 million barrels analysts had expected. Refined products inventories rose unexpectedly with gasoline up by 700,000 barrels and distillate stocks by 1.7 million barrels.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data also showed a roughly 2.1 million barrel per day (bpd) drop in oil product supplied, a proxy for fuel demand, and a 2.7 million bpd drop in crude oil exports.

"Some of the heat has come out of the rally in crude oil in the early part of this week on hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza and higher U.S. inventories," said Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG in Singapore.

Separately, the U.S. EIA sharply raised its forecast for crude oil output. It anticipates an increase of 280,000 bpd to 13.21 million bpd in 2024, up from its earlier forecast of a 20,000 bpd increase.

The EIA said it expects Brent crude prices to average $88.55 a barrel in 2024, up from a previous forecast of $87, and it upgraded its demand growth forecast for the past two years.

"Broadly it reconfirmed an oil market outlook with OPEC+ in good control of the oil market," SEB analyst Bjarne Schieldrop said.

Story continues

OPEC's monthly oil market report will be published Thursday, April 11 and the International Energy Agency's oil market report will be published Friday, April 12.

(Additional reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar and Noah Browning in London and Andrew Hayley in Beijing; editing by Jason Neely, Christina Fincher, David Gregorio and Barbara Lewis)
The Biden administration on Wednesday announced the first-ever national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, a move that will require utilities serving roughly one in three Americans to remove the contaminants from their taps.

The action represents the most significant upgrade in the safety of the nations drinking water in three decades and fulfills one of President Joe Bidens key public health promises. But it comes with a $1.5 billion annual price tag, at least some of which will be footed by ratepayers.

Under the final regulation, utilities will have five years to eradicate any detectable levels of two of the chemicals  PFOA or PFOS  that were used for decades in a wide range of products including nonstick cookware, camping gear and pizza boxes, but have been linked with cancer and a host of other health problems. Levels of four other chemicals in the same PFAS family will also be strictly limited.

This action will prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said on a call with reporters, calling it a comprehensive and life-changing rule.

The regulation is a major win for advocates from communities with contaminated drinking water who have sought an enforceable limit on the chemicals for years.

This is huge, its monumental, its historic, said Emily Donovan, a 47-year-old mother of twins and advocate from Wilmington, North Carolina, whose community faced extreme levels of PFAS contamination from a Chemours plant that for years discharged the chemicals directly into the Cape Fear River supplying her citys drinking water. Todays announcements not going to erase the past, but its definitely going to give us a more fair and just future.

Prized for their ability to resist water and stains, PFAS have been nearly ubiquitous in commercial products for decades. But the quality that makes them so useful in all manner of products also means they are nearly impossible to break down in the environment.

EPA estimates the chemicals have made their way to drinking water sources for 100 million Americans. The contamination is especially intense near manufacturing facilities and military bases, where service members practiced fighting fires with foam laced with the chemicals.

The countrys sprawling PFAS problem has drawn bipartisan concern. Former President Donald Trumps administration first promised the regulations in 2018, but waffled before eventually initiating the regulatory process for two of the chemicals under pressure from lawmakers.

During his 2020 campaign, Biden promised a multi-pronged approach to addressing the chemicals, with a drinking water regulation as its centerpiece.

But Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, the top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee who played a crucial role in pressuring both the Trump and Biden administrations to address the issue, blasted the final version.

"For years, I have urged multiple administrations to issue a safe drinking water standard that is scientifically sound, based in reality, and does not unfairly burden our local communities, she said in a statement. Unfortunately, the standard set today by the administration doesnt meet any of this criteria and takes the wrong approach, which will result in increased costs for local water systems and ultimately, ratepayers.

As evidence of the chemicals harms mounted, companies phased out production of PFOA and PFOS, but thousands of newer versions of the chemicals have replaced them on the market. Scientists are only just beginning to study the health effects of many of these chemicals, but have already documented concerning findings.

The new regulation sets legally enforceable limits for just six of the chemicals: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS and GenX. But because PFAS are typically found in mixtures of multiple related chemicals, the regulation is likely to address more than just those directly covered.

Similarly, many of the treatment technologies that can address the covered chemicals will also eliminate uncovered PFAS that might be present  as well as other contaminants that could also be in the drinking water, such as cancer-linked byproducts from disinfection systems. EPA estimates that 6 to 10 percent of water utilities will need to upgrade their treatment facilities.

In addition to setting individual limits for five of the chemicals, the regulation also includes a calculation, called a hazard index, that mandates upgrades to treatment systems if the combination of multiple PFAS is deemed dangerous, even if each individual chemical comes in below its limit.

This standard is an important signal that the administration recognizes that these chemicals are similar and have similar effects, and have an additive effect, said Erik Olson, senior strategic director for the Natural Resources Defense Councils health program.

But the regulation will come with steep costs. EPA estimates it will take $1.5 billion per year to implement it, between testing and plant upgrades  roughly equal to the benefits the agency calculated from nearly 10,000 avoided deaths and 30,000 fewer illnesses. That projected expense is almost twice what the agency had said the proposed version of the rule would cost.

And industry groups contend it will cost far more. Just meeting the PFOA and PFOS limits could cost more than $3 billion annually, according to the American Water Works Association.

Trade groups representing drinking water utilities and some mayors have pushed back on the regulation because of its costs, noting that it comes as utilities are also facing a looming mandate to remove lead pipes from their systems and a backlog of upgrades simply to deal with aging infrastructure.

To help foot the bill, the Biden administration also announced the availability of $1 billion from a $9 billion pot of funding for PFAS and other emerging contaminants in the bipartisan infrastructure law.

States will distribute the $1 billion, which could go to regulated water utilities or private well owners who arent subject to the new rule but face their own problems with the chemicals.

Most U.S. utilities will also receive funding from a pair of settlement agreements with major manufacturers of the chemicals. A federal judge in South Carolina earlier this month signed off on a $10.3 billion settlement from 3M and is currently weighing a $1.185 billion deal from Chemours, DuPont and related companies.

The Biden administration is also preparing to finalize a separate regulation to list PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law. That would offer a powerful legal tool for forcing cleanups at contaminated sites and could help water utilities that opted out of the settlements to seek larger contributions from chemical companies and other responsible parties. But it has also raised concerns from the drinking water industry, which fears utilities could be pulled into the complex litigation.

In addition to its major new health protections, the PFAS regulation also represents a procedural landmark: It is the first time EPA is finalizing a drinking water limit for a new contaminant since the Safe Drinking Water Act was updated in 1996 to require more stringent cost-benefit calculations.

The agencys work in meeting those requirements is likely to be tested. Chemical companies have already challenged prior, incremental steps in the process in court, and the industrys trade group, the American Chemistry Council, expressed concerns about the cost and the scientific underpinnings of the new rule Wednesday.

This rushed, unscientific approach is unacceptable when it comes to an issue as important as access to safe drinking water, the council said in a statement.
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he was considering Australia's request to drop the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who had released troves of confidential U.S. classified documents and is battling extradition to the United States.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has long expressed opposition to the Wikileaks founder's detention, in February backed a parliamentary motion calling for the return of Assange, an Australian citizen, to Australia.

"We are considering it," Biden told a reporter who asked if he had a response to Australia's request to end Assange's prosecution.

Albanese said his government had raised the issue at all government levels in every possible way and would continue to engage diplomatically for the release of Assange.

"This is an encouraging comment from President Biden," Albanese told ABC television.

"I believe this must be brought to a conclusion and that Mr Assange has already paid a significant price, and enough is enough. There's nothing to be gained by Mr Assange's continued incarceration, in my very strong view. And I've put that as the view of the Australian government."

Barry Pollack, a lawyer for Assange, said Biden's comments were encouraging. Three weeks earlier, Pollack had said Assange's legal team saw no indication of resolution to U.S. charges against him.

"It is encouraging that President Biden has confirmed that the United States is considering dropping its case against Julian Assange," Pollack said in an email.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Biden's remarks on Wednesday.

Assange's extradition was put on hold in March after London's High Court said the U.S. must provide assurances he would not face the death penalty.

Assange, 52, is battling extradition from Britain to the U.S., where he is wanted on criminal charges over the release of confidential U.S. military records and diplomatic cables in 2010. Washington says the release of the documents put lives in danger.

Assange's supporters say he is an anti-establishment hero who has been victimized because he exposed U.S. wrongdoing, including in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

If extradited, Assange faces a sentence of up to 175 years in a maximum security prison. Multiple rights groups, leading media organizations and the leaders of countries including Mexico and Brazil have also urged that charges against Assange be dropped.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt, Kanishka Singh, Doina Chiacu, Paul Grant in Washington, and Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by David Ljunggren, Bill Berkrot and Lincoln Feast.)
President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the U.S. is considering dropping its years-long attempt to prosecute Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder who was central to publishing a trove of classified U.S. military intel starting in 2006.

That comment from Biden, made to reporters outside the White House, comes two months after the Australian parliament approved a motion that called for Assange to be released to his home country of Australia.

A reporter mentioned the motion Wednesday when asking Biden about ending Assanges prosecution, to which the president responded, Were considering it. He said nothing more about Assange.

Assange, who is imprisoned in the United Kingdom, has evaded U.S. authorities for over a decadefirst by living in the Ecuadoran Embassy in London for seven years, and next by trying to dodge extradition through British courts for the last five.

Julian Assange Scores Temporary Victory in Fight Against Extradition to the U.S.

Assange, 52, is staring down a sentence that could exceed 100 years behind bars in the U.S. if he were to be convicted on multiple counts of espionage. U.S. prosecutors alleged he put lives at risk by publishing secret military documents while the U.S. was engaged in active conflicts in the Middle East.

In total, Assange faces 18 federal counts in the states17 of which are for allegedly violating the Espionage Act. The other charge, for allegedly conspiring to hack a computer, comes from a related incident in 2010.

Assanges case has been a complicated one from the start, with free speech advocates condemning the charges against him, saying a conviction could have a chilling effect on press freedoms. Others want Assange put away for life, accusing him of endangering American soldiers.

Assanges wife, Stella Assange, said her husband is being persecuted because he exposed the true cost of war in human lives. She has said she fears hell die behind bars, citing his deteriorating health.

The U.K. approved Assanges extradition to the U.S. in 2022, but he appealed that decision on claims the ruling was politically motivated and that he didnt face a fair trial. That appeal kept him in London, at the Belmarsh Prison, where high-profile suspects and criminals are held.

The leaker was granted a lifeline in London last month, when a court ruled that it would not extradite Assange on espionage charges unless U.S. authorities guaranteed he wouldnt receive the death penaltya decision the U.S. has remained mum on to this point.

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.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left) with Joe Biden as the two men walk to the Oval Office on April 10, 2024. - Photo: Evan Vucci (AP)

President Joe Biden is considering a request that the U.S. stop its legal proceedings against Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange, whos currently fighting extradition to the U.S. where he faces 18 federal charges related to his publication of secret military documents.



Bidens exact words were were considering it when asked about the Australian request, according to a pool reporter in the the Oval Office Wednesday morning. And while that doesnt mean the U.S. Department of Justice will necessarily drop its case against Assange, it signals there could be some room for compromise.



The request to drop the prosecution first came from the government of Australia in February after federal members of parliament from the left-leaning Labor Party were joined by one member of the conservative Liberal Party to call for Assanges release. Assange was born in Australia and still holds Australian citizenship even though he hasnt lived there for years.



International observers are concerned Assange may face the death penalty if hes sent to the U.S., a punishment thats been abolished in every wealthy country aside from the U.S. and Japan. Assange has been held in Londons Belmarsh Prison since 2019 when he was forcibly dragged out of the Ecuadorian embassy in the UK, where hed been living since applying for asylum there in June of 2012.

Assange published secret documents in the early 2010s related to the U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a video from July 12, 2007, that showed a U.S. helicopter crew shooting and killing journalists. Assange was hailed as an important journalistic voice at the time but came under criticism from the left during the 2016 election cycle when Wikileaks helped circulate unfounded conspiracy theories that Hillary Clinton had ordered the murder of Seth Rich, a Democratic staffer killed in a robbery in Washington D.C. in the summer of 2016. The conspiracy theory was later linked to Russian intelligence, as Gizmodo reportedin 2019.



Assanges case has been championed in recent years by former president Donald Trump, a bizarre spectacle considering it was his Department of Justice that first brought charges against the Wikileaks cofounder. In fact, Reuters reported back in February that Trump personally asked for plans that included kidnapping or killing Assange during his time in office.

But nobody should be surprised Trump would completely change his position to fit the political mood of the monthas weve seen on everything from TikTok to abortion.



For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Biden says Netanyahu is making a 'mistake' with his handling of the Israel-Hamas war

President Joe Biden upped his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's role in the Israel-Hamas war but did not indicate any significant changes in U.S. policy toward its Middle East ally.

"I think what hes doing is a mistake," Biden said in an interview with Univision that aired Tuesday night in response to a question about whether Netanyahu is more concerned about political survival than Israelis national interest.

"I dont agree with his approach," Biden added in the interview, which was taped last Wednesday.

The remarks illustrate how Biden is increasingly willing to publicly criticize Netanyahu amid mounting criticism from progressives about Israel's handling of the war in Gaza.

Biden last month praised Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers speech that criticized Netanyahu and called for new elections in Israel. Schumer, D-N.Y., argued that Netanyahu allowed his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel.

At the same time, Biden has also come under criticism for not backing up his comments with conditions on selling U.S. arms to Israel. NBC News previously reported the U.S. decision last month to send more weapons to Israel.

Last week, more than three dozen Democrats in Congress  including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California  signed a letter urging Biden to withhold arms transfers if "Israel fails to sufficiently mitigate harm to innocent civilians in Gaza, including aid workers."

In the Univision interview, Biden said he is calling for Israelis "to just call for a cease-fire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country."

"Ive spoken with everyone from the Saudis to the Jordanians to the Egyptians. Theyre prepared to move in," Biden said. "Theyre prepared to move this food in. And I think theres no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now."

Biden had been critical of Netanyahu before the Israeli airstrike on April 1 that killed seven World Central Kitchen humanitarian workers, but he began taking a harder line after the strike.

"Israel has not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians" he said last week.

In the early days after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, Biden repeatedly emphasized that his support for Israel was "ironclad." He has since had to contend with anti-war and pro-Palestinian protesters' interrupting his speeches, as well as a campaign calling for voters to cast protest ballots for "uncommitted" rather than for him in the Democratic primaries.

On Tuesday, families of U.S. hostages met with Vice President Kamala Harris, who provided an update on the White House's efforts to bring hostages home.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of American hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, said there is "a deal on the table right now that all of the parties agree to and are willing to work with."

They are waiting "for Hamas to get to 'yes,'" he said.

Netanyahu has signaled that Israel has set a date for an offensive on Rafah, which the U.S. opposes. The White House has maintained that "a major ground operation in Rafah would be a mistake," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in March.

Biden expressed "deep concerns" about an Israeli offensive in Rafah in a conversation with Netanyahu last month, according to the White House.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Joe Biden said in a new interview he does not agree with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus ongoing attacks in Gaza, issuing some of his harshest critique of the countrys war with Hamas so far.

I will tell you, I think what hes doing is a mistake, Biden said of his Israeli counterpart in an interview with Univisions Enrique Acevedo that aired Tuesday. I dont agree with his approach.

The change in tone represents a dramatic shift in the U.S. policy following Hamas Oct. 7 attack in Israel that left 1,200 people dead. Israels assault in Gaza has since stretched more than six months, leaving at least 32,000 Palestinians dead.

The White House had resisted outright criticism of Netanyahus efforts while urging Israel and Hamas to reach a cease-fire agreement, despite the wars growing civilian toll. But that support changed last week following the deaths of seven aid workers with World Central Kitchen, who were killed in an Israel air strike after delivering food in Gaza.

Biden has since warned Netanyahu that future U.S. support will be contingent on the protection of civilians, calling the ongoing humanitarian crisis unacceptable.

The president re-upped his calls for a cease-fire in the Univision interview, which was recorded last week just days after the aid workers were killed. Israel has taken responsibility for their deaths.

I think its outrageous that those  vehicles were hit by drones and taken out on a highway where it wasnt like it was along the shore, it wasnt like there was a convoy moving there, he said. What Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a cease-fire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country.

The president added the U.S. had spoken to countries in the region who were prepared to move in food and other humanitarian aid.

And I think theres no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people, Biden added. It should be done now.

Israel approved the opening of a border crossing in northern Gaza for the first time since Oct. 7 following Bidens call with Netanyahu.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Hamas needed to accept a new cease-fire deal brokered by the U.S. that would include the release of hostages. But Hamas has yet to respond to the proposal, and U.S. officials have said the groups public statements so far have been less than encouraging.

In the Univision interview, Biden also slammed his predecessor and 2024 Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, calling him the greatest threat to the nation. He pointed to Trumps behavior surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, which has resulted in a multi-pronged federal indictment.

The idea that he would sit in the office  and watch for hours the attack on the capitol and the destruction and the mayhem and the people who were killed, the police officers who died, and call them political heroes? Call them patriots Biden said. I cant think of any other time in my lifetime that youve had somebody whos had this kind of attitude.

Related...
Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills 3 sons and 4 grandchildren of top Hamas leader

Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills 3 sons and 4 grandchildren of top Hamas leader

Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed on Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip official Hamas media said. Four of the leader's grandchildren were also killed.

Haniyeh confirmed the deaths in an interview with the Al Jazeera satellite channel, saying his sons were martyred on the road to liberating Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Haniyehs sons are among the highest-profile figures to be killed in the war so far.

Israel said they were Hamas operatives, and Haniyeh accused Israel of acting in the spirit of revenge and murder.

The enemy believes that by targeting the families of the leaders, it will push them to give up the demands of our people, Haniyeh told the Al Jazeera satellite channel.

Anyone who believes that targeting my sons will push Hamas to change its position is delusional, he added.

The deaths threaten to strain the internationally mediated ceasefire talks, which appeared to gain steam in recent days even as the sides remain far apart on key issues.

Ismail Haniyeh lives in exile in Qatar, where Al Jazeera is based.

He said the killings would not pressure Hamas into softening its positions. The two sides have been involved in months of ceasefire talks.

The slayings also come as Israel is under intensifying pressure - increasingly from its top ally, the U.S. - to change tack in the war, especially when it comes to humanitarian aid for desperate people in Gaza.

Biden: Netanyahu making a 'mistake' in Gaza

US President Joe Biden has criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus approach to Gaza.

I think what hes doing is a mistake," he said in an interview. "I dont agree with his approach.

Bidens remarks were some of his strongest criticism yet of Netayhanu, as tensions between Israel and its principal ally soar over the mounting death toll in Gaza.

The Democrat leader also called for a ceasefire, warning US support depended on whether Israel would allow in more aid to the Palestinian enclave.

He called an Israeli drone attack that killed seven aid workers with World Central Kitchen last week outrageous.

The hour-long interview was recorded last Wednesday and it aired on Tuesday night on US Spanish-language network Univision.

What Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country, said Biden.

Theres no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now.

Gaza sparks trade dispute between Turkey and Israel

Turkey and Israel have slapped trade barriers on one another as relations plummet over the war in Gaza.

Ankara on Tuesday announced export restrictions on 54 types of products to Israel with immediate effect, including metals, jet fuel and chemical fertilisers.

Israel said it was preparing a ban on Turkish products in response.

The announcements came a day after Israel barred Turkish military cargo planes from airdropping aid into Gaza.

There is no excuse for Israel to block our attempt to deliver aid by air to starving people of Gaza, said Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan.

Stung by a local election loss last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan faced intense pressure from voters to halt trade with Israel.

Critics accuse Ankara of double standards by denouncing Israel yet continuing lucrative commercial relations.

Erdogan has said Israels actions in Gaza verge on genocide and called Hamas - deemed a terrorist organisation by Israel, the United States and the European Union - freedom fighters.

In a post on X, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Erdogan was once again sacrificing the economic interests of the people of Turkey for his support of the Hamas murderers in Gaza.

He claimed he had asked US organisations to stop investing in Turkey and importing Turkish goods.
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approach to the war in Gaza is a "mistake," U.S. President Joe Biden said in an interview published on Tuesday, offering further criticism of Israel's handling of the conflict.

"I think what he's doing is a mistake. I don't agree with his approach," Biden said in comments to Univision, a U.S. Spanish-language TV network.

Biden has also previously called Israel's bombing in Gaza "indiscriminate" and its military actions "over the top."

The White House said last week that the president, in a call with Netanyahu, threatened to make conditional U.S. support for Israel's offensive on it taking concrete steps to protect aid workers and civilians. That call followed an Israeli airstrike that killed seven staff of the aid group World Central Kitchen.

"What I'm calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country," Biden said in Tuesday's interview.

Israel's military assault on Gaza has been the subject of mounting international criticism. Domestically, Biden has also faced months of protests from anti-war activists, Muslims and Arab Americans across the country, who have demanded a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and restrictions on U.S. military assistance for Israel.

Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent military assault on Hamas-governed Gaza has killed over 33,000, according to the local health ministry, displaced nearly all of its 2.3 million population and led to genocide allegations that Israel denies. The coastal enclave also suffers widespread hunger.

Israel has received more U.S. foreign aid than any other country since World War Two, although annual assistance has been dwarfed for two years by funding and military equipment sent to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion.

The United States has traditionally shielded Israel in the U.N. Security Council and vetoed three draft resolutions on the war in Gaza. It abstained last month when the Security Council demanded an immediate ceasefire.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Heather Timmons and Edwina Gibbs)
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  Israeli aircraft killed three sons of Hamas top political leader in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, striking high-stakes targets at a time when Israel is holding delicate cease-fire negotiations with the militant group. Hamas said four of the leader's grandchildren were also killed.

Ismail Haniyeh s sons are among the highest-profile figures to be killed in the war so far. Israel said they were Hamas operatives, and Haniyeh accused Israel of acting in the spirit of revenge and murder.

The deaths threatened to strain the internationally mediated cease-fire talks, which appeared to gain steam in recent days even as the sides remain far apart on key issues.

The slayings also come as Israel is under intensifying pressure  increasingly from its top ally, the U.S.  to change tack in the war, especially when it comes to humanitarian aid for desperate people in Gaza.

Haniyeh said Hamas would not cave to the pressure leveled by the strike on his family.

The enemy believes that by targeting the families of the leaders, it will push them to give up the demands of our people, Haniyeh told the Al Jazeera satellite channel. Anyone who believes that targeting my sons will push Hamas to change its position is delusional.

Hamas Al-Aqsa TV station aired footage of Haniyeh receiving the news of the deaths through the phone of an aide while visiting wounded Palestinians who have been transported to a hospital in Qatar, where he lives in exile. Haniyeh nodded, looked down at the ground and slowly walked out of the room.

Hamas said Hazem, Amir and Mohammed Haniyeh were killed in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, where Ismail Haniyeh is originally from. The militant group said three of Haniyeh's granddaughters and a grandson were also killed, without disclosing their ages.

Al-Aqsa TV said the brothers were traveling with family members in a single vehicle targeted by an Israeli drone.

The Israeli military said Mohammed and Hazem were Hamas military operatives and that Amir was a cell commander. It said they had conducted militant activity in the central Gaza Strip, without elaborating. It did not comment about the grandchildren killed.

The strike on Haniyehs family is the latest bloodshed in a war with no end in sight.

Earlier, Israeli War Cabinet minister Benny Gantz claimed Hamas has been defeated militarily, although he also said Israel will fight it for years to come.

From a military point of view, Hamas is defeated. Its fighters are eliminated or in hiding and its capabilities crippled, Gantz said in a statement to the media in the southern Israeli city of Sderot.

But he added: Fighting against Hamas will take time. Boys who are now in middle school will still fight in the Gaza Strip.

Gantz reiterated the Israeli governments commitment to go into Rafah, the city at the far southern tip of the Gaza Strip where more than half the territorys 2.3 million people are now sheltering.

For Palestinians, the strike on Haniyehs family darkened an already grim Eid al-Fitr holiday, which ends the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Palestinians marked the holiday by visiting the graves of loved ones killed in the war. In the Jabaliya refugee camp near Gaza City, people sat quietly by graves surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israels offensive, which was launched in response to the deadly Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

As misery in Gaza lingers, Israel has faced increasing pressure, including from its own top ally, the U.S., to change tack in the war, especially with regards to the delivery of humanitarian aid.

In an interview with Spanish-language broadcaster Univision that was recorded April 3 and aired Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the war in Gaza and urged his government to flood the beleaguered territory with aid. He repeated that call again Wednesday, saying the efforts to boost aid were not enough and demanding another entry point for trucks in northern Gaza.

Gantz said Israel would soon open a new crossing to serve hard-hit northern Gaza, an early target of Israel's in the war.

After months of supporting the war against Hamas, the White House has ramped up pressure on Israel to reach a cease-fire and taken a sterner line that has rattled the countries decades-old alliance and deepened Israels international isolation over the war.

The most serious disagreement has been over Israels plans for an offensive in Rafah. The rift was worsened by an Israeli airstrike last week on an aid convoy that killed seven workers with the World Central Kitchen charity, most of them foreigners. Israel said the deaths were unintentional, but Biden was outraged.

Bidens latest comments highlight the differences between Israel and the U.S. over humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, where the war has led to warnings of imminent famine for more than a million people.

What hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, Biden told Univision when asked if Netanyahu was prioritizing his political survival over Israels interest.

Israel halted aid deliveries to Gaza in the early days of the war, but under U.S. pressure has slowly increased the number of trucks allowed to enter the territory.

Still, aid groups say supplies are not reaching desperate people quickly enough, blaming Israeli restrictions and noting that thousands of trucks are waiting to enter Gaza. Countries have attempted less efficient ways to deliver aid, including airdrops and by sea.

Israel says it has opened up more entry points for trucks to enter, especially for northern Gaza. Israel also accuses aid groups of being too slow to deliver aid once its inside Gaza.

Aid groups say logistical issues and the precarious security situation  underscored by the strike on the aid workers  complicate deliveries.

Netanyahu has vowed to achieve total victory, pledging to destroy Hamas military and governing capabilities to prevent a repeat of the Oct. 7 attacks and to return hostages captured by Hamas and others that day. He says that victory must include an offensive in Rafah.

Israel launched the war in response to Hamas cross-border assault in which militants killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took roughly 250 people hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

More than 33,400 Palestinians have been killed in the relentless fighting, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says most of the dead are women and children. Israel says it has killed some 12,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The war has ignited a humanitarian catastrophe. Most of the territorys population has been displaced and with vast swaths of Gazas urban landscape leveled in the fighting, many areas are uninhabitable.

___

Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah and Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

___

Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
(From left to right) Megan Bornemann, Jason Brenner, Brian Bartel, Noah Blanck, Carven Blanck, Juli Blanck, Dawn Blanck, Sam Blanck, Conner Blanck and Amanda Blanck receive the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year award.

OSHKOSH  A local manufacturer is being recognized as one of the best in the state.

Muza Sheet Metal Company received the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Years Grand Award for its success in innovation, philanthropy, technological advances and quality products.

Competing against 35 other finalists, Muza Sheet Metal won the award in the medium category for companies with 100 to 249 employees.

This recognition demonstrates the hard work and dedication of our incredible team, who consistently embody Muzas core values of family, growth and strength, said Muza Sheet Metal President Sam Blank in a news release.

We also extend our gratitude to our customers, partners, and supporters for their continued trust and collaboration. This award would not have been possible without their unwavering support.

Restaurant opening: Erbert & Gerbert's will reopen in Oshkosh with $4 Sandwich Day

Founded in Oshkosh in 1928, Muza increased its staff from 15 employees in 1998 to more than 160 this year. The company offers installation of architectural metal cladding in various finishes and gauges.

The local manufacturer also expanded its production space 10,000 square feet to 150,000 while moving into the Madison market with a new center and manufacturing facility.

We are so grateful to the generations before us that laid such a strong foundation for our incredible team steering the ship today, said Muza Sheet Metal CEO and Chairman Carven Blanck.

I could not be more excited for the future of Team Muza.

UWO commencement: Axios CEO Jim VandeHei will headline UWO's commencement ceremonies

Have a story tip or public interest concern? Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh's Muza Sheet Metal wins Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year
President Joe Biden has said that his administration is weighing whether to accede to the Australian governments request to end the years-long prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is currently fighting extradition from the United Kingdom after years in detention there.

Last month, the Australian parliaments lower house voted to approve a measure officially calling for the US to drop the case against Mr Assange, whose organisation has been described by US officials as a hostile non-state intelligence entity which helped Russia interfere in the 2016 election on behalf of former president Donald Trump.

Mr Biden was asked about the request as he met with Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Wednesday.

He replied: Were considering it.

The charges faced by the Austrailian-born computer hacker stem from his work with the US soldier Chelsea Manning. In 2019, a federal grand jury charged Mr Assange with 18 violations of US laws including the Espionage Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Prosecutors allege that Mr Assange conspired with and assisted Ms Mannings efforts to crack a password hash to a classified US Department of Defense computer while Ms Manning was serving as an Army intelligence analyst in Iraq.

Some press freedom advocates claim Mr Assange should be considered a journalist and afforded the protections generally extended to legitimate journalists who engage in gathering and dissemination of news.

But critics of Mr Assange and his WikiLeaks organisation have also noted that he has routinely worked with and accepted information from persons and entities known to be hostile to the US, including foreign governments seeking to damage American interests.

Mr Assange has been detained by British authorities since 2019 when he was dragged from Ecuadors London embassy, where hed been evading arrest on bail-jumping charges for the previous seven years.

While American officials are currently seeking his extradition, a British court has put the case on hold until the US provides assurances that Mr Assange will not be subject to the death penalty if he is convicted in an American court.
Joe Bidens national security adviser cancelled a meeting with Lord Cameron, The Telegraph understands, after claims the Foreign Secretary had been snubbed by US politicians on his trip to Washington.

Jake Sullivan, Mr Bidens most senior foreign policy official, replaced the planned meeting with a phone call after diary clashes related to a visit from the Japanese prime minister.

Lord Cameron flew to the US on Monday evening and met Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, and Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate.

The Government hoped the Foreign Secretary could convince wavering Republicans they should vote for a bill to fund the war in Ukraine, following months of holdup in Congress.

Lord Cameron said on Wednesday that while he was not in the US to lecture politicians, he had arrived with a plea to continue American support for Kyiv.

However, two of his planned meetings were cancelled after Mr Sullivan and Mike Johnson, the speaker of the House of Representatives, said they were too busy.

The call with Mr Sullivan took place on Tuesday, after his team withdrew from an in-person meeting, citing preparations for the arrival of Fumio Kishida, the Japanese prime minister, on Wednesday.

He has a very busy schedule and it is moving around all the time, a US government source told The Telegraph.

Lord Cameron speaks during a press conference with Antony Blinken following a meeting in Washington DC on Tuesday - Nathan Posner/Shutterstock

A Foreign Office source said their virtual meeting was a good positive call and we were glad we could make it happen.

On Wednesday, Lord Cameron said his planned meeting with Mr Johnson, who controls business in the House, was not fixed before his trip, despite his announcement last Friday that the two would meet.

Mr Johnson has the power to bring Mr Bidens Ukraine supplemental spending package before Congress, but is facing opposition from Republicans who argue the war is becoming too expensive.

The meeting was described as one of the Foreign Secretarys most important opportunities to sway Republican opinion on Capitol Hill, but Mr Johnsons team said he was not available on Tuesday or Wednesday for a meeting.

I had a great meeting with speaker Johnson last time I was here and I didnt have a meeting fixed for this visit, Lord Cameron told MSNBC on Wednesday.

Instead, Ive been meeting and I will be meeting with party leaders in the House. I met former president Trump yesterday, I had some great meetings with secretary of state Blinken and a good call with your national security adviser, Jake Sullivan.

Russia firing five times more shells

Mr Johnson has so far refused to bring a package to Congress that would authorise $60 billion (48 billion) of military aid for Kyiv, as supplies run low.

On Tuesday, Gen Christopher Cavoli, commander of the US militarys European Command, told Congress that Russia was firing five shells for every Ukrainian munition because of shortages.

Mr Johnson indicated last week that he may bring the vote to the House in the coming days, despite opposition from his own party.

The row has threatened to engulf his speakership, which he has held since the ousting of Kevin McCarthy in October.

Some Republicans, including the hardline conservative congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, have called for him to resign.

Elissa Slotkin, a Democratic congresswoman, said on Wednesday that Mr Johnson should put on his big boy pants and bring the Ukraine bill to the floor of the House, even at the risk of losing his job. Thats what leadership is, she said.

Mr Johnson is reportedly planning to deliver a press conference on election integrity with Mr Trump on Friday.

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.
New bill would help create redistricting commission for SLO County. Heres whats next

San Luis Obispo County is one step closer to establishing an independent redistricting commission  which means voters, rather than elected officials, will chose the countys future supervisor district boundaries.

County counsel Rita Neal presented a draft of the bill designed to create the commission at Tuesdays San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Senate Bill 977, authored by State Senator John Laird, will create an appointed, nonpartisan group of citizens that replace the board in approving district boundaries.

The board voted 3-2 to endorse the draft bill and direct Supervisor Bruce Gibson to testify at state Senate hearings in support of the bill. Supervisors John Peschong and Debbie Arnold dissented.

What we are creating is a process that will bring transparency into SLO County, Supervisor Jimmy Paulding said during discussion.

Community members asked for an independent redistricting commission after the previous board majority approved a radically redrawn district map that some said favored Republicans in 2021.

San Luis Obispo County Citizens for Good Government and the SLO County League of Women Voters sued the county, arguing the map was gerrymandered. On March 21, 2023, the new board majority voted to settle the lawsuit and select a new map.

In January, the board voted to direct county staff to work with Lairds office to draft a bill to establish a commission for the county.

State Senator John Laird Courtesy photo

Who will serve on the commission?

The commission will have 11 members, according to Neal. Depending on edits to the bill draft, the commission could be structured in one of two ways: where at least two commission members live in each of the five supervisorial districts with one at-large member, or where five members are selected from each district alongside six at-large members.

Members will need to meet a list of requirements. For example, they must be registered to vote in the county, and they cannot be elected officials, employees of elected officials or campaigns, lobbyists or their close family members, Neal said.

Prospective members would apply to the county elections official, who would eliminate applicants who dont meet the criteria.

The elections official would then select up to 60 applicants and publicly publish their names. For the next 30 days, the official could disqualify an applicant if it is revealed that they do not meet the criteria.

The official will divide the remaining applicants into groups based on what supervisorial district they live in. Then, at a regularly scheduled board meeting, the clerk of the board will randomly select one commissioner from each district. Those five commissioners will conduct interviews and then appoint six more members at another public meeting.

If a commissioner resigns or is removed, the commission chair will chose a replacement from the previously mentioned pool of qualified applicants, according to Neal. The replacement must have the same political party affiliation and live in the same district as their predecessor, she said.

The commission will hold five public meetings before drawing the map  one in each district, and three public meetings after drawing the map. Seven or more votes would be required for any action, according to Neal.

The chosen map must comply with the California Elections Code, Neal said.

Should the state create the countys redistricting commission?

Removing the power to draw district boundaries from elected officials will ensure that the redistricting process is done with integrity, Paulding said.

Enlisting qualified members of the public to select district boundaries will prevent politicians from abusing their power and selecting district boundaries that support their re-election, Paulding said at a previous meeting. Gibson agreed.

This is a matter of basic democracy, Gibson said Tuesday.

Supporting an independent redistricting commission could cost the county between $750,000 and $1 million in 2030, money that would be pulled from the countys General Fund, according to a staff report. Costs include mapping tools, consulting services, outreach, demographic analysis, translation services and more.

Peschong thought the process was too expensive  especially when the state Legislature could pass a separate law mandating redistricting commissions for all counties before the next round of redistricting in 2030. He wanted to wait before taking action.

I think its probably too early, too expensive and I think we should wait and see what the Legislature comes up with for the rest of the state, Peschong said.

Arnold also didnt support an independent redistricting commission. She said that elected officials better understand the needs of their district and are better equipped to select district boundaries than regular citizens.

Whats next?

The bill will work its way through various Senate committees in April before heading to the state Senate for a final vote this spring, according to Neal.

If the Senate passes the bill, various state Assembly committees will review the bill before sending it to for a final vote.

Gibson will have opportunities to speak about the bill on behalf of the board at each of the hearings. Ortiz-Legg and Paulding will serve as alternates if Gibson cant make a meeting.

If the bill is passed by both houses in the state Legislature, Gov. Gavin Newsom will have the chance to sign the bill. The bill should be ready for his signature by August, Neal said.

If all goes according to plan, the bill would take effect as law in January.
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW)  The Kansas Legislature has passed a bill naming the states Official Heritage Railroad.

The bill names the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad as the states official heritage railroad and their steam locomotive, Santa Fe 3415, as the official state locomotive.

State Representative Scott Hill of Abilene introduced the bill. The bill advanced through committees, gaining approval in both the Kansas House and Senate. It now moves to Governor Laura Kellys desk, where it is expected to be signed.

This is indeed an honor, said A&SV President and General Manager Ross Boelling in a news release. Our organization was founded three decades ago on the idea of preserving the legacy of railroads as builders of our state. Its great to make our mission an official Kansas tradition. More importantly, this designation is a great recognition of our volunteers and the tens of thousands of hours they have dedicated to the A&SV.

League 42 receives $100,000 gift from MLB

The railroad says the designations will also help them with their grant writing.

The railroad is the only excursion railroad operating in Kansas, and the 104-year-old Santa Fe 3415 is one of only 200 operating steam engines in the United States.

In October, the railroad began its mandatory 15-year overhaul and inspection of the Santa Fe 3415, which will take around 2 years to complete.

While the Sant Fe undergoes its overhaul, the Abilene and Smoky Valley is operating its 1945 ALCO S-1 diesel-electric engine, which was originally owned by the Hutchinson & Northern Railroad.

For more about the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad or to purchase excursion tickets, visit their website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Billionaire brothers bankroll education programs to feed misinformation to students: 'The goal ... is to gain control of levers of power'

"Money talks," or so they say. Unfortunately, in the United States, a pair of billionaires have been sending money to some media outlets to talk about the supposed benefits of oil and gas and deny the existence of human-caused global heating.

What's happening?

According to the Guardian, Farris and Dan Wilks have been sending millions of dollars to pro-dirty-energy and evangelical organizations.

The Wilks brothers, who made their fortune from oil and gas fracking, are trying to promote the narrative that the world is not experiencing a climate crisis.

Among the media entities to have received funding from the Wilks brothers is PragerU, an unaccredited university that provides "edutainment" videos for classroom use. The Guardian cited Texas financial records that show the Wilks have handed over at least $8 million to PragerU.

"The goal of [the] Wilks and those that share their ideology is to gain control of levers of power and control information," Texas-based campaign finance analyst Chris Tackett told the outlet. "That's why they invest heavily into politicians, agenda-driven nonprofits and media organizations like PragerU and the Daily Wire. It is all connected."

Why is this concerning?

Spreading misinformation that global heating doesn't exist will only make efforts to slow the rate of rising temperatures much harder. With the message that oil and gas have little impact on thermometer readings rising, citizens will be far less inclined to reduce pollution in their day-to-day lives.

It's especially concerning in classrooms, as influencing children to believe that global warming is a natural cycle of life makes it less likely that the next generation will take positive climate action  even though they will be among those who will be most affected by the climate crisis.

"The Wilks brothers aren't the only ones with oil and gas ties to question climate change science from a position of self-interest; with so much invested in hydrocarbon society, their pro-fossil-fuel, anti-climate-crisis-science position only makes sense," history professor at the University of Notre Dame Darren Dochuk told the Guardian.

"Where the Wilks take things further, however, is their articulation of climate change denialism in theological terms, as if we are all destined by God for a future of environmental ruin we have no responsibility for and can't control."

Whereas outright denial is one problem, so is greenwashing. To encourage sales among climate-positive consumers, some companies will claim to be taking affirmative action. However, these businesses might be making overblown statements about how they are cutting waste or pollution, or they simply might not be doing anything at all.

What can be done about misinformation?

Changing people's minds isn't easy, and sometimes putting your point across can be seen as hostile or antagonizing. But calling out misinformation when you see it is so important, whether it's about the climate crisis or any other hot-button issue.

Staying informed, relying on science, and looking at the world around you can help to understand what's happening. Being aware of where your news and information is coming from and why is essential, too.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Republicans and Democrats in Washington can agree on at least one thing lately: the Biden administrations handling of college financial aid this year has been a mess.

High school seniors nationwide are awaiting aid offers with no concrete idea of when they're expected to land. At schools, officials say they dont have all the information they need from the federal government to let families know how much they may have to pay. And the Education Department is scrambling to correct eleventh-hour data errors that affect more than 2 million anxious students.

At a congressional hearing Wednesday, the bipartisan exasperation with the mounting problems rose to a fever pitch.

A panel of college financial aid experts concerned about a potential enrollment crisis this fall bemoaned ongoing problems with the rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and derided the Education Department over what some called a crisis of credibility. Even a Republican congressman from Texas who is the father of two high school seniors chimed in to say his family hasn't been immune from the delays.

Read more: The FAFSA blunders havent let up. Now the Education Department has a credibility issue.

Advocates closely tracking the unraveling of this year's financial aid process were breathless in their assessments.

We have limited, precious weeks left," said Kim Cook, the CEO of the National College Attainment Network.

Kim Cook, CEO of the National College Attainment Network, reads an opening statement at Wednesday morning's hearing.

The hearing underscored a rare point of bipartisan agreement while painting a dire picture of the current college admissions landscape. At the behest of Congress, the federal government set out to simplify this year's FAFSA, but due to the bumpy rollout of those fixes, completion of the form was down 40% among high school seniors through the end of March, according to one tracker.

And high school seniors are by no means the only students who need to fill out the form. Most college students who need financial help to pay for school must submit it. The Education Department has received about seven million applications, officials said, down by about a third from this time last year.

College financial aid experts criticized the Education Department during the hearing on Capitol Hill for dressing up the repeated delays and mistakes in celebratory publicity in the agency's communications with schools. Some officials implied there was a need for accountability at the highest levels of the Education Department.

If there was a financial aid director, or even a college president, that delayed financial aid on their campus for up to six months, the professional price that would be paid for that would be pretty steep, said Justin Draeger, the president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

The Education Department said Tuesday more than a million students still need to make corrections to their FAFSAs before they can be finalized. The functionality for students to make those fixes still isnt widely available, though, and the agency says it wont be online until early next week. In yet another holdup, colleges will now have to wait until May 1 before they get all the corrected versions of the hundreds of thousands of applications tangled up in the mess created by the federal government.

Typically, May 1 is the deadline for high school seniors to decide where they want to attend college. In recent months, hundreds of schools have been forced to extend that date. But not all of them have done so, despite urging from officials at the Education Department. In the interim, students and parents told USA TODAY that if just one college on their list still is sticking to the May 1 deadline, they effectively all do.

Amid the heightened scrutiny, Education Department officials have worked hard in the past few weeks to improve their communication with schools. Rich Cordray, the chief operating officer for the Office of Federal Student Aid, said getting data to colleges as swiftly as possible remains a top priority.

Yet for students worried about whether college is attainable, the chaos this year has pushed their hopes of higher education further away, said Rachelle Feldman, the vice provost for enrollment at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

I worry most, honestly, about a student in, say, rural North Carolina, who's heard all their life that college is out of their reach, she said during the hearing. They've worked hard for 12 years, but all the voices around them are saying they can't afford it. And we can't get them the document that proves they can. And we lose out on that talent.

Rachelle Feldman, the vice provost for enrollment at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, testifies at Wednesday's congressional hearing about the FAFSA rollout.

Republicans lay blame on Biden over student loan relief

A law passed by Congress in 2020 mandated an update to the FAFSA, which had been cluttered for years with more than 100 questions. The system's back end was decades old. For many families, filling out the oft-required form was a traumatic process that made college feel like even less of a possibility.

After requesting a yearlong extension, the Education Department was required to deliver the new, easier form by this college admissions season. A litany of glitches clogged up the process, leaving many students in a position where they'll have to make one of the most important decisions of their lives in weeks rather than months.

Read more: Colleges to Education Department: We don't have enough time to process FAFSA information

Republicans are blaming the Biden administrations focus on student loan relief efforts, overseen by the same office in the Education Department in charge of changing the FAFSA. While the agency was busy canceling roughly $146 billion in student debt for more than four million Americans, GOP lawmakers say, its leaders deprioritized the FAFSA.

Its been a distraction, said Mark Kantrowitz, a student financial aid expert who testified Wednesday. They cant have all hands on deck focusing on the FAFSA.

At a separate budget hearing Wednesday elsewhere on Capitol Hill, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona pushed back on that idea.

I dont want you to think that theyre not doing FAFSA because theyre doing something else," he said of his employees, responding to a question from a Republican congresswoman on the matter. Its not either or.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona largely avoided questions about the ongoing FAFSA delays at a Wednesday budget hearing on Capitol Hill.

Democrats demand answers from outside vendor

Other critics, including some Education Department staffers, have grumbled that outside contractors who received millions of dollars to assist with the FAFSA rollout share a portion of the blame.

Senate Democrats sent a letter Wednesday morning to one of those companies, General Dynamics Information Technology, demanding to know what went wrong.

It now appears that your efforts to date have been a near-total failure and that the FAFSA problems caused by this failure are harming millions of students and hundreds of colleges, wrote Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

Representatives for the company did not comment on the letter.

In the meantime, the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan federal watchdog, has launched two separate probes at the behest of congressional Republicans into the rollout of the new FAFSA. Those reviews are still in the early stages, according to the agency.

Zachary Schermele covers education and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Congress puts FAFSA frustration on display: Nothing but a disaster
A bird collided with a Marine fighter jet on Monday, prompting the pilot to land and damaging the pricey aircraft.

Immediately after taking off from Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, the F-35B Lighting II came into contact with the bird, Capt. Tyler King, a spokesman for 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, said in an emailed statement to Marine Corps Times on Wednesday.

The jet landed safely at the air base, and no one was injured, King said. The mishap took place during routine training.

Currently, the investigation of the event is ongoing and further details cannot be provided at this time, the spokesman added.

Unlatched parts ingested into F-35B in Marine Corps mishap in Japan

The Naval Safety Command listed the incident as a Class A mishap, indicating that the aircraft sustained $2.5 million or more in damage. An F-35B costs more than $109 million, according to the F-35 Joint Program Office.

Between 2004 and 2019, the Marine Corps recorded more than 1,500 aviation incidents involving bird or animal strikes, Marine Corps Times previously reported. Fewer than 30 of those incidents left people with serious injuries or caused serious damage to aircraft.

In 2019, a Japan-based F-35B sustained what the Corps initially determined was more than $2 million in damage in a bird strike.

In 2022, a bird strike caused the engine of a Marine Corps F/A-18D to catch fire, leading the aircraft to crash onto the family property of the former South Carolina governor. Both pilots experienced what a Marine spokeswoman called relatively minor injuries.

Defense News reporter Stephen Losey contributed reporting.
A substitute amendment from Gov. Glenn Youngkin would overhaul a bill intended to protect access to birth control in Virginia.

It gutted it in all senses with enforcement and in actual protections, said Del. Cia Price, a Newport News Democrat who introduced the legislation in the House.

The original bill states that health care providers have the right to prescribe contraceptives, and individuals have the right to obtain and use them. The measure did not pertain to abortion and defined contraceptives as any drug or device that is legally marketed and intended for use in the prevention of pregnancy. It created a right to file a lawsuit over violations and did not have a fiscal impact.

Youngkin struck that language, and put forth a Section 1 bill stating it shall be the public policy of the Commonwealth, independently of the requirements of the Constitution of the United States, that individuals possess the right to access contraception as set forth in Griswold v. Connecticut, and Eisenstadt v. Baird.

Section 1 bills lack teeth and are an expression of values, said Price, like when a City Council passes a resolution instead of an ordinance.

The Republican governors amendment refers to the 1965 Griswold decision, when the Supreme Court ruled that the constitutional right to privacy protected the right of married couples to use contraception. The court later extended that right to unmarried individuals in its ruling on Eisenstadt v. Baird in 1972.

Price urged those who supported the bill not to be discouraged. She said advocates should continue to reach out to legislators or the governors office.

This is just another step in the process, she said, explaining the legislation now heads back to the General Assembly, which will reconvene next week.

A few Republicans joined in passing the bill through the House by a 55-44 vote. In the Senate, it passed by a party-line vote of 21-19.

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, a Richmond Democrat, introduced an identical measure in the Senate. Hashmi delivered a petition to Youngkins office Saturday with more than 37,000 signatures urging the governor to support the legislation.

In a joint statement with Price, Hashmi slammed the governors amendment.

By introducing it as a Section 1 bill, Governor Youngkins substitute would effectively make it a suggestion rather than a law and leave our rights up to the whims of the people in power, they wrote in a Tuesday news release.

When asked for a response, a Youngkin spokesperson said Wednesday that the governor has been consistently clear that he supports access to contraception.

Health care providers in Virginia currently can prescribe birth control, and some methods, such as condoms and the emergency contraceptive pill, are available over the counter.

But some birth control advocates became concerned after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. In his concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the court should reconsider other landmark cases, including Griswold vs. Connecticut.

Republican legislators who opposed the bill previously argued the legislation would harm health care providers.

Del. Keith Hodges, R-Urbanna, said it would allow women to go after doctors who refuse to prescribe them birth control pills because they have underlying conditions, like hypertension, that make it dangerous for them to take the pill. Hodges did not respond to a request from The Virginian-Pilot in February asking if any medical associations had shared concerns with him about the bill.

During a health subcommittee meeting earlier this year, the American College of Nurses-Midwives and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  the nations largest organization for OBGYNs  spoke in favor of the legislation. Three organizations with religious ties spoke against the bill, including Pro-Family Women and The Family Foundation.

A 2022 survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation found the majority of women (90%) ages 18-64 have used contraceptives at some point in their lives. The foundation is a nonpartisan organization focused on polling and health policy research.

Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com
A Quad-City Area village isnt showing its historical charm. Instead, its showing its age.

Peeling paint. Rotting roofs. Broken windows. Buildings in Bishop Hill are falling apart. The village in Henry County was settled by Swedish immigrants back in 1840. Some of its buildings date back more than 150 years, and as time goes on, they are starting to decay.

(Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCites.com)

People like Bishop Hill Creative Commons owner John Taylor fear the worst for these state-owned properties. He says the neglect of the buildings is heartbreaking because of the historical significance. Theyve been neglected for a very, very long time and they are at that point now where they may not be able to be saved, Taylor said. If there is not action taken soon, we could lose these historical properties forever. I think it would be a huge shame if that would happen because they cannot be replaced.

Taylor says he hopes state lawmakers can provide funding to fix landmarks like the Colony Church, the Olsen Barn and the Boys Dormitory. Todd Dedecker, an administrator for the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, agrees with preserving the legacy of Bishop Hill. Dedecker hopes the state can prioritize funding in order for landmarks to be restored. We just hope that the state will appreciate and understand the significance of the Bishop Hill Colony and we hope they will put some additional money into keeping the Bishop Hill State Historical Site going for years to come, Dedecker said.

Taylor also says seeing the buildings decay has been frustrating. He hopes the past can be preserved because people locally and from around the world are passionate about the villages history.

(Michael Frachalla, OurQuadCities.com)

The whole village of Bishop Hill, its important for not only its history but because of the tourism it brings in, so economically, Taylor added. The different social events that happen here because of the culture and the history, the state-owned buildings are a huge part of that. Time is really of the essence. Its become a really urgent situation.

The condition of Bishop Hill has the attention of State Senator Neil Anderson from Moline. Hes made his case for the state to include restoration funds in its budget for fiscal year 2025. In a press release, Anderson said, As a state we have a job to maintain our infrastructure, and its unfortunate that these historical buildings have been allowed to fall in such disarray.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
A new generation of Black women is seeking to bring change and diversity to the GOP as the party looks to broaden its appeal with constituencies that have long shunned it.

While Black women have made history in numerous political areas over the last four years  including Vice President Harris, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sen. Laphonza Butler  most have been aligned with the Democratic Party.

But in recent years, Black women have increasingly made inroads in the Republican Party, signaling a possible shift in the makeup of a party grappling with weaknesses among female voters and voters of color.

I looked at the Republican Party maybe how Frederick Douglass looked at the Republican Party, said Kimberly Klacik, currently a candidate in Marylands 2nd Congressional District.

The way the Democratic Party works, the way the system is, I just cant get on board with it, said Klacik, who previously ran in the states 7th district. I think theres much more freedom in the Republican Party.

According to a recent Gallup survey, Democrats lead over Republicans in Black Americans party preferences has dropped by almost 20 points over the last three years. And a December survey from GenForward found that if the election were held today, 17 percent of Black voters would vote for former president Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, the party has struggled with female voters, especially in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. On Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law effectively banning the procedure in the state, underscoring the degree to which reproductive rights  a critical issue for female voters  will dominate political discourse heading into November.

Black female Republicans see an opportunity to reshape those perceptions of the party and help it appeal to both voters of color and women voters, two groups that will be pivotal in November.

Janiyah Thomas, media relations director for the Republican National Convention, said many Black women have begun to feel disconnected from the Democratic Party.

Democrat policies have consistently sidelined the concerns and needs of Black Americans, said Thomas, a former media relations director for South Carolina Sen. Tim Scotts presidential campaign.

Still, Congress hasnt seen a Black Republican woman since former Rep. Mia Love (Utah), the first Black Republican woman to serve in Congress. Love held office from 2015 to 2019.

Since then, Black Republican women have seen occasional successes elsewhere. In 2021, Winsome Sears was elected Virginias lieutenant governor, making her the commonwealths first woman to hold that position, as well as the first Black woman to hold statewide elected office there.

Still, Democrats have long held the advantage when it comes to representation among Black female leaders. There are currently 29 Black women serving in Congress alone, according to the Center for American Women and Politics.

But polls show Black women growing increasingly concerned with the direction the country is headed, with the cost of living, public safety, and racism and discrimination as some of their top issues ahead of Novembers election.

Brian Seitchick, a Republican strategist, said these issues, paired with failed campaign pledges by Democrats like Biden, have spurred many Black Americans to grow Republican-curious.

I have seen more African Americans at GOP events in recent years, Seitchik, a former Trump campaign consultant, told The Hill. In part, he added, because some of the former presidents policies appealed to Black Americans.

They liked the economy, they liked that he cut regulations and empowered businesses and entrepreneurs, Seitchik said. I think Black voters, Black women, who have felt taken for granted, are troubled by these niche policies shamelessly geared towards trying to earn their vote on the short term without doing anything on the long term. And I think they see Trumps policies, even if they dont like him personally, as more beneficial to them in the long term.

Some Black Republican women have been inspired to run for office after feeling like they werent represented in government.

In November 2019, Roxy Ndebumadu became the youngest woman elected to serve on the Bowie City Council and the first African American woman to represent Marylands District 4. She was reelected to a second term last November.

When I reflect on the way that I grew up  as a Black woman, as a first-generation American and daughter of Nigerian immigrant parents  I have to reflect and remember what values were important to us and the values that I was raised with, Ndebumadu told The Hill.

These values, Ndebumadu added, almost always aligned with the Republican Party, though she doesnt always agree with it.

The inception and the premise and the boundaries of what the Republican Party was founded on are synonymous with the values that I was raised with and that I hold near and dear to my heart, she said.

But Ndebumadu acknowledges the makeup of the current Republican Party can be seen as troubling.

I think in order to have more women, specifically Black women, run for office in the Republican Party, we need to set mechanisms in place to make sure that they are protected once they get there, Ndebumadu said. I have been elected going on five years now. I have been the target of almost every attack of my city council  every single one  but do you think theres a party sustaining me or pouring into me? Quite frankly, no.

Ndebumadu added that the GOP needs to undergo structural change that will support diversity.

In order for the Republican Party to have more Black women run for office, she added, we need programs and things in place to sustain Black women in office to make sure that when they do good work for their community, its out there and it is being shared with the masses so that people can see the type of leadership that is coming out of the Republican Party.

But recruiting more Black women could be challenging for the GOP, which has come under fire in recent months for what some have called anti-Black rhetoric and policy.

From attempts to limit Black history in schools to restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Democrats and Black leaders alike have argued the Republican Party is hurting Black Americans.

These issues, Democrats argue, go all the way up to the head of the Republican Party.

In February, Trump faced heavy criticism from Black leaders for saying that his legal woes have earned him the support of Black voters around the country, that Black Americans embraced his mug shot and that he knows Black people because they built his buildings.

Klacik, the congressional candidate in Maryland, acknowledged that national issues do affect her ability to connect with potential constituents.

I have a lot of people say, I think youre gonna vote to ban abortions and youre gonna vote this way, said Klacik. Theres a big conversation about Republicans wanting to end Social Security. I would never want to end Social Security. People believe certain things, possibly because of the media or what theyve been told, but I just want people to know I will never turn my back on the Black community.

Klacik gained national attention in 2020, when she was running in the 7th district, with a viral video showing her walking through a dilapidated section of Baltimore. In the video, Klacik criticized Democratic leaders, hitting the party over crime and calls to defund the police.

The reason I ran is because of all the things that Ive been seeing going on in the Black community, Klacik told The Hill. I just know that we could do better. We have the potential to really thrive. We just have to get more people in the fold.

Klacik also said there were barriers for all women running for office  regardless of party.

Oftentimes, even talking to people within my own party, people will say, Well, I think women would vote emotionally so what can you do to make sure that you can convince us to youre not gonna vote based on your emotions, Klacik said. Its like, alright, I understand where youre coming from, but not all women are emotionally driven. Any of us can separate work from our emotions, just like men can.

With Scott and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) being floated as potential running mates for former President Trump, some say this may encourage more Black voters, including women, to consider what the Republican Party can offer them.

Black women see an opportunity to reclaim the Republican Party as our own, recognizing that our ancestors were instrumental in co-founding the party during the Reconstruction era, Thomas said.

Thomas is certain that if the Republican Party can invest in Black women more, the nation could see the entire Party makeup change.

As someone who has been actively involved in the Republican Party, I believe that our experiences are a source of inspiration and empowerment for Black women who are eager to make a difference in creating policies that uplift our community and families, Thomas said.

Tiah Shepherd contributed to this article.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Commercial office skyscrapers in the City of London, UK

EU rules on stock market research underpinning Britains 9 trillion money management industry will be scrapped in a post-Brexit boost for the City.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is consulting on plans to remove laws forcing fund managers to pay separately for research on UK-listed companies.

EU rules prevented stock brokers from bundling their research into a package of trading services sold to fund managers in 2018.

The FCA said the current system was too complex and disadvantaged smaller fund managers.

The system has also been blamed for the current malaise on the UK stock market, with a lack of research contributing to less investment in UK stocks.

Under the new proposals, research and trading fees will be combined in a single payment.

Sarah Pritchard, an FCA director, said: High-quality, easily accessible investment research is a vital part of a healthy, dynamic capital market. It supports the decisions investors make.

We are proposing to provide more options on how to pay for such research, helping boost competition and making it easier to buy research across borders.

The regulations were part of Brussels MiFID II rulebook, which were introduced in early 2018 before the UK quit the EU.

Before this fund managers would get their company research for free from stockbrokers.

The overhaul led to a dearth of research on UK companies, as brokers cut back on offering research.

One major reason for the City of Londons current malaise is a dearth of investment research to inform decisions, said Fraser Thorne, founder of Edison, the investment research firm.

Asset managers and institutional investors remain unaware of the breadth of opportunities, and innovative new firms are left to languish in obscurity.

The EU is also planning to scrap the rules but it will take longer.

A two-year procedure required to rewrite rules and enact them across the 27 member trading bloc means the City will get a head start on the rest of Europe.

Mark Shaw, a partner at the law firm Pinsent Masons, said: The problem with this reversal is that most brokerages and banks disbanded their research departments after the research unbundling rules under MiFID II came in, so its unlikely that well see any immediate benefit. Although this might gradually return over time.

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.
NEW YORK  A lawyer for one of five migrants charged with assaulting a fellow Randalls Island shelter resident said a fight club atmosphere encouraged by security staff was to blame  and that it specifically targeted trans migrants.

The security was egging the fight on like a fight club setting, Anabel Oliveros defense attorney Gurmeet Singh said at Oliveros arraignment Tuesday.

Apparently, the security in the tent has been making people fight, especially trans people, Singh added.

The victim and the alleged attackers all lived in the same massive tent at the shelter. Five residents are accused of surrounding the victim, pulling her hair, hitting her head and body and scratching her early on Monday, according to prosecutors.

Jose Manuel Maza, 29, and Jose Sequera, 20, were also arraigned Tuesday on charges of misdemeanor assault and harassment. Judge Valentina Morales released Olivero, Maza and Sequera and ordered them to stay away from the victim.

Singh said that hed be looking for security and phone footage from the incident to show that Olivero, 27, a trans woman, wasnt attacking, but was actively trying to break up the fight.

My client knows Ms. Sanchez, the complainant, and the defendant has a friendly relationship with this individual, the attorney said.

An assistant district attorney countered that, saying that when apprehended at the local precinct, Olivero told an officer: Sanchez is a thief and is out to cause problems.

The 24-year-old victim was snacking in bed when she was repeatedly punched by the five men at around 1:45 a.m., according to police.

Two people were taken to Metropolitan Hospital, according to FDNY.

Xavier Pacheco, 32, was arraigned in the early Monday morning. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to be back in court on May 30.

A fifth man, Carlos Maiz Betancourt, 23, was arrested on the same charges.

The incident is not the first time violence has broken out at the massive tent shelter, which can house 2,000 single adults.

In February, video showed a rowdy group of migrants yelling and throwing objects, including a backpack, at NYPD officers as they made an arrest inside the shelter.

In January, a melee outside the shelter escalated to the point where a 24-year-old man was stabbed in the neck.

Two weeks before that, a migrant dad living at the shelter was murdered by another resident in a dispute over a woman, according to police.

In the wake of the attacks, Mayor Eric Adams announced he planned to install metal detectors on the site. A curfew restricting access to the site from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. began last month.

_____
Read the full story on The Auto Wire

BMW Stolen And Torched In The UK

Residents who live near a recreation area in near Abingdon, UK were shocked when their peaceful Sunday evening was shattered by flames shooting out of a BMW in a parking lot. The vehicle had been stolen from a nearby home earlier, only for the thief to torch it.

Street takeover crowd torches a Corvette.

This seemingly senseless act was performed on March 3 and left residents stunned, reports the Oxford Mail. The mystery remained why anyone would steal a car only to burn it a few short hours later.

Thankfully nobody was hurt, but an image of the Bimmer taken by a resident the next day shows it was destroyed. Police called it a possible case of arson and from the looks of it we can see why.

Theres been no word since about the case being solved, although police have asked for witnesses and for nearby residents to check their surveillance footage. A vague description of a possible suspect in his 20s and with a slim build was also provided, but thats about it.

Some have suggested the crime is more of a cover-up for insurance fraud. Theres nothing to indicate thats that case, although we do know people have hired criminals to steal and destroy their car in the past.

Others believe its possible the BMW was used to commit another crime, possibly something violent, and was burned to destroy evidence. Weve seen cases like that as well.

But the most disturbing theory is that someone stole the vehicle and burned it just for fun. What kind of a person would even do such a thing?

While this case seems to have gone unsolved, its a good reminder to take steps to secure your own vehicles. That includes having working cameras up, using a tracking device, and perhaps installing aftermarket security systems.

Image via Oxford Mail

Follow The Auto Wire on Google News.

Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the manufacturer after Sam Salehpour, a Boeing engineer of more than 10 years, spoke out

Getty Boeing 787 Dreamliner

A Boeing engineer is speaking out about safety concerns regarding the 787 Dreamliner and what he claims are improper manufacturing practices.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating allegations made by engineer Sam Salehpour in firsthand accounts of working on the planes, the New York Times reports. Salehpour claims, among other issues, that the fuselage is put together improperly and has the potential to come apart mid-air after an aircraft has made numerous trips.

He claims this would potentially occur after "thousands of flights." The typical commercial aircraft can be in service for up to 20 or 30 years, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

According to the outlet, Salehpour said that the problems stemmed from changes in how the enormous sections were fitted and fastened together in the assembly line. He added that the components of the fuselage all come from different manufacturers and are not all the same shape.

Boeing responded to that statement, confirming that the pieces do come from different makers, but claiming that this doesn't affect the durability of the planes.

Paul Lewis, a spokesman for Boeing, told the Times the manufacturer is undergoing complex testing to "determine if there may be a long-term fatigue concern" for the aircraft, but says there is no "immediate safety of flight issue."



Related: Engine Cover Dramatically Rips Off Southwest Airlines Plane During Takeoff in Denver

Stephen Brashear/Getty Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Salehpour, a Boeing employee of more than ten years, alleged that he was retaliated against when he attempted to raise his concerns over what he perceived as manufacturing flaws to Boeing.

In a statement to PEOPLE a spokesperson for the FAA said, Voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal is a critical component in aviation safety. We strongly encourage everyone in the aviation industry to share information. We thoroughly investigate all reports.

Debra Katz, Salehpours lawyer, tells PEOPLE, "We are proud to represent our client, Sam Salehpour, who bravely came forward to blow the whistle about safety concerns about the structural integrity of Boeings 787 and 777 planes which impact the entire aviation industry."

"Endemic at Boeing is a culture where whistleblowers are retaliated against and sidelined," Katz continues. "Despite repeated attempts to force our client to remain silent, he has continued to raise issues both internally with the federal regulators, and now with the public."

Related: Boeing Advises Airlines to Inspect 787 Cockpit Seats After Cause of LATAM Airlines Mid-Air Drop Is Revealed

PEOPLE also reached out to Boeing for comment but has not yet received a response.

The new allegations against Boeing come after a string of serious incidents put the company's safety measures into question. In January, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 had a plug door  part of its fuselage  blow out mid-air on its way to Ontario, Calif. from Portland, Ore.

Passengers captured videos and photos of the gaping hole looking out towards the open sky as they waited for the Boeing 737-9 aircraft to turn back to Portland and safely land. Several passengers are now suing the airline and Boeing.

Since then, United Airlines has also experienced a number of mishaps involving Boeing aircrafts. In March, the airline had five incidents recorded in one week alone.

Related: Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun Will Step Down Following a Series of Safety Issues

NTSB via Getty; Aaron Schwartz/NurPhoto via Getty Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 (left) and Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun (right).

Boeings CEO, Dave Calhoun, announced in March that he was officially stepping down from his position at the end of 2024. In his message to employees he addressed Januarys Alaska Airlines incident and referred to it as a watershed moment for the company.

We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company, he said.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Calhoun continued, I have been considering for some time, in discussion with our board of directors, the right time for a CEO transition at Boeing. I want to share with you that I have decided this will be my last year as CEO of our great company, and I have notified the board of that decision.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a Boeing engineers claims that the company took manufacturing shortcuts on two wide-body jets, with potentially catastrophic outcomes.

Sam Salehpour went public in a New York Times story Tuesday, describing how he believes sections of the 787 Dreamliner fuselage are improperly fastened together.

Over time, the engineer warned, stress on the joints connecting the sections could accumulate, leading to sudden midflight failure of the main body of the aircraft.

I literally saw people jumping on the pieces of the airplane to get them to align, he told reporters on a call Tuesday. Thats not how you build a plane.

The quality engineer also claimed to have seen issues with the assembly of the 777, another Boeing wide-body.

Salehpour said that the company had silenced him and transferred him to another division when he attempted to escalate his concerns  a move that he perceived as retaliatory.

An FAA spokesperson told HuffPost that regulators are thoroughly looking into his complaint, which Salehpours lawyers submitted to the agency in January. The FAA also encouraged others to speak up.

Voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal is a critical component in aviation safety, the agency said. We strongly encourage everyone in the aviation industry to share information. We thoroughly investigate all reports.

Boeing strongly denied Salehpours allegations.

These claims about the structural integrity of the 787 are inaccurate, the company told HuffPost in an emailed statement.

The issues raised have been subject to rigorous engineering examination under FAA oversight. This analysis has validated that these issues do not present any safety concerns and the aircraft will maintain its service life over several decades.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner sits on the assembly line at a factory in Everett, Washington, on June 13, 2012. Stephen Brashear via Getty Images

A Boeing spokesperson added that the company is fully confident in the safety and durability of the 777 family and dismissed Salehpours claims of being silenced.

We continue to monitor these issues under established regulatory protocols and encourage all employees to speak up when issues arise, the spokesperson said. Retaliation is strictly prohibited at Boeing.

This comes after John Barnett, a former quality control engineer for the company, was found dead in his car last month with an apparent a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He had similarly brought a whistleblower retaliation case against Boeing.

Salehpours allegations are the latest dip in a turbulent period for the airplane manufacturing giant.

A different Boeing jet, the 737 Max 9, lost a door plug while in flight in January. A subsequent investigation of 737 Max 9s found loose bolts and other installation issues on multiple jets.

Story continues

Boeing responded by ousting the head of its 737 Max program. Boeing CEO David Calhoun also said that he will step down by the end of the year.

Between 2018 and 2019, two 737 Max planes crashed and killed a combined 346 people. Investigators at the time said that faulty sensors on an automated flight-control system were to blame.

After the FAA cleared the 737 Max to fly again in 2020, Calhoun pledged that Boeing would rededicate itself to safety, quality and integrity.

Salehpour told reporters Tuesday that the company has so far fallen short of that goal, prompting him to speak up.

I am doing this not because I want Boeing to fail, but because I want it to succeed and prevent crashes from happening, Salehpour said The truth is Boeing cant keep going the way it is. It needs to do a little bit better, I think.

Related...
Boeing whistleblower says the Dreamliner 787 could break apart because of safety flaws, report says

Boeing is facing newly revealed whistleblower claims that its 787 Dreamliner planes have structural failings that could eventually cause them to break apart, adding to the unprecedented crisis facing the aviation giant.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating claims made by Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

In a lengthy response, Boeing strongly disputed the claims and said it was fully confident in the 787.

But the new allegations come at a bruising time for the Virginia-based company, two weeks after CEO Dave Calhoun and other senior executives announced they would step down following a series of damaging stories about the safety of its jets.

Read the full story on NBC News.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Lauren Lavelle didnt know much about breastfeeding when she became pregnant with her first daughter in 2018. So she sought help from Melanie Henstrom, a lactation consultant in Boise, a few months before she gave birth.

She bought a package from Henstrom that included a prenatal visit, a breastfeeding class and three hospital or at-home visits. Lavelle wanted to be sure she had assistance in those critical days after delivery, where breastfeeding difficulties are most likely to occur.

And right away, her daughter had trouble breastfeeding. Even with help from nurses and lactation consultants at the hospital, the infant was unable to establish a good latch.

Henstrom recommended a procedure commonly called a tongue-tie release. A dentist would laser the webbing underneath the babys tongue, which she said would fix the problem by allowing the tongue to move more freely, according to Lavelle. So Lavelle and her husband agreed.

Lavelle told the Idaho Statesman that the experience led to the absolute darkest time of my life.

It also led to a case that has drawn national attention to the risks of an increasingly popular procedure performed by dentists and others on babies who struggle to breastfeed. It led to questions about whether lactation consultants are qualified to diagnose tongue-ties and recommend the procedure. And it led to an investigation of Henstrom by an international board that trains and certifies lactation consultants.

Henstrom told the Statesman what happened isnt her fault, and that the international board does not have guidelines on wound management, leaving many lactation consultants in the dark.

Infants must latch to breastfeed

Lavelle endured a difficult, 29-hour labor, where her daughters shoulder got stuck on the way out. After the baby, named June, arrived Aug. 6, 2019, at St. Lukes Childrens Hospital in downtown Boise, she refused to latch.

The lactation consultants at the hospital were kind of stumped, Lavelle said. One of the pediatricians making the rounds suggested that my baby might be having trouble because her tongue was really tight.

Lauren Lavelle reads a book to her daughter June, 4, at their Boise home in March. June underwent a tongue-tie release when she was 3 days old.

The pediatrician diagnosed her daughter with an anterior tongue-tie, where a band of tissue tethers the tip of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, preventing it from moving as it should. About 10% of infants are born with tongue-tie, also known as ankyloglossia, according to the Mayo Clinic. The most common symptom for newborns is difficulty breastfeeding.

Their pediatrician and another pediatrician clipped the excess connective tissue to release the tie. The procedure, called a frenotomy, was quick and painless, Lavelle said.

Afterward, Lavelle said, the first pediatrician commented that June might also have a posterior tongue-tie, caused by connective tissue farther back and below the tongue. She said the pediatrician told her that physicians dont typically correct those, because theres not enough peer-reviewed research to show its a successful method of increasing breastfeeding odds.

Henstrom disagreed. She told Lavelle by text, without assessing June herself, that the anterior release already performed by the pediatricians wouldnt entirely fix the problem, Lavelle said. Henstrom warned her that untreated posterior tongue-ties can lead to serious medical issues in babies and children, including failure to breastfeed, migraines, speech problems and oral malformation, among other conditions, Lavelle said.

This condition is unique and often misdiagnosed by pediatricians, Henstroms website says.

Lavelle said Henstrom told her June would need to see a pediatric dentist as soon as possible to correct the posterior component of her tongue-tie. Henstrom said in an interview with the Statesman that she does not diagnose but will assess and make recommendations.

Melanie Henstrom, owner of Baby Bonds in Boise, is a lactation consultant certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners.

As we were talking about it more, she starts in with her fear campaign, Lavelle told the Statesman. The list of things she said my daughter was going to suffer from  . As a brand-new parent, you have no idea.

An overpowering feeling: This is not safe

Lavelle and her husband were apprehensive. But at Henstroms urging, Lavelle said, they scheduled a last-minute appointment on a Saturday, four days after Junes birth, with Dr. Sam Zink of Zink Dental, at 1000 N. Curtis Road in Boise.

On his website, Zink has a page dedicated to infant frenectomy that says he uses a precision laser to allow for more control and less patient discomfort than a blade would provide. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and appointments rarely last longer than an hour, it says.

Henstrom assisted the family at the appointment, counting it as one of the lactation visits included in the package they purchased. The assistance otherwise would have cost $100, Lavelle said.

During the appointment, Lavelle said, Henstrom and Zink looked in her daughters mouth, confirmed the tie and said it needed to be revised. They also told her that June had a lip-tie that would need to be corrected. Then, they briefly explained the procedure, said the risks were minimal, and said most babies experience no problems or adverse reactions, according to Lavelle. At most, Lavelle and her husband were warned, their newborn may have some mild fussiness for a few days.

When Zink brought June in to the procedure room, Henstrom joined him. But first, she pulled out a white noise machine to muffle the infants cries, Lavelle said.

I had this overpowering feeling that, This is not safe; your baby is in danger, Lavelle said. And I just ignored it.

No to Tylenol, yes to homeopathy

The procedure cost $600, she said. It was not covered by insurance.

Afterward, when discussing pain management, Lavelle said Henstrom told the family not to give the baby Tylenol and recommended homeopathic pain-management remedies instead.

Henstrom denies this. She said she explains to all her clients that Tylenol is an option, but that its tough on the liver, and research has shown that it can deplete a major component of the immune system.

Most babies do totally fine with homeopathic, she said.

Multiple studies published in the National Library of Medicine in the last few years said that even though acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is widely believed by pediatricians and parents to be safe for use in infants and children when used as directed, mounting evidence indicates that exposure to the drug early in life may cause long-term neurodevelopmental problems.

As part of the after-care, Henstrom also instructed Lavelle and her husband to perform daily stretches on the wound to prevent it from reattaching.

For days, June was inconsolable. And still she refused to breastfeed.

During a visit to Lavelles home, Henstrom demonstrated how to perform the stretches, moving her finger around inside the infants sore mouth, Lavelle said. She said she thinks the pressure may have reopened the wound.

June cried so hard that she turned purple in the face, Lavelle said. She would bring her hands to her cheeks and claw at her own face.

She and her husband took June to the emergency room at St. Lukes Childrens Hospital. A doctor looked in the babys mouth and said, It breaks my heart to see a sore this big in the mouth of a baby this little, according to Lavelle.

The doctor asked why they hadnt administered a pain relief medication such as Tylenol. He worried the pain would cause the infant not to eat.

Mom feels guilt as baby screams for hours

Lavelle said the experience made her feel guilt and shame.

I just wanted to disappear, she said. I couldnt eat. I couldnt sleep. I thought, My daughter deserves a better mom.

For months, June was incredibly fragile. She would scream for hours each day. One provider suggested her nervous system had been formed around pain and trauma, Lavelle said, and recommended they essentially return her to the womb: No loud noises, no visitors. Make her feel like she can trust the world again.

Lavelle took that advice. And gradually, June improved. Gradually, the mother regained confidence.

I remember when we took her to Certified (Kitchen and Bakery) in the North End for brunch and I finally felt like, Wow, were doing it,  she added. That was when June was 6 months old.

Lauren Lavelle said her daughter is unusually shy and hesitant around new people. When she gets hurt  . Her brain tells her, This is never going to end,  Lavelle said.

But Lavelles shame had turned to anger. And a plan.

She filed a complaint against Henstrom in late 2020 with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, a credentialing body based in Fairfax, Virginia, that has certified over 37,000 lactation consultants around the world, including Henstrom. In the complaint, she detailed what she believed to be code-of-conduct violations.

She said Henstrom acted outside the limits of (her) scope of practice when she provided after-care instructions, advised on medication for pain management and performed follow-up care as problems arose. Lavelle said Henstrom used fear-based language and other tactics during discussions about Junes health to manipulate (Lavelle and her husband) into agreeing to a revision.

Lactation consultant starts Baby Bonds in Boise

The lactation board opened an investigation into Henstrom this year following reporting by The New York Times in December that drew attention to the business of tongue-tie releases and how the procedures are increasingly recommended to new mothers struggling to breastfeed. The Times article opened with an anecdote about Henstrom.

Henstrom told the Statesman that she was aware of complaints about her but hadnt heard from the lactation board on the matter for about 3 years. She said they contacted her a week after the Times published its story, likely because of social pressure.

The complaints, in my opinion, are not enough to remove certification or even be reprimanded for, Henstrom said. It is egregious to say I am responsible for this. I am not the release provider. And sometimes the brain and the tongue dont quite figure things out. Thats not my fault either.

One study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2017 noted that there are few high-quality studies addressing frenotomy outcomes in breastfeeding. Despite this, the data shows an increase in tongue-tie diagnoses and the use of frenotomy to treat it.

Tongue-tie, or ankyloglossia, in a child. A procedure performed by some dentists uses a laser to cut into the front portion of the tissue under the tongue, freeing it.

Henstrom has been a lactation consultant for over seven years, with one of those years spent under the supervision of a midwife.

She received her training in Portland, where she did infant massage and worked as a postpartum doula. To become a certified lactation consultant, she was required to take 14 prerequisite classes including biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, though she already had the credits from studying nursing in college. She also had to report 90 hours of lactation-specific education and 500 clinical hours. Then, she sat for the lactation boards exam.

Henstrom said it takes most lactation consultants one to three years to become certified. Every five years, they have to recertify.

She started her lactation consulting business, Baby Bonds, at 8601 W. Emerald St. in Boise, in 2017, after moving to Boise. On her website, where she lists common breastfeeding issues, she jokes, dont get me started on tongue-tie.

Henstrom denies she did anything wrong in Lavelles case. She sympathizes with what the family endured but said that while most babies show improvement post-procedure, theres always a risk.

Henstrom noted that the lactation board has no guidelines on wound management, and when asked, has advised lactation consultants to consider evidence-based professional literature and state and local laws. No laws regulate lactation consultants in Idaho.

She hopes the investigation spurs the board to create such guidelines.

These wounds do need to be stretched or they will heal closed, and then the procedure will be for naught, Henstrom said. When parents or providers are doing the stretches, sometimes some tissue will give, and that is the point of the stretch  to prevent it from reattaching.

Henstrom said stretching is an industry standard. Wound management is taught at lactation consulting conferences around the country, she said.

She said the local providers she knows who perform tongue-tie releases routinely turn wound management over to lactation consultants because the consultants are already involved in providing post-procedure care to the mothers to ensure the infants are ingesting enough milk and gaining weight.

I care so much about each client and advocate for what experience has shown to be most effective at helping these moms and babies, she said.

Boise dentist says infants dont need wound stretches at home

Dr. Craig Blaisdell, a Boise dentist, said that his office typically does two or three frenotomies a month, mostly on infants. He told the Statesman he doesnt recommend much stretching or wound management at all for infants.

And he wont perform the procedure, which he does using a laser, on babies older than 6 months, because they squirm too much and he wouldnt be able to do it safely, Blaisdell said. The youngest patient hes seen was 6 days old.

He said most parents dont want to be in the room during the release, because the child may scream or cry.

We dont have the infants do any sort of significant amounts of stretching because in our experience they heal so quickly, the tissue is very thin, and the stretching done by nursing is sufficient enough to prevent reattachment, he said by phone. The exercises that they do are breastfeeding.

But he does advise adult frenotomy patients to do the stretches, because they dont move their tongues nearly as much as a nursing baby would, and therefore have a greater chance of reattachment, he said. Those stretches include lifting the tongue, moving it from side to side and sticking it out. And then, with a clean finger, going in and massaging the wound.

After performing the procedure on a newborn, Blaisdell said, hell give the mother privacy, either in a room at the office or out in her car, to sit for 10 or 15 minutes and try to breastfeed. Then hell check on them or call that night to follow up once theyve gotten home.

He said all of his infant frenotomy patients have healed very normally and without incident.

The mothers will say, This is a world of difference. Things are so much better, he said. Thats been our experience.

Henstrom sent an email March 15 to tongue-tie-release providers in the Valley that said shes an administrator of an Idaho tongue-tie Facebook group and would be creating a list of preferred providers who we know are doing full releases to refer parents to.

A full release means getting all of the tissue underneath the tongue removed, creating a diamond-shaped wound. It is more extensive than either an anterior tongue-tie near the front of the mouth or a posterior tongue-tie further back.

Sometimes the laser gets all the tissue, but more times than not, there is some fascia that is still left, Henstrom said in the email. By doing the full release we also decrease risk of reattachment as all of the tissue that is tethered has been removed.

In her email, she said there would be a vetting process, and for providers who wish to be included in the list, she asked that they:

Acknowledge receiving the email. Agree to perform the procedure only if the infant and the family are working with a lactation consultant certified by the lactation board before and after the release. Send three photos of full tongue-tie releases immediately following the procedure or invite Henstrom to their clinic to witness a full release being performed. Acknowledge watching a video on tongue-tie that was attached to the email.

Lactation board: No comment

Susan Brayshaw, a spokesperson for the lactation board, declined to comment on Lavelles complaint, citing confidentiality.

(The lactation board) is unable to comment on any prior or ongoing complaint or investigation, nor even whether there is a pending complaint against an individual, Brayshaw said by email.

According to its sanctions list posted online, the board has revoked the certificates of only three lactation consultants since 2002, barring them from applying for reinstatement in the future.

Lavelle also filed a complaint against Zink with the Idaho State Board of Dentistry in December 2020. The complaint was dismissed, according to documentation provided by Lavelle. Zink did not respond to a Statesman email requesting comment.

He is the person responsible, Lavelle said. One provider put it to me this way: He made that wound. That wound is his. He shouldnt delegate after-care to her.

Lavelle shared a copy of Zinks response to her complaint with the Statesman. Zink said that hes had hundreds of positive frenotomy outcomes, and this was his only complaint. He said the benefits of the procedure outweighed the risks, and that an extremely small percentage of patients do not respond successfully to the procedure.

Dentistry board: No comment

Bob McLaughlin, spokesperson for the dentistry board, said Idaho law prohibits the board from commenting on or even acknowledging complaints, investigations or informal actions, which are confidential.

If its egregious enough that it rises to the level where a formal action is taken  then that legal document would show up on the licensees online record, McLaughlin said by phone. Since Lavelles complaint was dismissed, Zinks record is clean. There were no disciplinary actions taken against him. The online record shows that his license was issued in 2018 and expires in September.

Lavelle said shes not the only client of Henstroms or Zinks who has submitted complaints. After her experience, she began connecting online with other families in the area who recounted similar experiences.

White-noise machine and the smell of charred flesh

In December 2022, a Nampa mother, Aubrey Nobili, sought Henstrom for breastfeeding support. Her newborn, Vivi, was struggling to get enough milk and was rapidly losing weight, despite frequent, around-the-clock nursing. She and her husband visited their pediatrician, who suggested Nobili start pumping so they could monitor how many ounces of breast milk Vivi was actually getting. Then they turned to Henstrom for additional lactation support.

Henstrom assessed Vivi in her office, performing a suck test, where she stuck her finger in the infants mouth, and then said the baby had failed, according to Nobili. She recommended tongue-, lip- and cheek-tie releases  a total of four incisions.

A cheek-tie, also called a buccal-tie, is when the tissue that connects the cheeks to the upper gums is abnormally tight. Similarly, a lip-tie is when the tissue attaching the lip to the gums is too tight, restricting movement.

Three days later, they were in Zinks waiting room.

Aubrey and Ryan Nobilis daughter Vivi, 1, walks in the kitchen of their Nampa home in March.

Nobili said she and her husband, Ryan, felt pressured to have the procedure done because Henstrom was so confident that it would be the lone solution to their infants struggle to adequately feed and gain weight. And they had to make a decision fast, because every day, Vivi was failing to gain weight.

The most infuriating part about this is that she told us she had a 100% success rate, Nobili said. We felt confident we were going to be in good hands.

Still, the couple expressed apprehension at getting the cheek releases in addition to the tongue and lip releases. They felt it was too much for a 3-week-old infant to endure. But at Henstroms urging, they reluctantly agreed, Nobili said.

So Zink took the baby to the procedure room, and on came the white-noise machine.

I went back into the room she told us to wait in, and over the blaring noise of the sound machine I hear my baby screaming, Nobili said. What felt like an eternity was probably just a few minutes. Melanie comes walking back in with my baby and shes crying, the crying no mom wants to hear.

She takes my infants head and pushes it into my breast, and I can smell the charred flesh in her mouth. Im just thinking to myself, What have I done? 

They paid $400 for the procedure. Nobili said they were initially quoted $800, but because it wouldnt be covered by health insurance, they shopped around for another provider who would take their insurance.

When they found one, and told Henstrom, the lactation consultant said she didnt recommend that provider, but couldnt explain why because of a federal law that limits the release of a persons medical information, according to Nobili. Henstrom told them Zink would offer them a discount, instead. She spoke highly of his ability, Nobili said.

Henstrom told the Statesman there is one provider in the Boise area with whom she no longer works because of an incident where the laser had burned into the muscle. She declined to name the dentist.

That was the only one that was botched, she said.

Nampa mothers baby still cant breastfeed

After Vivis procedure, the infant went 12 hours without eating. She never breastfed again.

It was almost as if she developed an aversion to me, Nobili said. She would latch and then she would instantly fall asleep. Her tongue was all over the place in her mouth. We were considering syringe feeding her the milk because we were so worried and scared.

Even now, at over 16 months old, the child cant eat solid food. Most experts recommend that parents introduce solid foods at about 6 months old, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Aubrey Nobili, her husband Ryan, and their daughter, Vivi, in their Nampa home. The family still experiences the consequences of a tongue-tie procedure.

Nobili said a swallow study concluded that Vivi has oral dysphagia, meaning she struggles to use the mouth, lips and tongue to control food or liquid. According to a speech therapist, her development is several months behind where it should be.

Nobili and her husband are learning sign language in an effort to communicate with her.

The baby also has an oral aversion, or a reluctance or refusal to breastfeed or eat. Thats something Nobili says she wasnt aware was a possible risk before the procedure. One specialist said Vivis oral aversion may be related to the pain she experienced after the release, Nobili said.

She said the stretches Henstrom instructed them to do on Vivis wound were barbaric.

Nobili and Ryan, who works at Costco, have spent over $13,000 on various specialists, feeding tools, therapies and other expenses for Vivi, despite having health insurance through his job. Nobili is a stay-at-home mother. The couple has four other young children.

We have no guarantee at this time that she will ever be able to eat or speak normally, Nobili said. She still struggles with choking episodes. We just never thought that, 16 months later, this is where we would be. Its flipped our entire world upside down.

Another Nampa mother cites Henstroms success

Henstrom maintains that most of her patients report good results. She pointed to her Google reviews, which are filled with dozens of positive reports.

Henstrom said that, in any given month, she sees about 30 clients, and of those, about 20 will consider a tongue-tie release. She noted that the incidence of tongue-tie in those babies is high because theyre already coming to her with breastfeeding issues.

Sarah Perkins, a Nampa mother, didnt know Henstrom when she gave birth to twins in 2014 but wishes she had.

We were told that they did not have any tongue-ties, and they both actually did, Perkins said by phone. I dont even think Melanie was in our area back then. So now were struggling with some of the ramifications of not having those revised.

When her youngest child, Gavin, was born in 2018, she knew she would need lactation support because she has polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, a common hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries with small cysts. PCOS is linked to low milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. Perkins said her pediatrician recommended Henstrom.

After her delivery, the same pediatrician diagnosed Gavin with tongue- and lip-ties. Henstrom agreed. She supported the family through the process. Perkins went on to breastfeed Gavin for two years.

Sarah Perkins and her infant, Gavin, meet with Melanie Henstrom, a lactation consultant in Boise. Perkins said that, after the tongue-tie release, her baby breastfed immediately.

It was very fast, she said. They brought him back to me, and then Melanie helped him latch, and right away you could tell it was a night-and-day difference. His mouth was able to open better, and he had more range of motion.

As for her twins who didnt get the procedure, one has mouth-breathing and dental issues and a small, narrow palate and airway, she said.

We think he has sleep apnea, Perkins said. Right now hes actually in the process of getting a palate expander, and then once his mouth is wide enough, well also be getting his tongue revised. Knowing more now, they were tongue-tied and couldnt breastfeed properly.

Perkins said she also has a tongue-tie and believes her husband does, too. One study published in the National Library of Medicine concluded that the condition has a significant hereditary nature.

Eagle mom calls Henstrom newborn fairy godmother

Mallory Murphy, who lives in Eagle, gave birth to fraternal twins in September. She hired Henstrom for lactation support in advance, at the recommendation of a close friend, and met with her when she was about 30 weeks pregnant and a dozen more times after her delivery. She calls Henstrom her newborn fairy godmother.

I was a first-time mom, Murphy said by phone. I met with her just to get more information and be set up for success.

One of her twins ended up spending two weeks in the neonatal intensive-care unit. Meanwhile, she said, Henstrom paid her a home visit to provide breastfeeding assistance to the other infant. She advised Murphy on what supplements to take. Later, she observed that the baby had a tongue-tie and encouraged Murphy to get it released.

I actually felt like that was too soon, so I pumped the brakes and was like, No, I dont want to do that,  Murphy said. I wanted to see what else we could do.

A month later, that baby altogether refused breastfeeding, wasnt gaining weight very well and was extremely fussy, she added. Murphy sought a physical therapist, who worked with her baby once a week.

The physical therapist initially told Murphy that her infant wouldnt need a tongue-tie release, and that shed only ever recommended two infants in the Treasure Valley get one, according to Murphy. But as time went on, the baby showed no signs of improving. Eventually, the therapist relented and told Murphy to get the procedure, Murphy said.

Henstrom helped arrange the appointment. She also helped Murphy combat a breast infection, acid reflux and difficulties with bottle feeding.

I think whats important to highlight here is I did not want to get the release. I was very much like: Nope, I think shes wrong. I think shes overdiagnosing,  Murphy said. I had that feeling, and I wanted to find any other way to make this better for my son.

After going ahead with the procedure, Murphy said, she and her husband said they shouldve listened to Henstrom a month and a half sooner.

My family members even commented on it, she said. They were like: Oh my gosh, this kid is so much more enjoyable to be around. Hes a completely different kid. I mean, it was night and day. I cant explain it better than that.





Henstrom, husband, children got tongue-tie releases

Henstrom herself is a mother to twins. She has six children in all, and breastfed all of them. She also has three grandchildren.

She fervently believes in the benefits of tongue-tie releases, particularly after undergoing the procedure herself 10 years ago, she said. Henstrom said her migraines went away, her tight neck got better and her acid reflux resolved completely. During an interview at her Boise office, she said shes been the recipient of hate mail for saying it fixed her scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine.

People saying, Are you psycho? No, she said. I have X-rays that show the before and after. Im not making it up. If you have connective tissue thats restricting your body, your spine cant move correctly.

Her husband, William Henstrom, had the procedure done as an adult, too.

I got into the car and I sat down and immediately my head hit the headrest, he told the Statesman. There was automatically a tension release. I have a high palate and I have trouble keeping my tongue attached to the roof of my mouth because I didnt get this as a child and therefore my palate didnt develop properly.

Five of their children have had tongue-tie releases as well. Melanie Henstrom said one of their sons began sleeping better and performing better in school post-procedure.

All three of their grandchildren also have had the procedure.

Thats how much I believe in it, she said. Im not just doing this for money.

I felt like I was harming my infant

Ryan Nobili told the Statesman that hes been going to regular counseling sessions to process what his family went through in the tumultuous time after Vivi, their fifth child, was born. He still harbors shame over the stretches Henstrom instructed him to perform four times a day on the babys wound.





I had never been through anything like that before, where I felt like I was harming my infant, he said. Was it my fingers that affected her in some way? Its just really, really tough.

Ryan and Aubrey Nobilis daughter Vivi, 1, plays in the living room of their Nampa home.

Aubrey Nobili said they were elated when they first learned they were pregnant with Vivi. They bought a baby book to fill out for her as a keepsake, where they would document all her firsts  her first words, her first birthday, other celebratory milestones.

It remains blank, tucked away in a closet.

She didnt even get a cake to smash on her birthday, because it was a choking hazard, Nobili said. Theres a lot of moments that we grieve.

Medical leaders paint grim picture for maternal health unless Idaho alters abortion law

After Statesman report on toxic workplace, CDH board hires consultants to investigate

Idaho needs doctors. But many dont want to come here. What that means for patients
Germany is at odds with Botswana over a unique resource  Botswana's elephant population. After the German government announced it would seek to ban the importation of hunting trophies, Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany. "This is not a joke," Masisi said to German outlet Bild, adding that it was "very easy to sit in Berlin and have an opinion about our affairs in Botswana" and that his country was "paying the price for preserving these animals for the world."

The two countries have been embroiled in a dispute over how to handle Botswana's surging elephant population, which Masisi said to Bild numbers around 130,000. This growth in Botswana's elephant population is a net positive for the species' conservation efforts, but is also proving problematic for Botswana  elephants often damage the country's villages, destroy food supplies and sometimes kill humans. Allowing elephants to be hunted is an "important means to keep them in check," Masisi said, arguing that Germany's attempt to ban hunting trophies would cause Botswana further harm and claiming that sending 20,000 elephants to Germany would alleviate the pressure.

Botswana banned trophy hunting in 2014 but reversed this decision in 2019 amid the skyrocketing elephant population. Germany doesn't appear to be backing down, though, and officials have claimed that trophy hunting of elephants causes wider issues for both countries.

What is causing the rift?

The root of the feud is the "long-running tension between those morally opposed to the lucrative business of big-game hunting and the impoverished countries that benefit from it," said The Washington Post. This is especially pertinent for Botswana given that the nation's 130,000 elephants represent a third of the world's population.

While Germany remains one of the largest importers of hunting trophies, animal rights advocates "reject the concept of killing animals for sport and say hunting by tourists will result in the extinction of even more animal species," said the Post. Those on the opposite side of the argument say trophy hunting is "controlled, unlike poaching, and has more financial benefits for local communities and for conservation."

This type of feud is not new  African nations "have long accused Western governments and organizations of campaigning and forcing policies that, in the name of conservation, curb the ability of nations with large elephant populations from using effective means such as culling to control animal numbers," CBS News said. Beyond the population control, countries with wild animal populations "see the native species as resources that can bring in much-needed money," and trophy hunting "makes up a significant proportion of the national income for a number of African nations," said CBS. As talks of banning trophy hunts continue, these countries are expressing concerns that this revenue could disappear.

Botswana has also looked to profit off its elephant population in other ways. Alongside its neighbors Zimbabwe and Namibia, Botswana has "also argued that it should be allowed to sell [its] stockpiles of ivory so it can earn money from its huge numbers of elephants," the BBC said.

How serious is Botswana being?

Despite Botswana's threat, there is "currently no formal request of a transfer of 20,000 elephants from Botswana to Germany," a spokesperson for Germany's Federal Agency for Nature Conservation said to NBC News. And while German officials are continuing to push for the ban on trophy hunting, the practice itself is not "threatening the survival of species as a whole," Dilys Roe, the chair of the IUCN's Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group, said to NBC.

To mitigate the problem, Botswana has sent 8,000 elephants to neighboring Angola and has offered 500 to Mozambique. But even as the Botswanan president says he is not joking about sending Germany elephants, it's unlikely to pan out, as "transporting tens of thousands of the giant animals to the other side of the world would be a tall order," Politico said.

Botswana's elephant problem is so "big and complex that Mr. Masisi is upset  for good reasons  about the Western simplification of possible solutions," Nuremberg Zoo director Dag Encke said to Politico. Encke noted that even if Germany agreed to take the elephants, there is nowhere in the country to accommodate that many animals at once.
A picture of firearms for sale at Casos Gun-A-Rama, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos for States Newsroom).

A Montana man who admitted to illegally exporting firearms he bought in Montana and sold to individuals in Mexico was sentenced today to three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Cristyan Jose Gonzalez-Carrillo, 37, of Bozeman, pleaded guilty to illegal export in October 2023.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided over the sentencing.

Todays prison sentence puts this defendant out of the illegal business of buying guns in Montana and taking them to Mexico to sell, said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana. Firearms trafficking fuels violence on both sides of the border, and we remain committed here in Montana to investigating and prosecuting those who violate federal firearms laws.

Illegal firearms trafficking fuels the cartels capacity to carry out violent crimes domestically and internationally, said Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Denver Field Division. We will continue to aggressively target traffickers alongside our partners while leveraging all of our available resources.

The government alleged in court documents that in July 2020, the ATF received information that Gonzalez-Carrillo was involved in illegally trafficking firearms from Montana to Mexico. An investigation determined that from February 2020 to May 2020, Gonzalez-Carrillo purchased approximately 31 handguns.

Law enforcement received a search warrant for Gonzalez-Carrillos residence in July 2020 and recovered firearms and ammunition, including semi-automatic handguns and AR style rifles, including a firearm with an illegal foregrip. In addition, agents recovered receipts from multiple stores in Montana for the purchase of firearms from February 2020 to June 2020. Investigators also reviewed Gonzalez-Carrillos vehicle plate records, which showed multiple border crossings at San Ysidro, California, from April 2020 to June 2020.

Investigators further learned that Gonzalez-Carrillo purchased and advertised firearms for sale on the platform WhatsApp and sold firearms to individuals in Mexico.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott for the District of Montana prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Montana.

The post Bozeman man admits illegally exporting firearms to Mexico appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Bradenton man guilty after selling kilos of fentanyl in Manatee County, prosecutors say

A 37-year-old Bradenton man could spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted on drug trafficking charges, prosecutors said Wednesday.

A federal jury found Pierre Marc guilty of selling fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and heroin. Prosecutors described Marc as a major drug distributor around Bradenton and St. Petersburg.

One of the witnesses who testified during the trial said Marc sold him fentanyl and cocaine every week to sell in Pinellas County. Another witness said Marc gave him 3 to 5 kilograms of fentanyl to sell in Manatee County.

Marc faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years in federal prison, prosecutors say. The maximum possible sentence is life in prison.

Marcs sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 14, 2024. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida.

According to a news release, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Manatee County Sheriffs Office and the St. Petersburg Police Department helped investigate the case.
Davi Kopenawa, a Yanomami shaman, listens to reporters' questions during a press conference after his meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Kopenawa, a Yanomami shaman, said he came to the Vatican at Francis invitation to brief him on the plight of the Yanomami and the Amazon, where deforestation surged to a 15-year high during the previous administration of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Francis met Wednesday with a leader of Brazils Yanomami people, who asked for papal backing for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva s efforts to reverse decades of exploitation of the Amazon and better protect its Indigenous peoples.

Davi Kopenawa, a Yanomami shaman, said he came to the Vatican at Francis invitation to brief him on the plight of the Yanomami and the Amazon, where deforestation surged to a 15-year high during the previous administration of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. The Yanomami Indigenous Territory, Brazil's largest, was ravaged by thousands of illegal gold miners spurred on by Bolsonaro. They felled trees and poisoned waterways with mercury.

Kopenawa, who wore a traditional feathered headdress and beads around his neck, told reporters afterward he gave Francis a letter laying out the concerns of the Yanomami. He said he asked for Francis to support Lula to try to fix the previous governments error and that Francis said he would speak with him.

Im not going to say they will fix it, Im not going to say they will solve it. To ruin things it is easy, to fix things it is difficult. But they are trying, Kopenawa said in Portuguese.

I am a man of our forest who looks after our planet Earth, I am waiting for the international community to fight, I am waiting for the international community that has money, to do it, to stop the destruction of our planet Earth which is happening now.

The Amazon rainforest, covering an area twice the size of India, is a crucial buffer against climate change. Studies have shown that Indigenous-controlled forests are the best-preserved in the Brazilian Amazon.

But Bolsonaro made good on his pledge to not demarcate a single additional inch of Indigenous territory during his tenure, and defanged environmental enforcement agencies. Deforestation surged to a 15-year high on his watch.

Lula took office and swiftly declared a public health emergency in Yanomami lands due to the effects of illegal mining and began working to expel the miners. He also empowered environmental agencies to crack down on illegal logging. In January, government satellite data showed that deforestation had fallen by half in the first year of Lulas term.

Government officials have said that areas with illegal mining inside Yanomami territory have dropped 85% and health has improved. But after the initial success, prosecutors, law enforcement and employees of federal environmental agencies say illegal miners are returning.

One person alone cannot solve everything. That is why I asked for support, Kopenawa said. "I asked the pope to support him, to reinforce the work. To defend the people.

Historys first Latin American pope has made caring for the environment, especially the Amazon, a hallmark of his papacy. Francis' 2015 encyclical Praised Be lashed out at the unbridled exploitation of the Amazon, accusing wealthy interests of turning Earth into "an immense pile of filth.

In 2019, the Argentine Jesuit convened a special meeting of bishops, or synod, specifically on the Amazon to better understand how the Catholic Church can better minister to its peoples and protect them.

The Vatican didn't provide an official read-out of the meeting, in keeping with protocol. But in a sign of unofficial support, it did organize an informal media briefing with Kopenawa in the lobby of the Vatican Radio headquarters after the audience.

___

Associated Press writers David Biller in Rio de Janeiro, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal and Renata Brito in Barcelona, Spain contributed.

___

Follow APs climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
TechCrunch

Apples Vision Pro hasnt exactly reshaped the market, but the company isnt giving up on headsets that combine the digital and real worlds. A new report from Bloombergs Mark Gurman says that Apples next big mixed reality release could come as early as next year, with the launch of a Vision headset costing around $2,000  not exactly cheap, but more affordable than the $3,500 Vision Pro. To achieve this price, Apple would use cheaper materials and a less powerful processor, and it would not include the EyeSight feature that shows a users eyes outside the headset.
THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark is using the opportunity to call for more resources for sexual assault survivors in the boroughs public hospitals.

Right now, she said, many do not receive the help they need to heal.

The number of rapes in the Bronx has skyrocketed, said Clark. We lead the city. So, therefore, again, how can we be so underresourced?

More Bronx News

According to NYPD crime statistics, the Bronx accounts for roughly 25% of all reported rape cases so far in 2024. But, the borough has no hospital-based, state-accredited crisis centers.

Manhattan has six of them, said Clark. All right now we have is one thats community-based in Kingsbridge Heights, and not everyone can get there.

Rape crisis centers provide access to advocates, trained, safe examiners, and long-term trauma support. Standard hospital care generally attends to physical needs and offers referrals for counseling. Clark is calling on NYC Health + Hospitals to establish rape crisis centers in the boroughs public hospitals: Jacobi, Lincoln, and North Central Bronx.

So having it in at least three hospitals would at least provide the opportunity for victims to be able to get the services they need, said Clark.

In a statement to PIX11 News, NYC Health + Hospitals said:

We appreciate DA Clarks partnership and advocacy. We are reviewing her request and look forward to working together on this important issue.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

PIX11 News Headlines

The further you get out from Manhattan, the less likely you are as a survivor to receive an advocate when you go to a hospital and a trained safe examiner, said Emily Miles, executive director of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault.

Miles said that even the rape crisis centers that do exist have waitlists as long as six months to a year for counseling and are underfunded.

Your access to rape crisis services should not be determined by your income, by the color of your skin, or the neighborhood that you live in, said Miles.

According to Miles, most rape crisis centers are only receiving pass-through federal funds.

The state is providing very, very little funding, only $6.4 million for rape crisis programs. And the city is providing no funding for rape crisis programs. In fact, the only support really comes from the city council, Miles said.

If you are a survivor of sexual violence and need immediate assistance, please call Safe Horizons 24-hour helpline at (212) 227-3000.

To access the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault Survivor Resource Guide, visit svfreenyc.org/resource-guide.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Brooke Shields says she's glad Tom Cruise publicly criticized her antidepressant use  he accidentally brought awareness to under-discussed mental health struggles

In 2005, Tom Cruise criticized Brooke Shields' use of antidepressants for postpartum depression.

At the 2024 PHM HealthFront, Brooke Shields said his comments "backfired."

She said the controversy brought more mainstream awareness around postpartum and mental health.

In one of the most controversial moments of Tom Cruise's career, the actor criticized Brooke Shields for talking about her use of antidepressants to treat postpartum depression.

Almost 20 years later, Shields says Cruise accidentally raised awareness around the issue and drove people to fight for better treatment.

Cruise was interviewed on "The Today Show" in 2005, where he slammed Shields' use of antidepressants. NBC/Getty Images

In 2005, Shields had just published her memoir "Down Came the Rain," in which she described taking Paxil, an SSRI, after the birth of her first daughter, Rowan. "I was deadened, and it terrified me because I wanted to have a baby so badly," Shields, 58, said on Wednesday at the 2024 PHM HealthFront, a two-day event for healthcare marketers and health media. "I went through IVF seven times, and so the journey was such a fraught one."

Shields at a signing of her postpartum memoir, "Down Came the Rain," in 2005. Desiree Navarro/Stringer/Getty Images

Cruise initially called Brooke Shields "irresponsible" for using antidepressants in a 2005 "Access Hollywood" interview. When he was asked to elaborate on these comments in a 2005 interview on "The Today Show," Cruise told Matt Lauer that "psychiatry is a pseudo-science" and that "drugs aren't the answer."

Promoting Scientology, Cruise opposed taking any "mind-altering antipsychotic drugs," as it goes against the religion.

He slammed Shields for spreading "misinformation" and said "she doesn't understand the history of psychiatry" when it came to using medication.

Shields said Cruise's comments angered a lot of women

Brooke Shields with her daughters, Rowan Francis Henchy and Grier Hammond Henchy. Dave Kotinsky/Stringer/Getty Images

Looking back on the incident, Shields said that Cruise's comments ended up helping the cause.

"You gave women in particular  they were so angry  you gave them a reason to fight for something they didn't even know they wanted to fight for," Shields said at PHM, noting that women weren't just sticking up for her but also for themselves.

"So it actually, ironically, helped the platform because everybody was talking about it," Shields said. "It sort of backfired. Way to put it into pop culture."

Cruise later apologized to Shields

A year after his comments, Shields said, Cruise delivered a "heartfelt" apology to Shields at her house and even mailed her an annual Christmas cake for many years.

Nearly 20 years later, the conversations around postpartum and depression treatments have changed dramatically. Shields is far from the only celebrity to be open about her PPD, though she played a crucial role in advocating for more awareness around the condition.

Shields testifying in DC for a postpartum pre-screening bill in 2007. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

In 2007, she testified in Congress for a bill that would require postpartum pre-screening for new mothers.

"I'm not an expert," Shields said at PHM. "I'm just a woman who's gone through that and wanted to help other women get the help that they deserve."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A gang has been convicted of Britains largest benefit fraud, costing the taxpayer more than 50 million.

Bulgarian nationals, Galina Nikolova, 38, Stoyan Stoyanov, 27, Tsvetka Todorova, 52, Gyunesh Ali, 33, and Patritsia Paneva, 26, pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering for their involvement in a multi-million-pound scam on the benefit system.

The five members of an organised criminal gang falsely claimed more than 50 million in Universal Credit. Over a four-and-a-half-year period, between October 2016 and May 2021, the group made thousands of false claims for Universal Credit using either real people or hijacked identities, Wood Green Crown Court heard.

These claims were supported by an array of forged documents, including fictitious tenancy agreements, counterfeit payslips, and forged letters from landlords, employers and GPs. If the claims were rejected, the fraudsters would try again until they were granted.

The five members of the gang, including Stoyan Stoyanov, left, and Galina Nikolova, right, falsely claimed more than 50 million in Universal Credit

Bulgarian nationals Patritsia Paneva, left, Tsvetka Todorova, centre, and Gyunesh Ali, right, face years in prison following what the CPS described as Britain's biggest benefit fraud

The investigation identified three benefit factories in London from which repeated false claims for benefits originated.

Alongside fraudulent claims from fake IDs, the businesses claimed they could assist people with obtaining a National Insurance number and benefits to which they were entitled.

However, it was found that once the benefits claim was made, the money that followed was left in the hands of the organised crime group.

The money gained from these fraudulent claims was then laundered and withdrawn in cash, the court heard.

The defendants were first arrested on May 5 2021 and several properties were searched.

During these searches, hundreds of claim packs containing forged and false documents were found and seized, as well as bundles of cash stuffed in shopping bags and suitcases, a high-end car and designer goods including watches, jackets and glasses.

Wads of cash stuffed in suitcases were found following house searches by investigators

Galina Nikolova's black Audi was also bought using fraudulent funds

Following his release under investigation, one of the five defendants, Ali, fled the country to Bulgaria but he was extradited back to the UK on Feb 25 2023 to face justice.

When faced with the large amount of incriminating evidence which included encrypted messages, CCTV footage, forged documents, seized digital devices and bank statements, the defendants eventually all pleaded guilty.

Last month it was revealed that Universal Credit has cost taxpayers 11 billion in fraud in the past two years.

Losses  which are predominantly caused by fraud and error  were last year still above pre-pandemic levels at 5.5 billion, according to the National Audit Office (NAO).

Speaking after the case, Ben Reid, specialist prosecutor for the CPS, said: This case is the largest benefit fraud prosecution ever brought to the courts in England and Wales.

For a number of years, these defendants conspired to commit industrial-scale fraud against the Universal Credit system, costing the taxpayer more than 50 million.

Submitting thousands of false claims, the organised criminals enriched themselves from government funds designed to protect and help the most vulnerable people in our society.

This was a complex and challenging case which required close and effective working between CPS prosecutors, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and our international partners in both Bulgaria and through the UK desk at Eurojust, to dismantle and successfully prosecute the organised crime group. The guilty pleas entered by all five defendants reflect the strength of the evidence against them.

The CPS Proceeds of Crime Division and DWP will now pursue confiscation proceedings against the defendants, to remove from them any available criminal benefit from this enterprise.

Mel Stride , the Work and Pensions Secretary, said: I am immensely proud of DWP investigators work, in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service, to take down this organised crime group.

Todays convictions underline our commitment to protecting taxpayers money and it is only right and fair that we bring to justice those stealing from the public purse. My message is simple - if you are committing benefit fraud, you are cheating the taxpayer, and we will catch you.

All five defendants will appear for sentencing on May 28.

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.
As a school bus engulfed in flames came rolling toward them, residents in a Missouri neighborhood had little time to react.

And neither did the driver, who managed to escape the burning bus just before it plowed into a home in Normandy on Monday, April 8, according to news reports.

It was so crazy. Its the type of stuff you see like on TV, Ayanna Whittier, who lives in the St. Louis-area neighborhood, told KSDK.

Laura Williams, who was playing outside with her 8-year-old daughter, said neighbors were screaming to the bus driver that it was on fire, according to KTVI. Its unclear what caused the fire.

(The bus) started smoking out the windows. So (the bus driver) was able to jump off the bus and next thing you know, the bus started rolling back towards down this way, Williams said, telling KTVI her house shook as the bus came crashing into a car and the home.

First responders encountered a daunting sight at their arrival, according to the New Kinlock Fire Protection District. The bus was engulfed in flames, which officials said posed a risk for neighboring properties.

Numerous fire departments extinguished the bus fire, while also preventing its spread.

The living room of the home was destroyed, as well as three bedrooms, KSDK reported.

The Berkeley Fire Department confirmed no one was on the bus when it crashed into the home. One person was treated at the scene before being taken to a hospital for continued medical care and treatment.

The bus was from Lift for Life Academy in St. Louis, KTVI reported.

Whittier, who lives in the affected home, is grateful there wasnt a worse outcome.

It just felt like someone took my legs from me, because all I could do was hit the ground because I could have lost my family, she told KTVI. We lost pretty much everything, but I could have lost my family. Im just glad that everybody got out.

14-year-old loses leg after school bus flips, family says. Bus driver charged with DUI

8-year-old girl hit and killed when driver ignores school buss stop sign, GA cops say
Around a dozen cabinet ministers including the Chancellor and the Home Secretary are prepared to oppose the Prime Minister if he decides to quit the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), according to reports.

Jeremy Hunt and James Cleverly have been named by The Times as among the 12 potential rebels opposed to leaving the convention with other names including Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.

They are understood to outnumber those cabinet ministers who want to leave by two to one but face growing calls from Conservative MPs to quit the ECHR and last week Rishi Sunak threatened to leave if flights to Rwanda continue to be blocked as he said being in control of immigration was more important than membership of the convention.

A recent poll found half of Conservative voters believe Britain should quit the ECHR but its supporters warn that leaving could damage the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland because Britain and Irelands continuing membership of the ECHR is one of the safeguards factored into the agreement.

The original UK copy of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement (Public Record Office of Northern Ireland/PA)

A source close to the Northern Ireland secretary told The Times he thought membership of the ECHR was fundamental to the Belfast Good Friday agreement and he believed it should be reformed rather than just quit.

Among those said to be open to the idea of leaving are levelling-up secretary Michael Gove and business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch with the latter having told the Sunday Times the option of quitting needs to be on the table.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman said she does not believe Sunak would ever leave the ECHR.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman (Joe Giddens/PA) (PA Wire)

She told LBC: My view does still stand, that ultimately to regain control of our borders properly and faithfully to the British people we do need to ultimately leave the European Convention on Human Rights. Judging from my conversations with him [Sunak], he never agreed with me on the proposition that I just set out now.
A California bill that aims to address the rise of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is making its way through the state legislature. Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko teamed up with Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) to introduce the measure.

The bill, officially known as AB 1831, would address the escalating threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation of lifelike, illicit content involving children, a news release said.

New California bill seeks to lower speed limits in school zones

This legislation is in response to the dangerous convergence of artificial intelligence and child exploitation, Nasarenko said in a statement. As technology evolves, so must our laws. This bill sends a clear message that our society will not tolerate the malicious use of artificial intelligence to produce harmful sexual content involving minors.

In February, artificially generated nude photos of students were being shared among classmates at a middle school in Beverly Hills and in March, school officials announced that five students were expelled over the scandal.

Other states are dealing with similar issues as well.

California bill that could mandate science of reading in schools faces opposition from states largest teacher union

Last September, prosecutors in all 50 states called on Congress to study how artificial intelligence can be used to exploit children through pornography and come up with legislation to further guard against it.

As for California, AB 1831 could become a law if it passes the state Assembly and Senate and is signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Raul Urena, Calexico's first City Council member who has come out as transgender, poses in front of a U.S.-Mexico border wall. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The LGBTQ+ pride flag had just been hoisted outside Calexico City Hall when a woman in overalls pushed past a police officer, charged through the cheering crowd and lunged at the mayor.

Raul Urena, the first out transgender City Council member in the struggling little town on the U.S.-Mexico border, stood quietly as three police officers pulled the profanity-spewing woman away.

She screamed: "He's not a woman! He's not a woman!" Then she kicked the mayor's dad.

Even before Rebecca Lemon made a beeline toward the mayor last June, Urena was well-acquainted with her.

Lemon was, at that point, the public face of a movement to remove Urena from office. Lemon had personally served recall papers a month earlier on Urena, who promptly ripped them in half.

The recall organizers appeared to distance themselves from Lemon after the ugly scene at the pride flag raising. And they succeeded in forcing a recall election targeting Urena and another brash young progressive council member, Gilberto Manzanarez. Voters will decide their political fate in a special election on April 16.

Raul Urena speaks with Calexico farmworkers after they teased her for wearing a dress. Urena says many people will make fun of what they do not know. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The recall is about many things  homelessness, economic development, political grudges. But the campaign against Urena in particular has thrown the almost entirely Latino city of 38,000 people in the rural Imperial Valley right into America's culture wars over gender identity.

For better or worse, Urena, 26, stands out.

In California, there are just 11 transgender or nonbinary people in elected office, including Urena, according to the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute's Out for America map, which tallies queer politicians at all levels of government.

Urena, who uses all pronouns but prefers "she," believes the recall is driven in large part by "tried-and-tested, predictable transphobia." Fellow recall target Manzanarez agrees.

"We're a city where a lot of our population are senoras who are Catholic," said Manzanarez, 30. "Mostly, the town is socially conservative."

When they came into office, Urena and Manzanarez were cheered as changemakers in Calexico, a town long plagued by corruption, scandal and poverty.

Urena was first elected in 2020, at age 23, with 70% of the vote. She was ushered in to finish the term of David Romero, a council member who went to federal prison after taking bribes in exchange for a guaranteed city permit for a cannabis business.

Another then-council member, Rosie Fernandez  now a recall supporter  had pleaded guilty earlier that year to driving under the influence; she was sentenced to probation and had to install a court-ordered alcohol-detection device in her vehicle.

Urena publicly came out as gender-fluid and transgender after her reelection in 2022 and eventually started wearing dresses and makeup in official appearances. Some voters said they felt duped, saying they thought they had voted for a gay, cisgender man. Detractors trolled Urena's social media accounts, leaving vulgar, sometimes threatening, comments.

Recall papers came the next spring.

Recall organizers put a disclaimer on their campaign Facebook page: "This recall will not focus on the lives of anyone due to personal and sexual choices." And Maritza Hurtado, a former mayor, became the new public face of the campaign after Lemon's attack.

Manzanarez was elected in November 2022. He had been in office less than five months when Lemon served him recall papers.

Maritza Hurtado, a local businesswoman and former mayor of Calexico, is spearheading the effort to recall two young progressives on the City Council. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Hurtado, 58, said the young politicians need to be ousted because "they are disrespectful; they are toxic." Their decisions, she said, have made downtown a crime-ridden eyesore, with rampant homeless encampments and human waste on the sidewalks.

"We're losing business because people do not want to come here because it's disgusting," said Hurtado, who runs a downtown tax and immigration services business.

Hurtado said Urena is quick to call anyone who disagrees with her, on any issue, transphobic or racist. The recall, Hurtado said, is about the young politicians' leadership  not Urena's gender.

Still, some prominent recall supporters are quick to mention, and to share, photos and posts from Urena's personal social media accounts  some that pre-date elected office  in which she is scantily clad or wrote bawdy captions.

And the language in the official recall petition strikes a moralistic tone. Urena, it says, "has proven poor leadership with open and public indecency and intoxication shared on social media with absolute reckless disregard for accountability towards families with children."

Urena said her personal photos get resurfaced regularly by detractors, who call her scandalous.

"I looked sexy as hell," she said. "Those are some of my best photos and I still won the election."

Raul Urena came out as transgender after her 2020 election and started wearing dresses and makeup in public appearances. Some voters said they felt duped. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Urena maintains that the recall effort cannot divorce itself from transphobic overtones. Or from Lemon.

Lemon  who is 43 and described herself as a "white, Lutheran, conservative Republican, everything they think is hateable"  said she was deeply offended when she learned Calexico would raise the pride flag, a first for Imperial County. It was, she said, an affront to U.S. military veterans like her father and grandfather to fly any banner besides the Stars and Stripes outside City Hall.

"I called my sister and said, 'Raul's trying to raise a pride flag at City Hall. If something happens, just bail me out.' "

Driving to City Hall that day, she saw Urena in a sleeveless green dress, surrounded by cheering people. She whipped her truck to the curb, jumped out and started yelling.

"I snapped," she said.

The recall campaign has, among other things, highlighted a stark generational divide in Calexico, pitting Urena and Manzanarez against the city's more conservative old guard, most of whom are Democrats.

"They call us dinosaurs. So we call the recall 'Dino Power,' " said 72-year-old Jesus Solano, a retired welder and automotive technician who supports the recall.

Hurtado said she is a "normal Democrat"  one who, in 2019, helped organize a protest of President Trump's visit to the border fence that included the infamous orange "Baby Trump" balloon. Urena and Manzanarez, she said, are far-left activists.

She said they dismiss downtown merchants' concerns about homeless encampments and have, instead, focused on what recall proponents see as more frivolous projects, such as installing charging stations for electric vehicles that most people in town cannot afford.

Hurtado also called Urena and Manzanarez disrespectful toward police officers, whose use of force and riot equipment they have questioned.

"They are some of the biggest supporters of Black Lives Matter in Imperial County," Hurtado said. You guys are anti-police? We are a border city. You don't belong here.

Urena countered that Hurtado, a member of the City Council from 2010 to 2018, bears responsibility for the city's problems and is bitter that she and her old allies are no longer in control.

"It's as simple as power," Urena said. "We've de-established a lot of establishment and status quo interests ingrained in the city for many decades."

The one thing everyone agrees on is that Calexico, separated from the sprawling city of Mexicali, Mexico, by a rusty steel border fence, is struggling.

Calexico is the second-largest city in Imperial County, which last year had a 17% unemployment rate  the highest in California and more than three times the statewide average, according to the Employment Development Department.

In December 2022, the Calexico City Council, seeking state and federal money, declared a state of emergency over a sudden influx of asylum-seeking immigrants whom U.S. border officials dropped off on city streets.

A scathing state audit released in October 2022 said Calexico was in the throes of a "financial crisis." Previous City Councils, the audit said, approved budgets based on unreliable financial data, and the municipality overspent, depleting its reserves and pushing its general fund into a deficit from fiscal years 2014-15 through 2018-19  years Hurtado was in office.

Finances have improved, but financial mismanagement by past City Councils exacerbated a staffing shortage that still exists across municipal departments, said City Manager Esperanza Colio Warren.

Raul Urena and fellow progressives on the Calexico City Council pushed a project to equip the city with electric vehicle charging stations, an effort opponents dismissed as frivolous. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Some of the most vocal proponents of the recall effort against progressives on the Calexico City Council are downtown business owners who say the council is not in step with their concerns. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The Police Department, which cut officers' pay amid the budget shortfall, had 26 officers in 2014. It now has just 16, and many shifts have just two police officers and one sergeant on duty, she said.

Urena, who studied economics at UC Santa Cruz and is now a master's candidate at San Diego State University, moved back in with her parents in Calexico when schools went virtual in 2020. She said she was infuriated by what was happening in Imperial County, which, at that point, had the state's highest mortality rate from COVID-19, with farmworkers traveling in packed buses with few protections and rural hospitals overwhelmed.

She pushed for eviction protection, protested police brutality after the murder of George Floyd, and successfully ran for office without knocking on a single door.

Gilberto Manzanarez says the recall effort against him and City Council ally Raul Urena is a standoff between progressives who come from marginalized backgrounds and the border town's old political guard. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Manzanarez, a behavior technician who works with autistic children, was working for a nonprofit in San Diego when the pandemic began. Manzanarez has severe asthma, and working in person stressed him out. He, too, moved back in with his parents in Calexico, and in 2022 successfully campaigned for City Council alongside Urena.

"We're straight from the working class," said Manzanarez, whose mother works in retail and whose father is disabled because of an accident suffered while working in a sugar plant. His grandfather, a field worker from Mexicali, survived the 1974 crash of a farm laborer bus that plunged into an irrigation canal near Blythe, killing 19.

"The offspring of these people who have been marginalized and abused and were victims of disinvestment, of lack of protections  guess what, now we're in positions of power," Manzanarez said. "We're not the rich landowners, the rich business owners, the people who have historically been in power."

Calexico is the second-largest city in Imperial County, which last year had a 17% unemployment rate  the highest in California and more than three times the statewide average. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

From the start, Urena and Manzanarez regularly clashed with other council members, citizens and elected officials in other towns, especially when they criticized the police.

Recall supporters were furious that Manzanarez, Urena and their council ally, Gloria Romo, conducted public meetings in Spanish without translation. During the City Council meeting last spring in which Lemon handed Urena and Manzanarez recall papers, she blasted the use of Spanish.

"You think that you live in Mexico! We don't. This is America," she said. "Our municipal code, all the laws, are in English. You'd better learn to respect that."

Gloria Romo, left, is now mayor of Calexico and an ally of City Councilmember Raul Urena, right. Romo, too, has been targeted for recall. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Urena said she would like for all meetings to eventually be conducted bilingually, with both English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English translation. She noted that the state audit criticized Calexico for presenting its budget only in English since most residents speak Spanish.

Hurtado said Urena has called her racist for objecting to speaking Spanish from the dais. Urena did not deny it.

"Who is this kid, to be out there on social media calling me a racist?" Hurtado asked. "How can you call a Mexican like myself a racist in a 99% Mexican city?"

Lemon said ex-politicians and ex-cops started messaging her on social media last spring after hearing her go off on Urena during a council meeting. She said they decided to organize a recall and that she became "the middle man" among all the former politicians, law enforcement officials and business leaders "because they all hate each other."

After the pride flag incident, she said, other organizers "tried to make me walk away," but she refused, saying: "I started it."

Last fall, organizers gathered sufficient signatures to get recalls for both Urena and Manzanarez on the ballot.

The recall election targeting progressive Calexico City Councilmembers Raul Urena and Gilberto Manzanarez is set for April 16. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Joshua Spivak, a senior research fellow at the California Constitution Center at Berkeley Law, said the vast majority of recall attempts fail to make the ballot. But when they do, the politician is more likely than not to be ousted. Since 2011, some 61% of officials nationwide whose recall made the ballot were voted out, he said.

"Once you get to the ballot, people are upset enough at you, they managed to do this work to get all the signatures, and there's a good chance they'll kick you out," said Spivak, who wrote the book "Recall Elections: From Alexander Hamilton to Gavin Newsom."

In January, Urena and Manzanarez voted to pass the honorary title of mayor to Romo. About 20 minutes later, Hurtado served Romo with intent-to-recall papers.

For months, Manzanarez and Urena have been knocking on doors, campaigning against the recall. Manzanarez said several constituents have called Urena anti-trans slurs to her face. During one outdoor rally, he said, a jogger screamed until he was red in the face, making fun of Urena's attire.

"I feel horrible, with the amount of hate Raul has to put up with," Manzanarez said.

"We've had people in suits and ties get taken to jail out of the City Council. Very well-dressed," he added. "I'd rather have someone in a dress who's actually gonna work for the people."

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.
A California candidate will be on the ballot twice in November. What if he wins both races?

Assemblymember Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield), right, is running for state Assembly as well as for Congress. A California appellate court ruled that Fong can legally appear on the November ballot in two different races. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

In an election-year twist spawned by the sudden retirement of former House Speaker and Central Valley Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a California appellate court ruled Tuesday that Bakersfield Republican Vince Fong can legally appear on the November ballot in two different races.

Fong filed to run for reelection to the state Assembly, where he represents the Bakersfield area, then, after McCarthy announced his retirement, submitted paperwork to run for the newly vacant seat in Congress. Secretary of State Shirley Weber, a Democrat, tried to keep Fong out of the congressional primary, saying state election law barred candidates from running for two offices at the same time.

A Sacramento County judge in December ruled that Fong could run in the 20th Congressional District, which includes portions of Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties. The 3rd District Court of Appeal agreed on Tuesday, writing that Weber's argument did not apply to Fong.

"If the legislature wants to prohibit candidates from running for more than one office at the same election, it is free to do so," appellate court Judge Laurie Earl wrote in her opinion. Until then, she wrote, the court must enforce election law as it is written.

The decision is a victory for Fong, McCarthy's handpicked successor, who started his political career working in the congressman's district office in Bakersfield. McCarthy has helped to wrangle Fong an endorsement from former President Trump and funneled $500,000 from his Majority Committee political action committee to a pro-Fong group.

Fong placed first in the March 5 primary for the congressional seat.

The appellate court decision will end "the unnecessary and ill-advised campaign in Sacramento to deprive voters of a real choice in this election," Fong said in a statement released after the ruling was announced. "I am grateful that our judicial system has upheld the integrity of our elections."

Weber said, in a statement, that both courts recognized that the decision "leaves the door open to chaos, gamesmanship and voter disenfranchisement, and disadvantages other candidates." She said her office is "carefully considering all our options."

The court decision will create a strange ballot in November and an even stranger possible outcome in the San Joaquin Valley. Fong will be listed as the only candidate for the 32nd Assembly District, and one of two candidates for the 20th Congressional District in the House of Representatives.

Fong has endorsed Ken Weir, a member of the Bakersfield City Council and the chairman of the Kern County Republican Party, who is running a write-in campaign for the Assembly seat.

"We hope he wins," said Fong spokesman Ryan Gardiner. But if Fong is elected to both offices, he would resign from the Assembly and head to D.C. Election officials would hold a special election to fill the Assembly vacancy in 2025, Gardiner said.

Fong could also already be in Congress by November. He is running in a special election next month against Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux to fill the remainder of McCarthy's term, which ends in January 2025. A representative for Boudreaux's campaign declined to comment.

The legal challenge over Fong's candidacy hinged on a portion of California election law that reads: "No person may file nomination papers for a party nomination and an independent nomination for the same office, or for more than one office at the same election."

Fong's campaign argued the provision has not been legally valid since 2010, when California voters approved a new state primary system. The change scrapped party nominations in favor of the so-called "jungle primary," in which the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

The state argued that the "or" in the clause split the law into two provisions: one that governed nominations, and one that barred candidates from running for more than one office.

"The 'or' is the key word there, and that's why it's two separate provisions," Deputy Atty. Gen. Seth Goldstein said during oral arguments at the appellate court last week. The Legislature "could have made the statute more clear," he said, but in the absence of that clarity, the court should defer to the state's top election official.

That's "very persuasive in terms of legislative intent," but less persuasive when it came to parsing the actual wording of the law, said Jessica Levinson, an election law professor at Loyola Law School.

"What the judge is saying here is: I might know what the statute was intended to do, but I am bound by the language," Levinson said.

Weber's office also said that the Fong campaign's interpretation of the law would allow candidates to "run for an unlimited number of offices during the same election, review the results, and pick the office they want most of those won, and resign from the rest," Earl wrote in her opinion.

Two members of the state Assembly have introduced bills aimed at fixing the confusion.

A bill from Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz) would bar candidates from filing paperwork for two elections. A bill from Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) would allow candidates to file to run for a second seat if an incumbent declined to run, but would force them to withdraw from their other candidacy.

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.
Recce Pharmaceuticals

Promising Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) activity in Phase I/II trial for urinary tract infections (UTI) and urosepsis with an increase in dosage expected to begin in the next several weeks

Expansion of Phase I/II trial for diabetic foot infections (DFI) with efficacy achieved and now moving towards the initiation of a Phase III registrational trial in Indonesia scheduled to commence in Q3 2024

RECCE  327 (R327) shown to be effective against more than 300 strains of bacterial pathogens during testing with Linnaeus Bioscience

U.S. Department of Defense has recommended RECCE  327 Gel (R327G) as a topical treatment for burn wound infections for grant funding of $2.2 million

Submission of Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. FDA expected in H2 2024 for U.S. trial initiation in H1 2025

Continued recognition and awareness of Recce with presentations recently presented at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), opening keynote address and opening R&D address at the World AMR Congress 2024 and sponsorship received from Western Australia (WA) and New South Wales (NSW) government for the BIO International Convention 2024

SYDNEY, Australia, April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE, FSE: R9Q) (Recce or the Company), a leading developer of a new class of synthetic anti-infectives, today provided a business update highlighting various ongoing activities and progress made since the Annual General Meeting held on November 8, 2023.

Detailed Update:

Progress of R327 across Multiple Indications

(UTI/Urosepsis, DFI, Topical Wounds, SAS-A)

Phase I/II UTI/Urosepsis Trial  R327 Achieving Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)

The Company is making significant strides in its Phase I/II trial for UTIs and urosepsis. Recent clinical urine samples have indicated promising MIC activity, suggesting that fast infusion of R327 leads to concentrations capable of blocking the growth of bacteria in urine, which is relevant for the treatment of patients with UTIs and urosepsis, in a safe and tolerable manner. This promising finding has prompted the Company to increase the dosage of R327 in this Phase I/II trial to its highest level yet, at a rate of 4,000mg infused over 30 minutes, which is expected to begin by the end of Q2 2024. This escalation reflects the significant progress surrounding R327's potential to address critical medical needs in the treatment of UTIs and urosepsis.

DFI Efficacy Achieved: Expansion of Phase I/II DFI Clinical Trial

Recce is actively pursuing an expansion of its clinical trial sites for its Phase I/II trial evaluating R327 in patients with DFIs, with notable sites identified and expected to come online during the present quarter, including one of the largest and most comprehensive regional health services in Australia based out of Victoria, and a world-class private hospital in Western Australia.

Story continues

This strategic initiative aims to access a greater patient population, enhancing the diversity and depth of clinical data gathered. By forging collaborations with these esteemed institutions, the Company continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing medical research and delivering innovative solutions that could potentially transform patient outcomes.

The Company is actively advancing its latest international expansion in Indonesia for a DFI clinical trial, moving steadily towards the initiation of a Phase III registrational trial scheduled to commence in Q3 2024.

R327 works and keeps on working with repeated use: tested in more than 300 Strains of Bacterial Pathogens  Effective Against All

The Company continues to work with leading experts dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative technologies, Linnaeus Bioscience, where they have tested R327 against more than 300 strains between the ESKAPE group of pathogens (198 Gram-negative and 111 Gram-positive bacteria strains). Chief Operations Officer of Linnaeus, Hannah Tsunemoto, Ph.D., led the experiments against these pathogens and commented, R327 is effective against all strains tested at MICs.

Gram-positive representatives Gram-negative representatives Bacteria Strains Bacteria Strains Enterococcus spp. 33 K. pneumoniae 38 S. aureus 65 A. baumannii 53 Enterobacter spp. 13 P. aeruginosa 63 Salmonella 4 Total 198 E. coli 40 Total 111

More than 95% of the strains tested were clinically isolated from a variety of sources, including but not limited to wounds, blood, urine, and sputum (phlegm).



Furthermore, in a 31-day sub-MIC serial exposure study, R327 was tested against a Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and showed no evidence of induced resistance to R327.

Submission of Investigational New Drug (IND) Application with the US FDA expected in H2 2024 for U.S. trial initiation in H1 2025

The Company has been making significant strides in preparing for an investigational new drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One of the pivotal initiatives contributing to this progress is the successful ongoing Phase I/II UTI/Urosepsis rapid infusion clinical trial. The completion of the Phase I trial marked a crucial milestone for the Company, providing valuable data on the safety and tolerability of R327 required as part of the IND Application dossier.

As the Company continues to generate promising interim data from its Phase I/II UTI/Urosepsis clinical trial on both safety and efficacy, R327 is showcasing its capability to be administered over multiple fast infusion times, highlighting the potential for a ground-breaking treatment on the first patient presentation in any medical setting. These achievements collectively position Recce on track with its upcoming IND application, underscoring the company's dedication to bringing novel therapies to market swiftly and responsibly.

The Company expects to open a second IND application for all topical work conducted soon after the intravenous (IV) IND application.

Government/Private Enterprise Partnerships and Presence in the USA

Recce has been actively pursuing various grant applications and submissions, particularly in government antimicrobial resistance (AMR) initiatives and military and health security.

U.S. Department of Defense: Recommended for $2.2M Grant Funding

As a result of the Company's efforts in the military sector, the U.S. Department of Defense has recommended R327 Gel (R327G) as a topical treatment for burn wound infections for grant funding of $2.2 million.

Once awarded, the funding will enable the Company to accelerate the development and evaluation of R327G and evaluate it as a gel-based treatment to rapidly resolve burn wound infections and minimize the onset of bacteremia complications, such as sepsis. This milestone emphasizes the Companys significant contributions to military health research. Recce expects funding to be received in H1 2024.

Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Presentation

Recce delivered a company presentation at the request of the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), further strengthening its relationship and collaboration with U.S. governmental organizations.

BARDA has specific areas of interest that it focuses on for funding, where R327 fits into two categories: Antimicrobials (3.1 Multi-drug resistant Bacteria and Biothreat Pathogens) and Burn and Blast Medical Countermeasures (6.4 Non-Autologous Topical Products for Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections). The presentation was well received and attended by members of the U.S. government from respective military fields.

WA and NSW Government Sponsor Recce for BIO International Convention 2024

The BIO International Convention is the largest and most comprehensive event for biotechnology, representing the full ecosystem of biotech with over 20,000 industry leaders from across the globe. As part of the Companys national government initiatives, Recce has been successfully selected to be part of the WA and NSW delegation at BIO 2024, highlighting its regional support and recognition within the biopharmaceutical community. These initiatives collectively demonstrate Recce's dedication to advancing innovative solutions in healthcare through strategic collaborations and impactful research endeavours.

World AMR Congress 2024: Opening Keynote Address and the Opening R&D Address

The Company has received another prestigious invitation to present the opening R&D address at the World AMR Congress. In recognition of its global initiatives, the Company has also been privileged with the opportunity to deliver the opening keynote address for the entire congress. John Prendergast, Ph.D., Recces Executive Chairman, will deliver the opening R&D address, while Alan W. Dunton, M.D., Recces Chief Medical Advisor and Non-Executive Director, will open the Congress with the opening keynote.

Poster Presentation - American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Michele Dilizia, Recces Chief Scientific Officer and Co-inventor of RECCE technology, presented a poster based on the results of a Phase I trial at the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT) Annual Meeting, showcasing the company's scientific advancements. The annual meeting serves as a multi-disciplinary catalyst for emerging science, focused on the integrity and diversity of clinical pharmacology and translational medicine.

Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) Abstract Submission

As was delivered in 2023, the Company has again submitted an abstract for MHSRS 2024, building on its successful participation in 2023 and anticipating further success this year. The MHSRS is the U.S. Department of Defenses foremost scientific meeting, presenting new scientific knowledge particular to military specific R&D.

Additional Operational Activities

World Health Organization Recognition

R327, along with R435 and R529, gained recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) by being added to their list of antibacterial products in clinical development for priority pathogens.

This acknowledgment highlights the potential of RECCE compounds to address critical global health challenges posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Being included in the WHO's evaluation signifies the importance of Recces research and development efforts in combatting infectious diseases. The WHO annually assesses antibacterial products, which involves an evaluation comparing these products in development with the WHO's list of antibiotic-resistant bacterial priority pathogens.

R&D Advance Initiatives  Endpoints Capital

The Company continues to strengthen its strategic partnership with Endpoints Capital after securing a significant $11.2 million in non-dilutive funding, reinforcing its R&D initiatives for FY23/24 and into the future. This financial support, augmented by the Advanced Overseas Finding from the Australian Government, expands Recce's R&D horizons globally.

For more insights into this partnership, Recce and Endpoints have released an on-camera podcast interview that discusses the influence of their collaboration on Recce's growth and the biotech industry, which can be accessed here.

About Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE, FSE: R9Q) is developing a New Class of Synthetic Anti-Infectives designed to address the urgent global health problems of antibiotic-resistant superbugs and emerging viral pathogens.

Recces anti-infective pipeline includes three patented, broad-spectrum, synthetic polymer anti-infectives: RECCE 327 as an intravenous and topical therapy that is being developed for the treatment of serious and potentially life-threatening infections due to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including their superbug forms; RECCE 435 as an orally administered therapy for bacterial infections; and RECCE 529 for viral infections. Through their multi-layered mechanisms of action, Recces anti-infectives have the potential to overcome the hypercellular mutation of bacteria and viruses  the challenge of all existing antibiotics to date.

The FDA has awarded RECCE 327 Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation under the Generating Antibiotic Initiatives Now (GAIN) Act  labelling it for Fast Track Designation, plus 10 years of market exclusivity post approval. Further to this designation, RECCE 327 has been included on The Pew Charitable Trusts Global New Antibiotics in Development Pipeline as the worlds only synthetic polymer and sepsis drug candidate in development. RECCE 327 is not yet market approved for use in humans with further clinical testing required to fully evaluate safety and efficacy.

Recce wholly owns its automated manufacturing, which is supporting present clinical trials. Recces anti-infective pipeline seeks to exploit the unique capabilities of its technologies targeting synergistic, unmet medical needs.

Corporate Contact

James Graham

Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd

+61 (02) 9256 2571

James.graham@recce.com.au

Media & Investor Relations (AU)

Andrew Geddes

CityPR

+61 (02) 9267 4511

ageddes@citypublicrelations.com.au

Media (USA)

Michael Fitzhugh

LifeSci Communications

mfitzhugh@lifescicomms.com

Investor Relations (USA & EU)

Guillame van Renterghem

LifeSci Advisors

gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com




Heres how California civil rights icon Dolores Huerta wants you to celebrate her birthday

Dolores Huerta doesnt have a secret for her longevity but said the lord gave me some good genes. So thats why Ive been able to live a long life.

The civil rights icon celebrates her 94th birthday on April 10.

In fact, Huerta didnt expect to live this long. Her mother, Alicia Chavez, died at age 51 and her father, Juan Fernandez, was in his 70s when he died.

So, the fact that Ive been able to live this long is just a blessing. So, Im thankful to the good Lord, you know, for keeping me around this long, said Huerta who has dedicated her life as an organizer.

Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez in 1962, feels lucky to keep working as a nonagenarian.

We have so much work to do, Huerta said. We have the issues of climate change. Were trying to get the Equal Rights Amendment passed for women. So, we have so much work to do. Still, theres no way that we can stop.

Knowing that there is so much work to do, she said, is what keeps her going.

Huerta asks everybody to celebrate her birthday by getting involved in the upcoming elections.

La Abeja, a newsletter written for and by California Latinos

Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter centered around Latino issues in California.

Fresno resident Venancio Gaona, 85, said Huerta is a strong woman with strong convictions who has made a big impact in the community.

This has given her life. She has a good reason to live, because she has a decent and honest cause to help mankind or the human beings around her, said Gaona, who helped the UFW back in the late 1960s.

Shes been a role model for many. Appreciating that she opened the road up for us. And has continued to fight for justice, equality and equity, said 70-year-old Gloria Hernandez, of Fresno.

Hernandez has known Huerta since she was about 19 when she started volunteering for the union cooking for farmworkers at events, later becoming one of the capitanas during the strike.

I call her the Jefa (the boss), said longtime UFW supporter Roberto Bustos, 80, the organizer of the historic 1966 march from Delano to Sacramento. I know, she continues what she has to do. And Im glad that, you know, shes out there.

Celebrating her birthday

Huerta started an early birthday celebration Tuesday in Los Angeles when the all-female Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared Dolores Huerta Day with a resolution introduced by Supervisor Hilda Solis.

Today is one of the days Im celebrating here at the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, Huerta said.

The state Legislature has declared Dolores Huerta Day.

But I dont think well see too many people in the Valley doing the same thing.

Huerta said if people want to celebrate her birthday, a way to do it is to go out there and talk to somebody about voting, about registering to vote.

And people that havent become citizens, please become a citizen because unless you vote, then your voice is not heard and its like youre invisible. And right now, we cannot afford to be invisible, especially as people of color, as women, our voices need to be heard, Huerta added.

Things to know about Huerta

 Born on April 10, 1930, in the mining town of Dawson, New Mexico. Her family goes back 14 generations in New Mexico.

My family has always been very politically active. My father was a legislator. He was an assemblyman in the state of New Mexico. And I had cousins that were judges. And so, my family has always been very active in civic and political life, Huerta said.

 Huerta is working on her own book  a memoir and maybe part of a biography  with her daughter Juanita Chavez. Since the book is still in progress it will be awhile before it gets published, Huerta said.

 As a little girl, Huerta took dancing, doing ballet, tap, Hawaiian and flamenco, which was her favorite.

 She grew up in Stockton and was a teacher before becoming an activist.

 Dolores coined the phrase !Si, se puede! (Yes, we can!)

 In the early 1990s, the activist appeared in a full-page advertisement for Ben & Jerrys Smooth selection of ice cream which was introducing 8 new flavors in 1994. Huerta was featured eating Deep Dark Chocolate flavor along with fellow activists Dr. Timothy Leary, Carlos Santana, Spike Lee, Pete Seeger, Michelle Shocked, Buffy Sainte Marie, Bobby Seale, and Daniel Berrigan.

I dont know if I ever got one named after me or not, but it was fun to be in with that group of people, Huerta said.

 While Huerta doesnt have a lot of time to cook. When she does, it is usually something very simple. She loves Mediterranean food, as well as Indian and Asian and, of course, Mexican food.

 In 1998 Huerta received the Ohtli award, which is awarded by the Mexican government to individuals who devote their work to the advancement of the Mexican community.

 Last September, the civil rights icon celebrated Chicano art with tequila shots in downtown Fresno with friends from the Chicano movement.

 The $32 million Dolores Huerta Peace and Justice Cultural Center will break ground later this year in downtown Bakersfield. The center will also include an interactive hologram exhibit of Dolores Huerta.

The hologram is pretty much completed at this point. That will be interesting because people can ask the hologram questions. And even after Im gone, the hologram will still be here to answer questions, Huerta said.
Toothbrushes are among the many products locked behind security glass at a Target in Pasadena. (Ryan Fonseca / Los Angeles Times)

Two approaches are gaining traction as California confronts the issue of retail theft, which was propelled to the top of the state's political agenda this year by viral videos of smash-and-grab robberies and the proliferation of drugstores locking up basic goods.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) on Tuesday threw his weight behind a package of bills that aim to thwart theft by, among other proposals, allowing restraining orders to keep people who steal away from certain stores and letting prosecutors aggregate the value of thefts across multiple incidents in determining criminal charges.

Meanwhile, supporters of an initiative paid for by big retailers are preparing to submit signatures this month to put a measure on the November ballot that would tackle the problem through harsher criminal penalties for repeat offenders and court-mandated diversion programs for drug users.

The question now is whether the two sides will negotiate a middle ground or if both approaches will advance this year, setting the stage for a fight at the ballot box.

The crux of the issue is a debate over whether California can curb theft without changing Proposition 47, the liberal criminal justice measure voters approved in 2014 that reclassified some felony drug and theft offenses under $950 as misdemeanors. Rivas and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom believe they can enact new laws to address theft while leaving Proposition 47 intact. Supporters of the initiative backed by big-box stores and prosecutors believe that repealing parts of Proposition 47 is crucial to solving the problem.

"There's no turning back the clock on the criminal justice reforms that have been enacted," Rivas said Tuesday during a news conference at the Capitol. "It's understanding the root causes of this problem, which is complex. And for us, each one of these bills gets after those layers of complexity."

Rivas dismissed proposals that would require changing Proposition 47, sending The Times a statement saying that "going to the ballot to address retail crime or theft is not necessary, because the Assemblys bipartisan and comprehensive plan delivers real and urgent changes for Californians.

Read more: Democratic lawmakers introduce legislation to target organized retail theft, online resellers

Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Assn., appeared alongside Rivas in a signal of her group's support for the legislation. But she sees the bills as one option on the table in addition to the ballot initiative.

"California is a very political state, this is a very political situation, but its about how do we find solutions?" she told the Times. "Whether its a ballot initiative or a legislative package, what has the best chance of having results?"

The ballot initiative called the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act seeks to change Proposition 47 in numerous ways. It would elevate the third time someone commits retail theft to a felony charge. It also would allow prosecutors to aggregate the value of stolen goods so that a person could be charged with a felony for multiple thefts that add up to at least $950. It would add fentanyl to a law that prohibits the possession of hard drugs while armed with a loaded firearm. It also would require drug treatment the third time a person is charged with simple drug possession.

"We cant fix this without going back to the ballot box," said Bobbie Singh-Allen, president of the American Petroleum and Convenience Store Assn., a supporter of the initiative, which represents nearly 2,000 convenience stores in California. "We dont want to just leave it to the Legislature."

Read more: Newsom suggests ways to crack down on property crime without dismantling Proposition 47

The ballot initiative has already raised more than $7 million since October and is largely funded by retailers including Target, Walmart, 7-Eleven and Home Depot, according to campaign finance records. The prosecutor-led initiative has been largely backed by law enforcement and Republican elected officials, but recently received support from Democrats including San Francisco Mayor London Breed.

Greg Totten, chief executive of the California District Attorneys Assn. and a supporter of the initiative, told The Times that he is confident it will qualify for the November ballot. The deadline to submit signatures is April 23.

A law passed in 2014 gives the Legislature a chance to hold hearings and negotiate with initiative sponsors over policies that could entice them to pull their measures off the ballot. Totten said his campaign stands "ready to negotiate anytime, place or under any circumstances."

Rivas did not answer The Times' question about whether he will hold a public hearing on any potential negotiations.

The state Senate is also considering a package of bills to address the growing fentanyl crisis and organized retail theft. Lawmakers have until the end of August to decide which bills they want to send to Newsom.

Read more: San Francisco Mayor London Breed backs GOP initiative to stiffen penalties for retail theft

The Assembly bill package has support from progressive groups that back California's criminal justice reforms.

Rather than simply seeking to score quick and cheap political points, the package reflects a commitment to pursuing solutions that would reduce the incidents of theft in the first place," Tinisch Hollins, executive director of Californians for Safety and Justice, said in a statement.

These are the bills Rivas intends to prioritize:





Assembly Bill 2943, co-authored by Rivas and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles), is a nod to Newsom's suggestions for how the state should try to curb theft. The bill addresses serial thieves, aggregates dollar amounts and expands drug diversion programs. Parts of this bill address similar issues in the ballot initiative.

Assembly Bill 1794 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) would allow prosecutors to aggregate theft crimes by the same perpetrator even when they involve different places and victims. It also would streamline the process of reporting shoplifting incidents directly to prosecutors through a statewide program called CAL Fast Pass.

Assembly Bill 1845 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) is the only Republican bill in the package and would expand the California Highway Patrols property crimes task force program to include cargo theft and railroad police.

Assembly Bill 3209 by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) would allow a court to impose a restraining order for up to two years against a person who has stolen, vandalized or committed battery against an employee. It would also require the court to consider whether a person lives in a food desert and whether the store is the only location for necessities.

Assembly Bill 1779 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) is co-sponsored by the California District Attorneys Assn. It would allow prosecutors to charge several offenses that took place across counties and handle them in a single court.

Assembly Bill 1802 by Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) would make permanent the California Highway Patrol property crimes task force. Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon sponsored this bill.

Assembly Bill 1960 by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno) would enhance penalties for a person who takes or destroys property valued at more than $50,000 . Supporters include the Merced County district attorney, the California District Attorneys Assn. and the Orange County District Attorneys Assn.

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.
California judge dismisses one of 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' lawsuits

A California judge on Monday dismissed one of many cases brought forth by a man who is suing dozens of women for sharing stories about him in multiple private Facebook groups, including offshoots of the viral Are We Dating the Same Guy? group.

Stewart Lucas Murrey is suing more than 50 women  nine of whom he names in his complaint  saying they conspired to harm [his] reputation and violate his right to free speech based upon his sex and other discriminatory elements, according to court documents reviewed by NBC News.

In his initial complaint, filed in June 2023, Murrey states that much of his emotional distress was due to posts made in several Are We Dating the Same Guy? groups local to Los Angeles and Orange County. These are part of a network of more than 150 private Facebook groups where women post about men theyre seeking to vet with help from others who may have dated the same person.

On Monday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gregory Keosian granted one defendant, Vanessa Valdes, an anti-SLAPP motion, a common legal mechanism for dismissing strategic lawsuits against public participation, or lawsuits determined to chill the exercise of free expression.

While I am grateful for this outcome, I want to highlight that there are still other defendants continuing to fight this battle, Valdes wrote in an email statement to NBC News. I want to make it clear that I do not condone retaliation against the plaintiff; the courts will continue to do its intended work. It is my sincere hope that baseless lawsuits like this do not happen to others in the future.

In an email statement to NBC News on Wednesday, Murrey said he "will soon issue a more serious and nuanced statement regarding the last hearing."

"This ruling should not be misconstrued at a surface level nor embolden and normalize cyberstalkers," he wrote.

He also noted that his lawsuit is against multiple defendants.

In a statement posted Monday to his personal website, Murrey said the judges ruling was based only on portions of Valdess statements about him.

While Murrey said hes never met Valdes in person (which she had also previously stated), he alleged she participated in an online group that sought to harass, dox, gang-stalk and cyberbully him.

This behavior should not be normalized and I am challenging every person in their various roles, he wrote, later adding that this is a situation that is bigger than mere libel. We face a threat to privacy and I am prepared for the long fight ahead.

The statements echo Murrey's November 2023 amended complaint, which claimed this large-scale conspiracy to create a fake online social consensus had and continues to have real consequences.

Murrey alleges that the womens comments caused severe damage to his personal relationships and dating life, and that he has lost all privacy.

Facebook and the Facebook groups refused to respond whatsoever so Murrey had no option but to file police reports against defendants, according to the complaint. More than 400 severely harmful comments have been taken down within said Facebook groups, the complaint states.

A spokesperson for Meta, which owns Facebook, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In recent years, the Are We Dating the Same Guy? Facebook groups  which say they aim to warn other women about liars, cheaters, abusers, or anyone who exhibits any type of toxic or dangerous behavior  have gained rapid traction across the country.

But some group members have become embroiled in defamation-related lawsuits brought forth in various states by men who have been the subject of these conversations.

In January, an Illinois judge dismissed a separate lawsuit against 27 women regarding their posts in a Chicago Are We Dating the Same Guy? Facebook group. The plaintiff refiled a class-action complaint the same day.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Three endangered Mexican gray wolves born at the California Wolf Center in San Diego County have been transferred to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, the organization announced Tuesday.

Mexican gray wolves are among the rarest land mammals on earth. However, researchers have been able to share good news on that front recently as the population in the southwestern U.S. has continued to grow every year for nearly a decade.

Endangered Mexican gray wolf population rises for 8th year: FWS

The California Wolf Center (CWC), located just outside of Julian in the San Diego County mountains, announced three Mexican gray wolves born at its Conservation Center in 2019 and 2020 are now at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Saving Animals From Extinction (AZA SAFE) program.

California Wolf Center Announces Transfer of Three Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves to Brookfield Zoo in Chicago (Photo courtesy: California Wolf Center)

California Wolf Center Announces Transfer of Three Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves to Brookfield Zoo in Chicago (Photo courtesy: California Wolf Center)

California Wolf Center Announces Transfer of Three Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves to Brookfield Zoo in Chicago (Photo courtesy: California Wolf Center)

California Wolf Center Announces Transfer of Three Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves to Brookfield Zoo in Chicago (Photo courtesy: California Wolf Center)

We had a pack of wolves with mom, dad and seven boys and there was starting to be some tension among the brothers, said Ciera MacIsaac, Wolf Care and Reintroduction Coordinator. In the wild, young males at this age become more independent and start the process of dispersal where they leave their mothers to start their own pack. With the opening of a wonderful new habitat at the Brookfield Zoo, the three wolves will now be able to imitate the natural process of dispersal and our remaining wolves will have a little more elbow room.

The California Wolf Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to returning wild wolves to their natural habitat.

Yellowstone National Park wolves observed bringing toys to pups

CWC said the wolves arrived at the Brookfield Zoo on Saturday, April 6, with a team of veterinary professionals from Wild Ride Animal Transport LLC, and are getting settled into their new habitat.

The three males wolves will stay in their own habitat at the zoo, separate from another pack, which were selected to breed this year in the hope they may be able to cross-breed pups into the wild.

San Diego family reunites with missing dog found in Michigan nearly a year later

CWC in San Diego is home to 20 Mexican gray wolves and four Northwestern gray wolves. Tours of the Conservation Center are available by reservations only, and give guests a unique opportunity to see these rare animals up close.

We always strive to give our wolves in captivity a life as natural and true-to-wild as possible and being able to disperse is a key part of that experience, said Executive Director Theresa Kosen. Our partnerships with other participating institutions within the AZA SAFE program are invaluable as we work together toward the mission of wolf recovery.

Okapi calf born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Just recently, wildlife officials announced the endangered Mexican gray wolf population in the southwestern U.S. saw another year of growth due to the breeding program put in place by the federal government and the Mexican Wolf Saving Animals From Extinction program.

The 2023 Mexican gray wolf population increased 6% since 2022, marking the eighth consecutive year the species has grown in population, and the longest continuous streak since recovery efforts began, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said.

Meet Meg: A cute but dangerous cat at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

CWC noted transfers are common between AZA SAFE captive breeding sites, and mentioned their oldest wolf, Bailey (M1139), who is turning 16 years old this month, was born at the Wolf Conservation Center in New York in 2008, before being transferred to CWC in 2015. Bailey has fathered 27 pups since then.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago, also known as the Chicago Zoological Park, is located in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield, Illinois. The 235-acre zoological park has 3,481 animals belonging to 511 species.

The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Visit Brookfield Zoo Chicagos website for more information and to purchase tickets.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Lord Cameron has warned against the appeasement of Vladimir Putin and Russia as he stepped up calls for the US to release billions of dollars of new military aid for Ukraine.

In a message aimed at Donald Trump and his Republican allies, the Foreign Secretary said a stalled US funding package could make the decisive difference in getting Ukraine back on the front foot.

Lord Cameron, who met presidential candidate Mr Trump for private talks during his trip to the US this week, insisted the only way to end the conflict was by backing Ukraine rather than allowing Russia to keep the territory it has occupied.

Mr Trump, who hopes to return to the White House following Novembers US election, is reportedly ready to pressure Ukraine to cede Crimea and the Donbas border region as a price for peace with Russia.

But Lord Cameron told CNN during his visit to Washington DC: Everyone wants to see an end to the killing and an end to the war. But you only get that by backing Ukraine, by showing strength. Peace comes through strength, not through appeasement and weakness.

You can follow the latest updates below and join the conversation in the comments section here.

04:00 PM BST

That is all for today...

Thank you for joining me for todays politics live blog.

I will be back tomorrow morning.

03:40 PM BST

Half of Tory voters want to quit European Convention on Human Rights

Half of Conservative voters believe the UK should leave the European Convention on Human Rights, an opinion poll for The Telegraph has revealed.

Some 49 per cent of people who backed the Tories at the 2019 election want to quit the convention, according to the Savanta polling, with 35 per cent wanting to stay. The rest did not state an opinion.

Support for the move among Tories is higher than among the wider population and much higher than among Labour voters, just 14 per cent of whom would want to walk away.

You can read the full story here.

03:15 PM BST

Slash benefits to get more men into work, urges IMF

Cutting benefits and taxes could help solve the global worklessness crisis by encouraging more men into jobs, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.

More training and childcare support would help more women into work, while higher pension ages can keep more older people in jobs.

It comes amid fears Britain is being held back by the 9.25 million adults of working age who are economically inactive  those who are neither in work nor looking for work.

You can read the full story here.

02:58 PM BST

Britain still a great country for Jewish people, says Cameron

Lord Cameron told Fox News that the UK is a great country for Jewish people, after being shown images of mass pro-Palestine protests on the streets of London last week, writes Tony Diver.

He said that people are entitled to make those opinions but should do it within the law and should choose their words carefully.

I would say that Britain is still a great country for Jewish people to live in, he said. The Jewish population makes an amazing contribution to our country and of course, Britain is a very strong defender of Israel.

He added: Of course, were a country under the rule of law and we believe all countries should obey the rule of law. And Israel has to think very carefully about how it makes sure aid gets into Gaza.

02:47 PM BST

Cameron: I dont look forward to conversations with Iran

Lord Cameron has rejected calls for the UK Government to proscribe Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), arguing that maintaining diplomatic relations with Iran allows him to deliver messages to Tehran directly, writes Tony Diver.

Speaking to Fox News on a trip to Washington DC, the Foreign Secretary was asked why the UK would not follow the US in proscribing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.

We havent proscribed or broken relations with the Iranian government altogether, he said. As the Foreign Secretary, its not a conversation I look forward to, but the fact is I have relations with the Iranian foreign minister.

I can deliver very direct messages to him about the unacceptable behaviour of his country. And frankly, as a Foreign Secretary, Id rather do that myself than have to ask my French counterpart or my German counterpart to do it on my behalf.

He added that the UK is absolutely clear about the threat that Iran poses to the region.

02:40 PM BST

Fewer than 4pc of reports under new SNP hate crime law are actual crimes

Fewer than 4 per cent of reports made under Scotlands new hate crime law were actual crimes, police figures show.

In the first official statistics published since the law came into force, Police Scotland said that it had received 7,152 online hate reports between April 1 and April 7.

However, it said that during the period, just 240 actual hate crimes, around 3.5 per cent of the reports made, had been recorded. A further 30 were recorded as non-crime hate incidents.

You can read the full story here.

02:17 PM BST

Lord Cameron warns against appeasement of Russia

Lord Cameron said a peaceful resolution in Ukraine could only come about by backing Volodymyr Zelenskys forces, rather than through appeasement of Russia.

The Foreign Secretary said he did not want to see a situation where Kyiv was left without the equipment it needs until Novembers US election.

He told CNN: Without saying what I spoke with Donald Trump, fundamentally, this year  and you heard from Zelensky this morning  theres a risk that Ukraine will lose more ground to Putin, and no one wants to be in a situation in November, where we could have acted, we could have helped, we could have beaten back Putin, we could have started the process of getting a Ukraine win and getting a just peace but we failed to do that.

Lord Cameron rejected the idea of a peace deal which would see Ukraine ceding swathes of territory to Russia.

Everyone wants to see an end to the killing and an end to the war, he said. But you only get that by backing Ukraine, by showing strength.

Peace comes through strength, not through appeasement and weakness.

01:45 PM BST

Pictured: Cooper, Reeves and Rayner campaign in Yarm, Teesdale

Yvette Cooper, Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner visit a Sainsbury's in Yarm, Teesdale - Stefan Rousseau/PA

01:30 PM BST

Cameron: US aid package could make decisive difference in Ukraine-Russia war

A new US military aid package for Ukraine could make the decisive difference in Kyivs war against Russia, Lord Cameron said.

The Foreign Secretary is in Washington DC as he tries to persuade US lawmakers to approve new support for Ukraine.

Making the case for the investment, Lord Cameron told MSNBC: This is actually an investment in American security.

Ninety per cent of what you spend will go into jobs here in America and you can make the decisive difference in getting Ukraine back on the front foot and getting them to make sure Putin doesnt win and we get the just peace that Ukraine deserves.

01:14 PM BST

Lord Cameron not seeking to lecture US on Ukraine support

Lord Cameron insisted he was not seeking to lecture US politicians by urging them to approve a new military aid package for Ukraine.

But he said countries that wish us ill will draw a lesson if we dont stand by Ukraine.

Speaking to MSNBC during a visit to Washington DC, the Foreign Secretary said: I am very cautious because foreign politicians shouldnt come here and lecture people and tell you what to do. That is not what I am doing at all.

It is really just saying I think there is a real danger to British security, to American security if we allow Putin to win in Ukraine.

It wont stop with Ukraine and indeed if we worry as I do about the future of China, if we worry about what Iran is doing, all around the world countries that wish us ill will draw a lesson if we dont stand by Ukraine.

01:03 PM BST

Foreign Secretary downplays meeting snub during Washington DC trip

Lord Cameron sought to downplay the significance of failing to secure a meeting with Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, during his trip to Washington DC (see the post below at 12.04).

Asked about the snub, the Foreign Secretary told MSNBC: I had a great meeting with Speaker Johnson the last time I was here and I didnt have a meeting fixed for this visit.

Instead I have been meeting and I will be meeting with party leaders in the House. I met former president Trump yesterday, had some great meetings with Secretary of State Blinken

12:55 PM BST

Lord Cameron: Israeli promises on aid could be transformational

Lord Cameron said he believed Israeli promises in recent days on getting more aid into Gaza could be transformational.

Speaking on the second day of his visit to Washington DC, the Foreign Secretary told MSNBC: We do think that Israel must prosecute this war according to rules of humanitarian law and I think that is very important.

I think what has happened in recent days and all credit to President Biuden for the call he had with Netanyahu, what has happened in terms of getting more aid into Gaza and getting those promises out of the Israelis, I think that could be transformational.

Yesterday we had more than 400 trucks go in, that is the highest number since October 7. We need more aid, we need to avoid a famine in Gaza.

But of course we should continue to support the idea that Hamas leaders cannot stay in Gaza. We cant expect Israel to live next to a terrorist state.

12:47 PM BST

Pictured: Rishi Sunak is shown CCTV footage of shop lifters at Horsham police station

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, is shown CCTV footage of shop lifters at Horsham police station during his visit to West Sussex - Richard Pohle /PA

12:24 PM BST

Sunak confident Rwanda scheme will get off the ground

Rishi Sunak said he is confident the Government will be able to get its Rwanda scheme up and running despite reports of problems with securing planes and the sell-off of accommodation earmarked for asylum seekers.

The Prime Minister told reporters during a visit today: Im committed to stopping the boats, we need to have a deterrent so that if people come here illegally, they cant stay, theyll be removed. Thats why Rwanda is so important. Thats why Im determined to see it through.

First of all, we need to get it through Parliament where the Labour Party has been blocking it for a long time.

Once its up and running, Im confident well be able to operationalise the scheme, get people on flights, because thats how well set up a deterrent and ultimately end the unfairness of people jumping the queue, coming here illegally putting pressure on local services, and risking their own lives.

12:04 PM BST

Lord Cameron set to speak to US broadcasters after snub

Lord Cameron is on the second day of a two-day trip to Washington DC.

We are expecting to hear from the Foreign Secretary in the next couple of hours as he takes part in a number of interviews with different US broadcasters.

His trip suffered a setback last night after it emerged he had been snubbed by the most senior Republican in the US House of Representatives who is refusing to meet to discuss approving a new aid package for Ukraine.

The Foreign Secretary said last week he was going to meet Mike Johnson, the House speaker whose party is blocking the support, and urge a change during a trip to Washington DC.

But the attempts of UK officials to lock down the meeting have been rebuffed by Mr Johnsons office.

11:49 AM BST

Rayner accused of hypocrisy over refusal to publish tax advice on house sale

Angela Rayner faced accusations of hypocrisy after it emerged she demanded a Tory candidate publish their tax returns as the Labour frontbencher now refuses to publish the tax advice she received on the sale of her council house.

The Labour deputy leader is refusing to publish the advice she received relating to the sale of the property a decade ago amid scrutiny of her living arrangements.

Senior Tory figures have now highlighted a letter Ms Rayner sent to Amanda Milling, the then Conservative chairman, in April 2021 in which she suggested the partys Hartlepool by-election candidate should publish in full her tax returns.

Sir Simon Clarke, the former Cabinet minister, tweeted that hypocrisy is the worst of political sins while Jonathan Gullis, the Tory deputy chairman, said it was evidence of the same old Labour.

It was suggested to Ms Rayner during a BBC interview in March that she could clear up questions about the house sale row by publishing the advice she had received.

Asked why she would not publish it, she said: Because I dont need to publish all of my details.

11:32 AM BST

Poll: Labour ahead of SNP in Scotland for first time since independence referendum

The Labour Party is now ahead of the SNP in Scotland for the first time since the 2014 independence referendum, according to a new YouGov poll.

The survey, conducted between March 25 to April 2, puts Labour on 33 per cent of the vote, with the SNP now in second place on 31 per cent.

Labour were up by one point and the SNP were down by two points when compared to the companys previous survey from October last year.

YouGov said the survey showed Keir Starmers party marginally ahead of their nationalist rivals for the first time since the independence referendum in 2014.

The SNP had a one point lead over Labour in the October poll, 33 per cent to 32 per cent.

The poll findings represent a boost to Sir Keirs hopes of winning the next election. Labour won just a single seat in Scotland in 2019, with a resurgence north of the border viewed as a key building block on the path back to power.

11:21 AM BST

Reeves wants HMRC staff back in office to boost customer service

Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, will demand that HM Revenue and Customs staff return to the office, despite Labours policy to make it easier for people to work from home.

Ms Reeves said that millions of pounds of tax were being lost every year because people are unable to speak to someone at the tax office when they ring to ask questions.

Last week, The Telegraph revealed that only 53 per cent of civil servants working in HMRCs headquarters were at their desks in an average week between January and March.

You can read the full story here.

11:06 AM BST

Rees-Mogg accuses ECHR of green fanaticism

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has accused the European Court of Human Rights of subscribing to green fanaticism as he argued the UK should leave.

The Strasbourg court sparked a Tory backlash yesterday after delivering a landmark ruling on climate change. It ruled that governments have a duty to protect people from climate change.

Sir Jacob, a former business secretary, said the ECHR is a political construct that believes itself to be above the law.

He told GB News: It is inventing and creating law rather than interpreting law. In other words, the court can make up any old rights it feels like. And this is guided by its own political ideology, one of which turns out to be green fanaticism.

In this way, the court makes a mockery of rights because it removes that fundamental democratic right of voters to change the law under which they live.

Thats why it is now time to leave. Our rights have always come from Parliament, not from unelected judges in Strasbourg, who make up the law as they go along.

10:46 AM BST

Yvette Cooper: Cass Review shows children have been badly let down

Yvette Cooper said the Cass Review revealed that children have been badly let down and Labour accepted all of the reports recommendations.

The shadow home secretary told Sky News: The report is very clear that children and young people have been badly let down and have been receiving treatment thats not based on evidence.

So I think the Cass Review is really important  we welcome it, Labour accepts all of its recommendations.

I think they should be implemented now, as swiftly as possible, and we would like to work with the Government on doing that.

10:32 AM BST

Sunak issues fulsome apology to Adidas Samba fans

Rishi Sunak has issued a fulsome apology to fans of Adidas Samba trainers after being accused of ruining their credibility when he was pictured in a pair.

The Prime Minister said he has been wearing the German sportswear giants classic trainers for many years.

In a video posted on social media, Mr Sunak  who claimed he is a longtime devotee of the brand  was shown wearing the white trainers during an interview in Downing Street.

British GQ magazine said that in a bid to present himself as young and hip, Rishi Sunak took an eternally cool sneaker and ruined it for everyone.

Mr Sunak told LBC: I issue a fulsome apology to the Samba community. But, in my defence, I would say I have been wearing Adidas trainers including Sambas  and others, in fact  for many, many years.

The first pair my brother got for me many, many years ago  my first pair of fun Adidas trainers as a Christmas present. I havent looked back since. So Ive been a longtime devotee.

10:26 AM BST

Sunak insists defence spending will keep the country safe in a less safe world

Rishi Sunak said the UK is playing a leadership role in Nato despite coming under intense pressure to further increase defence spending.

The Prime Minister has committed to boost spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product but only when the public finances allow, despite pressure from defence experts and his own MPs to go further and faster.

During an LBC phone-in, Mr Sunak was questioned by an Army veteran who urged him to spend more than the minimum on defence.

Mr Sunak said: The world is sadly a less certain and a less safe place and its important that we invest to keep the country safe.

Thats what weve been doing weve seen the largest increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. I authorised that as chancellor.

10:03 AM BST

Sunak refuses to commit to manifesto pledge to leave ECHR

Rishi Sunak has refused to give a commitment that the next Conservative Party manifesto will include a pledge to quit the European Court of Human Rights.

Mr Sunak has previously hinted that he would be willing to withdraw from the ECHR if it blocks the Governments Rwanda plan.

Asked if leaving the ECHR could be in the Tory general election manifesto, Mr Sunak told LBC: I am not going to get into the manifesto but I can be very clear and I have been repeatedly that I am determined to see this policy through because I think it is really important for the country, for the security of our borders, for fairness.

I am not going to get into the manifesto right now but I have been very clear I wont let a foreign court block our ability to put people on planes and send them to Rwanda.

We are a reasonable people trying to do a reasonable thing. Ive come at this very reasonably, weve worked hard, weve got the numbers down, weve done everything right, weve passed new laws through Parliament, weve addressed everyones concerns, but at this point enough is enough.

09:50 AM BST

Vote Reform and get Starmer as PM, Sunak tells wavering Tory voters

Rishi Sunak has warned wavering Tory voters that all they will achieve by switching to Reform UK at the general election is an increased chance of Sir Keir Starmer becoming prime minister.

Mr Sunak was grilled this morning during a phone-in on LBC by a man who said he had voted Conservative since 1979 but was now backing Reform, mainly because of net zero and immigration.

Mr Sunak said: Thanks for your support for the party over so many years, that is fantastic. I am sorry to hear about it but all I would say is, next election there is going to be one of two people prime minister at the end of it, me or Keir Starmer.

On the two issues that you have mentioned you should just come to a view on who you think is more likely to deliver for you.

He added: If you vote for Reform all you are going to do is put Keir Starmer in power and then we are going to get no action on those things that you care about.

Migration is not going to come down, the boats will not be stopped and he will adopt an ideological approach to net zero, reverse the changes I have made and that is going to cost you and everyone else.

09:33 AM BST

Sunak piles the pressure on Starmer and Rayner over council house sale row

Rishi Sunak claimed Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner had failed to provide straight answers to questions about the sale of the Labour deputy leaders council house.

The Prime Minister sought to apply the pressure to Sir Keir and Ms Rayner as he faced questions over his handling of the William Wragg honeytrap affair.

Mr Wragg last night voluntarily resigned the Tory whip and Mr Sunak was asked this morning why he had not taken action against him after the MP admitted involvement in the scandal.

Mr Sunak was told that Labour had claimed his failure to strip Mr Wragg of the whip showed his weakness.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, is pictured today as he took part in a phone-in on LBC - Simon Dawson /No 10 Downing Street

He told LBC: People can judge me if they want to judge me on that. That is fine, I accept that. When it comes to weakness, Keir Starmer still hasnt answered any questions properly about what is going on with Angela Rayner.

When it comes to me and my affairs people are very happy to ask lots of questions including Angela Rayner herself.

Mr Sunak continued: Hang on. This is someone who, so far as you believe the media, assumes he is going to stroll into 10 Downing Street later this year and this is the person who would be deputy leader, deputy prime minister of the country, and I think there are very clear questions for her to answer about this.

He hasnt answered them. She hasnt answered them. I think it is reasonable that people get a straight answer on it.

Ms Rayner has faced questions about whether she paid the right amount of tax on the 2015 sale of her ex-council house due to confusion over whether it was her principal residency.

The Labour deputy leader has insisted she has done absolutely nothing wrong.

09:05 AM BST

Not as much progress as I would have liked on cutting waiting lists, says Sunak

Rishi Sunak admitted he has not made as much progress as he would have liked on delivering on his pledge to cut NHS waiting lists.

It was one of the Prime Ministers five pledges set out in a big speech back in January 2023 but the numbers have remained stubbornly high.

Asked about waiting lists, Mr Sunak told LBC: Of all the areas that I set out, when it comes to the NHSthat is the place where we have not made as much progress as I would have liked.

The waiting list today is higher than it was when I took office. Now, if you look at what happened obviously it was impacted by the strikes and we were actually seeing progress before then.

But what I am heartened by we have seen the waiting lists fall for four months in a row now, actually, but by all means we have lots to do.

08:54 AM BST

Sunak wont say if Israel legal advice has been updated since strike on aid workers

Rishi Sunak said legal advice on UK arms exports is updated periodically but he would not say if it had been updated since last weeks Israeli airstrike which killed seven aid workers including three Britons.

Asked why the UK had not suspended arms sales to Israel, the Prime Minister told LBC: We review these things regularly according to a very clear process. That happens periodically as it has happened recently and that has led to no change.

And actually none of our closest allies have currently suspended existing arms licences either. So we continue to discuss these things with our allies.

Asked if the advice had been updated since last weeks strike, Mr Sunak would not be drawn as he repeated it is updated periodically.

He said: As I said, there is a long standing process. We have one of the strictest export licensing regimes anywhere in the world. Assessments are carried out periodically.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, takes part in an LBC phone-in this morning - LBC

08:46 AM BST

Netanyahu needs to do more to alleviate suffering in Gaza, says Sunak

Rishi Sunak said Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, needs to do more to alleviate suffering in Gaza.

The Prime Minister told an LBC phone-in this morning: It was a shocking tragedy what happened to our veterans when they were doing, selflessly carrying out aid missions into Gaza and I have also said repeatedly the situation in Gaza is increasingly intolerable.

The humanitarian suffering that people are experiencing isnt right and Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to do more to alleviate that. I made that very clear to him.

08:39 AM BST

Sunak: Extreme caution must be shown on children transitioning

Rishi Sunak said extreme caution needed to be shown on the issue of young people transitioning as he responded to the publication of the Cass Review.

The Prime Minister said the report and its recommendations were very supportive of the direction of travel already taken by the Government on the issue.

He told LBC during a phone-in this morning: We need to exercise extreme caution when it comes to these issues. We care above all about the wellbeing of children and it is clear that these things are not neutral acts, whether that is social transitioning, any kind of medical intervention, we simply do not know the long term effects of these things and that is why anyone involved in considering these issues of course have to treat people with sensitivity and compassion but also have to be extremely cautious when it comes to taking any action because we just do not know the impact.

And that is why I am glad we commissioned the report and I as Prime Minister have been very clear and consistent on this issue, I have taken the same stance throughout.

The report is very supportive I think of the direction of travel we have taken, particularly in our schools where we have issued guidance recently so that teachers know how to deal with these things

08:36 AM BST

Trans treatment will see fundamental change in direction, says minister

A minister said there would be a fundamental change of direction on gender identity treatment on the NHS as a result of the Cass Review.

Laura Farris, the victims and safeguarding minister, told Sky News: We began the work on changing it after her interim report was published, but I think that you can expect to see a fundamental change of direction that comes out of this.

Dr Hilary Cass, a paediatrician, today published her long-awaited review into the support and treatment offered to children who believe they are transgender.

It cautions that extreme care should be taken before anyone under the age of 25 transitions.

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.
Canary Islanders call for hunger strike to protest against overtourism they say is pricing them out

Locals in the Canary Islands are mobilizing to protest against excessive tourism, blaming visitors for pricing them out of their homes and causing environmental damage.

The Spanish archipelago, which sits in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa, has long been a popular holiday destination for its temperate year-round climate.

However tourist numbers have exploded from 11.5 million per year to around 16 million per year in the last decade, according to local environmental organization Fundacion Canarina, and many locals are now ready to take action to protest what they say is the overexploitation of the islands.

One group named Canarias Se Agota urged support for a hunger strike starting Thursday and called on people to form a human chain to show their support.

Every person who joins the human chain sends a strong message to the government: The Canary Islands are not willing to continue sacrificing their future, it said in a post on Facebook published Wednesday.

Local conservation group Asociacion Tinerfena de Amigos de la Naturaleza (ATAN) is also promoting a protest on April 20, citing the environmental and social collapse that we are experiencing.

Environmental group Ecologists in Action will be part of the same protest, blaming these issues on completely unsustainable tourism, with holiday lets and second homes pricing locals out of the housing market.

The group also blames local authorities for approving large tourist developments that worsen existing issues, such as increasing water shortages.

Tourism infrastructure such as swimming pools and golf courses use vast amounts of water, which is increasingly scarce as rainfall decreases and dry periods become longer due to climate change, the group said in a statement.

Next Saturday April 20 we will take to the streets to demand what should be common sense: to take control of a situation which is drowning us and expelling us from our home, reads the statement.

Its time to demand a change in approach and to shout, once more, from all of the islands, that the Canaries have a limit.

Surging visitor numbers

Golfers in Tenerife in March 2011. - EyesWideOpen/Getty Images

In response, local government officials have proposed a dialogue between politicians, academics and citizens to design a tourism strategy linked to social, environmental and economic sustainability.

The objective is to create a committee of experts to establish common guidelines, said Jessica de Leon, minister for tourism and employment in the Canary Islands regional government, in a statement published Tuesday.

De Leon has also proposed a bill that would introduce new rules on holiday lets.

Concerns about the impact of tourism are not unique to the Canary Islands.

Many popular tourist hot spots around the world have experienced record visitor numbers recently as the travel industry has roared back from a pandemic-induced downturn.

Such surges may be sweet for local economies and hospitality businesses bottom line, but they also come with notable downsides: increased noise, pollution, traffic and strain on resources; a lower quality of life for locals; and a diminished visitor experience, among others.

Not surprisingly, many tourist magnets have created initiatives and restrictions aimed to combat overtourism issues, including new or increased tourist taxes, campaigns aimed at discouraging problematic visitors and attendance caps at popular attractions.

One example is the Spanish city of Barcelona, which was among the first European cities to ban new hotels in its city center and restrict short-term room rentals, as well as closing a port terminal to cruise traffic in October 2023.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
JASPER COUNTY, Mo.  A Carthage man will spend the next three decades in prison for his role in a 2019 murder.

Judge Gayle Crane, today, sentenced Mason Roach, 27, to 30 years in prison for second-degree murder.

He pled guilty in January.

Carthage man pleads guilty in deadly 2019 jealousy shooting

As part of his plea deal, a charge of armed criminal action was dropped against him. Those charges stem from the December 2019 shooting death of Jonathan Powell, 36.

Investigators found Powells body at the Westside Mini-Storage units in Joplin.

According to court documents  Roach shot Powell out of jealousy, after finding messages between Powell and a woman. Police say that the woman witnessed the shooting.

Authorities arrested Roach in Oklahoma about a month after the shooting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it seized more than a dozen weapons, mostly AK-style guns, headed for Mexico to support transnational criminal organizations in recent weeks.

The weapons were seized in 10 separate events at the Port of Nogales in Arizona between February 19 and March 29.

MARYLAND DEM SAYS FORGET THE BORDER, CLAIMS IT'S A GOP TALKING POINT AMID CALL FOR MORE LEGAL IMMIGRATION

An AK-style rifle taped to the bare chest of a migrant.

In that time frame, CBP agents seized 17 firearms, including 13 AK-style rifles and four pistols. CBP agents also seized approximately $50,000.

Most notably, one of those AK-style rifles was discovered taped to the bare chest of a migrant. A photo shared by CBP shows the rifle bound by black tape to the migrants chest. The barrel chamber appears to be tucked into his jeans.

Port Director Michael W. Humphries said other concealment methods included guns hidden in an undercarriage and in cookware.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP





Original article source: CBP seizes multiple weapons headed for Mexico, including AK-style rifle taped to migrants bare chest
Chad Daybell is facing the death penalty in the murders of Lori Vallow's two children, Joshua "J.J." Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16, and his first wife Tammy Daybell

Rexburg Police Department ; Madison County Sheriff's Office/AP/Shutterstock Chad Daybell, left, and Lori Vallow

Chad Daybell had an "obsession" with Lori Vallow and made multiple predictions that his wife, Tammy Daybell, would die early, prosecutors claimed during opening statements on April 10 at his triple-murder trial in Boise, Idaho.

Chad is facing charges of first-degree murder in connection with the 2019 deaths of Lori Vallow's two children, 7-year-old Joshua "J.J." Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, and his first wife Tammy Daybell, 49. Four years ago, the bodies of Lori's missing children were found buried on Chad's property.



"Two dead children buried in this defendant's backyard," Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood said during opening statements. "The next month, his wife dead in their bed. 17 days later, this defendant marries Lori Vallow."

Related: Forensic Pathologist Reveals How Lori Vallow Daybell's Son J.J. Was Killed, Daughter's Cause of Death Unknown

Chad, who was married to Tammy for nearly 30 years before her death, also faces insurance fraud and grand theft charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he faces the death penalty.

At the beginning of the trial, which is being live streamed by presiding Judge Steven W. Boyce, Wood said Chad was a man motivated by sex, money and power, who sought to eliminate "obstacles" in pursuit of a life with Lori.

"More than anything else Chad's obsession with Lori was rooted in her adoration for him," Wood claimed. "He called her an exalted goddess."

John Roark/Post Register/Pool/AP Chad Daybell

The obstacles in the couple's way, according to Wood, were Lori's two children and Tammy. Tammy was found dead in her bed and although her manner of death was initially ruled as natural, it was later determined she died by asphyxiation, PEOPLE previously reported.

"You will hear from multiple witnesses that Chad predicted multiple times that Tammy would die an early death," Wood said during opening statements.



Chad's trial comes nearly one year after Lori was found guilty of murdering J.J. and Tylee and conspiring to murder Tammy. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in July 2023. Lori did not face the death penalty.

Tony Blakeslee/EastIdahoNews.com via AP, Pool Lori Vallow Daybell

Prosecutors suggested during Loris trial that Chad and Lori's life together revolved around a small doomsday cult that believed in preparing for the imminent end of the world and eliminating people whose spirits had turned "dark.

"Tammy Daybell, a vivacious, happy mother, was another individual labeled as a dark spirit to be removed," Wood said at Chad's trial.

Related: Lori Vallow Daybell Gets Life in Prison Without Parole for Murdering Her 2 Kids, Husband's 1st Wife

On June 9, 2020, the remains of J.J. and Tylee were found on a Rexburg, Idaho, property belonging to Chad. J.J. was wrapped in plastic and bound by duct tape; Tylee was dismembered and burned. The children were last seen in September 2019, and were never reported missing by the couple. Authorities began searching for the kids that fall after JJ's grandparents alerted police of their disappearance.

From left: Lori Vallow Dayebll, J.J. Vallow, Tylee Ryan, Tammy Daybell and Chad Daybell

On Oct. 19, 2019, Chad reported the death of his wife Tammy, saying she had gone to bed with a cough and didn't wake up.

Lori and Chad then married in Hawaii on Nov. 5, 2019, roughly two weeks after the death of Tammy. Lori was arrested in Hawaii on February 20, 2020, after refusing the court order to turn over the children to police or child welfare officials. After the bodies of Lori's children were found on Chad's property in June 2020, he was arrested. The couple were then indicted on murder charges in May 2021.

Related: Lori Vallow Daybell: Everything to Know About the Idaho Mom Convicted of Killing Her 2 Kids

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.

Although Lori was sentenced last July, she still faces separate charges in Arizona related to the 2019 death of her ex-husband Charles Vallow and the shooting of her niece's then-husband Brandon Boudreaux. She has reportedly pleaded not guilty in those cases.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
GeorgePeters / Getty Images

Becoming a landlord can generate an almost passive stream of income. But when a tenant leaves and you have to fill the space, you may have to put some work into the house or apartment to entice new tenants.

Read: How To Earn $4,000 a Month in Passive Income

Learn: 7 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)

The average rent cost, nationwide, for a two-bedroom house or duplex, right now, is $3,799. Rental vacancies in major cities are at record lows right now, according to CNN.com. This gives landlords an advantage when it comes to finding tenants. If you make the right upgrades, you might find that you can command an even higher rent price.

Shutterstock.com

Clean and Landscape the Exterior

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, as the saying goes. Just as you want to boost a propertys curb appeal if youre selling your home, you want to make sure your front entry appeals to renters.

Make sure the lawn, trees, and shrubbery are well-groomed. Power wash the driveway and siding if theyre looking old. Consider placing potted plants at the entryway. Add a fresh coat of paint to your front door, shutters, and garage door to make the house look like new.

See: Im a Real Estate Agent: These 5 Cities Are Becoming Unaffordable

Find Out: Barbara Corcoran: Investing In 3 Things Will Help Sell Your Home Fast

Sponsored: Protect Your Wealth With A Gold IRA. Take advantage of the timeless appeal of gold in a Gold IRA recommended by Sean Hannity.

Shutterstock.com

Paint the Interior

While you have your paintbrushes and rollers out, paint the homes interior. Choose neutral colors, such as gray or beige, with bright white trim for a fresh, clean look.

Housing Market 2024: Buy a Home in These 25 Places If You Want It To Gain Value

Shutterstock.com

Upgrade Bathroom and Kitchen Fixtures

Adding brushed nickel or rubbed bronze kitchen hardware, along with upscale kitchen and bathroom faucets, can give your rental house a lavish look without spending a fortune. Plus, splurging on these smaller items that get heavy use means they will last longer, saving you money over time.

photovs / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Upgrade Your Kitchen Countertops

A full-scale kitchen remodel can dramatically improve the value of your house when youre renting it out, or even when you plan to sell. But if youre not ready to invest $77,000 or more for a mid-range kitchen remodel, which is the average price according to Remodeling Magazines Cost vs. Value report, you can give the space a facelift with new countertops.

The folks at Schambs Property Management recommended quartz or cement in higher-end markets, or granite as a durable, functional solution for nearly any home.

Story continues

More: In Less Than a Decade, You Wont Be Able To Afford Homes in These ZIP Codes

Jodi Jacobson / iStock.com

Resurface or Paint Kitchen Cabinets

In lieu of a full-scale kitchen remodel, consider re-facing or painting your kitchen cabinets. Combined with new hardware, this affordable upgrade will make your kitchen look like new.

PC Photography / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Upgrade to Energy Efficient Kitchen Appliances

Energy-efficient appliances can save your tenants money if you arent covering utility costs as part of the rent. That means they might be able to afford higher rent if they know their electric bills will be cheaper.

Upgrading older appliances will also save you money in the long term as, ideally, you wont have to worry about paying for expensive emergency repairs.

When youre shopping for new kitchen appliances, make sure they all match and look for stainless steel appliances for modern appeal. You may be able to find deals if you have a local Habitat ReStore, where you can find new and used appliances at steep discounts. Proceeds go to support the nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity.

Read: ChatGPT Unveils: 5 Worst Cities To Buy a House in 2024

F8 studio / Shutterstock.com

Add Upscale Window Dressings

Schambs also recommended two-inch wooden blinds for your windows. Prospective tenants notice touches like these. Wood blinds can last for 10 to 12 years, according to VanGogh Window Fashions, which means they could easily outlast your renters.

Just make sure to install cordless window treatments if you intend to rent to people with children or pets, as blinds with cords or strings are a safety hazard.

alvarez / iStock.com

Install Wood Flooring

Experts agree that new flooring makes a difference when it comes to attracting tenants who are willing to pay more for a quality home. Carpeting tends to wear out quickly and typically has to be replaced each time you have new tenants. Youll save money over time with high-quality wood flooring that can last for decades with proper care.

Another popular option is todays laminate flooring or vinyl plank flooring that looks just like wood. Its easy to clean and maintain and, unlike solid hardwood, is virtually scratchproof.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Renting Out Your House? 8 Upgrades That Will Make You More Money
Chad Daybell labeled anyone who got in the way of his dreams as 'zombies,' prosecution says in opening statements

Chad Daybell is someone with a "desire for sex, money and power" and who labels people standing in the way of his dreams as "zombies" and "dark spirits," prosecutors said.

The remarks were made during opening statements Wednesday in Daybell's triple-murder trial. He and his current wife, Lori Vallow, were charged in connection with the deaths of Daybell's ex-wife, Tammy Daybell, and Vallow's children, Joshua "JJ" Vallow and Tylee Ryan.

"Youll hear in the world Chad and Lori planned for themselves, they identified those who stood in the way of their dream as dark," Madison County Prosecutor Rob Wood said.

"Their spouses, Loris own children and anyone who opposed them were labeled sometimes as dark spirits or even zombies. The evidence will show that it was a convenient narrative that dehumanized people who stood in their way," Wood added.

Daybells attorney, John Prior, asked the jury to focus on the facts of the case and to return a verdict of not guilty.

"Dont be distracted by speculation. Dont be distracted by guesses or assumptions or hunches," he said in his opening statement. "It all comes down to facts and evidence."

Joshua Vallow and Tylee Ryan. (Fremont County Sheriff's Office)

Daybell was arrested in June 2020 after police uncovered the remains of Joshua and Tylee on his property in Fremont County, Idaho.

His trial is expected to last 10 weeks.

Authorities have said they believe Daybell hid his stepchildren's remains sometime between September 2019 and June 2020. A formal search for Joshua, 7, and Tylee, 16, began in November 2019 after family members contacted authorities because they had not seen or spoken to the children, the Rexburg Police Department said.

Court documents later revealed that Joshua's remains had been buried in a pet cemetery and Tylee had been dismembered and burned in a fire pit.

Rexburg Police Detective Ray Hermosillo testified Wednesday about the moment law enforcement discovered Joshua's remains under a tree.

"There were taller shrubs. In the middle of the 6-by-6 section, it looked like there was just a little bit of grass. ... The ERT team began excavating that site. They removed the top layer of soil. ... At that point, you could see what appeared to be three large white rocks," he said. "As soon as they did that you could start to smell the odor, through my training experiences a decomposing body."

Hermosillo said as they continued to dig, officials found a "small body wrapped in black plastic with duct tape around it."

As authorities uncovered the remains, Daybell tried to flee, the detective testified.

"As soon as that was discovered, we received information on the radio that the defendant Daybell was leaving his daughter's residence which was catty-corner to his residence at a high rate of speed," Hermosillo said. "At that point, Mr. Daybell was pulled over and subsequently placed into custody."

Daybell and Vallow were indicted in 2021 on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and grand theft by deception.

They were also charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with the 2019 death of Tammy Daybell. In addition, Chad Daybell was charged with first-degree murder in her death.

He has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have said they plan to seek the death penalty.

Vallow was convicted in May in the murders of her children, as well as of conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Tammy Daybell.

In July, Vallow received multiple life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole in the deaths.

Authorities had accused Daybell and Vallow of failing to cooperate with the investigation into the children's disappearance and lying to officers about their whereabouts. They initially told officers that Joshua, who was adopted and had special needs, was in Arizona with a family friend but police determined that was not true.

The couple later abruptly left Rexburg. They were found in Hawaii in January 2020, when Vallow was taken into custody.

As police continued their investigation into the children, several mysterious deaths connected to the couple began to surface.

On July 11, 2019, Vallow's fourth husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed by her brother, Alex Cox, a few months after he filed for divorce. Lori Vallow and her brother were questioned by police at the time and claimed self-defense.

A grand jury in Arizona, where Lori and Charles Vallow lived, charged her with conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree nearly two years after his death. Cox was never charged. He died in 2019 from a pulmonary embolism, a condition that causes one or more arteries in the lungs to become blocked by a blood clot.

In October 2019, a few months after Charles Vallow died, Tammy Daybell was found dead as a result of what was believed to be natural causes at the time. Investigators later exhumed her body and conducted an autopsy that ruled it a homicide.

Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow married just two weeks after Tammys funeral, NBC affiliate KSL of Salt Lake City reported.

Prosecutors have said they believe Daybell, a self-published author of more than two dozen books about near-death and doomsday events, and Vallow became obsessed with apocalyptic beliefs that led them to commit the murders.

The indictments say the pair endorsed and espoused "religious beliefs for the purpose of encouraging and/or justifying the homicides" of Tylee, Joshua and Tammy.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Prosecutors claimed that Chad Daybell's pursuit of "sex, money and power" led to him killing his first wife and his second wife's two children during opening statements Wednesday in his triple murder trial in Idaho.

His capital murder trial comes nearly a year after his second wife, Lori Vallow, was convicted of murdering her two youngest children -- Joshua "J.J." Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16 -- in the so-called doomsday plot.

Prosecutors claim that Vallow and Daybell thought the two children were "dark spirits " and "zombies" and murdered them in 2019, approximately a year after meeting at a religious conference. The children's remains were found on an Idaho property belonging to Daybell in June 2020 following a monthslong search, police said.

Ryan's DNA was found on two tools in Daybell's shed, prosecutor Rob Wood said during his opening statement in Daybell's trial on Wednesday.

PHOTO: Chad Daybell sits during a court hearing, Aug. 4, 2020, in St. Anthony, Idaho. (John Roark/The Idaho Post-Register via AP, FILE)

Daybell was also charged with murder in the death of his former wife, Tamara Daybell, who died Oct. 19, 2019, of asphyxiation, prosecutors previously revealed during Vallow's trial. Seventeen days later, Vallow and Daybell married in Hawaii, prosecutors said.

During his opening statement on Wednesday in the Boise courtroom, Wood described Daybell as a "seemingly ordinary man" who was the author of books about the apocalypse and possessed a "desire for sex, money and power" -- echoing the prosecutor's statements during Vallow's trial.

"When he had a chance to what he considered his rightful destiny, he made sure that no person, no law would stand in his way," Wood told jurors. "This desire for sex, money and power led him to pursue those ambitions, and this pursuit led to the deaths of his wife and Lori's two children."

Wood told jurors they can expect to hear during the trial Daybell's "extended text messages to reveal his mindset and his motivations."

MORE: Murder trial of Chad Daybell, husband of 'doomsday' mom Lori Vallow, set to begin

Defense attorney John Prior told the jurors during his opening statement Wednesday that Daybell had "no remarkable background" and was married to his first wife for nearly 30 years and had five children with her before meeting Vallow.

He described Vallow as a "beautiful, vivacious person" who was "very manipulative" and pursued Daybell, her fifth husband.

He told jurors they can expect to hear about Vallow's past tumultuous relationships and the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was fatally shot by her brother in 2019 during a confrontation at her Arizona home. Police were investigating claims that her brother, Alex Cox, shot his brother-in-law in self-defense when Cox died from natural causes months after the fatal shooting.

Prior told jurors that Cox "would do anything" for his sister.

"Whenever there was a problem or threat, you will hear testimony that Alex Cox came to the rescue," Prior said.

PHOTO: Lori Vallow Daybell stands and listens as the jury's verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, May 12, 2023. (Kyle Green/AP, FILE)

Prior told jurors they will hear testimony from a DNA expert who determined that fingerprints found on the plastic that JJ was discovered in belonged to Cox.

Prior also said a forensic pathologist will testify that there was no way to determine Tamara Daybell's cause of death. Several of Daybell's five children also plan to testify about their mother's health, Prior said.

Jury selection for Daybell's trial, which began on April 1, took six days. The trial is expected to last around nine weeks, court records show.

Daybell, 55, was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the death of his former wife and two counts of insurance fraud related to life insurance policies he had on her for which he was the beneficiary, prosecutors said.

MORE: Lori Vallow Daybell found guilty in murder of her 2 children

He pleaded not guilty to his charges. He faces the death sentence if convicted of murder.

His case is being presided over by the same judge from Vallow's trial, Judge Steve Boyce.

Boyce sentenced Vallow to life in prison without parole after the jury in her trial found her guilty of all charges. The judge had granted the defense's motion to dismiss the death penalty in her case before her trial began.

Vallow has also been accused of conspiring to kill her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. She was indicted on one count of first-degree murder by a Maricopa County grand jury in 2021 in connection with his fatal shooting.

She was also charged with first-degree premeditated murder for allegedly plotting to kill the ex-husband of her niece.

She pleaded not guilty to both charges last year.

Chad Daybell's pursuit for 'sex, money and power' led to 3 murders, prosecutor claims in opening statement originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
As passengers picked up luggage Tuesday afternoon from noisy carousels at the Charlotte airport, Willis Mobley sat in the baggage claim area covered in a blue blanket, next to his belongings  with nowhere to go.

Over the past four months, from time to time, Mobley has been living inside the busy hub, he told a Charlotte Observer reporter.

Mobley is among many people who are experiencing homelessness and seeking shelter at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

But that may change soon. Airport officials are working on a new rule where Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers can remove them from the property.

I think its kind bad they would do that to people who have no place to go and cant help themselves, Mobley said. Its bad in Charlotte and if they can go to the shelter, its just as worse as being on the streets. You got bedbugs that bite and they get all through your stuff.

Aviation Director Haley Gentry discussed the issue with City Council members during the business meeting on Monday.

Gentry told members that the airport is seeing an increase in people living at the facility and blames increased square footage and the lobby expansion, The Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC reported.

The situation has been going on for many years and there are more homeless visitors during the colder months, she said.

The presence of homelessness is not unusual among airports across the country, an airport spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer.

The potential policy referenced at last nights council dinner briefing is to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public, our staff and our tenants and service providers by limiting those who are in the terminal to people with a business purpose, a spokesperson said in an email.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg region has a little more than 3,000 people experiencing homeless according to a February point-in-time count. That number is lower than the previous year which was closer to 4,000.

Charlotte Douglas Airports aviation director has the legal authority to set policies, procedures, rules and regulations according city ordinances. The policy may be implemented under those rules and will be made in partnership with CMPD.

This is something that has been implemented at numerous airports across the country, an airport spokesperson said.

Changes may start in June, Gentry told city officials.

The airport joined community partners in outreach efforts and works with Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte to help people experiencing homelessness. The organization provides street level contact and connects people who may need assistance through a network of service providers.

Airport worker Sheldon Thomas, who noted there are more who come at night seeking shelter, asked why Charlotte developers are always putting up new buildings, but no massive structures for the homeless.

I used to be homeless myself for two years, he said while showing empathy. They need to do more. It looks bad for our city. Youre building nice places, but the homeless have nowhere to go.

While airport officials make new plans, Mobley is staying optimistic about his living situation. Hes on a waiting list for an apartment through a housing program.

God willing, he said.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will participate in a Wednesday roundtable discussion addressing concerns over the Supreme Courts abortion ban.

The roundtable will feature Lyles as well as other elected officials including Charlotte City Councilmember Dimple Ajmera, reproductive care providers, and advocates.

The event is part of a campaign initiative by the President Biden administration and is expected to bring attention to former president Donald Trumps stance on the issue.

MORE FROM QUEEN CITY NEWS

Charlotte News

Other discussions are also taking place on Wednesday in North Carolina including in Durham and Winston-Salem.

Two years ago the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of ending Roe vs. Wade and 50 years of federal rights to abortions by putting terms in the hands of each state.

On Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in favor of a near-total ban with no exceptions for health, rape, or incest.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Hazardous 'forever chemicals' stay in your blood for years, longer than lead or arsenic. It still helps to cut them out.

Hazardous "forever chemicals" called PFAS are in most Americans' blood, and they don't break down.

The EPA just set strict limits for PFAS levels in drinking water, which can be a source of daily exposure.

One simple chart shows how long PFAS last in human blood, compared to substances like caffeine or lead.

Hazardous "forever chemicals" have probably been flowing through your veins for years.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of human-made chemicals, which are likely in your food, water, clothes, and furniture. They're linked to multiple cancers, thyroid disease, liver damage, decreased fertility, asthma, allergies, and reduced vaccine response in children.

That's why the US Environmental Protection Agency announced new, strict limits on the levels of six PFAS in drinking water on Wednesday. It's the first time the agency has passed a regulation to limit the day-to-day PFAS exposure that many people in the US get from simply staying hydrated. The EPA is giving water officials five years to test their systems, remove PFAS from the water, and comply with the new limits.

"It is easily the most consequential and difficult decision to protect drinking water in the past 30 years," Ken Cook, president of the watchdog Environmental Working Group, told reporters of the new EPA decision.

Scientists suspect PFAS are in every American's bloodstream  and they stay there. That's how these substances earned the "forever chemicals" nickname. They don't break down.

"Once they get into your body, they stick around for a really, really long time," Carmen Messerlian, a professor of reproductive environmental epidemiology at Harvard's TH Chan School of Public Health, who studies PFAS, told Business Insider in March 2023.

Just how long they stick around is straightforward to calculate using a rule of chemistry, called "half-life."

In humans, half-life is the amount of time it takes for your body to expel half the amount of a substance from your blood, by urinating or absorbing it into other tissues.

The half-life of a substance can vary widely between individual people, but studies have calculated averages. That research tells us how long PFAS can linger in our blood, compared to toxic heavy metals or everyday substances like caffeine.

That means if you completely cut PFAS out of your life  a feat that scientists say is virtually impossible  in four years, seven years, or maybe even 10 years, your body will have only expelled half the chemicals.

That's not to say getting PFAS out of our bodies is a lost cause.

After a lot of bad press around two of the most notorious PFAS  perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)  US manufacturers phased them out of production in the 2000s.

You can see the results in American's blood. From 1999-2000 to 2017-2018, blood levels of PFOA declined by 70% and levels of PFOS declined even more, by 85%, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A woman drinks water from a street fountain, which probably contains PFAS. iStock / Getty Images Plus

"That's an indication that when something is done, and when we stop using the chemicals, stop releasing them into the environment, the concentrations [in our bodies] do go down," David Andrews, a senior scientist studying PFAS at the watchdog organization Environmental Working Group, told BI in February 2023.

There are still thousands of other PFAS widely manufactured and used in products across the US, and the entire planet.

Everything from dental floss and menstrual products, to food packaging and furniture, is spreading PFAS throughout the environment and our bodies  from the day the chemical is first manufactured, all through the time you use the product, and even after you throw it away.

Regulating six of these chemicals in US drinking water is just the start of solving the problem.

"We're really just covering the very, very tip of the iceberg," Messerlian said.

"We need these chemicals to stop circulating in our environments by stopping them from being in the food production line, and the product production line," she added.

Catherine Boudreau contributed to this story.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  A Cherokee County man pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday and is awaiting sentencing for counterfeit pill manufacturing and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine-laced pills.

Suspected human trafficking incident leads to meth, cocaine, heroin seizure in East Texas

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, 45-year-old Robert Martin, of Alto, conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Photo courtesy of the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office.

Photo courtesy of the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office.

Photo courtesy of the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office.

Authorities say Martin set up a rotary tablet pill press on his property in order to press out hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills then distribute them throughout the U.S. According to information presented in court, he also recruited and supplied wholesale and mid-level distributors.

Back in July of 2023, federal and state law enforcement executed a serach warrant for Martins property. During the search, they found:

five firearms

five rotary pill presses

111 grams of meth

more than 7,600 grams of meth in powder form

more than 29,000 meth-laced pills

According to Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson, Martins arrest was made after a two-month-long investigation.

Woman arrested after dog abandoned near Lake Tyler

Photo courtesy of the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office.

Photo courtesy of the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office.

This action was the result of an ongoing investigation into an illicit pill manufacturing operation near Alto, officials said. This was a huge win for our community by removing these items and this individual from the streets of Cherokee County.

What they forget is that we have the best law enforcement in this part of the country working and Cherokee County is not going to be a safe haven for a drug dealer, Dickson said.

During sentencing Martin faces anywhere from 10 years in federal prison to life, but a sentencing date has not been set at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Chicago Public Schools opened preschool applications for the 2024-25 school year Tuesday, offering full-day programs to families of children who will be 4 as of Sept. 1 and half-day programs to children who will be 3.

We are excited to welcome children across the city to apply for our free high-quality preschool programs, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said in a news release. Its important to us that families are aware of their options for preschool, and can start this important part of their childrens educational journey.

Research has shown quality prekindergarten programs can improve academic outcomes and childrens well-being. In CPS, students from low-income backgrounds who attended full-day, district-run prekindergarten had higher third-grade reading and math scores than their peers in half-day programs, who were more likely to repeat a grade, a Journal of the American Medical Association study published in November found.

According to CPS, the vast majority  88%  of district preschool programs achieved the highest possible rating, the Gold Circle of Quality, in an independent state-approved review of the learning environment, teaching, administration and training provided.

City of Chicago Health Atlas data show an estimated 53.2% of children ages 3 to 4, on average across the city, were enrolled in preschool from 2018-2022. Among Chicagos 77 community areas, the estimated rate was as low as 10.4%, in Archer Heights, and as high as 99.9%, in Burnside.

As of last school year, CPS said it had fulfilled a 2018 promise to provide universal full-day pre-K to all children age 4 in every community area in the city. Programs for children age 3 are not available in every community area.

In total, according to district data, more than 13,000 pre-K students age 4 and around 4,500 age 3 were enrolled in the CPS as of the start of this school year, when officials attributed the first enrollment increase in 12 years in large part to expanded, full-day preschool.

CPS pre-K classrooms are joyful learning environments that set a strong foundation for future success in school and ignite a lifelong passion for learning, Chief of Early Childhood Education Leslie McKinily said in a news release.

Families can explore programs in their neighborhood and also submit applications via CPS Early Learning site. On May 22, the district will provide placement notifications to families who submit applications by the end of this month.
If we're looking to avoid a business that is in decline, what are the trends that can warn us ahead of time? When we see a declining return on capital employed (ROCE) in conjunction with a declining base of capital employed, that's often how a mature business shows signs of aging. This indicates the company is producing less profit from its investments and its total assets are decreasing. And from a first read, things don't look too good at Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (KLSE:ASTRO), so let's see why.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. The formula for this calculation on Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad is:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.082 = RM361m  (RM5.7b - RM1.3b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to January 2024).

Thus, Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad has an ROCE of 8.2%. Even though it's in line with the industry average of 8.4%, it's still a low return by itself.

Check out our latest analysis for Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad for free.

What Does the ROCE Trend For Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad Tell Us?

We are a bit worried about the trend of returns on capital at Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad. To be more specific, the ROCE was 22% five years ago, but since then it has dropped noticeably. On top of that, it's worth noting that the amount of capital employed within the business has remained relatively steady. Since returns are falling and the business has the same amount of assets employed, this can suggest it's a mature business that hasn't had much growth in the last five years. So because these trends aren't typically conducive to creating a multi-bagger, we wouldn't hold our breath on Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad becoming one if things continue as they have.

What We Can Learn From Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad's ROCE

In summary, it's unfortunate that Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad is generating lower returns from the same amount of capital. This could explain why the stock has sunk a total of 73% in the last five years. Unless there is a shift to a more positive trajectory in these metrics, we would look elsewhere.

Story continues

One final note, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (including 1 which is concerning) .

While Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.

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.
Taiwanese groups on Monday outlined a major disinformation campaign employed by Chinese actors during the island nations national elections, which concluded in January and delivered a blow to Beijing with the victory of a pro-U.S. candidate.

The alleged tactics from Chinese actors involved using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate videos and sow discord in Taiwan, including by completely distorting the words of at least one U.S. member of Congress, according to Taiwanese officials and nongovernment groups who briefed reporters at the National Press Club.

Many of the disinformation narratives focused on the U.S., such as falsely accusing Washington of building biological labs in Taiwan or fomenting the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

The narratives harbor clues as to how China is trying to manipulate public opinion during the U.S. presidential elections this year.

Other Chinese disinformation narratives found by the Taiwanese groups refer to the U.S. as a fake ally that will abandon Taiwan, accuse Washington of having a fake democracy and blame Americans for sowing chaos across the world  all while Chinese propaganda portrays Beijing as the source of good and order.

Chihhao Yu, the co-director of the Taiwan Information Environment Research Center, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) specializing in information research, said his organization has documented 84 narratives propagated by China seeking to stoke U.S. skepticism.

Chihhao said Chinese actors are pushing to fortify and reinforce a pro-Beijing alternative worldview, which he said his NGO is combating by data collection and focus group discussions on the local level to understand the impact of information manipulation.

We need to figure out how that is reaching from our phones to our minds and how that is changing our perception of the world and how that is damaging our shared reality, he said of the spread of disinformation. We no longer share a shared reality.

The campaign in Taiwan is especially concerning for Washington because China is using similar tactics in the U.S., according to Microsoft, which released a report this month on Beijings disinformation campaigns.

Some Chinese government-linked accounts have posted about presidential candidates in the U.S. elections, Microsoft said. One of the most prolific Chinese actors spreading propaganda is commonly known as Spamouflage, and another is an espionage group called Gingham Typhoon, which is very active in the Indo-Pacific.

Microsoft warned that Chinese actors honed their techniques and experimented with new media in the Indo-Pacific last year, using a complex strategy of AI-generated news anchors and memes, and may improve their ability to influence elections down the line.

We are prepared to see influence actors interact with Americans for engagement and to potentially research perspectives on US politics, Microsoft warned in the report. China will, at a minimum, create and amplify AI-generated content that benefits their positions in these high-profile elections.

Russel Hsiao, the executive director of the nonprofit research and Washington-based Global Taiwan Institute, said China is undermining the credibility and reliability of the United States in Taiwan and other countries.

So all the more important that theres stronger and better and more efficient public-private partnerships within Taiwan, between the civil society and the government, but also internationally between governments and also civil society as well, he said.

The NGOs said the disinformation campaign in Taiwan was spread on popular apps, such as video-sharing platform TikTok, which in the U.S. is being hotly debated. Some lawmakers want to ban Chinese-owned TikTok as a national security threat. The House passed a bill in March that would ban TikTok unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

Analysts are increasingly warning that China is seeking to influence the U.S. elections this year.

The Center for American Progress, a U.S. think tank, warned in a report earlier this year that Chinas AI-driven disinformation efforts have intensified.

Researchers wrote that Chinese actors are attempting to acquire Taiwan social media accounts and to pay influencers to promote its narratives.

It uses these methods to inundate online spaces with high volumes of content to manipulate algorithms and increase spread, they wrote. As the United States prepares for 2024 elections, Washington can examine both Chinas disinformation influence efforts in Taiwan and the effectiveness of Taiwans countermeasures.

The Taiwanese elections were held in mid-January. The victor, Lai Ching-te, whose pro-U.S. party currently governs Taiwan and rejects Chinese sovereignty over the island, beat out a candidate from the more pro-China Kuomintang party.

The election was closely watched by both the U.S. and China as tensions grow over a potential Chinese invasion or blockade of Taiwan. The U.S. has informal relations with Taiwan but commits to supporting Taipei. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has told his troops to be ready for a potential invasion by 2027.

During the elections, along with the disinformation campaign, China also intimidated Taiwan over the strait separating the two nations by repeatedly flying aircraft and spy balloons across Taipeis airspace and exclusive zone.

The election was ultimately a setback to Beijing as it solidified Taiwans preference for closer ties with the U.S., and it showed that voters were not largely influenced by Chinese propaganda.

Still, Eve Chiu, the editor-in-chief of the NGO Taiwan FactCheck Center, described a wide-reaching Chinese disinformation campaign that included narratives about the U.S. as the originator of COVID-19 and that the U.S. would fail to protect Taiwan in a war.

Eve said the scope of the disinformation campaign was bigger than the last election in Taiwan, with AI boosting the spread of the content.

China used generative AI to spread conspiracies about the CIA interfering in the elections and to manipulate the words of Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) to say the U.S. was accelerating arms deliveries to Taiwan, she added.

Its very hard to verify, she said, saying the videos are very sophisticated.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
China tried to meddle but Canadians decided the last two elections, says PM Trudeau

Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau takes part in public hearings for an independent commission probing alleged foreign interference in Canadian elections in Ottawa

Canada's Prime Minister Trudeau takes part in public hearings for an independent commission probing alleged foreign interference in Canadian elections in Ottawa

OTTAWA (Reuters) -China tried to meddle in the last two Canadian elections but the results were not impacted and it was "improbable" Beijing preferred any one party over another, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told an official probe on Wednesday.

In sworn testimony before a commission conducting a public inquiry into alleged foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections, Trudeau answered questions about intelligence briefings he had received and asserted the elections were "free and fair."

Trudeau set up the commission last year under pressure from opposition legislators unhappy about media reports on China's possible role in the elections.

Erin O'Toole, who led the main opposition Conservative party during the 2021 campaign, has estimated Chinese interference cost his party up to nine seats but added it had not changed the course of the election. Trudeau's Liberal Party won both the elections.

"Nothing we have seen and heard despite, yes, attempts by foreign states to interfere, those elections held in their integrity. They were decided by Canadians," he said.

Asked about an intelligence report about Chinese officials in Canada expressing a preference in 2021 for a Liberal minority government due to the perception that minority governments would be more limited in enacting anti-China policies, Trudeau said the report had not reached him.

"While individual (Chinese) officials may well have expressed a preference or another, the impression we got and consistently would get is that ... it just would seem very improbable that the Chinese government itself would have a preference in the election," Trudeau said.

On Monday, Canada's domestic spy agency told the commission that China "clandestinely and deceptively interfered" in both the elections, the firmest evidence so far of suspected Chinese meddling in Canadian politics.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Canada said Trudeau "slandered" China during the inquiry hearing, and that "China strongly deplores and resolutely opposes this."

The spokesperson said some politicians have attempted to target China in the public investigation. The testimony was full of specious words, and no substantive evidence had been produced, according to a statement on Thursday.

"China has never had any interest in interfering in Canada's internal affairs," the spokesperson added.

Beijing has previously denied all allegations of meddling in Canadian affairs and said it had no interest in doing so.

The elections were conducted amid high tensions between the countries over the arrest of an executive of the Chinese company Huawei Technologies in Canada, followed by the arrest of two Canadians on spying charges in China. All three were freed in 2021.

The commission will complete an initial report by May 3 and deliver its final report by end-2024.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa and Bernard Orr in Beijing; Editing by Chris Reese and Lincoln Feast.)
Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping held rare talks on Wednesday with a former president of Taiwan who supports closer ties with China, a highly unusual meeting just weeks before the democratic island swears in a new leader Beijing openly loathes.

Ma Ying-jeou, who led Taiwan from 2008 to 2016 and is currently in Beijing on an 11-day tour across China, met Xi on Wednesday afternoon, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The carefully choregraphed moment is steeped in political symbolism: its the first time a former president of Taiwan has been hosted by Chinas top leader in Beijing since Chiang Kai-sheks Kuomintang (KMT) fled to Taipei in 1949.

It is also the first meeting between Xi and former KMT leader Ma, since their historic summit in Singapore in 2015.

But their reunion also highlights the widening political divide across the Taiwan Strait  and how Xis ever more aggressive posture toward Taipei has driven more Taiwanese away from China.

In his opening remarks, Xi praised Ma for opposing Taiwan independence, promoting cross-strait exchanges and agreeing that both sides of the strait belong to one China.

Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese people. There is no grudge that cannot be resolved, no issue that cannot be discussed and no force that can separate us, Xi told his guest. External interference cannot stop the historic trend of the reunion of the family and the country.

In response, Ma said that although two sides of the strait developed under different systems, the people both belong to the Chinese nation.

If a war breaks out between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, it will be an unbearable burden for the Chinese nation, he said. I sincerely hope that both sides respect the values and way of life treasured by the people and maintain peace across the strait.

But the appeal of a shared Chinese identity has waned considerably in Taiwan as Xi ramps up military, economic and diplomatic pressure on its democratic island neigbor.

That trend was underscored in January, when Taiwanese voters shrugged off warnings by China and handed the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) a historic third term by electing Lai Ching-te, who has long faced Beijings wrath for championing Taiwans sovereignty.

Since then, Beijing has poached another of Taipeis dwindling number of diplomatic allies and ramped up patrols around Taiwans frontline islands after two Chinese fishermen drowned in nearby waters, while continuing to fly its fighter jets near the self-ruled island.

Mas meeting with Xi also coincides with a frenetic week of diplomatic activity in Washington where President Joe Biden will host the first-ever leaders summit between the US, Japan and the Philippines. Joint concerns over Chinas increasing assertiveness under Xi, including toward Taiwan, are a key driver of that summit.

A senior source in the Taiwan government told CNN Beijing postponed the meeting from Monday to coincide with the summit between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping shakes hands with then Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou before their meeting in Singapore on November 7, 2015. - Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images

Talks preconditions

Chinas pressure tactics are intended to nudge Taiwans incoming Lai administration toward a more accommodating political stance toward China, said Amanda Hsiao, senior China analyst for the International Crisis Group.

Mas visit continues this effort by underscoring Beijings position that cross-strait dialogue is only possible with those in Taiwan who accept the idea that the two sides of the strait belong to one China, she said.

Beijing has cut off high-level official contacts with Taipei since President Tsai Ing-wen from the DPP took office in 2016, riding a wave of anger over Mas controversial trade deal with Beijing and capitalizing on the growing number of Taiwanese voters determined to maintain the islands distinct identity.

Unlike the KMT, the DPP rejects Beijings precondition for official talks  an agreement under which both sides accept there is one China, with their own interpretations on what that means.

Official communication is unlikely to resume for Lai, who has vowed to follow Tsais cross-strait policies. Beijing has repeatedly rebuked Lais offer for talks and denounced him as a dangerous separatist and troublemaker.

But by fixating on Ma, who has been out of office for years and wields little power to shape Taiwans political reality, Beijing may be revealing its inability to find or cultivate another Taiwanese political figure of comparable stature who is willing to play dove toward Beijing today, said Wen-Ti Sung, a Taiwan-based fellow with the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub.

Beijings messaging

Ma is becoming something of a frequent flyer to the Chinese mainland.

The 73-year-old became the first former president of Taiwan to set foot on the mainland in late March last year, when he embarked on a 12-day trip across the Taiwan Strait. But he failed to win an audience with any leader on the Politburo Standing Committee, Beijings innermost ring of power.

Like last time, this years visit was timed to overlap with Qingming Festival  traditionally a time for people to pay tribute to deceased family members and worship their ancestors; it also comes just weeks before Lais inauguration as Taiwans president on May 20.

A meeting at this juncture enables Beijing to highlight the shared cultural roots between Taiwan and China, and to exert pressure on Taiwans next administration, Sung said.

Beijing is using this meeting between Xi and Ma to underscore the credibility and durability of its carrots  that Beijing is good to its friends, incumbent or retired. It signals to political leaders around the world that befriending Beijing is a worthwhile long-term investment.

Chinas receptivity towards Mas visit is also a signal to Taiwan and others that peaceful unification through winning over hearts and minds remains Beijings preferred option  at least for now, despite festering cross-strait tensions, Sung added.

And carefully curated footage of the talks  expected to reach millions of homes on prime-time television news in China  also serves as a message to the Chinese public that unification with Taiwan is still possible despite the DPPs historic election victory.

For Beijing, Mas visit is also a useful way of assuring its domestic audience  We have not lost the hearts and minds of the Taiwanese people, there remains cultural and historical connections that bind us, and the DPP does not represent mainstream Taiwanese views, said Hsiao, the analyst.

Taiwan's former President Ma Ying-jeou speaks to reporters ahead of his visit to China at the Taoyuan International Airport on April 1, 2024. - Yan Zhao/AFP/Getty Images

A journey of peace

Ma, who is traveling in a personal capacity, called his trip a journey of peace and friendship before departing for the mainland with a delegation of Taiwanese students.

He has received effusive coverage from Chinese state media, which referred to him simply as Mr. Ma Ying-jeou or former chairman of the KMT, with no mention of his former role as the president of Taiwan.

In the southern metropolis of Guangzhou, he bowed in front of a memorial honoring a failed uprising against the Qing Dynasty launched by Sun Yat-sen, who founded the Republic of China (now the official name of Taiwan). Sun is regarded as the father of modern China on both sides of the strait.

In the northwest province of Shaanxi, Ma attended a ceremony to honor the Yellow Emperor, a legendary ancestor of the Chinese people, and urged young people in Taiwan to remember the roots of Chinese culture and the Chinese nation.

On the Great Wall in Beijing, he sang a Chinese patriotic song about the fight against Japanese invaders during the Second World War. The song, composed soon after the invasion started, was popular among both the Communists and Nationalists.

But his emphasis on a shared Chinese identity is increasingly out of tune with mainstream sentiment in Taiwan, where less than 3% of the population now identify primarily as Chinese, and under 10% support an immediate or eventual unification.

Meanwhile polls show growing numbers of people  especially younger voters  view themselves as distinctly Taiwanese and have no desire to be part of China.

Reaction in Taiwan

Mas itinerary  and his meeting with Xi  has been closely watched in Taiwan.

The ruling party DPP will likely play down the significance of Mas China visits, preferring to describe it as the private act of tourism by a retiree, said Sung, with the Atlantic Council.

Taiwans opposition KMT will be torn  it wishes to celebrate Mas achievements with Beijing, but is also hesitant to flaunt it in the face of the Taiwanese electorate, which remains wary about closer cross-strait ties.

Ma remains a senior member of the KMT, which won the most seats in Taiwans parliamentary elections in January, but failed to capture the presidency for the third time running.

As the biggest opposition party, the KMT is eager to show they are more capable of managing relations with both China and the United States, but Mas meeting may do more harm than help, said James Chen, an assistant professor in diplomacy and international relations at Taiwans Tamkang University.

The DPP and its supporters have questioned Mas loyalty at home and labels the KMT (as) pro-China. Washington, especially Capitol Hill, may not appreciate Mas trip to China under the bipartisan anti-China sentiment, he said.

Few experts believe the meeting will result in any substantial change to the status quo in cross-strait relations.

The value of this meeting is primarily in its symbolism  an attempt to shape the cross-strait narrative to both parties favor while fundamental political differences remain, said Hsiao, from International Crisis Group.

But for Ma, the meeting will cement his legacy on cross-strait policy regardless of its outcome.

He likely wishes to be remembered as the sole Taiwanese leader who can break the ice with Beijing, Sung said.

CNNs Eric Cheung contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping met former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing, a rare act of diplomatic engagement between the two sides seemingly designed to spotlight the Communist Partys willingness to talk to the islands opposition.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The two septuagenarians shook hands before each delivering remarks while seated across from each other in a large conference room inside the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday afternoon.

External interference cannot stop the historical trend of national reunification, Xi told Ma  the first former Taiwan leader to visit the Chinese capital  while accompanied by Cai Qi and Wang Huning, two top party officials. His comments appeared aimed at the US, which provides Taiwan with political and military support.

Ma, president of the self-ruled democracy from 2008 to 2016, said both sides of the Taiwan Strait should oppose independence and stick to the 1992 consensus. Thats an agreement between China and the Kuomintang, which Ma once led, stating there is just one China, although they differ on their definition of that country.

If war breaks out between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, itll be unbearable for the Chinese nation, he added. Chinese people on both sides of the strait are definitely wise enough to handle various disputes peacefully and avoid conflicts.

Xi told Ma that talks could start if Taiwan recognizes it is part of China, according to Xinhua News Agency, which said the Chinese president also extended condolences to victims of a deadly earthquake in Taiwan earlier this month.

While the meeting is unlikely to lead to any fundamental changes in cross-strait ties, it carries symbolic weight. Initially reported to be scheduled for Monday, the sitdown eventually landed on the eve of a leaders summit between the US, Japan and the Philippines in Washington to discuss concerns over Chinas growing assertiveness.

Holding a Xi-Ma meeting around the same time as the US gathering could be an effort to contrast Beijings supposedly peaceful handling of cross-strait ties with the defense-oriented components of the trilateral, said Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.

Chinas most-powerful leader since Mao Zedong may also be trying to show that people from Taiwan, especially political figures, will be well treated and respected if they are pliant to his wishes, he added.

The ruling Communist Party considers Taiwan a breakaway province, and Xi has pledged to bring it under Chinas control someday, by force if necessary. Beijing frequently flexes its muscles on the issue, most notably by holding unprecedented military exercises around the island after then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei in 2022.

In contrast to the bonhomie between Xi and Ma, Chinese officials have condemned Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party and its incoming president, Lai Ching-te, as separatists who risk starting a war. Taiwan has warned China is likely to step up its pressure on Lai, including militarily, before and after he is inaugurated in May.

Chinas preferred negotiating partner in Taiwan is the KMT. Cross-strait ties flourished during Mas time as president, and he met with Xi in Singapore in 2015. That was the first summit between the two sides since they fought a civil war in the first half of 20th century.

Still, Mas influence in Taiwan has waned in recent years, exemplified by his failed attempt to broker a unity ticket between two Beijing-friendly candidates in the recent presidential election. Despite that he remains a rare Taiwanese figure with direct access to top leaders in the worlds second-largest economy.

During a visit by Ma to China last year, officials highlighted their nations cultural links with the island, as they have done on his current trip. Xi said on Wednesday that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have always been of the same origin, holding hands and looking forward to the future.

Song Tao, the head of Beijings Taiwan Affairs Office who also attended the sitdown, said in a meeting with Ma in the southern city of Shenzhen earlier in his trip that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese.

Chinese state media reported Ma visited the Great Wall near Beijing, where he sang a song dating back to the nations war with Japan. While in the northwestern city of Xian, the former Taiwanese leader visited archives that hold texts China says prove it holds sovereignty over disputed islands in the South China Sea.

--With assistance from Brian Fowler and Evelyn Yu.

(Updates with Xinhua readout in the sixth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
China's Xi says nobody can stop 'family reunion' with Taiwan

BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping told former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Wednesday that outside inference could not stop the "family reunion" between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and that there are no issues that cannot be discussed.

Since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's communists, no serving Taiwanese leader has visited China.

Ma, president from 2008 to 2016, last year became the first former Taiwanese leader to visit China, and is now on his second trip to the country, at a time of simmering military tension across the strait.

Ma had been widely expected to meet Xi this time around, having first met Xi in Singapore in late 2015 for a landmark summit shortly before the current Taiwan president, Tsai Ing-wen, won election.

Meeting Ma in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, where foreign leaders normally hold talks with top Chinese officials, Xi said that people on both sides of the strait are Chinese.

"External interference cannot stop the historical trend of reunion of the country and family," Xi said, in comments reported by Taiwanese media.

Xi did not elaborate but in Chinese terminology referring to external interference over Taiwan is generally aimed at the support Taipei gets from Western countries like the United States, especially arms sales which infuriate Beijing.

People on both sides of the strait are Chinese, Xi said.

"There is no rancour that cannot be resolved, no problem that cannot be discussed, and no force that can separate us.".

China has never renounced the use of force to bring democratically-governed Taiwan under its control, and has ramped up military and political pressure to assert its sovereignty claims.

Ma told Xi that tensions have caused unease for many Taiwanese.

"If there is a war between the two sides, it will be unbearable for the Chinese people," Ma said, using a term that refers to people who are ethnically Chinese rather than their nationality.

"Chinese on both sides of the strait absolutely have enough wisdom to handle all disputes peacefully and avoid heading into conflict."

Responding to the meeting, Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said it deeply regretted that Ma did not publicly convey Taiwan's people's insistence on defending the sovereignty and democratic system of the Republic of China, which remains Taiwan's formal name.

Beijing should stop intimidating Taiwan and resolve its differences with Taipei through respectful, rational dialogue, it added.

"MR. MA YING-JEOU"

Xi called Ma "Mr. Ma Ying-jeou" rather than former president, given neither the Chinese nor Taiwanese governments formally recognise the other. Ma called Xi by title as head of the Communist Party - general secretary.

Tsai and her government reject China's territorial claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.

China says it will only talk to Tsai if she accepts that both sides of the strait are part of "one China", which she has refused to do.

Xi has only rarely made public remarks about Taiwan in recent months.

Speaking to U.S. President Joe Biden in early April, Xi urged Washington to translate "Biden's commitment of not supporting 'Taiwan independence'" into concrete actions.

Xi has also not commented publicly on Taiwan's January presidential election, won by current Vice President Lai Ching-te, viewed by Beijing as a dangerous separatist and who takes office on May 20.

Ma remains a senior member of Taiwan's main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT), which in January lost the presidential election for the third time in a row, but has no official party position.

The KMT advocates close ties with China and dialogue, but strongly denies being pro-Beijing.

(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; writing by Ben Blanchard; editing by Jason Neely and Shri Navaratnam)
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  The City of Abilenes department of Parks & Recreation announced Cemetery Cleanup Days towards the end of April, giving everyone a chance to clear out decorations ahead of a deeper clean.

In a press release, the city said volunteers are needed to clean the Abilene Municipal Cemetery at 1133 Cottonwood Street before April 26. Volunteers are asked to remove all items on plots aside from grave markers.

After the 26th, city staff is set to remove and dispose of what is left over.

Volunteers will not need to register, just show up and do what you can!

The city also said no items would be kept at the cemetery shop.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The City of El Paso has named an interim director for El Paso International Airport.

Juan Antonio (Tony) Nevarez has been named the new interim director for the airport, the City announced in a news release sent out on Tuesday, April 9.

Nevarez has served as the assistant director of aviation for operations and security at the airport since 2017. He will begin his new role on April 26.

Nevarez has worked at El Paso International Airport for more than 20 years, starting out as an assistant operations officer.

Through his hard work, commitment, and leadership skills, he steadily rose through the ranks, serving in critical roles including Airport Security Coordinator, Operations Manager, and most recently as the Assistant Director of Aviation for Operations and Security, a City news release stated.

The City has a remarkable team at the Airport and I have great confidence in selecting Tony to lead them during this transitional period, said interim City Manager Cary Westin. His extensive experience and passion for aviation make him the ideal leader to guide the El Paso International Airport.

Nevarez is also a licensed commercial/instrument pilot and FAA 107 commercial drone pilot. He holds a bachelor of science in professional aviation from Louisiana Tech University.

The City will open a national search to identify a permanent airport director.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
EU finance ministers will discuss this week a plan and an investment agenda submitted by Kyiv as it seeks to secure 50 billion euros (around $53.7 billion) from the European Union's four-year Ukraine Facility, Reuters reported on April 10, citing sources in the German Finance Ministry.

The EU approved the financial aid package for Ukraine in February, allocating two-thirds of the amount in loans and one-third in grants. Ukraine has agreed to implement a variety of reforms as part of the conditions for receiving the funds.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal submitted the Ukraine Facility Plan to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on March 20.

The document identifies 15 key areas and 69 plans for reform, unnamed sources told Reuters, adding that they welcomed Ukraine's ambitious approach.

The sources did not provide further details on the plan, which they said the ministers would discuss at a meeting in Luxembourg.

Shmyhal said on March 18 that the reforms would cover "public administration, (the) fight against corruption, (and) economic and sectoral reforms in various spheres: from the energy to the agricultural sector."

Ukraine has already received the first tranche of 4.5 billion euros ($4.8 billion) of the Ukraine Facility funding.

Read also: Opinion: Answering your burning questions on Russias frozen assets

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A spokesperson for Charlotte Douglas International Airport says Charlotte City Council approval is not needed for the airport to put a new rule restricting access to people experiencing homelessness.

PREVIOUS STORY: Charlotte airport wants police to be able to remove people experiencing homelessness

The rule was first floated by Aviation Director Haley Gentry during a meeting Monday night.

The aviation director has the legal authority to set policies, procedures, and rules and regulations related to the operation of the airport under Chapter 4 of the City Ordinances, a spokesperson for Charlotte Douglas International Airport said. This policy may be implemented under that authority and will be developed in partnership with (the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department).

Airport officials think the new construction is partly to blame for the uptick. The new construction has increased the square footage of the airport and created more space for people, Gentry said.

Channel 9 has been looking into the homelessness issue at Charlotte Douglas since January and has spoken to multiple people calling the airport home.

For most people, baggage claim is the last stop before going home. For Frederick and Elaina, it is home.

I talked to a homeless man living in CLT Douglas right now. His name is Graham. He is from the UK and said after his divorce, he used his last 1,000 pounds on a one way ticket to Charlotte. He had never been here before but says God called him to be here to go to Elevation  Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) April 10, 2024

As long as you arent causing any problems or harassing anybody, you are pretty much alright, Elaina said.

They say they are two of as many as 30 people on any given night living inside Charlotte Douglas.

They have until June when the airport plans to put new rules in place that will give police more power to remove people experiencing homelessness.

Safety and security are our No. 1 priority at the airport and we always approach these situations with that in mind, Gentry said.

The county is paying a nonprofit, Hearts for Invisible Charlotte, $650,000 in COVID-19 funds to serve people living in places not intended for residency, which includes the airport.

Founder Jessica Lefkowitz told Channel 9 in January her nonprofit has helped at least 12 people experiencing homelessness at the airport find shelter or housing.

Twelve doesnt seem like a large number, but it actually is, she said. I think definitely because its bathrooms and because its heated. Having access to heat and bathrooms is significant when youre experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

This is a challenge being faced by cities across the country.

In February, Atlanta City Council passed an ordinance that restricts who is allowed to come and go inside the airport. The ordinance says only people on official business at the airport are allowed to loiter, including travelers, workers, and people picking up or dropping off.

Thats essentially what Charlottes aviation director is proposing.

If you are not at the airport for business, if you are not there working, if you are not there traveling, then you cannot be at the airport, Gentry said.

Charlotte City Councilman Tariq Bokhari says the city needs to get serious about addressing homelessness, whether someone is on the street or a rocking chair in the airport terminal.

Theres really, in my mind, no difference between that and what happens on Park and Fairview, he said. Its truly out of control and everyones hands seem to be tied.

Mecklenburg County Commissioner Pat Cotham frequently volunteers and serves the homeless. She says the city and county need to address the issue with compassion.

Im always for treating them as individuals and not as a group, she said. If theyre trying to just get them removed, I struggle with that.

Frederick and Elaina say they understand the airports situation and hope this spurs a larger discussion.

If they are going to find rules to prevent them, homeless people are going to find somewhere to go, Frederick said.

Frederick and Elaina say they consider the airport to be the safest place for them to be since there is security, access to bathrooms, and charging ports. They also say airport workers frequently donate food to the people living there.

VIDEO: Charlotte airport wants police to be able to remove people experiencing homelessness
City of Washington police looking for information on shots fired call

The City of Washington police are investigating a shots fired call in two areas from early Wednesday morning.

Police said a shots fired call came in just after 3 a.m. for the areas of Beech Street and Hallam Avenue and Duncan Avenue and Hallam Avenue.

Washington police are asking anyone with information on the incident to call the department at 724-223-4226.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Missing Beaver County man found dead during search of Monongahela River in Elizabeth Township 2 suspects charged after 60-year-old man brutally attacked inside his Sewickley home Airline offers service from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia for half the cost of traveling on PA Turnpike VIDEO: New bill would expand Pennsylvania's distracted driving law DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Civic Center Park flower beds to be planted after all, despite budget cuts

DENVER (KDVR)  Fear not, lovers of color, flowers and civic engagement: The Civic Center Conservancy has stepped up to ensure blooms fill Civic Center Parks beds this year, despite city budget cuts.

Denver announced in early February that as part of cost-saving measures to continue supporting migrants and sheltering them, the city would not be planting its flower beds.

The city projected a cost of $180 million to shelter migrants brought to the Mile High City from the southern border in 2024 alone. That cost dropped to $120 million after the city consolidated four shelters.

Its not clear how much the city anticipates saving by not planting flowers. The citys largest plantings are in Civic Center Park, Washington Park and City Park.

This book has been checked out over 30K times from the Denver Public Library

But the flower beds are one of the more visual measures that residents are starting to notice.

If we werent stepping into this role this year, we would certainly not see  we would see dirt beds in Civic Center Park just like we are going to see throughout the city, said Eric Lazzari, executive director of Civic Center Conservancy. The flower beds here represent more than just plant life but an opportunity of welcome and accessibility. Parks are public health and so are flowers.

The conservatory is seeking volunteers to help maintain the flower beds. The nonprofit also says that they are also raising $25,000 to help with future beautifying efforts. Details are available at civiccenterpark.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Cleotha Abston, the man indicted in the rape of Alicia Franklin and accused of kidnapping and killing Eliza Fletcher one year later was in court Tuesday morning.

His first day of trial included a packed courtroom with 15 jurors. Three witnesses spoke during the trial.

Jury selection underway in Cleotha Abstons rape case

Abstons defense argued that this was a prostitution case involving Alicia Franklin back in September 2021.

Abston is charged with rape, kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a weapon. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Its a case about a prostitute who got into an argument about her prices with her customer and called it rape, said Juni Ganguli, Abstons defense attorney.

Alicia Franklin has said in the past she wants her name and face known. But today she didnt want to be recorded giving her tearful testimony.

Lawyer says citys motion to dismiss Alicia Franklin lawsuit is ludicrous

She says she has worked to forget what happened to her and that she had complications with her pregnancy. She also says she met Abston to have sex and make money.

Memphis Police didnt request the rape kit evidence be expedited, so it sat on the shelf for nearly nine months before the lab could get to it.

This isnt TV. In CSI Miami we get those results in hour, 30, 15 mins. Here it took a year, said Paul Hagerman, state prosecutor.

The trial is set to continue Wednesday morning. The judge says deliberation should start on Thursday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
A junior at Clover High School who was driving a pickup truck died in a crash Tuesday afternoon in York County, officials said.

Sami Fayad, 16, died at the scene on Kingsburry Road, the York County Coroners Office said in a statement released Wednesday morning. Fayad would have turned 17 on April 28, the statement said. The area of the crash is east of the school.

Fayad was in 11th grade at the school, said Bryan Dillon, spokesman for the Clover school district.

The school will have counselors available for students and staff for as long as needed, Dillon said.

Clover school officials were planning to release a statement to school families later Wednesday, Dillon said.

Master Trooper Gary Miller of the S.C. Highway Patrol said in a statement Fayad was the driver and only person in a 2023 Toyota pickup truck that went off the road and hit a tree before 3 p.m. No other vehicles were involved, Miller said.

The wreck remains under investigation.
CMPD looks for person of interest tied to deadly shooting of teen employee

Police are searching for a person of interest tied to the deadly shooting of a restaurant employee last month.

PREVIOUS STORIES:

Fate Brannon, a 17-year-old employee, was killed on March 29 at a Jack in the Box in northwest Charlotte. Brannon was inside the restaurant waiting for someone to pick him up after work when two masked men shot him, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Police have already charged 28-year-old Marcus Dahn with first-degree murder.

On Wednesday, CMPD shared photos of a person of interest theyre looking for in connection with the case.

Anyone with information can call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a homicide detective. You can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

(WATCH BELOW: Family pleads for answers after teen employee fatally shot at restaurant)




Teachers and other Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employees could receive pay raises under Superintendent Crystal Hills 2024-2025 operating budget proposal presented Tuesday.

The $1.9 billion plan includes a $631.9 million request to county government. Thats a 5.86%, or $35 million, increase over the $596.9 million county-funded operating budget this year. Of the additional $35 million in recurring funding the district is seeking from Mecklenburg County, $14.2 million would go toward increasing teacher pay.

The community has repeatedly reiterated that education is a top priority for Mecklenburg County residents, which must be supported financially, CMS board chair Stephanie Sneed said Tuesday. We have an obligation to support our staff as well as our students. We cannot have great student outcomes without it.

All teachers in North Carolina are paid according to the same salary guidelines set by the state legislature. The current base salary for beginning teachers in the state is $39,000, and it will reach $41,000 by the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to projections presented Tuesday.

Individual districts also can boost teacher pay by offering a supplement.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Crystal Hill answers school board member questions Tuesday night during the presentation of her 2024-2025 recommended budget

Last year, we were really intentional about trying to increase salaries for our new teachers and staff, Hill said. This year, youll see that weve taken feedback from teachers and are trying to be intentional about retaining our most experienced teachers, in year 20-plus in the district.

Hills proposed budget includes an increase to teacher supplements for educators who have been teaching in NC public schools for 25 years or more by 6.2%  from $11,457 to $12,169.

The plan calls for an average teacher supplement of $10,801, a 5% increase over this year. That includes an increase to starting teacher supplements by 4.5%  to a total supplement of $7,636. However, this would still leave starting teacher salaries below a livable wage.

If the budget proposal passes, CMS projects beginning teachers will make a total of $48,636 during the 2024-25 school year. Meanwhile, the cost of living for an individual renting an average one-bedroom apartment in Charlotte sits at around $61,000 per year.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Chief Financial Officer Kelly Kluttz answers questions from school board members Tuesday after presenting Superintendent Crystal Hills proposed budget.

Right now, our 25-year teachers make a livable wage, but we do have a larger proportion of teachers who are earlier in their career, said the districts CFO Kelly Kluttz.

Around 1,400 of the districts teachers have 25 or more years of experience. Almost 9,500 teachers have less than 25 years of experience.

North Carolina currently ranks 36th in the nation for average teacher salary and 46th for starting teacher salary, landing it last among states in the Southeast, according to the most recent data from the National Education Association.

Other CMS pay increases

CMS also plans to increase starting pay for hourly employees such as janitors, bus drivers and cafeteria workers to $17.25 per hour. In two years, it aims to increase starting wages for these employees to $20 per hour. CMS also wants to create more salary incentives for hourly employees for years spent in state service  either with CMS or another district.

The hourly employee pay raises and incentives would cost around $9.8 million per year for three years.

The beginning hourly rate in CMS is currently $15.60, while the average living wage for one adult in Mecklenburg County is $18.20 per hour. Kluttz told Mecklenburg County commissioners at a meeting Feb. 21 there are 1,466 employees in CMS who currently earn less than $17.25 an hour.

Low wages with little opportunity for raises are causing retention problems for CMS when it comes to hourly employees.

Our competitors, like surrounding governmental agencies, have starting pay at around $20 per hour, Hill told community members at a budget workshop at Olympic High School in March.

County commissioners agreed raising starting hourly pay in CMS is a top priority during a meeting earlier in the year.

Id like to see us get starting pay to $20 or even $22 in the next couple of years, Pat Cotham, current Mecklenburg County commissioner, said at the Feb. 21 meeting.

Other expenses

Other items in CMS budget proposal, which are not included in the $35 million recurring funding number, include:

$57 million in delayed maintenance costs across 30 facilities. Hill recommended spreading the expenses across three years, with $19.2 million to be put toward the deferred maintenance costs during the 2024-25 fiscal year. This doesnt include buildings that will be renovated or replaced as part of the $2.5 billion bond referendum passed last year.

$16 million each year for the next four years on technology updates for students. CMS aims for each student to have a personal learning device they can take home next year. While North Carolina requires students to take state assessments on these devices, it does not provide any funding for them.

Employees in certain pay grades making less than $20 per hour next year will receive a one-time bonus to make their total yearly income the equivalent of those making $20 per hour. The following year and moving forward, the minimum wage in CMS will be $20 per hour.

The budget proposal will be studied by school board members, subject to a public hearing on April 23 and a CMS vote on April 30 before heading to the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, which has the final say on funding levels.

The next budget year starts July 1.
Cobb Co. polices Violent Crime Bureau arrests 3 men wanted for murder

Cobb police have arrested three suspects wanted for murder.

The three unidentified men were arrested in three separate encounters with police from March 20 to March 28.

Police say one of the men was wanted for a double murder in Douglas County.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

A second suspect was wanted for murder in Clayton County.

The third suspect was wanted for a murder in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The men were arrested by the Cobb County Police Departments Violent Crime Bureau.

TRENDING STORIES:

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Sergei Guneyev/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Sanctions are pushing Russia into the arms of rogue states and deepening dependence on China, a think tank said.

The threat of sanctions against foreign lenders is crippling Moscow's war production, a note from CEPA said.

But sanctions must work with a more robust Western strategy against Russia, the note's author cautioned.

Western sanctions are straining Russia's ability to fight in Ukraine, even if its war economy appears resilient and its output seems largely unfazed, a think tank expert said.

Writing for the Center for European Policy Analysis, Stephen Blank noted that the Kremlin's issues are becoming more acute, especially considering the relationships it's formed to stay afloat.

"Its defense output is clearly facing problems given the Kremlin is constantly running to North Korea and Iran for missiles, drones, and even artillery shells, thereby incurring serious IOUs that must be paid to these rogue states in the future," the Foreign Policy Research Institute senior fellow said.

The way Blank sees it, that's a consequence of improving sanction efforts. Of note is a US executive order from December, allowing the Treasury Department to place restrictions on foreign financial institutions that support Russia's military industry.

"This may well be a harbinger of a whole new generation of sanctions targeting Russian military production, not just the financial facilitators of Russia's war machine, but the trans-shippers, the intermediate companies, possibly even the salespeople and manufacturers that help Russia's war machine keep humming," he wrote for CEPA in January.

Already, this order has put off lenders in India, China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates from working with Russia, Blank said. Even an Austrian bank is under notice from the US, due to a branch it holds in Russia.

Not only is this slowing Moscow's defense production, it's cutting into its oil revenue, with energy firms in the country waiting months to receive payments. Individual sanctions have also targeted vessels carrying Russian crude above the Western $60-barrel price cap, reducing the Kremlin's ability to trade.

With fewer available tankers, freight costs have climbed, and the discount Russia has offered on its oil has eroded. That's caused India to increasingly look elsewhere for crude, despite being the biggest buyer of seaborne Russian oil in 2023.

Instead, China now bears that title, deepening a partnership with Moscow that favors Beijing.

"It also signals the Kremlin's growing dependence on China, which contradicts the entire raison d'etre of Russian security policy, namely the assertion of its sovereignty and supposed rights as a great power," Blank said.

Story continues

Others have gone as far as calling Russia a new economic vassal state of Beijing, securing discounted oil for China and a large market for its products. Bilateral trade between the two countries hit $240 billion last year, while Chinese exports into Russia rose 12.5% in the first two months of 2024.

Although Blank considers criticism that sanctions have been ineffectual to be misplaced, he argued that more needs to be done for the West to fully cripple Russia's war efforts and disincentivize trade with it.

The US and its allies, he said, need to provide a more robust strategy alongside these restrictions, such as timely weapons provisions to Ukraine, and counteroffensive measures to Russian disinformation.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A new campus, science buildings and... a farm? What this Boise-area college is planning

Students who may not be able to attend a traditional four-year university may have more of an incentive to attend the College of Western Idaho in the years to come.

The two-year community college plans a 10-acre campus in Boises West End neighborhood for its over 7,000 students who attend classes in leased buildings in Boise. That campus would include retail, food, apartments and a hotel.

Even sooner, CWI is already starting site work on a separate, $90 million expansion to its northeast Nampa campus.

The expansions aim to address an ever-growing student body that has outgrown a campus spread among several buildings throughout Nampa and Boise. Enrollment at the school grew 3.8% between the 2022 and 2023 fall terms to over 30,000 students, according to Ashley Smith, spokesperson for CWI.

The college received nearly $31 million from the Idaho Legislature for the Nampa expansion, and the rest of the money will come from campus development funds and donors, Smith said. Tuition would not be increased to pay for the work, he said. CWIs $139-per-hour tuition is a fraction of the tuition charged by Idahos public universities..

CWI plans to build a 50,000-square-foot Health and Science Building along with a 35,000-square-foot Student Learning Hub, according to a news release. The college also plans to add 40 acres and 38,000 square feet of building and lab space for its horticulture and agricultural science programs.

CWIs expansion projects are more than just an addition of buildings  its a bold step towards enhancing our educational offerings, and our communitys access to cutting-edge resources, said Gordon Jones, CWI president, in the release.

The already-built main campus is at right in this aerial rendering, looking northeast. Two new conjoined buildings are at left, a third is in center and a new barn and working farm are at top.

The biggest expansion would be for the colleges horticulture and agricultural sciences programs  including the addition of two academic buildings, two greenhouses, a barn and working farm, experimental labs, classrooms, student group and common areas.

The Horticulture and Agricultural Science Building would be north of the Nampa Campus Academic Building and along Cherry Lane, where the college has already started extending utilities and preliminary earth work. CWI estimates construction would finish in summer 2025 and would include programming for landscape design, a meat and animal science lab, floral lab and a retail area.

The Health and Science Building would consolidate health and science programs and provide space for programs including microbiology, biology, dental assisting, surgical technology and nursing.

The building would be built west of the Nampa Campus Academic Building at 5500 E. Opportunity Drive, near the intersection of Cherry Lane and Idaho Center Boulevard. It would be a key component of a future quad, the release said.

The College of Western Idaho is planning to build several new buildings next to this, the Nampa Campus Academic Building at 5500 E. Opportunity Drive.

The Student Learning Hub, adjacent to the Health and Science Building and also west of the Nampa Campus Academic Building, would host tutoring, a library, bookstore and one stop student services, the release said.

The college is now working on floor plans and design, with construction expected to start in fall 2025 and finish in fall 2026.

The college partnered with Montana-based design firm Cushing Terrell and Meridian-based construction firm Engineered Structures Inc., or ESI.

The new buildings will not only enrich our campus but will also equip our students and faculty (with) the tools they need to succeed in an ever-evolving world, said Molly Lenty, chair of the CWI board of trustees, in the release.

College of Western Idaho President Gordon Jones speaks during a celebration Tuesday of the new Nampa Campus development projects, which include the Health and Science Building, the Horticulture and Agricultural Science Building, and the Student Learning Hub.

Boise campus being designed now

The timeline for colleges Nampa expansion is much in line with its plans for its 10-acre Boise campus at 3150 W. Main St., which could open for classes in the fall of 2026, Smith previously told the Idaho Statesman.

The college entered into a partnership with Meridian-based real estate developer Ball Ventures Ahlquist to build a campus that would also include 200 units of apartments, a hotel, retail stores and a parking garage.

That project is estimated to cost over $250 million and could break ground later this year, according to prior Statesman reporting. Most of the funding for the project would come from revenue generated from the commercial developments rather than taxpayers.

Plans call for condensing the colleges Boise operations into an eight-story office building on the northwest corner of Main Street and Whitewater Park Boulevard. The building would include nearly 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

The second through fourth floors would offer 60,000 square feet of student space and classrooms while floors five through eight would have 80,000 square feet for future tenants, according to Smith.

The Boise campus was scheduled to go before Boises Design Review Commission on Wednesday, but Ball Ventures Ahlquist asked to defer its presentation until May 8 to finish working on design updates.

Business and Local News Editor David Staats contributed.

CWI, a 2-year college, wanted to offer an inexpensive bachelors degree. BSU resisted

CWI tries again to develop Boise campus by the river  this time without asking voters

Boises southwest downtown could change with apartments, retail incoming. Heres how

Dream to bring 1,500 homes to South & Southwest Boise still on the table. Heres the plan
In a new type of "travel high," an American was arrested on Tuesday by Colombian police for allegedly offering $30 "cannabis tours" to tourists in his home.

The 73-year-old man advertised on social media and a website for foreigners to visit his house in Sabaneta, a town south of the city of Medellin in the northwestern part of the country, Colombian national police said in a statement.

He also distributed flyers advertising "Cannabis Farm Tours" given by "Cannabis Jimmy." The materials said "free samples" would be distributed during the tours. Approximately 2-8 people were on each tour, and reservations were required.

Colombian National Police arrested an American citizen for giving

The tours lasted 2-3 hours during which the man taught visitors "the process of planting, caring for, harvesting, and maintaining this plant," police said. He also sold tour-takers marijuana for $20 a gram.

A flyer advertising Cannabis Farm Tours. / Credit: Colombia National Police

Police said they confiscated 1,380 grams of marijuana during the arrest. They did not identify the man, only saying he is an American.

Colombia has long struggled to control the trafficking, manufacturing and/or possession of narcotics within its borders.

Late last year, the Colombian Navy intercepted a shipwrecked boat carrying 33 kilograms of cocaine and 744 kilograms of marijuana.

The South American nation is the world's largest exporter of cocaine  almost 90% of the cocaine sold in the United States each year arrives from Colombia.

Largest dam removal project in U.S. history aims to help revive Americas salmon population

James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of the Oxford High School shooter, are sentenced

Gas, rent and grocery prices keeping inflation high
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, speaks during a House Judiciary hearing on a resolution brought forward by Republicans to impeach her, on April 9, 2024. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado House Democrats on Tuesday dismissed a resolution to impeach Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

The impeachment resolution centered on Griswolds actions and speech around the high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case to determine whether former President Donald Trump should be disqualified from Colorados presidential primary ballot under a seldom-used constitutional provision.

The resolution was defeated in the House Judiciary Committee on a 8-3 party-line vote after a five-hour hearing that covered the specific grievances laid out in the resolution, as well as Griswolds performance in office more generally.

Republicans brought the articles of impeachment to House leadership earlier this session, and the resolution containing them was introduced last week. It was sponsored by House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, and Rep. Ryan Armagost, a Berthoud Republican.

The Secretary of States highly political speech advocating for the removal of a candidate from an election ballot from her position of power, as the chief elections officer of the state, not only violate our First Amendment rights as citizens but, equally important, does not promote the confidence of a fair and impartial election process, Pugliese said in her opening comments.

The six articles alleged that Griswold, a Democrat, improperly used her post as the states top election official to support a state Supreme Court decision, in the case Anderson v. Griswold, that removed Trump from the Colorado presidential primary ballot.

The speech that is allegedly wrongdoing is me saying the truth that Donald Trump engaged in an insurrection, Griswold, who addressed the committee, said.

January 6 was part of a broader attempt to overthrow the will of the people. There is nothing political in me saying that, she said. There are not two sides of the truth. There are not two sides to what we saw at the United States Capitol on January 6.

Four Republican and two unaffiliated Colorado voters filed a lawsuit in state district court last year to block Trump from the states primary ballot, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits a person who engaged in insurrection after taking an oath to support the Constitution from holding office again  a Civil War-era clause to prevent former Confederate officials and future insurrectionists from holding office. The plaintiffs alleged that Trumps actions around Jan. 6, 2021, when his supporters breached the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election, amounted to engaging in an insurrection.

Colorado Rep. Ryan Armagost, a Berthoud Republican, brought forward a resolution to impeach Secretary of State Jena Griswold, during seen during an April 9, 2024, hearing on the resolution. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)

Both the district and state Supreme Court agreed that Trump engaged in insurrection. While the district court ruled that the 14th Amendment did not apply to presidents and ordered he be placed on the ballot, the state Supreme Court overruled that and barred him.

The U.S. Supreme Court then unanimously reversed that decision in March on the basis that it is the role of Congress, not the states, to enforce that section of the 14th Amendment.

Trumps name remained on the primary ballot in Colorado  Griswold never removed it as the case made its way through the system  and he won the Colorado primary with 64% of the vote.

Griswold was a defendant in the original case and took a neutral position in the proceeding. After the state Supreme Court ruled, she publicly supported the decision through posts on X and in statements to the media. She also filed a brief ahead of the U.S. Supreme Courts consideration that argued Colorado should be able to exclude ineligible insurrectionists from its presidential ballots.

Political theater

The impeachment resolution considered Tuesday alleged that Griswold denied Trump the right to due process by calling him an insurrectionist though he hadnt been found guilty of that charge, that she prevented him from appearing on the ballot, that she acted contrary to public interest, that she disrupted the presidential primary and that she used her office to obstruct the fair and impartial administration of justice.

The resolution alleged malfeasance on Griswolds part, because she played partisan politics as an office holder by making public statements about President Trump and the Colorado Supreme Courts decision.

She has destroyed the entity of the office by inappropriately asserting herself in the case against a presidential candidate, and thus creating distrust in her self-proclaimed impartiality, Armagost said.

Tuesdays proceedings were different from typical committee hearings. Instead of open public testimony, each side chose four witnesses, who had 10 minutes each to speak. The committee was allowed one hour of questioning for each panel. The committee was also granted 20 minutes of questioning to both the sponsors and Griswold after their respective opening statements.

Griswold invited Harry Dunn, a U.S Capitol police officer; Martha Tierney, one of the plaintiffs attorneys in Anderson v. Griswold; Amanda Gonzalez, the Jefferson County clerk and recorder; and Stan Garnett, the former district attorney for Colorados 20th Judicial District.

The impeachment resolution sponsors called as witnesses attorney Suzanne Taheri, former Republican state lawmaker Ray Scott, independent voter Carrie Mumma and former Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler, who represented Trump in the 14th Amendment lawsuit.

Nothing Ive heard rises to the level of impeachment, Democratic Rep. Marc Snyder of Manitou Springs said in his closing comments.

While Republicans characterized the committee hearing as an opportunity for the Legislature to exert oversight power, Democrats lambasted it as a wasteful, sham proceeding during the final month of the legislative session that hurts Coloradans trust in government.

I have so much work to do for people  my constituents and the people of Colorado. And I didnt get to do any of that for the last five hours because weve been engaged in political theater. And that makes me sad, Rep. Judy Amabile, a Boulder Democrat, said.

Rep. Mike Weissman, an Aurora Democrat, called the resolution the biggest assault on the rule of law he has seen during his time in the Legislature.

In Colorado, the state House can impeach by majority vote, and the state Senate has the power to convict with a two-thirds majority.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Colorado Democrats shut down Jena Griswold impeachment attempt appeared first on Colorado Newsline.
Columbus area lost key state leader. Here are the special election results to succeed him

The special election to replace Richard Smith in the Georgia House and represent the Columbus areas District 139 will be decided in overtime.

With all 10 of the districts precincts tallied Tuesday night, Republican Sean Knox has the most votes with 1,045, but he received 42.57% of the votes  not a majority  so he and the second-place candidate, fellow Republican Carmen Rice (1,033 votes, 42.08%), will compete in a runoff May 7, according to results posted online by the Georgia Secretary of States office.

Robert Mallard, an independent, and Donald Moeller, also a Republican, trailed the field with 237 and 140 votes, respectively.

Smith was a key leader for the Columbus area in the state legislature, serving in the Georgia House since 2005 and as chairman of the House Rules Committee since 2020. So when he died from the flu Jan. 30 at age 78, a big void was left in the local delegation.

The first step in filling that vacancy concluded Tuesday night, when the final results of the special election to succeed Smith were released by the secretary of states office.

District 139 covers parts of Muscogee and Harris counties, comprising these voting precincts:

Britt David, Chattahoochee, Epworth, Moon, St. Andrew, St. Paul and St. Peter in Muscogee County.

Cataula, Ellerslie and Waverly Hall in Harris County.

These were the candidates on the District 139 special election ballot:

Sean Knox, Republican, president of Knox Pest Control in Columbus.

Robert Mallard, independent, founding member and associate broker with Inheritance Realty Group in Columbus until November. Now, co-founder and beekeeper with Foundation Honey Company in Columbus.

Donald Moeller, Republican, oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Columbus.

Carmen Rice (not related to this reporter), Republican, human resources professional in Columbus, first female Muscogee County GOP chair.

Because this was a special election to fill a vacated seat, no primary election preceded it. So any district resident could have qualified for the ballot, regardless of party affiliation, but no Democrat qualified to run for this seat, which is in a predominantly Republican area.

The winner of this special election immediately becomes the Georgia House District 139 representative and fills the remaining portion of Smiths two-year term, which expires at the end of this year.

Knox, Moeller and Rice also qualified as Republicans for the May 21 primary. The winner of that race will compete in the Nov. 5 general election for the full two-year term against Mallard, who is an independent and doesnt need to run in the primary, and Carl Sprayberry, a Columbus chef, who is the only Democrat to qualify to campaign for this seat.
Column: Trump hoped to sidestep the abortion issue. Arizona's near-total ban shows why he can't

Then-President Trump, shown in Bullhead City, Ariz., hoped to sidestep the thorny abortion issue by saying policy should be left to individual states. But a near-total ban imposed by Arizona's high court shows how difficult that avoidance strategy will be. (Associated Press)

Donald Trump hoped to sidestep the abortion debate by suggesting he would turn the matter over to individual states, rather than having Congress and the president impose a nationwide ban.

But instead of deflecting, Trump's move tied him even closer to the issue by placing his political fate in the hands of judges and state lawmakers willing to go far beyond where most voters stand.

It didnt take long to see that dynamic, and its consequences, play out.

A day after Trump publicly announced his position, the Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a near-total abortion ban, enforcing territorial legislation passed in 1864  a time women couldnt vote and chattel slavery and racial discrimination were perfectly legal in America.

While court proceedings are likely to delay implementation of the ruling, the political impact was immediate, moving the abortion issue to the fore in a key battleground state, reminding voters of Trump's role in overturning Roe vs. Wade and handing a gift to President Biden and fellow Democrats.

As it is, voters think that Republicans want to take women [backward], said Christine Matthews, a pollster with moderate GOP clients. You can just write the commercial: Republicans want to take women back to the 60s  the 1860s, that is. ... It's just insane.

On Wednesday, Trump sought to distance himself from the Arizona court decision, saying the justices went too far.

Speaking to reporters in Atlanta, the former president said he thought the matter would be straightened out  though Trump was characteristically vague and did not clearly explain how.

Read more: Arizona's ban on abortion sets up the swing state for an election 2024 showdown

Perhaps more significantly, Trump also said he would not sign a national abortion ban if elected in November, reversing a promise he made as a candidate in 2016, when his antiabortion stance was key to his upset victory.

Arizona  one of a handful of states that will probably decide the presidential election  is also one of several where proponents have qualified or hope to qualify November ballot measures enshrining abortion rights into law.

The effort to reach Arizona's ballot received a major boost as a result of Tuesday's decision, said Barrett Marson, a Republican strategist in Phoenix.

"There's the economy. There's immigration and there are other issues, of course," Marson said. "But now abortion zooms to the top."

The ruling seemed to catch many in Arizona off guard, and the fear of repercussions was evident in the response of several leading Republicans, among them former Gov. Doug Ducey. He appointed the four justices who upheld the 1864 law in a 4-2 decision.

"The ruling today is not the outcome I would have preferred, and I call on our elected leaders to heed the will of the people and address this issue with a policy that is workable and reflective of our electorate," said Ducey, who signed a 2022 law allowing abortions in Arizona up to 15 weeks.

That legislation was nullified by Tuesday's decision, which gave precedent to the 1864 law and a ban on abortion "except those necessary to save a womans life."

Abortion has long been a nettlesome issue for Trump, whose stated views have evolved over the decades from supporting to staunchly opposing legalized abortion.

In a video statement Monday, he again took credit for nominating the three conservative justices who allowed the Supreme Court to overturn Roe and roll back the country's 50-year-old constitutional right to abortion.

But after months of musing over whether to support a national ban and at what stage of pregnancy  15, 16 weeks?  Trump landed on a perceived middle ground. States should decide the issue, the former president said, not lawmakers in Washington.

That disappointed some of the most ardent abortion foes, among them Trump's estranged ex-vice president, Mike Pence, who called it "a slap in the face to ... millions of pro-life Americans."

Read more: How suburbanites, Latinos and the ghost of John McCain turned Arizona into a presidential battleground

That said, leaders of several major antiabortion groups were quick to reiterate their support for Trump in November, reasoning that the presumptive GOP presidential nominee would still be a better choice than Biden.

We want to protect as many babies as possible," Penny Nance, the chief executive of Concerned Women for America, told Politico, "and supporting President Trump does that.

Polls have consistently shown that most Americans believe abortion should be legal to at least some degree  especially during the first trimester of pregnancy  and that a broad, bipartisan majority favor abortion rights in cases of rape, incest and when the mothers health is seriously endangered.

Most voters, however, don't cast their ballot based solely on the abortion issue, and even those who do tend to support candidates coming closest to their position, even if they disagree on some of the particulars.

Where the issue has mattered in recent elections is driving new voters to the polls, or motivating those who otherwise might not show up to cast a ballot. All evidence suggests that turnout has worked to the benefit of Democrats.

Biden and his party bucked history and enjoyed a relatively successful 2022 midterm election in good part because turnout in election battlegrounds surged among women and younger voters  both groups that tend to support legal abortion.

When the issue has been put directly to voters in the form of a ballot measure, significant majorities have upheld abortion rights in more than a half-dozen states, including such Republican bastions as Montana, Kentucky and Ohio.

"We know when voters have a chance ... they vote against extreme bans," Matthews said.

That's why Tuesday's state Supreme Court decision could prove vital come the fall  if those voters also support Biden.

Read more: Column: The abortion issue hurt Republicans in 2022. So why would they double down in 2024?

Democrats from Washington to Arizona were eager to capitalize on the ruling. Vice President Kamala Harris announced a Friday trip to Tucson, where she plans to discuss reproductive rights, and issued a statement condemning Trump.

Stacy Pearson, a Democratic strategist supporting the Arizona ballot measure, said the decision underscored the urgency of putting the abortion issue before voters in November.

She expressed confidence proponents would have the nearly 400,000 signatures needed to qualify the proposed constitutional amendment, but said they were aiming to gather as many as possible by a July 3 deadline, to withstand any legal challenges.

Pearson alluded to the high court's ruling and its throwback to Arizona's territorial days. "I'm urging women to go sign the petition," she quipped, "while they're still [allowed] to drive."

Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak

Focusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. Capitol.

Sign me up.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD)  A new spot for Lego lovers is coming to the Grand Rapids area.

An official Lego Store is opening at the Woodland Mall this summer, it announced in a Monday Facebook post.

Calling all Grand Rapids LEGO fans! The newest LEGO Store is opening this summer at the Woodland Mall, the post says. Stay tuned for an opening date and more details soon!

It will be the second Lego Store in Michigan, according to the toy brands website, with the other one located in Troy near Detroit.

West Michigan has some unofficial Lego stores, including a Bricks and Minifigs location just a few minutes away from the mall.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
A conservative group rolled out an ad on Wednesday encouraging other Republicans to look to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) on the issue of immigration following Youngkins decision to reject state legislation that would strengthen a federal program that conservatives say has led to undocumented immigrants receiving subsidized health care.

The 30-second ad, which was released by the conservative nonprofit Building Americas Future and first seen by The Hill, will air in Kansas, Mississippi and Missouri. All three of the states are considering legislation that would strengthen the program, known as 340B.

The ad features President Biden, Vice President Harris and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Health care providers are exploiting the 340b program by using the funds to foot the bill for health care costs of illegal aliens, which is greatly exacerbated by President Bidens disastrous border crisis, said Katie Miller, a senior adviser to Building Americas Future. We thank Governor Youngkin for keeping his word and rejecting the 340b money laundering scheme and we hope Republican leaders in other states follow Governor Youngkins lead.

The program was initially meant to fund facilities that care for low-income patients, however, conservatives note that the funding has been used to give care to undocumented immigrants. On Wednesday, Youngkin rejected SB119, which would have strengthened the 340B program.

The governor said he was deeply concerned about the federal 340B program and how it could be exploited to provide taxpayer-subsidized healthcare to illegal immigrants.

Immigration has become a key issue for Republicans up and down the ballot as the November general election nears. The party has slammed the Biden administration for its handling of the flow of migrants over the southern border.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Earlier this week, the Arizona Supreme Court dealt the latest blow to womens freedom by resurrecting a 160-year-old law banning abortion almost outright. Ditching its previous rules allowing abortion up to 15 weeks, Arizonan politicians decided Civil-War era legislation from 1864 would do, which bans abortion in all cases except when the mothers life is at risk, and punishes doctors who perform abortions as felons with up to five years in jail.

Following the overruling of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision by the US Supreme Court in 2022, which had provided federal protection for abortion, many Republican-leaning states began enacting bans. Abortion is effectively banned in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming, with other states either significantly restricting access or moving to do so.

Many of these states have so-called heartbeat bills  bans on abortion after six week, or when scans can detect a heartbeat. Some are generous enough to allow exceptions for abortion in cases of rape and incest. In Louisiana, one woman was refused an abortion despite a 10-week scan showing the foetus had the fatal condition acrania  missing portions of its skull. In Idaho, an anti-abortion bill enabled some potential relatives of the unborn to sue doctors who performed an abortion for damages  even, according to some reports, relatives of a rapist.

But is this a sign that Americans have turned against the pro-choice view? Not quite. A poll conducted by the New York Times and Sienna College in October 2023 found that 59 per cent of registered voters in Arizona believed abortion should be always legal or mostly legal, as opposed to 34 per cent who thought it should be mostly illegal or always illegal. The disjunct between the Republican pro-life fanaticism expressed by senior politicians and the feeling on the ground seems clear to see.

In his BBC radio series Things Fell Apart, documentary maker Jon Ronson argues that what he calls the current culture war over abortion might never have happened. Evangelicals, he argues, were largely uninterested in abortion until pop Evangelical scholar Francis Schaeffer and his son Frank began radicalising anti-abortion sentiment  in particular with their film 1,000 Dolls.

Whether Ronsons rather neat understanding of the culture wars as being the working of one family is true or not, what is clear is that anti-abortion sentiment is an awkward one for Republicans. On the one hand, abortion is seen as a private matter. And much like the Covid vaccine  which many hardline Republicans demanded was a question of bodily autonomy and outside of the states purview  abortion is seen by many as a personal choice. You cant claim to live in the land of the free, the argument goes, where the American dream encourages citizens to forge their own destinies, when half the population is legally forbidden from doing so.

Poll after poll shows that the rhetoric about abortion does not match reality  recent Gallup polling revealed just 13 per cent thought abortion should be illegal in all circumstances. When it came to political identification, 52 per cent of Americans described themselves as pro-choice, with 44 per cent identifying as pro-life  a pretty even divide which has been much the same for the last three decades. The use and abuse of pro-life campaigning by Republicans rings hollow when you realise how cynical it is  who knows what Donald Trump really thinks about abortion? His views seem to have changed as often as his spray tan.

This all would be laughable if it werent so serious for American women. Arizonans will now have to travel miles to receive medical care, and many will be unable to overcome the barriers put in their way. This will mean they will be forced to endure unwanted pregnancies. This kind of reactionary view of womens freedom doesnt belong in a country that calls itself the leader of the free world. If women arent free to make their own decisions, none of us are. Its time to start calling this barbarism what it really is.

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 summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth is speaking out after conservatives called for a boycott of the popular outdoor clothing brand, The North Face, simply for sponsoring them.

To incite outrage among its followers, anti-transgender extremist group Gays Against Groomers recently drudged up a post from 2021 in which The North Face announced it would be donating $70,000 to the LGBTQ+ summer camp, Brave Trails. Gays Against Groomers is identified as an anti-LGBTQ+ extremist group by the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center, with several of its leaders having known affiliations with far-right groups like the Proud Boys.

Gays Against Groomers described the camp, which is accredited by the American Camp Association, only as a place where kids as young as 12 go to perform in drag," likening the art form to the abuse of "grooming." The organization then called for a boycott of the clothing brand for its donations to the camp.

"It sounds like they are just begging for the [Bud Light] treatment, and we think we should give it to them," the group wrote, referencing the backlash the beer company received last year after a single paid promotion with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

Brave Trails is a nonprofit that focuses on leadership development in LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 12 to 18. Communications Director Jake Young told The Advocate that they will not be deterred from their mission of supporting young queer people as "hate groups try to promote a false-narrative about the work that we do."

"For many decades, the LGBTQ+ community has been targeted with false stories and accusations," they said. "Despite this, we believe that the negative words from these groups won't stop the important work we do at Brave Trails. We remain committed to creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, led by LGBTQ+ individuals."

Young said that "our programming is all centered around the goal of connecting LGBTQ+ youth to their people, place, and passion." For safety, those at Brave Trails are required to travel in groups of three at all times, and counselors undergo rigorous background checks and specialized training before they work with campers. Alongside first aid services, the camp also provides two counselors per cabin, and trained therapists available on-site.

Brave Trails' 2024 locations will be in New York and California, though Young said that they do not publicly reveal the addresses to protect their campers and staff, in the event of negative attention such as the recent online uproar.

"We have received an influx of negative emails and phone calls from folks who follow these news outlets," they said. "For the safety of our campers and staff, we do not share our exact camp locations and are working with cyber security authorities who continue to monitor any hateful online activity"

The North Face has not yet publicly responded to the social media wave. The Advocate has reached out to the brand and its parent company, VF Corporation, for comment.



Young said that Brave Trails is "immensely grateful for the support of our sponsors, donors, and community that helps us make an impact on youth in 50 states and 17 countries."

"Our mission is to provide inclusive environments led by and for LGBTQ+ individuals, offering resources, role models, and opportunities for youth to thrive," they said. "In light of recent negative attention from conservative groups, Brave Trails reaffirms our unwavering commitment to uplifting and empowering LGBTQ+ youth. Despite false accusations, we stand by our rigorous staff selection process and accreditation by the American Camp Association, ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality."


(Jacqueline Vigil, 55, was killed in November 2019. | Image Courtesy: Vigil Family)

NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Luis Antonio Talamantes-Romero, a 36-year-old Mexican national, received more than a life sentence in New Mexico last year for a 2019 murder. Now, the U.S. Department of Justice says Talamantes will also serve a 20-year federal sentence for illegal re-entry into the U.S.

Talamantes was the man behind one of Albuquerques high-profile murder cases. A New Mexico jury convicted Talamantes of the first-degree murder of Jacqueline Vigil and additional charges.

Former New Mexico lawmaker accused of fraud appears in federal court

Before the murder, Talamantes illegally entered the U.S. from Mexico and pled guilty to doing so in 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) says. Now, a federal court in San Antonio, Texas has handed Talamantes a 20-year sentence for one count of illegal re-entry.

That means Talamantes has received sentences of life in prison, plus 26 years in prison for the crimes in New Mexico, as well as an additional 20 years in federal prison for the re-entry. That federal sentence starts after Talamantes serves his New Mexico sentence, the DOJ said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
CHICAGO  New questions are being raised about the validity of a deadly police traffic stop that led to the death of 26-year-old Dexter Reed and a Chicago police officer being shot in the wrist last month.

An internal letter from the Civilian Office of Police Accountability to Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling was obtained by WGN News on Wednesday, revealing one officer fired at least 50 times during the March 21 traffic stop.

Acquired through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the letter revealed how COPA administrators are focused in on the conduct of one specific tactical officer who fired more than four dozen shots in the exchange, including the final three shots as Reed laid motionless and unarmed on the pavement.

COPA administrator Andrea Kersten addressed concerns about the stated reason for the traffic stop  an observed seatbelt violation, according to police.

The available evidence calls into question the veracity of this account, Kersten wrote. COPA is uncertain how the officers could have seen this seat belt violation given their location relative to [Reeds] vehicle.

Reeds name was redacted from the report since he was publicly revealed as the man who was killed in the shooting.

And the dark tints on [Reeds] vehicle windows, Kersten continued. This evidence raises serious concerns about the validity of the traffic stop that led to the officers encounter with [Reed].

WGN Investigates  Dexter Reed shooting: Policy versus public perception

Other concerns in the letter to Snelling raised questions about the proportionality of the police response.

Although COPA said Reed fired first, 96 shots were fired from CPDs tactical unit. While it is not clear how many shots Reed fired, one WGN Investigates source said around ten shell casings were found in his vehicle after the shooting and his gun was emptied of ammunition.

The evidence recovered in the aftermath of this incident indicates all four officers discharged their firearms at Reed AFTER he exited his vehicle and was unarmed, Kersten wrote.

The identities of all five CPD officers involved, including the officer who was shot in the wrist, were revealed in the internal document. WGN News is not including their names because they have not been formally charged with a crime.

As for the officer who Kersten wrote fired at least 50 times, COPA requested they be relieved of their police powers immediately, based on what Kersten described as the safety risk posed by their conduct during this incident.

COPA further stated it has grave concerns about that specific officers ability to assess what is a necessary, reasonable and proportional use of deadly force.

CCPSA addresses shooting

During a meeting unrelated to the Reed shooting Wednesday night in Morgan Park, Yvette Loizon, a commissioner on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, addressed the incident.

The CCPSA oversees CPD, COPA and the Police Board.

Loizon said shes not jumping to conclusions, even with the revelation that one officer fired their weapon at least 50 times during the traffic stop.

Weve seen a video, and we havent seen all of the rest of the investigation that has to occur, Loizon said.

Loizon, a partner at Chicagos Clifford Law Offices, urged the public to have patience after COPA released the body-cam footage from the traffic stop on Tuesday.

We like to think that the video tells the whole story, Loizon said. I can promise you the video never tells the whole story.

Loizon also noted that part of the investigation involves hearing what the officers have to say, too.

The police officers have to be interviewed so that they can provide their account of what happened, she said. To the best of my knowledge, none of those officers have been interviewed to date.

 The goal is to ensure that theres an independent evaluation by multiple layers of accountability bodies so that, hopefully, when its all said and done, weve gotten it right.

Pritzker weighs in

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also raised concerns about the deadly traffic stop at a press conference Wednesday evening.

I have seen the video, Pritzker said. I think were going to have to see a full investigation, and I hope that will be done very quickly so that we can figure out what, if any, changes need to be made.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) called for the death penalty to be abolished Tuesday after Missouri executed Brian Dorsey, a man who killed his cousin and her husband nearly two decades ago.

There is no place in a humane society for state violence. Governor Mike Parson could have saved Brian Dorseys life by granting clemency, but he chose to uphold his legacy as the Deadly Governor by denying Mr. Dorsey mercy, Bush said in a statement.

Dorsey, 52, was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m. Monday after a single-dose injection at the state prison in Bonne Terre. The execution came hours after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeals, The Associated Press reported.

He was convicted of killing Sarah and Ben Bonnie in December 2006 at their home and leaving their 4-year-old daughter home alone. After shooting the couple with a shotgun, Dorsey sexually assaulted Sarah Bonnies body and stole several items in an attempt to pay off a drug debt.

The execution stirred debate about Missouris single-drug protocol, which includes no provision for the use of anesthetics. The state settled with his attorneys and took steps to limit his pain but did not say what changes were made, or if an anesthetic was provided to Dorsey, the AP reported.

Bush and Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) sent a letter to Parson last week urging him to halt the execution. The congresswoman said her heart is with Sarah and Ben Bonnies families as well as Dorseys loved ones.

Bush said Dorsey was executed Tuesday despite serious concerns about his state of mind when he committed the offense and the legal representation he was provided.

A group of about 85 protesters gathered outside the prison in support of Dorsey ahead of his execution. His lawyers urged the Supreme Court to step in and said he has shown good faith in prison.

Dorseys lawyers said his public defenders were hurried through the case. He pleaded guilty in the case even though he had no agreement to spare him from the death penalty, the AP reported.

Mr. Dorseys case demonstrates the systemic rot of our criminal legal system, which not only fails to prevent violence but actually enables violence itself, Bushs statement said. We are so much more than our worst mistakes, and not a single one of us deserves to die because of them.

We must refuse to allow another life to be taken by our government. We must abolish the death penalty, Bush said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Corinth man turns himself in for Sunday stabbing

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man turned himself in to Corinth Police after being accused of stabbing someone on Sunday.

Dezmond Irons, 32, turned himself in to the Corinth Police Department after police made a Facebook post on Monday wondering about his whereabouts.

In the post, police said that officers were notified about a stab wound victim at Magnolia Regional Health Center. They identified the suspect as Irons.

There was a $2,000 reward for anyone who could provide tips that led to Irons arrest. Instead, Irons turned himself in to police on Tuesday.

He has been charged with aggravated assault.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Third-party presidential hopeful Dr. Cornel West has announced that activist and professor Melina Abdullah will be his running mate.

West introduced Abdullah as his vice presidential pick during a Wednesday appearance on the Tavis Smiley radio show and podcast, where he called her one of the great freedom fighters of her generation and a lover of the people.

Abdullah is a leader of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter and is a professor of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

During the announcement, West told Smiley he wanted a running mate whose heart mind and soul was committed to the empowerment of poor and working peoples of all colors.

Though hes never held political office, the Princeton professor emeritus has been pitching himself as an alternative for voters weary of major party candidates President Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Dr. Cornel West speaks onstage at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 29, 2016. He announced Melina Abdullah as his presidential running mate on Wednesday. Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images

Abdullah, who joined later in the interview, also described Wests presidential bid as a way to break from the binary of Republicans versus Democrats.

Both of us want to disrupt the narrative that you have only two choices, she explained.

So far, Wests ticket has secured ballot access in Alaska, Oregon, South Carolina and Utah. With those states alone, its unclear whether he could have a significant impact as a political spoiler.

West, who is running as an independent after initially declaring he would run with the Green Party, is not the only high-profile alternative candidate competing in 2024.

Though fellow independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has only made it onto the ballot in the state of Utah, polling from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ last week showed him averaging support from around 8% of people surveyed.

Related...
Independent presidential candidate Cornel West named Cal State Los Angeles professor Melina Abdullah as his running mate on Wednesday, saying that her commitment to social justice and to prioritizing the needs of poor Americans embodied the values of his candidacy.

I wanted to run with someone who would put a smile on the face of [civil rights activist] Fannie Lou Hamer and Martin Luther King Jr. from the grave, West said on Tavis Smiley's Los Angeles radio program.

Abdullah is well-known figure in local political circles: She co-founded the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter and has been a fixture in recent years at protests and acts of civil disobedience on issues including police funding and the war in the Gaza Strip.

West's choice means at least three women from California are running for vice president  Abdullah, Vice President Kamala Harris and Nicole Shanahan, selected by independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Former President Trump has not announced his choice for running mate.)

The three candidates reflect the wide spectrum of backgrounds the state has to offer, with Harris coming up in the rough-and-tumble of Bay Area politics, Shanahan steeped in the Silicon Valley and Abdullah representing leftist and progressive grassroots activism.

Read more: Column: In this Black Lives Matter family feud, we'll get transparency. But at what cost?

"It's striking. But that's about all that we have in common," Abdullah said when Smiley noted that she and Harris had Bay Area roots and both attended Howard University.

During the broadcast, Abdullah recalled first meeting West when she was an undergraduate student at Howard, and said she revered his influence on American political thought.

"It felt as though God was speaking to me, and I said 'yes,'" she said of receiving West's call last week.

She noted that theirs is the first presidential ticket in the U.S. to include a Muslim, and Smiley pointed out that it was the first all-Black ticket.

"Both of us want to disrupt the narrative that you have only two choices," said Abdullah, 52, referring to Trump and President Biden, the presumptive major-party nominees. "The world tries to tell us that we're tethered to certain ideas that we don't have to be tethered to. We can be expansive, and imaginative."

West, an academic, author and activist, said alternative voices are needed to represent the anger of Americans frustrated by wars abroad and a lack of investment in communities at home. Lacking the infrastructure of a mainstream political party, West is collecting signatures to appear on ballots across the country. According to his website, he is now on the ballot only in Alaska, Oregon, South Carolina and Utah.

Selecting a vice presidential candidate is a key part of the process of making the ballot in many states. Unlike Kennedy, who is also running as an independent and is garnering double digits in some national polls, West is barely getting more than single digits. The academic has failed to raise much money  making the task of getting on ballots all the more challenging.

"Trump is leading the country toward a second Civil War. Biden is leading the world toward World War III," West told Smiley, with whom he co-hosted a radio program a decade ago. "That's the choice you have if you only are tied to the duopoly. That's what it comes down to. We are providing an alternative. ... We ain't on nobody's plantation."

Cal State L.A. campus police remove Melina Abdullah, who is known for her activism, from a protest during a 2022 Los Angeles mayoral debate. (Ringo Chiu / For The Times)

In recent years, Abdullah has spoken out against police shootings and increases in the Los Angeles Police Department budget. She and other activists regularly appeared at Police Commission meetings, and as The Times wrote in 2015, turned "normally dry public hearings into hours-long confrontations that frequently devolve into officers clearing demonstrators from the room."

She has long pushed for abolishing the police and prisons, and in 2020 was a forceful opponent of then-Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey's reelection campaign, and a supporter of current Dist. Atty. George Gascon.

During that race, Lacey's husband, David, was charged with assault after he was accused of waving a gun at Abdullah and other protesters when they appeared outside the couples Granada Hills home early one morning. (The case was dismissed after he finished a diversion program.)

In 2022, Abdullah was forcibly removed from a mayoral debate on Cal State L.A.'s campus. She and Karen Bass, who has been mayor of Los Angeles since that election, have a decades-long relationship.

In 2020, after the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Abdullah was a central figure in organizing large rallies in Los Angeles. More than a decade ago, along with Patrisse Cullors and others, she built what would grow to become the Black Lives Matter movement and later the nonprofit Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation.

Abdullah also is the founder of Black Lives Matter Grassroots Inc., which made waves in 2022 by accusing the foundation and one of its executives, Shalomyah Bowers, of "fraudulently [raising] money from unsuspecting donors" and diverting more than $10 million to benefit Bowers and his consulting firm.

Bowers and the foundation vigorously denied the allegations and sought the dismissal of the lawsuit. L.A. Superior Court Judge Stephanie Bowick agreed to toss out the suit in June 2023.

In her ruling, Bowick wrote that part of the lawsuit's "allegations are so confusing and unintelligible it cannot even be determined what" was being alleged.

The judge earlier this year ordered Abdullah's group to pay more than $374,000 in legal fees and costs to the foundation, Bowers and his consulting group.

Smiley asked about these legal fights, and Abdullah said that as nonprofits, the various chapters that belong to Black Lives Matter Grassroots wouldn't be endorsing anyone in the 2024 race.

"Some people might see it as baggage, but I actually see the work and experience of organizing and the kind of authenticity of our work as being something that actually fuels this campaign," she said. "I know that as we move forward, organizing is essential."

Last month, Abdullah was sued by Nana Lawson Bush V, a colleague in Cal State L.A.'s department of pan-African studies, who accused Abdullah of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Bush said that Abdullah had characterized him as a "horrible oppressive, vindictive, misogynist," a "polygamist" and "a voodoo practitioner," and that her "defamatory statements" had scuttled his appointment as interim dean of the university's College of Ethnic Studies, according to the lawsuit, filed in L.A. County Superior Court.

In the suit, Bush contends that Abdullah had been campaigning for years for the position, including with the hashtag #DrAbdullah4Dean, and that she vowed to "go public with everything" if Bush were appointed.

"Dr. Abdullah has the knowledge and understanding of how her allegations negatively affect Dr. Bush as an African American man," states the lawsuit, which also accuses the university and its trustees of harassment, retaliation and failure to prevent discrimination.

Neither Abdullah or nor her attorneys have responded in court, and Abdullah didn't respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Atiya Myers, the lawyer representing Bush, declined to comment on Abdullah entering the political race, saying that " the legal proceedings and their merits are entirely separate from the political sphere and should be viewed as such."

"Dr. Bush's decision to refrain from commenting on Dr. Abdullah's qualifications or fitness for vice-presidential candidacy is a reflection of this stance and is in no way indicative of any prejudice towards her candidacy or Dr. West's campaign," Myers said in a statement.

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Clark County coroner has officially identified the two people killed Monday in a shooting at a Summerlin law office, and the man who shot and killed them before dying by suicide.

Joe Houston II, 77, killed Dennis Prince, 57; and Ashley Prince, 30, before shooting himself, officials confirmed Tuesday. The office did not provide the cause nor manners of death.

The 8 News Now Investigators identified all three people on Monday through sources.

Dennis Prince speaking with 8 News Now in his office in 2024. (KLAS)

Joe Houston II shot and killed the Princes in Dennis Princes fifth-floor office in a building near Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa during a deposition Monday, sources confirmed. Joe Houston II was there to represent his son, Dylan Houston, in a custody dispute with his former wife, Ashley Prince.

The Princes recently had a child together, friends confirmed to the 8 News Now Investigators. Both also had children from previous marriages.

Our family is in a state of profound shock and sadness at yesterdays events, a spokesperson for the Houston family said in a statement Tuesday. We ask for prayers and privacy as we try to navigate the coming days. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is still conducting their investigation and as that continues, speculation about details of the incident only serves to add trauma to our already grieving and overwhelmed families. We have full faith in Metros efforts and will leave all future comment to them as their investigation unfolds.

A graphic showing the relationships among Dennis Prince, Ashley Prince and Joe Houston II. (KLAS)

With profound sadness, Prince Law Group would like to thank everyone who has reached out to us with heartfelt messages of concern and sympathy over the tragic violence that occurred this morning in our offices, a spokesperson for the law group said Monday evening. We ask that you please respect the privacy of the families involved.

Those needing victim services can call 702-455-AIDE (2433).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
ORIENT, Ohio (WCMH)  A lieutenant was shot and killed on Tuesday during a tragic accident at the Corrections Training Academy in Pickaway County.

Lt. Rodney Osborne (ODRC)

Rodney Osborne was fatally shot just before 11 :30 a.m. at the academys tactical firing range, according to Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction director Annette Chambers-Smith. Osborne had served with the department for 13 years and worked at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Scioto County.

This appears to have been a tragic accident, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating, said Chambers-Smith. We ask that you keep Lt. Osbornes wife, children, loved ones, and team members in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Osborne was part of the facilitys honor guard and had been named employee of the year just last week. He was also a member of the special response team and the statewide special tactics and response team.

The highway patrol has yet to announce what led to the fatal shooting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
A corrections officer was killed during a training exercise this week, Ohio officials said.

Lt. Rodney Osborne of the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility was shot and killed during a training exercise on April 9, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Director Annette Chambers-Smith told McClatchy News in a statement April 10.

Osborne was shot at the Corrections Training Academy tactical firing range, according to the department.

This appears to have been a tragic accident, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating, Chambers-Smith said.

Osborne was shot in the chest during training and was conscious as bystanders performed CPR, according to a copy of the 911 calls obtained by The Columbus Dispatch.

Osborne was employed by the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility for 13 years and was named its employee of the year just days before his death, officials said.

He was on the facilitys honor guard and Special Response Team, and he was a member of the statewide Special Tactics And Response team, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction statement.

On April 10, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered U.S. and state flags at all of the departments facilities to be flown at half-staff in honor of Osborne.

We ask that you keep Lt. Osbornes wife, children, loved ones, and team members in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, Chambers-Smith said.







The correctional facility is in Scioto County about an 80-mile drive south from Columbus.

Mother found covered in feces, fused to the bed, PA cops say. Son charged with abuse

Cop shoots 15-year-old boy accused of aiming fake gun at homes, Ohio police say

Teacher faces termination for using sick days to attend concert, Ohio district says
Countries of Northern Europe and Baltic countries to provide expert support to Ukraine on its path to EU

Eight countries from Northern Europe and the Baltics will assemble a group of experts to assist Ukraine during the negotiation stage of the EU accession process.

Source: European Pravda, citing Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom after the meeting of the foreign ministers of the countries on the island of Gotland, as reported by Reuters

He said that the countries of Northern Europe and the Baltics support the strengthening of NATO's role in providing assistance to Ukraine in its war with Russia and support the country's aspirations for EU membership.

Quote: "We support an increased role for NATO in providing security related assistance to Ukraine and coordinating military support and equipment," Billstrom said.

He added that eight countries from Northern Europe and the Baltics, during the meeting on the Swedish island of Gotland, agreed to assemble a group of experts to assist Ukraine in its efforts towards European Union membership.

"This offers an opportunity to facilitate Ukraine's path towards membership in the European family," the minister said.

The initiative has already been responded to by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba.

"I am grateful to Swedens Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom and all the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) foreign ministers for launching an initiative to establish a High-Level Consultative Group for Ukraine's delegation at EU-accession negotiations. The Nordic and Baltic nations continue to provide Ukraine with vital assistance and support," Kuleba posted on X.

Background:

Earlier, it was reported that the Ukrainian side and Brussels are working to ensure that the official opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU takes place no later than the end of June, when Belgium's presidency of the EU Council ends and Hungary's six-month presidency begins.

Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal confirmed Ukraine's intention to start accession negotiations with the EU in the first half of this year.

Support UP or become our patron!
After two years, Aviatori Coffeehouse on North Logan Street is closing its doors for the foreseeable future. The business is searching to change hands and sell the establishment according to coffeehouse founder Juliana Turchetti, whose new job is taking her out of the barista bar and full-time into the skies.

The business hosted two final official days open on April 8 and 9 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. offering their home-roasted Brazilian beans, baked goods and through-the-roof plane decor.

The business was listed last month with agent Blake Pryor of Coldwell Banker Commercial for $349,000 including all equipment, building fixtures, inventory and location  meaning the 55 parking spots adjacent to the lot, which are rented out to Illinois Department of Revenue employees, are part of the deal.

More: African American History Museum in Springfield searching for new executive director

As of April 8, two buyers have made offers for the business and subsequent lot, but according to Turchetti a deal has yet to be struck and an answer to who will run the business will be available early May.

Aviatori Coffeehouse originally opened in May of 2022 after Turchetti and her ex-husband bought the property from the estate business owned by Tony Leone, who died in 2021. The house on Logan Street was built by Leones grandfather and is dated back to 1918 with carved wood embellishments throughout the house-turned-business.

In a Facebook post on March 30, Turchetti announced the next step in her career-path as aerial firefighter with Dauntless Air, where shell be supporting ground crews of firefighters from above protecting property, people and environment.

Owner of the Aviatori Coffeehouse, Juliana Turchetti, is seen Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Turchetti is selling the coffee shop to become an aerial firefighter.

You learn fire behavior and you learn first aid, you learn everything that pretty much involves the environment of fighting fires. Turchetti said.

With over 6,000 flight hours, Turchetti has been flying airplanes for 17 years from agricultural dusting planes to ferrying international goods. A resident of Havana and Brazilian native holding multiple Federal Aviation Administration ratings, her favorite type of plane is the Fire Boss which she will be flying overhead to drench water on fires across the country.

For Turchetti its a dream job with a purpose and one shes always wanted but comes at the cost of letting go of her coffee business.

Its a kind of job that has a mission, it has a purpose, Turchetti said. Saving houses, help the environment, and thats the kind of mission I like. Its not just flying point-A to point-B. Im very proud of being part of that mission.

More: Aviation-themed coffeehouse lands in Tony Leone's final preservation project

Story continues

It was a hard choice to make for Turchetti, who hopes wherever the coffee shop goes next, it will be as prosperous as it was under her ownership.

This is my first time owning a business and a lot of people told me dont expect to make a lot of money or to be successful in the first year or so, Turchetti said. That was quite the opposite. Since day one, we have been profitable making money.

Depending on her flight schedules and an upcoming flight to Texas, Turchetti may be opening the location on Saturday, April 13 and will let customers know through the business Facebook posts.

Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for The State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@gannett.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Aviatori Coffeehouse in Springfield is for sale; owner to become pilot
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  In a 4-0 vote, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors passed a policy Tuesday to look at more ways to increase behavioral health services at housing developments supported financially by the county.

The policy, authored by Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, looks at supporting safety and security at Windsor Pointe, a 50-unit affordable housing development, and other future projects supported by No Place Like Home funding.

Carlsbad addressing contentious homeless facility residents call a crime hub

Windsor Pointe has two sites  one at 965 Oak Avenue and the other at 3606 Harding Street, both located in the city of Carlsbad.

The county is now being asked to:

explore all options and opportunities to maximize on-site and referral based behavioral health services analyze all options and opportunities to increase the level of services and hours of on-site case management serviceswhen residents are more likely to need extra help connecting to services and adjusting to a new environment develop a plan for utilizing No Place Like Home operating reserve funds to add supplemental security personnel for Windsor. Advocate to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, requesting the State to maximize funding flexibility of Capital Operating Reserve funds for the Windsor Pointe project.

California is giving up to $150,000 to help first-time homebuyers

In the written letter to the board, Lawson-Remer said public safety has been of top concern. She cites Carlsbad Police crime data that showed while there has been a slight decrease in crime since Windsor Pointe opened, there has been a rising number of calls for service at the development with more than 44% being mental health-related.

The policy passed on Tuesday specifically calls on county staff to use No Place Like Home funds to add more security personnel and increase case management and support services to ensure residents at these housing developments have a safer living environment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  San Diegans impacted by the severe floods earlier this year will not have to pay feeds associated with the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerks Office thanks to a new action by Chair Nora Vargas and Supervisor Joel Anderson.

On Tuesday, Vargas and Anderson introduced a letter at the Board of Supervisors meeting to waive any fees associated with replacing important documents that were damaged or destroyed during the winter storms. The action passed unanimously.

Deadline approaching for flood victims to get property tax relief

Previously, the office was only able to issue free copies of vital records  birth, death and marriage certificates  after Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for the winter storms.

The new waiver covers other essential documents to help residents with the recovery process including proof of property ownership as well as fictitious business name records.

According to the letter, the fiscal impact of waiving copy fees for property and business documents will result in a loss in revenue of about $10,000 for the county.

Meanwhile, flood victims only have until Wednesday to apply for property tax relief. Detailed information about to apply for the deferred tax and the calamity tax relief programs can be found on the County Assessors Office website. An online version of the application can be found here.

These deadlines are different from the ones for federal and state taxes for all residents in San Diego County. Back in February, the Internal Revenue Service pushed back the last day to file individual and business tax returns without fines to June 17.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Court in Russia rejects Google's appeal over $50 million fine related to Ukraine content

A court in Moscow rejected an appeal on April 10 by Google's Alphabet to remove an almost $50 million fine imposed on the company for its failure to delete information that Russia deems to be discrediting its armed forces and promoting extremist content.

Russia's crackdown on freedom of speech has intensified since 2022, with particular attention being directed to information that contradicts its narratives about the full-scale war.

According to Reuters, Google did not immediately comment on the rejection of the appeal.

Google's legal problems with Russia preceded the full-scale war. The company was fined 7.2 billion rubles ($78.2 million) in December 2021 for failing to take down content that Russia has banned.

Google was again fined 21.1 billion rubles ($227 million) in August 2022 and 3 million rubles ($32,000) in May 2023 for similar content related offenses. Previous appeals by Google were rejected by Russian courts.

Beyond censoring information about the full-scale war, Russia has sought to control other content it deems to be "extremist."

Russia's Supreme Court declared "the international LGBT social movement" to be "an extremist organization" in November 2023 and banned its activities.

Russians have since faced penalties, including fines and jail time, for sharing information relating to LGBTQ people.

Read also: Media: Russia issued $566,000 in fines in 2023 to TV providers for showing LGBT content

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Covid Inquiry has been accused of failing to examine the mental health consequences of lockdown.

Almost 30 organisations told Baroness Heather Hallett, the inquiry chair, that she risks letting down millions of people if the inquiry does not adequately look at the effect of the pandemic and multiple lockdowns on the publics mental health.

Mind, alongside others including the Centre for Mental Health and the Association of Mental Health Providers, complained the inquiry is following an exceptionally narrow focus after Lady Hallett refused to investigate adult mental health services at hearings later this year.

They accused her of making a U-turn after she indicated she could examine the issue during hearings for the inquirys third module in the autumn, before later ruling this out.

Numerous studies have shown the harm of the pandemic and lockdowns on mental health, with research by Mind finding around a third of adults and young people said their mental health had become much worse since March 2020.

The charity found one in five adults did not seek support because they did not think their problem was serious enough.

A study by academics at Bangor University, published last year, stated that those who followed the pandemic restrictions most closely are the most likely to be suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.

Other data have shown that one in nine children now have some form of disability following a post-pandemic surge in mental health conditions and behavioural disorders.

Official figures state that the number of under-16s with a recorded disability has risen by more than a third in just two years since the pandemic.

Baroness Hallett has been accused of making a U-turn after she indicated she could examine adult mental health services during hearings for the inquiry's third module in the autumn, before later ruling this out - AFP via Getty Images

Ahead of the inquirys third module examining health care systems, Mind submitted to Lady Hallett that she should consider the impact of the pandemic on wider mental health services and not just look at inpatient psychiatric care for children, as has been planned.

Lady Hallett said she would give this submission further consideration, including which area or module of the inquirys work is best placed to examine these matters.

However, she has since ruled the third module cannot include the issue of the impact of the pandemic on adult mental health services within its broad provisional outline of scope and the hearing time available.

She said she will ensure the impact on mental health is covered by other modules and through the inquirys wider listening exercise.

In an open letter to Lady Hallett, the charities and groups said: The Covid-19 Inquirys refusal to examine the mental health consequences of the pandemic risks failing the people with pre-existing mental health conditions who died at five times the rate of the general population.

It risks failing the eight million people who sought help with their mental health and were turned away.

And it risks failing future generations by not allowing a proper examination of what can be done better in the event of another pandemic.

Other signatories of the letter include the British Psychological Society, Family Action, the British Psychological Society, Bipolar UK and Rethink Mental Illness.

The letter adds that despite positive indications that mental health would now be fully considered by the inquiry, we are deeply disappointed by this U-turn and said that the focus only on inpatient beds provided to children means serious questions will not be answered.

The inquiry was set up to examine the UKs response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and learn lessons for the future. It cannot do this without an in-depth examination of both the physical and mental health consequences of the pandemic. It must urgently reconsider its position.

Rheian Davies, head of legal at Mind, said the inquiry needs to look at what happened to the nations mental health and what political decisions - or mistakes - were made that we wouldnt make again.

She said that almost a quarter of psychiatric beds were emptied out and community services were virtually shut down and people who wouldnt normally be released were discharged.

These are serious questions that the inquiry should be grappling with. Would we do that again? Is there anything to be learned from that?

So, weve gone from what looks like a promising situation back to nothing again and she (Baroness Hallett) has said We dont have time, which we actually dont agree with.

A spokesman for the inquiry said: The chair, Baroness Hallett, has explained that the inquiry will cover the pandemics impact on the mental health of the population throughout our investigations, including module 3, as well as our UK-wide listening exercise, Every Story Matters.

Public hearings for module 3, investigating the impact of the pandemic on the UKs healthcare systems, will start in September 2024. They will include consideration of inpatient Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services - now referred to as Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Services. Other module hearings are scheduled to run until 2026.

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 Wednesday House hearing examining the botched rollout of new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms offered the Department of Education an earful as witnesses and lawmakers from both parties lamented on the crisis of credibility the department is facing over the process.

The hearing dug into the months of delays the updated FAFSA launch has caused, including incorrect financial aid information sent out by the agency to colleges.

Unfortunately, this may only be the tip of the iceberg. New errors are simply revealed every week, Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah), chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development subcommittee, said at the start of the hearing.

The FAFSA issues began when the department rolled out the new forms at the end of December; the process typically starts in October. The first few weeks of the launch saw numerous technical issues for applicants.

From there, the department said colleges would not receive student financial information until March because of additional changes it wanted to make to the formula.

But when March rolled around, incorrect financial data was sent to colleges that could not be processed.

Rachelle Feldman, the vice provost for enrollment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told the committee that while the school typically has all its financial aid offers out to accepted applicants by the end of March, the school has yet to be able to send out a single aid offer because of the poor quality of the data and the delays in receiving the information.

These difficulties have led advocates, financial aid officers, students, parents and lawmakers to question the credibility of the department.

Heres the hard truth, and I dont take any pleasure in being here to say this today, but when you have a crisis of credibility, schools dont trust that more errors wont be found tomorrow, that the data that they have today is credible or that guidance wont change, said Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Along with the disappointment with the execution, witnesses say the lack of accountability from the department has added to frustration.

Mark Kantrowitz, the president of Cerebly Inc., told the committee the always sunny responses by the department werent really acknowledging the problems that they were experiencing.

He accused the department of trying to spin the FAFSA rollout into something successful, comparing it to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

The department, which did not have a representative present at the hearing, has previously said that while the challenges now are frustrating, the light at the end of the tunnel is the new FAFSA process will be easier is subsequent years.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona recently sent out a letter to governors asking them to encourage colleges to move back decision deadlines and push back state financial aid timelines.

Together, well deliver a Better FAFSA and transform student financial aid for generations to come, Cardona said.

Some Republicans focused in on the White House announcing other student debt relief efforts amid issues with FAFSA, accusing the administration of trying to create a distraction.

Is there is there a connection between the botched rollout and erasing student loan debt? Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) asked Kantrowitz.

I think its been perhaps a distraction, the witness replied. I dont know how many of the staff overlap, but it certainly means that they cant have all hands on deck, focusing on the FAFSA, when some of them are focused on other aspects of the student loan system.

Democrats focused more on how these delays and complications will affect underserved communities.

We see this and the alarming decline in FAFSA submissions, particularly among low income and minority students, said Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), ranking member of the Education and the Workforce Committee.

We certainly heard that excessive requirements block eligible students by making the process just all together too complex to receive aid and failing to resolve these issues has real consequences as I think all of our witnesses have laid out, including students choosing to skip post secondary education or those that take on more student debt when they dont need to, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said.

Some of the witnesses are looking for the department to receive additional consequences for the botched rollout.

If there was a financial aid director or even a college president that delayed financial aid on their campus for up to six months, the professional price that would be paid for that would be pretty steep, Draeger said.

There were mixed thoughts on if this will be the last time students and colleges will have to face issues with the new FAFSA.

Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) asked all the witnesses what the possibility of FAFSA being launched on time in October for the 2025-2026 school year would be. Three out of the four witnesses said low.

Im extremely concerned but do have confidence that things will get better, said Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), ranking member of the subcommittee.

While she believes the department is working on fixing its mistakes, Wilson is still extremely concerned about the class of 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Croatians are preparing to go to the polls next weekend for an early election vote that will decide whether they want the country to remain a pro-Ukraine and pro-West nation or put in office the centre-left party of President Zoran Milanovic, known for his ties with Russia.

The two main rivals in the 17 April election will be the governing Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). These elections could reflect on the results of the European Parliament elections in June and the presidential election, scheduled for December.

Croatia's parliament was dissolved in March, paving the way for the upcoming parliamentary elections. The decision came as Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and the HDZ party faced accusations of corruption by the opposition. The latest scandal involves the appointment of a close ally of the HDZ, Ivan Turudic, to the role of prosecutor general. Opponents expressed concern that it was a way for the government to protect itself.

Croatia's President Milanovic has called to "kick out thieves and abusers from power, and to prevent their return to power for a long time."

Prime minister Plenkovic, who has been in government since 2016, has denied the corruption claims and said his party is ready to continue in office.

Croatian Democratic Party is ready for yet another term and trust of Croatian citizens," Plenkovic said. "May the party always be one step ahead of other political options in all political challenges, and may it lead Croatian people to a better future."

According to a recent Ipsos poll, HDZ has 27.3 percent of support among Croatians, while the SDP has 22.6 percent.

Milanovic, who has been highly disputed over his critical stance toward the EU and support for Ukraine, will not be running as a lead candidate for prime minister for the SPD. The Constitutional Court ruled in March that he cannot be a candidate in the parliamentary elections while he remains president.

The role of the president remains largely ceremonial in Croatia, despite it's right to propose amendments to the constitution and call for extraordinary sessions in parliament.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) held a public input meeting on Tuesday, April 9, in Dona Ana County where residents expressed their concerns about the water supply thats being provided.

The hearing was held as part of the Dona Ana County Commissioners meeting.

Several residents, including those from the Sunland Park area, expressed their concerns with how the utility handled informing the public on the possibility of unsafe water.

CRRUA Interim Executive Director Juan Crosby said the water is safe but the utility is facing challenges as they work to serve a growing population.

Crosby also said they have brought on a new public information officer to help have better communication and are working to update alert systems and operations.

As we have previously reported, high levels of arsenic were found in the water after testing was done by the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) last month.

CRRUA under scrutiny again for water quality issues

Crosby said the utility is doing biweekly sampling for arsenic in the water but did not speak to the recent findings from the NMED.

The utility also faces $250,000 in penalties for violations of federal and state drinking water standards.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  After nearly a years worth of panels, CSU ended its Korean War Armistice speaker series with a panel including key figures with ties to both Georgia and Korea.

The speaker series concluded April 4, but not before panelists brought to light ideas about what the future of U.S.-Korea relations could look like, 70 years after the armistice ended the Korean War.

Our friends in South Korea live in a very bad neighborhood, said U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, who represents Georgias third congressional district.

The representative elaborated, highlighting challenges with North Korea, proximity to China  which Ferguson called our [the United States] biggest economic and cultural threat, referring to the Chinese Communist Party  and impacts on immigration and supply chains.

As Kia, a South Korean company, looks at becoming a major producer of electric vehicles in the coming years the panelists discussed how this may look for Georgia and the country.

Cutting the ribbon at CSUs brand-new WRBL Uptown Bureau

West Point, Ga., is home to Kia Georgia which manufactures vehicles sold at Kia dealerships across the country, amounting to about 40% of U.S. Kia sales, according to the Kia Georgia website.

When you look at the investment that Korea has brought into the state of Georgia, with our plant in the local area, theres a huge story behind what was going on there, said Stuart Countess, President and CEO of Kia Georgia Incorporated.

West Point, Ga., is home to Kia Georgia which manufactures vehicles sold at dealerships across the country, amounting to about 40% of U.S. Kia sales, according to the Kia Georgia website.

Countess added, Youre looking at just shy of $3 billion pumped into the West Point community throughout the county and certainly coming all the way down into this particular area.

The Kia Georgia CEO said he expects exponentially northward investment in the community with the companys planned expansion into Savannah, Ga. Countess estimated the expansion could create 40,000 jobs within the local community.

According to Countess, the expansion is only made possible through a long-standing recruitment of Korean resources, dating back decades. This same recruitment of resources allowed Kia to navigate COVID-era challenges, only closing for a month during the pandemic, Countess said.

See inside construction progress at Bill and Olivia Amos Childrens Hospital

As Kia Georgia looks toward its expansion, it is looking to hire skilled workers to fill job openings. However, Ferguson said it would be difficult to count on bringing in many skilled workers from Korea due to immigration policymaking.

I dont think that youre going to see much movement on really any immigration issue until theres security at our southern border, Ferguson said.

He continued, It is the number one political issue in America right now and makes it very, very difficult to address very specific items like skilled workforce, and getting visas for people that we know we need to grow are going to struggle.

Ferguson added that he hopes Congress can find common ground.

Other panels in CSUs speaker series have focused on the history of the Korean War, identifying unnamed soldiers and other topics related to U.S.-Korea relations. The series has been made possible by the schools Hallock Endowment for Military History and other CSU departments.

As a conclusion of the recognition of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, up to 15 CSU students will take a two-week trip to South Korea under the leadership of speaker series organizers Dr. David Kieran and Dr. Daewoo Lee, as well as retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Pat Donahoe.

On the trip, students will visit Korean War sites and military installations, as well as offices and headquarters facilitating the current-day relationship between the U.S. and Korea. The trip will take place in late May of 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Academic and activist Cornel West has announced his running mate in his independent bid for the presidency, and shes a prominent professor and activist herself with ties to Southern California.

Melina Abdullah, a professor of pan-African studies at Cal State L.A. and a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, is joining West in his outsider bid for the White House, as reported by CNN.

Cornel West switches from Green Party presidential candidate to independent

She has a record of deep commitment and investment in ensuring that poor and working people are at the center of her vision, West said when announcing Abdullah on The Tavis Smiley Show. I wanted to to run with someone who would put a smile on the face of Fannie Lou Hamer and Martin Luther King Jr. from the grave.

West, who has campaigned for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont)s presidential bids, initially ran as a member of the Peoples Party and Green Party before going independent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Like most countries in Latin America, Cuba strongly condemned a recent raid by Ecuadors military on Mexicos embassy in Quito to arrest former vice president Jorge Glass, who faces corruption charges and had been granted asylum by the Mexican government.

Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel said the incident, which resulted in Mexico cutting diplomatic ties with Ecuador, was an unacceptable violation of diplomatic conventions.

He said on X that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which is an essential component of International Law, must be respected by all.

What Diaz-Canel didnt say: Cubas late leader Fidel Castro twice ordered armed assaults on foreign embassies to arrest refugees seeking protection, setting an almost forgotten precedent for the assault on the Mexican embassy. In a third incident, Cuban police officers also entered the grounds of an embassy in Havana to arrest a man seeking asylum inside.

One of those assaults, on Feb. 13, 1981, involved the Ecuadorian embassy in Havana, and as a result, the two countries were also on the brink of breaking diplomatic relations.

That day, a group of 31 Cubans led by armed former military officials broke into the Ecuadorian embassy in Havana and took three diplomats hostage, among them Ambassador Jorge Perez Concha, demanding political asylum to leave the country. The group included four women and six children and was led by a former Cuban rebel army captain, Romulo Juan Delgado y Fernandez.

At the time, it was extremely difficult to migrate from Cuba because the government severely restricted travel abroad. The break-in at the embassy of Ecuador happened almost a year after hundreds of Cubans crammed into the Peruvian embassy in Havana in April 1980 seeking political asylum. The events at the Peruvian embassy led to the exodus of 125,000 Cubans to the United States in what became known as the Mariel boatlift.

Worried about another potential crisis amid growing public discontent, the Cuban government warned it was not willing to negotiate with the refugees at the Ecuadorian embassy, calling them criminals and antisocial in official Cuban state media.

A week after the armed group entered the embassy, it released the diplomats unharmed and surrendered the weapons, but stayed inside the embassy, hoping to get safe passage, according to multiple press reports. Ecuador authorities said at the time they were taking the group under their protection. But a day later, Cuban special troops stormed the embassy and arrested several members of the group in an operation reportedly directed by Castro, who was seen at the scene, several news agencies reported.

The Cuban foreign ministry said Ecuadors government had authorized the raid, but the countrys president, Jaime Roldos, denied it and formally protested, calling the intrusion intolerable. Roldos also demanded the unrestricted respect for the life and freedom of those who were inside the embassy. He later recalled the countrys ambassador to Havana and demanded that Cuba release the refugees.

Castro had other plans.

He accused the CIA of plotting the whole incident, and his government imprisoned several members of the group that sought asylum at the Ecuadorian embassy, according to press reports and Cuba Archive, an organization that has built a database with historical records of deaths and disappearances of a political nature on the island.

Juan Owen Delgado Temprana, who was 15 and who had entered the embassy with his parents and 12 family members, died in a hospital in Pinar del Rio on March 3 after suffering a beating at Havanas State Security Headquarters, according to Cuba Archive, which cites accounts from close relatives and other historical sources.

In a lesser-known incident on Dec. 10, 1980, also recorded by Cuba Archive and the Spanish newspaper El Pais, Cuban security forces stormed the diplomatic mission of the Vatican in Havana and arrested 14 people who wanted to leave the country and had taken four nuns as hostages. According to El Pais, the group had shot one embassy guard.

Three brothers  Ventura, Cipriano, and Eugenio Garcia Marin Thompson  who were part of the group and were Jehovahs Witnesses, a religious group that suffered harassment for decades under Castros rule, were sentenced in a summary trial and executed at the Cabana Fortress prison on Jan. 2, 1981, according to Cuba Archive. They were aged 19, 21, and 25.

The most recent incident involving Cuban security forces breaking into an embassy happened on July 13, 1990, when four Cuban police officers chased a man who had jumped a gate at the Spanish Embassy in Havana seeking asylum. The four officers also jumped the gate, firing shots, took down the man, handcuffed him and shoved him into a car with a state security license plate, according to a report in El Pais. Spanish diplomats protested, and Cuban authorities apologized.

On Sunday, the Cuban ambassador to Ecuador was among the diplomats escorting the Mexican ambassador on her way to the airport to leave the South American country after the break in diplomatic relations.

The Cuban foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez, said the gesture was showed solidarity with Mexico.

Update: The original version of this story incorrectly cited a Cuba Archive publication and reported that three people who had sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy had been executed. The story has been corrected to reflect that the three executed had sought refuge in the Vatican embassy in 1980.
BANGKOK, April 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On the afternoon of April 9th, Tan Xuguang led a delegation from China National Heavy Duty Truck Group and Zhongtong Bus Holding Co., Ltd. to visit the PTT Public Company Limited and its subsidiary ARUN PLUS in Bangkok. Vice President of PTT Public Company Limited and Managing Director of ARUN PLUS, Ekachai Imsakul, along with the management team, participated in the discussion. They engaged in extensive discussions about the development of Thailand's new energy industry, ultimately reaching a mutual cooperation agreement.

ARUN PLUS Company stands as a premier provider of end-to-end solutions in Thailand's burgeoning new energy sector. Ekachai Imsakul extended a warm welcome to Tan Xuguang and his delegation, emphasizing the nascent stage of the new energy vehicle market in Thailand and its vast growth potential. Recognizing Shandong Heavy Industry Group's wealth of industry resources, he expressed optimism for mutually beneficial collaboration. Looking ahead, he envisions expanded cooperation in new energy buses and beyond, aimed at delivering fresh value to customers.

Tan Xuguang stated, "We extend a warm welcome to ARUN PLUS Company from Thailand for their visit to Shandong. We are eager to establish a joint project team immediately to provide full support and accelerate our collaboration. Leveraging Shandong Heavy Industry Group's global technological manufacturing expertise and ARUN PLUS Company's local policy resources in Thailand, along with partnering with top international financial service providers, we aim to pioneer innovative business models and lead the transformation towards new energy in the Thai market."

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/tan-xuguang-shandong-heavy-industry-group-and-arun-plus-company-team-up-to-drive-new-energy-transformation-in-thai-market-302112842.html

SOURCE Sinotruk
Dad Forms Bond with Man Who Murdered His Son: 'We Are Very Much a Family' (Exclusive)

Ive taken on a fatherly role with Tony because his father was not in his life, Azim Khamisa tells PEOPLE of the man who killed his son Tariq in 1995

Mathew Iske (L-R in back row) Ples Felix, Tony Hicks, Azim Khamisa and Tasreen Khamisa (front row)

This post is a collaboration between PEOPLE and StoryCorps, the largest collection of human voices ever archived.

Trying to deliver pizza in San Diego one Saturday evening in January 1995, college sophomore Tariq Khamisa searched for a customers home. Unaware that he had been given a bogus address, he knocked on several doors before finally giving up.

As the San Diego State University student began to leave, a group of four teenage gang members, who did not know Tariq, attempted to rob him, according to his 75-year-old father, Azim Khamisa. He resisted, and 14-year-old Tony Hicks shot and killed him.

Tariq died a couple of minutes later, drowning in his own blood, Khamisa tells PEOPLE.

When the San Diego police reached out to share the devastating news, he couldnt comprehend it.

I didnt believe it was true, says Khamisa, a La Jolla, Calif.-based businessman. He was a good kid, and so I thought sometimes there is an issue of mistaken identity.

He called Tariq's home and his son's fiance answered, sobbing, barely able to speak. The hard truth began to sink in: His son was dead.

I was in my kitchen and remembered losing strength in both of my legs, recalls Khamisa. I collapsed on the floor, curled up in a ball, hit my head against the refrigerator and I had my first out-of-body experience because the pain was essentially unbearable.



Azim Khamisa (L-R) Tariq Khamisa and Azim Khamisa

Related: Woman Learns Sexual Assault Led to Her Birth. Heres What She Wishes She Could Tell Her Biological Mom (Exclusive)

I left my body, he says. I believe I went into the embrace of God and I dont remember how long I was gone for, but I came back to my body with the wisdom that there are victims at both ends of the gun. I never went into anger and resentment towards Tony, because he was 14.

Eventually, through frequent meditation, he felt driven to forgive his sons killer and to give meaning to his sons life, as he previously recalled to StoryCorps.



Nine months later, he founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation to honor his son and to help other at-risk children avoid lives of crime.

Through a variety of programs, the foundation works closely with teachers and counselors to identify kids in danger of falling behind academically or frequently missing school.

Tony joined a gang in sixth grade, says Khamisa. So we focus on fourth grade to 10th grade. The mission of the foundation is essentially to save kids lives.

Khamisa reached out to Hicks, who had been tried as an adult, convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years at Folsom State Prison. But Hicks wasnt ready to meet the father of the young man he killed, so Khamisa reached out in forgiveness to Hicks grandfather, Ples Felix, and asked him to join him in his work with children.

At the time of the murder, Hicks  whose mother was 14 when she gave birth and sent him to live with his grandfather in San Diego to escape her gang-ridden neighborhood in Los Angeles  was in the 8th grade and had recently run away from the home. I didnt know what my next step was going to be, Hicks, now 43, tells PEOPLE. I was trying to impress my friends [by shooting Tariq] in hopes of not being abandoned by them or rejected by them.

Of course, I knew that I had done something wrong, he adds of that fateful night in 1995. When I was captured, I lied to the police because deep down I knew I had done something wrong. I wasnt allowing myself to think because I would have made a different decision. My feelings at that moment were directly connected to my desire to not be rejected by this last family structure I had.



Mathew Iske (L-R) Tony Hicks and Azim Khamisa

Five years after Tariqs murder, Khamisa finally met his sons killer face to face, he recalled to PEOPLE.

The seminal moment was when we locked eyeballs, recalls Khamisa. Tony was 19 and Im trying to find a murderer in him and I wasnt. He was remorseful. He was well-mannered... So I told him, Ive forgiven you.' "

It would take 15 more years for Tariqs only sibling, sister Tasreen, 51, to meet her brothers killer.

I was very, very angry and I was in a lot of pain, says Tasreen. My brother was my best friend and my confidant. I had the role of his big sister at a very young age. I started taking care of him alone when he was 5 and I was 7. We were latchkey kids and I was always his protector.



Related: Blind Triplet Contemplated Suicide Before Blind Man Adopted Them. Now Boys Are Pursuing Their Dreams (Exclusive)

In 2014, she became executive director of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, which has reached over 2 million kids primarily in California and Pennsylvania. Through her work at the foundation, Tasreen began dealing with some of her anger and pain.

"My forgiveness journey was very different from my fathers, she says. I started getting a lot deeper into restorative justice and understanding how hurt people hurt people and how healed people heal people."

The following year Tasreen traveled to the prison to meet with Hicks for the first time. Though they didnt exchange words at first, Tasreen immediately felt at ease.

He just gave me this huge hug, this big, huge bear hug, she says. Im 4 11 and hes 61 and he just picked me up. I felt a lot of warmth around us. I felt my brother strongly there with us.



Mathew Iske (L-R) Tasreen Khamisa and Tony Hicks

When Hicks was released from prison in 2019 after serving 24 years and four months of his 25-year sentence, he joined the board of the foundation. Now he often speaks alongside Khamisa at school assemblies.

Being able to work with the foundation, being able to have a connection with Azim and Tasreen and her children, has helped me greatly in my healing process, says Hicks, who now works as a plumber. It makes me feel a level of joy to be able to do something like this and work towards righting the wrongs Ive done in my life.

As for Khamisa, he looks back on his decision to forgive Hicks with gratitude and recognizes how forgiveness provided much needed healing for not only himself, but Hicks and his grandfather.

Ive taken on a fatherly role with Tony because his father was not in his life back then, says Khamisa, who says they get together often outside of work, including for meals. "I love Tony. His grandfather is as close to me as my own brother. We are very much a family.

I really think that our families lives were meant to cross, says Tasreen. I think Tariq and Tony both came here for a really big purpose to teach the world. My brother was a beautiful soul, a beautiful person. He was just one of those really old souls, wise souls from a very young age. He always said he was going to make a difference in the world  and you should leave the world a better place than you found it.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Damage to Panguitch Dam seems less dire, but officials say evacuation is still on the table

Damage to Panguitch Dam seems less dire, but officials say evacuation is still on the table

PANGUITCH, Utah (ABC4)  The damage to the Panguitch Lake Dam, which includes a large crack that prompted city officials to announce a Level 2 Emergency Situation, appears to have taken a positive turn.

Wednesday afternoon, Department of Public Safety officials said a complete dam breach is not likely or anticipated, and listed several measures they are taking to mitigate the risk of a breach.

A Level 3 Emergency Situation would call for evacuation of the city of Panguitch as it means there is an imminent risk of dam failure. Fortunately, authorities say they have hope it will change to a Level 1 risk rather than progress to Level 3.

A large crack was found in the dam Monday, prompting an urgent public safety announcement on Tuesday night. The crack was caused by the lakes 2-5 foot expansion due to the freezing and expanding of the already high water pressure, according to officials.

The Panguitch Lake Dam was found with a large crack that prompted city officials to announce a Level 2 Emergency Situation. (Courtesy of the Department of Public Safety)

The Panguitch Lake Dam was found with a large crack that prompted city officials to announce a Level 2 Emergency Situation. (Courtesy of the Department of Public Safety)

Panguitch Lake Dam suffered damage resulting in a crack in its upper portion (Courtesy: Dave Dodds / Garfield Co. Public Works)

The expansion caused cracking and tilting of the top portion of the dam, which was constructed as an addition to the dam in the 1930s and 40s. This leads officials to believe that should a breach occur, it would likely only break the top few feet of the dam.

For that reason, officials are releasing water to lower the level of the lake to rest below the start of the crack. They believe it could take 8-10 days to get the water below the compromised section.

Officials are also working at cracking the ice within the reservoir to release pressure and adding material to the dam to fortify it.

While the update is good news for the approximately 1,700 people living in the Panguitch area, officials say there still is a risk of dam failure and evacuation.

Officials say the city is still under evacuation notice, meaning residents should be prepared to leave if the time comes. They also are hosting a community gathering on Wednesday, April 10, to answer questions, provide resources, and outline the evacuation plan should a breach occur.

Utah authorities found a large crack on the Panguitch Lake Dam Monday, April 10. Authorities are releasing evacuation information as a precaution, but the city is not currently under an evacuation order.(Courtesy of the Department of Public Safety)

Utah authorities found a large crack on the Panguitch Lake Dam Monday, April 10. Authorities are releasing evacuation information as a precaution, but the city is not currently under an evacuation order.(Courtesy of the Department of Public Safety)

Utah authorities found a large crack on the Panguitch Lake Dam Monday, April 10. Authorities are releasing evacuation information as a precaution, but the city is not currently under an evacuation order.(Courtesy of the Department of Public Safety)

The community gathering will take place at 6 p.m. at the Panguitch High School Gymnasium located at 390 E 100 S. They also will be streaming the meeting live on Zoom.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Hearst Owned

Update: Shortly after former President Donald Trump announced that he believes abortion laws should be left to the states, President Joe Biden released a powerful campaign ad featuring Amanda Zurawski, who sued the state of Texas after she says she was denied live-saving abortion care. In the 60-second ad, Zurawski recount her miscarriage at 18 weeks in 2022. Because of Texas near-total abortion ban, doctors couldnt intervene and she was turned away. Three days later, she was admitted to the ICU with sepsis. The impact from the infection has been devastating: One of Zurawskis fallopian tubes is permanently closed, meaning she may never get pregnant again. The Biden campaign ad ends with this message: Donald Trump did this.

Speaking with ELLE, Zurawski, who is currently traveling with the Biden campaign, says filming the ad and the aftermath in the wake of its release, has been extremely emotional and difficult. However, she adds, this campaignand ensuring President Biden and Vice President Harris are reelected in Novemberis the most important thing on my radar right now. I will do whatever it takes to ensure we elect a president who supports bodily autonomy and will protect our reproductive rights.

Since ELLE published Zurawskis story (along with four other accounts from Texas women, below) eight months ago, everything has changed for me personally, yet nothing has changed, she says. States like Alabama and Arizona are continuing to pass even more draconian laws, and they will continue to do so if we do not reelect President Biden this November. I have shifted my focus from raising awareness to harnessing motivation into action. I am completely dedicated to fighting for reproductive rights in this country. Zurawski, hopes to shine a light on how harmful abortion bans are. She says she also wants to change hearts and minds on the topic of abortion, and ultimately change votes.

It didnt look like much. Just a fuzzy gray dot on the ultrasound. But the speck was an early sign that one of Ashley Brandts twins had acrania, a rare neurological disorder that is 100 percent lethal. Brandt needed to abort the unviable fetus in order to increase the other twins chance of survival. Because she lived in Texas, Brandt had to furtively cross state lines in order to receive abortion care at 14 weeks pregnant. It was all hush-hush, very secretive, she says now.

Back home, doctors wouldnt acknowledge what had happened, and her medical records incorrectly listed a spontaneous abortion, the medical term for a miscarriage. Now, on the other side with a healthy eight-month-old baby girl, Brandt is done being made to feel afraidand guilty. Theres nothing anyone can say to make me feel bad, she says. It saved my daughters life. She wouldnt be here if I didnt have an abortion.

Brandt is one of 15 women suing the state of Texas. Thirteen of those women, including one who is an obstetrician herself, were refused abortion care despite complications that made it unsafe or even deadly to stay pregnant. Two others are OB-GYNs suing because they say the law bars them from offering necessary care to their patients. The lead plaintiff, Amanda Zurawski, became septic before her life was deemed at risk enough for an abortion. I was dying, essentially, Zurawski says.

The lawsuit

EditSign

, backed by the Center for Reproductive Rights, is the first case against a state brought by people whose pregnancies were directly impacted by abortion restrictions implemented in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overruled Roe v. Wade. In March, a spokesperson for impeached Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton responded to the suit by reiterating a statement he gave after the Dobbs ruling, saying that the law in Texas protects women facing life-threatening physical conditions resulting from pregnancy complications.

Sergio Flores - Getty Images

In theory, Texas law allows doctors to make certain exceptions when the life of the mother is at riskbut its extremely difficult for physicians to discern what falls within those parameters, or if the pregnancy poses substantial harm to a womans health. The reality in Texas has turned into a bizarre dystopian medical gray area that weighs heavily on the consciences of doctors, and perpetuates a climate of fear, says plaintiff Lauren Miller.

Potential penaltiesincluding threats of prison sentences, losing their medical licenses, and fines no less than $100,000are scaring doctors from even mentioning the word abortion. And private citizens in Texas can sue anyone who aids or abets in an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.



America isnt going backward. This is something we havent encountered: a new era in which maternal health care is criminalized and under surveillanceparticularly if youre poor, queer, a person of color, or trapped in an abusive relationship that leaves you more vulnerable under these laws.

One year ago this week, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, declaring that the constitutional right to an abortionupheld for nearly a half centuryno longer exists. To mark the anniversary, ELLE spoke to Amanda Zurawski, Lauren Miller, Anna Zargarian, and Ashley Brandt, who all defy misleading perceptions about abortion seekers. Ranging in age from late twenties to mid-thirties, some married with children already, each wanted to be pregnant. Our [familys] circumstances put us in a position where we could fight back, Miller says.



Now, the women have become a symbol of resistance in the fight for abortion care; Zurawski even met with Vice President Kamala Harris to tell her directly about her experience. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, extremist elected officials continue to undermine and attack womens rights, putting their political agenda between a woman and her health care provider, Harris tells ELLE. The consequences of these laws have been heart-wrenching. Womens lives and health have been put at risk, as health care is denied because doctors fear prosecution for doing their job. Women have been turned away from emergency rooms and denied treatment that is essentialor forced to travel from their home to receive care. I applaud the courageous women who are fighting for our rights, and I am grateful to have met one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the state of Texas, Amanda, to hear directly about the dangerous situation she was put in. Some of these women almost lost their lives when they were denied health care because of the states abortion bans, and their stories represent the experiences of too many. This fight is about defending our rights, protecting our freedoms, and ensuring all Americans have access to the health care they need.

Their lawsuit seeks to clarify how and when doctors can provide medical emergency exceptions for abortion under Texas law. But perhaps its greater purpose is the message it sends to the public. By taking on Texas, these women hope to protect others from the pain, fear, and paranoia they all endured. It would be a lot easier to move somewhere else, but Texas is my home, Zurawski says. We cant let them bully us. We cant let them take our rights from us and just run away.



Amanda

Amanda Zurawski, based in Austin, had a brush with death before doctors could medically intervene.



Texas was in the middle of a heat wave, but Amanda Zurawski was freezing cold. I was bundled up in as many blankets as I could find, and so weak, she remembers. Until then, her pregnancy had been pretty smooth sailing, she says. Then, just a day shy of 18 weeks, I had some weird symptoms and I messaged my OB-GYN just to be safe, and they were like, you need to come in right away. She now knows that the strange symptoms were actually her amniotic fluid leaking and her cervix dilating prematurely.

Zurawski was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix. She was going to lose the baby, but because of the law in Texas, doctors couldnt intervene medically, she says, so I had to just sit and wait until either the babys heart stopped beating or I became so sick that they considered my life at risk [enough] to provide standard health care.

Tom Williams - Getty Images





It took three days, multiple warning signs for the risk of serious infection, and then a sepsis diagnosis for doctors to perform the abortion. When they realized how bad I was, the nurse came in to insert my IVbut was so flustered that she couldnt get the IV in, says Zurawski. My husband said she was visibly shaken by my condition.

Zurawski survived, but one of her fallopian tubes is permanently closed due to complications from infection, compromising her future ability to have children. Trying to navigate [my grief] while also trying to have a babyis really hard, she says. Zurawski has since undergone several rounds of in vitro fertilization treatments in hopes of starting a family. I had to go to the hospital to get blood work done, and I was immediately transported back, she says. Theres so much trauma, and its something thats going to be with me forever.

Lauren

Lauren Miller, located in Dallas, was faced with a nightmare scenario after discovering one of her twins had a deadly condition.



The first day of Lauren Millers pregnancy was dated as June 24, 2022, the same day the Roe decision was overturned. Ironic, right? she says now. Miller and her husband, already parents to a 20-month-old, had been trying for a second baby and were pleasantly surprised it happened so quickly. But this was nothing like Millers first pregnancy. Nausea, fatigue, she remembers. Somewhere between six and eight weeks pregnant, I ended up in the ER, because it was over 36 hours of non-stop vomiting.

An ultrasound revealed why. The ER doctor was like, youre having twins! Miller says. My husband said, Whoa, were going to need a bigger car. There was a moment of shock, then excitement. But at 12 weeks, that excitement turned to panic. One twin showed signs of Edwards syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality that is almost always fatal before birth. Despite the death sentence, none of Millers doctors would advise her on what to do.

SUZANNE CORDEIRO - Getty Images





Imagine having cancer, and theyre like, Oh yeah, this is going to kill you, but we cant tell you what to do, and were not going to talk about chemo or surgery, she says. Not only was the healthy fetus also at risk, so was Miller. Still, she received little medical advice. One genetic counselor even offered an apology. They apologized to me, because they said they couldnt tell us our options anymore, says Miller.

What was becoming increasingly apparent was that Miller needed an abortionand she would have to leave Texas to get it. Its this very surreal, fleeing-in-the-night kind of feeling, Miller says of boarding a plane to Colorado for a single fetal reduction. It was very strange going through the airport where I was visibly pregnant, [it] felt like I was being tracked. Even weeks after giving birth to the surviving twin, Miller couldnt shake the feeling she was being watched. The laws are designed to make people scared and nervous, and to turn people against one another.

Anna

Anna Zargarian, who resides in Austin, had no choice but to leave Texas in order to preserve her future fertility.



Anna Zargarian and her now-husband were ecstatic to find out they were expecting in September 2021. Then, at just over 19 weeks, Zargarian says she felt like something was coming out. It was her water breaking, putting her at severe risk of developing a life-threatening infection. Survival for her fetus was also impossiblebut it still wasnt enough to take action. The ER doctor said something like, I trained on the East Coast, and if this was any other case, I would just take you back to the OR right now, but were in Texas and I cant do that. She looked furious, Zargarian says. You could tell they were scared to talk about it.

It took several days for Zargarian and her husband to understand what was happening, and come to terms with what needed to be done. I was heartbroken, and we were grieving, but I knew the best option for my future fertilityand for my lifewould be to terminate, she says. Without saying it outright, one of her doctors implied that going to another state was the safest thing to do.

SUZANNE CORDEIRO - Getty Images

By the time Zargarian booked a flight to Denver in December, she was already dilating a little bit. The seat next to the bathroom was her first choice. I was terrified about going into labor on the flight, she says. Two days after landing, she was able to seek out emergency abortion care. I felt like this great injustice was done, she says. Im [speaking out], because I dont want this horrible thing that happened to me to be in vain.

Since sharing her story, Zargarian has received DMs from women all over the country. I am only the tip of the iceberg, she says. When you write laws that eliminate the intricacies and complications of pregnancywhich I didnt even know existed until it happened to memore people are going to get hurt.

Ashley

Dallas native Ashley Brandts doctors refused to acknowledge that she had an abortionand her medical records incorrectly listed vanishing twin syndrome.



It was supposed to be a fun year. Ashley Brandt and her sister-in-law were pregnant with twins at the same time. Can you even imagine? she says now. Then, the unimaginable. Twelve weeks into pregnancy, one of Brandts twins developed a deadly defect. Doctors were hesitant to advise her on next steps, so Brandt turned to medical studies and mommy blogs for information. I read that the [unviable fetus] was likely going to die early, which would trigger miscarriage in my body and send me into labor early with my healthy twin who cant survive, she says. The longer Brandt stayed pregnant with both, the less likely it was either would survive. The best case scenario was still a nightmare, she says.

With one twin failing, Brandt traveled to Colorado in June 2022 for a selective fetal reduction procedure to save her healthy twin. It could have been a very, very tragic birth and experience if I didnt go through with it, she says.

Courtesy Ashley Brandt

Back in Texas, Brandts doctors didnt acknowledge the abortion. They only discussed my healthy twin, she says. Her medical records also incorrectly listed spontaneous abortion and vanishing twin syndrome, which happens when a twin or multiple disappears in the uterus during pregnancy. It made me even more scared, she says. I mean, these are my personal health records, its kind of important to document everything.

Until Brandt gave birth to a full-term, healthy baby in November 2022, she remained terrified for her life and her babys. I was scared, and just wanted it to be over, she says. She didnt talk about her pregnancy and had no interest in a baby shower when friends offered to host. I held my breath, she says. I was scared of getting in trouble; I was scared of my doctors getting in trouble. I had been told by everyone, Dont say anything. Keep this to yourself.

A version of this article appears in the August 2023 issue of ELLE.

Shop Now



You Might Also Like
A 28-year-old Davenport man faces felony charges after a stabbing incident Saturday night, according to arrest affidavits.

Serafin Mendez Gomez faces charges of attempted murder and willful injury  causing serious injury, court records show.

Serafin Mendez Gomez (Scott County Jail)

Shortly before 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Davenport Police responded to the 1900 block of West 4th Street for a report of an assault.

Police allege Mendez Gomez stabbed a victim several times in the chest without justification with the intent to cause the death of the victim, according to affidavits.

The victim suffered serious life threatening injuries as a result, affidavits say.

In affidavits, police say witnesses heard a disturbance from inside the residence around the time of the assault.

Surveillance footage indicated the victim and Mendez Gomez were the only occupants of the residence at the time of the assault, affidavits show.

Mendez Gomez is set for a preliminary hearing April 19 in Scott County Court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
The brand's lawyers recently sent cease-and-desist letters to food brands using the terms chili crunch and chile crunch on their product labels

Mat Hayward/Getty Images for IMDb; Momofuku/Target David Chang's Momofuku food empire asks other companies to omit 'chili crunch' from their labels

David Changs Momofuku is facing backlash.

Lawyers for Changs company recently sent cease-and-desist letters to food brands using the terms chili crunch and chile crunch on their product labels, The Guardian reported on April 4. The outlet reported that the letters request the brands promptly omit their use of the phrases.

Michelle Tew is the founder of Homiah, which sells Sambal Chili Crunch, and was told that her company has 90 days to remove the name. Tew described receiving the Momofuku letter as a punch in the gut on Instagram.

Stefanie Keenan/Getty David Chang opened up the first Momofuku restaurant location in 2004

I was shocked and disappointed that a well-known and respected player in the Asian food industry would legally threaten me  a one-woman show operating on a much smaller scale  from selling a product that is part of my familys history and culture, the self-proclaimed Momofuku fan and supporter wrote, specifying that her chili crunch recipe is based on one from her Granie Nonie.

Barbie star Simu Liu chimed it with his thoughts on Momofukus letter, as the Chief Content Officer for MiLa, a Chinese American-owned food brand focused on frozen dumplings that also received a letter from Momofuku.

Hey @momofuku, I hear youre bullying businesses over use of the term chili crunch. As Chief Content Officer of MiLa, I propose a blind taste test of both our chili crunch sauces. Winner keeps the name, loser (itll be you) backs off, the actor posted on X over the weekend.

Related: Valerie Bertinelli Gives Hints About New Boyfriend in Sweet Post: I Just Cant with This Man

According to Good Morning America, the controversy comes from Momofuku claiming that other companies using the term chile crunch infringes on its trademark for the term, which was acquired in 2023 from the US Patent and Trademark Office. Momofuku filed for the trademark of chili crunch last month, just 10 days after sending the cease-and-desist letters to companies using both chili and chile, per the outlet. Brands like Fly by Jing or Lao Gan Ma did not receive the letter as their products are labeled as chili crisp.

A representative for the brand told the Los Angeles Times that the trademark was not meant to stifle innovation in a category that we care deeply about.

The spokesperson continued, When we created our product, we wanted a name we could own and intentionally picked Chili Crunch to further differentiate it from the broader chili crisp category.

Related: Jennifer Garner Says This 'Viral TikTok Lemon Chicken' Is 'So Flipping Good' (Exclusive)

A spokesperson for Momofuku did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request to comment.

Momofuku first launched its chili crunch in 2018 before selling bottles in 2020. But the concept of chili crisps/crunches is nothing new. The spicy condiment, made by cooking chiles, spices and peppercorns in oil, was bottled by Lao Gan Ma in 1997, according to Allrecipes.

Ours uses the same umami base as Momofuku Seasoned Salts, plus a lot of the flavors and textures we love: crispy shallots, sesame seeds, dried garlic, and coconut sugar for a hint of sweetness, reads a Momofuku blog post. Details about the years the brand took to make its chili crunch are also found in a 2020 podcast episode from the Dave Chang Show.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
David Hume Kennerly, a Pulitzer-prize-winning photographer who served in the Ford White House, announced his resignation on Tuesday from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation board over its short-sighted rejection of former Rep. Liz Cheney for the organizations yearly award.

Today I am resigning from the Gerald R. Ford board as a trustee. If the foundation that bears the name of Gerald R. Ford wont stand up to this real threat to our democracy, who will? Kennerly said in a letter to members of the executive committee.

Kennerly slammed Fords namesake organization for its choice not to honor Cheney, an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump, with the Gerald R. Ford Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

A key reason Lizs nomination was turned down was your agita about what might happen if the former president is reelected. Some of you raised the specter of being attacked by the Internal Revenue Service and losing the foundations tax-exempt status as retribution for selecting Liz for the award, he wrote in the letter, which was first reported by Politico.

He continued, The historical irony was completely lost on you. Gerald Ford became president, in part, because Richard Nixon had ordered the development of an enemies list and demanded his underlings use the IRS against those listed. Thats exactly what the executive committee fears will happen if theres a second coming of Donald Trump.

Gleaves Whitney, executive director of the Ford Presidential Foundation, said in a statement that the foundations executive committee, guided by legal counsel, concluded that it was not prudent to award the 2024 Ford medal to Liz Cheney.

At the time the award was being discussed, it was being publicly reported that Cheney was under active consideration for a presidential run by No Labels, the statement said, referring to the group that had dabbled with fielding a third-party ticket only to abandon the idea last week. Exercising its fiduciary responsibility, the executive committee concluded that giving the Ford medal to Cheney in the 2024 election cycle might be construed as a political statement and thus expose the Foundation to the legal risk of losing its nonprofit status with the IRS.

Kennerly, who served as Fords chief photographer and provided an intimate glimpse into the White House, claimed in the letter that Cheney, who also serves on the board of the Ford Presidential Foundation, was rejected for the award three times, despite suggesting her for the honor multiple times.

After two people you selected instead of her demurred, I weighed in again with what I thought was a compelling presentation to some of the nominators where I reiterated Lizs merits. When you rejected her again in favor of a third person, it became crystal clear to me that something else was going on.

The former Wyoming congresswoman has criticized Trump on multiple occasions. Cheney was one of just two Republicans on the House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection and Trumps responsibility for the insurrection.

She lost her post in House Republican leadership and, ultimately, her seat in Congress after publicly rejecting for months Trumps lie that he won the 2020 presidential election and voting to impeach him following the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.

Cheney said in December that she will do whatever I have to do to stop the former president from returning to the White House.

Those of you who rejected Liz join many good Republicans now aiding and abetting our 45th president by ignoring the genuine menace he presents to our country, Kennerly wrote. America is fortunate to have Liz Cheney still out there on the front lines of freedom vigorously defending our Constitution and democratic way of life.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Chad Daybell, a 55-year-old father, is accused of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of two of Lori Vallow Daybells children, 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, along with his then-wife Tammy Daybell. Hes also charged with two counts of insurance fraud. He has pleaded not guilty to eight felonies in all.

Opening statements began Wednesday.

3:30 p.m.: Rexburg detective testimony mirrors Vallow Daybells trial

Rexburg Police Department Det. Ray Hermosillo, the first witness called by the prosecution, said the scope of his agencys investigation expanded beyond JJs whereabouts after speaking with the childrens brother, Colby Ryan.

At that point, law enforcement also began looking for Tylee.

On Dec. 11, 2019, the Rexburg Police Department declared both Tylee and JJ as missing and endangered, Hermosillo said, adding that the kids were entered into the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The FBI, along with several other neighboring local law enforcement agencies, was involved in the search at this point. Hermosillo said they werent able to get a hold of the Daybells during their search.

After police publicized the childrens disappearance in late December 2019, they began to receive tips from the community. Hermosillo said while those tips didnt help them find the children, they did help police locate the Daybells in Hawaii.

Chad and Lori Vallow Daybell got married on a Hawaii beach right after Tammy Daybell died, and around the time police were searching for the kids were staying in a multi-million-dollar gated community on Kauai, Hawaii, according to East Idaho News.

The Rexburg detective went to Hawaii to give Vallow Daybell an order asking her to produce her children, Hermosillo said. While Hermosillo was in Hawaii, he said, he observed local authorities search the Daybells residence, adding that he didnt see anything thatd point toward children living there.

Just before the court broke for the day, Hermosillo began detailing law enforcements June 2020 search on Daybells Salem, Idaho, property. Hermosillo said police located a human head buried in the backyard.

It revealed what appeared to be a small body wrapped in plastic with duct tape around it, Hermosillo said, referencing JJs body.

During Vallow Daybells trial, Hermosillo testified for over six hours, outlining his agencys role in the months-long investigation into the missing children. The majority of Wednesdays testimony echoed statements made by Hermosillo last year.

Hermosillo will continue testifying Thursday. He took the witness stand at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

12:45 p.m.: Rexburg detective called as first witness

The prosecution called Rexburg Police Department Det. Ray Hermosillo as its first witness. Before police were aware of the missing children, Hermosillo began surveillance on Lori Vallow Daybells Rexburg apartment on Nov. 1, 2019, at the request of the Chandler Police Department in Arizona, Hermosillo said. Chandler police believed the familys Jeep Wrangler may have been involved in a crime.

Brandon Boudreaux, the husband of Vallow Daybells niece, previously alleged that Vallow Daybells brother Alex Cox tried to shoot him from the back of that Jeep, East Idaho News reported.

Hermosillo saw Chad Daybell and Vallow Daybell at the apartment, but did not see any children. He said police seized the Jeep and Chandler police flew in to analyze its GPS data.

Hermosillo testified that he went to conduct a welfare check on JJ on Nov. 26, 2019, at the request of Gilbert, Arizona, police and JJs grandmother, Kay Woodcock. At Vallow Daybells apartment, he saw Daybell and Cox.

Cox looked surprised and frightened when the detective asked if JJ was home, Hermosillo said. At first, Cox said JJ was at Woodcocks home, which Hermosillo said he knew was unlikely since Woodcock had requested the check. Hermosillo said when he asked for Vallow Daybells cell phone number, Cox said he didnt have it.

Hermosillo said Coxs deception made him call more detectives to the scene.

Hermosillo said he became more concerned when Daybell told him he had only met Lori Vallow Daybell a couple of times, because the detective knew the couple had gotten married two weeks earlier.

Rexburg detectives eventually got ahold of Vallow Daybell, who told them that JJ was with family friend Melanie Gibb, but Gibb told police that was not true, Hermosillo said.

Detectives obtained warrants to search several Rexburg apartments used by the family. Hermosillo said they found items that indicated JJ may have been there at one time, including a Star Wars suitcase, one of JJs prescription bottles, scooters and a childs bike.

Police also found weapons, including handguns, rifles and army knives, as well as a large amount of cash, according to Hermosillo.

12 p.m.: Lori was very manipulative, defense says

Chad Daybells defense attorney John Prior opened by warning jurors not to be distracted by guesses, assumptions or hunches.

It all comes down to facts and evidence, Prior said.

Much of his opening statement was spent casting suspicion on Lori Vallow Daybell and her brother, Alex Cox.

Authorities said they believe Cox  who medical experts previously reported died from natural causes in December 2019  also conspired to kill JJ, Tylee and Tammy Daybell, according to the indictment filed by prosecution teams from Madison and Fremont counties. Experts testified in last years Lori Vallow Daybell case that Coxs cellphone location data showed that his phone was in Chad Daybells backyard the night that law enforcement believe the children were killed.

Prior said Cox would do anything to help his sister.

Alex Cox would run, without even a question, to do whatever was necessary to solve Lori Vallows problems, Prior said.

When it came to Vallow Daybell, Prior described her in one sentence as beautiful, vivacious and very sexual and very manipulative. She pursued and encouraged Daybells attention, Prior said.

Before their romantic affair began, Chad Daybell met Lori at an event where he had spoken about the religious books he authored, according to Prior. The defense attorney said Vallow Daybell stepped into Daybells booth and started helping him sell books.

This beautifully stunning woman named Lori Vallow comes up and she starts giving him a lot of attention, Prior said.

Prior said he would be calling experts in DNA, phone records and forensics to provide evidence as witnesses.

Perhaps most surprisingly, Prior said three or four of the five Daybell children  who were not involved in last years trial  would also testify on Chad Daybells behalf.

Their testimony would focus on their mothers health, according to Prior. They would testify that Tammy Daybell was suffering from a number of maladies, and that she refused to go see a doctor before she died.

10:30 a.m.: Chad Daybell craved significance, prosecutor says

Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood described Chad Daybell as a once seemingly ordinary man who authored fiction books about the end of times. But, Wood said, the jury will hear a story thats much more troubling and real.

Chad Daybell craved significance, Wood said, adding that the nearly 30-year life Chad Daybell had created with Tammy Daybell and their five children wasnt enough.

When he had a chance at what he considered his rightful destiny, he made sure that no person and no law could stand in his way, Wood said. His desire for sex, money and power led him to pursue those ambitions, and this pursuit led to the deaths of his wife and Loris two innocent children.

In a roughly 25-minute opening statement, Wood laid out the prosecutions case against Daybell, paralleling his co-counsels opening statement last year in Vallow Daybells trial. The pivotal day for this case was when the Daybells  who were still married to their respective spouses  met in October 2018, Wood said.

That introduction set in motion the reality youre going to hear about, Wood said.

The pair began having an affair, and according to Wood created an alternative reality where they believed they knew each other from past lives. He added that text messages between the Daybells revealed their story of lust and their plan for a future together.

The Daybells identified people who stood in the way of their dreams as dark, Wood said. This included their spouses, along with Vallow Daybells children JJ and Tylee. Wood called it a convenient narrative used to dehumanize people.

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Daybell believed he received personal revelations from God that told him certain people  including Vallow Daybells children and Tammy Daybell  were possessed by dark spirits and would need to be cast out, or killed, according to witness testimony during Vallow Daybells trial.

To do so, the witnesses testified that a dark spirit could be kept out by binding or burning the body.

The investigation revealed the horrifying truth that Tylees remains were found charred and dismembered on Daybells property, Wood said. JJs body was also found on the property, bound in duct tape.

Tammy Daybell, a vivacious, healthy mother, was found dead in her marital bed, Wood said. He added that Tammy Daybells death happened just after her life insurance policy had been increased.

Chads obsession with Lori was rooted in her adoration for him, Wood said. She was the mirror reflecting the grandeur he saw in himself.

9:40 a.m.

One year ago  to the day  an 18-person jury was picked and seated at the Ada County Courthouse to decide the fate of Lori Vallow Daybell, accused of murdering two of her children. Within six weeks, Vallow Daybell was convicted on all counts and subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

Now, another 18-person jury will decide the fate of her husband, Chad Daybell. The 55-year-old father is accused of murdering and conspiring to murder two of Vallow Daybells children, 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, along with his then-wife Tammy Daybell. Hes also charged with two counts of insurance fraud.

He has pleaded not guilty to all eight felonies.

The Daybells, who had a months-long affair before getting married, were expected to be tried together last year, but 7th District Judge Steven Boyce severed their cases because of new DNA evidence.

Vallow Daybell moved to Rexburg from Arizona just months after her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed. Her children went missing less than a month later. The kids were found dead in shallow graves on Chad Daybells property in Salem, Idaho, nine months later in June 2020.

The potential eight-week trial is expected to mirror Vallow Daybells trial, which saw roughly 60 witnesses, including investigators who presented a trail of messages, recordings and accounts that revealed the couple believed JJ and Tylee were demons who needed to be killed, according to witness testimony.

If convicted, Daybell could face the death penalty.

After over a week of jury selection, where possible jurors were excluded over concerns about exposure to media coverage, their views on the death penalty and time constraints, the jury was selected. The 18-person jury is made up of 12 jurors and six alternates.

Prosecutors and Daybells attorney began opening statements this morning, where theyll lay out their dueling narratives.

Chad Daybell murder trial in Boise begins. Heres what to know about the case

The Idaho Statesman will have a reporter covering the trial at the Ada County Courthouse providing live, daily updates at idahostatesman.com. You can also follow criminal justice reporter Alex Brizee on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @alex_brizee or breaking news reporter Sally Krutzig at @sallykrutzig.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it was investigating a shooting outside a gas station that left two men and one woman injured.

DC officials promote Chinatown Safety Team to help prevent crime

Metropolitan police say just before 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night, officers responded to the 500 block of Parkland Place Southeast.

Officer says they found one victim suffering from gunshot wounds to the left arm and right hand.

Shortly after, officers found a second victim outside of the E-Z gas station on Newcomb Street SE.

Officers say that victim was suffering from a gunshot wound to the right leg.

Then officers found a third victim with a graze wound.

Officers also say another victims car was damaged with a bullet hole to their windshield.

Officers also found a bullet hole through the front window of a building on Martin Luther King Avenue SE.

People in the DMV say theyre fed up with the gun violence.

You cant even walk outside your house because these young people are taking over the streets, says one DMV resident who did not wish to be identified. You know, youre constantly looking behind your shoulder. You know, youre looking to see whos down the block because they walk around in groups of three and four, you know, And its just really unsafe out here.

All three victims were still conscious and breathing, according to MPD. Police say that none of the victims were able to provide officers with any information regarding any suspects.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
BANGKOK (AP)  Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday revealed details of his governments plan to stimulate the economy by giving digital cash handouts of 10,000 baht ($275) to an estimated 50 million Thais for spending at their local businesses.

Srettha said at a news conference that the 500-billion-baht ($13.7-billion) plan, to be mostly funded out of the 2024 and 2025 fiscal budgets, will be rolled out in the last quarter of the year.

The stimulus and subsequent consumption are expected to boost gross domestic product growth by 1.2 to 1.6 percentage points, he said. The World Bank estimated Thailand's year-on-year GDP growth at 1.5% in December.

Another portion of the funding will come from the state's Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, earmarked for covering payouts to about 17 million farmers.

The digital purchases will be allowed only in the recipients' own districts, and will not be allowed for items including oil, services, and online purchases.

Srettha called the project a life-changing policy for the people. He expressed his disappointment that the project could not be carried out earlier but said the government needed to make it transparent and legal.

The plan, which was a major campaign promise by Sretthas Pheu Thai party ahead of last years general election, had been previously criticized by economists for being an ineffective way to contribute to sustainable economic growth compared to other measures.

The ruling Pheu Thai party had also suggested digital wallet payments for all Thais 16 and older, while the current plan is limited to lower-income Thais, defined as people with yearly incomes not exceeding 840,000 baht ($23,000) and savings in financial institutions not totaling more than 500,000 baht ($13,700 ) .

The government was also criticized for initially suggesting that it would fund the plan by borrowing, which would incur a heavy public debt burden.

Thailand's central bank has resisted pressure from the government to boost the economy by cutting interest rates, opting to keep its policy unchanged at a meeting on Wednesday.

But analysts expect the Bank of Thailand to cut its 2.5% benchmark rate later in the year, given that inflation has been falling for six straight months.

While the economy is not exactly in a crisis, it is in need of more support, Gareth Leather of Capital Economics said in a commentary. He noted that the central bank is keen to maintain its independence, but that it ultimately would likely cut rates at its next meeting, in June.

Thailand's levels of household debt are relatively high, and higher interest rates raise borrowing costs, tending to discourage spending and investment.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was at the scene of a barricade in Northwest D.C. on Wednesday afternoon.

MPD said in a post on the X platform just before 12:50 p.m. that officers were in the 4000 block of Cathedral Ave., NW.

Prince Georges County police: Person shot at officer in unmarked police car

Police asked residents to avoid the area during the response.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and Arab American leaders this week condemned some controversial chants and remarks made at a rally held Friday at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn.

A group called Al Quds Committee Detroit held an April 5 protest outside the library along Michigan Avenue in support of Palestinians that featured several speakers. During the protest, some could be heard on a livestream of the rally chanting in Arabic "Al-mout li Amreeka," which means "Death to America," and also "Al-mout li Israel," or "Death to Israel." Such chants are sometimes used in Iran or by Iranian-backed groups to protest U.S. foreign policy. Protests held in Michigan over the years by the Al Quds Committee tend to feature speakers who praise Iran's leaders. It's unclear who uttered the chants Friday.

"Over the weekend, video emerged of a rally in Dearborn where some attendees were chanting statements that were unacceptable and contrary to the heart of this city," Hammoud said in a post on X Monday. "We reject all inflammatory and violent statements made at the gathering. Dearborn is a city of proud Americans; the hateful rhetoric heard on Friday does not reflect the opinion of the members of this community."

The city of Dearborn reiterated Hammoud's views in a Tuesday statement to the Free Press provided by city spokesman Hassan Abbas.

"The inflammatory rhetoric expressed by some at the rally is neither endorsed nor supported by the City of Dearborn, its mayor, or any City elected officials," the city said in the statement. Abbas said Hammoud's statement refers to the "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" chants and any other comments that support violence.

Messages seeking comment left with the Al Quds Committee Detroit and an imam who spoke at the rally were not returned. In a statement with four points posted Sunday afternoon on its Facebook page, the Al Quds Committee said it was not liable or responsible for any chants or other public expressions at its rallies and that it will report to law enforcement any illegal or violent activity.

The chants were first publicized Sunday morning in a report and video by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), a group that monitors what it considers to be extremist views. MEMRI has faced criticism from Arab American and Muslim advocates for targeting them. In February, the Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece written by MEMRI's executive director, Steven Stalinsky, with a headline that called Dearborn "America's Jihad Capital." That piece was criticized as bigoted by Hammoud and Arab American civil rights advocates.

More: Dearborn community leaders condemn history of bigotry targeting Arab Americans

Al Quds Committee Detroit held a rally on Oct. 13, 2023, at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn, Michigan. Tarek Bazzi is speaking at the podium. A man behind him holds a photo of the late Ayatollah Khomeini. The same group held a protest on April 5, 2024, during which some chanted "Death to America" in Arabic while Bazzi was at the podium.

On Sunday, MEMRI's video of the anti-American chants went viral on X, with several conservative accounts posting the video and expressing alarm. Elon Musk, the owner of X, posted four tweets in response to the conservative posts that seemed to echo their outrage, writing Wow, Unreal, !!, !!.

A livestream of the rally was also posted on Facebook by Dearborn.org. The Free Press reviewed that video, which was later removed, and heard the chants first reported by MEMRI.

Osama Siblani, a longtime Arab American advocate who is publisher of the Dearborn-based Arab American News, blasted the "Death to America" chants and also some of the speakers at the rally. In a Facebook post Monday, Siblani ripped into the protesters, calling their chants "despicable."

"Your pathetic ill speeches and the disgusting chants that you incited and invited are totally and unequivocally rejected by all Arab Americans and Muslims in Dearborn and everywhere," Siblani wrote.

"It was uncalled for," Siblani told the Free Press. "It should not have been said. It doesn't represent what we stand for as a community. We disagree (with the U.S.) on foreign policy, but disagreeing on policies should not be a launching pad for for hateful speech ... towards all Americans. That is not acceptable at all. ....We are very appreciative of the country that brought us in here, opened the door, gave us the possibilities and gave us opportunities. We live the American dream."

Imad Hamad, executive director of the American Human Rights Center in Dearborn, who attended Friday's rally, released a statement on behalf of some Arab American and Muslim leaders that read in part: "We, as a community, unequivocally denounce the inflammatory speeches and chants ... your message of extremism do not resonate with us."

Majed Moughni, a Dearborn attorney who has been outspoken in support of Palestinians, said the chants hurt Dearborn and the Palestinian cause.

"These chants put our community in imminent danger" he said. "Many of us call America the greatest country on earth, a beacon of hope and the land of opportunity."

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this week at a press briefing that President Joe Biden condemned the chants.

The speaker who was at the podium when the anti-American chants were uttered was identified by Siblani and MEMRI as Tarek Bazzi, of Dearborn Heights. Siblani said he knew Bazzi, who was featured in a 2019 story in the Arab American News about profiling of Arab Americans at airports. Siblani said that while Bazzi did not speak the words himself, he is also to blame because he "made statements that invited this kind of a chant" and did nothing to stop the chants, pausing from speaking as the chants were spoken. Bazzi railed against the United States, mentioning the views of Black Panthers and Malcolm X, whom Bazzi quoted as once saying: "We live in one of the rottenest countries that has ever existed on this Earth."

Before the anti-American chants, Bazzi said to the crowd: "We have been asked in the past: Why are our protests on the International Day of Quds, why are they so anti-America? Why don't we just focus more on Israel and not talk so much about America? Gaza has shown the entire world why these protests are so anti-America. Because it's the United States government that provides the funds for all of the atrocities."

Bazzi added that "this is not some Iranian propaganda because this is a position that has been recognized by people right here in the United States as well. The Black Panthers used to say that the United State is the backbone of all oppression in the world."

Right after those remarks, someone could be heard saying in Arabic "Death to America" followed by some in the crowd repeating it. The chant is then repeated two more times by the person and some in the crowd.

Siblani said Bazzi is smart, but his actions that day were "very, very stupid and they are not acceptable at all."

Bazzi could not be reached for comment. He had an Instagram page the Free Press reviewed previously, but it has since been deleted. In a post last year, Bazzi last year criticized secular liberalism, LGBTQ people and abortion. MEMRI on Tuesday released another report on some of Bazzi's remarks against Israel made at a rally in 2021.

In Dearborn, some are sympathetic at times to Iran because of their support for groups in southern Lebanon that have protected areas from which they immigrated during Israeli attacks over the years. Israel has launched some strikes in Lebanon in recent months and Hezbollah has attacked parts of northern Israel. But Arab American advocates say they reject anti-American rhetoric and also oppose directly supporting groups labeled as terrorist by the U.S.

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud criticized the "Death to America" chants heard at a rally in Dearborn on April 5, 2024. He's pictured here speaking during Listen to Michigan's election night gathering at Adonis in Dearborn on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.

The Al Quds Committee previously held a rally at Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn on Oct. 13, the week after the Oct. 7 Hamas on Israel. A flyer for the rally was titled "Al Aqsa Flood Protest" and had a photo of a man with a Palestinian flag atop an Israeli tank. It featured speakers who called for Palestinian resistance and praised the late Ayatollah Khomeini and Qasem Soleimani of Iran. Behind the speakers, a man held up a photo of Khomeini. The tone of Friday's rally was similar, with a man holding a photo of Khomeini during the protest. MEMRI published a report in November criticizing the October rally. Khomeini started a tradition to hold pro-Palestinian protests on the last Friday during the month of Ramadan.

The Friday protest also included other speakers who touched upon the plight of Palestinians, including Dr. Adam Fahs, a Detroit surgeon who was recently in Gaza helping patients injured in Israeli attacks.

Abbas, the city spokesman, said organizers of Friday's rally had notified Dearborn Police of their plans to protest. The plaza at the Henry Ford Library is designated by the city as a free speech zone, "a free and protected space for any to express their right to free speech under the First Amendment," the city said in its statement.

"To ensure public safety, it is advised, but not required, that organizations who choose to use the Free Speech Zone first provide notification to Dearborn Police Department, which this organization did prior to their rally on April 5," the city said. The city added that Al Quds Committee Detroit "is not affiliated with the City of Dearborn, its mayor, or any City officials."

Hammoud, who has become known nationally for his support of Palestinians, added: "The Dearborn community stands for peace and justice for all people. We are proud to call this city and this country home."

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dearborn mayor rejects 'Death to America' chants at protest
The parliament's National Security and Defense Committee finished reviewing all the amendments to a mobilization bill and removed provisions on demobilization and rotation of military personnel, lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko said on April 9.

The bill is going to be considered in the plenary hall on April 10, according to the lawmaker.

Ukraine's government hopes to update the legal framework around conscription in order to ramp up mobilization in 2024. The parliament will now be considering a new draft of the mobilization law after its initial, contentious version was withdrawn.

The parliament supported the updated bill in the first reading on Feb. 7. Over 4,000 amendments to the bill have been submitted since its passing in the first reading.

On April 2, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed three laws introducing changes to mobilization, according to the parliamentary website. Zelensky approved laws to lower the minimum age of compulsory military service from 27 to 25, allowing younger men to be mobilized, create the online register for conscripts, and cancel the "partially eligible" status in the military medical examinations.

The Verkhovna Rada also approved a law on March 21 that cancels the "partially eligible" status in the medical reports, which indicates certain health issues and allows conscripts to be exempt from specific kinds of military service.

From April 2, there will be only two categories in the medical reports, "eligible" and "non-eligible." The person who was previously examined as "partially eligible" must be re-examined.

Read also: Opinion: Ukraine may have no choice but to lower its fighting age

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Bloomberg) -- Shares in defense companies jumped after Russias attack on Ukraine. They did again after the Israel-Hamas conflict started. Now another surge driven by Europes mission to boost military spending is raising questions over whether theyve gone too far, too fast.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The seven biggest European publicly traded makers of military hardware  including Rheinmetall AG, BAE Systems Plc and Saab AB  sank on Tuesday as investors lost their nerve around record share prices. Even with the pullback, theyve added a combined $30 billion or so to their stock market value in 2024.

The advance reflected the new geopolitical reality for Europe in the face of Russian aggression and American stalling over future funding for Ukraine. Investors expect orders to come thick and fast as countries reconfigure their military capabilities. But some analysts are skeptical, and European leaders are divided over how to do it.

Germany is pressing on with an overhaul of its armed forces, with orders worth as much as 7 billion ($7.6 billion), people familiar with the plans said earlier this week. They include a contract for armored transporters made by Rheinmetall for delivery starting in 2025. Shares in the maker of the Leopard 2 tank, though, dropped 7% on Tuesday from a record.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said valuations for European defense stocks now likely present more downside than upside risk. Indeed, until this week six of the seven companies were trading above the average price target assigned by analysts.

A basket of defense-exposed European shares tracked by Goldman Sachs has risen 40% year-to-date, even after the wobble this week. The companies collectively look expensive, priced at 20 times their earnings predicted a year from now versus a multiple of 8.6 before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Recent gains were spurred by a European Union agreement in March to establish a defense industrial strategy aimed at bolstering military readiness and the arms industry.

US presidential candidate Donald Trump fueled Europes push to rearm with threats to abandon NATO partners who dont meet the alliances defense spending requirements. Officials involved in security say that military budgets may need to emulate Cold War spending of as high as 4% of gross domestic product, twice the current NATO target.

European countries in NATO are being forced to move toward agreed levels of defense spending, said Patrick Armstrong, chief investment officer at Plurimi Wealth LLP, which owns shares in BAE Systems. The defense industry will benefit from a structural tail wind in the coming years.

There are some obstacles, though. Theres debate within the EU how to ramp up aid for Ukraine. Eastern members once in Russias orbit, such as the Baltic states, want to procure weapons fast to help Ukraine repel Vladimir Putins forces as they gain momentum  even if that means buying abroad in the short term. France, for one, is keen to build up its own defense industry.

The bigger question perhaps is where the money will come from. Many of NATOs European members still fall well short of the 2% of GDP spending guideline, constrained in part by the EUs fiscal rules. The EU itself, meanwhile, has set aside only 1.5 billion to fund its new defense strategy.

Alternative proposals to bolster Europes military posture  including tapping frozen Russian assets to help finance supplies for Ukraine or to issue common debt to create an EU defense fund  have been controversial.

Morgan Stanley analysts including Ross Law wrote that limited fiscal headroom in Europe means the rhetoric for higher defense spending is not matched by budgetary reality. Earnings upgrades will be needed for defense company stocks to keep going, Ross and his colleagues said.

Some are coming. Rheinmetall, whose products also include Fuchs armored transporters, said this month that it expects annual sales to jump to about 10 billion in 2024, up from just over 7 billion a year earlier. But others are cautious.

BAE Systems, which makes Typhoon fighter jets and warships for Britains Royal Navy, said after its latest financial update in February that ramping up output will take time because of challenges including recruitment. A plan to increase production of critical 155 millimeter shells in the UK will take as long as two years, Chief Executive Officer Charles Woodburn said.

Concrete evidence of spending and increased geopolitical clarity may now be necessary for the rally to run further. That will come, according to Alexander Neuberger, an analyst at B Metzler Seel Sohn & Co AG who lifted his price target for Rheinmetall last week.

Assuming the western world still intends to support Ukraine in order to prevent the country from losing the war, Neuberger said in a note to clients, there is no alternative to accelerated shipments of ammunition as soon as possible.

--With assistance from Paul Jarvis, James Cone, Sagarika Jaisinghani and Natalia Drozdiak.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
When former Rep. Ken Buck announced last month that he was resigning from Congress, the Colorado Republican made little effort to hide his disgust with the state of the institution. In fact, he pointed to one specific abuse  executed by his own party  that he found especially indefensible.

Weve taken impeachment, and weve made it a social media issue as opposed to a constitutional concept, Buck declared. This place keeps going downhill.

He was referring, of course, to House Republicans decision two months ago to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas  the first-ever impeachment of a sitting cabinet secretary  despite the inconvenient fact that the GOP couldnt find any evidence of high crimes committed by the DHS chief.

Critics of the move accused Republican lawmakers of treating Congress impeachment power like a partisan toy, which the party was a little too eager to throw around as an election-season plaything.

GOP officials keep proving their critics right. NBC News reported:

House GOP leaders couldve sent the matter to the Senate in February, and if Republicans genuinely believed this was an urgent concern, they likely wouldve done just that. Instead, they waited two months and planned to advance the process today.

But those plans were delayed  not for substantive reasons, but because the party is still trying to figure out how to have the most fun with their toy. As a Washington Post report summarized:

Under the original schedule, the Senate was going to receive the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas today, and Democratic members were set to vote tomorrow to either dismiss or table the articles. With 51 votes, the narrow Democratic majority was in a position to dismiss the matter swiftly  and since senators of both parties have a strong preference to leave Capitol Hill on Thursday afternoons, ahead of their three-day weekend, Republicans were unlikely to even try to drag the process out.

With this in mind, a group of far-right senators reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday, imploring the Louisiana Republican to push the matter to next week in order to give the party the best possible public-relations opportunities. Or as the Posts report added, [M]any Republicans want to draw out the impeachment process as long as possible and make it as painful as possible for Democrats facing re-election in red and purple states.

The question isnt whether the Senate will remove Mayorkas from office. It wont. That would require 67 votes, which is an impossibility given that (a) every member of the Democratic majority, including West Virginias Joe Manchin, considers this charade ridiculous; and (b) several Republican senators have also conceded that this entire exercise is meritless.

The question, rather, is whether GOP senators succeed in creating a pointless election-year spectacle, turning a serious constitutional power into a public-relations gambit.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Delta Air Lines is updating the way it boards passengers. Heres what to expect

(NEXSTAR)  Delta Air Lines announced that its updating its boarding system to be less confusing for passengers.

Instead of boarding by groups with names such as Diamond Medallions, Delta Premium Select and Sky Priority, passengers will board in groups numbered one through eight.

When you have a number and youre standing in line, we are all trained to know when its our turn, CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview with the Associated Press.

Ford recalls nearly 43,000 SUVs due to gas leaks  but remedy wont fix problem

The change, which rolls out on May 1, wont alter the pecking order of when each type of customer gets to board. Those with the cheapest tickets, Basic Economy, will still board last.

Delta will still offer pre-board opportunities for customers who need extra time or assistance, followed by active-duty military, then Delta 360 Members, the company noted on its website.

Delta said that boarding lane signs will also be updated to show boarding zone numbers.

Heres the full order in which passengers will board:

Zone 1: Delta One and first-class customers

Zone 2: Diamond Medallion members and Delta Premium Select Cabin passengers

Early access: Customers traveling with car seats and strollers

Zone 3: Delta Comfort+ passengers

Zone 4: Sky Priority customers

Zone 5: Main Cabin 1 passengers

Zone 6: Main Cabin 2 passengers

Zone 7: Main Cabin 3 passengers

Zone 8: Basic economy passengers

Delta isnt the only airline that has updated its system in recent months. Back in October 2023, United overhauled its boarding process so that passengers sitting in window and middle seats could board before those in aisle seats.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
House Democrats are hammering a Republican proposal linking Ukraine aid to an increase in natural gas exports, accusing GOP leaders of pushing poison-pill policies that will only further delay much needed help for a democratic ally under siege.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) launched the controversial debate late last month, telling Fox News that hes eying a plan to allow new permits for liquified natural gas (LNG) exports  a reversal of President Bidens recent freeze on those licenses  as part of legislation providing new military assistance to Kyiv.

Johnson has been vague about the specifics for a foreign-aid package, and its unclear if the proposed natural gas provision will be part of any final legislation emerging from his office. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), a member of GOP leadership, told reporters Tuesday the provision is still on the table.

But Democrats arent waiting silently while the GOPs favored energy policies gain momentum. Instead, theyre bashing Johnsons LNG proposal as a conservative pipe-dream that would never win over the Democratic support Johnson will need to get Ukraine aid to Bidens desk.

I think its a non-starter, said Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.). I cant speak for every Democrat, but I know a lot of my colleagues would be mortified by that, and would be upset with any Democratic leader that negotiated for it.

Johnson is walking a tightrope in his attempt to move another round of Ukraine aid through the lower chamber as Kyivs forces run low on munitions and Russian troops make advances. The new funding is supported by the old-guard conservatives in Johnsons GOP conference  who favor a strong interventionist policy overseas  but is opposed by a newer crop of isolationists, led by former President Trump, who want to use more of Washingtons resources to address problems at home.

In an effort to prevent a revolt from the Trump faction, Johnson has rejected a Senate-passed foreign-aid package, which provided $60 billion to Ukraine, and is vowing to move a more conservative version through the House. As part of that effort, hes floating the LNG provision, which would reverse a Biden policy reviled by Republicans who want to expand domestic fossil fuel production, not curb it.

The Speaker says the proposal is relevant to the Ukraine debate because it could help other countries wean themselves from a reliance on Russian fuel, which is helping to fund Moscows invasion.

We want to unleash American energy. We want to have natural gas exports that will help un-fund Vladimir Putins war effort there, Johnson told Fox News at the end of March.

Democrats have far different ideas. Theyve largely supported Bidens freeze on LNG export permits, in the name of tackling climate change, while pressing Johnson to bring a vote on the Senate Ukraine bill, which passed through the upper chamber with an overwhelming 70-29 vote, including support from 22 Republicans. Given the bipartisan nature of that bill, they say Johnson is wasting his time with the LNG proposal while Ukraine suffers.

Speaker Johnson should stop playing political games with crucial aid to our allies and bring up the bill that got 70 votes in the Senate, said Rep. Diana DeGette (Colo.), the senior Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committees subpanel on energy and climate.

The Energy Department announced in January that it would pause approvals of some natural gas facilities as it weighed changing its evaluation process. The decision temporarily froze pending approval requests for countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the U.S., and it will remain in effect until the department updates how it performs analyses.

An administration official told reporters at the time that the process could take a few months, and then it will require a public comment period before being finalized.

The move was cheered by progressives and environmental activists but panned by conservatives, who called it outrageous and argued that it was a gift to Putin. Since then, Republicans have sought to undo the pause, voting on bills to block the freeze, calling on the administration to undo its decision and pushing for an amendment to the Senate national security supplemental that would have reversed the move.

Johnsons gambit is the latest GOP effort to change the administrations stance.

Reuters reported earlier this month that White House officials were open to lifting the pause on LNG exports to get Ukraine aid over the finish line, but it noted no decisions would be made until the entire package is finalized.

A White House spokesperson, however, said the reporting was not true and re-upped the presidents position that the House should approve the Senate-passed bill.

The president supports the pause on pending, additional approvals of LNG export licenses to evaluate the economic and climate impacts on consumers and communities, the spokesperson added.

Huffman said hes also been given assurances that the Reuters report was false, and that the LNG freeze is safe.

The best information I have is that this is not under serious consideration by either the White House or any congressional Democrats, Huffman said.

Liberals are hounding the administration to keep its pause in place.

The Biden administration and my Democratic colleagues must not abandon climate and frontline communities just so Republicans can continue to line the pockets of Big Oil and Gas, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) told The Hill in a statement last week.

Not all Democrats, however, support Bidens export freeze.

In February, nine Democrats joined Republicans in approving a bill to nix the Biden policy  bipartisan support Johnson is sure to highlight as he looks to tack the LNG provision onto the foreign aid legislation.

Cutting off that supply will worsen global instability, threaten high-paying union jobs in the U.S., and promote dirtier foreign fuels in the market, Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) wrote in a statement after supporting the GOP-led bill. Its in all of our interests that America maintains its energy leadership.

Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), who also voted to block the Biden administrations pause, sounded off on the Energy Department in January after it announced it was freezing export approvals.

This freeze on new LNG export permits is a major step backwards, Peltola said in a statement, later adding: I will be advocating strongly to the President to reverse this short-sighted ban and let American natural gas continue to power a cleaner, safer future.

In addition to the energy provision, Johnson is eying other changes to the Senate bill, including a proposal to send some new Ukraine aid in the form of a loan, and another, known as the REPO Act, to allow the U.S. to use seized frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv. Democrats have been generally open to both concepts.

A number of Democrats told The Hill last month they could get on board with the loan concept, and almost 30 Democrats have signed on to the REPO Act as co-sponsors, crucial details as the Speaker looks to pick up support for a national security supplemental from both sides of the aisle.

But his energy operation could significantly gut Democratic support, leaving Johnson without the bipartisan support hell need to adopt any Ukraine aid into law.

The White House knows how this would be perceived by climate voters, by young voters, Huffman said. This would be a huge giveaway to the fossil fuel industry, and theres no reason we should give it serious consideration.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Senate Democrats sent a letter to a federal contractor on Wednesday demanding answers about the tumultuous rollout of the new Free Application for the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent a letter to the CEO of General Dynamics asking about its role in the bungled launch.

The blame for the rocky FAFSA rollout has largely been placed on the Department of Education, but the Democrats say General Dynamics also has a role in the problems and accountability is needed.

Your company has had the contract to develop the FAFSA online portal since 2015, and in June 2022, GDIT received a $121.8 million contract to modernize the FAFSA system following the changes made in the FAFSA Simplification Act, the letter reads. According to a company press release  which now appears to have been removed from your website  this was a 10-year contract [with] an 18-month base period with eight one-year and one six-month option periods.

The company promised the changes to FAFSA would improve the overall customer experience and allow students to more efficiently receive federal aid to help pay for college or career school.

These promises were not kept; indeed, it now appears that your efforts to date have been a near-total failure and that the FAFSA problems caused by this failure are harming millions of students and hundreds of colleges, the two Democrats said in the letter.

General Dynamics has until April 23 to answer questions in the letter, including what payments they have received from the federal government and what warnings the company received about complications with the FAFSA rollout.

The senators sent the letter ahead of a House hearing on Wednesday examining the FAFSA rollout and the problems during it.

Many students have still not received their financial aid packages from colleges because universities have received wrong FAFSA information from the Department of Education.

Some schools have delayed their decision deadlines because it is unclear if all students will be able to get their financial aid offers before May 1.

The Hill has reached out to General Dynamics for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Battery life always limits a drones ability to perform tasks and get anywhere. So why not let it slurp from nearby power lines? (Well, there are reasons.)

Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark attached a gripper system to a Tarot 650 Sport drone, which they customized with an electric quadcopter propulsion system and an autopilot module. An inductive charger pulls current from the power line, enabling it to recharge five times over two hours during tests. The benefit here is that power lines already exist (duh), but there is the real concern that a drone could damage a line and knock out electricity for thousands.

 Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

DJIs RS4 gimbals make it easier to balance heavy cameras and accessories

Apple Vision Pro, two months later

Kobos new ereaders include its first with color displays

You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

It challenged Apple and lost almost immediately.

WordPress and Tumblr owner Automattic has bought Beeper, the maker of the Beeper Mini app, which challenged Apple with iMessage tricks on Android phones, late last year. Although it ultimately lost its only USP when Apple blocked the exploit  mere days later  the incident gave the DOJ more ammunition in its antitrust suit against Apple. Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that Automattic paid $125 million. Its a lot of money, especially when Automattic already owns a messaging app, Texts. No, I hadnt heard of it either.

Continue reading.

Theres a thriving black market for satellite-based internet providers.

TMA (Reuters)

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Russian forces in Ukraine are using Starlink satellite internet terminals to coordinate attacks in eastern Ukraine and Crimea as well as to control drones and other forms of military tech. The Starlink hardware is reaching Russian forces via a complex network of black-market sellers. After reports in February that Russian forces were using Starlink, US House Democrats demanded Musk act, noting Russian military use of the tech is potentially in violation of US sanctions and export controls. Starlink can disable individual terminals.

Continue reading.

The Motion Picture Association will work with politicians.

The Motion Picture Association chair and CEO Charles Rivkin has revealed a plan to make sailing the digital seas, so streaming or downloading pirated content, harder. Rivkin said the association is going to work with Congress to establish and enforce site-blocking legislation in the United States. He added that almost 60 countries use site-blocking as a tool against piracy.

Story continues

Continue reading.

Finally.

Shh, relax And strap two screens to your face.

Relaaaaax.
FILE - Members of the Bandidos wait in front of the court in Muenster, western Germany, Tuesday, June 10, 2008. Denmark wants a court of law to dissolve the Danish arm of the Bandidos motorcycle club, with the justice minister citing the group memberss criminal activities. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said Wednesday that "their brutal behavior leaves bloody traces. (AP Photo/Roberto Pfeil, File)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  Denmarks government said Wednesday it wants a court to formally dissolve the Danish arm of the Bandidos motorcycle club, citing the groups violent behavior.

Under Denmarks constitution, an organization that promotes or incites violence can be dissolved by court order, meaning that it would be illegal for the group to have clubhouses, hold meetings or wear their insignias.

The freedom of association was not created to protect vicious criminals, Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said at a news conference Wednesday, adding that the Bandidos had engaged in especially brutal behavior.

The Danish chapter of Bandidos MC was created in 1993. Three years later, a feud between them and rivals Hells Angels broke out in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, ending with 11 dead and nearly 100 wounded.

In recent years, members of the Bandidos in Denmark have been jailed for murder, attempted murder, assault and drug-related crimes.

On Tuesday, two members of the Bandidos were sentenced to 13 years each for a murder south of Copenhagen. Three other people linked to the gang were sentenced up to two years for gross violence in connection with the assault.

Hummelgaard said the government would seek a dissolution order against the Bandidos and that other similar organized gangs could also face dissolution. I would like to have them all banned if it is legally possible, he said.

Authorities have given no estimate of the number of members of the Bandidos. Police say some 1,200 people in Denmark are members of criminal gangs, which also include groups besides the Bandidos, but does not include informal members.

The head of the Danish polices National Special Crime Unit, Lasse Boye, told broadcaster DR that the Bandidos were the largest and most violent gang in Denmark, and that the group has been "expanding very significantly in recent years.

That is why we have chosen to come after the Bandidos, he told DR.

The lawyer representing the Bandidos, Michael Juul Eriksen, told broadcaster TV 2 that he was not surprised by the move after the government said in June that authorities were looking into disbanding the group.

In September 2018, Danish police issued a temporary nationwide ban against th e Loyal to Familia organized criminal group. In 2021, Denmarks Supreme Court agreed with a lower courts conclusion that the group was a threat to public order, and the group has since been dissolved.
DENVER (KDVR)  The city of Denver has released a nearly $90 million budget plan to fund migrant aid and sheltering for the rest of the year, identifying how the city plans to fund the program and breaking down budget cuts by department.

On Wednesday morning, the city released a budget plan behind its new program for migrants, whom the city calls newcomers. The city claims this new approach allows for surges in arrivals and focuses on self-sufficiency and moving people to independence.

Civic Center Park flower beds to be planted after all, despite budget cuts

Earlier in the year, Mayor Mike Johnston asked every city department to find creative ways to reduce costs by 10%-15%. That was when Denver projected spending $180 million with 5,000 people sheltered a day, so as the influx of migrants has decreased, the percentage for cuts decreased significantly as well.

The newcomer budget allocates $89.9 million for the full year, and $25 million has already been spent in the first quarter of 2024. The city says its new program reduced expenses by $15 million per quarter.

Denvers newcomer budget breakdown for migrant aid

Here is where Denver plans to spend the $89.9 million on migrant assistance in 2024:

Program Administration: $3 million

Shelter and Housing: $51.7 million

Supportive Services: $9.7 million (includes case management, workforce training)

Transportation: $6 million

One Time Capital Costs: $9.5 million

Contingency: $10 million

Total: $89.9 million

But where is the money coming from? The city has $44 million planned out, with the remaining funds coming from cutting costs to major departments.

Here is how the figures break down.

Funding plan: $44 million

Rollover from 2023: $8 million

Transfer from Human Services: $2 million

FEMA funds: $9 million

General Contingency: $10 million

Castro Building Fund: $15 million

Cuts and budget adjustments: $45.9 million

Vacancy Savings: $19.9 million, 43%

Capital Funds: $9.5 million, 21%

Services and Supplies: $8.2 million, 18%

General Fund Reallocation: $6.7 million, 15%

Technology Projects: $1.5 million, 3%

(The city noted the categories above may not reflect the $45.9 million total due to rounding.)

The majority comes from vacancy savings: not filling jobs that can remain open without affecting their office and staggering hiring dates. The city said it also tried to avoid positions that directly impact the public. This includes approximately 160 positions in total.

Colorado bill to track gun and ammo purchases heads to Polis desk

The cuts to services and supplies include a reduction in conference travel, official functions, marketing dollars and what the city called moving administrative pieces.

Denver budget cuts by department

The mayors office is taking the biggest cut of 9.6%. Here is how other department cuts break down:

Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency: 6.1%

Department of Transportation and Infrastructure: 3.8%

Community Development: 2.6%

City Attorneys Office: 2.5%

Executive Director of Safety: 2.4%

Sheriff Department: 2.2%

Economic Development: 2.1%

Police Department: 1.9%

Public Health and Environment: 1.9%

Public Library: 1.5%

Licensing: 1.3%

Department of Finance: 1%

Fire Department: 0.8%

General Services: 0.6%

Housing Stability: 0.3%

Other changes include that recreation centers will return to regular operating hours by June 7. Recreation programs and permits will be restored. And there will be no furloughs or layoffs of city employees and no reduction to any major public services.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Denver says it has supported more than 40,000 migrants since December 2022 at a cost of $68.1 million. Half of that was in the last four months alone and $15 million in December.

The city says its goal is not to use the entire $89.9 million to plan for potential surges in migrant arrivals. Any unused funds will roll over to 2025.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
DENVER (KDVR)  Denver Mayor Mike Johnston went face to face with residents directly affected by a homeless encampment in west Denver.

Neighbors complained about human waste, drug use and violence at a camp near 8th Avenue and Navajo Street, and now the city will take steps to clear it out next Tuesday, April 16.

Some residents said they still are not hopeful about the future of their neighborhood.

I was just passing by there the other day and this girl was selling some blues to these people, Sandra Montoya said, referring to the street name for counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl.

Montoya lives near the encampment and said people are selling and consuming drugs by her home.

Aerial view of tent encampment beside overpass

Mayor Johnston answers to residents about camp

Johnston hosted a town hall Tuesday at a community center in the neighborhood, where folks had a chance to let him know what its like living near the encampment.

My niece is getting chased down the street. Nobody cares. How many reports do we have to have for attention from anybody? a resident named Yvonne said.

Drug use is just part of the problem. With no restrooms, neighbors said there is a stench of human waste and trash in the area.

I know youre trying to help them, and I greatly appreciate that, but whos helping us? another resident said at the town hall.

City officials said some people are refusing shelter and help. The city will not provide alternate housing for those in the camp, which marks the first time since Johnston launched his homeless initiative.

This is a situation where theres both right-of-way infringement, their health and safety risks, and the size of the encampment is too large for us to resolve to housing, Johnston said.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

FOX31 reached out to the mayors office about why the city will not provide alternate housing and received the following statement.

As part of the All In Mile High initiative, we are focused on closing camps through housing. In cases of public health, public safety, right of way, or private property infringement some camps will need to be cleaned up without direct access to housing. Although we have worked with an intention of resolving this encampment to housing for several weeks, this encampment faces a great deal of challenges related to public health and safety and has imposed a significant burden on the surrounding community. Given these challenges and limited space within our All In Mile High system to accommodate this number of individuals, we have made the difficult decision to post the camp for cleanup. This is the first time the administration will post and encampment closure without housing resolution in 6 months, and something we plan to avoid in the future. Joe Salas, Denver Mayors Office

Without alternate housing, some neighbors are afraid this planned sweep next Tuesday will just move the issue over another block.

Essentially theyve cleaned it, they fenced it, its just a matter of time until it comes back, resident Jose Esparza said.

The Denver Police Department said the encampment has been on their radar for some time and they will continue to monitor the area to prevent anyone from squatting at abandoned or vacant houses in the neighborhood.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A convicted sex offender who got a West Michigan woman to send him sexually explicit pictures of a child has been sentenced to 50 years in prison and hit with a $252,000 tab for restitution.

The crimes committed by 42-year-old Timothy Lee Baker of Wyoming were described as so depraved by a federal prosecutor.

The crime of sexual exploitation is so depraved in part because its victims are so vulnerable, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a news release.

U.S. District Court Judge Paul Maloney on Tuesday also ordered Baker to pay $252,000 in restitution and serve a decade on supervised release once the prison term ends.

Baker is a registered sex offender; he was convicted in 2000 of having sex with a person under the age of 13.

A jury found Baker guilty of coercion and enticement of a minor; a potential life offense. He was indicted on the charge last summer. The federal jury in December also found him guilty of crimes tied to his status as a registered sex offender.

The coercion/enticement case came to light in December 2022 while Baker was being investigated in Ottawa County for a reported sexual assault of a 16-year-old.

During the investigation, police received information that Baker wanted to have sex with an 11-year-old girl who had connections with a woman Baker was involved with, court records show.

A search of Bakers Snapchat account turned up a photo of a semi-nude girl. It led investigators to an address in Norton Shores, registered to Shaelyn Fann.

Fann admitted to sending Baker 10-15 nude or semi-nude images of a girl through Snapchat, court records show.

Fann and Baker discussed plans to have the girl ingest substances that would make her unconscious so that Baker could have sex with her, records show.

Im trying to ease her into the whole sex thing but she still thinks everything is gross, Fann wrote in a message to Baker, according to court records.

Fann also discussed buying sex toys for the girl to accustom her to sexual activity, records show.

Fann, 32, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor and was sentenced in January to nearly 22 years in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Five current and two former Hennepin County Sheriff's Office employees are suing the county, alleging a workplace "filled with bigotry and fear" under former Sheriff Dave Hutchinson.

Sheriff Dawanna Witt, who was elected in 2022 and replaced Hutchinson, is among the plaintiffs who allege the former sheriff used derogatory terms like "hood rat," "gorilla" and "pedophile," while he "brutally demeaned" his subordinates because of their race and sexual orientation. She emphasized that the behavior happened before she took office in 2023.

The complaint, filed Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court, claims Hutchinson routinely threatened to fire people, talked about killing those who crossed him and waved his loaded service weapon around. The plaintiffs said at one point they worried Hutchinson would commit a mass shooting at the office.

Five of the plaintiffs still work in leadership roles at the Sheriff's Office. They claim Hutchinson violated Minnesota's Human Rights and Whistleblower acts as well as state law.

"We can't let this go," Witt said during a Wednesday news conference at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis. She promised not to let the case affect her work as sheriff: "I owe it to everyone to do what I believe is right."

The allegations reflect the findings of an investigation that county leaders ordered in 2022. In December 2022, the County Board released a report about Hutchinson's behavior and unanimously voted to censure him.

In a statement, Hennepin County spokeswoman Carolyn Marinan said it was disappointing that Sheriff's Office leaders decided to sue. She noted that all county leaders, "including the managers and supervisors who filed this lawsuit," are responsible for reporting discrimination and disrespectful behavior.

"County administration took prompt action to investigate these claims once alerted, and worked diligently to address Sheriff Hutchinson's conduct during a very challenging time with support from the County Board," the statement said. "The county will vigorously defend against these claims."

At the time he was censured, Hutchinson denied the allegations against him and said they were driven by him being Minnesota's first openly gay sheriff. Attempts to reach Hutchinson on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Steven Andrew Smith, attorney for the Sheriff's Office employees, disputes that county leaders moved quickly to address concerns about Hutchinson's behavior. He said the lawsuit was about more than Hutchinson being a bad manager and sheriff.

"This case is about the failure of the county to provide a safe work environment, free of discrimination and retaliation," Smith said. "Time and time again, Hennepin County failed to create a safe workplace."

Smith acknowledged that the plaintiffs have been discussing their case with county officials for about a year and had one mediation session but could not reach a settlement.

The deputies say they began reporting Hutchinson's alleged behavior months after he took office, in summer 2019, but county officials initially refused to take action. They say Hutchinson became more volatile after he crashed his county vehicle while drunk in 2021 with "angry outbursts and vengeful threats." Hutchinson pleaded guilty to DWI after the northern Minnesota crash, which totaled his vehicle.

After one "explosive meeting," according to the lawsuit, the deputies said they felt like "sitting ducks" who could be victims of a mass shooting. Tim Stout, chief of staff for the sheriff, said at one point Hutchinson's behavior led him to ask deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office to guard his home.

"Hennepin County refused to take any meaningful steps to address our concerns and help us feel safe at work or at home," Stout said during Wednesday's news conference.

County officials launched an investigation in April 2022 and Hutchinson went on leave that May. The lawsuit says while on leave the former sheriff continued to disparage them and threatened to retaliate against whistleblowers and those who crossed him.

After an outside investigator submitted a report that detailed dozens of racist, sexist, homophobic and bullying incidents, the County Board voted unanimously to censure Hutchinson. The vote came just weeks before his term ended and he did not seek re-election.

Hutchinson attempted to return to his previous post with Metro Transit police. But he was placed on leave, investigated and fired over his behavior as sheriff.

Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the county include Chief Deputy Tracey Martin; Maj. Daniel Kurtz, of the administrative services bureau; Danielle Baggett, a senior administrative assistant; Patrick King, the former leader of the investigations bureau; and Jeffrey Storms, former leader of the administrative services bureau.

The lawsuit says the deputies are seeking unspecified damages in excess of $50,000.

Editor's note: The following document contains offensive language.
DENVER (KDVR)  A 15-month-long, multi-state investigation led to the arrest of 31 suspects and authorities confiscating thousands of fentanyl pills, all thanks to an observant detention deputys tip, according to the Laramie County Sheriffs Office in Wyoming.

Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak told reporters on Tuesday that the investigation began in December 2022 when a deputy discovered a manipulated door going from the detention center laundry room to a secured area within the jail. While investigating the door, law enforcement discovered a shattered glass block on the exterior wall of the jail.

Groups claim Colorado legislators limited free speech during testimony

Kozak said that after watching security footage, the agency identified a vehicle and an individual suspected of delivering drugs to inmates through the shattered block.

Some of what Kozak described seems like something from Hollywood: an inmate using playing cards to jimmy open doors, another inmate calling his wife on a recorded line to request fentanyl from Colorado to be brought to the Wyoming jail, and a third inmate who called to thank the person who brought him jail contraband.

Kozak noted that Cheyenne, Wyoming, is a known distribution hub for drug dealers.

Unfortunately, we have a lot of users and people who are addicted to opioids in our community, Kozak said. And so the supply was coming from Mexico through Colorado. Now, yes, I-25 makes it easy for that to happen. I-80 also makes it easy. Theres a lot of drugs being transported on those two interstates, which is why all the agencies involved, they do put a lot of efforts into interdiction.

Deputy tip spurs quick action from Laramie office

As soon as the Laramie County Sheriffs Office realized the fentanyl was being trafficked into the jail, deputies sought to track down the source and stop the flow of drugs quickly.

When youre dealing with fentanyl investigations, you want to try to track down the source and try to get those involved as fast as you can because youre trying to save lives because fentanyl is so deadly, Kozak said during a news conference.

1 suspect in custody in deadly Glendale shooting, others possibly in Texas

The investigation was turned over to the Laramie County Sheriffs Office detective assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force. The detective partnered with an agent of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. Together, they said they identified a drug organization operating out of Colorado and Mexico. The organization was supplying fentanyl and methamphetamine to numerous individuals in Laramie County and Southeast Wyoming.

Kozak noted that in Laramie County there were 17 fentanyl poisoning deaths during 2023.

Thats 17 in our county alone, Kozak said. When we talk about fentanyl poisoning, youll notice that we dont ever use the word overdose because overdose is taking too much of something that if you normally take a therapeutic dose, it would be OK. But thats not the case with fentanyl, because it kills you, no matter what the dose is.

Pharmaceutical fentanyl is approved for use by medical professionals to treat severe pain, such as advanced cancer pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kozak highlighted one of the suspects in the case, Korysa Shepard, who was released from the Laramie County Jail in February 2023, before going to Fort Collins. There, she died of an overdose.

Kozak said because of these kinds of events, he now gives an opioid reversal drug to each addicted inmate leaving jail.

Investigation results in arrests, drugs seized

During 2023, investigators arrested 31 suspects, including 12 that the U.S. Attorneys Office is prosecuting. Three federal defendants are awaiting sentencing, and a fourth is awaiting trial, so their names were withheld.

Denver hotel shelter security check turns up ammunition, but no guns

However, the Laramie County agency shared the names of eight federal defendants and their sentences:

Ryan Bennett, felon in possession of a firearm, intent to deliver fentanyl (66 months federal prison)

Joseph Flores, intent to deliver fentanyl (24 months federal prison)

Raymond Paddock, intent to deliver fentanyl (33 months federal prison)

Daniel Ellis, intent to deliver fentanyl (63 months federal prison)

Michael Guzman, intent to deliver fentanyl (75 months federal prison)

Ashley Hyatt, intent to deliver fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl (65 months federal prison)

Cesar Lerma Hernandez, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl (57 months federal prison)

Miguel Guerrero-Castaneda, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl (57 months federal prison)

One more suspect is currently sought, Anthoney Bryant, who has a felony warrant issued for his arrest on charges of burglary and theft of over $1,000, in addition to several misdemeanor warrants for probation violations, possession of a controlled substance, theft and use of a controlled substance and failure to pay.

Investigators also said they seized over 16,300 fentanyl pills (1,638 grams), 604 grams of methamphetamine, 64 grams of heroin and 4 grams of cocaine; plus five firearms from individuals not allowed to possess firearms.

The agency reported that the investigation required 45 search warrants.

To prevent further fentanyl from circulating in the detention facility, the agency is employing a full-time drug detection dog. Authorities have also covered the glass blocks with a board and added a padlock to the laundry room door to deter further drug smuggling.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Numerous Wyoming, Colorado and federal agencies aided in the inter-state operation, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security, North Metro Drug Trask Force, Northern Colorado Drug Task Force, Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office, Thornton Police Department and the District of Colorado United States Attorneys Office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Despite her history, some in GOP now lining up to support Michele Morrow to lead schools

Some Republican fundraisers and elected officials are now lining up to support Michele Morrows run to lead North Carolinas public schools, despite her history of controversial social media posts.

Two of North Carolinas top Republican donors  developer John Kane and businessman Bob Luddy  are hosting a fundraiser Wednesday for Morrow at Kanes home in Raleigh.

Also on Wednesday, state House Speaker Tim Moore said hed endorse Morrow in her campaign to become the new superintendent of public instruction. The states Republican leadership had backed incumbent Superintendent Catherine Truitt in her unsuccessful re-election bid against Morrow in the March primary.

The race has drawn national attention because of coverage of Morrows past social media posts where she talked about killing Democrats such as President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama.

She is becoming normalized through these endorsements, through these fundraisers, David McLennan, a political science professor at Meredith College and director of the Meredith Poll, said in an interview Wednesday. She is moving from being viewed as an extremist to someone who is a flag bearer for the Republican Party.

Race gains national attention

Morrow is a registered nurse, conservative activist and homeschool parent. She is a Donald Trump supporter who protested outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. She said she did not enter the Capitol that day.

Morrow is running against Democrat Mo Green, who is the former superintendent of Guilford County Schools. Green is also the former executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, a group that funds progressive causes.

Candidates for N.C. Superintendent of Schools Maurice Green (left) and Republican Michele Morrow (right).

Morrow has received national attention since CNN reported on her past social media posts, including those that talked about killing Obama, President Joe Biden, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and other Democrats.

I prefer a Pay Per View of him in front of the firing squad, Morrow, the candidate, 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.

Morrow has deleted the social media accounts cited by CNN. She has accused the media of trying to create gotcha moments out of old comments taken out of context, made in jest, or never made in the first place.

In this July 27, 2020 photo, Michele Morrow of Cary, N.C., center, waits with others for President Donald Trump to show up at Morrisville, N.C. event. Morrow is now the Republican nominee for N.C. superintendent of schools. A recent CNN investigation revealed that in 2020 she expressed support on social media for the televised execution of former President Barack Obama and suggested killing then President-elect Joe Biden. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com

Im a good loyal fellow Republican

Republican House Speaker Moore told reporters on Wednesday that he thinks the comments hes seen from Morrow are not appropriate at all. And Im not gonna condone comments like that. I know she has explained some of those. But my plan is to support all the Republican nominees for office and, you know, voters have to make up their own mind on that.

Moore reiterated that he certainly wouldnt have made those comments and Ill stand by my comments, and comment on mine and not delve into other folks races. But, you know, Im a good loyal fellow Republican. Im gonna vote for the Republican nominees for office.

Moore had endorsed Truitt in the primary.

Heres the deal. You have folks that go through a party process: They get a nomination by our party, they are our candidates at that point. And I think anyone who gets nominated for office, you know, has to be in a position where, if theyve made comments in the past or during the campaign or whatever  they offer up whatever explanation there is. And thats ultimately up to the voters, Moore said.

McLennan, the political science professor, said he expects most Republican state legislators and congressional members to endorse Morrow.

An exception is U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who has publicly said he wont endorse Morrow. During the primary, Morrow had used Tillis endorsement of Truitt as a campaign issue.

Michele Morrow talks with Sen.Thom Tillis during a campaign stop at the Angus Barn in Raleigh on Friday, October, 30, 2020.

Big GOP donors supporting Morrow

During the GOP primary, most of the financial support went to Truitt. An exception was Bob Luddy, who had given Morrow $6,000.

Luddy is the the founder and chairman of the Raleigh-based CaptiveAire Systems. He founded the Thales Academy network of private schools and Franklin Academy, a charter school in Wake Forest.

Kane is a prominent Raleigh developer who is most known locally for revitalizing the North Hills area.

Neither Kane or Luddy immediately returned requests for comments Wednesday from The News & Observer about the fundraiser. But Luddy told WUNC, which first reported about the fundraiser, that hes not concerned by her social media posts because I think it was a spoof.

Michele Morrow is a home school mother with a deep understanding of K-12 education, Luddy told WUNC in an email. She will return NC public schools to the basics such as making sure all students can read by the end of third grade. She will also make civility and respect imperative.

This is why partisanship exists

McLennan said any criticism for the fundraiser isnt likely going to hurt the businesses of Kane or Luddy.

The big name Republican donors like Luddy and Kane cant be hurt by supporting Morrow, McLennan said.  I always assumed theyd join the team and other big donors will come back.

McLennan said the financial support will lend credibility to Morrows campaign. He said it will also provide the funds for her campaign against Green, who held a big monetary lead over his opponents in the Democratic primary.

This is why partisanship exists, McLennan said. Theyd rather have a controversial Michele Morrow as superintendent of public instruction than a Democrat.
Photo: Oakland County Jail

A Detroit man has been arrested for allegedly shooting a Chipotle worker for not giving him enough guacamole with his meal. After the violent episode, the suspect took his food and left the 21-year-old employee to tend to their injuries.

In addition, the Chipotle where it happened was directly across the street from the Southfield Police Headquarters. Adam Brown, 32, was pulled over by authorities just moments after the shooting. The arrest was caught on an officers bodycam.

On Sunday, April 7, Brown was arraigned and charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, discharging a weapon in or at a building causing injury, and two counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

On Monday, Brown was held in the Oakland County Jail on a $20,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court for a probable cause hearing on April 17. If he gets convicted, the suspect could receive up to 10 years in prison and an extra two years for the firearm charge.

The victim is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren explained what happened during a press conference.

While standing at the register, Mr. Brown asked for extra guacamole for the food hed just purchased, Barren stated. A female Chipotle employee who was serving Mr. Brown gave him what he believed was too small of an amount of guacamole, which upset Mr. Brown.

Mr. Brown then called the female employee a derogatory name  the B word  which upset her understandably, the chief continued. Other Chipotle employees escorted the female cashier away from the area to avoid any further conflict.

After paying for his food, Brown, allegedly went around the store counter to bag his own items, and then he took a cup and filled it with guacamole, explained Barren.

The 21-year-old victim walked from the kitchen area and observed Mr. Brown serving himself. The victim knocked the guacamole out of Mr. Browns hand. Mr. Brown immediately grabbed the victim by the neck, slammed him into a refrigerator, and then a fight ensued, said Barren. Mr. Brown then pulled out a 9mm handgun, which was concealed on his right hip, and fired one round, striking the victim in his right knee.

Brown does possess a permit to carry a concealed weapon with no criminal record. For this to be his first offense is shocking, to say the least.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
While most people believe COVID-19 vaccines are safe and their side effects are now clear, a new HarrisX poll conducted for the Deseret News finds a big partisan difference in how people view COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness.

That finding is part of a larger tale about the divides that marked much of the public reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it posed, particularly in the early days when many people were dying, schools and businesses were closing, jobs were vanishing and public health officials sometimes contradicted not just each other, but even themselves.

While overall 59% of those polled are confident the vaccines are safe and their side effects now known, only 44% of Republicans agree, compared to 78% of Democrats and 53% of independents. The other 56% of Republicans and 22% of Democrats say COVID-19 vaccines are not safe and they may have side effects that havent been revealed.

The survey was fielded March 25-26 by HarrisX and included 1,010 registered U.S. voters. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

covid-politics1

Public health experts believe confusing messaging built distrust early in the pandemic as the unfamiliar illness was ripping through communities, often with lethal results. And some think public shaming  attacking those with whom you disagreed or who questioned mandates like the orders to get a vaccine or else, including if you already had COVID-19  played an oversize role that locked people into largely intractable positions.

Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician who directs the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia and is a voting member of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, thinks how closely  or whether  people followed public health vaccine advice has largely hinged on whether individuals had much interaction with a doctor or the health care system.

People who got the vaccine as a general rule were people who were informed about it, said Offit, who noted many people dont have a lot of interaction with health care providers.

Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist in the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, said age also played a role. Older people who were hit hardest in terms of severe COVID-19 were at greater risk of death, and more of them were willing to get vaccines.

Offit said because of Medicare, older Americans were also more likely to have a relationship with a health care provider who could answer questions.

Those who were used to getting flu shots were also probably more apt to be comfortable being vaccinated for COVID-19.

But all the experts consulted for this story believe partisan politics made a difference, too.

Public shaming

Folks who questioned the efficacy of vaccines or asked questions about public health pronouncements were sometimes shouted down. And they, in turn, often belittled others who held a different view.

The problem with shaming, according to Han Kim, a public health professor at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, is its a tool that never worked in public health. It might have short-term benefits, but long term, it can cause a serious breakdown in trust toward not only public health, but toward each other.

Disrespect and disdain for open dialogue came from multiple directions, not all political, Kim said. Public health experts shut down people who questioned what health officials saw as science and authority. Politicians used shaming to drive partisan wedges. And lots of folks simply disagreed with each other, each convinced the other was wrong.

I probably participated in this as much as anybody else, Kim admitted in a recent phone call. That, I regret deeply. I think thats going to be something that were going to live with for a while, because overall trust, not only in vaccines, but in public health, has declined dramatically I think.

He said public health isnt effective without trust in the institutions, and in COVID-19, some trust was breached.

A messy public message

Kim said people often expect public health to know all about diseases. But when something new like this comes along, were trying to figure things out. I think we did an extraordinary job of figuring things out in a very short amount of time with COVID-19. The development of vaccines so fast is a perfect example. At the same time, any sort of mixed message definitely breaks down that institutional trust. And unfortunately, our messaging system was not very robust during COVID.

He points to officials saying masks dont work, then reversing and mandating them, as one example.

Its not a challenge unique to COVID-19. Medical advice changes often as more is learned about diseases. But in a pandemic, with the stakes high and lives on the line, reversals create doubt.

Politics had a big effect, said Offit, noting that while that has long been part of vaccine discussion, COVID-19 raised the pitch. Whats always been there, just never to this extent, is the notion of individual freedoms, personal bodily autonomy, individual rights. I dont want the government telling me what to do. There was enormous political pushback to vaccine mandates.

The mandates were the right thing to do in a public health crisis unfolding in real time, hospitals overrun to the point that nonemergency surgeries were canceled and people were 12 times more likely to be hospitalized or die in 2021 if you werent vaccinated than if you were, Offit said. By 2022, it dropped to six times more likely because there was more natural protection out there, including natural immunity. Look at it from a doctors point of view: Here you are, working double shifts, all hands on deck. People come into the hospital with an option to get a vaccine, which is free and dont  yet theyre perfectly willing to avail themselves of the hospital service, the treatment part but not the preventive part.

A mandate should not have been needed, Offit added, but he acknowledges those mandates were tough. People were fired from their jobs.

Nolen, Utahs state epidemiologist, said contradictory public messaging didnt help.

I think there were a lot of things that impacted if people got vaccines  and a lot of voices telling them different things, she told the Deseret News. It was really unfortunate we got such confusing messaging from different leaders, different organizations, different community groups. I think it made it hard for people to know who to trust and who to lean to when they were making those choices for themselves and their families.

Utahs version of the national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey showed political philosophy had at least some influence on who took the vaccine or planned to, she said. In public health, we really dont want that. We want to do whats right for everybody without political sway to it.

Nolen and Kim both believe that public health experts learned from COVID-19 that how a message is presented really matters. Officials had figured people would follow their advice.

Instead, they learned that public health needs to work with different communities to make sure we talk in a way that resonates with them, that highlights their values. And we all have different values, said Nolen. We all have different risks and to tell someone to just do this because of the science of it isnt going to work. Hopefully, public health has learned through this pandemic that we need to think more actively about how were talking about things to whatever population were talking to.

Another challenge is how the public health system works, Kim said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set up to provide information, but much power rests with state and local health departments, so sometimes messages are very mixed.

The good news, according to Nolen, is that COVID-19 has been around a while, knowledge has grown and those giving the public message are more clear about the diseases mechanics and what people should know.

Kim agrees. We learn more from our mistakes than from our successes, he said. I wish everyone had more patience and understood science and, again, didnt think so black and white, but it seems to be the environment we live in.

What about natural immunity?

Offit differed with many of his peers on the question of natural immunity for COVID-19. He voted not to mandate vaccines for people whod recently had COVID-19 infection. He was outvoted.

Its certainly true that if youve been naturally infected, youre going to be protected against at least severe disease. Vaccinated or naturally infected or both, you develop an antibody response against at least mild disease for about three to six months. You also develop memory cells: memory B cells which make antibodies and memory T cells which can kill a virus and are much longer lived, he said.

The question then is how much longer lived. A year? Two? 10? I think well find out. Offit said he had three doses of vaccine, the last in November 2021 and had COVID-19 once. He has no health problems, so he figures he has plenty of memory T cells to protect him from severe disease. I dont know how long, but well see.

Experts have long told the Deseret News that not knowing who had COVID-19 unless it was lab confirmed or how long natural immunity lasts drove vaccine mandates. Most people who got sick dealt with it at home without lab confirmation.

Kim sees another issue: One could argue natural immunitys better than vaccine-induced immunity, other than the fact that you actually have to get the disease, which is never a good thing. I would prefer a vaccine than to actually get the disease.

Is the vaccine safe?

In the poll, more men view the vaccine as safe, the side effects known, compared to women, 62% versus 56%.

The survey also found age differences. The vast majority of people 65 and older view the vaccines as safe (71%). Thats true for 54% of those ages 18-34, 52% of those 35-49 and 59% of those 50-64.

covid-politics3

Hispanics in smaller shares are convinced the vaccines are safe and side effects known at 52% compared to both whites and Blacks, which each come in around 60%.

More than two-thirds of those with a four-year college degree or more believe the vaccines are safe, compared to 54% of those with less education.

By income, theres more doubt among people with household incomes below $75,000 (57% say safe) compared to those with higher incomes (62% say safe).

Southerners are more skeptical than other regions of the country. Theyre divided about 50-50, compared to those in the West (67% say safe), Northeast (64%) and Midwest (60%).

Who got a vaccine?

The survey found big differences in uptake of vaccines, sometimes based on politics, but more commonly on age. The youngest cohort, 18-34, is more likely to say theyre unvaccinated (29%) than those 65 and older (12%). Overall, 28% of Republicans say they are not vaccinated, comparable to 26% of independents, but a far cry from 12% of Democrats. More women (24%) than men (29%) say they have never had a COVID-19 vaccine. Overall, 28% have never been vaccinated.

covid-politics2

About one-third overall got a booster in the past six months.

The survey found 3 of 10 Democrats have had at least four COVID-19 shots, compared to 1 in 4 Independents and 1 in 7 Republicans.

How much of the uptake is really about politics or ideology? Experts admit theyre still not sure, since other factors also made a difference

Nolen said that most public health experts, herself included, expect COVID-19 to move to the flu model, with a seasonal vaccine to protect folks. That depends, of course, on whether there are drastic mutations to the virus that make it more dangerous again.

I think if things continue where its a slower mutation with nothing dramatic, it will be a yearly dose that will be updated for the most recent viruses, she said. If we have a big, dramatic change, we might need to get another booster thats going to be specific to that really dramatic version.
2024 BIG IdeaBounce at WashU Olin Business School

Out of more than 120 startup teams from all over the world, these three finalists will compete in the 2024 BIG IdeaBounce pitch contest at Washington Universitys Olin Business School

An innovative software platform to allow universities to more deeply engage Gen-Z applicants and students already active on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Savvy pricing software that helps grocery stores sell their close-to-expiration date food items an an optimal price, helping to reduce food waste.

An online educational platform that teaches STEM literacy to K-12 deaf and hard-of-hearing students and their teachers.

THREE FINALISTS WILL SHOOT IT OUT ON WASHU OLINS CAMPUS FOR THE $50K TOP PRIZE

BIG IdeaBounce 2023

Doug Villhard, Olins academic director of entrepreneurship

Out of more than 120 startup teams from all over the world, the students behind these three big ideas are move to the finals of the 2024 BIG IdeaBounce pitch contest on Washington Universitys Olin Business School campus. All three will compete for the top $50,000 prize in a Shark Tank-like competition before three entrepreneurial judges.

This years competition, powered by Poets&Quants for the third consecutive year, was one of the toughest ever. The contest attracted student teams from more than 65 universities and 14 countries. Startup ideas flowed in from Bangladesh, Chile, Ghana, India, Malaysia and Uganda. Judges first narrowed down the entries to 14 finalists which were then winnowed to the final three.

As entrepreneurship programs continue to mature, we see stronger ideas and we see stronger storytelling of those ideas, says Doug Villhard, academic director for entrepreneurship at Washington University. Being a teacher but also a professional investor its fun to see these things come across my desk even though these are young companies and young founders.

The three finalists certainly meet the test. MeetYourClass CEO Blake Mischley, a computer science major at the University of Michigan, leads the team that is focused on creating stronger community for college students. By engaging applicants and students more deeply, Mischleys startup team hopes to reduce social isolation among incoming freshmen and transfer students. By fostering a sense of community and belonging, MeetYourClass plays a vital role in enhancing the overall university experience for students, says Mischley.

Their product has significant traction, with more than 220,000 users across 350 different schools. Villhard, a serial entrepreneur himself, is impressed. If you work hard to get a student, you want to keep them there, adds Villhard. A big part of that is the friendships and community they make. If you are a fan of higher education, this is a strategy to have happier, more connected students having a richer experience.

Story continues

Sustain-A-Plate, an Olin Business School startup, has come up with a way for grocery stores to alleviate food waste and to increase profitabilty. Franklin Taylor, an MBA student who will graduate this May, leads a team that includes computer science and finance major Tanvi Jammula, entrepreneurship major Kelsey Kloezeman, finance major Anna Larizza, and computer science masters student Jason Ti.

The team estimates that a single U.S. grocery store discards roughly 670,000 pounds of consumable food annually, resulting in food waste of more than $3 million per store. This act contributes 30% of the food waste in landfills and is the third-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, highlighting a critical environmental and economic issue, notes Taylor.

Villhard sizes up the problem Sustain-A-Plate in trying to solve. Food waste is a big issue in a world where you cant afford to waste food. That is a great problem to go after.

Our third finalist, ASL Aspire comes from an idea hatched by students from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business and WashUs Olin School. CEO Mona Jawad, a PhD candidate in speech and hearing science has teamed up with Ayesha Kazi, who is pursuing a masters in computer science and business management, finance majors Hamnah Razzak and Manuel Jacobo to create a company that teaches STEM literacy to K-12 deaf students and their teachers through online games.

Deaf and hard of hearing children lack access to basic vocabulary to succeed in STEM, making them 70 times less likely to pursue STEM careers, and much more likely to be unemployed. Its potentially a big market. Globally, more than 400 million deaf people learn in sign language, with 720,000 deaf students in North America alone.

Leveraging machine-learning, the group uses lessons in mini-games to help students practice new signs. A user-friendly dashboard allows teachers to track student progress and identify areas for intervention, making in-class instruction easier.

Like MeetYourClass, ASL Aspire has some early traction. Their games have been prototyped in four schools as part of a paid pilot program, with customer discovery interviews run on more than 250 decision makers and educators.

WATCH THE FULL COMPETITION ON APRIL 24 AT POETS&QUANTS

Its really clever what they are doing to help these students learn words used in science and technology, explains Villhard. In a couple of years, one of them may cure an important disease just because they had the confidence to enter the field.

Which of these three teams emerges as the winner will be determined in a forthcoming shoot out at the Olin Business School at Washington University. Each team will be scored in nine areas: solution, traction, team, market, competition, value creation, prize use, overall presentation and, most importantly, the problem they are solving for customers.

But no one will go home empty handed. The third-place team will win $2,000, the second-place team will win $5,000 and the first-place team will win the grand prize of $50,000. The entire competition can be seen at Poets&Quants on April 24th.

Read and watch the initial pitches and two-minute video presentations of the finalists on the following pages.



Team MeetYourClass

School Affiliation: Michigan Ross

Description: MeetYourClass helps colleges form community by revolutionizing the way incoming students meet and find resources.

Problem:

The core problem MYC addresses is twofold: For universities, theres a significant challenge in creating a cohesive, engaging community among students, particularly before they arrive on campus. Traditional engagement methods like outdated platforms and university-managed forums often fall short, especially in resonating with Gen-Z students who are digital natives. These students face their own set of issues: social isolation, information overload, and the intimidating transition to university life, which are exacerbated by existing platforms that are either too generic or not student-centric.

The problems significance is further highlighted by its impact on university operations. Ineffective strategies for student engagement can negatively affect retention and enrollment rates, as students are more likely to seek environments where they feel a strong sense of community and support. Moreover, universities often struggle with the lack of appropriate tools to understand and respond to the evolving needs and preferences of their students, hindering their ability to make informed decisions to enhance the overall student experience.

Compounding these challenges, a survey conducted by MeetYourClass across more than 350 colleges, with 7,500 student responses, revealed a concerning trend: approximately 20-25% of students felt that their universities did not support them adequately in their transition to college life, particularly in providing resources for making social connections. This data suggests a significant portion of the student body feels disconnected from their campus community, indicating a widespread issue that affects a substantial number of students across various institutions.

Solution:

MeetYourClass offers an innovative solution that directly addresses the problem of student disconnection and engagement in higher education. Our approach centers around a social media ecosystem that leverages platforms where Gen-Z students are already active (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok), creating a natural and familiar environment for them to engage with their university community. This ecosystem acts as a funnel, directing students to our platform which offers higher functionality tailored to their needs.

Our platform stands out by offering features that go beyond typical social media interactions. These include a roommate finder, community groups, and resources specific to university life, all designed to facilitate easier and more meaningful connections among students.

For universities, our platform not only helps in attracting and retaining students but also offers valuable data-driven insights into student behavior and preferences. Whos engaging the most? What are they engaging on? What are the social trends in the class? What are the most common questions students are asking? These and other similar questions can be answered with our access to social data. This information is critical for universities to tailor their services and improve the overall campus experience.

In summary, MeetYourClass adeptly addresses the significant gap in current student engagement strategies. By blending a familiar social media approach with enhanced functionalities specific to university life, our solution effectively fosters a more connected, engaged, and supportive university community.

Market:

MeetYourClass operates in a substantial and expanding market within the higher education sector. Our Total Addressable Market encompasses the colleges and universities in the U.S. With an estimated 4,500 such institutions and an average target contract size of $50,000 per institution annually, our TAM is approximately $225 million. Especially post-COVID, this market is not only sizable but also growing, as more educational institutions recognize the need for innovative engagement and community-building solutions.

Our Serviceable Addressable Market narrows down to U.S. colleges, specifically targeting institutions that are seeking to enhance their student engagement but may not have the same recognition as larger, name brand universities. This segment, comprising about 3,500 colleges and maintaining our average annual contract size goal, places our SAM at around $175 million. These institutions represent a dynamic and responsive market, more likely to adopt new technologies to improve student experiences.

Focusing on our Serviceable Obtainable Market, MeetYourClass targets smaller institutions with fewer than 5,000 undergraduates. These colleges, typically more adaptable and in need of building that collegiate-feel, are our ideal customers. We engage directly with Enrollment Directors, key in decision-making for student engagement strategies, to showcase how our platform can significantly enhance enrollment outcomes and student experience.

Once we establish our platform across these institutions, our strategy involves horizontally expanding our services within a given university. This expansion enhances the value we provide to both students and universities, and revenue we can generate.

Competition:

MeetYourClass differentiates itself from competitors with its innovative approach to student engagement and community building in higher education. Our solution uniquely combines integration with popular social networks, customization for individual university needs, and a keen alignment with Gen-Z culture, setting us apart in a crowded market.

Integration with Social Media: Unlike competitors such as Zeemee or traditional university platforms, MYC is not a standalone system. We integrate seamlessly with platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, aligning with the digital habits of Gen-Z students. This integration reduces friction for students, removing the barrier of adopting a new app and allowing them to engage with their university community in a familiar online space.

Customization for Universities: We offer a level of customization that goes beyond the capabilities of generic social media platforms or one-size-fits-all solutions. MYC enables universities to tailor the platform to fit their unique community dynamics and needs. We empower universities to make informed decisions to enhance the student experience and boost retention rates.

Alignment with Gen-Z Culture: Our platform is specifically designed to resonate with the lifestyle and preferences of Gen-Z students. By recognizing and embracing the importance of digital interactions and experiences for this generation, MYC provides a space that is not only familiar but also engaging, addressing common issues like social isolation and information overload.

In essence, MYC stands out by harmoniously blending social media integration with tailored solutions for universities, creating a unique and effective platform for modern student engagement in higher education.

Value Creation:

MeetYourClass presents a sustainable business model with significant potential for revenue generation and measurable social impact in the higher education sector. Our model hinges on a dual-revenue stream: a B2B approach through customizable contracts with universities and a B2C model involving a freemium approach complemented by targeted advertising and affiliate marketing. This structure ensures a stable and scalable income source while enhancing user engagement on the platform.

The sustainability of MYC is not just financial; it extends to creating substantial social value. Our platform addresses critical student needs by reducing social isolation and aiding mental well-being, particularly among incoming freshmen and transfer students. By fostering a sense of community and belonging, MYC plays a vital role in enhancing the overall university experience for students. We have grown to over 220,000 users across 350 different schools.

MeetYourClass has garnered significant recognition, being named one of the most disruptive business school startups of 2023 by Poets&Quants and featured on the Startup Hot List of Fall 2023 by Renaissance Ventures. This acclaim stems from the impactful difference weve made in students lives, not only at our home base, the University of Michigan, but across the hundreds of other colleges we have expanded to.

MeetYourClass is built for long-term sustainability, combining financial viability with a strong commitment to improving the higher education landscape. Our business model not only ensures profitability but also contributes to the broader educational and social goals, making MYC a value-driven enterprise in the truest sense.

The Team:

Blake Mischley, CEO, Computer Science, Class of 2025; Jonah Liss, COO, Business Administration, Class of 2025; Kaleb Schmottlach, Computer Engineering, Class of 2025; Jon Millar, Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, Class of 2025

Team ASL Aspire

School Affiliation: Illinois Gies, WashU

Description: ASL Aspire is an online educational platform that teaches STEM literacy to K-12 Deaf and hard of hearing students and their teachers.

Problem:

Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children dont have access to basic vocabulary to succeed in STEM, making them seventy times less likely to pursue STEM careers, and much more likely to be unemployed. This is a huge loss to society, as the students are unable to contribute to the development of innovation and discoveries. Our primary focus is addressing the accessibility barrier that prevents STEM terminology from reaching deaf and hard of hearing students in K-12 classrooms.

Solution:

ASL Aspire teaches STEM literacy to K-12 deaf students and their teachers through online games. Expert-made ASL lessons are integrated with minigames to help students practice new signs while having fun. Our machine-learning technology enables them to validate signs in front of their webcam. With our user-friendly dashboard, teachers can track student progress and identify areas for intervention, making in-class instruction even easier. These games have been prototyped in 4 schools around the nation as part of a paid pilot program, with customer discovery interviews run on more than 250 decision makers and educators as part of the i-Corps program.

Market:

Globally, more than 400 million deaf people learn in sign language. Our initial market is the 720,000 deaf students in North America who need these words immediately. Support for this market is strong, as the U.S. Federal funding provides $122B to special education programs. Our secondary market is hearing ASL learners. All 50 states now accept ASL as a choice to fulfill the foreign language requirement. The demand for ASL classroom tools is becoming as high as Spanish and French classrooms, but the ASL market is far less saturated. The number of hearing ASL classrooms in America has skyrocketed an incredible 1000% in the past decade, reaching over a million students annually. In recognition of varying technology accessibility worldwide, we are addressing cultural challenges by developing a new physical board game with a partner company based in Mexico. This joint effort aims to overcome cultural and technological barriers, ensuring broader market relevance and accessibility.

Competition:

While numerous ASL learning tools exist, they predominantly target beginners and lack a specific focus on STEM education. For example, widely-used resources like ASL Pocket Sign and the ASL App cater to hearing users seeking basic sign language skills. In contrast, ASL Aspire distinguishes itself by being meticulously designed for students and teachers with a proficient understanding of signs, specifically addressing the gap in STEM-focused ASL tools.

What sets ASL Aspire apart is its emphasis on classroom functionality and seamless integration into existing curriculum. Teachers can efficiently monitor student progress, assign personalized word lists, and facilitate engaging multiplayer and individual modes. Unlike existing tools that primarily serve as dictionaries, ASL Aspire offers a comprehensive educational solution. Additionally, the competition lacks regular updates to incorporate new STEM signs, a critical deficiency that our solution actively addresses.

Beyond competing with other ASL learning tools, our primary competition is the makeshift curriculums that educators of the deaf currently create to enable them to teach STEM. ASL Aspire acts as a direct intervention in these classrooms, providing a pre-built, relevant, and innovative solution. What truly sets us apart is the expertise within our team  Deaf scientists who are pioneers in their respective fields and deaf linguists actively contributing to the development of new signs. This unique combination of features positions ASL Aspire as a cutting-edge solution for STEM-focused ASL education.

Value Creation:

ASL Aspires sustainability in 2024 is assured through a proven proof of concept, validated by engaging with 250+ educators and administrators, and refined with ongoing input from our educator focus group. Our three-phase go-to-market strategy solidifies this sustainability: Phase 1 secures partnerships with current schools and deaf residential programs; Phase 2 targets the broader public school market, including hearing students; and Phase 3 focuses on global expansion in collaboration with sign language companies, initiating pilot programs in negotiation in Mexico and Canada. Strategically balancing revenue generation and social impact at each step, ASL Aspire not only ensures financial sustainability but also advances its mission of inclusivity for deaf and hard-of-hearing students globally. With a commitment to sustainability beyond a vision, we only need four schools signed on to achieve sustainability in 2024.

In addition to its potential for financial sustainability, ASL Aspire emphasizes fostering positive social and environmental impact. Our innovative education platform empowers deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity. Enhancing linguistic and academic skills, the program nurtures a supportive community, encouraging self-expression and confidence. Furthermore, ASL Aspire empowers students by showcasing deaf scientists in America as living proof that it is possible to be anyone they want to be. This representation inspires limitless opportunities, contributing to the personal and professional growth of each student within our society.

The Team:

Mona Jawad, PhD Candidate in Speech and Hearing Science (2028); Ayesha Kazi, MS in Computer Science, Business Management (2025); Hamnah Razzak, BS in Finance (2025); Manuel Jacobo, BS in Finance (2025)

Team Sustain-A-Plate

School Affiliation: WUSTL Olin

Description: We help grocery stores alleviate waste and increase profitability.

Problem:

Grocery shoppers do not often buy food close to its expiration date. From the lack of these sales, a single U.S. grocery store discards around 670,000 pounds of consumable food annually, resulting in losses of over $3,000,000. This act contributes 30% of the food waste in landfills and is the third-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, highlighting a critical environmental and economic issue.

Solution:

Sustain-a-Plate helps grocery stores sell their close-to-expiration date food items through a dynamic dual pricing model. We build the pricing software that splits a products price by its expiration date. To do this, the product information is fed into a machine-learning model that calculates an optimal price according to the input factors and displays the dynamic price on Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL). The ESLs are attached to the POS system, via the cloud, and at checkout, the discount is automatically applied using a unique identifier built into the system. This sales method incentivizes shoppers to purchase these products, alleviates waste, and simultaneously increases store revenue.

Market:

Our market consists of the global food and grocery tech market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9%. With Sustain-a-Plate, our estimated revenue will be $91,500/store. For our TAM, we looked at 118,000 food stores across the US, creating a $10.8B value using the $91,500 revenue value for each store. Next, for SAM, we segmented 10,000 national and regional stores for a value of $915M. Our SOM consists specifically of Midwest regional grocery stores, such as Schnucks and Dierbergs, with a value of $275M.

Competition:

Wasteless and Smartway are two of Sustain-a-Plates main competitors. Similarly, they both use AI pricing models for their electronic price tags. However, Smartway stops there, with no dual pricing system, many labor hours are required to change tags and discounts and it is based solely in France. Sustain-a-Plate and Wasteless take these tags even further by using a dual pricing system to differentiate products close to expiration.

However, our tags surpass Wasteless in quality because our system is Wi-Fi-based, making it infinitely easier and quicker to update screens and prices every day, therefore reducing labor costs, unlike Wasteless. Finally, Wasteless is entirely EU-based giving us the upper hand as we are based in the US and know much more about the market and landscape. As we have seen from these competitors, AI-powered electronic pricing is successful in Europe so it is time to bring it to the US for an entirely untapped market. Dynamic pricing has become a standard practice across nearly every industry, and we must introduce this innovative approach to pricing in the grocery sector, launching it into the 21st century where it should have been years ago.

Value Creation:

When looking at value creation, it is first important to consider how much value we anticipate being able to save each individual grocery store. We aim to create $1,100,000 in value for stores through a combination of labor and label printing cost savings and recouping revenue from previously wasted food items. Knowing that grocery stores operate on low margins and their priority is often sales over sustainability, we believe the $1,100,000 in additional revenue and cost savings makes partnering with us a profitable investment decision.

For Sustain-a-Plate, we are looking at generating $91,500 in revenue per store a year which includes a subscription and percentage of sales of previously wasted items. Our estimated COGS of $17,500 includes the cost of tags and setup costs of the tags for pilot program stores. However, a lot of stores are already switching to electronic price tags, so for those stores, our COGS will be much lower. With a COGS of $17,500, this gives us a profit margin of 81%.

The Team:

Franklin Taylor, MBA, May 2024; Tanvi Jammula, BA Computer Science & Finance, May 2026; Kelsey Kloezeman, BA Entrepreneurship, May 2024; Anna Larizza, BA Finance, December 2024; Jason Ti, MA Computer Science, June 2024

The post Three Big Ideas, Three Amazing Finalists In WashU Olins 2024 BIG IdeaBounce Pitch Fest appeared first on Poets&Quants.
UPDATE: THURSDAY 4/11/2024 7:40 a.m.

(COLORADO SPRINGS)  Gunther Toodys told FOX21 that on Friday, April 12 the Woodmen location will hold a grand reopening with specials on chicken tenders, burgers, and its Big Bopper breakfast all day.

We are overjoyed to finally reopen our doors and once again serve the wonderful people of Colorado Springs, said Brian Burr, owner of Gunther Toodys. Throughout this journey, our focus remained on our customers and community. We are grateful for the outpouring of support weve received and are eager to continue our tradition of serving the families of Colorado Springs with the best quality meals at affordable prices.

ORIGINAL STORY: Diner reopens after being closed two years due to fire

WEDNESDAY 4/10/2024 10:14 a.m.

On Monday, April 1 Gunther Toodys announced that after two years its Woodmen Road store was reopening to guests.

In September 2022 a fire broke out at the Gunther Toodys on Woodmen Road and Duryea Drive. One firefighter was injured during the fire, but the Colorado Springs Fire Department said the fire was brought under control.

Exterior of Gunther Toody's at Woodmen and Durant Drive

Exterior of Gunther Toody's at Woodmen and Durant Drive

Exterior of Gunther Toody's at Woodmen and Durant Drive

On April 1, 2024, Gunther Toodys announced the grand reopening of the location. Gunther Toodys said the kitchen is buzzing ready to make its classic burgers and shakes.

As we reopen our doors, we do so with immense gratitude for your patience, support, and encouragement. Its been a journey, but one thing is for sureGunther Toodys is more than just a diner; were a family. And families rebuild stronger, together,

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
Discrimination, mental health are linked, report finds. What is Penn State doing to help students?

College students who have experienced identity-based discrimination have increased levels of general distress, social isolation and suicidal thoughts at the beginning of mental health treatment, a recent report from Penn States Center for Collegiate Mental Health found.

The report, which used data from 195 college and university counseling centers, puts resources for students with diverse backgrounds and DEIB initiatives in the spotlight at Penn State and other universities.

Developed in 2004, CCMH works to create a standardized database of college mental health data to serve as a resource for information and research. This years de-identified data was collected from 195 college and university counseling centers, describing 185,114 college students seeking mental health treatment.

According to Brett Scofield, the CCMH executive director, the two-year data collection effort found that about one in five students nationally reported some form of identity-based discrimination in the past six months when surveyed at counseling centers.

Of those, 10.3% reported experiences of discrimination or unfair treatment on the basis of gender, while 9.2% reported such experiences for race/ethnicity/culture, 6% for sexual orientation, 3.7% for nationality/country of origin, 2.8% for disability and 2.7% for religion.

At its root, (this annual report) was an awareness raising effort to understand how often students are having these (discriminatory) experiences to make clinicians aware of this, so that they can engage in dialogue with their clients about these experiences, Scofield said.

While symptom improvement shows that counseling services effectively support students who have experienced discrimination, there are persistent outcome disparities in comparison to other students receiving treatment.

According to the report, those who reported discrimination consistently ended treatment with higher average levels of distress, social isolation and suicidal ideation than those who did not  a trend Scofield said needs to be addressed at universities across the nation.

We do know that counseling centers can treat those symptoms ... but thats only one part of the solution, Scofield said. Its clear that institutions need to support DEIB informed initiatives in order to help close those outcome disparities.

JT Thomas, a senior at Penn State, believes that the university can do more to support students from marginalized communities and minimize the impacts of discrimination at a predominantly-white institution by marketing the resources available, raising awareness and better intervening in instances of discrimination.

I think the university needs to do a better job of preventing harassment and preventing that feeling of being unsafe before it happens ... whether thats imposing stiffer penalties for organizations that display discriminatory actions ... or just more education, Thomas said.

Student challenges and finding safe spaces

To Thomas, the university and the State College community are fairly welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ students.

However, there are a handful of spaces, like Greek life, that make Thomas and other students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community uncomfortable.

Thomas is an employee at Penn States Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, which offers a safe space for LGBTQ+ students to connect with one another and with staff, who can help gender diverse students change their pronouns and names in Penn States directory, among other things.

Thomas, who uses the pronoun they, said using the resources at the CSGD while they were figuring out their gender identity could have made the journey easier.

The center has been very supportive of me. Its just been a place where I can freely express myself and not feel judged for it, which is really nice, Thomas said. Its not something that you get very often.

CSGD also helps facilitate the Ally House Living Learning Community, which provides an open, safe, and inclusive living environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally students, according to Penn State Housing, Dining and Residence Life.

From what Ive heard, living in the dorms  especially for a genderqueer person  can be a little bit of a struggle ... their roommates have either moved out or just not talked to them or been fairly hostile, Thomas said. Its important to have a designated space where you know you can go and you can be safe, and youre not going to be challenged or shoved to the side or threatened at all.

Penn States Counseling and Psychological Services on campus is often a starting point for students of all backgrounds who are facing mental health issues. And Natalie Hernandez, CAPS senior director, said there is an emphasis on serving students from diverse backgrounds.

From biweekly DEIB focused training to maintaining liaison relationships with other campus resource centers, Hernandez said theres no end to professional development for staff.

One of the primary ways in which the counseling center serves students is through its groups program, which includes Black and Latino Male Empowerment, Women of Color Empowerment, Womens Empowerment, Queer Space and Interfaith Dialogues.

While each centers conversations on the identities represented in the group, students of all demographics are welcome  anyone who feels like they may benefit from such conversations.

We work hard to make sure theyre inclusive and safe spaces, Hernandez said.

Sultan Magruder is CAPS assistant director, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and spearheads liaison relationships with campus resource centers, including CSGD.

We understand that social isolation, loneliness can really be an artifact of discriminatory experiences. And so being able to get individuals connected in spaces in which they feel safe and validated, thats one way in pushing back and combating the effects of discrimination, Magruder said.

In addition to supporting students, these spaces also make staff aware of population-specific needs to help curate programming and cultivate relationships that effectively address student needs and experiences.

We have several partnerships with the different equity based cultural based centers here at Penn State, and thats helpful in that it provides routes and pathways for our partners to refer students when they see that theyre struggling with mental health concerns, he said.

One of these relationships is with Penn States Multicultural Resource Center, which helps facilitate the Black and Latino Male Empowerment and Women of Color Empowerment groups.

For the MRCs Director Melissa Landrau, these groups are an important part of the centers goal in providing a space for students to talk about their experiences and fostering a sense of belonging.

(Groups) are spaces (that) students find valuable because they find that they can come and talk to other students that perhaps have had similar experiences to them in a predominantly white institution, Landrau said.

In addition to collaborating with CAPS to facilitate groups and provide referrals, the MRC helps students navigate academic challenges and financial aid.

For Landrau, centers like the MRC, CSGD, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, the Gender Equity Center, Student Disability Resources and others are necessary to address the needs of minority students holistically.

We see it. We know how instances of discrimination and bias and racism and violence deeply affect our students of color, Landrau said. We cannot separate discrimination and mental health.

Moving beyond campus resources

But the efforts of CAPS and campus resource centers can only do part of the work.

For Scofield, its critical for leaders who prioritize mental health to also support DEIB informed initiatives.

While CAPS collaborative approach provides a safe space for students to work through symptoms associated with discrimination, its difficult for the center to address the root of such bias at a campus like Penn State.

All of those close collaborations and close relationships, they dont solve as much of the upstream (needs) as we wish they did, but we know that our job is to do both downstream (interventions) and continue constantly to walk upstream and say, what can we be doing differently? Hernandez said.

According to Scofield, CCMH will continue to investigate the connection between discrimination and mental health and plans to research intersectionality in the future.

Though the report did not look at intersectional identities, Scofield said the data alluded to a compounding effect of discrimination experienced by students who experienced multiple areas of discrimination across two or more identities.

I hope that this report and the continued advocacy and efforts for counseling and psychological services in spaces (for minority students) continues to be strong and ... the university continues paying attention to that because I dont think its gonna go away, Landrau said.
The detached door plug on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 plane is one of a number of recent aviation incidents - Getty

Is it just me, or do things seem to keep going wrong with planes, mid-flight?

This week, passengers on a Southwest flight watched in horror as the engine cowling flapped in the wind and dislodged from the aircraft during take-off. The plane, a Boeing 737-800, returned safely to Denver International Airport with all passengers unharmed.

In January a door plug came off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 at 1,600ft, creating a refrigerator-sized hole in the side of the plane. Phones and magazines  and, notably, the shirt off a childs back  were sucked out of the depressurised aircraft, which made an emergency landing shortly after take-off.

This particular incident led to nearly 200 Boeing 737 Max 9s being grounded, and renewed scrutiny on the airline just five years after two Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft  one a Lion Air flight in Indonesia and the other an Ethiopian Airlines flight  crashed catastrophically, killing a total of 346 people.

Investigators later discovered the crashes were linked to the activation of a new flight stabilisation feature. After software updates and intensive safety checks, the 737 Max 8 returned to service at the end of 2020.

A week after Januarys door incident, an All Nippon Airways domestic flight in Japan (a Boeing 737) made an emergency landing after a crack in the cockpit window was discovered mid-flight. In the past month there have also been multiple instances of Southwest Boeing 737-800s aborting take-off or returning to the airport due to engine issues.

And in March, a United Airlines Boeing 777 lost a wheel while taking off from San Francisco. The plane made a safe landing at Los Angeles airport. The wheel fell into a car park at San Francisco International Airport: no injuries were reported.

In January and February, the Federal Aviation Authority audited the production and quality control at Boeings manufacturing plant in Renton.

At a conference on March 20, Boeings chief financial officer Brian West said: We continue to be fully committed to transparency and accountability with our regulators.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation in the Alaska Airlines incident. Boeing said in a statement: We have deep respect for the NTSB and the critical role they play in aviation safety.

Social media is looking for incidents

John Grant, aviation analyst at OAG, says that seeing more reports doesnt equate to a rise in incidents. The answer is increased access to social media, which is on an almost daily basis looking for incidents, he says.

Travel by air remains the safest form of transport available based on all kinds of statistical measurements and that has been the case for many years, and I am sure will continue to be the case going forward.

Only two fatal accidents occurred on commercial aircraft in 2023, making it the safest year on record. The accidents, in Nepal and Brazil, each involved propeller aircraft (neither of which were manufactured by Boeing) on domestic flights, with a combined total of 86 deaths. But not a single international flight or passenger jet was involved in a fatal accident last year.

Damian Devlin, lecturer in aviation management at the University of East London, says: To put it in perspective, one would need to fly daily for 103,000 years to encounter a fatal accident.

Grant acknowledges that Boeing is particularly in the spotlight after a string of incidents: Yes, Boeing has had a bad time and clearly is facing some quality assurance issues but the people who look after aircraft once they have been delivered to airlines, the required regulatory requirements and the oversight from bodies such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority, all make the industry safe.

This week Boeing faced fresh allegations from a whistleblower, who claims the company dismissed safety and quality concerns in the production of the 787 and 777 aircraft. The claims are being investigated by the FAA. In a statement, Boeing said it was fully confident in the 787 Dreamliner, adding that the claims are inaccurate and do not represent the comprehensive work Boeing has done to ensure the quality and long-term safety of the aircraft.

Shifting perceptions of aircraft safety

Despite the flight safety statistics, Devlin believes that airlines could face nervous passengers in the coming months: These incidents have sparked a shift in customer perception towards aircraft safety.

Airlines might find themselves increasingly reassuring passengers regarding the safety of their fleets, he says. The flight comparison site Kayak now gives the option for users to filter searches by aircraft manufacturer and model.

Nick Eades, a former pilot who was at one time the worlds longest-serving Boeing 747 captain, argues that cost-cutting across the industry has also affected safety standards in the skies.

The hole left by the detached door plug on the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9, which was forced to make an emergency landing - National Transportation Safety Board/AP

Airlines have for a long time been engaged in a race to the bottom with regards to cost-cutting. This has been a long-time process which I feel can be traced back to the emergence of the low-cost carriers and the legacy airlines attempt to compete on price, Eades says.

Add Covid to this process and you have a dangerous mix of airlines cutting costs even further. This has resulted in a huge outflow of highly experienced, qualified personnel who have been replaced with far less experienced and, in some cases, far less able workers.

Those that have remained within the industry are being worked far harder than ever before, resulting in fatigue issues, both short and long-term, Eades adds.

The Telegraph approached Boeing 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.
Related video: 8 Florida students participate in Disneys Magic Kingdom Parade

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort are changing their Disability Access Service (DAS) program amid concerns of abuse, according to its website.

The change, which goes into effect May 20 at Disney World and June 18 at Disneyland, will include more specific language on who is eligible for the program and outlines how eligibility will be verified before guests visit the parks.

Florida sues over Biden student loan plan

In the updated wording, the system is now intended to accommodate only those guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar, are unable to wait in long lines.

Disney said it will work with Inspire Health Alliances health professionals to determine a guests eligibility. Disney World will require the guest attend a virtual meeting with a Disney Cast Member to determine eligibility before visiting the parks, while Disneyland guests can meet virtually or at the Accessibility Services window on site the day-of.

Disney will also introduce a return to queue process that will allow a DAS guest to leave and then re-enter a line when necessary.

These changes come after Disney officials said DAS usage has tripled at the parks over the past five years. Disney hopes the changes will reduce misuse of the system by those who do not need the service.

Disney is dedicated to providing a great experience for all Guests, including those with disabilities, which is why we are so committed to delivering a wide range of innovative support services aimed at helping our Guests with disabilities have a wonderful time when visiting out theme parks, a Disney official said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt went on a ride-along with the Portland Police Bureau Bike Squad in the Southwest area of downtown Portland on Monday.

During the ride, Schmidt watched PPB officers issue multiple drug citations and one criminal summons for a warrant out of Clackamas County. Officers also responded to one overdose call, which required the use of Narcan, PPB spokesperson Mike Benner said. The patient was ultimately taken to the hospital for treatment.

District Attorneys Office spokesperson Brianna Brown told KOIN 6 News that Schmidt had a great time on his 8-mile ride-along.

He emphasized that it was a great opportunity to see the challenges that they face, and to witness what they are able to achieve for the community, Brown said.

Mike Schmidt watches PPB officers work in front of the Multnomah County Central Library. (Photos from the PPB Bike Squad Instagram account)



Mike Schmidt

Sinkhole opens in middle of SE Woodard Road, disrupts traffic

Schmidt was also given a PPB Bike Squad patch in exchange for a signed photo of him standing in front of one of the anti-Schmidt billboards strung around the city ahead of the 2024 Primary Elections.

Just a bit of humor and levity between two partnering agencies while out biking through downtown Portland, Brown said.

In 2020, Schmidt was elected Multnomah County DA with 75.66% of the vote, defeating challenger Ethan Knight. In May, Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez will look to unseat Schmidt from the position. KOIN 6 moderated a debate between the two candidates in March.

The Multnomah County Primary Election will be held on May 21.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Giant salvage buckets are hauling up the remnants of the Francis Scott Key Bridge roadway to clear space for workers to use hydraulic sheers to cut a bigger part of the structure into smaller pieces.

Removing the spans of the bridge that collapsed into the water March 26 after being stuck by ship and that are sinking into the bed of the Patapsco River is the most complex task of the cleanup effort, Col. Estee Pinchasin of the Army Corps of Engineers said at a news conference Wednesday. But the team of engineers and divers have a plan.

Once they dig out and expose the chords on the bottom of the truss, divers are going to go into the water and place the hydraulic sheers on the spans that theyre going to cut, said Pinchasin, referring to the two outside steel beams of a bridge truss that connect and brace it.

Pinchasin spoke in front of a 3D image of the wreckage created with sonar. That representation shows how the roadway, mud and debris fell on top of the mangled bridge spans that sit next to the base of one of the bridges main pillars that still stands.

Pinchasin said crews are preparing to cut a 240-foot bridge span that weighs around 1,500 tons into two pieces. Once separated, they will be lifted and taken by barge to Sparrows Point.

Pinchasin, as well as Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath, reiterated Wednesday that they are on track to meet the end of May deadline to reopen normal port access set last week.

Officials also said Wednesday they still plan to open a third temporary channel around the wreckage for limited traffic sooner.

Were on track to open up a 35-foot deep channel by the end of April, and the length of that channel is going to be 280 feet, Moore said Wednesday.

Moore also said that 25 people are assigned to daily recovery efforts to locate the bodies of three men who are presumed dead and remain missing in the collapse. The bodies of three other men, who were part of the same road crew repairing potholes on the bridge, have been recovered.

Staff with the Governors Office of Immigrant Affairs are in constant contact with the mens families, Moore said, with 30 employees assigned to help families in need.

Moore also said Wednesday that crews have removed 34 shipping containers from the Dali, the Singapore-flagged ship that destroyed the bridge, and plan to remove 144 more.

We are removing containers from the bow of the vessel to give us better access to the bow so that we can safely remove those pieces of the bridge that are on top of the bow, Gilreath said Wednesday. That is essential to us to be able to refloat the vessel and remove it.

Related Articles

Pinchasin added that engineers are planning to dredge around the Dali to free the ship from the river bottom where its currently grounded.

Gilreath said 58 vessels, mostly tugboats and barges as well as the Pride of Baltimore, have passed through 11- and 14-feet deep temporary channels on either side of the wreckage.

In Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, questioned whether the government was taking quick enough action in response to the bridge collapse, given its impact on the Port of Baltimore and the economy.

I cant help but think that China would have cleared the wreckage in days. I hope this episode doesnt become another punchline about a nation in decline or a symbol of our increasingly sclerotic and bureaucratic approach to public works projects, Cruz said in a statement.

Cruz called on Congress to pay for the bridge to be rebuilt while minimizing the bureaucratic dithering and delays that are all too prevalent with construction projects under this administration.

Moore, in response, praised President Joe Bidens administration for its quick response on March 26 and in the days since. Biden visited Baltimore and the wreckage site on Friday. Moore invited Cruz to come and show his support.

It was the federal government and it was this administration who called my phone and all of our phones at 3 oclock in the morning [on March 26], Moore said. It was the federal administration and the Biden administration who was on the ground that morning. It was the secretary of transportation who was on the ground literally as the sun was coming up.
DNA analysis has revealed the remains of a 19-year-old sailor who was killed during World War II. Officials shared the findings on April 4, saying the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used anthropological and dental analysis, as well as mitochondrial DNA, to identify the remains of Virginian sailor David Walker. The Norfolk, Virginia native, who was assigned to the battleship USS California while serving as a Mess Attendant 3rd Class, was one of 103 crewmen who were killed when Japan attacked the Hawaii naval base at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

In the early minutes of the attack, the California was hit by two torpedoes, which pierced the ships port side, and a bomb, which struck the ships upper deck, the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency said in a statement. The ship sustained significant damage, and over one hundred sailor and Marine lives were lost in the attack.

The ship was recovered months later and the bodies were removed. Walkers body, which was buried in Hawaii cemeteries, was exhumed in 2018. The bodies of 24 other crew members who were labeled as unknowns were also exhumed at that time, CNN reported.

Walker left school early to enlist in the US Navy. When he died a year later, Walkers mother placed his photo in the newspaper, hoping to find her son. Eighty years after his death, Walker will now be honored with a rosette at the Walls of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. He will be buried in September at Arlington National Cemetery.

Walkers name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII, the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency said in the same statement. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Over 2,000 service members and about 68 civilians were killed during the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, according to NPR. About 960 sailors and marines were reported missing at that time. Scientists are continuing to use DNA to identify the remains of other military members who have been killed in separate attacks throughout history.

Recently, researchers used DNA to identify the remains of 400 service members who went missing when the USS Oklahoma sunk during the Pearl Harbor attack.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed to News 8 that the agency is exploring whether to bring criminal charges against a hunter who shot and killed a gray wolf earlier this year in Calhoun County.

The endangered animal was reportedly shot and killed in January. The hunter, who was with a guide and about 300 miles away from any known gray wolf habitat, told the DNR that they thought it was a coyote.

However, some experts say it was apparent that the animal was not a coyote. DNR large carnivore specialist Brian Roell told Bridge Michigan that he only needed one look at the photos to know it wasnt a coyote.

According to a release from the DNR, the wolf weighed 84 pounds. Eastern coyotes typically weigh between 25 and 40 pounds.

Michigan wolf population holding steady, 2022 survey shows

Hunters are not required to report coyote kills to the DNR and the animals carcass had already been sent to a taxidermist by the time the agency learned of the incident. When asked how a hunter, a guide and a taxidermist could all misidentify the animal, Roell told Bridge Michigan, Thats a good question. I hope law enforcement officers are asking that.

However, DNR data shows virtually no gray wolf activity in Michigans lower peninsula over the last several decades.

A wolf that had been radio collared was captured and killed in Presque Isle County in October 2004, making it the first wild wolf found in the Lower Peninsula in several decades. Track surveys in 2011 and 2015 found some signs. Biologists with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians found scat and spotted a wolf on a trail camera in 2014, however, no other genetic verification has been found since.

Warm temperatures force Isle Royale researchers to pause wolf study

The DNR plans to do another survey next winter.

(A negative survey result) doesnt mean that one doesnt exist down there. Anything like that. Its just that theyre at such low occurrence that we arent able to detect them at this time, Roell told News 8 last week.

According to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, any person who knowingly kills an endangered animal faces up to one year in prison and a $50,000 fine. Gray wolves are only allowed to be legally killed if there is a direct and immediate threat to human life.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Doctor dies after falling out of moving trailer while headed upstate to see the eclipse

Doctor dies after falling out of moving trailer while headed upstate to see the eclipse

BROWNVILLE, N.Y. (AP)  Authorities say a Long Island doctor who was headed to upstate New York to see the solar eclipse with her family fell out of a moving trailer on a highway and died.

The State Police say Dr. Monika Woroniecka was in the 2024 Airstream trailer along with other members of her family on Saturday for the last 20 minutes of their trip to see the eclipse.

The wind blew the trailers door open and Woroniecka was thrown from the trailer.

This image provided by the New York State Police shows an Airstream trailer in Brownville, N.Y. Monika Woroniecka, a Long Island doctor, who was headed to upstate New York to see the solar eclipse with her family, fell out of the moving trailer on a highway and died, Saturday, April 6, 2024, authorities said. (New York State Police via AP)

She was taken to a hospital, where she died.

Woroniecka was a pediatrician at Stony Brook Childrens Hospital who specialized in immunology.

It is against the law in New York state to ride in such a trailer while its traveling.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A new documentary produced by war journalist Sebastian Junger and Navy veteran Ken Harbaugh explains the link between veterans and violent extremist groups and explores what their participation could mean for the future of democracy in the United States.

Against All Enemies premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival and is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+. It features interviews with members of Congress, academics and experts, leaders of militia groups and veterans who advocate against extremism.

Junger, Harbaugh and director Charlie Sadoff were motivated to make the film after viewing footage of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters in camouflage and tactical gear forcibly entered the U.S. Capitol in a failed bid to overthrow the 2020 presidential election results, Harbaugh said.

According to data from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism, known as START, 193 individuals with military backgrounds had been charged or convicted for their roles in the breach of the Capitol as of September 2023. That accounts for about 17.5% of all defendants charged in the attack.

The filmmakers claim veterans were manipulated by political influencers, such as former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, former President Donald Trump and other elected officials, who preyed on their sense of duty to the country. Those leaders provoked people from a distance but didnt face any consequences, argued Harbaugh, a former Navy pilot.

Those who committed these acts should be prosecuted and held accountable, but the ones Im even angrier at are the leaders who will fist-pump an insurrectionist and get them to charge a barricade, and then run like hell when it gets too scary, Harbaugh said. They know better, yet they are willing for political reasons to lie, to spread disinformation and to have the burden for acting on that carried by these veterans.

The filmmakers want the documentary to serve as a warning about the precarious nature of democracy in the U.S. and the violence that could occur following the upcoming presidential election. Its also a call to action for veterans to resist individuals and groups who might try to radicalize them into an extreme political ideology. A veterans friends and family members play an important role, Harbaugh said.

At the end of the day, it is going to come down to one-on-one conversations between a veteran who is at that crossroads and someone who loves them, someone who cares about them, Harbaugh said. Youve got to be willing to have those tough conversations with the veterans in your life.

Recent studies about veterans and their involvement in violent extremist groups describe the problem as small numbers, high impact. The number of violent extremists among the overall veteran and military population is tiny, but this group has an outsized impact once radicalized, Mike Jensen, a researcher at START, told Military Times last year.

According to Jensens research, one-quarter of all mass-fatality extremist crimes committed from 1990 through 2022 were carried out by perpetrators with military backgrounds. The military-trained offenders were almost twice as likely to be successful with their plots than those who were not.

Eric Braden, a former Army infantryman, being filmed in Texas for Against All Enemies, a documentary that explores the link between veterans and violent extremism. Braden, known as

Against All Enemies opens with an interview of Michael Breen, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran and the president of Human Rights First, a human rights advocacy organization. Throughout the film, Breen describes the skills veterans bring to extremist groups. He argues that many of these veterans have good intentions, but they are motivated by disinformation that invokes their oaths to protect the country.

There are places in our military where we are trained to start and fuel insurgencies  to overthrow governments, Breen said in the movie. Im not saying this to be alarmist, and Im not saying we need to be afraid of our veterans. What I do think is that we need to have a solid understanding of how badly this could escalate. Were not at the point where violence is the solution to our problems, but there are a lot of people trying to convince veterans and others that we are, and thats a very dangerous thing.

A portion of the 1 hour, 46 minute-documentary is spent reflecting on the insurrection. While participants failed to overturn the election results  and 1,387 people were charged with crimes  Jan. 6 isnt viewed among extremists as a failure, argued Ali Soufan, a former FBI agent and founder of the Soufan Center, a nonprofit focused on global security challenges.

Jan. 6 was a huge success for them, Soufan said in the film. It inspired so many people here in the U.S. and even in Europe that violence is the way to change the government, that its the way to change establishments in the Western world that they consider corrupt and evil.

Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal made an appearance in the documentary to offer a dire warning: I think the worst case scenario is probably worse than most of us want to imagine.

I could see a civil war, he said.

The filmmakers interviewed multiple members of extremist organizations, including Eric Braden, a former Army infantryman and founder of a Texas militia group. Braden claimed with conviction that the 2020 election was stolen by President Joe Biden, and he spoke about his absolute distrust of the elections process and of the upcoming presidential election in November in particular.

Braden painted a bleak picture of the state of the country and baselessly insisted that continuing on the current trajectory would kill us, this country and our freedom. Like McChrystal, Braden also expressed the possibility of a civil war.

Theres imminent civil war, Braden warned in the movie. If we dont fix our elections and actually make them bona fide again, we dont have to win 2024. There is no 2024.

Many of the experts and veterans interviewed in Against All Enemies urged Trump, Flynn and other elected officials and political influencers to quit spreading disinformation about the U.S. election in their large audiences, but none of those interviewed expressed much hope that they would stop.

Breen described effective campaigns the U.S. government carried out during World War II that taught troops and citizens to recognize and resist Nazi propaganda that targeted the American public in the 1930s and 1940s. The country has the ability to launch a similar campaign now to combat disinformation about the US elections process, Breen said, but only if Americans can unify on the issue.

Opposition to Nazis was a goal shared by both parties in America, Breen said. Right now, this conflict is far too partisan, too divisive and too politicized. We know how to do this, but it takes unity.

This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Please send tips to MVJ-Tips@militarytimes.com.
Toyota (TM) debuted its brand-new 2025 4Runner on Tuesday night, giving the SUV its first full makeover in 15 years, with a new hybrid powertrain to boot.

The new 4Runner features an all-new platform shared with the new Tacoma pickup and full-size Sequoia and Land Cruiser SUVs. Toyota says the new frame adds strength and rigidity but will also help with overall comfort and handling. The prior 4Runner was long in the tooth in terms of cabin technology and featured a cramped interior with poor sightlines; the new body will likely improve on those shortcomings.

Even bigger changes come under the hood. The new base engine is a turbocharged 4-cylinder dubbed i-Force that produces 278 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft of torque, which bests the outgoing V6 and will likely feature better fuel economy (Toyota did not release EPA mileage estimates for the new powertrains). This engine is standard on the base SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and Limited trims.

2025 Toyota 4Runner in Trailhunter trim. (Toyota) (Toyota)

But more important is Toyotas mild hybrid engine, the i-Force Max, which the automaker is using in its newer trucks and SUVs. The turbo 4-cylinder pairs with a 48-hp electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission, producing a robust 326 hp and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. Toyota said it's the most powerful powertrain ever offered on the 4Runner.

The i-Force Max hybrid powertrain is available on TRD Off-Road and Limited trims and is standard on the TRD Pro and pricier Trailhunter and Platinum models. Both engine choices are also paired with a more modern eight-speed automatic transmission, improving on the prior models antiquated five-speed automatic.

2025 Toyota 4Runner Limited trim interior. (Toyota) (Toyota)

Toyota sees the ongoing, even growing, interest in capable off-road vehicles, and the new 4Runner reflects it, iSeeCars analyst Karl Brauer told Yahoo Finance. Once considered a compromise for daily, urban use, Toyotas new platform offers a smooth and comfortable ride for daily chores while still handling extremely demanding off-road and towing needs.

Toyota believes hybrid powertrains will not only help vehicles like the 4Runner and the all-new 2025 Camry with performance and efficiency but also bridge the gap to full electrification in the US and abroad, in part because they use fewer expensive materials and require smaller battery packs.

At last weeks New York Auto Show, Jack Hollis, executive vice president and head of Toyota Motor Sales US, said the use of hybrid tech will allow the company to use those expensive battery materials more efficiently while allowing automakers to meet the government's new lowered emissions standards for 2032.

Story continues

2025 Toyota 4Runner in TRD Pro trim. (Toyota) (Toyota)

[What] we have to think about is our precious metals or limited resources. ... If you use the same amount of resources [needed for one battery electric vehicle], I can build you six plug-in hybrids  reducing significant amounts of CO and costing about $6,000 to $8,000 less per vehicle, Hollis said from the floor of the show.

While important to Toyota, cost savings are also pretty important to customers. Toyota did not reveal pricing for the new 4Runner, but the outgoing model started at $40,705, and the 2025 model isn't likely to cost significantly more than that.

2025 Toyota 4Runner in Limited trim. (Toyota) (Toyota)

Roll in Toyotas current hybrid technology, and 4Runner buyers enjoy healthy fuel economy too. Its a compelling package that should only expand the 4Runners well-established fan club, iSeeCars Brauer said.

Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
For almost 50 years, Joanne Grace worked as a registered nurse. It was a job she loved and said she planned to keep doing as long as she was useful and effective.

But around age 71, Grace said she was unfairly pushed out by her former employer because of her age.

She said older employees were being steadily let go and replaced by younger workers.

You work all your life and expect just fairness from your employer, Grace told our Washington News Bureau.

Grace sued for age discrimination but said her former employer has been trying to silence her through the legal process of forced arbitration.

Read: Another postal worker robbed gunpoint, what the thieves were targeting?

Thats when companies force employees to sign away their rights to sue, often as a condition of employment.

Grace said she never signed such an agreement but was told by her former employer that the process applied to her because her name was on a list for a training seminar about arbitration. Grace said she never attended that training.

On Tuesday, Grace testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about her experience.

As long as Congress allows companies to sweep accountability under the rug, they will continue to do just that, said Grace. Allowing forced arbitration really has destroyed my dignity.

Read: Orange County transportation tax initiative suspended after mayor reverses course

Its an issue former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson knows about first-hand. She also testified before the panel.

The committee weighed these kinds of employee experiences with forced arbitration.

Its an issue former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson knows about first-hand. She also testified before the panel.

Most people have no idea what forced arbitration means, said Carlson in her testimony. Employees have no idea that signing on the dotted line accepting a forced arbitration clause can strip them of their rights for future justice.

Carlson shared her experience fighting forced arbitration by her former employer Fox News, after suing the former network head for sexual misconduct.

Read: How new PULSE Memorial consultant plans to heal community, build memorial

When youre forced into the secret chamber of arbitration, you dont have a voice and you dont have a choice, Carlson told our Washington News Bureau. The operative word is forced. If its so wonderful for all American workers, why do companies force them into it?

Carlson helped push for a bipartisan law Congress passed banning forced arbitration in employment lawsuits for sexual misconduct.

Now, theres a push to expand those protections to older Americans and people who experience race discrimination at work.

The Protecting Older Americans Act prohibits forced arbitration for age discrimination claims in the workplace.

The Ending Forced Arbitration of Race Discrimination Act would prohibit the practice of forcing employees who experienced racial discrimination at work into arbitration.

But some witnesses cautioned against expanding the ban on forced arbitration, arguing the process can benefit employers.

The cost of arbitration is far less than litigation, said Victor Schwartz, co-Chair of the Public Policy Practice Group for the law firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP. Claimants benefit because its simpler.

It has been used as a beneficial tool to be certain that you dont get trapped into lengthy and costly litigation, said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).

Advocates like Grace, meanwhile, are urging Congress to focus on passing more protections for workers.

I should be able to speak out for what I believe, said Grace. Congress needs to help get this bill passed so that it can give an older American an even playing field.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Former president Donald Trump said he would not sign a national abortion ban into law if it were passed by Congress, his firmest remark yet on a national prohibition of the procedure.

When asked on Wednesday in Atlanta whether he would sign a federal abortion ban if it crossed his desk as president, Mr Trump replied, No, CNN reported.

However, his latest promise raised eyebrows as earlier this week, in a Truth Social video, he announced his belief that the issue of abortion should be left up to the states  notably not backing a national ban on the procedure.

In the video, the former president said he was proudly the person responsible for the end of Roe v Wade in 2022.

Many people have asked me what my position is on abortion and abortion rights, especially since I was proudly the person responsible for something that all legal scholars both sides wanted and in fact demanded be ended: Roe vs Wade. They wanted it ended, he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the former president also weighed in on the slavery-era abortion ruling in Arizona. He said the states supreme court went too far on Tuesday when it ruled that a near-total abortion ban from 1864 is enforceable.

The bans only exception is in the case of saving a womans life.

When Mr Trump was asked on Wednesday if the ruling went too far, he replied, Yeah, they did and I think itll be straightened out and, as you know, its all about states rights and it will be straightened out.

He added, And Im sure the governor and everybody else have got to bring it back into reason and that it will be taken care of I think.

This announcement arrived weeks after reports that he privately indicated support for a 16-week national ban.

Arizonas ban is set to go into effect later this month.

However, it may not be permanent, as the states voters could have a chance to enshrine the right to abortion up to 24 weeks by voting for a possible amendment in November.
Several of Doomsday author Chad Daybells five children will testify in his high-profile death penalty case, where defense lawyers say they will detail their mothers health struggle before her mysterious 2019 death.

Theyre going to talk about their mothers use of various medical treatments she would useoils she would put on her leg, medicine, and different herbs she would take, and that their mother was suffering from a number of maladies, and she would refuse to see a doctor, defense attorney John Prior told Ada County Court jurors in his Wednesday opening statements.

The highly anticipated testimony from three or four of Daybells children will help to explain the circumstances surrounding the October 2019 death of his first wife, Tammy Daybell. Prosecutors, however, allege that Daybell conspired with his paramour, Lori Vallow Daybell, to murder Tammy for an insurance payout before flying to Hawaii to get married 17 days later.

The murder at the Daybells Idaho home was allegedly the last of three murders the religiously fanatical couple committed in 2019. Prosecutors alleged Daybell and Vallow killed her children, 7-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, in September 2019 and buried them in Daybells backyard.

When he had a chance at what he considered his rightful destiny, he made sure that no person, no law would stand in his way," Madison County Prosecuting Attorney Rob Wood said in his opening statements. His desire for sex, money, and power led him to pursue those ambitions and this pursuit led to the deaths of his wife and Lori's two innocent children.

How the Malignant Faith of Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell Went Mainstream

Daybell, 55, has pleaded not guilty to several chargesincluding first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, grand theft, and insurance fraudin connection with the three murders. In July, Vallow was sentenced to life in prison in connection with the case.

Defense lawyers, however, insist that there is no evidence to prove that Tammy Daybells death was a homicide or that evidence at the scene where Vallows children were found can be directly linked to his client. He added that Daybell led a normal life, where he ran a publishing company and wrote apocalyptic novels aimed at Mormons, until he met Vallow at a religious conference in 2018.

She pursued him. She encouraged him, Prior said, adding that the pair eventually had an affair while they were both still married to other people.

Prosecutors, however, argued that that ordinary existence was not enough for Daybell, who created an alternate reality for him and Vallow driven by their shared religious beliefs. That belief, prosecutors say, included labeling people who stood in his way as zombies and dark spirits.

Youll hear in the world Chad and Lori planned for themselves, they identified those who stood in the way of their dream as dark,' Wood said. Their spouses, Loris own children, and anyone who opposed them were labeled sometimes as dark spirits or even zombies.

At Vallows trial, prosecutors revealed harrowing evidence about the three murders, including her children, which were found in Daybells backyard in June 2020. Prosecutors said J.J was found smothered with a white plastic bag duct-taped over his head in a pet cemetery while Tylees heavily burned remains were discovered in a fire pit. Prosecutors detailed how Tammy Daybell was asphyxiated in her Idaho home and that her death was initially deemed due to national causes.

Tammy Daybell, a vivacious, happy mother, was another individual labeled as a dark spirit to be removed, Wood said on Monday. You will hear from multiple witnesses that Chad predicted multiple times that Tammy would die an early death.

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.
Nadine Dorries has urged the Commons standards chief to investigate William Wragg as the row over the suspected Westminster honeytrap scandal continues.

Mr Wragg gave up the Tory whip on Tuesday after admitting to handing over colleagues phone numbers to a man he met on Grindr, a gay dating app, having sent him intimate pictures of himself.

Around 20 Westminster figures including several MPs, parliamentary assistants and political journalists were later sent flirtatious texts, and in some cases explicit images, from senders using the aliases Charlie or Abi.

Politics Live Blog

The Westminster honeytrap scandal

Latest updates

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Ms Dorries urged Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary standards commissioner, to launch a full investigation into Mr Wragg, who is now sitting as the independent MP for Hazel Grove.

The former culture secretary said: The standards commissioner will surely have to announce an investigation into Wragg very soon.

My money is on when he does, Wragg will resign his seat and stand down to avoid his actions being scrutinised and having to face the standards committee.

Senior Cabinet figures had backed Mr Wragg before his decision to voluntarily relinquish the Conservative whip. These included Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, who hailed his apology over the scandal as courageous and fulsome.

Richard Holden, the Tory chairman, said on Monday it was right he had chosen to give up the whip but Labour claimed Downing Streets refusal to suspend him was another indictment of Rishi Sunaks weakness.

William Wragg gave up the Tory whip and now stands as an independent - NurPhoto via Getty Images

Mr Wragg has said he was scared and mortified when he divulged contact details for his colleagues, and that the man who approached him had compromising things on him.

But on Wednesday some senior Tories suggested his behaviour was evidence of double standards after he played a leading role in backbench efforts to remove Boris Johnson from office following the Downing Street parties scandal.

In February, Mr Wragg also led efforts to oust Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, after his handling of a vote on a ceasefire in Gaza descended into chaos.

A former Cabinet minister questioned what the William Wragg of a week ago would make of the William Wragg of today.

My sympathy is not enormous, because of the way he has behaved towards other people, they said. I dont think any politician wants to set himself up as being Mr Pious, because none of us are without our faults.

A second Westminster source said: I think it is unfortunate that he has painted himself as a beacon of morality during partygate and then this happens.

But hes made a mistake, hes suffering the consequences and, in terms of outcome, Im not sure what more anyone wants.

A Tory MP who is a friend of Mr Wragg argued it was time to move on now that he had resigned the whip, adding: This is a man who has apologised and over the years hes really struggled with his mental health.

Hes sincerely apologised. Dont kick a man while hes down.

Mr Wragg has spoken at length about his struggles with anxiety and depression.

He became one of the first MPs to confirm they would quit the Commons at the next election, announcing in August 2022 he would be ending his political career to focus on banishing the black dog.

Password picture

Meanwhile, Mr Wragg, who became the MP for Hazel Grove, in Greater Manchester, in 2015, appeared to accidentally reveal his Parliament WiFi password last month, by having it pinned up on the wall while he did a photoshoot at his desk with a national newspaper.

Photographs used in an interview with The Observer show Mr Wragg sitting at his desk with several pieces of paper on the wall, one of which appears to show his internet password.

The code  Parliament2015!  can be seen on House of Commons notepaper to the right of him in the photographs.

Its not clear whether the photograph was taken in his parliamentary office, constituency office or elsewhere. It potentially raises further questions about Mr Wraggs judgment when it comes to cyber-security measures.

The Observer 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.
EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  The El Cajon Police Department reported a downed powerline pole in the 1200 block of E Washington Avenue Wednesday morning.

Police said the fire department was called to the scene to help assess the situation. An investigation has lead authorities to determine an overnight hit-and-run damaged the pole.

Traffic on E Washington was blocked in both directions from S Second Street to Ballard Street for several hours, police said. Motorists had to use alternative routes.

If you know someone whos vehicle appears to have hit a pole, please let us know, El Cajon Police stated via social media. Detectives can be reached at (619) 579-3311.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
The Bradenton Police Department seized slot machines from a local bar Wednesday morning following a month-long investigation into illegal gambling, the agency announced in a press release.

Along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, police say they conducted several undercover operations in March at Pour Decisions Saloon, 430 12th St. W., Bradenton, where they found four arcade-style video slot machines available to customers for illegal gambling.

Detectives said they obtained a search warrant and removed the four machines from the business Wednesday.

Photos posted by police to social media show crime scene tape surrounding the business on a sidewalk in downtown Bradenton.

No customers or employees were arrested, however, police say the investigation is ongoing.

The investigation comes after similar operations by the Manatee County Sheriffs Office.

Gambling machines removed from Bradenton bar

A sheriffs office crackdown on illegal gambling made in July 2023 saw deputies seize 69 gambling machines along with more than $52,000 in illegal proceeds, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.

Several businesses were also closed during the operation, investigators said.

Another operation by the sheriffs office in September 2023 saw them shut down another game room, along with seizing another 33 slot machines and $15,000 in illegal profit, according to deputies.

Operating a slot machine without a license is against the law. Business owners could face up to five years in prison and be fined as much as $10,000 per machine for failing to comply with the law.

Anyone with information about illegal gambling in Bradenton is asked to call the Bradenton Police Department at (941) 932-9300 or submit an anonymous tip to Manatee CrimeStoppers at ManateeCrimeStoppers.com.

The Bradenton Police Department seized four arcade-style slot machines from Pour Decisions Saloon during a raid Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as part of an undercover investigation.
Dozens of programs for kids, families, caregivers available on NYC website

NEW YORK (PIX11)  Growing Up NYC is a website filled with resources, activities and programs for families, children and their caregivers in New York City.

The website currently lists around 70 programs sponsored by the city and state, including child care, education, money, health, food needs and more. While exploring the website maintained by the Mayors Office for Economic Opportunity, PIX11 News found a diverse selection of programs.

Thousands of NYC jobs available on citys website

The website offers you the ability to find a program by age of eligibility. The categories are:

Baby

Toddler

Preschooler

Gradeschooler

Preteen

Teen

Young adult

Caregiver

Everyone

It also has a section dedicated to activities aimed at keeping kids engaged outside of school, according to the website.

To look at the full list of programs offered by Growing Up NYC, you can visit the website here.

Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here, and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk. Get in touch at jonathan.rizk@pix11.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  New information was released by the Texas Department of Public Safety regarding a wreck that took place on U.S. Highway 87 that claimed the life of a motorcyclist.

According to the release, 45-year-old Nicholas Denmar of Aurora, CO was killed in the wreck after following a Freightliner on U.S. Highway 87 on April 9.

Motorcyclist dies after semi-trailer crash on US 87

The report states that the motorcyclist failed to control the KTM bike as the Freightliner began to slow down to turn onto Brodnax Lane. Denmar crashed into the back of the Freightliners trailer.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Driver was allegedly high when he rammed into line of cars in Franklin County, killing 1

A 28-year-old man was allegedly high on cocaine when he slammed into a line of cars stopped for road construction in northern Franklin County.

The August 2023 chain-reaction crash on Highway 17 left a 21-year-old Othello man dead and another seriously hurt, according to newly filed court documents.

Nearly nine months later, Nicholas L. Abbott has been charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault in Franklin County Superior Court.

While court documents say his most recent home was in Richland, Abbott appeared by video on Tuesday, April 9, from Virginia for his arraignment. The hearing was rescheduled so he could talk to an attorney.

Abbot was in a 2008 Dodge Ram pickup on Aug. 7, heading south on the rural two-lane highway that connects Franklin County with Othello.

Abbots supervisor told state troopers he was supposed to be traveling back from Moses Lake to Othello after picking up some hardware. He had driven about 20 miles past the Othello exit when he crashed.

Two witnesses said he was driving erratically for 20 miles. He stopped in the road for no reason, swerved across the road and drove into the oncoming lane, according to court documents.

When he came upon the line of cars waiting for some road construction in the southbound lane about 12:45 p.m., Abbot didnt stop, said the documents. His pickup slammed into a back of a Honda Civic

Five people were inside, including passenger Jesus Camacho-Augustin, 21, and driver Valentin Galvez-Gonzalez, 24, of Othello.

Camacho-Augustin died at the scene and Galvez-Gonzalez was seriously hurt and taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.

The crash pushed the Civic into a Hyundai Sonata in front of it. Two other cars ended up being damaged too.

Washington State Patrol toxicology tests on Abbots blood later found signs that he had cocaine in his system, said the documents.
Donald Trump has been booted from Bloombergs daily list of the 500 top billionaires after the stock price of his Truth Social platform plummeted.

On Tuesday, the former president was nowhere to be seen on the list of the worlds richest people, going from Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH, the worlds largest luxury goods company, at $223bn, to John Sall, a businessman and computer software developer, in spot 500.

Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, began trading at $78 and finished its first day at $57.99, allowing Mr Trump to join the list of the worlds 500 richest people. But by Wednesday morning, the stock was trading at just above $36  a likely cause of Mr Trumps removal from the list of the top billionaires.

Shares in the company went down by 12 per cent on Friday and eight per cent on Monday, USA Today noted.

Compared to its peak late last month, the stock, going under the ticker DJT, has now dropped more than 50 per cent. On Tuesday, the stock went below $35.50 for the first time after the merger between Trump Media and the public shell company Digital World Acquisition Corp. It began trading under DJT on 26 March.

After hitting the market, the stock was valued at $8bn, but it has since lost billions in value.

Mr Trump owns 78.75 million shares, or about 60 per cent, of Trump Media. His stake was worth around $6bn shortly after the firm went public, prompting his appearance on the billionaires index. On Tuesday, his stake was worth around $3bn. Mr Trump needs the approval of the board of Trump Media if he wants to get rid of any of his shares before September.

On Tuesday afternoon, Forbes had Mr Trump as the 653rd richest person in the world with a net worth of $4.8bn.

Wall Street initially valued Trump Media at about $14bn, but experts have said that number is deeply flawed.

This is a very unusual situation, Jay Ritter, a finance professor at the University of Florida, told CNN last month. The stock is pretty much divorced from fundamentals.

Mr Ritter added that the closest comparison would be so-called meme stocks such as GameStop and AMC, which rose during the pandemic amid a push from retail traders. He said Trump Media is likely worth about $2 a share.

The underlying business doesnt seem to be worth much. There is no evidence this is going to become a large, highly profitable company, Mr Ritter told CNN at the time.

Im reasonably confident the stock price will eventually drop to $2 a share and could even go below that if the company blows through the money it got from the merger, he added.

However, executives at the company still stand to have a good payday, SEC filings revealed.
EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Fire officials were out in the Lansing area today with lit torches in hand. Normally we expect them to put out fires, but today, the goal was starting them.

These officials stressed that there is a difference between good burns and bad burns.





And the techniques behind todays prescribed burns show us how fire can be used as a tool for rebirth, and not just destruction.

Meridian fire officials say they have been doing burns like this for more than a dozen years, and they are following the example of farmers and natives in our area who have been doing this for centuries.

Grass fire burns at least 200 acres near Jackson Tuesday afternoon

Because of that long history, native plants know how to grow back easily, which makes these burns one of the best ways to destroy invasive species from other parts of the country.

The idea is to plant native plants that are deep-rooted that will thrive in these wet conditions with fluctuating water that can absorb the runoff from the neighborhood, said Burn team Leader David Borneman These species are well adapted to fire and we need to burn them to make sure we keep these systems healthy.

Tuesdays burns in East Lansing helped clear away weeds from an important drain, and more burns near Haslet are helping to promote native plants and reduce the risk of more extreme fires.

They also tell me thats been especially important this year because low snow over the winter leads to long fire seasons.

This year is kind of a slightly strange window, said Meridian Township Fire Marshal Tavis Millerov. Because we really didnt have a whole lot of snow, so we have kind of been in our quasi-burn season for a little bit now although I think were really starting to get into that green up stuff now.

These crews say they will be doing more burns like this throughout the spring as they are needed.

As a reminder, they are asking you to call your local fire department to check if the conditions are safe before you burn anything like this by yourself.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Two people are dead and another seriously injured after an Easter gathering erupted into a shootout between two families, Texas police and news outlets say.

Lubbock police responded to calls about a shooting at a home on the citys south side at 5:23 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, the department said in a news release.

Officers arrived to find three men wounded by gunfire, two of whom died at a hospital, police said. They were 36-year-old Johnny Bermea Sr., and 33-year-old Jeremy Bermea, according to a news release. The third man, Jose Lopez, 48, survived.

Police said a domestic disturbance at another location earlier that day was the catalyst for the deadly confrontation.

A family shootout

That disturbance was an assault against 21-year-old Andrew Espinosa, according to court documents obtained by KCBD. And when the mans mother learned of the assault, she told her husband, 37-year-old Henry Bermea.

The news made Bermea angry  so angry he called members of his family together to confront the person responsible, the outlet reported. They grabbed guns, drove to the home of the alleged attacker and exited their vehicles with weapons on display.

Adults and young children were at the home, where they had gathered for an Easter egg hunt, and some were outside eating, KLBK reported.

Johnny Bermea Sr. started arguing with a man in front of the house and, within moments, the man shot Bermea in the chest in self defense, documents said, the outlet reported.

Johnny Bermea Jr., 19, retaliated with a shotgun, hitting and seriously wounding the mans father, Jose Lopez, according to the outlet. Bermea Jr. then took cover behind a car and opened fire on the house.

Documents say Henry Bermea and his wife had also brought an infant and teenager with them to the scene, and they stayed in the vehicle during the two-minute gunfight, the station reported. They didnt check on either of the children as shots rang out, and were busy tending to the now-fatally wounded Johnny Bermea Sr.

At some point, Jeremy Bermea tried advancing toward the home while firing a pistol, but was struck by gunfire, according to KCBD.

Arrests made

Police launched an investigation and arrested four members of the Bermea family over several days.

Henry Bermea, his wife and Johnny Bermea Jr. were arrested on April 3 and booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center, police said. Bermea Jr. is charged with aggravated assault, while Bermea and his wife are charged with abandoning or endangering a child.

On April 5, officers arrested Espinosa on a charge of aggravated assault.

Bond has been set at $300,000 for each of them, police said.

Lubbock is a roughly 310-mile drive northwest from Fort Worth.

Mans dying words lead to arrest of friend accused of gunning him down, Texas cops say

Man kidnaps, sexually assaults and robs woman working out with friends, Texas cops say

Armed husband clings to hood of car as kidnapped wife makes bold escape, Texas cops say

Gunmen open fire at Texas gas station, killing foreign politicians son, officials say
Ecuadorian police stormed the Mexican Embassy in the capital city of Quito on Friday to apprehend Jorge Glas, the former vice president of Ecuador. Glas was in the embassy seeking political asylum after having been found guilty of corruption by the current Ecuadorian government.

The raid escalates monthslong disputes between the governments of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Ecuador has justified the operation by accusing Mexico of interfering in Ecuadorian domestic affairs, and Mexico has responded by breaking diplomatic relations with Ecuador.

The fallout from the dispute is evolving, but the incident could have implications for the entire hemisphere.

Who is Jorge Glas, and why was he in the Mexican embassy?

From 2013 to 2017, Jorge Glas was vice president of Ecuador under Rafael Correa, the countrys former left-wing leader. Correa is currently living in exile in Belgium after having been found guilty in absentia by an Ecuadorian court of accepting bribes.

Glas himself has been mired in several corruption charges and convictions. Most significantly, he was embroiled in a regional bribery scandal revolving around a Brazilian construction conglomerate that has implicated dozens of politicians across Latin America, also known as the Odebrecht scandal.

Glas was imprisoned under corruption charges related to Odebrecht in 2017 and convicted of improperly handling campaign funds in 2020. After being initially released in early 2022, he was ordered back to jail. Glas was in the process of appealing his conviction in the Ecuadorian courts when he sought asylum in the Mexican Embassy, arguing the charges were politically motivated. Ecuadorian police raided the embassyafter Mexico had granted Glas asylum on Fridayto prevent him from leaving the country.

Mexico has a long history of granting political and humanitarian asylum, some genuinely admirable. Mexico sheltered dozens of Chileans seeking refuge at their embassy during the 1973 coup, for example, and the leading candidate in Mexicos upcoming presidential election is herself a descendant of Jews who fled to Mexico to escape the Holocaust.

But more recently Lopez Obrador has used asylum to protect left-wing figures with whom he sympathizes. Former Bolivian President Evo Morales fled to Mexico after being widely suspected of orchestrating voter fraud in an attempt to remain in power. Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was intercepted en route to the Mexican Embassy in Lima after illegally attempting to dissolve the Peruvian Congress. Mexico responded by granting Castillos family asylum and condemning Castillos detainment.

Still, Ecuadors raid on the Mexican Embassy marks a serious departure from international norms and customs.

What are the diplomatic ramifications of this dispute?

Within a day of the raid, every government in Latin America that issued a statement had condemned Ecuadors actions as a violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Article 22 of the convention holds that diplomatic missions are inviolable and can only be entered by the host state with the permission of the head of the mission. From 2012 to 2019, Ecuador itself relied heavily on diplomatic protections to shield Wikileaks founder Julian Assange from extradition to Sweden by harboring him in its embassy in London.

Ecuadors legal justification that Article 1 of the earlier 1933 Convention on Political Asylum does not apply to persons accused of common offenses has fallen of deaf ears, meriting only an acknowledgment in Uruguays carefully crafted official response.

While official disapproval of Ecuadors actions appears to be unanimous, the extent of that disapproval has varied. Nicaragua has joined Mexico in breaking diplomatic relations with Ecuador, while statements from the foreign ministries of other countries that have had recent diplomatic rows with Mexico have been noticeably muted.

Peru for example, whose Congress declared Lopez Obrador persona non grata in 2023 over his support of Pedro Castillo, put out a relatively brief statement calling for Ecuador to respect diplomatic protections. Argentina, whose new President Javier Milei has been engaged in a war of words with Lopez Obrador, put out an even shorter statement explicitly tying its rebuke of Ecuador to the 1954 Convention on Diplomatic Asylum.

Argentinas response is indicative of the bind Ecuador has put Latin Americas right-leaning governments in. Embassies are some of the only places where dissident figures in contemporary leftist regimes can seek protection: Six Venezuelan opposition aides are currently seeking asylum in the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, for example. Throwing the immunity of embassies into question risks creating unstable new conditions in each of these countries, whose governments are typically more willing to break with international law.

But these diplomatic protections cut both ways. The autocratic regime of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has been even more flagrant in granting protections to corrupt officials than Mexico has. Nevertheless, Ecuadors actions could put present and future dissidents in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua in danger if raiding embassies becomes the norm.

What are the security ramifications of this dispute?

Another part of Ecuadors justification is that it is currently undergoing an internal armed conflict with transnational criminal groups. Ecuador has been in a state of emergency since early January after criminal gunmen stormed and took over a live television broadcast in the port city of Guayaquil. Mexican cartels, especially the Jalisco New Generation cartel and the Sinaloa cartel, are heavily involved in Ecuadors criminal scene, giving local gangs more firepower and funds in their battle against the police.

Ecuadors actions will have two significant repercussions for its fight against criminal groups in its territory. First, any intelligence sharing or security agreements between Mexico and Ecuador that were either in place or being negotiated will grind to a halt. Since 1990, Mexico and Ecuador have been in a bilateral committee to combat narcotrafficking that coordinated intelligence, extradition, and penal sentencing related to narcotics related offenses. The committee was reauthorized as recently as 2022, but as long as diplomatic relations remain severed, Ecuadors ability to target transnational cartels will be impeded.

Second, on April 21 Ecuadorians will vote on 11 security measures proposed by Noboa that include expanded powers for the police and military, as well as longer sentences for criminals convicted of offenses related to organized crime. Noboas security strategy is very popular, with an estimated 70 percent of Ecuadorians currently approving his stance on crime. However, if Noboa mismanages the international fallout of the Glas raid, his referendum could become collateral damage.

How could this affect immigration issues?

Mexico is the most important transit state for hemispheric migration to the U.S., and this dispute comes at a time when Ecuadorian migration is spiking. Encounters with Ecuadorians at the U.S.-Mexico border increased by 96 percent in the last half of 2023, rising from 41,906 to 81,969. For its part, Mexico is amid a crackdown on irregular migration, with Venezuelans in particular being held back on the Mexican side of the border.

If Ecuadorian migration continues to rise as diplomatic relations are cut off, Mexico will not be able to deport any Ecuadorians and will face a difficult choice. The potential for xenophobic violence against Ecuadorian migrants already in Mexico will escalate, which could further inflame relations between the two countries.

What happens from here?

The Organization of American States, the largest multilateral body in the hemisphere, has come out against Ecuadors actions and will hold an emergency meeting among its Permanent Council to address the dispute. Mexico has also stated its intention to file a complaint against Ecuador in the International Court of Justice. As a result of these actions, Ecuador could find itself internationally isolated and potentially even excluded from future multilateral projects.

Additional countries may also break diplomatic ties with Ecuador, with Venezuela and Cuba being the most likely candidates. Whether other left-leaning governments in weak democracies (such as Bolivia) do so will be a benchmark for how serious this diplomatic crisis will become.

Within Ecuador, Noboas latest statement has thrown the gauntlet down and tied the April 21 security referendum as a proxy for approval of his actions. If the referendum passes with the high level of support Noboa was enjoying prior to the raid, it could boost him domestically and aid his reelection chances. But the political situation remains volatile: Glas was hospitalized on Monday, allegedly after refusing food during his detainment. If Glas dies in custody, Noboas domestic opposition will make him a martyr and his international detractors will paint him as a despot.

So far, the public response from the Biden administration has been tepid. The State Departments press release on the matter refers to the storming of the embassy as an event, condemns Ecuadors actions in the abstract, and refers to both countries as crucial partners of the United States.

Regardless of where the U.S. lands, the Biden administration will face a difficult decision between potentially alienating either Lopez Obrador, whose cooperation is essential for controlling migratory flows, or Noboa, who represents one of Americas most critical security partners in the region.

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.
Ecuadors raid on Mexicos embassy shocked Latin America. Heres why it may still pay off for Daniel Noboa

Latin America has seen plenty of diplomatic wrestling in recent weeks, from Argentinas president calling his Colombian counterpart a terrorist murderer to Venezuelas latest attempt to take back a territory ruled by neighboring Guyana. But none of that has been quite as hands-on as Ecuadors highly controversial decision to raid Mexicos embassy  a major violation of diplomatic norms that continues to reverberate across the region.

Surveillance footage from the incident in Quito last week showed Ecuadorian police grappling with the Mexican missions top diplomat as they arrested Jorge Glas, Ecuadors former vice president who had been seeking asylum from Mexico when the raid took place.

The dramatic scenes also point to a new approach to crime in the region and underline how the youngest leader in Latin America, Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa, may be throwing out conventional wisdom  to the likely chagrin of his septuagenarian Mexican counterpart Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Two very different politicians

Noboa, 36, rose to Ecuadors presidency in a political finger snap. His predecessor, Guillermo Lasso, resigned and called for early elections amid a constitutional crisis in May last year. The resulting race was dominated by the countrys rising crime wave  all too evident when an anti-corruption candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, was assassinated on August 9.

The son of a banana tycoon with limited political experience under his belt, Noboa capitalized on the vote for a tough-on-crime approach. Less than two months after taking office, Ecuadors security crisis made global headlines when gunmen stormed a television studio live on air shortly after one of the most infamous criminals in the country, Alfredo Fito Macias, escaped from prison.

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa during his inauguration at the National Assembly in Quito on November 23, 2023. - RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Fito remains at large, but since then, Noboa has kept the nation in a permanent state of emergency. He has declared an internal armed conflict against the drug cartels, sent the military to the streets, and called for emergency security measures to be drafted in the Constitution in a referendum on April 21.

He also vowed to kickstart a new era for Ecuador, a clean break from his predecessors who allowed crime to run the street.

That may be one reason why Noboa has pushed so hard to arrest Glas. The ex-vice president had sought protection from embezzlement charges by requesting asylum in Mexico, saying that the accusations were politically motivated. But Glas, already twice convicted for corruption and a close ally to his former boss, Rafael Correa, had become emblematic of the past that Noboa rejects  and a test of his determination to clean house.

For a moment, Glas appeared to have found refuge. Lopez Obrador has previously used Mexicos diplomatic channels to rescue political allies, from welcoming Bolivias Evo Morales in 2019 to offering asylum to the family of Perus Pedro Castillo in 2022.

A close ideological ally of Correa, Lopez Obrador had since December allowed Glas to live at the Mexican embassyterritory that is technically off limits for local authorities.

But then he appeared to add insult to irritation. Lopez Obrador last week seemed to criticize the election that brought Noboa to power, suggesting the climate of fear created by Villavicencios murder had favored Noboa.

On April 5,the Ecuadorean leader broke diplomatic norms and ordered an unprecedented operation to seize Glas by force, throwing Ecuadors relations with Mexico into a tailspin.

A crucial vote and Noboa seeks a boost

Ecuadors April 21 vote is crucial to put the current diplomatic crisis into context, analysts say. Noboa defended his decision to raid a foreign embassy  a violation of the Vienna Convention  by saying the security crisis in Ecuador called for exceptional decisions, and that he could not allow a convicted criminal to escape justice.

In an open letter published on Monday, he tied his action to the upcoming referendum, claiming a vast majority of Ecuadoreans would defend his decision with their vote.

It could well be that the raid grants him a spike of popularity, said Santiago Orbe, an Ecuadorian international analyst.

The government has been under pressure because of Fitos escape and then for trying and failing to send old weapons to Ukraine. This action, however impulsive and frankly disproportionate, shows that they do not lack courage when making decisions, Orbe told CNN.

President of Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speaks during a briefing at Palacio Nacional on March 12 in Mexico City. - Hector Vivas/Getty Images

While Lopez Obrador is at the sunset of his political career, Noboa is just getting started and seeks a strong platform to run for re-election next year.

Noboa is part of a new generation of very quick politicians who act first and listen later. Ecuador will probably pay a price in terms of its international stance, but in the short term, such a brazen action will help Noboa, whose platform is all about security and law on crime, Orbe said.

Others, like Mexican columnist Emilio Lezama, have compared Noboas actions to those of another young politician who is very popular across the region because of his tough-on-crime approach at the cost of some rule-breaking: El Salvadors Nayib Bukele.

Fewer leaders worldwide have embodied a security crackdown more than El Salvadors president, who has ruled with emergency powers for more than two years.

While his tenure has been marked by concern for alleged human rights abuse -at some point, El Salvador put roughly 2% of its adult population behind bars its fair to say that Bukeles policies are overwhelmingly popular with his countrymates.

This year, Bukele won re-election in a landslide.

Support for authoritarian measures to tackle the chronic issues of crime and economic growth in Latin America has significantly increased since the turn of the century.

According to Latinobarometro, a regional pollster that tracks opinions across 17 different Latin American countries, 60% of respondents believed democracy was the preferred form of government for their country under any circumstance in 2006, when Lopez Obrador mounted his first presidential run.

In 2023, the year Noboa was elected, it was 48%.

Its too early to say whether Noboas gamble will pay off at the ballot boxes, or if Ecuador will be sanctioned in multilateral forums  Mexico has already announced it will sue Ecuador at the International Court of Justice.

But its not too early to see the growing appetite for such brazen actions.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Editorial: Its going to be a fraught political year. Lets be respectful of each other at work

With a rematch brewing between President Joe Biden and ex-President Donald Trump, Nov. 5 is shaping up to be among the most divisive elections ever. The us-versus-them rhetoric on both sides is disturbing. And given the shameful attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters on Jan. 6, 2021, additional political violence is a chilling but real possibility.

For employers and their workers, welcome to a minefield. The divisions evident in the electorate inevitably will show up in workplaces across the country.

At Walgreens corporate annual meeting earlier this year, a shareholder proposal anticipating potential trouble ahead called for special protections for politically conservative employees. The company, based in suburban Chicago, urged voting against it, saying its existing protections are sufficient, and the proposal went down with just 8.2 million votes in favor, and almost 600 million cast against it.

Walgreens is among many companies dealing with todays partisan political divisions, and, despite the lopsided shareholder vote supporting the status quo, this year is unlikely to be business as usual. From the top down, its best for people to be cautious about flaunting their political convictions, be they center, right or left.

That gets harder when companies are dragged into political controversies, as Walgreens is with its decision, along with rival pharmacy chain CVS, to sell abortion pills in Illinois and other states where its legal to do so.

As much as companies would like to sidestep political controversies, todays fevered discourse can make it impossible. High-profile examples such as Disneys recently settled legal dispute with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida hint at many less-visible controversies at companies nationwide.

The Environmental, Social and Governance programs common to Walgreens, CVS, Disney and many other leading companies have become targets of far-right attacks  especially Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives facing new legal challenges as a conservative U.S. Supreme Court rethinks civil rights in America.

On the left, activists have threatened to boycott companies they perceive as caving in to pressure from the right, as when California Gov. Gavin Newsom joined a chorus of Walgreens critics upset last year when the company said it would not sell abortion pills in states where the medications are prohibited by law. California wont be doing business with Walgreens, or any company that cowers to extremists and puts womens lives at risk, Newsom declared at the time.

For employees working under conditions that feel fraught, we humbly suggest restraint. Be circumspect about sharing political viewpoints at work. Save the MAGA hat and Eat the Rich attire for off-duty hours. Tread lightly. Be respectful.

We recognize this advice runs counter to a trendy philosophy of workplace behavior. For a decade now, employees at many companies have been encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Especially for younger workers, the ability to express their authentic selves has become an important factor in job satisfaction.

Still, every worker should be aware that being personally outspoken can come with risks. Private employers have a lot of leeway in employment decisions. And unlike gender, race or other demographic characteristics, a particular political viewpoint is not a protected class under federal law  though political affiliation cant be used as a pretext for illegal employment discrimination.

Some states and cities have more specific protections, as do many public employees and other union workers. California is notable for a state law protecting workers who express their political beliefs and engage in lawful political activities, and Illinois provides some spotty support. Those protections may expand, as the Illinois legislature considers a union-backed bill that would prevent companies in the state from retaliating against employees who skip workplace meetings about politics or religion.

But good luck enforcing those protections: If an office meeting veers into politics, would Illinois then intervene? Thats a nonstarter, in our view. For good reason, the law continues to favor the rights of private employers to make their own decisions about hiring, firing, promoting and disciplining their workers.

In its response to the shareholder proposal asking it to make special provisions for its conservative employees, Walgreens repeated its long-standing commitment to respecting diversity of expression and refusing to tolerate harassment or discrimination. We agree with the company that no special provision was needed to expand on those and other state-of-the-art policies that it has publicly championed.

At the same time, each of Walgreens roughly 330,000 employees need to use good judgment to do their jobs without prompting any mini-insurrections  and that goes for the rest of us too. This upcoming election will be tough, no matter how it turns out. Lets meet it with some self-discipline and our best instincts.

___
ElectionLines View From Abroad: Emily Maitlis & Jon Sopel On Why The Big Question Facing America Is What Happens If Trump Loses: You Cannot Unknow What He Was Prepared To Do Last Time

Welcome to ElectionLines A View From Abroad series, in which we speak with media figures who dont live in America but keep a close eye on its politics. Every few weeks, these smart observers will provide a unique perspective on what promises to be a fraught and unpredictable campaign for the White House. This week, our interview is with Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel, the former BBC presenters who now host podcast The News Agents  USA.

Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel beat the UKs major news networks in gaining access to Mar-a-Lago on Super Tuesday. They entered Donald Trumps Florida estate with a simple ambition to test the mood inside the ex-presidents camp, but ended up being told to f*** off by one of his most fanatical supporters.

More from Deadline

Maitlis, the former BBC journalist immortalized by Gillian Anderson in Netflixs Scoop, was probing Marjorie Taylor Greene on her suggestion that Jewish space lasers were responsible for wildfires. A not unreasonable question for a congresswoman who is openly entertaining talk of being Trumps vice-presidential running mate. Why dont you f*** off? How about that? came the reply.

"Emily, you're a conspiracy theorist We like the truth."



Why did Marjorie Taylor Greene tell @maitlis to fuck off? 



Coming to @GlobalPlayer pic.twitter.com/Ye6momF7Jx  The News Agents (@TheNewsAgents) March 6, 2024

The exchange blew up on social media almost instantly. For many, it symbolized Team MAGAs disdain for journalism and the coarsening of American political rhetoric. For Maitlis, she recalls simply trying to keep her cool. Thanks, thank you very much, she told Greene, turning to the camera with half a smile. It was a deeply British response to an expletive-laden order to leave the building. If access to Mar-a-Lago was hard-won, Maitlis jokes that they might not get in again.

Maitlis and Sopel, the BBCs former North America editor, are enjoying life in the trenches of U.S. political warfare. Once veteran footsoldiers in the BBCs great land army, Sopel says they now consider themselves a small guerrilla fighting unit with their two Global-owned podcasts: daily show The News Agents (co-hosted by Lewis Goodall); and The News Agents  USA, which drops weekly.

Both presenters have had memorable encounters with Trump. Maitlis made a documentary on the billionaire in 2010, a time when he was boasting about the size of his ballrooms rather than the crowds at his inauguration. Sopel was on the sharp end of a Trump-lashing during a White House press conference in 2017. Heres another beauty, Trump withered after learning Sopel worked for the BBC.

The News Agents  USA is an exercise in looking past this bluster and unpicking whats really going on in the minds of Americas top political figures. Sopel sees this as the antithesis of the U.S. network news he was surrounded by during his seven years stationed in Washington D.C. The problem with some American television, at the anti-Trump end of the scale, is the [temptation to say], Youll never guess what hes done now. That sense of outrage the whole time is rather wearying for an audience. Were trying to keep people informed in a calm way about why he might be doing this, because often there is a rationale, he explains.

Sopel acknowledges that it is easy to become perpetual spectators at the Trump circus because thats where the comedy and ridiculousness is. The News Agents  USA is no stranger to pulling up a ringside seat, but the hosts are keen to spotlight policy and more esoteric issues for a largely UK audience. They point to last weeks episode, in which Maitlis and Sopel led on why Trump is treading a careful line with his position on abortion rights, as opposed to the Truth Social saga or the $59.99 Trump bible.

During the same episode, the duo interviewed Senator Chris Coons about Joe Bidens campaign, Israels conflict in Gaza, and the potential of a Taylor Swift endorsement for the Democrats. Past interviews have included an exclusive sit down with Jeff Zucker, the former CNN chief who has been spearheading a bid to buy The Daily Telegraph. Its the sort of access that some may find surprising for a podcast that is an insurgent presence in the UKs traditional mainstream media. Maitlis and Sopel say their reputations, contact books, and the shows format have been invaluable for guest booking. Its always hard to get the people in power that you want, but its been no harder here than in the BBC, Maitlis says. Weve been able to offer a format which is a bit more generous. It gives you more time, its more talky.

On their list of dream interviews are Mitch McConnell and Melania Trump. In other words, they think more insight can be gleaned from those around Trump than from the man himself. The News Agents would not turn down the former president, but Sopel says chasing Trump would be like the dog that catches the car and then doesnt know what to do. Its an articulation of the Trump problem facing some American media, with networks like CNN dancing between embracing and eschewing the former president. This played out vividly last month when NBC News hired and then fired Ronna McDaniel, the election-denying former RNC chair.

Emily Maitlis interviews Prince Andrew for Newsnight,

Maitlis knows a thing or two about the power of an interview. Her encounter with Prince Andrew in 2019 was accountability in action, with the British royal subjected to a forensic examination over his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She does not believe that Trump can be held accountable in the same way because of the brazenness of his lies and willingness to change his narrative whenever it suits him. I wouldnt say its futile because you always get aspects of character or understanding. Any good interview hopefully illuminates in some way. But if youre talking about accountability, no, she adds.

Maitlis believes that everything Trump says must be seen through the prism of his lies about the 2020 vote. The question everyone is asking about 2023 is: what happens if Trump wins? The bigger question is: what happens if he loses? Weve seen what he looks like when he loses, and its not pretty. You cannot unknow what he was prepared to do last time around, and that has to inform everything. Were not talking about a normal candidate.

Sopel says Trump is better organized this time and a great deal of thought is going into how his administration would operate in 2025. He witnessed the Trump and Biden regimes up close and says they could not have been more different. Sopel recalls being able to knock on the West Wing door of Trumps chief of staff, whereas Biden has reinstated discipline. I bumped into this European diplomat just after Biden had taken over. I asked: How is it? He said: Its amazing weve got process, a chain of command, [and] theres order, theres discipline, theres a way of doing things. I said: Great, whats the downside? He said: Theres process, theres a chain of command, and theres a way of doing things. You realize the extent to which the Trump era was the wild West.

The anecdote seems to serve a dual purpose for Maitlis and Sopel, who argue that there is less process at Global than at the BBC, where they enjoyed decades-long careers on British screens. Sopel says hes glad to be free of clever sods in London, sitting around the table and thinking that they know the story better than you do. Maitlis argues that Global understands the value of deploying her on shoe leather reporting trips, such as her tour of southern swing states late last year. The company just said: were going to trust you on this one, she explains. It genuinely informed my understanding of America in a way that reading an autocue outside Congress wouldnt have done.

Jon Sopel reporting for the BBC

Sopel is less certain that leaving the BBC has allowed him to express his views more forthrightly. It is not uncommon for ex-BBC presenters to speak of being freed from the broadcasters strict impartiality rules (Global colleague Andrew Marr spoke memorably of his desire to get my own voice back in 2021), but Sopel thinks he had enough latitude. I never felt the constraints over covering U.S. politics [like] you do when youre covering UK politics. Broadly speaking, Donald Trump is not going to ring up the [BBC] director general, whereas the prime minister will. And so thats a huge difference.

The commercial world has its own expectations, not least brutal metrics around attracting audience and advertising. Luckily, Global says The News Agents  USA has grown its ratings by 62% in the past three months to more than 500,000 monthly downloads. Britains fascination with what Sopel describes as its big, handsome, smarter older brother shows no sign of slowing  and Maitlis is optimistic that the media is doing a better job of covering Americas irrational or unexpected political tumult. Responding with grace to being told to f*** off is perhaps just one measure of this.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Elon Musk admitted that he has two alternate accounts on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter, while answering questions under oath in a Texas libel lawsuit.

In a deposition made public on Monday, the 52-year-old tech tycoon said he had one test account that he barely used and one side account that he uses more regularly.

Though the court's transcript named that account as "baby smoke 9,000", this is likely a misnomer for @babysmurf9000, an existing account that has given many signs of affiliation with Mr Musk.

The identity of the other suspected alt, @ermnmusk, was confirmed by court exhibits seen by HuffPost, which first reported on the deposition.

That revelation was just one of many striking moments in a bizarre and heated two-hour questioning session, which often saw the opposing lawyers talking or shouting over each other.

The deposition comes as Mr Musk is being sued over a series of tweets from last June in which he boosted false claims that a 22-year-old Jewish man named Ben Brody had participated in a neo-Nazi rally as an undercover agent provocateur.

Mr Brody has sued the billionaire businessman seeking damages for the wave of harassment and threats that he suffered in the aftermath of Mr Musk's tweets. Mr Musk's lawyers meamwhile contend that his conduct did not constitute libel.

Since buying Twitter for an eyebrow-raising $44bn in 2022, Mr Musk has repeatedly alienated advertisers and outraged civil society groups by spreading conspiracy theories and endorsing antisemitic ideas.

Elon Musks deposition has been released (AP)

In the deposition, Mr Musk acknowledged that he was guilty of many self-inflicted wounds and may have done more to financially impair the company than to help it since purchasing Twitter, now X.

Nevertheless, he flatly claimed that he did not think Mr Brody had been materially harmed by this, prompting Mr Brody's lawyer Mark Bankston to respond: Wow. Okay.

According to the lawsuit, multiple far-right Twitter accounts had falsely claimed that Mr Brody was involved in a street brawl between two rival far-right extremist groups at an LGBT+ Pride event in Portland, Oregon last June.

The accounts further alleged that Mr Brody had deliberately infiltrated one of the groups as part of a false flag operation to discredit them, on behalf of either the US government or Antifa activists.

Mr Musk, who has 180 million followers and has been accused of creating a special algorithm to boost his tweets above those of others, replied to one such claim with the words very odd. To another, he said: Always remove their masks.

Two days later, he described the brawl as a probable false flag situation and said it looked like one of the brawlers was a college student who wants to join the government, which many users interpreted as a reference to Mr Brody.

Looks like one is a college student (who wants to join the govt) and another is maybe an Antifa member, but nonetheless a probable false flag situation@CommunityNotes  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 27, 2023

In his deposition, Mr Musk admitted that he had made no attempt to check the credibility of the people he replied to, claiming that it would be impossible to scroll through the timeline of everyone he replies to.

When shown another tweet made by one of those accounts on the same day, which suggested that Jewish people have manipulated world history through the United Nations, Mr Musk agreed that it suggests antisemitism.

However, he said he had been clear in his own tweets that he was not certain of his information, and had invoked Xs Community Notes system so that other users could fact-check him and correct him if he was wrong.

I think I really did this in good faith, because [otherwise] I would not ask for a fact-check, which is what I do by adding Community Notes, he said.

He also said that he did not have anyone in his life who had tried to rein him in or intervene when he made various tweets promoting conspiracy theories.

In between all this, Mr Musk and his lawyer Alex Spiro clashed with Mr Bankston in snarky exchanges reminiscent of an Aaron Sorkin script.

Why are you yelling? Calm yourself, said Mr Musk during one exchange. Yeah, why are you yelling? echoed Mr Spiro. I mean, show some decorum, added Mr Musk.

When asked at the very beginning whether he understood that he was being sued by Mr Brody, Mr Musk repeatedly claimed that the real plaintiff was Mr Bankston and that he had engineered the lawsuit for financial gain.

Meanwhile, Mr Spiro continually objected to Mr Bankston's questions while accusing him of seeking a big day in a sun, claiming the lawsuit wasn't a real case.

When Mr Bankston cited two previous legal cases in support of his questions, Mr Spiro was untroubled: Yeah, I'll look at those cases but he's not answering that right now. I'm pretty confident those cases are not directly on point.

Mr Bankston, who previously represented the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims in their lawsuit against online shock jock Alex Jones, was not amused.

Next time I'd appreciate it if you showed up in a deposition with a Texas lawyer who had an understanding of Texas law, he said. These random, insulting, professionally demeaning [comments] really have no place here.

At one point, Mr Spiro claimed: You're just giving speeches that nobody's listening to but you. You're just doing them for yourself. Mr Bankston replied: Oh, they're for the record.

At another, Mr Musk asked Mr Bankston: Do you feel the need to yell again? Mr Bankston responded: I might.

The case continues.
Asher was gone but not forgotten during Tuesdays episode of The Good Doctor.

Season 7, Episode 6 (M.C.E.) opened with a memorial service for Noah Galvins dearly departed Dr. Wolke, who was killed in an antisemitic, anti-LGBTQ+ attack during the ABC medical dramas April 2 installment. Ashers best friend, Dr. Jordan Allen (played by Bria Samone Henderson), delivered the eulogy.

More from TVLine

Asher and I came from different worlds: Im a devout Christian from Oakland, and he was an orthodox Jew-turned-atheist from Brooklyn, she began. But when we met at St. Bons, he became my closest friend.

Asher had a way of making you feel like he saw the best version of you, but he still loved you at your worst, Dr. Allen said. He was also one of the most courageous people I knew  brave enough to leave behind the people he loved to be the person he knew he was inside. He was stubborn, and opinionated, and he had a strange affinity for grandpa sweaters. He made a crazy good margarita, and he was just so, so much fun.

Before long, Jordan found herself overcome by anger. The deeply religious doc couldnt understand why Asher had to die, and the bigots who bludgeoned him to death got to live. Thats when she went off book.

Asher always did what he thought was right. And now hes gone because of a couple of ignorant, hateful monsters, she said. They knew one thing about Asher  one thing  and they killed him for it. Left him lying there, bleeding off the pavement. And those animals, they get to live, and now hes dead. And I hate them. I hate them for taking my friend.

Shed later take her anger out on a patient  a deeply disturbed young man who drove his car into a crowd at a local festival, resulting in a harrowing shift at St. Bonaventure. She eventually came to understand that she was letting her emotions clout her judgement. He was a patient, and it was her duty to treat him as she would any other individual under her care.

Jeff Weddell/Disney

Ashers boyfriend Jerome was also beside himself with grief. He intended to propose to Asher the night that he was killed. This wasnt meant to be the end of their story.

My apartment is so empty, he told Rabbi Benjamin. His family took him to New York. There isnt even a grave I can visit.

Rabbi Benjamin encouraged Jerome to find a place that reminded him of Asher  a place he could visit in his time of mourning, or whenever he wanted to feel connected to his late partner. He wound up at St. Bons, where he sat in front of Ashers locker. Jordan eventually helped him clean it out.

As the hour drew to a close, the St. Bons crew gathered in Shaun and Parks office to decompress. Jerome joined them and distributed gifts Asher intended for his colleagues. The first gift was a mug he made for Park, which featured a photo of the two of them shirtless, tripping and singing along to Vanessa Carltons A Thousand Miles during a memorable company potluck in Season 5 (relive the magic below). The second gift was a pamphlet about a new surgical tool hed saved for Shaun. It was at that precise moment that Dr. Murphy was overcome with emotion. I will miss Asher, he said, as his eyes filled with tears. He was a good friend.

Galvin previously marked the end of his stint on The Good Doctor with a heartfelt Instagram post. I spent the last four years in Vancouver working away from my fiancee [sic] and dog and family. It was hard but these people made it really worth it, he wrote on April 3, sharing a series of behind-the-scenes photos featuring his fellow castmates. I love you @TheGoodDoctorABC thank you for everything!!

What did you think of The Good Doctor Season 7, Episode 6: M.C.E.? Let us know in Comments.

The Good Doctor Cast Exits

The Good Doctor Cast Changes Over the Years

View List

Best of TVLine

Get more from TVLine.com : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter
Donald Trumps financial house of cards is beginning to collapse.

The Republican presidential nominee, whos made his personal wealth central to his candidacy since 2016, has fallen off the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The list is a daily ranking of the 500 richest people in the world, and as of Tuesday, Trump no longer qualifies.

The blow comes just days after the price of Trump Media stock plummeted and two main investors behind the merger between Trump Media and Technology, the parent company of Truth Social, and Digital World Acquisition Corporation, a shell company, were charged with insider trading.

Trump has already been struggling to prove his wealth following the revelation that the surety firm backing the $175 million bond in his civil fraud trial is insolvent, unlicensed in New York, and may not have actually agreed to pay the penalty if Trump cannot come up with the money.

Originally valued at $8 billion, Trump Media has lost half its value since it debuted in March. The drop in value does little to dispel allegations that the stock is a potential pump-and-dump scheme concocted by Trump to funnel credulous supporters money toward his mounting legal debts. He cannot sell or borrow against his shares in Trump Media for six months, so while this latest embarrassment is mostly a cosmetic hit to his net worth, its still possible that hell have suckered enough of his voters into paying off a chunk of the judgments against him when all is said and done.

In the meantime, though, Trump has become just another temporarily embarrassed billionaire.
"Forever chemicals" live up to their name and take inconceivably long to break down. You definitely don't want these substances in your body. Technically known as PFAS (short for "per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances"), they are linked to ailments like high blood pressure, liver disease, lowered sperm count and various cancers. Unfortunately, PFAS are also in hundreds of common household products, from microwaveable popcorn bags and nonstick cookware to food boxes and takeout containers, from receipt paper and waterproof clothes to umbrella coatings and dental floss.

Inevitably, PFAS have also seeped into our water supply. To address this, the Environmental Protection Agency announced on Wednesday that it will impose strict limits on how many PFAS can be in our drinking water, requiring utilities to reduce them to their lowest measurable levels.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan told the Associated Press that "the result is a comprehensive and life-changing rule, one that will improve the health and vitality of so many communities across our country." The EPA estimates that it will cost $1.5 billion annually to implement the rule but that it will prevent nearly 10,000 deaths over decades while reducing the prevalence of many serious illnesses linked to PFAS consumption.

While environmentalists praised the new policy as a step in the right direction toward PFAS removal, it is only the beginning. PFAS are present everywhere in the environment, and as Dr. Katie Pelch of the Natural Resources Defense Council told Salon last year, it will not be easy to fix.

"Even if we turned off the tap on all of our production of PFAS today, we have already severely contaminated our environment," Pelch said. "So we need solutions that help remove PFAS from the environment, remove PFAS from drinking water and from all of our contaminated land and air. We need to set safe drinking water standards while also removing PFAS from all of our consumer and industrial products where they're not essential."
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Bravo El Paso Community College!

El Paso Community College (EPCC) has earned the Seal of Excelencia for serving Latino students, one of only 39 colleges and universities in the nation, according to a news release by EPCC.

Excelencia in Education is the nations premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latino students success in higher education, said the news release.

According to data gathered by Excelencia, Latino students are more likely to be the first in their family to attend college but are less likely to take out student loans.

For 20 years, Excelencia has tracked and provided analysis on Latino students in higher education to inform action and catalyze institutional transformation. The trailblazing institutions supporting the analysis recognize the opportunity to leverage this information as they continue their efforts to intentionally serve the growing number of Latino students on their campuses, said Co-founder and CEO of Excelencia and Lead Researcher on the analysis, Deborah Santiago.

Institutions enrolling Latino students are predominately Hispanic-serving institutions, representing 20 percent of colleges/universities yet, only educating 63 percent of all Latinos nationwide, according to Excelencia.

Todays students are tomorrows future. El Paso Community College has a laser-focus on student success. We are committed to providing support and accelerating achievement for all students so that we can improve their lives and strengthen our community and region., said Dr. William Serrata, EPCC president.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The Montana State Capitol in Helena on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (Photo by Mike Clark for the Daily Montanan)

Montanas Environmental Quality Council voted unanimously Wednesday to send letters to Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency recommending support for rare-earth mining in the Berkeley Pit and for a pause in a final decision on the proposed cleanup plan for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company Superfund site.

The letters come at a key time for both Superfund sites, lawmakers on the council said, as a Record of Decision is expected to be finalized this spring by the EPA for the $57 million aluminum plant site cleanup plan and as Montana organizations apply for federal funding to study whether the technology exists to recover rare-earth minerals from the Pit in Butte.

The Environmental Quality Council, composed of lawmakers and members of the public, agreed to send two letters to EPA Region 8 administrators regarding the Columbia Falls site.

One will be sent to Region 8 Administrator KC Becker that says the council thinks the proposed plan for the Columbia Falls site cleanup falls short of the communitys requests, including that it consider removing toxic waste  including cyanide, fluoride and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons  rather than leaving it there and walling it off. The letter also asks the EPA to pause the final decision to consider more local input.

We believe that additional time is needed to thoroughly assess the potential risks associated with the EPAs preferred clean-up alternative on this complex site and to explore an alternative (that) prioritizes off-site removal of contaminants, the letter says. The council believes that a made-in-Montana (or made-in-Columbia Falls) solution would foster a local sense of ownership and commitment, while adding flexibility and adaptability in case of changing circumstances.

The second letter is to the Region 8 Technical Assistance Grant program coordinator and voices support for the Coalition for a Cleans application for a technical assistant grant they would like in order to further study cleanup options with the community.

The council urges the EPA to approve the Coalition for a Clean Columbia Falls Aluminum Companys grant application and provide the necessary funding to support their important work, the letter says. Investing in this study will enable their community to better understand and address the environmental challenges associated with cleanup of the CFAC plant and move towards a more sustainable and healthy future.

The Coalition for a Clean CFAC formed in January as a coalition of Citizens for a Better Flathead and Upper Flathead Neighborhood Association in order to ask the EPA and Montana Department of Environmental Quality to put a pause on a final record of decision, and it has grown in the months since. The Flathead County Commission also urged a pause on the final determination in a letter to the EPA in February.

Carolina Balliew, the supervisor of the Section C Superfund Remedial Branch, responded to the coalition and commissioners in letters on March 7. Balliew said the EPA appreciated the coalitions concerns and encouraged and supported the TAG application, but outlined the community process the proposal has already gone through and said all of that would be captured in a summary along with the final Record of Decision.

Coalition members spoke with representatives for both agencies as well as legislators at a committee meeting a week later, urging them to support a pause, which led to Wednesdays council vote to send the letters to the EPA. Under the EPAs proposed plan, the analysis said removing and shipping the waste to the closest available city in Oregon would be too costly and potentially dangerous for the environment, but the coalition contends that the cost should not be a factor because the company that owns the site will have to pay.

Offsite disposal was screened out as a remedial or cleanup alternative in the feasibility study because onsite disposal options can achieve similar effectiveness with lower levels of risk, disruption, and cost, the proposed plan said.

The letter requests a pause of the Record of Decision for at least a year, which Phil Matson, one of the coalition members who is a Columbia Falls resident and researcher at the Flathead Lake Biological Station, said would allow the coalition to finalize applications, hire a contractor to review the remedial investigation and proposed cleanup plans, then get out into the community to develop more ideas and strategies while navigating the process with the EPA and DEQ.

We feel this Technical Assistance Grant will accomplish the goal of independent review and community engagement while keeping the timeline of the actual cleanup reasonable, Matson said. We all want to see the cleanup to take place sooner than later, but like I said, we only have one chance, and we need to do this right.

Matson said last weeks announcement, reported by the Flathead Beacon, that Ruis Construction planned to buy 2,400 acres of land from the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, owned by Glencore, Ltd., to build affordable housing once the Record of Decision is finalized made the pause more crucial.

The land purchase would not include the land that is the source of the toxic contamination but would include part of the Superfund study area and land where the aluminum plant sat, the Beacon reported.

Matson said the proposal to build affordable housing was possibly a good twist in the saga, but the companies saying the sale would be finalized upon the release of the Record of Decision worries the coalition that it might only lead to what the group believes is an underwhelming cleanup plan.

As weve argued before, this position seems counter to the best interests of both the buyer and the community, Matson told the council. Why would anyone want to buy a home next to a toxic waste dump or invest in the commercial enterprise without greater assurances? The cleanup will provide safeguards to address the residential use.

He also said the CFAC had scheduled community meetings in Columbia Falls on April 24 and 25, which he said could be valuable but which he also sees as a rush to placate the community.

This two-day whirlwind tour is not in keeping with the community requests for open and independent analysis, and is not in line with the EPAs own 2022 assessment, advising that the community would value having a neutral adviser who would tell them if the information the EPA shared is incomplete or not  especially entering into a proposed planned stage of long-term cleanup, Matson said.

Letter urges Congress to fund recovery of rare earth elements from Berkeley Pit

The third letter the council agreed to send is one to members of Congress urging them to fund efforts to reclaim rare earth elements and other minerals used in technology and defense from the Berkeley Pit and evaluate other abandoned or permitted mines in Montana to potentially do the same.

The Montana Standard reported last week that the Montana Mining Association had submitted a funding proposal to the Department of Defense for the next fiscal year to try and find ways to recover the materials, and that the department had also encouraged West Virginia University, which has been helping study the presence of rare-earth elements in the Berkeley Pit for years and has been developing new technology to recover the materials, to submit a proposal for more funding as well.

The letter highlights concerns voiced during the past few years about Chinas stranglehold on the rare-earth elements global market and says that being able to mine tons of them domestically would ease economic and national security risks for the U.S.

The council said in the letter that the water treatment plant stream contains high concentrations of cerium, gallium, neodymium, yttrium, zinc, and other valuable minerals. Teams from Montana and West Virginia University ran a demonstration of the recovery process university researchers have developed last fall.

By investing in this proposal, Congress can stimulate economic growth, create new jobs, and enhance our national security, the letter says. It aligns with broader efforts to promote domestic resource development and strengthen Americas position in the global marketplace.

The post EQC to send letters urging pause in Columbia Falls Superfund site cleanup decision appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Eternal Knights: UCF honors student killed in crash on the way to orientation

The University of Central Florida honors students who passed away in the past academic year with its Eternal Knights program each year.

On Tuesday, UCF named nine Knights, including Jakob Lloyd, in its Eternal Knights ceremony.

In 2023, Lloyd was in town from Colorado for orientation but did not get the chance to officially become a Knight after a drunk driver killed him and his father in a crash.

Few situations can impact a campus community as much as the death of a student.

Read: Orlando woman sentenced to decades in prison for DUI crash that killed 2

Family, friends, classmates, and campus community members are left with unresolved emotions and a need to connect with others.

The Eternal Knights Memorial Service honors students who have passed away during recent academic terms and provides surviving campus community members and family members with an opportunity to celebrate a students life.

It means a lot, said Jakob Lloyds mother. I dont know too many universities that do this. Its incredibly special.

Shane and Jakob Lloyd were driving through the intersection of Lake Underhill Road and Rouse Road just after 1 p.m. when troopers said 40-year-old Leslie Gehret ran a red light.

Read: Father, son in Orlando for UCF orientation killed in crash involving suspected repeat drunk driver

During this annual ceremony, families and friends join with campus leaders and members of the UCF community to recognize those who will always be remembered as Eternal Knights.

The Eternal Knights Memorial Service is open to the entire campus community and is held each spring semester by the Office of Student Involvement.

Students honored at the service are identified as continuously enrolled.

Read: FHP: Woman, 40, arrested in double fatal crash in Orange County

For undergraduate students, this enrollment is defined in the University Undergraduate Catalog as being enrolled in classes without a break for two or more consecutive regular semesters/terms.

For graduate students, enrollment is defined in the Graduate Catalog as three consecutive semesters (i.e. one full year).

However, the Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Services or his/her designee determines whether a student is eligible to be recognized at the service.

The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities assists with support and resources for all student deaths documented with the university, including alumni and those not considered continuously enrolled.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A general view of sign of the Court of Justice of the European Union (Cour de justice de l'Union europeenne) in Luxembourg. A European Union court on 10 April annulled EU sanctions on two Russian businessmen, Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman. Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa

A European Union court on Wednesday annulled EU sanctions on two Russian businessmen, Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman.

The ruling by the European General Court applies to sanctions imposed on the two men between February 2022 and March 2023 for their connection to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The EU has slapped multiple rounds of sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war targeting Russia's economy and top government officials as well business figures with connections to Putin's government.

However, EU member states failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify their decision to target both men with an asset freeze, a statement from the Luxembourg-based court said.

EU countries had argued that both men, as shareholders of the Alfa Group - a conglomerate including Alfa Bank, one of Russia's major banks - provided financial support to Russian officials who were behind the attack on Ukraine.

Aven and Fridman were also associated with other individuals subject to EU sanctions as well as connected to Putin, EU countries contended.

In the decision to annul the sanctions, the court said that EU countries were able to establish "a degree of proximity" between both men and Putin.

This basis however was not enough to show that the two men "supported actions or policies that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," the court said.

Sanctions are regularly renewed by EU countries every six months. No further evidence to target Aven and Fridman was provided by EU countries during these renewals, according to the court.

For the period after March 2023, Aven and Fridman are challenging their inclusion in the EU sanctions in a separate case.

The decision from the European General Court may be appealed at the European Court of Justice, the bloc's highest legal chamber.
A general view of sign of the Court of Justice of the European Union (Cour de justice de l'Union europeenne) in Luxembourg. A European Union court on 10 April annulled EU sanctions on two Russian businessmen, Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman. Arne Immanuel Bansch/dpa

A European Union court on Wednesday annulled EU sanctions on two Russian businessmen, Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman.

The ruling by the European General Court applies to sanctions imposed on the two men between February 2022 and March 2023 for their connection to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

EU member states failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify their decision to target both men with an asset freeze, a statement from the Luxembourg-based court said.

EU countries had argued that both men, as shareholders of the Alfa Group - a conglomerate including Alfa Bank, one of Russias major banks - provided financial support to Russian officials who were behind the attack on Ukraine.
The EU Court of Justice ruled on April 10 to lift sanctions against Russian business tycoons Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven, imposed in response to the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The ruling is a serious setback for the EU's efforts to punish business people involved in feeding Moscow's war of aggression. Fridman and Aven are some of the most high-profile Russian oligarchs to have their sanctions overturned.

"The General Court upholds the requests of Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman and annuls both the initial acts and the acts maintaining the lists of restrictive measures for the period from Feb. 28, 2022, to March 15, 2023," the court said in a statement.

While acknowledging "a degree of proximity between Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman and (Russian President) Vladimir Putin or his entourage," the court said that the EU failed to demonstrate that the two oligarchs "supported actions or policies that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine."

The ruling can be appealed within 2 months and 10 days of its announcement.

KI Insights

Visit KI Insights to learn more and subscribe to the insider weekly newsletter

visit ki insights

Aven and Fridman are among the key figures of the Russian financial giant Alfa Group. Ukraine-born Fridman had previously lived in the U.K., where he was allegedly detained in 2022 for money laundering before being released on bail and returning to Russia last October.

Aven reportedly lives in Latvia, as he also holds Latvian citizenship.

The EU sanctioned the two oligarchs in February 2022, arguing that they "supported actions and policies that undermine or threaten" Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The businessmen had also been sanctioned by the U.S. and Ukraine.

Investigative reporters uncovered in May 2023 that the Alfa Insurance firm, a subsidiary of Fridman and Aven's Alfa Bank, insures the vehicles of Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. The company is also reported to provide services to Putin's Main Office of Special Programs, which guards him.

Ukraine decided in July 2023 to nationalize Sense Bank, a rebranded Ukrainian branch of Alfa-Bank, on the grounds that its owners are under sanctions.

Read also: Investigative Stories from Ukraine: Companies of Russian oligarch Fridman allegedly support Russian war effort in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Nette Noestlinger and Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European lawmakers on Wednesday approved a revamped migration system that the pro-EU political centre promises would reduce irregular arrivals as it seeks to stem gains by the far right ahead of the bloc's parliamentary election in June.

It aims to cut the times for security and asylum procedures at external EU borders, and increase returns to reduce unwanted immigration from the Middle East and Africa, a high priority on the bloc's agenda.

After eight years of feuds between the bloc's 27 member states, the compromise proposals lay out a delicate balance between the obligations of arrival countries such as Italy and help from rich destinations such as Germany.

But it has been squarely criticised by anti-immigration, eurosceptic and far-right parties for not going far enough to stop migration, while leftists and rights activists have lambasted it as a major blow to human rights.

"We will be able to better protect our external borders, the vulnerable and refugees, swiftly return those not eligible to stay, with mandatory solidarity between member states," said top EU migration official, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson.

The vote came as the broad political EU centre feels under pressure from the far right, which is expected to gain seats in the bloc-wide European Parliament election in two months.

Migration has been a hot-button issue since more than a million people - mostly Syrian refugees - arrived across the Mediterranean in 2015, catching the EU unprepared.

The EU has since tightened its borders and asylum laws to prevent any repeat of the chaos, and vows to stay the course.

LONG IMPLEMENTATION

More than 46,000 people have entered the wealthy bloc of some 450 million inhabitants so far this year outside of regular border crossings, according to U.N. data. Some 400 people are estimated to have perished while attempting to get in.

"The EU is demonstrating that united, we can establish this needed reform," said the head of the liberal faction, Valerie Hayer.

"Now, it is all about the implementation," she said, adding that was the responsibility of the member states and that human rights violations must be punished.

The vote was briefly interrupted by protesters in public galleries calling on the lawmakers to "Vote no!", while rights groups expressed criticism of the new system.

Caritas said it was "concerned about its potential negative impact on thousands of people's lives, as the new rules clearly limit access to protection for those in need".

Activists say the changes allowed for large-scale internment, including of children, and give member states the option to buy themselves out of hosting new arrivals. They criticise the EU for asking foreign states to handle migrants without what they say would be sufficient rights safeguards.

Poland said after the vote that it would not accept an EU immigrant relocation scheme but, alone, it cannot stop the revamp when the majority of member states are expected to rubber-stamped it later this month.

EU states would then have two years to implement it, though analysts warn not to expect major changes on the ground overnight.

(Writing by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Alison Williams)
The European Parliament has given the green light for a new EU law to reduce methane emissions from the energy sector.

A majority of MEPs in Brussels voted in favour of the regulations on Wednesday, which will mean stricter rules for the oil, gas and coal industries.

In November, parliamentary negotiators reached an agreement with their counterparts from the EU member states on the corresponding law.

According to this, operators of oil and gas plants will be required to regularly search for and repair major methane leaks in future. In coal mining, methane emissions are to be measured and reported. In addition, venting or flaring, which releases methane into the atmosphere, is to be banned under certain circumstances.

Reporting and monitoring obligations are also to apply to imports of oil, gas and coal from 2027.

According to Germany's Environment Agency, methane is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2) and is responsible for global warming and air pollution.

Although it remains in the atmosphere for a shorter period of time, it is more potent than CO2. It is produced in agriculture, landfill sites and the oil and gas industry, for example.

The new regulation is reportedly the first EU legislation to reduce methane emissions. Before it can come into force, it must now be formally adopted by the EU member states.
Well-maintained, full of character and customizable in a location that blends urban and suburban living: That was the common status of two North Jersey homes that sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars over asking price within days of one another.

Located on opposite ends of historic Glen Ridge are 28 Oakwood Ave. and 15 Sommer Ave., both listed at the end of January by Amy Owens, Realtor and team leader of the Amy Owens Real Estate Team at Keller Williams NJ Metro Group. The homes yielded selling prices of $999,999 and $852,500  or $350,000 and $253,500 over asking  on April 1 and March 28, respectively.

"Just nothing had come on the market at the time, and I thought to put these two homes on the market on the same weekend," Owens said. "One of the reasons that I put them both on the same weekend was because a lot of buyers wont come out just to see one house. So, I explained to both of the owners that its good to have another house because youll get more buyers out and then theyll decide which one is right for them."

Each home did in fact attract more buyers, with the properties collecting a combined total of 64 offers during their time on the market.

Owens said this popularity is credited to the centralized location of each property, and that each home offered the opportunity for the next owners to make their own improvements and add personal touches.

"That's something that all buyers should be looking for right now when they buy a house, especially since we're in such a high market," she said. "What's the upside of the house? What can I do to add value to it?"

28 Oakwood Ave., Glen Ridge

28 Oakwood Ave, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028 | Zillow

Built in 1925, 28 Oakwood Ave. is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom side hall colonial-style home in the northernmost neighborhood of Glen Ridge. The property features a brick fireplace in the living room, a sunroom that can double as a home office or playroom, a finished basement, a fenced yard and a one-car garage. It is also located near Brookdale Park and the Glen Ridge Country Club.

Owens said that the previous owners of the home had opted to preserve some of the home's character, rather than renovating the property to have a mainstream, modern look. She believes this played a big role in the demand for the home, as it felt warm and inviting to potential buyers.

The home at 28 Oakwood Ave. in Glen Ridge, which sold for $999,999 on April 1.

"They didn't bastardize the house," she said. "There's a beautiful marble used in the kitchen, which wasn't pristine and perfect. You could tell it had been loved and used, but it was still really pretty."

Story continues

Cathy Miller, a Realtor with Keller Williams NJ Metro Group who represented the buyers of the home, said her clients were relocating from Italy, having been transferred to New Jersey for work. They were specifically drawn to Glen Ridge because of its proximity to New York City for work, as well as for the area's highly-rated school system.

"Interestingly, my clients were doing research and this area was coming up as the highest on their Internet searches, so that shows you also that there's a lot of press about this area internationally," she said.

The home at 28 Oakwood Ave. in Glen Ridge, which sold for $999,999 on April 1.

Miller said her clients were ideally looking for a smaller home. She said that while the home on Oakwood Avenue was on the smaller side for Glen Ridge, it was a normal size property for her clients' European standards.

Additionally, she said they were drawn to the property not only because it didn't require a lot of money in repairs, but also because it had some features that reminded them of Italy.

"They told me they particularly felt at home in the house because it had some characteristics that reminded them of Italian properties, like the ribbon trim and the wood floors," she said. "They also didn't want an open layout. They wanted a kitchen that was more enclosed. Open layouts are a very American concept, and in European homes, that's not really a concept that caught on. So, they liked the fact that the kitchen was a little more separate from the rest of the house."

15 Sommer Ave., Glen Ridge

15 Sommer Ave, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028 | Zillow

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom colonial-style home at 15 Sommer Ave. is located at the southernmost end of Glen Ridge, near neighboring West Orange and East Orange. Built in 1937, the home offers a living room with a brick fireplace, a sunroom that opens to the backyard, a one-car attached garage and a spacious backyard with a patio.

"It has this great sunroom off of the back that looks over the yard, which is the perfect size," Owens said. "It also has the opportunity for the new owners to make a true primary suite, and I think that's something that appealed to a lot of people."

The home at 15 Sommer Ave. in Glen Ridge, which sold for $852,500 on March 28.

Sara Whitley, a Realtor on the Amy Owens Real Estate Team at Keller Williams NJ Metro Group, represented the buyers of the home. She said that the mix between suburban neighborhoods with large homes and spacious yards, as well as access to vibrant downtown areas, is what attracted her clients to Glen Ridge.

When looking at the property at 15 Sommer Ave., Whitley said her clients were attracted to the home's layout, as well as the fact that the property had not been overly updated. She said one of the biggest factors for them was that it was a clean slate for them to add in their own style.

The home at 15 Sommer Ave. in Glen Ridge, which sold for $852,500 on March 28.

"Part of what spoke to them was actually that the layout was almost identical to the home of their friends in Montclair. So, they felt kind of this kindred spirit with the home," she said. "This home, while staged beautifully and maintained impeccably, certainly needed a bit more updating over time, and they were actually looking for something they could really put their mark on."

During their home search, Whitley said her clients had put in offers on three other homes, including the property on Oakwood Avenue, but were not accepted. Because of this, Whitley said they had to regroup to determine what steps they needed to take to secure the home on Sommer Avenue.

The home at 15 Sommer Ave. in Glen Ridge, which sold for $852,500 on March 28.

"I think a lot of buyers get frustrated and feel like theres some sort of bait-and-switch happening. I think that its important for them to understand that thats not whats happening. Whats happening is that the demand is simply extremely high and inventory is incredibly low," Whitley said. "So, its really important to work with someone who can at least try and meet those expectations and guide you to what a winning number should be in a particular house."

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: NJ real estate: Two Glen Ridge homes sell over asking price
Evans High School students were able to attend a Saw Bones Workshop at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute Wednesday.

 WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

This was a push for students to learn about careers in medicine, specifically orthopedic surgery.

You dont have to be a doctor, Dr. Hamadi Murphy, an orthopedic surgeon, said. There are other aspects of medicine, a PA, a nurse, support staff in the OR, theyre all part of the team.

READ: Exquisite timing: NASA captures image of surfboard-shaped Danuri orbiting moon

Students looked at photos of x-rays, saw how 3D printers can help surgeons prepare for a procedure, and even watched as Dr. Murphy performed an example of an external fixation.

Hellena Kyama is a senior at Evans and will be attending UCF this summer with hopes to one day pursue medical school.

Whats been your favorite part so far? Channel 9s Sam Martello asked. Learning about the drill and the bones, Kyama said. It was my first time seeing it in real life.

While Jamal Joseph doesnt think he will go into the medical field he said students should take advantage of any opportunity they have.

READ: Titusville Disabled American Veterans group hosts ceremony to replace stolen U.S. flag

Even if youre not interested try it out, Joseph said. You never know where this might lead you to. Its a great opportunity. It might be a blessing.

Community partners serving Evans High Schools said it is so important for these students from the Pine Hills community to get these hands-on experiences.

Helps to expose them not only to the jobs in the medical field, in this case, what those are really all about, but it exposes them to all opportunities, people who they might not normally meet, and allows them to dream bigger, Kelly Astro, the Community Partnership Director for the Childrens Home Society, which serves Evans, said.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




By Jennifer Rigby

LONDON (Reuters) -Medical evidence underlying gender care for adolescents is remarkably weak and provides little clarity on long-term outcomes, according to an in-depth review of care commissioned by Englands state-funded National Health Service.

Gender care can include anything from counselling to medications related to gender issues, including drugs that can pause puberty.

The final report of the Cass Review, led by prominent pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass and which includes research from independent academics at the University of York as well as input from families and clinicians was released on Wednesday.

The report concludes that young people with gender dysphoria - the distress of identifying as a gender different from the one assigned at birth - deserve better care but stresses that there is a lack of good evidence about how best to provide that.

The review was commissioned by the National Health Service in 2020, after the service  in line with other countries in Europe as well as the United States  saw increasing numbers of young people seeking gender care and differing opinions among experts about how best to help them.

The NHS has already announced that, in future, puberty-blocking drugs in England will only be available for young people experiencing gender distress in the context of a clinical trial. It acted after the Cass Review published interim recommendations in 2022. There is little detail yet on how this trial may work.

As part of plans to widen access to gender care and broaden the professionals involved, the NHS has also closed the previous provider of gender care for young people and replaced it with two new services in London and northwest England.

However, there is a huge backlog of cases after delays in getting services operational, and several thousand young people remain stuck in limbo on years-long waiting lists.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he welcomed the care and compassion of the review.

We simply do not know the long-term impacts of medical treatment or social transitioning and we should therefore exercise extreme caution, he said.

The Cass Review urges extreme caution around providing masculinizing or feminizing hormones before the age of 18.

But on social transition - changing names or pronouns - it concludes there is a lack of good evidence on the impact. It recommends professionals are consulted early on for pre-pubertal children, but for adolescents, exploration is a normal process and rigid binary gender stereotypes can be unhelpful.

(Reporting by Jennifer Rigby, editing by Deepa Babington)
NEW YORK (PIX11)  A former executive director for the New York City Administration for Childrens Services pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars in gift card funds from children, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced on Tuesday.

Courtney Ramirez, 51, stole 14 gift cards worth $4,900, all intended for kids who participated in ACSs Close to Home Leadership Incentive programs, according to the Manhattan District Attorneys Office.

Dozens of programs for kids, families, caregivers available on NYC website

Courtney Ramirez took advantage of her leadership position at an agency that seeks to help children facing immense challenges and used their gifts for herself, said Bragg.

From 2019 to 2020, Ramirez was supposed to oversee a program that supervises young people in out-of-home placements. Children who completed courses that she oversaw were supposed to receive a Visa gift card for completing juvenile justice programs and the Close to Home programs. Instead, Ramirez pocketed 14 gift cards each valued at $350, and used them for personal expenses, according to court documents.

Ramirez submitted false paperwork to make it appear as though the children received the funds, officials said.

The crime was uncovered after another ACS employee reported to the Department of Investigations that a young person who allegedly signed for a gift card never received any money.

Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of official misconduct. Under the terms of the plea, Ramirez will pay $4,900 in restitution to ACS and waive her right to appeal.

If Ramirez pays the full restitution, she will be sentenced to a conditional discharge, officials said.

I thank the ACS employee who prompted this investigation by reporting potential misconduct to DOI and I thank our law enforcement partner the Manhattan District Attorneys Office for its commitment to holding accountable those City employees who abuse their positions, said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber.

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Ebony Parker was indicted on eight felony charges, each of which carry a maximum sentence of five years - Facebook

A former assistant principal at an elementary school who ignored warnings that a six-year-old was seen with a gun before they shot their teacher has been charged with felony child neglect.

A special grand jury found that Ebony Parker showed a reckless disregard for the lives of students at Virginias Richneck Elementary School on Jan 6 last year.

The 39-year-old was indicted on eight felony charges, each of which carry a maximum sentence of five years.

The teacher shot by the young boy has also launched a $40 million (31.5 million) negligence lawsuit against Ms Parker and other school officials.

Abby Zwerner accused Ms Parker of ignoring her multiple warnings that the boy, named John Doe in the proceedings, had the gun in his possession and was in a violent mood that day.

Criminal charges against school officials following shootings are rare and the charges against Ms Parker come as a new trend emerges in which adults are being held accountable in cases of gun violence involving children.

The indictment against Ms Parker was revealed on the same day that two parents in Michigan were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for failing to prevent their son from carrying out the states deadliest school shooting in history.

James and Jennifer Crumbley, who have already been detained for two years, are the first parents to be held criminally responsible for a mass school shooting committed by their child.

Abby Zwerner accuses Ms Parker of ignoring her multiple warnings before the shooting

In Virginia, Ms Zwerner was seriously injured when the boy pulled out a gun during afternoon class, with the bullet passing through her hand and hitting her chest.

According to Newport police, the student who shot Ms Zwerner took his mothers handgun from on top of a dresser in his home and brought the weapon to school hidden in his backpack.

Ms Zwerners lawsuit said that the boy had a history of random violence, including attacks on students and teachers.

The lawsuit claims that Ms Parker ignored a series of warnings from school employees before the gun was fired.

During morning recess, Ms Zwerner voiced her suspicions that the boy was carrying a gun to two other members of staff.

A search of his backpack did not discover the weapon, but Ms Parker was told that the boy had claimed to have a gun and Ms Zwerner had seen him remove something from the bag.

Ms Parker responded that John Does pockets were too small to hold a handgun and did nothing, the lawsuit said.

The shooting took place at Richneck Elementary School on Jan 6 last year - Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot

Another teacher told Ms Parker that another child claimed to have seen the gun about an hour later, but Ms Parker took no further action.

She forbade school employees from searching the boy further. An hour later, Ms Zwerner was shot.

Court documents filed against Ms Parker allege that she did commit a wilful act or omission in the care of such students, in a manner so gross, wanton and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life.

John J Donohue III, a professor at Stanford Law School, told The New York Times that the charges against Ms Parker and the Michigan parents are a new avenue being pursued by prosecutors to curtail gun violence.

The realisation is being made that there are individuals who could and should intervene to stop gun violence and have not in the past, he said, adding that proceedings get peoples attention.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Donald Trumps former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg is returning to jail after pleading guilty to perjury over testimony he gave during a sprawling fraud case targeting the former presidents real estate empire.

Entering a Manhattan criminal courtroom on Wednesday in a dark jacket and blue face mask, Weisselberg was sentenced to five months in prison, weeks after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors to admit that he lied to investigators and a judge probing the former presidents real estate empire.

He spent 100 days at the notorious New York jail last year after he was convicted on a range of tax crimes in a separate case stemming from a sweeping criminal investigation into Mr Trumps business.

Mr Trumps former financial chief was also a co-defendant in the civil fraud case, during which he lied under oath on three occasions, including in depositions and on the witness stand during a months-long trial.

Last month, he pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury for his statements to state attorneys in 2020.

During his three-minute appearance before Judge Laurie Peterson on Wednesday, Weisselberg told her he didnt have anything to say before he was handcuffed and walked out of the courtroom to begin his sentence.

In February, Judge Arthur Engoron determined that the former president and his co-defendants grossly inflated the value of his properties to get more favourable financing terms from banks and insurers, a judgment that slapped the former president with tens of millions of dollars in penalties.

Now, Weisselberg could be called as a witness in another separate case, the first-ever criminal trial against a former president, when Mr Trumps trial for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to an adult film star begins on 15 April.

Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg is not expected to make his case against Mr Trump with Weisselbergs help, but his long-time role within the Trump Organization has routinely become a valuable asset in a series of parallel investigations surrounding the former president and his business.

Allen Weisselberg enters Manhattan criminal court on 10 April (AP)

During the civil fraud trial, Weisselberg faced questions from New York state lawyers about his knowledge of Mr Trumps statements of financial condition, the documents at the heart of the case.

Those documents were found to have included fraudulent valuations of Mr Trumps net worth and assets to obtain favourable terms for some of his brand-building properties.

In his judgment, Judge Engoron ordered Weisselberg to pay $1m  the amount of severance he has received so far  and found that his testimony was intentionally evasive, with large gaps of I dont remember.

Weisselbergs severance agreement renders his testimony highly unreliable because it prohibited the former CFO from cooperating with law enforcement. The Trump Organization keeps Weisselberg on a short leash, and it shows, Judge Engoron wrote.

At the centre of that case was a valuation of Mr Trumps Manhattan triplex penthouse, based on measurements showing that the property was 30,000 square feet. An article from Forbes in 2017 disputed that claim, cutting the value from $327m to $117m.

At trial, a former Trump real estate official testified that Weisselberg said the property was around 30,000 square feet in 2012. Emails from that same year show that Weisselberg would have known that the apartment was less than 11,000 square feet.

During his testimony, Forbes published an article stating that Weisselberg was lying under oath.

Ahead of the judgment, Judge Engoron pushed Trump lawyers, state attorneys and the Manhattan District Attorneys Office for anything they could tell him about reports that Weisselberg was negotiating a plea deal surrounding statements he gave in his courtroom.

If Weisselberg is now admitting he lied under oath in my courtroom at this trial, the judge wants to know about it, he wrote to attorneys. I do not want to ignore anything in a case of this magnitude, he said, according to court documents.

Allen Weisselberg is placed in handcuffs after his sentencing in a Manhattan criminal court on 10 April on perjury charges (Getty)

On Tuesday, Ms Jamess office called on Judge Engoron to determine whether Mr Trump, his co-defendants and their lawyers facilitated Weisselbergs perjury by withholding incriminating documents.

Meanwhile, jury selection in Mr Trumps separate criminal case is scheduled to begin on 15 April, where the former president and presumptive Republican nominee to face President Joe Biden in November is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up payments that buried stories of his alleged affairs.

In 2016, to insulate the then candidate Trump from compromising stories of his affairs, Mr Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen allegedly hatched a plan  with Weisselbergs help  to handle the transactions for the so-called catch and kill scheme.
MANHATTAN  The former longtime chief of the Trump Organization, Allen Weisselberg, was sentenced to five months in jail on Wednesday for perjuring himself during the New York attorney generals civil fraud case.

Weisselberg, 76, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court for his sentencing, days before the former president is set to go on trial in the same building for a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

The former CFO pleaded guilty to two first-degree perjury counts in March. He admitted that he lied during the trial late last year and at multiple other junctures during the AGs yearslong Trump investigation about his knowledge of the value of Trumps Trump Tower triplex.

Trial evidence showed the penthouse was falsely recorded as three times its size in business deals  ballooning its value by more than $200 million.

Weisselberg claimed during his deposition that his deputy, Jeffrey McConney, was responsible for the inaccurate square footage recorded between 2012 and 2017. He said he didnt become aware of it until a May 2017 investigation published in Forbes that revealed the triplex was a third of the size Trump claimed.

But a recording of a conversation between Trump and Forbes reporters at the triplex in 2015  when Trump said it was 33,000 square feet in front of Weisselberg  belied that claim.

The CFO first hired by Trumps father, Fred Trump, in the 1970s, also admitted that after the AG had filed the case, he lied in a deposition about his role in tallying asset values, he admitted last month.

I didnt delve into the numbers, Weisselberg said at the time. I relied on their numbers and whatever analysis they did.
FILE PHOTO: A man checks his phone in the city centre of Dublin

By Supantha Mukherjee and Foo Yun Chee

STOCKHOLM/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Independent browser companies in the European Union are seeing a spike in users in the first month after EU legislation forced Alphabet's Google, Microsoft and Apple to make it easier for users to switch to rivals, according to data provided to Reuters by six companies.

The early results come after the EU's sweeping Digital Markets Act, which aims to remove unfair competition, took effect on March 7, forcing big tech companies to offer mobile users the ability to select from a list of available web browsers from a "choice screen."

Browsers are software that help users connect to the internet and are traditionally offered by big technology companies like Apple and Google for free in exchange for tracking which websites consumers visit and selling advertisement to them.

In mobile devices that run Android, Chrome browser comes as default and iPhones with Safari, making them the dominant browsers in the market.

Cyprus-based Aloha Browser said users in the EU jumped 250% in March - one of the first companies to give monthly growth numbers since the new regulations came in.

Founded in 2016, Aloha, which markets itself as a privacy focused alternative to browsers owned by big tech, has 10 million monthly average users and earns money through paid subscriptions, rather than selling ads by tracking users.

"Before, EU was our number four market, right now it's number two," Aloha CEO Andrew Frost Moroz said in an interview.

Norway's Vivaldi, Germany's Ecosia and U.S.-based Brave have also seen user numbers rise following the new regulation.

U.S.-based DuckDuckGo, which has about 100 million users, and its bigger rival, Norway-based Opera are also seeing growth in users, but said the choice screen rollout is still not complete.

"We are experiencing record user numbers in the EU right now," said Jan Standal, vice president at Opera, which counts over 324 million global users.

CHOSEN ONES

Under the new EU rules, mobile software makers are required to show a choice screen where users can select a browser, search engine and virtual assistant as they set up their phones.

Previously, tech companies such as Apple and Google loaded phones with default settings that included their preferred services, such as the voice assistant Siri for iPhones. Changing these settings required a more complicated process.

Apple is now showing up to 11 browsers in addition to Safari in the choice screens curated for each of the 27 countries in the EU, and will update those screens once every year for each country.

While DuckDuckGo and Opera are offered in Apple's list in all 27 countries, Aloha is in 26 countries, Ecosia is in 13 and Vivaldi in 8.

Google is currently showing browser choices on devices made by the company and said new devices made by other companies running Android operating system will also display choice screen in the coming months.

A Google spokesperson said they do not have data on choice screens to share yet.

As iPhones have a bigger market share than Google-branded phones, the growth for smaller browsers is currently coming at the cost of Safari.

Opera said most of the positive trends are from people making Opera the default browser on their iPhones.

But browser companies criticized how Apple and Google rolled out the new features which they described as slow and clunky, and they believe are slowing the migration of mobile users to new browser choices.

Mozilla, which owns Firefox browser, estimates that only 19% of iPhone users in the region received an update in a roll-out that appeared much slower than previous software updates, the company said.

In iPhones, users can see the choice screen only when they click Safari, and then users are shown a list of browsers with no additional information, said Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner, CEO of Norway's Vivaldi.

"The process is just so convoluted that it's easiest for (users) to select Safari or potentially some other known name," he said.

The complicated design has led European Commission to start a non-compliance investigation into whether Apple may be preventing users from truly exercising their choice of services.

(Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee in Stockholm and Yun Chee in Brussels; Editing by Kenneth Li and Daniel Wallis)
Floods in Russia and Kazakhstan: How bad are they?

Floods in Russia and Kazakhstan: How bad are they?

By Guy Faulconbridge, Olzhas Auyezov

MOSCOW/ALMATY (Reuters) -Here is a summary of the impact of record floods which have swamped large areas of Russia and Kazakhstan:

WHICH AREAS ARE AFFECTED?

The worst hit areas in Russia are just to the south of the Ural Mountains, about 1,200 km (750 miles) east of Moscow.

Emergencies have been declared in the Orenburg and Kurgan regions of the Urals and in the Tyumen region in western Siberia, which is the largest hydrocarbon basin in the world.

The Ural river, which rises in the Ural mountains and flows through Kazakhstan into the Caspian Sea, burst through embankment dams in the Urals city of Orsk on April 5 and flooded parts of the city of Orenburg.

Some regions around the Volga, Europe's longest river, have been flooded as has the Altai region of Siberia. Water levels were also rising in Tom river in the Tomsk region of Siberia.

At least 12,000 people in Russia are recorded as having been evacuated. Officials have stepped up bottled water supplies and Hepatitis A vaccinations were being conducted in flooded areas.

In Kazakhstan, more than 97,000 people have been evacuated. The worst hit areas mostly border Russia and are crossed by rivers flowing from or to Russia: Atyrau, Aktobe, Akmola, Kostanai, East Kazakhstan, North Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions.

The Ural flows through the major Kazakh oil industry hub of Atyrau, where authorities have closed schools and mobilised thousands of people to reinforce river banks and build dams.

Kazakhstan has evacuated a number of villages along the Ishim, a tributary of the Irtysh, which along with its parent the Ob, forms the world's seventh longest river system. Authorities expect flooding of the Ishim and another tributary, the Tobol, to peak by April 23-25.

Water levels are expected to reach their peak near the city of Patropavlovsk, the centre of the North Kazakhstan region, on Thursday or Friday.

WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC RISKS?

- Some of the floods have occurred in key wheat producing areas of Russia, the world's biggest wheat exporter.

- Russia is also the world's second largest oil exporter. The Orsk oil refinery in the Urals declared force majeure on fuel supply from April 8, according to a document issued by plant owner Forteinvest and seen by Reuters.

It said the plant had been shut to avoid ecological risks and ensure labour safety. Last year the refinery processed 4.5 million metric tons (90,000 barrels per day) of oil.

- Over 8,000 farm animals have been killed by floods in Kazakhstan, and a special squad has been deployed by the agriculture ministry to dispose of the bodies and prevent the spread of disease.

- Hundreds of trucks carrying cargoes have got stuck in Kazakhstan as authorities closed roads damaged or threatened by floods.

WHY ARE THE FLOODS SO BAD?

Spring flooding is a part of life across the region as the harsh winter snows melt, swelling some of the mighty rivers of Russia and Central Asia. This year, though, a combination of factors triggered unusually severe flooding.

Russian emergency officials said the soil was waterlogged before winter and then frozen under very high snow falls which then melted very fast in swiftly rising spring temperatures and heavy rains.

Maria Shahgedanova, a professor of climatic science at Reading University, said moist soil going into winter, higher-than usual snowfall and a rapid temperature rise at the start of spring explained the scale of the flooding

"Within days temperatures went from zero to 17, 18 and even 20 degrees (Celsius). And that's what caused a very, very rapid snowmelt," she said.

While the heavy snow accumulation this winter was part of normal climatic variability, she said climate change is leading to heavier snowfalls in the north and east of the region that the rivers flow through which will likely cause larger spring flooding when snows melt.

"We're looking at a 7% increase in (snow) precipitation where there is one degree temperature change", she said.

Russia is by far the world's biggest country by land area - about the size of the United States and Australia together. Russia's boreal forests, or taiga, cover an area about equal to the United States and are the largest forested areas on earth so play a crucial role in the world's climate.

In 2009 research commissioned by the U.S. National Intelligence Council on the impact of climate change on Russia to 2030, the authors said the rise in temperatures would lead to a series of complex issues for Russia.

Among them were the increased frequency of extreme climatic events including heavy rains, fires in Siberian peatlands and more frequent flooding of Russia's Arctic rivers due to heavy rain and earlier breakup of river ice.

The paper stated that by 2015, there would likely be more flooding in river basins of the Archangelsk Region, the Komi Republic, the Ural area, and in the basins of Yenisei and Lena.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Olzhas Auyezov; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Fact Check: US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Allegedly Said the Moon Is a Planet and Made Up of 'Gases.' Here's the Truth

Claim:

Texas U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee referred to the moon as a planet and said, A full moon is that complete, rounded circle which is made up mostly of gases, and thats why the question is why or how could we as humans live on the moon?

Rating:

Rating: Correct Attribution

Context:

Lee's statements about the moon were incorrect. After the gaffe, she posted on X that she misspoke and meant to say the sun when referring to gases.

On April 8, 2024, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, spoke at Booker T. Washington High School ahead of the solar eclipse happening later that day, and made a number of incorrect statements about the moon, sun and planets.

Various X accounts, including the official @RNCResearch account managed by the Republican National Committee, shared clips of her speech in which she appeared to say: "A full moon is that complete, rounded circle which is made up mostly of gases, and that's why the question is why or how could we as humans live on the moon? Are the gases such that we could do that?"

She also can be heard calling the moon a planet: "We have yet to know whether you can live on the moon. But I don't know about you, I want to be first in line to know how to live and to be able to survive on the moon  that's another planet which we're going to see shortly."

Democrat Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee: It's "almost impossible to go near the sun," but the "moon is more manageable" because it's "made up mostly of gases" (it isn't)pic.twitter.com/0t8CPI4QzW  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 9, 2024

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D):



The moon is "made up mostly of gases" so we can soon live inside it, unlike the sun which is "almost" too hot to go near. pic.twitter.com/bSd9zXcEPo  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 9, 2024

Lee did indeed make the erroneous statements quoted above, as evidenced by footage from a livestream of the event shared on her own official X account. However, after the eclipse, she posted that she had misspoken and intended to say the sun is made up of gases.

Jackson Lee later admitted to the gas gaffe in a post on X, saying she misspoke, and criticized Republicans for focusing on her statement rather than more important issues: "Obviously I misspoke and meant to say the sun, but as usual, Republicans are focused on stupid things instead of stuff that really matters. What can I say though, foolish thinkers lust for stupidity!"

Obviously I misspoke and meant to say the sun, but as usual, Republicans are focused on stupid things instead of stuff that really matters.



What can I say though, foolish thinkers lust for stupidity! https://t.co/ABGxUdRqF6  Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) April 9, 2024

She added that in her view, Republicans "should be focusing on issues like prenatal care, building more affordable housing, and more reduction of student loan debt as President Joe Biden is."

The Moon Is Neither a Planet Nor Made up of Gases

The moon is not a planet, but a naturally formed satellite that orbits Earth. Per NASA's tally, 293 moons orbit the planets in our solar system: one moon for Earth; two for Mars; 95 for Jupiter; 146 for Saturn; 28 for Uranus; 16 for Neptune; and five for "dwarf planet" Pluto.

Also, the moon is not made up mostly of gases. It is a solid body with a core, mantle, and crust, according to NASA:

The Moon's core is proportionally smaller than other terrestrial bodies' cores. The solid, iron-rich inner core is 149 miles (240 kilometers) in radius. It is surrounded by a liquid iron shell 56 miles (90 kilometers) thick. A partially molten layer with a thickness of 93 miles (150 kilometers) surrounds the iron core. The mantle extends from the top of the partially molten layer to the bottom of the Moon's crust. It is most likely made of minerals like olivine and pyroxene, which are made up of magnesium, iron, silicon, and oxygen atoms. The crust has a thickness of about 43 miles (70 kilometers) on the Moon's near-side hemisphere and 93 miles (150 kilometers) on the far-side. It is made of oxygen, silicon, magnesium, iron, calcium, and aluminum, with small amounts of titanium, uranium, thorium, potassium, and hydrogen.

The sun, on the other hand, is a hot ball of glowing gases categorized by astronomers as a yellow dwarf star.

Sources:

"Moon Facts." NASA, https://science.nasa.gov/moon/facts/. Accessed 10 April 2024.

"Moons." NASA, https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/moons/. Accessed 10 April 2024.

"Sun." NASA, https://science.nasa.gov/sun/. Accessed 10 April 2024.

Wehner, Greg. "Spaced out: Sheila Jackson Lee Tells Texas Students 'planet' Moon Is 'Made up of Mostly of Gases.'" Fox News, 9 Apr. 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/spaced-out-sheila-jackson-lee-tells-texas-students-planet-moon-made-up-gases. Accessed 10 April 2024.
By Noele Illien, Oliver Hirt and Stefania Spezzati

BERN (Reuters) -Switzerland's UBS and three other systemically relevant banks must face tougher capital requirements, the Swiss government said on Wednesday, in an effort to shield the country from a repeat of the collapse of Credit Suisse.

The Swiss government pitched 22 measures for direct implementation in 209 pages of recommendations on how to police banks deemed "too big to fail" (TBTF). It stopped short of saying how far stricter capital requirements should go.

"This is firstly about having additional preventative measures so that a bank can't even get itself into the kind of hopeless situation we saw with Credit Suisse," Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter told a press conference.

Switzerland's plan will come under close scrutiny at home and abroad because if UBS were to unravel, there are no local rivals left that could absorb it. A bailout and nationalisation would likely cause serious damage to public finances.

At around $1.7 trillion, the UBS balance sheet is now double the size of Switzerland's annual economic output, giving it an exceptional weight for a major economy.

"The quantitative and qualitative capital requirements for systemically important banks should be tightened in a targeted way and supplemented with a forward-looking component," the government's report said.

The increase in requirements for UBS will be "substantial, especially if UBS were to retain its current size and structure, or even grow," it added. UBS declined to comment on the report.

UBS shares fell 2.7% on Wednesday after it dropped as much as 4% and trading was briefly halted. The stock is still up by about 58% since it took over Credit Suisse in a government-backed rescue last year. The Stoxx Europe 600 Banks Index has gained about 37% in the same period.

The Credit Suisse takeover was the biggest merger of banks of systemic importance since the 2007-9 financial crisis and Swiss banking culture is under scrutiny. The lower house of parliament last month backed a motion to claw back pay from senior managers if banks are rescued by public money.

Keller-Sutter said on Wednesday that the government would disincentivise reckless corporate behaviour and excessive bonuses, and take steps to ensure they can be clawed back.

The finance minister criticised excessive banker pay and said she would have to work for 30 years to earn the equivalent of UBS Chief Executive Sergio Ermotti, who last year received a package worth 14.4 million Swiss francs ($15.8 million). UBS declined to comment on Keller-Sutter's remarks.

Story continues

The government, which aims to put the measures into effect quickly and present two packages for implementation in the first half of 2025, rejected the idea of putting into law the option for temporary public ownership of a bank in crisis and Keller-Sutter said taxpayers should not be on the hook.

The report floated giving extra powers to Swiss market regulator FINMA, the possibility of applying capital surcharges and strengthening the financial position of subsidiaries, but shied away from a "blanket increase" in capital requirements.

"It is difficult to reach a final judgement on the exact impact of increased capital requirements," it said, noting that they should factor in "proportionality" given competitive pressures facing Swiss banks.

FINMA welcomed the proposals, many which had been on its wishlist following the crisis, including the introduction of a senior managers regime to make executives more accountable.

"FINMA also supports the strengthening of the legal basis so that it can communicate openly and impose fines," it said.

Analysts have forecast UBS might have to find billions of extra dollars, but the process is likely to take time as the government said it would wait on the findings of a parliamentary investigation into Credit Suisse's demise.

Those are not due until near the end of 2024.

UBS, Raiffeisen Group, Zurcher Kantonalbank and PostFinance are deemed systemically important lenders in Switzerland.

"With capital adequacy regulations very slightly tightened, shareholders assume a slightly larger, but still very small, share of risk," said Adriel Jost, economist and former adviser to the Swiss National Bank's governing board.

Jost added that easier access to liquidity through the SNB and the public liquidity backstop could "increase the subsidies" available to UBS in the event of a crisis.

INTERNATIONAL CONCERN

In the lead up to the report, international organisations raised concerns over the UBS mega-merger and its aftermath, including the IMF and the OECD.

The Financial Stability Board, a global financial watchdog, has also cautioned Switzerland about the risks of UBS failing.

The FSB is set to review its ranking of UBS among the list of global systemically important banks after the Credit Suisse takeover, which is due to close later this year. Moving up a notch would lead to higher capital demands.

The Swiss lower house last year backed a motion calling for systemically relevant banks to have a leverage ratio of 15% of assets, far more than in the EU, the U.S. or Britain.

Analysts do not expect such tough terms to be imposed on UBS, which currently has a common equity tier 1 ratio of 14.5%, or $79 billion, equating to a leverage ratio of 4.7%.

Higher capital requirements could force UBS to shrink its balance sheet and reduce credit supply, experts say, while UBS executives have warned that excessive capital requirements would ultimately hurt the consumer.

Keller-Sutter said last year that tougher capital requirements were coming, but also that it was important not to hurt Switzerland's ability to compete with financial centres like New York, London, Singapore and Dubai.

(Additional reporting by John Revill; Writing by Dave Graham; Editing by Alexander Smith)
By Clark Mindock

(Reuters) - A landmark climate change ruling from the European Court of Human rights on Tuesday found that the Swiss government had violated the human rights of its citizens by failing to do enough to combat climate change, in a case brought by a group of older Swiss women.

In the United States, similar litigation has been filed largely on behalf of young people who claim their futures and health are jeopardized by climate change.

Here is a look at where those cases stand.

YOUTH-LED EFFORT

There are at least three youth-led climate cases pending in U.S. federal trial courts and state court in Hawaii. Youth plaintiffs have already notched one big win in Montana state court.

The lawsuits broadly accuse governments of exacerbating climate change through policies that encourage or allow the extraction and burning of fossil fuels. The young people, represented by the nonprofit law firm Our Children's Trust, claim the policies violate their rights under U.S. or state constitutions.

The firm says that six U.S. states' constitutions provide an express right to a healthful environment, but 32 other states have environmental or natural resource protections enshrined in their state constitution in some other way.

Cases filed in Virginia and Utah state courts were dismissed before they went to trial, and Our Children's Trust is appealing those dismissals. Earlier cases in Alaska, Florida and Washington state making similar claims were also dismissed before trial.

JULIANA V. USA

One of the longest-running cases was filed in 2015 by 21 young Americans against the U.S. government in an Oregon federal court.

The young plaintiffs in Juliana v. USA have argued that U.S. energy policy violates their rights to life, liberty and property enshrined in the U.S. constitution.

While the plaintiffs had originally sought a court order forcing the government to prepare a remedial plan to stop fossil fuel emissions, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the case in 2020 saying the judiciary cant mandate broad policy changes.

A federal judge last year gave the young plaintiffs the go-ahead to file a trimmed version of their lawsuit that only seeks a declaration that U.S. energy policy violates their rights.

The Biden administration has called the climate crisis an urgent problem but asked the 9th Circuit in February to force the district court to dismiss the case. The government has argued climate change is a complex and sprawling problem that requires the broad policymaking powers of Congress and the executive branch, and can't be adequately addressed by limited remedies available to courts.

A second federal case against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is also pending in California federal court.

MONTANAS LANDMARK RULING

A group of 16 young people in Montana were the first to bring their case to trial last year, arguing the state had violated a state constitutional provision guaranteeing citizens a healthy environment, and came away with a landmark victory in August.

State Judge Kathy Seeley in Helena found that Montanas permitting of projects like coal and natural gas production exacerbated the climate crisis, in violation of a 1972 amendment to the Montana constitution requiring the state to protect and improve the environment. The state is currently appealing.

UP NEXT: HAWAII

A case involving 14 young Hawaiians is set to be the second youth climate case to go to trial in June. The plaintiffs are asking for a declaration that the state's transportation department has violated a constitutional duty to protect the environment by promoting and funding highway projects that encourage fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

They are also seeking a court order telling the department to take unspecified but concrete action steps to reduce emissions and appoint a special master to oversee those changes.

(Reporting by Clark Mindock, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Cynthia Osterman)
On the day Robert McFarland was killed, there were supposed to be three corrections officers assigned to the Anamosa State Penitentiary infirmary, according to his wife, Sara Montague McFarland.

In reality, he was one of only two officers stationed there on March 23, 2021, Sara McFarland alleges in a new lawsuit.

Her complaint  and prior state investigations and reports  describe the prison as seriously understaffed. But even that overstates the level of security in the prison infirmary, according to the lawsuit, since at the time of his killing at the hands of two inmates attempting an escape, Robert McFarland's fellow officer was in a back room, on a computer, completing online training modules. Under Iowa Department of Corrections policy, she was required to do so at her post while on duty.

Anamosa State Penitentiary corrections Officer Robert McFarland, who also served as a lieutenant with the Ely Fire Department, holds his department helmet in an undated family photo. McFarland was killed during an attempted prison breakout on March 23, 2021.

That meant McFarland was the only guard present when prisoners Michael Dutcher and Thomas Woodard Jr. entered the infirmary, posing as members of a work crew and carrying stolen tools for a planned escape attempt from the medium/maximum security prison.

McFarland, 46, was fatally injured alongside prison nurse Lorena Schulte, both struck in the head with hammers before the two inmates unsuccessfully used an angle grinder to try to cut through bars over infirmary windows. Both men are now serving life sentences for murder.

On Tuesday, McFarland's widow sued more than two dozen DOC leaders and officers for gross negligence leading to his death, echoing an earlier lawsuit brought by Schulte's family.

The complaint contains new allegations, including that the second officer was involved in training at the time of the attack, and paints a picture of widespread and systemic safety failures leading up to the killings.

"The more information we got, the scarier and more infuriating it became," attorney Robert Rehkemper, representing the family, told the Des Moines Register.

A Department of Corrections spokesperson declined to comment.

Training, tool management, prisoner movement all unsafe

Tuesday's filing is 130 pages long and names 27 individuals, from fellow guards to department Director Beth Skinner, whose actions it says contributed to McFarland's death.

The most serious failure, Rehkemper said, appears to have been in managing access to tools. Among other shortcomings, the lawsuit alleges that the sergeant responsible for overseeing tools in the prison's maintenance shop often delegated to inmate workers the task of checking out tools to other prisoners. Many of those tools, such as the hammers used in the murders, were simply hung up on peg boards. Rehkemper says national prison best practices call for such tools to be stored off site and kept under lock and key when within the prison walls.

The prison also allegedly did not use a work-order system or other means to track legitimate maintenance requests, and did not require detainees to be checked by officers entering or leaving tool storage  problems known to prison officials at least as early as a 2019 safety audit that flagged tool control as a problem.

From 2023: Two years after fatal escape attempt, Anamosa prison to become medium-security

On the day of the attack, the petition alleges, three of four employee supervisors in the maintenance shop had left to show a new hire the lunch room, and the last was in the office and out of view of the area, allowing inmates unsupervised access to the tool storage where Woodard and Dutcher found their hammers and grinder.

"They just walked in and helped themselves," Rehkemper said.

Inmate workers also were issued opaque black tool bags, making it easy to move tools throughout the prison unseen. The complaint notes, in a bleak twist, that prison policy at the same time required jail staff to use transparent lunch bags.

Despite the 2021 attack, and changes to policy and personnel since then, Anamosa still allegedly has problems securing its tools. The lawsuit claims that another hammer went missing earlier this year, and has yet to be recovered.

Missing safety gear, ignored criminal records

Like the Schulte family, the McFarlands allege that safety radios issued to jail staff often did not work. Tuesday's complaint explains, in greater detail, how that allegedly hampered the response to the attack. After Schulte and McFarland were attacked, the prisoners took hostage Lori Mathis, a dental aide, who did not have a radio to call for help.

A supervisor working on the floor directly above the infirmary heard breaking glass below but also did not have a radio and had to go downstairs herself, where she observed blood stains near the infirmary break room door. She then had to run back to find a phone to finally notify someone that an escape attempt was underway.

Previously: 'Everybody knows Anamosa. It's a prison town.' And now, after a deadly inmate attack, it's a town in mourning.

The McFarlands also argue, again echoing previous investigations, that Woodard and Dutcher should never have been trusted with tools in the first place. Both had records of violence in and out of detention facilities, and Dutcher in particular had a long record, recounted in the complaint, of escape attempts and violent, threatening and disruptive behavior toward jail and prison officers.

Wife remembers Robert McFarland's love for job, worry for safety

Sara Montague McFarland shows the tattoo she got of the final text message she received from her husband, Anamosa State Penitentiary corrections officer Robert McFarland

Sara and Robert McFarland were married for 10 years and had a son together, as well as two children she had from before they met. In an interview, she said they first met and became friends when they were working for a cell phone provider, and that McFarland was "very persistent" in asking her to date him.

"Actually my grandma and younger sister both were like, 'You need to give him a try, he seems like a really great guy,'" she said. "We just started dating, and he became my best friend and it was on from there."

McFarland worked for a decade at Anamosa, and his wife said he sometimes told her about problems inside the heavy stone walls of the now 149-year-old prison.

"He didnt want me to worry more than I already did, but stuff like the radios not working, that was something he had told me a couple years before this happened," she said. "... You could see the worry in his face, but he wouldnt let on too much. It was what he loved to do, and that was part of the job, and he just did it."

Since his death, she's gotten involved in advocating for prison safety reform, including seeking to reverse a 2017 legal change that stripped the corrections officers' union of the ability to negotiate over safety issues. While state officials "paid a lot of good talk" in the aftermath of the attack, three years later, she said, the same issues are still lingering.

State officials have for years sounded the alarm about staffing shortages in Iowa's overcrowded prison system. Rehkemper said the root of their problem is their failure to follow basic safety policies in facilities such as Anamosa.

From 2022: Iowa workers union alleges unsafe working conditions at Des Moines correctional facility

"Locks arent that expensive. Following basic protocols and procedures is not that hard," he said. "You cant pay somebody enough, as were finding out, to work in an unsafe environment."

Their goal of the lawsuit, Sara McFarland and Rehkemper said, is to hold Department of Corrections leadership accountable for failing to make the investments and policy changes needed to ensure correction officers on the job are safe.

"How much money is my husbands life worth? How much money was Lorenas life worth?" McFarland asked. "Its going to happen again. What are they going to tell the next family? It needs to be taken care of."

This embedded content is not available in your region.

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: Murdered Anamosa prison guard's wife sues Iowa officials
Henry Ward says the decision about his farm highlights how disconnected civil servants in Whitehall are to what's happening on the ground - BAV MEDIA

A farmer whose land was left underwater after a river burst its banks has been told he is not eligible for full compensation from a government flood fund.

Henry Wards 200-acre farm in Lincolnshire has been flooded since October, after the neighbouring Barlings Eau river broke its banks during repeated storms.

But he has been informed that he is not eligible for compensation for 160 acres of the land under the Governments new flood fund, which offers grants of between 500 and 25,000 to farms affected by Storm Henk in January. Mr Ward will only receive 2,000 for compensation on 40 acres of the land, despite all 200 acres being under water.

Mr Ward, whose wife Emma is heavily pregnant, said he had been left feeling physically sick when informed of the decision by the Rural Payments Agency on Tuesday.

The maximum 25,000 he could receive was peanuts compared to what Ive lost, but would have helped him claw back some of the costs he had faced.

If I cant get this 25,000, please can you introduce me to the man or woman that can, he said.

Henry Ward uses a boat to get around after his farmhouse was turned into an island when Barlings Eau burst its banks - BAV MEDIA

The Barlings Eau had not reached river levels that would trigger compensation payments, he was told, despite the flooding having occurred after the river bank was breached.

They said the river level wasnt high enough for it to trigger their eligibility criteria. Well, it wont be because there was a massive hole in the riverbank and half the river was on my farm, he said. This really highlights how disconnected civil servants in Whitehall are to whats happening on the ground.

The Environment Agency is responsible for maintaining flood defences such as the river bank and has spent 450,000 carrying out temporary repairs by Mr Wards farm.

If it had not been for the flooding, Mr Ward said he would have produced some 500 tons of wheat, 100 tons of oil seed rape and 150 tons of peas.

He is now facing a year without a harvest as the land is likely to be too waterlogged to plant for at least six weeks.

He said it had become too risky to grow food on this land and criticised inadequate government bodies for failing to protect it.

Fund remains under review

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which oversees the Rural Payments Agency, said eligibility for the fund would remain under review to ensure it is supporting areas where farmland is most impacted.

The scheme was opened to farms around the Midlands and the South West that had been worst hit by Storm Henk.

A Defra spokesman said: The Farming Recovery Fund has been opened to support farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their land this winter.

We have activated the initial phase of the scheme to ensure grants begin to reach farmers as quickly as possible, and are now looking at how we can expand the scheme to further areas and improve the support for those worst affected.

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 Polish farmer was working a field with a plow when a part broke off and was lost in the dirt.

Knowing a local archaeological group had helped in various local initiatives, the farmer called the association for help to search for the missing piece.

Instead, they made an extremely rare discovery.

As the team scoured the field, one of the searchers saw something glistening in the dirt, according to an April 9 news release from the Muzeum Historii Ziemi Kamienskiej, or the Kamien Land History Museum.

The searcher, known for his extraordinary luck according to the association, saw that it wasnt the part they were hoping to find, but something much older.

In his hand was a large silver coin, and the team knew right away that it was something special, the museum said.

A large silver coin, about 4 centimeters across, was found in the field in Poland, the museum said. Screengrab of the Muzeum Historii Ziemi Kamienskiej's Facebook post

Uncover more archaeological finds

What are we learning about the past? Here are three of our most eye-catching archaeology stories from the past week.

 Roman helmet looked like a 'rusty bucket' when it was found in UK. Now, it's restored

Elaborate 600-year-old castle  complete with moat  unearthed in France. Take a look

 Mysterious wooden train car  almost 100 years old  unearthed in Belgium, photos show

Weighing nearly 30 grams with a diameter of 4 centimeters, the coin had the depictions of two princes on each side, the museum said.

The search team brought the coin to the museum for analysis, where it was determined to be a Renaissance thaler, a type of coin minted in silver from the German states in the 15th to 19th centuries.

The museum said the coin is extremely rare, only seen occasionally in auctions online.

The princes were co-rulers of the Duchy of Saxony, a region in the northern region of modern-day Germany, upon their fathers death, the museum said, and the coin was minted to honor their rule.

The two princes, Friedrich Wilhelm I (left) and John II (right), ruled the Duchy of Saxony after the death of their father, the museum said. Screengrab from the Muzeum Historii Ziemi Kamienskiej's Facebook post

One side depicts Prince Friedrich Wilhelm I, and the other depicts Prince John II, both wearing parade armor with swords and the collar, typical for those in high social status in the late Renaissance, the museum said.

The museum team said the coin was crafted with an extreme attention to detail, and despite seeing archaeological finds often, they found this discovery to be an incredible joy.

The coin depicts two princes from the late Renaissance, one on each side of the coin. Screengrab from the Muzeum Historii Ziemi Kamienskiej's Facebook post

But, some mystery still remains.

The coin is hundreds of miles from where it likely was created, so the team wonders how it got to the field in the first place.

One explanation is a traveler stopped at a nearby pond for some water for their horses and it was dropped, the museum said, but they will likely never know about the coins journey to Poland.

The coin was donated to the museum by the search team, according to the release.

The discovery was made in Duniewo, near the northern coast of Poland on the Baltic Sea.

The news release from the Muzeum Historii Ziemi Kamienskiej was translated by Facebook.

Mystery object found on Cape Cod beach linked to once top-secret program, park says

Beautiful glasswork discovered at ancient Roman crossroads in France. See the finds

Bloodthirsty predator found buried with ancient dogs in Hungary, baffling experts

Search for home of medieval hermit saint leads to even more ancient find in UK. See it
A collection of mementos, including footprints and handprints, were provided by a hospital in Richmond, Virginia, to Kelly Shannon of Alabama after she had to terminate a pregnancy because of fatal anomalies. (Courtesy of Kelly Shannon)

Editors note: This is the fourth installment of an occasional States Newsroom series called When and Where: Abortion Access in America, profiling individuals who have needed abortion care in the U.S. before and after Dobbs. The first installment can be found here, the second installment is here, and the third is here.

Kelly Shannon was grieving a pregnancy she would need to terminate because of multiple fetal anomalies when she got the call that Alabama doctors wouldnt approve an abortion procedure despite exceptions in the law. That meant she would have to leave the state.

Shannon, 36, was about 16 weeks along in January 2023 when genetic testing  and confirmation from an amniocentesis  showed her fetus likely had Trisomy 21, better known as Down syndrome. It didnt take long for the doctor to determine the fetus likely wouldnt survive to term. There was fluid buildup in the head and body, evidence of a heart defect, and a tumor on the abdomen that was roughly one-third the size of its entire body.

There was so much decision-making and processing, and youre still feeling the baby kick the whole time, Shannon said. And every time she would kick, I was just sitting there like, Im so sorry. I wish I got to be your mom, but I dont get to be your mom.

Three years before the U.S. Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision in June 2022 and returned the ability to regulate abortion to the states, Alabama had already passed an abortion ban. Gov. Kay Ivey said at the time she signed the bill that even though it was likely unenforceable since abortion was still legal nationally, it was a signal to the courts to overturn Roe v. Wade. A group of physicians challenged the Alabama law in court and received a preliminary injunction that had barred its enforcement for years. But when Dobbs took effect, the injunction was lifted. Doctors are now subject to felony charges with punishment of up to life in prison.

Alabama is one of few states with an abortion ban at any stage of pregnancy that also contains an exception for lethal fetal anomalies. In the law, its defined as a condition from which the fetus would die after birth or shortly thereafter, or be stillborn. There are also exceptions for performing an abortion to save a pregnant patients life or preserve their health. However, according to the latest WeCount report of abortions performed since Dobbs, Alabama has recorded zero abortion procedures. Activists have argued that exceptions in abortion bans are meaningless because there is too much fear and uncertainty about what circumstances will qualify for an exception.

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality, and more often occurs when the pregnant person is over the age of 35. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infants with Down syndrome and a heart defect are five times more likely to die in their first year of life than those without.

Each abnormality on its own would possibly have been manageable, Shannon said, but the maternal-fetal medicine specialist told her the combination meant she would likely either miscarry at some point during the pregnancy or her daughters life would be short and punctuated by multiple surgeries. Shannon and her husband made the difficult decision at that point to terminate.

That made the decision easier because it was like, well now if I know Im going to lose her regardless, I can lose her on a controlled timeline, protect my health, start the grieving process, get healthy and then still be able to have another child, she said.

Shannon filled out paperwork and made a termination appointment pending approval from the other maternal-fetal medicine specialists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her doctor felt confident that given the severity of the anomalies, the abortion would be allowed.

I dont think I wouldve taken that risk on me

A few days later, in the car on her way to meet her husband and toddler at a local dog park, the doctor called back.

I knew why she was calling me. I knew that was the day the (second) committee was supposed to meet and shed be calling me with their decision, Shannon said.

Shannon scheduled the Jan. 24 termination date, made arrangements to take leave from work and had decided on cremation. But with one phone call, all the decisions shed made had to change.

The termination had easily been approved by the first committee, and it seemed like the higher-level committee would sign off too. But in a halting manner, the doctor explained the committee had decided since each condition by itself was survivable, it didnt meet the criteria for termination. She told Shannon it was the hardest phone call shed made in her professional career.

The only way the committee might approve the request was if the fetus also developed a condition called hydrops fetalis, an excessive buildup of fluid that is often fatal. Shannon said that put her in a strange place of having some kind of hope that her pregnancy was even worse than originally thought. But she wasnt upset with the doctors themselves.

I mostly just felt sorry for them, even at the time, she said. As angry as I was that I wasnt going to get to handle my pregnancy and my termination in the way that made the most sense to me  if I had been in their shoes and thought well, is this one case worth my license and jail time and prosecution? Her lifes not in danger, her babys probably going to die. I dont think I wouldve taken that risk on me.

The manager of public relations at the University of Alabama at Birmingham said no one was available to speak with States Newsroom for this story.

She had one more ultrasound at 17 weeks, where her providers checked for hydrops, but there was no presence of it. As the pregnancy had progressed further since the last ultrasound, multiple holes between the chambers of the fetuss heart were clearly visible, and the tumor had grown .7 centimeters. Despite the increased severity of those issues, without hydrops, she still had to go out of state.

A scheduling error meant Shannon had to wait two more weeks before she could get an appointment at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia  an 11-hour drive. Rather than bring her husband and toddler along for the ordeal, Shannons parents accompanied her. It was the first night shed ever spent away from her toddler.

She chose to be induced for the procedure. After a long day of waiting, Shannon gave birth a few minutes before midnight and got to hold her daughter.

I kept her with me until about 2 or 3 in the morning, she said.

The logistics of what to do with the remains became more complicated since she was now more than 700 miles away from home and wouldnt be able to visit a burial site in Virginia the way she could have in Alabama. She opted to have her daughter buried with other babies that had died because of miscarriage, termination or other premature causes.

Baby boy born in mid-March

In mid-March, Shannon gave birth to a healthy baby boy that was a surprise pregnancy. She had been aiming for her next pregnancy to happen over the summer, when she wasnt teaching.

When I found out I was pregnant, I just started crying. Instead of being excited, the trauma came back, she said. And I felt like, I want to be excited and happy, but Im not there yet because I dont know if we get to keep this one yet either.

She said she wants her story to make a difference, in hopes that another person doesnt have to go through the same pain.

I get angry whenever I see people with the choose life bumper stickers and license plates, because theyre not thinking about me. Theyre not recognizing that its not a black and white issue, its nothing but shades of gray when youre dealing with pregnancy, particularly high-risk pregnancy, Shannon said. I am a married, white, straight, Christian, grew-up-in-the-church woman who was attempting to grow her family within the bounds of marriage, and I just keep thinking, if anybody is going to be able to change a mind about this issue, shouldnt it be me?

The post Fatal anomaly exception didnt spare Alabama mom who needed an abortion appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Father Leaps Into Water to Save Toddler Swept Away By Giant Wave

The frightening incident occurred moments after the little girl was seen running along a seawall in North Wollongong, Australia

Getty Stock image of waves

A father in the coastal city of North Wollongong, Australia, bravely leaped into the water after a massive wave swept his young daughter.

The dramatic rescue was captured in a video shared online by 7 News Australia, which shows the toddler running along a seawall with her father only a few steps behind her.

After a towering wave overpowers the little girl and carries her through the railing, her dad was seen jumping over the rails to the rescue.

Related: Mount Etna Blows 'Smoke Rings' into the Sky in Italy: 'Simply Beautiful'

Getty Stock image of flashing police lights and a fire truck

According to the news outlet, the daughter and father were "tossed across rocks" but made it out safely thanks to witnesses who helped pull them out.

One of the rescuers, David Graham, recalled seeing the dad "exhausted" but told 7 News that "he never let go of that kid." During the process, another woman consoled the toddler's mother, who was "hysterical" and "beside herself."

The daughter and father were treated for "swallowing seawater and minor scratches," according to Metro.

The outlet reported that a storm hit the area the day before, causing "major flooding and strong waves because of high winds."

Related: U.S. Coast Guard Rescues 2 Children and 3 Adults 'Clinging Onto' Capsized Boat in Florida

Getty Stock image of a towering wave

The New South Wales State Emergency Service issued an advisory notice on Tuesday, April 9, asking residents to stay safe with severe weather expected to continue.

Duty Commander and Acting Assistant Commissioner Dallas Burnes issued a statement warning residents to prepare their property for "strong winds."

"You can do this by following a few safety tips including clearing any overhanging branches and securing and putting away any loose items around your backyard or balcony. Given the recent extreme weather experienced across much of the coast over the last few days, the soil is already saturated so there is an increased chance of trees falling," he said.

Burnes explained that his organization had already received "more than 60 calls" from individuals across Sydney and the Central Coast reporting "leaking roofs and trees down."

The NSW Rural Fire Service also included images of how the storm has affected the area in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday, April 5.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"It's been a busy night and day for emergency services across NSW, with heavy rainfall and damaging winds impacting much of the state's east coast. RFS volunteers continue to assist the NSW SES respond to fallen trees, downed powerlines, flood rescue and clean up," the organization wrote.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Father sentenced in Germany for attempted murder for injecting mercury into his daughter's foot

The accused arrives at the Hanover District Court in handcuffs in Hannover, Germany, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. A 30-year-old man was sentenced to 13 years in prison for attempted murder by a German court on Wednesday for injecting mercury into his little daughters foot. (Julian Stratenschulte/dpa via AP)

BERLIN (AP)  A court in Germany on Wednesday sentenced a 30-year-old man to 13 years in prison for attempted murder for injecting mercury into his 1-year-old daughters foot. The man's girlfriend was sentenced to 12 years in prison for taking part in the crime.

The German news agency dpa reported that the man, from the small town of Springe near the city of Hannover, wanted to take revenge on the childs mother, who had left him shortly after the girls birth.

According to the indictment, the father and his new girlfriend, knew the poison would not lead directly to death and had wanted to inflict particularly severe pain on the toddler.

After the injection, the daughter got a severe infection in her foot and a rash all over her body. The mercury in her body was only found by chance during a third surgery related to the poisoning, dpa reported.

Both the father and his 34-year-old girlfriend, initially denied the charge before a court in Hannover but shortly before the trial ended, the couple admitted they together injected the mercury into the girls left foot and right ankle last July, dpa said.

It's unclear where they procured the liquid mercury.

The defendants can appeal the ruling. The names of the defendants and the victim were not released, in line with German privacy policy.
A Texas man is suing a local Hindu temple, alleging it branded his son with a hot iron during a cultural ceremony.

Vijay Cheruvu, of Fort Bend County, said he did not give his consent for his son to participate in the event in August, during which he alleges several children were branded in front of a group of adults.

The lawsuit, filed last week in Texas 458th District Court, says Cheruvus son was burned on both shoulders against his will, causing extreme pain, permanent skin damage, an infection and emotional trauma.

I was shocked. I didnt know how to handle it. My primary concern is for my sons well-being, Cheruvu said at a news conference covered by local TV channels.

The lawsuit names two defendants: the Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, where, it says, the ceremony took place, and the temples parent company, non-profit Hindu organization Jeeyar Educational Trust USA.

Neither responded to requests for comment.

A photo in the lawsuit showing what it says are burn marks on the boy's left and right arms. (Fort Bend County Courthouse)

Photos of the 11-year-old childs shoulders in the original complaint show scabbed-over burn scars, one in the shape of the Hindu elephant god Ganesh.

Cheruvus attorney, Brant Stogner, said at the news conference: This is not a ceremony that is widely used across Hinduism. This is something thats a very small sect.

Stogner said that even if the child consented to the branding, its illegal in Texas to allow a minor to receive such a tattoo or mark. In a victim impact statement read at the news conference, the 11-year-old wrote, it hurted so much that I almost cried.

They knew what they did was very wrong because they told me to keep it secret from everyone else, he wrote. But I had to tell my Dad when the pain got worse and it became infected.

Cheruvu is seeking $1 million in damages to cover the boys extensive medical treatment, as well as the emotional toll of the event, the lawsuit says.

For more from NBC Asian America, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
As my wife and I spent three years in Baltimore in the early 1970s while I went to law school, the collapse of their Francis Scott Key bridge in the middle of the night on March 26 got my attention for a couple of reasons.

First, I grew into considerable affection for Baltimore through my years there. Second, that long-ago experience reverberated in my mind with what happened to the crew working on that ill-fated bridge, and my curiosity about the composition of that crew.

When I completed my Army duty and arrived in Baltimore in 1970 the city was in an early stage of revitalization, especially in its inner harbor area. Corporate development had constructed one large new building in that area. Years later when my wife and I returned, that inner harbor was surrounded by new buildings and a particularly impressive aquarium.

Yet, in 1970 our law school building surrounded Edgar Allen Poes grave, and symbolically his poetry seemed to have a dark and chilling effect on the area. I had the opportunity to work for an investment banking firm one summer. Its a safe bet that virtually all the bond traders I worked with lived outside of the city. The diversity was of ideology. Then I shifted to working for Legal Aid where the diversity was not so much of ideology, but of skin color. Coming from being drafted and serving in the enlisted ranks of the Army, the diversity there was both ideology and race. The contrast from the blue-blooded banking firm to the solidly Democratic legal aid was enlightening.

Larry Little

Uniquely, Legal Aid also helped me to see multiple sides of our centuries-old gender struggles. When I was assigned my first case, I represented a man whose wife was seeking a divorce under Marylands fault divorce laws that I had studied under a fine instructor, Professor John Ester. The couple had no children and the wife had substantial income and assets, while my client was unemployed and had no assets. When the judge awarded her alimony my client and I objected. The judge had my client handcuffed in front of me and sent to jail.

However, at Legal Aid most of my clients were in a different situation. I tried to help many single mothers with numerous children who were then trapped in the still-rampant-today conundrum of making more money from public assistance than they could from a job which would have prevented them from receiving any form of public assistance. Fathers were only occasional visitors.

That thought about absent fathers brings me back to our present time and the six men lost on that bridge on March 26. From all accounts they were far from absent fathers, they were working the hazardous night shift on that bridge, bringing home money to their families  all immigrants.

Several of them were profiled in The Baltimore Sun on April 3. The Baltimore Sun article noted that Miguel Luna immigrated from El Salvador 19 years ago and worked construction when he wasnt operating a food truck with his wife. Friends described Luna as a hardworking family man, who had three children, and was also a grandfather, the story read. They further described Alejandro Hernandez as born in Mexico and who left behind a wife and four children. They wrote that Maynor Suazo, from Honduras, loved visiting parks and beaches with his wife and young daughter.

It seems those fathers on the bridge are prime examples of what initiatives such as Baltimores Center for Urban Families (CFUF) aim to achieve for underprivileged fathers. On a relatively recent trip to Baltimore, I was able to attend one of their forums and I was impressed with what that non-profit was trying to achieve. Their monograph entitled 25 Years of Seeding Legacies for the Future, is worth examination. As noted therein by their founder, Joseph Jones, Jr., I stepped into my fear[and] was guided by faith and directed by fate, to establish the non-profit to create intergenerational wealth.

To me, the creation of wealth through stable families with fathers present, hard-working and involved with children, enables a worthwhile present life and an invaluable legacy. However, it requires stepping into fear, as those fathers surely were doing that night.

Sadly, but inspiring, is what the Wall Street Journal in an article on March 28 brought home about one of the hard-working fathers on that bridge who didnt come home. Maynor Suazo 5-year-old daughter, Alexa, didnt yet know what had happened to her father. She was glued to her dad. Her dad was everything to her.

Alexa, your father is a true hero. Enjoy the beach with your mom, and skip stones into the water to remember your dad.

Contact Larry Little at larrylittle46@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Fathers on the bridge in Baltimore
The University of Kentucky has extended its deadline for students to confirm their enrollment for the fall semester because of financial aid delays, the university announced Tuesday.

Nationally, changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) have caused delays in students receiving their financial aid offers from universities. At the University of Kentucky, students will now have until May 15, instead of May 1, to confirm their enrollment for the fall 2024 semester.

We understand that students must make informed decisions about their college choice and that includes fully understanding the cost of attendance. To that end, we feel extending the confirmation deadline is in the best interest of our students, said Christine Harper, UKs Chief Enrollment Officer. We strive to put students first in everything that we do. Extending the deadline underscores our commitment to students, who through no fault of their own, are receiving important financial aid information much later than ever before.

UK is still waiting for additional FAFSA data for processing, the university said. Financial aid notifications are expected to be sent to students at the end of April.

UK will closely monitor other deadlines that may be impacted by this extension, including the housing application deadline, which remains June 1, the university said.

Students and families with questions about financial aid can contact UKs Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at osfas@uky.edu.

Rates of FAFSA completion among KY high schoolers are way down. Why that matters

The FAFSA, which students complete to apply for financial aid from institutions and states, traditionally opens each year on October 1. But the simplified version soft-launched in late December 2023, putting the process months behind schedule. Completion rates of the FAFSA are significantly down in high schools across Kentucky compared to last year.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Education said it was expecting to complete processing of 6 million FAFSA forms by the end of March. Traditionally, FAFSA forms have been processed months earlier, allowing students to receive their financial aid offers from colleges earlier in the year.

In February, Northern Kentucky University announced it would move the deadline for incoming freshmen to accept their financial aid offers from May 1 to June 1 this year because of FAFSA delays.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Federal Bureau of Investigations Portland division has announced its new special agent in charge after the former agent left to begin a national position.

Douglas Olson was named top agent of the FBIs Portland Field Office on Monday. The new hire most recently worked at the bureau headquarters in Washington, D.C., as the Criminal Investigative Divisions section chief.

Former Lake Oswego police officer pleads guilty to having sex on duty

The agency reported Olson first began his FBI career at the Charlotte, N.C., field office in 2003. There, he focused on national security matters such as violent crime, white-collar crime and counterterrorism investigations.

He later relocated to the New York office, where he investigated the Genovese family, infamous for organized crime.

Olsons resume also includes a stint as program manager of the Eurasian Organized Crime Unit, supervisory senior resident agent of the Salem satellite office in Oregon, and assistant legal attache of the Stockholm sub-office.

Suspect arrested after morning of Clark County drive-by shootings

According to the Portland FBI, he previously won an Attorney General award for his contributions to national security in the U.S.

In 2019, Mr. Olson was named an assistant special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office, where he was responsible for the cyber, counterintelligence, intelligence, and mission support programs, the agency added in a release. He was promoted in 2022 to chief of the Operational Support Section of the Criminal Investigative Division at Headquarters.

Olson will succeed Kieran Ramsey, who has about a 25-year history with the FBI. He was the Portland offices special agent in charge from January 2021 through Jan. 5 of this year.

Powerball jackpot could mean $7.6 million back to Oregon, lottery officials say

Ramsey currently serves as an assistant FBI director, one of 30 across the country. He now reports back to other staff at the bureau headquarters.

During his time in the Portland field office, the agency made 542 arrests, 312 convictions, recovered 366 weapons and rescued 115 children from trafficking and abuse.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
PLANTATION, Fla. (WFLA)  The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has issued a missing child alert for a teenager out of Broward County.

According to the alert, Maya Moore, 15, was last seen Monday around the 12200 block of West Broward Boulevard in Plantation Florida.

Authorities described Maya as being 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black and yellow American Heritage School uniform.

Maya is believed to be traveling with Michael Moore, 68, in a 2019, gray Mitsubishi Outlander, FL tag number QUFS45 somewhere near Homestead.

Michael Moore is described as being 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighting 200 pounds.

If you know where they are, call the Plantation Police Department at 954-797-2100 or 911.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A lab worker tests a sample of water for PFAS compounds in this 2019 file photo. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The Environmental Protection Agency early Wednesday issued federal limits on dangerous forever chemicals in drinking water, which it believes will save thousands of lives and prevent serious illnesses including cancer.

The new rules require that water systems monitor for six toxic chemicals known as PFAS. The manmade chemicals, officially called per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are notoriously hard to destroy. They build up in the body and dont break down in the environment.

If the tests find the chemicals at levels above the new federal standard, the water systems must notify the public and work to reduce them.

There's no doubt that these chemicals have been important for certain industries and consumer uses, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a call with journalists. But there's also no doubt that many of these chemicals can be harmful to our health and our environment.

Read more: Risk of tap water exposure to toxic PFAS chemicals higher in Southern California

The chemicals have been used since the 1940s to repel oil and water and resist heat. They've been included in thousands of consumer and industrial products including nonstick cookware, stain resistant clothing and firefighting foam.

Manufacturers began phasing out production of two PFAS chemicals, known as PFOA and PFOS, decades ago but they are still prevalent in the environment.

The EPA said the science is clear that exposure to the chemicals over a long period can cause cancer and other illnesses.

Scientists believe that children may be more sensitive to the chemicals' harmful effects because they are still developing.

The federal agency estimates that as many as 100 million Americans are using and drinking tap water contaminated with the chemicals.

In California, water systems have been required since 2019 to test for the chemicals in wells near landfills, airports, military bases and other sites known to be contaminated.

Dan Newton, assistant deputy director at the State Water Resources Control Board, said that 2,000 wells near those sites have been tested.

We found so far that about 60% of those wells have detections of PFAS, Newton said.

He said it was difficult to know what testing would find in wells that were not near sites known to be contaminated.

Tap water in urban areas of Southern and Central California appears more likely to be contaminated than drinking water in many other regions of the nation, according to a study last year by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Read more: 'This is taking too long': California community awaits cleanup of PFAS-contaminated wells

The new EPA rules set a maximum contaminant level for PFOA and PFOS of 4 parts per trillion. Four other chemicals are also subject to limits.

Water utilities have up to five years to comply with the new standards.

There are more than 14,000 PFAS chemicals.

David Andrews, senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, said that although water systems must remove just six of those chemicals under the new rules, the treatments will lower the levels of other PFAS too.

The filtration goes beyond just these chemicals and should be relatively effective for other PFAS chemicals as well as other contaminants, he said.

The EPA proposed the new rules early last year. Since then, the agency received tens of thousands of comments, which it said it had considered before issuing its final decision.

For years, the chemical industry and the U.S. Department of Defense have fought proposals for a federal limit on PFAS in water.

The American Chemistry Council, an industry trade group, called the agencys proposal controversial and unscientific.

Water systems also worry about the costs of testing and treating the water.

What is clear is that meeting these new federal regulations will cost billions of dollars, said Robert F. Powelson, president of the National Assn. of Water Cos. Its a cost that will disproportionately fall on water and wastewater customers in small communities and low-income families.

"The next step must now be to develop a system where the polluters are held responsible for the cleanup not our consumers.

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.
This article was originally published in Idaho Capital Sun.

Sean Carnell, who grew up in Boise, never saw himself pursuing a college education. He was sentenced to prison on battery and robbery charges in 2013  where he later received his GED. He faces another four years before he can be considered for parole.

Despite his past, Carnell made the deans list at the University of Idaho for the last two semesters in a row.

Carnell, a resident at the Idaho Correctional Institution in Orofino, attends college through the Second Chance Pell Experiment  a program launched by the U.S. Department of Education which provides need-based Pell Grants to people in state and federal prisons.

Help fund stories like this. Donate now!

I never thought Id have straight As, let alone be enrolled in college, Carnell told the Idaho Capital Sun. Having the hope of achieving something, of being able to walk out and say I did something with my time to try to better myself, is huge.

Like Carnell, more than 90 residents at the Orofino prison registered for the spring semester through the Second Chance Pell program  keeping themselves busy in prison while also aiming to enhance their resumes in preparation for their eventual release.

This is the first time in corrections that Ive felt that Ive been valued as a human being, Carnell said. Most of the time we are the sum of our failures. This gives us the opportunity to try to achieve these levels of success that we never thought possible.

Thirty years later, Idaho prisoners have access to college education

Three decades ago, the federal government removed Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated individuals through the Federal Crime Bill of 1994. The ban was enacted amid a wave of tough-on-crime policies in the 1990s.

But in 2015, the Obama administration reinstated access to Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals as studies began to show that prison education plays a role in decreasing crime.

According to the Vera Institute of Justice, incarcerated people who have participated in postsecondary education in prison are 48% less likely to reoffend than those who do not. Additionally, every dollar invested in prison-based education results in four to five dollars in taxpayer savings from reduced incarceration costs.

Between 2016 to 2020  the first four years of the reinstated access to Pell Grants  over 7,000 prison students earned either an associate degree, bachelors degree, or a certificate or diploma, according to the Vera Institute.

In fall 2022, the University of Idaho and Lewis-Clark State College became the first schools in the Gem State to participate in the program  bringing the total number of colleges participating in the program to 200.

Most courses are asynchronous and are conducted virtually at the prisons school space using designated laptops. However, some university professors make on-site visits to the facility, accompanied by non-incarcerated students.

While the program requires a lot of partnership and collaboration between the schools and correctional staff, Sean Quinlan, the dean of the University of Idahos College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, told the Sun that it is worth it.

Access to higher education and to complete college degree as an inmate is one of the surest predictors for keeping people from crime in the future, Quinlan said. I believe that this is a really important way of serving our state  to help people improve their lives and have safer communities.

Theyve been waiting for something like this: IDOC education director says

Ted Oparnico, the Idaho Department of Correction education director, told the Sun there was significant interest from correction residents to participate in the program.

In Idaho, some incarcerated people earn between 10 to 30 cents an hour, so the Second Chance Pell program makes it possible for them to fund their education beyond a GED or certificate.

I think theyve been waiting for something like this for a long time, Oparnico said. We typically only provide GEDs as our secondary certificate, but once they complete that, well, whats next? They might have another five or 10 years or longer left, so having a Pell program gives them some opportunities to continue education.

Students in Idaho prisons are still in their first few semesters of having access to the Pell Grants, so none have graduated as of yet, Oparnico said.

Silas Parks, who was imprisoned in 2010 on manslaughter charges for killing his pregnant wife, told the Sun he has been excited to see this program come to Idaho.

I have literally day-dreamed for over 10 years sitting in prison about getting out of prison and going back to college, he said. Im still here, but I can go back to college which is an awesome experience.

Parks attended the University of Idaho before going to prison, but he did not complete his bachelors degree. Now enrolled with the financial help of the Second Chance Pell Grant, he is close to receiving his degree. His next goal is to receive a graduate degree once he is released.

I came to prison when I was 23, and I was not the most mature person, he said. Now I know what I want. Nothing teaches you what you want more than having everything taken away.

To participate in the program, residents have to have a GED or high school diploma and be six months without any disciplinary offenses. They also must complete a 20-hour college preparatory course, and commit to at least a semester of a class or pay back the funds if they choose to leave.

Its a benefit for the community, Oparnico said, adding that 90% of prison residents will eventually be released from the Idaho correctional system. When we have people who leave our facilities, the public can know that theyre getting a neighbor that has an education because they spent the time, commitment, and they dedicated themselves to being better prepared to contribute to society.

Everybody can do this: IDOC resident says about college

Like Carnell who never saw himself attending college, and like Parks who acknowledged his immaturity at the time of his sentencing  Travas Bickhart is also proud of the personal growth thats come with being a college student in an Idaho prison.

Giving more attention to alcohol and drugs, Bickhart graduated high school with roughly a 2.8 GPA, despite paying people off to do his homework, he told the Sun.

In 2018, Bickhart was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison on rape charges, with the possibility of parole after 10 years.

Despite being the first person in his family to go to prison, he is also the first person in his family to receive a college education. He told the Sun that hes learned a lot about himself in the process of taking college courses.

You cant give up on yourself, he said. No matter what your position is or what crime youve done, everybody can do this. Ive made a lot of mistakes in my life, but this is the only thing Ive been proud of to this point.

Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com. Follow Idaho Capital Sun on Facebook and Twitter.
Naples Republican Kathleen Passidomo answers reporters' questions following her installment as Florida Senate president on Nov. 22, 2022. She is named in a legal challenge to the redistricting plan for the Tampa Bay region. Credit: Michael Moline

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

As lawmakers redistricted in 2022, the Florida Legislature packed Black voters into a Senate district spanning Tampa Bay to favor white control of a neighboring Senate district, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court in Tampa.

The ACLU of Florida, Civil Rights & Racial Justice Clinic at New York University School of Law, and the Tampa lawfirm of Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig filed the lawsuit Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division. The defendants are listed as Senate Kathleen Passidomo and Cord Byrd, Floridas Secretary of State.

The five plaintiffs are St. Petersburg and Tampa residents who complain the alleged gerrymander diminishes their voting power.

The case targets Senate District 16 and Senate District 18. The former is the bay-straddling district allegedly designed to include more than half of the areas Black residents while diminishing Black voting power in neighboring District 18.

State Senate Districts for the Tampa Bay region as drawn by the Florida Legislature. Source: ACLU lawsuit

District 16 includes parts of St. Petersburg in Pinellas County and the east shore of Tampa Bay, reaching between Temple Terrace and Ruskin in Hillsborough. District 18 includes the Pinellas beach towns, Pinellas Park, and Largo.

The State drew these districts purportedly to avoid diminishing Black voters ability to elect representatives of their choice in District 16, but the State unnecessarily used race to disregard traditional, race-neutral redistricting considerations, the complaint alleges.

And far from advancing representation, the enacted districts dilute Black voters power. The State could have drawn these districts to both avoid the diminishment of Black voting power and respect traditional redistricting criteria. Instead, the State engaged in racial gerrymandering that unconstitutionally abridges Plaintiffs rights to the equal protection of the laws, it adds.

Senate District 16 is held by Democrat Darryl Rouson and District 18 is held by Republican Nick DiCeglie.

Equal representation

These districts deny communities of color equal representation and dilute the votes of Black residents in the Tampa Bay region, Deborah N. Archer, NYU Laws associate dean for experiential education and clinical programs and director of the Civil Rights & Racial Justice Clinic, said in a written statement. We look forward to overturning this unconstitutional map in court.

Diluting the voice of Black voters while amplifying the political power of others is unfair, undemocratic, and unconstitutional, said Daniel Tilley, legal director of the ACLU of Florida. Black voters in St. Pete and Tampa deserve full and fair opportunities for representation, so we sued.

The ACLU issued written statements from two of the plaintiffs.

Black residents deserve equitable representation in the Florida Senate, said Jarvis El-Amin, described as a Tampa civil rights leader. We demand to have our voices heard and our votes fairly represented  not diminished, diluted, cracked, or packed.

Today, were standing up for whats right, said Meiko Seymour, a pastor in St. Petersburg. Crossing Tampa Bay to pack Black people into a single district all the way from the University of South Florida to the Skyway Bridge diminishes our voice, suppresses our votes, and just plain doesnt make sense.

Separate litigation over a congressional redistricting map is pending before the Florida Supreme Court, involving elimination at Gov. Ron DeSantis insistence of a district held for years by Black Democrat Al Lawson; the governor claimed the district represented a racial gerrymander.

A panel of three trial judges rejected a similar challenge filed in federal court in late March, ruling that the organizations and individual voters challenging the governors congressional redistricting plan two years ago had failed to demonstrate that the Legislature acted out of racial discrimination.

The next step would be an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but spokeswoman Katie Scally of Common Cause, one of the litigants, said by email that theres been no decision yet. We are still discussing next steps, but every option remains on the table.

The post Federal lawsuit: Two state Senate districts in Tampa Bay are racially gerrymandered appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
New federal rule may cost SC utilities millions of dollars, but the water will be cleaner

Utilities across South Carolina face hundreds of millions of dollars in costs to cleanse drinking water of harmful forever chemicals now that the federal government has finalized a rule to make water safe from the potentially cancer-causing toxins.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule, issued this week, will for the first time restrict the level of certain forever chemicals in drinking water. The drinking water limits are expected to reduce forever chemical exposure for about 100 million people across the country, prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses, the agency said.

Proposed last year, the EPA measure establishes individual limits on five types of forever chemicals, including the most common ones that are showing up in water systems nationally and in South Carolina.

Forever chemicals, used widely by industries for decades, are a class of compounds of increasing concern because of their health threats. Studies have linked exposure to the chemicals to some types of cancer, thyroid disease, birth defects and depressed immune systems, a condition that can make people more susceptible to illnesses.

The chemicals have a variety of uses, including as ingredients in non-stick frying pans, waterproof jackets and stain resistant carpets. They are called forever chemicals because they linger in the environment and do not break down easily. An array of sources, including industrial plants, are the suspected causes of PFAS pollution in rivers and groundwater that supply drinking water.

Drinking water contaminated with PFAS has plagued communities across this country for too long, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a news release. That is why President Biden has made tackling PFAS a top priority, investing historic resources to address these harmful chemicals and protect communities nationwide.

Under the proposal by the EPA, drinking water systems would have to keep the level of the most common forever chemicals at below four parts per trillion. The EPA says the limits are needed to safeguard the public from long-term exposure to the chemicals, also known as per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

The most common forever chemicals are known as PFOA and PFOS. Three other types of forever chemicals -- Gen X, PFNA and PFHxS -- must be kept below 10 parts per trillion, according to the final federal rule.

All told, more than 50 South Carolina utilities that draw water from the ground or from rivers and lakes exceeded one or both of the limits on PFOA and PFOS, according to data released last year by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Those included drinking water systems in Columbia, Cayce and West Columbia, as well as Camden, Charleston, Greenwood, Florence, Georgetown, Gaffney and Myrtle Beach. Most of the readings were between the four parts per trillion standard and 10 parts per trillion, although Gaffneys was higher, at 12 parts per trillion for PFOA and 16 parts per trillion for PFOS, according to charts provided by DHEC.

While the goal of the rule is to protect public health, the cost of complying with the EPAs standard has many utility officials and politicians worried about the expense. Columbias costs alone could top $150 million to $200 million, city officials have estimated.

The American Waterworks Association has said the cost nationally of removing the two most common types of forever chemicals could top $3.8 billion annually. Lawyers representing water systems have won a settlement with the manufacturers of PFOA and PFOS that tops $13 billion, attorneys say.

Big costs for Columbia

But cities like Columbia, which could have earned $12 million from the settlement, say that wont be enough to serve local needs because so many water systems will be seeking a piece of the pie. Federal money is also limited, officials say.

The city decided not to take money from the $13 billion settlement and is considering filing its own lawsuit against the manufacturers for damages after hiring outside legal counsel. City officials have expressed worries that they would have to raise water rates to help pay for the federal requirement.

We opted out because we are looking at the bigger picture, Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said via email Tuesday. We are ready to look at the real costs of the finalized PFAS rules and then go on to take our own legal action soon.

The city of West Columbia, another major drinking water supplier in the area, also faces higher costs. Unlike Columbia, West Columbia has not opted out of the $13 billion legal settlement, a spokeswoman said. The city of Cayce, adjacent to West Columbia, has previously said it would not opt out of the settlement.

Columbia, which has one of the states largest water systems, says it faces potentially millions of dollars in annual costs to clean up its water, in addition to the estimated $150 million to install filters on Columbias water.

In March, the city approved a $185,300 contract with the Black and Veatch Corp. to conduct a study on treatment alternatives to comply with the EPAs rules. That study may last up to 36 weeks.

Rickenmann called the federal limit on forever chemicals an unfunded mandate that will test cities like Columbia.

The costs researchers are anticipating are prohibitive, he said. From estimates, the costs would equal our entire general budget for water. Yeah, there are a lot of mayors and water systems concerned.

Rickenmann recently spoke out against the federal rule, saying it needed more study because of the projected expense of complying with the strict standards.

A DHEC chart released last year shows Columbias PFAS levels between four and five parts per trillion at its canal drinking water plant. More recent testing by the city in October 2023 found PFOS and PFOA coming into the canal plant on the Broad River at almost seven parts per trillion. Treated water was registering at 4.9 parts per trillion for PFOS and 6.3 parts per trillion for PFOA.

Despite Rickenmanns concerns, the EPA says it will provide time and financial assistance to help water systems test for PFAS and clean up the water. Water systems would have access to $9 billion to address PFAS contamination. Part of the $9 billion also could be used to help owners with private wells polluted by PFAS. The agency said it has another $12 billion available for general drinking water improvements through the federal bipartisan infrastructure law that could go toward PFAS cleanup.

Public water systems will have three years to conduct monitoring for the chemicals. Utilities have five years to install measures to reduce PFAS in drinking water, the EPA said.

Military bases and sewer sludge

Officials at the Environmental Working Group, which has called for PFAS controls for nearly a quarter century, said the PFAS drinking water limits are needed to protect public health.

Water utilities have known about this for years and the proposal has been out for more than a year, said Melanie Benesh, the groups vice president for government affairs. What comes next is implementation.

EPA Administrator Regan was traveling to Fayetteville, N.C., this week to announce the forever chemical limits. The Cape Fear River, a major drinking water source in eastern North Carolina, was found to have been contaminated heavily by forever chemicals in 2017 from a manufacturing plant.

Forever chemical pollution in public water systems is part of a larger concern in South Carolina and across the country. The hazardous compounds have been found in virtually every river and creek checked by state regulators, in addition to many private wells.

Some of the major suspected sources are industrial plants, particularly old textile factories, as well as military bases that used foam to fight fires; leaking landfills; and farm fields fertilized with sewer sludge.

Relatively little was known publicly for decades about PFAS, even though the chemicals had been developed in the 1940s. Manufacturers and distributors did not reveal the results of in house studies. Only when a West Virginia farmers cows began to die in the late 1990s, did forever chemicals gain wider attention nationally, in part because of the efforts of a diligent lawyer.

Today, we can celebrate a huge and long overdue victory for public health in this country, lawyer Rob Bilott said in a statement. Bilotts story inspired the movie Dark Waters.

Sewer sludge in South Carolina has been a potential source of PFAS in South Carolina, as well as pollution from industrial plants.

The State reported last year on the plight of families and farmers in Darlington County, whose water was polluted with PFAS. Many private wells were near farm fields that once used sludge from a local industrial plant as a low-cost fertilizer, and some of those who drank the water for years complained of illnesses, the newspaper reported in its series Toxic Deals. Farm fields across the state have relied on sewer sludge through the years, the newspaper reported.

PFAS from Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter also is suspected of polluting wells at surrounding mobile home parks.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Authorities in Kentucky say the cause of death for an 8-year-old boy was linked to fentanyl, not an allergic reaction thought to be caused by strawberries as originally believed.

Last month, police in Madisonville said they were called to a home for a boy, later identified as Trey Harris, who was found unresponsive and not breathing at a home. Before officers could arrive at the home, the boys family had rushed him to the emergency room, Nexstars WEHT previously reported. The boy was pronounced dead a short time later, police said.

According to authorities, Harris family said the 8-year-old had eaten several strawberries from a school fundraiser from the night before. When he began showing signs of a possible allergic reaction, primarily manifesting as a rash, Harris was given Benadryl and soaked in a bath.

The symptoms reportedly persisted, and the family said the boy was brought to an emergency room. After waiting for several hours, they decided to return home. Harris was later found unresponsive when his family tried to wake him for school in the morning.

At the time, detectives were told by hospital staff that others had come in for treatment after consuming strawberries believed to be from the same fundraiser. As a precaution, the Hopkins County Health Department and the Hopkins County Board of Education were notified of the situation and a warning was issued until more details could be identified as possible causes.

The health department also noted that the incident appeared to be linked to an allergic reaction to the strawberries.

But now, almost a month later, the Hopkins County Coroner says the Kentucky State Medical Examiners Office has ruled the cause of Harris death as fentanyl intoxication, and the manner of death as undetermined. Additional details were not released.

Antonio Person, Harris stepfather, was arrested in late March for several drug charges after a search warrant connected to the boys death was executed on their home. At the time of Persons arrest, Madisonville Police said there was no foul play suspect in Harris death.

According to the Hopkins County Jail, Person is now facing a new charge of manslaughter in the second degree.

On Tuesday, state health officials confirmed that extensive testing found the strawberries sold during the school fundraiser were safe to eat.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
As millions of Americans watched the total solar eclipse grace Midwest skies, firefighter Trent Baker was inside the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive claiming a once-in-a-lifetime prize.

Thats not lost on me! Baker told officials in an April 8 news release. I was making the joke that man, theres a lot going on this weekend: an earthquake in New York, a total eclipse, I won the lottery. What else is going to happen next? Maybe we shouldnt ask that question.

Baker won $1 million in an April 6 Powerball drawing, according to lottery officials. He was one of seven $1 million winners who were just one number away from getting a share of the $1.326 billion jackpot.

After scanning his winning ticket on the Lottery app, he couldnt believe what he was seeing.

I saw a 1 and a bunch of zeroes and I wasnt quite sure what it was right away, if it was a million, if it was a billion, Baker said. At that moment, it was panic mode.

Even his mother couldnt believe the news.

I called my mom and was like, I just won the lottery! he said. And she was like, No you didnt. And I could tell she didnt believe me. And I was like, I wouldnt call you at 6:45 in the morning if I didnt win the lottery!

To make his win feel like a reality, he took his ticket to the convenience store to have it scanned. The $1 million win was confirmed a second time.

The firefighter headed into work that Saturday to share the news with his co-workers, but he soon left to research his next steps. After speaking with a financial advisor, he determined he should pay off his student loans and invest the money for his retirement.

I dont want to squander it and have to try to work harder for it all over again, he told lottery officials. That was kind of my motivation behind it: This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, lets make it last as much as possible.

He also told lottery officials hell have to spend some of his winnings on treats for the fire department.

Its kind of an unwritten rule that if you get caught in the media, if you get pictures or video in the media and youre easily identifiable, that you owe the department ice cream, he said. And, I owe a lot of ice cream.

Clive is about a 10-mile drive west from Des Moines.

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 can be bought on the day of the drawing, but sales times and price 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.

70-year-old woman shot on her front porch during solar eclipse, Indiana cops say

Eclipse visitors were supposed to overwhelm Texas and its roads. Where was everybody?

Dont throw away safety glasses used to watch total eclipse in Texas. Do this instead
OXFORD, England (AP)  Humanity has only two years left to save the world by making dramatic changes in the way it spews heat-trapping emissions and it has even less time to act to get the finances behind such a massive shift, the head of the United Nations climate agency said.

With governments of the world facing a 2025 deadline for new and stronger plans to curb carbon pollution, nearly half of the world's populations voting in elections this year, and crucial global finance meetings later this month in Washington, United Nations executive climate secretary Simon Stiell said Wednesday he knows his warning may sound melodramatic. But he said action over the next two years is essential.

We still have a chance to make greenhouse gas emissions tumble, with a new generation of national climate plans. But we need these stronger plans, now, Stiell said in a speech at the Chatham House think tank in London. He suggested that climate action is not just for powerful people to address  in a not-so-veiled reference to the electoral calendar this year.

Who exactly has two years to save the world? The answer is every person on this planet, Stiell said. More and more people want climate action right across societies and political spectrums, in large part because they are feeling the impacts of the climate crisis in their everyday lives and their household budgets.

Crop-destroying droughts have increased the need for bolder action to curb emissions and help farmers adapt which could boost food security and lessen hunger, he said. Cutting fossil fuel pollution will mean better health and huge savings for governments and households alike, Stiell said.

Not everyone is convinced such warnings will be helpful.

"Two years to save the world is meaningless rhetoric  at best, its likely to be ignored, at worst, it will be counterproductive, said Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer, who is also a professor of international affairs.

Levels of carbon dioxide and methane in the air last year hit all-time highs, according to United States government calculations, while scientists calculate that the world's carbon dioxide emissions jumped 1.1%. Last year was the hottest year on record by far, global temperature monitoring groups concluded.

If emissions of carbon dioxide and methane from burning of coal, oil and natural gas continue to rise or don't start a sharp decline, Stiell said it will further entrench the gross inequalities between the worlds richest and poorest countries and communities" that are being worsened by climate change.

Story continues

And behind it all is money.

Stiell's speech comes just ahead of meetings of The World Bank and other big multinational development institutions, where poorer nations, led by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Kenyan President William Ruto, are pushing for major reforms in the systems that loan money to poor nations, especially those hit by climate-related disasters.

In conjunction with that push, Stiell called for a quantum leap this year in climate finance. He called for debt relief for the countries that need it the most, saying they are spending $400 billion on debt financing instead of preparing for and preventing future climate change.

He called for more financial aid, not just loans, and more money from different groups like banks, the International Maritime Organization, and the G20, the world's 20 most powerful economies. Those countries are responsible for 80% of the world's heat-trapping emissions, he said.

G20 leadership must be at the core of the solution, as it was during the great financial crisis, Stiell said.

"Every day, finance ministers, CEOs, investors, and development bankers direct trillions of dollars. Its time to shift those dollars from the energy and infrastructure of the past, towards that of a cleaner, more resilient future," Stiell said. And to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable countries benefit.

Officials said the climate finance problem needs to be fixed by the end of the year with November's climate negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan, a crucial point.

Stiell is absolutely right that timing and finance are the heart of the matter, said longtime climate analyst Alden Meyer of European think tank E3G. The carbon action plans submitted by next year will determine whether we can get on the trajectory of sharp emissions reductions needed to avoid much worse climate impacts than those we are already suffering today, he said.

With so many elections and places where democracies on the brink, climate finance related to carbon policy is on the line, said Nancy Lindborg, president of the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, at the Skoll World Forum, an ideas conference in Oxford, England.

Climate Analytics CEO Bill Hare said Stiell was listening to the science  namely that global emissions must be halved by the end of the decade to meet the Paris climate accord's ambition of capping global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit).

Governments are nowhere near that, and disastrously many are still supporting new fossil fuel development, Hare said. We need to see a massive strengthening of action now - faster ramping up of renewables, electric vehicles and batteries - if were to get serious reductions by 2030. The longer we wait, the more it will cost.

___

Keaten contributed from Geneva.

___

Read more of APs climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment

___

Follow Seth Borenstein on X at @borenbears and Jamey Keaten at @jameykeaten.

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
WYTHE COUNTY, Va. (WJHL)  Local firefighters helped rescue a bear cub from a brush fire in Wythe County, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources announced Wednesday.

Firefighters saved a young bear cub found abandoned and afraid amidst a brush fire in Wythe County on March 15, a post from the department stated.

Despite efforts to reunite the cub with its mother, the bear is safe and sound at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, the post said. The cub will join another cub rescued on March 27 in Scott County, Virginia at the center.

Bears emerging from hibernation in Northeast Tennessee

Courtesy of Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

The cub will stay at the Wildlife Center of Virginia while waiting for a foster family in the wild.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources thanked Office Rorabaugh, local firefighters and the Wildlife Center of Virginia team for their work in the rescue.

To follow along on the bear cubs journey at the wildlife center, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A house fire in Oceanside resulted in one person being taken to the hospital for burns and smoke inhalation on Tuesday, first responders said.

The blaze occurred around 10:27 a.m. at 909 South Pacific St., the Oceanside Fire Department said in a news release.

Bookkeeper found guilty of burning down auto business in Kearny Mesa

Firefighters were able to rescue one person, who was awake and conscious, from the second story of the building, according to fire officials. The victim was taken to the burn center at the University of California, San Diego, where their status is unknown at this time.

The fire was contained to only two rooms of the residence as firefighters extinguished the flames after 13 minutes.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.



For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
First-of-its-kind event brings brain tumor specialists to WSB-TV to talk about advances in treatment

There is promise in the fight against brain tumors.

We lost our colleague Jovita Moore in 2021 to a rare, aggressive brain cancer and now the WSB-TV family is supporting the work of the National Brain Tumor Society with a 5K and a first-of-its-kind event in Georgia.

For Kymberlee Baker it started with dizziness.

I had a large mass on my brainstem. They had to remove two tumors they were the size of kiwi fruit, Baker said.

She was going through treatment at the same time as Jovita, who in 2021, went from anchoring a newscast to the emergency room to a diagnosis of aggressive brain cancer.

Jovita fought with grit and grace, urging everyone else that if something doesnt feel right to get checked out.

Now she is inspiring change.

We know a lot more about brain tumors than we ever have, said Dr. Edjah K. Nduom, who was Jovitas doctor, told Channel 2s Linda Stouffer.

On Wednesday, he came to WSB-TV with the National Brain Tumor Society sharing the promise of targeted new treatments and sharing why this fight is picking up steam.

RELATED STORIES:

I lost my beloved husband to glioblastoma and Im going to try to get through this, but its still so tough, one of the speakers said.

Heres how you can help too. The Georgia Brain Tumor Walk and Race 5k is coming back for a second year on May 11.

The way that she shared her story with so many certainly has heightened awareness and has led to things like The Georgia Brain Tumor Walk and the partnership with WSB-TV, Nduom said. That support, that awareness is only going to make it more likely that we can have better treatments, a cure in the future so people dont have a tragic story like Jovita did.

Baker told Stouffer that in the heartache there is also hope.

Every time I go to the Capitol and to fight for cancer research, I always bring her name up. Im always living in her space because she still has a voice, Baker said.

We also want to remind you about the Jovita Moore HBCU Undergraduate Scholarship. It helps metro Atlanta students attend HBCUs, including several here in Atlanta.

That money is from the Jaguar Foundation, which Jovita worked with for years.

If you want to donate, you can do so by CLICKING HERE.

RELATED NEWS:
Utahs first lady Abby Cox underwent surgery at the University of Utah Hospital on Wednesday. Jon Pierpont, chief of staff to Gov. Spencer Cox, released the following statement about the procedure:

After weeks of debilitating pain, First Lady Abby Cox underwent surgery on her spine to remove degenerative discs in her neck. The first family is grateful to the surgeons, doctors and staff at the University of Utah for their attention and care, and appreciates the prayers and support from so many Utahns. The first lady looks forward to a speedy recovery and resuming her duties soon.

On social media Wednesday morning, Gov. Cox said Its been a rough few weeks at our house. Abby and I feel terrible that weve had to miss some important events, but we feel so blessed for your love and prayers. We are lucky to have such skilled surgeons and amazing staff here at the U. Better days ahead!

Our hearts and our thoughts and our prayers are with Abby and we expect a full and quick recovery, Lt. Gov Deidre Henderson said a Thursday press conference.

The first lady has focused on Showing Up while she and Gov. Spencer Cox have occupied the governors mansion. Her initiatives focus on service, teachers, foster families and Special Olympics Unified Sports. She says You can pretend to care, but you cant pretend to show up. Through the Show Up initiative, she wants to encourage Utahns everywhere to reach out wherever they are and however they can to lift others, serve, give support and be willing to learn about and appreciate different points of view. She said, We Show Up with empathy and understanding instead of prejudice and animosity. We Show Up with open hearts and willing minds.

She also has a podcast, First Lady and Friends, where she interviews a variety of people on the ways they show up in the community. Most recently, her guests have included Meikel Reece, Emotional & Relational Intelligence Consultant; Vanessa Quigley, the Cofounder of Chatbooks; Mark Ernst and Charlie Roberts from the Tooele School District.

At heart, Utahs first lady is still a farm girl. She calls the Governors Mansion the apartment above the museum. Abbys candor is one of her most consistent characteristics, say people close to her. She even adds a few choice farm girl words, when expressing some of her stronger opinions. I think people have an image or an idea or a stereotype of what a first lady is, or should be or should care about, Abby says. Who I am is real, who I am is a farm girl. Who I am is my daddys girl who taught me how to work and be who I am and be strong and connect with people.

She also doesnt believe in fluff. In a profile piece on Abby Cox by the Deseret News last year, Sarah Allred, director of first lady initiatives said (Abby) is not looking for the shiniest or easiest thing to do. She wants to do whats most helpful.
For the first time in 220 years, 17- and 13-year cicadas will emerge together. Millions could come to Wisconsin

For many Wisconsinites, cicadas chirping is a quintessential sound of summer.

However, large groups of these insects can be a nuisance. They litter the ground with their crunchy carcasses, and thousands can form a loud, eerie chorus.

Parts of southern Wisconsin are expected to see far more cicadas than usual this summer. That's because a type known as Brood XIII, or 17-year cicadas, is emerging for the first time since 2007 in five Midwestern states.

But that's not all. For the first time in over two centuries, the emergence of the 17-year cicadas will coincide with the surfacing of Brood XIX  13-year cicadas. Experts say this could mean billions of cicadas crowding the U.S. this summer.

So, why do these insects emerge so infrequently, and which broods will pop up in Wisconsin and where? Here's what to know.

A 17-year cicada clings to a leaf in Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva on June 7, 2007. The 17-year cicada is expected to emerge again in southern Wisconsin this year.

What are 17-year cicadas? What are 13-year cicadas?

There are many types of cicadas in North America. Some emerge every year, often in July and August. These cicadas have life cycles of about 2-3 years, PJ Liesch, extension entomologist and director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Insect Diagnostics Lab, told the Journal Sentinel.

Other cicadas emerge far less frequently. These are known as periodical species. There are seven of them in North America  three species emerge every 17 years and four emerge every 13 years, Liesch said. Periodical cicadas live below ground for most of their lives, only emerging in their final year.

Of the species emerging in 2024, Brood XIII is a 17-year periodical cicada, and Brood XIX is a 13-year species.

When will the cicadas emerge?

Broods XIII and XIX are expected to emerge in mid-May and stop in late June, according to USA TODAY. Around June, some of the Midwest will see cicadas swarms numbering in the thousands or millions.

Double cicada broods will emerge this summer for the first time in over 200 years.

Where will 17-year cicadas be in 2024?

The 17-year cicadas will emerge in five Midwestern states, including Wisconsin, according to the website Cicada Mania. They are expected to appear in parts of southern Wisconsin, much of northern and central Illinois, eastern Iowa, and small portions of northwestern Indiana and southern Michigan. They last emerged in 2007.

Liesch doesn't expect all of southern Wisconsin to be overrun by cicadas, but certain spots could be. Historically, he said, some of the biggest cicada numbers have been seen in the Chicagoland area. Lake Geneva is also a hot spot for the insects.

"If you're in one of those spots, they can be extremely dense, millions or billions in small areas," he said. "You could have maybe 20 to 25 emergence holes per square foot in a lawn. It's a very, very dense population."

Where will the 13-year cicadas be in 2024?

Brood XIX 13-year cicadas will emerge in 14 states across the Southeast and Midwest this summer, according to Cicada Mania. Brood XIX last emerged in 2011.

The brood will surface in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. They will be most widespread in Missouri and southern Illinois.

Illinois and Iowa are expected to see both 17-year and 13-year cicadas this summer. This is the first time since 1803 that broods XIII and XIX will emerge during the same summer. This double-emergence isn't predicted to occur again until 2245.

Why do the cicadas only come out every 13-17 years?

It's not completely known why certain cicadas emerge so infrequently, but it's thought to aid the species' reproduction and survival.

"If you were an insect that emerged on a very regular basis, other wildlife might pick up on that," Liesch said. "If you had a two-year or three-year pattern, it's possible that some longer-lived vertebrates  mammals or birds or something like that  might be able to cue in on that. But, if you're talking about these relatively large numbers, 13 or 17 years, that's much, much harder to predict."

Additionally, the large number of cicadas that emerge all at once ensures that there are too many for predators to eat, meaning enough will be left to reproduce, Liesch said.

Are cicadas harmful or dangerous?

Cicadas do not bite or sting, and they are harmless to people and animals ... in fact, they're even safe to eat. However, the insects can damage certain trees when they emerge.

When the females lay eggs, they cut slits into the ends of twigs and insert those eggs into the slits, Liesch said. This doesn't pose a concern for large, mature trees; the tips of those trees' branches and twigs might die, but the trees will survive.

But, newer, younger trees can be harmed by a large number of cicada eggs.

Liesch recommends a simple remedy: placing mesh netting over young trees to keep the insects away. Experts also recommend holding off planting new trees until the fall or next year.

More: The 2024 cicada invasion: How to save your trees and shrubs from damage

Journal Sentinel reporter Drew Dawson and USA TODAY reporter Emily DeLetter contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are there so many cicadas in Wisconsin this summer?
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The Akron-based energy company at the center of a $60 million bribery scheme in Ohio gave a secret $1 million contribution to a dark money group backing Republican Lt. Gov. Jon Husted in his 2018 bid for governor, cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer reported Wednesday.

The contribution from FirstEnergy Corp. to Freedom Frontier, a political 501(c)(4) nonprofit, came at the onset of the House Bill 6 scandal, when dark money groups were being created that would ultimately be used to funnel bribe money to Republican Larry Householder as he secured the Ohio House speakership, elected allies and passed and defended a $1 billion bailout for two of the company's affiliated nuclear power plants.

Householder is serving 20 years in federal prison for masterminding the scheme, after being convicted of racketeering last year. He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in a separate state criminal case. He has appealed his federal conviction.

The seven-figure payment was revealed in a 600-page, 2022 deposition of a FirstEnergy executive who was testifying in a lawsuit brought by shareholders, which the news organization obtained through a public records request.

At the time it was made, Husted was viewed as a leading contender for governor. That was, until he agreed to merge his campaign with DeWines. The payment was not made directly to Husted's campaign, but to an independent expenditure group. Husted's spokeswoman, Hayley Carducci, said Husted  who is positioning for a 2026 gubernatorial run  was not affiliated with Freedom Frontier.

After DeWine and Husted were elected in November 2018, Husted helped to advance Sam Randazzo as the fledgling administration's nominee to chair the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, charged with regulating FirstEnergy and Ohio's other utility companies. DeWine pushed Randazzo as Ohio's top utility regulator over the strident warnings of his deep ties to FirstEnergy by fellow Republicans, which were first reported by The Associated Press in 2020.

Randazzo, who was facing dozens of federal and state charges in connection with the scandal, including for taking a $4.3 million bribe from FirstEnergy in exchange for regulatory favors, was found dead Tuesday.

Neither DeWine nor Husted has ever been accused of criminal or civil wrongdoing related to either the passage of HB 6 or Randazzo's appointment. However, documents belonging to the two were subpoenaed as part of the investors' lawsuit and Husted was scheduled to be deposed.

Freedom Frontier wasn't required to disclose its donors. Of $2.2 million in contributions in reported on its 2017 tax return, the nonprofit gave more than $1 million to Ohio Conservatives for a Change, cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer reported, a federal super PAC that backed Husteds campaign.
A bill to reauthorize the nations warrantless surveillance powers passed a key hurdle in the House on Tuesday even as it still faces a rocky pathway to the Senate  including a floor fight over whether to add a warrant requirement to the bill.

The House Rules Committee on Tuesday gave its blessing to a bill that would reauthorize for five years Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which greenlights the government to spy on foreigners located abroad.

The Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act includes a number of reforms to provide greater oversight of how agencies, particularly the FBI, use a tool that also sweeps up the communications of Americans who communicate with those being surveilled.

But while billed as a compromise measure, it comes after months of feuding between the Houses Intelligence and Judiciary committees, pushing its consideration up against the April 19th deadline.

The latest bill also hews more closely to the prior Intel legislation, reigniting frustration from Judiciary members who want a warrant requirement for accessing Americans data  a detail set to be handled in a floor showdown on a controversial amendment to add one.

In many ways, the bills future hinges on that amendment. Though loudest in Republican circles, many lawmakers have said they will not back a FISA reauthorization if the warrant amendment is not approved.

To privacy hawks its a needed protection. For the intelligence community, it would essentially gut the law and eliminate a key national security tool.

Without the warrant requirement I dont think weve protected Americans in the way that we should, House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who has been among those leading the charge for adding such an amendment to the 702 legislation, told the committee.

If youre going to look at this, what I call the haystack of information that is collected, which has Americans informationthen you should go to a separate and equal branch of government to get a warrant to do so, Jordan added.

Without that in the legislation, were not going to support it.

But Intel committee leaders echoed the warnings of the intelligence community, who said doing so would blind stop law enforcement to key information and stop them from acting in real time, as it could take weeks to secure a warrant.

Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.), the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, noted that in many cases, agencies like the FBI are using the 702 database to ferret out information on potential threats  information that would likely be insufficient to get a traditional warrant.

Say a member of Congress has been discussed by Chinese intelligence officers. Theres no real worry that the member of Congress is engaged in a crime. But obviously, our intelligence community would like to know why Chinese intelligence officers are talking about a member of Congress, Himes said.

If we pick up that an ISIS leader is talking to an individual in Los Angeles, who is by definition a U.S. person, we have no idea why that conversation is occurring. It could be a family member or a friend. So you cannot go to a judge and say, We have no idea why this communication is occurring, but we want you to issue us a probable cause warrant. That is why the administration says the passage of a warrant requirement would shut this program down.

The scene at the House Rules Committee on Tuesday was emblematic of the unusual fault lines underlying the debate. Jordan sat alongside Judiciary ranking member Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) to pitch a warrant requirement, while House Intelligence Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and Himes argued against it, even as they backed the concept of allowing the matter to come to a floor vote.

Tensions flared between the two sides, with members of the Rules panel getting annoyed as they bickered among themselves rather than addressing members of the committee.

Its clear that you dont agree with each other, Rules ranking member Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said, urging them to cut to the chase by noting both sides agreed the matter should be weighed by the full House.

If were all in agreement, [the warrant amendment] should hopefully be made in order and we can debate this on the House floor.

Even without the warrant requirement, the bill includes significant reforms to address concerns about prior abuse by the FBI.

FBI supervisors or attorneys, a group of about 500 people, would have to approve any agent query that might involve U.S. citizens. While that figure in prior year was quite high, its dropped substantially since a shift in the FBI search portal that had opted agents into searching the 702 database. By doing so the number of searches impacting Americans plummeted from 2.9 million in 2022 to 119,000 last year.

The bill also requires an after-the-fact review of all 702 queries of U.S. citizens and agents now face both civil and criminal penalties if they improperly use the database.

Nonetheless, those in favor of a warrant say the legislation wont do enough to limit access to Americans information, whose communications with foreign targets may be reviewed.

Courts have already ruled that you have no constitutional right to privacy as an American to correspond with an ISIS head whos a foreigner located abroad. That is not protected communication, Turner said, noting that the government would be able to access only Americans messages and responses to those being surveilled while having no insight into their communications with anyone else.

Dont let anybody tell you this is a warrantless program surveilling Americans.

National security leaders have been making the rounds in recent days stumping for the bill.

That includes an all-member House briefing slated for Wednesday with national security leaders in what could be the final chance to touch base with lawmakers ahead of the vote.

A senior administration official noted in a call with reporters Friday that 224 members of the House, as well as 23 members of the Senate, were not in Congress the last time FISA 702 was reauthorized.

FBI Director Christopher Wray used his comments to the American Bar Association Tuesday to plead for passage of the bill without a warrant requirement, highlighting changes made at the agency level to curb abuse that will be codified by the new bill.

He noted the legality of the program has been repeatedly upheld, determining there is no constitutional requirement to get a warrant for information that was lawfully collected.

If theres no constitutional, legal, or compliance necessity for a warrant requirement, then Congress would be making a policy choice to require us to blind ourselves to intelligence in our holdings. And if thats the path thats chosen, I can tell you that it will have real-world consequences on our ability to disrupt the threats I outlined-on our ability to protect the American people, Wray said.

There are plenty of ways to ensure compliance without paralyzing us and our ability to move fast. Weve proven that.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Maxar company has released satellite images showing the flooding in Russia's Orenburg Oblast. The Kremlin believes that the flood forecast is unfavourable and that the water level will continue to rise.

Source: Maxar; Skhemy (Schemes), Radio Liberty's investigative journalism programme; Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti

Details: Maxar has released images of several settlements in Russia's Orenburg Oblast, including the regional centre, which have been flooded by seasonal floods and a dam break in the city of Orsk.

Flooding continues along many rivers and tributaries of the Ural River.

The images were taken between 3 and 9 April 2024.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian leader Vladimir Putin, noted that the flood forecasts were disappointing and that the water level was continuing to rise.

Water is coming to new regions. Peskov said the situation is very tense, but Russian leader Vladimir Putin has no plans to visit the affected areas. Peskov claimed that he is constantly "receiving information and coordinating the work of all branches of government".

   .    . :   pic.twitter.com/7qD352H9cL     (@ukrpravda_news) April 10, 2024

Background:

On 5 April, a dam burst in Orsk, a city of about 189,000 people. Residents of the most affected areas were evacuated. Then, another breach followed, with water reaching the regional centre of Orenburg, where several districts were also flooded. A state of emergency was introduced in Orenburg Oblast.

The oil refinery's work was suspended on 7 April due to flooding after a second dam burst in the Russian city of Orsk, and water reached another large city, Orenburg.

Support UP or become our patron!
Floods ravage regions of Russia and Kazakhstan, but worse is yet to come

Floods have swamped parts of Russia and Kazakhstan after Europes third-longest river burst its banks, forcing more than 100,000 people to evacuate and sparking protests against the authorities.

The Ural River, which flows from Russias Ural Mountains through Kazakhstan to the Caspian Sea, was swelled this week by snow melt, causing a deluge in dozens of towns and cities along the border.

Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the flooding might be the biggest disaster in terms of its scale and impact in more than 80 years.

In Russias Orenburg region, nearly 13,000 residential buildings were flooded, forcing more than 7,700 people to be evacuated, the local government said Wednesday. Water levels in Orenburg city reached 996 centimeters (around 33 feet), according to the mayor  far exceeding the official critical level of 930 centimeters.

The forecast is unfavorable. The water level continues to rise in flood-affected areas, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday.

The Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin would on Wednesday receive reports from the governors of the three seriously affected regions: Orenburg, Kurgan and Tyumen. The governor of Kurgan warned the region was expecting a large influx of water from Thursday to Sunday.

A woman walks near her flooded house in Orenburg on Wednesday. - AP

Despite the crisis, Putin has no plans to visit the flooded regions, Peskov said, because local officials were carrying out intense work and the population is being provided with all the necessary assistance.

Although he is not physically there, he is constantly present on this topic. He constantly deals with these issues throughout the day, Peskov said.

Residents have repeatedly called on the president for assistance. Video posts on social media showed hundreds of protesters gathering outside the city hall in Orsk, Orenburg, chanting Shame! Shame! and Putin, help! Other footage showed demonstrators accusing the state of doing nothing and criticizing the citys mayor, Vasily Kozupitsa.

We feed emergency ministry workers with pies and dumplings and bring them thermoses Kozupitsa cannot even provide for emergency workers. Shame! one woman could be heard saying.

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, also criticized the Kremlin.

The authorities in our country never seem to be prepared for anything. In winter, they are unprepared for frost and snowstorms, in summer - for fires, and in spring - for floods, she wrote Tuesday on X.

An aerial view shows the edge of the Kazakh city of Petropavl on Wednesday. - Evgeniy Lukyanov/AFP/Getty Images

In a thread, Navalnaya also shared Telegram videos showing local officials responding unsympathetically to affected residents. In one video, Orenburg governor Denis Pasler tells a news conference he should be on vacation rather than responding to the floods. In another, he tells the public to put away their phones and not record his comments.

Its like in the Soviet Union: if a catastrophe occurs, first, it must be covered up, Navalnaya added.

In another video, Russias Emergency Situations Minister Aleksandr Kurenkov claims that the evacuation was announced a week ago and that the public chose not to leave because they thought it was a joke. But, in an interview with a local news outlet, a resident of Orsk said: This is nonsense. There was no warning.

South of the border, more than 96,000 people have been evacuated in Kazakhstan, the government said in a statement. Nearly 3,000 people were airlifted from flood-hit regions and more than 7,600 are staying in temporary accommodation, according to Yerassyl Saipash, a senior officer at the Kazakh Emergencies Ministry.

More than 8.5 million tons of meltwater has been pumped away, Kazakh state media Kazinform reported Wednesday.

Putin and his Kazakh counterpart spoke about the situation on Wednesday, the Kremlin said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The right-wing assault on public health didnt end with Covid conspiracies. The attack is ongoing, and as it unfolds, were seeing examples of how a country under Republican control could pervert the concepts of health and wellness to align with pseudoscientists and far-right hucksters.

This fear came to mind as I read a new Daily Beast report on attempts by conservative anti-vaxxers to win control of the medical board that oversees the prestigious Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida.

As the Beast reports, the group of contenders looking to win seats on the board includes Mary Flynn ONeill, sister of former Trump adviser and conspiracy theorist Michael Flynn.

According to the outlet:

A victory for the conspiracy theorists would allow them to set standards for what qualifies as effective and ethical health care  a horrifying prospect. Florida is already offering a crash course in the dangers of allowing pseudoscience to drive health policy, in the policies of its surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo.

And yet Florida alone doesnt paint the full picture of the conservative movements assault on public health. Theres more where that came from should conservatives win the White House and control of Congress this fall. As my colleague Steve Benen explained over on the MaddowBlog, Donald Trump has said that, if elected, hed cut federal funding for schools that have any kind of vaccination mandate. Its as if to compensate for taking credit for the Covid-19 vaccines, Trump is trying to prove his antiscientific bona fides by condemning vaccines altogether.

And Republicans in the House of Representatives have proposed a bill that would effectively cut off public health research at the knees. As I wrote last month, their proposal to ban funding for medical schools that study disparate health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities would essentially prohibit crucial public health studies and negatively affect public health for all communities.

The conservative movements broad rejection of health institutions and the experts who lead them has terrifying implications for Americans well-being and vitality. The right-wing crusade at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Trumps vow to punish schools with vaccination mandates and the GOP assault on health disparities represent the breadth of the disaster that awaits public health if Republicans claim victory this fall.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Last month, Boeing and its subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences sued Virgin Galactic, accusing Richard Bransons space venture of skipping on bills and holding onto trade secrets. Now, Virgin has returned fire.

The company last week countersued Boeing and Aurora, accusing the struggling aerospace company of shoddy and incomplete work. According to Reuters, Virgin Galactic said Boeing is breaching its contract and attempting to unlawfully force the return of intellectual property.

Virgin Galactic is seeking damages totaling $45 million, an amount it said it had already shelled out to Aurora for help in developing its next-generation Mothership, which is the large jet that carries Virgins ship to the edge of space. The company claimed the amount it paid was substantially in excess of the actual value of Boeings performance.

Most Read on IEN:

In a statement obtained by Reuters, Boeing blasted the complaint and said "we intend to vigorously defend our intellectual property and the work performed."

The public battle between the two aerospace companies began unfolding last month when Boeing filed suit against Virgin Galactic, claiming more than $26 million in unpaid invoices. The Boeing complaint also accused Bransons company of refusing to delete the equations.

These equations allow Boeing and Aurora to model aircraft stability and control with exceptional accuracy beyond that which is commonly available in the aerospace industry, the lawsuit reads. These equations are valuable to Boeing and Aurora because they give it a distinct competitive advantage in accurately modeling aircraft stability and control.

The legal battle comes as Boeing is attempting a culture change amid increased scrutiny and investigations into its manufacturing practices following high-profile issues with its planes. That includes an incident earlier this year when an Alaska Airlines flight lost a panel mid-flight.

For Virgin Galactic, the Mothership fight with Boeing is happening as the company is focusing on completing work on its Delta-class spaceship and opening a new factory in Arizona this year.

Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida deputy was covered in a white, powdery substance on Monday after a device exploded during a traffic stop, according to the Putnam County Sheriffs Office.

Charles David Legault, 60, of Crescent City, was pulled over at an intersection in Putnam County when the deputy noticed drug paraphernalia and a gun, according to the sheriffs office. During the search, something exploded, covering the deputy in a white, powdery substance.

The deputy was taken to a hospital and later released, according to the sheriffs office. The area was closed while hazardous material teams and a bomb squad investigated.

The substance was determined to be chlorine-based, and no other devices were found in the vehicle, deputies said.

Courtesy: Putnam County Sheriffs Office/Facebook

Courtesy: Putnam County Sheriffs Office/Facebook

Courtesy: Putnam County Sheriffs Office/Facebook

Legault was also allegedly found with pistol magazines and a suppressor in his overalls, deputies said.

This is very visual proof that traffic stops are never routine, Sheriff H.D. Gator DeLoach said in a Facebook post. We are so very thankful that our deputy only needed minor treatment for his injuries as this could have been much worse.

Legault was charged with possession of an explosive, aggravated battery on law enforcement and a weapons charge, deputies said. He is held in the Putnam County Jail without bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A Florida judge yesterday ruled against a Lantana homeowner who faces more than $165,000 in fines for three minor code violations that harmed no one. Sandy Martinez, who is represented by the Institute for Justice (I.J.), argued that the financially crippling demand, which stems from driveway cracks, a storm-damaged fence, and cars that were parked partially on her own lawn, violates the Florida Constitution's ban on excessive fines and its guarantee of due process. But Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge Luis Delgado granted the city's motion for summary judgment, concluding that the fines were not "grossly disproportionate."

Martinez hopes to persuade Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal that Delgado is wrong about that. "Six-figure fines for parking on your own property are outrageous," says I.J. attorney Mike Greenberg. "The Florida Constitution's Excessive Fines Clause was designed to stop precisely this sort of abuseto prevent people from being fined into poverty for trivial violations. The court's opinion renders those bedrock protections a dead letter. We will appeal."

Martinez's debt to the city began accumulating in 2013, when she was cited for cracks in her driveway. For a single mother with a modest income who was living from one paycheck to another, the cost of laying a new driveway was hard to manage. But in the meantime, daily fines of $75 continued to accrue, eventually reaching a total of $16,125 with interest"far greater than the cost of an entirely new driveway," she notes in the lawsuit that she filed against the city in February 2021.

In 2015, Martinez was cited for a fence that had been knocked down by a storm. Again, the repairs necessary to bring her into compliance were more expensive than she could immediately afford. While she waited for her insurance company to pay her claim for the fence, daily fines of $125 accumulated, eventually hitting a total of $47,375 with interest"several times the cost of the repair and substantially more than the cost of a completely new fence," according to her complaint.

Finally, Martinez was cited in 2019 for improperly parking cars on her own property. At the time, she was living with her three children, her mother, and her sister. Martinez, her two adult children, and her sister all had cars that they used to travel from home to work and back. Her street has no curbs and is not wide enough to accommodate parked cars. Since Martinez and her relatives could not legally and safely park on the street, the driveway seemed like the only viable option. When all four cars were parked at Martinez's home, two of them sometimes extended slightly beyond the driveway, which is flanked by her lawn and a walkway.

As Martinez's complaint notes, "parking on one's own front yard space, even a tiny bit, is illegal in Lantana." The penalty is $250 per day and fines continue to accrue until a city inspector verifies that the violation has been corrected. Although Martinez says she promptly fixed the parking issue by making sure no car was touching her grass and left a voicemail message with the code enforcement office requesting a compliance check, no inspector came by. Unbeknownst to her, the fines continued to accumulate for more than a year.

By the time the city deigned to recognize that the parking problem had been corrected, Martinez's complaint says, the total bill was $101,750, "nearly four times her annual income." Martinez understandably thinks "it's ridiculous that Lantana would charge me over $100,000 for parking on my own grass that I paid for."

The city's concern about cars parked on grass seems to be strangely selective. City officials suggested that Martinez could resolve the issue by parking one or more cars on the grassy area between the sidewalk and the street. She rejected that option because she lives at the intersection of two busy streets where car accidents are common. "Just a month or two after the case was filed," Greenberg says, "there was a three-car crash" at that intersection, and photos showed that "if a car had been parked where the city suggested that she park, it would have been severely damaged." But as far as the city was concerned, parking entirely on publicly owned grass was perfectly fine, while parking on your own lawn, even slightly, was intolerable.

Greenberg notes another counterintuitive distinction that the city draws between parking on public vs. private property. If you illegally park a car on the street, that violation triggers a one-time fine; the city cannot fine you again unless it verifies that you have failed to move the car. But if you illegally park a car on your own property, Greenberg says, "they just assume that that violation continues indefinitely until an inspector comes out and confirms that it's not ongoing anymore." And meanwhile, the daily fines pile up.

That approach, I.J. argues, violates the right to due process. In effect, Greenberg says, the city is "treating each day as its own independent offense" without "proof that the offense actually happened."

In view of Martinez's financial circumstances, the city eventually offered to let her settle her bill by paying $25,000. But at the time, Greenberg says, that was "over half of her annual income," and "that offer was only good for about three months." Because "she didn't come up with that $25,000 in three months," he says, the city again demanded the full amount of $165,250.

Those fines are not excessive, Delgado ultimately concludes in his 10-page order. But before he addresses that question, he faults Martinez for failing to attend code enforcement hearings. Greenberg notes that the hearings were scheduled "on weeknights at about 5:30 p.m.," which made them difficult for Martinez to attend given her work and parenting responsibilities. In any case, he says, the only point of the hearings was to determine whether the violations had occurred, which Martinez did not contest.

There were indisputably cracks in Martinez's driveway, her fence definitely was knocked down by a storm, and she admitted that car tires had impermissibly touched her grass. Her argument was that the resulting penalties were incommensurate with those violations.

If that is what Martinez thought, Delgado says, she should have challenged the fines in the circuit court within 30 days of "the final decision's execution," as required by law. Greenberg says holding Martinez to that deadline "doesn't make sense when the fines are continuing to run and we don't know what the final amount is going to be." For the driveway and fence violations, the fines kept accumulating "until she [could] save up the money to fix the problem." And Martinez says she thought she had taken care of the parking violation until she discovered, more than a year later, that no one from the city had verified her compliance. By then, the initially modest bill had ballooned into six figures.

Delgado was unfazed by those complications. Because Martinez missed the 30-day window, he says, she gave up her right to argue that the city's code enforcement is unconstitutional as applied to her, which would amount to "a collateral attack upon an order concerning matters that could have been properly raised on appeal." As Delgado sees it, that means Martinez can only argue that Lantana's code enforcement system is unconstitutional on its face, meaning "no set of circumstances exist" in which application of the ordinance would be constitutional. The significance of that distinction is unclear, however, because Delgado does eventually seem to consider whether Lantana's system of fines is unconstitutional as applied to Martinez.

"Fines are excessive when they shock the conscience and are unreasonably harsh or oppressive penalties in proportion to the violations to be redressed," Delgado writes, but "substantial deference should be given to the legislature's determination of an appropriate fine." The fines imposed on Martinez, he says, "were well within the range deemed appropriate."

Even considering the accumulation of fines and interest, Delgado says, the sum that Martinez owes is "not grossly disproportionate to her offense." He argues that "the fines are proportionate to the harm caused in the sense that the violations have been enduring for a number of years." In other words, Delgado thinks it is reasonable to penalize Martinez for her inability to make repairs she could not immediately afford and for her mistake in thinking that the parking violation had been resolved.

Delgado mentions Martinez's claim that Lantana's ordinance "violates due process because it establishes limitless fines that led to the specific fines at issue." But he does not address the argument that Lantana imposes those "limitless fines" by presuming ongoing code violations without proof of them.

Having addressed Martinez's specific claims of hardship and disproportionality after saying it was too late for her to raise them, Delgado applies the stricter requirements for a facial challenge. "Though the fines imposed are admittedly high, the code and statute itself are not inherently arbitrary, discriminatory, or oppressive," he says, and Martinez "has failed to establish that there is no set of circumstances in which the acts would be valid."

Greenberg thinks Delgado's deference to legislative wisdom is misplaced in the context of a constitutional challenge like this one. If the legislature's determination of appropriate fines is the only test, he wonders, "why have constitutional protections in the first place?" The whole point of those guarantees, he notes, is to "protect us from legislative encroachments."

Fines like these "are not just abusive," I.J. attorney Ari Bargil says. "They are also unconstitutional. We look forward to continuing this battle on Sandy's behalf to ensure that all Floridians can be free from astronomical fines like those imposed by Lantana in this case."

The post A Florida Judge Says $165,000 in Fines for 3 Minor Code Violations Is Not 'Excessive' appeared first on Reason.com.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A real estate agent was assaulted while setting up for an open house on Saturday in Palm Coast, according to officials.

The Flagler County Sheriffs Office responded to a home on Princeton Lane around 11 a.m. after the woman called 911 and told the operator she was just assaulted.

Pasco teacher who AI-generated sexually explicit content of 3rd-grader, sent her gifts, told her he loved her: affidavit

When deputies arrived, the woman said an older man drove by several times and waved at her before he stopped in front of the home. The woman told him the open house wasnt starting for another 20 minutes.

The woman said when she walked inside, the man, later identified as 78-year-old Carlos Da Silva, of Palm Coast, followed her in, asking her a series of real estate questions and then advising that it wasnt safe for her to be alone.

Thats when Da Silva went to shake her hand, pulled her in tightly, and began kissing her neck. In an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC affiliate WESH, the woman said he held her tight in his arms to the point she was unable to free himself and that before he left, he took one of her business cards, saying hed talk to her soon.

Deputies located Da Silvas vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. He claimed he didnt stop in that area of town that day, before changing his story, saying he only stopped briefly to talk to a woman. He then admitted to going into the home, pulling her in for a hug, but said he immediately left after.

Car gets lodged in fence near Busch Gardens

This creep saw an opportunity to prey on a woman, but I doubt he expected her to bravely fight him off and turn him in, Sheriff Staly said. Because of the victims quick thinking and the quick work of our team he found a new home at the Green Roof Inn.

Da Silva was arrested for simple battery and burglary on a dwelling with assault and battery since the open house hadnt begun. He was taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held without bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
A Florida woman was sentenced to a month in jail on Tuesday after stealing and selling a diary belonging to President Joe Bidens daughter.

The diary in question belonged to Ashley Biden, who left it and other items in storage at a friends house in Delray Beach, Florida, where she had been staying in 2020. Federal prosecutors said Aimee Harris later moved into the same room and found the younger Bidens personal items. Harris later got in touch with an associate, Robert Kurlander, and the pair conspired to sell the diary to Project Veritas.

The activist group  which has made a name in conservative circles for its attempts to embarrass Democrats and members of the media  agreed to pay them $40,000 after convincing the pair to return to the Florida home and source other items including tax documents and clothing.

Harris, 41, initially argued the items had been abandoned but she pleaded guilty in the scheme in 2022.

Aimee Harris, right, walks out of Manhattan federal court, on April 9, 2024, in New York. The Florida mother has been sentenced to a month in prison and three months of home confinement for stealing and selling President Joe Biden's daughter's diary four years ago. AP Photo/Larry Neumeister

She repeatedly missed sentencing dates that would have likely seen her only serve probation, The New York Times reports. Federal prosecutors had only recommended she serve up to six months of home confinement, but Harris repeatedly claimed she was sick or had issues with child care and could not appear at her sentencing.

Prosecutors later said Harris had repeatedly and consistently engaged in tactics to improperly delay this proceeding.

A Manhattan judge ordered her to serve a month in jail and also sentenced her to three months of home confinement. Harris will be subject to three years probation and has been ordered to pay back the money she made selling the diary.

I do not believe I am above the law, Harris said in court before her sentencing, adding she was a survivor of domestic abuse and trauma. She apologized to the presidents daughter and said she regretted her actions.

Kurlander has also pleaded guilty and will be sentenced later this year. He has cooperated with prosecutors and may only be required to serve probation.

Related...
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A Mexican restaurant in Grand Rapids being forced to close and look for a new place to move says the community has come out to support it.

La Huasteca, which opened at 1811 Plainfield Ave. near Ann Street eight years ago, received a notice on March 28 that its landlord would not be renewing the lease, owner Salvador Oliveros told News 8. He said the restaurant was given 30 days to move out.

Oliveros said he and his family had been hoping to sign a new lease for another four to five years.

But he decided to kick us out, he said.

Kingmas Market expands in a booming Creston Neighborhood

La Huasteca in Grand Rapids. (April 10, 2024)

Landlord Anthony Neilly hung up when News 8 called him for comment Wednesday. In a letter Oliveros provided to News 8, Neilly cited the lease ending and planned renovations for his decision.

I want to express my sincerest apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you and your business, the letter says. It has been a pleasure having you as a tenant, and I genuinely appreciate your cooperation and understanding throughout our time together.

La Huastecas last day at the Plainfield Avenue location will be April 15.

La Huasteca in Grand Rapids. (April 10, 2024)

Oliveros and his family are looking for a new spot for their business. He said they have two leads on potential spots, but neither has a kitchen. If they signed for either spot, it would be at least two months before they were able to reopen.

Im OK. Were OK. At the beginning it was hard, you dont know what to do, he said. This is the only place we have to pay our bills  so its hard. You dont know what youre going to do next. But the community has been great. People have been amazing, theyre here, theyve been helping a lot.

La Huasteca in Grand Rapids. (April 10, 2024)

He said theyve been crazy busy with new customers coming out to support them as they get ready to close the doors, adding that every day has been as busy as Cinco de Mayo. People have been sending them information for potential new locations, and a GoFundMe set up for the family is close to its $5,000 goal.

Inside WOODTV.com: Building West Michigan

Moving locations is expensive, especially trying to do it so quickly, Oliveros said, adding that even a dollar helps.

When La Huasteca does open in a new location, Oliveros said theyll be sure to take a special table with them: the table his son Iker Oliveros Espinoza, who died unexpectedly in September at the age of 9, always sat at. Iker liked that he could see the whole restaurant and his dad working in the kitchen from the table, Oliveros said.

La Huasteca in Grand Rapids. (April 10, 2024)

Once we get a new location  hopefully very soon  obviously this (table) has to go with us, he said. We feel like hes here with us.  We believe that he is with us and we believe that he got something better for us coming.

For now, Oliveros said theyre just enjoying the last few days at the Plainfield Avenue location and reflecting on the memories theyve made there.

Its been extremely hard the last two years. Two years ago, I lost my dad, he had cancer. Last year, my son passed away, he said. Now this. So its been really hard two years for my family, for me, but we just got to keep working. We need to not give up and be strong, and thats all we can do.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

He said theyre grateful for the support from the community and hope to find a place nearby because we love this community so much.

I just want to say thank you to the community, to our friends, family, all the new customers that we got, he said. Were going to come back stronger and with a lot of new recipes, new food.

 Were coming back soon.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
The former assistant principal of a Virginia school has been indicted on eight felony counts of child neglect in connection with a high-profile incident last year in which a teacher was shot by a 6-year-old.

Ebony Parker, the ex-administrator at Richneck Elementary School, is accused of having shown a reckless disregard for the human life of students at the school on Jan. 6, 2023, when teacher Abby Zwerner was shot by one of her first-grade students, according to unsealed indictments filed in Newport News Circuit Court, the The Virginian-Pilot reports.

Mother of 6-Year-Old Boy Who Shot His Teacher Now Faces Charges

Zwerner has alleged in a $40 million lawsuit that Parker had been warned at least three times before the shooting took place that the boy had a gun with him. The case alleges that Parker ignored the warnings.

Shortly before 2 p.m. the boy fired a single shot at Zwerner, with the round striking her hand and chest. She was able to evacuate the children from her classroom before she was rushed to the hospital for life-threatening injuries. Zwerner has since recovered.

Being a person responsible for the care of students under the age of 18 at Richneck Elementary School, the indictments against Parker say, she committed a a willful act or omission in the care of such students that was so gross, wanton, and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

Parker, who resigned from her role within weeks of the shooting, could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted on each of the child neglect counts.

These charges are very serious and underscore the failure of the school district to act to prevent the tragic shooting of Abby Zwerner, Zwerners legal team said in a statement to WAVY-TV. The school board continues to deny their responsibility to Abby, and this indictment is just another brick in the wall of mounting failures and gross negligence in their case.

Newport News Commonwealths Attorney Howard Gwynn previously said the 6-year-old shooter would not face charges. Deja Taylor, the childs mother, was sentenced to two years in prison in December after pleading guilty to a felony charge of child neglect. Police said the boy had been able to get the firearm used in the shooting by taking it from Taylors purse at their home.

Emily Mapp Brannon, an attorney representing the families of seven Richneck Elementary students in lawsuits against the school division, said that Parkers charges suggest that there is sufficient evidence that the students of Richneck were placed in peril by the very hands entrusted to protect them.

I remain optimistic that our criminal justice system will provide answers to the Richneck community, Brannon added. For the first time in over a year, the families may find comfort in knowing that the administration is being held accountable.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
Former Assistant Principal at School Where 6-Year-Old Shot Teacher Indicted on Child Abuse and Neglect Charges

Ebony Parker committed a willful act or omission in the care of such students... court documents said

AP Photo/Denise Lavoie Signs outside Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Va. in 2023

The former assistant principal of a Virginia elementary school where a 6-year-old boy shot his teacher has been charged with child abuse and neglect, according to several news outlets.

Ebony Parker, who worked as the former assistant principal at Richneck Elementary School, was indicted by a grand jury last month on eight felony charges, which carry a maximum of five years in prison for each, according to the unsealed court documents obtained by NBC News, The New York Times and CNN.

Authorities said Parker committed a willful act or omission in the care of such students, in a manner so gross, wanton and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life, according to the court documents obtained by CNN.

Parkers attorneys at Curtis M. Rogers and Associates did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot via AP Students and police gather outside of Richneck Elementary School after a shooting, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 in Newport News, Va.

Related: Virginia Teacher Shot by 6-Year-Old Files $40M Lawsuit Over School's Failure to Protect Her

Parker was one of the people named in the $40 million lawsuit brought by Abigail Zwerner  the teacher who had been shot with one round of ammo from a handgun by her student on Jan. 6, 2023  alongside former Richneck principal Briana Foster Newton, former school superintendent George Parker III and the School Board of Richneck Elementary School.

Zwerners attorneys Diane Toscano, Kevin Biniazan and Jeffrey Breit said in a statement to CNN on Parkers charges: These charges are very serious and underscore the failure of the school district to act to prevent the tragic shooting of Abby Zwerner.

The school board continues to deny their responsibility to Abby, and this indictment is just another brick in the wall of mounting failures and gross negligence in their case, they added.

Jay Paul/Getty Images A school sign outside Richneck Elementary School on January 7, 2023 in Newport News, Virginia

Related: 'I Got My Mom's Gun Last Night': Mother of Boy, 6, Who Shot Va. Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Neglect

According to Zwerners lawsuit filed in April 2023, the vice principal was warned multiple times by different teachers on the day of the shooting that the child involved was behaving violently and reportedly had a gun.

Zwerner alleged in the lawsuit that a teacher was told by two students that the first grade student had a gun and told Parker she saw the child with an object in his sweatshirt. Another school employee later asked Parker for permission to search the child for the gun, but Parker allegedly stopped them, per the lawsuit.

Zwerner also alleged in the lawsuit she told vice principal Parker that the child was in a "violent mood" and threatening to physically harm another child. Zwerner claimed that Parker breached "her assumed duty" to protect her as a teacher, resulting in her suffering from "physical pain and mental anguish" stemming from the incident.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The mother of the 6-year-old boy, Deja Taylor, also faced charges in the shooting. She pleaded guilty to felony child neglect in August 2023 for failing to securely store the legally-owned gun her son brought to Richneck Elementary School.

Though the 6-year-old boy was initially taken into custody, authorities have never charged him, citing his age, reports say. Prosecutors said the child told investigators that he grabbed his mother's gun, which was legally purchased in July 2022, from her purse ahead of the attack by climbing onto a drawer to reach the top of a dresser.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Former assistant principal of Virginia school where 6-year-old shot his teacher has been charged with child abuse

The former assistant principal of a Virginia elementary school where a 6-year-old student shot his teacher last year has been indicted on child abuse charges, court records show.

Ebony Parker faces eight counts related to the day of the shooting, according to the online docket, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A warrant has been issued for her arrest, the docket shows.

Court records filed in Newport News Circuit Court were unsealed Tuesday, about a month after a grand jury filed the charges.

NBC News could not immediately obtain a copy of the indictment for details of the charges.

The Newport News Commonwealth Attorney's Office did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment. A Newport News Public Schools spokesperson said the district "does not have a statement." It was not immediately known whether Parker had legal representation, and she could not be reached for comment.

The shooting of first-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner on Jan. 6, 2023, raised concerns about potential security failures at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News and in a school district rattled by other incidents of gun violence at other campuses.

Authorities say Zwerner was intentionally shot by one of her students but escorted her panicked class to safety. A bullet ripped through Zwerner's left hand, rupturing bones, before it lodged in her upper chest, leaving behind fragments.

Three months after the shooting, she filed a $40 million lawsuit against the school district alleging that administrators failed to listen to multiple warnings from staff members and students that the child had a handgun. Parker resigned in the wake of the suit.

Lawyers for Zwerner welcomed additional charges Tuesday.

These charges are very serious and underscore the failure of the school district to act to prevent the tragic shooting of Abby Zwerner, attorneys Diane Toscano, Kevin Biniazan and Jeffrey Breit said in a statement. The school board continues to deny their responsibility to Abby, and this indictment is just another brick in the wall of mounting failures and gross negligence in their case.

Toscano said in an interview that aired Wednesday on NBC's "TODAY" show that Parker should have called the police after multiple warnings that a child may have a gun.

Breit noted that a student saw the boy take the gun out of his pocket on the playground and reported it to a teacher. When the teacher requested to search the childs person, the assistant principal said no, he said.

The boy's mother, Deja Taylor, was sentenced to two years in December on a state charge of felony child neglect.

Taylor must begin her state sentence after she finishes serving 21 months on a related federal charge. She pleaded guilty in June to a charge of using marijuana while owning a gun, which is illegal under federal law, and was sentenced in November.

James Ellenson, a lawyer for Taylor, told NBC News on Tuesday that he would have wanted to see charges against school officials sooner, believing his client does not share all the burden of responsibility on the day of the shooting.

The charges against a former school official represent a new frontier in school gun-violence-related prosecution, Ellenson added.

"I think we're plowing new ground," he said.

NBC News legal analyst Danny Cevallos added that "cases like these are about sending a very clear message: that school shootings are so horrible, we are willing to depart from the traditional rules and hold people responsible that really, historically, have not been held responsible before."

The local prosecutor, Howard Gwynn, told NBC News after the shooting that he would not seek charges against the student, given his age.

Seven separate lawsuits were filed in January on behalf of parents and guardians claiming multiple counts of negligence against school leadership. Emily Mapp Brannon, a lawyer for the families, said in a statement that "the suffering of the students of Richneck has been ignored."

"These charges suggest that there is sufficient evidence that the students of Richneck were placed in peril by the very hands entrusted to protect them," Brannon said. "As a representative of seven families, I remain optimistic that our criminal justice system will provide answers to the Richneck community. For the first time in over a year, the families may find comfort in knowing that the administration is being held accountable."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Volkswagen logo stands in front of the entrance to the Emden plant. German auto giant saw total sales fall in March compared to the same month last year, with the drop particularly pronounced in electric vehicles. Lars Penning/dpa

German auto giant Volkswagen saw total sales across its brands fall in March compared to the same month last year, with the drop particularly pronounced in electric vehicles.

Total worldwide sales in March across Volkswagen's brands fell by 1.4% to 800,600, the company announced on Wednesday. Sales declined in the key markets of Europe and China, among others.

Sales rose, however, in North America, and sales for the core Volkswagen and SEAT brands grew. Sales for higher-priced luxury carmakers Audi and Porsche declined, however.

In the first quarter as a whole, the Volkswagen Group delivered 2.1 million vehicles, about 3% more than in the previous year.

The main growth drivers were China as well as South and North America. In Western Europe, including in Volkswagen's home market of Germany, sales fell by 1%.

Sales of combustion engine powered vehicles rose by 4% to 1.97 million in the first three months of 2024, more than offsetting the decline in sales of all-electric models, which dropped by 3% to 136,400 vehicles.

Deliveries of electric vehicles fell particularly sharply in Europe, down 24%, pushing overall electric vehicles sales for the company downward despite strong sales growth for the segment in China.

However, incoming orders in Western Europe moved upward from January to March, Volkswagen reported, with more than twice as many all-electric models ordered as in the same period last year.

That brings Volkswagen's order backlog for electric vehicles to around 160,000.
Former BBC newsreader blames RP accent for no longer getting work

Jan Leeming has suggested that she no longer gets work because of her RP accent.

The former BBC newsreader joked that she doesnt tick modern boxes because she speaks in received pronunciation (RP).

In a post on social media, when replying to a follower who suggested she would be well-suited for voiceover work, the former journalist wrote: Thank you, but you are a lone voice and I am small fry.

Would have loved For the love of Dogs [a TV documentary series].

Im old, speak RP English and dont tick the PC boxes. Have given up even trying.

Mrs Leeming wrote on Wednesday that the English language was being mangled on television and the decline of well-spoken speech was gathering pace, adding: [I] totally accept accents unless they are so pronounced the speaker is unintelligible to the masses outside their region.

Jan Leeming presenting the BBC News. She says in her day newsreaders were not paid the stratospheric sums they get today

She said that in her day, newsreaders and presenters were not paid the stratospheric sums they get today and definitely werent allowed to do anything commercial.

Very different today eg Lineker, she added, with an angry face emoji.

Her remarks came in the same week that Amol Rajan, the BBC presenter, admitted having to change the way he pronounced the letter H from haitch to aitch.

So many teachers and parents were not taught proper grammatical English so what do you expect, said Mrs Leeming, who was once one of the BBCs most popular newsreaders.

I loathe hearing our beautiful language mangled, especially by on-screen presenters. And that is gathering pace.

Lost the battle

Responding to a follower who said he disliked the use of can I get instead of may I have, Mrs Leeming said: I feel the same, but we have totally lost the battle.

[I] have given up even here [on social media] of complaining about bad grammar and poor speech.

PC [political correctness] brigade have made it totally acceptable  even to be preferred  not to speak well.

[I] am going to practice nuffink, beher, finking, Fursday, we was, etc.

Mrs Leeming was a newsreader on BBC News between 1980 and 1987, having previously worked for Granada Television in Manchester.

She published an autobiography in 2003 and appeared in Im a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here! in 2006.

Getting it wrong

Rajan, 40, does not speak with RP in the way that all BBC presenters and disc jockeys once did.

RP is often alternatively referred to as BBC English, so widespread was its use by its broadcasters in the mid to late 20th century.

Rajan, who is also a presenter on Radio 4s Today programme, said he was changing the way he pronounces H after University Challenge viewers complained that he was saying it incorrectly.

Writing in a blog post for the BBC about what he has learnt since taking over from Jeremy Paxman, the broadcaster said: All my life Ive pronounced it haitch, dimly aware that I was getting it wrong.

Everyone I grew up with says haitch. My mates say haitch. But, dear reader, Im here to tell you: its aitch.

He is not alone in his pronunciation, as other regular BBC broadcasters say haitch on air. They include radio presenters Nick Grimshaw and Sara Cox from Greater Manchester, as well as television presenters Dara OBriain and Graham Norton from the Republic of Ireland.

Jan Leeming chats at Eurovision with Graham Norton, one of the current presenters who say 'haitch' on air

Chris Mason, the BBCs political editor, has a marked Yorkshire accent which he says has helped him get jobs at Broadcasting House.

In 2019, when he succeeded David Dimbleby as host of Any Questions?, he claimed that being from the North of England helped him get the job and called it absolutely absurd that there were so few regional voices in television and radio news.

I think its probably been an advantage to me because I have come of age journalistically in an era where theres a far greater awareness that the BBC in particular, and broadcasting in general, needs to sound like the audience its broadcasting to, he said.

I think there could be a far broader range of voices than we hear on the national media. When have you ever heard on a news programme somebody with a West Country accent? I cant think of a single person, and thats mad. How many people with a Brummie accent? Or a Geordie accent?

Theres hardly any. Its absolutely absurd. Were broadcasting to a country with this incredibly rich diversity of voices and accents, and we hardly hear any of them broadcasting on the national airwaves.

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 former private school teacher who was also involved in a local churchs youth ministries has been charged with two felonies, including possession of child pornography.

Daniel Brian Fleming, 31, is charged with one felony count each of soliciting child pornography and using communications systems to facilitate sexual offenses involving children, according to a release from the Chesapeake Police Department.

Fleming was a math teacher at a private school in Chesapeake, according to police. Police did not disclose the school that previously employed Fleming or the church he was involved with.

He is being held without bond.

The arrest came as a result of a tip Chesapeake police received in January. The date of his offense is listed in online public records as Jan. 1, 2024.

Anyone with information about these offenses is encouraged to call Chesapeake police at 757-382-6251 or submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former Cornell University student has pleaded guilty to posting online threats, including of death and violence, against Jewish students on campus, the U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday.

Patrick Dai, 21, was charged late last year for making online threats against Jewish students at the Ivy League school in Ithaca, New York.

U.S. government officials and civil society advocates have warned about rising threats against American Jews, Muslims and Arabs since the eruption of the Israel-Gaza war on Oct. 7.

As part of his guilty plea, Dai admitted that on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, he threatened to bomb, stab and rape Jews on the Cornell section of an online discussion forum.

The Justice Department said Dai's threats "caused widespread panic and fear" in Cornell's Jewish community.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 12. Dai faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, restitution to victims and a maximum of three years of supervised release, according to the Justice Department. A contact for Dai could not immediately be reached.

U.S. President Joe Biden has condemned rising antisemitism and Islamophobia since Oct. 7, when Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel killing 1,200, according to Israeli tallies, and sparking Israel's offensive in Hamas-governed Gaza that has killed more than 33,000, according to the Gaza health ministry.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
A former El Paso Independent School District administrator was sentenced to three decades in prison for kidnapping a woman in El Paso, taking her to his to home in Anthony, New Mexico, handcuffing her and sexually assaulting her.

Jeffrey Steven Clay, 51, was sentenced April 4 to 30 years in prison on one count of kidnapping and 10 years on another count of transportation for illegal sexual activity, federal court records shows. The sentences, which will be served concurrently, were handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales in Las Cruces federal court.

Jeffrey Steven Clay

He also was sentenced to 10 years of supervised release after he serves his prison term. He was facing up to life in prison.

He was found guilty May 5, 2023, by a jury of kidnapping and transportation for illegal sexual activity charges.

New Mexico federal court records show Clay also was sentenced to five years in prison on one count of contempt of court. He was charged with contempt for violating a court order prohibiting him from talking to a witness in his trial, federal court records state.

Clay was an executive director of Analytics, Strategy, and Assessment and Public Education Information Management Systems for the EPISD when he was arrested Nov. 10, 2022. He previously served as a teacher and school principal at the district. He worked for the district since 2005, court documents state.

More: FBI, HSI searching for El Paso victims of Odessa man convicted of cyberstalking

In a complaint affidavit filed in federal court, an FBI agent wrote: "I believe Jeffrey Steven Clay is the kind of individual who wields a position of power, thus making it very difficult for any victim of abuse to come forward with allegations against him. Based on my investigation, I believe he targets vulnerable victims in an effort to ensure he cannot be held accountable for him criminal conduct."

The EPISD board of trustees unanimously voted Nov. 15, 2022  less than a week after his arrest  to fire Clay.

Victim kidnapped from El Paso bus stop, sexual assaulted

The victim, a woman who is only identified in court records as Jane Doe, was at an El Paso bar Aug. 4, 2021 when she got into an argument with her significant other and left, a federal complaint affidavit states.

She was waiting for a ride to her friend's house at a bus stop near Copia Street when Clay drove up, U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico officials said. He offered to give her a ride to her friend's house in El Paso.

Jeffrey Steven Clay was arrested Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, after being indicted on one count each of kidnapping and transportation for illegal sexual activity, the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico said. Officials are asking other possible victims to contact authorities.

The victim got into Clay's car and placed $10 on the dashboard to pay for gas, officials said. However, Clay took her to his house in Anthony, New Mexico instead of her friend's house.

"Clay never asked Jane Doe if she wanted to go to his residence, and Jane Doe never agreed to go anywhere with Clay besides her friends house in El Paso," the affidavit states.

Once at his house, he tried to kiss the victim but she rebuffed his kiss, the affidavit states. Clay slapped the victim in the face, put her in handcuffs and took her to his bedroom. The victims repeatedly asked Clay to stop and to remove the handcuffs. Clay refused and tightened the handcuffs.

He got of top of the victim and punched her in the face. He then "violently raped her" and told her that she deserved it, officials said.

The victim cried throughout the assault and tried to fight to get Clay off of her, the affidavit states. The victim, after the sexual assault, asked Clay if he was going to kill her.

Clay drove the victim back to El Paso. As they drove, Clay told the victim you do know that Im a cop?, the affidavit states. He claimed he could have her charged for assaulting a police officer.

More: Former Fort Bliss soldier sentenced to life in prison in baby's death caused by wrestling

When they stopped at a red light, the victim "saw an opportunity to escape, so Jane Doe jumped out of Clays vehicle and ran to a nearby convenience store where Jane Doe and the store clerk called 911," the affidavit states.

The victim was "sobbing and distraught" as she talked to a 911 emergency dispatcher, the affidavit states. She told the dispatcher that she had been kidnapped and raped.

El Paso Police Department officers arrived at the store and saw "marks on Jane Doe's wrists consistent with being handcuffed and redness around her eye consistent with being punched," the affidavit states.

Clay was arrested Nov. 10, 2022 in connection with the sexual assault.

History of sexual abuse

During his May 5, 2023, trial, another woman testified Clay raped her numerous times when she was minor and when she was an adult, including while she was seven months pregnant, officials said.

The woman initially reported the rapes when she was a minor, but recanted after Clay threatened her, officials said. The sexual assaults happened between 2012 to 2014 when the the teen was 14 to 16 years old, the affidavit states. He allegedly raped the woman as an adult in 2021.

He was arrested in 2005 on suspicion of solicitation of a prostitute, the affidavit states. However, those charges were dismissed. Court records do not state why the charges were dismissed.

At the time of Clay's November 2022 arrest, FBI officials were seeking other potential victims of Clay. Anyone who may have been a victim of Clay is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or online at tips.fbi.gov.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Former EPISD director sentenced to prison for kidnapping, raping woman
The former executive director of the Freight House Farmers Market  who was set to be sentenced for theft Wednesday  withdrew her guilty plea after a former board member read a victim-impact statement in court.

Court records show that, in a plea agreement made earlier, Lorraine Beaman, 61, of Long Grove, agreed to pay $10,455.60 to the Freight House Farmers Market.

Freight House Farmers Market back in action

In January, a judge accepted the plea agreement from Beaman, who is accused of embezzling from the Freight House Farmers Market, Davenport, according to court records.

Our Quad Cities News was in the courtroom Wednesday, when Beaman appeared with her attorney, Andrea Jaeger, who asked for a deferred judgment, which involves a defendant pleading guilty before being placed on probation.

She said Beaman already has paid restitution. The Freight House has been fully made whole, Jaeger said, adding that Beaman has no criminal history and has accepted responsibility for the offense.

Then Christine Van Vooren, former farmers market board member, took the stand with a victim-impact statement.

The emotional toll of this betrayal cannot be overstated, she said. Beamans actions have left an indelible mark on the farmers market, she said, accusing Beaman of the theft of vendors money to pay for her husbands attorney to start their own nonprofit.

Judge Thomas Reidel said the theft was not just an isolated, one-time theft. and that it was an ongoing crime.

Beaman withdrew her guilty plea. Now the case will continue to trial, with pretrial hearings  when the lawyers and the judge discuss a timeline and what should be done to move the case to trial  set for April 19 in Scott County Court.

Embezzling accusations

Over a period of two years  from about May 2, 2021 to Nov. 1, 2022  Beaman embezzled about $10,455 of the Freight House Farmers Market funds, police allege in arrest affidavits.

Police allege she used the funds to remodel her personal business (Chill Ice Cream & Eats), purchase items for her personal business, purchase personal items, purchase a trailer from her son for an inflated price, purchase (an) Apple TV, purchase resume builders, (and) pay for attorney fees for her nonprofit.

Court records show Beaman previously faced a felony charge of first-degree theft. She later withdrew her earlier plea of not guilty and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree theft, a Class D felony charge.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Former FSB officer Strelkov asks to be released from Russian prison to fight against Ukraine

Igor Strelkov (Girkin), a former FSB officer and leader of militants of the DPR (the Donetsk Peoples Republic, a self-proclaimed and non-recognised state formation in Donetsk Oblas), convicted in Russia for calling for extremism, is asking to be sent to fight in Ukraine.

Source: Russian service of Radio Liberty; RBC, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet

Details: Strelkov is trying to appeal his sentence. His lawyer, Igor Molokhov, said that the appeal was accompanied by the consent of one of the Russian army's military units in temporarily occupied Ukrainian Donbas to accept Strelkov as a platoon commander.

The authenticity of the document was confirmed by Strelkov's wife, Miroslava Reginskaya. She said that it was received in January.

The law prohibits those convicted under articles for extremism from signing contracts for military service. However, Strelkov's lawyers see such a legal possibility for him if the court of appeal overturns the verdict, which is what the defence is seeking.

Radio Liberty noted that Strelkov could also return to "service" if the Russian leader signs a decree pardoning him and lifting his conviction.

A court hearing on Strelkov's appeal is scheduled for 15 May.

Background:

The criminal case against Strelkov was opened on 18 July 2023, and three days later he was detained in Moscow. Strelkov was charged under an article on calls for extremist activity. The reason was his posts on Telegram. In January, a Russian court sentenced him to four years in prison. Strelkov pleaded not guilty.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague found Strelkov guilty in the case of the crash of Malaysian Airlines Boeing MH-17 in 2014, which killed 298 people. Strelkov was sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia.

Support UP or become our patron!
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Former state representative and Albuquerque Public Schools administrator Sheryl Williams Stapleton, accused of funneling millions of dollars into her own pockets, faced a federal judge on Tuesday after being indicted last month.

Williams Stapleton walked into the federal court house marking her first public appearance since she was indicted on state charges in 2021. She was arraigned on 35 charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States, fraud, and multiple counts of bribery and laundering. She pled not guilty to her federal charges.

Story continues below

Williams Stapleton and Joseph Johnson are accused of allocating more than $2.5 million of federal funds intended for APS programs to a company called Robotics Management Learning Systems between 2013 and 2021. The company was owned and operated by Johnson who is a friend of Willliams Stapleton.

Prosecutors say he provided Williams Stapleton with blank checks from robotics. They say she wrote 233 checks totaling more than $1 million for her own benefits. The funds were used for various things like paying a lawyer to defend one of her family members in a criminal case and paying the concession stand feeds for her husbands restaurant at the New Mexico State Fair.

Johnson was also arraigned on Tuesday morning. He pled not guilty to his 28 federal charges. He is not facing any start charges. Stapleton was indicted on 28 state charges back in 2021. Her trial is scheduled to begin in late May.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
A 2022 whistleblower lawsuit brought by former Mount Olive School Superintendent Robert Zywicki against several district officials last year appears to be moving forward to trial.

Following long delays due to a backup of judicial appointments in New Jersey, state Superior Court Judge Louis Sceusi late last month denied a motion of dismissal filed by Board of Education member Anthony Strillacci and former board members Antoine Gayles, Anthony Giordano and William Robinson.

Sceusi's denial found most of the defendant's arguments for dismissal "unpersuasive" and ruled that Zywicki had "met his prima facie case" for claims in his lawsuit.

Mt. Olive School Superintendent Robert Zywicki throws out the first pitch as Mt. Olive High School unveiled and played their first game at their new baseball complex against West Morris on April 27, 2022.

Those claims allege the board violated the law in its actions against the former superintendent and interfered with his job. Zywicki's actions before his suspension constituted "whistleblowing" under the law, Sceusi wrote, adding, "There is a causal connection between the whistle-blowing activity and the adverse employment action."

The judge found 'whistle-blowing activity' by Zywicki

"Plaintiff has demonstrated prima facie case showing he reasonably believed that his employer's conduct violated the School Ethics Act, he reported these violations by performing a whistle-blowing activity described in N.J.S.A. 34:19-3 and he suffered an adverse action as a direct result," Sceusi said in his decision.

Additional counts that Gayles defamed Zywicki were dismissed.

Sceusi's denial also permitted the filing of a third amended complaint by Zywicki that summarizes his first three filings and adds additional defendants, including former board members Elizabeth Ouimet and Christopher Zeier, present members Jennifer Aquino and Louisa Melendez and board architect Anthony Gianforcaro.

The amended complaint, filed on April 1, will move forward with discovery pending a trial date, unless a settlement is not reached between the parties.

"We welcome the court's lengthy decision, which we consider to be correct," Zywicki said on Tuesday. "We eagerly anticipate the upcoming proceedings during which the board defendants will have to provide sworn testimony regarding the retaliatory events that unfolded in violation of my employment contract and my civil rights.

Giordano and Robinson lost their bids for re-election in November. Gayles declined to run for re-election, opting instead to run for mayor, a race he lost.

Strillacci's status with the board is unclear. He resigned at the board's meeting on Feb. 12 after the board took action to terminate its then-attorney, Marc Zitomer. Strillacci attempted to rescind his resignation at the next meeting, board minutes state. He was told he could not but also informed that he could file for the board opening created by his departure. He is still identified as a board member on the district website.

The board also voted to rescind Zitomer's termination at the Feb. 12 meeting, after which the attorney resigned.

Zywicki was hired in 2018 and his contract was renewed in 2018 and 2019. Public records listed his annual salary at $237,350. The K-12 Mount Olive district serves 4,752 students in four elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.

Why superintendent says he was suspended

His complaint outlines a pattern of what he calls retaliation for disciplining a senior member of the district's administrative staff in the spring of 2022.

He first took legal action on Oct. 28, 2022, after the board had suspended him with pay on Oct. 10. Zywicki resigned in April 2023 after the board suspended his pay and benefits, he said.

The lawsuit stated the board violated the state's Open Public Meetings Act while voting to suspend him in a closed session. Zywicki also filed tort claims stating his intention to sue school board members Antoine Gayles and William Robinson for $5.13 million each.

Since then, three amended complaints have detailed further allegations against the board.

Lawsuit seeks 'multi-million dollar damages'

Summarizing those allegations, the lawsuit seeks "compensation for multi-million-dollar damages incurred" by Zywicki "as a result of an orchestrated scheme by the defendants to punish him and destroy his reputation because he called to the attention of the Board of Education, the Board President [Strillacci at the time] and Board Counsel [Zitomer], to ongoing violations of policy, code and good practice."

Specifically, Zywicki alleged the retaliation began in the fall of 2022 when, court papers state, then-board president Strillacci directed Zitomer to "pressure" Zywicki to withdraw his complaints under the threat of "adverse employment action if he did not."

Harassment allegations also include an attempt to "extort" Zywicki into retiring, "trumped up" tenure charges and "bogus" investigations. It also claims Gayles and Robinson acted as "public criers," spreading the word of the suspension "despite the fact that Zywicki's employment was a confidential personnel matter on which there was no public action."

Among several other accusations against specific board members, Zywicki alleged Strillacci conducted improper meetings with members of the administration "at his store" to coordinate personnel actions. These meetings, he said, took place after Strillacci pressured him "privately and publicly" to secure donations for a new scoreboard project.

The amended complaint does not list specific dollar figures, but seeks "compensatory and punitive damages, interest, costs, attorney's fees and such other relief as the court deems appropriate."

Board accused Zywicki of double-dipping, letter says

Mount Olive District officials have yet to make public the allegations against Zywickii that led to their suspension vote.

But a letter to the district from Zywicki's attorney, Stephen Edelstein, responding to tenure charges brought against him by board member Aquino, details some of those allegations.

They include allegations that Zywicki "double-dipped" on several occasions, including "numerous out-of-district, in-services days" while working with the Rutgers Center For Effective School Practices without taking vacation or personal days. Edelstein's letter documents timelines and other evidence to refute each alleged incident.

Another charge involves a conflict between Zywicki and architect Anthony Gianfocaro about funding for the $600,000 scoreboard project and a recording of a private conversation that allegedly included Zywicki pressuring the architect for a monetary contribution to the project.

Zywicki admits to asking Gianfocaro for a donation but says he did so at the bidding of Gayles.

'Retaliatory vendetta'

The district responded to Sceusi's denial and the amended complaint on Tuesday with a statement saying it denies all claims and looks forward to presenting its case in court. The statement from the district office was signed by current Superintendent Sumit Bangia, and Board President Lisa Narcise.

Yet in March of 2023, Narcise filed a petition of appeal with the state Department of Education that supported many of Zywicki's allegations, including that the results of a special audit ordered by Zywicki in the spring of 2022 were not shared with the board and have not been posted on the district website.

The Narcise appeal also alleged that Zitomer "coerced" the board into a unanimous vote to re-affirm Zywicki's suspension and that in 2023, while serving as board president, Gayles authorized Zitomer to hire a private investigator to investigate Zywicki's family.

Zywicki said Zitomer has reason to retaliate against him due to their conflicts when Zitomer also was employed as the attorney for the Sparta District while Zywicki's children were enrolled there.

Narcise concluded her appeal by writing she believed the board's actions were "the culmination of a retaliatory vendetta for protected whistleblowing activities." She also asked for the state to reinstate Zywicki as superintendent.

Clarification: A prior version of this story stated that the Mount Olive Board of Education terminated Mark Zitomer as its attorney. In fact, meeting minutes show, the board voted to rescind that termination at its Feb. 12 meeting, after which Zitomer officially resigned.

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Former Mount Olive schools whistleblower lawsuit goes to trial
Former Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg has been sentenced to five months in prison for lying under oath during his testimony in the civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump.

Earlier this month, Weisselberg, who served as the chief financial officer of Trumps flagship company, entered a plea deal with Manhattan prosecutors over charges of perjury. In January of last year, Weisselberg was sentenced to five months in prison after pleading guilty to failing to declare and pay taxes on more than $1.7 million in company benefits provided by the former presidents flagship company. He was released in April of 2023 after having his sentence significantly reduced on good behavior.

Last month, Trump was ordered to pay $355 million in damages after he and his company were found liable for years of financial fraud pertaining to his corporate and real estate holdings. In May of last year, Weisselberg misled prosecutors regarding his knowledge of Trumps efforts to overvalue a triplex Manhattan apartment based on the propertys square footage.

While he admitted to lying in his testimony regarding Trumps civil fraud trial, the plea deal allowed Weisselberg to skirt charges directly related to the matter, instead he pleaded guilty to two felony counts regarding lies in a separate, 2020 deposition.

It is a crime to lie in depositions and at trial, plain and simple, a Manhattan DA spokesperson said in March. Allen Weisselberg took an oath to be truthful, and then committed perjury.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) stock has been struggling for a while now. In the past 12 months, it has declined by 36%. A lack of growth recently, a dependence on acquisitions, and many question marks have resulted in a lot of investors simply taking a pass on this top healthcare stock.

But could that be a mistake, and could Pfizer return to glory in 10 years and prove to be a great buy again? Here's where the business may be a decade from now, and whether investors should consider buying the stock today.

Oncology is likely to play a much bigger role

A decade from now, the makeup of Pfizer's financials is likely going to change significantly. It'll be a surprise if its COVID vaccine generates any meaningful revenue, as concerns relating to the illness are already subsiding today. In 2023, despite a mammoth 70% drop in sales, Comirnaty was still the company's top-selling product, bringing in more than $11.2 billion.

But in 10 years, it'll likely be the oncology business that's the cornerstone of the company. Last year, oncology revenue totaled $11.6 billion, with breast cancer drug Ibrance leading the way with nearly $4.8 billion in sales. Pfizer has grander plans for its oncology segment with its huge $43 billion acquisition of Seagen last year, a company that makes antibody-drug conjugates, which are supposed to be more effective than conventional cancer treatments while also having fewer side effects.

By 2030, Pfizer believes that Seagen will add as much as $10 billion in revenue to its top line. In 2021, Pfizer also made a much smaller $2.3 billion acquisition of clinical-stage company Trillium Therapeutics, which has a portfolio of biologics that aim to utilize the immune system to destroy cancer cells.

Oncology is already a big part of Pfizer's business today, accounting for 20% of revenue, and a decade from now I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes its largest segment. Cancer remains one of the biggest concerns in the healthcare industry, and if Pfizer is successful in helping bring more effective treatments to market, it will be a win for not just investors, but for everyone.

Revenue and earnings will likely bounce back

In the short term, it's easy to be pessimistic about the company's future as its revenue growth looks lackluster. Pfizer is facing multiple patent cliffs, with key drugs such as Eliquis, Vyndaqel, and others all likely experiencing declines in demand over the course of the next decade as they lose patent protection.

But this is par for the course in healthcare. Companies need to build out their businesses to be versatile enough and have strong enough pipelines where they are always innovating and growing. As good as a treatment is, there will be an inevitable patent cliff in the future and competition to worry about.

Story continues

Pfizer has been a top name in healthcare for decades because of its ability to innovate and find new ways to grow. I'm optimistic the company can get back to growing as its pipeline features more than 100 trials ongoing as of the end of January. Pfizer has also been investing through many acquisitions to strengthen its portfolio.

And with $12.7 billion on its books in cash and short-term investments, plus the company still projecting a profit this year, Pfizer's financials still look strong enough to allow the business to invest in more growth opportunities down the road. All of them won't pan out, but in healthcare all it can take sometimes is one or two promising blockbuster drugs to transform a business. Pfizer's investments into research and development and in acquiring promising businesses could pay off for investors in the long run.

Should you invest in Pfizer stock today?

Pfizer's stock is trading at only 12 times its estimated future profits based on analyst expectations. It's not an expensive stock by any stretch as investors appear to be discounting it based on the uncertainty that lays ahead for the business.

But Pfizer isn't as risky as it looks. The company is still in good shape, and could make for a great long-term buy. It may be a bumpy ride ahead, but in 10 years this could be a much more diversified business. With many growth opportunities to pursue, Pfizer isn't a stock I'd be too worried about in the long run.

Should you invest $1,000 in Pfizer right now?

Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Pfizer wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

See the 10 stocks

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 8, 2024

David Jagielski has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Pfizer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Where Will Pfizer Stock Be in 10 Years? was originally published by The Motley Fool
This Fort Liberty unit is being deactivated  again

This article was published as part of a content-sharing agreement between Army Times and The Fayetteville Observer.

A Fort Liberty, North Carolina civil affairs battalion will remain only in the history books after a two-year process to deactivate the unit is completed in June, a spokesman for the 18th Airborne Corps said this week.

A January 2022 Army Structure Memorandum, part of the total Army analysis of its force structure, directed that the 83rd Civil Affairs Battalion to be deactivated, Sgt. Maj. Daniel Bailey said. Initially, the deactivation was to be completed by September but that date changed to June.

The 83rd Civil Affairs Battalion is the U.S. Army Forces Commands only active-duty civil affairs component and is aligned with the 16th Military Police Brigade under the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty, according to the Army.

The 83d maintains readiness in order to support any worldwide contingency mission, with soldiers skilled in civil reconnaissance, civil and network engagement and civil information management and prepared for multi-domain operations and large-scale combat operations, the units website states.

Whats next?

Bailey said orders to deactivate were published Oct. 20, 2022, and the Army personnel system normally stops assigning soldiers to an inactivating unit one year before the inactivation date.

The 83rd Civil Affairs Battalion completed all mission requirements in the fall of 2023 and began a deliberate reassignment of all remaining personnel, to be complete by June 2024, he said.

About 160 of the units 263 soldiers have already been reassigned to the Army Special Operations Commands civil affairs units or civil affairs staff positions in other units, Bailey said.

The remaining soldiers with other job specialties will be reassigned across the Army, with priority to fill requirements at Fort Liberty, he said.

Soldiers are reassigned to meet the needs of the Army, Bailey said.

Unit history of inactivation, reactivating

According to the Army, this year is not the first time the 83rd Civil Affairs Battalion has been deactivated.

The units storied past traces to its first activation as the 41st Military Government, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, at the Presidio in Monterey, California, on Aug. 24, 1945.

It was deactivated May 31, 1947. After the Korean Wars end in 1953, it was reactivated March 18, 1955, at Camp Gordon, Georgia, before being designated as the 41st Civil Affairs Company on June 25, 1959.

In 1965, during the Vietnam War, the company was assigned to the Headquarters Company, I Field Force, Vietnam, in Nha Trang, where it participated in major campaigns and earned the Meritorious Unit Citation.

The unit was again deactivated Feb. 29, 1970, during the drawdown of American forces in Vietnam and was most recently reactivated on Sept. 16, 2012, as the active-duty Armys, U.S. Central Command-aligned civil affairs battalion for conventional forces.

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that the 83rd Civil Affairs Battalion was deactivated in 1947, after the Korean War. The Korean War began in 1950 and ended in 1953. This article has been updated to clarify that.
The Fort Mill School District is likely to join the town of Fort Mill in a formal request for road fixes in the aftermath of a school crossing guard death last month.

On Tuesday night, the school board asked to schedule a special meeting to vote on a resolution rather than wait two weeks until the next scheduled meeting. On Monday night, the town passed a resolution asking the South Carolina Department of Transportation to review state roads in front of all 20 district schools and reduce speed limits on those roads.

I would assume it would look very, very similar to the one that Fort Mill did, school board chairwoman Kristy Spears said of a district resolution.

After crossing-guard death, Fort Mill wants safety review, lower speed limits on school roads

Crossing guard Stanley Brucker, 61, was struck by a vehicle March 21 while directing traffic at the bus entrance to Fort Mill Elementary School and Fort Mill Middle School. Brucker was transported to an area hospital where he died. No charges were filed in the case after a review by several law enforcement agencies.

Conversations similar to whats in the towns request, including with the state transportation department, have been ongoing since the incident.

Theyre ongoing with the town, city (of Tega Cay), county, DOT, the crossing guard agency, Spears said.

A resolution would be a way for the school district, like the town, to formalize its concern.

A lot of the things that are probably being contemplated really are at the discretion of SCDOT since its a state road, Spears said.

Crossing guard, 61, dies after being hit by vehicle outside a Fort Mill school

Discussing plans for safer roads

In a sometimes emotional update Tuesday night, Superintendent Chuck Epps asked fthe school community and drivers in the area to be mindful during school drop-off and pick-up times. Even improved safety measures on area roads would still need a commitment to safety from everyone, he said.

You cant really provide closure to this event, Epps said. Every day you need to be safe.

The school district met with the transportation department on site. The district met with town and city law enforcement, and will again this week, Epps said. District attorneys are in conversation with other attorneys about what is a multi-faceted issue, he said, in terms of potential fixes.

Its not something thats going to be a written plan or nice little neat package in one week, Epps said. Its going to take some time.

The superintendent echoed his previous comments understanding frustration about people wanting to know exactly when and what schools or other groups plan to do to improve safety.

Rest assured were talking about everything that youre thinking in your mind, like, why dont they do this? Epps said. Were discussing it all.

Speed and reckless behavior

Much attention in recent weeks focused on speed. The towns resolution calls for a speed limit reduction to 25 mph. Many district schools are on the town bypass  Fort Mill Parkway becomes Springfield Parkway  and have 45 mph speed limits that drop to 35 mph in school zones. Law enforcement, though, said speed was not a contributing factor in last months incident which was part of the reason no charges were filed.

Still, theres concern.

Epps and board member Wayne Bouldin each said Tuesday night theyd had a similar experience earlier that day where a vehicle passed or blew the horn at them in a school speed zone as lights were flashing or crossing guards present.

Its reckless, learned behavior, Epps said.
The Fort Worth City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved a contentious zoning change in the citys north side, freeing up the development of a new hotel on the edge of the Stockyards.

Impassioned debates over the proposed Hampton Inn and Suites on North Main Street had played out for weeks in neighborhood meetings and community chat groups before landing on the City Councils desk April 9.

The projects advocates argue it will help accommodate the citys ever-growing influx of tourists while catalyzing economic opportunities for locals. Its detractors worry north side residents will reap little more than worsening traffic, noise, and property expenses.

I would not do anything to harm the area that I grew up in and still reside in, said District 2 council member Carlos Flores as he picked apart opposition critiques. The market is beginning to change; in my opinion, by looking at this, this change is favorable.

Bryan-based developer Oldham Goodwin first presented mock-ups for the 149-room hotel in February. It plans to build the four-story structure on the remains of a shuttered supermarket rimmed by homes to the west and north and fast-food restaurants to the east and south.

The group is in the early stages of constructing another hotel a few hundred feet away on Northeast 29th Street. The initiatives are two of at least four hospitality projects in the works around the perimeter of the Stockyards, the feather in the cap of the citys tourism industry.

Some residents of bordering neighborhoods have chafed at the change, fearing it will erode the character and security of their communities.

Our streets are becoming overrun by tourists, who often engage in disruptive behavior because of excessive drinking, Danielle Flores (no relation), a north sider living a block north of the prospective Hampton Inn, told council members on Tuesday evening, flipping through pages of prepared remarks. The safety of our children is at risk; they can no longer play freely on the streets due to increased traffic and frequent car crashes.

Gladys Guevara, a member of the Northside Neighborhood Association and vocal critic of the plan, shared Flores concerns.

I believe its a further burden on longstanding residents to increase the traffic, noise, and peace residents expect from the residential community, Guevara said over a telecast Zoom call. Some feedback that Ive received is that they would like to see more diverse retail space and restaurants that will mutually benefit the residents and tourists from the Stockyards.

Story continues

Council member Flores acknowledged their anxieties but pushed back against their reasoning.

Desired development begets desired development, he said. I know that change worries some residents, and justifiably so; thats why we have these conversations.

An online petition circulated by Danielle Flores in the days leading up to the council vote garnered close to 100 signatures, including, she said, from nearby residents and employees of surrounding businesses. (How many signees lived in the north side is unclear.) Despite the outburst of digital discontent, Flores and Guevara were the only two opposition speakers to speak before the council, Flores the only to show in person.

The developers team boasted letters of support of their own from community groups, local chambers of commerce, and homeowners in the immediate vicinity of the property.

Some soon-to-be neighbors of the hotel shared mixed emotions about the project with the Star-Telegram  including relief that the long-neglected land would be put to use, but a desire for other forms of commerce.

Ultimately, council member Flores peers rallied to his side.

Not only does this provide much needed hotel rooms in a city thats rapidly growing, district six council member Jared Williams said just before votes were cast, this also adds financial benefits to our community as well, in the sense of not only property taxes but sales tax and hotel occupancy tax  all that can be reinvested into building our community and our city.
Four dead in traffic collision on McHenry north of Modesto, CHP says. What we know

Four people were killed in a four-vehicle collision on McHenry Avenue north of Modesto on Tuesday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash happened at about 4 p.m. near the intersection of McHenry and Hogue Road in the Del Rio community. The names of the four killed had not been released as of 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Those killed were described as a 60-year-old Linden woman, a 22-year-old Merced man, a 19-year-old Merced woman and a 1-year-old girl listed in a CHP news release as a Turlock resident.

Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and found four vehicles with collision damage: a 2004 Mitsubishi, a 2019 Toyota, a 2001 Ford and a 2014 Ram.

The occupants of the Mitsubishi, the 19-year-old driver and the 22-year-old passenger, were pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the Toyota, the 60-year-old and the 1-year-old, were taken by ambulance and pronounced dead at Medical Memorial Center.

Our preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the Mitsubishi sedan was traveling northbound on McHenry Avenue, just north of Hogue Road, in the number one lane. For unknown reasons at this time, the driver allowed the Mitsubishi to enter the number two lane before reentering the number one lane, reads the CHPs release. The Mitsubishi entered the southbound number one lane, directly toward a Toyota SUV. A head-on collision occurred.

The Ford was heading south on McHenry in the number two lane when it struck the Mitsubishi and the Toyota. The Ram was driving in the number one lane, also south on McHenry, when it struck the Mitsubishi. Besides those killed, no one else was injured in the collision, according to the release.

It was unknown as of Wednesday morning if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.

Were still trying to figure out the contributing factors, CHP Modesto office spokesman Officer Tom Olsen told The Bee late Wednesday morning. All we have right now is that the (Mitsubishi) vehicle made a sharp turn to the left, directly into the path of the other vehicles.

McHenry Avenue, between Ladd Road and the San Joaquin County Line, was temporarily closed. Detours were put in place for motorists during the closure.
A guest on Larry Kudlows Fox Business show was slammed on social media after he suggested that women being forced to travel out of their home states to receive an abortion is not the worst thing in the world.

Critics on X (formerly Twitter) ripped radio host Mark Simones comments during a discussion on the reinstatement by the Arizona Supreme Court of an 1864 law criminalizing almost all abortions. It overrides the states 15-week abortion ban.

Simone first noted: If someone needs one and they live in Arizona, it just means theyll have to go to a neighboring state.

If you had to travel to another state to get an abortion, its not the worst thing in the world, he later proclaimed.

Hopefully this is a very rare occurrence in your life, once in your life, maybe you would do it, he added. Buying a bus ticket to go somewhere to get it is not the worst thing in the world.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

People called out the callousness of the comments:

Again, men making decisions regarding womens rights.  Paige #Ex GOP  (@ItWasACoup) April 9, 2024

I'm so tired of that man.   Art Candee  (@ArtCandee) April 9, 2024

A panel of three dudes talking about abortion. Classic Fox  Andrew Capasso (@AndrewCapasso_) April 9, 2024

Really?? Tell that to someone in the hinterlands of Idaho who may have to travel 20!hrs.  Don Frickel  (@d_frickel) April 9, 2024

It's not the worst thing in the world.



Listening to your condescending drivel is.  Machine Pun Kelly  (@KellyScaletta) April 9, 2024

Yes when youre going through a very trying time, you want to enact a large financial burden and travel out of state where you must also stay in a hotel for the recovery period increasing your risk of post infection and complication and then you want to bus home. Makes sense   Chris Roy (@AceOfDigBiz) April 10, 2024

I'm sure the women in the hospital bleeding to death or entering sepsis will love getting on a bus to have an abortion.  TaritaC.bsky.social (@TaritaC) April 9, 2024

I love how no women are involved in this conversation.  TaritaC.bsky.social (@TaritaC) April 9, 2024

What an asshole.

Tell that to a woman with kids and a job.  Frances Fisher (@Frances_Fisher) April 10, 2024

Has a man needing his appendix removed (emergency) ever: called off work (no PTO!), book a bus ticket, wait at the station, travel 6+ hours, in pain and scared, go to a hospitalalone (family cant miss work), recover in a $hotel, take a bus home sore, medicated, maybe bleeding? https://t.co/mGrVkJlIgZ  Dani deiVito (@Dani_Knope) April 10, 2024

Why are MEN sitting around discussing laws about something that only affects WOMEN?  Hairball      (@orangepeel18) April 9, 2024

Related...
Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner insisted on Wednesday that shes never heard Donald Trump peddle an antisemitic trope about Jewish Americans who vote Democratjust moments after the former president tripled down on an antisemtic trope about Jewish Americans who vote Democrat.

Faulkners assertion came at the tail end of a heated panel discussion in which liberal Fox News pundit Marie Harf called out Trump for once again attacking Jewish Democrats, prompting right-wing commentator T.W. Shannon to loudly object. Lecturing Harf while taking Shannons side, Faulkner told the pundit that we have to get our facts right and insisted Trump had done no such thing.

Just ahead of the back-and-forth on The Faulkner Focus, the network carried Trumps comments from the tarmac after his plane landed in Georgia on Wednesday. Towards the end of his rambling remarks, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee took aim at President Joe Biden for his rising criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid increasing calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. Inevitably, the ex-president also blasted Jewish Democrats in the process.

Fox News Stars Flip Out When Reminded That Trump Had Dinner With Nazis

Frankly, he is a low-IQ individual. He has no idea where he is and who he is supporting. He doesnt know if he is supporting the Palestinians, Trump bellowed. He knows one thing he is not supporting Israel. He has abandoned Israel. Any Jewish person who votes for a Democrat or Biden should have their head examined!

These latest remarks come just weeks after Trump said any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion and Israel. Even though the comments drew immediate outrage from Jewish leaders, who accused Trump of trafficking in depraved antisemitic dual loyalty screeds, the ex-president repeated his attack this week.

Any Jewish person that votes for Biden does not love Israel, and frankly should be spoken to, he declared on MAGA radio host Wayne Allyn Roots show.

After Trump wrapped up his impromptu presser on Wednesday, Faulkner turned to Harf and Shannon to discuss the former presidents remarks. The conversation grew tense, however, once Harf criticized Trump for his very angry vitriol. He just said if Jews vote for Democrats they should have their heads examined, she noted, causing Shannon to let out a long, deep sigh.

Fox News Host Proclaims Her Pronouns U.S.A. in Weird Monologue

Shannon complained that Harf was intellectually disingenuous for describing Trump as angry before heaping praise on the former president. Faulkner, meanwhile, attempted to fact-check Harf by repeating Trumps tarmac comments in full.

Full quote in here. You were talking about what the president had said about Jewish Americans. He said Biden has totally lost Israel on that issue. And abandoned Israel, the Fox anchor stated. Then he went on to say if you are Jewish in this country and you vote for him, you need your head examined. That was the full context of that. So Marie, the way you made it sound, he just willy-nilly said it. What hes saying is that, look, this is a problem.

Faulkner further claimed that Trump was merely pointing out that Biden has been inundated with anti-Israel protests and that the presidents handling of the war against Hamas is costing him in the polls. Harf said this was because of Bidens continued support for Israel, resulting in Faulkner arguing with the Democratic strategist over the presidents vacillating on the Gaza war.

Eventually, though, Harf pivoted back to her original concern: Trumps inflammatory rhetoric about American Jews. Donald Trump has questioned the loyalty, he has repeatedly questioned the loyalty of Jewish Americans. He has said antisemitic and offensive things about how Jewish Americans vote, she noted.

Oh my gosh! When? Shannon protested. Name one time that Donald Trump has been antisemitic! That is a lie!

Trump has done it over and over again, Harf said, adding: He just did it five minutes ago. Literally!

Fox News Anchor Blows Up When Liberal Pundit Calls Out Lack of COVID Death Coverage

Faulkner, meanwhile, jumped in to end the segment and scold Harf. Antisemitic, anti-Israel, anti-all of it. All of it is what we are covering here. And we have to get our facts right. I didnt hear what youre talking about, Maria, the Fox News host huffed. But what I did hear him do is call Biden out for not having a clear policy or successful policy with Israel.

Despite being lauded as one of the faces of the conservative cable giants hard news division (and snapping at guests calling her far-right), Faulkners pro-Trump leanings have been well on display in recent years. Besides repeatedly toeing the MAGA line, she has called Hillary Clinton so evil and claimed Biden hates at least half of the United States. She once broke literal fake news during an interview with Trump.

While the Fox star regularly sides with right-wing guests over liberals, Faulkners on-air relationship with Harf has long been fraught. She infamously blew up at the progressive commentator during a December 2020 broadcast of the roundtable show Outnumbered when Harf noted that the network had largely ignored the surging COVID-19 deaths that month, calling it offensive. Harf, who had been a regular Outnumbered panelist on the show, soon saw herself benched from the show following the kerfuffle.

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.
FRAMINGHAM  Fresh off securing federal funding for several suburban projects, Framingham's congresswoman visited the South Middlesex Opportunity Council's child care center on Monday to speak with administrators and tour the facility.

Democratic Party Whip Katherine Clark, who represents the state's 5th Congressional District  which includes much of MetroWest  previously announced the securing of more than $13 million in federal funding for projects in her district. In Framingham, she secured $900,000 for a new HVAC system for SMOC's child care center on Roxana Street.

Clark toured the facility, which provides affordable child care for families focusing on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). While there, SMOC staff described to Clark about how the funding will benefit children at the center.

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., reads "All Are Welcome," by Alexandra Penfold, to youngsters at the South Middlesex Opportunity Council's (SMOC) child care center on Roxanna Street in Framingham, April 8, 2024.

Hoping for 'smooth transition': Homeless families moved from Marlborough to Framingham

Steven Strickland, SMOC's real estate development director, said the new funding will benefit SMOC students, some of whom come from high-density areas.

"This facility is located in South Framingham, which historically has more of the environmental impact from heavy industry," Strickland told the Daily News.

SMOC says federal funding provides energy-efficient child care building

He added that the funding is beneficial for the center, as SMOC doesn't have a lot of other funding sources.

"For the federal government to provide this amount of funding really helps us to modernize the space and provide an energy-efficient, safe, high-quality building for our students, so we're really excited," Strickland said.

SMOC President and CEO Susan Gentili also praised the funding, saying the new HVAC system will benefit the roughly 500 children served by SMOC.

Gentili

New SMOC leader: Longtime manager Susan Gentili takes top job after James Cuddy's retirement

"Air quality is lined to health, and we have children here with asthma, and kids from families that need access to lots of stimulation," she said. "Any upgrade that we make to the facility really serves children and helps the families. Families need good, dependable, affordable child care, so that they can work and take care of their families."

In an interview with the Daily News, Clark said she was pleased to secure the funding for SMOC.

"This will make for a better, healthier environment by improving air quality and allow them to continue to provide services to the community of affordable, quality and sensible child care," she said.

According to Strickland, the center's new HVAC system will take a few months to design, and then a few months to construct. But the timeline is dependent on when SMOC actually receives the federal funding.

Congresswoman secures funding for projects in MetroWest

The cash is part of the final fiscal 2024 spending package, which President Joe Biden signed into law on March 23. In all, Clark's district will receive $13 million for 15 projects in 13 communities. Projects were selected in collaboration with state and local leaders.

In MetroWest, the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail received more than $1 million for its completion. Once complete, the rail will run from Lowell to Framingham, with the new funding used by Framingham to finish it off. The 25-mile route will be a non-motorized connection to public transit including the Massport Logan Express, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority.

'A worldwide thing': Framingham Heart Study formally marks its 75th anniversary

In addition, Sudbury received $500,000 to fund construction of a new Emergency Operations Center. That project will create a new facility for conducting critical operations during emergencies.

Wellesley received $500,000 to ensure Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance at Wellesley Commuter Rail stations along the Framingham/Worcester line. All three of Wellesley's stations (Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills and Wellesley Farms) are inaccessible for people with disabilities, according to the T website.

Other projects that received a part of the $13 million disbursement include:

Malden will receive $1 million to acquire and renovate an existing building for a single and permanent home for the Asian American Community Center.

Belmont will receive $1 million to construct a new pedestrian path.

Woburn will receive more than $950,000 to address PFAS remediation.

Winthrop will receive $125,000 to fund a renovation of the EB Newton Center Building.

Cambridge will get about $375,000 to upgrade equipment at Food for Free's Heat-n-Eats program.

Medford will receive $850,00 for the renovation of the Hegner Community Center.

More than $1.5 million will be disbursed to fund construction of the Malden River Works project.

Construction costs totaling $500,000 for shoreline stabilization and redeveloping Gibson Park and Mills Avenue Neighborhood in Revere.

Arlington will receive more than $950,000 for sustainable stormwater infrastructure along the Mystic River watershed.

The Waltham Boys & Girls Club will receive more than $1 million to fund an HVAC project.

Melrose will receive $1 million to fund a stormwater management project along Lebanon and Sylvan streets.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Rep. Clark secures money to upgrade SMOC's Framingham preschool
France is proposing to allow terminally ill patients to take lethal medication

FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron looks on during a joint statement with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, before a working dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Monday, April 8, 2024. France's government presented a bill Wednesday April 10, 2024 to allow adults with terminal cancer or other incurable illness to take lethal medication, amid growing public demand for legal options for aid in dying. Many French people have travelled to neighboring countries to seek such medication where medically assisted suicide or euthanasia are legal. French President Emmanuel Macron has long promised such a bill. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool via AP)

PARIS (AP)  Frances government presented a bill Wednesday to allow adults with terminal cancer or other incurable illness to take lethal medication, as public demands grow for legal options for aid in dying.

Many French people have traveled to neighboring countries where medically assisted suicide or euthanasia are legal. French President Emmanuel Macron has long promised such a bill.

To benefit from the newly proposed measure, patients would need to be over 18 and be French citizens or live in France, Health Minister Catherine Vautrin said after a Cabinet meeting.

A team of medical professionals would need to confirm that the patient has a grave and incurable illness, is suffering from intolerable and untreatable pain, and is seeking lethal medication of their own free will. Those with severe psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimers disease wont be eligible.

The patient would initiate the request for lethal medication and confirm the request after a period of reflection, Vautrin said.

If approved, a doctor would then deliver a prescription, valid for three months, for the lethal medication. People would be able to take it at home, at a nursing home or a health care facility, Macron said. If their physical condition doesnt allow them to do it alone, they will be allowed to get help from someone of their choice or by a doctor or a nurse.

The bill now goes to parliament for debate. Vautrin urged an enormous amount of listening, an enormous amount of humility, as we are touching subjects of life and death, and an enormous amount of respect for the freedom of conscience of each one of us.

She also announced 1.1 billion euros in new spending on palliative and other end-of-life care.

A report last year indicated that most French citizens back legalizing end-of-life options, and opinion polls show growing support over the past 20 years.

A 2016 French law provides that doctors can keep terminally ill patients sedated before death but stops short of allowing assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Medically assisted suicide involves patients taking, of their own free will, a lethal drink or medication that has been prescribed by a doctor to those who meet certain criteria. Euthanasia involves doctors or other health practitioners giving patients who meet certain criteria a lethal injection at their own request.

Assisted suicide is allowed in Switzerland and Portugal and several U.S. states. Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands, Spain, Canada, Australia, Colombia, Belgium and Luxembourg under certain conditions.
New Franciscan University program can help students learn more about healthcare

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is launching a program to involve students in learning more about healthcare careers and personal wellness starting this summer.

According to a release from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, the program is called Wolfpack: Health Fellows Academy. This three-year project is open to 120 high school students from underserved communities. The project received $110,000 from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation Funding.

The goal of launching the program is to increase the number of students interested in learning more about and entering the healthcare career field, the release states.

The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC) has agreed to support the students who are interested in learning about the healthcare field.

Were excited to support this partnership between FranU and BRYC to help open doors to healthcare professions for more students. This kind of hands-on experience and support helps meet the demands of the healthcare workforce shortage, while also paving the way for diversity in the field, said Chloe Wiley, the Blue Cross Foundations initiatives manager.

Baton Rouge Area Chamber supports bill that would make Louisiana schools start later

Since 2009, BRYC has supported aspiring Black healthcare professionals toward their career goals and more equitable representation across healthcare and allied fields, said BRYC Chief of Programs Allie Diefendorf. This goes beyond the economic implications for our alumni and their families  its a force multiplier, with ripple effects on the health of thousands of underserved Louisianans of color. Were proud to partner with FranUs HFA on pushing the needle even further, and we thank their team and faculty for providing such a robust, sustained learning opportunity to BRYC participants.

Starting in the summer of 2024, Health Fellows Academy will host two groups of rising high school sophomores and juniors to be a part of a week-long, hands-on experience on FranUs campus. Fellows will be introduced to careers in radiologic technology, medical lab sciences, nursing, physical therapy, nutritional science and applied behavior analysis.

By fall 2025, FranU will offer dual-enrollment courses for juniors and seniors from the summer cohort interested in earning college credit.

When we have a more diverse and culturally competent healthcare workforce, we can better serve and care for all individuals who live within our local communities, said Alicia Bates, director of the FranU program.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

BRProud Daily News

The Baton Rouge Clinic has offered scholarship opportunities and support through community health fairs through a $40,000 investment. Baton Rouge General and Our Lady of the Lake Health have also committed to supporting FranUs objective by using its facilities and personnel.

I am thankful for the partnerships that FranU has with BCBS, BRYC and the Baton Rouge Clinic. Together, we can educate the future healthcare workforce of Louisiana, while making a lasting and positive impact on the health and welfare of our Louisiana citizens for decades to come, said Bates.

Latest News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) is on a shopping spree, and at least some investors are probably wishing it would put away its credit card. On Wednesday, the business consultancy and services company announced its third acquisition in as many days. The market reacted by trading Accenture's stock down by almost 3%, a steeper tumble than the S&P 500 index's sub-1% slide.

Three acquisitions in three days

Wednesday's acquisition target for Accenture was U.K.-based customer-engagement agency Unlimited. The buyer did not disclose any details of the deal, including its price. It did say that the privately held business would become part of its rapidly expanding Accenture Song unit.

That's the latest in a trio of deals for overseas businesses the company has signed over the past few days. On Monday, Accenture said it is now the owner of management and tech consultancy Axis Corporate, which specializes in financial services. Axis' workforce will be integrated into Accenture's strategy and consulting practice.

Also on Monday, Japanese systems integration-services provider Climb joined the Accenture family. Climb's 200 or so engineers are to become part of Accenture's technology wing.

As with Unlimited, Accenture was mum on the pricing and details of the Axis and Climb purchases.

Uncomfortable memories

When a company makes a major move like acquiring a new asset, investors like to have as much information as possible about the deal (or at least its price).

That's likely a factor behind the Wednesday sell-off as is another item fresh in the minds of Accenture-watchers -- the company's latest earnings report. Towards the end of March, it published its second-quarter results, and while it topped analyst-profitability estimates, revenue guidance was lowered. Investors might be concerned that it's spending at a time when it could be figuring out ways of squeezing more revenue from the assets it already holds.

Should you invest $1,000 in Accenture Plc right now?

Before you buy stock in Accenture Plc, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Accenture Plc wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $522,969!*

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

Story continues

See the 10 stocks 

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 8, 2024

Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Accenture Plc. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2025 $290 calls on Accenture Plc and short January 2025 $310 calls on Accenture Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Why Accenture Stock Wilted on Wednesday was originally published by The Motley Fool
Fraudster claiming 500,000 for injury caught out after appearing on Jeremy Kyle

Patricia Rogers appears in a video walking with a stick which she then begins to carry, indicating it was not needed - City of London Police/Triangle News

A woman who tried to claim nearly 500,000 by exaggerating her injuries before appearing to walk unaided on The Jeremy Kyle Show stage has avoided prison.

Patricia Rogers, 25, made a civil claim for damages after being involved in a road traffic collision in 2014, which she claimed had left her unable to walk without a stick or crutches, City of London Police said.

Footage later gathered as evidence, including from appearances on the ITV chat show, showed Rogers was able to walk unaided for an extensive period of time.

Rogers made the claim worth 492,141 after she was a passenger in a car involved in a collision with a vehicle driven by a policyholder from insurance company NFU Mutual, the force said.

She claimed that the collision had caused a back condition that severely disrupted her everyday life.

NFU Mutual gathered surveillance footage of Rogers on April 26 2021 after it noted inconsistencies in medical reports she used to support her claim.

Rogers attended a medical assessment the same day, and footage showed that she travelled to the appointment in a taxi and walked with a walking stick.

However, more footage from earlier that day showed Rogers walking her two dogs unaided for around 40 minutes, including holding one of their leads, with no obvious discomfort.

Rogers attended a medical assessment and footage showed she travelled to appointment in a taxi and walked with a walking stick - UNPIXS

More footage from earlier the same day showed Rogers walking her two dogs unaided for around 40 minutes with no obvious discomfort - City of London Police/SWNS

She also appeared as a guest on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2017 and 2018, where she walked, stood and ran across the stage unaided, police said.

During an interview on Nov 17 2021, Rogers was shown the footage and told officers that she could not use a walking stick because she was holding the lead.

She added that she had been able to walk around on The Jeremy Kyle Show unaided because she felt angry, which distracted her from the pain.

Rogers, from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Sheffield Crown Court on Feb 2, City of London Police said.

Her 12-month prison term was suspended for 18 months, and she was ordered to pay 500 in compensation at the same court on Tuesday.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
A 22-year-old French woman whose blood-drained body was found in an abandoned church in northern Italys Aosta Valley over the weekend had been looking for a haunted house believed to contain ghosts, according to police.

She told family members about her plans before leaving the village near Lyon where she lived, a police spokeswoman in the town of La Salle told CNN.

Police believe the victim could have been attempting to carry out a TikTok stunt, adding that her death could be related to a ghost hunting competition being played in France on the social media platform. The other working theories are that it was a consented murder or sacrifice, or an attempt to carry out a social media prank in the deconsecrated church. Police are still searching for a young man who was seen with her. There are also two other missing persons cases in the area which police say could be related.

According to the spokeswoman, the victim and a male friend had been seen in the area dressed like vampires. A witness interviewed by police say the young woman was pale and emaciated and the man had dark hair and olive skin. The witness told police investigators that she looked like a walking corpse.

The dead woman, whose name has not been released, had been stabbed with what investigators say was a camping knife and had bled to death, according to medical examiner Roberto Testi. She also had two gunshots to her neck and one to her abdomen that police say may have been inflicted after she died. Some of the blood had been scraped off the floor and removed from the crime scene, police told CNN. There were no signs of struggle, police say.

Police say they found a package of pink marshmallows and some groceries purchased at a local store near her body and she was wearing beige leggings and a sweatshirt under a long dark coat. The woman had no documents or cellphone on her when a local resident discovered her decomposing body, police say.

The area prosecutor Manlio DAmbrosi told local media that they are also investigating the presence of a burgundy colored van that was spotted on surveillance footage near the abandoned church last week. A spokesperson from the prosecutors office declined to add further details.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
MONTEREY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A Fresno man has been arrested in the Bay Area after allegedly driving under the influence off the wharf on Sunday, the Monterey Police Department announced.

Officers say they were on foot on Alvarado and observed a green 1997 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck turn right from Alvarado onto Del Monte, driving the wrong way on a one-way street, and broadcast it on the police radio.

Another officer said they located the vehicle in the left turn pocket from Del Monte to Municipal Wharf 2. The vehicle turned left onto Municipal Wharf 2 and officers turned their overhead lights to initiate a traffic stop. The driver pulled to the right of the wharf and stopped, but as the officer approached the vehicle on foot, the truck fled northbound toward the end of the wharf at a high rate of speed.

Officers drove to the end of the wharf and believed that the truck and its occupants were hiding behind the building on the end of the wharf. As officers arrived, they blocked any exit routes with their vehicles. The officers then started to walk towards the end of the wharf to check the back of the building when they heard someone yelling for help from the ocean.

Investigators say they observed four people in the water and assumed they had jumped into the water to escape. The officers threw flotation devices at the people directed them to hold onto the devices and called fire rescue.

Detectives say it was not until the officers could not find the truck that they realized the truck had driven off the wharf and into the ocean.

Police say they, along with the Monterey Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard, were able to rescue all four occupants.

Investigators say they identified 21-year-old Martin Urroz of Fresno as the driver. He suffered injuries as a result of driving off the wharf into the ocean and was transported to the Natividad Trauma Center. The passengers sustained minor injuries.

According to the Monterey Police Department, Urroz was arrested and released to receive medical treatment. He was arrested on suspicion of DUI and resisting a peace officer.

The other occupants in the vehicle were medically treated for minor injuries and released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Frontline hospitals are priority: Ukraine's health minister reveals how state funds for shelters will be allocated

UAH 1 billion (about US$25.5 million) has been allocated from the Ukrainian state budget to build shelters in medical facilities by the end of 2024.

Source: Ministry of Health of Ukraine



Details: Applications from hospitals in frontline areas will have priority, the Ministry of Health has noted.

Quote: "Priority in the allocation of funds will be given to medical institutions located closer to the areas of combat actions, where Russia is constantly bombarding civilian infrastructure and where the need for shelters is most critical," Health Minister Viktor Liashko said.

He added that this is only the first wave of funding, and the ministry will continue to seek funds to ensure that "medical facilities are not only centres of help and support for patients, but also a safe space where everyone can feel protected in any situation".

In order to receive state funding for the construction or modernisation of shelters, regional military-civilian administrations have until 1 May to collect information on ready-to-implement shelter projects in hospitals within a capable network.

Support UP or become our patron!
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  The Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center was filled with residents who want to learn more about improving their community on April 9, 2024. From speakers to sponsors, many were gathered to look toward the future.

Future Forward 2024 was hosted by the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce. Discussion sessions, a business showcase, and more are offered for those who attend.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to meet candidates in upcoming local elections as well. Michelle Rotellini, President and CEO of the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, said this event helps residents learn more about how they can help.

So, were just really excited about this two day event that is bringing information to the community that we feel is key to know how as stakeholders, we can all participate in moving our region forward, said Rotellini.

This event hopes to help spread the message that progress for the future.

Local elementary school students get lifelong lesson about the eclipse

Local businesses had tables that provided resources to help residents with this message.

The United Way of Southern West Virginia also attended to show the community what they offer. Trena Dacal, Executive Director of the United Way of Southern West Virginia, said their mission and the mission of Future Forward 2024 tie together.

Our mission with United Way, especially with improved financial stability and health and education always ties in with those local community members that want to see progress in southern West Virginia, that hope to see increased business. Because when the community thrives, every person has an increased chance of doing betterof thriving, said Dacal to 59News.

Looking toward the future is being addressed not only make residents think, but also to convince them to take action to better their community and the people around them.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
George King  who endured prejudice, taunting and no chance for advancement as one of Durhams first Black firefighters, then rose to be the citys fire marshal and assistant chief over a long and celebrated career  has died at 88.

As one of the Durham 10, King took a job in 1958 manning the citys No. 4 station in Hayti, a mostly Black neighborhood where residents felt their emergencies didnt merit the same speedy response as a white familys fire.

When King heard the news that Durhams department would bow to pressure and hire its first Black firefighters, he was sitting in a Sunday church pew, fresh out of the Air Force.

I needed a job

I started praying, he told The N&O in 1993. The reason was simple. I was a newlywed, I had a child on the way, and I needed a job.

The men who trained as the Durham 10 managed training more rigorous than their white colleagues had completed.

Our final test was to climb a ladder that was 100 feet high and stood straight up, recalled Velton Thompson, one of Kings colleagues, upon his retirement. An acrobat wouldnt do that. Then we had to step over the top of the ladder and come down the other side. It was designed to discourage us.

The Durham Fire Departments First Black Firefighters Were Hired 50 Years Ago This year marks the 50thanniversary for ten men who joined the Durham Fire Department on October 1, 1958. The ten men were Walter Thomas (deceased), Elgin Johnson (deceased), George King, Velton Thompson, Robert Medlyn (deceased), John Lyon, Nathaniel Thompson, Sylvester Hall (deceased), Thomas Harris, and Linwood Howard (deceased). The firefighters were all assigned to Fire Station #4, which at that time was a brand new station, located at the corner of Pekoe and Fayetteville Streets. The firefighters were selected after a physical exam along with vigorous training, which they all passed to make them eligible to perform firefighting duties. They lived together, ate together and, of course, fought fires together, where they depended on each other. The African American firefighters struggle was a legitimate push for social recognition and a desire to assume a basic civic duty-to serve and protect their community and families.

But King recalled being able to shrug off the slurs, and other members of the Durham 10 managed their demanding jobs while white firefighters short-sheeted their beds, sprinkled salt and sand in their bedding and timed their meals so they wouldnt have to share a table.

What bothered me so much, simply, was that I couldnt get promoted, King told The N&O. Nobody could in our company.

You had to eat a lot of smoke

Near the end of his 35 years with the department, King recalled having to fight fires in his street clothes during the day, using boots and fire pants only when awakened at night. They had no air tanks or breathing equipment.

To be respected among your peers, he told The Herald-Sun in 1993, you had to eat a lot of smoke.

George King

King recalled freezing nights when his toes would go numb inside his wet socks. Over his career, he would see dozens of children die or their parents blown off their porches by explosions. Only months before he retired, he investigated a blaze started by a 4-year-old boy playing with a cigarette lighter, triggering a fire that killed his grandmother and 2-year-old brother.

Men of the Durham 10 worked closely enough to finish each others sentences and laugh before the punch lines of each others jokes. Then in 1969, 11 years after their hiring, Durham integrated its fire department and split them up.

A brotherhood among the 10

And as he rose to assistant chief, King still answered to a familiar face: Chief Nathaniel Thompson, another veteran of the Durham 10.

We had a brotherhood among the 10 that was unbreakable, King said at his retirement. Being a minority coming into a predominantly white organization was very difficult. Thats whats been so gratifying  that in 1958 there were no black firefighters and today as I retire the chief is a Black man and one of the original 10.

Of those 10, King was one of two surviving members.

His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at United Holy Church of America in Goldsboro.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A 12-year-old Georgetown County student has been charged after allegedly threatening to shoot up Carvers Bay Middle School, the sheriffs office said.

Georgetown Co. teen charged with making school threat, sheriff says

The boy is accused of sending a Snapchat message to his friends threatening to shoot up the school, according to the sheriffs office. The school resource officer overheard other students talking about the message on Wednesday morning.

11-year-old Georgetown County student charged after allegedly saying school would blow up

As the students walked through the metal detector, they gave more information when they were interviewed. The boy was charged with making school threats.

The sheriffs office said the middle school is operating under normal conditions.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Sen. Jon Ossoff holds a press conference in Atlanta about children missing from Georgia DFCS care Oct. 27, 2023. Ossoff's Senate subcommittee released its full findings into deficiencies at DFCS Tuesday. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services consistently fails to protect children from abuse, and mismanagement at the division is a key contributor to child deaths and serious injuries, according to a U.S. Senate report released Tuesday. DFCS called the allegations unfounded and irresponsible.

The most vulnerable children in our state and in our nation must be protected from physical abuse, from sexual abuse, and from human trafficking, said Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, who led the investigation along with Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. We cannot and must not look away from these findings, though they are deeply distressing. We cannot accept the abuse, the trafficking, and the preventable death of children. I thank my Subcommittee staff and the more than 100 witnesses whose hard work and courage has brought these facts to the public.

The investigation, launched in February 2023, also found evidence that more than 400 children in state custody were likely sex trafficked over a five-year span, while nearly 2,000 were reported missing during the same time; Georgias Department of Human Services leadership, which oversees DFCS, recommended prolonging foster childrens stays in juvenile detention because they didnt have enough placements; DFCS consistently fails to meet childrens mental and physical health needs, including by overprescribing psychotropic drugs to children. The report says the DHS has not adequately responded to reports of previous failures and is seeking to weaken oversight by taking over the federally-mandated panels which review the division.

The report says the division experiences high turnover rates as employees struggle to keep up with high caseloads, but that many employees are afraid they will be retaliated against if they speak out.

The child welfare agency responded to the 64-page report Tuesday with an 11-page report of its own, characterizing the findings as a partisan hatchet job that mischaracterizes statistics and ignores the divisions improvements.

After taking months to produce a report  written and supported solely by staff of the majority party  the subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law provided DFCS and the state only two days to respond to a heavily redacted version of the final report. Highlighting Sen. Ossoffs staffs obvious lack of subject matter expertise regarding complex child welfare issues, the subcommittees report omits key context, ignores relevant data that undermine the reports primary assertions, and takes great lengths to misrepresent DFCS actions, facts about various cases, and outcomes for many children in the states care, said DHS spokeswoman Kylie Winton in a statement.

The DFCS response includes data in which the Georgia agency outperforms the national average, including the rate at which children are the subject of a second credible report of maltreatment in a year, the rate of reported maltreatment for children under court jurisdiction and the rate at which children in foster care experience moves in their placement.

Not included in the subcommittees report are DFCSs improvements in addressing the issue of hoteling, strengthening rigorous safeguards for the children in our care, and streamlining service delivery, the statement continues. Our staff and leadership take our responsibility to Georgias at-risk youth with the utmost seriousness and will continue to identify and implement solutions that better serve those in our care. We encourage Sen. Ossoff to focus his efforts on putting the welfare of children above political gamesmanship.

Kids in need

Ossoffs report cites a spring 2023 audit that found DFCS failed to properly assess and address safety concerns in 84% of cases reviewed, the worst rate in the past seven years.

Emma Hetherington, a University of Georgia clinical associate professor and the director of the UGA Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation legal clinic, or CEASE, which represents victims of child sexual abuse, said for the children she represents, failing to address safety concerns often means kids, especially teens, are not being believed when they speak up.

The childs voice and the childs own words and reports and experiences are dismissed, said Hetherington, who also testified to the subcommittee.

Its sort of a, eh, we got that report, but, you know, theyre just saying that because they were mad about something, she said. Theyre fine. And this attitude, this, Oh, well, theyre older, so theyre less vulnerable, which in some respects is true, but if you completely fail to respond at all, then youre actually increasing their vulnerability.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children testified that nearly 2,000 children in DFCS care were reported missing between 2018 and 2022, with at least 410 of those children likely trafficked.

For most victims, child sex trafficking doesnt look like a stranger looking to kidnap children, Hetherington said. Most children who end up being trafficked were sexually abused when they were younger or were already vulnerable in other ways.

They dont have a safe place to sleep at night. They have inadequate clothing, food, shelter, their basic needs, they are not getting appropriate medical care or their education has been neglected, she said. Theyre a very, very high vulnerability at this point to be preyed upon due to the need for basic things. So you could have a child that runs away from home and someone says, Hey, Ill give you a ride if you perform this sex act, and that is trafficking. Its not kids being snatched in the night and being trafficked, thats not typically what we see.

Hetherington said children dealing with abuse often display problem behaviors and can be written off as simply unruly, promiscuous or angry, which can exacerbate the problem of kids going unheard when they advocate for themselves.

Failure to address safety concerns

The Senate committee document outlines several gruesome stories in which a lack of action preceded the death of a child in state custody.

In one 2023 case, DFCS noted that a background check on foster parents did not reveal their child protective service or criminal histories. The family had a documented history of using inappropriate corporal punishment against children in their care, and a previous DFCS directive prohibited the placement of non-verbal children in the home because they could not report potential abuse or neglect.

But the division did place a nonverbal toddler with the foster family, which ultimately killed her.

In another case, investigators said a grandmother reported to DFCS that her grandchilds mother was suffering from mental illness and referred to one of her children as the devil. Rather than performing a safety assessment in accordance with policy, DFCS requested law enforcement perform a wellness check.

Based upon the wellness check, allegations of abuse were deemed unsubstantiated, and the case was closed, the report reads. The child was killed approximately five months later, when the mother set fire to the home.

According to the report, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services placed DFCS on an improvement plan in 2017 to address failures to meet federal safety standards, among other deficiencies, and HHS fined the division in 2020 for failing to meet some of the plans requirements. But even after being fined by HHS, DFCS performance on federal safety metrics continued to decline, according to the report.

The state agency says Ossoffs office cherry picked and incorrectly interpreted statistics to produce the 84% figure, noting that DFCS has appealed the fine and that none of the states that have participated in the federal program that lead to the improvement plan have met federal standards.

Failure to meet medical needs

Ossoffs report also cites a spring 2023 DFCS audit into federal health care standards that the document says that children in the agencys care received adequate services for their physical health in only 40% of cases and received adequate care in mental and behavioral health in only 13% of cases reviewed.

The state human services department says its Medicaid provider, Amerigroup, often denies coverage for medically necessary services for foster children and that the department often covers the cost of medical services and appeals denials of coverage.

Both statements ring true for Hetherington, who said many of her clients struggle for a long time to obtain basic services like a visit to the dentist for a toothache.

Then all of a sudden, once they finally do go to the dentist, the dentist says, Well, we have to pull it because Amerigroup isnt gonna pay for a root canal, she said. So now Im dealing with a teenager whos having to get teeth pulled. I mean, I think any adult would be upset by not being able to get a cap or something like that to replace it, and its really devastating for them. Theres already so much low self esteem going on when youre in foster care, and then you add these things to it that could have been prevented.

The state takes a child away from their parents, typically for reasons of neglect, sometimes abuse, but often neglect, and then the State neglects them, she added.

In particular, the report alleges DFCS does not adequately monitor the administration of psychotropic drugs to children, and as a result, some children are being overmedicated.

Hetherington said the children she works with are often prescribed powerful medications for conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia when their real issues are with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Ive had clients on lithium before, children on lithium, she said. You see what the side effects of those medications are, whether they become zombie-like, whether, some of these psychotropic medications for teenagers are very dangerous and increase suicidal ideation and and can increase anxiety and things like that.

Recommendations

Ossoffs report ends with seven recommendations for DFCS, Georgia the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Congress that the subcommittee hopes will help prevent future tragedies.

Hetherington said she hopes the report will bring about new policies at the division

I just really hope that they take this as an opportunity to be reflective, to really look internally and externally, she said. I hope that what comes out of this is not just immediately going on defense, not pointing fingers at everyone else, but actually saying Well, what can we do? I think its really important here to recognize these are kids. Were talking about children and our childrens lives and health and safety, and what matters so much more is those kids rather than our egos or us feeling upset if someone says we did a bad job.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Georgia child welfare agency defensive after Ossoff Senate panel reports neglect and exploitation appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
In 2022, Reason reported that local police departments in Georgia were hassling vape and smoke shops for the legal products they sold. Two years later, those products remain every bit as legal as before, but cops are still making life difficult for vendors.

On March 13, officers with the Newnan Police Department Drug and Vice Unit raided Newnan Tobacco & Vapor. According to The Newnan Times-Herald, officers said the raid came after "compliance checks with local stores that sell Delta 8, 9 or THC products."

Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, which creates the "high" from using marijuana. Ever since the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the list of controlled substances, federal law limits the amount of delta-9 in any substance to 0.3 percent.

But around the same time the Farm Bill became law, scientists discovered delta-8 THC, which produces a similar "high" as delta-9 but can be synthesized out of CBD derived from hemp. (A similar process produces a similar compound, delta-10 THC.) Since the Farm Bill specifically legalized the sale and production of hemp, it was assumed that any hemp byproducts were legitimate, as welland in 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit agreed.

Georgia passed a similar law in 2019, which legalized hemp in the state, as well as "all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with the federally defined THC level for hemp or a lower level."

And yet police departments hassle smoke shops over their perfectly legal products.

In January 2022, District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson of Gwinnett County, which includes part of Atlanta, announced that her office would crack down on stores selling delta-8 and delta-10 products. She justified this action on the theory that since state law mentions delta-9 but not delta-8 or delta-10, then those must not be allowed in any capacity. "Those found to be possessing, selling or distributing these substances may be subject to felony punishment and are at risk of having their assets seized and forfeited to the state," Austin-Gatson's office said in a statement.

Two Gwinnett smoke shops sued Austin-Gatson and the state of Georgia after being raided. In April 2022, Judge Charles Eaton Jr. of the Fulton County Superior Court issued an injunction barring Austin-Gatson from prosecuting anyone for selling delta-8 or delta-10. The previous month, a judge had ordered the Madison County Sheriff's Office to return delta-8 products improperly seized during a raid.

In March 2023, the Georgia Supreme Court dismissed the Gwinnett shops' lawsuit and lifted the injunction against Austin-Gatson, finding that "the doctrine of sovereign immunity, as enshrined in our Constitution, bars suits against the State and its employees in their official capacities."

Then in November, the Georgia Court of Appeals ruled in the shops' favor, with Presiding Judge Christopher McFadden writing, "The state's argument has no merit," as the seized products "do not contain any controlled substances; they are alleged to contain only delta-8-THC or delta-10-THC, which the state concedes are not controlled substances."

So why, then, did cops in Newnan raid a smoke shop five months after that decision was issued?

"That was an unpublished opinion, because all the judges agreed on the outcome, but they didn't all agree on the same reasons," says Tom Church, an attorney who represents multiple smoke shops in the state, including the plaintiffs in the Gwinnett case as well as Newnan Tobacco & Vapor. "They all agreed we should have gotten back our money and our gummies, and all the other property that was seized, but they didn't all agree on the same reason."

Indeed, while McFadden wrote the appeals court decision, the filing notes that the other two judges "concur[red] in judgment only." In many judicial districts, unpublished opinions "cannot be cited as binding precedent" but instead "are merely persuasive authority," according to the Georgetown University Law Center.

In practice, this means that police can still arrest shop owners and seize their cash and inventory for selling products with delta-8 and delta-10, even though multiple laws and judicial decisions have said the products are legal and no law or decision has said the opposite.

"We have all the authority on our side," Church says. "These local law enforcement officials just keep getting it wrong, unfortunately."

The post Georgia Cops Are Still Hassling Vape Stores Over Legal Products appeared first on Reason.com.
Aerospace component manufacturer Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) has revealed it's getting a new CEO, initiating a leadership transition that caught investors off guard. The market generally hates surprises, and pushed shares of Hexcel down by 11% at the opening of Wednesday's trading session on the news.

A surprise change in the cockpit

Hexcel manufactures lightweight composite technologies that have become popular in aerospace, transportation, and energy markets. These materials have the strength of metals but are easier to customize, and their lower weights help improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles built with them.

Late Tuesday, Hexcel announced that Thomas C. Gentile III will take over as CEO on May 2. He will succeed Nick Stanage, who has agreed to remain as executive chairman of the board until year's end to assist with the transition.

In a statement, the company said that Stanage "worked closely with the board on his desire to retire," but Hexcel had not previously given investors any heads up that a change was coming. From 2016 to 2023, Gentile was CEO of Spirit AeroSystems, a company currently in the news because its issues have contributed to problems at Boeing.

Is Hexcel a buy on its CEO news?

Gentile comes with baggage, but during his tenure, long-troubled Spirit AeroSystems actually showed signs of improvement. And though the market doesn't like to be caught off guard, Stanage's willingness to stay on as executive chairman of the board for seven months should help ensure a smooth transition, and implies that there are no unstated reasons for the company to be making this leadership change.

Still, it might take time for Hexcel shares to recover from Wednesday's slide. This is a company that has historically traded at a premium thanks to its strong operational reputation, and investors might take a wait-and-see approach instead of assuming that Gentile will be able to continue what Stanage has established.

Hexcel also has lingering risks related to Boeing's troubles. The latest headlines surrounding the aerospace giant involve whistleblower complaints about the 787's manufacturing process. Should those complaints be substantiated, they could be a fresh blow to the reputation of the carbon composite aircraft, and raise questions about the viability of metal alternatives.

Given all the uncertainties, there's no reason to jump into Hexcel stock now.

Should you invest $1,000 in Hexcel right now?

Before you buy stock in Hexcel, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Hexcel wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Story continues

Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.

See the 10 stocks

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 8, 2024

Lou Whiteman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Hexcel. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Why Hexcel Stock Is Down Today was originally published by The Motley Fool
Georgia mayor removed from office by governor after investigation into theft from city

A Middle Georgia mayor has been removed from office after he was indicted on charges that he stole money from the city he was in charge of.

Officials said Mayor Brandon Holt, 34, had misappropriated the city of Pineview funds. On Jan.16, authorities arrested and charged Holt with 75 counts of theft by taking.

According to an executive order signed by Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday, Holt was suspended from office immediately and without further action pending the final disposition of the case or until the expiration of his term of office, whichever occurs first.

The investigation into Holt began in October 2023, shortly after he was shot in a drive-by in LaGrange.

Wilcox County Sheriff Steve Mauldin and District Attorney Brad Rigby asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to start looking into misappropriated funds.

TRENDING STORIES:

According to court documents obtained by WGXA-TV, investigators alleged Holt took $64,455 in city funds through 75 separate Cash App transactions and put the money into his own bank account.

Holt was arrested on Jan. 16 and posted bond on the 75 charges.

Kemp ordered a review commission be established shortly after Holts indictment in March, which found Holts indictment adversely affect(s) the administration of the Office of Mayor of Pineview, and that the rights and interests of the public are adversely affected thereby.

WMAZ-TV learned this is not the first time Holt had been arrested on theft charges. An indictment from Bibb County claims Holt used the account numbers for Macon Asphalt to steal $22,196 from the company.




Georgia ranks high in STD rates and Columbus Health Dept. offers tips to prevent contracting an STD

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The month of April marks STD awareness month and the West Central Health District is offering preventative steps that can be taken to protect against STDs.

In 2022, according to the health department, Georgia ranked fifth in the country for gonorrhea and chlamydia cases. Georgia also ranked 17th for congenital syphilis cases and 20th for primary and secondary syphilis cases.

So how are more people contracting STDs and dont know?

One way we can begin to reduce the number of STD cases is for people to get tested, STD Program and HIV Prevention Manager Antonio B. Lawrence, for the West Central Health District said. If you know youre positive, you can be treated, and not pass the infection to anyone else.

The health department says untreated STDs can lead to an increased risk of contracting and passing along HIV, long-term blindness, and infertility. The majority of STDs are curable and treatable and the health department advises anyone who tests positive to seek treatment immediately to avoid becoming reinfected.

Columbus Animal Care and Control initiates Come Save Me campaign

The Columbus Health Department urges locals to remember to, Talk, Test and Treat. Talk to your partner and healthcare providers. Get tested; its the only way to know for sure. Finish your course of treatment.

The health department listed the following precautions people can start to protect against STDs:

Practice abstinence  the surest way to avoid STDs is to not have sex. This means vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.

Have fewer partners  agree to only have sex with one person who agrees to only have sex with you. Make sure you both get tested to know for sure that neither of you has an STD.

Talk with your partner(s) about STDs and staying safe before you have sex. Getting the conversation started might be uncomfortable, but protecting your health is your responsibility.

Get tested- many STDs dont have symptoms, but they can still cause health problems.

For more information about STD prevention, testing, and treatment visit www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com or call the health department at 833-337-1749.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Finished HK416 assault rifles are lined up in the production hall of arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch in Oberndorf. After reaching a record high in 2023, export licences for German weapons and military equipment continued to rise at the beginning of this year due to increasing arms deliveries to Ukraine. Bernd Weibrod/dpa

After reaching a record high in 2023, export licences for German weapons and military equipment continued to rise at the beginning of this year due to increasing arms deliveries to Ukraine.

From January 1 to March 27, the German government approved the export of military goods worth at least 4.89 billion ($5.31 billion), almost as much as in the entire first half of 2023 with 5.22 billion. Almost three quarters of this (72%) is destined for Ukraine, which is being supported by Germany in its defence campaign against Russia.

The information was released by the Economy Ministry in response to a question from Bundestag member Sevim Dagdelen from the Sahra Wagenknecht coalition, which was made available to dpa.

The most important recipient country after Ukraine was Singapore with 583.9 million. It was followed by India (143.3 million), Saudi Arabia (126.4 million) and Qatar (97 million).

In 2018, the CDU/CSU and SPD government largely halted arms deliveries to Saudi Arabia due to the kingdom's involvement in the war in Yemen and the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the country's consulate general in Istanbul.

Last year, however, the restrictions were eased by the coalition government when the Saudi kingdom withdrew from hostilities in Yemen.

The ministry pointed out that the authorized exports for Saudi Arabia "almost exclusively" concern joint projects with EU and NATO partners.

Last year, authorizations for German arms exports rose to a record 12.2 billion - including 4.4 billion for Ukraine. Germany also exported large amounts of weapons to Israel, particularly in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks and the start of Israel's ongoing military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
A German art museum fired an employee for secretly hanging up one of his own paintings

A technician at a German museum was fired for smuggling his own painting into one of its galleries.

The worker hoped that displaying his piece there would bring him an 'artistic breakthrough.'

The art world is hard to break into, often requiring skill, connections, and name recognition.

An art museum worker in Germany was fired after he smuggled in one of his own paintings and hung it up on the wall, Suddeutsche Zeitung reported.

According to the newspaper, the employee, a 51-year-old man, worked as a technician at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich but also moonlighted as a freelance artist.

The Pinakothek der Moderne contains works by the likes of Salvador Dali and Henri Matisse, which can sell for tens of millions of dollars.

Police told Suddeutsche Zeitung that the man hoped that smuggling his artwork into the museum would help him to have an "artistic breakthrough."

The art world is famously hard to crack, often demanding not only skill but also connections and name recognition. Artists like Vincent Van Gogh were often dismissed in their own lifetimes.

This incident appears to show someone going to extreme lengths to try to short-circuit that process.

The now-fired worker had access to exhibition rooms outside opening hours, Suddeutsche Zeitung reported. At some point, he hung his painting on a gallery wall, although it's unclear how long it was up before somebody realized, according to the newspaper.

After it was discovered, it was returned to the worker, according to the newspaper. The man was barred from the premises and fired, it added.

Police are now investigating the man for a lesser offense  property damage.

According to Suddeutsche Zeitung, he drilled two holes into the wall to put up his painting, which may constitute damage to the museum.

The Pinakothek der Moderne did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

In an incident last November, also in Germany, another artist tried a similar strategy, although she had markedly more success with it.

Danai Emmanouilidis smuggled her painting into an exhibition at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn. The museum praised the artwork, which has since been auctioned off, with proceeds going to an arts charity for refugees.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A worker at Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich, reportedly smuggled his own art into the museum and put it up on a wall - HANNES MAGERSTAEDT/GETTY

A German museum worker has been sacked for putting one of his own paintings on display in the hope it would make him famous.

The unnamed technical worker at Munichs Pinakothek der Moderne, believed that secretly installing his own work in the same building as the likes of Henri Matisse and Salvador Dali might lead to an artistic breakthrough, German police sources said.

According to Suddeutsche Zeitung, a German newspaper, the 51-year-old smuggled his painting into the museum and put it up on a wall.

It appears that no one caught on to the ruse at first, presumably as there would be nothing unusual about the sight of a technical worker tinkering with the museums exhibits.

The painting remained on display for an undisclosed period of time, and the worker was eventually dismissed once museum staff discovered his deception.

Criminal damage report

Museum chiefs also reported the worker to police for criminal damage, after he drilled two holes into a wall.

It was not immediately clear if this was related to a separate incident or was part of the workers attempts to make his own painting display look as legitimate as possible.

The style and qualities of the painting are shrouded in mystery: the museum has only disclosed its dimensions, 24 by 47 inches (60 by 120 centimetres).

The decision to both sack the worker and report him to local police suggests that the museums leadership did not see the funny side of the incident.

The supervisors notice something like this immediately, a spokesman for Pinakothek der Moderne said when approached for comment by Suddeutsche Zeitung.

A similar incident occurred a few weeks ago in the city of Bonn, where a student smuggled her work into the Bundeskunsthalle and fixed it to the wall with double-sided sticky tape.

On that occasion,, the deception went unnoticed until the end of the exhibition. Bundeskunsthalle staff also adopted a more light-hearted approach to the ruse.

We find this funny and would like to get to know the artist, the museum wrote on Twitter. Get in touch! Theres no anger, word of honour.

The Munich museum did not immediately respond to The Telegraph when asked if it had any photographs of the painting in question, and whether it felt the museum worker had any artistic talent.

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.
Berlin sent a new batch of military aid to Ukraine, containing artillery shells, drones, and armored vehicles, among other supplies, the German government said on April 10.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth 500 million euros (roughly $540 million) earlier in March, including 10,000 artillery shells from the military stocks, 100 armored vehicles for infantry, and 100 logistical vehicles.

In its latest delivery, Germany provided Ukraine with 6,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, one million rounds of small arms ammunition, 680 MK 556 assault riffles, 50 HLR 338 precision rifles, and 120 CR 308 rifles.

Berlin also handed over 16 Vector and 30 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones, as well as 30 frequency range extensions for anti-drone devices.

Ukraine further received one Warthog command armored vehicle, two Wisent mine-clearing tanks, 11 remote-controlled mine-clearing systems, three mine plows, 70 IR cameras, 24 outboard motors, and 5,000 detonators.

The previous batch of German military aid was sent to Ukraine on March 28 and contained tank ammunition, drones, and artillery shells.

Germany has become one of Ukraine's leading military donors, second only to the U.S. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany has supplied Ukraine with 17.7 billion euros (around $19 billion) in military assistance as of January.

Read also: Taurus missiles: Why Ukraine wants them  and Germany hesitates

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
SARDIS, Ga. (ABC News/WJBF)  Five sorority sisters from the University of Georgia have been hailed as heroes after rescuing a mother and her two young sons from their sinking vehicle after it fell into a creek.

Molly McCollum, Jane McArdle, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones and Kaitlyn lannace were leaving their campus in Athens to celebrate St. Patricks Day weekend in Savannah when the event occurred on March 15.

On their way to Savannah, the group took a long detour to stop for lunch, prompting them to reroute through a rural area later when they hit the road again.

ALSO ON WJBF: 5 UGA students rescue family from submerged SUV in Burke County

It wasnt long before the group ran into something unusual.

In our peripheral vision, we just see this  spark of white, a little cloud of dust and kind of like a big old crash, McCollum recalled during an interview with Good Morning America which aired on Wednesday. And Im just like, Am I imagining that? And Clarke was like, Yeah, yeah, lets go check that out.'

Thats when we decided to pull over, and thats when we saw the car in the water, Jones said.

Cori Craft had been driving through Sardis, Georgia, with her two sons sitting in the backseat when she lost control of her SUV. In the blink of an eye, Crafts car veered off the road and into a creek, where it began sinking rapidly.

I was thinking, Im like, I dont even know where my phone is. I dont have my glasses. I dont know how Im going to call for help,' Craft said. And then I just heard them over on the bank, and they shouted [asking] if I was OK. And Im like, No, my kids are in the car.'

Courtsey of BCSO

Courtsey of BCSO

Courtsey of BCSO

Courtsey of BCSO

Courtsey of BCSO

Courtsey of BCSO

Courtsey of BCSO

Courtsey of BCSO

Courtsey of BCSO

Courtsey of BCSO

McCollum told ABC News Eva Pilgrim she saw Craft getting out of the vehicle through the broken sunroof and screaming for help.Theres two more kids in the car, like, My two kids are in the car,' McCollum recalled Craft yelling at the time.

Added McArdle, I think the mom was so frantic that, like, I dont know I feel like I didnt have a choice but to help.

The students sprang into action, immediately calling 911 and jumping into the cold water to rescue the family.

Craft said the women crawled on top of her vehicle and helped her open the door. They managed to get Crafts older son out quickly, but Crafts 4-year-old was still trapped underwater and buckled into his car seat.

Time is ticking. It had been like 4 to 5 minutes  it was just, like, every second mattered, McCollum recalled of the scary moment.

Eventually, the group was able to pull the 4-year-old to safety.

We all together, like, just pulled him out of the vehicle and then, yeah, [he] was like fully unconscious and it was terrifying, said McCollum.

lannace said the boys lips [were] completely blue, like his eyes were closed. He was not breathing.

Fortunately, Jones had previously worked as a lifeguard and began performing CPR on the child.

I was a lifeguard in high school for one summer, so I just remembered it from then, Jones said. We had no clue if he was going to survive at all. And so Im like, This is the one thing I know how to do that I can help. And so Im just going to give it my best try.'

ALSO ON WJBF: 5 UGA students rescue mom, 2 kids from creek in Sardis

While the event was unfolding, Craft said she feared she was going to lose her younger son. However, the group and the family were quickly filled with joy after Crafts son began breathing again.

And at that point, like, all of us were crying, McCollum recalled. And it was like, No way that just happened.'

The students heroic acts have since been recognized by the Sardis Police Department and the Burke County Sheriffs Department, which shared a post on its Facebook page, thanking the women for their actions.

During the interview with GMA3, Sheriff Alfonzo Williams surprised the sorority sisters with badges of honor.

Courtsey of BCSO

We were so moved by it. We think you should be a part of us, Williams told the students. We wanted to recognize your heroic acts, and were gonna make you honorary Burke County deputies today. Thank you all for doing what you did.

Reflecting on the groups heroic efforts, McArdle said she and her sorority sisters were simply at the right place at the right time.

Added McCollum, Its also  just made me rethink, like, day to day, its more about just like [having] a mindset of altruism and just like searching for [anyone] who needs help in the world around you.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona defended his administrations botched debut of a new federal student aid application, as Republican appropriators pressed the cabinet official to explain the cause of glitches that are now expected to require weeks of repair work.

Theres nothing more important right now at the Department of Education, Cardona said Wednesday during a congressional hearing on President Joe Bidens education budget proposal. Were working on this around the clock, because we want to make sure our students have information they need to make informed decisions.

Approximately 30 percent of FAFSA forms so far are potentially affected by processing or data errors, the agencys student aid office said Tuesday in an online bulletin, in addition to a separate category of applications that need corrected information from students. Processing errors also mean a huge chunk of applicants mistakenly appeared to qualify for more financial aid than they actually should receive.

I do empathize with the challenges and frustrations that folks are feeling, Cardona added. We need to do better, and were going to get better.



But he pushed back on accusations that department staffers have been diverted to work on Bidens sweeping loan forgiveness efforts instead of focusing on implementing the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid  a point Republican Reps. Julia Letlow of Louisiana and John Moolenaar of Michigan sought to engage the secretary on.

"I hope this debacle never happens again," Letlow told Cardona. "The American people want to see you focused on getting students into the classroom, not repaying loans for people who have already been there."

Cardona emphasized FAFSA issues are a key focus for the department and its employees. I dont want you to think theyre not doing FAFSA because theyre working on something else, he told lawmakers. FAFSA has been a priority since day one when we got into these positions, and it will continue to be a priority until we deliver for those students.

He refused to answer questions after the hearing, as aides rushed him out of the Capitol.

At almost the same time as the appropriations hearing, members of the House Education and the Workforce committee debated the magnitude of the FAFSA disaster during a separate hearing with a panel of financial aid experts.

This country deserves public leaders who fulfill their duties rather than shirk responsibilities and point the finger of blame at others, said House Education and the Workforce Chair Virginia Foxx. Now is the time for Secretary Cardona to explain his abysmal leadership to the American people. It is clear something needs to change.

While they didn't invite anyone from the department to testify at the higher education subcommittee hearing, GOP lawmakers asked panelists whether anyone from the Education Department has taken accountability for the botched rollout of FAFSA and whether anyone should be fired for it.

Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, said the department has acknowledged that this has been a challenging time, but he said he has yet to hear any sort of apologies from the department to schools and families.

This committee bipartisanly has the responsibility to explore whether there should be ramifications, he said. [I]f there was a financial aid director or even a college president that delayed financial aid on their campus for up to six months, the professional price that would be paid for that would be pretty steep.

Draeger was the toughest critic of the Education Departments role in the FAFSA, along with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Vice Provost of Enrollment Rachelle Feldman.

In her opening statement, Feldman said leadership at the Education Department seems tone-deaf. She slammed Cardona for his letter to college presidents that implied the FAFSA delays were partly the fault of the schools because they were still not fully prepared to receive key financial aid records.

Democrats on the panel largely refused to criticize the Education Department and repeated some of the talking points the agency has used to defend its FAFSA delays. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) acknowledged that FAFSA simplification required a massive change technologically, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) said she didnt want to be part of the blame game and Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) touted the Education Departments efforts to provide relief to schools by extending deadlines for other requirements.

Rep. Bobby Scott, the top Democrat on the committee, called for accountability. But he also emphasized that the Education Department should be focused on getting the FAFSA back on track.
Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to a host of state and federal charges for torturing two Black men were sentenced to years in prison on state charges on Wednesday.

Former Rankin County deputies Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton, Hunter Elward and Daniel Opdyke and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield were sentenced to between 15 and 45 years for illegally entering the home of Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker on Jan. 24, 2023, and torturing the two men in a racially motivated act.

Rankin County Circuit Judge Steve Ratcliff sentenced Hartfield to 15 years. McAlpin, Middleton and Opdyke were each sentenced to 20 years; Dedmon was sentenced to 25 years and Elward to 45 years.

All six were also ordered to pay $6,431 within two years of release and will need to permanently surrender their law enforcement certificates.

The men are currently serving time for federal convictions in the crime, and their state sentences will run concurrently with their federal ones. The ex-officers will serve their time in federal penitentiaries.

Attorney Malik Shabazz called the sentencing significant.

We would have preferred that a couple of more years of extra time were added to the defendants sentences, Shabazz said Wednesday at a news conference.

However, we respect the judgment of this court. We respect the wisdom of this court and Mississippi has spoken here.

On Jan. 24, 2023, the officers  who nicknamed themselves the Goon Squad for their willingness to use excessive force  were called to the home by a white person reporting that two Black men were staying with a white woman.

When the officers arrived at the scene, they unleashed a torrent of racial slurs upon Parker and Jenkins as they handcuffed, kicked, waterboarded, used a Taser on and attempted to sexually assault the two Black men.

Elward also tried a mock execution that went awry and shot Jenkins in the mouth, lacerating his tongue and breaking his jaw.

Following the torture, the six officers devised a cover-up and planted drugs on Jenkins and Parker. The two men faced charges for months.

In August, the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office filed state charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice against each of the officers. Dedmon was also charged with home invasion, and Elward was charged with home invasion and aggravated assault.

All six had pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice. Elward faced the most serious federal charge of discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.

On Wednesday, a statement on behalf of Jenkins read to the court said that Jan. 24, 2023, was the worst day of my life.

I was brutally beaten and nearly killed by the Rankin County Sheriffs Department, also known as the Goon Squad. I never would have thought a night of hanging out with friends would nearly cost me my life.

I can no longer do what I love to do and thats sing, the statement continued. I play the drums for my church. And because I was shot in the face, it affected my vision so I can no longer play.  I wake it up at night covered in sweat because of the nightmares of my attack. Loud noises police lights, sirens, all give me extreme fear and anxiety. I am broken inside and I dont ever think Ill be the person I was.

Parkers statement said the day has left a scar on me that will last forever.

I never knew the ones that were sworn to protect and serve would be the ones I need protection from, the statement said. I am in constant fear someone will break into my home and terrorize me again  the humiliation and embarrassment from the sexual assault is too great to me to talk about.

My life was not perfect, the statement concluded. But it was mine. I doubt if Ill ever experience it again  They should be given what they gave me and Michael Jenkins  which was no mercy and I pray for the maximum sentence.

Jenkins and Parker have filed a $400 million federal lawsuit, which is still pending.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
kali9 / Getty Images

Are you looking forward to a tax refund this year? Or have you already collected a nice windfall from the IRS? As of mid-March, the IRS had sent out 36,288,000 refunds, compared to 42,040,000 at the same time in 2023, according to Tennessean.com.

Know: The 7 Worst Things You Can Do If You Owe the IRS

Owe Money to the IRS? Most People Dont Realize They Should Do This One Thing

The average refund through March 31 is $3,050, up roughly 4.8% from $2,910 last year at that time, CNET.com reported. But a bigger refund may not always be a good thing.

Are you ready to file? Heres what you need to know.

Sponsored: Credit card debt keeping you up at night? Find out if you can reduce your debt with these 3 steps

Why Is Getting a Large Refund a Bad Thing?

When you get a tax refund, the government is returning some of the money your employer withheld from your paycheck on your behalf throughout the year. If they withheld too much of your pay to cover taxes, the IRS gives it back in the form of a tax refund. Dont make the mistake of thinking that the IRS is giving you extra money  its all an accounting cycle thats looking for balance.

In 2023, the IRS issued $642 billion in refunds and outlays and $602 billion in unpaid assessments. This year, the IRS has already refunded more than $185.6 billion, with more to come.

Essentially, the American taxpayer gives the government an interest-free loan. In previous years, these funds have reached upwards of three-quarters of a trillion dollars. If youd rather not loan the government your money for free, you can get a smaller refund by having less money withheld from your paycheck.

How To Use Your Money Better Instead of Overpaying

If you have less money withheld, youll keep more money in each paycheck. You can then save or invest this money so it earns you even more money.

If you look forward to that lump-sum of cash every spring, however, you can invest it in a high-yield savings account, and then withdraw the money to splurge on a vacation, new television or whatever youd buy with your tax refund.

If youre afraid youll spend the money if you have it, set up recurring automatic transfers into your savings account. It will have the same effect as withholding taxes, except you get to collect the interest on the money rather than giving the government an interest-free loan.

If you have high-interest credit card debt, youre better off taking that money and paying down those bills.

How Do I Know If My Refund Is Too Large?

If youre in the $1,000-plus range for your refund, you are letting the government hold onto money that could be benefiting you throughout the year. You can decrease your tax withholdings to reduce the size of your refund. The less money you have withheld, the more money youll get in each paycheck, and the smaller your tax refund will be.

Story continues

Just keep in mind that if you reduce your withholdings too much, youll end the year with an outstanding balance and youll be facing a tax bill in April while those around you are celebrating with their refunds.

How Do I Adjust My Withholding?

Your employer withholds your estimated tax payments from your paycheck and sends them to the IRS on your behalf. Those withholdings used to be calculated based on your income, filing status and withholding allowances.

The IRS completely revamped the process in 2020, doing away with allowance numbers, and redesigned Form W-4, which you must submit to your employer to change your withholdings.

To get started, gather your pay statements, information about any other income you earn and your most recent tax return and use the IRSs Tax Withholding Estimator tool to walk you through the process.

You should also consider using the tool if you have a change in your life circumstances. This might include:

Getting married

Having a baby

Adopting a child

Change in job status for you or a spouse

Getting a second job

Getting a large raise

Bottom Line

Once youve set up your withholdings to increase your take-home pay and reduce your tax refund, youll want to make a plan for that money. If you dont pay attention, you could spend it without realizing it.

You can use the money to pay off debt, invest, or save it for a large purchase, such as home improvements, new furniture or a vacation. Essentially, you can spend it the same way people do their tax refund.

The difference is, you can do it sooner because you dont have to wait for the IRS to process your return and send your refund  and youll hopefully have a little extra money from the interest you earned.

Jake Arky, Andrew Lisa, Daria Uhlig and Karen Doyle contributed to the reporting for this article.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Why a Tiny Tax Refund Is Good for Your Finances  and How To Make It Happen
Florida Democrat Rep. Fentrice Driskell, Rep. Michele Rayner, Rep. Susan Valdes, Sen. Darryl Rouson, Rep. Dianne Hart and emcee Deanne King at the town hall meeting hosted by the Hillsborough County Black Chamber of Commerce on April 9, 2024 (photo credit: Mitch Perry)

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

With Florida Republicans holding a supermajority in the Florida Legislature, Democratic lawmakers must be creative in finding ways to get their bills passed, bring vital projects to their communities, and stop what they consider to be bad policy.

For Sen. Darryl Rouson, representing Pinellas and Hillsborough, the way to provide for his constituents is to get local projects into Floridas state budget, though some of those projects can get labeled pork or turkey, or as the phrase goes, bringing home the bacon.

Speaking in Tampa at a town hall meeting on Tuesday with area lawmakers, Rouson recalled what former state lawmaker and Congressman Al Lawson told him when he joined the Legislature: Stop bad policy.

Well, when the numbers are 84-36 (in favor of Republicans in the House) and 28-12 (in favor of the Republicans in the Senate), its hard to stop bad policy, Rouson said Tuesday night. So if you cant stop bad policy, create good policy. But when the numbers are 84-36 and 28-12, its hard to create what your constituents believe is good policy.

So if you cant stop bad policy and you cant create good policy, learn the budget, because you can sometimes speak through budgeting.

Rouson said he did just that when he and former Orlando-area Democratic state Sen. Randolph Bracy (hes is no longer a state senator) were able to get $30 million into the 2021 budget and more than $30 million in the 2022 budget for the African-American cultural and historical grant program funded through the Department of State.

Rouson says that with Democrats in the minority, he decided early on in the Legislature to find common ground and work with Republicans as opposed to attacking everything that comes down the pike.

He received strong support from Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner this year in getting the Legislature to approve $20 million for the victims of abuse at the Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee reform school in North Florida this session. That bill (HB 23 ) has to be signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis before it will become law.

House Democratic Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, and Tampa Bay area Democratic Reps. Michele Rayner, Dianne Hart and Susan Valdes also appeared at the town hall meeting sponsored by the Hillsborough County Black Chamber of Commerce.

Driskell said that this was the session of missed opportunities. While she praised the Live Healthy Act bill that focuses in part on retaining and attracting health care workers to the state, she said that the GOP-controlled Legislature should have expanded Medicaid  the one thing that would guarantee health care coverage for nearly a million more Floridians and bring the down the costs of health care for all of us.

Driskell said she was proud of her sponsorship of HB 7085, which will establish a $10 million grant program to fund community-based projects to expand specialized treatments of sickle cell disease. And the GOP members were supportive, as the measure passed unanimously in both chambers.

Sickle cell impacts the Black community most, she said. And Florida has one of the highest concentrations of sickle cell patients in the nation, and we were able to get legislation passed that creates the first Sickle Cell Disease Centers of Excellence in the country. And a $10 million recurring appropriation for the treatment of sickle cell patients. This is huge and it will be groundbreaking. That bill also must be signed by Gov. DeSantis before becoming law.

State Rep. Michele K. Rayner.

Credit: FL House of Representatives.

Pinellas and Hillsborough County Rep. Michele Rayner spoke about her involvement as a co-sponsor of HB 1, which called for banning social media platforms for children under the age of 16. It was a top priority of House Speaker Renner, but was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said he had concerns with the proposals constitutionality and whether it would infringe on parental rights. The Legislature then amended that legislation to HB 3, which prohibits children under the age of 14 from becoming social media account holders and allows 14-and 15-year-olds to become account holders with parental consent.

Any bill that starts with 1,2, 3, that is the speakers priority, Rayner said. That is the bill that he or she is laser-focused on getting it across the finish line and making sure that it gets signed by the governor.

She said that it was quite unusual for a Democrat to sponsor a GOP Speakers bill.

I cant remember the last time a Democrat sponsored the (Republican) speakers party bill, let alone a Black Democrat sponsoring the speakers priority bill, she said, adding that there were folks that had issues with me supporting the bill because it was a priority of Renner, a strong conservative.

When asked what she considered a highlight of the session, Susan Valdes says she was stumped to provide a response.

Im going to be honest. I cant think of anything else. I feel like Im still in the Matrix. Because that bubble up there is very, very difficult considering the imbalance that there is, she said.

When Valdes said that there were only 36 Democrats out of the 120 members of the Florida House of Representatives, there were notable groans in the audience of about 60 people.

Good God, one voice lamented, when hearing how few Democrats are in the Legislature.

Rep. Hart urged members of the public to come to Tallahassee during the initial committee weeks leading up to the legislation session, saying that the Democrats needed more supporters of their agenda to actively make their voices heard in the Capitol.

The meeting took place in Hillsborough County  which has been one of the Florida Democratic Partys standout districts over the past decade, but like much of the rest of the state, continues to trend Republican.

Democrats now have just a 1% lead over Republicans in voter registration in Hillsborough County. According to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections website, there are 289,278 Democrats, or 35% of the electorate. There are now 280,580 Republicans, or 34% of the electorate. Non-party-affiliated and third-party groups total 254,063, or 31%.

The post In a GOP-controlled Legislature, how can FLs Democratic lawmakers get bills passed? appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
House leaderships attempt to kick off debate on legislation to reauthorize the nations warrantless surveillance powers is on thin ice after at least two Republicans announced Wednesday that they plan to oppose a procedural vote.

The announcements come as the House is racing to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) before it expires on April 19. Reauthorization of the spy powers has emerged as a bitter battle on Capitol Hill, with factions quarreling over whether a warrant requirement should be added to the measure.

The rule vote is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) have said they plan to vote against the rule governing debate for the FISA bill, voicing concerns about the absence of a warrant requirement.

We must preserve the Constitution and the Bill of Rights! Burchett wrote on the social platform X, flagging a post that said he would vote against the rule.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), meanwhile, also suggested she would vote against the rule, writing on X: We are killing FISA. As written, it wont make it off the floor.

Lunas post came after another from Trump on his own social media service calling for lawmakers to kill FISA.

Depending on attendance at Wednesdays vote, opposition from the trio could be enough to tank the rule. Republicans can only afford to lose two members on any party-line vote. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.) is expected to miss Wednesdays vote after suffering a cardiac episode, but even with his absence, Republicans can still get by with only two defections.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) made the case for the FISA bill Wednesday morning, highlighting the reforms the legislation makes to section 702.

Were enacting sweeping changes, over 50 reforms  56 to be exact  to the program that are in the base text that will stop the abuse of politicized FBI queries, he told reporters.

Its critical we address these abuses because we dont want to be able to use or to lose Section 702 of FISA; its a critically important piece of our intelligence and law enforcement in this country, he later added.

We cant allow a critical tool like this to just expire and go out of use, so we think the House will take the right steps, Johnson said.

Gaetz, Burchett and Luna have opposed the bill over various concerns, including a desire to force the government to secure a warrant to review information collected on Americans who are communicating with the foreign targets being surveilled.

But tanking the rule vote could ultimately endanger an amendment many right-wing conservatives have rallied around.

The rule includes a House floor vote on the warrant amendment  a vote that would not come to fruition if Republican leadership works with Democrats to bring the bill to the floor under suspension, which requires a two-thirds vote.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), a major champion for the warrant requirement amendment, also said he was mulling voting against the rule, even though it would be the only pathway forward for his priority.

We want the warrant requirement, and I think thats critical, he said.

But he complained privacy hawks like himself did not get consideration of other amendments they wanted.

So those types of things really caused me to kick this around and mull it over.

Votes on rules  which govern debate for legislation  are typically mundane processes in which members of the majority party vote yes and those in the minority party vote no. But conservatives this Congress have tanked rule votes to express their displeasure with leadership, or to prevent bills they oppose from coming to the floor.

Though Section 702 of FISA only allows for surveillance of foreigners who are located abroad, their contacts with those in the U.S. are swept up in the process.

Intelligence agencies have the ability to query the 702 database to review those communications. Leaders say it is key to be able to see both sides of a conversation to monitor potential threats.

Proponents of the base FISA reform bill, as well as the intelligence community, have said a warrant requirement would essentially gut the bill and block law enforcement from responding to threats in real time.

It takes weeks to obtain traditional FISA warrants, a senior administration official told The Hill in a statement.

Court pre-approval of queries would cause dangerous delays and harm our ability to disrupt threats. Extreme proposals to require probable cause before running a U.S. person query would gut the basic value of the tool because queries are critical at early stages before the government knows enough about the threat to meet probable cause.

Other lawmakers are also mulling voting against the rule. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) told The Hill he is on the fence.

I had six amendments to fix FISA, they were all germane and yet all six died in the Rules Committee. We either have an open rule or we dont, he said. Its time for Speaker Johnson to lead and fix FISA because we know innocent Americans are being spied on by their own government.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told reporters Wednesday morning she is considering voting against the rule.

I dont think its fair for the FBI to be able to spy on the American people, she said.

As the opposition to the rule rolls in, some Republicans are predicting that the procedural vote will fail on the floor.

Were gonna have a debate. I dont know if itll go to the floor. I suspect it will. Well have a debate and I suspect the rule will fail, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a critic of the FISA bill, said Wednesday on Glenn Becks radio show.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Amid strident protests from families of the Covenant School shooting victims, Tennessees GOP-led Senate has moved forward with a bill to allow teachers to be armed on school grounds.

The bill, which passed on a 26-5 vote Tuesday, would allow some teachers in public schools to obtain concealed carry permits without having to tell parents or their colleagues that they are armed with handguns. Rep. Ryan Williams, a Republican and the bills sponsor, said that doing so could deter potential shooters and that armed teachers could act as substitutes for school resource officers, especially in rural areas with fewer resources.

Discussion of the legislation was interrupted Tuesday by hundreds of protesters advocating for stricter gun laws, some of whom were forcibly removed from the Senate chamber. Among the protesters were family members of victims of last years shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, in which the attacker killed three children and three adults.

The bill would require teachers seeking to be armed to obtain a handgun carry permit and written permission from their schools principal and local police. The teachers would also have to undergo 40 hours of training and clear a background check.

Opponents say that more guns in schools do not keep students safe  central to the idea of arming teachers is the good guy with a gun myth, which has been repeatedly punctured  and that the required training would not be enough.

Were sending teachers to learn how to handle a combat situation that veteran law enforcement have trouble comprehending, said state Sen. Jeff Yarbro, a Democrat. Were letting people do that with a weeks training.

The Tennessee Houses companion legislation has not seen any movement since last session, but the Republican speaker, Cameron Sexton, recently voiced his approval.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
A California appellate court ruled Tuesday that Vince Fong, a Republican state legislator, can legally appear on both the state and federal congressional ballots this fall.

Fong, a mentee and ex-staff member for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), has advanced to a May election in the Golden State that will determine who will complete the remainder of McCarthys term after he left office last year.

He also filed to run for reelection in the California State Assembly, where he represents the Bakersfield area. After McCarthy announced his retirement in early December, Fong filed paperwork to run for the seat.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D) attempted to keep Fong out of the Congressional race because he already declared for the state-level position, and California law bars candidates from appearing twice. But a judge ruled in late December that Fong could run.

Superior Court Judge Shelleyanne Chang ruled that Webers determination was inapplicable to Fong and said he could run in the 20th Congressional District. Chang noted the law applied only to independent candidates for Congress, not partisan primaries.

The 3rd Court of Appeals agreed Tuesday, ruling that because Fong was not seeking to utilize the independent nomination process, the statute did not apply to him.

If the Legislature wants to prohibit candidates from running for more than one office at the same election, it is free to do so, the judges wrote. Unless and until it does so, however, we must take section 8003 as we find it and enforce it as written.

The candidate is running against Mike Boudreaux, a county sheriff, in the general election for the 20th District, which McCarthy represented since 2007. Fong, who won the GOP special primary in March, will also compete against the sheriff in the special election to fill the vacant seat on May 21.

The latest decision means he will also be listed as the only candidate in the 32nd Assembly District this fall.

If Fong wins both elections, he would resign from the Assembly and head to Congress. A special election would be held to fill the Assembly vacancy in 2025, Fong spokesperson Ryan Gardiner told The Los Angeles Times.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The secretaries of state for Alabama and Ohio sent letters to President Joe Bidens campaign, the Democratic National Committee and state parties warning that the president may miss the deadline to be included on their states general election ballots, even though both states have allowed candidates to appear on the ballots in similar circumstances in the past.

The letters warn that the Democratic Party nominating convention, scheduled to begin Aug. 19, falls after the date when each state is required by law to certify its general election ballots. In Ohio, ballots must be certified 90 days before the election, while in Alabama, the ballot certification deadline is 82 days prior.

If this Office has not received a valid certificate of nomination from the Democratic Party following its convention by the statutory deadline, I will be unable to certify the names of the Democratic Partys candidates for President and Vice President for ballot preparation for the 2024 general election, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, a Republican, wrote in a letter to the Alabama Democratic Party on Tuesday.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose sent his letter on April 6 to Biden and the national and state Democratic parties, saying the president would be excluded from the ballot unless the convention date changes or the state legislature grants a waiver.

Democrats do not appear immediately concerned about the letters, claiming that this has happened before and been resolved numerous times.

Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states, a Biden campaign official said in a statement. State officials have the ability to grant provisional ballot access certification prior to the conclusion of presidential nominating conventions. In 2020 alone, states like Alabama, Illinois, Montana, and Washington all allowed provisional certification for Democratic and Republican nominees.

Were reviewing the letter and working with a number of partners, including the Biden campaign and DNC, on potential solutions, said Matt Keyes, spokesperson for the Ohio Democratic Party.

President Joe Biden may be left off the ballot in Ohio and Alabama due to access deadlines, two GOP secretaries of state warned. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images

The Ohio ballot deadline has been in effect since 2009, while the Alabama deadline has been law since 1975. Since then, however, both states have put major party nominees on the ballot even when their nominating conventions fell after the required deadlines.

Most recently, the Ohio legislature passed language in 2020 granting a waiver on the ballot access deadline for Republicans. Ohio also changed the deadline in 2012 for both parties. Alabama provided provisional qualification to both Democrats and Republicans in 2020 and also changed the deadline by statute for Republicans, who held their nominating convention from Aug. 24 to Aug. 27.

If Republicans in either state refused to provide the same provisional qualification or statutory changes their states have provided in the past, Democrats would sue to overturn their respective deadlines.

Courts have repeatedly thrown out efforts to restrict ballot access through arbitrary deadlines over the years, including the Supreme Court doing so twice for minor party candidates in Ohio. The courts most famous case on the subject is the 1980 decision in Anderson v. Celebrezze, which found that Ohios filing deadline for independent candidates violated the 14th Amendments equal protection clause by denying candidates the ability to run within a certain time frame.

Democrats believe the judiciary would find the deadlines imposed by Alabama and Ohio to be unconstitutional burdens if they were forced to go to court.

Efforts to exclude a major party candidate from the ballot were recently rejected by the Supreme Court in the case of Trump v. Anderson, where the Colorado Supreme Court had ruled Donald Trump to be removed from the states ballot for violating the 14th Amendments exclusion of oath-breaking insurrectionists from holding office.

In that decision, the court found that Colorados decision to exclude Trump would create a chaotic state-by-state patchwork, at odds with our Nations federalism principles.

Related...
GOPers Who Scoffed At Trump Impeachment Trial Now Demand One For Biden Official

WASHINGTON  Republicans are demanding a full Senate trial for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who was impeached by the GOP-controlled House earlier this year over charges that even some on the right have decried as thin and a waste of time.

But many of the Republicans who are insisting on a trial for Mayorkas supported an effort to dismiss Donald Trumps historic second impeachment trial following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol before it even began. Only five GOP senators bucked their party in voting to allow that trial to proceed.

At a press conference on Capitol Hill this week, several conservative GOP senators said that if Democrats dont hold a full trial for Mayorkas, the top Biden official in charge of enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border, it would set a precedent and hobble the impeachment process.

Chuck Schumer intends to nuke the impeachment clause of the United States Constitution, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said of the Democratic Senate majority leader on Tuesday. What Chuck Schumer is deciding is the Senate no longer has to try impeachments, but instead can hide behind procedural games.

Republicans also sought to evade charges of hypocrisy after their vote to dismiss the case against Trump in 2021, when he was charged with inciting an insurrection. At the time, Republicans argued that since Trump was no longer president, holding an impeachment trial would be unconstitutional.

Theres a difference between voting guilty or not guilty after evidence is presented, and tabling articles of impeachment so a trial never takes place at all, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, after a reporter noted the 2021 vote to dismiss Trumps impeachment trial.

Asked about the GOPs support for dismissing Trumps impeachment trial, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told HuffPost: I dont recall that worked.

The January 2021 vote to table Trumps trial was initiated by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who made a point of order declaring the proceedings unconstitutional. Paul made the motion just a day into the proceedings, before the House could present its impeachment articles against Trump.

Republican senators criticize Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for his expected use of procedural tactics to avoid trying impeached Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Washington, D.C., April 9. ALLISON BAILEY via Getty Images

Democrats havent announced yet how they plan to handle the trial for Mayorkas, which is scheduled to begin early next week. But they are expected to move to dismiss the charges, which they called baseless and politically motivated, fairly quickly after senators are sworn in as jurors.

The Senate Republicans know this is a joke, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said. We should get rid of this as quickly as we can and get back to real business.

Even Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a conservative Democrat who often sides with Republicans on border issues, trashed the effort to remove Mayorkas, urging the GOP to focus on taking their case to the voters in the November election.

If youre unhappy, go to the polls, Manchin said. [The impeachment trial] is basically something I cant wait to vote against.

Republicans are hoping their effort to oust Mayorkas will put a spotlight on President Joe Bidens border policies and increase the pressure on vulnerable Democrats running for reelection in red states, like Sen. Jon Tester (Mont.). Tester criticized the House impeachment of Mayorkas earlier this year, but hes since kept a low profile and declined to say whether he will vote to dismiss the case.

Several Republican senators could ultimately join with Democrats in voting to dismiss the case, however, including Sens. Mitt Romney (Utah), Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska).

Once you go into impeachment, you sit there. For what? So we can say how flawed Bidens immigration policies are? Its not going to change the outcome, a frustrated Murkowski told HuffPost on Tuesday, expressing her desire to work on funding the government and authorizing U.S. intelligence programs instead.

Mayorkas, Romney said, shouldnt lose his job for executing Bidens policies.

He has done a terrible job, but hes following the direction of the president and has not met the constitutional test of a high crime or misdemeanor, he said.

Related...
This year, the Department of Education unveiled an updated, streamlined version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The financial aid application is used by millions of American students and is required for anyone seeking federal student loans or grants, as well as institutional financial aid at most colleges.

Good idea, right? Well, not exactly.

Instead of making the FAFSA easier to complete, the new form has been riddled with technical glitches and delaysimperiling access to accurate financial aid information for millions of students.

The origin of this year's blunder stems from the 2020 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which contains a provision requiring the Department of Education to create a simplified FAFSA form. The new form, launched earlier this year, is in fact significantly shorter than previous versions of the application. The new form cuts the number of questions by more than half, mostly by relying on financial information imported directly from the IRS.

However, there were signs of trouble even before the new form launched. Typically, the FAFSA goes live in October, with the deadline for completion in late June. However, this year's form wasn't released until December 31stand just as a "soft launch," meaning the application was only periodically available. Yet the deadline to complete the FAFSA hasn't been extended.

From the earliest hours of the FAFSA's availability, persistent technical glitches have made completing the application agonizing for many students and their families. The FAFSA's own website details dozens of errors in the form that have made completing it nearly impossible for some students.

As a result of these issues, 40 percent fewer students had completed the FAFSA by March compared to the same period last year, with total submissionsincluding incomplete forms with errorsdown 27 percent. At this rate, millions of students will miss out on federal grants or loans, and a significant portion of students won't have the complete information they need to decide where to attend college.

Most university financial aid departments rely on FAFSA data to determine how much financial aid to offer students. But persistent issues with the FAFSA have meant that many schools aren't receiving complete or accurate information about applicantsand even that information has been subject to lengthy delays.

Frustratingly, the Department of Education has now told colleges that they can use inaccurate or incomplete information from student FAFSA forms, as long as the end result is that students will receive more aid than they otherwise would.

"You're doing a disservice to students if you give them the illusion that they're eligible for more aid in one year, when really, they're not," Emmanual Guillory, the senior director of government relations at the American Council on Education (ACE) told The Hill. "It just puts our professionals or financial administrators on the ground in a very compromising position."

While making the FAFSA simpler to complete sounds like a great idea on paper, the Department of Education's latest bungle provides a perfect example of all that can go wrong when the government fumbles a seemingly simple task. There isn't any way to hold the Department of Education accountable for the chaos and confusion this year's FAFSA has caused for millions of American familiesso there's not much incentive to prevent such a disaster from happening again in the future.

The post The Government Was Supposed To Simplify the FAFSA. Instead, They Created a Glitchy Fiasco. appeared first on Reason.com.
Editor's note: The initial version of the article said the attack killed four people and wounded another seven. The number of injured people was changed to 14 when the regional governor published an update.

Russian forces struck the Odesa area on the evening of April 10, killing four people, including a 10-year-old girl, and wounding another 14, according to the latest update by Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper.

Ukraines southern regions, such as Odesa, are frequent targets of Russian attacks. A March 29 Russian missile strike on Odesa injured at least five people, including three children, according to local officials.

Russia attacked Odesa Oblast with Iskander-M ballistic missiles from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. local time, Kiper said without specifying how many missiles hit the region.

Those injured reportedly included a man in severe condition whose lower limbs were amputated, and a four-year-old girl.

Transport infrastructure and trucks were damaged in the attack, according to Kiper.

According to the Southern Defense Forces, it was a double-tap attack, in which there is an initial strike followed by a second - with a delay - so that it can potentially wound or kill first responders. A gas station was among the struck facilities, which increases the explosive danger, the military added.

Russia has recently intensified its use of double-tap attacks on Ukrainian cities, leading to multiple casualties among civilians.

Multiple explosions were reported in Odesa on April 10, with transport infrastructure hit twice in the morning, injuring two employees, the Southern Defense Forces said.

Russias intensified attacks against Odesa coincided with the 80th anniversary of the citys liberation from the Nazi occupation during WWII.

Read also: 5 children killed in single attack: We should never forget what Russia did

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
When Texas Gov. Greg Abbott first started busing migrants to Democrat-controlled cities in 2022, the policy was seen as little more than a cruel political stunt. Abbott seemed in search of any chance to antagonize President Joe Biden and Democratic mayors and churn up favorable conservative media hits for himself, no matter the human cost. Immigrant rights groups cried foul, and Democrats were outraged at a particularly inhumane display of political theater.

Two years since the policy was announced, Texas has bused more than 100,000 migrants to other cities, at the cost of $148 million. For Republicans, its been worth every penny.

Democrats have what in any other election year would be an overwhelmingly winning array of things to run on: a roaring economy with rising wages and rock-bottom unemployment; a wildly unpopular opponent facing a litany of criminal charges; the very real threat of a national abortion ban, a goal Republicans continue to ally themselves with despite its incredible potency as an electoral loser.

And yet, to Democrats total chagrin, Joe Biden is constantly being called upon to talk about immigration, one of the few things that voters prefer Republicans address, at least according to polls. And its not just a marginal issue: A recent Wall Street Journal survey found that immigration, somehow, is voters very top concern, despite the fact that most of them live nowhere near the border.

Thats thanks, in large part, to Abbott, whose cruel and histrionic impulses have turned out to be a diabolical act of political genius. Its one of the few things keeping competitive an election year that should otherwise be a blowout, given economic factors alone, and national Republicans should be thanking their lucky stars that Abbotts machinations have made a national issue out of one the few things they have a real edge onand kept it in the news for almost two yearswhile every other Republican culture war cry (CRT! TikTok!) has fallen by the wayside. Far from looking out only for his own promotion, it seems Abbott may have been looking out for the entire beleaguered partys political viability too.

As Abbott sent more and more migrants to cities like New York and Chicago, he got a huge assist from the unprepared and, arguably, unwitting mayors of those cities, who began to lend credence to the Abbott line. Nowhere was this more obvious than in New York City, where Mayor Eric Adams, fresh off winning an election on the back of a crime panic, facing plunging favorability numbers, and looking for an excuse to enact bone-deep budget cuts, began bellowing about the so-called migrant crisis, borrowing an Abbottism. Adams insistence on the Republican line on this caused a swift and bitter falling-out with the Biden administration.

Close behind him was New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, another Democrat who joined the chorus of those hawking the border crisis. Even progressive Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson heeded this call. Now its not just Republicans but a wide spectrum of Democrats calling on Biden to do something, legitimizing an issue borne of opportunism and making Biden, who didnt have all that much room anyway to move without Congress, look ineffectual. (Though he does have some options.)

Migrant encounters at the border are indeed up, and the Biden administration has, since Day 1, ranked immigration very low on its list of policy priorities; it has largely tried to meet the matter with silence.

After absorbing a year of body blows on the issue and mounting pressure from Dems (aforementioned and others), the administration did finally work with Republicans in Congress on an immigration bill. But Donald Trump blew up the negotiations from a distance, despite the fact that the legislation included an overwhelming number of Republican priorities on immigration. Meanwhile, Abbott has continued to act as his very own accelerant, with his deployment of the Texas National Guard to the border, in clear violation of the Constitution, and with the passage of S.B. 4, the bill that banned sanctuary cities in Texas.

In some sense, its a marvel: Abbott, a Republican leading just one state, has established national agenda-setting power in a political environment with a Democratic president, a Democrat-controlled Senate, and a House with such a small and fractious Republican majority it doesnt feel entirely accurate to refer to it as such. Its a cautionary tale, too, as the shortsighted Democrats, who, unlike Abbott, were not thinking of the well-being of their national party, fell into his trap, subsequently dragging the whole party down with them. That $148 million Abbott spent on busing got more earned media and did more to move the needle than the hundreds of millions (billions, by November) that will be spent on advertising and organizing for Trump and Biden both.

But it also should be a model for Democrats going forward, about how governors can aid their presidents, and their national party, in steering the national dialogue.

Democrats happen to control a handful of very large states of their own: California and New York. They also run Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, New Jersey, more. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been willing to spar with Republican governors, like Floridas Ron DeSantis, on television, a well-coiffed self-promotional fighting back that has certainly proved less advantageous to the party broadly than to Newsoms personal political ambitions.

But Newsom could easily take a page from the Abbott playbook and use the massive, one-party state he runs to drive attention to any of the winning issues Democratsand particularly Joe Bidenwould like you to be hearing about. Heres one for free: With Arizonas conservative Supreme Court implementing a near-total abortion ban based on an 1860s law out of the blue on Tuesday, neighboring California could set up an abortion clinic for Arizonans fleeing their states authoritarian Republican rule, right across the border. Newsom could make a whole big show of it. He could send buses to pick up women in Florida, where a similarly draconian and unpopular six-week abortion ban goes into effect next month.

Hochul, instead of ripping off Abbotts slogans on the migrant crisis, could use her position to grandstand on in vitro fertilization, a process that has become functionally illegal in Alabama. Offer to bus that states women to New York for treatment. The message? Dont forget: Its Democrats who are willing to put in the effort for your rights.

There are, as Abbott has showed, so many ways to do this. You dont even need to abide by the Constitution! Democrats control the executive offices in Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota; nestled all around them are states like Indiana with abortion bans. Set up free transit, put up billboards welcoming those in pursuit of reproductive freedom. The outcome, as Abbott has shown, matters less than the spectacle. (Tallied across multiple years nationwide, 100,000 migrants are a small percentage of the total number of asylum seekers awaiting processing in the U.S.)

Biden, for all his legislative successes, has not been especially strong on the stump, or as a salesman. His campaign has already leaned on the young, popular, and successful governors in a number of these states for messaging and campaign events. The administration, at the same time, has been frustrated that its successes arent breaking through.

Those problems are two sides of the same coin. Inviting Democratic governors to speak at rallies is a weak use of the agenda-setting, conversation-steering power that their offices have, as Abbott has unlocked. Political theater is an important part of winning elections. Abbott is willing to defy the Constitution to further the Republican political agenda and cover for the Trump campaigns manifold weaknesses. State-level Democrats dont even need a constitutional crisis of their own to make this point, nor do they need to match Abbotts penchant for crueltyjust a little combativeness and a little showmanship, to prove that theyre all on the same page, and serious about their own popular political agenda.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday that he hoped the Arizona state Legislature will revisit the states Supreme Courts ruling upholding a near-total abortion ban in the state.

I couldnt agree more, Graham wrote on the social platform X, posting a link to a Politico article noting former President Trumps comments in the aftermath of the state Supreme Court ruling. Trump said in his remarks that he believed Arizonas high court went too far on the issue.

I hope that the Arizona legislature, like Alabama, will revisit this ruling and try to find a consensus, Graham added.

The Arizona state Supreme Court issued a ruling on Wednesday upholding an 1864 law that bans abortion in all circumstances, with exceptions only for life of the mother.

It also imposes jail time for doctors who perform the medical procedure.

Some Republican lawmakers spoke out against the ruling in the aftermath, including Arizona GOP Reps. David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani, who reside in swing districts.

Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake (R) also came out against the state Supreme Court ruling, saying in her statement that, I oppose todays ruling, and I am calling on [Gov.] Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support.

Trump was asked Wednesday about the Arizona courts ruling and said it went too far.

And that will be straightened out. And as you know, its all about states rights. That will be straightened out, he added. And Im sure that the governor and everybody else are going to bring it back into reason, and that will be taken care of, I think, very quickly.

The Arizona ruling came just one day after Trump had released a video outlining his position on abortion, saying he deferred to the states to handle the issue.

The states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land. In this case, the law of the state, Trump said in his remarks.

Graham notably voiced his disagreement with Trumps position, writing on X I respectfully disagree with President Trumps statement that abortion is a states rights issue.

The issue could complicate Republicans electoral prospects in the Grand Canyon State as the ruling puts the issue of abortion front and center before voters. Arizona is also among a handful of key swing states that will determine both which party wins the White House and controls the Senate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
COLUMBIA S.C. (WBTW)  Nearly 9 out of 10 people across the Grand Strand and Pee Dee favor medical marijuana use  reflecting strong support statewide even as political opposition in Columbia continues to stymie efforts at enacting such a law.



Thats according to results of a March 11 Mason-Dixon survey of 625 registered voters that showed overall, 83% would support a medical cannabis bill. Locally, 86% back the idea.



Physicians want it. Patients want it. This is something we need to do, state Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, said at a Tuesday news conference. This bill is about medical freedom.



The state Senate has twice approved Davis S. 423, better known as the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act.



Medical marijuana dispensary opens on 4/20 with NC bill still pending

But its been idle in a House committee since February despite bipartisan support.



I believe that this medical cannabis bill would be the next step in helping (patients) get the relief that they so desperately need, state Rep. Gil Gatch, R-Summerville, said.



A 2014 law lets patients with severe epilepsy use cannabis-rich products high in CBD but low in THC, the substance in marijuana that triggers feelings of being high.



The Compassionate Care Act goes a step further by creating a state-regulated medical cannabis program giving patients access to products with a doctors recommendation.



It bars cannabis smoking, home cultivation and raw consumption.



Its the most conservative, tightly regulated cannabis bill in the country, Davis said. Currently, 39 states have medical cannabis laws on the books.



It most recently made it through the Senate on Feb. 14 on a 29-13 vote. Luke Rankin, an Horry County Republican, and Darlington Democrat Gerald Malloy were among those in favor, while Greg Hembree, R-North Myrtle Beach, was opposed.



Teshieka Curtis-Pugh, executive director of the states 80,000-member nursing association, said her organization supports the ability for patients to access medical cannabis.



It can control vomiting for patients undergoing chemotherapy, aid with insomnia and reduce pain for people with rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, among other conditions, she said.



Its not just a bill. Its not just a piece of legislation. This is true compassion for the pepole of our state, she said.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Two state parks in the Grand Strand are set to add reserved parking next month, according to the South Carolina Parks website.

Both the Myrtle Beach State Park and the Huntington Beach State Park will add reserved parking starting May 16 until Sept. 2. The website said the decision was made in order to provide better customer service.

Reserved parking spaces can be made one month prior to the reservation date and are available seven days per week. The space will cost $5 per day.

For a full list of frequently asked questions, click here.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
A 60-year-old woman and her granddaughter were among the four people killed in the Tuesday afternoon head-on traffic collision on McHenry Avenue north of Modesto.

The California Highway Patrol identified the woman as Linden resident Patricia Marie Lopez and her granddaughter as 1-year-old Clara Howells of Turlock.

Lopez looked after Clara two or three times a week while Claras mom was at work, said Peggy La Rossa, Lopezs sister. She had four granddaughters and she loved them all, La Rossa said about her sister. She was a wonderful noni. Thats Italian for grandmother.

La Rossa said Clara would have turned 2 in July.

She was the best baby ever, La Rossa said. She was really smart, and she loved to dance. ... And she was always in a good mood, and she was never sick.

She said her sister and her sisters husband, Carlos, had lived in Turlock but moved to Linden in November to help care for La Rossa and Lopezs 84-year-old mother. Lopez was driving to Modesto on Tuesday afternoon to drop Clara off with her son-in-law.

The CHP identified the two other people who died in collision as Merced residents Francis Joe Catano, 22, and Angeles Lisset Escoto, 19.

We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate event, an Escoto family friend said in an email. We wish we had answers as we are searching for it ourselves. We send our condolences out to the other family involved.

Escotos family has set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for her funeral. Catanos family could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The crash happened at about 4 p.m. on McHenry Avenue just north of Hogue Road and near Del Rio, according to a CHP news release. Lopez was driving south in a 2019 Toyota SUV and Escoto was driving north in a 2004 Mitsubishi with Catano as her passenger.

The CHPs preliminary investigation shows Escoto allowed the Mitsubishi to enter the number two lane before reentering the number one lane. The Mitsubishi entered the southbound number one lane, directly toward a Toyota SUV. A head-on collision occurred, according to the release.

Lopez was taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center, and her granddaughter was taken by ambulance to Doctors Medical Center. Both were pronounced dead at the hospitals. Escoto and Catano were pronounced dead at the scene.

A Ford pickup heading south on McHenry hit the two vehicles, and a Dodge Ram heading south on McHenry hit the Mitsubishi, according to the news release. The drivers were alone in their vehicles and were not injured. It was unknown as of Wednesday morning if drugs or alcohol factored in the collision.

Were still trying to figure out the contributing factors, CHP Modesto office spokesman Officer Tom Olsen told The Bee late Wednesday morning. All we have right now is that the (Mitsubishi) vehicle made a sharp turn to the left, directly into the path of the other vehicles.

La Rossa said her sister was retired after working for the state as an agriculture inspector. La Rossa said her sisters survivors include daughters Crystal Marshall of San Andreas and Amanda Howells of Turlock.

Bee reporter Trevor Morgan contributed to this story.
Grapevine police ask for help finding stolen artifacts from 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial

Authorities are asking for the publics help locating and retrieving artifacts stolen from a 9/11 memorial in Grapevine.

On Monday, Grapevine police were dispatched to the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial at 1000 Texan Trail. Officers were told memorial stones were missing from their enclosures, according to a news release.

The two stolen items are a stone from the crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and a limestone fragment from the impact zone at the Pentagon.

Detectives are trying to establish a timeline as to when the stones were last confirmed to be inside the memorial enclosures and are reviewing surveillance video in the area, police say.

These stones are a vital piece of history that allows us to remember and pay tribute to the flight crew members, and all who were lost on September 11, 2001, police said in the release.

Anyone who has information about the stolen items is urged to contact Sgt. Oscar Ramirez at oramirez@grapevinetexas.gov.

Today's top stories:

 Eclipse visitors were supposed to overwhelm Texas roads. Where was everybody?

 Police ask for help identifying 5 suspects in West 7th area shooting

 See inside Fort Worths new H-E-B at Alliance Town Center

Get free alerts when news breaks.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said she and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) failed to come to an agreement Wednesday about a series of policy issues at the center of her threat to oust him from the Speakership.

The Wednesday meeting marked the first time the two Republicans have spoken since Greene filed a motion to vacate the Speakership last month, after Johnson helped pass a spending package to avert a partial government shutdown.

We didnt walk out with a deal. I explained to him that, and he acknowledged, that as a Republican member of the House, I pretty much have the best view of how the base feels and what Republican voters want, Greene told reporters outside of Johnsons office.

Greene has recently ramped up pressure against Johnson over his handling of government funding, his pledge to bring Ukraine aid to the floor and the reauthorization of the U.S.s warrantless surveillance powers, as contained in Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Shortly after the meeting, a rule for legislation to renew Section 702 failed after 19 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it. The chamber is now left without a clear path to address the spy tool before its expiration next week.

Greene in the meeting reiterated her call to Johnson to halt U.S. funding for Ukraine, she said Wednesday.

We are not responsible for a war in Ukraine. Were responsible for the war on the United States border. The United States border is the only border that matters, she said. And that if he moves forward in funding Ukraine that hes going to be personally responsible for funding the continued murder of people in a foreign country that is not a NATO allies of ours.

She said Johnson did not provide an answer on how he plans to move forward with Ukraine.

He indicated last week he would bring aid to the floor after the House returned from its latest recess, though he didnt say what form the bill would take.

The Georgia lawmaker said the two also discussed last months spending package.

He funded the Biden administration, he funded their open border policies, she said. This is not going to be tolerated by Republicans, and its not the way to win elections. Our Republican voters do not want to vote for a Democrat agenda.

She told reporters Johnson gave her a lot of excuses, and he claimed there is a plan with newly elected spending chief Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) to pass the 12 separate appropriations bills before a government shutdown deadline to avoid large spending packages in the future.

The Hill reached out to Johnsons office for comment.

Greene said she will not give Johnson a red line or ultimatum about what would motivate her to force a vote on her motion to vacate, noting she wants to be considerate of her conference. She said the meeting did not clarify her timing on when she plans to move forward.

He discussed having a kitchen and kitchen cabinet group that would be a group of advisers for him; [he] asked me if I was interested, and I said I will wait and see what his proposal is on that right now, she said. He does not have my support, and Im watching what happens with FISA and Ukraine.

Following the failed rule vote Wednesday, Johnson told The Hill the House will regroup and reformulate another plan. The tanked procedural vote also inhibits a plan from House leadership to take up an amendment that would add a warrant requirement to the bill, a priority for some GOP lawmakers.

We cannot allow Section 702 of FISA to expire. Its too important to national security. I think most of the members understand that, he said.

Greene said she is calling on Johnson to allow for open rules and allow votes on all amendments for FISA, writing on the social platform X, Thats a rule that he could actually get passed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A company logo stands in front of the Ikea branch in Cologne Godorf. The environmental organization Greenpeace has accused IKEA of being involved in the deforestation of primeval forests in Romania for furniture production, allegations that IKEA said it was taking very seriously. Oliver Berg/dpa

The environmental organization Greenpeace has accused IKEA of being involved in the deforestation of primeval forests in Romania for furniture production, allegations that IKEA said it was taking very seriously.

A Greenpeace investigation found that wood from ancient forests, including primeval forests in the Carpathian Mountains, is being felled for the Swedish company's furniture production.

Several external manufacturers working for IKEA are said to use wood from these valuable forests for certain chairs and cots. According to Greenpeace, 30 products from these suppliers were found in furniture stores in 13 countries.

"IKEA must not destroy the last primeval forests in Europe for furniture," said Greenpeace forest expert Gesche Jurgens on Wednesday.

Greenpeace says its research teams have traced the path of the wood from the forests of Romania to the shelves of IKEA shops using logging permits, satellite images and timber warehouses. Greenpeace activists intend to hand over the research results to IKEA's German headquarters in Hofheim am Taunus on Wednesday.

IKEA told dpa in response to the investigation: "Illegal timber and irresponsible forestry practices have no place in the IKEA value chain."

"We immediately investigate any evidence of this. If we discover irregularities, we take immediate action, including the termination of business relationships."

Greenpeace points out that Romania's Carpathian Mountains are home to significant populations of brown bears, wolves, chamois, lynx and many rare plants. Only around 2.4% of the forests there are currently protected from deforestation, the campaign group says.

It's estimated that Romania has lost half of its primeval forests through logging in the past 20 years. The European Union's biodiversity strategy provides particular protection of old, semi-natural forests and primeval forests.
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Details into an intensive Wilkes-Barre police investigation where five people have been accused of holding a woman hostage and beating her to death are now coming to light.

Court documents revealed gruesome details Tuesday into the death of a Michigan woman, Nicole Cuevas-Ingram, whose body was found bound and buried in a shallow grave in the basement of 142 Carlisle Street in South Wilkes-Barre.

28/22 News has broken down the information on how the alleged torture of Cuevas-Ingram began and ended, according to a police affidavit.

On February 21, a cooperating witness (CW) informed police of a possible homicide that occurred months ago at 142 Carlisle Street, where the witness was told a woman named Nicole Cuevas-Ingram was murdered in April of 2023.

Alleged gang members charged in deadly Scranton shooting

According to court filings, the beating and homicide of Cuevas-Ingram was witnessed by an eight-year-old boy. The boy then relayed what he had seen to Desiree Linnette, who in turn told the CW, who reported it to police.

Through further investigation, detectives stated they learned the following information;

In March 2023, Cuevas-Ingram, 38, Linnette, 43, three children, and Linnettes daughter Sarai Doyle, 24, moved into the home on Carlisle Street after traveling to Pennsylvania from Michigan. Already living in the house were Jason Race, 54, Faith Beamer, 38, and William Wolfe.

Race, Beamer, Wolfe, and Doyle told investigators that Linnette began attacking Cuevas-Ingrams character, including an allegation that Cuevas-Ingram inappropriately touched a small child. Based on multiple interviews police stated they believe by doing this, Linnette intended to tarnish Cuevas reputation and turn the house against her.

Nicole Cuevas-Ingram

Officers discovered Facebook messages between Cuevas-Ingram and a friend that revealed she moved to Wilkes-Barre in part to pursue a possible relationship with Linnette. However, further messages showed Cuevas-Ingram was ready to move back to Michigan and plans on having no more contact with Linnette. Soon the messages stopped and police believed Linnette had taken Cuevas-Ingrams phone and the assaults on Cuevas-Ingram began.

Desiree Linnette and Sarai Doyle

Three days after arriving at Carlisle Street from Michigan, Linnette and Cuevas-Ingram got into a fistfight where Beamer and Doyle helped take down Cuevas-Ingram. After that fight, Cuevas-Ingram was subjected to daily beatings and torture resulting in numerous injuries by Linnette, Beamer, Race, Doyle, and Wolfe.

Police say Cuevas-Ingram was beaten, stomped, and slashed while handcuffed in different areas of the house. One of her wounds was then stitched up with a fishing line by her alleged attackers.

As stated in the affidavit, Cuevas-Ingram was not free to leave 142 Carlisle Street and multiple witnesses described how she was handcuffed to items in the home and had to ask for permission to use the bathroom. Police say they believe Linnette directed that Cuevas-Ingram would only be fed bread and water. At one point Linnette and Doyle shaved Cuevas-Ingrams head as part of the torture because no one could be prettier than Linnette, a witness told police. Eventually, Cuevas-Ingram was so badly injured that they used a dolly to move her around the home, investigators said.

One day Beamer, Race, and Wolfe were mad because a handcuffed Cuevas-Ingram had soiled her clothing because she could not go to the bathroom. Race was seen stomping on Cuevas-Ingrams head in the final minutes of her life. Police say Race then used a stethoscope to determine she was dead.

Faith Beamer, Jason Race, and William Wolfe

The three allegedly buried Cuevas-Ingrams body in the basement of 142 Carlisle Street and many witnesses living at the house during the time of Cuevas-Ingrams death were instructed to not go near the basement.

After the CW tipped police off to the possible homicide, a search warrant was issued on 142 Carlisle Street. Through the search warrant, police removed the layer of soil from the mound in the basement that had a mixture of lime and mothballs into the soil.

After digging down 13 inches, a blue tarp was revealed where Cuevas-Ingrams body was found bound and wrapped inside. On March 5, 2024, Cuevas-Ingrams body was positively identified by Mercyhurst University.

Investigators noted Beamer, Doyle, Linnette, and Race were all using crack cocaine during April 2023, which was mostly supplied by Linnette.

All five suspects are locked up and facing charges related to the death of Cuevas-Ingram.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
David Cameron's effort to convince former President Donald Trump to allow the U.S. Congress to advance $60 billion in military aid for Ukraine seems unsuccessful, as the U.K. foreign secretary was denied a meeting with congressional speaker Mike Johnson, the Guardian reports.

During a private dinner at Trump's Florida retreat, Mar-a-Lago, Cameron had pressed Trump to acknowledge the importance of not rewarding Vladimir Putin for annexing Ukrainian territory, emphasizing that it was in the United States' best interest.

Cameron stressed the need for every NATO member to meet or exceed the defense spending target by the time of the NATO summit in Washington in July. He hoped that Trump would indicate a shift in approach, potentially by facilitating a meeting between him and Johnson.

During a joint press conference in Washington on April 9, Cameron and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated their ongoing appeals for Congress to unlock the assistance.

Cameron emphasized that he had not come to the U.S. to lecture or interfere in internal American politics, but expressed willingness to abandon diplomatic language due to his strong emotional conviction about the imperative for the U.S. and Europe to unite in defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Future generations may look back at us and say, did we do enough when this country was invaded by a dictator trying to redraw boundaries by force? Did we learn the lessons from history? And did we do enough? Cameron said.

Read also: US confirms warning allies about Chinas support for Russias war in recent months

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Travel and tourism are very much back on the map for consumers and the business world. Now, to underscore that surge, one of the startups building software in the space has closed a big round of funding. Guesty, a platform that lets accommodation managers manage their business online, including on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, has raised $130 million.

Sources confirmed to TechCrunch that the Series F values Guesty at around $900 million post-money.

The company, based out of New York with roots in Israel, says its revenue has increased 5x in the last three years, and it expects to turn profitable this year. The company did not specify actual revenue figures.

KKR is leading this round, with Apax Funds, Inovia, BDT & MSD Partners and Sixth Street also participating.

To put the funding into some context: Post-COVID, the global travel and tourism sector has been on a strong rebound, and is expected to generate record-high sales of $11.1 trillion in 2024, according to the World Tourism and Travel Council. That would be despite tourism in the U.S. and China still catching up to pre-pandemic levels.

For Guesty and its competitors, this upswing has played out in the form of a number of nine-figure funding rounds. Guesty last raised a Series E of $170 million that valued it at $690 million in August 2022. Guesty's close competitor, Hostaway, raised $175 million last May, marking its first big funding round. Within a day of that news, GetYourGuide raised a monster $194 million at a $2 billion valuation.

Mews, which like Guesty builds SaaS but for hoteliers, raised $110 million at a $1.2 billion valuation in March. This trend is a strong reminder that investors are still willing to sign term sheets in the right circumstances.

"It's definitely a tough market. In every round I've raised, I would always get 40 no's for every yes," Amiad Soto, Guestys CEO, told TechCrunch. Now, with Guesty "closing in on becoming profitable this year," he joked that "I still got 40 no's, but also a lot more yes's."

Soto, who co-founded Guesty with his brother Koby (who is no longer with the company), plans to deploy the funding across a few different areas.

First of all, the company wants to continue expanding its existing platform for current customers. That business today already covers "hundreds of thousands" of properties, and it will double down on the one-stop-shop concept that a lot of other B2B tech companies are pursuing today, Soto said. He declined several times to give me a more specific figure on the number of properties its platform covers.

The platform provides the basics of listing and booking management software, analytics, accounting tools, the ability to manage multiple properties and CRM features. More recently, it added enhanced payment services and capital advances (built in-house, not white-labeled from third parties, Soto said), damage protection services (dipping into the area of insurance), website building tools and price optimization services that all integrate with the dozens of interfaces where a property manager might list a room or home for travelers to book.

Second of all, the main focus to date for Guesty has been short-term lets  properties booked typically for less than a month  but the company now wants to expand into the medium-term space. This will open it up to more people who might be living temporarily in a location for a specific work assignment, for example.

Third of all, Soto said Guesty wants to consider more acquisitions. The market may not be looking favorable for all startups right now, but that is less a comment on the strength of startups (talent and innovations) than it is on the state of venture capital right now. There are a lot of very interesting companies out there that might be ready to entertain acquisition offers that provide less bullish valuations.

Stephen Shanley, partner and head of Europe Tech Growth at KKR; Lauriane Requena, a principal at KKR Tech Growth; and Dennis Kavelman, a partner at Inovia Capital, are all joining the board with this round. Guesty is a best-in-class operator and one of the clear leaders in the property management sector," Shanley said in a statement. "There has been a significant shift towards the short-term rental market, and this investment will support the company as it continues to meet that growing customer need."
DALLAS  Thousands of guns sent off by North Texas local law enforcement agencies to be destroyed were first stripped of parts that were then sold online by a private company.

Several police departments told the CBS News Texas I-Team they were unaware of this practice, even though it was stated in the contracts they signed with the company, Gulf Coast GunBusters.

/ Credit: CBS News Texas

An investigation by the CBS News Texas I-Team found in the past five years, 15 North Texas law enforcement agencies have contracted with the Louisiana-based company to dispose of their unwanted guns. Since 2019, these North Texas police and sheriff departments have sent Gulf Coast GunBusters more than 2,600 guns.

Law enforcement agencies often accumulate a stockpile of firearms that need proper disposal. These firearms can come from seizures during criminal investigations as well as gun buyback programs.

Gulf Coast GunBusters provides free firearm destruction services for law enforcement. However, before destroying the guns, the company strips the firearm for parts and destroys only the gun receiver. Subsequently, the remaining parts are sold through an online gun broker, where they are marketed as gun repair kits. These kits can be sold without a background check.

/ Credit: CBS News Texas

According to federal law, the receiver is considered the actual gun so by destroying this one part that bears a serial number, the firearm is considered destroyed. Everything else are unregulated parts.

In contracts signed by local police chiefs, GunBusters outlines how it will sell salvaged parts and scrap metals. However, in many cases, the I-Team found these contracts received little scrutiny when they were signed.

Seven North Texas police agencies told the I-Team that they recently stopped using the service when they learned parts were being resold as gun kits. (Allen Police, Dallas Co. Sheriff, Denton Police, Everman Police, Frisco Police, Lewisville Police, and Princeton Police)

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins expressed surprise at the salvaged parts being sold online. He acknowledged he was unaware of this until the I-Team brought the issue to the county's attention.

/ Credit: CBS News Texas

In 2022, the Dallas County Commissioners approved a five-year contract with Gulf Coast GunBusters. During the Commissioner's Court meeting, there was no public discussion about the contract, as it was placed on the consent agenda, where routine and non-controversial items are addressed.

Last month, Jenkins stopped the transfer of firearms to GunBusters, including the more than 130 firearms collected in February from the Dallas County Sheriff's first ever gun buyback event.

"If we're saying we want to get dangerous guns off the street, then if someone comes up with a loophole to build 'ghost guns' out of destroyed guns, then we're going to close that loophole," Jenkins said.

Dallas County is currently working on a revised agreement with GunBusters for the destruction of the complete firearm including all parts. GunBusters offers this service for a fee.

It's unclear how much the county may have to pay to have their firearms destroyed completely but it can be expensive with it costing around $70 per gun.

/ Credit: CBS News Texas

Gulf Coast GunBusters' owner, a former law enforcement officer, declined to comment to the I-Team.

The company's website promotes its process as safe, secure, and free for law enforcement agencies. Several North Texas police departments, including McKinney, Hurst, Haltom City, Richland Hills and North Richland Hills, continue to use GunBusters for disposing of unwanted firearms.

In a statement to the I-Team, the McKinney Police Department confirmed awareness of GunBusters' practice: "We are aware that under the agreement, GunBusters may sell salvaged parts and scrap metals. This service is provided at no cost to McKinney taxpayers. The McKinney Police Department believes this to be an efficient way to dispose of these items."

While the federal government does not regulate or require a license for businesses involved in firearm destruction, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recommends disposing firearms by destroying the entire weapon including all unregulated parts.

ATF spokesperson Kristina Mastropasqua said, "This is particularly true given the increasing criminal use of untraceable privately made firearms ("ghost guns"), which are often assembled with used firearm parts."

When ATF destroys firearms, it includes all parts, not just the frame or receiver. ATF does not resell firearms or firearm parts.

Several Texas police departments said finding vendors to destroy unwanted firearms can be difficult.

The Fort Worth Police Department employs a steel mill in Midlothian, where guns are melted to dispose of confiscated firearms. Meanwhile, the Dallas Police Department does not disclose the specific location where it destroys firearms but asserts that department auditors closely monitor the entire process to ensure proper destruction of every gun.

Largest dam removal project in U.S. history aims to help revive Americas salmon population

James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of the Oxford High School shooter, are sentenced

"CBS Evening News" headlines for Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, said the terrorist group would not waver in its war on Israel following the killing of three of his sons in an airstrike on Thursday.

The three men  Hazem, Amir and Mohammed Haniyeh  were hit by an Israeli strike near Gaza Citys al-Shati refugee camp, Hamas said. Three of the mens children were also reportedly killed.

Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, confirmed his sons deaths in an interview with Al Jazeera and thanked God for bestowing upon us the honour of their martyrdom.

He said the strike would have no bearing on Hamass demands in ceasefire negotiations or its wider aims in the conflict.

Their pure blood is for the liberation of Jerusalem and Al Aqsa, and we will continue to march on our road, and will not hesitate and will not falter, Mr Haniyeh said.

With their blood, we bring about hope, a future and freedom for our people and our cause.

Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position, he said.

The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people.

Haniyeh was filmed purportedly receiving the news of his childrens deaths while visiting wounded Palestinians at a hospital in Doha, Qatar, where he has lived in exile.

May God ease their path, he said, visibly unmoved as he made his way out of a hospital ward.

The 62-year-old, who watched news broadcasts of the Oct 7 massacre from his hotel in the Qatari capital, accused Israel of targeting his family, saying that his sons were in al-Shati to visit relatives for Eid, the final day of Ramadan.

The IDF confirmed that it targeted and killed the three Haniyeh brothers as it described them as members of Hamass military wing. It said it could not verify reports that their children also died in the strike.

The Haniyeh brothers were travelling with family members in a single vehicle targeted by an Israeli drone, Al-Aqsa TV said. Footage from the scene showed an SUV stranded in the street with houses nearby damaged by a blast wave.

The death of his sons could bolster Hanieyhs reputation within Hamas following months of accusations that he had been watching the devastating war in Gaza from the safety of Doha while other senior Hamas figures, including Yahya Sinwar, the head of its military wing, refused to leave the enclave.

Dozens of Haniyehs relatives have died in the war but the three sons and three grandchildren would be the most immediate family members he has lost.

Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political branch of Hamas, after receiving the news about the death of his children and grandchildren in Israeli strike:



'I thank God for this honor that He bestowed upon us through the martyrdom of my three sons and grandchildren- my children https://t.co/x6hreVIbK9 pic.twitter.com/vIpfOyHXW5  Clash Report (@clashreport) April 10, 2024

Haniyehs sons were known to dominate Gazas real estate market and reportedly traded in power generators.

Unnamed Israeli officials told the Haaretz newspaper last night they feared that the killing of Haniyehs sons could derail a potential ceasefire deal. The United States has been pressuring Israel to agree to stop hostilities for a partial release of hostages.

Hamas, meanwhile, is struggling to track down or identify 40 Israeli hostages needed for the first stage of the potential deal, according to several Israeli media outlets.

Unnamed Israeli officials told Channel 12 on Wednesday that Hamas told them it does not have 40 hostages meeting the criteria of the first stage of release: civilians either younger than 19 or older than 50 as well as female soldiers and wounded Israelis.

The most recent proposal for a deal between Israel and Hamas would involve the terrorist group releasing 40 of the most vulnerable hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and a release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

Hamas is believed to hold fewer than 70 living hostages out of the list of 133.

Over the weekend, the IDF recovered the body of hostage Elad Katzir, 47, from Gaza, where he was reportedly killed by his captors, the Islamic Jihad group.

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.
Three sons of Hamas' most senior political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, were killed Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, according to relatives and Hamas media channels. Haniyeh himself acknowledged the death of more family members, and he warned Israel that it would not "break the resolve of our people."

Ameer, Hazem and Mohammed Haniyeh were killed near the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, Hamas said.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces said it killed "three Hamas military operatives that conducted terrorist activity in the central Gaza Strip." The IDF claimed that Ameer Haniyeh was a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, while Mohammad Haniyeh and Hazem Haniyeh were military operatives.

Hamas said the strike hit a vehicle near a home belonging to the Haniyeh family.

Biden calls Netanyahu's handling of the war in Gaza "a mistake"

"All the people of Gaza paid a high price and saw the blood of their sons being shed, and I am one of them," Haniyeh told the Al Jazeera network in a live interview Wednesday. He said a number of his grandchildren were also killed, and the group had been targeted when they were visiting relatives for Eid, according to Al Jazeera.

"The occupation thinks that by targeting sons of the leaders, they will break the resolve of our people," Haniyeh said. "We will not retreat, and we are going to go all the way to liberate Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa."

Palestinian group Hamas' top political leader Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, March 26, 2024. / Credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA/REUTERS

He said 60 members of his family had been killed since Israel launched its war in Gaza against Hamas, which was sparked by the group's bloody Oct. 7 terror attack.

Israel and the U.S. have long considered Hamas a terrorist organization, but it is also one of the two main Palestinian political factions. Haniyeh, as the head of the group's politburo, has been based for years at its office in Qatar, where he lives.

Largest dam removal project in U.S. history aims to help revive Americas salmon population

James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of the Oxford High School shooter, are sentenced

Americans turn to 211 helpline amid mounting economic hardships
Hamas says it does not have 40 Israeli hostages to trade in cease-fire deal

Hamas has told negotiators it does not have 40 Israeli hostages that it can release as part of a temporary cease-fire deal with Israel, a source familiar with the talks confirmed to The Hill.

The admission raises questions over how many of the remaining hostages kidnapped Oct. 7 are alive and who is holding them. Israel says 133 hostages out of more than 240 abducted that day  mostly Israelis and dual nationals  have yet to be released.

The Biden administration is pushing a plan to have Israel and Hamas agree to a six to eight week cease-fire that is contingent on Hamas releasing hostages, a group that includes older men, civilians and both male and female Israeli soldiers who have been held for 187 days.

CNN reported on Hamass update to negotiators earlier Wednesday. The Israeli prime ministers office told CNN that of the 129 hostages from Oct. 7, at least 33 are dead.

CIA Director Bill Burns had reportedly proposed that Hamas agree to release 40 hostages in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners from Israel jails during a first phase of a three-phase deal.

President Biden, expressing rising frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, has told the Israeli leader to empower his negotiators to reach a deal.

Talks are ongoing in Cairo, with Egypt and Qatar serving as mediators with Hamass leadership, who are hiding out in the Gaza Strip.

Bassem Naeem, Hamass director of international relations, told The Hill that he had no information on the number of hostages that Hamas is holding, but said that the movement is preparing its response to the new proposal.

Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas in Gaza, is passed the proposals through secret channels and then sends back a response, a procedure that is time-consuming and tedious. The timing for a response is believed to take a few days, Naeem said.

The U.S. wants to see a deal to secure the release of hostages, but to also allow for a scale up of humanitarian aid delivery in the Gaza Strip. Biden has stood by Israels right to target Hamas to eliminate the threat it would repeat its Oct. 7 attack.

But the administration, while placing blame on Hamas for triggering Israels military response in Gaza, has nonetheless increased its public criticism of Israel for failing to do enough to protect civilian life and the lives of humanitarian workers.

An Israeli strike killing seven aid workers with the nongovernmental organization World Central Kitchen has dramatically shifted Bidens tone against Netanyahu.

But its unclear how Hamass inability to release the hostages it kidnapped  whether they are alive or dead  will impact the negotiations. Hamas has claimed that Israeli airstrikes have killed some of the hostages. Other military groups in Gaza, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and even Palestinian civilians are thought to be holding, or have held, hostages.

Hamas has not provided Israel with a comprehensive list of the people it kidnapped on Oct 7 during its surprise assault on Israel, where about 1,200 people were killed.

Hamas also has the bodies of two Israeli soldiers it captured during a war with Israel in 2014 and two Israeli civilians who crossed into Gaza during that time.

A week-long cease-fire deal reached in November saw the release of more than 100 people held by Hamas, including Israeli women and children and foreign nationals.

Updated at 11:57 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Relatives of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks, mourn as they receive the dead bodies from the morgue of Al-Aqsa Hospital for burial in Dair El-Balah. Naaman Omar/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

The indirect negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza war were "not going well," Hamas sources told dpa.

"The Israelis are not interested in a ceasefire. They are only interested in the hostage issue and not in a ceasefire," the sources said.

There is no official information on the current status of negotiations from either side in the conflict.

After talks in Cairo, Hamas representatives left the Egyptian capital on Monday for consultations with their leadership.

Since Israel and Hamas do not speak to each other directly, the United States, Qatar and Egypt are acting as mediators.

The Wall Street Journal reported on a compromise proposal put forward by the US, citing Arab mediators.

The report said the proposal would involve Hamas releasing 40 of the more than 100 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for 900 Palestinian prisoners, during a six-week ceasefire.

Israel should in turn allow up to 150,000 displaced Palestinians to return to the north of the coastal area.

Hamas stressed that officials were studying the latest proposal from the mediators and that they would "inform the mediators of its response once discussions are completed."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile reiterated that the army would destroy all Hamas battalions in Gaza, despite the major drawdown of ground troops announced on Sunday.

Netanyahu said this applied to Rafah, the last major population centre in Gaza that has yet to see a ground assault.

"No power in the world will stop us," the told recruits at a military base near Tel Aviv, according to his office.

Many of Israel's allies, including the United States, oppose such an operation in Rafah due to the harm civilians could be subjected to. More than 1 million Palestinians have moved into Rafah, having fled there after being displaced by fighting in other parts of the strip.

On Tuesday, The US government said Israel was yet to present a convincing plan to protect the civilian population in the event of a ground assault in Rafah.

US President Joe Biden's security adviser Jake Sullivan said in Washington that he had not yet seen "a credible and executable plan" plan for the evacuation and resettlement of the people in Rafah. He said Israel had not detailed how the civilians could be housed and provided with medical care.

A victory over Hamas would not only be a victory over the terrorist organization itself, but also over "Iran's axis of evil, which wants to destroy us," Netanyahu said.

"Everyone in the Middle East, and beyond, is sitting on the spectator stands and watching who will win on this field, Israel or Iran and its offshoots."

Netanyahu had said on Monday that there "is a date" for Israeli ground troops to enter Rafah, but did not name it.

Sunday marked six months since Israel launched its devastating air and ground war on the Gaza Strip in response to the massacre by Hamas and other militant groups that left some 1,200 people dead and more than 200 others taken hostage.
Hamas tells negotiators it doesnt have 40 Israeli hostages needed for first round of ceasefire

Hamas has indicated it is currently unable to identify and track down 40 Israeli hostages needed for the first phase of a ceasefire deal, according to an Israeli official and a source familiar with the discussions, raising fears that more hostages may be dead than are publicly known.

The framework that has been laid out by negotiators says that during a first six-week pause in the fighting, Hamas should release 40 of the remaining hostages, including all the women as well as sick and elderly men. In exchange, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would be released from Israeli prisons.

Hamas has told international mediators  which include Qatar and Egypt - it does not have 40 living hostages who match those criteria for release, both sources said.

CNNs record of the conditions of the hostages also suggests there are fewer than 40 living hostages who meet the proposed criteria.

The inability - or unwillingness - of Hamas to tell Israel which hostages would be released, alive, is a major obstacle, the second source added.

With Hamas appearing to be unable to reach 40 in the proposed categories, Israel has pushed for Hamas to fill out the initial release with younger male hostages, including soldiers, the Israeli official said.

Throughout the months of negotiations since the last ceasefire Israel has repeatedly asked for a list of the hostages and their conditions. Hamas has argued that it needs a break in the fighting to be able to track and gather down the hostages, the same argument it made in November before a week-long pause that broke down after Hamas failed to deliver more hostages.

The majority of the almost 100 hostages who remain alive are believed to be male IDF soldiers or men of military reserve age. Hamas is expected to try to use to them in later phases to try to negotiate more significant concessions, including more high-level prisoners and a permanent end to the war.

The more than 250 hostages captured or killed on October 7 are believed to have been spread out among different members and factions of Hamas, as well as other militant groups, gangs and even held by families.

The Israeli prime ministers office said Wednesday that of the 129 hostages from the October 7 attack currently held, 33 are dead.

Ofri Bibas Levy holds posters of her family, including her brother, Yarden Bibas, taken hostage in Gaza. - Ofri Levi-Bibas

Among those believed to still be held in Gaza are the Bibas family, who were snatched from their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Yarden Bibas was separated from his wife Shiri and their children Kfir and Ariel, who were just 9 months and 4 years old respectively on October 7.

The two boys and their mother were not released from Gaza during the temporary truce in late November, despite the fact that the deal agreed between Israel and Hamas required all women and children to be set free.

Hamas claimed in November that Shiri, Kfir and Ariel had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, but did not provide evidence.

Hamas has claimed repeatedly that Israeli bombing has killed a number of the hostages held in Gaza and that its continuing campaign is threatening those still alive.

In January, Hamas released a video showing clips of three hostages  Noa Argamani, Itai Svirsky and Yossi Sharabi  speaking to the camera, ending with a caption saying, Tomorrow, we will inform you of their fate. The next day, another video appeared to show the dead bodies of Svirsky and Sharabi. In the video, Argamani said both men had been killed by Israeli bombing.

Israel said Hamas was carrying out psychological torment on the hostage families, and IDF chief spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the two men had not been hit.

We do not strike in places where we know there may be hostages, he said.

The hostage families have become a political force in Israel, staging mass protests to demand more be done to free their relatives.

Two relatives of Israeli hostages were arrested last month during a protest outside the defense ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, staged after the Israeli delegation holding indirect hostage negotiations with Hamas left talks in Qatar without a deal.

CNNs Christian Edwards contributed to this story.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
New Hampshire inmate put on escape status after not returning from work

A New Hampshire inmate has been put on escape status after authorities say he failed to return to his transitional housing unit on Wednesday morning.

Jake Demeritt, a 37-year-old minimum-security resident of the North End House Transitional Housing Unit in Concord left for his shift at a business on Silk Farm Road shortly before noon on Tuesday and was slated to return by 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to the New Hampshire Department of Corrections.

Demeritt is incarcerated for stalking, violation of a protection order, possession of a controlled drug, and receiving stolen property. He is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall, about 180 pounds, with short brown hair, blue eyes, and a beard.

Authorities say Demeritt has tattoo sleeves on both arms, a tattoo with the word bang on the knuckles of his left hand with a fox tattoo on the same hand, tattoos with the words Rave X and hang on the knuckles of his right hand, and a tattoo with the words 2 stroke on his neck.

Demeritt was last seen wearing a gray crew neck t-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers.

Anyone with information on Demeritts whereabouts is urged to contact 603-848-2569.

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
NEW YORK (PIX11)  A nearly 300-page report examining Mayor Eric Adams control of city schools was released by the state Department of Education on Tuesday.

Adams current control of schools will expire on June 30 and decided in the state Capitol. The report commissioned by the DOE was meant to bring some clarity for the upcoming decision, but the final recommendation was more examination.

NJ Transit board to vote on 15% fare hike

If Adams were to lose control, each school administration would need to install its own leadership, which could affect programming in the nations largest school system. The report noted as much, saying programs started with one mayor could be discontinued even when successful.

Adams blasted the report, pointing to graduation rates rising 25% and drop-out rates having been slashed in half.

Hes all in my face: Man attacked on Bronx bus with screwdriver speaks out

Back when we started under Bloomberg, we had a 50-something% graduation rate; we now have over 80% graduation rate. I think we should be comparing the two about mayoral accountability versus non-mayoral accountability across the entire country, he said.

While efficiency was found under Adams control, some parents expressed concern about a lack of checks and balances.

Michael Mulgrew, the president of the United Federation of Teachers, said in a statement, Once the budget is done, we look forward to an in-depth discussion about adding more checks and balances to New York Citys system of mayoral control. We thank the state Education Department for the work it put into this report as well as to all the New Yorkers who participated in the process to have their voices heard.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Months after hiring three new deputy county attorneys and becoming fully staffed, Dodge County Attorney Pamela Hopkins has terminated the employment of one of those deputy attorneys for unknown reasons.

Former Dodge County Deputy County Attorney Joceyln Brasher, who was hired in late September 2023, said in a brief telephone interview with the Tribune on Monday, April 8, that she was terminated from her job by Hopkins on Sunday, March 3.

Brasher said she did not want to comment on her termination, but her attorney  Thomas J. Freeman of Fiedler Law Firm in Omaha  contacted the Tribune on Tuesday, April 9, stating he was representing Brasher.

Our (office) represents Jocelyn Brasher in this matter. I have some serious concerns about the way the Dodge County Attorneys is being operated, Freeman said in an email.

In an email to the Tribune, Hopkins said she had only limited comments on Brashers termination.

Ms. Brasher appears to be in the process of attempting to litigate the subject of her very brief employment with my office, Hopkins said in an email. Any concerns raised by her, or her (legal) counsel, appear to be designed to advance those potential litigation goals. As such, I have no further comment on the matter.

Neither Brasher nor Freeman revealed possible reasons why Brasher was terminated; however, another civil legal action filed by Colorado attorney Katherine Chadek in Dodge County District Court alleges that Hopkins fired Brasher after Brasher made inquiries about a public records request Chadek had submitted.

According to public court filings in Dodge County District Court, Chadek  the sister of a Fremont woman who died after falling in her home in November 2023  filed a public records request on Feb. 20, 2024, seeking her sisters autopsy from Hopkins.

In her claim filed with District Court Judge Geoffrey Hall, Chadek alleges Hopkins did not respond to the public records request by the four-day timeline required by Nebraska state law. Hopkins eventually declined to release the autopsy to Chadek.

While not naming Brasher, Chadek alleged in her filing that an unnamed staff member of the county attorneys had inquired with Hopkins personally on Feb. 26 about the status of responding to Chadeks public records request.

The Dodge County Nebraska attorney (Hopkins) subsequently terminated the foregoing staff member for inquiry made into this autopsy report, Chadek alleged in her filing.

Chadek has asked Hall to file misdemeanor criminal charges against Hopkins for failure to comply with the state public records act, and she has also requested that impeachment proceedings of Hopkins be started.

Hopkins filed a motion to dismiss Chadeks claims on April 5.

A civil hearing regarding Hopkins motion to dismiss Chadeks claims has been scheduled in Dodge County District Court for 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 16.

In an April 9 email to the Tribune, Chadek said she and her attorney, Wendy Wussow, are preparing a response to Hopkins motion to dismiss her claims and both hope to have the issue ordered to trial.

Hopkins also addressed Chadeks allegations, and she robustly denied any improper conduct or wrongdoing in relation to Chadeks public records request.

As to Ms. Chadeks claims, I properly exercised my discretion by refusing to provide a copy of an individuals autopsy, under the circumstances involved. Autopsies often contain highly personal medical and legal information about the deceased, Hopkins said in her email. This office takes seriously its responsibility to protect the confidentiality of all of Dodge Countys residents, even in death. As such, I have no further comment on the matter.

Brasher was one of 3 newest deputy county attorneys

Before being hired by the Dodge County Attorneys Office in September, Brasher worked for the Nebraska State Attorney Generals Office since November 2018. Brasher graduated from Auburn University in 2013 and earned her law degree at Creighton University, graduating in 2015. From 2015 until November 2018, she worked in another county attorneys office in Nebraska.

Brasher was one of two new attorneys hired by Hopkins in September 2023, which took the number of employees in the county attorneys office from three  including Hopkins  to five. In November, a third new deputy county attorney  James McCave  was hired, taking the office to a full staffing level of six paid employees.

Since taking office on Jan. 5 2023, Hopkins tenure as county attorney has been marked by staff upheaval. The county attorneys office was led by Sara Sopinski prior to Hopkins being sworn in on Jan. 5.

Sopinski took over as county attorney following the resignation in March 2021 of now-disgraced former county attorney Oliver Glass, who was later found guilty of a federal crime and sentenced to nine months in federal prison.

The day before Hopkins was sworn in, Sopinski resigned and she now works for the Sarpy County Attorneys Office.

Since mid-June 2023, former Dodge County Deputy Attorneys Anthony Hernandez, Rachel Greifenkamp and Brianna McLarty also all resigned their jobs and left employment of the county.

Both Greifenkamp and McLarty joined Sopinski, and all three now work for the Sarpy County Attorneys Office.

The departures of the three deputy attorneys in mid-summer 2023 left the Dodge County prosecutor at 50% staffing for several months until Brasher and Jared Roland were hired.

With Brashers departure, there are now five lawyers in the county attorneys office, including Hopkins.

Dodge County Supervisor Bob Missel, who is chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said he was aware that Brasher had been terminated, but did not know the reason why.

Missel said he did not have any knowledge of Chadeks efforts to have Hopkins charged with a crime in regard to the public records request allegation, and he said he had no comment on either issue until he was able to gather more information.
Is your childs car seat installed properly?

If you arent quite sure, youre not alone.

But the Orange County Sheriffs Office wants to make sure all children are as safe as possible when theyre riding in vehicles.

READ: Orange County transportation tax initiative suspended after mayor reverses course

So the agency has set up an opportunity for parents and guardians to check if the car seats their kids travel in are properly secured.

The event is happening on Thursday, April 11.

FILE IMAGE: Child's car seat in vehicle.

From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., an OCSO Occupant Protection Specialist will be available to check for proper seat installation and answer questions.

The event will be held at Orange County Fire Rescue Department located at:

2700 North Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, Florida 32818

This embedded content is not available in your region.

HAPPENING THIS THURSDAY (4/11): Get your kids' car seats checked at the Orange County Fire Rescue Department, Florida station at 2700 N. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando from 5 to 7 p.m.!



For more information, please reach out to Carrisa via email at Carrisa.Johns@ocsofl.com. pic.twitter.com/q9xCrU419D  Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) April 10, 2024

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
What happens to thousands of boxes of unsold Girl Scout cookies?

(KTLA)  Since Girl Scout cookies are so popular, you might think they sell out every year. But thats not the case.

So, what happens to Girl Scout cookies that go unsold? Nexstars KTLA wanted to find out.

A quick Google search turns up stories of people throwing out boxes of perfectly good cookies. In 2013, the Girl Scouts came under fire after a video surfaced showing cookies being trashed, with a worker joyfully saying, Goodbye, Girl Scout cookies.

New WIC rules include more money for fruits and veggies. They also expand food choices

In the decade since, the organization has implemented new systems to ensure that unsold cookies find a home, although specifics can sometimes be hard to come by.

KTLA reached out to some of the biggest Girl Scouts chapters in the nation to find out how many boxes went unsold and whats being done with them. While many are donated to food pantries, whats happening to the rest isnt always clear.

Girl Scout Cookies

The national Girl Scouts office said councils are encouraged to donate excess inventory to a charity of their choice with a signed agreement specifically stating that cookies cant be re-sold.

However, the organization also admits it doesnt track the number of cookies donated, saying each council has the ability to select a charity or donation center independently.

Take, for instance, the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida (GSSEF). This chapter said they sold 1.4 million boxes of cookies. But despite that, almost 10,000 cases remain unsold in a warehouse.

Were told supporters of the GSSEF chapter can join their community cookie drive and can now purchase cases of cookies to donate to one of four local organizations: House of Hope, The Lords Place, Palm Beach County Food Bank, and Treasure Coast Food Bank.

Missing dog from California found more than 2,000 miles away in Michigan

As for the boxes that havent been sold or given to a local charity, GSSEF said it donates the other extras to the military as part of a program thats been up and running since 2009.

The Girl Scouts of Central Texas said they donated 74,424 cookie packages to Soldiers Angels. That figure included what customers paid to donate as well as leftover inventory.

Then, theres the Girl Scouts of Northern California. In 2024, this chapters Care to Share program donated over 170,000 boxes of cookies across a 19-county region to support local military personnel, food banks, and community heroes. This years contribution marked a 14% increase in cookie donations compared to the previous year. KTLA asked if the 170,000 boxes included all of the unsold boxes but didnt get an answer.

What about the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles? They said they donate all unused cookie packages to local non-profits. But when pressed for specific numbers, they said there were no numbers to share.

New York, Chicago, and other regions didnt answer KTLAs request for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
What happens to thousands of boxes of unsold Girl Scout cookies?

Theyre here for just a blip: a delicious springtime tradition when Girl Scout cookies  Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Samoas (Caramel Delights)  are for sale anywhere and everywhere. Then, all of a sudden, theyre gone.

According to the Girl Scouts of the USA, 200 million boxes are sold in any given year. Because theyre so popular, you might think they sell out. But thats not the case.

So, what happens to Girl Scout cookies that go unsold? We wanted to find out.

A quick Google search turns up horror stories of people throwing out boxes of perfectly good cookies.

In 2013, the Girl Scouts came under fire after a video surfaced showing cookies being trashed, with a worker joyfully saying, Goodbye, Girl Scout cookies.

In the decade since, the program has implemented new systems to ensure that unsold cookies find a home, although specifics can sometimes be hard to come by.

We reached out to some of the biggest Girl Scouts chapters in the nation to find out how many boxes went unsold and whats being done with them. While many are donated to food pantries, whats happening to the rest isnt always clear.

Girl Scout Cookies

The national Girl Scouts office tells KTLA 5 News that councils are encouraged to donate excess inventory to a charity of their choice with a signed agreement specifically stating that cookies cannot be re-sold.

However, the organization also admits it doesnt track the number of cookies donated, saying each council has the ability to select a charity or donation center independently.

Take, for instance, the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida:

They tell us they sold 1.4 million boxes of cookies. But despite that, almost 10,000 cases remain unsold in a warehouse. Just that one chapter.

Were told supporters of the GSSEF chapter can join their community cookie drive and can now purchase cases of cookies to donate to one of four local organizations: House of Hope, The Lords Place, Palm Beach County Food Bank, and Treasure Coast Food Bank.

KTLA wanted to know what happens to boxes of cookies that havent been sold or found a home with a local charity. GSSEF says it donates extras to the military as part of a program thats been up and running since 2009.

The Girl Scouts of Central Texas tell us this:

They donated 74,424 cookie packages to Soldiers Angels. We wanted clarification if that was ALL the unsold boxes of cookies. That included what customers paid to donatebut also leftover inventory.

The Girl Scouts of Northern California:

In 2024, the Girl Scouts of Northern Californias Care to Share program donated over 170,000 boxes of cookies across a 19-county region to support local military personnel, food banks, and community heroes. This years contribution marked a 14% increase in cookie donations compared to the previous year. We asked if 170,000 boxes were ALL the unsold boxes but didnt get an answer.

What about the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles?

Were told they donate all unused cookie packages to local non-profits. But when pressed for specific numbers, they said there were no numbers to share.

New York, Chicago, and other regions didnt answer KTLAs request for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Harris agrees with interviewer that 2024 could be last US democratic election

Vice President Harris this week agreed with an interviewer who said the 2024 election could be the last democratic election in the United States.

Harris was discussing former President Trumps comments about being a dictator only on day one of a second term with the hosts of the podcast Ive Had It.

I dont think its hyperbolic to say this genuinely could be the last democratic election we ever have, co-host Angie Pumps Sullivan said.

Harris replied, Youre right.

Listen to what he says, hes telling you, Sullivan said about Trump. Dictators arent a dictator for one day, and then its let the people decide.

No, and Im going to tell you. As vice president, Ive now met with over 150 world leaders  in the last three international trips Ive taken  which are going back to the end of last year through this year  world leaders have come up to me, expressing their real concern about this election, Harris said.

When they do, it is out of a selfish point that theyre making because they know that whether or not America retains its democracy will have an impact on countries around the world and people around the world, the vice president added.

She added that democracy is extraordinary fragile and only as strong as our willingness to fight for it.

President Biden and Harriss reelection campaign has focused on democracy and whats at stake for the 2024 election. Biden has said on the campaign trail that world leaders have also told him he has to win in November.

Harris said on the Ive Had It podcast that Biden is fantastic and has an incredible sense of humor when asked who her favorite co-worker is in the administration. She also revealed which shows she and her husband have been streaming.

The vice president earlier this year said shes scared about the possibility of Trump winning back the White House in November, arguing that the idea of another Trump presidency is motivating her to traverse the country. Harris traveled to 16 states in the first quarter of 2024 to campaign and has participated in 36 interviews with various outlets like the Ive Had It podcast.

Harris is set to visit Arizona on Friday after the states Supreme Courts decision upheld an 1864 law that made performing an abortion a felony, including only a narrow exception to save a pregnant persons life.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A hate crime law was meant to protect against prejudice. It ended up sowing further division

A ferocious debate that has raged across social media, legal chambers, police stations and Scottish politics also played out on the streets of Edinburgh this weekend.

Scotlands Hate Crime and Public Order Act came into force last week, a contentious law that expands existing legislation to include transgender identity as a protected characteristic from hate crimes.

We must remember why this Bill is so necessary, every day in Scotland around 18 hate crimes are committed, Scottish First Minister  then Justice Secretary  Humza Yousaf said when the act was passed back in 2021, citing the governments estimated figures at the time.

Through the passing of this landmark Bill, Parliament has sent a strong and clear message to victims, perpetrators, communities and to wider society that offences motivated by prejudice will be treated seriously and will not be tolerated, he said.

Supporters of the law believe it will provide much-needed protection for the marginalized and regularly vilified transgender community, while critics say it will stifle free speech and even threaten hard-won womens rights. The two sides are at loggerheads, online and offline.

In the first week of the laws enactment, a feminist group, Let Women Speak, organized a rally against the legislation in Scotlands capital on Saturday. It was met by a counterprotest from a small band of transgender rights campaigners, Reuters video showed. The two sides were kept apart by metal barriers as they traded noisy insults, amid a heavy police presence.

Yet the bill has come into force as issues around transgender rights, and how they intersect with womens rights, are creating a complex set of problems for lawmakers, sports regulators and employers, among others.

As the confrontation simmers, the debate has become intensely polarized and drawn in public figures such as JK Rowling, Elon Musk and Joe Rogan, none of whom are strangers to weighing in on culture war touchpoints.

So what does the law mean, and why has it sparked outcry?

Transgender rights counter-protesters traded shouts with those participating in the Let Women Speak rally. - Jane Barlow/PA Images/Getty Images

Stirring up hatred

Before Scottish lawmakers passed the bill, laws already existed across the United Kingdom to criminalize stirring up hatred against racial identity. This new legislation introduces offenses for hate crimes against more characteristics, including age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics.

Biological sex, however, is not included. The government says this is because it intends to put a separate bill criminalizing misogyny before the Scottish parliament at a later date.

According to Susan Smith, however, the director of For Women Scotland, a gender-critical feminist campaign group, this creates an inequality within the law.

I think for a lot of people, this idea of having certain characteristics plucked out means you elevate or you give certain people a protection that others lack, she told CNN.

Another major concern for those who oppose the Hate Crime Act is the supposed lack of clarity on what type of behavior could constitute an offense under the new law. Section three makes it an offense to behave in a manner or communicate material that a reasonable person would consider to be threatening or abusive with the intention of stirring up hatred.

The test for threatening is obviously much, much higher than the test for abusive, Smith said. What somebody sees as abusive varies from person to person.

Those convicted under the new law could face up to seven years in prison, and/or a fine.

Online arena

Complicating the implementation of the law, Siobhan Brown, Scotlands Minister for Victims and Community Safety, sparked confusion about whether or not the act would make misgendering someone online a crime.

It was at this juncture that Rowling  the Harry Potter author turned strident gender-critical commentator  deliberately misgendered several trans women online and dared police to arrest her.

Police Scotland later confirmed it would not be investigating Rowlings posts as a criminal offense.

First Minister Yousaf told the BBC last Wednesday he was not surprised that officers decided not to charge Rowling, despite her comments being offensive, upsetting and insulting to trans people.

But it doesnt mean that they meet a threshold of criminality of being threatening or abusive and intending to stir up hatred, he said.

British author J. K. Rowling waded into the online debate. - Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images

A Scottish government spokesperson told CNN: The legislation does not prevent people expressing controversial, challenging or offensive views, nor does it seek to stifle criticism or rigorous debate in any way, and the right to freedom of expression is specifically built into the Act.

Vic Valentine, Scottish Trans Policy and Public Affairs officer at Equality Network, argues the law gets the balance right with free speech.

It is hard to understand why anyone would think that behavior or speech that is threatening or abusive, and intended to stir up hatred towards people simply because of who they are, should not be criminal, they told CNN.

But 25-year-old Scottish trans student Lucy (who asked not to be identified by her real name due to concerns about continued online abuse), said the new law does not reassure her.

Abuse towards trans people is normalized and sometimes encouraged, so I dont see that changing regardless of what laws are introduced, she said, adding that abuse is pretty constant when using the social media platform X.

This act is not the first time Scotland has moved out of alignment with the rest of the UK in an attempt to make transgender laws more progressive.

In January, the British government blocked Scotlands attempt to reform the UK-wide Gender Recognition Act 2004, which allows people to apply to have their legal gender changed. Scotlands proposed reforms would have allowed transgender people to self-identify, without the need for a medical diagnosis or certificate.

This episode only made things worse, according to Lucy. If the self ID debate hadnt started, I dont think people wouldve been swallowed up by most of the hateful rhetoric, she said. I think people will double down on whatever they have to say about trans people in light of the new law as some form of protest.

Vexatious claims and misinformation

The Scottish Police Federation has repeatedly raised concerns about the capacity of officers to deal with a potential surge in hate crime complaints, suggesting on X Sunday that they had been swamped.

Police Scotland received 7,152 complaints under the new legislation in its first week of operation, the UKs PA Media news agency reported on Wednesday. The force announced it had officially recorded complaints of 240 hate crimes and 30 non-hate crime incidents.

In a Saturday op-ed for Scottish newspaper The Courier, Yousaf wrote that, critics of this law shouldnt exaggerate its impact with false fears. Later that day he told PA Media that deliberate misinformation is being peddled by some bad actors.

Escalating an already volatile debate, Scotlands new law has become an obvious flashpoint in online culture wars, with global public figures drawing attention to it on their platforms.

Last month, Police Scotland were forced to release a statement denying that officers had been instructed under the Act to target actors, comedians, or any other people or groups, after such claims were spearheaded by influential US podcast host Joe Rogan and billionaire X CEO Elon Musk.

On March 19, Musk reposted comments from Malaysian far right commentator and social media influencer Ian Miles Cheong who said police officers in Scotland had been given training to target social media posts with material deemed threatening and abusive.

Musk reposted it on X, calling it an example of why it is so important to preserve freedom of speech. In its statement, however, Police Scotland addressed this as inaccurate media reporting and commentary.

Among those actually affected by Scotlands new law, such as Lucy, not everyone is willing to be as vocal  despite being on the frontlines of this confrontation.

I feel pretty hopeless at the way gender is debated in society, I dont take part in it anymore, she told CNN. I know a lot of trans people who feel the same. We just want to get on with our lives.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Officials tell 28/22 News a man is dead following a shooting in Scranton Tuesday night.

28/22 News Reporter Jason LiVecchi was on the scene Tuesday and reported that there were two active scenes involving a shooting in North Scranton.

DA: Five arrested in Wilkes-Barre human remains investigation

In a press release from the Scranton Police Department, they say patrolling officers discovered a fight between about 20 people at Weston Field when someone suddenly shot a gun. The release states the group scattered leaving behind a man with a gunshot wound.

LiVecchi reports there was blood on the ground and a helicopter with a spotlight shining in the direction of Main Avenue.

Multiple people were detained at Weston Field, and later several other suspects were found refusing to exit a building in the 1000 block of North Main Avenue. Due to the extreme threat in the situation, tactical units were called to the scene.

Officials announced tactical units safely affected the arrest of all suspects involved in the incident in the 1000 block of North Main Avenue.

Lackawanna County Coroner Timothy Rowland told 28/22 News one man is confirmed dead in the incident.

According to the police on the perimeter of the investigation, several blocks were completely closed off for access as they worked the scenes. LiVecchi also says Scranton police officers and state troopers had the area around Weston Field closed off.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
Davi Kopenawa, chief of the Yanomami talks with the media after meeting Pope Francis, in Rome

Davi Kopenawa, chief of the Yanomami talks with the media after meeting Pope Francis, in Rome

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A representative of Brazil's Yanomami people said he met Pope Francis on Wednesday to ask him to support Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's efforts to save his indigenous people.

The Yanomami, estimated to number around 28,000, live in Brazil's largest Indigenous reservation, in the northern states of Roraima and Amazonas. Invasion of their lands by illegal miners has caused malnutrition and deaths.

"I've asked the pope to support the Lula administration, because Lula needs friends. He won't be able to do it alone. There are a lot of people around him, politicians who don't want him to solve it," Davi Kopenawa told reporters.

"The pope said he's going to talk to him."

Kopenawa, a shaman who co-founded and chairs the Hutukara Yanomami Association, which campaigns for indigenous rights and the preservation of the Amazon rainforest, met Francis at the Vatican.

He mentioned water poisoning from mercury - used by wildcat miners in the hunt for gold - as one of the biggest threats to his community, along with deforestation for cattle ranching and soya farming.

The Yanomami territory, an area about the size of Portugal, has been invaded by gold miners for decades, but the destructive incursions multiplied in recent years when former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro dismantled environmental protections.

Lula, a leftist three-time president who returned to office in 2023, has led a push to evict illegal miners from Yanomami territory. In January, his administration announced 1.2 billion reais ($239.58 million) in aid for the indigenous community.

Francis, who hails from Brazil's neighbour Argentina, has made defence of the environment one of the cornerstones of his papacy, and has repeatedly condemned the plundering of natural resources in the Amazon and elsewhere.

($1 = 5.0088 reais)

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini in Vatican City and Gabriel Araujo in Sao Paulo; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Jeff Libby, a University of Alaska assistant professor, and Dimitri Kusnezov, undersecretary for science and technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, wield a hammer to break a span of ice at an April 9 campus ceremony marking the startup of the new ADAC-ARCTIC research center, which Libby heads. The new organization is one of the Department of Homeland Security's nine operating Centers of Excellence. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Jeff Libby, a University of Alaska assistant professor, and Dimitri Kusnezov, undersecretary for science and technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, wield a hammer to break a span of ice at a campus ceremony on Tuesday marking the startup of the new ADAC-ARCTIC research center, which Libby heads. The acronym stands for Arctic Domain Awareness Center -Addressing Rapid Change through Technology, Innovation and Collaboration. The new organization is one of the Department of Homeland Security's nine operating Centers of Excellence. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

When the federal government established an Arctic Domain Awareness Center 10 years ago at the University of Alaska Anchorage, the mission focused on maritime issues in the changing Arctic Ocean and how the U.S. Coast Guard would manage them.

Now a new Arctic Domain Awareness Center has started operations at UAA, and the research mission is much broader, reflecting new knowledge about the wide-ranging impacts of Arctic climate change on what the federal government classifies as homeland security.

The world has changed. And what we think about being important has evolved, Dimitri Kusnezov, undersecretary for science and technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, told reporters on Tuesday.

Kusnezov was a featured speaker at a ceremony held Tuesday at UAA that marked the opening of the new center. It has been given a long name: Arctic Domain Awareness Center  Addressing Rapid Changes through Technology, Information and Collaboration, which is abbrieviated as ADAC-ARCTIC.

Expert panelists speak at an April 9 ceremony about the homeland security subjects to be examined at the new ADAC-ARCTIC center at the University of Alaska Anchorage. From left are Jeff Libby, the principal investigator for the center; former Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, a former chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission; Dimitri Kusnezov, undersecretary for science and technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Elizabeth Qaullua Cravalho, vice president for lands at NANA Regional Corp. and a member of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission; and Larry Hinzman, assistant director for polar sciences at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and a former vice chancellor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)



Expert panelists speak at Tuesdays ceremony about the homeland security subjects to be examined at the new ADAC-ARCTIC center at the University of Alaska Anchorage. From left are Jeff Libby, the principal investigator for the center; former Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, a former chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission; Dimitri Kusnezov, undersecretary for science and technology at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Elizabeth Qaulluq Cravalho, vice president for lands at NANA Regional Corp. and a member of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission; and Larry Hinzman, assistant director for polar sciences at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and a former vice chancellor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

As Kusnezov and other speakers described it, ADAC-ARCTIC will be a hub for collaborative research on numerous Arctic subjects influenced by climate change. Among them are customs and border patrol issues, natural disaster response, cybersecurity, workforce development and more. A critical element of the work, the speakers said, is cooperation with Indigenous partners and reliance on Indigenous knowledge.

ADAC-ARCTIC represents a hub of creativity, knowledge and expertise where the brightest minds come together to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our nation Jeff Libby, the centers principal investigator, said at the on-campus ceremony.

Through research, innovation and collaboration, we will confront emerging threats, strengthen our security infrastructure and enhance the safety and well-being of our communities. Today, as we break this ice together, let us reaffirm our commitment to excellence, integrity and service, he said.

The Department of Homeland Security is devoting $46 million over 10 years to the project.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Caitlynn Hanna, who is from the Kotzebue, lights a traditional Inupiat seal-oil lamp at the start of the April 9 ceremony at the University of Alaska Anchorage marking the opening of the ADAC-ARCTIC research center there. Hanna is pursuing a masters degree in civil engineering and worked previously as a fellow with the earlier Arctic Domain Awareness Center that operated at UAA. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

University of Alaska Fairbanks Caitlynn Hanna, who is from the Kotzebue, lights a traditional Inupiat seal-oil lamp at the start of Tuesdays ceremony at the University of Alaska Anchorage marking the opening of the ADAC-ARCTIC research center there. Hanna is pursuing a masters degree in civil engineering and worked previously as a fellow with the earlier Arctic Domain Awareness Center that operated at UAA. The new center is designed to have a stronger focus on Indigenous collaboration and knowledge. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Although the opening ceremony was held Tuesday, featuring a symbolic breaking of a span of ice and celebratory toasts with sparkling cider encased in cups formed out of ice, the center has actually been operating for months, said Libby, an associate professor who holds other research leadership positions at UAA.

Staff members and partners have been working in an off-campus office in East Anchorage ever since the Department of Homeland Security in January announced that it had selected UAA as the host university for the center, Libby said.

The ADAC-ARCTIC Center is s one of nine Centers of Excellence established by the Department of Homeland Security and currently operating.

The centers, which are university- or college-based research hubs, are meant to be temporary, Kusnezov said. They are generally funded for 10 years, with the intent of creating knowledge, connections and systems that will be used by more permanent institutions, he said.

UAA was selected through a competitive process, and the other candidate that emerged was the University of Alaska Fairbanks, said Rebecca Medina, the Department of Homeland Securitys director of university programs.

The previous Arctic Domain Awareness Center at UAA had been put into what the Department of Homeland Security refers to as emeritus status, with low levels of operation until the new center was established.

The Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim Tsimshian Danders perform at Tuesday's ceremony at the University of Alaska Anchorage marking the opening of the ADAC-ARCTIC research center. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

The Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim Tsimshian Dancers perform at the April 9. 2024, ceremony at the University of Alaska Anchorage marking the opening of the ADAC-ARCTIC research center. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Along with addressing challenges like thawing permafrost, rapidly eroding coastlines, disrupted fisheries and fish runs and dangers of increased shipping in waters that are ice-free over vaster areas for longer periods of time, the new center will be operating at a time of heightened international tensions in the Arctic, speakers at Tuesdays event said.

Russia, the biggest Arctic nation, has become hostile, making cross-border collaboration more difficult, said Mead Treadwell, a former lieutenant governor and former chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. That includes work in the eight-nation Arctic Council, an institution based on consensus, Treadwell said.

We have a situation now where one member of the Arctic Council has totally violated international law. That makes it hard to trust that any agreements under international law will hold, whether theyre in Antarctica or here or arms control or anything else. I think we just have to work very hard to make sure that good science is there for decisions, and we can avoid conflicts, he said.

The post New Homeland Security research center marks opening at University of Alaska Anchorage appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
Floods swamp swathes of Russia and Kazakhstan but worse still to come

Floods swamp swathes of Russia and Kazakhstan but worse still to come

ORENBURG, Russia (Reuters) -Floods engulfed cities and towns across Russia and Kazakhstan on Wednesday after Europe's third-longest river burst its banks, forcing about 110,000 people to evacuate and swamping parts of the Russian city of Orenburg.

The deluge of meltwater overwhelmed scores of settlements in Russia's Ural Mountains, Siberia, Volga and areas of Kazakhstan after major rivers such as the Ural, which flows into the Caspian, rose more 70 cm (2 feet 3 inches) beyond its bursting point to over 10 metres (33 feet).

In Orenburg, a city with a population of 550,000 about 1,200 km (750 miles) east of Moscow, hundreds of homes were flooded and at least 7,700 people were evacuated as the Ural river rose swiftly beyond critical levels.

Whole areas of the city were under water. Residents in Orenburg paddled along roads that now resembled rivers and waters lapped at the windows of traditional wooden houses.

Russian news agencies quoted the Emergencies Ministry as saying 35 tonnes of aid - food, drugs and other necessities - had been flown into the region.

In Kurgan, a region which straddles the Tobol river, 4,500 people were evacuated and fears grew that thousands - or even tens of thousands - more would need to evacuated. Sirens in Kurgan warned people to evacuate immediately.

Kurgan region governor Vadim Shumkov, in a statement late on Wednesday quoted by Russian news agencies, said the city of Kurgan was threatened by surges of water caused by reservoirs emptying into the river system.

He said water levels in the city stood at 3.75 metres but could rise sharply as water flowed from the town of Zverinogolovkoye, 100 km (60 miles) away, where levels had risen to 9.8 metres (32 feet).

"And the mass of water is going with the current," Shumkov wrote on Telegram. "And flows from reservoirs are not stopping."

If the Tobol rose in the city to 9 metres (30 feet), then 17,800 people would have to be evacuated, Shumkov earlier said. If it rose to 14 metres (46 feet) then the figure would rise to 280,000 people.

"The forecast is unfavourable," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "The water level continues to rise in flood zones, large amounts of water are coming to new regions."

The flood situation was acute in parts of Western Siberia, the largest hydrocarbon basin in the world, where the peak is expected in three to five days, and some areas around the Volga, Europe's largest river, the emergencies ministry said.

Residents in Orenburg said it was the worst flooding in living memory while Russian officials said it was the worst flooding in the area since records began. Kazakhstan said more than 97,000 people had been evacuated.

Russia said 10,500 houses were flooded across 37 regions, most in the Orenburg region. Upstream on the Ural, which flows into Kazakhstan, floodwaters burst through an embankment dam in the city of Orsk on Friday.

BUILDING, STRENGTHENING DAMS

In Kazakhstan, people worked through the night to build up dykes and strengthen embankments. A state of emergency remained in effect in eight of the country's 17 provinces, down from 10 at the end of last week.

Unverified footage from the Aktobe region of northern Kazakhstan, through which the Ilek, a tributary of the Ural, flows, showed dead cattle, settlements covered in silt and scores of collapsed mud-brick houses.

Pope Francis expressed his sympathy for the victims.

"I also want to convey to the people of Kazakhstan my spiritual closeness at this time, when a massive flood has affected many regions of the country and caused the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes," he said during his Wednesday weekly audience in St Peter's Square.

Spring flooding is a usual part of life across Russia as the harsh winter snows melt, swelling some of mighty rivers of Russia and Central Asia. This year, though, a combination of factors triggered unusually severe flooding.

Russian emergency officials said the soil was waterlogged before winter and then was frozen under high snow falls which melted very fast in rising spring temperatures and heavy rains.

One Russian official, the Presidential Plenipotentiary in the Urals Region, Vladimir Yakushev, was quoted by Russian media as suggesting that Kazakhstan was to blame for not coordinating the discharge of water more effectively.

Kazakh officials have said much of the water was coming from Russia; there are rivers flowing in both directions between the two countries which share the world's longest land border.

President Vladimir Putin spoke to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan about the floods on Tuesday. The Kremlin said the worst was still to come for the Siberian region of Tyumen and the Urals region of Kurgan.

The Kremlin said Putin was getting updated on the situation but had no immediate plans to visit the flood zone.

(Reporting Reuters in Orenburg and Orsk, Russia; writing by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Lidia Kelly in Lisbon; Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Alison Williams, Ros Russell, Ron Popeski and Lincoln Feast.)
A fire in a 16-story Hong Kong residential building kills at least 5 people and injures dozens

HONG KONG (AP)  A fire in a large, mostly residential building in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning killed at least five people and left another 36 injured.

Some 250 residents were rescued from the New Lucky House in Hong Kong's Jordan neighborhood and the fire was extinguished.

The fire services department said that the fire began on the first and second floors of the 16-story building, where a gym and licensed guest rooms were located. More investigation was needed into the cause of the fire, officials said.

The five who died were apparently trying to escape the building.

The New Lucky House has 200 units and was built in 1964.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee expressed his condolences to victims' families and said that the relevant departments were instructed to provide assistance to all those affected by the fire.
Hope Mills approves raises for police and firefighters. What's on tap for other employees?

The town of Hope Mills voted this month to increase pay for its police officers and firefighters immediately and to employ a plan to raise pay across the board for town employees.

Initially, Commissioner Elyse Craver opposed the immediate increase on March 7 at the annual budget session for fiscal year 2024-25, stating that prioritizing pay raises for some departments over others was unfair.

But, after discussion among members, the board unanimously approved raises, with all members agreeing that public safety salaries are a priority.

"The total percentage increase for police and fire employees is just over 6% for the current year," Coronda Regan, Hope Mills deputy town clerk, said Monday. "There will also be a 2% increase on July 1 with the new budget year."

Immediate raises for police and fire will cost the town $106,650, according to the study.

Hope Mills employee pay is 16.48% below the average when compared to 12 neighboring markets and recently conducted a pay study to evaluate the need for salary increases for town employees.

Raises prompted by pay study findings

The raises for Hope Mills employees were prompted by a pay study approved in October which found that town employees earned 16.48% less than 12 neighboring jurisdictions.

The study, conducted by Piedmont Triad Regional Council Management and presented to the board before the vote by analyst David Hill, compared Hope Mills salaries to those in Aberdeen, Garner, Red Springs, Cary, Laurinburg, Sanford, Fayetteville, Lumberton, Southern Pines, Fuquay-Varina, Pinehurst, and Cumberland County. Hope Mills police officer pay was 18.43% below the market average, Hill said.

The whole purpose of a pay study is to determine where the best possible place is for the local government to be competitively placed in their local market, Hill told commissioners.

Previously reported: Hope Mills Board of Commissioners approves pay study for town employees. Here's why.

In addition to the immediate pay increase for police and firefighters, the starting salary for a Hope Mills police officer was increased from $41,935 to $47,452 on March 25. Those hired after July 1 will make $48,401, Regan said Monday.

New firefighters will also be offered higher pay, with starting salaries increasing from $39,341 to $43,041. On July 1, the starting salary will be $43,902.

"The pay study applies to all employees," Regan said. "The remaining town of Hope Mills staff will receive their increases at the start of the next fiscal year which begins July 1, 2024. There will also be a 2% cost of living increase ... with the new budget year."

During the presentation, Hill said that to increase employee retention and make Hope Mills competitive, the town should adopt a plan to increase salaries and create new pay scales to better compete with other markets.

Previously reported: Police officers in Spring Lake are going to get a pay raise. Here's how much

Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Hope Mills pay study shows employee pay is 16% lower than neighbors
On the left, Erin Kane, President and CEO of AdvanSix, shakes hands with Retired Command Chief Master Sergeant Robert N. Barnett Jr. at the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Award Ceremony hosted by AdvanSix.

HOPEWELL  The Office of the Secretary of Defense presented AdvanSix with an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Award for its commitment to National Guard and Army Reserve employees. The company was selected to win the Patriot Award, which recognizes supervisors and bosses for their support provided directly to the nominating service member and their family.

AdvanSix Employee Trenton Disabato submitted the nomination reflecting AdvanSix's dedication to supporting the armed forces directly at the Hopewell plant. During the event on March 27, AdvanSix signed a statement of support for the Guard and Reserve showcasing their commitment to military personnel and veterans.

AdvanSix receives Patriot Award from Office of the Secretary of Defense

The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families and granting leaves of absence if needed. Several notable individuals from AdvanSix and Virginia government attended the event held on March 27 including:

Erin Kane, President and CEO of AdvanSix

Andy Girvin, Hopewell Plant Manager at AdvanSix

Ashley Huggi, Management Systems Manager, Health, Safety and Environmental at AdvanSix

Retired Command Chief Master Sergeant Robert N. Barnett Jr., Lead Representative of the ESGR in Virginia

Delegate Carrie Coyner, Virginia House

Jameson Babb, Chief of Staff for Virginia Senator Lashrecse Aird

Retired Sergeant Gerald James, U.S. Army

The companys military veteran employees were treated to an appreciation breakfast catered by Sandlot Cafe and Catering, a local staple in the Hopewell community.

Solar eclipse, earthquake on same day Did you feel the earthquake in Central Virginia last night? Epicenter north of Glen Allen

'Hope your view was better than mine' 2024 solar eclipse: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious for some, disappointment for others

Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

Your support is vital to local journalism. Please subscribe.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Hopewell: AdvanSix wins Patriot Award for commitment to veterans
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Horry County police are asking for the publics help as authorities continue to investigate circumstances behind a fatal shooting.

Katelyn Bennett, 33, was found dead in her car last Wednesday near the intersection of Highway 905 and Gore Road outside of Conway. Officials ruled her death a homicide and believe she was shot while in the drivers seat of a vehicle.

News13 reported last week that Bennetts father, David, was shot and killed in November 2016.

At the time of her fathers death, Katelyn Bennett told News13 she was still in shock over losing her father.

I cant believe Im here right now doing this, It hits me, it comes and goes. I dont know how Im going to do this now. I just want my daddy back. Thats what I want. My sister came from New Hampshire. She hasnt seen him in six years, and she saw him for the first time, cold.

Anyone with information about Katelyn Bennett is asked to call the #HCPD tipline at (843) 915-8477.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
An Eastern Kentucky man has been charged with making a threat against an FBI agent.

The incident happened at the home of Randy Copley, a special agent with the FBI.

Copley saw Gabriel Howell, 45, drive by his house on March 30 and later found his mailbox had been heavily damaged, according to a sworn statement from Dillon Blair, a London police officer assigned to an FBI task force.

There was a large, heavy pipe sticking out of the mailbox and a note that read, Youve got mail, Guess who. Its not a game. Its peoples lifes, according to the affidavit.

The note was written on a receipt.

Copley suspected Howell was involved because hed seen him drive by.

He talked to Howells employer, who said the handwriting on the note was Howells and the receipt was for a purchase by his business, according to the affidavit.

State court records list Howells address as Harold, a community in Floyd County.

On April 8 at 2:27 a.m., Howell rang the bell on the gate at Copleys driveway, according to the affidavit.

Copley called Kentucky State Police and met Howell at the gate.

Because of the odd hour and prior contact with Howell, Copley used his firearm as a show of force to assist him in deescalating the hostile situation, according to the affidavit.

State police officers arrived and arrested Howell on an outstanding warrant from another case, and also charged him with trespassing.

A state police officer said in the citation that Copley said Howell was talking out of his head and talking about Copley placing chips in Howells head to track him.

Howell had gone to Copleys house several months earlier and said he wanted to report a crime, according to the affidavit.

Copley was on vacation at the time and gave Howell a number to call the FBI.

Howell thanked him and left, but after police arrested him this week, he told Blair he felt Copley blew him off and was angry because no one was helping him with the information he had about crimes.

Howell said he had damaged Copleys mailbox to send him a message and went to his house this week to get what he wanted, Blair said.

Blair swore out a criminal complaint charging Howell with influencing, impeding or retaliating against a federal official by threat.

In July 2023, an officer with the Floyd County Sheriffs Office arrested Howell on a charge of terroristic threatening after responding to a report of a fight at his house.

Howell got irritated while speaking with the officer and threatened two other men there with a metal pipe, according to a citation.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The House will delay sending impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate. Republicans had planned on starting the process Wednesday but are now pushing it to next week.

Senate Republicans want more time to make a public argument for a full trial since Democrats are expected to quickly dismiss it.

Chuck Schumer is playing politics with this, said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)

Senate Republicans are up in arms that Democrats are likely to dismiss an impeachment trial against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

This is unconscionable, people, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.)

Thats why Louisiana Senator John Kennedy and many others asked House Speaker Mike Johnson to delay bringing the case to the Senate until next week.

Maybe talking about it for a few days before we take the Constitution and turn it upside down just might be a wise thing to do, said Kennedy.

The delay will also give Republicans more time to build support among themselves for a full trial.

We have some free-range chickens, and they wander off and sometimes we cant catch them, Kennedy added.

House Republicans voted to impeach Mayorkas two months ago over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border.

But the Senates top Democrat Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) argues their charges do not rise to the level of impeachment.

Impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements, said Schumer.

Schumer would not publicly commit though to dismissing the trial.

Were gonna try and resolve this issue as quickly as possible, he said.

Even if the Senate holds a trial, Republicans need two-thirds of the chamber to vote to convict Mayorkas. That wont happen since no Democrat has signaled support for this.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Huber inmate in Wisconsin wanted by authorities for not returning to jail

JEFFERSON, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in Wisconsin are looking for an inmate at the Jefferson County Jail who was on Huber privilege for a job interview and never returned.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, deputies are looking for Andrea M. Mendoza, who was let out on Monday, April 8, at around 10:30 a.m. for a job interview in Jefferson.

Illinois man leads Wisconsin authorities on dangerous, triple-digit pursuit

Mendoza reportedly never arrived for the interview and never returned to the county jail.

Andrea Mendozas booking photo. (Jefferson County Jail)

Numerous attempts have been made to locate her without success, and now the sheriffs office is asking the public for assistance in locating her.

Heavily intoxicated bicyclist in Wisconsin found lying in ditch, arrested for threatening authorities

Mendozas failure to return to jail has now placed her in a wanted status. Authorities describe her as 54, around 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and is sometimes known to wear glasses. Additionally, she has a feather tattoo on her left forearm and a tattoo above her right eye.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office says Mendoza has ties in the city of Watertown, but she could be anywhere. No additional details were provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
It hurts every single day: Mother reacts to DeSantis signing Fentanyl bills into law after losing daughter to drug exposure

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two bills into law on Monday to help fight the opioid epidemic.

Debra Flanigan lost her daughter, Casey, a year ago to Fentanyl. Casey is just one of many who has lost their life to the drug.

Debra said her daughter will forever be 31.

Being a whole year still didnt seem real, but I guess when it kind of hit that one year, reality kind of set in, she said.

DeSantis signs bill making it a felony to expose first responders to fentanyl

Debra is battling stage four cancer and said Casey was her main caretaker.

She took me to all of my scans; she was just there no matter what, Flanigan said.

She said after losing her first child, she did not want to continue to fight.

I gave up, you know, my firstborn was gone. I needed to be with her. I thought, but then one day something just hit me, and I realized I need to fight for her, she said.

Flanigan said losing your child to fentanyl exposure is a type of pain she would never wish on anyone.

It hurts every single day. Theres not a day that I dont cry, she said.

Gov. DeSantis signed a bill that now makes it a second-degree felony to recklessly expose first responders to fentanyl. For example, if you lie to an officer about having drugs, they end up getting exposed and harmed, you could be charged.

This is nasty stuff, and you have situations where law enforcement personnel are responding to these situations where fentanyl may be involved in, they really are putting themselves at risk, DeSantis said.

Completely unacceptable: At least 3 shot near Armature Works in Tampa, police say

Im so glad he did that. The first responders dont know what theyre walking into when they walk into a situation where fentanyl is involved, they need to be protected, Flanigan said after hearing about the bill.

He also signed a bill naming June 6 Revive Awareness Day.

It is called Victorias law and it encourages the Florida Department of Health to hold events to raise awareness of the dangers of opioid overdose and the safe use of opioid counteractive, he said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said the total drug-related deaths decreased by 3% from 2021 to 2022.

According to the report, fentanyl was responsible for the most drug-related deaths.

The 2023 numbers have not come out yet.

Flanigan said nobody deserves to die the way her daughter did, and she will never stop fighting to end the epidemic.

Some days its hard to get up, but I do, I get up and keep moving, because I have to help with awareness for others, Flanigan said.

For Mothers Day, Flanigan said she is traveling to her daughters gravesite in Alabama to spend the weekend with her.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Idaho schools will soon be unable to require staff and students to use a transgender students name and pronouns under legislation signed this week by the states Republican Gov. Brad Little.

Idaho House Bill 538, which passed the states Republican-dominated Legislature by wide margins last month, prevents K-12 educators and college professors from knowingly and intentionally addressing a minor by a name or pronoun that does not align with their sex assigned at birth without written consent from their parents.

The bill also shields school staff from adverse employment action for declining to address a student using a name other than the students legal name, a derivative thereof, or by a preferred pronoun. State government employees are similarly not required to use a transgender persons name or pronoun if it does not match their sex assigned at birth.

Little quietly signed the measure into law Monday. It will take effect July 1.

GOP state lawmakers during this years legislative session said such laws are needed to protect against unlawful compelled speech.

This is a battle line we have to draw, the bills sponsor, Idaho Rep. Ted Hill (R), said while arguing in favor of the proposal in March. This is the battle line. Its First Amendment rights and thats the whole issue here.

State Democrats largely opposed the measure, arguing that the First Amendment, which protects the freedom of speech, is not meant to allow employees to act unprofessionally or discriminate against others at work.

We expect our publicly funded employees to adhere to a certain standard of respect and decency, and we expect them to refrain from being unkind, uncivil or discriminatory whether its to the public or to their coworkers, Idaho state Rep. Lauren Necochea (D) said last month. Respectfully addressing people the way they are asking to be addressed is no different.

Little this week also signed legislation redefining gender as being synonymous with sex, making Idaho the sixth state to adopt such a law. Executive orders signed last year in Nebraska and Oklahoma also redefine sex in a way that LGBTQ advocates have warned will allow discrimination against transgender and gender-nonconforming people.

In human beings, there are two, and only two, sexes: male and female, according to Idahos House Bill 421, which will also take effect July 1. In no case is an individuals sex determined by stipulation or self-identification.

Since being elected governor in 2019, Little has signed at least half a dozen laws targeting transgender people, including the nations first ban on transgender athletes.

In March, Little signed legislation barring public funds  including Medicaid  and government-owned facilities from being used for gender-affirming care for transgender minors and adults.

A law signed last year by Little makes it a felony for doctors to provide puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries to transgender minors, though the enforcement of the law is currently blocked by a district courts orders. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador (R) in February asked the Supreme Court to take emergency action to allow the state to enforce its ban.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  A teenager planned to attack churches in a northern Idaho city using a metal pipe, butane fuel, a machete and, if he could get them, his fathers guns, according to federal prosecutors who charged him with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group.

Authorities said Alexander Scott Mercurio, 18, adopted the Muslim faith against his Christian parents wishes and was in contact with FBI informants posing as Islamic State group supporters.

Mercurio was arrested Saturday, the day before investigators believe he planned to carry out the attack. Phone messages left for a relative and for his defense attorneys at the Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington & Idaho were not immediately returned Tuesday. Mercurio did not immediately respond to an email through a jail inmate email system.

Mercurio told one informant he intended to incapacitate his father with the pipe, handcuff him and steal his guns and a car to carry out the attack in Coeur dAlene, according to an FBI agents sworn statement in the case unsealed Monday in U.S. District Court.

The guns included rifles, handguns and ammunition his father kept in a locked closet, but Mercurio still planned to attack with the pipe, fire and knives if he couldnt get the firearms, alleged the sworn statement by FBI task force officer John Taylor II.

If he could get the key and access the closet, Mercurio said in an audio recording he gave the informant, everything will be so much easier and better and I will achieve better things, according to the statement.

The recording was to accompany a photo the informant took of Mercurio in front of the IS flag holding up a knife and his index finger in a gesture commonly used by the group, the statement alleged.

After attacking the church, Mercurio told the informant he planned to attack others in town  as many as 21  before being killed in an act of martyrdom, according to the statement.

Mercurio talked with confidential informants over a two-year span and at one point tried to build an explosive vest to wear during the attacks, the statement alleged.

Mercurio told a confidential informant that he first connected with IS during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools were closed, Taylor said, and investigators later found several files on his school-issued laptop detailing ISs extremist ideology. Mercurios parents disapproved of his beliefs, he allegedly told a confidential informant posing as an IS supporter, and Mercurio eventually began to worry that he was a hypocrite for not yet carrying out an attack, according to the statement.

Ive stopped asking and praying for martyrdom because I dont feel like I want to fight and die for the sake of Allah, I just want to die and have all my problems go away, he wrote in a message to the informant, according to the statement.

On March 21, Mercurio sent a direct message to the informant again, saying he was restless, frustrated and wondered how long he could keep living in such a humiliated and shameful state, the statement alleged.

I have motivation for nothing but fighting  like some time of insatiable bloodlust for the life juice of these idolators; a craving for mayhem and murder to terrorize those around me. I need some better weapons than knives, the direct message said, according to the statement.

Law enforcement moved to arrest Mercurio after he sent an audio file pledging his allegiance to the IS, the statement alleged.

Thanks to the investigative efforts of the FBI, the defendant was taken into custody before he could act, and he is now charged with attempting to support ISISs mission of terror and violence, Attorney General Merrick Garland wrote in a press release. The Justice Department will continue to relentlessly pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who would commit acts of terrorism against the people and interests of the United States.

If convicted, Mercurio could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. Mercurio has not yet had an opportunity to enter a plea. He is being held in a northern Idaho jail while he awaits his first court appearance, scheduled for late Wednesday morning.

The Islamic State group took control of a large swath of territory in Syria and Iraq in 2014 and had been largely defeated on the battlefield by 2018. However, it maintains desert hideouts in both countries and its regional affiliates operate in Afghanistan, West Africa and the Far East. IS claimed responsibility for last months Moscow concert hall attack that killed 145 people, the most deadly attack in Russia in years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The woman who was pulled from a Fresno canal on Monday and later pronounced dead was identified by the Fresno County Coroners Office on Wednesday.

According to the Fresno Police Department, officers were called Monday morning to a report of a body in the canal at E. Central Avenue and S. Cedar Avenue. They arrived at the scene along with the Fresno Fire Department and confirmed that there was a body in the canal.

IDENTIFIED: 72-year-old woman killed after Reedley vehicle crash

The Fresno County Coroners Office identified the victim as 60-year-old Rebecca Fulcher of Fresno.

After crews recovered the body, officials say the victim had no signs of obvious trauma.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
After IDF retreat from Al-Shifa hospital, Palestinians sift through rubble for their dead

It was quiet, grim work for a recovery team this week as it sifted through the rubble of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Shovels in hand, it unearthed what appeared to be a femur, a shoulder blade, the bones of a rib cage.

For two weeks in March, the Israeli military carried out a devastating raid at Al-Shifa, once the pillar of the Gazan medical system. The siege raised fears for the safety of hundreds of civilians trapped inside.

Since the Israel Defense Forces withdrew last week, Palestinian crews have so far recovered the bodies of more than 400 people from Al-Shifa, the surrounding neighborhoods and the southern city of Khan Younis, according to Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for the Gaza Civil Defense.

In a video recorded Monday by an NBC News crew, families watched as workers gathered remains, some of them little more than tattered clothing tangled around a cluster of bones and piled into white bags labeled unidentified body.

Palestinian forensic and civil defence recover human remains at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza (AFP- Getty Images)

Unfortunately, the bodies are rotten, are cut into pieces because of the bulldozers, said Khalil Hamada, the head of general forensics for the Ministry of Justice. Hamada said Israeli forces used bulldozers to bury the dead in the sandy soil of Al-Shifa.

There are numerous shallow graves, and many dead bodies were partially buried with their limbs visible, with other bodies uncovered and exposed to the heat, the World Health Organization said Saturday.

Safeguarding dignity, even in death, is an indispensable act of humanity, the WHO said in a statement. In addition to those who were killed in the most recent offensive, in November, during the IDFs first raid on Al-Shifa, hospital staff members had been forced to bury 179 patients in a mass grave.

Israeli forces alleged that the hospital was being used as a Hamas hub. Gazas Health Ministry said around 30,000 patients, medical staff members and displaced people were sheltering at the hospital, with both the IDF and Gazan authorities saying hundreds were killed and hundreds more were taken into custody.

Where are they? We do not know if they were detained or buried underground. We want someone to help us. I appeal to all the world to stand with us, Maha Swelem, a nurse at Al-Shifa, said in an interview in Arabic on Monday.

During the siege, Swelem said, she was corralled into one of the hospitals buildings, along with about 15 other people. After Israeli soldiers shot four people in front of my eyes, Swelem said, they then took her husband, a volunteer paramedic. I dont know what happened to him yet, she said. Did they kill him and bury him?

Dr. Mutasim Salah, a member of a health emergency committee in Gaza, said the smell of death permeated the charred ruins of the hospital. But personnel were determined to keep working to identify the corpses, perhaps bring closure to mourning families and document what he described as a war crime against innocent civilians.

A United Nations (UN) team visit as Palestinian civil defence recover human remains the grounds of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza (AFP- Getty Images)

The scene cannot be described, Salah said. Throughout history, we have never seen, heard or thought that one day we would witness such a crime that occurred inside the Shifa Medical Complex.

In a tweet Saturday, the U.N. said Al-Shifa hospital was an empty shell following the latest Israeli siege with most of the buildings extensively damaged or destroyed.

In the six months since the start of the war, Israeli forces have repeatedly pummeled hospitals in Gaza, even though international law states that hospitals should not be attacked during war. The IDF has said Hamas operates command centers at hospitals, uses ambulances to transport militants and funnels hospital-bound fuel to military efforts, all of which Hamas and hospital staff members deny.

Israels military has drawn intense international condemnation for its military operations in Gaza, and many humanitarian groups have accused the country of breaching international law by exercising collective punishment.

Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7 killed more than 1,200 people; Israels military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 33,000, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Illinois is considering a temporary ban on carbon dioxide pipeline projects.

Illinois is a major player in the projects because of its unique geological makeup, perfect for storing carbon underground. Companies havent gotten a foothold because of public pushback. The federal governments focus is on new regulation that give companies a tax incentive if they choose to build pipelines.

Manufacturers and agriculture groups agree they want the state to approve the projects and feel Illinois will lose crucial economic development if the projects keep getting stalled.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
A proposal in Illinois would prohibit public schools from using Native American names, logos and mascots.

Schools would have until the 2027-2028 school year to comply if the proposal, HB5617, becomes law. Affected schools could only continue to use the identifications if they select alternative names, logos and mascots by the future date. Democratic State Representative Maurice West is the chief sponsor of the bill, and he says its intended to uplift members of the Native American community.

For more information, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  Without any opposition, the Illinois Senate on Tuesday passed a measure that would tighten identification standards for human remains that are being handled by funeral homes and enhance punishment for businesses that break the law.

The legislation comes after a funeral home in central Illinois last year was found to have given dozens of families the wrong remains. The owner of Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville had his license revoked by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation after the discovery for professional incompetence, among other things.

The measure passed in the Senate Tuesday by a 55-0 vote would tighten funeral home regulations designed to ensure the human remains in their possession are identified properly. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

State Sen. Doris Turner, the main Senate sponsor of the legislation, said the measure would require the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to inspect a funeral home within 10 days of it receiving a complaint over the misidentification or mishandling of human remains.

The bill also requires a crematorium to maintain chain of custody records, an identification system ensuring that a death care provider can identify human remains in its possession throughout all phases of the cremation process.

When our loved ones pass away, we make arrangements while dealing with our grief. We find comfort in knowing that we are executing our loved ones wishes, Turner, a Democrat from Springfield, said on the Senate floor before the vote.

When a coroner calls you months after your loved ones funeral saying I have your moms cremated remains and you think to yourself my mom wasnt cremated, we buried her last April, then the coroner tells you that the woman you buried wasnt your mother, it re-traumatizes and opens new wounds of grief for families.

The legislation would make it a Class 4 felony, punishable by up to three years in prison, for funeral service providers to intentionally mishandle certain documents related to someones death.

______
I'm the parent of an only child and people can be judgmental. They don't know what we went through to have her.

I'm the parent of an only child and people can be judgmental. They don't know what we went through to have her.

After losing two pregnancies, my husband and I decided to try one more time.

People often ask why we just have one child, and they can be judgmental.

I wish strangers wouldn't make assumptions.

"With all due respect," she said, "You have no right to leave her alone in this world."

I froze. Stuck in the extended position on the leg machine, I couldn't believe small talk at the gym could go so awry. Did a total stranger really just say that to me?

"How many kids do you have?" is a question I dread. The blunt gymgoer's response was by far the most original. It stung, but I've had plenty of warm-ups. The overly enthusiastic, "Oh! Wow! That's great!" The comically awkward, "Will you get her a pet?" And the micro-jab, "Such a cute little family!"

They all sting. And they're all uttered because it's easier than asking for my story.

Pregnancy was not easy for me

In June of 2015, I had my first ultrasound. We hadn't planned to get pregnant and relocate for my first college teaching position at the same time, but that's how it happened. We were thrilled. It seemed odd that the technician didn't say much, but I thought nothing of it. When she went to speak to the doctor, my body knew: it was over.

My mind had to catch up. The doctor told me the egg was not in the uterus. Inexplicably, I asked, "Where is it?" I'll never forget the way she sucked back her lips in surprise. After that, I blacked out in the just-found-out-they-have-cancer movie scene type of way. I don't remember what happened next. At some point, I had surgery. I spent the next three weeks in bed, arising only to go teach one summer class, then returning home to bed.

The move and the new job kept me going. We were excited about this new chapter. We'd try again when we were ready. It happened again, and it happened fast. Pregnant in October. Not pregnant in November.

This one was natural; I didn't need surgery. I gave a presentation on mindfulness during that time, of all things. I could feel the life draining from my body as I stood at the front of the lecture hall, smiling and encouraging my music students to relax in the present moment. I was a hypocrite. Crushed that my body couldn't do the one thing it was supposed to, all I wanted was to escape.

I started to envision a life without children. We'd be OK. We could focus more on our careers, have more adventures together. It would be a sweet consolation prize.

Then, in February 2016, we agreed to try one more time. We knew we couldn't bear alternative journeys to parenthood after all the grief. This was it  and I got pregnant on the first try. Assuming it wouldn't last long, I enjoyed the hell out of it. A conference in San Antonio, every meal outside in the sunshine with ice cream for dessert. All the while, I was bleeding.

I called the doctor. "It's the wrong color," he said. "It's not new blood. Let's get you in for an early ultrasound."

This time, there was a heartbeat. We couldn't believe it. We went out for greasy burgers to celebrate. We held our breath for the next six weeks, and she was still there. Our Olivia.

She's seven years old now. And she's our only child.

We have an only child for a reason

It seemed almost quaint to decide whether to have another child after the grief of losing two pregnancies. To weigh the pros and cons. To read about the options: Pop out another real quick? Wait until she's older to try again? We considered our finances, thought about the climate crisis. We had tearful, late-night conversations.

On one of those nights, we were finally ready to make a choice. It was the choice we knew we'd make all along: we would rather offer our best to one child than anything less to two.

The decision was both excruciating and natural. It took tremendous courage to admit we were already giving all we could. But it was easy to put social expectations aside and do what was best for our daughter. In a culture that demands too much of parents  too much of us all  we said, "Enough."

In a perfect world, I would have told the gym lady, "With all due respect, it's none of your business." But I was so stunned by the rudeness that I froze. After a moment, I gathered myself. I calmly told her we made the decision that was best for our family.

And then she really shocked me. She apologized. She said she could see the anger in my eyes when she said that, and she wished she hadn't. She said now that she thought about it, she doesn't even speak to her siblings.

Remaining calm allowed us to connect, even if just for a moment.

I'm proud of our decision. We took the extraordinary path of embracing what we had and wanting for nothing. It's why "How many kids do you have?" is a loaded question for me. Judgmental interactions  the gym lady; the mom who tells me, "There's still time;" the parent at drop-off who blurts, "It must be so much easier"  bring me back to a 3 a.m. trip to the emergency room, the kindness of nurses, the M&Ms my mom brought to the hospital.

These moments fortify my gratitude for the precious gift of life that awaited us. A young girl who is happy, healthy, and already braver than I'll ever be. We must be doing something right.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Impeached Homeland Security secretary navigates working with Republicans who want him out

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas was expected to be testifying about his agency's 2025 budget Wednesday just as House Republicans advanced impeachment articles against him to the Senate.

Instead, Republicans held off, choosing to wait until next week while they attempt to make the case for a full Senate trial of the first U.S. Cabinet official impeached in nearly 150 years.

It has been two months since Mayorkas, a California native and the highest-ranking Latino in the federal government, was narrowly impeached by a single-vote margin.

Read more: He took on L.A.s street gangs. For Mayorkas, impeachment does not rattle me

House Republicans, eyeing chaos at the southern border as a path to regain control of the White House and Senate, have said his failure to prevent record arrivals of migrants meets the constitutional bar for impeachment of high crimes and misdemeanors. They've accused him of refusing to enforce existing immigration laws and breaching the public trust by lying to Congress and saying the border was secure.

On Wednesday, Mayorkas carried on, testifying before the House and Senate appropriations subcommittees on homeland security. The at times tense back-and-forth of the hearings demonstrated the precarious position of the embattled secretary, who must find a way to work with Republicans who want him gone.

Mayorkas testified that his agency needs funding for more Border Patrol agents, asylum officers, detention capacity and deportation flights, while reiterating calls for Congress to pass the bipartisan national security bill that failed earlier this year.

Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), echoing the arguments behind the impeachment case, told Mayorkas he was pointing fingers at Congress for a crisis of his own making.

"I called for your resignation last year and I stand by my request," she told him.

Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) recalled Mayorkas referencing expanding lawful pathways to the U.S. and asked him, "Who makes laws?"

"Congressman, if you must ask me questions the answers to which you know, allow me to answer: Congress," Mayorkas replied.

Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) brought up reports that President Biden is exploring an executive order to shut down the border without congressional authorization. Guest asked whether Mayorkas was involved in those discussions.

"We are consistently evaluating what options are available to us," Mayorkas replied. "I will share with you that executive action, which is inevitably challenged in the courts, is no substitute for the enduring solution of legislation that will fix what everyone agrees is a broken immigration system."

Still, Republican lawmakers were pleased to hear Mayorkas refer to the situation at the southern border as a crisis. He told NBC News it was a crisis in February, after Biden did so, but in previous congressional hearings had stopped short of using that word.

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Fla.), referencing what she called a "baseless impeachment effort," thanked Mayorkas for his commitment to the job.

"You've faced an unprecedented, vicious and personal campaign against you and your staff at the Department of Homeland Security from my colleagues on the right," she said.

At the onset of the Senate appropriations hearing Wednesday afternoon, Chair Christopher S. Murphy (D-Conn.) called out the impeachment articles as the elephant in the room.

"There's not a single act of impeachable misconduct alleged by these articles," he said. "The process was an embarrassment to the House of Representatives. These articles are laughable on their face."

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), meanwhile, criticized Democrats for, as he sees it, trying to sweep the impeachment under the rug.

"Most Republicans don't trust you, and a vast majority of the American people don't trust you," Kennedy said to Mayorkas. "That's why you've been impeached."

Republicans hoping for a full Senate trial are likely to be disappointed. Democrats hold the Senate majority and appear poised to immediately dismiss the case when it reaches the upper chamber next week. Democrats' majority in the Senate is narrow, though, creating the possibility that the plan to dismiss the case may fall short if just a couple of Democrats defect.

Even if it did go to trial, Mayorkas is sure to be acquitted because it would take two-thirds of the Senate to convict him, and no Democrats have signaled support for the impeachment effort. Several Republican senators have also criticized it.

"We want to address this issue as expeditiously as possible," Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in floor remarks Wednesday. "And as I said yesterday, impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements. That sets an awful precedent. So, when the time comes for the Senate to receive the articles of impeachment from the House, well be ready."

Democrats have called the impeachment effort a politically motivated overreach and say Mayorkas is being used as a pawn in the upcoming presidential race.

Mayorkas narrowly escaped the House's first impeachment attempt when three GOP lawmakers, including one from California, broke ranks with their party and joined Democrats to vote against it. House Republican leaders succeeded on their second attempt.

When I say that I am not focused on the impeachment proceedings, I actually mean it, Mayorkas told reporters Friday. It is my hope that my time is not taken away from my work.

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(Bloomberg) -- Incoming Taiwan president Lai Ching-te chose as his premier a veteran official who has served in the current administration, underscoring his push for continuity.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Lai said at a briefing in Taipei on Wednesday that the role would be filled by Cho Jung-tai, a former cabinet secretary-general who once led the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. The premier handles the governments day-to-day domestic affairs.

The announcement and media speculation about future appointments indicate that many of President Tsai Ing-wens key officials will find positions in the new government, which takes power when Lai is inaugurated May 20. Lai, the current vice-president, ran on a pledge to stick to many of Tsais policies, reassuring voters hed be a safe choice in a geopolitical hot spot.

Tsai has used her eight years in office to raise Taiwans profile internationally, and tighten ties with Japan and the US, the islands main military backer. Shes also sought economic opportunities in Southeast Asia, a move that has resulted in a wave of tourists from the Philippines and Thailand visiting the democratically run island.

Read More: US Science Agency Debuts Startup Matchmaking Program in Taiwan

China vows to bring Taiwan under its control eventually, by force if necessary, and has refused to hold talks with Tsai since she took office because she doesnt accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China.

Ties between China and Taiwan flourished under her predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou, of the opposition Kuomintang. Ma is visiting Beijing, and Taiwanese media outlets says hell meet Xi on the trip.

Read More: Taiwans Former Leader to Meet Xi in Beijing, Report Says

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Increased food and fuel costs for senior meals has non-profit asking Eddy County for help

Funding shortages and increased demand for senior citizens services has the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation seeking $20,000 in help from Eddy County.

Belinda Lopez, senior citizens program director for the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation (SNMCAC), requested the funds during the April 2 Eddy County Board of County Commissioners meeting.

She said because the cost of food is increasing and more senior citizens are utilizing the services - including increased demand for meal delivery - the nonprofit is looking to Eddy County as an additional resource.

We have had a budget shortfall. I blame it on COVID (-19). It just has never quit since COVID, she during the meeting.

More: $1.4M grant boosts senior food service in Carlsbad

SNMCAC offers meals for senior citizens, senior companion program, foster grandparent program and adult respite, per the organizations website.

In a memorandum to commissioners, Gonzales said seniors can sit down for meals in Carlsbad and Artesia.

Meals are also delivered to senior citizens 60 years of age and older in Carlsbad, Artesia and Loving and rides are offered to the meal sites in Carlsbad and Artesia, said Gonzales.

Lunch for Artesia area senior citizens was prepared on April 5, 2024 at the Artesia Senior Meal Site. Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation asked Eddy County for help in providing meals in 2025.

Across Eddy County in 2023 more than 37,000 meals were served at the two meal sites and nearly 74,000 meals were provided to 437 homebound seniors.

Lopez said some senior citizens in the Carlsbad area choose home delivered meals instead of driving to the Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center at 120 Kircher Street in south Carlsbad due to increased oil and gas traffic.

Some of our seniors are no longer driving. They live alone or theyre afraid to drive in Carlsbad, she said.

More: Senior citizens activities return to Eddy County after COVID-19 pandemic pauses

Weve had a big increase in expenses. Weve had an increase cost in fuel and gas (prices), Lopez added.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) stated gas prices averaged $3.52 a gallon in 2023. The highest gas price last year occurred in the middle of September at $3.88 a gallon. AAAs New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch noted gas prices across the state rose 15 cents from March 28 to April 4.

Prepared meals wait at the Artesia Senior Meal Site on April 5, 2024. Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation asked the Eddy County Commission asked for financial help in 2025.

Local funding 'crucial' to senior meal program in Carlsbad

Lopez said meals and other senior citizens services would not exist without local support.

She said the New Mexico Aging Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) does not fully fund senior programs as local governments and community funding are expected to fill in gaps.

An informational packet prepared by SNMCAC for commissioners noted that fundraising and grant proposals are part of community fundraising efforts.

More: Extra space and new equipment awaits Carlsbad senior citizens at new senior center

I apply for United Way grants, I fight for Chevron grants. Im struggling right now to get grants, Lopez said.

In the county commission information packet, SNMCAC noted the senior programs help those in need first.

With the rising numbers of our senior population, the increased cost of food and gas, and the lack of United Way funding this year, we will not be able to continue without help, read the SNMCAC document.

Fried chicken was prepared for lunch at the Artesia Senior Meal Site on April 5, 2024. Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation oversees senior meals in Carlsbad and Artesia.

Kyle Marksteiner, director of Eddy County United Way, said $98,000 in funds were provided in 2023 to SNMCAC.

In her memo, Gonzales said county staff asked commissioners consider the $20,000 in funding to help SNMCAC for the 2025 fiscal year.

To ensure this program can continue to help Eddy Countys most vulnerable senior citizens avoid food insecurity, she wrote.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Help sought from Eddy County for senior citizens meals
MUMBAI (Reuters) - India and China should urgently address the "prolonged situation" on their border, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in remarks published on Wednesday, in an apparent softening of tone on bilateral issues between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

"It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us," Modi said in an interview with U.S. publication Newsweek.

Ties between India and China, who share a long mountainous border, have been strained since troops of both countries clashed on their disputed Himalayan frontier, killing 24 soldiers, in 2020.

In May last year, Modi said peace on the border was essential for normal relations with China, adding that India was committed to protecting its sovereignty and dignity.

Internal security and strong foreign policy are two planks Modi has used as he campaigns for a record third term, in a general election that gets under way next week and will span nearly two months.

"For India, the relationship with China is important and significant," Modi said, adding that peaceful relations between the two neighbours were important for the entire region and world.

India and China share a 3,800 km (2,400 mile) border - much of it poorly demarcated - over which they also fought a bloody war in 1962.

(Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Editing by William Maclean)
Read the full story on The Auto Wire

Indiana Man Shocked Dodge Charger Stolen And Stripped From Airport Parking

Thieves want your ride, especially if you drive something like a Dodge Charger or Challenger. One man from southern Indiana learned this lesson the hard way after his beloved Mopar was stolen from airport parking and later found stripped to the bones.

Florida men caught stealing Jeep headlights in airport parking lots.

He parked the 2016 Dodge Charger Scat Pack at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport while away on a business trip. But by the time he got back to the parking spot, his vehicle was gone, reports WDRB.

The Mopar muscle car was later recovered, or at least what was left of it after the thieves had their way. As you can see from photos provided to WDRB by the victim, they stripped it down to the frame.

We see cases like this and even worse (sometimes they cut out portions of the frame, too) all the time. Airport parking lots and structures seem to be prime hunting grounds for a lot of car thieves. And it makes sense why.

Think about it: when you park at the airport, youre leaving your ride unattended for days at a time. Thieves love this because it gives them plenty of time to work on breaking in, getting your car started, and getting far, far away before you even know whats going on.

This is why we recommend having a friend drop you off at the airport or using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Sure, it might cost you a little more than the parking fee, but not having your car stolen while youre on vacation or traveling on business is a good thing.

In this case, the victim bought the car when it was brand new and so was quite attached to it. He told WDRB he babied it, then someone took the Scat Pack and used it for parts on the black market.

Every airport is going to tell you their long-term parking is secure. Maybe some are, but we honestly wouldnt chance it.

Images via WDRB

Follow The Auto Wire on Google News.

Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
This article was originally published in Mirror Indy.

The kids can hardly sit still. Its Green Eggs and Ham day at the Martin Luther King Community Centers after-school literacy lab.

Remnants of the afternoon activity  making green-dyed Rice Krispies Treats  decorate the kindergarten and first grade students fingers and faces. The lesson, paired with reading the Dr. Seuss classic, is meant to help students build connections with what they see in books.

We use it as a life lesson and a learning lesson, and Dr. Seuss books are full of it, said Jonna Lee, a youth worker with the MLK Center, after the early March exercise. Today was learning to try new things.

The MLK Center began its literacy lab eight years ago to support a school that staff noticed was struggling in the neighborhood.

James Whitcomb Riley School 43, about a block west of the MLK Center, has some of the highest needs in the Indianapolis Public Schools district. Last year, state records show only about a third of School 43 students passed Indianas third grade reading exam and 86% of students received free and reduced priced lunches, an indicator used to track school poverty.

Community leaders and alumni say they have watched for years as IPS budgets have tightened and staff have come and gone. Rather than stand by, they decided to help. An education committee formed, volunteers reopened the school library and the MLK Center launched its after-school literacy lab  a program that operates independently but collaborates with IPS to support students.

And now, with new grant funding and a growing partnership with Butler University, that collaboration is expected to grow. MLK Center staff say theyll be able to expand their work with the kids who need it most.

We try to make it fun and creative for them to see things in a different way, Lee said of her students. To understand that they are still learning, but were having fun doing it.

MLK Center offers more than tutoring

As a school, James Whitcomb Riley has seen some recent wins with slightly more students passing the states third grade reading exam this year. But, the school still reports some of the lowest reading scores in IPS.

Just 35.3% of School 43 students passed the third grade reading exam last spring, state records show, falling more than 20 percentage points below the IPS district average of 60.6% and more than half that of the state average, 81.9%.

About a dozen staff serve more than 70 elementary students from School 43. Their five-days-a-week program incorporates literacy instruction on Tuesdays through Thursdays with one-on-one tutoring provided to students who are returning to the program for their second year.

More than 90% of students come to the literacy lab below reading level with little understanding of skills like shapes and letter sounds, said Lacrisha Hollins, the centers youth programs director. When students stick with the program for at least two years, Hollins said, tutors are generally able to help students catch up to grade-level reading.

Youth workers like Lee do it by pairing play with literacy lessons. The goal is to get them learning without overwhelming them after a long day of school, Lee said. That means also incorporating activities into lessons, watching movies and taking time to go outside when the weather is nice.

Lee said she also tries to keep her plans flexible  something that might be challenging for a classroom teacher following a set curriculum schedule. If a students having a hard day at home or is struggling to learn a certain concept, Lee said she has the freedom to change her lessons as needed.

Related

California Considers Science of Reading Bill, as 6 in 10 Students Lag Behind

Theyre all experiencing different things, and we want it to be a safe place for them when they come here, Lee said. Ive built a lot of relationships with the kids that I have and that opens up to them being trusting.

MLK Center leadership said they see addressing the schools literacy gaps as a matter of civil rights, and their work follows the Martin Luther King, Jr., philosophy of the beloved community, creating opportunities where no one is excluded.

That means the center takes all students, regardless of their familys ability to pay for services, and provides extensive wraparound services, such as free snacks and meals. They also pick students up from school, bring them to the center for programming and drop them off at home at the end of the day.

During the summer and school breaks, the center offers extended hours with field trips and three meals daily. It also provides mental health resources  partnering with social work interns from local universities like IUPUI and Indiana Wesleyan University who work in the center during tutoring hours  and makes referrals to other community providers for more extensive support for families who need it.

We dont just provide tutoring, Hollins said. We provide health support for mom, dad, whoevers in the household, free of charge. We provide for if they need shelter, if they need to pay their gas. We just provide any and everything for the whole family to be successful.

Community partnership extends into School 43

The MLK Centers partnership with School 43 extends beyond its after-school programs. Center staff and some of their volunteers  students from Butler University  also visit James Whitcomb Riley during the school day.

That means students who are in the MLK Centers after-school program get reading support three times a day, Principal Crishell Sam said: once during class, again during volunteers visits and a third time after school.

Community volunteers were trained in IPS new reading curriculum, Sam said, so tutors and teachers know that theyre teaching students in similar ways.

It comes in tandem with community-led efforts to support the school, including a group of alumni and retired teachers who several years ago helped the school reopen its library with volunteers. Butler students and alumni now run it twice a week. The group meets monthly with the MLK Center team and school leaders as a part of a neighborhood education committee that seeks to compare efforts in literacy and family engagement.

The layers of community support come during a time of transition at School 43. James Whitcomb Riley will shift from a pre-K through eighth grade school to a pre-K through fifth grade elementary school next year under the districts Rebuilding Stronger reorganization plan.

Most middle schoolers will go to Broad Ripple or Northwest next year rather than School 43.

Related

School Leaders Need Training in the Science of Reading, Just Like Teachers

As a first-year principal, Sam has also brought in new employees and is working with them to introduce the new reading curriculum recently adopted across IPS. She also plans to hire a media assistant so that the library can be open five days a week next school year. The community partnerships will continue.

I believe that everyone thats been hired to be here, they can do the work, Sam said.But the work cant be done in isolation.

Plans for growth

The MLK Center, which built its program with a goal to turn no one away, now has a waitlist.

It happened for the first time last year with more than 25 interested students, said Israel Shasanmi, deputy director of the MLK Center. That waitlist is at about 20 students, with more who have informally expressed interest in joining the program.

The centers leaders are considering an expansion to support its child and adult programs. Theyve only begun the early stages of fundraising but renderings of a proposed expansion with a gymnasium and additional classrooms line the centers lobby.

The literacy lab also received a major boost this year after its partners at Butler received a $750,000 grantfrom the Lilly Endowment to help School 43 adopt its new reading curriculum.

Butler officials say theyre still deciding how to spend the money. But Danielle Madrazo, with Butlers College of Education, said they may use part of the funding to train Butler students and faculty who volunteer at the MLK Center and School 43s library.

The grant will also support hiring two positions that will directly support the MLK Center. One will be a trained literacy specialist and the other will focus on relationship building with families.

We have vision for supporting literacy in our community and our neighborhood, Madrazo said of the partnership. Im excited for us to do big things for kids.

Mary Dicken, the MLK Centers advocacy and engagement director, said her team is always looking for volunteers, and the center accepts donations to support its literacy programs. The center also offers regular tours to allow the community to see tutoring in action.

More information about getting involved is available on the MLK Centers website. A tour of the center can be scheduled by emailing GetInvolved@MLKCenterIndy.org

This story was originally published in Mirror Indy.
EXCLUSIVE: Amid a congressional stalemate, the U.S. intelligence community is straining to spotlight the critical nature of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act without providing so much public detail that its targets adapt  while also fighting widespread misunderstandings about the law within Congress.

"In trying to describe the value, you also provide to your adversary, whoever they are, a sense of how youre using the authority," Christine Abizaid, director of the National Counterterrorism Center told FOX in an exclusive interview. "Thats why its so painful to get meaningful examples from us."

Section 702 allows warrantless surveillance of foreigners outside the U.S.  people who are not protected by the Fourth Amendment. American citizens and people within the United States cannot be targeted under the authority, but if they happen to be on the other end of talks with a known foreign terrorist target, their electronic communications may be swept up. However, to take further investigative steps against a U.S. person requires a warrant under existing law.

The contentious spy authority is credited with foiling multiple terror plots on U.S. soil, mitigating cyberattacks on critical U.S. infrastructure, and stopping weapons of mass destruction from reaching foreign actors. Recent examples include the response to the 2021 Colonial Pipeline cyberattack and the 2022 Kabul drone strike which killed the last remaining 9/11 architect, Ayman al-Zawahri.

HOUSE SINKS JOHNSON-BACKED FISA RENEWAL AFTER TRUMP PUSH

But significant past abuses of the program, which preceded current reforms, spurred critics to malign Section 702 as a vehicle for spying on U.S. citizens. Since the FBI implemented a series of changes in 2021 and 2022, queries of U.S. persons have dropped by 93%. The tool has also been conflated with a different section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act  FISA Title 1  which exists as permanent law and is not subject to renewal but became a political target after it was used to improperly surveil Trump campaign associate Carter Page in 2016.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

On Wednesday, House republicans derailed Speaker Mike Johnsons effort to renew the legislation after former President Trump confused Section 702 with FISA Title 1, directing lawmakers to tank the bill on Truth Social. "KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!!" he wrote.

In 2018, when Trump reauthorized Section 702, he tweeted, "Just signed 702 Bill to reauthorize foreign intelligence collection. This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election."

The difficult education campaign surrounding Section 702  now underway by the White House, national security officials, and bipartisan congressional defense hawks  was hastened by a House GOP proposal conditioning more reforms already built into the renewal package following months of negotiations, with an additional amendment imposing a secondary warrant requirement. Intelligence analysts would need to clear the new threshold before combing through lawfully collected data already in the U.S. governments possession. The proposed change would significantly delay any U.S. counterterrorism response, effectively rendering the tool useless, according to national security officials.

The FBI has used FISA to investigate Americans more than 278,000 times in 2021, including Jan. 6 protesters and George Floyd demonstrators

CONSERVATIVES THREATEN TO SINK FISA RENEWAL AS HOUSE REPUBLICANS BATTLE OVER FEDERAL SURVEILLANCE TOOL

"This would be as if, once youve already obtained the book, you had to go back to a federal judge to turn and look at one more page," Josh Geltzer, deputy counsel to the president and legal advisor to the National Security Council, told FOX. "One wants to know if these targets of 702 collection have been in touch with some Americans because they are trying to kill that American, because they are trying to recruit that American as a spy, or because that American is actually a company that theyre about to hack."

The political challenge was on full display as lawmakers returned to Congress this week. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, handed out flyers to colleagues imploring support for the amendment. The flyers read, "Dear colleague: This week, we have an opportunity to make a clear statement to the American people: Congress supports your rights. The days of unconstitutional mass surveillance and SPYING on American citizens must end now. Please show your support for the 4th Amendment by wearing this pin."

A view of the lecture before US Attorney General William Barr holds a press conference about the release of the Mueller Report at the Department of Justice April 18, 2019, in Washington, DC.

The White House is now making its private opposition to the proposal public.

"Some of these plots were a couple years in the making when we discovered them speed is of the essence," NCTC Director Abizaid said. "When you think about the way that a threat presents today, how reliant it is on us building out a picture of a network, tying individuals to each other  the ability to do that network analysis, figure out where the nodes of vulnerability are, where the high value targets reside, the best way to get at them  Section 702 is a key piece."

JOHNSON BUCKS GOP PRIVACY HAWKS IN CLOSED LAWMAKER MEETING ON SPY TOOL RENEWAL

Since the previous renewal under former President Trump, congressional turnover has contributed to widespread misunderstanding about the law, leading to a recent alliance between progressive Democrats and strongly conservative House Republicans. For months, national security officials have been trying to stave off support for unworkable changes by detailing recent intelligence operations in which Section 702 has been used, lobbying lawmakers in classified settings.

Abizaid told FOX that Section 702 is critical to current U.S. defenses against a range of ongoing threats  from fentanyl smuggling to operations at the U.S. southern border, to malign activities by North Korea and China, to underground threats from al-Qaida and ISIS across the globe.

"In the post-October 7th environment, that sort of diffuse array of Al-Qaeda and ISIS threats is layered on top of a pretty aggressive Iranian strategic threat," she said. "When you think about the volumes that were concerned about just from a pure immigration standpoint on the southern border, making sure we have all the available intelligence to know whos coming in at any given time and that we can stop them if we know they are bad, 702 is going to be a piece of that puzzle."

Members of the House of Representatives participate in the vote for Speaker on the first day of the 118th Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol Building on January 03, 2023 in Washington, DC.

In 2022, 100% of the Presidents intelligence priorities reported by the NSA were supported by Section 702 information, 59% of articles in the Presidents Daily Brief contained Section 702 information, and 40% of products in the CIAs World Intelligence Review Daily relied on Section 702 information. From 2018 to 2022, 70% of successful weapons and counterproliferation disruptions by the CIA were supported by Section 702 information.

The greatest example, Abizaid says, is if Section 702 existed prior to 9/11, the deadliest terror attack in human history might have been prevented. The US intelligence community had no ability at the time to establish a connection between 9/11 hijacker Al Midhar, who was operating in California, and an Al-Qaeda safe house in Yemen. The intelligence community had collected the Yemen end of the communications, but had no way of determining the Al Midhars number or location on the other end. "Thats the kind of thing that we specifically created the 702 authority to help us do," she said.

If the House passes the renewal with the proposed amendment, it is unlikely to garner support in the Democrat-led Senate. However, officials warn another temporary extension will undermine confidence among the American people and companies which are compelled to work with the U.S. government under the oversight of four congressional committees, the executive branch, and the FISA court.

"This deprives them of that confidence, constantly coming up to the deadline, having some sort of short-term reauthorization," Geltzer said. "So, it is possible yes, but its really bad for the country, really bad for the executive branch, really bad for the private sector."





Original article source: Intel community scrambling to defend contentious spy tool as lawmakers decry 'mass surveillance'
Apple is receiving questions and complaints online after some users noticed that the most recent iOS update suggests the Palestinian flag emoji when users type in "Jerusalem."

Rachel Riley, a British author and television presenter, called it a "double-standard" and "a form of antisemitism," in a post on X asking Apple CEO Tim Cook to explain the update. Riley, a self-described Jewish woman, said that typing in other cities does not suggest a national flag, "let alone the wrong one."

Jerusalem's nationality has been disputed throughout the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has roots in pre-biblical times but today is six-months into its modern escalation in the war in Gaza.

USA TODAY confirmed that the updated software prompts the Palestinian flag in the English (UK) keyboard when typing in "Jerusalem" in messaging apps. However, the suggestion does not appear in the English (US) keyboard.

Apple said the predictive emoji behavior is unintentional and will be fixed in the next iOS update.

Israel-Hamas conflict explained: As war wages on in Gaza, updated maps and graphics show latest in Hamas, Israel conflict

Screenshot of iPhone English (UK) keyboard suggesting Palestinian flag with the word 'Jerusalem.' The company has said it is a bug that will be fixed in the next update.

Israeli officials claim Jerusalem as the capital

In 1917, a British politician wrote what became known as the Balfour Declaration, indicating the government's support for "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people."

What followed was surge in Jewish migration to the region as they fled persecution during World War II, but in the process, many Palestinians were displaced.

Jerusalem has been one of the disputed territories in the arrangement. In 1948, it was split into two after the Arab-Israeli war: Israel controlled the western part of the city and Jordan controlled the east. But in 1967, Israel captured the entire city.

While most nations do not recognize Jerusalem as belonging to Israelis or Palestinians, Israel claims the city as its capital. In a controversial move, former president Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017.

War in Gaza stokes controversy worldwide

Controversies over the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict have been amplified since Oct. 7, 2023 when Hamas militants launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people.

In the six months that followed that day, 30,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza. The region is also difficult to access, leaving many civilians displaced and facing famine.

People have taken to the streets to protest for release of Israeli hostages and to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Those speaking out in support of both Israelis and Palestinians on social media have received threats, dampening efforts of other content creators trying to fight antisemitism and anti-Muslim sentiment.

The issue is becoming an increasing part of domestic politics as well, as some donors and voters are withholding their support for President Joe Biden's reelection campaign over his handling of the conflict.

Contributing: Stephen J. Beard, Ramon Padilla, Jennifer Borresen, Carlie Procell, Sara Chernikoff, Javier Zarracina, Shawn J. Sullivan, George Petras, Janet Loehrke, Kim Hjelmgaard, Jessica Guynn, Bailey Schulz

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: iPhone emoji bug stokes Israeli-Palestinian controversy over Jerusalem
In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers his sermon during Eid al-Fitr prayer ceremony marking the end of the Muslims holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated on Wednesday a promise to retaliate against Israel over the killings of Iranian generals in Syria. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's foreign minister threatened Wednesday that his country's forces would strike Iran directly if the Islamic Republic launched an attack from its territory against Israel.

His comments came amid heightened tensions between the rival powers following the killings of Iranian generals in a blast at the Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month.

If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran, Israel Katz said in a post on X in both Farsi and Hebrew.

Earlier Wednesday, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated a promise to retaliate against Israel over the attack on its consulate in Damascus.

Tehran holds Israel responsible for the strike that leveled the building, killing 12 people. Israel has not acknowledged its involvement, though it has been bracing for an Iranian response to the attack, a significant escalation in their long-running shadow war.

The strike killed Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior figure in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard who led the group's elite Quds Force in Lebanon and Syria until 2016. The 11 others who died included six Revolutionary Guard members, four Syrians and a Hezbollah militia member.

Israel has attacked scores of Iranian-linked targets in Syria over the years with the apparent intent of disrupting arms transfers and other cooperation with Lebanon's Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. The Israeli army rarely comments on these attacks. Since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began six months ago, there have been near-daily exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Gaza's Hamas rulers, who triggered the war by attacking southern Israel on Oct. 7, are also backed by Iran. Tehran also backs an umbrella group of Iraqi militias targeting U.S. military bases and positions in Syria and Iraq, known as The Islamic Resistance of Iraq.

Khamenei made the remarks at a prayer ceremony celebrating the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, saying the strike on its consular was akin to an attack on Iranian territory.

When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory, Khamenei said, in remarks broadcast by Iranian state TV. The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished.

Neither Katz nor the Ayatollah elaborated on the way they would retaliate.

Khamenei also criticized the West, particularly the U.S. and Britain, for supporting Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

It was expected they (would) prevent (Israel) in this disaster. They did not. They did not fulfil their duties, the Western governments, he said.

Iran does not recognize Israel.
Sudans army says that it has begun using Iranian-made drones to help regain territory and turn the tide of the countrys civil war.

The newly acquired remote-control vehicles have been used for reconnaissance and artillery spotting during recent army victories in Omdurman across the Nile from the countrys capital, Khartoum.

Iranian officials also told Reuters that the Sudanese armed forces had begun using the drones in the past few months in its war against paramilitary rivals the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

However, Sudan denied that the unmanned aircraft had been supplied directly by Tehran and their origins were not immediately clear.

Iranian drones have also been widely deployed by armies and militias in countries including Russia, Syria and Yemen.

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the chief of Sudan's army, which previously used older drones in the first months of the conflict - AFP

Ali Sadeq, Sudans acting foreign minister who visited Iran last year and is aligned with the army, told Reuters: Sudan did not obtain any weapons from Iran.

The Sudanese armed forces used some older drones in the first months of the conflict which erupted in April 2023, but had little success against RSF fighters embedded in Khartoums heavily populated neighbourhoods.

The new more effective versions then began operating from the armys Wadi Sayyidna base north of Khartoum from January, according to eyewitnesses in the area.

In recent weeks, the army has begun to use precise drones in military operations, which forced the RSF to flee from many areas and allowed the army to deploy forces on the ground, said Mohamed Othman, a 59-year-old resident of Omdurmans al-Thawra district.

Iranian drones have been used in multiple conflicts around the world - Iranian Army

Tehrans backing for Sudans army is aimed at strengthening ties with the strategically located country, Iranian and regional sources have said.

Sudan sits on the Red Sea, which is a key site of competition between global powers, including Iran, as war rages in the Middle East.

From the other side of the Red Sea, Yemens Houthis, armed in part by Iran, have launched attacks in support of Hamas in Gaza.

What does Iran get in return? They now have a staging post on the Red Sea and on the African side, said a Western diplomat, who asked not to be named.

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.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting with with politicians, the Iranian government, and military officials in Tehran. -/Iranian Supreme leader's Office/dpa

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reiterated his threat of retaliatory action against Israel, following a suspected Israeli airstrike on an Iranian embassy compound in Syria.

The airstrike was just like an attack on Iranian territory, the religious leader said on Wednesday at a prayer ceremony to mark the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Israel had made a mistake and "must and will be punished."

Khamenei is the most powerful man in the Islamic Republic and has the final say in all strategic matters. He is also commander-in-chief of Iran's armed forces.

Khamenei criticized Western allies of Israel, in particular the US and the United Kingdom. They should have stopped Israel's actions in Gaza, he said, but had failed to fulfil their duty. "These governments have shown the world the evil nature of Western civilization."

Two brigadier generals and five other members of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) were killed in an airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus at the beginning of April. Since then, the Iranian leadership has several times threatened to retaliate.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz reacted to the renewed threat from Tehran by stating that Israel would respond to any retaliatory strike. "If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran," he wrote in a post in Farsi on the online platform X, formerly Twitter. He also shared the same text in Hebrew and tagged Khamenei.

Israel has been Iran's declared arch-enemy since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The decades-old tensions between the two countries has escalated following the outbreak of the Gaza war last October.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei looks at the coffins of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in Tehran

(Reuters) -Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday that Israel "must be punished and it shall be" for attacking the Iranian embassy compound in Syria.

In a major escalation of Israel's war with regional adversaries, suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Iran's consulate in the Syrian capital on April 1 in a strike that Iran said killed seven military advisers.

"When they attack the consulate, it is as if they have attacked our soil," Khamenei said in a speech marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be," he added.

In an apparent response to Khamenei, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israel will respond if Iran attacks Israel from its own soil.

"If Iran attacks from its own territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran," Katz said in post on the social media platform X.

Iran backs groups that have entered the fray across the region since Israel launched its invasion of Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas.

Some 33,360 Palestinians have been killed in six months of Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.

The Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah group has exchanged fire on a daily basis with Israel, while Iraqi groups have fired on U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq and the Houthis of Yemen have targeted shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

(Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Andrew Heavens)
New Irish PM talks to Zelenskyy on his second day in office

Simon Harris during phone call with Zelenskyy on 10 April. Photo: Simon Harris on Twitter()

Simon Harris, the new Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, had a phone conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, on his second day in office on 10 April.

Source: Zelenskyy on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy congratulated Harris on being elected as Taoiseach and thanked Ireland for its support for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also invited Harris to participate in the Peace Summit in Switzerland and proposed to start bilateral negotiations on a Ukrainian-Irish security agreement.

I spoke with @SimonHarrisTD to congratulate him on his election as Taoiseach and thank Ireland for its unwavering support for Ukraine.



I welcomed Ireland's participation in the implementation of our Peace Formula and invited the Taoiseach to attend the upcoming Global Peace pic.twitter.com/Cm4hB5uheI  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 10, 2024

Background:

The Irish Parliament voted to appoint Simon Harris, leader of the Fine Gael party, as prime minister on 9 April.

The only conversation Harris reported having before his call with Zelenskyy was with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The previous Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, suddenly announced in March that he was resigning as leader of Fine Gael and would also resign as prime minister once the party had chosen his successor.

Support UP or become our patron!
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (PIX11)  An Islamic center at New Jerseys Rutgers University was vandalized on the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr, according to authorities who said they are investigating it as a hate crime.

The Rutgers University Police Department said in a statement the vandalism happened about 4:34 a.m. Wednesday at the center on the College Avenue campus.

Astoria celebrates Ramadan with first-of-its-kind night market

The site was unoccupied when the incident happened, according to police.

Damage included shattered windows, a broken TV, smashed art pieces, and the destruction of a Palestinian flag, according to the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU).

In a statement released on Wednesday, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said, New Jersey will not tolerate acts of hate against the Muslim community and that his office will work with law enforcement to investigate the assault.

This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Editors Note: This story contains graphic and disturbing accounts of sexual violence. It was originally published on November 17, 2023, and updated on April 10, 2024, with additional information concerning the account of an attack on a kibbutz.

Israeli police are using forensic evidence, video and witness testimony and interrogations of suspects to document cases of rape amid the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

Women and girls caught in the rampage were brutalized sexually, as well as physically tortured and killed, witnesses to the aftermath say.

Police Superintendent Dudi Katz said officers have collected more than 1,000 statements and more than 60,000 video clips related to the attacks that include accounts from people who reported seeing women raped. He added that investigators do not have firsthand testimony, and it is not clear whether any rape victims survived.

The aftermath of an unprecedented Hamas assault on communities near Gaza,seen at the Kibbutz in Be'eri, Israel, October 14. Israeli police are working to document cases of rape amid the October 7 Hamas attacks. - Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images/FILE

About 1,200 Israelis were killed and more injured that day in villages and farms near Gaza when Hamas militants struck across the border in coordinated attacks, taking more than 240 hostages and precipitating the current war. More than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to authorities in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai said the investigation could potentially lead to prosecutions, but for now, documentation is the primary mission.

Cochav Elkayam-Levy, a human rights law expert at Hebrew University, has formed a civil commission with colleagues to document evidence of the atrocities, fearing that as the war devastates Gaza and the lives of thousands of Palestinians, the world seems willing to look over the violence against Israeli women and girls. Well never know everything that has happened to them, Elkayam-Levy told CNN. We know that most women who were raped and who were sexually assaulted were also murdered.

She pointed to a United Nations statement just a week after the terror attacks that did not mention sexual violence.

Its much worse than just silence or an insult to us as Israeli women and to our children and to our people, she said of the UN. When they are failing to acknowledge us, to acknowledge what happened here, they are failing humanity.

Harrowing reports

Accounts given to CNN detail horrific, almost inhuman, crimes.

A paramedic from the Israel Defense Forces elite 669 Special Tactics Rescue Unit said he had encountered all kinds of casualties before, but the violence from October 7 was unimaginable.

In one kibbutz, he went house to house looking for anyone still alive after the carnage and found the bodies of two young teenage girls in a bedroom.

One is lying on the bed. One on the floor, he told CNN.

The combat paramedic, who did not want his name published, said the girl on the floor was on her stomach. He had no doubt the teenager was raped, but he did not know if she died first.

Her pants are pulled down toward her knees and theres a bullet wound on the back side of her neck near her head, he recounted.Theres a puddle of blood around her head and theres remains of semen on the lower part of her back.

The girl on the bed had bruises all over her body and a bullet wound to the chest, he said.

These are two girls that were just killed, executed, perhaps raped in their own bedroom, he told CNN.

In response to subsequent reports raising questions about the account  specifically about the location, which he identified as Kibbutz Beeri  the paramedic referred questions to the IDF. A spokesman pointed to a report from the United Nations that found grounds to believe accounts of rape and gang rape in the October 7 attacks, and added: In the case in question, the combat paramedic shared his personal experience when he arrived at the scene of the massacre. Considering the privacy of the victims and their families, it is not possible to provide more information about the case.

In a statement to CNN, the kibbutz said: We have no other information. It is important to note that we do not dispute that sexual violence has been part of Hamas plan and been conducted in other places according to testimonies, just not on said girls, who have been brutally murdered nonetheless.

Others reported similar horrors at the Nova music festival where hundreds of young people were killed by terrorists.

Rami Shmuel, an organizer of the festival, said he saw female victims with no clothes as he made his escape, and has no doubts about what happened.

Their legs were spread out and some of them were butchered, he told CNN.

He added that it appeared women were specifically targeted for sexual violence.

Why didnt they [take] clothes off men? he asked. Only women, only young girls, beautiful girls, why?

A long investigation ahead

Israels police acknowledge their investigation may take months, and Elkayam-Levy said it remains unclear how or where any prosecutions would be handled, though she noted that some families of dual nationals could seek justice in countries other than Israel as well as pursue cases in international courts.

But officials provided a stark window into the evidence they have been gathering at a press briefing, which included a statement from a woman who witnessed the Nova festival attack from her hiding place on October 7.

They bent someone over and I understood he was raping her, and then he was passing her on to someone else, the woman, who was not identified, said of what she saw.

She was alive, she stood on her feet and she was bleeding from her back. I saw that he was pulling her hair. She had long brown hair. I saw him chop off her breast and then he was throwing it toward the road, tossed it to someone else and they started playing with it.

The witness added: I remember seeing another person raping her, and while he was still inside her he shot her in the head.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the name of Israeli police commissioner Yaakov Shabtai.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Israel has killed numerous Hamas gunmen in the battle for the central Gaza corridor, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported.

Footage of the fighting posted on social media shows Israeli troops firing rockets at Hamas positions as well as using drone strikes.

The troops in recent days killed numerous gunmen in clashes and ambushes, as well as by calling in airstrikes and artillery shelling, the Times of Israel reported, citing the IDF. The army also took out rocket launching sites, a tunnel shaft and buildings used by Hamas, it said.

A narrow strip of land running from the border with Israel near Beeri to the coast, controlling the so-called Netzarm corridor enables Israeli forces to carry out raids in northern and central Gaza while managing Palestinian access to the north. It also allows Israel to operate a secure crossing to channel aid into northern Gaza, the Times of Israel reported.

Follow the latest updates below.

03:11 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for tuning in to todays live blog. Well be back tomorrow to bring you all the latest from the Israel-Hamas war.

Key moments from today:

Hamas has rejected a US proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, and will instead put out its own roadmap for bringing the war to a permanent end, mediators reported.

The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has warned that border skirmishes with Israel risk spiralling out of control, leading to a broader regional conflict.

Rishi Sunak has said that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, needs to do more to alleviate intolerable suffering in Gaza.

Israel is planning to open a new border crossing to channel desperately needed aid into northern Gaza amid fears that Israeli protesters will block the current crossing site, local media reported.

A Lebanese man accused of funnelling tens of millions of dollars from Iran to Hamas has been found shot dead in the mountains near Beirut, a security source told AFP.

US plans to build a $180 floating pier off the coast of Gaza to unload desperately-needed aid are still weeks away from completion, reports suggest.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza is a mistake, said US president Joe Biden as he called for a ceasefire.

Nancy Pelosi, the former US House speaker, has accused Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, of only being concerned for his own political survival.

Israel has threatened to attack Iran directly if Tehran launches an attack on Israel from its own territory.

Hamas is unable to meet Israels demand for the release of 40 living hostages as part of a proposed truce agreement, Israeli television networks reported.

03:08 PM BST

Watch: Khan Younis hospital destroyed

02:57 PM BST

Bidens threats to cut off support to Israel did not go far enough, warn current and former US officials

A group of seven current and former US officials have warned that President Bidens threats to cut off support to Israel did not go far enough to reflect the moral urgency of the situation.

One current official with 25 years of national security experience, said internal opposition to official White House policy on Israel has become deeper, wider and more despairing than at any other point in the conflict, the BBC reported, despite Israel agreeing to withdraw its troops and allow aid into the war-torn region following the White Houses warning.

I read it as Israel doing the bare minimum to get through the day and avoid arms transfers being halted, the official added.

Another said that US administration staff have created at least dozen group chats on WhatsApp and Signal, comprising hundreds of members, to vent their exasperation. Theres a lot of eye rolling... People can point out the inconsistencies and the fallacies pretty quickly, they said.

The reports of internal dissent come after hundreds of civil servants in the US and European countries signed a letter in February warning that their governments risked being complicit in grave violations of international law.

02:49 PM BST

Hamas rejects US Gaza truce proposal

Hamas has rejected a US proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, and will instead put out its own roadmap for bringing the war to a permanent end, mediators reported.

Hamass main issue with the plan is that it does not include a reference to ending the war, mediators told the Wall Street Journal, adding that the militant group would prefer to put forward their own offer based on a previous proposal.

The US plan, suggested at peace talks in Cairo, called for a six-week ceasefire, during which time Hamas would release 40 hostages in exchange for 900 Palestinians detained in Israel, including 100 serving long sentences for terrorism-related charges.

Under the previous proposal, which Hamas appears to favour, Israel would release prisoners in exchange for some hostages, along with a partial troop withdrawal and unfettered access to northern Gaza for displaced Palestinians, with more hostages to be released later once all troops withdraw.

A senior Israeli official familiar with the negotiations said that Israel was open to using the US proposal as a basis for talks, but that the plan is seen as favoring Hamas., the WSJ said.

02:19 PM BST

Israel agrees to let 150,000 Gazans return to the north in potential truce, say officials

Israel has agreed to concessions about the return of Palestinians to the north of Gaza, but believes Hamas does not want to strike a ceasfire deal, Israeli officials reported.

Under US proposals, Israel has agreed to allow the return of 150,000 Palestinians to north Gaza with no security checks, two officials with knowledge of the talks told Reuters. In return, they said, Hamas would be required to give a list of female, elderly and sick hostages it still holds alive.

Israels assessment is that Hamas does not want to strike a deal yet, the Israeli officials said.

The proposed ceasefire arrangement comes as delegations from Israel and Hamas meet in Cairo for US and Qatari-mediated talks to arrange a truce and the release of hostages.

02:06 PM BST

Pictured: IDF soldiers in action in the Gaza Strip

An IDF soldier is seen through a night vision scope - IDF

IDF soldiers patrol the streets in Gaza - IDF

An IDF soldier takes up from the window of a damaged building - IDF

01:56 PM BST

Danger of escalation on Lebanese border is real, says UN official

The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has warned that border skirmishes with Israel risk spiralling out of control, leading to a broader regional conflict.

The danger of escalation is real, Aroldo Lazaro said in a statement. There is no military solution to the current confrontation and violence; a political and diplomatic solution is the only way forward.

Israel has previously warned that time is running out to find a diplomatic solution to the simmering conflict unless Iran-backed Hezbollah forces back away from the border region.

01:46 PM BST

Netanyahu needs to do more to alleviate suffering in Gaza, says Sunak

Rishi Sunak has said that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, needs to do more to alleviate intolerable suffering in Gaza.

It was a shocking tragedy what happened to our veterans when they were selflessly carrying out aid missions into Gaza, and Ive also said repeatedly the situation in Gaza is increasingly intolerable, the prime minister told LBC, referring to three British aid workers who were killed by an Israeli strike on 01 April, generating international outcry.

The humanitarian suffering that people are experiencing isnt right, and Prime Minister Netanyahu needs to do more to alleviate that. Ive made that very clear to him, Mr Sunak added.

Addressing pressure on the government to suspend arms sales to Israel in order to leverage a ceasefire, Mr Sunak defended Britains current stance, stating that none of our closest allies have halted existing arms export licenses.

01:30 PM BST

Israel setting up new Gaza aid crossing to evade protesters

Israel is planning to open a new border crossing to channel desperately needed aid into northern Gaza amid fears that Israeli protesters will block the current crossing site, local media reported.

Israel is giving up on opening the Erez crossing, fearing it will be blocked by Israeli protesters, Doron Kadosh, an Israeli Army Radio correspondent, said.

Mr Kadosh did not specify where the new crossing will be placed, but said it would be located at a less central position than Erez, which sits at the terminus of a major motorway, in order to prevent protestors from using their trucks to block aid from passing into the war-torn territory.

Israeli protesters have repeatedly attempted to block aid trucks at the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza, arguing that relief should be withheld until the hostages held in Gaza by Hamas are released.

01:23 PM BST

Hamas financier found riddled with bullets in Lebanon villa

A Lebanese man accused of funnelling tens of millions of dollars from Iran to Hamas has been found shot dead in the mountains near Beirut, a security source told AFP.

The body of Mohammad Sarur, who was under US sanctions, was found riddled with bullets on Tuesday in a villa in the town of Beit Mery, just outside the Lebanese capital. Mr Sarur had been shot five times and was in possession of an undisclosed sum of money that the killers did not touch, the source, who was not named, said.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency (NNA) later reported that the body of a 57-year-old Lebanese man, identified by initials that correspond to Mr Sarurs, had been found in the area near Beit Mery.

Mr Sarur was placed under sanctions by the US in 2019 for acting as a middle-man, channelling funds from Irans Revolutionary Guards through Hezbollah in Lebanon to Hamas in order to carry out terrorist attacks from the Gaza Strip.

12:46 PM BST

No date set for Rafah invasion, says Israels defence minister

Yoav Gallant has told his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin, that Israel has not decided when it will invade Rafah, The Times of Israel reported, contradicting prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus comments.

Mr Gallants remarks came in a call with Mr Austin in which he said that Israel is still finalising its plans to evacuate the roughly 1.5 million Palestinians currently sheltering in Gazas southernmost city.

Mr Netanyahu said just hours before that the invasion of Rafah will happen - there is a date, later adding that no force in the world could stop it.

When asked if Mr Netenyahu has briefed Washington on its proposals, Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, told reporters earlier today: If he has a date he hasnt shared it with us.

12:14 PM BST

Pictured: Aid drops into Gaza

Jordan drops humanitarian aid into the Gaza strip - AFP

British army troop parachute aid into Gaza from an RAF jet - CPL TIM LAURENCE/RAF

11:51 AM BST

Israels disproportionate response risks destabilising entire world, says Spanish PM

Spains prime minister Pedro Sanchez has warned that Israels disproportionate response in Gaza risks destabilising the entire world.

Israels absolutely disproportionate response has overturned decades of humanitarian law and threatened to destabilise the Middle East and, as a consequence, the whole world, the prime minister told lawmakers, adding that recognising a Palestinian state is in Europes geopolitical interests.

The international community cannot help the Palestinian state if it does not recognise its existence, he said.

Spain is one of a growing number of European nations, including Ireland, Malta and Slovenia who have announced they are ready to recognise Palestinian statehood.

Mr Sanchez raised the subject during a visit last week to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, when he indicated that Spain could recognise Palestine as a nation by the end of June.

He is due to meet with several other leaders, including those of Norway and Portugal, in the coming days to discuss the issue, a government spokeswoman said.

11:31 AM BST

US Gaza aid pier still weeks away as famine fears grow

US plans to build a $180 floating pier off the coast of Gaza to unload desperately-needed aid are still weeks away from completion, reports suggest.

Constructed by around 1,000 US troops, the pier, located around three miles offshore, is due to become operational in early May and aims to deliver some two million meals a day to the war-torn region.

White House officials have acknowledged the pier is still weeks away and not as efficient in delivering aid as via ground convoys, ABC reported. The officials added that the pier is part of a broader effort to open up every aid route possible to address potential famine in Gaza.

11:15 AM BST

Watch: Netanyahu is making a mistake in Gaza, says Biden

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war in Gaza is a mistake, said US president Joe Biden as he called for a ceasefire.

I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, Biden told Univision, a US Spanish-language TV network. What Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country.

The release of the interview comes after president Biden called Mr Netanyahu last week and reportedly threatened to withdraw US support for Israels offensive unless it took steps to protect aid workers and civilians.

Mr Biden failed to mention the release of hostages in the interview, forcing the White House to issue a statement confirming that the proposed truce would see 40 Israeli hostages released over the ceasefire period.

11:04 AM BST

Pictured: Israeli troops in action

IDF troops operate in the Gaza strip - IDF

Israeli army troops stand around their tanks in an area along the border with the Gaza Strip - JACK GUEZ/AFP

10:43 AM BST

Bowing to international pressure hurt hostage negotiations, say Israeli officials

Israeli officials have blamed the pullback of IDF troops and the surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza for the anticipated failure of truce talks in Cairo, local media reported.

We gave up our strong bargaining chips for nothing, Israeli sources told Ynet . Hamas is digging in with its demands for an end to a war and a troop withdrawal, and is determined to play tricks with the mediators.

The sources added that Israel softening its stance really hurt negotiations.

Israel pulled its troops out of Khan Younis and pledged to allow more aid into the beleaguered region following last weeks talks with the US, in which president Biden threatened to withdraw support if his counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, did not comply.

10:05 AM BST

Israeli military hits dozens of targets in Gaza as Eid begins

Israeli air strikes hit dozens of targets in Gaza over the past day including military sites, launchers, tunnel shafts, and infrastructure, the military reported.

Sites in northern Gaza included Jabalia and Gaza Citys Shejaiya neighbourhood, with one attack targeting a Hamas cell that posed a threat to ground troops, the IDF said.

The airstrikes also resulted in a heavy civilian losses, including the killing of at least four children in the Nuseirat refugee camp, Al Jazeera reported, citing rescue workers.

09:44 AM BST

Pictured: Palestinians mark the start of Eid

A boy distributes sweets to displaced Palestinians as they attend a special morning prayer to start the Eid al-Fitr festival - Mohamed Abed/AFP

09:03 AM BST

Netanyahu only cares about his own survival, says Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi, the former US House speaker, has accused Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, of only being concerned for his own political survival.

I think hes interested in one thing, his own survival, and thats it, the California congresswoman said in a podcast interview with David Axelrod, a former Barack Obama aide.

Ive said this to Netanyahu over the years, I dont know whether you dont know how to make peace, you dont want to make peace, or youre afraid of peace. But you could [be] doing so much more instead of just throwing red meat to [the] crowd.

08:45 AM BST

Israel will attack Iran on its own soil if Tehran carries out direct attack, says foreign minister

Israel has threatened to attack Iran directly if Tehran launches an attack on Israel from its own territory.

If Iran attacks from its own territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran, Israel Katz, the foreign minister, posted on Twitter, tagging Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The threat came moments after Ayatollah Khamenei told a crowd in Tehran that Israels evil regime must be punished, following an airstrike, widely believed to have been carried out by Israel, on the Iranian consular in Damascus last week that killed seven members of Irans Revolutionary Guard.

Iran provides military backing to proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, who have caused disruption across the region since Israels invasion of Gaza.

See post at 8.09am for further details.

08:33 AM BST

Pictured: Palestinians pray in Rafah

Palestinians hold Eid al-Fitr prayers by the ruins of al-Farouk mosque in Rafah - Mohammed Salem/Reuters

08:09 AM BST

Israel must be punished for Syria embassy attack, says Khamenei

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said that Israel must be punished and it shall be for attacking the Iranian embassy compound in Syria.

When they attack the consulate, it is as if they have attacked our soil, Ayatollah Khamenei said in a speech marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and it shall be.

His comments come after suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Irans consulate in Damascus last week, killing seven members of Tehrans Revolutionary Guard, in what appeared to be a major escalation of Israels war with regional adversaries.

08:01 AM BST

Hamas unable to meet truce demands, Israeli reports suggest

Hamas is unable to meet Israels demand for the release of 40 living hostages as part of a proposed truce agreement, Israeli television networks reported.

The militant group has claimed doing so would force it to release male Israeli soldiers - a move it has refused to make - as it does not hold 40 living hostages who are either elderly, women or female soldiers, the Kan public broadcaster said.

It added that Hamas wants to releaser fewer than 40 hostages, describing the issue as the biggest obstacle in ongoing negotiations.

Elsewhere, a senior Israeli diplomatic official, who was not named, accused Hamas chief Yahha Sinwar of constantly dragging his feet and opposing an agreement, Israels Channel 12 news reported.

07:46 AM BST

Iran smuggling weapons into West Bank to stoke unrest against Israel

Iran is smuggling weapons to the occupied West Bank in an apparent attempt to foment unrest as part of its ongoing shadow war with Israel, according to US intelligence officials.

Iran has been operating smuggling routes across the Middle East with the help of intelligence operatives, militants and criminal gangs to bring weapons to the West Bank, several security officials from the United States, Israel and Iran told the New York Times on Tuesday.

The Iranian officials who request anonymity said Tehran wants to flood the Israel-occupied Palestinian territories with weapons to foment potential unrest against Israel.

Reports about Irans ongoing smuggling efforts were highlighted by an academic study last year that noted a noticeable uptick in weapons and drugs smuggling into the West Bank via Jordan and Egypt.

Read Nataliyas full report here.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Israel threatens strike on Iran if attack launched from its territory

Israels foreign minister threatened a strike on Iran if Tehran launched an attack from its territory in response to Israels strike in on an Iranian embassy compond Syria last week that killed several generals and officers.

If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack in Iran, Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, wrote Wednesday in Farsi on X.

Katzs threat comes amid escalating tension between the two nations after Israels deadly strike in Damascus last week, which killed 12 people who were in the Iranian embassy complex. Of those 12, seven were Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, one Hezbollah militia member and four were Syrians.

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, once again promised to retaliate against Israel.

Consulates and embassies of any country are regarded as the soil of that country, he said on Wednesday, according to Islamic Republic News Agency.

When they attack our consulate, it means that they have attacked our soil, he continued. The evil regime made a mistake and it should be punished and will be punished.

Khamenei also criticized the West during the prayer marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. He called out the U.S. and U.K. for their support of Israel in the countrys war against Hamas.

Iran backs Hamas and Lebanons Hezbollah among its proxies in the region. Hezbollah has exchanged multiple military strikes with Israel since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, which was set off following Hamas terrorist attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Israel has not taken public responsibility for the strike in Damascus last week, but four Israeli officials told The New York Times the country was involved in the attack.

The U.S. and Israel are bracing for Irans potential retaliation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Three sons of Hamas' political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed.

Amir, Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh were killed by an Israeli Air Force aircraft strike, directed by the IDF and Israel Security Forces (ISA).

In a statement Wednesday, the IDF claimed the three sons were "three Hamas military operatives that conducted terrorist activity in the central Gaza Strip."

MORE: Biden calls for cease-fire 'now' to get aid into Gaza in Univision interview

"The three operatives that were struck are Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, Mohammad Haniyeh, a military operative in the Hamas terrorist organization and Hazem Haniyeh, also a military operative in the Hamas terror organization," the IDF said in a statement.

PHOTO: People inspect damage and remove items from their homes following Israeli airstrikes on Apr. 9, 2024, in Khan Yunis, Gaza. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)

The deadly airstrike took place on Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the month-long observance of Ramadan.

Ismail Haniyeh also confirmed the death of his sons in a statement Wednesday, saying, "Gaza residents have paid a heavy price with the blood of their children, and I am one of them."

MORE: Israel's war in Gaza became a political flashpoint. Will it risk Biden's coalition for reelection?

Haniyeh said 60 of his family members have been killed in the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas that began after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack in Israel.

About 1,200 people were killed in the initial terrorist attack, according to Israeli officials, while Israel's bombing of Gaza has killed more than 33,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.

In his statement Wednesday, Haniyeh said, "the blood of my sons is not more precious than the blood of our martyred people in Gaza, as they are all my sons."

Haniyeh maintained that "targeting the sons of leaders" will not "break the resolve of our people."

PHOTO: Israeli tanks move along the border with the Gaza Strip before entering into the Gaza Strip, Apr. 10, 2024, in Southern Israel. (Amir Levy/Getty Images)

"We say to the occupation that this blood will only make us more steadfast in our principles and adherence to our land," Haniyeh said.

The strike on one of Hamas' senior leaders' family comes amid failed attempts at a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden called for an immediate cease-fire to get food and aid into Gaza in an interview on Univision.

MORE: At a rally for freeing the Israeli hostages, a call for peace in Israel and Gaza: Reporter's notebook

"So, I what I'm calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a cease-fire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country," Biden said in the interview with Univision's Enrique Acevedo.

On Wednesday, Israel's Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant responded to Biden's call in a media briefing.

MORE: Biden faces next protest vote over Israel-Hamas war with Wisconsin's 'uninstructed' campaign

"Let me say loud and clear  the defense establishment takes the United States very seriously," Gallant said. "Since the establishment of the state of Israel and since the start of this war, the U.S. has been standing with Israel."

The aid approvals announced include the Ashdod Port in Israel, "to increase the entry of goods and streamline security checks," Gallant said.

The approval of the new Northern Crossing, "will provide a route to bring aid directly to northern Gaza and reduce pressure on Kerem Shalom," according to Gallant. Kerem Shalom is the crossing into southern Gaza.

Gallant also announced Israeli forces will work to boost aid through Jordan and establish the Coordination and Deconfliction Cell, "part of a wider effort to increase cooperation with international organizations, implement lessons learned, and work with new partners."

ABC News' Dana Savir contributed to this report.

Israeli airstrike kills 3 sons of Hamas' political chief Ismail Haniyeh: IDF originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Presidential election cycles of years past are riddled with examples of major foreign policy issues that shook the international order, dominated headlines and even debates -- but ultimately were not top of mind for American voters.

Experts and analysts wonder if that will change with the 2024 race because of one issue: the Israel-Hamas war, sparked by Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack, and the ensuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which have increasingly loomed over parts of the Democratic base.

Interviews with more than a dozen activists, Democratic operatives and voters revealed uncertainty over whether the six-month-old war in Gaza, already the longest in Israel's history, is significantly shifting political allegiances in the U.S. by turning away voters who would otherwise back President Joe Biden -- or if the detractors are split between voters who will either come home to the president in November or would have found some reason not to support him regardless.

"Potentially," Wa'el Alzayat, the head of Muslim advocacy organization Emgage, said when asked if Gaza is different in its electoral fallout.

"I think this is a rare occurrence in American politics, but we have clearly seen that this policy is unpopular in the Democratic Party," he added.

Biden only narrowly defeated rival Donald Trump in 2020, despite winning the popular vote by nearly 5 points -- and their rematch is expected to be similarly close, likely coming down to thin margins in a handful of states in which any movement among voting groups could be decisive.

"The president won his ticket by cobbling together a coalition of different groups under the big Democratic tent, as they say, and his policy is at odds with his electoral strategy because it's fracturing the party," Alzayat said. "And it's not just Arabs or Muslims. You're seeing progressives, young voters, Black voters, liberal Jewish voters or progressive Jewish voters. This is a pretty good segment of the party."

Left-leaning groups and anti-war activists have been voicing their fury or frustration with Biden over his ongoing support for Israel's campaign against Hamas, which has come with a high death toll, largely in Gaza.

Protesters have disrupted some of Biden's events and tens of thousands of Democratic primary voters have been encouraged to signal displeasure by backing other ballot options in several states' primaries, including key battlegrounds like Michigan.

Biden has acknowledged those concerns and sought to balance his backing for the fight against Hamas with sympathy for the Palestinians, while criticizing some Israeli operations as excessive. He has also amped up pressure on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza  in particular, after the death of seven aid workers with the World Central Kitchen last week in an Israeli strike.

In the wake of that strike, which Israeli officials called a "terrible" mistake, Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for about 30 minutes and "made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers," the White House said.

In a statement for this story, Biden campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt reiterated past comments that he "shares the goal for an end to the violence and a just, lasting peace in the Middle East" and is "working tirelessly to that end."

But the persistent backlash has raised the specter among advocates and political experts that the war in Gaza could do what other major foreign policy issues have not in past elections: sway an important number of voters at a time when the U.S. is not itself at war.

PHOTO: Palestinian women and children walk past the ruins of buildings destroyed by earlier Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on April 8, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group. (AFP via Getty Images)

Since the end of the Cold War, domestic issues -- chiefly the economy -- have reigned supreme in presidential elections, experts said, with foreign imbroglios rarely notching a spot in polls as a top issue.

More recent surveys show that's still the case, with exit polling from the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections showing voters more concerned about issues like the economy and COVID-19.

Gallup has long tracked what Americans feel is the country's "most important problem," and the economy dominated the public's concerns in the six years after the start of the Great Recession before dropping to a single-digit low in January 2021 -- the height of the pandemic -- and then rising steadily since.

In the last seven months, from September to March, Gallup polling found that mostly domestic issues led the list of the country's "most important" problems: the economy, immigration, leadership, cost of living, and poverty and homelessness.

Experts pointed to one major exception to this trend in recent decades, in 2004, when the Iraq War was fresh and debate raged over whether the fight was worth the sacrifice. Exit polls showed at the time that Iraq was one of the four most important issues to voters, not far behind the economy.

MORE: 6 months into the Israel-Hamas war, the tragic human toll by the numbers

Why would the Israel-Hamas war make a difference in voter opinion?

Israel and the U.S. have long been close allies, with numerous social and cultural ties between them, and some Americans have been among the casualties and the hostages thought to be taken by Hamas after the October attack.

Activists pointed also to the lengthy history and existing familiarity, among many Americans, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to suggest that voters find it more accessible than other international turmoil. That has led to a more visceral response about the involvement of the U.S. in a way the civil war in Yemen or the reported abuses of the Uyghur minority in China, for example -- both of which are large-scale conflicts or controversies -- have not.

Even the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has involved billions in U.S. aid, significant attention from U.S. leaders and an enormous death toll of its own, is not appearing in polling as a top issue in the 2024 election.

"The horrors of Gaza are exceptionally bad in comparison to any conflict we've seen in recent memories, including Yemen. And it's also the intensity and the carnage in such a short span of time," said Alzayat.

Demographics play another role, observers say: There are notable Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities in different parts of the U.S. who have helped drive domestic attention on the conflict.

Polling indicates there has been a shift in recent years in American sympathies for the Israelis or the Palestinians, with the change being more pronounced among Democrats, according to Gallup tracking that showed rising sympathy for the Palestinians going from 19% to 27% in early 2024 while sympathy for the Israelis has dropped in that same period from 64 to 51%.

More Democrats are sympathetic toward the Palestinians than the Israelis, Gallup found, while more independents and Republicans are sympathetic toward the Israelis.

Operatives suggested the changing reaction to the war in Gaza is influenced in some left-leaning circles by broader conversations in the U.S. about social justice and the treatment of communities of color, which can squeeze complicated dynamics into a simpler "narrative," as one source put it.

"I think this fits very neatly into the social justice framework of the Palestinians being an oppressed group," said a person directly familiar with the Biden team's strategy, who was not authorized to speak to the press and asked not to be quoted by name to be more candid.

On top of that, extensive social media content about the war -- including photos and videos from inside Gaza -- has brought the conflict between Israel and Hamas to people's phones in a way that other conflicts couldn't.

More than more than 33,000 people have been killed and about 76,000 others injured in the Palestinian territory, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.

In Israel, at least 1,700 people have been killed and 8,700 others injured, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The other factor I think people underestimate is the role social media plays in how people are getting their information and news now. And you could ask yourself -- would the Iraq War have played out differently if there was TikTok or Instagram back in the early 2000s? And that's the question I ask people, but I think most definitely, we can say yes," said Abed Ayoub, the national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, which supports a cease-fire.

Popular opinion about Israel's response has begun to fade: According to a Gallup survey conducted in March, approval among Americans of Israeli military action in Gaza dropped from 50% to 36%.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden delivers remarks on student loan debt at Madison College, April 8, 2024, in Madison, Wis. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Trump, for his part, has suggested Biden's failures as a leader are to blame for crises elsewhere, including in Israel and in Ukraine.

The source familiar with Biden's campaign said they believe that "Gaza is different than your typical foreign policy issue" and could be particularly damaging at a time when Biden is in a tight battle in early polling against Trump and "has lost ground with young voters."

"The war in Gaza, while not the biggest factor in that, is certainly a contributing factor, I think, in that loss, and, perhaps more importantly, an obstacle to him making the inroads that he needs among those young voters," this person said.

Voters said as much when asked by ABC News if the war is an impediment to their support for the president.

'No longer proud'

"There's nothing that will get me to vote for Joe Biden in November," said Heba Mohammad, the former digital organizing director of Biden's 2020 Wisconsin campaign. "I'm no longer proud to have worked for him to get him elected."

Others, though, were more skeptical that the criticism would make too much of a dent in Biden's support in the general election.

Where some saw a fracturing in Biden's coalition, other Democratic operatives instead suggested that many of his critics are merely voicing their frustrations while planning to vote for him when it's a binary choice with former President Trump -- and that those who walk away would have done so regardless.

"What we're seeing is voters saying, 'I'm angry at President Biden on this issue, and I disagree,' but recognizing that Trump is a greater threat to a number of other issues that people care about," said Democratic strategist Karen Finney.

A Democratic pollster with presidential campaign experience, and who said they couldn't be quoted by name because of professional concerns, also voiced skepticism about the ultimate amount of anti-war voters who could only be won over to Biden with a cease-fire pledge.

"He's taken a public pivot," this pollster said. "He's called out Netanyahu, people in his administration have called out Netanyahu."

Biden's "official position is calling for a cease-fire now," the pollster said, referring to the White House's stated goal of at least a six-week pause in the fighting to allow for more aid in Gaza and the release of Hamas' hostages. "How can anyone legitimately in good faith say that they're not voting for him because of this? That's why I don't believe it's a real thing."

Even some Biden critics appear ready to pull the lever for the president when the war is judged in the context of a rematch with Trump, instead viewing their vote for ballot alternatives as a wake-up call.

"The vote for now is really to send a message. I don't really know what's going to happen in November. I'm hoping to support Biden," said Rima Mohammad, a Palestinian American living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where more than 100,000 people picked an "uncommitted" delegate over Biden in the state's Democratic primary -- though that number is still dwarfed by Biden's overall number of votes in the primary, across the country.

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Netanyahu says Israel has set a date to enter Rafah

"Anything to beat Trump, but we need to get Biden's attention and I think by voting on uninstructed or uncommitted like the other states are he will realize that a lot of his base support is displeased," added Sally Morgan, a voter in Milwaukee who likewise said she'll back the president in November.

In the end, some activists said that while it's difficult to put a true number on how many voters are lost to Biden and how many will come back, Election Day will likely show a mix.

"I think some people will sit it out, because just the moral revulsion of what's happening abroad," said Joseph Geevarghese, the executive director of progressive group Our Revolution. "That being said, I do think that some segment of the uncommitted vote will obviously say, 'Well, Biden is better than Trump, bigger picture.'"

Yet just as the war is not happening in a vacuum, public opinion on it isn't static, either -- and Democrats warned that as the fighting drags on, the number of voters turning their backs for good could grow.

James Zogby, a Democratic National Committee member and founder of the Arab American Institute, said he believes "a lot of people are going to take the position that" Biden "has brought all hell down on Gaza. And what's the difference here?"

"That will be a mindset that I hear, and that mindset could have been changed," Zogby said. "I would hope that it still can be changed. But I'm losing confidence that it will be."

ABC News' Mary Kekatos, Molly Nagle and Zohreen Shah contributed to this report.

Israel's war in Gaza became a political flashpoint. Will it risk Biden's coalition for reelection? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Russian military authorities detained Russian citizen Anatoly Shchetin in Armenia for allegedly avoiding the military draft, the Institute for the Study of War's (ISW) report said, citing the international human rights organization Helsinki Citizens' Assembly in Vanadzor, on April 9.

The detention may have been part of an effort to "assert military and political power over Armenia and to challenge Armenia's sovereignty" amid a continued deterioration of the states' relations, the report read.

Traditionally aligned with Russia in its regional conflict against Azerbaijan, Armenia has experienced heightened tensions with Russia after the country's "peacekeepers" did not prevent Azerbaijan's September 2023 offensive into Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also said on March 12 that Armenia would leave the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) if the military alliance fails to address Armenia's collective security concerns.

Helsinki Citizens' Assembly's statement said that "once again" Russia violated the Armenian law, kidnapping a person and imprisoning them illegally.

Russian citizen Shchetin is being kept at the Russian 102nd Military Base in the Armenian city of Gyumri, according to the ISW's report.

Helsinki Citizens' Assembly called on the Armenian Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General's office to free the Russian citizen and to prevent his transfer to Russia, as well as to bring those who illegally detained him to justice.

This is the second case of a Russian citizen's detention in Armenia since December 2023, when Russian military police arrested Dmitri Setrakov for alleged desertion. Setrakov was then forcibly transferred to Russia from the military base in Gyumri. His current location is unknown.

Pashinyan reacted to Setrakov's arrest in February, announcing that Armenian authorities would investigate the incident. The Armenian prime minister also said that Yerevan "cannot tolerate illegal actions on its territory."

Read also: Lavrov accuses Armenia of trying to break off relations with Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ISW: Russia is trying to challenge Armenia's sovereignty

The Russian military has detained another Russian citizen in Armenia. In this way, Russia is likely trying to establish military and political power over Armenia and challenge the country's sovereignty.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: This happened against the backdrop of a long-term deterioration in Armenian-Russian relations.

On 9 April, the Armenian branch of the international human rights organisation Helsinki Civic Assembly in Vanadzor reported that Russian military police at the Russian 102nd military base in Gyumri in Armenia had detained Russian citizen Anatoly Shchetin.

The man was detained for desertion and is to be forcibly transferred to Russia.

Helsinki Civic Assembly lawyer Ani Chatinyan said that the organisation had filed a complaint with the Armenian Prosecutor General's Office and that Russian law enforcement agencies have no right to detain people in Armenia and should hand the case over to Armenian law enforcement agencies.

The Armenian General Prosecutor's Office reported that it had processed the Helsinki Civic Assembly's report in accordance with its procedures. Russian military police at the 102nd military base previously detained a Russian citizen in Armenia for desertion in December 2023.

In February 2024, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reacted to the December 2023 arrest and stated that the Armenian authorities were investigating the incident and that Armenia "cannot tolerate illegal actions on [its] territory".

To quote the ISW's Key Takeaways on 9 April:

Russian state media highlighted Russia and Chinas joint effort to combat perceived Western "dual containment" targeting Russia and China during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrovs meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on 9 April.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on 9 April that it transferred roughly a brigades worth of small arms and ammunition seized from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to Ukraine on 4 April.

The Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) is likely responsible for a drone strike against the Borisoglebsk Airbase in Voronezh Oblast overnight on 8 to 9 April.

Russian ultranationalist milbloggers continue to employ virulently anti-migrant rhetoric and calls for xenophobic domestic policies, but in doing so are exposing the inherent hypocrisy in Russias treatment of its own indigenous ethnic minority communities.

The Kremlin will likely be able to leverage a new agreement signed by the Kremlin-affiliated governor of the pro-Russian Moldovan autonomous region of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Gutsul, and a state-owned Russian bank to further its efforts to destabilise Moldovan society, attack Moldovas democratic government, and prevent Moldovas accession to the European Union (EU).

Russia is reportedly considering creating a new ministry for youth policy and patriotic education, likely as part of an ongoing attempt to instil pro-Kremlin and Kremlin-approved ideology in Russias next generation.

Russian military authorities in Armenia detained another Russian citizen in Armenia, likely in an effort to assert military and political power over Armenia and to challenge Armenias sovereignty amid a continued deterioration of ArmenianRussian relations.

Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Kreminna, west of Avdiivka, and south and southwest of Donetsk City on 9 April.

Kremlin officials continue efforts to ease public fears about another possible wave of partial mobilisation.

The Russian occupation regime in Crimea is systematically persecuting clergy and parishes affiliated with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) in occupied Crimea.

Support UP or become our patron!
Italy opens new slander trial against Amanda Knox. She was exonerated 9 years ago in friend's murder

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2008 Amanda Knox, center, is escorted by Italian penitentiary police officers to Perugia's court. Amanda Knox faces yet another trial for slander in a case that could remove the last remaining guilty verdict against her nine years after Italy's highest court definitively threw out her conviction for the murder of her 21-year-old British roommate, Meredith Kercher. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito, File)

FLORENCE, Italy (AP)  Amanda Knox was back on trial for slander Wednesday for wrongly accusing a Congolese man of murdering her roommate while the young women were exchange students in Italy. Knox herself was convicted of the slaying before being exonerated in a case that grabbed the global spotlight.

Knox was a 20-year-old student with rudimentary Italian who had recently arrived in Perugia, when she endured a long night of questioning in the murder of Meredith Kercher. She ended up accusing the owner of a bar where she worked part-time of killing the 21-year-old British student.

In 2016, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the interrogation violated her rights because she was questioned without a lawyer or official translator.

In November, Italys highest Cassation Court threw out the slander conviction  the only remaining guilty verdict against Knox after the same court definitively threw out convictions for Kerchers murder against Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, nine years ago.

That conviction, which endured multiple trials and appeals, has remained a legal stain against her, especially in Italy, as she pursues a new life in the United States campaigning for judicial reform.

Another man was convicted in Kerchers 2007 murder.

Knox, now 36, did not appear in Wednesdays hearing in Florence, and is being tried in absentia. She remains in the United States, where she campaigns for social justice and has a variety of media projects including a podcast and a limited series on her case in development with Hulu.

Knox's accusation against bar owner Patrick Lumumba appeared in statements typed by police that she signed, but which have been ruled inadmissible in the new trial by Italy's highest court.

She recanted the accusation in a four-page handwritten note in English penned the following afternoon  the only evidence the court can rule on.

However, a lawyer for Lumumba, Carlo Pacelli, argued to readmit the disallowed documents as reference since Knox referred to them multiple times in her written statement. Lumumba, who is participating in the prosecution as permitted by Italian law, also did not attend the trial.

Court recessed after nearly four hours of arguments and will reconvene June 5 for rebuttals and a decision. The case is being heard by two professional judges and eight civilian jurors.

Despite Knoxs attempts at walking back the accusation, Lumumba was picked up for questioning and held for nearly two weeks.

The slander conviction carried a three-year sentence, which Knox served during nearly four years of detention until a Perugia appeals court found her and Sollecito not guilty. After six years of flip-flop verdicts, Knox was definitively exonerated by Italys highest court of the murder in 2015.

Kerchers body was found with the throat slit on Nov. 2, 2007, in her locked bedroom in an apartment she shared with Knox and two other roommates.

Rudy Guede, whose DNA and footprints were found at the scene, was convicted of the murder and sentenced to 16 years in prison. He was released after serving 13 years, and is currently being investigated for allegedly physically and sexually assaulting a former girlfriend since being freed.
I've Been Incarcerated For 22 Years  And I've Never Seen Prisons This Out Of Control

When the wooden cane smacked the prisoners head, its curved end snapped off and slid 20 feet to my prison-issued sneakers. It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and I was writing a poem about my friends recent bachelor party in prison when it happened. I looked up and saw blood streaming down the victims face as he latched on to the cane in desperation.

Prisoners peeked out of their cell windows. After a tense two-minute standoff, two prisoners stepped in to break up the fight. One locked the assailant in a shared bathroom. The other accompanied the bleeding victim to the front of the block and banged on a Plexiglas window, trying to get the attention of one of the few correctional officers working the morning shift.

Like all prisons in North Carolina, Nash Correctional Institution  the medium-custody mens prison where Im housed  is short-staffed most days. This means that our safety is always in jeopardy. Ive been incarcerated long enough to know that this isnt how prison should be.

In 2002, I was convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole. Although Ive never been cited for violence while incarcerated, Im as familiar with human brutality as a shellshocked combat veteran. Until recently, I had never considered understaffing a contributor to violence and recidivism. I do now.

When Derek Chauvin, the disgraced former police officer convicted in the 2020 killing of George Floyd, was stabbed 22 times in a federal prison last year, staffing was found to be an issue at the facility. The same was true at the correctional institutions where mob boss James Whitey Bulger was killed in 2018 and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide a year later. Such polarizing cases raised public concern, but only we  the incarcerated  know what its like to live in fear, not knowing whether there will be enough correctional officers on staff to stop someone from bashing in your head with a wooden cane.

Nash is just one institution, but it illustrates how this nationwide understaffing nightmare has gotten out of control.

Since 2017, every state in the U.S. has reported prison staff shortages. On the high end, there are Georgia, Mississippi and Maine with an average vacancy rate of 50%.

States have responded to understaffing differently. One facility in Wisconsin instituted an indefinite lockdown, until prisoners sued. Before Florida raised wages for correctional officers, Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the states National Guard. Colorado reassigned teachers and case managers already employed by its prisons to fill in as guards. Despite these efforts, staffing shortages continue in all states.

In the mid-90s, Nash was built to house 600 men in single cells. But in 2009, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, or NCDAC, closed seven of the states 79 prisons in an effort to save $22 million. I was one of about 350 prisoners transferred to Nash in early 2010, increasing the prisons population by nearly 60%. This led to significant overcrowding in every cellblock.

At the time, a spokesperson for the NCDAC said that officials moved us to Nash because of the prisons 7,900-square-foot cellblocks, describing them as big, open dayrooms and us as a little spoiled because of them. But when assessing the size of our cellblocks, officials didnt subtract unlivable space, like communal areas or the officers station. And with 120 men using one microwave, two TVs, one hot water pot, four phones, four showers and four bathrooms, we certainly didnt feel spoiled.

Luckily, the overcrowding didnt last. The 350 additional bunks were removed in 2013, leaving a manageable population size  and the 32 correctional officers who had been hired to manage the initial overcrowding.

But a decade later, North Carolina was suffering from severe understaffing, which forced the prisons population to balloon again. Between 2020 and 2023, the vacancy rate of correctional officers in North Carolina spiked from 15% to 42%. Thirty-one of the states prisons were forced to close entire housing units because they had insufficient staff to operate them.

Across the state, 6,200 prison beds were eliminated because of understaffing. And according to what Ive seen, by 2023, hundreds of these prisoners were transferred to Nash.

New arrivals to Nash described how correctional institutions across North Carolina housed men inside uninhabitable gymnasiums  like at Scotland Correctional, which was so packed that people on suicide watch reportedly lived in 5-by-5-foot holding cages unfit for housing. An email from an anonymous corrections employee at Scotland mentioned how this had created a situation where the offenders  who FAR outnumber us  are becoming increasingly irate, and staff are suffering burnout.

But the negative effects of understaffing only get worse. Low staffing in prisons often forces essential services to be canceled, like rehabilitative programs, higher education classes, recreation time and therapy. A shortage of mental health professionals may have contributed to a rise in suicides among North Carolina prisoners in recent years. Behavioral management classes that teach us skills like communication and parenting only have room for about 12 students, excluding the majority. Jobs are few and far between, leaving the unassigned in communal cages with only a TV or prison-issued tablet to keep them busy. This type of idleness can lead to violence.

I cant blame the crisis of understaffing on prison workers, administrators or even the secretary of the NCDAC. They are forced to make the best of insufficient ranks. Incarcerated people notice when officers are called in on their off days or stay late, sacrificing rest and family time to cover for vacancies. They work when ill. Many perform duties outside of their job description. And they are first responders to most emergencies. Maintaining order in prisons is a hard job, and its difficulty is magnified by understaffing. I dont consider this an us against them issue  understaffing is detrimental for people on both sides of the wall. If given a choice, I think correctional personnel would avoid overcrowding to remedy understaffing in prisons because it worsens conditions for everyone, not just the imprisoned.

North Carolinas governor and legislature are the only entities that can eliminate understaffing in state prisons.

Gov. Roy Cooper can grant clemency to older prisoners who pose no threat to society. He can also grant conditional release to those who have served over 20 years  in other words, those who have aged out of crime. Its not an unreasonable ask, and he holds the sole power to do it.

In 2021, Cooper agreed to release 3,500 prisoners following a settlement with advocacy groups who sued about overcrowding during the COVID-19 pandemic. But we shouldnt have to file lawsuits to compel a commonsense mass release to address the understaffing epidemic.

Additionally, North Carolinas conservative-led legislature should consider returning to a system of parole that allows incarcerated people to earn their way out of prison. Our current mandatory minimum sentencing scheme obstructs rehabilitation by removing incentives, such as early release, that help compel broken people to seek paths of repair. Only North Carolinas legislature can create meaningful change in this way, but they have not overcome their partisan differences to convert state prisons into institutions of change from the dungeons of despair that most are now.

In 2020, I co-authored the Prison Resources Repurposing Actwith Timothy Johnson, another incarcerated person. If passed, the PRRA would make parole possible to some who are serving life without parole after the completion of rigorous educational, vocational and behavioral requirements over a 20-year period. While the PRRA would not open the proverbial floodgates to release thousands of lifers, it would show mercy to a deserving few who are willing to earn a second chance through hard work.

The PRRA hasnt passed yet, because of a lack of conservative support in the North Carolina legislature. In fact, no criminal sentencing reform laws have been taken seriously in North Carolina for three decades, unless they ultimately oppressed incarcerated people more.

As a result, in 2018, the state paid correctional officers $45 million for working overtime, while its prisons remain dangerously understaffed and overcrowded.

What if lawmakers could have invested that $45 million into prison programming, like higher education, drug treatment or anger management? Not only would prisons be safer, but society would be too, because formerly incarcerated people would be set free with the tools needed to live prosperous lives.

Prison violence should concern everyone, because most incarcerated people reenter society. How they are treated in prison determines how they later deal with authority, how they react to adversity, and if they will resort to violence as a means of survival.

When overcrowding limits access to the basic building blocks of personal change, prisons can only serve as faulty foundations of recidivism.

When I think of the man who struck another with that wooden cane, I think that if he doesnt find change in prison, he might do the same to someone else upon his release.

Readers interested in helping North Carolina reach a sensible prison agenda for the betterment of society should contact the states legislators and encourage them to support prison reform legislation, such as the Prison Resources Repurposing Act.

Phillip Vance Smith II has been incarcerated for 22 years. As a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (Prison Journalism Project chapter), his writing has been published in Slate, Logic(s) and the North Carolina Law Review, among others. Read historian David Cecelskis review of Phillips collection of poetry on the realities of incarceration, Life: Learning Instructions for Everyone...in Prison & Out, published by BleakHouse Publishing and available wherever books are sold.

In response to a request for comment on understaffing at Nash Correctional Institution, a representative for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction emailed HuffPost the following statement:

Maintaining the safety and security of correctional staff, offenders and the public remains our primary responsibility. Like so many employers in both the public and private sectors, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) is struggling to fill critical staff vacancies. Within the correctional field, prison systems nationwide are contending with the same issue. To compensate for staffing shortages, while ensuring the highest levels of safety and security in our correctional facilities, we have closed housing units at several short-staffed facilities and transferred offenders to facilities with higher staff-to-offender ratios. Making our facility-specific staffing issues even more acute has been a much-anticipated systemwide initiative to retrofit our older facilities with air-conditioning, which requires temporary unit closures. As of February 2024, the last month for which we have complete data, 39% of our 8,100 correctional officer (CO) positions were vacant. Having closed vacant housing units and reassigned 445 COs associated with those units, and having contracted for about 400 non-certified private security staff to monitor prison perimeters, we have an overall effective CO vacancy rate of 29%. Nash Correctional Institution, where the author is currently incarcerated, has a CO vacancy rate of 27.9%. CO vacancies do not comprise the entire story. Accounting for critical nursing and maintenance positions, as well as behavioral health and other frontline correctional positions, NCDACs overall vacancy rate is around 26%. We have seen a consistent increase in applications for CO jobs since January 2022, when North Carolinas correctional system implemented salary increases and a step pay plan for veteran correctional officers. Weve also implemented a staff retention bonus program as well as salary increases targeting hard-to-fill positions in an effort to reduce staff separations. We have begun to see successes in that area, having reversed a trend of losing more COs than we can hire each month. In January 2023, we lost 107 COs and hired 64 new ones. Just over a year later, in February 2024, we hired the same number of new COs, 64, but lost only 12. NCDAC has also become even more active in recruiting and marketing the agency. In addition to holding hundreds of job fairs and prison hiring events (620 in 2023 alone), we run broadcast ads across the state, on online platforms and on billboards and vehicles to recruit new correctional officers. We have streamlined the state hiring process by making conditional offers of employment to qualified applicants at the time of their interviews. Our staffing shortages did not occur overnight. They predate the pandemic and the so-called Great Resignation. Even with these challenges, the Department remains committed to its mission to protect the public by collaboratively focusing on rehabilitation, protection, innovation, accountability and professionalism. We will continue to place great emphasis on recruitment and retention efforts to address our staffing needs.

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

Related...
FREEHOLD, N.J. (PIX11)  In front of a fired-up crowd, Jack Ciatterelli introduces himself to New Jersey once more.

I very humbly but with unwavering determination declare my candidacy to be your next Governor, Ciatterelli told the crowd of hundreds at the American Hotel in Freehold.

Similar to his past campaigns, the Republican says he looks to lower taxes, cut spending, impose term limits on state lawmakers and make New Jersey more business-friendly.

More New Jersey News

I guarantee you as Governor, I and my cabinet will ensure that this will be a pro-business State, said Ciaterelli.

Ciattarelli ran for Governor in 2017, losing to Kim Guagdano in the Republican Primary, and again in 2021 against the incumbent Phil Murphy, where he came up just shy of unseating the Democrat. Ciatterelli is hoping the third times a charm.

We did extremely well last time despite the fact that something got in the way of our retail operation, what we call the pandemic, said Ciaterreli. Theres no pandemic this time, I believe we can pick up 2 or 3 points that we need to deliver a win.

Ciatterelli is the second Republican to jump into the Gubernatorial race, following State Senator Jon Bramnick, who announced his candidacy earlier this year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The Biden-Harris campaign launched a strategic initiative Wednesday to rally the LGBTQ+ community in support of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harriss reelection in 2024.

The current administration is the most pro-LGBTQ+ in history.

The new program, Out for Biden-Harris, highlights the campaigns focus on the LGBTQ+ community and acknowledges its pivotal role in previous electoral wins.

Campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez discussed the crucial role of the LGBTQ+ community in electoral victory in an exclusive to The Advocate.

LGBTQ+ voters are a force to be reckoned with. They were critical to our victory in 2020, and they will be critical to winning again this November. Thats why were thrilled to launch Out for Biden-Harris, which will harness the LGBTQ+ communitys organizing prowess to reelect President Biden and Vice President Harris this November, Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement.

According to the campaign, the 2020 election saw the mobilization of nearly 11,000 LGBTQ+ volunteers who were key in electing Biden and Harris. To harness this robust support base, the Out for Biden-Harris initiative hopes to re-engage these people and further their impactful work. To that end, Out for Biden-Harris will equip participants with the necessary tools to organize within their networks, tapping into a diverse array of community messengers  from drag queens and elected officials to LGBTQ+ faith leaders, the campaign said.

The initiative has the support from prominent LGBTQ+ organizations nationwide, with endorsements from groups such as Equality North Carolina PAC, Fair Wisconsin, Delaware Stonewall PAC, and the Center for Black Equity Political Action Fund, the latter making its first-ever presidential endorsement, according to the campaign. These organizations are joining forces with other influential state-level entities like Equality California and Silver State Equality. Last year, the Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Trans Equality Action Fund, and Equality PAC issued a joint endorsement of the ticket.

The Biden-Harris campaign notes that these organizations boast a collective membership of over 3.8 million. Organizers are poised to leverage their substantial resources to mobilize equality-minded voters across all key battleground states.

The vice president, who recently celebrated 20 years since first performing same-sex marriages in California, filmed a campaign video highlighting the initiative. Harris invoked Harvey Milks legacy in the video.

Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard, she said, adding, And because you made your voices heard, marriages are more secure.

Harris underscored a commitment to unity and coalition-building within the LGBTQ+ movement, expressing a guiding principle of collective action. We will do what we have always done in this movement, in this community, which is collectively, we will continue to build unity. We will continue to build coalition. We will always be fueled by knowing we have so much more in common than what separates us. We will be fueled by knowing we are all in this together, Harris said.

She attributed the achievements in marriage equality and the election of a pro-LGBTQ+ president to the communitys dedication and organizing.

The video showcases last years historic Pride Month celebration at the White House and Harriss historic appearance at Capital Pride in Washington, D.C. It also features key LGBTQ+ figures within the administration, such as Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine.

LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, Biden said in the video.

In the coming weeks, Out for Biden-Harris is set to engage LGBTQ+ voters through a series of initiatives, including virtual organizing calls featuring notable figures such as actor Wilson Cruz and out Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia and relational organizing training to motivate volunteers and voters to participate in the electoral process, particularly in battleground states.

Detailing the initiatives approach, Chavez Rodriguez highlighted to The Advocate the campaigns strategy for grassroots mobilization.

LGBTQ+ Americans couldnt have more at stake this election: Donald Trump and his extremist allies are running to gut LGBTQ+ rights and erase history as their top priorities. LGBTQ+ Americans deserve leaders who will fight for every Americans freedom and dignity. Thats what President Biden and Vice President Harris have done throughout their time in office, and what they will do if reelected, including pressing Congress to pass the Equality Act, Chavez Rodriguez said.

The American Civil Liberties Union is tracking more than 484 anti-LGBTQ+ bills being pushed by Republicans nationwide.

According to the Biden-Harris campaign, the First Lady will take a prominent role as a featured speaker at the upcoming HRC Equality In Action Conference in Arlington, Va., where she will address a network of 400 organizers and activists. HRC has documented a series of actions by the Biden-Harris administration that affirm its commitment to LGBTQ+ rights. These actions range from reversing Trump-era policies banning transgender service members from the armed forces and that allowed discrimination in healthcare and signing the Respect for Marriage Act into law to participating in events that spotlight the fight for LGBTQ+ equality, such as HRCs 2023 National Dinner in October, where the president and Jill Biden were keynote speakers.

There has never been a more critical time to protect the rights of all Americans, no matter who you love or how you identify, and Out for Biden-Harris will be critical to not just safeguarding, but strengthening the rights and voice of every single American, Chavez Rodriguez said.

Watch Vice President Kamala Harris launch Out for Biden-Harris in the campaign video below.

Out for Biden-Harris | Biden-Harris 2024 youtu.be
The contrast between Donald Trump on Univision last year and Joe Biden on Univision Tuesday was night and day, but the result was still pretty much the same.

Exactly five months after a controversial interview with the 45th President by Enrique Acevedo, the anchor of Televisas En punto was broadcast on the Spanish-language network, a sit-down with the 46th POTUS aired. However, while the unctuous November 9, 2023 Trump interview at Mar-a-Lago saw the former Celebrity Apprentice host spouting grievances, stolen election conspiracy theories and self-aggrandizement, Biden went nearly full policy wonk tonight.

More from Deadline

Including a stroll through the Oval Office discussing the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez, and a clearly scripted aside that the iconic labor leaders granddaughter Julie Chavez Rodriguez is chairing his reelection campaign, the multi-channel, multi-lingual Biden special may have sought to distinguish itself as always from Trump. However, the truth is tonights interview with Biden was almost equally as softball as when Acevedo spoke with the Republican in his flag filled Florida lair.

There was almost none of the follow-up questions nor challenging of assumptions or assertions that Noticiero Univision co-anchor Jorge Ramos would have brought to such an interview with a President. In a tone more morning show than primetime, the highly scripted Acevedo let Biden turn their chat into a series of talking points with a whiff of stump speech.

Mainly prerecorded at the White House on April 3, there was no mention of breaking news like the Arizona Supreme Courts resurrection of the states 160-year old abortion ban law or efforts by English-speaking news outlets to get Biden and Trump to commit to debates. Evergreen in some aspects, if Univision were criticized by Democrats, progressives, John Leguizamo and many Latino groups for the interview with the divisive Trump last fall, tonights Biden interview saw a network that had learned little in the interim.

 MIRA AQUI: Entrevista exclusiva al presidente Joe Biden en Univision  En Espanol. #EntrevistaBiden pic.twitter.com/rdJVZFmSjw  Univision Noticias (@UniNoticias) April 10, 2024

In fact, exactly the presentation the White House and the Biden reelection campaign desired, the approximately 40-minute presentation saw the 81-year old POTUS flexing his command of his briefs and policies. Healthcare initiatives, education policy, gun control, immigration legislation possibilities and border reform, Congressional realpolitik were among the issues Biden kept in the air, occasionally looking down at notes he was holding.

Asked about what he would or could do via Executive Order about the southern border crisis now a bipartisan deal was effectively killed by Trumps death grip over the GOP, Biden replied were examining whether or not I have that power .. were trying to work that, work through that right now.

Acevedo let that go and shifted gears to the role of Mexico in easing migration to the US.

As well as delving into his relationship with Mexican President Lopez Obrador, the need for more aid to Ukraine, and the retail politics of Latino voting concerns, Biden made news hours before the interview aired with what is his strongest rebuke yet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Well, I will tell you, I think what hes doing is a mistake, Biden said of Netanyahus ongoing bombardment of Gaza since the horrific October 7 attack by Hamas that left over 1200 Israelis dead, mass rapes and hundreds taken hostage. I dont agree with his approach, Biden added after months of strong support for the Israeli government. I think its outrageous that those four, three vehicles were hit by drones and taken out on a highway, the Commander-in-chief declared of the fatal attack last week on a World Central Kitchen convoy that left seven aid workers dead.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and the IDF have said the attack was a mistake and have promise a thorough investigation. The killing of the multi-national WCK workers has increasing aligned governments around the world, including the Biden administration with protesters and others demanding a ceasefire and massive humanitarian relief in Gaza.

Still with all the topics Biden covered with Acevedo the real heart of the Univision interview was Donald Trump.

Responding with Donald Trump, seriously to Acevedos question of what he considered the primary threat to freedom and democracy at home, Biden returned again and again to taking swipes at his predecessor. Look at the way, when he talks about minority populations or Hispanics, Biden declared, aware of the potentially millions watching.

In what is certain to be a much closer election than 2020, Biden used the forum to center viewers on the consequences of a Trump return to the White House. He has a very, very, I think, jaded view of the Constitution, Biden said. He made it clear that he doesnt plan on abiding by parts of it if he thinks its not appropriate. And its just at least hes saying it out loud.

Near the end of the special, Acevedo asked Biden how he wanted to be remembered whether he wins reelection or not. I hope my legacy is that I was honest, straightforward and did what I said, the President responded.

Expect to see that in a campaign ad soon.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
EXCLUSIVE: House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan wants the intelligence community to obtain a warrant before it searches Americans data through the government surveillance tool known as Section 702 of FISA, telling Fox News Digital that unless there is an "emergency," it is critical to protect Americans constitutional liberties.

The House of Representatives this week is considering renewal of FISAs controversial Section 702. Some lawmakers  both Republicans and Democrats  have said it is used as a tool of privacy infringement. Others say the tool is critical to preventing terror attacks.

HOUSE SINKS JOHNSON-BACKED FISA RENEWAL AFTER TRUMP PUSH

Section 702 of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) allows the government to conduct targeted surveillance of non-U.S. persons located abroad to acquire foreign intelligence information. When U.S. citizens are flagged as part of these investigations, the FBI takes over the process of querying them for possible security reasons.

"The warrant requirement is necessary," Jordan, R-Ohio, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

Jordan said that when the intelligence community, like the FBI, collects "this giant haystack of information," Americans data often gets swept up in the mix.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"When trying to collect on foreigners, we should do that  they dont have any constitutional liberties," Jordan said. "But when you do that, you inevitably catch up a bunch of Americans in this database."

FBI IMPROPERLY USED WARRANTLESS SEARCH POWERS MORE THAN 278,000 TIMES IN 2021, FISA COURT FILING REVEALS

"So, all were saying, is if you are going to search this database for Americans name, phone number or email address youve gotta get a warrant," Jordan told Fox News Digital. "It is a tried-and-true method."

Rep. Jim Jordan arrives for a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 20, 2023.

The FBI improperly used warrantless search powers against U.S. citizens more than 278,000 times in the year ending November 2021.

An unsealed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) filing revealed the improper use of the tool last year, and showed that the FBI improperly surveilled people involved in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021; George Floyd protesters during the summer of 2020; and donors to a failed congressional candidate.

FISA COURT OPINION REVEALS A US SENATOR, STATE SENATOR, STATE JUDGE GOT SWEPT UP IN 702 QUERIES

The FBI at the time said the errors are "completely unacceptable" and the bureau changed its querying procedures to make sure the errors do not happen again.

Fox News Digital also reported last year that a U.S. senator and a state judge were improperly queried in June 2022 and October 2022. The FISC, at the time, said those examples demonstrated a "failure" to follow FBI policy.

"This is why the requirement has to be included," Jordan told Fox News Digital. "You have to go to a separate, but equal, branch of government to get a warrant if you are going to search that database of information."

Jordan said he has added exceptions to the rule. For example, Jordan said that in an "emergency situation," officials can search without a warrant. The warrant, when obtained, would be through the secret FISC.

"If it is not an emergency situation, you have to get the warrant," Jordan said. "You want to go search something on an American citizen not during an emergency situation? You have to go to a separate and equal branch of government and get a warrant."

Jordan told Fox News Digital that intelligence officials told lawmakers that there were 200,000 times last year when searches and queries were of "U.S. persons."

"How many of those 200,000 are covered by the emergency exception? No one will answer that," Jordan said. "My hunch is that the number is extremely big."

Jordan told Fox News Digital that the addition of a warrant requirement for searches of Americans has broad bipartisan support, including some from "the progressive left," such as the House Judiciary Committee ranking member, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.

"Nadler and Jayapal are in support of it, and the progressive left are for it because they know that when the abuses took place, it was people at BLM protests and Jan. 6, and donors to a congressional campaign," Jordan said.

"We have solid bipartisan support for this amendment," Jordan said.

WRAY DEFENDS FISA, SAYS LAW USED TO 'DETECT AND THWART' CHINESE HACKING OF US CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

As Jordan answered Fox News Digitals questions, more than a dozen House Republican privacy hawks blocked the House from advancing the bill to renew FISA 702.

Nineteen Republicans voted against their party leadership to tank a procedural vote that would have allowed for the House to debate and then vote on the bill itself. The final vote was 193 to 228.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., does not support the warrant requirement. He told lawmakers Wednesday that the language was too narrow.

"I appreciate the warrant amendment would allow some U.S. person queries without a warrant, I fear that its exception language is still too narrow and would be difficult to apply," Johnson said. "The warrant amendment would allow U.S. person queries without a warrant if there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. Without the warrant amendment, the 56 essential reforms that are included in the FISA Act will strike the perfect balance and achieve both our critical objectives: It will help us to both safeguard the precious LIBERTY of our people  as well as their physical safety," he added.

The Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, a compromise bill between the House Judiciary Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is aimed at curbing instances of abuse reported against former President Trump and others by instituting safeguards on who can access Section 702-collected data, particularly if it involves a U.S. citizen. It also would make it a crime to use backdoor loopholes to improperly access Americans' data.

FISA Section 702 will expire on April 19 if Congress does not act.

Lawmakers are now set to meet in conference Wednesday afternoon.

Fox News' Liz Elkind contributed to this report.





Original article source: Jordan urges warrants to search Americans' data and protect constitutional liberties as GOP fights over FISA
COLUMBUS (WCMH)  Two suspects arrested for a north central Columbus murder faced a judge Wednesday.

Kiante Lee, 27, and Terrell Thomas, 29, are both charged with murder after 24-year-old Dedrick Robinson was shot and killed early Tuesday morning in the Farmington neighborhood.

According to Columbus police, Robinson was taken to Grant Medical Center a little after midnight in critical condition after being struck by gunfire at an apartment complex in the 2700 block of Brentnell Avenue. There, police said, officers found Robinson lying outside an apartment suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at 2:38 a.m.

Columbus and other Ohio cities sue to block ban on their tobacco regulations

Multiple witnesses reported that Robinson fired a shot from a handgun into an apartment before Lee and Thomas reportedly came outside and the three exchanged gunfire. Video evidence of the shooting as well as shell casings and handguns were recovered from the scene.

Police said several apartment units were also struck by gunfire and soon after 1 a.m. officers detained Lee and Thomas from a nearby apartment complex on Genessee Avenue a few blocks away from the shooting.

One person died after a shooting at a north central Columbus apartment complex, April 9, 2024. (NBC4/Ronald Clark)

At an arraignment hearing Wednesday, Lee was issued a $2 million bond. Thomas, who was also wanted by police from a separate incident, was also issued a $2 million bond.

Thomas was then issued a $25,000 bond on charges of assault, theft, aggravated menacing and two counts of domestic violence stemming from a 2022 incident in which he allegedly threatened and choked a woman before stealing her phone at the Columbus Park Apartments on the southeast side of the city.

Both suspects are scheduled to appear in court on April 19 for a preliminary hearing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
A judge said in a recent ruling that the Oregon Department of Employment may want to consider almost every issue the Oregon Law Center identified in a lawsuit about the agency's overpayment collections' process.

The Oregon Employment Department should stop doing partial translation of agency decisions sent to Spanish readers, and delay collection of employment benefit overpayments for those who are granted a late administration hearing, a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge has ruled.

Judge Eric Dahlin's April 5 ruling found the two practices unconstitutional. Dahlin also took issue with several other department practices challenged in a lawsuit filed by the Oregon Law Center against the agency and its director, David Gerstenfeld.

Almost every issue identified by Plaintiffs is of concern, and OED as a public agency may want to consider voluntarily implementing most of the items Plaintiffs are asking for if it is reasonably feasible to do so," Dahlin wrote.

The judge acknowledged the department faced a historic and unprecedented demand for need during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, 580,041 people received unemployment benefits, a 1,400% increase in benefits compared with 2019.

But the pandemic alone did not cause all the problems identified by Plaintiffs as much as it exposed problems that already existed, Dahlin wrote.

The Oregon Law Center asked the court to determine whether the agency was using an unconstitutionally confusing system it referred to as impenetrable and fragmented.

While the judge was critical of the department's backpay system, he said: Nothing in this decision changes or unwinds any decision by OED in the more than 60,000 overpayment matters that became administratively final between January 2020 and May 2023, or any others since that time.

The Oregon Law Center and the Oregon Employment Department declined to discuss the ruling. A spokesperson said the state agency is reviewing Dahlin's decision.

Employment Department should stop collecting payments until decisions are final

The Oregon Employment Department made nearly 80,000 overpayment decisions in 2022, according to the data provided to the Statesman Journal.

When the agency later determined someone was actually ineligible for benefits they received, deadlines were set for individuals to request a hearing. Hearings to dispute agency action are held by the Office of Administrative Hearings, which can allow late hearings for those who miss an initial deadline due to a good cause.

The Oregon Law Center asked Dahlin to determine that if that late hearing is granted, OED should not pursue collection of overpayments.

Dahlin agreed, saying the agency should be able to track whether a late hearing was granted and stop recouping payments.

OED has not shown to the Courts satisfaction that there would be a meaningful difference in the burden of not seeking repayment from these two different groups of claimants, Dahlin wrote. It may be that a new process needs to be set up where OAH is asked to provide direct, daily notice to OED of such good cause determinations, but that burden appears minimal compared to the potential harm.

Eligibility decisions lack all critical information, partial translations unconstitutional

The judge also agreed with the Oregon Law Center that the departments Underlying Eligibility Decisions, sent to Oregonians as the first notice in its two-notice decision, was insufficient and confusing.

The notices failed to explicitly warn of the money someone could owe, used jargon instead of plain language, buried appeal deadlines and did not include sufficient information relevant to an individual about why they were denied benefits.

Mixed English and Spanish translations also stumped Dahlin, who repeatedly asked questions about the translation practice during oral arguments.

The Court agrees with Plaintiffs that the notices are unconstitutional as to Spanish readers who cannot read English because the notices use partial, but not complete, English-to-Spanish translation, Dahlin wrote.

He said the agency may have unwittingly made the notices less understandable, and unconstitutional for those who cannot read English, despite the "best intentions to make the notices multi-lingual to try to make them more understandable."

Had OED provided notices solely in English, such notice may have been constitutional (at least based on current case law), even if the notice was provided to a person who could not read or understand any English because the inability to read any part of the document would have notified the person of a need for further inquiry, Dahlin said.

Spanish-only readers are not alerted that important information in the notice is not translated and therefore would have no reason to inquire further, he added.

Dahlin said he was not ordering the state agency to continue using multi-lingual notices or making specific orders on what language should be used, but recommending the agency confer with the Oregon Law Center as soon as possible about what the additional language should contain.

Judge sides with Oregon Department of Employment on other motions

Dahlin said the department and its customers could benefit from a more detailed explanation of fault but that was not required.

The long delays between someone receiving benefits and the department then issuing a decision reversing eligibility also were not unconstitutional, he ruled.

Dahlin also said while it was not unconstitutional for the agency to use mail versus texts and email to send decisions on overpayment, the department may want to use digital notifications.

If OEDs goal is to provide the best possible notice so that claimants are timely informed of OEDs decisions, as a matter of good customer service providing electronic notice in addition to notice by First Class mail would seemingly help advance that goal (and would also head off individualized arguments that a particular claimant never received actual notice), Dahlin wrote.

Oregon Employment Department's former system was inadequate

Dahlin said if the department had not already consolidated overpayment and eligibility information to a single notice when it changed its system in March, he would have agreed with the Oregon Law Center that the two-notice system was unconstitutional.

He agreed that to meet constitutional requirements, Oregonians should have had information about the approximate amount of the overpayment to make an informed decision on whether or not to challenge the initial eligibility decision.

The system OED used for years did not make clear how much the agency might eventually seek to claw back.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Judge rules against parts of Oregon unemployment overpayment process
A federal judge has thrown out the city of Miamis voting map after ruling that commissioners in 2022 approved unconstitutional, racially gerrymandered district boundaries that sorted city residents by race and ethnicity.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore issued a sharp ruling that invalidated the boundaries of each of the citys five districts  rejecting a mindset that has defined how the city chose elected representatives for more than two decades.

The judge barred the city from holding any elections under the unconstitutional districts. The next city elections are in November 2025. The judge said he would set a court date to bring both sides together to discuss the next steps, which could include holding special elections and drawing a new map.

On Wednesday evening, the city released a statement saying its legal department has received and is currently reviewing the order issued by United States District Judge K. Michael Moore.

The decision tees up a discussion over how to redraw the voting map, which would decide who can vote for candidates to represent them in neighborhoods across Floridas second most populous city.

Set against a backdrop of scandal at City Hall, the ruling could also fuel debate over whether the five-person City Commission should be expanded and if commissioners should represent districts or if elected officials should be chosen by voters citywide.

READ MORE: Miami commissioners words from 2022 could steer fate of racial gerrymandering case

Moore sided with a coalition of city residents and community groups, including two branches of the NAACP, Grove Rights and Community Equity (GRACE), and multiple individuals who sued the city in late 2022. The community groups are being represented by attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union and the Dechert law firm.

I am so proud of our legal team who worked with a group of courageous local activists to bring an end to the manipulation of Miami government through unconstitutional racial and ethnic gerrymandering of Commission districts  a scheme that has gone on for too many years, Howard Simon, interim director of the ACLU of Florida, said in a statement Wednesday.

The plaintiffs argued that the city violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment when commissioners fixated on preserving the ethnic makeup of the commission by using racial quotas to draw the voting map, packing Hispanic and Black voters into districts.

By sorting its citizens based on race, the City reduced Miamians to no more than their racial backgrounds, thereby denying them the equal protection of the laws that the Fourteenth Amendment promises, Moore wrote.

During public hearings in early 2022, commissioners said they intended to make sure the commission would be made up of three Hispanic members, one Black member and one non-Hispanic white member.

Moore sharply criticized that mindset in his ruling.

These are serious harms that the City perpetuated, and Miamians suffered, Moore wrote. Today, the Court permanently prevents the City from racially gerrymandering any longer.
JUNCTION CITY (KSNT)  The Junction City Police Department (JCPD) is without a chief of police following an announcement from the city manager.

JCPD Chief of Police John Lamb is no longer serving with the department. City Manager Allen Dinkel made the announcement in a brief press release saying the JCPD is still fully functional to serve the community while the search begins for Lambs replacement. No reason was given in Dinkels message regarding why Lamb isnt the chief of police.

Dinkel says Lamb served with the force for around four years. He is still listed as chief of police on Junction Citys website.

The House that Jack Built for sale at $2.5 million in central Kansas

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Vice President Kamala Harris is making a campaign stop in Arizona to talk about reproductive freedom on Fridayjust days after the states highest court reinstated a sweeping 1864 ban on abortion so extreme that even some Republicans are blasting it.

Although the campaign reportedly scheduled the swing through Tucson before Tuesdays ruling, Harris appearance will provide Democrats a high-profile opportunity to highlight the GOPs role in outlawing all Arizona abortions, even in cases of rape or incest, unless the mothers life is in danger.

The court packed with Republican appointees found that the overturning of Roe v. Wade means the 160-year-old abortion ban that predates Arizona statehoodand carries possible prison time for doctorsis once again enforceable.

The fear of political backlash among Republicans was palpable.

Kari Lake, the ultra-conservative running for Senate, praised the 1864 ban as a great law in 2022. But after the court ruling, she rushed to disavow it, calling on the Democratic governor to come up with a commonsense solution.

Since January, Harris has been the campaigns primary defender of abortion rights on the trail; last month she even became the first vice president to tour an abortion clinic.

But President Joe Biden wasted no time denouncing Tuesdays court ruling.

Millions of Arizonans will soon live under an even more extreme and dangerous abortion ban, which fails to protect women even when their health is at risk or in tragic cases of rape or incest, he said in a statement.

This cruel ban was first enacted in 1864more than 150 years ago, before Arizona was even a state and well before women had secured the right to vote. This ruling is a result of the extreme agenda of Republican elected officials who are committed to ripping away womens freedom, he 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 September 2020, Vanessa Nosie strapped her four-day-old daughter Sha'yu in a car seat and told her husband to drive west, straight from the hospital in Globe, Arizona, where she had just given birth. They drove to Chichil Bidagoteel, or Oak Flat, the Apache sacred land, where Vanessa prayed, picked acorn and sumac berries with her grandmother, and held ceremonies for women in her family. There, she pressed Sha'yu's tiny bare feet to the ground, her first encounter with Oak Flat. One day, Vanessa hoped, Sha'yu too would have her sunrise dance at Oak Flat, a coming-of-age ceremony inseparable from this land.

The urgency behind Sha'yu's road trip was fueled by the threat of a mining project by Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of two international mining giants, Rio Tinto and BHP, that would shut down access to the land and begin turning Oak Flat into a 1,100-feet-deep and two-mile-wide crater, if the project moved forward. What if her daughter missed her chance? Our direct connection to God is here, its where we listen to the Creator, Vanessa told me. Oak Flat is crucial for our survival.

On a chilly Friday night in January, Vanessa fetched a handful of sticky dough out of a bucket, dipped it in flour, and massaged the mass into a smooth ball. Vanessas family  kids, parents, sisters and a few activists  huddled around the fire at the Oak Flat campground, which has become a kind of headquarters for the Apache Stronghold, a group of San Carlos Apaches that coalesced to fight the government to preserve their land. Vanessas father and the groups spiritual leader, Wendsler Nosie Sr., who now lives at Oak Flat in a trailer, has described the land as a Mount Sinai of the Apache people  a place of spiritual rootedness thats core to being an Apache. I was among a dozen visitors who joined the Apache Stronghold members for the weekend, because I wanted to better understand the significance of Oak Flat for the Apache religion.

A part of Tonto National Forest, Oak Flat has been under threat since 2014, when Arizona Republican Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake added a late-night rider onto a must-pass defense bill, which authorized the government to transfer 2,400 acres of land to Resolution Copper, in exchange for other valuable parcels. But the years of legal battles over Oak Flat ramped up in 2021, after the outgoing Trump administration published the environmental impact statement, revealing troubling effects of the mining project: dewatering, burial damage, over 1 billion tons of toxic waste. The Apache Stronghold filed a lawsuit to stop the land transfer, but the district court struck it down.

Luke Goodrich, a tall and slender-framed attorney from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and one of the countrys leading religious liberty litigators, took on the case. To learn about Oak Flat, Goodrich, a devout Christian, camped with the Nosie family, joined them for a Sunrise ceremony, and wandered the craggy landscape, thinking about the case. He filed an emergency brief to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, but the three-judge panel ruled against preserving Oak Flat, claiming the land transfer did not constitute substantial burden on the Apache religion, the first step under the Religious Freedom of Restoration Act, or RFRA. Five months later, the court agreed to rehear the case before a full 11-judge panel.

A proposed mine would prevent Apaches from worshipping at Oak Flat, which they consider sacred. | Matt York

A public interest law firm in Washington, D.C., of about 20 attorneys, which now goes by Becket to avoid confusion that they offer funding, has defended religious freedoms of Catholics, evangelicals, Muslims, Sikhs, Jews and Native Americans  all free of charge  for over 30 years, marked by a string of significant Supreme Court wins. With the Apache case, Becket faced an uphill battle: The case lacked favorable precedent, the government argued, and the group had no right to the federal land.

In March 2023, Goodrich stood before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals judges, arguing that the complete obliteration of Oak Flat would substantially burden the practice of the Western Apaches faith, a right that RFRA protects. Goodrich started his argument with what appeared to be the point of agreement. Both parties agree that if the United States government put up no trespassing signs and threatened the Apaches with fines for accessing Oak Flat, that would be a substantial burden, he told the judges. Here the government  is not just threatening fines but authorizing complete physical destruction of Oak Flat, barring the Apaches from ever accessing it again and ending their core religious exercises forever. For about an hour and a half, the judges grilled the two sides about their interpretations of substantial burden.

At the campground, Wendsler Nosie stepped toward the tables with food and whispered a blessing on the meal: fry bread and acorn soup, made from the acorns picked from the Emory Oak tree hanging over the campsite. Vanessa and her family were anxious about the court decision. Sha'yu, now a boisterous three-year-old with two braids, wrapped herself around her moms leg. Sha'yu is either going to be able to pick up the fight, Vanessa said, or shell only know the idea of what it is to be Apache.

The bigger fight here is if my religion is at stake, so is everybody elses

For Goodrich and other attorneys at Becket, the freedom to exercise your religion is only partly about belief in God  at the core, its about who we are as human beings. Were born with the conscience that tells us right and wrong when were seeking truth and the only way we can act on that conscience genuinely is when were able to act on it freely, said Goodrich, who is also the author of Free to Believe: The Battle Over Religious Liberty in America. So when the government stops you from acting in accordance with your conscience, and it doesnt have a justification for doing that, its violating who you are as a human being. Goodrichs commitment for religious freedom grew out of his personal Christian faith. After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School, he got a job working for Michael McConnell, then a 10th Circuit Court judge and one of the nations leading scholars on religious freedom, who had an office in Salt Lake City. With the legal skills Id been equipped with, I thought that I might be able to make a difference in the world, said Goodrich, who joined Becket 16 years ago and now lives in Florida with his wife and eight children.

Since its founding, Becket has won nearly 85 percent of its cases, including eight Supreme Court victories in the past 12 years and over a dozen wins in appellate and trial courts. High-profile victories in defending the right of Hobby Lobby and Little Sisters of the Poor to opt out of contraception coverage mandates under the Affordable Care Act have thrust Becket onto the national legal landscape and, in turn, the media firestorm that followed. In the aftermath of Hobby Lobby, the critics claimed that the exemptions for religious beliefs of company owners shouldnt trample the rights of the employees. But Becket attorneys believe that individual religious freedom extends into the public sphere and should be accommodated as long as the other side can accomplish their goal through other means. I think sometimes people fail to understand that your faith is not just what you do in a house of worship, said Lori Windham, vice president and senior counsel, whos been with Becket since 2005, back when the firm had only a handful of attorneys. Protecting religious freedom means protecting peoples ability to go out in public and say what they believe and act on it.

This ability to live ones faith in public has become more challenging amid the overall decline of religious commitment in the country. According to Pew Research Center, Christians believe that life in the U.S. has gotten harder for people of strong religious faith. This tension is the backdrop for why religious freedom initiatives have been criticized as a mere political tool and a smokescreen for Christian conservatives to preserve discriminatory practices against minority groups.

But Becket, a small nonprofit law firm in the heart of D.C., has been expanding the way that Americans view religious liberty and shaping the law that will influence legal decisions for years to come.

Even though Beckets Christian cases have made headlines, the firms work spans a gamut of faiths: a Muslim inmate who was denied the right to grow a half-inch religious beard, a Jewish university in a clash with an LGBTQ student group, a fight on behalf of the Sikhs in the military to keep their religious beard and wear a turban during training. Becket even defended a Texas priest who wanted to sacrifice animals in his garage to comply with his Santeria faith, an Afro Caribbean religion.

The attorneys tell me theyre not interested in culture wars or partisan shouting matches: The group is committed to defending free exercise of religion for all faiths by winning precedent-making cases that have the potential to shape robust religious freedom laws. Were doing a sophisticated, long-term game of trying to get the law right in this country, said Mark Rienzi, Beckets president and CEO. I want our country to be in a place where our people and our institutions recognize and are OK with the fact that disagreement is a consequence of freedom and its OK for us to disagree about important things.

In 1992, Kevin Seamus Hasson burned fervently with this conviction. Irish Catholic with a gentle demeanor and deadpan sense of humor, Hasson had been working at a D.C. law firm, but harbored a dream since law school to start a law firm dedicated to religious liberty. After visiting St. Peters Basilica in Rome, he walked to a pay phone across the street and called his wife, Mary, back home in the United States. Sweetheart, I just decided what were going to do, Hasson recounted in a speech in 2015. Im supposed to start a public interest law firm that defends all believers for free.

Hasson described himself as the kid in the gospels with five loaves and two fishes, who did what needed to be done. Religious liberty was facing a grave threat  and I had something I could do about it, I thought, and I knew some people who could help, Hasson said at the Becket gala in 2012, where he was awarded Beckets annual Canterbury Medal (he stepped down from Becket in 2011 due to Parkinsons disease). He named the firm after the archbishop of England Thomas Becket, who was martyred for refusing to allow King Henry II to interfere with the church. Hasson rented a small office in Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., with the door that banged against his desk when you opened it. Then he began hiring cream-of-the-crop lawyers, who combined top-notch legal training with passion for religious liberty.

Apache stronghold, a group of San Carlos Apaches, have coalesced to fight the government to preserve their sacred land. | Mike Blake

The firm entered a new chapter when William Mumma, a Wall Street businessman, stepped in as a full-time volunteer CEO in 2011. Some people say that Seamus was our George Washington and Bill Mumma was our Alexander Hamilton, said Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. Baxter described to me a goosebump-inducing Becket fundraiser he attended at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown in 2010 with a gospel choir emerging from the back, and speeches by Robert George, an American legal scholar who teaches at Princeton, and Mary Ann Glendon, a Catholic religious freedom advocate. Baxter, who was working at now-ArentFox Schiff, a white-shoe law firm with about 680 lawyers today, got fired up about Beckets mission. He started helping out with the firms amicus briefs  he drafted one on a religious homeless shelter that provided rehabilitation services to people trying to reintegrate into society after prison, and took a job at Becket in 2011.

Baxter recalled the new continuity and business acumen Mumma brought to Becket. We moved from a kind of a little bit of an obscure, but powerful shop to a more public presence with even more ability to influence both the culture and the law.

On a gray wall in Beckets office in D.C.s Foggy Bottom area hangs a painting of Thomas Becket, his hand reaching upward toward an angel as the kings knight is puncturing his stomach with a sword. The office interior is accented with blue, gold and white; colors of the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary that Hasson had chosen for the office. In a series of black-and-white pictures in the conference room, Hasson poses with the Dalai Lama, Elie Wiesel and Pope John Paul. Another wall is lined with court sketches from each one of Beckets Supreme Court victories.

The firm is small by design and is selective about the cases that it takes on  typically appellate-level and trial-court cases with potential to make a significant mark in the courts. Were not trying to catch every religious liberty case thats out there, said Windham. We want to go in and bring the cases that are going to have a big impact and move the law in a good direction.

Our direct connection to God is here, its where we listen to the creator. Oak Flat is crucial for our survival.

To help the judges see how crucial Oak Flat was to the Apache, Goodrich drove home the point that seemed to him a no-brainer: A complete destruction of Oak Flat would most definitely inflict substantial burden on the Apache religion. Oak Flat is the center of core religious practices that cant be relocated, Goodrich told the press after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals hearing in California. On his chest, he wore a yellow Native American medicine pouch. But the government claimed that under previous cases Navajo Nation v. U.S. Forest Service and Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association, the destruction of Oak Flat didnt fit within RFRAs narrow definitions of substantial burden on religious exercise, which those cases defined as penalties or missed government benefits.

If a mine threatened a Christian cathedral, the government would most certainly halt the destruction, Goodrich told the crowd. But this is a very unfortunate aspect of our nations history, that the government has repeatedly destroyed Apache lives and lands particularly for the sake of mining interests. We think that history should not repeat itself.

Josh McDaniel from Harvard Law Schools Religious Freedom Clinic, which had filed an amicus brief in support of the Apache Stronghold case, said that Beckets work is important for advancing a more expansive interpretation of RFRA that also includes minority groups, like the Apache. Becket has helped to give a voice to the Apache people in the fight for a more robust interpretation of RFRA that would extend a lot of protection to a religious group that does not have  the mainstream conception of a church, said McDaniel. Becket has helped shape Harvards clinic, as well as others within other top law schools like Stanford, Yale and Notre Dame.

Becket began its work at a time of wide bipartisan support for RFRA, which was signed into law in 1993, aiming to reverse the Smith case, in which two native Americans were fired and denied unemployment benefits after ingesting peyote at a religious ceremony. But with the growing polarization along gender-identity issues and abortion laws, support for religious liberty has been receding. In a report for the Center for American Progress, Emily London and Maggie Siddiqi wrote that religious liberty has increasingly been exploited and misused in order to favor the interests of select, privileged conservative Protestant Christians over the basic rights of the most vulnerable Americans. In April 2023, House and Senate civil rights leaders reintroduced the Do No Harm Act, arguing that it would restore RFRA to its original purpose of protecting religious exercise without eroding civil rights protections.

Rienzi tells me he doesnt discount the pain that comes with disagreement around the deeply held beliefs and values. But we shouldnt consider it an affront that our neighbor has a different belief about something really important, whether its God, or sex or politics, he told me. This is what it means to be free that my neighbor is allowed to think that.

In an effort to create safeguards for religious freedom protections on a state level, 23 states  most recently West Virginia and North Dakota  have codified the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act into state law. In the debate over clashing rights and the governments attempts to uphold equal rights and defend religious liberty, Becket is trying to level the playing field in court, as their website says, for people of religious belief.

People on both sides of the aisle take issue with religious freedom when it doesnt align with their worldview, Goodrich explained. Folks of a more progressive political orientation often view religious freedom as a threat to other things they value, like often its LGBTQ rights or abortion rights, he said. Those who are more conservative leaning might be quick to claim religious liberty for Hobby Lobby and Little Sisters of the Poor, but arent always standing up the way they should for the Apaches.

Thomas Berg, professor at the School of Law at the University of St. Thomas, told me that Becket uniquely positions itself within a polarizing landscape. Some of the other nonprofit organizations besides Becket tend to be on one side of the culture wars or the other, Berg told me. He is the author of Religious Liberty in a Polarized Age. If religious freedom is going to be meaningful, it should only be limited when the harms are serious and unavoidable, Berg said. And often there are ways to accommodate and protect freedoms while minimizing the effects on others.

The research conducted by Becket this year shows that maybe the idea of religious liberty is not as controversial as its purported to be. In Beckets Index report published in January, 62 percent of participants said they agree with the current protections safeguarded by RFRA  12 percent thought that RFRA went too far. I think that the live and let live idea is actually alive and well in America, Rienzi said. It gets drowned out by the screechiest yellers. To build up strong religious freedom laws, its important that people have the correct perception that religious liberty is for everyone, Berg said. And Beckets record in protecting non-Christian and non-conservative faiths  is really strong, he said.

Rienzi sees the pushback Becket receives as an avenue for strengthening the legal foundation for religious freedom. It actually creates good opportunities for what we do  which is making good law, Rienzi said. Winning consistently and strongly enough is a path to an endgame, he said, where religious freedom is so entwined in our societys fabric that Becket has no cases to take on. In a very polarized time, I think religious liberty can actually lead us a little bit to how to live in peace despite all the disagreements, Rienzi said.

On a recent morning, Vanessa and her father, Wendsler Nosie, led a group made up of the Nosie family, Christian supporters and activists on a hike to Apache Leap, a part of Oak Flat, where, in the 1880s, a group of Apache warriors chose to jump to their death instead of surrendering to the U.S. cavalry. For the Apache, the hike is a spiritual communion with the rich terrain of the sacred land. Along a steep, bouldery path up the mountain, flower stalks of yucca plants, sacred in Apache faith, shoot up in the air. Some are beaten to the ground, scorched by the wildfires. A group of men sang Apache spiritual songs, the thunder of their water drums echoing through the valley.

Wendsler Nosie, a former chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe of the Apache Stronghold, has worked with a lot of attorneys. Goodrichs approach was different, he told me by the campfire at Oak Flat. Luke told me, Dont worry, Wendsler, you will lead the fight, Wendsler explained. He puts me on the witness stand and thats a big difference. Goodrich acknowledges that Becket has only joined the latest chapter in the fight for Oak Flat that spans centuries. There is a whole history of trauma that the government has inflicted here. You cant really understand the latest chapter if youre not familiar with the first seven-eighths of the book.

Having an attorney who shares her most personal and important beliefs has been important to Kitty Burke, who along with her husband, Mike, were denied a foster child by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families because of concerns about their views on traditional marriage and how they may impact their child should they come out as gay. Getting a phone call saying, Oh nope, you guys are no good, we dont want you was shocking, said Burke. She got a tip to turn to Becket and has been working with Windham to make the case that they would be loving parents no matter what, especially amid Massachusetts severe foster care crisis. To have a group like Becket in our corner who not only understand the legal side, but has been there to support us, has been absolutely priceless, said Burke. Baxter told me they take on clients for life, even after the representation is over, fostering a community of support.

Resolution Mining Company spokesman Tyson Nansel shows the locations of the proposed new mining site and Oak Flat Campground, in Miami, Arizona. | Matt York

At the peak of the Apache Leap, a vista speckled with shrubs opens up, blue hills on the horizon silhouetted against hazy grayish sky. The wind whooshed, as men and women kneeled and offered blessings to the sacred crosses symbolic of the connection between the Creator and Mother Earth positioned against a stone wall. This is a holy place, this is where our deities and angels live  this is what we were vacated from to not be here anymore, to destroy our religion, Wendsler told the hikers. But we made our way back.

Resolution Copper, which would expand on the existing Magma Copper Mine, promises new jobs and clean energy from copper, but would also cause disastrous environmental harm, the Nosie family says. The mine will use the underground block cave mining method and would carry the pipelines with mine waste through nearly 20 miles of rugged territory to the pristine Dripping Springs Valley. The mine would also significantly deplete groundwater ecosystems from the surrounding area and destroy native species. But Rio Tinto has vowed to minimize environmental effects and closely monitor water usage.

The information collected and the two-way dialogue with Native American tribes and communities has significantly reshaped the project, according to a statement from Rio Tinto, Resolution Coppers parent company. Resolution Copper has agreed to forego portions of the ore body and major facilities have been completely relocated to avoid dozens of areas of cultural significance and hundreds of ancestral sites, medicinal plants, seeps and springs. The company said it would preserve Apache Leap and the Oak Flat campground, which will remain open and accessible for decades and may never be impacted, according to the statement. As required by law, Resolution Copper said it will closely monitor groundwater and surface water usage and promises to recycle 70 percent of water used by the mine. But to the Apaches, the mine would change Oak Flat forever, impacting their spiritual practices and their way of life.

Vanessas oldest daughter, Naelyn Pike, told me taking away the Apache roots and the spiritual connection to the land is a kind of killing of her people. Its a reminder that our religion as Native People is not seen by the government, she said. Theyll have to be accountable to our people for everything they did to us in the past.

Protecting religious freedom means protecting peoples ability to go out in public and say what they believe and act on it.

On March 1, a divided 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 6-5 to allow the federal land transfer that will let Resolution Copper begin construction. In the decision, the majority didnt dispute that the mine will prevent the Apaches from exercising an essential part of their religion. But relying on past cases involving Native American land, the court ruled that preventing religious exercise on federal land like Oak Flat didnt fall under the legal definition of substantial burden.

Its certainly disappointing when the court fails to protect religious liberty and fails to give Native Americans the same protection that everybody else has, Goodrich said. This ruling carves out an exception from the broad principle of religious freedom and from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that specifically disadvantages Native Americans when they seek to exercise their religion on what is now federal land.

Soleil Davignon picks berries for her coming of age ceremony on Oak Flat Campground. | Ty O'Neil

The dissenting five judges wrote that the majority tragically errs in rejecting the protection of the Apaches and categorically preventing the Western Apaches from ever again communing with Usen (the Creator) and the Gaan (a sacred mountain spirit), the very foundation of the Apache religion. The question of whether the obliteration of the site would inflict substantial burden on the religious exercise of the Western Apaches is straightforward. Under any ordinary understanding of the English language, the answer must be yes, Chief Judge Mary Murguia wrote in her dissent.

Vanessa, who works as an archeology aide for the San Carlos Apache tribe, was in Flagstaff, Arizona, for a meeting with the National Park Service on March 1. After the meeting, she got a call from Wendsler about the ruling. When we heard the outcome, it was disappointing  there was a moment where I wanted to cry, she told me. She thought about her kids. What does the future hold for them? she said. Her older daughters have picked up the fight, but would Sha'yu even remember her time at Oak Flat when shes older? To exclude us from our religious rights  that doesnt make sense, why are we any different?

But the fight doesnt stop with the recent ruling, Vanessa said, and that brings her hope. Goodrich and the Nosie family plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court and he believes the court will take the case. The Supreme Court has a strong track record of protecting religious freedom for people of other faiths, Goodrich said, and we fully expect the court to uphold that same freedom for Native Americans. After all, its not just about the Apache religion and Oak Flat. The bigger fight here is that if my religion is at stake, Vanessa said, so is everybody elses.

This story appears in the April 2024 issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has made no secret of his public disdain for Rep. Matt Gaetz. But in a recent interview, he went further than ever, appearing to say that Gaetz ended his speakership while trying to prevent an ethics investigation into allegations that the Florida Republican had sexual relations with a 17-year-old, an allegation that Gaetz vehemently denies.

Ill give you the truth why Im not speaker. Its because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old, McCarthy said at a public forum at Georgetown University on Tuesday. An ethics complaint that started before I ever became speaker. And thats illegal and Im not going to get in the middle  Did he do it or not? I dont know.

Gaetz, who has repeatedly denied the allegations, responded on X on Wednesday morning. "Kevin McCarthy is a liar," he wrote. "That's why he is no longer speaker. Just ask the 224 people who voted to remove him."

Federal investigators declined to bring charges against Gaetz in a sex trafficking probe last year, though an investigation by the House Ethics Committee appeared to be ongoing, as of earlier this year. Gaetz has not been accused of wrongdoing.

Kevin McCarthy refers to Matt Gaetz:



"I'll give you the truth why I'm not speaker. It's because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old ... Did he do it or not? I don't know."



- via @MoElleithee @GUPolitics pic.twitter.com/DFZxpdgxF9  Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) April 10, 2024

McCarthy has made similar remarks before, telling CBS News last month that it was "based on Matt Gaetz trying to stop an ethics complaint." But he has never spoken so explicitly about the nature of the ethics complaint until now.

McCarthy, who resigned from Congress at the end of 2023, also tried to justify his controversial visit to Mar-a-Lago just weeks after he'd publicly denounced former President Donald Trumps role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He suggested that he wanted to comfort Trump and that he didn't think the media would find out about his visit.

"Whether I like you or dislike you, if something bad happens in your life, I want to be the first person to call you," McCarthy said, adding, "I thought I was going to go by and no one was going to know about it."

Despite his openness during the talk Tuesday, McCarthy struggled with some questions about Trump, including one about the former president's violent rhetoric about immigrants "poisoning the blood" of the country.

"I have never heard him say that," McCarthy said when a student pressed him on the topic.

"Nobody's perfect in life," he continued. "People could have a difference of opinion, but I don't think that's what President Trump believes. [In] my time around him  never heard it."

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
With Kevin Tolson out, York GOP votes to start filing again in 2024 sheriffs election

The York County Republican Party has voted to re-open candidate filing for York County Sheriff after a wave of public and political pressure.

Filing reopens Thursday at noon and runs through April 17 at noon, county party chairman Larry Barnett said. South Carolina law allows for the party to re-open filing if there are less than two candidates when one dies or withdraws, and the York County Voter Registration and Elections Office administers all filings.

Current Republican Sheriff Kevin Tolson filed for the seat March 18, but withdrew after his wife, Beth Bryant Tolson, filed as a Republican for the seat on the last day of filing on April 1.

The GOP decision now opens the door for other candidates. Some lawmakers and party leaders said they were besieged with phone calls and messages asking for action to allow competitors in the Republican primary.

The primary is June 11. The general election is Nov. 5.

In South Carolina, any registered voter can vote in one party primary in the county where they live. South Carolina voters do not register to vote as Republican, Democrat or unaffiliated as voters do in North Carolina and some other states.

No Democrat or anyone from another party filed for sheriff during regular filing March 16 through April 1.

The people spoke

The 34-21 vote Tuesday night to reopen filing came from the local Republican Partys executive committee.

Republican State Rep. Brandon Guffey of Rock Hill said he supported re-opening.

The decision was put back in the hands of the people and the people spoke, Guffey told The Herald. I dont believe there was any nefarious intent to begin with, but the optics were bad. The people will have a choice now.

Many Republicans wanted more filing time because of the timing of Kevin Tolsons withdrawal coupled with his wife entering the race at the final hour. That potentially kept other candidates who did not want to oppose Kevin Tolson from filing, say those who wanted filing re-opened.

The party did the right thing here  the people of York County deserve to make the choice of who they want as their top law enforcement officer, said Republican State Sen. Wes Climer of Rock Hill.

Climer said the sheriff must earn the vote of the people.

Republican State Rep. Tommy Pope of York is former 16th Circuit solicitor who was in law enforcement before that. His late father, Elbert Pope, was York County Sheriff in the 1980s.

Pope said in a statement to The Herald he trusts there was no ill intent in Kevin Tolsons withdrawal or Beth Tolsons filing. He said Beth Tolson is well-qualified to be sheriff and he believes she will be successful on her own merits.

I have worked with Kevin and Beth Tolson throughout my law enforcement and prosecution career, Pope said. I believe coming from a law enforcement family is a plus.

What happens now?

The sheriff is a four-year term and is paid an annual salary of $209,260.83. The sheriff also runs the county jail and has more than 300 employees in law enforcement and detention.

Beth Tolson remains a filed candidate.

Retired deputy Heath Clevenger told The Herald in an exclusive Monday he is running for sheriff. Clevenger said early Wednesday he expects to file as a Republican.

Other current and retired law enforcement have been talked about as potential candidates by party members, but no one else has made an official announcement. The sheriff must have at least five years of law enforcement experience to hold the office under state law.

The filing fee for sheriff is $7,770.43. It is one percent of the annual salary times the length of term. Candidates must pay the filing fee when they file.

Kevin Tolson was first elected sheriff in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. He plans to serve out the rest of his term. The sheriff elected in November will take office in early 2025.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has reduced its forecast for U.S. coal exports this month by about a third following the closure of the Port of Baltimore due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

As a result of the closure, the EIA reduced its forecast for April coal exports by 33 percent and 20 percent for May. It also cut its overall coal export projections for 2024, which it expected to rise 1 percent from 2023 but is now projected to decrease 6 percent.

The collapse of the bridge on March 26 forced the closure of the port, the second-biggest coal export hub in the U.S. American coal companies have grown increasingly reliant on exports in recent years as U.S. utilities shift to renewables for electricity generation. The plurality of U.S. coal went to India last year, with about 25 million short tons, followed by Japan and the Netherlands, both with just under 10 million, according to the EIA.

The country exported 100 million short tons of coal in 2023, close to a 50-50 mixture of metallurgical coal  the type used in steel production  and steam coal, used for electricity generation. About 28.1 million short tons of those exports, or just under 30 percent, passed through the port of Baltimore. Officials have predicted it will take between 9 and 10 weeks to fully reopen the port, while Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said earlier this week that a third individual shipping channel will be open by the end of this month.

We expect U.S. coal exports to recover toward the end of the summer or early fall, but there is significant uncertainty based on the timeline for the port reopening and how quickly exporters can adjust to export through alternative ports, EIA Administrator Joe DeCarolis said in a statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NEW YORK  New York City parents and teachers feel shut out of key decisions about childrens education under the current system of mayoral control, according to a pivotal state Education Department report released Tuesday.

The 281-page study, watched closely amid a debate in Albany over extending Mayor Eric Adams control of the public schools, has the potential to drive changes to school governance in the nations largest school system. Recommendations from the public include to establish a commission to consider reforms that increase representation and input.

The report drew immediate condemnation from Adams who, not having seen the analysis, intimated that it could be politically motivated. At a press conference before its official release, he suggested the study reflected the opinions of those he called professional parents, and not everyday New Yorkers.

Im concerned, is this more political? Adams told reporters Tuesday morning at City Hall. Or is it about the way we have done it, and what Chancellor [David] Banks has done.

During the last renewal in 2022, lawmakers asked for the report on mayoral control, expected to inform their decisions of whether to extend it. If not, mayoral control would expire at the end of June.

The report were issuing today is a thorough, research-based presentation of school governance models in New York City and elsewhere, state Education Department Commissioner Betty Rosa said in a statement, that meets the laws requirements with fidelity.

The study considered public testimony at five hearings in each borough and written comment, alongside the citys history of school governance and comparisons to similar school systems.

It found that while mayoral control of the public schools can boost efficiency and resources, the public expressed concerns about a lack of checks and balances, and transparency with its current iteration. The law has been amended eight times since mayoral control was implemented two decades ago to address similar concerns.

The majority of feedback called for varying degrees of reform  ranging from revisions to phasing out mayoral control  though some said the existing system is effective, the report found. Few people called for a return to the structure of local school boards, which faced criticism over poor school performance and corruption.

Centralized decision-making can also result in a problematic one-size-fits-all approach, parents and teachers said, and a lack of continuity in education policies and programs when a new mayor is elected.

While mayoral control was popularized in large cities during the mid-1990s, researchers found some districts have soured on the model, including in Detroit, Chicago and Boston. Compared to other school systems, New Yorks approach imbues its mayor with the most power, closely followed by Yonkers. Other cities, including Philadelphia, Boston and D.C., require Council or nominating committee input on key education appointments.

State education officials, required to work with a local higher education institution, tapped the City University of New York School of Law professor Natalie Gomez-Velez, a former state Regent and Bronx representative on the citys Panel for Educational Policy. They also enlisted independent researchers at WestEd, who did the feedback analysis.

Adams took issue with CUNY Laws involvement and criticized the review of public comment.

The professional parents knew about the hearings ahead of time, said Adams. They were able to fill the room. You wont hear from everyday New Yorkers.

This is what were up against. Theyre not looking at the facts that Chancellor Banks came into a school system, we are outpacing the state in reading and writing. We have changed the food that our students are eating. We have changed the cafeterias. Graduation rates up. I mean, all of these successes  and they write a report by the school that booed me and turned their backs on me.

In response to the mayor questioning the studys validity, state Education Department spokesman said the report speaks for itself. State education committee chairs John Liu (D-Queens), who oversees the city, and Shelley Mayer (D-Westchester) released a joint statement in the afternoon calling the review objective and authoritative.

Gov. Hochul, a Democrat, has called for a four-year extension, but last month the state Senate and Assembly indicated little appetite for renewing mayoral control as part of the now-late budget. That would still leave the option open for later in this years session.

The citys teachers union and some parent advocates are pushing for checks on the mayors power to dictate school programs and procedures.

Currently, the citys Panel for Educational Policy is mostly appointed by Adams and pushes through the administrations directives on contracts, school mergers and closures. Under the United Federation of Teachers plan, the chancellor would have to convince the majority of the PEP to vote in his favor.

On the other side, a pro-charter school group, StudentsFirstNY, announced a seven-figure ad campaign last week to push for a four-year extension, backed by local power-players including the Partnership for New York City, Association for a Better New York, REBNY and Robin Hood.

After the report was released, city education officials called the study disappointing and a missed opportunity to study other school governance models compared to mayoral control. The analysis found no conclusive relationship between school governance structures and student achievement.

No governance model is perfect. No governance model is without flaws  but clearly, clearly what you see [with mayoral control] is sustained improvement, said First Deputy Chancellor Dan Weisberg.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov is confident that Russian occupation forces will not be able to reach the city, as the Kremlin's propaganda has been threatening Ukrainians in the recent weeks.

Source: Terekhov in a report by Ukrainska Pravda from Kharkiv

Details: When asked by Ukrainska Pravda whether Terekhov had a plan B in case the Russians come to Kharkiv, the mayor replied.

Quote: "They won't come to Kharkiv. Stop it! I'm sure of this."

Details: Kharkiv's mayor emphasised that the Defence Forces, the authorities and the people of Kharkiv would defend it until the end.

Terekhov said that he did not leave the city during the first Russian attempt to capture it, and he does not intend to leave it in the future.

Background:

Meduza, a Russian media outlet based in Latvia, cited sources close to Kremlin and reported that Russian "political elites" think it is possible that Russia and its ruler Vladimir Putin might try to capture Kharkiv and gradually end the so-called "special military operation" [as the Russians call the war in Ukraine  ed.].

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said that the Ukrainian military is carrying out large-scale work on fortification of territories where Russian forces may launch an offensive. He has also said that an attack on Kharkiv would be a fatal mistake for Russia.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that despite continuous Russian attacks on Kharkiv, neither the city officials, nor the military deem evacuation of civilians necessary at this time.

The Defence Forces of Ukraine have not seen formation of any Russian assault groups for repeated attacks on Ukraine. Ukraines Defence Intelligence says the Russians are trying to sow panic in Ukraine by spreading misinformation about "an offensive on Kharkiv".

UK media outlet The Economist, with reference to military sources in Kyiv, assumes that Russia decided to turn the city of Kharkiv into a "grey zone" uninhabitable for civilians.

Support UP or become our patron!
Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a Texas-style immigration law allowing Iowa officers to arrest undocumented immigrants under a new crime of illegal reentry into the state.

The law, which takes effect on July 1, follows the Lone Star State in making it a crime to attempt to enter Iowa after already having been deported or barred from entering the United States.

The Biden administration has failed to enforce our nations immigration laws, putting the protection and safety of Iowans at risk, Reynolds said in a statement. Those who come into our country illegally have broken the law, yet Biden refuses to deport them. This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: enforce immigration laws already on the books.

Biden has asked Congress to pass a bipartisan federal immigration law that would beef up border spending and give him more authority to combat illegal immigration, but Republicans rejected it after former President Donald Trump condemned it. Reynolds agreed, saying, We dont need a new law.

What is the status of the Texas immigration law?

The Texas law that serves as the model for Iowas legislation is blocked by the courts while a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality is decided.

The Justice Department is suing over the Texas law, arguing it unconstitutionally usurps the federal governments authority to enforce immigration laws and could create chaos in administering the law.

Reynolds has made multiple trips to the U.S.-Mexico border in recent years as she has criticized President Joe Bidens immigration policies.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds listens at a press conference about border policies in Eagle Pass, Texas on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024.

More: Kim Reynolds deploys 100+ Iowa National Guard, State Patrol officers to US-Mexico border

Iowa is deploying 10 Iowa Department of Public Safety officers and 110 Iowa National Guard soldiers to the border to support Texas state law enforcement and militarys immigration efforts.

Immigrant rights groups have protested the Iowa legislation at the Capitol this year and vowed to fight it through legal actions, strikes and rallies.

From Texas to Iowa, our message is No Tengan Miedo, have no fear, Manny Galvez, a board member of Escucha Mi Voz, said in a statement March 20 after the House passed the legislation. 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.

Immigrants seeking asylum, wait to board a bus to a U.S. Border Patrol processing center, after crossing into Arizona from Mexico, on May 11, 2023 in Yuma, Arizona.

What does the Iowa law do by criminalizing illegal reentry into the state?

The Iowa law creates a new crime of illegal reentry into the state, which applies to anyone who has previously been deported, removed or denied admission to the United States.

In most cases, the crime is an aggravated misdemeanor, which carries a two-year sentence. But it rises to a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, in certain circumstances.

If the person is arrested for another felony, the crime becomes a class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

More: Iowa law enforcement could arrest undocumented immigrants under bill going to Reynolds' desk

For anyone convicted of illegal reentry, the judge in the case would have to enter an order requiring the convicted person to return to the country they had come from.

The law forbids law enforcement officers from arresting someone if the person is in a school, a place of worship, a health care facility, or a facility for survivors of sexual assault.

And the legislation provides legal immunity for local law enforcement and other government authorities responsible for enforcing the measure.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Reynolds signs law letting Iowa police arrest undocumented immigrants
Authorities in Everett, Massachusetts, are currently seeking the owner of a kitten discovered in a neighborhood driveway while wearing a strawberry dress. The police are appealing to the public for any information regarding the owner of the adorable feline.

Police looking for owner of kitten wearing strawberry-patterned dress

As per NBC Boston, Everett Animal Control shared a Facebook post on Monday, April 8, featuring a picture of the kitten in a white dress adorned with several strawberries. The shot showed the white-colored cat with gray ears gazing directly at the camera.

The caption for the post read, FOUND KITTEN- WEARING A STRAWBERRY DRESS. Additionally, it said the mature kitten was found curled up in a driveway near the Parlin School, according to People.

Anyone with any details about the cats owner has been encouraged to reach out to the Everett Police Dispatch at (617) 387-1212. They can also email an ACO (Animal Control Officer) at stacia.gorgone@cityofeverett.org.

As of Tuesday, April 9, the social media post had garnered over 250 shares. Moreover, concerned users expressed their hopes for the cats reunion with its family.

In addition to the image, the organization posted a video featuring an officer holding the cat dubbed Strawberry. The officer speaks tenderly to the kitten, telling her that she is safe in their care. The post presents a clearer look at the kittens dress also, asking, Does anyone recognize it?

It further elaborates, She adores lounging in the ACOs lap, gently grasping their hand with her paw until she receives some affection. This affectionate kitten must surely be missed by her family. Lastly, the post reiterated the methods to reach out and reclaim the pet.

There has been no ownership claim for the feline yet. However, many individuals have offered their homes for the adorable kitten if the owner doesnt step up.

The post Kitten Wearing Strawberry-Patterned Dress Found in Massachusetts appeared first on CatTime.
Amanda Knox is facing another trial in Italy this week in connection to a slander conviction for wrongfully alleging that a bar owner murdered her 21-year-old British roommate in 2007.

Knox, 36, had planned to appear at Wednesdays retrial at Florences appeals court but remained in the U.S. to take care of her two young children, one of whom was born recently, her lawyer said.

Italys top court had ordered the retrial in October after Knox appealed for the slander condition to be overturned. The legal challenge was made possible after a 2022 reform of Italys code of criminal procedure.

Knox became a household name at age 20 after she and her then boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of murder following the killing of her roommate Meredith Kercher. Knox and Kercher shared an apartment in Perugia, while the latter was on an Erasmus year abroad. During this time, Kerchers body was discovered in her bedroom with her throat slashed, more than 40 stab wounds and signs of sexual assault.

Patrick Lumumbaa Congolese bar owner who had employed Knoxwas arrested in November 2007 after Knox accused him of murdering Kercher. Lumumba spent two weeks in jail before a witness provided him with an alibi.

Read More: Amanda Knox on Her New Show, #MeToo and Life After Prison

Knox was then convicted on charges of murder, sexual assault, and slander, while Sollecito was convicted for murder and sexual assault. They both spent almost four years in jail before their release in 2011. Italys highest court overturned their convictions in 2015 in light of "glaring errors" in the case. But Knoxs defamation conviction for falsely implicating Lumumba has remained until now.

Knox has asked for the slander conviction to be dropped in light of a 2019 European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling, which determined that her rights had been violated during police questioning. Lawyers for Knox, argued that she made allegations against Lumumba under police duress with no legal assistance or an interpreter. The ECHR also ruled that the Italian legal system should pay Knox $20,000 in financial damages.

A third defendant, Rudy Guedewho was from the Ivory Coast but moved to Italy as a childwas charged with Kerchers murder at the same time as Knox and Sollecito. Guedes DNA matched a vaginal swab taken from Kercher. After seeking his own fast-tracked trial, separate from Knox and Sollecito, Guede was originally sentenced to 30 years but this was later reduced.

Guede was freed on parole in November 2021, after completing 13 years of a 16-year-sentence. He is currently under investigation for physical and sexual abuse of an ex-girlfriend.

Where is Amanda Knox now?

Now a lucrative media personality, Knox has built a career as a podcaster and campaigner for criminal justice reform. Her memoir received a $4m advance and her story will be the focus of an upcoming Hulu series about her battle with Italy's legal system, with Monica Lewinsky signed on as an executive producer.

"On the one hand, I am glad I have this chance to clear my name, and hopefully that will take away the stigma that I have been living with," Knox said during an episode of her podcast Labyrinths in December. "On the other hand, I dont know if it ever will, in the way I am still traumatized by it," she added

At the time Knoxs conviction was overturned, Lumumba said the decision shows the power available for rich people. Living in Poland after his life and business were harmed by the allegations, Lumumba said he was feeling very bad about her acquittal.

Amanda is free because she is American, but Americans are human like everybody, he said.

Knox was previously ordered to pay Lumumba compensation but he had not received any payments according to his lawyer Carlo Pacelli. Pacelli added that his client had not been contacted about the retrial at any point in the process.

Write to Armani Syed at armani.syed@time.com.
Ukraine aims to obtain an additional seven Patriot air defense batteries as soon as possible and has offered countries to loan the systems to Kyiv, Kuleba told the Washington Post (WP) in an interview published on April 10.

As Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine during the spring, the shortage of air defense systems in Ukrainian cities and villages is being felt more as Russian attacks have caused an uptick in casualties.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia launched over 400 missiles of various types, 600 Shahed drones, and 3,000 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine in March, causing severe damage to infrastructure.

Kyiv has ramped up its calls on allies to provide Ukraine with more air defenses, in particular, with U.S.-made Patriot systems that can intercept ballistic missiles.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine needs 25 Patriots to cover the country completely but Kuleba said he is initially focused on securing seven. This would be enough to protect Ukraine's largest cities and leave at least one battery to be closer to the battlefield.

Kuleba said that his team identified over 100 available Patriots abroad, adding that he "struggles to understand" why some countries refuse to transfer at least one of their systems to Ukraine.

Read also: Missiles hit Kyiv seconds after air raid alert, leaving people no time to shelter

Kuleba even offered countries to lend Patriots to Ukraine, promising to return the batteries as soon as needed.

"I feel myself hitting the wall with my own head, although I'm a diplomat, and that means I have to dismantle the wall brick by brick," Kuleba told WP.

"But since this kind of diplomacy doesn't work, I feel like hitting the wall. I just don't understand why it's not happening."

According to the minister, four countries in Europe and Asia have Patriots that could be sent to Ukraine immediately, but he also continues lobbying the U.S. to deliver its systems.

"Do you sincerely believe that the whole U.S. Army does not have one spare battery of Patriots that is not on combat duty and that cannot be given to Ukraine? I don't."

After Kuleba stressed Ukraine's need for Patriots at the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Belgium's capital on April 3-4, some of Kyiv's allies have pledged to look for air defense systems for Ukraine.

Read also: Can new security agreements forge Ukraines path to victory?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed House Bill 5, legislative Republicans marquee tough on crime piece of legislation this session.

If it becomes law, the bill would add new penalties for the homeless, shoplifters and vandals, carjackers, fentanyl dealers and violent offenders, the last of whom would go to prison for the rest of their lives after three strikes.

Beshear said in his veto message the bill includes some good parts, but those are paired with others that make the bill unwieldy, effectively criminalize homelessness in the state, and much too costly.

Backers of the bill call House Bill 5 the Safer Kentucky Act. Sponsored by Rep. Jared Bauman, R-Louisville, proponents say its an overdue tough measure after years of soft-hearted criminal justice reform in Kentucky that tried, with mixed success, to reduce inmate populations.

Bauman derided Beshears veto in a statement.

I hoped that he would take this opportunity to do the right thing as we work to address public safety, a fundamental obligation of government and an issue that unites Kentuckians regardless of where they live, Bauman wrote. Instead, he once again uses misinformation and fear-mongering to distract from the fact that his actions show he is more concerned about offending criminals than protecting innocent Kentuckians and advocating for victims.

Opponents of the bill say its ham-handed and point to the fact that Kentucky already has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, with chronic jail overcrowding.

One estimate on the bills cost runs all the way up to $1 billion over 10 years given the projected need for thousands of additional prison and jail beds.

The former director of the Fayette County Detention Center told the Herald-Leader that the state couldnt handle the financial burden of the state incarcerating more people.

What the financial cost of implementing would be, exactly, is uncertain.

That the legislature did not produce a fiscal impact statement that put a dollar amount on it was also a problem for Beshear, he said in his veto message.

The statement merely says that figure is indeterminable but likely a significant increase in expenditures primarily due to increased incarceration costs.

The majority of statehouse Republicans, who hold roughly 80% of all seats in the House and Senate, voted for the bill and are expected to override Beshears veto when they return to Frankfort for the final two days of the 2024 General Assembly on Friday and Monday.
KYLE, Texas (KXAN)  On Wednesday night, the Kyle community had a chance to participate in a collaborative discussion surrounding public safety concerns and expectations of the Kyle Police Department.

The meeting was from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 pm at Kyle City Hall. It was also live streamed, with the ability to ask questions and engage virtually.

Kyle Police Department Public Information and Community Engagement Specialist Ashlee Bradshaw said the meeting will help identify additional staffing and resource needs.

Everything that theyre getting from the community feedback with these events to our current call volume is going to be used to project and to determine what we need, Bradshaw said.

According to the City of Kyles website, the topics of discussion included:

Public safety issues

Community presence

Responsiveness

Proactive policing

The feedback you provide will play a vital role in identifying the staffing and resources needed to ensure public safety in our growing community, the website said.

During the 2023 budget season, Bradshaw said Kyle PD requested a staffing study for the next decade.

Matrix Consulting Group is leading that research.

We did a staffing plan for the Kyle Police Department five years ago, and the city grew so rapidly over that five year period. It was time to update and further the original analysis to reflect whats going on currently in the city, said Matrix Consulting Group Senior Manager Robert Finn.

Finn said they also sit down with investigators and officers from different divisions to understand their caseload.

How many calls animal control is running, what the workload is on the dispatch center, Finn said. Working with each one of those bureaus individually to understand their individual staffing needs, and how it all ties together for the overall policing of the community.

What was discussed?

A few questions for feedback from the community were:

What are your main public safety issues in Kyle? Property crimes, drugs, traffic violations?

Is the Kyle Police Department currently addressing your concerns related to public safety issues?

Are police officers currently visible in your neighborhood?

Do you feel safe in your neighborhood?

Do you have suggestions on how KPD can work more closely with the community?

Among those in the crowd Wednesday night were Mario and Anita Perez.

Their biggest public safety concern is speeding in their neighborhood.

Theres a bus stop near our corner, and were concerned about students waiting for their school bus. Mario Perez

The community feedback along with dispatch call data will help the consulting group create the staffing study.

Come up with something that is safe for everyone, Perez said.

According to the citys website, a second open house will be held on Saturday, April 20 at the Public Safety Center.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Staffers and members of multiple Southern California unions gathered on the stops of Los Angeles City Hall on Feb. 10 to call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and to urge union leadership to back their protest. (Jireh Deng / Los Angeles Times)

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor has joined the growing ranks of labor groups calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war following pressure from its rank-and-file members and staff of local Southern California unions.

"The death toll in Gaza has already been unbearable, and it threatens to spiral exponentially if the course of the war is not altered," the federation said in a recent statement. "We cannot bomb our way to peace."

The statement by the powerful Southern California labor group, which represents more than 300 local unions and other labor groups, reflects a shift among prominent American unions that have shown more willingness in recent months to speak out about the war.

Like the U.S. government, many major unions have long backed Israel and have been largely supportive since it declared war after Hamas militants attacked on Oct.7, killing about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking more than 240 others as hostages.

Israels bombardment and ground attacks have killed 33,000 Palestinians, around two-thirds of them women and children, according to Palestinian health officials. International aid officials say catastrophic hunger has gripped about one-third of Gazas population.

As the humanitarian crisis has deepened, labor leaders and politicians, including President Biden, have faced more pressure from activists to call for a cease-fire.

The United Auto Workers in December became among the first major union to do so, with others following suit.

In February, the L.A. Fed's parent organization, the AFL-CIO, issued its own statement calling for a "negotiated cease-fire in Gaza" while condemning the attacks on Oct. 7 and calling for "the immediate release of all hostages and provision of desperately needed shelter, food, medicine and other humanitarian assistance to Gazans."

In November, the 42-member executive board of the L.A. Fed declined to allow discussion among its delegates of a statement calling for a cease-fire, sources close to the union said.

The board changed course in March, approving a cease-fire proposal brought by SEIU United Healthcare Workers West that was supported by the organization's hundreds of delegates.

"We stand in solidarity with all workers fighting for justice and peace and join our union siblings worldwide in calling on President Joe Biden and Congress to push for an immediate cease-fire and end to the siege of Gaza," the federation said.

Repeated attacks by Israel's military on healthcare facilities, killing Palestinian doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff, was the impetus of the resolution, said Maky Peters, a regional political organizer at SEIU-UHW who helped to draft the statement.

"What moves the needle is the conditions," Peters said. "There was a movement of workers that created an atmosphere that made it impossible for the organization representing the voice of workers in the largest county in the nation to ignore."

Kristal Romero, a spokesperson for the L.A. Fed, said she could not comment on the board's decisions, adding that meetings are confidential.

"Numerous resolutions on any number of subjects outside of Gaza and a cease-fire are introduced to these bodies, and a lot of times just get voted up or down," she said. "There is no one reason as to why it got voted through this time, it's luck of the draw."

Cliff Smith, business manager of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 36, said action by leaders at the AFL-CIO and by the L.A. Fed has overdue.

"Due to the complete destruction of [Gaza's] infrastructure and attacks on their hospitals, it's an absolute atrocity and an embarrassment to the AFL-CIO for not having condemned this immediately," Smith said.

Major Hollywood unions, including SAG-AFTRA, issued statements in the fall condemning the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, but have remained silent on the subject of a cease-fire, reflecting divisions among members over how to respond to the war.

Members of SAG-AFTRA last month joined more than 1,000 protesters who converged on Hollywood, blocking traffic ahead of the Academy Awards ceremony to protest the war.

We are a union of storytellers and artists, it is amazing that we arent able to recognize the shared humanity of whats going on, said Sunil Malhotra, a voice actor who attended the rally. I think its long past time to find moral courage and clarity and step up.

The current conflict in the Middle East is an important and sensitive issue to many of our members and SAG-AFTRA has received several requests for public statements. Those requests are currently under review by union leadership," SAG-AFTRA spokesperson Pamela Greenwalt said in a statement.

Steve Smith, a spokesperson for the AFL-CIO, said it takes time for union leaders to consider a range of input before issuing a statement.

"We don't make unilateral decisions," he said. "For some folks it might not have happened soon enough; for others, they might have preferred it happened later  but thats union democracy."

In February, the Animation Guild  a local of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees  reportedly emerged as the first Hollywood union to publicly call for a cease-fire, citing similar stances taken by other labor organizations.

Times staff writer Christi Carras contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles school officials are investigating allegations that inappropriate photos were "created and disseminated within the Fairfax High School community," in what appears to be the latest alleged misuse of technology by students, a district statement said.

Last week, Laguna Beach High School administrators announced that they had launched an investigation after a student allegedly created and circulated inappropriate images of classmates through the use of artificial intelligence.

In January, five Beverly Hills eighth-graders were expelled for their involvement in the creation and sharing of fake nude pictures of classmates. The students superimposed pictures of classmates faces onto nude bodies generated by artificial intelligence. In total, 16 eighth-grade students were targeted by the pictures, which were shared through messaging apps, according to the district.

It was not immediately clear if AI was used in the incident at Fairfax High. The L.A. Unified School District did not provide that information in its statement.

"These allegations are taken seriously, do not reflect the values of the Los Angeles Unified community and will result in appropriate disciplinary action if warranted," the district said in the statement, which went out to parents Tuesday afternoon.

Based on a preliminary investigation, "the images were allegedly created and shared on a third-party messaging app unaffiliated with Los Angeles Unified," the district stated.

District officials called attention to their efforts to provide "digital citizenship" lessons to students from elementary through high school. In the statement, officials said the nation's second-largest school system "remains steadfast in providing training on the ethical use of technology  including AI  and is committed to enhancing education around digital citizenship, privacy and safety for all in our school communities."

In similar investigations, the local police department has been involved. L.A. Unified did not disclose whether Los Angeles police or school police have been involved in its investigation or whether diciplinary actions have been taken.

Deepfake technology can be used to combine photos of real people with computer-generated nude bodies. Such fake images can be produced using a cellphone.

A 16-year-old high school student in Calabasas said a former friend used AI to generate pornographic images of her and circulated them, KABC-TV reported last month. In January, AI-generated sexually explicit images of Taylor Swift were distributed on social media.

If a California student shares a nude photo of a classmate without consent, the student could conceivably be prosecuted under state laws dealing with child pornography and disorderly conduct, experts say. But these laws would not necessarily apply to an AI-generated deepfake.

Several federal bills have been proposed, including one that would make it illegal to produce and share AI-generated sexually explicit material without the consent of the individuals portrayed. Another bill would allow victims to sue.

In California, lawmakers have proposed extending prohibitions on revenge porn and child porn to computer-generated images.

School districts are trying to get a handle on the technology. This year, the Orange County Department of Education began leading monthly meetings with districts to talk about AI and how to integrate it into the education system.

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.
See What The Eclipse 'Caused' This L.A. Woman to Do To Her Own Kids

Updated as of 4/11/2024 at 8:30 a.m. ET



Ummm... so yall remember that crazy story about the lady who stabbed her boyfriend, threw her kids out of the car on the highway and then died in a car crash? Well, it gets crazier.

The 34-year-old mother, Danielle Johnson, was found dead in a car wreck near Redondo Beach in Los Angeles after police say she fatally stabbed her partner and threw her two daughters out of a moving vehicle. Only her 9-year-old survived; her infant died on the scene.

Questions loomed around Johnsons motivations. What she having a mental break? What drew her to this?

The DailyMail discovered just hours before the incidents, Johnson posted a series of concerning social media posts sounding alarms about an apocalypse connected to the eclipse. Her biography on X/Twitter describes her as an astrologer and Reiki Master Teacher.

This eclipse is the epitome of spiritual warfare. Get your protection on and your heart in the right place. The world is very obviously changing right now and if you ever needed to pick a side, the time to do right in your life is now. Stay strong you got this, she wrote the evening of April 4.

This eclipse is the epitome of spiritual warfare. Get your protection on and your heart in the right place.



The world is very obviously changing right now and if you ever needed to pick a side, the time to do right in your life is now. Stay strong you got this   Ayoka (@MysticxLipstick) April 4, 2024

Followed by this post were multiple claims that gods, devils and magic are real but religion or anything that parts personal interaction with the spirit world is not. She posted shortly before the eclipse, encouraging everyone on the timeline to WAKE UP! because THE APOCALYPSE IS HERE.

Three days after her last post on April 5, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a fatal car wreck after Johnson crashed into a tree.

Read What Happened:

Police said in the early hours of Monday morning, the 34-year-old mother of two got in an argument with 29-year-old Jaelen Chaney, a man whom she lived with, and attacked him with a knife around 3:30 a.m. Chaney succumbed to his injuries on the scene.

Neighbors called the police around 7:30 a.m to report that the door of the home was left open. Thats when police found Chaneys body and launched a homicide investigation.



Johnson hadalready fled the scene in a dark-colored Porsche SUV with her 9-year-old and 8-month-old girls down Interstate 405 shortly after the stabbing.

Around 4:30 a.m., the SUV was located driving down the Freeway when the two children were expelled from the vehicle while it was moving. They were found alongside the highway near Howard Hughes Parkway. The 9-year-old girl sustained moderate injuries from the fall and was transferred to the hospital. However, the infant did not survive the incident.

Johnson continued down the highway in her vehicle at 100 miles per hour through Redondo Beach when she crashed into a tree, police said.

LAPD Homicide detectives, California Highway Patrol and Redondo Beach Police worked together to figure out the deceased driver was connected to the previous incidents involving the children and Chaney.

Anyone with additional information that may further aid in this investigation is asked to contact Operations Valley Bureau Homicide Detectives at (818) 374-9550.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Henderson and Boulder City residents will have to drive a little further starting in 2026 if they need to do Department of Motor Vehicles paperwork, but the staff points out that most of it can be done online.

8 News Now first reported the closing of the Henderson DMV building and now a DMV spokesperson is catching residents up to speed on the address and groundbreaking date.

The southeast corner of West Silverado Ranch and South Valley View Boulevards will have a groundbreaking on May 7 for the new office location for the Henderson DMV, planned for a grand opening in the fall of 2026, according to Nevada DMV spokesperson Hailey Foster.

The southeast corner of West Silverado Ranch and South Valley View Boulevards will have a groundbreaking on May 7 for the new office location for the Henderson DMV, planned for a grand opening in the fall of 2026, according to Nevada DMV spokesperson Hailey Foster. (KLAS)

The southeast corner of West Silverado Ranch and South Valley View Boulevards will have a groundbreaking on May 7 for the new office location for the Henderson DMV, planned for a grand opening in the fall of 2026, according to Nevada DMV spokesperson Hailey Foster. (KLAS)

Its going to be way larger in size, Foster said. We will be able to help more folks who do make those appointments, so overall we are really excited for it.

The size and acoustics of the building have been noted as issues by Nevada DMV staff, but Foster pointed out that their online services are also available for customers seeking appointments.

There is never a line online, she said. If you are able to do those transactions online, we really want you guys to because again it saves time.

One of the newest services announced is WaitWell, a line management software, intended to streamline the process of waiting at the Nevada DMV.

Its going to be way larger in size. We will be able to help more folks who do make those appointments, so overall we are really excited for it, Nevada DMV spokesperson Hailey Foster shared. (KLAS)

We are bringing WaitWell to the DMV, Foster said. We actually have this rolled out in our Reno, Fallon, and Carson City offices.

When customers who use WaitWell go into the Nevada DMV office they will now be able to skip the information desk and instead scan a QR code before sitting down for their appointment.

Currently, the program is only available in Northern Nevada but Foster said Nevada DMV offices in Clark County should see the new software in use next week.

The WaitWell program does warn users staff are still adjusting to the new software and asks customers to be patient during this transition.

One of the newest services announced is WaitWell, a line management software, intended to streamline the process of waiting at the Nevada DMV. (KLAS)

WaitWell appointment services offered:

Instruction permits

Identification card

Reinstatement/suspension

Knowledge/written testing

Vehicle (general)

Drivers license (general)

Note: Currently only available in Carson City, Fallon, and Reno counties

Quite A Drive

The decision to move the Henderson Nevada DMV location nearly 12 miles west is driving some residents concerns.

Several Nevada DMV customers spoke with 8 News Now about the announced shift and each said they thought the office relocation would block a community resource.

I feel like its a bad decision because thats so far, Monica Souza, a Henderson resident, said. Downtown Henderson, Cadence, and the Cadence area is growing so quickly and so fast and so big they are really going to have a hard time keeping up with it.

Several Nevada DMV customers such as Monica Souza spoke with 8 News Now about the announced shift and each said they thought the office relocation would block a community resource. (KLAS)

Souza pointed out she has relied on the Nevada DMV kiosks for taking care of her paperwork but said the needs of residents in Boulder City will be that much higher.

I exclusively come to this DMV, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Palestinians mourn over the bodies of their relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at the morgue of Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Ismael Abu Dayyah)

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, according to Israel's army and the militant group's official media, with Haniyeh accusing Israel of acting in the spirit of revenge and murder.

The Israeli military confirmed it carried out the attack Wednesday, saying the men conducted militant activity in central Gaza, without elaborating. Hamas said four of the leaders grandchildren were also killed.

In an interview with the Al Jazeera satellite channel, Haniyeh said the killings would not pressure Hamas into softening its positions amid ongoing cease-fire negotiations with Israel, brokered by international mediators.

Haniyeh left Gaza in 2019 and lives in exile in Qatar. The top Hamas leader in Gaza is Yehya Sinwar, who masterminded the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that sparked the war. Some 1,200 people were killed in the attack, mostly civilians, and Palestinian militants took around 250 people hostage.

Israel's six-month war against Hamas has devastated the Gaza Strip and pushed the tiny Palestinian territory into a humanitarian crisis, leaving more than 1 million people on the brink of starvation.

Israeli bombardments and ground offensives have killed at least 33,360 Palestinians and wounded 74,993, Gazas Health Ministry says. The ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants in its tally, but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Currently:

 An Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills 3 sons and 4 grandchildren of top Hamas leader

 Trump renews criticism of Jewish voters who back Biden: Should have their head examined

 Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr in the shadow of Gazas misery

 Israel threatens to strike Iran directly if Iran launches attack from its territory

 At U.N. court, Germany rejects allegations that its facilitating acts of genocide in Gaza

 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Here's the latest:

BIDEN VOWS IRONCLAD SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AS IRAN THREATENS TO STRIKE

WASHINGTON  U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized his country's ironclad support for Israel on Wednesday as Iran vows to retaliate for this months deadly strike on the Iranian Consulate in Syria.

The U.S. military believes Israel carried out the airstrike on Iran's diplomatic station, which killed two top generals and others. Israel has not commented on the attack, however Tehran says it holds Israel responsible. The White House says it had no prior knowledge of the operation, but has repeatedly promised to back Israel in the face of Iranian threats.

Biden spoke Wednesday alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is in Washington for an official visit.

We also want to address the Iranian threat  to launch a significant attack on Israel, Biden said during a joint news conference.

Our commitment to Israels security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad. We say it again, ironclad, and were going to do all we can to protect Israels security, Biden said.

Earlier Wednesday, Irans supreme leader repeated a promise to retaliate against Israel. And Israels foreign minister threatened Wednesday that his countrys forces would strike Iran directly if the Islamic Republic launched an attack from its territory against Israel.

Since the Israel's war in Gaza against Hamas began six months ago, there have been near-daily exchanges of fire along the Israel-Lebanon border between Israeli forces and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.

Tehran also backs an umbrella group of Iraqi militias that have attacked U.S. military bases and positions in Syria and Iraq.

FOOD AID CHARITY SAYS ISRAELI STRIKE WOUNDED PALESTINIAN STAFFER ON SAME DAY AS DEADLY CONVOY ATTACKS

JERUSALEM  A off-duty Palestinian staff member with the food aid charity World Central Kitchen was badly wounded by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on April 1, the same day seven other staffers were killed in a separate Israeli attack.

The staffer, identified only as Amro, was pulled from the rubble of a residence after an Israeli strike hit a nearby mosque, in the vicinity of a WCK warehouse and kitchen, the charity said Wednesday. He spent time in a coma, and WCK said is still recovering in a hospital from head and hand injuries.

Amro had joined WCK at the start of the year, the charity said in a statement, and before the war had owned a sweet shop that was destroyed by Israeli bombardments.

The statement said Amro turned down chances to leave Gaza several times: He always says, I am here serving people hot food every day. I will not leave my job and let them suffer.

On April 1, Israeli airstrikes on an aid convoy killed seven WCK workers  six foreigners and one Palestinian. Israel says the deaths were a tragic error. WCK laid the blame squarely on Israel's military, saying the army had coordinated over the movement of the cars carrying the workers as they left northern Gaza.

Nearly every day, strikes level buildings with Palestinian families inside, killing men, women and children, with no explanation of the target or independent accountability over the proportionality of the strike. Israel blames the large number of civilian casualties on militants, saying they operate among the population.

ISRAEL PLANS TO OPEN A NEW ENTRY POINT FOR AID INTO NORTHERN GAZA INSTEAD OF THE DAMAGED EREZ CROSSING

TEL AVIV, Israel  Israel will soon open a new crossing to deliver humanitarian aid into the hard-hit northern Gaza Strip, Israels Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday.

Gallants announcement comes at a time of heavy U.S. pressure to increase the flow of desperately needed aid into Gaza. Earlier Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden said Israels efforts are still not enough.

Israeli officials say the new crossing will be built instead of using the damaged Erez crossing, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged last week to open. Erez was destroyed by Hamas militants during their Oct. 7 attack and was designed for pedestrians, not cargo, according to COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of Palestinian civilian affairs.

An official from COGAT said the new crossing would be close to the beachfront on Gazas northern tip. It was not clear exactly when the crossing will be opened. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

At a briefing with reporters, Gallant said Israel plans a number of additional steps to improve the humanitarian situation  including using its port in the southern Israeli city of Ashdod to accept aid shipments for the Palestinians. It was not clear when the port would open.

He also says Israel will allow Jordan to deliver more aid to Gaza, and that Israel is working with the U.S. on infrastructure projects such as new water lines.

Israel faces pressure from the U.S. to increase aid into Gaza, where its offensive has wreaked an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Aid groups say supplies are not reaching people quickly enough, blaming Israeli restrictions and noting that thousands of trucks are waiting to enter Gaza.

___

Associated Press writer Julia Frankel contributed.

BIDEN SAYS ISRAEL STILL NOT DOING ENOUGH TO GET AID INTO GAZA

WASHINGTON  U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Well see what he does in terms of meeting the commitments that he made to me, Biden said at the White House.

Biden has warned Netanyahu that future U.S. support for the war depends on swift implementation of new steps to protect civilians and aid workers. Although the flow of trucks has increased since Biden spoke with Netanyahu last week, the U.S. president said Israel should open another access point in Gazas north.

Israel halted aid deliveries to Gaza in the early days of the war, but under U.S. pressure has slowly increased the number of trucks allowed to enter the territory.

Still, aid groups say supplies are not reaching desperate people quickly enough, blaming Israeli restrictions and noting that thousands of trucks are waiting to enter Gaza. Countries have attempted less efficient ways to deliver aid, including airdrops and by sea.

IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER AGAIN PLEDGES RETALIATION AGAINST ISRAEL OVER KILLINGS OF IRANIAN GENERALS

JERUSALEM  Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei again promised to retaliate against Israel over the killings of Iranian generals in a strike on its consulate in Syria.

Khamenei spoke Wednesday at a prayer ceremony in Tehran celebrating the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday and the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. He said last weeks attack on Irans consulate in Damascus, widely blamed on Israel, was akin to an attack on Iranian territory. The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished, he added.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz appeared to respond, posting on social platform X in both Farsi and Hebrew: If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran.

The strike on April 1 killed 12 people, including seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard members, four Syrians and a Hezbollah militia member. Israel has not acknowledged its involvement, though it has been bracing for an Iranian response to the attack, which marked a significant escalation in their long-running shadow war.

Iran supports anti-Israeli militant groups like Hamas, who are battling Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, as well as the Lebanese Hezbollah.

BIDEN CALLS NETANYAHU'S APPROACH TO WAR AGAINST HAMAS A MISTAKE

TEL AVIV, Israel  U.S. President Joe Biden says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus approach to the war against Hamas is mistaken.

Bidens remarks in an interview that aired late Tuesday deepen an already growing rift between the two staunch allies over the war, now in its seventh month. Those disagreements have compounded over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, Israels expected offensive in the city of Rafah and Israels recent strike on a humanitarian convoy, which killed seven aid workers, most of them foreigners.

What hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach, Biden told U.S. Spanish-language broadcaster Univision in an interview conducted on April 3, two days after the strike on the World Central Kitchen aid convoy. He was responding to a question about whether Netanyahu was letting political considerations steer his decision-making in the war.

Biden said Israel should agree to a cease-fire, flood beleaguered Gaza with aid for the next six to eight weeks and allow regional countries to help distribute the aid. It should be done now, he said.

The Biden administration was outspoken in its support for Israel following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, but in recent weeks has stepped up criticism of Israels approach to the war.

Israel and Hamas are holding talks meant to bring about a cease-fire in exchange for the release of hostages, although the sides still disagree on key terms of a deal.

AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CRITICIZED FOR SUGGESTING POSSIBLE RECOGNITION OF A PALESTINIAN STATE

MELBOURNE, Australia  Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is facing criticism after she raised the prospect of Australia recognizing a Palestinian state.

Wong said in a speech late Tuesday that recognizing Palestinian statehood could be the only way to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East and build momentum toward a two-state solution amid ongoing conflict between Palestinians and Israel. She said Wednesday she wasnt changing Australias position, but was starting a conversation.

Weve made no such decision. The discussion I want to have is to look at what is happening in the international community where there is the very important debate about how it is we secure long-lasting peace in a region which has known so much conflict, Wong told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Wong said Hamas must free hostages and that the militant group would have no place in a Palestinian state. She also said there needed to be an immediate humanitarian cease-fire so that aid could be delivered to Gaza. And she urged Israel not to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah because of the risk to civilians.

Both Australias center-left Labor Party government and the conservative opposition parties support a two-party solution in the Middle East.

But opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs Simon Birmingham called it downright dangerous to reward (Hamas for its Oct. 7 attack on Israel) with a fast track to recognition of statehood."

ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE ON HOME IN CENTRAL GAZA KILLS 11 PEOPLE

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  An Israeli airstrike hit a home in central Gaza on Tuesday evening, killing at least 11 people, including seven women and children, hospital officials said.

After the strike hit in the town of Zawaida, Associated Press footage showed one man carrying the limp body of a little girl and laying her with the bodies of other dead children on the floor at the main hospital in nearby Deir al-Balah. Hospital officials said the dead included five children and two women.

The strike came as the Israeli military withdrew its forces from the southern city of Khan Younis this week, ending a monthslong ground assault that left large parts of the city in ruins. Still, airstrikes have continued in the past days, including in Gazas southernmost city of Rafah, where Israel says it plans to launch its next ground assault.

FAMILIES OF HOSTAGES HELD IN GAZA MEET WITH U.S. VICE PRESIDENT

WASHINGTON  Several family members of hostages held by Hamas met with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Tuesday and urged for a deal that would release their loved ones and implement a temporary cease-fire in Gaza.

The only hope for peace is through the release of all the hostages now, said Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of American hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen. On a potential hostage agreement, Dekel-Chen stressed that the world is waiting for Hamas to get to yes.

Rachel Goldberg, the mother of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, called the meeting with Harris very productive. She expressed gratitude to the White House and lawmakers for their support, but added: We need results. We need our people home.

You can believe as we do that it is horrible that innocent civilians in Gaza are suffering, Goldberg said. And at the same time, you can also know that it is horrible and against international law for hostages to be held against their will.

During the meeting, Harris emphasized that she and President Joe Biden have no higher priority than reuniting the hostages with their loved ones, according to a White House readout, as she gave an update on the administrations efforts on a hostage deal.

U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY TELLS CONGRESS THAT ISRAEL IS TAKING STEPS TO BOOST AID TO GAZA

WASHINGTON  U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Congress Tuesday that pressure on Israel to improve humanitarian aid to Gaza appears to be working, but he said more must be done and it remains to be seen if the improvement will continue.

It clearly had an effect. We have seen changes in behavior, and we have seen more humanitarian assistance being pushed into Gaza, Austin said in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Hopefully that trend will continue.

Austins comments came during a session that was interrupted several times by protesters shouting at him to stop sending weapons to Israel. Stop the genocide, they said, as they lifted their hands, stained in red, in the air. A number of senators also decried the civilian casualties, saying the administration needs to do more to press Israel to protect the population in Gaza.

In response, Austin said he spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on Monday and that he repeated U.S. insistence that Israel must move civilians out of the battlespace in Gaza and properly care for them.

Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown Jr. were testifying on Capitol Hill about the Pentagons $850 billion budget for 2025.

BLINKEN SAYS ISRAEL HASN'T TOLD U.S. ABOUT ANY SPECIFIC DATE TO LAUNCH RAFAH INVASION

WASHIGNTON  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said Israel has not apprised the U.S. of any specific date for the start of a major offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, but added that American and Israeli officials remained in contact to try to ensure that any kind of major military operation doesnt do real harm to civilians.

Blinken spoke a day after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed that a date has been set to invade Rafah. The city is filled with around 1.4 million Palestinians, most of whom are displaced from other parts of the Gaza Strip. The United States, Israels closest ally, has said a ground operation into Rafah would be a mistake and has demanded to see a credible plan to protect civilians.

Washington has also been applying pressure on Israel to improve humanitarian aid to Gaza, where half the population is starving and on the brink of famine due to Israels tight restrictions on allowing aid trucks through.

Were looking at a number of critical things that need to happen in the coming days, Blinken said, referring to recent Israeli announcements on the opening of new aid routes into Gaza and more active efforts to avoid casualties to both civilians and humanitarian relief workers. But what matters is results and sustained results and this is what we will be looking at very carefully in the days ahead.

That includes getting assistance in and distributed to all of the territory not just in the south, or in central Gaza. It has to get to the north as well, he said.

FRANCE USING ALL INFLUENCE TO PERSUADE ISRAEL TO OPEN GAZA CROSSINGS TO AID CONVOYS

PARIS  Frances foreign minister says his country is using all levels of influence, including threats of sanctions, to force Israel to open crossings with Gaza for vital humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians.

France was the first country to propose European Union sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said in an interview Tuesday with French broadcasters RFI and FRANCE 24.

He added: We have multiple ways to utilize our influence, obviously, we can provide more sanctions  to let humanitarian aid convoys cross checkpoints and reach people in Gaza.

Sejourne did not elaborate on what kind of sanctions he was referring to. It is highly unlikely that France would impose any eventual sanctions without broader EU support, and the EU has been divided over policy toward Israel.

ISRAEL SHOOTS DOWN A DRONE OVER THE RED SEA

JERUSALEM  Israel shot down a drone over the Red Sea overnight in what the military described as the first deployment of its naval Iron Dome missile defense system.

The military said that a Corvette warship shot down the drone as it flew east over waters near the southern Israeli city of Eilat. The military released grainy aerial footage of the missile making contact with an aircraft.

It was not immediately clear who was directing the drone. Yemens Houthi rebels have been conducting near daily attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, launching drones and missiles from rebel-held areas of Yemen.

The Israeli defense system, called the C-Dome, is a naval version of the Iron Dome, which has been used to shoot down rockets fired from the Gaza Strip for the past decade.

TURKEY AND ISRAEL PUTTING UP TRADE BARRIERS AS RELATIONS DETERIORATE

JERUSALEM  Foreign Minister Israel Katz says Israel is preparing a ban on products from Turkey after Ankara announced it was restricting exports to Israel.

Turkey said earlier Tuesday it is restricting exports of dozens of products to Israel, including aluminum, steel, construction products and chemical fertilizers. It said it would continue the measures until Israel declares a cease-fire and allows the uninterrupted flow of aid to Gaza.

Katz said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is sacrificing the economic interests of his citizens for his support of Hamas."

Relations between Turkey and Israel have been frosty for years, although trade ties between the two countries are strong.

NATO-member Turkey is among the strongest critics of Israels military actions in Gaza.

Erdogan has repeatedly called for an immediate cease-fire and accused Israel of committing genocide in its military campaign in Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry had no additional comment.
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4)  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Tuesday that public tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple would begin on Saturday, April 13.

The free public tours are scheduled to run from April 13 through May 18, except on Sundays. The church recommended that visitors reserve a timeslot in advance online.

The temple was first announced in October of 2019 and ground was first broken at the site in October of 2020. The temple is scheduled to be dedicated later this year, on June 2, according to Church Newsroom.

READ NEXT: Latter-day Saints President Nelson announces 15 new temples during April 2024 general conference

An undated photo of the exterior of the Taylorsville Utah Temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that public tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple would begin on Saturday, April 13, 2024, and continue through May 18, 2024.

An undated photo of the interior of the Taylorsville Utah Temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that public tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple would begin on Saturday, April 13, 2024, and continue through May 18, 2024.

An undated photo of the interior of the Taylorsville Utah Temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that public tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple would begin on Saturday, April 13, 2024, and continue through May 18, 2024.

An undated photo of the exterior of the Taylorsville Utah Temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that public tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple would begin on Saturday, April 13, 2024, and continue through May 18, 2024.

An undated photo of the interior of the Taylorsville Utah Temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that public tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple would begin on Saturday, April 13, 2024, and continue through May 18, 2024.

An undated photo of the interior of the Taylorsville Utah Temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that public tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple would begin on Saturday, April 13, 2024, and continue through May 18, 2024.

An undated photo of the exterior of the Taylorsville Utah Temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that public tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple would begin on Saturday, April 13, 2024, and continue through May 18, 2024.

An undated photo of the interior of the Taylorsville Utah Temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that public tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple would begin on Saturday, April 13, 2024, and continue through May 18, 2024.

An undated photo of the interior of the Taylorsville Utah Temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that public tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple would begin on Saturday, April 13, 2024, and continue through May 18, 2024.

A temple is considered a house of the Lord, where the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other sacred agreements that unite families for eternity, the church said in a press release.

The church said the architectural style of the temple was inspired by local pioneer tabernacles. Inside the temple, the colors used were intended to reflect the colors of the valley and the surrounding area of the temple.

The church said the new Taylorsville temple is one of 30 temples throughout the state of Utah that was officially dedicated, or otherwise under construction or renovation.

Public tours at the Taylorsville Temple are scheduled to begin exactly one week after the churchs annual general conference that was broadcast around the world. On the second day of the conference, the churchs president announced 15 new temples the church plans to build.

Of the 15 new temples most recently announced by the church, two more are expected to come to Utah  with a Latter-day Saint temple planned to be built in Lehi and another expected in West Jordan.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Following a string of Apache helicopter crashes, the Army announced mandatory training for all pilots Wednesday to reverse the trend.

The mandatory training follows 11 helicopter crashes in six months, including one in late March that injured two on Fort Carson. The two soldiers suffered minor injuries. A C-12 airplane also crashed in the same time frame.

In 2023, the Army saw nine aviation incidents involving a fatality or loss of equipment, officials said.

Officials said Wednesday morning the training, called a safety stand up, will cover risk mitigation at a decision-maker level, power management and spatial orientation, Director of Army Aviation Gen. Walter Rueben said. Pilots will not be grounded.

"We want to make sure we reverse the trend. We want to be more empowering to the force," he said.

The Army has a total of five open helicopter crash investigations, all of which occurred in the first few months of 2024  including the Apache crash at Fort Carson.

Army officials said Wednesday that "no stone would be left unturned," as investigative efforts continue. It is unclear whether human or mechanical error caused the crashes.

Rueben said active-duty components will have 30 days to complete the required training, and reserve components will have 60 days. The safety standup will not impact ongoing missions or operations.

Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

"We want to empower the force at the lowest level to solve these problems," Rueben said. "We've been deliberate to not have a quick-trigger stand down."

In late March the Army had two crashes in quick succession.

On March 25, an Army AH-64E Apache helicopter crashed at a military base in Washington state during a training exercise, sending the two pilots to a hospital, according to the Associated Press.

Just two days later on the evening of March 27, two soldiers with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs were injured in an Apache helicopter crash on post. The brigade was then grounded for about a one week.

Colorado Springs has also lost a soldier to the recent crashes.

On April 27, 2023, Colorado Springs native and Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle McKenna died in an Apache crash after colliding with another aircraft while flying back to Fort Wainwright, Alaska on a training mission.
A massive energy bill sailed its way out of a Senate committee as efforts to better understand the measure or allow for more public input and transparency were voted down.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee discussion Tuesday, Sen. Wes Climer, R-York, fought to recommit the South Carolina Energy Security Act back to a subcommittee, where policymakers could have more time to ask questions and develop a more comprehensive understanding of the bills contents. His effort, however, failed as the committee voted to advance the measure to the Senate floor by a vote of 12-4.

There are 23 members on the (Senate) judiciary committee, Climer said. Not a single member on that committee knows what they voted on today. The people of South Carolina deserve more scrutiny on this issue than they got in the judiciary committee today.

While all committee members are likely familiar with a part of the bill involving a joint natural gas plant between Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper, Climer said, 70 other pages in the measure include many other elements his colleagues are ignorant of.

Were talking about a haphazard process on a bill that is ultimately going to touch, I would suspect, tens of billions of dollars in private investment and all five and half million South Carolinians, Climer said.

It was clear from early in Tuesdays meeting that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Luke Rankin, R-Horry, had every intention of moving the bill forward. As such, he and state Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, heavily opposed Climers position. Malloy was unabashedly adamant about advancing the bill even while admitting he hadnt read it.

I think nobody has read this bill, nobody, Malloy said. To which Climer responded, Thats a pretty good reason to give it fair consideration before we vote on it, right?

Malloy argued the best approach in handling the complex measure was to advance it, even if a member opposes it, and then use Senate rules to stop it, if necessary.

If you dont like (the bill) you object to it, you can move to carry over, continue, recommit or table it, Malloy said. You have many opportunities in the process to stop or delay a bill, so unless were trying to kill (the bill) you dont put it back in committee without having a pathway forward.

That path, however, creates a lack of transparency because once a bill advances out of a committee, it cannot hold additional hearings on the matter before the public, according to Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort.

There will be no further public hearings, Davis said. If the bill has moved out of the Judiciary Committee, it has no jurisdiction over it. It couldnt hold committee or subcommittee meetings if it wanted to. The only way there could be further public debate is when the bill is taken up and amendments are offered (on the Senate floor).

Rankin said he wasnt rushing the bill, but said it was important his committee advance it in light of the states growing energy needs.

If we languish in this ongoing debate at the peril of folks who want generation and solar, were doing a disservice to our ratepayers, Rankin said.

Still, Climer maintains it was the wrong move.

I dont understand it but apparently there is a desire by some to move all of these conversations (related to H. 5118) behind closed doors, and I think thats a mistake, Climer said.

Other committee members voiced concerns about a lack of public input.

I think its very important that we do hear from stakeholders, and I know written testimony is on the record, but there are questions from people who would like to be heard, who, quite frankly, were not heard during the subcommittee meetings, said state Sen. Tameika Devine, D-Richland.

The committee on Tuesday approved an amendment, given to the members just before the meeting from the subcommittee, which included keeping the number of PSC commissioners at seven as opposed to the three proposed in the House bill. It also removed exclusive jurisdiction from the Supreme Court over regulatory appeals. Now, appeals from PSC determinations will first go to administrative court so as to create a record by which the Supreme Court can review.

Tension points

Davis, who is not a member of the judiciary committee, but sat in on a portion of the meeting and shared with members several tension points existing within the bill.

Those points included certain legislative findings of facts by the House, which Davis says are too specific. Specifically, Davis advised determining what sort of gas generation plant is need and its site are overreaching, and should be left to the Public Service Commission to decide.

Another point involved proposals to transition from coal to cleaner energy generation. Davis said moving to cleaner energy sources should occur if a replacement source is already available.

He also mentioned the importance of the PSC receiving enough funding so as to hire their own utility experts, rather than relying on ones offered up to the PSC by utilities.

Whats next for SC Energy Security Act

Now, that the South Carolina Energy Security Act has cleared the judiciary committee, it will head to the Senate floor for debate. In the meantime, Rankin suggested forming a working group to afford members more opportunity to seek clarity on the bill.

In addition, Davis said hell be working with a group of energy stakeholders, including utilities, energy cooperatives, independent power producers, environmentalists and rate payers to iron out portions of the bill that relate to their respective interests.

Neither Rankins working group or Davis meetings with stakeholders will be held publicly, however.

With roughly four weeks of the legislative session remaining, and the need for the Senate to approve the House budget first, Rankin said the bill wont be touched for at least the next six days. Other members said it could take approximately three weeks before the Senate could take up the bill in light of the Upper Chambers calendar.

Davis, who sponsored a companion energy bill, S. 909, said hes reworking that measure to serve as an amendment to the House version. He added that while he wanted to raise amendments to H. 5118 during committee, he was asked by Rankin to save those amendments for the Senate floor.

If there is not a consensus or an agreement among the stake holder groups that advances the important objectives of all those groups then Im not going to be for this bill moving forward.

Davis said he anticipates an argument for passing a skinny bill that just authorizes the construction of a gas plant. That isnt going to work, he said.

Im not going to be okay with the bill taking a rifle shot at one or two things that maybe one of the stakeholder groups want, Davis said.
Lawmakers are furious at Mayor Eric Adams crackdown on communications between city agencies and elected officials  including the NYPD  with some calling the new process bureaucratic BS.

Theyre treating the council the same way they treat the press: with mistrust and disdain, one source told the Post.

The city set up a two-page Google Form asking 14 questions to elected officials, including the purpose of the request, their office address and phone number.

The city set up a two-page Google Form asking 14 questions to elected officials, including the purpose of the request, their office address and phone number. Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com

Council members  who have recently butt heads with the Adams administration over legislation and the citys budget  say they were left in the dark about the website, launched Friday, until this week.

Six pages of BS. And theres no communication about it either. Some people think its for everything: meeting with your precinct commander, or with your local school principal. Its beyond ridiculous, and just more bureaucratic BS to deal with, another source told the Post.

The source also raised concerns about the independence of the review process, begging the question: Who is going to be checking and approving this?

Council member Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan) was fuming about the decision and kept it simple when she told City Hall reporters: Im not filling out any forms.

This is totally unnecessary. Because thats just what we needed: more bureaucracy when were just trying to get something simple fixed. Bad move, Council member Robert Holden (D-Queens) said on X.

Confusion over when to use the form has also mounted.

This is just, to me, creating more red tape, Councilmember Rita Joseph. Getty Images for Georgie Badiel Foundation

I got new garbage cans, and was requesting a picture with the [sanitation] commissioner and they said Youve got to fill out this form, Council Member Rita Joseph told Politico.

The city stressed that the page was for meetings and events rather than immediate issues.

We must ensure that we have the right processes in place to streamline our services and maximize our resources, a City Hall spokesperson said.

We are dedicated to implementing strategies that allow us to coordinate more efficiently and maintain our responsiveness to all members of the public.

Joseph snapped: This is just, to me, creating more red tape.

An email obtained by THE CITY lists the types of engagement, including: meetings with commissioners or executive directors, meetings with senior level agency staff, requests to tour districts, requests to attend events, requests to attend task force meetings, requests [for] take part in interagency meetings (more than one agency) official letter correspondence, requests to discuss enforcement, any other requests outside the scope of daily operations involving constituent matters or issues.

All the requests will go through the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, the email noted.

For New Yorkers, raising an issue with lawmakers could be stalled and negotiations over legislation may be slowed.

Im sure the more savvy commissioners will ignore it, a source familiar with intergovernmental affairs told Politico.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  On Tuesday night, April 9, the Stratmoor Hills Fire District is hosting its first meeting for the Colorado Interagency Junior Firefighter Program.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Stratmoor Hills Fire Station located at 2160 B Street.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: New junior firefighter program for teens

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a firefighter? Do you want to have fun and make new friends? Are you 14 to 18 years old? Bring your parents and join us on April 9th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Stratmoor Hills Fire Station to find out more about the Junior Firefighter Program, according to a flyer posted to Facebook.

Courtesy: Stratmoor Hills Fire District

Those in attendance can enjoy refreshments and fill out an application if interested. For more information, you can call (719) 576-1200.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
At least 4 dead in explosion at hydroelectric plant in Italys Bologna

A general view shows the Enel hydroelectric power plant after a fatal explosion and fire, in Bargi, Italy (EPA)

At least four people died and five others sustained injuries in an explosion at a hydroelectric plant in northern Italy.

Four people were unaccounted for following Tuesday's explosion at the decades-old plant near Bologna, said regional fire chief Francesco Notaro.

The explosion took place at power company Enel's Bergi plant during maintenance work, which led to the collapse of part of the nine-story underground structure. The incident provoked a fire and caused flooding at depths of up to 60m, Mr Notaro told SKY TG24.

The fire brigade said earlier that an explosion had occurred around 3pm (local time) at a dam on Lake Suviana, one of three artificial lakes that feed the power station.

Rescuers work at the scene of an explosion that occurred in a hydroelectric power plant on the Lake Suviana reservoir (EPA)

Search efforts were proceeding with care due to the risk of additional collapsing, he said, adding that the divers were aiding the search, which went through the night.

"Our world collapsed," said Marco Masinara, the mayor of the nearby town of Camugnano. "This is a historic power plant for us. It has been managed by Enel for 50 years, providing jobs for many families," the mayor told the broadcaster.

"Until today, nothing ever happened."

Three of the people who died were aged between 35 and 73, according to reports. Three people were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, the fire chief said.

A firefighter works at the site after a blast at a hydroelectric power plant in Bargi, Italy (VIA REUTERS)

Video provided by firefighters showed smoke rising from underground at the lakeside power plant.

A diver involved in the search and rescue operation said he reached the seventh floor below the surface but could not get hold of the three people trapped further down.

Giuseppe Amato, the city's chief prosecutor, said an investigation would be launched once the plant was declared safe and the missing people were found.

The artificial Suviana Lake was formed by the construction of a dam from 1928-32 and located in a regional park at an altitude of 500m, some 70km southwest of Bologna.

Enel Green Power said in a statement that there was no damage to the dam as chief executive Salvatore Bernabei traveled to the site to follow developments. The company expressed condolences to the victims and their families.

Prime minister Giorgia Meloni said she was following the "terrible" news and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.

"Thanks to the firefighters who promptly intervened, to the rescuers and to those who are working in these hours in the search for the missing," she said on X.

In a high profile accident in February, five workers were killed and three seriously injured while building a supermarket in the city of Florence.
Letitia James is not done with Donald Trump. Now she wants to know if he withheld evidence in her fraud case.

Letitia James won a $454 million fraud judgment against Trump in February.

She and Trump are now fighting over her claims that he withheld evidence from her fraud probe.

NY law lets James seek additional fines if evidence that she subpoenaed was lost or destroyed.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is not content to rest on her $454 million victory in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial, even as Trump's legal debt keeps snowballing.

No, James still has some unfinished Trump business on her calendar.

She is asking hard questions about the $175 million bond that would safeguard at least some of what Trump owes New York while he appeals the case. A hearing on the bond's financial soundness is set for April 22.

James is also intent on holding Trump's feet to the fire over something her office has complained about for four years: the withholding of evidence.

In a letter from Tuesday night, she argued that the integrity of the fraud trial may be at stake.

James is looking at three internal Trump Organization email chains from 2016 that she says were never turned over to her office during the five years she investigated whether Trump inflated his net worth.

James is sure the emails exist.

Manhattan prosecutors used them as evidence in arguing that Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's chief financial officer, committed perjury. He was sentenced to five years in jail this week.

But the emails  in which Weisselberg and his Trump Organization underlings responded to questions from Forbes about the value of Trump's Manhattan triplex penthouse  were not among the 900,000 documents the organization turned over to James' fraud probe.

"The Court is well within its authority to determine if Defendants and their counsel facilitated that perjury by withholding of incriminating documents," James argued in Tuesday night's letter.

Solving that mystery is "certainly within the power of this Court to safeguard the integrity of its own proceedings," she added.

A forensic review

In a letter from October, after James first found out about the missing triplex emails, she immediately asked the trial judge, Justice Arthur Engoron, to order a forensic review of "electronic data held by the Trump Organization for the very brief period [of] August to September of 2016."

"The failure to produce these later emails indicates a breakdown somewhere in the process of preserving, collecting, reviewing, and producing documents," the letter said.

James proposed the forensic review be conducted by the court-imposed monitor, Barbara Jones, a former federal judge whose staff at Bracewell has been examining Trump's finances since November 2022.

Barbara Jones. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Six months later, Engoron hasn't yet approved the review.

Instead, it's the subject of a heated battle between Trump's lawyers, who oppose a review, and an attorney for James who has championed the withheld-documents cause since 2020.

"We have already raised multiple times the prospect that Defendants have withheld relevant and responsive information," Kevin Wallace, James' senior enforcement counsel, wrote to Engoron on April 4.

He asked "that the Monitor be tasked with reviewing electronic files collected by Defendants," including those collected for production to Manhattan prosecutors.

The monitor's review would determine whether the emails "were in the possession of the Trump Organization," and, if so, why they were never turned over, Wallace said.

Clifford Robert, one of Trump's lawyers, argued this week against further expanding the monitor's role.

"The NYAG's astonishing request is an evident play to transform the Monitor into her own special counsel," he wrote.

Robert did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

An already powerful monitor

Under Engoron's most recent expansion of the monitor's role, Jones has expansive powers.

Trump must give the retired judge and her staff five days' notice of any cash or asset transfers totaling $5 million or more and 30 days' notice of the creation or dissolution of any of the 400-plus entities under the Trump Organization umbrella.

She must also review all Trump Organization financial filings, including tax returns, before they're sent to third parties.

A history of missing documents

Allegations that Trump withheld evidence have been an issue since at least 2020, when James first complained publicly that the Trump Organization was defying her subpoenas.

This 2020 filing was the first time New York officials publicly complained about the Trump Organization withholding evidence. NY Attorney General's Office/Business Insider

For at least two years, James has appeared to be steadily building a "spoliation" case  the legal term for the loss or destruction of evidence that should have been preserved for a lawsuit  against Trump and his company.

As a senior lawyer for James, Wallace has repeatedly complained about missing evidence and signaled that his office may seek sanctions.

At a hearing in April 2022, he compared getting Trump's documents to "pulling teeth." He also took issue with one of Trump's attorneys' suggestions that Trump had only 10 custodial documents, meaning business files directly in his custody, out of the 900,000 total documents turned over.



"I'll be frank," Wallace told the judge, "if that's all there is, it raises a bunch of other issues."

Sixteen months later, when Wallace wrote Engoron to say the attorney general was ready for trial, he made sure to add that James' office "reserves its right to seek relief after trial relating to the Defendant's spoliation of evidence."

Possible sanctions include more fines

Civil case law from New York allows a judge to set sanctions for spoliation that include a finding of contempt of court and any fines they see fit.

But there's a high burden of proof, said Marc Frazier Scholl, a former financial-crimes prosecutor for the Manhattan district attorney's office.

The AG's office would have to prove that Trump, Trump Organization executives, or their defense attorneys had control over the documents being subpoenaed and that they destroyed or withheld them instead of turning them over.

"The first thing, if you're seeking spoliation sanctions, is to prove there was a known obligation to keep the evidence when it was lost or destroyed," Scholl, now a counsel at Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss , said

He predicted that if James did end up seeking fines, they would likely be minimal and symbolic.

James' lawyers have said that many of Trump's missing documents were ultimately subpoenaed from outside witnesses who also had copies.

"They got the documents in other ways, which is why they know to ask for them specifically," he said, referring to the case of Weisselberg's emails.

Ultimately, the attorney general's office won the case, getting essentially everything it sued for, including the massive financial judgment.

"Would they really have gotten a larger judgment if they got more documents? I don't think so," Scholl said. "I think this is a shot across the bow, potentially against the Trump counsel."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Letters to the Editor: President Biden now wants a cease-fire. Would that help Hamas?

To the editor: Columnist Jackie Calmes accuses President Biden of complicity with Israel's continuing assault on Hamas. Doesn't the president's advocacy of a cease-fire also suggest complicity in allowing Hamas time to re-arm and strike again at a later date, which it has vowed to do?

Calmes says that Israel has lost the "global goodwill" that came in the aftermath of Hamas' attack on Oct. 7. Where did that sudden surge in new global goodwill come from? I don't recall any, just campus protests and other demonstrations of opposition to Israel.

Joel Athey, Valley Village

..

To the editor: What tonnage of dead Palestinian children is sufficient vengeance for Hamas' bloody barbarism of Oct. 7? Biden is very gravely and dangerously behind the curve on this issue.

Yes, Hamas proved once again that it is worthy of extermination. Israel also has an absolute duty and responsibility to defend itself, and with the steadfast support of the United States.

Instead, Israel's scorched-Earth war will prove only to be a spectacularly successful recruitment campaign for Israel's enemies and render it a global pariah well into the future. The United States has no obligation to enable the carnage in Gaza.

Led by a corrupt extremist and racist who seeks to weaken the Israeli judiciary, and who has surrounded himself with like-minded extremists and racists, Israel is at a critical low point in its history.

An immediate suspension of offensive military aid could not only save lives in Gaza, but it would also send the message that current Israeli leadership cannot seek cover behind the Israeli flag for its actions, nor abuse the American support that Israel has always relied on and enjoyed.

How much more tonnage of dead Palestinian children will we see?

Kurt I. Muller, Rancho Palos Verdes

..

To the editor: The rising potential for an all-out conflict in the Middle East speaks to Hamas militants' presumptive rationale for launching its barbaric attack on Israel.

They surely foresaw the pervasive devastation that Gaza's civilians would suffer from Israel's inevitable, overpowering military response. Hence Hamas could have harbored just one realistic hope with its murderous Oct. 7 invasion: that Israel's response would prove so catastrophic for Palestinians as to induce multiple Mideast countries to take up arms against Israel.

If, as suspected, Israel perpetrated the airstrike on the Iranian Embassy in Syria, Iran's response and Israel's counter-response may prove so increasingly devastating as to trigger the regional war that Hamas would welcome.

Finding a way to give peace a chance looks like a lost cause.

Arthur Stone, Santa Monica

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SIR  We should welcome the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights, which seeks to force Switzerland to enact the climate policies of Greta Thunberg and her friends (Tory backlash over European courts climate ruling, report, April 10).

For it banishes all doubt: the UK must leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as soon as possible.

This victory for the eco-warriors is a dire warning. We voted for Brexit to regain our national sovereignty; we cannot allow ourselves to be governed by lawyers in Strasbourg.



Our departure will also leave us free to tackle illegal immigration effectively, with policies decided by our own democratically elected government.



John Hicks

Manchester

SIR  The legal profession appears to be interfering in politics and blocking government policy quite unjustifiably. Its tentacles are stretching ever more deeply into our lives under the aegis of European court rulings and the nonsense that emanates from other unelected bodies. Lawyers are supplanting Parliaments authority, not supporting it.



The balance between rights and obligations is now totally out of kilter  something that is highly unlikely to be addressed and reversed by a Labour government. Voters beware.



John Kellie

Pyrford, Surrey

SIR  The European Court of Human Rights might just as well have decreed that we all have the right to walk on water. A country the size of Switzerland, or the UK, could go 100 per cent carbon neutral and it would have no impact on climate change.



There are four major players who can make a difference: the United States, China, India and Russia. Until those countries decide how they are going to banish carbon from their economies, we and the Court are whistling in the wind. This is a clear example of why the Court should have no place in our lives.



Jonathan Arthur

Parkgate, Wirral

SIR  How far down the road of political farce does this travesty of a court have to progress before governments have the guts to do something? It is obvious that its latest judgment is ill-conceived.



The United Kingdom must leave the ECHR immediately. It has outlived its usefulness, and European judges are now seeking to seize the kind of political power that, in a civilised society, must remain in the hands of elected officials.



Charles Penfold

Ulverston, Cumbria

SIR  We dont need to leave the ECHR. Instead we should do as the French do and simply ignore the rulings that we do not like.



Sandy Pratt

Storrington, West Sussex

Mobile phone ban

SIR  What on earth is the point of bringing in a law to stop under-16s from buying a mobile phone? Whatever happened to people, parents and teenagers making wise choices for themselves?



What the Government needs to do is banish social media platforms  they cause nothing but grief.



Alexandra Turner

Upton Grey, Hampshire



Letters from inside

SIR  Like Dinah Johnson, the founder of the Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society (report, April 9), I believe in the importance of letter writing. My experience is based on 30 years of working with prisoners who have had their means of communication confiscated.



All prisoners can send one letter a week, posted at public expense. For those who are missing regular contact with loved ones, or who are looking to rebuild family ties, this is an important  though underused  provision.



The process of writing a letter gives the sender time to reflect and to communicate something with much more thought than a rushed phone call at an inconvenient time ever can. It is still an important way of maintaining essential contact.



Stuart Harrington

Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset

SIR  As a child I received a letter-writing kit to improve my writing skills. Love letters would often include S W A L K (Sealed With A Loving Kiss) on the back, and a smudge of lipstick or a dab of perfume. Adding an emoji to an email is not nearly as romantic.



Whenever I stay in a hotel I always leave a thank-you note for the housekeeping staff.



Bernard Powell

Southport, Lancashire



Costly postal delays

SIR  I was due to have a CT scan at the local hospital today. A small package of preparations was sent first class from the department on April 3 (Letters, April 9), the contents of which were to be taken prior to the appointment.



This package arrived yesterday, so the scan has had to be rescheduled. This means that there is probably a very expensive piece of hospital equipment, and its attendant staff, standing unused due to the parlous performance of our postal system.



Guy Frankham

Norwich

SIR  The NHS has an excellent system called MyChart that enables hospitals to communicate with patients online. It is used by the Royal Brompton and Royal Marsden hospitals, both of which I attend for tests.



This week the Brompton rang to agree a date for an appointment in May. Ten minutes later I received a text and an email telling me to check MyChart. It gave details of my appointment and a covering letter, a paper copy of which Ill be sent before my appointment. The Royal Brompton also puts up the results of my tests so I can see what was done.



I can also upload my medication and allergies to MyChart so the information can be shared with other hospitals.



Roger Stones

Dorking, Surrey



Too big to park

SIR  If manufacturers insist on making cars that are too wide for parking spaces (Drivers struggle to get out of wider vehicles, report, April 9), they should design them with sliding doors.



Rosie Tate

Whitley Bay, Northumberland



Members gender

SIR  I am a member of the Garrick Club, which Mary Beard (report, April 9) says she would love to join. It is, as she says, a wonderful place to visit, but its absolutely hopeless for networking.



So, to further my career prospects and spread my social wings, I have put my name forward to join one of the many private women-only clubs in London. I am less interested in joining the Mothers Union or Womens Institute, but never say never.

Of course, as with the Garrick, I shall have to wait before I am considered for membership, but these female bastions will surely be keen to follow the Garricks example if it admits members of the opposite sex.



Jeremy Nicholas

Great Bardfield, Essex



The value of a degree

SIR  Matthew Lynns article (Time to admit we need fewer students, Comment, April 8) misses some crucial facts.



Despite short-term challenges, our research shows that by 2035 more than 11 million extra graduates will be needed in the UK, and 88 per cent of new jobs are projected to be at graduate level.



Moreover, government research shows that further education has been the only consistent factor in increasing UK productivity over the past 15 years. While we share the concerns Mr Lynn raises about sustainable funding for universities, the solution should not be to retreat to a system in which only the elite get to access higher education.



Going to a UK university remains a great investment. A degree continues to boost salaries significantly, as well as employment levels and career prospects throughout life. It is striking that those who make the argument for restricting places often benefited from a university education themselves and want their own children to go.

Surely young people should be given the same opportunities as the generations before them.



Vivienne Stern

CEO, Universities UK

London WC2



Howards end

SIR  My younger brother struggled so much with the pronunciation of my first name that for years I was known as Ash.

So imagine my mixed feelings when, in my 20s, a work colleague christened me Aitch (Features, April 10)  a sobriquet that has stuck.



Howard Collerson

Stockton, Warwickshire

Sensitivity edits diminish authors creations

A cricket fan dressed as an Oompa-Loompa at Australia vs West Indies in Sydney - Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

SIR  What a shocking travesty of our wonderfully rich English language for Puffin to agree to reduce Roald Dahls description of the Oompa-Loompas from tiny, titchy or no higher than my knee to just one word, small, to avoid causing offence (Celebrity Dahl spin-off criticised for Mrs Twits disgusting eye, report, April 6).



This is while we teachers work so hard to encourage children of all ages to use good descriptive language.



Sally Aspin

Lower Peover, Cheshire

SIR  I have a few glass eyes I can give Mrs Twit.



I always keep a spare in my wash bag as I once lost one down a Paris plughole.



Deborah Dann

Benhall, Suffolk



The Tories are waging war on hard workers

SIR  The doubling of rates on second homes (Letters, April 9) is just another middle-England tax. I followed the Conservative mantra to work hard to get ahead, save money and help the economy through taxation. I was able to buy a second home to holiday in, and to rent out to support my pension, in the village where I spent so many happy summers growing up.



With no discussion, the council will double the rates. I will not get better service. If I sell, someone with more money will buy the house, not a local first-time buyer. The real issue is the lack of opportunity for young people to stay and work in coastal regions, and the lack of planned affordable housing.



In addition, some 50 holiday chalets have been erected next door, which dont fall into the same bracket of second homes and are thus exempt from the tax. They are second homes in all but name.



David Coverdale

Leeds, West Yorkshire

SIR  Michael Gove, the Communities Secretary, has tried to justify legislation allowing local authorities to charge a council-tax premium on second homes by suggesting that the aim is to persuade owners to sell up and thereby make more homes available for local people. In fact, this policy will no more achieve its stated aim than any other policy designed to tax perceived advantage.



Politicians of all stripes have failed to maintain a grip on public expenditure and, rather than deal with this, now spend their time seeking out new sources of revenue, particularly from those who work hard and make apparently selfish choices about how to spend their own money. Politicians then seem surprised when people decide to stop working hard, or at all, because much of any additional earnings is taxed either directly or via the above misguided policy.



Ian Mackenzie

Preston, Lancashire

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.
Lions & tigers & bison, oh my!: Zoo in Troutman up for sale

Lions & tigers & bison, oh my!: Zoo in Troutman up for sale

TROUTMAN, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Are you in the market for a wild purchase?

Zootastic Park in Troutman near Lake Norman is up for sale for $16 million, which not only includes the 186-acre property, but dozens of exotic animals, the gift shop, concessions, and animal excursions.

Theres nothing quite like Zootastic.

Its frankly been overwhelming, said Pete Mazeine, senior land investment advisor with National Land Real Estate.

Since the property was listed recently, Mazeine says interest has been very high.

Gator bursts through Florida womans screen door, settles in kitchen

Having been in this business for over 30 years and sold a lot of interesting properties, Id say that its been over the top, said Mazeine.

For years, Zootastic has been a place for kids of all ages to enjoy.

This is the most hands-on that we have been able to be with animals at a zoo, said a parent visiting Zootastic in 2020.

The zoo has truly been a labor of love for owner and creator Scottie Brown.

He even got married at Zootastic in 2015 with all his animal friends in the wedding party.

We love our babies. These are not just animals; theyre our babies, said Brown, referring to his zoo animals in 2021.

Now Brown tells Queen City News its time to retire.

Both of my zoos are for sale, as part of the deal, I will stay on for up to two years. I am 63 now and I just want to slow down before I get too old to enjoy life. I do plan on taking a few of my babies with me that I have a special bond with, said Brown in a statement sent to QCN.

Driver cited after Burke County school bus carrying handicapped students involved in rollover crash: Troopers

His massive 186-acre property near Lake Norman is now on the market, and the interest has been wild.

The buyer wouldnt just get the property, but most of the animals.

Theres a three-page list of the creatures included in the listing.

From the walk-around zoo to the drive-thru, lemurs, an American Bison, a White Bison, a Texas Longhorn, a peacock, and a kookaburra are all up for sale.

Its being sold as a package deal, so the underlying real estate and the animals and the operating business, which includes, concessions, gift shop, kids, program, the holiday light spectacle that they have every year, said Mazeine.

The listing says to call for price.

QCN asked the listing agent.

He says $16 million is the asking price.

Clearly, the sale is about money but its also about selling it to the right transitioning party, said Mazeine.

Brown wants to keep Zootastic as a zoo.

That would require the buyer to have a special permit from the USDA, referred to as a Class C exhibitor permit.

The agent says Brown is adamant the buyer keeps the zoo as is and continues what he created.

Charlotte native to be interviewed for Hornets head coach opening: Reports

I love kids and I love animals, so to make a little kid smile, thats my joy, said Brown in a 2020 interview with QCN.

Brown also owns and is selling Aloha Safari Park near Fayetteville, which is similar to Zootastic.

Aloha is 66 acres and its asking price is $4.5 million.

Browns realtor says his client has the same idea for that property.

The buyer needs a specific USDA permit to work with animals, and a desire to continue Alohas kids programs.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Following his first visit to Kyiv as defence minister and meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Laurynas Kasciunas, the newly appointed Minister of National Defence of Lithuania, has stated that aid for Ukraine will increase.

Source: Kasciunas in an interview for BNS on 10 April, cited by European Pravda

Details: Kasciunas described the talks with Zelenskyy as "good and constructive".

Quote: "We will continue working. I presented our whole aid package, and Id say it is larger than planned, and it will be even larger  we will seek every way and opportunity to increase it further."

Kasciunas noted that he had also briefed Zelenskyy on Lithuanias plans to provide attack UAVs and regarding the demining coalition.

He stated that under its three-year 200 million support plan for Ukraine, Lithuania has allocated 84 million  20 million more than planned.

"I also presented the idea of a drone programme in which we would set up our own industry, but we need to decide on the legal basis first. Then we will supply Ukraine with drones that will then be tested in the combat zone," Kasciunas stated.

Background: Kasciunas was appointed as the new Lithuanian Defence Minister on 25 March.

Support UP or become our patron!
Special counsel Jack Smiths latest brief to the Supreme Court on Donald Trumps immunity claim strives to ensure that the justices' decision puts the Jan. 6 trial back on track, ending the detour the former president has extracted from a weak argument.

The bulk of the brief Smith filed Monday is a methodical rejection of Trumps far-fetched claims to immunity from prosecution for attempting to overturn the 2020 election. Smith and his Supreme Court specialist, Michael Dreeben, closely follow the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals persuasive, bipartisan opinion contradicting Trump on all points.

In the last few pages, however, Smith argues for the particular exigency of this case, noting that even if a former president has some immunity from federal criminal prosecution for official acts, this prosecution should proceed.

Read more: Litman: How Jack Smith just called out Judge Aileen Cannon in the Trump classified records case

Smith contends that Trumps attempt to thwart the peaceful transfer of power is a paradigmatic example of conduct that cant be immunized. He describes whats alleged against the former president as a private scheme with private actors to achieve a private end  namely, staying in power by fraud.

In what may be the briefs most consequential phrase, the special counsel insists that the case should be remanded for trial on the ground that whatever immunity the Constitution might provide a president, it cant shield Trump from this prosecution.

That would be dramatically different from the order that typically concludes a Supreme Court opinion. The justices normally set out governing principles of law and leave it to the lower courts to apply them to the facts, ordering a case remanded for proceeding consistent with this opinion.

Read more: Litman: Without even ruling on Trump's immunity claim, the Supreme Court handed him a huge victory

The practical difference between such a standard remand and Smiths far more unusual proposed remand for trial may sound subtle. But its pivotal, as Smith and dozens of friend-of-the-court briefs recognize.

Smiths suggestion is a preemptive strike against an opinion that would leave room for yet another trip up and down the federal court system before a trial can begin, an opening Trump would surely exploit for further delay.

The all but certain ultimate answer to Trumps immunity claim is no: Under no plausible analysis will any court find that his conduct cant be prosecuted. But if it takes even a relatively quick series of further appellate reviews to nail that point down, it will probably squander any remaining possibility that this crucial trial will occur before the election.

The reason that the nature of the remand is a distinct risk in the case has to do with the question the court crafted for argument during the 13 days it took to act on Trumps petition for review. That extended period gave rise to speculation that some justice was writing a dissent. But it seems the justices were instead engaged in negotiating and formulating the question to be considered.

They settled on a somewhat convoluted construction asking  whether and if so to what extent  a former president enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution for potentially official acts. That strongly suggests that at least some of the justices are concerned that however weak Trumps claim to immunity might be, presidential immunity might be required in some cases. They may have in mind an attempted prosecution of a president for, say, bombing an adversary during a war or refusing to crack down on unlawful immigration. And they may want to cover that ground in the courts first ever consideration of criminal immunity even if it doesnt apply to Trump.

Whatever room the justices leave for theoretical presidential immunity, you can be sure that Trump will aver in the trial court that it precisely describes his case. Presumably U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan and the D.C. Circuit would make quick work of it, but in the federal courts, quick work can take a couple of months.

Given the importance of the trial schedule, the key practical question is whether the court focuses solely on Trump's case or endorses immunity in other instances. Smith's gambit is a fallback that would let the court order the trial to proceed even if its opinion extends to broader principles of immunity.

The oral argument could also expose a fundamental divide among the justices about potential immunity unrelated to Trumps conduct.That would suggest that the court will issue multiple opinions after engaging in a back-and-forth that would itself likely eat up several weeks.

The amicus briefs in the case divide along similar lines. The most prominent ones in Smiths favor advise the court to simply affirm the D.C. Circuits rejection of Trumps claim without venturing into possible instances of immunity that are not remotely presented here. The briefs on Trumps side tend to argue for some immunity in some cases, a result that would likely give rise to a more complicated remand.

To date, the court has not seemed very sensitive to the political imperative of a verdict that gives voters a piece of critical information before the November election: whether one of the candidates is guilty of a scheme to subvert the last one. That is in stark contrast to the courts obvious speed in deciding Trumps eligibility for the Colorado ballot before the states primary. And the court has shown similar haste in politically supercharged cases before, among them Bush vs. Gore.

The justices apparent indifference to the need for speed and clarity in this case is a shame. If they continue merely proclaiming the law as usual, letting the political chips fall where  and, more importantly, when  they may, it will be an unnecessary boon to Trump and a loss for the country.

Harry Litman is the host of the Talking Feds podcast and the Talking San Diego speaker series. @harrylitman





If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Creating a Space National Guard is the worst option for 14 space-focused National Guard units, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said Wednesday at Space Symposium.

The fight over the future of space-focused Air National Guard units is also receiving much more political attention than it deserves, he said. The impact of transferring guardsman into the active-duty Space Force is "negligible" because in any of the seven states with space-focused National Guard units the units represent "at most 2% of the guard," he said.

The units, including seven in Colorado, were left behind in the Air National Guard when space-focused active-duty units moved into the new military branch. Kendall referred to them as an artifact of creating the Space Force and after four years he would like to see the issue resolved.

Recently, the Department of Defense introduced legislation to transfer space-focused Air National Guard units into the active-duty Space Force without the consent of governors who oversee the units.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R.-Fla., has introduced competing legislation that would create a Space National Guard that would allow the units to continue operating in the same way.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin last week protesting the transfer of units without the consent of governors.

"I cannot stand idly by as the servicemembers I am charged with leading are faced with the decision to either leave military service or serve in a manner that they did not originally agree to," Polis wrote. "We know that a significant majority of Air National Guard space operators will not transfer to the U.S. Space Force, putting both their military career and national security at risk."

A poll of guardsmen showed that 60% to 86% of about 1,000 guardsmen working in space would leave rather than transfer, leaving a major gap in expertise, said Parker White, spokesman for the Colorado Air National Guard, in a previous interview.

Kendall said he was not terribly concerned about the number of people who might leave the guard, in part, because the Space Force has not been able to outline the options for guardsmen yet.

"They are not going to see much change as I see it," Kendall said.

Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

The Space Force will allow guardians to work part-time within the active duty service, a model that's been approved but has not been implemented.

Right now, the Space Force is training guardsmen, and that work can be formalized more if they are absorbed into the Space Force, Kendall said.

"The Space Force is great opportunity for these people," he said.

Congress asked the DOD to study the options for the units, including leaving the units where they are, creating a Space National Guard and moving them into the Space Force.

Kendall said that report shows moving the units is the best option and the worst option is a new Space National Guard because of the added administration. The report has not been publicly released.

Proponents of a proposed Space National Guard argue additional administration isn't necessary.

Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, said a transfer of the space-focused units would be phased to minimize the risk to missions.

While the fight is ongoing for the future national guardsmen, space-focused reservists in the 310th Space Wing in Colorado Springs must transfer into the Space Force.

Saltzman said in an email he expected new part-time guardians would fill education, training and testing roles rather than going into employed-in-place operations.

White said Air National Guard space operators signed up to serve in an operational capacity and forcing them to choose between support roles and full-time would be a major change.

"At an organizational level, the United States would lose experienced operators, many with over a decade of space operations under their belt, that would take years to replace," he said.

The National Guard Bureau estimates it would take up to nine years and as much as $1 billion to replace those who plan to quit, according to a news release from the National Guard Association.
Fractured bones, a knocked-out tooth, deep bruises and immeasurable heartache. Those are just some of the injuries suffered by at least three students with autism allegedly at the hands of a Littleton Public Schools paraprofessional trusted to care for them.

The kids take a dedicated bus provided by the LPS transportation system to get to one of Colorado's most highly regarded private schools for students with autism  The Joshua School. Yet, as some parents discovered and told CBS News Colorado  that bus was a place of what one attorney called torture.

Video allegedly showing bus aide Kiarra Jones assaulting 10-year-old Dax on a Littleton Public School bus. / Credit: Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC

"They took my trust and spit on it," said Devin, the father of 10-year-old Dax, in a press conference, fighting back tears as described what happened to his son.

The families asked that their last names not to be shared, but Dax's parents did want the video of their son to be made public  without blurring or redaction. Dax is non-verbal, so his facial reactions and body language are what speak for him, his parents said.

"It was a heavy decision to make to uncover it, but we cannot bring attention to this if we don't look at it," said Dax's mother, Jess. "It's ugly to look at, but it's important to see how confused and afraid he was in that video. It just speaks to his vulnerability, and it speaks to the terror he had to endure while on that bus."

That video was shared Tuesday morning, showing Dax aboard that LPS bus sitting next to paraprofessional Kiarra Jones. It was recorded March 18 and captures Jones, 28, physically abusing the 10-year-old boy  repeatedly elbowing him in the stomach, slapping his face, and stomping on his feet.

Kiarra Jones / Credit: Arapahoe County

"How could someone that I trusted, someone that I was so friendly with do this to my little boy?" Jess said tearfully. "The torture and torment of my sweet boy could've been stopped."

Jess said she noticed strange bumps and bruises on her son months ago, dating back to September 2023. She brought her concerns to staff at The Joshua School, who confirmed with her Dax did not suffer those injuries while in their care. Jess said she then brought her concerns to LPS, but they told her there was nothing to be concerned about. Then, Jess said, her son's injuries became worse, and she demanded answers from the district.

"I notified LPS on March 18 and on March 19 got a phone call from Littleton police informing me that an LPS employee had severely abused my child," she said. "I went to the LPS transportation building and was in utter shock."

The video made her sick, she said, and that stomach-turning intensified when police said other children were also abused, allegedly at the hands of Jones as well.

"My son doesn't have the ability to tell me when someone is hurting him," said another child's father. "My son doesn't have the ability to tell me that he was forced to watch someone hurt his friends."

Now, the parents of three young students are prepared to sue the school district. They say LPS knew about their abuse concerns for months and seemingly turned a blind eye.

Parents of Dax, Devin and Jess, become emotional when talking about the alleged abuse their son suffered aboard a Littleton Public Schools bus. / Credit: CBS

"They had everything they needed to stop it faster and they didn't," said attorney Ed C. Hopkins, of the Rathod Mohamedbhai law firm. "They had notice and they ignored it. These children have been traumatized and tortured because they failed them."

A failure, Jess said, is blatantly obvious in the alarming video she wants the world to see.

"Although it's hard to watch, that's what my child has endured for months due to inaction by Littleton Public Schools," she said. "He had to live through that every day. The least we can do is bring awareness to a situation that is unfortunately more common than you would think. There needs to be change."

LPS has not responded to multiple requests for an interview but did share a letter a district spokesperson said the superintendent emailed to LPS parents on April 5. It states the district "learned a parent observed injuries after being transported home on March 19." That's when an internal investigation began, Jones was fired, and police were notified.

Yet that's upwards of six months after three different families say they started raising concerns about observed injuries to LPS staff.

"Through lack of action, accountability, and frankly a lack of care, it has again been made abundantly clear how low my son's needs are on the social totem pole, as far as the school system is concerned," said Devin.

"This kind of behavior cannot be and is not tolerated," the letter from LPS reads. "As parents, you trust us with the well-being of your children and you should never have to worry about them being harmed when they are in our care."

The letter also claims Jones was hired in August 2023 "after satisfactory reference checks and after passing through a background check." Jones was arrested on April 4 after the incident was reported to the Englewood Police Department by Littleton police on March 28. She was released from the Arapahoe County Jail on a $5,000 bond on April 5.

Jones is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Arapahoe County Court on May 3 at 1:30 p.m. on charges of crimes against at-risk juvenile- third-degree assault and crimes against at-risk juvenile- injury.

The fallout from Arkansas' "right to mine" bitcoin law

Nature: Gopher tortoises in Florida

The history of Waterford Crystal
I live in constant fear that he will die: Mother of jailed Putin critic says time running out to save him

The mother of Russias most prominent opposition leader after Alexei Navalny says she lives in constant fear that her son, Vladimir Kara-Murza, will die in the Siberian prison in which he is currently jailed  while calling on the foreign secretary, David Cameron, to intervene and save his life.

Speaking on the eve of the second anniversary of Kara-Murzas arrest on 11 April 2022, Elena Gordon says that her worries over her son have grown much more acute in the wake of the death of Vladimir Putins most prominent critic, Navalny, almost two months ago. Navalny was also being held in a remote prison colony, in the Arctic, before he was declared dead by Russian authorities. Western leaders, including Lord Cameron, have lined up to say Putin is responsible for his death, while Navalnys widow has said that the Russian president killed her husband.

Kara-Murza, 42, a British-Russian political activist and journalist, is serving a 25-year sentence in the IK-7 penal colony. He has been in solitary confinement for months and was moved into a small punishment cell in January. The Kremlin has accused Kara-Murza of spreading false information about the Russian army in speaking out about Putins invasion of Ukraine. It is the largest single sentence handed out to a Kremlin critic, including Navalny, since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In reality, the long-time Putin critic merely pointed out what the rest of the world could see: the brutality of Russias assault on Ukraine.

For over seven months now, my son has been held in solitary confinement in a high-security prison in Siberia. His health has deteriorated dramatically, says Ms Gordon, who lived in England for years after moving from Moscow when her son was a teenager.

Kara-Murza suffers from polyneuropathy, a nerve condition that affects his ability to feel his hands and feet. The only way it can be managed is by proper medical care and access to fresh air and walks. Such treatment is impossible in permanent solitary confinement. Ms Gordon believes he will be left to die, or worse, killed and she lives in constant fear for my sons life.

In a direct plea to the British government, Ms Gordon urged the foreign secretary, David Cameron to intervene. Two years to the day since his detention, the window to rescue him is closing, she says. Kara-Murzas lawyer Vadim Prokhorov said that the medical staff at the Moscow prison where his client was previously held told him they believed Kara-Murza could survive no more than three years in his current conditions of imprisonment. That was over a year ago, and things have only got worse.

Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza is escorted to a hearing at the Basmanny court in Moscow in October 2022 (AFP via Getty)

In Soviet times, Western diplomatic pressure and public opinion had pulled Russian dissidents out of camps and saved their lives, says Ms Gordon. Today, just as 50 years ago, your action is required to save Vladimir Kara-Murza, so that he does not suffer the same brutal fate as Alexei Navalny.

This is an urgent appeal: please help save my son Vladimir Kara-Murza, she adds.

Lord Cameron met with Ms Gordon and Kara-Murzas wife, Evgenia, last month to express his support. It was the first time a foreign secretary had actually met the jailed activists family since his detention. Navalny was buried in Moscow as the trio spoke in London, with images showing the opposition leaders mother solemnly bent over his grave.

The meeting, which lasted nearly double the scheduled half an hour, was positive, according to Ms Kara-Murza. I think it went rather well, she said at the time. He assured me that the UK will be doing everything it can to bring Vladimir home.

Elena Gordon, left, and Evgenia Kara-Murza, centre, stand with David Cameron during a meeting in March (X / David Cameron)

Kara-Murzas detention is just the latest in a string of Kremlin attempts to silence him. He has faced two assassination attempts on his life, first in 2015 and then in 2017, both of which his family believe to have been carried out by the FSB, Russias security service. Now they fear this latest Kremlin tactic may prove to be fatal  and are urging a prisoner swap deal.

Lets be clear, his life sentence is a death penalty, the lawyer, Mr Prokhorov said. It is vital for the West to consider negotiating Vladimirs release. His future, his fate, must be the subject of special negotiations.

During a meeting in Washington on Tuesday, Ms Kara-Murza told members of Congress that her husband was fighting not just for his freedom but truly for his life. She renewed calls for US politicians to help facilitate her husbands release.

Democrat senator Ben Cardin, chair of the senate foreign relations committee, responded by saying that her husbands case would not be forgotten. We are going to work to set him free and to set Russia free, he said. Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the committee, called on US secretary of state Antony Blinken to designate Kara-Murza a wrongfully detained person  an appointment that would help elevate his case and provide resources to his family in America as they fight for his release.

Senator Ben Cardin, far left, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stands with Evgenia Kara-Murza in Washington on Tuesday (AP)

In Westminster, Alicia Kearns, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said that the British parliament, government and people are united in calling on Russia to release Vladimir and to halt the arbitrary detention of foreign nationals.

I know all of our thoughts are with Vladimir and his family as we approach this unhappy anniversary and I call on the government to redouble its efforts to get him home, she said.

Labour shadow foreign minister David Lammy added to the calls for action. The government must do all it can to get Vladimir Kara-Murza home and sound the alarm about what is happening, he said. That Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British citizen, remains cruelly jailed by Vladimir Putin is further evidence Gulag-like imprisonment of dissidents has returned to Russia.

But it is unclear whether Lord Cameron will abandon the longstanding UK foreign policy not to negotiate with hostile regimes, to discourage future hostage-taking. Should Mr Lammy assume the role of foreign secretary after the next general election  with Labour well ahead in the current polls  it is unclear if he will seek to change the policy either.

Lawyer Vadim Prokhorov arrives at Moscow city court prior to a hearing in the trial of Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza in March 2023 (AFP via Getty)

Mr Prokhorov, meanwhile, said that the Western community, particularly the UK, must seriously think about dropping its current policy because the next victim after the assassination of Alexei Navalny is Vladimir Kara-Murza.

He said they should look into trading Soviet Union or Russian spies jailed in the UK and across the West for his client.

For Bill Browder, a close friend of Kara-Murza and his family, and formerly the largest foreign investor in Russia before being forced out by the Kremlin, Britains stance on helping Putins political prisoners must be changed in line with its support in the fight against Putins war in Ukraine.

At multiple stages in the more than two-year Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK has overcome previous anxieties to send more offensive weapons to Kyiv, so it can not only defend itself but ultimately push back Putins forces. The same increased support should exist for backing Putins jailed critics, he suggested.

As we support the Ukrainians fighting back against Russia, we should spare some effort for the Russians who are fighting back against Putin, said Mr Browder. Among them, Vladimir Kara-Murza is perhaps the most important.
See photos, video of storms that damaged property, knocked out power across South MS

A storm system pounded South Mississippi on Wednesday with strong winds, tornado warnings and rain that flooded roadways and made travel nearly impossible in several areas of the Coast.

The National Weather Service issued several warnings and extended a tornado watch for Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Pearl River counties until 4 p.m. The highest risk for tornadoes is slightly north of the coastline, but the National Weather Service warned tornadoes are possible across the Coast.

A wind advisory, coastal flood advisory and gale warning are also in effect. The wind advisory impacts the entire Coast. Forecasters issued the coastal flood advisory for Hancock and Harrison counties.

Hancock County will offer two shelters for severe weather: Leetown Shelter at 28290 Leetown Road and Necaise Shelter at 3360 Highway 603. Both opened at 10 a.m.

Check back for live updates on the latest forecasts and warnings.

Timing of severe weather for Wednesday, April 10.

2:50 p.m.

More than 10,000 customers are still without power in South Mississippi.

Mississippi Power reported that 1,163 customers across south and central Mississippi were without power Wednesday afternoon.

Singing River Electrics outage map showed 1,379 still without power in Jackson and George counties.

Coast Electric still had 7,796 customers without power across Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties.

The numbers improved from Wednesday morning, when the companies reported more than 20,000 customers without power.

2:30 p.m.

A flash flood warning is in effect until 5:30 p.m. for southeastern Harrison County and southwestern Jackson County. The National Weather Service said it received reports at 11:30 a.m. of flooded roads in parts of Biloxi and expected rainfall to continue.

The NWS in Mobile also issued flash flood warnings for George and Stone counties until 3:15 p.m.

The strongest line of storms had moved east past Pensacola by 2:30 p.m. But floods as low as 6 inches can still be dangerous for people and cars, and the NWS said severe storms are still possible on the Mississippi Coast through 7 a.m. Thursday.

National Weather Service radar showed the strongest line of storms moving past Pensacola around 2:30 p.m.

2 p.m.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said severe weather across the state had led to at least one death and one injury.

The death was reported in Scott County, which is an hour outside of Jackson. The injury was reported in northern Mississippi in Grenada County.

MEMA said 72 homes across the state had so far reported damage but said the numbers are preliminary and will likely change. None of the numbers reported to MEMA so far have come from the six coastal counties.

Debris from portable buildings at Gulf Coast Portable Buildings are strewn about near the Mississippi State Extension Service Office in Kiln after a possible tornado hit the area on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

1:30 p.m.

A storm that passed through Kiln and possibly produced a tornado downed power lines and trees along Highway 603, Hancock County emergency management director Brian Adam said.

Some houses in the area of Highway 603 between Kiln Deslisle Road and Firetower Road had minor damage, Adam said. No injuries have been reported.

During a tornado warning Wednesday morning the National Weather Service said a tornado had touched down in the area. Witnesses in the area believed the storm had produced a tornado, Adam said, but by Wednesday afternoon he was waiting on the NWS to confirm the tornado.

Officials will return to the area to further assess damage later Wednesday, Adam said.

A tornado appeared to hit Slidell around the same time Wednesday morning and overturned cars, damaged buildings and caused some moderate injuries, the Times-Picayune reported.

Flooding on Washington Avenue in Ocean Springs as severe weather rolled through the area on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

1 p.m.

Gulfport Police shut down westbound lanes of U.S. 90 near Courthouse Road so a flooded car could be towed.

Water is also covering eastbound lanes on U.S. 90 near St. John Avenue in Harrison County.

Pass Christian Police Chief Darren Freeman said the city seemed to avoid significant damage but let city employees go home earlier to avoid driving in the stormy conditions.

Gulfport police shut down U.S. 90 westbound lanes while a car that flooded is towed. Portions of U.S. 90 were covered in water during severe storms on Wednesday.

12:30 p.m.

Storms are producing golf ball-sized hail in Vancleave and the Three Rivers community near Hurley, said Jackson County public safety director Earl Etheridge.

A structure caught fire in Gulfport after a lightning strike but remained under control. No injuries were reported, Gulfport Fire Chief Billy Kelley told WXXV.

12:10 p.m.

Bay St. Louis Police Chief Toby Schwartz said so far there are no reports of damage in the city.

Long Beach Police Chief Billy Seal said no damages have been reported. Seal said some roadways had flooded but none are closed yet.

12 p.m.

More than 20,000 customers in South Mississippi are without power, according to outage maps.

Coast Electric, which serves customers in Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties, reported 14,143 outages.

Singing River Electric reported 6,600 customers without power across Jackson and George counties.

Mississippi Power reported 1,983 customers without power on the Coast and into central Mississippi.





11:30 a.m.

Severe thunderstorms are affecting much of the Mississippi Coast and have prompted multiple tornado warnings and reports of hail and flooded roadways.

Hancock County Sheriffs deputies and emergency management officials are on the way to Kiln, where the National Weather Service said a tornado touched down about 10:30 a.m. Hancock County Sheriff Ricky Adam said he heard reports of downed trees and power lines, and officials said more information would be available soon.

Heavy rain covers a portion of U.S. 90 in Biloxi on Wednesday.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for eastern Jackson County, including Pascagoula, Gautier and Moss Point, until 12 p.m. That storm could bring wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour, the NWS said.

Hail has been reported in Biloxi.

Interstate 59 in Pearl River County near Picayune is flooded and impassable, the Mississippi Highway Patrol said.

Attention travelers: Interstate 59 in Pearl River County, specifically near the 6 mile-marker close to Picayune, is currently impassable due to water covering the roadway. Please seek alternate routes and exercise caution while driving in the area. pic.twitter.com/pet8f4YONK  MHP BILOXI (@MHPTroopK) April 10, 2024

11:05 a.m.

A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Harrison and Jackson counties, including Latimer, Wade and Woolmarket.

The warning is in effect until 11:45 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

Margaret Orr, chief meteorologist emeritus at WDSU News in New Orleans, said on Twitter that debris could be seen in satellite images of the tornado, which was north of Diamondhead by 10:45 a.m.

Definitely showing debris in air with tornado. Now North of Diamondhead. @wdsu #mswx pic.twitter.com/xZWKWDCJcU  Margaret Orr (@MargaretOrr) April 10, 2024

10:30 a.m.

A tornado was on the ground near Kiln at 10:27 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The tornado-producing storm is 7 miles northwest of Diamondhead and moving northeast at 50 miles per hour, according to the NWS.

A tornado warning has been issued for northwestern Harrison County and northeastern Hancock County until 11 a.m.

It is unclear the exact location of the tornado, or what damage it may have caused. Hancock County Emergency Manager Brian Adam said at 10:35 a.m. that officials were on the way to the area to confirm the tornado and survey possible damage.

A severe thunderstorm warning is also in effect for Hancock, Harrison and western Jackson counties until 11:30 a.m. Storms on the Coast could produce winds up to 70 miles per hour, the National Weather Service said.

Debris from portable buildings at Gulf Coast Portable Buildings are strewn about near Highway 603 in Kiln after a possible tornado hit the area on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

A blanket of dark clouds sits over Vancleave High School Wednesday morning. Jackson County is one of the Coast school districts that didnt cancel classes because of the forecast for severe weather. The building has been used as a hurricane evacuation center, and students and teachers may be safer inside the school than at home if a hurricane spins over the town.

10:15 a.m.

A tornado warning for southwestern Harrison County and southern Hancock County is in effect until 11 a.m.

Cities in the warning include Pearlington, Bay St. Louis, Diamondhead and Gulfport.

Forecasters were tracking a severe thunderstorm four miles east of Slidell at 10:08 a.m. The storm is moving east at 65 miles per hour.

It is capable of producing a tornado and quarter-sized hail, according to the National Weather Service.

It will reach Pearlington around 10:15 a.m. Diamondhead, Shoreline Park and Kiln could see effects by 10:20 a.m.

The storm is expected to near Bay St. Louis around 10:25 a.m., Long Beach around 10:35 a.m. and Gulfport by 10:40 a.m.

10 a.m.

A tornado warning issued for Picayune and Nicholson has been extended until 10:45 a.m.

Residents in northwestern Hancock County and southwestern Pearl River County should move to basement or interior rooms on the lowest floor.

Radar has indicated rotation in a storm that was located over Slidell at 9:53 a.m. That storm is moving north at 25 miles per hour, the National Weather Service said.

Forecasters estimated the storm will near Pearl River, Louisiana about 10 a.m. and reach Picayune by 10:15 a.m.

Tornado Warning including Picayune MS, Nicholson MS and Pearl River LA until 10:45 AM CDT pic.twitter.com/tie5tyl0pC  NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) April 10, 2024

9:45 a.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Picayune and Carriere. Wind gusts could reach up to 70 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. The warning is in effect until 10:45 a.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning has also been issued for Poplarville until 10:15 a.m.

8:45 a.m.

A tornado warning is in effect for Picayune and Nicholson. The warning also includes Pearl River, Louisiana.

The warning extends until 9:30 a.m.

Pea-sized hail is also possible in each area.

840AM: The line of storms will be crossing I-55 around 9AM! These winds will be cross winds, so it will be more dangerous for drivers heading N/S on the interstate. Please limit driving until the storm passes and use EXTREME caution! #mswx #lawx pic.twitter.com/iyShjWTHxj  NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) April 10, 2024

8:30 a.m.

The weathers worst effects are still in Louisiana, where a dangerous line of storms with winds up to 80 miles per hour moved through the Baton Rouge area about 8 a.m.

The storm systems outer edges have begun to approach western Hancock County but no further warnings have yet been issued for the Mississippi Coast.

8AM: A VERY DANGEROUS line of storms is about to move through our NW areas, including the Baton Rouge metro area! This line has a history of widespread wind damage, including tree and structural damage. A CAT Severe Tstorm warning is out for 80mph winds or higher! Take cover now! pic.twitter.com/QWqwPphcfI  NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) April 10, 2024

7:30 a.m.

The line of storms hit Louisiana on Wednesday morning, prompting tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings in cities throughout the southeast part of the state. The main impacts early Wednesday were heavy rain and flash flooding, the National Weather Service said.

Forecasters estimated impacts would arrive in South Mississippi closer to 11 a.m. but cautioned storms could develop ahead of the main line.

Those storms could bring tornadoes, large hail and winds of over 60 miles per hour, the National Weather Service said.

Impacts could last through 10 p.m.

Widespread severe thunderstorms are expected today across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. Tornadoes and widespread damaging winds are anticipated. Stay weather aware by following your NWS office and media for the latest watches and warnings. pic.twitter.com/EEoVDmQ63R  NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) April 10, 2024
LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. (BRPROUD)  On Thursday, April 11, Livingston Parish School Superintendent Joe Murphy will propose a change to the school board that would alter the districts pay schedule.

The proposal comes after third-party consulting service LEAN Frogs recent Compensation Review. It offered recommendations on how the LPSPS could improve its pay to match other Louisiana districts, a news release said.

According to a news release, LPPS has a 26-step salary schedule for its teachers. It has 18 pay increases built into the steps. Murphys proposal would raise the districts salary schedule to a 30-step structure. It would offer annual pay increases, matching other districts in the state.

Baton Rouge business owners can network at free SU Ag Center conference

We must have a starting point and we must fix the structure, before moving forward, said Murphy. This proposal addresses that issue. It provides an incentive for our people to remain with us and to continue their education.

The salary proposal would add $4,503,617.21 to the districts budget.

If the school board approves the proposal on Thursday, it will go into effect for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Latest News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
Independent presidential candidate Cornel West has selected another academic and activist as his vice presidential running mate.

The longshot candidate announced Wednesday he has picked Melina Abdullah, a Pan-African studies professor at California State University, Los Angeles, during a radio interview on "The Tavis Smiley Show" in L.A.

She has a record of deep commitment and investment in ensuring that poor and working people are at the center of her vision, West said about Abdullah, who is also a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles. "I wanted to run with someone who would put a smile on the face of Fannie Lou Hamer and Martin Luther King Jr. from the grave. Put a smile on their faces from the grave, and thats the highest standard  as you know thats not a typical standard of the garden-variety politician."

West's pick for vice president comes as he's struggling for relevancy in a presidential contest that already features Democratic incumbent Joe Biden, presumptive Republican candidate Donald Trump and fellow independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who announced on March 26 that lawyer and philanthropist Nicole Shanahan would be his running mate.

Independent presidential candidate Cornel West has named as his running mate Melina Abdullah, former chair of the department of Pan-African Studies at Cal State Los Angeles and a co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter.

West's campaign has said he is already on the ballot in four states: Alaska, Oregon, South Carolina and Utah, either independently or affiliated with minor parties, although officials from those states have yet to confirm. West's V.P. choice of Abdullah now allows him to gather signatures to get on the ballot in more states.

Only 2% of those surveyed in the latest Suffolk University/USA TODAY national poll said they planned to support West.

West is also "unlikely to get on the ballot in all 50 states," but he could emerge as a spoiler candidate if enough progressive voters support him, said David Paleologos, director of Suffolk's Political Research Center who helps oversee the poll. He received about 7% of the Black vote in the poll, which could hurt Biden's chances for reelection, Paleologos said.

Cornel West, a presidential candidate, comes to Dearborn to meet with Arab-Americans and speaks at a pro-Palestinian interfaith event called "Gaza Endures" at Greenfield Manor in Dearborn, Mich. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.

"West is not going to be a top choice, but in some states, he is going to matter, because of his ability to win Black voters and this is why Biden is working hard behind the scenes to not only knock off independents like Kennedy Jr. but also West and (third party candidate) Jill Stein," Paleologos said. "There will be no state ballots with just two choices for president."

Democratic National Committee Spokesman Matt Corridoni had a different take.

"Despite Cornel West announcing a running mate, our view remains the same: only two candidates have a path to 270 electoral votes, President Biden and Donald Trump," Corridoni said in a written statement to USA TODAY. "The stakes are high and we know this is going to be a close election  thats why a vote for any third party candidate is a vote for Donald Trump."

A longtime progressive activist and scholar, West ignited some concern among Democrats when he first announced his third-party candidacy in July. He initially entered the 2024 race as a Green Party candidate before opting to go without a party affiliation. He is a liberal thought leader and was a key surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during the senator's 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns.

Wests choice of Abdullah, who is a Muslim, may also appeal to voters who don't like the way the Biden Administration has dealt with the Israel-Hamas war, said Christopher Devine, an associate professor of political science at the University of Dayton in Ohio.

"I do think he might encourage more support from folks who are particularly concerned about the war in Gaza and how she may see this political moment," said Devine, co-author of the book "Do Running Mates Matter? "This move might solidify support with his small group of voters who want to protest the Biden Administration and make a statement."

Abdullah, 51, who has never run for political office before, said in a statement that she and West's campaign "offers a real vision for the world that stands in opposition to oppressive forces and holds fast to the universal principles of truth, justice, and love."

Abdullah said she and West will work "arm-in-arm with justice-loving people everywhere," as their ticket will now try to get on voter ballots nationwide.

"We reimagine and work to build a world that chooses goodwill over greed, courage over cowardice, and liberation over-exploitation," Abdullah said. "Together, we are igniting a movement to not only dismantle harmful systems, but establish the firm foundations of a just, nurturing, and free world."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cornel West's VP pick is Melina Abdullah, obscure L.A. academic
A book was recently returned to a Colorado library after being checked out in 1919. Photo courtesy of Poudres Libraries

April 10 (UPI) -- A Colorado library said a book was recently returned to the facility after being due back 105 years earlier.

Poudre Libraries announced on its website that the copy of Ivanhoe, by Sir Walter Scott, had been due back at the Fort Collins Public Library and Free Reading Room on Feb. 13, 1919.

The book was returned to the library system by a woman who reported that her brother had found it among their mother's belongings in Kansas.

The library system said the book would have accrued about $760 in late fees under the 1919 rate of 2 cents per day, but the library eliminated late fines in 2020.
There are presently two major conflicts taking place, in Gaza and Ukraine, that have a direct bearing on the future security of the West and its allies. And yet, in each case, the recent diplomatic interventions of our foreign secretary, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, appear to be making matters worse, not better.

Even since Iranian-backed terrorists launched their monstrous assault against Israel on October 7, there has been widespread recognition that Israel has every right to defend itself by destroying Hamass terrorist infrastructure. This, after all, is how the US and its allies responded in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001, when they waged a merciless campaign to destroy Osama bin Ladens terrorist infrastructure. And yes, a good many Afghan civilians perished in the process.

In terms of ideology, Hamas is little different from the Taliban and other extremist Islamist groups, such as Islamic State (IS), whose declared goal is the destruction of Western democracy, including here in Britain. Hamas, moreover, has the added advantage of enjoying the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran, another Islamist entity that views Britain as small Satan, compared to the great Satan superpower, the US.

Irans residual hostility to the UK appeared to surface when a presenter working for an Iranian opposition channel in London suffered a brutal knife attack designed, it is believed, to silence his criticism of the ayatollahs.

From Britains national security perspective, Israels military campaign against Hamas and other Iranian-backed terror groups, such as Hezbollah, is very much in our interests. Defeating Hamas would not only liquidate one of the worlds most deadly terrorist organisations, it would send a clear warning to Tehran that efforts to target the West will be forcefully resisted.

Cameron, however, clearly sees things differently, judging by his recent musings on the Gaza conflict. Rather than backing Israels existential battle for survival, the Foreign Secretary has, since the start of this year, seemingly made it a priority to campaign on behalf of the Palestinians, even suggesting that Britain might be prepared to recognise Palestinian statehood before the Gaza conflict has finished.

Although Cameron has ruled it out, there must surely be a concern that such a declaration may ultimately lead to a Hamas government controlling an independent Palestine if the terror group manages to survive the Gaza conflict.

And Camerons recent contribution to the Ukraine conflict, where he has been lobbying Washington to release around $60 billion in much-needed aid for the Ukrainian cause, appears to have been equally counterproductive, judging from the decidedly frosty reception he received from key US lawmakers.

As with Israels campaign to destroy Hamas, helping Ukraine achieve victory against Russia is seen as vital to the Wests future security: inflicting an ignominious defeat on Moscow would dissuade Russian president Vladimir Putin from initiating any future territorial disputes in Europe, especially against countries forming Natos eastern flank.

Camerons hopes of breaking the deadlock in Congress over providing further funding for Ukraine appear to have made little headway after the former prime minister opted to make a dinner date with former US president Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Unlike Nigel Farage, who is on good terms with Trump, Cameron makes for an unlikely dining companion, having previously described his host, at various points, as protectionist, xenophobic and misogynistic.

As Trump, who last month declared he will not give Ukraine a penny if he regains the presidency in November, is leading efforts to block further US aid to Kyiv, Cameron clearly thought it worth trying to change his mind. Instead, it resulted in Mike Johnson, the influential Speaker of the House of Representatives and a staunch Trump supporter, declining to meet Cameron when he arrived in Washington. This was a significant setback, as the fate of Bidens Ukraine aid package lies in Johnsons hands, and he has so far resisted calls to call a vote on the aid proposal.

Camerons Mar-a-Lago jaunt made a similarly negative impression on senior members of the Biden administration, who stand to lose their jobs if Trump wins re-election. The administrations lack of enthusiasm for engaging with the Foreign Secretary was made plain when he was overheard complaining, Im not quite sure who I am and who Im not seeing.

Whether Camerons parting shot, where he warned Washington against adopting a policy of appeasement and weakness, will have the desired effect of resolving the Congressional aid logjam remains to be seen. But the fact that he left empty-handed, with no sign of progress being made in releasing the next tranche of US aid to Kyiv, suggests that, as with Gaza, Cameron is in danger of becoming a diplomatic liability.

If his efforts only result in alienating key allies such as Israel and the US, then even Downing Street, whose interest in global affairs is currently confined to Rwanda, might conclude that the Foreign Secretarys contribution is more of a hindrance than a help.

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.
When state Rep. Delisha Boyd was born in September 1969, abortion was illegal in Louisiana. Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision, was still more than three years away.

So when her 15-year-old mother conceived her after a statutory rape by a 28-year-old man, Boyd said, she had few options. She could carry the pregnancy to term or flee to a state that allowed abortions.

Today, a girl in Louisiana could face a similar choice.

Understanding that reality prompted Boyd, a Democrat who has represented Orleans Parish since 2021, to launch an uphill political crusade to add exceptions for rape and incest to Louisianas abortion ban.

Despite broad support for such measures in the state and nationally, Boyds first attempt failed last year, amid opposition from Republican legislators and anti-abortion groups, like Louisiana Right to Life. Every person deserves the same protection under the law, no matter the nature of their conception, the group recently wrote on its website.

Some Republicans nationally have softened their hard-line stances on abortion amid the electoral backlash to Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health, the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. But Louisianas current religious and political landscape is one in which even Democrats dont universally support exceptions for rape and incest.

Louisiana is now one of at least 11 states that have either severely restricted or banned abortion without exceptions for rape or incest. The ban allows abortions only for certain fetal conditions or if a pregnant patients life is in danger. Doctors can be imprisoned for up to 15 years and fined $200,000 for violating the law.

Before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, there were three abortion clinics in Louisiana. Out of the 7,444 abortions reported in the state in 2021, the last full year before the abortion ban went into effect, at least 37 patients, some of them under age 15, said rape or incest was the reason for their abortions, according to the Louisiana Health Department.

The three clinics shut down in 2022, and last year only three abortions total  for any reason  were reported statewide, according to an agency spokesperson.

Today, Boyd said, shes concerned about survivors without the means to travel out of state for abortion care and the actions they may take in desperation.

In an interview, Boyd said her mothers experience drove her to self-medicate with drugs. She was only 28 when she died from an overdose. She didnt die in childbirth, Boyd said, but ultimately she lost her life because of what happened to her. The man who raped her mother has also since died.

In February, Boyd reintroduced her bill, despite the odds.

If I dont do it, who will? she said.

Louisiana state Rep. Delisha Boyd at her office in New Orleans. (Akasha Rabut for NBC News)

In the wake of the Dobbs decision, doctors, advocates for rape survivors and abortion-rights supporters have shared concerns about what it means for victims of rape and incest.Dr. Nicole Freehill, an OB-GYN based in New Orleans, has treated at least two pregnant rape survivors since the ban passed.

Pregnancy is not a benign condition, she said. Why should you make somebody go through a dangerous medical condition for nine months if it was not something they ever intended or tried to have happen?

Freehill recalled treating an adolescent who became pregnant after her uncle raped her. She came into the emergency room with stomach pain and didnt know the cause until an ultrasound examination showed she was about 19 weeks pregnant. Another had taken emergency contraception after having been date-raped but still became pregnant.

Freehill believes both were ultimately able to go out of state for abortion care. But that option has its own barriers. Some of the abortion clinics nearest to New Orleans are more than 300 miles away in Florida. And access in the Southeast will plunge next month when Floridas six-week abortion ban takes effect.

Abby Ledoux, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, which serves Louisiana and part of Texas, said the nonprofit group has patient navigators, who help connect clients, including some rape and incest survivors, to abortion resources.

She said exceptions for rape and incest dont guarantee that survivors will find providers willing to perform the procedure.

In Mississippi, where the states sole abortion clinic closed in 2022, a 13-year-old rape victim was unable to get an abortion, despite the states exception for such cases. Their doctor said the nearest abortion provider was in Illinois; the family did not have funds for travel.

Still, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast supports Boyds bill. It would be far better to overturn the abortion ban, she said, but any care in this state is important and a step in the right direction.

Last May, Boyd shared her mothers experience publicly for the first time at a committee hearing. She said she felt compelled to help her colleagues understand the harm that could come from having no exceptions.Boyd told them that she didnt know what her mother would have done if she had had a choice  and that she couldnt speak for other survivors. It is not my right to decide how that woman chooses, she said.

During the public comment period, Dr. Damon Cudihy, an OB-GYN and military veteran, argued against the bill. It would be more just to apply the death penalty to rapists, not to the innocent children, he said.

Democratic Rep. Alonzo Knox, a former Marine, fired back. When you served, you fought for freedom, right? he asked. So can you help me understand as you sit here today why do you want to take freedom away, particularly for women?

At the end of the hearing, the bill failed along party lines.

This years bill may fare no better. Boyd said she spoke with Democratic Rep. Patricia Moore, who has also spoken publicly about having been conceived by rape, about the bill. Asked for comment, however, Moore said she plans to vote no.

Louisiana State Rep. Patricia Moore. (Louisiana House of Representatives)

In sharing her position, she referred to her religious beliefs. I do believe every child that comes into this world, every pregnancy, if God allowed it, it was for a purpose, Moore said. Its not like its a mistake.

Boyd knows the bills passage is unlikely. It has yet to be scheduled for a committee hearing, which is required before a vote. Still, she refuses to back down. Im too old to be afraid of what might happen and too young not to do anything about it.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
As America aims to send humans back to the moon and astronauts potentially go to Mars for the first time, Colorado  with its cluster of talent and growing constellation of space companies  is fast becoming an essential hub to making those missions a reality.
A blighted and abandoned building located at 2988 Houston Avenue was demolished Wednesday as part of the countys Blight Fight project.

Mayor Lester Miller said the event marks the 688th Blight Fight demolition. The project began in April 2021 to remove unsafe structures.

Mayor Lester Miller speaks at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the demolition of a blighted building on Houston Avenue.

Our Blight Fight is about more than just removing dangerous structures - its about building back up and strengthening an entire area, and Im proud of the work our departments and community partners have begun here along Houston Avenue, Miller said.

An abandoned building was demolished on Wednesday as part of Bibb Countys Blight Fight initiative.

During a news conference Wednesday, Miller also spoke about more improvements coming to the area, including the new Frankie E. Lewis Park, the start of construction of the Park at Cliffview Lake, and the future of improved family health care in the area.

One of the new health care improvements will be a new nonprofit health center, First Choice Primary Care.

Katherine McLeod, director of First Choice Primary Care, said the center will provide primary care to anyone regardless of their ability to pay.

We will also have a pharmacy that will be open to anyone. You may have noticed there are no pharmacies in this part of town, she said. So, we will have a pharmacy, doctors, nurse practitioners and some behavioral health services so we can continue to serve this neighborhood.

McLeod said they wanted the facility to be in the heart of the neighborhood and theyd have it substantially completed in August.

Miller said since the work started in 2021 has seen substantial improvement, and the county continues to take steps in the right direction.

We must leverage all of our resources in our neighborhoods to truly address the needs of our friends and families because it doesnt matter which side of the county we live in, what happens to one of us - happens to all of us, Miller said. We are all in this together.
Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* Shortly after the Arizona Supreme Court upheld a near-total abortion ban in the state, the White House announced that Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Tucson on Friday, to continue her leadership in the fight for reproductive freedoms.

* Republican election officials in Ohio have already said that President Joe Biden might not appear on the 2024 ballot because the Democratic National Convention will be held after the states filing deadline. Now, Republican election officials in Alabama are saying the same thing.

* In Michigans closely watched U.S. Senate race, where Republicans appear likely to nominate former Rep. Mike Rogers, theres new reporting that the former GOP congressman is still registered to vote in Florida, where he moved after initially retiring from Congress.

* In North Dakotas gubernatorial race, where incumbent Gov. Doug Burgum is stepping down after two terms, the state Republican Party endorsed Rep. Kelly Armstrong in the 2024 race. Burgum, however, is supporting Armstrongs GOP rival, Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller.

* Theres all kinds of interesting data in the latest Pew Research Center national poll, but one thing stood out for me: Despite all the recent talk about dramatic racial realignments, theyre not reflected in the Pew data in any meaningful way.

* And NBC News reported this week that election officials across the country are leaving their jobs at the highest rates in decades ... putting thousands of new officials in place to oversee a tense and high-stakes 2024 presidential contest.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Married at First Sight Australia stars Evelyn Ellis and Duncan James have celebrated their one-year anniversary together.

The couple first met on season 10 of the Australian reality dating series and, despite being matched up to other people on the show, began dating each other after the experiment ended.

Evelyn shared the news of their latest relationship milestone on Instagram, responding to a question on her Stories by hitting back at comments that her and Duncan's romance wasn't genuine.

"We've already celebrated one year of our 'fake relationship'," she wrote alongside a crying laughing emoji, adding: "We had a boogie with our friends & just got back from travelling."

Related: MAFS Australia's Lauren defends Ellie against trolls

She then went on to address the allegation that she and Duncan weren't in a real relationship further, responding to a question which asked how she'd felt seeing the rumours claiming the couple were being paid to date.

"Honestly at first it broke my heart but now it's all just background noise. THANK GOSH," she replied.

The reality star also used the session to respond to fan questions about her and Duncan's future, including any plans to have children together.

"We both want kids in the future... Here is our AI generated baby for now," she responded to another follower, alongside an image of her and Duncan's artificially generated child.

Wendell Teodoro - Getty Images

Related: MAFS Australia's John Aiken weighs in on Lucinda joining expert panel

After originally being matched with now ex-partners Rupert and Alyssa respectively, Evelyn and Duncan stayed in touch after the show ended before confirming they were dating in May 2023.

Evelyn and Duncan's relationship has since gone from strength to strength, with the couple later confirming they had moved in together in the October.

"So, we had a discussion and we decided to make the move," Evelyn announced in a video on Instagram, adding that she and Duncan would be moving out of their respective apartments and into their first house together.

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

You Might Also Like
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  A Houston County Judge has reduced the bond of a cold case murder suspect from Dothan.

On Wednesday, Dwight Mills had his $1.5 million bond reduced to $150,000.

Mills is charged with one count of murder and abuse of a corpse in the 2001 murder of his wife, Sharon Mills.

Dothan Police Investigators say Mills killed his wife in Houston County before driving to Bonifay, Florida, and dumping her body in a ditch just after Christmas in 2001. She was found by an inmate cleanup crew in Bonifay, Florida, about a month after her disappearance.

In early March, Mills first asked for a bond reduction, but Judge Lewis denied that first request.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Supporters of Mali's M5-RFP opposition coalition, gather during a rally at the Independence Square in Bamako

BAMAKO (Reuters) - Mali's junta has issued a decree halting political party activities, government spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga announced in a statement read on state television on Wednesday evening.

The decree suspends until further notice all activities by political parties and "associations of a political nature" on the grounds of maintaining public order, the statement said.

Mali has been under military rule since August 2020, the first of eight coups in West and Central Africa over four years, including in its neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger.

Mali's current junta seized power in a second coup in 2021 and later promised to restore civilian rule by March 26, 2024 following elections in February of this year.

However, the junta said in September last year that it would indefinitely postpone February elections for technical reasons, sparking outrage among political groups.

Many reacted again after last month's transition deadline passed without a vote, with some of Mali's main political parties and civil society groups on March 31 calling for a time frame for elections.

"We will use all legal and legitimate avenues for the return of normal constitutional order in our country," they said in a joint statement that had over 20 signatories, including a major opposition coalition and the toppled ex-president's party.

Mali's military rulers already broke a first promise to hold elections in February 2022.

(Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Writing by Portia Crowe; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Man accused of leading police on high-speed chase through several Allegheny County communities

A man is behind bars after he led police on a high-speed chase through several Allegheny County communities Tuesday.

According to the criminal complaint, state police saw a black Jeep Wagoneer with a Tennessee license plate swerving out of its lane on state Route 28 in OHara Township just after 11 a.m.

Officials said troopers followed the Jeep, which exited onto the Highland Park Bridge and into Aspinwall. They tried to initiate a traffic stop near MedExpress, but the vehicle drove onto the curb and went down Freeport Road.

The Jeep accelerated while evading the patrol cars lights and sirens, hitting speeds of up to 80 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone, the complaint said.

While chasing the vehicle through Sharpsburg, troopers lost sight of it before being flagged down by a pedestrian and a passerby and pointed in the right direction.

The Jeep was found at a dead end in a parking lot. It sped toward the troopers and nearly hit them, the complaint said.

Troopers tried a maneuver to stop the vehicle, but it was unsuccessful. State police chased the Jeep for several streets before terminating the pursuit in the area of Morningside Avenue to Stanton Avenue.

Around 30 minutes after the chase started, City of Pittsburgh police notified state troopers of the Jeep being in the area of Negley Run Boulevard.

State police found the Jeep in the area and began asking around for camera footage. One of the buildings had video of the suspect carrying a black duffle bag before going into an apartment inside.

The man, identified as Hermas Uriah Craddock, was found inside a relatives apartment. He appeared glassy and had bloodshot eyes, the complaint said.

Craddock had bulk currency in his pockets alongside two cell phones. The duffle bag was found to have a baggie of marijuana and another cell phone.

A firearm was also found in a dresser along with several rounds of ammunition, two extended magazines and an additional magazine. The tenant said none of the items were his.

Craddock is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude officer, assault of law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm, firearms not to be carried without license, recklessly endangering another person, tampering with/fabricating physical evidence and driving under the influence, as well as several drug and traffic related charges.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Missing Beaver County man found dead during search of Monongahela River in Elizabeth Township 2 suspects charged after 60-year-old man brutally attacked inside his Sewickley home Airline offers service from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia for half the cost of traveling on PA Turnpike VIDEO: New bill would expand Pennsylvania's distracted driving law DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Man accused of traveling to Springfield from California for sex with child

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  A man from California is under arrest in Sangamon County after law enforcement officials said he traveled from his home state to Springfield to meet a minor for sexual acts.

Officials with the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office said the investigation began in September of 2022, when they were notified an adult male was communicating online with a Sangamon County child. The adult distributed nude images of the child on social media, officials added, and it was reported that he had traveled from California to meet the child.

Detectives identified the suspect as Matthew Rodriguez, 24 of Sylmar, Calif. After completing an extensive investigation, officials said the case was transferred to Homeland Security Investigations, as it is a federal offense to cross state lines to meet a minor.

Westville man arrested, charged with 22 child pornography counts

Rodriguez was arrested in Springfield on April 3, officials said. He was detained on and charged with the following crimes: transportation of minors, enticement of a minor and transfer of obscene material to a minor.

In addition to announcing the arrest, the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office thanked the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center, Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Attorneys Office for the Central District of Illinois for their assistance in the investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing another man in his neck, sending him to the hospital, the Visalia Police Department announced on Tuesday.

Officers say they responded to the 1300 block of North Hall Street for a report of an assault with a deadly weapon on March 26 at 7:55 p.m.

Upon arrival, police say they discovered a man with multiple stab wounds to his neck. The victim was transported to Kaweah Health Medical Center for treatment.

Officers with the Visalia Police Department Violent Crimes Unit responded and took over the investigation. During the investigation, detectives say 28-year-old Stephen Mosley was identified as the suspect.

On Tuesday afternoon, detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit say they along with members of the HOPE team began conducting a surveillance of known locations associated with the suspect.

According to investigators, Mosley was spotted in the 1200 block of North Rinaldi Street and was taken into custody without incident. He was booked on suspicion of attempted homicide.

Officers say the victim has since recovered and has been released from the hospital.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
CONTENT WARNING: The video above contains graphic images of animal abuse that may bother some viewers.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida man was arrested after he was recorded violently stomping on his dog while they were walking near the Coastal Village Apartments in Fort Myers.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the sheriffs office got a call from a good Samaritan who was recording 20-year-old Beckham McLeod as he stomped and kicked his 9-month-old Pitbull named King.

When we first made contact with McLeod he simply said, what, I cant reprimand my dog? What you see there is not reprimanding, ITS CRUELITS ABUSE! Marceno said.

McLeod was arrested on charges of aggravated animal cruelty.

King was surrendered and taken to be evaluated by a veterinarian for bruising and swelling in his neck area.

I will do everything in my power to make absolute certain McLeod will not own another animal. Once convicted, his name will be placed on our animal abuse registry, Marceno said.

King will remain at the Lee County Domestic Animal Services until he is adopted into a loving home, according to the sheriffs office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Republicans on Tuesday accused Colorado's top election official of "destroying" the integrity of her office during a rare impeachment hearing that rehashed many of the arguments for or against disqualifying former President Donald Trump from the state's presidential ballot.

Griswold, a Democrat, called it a "sham inquiry."

Republicans, who pushed for the impeachment resolution, sought to put Secretary of State Jena Griswold on the defensive, accusing the Democrat of using her authority to push a partisan agenda by, among other things, publicly weighing in on the disqualification case against Trump when, they said, she should have taken a neutral position precisely because of her position.

Democrats, in turn, accused the Republicans of bringing forth a case with no basis in facts, maintaining that Griswold didn't break any law and, in fact, followed court orders.

"She has destroyed the integrity of the office," said Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, one of the sponsors of the impeachment resolution against Griswold.

In outlining the case against Griswold, Armagost argued that Griswold "improperly exercised" her authority by "inserting herself" in the case against Trump.

Before the hearing, Griswold issued a statement that accused House Republicans of "(embracing) election conspiracies and political games."

"Every elected official should speak up about the attacks on democracy. Instead, Colorado House Republicans ignore the truth: Donald Trump engaged in insurrection and tried to steal the presidency," she said.

After five hours, the House Judiciary Committee killed the resolution on a 8-3 party line vote.

The outcome was expected.

The impeachment hearing  House Judiciary Chair Rep. Mike Weissman restricted the list of witnesses and carefully watched the time allotted to the speakers  was unlike almost any other at the Capitol. In addition to exchanging heated rhetoric, some of the hearing focused on Griswold's management of her office, including claims she has used her position to settle political scores with her critics. At times, Democrats tried to steer the conversation to Trump, noting the findings of a district court that he engaged in insurrection.

A divided Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump is barred from the presidential ballot. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected that conclusion.

House Resolution 1006 focused on Griswold's comments supporting the Colorado Supreme Court's 4-3 decision to bar Trump from the ballot. It claimed that Griswold's statements constituted malfeasance in office, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abuse of the public trust, and for that, she should be impeached.

Armagost, who presented the case against Griswold alongside Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, said the Democrat official should know that it is unlawful to remove a candidate from the ballot who has not been convicted of a crime.

Democrats pushed back.

Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, pressed Armagost if he agreed that the Jan. 6 riot was an "insurrection," noting the impeachment resolution called it an "alleged insurrection." Armagost did not answer the question.

Woodrow also read off statistics on the injuries suffered by law enforcement during Jan. 6 insurrection. He said three separate courts had determined Trump engaged in an insurrection but noted that the ballots that went out to voters included Trump's name on it, rendering his case against Griswold moot.

"Your allegation does not make sense," he said.

Vice-chair Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver, noted an interview with 9News' Kyle Clark, in which Armagost indicated the purpose of the resolution was to get Republicans out to vote.

Was this just a "political game"? Bacon asked.

Armagost, who at times said the line of questioning from Democrats veered from the subject of the resolution, replied that his response was taken out of context.

Republicans on the judiciary committee argued for the resolution.

Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Fort Lupton, pointed out that although courts had said Trump engaged in an insurrection on Jan. 6, he has not been convicted of it.

The witnesses

The resolution's sponsors and critics lined up witnesses to support their arguments.

Featured Local Savings

U.S. Capitol Officer Harry Dunn, who was at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, described the bomb threats, how Trump supporters stormed the Capitol and called him the "n' word, as well as how the people who rioted believed they had been called to "stop the steal" by Trump.

"Denying what actually happened is disingenuous and a slap in the face to those who experienced it," Dunn said.

Former District Attorney Stan Garnett said there was not enough evidence to impeach Griswold. He said he allegation of violating due process could not be sustained because that does not have to do with the public remarks of elected officials.

He said the resolution's claim that Griswold denied Coloradans the right to vote for their choice for president and prevented Trump from being listed as a candidate wasn't true  because Trump appeared on the ballot, and won the primary and most of the state's delegates to the Republican National Convention.

"I've never seen someone impeached for stating their opinions," Garnett said, adding the jurisprudence makes it clear that elected officials don't lose their First Amendment rights and they, in fact, have an "enhanced obligation" to speak their mind because the public has a right to hear it.

Former Deputy Secretary of State Suzanne Taheri testified at length about Griswold's operations of the office.

"I'm not here as a Trump supporter or to claim machines are rigged," she said.

Politicians are playing games with elections  and that applies to both Trump and Griswold, she told the committee.

Taheri said Griswold's testimony was highly partisan.

"This has been building for many years," she said, adding Griswold had no experience in elections when she was elected to the office in 2018, the Democrat didn't care much about voting, and she hadn't bothered to vote in previous elections.

She said Griswold started off by appointing a few promising people but her entire executive team turned over in the first 13 months  and that is something that has happened repeatedly during her time in office, Taheri said.

Griswold "has used the office to settle scores with political enemies," Taheri said, adding she hears from clerks and election workers that they don't feel safe.

It isn't about the "Big Lie," Taheri said, adding it's because they don't trust the Secretary of State. "She's not a neutral arbiter and not concerned about it."

Former state Sen. Ray Scott, R-Grand Junction, said voting in favor of the resolution "will help uphold the integrity of electoral process."

"If the Secretary of State truly had the interest of the people and protecting our election system at the top of her priorities, instead of spending $4.3 million on self-promotion, she would have instead given this money to counties throughout Colorado to bolster election security for the safety of our tireless election workers," Scott said. "This would have helped increase confidence in our election system and made our election workers feel valued and appreciated."

Meanwhile, unaffiliated voter Carrie Mumma told the committee she values her independence and the ability to assess information critically.

"It's disheartening to see an elected official who is responsible for maintaining the integrity of our democratic system fail to meet our expectations," she said of Griswold.

Former Secretary of State Scott Gessler, who was on Trump's legal team in Anderson v. Griswold, testified that Griswold has bullied her critics and engaged in "thuggish" behavior.

The turnover in the office indicates more than managerial chaos, Gessler said, adding it undermines what has made Colorado successful in elections and that's having a professional staff that remains over many years and works hard to serve the voters rather than fulfilling a political agenda.

"I have seen secretaries of state take a neutral position and keep their mouths shut," Gessler said.

That tradition has been shattered by Griswold, he added.

Rep. Lorena Garcia pressed Gessler, Taheri and Mumma about whether they believed the election was stolen, whether Biden won the 2020 election, and whether Jan. 6 was an insurrection.

Gessler replied the electoral college certified Biden as the winner, but answered "yes" to whether the election was stolen and "no" to whether Jan. 6 was a insurrection.

There have been five other efforts in state history to impeach elected officials, the most recent in 2004 involving a district court judge. The House impeached the Secretary of State in 1935 over bribery allegations but he resigned before the Senate could hold a trial.

Maine Republican lawmakers attempted last January to impeach their Secretary of State over removing Trump from the ballot. That effort also failed.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Todd Angevine, 35, has been charged for the fatal stabbing of Lonnie Hunter, 43, on Sunday.

According to court documents, Angevine has been charged with murder in the second degree.

He is being held on a $500,000 bond and is scheduled to be back in court on April 26.

West Wichita bank robbed Wednesday

According to Wichita Police Department Public Information Officer Kris Gupilan, officers were dispatched a little before 1 a.m. on Sunday to the report of a stabbing north of the Lincoln Street Bridge over the Arkansas River.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers found Hunter with multiple stab wounds along the walking path just north of the Bridge. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gupilan said an investigation revealed a group of people were walking along the river when they encountered the suspect, described as a homeless man, and the fatal stabbing happened.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A man has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and a hate crime for an attack that happened on March 28, the San Francisco District Attorneys Office announced. The victim of the hate crime was an Asian person.

Anti-Asian hate crimes are unacceptable, and these baseless attacks have absolutely no place on our streets in San Francisco, said DA Brooke Jenkins. Hate crimes shake our communities and have reverberating effects felt in neighborhoods across the City. My office stays committed to prosecuting hate crimes against all races, religions, and groups when we have the evidence necessary to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Six gang members who terrorized SF Mission District sentenced

The alleged attack happened on March 28 at Polk Street and Vallejo Street. In a press release issued Tuesday, the DAs office did not provide details about what specifically happened.

The suspect was identified as Anell Medrano. He remains in custody, and prosecutors are trying to keep him in jail before he goes to trial because they believe he is a public safety risk, according to the DAs office.

Medrano was charged with a hate crime because he made racial statements during the assault, the DA said.

A police investigation into the assault remains open. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Departments tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A Kansas City man faces multiple felony charges after police say he shot an officer during a traffic stop on Monday night.

Dwayne A. Barnes is charged with two counts of assault in the first degree, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, four counts of armed criminal action and resisting arrest. Prosecutors requested a $200,000 bond, according to a news release Tuesday.

In a probable cause affidavit filed in court Tuesday, the man was pulled over around 10:18 p.m. Monday and was suspected of driving under the influence. As officers were putting him in handcuffs, police allege the man tensed up and pulled away, then he was taken to the ground by the officers.

As he was brought back to his feet, the affidavit says, video footage from a police vehicle dash camera shows a gun near the mans right hip and that one shot was fired, hitting an officer on the elbow. Police said a second round was fired before the man was taken to the ground a second time.

Officers said they located a silver Smith and Wesson .357 revolver at the scene, which contained three live rounds and two spent shell casings.

Police said the officer was taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  The body of a man pulled from Lake Erie on Monday, April 8, has been identified as a student from India, who was reported to be missing since March 5.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office on Wednesday confirmed to FOX 8 News that the body of 25-year-old Abdul Arfath Mohammed was retrieved from the waters of Lake Erie in the 1000 block of East 9th Street.

We now know cause of natural gas odor in NE Ohio

Thats near Voinovich Bicentennial Park on the East 9th Street pier and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Police officers responded to the area at about 2:30 p.m. on Monday, according to a news release.

The cause and manner of his death have not been released.

The former Cleveland State University student was last seen on March 5, along East 13th Street, when he left his home in Reserve Square but never returned, according to Cleveland police.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Police first started circulating missing person flyers on March 14.

Records show the man transferred out of Cleveland State University before the spring 2024 semester, which started Jan. 13, according to a statement from a CSU spokesperson issued to FOX 8 News on Thursday.

He lived off-campus while attending CSU, according to the spokesperson.

Cleveland State University is saddened to hear of the death of former student Abdul Arfath Mohammed, the statement reads. Cleveland States thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time, and CSU PD will continue to serve as a resource to Cleveland police as needed.

The Consulate General of India in New York acknowledged the mans death in a Monday social media post:

Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio. Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfaths family. @IndiainNewYork is in touch with local agencies to ensure thorough investigation into Mr Mohammed Abdul Arfaths death. We are extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family to transport his mortal remains to India. Statement on X from Consulate General of India in New York

Rite Aid announces 53 more store closings

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State also released the following statement:

We have seen reports of Mohammed Abdul Arfaths death and express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. We are strongly committed to the safety, welfare, and comfort of international students on U.S. campuses. We are working with the Indian Government to ensure that the nearly 270,000 Indian students on our campuses are aware of and have full access to campus resources. U.S. Department of State spokesperson

FOX 8 News has reached out to Cleveland police for more information.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
(FOX40.COM)  A man was killed and his wife was injured in a tunnel underneath Interstate 5 in Sacramento on Sunday, the California Highway Patrol said.

CHP said a 41-year-old man from Sacramento was fatally injured around 11 a.m. The mans wife was also injured and is being treated for her injuries.

Drugs, 1,000 rounds of ammunition and 19 roosters confiscated from Turlock home

CHP did not say how the victims were injured but described the incident as a violent occurrence.

According to CHP, several people live in the tunnel near the south end of Front Street.

Police said they interviewed several area residents but are seeking the publics help in getting in contact with John Gavino, 63, to speak about the incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
A group of deputies searching for a suspect that led them on a chase got quite the surprise when they caught up to him.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Monday, just after 8:30 p.m., Coweta County deputies were patrolling the area of West Highway 16 and the Bypass when they were notified by Flock cameras of a vehicle, where the driver had a suspended license and warrants with the sheriffs office.

Deputies said the tag displayed was on a red Saturn car but the tag came back to a Honda CR-V.

According to authorities, deputies remembered that when they ran the tag, it was from a home where the driver, Thommiaston Battle, 30, lived and the tag was on a different vehicle.

The sheriffs office said Battles license was suspended and he had two active warrants for failure to appear.

TRENDING STORIES:

Coweta County authorities said as they attempted to stop Battle, he drove along Macedonia Road, speeding past deputies and abruptly stopping on a dead-end road. Deputies said Battle hopped out of the car and began running.

Battle reportedly ran up a hill that goes to the Little Giant grocery store. Once deputies entered the store, managers reportedly told them they spotted Battle come in quickly but did not see where he went.

A manager told deputies that someone had been in the restrooms for quite some time. When deputies walked into the restroom, they said a person in the last stall matched what Battle was wearing.

Officials yelled out for Battle to come out, but said he refused and stated that he was using the restroom. Deputies said they told him to come out again, and Battle stated that he would unlock the door and show them that he was using the restroom and could not come out.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Deputies unlocked the door and found Battle sitting on the toilet. Coweta authorities pulled Battles pants up and arrested him.

Battle reportedly told deputies that he ran because he was scared of law enforcement and knew his license was not valid.

He was booked into the Coweta County Jail and charged with driving on a suspended license, brake light violation, concealing the identity of a vehicle, no proof of insurance, stop sign violation, operating a vehicle without a valid tag, fleeing/attempting to elude police and obstruction of law enforcement.

IN OTHER NEWS:
A man paid $200.57 for one night at a famous NYC hotel, then lived there rent-free for years. Now he could go to jail.

A man paid $200.57 for one night at a famous NYC hotel, then lived there rent-free for years. Now he could go to jail.

Mickey Barreto booked a one-night stay at the New Yorker Hotel in 2018 for $200.57.

He stayed and paid no rent for five years thanks to a local housing law.

Police arrested him in February. He's now facing fraud charges and possible jail time.

A man successfully lived in the iconic New Yorker Hotel building for half a decade without paying a single cent in rent  but the jig is up.

Police arrested Mickey Barreto in February and charged him with filing fraudulent property records after he attempted to claim ownership of the hotel, the Manhattan district attorney's office said.

Prosecutors said Barreto skirted thousands of dollars worth of rent payments by exploiting a little-known local housing law and then attempted to charge another tenant in the building rent.

As alleged, Mickey Barreto repeatedly and fraudulently claimed ownership of one of the Citys most iconic landmarks, the New Yorker Hotel, Alvin Bragg, Manhattan's district attorney, said in a statement.

Barreto is facing 24 charges, including 14 felony fraud counts. If he's found guilty, he could be sentenced to several years in prison, The New York Times reported.

Barreto's residency at the renowned hotel  which in its heyday hosted many dignitaries and celebrities, including Muhammad Ali and John F. Kennedy  dates back to 2018 when he first learned about New York City's Rent Stabilization Code. This law grants tenants who live in individual rooms within buildings built prior to 1969 the right to request a six-month lease.

The entrance to the New Yorker Hotel. Kevin Webb/Business Insider

In June 2018, Barreto checked into room 2565 with his partner, Matthew Hannan, for one night and was charged $200.57.

The following day, Barreto requested a six-month lease from the hotel and was promptly evicted.

Barretto  a California transplant with a penchant for conspiracy theories who also claims to be the leader of a tribal community he founded in Brazil, according to The New York Times  refused to take no for an answer.

Barreto was eventually caught in a web of lies

That July, he took the building's owner, the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, to housing court, claiming he was illegally evicted. A representative for the church didn't show up, so the judge sided with Barreto, and the hotel had to give him the key.

The two parties never agreed on lease terms, and because he couldn't be evicted, Barreto lived at the hotel rent-free.

Soon, Barreto began portraying himself as the owner of the hotel and eventually demanded rent from one of the building's tenants, the TickTock diner.

The DA's office said that Barreto also registered the hotel under his name with the city's Department of Environmental Protection as part of an effort to gain control of the hotels bank accounts.

The Unification Church, which bought the New Yorker in 1976, sued Barreto for representing himself as the hotel's owner on LinkedIn and uploading a forged deed to a city website. Barreto was ordered by a judge to stop asserting that he owned the building, but he continued to live there.

Last year, Barreto again filed papers with the city claiming to be the building's owner, and that's when the district attorney's office stepped in.

Business Insider reached out to Barreto through his company, Mickey Barreto Missions, but didn't receive a response before publication.

I never intended to commit any fraud. I dont believe I ever committed any fraud, Barreto told The Associated Press. And I never made a penny out of this.

The check-in desk at the New Yorker Hotel. Sharkshock

Barreto  who claims to be a direct descendant of Christopher Columbus, according to the Times  is now awaiting trial.

In another bizarre move, Barreto claimed he placed his one phone call to the White House, leaving a message disclosing his location, before being released from police custody.

There's no evidence to suggest any connection between Barreto and the White House, the Times reported.

When asked for a comment by BI, the New York City Police Department directed questions to the district attorney's office.

Correction: April 12, 2024  An earlier version of this story misstated details about the legal claims filed by Barreto and the building's owner. Barreto initially took the building owner to housing court for being illegally evicted, and a judge sided with him because a representative for the owner did not appear in court. That case did not go before the state Supreme Court and there was no appeal filed. The story has also been updated to clarify some details about the chronology of the legal disputes between the two parties.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A homeowner who lost his house to coastal erosion is suing the Government for breaching his human rights, in a landmark case following this weeks controversial European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling on climate change.

Kevin Jordan, 70, a former marine engineer, is one of two Britons who claim their human rights have been violated by the failure of the Government to protect them.

The chances of his groundbreaking case succeeding have been boosted by a ruling by the ECHR on Tuesday that governments have a duty to protect people from climate change.

Mr Jordans judicial review is due to be considered this summer by the High Court, where judges will take account of previous legal precedents such as the ECHR ruling. It is likely to intensify the political row after MPs accused the ECHR of usurping the role of elected politicians in determining climate change policies.

Mr Jordan said he had lost everything as a result of his chalet bungalow in Hemsby, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, being demolished last December. It was pulled down by the council after global warming saw the land protecting it from the sea erode at seven times the predicted rate in the 14 years that he lived there.

I am now what you call a climate refugee. I lost my home with no compensation. I am now in local authority accommodation. My lovely sea views are reduced to a ground floor flat looking at cars going past, said Mr Jordan, who spent his career designing and developing underwater vehicles.

Kevin Jordan's house before it was demolished in the face of the encroaching North Sea - Tony Buckingham

Lawyers for Friends of the Earth, which is backing his case, claim that the Governments failure to protect Mr Jordan from the sea is a breach of section 6 of the Human Rights Act, which covers unlawful policies by a public authority that damage peoples rights.

Mr Jordan said he had decided to take on the Government after being asked by the Save Hemsby Coastline campaign group, of which he is a trustee, and having his court costs underwritten through a huge local fundraising effort. It was a natural thing for me to do. I am a bit of a climate warrior, he said.

He said the warrior tag fitted Hemsby as marking the front line in the battle against global warming. Last year, 12 houses were condemned and demolished after the coast was battered by storm after storm.

The Climate Change Committee, which advises the Government, has estimated more than 500,000 properties are at risk of collapse or flooding, rising to more than 1.5 million by the 2080s because of rising sea levels.

Measures to protect people

The governments national adaptation programme (NAP3) sets out measures to protect people from climate change such as extreme heat, flooding and coastal erosion. But Friends of the Earth say it is not fit for purpose and claim it breaches the Climate Change Act, which sets legally binding targets to reduce CO2 emissions.

Will Rundle, the groups head of legal, said: We believe this programme not only breaches the Climate Change Act, but also violates the human rights of our two co-claimants. We are currently considering the full importance and consequence of the ECHR judgment, and what impact, if any, this may have on our legal challenge.

The second person taking legal action for a breach of his human rights is Doug Paulley, who has a number of health conditions that he says have been worsened by higher summer temperatures, causing him distress and putting him at increased risk of serious harm.

His case mirrors Tuesdays successful ECHR case, in which a group of elderly women, backed by Greenpeace, said that Switzerlands government violated their human rights by failing to act quickly enough to address climate change.

They argued that their demographic group was particularly vulnerable to climate-induced heatwaves. One woman said she could not leave her house for three weeks during the summer.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A man pleaded guilty Monday to robbing two students at Old Dominion University at gunpoint in 2022.

Court documents reveal in the evening of Nov. 4, 2022, 22-year-old Anton Miller Jr. stopped in front of a student walking home while inside of a gray Dodge Charger.

Miller, wearing a black ski mask, got out of the car from the passengers side and demanded all of the victims property while holding a gun to their head. The student complied with Millers demands, calling the cops after watching the Charger drive off with Miller, according to officials.

Moments after, Miller robbed a separate student along Hampton Boulevard.

Anton Miller Jr. (Courtesy: Norfolk Sheriffs Office)

Norfolk Police officers, while responding to a nearby drug store, spotted the gray Charger in a nearby parking lot. Officers arrested Miller, who was seen with an ammunition magazine tucked into his waistband.

Officers searched Millers vehicle, a nearby Hyundai Elantra, where they found a firearm matching the magazine in Millers waistband on the floor of the drivers side, along with Millers identification card.

The identification card of one of the victims was also found in the gray Charger.

The driver of the Charger and another passenger told officers they knew Miller from the Navy, and that they were driving around the campus in order to find a party. According to them, Miller demanded they stop the vehicle and pulled out a firearm.

Both the driver and passenger of the Charger complied with Millers demands to leave the crime scenes. After the second robbery, the driver returned to the drug stores parking lot, where Miller was subsequently arrested.

Every student deserves to go to school in a safe environment, and Mr. Miller violated their safety and that right, Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi said. Mr. Miller threatened and endangered these students, and we appreciate the hep of the victims and the Norfolk Police in holding Mr. Miller accountable.

Miller is scheduled for sentencing on July 26.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
When the Colorado School for the Blind opened in 1874 at Cucharras and Tejon streets with seven students, Colorado was a territory. On Monday, the school celebrated 150 years of education in Colorado Springs.

"This is a big deal, and this is legacy," said Mayor Yemi Mobolade at a ceremony on Monday.

Founded by Jonathan Kennedy and attended by three of his children who were deaf, the school expanded to its current location  on nearly 25 acres northeast of Pikes Peak Avenue and Institute Street and just east of downtown  in 1876. The school added education for blind students in 1883. Since then, the campus has expanded to include 17 buildings and its name is the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. The CSDB educates deaf and blind students from pre-k to the age of 21.

The celebration on Monday highlighted the interconnectedness of multiple generations of the tightknit school, with alumni panelists sharing their experiences from up to 60 years ago with the current generation of assembled students. Among the questions asked: What was living in the dorms like? What were your favorite places around campus? and What were your favorite memories from school?

The answers, from sneaking around after hours for snacks to favorite playground games, garnered laughs from an audience with shared experiences and community on the historic campus.

"I'm so grateful for my inheritance, for what I've had all these years. And you will be, too, someday," said alum Becky Shields, addressing the assembled students and staff.

Featured Local Savings

Don Alsbaugh, who graduated from the deaf school in 1979 and has kept involved with the school throughout his life, most recently with the school's historic committee, said he made friendships that he considered family at CSDB.

"I have a lot of relationships here. They're like my siblings. You see someone after a few years and it's like the biggest hug ever," he said via a translator.

Alsbaugh worked on the school's new on-campus museum that highlights milestones in the schools history. He said he wanted CSDB to last until the next big anniversary.

"My vision for the next fifty years would be for the school to still be here, for it to continue on," he said. "I just love it. Again, it's my second home here. I can't ever let go of this place. It's a part of me."

Students, staff and alums lined up on the stage Monday to drop mementos in a time capsule. The cylinder is meant to be opened 50 years from now when the school celebrates its 200th anniversary.

At the ceremony, the school also unveiled a mosaic mural designed by students with the help of local nonprofit Concrete Couch.
Man sentenced to 16 years in prison for filming young girls in shower

A man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for filming young girls while they were naked.

According to the office of the South Carolina attorney general, William Brandon Campbell, of Charlotte, recorded young girls while they were showering. He admitted to using the camera to film inside a bathroom at an Indian Land home.

A man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for filming young girls while they were naked. According to the office of the South Carolina attorney general, William Brandon Campbell, of Charlotte, recorded young girls while they were showering. He admitted to using the camera to film inside a bathroom at an Indian Land home.

PREVIOUS: 42-year-old Charlotte man arrested on child sex abuse charges

Campbell also admitted to being attracted to young girls for a few years, but said he never physically touched them, investigators said.

Campbell was arrested for the crime in August 2021. Authorities said he pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two counts of voyeurism and one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Authorities said Campbell was given credit for 95 days he already served. When he is released from prison, he will have to register as a sex offender.

(WATCH BELOW: Convicted sex offender accused of taking NC teen to Missouri appears in court)
LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A man who was shot dead in La Mesa last weekend has been publicly identified by authorities.

According to the La Mesa Police Department, 42-year-old Roderick Stroman of San Diego was the victim of a shooting that took place Sunday in the 7100 block of Waite Drive.

City of La Mesa gets first HAWK pedestrian signal

Stroman was found in the driver seat of a vehicle with a gunshot wound to his upper torso shortly after 12:30 a.m., police said. He pronounced dead at the scene.

Based on their investigation so far, homicide detectives believe the suspect specifically targeted Stroman. As explained by the police department, the exact relationship between the victim and suspect remains unknown at this time.

The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting is still under investigation. No arrests have been made at this time and no suspect information has been made available.

Anyone with information related to this deadly shooting is encouraged to call La Mesa Police at 619-667-1400, or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. A $1,000 reward is being offered for tips that lead to an arrest in the case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Starting with a sold-out opening weekend at the end of February, the Deaf Puppy Comedy Club has marked its territory as a comedy powerhouse in the Central Valley.

No one is more grateful than club owner Chris Teicheira. On the Monday morning that followed the rush of that opening weekend, he went to the roof of his Manteca venue to hang the next show on the marquee. As I was doing this, I could see out over my hometown, standing on my own comedy club, and it just felt great, like we arrived.

The Bay Area and Sacramento have long been strongholds for live comedy, but Deaf Puppy already is drawing big names to perform, and the community response has been overwhelming for Teicheira.

Owner Chris Teicheira holds his deaf dog, Banshee, at Deaf Puppy Comedy Club in Manteca, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Andy Alfaro/aalfaro@modbee.com

Up-and-coming comics used to have to drive far to just get started, but now they have a place, right here in the Valley, to work on their act. Its been amazing seeing all the local talent we have, he said.

The Modesto Bee profiled Teicheira and the club late last year, when he had hoped to open in early February. But three days before the first scheduled show, his beloved deaf dog, Banshee, died unexpectedly. Banshee was the namesake of his comedy club and performance troupe.

That was the worst call of my life, Teicheira recalled. Maybe some people cant believe we would postpone the opening, but I was just wrecked. We have a mural of her on the side of our building, and in our logo, her legacy lives on.

The club opened Feb. 22 with Modesto native Marcella Arguello performing three days of sold-out shows.

It was important to Teicheira to highlight the best of what homegrown talent looks like. Arguello most recently released a special on HBO Max, titled Bitch, Grow Up, in early 2023 and a comedy album in October, Mercury in Reggaeton. In January, she debuted a podcast, Comedy is Dead, on YouTube where she discusses the current state of comedy.

This weekend, audiences will have the opportunity to see another notable Valley native, Kris Tinkle, on stage for five shows Thursday through Saturday. Tinkle was profiled by The Modesto Bee in 2009 as he was getting ready to release his first stand-up album, Almost Awesome. Since then, he has released two more comedy albums, Maybe I Dont Feel Like Smiling in 2014 and Not My Cup of Tea in 2019.

Comedian Kris Tinkle on stage. Photo courtesy of Kris Tinkle. Kris Tinkle

Tinkle can be seen in the documentaries I Am a Road Comic (2014) and Such Great Heights (2012). The latter is about mixed martial artist John Fitch, whom Tinkle later collaborated with for a podcast, Fitch and Tinkle Smash Everything. Currently, Tinkle is the co-host with Vic Garcia of Tinkle and Vic, a podcast about pro wrestling.

I have known Kris for over 10 years, Teicheira said. When I started, he was already well known. When I was first doing shows, I could bounce ideas off of him and he has always been so supportive of up-and-coming comics. Both Kris and Marcella have done so much for the scene here. They are 209 people and they get it.

Tinkle recently moved back to California after establishing himself on the New York City comedy circuit over the past few years. When the pandemic hit, he moved briefly to Las Vegas to keep working as clubs across the country temporarily shut down. When things began to return to normal in California, Tinkle moved to San Francisco in part to be closer to relatives who still reside in Modesto and Ceres.

Tinkle said he believes the Central Valley was starved for a dedicated comedy venue and he is eager to return to help usher in the next generation of local talent.

There are so many good comics here. Whats cool about doing comedy here, its a little more open. The crowds are just different, more open to material that might not land as well with Bay Area crowds, that can sometimes be too serious.

Tinkle says his entry into comedy might have come easier if a venue like this had existed when he started. I definitely would have started earlier when I was young if we had a club like this. It would have happened way sooner. I had to figure out how to get to the Bay Area. Its cool there is a club like this where new comics can really hone their skills.

Murals adorn the outside walls of the Deaf Puppy Club in Manteca, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Andy Alfaro/aalfaro@modbee.com

On Wednesdays, Deaf Puppy hosts an open-mic night and the response has been incredible, with packed audiences and overwhelming sign-ups.

In our first show, we had about 50 comics show up, some from hours away. We only had room for 20 people in the lineup and the showroom was sold out. So you are getting a great and lively show, just 20 comics throwing their best stuff on stage for a few minutes. The crowd is really supportive and gets to see some of the best in the Valley, even people that are still unknown, Teicheira said.

When not offering laughs, the venue serves a full menu and operates as a bar and grill Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The comedy club is open Wednesday through Saturday with open mic on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Deaf Puppy All-Stars on Thursdays at 7 p.m. and a headliner show Fridays and Saturdays.

For tickets to Tinkle this weekend, visit www.deafpuppyclub.com/events/91359.
Heres how many people lined up for H-E-Bs opening in Fort Worths Alliance

In a vintage San Antonio Spurs ball cap, sporting an  I heart my H-E-B T-shirt and waving a Selena tote bag, Cristian Alcocer had been camped outside the Alliance H-E-B since 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

Cristian hasnt had an H-E-B to call his since 2006, when he left San Antonio.

Now, like all of Fort Worth, he does again.

At 6 a.m. Wednesday Fort Worths first H-E-B opened its doors at 3451 Heritage Trace Parkway.

Cristian, his wife Jennifer Alcocer and their daughter were three of over 800 people lined up before dawn for the opening of the San Antonio-based grocery store.

Jennifer said that every time they visit a city with an H-E-B they stock up on products but theyre excited to have one just a few blocks away.

He said he was excited about H-E-Bs daily made flour tortillas (which he said hed given up on trying to find good ones in Fort Worth), ready made meals and the stores meat section.

I like to grill and smoke a lot and the meat selection at H E B is incomparable to anybody or anywhere else,  Cristian said.

Shoppers cheer as the opening of Fort Worth Alliance H-E-B draws near.

The Alcoers had just one more  very Texas  critique for the pre-dawn fanfare.

Tell them to play more Selena.

The Keller Central High School drum line and the Lightning dancers performed just before the opening.

Members of the Keller Central High School Lightning Dancers dance in the parking lot as part of the festivities of the opening of the Fort Worth Alliance H-E-B

But the performers werent the only suburban high school students giving up their morning (or night) to be a part of the H-E-B opening.

Lined up behind the Alcocer, was a group of students from Saginaw High School who had camped out overnight.

Malachi Cook, a junior, said he planned to grab a few energy drinks before heading to classes.

Cooks friend, Josiah Parker, said he decided to camp out because this was a community event and also because he had not been to an H-E-B before.

The first person in line and in the store was Susan Thurman, who told the Star-Telegram she began camping out at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Susan Thurman the first person in line waiting to enter the grocery store for its grand opening.

Inside the store customers shopping styles varied. Some loaded up their cart, guided by the iconic yellow H-E-B coupon books. Others were grabbing an iconic item or two like fresh tortillas or conchas.

Many grabbed the H-E-B brand Twisters sandwich cookies, the free item of the day for shoppers using the H-E-B app.

There will be a free item offered for users of the app in the next two days as well.

Many of the shoppers are from Alliance and surrounding areas but Justin Anderson made the commute from downtown to be at the opening.

Anderson, who sells his spice seasoning Bel Air Ranch at Central Market, said he is glad an H-E-B has opened within city limits and is easily accessible from other parts of the community, describing central Fort Worth as a food desert.

Customers shop at the Fort Worth Alliance, hundreds lined up for the opening of the popular grocery store, the first in Fort Worth.

He also hopes his product will be available at H-E-B soon too.

Manning the 12 open registers, a mix of veterans, brought in from across the state, guided new hires, 90% of whom are from the area, according to store leader Chase Bowman.

Fernando Gonzalez has worked for H-E-B for eight years. He came from Waxahachie to help open the first store in Fort Worth.

Gonzalez and other veterans will work on showing new hires the ropes until next Wednesday, when they return to their stores.

Customers check out at the registers of the Fort Worth Alliance H-E-B on Wednesday

Gonzalez said hell be back in Tarrant County this summer to train the employees of the Mansfield store.

While hundreds flooded the aisles of H-E-B on Wednesday morning, one shopper in particular stood out.

With a loaded cart, items ranging from dog food to paper towels (almost all in house H-E-B brands) Haley Bowman headed to the register to check out just after 6:30 a.m.

But this isnt just a grocery haul for Haley, who is married Chase, the store manager.

Chase led stores in Midland and Odessa the past few years. Leading the Fort Worth store is a homecoming for him since he grew up in Granbury.

As Chase teased her for her loaded cart, Haley said she was proud of her husband, who has been both stressed and excited for this opening day.

Haley also said she is glad they can be near both family and H-E-B again.
Rail giant Norfolk Southern announced on Tuesday that it has agreed to pay $600 million to settle consolidated class action lawsuits stemming from the fiery derailment of one of its freight trains in East Palestine, Ohio, last year.

The money  reportedly the largest-ever settlement for a derailment accident in the U.S.  will go to residents, property owners and businesses located within 20 miles of the derailment site. The deal also includes a separate process for personal injury claims within a 10-mile radius.

The four lead attorneys for the plaintiffs told reporters during a press call Wednesday that the deal is an outstanding result for East Palestine and surrounding communities and that their clients in the civil case are all very pleased with the outcome. Norfolk Southern admits no liability, wrongdoing or fault as part of the deal.

We feel that the components accurately reflect what the community is looking for and what they deserve, said attorney Elizabeth Graham. The money  getting it to them at this point and getting it to them quickly  was a concern that we heard over and over again from our clients in the community.

Many of the details still have to be worked out, including an allocation formula to determine who receives what. But some area residents and close observers were quick to dismiss the sum as insufficient, given the potential long-term health effects of exposure to toxic chemicals.

A few days after the train derailed, Norfolk Southern intentionally torched five tanker cars full of vinyl chloride, a cancer-causing chemical used to make plastic, that released massive amounts of noxious smoke into the environment.

Towering flames and columns of smoke resulting from a "vent and burn" operation following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2023. Norfolk Southern intentionally torched five tanker cars full of vinyl chloride a few days after the train derailed. via Associated Press

I am glad to see potential forward progress regarding the aftermath of the East Palestine train derailment, yet so much more needs to be accomplished. My gut reaction is that $600 million is not nearly enough, Misti Allison, a mother of two who lives just over a mile from the derailment site, told HuffPost via email.

When all that money is divided up and paid out, the individual victims wont even receive a fraction of what Norfolk paid its executives in bonuses in the year following the derailment. If an individual does develop adverse health conditions in the future, that small settlement amount will not nearly cover those costs.

Jami Wallace, a lifelong resident of East Palestine and president of the Unity Council for the East Palestine Train Derailment, shared that frustration.

What does it do for the people that are still being exposed and that are sick? she said. What does it do for our contaminated creeks?

Lead attorneys for the plaintiffs refrained from speculating Wednesday about how many people could ultimately receive payments. But one of the attorneys, Jayne Conroy, previously told Reuters it could be nearly 100,000, including some 25,000 residents who live within 10 miles of the crash site and another 72,000 located within 20 miles. Several larger towns are located within 20 miles of East Palestine.

If the 100,000 figure proves accurate, that amounts to an average payment of just $6,000 per person. And thats before attorney fees are deducted.

The lead attorneys stressed Wednesday that the allocation process will be far more complex than simply dividing the $600 million equally among area residents.

The people impacted the most get the most, and it works its way out, said attorney Michael Morgan. Its not as simple as just saying, Theres this many people, and theres this much money. What does each person get? Thats not the intent here.

The Norfolk Southern settlement comes approximately 14 months after the derailment and chemical disaster that took place in Ohio's East Palestine. via Associated Press

Attorneys also swung back at the idea that $600 million is a low figure and urged community members to be patient as they work to finalize details of the settlement in the coming months.

I would ask them to be patient and work through the process with us, learn more, before casting a final judgment of whether or not this is the right settlement for them, said co-lead attorney Seth A. Katz.

Weve worked hard on it. Weve looked at it from a lot of different ways  and we do strongly feel that this is a very, very good result for this community to get the money thats going to be distributed to them now, without litigation risks, without dealing with many of the legal issues that are, frankly, a very uphill battle.

The settlement comes approximately 14 months after the derailment and chemical disaster. While the negotiations that led to the $600 million settlement are confidential, Graham said Norfolk Southern started very low, and we started higher. The rail giant hailed the agreement as another promise kept by Norfolk Southern to make it right for the people of East Palestine and the surrounding communities.

The plaintiffs attorneys are hopeful that initial payments could go out as soon as the end of this year. Anyone who receives compensation for a personal injury claim as part of the settlement will forfeit the ability to file future claims.

Allison said the East Palestine community will require long-term health care and fears the settlement will let Norfolk Southern off the hook for future health impacts.

East Palestine, Ohio, experienced the largest chemical disaster in United States history, she said.

The long-term health effects these chemicals are going to have on residents, not to mention first responders who inhaled the toxic smoke for hours without knowing the deadly chemicals they were breathing, remain widely unknown. Look at the 9/11 responders, who were told they would be fine after breathing in the dust during the clean up for the World Trade Center. Those brave men and women didnt fall ill on Sept. 12. It took years for the full impact to be understood.

Related...
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) came together on Wednesday for their first one-on-one meeting since Greene filed a motion to vacate the Speakership last month. And although the two discussed a number of the policy issues that initially led to Greene's decision to file that motion, they walked away without a resolution to the rift.

Speaking to reporters outside of Johnson's office, Greene said, We didnt walk out with a deal. I explained to him that, and he acknowledged, that as a Republican member of the House, I pretty much have the best view of how the base feels and what Republican voters want . . . I don't want to cause harm to our conference. This is something that's going to take time."

According to ABC News, Greene left the meeting still frustrated with Johnson's handling of additional aid for Ukraine and the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Additionally, she continues to be tripped up by Johnson working with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown.

"We need an open rule to make FISA reauthorization as transparent as possible," she said in a post to X (formerly Twitter) following the one-on-one. "The people claiming we need warrantless spying on Americans to keep our country safe should be focused on securing our border and deporting the terrorists already here! Thats what Im focused on."

We need an open rule to make FISA reauthorization as transparent as possible.



The people claiming we need warrantless spying on Americans to keep our country safe should be focused on securing our border and deporting the terrorists already here!



Thats what Im focused on. pic.twitter.com/R3C7x47Yfw  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 10, 2024
Far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) this week raised eyebrows after she lamented the failure of efforts to overturn the 2020 election result on Jan. 6, 2021.

During a town hall in Georgia, Greene first expressed her frustration with the House GOPs unsuccessful bid to impeach President Joe Biden.

If I had it my way, we would have impeached him a long time ago, the conspiracy-theory-peddling congresswoman, who has previously spoken at a white nationalist event, told the audience.

Then Greene added, Actually, if I had it my way, we would have been successful in our objection on Jan. 6 and he wouldnt even be president.

Im getting better, though. Well get there, she vowed.

Greenes comment was shared on X, the Elon Musk-owned social media platform formerly known as Twitter, by Bidens campaign team.

Marjorie Taylor Greene: If I had it my way, we would have been successful on January 6 and Joe Biden wouldn't be president pic.twitter.com/yblgZG3IDM  Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) April 9, 2024

Greene, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, has refused to accept the former presidents 2020 defeat to Biden. She has also described the Trump supporters jailed over the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 as political prisoners.

How on earth is this woman in Congress?  Dianne Callahan (@DianneCallaha16) April 9, 2024

When MTG came on the scene, people said she was an aberration. That most Republicans werent like her. Nonsense.



Shes the heart and soul of the modern day Republican Party. https://t.co/g0X20DY4BU  Daniel Miller (@DanielMillerEsq) April 10, 2024

Related...
BALTIMORE  Returning to Annapolis after lobbying members of Congress for federal funding, Gov. Wes Moore signed legislation Tuesday to aid workers and businesses affected by the partial closure of the Port of Baltimore two weeks after a container ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing six people.

We have to understand what happened two weeks ago was not a Maryland catastrophe, Moore, a Democrat, said at his first bill signing of 2024. This was a national catastrophe.

Ahead of Tuesdays bill signing, Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat, recalled the moment he saw the void that once was the Key Bridge.

In those moments, you sort of have two options: You can either shut down, wallow, be fearful  scared for the future  or you can act, Ferguson said.

Ferguson and House Judiciary Committee Chair Luke Clippinger  both of whom are Democrats representing Baltimore neighborhoods directly impacted by the bridges collapse  opted to legislatively address the disaster less than 24 hours after the bridge fell in the Patapsco River.

The governor signed their bill, known as the Maryland Protecting Opportunities and Regional Trade, or PORT, Act into law Tuesday. The legislation, which became law as soon as Moores pen touched paper, will create economic relief funds for thousands of workers and many businesses that rely on operations at the port, and offer financial incentives for businesses that have to divert their operations to other ports to return to Baltimore once its channel reopens.

The bill will also create an education grant program for the children of transportation workers killed on the job.

Moore arrived at the Annapolis bill-signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon following a meeting with members of Democratic President Joe Bidens administration and Marylands congressional delegation to urge federal bipartisan support to fund the states effort to clean up debris, rebuild the bridge and reopen channels to allow ships back into the Port of Baltimore.

We had a chance to stand with every single member of the Maryland delegation, from the 1st Congressional Districts (Republican U.S. Rep.) Andy Harris, to the 8th Congressional District of (Democratic U.S. Rep.) Jamie Raskin, Moore said Tuesday afternoon. Democrats and Republicans collectively standing together and saying that, in this moment, Maryland is going to do its part.

There are questions over what the bridges name will be once its rebuilt. House Economic Matters Committee Chair C.T. Wilson, a Democrat representing Charles County, said Monday that there is no doubt that it will be named the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Among the dozens of other bills signed Tuesday was legislation to formally name the Port of Baltimore in honor of former Republican U.S. Rep. Helen Delich Bentley, of Maryland. Though named in her honor in 2006, this law will guarantee that any reference to the port in state law or documents refer to it as the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. Former Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich appeared at Tuesdays ceremony to celebrate.

Aside from legislation related to the port, Moore signed bills to expand protections for firefighters facing certain types of cancer, strengthen employment pathways for military spouses, protect election workers from threats and harassment, and increase military leave for state employees serving in the National Guard.

Moore repeated a mantra from his days in the military several times before signing legislation Tuesday: Mission first, people always.

That philosophy is at the heart of these four bills, he said.

_____
Tourists go home!

Your paradise, our hell!

These are some of the phrases which have cropped up on walls and buildings across South Tenerife in recent months, greeting visitors  many of them British  as they arrive for a week of sea and sun.

According to most international media coverage, this graffiti is emblematic of a huge surge in anti-tourism sentiment that has gripped the Canaries in recent months; a sudden outpouring of vitriol by the Canarian population against outsiders. But the truth? Theyre merely the work of a small  and vocal  disgruntled minority: a handful of spray-can wielding upstarts.

For starters, the islanders know that if tourism  and the 20.3 billion tourist euros it brought to the archipelago last year (35 per cent of the regions GDP)  were suddenly cut, the Canaries would go bankrupt virtually overnight, with well over half of its workforce out of a job.

Of course, thats not to say there isnt growing anger amongst the general populace over the current resident/tourism balance here. There is, and for good reason. But before you start cancelling your flights or phoning your hotel to ask if its safe to hit the beaches of Costa Adeje, Playa Blanca, Maspalomas and Corralejo this year, let me set the record straight regarding the target of animosity, and why its come to this.

Mass demonstrations are planned for April 20 in five of the eight Canary Islands. Known as the A20 protests (under the banner of The Canary Islands have a limit), these will see 20 or so social and environmental groups call for the government to put the brakes on tourism growth, arguing for the implementation of a more sustainable model of tourism which benefits both residents and territory. These protests are the result of a mass-tourism model which local residents have seen contribute to water shortages, the deterioration of natural spaces, traffic congestion and the overpricing of long-term apartment rentals.

Of course, these issues are not unique to this sub-tropical destination. The so-called Airbnb effect has caused havoc for residents from Barcelona to Budapest, and from Miami to Marbella. As properties are bought up for holiday rentals, the supply of long-term units is diminished, leading to a critical housing shortage and the disruption of communities. Stories abound now of workers in Tenerife sleeping rough in tents or caves because they either cant find or cant afford to rent an apartment.

Around 16 million people visited the Canary Islands in 2023. Pictured: tourists on Porto Rico harbour, Gran Canaria - Chris Craggs/Alamy

Added to that is the fact that 36 per cent of Canarians are at risk of poverty, despite tourism revenue currently sitting at an all-time high. The Canary Islands has the second-lowest average wage in all of Spain and, within that, the lowest paid sector is Hotel and Catering, with an average take-home pay of roughly less than 1,000 (856) per month. When you bear in mind that long-term apartments for workers in the tourist areas are few and far between, most now costing over 1,000 per month, you dont need to be a mathematician to see the impossible predicament in which many locals find themselves.

Around 16 million people visited the Canary Islands in 2023, and February this year saw a 14.4 per cent increase in tourists compared to the same month last year. Coupled with 10% more air capacity already in place for this summer, those numbers are likely to go up. Good news for the government and the tourist industry; bad news for those residents who are feeling the effects of tourism being prioritised over their needs. In short, theres more money coming into the Canary Islands than ever before, but residents feel that they are yet to reap the benefits.

The local government is aware of these concerns, and are in the process of finding ways to redress the balance without sacrificing tourist revenue. Limiting the number of short-term property rental licences issued, encouraging wage increases and charging entry fees to protected spaces (such as Tenerifes Teide National Park) are some of the proposals on the table, but whether it will be enough to quell the increasing noise is yet to be seen. Already, more protests are planned  including, according to Nestor Marrero, secretary of the Asociacion Tinerfena de Amigos de la Naturaleza (Tenerife Friends of Nature), hunger strikes, more protests, staff strikes, and creative actions  and the islands certainly look to be in for a long summer of discontent.

But the important thing to remember is that these actions are aimed at the government, not you, the visitor. Locals are fond of their tourists, and thankful for the economic benefits they provide  they just want a fair share of the profits in return for bearing the inevitable drawbacks of living in a well-loved holiday hotspot. If you are a respectful, considerate tourist, the Canary Islands remain very much open  and dont let any graffiti slogan (or headline) tell you differently.

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.
Massive houseboat mired in legal mess forced to move  by drifting across the San Francisco Bay

A houseboat was floated across San Francisco Bay after being evicted from its former site.

Home for sail.

California may have mostly missed out on the total eclipse, but a ferry impressive sight of another kind awaited those peering out onto the San Francisco Bay earlier this week: A two-story wood-shingled home being towed across the water.

The surreal situation was the result of a years-long legal battle between a once-vibrant community of houseboat residents and the government of Redwood City, an 80,000-person Silicon Valley suburb south of San Francisco.

The property was formerly part of a thriving houseboat community in the Silicon Valley suburb of Redwood City, Calif. @kennykaz/TikTok

The things ready to sink. That was the biggest houseboat they had in Redwood City, Edward Stancil told the San Francisco Standard of the floating home, once part of Redwood Citys Docktown Marina neighborhood of live-aboards.

The situation that led to the dwelling being floated across the Bay started back in 2015, when homeowners near Docktown filed a lawsuit with the city claiming the marina was illegal.

A mess of eviction efforts, settlements and further lawsuits followed, with the state eventually declaring that houseboat residents could not reside in Docktown, and the city must relocate their homes, according to SFGATE.

Attorney Ted Hannig, a purported lover of boating and sailing who led the original suit and still resides across the water from Docktown, did not respond to the Standards request for comment.

Once over 100-people strong, only nine denizens reportedly remained by July 2023.

Stancil says he is now the final resident of Docktown, which one inhabitant once described to ABC7 as being Like a little island  a little oasis in the middle of Silicon Valley where you dont feel the pressure and the expense.

The home being towed from Redwood City to Sausalito. @kennykaz/TikTok

The abode seen making its way north through the Bay was the second-to-last houseboat of the successfully decimated nabe.

It was privately towed from Redwood City toward tony Sausalito in Marin County, north of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge  a two-day journey which was still underway Monday afternoon, the US Coast Guard confirmed to SFGATE.
El Paso County leaders on Tuesday approved a resolution that adds legal teeth to what had been a largely symbolic local fight against state laws they say prioritize the rights of undocumented immigrants at the expense of community safety.

In a unanimous decision, the Board of El Paso County Commissioners gave the go-ahead to join a Douglas County lawsuit challenging two Colorado laws that opponents say undermine local efforts to keep communities safe, especially from undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes. Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez, who was unable to attend Tuesdays meeting, was excused from the vote.

Scope of government issues

Broadly speaking, the laws at issue prohibit local governments from cooperating with the federal government in immigration matters.

Describing the laws as state overreach, Commissioner Holly Williams said she believed it was important for the county to join the lawsuit, to ensure that the southern Front Range is a safe place to live as the challenges of illegal immigration continue to grow.

We have had the hands of our sheriff tied, Williams said, ahead of the vote. We know that there are undocumented immigrants in El Paso County and theres no reason why the sheriff shouldnt be able to cooperate with federal law enforcement when they do need to be taken out of this community.

Among other things, Colorado House Bill 19-1124, passed in 2019, prohibits local authorities from arresting or detaining a person solely on the basis of a civil immigration order. It also prohibits probation officers from providing undocumented immigrants' identifying information to federal authorities.

House Bill 23-1100, which went into effect January 1, prohibits local governments from working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain individuals in local jails.

'Doesn't make sense'

In his comments thanking commissioners after the vote, El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal recounted an incident he shared with state lawmakers during recent testimony encouraging the passage of a bill he said would have allowed local and federal law enforcement authorities to work together.

They ignored my testimony, even when I gave a real life example of how this would have helped here in El Paso County, said Roybal, describing a scenario in which an illegal immigrant charged with multiple counts of sexual assault on young children bonded out of jail, then left the area and dropped off the radar.

If I could have worked with ICE  I could have said, Please put a hold on this person, this is a dangerous person, a flight risk, Roybal said. He still would have been sitting in my jail until convicted  (not) victimizing more children out there.

Featured Local Savings

Roybal went on to point out that his office enters into contracts with a range of federal agencies, including the ATF, DEA, FBI and the military.

I hold and detain members of our armed forces. The state says I can do that, but I cannot detain and work with ICE, Roybal said. That doesnt make sense.

Responding to reports that undocumented immigrants could be arriving in Colorado Springs by bus from Denver earlier this year  reports that turned out to be exaggerated  local leaders rushed to approve separate resolutions declaring that despite Colorados status as a sanctuary state, El Paso County and the city of Colorado Springs are not sanctuary destinations for undocumented immigrants who illegally cross the border into the U.S.

El Paso now joins Douglas County as active, actionable co-plaintiffs in the litigation against the state of Colorado.

New substation

In other major business Tuesday, the Board of El Paso County Commissioners approved $15 million in financing for a proposed sheriffs office substation located near Falcon, in unincorporated El Paso County.

The new substation, which will contain two holding cells, was proposed as a way to ensure sheriff's deputies can respond to crimes faster in the northeast communities of the county, where transporting a suspect to lockup and processing in the Springs can claim critical hours of a deputys day.

"El Paso County consists of more than 2,100 square miles, and the majority of the Sheriffs Office jurisdiction is located east of Colorado Springs, Roybal said in a statement lauding the decision Tuesday afternoon. "This substation will allow our patrol deputies assigned near this area to spend more time responding to public safety needs in the district.

The substation will be located on land donated by the Falcon Fire Protection District near Meridian Road and Stapleton Drive.

The county has said it expects to break ground on the 10,224-square-foot building in September.
Mayor Adams rips Texas rep who urged NYPD cops to escape to Lone Star State in newspaper ad

Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday ripped into Texas Republican Rep. Beth Van Duyne after she posted an ad in The Post urging NYPD cops to flee The Big Apple and work in her state.

New York is the safest big city in America, this is not my opinion, the stats show that, Adams seethed while responding to the ad that claims the Empire State is purposefully anti-law and order.

Van Duynes ad cites the death of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller  who was fatally shot by a career criminal during a traffic stop last month.

Mayor Adams snapped back at Rep. Beth Van Duyne, saying she needs to worry about crime happening at cities in her state of Texas NYC Mayor's Office

The congresswoman says in the ad shes disgusted as one pro-criminal politician after another attempted to force themselves into the solemn remembrance of Officer Dillers heroic career.

Adams, addressing reporters at a press briefing in City Hall, said Van Duyne should worry about crime in her own state.

What she should be doing is telling some of her officers to go over to Dallas to deal with the violence! he barked, pointing to a PowerPoint slide showing 19 murders in Dallas per 100,000 people.

Rep. Beth Van Duynes add in The Post is shown here, where she urges NYPD officers to come and work in her state. X/Bethvanduyne

Van Duyne claimed that NYPD officers face budget cuts from Defund the Police politicians while trying to keep illegal immigrant gangs and violent career criminals at bay.

The ad also states: Its time for you to leave these loathsome and destructive folks behind. ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK!

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Van Duyne said police officers in New York have been abused, undermined and sold out by politicians.

Texas Republican Rep. Beth Van Duyne says shes disgusted over the late NYPD Detective Jonathan Dillers death and views the Big Apple as a lawless city. AP

In contrast, she boasted of the respect, appreciation and reverence of officers in Texas.

Its just one more reason why the Lone Star State shines brighter than the rest  we have a value for their professionalism and their commitment, she said, adding that their quality of life would also be vastly improved.

We actually value individual freedoms, respect our officers, [and] enforce our laws, recognizing that people want to live in safe communities.

People are seen in attendance for NYPD officer Jonathan Diller at St. Rose of Lima Church in Massapequa following his death. Daniel S. Krieger / SplashNews.com

Convincing even one officer to move to Texas would make the ad worth it, she added.

I think if that officer just saves one life, takes one career criminal off the street, they can make that kind of an impact in North Texas that benefits everyone who lives there. And I think thats an immeasurable improvement, she said.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Wednesday should have been the day the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas moved forward in the Senate, but instead Mayorkas spent the day defending his job before the same people who are looking to fire him.

I do understand the challenges at our border, and I certainly dont dance around them, Mayorkas told members of the House Appropriations Committee.

Mayorkas testified before the House and Senate appropriators on Wednesday on why they should approve over $108 billion for his agency but Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) told Mayorkas during the hearing that she doesnt want him in charge of the border at all.

Mr. Secretary we have seen gamesmanship out of the administration and gimmicks, and I called for your resignation last year and I stand by my request, Hinson said.

Hinson was one of many House Republicans who voted in February to impeach Secretary Mayorkas for violating federal law, and not enforcing immigration policy.

Once House impeachment managers deliver the articles to the Senate, the Senate must immediately start the process of a trial. That was supposed to happen on Wednesday, but late Tuesday some Republicans said they need more time.

Maybe talking about it for a few days before we take the Constitution and turn it upside down just might be a wise thing to do, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said.

Sen. Kennedy says not all Republicans are on board with a trial, and the extra time will help them rally more support.

We have some free-range chickens, Kennedy said. And they wander off and sometimes we cant catch them.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer defended Mayorkas and called the impeachment charges absurd.

Were gonna try and resolve this issue as quickly as possible, Schumer said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
McCarthy says hes not Speaker because one person in Congress wanted to avoid ethics complaint

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said at an event Tuesday that he is no longer the leader of the House because one person in Congress wanted to avoid an ethics complaint about sexual misconduct.

Speaking at an event at Georgetown University, McCarthy linked his historic ousting as Speaker to the allegations against Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).

Ill give you the truth why Im not Speaker. Because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old, McCarthy said.

The former Speaker said the ethics complaint started before he became Speaker.

Did he do it or not? I dont know, he said.

Last October, Gaetz introduced a motion to vacate McCarthy, resulting in the historic ousting and several weeks of chaos that left the lower chamber without leadership.

The Florida lawmaker has long been an opponent of McCarthy, refusing to back his Speakership bid in January 2023.

Gaetz is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct and did drugs. The Department of Justice declined to prosecute Gaetz on sex trafficking allegations last February.

Since leaving office in December, McCarthy has maintained that the Republican caucus would be better off without Gaetz in office.

Gaetz was joined by seven other Republicans who voted out McCarthy last fall. At the event Tuesday, the California Republican said he made the choice to have them vote him out because historically, itll be viewed as a very bad thing that happened to our Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) is stepping up his pressure on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to put the Senate-passed foreign aid bill up for a vote in the House, warning Wednesday that starving Ukraine of military support is strategic and moral malpractice.

McConnell told a radio host in Louisville recently that despite plans to retire from Senate leadership, he intends to stay in the Senate through the end of his term in 2027 in order to fight back against the isolationist movement in my own party.

On Wednesday, he did that by taking shots at President Biden for not providing military support to Ukraine more quickly and at members of the Republican Party who are now holding up $60 billion in aid for Ukraine.

Starving Ukraine of needed capabilities wasnt a smart way for the Biden administration to avoid escalation, and neither is it a political master stroke by some of the administrations Republican opponents. It is strategic and moral malpractice. It risks condemning Ukraine and undermining our own national interest, McConnell said on the Senate floor.

McConnell has repeatedly called on Johnson to bring the Senate-passed $95 billion aid package up for a vote. The Senate passed the bill Feb. 13, almost two months ago.

The Senate bill also includes military aid for Israel and security assistance to the Indo-Pacific to deter growing Chinese aggression.

The Senate GOP leader recently warned that House Republican plans to turn aid for Ukraine into a loan program or to authorize the seizure of Russian assets to pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine could delay the aid package for weeks longer.

The only way to get relief to the Ukrainians and the Israelis quickly is for the House to figure out how to pass the Senate bill. Anything thats changed and sent back here  even the simplest thing can take a week in the Senate, McConnell told reporters last month.

McConnell warned Wednesday that American credibility with its allies in Europe and Asia is on the line. He said that failure to pass the Senate aid package will damage U.S. leadership abroad.

From Europe to the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific, the world is watching to see whether the United States still has the will to lead the West and preserve the international order responsible for our own prosperity for the better part of a century, he said.

So I will continue to urge our House colleagues to take up and pass the national security supplemental without delay, he urged.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden is making quite a few claims against the North Carolina State Department of Health and Human Services.

McFadden alleged Wednesday morning that the department targeted his office unfairly with negative jail reports.

ALSO READ: Mecklenburg County sheriff investigates death of inmate

The claims came as the Mecklenburg County Detention Center in Uptown, known as Jail Central, has been hit with multiple negative inspections following the deaths of inmates in recent years. At least four people have died in just the last five months while in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office.

McFadden said the NCDHHS gave the jail a negative report not because of those inmate deaths, but due to McFaddens race and political views.

Why me? Why now? Why only now? And we can say this. Because Im an African American sheriff, the sheriff said.

Legislators and politicians said, We have to make them do whatever we need to do to make them listen, he went on to say. The woke sheriffs. Thats what they call us.

McFadden claimed jail inspectors from NCDHHS use unfair practices and procedures. He alleged one of the inspectors lied about a new process for requesting jail reports.

A person admitted to me, my staff, and in front of my lawyers: I lied, I lied. That is a statement that Ill never forget inside my detention center, McFadden said. So how can we trust whatever report they put out there? Do they need to be investigated? Absolutely.

ALSO READ: Meck sheriff unveils agreement for healthcare at detention facilities

Channel 9 reached out to NCDHHS regarding the allegations. In a statement, the department said the following: Ensuring that jails operate within state law and rules is a shared responsibility between county sheriffs and the NCDHHS Division of Health Service Regulation. NCDHHS staff are professional and experienced in doing these surveys for facilities across the state, and we have confidence in our team. We take all concerns raised by those we serve seriously and will review them appropriately.

According to North Carolinas Death in Custody report, 41 people died statewide in the custody of local law enforcement in all of 2022. At least four people died in Mecklenburg County just since this past December. But McFadden said thats not because of his deputies.

Our deaths inside of our detention center are sometimes caused because of suicide, but mainly because of poor health, the sheriff said. We screen the people the best as we can coming in. But its poor health.

Channel 9 has asked the sheriffs office for the inspection reports McFadden is upset about.

One of the purposes of the NCDHHS inspections is to make sure the jail is properly checking on its inmates. McFadden claims the process for that inspection is unfair.

Channel 9 hopes to get a better understanding once we get the reports, which weve asked for from both the sheriff and NCDHHS.

VIDEO: Inmate dies after medical emergency at Meck County jail












Satellite imagery published on April 10 by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Schemes project showed damage to buildings at an aircraft factory in Russia's Voronezh Oblast, following reports from Ukraine's military intelligence that drones had struck the facility the previous day.

The photo, provided to Schemes by the satellite imagery analytics company Planet Labs, shows a building with a collapsed roof.

Aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi told Schemes that the factory is used to repair missiles that are used to attack Ukraine.

A representative from the military intelligence told the Kyiv Independent on the condition of anonymity on April 9 that Ukrainian drones attacked a Russian aviation training center in the city of Borisoglebsk, located some 330 kilometers (205 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

The confirmation came after the Russian Telegram channel Astra claimed the aviation center for flight personnel training was attacked by two drones. The drones allegedly exploded, damaging the facade of the building and windows, according to the Telegram channel.

Andrii Yusov, a spokesperson for the military intelligence, said on April 9 that an aircraft factory had been the target.

"We will not disclose any details, but according to preliminary information, the main production facilities of the factory were affected," Yusov told RFE/RL.

Ukraine has intensified strikes against military and industrial targets in Russia in recent weeks. On April 5, a joint operation of military intelligence and the Armed Forces reportedly hit the Yeysk, Engels-2, and Kursk airfields.

Russia allegedly lost seven military aircraft during the drone attack on the Yeysk airbase in Krasnodar Krai in Russia, a source at Ukraine's military intelligence told the Kyiv Independent.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukraine's military allegedly carried out an attack against the Russian Morozovsk airbase overnight on April 5, sources familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent. Su-34 fighter-bombers and Su-27 fighters were reportedly based at the airfield.

At least six military aircraft were destroyed, and another eight were damaged, according to the source. About 20 Russian soldiers were reportedly killed or wounded.

Read also: Source: Ukraine hits Russias Engels air base. Can it change how Russia attacks?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Medicaid expansion surprise in Mississippi, as negotiations will be held in public

House Speaker Jason White and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann have both agreed to negotiate final details of a bill to expand Medicaid coverage to the working poor in public meetings, an increasingly rare occurrence at the state Capitol.

The House last week voted to invite conference with the Senate to try and work out a compromise on a bill to expand Medicaid coverage to more Mississippians. In recent years the vast majority of conference committee negotiations dont take place in public.

White, a Republican from West, first called for the negotiations to be public in a recent interview with Mississippi Today. The new speaker said he doesnt believe its realistic for lawmakers to have public conference committee meetings on every relevant bill but believes Medicaid expansion rises to the level of holding such a public meeting.

I think the public on this issue is probably going to demand it to some degree, is going to want to see where people are on it, White said.

Hosemann, a Republican who leads the Senate, also said in a statement that he believes major issues should be conducted in public and not behind closed doors, including conference committees.

Such conversations create a better end product, Hosemann said. The Senate has demonstrated its own commitment to transparency by holding public conference committees in the past, equipping committee rooms with webcasting and archiving abilities, and robustly debating issues on the floor.

A conference committee is formed when the House and the Senate pass different versions of the same bill, such as the case with Medicaid expansion. When this occurs, the speaker of the House and the lieutenant governor each appoint three lawmakers from the chamber they lead to work out the differences in a conference committee.

Different proposals

For the first time since the federal Affordable Care Act became law, the two legislative chambers have each passed plans to expand Medicaid coverage. But each has proposed vastly different proposals, making the conference process extremely important on a measure that could provide health insurance to poor Mississippians.

The Houses expansion plan aims to expand health care coverage to upwards of 200,000 Mississippians, and accept $1 billion a year in federal money to cover it, as most other states have done.

The Senate, on the other hand, wants a more restrictive program, to expand Medicaid to cover around 40,000 people, turn down the federal money, and require proof that recipients are working roughly 30 hours a week.

If the lawmakers, called conferees, cannot reach an agreement, the bill would die. But if they do reach an accord, the revised bill, called a conference report, gets brought back to the full Senate and House again for consideration.

The joint rules of the Legislature, which the vast majority of lawmakers voted in favor of this year, state that all official conference committee meetings shall be open to the public at all times.

The reality, though, is conference committees often involve lawmakers simply talking over the phone or exchanging text messages. Other times, lawmakers may skip an actual meeting and just email proposals back and forth.

The practice often leaves the public and rank-and-file lawmakers in the dark about what happens in these meetings and how the reports are drafted.

Not the first time

Hosemann and Senate leaders upended these norms in 2022 by calling for a public conference committee meeting for the House and Senate to haggle over the final details of a proposal to increase public K-12 teacher salaries.

Ive encouraged all of my chairmen to meet with all of their chairmen and to do it in a public forum, Hosemann said at the time.

Hosemanns push for a public process that year resulted in several committee leaders having public meetings.

Former House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, at the time was less encouraged to deviate from the conference process norms and asserted that the overwhelming majority of bills dont require a show.

We dont have to get in a room with everybody sitting around the table and negotiate, Gunn said. They can talk on the phone. They can just send written letters back and forth.

It appears White, currently in his first term as speaker, is willing to have more public conference meetings than his predecessor, though he has continued the practice of holding private Republican caucus meetings at the Capitol, which effectively gives the supermajority House GOP a chance to formulate and debate policy outside public view.

Under Hosemann, the Republican-majority Senate does not conduct any formal, closed-door GOP caucus meetings.

The Senate also since 2020 has live-streamed its committee meetings, open to the public online, while the House has not.
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  The inaugural future forward event kicked off at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center on April 9, 2024. The event is a showcase for discussion sessions on economic development, tourism, education, and healthcare.

Many local leaders, including business owners and even politicians shared networking and sharing ideas about how to move Raleigh County forward.

Oak Hill Middle School principal to step back in the ring

On April 9th, a meet-the-candidates forum was held where 59News anchor Rivers Upchurch and other local journalists posed questions to candidates running for local offices.

The event continues on April 10, 2024 with a statewide meet-the-candidates forum at 8 A.M. and a meet-the-gubernatorial-candidates forum at 3 P.M.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
SAULT STE. MARIE  Incoming Lake Superior State University President David Travis spent several days on campus last week meeting with community members and becoming acquainted with the school.

Though his family is from Canada, Travis grew up in Georgia. As he has advanced higher in his career, he has also been moving further and further north.

"I have family in Canada, so they are all very excited that I'm now living on the border," said Travis.

Growing up, his father worked at the University of Georgia. Travis' first passion was weather science, something he studied extensively and even taught as a professor.

"I was walking around with weather instruments and measuring things for projects even in high school," said Travis. "So I always wanted to do research, study and ultimately teach about weather and climate."

He picked up his first teaching position at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in 1994 and taught for 15 years. He said it was his experience as the son of a professor that ignited his love for helping the school beyond teaching students.

"I love teaching. I love working with students, interacting with students, and I originally never really had any interest in being an administrator," said Travis. "My father was a university professor. I grew up on a university campus. I got to know all his colleagues and all his graduate students, and so in some ways my brain was kind of trained to understand how the university works and how it changes people's lives. I realize now my childhood was preparing me to become an administrator in university."

Despite having to leave behind his passion for weather science, Travis said he believes his experiences make him uniquely qualified to work as an administrator.

"It's important to start as a faculty member because you really understand the primary mission of the university, which is to educate students," said Travis. "I don't think I would have been able to appreciate that if I had started out as a faculty member."

As a professor, Travis said he worked to give students confidence and help them develop good learning habits. As an administrator, he now hopes to be able to help students on a larger scale.

"There's a lot of commitment and great talent here. I think as a president, my job is to utilize that talent and commitment and give them clarity of direction and support," said Travis.

David Travis with the LSSU Board of Directors during his campus meet and greet on April 4.

Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our content

Travis will be moving into on-campus housing, and he is excited to be able to live near his students. He said being able to connect with the students and the college is a priority for him.

Now that he has a better feel for the campus community, Travis said he is eager to begin helping in many different areas. One thing he would like to improve is bragging and showing off LSSU's many successes.

"One thing I've picked up on here in my short time is it's a very humble community. People are very helpful and don't try to put themselves in front of others," said Travis. "But in the case of this university, we've got to be a little less humble and we've got to make sure that people know how great the university is."

Travis also hopes to be able to use his passion for science at LSSU, since the college has so many science and environment related courses. But, he said his main focus will be on rebuilding enrollment numbers.

Enrollment at LSSU is the lowest it has been in around 20 years, and growing enrollment strategies will be one of Travis' main priorities in his first year.

Travis will begin his new position on June 3.

 Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: David Travis is the newest president for LSSU beginning June 3
Oh, hes getting convicted. I dont really think theres a lot of mystery about that, Kelly said Tuesday during an appearance on NewsNations Dan Abrams Live. He shouldnt, but hes going to get convicted. The jurys going to hate him.

Manhattan went 92 percent, between 87 and 92 percent for Joe Biden, she told host Dan Abrams. Thats where this is going to be tried. These are not Trump lovers.

Trump faces more than two dozen counts of falsifying business records in connection with a payment his ex-fixer Michael Cohen made to Daniels to cover up an alleged affair ahead of the 2016 election.

An appeals court earlier this week rejected the former presidents bid to pause the proceedings while his legal team argues the case should be tried outside of New York.

The case is set to go to trial April 15, marking the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president.

Kelly predicted a jury would believe Trump paid off Daniels to make her go away.

So I grant you, yeah, theyre probably going to convict him. Theyre going to convict him pretty easily, I think, she said Tuesday.

The commentators remarks were first highlighted by Mediaite.

Trump and Kelly have had an up-and-down relationship dating back to his first run for president.

The former Fox News anchor famously pressed him on his offensive comments about women during a debate in 2015. Last year, Trump sat for an interview with Kelly after which he verbally attacked her, calling her nasty.

Kelly recently said on her popular podcast that she and the former president are on better terms.
Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday rebuked Xcel Energy's decision to preemptively shut off power to roughly tens of thousands of customers in anticipation of strong winds over the weekend, saying it should have been done "as a last resort."

That decision, Polis said, "further harmed Xcels reputation and social license."

The windstorm that hammered the Front Range over the weekend left a trail of residents upset at Xcel, who said they did not receive any notice until just a few hours before their power was cut off, forcing them to scramble.

In his letter to Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy-Colorado, the governor said the company should change its approach to minimize the loss of power and noted the frustration of customers over what he described as the lack of clear communication from the energy company.

"I heard from many frustrated Coloradans who lost power for multiple days without clear indication from Xcel when it would be restored  from businesses that could not operate and lost perishable inventories and income, from hospitals that struggled to respond to vulnerable community members, and from schools that had to close all day Monday," Polis said in his letter to Xcel's Kenney.

"This particular storm should not have resulted in as many people losing power for such a long period of time," the governor added.

In what appears to be a page out of the playbook of energy companies in California, Xcel for the first time preemptively shut down power to about 55,000 customers over the weekend, when metro Denver saw winds averaging 60 to 70 mph and, at one point, the foothills reported wind gusts of more than 100 mph.

The company said the preemptive move was meant to increase public safety and decrease the risk of wildfires.

Polis said that "unprecedented" decision caught Coloradans off guard.

Featured Local Savings

"Once again, the company failed to minimize outages and effectively communicate with customers about an upcoming change that would impact peoples regular lives," he said.

The governor didn't specify any previous incident, but back in 2022 he slammed an administrative ruling that favors Xcel's request to recover $509 million from Colorado ratepayers for the costs incurred during a winter spell in 2021 that wreaked havoc throughout the Midwest, killing more than 200 people nationwide.

In his letter, Polis told Kenney he also directed the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, which regulates Xcel and other utilities, to seek "reforms" to protect customers in the event of another "Public Safety Power Shutoff."

The governor said the regulatory agency should adopt "guardrails" to ensure that a deliberate move to shut off power occurs only "when consistent with the public interest and when absolutely necessary."

These decisions, the governor said, must "contemplate the costs of such an extreme measure such as disruptions to business, education, those who rely on electricity for life and death health needs, and other factors need to be fully considered."

He told the regulatory agency to reach out to affected customers so the commissioners can hear "firsthand" about their experience during the outage, he said.

Polis said he also directed the agency to ensure that, in case a future outage is "deemed essential and the benefits outweigh the full costs," customers must have access to "timely, comprehensible, and relevant information" about the timing and location of the outages, the support services available, and the expected restoration timelines.

Meanwhile, Boulder County's commissioners said they met with Xcel leaders on Monday to understand why the company implemented the proactive power outage.

"We also questioned the necessity for the extent of the preventive outages," the commissioners said in a news release, which cited Xcel leaders as saying proactive outages are a small but crucial part of their emerging wildfire mitigation strategy and that they believe the decision was crucial for mitigating potential fires.

Xcel leaders also provided assurances they understand better communications are needed and that they are working to improve them, the county commissioners said.
Nadine Menendez, the embattled wife of equally embattled Sen. Bob Menendez, asked a judge on Tuesday to delay the start of her trial on bribery charges because of a serious medical condition, which her lawyers said would require surgery as well as significant follow-up and recovery treatment.

In a letter to the Manhattan federal judge who will oversee her trial, Menendez attorneys said she would be unable to assist them in preparing for trial in the next four weeks. The surgical procedure will need to take place sometime in the next four to six weeks, they said.

Nor would Ms. Menendez be in a physical or psychological condition to participate in a six-week trial beginning on May 6, 2024, they added.

Noting that the full extent of medical treatment that Menendez will require is uncertain, her attorneys asked for a status hearing to be held in June, at which time they will provide the Court with an update on her medical condition and treatment plan and on a feasible timetable for rescheduling her trial date.

Further details were filed under seal, according to Politico. Prosecutors did not immediately respond to the letter.

Menendez and her co-defendantsher husband and two New Jersey businessmenhave all pleaded not guilty to their respective criminal charges, which concern allegations that the couple accepted bribes in exchange for political favors, including gold bars and a luxury car, which served as a replacement for the vehicle Nadine Menendez totaled in a 2018 crash that killed a jaywalking pedestrian.

The incident was not reported until the Menendezes 39-page indictment, which also accuses Sen. Menendez of quietly acting as an agent for the Egyptian government, was issued last year. After the crash, Nadine Menendez was questioned and released by New Jersey police, who concluded she was not at fault without testing her for drugs or alcohol, according to The New York Times.

The letter was filed just days after Menendez four-lawyer team asked to be allowed to withdraw from her case. The motion was filed on Friday by attorneys David Schertler, Danny Onorato, Mark MacDougall, and Paola Pinto.

The lawyers did not cite a specific reason for withdrawal in their Friday motion, but indicated that they would elaborate on associated circumstances in a sealed filing. Their request comes three weeks after prosecutors alerted the court that they may call Schertler to the stand as a witness, indicating they believe he may have participated in relevant conversations with the Menendezes and one of the businessmen about bribes.

The judge overseeing the case, Judge Sidney Stein, previously said he would not allow Menendez lawyers to both testify and continue representing her. He had not ruled on their request to withdraw by Tuesday. (The letter regarding Menendez health and postponement was filed by Schertler, Onorato, and Pinto.)

The Menendezes, who wed in 2020, have asked the judge to split their case and allow them separate trials. Nadine, 57, faces 15 criminal charges, while Bob, 70, faces 16.

Sen. Menendez declined last month to run for re-election as a Democrat, but said he would keep the door open regarding a run as an independentprovided hes acquitted.

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.
(AP)  Two tribal nations are accusing social media companies of contributing to the disproportionately high rates of suicide among Native American youth.

Their lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles county court names Facebook and Instagrams parent company Meta Platforms; Snapchats Snap Inc.; TikTok parent company ByteDance; and Alphabet, which owns YouTube and Google, as defendants.

Virtually all U.S. teenagers use social media, and roughly one in six describe their use as almost constant, according to the Pew Research Center.

Massive layoffs reported at food company facility in Wisconsin, 252 without a job

But Native youth are particularly vulnerable to these companies addictive profit-driven design choices, given historic teen suicide rates and mental health issues across Indian Country, chairperson Lonna Jackson-Street of the Spirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota said in a press release.

Enough is enough. Endless scrolling is rewiring our teenagers brains, added Gena Kakkak, chairwoman of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. We are demanding these social media corporations take responsibility for intentionally creating dangerous features that ramp up the compulsive use of social media by the youth on our Reservation.Social media companies accused of deliberate misconduct

Their lawsuit describes a sophisticated and intentional effort that has caused a continuing, substantial, and longterm burden to the Tribe and its members, leaving scarce resources for education, cultural preservation and other social programs.

A growing number of similar lawsuits are being pursued by USschool districts, states, cities and other entities, claiming that TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube exploit children and adolescents with features that keep them constantly scrolling and checking their accounts.

New York City, its schools and public hospital system accuse the platforms of fueling a childhood mental health crisis thats disrupting learning and draining resources. School boards in Ontario, Canada, claim teachers are struggling because platforms designed for compulsive use have rewired the way children think, behave, and learn.

The Associated Press reached out to the companies for comment. Google said the allegations in these complaints are simply not true.

Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said in a statement. In collaboration with youth, mental health and parenting experts, we built services and policies to provide young people with age-appropriate experiences, and parents with robust controls.

Snap Inc. said it provides an alternative to a feed of online content. We will always have more work to do, and will continue to work to make Snapchat a platform that helps close friends feel connected, happy and prepared as they face the many challenges of adolescence, the companys statement said.Native children are uniquely stressed out

Native Americans experience higher rates of suicide than any other racial demographic in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, jumping nearly 20% from 2015 to 2020 compared with a less-than 1% increase among the overall U.S. population.

Mental health care is already difficult to access from remote locations, and generations of colonization and social stigma create more barriers, particularly when the care isnt culturally appropriate, advocates say.

About 87% of people who identify as Native American dont live on an Indian reservation, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, and social media can help them connect with tradition, culture and other tribal communities.

But they also might experience discrimination online. And social media companies dont always have great, helpful policies for managing that, said Andrea Wiglesworth, an enrolled member of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation and Shawnee Tribe who researches stress in Native populations at the University of Minnesota.

Native American identity is a complex mix of political and cultural experiences that varies from tribe to tribe and within Indigenous communities, adding a unique layer of stress onto other social pressures, Wiglesworth said.

Packers players make first stop on Tailgate Tour to a Manitowoc High School

I wont speak for all Native people, but from my lived experience there is this sense of shared responsibility for the well-being of our community and community members, she added. She said Indigenous people need to think about how they carry that commitment into the digital world.The teenage brain is wired for compulsive responses

The science is still emerging about how social media affects teenagers mental health. Psychologists and neuroscientists note the potential for both positive and negative side effects, and researchers have yet to draw a direct link between screen time alone and poor mental health outcomes, according to Mitch Prinstein, chief science officer at the American Psychological Association.

What researchers do know is that as an adolescents brain develops, it builds and strengthens the connections that guide responses for a variety of human interactions while it creates more receptors for oxytocin and dopamine. This is the brains reward system, Prinstein said, and it manifests in adolescents a need for both positive feedback and concern about social punishments.

In the 1980s that meant that we were suddenly talking about whos in which clique and who sits at which lunch table and are you wearing the right clothes to get positive feedback when you go to school. In 2024, were now making it possible to kind of feed that with 24/7, 365 button-pressing for feedback and input from peers, he said.

Prinstein called for new legislation in Senate testimony last year, saying federal regulators should have more power to prohibit exploitative business practices and require social media companies to protect the well-being of children on their platforms.Regulatory efforts focus on TikTok

A nationwide investigation by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general is focusing on whether TikTok is harming the mental health of children and young adults by promoting content and boosting engagement. Meanwhile, some Republican-led states have pursued their own lawsuits.

Utah accused TikTok in October of baiting children into excessive social media use. Indianas lawsuit accusing TikTok of deceiving users about inappropriate content and insecure personal information was dismissed in November. Arkansas has two lawsuits pending, against TikTok and ByteDance.

And in Congress, a bipartisan group of senators is supporting the Kids Online Safety Act, which in part would require platform design changes to prevent harm. Tech industry groups have opposed the bill, and the American Civil Liberties Union has raised censorship concerns.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
UPDATE: This story has been updated to include a comment from Clerk Guthrie.

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Meridian Township Clerk Deborah Guthrie will not be allowed to appear on the 2024 ballot.

Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum tells 6 News that Guthrie, in filing for re-election to the four-year term as township clerk, had filed an Affidavit of Identity that was not accurate.

Meridian Township Clerk Deborah Guthrie (WLNS)

Affidavits of Identity are filed by every person seeking an elective office in Michigan. The documents attest to compliance with the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, including having filed all necessary reports and paid any fees or fines. The affidavit also certifies the individual is a citizen of the United States and constitutionally qualified for the office sought.

Guthrie Byrum Communications 1Download

Each affidavit is signed under the threat of a felony perjury charge.

Guthrie tells 6 News that she misinterpreted a clause in the affidavit on paying fines.

Its been really hard, she says. Its been demoralizing, to be honest.

She says she was looking forward to seeking re-election and had already lined up endorsements for her campaign.

Despite being disqualified from the official ballot, Guthrie says she is 100% prepared to run as a write-in candidate.

She says she was awaiting clarity from township attorneys as well as Byrum on whether she could run a write-in candidacy.

In a text message, Byrum tells 6 News her write-in candidacy could be possible.

That has been my understanding based on BOE [Bureau of Elections] guidance, she texted in response to whether Guthrie could run a write-in campaign.

Guthrie acknowledges if there is a Democratic candidate who files before the 4 p.m. April 23 deadline, it will be tough to win as a write-in candidate.

If somebody files and runs as a Democratic candidate, it would be near impossible to win a write-in campaign, Guthrie says.

Shell make a final determination sometime after the April 23 filing deadline she says.

Documents provided by Byrum show Guthrie owed fees related to campaign finance reporting requirements to the tune of $175 as of Feb. 5, 2024. As of March 14, 2024, Guthries campaign fines and fees were not in compliance with the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.

It is my opinion, as well as the Bureau of Elections guidance, that this candidate should be disqualified as a result of the unpaid late filing fees and the false statement on the Affidavit of Identity, Byrum wrote in a March 14, 2024 letter to Guthrie. There is no remedy for this error.

Guthrie Byrum Communications 2Download

On Monday, Meridian Township Deputy Clerk and Election Administrator Emily Gordon wrote to Byrum regarding the March 15 letter.

After reviewing, and consistent with the guidance of the Bureau of Elections, your office, and the Township Attorney, I have officially disqualified candidate Guthrie as a candidate from the filed ballot, Gordon wrote.

That letter triggered Byrums notification letter to Guthrie.

Guthrie, who was first elected to the office in November of 2020 after beating the incumbent clerk in the Democratic primary, also spent more than 8 years as Meridian Townships Communication Director between 2011 and 2019, according to her LinkedIn page.

Ingham County records show that as of April 9th, no one else has declared their candidacy for the job. The filing deadline is April 23rd.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Mexicos oldest Black community is fighting to preserve its historic land. Costa Chica, the 250-mile land located along the Pacific Ocean, is home to more Afro-Mexicans than anywhere else in the nation.

In recent years, however, climate change has been making life difficult for the residents of Costa Chica. The historic region is now facing drought, which is causing cracks in the land and weakening the foundations of the village homes built from mud and sand.

The homes were first built in the 16th century by African slaves who were brought to the area by Spanish conquerors. Some of the slaves escaped at that time and settled in the village of Tecoyame, located near the coast where slave ships landed.

Mama Cointa Chavez Velazco, who recently celebrated her 101st birthday, has lived in the village of Tecoyame, Oaxaca almost all her life. Her son Don Amado fears that her home may not be around for long.

Our home is the last of its kind here, Amado told Al Jazeera. There is no support to help us, no money to maintain it as the climate becomes more extreme and threatens us more.

He added, We are forgotten.

Mama Cointas iconic Costa Chica house is known as El Redondo. Victor Guzman, a local historian, said the house holds a significant meaning.

El Redondo in Tecoyame is a symbol of the important African heritage here, just like food, dance, and music also are, he told Al Jazeera. They are tangible examples of the history, suffering, development and identity of Afro-Mexicans.

Guzman lives in Cuajinicuilapa, the Costa Chica city also known as Black Pearl. The vibrant city is known for its strong culinary culture, inspired by African staples and Indigenous cooking. The region is also famous for cultural dances and fishing. Due to problems caused by politics and geography, residents are now worried about the lack of resources they need to preserve their land heritage. Abad Campos Rodriguez, a popular dance teacher in the region, said he is worried about the future.

I have performed and taught the Danza de los Diablos to hundreds of children, but I can only continue for a couple more years as Im getting old, Rodriguez told Al Jazeera. There are not many teachers left here. I worry it wont continue to the next generation.

Mama Cointas family also continues to worry as the climate poses several challenges, including making it difficult for them to harvest fruit and vegetables.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson will join Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago for a joint announcement on election integrity on Friday, according to the Louisiana congressmans campaign.

GOP officials have promoted so-called election integrity legislation in the wake of the 2020 elections, echoing many of the false claims promoted by Mr Trump and his allies in his ongoing attempts to undermine the outcome and discredit election officials and policies that certified his loss.

Mr Johnson played a central role among members of Congress in rejecting Mr Trumps loss in the 2020 presidential election, an effort supported by baseless allegations of widespread voter fraud that fuelled spurious legal challenges and the attack on the US Capitol.

The congressman  who was elected House Speaker in October following a three-week standoff among House Republicans  took the lead in a brief to the US Supreme Court with 125 House Republicans to support a failed legal challenge to overturn President Joe Bidens victories in several states.

Mr Johnson later voted against certifying Mr Bidens win during a joint session of Congress on 6 January 2021, even after the Trump-fuelled riots at the Capitol.

The presumptive nominee for the Republican nomination for president has also maintained his false narrative that the 2020 election was rigged against him, repeating much of the same bogus claims that are now at the centre of criminal allegations surrounding his attempts to overturn the results.

The event  slated for Friday, before Mr Trump returns to New York for the first week of the former presidents hush money trial in Manhattan - also comes as Mr Johnson navigates criticism from his own party and a potential threat to his speakership while maintaining a slim Republican majority in the House.

Mr Johnson faces scrutiny among GOP members over military aid to Ukraine that has been held up for months, among other issues that have divided House Republicans. Far-right US Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia also has threatened to force a motion to oust him as House Speaker.

The Mar-a-Lago meeting appears to send a message to House Republicans that the former president supports Mr Johnsons continued leadership, even as Mr Trumps staunch ally Greene continues to publicly rebuke his position.

Mr Trump did not make an outright endorsement of Mr Johnsons run for House Speaker last fall, but he told his followers on Truth Social that Republicans should go with the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST!
House Speaker Mike Johnson is in a terrible political position, and his caucus knows it.

With a razor-thin margin to spare on any vote, Johnson has spent much of his term either stalling on advancing conservative policy goals or working with Democrats in order to pass anythingmuch to the chagrin of his party. If Johnson was hoping that last weeks recess would cool in-party tensions and help him rein in his caucus, then his plan hasnt panned out in the slightest.

Certainly, the speaker has a tough time right now trying to figure out, sort of, the path forward with the slim majority that we have, Republican Study Committee Chair Representative Kevin Hern told The Daily Beast.

So far, Johnson has wavered on sending more aid to Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia, reauthorizing a surveillance program, and sending articles of impeachment for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate. The aide described holding off on sending the Mayorkas impeachment articles as another example of the clusterfuck that is the House under Speaker Johnson.

Unfortunately for Johnson, at this point, any decision could be fatal for the speakers tenure at the top of the House.

Look, this is not your fathers Republican Party, as that old saying goes, this is a different breed of cat. This is  Trump runs that party. He maintains a sort of a death grip on it, President Joe Biden told Univision News on Tuesday, adding that he believes Johnson is worried about losing the speakership under the circumstances.

Since taking the gavel in a surprise election that saw more seasoned Republican leaders fail to galvanize the party, Johnson has struggled to carry out even the most basic responsibilities of Congress. It doesnt help that he inherited a historically divided GOP that, even before he took over, constituted the majority of one of the least productive congressional sessions in U.S. history.

Meanwhile, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greenes effort to remove Johnson from his office looms large. She resumed her attacks against him on Tuesday, issuing a memo to her Republican colleagues in an attempt to curry support for Johnsons ousting.

If these actions by the leader of our conference continue, then we are not a Republican Partywe are a uniparty that is hellbent on remaining on the path of self-inflicted destruction, she wrote. I will neither support nor take part in any of that, and neither will the people we represent.

Last month, Greene filed a motion to vacate Johnson after he worked with Democrats and Republicans in the Senate to pass a $1.2 trillion omnibus bill, putting a cap on a half-year ordeal to accomplish one of the legislatures primary annual responsibilities: funding the government.

But biding time seems to be a winning strategy for the Georgia Republican. As the weeks pass, more Republicans have started to openly voice their frustrations with Johnson, including Representative Thomas Massie, who accused the Louisiana lawmaker of failing to meet conservative goals.

Each dissenting voice is critical. A vote to strip the gavel from Johnson needs just three GOP dissenters under the current makeup of the House, but could drop down to two if Greene decides to wait for Wisconsin Representative Mike Gallaghers retirement on April 19.
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) offered a detailed rebuttal Wednesday to the case for taking his gavel away.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has threatened to force a vote of no confidence in Johnsons speakership because he has avoided government shutdowns by allowing the House to vote on funding bills that passed with Democratic votes.

During a press conference, Johnson told reporters that shutting down the government would cause chaos in Congress and exacerbate some of the same real-world problems Republicans have said are entirely President Joe Bidens fault.

He went on to list some of the issues that could happen in an extended government shutdown, including peoples flights getting canceled, as well as Border Patrol agents, Transportation Security Administration agents and U.S. troops not getting paid.

We cant have large sections of the border being totally unpatrolled, Johnson said. Some of them are right now. We cant not pay Border Patrol agents.

It was Johnsons most forceful response to Greene and the other Republicans whove faulted him for not driving a harder bargain with Democrats, who control the Senate and the White House and are equal partners in the legislative process. Greene and some of her colleagues think Democrats should have less input on lawmaking.

Johnson said he considered Greene a friend, that they dont disagree on any matter of philosophy and that theyre both conservatives. Where they do disagree, however, Johnson suggested, is on reality.

Heres the reality that we have to remind everybody  and you all know in the room because youre here every day, but some people back home dont realize  we have the smallest majority in U.S. history, he said.

.@SpeakerJohnson on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's threat to bring motion to vacate the chair: "It would be chaos in the House. So, Marjorie and I are going to visit later today." pic.twitter.com/9S9w7WlUsh  CSPAN (@cspan) April 10, 2024

And at the same time, we Republicans only have that majority in the one House, he continued. We dont have it in the Senate, obviously, where Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are in charge. And we obviously dont have the White House right now. Thats a Democrat there too.

In a letter on Tuesday to her colleagues, Greene suggested that if Johnson had bargained more aggressively with Democrats, Republicans could have at least secured the border, taken out funding for abortion and even defunded the Justice Departments prosecution of former President Donald Trump. If Trump is convicted, Greene said, it would mean a death sentence for him. (Trump is not charged with any crimes punishable by death.)

A death sentence for President Trump is precisely what the Democrats want, Greene wrote. They want him dead, and our power of appropriations could have stopped it, but Speaker Johnson didnt even try.

Johnson returned to the word reality again and again during his three-minute explanation of how the government works when different branches and chambers of Congress are controlled by opposing parties.

Because of that reality, we are not going to be able to do big transformational changes that wed like, that we know are necessary, he said. For example, the budget and spending, were not going to get all of our priorities. We will never get 100% of what we want and believe is necessary for the country, because thats the reality. Its a matter of math in the Congress  the numbers, the votes that are available.

As for partially shutting down the government by allowing funding to lapse, Johnson said doing so would be bad for Republicans.

All the things that the government does would come to a grinding halt. That would put a lot of pressure on the American people, the American economy at a very desperate time, he said, adding, I dont think that it would be helpful to us from a political standpoint for the Republican Party to continue to govern to maintain keep, and then grow our majority in November.

When Republicans threw out Johnsons predecessor, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), in October, the ouster resulted in three weeks of internal wrangling and no legislating whatsoever before Republicans settled on Johnson as their new speaker. If they did it again, Johnson said, It would be chaos in the house.

Johnson said he would meet with Greene later on Wednesday. Greene did not sound impressed after the meeting, telling reporters, I got a lot of excuses.

Greene told HuffPost that although she highlighted a spy reform bill and funding for Ukraine as things Johnson might do that could cause her to force a vote on her motion to vacate the speakership, she would not automatically do so.

Im not drawing a red line or saying a trigger or put a date out, she said. I respect my conference.

Related...
Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson watched his party revolt on another key rule vote as the House voted on reforms to the US's domestic surveillance system (FISA).

A rebellion led by members of the House Freedom Caucus tanked a vote on Wednesday to advance the legislation, angry that the proposed reforms would not require FBI agents to acquire a warrant from a judge to access the communications of Americans. Disgruntled members assembled on the House steps after the rule vote failed and accused Mr Johnson of putting his thumb on the scale against an amendment that would have made that key change to the legislation.

Donald Trump, whose 2016 campaign for president was surveilled by the FBI after it was accused of potentially communicating or colluding with Russia, opened up a major offensive in favour of tighter reforms of the legislation and is thought to have contributed to the defeat of the vote.

KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!! he wrote on Truth Social earlier on Wednesday.

Speaker Johnson and his allies had warned at Wednesdays GOP conference meeting that a passage of a clean bill to renew the program was the likely outcome of todays vote failing.

We will regroup and formulate another plan, the speaker told reporters after the vote failed.

He added: We cant allow this important provision to expire.

But members of the Freedom Caucus who spoke to reporters after the vote failed pointed fingers at Mr Johnson for failing to bring them on board.

The Speaker of the House put his finger on the scale against the amendment, and thats pretty much the story, Rep Chip Roy of Texas said in a gaggle.

We should put the right bill on the floor. We can do it as soon as tomorrow.

Scott Perry of Pennsylvania also levelled criticism at the speaker: It's the same old establishment swap tactics that we dealt with under John Boehner and then under Paul Ryan. We are done with that.

Others who spoke after the vote, like Florida Rep Byron Donalds, characterised the setback on Wednesday as part of political sausagemaking and not a sign of greater dysfunction within the chamber. Mr Donalds was one of 19 Republicans who voted against the rule to move the legislation forward.

He added his own concerns about FISA: You had the FBI violate the law almost 300,000 times in the FISA process. That has to be reformed. And that's not a Republican thing, a Democrat thing, that is fundamental to the Constitution of the United States and to the civil liberties of the American people.

None of the assembled conservatives were willing to broach the possibility of latching on to a motion to vacate the speakership filed by Marjorie Taylor Greene when asked by reporters. Ms Greenes resolution has yet to pick up a single Republican ally, while some Democrats have signalled that they could be moved to vote against it.

Im not going to go down that road right now, said Mr Roy.

Republicans were set to gather again this afternoon to plot a course forward on the FISA reauthorisation bill. Ms Greene and Mr Johnson also met, their first one-on-one since the Georgia representative filed her motion to vacate, but did not emerge with their disagreement resolved.

We didnt walk out with a deal. I explained to him that, and he acknowledged, that as a Republican member of the House, I pretty much have the best view of how the base feels and what Republican voters want, she said at a gaggle.

While clear policy differences are present within the GOP conference and always have been, the signs of a greater inability to pass legislation are evident within the chamber. Funding votes continue to pass the chamber with the support of Democrats in the minority often against the wishes of conservatives who consistently push for deeper spending cuts or other policy riders, as the majority struggles to win votes on its own priorities. At the same time, a weariness is evident in the chamber as conservatives back away from threats to replace Mr Johnson with another Republican.

Advocates for civil liberties have long warned that the FISA system presents a danger to Americans whose communications are caught up in the surveillance of foreign persons. Under current law, a warrant is not required to view the communications of foreign persons, but in many cases, the collection of that data includes communications with Americans.

Should the law expire on 19 April without reauthorisation from Congress, the FBI will lose legal authority to conduct warrantless surveillance of people living abroad. The agency has also come out against the requirement of a warrant to access communications with Americans, stating that the delays would gut the effectiveness of the law.

While it is imperative that we ensure this critical authority of 702 does not lapse, we also must not undercut the effectiveness of this essential tool with a warrant requirement or some similar restriction, paralyzing our ability to tackle fast-moving threats, said FBI Director Christopher Wray on Tuesday.
A car chase through Teller and Park counties Monday ended with a downed power pole, a small grass fire and two arrests, according to a news release.

The mayhem started when deputies with the Teller County Sheriff's Office tried to make a traffic stop near the intersection of County Road 5 and County Road 51 in Divide. They'd spotted a green Land Rover allegedly matching the description of a vehicle involved in a previous trespassing incident.

A chase ensued, according to the Sheriff's Office news release Tuesday, with speeds around 90 mph and the Land Rover's attempts to run its patrol vehicles off the roadway.

Stop sticks eventually deflated two of the Land Rover's tires and the vehicle struck and knocked over a power pole at the intersection of Horse Creek Circle and Crystal Peak Drive.

Officials said the driver, 37-year-old Gordon Hintz, and passenger, 28-year-old Paege A. Bolt, were "quickly" taken into custody. A small fire caused by the downed power pole was snuffed out by deputies.

Hintz and Bolt are from Colorado Springs.

Featured Local Savings

A pair of brass knuckles, 14 grams of "suspected fentanyl," syringes containing an unknown substance, drug paraphernalia and burglary tools were recovered from the vehicle, officials said.

Hintz faces multiple counts of second-degree assault on a peace officer and second-degree assault along with possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, second-degree kidnapping and numerous other pending charges.

Hintz had a warrant for escape from the Colorado Department of Correction.

Bolt faces charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of an illegal weapon, possession of burglary tools, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of a protection order, according to the news release.

Bolt is currently on probation for possession of a controlled substance.
An embattled Milesburg Borough Council held a meeting Monday night to appoint three new council members after a series of resignations, but questions have been raised about the legality of the meeting.

Bryce Taylor, a Milesburg resident who questioned the legality of a meeting held with the three remaining council members present  there are seven seats on the board  was asked to leave the meeting under the threat of removal by state police, who were on site.

Do you not need a quorum in order to conduct this meeting? Taylor asked council members. With all due respect, given that the borough council is comprised of seven members and there are only three present to begin with, holding this meeting would go against the Sunshine Act.

After a brief but heated conversation between Taylor, council member Fred Kellerman and mayor Clair Martin, Taylor left, shouting that the meeting was improper as he walked out the door.

He was interrupting my meeting with those questions, so we had him leave, Kellerman told the CDT after the meeting.

When the meeting resumed, Kellerman and fellow council members Ethel Kellerman and Plummer Davidson voted to accept the official resignations of former council members Greg Ritter, Pete DeLosa and Samantha Walker.

The resignation of the majority of council members  Sandy Dieterle resigned in February, Walker resigned last month and Ritter and DeLosa resigned last week  comes after most of the boroughs staff abruptly resigned at the start of the year.

Council members also appointed and swore in three new council members on Monday night  Barry Campbell, Jr., Shirley Martin and Kirsty Lloyd. The fourth open seat is to be filled by the vacancy board, which recently saw its president resign as well. That seat was not filled by the council members in the allotted 45-day period they were given, which is why it was deferred to the board.

Pennsylvania law does not require boards or councils to take public input during the process of filling vacancies, nor does it direct them to screen or ultimately choose interested candidates in a certain way.

After the meeting, borough solicitor Tracey Benson justified the meeting being held because the only three active members of the board were present.

When asked about a potential Sunshine Act violation, Benson referred to the earlier incident with Taylor, saying that, If this becomes a legal issue, well just deal with it when it does.

An aerial look of the Turnpike Street and Water Street in Milesburg on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024.

Is what Milesburg Borough did legal?

According to Melissa Melewsky, Media Law Council for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, of which the CDT is a member, Benson may be correct in his justification for holding the meeting.

Given that there was only three of the potential seven members there, on the surface this does look like a violation, Melewsky said. However, given that the other board members had already turned in their official resignations, the meeting still couldve happened with all of the active members being present there.

Even though the resignations of Ritter, DeLosa and Walker werent officially accepted, they had already displayed their intent, and took the first steps to remove themselves from their council positions, meaning that according to the Pennsylvania borough code, a quorum could still be held, Melewsky said.

That specific code states that, A majority of the membership of council then in office shall constitute a quorum.

The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, which Melewsky said may have a different interpretation, did not respond to a request for comment on the situation.

However, removing a borough resident for asking questions during a meeting is not legal, Melewsky said.

Taylor still believes the meeting was a violation of the Sunshine Act and is looking to take action.

One of the first steps that Im going to likely take is to get a petition going so that we can challenge the appointments made at the meeting, he said Tuesday. I have a right and responsibility as a citizen of this borough to not only ask questions at the public meetings, but to also call out something that is not legal. Ill happily do whatever I can to make it known that whats going on here is not right.

Taylor previously addressed the Centre County Commissioners to ask for help with the ongoing issues in the borough. On Tuesday, Commissioner Mark Higgins said the county is limited in what it can do.

The commissioners have looked into it and have found that there is a group within the Department of Community and Economic Development that offers mediation to municipalities in this circumstance, Higgins said. The one difficulty though is that its a voluntary program. Whatever would be the remainder of the board in Milesburg Borough would all need to agree to utilize the program.

The Milesburg Borough Councils next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on April 18 and is scheduled to be a both special meeting and vacancy board meeting to determine the council member to fill the final open seat.
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY)  Many families in Hampton Roads have expressed concerns about proposed changes to Virginias Military Survivor and Dependent Education Program.

The program provides a tuition waiver to spouses and children of veterans who are killed, missing in action, taken prisoner or are at least 90% permanently disabled as a result of military service or combat.

The program has seen significant growth over the past five years, and its becoming more difficult for Virginias colleges and universities to absorb the costs.

Its important to note, families who currently benefit from this program wont see any changes right now. Thats because Gov. Glenn Youngkin said more research needs to be done before making any changes to the program.

On Monday, he announced $24 million in funding in his Common Ground budget to support the program, which is more money than previous years.

Really important statement that we of course want our vets to stay here to raise a family here, we want Virginia to be the best place to live work and raise a family, Youngkin said.

The proposed budget would provide $20 million to go to the colleges and universities and $4 million to help with costs for students, like for room and board or books.

Theres a lot more to going to college than simply paying tuition, Youngkin said. Theres a lot more books and fees that are associated with it as well.

The program, however, has seen significant growth over the past five years and its becoming a lot more difficult for colleges to absorb the costs the stipend doesnt cover.

According to the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia, program waivers totaled right at $12 million in 2019. In 2023, they reached $66.4 million. Year after year, the program has been growing between 40% and 60%.

SHEV recommended an increase to the program because many colleges and universities believe reform is needed.

Thats why the General Assembly wanted to do something to address the issue, so they introduced Senate Bill 347. The bill would have made changes to those eligible for the program:

Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program. Provides that the stepchild of a living veteran or military service member, as described in the bill, is eligible to receive a tuition and fee waiver under the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program if such living veteran or military service member claimed such stepchild on his tax return for at least five years prior to the date on which the admission application was submitted. The bill reduces the scope of the Programs applicability by providing that an admitted qualified survivor or dependent is only eligible for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees (i) for an undergraduate program at any public institution of higher education and (ii) up to the amount necessary to pay for the last-dollar cost of the tuition and mandatory fees after all other federal and state financial aid to which such qualified survivor or dependent is entitled are utilized. Current law does not limit eligibility for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees to undergraduate programs and does not require such waiver to be limited any tuition and mandatory fees remaining after all other federal and state financial aid to which the qualified survivor or dependent is entitled are utilized. The bill also provides that a qualified survivor or dependent, in order to be eligible for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees, must (a) complete the federal Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) each year for which he seeks to receive a waiver and (b) maintain satisfactory academic progress pursuant to 20 U.S.C.  1091(c). Finally, the bill exempts from the requirement limiting the receipt and use of such waivers to undergraduate programs any individual who qualified for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees under the Program prior to the provisions of the bill going into effect and is currently enrolled in a public institution of higher education or Eastern Virginia Medical School.  Senate Bill 347

We heard from a number of constituents who were concerned about it being changed, Youngkin said, and thats why its really important that the language that was included in the general assemblys budget, we have sent back an amendment to not include that language and in fact to study the problem before we make a policy decision.

Virginia Commonwealth University provided more tuition and fee waivers than any other institution in Virginia for the 2022-2023 school year. Old Dominion University provided the second most, supporting 964 students last year. You can see how much each university awarded in the state in the 2022-2023 school year by clicking here.

We did hear back from ODU, Christopher Newport University and VCU about the governors amendments.

We appreciate the Governor and the General Assembly for recognizing this issue. At Christopher Newport, tuition and mandatory fee waivers associated with the VMSDEP have increased from $300,000 in 2017-18 to more than $3 million in 2023-2024. We support and celebrate this program, and funding is needed to ensure the burden is not passed along to tuition paying students.  Christopher Newport University

Old Dominion University is in the process of carefully reviewing the full details of Governor Youngkins Common Ground amended budget, which was released yesterday. We continue to analyze the ways in which it would impact our institution.  Old Dominion University

VCU is committed in its support of the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, which helps survivors and dependents of qualified veterans and service members achieve their educational goals. VCU provides more tuition and fee waivers than any other institution in Virginia, with nearly 25% of all waivers provided by VCU.  Virginia Commonwealth University

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Minneapolis rolls out electric school buses, students who pushed for them get test ride

Fifth grade students at Whittier International Elementary School in Minneapolis piled onto the electric school bus for a short ride through the neighborhood, a field trip that grew out of a letter writing campaign they staged urging district leadership to buy it.

"We listened," Superintendent Lisa Sayles Adams said. Diesel powered buses "are not the future of transportation. Sustainability is something we can't afford to ignore."

An Environmental Protection Agency grants from its Clean School Bus Program and Highland Electric Fleets was a big impetus, too. Last year the district bought two electric school buses that are just now arriving in Minnesota. Whittier students got to go for a test ride on one Tuesday, before they are put into service this summer.

The EPA grant is allowing the district to buy two more of the buses, which cost between $320,000 and $400,000. The buses, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Commissioner Katrina Kessler said, will give students a "clean and cool new ride" and add to the state's small but growing fleet of electric buses.

In 2020, the MPCA launched a pilot to try electric school buses in Minnesota. Over the past few years, 10 buses powered exclusively by electricity have been put in service, and 22 more are on the way, Kessler said.

The state has a goal of reducing greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050 and funding electric school buses is part of the work, Kessler said.

Through its curriculum, Whittier students are challenged to take action to make the world a better place, principal Anne Wagemaker said.

As part of a "Sharing the Planet" unit last fall, teacher Alex Lange had his students brainstorm ways to reduce the use of fossil fuels and slow climate change. The discussion rolled around to buses, which is how about 70% of student body arrives to class each day.

"What do you ride every day?' Lange asked the students. "Who makes changes? The superintendent. Let's write a letter."

At a press event on Tuesday, student Luis Obando read aloud his letter asking the district buy the buses.

"We believe this is important because it is good for the environment," Obando read. "Another reason is that it reduces CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the air. If not reduce the CO2 that we have in the air, it will hurt the glaciers. Also that was the disappearance of polar bears."

Sayles Adams called the student letters "well researched."

After all the speeches were done, the moment students had been waiting for finally arrived. It was time to go for a ride.

"Call my mom," student Brooke Henderson yelled out the window as the bus pulled away from curb. "Tell her I am on an electric school bus."
A miracle: Man survives near drowning at Florida beach after having no pulse for over 5 minutes

A miracle: Man survives near drowning at Florida beach after having no pulse for over 5 minutes

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)  A 21-year-old man made an astonishing recovery after a near drowning at a Florida beach left him without a heartbeat for several minutes last month.

Several people were rescued from rip currents at New Smyrna Beach in Volusia County on March 30; however, Felipe Ribeiro Desouza, 21, was the only one who was unresponsive.

The Volusia County Sheriffs Office said a rip current had pulled him about 100 yards out into the ocean. Immediately after two boogie boarders pulled him from the water, lifeguard Dalton Smith and Deputy Stan Manhart gave Desouza CPR.

Completely unacceptable: At least 3 shot near Armature Works in Tampa, police say

Desouza was eventually handed off to the New Smyrna Fire Department, who attempted to get the 21-year-olds pulse back.

With the patient being slippery, the board being wet, they were able to maintain the patient on the board and doing very effective CPR, Ty Tarnow with the New Smyrna Fire Department said. It was just a miracle that this young man was able to pull through.

Fire rescue said Desouza didnt have a pulse for somewhere between five to seven minutes.

According to NBC affiliate WESH, when Deputy Manhart visited Desouza at the hospital, he told him he was never going to the beach again.

The first thing he said is hes never going to the beach again, the deputy said.

The 21-year-old made a full recovery with no ill effects, WESH reported.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Eddie Terrell Parker woke up in a Mississippi jail cell last January with an unfamiliar taste of alcohol on his tongue and the painful memory of seeing his friend, Michael Corey Jenkins, get shot in the mouth by a Rankin County sheriffs deputy.

Prior to that Tuesday night, Parker was not a drinker. The amount of alcohol that was doused over his face for up to 90 minutes the night before left him disoriented. All he wanted to do was lay on the cold concrete floor and rest.

Parker left jail on a mission to get justice for Jenkins, who he affectionately calls his bonus little brother. It had been hours since he last saw Jenkins severely damaged face. Parker had no idea whether the 33-year-old was dead or alive. Regardless of Jenkins condition, Parker was not about to let what happened to his friend go in vain.

I told them: Yall done effed up, Parker said. Michael, he didnt deserve that, not one way, shape or form. I didnt deserve what happened to me, either, but I did this more for Michael.

Parker, 38, spoke to Capital B a day before five former sheriffs deputies and a former K-9 officer were sentenced for state charges stemming from the Jan. 24, 2023, torture  which included attempted sexual assault and left Jenkins with a severed tongue.

The 20-year friendship between Jenkins and Parker has only gotten stronger. Parker said he spends more time with Jenkins now to assist Jenkins mother, Mary, with caring for her son.

Thats my little brother.  His mother knows that hes OK when hes with me, said Parker, who is a father of four teenagers.

Jenkins physical road to recovery has been challenging, to say the least. Some days are better than others. Speaking, let alone chewing, are daily obstacles that Parker is there to help Jenkins through. Hes there to prepare the softest foods possible for Jenkins to eat. And it doesnt matter that he finishes breakfast by lunchtime or lunchtime by dinner.

Hes a fighter; I look up to him, Parker said. He is the reason why I wanted to make it through the scenario. The situation we went through, it brought us closer. Im glad to have him around  struggle and all.

Last month, as Parker was on his way to the former law enforcement officers federal sentencing in Jackson, he felt a butterfly in the pit of his stomach. That one butterfly, he said, gave him the strength to stay calm while being within feet of the six white men who nearly killed his friend. Over a three-day period, they received sentences ranging from 10 to 40 years in federal prison.

This week marked the final chapter of criminal cases for the former officers  Hunter Elward, Jeffrey Middleton, Brett McAlpin, Christian Lee Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke, and Joshua Hartfield. They pleaded guilty last August to various state charges, including home invasion and aggravated assault that each carry a sentence of up to 25 years.

On Wednesday, the six men were sentenced in state court to serve between 15 and 45 years for their horrific acts.

As the officers are serving prison time, Jenkins and Parker will proceed with their $400 million civil lawsuit and continue to call for the resignation of Sheriff Bryan Bailey, who supervised five of the Goon Squad members.

In Rankin County, what really is needed is a complete constructive change, Malik Z. Shabazz, an attorney for Jenkins and Parker, told Capital B this week ahead of the state sentencing. Not just minor changes, but a complete overhaul of the system here. Because the proximate cause of the horrific torture and abuse that happened to brother Eddie Parker and Michael Jenkins, it comes from a system of gross neglect.

Angela English, the leader of the Rankin County chapter of the NAACP, said in a statement that they are well on our way to gathering the necessary petition signatures that will force Governor Tate Reeves to oust Bailey.

For years, Parker said he heard rumors about Rankin County law enforcement officers, but wasnt personally affected by their racist and sadistic actions. When Parker gives his victim impact statement, he said he will urge the judge to make a statement to other law enforcement officers in Mississippi by adding more years to their incarceration. Whatever sentence the former officers receive will run concurrent with their federal sentence.

The states criminal sentencing is important because, historically, the state of Mississippi has lagged behind or ignored racial crimes and police brutality against Blacks, and the Department of Justice has had to lead the way, Shabazz said in a statement referring to various investigations launched across Mississippi by the Department of Justice.

Yet, Parker said he can still forgive Elward for the hell he put him and Jenkins through.

I looked into his eyes at the moment before he shot Mike. I saw the expression on his face when he shot Mike. I saw the look. The Oh my god! I done effed up look on his face after he shot Mike.

Parker said he saw that same look in Elwards eyes when he pleaded guilty in August, and again last month in federal court before he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Parker says he continues to stand on his decision to accept Elwards apology at that time. It was the first time since that horrific night that Parker heard any of the former officers voices, but to hear an apology from Elward meant the most.

I did it because I felt that, he said.

Continuing to go to therapy has helped Parker tremendously, but as far as normal, I dont think Ill ever be normal again, he said.

Now that this part of the legal saga is over, Parker said, theres nothing thats going to hold me back from becoming an advocate for other survivors.

I want to be a voice for those who need a voice. I want to make a difference, in that, I want to turn this upside down, he said.

This story has been updated.

The post Mississippi Dad Who Survived Sadistic Goon Squad Attack Calls for More Prison Time appeared first on Capital B News.
From top left: former Rankin County sheriffs deputies Hunter Elward, Christian Dedmon, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton and Daniel Opdyke, as well as former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield, are shown at a court in Brandon, Mississippi, on Aug. 14, 2023. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis via Associated Press

A judge on Wednesday sentenced six Mississippi law enforcement officers on state charges for the torture of two Black men during a no-warrant home raid.

This comes after a federal judge in March sentenced the officers to prison terms ranging from 10 to 40 years. They had pleaded guilty in both their federal and state cases last summer.

The six men  five former Rankin County sheriffs deputies and a former Richland Police Department officer who belonged to a self-styled Goon Squad  tortured Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker in 2023 at a home in Braxton, Mississippi.

The officers kicked in the door of the home, shouting racial slurs at Jenkins and Parker as they beat the men and shocked them with stun guns. One Rankin County deputy shot Jenkins in the mouth.

The judge read the officers their sentences one by one Wednesday, with the sentencing ranging from 15 to 45 years.

Brett McAlpin, a deputy with Rankin County, was sentenced to 20 years in state prison, described as one of the main leaders of the Goon Squad who told officers what to do during the beating. Christian Dedmon, another Rankin County deputy, was sentenced to 25 years.

Daniel Opdyke, another former Rankin County sheriffs deputy, was sentenced to 20 years on state charges of conspiracy to hinder prosecution.

Dedmon was also sentenced on burglary and home invasion charges. McAlpin, Middleton and Opdyke were sentenced on charges related to hindering prosecution.

Hunter Elward, the ex-Rankin County deputy who shot Jenkins in the mouth, was sentenced to 45 years on charges of aggravated assault, burglary/home invasion and conspiracy to hinder prosecution.

Joshua Hartfield, the former Richland police officer, was sentenced to 15 years on state charges of hindering prosecution and conspiracy to hinder prosecution.

All state sentences will run concurrently with federal sentencing, the judge said in the courtroom Wednesday.

Calls for the resignation of Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey have intensified as residents and activists continue to protest against him remaining in office.

Jenkins and Parker filed a $400 million lawsuit against Bailey and the sheriffs office last year, alleging that Bailey was complicit in the criminal acts of the deputies he oversaw.

Angela English, the president of Rankin County chapter of the NAACP, started a petition to get signatures from residents in support of Baileys resignation.

Bailey was reelected as sheriff last year.
The state of Missouri on Tuesday night carried out the execution of Brian Dorsey, a 52-year-old man convicted in a double murder.

Dorsey was administered a lethal dose of pentobarbital and was pronounced dead at 6:11 p.m.

Executions are conducted at Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, about an hour south of St. Louis.

Dorsey was found guilty in the 2006 killing of his cousin Sarah Bonnie and her husband Ben Bonnie in central Missouri.

In his final statement, Dorsey apologized to the Bonnies family members and loved ones, saying hes truly deeply overwhelmingly sorry.

Words cannot hold the just weight of my guilt and shame, he wrote. I still love you. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I am sorry I hurt them and you.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson denied Dorsey clemency on Monday. Over 150 people who signed onto the clemency application supported granting Dorsey life without parole, including more than 70 corrections employees, five jurors, three Republican state representatives and a former Missouri Supreme Court judge who in 2009 upheld Dorseys death sentence.

Dorsey said he loved and was grateful for his family, friends and all of those that tried to prevent this.

I have peace in my heart, in large part because of you, and I thank you, he said in his final statement. To all those on all sides of this sentence, I carry no ill will or anger, only acceptance and understanding.

Brian Dorseys final statement

Appeals filed by Dorseys legal team failed. They had argued that several guidelines in the states lethal injection protocol were unconstitutional; that he should not have been charged with first-degree murder because he was in a drug-induced state when he killed the Bonnies; and that the Missouri Department of Corrections acting director was unqualified to oversee an execution.

Attorneys also said Dorseys original trial lawyers were paid on a flat fee basis, which disincentivized them from working on the case. They did not do an investigation, presented no expert witness testimony and accepted a plea deal while the death penalty remained on the table. That payment structure is no longer used by the Missouri State Public Defenders system.

The U.S. Supreme Court denied two petitions earlier Tuesday.

According to the Department of Corrections, Dorseys final meal was served at 11 a.m. It included two bacon double cheeseburgers, two orders of chicken strips, two large orders of fries, and a pizza with sausage, pepperoni, onion, mushrooms and extra cheese.

Eleven men remain on death row in Missouri. They include David Hosier, whose execution is scheduled for June, and Marcellus Khaliifah Williams, whose innocence claims are being litigated.

Missouri is one of five states to carry out capital punishment this year. Alabama, Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma have also had executions, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
BONNE TERRE, Mo.  A Missouri man who killed his cousin and her husband nearly two decades ago was put to death late Tuesday afternoon.

Brian Dorsey, 52, died via a lethal dose of pentobarbital. The execution was carried out just after 6 p.m. on April 9 at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, Missouri. He was declared dead at 6:11 p.m., according to a Missouri Department of Corrections statement.

Hours before his execution, Dorsey released a statement apologizing for his crimes and thanking his family and the legal team that tried to overturn the sentence.

To all of the family and loved ones I share with Sarah and to all of the surviving family and loved ones of Ben, I am truly, deeply, overwhelmingly sorry. Words cannot hold the just weight of my guilt and shame. I still love you. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I am sorry I hurt them and you. To my family, friends, and all of those that tried to prevent this, I love you, I am grateful for you. I have peace in my heart, in large part because of you and I thank you. To all those on all side of this sentence, I carry no ill will or anger, only acceptance and understanding. Brian Dorsey, last statement via Missouri Dept. of Corrections

Dorsey is the first person the state has put to death in 2024. Last year, Missouri carried out the death penalty on four inmates.

Dorsey killed Sarah and Ben Bonnie on Dec. 23, 2006. The murders took place in the Bonnies home near New Bloomfield, Missouri, just north of Jefferson City.

At trial, prosecutors said Dorsey had sought financial help from Sarah earlier that day to pay two drug dealers at his apartment. That night, after the Bonnies went to bed, Dorsey used a shotgun from the garage to murder the couple before sexually assaulting Sarahs body. He then stole several items from the house in order to pay off the drug debt. The couples 4-year-old daughter was in the home at the time but was unharmed.

Sarahs parents found the bodies the next day. The Bonnies daughter was on the couch watching television. She told her grandparents that her mother wont wake up.

Dorsey surrendered to law enforcement three days later. He was sentenced to death on Aug. 28, 2008, after pleading guilty to the murders. Dorsey would later appeal the sentence.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Breaking News

Seventy-two current and former Department of Corrections officers signed a clemency petition on Monday, citing Dorseys good behavior and arguing that he had undergone rehabilitation. Missouri Governor Mike Parson rejected the petition. Five jurors who served during the penalty phase of Dorseys also requested mercy from the governor.

In a letter to Parson, former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Wolff cited a rare failing of the legal system itself to ask the governor to grant Dorsey life imprisonment in lieu of execution. Wolff was on the court when it denied Dorseys appeal for leniency.

Wolff did not deny Dorsey committed the murders but pointed out that Dorseys attorneys at the time were paid a flat fee by the states public defender system, in effect creating an inherent financial conflict of interest and insuring they had no incentive to invest any time in the case, and that they instructed their client to plead guilty to the murders knowing the death penalty was still on the table.

In addition, Wolff said that the justices were unaware of evidence that Dorsey was in a drug-induced psychosis at the time of the murders, which should have made him ineligible for the death penalty in Missouri.

Executing Mr. Dorsey, however, will dishonor our system of capital punishment, Wolff wrote.

Parson, a former county sheriff, has not granted clemency for capital punishment during his tenure as governor.

The United States Supreme Court denied Dorseys last two appeals earlier Tuesday.

Missouris next execution is scheduled for June 11. David R. Hosier will be put to death for the 2009 murder of Angela Gilpin of Jefferson City.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
In the face of strong opposition from neighbors, the Modesto Church of the Brethren has suspended its offer to the city to be considered as a site for tiny homes as temporary housing for homeless families.

A city official said as of last week the church was one of just three organizations that had submitted a proposal since November when the city asked for potential sites for tiny homes.

Church member and homeless advocate Derek Castle told City Council members at their Tuesday evening meeting that the pause will give the church time to address neighbors concerns. Castle also wants the city to be part of that process.

Castle, who created the proposal on behalf of the church, said the plan is a continuation of the churchs relationship with Family Promise, which provides temporary shelter and services to families with children.

Family Promise placed homeless families in host churches, including Church of the Brethren, for many years until it started using a different model in the COVID-19 pandemic. Castle said there were no problems in the roughly 20 years Church of the Brethren hosted families. Family Promise has its office on the churchs property.

The Modesto Church of the Brethren in Modesto, Calif., Tuesday, April 9, 2024.The church has suspended its offer to the city to be considered as site for tiny homes as temporary housing for homeless families in the face of strong opposition of neighbors. Andy Alfaro/aalfaro@modbee.com

Church wants to be a good neighbor

We want to protect our neighbors, Castle said in an interview before the meeting. Their concerns are the same as our concerns. We dont want people loitering at the church. We dont want people who are troublemakers. We dont want to feel insecure coming to church. Whatever happens, we want make it not only church friendly but neighborhood friendly.

But the proposal drew strong opposition at a March 29 meeting the city held at the church. That opposition included claims the church would become a magnet for homeless people, and the homeless people would be mentally ill and drug addicts.

Church of the Brethren pastor Andrew Sampson said in an interview that there were at least 150 people at the meeting before he had to leave after an hour. He said about three quarters were angrily opposed, with the remaining people roughly split between those who supported the proposal and those who wanted to learn more about it.

The church is part of the Woodland West Community Neighborhood group. Two residents spoke Tuesday against the project, saying the proposal was not a good fit for the neighborhood.

My concerns are for (our) children, what they will see and be exposed to, resident Ron Sims said. ... We cannot have this in our community, in our neighborhood.

Woodland West Community Neighborhood steering committee chairwoman Terhesa Gamboa told council members the committee does not support the initial proposal.

She said if the church moves forward with another proposal it will need to work closely with its surrounding neighbors and the steering committee to avoid the secrecy of the first one. She said secrecy breeds rumors and misinformation.

The church had submitted its proposal in response to the citys request in November for partners to serve as host sites for the tiny homes and for partners who would provide case management and operate the sites.

The City Council committed $3 million in November toward the purchase of the tiny homes and any infrastructure, such as utilities and bathrooms, to support them. Companies make homes that are easily assembled and comfortable. The Church of the Brethren calls its proposal Peace Village and it would consist of tiny homes of 170 or 288 square feet.

The city funding does not cover the cost of case management and operating the sites.

The city calls these tiny homes bridge housing because they provide the first level of shelter for homeless people and serve as a transition to permanent housing. The tiny homes are an alternative for people who wont go to shelters, though the shelters in Modesto often are running at capacity.

A city official said last week Modesto had two other potential sites for tiny homes. Both are vacant lots, and the city continues to evaluate their suitability. The city has declined to name the sites but has confirmed one is owned by the Modesto Gospel Mission, which envisions having 10 tiny homes on its lot.

The Church of the Brethren is on Woodland Avenue and is surrounded by single-family homes. The churchs proposal calls for putting the homes on part of the roughly 2 acres of open space on its property.

Its proposal was for 17 tiny homes for Family Promise clients, and three tiny homes for Downtown Streets Team clients. The Streets Team provides case management, stipends for volunteer work and other services for people who are homeless. Castle said all clients who stayed in the tiny homes would be vetted to ensure they were good matches for the project.

No projects after six months

Councilman Chris Ricci said its been six months since Modesto committed funding for tiny homes but work has not yet started on any projects. He said the city needs to focus on quick solutions to get homeless people off the streets as it works on bridge housing and other longer-term projects.

Ricci and Councilmen Nick Bavaro and Eric Alvarez have advocated Modesto offer safe camping, designated areas with basic services for homeless people to sleep, but do not have the support of their four council colleagues. Ricci suggested Tuesday the city look at using vacant properties to provide shelter.

There still would be much work and questions to be answered if the Church of the Brethren asked the city to resume its evaluation and the city found the church suitable for tiny homes.

That includes the church congregation deciding to move forward with the project (the congregations initial decision was to simply submit a proposal) and coming up with the funding to cover the cost of having tiny homes on church grounds.

Those costs include the use of the church kitchen, showers, restroom and other facilities. Family Promise also would need to decide to take the next step to participate, and the City Council would need to approve purchasing the tiny homes and any infrastructure the project needed.
Mom endures intensive chemo after terminal diagnosis that left her saying goodbye  only to find out she never had cancer at all

A mother of two claims that she underwent very intensive chemotherapy  only to find out she never had cancer at all.

Lisa Monk, 39, from College Station, Texas, initially went to a hospital in 2022 for stomach pains that she suspected were related to kidney stones, according to the Daily Mail.

Tests from the appointment revealed two kidney stones, but also flagged a mass on her spleen.

The higher-education worker underwent a successful surgery to remove the mass in January of last year  but thats when events took a turn.

Lisa Monk initially went to the hospital for stomach pain that she thought might be kidney stones. Kennedy News/ Lisa Monk

Monk claims that the spleen was sent to three different pathology labs to be tested before finally being sent to a fourth lab, where it tested positive for a rare and terminal form of cancer, called clear cell angiosarcoma, reported the Mirror.

Angiosarcoma is a type of cancer that forms on the lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels, according to Mayo Clinic.

Despite available treatments, angiosarcoma is considered to have a poor prognosis regardless of age or gender.

It was a blood vessel type of cancer found in the spleen and told me that the most optimistic thing he could say was to give me 15 months [to live], Monk revealed in a video.

It was a dark time.

The mom, understandably distraught after the horrible news, eventually had to tell her husband and her two young children the devastating diagnosis.

I didnt tell them at this point that it was terminal or I only had 15 months, I just told them it was bad but I was going to try to fight it, Monk said in the video.

My oldest son took it the hardest. My little girl was very good at hiding her feelings but I found out from her teacher she was getting overwhelmed about it at school.

The chemotherapy led to hair loss. Kennedy News/ Lisa Monk

Monk says she vomited from the therapy and had silvery skin. Kennedy News/ Lisa Monk

What followed, Monk explained, was an aggressive chemotherapy regimen.

She was referred to a cancer hospital and had her first round of chemo in March 2023.

After losing all of her hair, Monk explained that she underwent a second round of therapy that left her vomiting and with silvery skin.

It was a very dark time. I was writing goodbye letters and letters to the grandchildren I would never meet and the weddings I would never attend.

She turned to me and looked completely horrified

But at a routine appointment in April, the following month, Monk received even more shocking news: She never had cancer in the first place.

The pathology report, her doctor explained, was wrong.

Lisa Monk endured multiple rounds of grueling chemotherapy before being told she never had cancer to begin with. Kennedy News/ Lisa Monk

The mother of two says she was told she had just 15 months to live. Kennedy News/ Lisa Monk

I saw the nurse practitioner first and she just asked me about my symptoms and she was scrolling on the computer while she was talking to me, Monk recalled.

All of a sudden she just stops talking and has this look on her face. She turned to me and looked completely horrified and told me she needed to get the doctor and then ran out of the room. She left me alone for about 15 minutes and the doctor came back in. He said a lot of medical lingo to me and then told me I didnt have cancer.

Confused at first, and initially thinking that was a good thing  that her chemo treatments had been working  Monk said she then realized it had all been a horrible mistake.

Monk says she felt like she had cancer, because she was sick from all of the unnecessary chemotherapy. Kennedy News/ Lisa Monk

The doctor then told me that I never had cancer. [At that moment] I looked like I had cancer and I felt like I had cancer as I was vomiting, I was sick and my skin was silvery because of the chemotherapy, Monk said.

To add insult to injury, the mom said the doctor then congratulated her rather than apologizing for the egregious error.

The doctor then congratulated me, which really bothered me, Monk revealed.

The higher education worker said she was initially in shock over the diagnosis. Kennedy News/ Lisa Monk

The 39-year-old mom had to tell her husband and children the devastating news. Kennedy News/ Lisa Monk

At the time I was in shock but now I feel the more appropriate response would be Im sorry. I asked for a copy of their pathology report and I found a hallway to call my husband and tell him the news.

But the error doesnt end there. Monk claims that after viewing the pathology report at home, she realized it was dated a month prior  meaning the hospital had the information prior to her second round of chemo, but simply didnt read the report until her appointment.

I had had chemotherapy during this time and they could have told me a month earlier and I would have avoided the second round of chemotherapy if they had bothered to read their own pathology report, Monk added.

[After being told I didnt have cancer] I had to wait a couple of days and then it was confirmed to me that it was not cancer after having a discussion with all the doctors. In the end they determined that my spleen was going to rupture which is why it had the mass on it. It was just blood vessel activity and no cancer in it.

Still paying the price

Despite the fact that Monk claims the hospital made the mistake, she has been unable to have any of her medical bills dismissed.

A year after her misdiagnosis, Monk says she and her family are still dealing with the mental, emotional and financial fallout. Kennedy News/ Lisa Monk

Now, a year later, Monk says she and her family are still facing the mental, emotional and financial fallout from the hospitals appalling error.

Financially, she says, theyre still paying the bills.

Despite the fact that it was the hospitals fault, Monk says she was unable to get any of the bills dismissed.

I also still looked like I had cancer. I was bald and did not appear to be well. It was a daily reminder that it was something we had all lived through. A year on from what happened to me, Im angry. They ruined my health and my insides are cooked, Monk said.

The mom went on, I grieve for my kids for having to even go through something like this in their lives where they thought they were going to lose their mum. I cant take this away from them. I know on paper it only looks like a few months of my life but it felt like a lifetime.
Moms Son Was Fully Unconscious When Sorority Sisters Saved Him. They All Cried When He Began Breathing Again

Molly McCollum, Jane McArdle, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones and Kaitlyn Iannace were en route to a girls weekend in March when they jumped into action

GMA/X University of Georgia sorority sisters reunite with mom Cori Craft

A group of sorority sisters are speaking out about saving a mom and her two sons in March

The University of Georgia students were en route to a girls' weekend trip when they saw an SUV go off the roadway and into a creek



If we were five seconds later we wouldnt have even seen the car go off the bridge, one of the sisters said during an interview with Good Morning America



Nearly a month after rescuing a mom and her two young boys from a sinking car, five University of Georgia sorority sisters are opening up about what happened that day  and reuniting with the mom they helped rescue.

Molly McCollum, Jane McArdle, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones and Kaitlyn lannace were en route from Athens, where the university is located, to Savannah for a girls weekend on March 15 when they came across an accident in Burke County.

If we were five seconds later we wouldnt have even seen the car go off the bridge, McCollum said on Good Morning America during an interview that aired on April 10.

Related: Missing California Hiker Was Only Carrying Snacks for the Day When She Left Mountain Center

But instead of driving on, they stopped, called 911, and waded into the cold water to help those in the car.

"The quick thinking and bravery of these women is absolutely admirable," the Burke County Sheriffs Office previously said. "We are grateful you were in the right place at the right time."

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.

For mom Cori Craft, who was inside the vehicle with her two sons, the girls were the difference between life and death for one of her boys.

I heard them on the bank, and they shouted if I was ok, Craft told GMA. Im like, No, my kids are in the car. 



EXCLUSIVE: Every second mattered in that situation.



A group of sorority sisters at the University of Georgia helped save a mom and her kids from drowning after her car fell off a bridge. @evapilgrim has more on their heroic rescue. pic.twitter.com/qSKSEiyHYd  Good Morning America (@GMA) April 10, 2024

The group of women managed to get Crafts 8-year-old out of the car, but her 4-year-old was submerged underwater for several minutes before they were able to get him out of the SUV.

We finally pulled him out of the vehicle and he was fully unconscious, McCollum recalled. It was terrifying.

Thankfully, McArdle knew CPR from her previous work as a lifeguard in high school, and was able to perform life saving measures until he began breathing again. She added, "at that point, all of us were crying."



Related: Father Leaps Into Water to Save Toddler Swept Away By Giant Wave

After being transported to a local hospital, the mother and the children were in good condition, virtually unscathed except for some seatbelt burns, GMA reported.

Without them stopping, I know I would not have my youngest here," Craft told the outlet. "Because I knew I would not have been able to get to him in time."



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Celebrity chef David Chang is taking heat from fellow Asian food producers -- from chefs to smaller consumer packaged food brands -- who say they are disappointed by how he's chosen to try to enforce his trademark on a widely consumed, beloved chili crisp condiment, Chili Crunch.

Lawyers for Chang, the chef and founder of the Momofuku empire of restaurants and grocery goods, recently sent cease-and-desist letters to small, independent companies using the terms "chili crunch" and "chile crunch" on their products, which Chang's lawyers argued infringes on Momofuku's trademark rights, The Guardian first reported earlier this month.

Chili crisp is typically made with roasted chili-infused oil with crispy bits of fried garlic, onion, spices and herbs. The product -- for which there exist hundreds of at-home recipes -- has been produced by dozens of brands for years, is sold widely across U.S. grocery stores and specialty Asian grocery markets, can often be seen on Asian restaurant menus and is even offered in the buffet line at Delta Sky Club lounges.

PHOTO: A bowl of chili crisp served at the condiment station at the Delta SkyClub inside LaGuardia Airport. (Kelly McCarthy)

Momofuku first launched its popular chili crisp, called Chili Crunch, in 2018 and began selling jars of it in 2020.

"Ever since the early days of Momofuku, we've been working on a chili oil that has heat, texture, umami, and a proper balance of flavor. The result is Momofuku Chili Crunch," the company writes on its website.

"We spent years tinkering and experimenting in our kitchens in order to create a chili oil that reflects all of our various inspirations and speaks to our specific tastes," it continues. "Ours uses the same umami base as Momofuku Seasoned Salts, plus a lot of the flavors and textures we love: crispy shallots, sesame seeds, dried garlic, and coconut sugar for a hint of sweetness."

PHOTO: In this May 28, 2023, file photo, Chef David Chang participates in a culinary demonstration during the 2023 BottleRock Napa Valley festival, in Napa, Calif. (Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images, FILE)

Chang's company, under the name MomoIP LLC, obtained the rights to the term "chile crunch," spelled with an "e", in 2023 from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Momofuku acquired the rights to the term "chile crunch" from the Denver-based company Chile Colonial.

Momofuku more recently filed a trademark for chili crunch, spelled with an "i," on March 29, 2024, according to legal documents obtained by ABC News.

The company sent cease-and-desist letters to a number of companies on March 18, 2024, through the USPTO, including New York-based Malaysian food brand Homiah, which sells a product called Sambal Chili Crunch in two flavors, previously called "Crispy Sambal" and "Seaweed Sambal."

The letter stated that "Momofuku trusts that Homiah did not adopt the CHILI CRUNCH mark in bad faith or with an intent to create confusion." It went on to state that "trademark law requires brand owners to police use of their trademarks -- and because Momofuku is concerned that consumers may actually be confused here -- we write to request Homiah's cooperation."

Momofuku has demanded Homiah cease the use of the name "chili crunch" within 90 days and agree not to use or apply to register in the future "any marks that incorporate the components of chili crunch or chile crunch."

PHOTO: Shoppers browse in the condiments section of a supermarket at the Tongzhou Wanda Plaza shopping mall, operated by Dalian Wanda Group Co., in Beijing, March 14, 2015. (Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE)

Michelle Tew, founder and CEO of Homiah, first took to LinkedIn last week after the now-viral Guardian report was published, accusing Chang of being a "trademark bully" and turning up the heat on others selling "chili crunch."

"I've always been a Momofuku fan and supporter," Tew wrote, detailing her longtime appreciation for Chang's restaurants, adding, "I've stocked my pantry and freezer with countless Momofuku products."

"Homiah's Sambal Chili Crunch product is personal and based on a family recipe from my Granny Nonie dating back to countless generations of Nyonya heritage in Penang, Malaysia," she continued. "I was shocked and disappointed that a well-known and respected player in the Asian food industry would legally threaten me -- a one-woman show operating on a much smaller scale -- from selling a product that is part of my family's history and culture."

In an emailed statement to ABC News, a spokesperson for Momofuku said the company is proud to stand alongside so many AAPI-founded brands making enormous and long-overdue changes in the space.

When we created our product, we wanted a name we could own and intentionally picked Chili Crunch to further differentiate it from the broader chili crisp category, reflecting the uniqueness of Chili Crunch, which blends flavors from multiple culinary traditions, the spokesperson said. We worked with a family-owned company called Chile Colonial to purchase the trademark from them.

The company said it has seen multiple businesses that sold chili crisp products rebrand themselves to use the words Chili Crunch over the past year.

Failure to defend our trademark against any size company would leave us without recourse against these larger players who often try to enter categories on the rise, the statement continued. Our goal is and has been to find an amicable resolution -- not to harm the competition that makes this category so vibrant.

The cease-and-desist letters have prompted other Asian chefs and food creators and founders to sound off online, particularly in defense of small businesses.

Jing Gao, founder and CEO of Fly by Jing, which sells an all-natural, small batch Sichuan chili crisp sauce crafted in Chengdu, Sichuan, reposted Tew's LinkedIn remarks last week, adding that she was "disheartened" by the cease and desist demand.

"The 'chile crunch' trademark should never have been granted. Just like 'chili crisp', it is a generic and descriptive term for a culturally specific condiment, one that has existed in Chinese culinary culture for hundreds of years," Gao stated.

"I am disheartened to hear that Momofuku is using a trademark with a validity that is tenuous at best to go after numerous brands including small minority women founded businesses," she continued. "This kind of action, if successful, sets a dangerous precedent for the squashing of fair competition, not to mention how ridiculous it is to try and take ownership of a generic cultural term."

PHOTO: In this March 12, 2023, file photo, Lao Gan Ma chili sauce is seen on a supermarket shelf in Suqian, Jiangsu province, China. (Future Publishing via Getty Images, FILE)

Gao added that her company, as well as Homiah and similar Asian-owned food brands, "exist in a traditionally marginalized space" in which "investors and retailers told us that our business was too 'niche.'" She emphasized that more competition "only serves to validate the market opportunity -- there is enough space for everyone."

Neither Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp, launched in 2018, nor the widely popular Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp -- which has been around since the late 1980s, according to the Lao Gan Ma website -- are being targeted by the letters, according to The Guardian, which noted that both products use the term "chili crisp" rather than "chile crunch," which Momofuku has trademarked.

Asian food brands, chefs rally to support creators of other chili crisp condiments

Kim Pham, the first-generation Vietnamese co-founder of the sauce and noodle brand Omsom, which she started and owns with her sister Vanessa Pham, penned an entire post on Instagram reacting to the cease-and-desist letters.

As a small business owner in the Asian food space, Pham shared additional sentiments with "Good Morning America," about how "blocking young brands from using specific, easy-to-understand terms can be hurtful in getting off the ground."

"One of the foundational building blocks of marketing is the naming and positioning of your product," she said. "Getting this right can make or break consumer understanding and experience of your product."

Additionally, she shared the advice she would give to the small business owners at the center of the "chili crunch" dispute.

"Keep your head up. While it may seem like there are strong forces trying to push your business down, you have an entire community of Asian Americans behind you who believe that rising tides raise all boats," Pham said. "Your work is helping build power and mobility for other Asian food brands."

Dozens of other Asian food creators, chefs and business owners have chimed in on social media, flooding feeds with similar sentiments.

On Tuesday, Filipino chef, restaurateur and TV host Jordan Andino, took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the situation.

"Shocked, disappointed, and confused," Andino wrote in the caption. "Let's try and uplift the entire Asian diaspora. Strange way to try and make some money especially at the expense of people who admire and look up to you."

An earlier version of this story was first published April 9, 2024 when representatives for Momofuku and David Chang did not respond to comment.

Momofuku responds to backlash over David Chang's chili crisp trademark battle originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
Classroom (Photo by Wokandapix via Pixabay | Creative Commons)

A group of Montana students, teachers, librarians, and organizations representing school counselors and psychologists filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to block the 2021 law that requires school staff to notify parents 48 hours in advance if they plan to teach or discuss anything with students that involves human sexuality.

The group asked a Lewis and Clark County District Court judge to permanently block the Senate Bill 99 passed during the 2021 legislative session and signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte, saying it violates multiple provisions of the state Constitution ensuring rights to freedom of speech and expression, privacy, due process, equal protection and a quality educational opportunity.

Without clear guidance on the issues that fall under the scope of SB 99, teachers, librarians, and others are at risk of discipline if they unknowingly violate this legislation, said Marthe VanSickle, an attorney at the ACLU of Montana, which is one of three law firms and organizations representing the plaintiffs. SB 99 has left Montana schools navigating uncertainty and vulnerability which stifles learning opportunities for students and threatens free exchange of ideas.

In response, the Governors Office and Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen said they remain committed to the law and ensuring a parents right to know if their children are learning about explicit content at school.

While the governors office generally doesnt comment on ongoing litigation, the governor remains committed to preserving a Montana parents role in his or her childs education, especially a parents right to know when a child might be exposed to sexually explicit content in the classroom, the governors spokesperson, Kaitlin Price, said in a statement.

The plaintiffs include the Montana School Counselors Association, Montana Association of School Psychologists, a Billings high school English teacher, a Billings West librarian and teacher, two students and EmpowerMT, an organization that provides training to several districts in the state about how to build more inclusive school communities.

They are suing Gianforte, Arntzen, her Office of Public Instruction, and the Montana Board of Public Education, alleging the laws vagueness is creating abundant issues for educators, the Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ community, and mental health professionals that work with students because the law is being weaponized to shut down discussions and lessons that some parents might morally object to.

SB 99 is part of a concerted effort by the Legislature and the Defendants to erase 2S-LGBTQIA+ histories, viewpoints and curricula from public instruction, the lawsuit says. It is also part of a coordinated effort to create a climate of hostility towards 2S-LGBTQIA+ individuals. In short, SB 99 marginalizes the history, concerns, experiences, and aspirations of the 2S-LGBTQIA+ community.

The group says the law has led to teachers, librarians, counselors and psychologists avoiding discussing gender identity, sexual health, and even legal decisions in lessons that are not planned in advance so they dont risk potential punishment for violating the law. They say nearly three years on, they have received little guidance about exactly when they should be notifying parents two days in advance of any lesson or discussion.

The lawsuit says Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ students are also unable to learn more about those communities and that the law also subjects them to being further singled out because of their identities and subject to bullying. It says that students cannot engage in spontaneous conversations in school groups like a Genders and Sexuality Alliance without first notifying parents.

And it says the law is violating the constitutional requirement for quality educational opportunities for Montana students because the restrictions surrounding sex education are not informing students of healthy practices and are paring down their opportunities to learn as much as they wish.

The suit calls the law astonishingly vague and says the challenge comes in part because the Montana Legislature failed to refine definitions in the bill of what constituted providing information or maintaining a curriculum during the 2023 legislative session. Two bills that aimed to amend that section of the law both died in the process.

And it says that the discussion over the bill in 2021 signaled a legislative intent to enforce Christian values in Montanas public schools that would violate the state Constitution.

The educators say they have had to stop teaching certain books and topics, that classroom libraries have been shut down, that theyve had to question whether their mental health discussions with students violate the law and have faced harassment from the community for trying to teach about LGBTQ+ history and rights.

SB99 gives anti-2S-LGBTQIA+ parents a potent cudgel against any teacher, counselor, school psychologist, or librarian who is dedicated to tolerance, inclusivity, and compassion in the classroom and school, the suit says. As a result, teachers, counselors, and school psychologists are likely to continue to steer clear or any instruction or counseling that might put them in the crosshairs of SB 99 and its proponents, to the detriment of public-school students across the State.

For the two student plaintiffs, the suit says the law is preventing Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ students from accessing information about the community and scientific material on sexuality and gender identity. And it is keeping student peer educators from speaking with other students to better inform them about sexual health and relationships, the lawsuit says.

Every student has a right to access information about human sexuality without censorship from their teachers and without fear they are running afoul of SB 99, the suit says. As a result of the hostile climate SB 99 has created, R.S. and her peers will go out into the world as adults without the quality education to which they are entitled under the Montana Constitution.

It contends that school psychologists and counselors have also had to change their practices surrounding what they can say to students, even involving serious matters like suicidality, which goes against best practices for their professions.

Many of those conversation are, by necessity, confidential, Montana School Counselors Association Advocacy Chairperson Erica Parrish said in a statement. SB 99 places school counselors between the proverbial rock and a hard place: we can either follow our professional and ethical obligations to our students, or we can follow SB 99s parent notification requirement. Its impossible to do both.

The lawsuit claims the law violates the Montana Constitution by chilling speech, infringing on the privacy rights of students and educators, and not giving the plaintiffs due process because of its vagueness. It says the law violates the equal protection clause because it disproportionately affects Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ students, and does not afford Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ students the chance to receive a quality education.

The attorneys in the case are asking a judge to find the law to be unconstitutional, to award nominal damages to the student plaintiffs, as well as attorneys fees and costs.

In a statement, Arntzen, who is running in the Republican primary for Montanas 2nd Congressional District seat, said the lawsuit was an attack on her because shes a Republican who supports more parental involvement in Montana classroom curriculum.

Woke organizations are once again attacking me because I am a conservative and Im standing for parental rights, she said. Government bureaucracy doesnt own our children. I stand with Montana parents who are rightfully concerned over sexual indoctrination in the classroom. Montana families have the right to know what their children are being taught and the right to opt-out of participating. I will continue to fiercely defend parental rights.

001 Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

The post Montana students, educators sue over 2021 human sexuality parental notification law appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Third Judicial District Court Judge Raymond Dayton is publicly reprimanded by the Montana Supreme Court on Thursday, May 11, 2023, for violating judicial ethics rules when he made sexual comments about a witness at the courthouse at which he works.

Third Judicial District Court Judge Raymond Dayton is publicly reprimanded by the Montana Supreme Court on Thursday, May 11, 2023, for violating judicial ethics rules when he made sexual comments about a witness at the courthouse at which he works. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

In an escalating stand-off between Montanas judiciary and the legislature, the justices appeared to have blinked first.

In an unusual court order written by Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath, the Montana Supreme Court unanimously granted a motion for rehearing, but narrowed what parts it would focus on, namely if the conclusion of the case which focused on a bill that was rushed and significantly changed in the closing hours of the 2021 Legislature hampers the lawmakers from performing their duties.

In the six-page order issued on Tuesday afternoon, the Supreme Court said it will not revisit the two larger, decided issues  whether the law, Senate Bill 319, was unconstitutional or whether to award attorneys fees to the groups which challenged it under a legal theory known as the private attorney general doctrine, which allows some plaintiffs to receive attorneys fees when they successfully challenge a law because it violates a constitutional principle. Senate Bill 319 was declared unconstitutional because it violated several different provisions of the states constitution, including the publics right to know and a single-subject for bills.

The Montana Supreme Court had originally affirmed a lower district courts ruling that struck down a law that passed in the waning hours of the 2021 Legislature in a free conference committee. Those ad-hoc committees are usually convened on short notice in the final days of the Legislature to finish work toward the end of a legislative session.

But the district court declined to award attorneys fees to the group that challenged the law. And though the state opted not to challenge the decision on SB 319, the plaintiffs attorneys appealed the attorneys fees decision to the Supreme Court, who decided the lawyers were entitled to seek attorneys fees, saying lawmakers were acting in bad faith.

However, on Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered a rehearing on the matter, and essentially took back its previous decision, saying it would issue a new order sometime in the future.

The opinion said that the now-recalled court opinion added confusion when the Supreme Court weighed in on the legality of the Legislatures own operating rules, which drew a harsh rebuke from Republican leaders in Helena, who said that the ruling had overstepped the separation of powers between the judiciary and legislative branches. The Supreme Courts decision ultimately was among the recent decisions that triggered the formation of a second select Montana Senate Committee that is charged with looking into the practices of Montanas judicial branch.

Even though the high court unanimously agreed to rehear the case, the two justices who wrote a dissenting opinion in the original case, Justices Dirk Sandefur and Jim Rice, said they agreed with the rehearing, but not the other portion of Tuesdays six-page opinion.

While we disagree with much of what is stated within the order, and with the courts denial of rehearing the merits of its reversal of the district courts denial of attorneys fees in the matter, we nonetheless concur in granting rehearing on the basis cited by the court, wrote Sandefur and Rice.

Meanwhile the majority of justices said they were recalling their decision, not to redefine whether Senate Bill 319 violated the provisions of the Montana Constitution, a decision that even Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen decided not to appeal. Instead, they were concerned that the decision caused confusion about whether the high court was wrongly interfering with internal operating procedures of the legislature and its rules, which allow for such things like free conference committees.

It is apparent that some of the wording in our opinion has created some confusion, the Supreme Courts majority order said. As such, to the extent that our opinion suggested binding legal interpretations of internal legislative rules, the petition is granted and an amended opinion will be filed.

The Senate Republicans received the news with mixed reactions.

Im glad to see the Supreme Court realize that they messed up by intruding into the Legislatures internal rules and are withdrawing their original decision. We in the Legislature eagerly await the courts new opinion to ensure that it does not also unconstitutionally violate the separation of powers between our branches of government, said Montana Senate President Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton. At the same time, Im extremely disappointed to see that the Court is trying to have it both ways, maintaining that theyre still going to award taxpayer money to their liberal lawyer allies even after they remove most of their evidence that such a handout is warranted. Its a shame that the court continues to give liberal plaintiffs preferential treatment compared to conservatives whove filed similar lawsuits in the past.

However, the court pressed back against the allegations that it had no business deciding the constitutionality of laws passed by the legislature, or that judicial decisions were a violation of separation of powers.

There is nothing wrong with legislative sausage making and the Legislature is free to interpret and implement its own internal rules, including the timing of its meetings, the amendment of bills and other issues the legislators raise as example of how our opinion limits their work  as long as no constitutional provision is violated, the opinion said. (The Legislature) ignore the crux of our decision to award attorneys fees rested on the bad faith of the Legislature in willfully enacting unconstitutional laws.

Legislators argument

Ellsworth, along with Montana House Speaker Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, wrote an amicus brief urging the courts reconsideration. In it, they said that the decision in the case threatens the independence of the Legislature to establish its own rules. Furthermore, the ruling, they said in the brief, could have a lasting chilling effect on lawmakers if they could not comment on bills or complete their work.

The brief argued that the Supreme Court is stepping too far into the lawmakers business, and that it has to have the autonomy to adopt rules that get the work of the people done.

Meanwhile, the courts opinion on Tuesday addressed part of that, by saying the lawmakers are free to adopt their own rules for operation, but those rules cannot run afoul of the state constitutional provisions, like the publics right to know.

The amicus brief also said that free conference committees, like the one that produced SB 319, were also held many times before the 2021 Legislative session, and bills passed out of those committees and became law without a Supreme Court challenge. The lawmakers worried that if the states high court struck down SB 319 because of the committee format, other bills that were passed in a similar manner would also be declared void.

Ellsworth and Regier argued that lawmakers must have the latitude to finish the work of Legislature in an organized, timely fashion, and that the process is the innocent byproduct of end of session time constraints.

Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that Senate Bill 319 was passed by the 2021 Legislature.

Rehearing legislature

The post Montana Supreme Court agrees to rehear case centering on legislative rules, constitution appeared first on Daily Montanan.
More than 500 New Yorkers Will Report for Jury Duty Ahead of Trump's First Trial. 12 Will Determine His Fate

Donald Trump's hush money trial kicks off with jury selection on Monday, April 15, when attorneys will face the tall task of finding a dozen jurors who can be trusted to judge the former president fairly

JUSTIN LANE/POOL/AFP via Getty Donald Trump arrives for a hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court on March 25, 2024

Donald Trump's fate on 34 felony charges in Manhattan will soon be decided by a small panel of jurors, who'll be tasked with putting their personal opinions aside to fairly weigh the evidence presented at trial.

Of course, sourcing 12 unbiased jurors in a criminal case involving Trump will prove remarkably difficult, which is why the court has summoned more than 500 New Yorkers to report for jury duty on Monday, April 15, according to CBS News.

The jury selection process for a candidate pool of that size could take several days  or weeks  to complete, as the judge, prosecutors and defense attorneys scramble to find a dozen worthy Manhattan residents to seat on the jury (plus some alternates).

Related: The Biggest Bombshells in Donald Trump's First Indictment, from Hush Money Payments to 'Friends in High Places'

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty New York Judge Juan Merchan's courtroom, where Donald Trump is expected to become the first U.S. president to go on trial

Trump became the first-ever U.S. president to face criminal charges last spring, when a grand jury indicted him on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The indictment accused the former president of lying on financial documents by fraudulently disguising hush money payments as legal expenses in violation of state law.

Related: Stormy Daniels Was 'Completely Sure' She'd Be Murdered After Taking on Trump: 'If Something Happens to Me...'

Jury selection in this case carries remarkably high stakes: If the jurors who are chosen decide to convict the Republican presidential nominee, he could face up to four years in prison for each count.

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.

While a conviction in itself would not disqualify Trump from returning to the White House next year, it could have a significant impact on the election outcome. In a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in April, roughly one-quarter of Republican respondents stated that they would not vote for Trump if a jury deems him guilty of committing a felony.

Trump faces felony charges in three other criminal cases, as well  two of which are at the federal level. Trial dates in those cases have not yet been set, though six in 10 Americans who were polled by Reuters/Ipsos said they would like to see verdicts reached before filling out their ballot in November.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
DeBakey Civics Club Vice President Mihir Relan, 18, left, and President Bianca Juarez, 18, register to vote following a voter education workshop on April 5, 2024. A 1980s law requires Texas high schools to distribute voter registration forms to eligible students, but not all are complying. Credit: Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune

When David Dzul approached his principal about setting up a voter registration drive on campus in 2019, he quickly realized why voting participation rates are so abysmal among his peers.

Texas high schools have long been required to distribute voter registration forms to older teens twice a year. But Dzul said that wasnt happening at Houstons DeBakey High School, and he initially couldnt nail down who the schools designated voter registrar was  or if the school was even complying with the decades-old state law at all.

Get the data and visuals that accompany this story 

Dzul was trying to galvanize civic engagement after hearing about low participation rates among young voters at a meeting of Mi Familia Vota, a group that encourages Latinos to cast ballots. He eventually organized a group of peers to track classmates when they turned 18 years old, help them register and follow up with a link to confirm they could cast a ballot in the next election.

I dont think the administration supported the initiative so much as they tolerated it, Dzul said. They werent actively setting up tables and telling students to register, but they allowed us to occupy space and get volunteer deputy voter registrars into the schools.

Texas is home to about 409,000 18-year-old U.S. citizens, according to 2022 U.S. Census Bureau data. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 39.6% of Texans ages 18 to 24 were registered to vote in November 2022. And that was the biggest decline in voter registration for any age group compared to the previous midterm election in 2018.

And even once younger adults are registered, they cast ballots at lower rates than other age groups. During the 2022 midterms, only 49% of registered Texas voters between 18 and 24 participated. That compares to 86% of voters 65 and older.

Research has found that voting is habit-forming, and high schools are a critical training ground to initiating that pattern. The 2023 Harvard Youth Poll found that two-thirds of 18-to-29-year-olds who definitely plan to vote said their high school education made voting feel important. But only 47% of less committed voters in that age group feel that way about their high school education.

Starting that habit early is a predictor of lifelong voting, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. We want the students to start this process early and then bring that forward through their civic lives.

The 1983 law requiring high schools to distribute voter registration forms to students who are 17 years and 10 months old or older was intended to boost turnout among young voters. But the secretary of states office, which was charged with creating the instructions to implement the law, doesnt track compliance. And schools that fail to distribute registration forms to eligible students arent penalized.

The University of Houstons Election Lab estimated in 2021 that only a quarter of schools were complying with the law, though that number is not conclusive. Some high school seniors told the Tribune they had never been given a voter registration form at school, and nonprofit leaders said they have spoken to school administrators who are unaware of the law.

Tania Cora, left, education coordinator at the Harris County Elections Department, provides guidance on how to use a voting machine at DeBakey Civics Clubs voter education conference in Houston. Only 49% of registered Texas voters ages 18 to 24 year old participated in the 2022 midterm election. Credit: Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune

And many critics of Texas voting laws  including new limits passed in 2021  say getting registered outside of school isnt very friendly to teenagers. While other states have online voter registration, Texans must complete a paper application, creating a possible barrier to young people who do everything  from shopping to banking  digitally.

State lawmakers in 2021 also restricted how educators can teach current events and history. The law, designed to keep critical race theory out of Texas public schools, also prohibits teachers from discussing a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs. Without defining controversial, the law created widespread confusion about what topics teachers could and could not legally cover.

Its not enough to just tell people, voting is important, said Maggie Stern, who promotes youth civic engagement through the nonprofit organization Childrens Defense Fund Texas.

Young people are motivated by the issues affecting their community, so as they understand the ways elected officials have power over those issues, they are more motivated to vote  that piece of civics education is really lacking in Texas.

[How a fraction of voters decide who runs Texas]

Efforts to change Texas legal landscape

Kevin Brown can still vividly remember learning how to vote in his government class as a high school student in San Marcos in the mid 80s. A nonprofit brought a voting booth into his classroom and taught students how to punch in their selections. Students ran a mock election, and the tally was shared the following day in the morning announcements.

Brown, who now serves as the executive director of the Texas Association of School Administrators, said administrators took civics education seriously when he later became a public school teacher. They wanted to develop citizens who would be engaged with the world and the issues around them.

Now, he has trouble imagining a school running a mock presidential election without raising concerns that doing so might create controversy. Senate Bill 3, the same 2021 law that limits lessons about racism in American history, also prohibits teachers from giving students class credit for any public policy advocacy.

That produced a really big chilling effect on anything related to civics education, Stern said. It has really deterred a lot of schools who used to be doing this work from having any sort of conversation with students around voting and civic participation.

TaKasha Francis, who won the Democratic nomination for judge of a state district court, speaks to DeBakey Civics Club students on the importance of voting. Credit: Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune

SB 3 requires the Texas Education Agency to create a civics training program that will outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to have. The program is supposed to be implemented no later than the 2025-2026 school year. A TEA spokesperson said the agency is in the planning phase for developing the program.

Although public school students in Texas are required to take a government class to graduate, many students say they do not learn about civic engagement or voter registration in the course. Thats despite the fact that the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills states that students who complete the class should be able to describe the voter registration process and the criteria for voting in elections.

Its a daunting task to learn what is a primary, what is a general election and who are all the candidates running, said Ashton Sanchez, a senior at Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center High School in Houston. We need to find a way to integrate that into the classroom.

Voting rights advocates argue that the state should do more to ensure students are registered to vote, for example, by documenting compliance with the high school voter registration law.

Katya Ehresman, voting rights program manager at Common Cause Texas, noted that some states reward schools that register students. Tennessee acknowledges schools that reach a certain voter registration threshold, and Pennsylvania has a governors civic engagement award to celebrate schools that register 85% of eligible students to vote, for example.

Common Cause also recommends that the secretary of states office mail each school voter registration applications, instead of requiring schools to request them twice a year. Rep. Mary Gonzalez, D-Clint, introduced a bill in 2021 that would require the secretary of state to mail the applications directly to all high schools, but the bill never got a hearing before the House Elections Committee.

Alicia Pierce, spokesperson for the secretary of state, said mailing applications is expensive and that it might not address noncompliance.

Im not sure you would get much better results, Pierce said. If it just shows up at their door and they werent already planning to use them, then you just have these registration forms sitting there.

Student action

Some students have taken matters into their own hands. Rice University has partnered with the League of Women Voters to create an internship program where students, most of whom are in the Houston Independent School District, organize voter registration drives at their high schools. The goal, according to Rice University professor Melissa Marschall, who leads the program, is to get students to take ownership of the activity and encourage their friends to register.

Ive never heard of a school where the principal takes charge of the event, because technically, most of them are not trained as deputy voter registrars, Marschall said. We prioritize events with peer to peer civic education.

About 130 students applied to the internship and 10 are participating, Marschall said. She said she hopes the program makes it easier for organizations like the League of Women Voters to enter schools. The organization has historically relied on relationships with administrators, who are not always amenable to welcoming outside organizations. Administrator turnover, which has increased this year due to the states takeover of HISD, creates additional hurdles.

DeBakey Civics Club Vice President Mihir Relan fills out a voter registration form. Some Texas high school students have organized voter registration drives to increase the participation of younger voters. Credit: Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune

At Round Rock High School, a student chapter of Junior State of America has taken the lead on organizing a voter registration drive. Junior Indira Moparthi recalled an uphill battle to create a drive during her freshman year. She said administrators rejected the idea because they thought the event would be partisan.

Seniors and parents got involved, and a petition went around saying we werent supporting a particular political party, Moparthi said. Finally the administration signed off.

For some students, school is the only place where they can gain critical information about voting. Among immigrant families who have historically been marginalized for voting, civics participation is rarely talked about in the household.

For Dzul, whose parents did not grow up voting in the U.S., it was frustrating to see 18-year-olds who could vote fail to take advantage of their right. That motivated him to create a civics club, which has continued to hold registration drives since he graduated.

We need to get more power to marginalized communities, and voter registration is the first step to getting people that power, Dzul said.

Disclosure: Common Cause, Integrate, Rice University, Texas Association of School Administrators and University of Houston have been financial supporters 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.
Most Texans age 18 not registered to vote despite state law requiring high schools to help

From left, DeBakey Civics Club Vice President Mihir Relan, 18, and President Bianca Juarez, 18, register to vote after a voter education workshop on April 5. A 1980s law requires Texas high schools to distribute voter registration forms to eligible students, but not all are complying.

When David Dzul approached his principal about setting up a voter registration drive on campus in 2019, he quickly realized why voting participation rates are so abysmal among his peers.

Texas high schools have long been required to distribute voter registration forms to older teens twice a year. But Dzul said that wasnt happening at Houstons DeBakey High School, and he initially couldnt nail down who the schools designated voter registrar was  or if the school was even complying with the decades-old state law.

Dzul was trying to galvanize civic engagement after hearing about low participation rates among young voters at a meeting of Mi Familia Vota, a group that encourages Latinos to cast ballots. He eventually organized a group of peers to track classmates when they turned 18 years old, help them register and follow up with a link to confirm they could cast a ballot in the next election.

I dont think the administration supported the initiative so much as they tolerated it, Dzul said. They werent actively setting up tables and telling students to register, but they allowed us to occupy space and get volunteer deputy voter registrars into the schools.

Texas is home to about 409,000 18-year-old U.S. citizens, according to 2022 U.S. Census Bureau data. According to the bureau, 39.6% of Texans ages 18 to 24 were registered to vote in November 2022. That was the biggest decline in voter registration for any age group compared with the previous midterm election, in 2018.

After younger adults are registered, they cast ballots at lower rates than other age groups. During the 2022 midterms, only 49% of registered Texas voters between 18 and 24 participated. That compares with 86% of voters 65 and older.

Research has found that voting is habit-forming, and high schools are a critical training ground to initiate that pattern. The 2023 Harvard Youth Poll found that two-thirds of 18- to 29-year-olds who definitely plan to vote said their high school education made voting feel important. But only 47% of less committed voters in that age group feel that way about their high school education.

Starting that habit early is a predictor of lifelong voting, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. We want the students to start this process early and then bring that forward through their civic lives.

The 1983 law requiring high schools to distribute voter registration forms to students who are at least 17 years and 10 months old was intended to boost turnout among young voters. But the secretary of states office, which was charged with creating the instructions to implement the law, doesnt track compliance. And schools that fail to distribute registration forms to eligible students arent penalized.

The University of Houstons Election Lab estimated in 2021 that only a quarter of schools were complying with the law, though that number is not conclusive. Some high school seniors told the Tribune they had never been given a voter registration form at school, and nonprofit leaders said they have spoken to school administrators who are unaware of the law.

And many critics of Texas voting laws  including new limits passed in 2021  say getting registered outside of school isnt very friendly to teenagers. While other states have online voter registration, Texans must complete a paper application, creating a possible barrier to young people who do everything from shopping to banking digitally.

State lawmakers in 2021 also restricted how educators can teach current events and history. The law, designed to keep critical race theory out of Texas public schools, also prohibits teachers from discussing a widely debated and currently controversial issue of public policy or social affairs. Without defining controversial, the law created widespread confusion about what topics teachers could and could not legally cover.

Its not enough to just tell people, voting is important, said Maggie Stern, who promotes youth civic engagement through the nonprofit organization Childrens Defense Fund Texas.

Young people are motivated by the issues affecting their community, so as they understand the ways elected officials have power over those issues, they are more motivated to vote  that piece of civics education is really lacking in Texas.

Efforts to change Texas legal landscape

Kevin Brown can still vividly remember learning how to vote in his government class as a high school student in San Marcos in the mid-1980s. A nonprofit brought a voting booth into his classroom and taught students how to punch in their selections. Students ran a mock election, and the tally was shared the next day in the morning announcements.

Brown, who now serves as the executive director of the Texas Association of School Administrators, said administrators took civics education seriously when he later became a public school teacher. They wanted to develop citizens who would be engaged with the world and the issues around them.

Now he has trouble imagining a school running a mock presidential election without raising concerns that doing so might create controversy. Senate Bill 3, the same 2021 law that limits lessons about racism in American history, also prohibits teachers from giving students class credit for any public policy advocacy.

That produced a really big chilling effect on anything related to civics education, Stern said. It has really deterred a lot of schools who used to be doing this work from having any sort of conversation with students around voting and civic participation.

SB 3 requires the Texas Education Agency to create a civics training program that will outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to have. The program is supposed to be implemented no later than the 2025-26 school year. A TEA spokesperson said the agency is in the planning phase for developing the program.

Although public school students in Texas are required to take a government class to graduate, many students say they do not learn about civic engagement or voter registration in the course. Thats despite the fact that the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills states that students who complete the class should be able to describe the voter registration process and the criteria for voting in elections.

Its a daunting task to learn what is a primary, what is a general election and who are all the candidates running, said Ashton Sanchez, a senior at Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center High School in Houston. We need to find a way to integrate that into the classroom.

Voting rights advocates argue that the state should do more to make sure students are registered to vote, for example, by documenting compliance with the high school voter registration law.

Katya Ehresman, voting rights program manager at Common Cause Texas, noted that some states reward schools that register students. For example, Tennessee acknowledges schools that reach a certain voter registration threshold, and Pennsylvania has a governors civic engagement award to celebrate schools that register 85% of eligible students to vote.

Common Cause also recommends that the secretary of states office mail each school voter registration applications, instead of requiring schools to request them twice a year. Rep. Mary Gonzalez, D-Clint, introduced legislation in 2021 that would require the secretary of state to mail the applications directly to all high schools, but the bill never got a hearing before the House Elections Committee.

Alicia Pierce, spokesperson for the secretary of state, said mailing applications is expensive and might not address noncompliance.

Im not sure you would get much better results, Pierce said. If it just shows up at their door and they werent already planning to use them, then you just have these registration forms sitting there.

Student action

Some students have taken matters into their own hands. Rice University has partnered with the League of Women Voters to create an internship program in which students, most of whom are in the Houston school district, organize voter registration drives at their high schools. The goal, according to Rice University professor Melissa Marschall, who leads the program, is to get students to take ownership of the activity and encourage their friends to register.

Ive never heard of a school where the principal takes charge of the event, because technically, most of them are not trained as deputy voter registrars, Marschall said. We prioritize events with peer-to-peer civic education.

About 130 students applied for the internship and 10 are participating, Marschall said. She said she hopes the program makes it easier for organizations such as the League of Women Voters to enter schools. The organization has historically relied on relationships with administrators, who are not always amenable to welcoming outside groups. Administrator turnover, which has increased this year due to the states takeover of the Houston school district, creates additional hurdles.

At Round Rock High School, a student chapter of Junior State of America has taken the lead on organizing a voter registration drive. Junior Indira Moparthi recalled an uphill battle to start a drive during her freshman year. She said administrators rejected the idea because they thought the event would be partisan.

Seniors and parents got involved, and a petition went around saying we werent supporting a particular political party, Moparthi said. Finally the administration signed off.

For some students, school is the only place where they can gain critical information about voting. Among immigrant families that have historically been marginalized for voting, civic participation is rarely talked about in the household.

For Dzul, whose parents did not grow up voting in the U.S., it was frustrating to see 18-year-olds who could vote fail to take advantage of their right. That motivated him to create a civics club, which has continued to hold registration drives since he graduated.

We need to get more power to marginalized communities, and voter registration is the first step to getting people that power, Dzul said.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/10/texas-high-school-voter-registration/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Most 18-year-old Texans not signed up to vote as schools ignore law
Most Sacramento community college students are Hispanic. So why is the faculty majority white?

In his times of need, Sacramento City College student Thomas Resendez visits the Raza Center, a Latino student affinity hub which employs Latino staff and offers a welcoming space for students.

When Im having problems in my personal life, and its affecting my school work, I can be able to come to them and they can understand that, said Resendez, a fourth-year history major.

But everywhere else on campus, Resendez struggles to find mentors who look like him.

Hispanic students are the largest demographic group at Sacramento City College, making up 32% of enlisted students. The college is deemed a Hispanic-Serving Institution, which allows it to receive grant funding from the US. Department of Education because its Hispanic student population is over 25%.

But employees like Mauricio Gonzalez, who has been at the community college for two decades, said this designation isnt reflective of the college and the districts commitment to Hispanic students  its only because the population has grown, not because of the colleges or the districts efforts, he said.

There are no Spanish materials for people anywhere, Gonzalez said. We have a massive ESL (English as a second language) department, but provide no materials anywhere in terms of Spanish-speaking communities.

Gonzalez criticized the effectiveness of Hispanic-Serving Institution funding and how its allocated. He said the only time he sees Latino faculty hired is through these temporary funding opportunities.

When those grants go away, those people go away, too, Gonzalez said. The institution does not internalize those programs.

Sacramento City College currently benefits from two five-year grants. Lee Crystal, the colleges spokesperson, said these grants fund the HSI Early College program, which dual enrolls low income and Latino students into courses at the college. The grant also funds Caminos de la Ciudad, a program that assists second year students through their academic and personal journeys.

Representation of Hispanic faculty is also disproportionate to its student population. According to the colleges fall 2023 headcount, Hispanic full-time faculty make up 15% of the population at Sacramento City College, while Hispanic part-timers are 12% of adjunct faculty population.

Across the Los Rios Community College District, Hispanic students make up 26% of the population (in fact, all of Los Rios four campuses are Hispanic-Serving Institutions). But district-wide, Hispanic instructors made up 11% of the faculty population in 2022.

Having a teacher of the same ethnic background as a student of color benefits their social-emotional, academic and behavioral outcomes, according to a study from Annenberg Brown University. The study found that students who had an instructor of color experienced a 42% decrease in the probability of being chronically absent in high school.

This suggests students of color significantly benefit from being taught by an instructor from their ethnic background.

For Resendez, he says he resonated with the courses taught by Latino instructors. He found their lessons to be more culturally competent than those of non-Latino professors when it came to subjects like Mexican history.

A lonely experience

Roberto Chacon-Gutierrez Young is a professor in the colleges film and theater department. They use the term Latine, a genderfluid term for Latino people.

They recalled during their first staff meeting being the only non-white faculty member in the room.

It was shocking to me as a faculty member, Chacon-Gutierrez said.

Eight years later, they remain the sole full-time Latino professor and instructor of color in their department.

Adding more diverse faculty has been a significant part of the districts equity work, said Gabe Ross, the colleges chief strategy and communications officer. He said this issue is so important to the district board its been integrated into their strategic plan. Los Rios also has a Faculty Diversity Internship program, aimed to recruit qualified instructors who mirror the racial and ethnic diversity of the Los Rios Community College District service area.

Ross said while the district has made great progress over hiring faculty in the past decade years, they still have a a long way to go to make sure that our colleges truly reflect the diversity and inclusivity that are so central to our mission.

Its a goal that we are working toward every single day, in both big and small ways, Ross said.

Diversifying faculty is an obstacle across the state. A 2023 audit of the California Community Colleges showed that campuses system wide struggle to recruit non-white faculty, especially from Hispanic communities. The Hispanic student to faculty gap has remained significantly low for the past 20 years, the audit stated.

But this gap isnt just in California, its across the country.

Black and Hispanic professors continue to be underrepresented in comparison to students and professionals from the same backgrounds, the Associated Press reported this week. Hispanic people make up 8.3% of professional workers and 19% of students, yet they only make 6.3% of faculty nationwide.

Most community college students are Hispanic, making up 47% of campus populations across the state. Yet, there is a 29% gap between faculty representation, with 18% of Hispanic faculty system wide. More than half of faculty employed at a California community college are white non-Hispanic.

Gonzalez said being a Latino faculty member is lonely. He is one of three Latino general counselors at the college, where the counselor to student ratio is 1 to 900, he said.

Theres not a whole lot of us, especially at the tenured level, Gonzalez said.

Whats the difference between adjunct and full time?

Race and social economics plays a part in who, demographically, can even be an adjunct, Chacon-Gutierrez said.

Its pretty impossible to make a full living off of adjuncting; the work is not particularly reliant, Chacon-Gutierrez said. Adjuncting positions just fill-in classes that full timers cant take.

At Sacramento City College, Hispanic instructors are 12% of the adjunct population. In total, the college employs more than 1,000 adjuncts. Eight hundred faculty at the college are full time.

For community colleges, it costs less to hire adjunct faculty. In 2021, the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office stated the average cost of a full-time faculty member was $131,000. But for a a part time faculty member who teaches 15 credits and does not receive employment benefits costs a college about $45,000.

Ross said Los Rios has made great progress in other hiring areas. All four presidents of the Los Rios colleges come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Sacramento City Colleges current president is Latino.

This does not make the hiring of diverse faculty any less important, but it is an indication of our focus on this important issue as well as efforts to hire diverse senior leaders who are responsible for hiring others in our organization, Ross said.

Gonzalez said there are no promotional opportunities for adjunct faculty. He said there are adjuncts who dont meet the unwritten rules for them to qualify for tenure or be promoted to a tenure track position.

Theyre not hiring Latinos either, Gonzalez said. Theyre not hiring in the tenured faculty roles that give you the authority and the power to change the system.
(The Hill)  Most voters in a new survey said they see former President Trumps charges in the hush money case as at least somewhat serious.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll, released Wednesday, found that roughly 64 percent of registered voters said the charges in the New York case are somewhat serious. Another 34 percent of respondents said the case lacks seriousness, and the rest were either unsure or did not respond.

The case is set to go to trial Monday and marks the first criminal trial of any former U.S. president. While its been considered less severe than his other legal battles, any conviction could be a hit to the former presidents reelection bid, the pollsters noted.

When broken down by party, around 40 percent of Republican respondents said the hush money charges were serious. Two-thirds of independent voters said the same, per the poll.

Former Trump executive Allen Weisselberg sentenced to 5 months in jail for lying in civil fraud case

Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payment by his former attorney Michael Cohen to adult film actress Stormy Daniels  seen as a cover up for an alleged affair before the 2016 election. The former president has pleaded not guilty in the case.

His latest attempt to delay the trial was rejected by an appeals court Tuesday.

Respondents in the survey were more likely to say the charges in Trumps other cases were more severe, specifically those around election subversion. Just under 75 percent of survey takers said his election charges were serious, according to the poll.

Around 60 percent of registered voters said Trumps criminal trials, including being charged with the mishandling of classified documents, should take place before the November election. Trump has pleaded not guilty in all four of his criminal cases.

Trump on warrantless surveillance reauthorization: Kill FISA

The former president has alleged the indictments, where he faces 88 charges in total, are politically motivated  a sentiment largely shared with GOP voters. Four out of five respondents in the poll said they agreed with the statement.

Still, per the survey, nearly 25 percent of Republicans said they would not vote for Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, in November if hes convicted of a crime.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online from April 4-8 among 1,021 adults, including 833 registered voters. For the full sample size, the margin of error was 3 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Gloria Asamoah is currently in a psychiatric ward at a New York City hospital, according to reports.

GoFundMe Twins George and Gianna Kantanka

The mother of 5-year-old twins found smothered to death in New York City is facing murder charges related to their deaths, according to several media reports.

Gloria Asamoah, 42, was indicted by a grand jury on multiple felony charges, including two counts of murder, after her 5-year-old twins George and Gianna Kantanka were found dead in their apartment in December, according to WPIX, WABC-TV and News 12 Bronx.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told WPIX that a warrant for Asamoahs arrest has been issued and that she is currently in a psychiatric ward at a nearby hospital.

[The] autopsy reveals that both kids cause of death was asphyxia, meaning that they were choked, Kenny told the outlet. At this time, we have an arrest warrant for Mom. Shes back in a psych ward, and shes not free to leave at any given time.

Kyle Mazza/TheNEWS2/ZUMA/SplashNews Police attend the family home in New York City

Related: N.Y.C. Twins Were Smothered to Death, Officials Say, Months After Deaths Were Believed to Be 'Medical Tragedy'

Kenny told WPIX that Asamoah had been hospitalized for mental issues shortly after her twins were found dead, and he noted that there had been no prior reports of child abuse at the home she lived in alongside her husband and the childrens father.

No prior active ACS cases, there was food in the fridge, plenty of clothing for the kids, school interviews resulted in saying the mom was very involved with the kids [and she] had taken an active role in their lives, Kenny said.

Asamoah will be arraigned on the indictment after she is cleared by doctors at the psychiatric ward, WABC-TV reported.

Kyle Mazza/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Crime scene investigators attend the family home in the Bronx.

Related: Skeletal Remains of Dylan Rounds Believed to Have Been Found 2 Years After He Vanished

The NYPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

According to an NYPD news release obtained by PEOPLE of the incident in December, Asamoah told police she had found the two children throwing up in bed. She said she last saw the children alive at 5 a.m. that day but didn't call 911 until around 11 a.m. after she found them in medical distress, according to the Daily News and WCBS-TV.

Police said the kids were found in bed, foaming from the nose and mouth, according to NBC New York and the New York Post. Asamoah said she performed CPR on the children until EMTs arrived. The children were pronounced dead at the scene.

Kyle Mazza/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Police van seen at the scene of the children's death.

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.

Initially, Kenny said the situation appeared to be a medical tragedy. However, last month, the Medical Examiner ruled the deaths of the twin brother and sister as homicides caused by smothering.

The father of the children had been at work that morning and is not expected to be charged, according to WPIX.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Mother found covered in feces, fused to the bed, PA cops say. Son charged with abuse

A 51-year-old man was arrested after his mother was found inside a home unconscious and fused to her bed, Pennsylvania authorities said.

On April 7, a man asked police to perform a wellness check on his neighbor after seeing packages piling up outside her home and getting no response at the door, according to a news release from the Upper Chichester Township Police Department.

Upon seeing trash, unopened food and flies on the windows and getting no response from inside, officers forced their way into the house fearing the residents were either deceased or having a medical emergency, the department said.

Inside the home, police talked to the victims 51-year-old son who, at the officers request, escorted them to his mothers room where he said she was sleeping, according to police.

Officers said they observed a woman on the bed unconscious but breathing and covered with a soiled blanket.

EMS personnel on scene found the woman fused to the bed and sheets, covered in dried feces and maggots, police said.

The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

This is one of the worst cases Ive seen in my four years as district attorney here, Delaware County DA Jack Stollsteimer told WPVI.

And for this person ... to do this to his own mother, its just ... I cant even imagine, he told the outlet.

I constantly think about it, a neighbor told WPVI.

The son was arrested and transferred to George Hill Correctional Facility on 10% of a $50,000 bond.

He faces one count of abuse of a care-dependent person and one count of recklessly endangering another person, according to police.

Upper Chichester Township is about a 20-mile drive southwest from Philadelphia.

Pizza shop owner kills business partner, leaves body in her home for days, officials say

Cop shoots 15-year-old boy accused of aiming fake gun at homes, Ohio police say

Man breaks into neighbors apartment and installs hidden camera, Pennsylvania cops say
'I know somebody harmed my baby': Sade Robinson's mother speaks out, shares memories of missing daughter

On Easter Sunday, Sheena Scarbrough spent the evening with her 19-year-old daughter, Sade Carleena Robinson, and the rest of their family. They gathered at Scarbrough's mother's home, and Scarbrough cooked a meal they all shared.

"I didn't know that was going to be the last day I saw my baby," Scarbrough said.

The next morning, Scarbrough and Robinson had a video call as Robinson got ready for work. Robinson told her mother about the rest of her night, and about her plans for her hair. Conversations like that are common for the tight-knit family, with members often talking on the phone multiple times a day.

The mother of Sade Carleena Robinson, Sheena Scarbrough seen Tuesday, April, 9, 2024, in Milwaukee. Nineteen year old Robinson went missing on April 1st, and body parts have been found in Cudahy and Milwaukee though it isn't confirmed whether or not the body parts are Robinson's. Scarbrough pleads for the public to come forward if they know of anything.

"She looked as beautiful, glowing as she always is," Scarbrough said.

Seated with her mother, Linda, and daughter Adrianna Reams on Tuesday, Sheena Scarbrough told a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter about Robinson, missing since April 1. Robinson was eager to help others, her mother said. While young and still figuring out what she would do with her life, she had aspirations of joining the U.S. Air Force.

Scarbrough flipped through photos and videos of Robinson on her phone. She showed photos of her daughters recent trip to Jamaica in January and talked about their favorite traditions, like meals through the Milwaukee Area Technical College culinary programs they did each year to celebrate their birthdays together  Scarbroughs on April 27 and Robinsons on May 10.

Sheena Scarbrough shows a picture of her daughter Sade Carleena Robinson Tuesday, April, 9, 2024, in Milwaukee. Robinson was in Jamaica in this photo on a trip she took this year. She loves taking solo trips. She went to New Orleans, Atlanta and many other places. Ebony Cox / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

She takes me out to MATC, they have a little cuisine school out there, a chef school, Scarbrough said. I said, did you book mommys birthday tickets? I had just said that Sunday.

The next day, Robinson was reported missing after not showing up for work. Scarbrough has been left with little sleep or appetite since then.

Police received a call the day after Robinson went missing that a car had been torched. It was later confirmed to be hers, Scarbrough said.

And as the search for Robinson continues, another investigation has loomed.

April 2, police found a severed human leg near Lake Michigan at Warnimont Park in Cudahy. In the week-plus since, police have found other human remains around Milwaukee.

Officials have not publicly connected the human remains to Robinson. But Scarbrough and other relatives have met with the prosecutor in the case. A person of interest in that case, 33-year-old Maxwell Anderson, appeared in court Tuesday as prosecutors asked for more time to make a charging decision. In court, Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Ian Vance-Curzan, a member of the offices homicide unit, said authorities found blood on the stairwell of Andersons house and on a comforter and are waiting on blood testing.

Scarbrough attended the hearing, accompanied by a victim advocate. She declined to comment Tuesday on that investigation.

Maxwell Anderson appears in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with his attorney, Anthony Cotton, as prosecutors were seeking to detain Anderson for an additional 72 hours before making a charging decision, on Tuesday April 9, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wis.

Scarbrough did say she didn't know of any connection between Anderson and her daughter and that he didn't seem like the company she would keep. But she had strong words for Anderson or whoever may have been involved with her daughters disappearance.

"At this point, as a mother, I know somebody harmed my baby and I'm going to need that person held fully accountable," she said. "That individual will be haunted eternally."

'Her whole life was so ahead of her'

Sade Carleena Robinson

Robinson was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and moved to Milwaukee with her mother before she turned 2. She then split her time between here and Florida, where her father Carlos Robinson lives. Scarbrough said she and Robinson's father never married, but tried their best to co-parent.

By late 2019, Robinson had returned to Milwaukee to live with her mother again.

Scarbrough was always impressed by her daughters initiative, like when she graduated from high school a semester early after moving from Florida. She recalled her surprise when Robinson asked to be driven to a job interview, something Scarbrough didn't know was even in the works.

Robinson worked at Pizza Shuttle on Milwaukees east side as a cashier, where she was a favorite among coworkers and customers alike, a manager said.

A missing poster for Sade Carleena Robinson is seen April 8, 2024, at Pizza Shuttle on Milwaukees east side, where Robinson worked for three years.

Robinson was only a month away from finishing her associate degree in criminal justice at MATC. Scarbrough said her daughter was still figuring out her next steps, but was looking at joining the U.S. Air Force. The family has other veterans, with Robinson's grandfather a retired U.S. Navy veteran and her uncle a U.S. Army veteran, she said.

Robinson recently had gotten a passport and planned well with her money, self-funding recent trips to Jamaica and Atlanta.

The family is tight-knit, Scarbrough said, texting frequently and having groups on the family tracking app Life360. Robinson's last location on the app has been a source for searches, she said.

Scarbrough said she was a standout older sister, even getting her little sister Adrianna a job at the Wisconsin Club, where Robinson worked a second job, and often picked her sister up for work.

She lived in a small "bachelorette" apartment and her grandmother Linda would often visit her, where Robinson loved to cook seafood for her, Scarbrough said.

"Her whole life was so ahead of her, she was so, so amazing. So beautiful, such a beautiful angel. Everywhere she went, people just admired my baby," Scarbrough said.

Searching for Robinson for more than a week

The search for Robinson began April 1, when she didnt show up for her shift at the Pizza Shuttle on Milwaukees east side. In the days since, police, friends, family and community members have been searching for Robinson, looking for evidence.

The searches have been, at times, helpful, such as when a community group, searching where other human remains had been discovered, found a blanket Robinson had kept in her car.

Scarbrough said shes been too exhausted to participate, inundated with media, community outreach and the emotional toll of her missing daughter.

Scarbrough recalled the last texts the two shared, checking in on each other. Robinson asked for $15 through CashApp. The request was odd, Scarbrough said, as Robinson made good money at her work, but she figured she needed some extra cash to pay for her favorite meal at JJ Fish & Chicken.

She said Thank you. I love you, Scarbrough said.

The two investigations are weighing heavily on Scarbrough.

"This is my worst nightmare," she said. "Who would do this to my daughter, who would harm or hurt my daughter?"

On social media, she's shared numerous photos of her daughter, often with the hashtag #JusticeforSade, and she hopes to rally public support for information on what happened. She said she's grown frustrated with the pace and results of the police investigation  with family friends' searches turning up things like the blanket  but is trying to "let them lead and do this investigation thoroughly. I need this individual fully charged."

Scarbrough urged anyone with information to share it. Police asked anyone with information to call 414-935-7252.

Ebony Cox of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Missing Sade Robinson's mother: 'I know somebody harmed my baby'
Mother of tourist who was carjacked, murdered in Florida to speak out following $2M lawsuit settlement

Mother of tourist who was carjacked, murdered in Florida to speak out following $2M lawsuit settlement

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The mother of the man who was carjacked and murdered while on vacation in a popular Orlando-area community will be speaking out on Wednesday in hopes of preventing another tragedy.

In July 2021, Jeremiah Brown was vacationing in the ChampionsGate community with his girlfriend and her children. When he left their Airbnb, located at 9045 Stinger Drive, in his rental car, he was approached by two suspects, identified as Tyrell Johnson and Jimmy Robinson, who had been targeting the community, committing vehicular burglaries and thefts.

Man caught on camera shooting at victim during fight in Hillsborough County

The two suspects carjacked Brown and murdered him, police said.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the men were suspected to have had a history of crime within the ChampiosGate community months ahead of Browns murder.

Surveillance footage captured on the night of Browns murder, which can be viewed in the video player above, shows the killers racing past the guardhouse through the exit lanes, bypassing the physical access control barriers.

























A security company, RAMCA Protective of Orlando, Inc., was hired by ChampionsGate to control access to the community and to provide security guards. However, no additional security, procedures, or warnings were put into place following the string of crimes ahead of the murder.

Motorcyclist struck, killed after pulling over for emergency vehicle in Pasco County: FHP

Several lawsuits were filed by Browns mother, Lorrie. Now, she is planning to speak out, saying communities like ChampionsGate are full of vacation rental homes, which are targets for crime. She wants to warn others of the poor security, arguing for change and accountability.

Lorrie is hopeful this will help prevent another tragedy.

RAMCO settled the negligent security lawsuit with the Brown family for $2 million.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
UPDATE: WREG followed up with Mr. Johnson, who says he is a victim. After his Hellcat was stolen, Johnson says he found another Hellcat on Facebook Marketplace. He purchased the car from a man in Houston, Texas. Even though the car was a different color, he now believes the replacement car was the same car that was stolen from him before. He says the car was stolen from him a second time while it was parked at the airport.

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Police say a driver who got a $91,000 insurance payout for a stolen Dodge Challenger Hellcat reported the same car stolen months later with a different VIN.

Larry Johnson, 34, was booked in the Shelby County Jail Tuesday on a charge of theft of property of $60,000 to $250,000.

In January of 2023, Johnson contacted MPD and said his 2019 Challenger was stolen from outside a building in the 400 block of South Front Street downtown.

Two months later, Progressive issued Johnson a $91,077.85 check for the vehicle.

In November of 2023, Progressive was contacted by Memphis Airport police after Johnson reported a 2021 Dodge Challenger Hellcat stolen from the airports long-term parking garage.

Memphis detectives said the VIN Johson gave airport police was fake, and the 2021 Dodge Challenger Hellcat did not exist.

Larry Johnson. Courtesy: SCSO

Police said the 2019 Challenger reported stolen had been re-vinned to appear as a 2021 Challenger and was recovered at a residence in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

The Fort Smith Police Department took custody of the car, and a man at the residence was charged with theft after receiving $25,000.

Johnson is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Three people were shot at a Philadelphia event Wednesday meant to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, Philadelphia Police said.

Police said two groups of young men began shooting at each other in the middle of the event, leading to two people  a 22-year-old and a 15-year-old  being shot and injured. A 15-year-old boy armed with a handgun was shot twice by a responding police officer, the department said.

All three gunshot victims are in stable condition, police said. A 15-year-old girl was also struck by a police car during the response, receiving minor injuries.

Police said five people were arrested in connection to the shooting and five firearms were recovered at the scene.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said in a post on X that State Police are in contact with Philadelphia Police and have offered full support as they respond to this afternoons shooting in West Philly.

Eid should always be a time of joy for our Muslim neighbors  and I grieve for every member of the Philadelphia Muslim community whose celebration was shattered by gun violence today, Shapiros post said.

Updated 8:46 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk will meet President Javier Milei at Tesla Inc.s factory in Austin, Texas, Friday morning during a week-long trip abroad, Argentinas government announced Wednesday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Milei, who arrived alongside his sister and presidential adviser Karina Milei in Miami Wednesday morning, was originally scheduled to meet with Musk Saturday. His spokesman, Manuel Adorni, announced the new meeting time on X, without specifying any other changes to his international trip agenda.

Before meeting Musk, Milei will first attend a Jewish ceremony in Miami Wednesday where he will be recognized for his support of Israel as an International Ambassador of Light at a synagogue. On Thursday, Milei will meet with Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn and will deliver a speech at Florida International University that afternoon, according to a copy of his agenda shared by his press team Tuesday.

To end the trip, Milei will fly to Copenhagen to meet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and then participate in a ceremony on April 16 to mark Argentinas purchase of a fleet of F-16 fighter jets.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Muslims around the world celebrate end of fasting month of Ramadan

Indonesian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayer at Al Jabbar Grand Mosque in Bandung, Indonesia. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan. Algi Febri Sugita/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Overshadowed by the war in the Gaza Strip, the holy month of Ramadan ends for millions of Muslims worldwide on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia, which is home to Mecca and Medina, the two holiest sites in Islam, declared Wednesday the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast.

Muslims in many other countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey also celebrate on this day.

The end of the month of fasting is determined by the sighting of the new moon. Children in particular receive gifts and sweets for Eid.

During the Muslim month of fasting, which began this year at the beginning of March, devout Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex between sunrise and sunset.

Fasting is one of the five basic obligations for Muslims. According to estimates, there are around 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide. The most populous Muslim-majority countries are Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Indonesian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayer at Al Jabbar Grand Mosque in Bandung, Indonesia. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan. Algi Febri Sugita/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  A group of protestors set up a blockade at the Mountain Valley Pipeline site in Roanoke County early Wednesday morning.

The Appalachians Against Pipelines says a couple has locked themselves to a large wooden opossum on Honeysuckle Road. The pair is blocking the pipelines easement, a work yard, and two access roads. Were told a support rally is gathering at the site of the blockade.

Protestors gather at the construction site at the Mountain Valley Pipeline on April 10. (Photo Courtesy: Appalachians Against Pipelines)

Mountain Valley Pipeline protestors block construction site in Roanoke County

The couple released the following statement to the Appalachians Against Pipeline,

We are a married couple of 45 years. We are taking action together as elders deeply concerned about the future facing our 3-year-old grandson, all children, and all life on earth. That is why we have joined with many others to stop the destructive and abusive Mountain Valley Pipeline, as well as *any* new fossil fuel infrastructure. Three years ago, the International Energy Agency said that was needed even then, because of the seriousness of the climate emergency.

This protest adds to just one of many that have taken place at MVP sites across Virginia. The most recent occurred on March 4, when several protestors gathered in the Bent Mountain area of Roanoke County to block workers from accessing the construction site.

Mountain Valley Pipeline delayed by unforeseen challenges and weather

Virginia State Police told WFXR they had a trooper heading to the scene.

This is a developing story. WFXR News has reached out to the Mountain Valley Pipeline. We will update this story as more information is released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man who reportedly operated his own theater school is among this weeks list of Most Wanted fugitives after being accused of sexually abusing a child.

The Metro Nashville Police Departments list of Top 10 Most Wanted fugitives is updated every Wednesday on the Criminal Warrants Divisions Facebook page. Officials said those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the most violent offenders in the city.

Reported rape cases on the rise in Nashville; other violent offenses decreasing

Of the suspects on this weeks list, more than half are wanted for either homicide or charges related to alleged sex crimes. The rest of Nashvilles Most Wanted suspects are accused of crimes such as child abuse, burglary and aggravated assault.

The newest addition to the list, 60-year-old Gary Schleimer, is accused of aggravated sexual battery involving a victim under 13. Records from the Better Business Bureau show Schleimer opened his own theater school in Nolensville in 2011, teaching students ages 6 to 60.

He was also employed by Metro Nashville Public Schools for nearly six years before being terminated at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Officials said a parent informed the school of a possible incident of sexual abuse after he was no longer employed.

While the search for Schleimer and the nine other suspects on the list continues, the Most Wanted list has aided police in several arrests. In total, at least 97 Most Wanted fugitives have been taken into custody since the program was launched in October 2022.

MNPD arrest Most Wanted suspect on several outstanding warrants, recover 2 guns

At least 15 of those arrests have been within the last few months. Police caught 24-year-old Aury Newsom, who was wanted on 13 outstanding warrants, just last week  ending a manhunt that began over a year ago.

According to authorities, several of Newsoms charges are in connection with multiple domestic violence incidents dating back to 2022, including one in which he allegedly shot his girlfriend while she was holding their infant.

Investigators said tips from the public have been vital in several Most Wanted arrests. Below is a list of the suspects who made the police departments Top 10 Most Wanted list the week of April 10.

1. Lagarrion L. Blacksmith

Lagarrion Blacksmith (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

At number one, Lagarrion Blacksmith, 35, is considered this weeks Top Most Wanted fugitive, according to the MNPD. Blacksmith has remained at the top of the list for several months as police continue to try to track him down.

He was initially added to the Most Wanted list on Nov. 29, 2023, after investigators said they were able to connect him to a deadly shooting that took place outside a Dickerson Pike bar last year.

Officers found 35-year-old Chancellor Eddins lying on the ground just outside of Trvth Lounge on Feb. 18, 2023. He had been shot and later died at the scene. Another man who had also been hit by the gunfire was able to give officers an account of what happened.

RELATED: Man wanted for homicide, other charges following fatal February shooting on Dickerson Pike

According to police, the injured man told them he and Eddins had gotten into an argument with the suspect inside of the bar. Then, shots were fired as they left the location. At the time, the identity of the alleged shooter was unclear.

Months later, investigators announced Blacksmith had been identified as a suspect. On Nov. 22, 2023, officials said arrest warrants had been issued against Blacksmith for criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and felon in possession of a handgun.

However, efforts to locate him have reportedly been unsuccessful. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

2. Raceme Crutcher

Raceme Crutcher (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Police have been looking for Raceme Crutcher, 22, since July 2023, when he was named as one of two suspects in a deadly Fourth of July shooting.

Officials said the shooting happened at the Fallbrook Apartments on Dellway Villa Road. Etabo Malanda, 16, was reportedly standing on the porch of an apartment when two armed individuals came from around the corner and confronted him.

RELATED: Teen killed in shooting at East Nashville apartment complex

Malanda allegedly tried to pull out a pistol that was inside his hoodie, but he was shot. Police said he died shortly after he was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

According to investigators, four guns were recovered from the apartment, including one that was reported stolen. Crutcher and 17-year-old Jaylin Brown were reportedly connected to the crime through witness accounts.

Investigators also obtained surveillance footage and additional information from community members that they said pointed to Crutcher and Brown as suspects in the case. Officials believe the motive may have been an ongoing dispute between the suspects and Malanda.

SEE ALSO: Teen wanted in connection with deadly Fourth of July shooting arrested

Brown was taken into custody on Aug. 31, 2023, after police reportedly caught him driving a stolen car. However, authorities said Crutcher is still on the run. He was added to the Most Wanted list on Nov. 15, 2023. His last location is unknown.

3. Kejuan Jordan-Cole

Kejuan Jordan-Cole (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Kejuan Jordan-Cole, 22, is believed to be one of seven suspects involved in another deadly shooting on the Fourth of July, according to officials.

RELATED: Man dead after 7 people reportedly shot at him on Buena Vista Pike

Investigators said the victim, 27-year-old Christopher L. Harris, was found with multiple gunshot wounds inside his vehicle on Buena Vista Pike. Witnesses told police a group of young men approached Harris and around seven of them opened fire.

Harris was reportedly struck by the gunfire while standing next to his vehicle. Officers told News 2 as many as 100 rounds may have been fired during the incident.

The suspects  one of whom appeared to be shooting a rifle  left the scene in three separate vehicles, officials reported. Since the shooting, authorities have arrested and charged 16-year-old Jaden Wright, 17-year-old Erion Nesbitt, 16-year-old Kentrell Baugh and 23-year-old Deandre Jordan.

SEE ALSO: Metro police arrest 4th of 7 suspects from deadly July 4 shooting in Bordeaux

However, police said Jordan-Cole, who was identified as a suspect on Aug. 16, 2023, is still on the run. The charges against him include criminal homicide and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

He was added to the list on Dec. 13, 2023. Officials said his last location is unknown.

4. Michael A. Yarlett

Michael A. Yarlett (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Michael Yarlett, 28, is wanted on three counts of aided and abetted rape, according to police.

Court documents indicate he is one of two suspects in the incident, which happened in September 2022. Yarlett was added to the Most Wanted list on Nov. 22, 2023. Officials said his last location is unknown.

5. Ladonte J. Groves

Ladonte Groves (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Ladonte Groves, 23, was added back to the list this week after first being featured among Nashvilles Most Wanted on Aug. 16, 2023. Police said Groves has since been indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges related to alleged sex crimes.

The charges against him include two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of domestic assault. Authorities said Groves was last seen in the East Nashville area. However, efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.

6. Cameron J. Glenn

Cameron Glenn (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

While he was added to the list in February, this isnt the first time Cameron Glenn, 42, has appeared among Nashvilles Most Wanted fugitives. Glenn was initially added to the list in November 2022 following several alleged domestic violence incidents involving the same victim.

Glenn was accused of strangling and beating the woman on three separate occasions, causing visible injuries to her face, including redness, abrasions and a missing tooth. In one incident, authorities said Glenn pulled out a gun and threatened to kill her if she didnt do what he said.

PREVIOUS: Man accused of beating, threatening to kill woman arrested after 6-month search

Glenn was on the run until May 1, 2023, when officers found him at an apartment in the James Cayce neighborhood. After his arrest, Glenn was being held on a $60,000 bond. However, court records show many of the charges Glenn was initially arrested for have since been dismissed.

Now, police are looking for Glenn again following a grand jury indictment. The charges hes been indicted on include aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault by strangulation, child abuse, domestic assault and interference with an emergency call.

Authorities said his last location is unknown.

7. Gary A. Schleimer

Gary Schleimer (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Gary Schleimer, 60, is a new addition to the list this week. According to authorities, Schleimer was recently indicted by a grand jury on one count of aggravated sexual battery involving a victim under 13.

Records from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) show Schleimer began operating a theater school called Drama Time out of a home on Oak Creek Drive in Nolensville in 2011. The company reportedly provided actor training for students anywhere between 6 to 60 years old.

While its unclear if the business is still in operation, a spokesperson for Metro Nashville Public Schools confirmed Schleimer was also employed by the school district for some time.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

Schleimer was an employee at John Overton High School from the 2016-2017 school year through the 2018-2019 school year. He then worked for H.G. Hill Middle School before being terminated at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

Officials said he has not been involved with either school since that time. After he was no longer employed in September 2022, a child reportedly confided in a parent about an incident that had occurred, and the parent notified the school.

Schleimer is accused of grabbing the girls chest from behind. The school district said the allegations were immediately reported to the State Board of Education, police and DCS for further investigation.

However, Metro Nashville police have not yet been able to locate Schleimer. He was reportedly last seen in Williamson County.

8. Jennifer Urbina

Jennifer Urbina (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Jennifer Urbina, 42, was added to the list last week. Police said Urbina is wanted for three counts of child abuse involving a child 8 years old or younger, as well as one count of aggravated child neglect involving a child 8 years old or younger. She was last seen in Madison.

9. Ricky C. Roach

Ricky Roach (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Ricky Roach, 43, who was the subject of a massive manhunt in Cheatham County in 2022, is wanted by police after being indicted on multiple charges out of Davidson County.

Those charges include aggravated burglary, aggravated burglary acting in concert and theft of property less than $250,000. Court records show those offenses date back to March 4, 2022  only about two months before he escaped from corrections officers at an Ashland City hospital.

At the time, Roach was reportedly serving jail time in Cheatham County for a parole violation. Cheatham County court records indicate that Roach has previously pled guilty to charges for robbery, assault, theft and contempt of court.

SEE ALSO: New details released after escapees arrest caught on camera

After hours of searching, the May 26, 2022, manhunt ended when a reserve off-duty Ashland City police officer spotted Roach and held him at gunpoint until other officers arrived.

Following his arrest, Cheatham County Sheriffs Office Lt. Ken Miller told News 2, Ive been dealing with Mr. Roach for quite some time, pretty much my whole career here actually.

Now, Metro Nashville police are looking for Roach in connection with more alleged crimes across county lines. Authorities said his last location is unknown.

10. Joseph Cavaleri

Joseph Cavaleri (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

Joseph Cavaleri, 39, is wanted by the MNPD on outstanding warrants for five counts of burglary, three counts of theft of property, criminal impersonation, and four counts of failure to appear. Cavaleri was added to the list on Feb. 7. Authorities said he was last seen in the Central precinct.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

Anyone with information on any of the suspects listed is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Despite facing backlash from civil rights activists and Democratic lawmakers, Republicans in conservative-leaning Nassau County, New York, are moving forward with a plan to form an armed, civilian militia that the local government could operate as a de facto police force during emergencies.

The plan, proposed by County Executive Bruce Blakeman, has local opponents comparing the "special deputies" to other government-backed militias throughout history, including some Ku Klux Klan chapters and the Nazi brownshirts. Blakeman has taken umbrage at the comparison; according to the Long Island Press, he suggested that This is not only a personal insult to me, as a Jew, but it is a personal insult on humanity."

Nassau County, New York, Executive Bruce Blakeman (Alejandra Villa Loarca / Newsday via Getty Images file)

By executive order, Blakeman has assembled a list of more than 100 civilians he wants to train to act as special deputies, or what is essentially a backup police force. All members are required to have firearms licenses, and Blakeman has said they would undergo background checks and mental health evaluations, though what either of those entail could be quite subjective.

God forbid there is an emergency, do you want me to have to scramble at that point to try and find people? Blakeman said in defense of the plan, according to WPIX-TV.

Since conservatives have made a point of portraying nonviolent protests as threats to state and national security, WPIX asked Blakeman whether his civilian militia could be used to crack down on civil rights demonstrations. And he didn't say no:

In recent years, conservatives have become more vocal in support of armed vigilante and militia groups that share their draconian and oftentimes illiberal view of criminal justice. This has been most evident in Republicans' involvement with groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, both of which sought to overturn the 2020 election in Donald Trumps favor. Trump has even portrayed the violent militiamen who fomented insurrection on his behalf as "patriots" and said their jailing has made them "hostages." And Kyle Rittenhouse has become a cause celebre among conservatives after he was acquitted of killing two men after he had joined up with a militia group that had stationed itself outside a used car lot in Wisconsin in 2020.

Weve seen Republican leaders in states as varied as California, Michigan, Nevada and Florida throw their support behind civilian-led militia groups, as well, which scholar Rachel Kleinfeld wrote about in this 2022 article for Just Security. (Kleinfeld, a distinguished scholar who ran the Truman National Security project and served on the State Departments Foreign Affairs Policy Board, reports that some GOP-led counties have even relied on such militia groups to provide security at events.)

Kleinfeld discussed this increasingly common alliance in an interview with WBUR radio of Boston that year.

She said:

What were seeing in Nassau County is a continuation of the conservative movements troubling infatuation with vigilantes and other civilian forces that are even less accountable and subject to oversight than ordinary police.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Joran van der Sloot, the Dutch national who brutally killed Alabama 18-year-old Natalee Holloway during her class trip to Aruba as a high school senior in 2005, has been pummeled in a remote Peruvian prison, where he previously boasted of conjugal visits with multiple women.

The 36-year-old murderer is locked up in Peru for the 2010 death of Stephany Flores, the daughter of a Peruvian business magnate whom he killed in her father's casino five years to the day after Holloway's murder.

The motive of the attack is unclear, according to the New York Post, which first reported the beating, but two inmates jumped him in a prison common area before guards stepped in. Medics reportedly treated him for cuts and bruises and sent him back to the general population.

Van der Sloot's lawyer, Lima's Maximo Altez, blasted the claims.

PERU ALLOWS NATALEE HOLLOWAY'S KILLER MULTIPLE CONJUGAL VISITS FOR HIS MENTAL HEALTH, REHABILITATION

Joran van der Sloot smiles as he prepares to leave the airport in Lima, Peru, on June 8, 2023.

"He's fine," he told Fox News Digital. "It's 'fake news.'"

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Altez has previously complained that prison officials have limited his communications with his client.

Authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A national prison spokesperson earlier told the Post, "A lot of people want him dead."

A former inmate who did time with van der Sloot during his brief detention in Alabama last year told the paper that the killer, who stands 6 feet, 5 inches tall, is an arrogant "douchebag."

"He walks around jail like hes the boss, demands what he wants, treats other guys like s---," Emil Quinones told the paper. "He made a lot of enemies because hes such an a--hole."

JORAN VAN DER SLOOT'S WHIRLWIND PLEA DEAL: HE WON THE GAME,' BUT FAMILY ACCEPTS CLOSURE

Natalee Hollway, center, went missing during a spring break trip in 2005 and was never found.

Van der Sloot is serving time in Peru's mountaintop Challapalca prison, a place Altez previously said he hates so much he was willing to talk to prosecutors in the U.S. in connection to federal extortion charges against him.

And his attitude doesn't appear to be helping, Quinones told the Post.

"I dont think hell ever get out alive," he said. "All he really knows is prison and I think he likes it. Hell either re-offend to stay in jail, or hell be killed by someone. I dont know if he even cares one way or the other."

Van der Sloot finally admitted in October to killing Holloway with a cinder block on an Aruba beach as part of the extortion and fraud case in which he tried to shake down the victim's mother for $250,000.

In an international plea deal, he is serving his sentence on the U.S. charges for extorting Holloway's mother in Peru.

Van der Sloot hates Challapalca, according to his lawyer, Altez, who calls it "hell." The prison is known to see temperatures below freezing on a nightly basis and is so remote that cell service doesn't reach it.

In 2014, Altez told Reuters that his client had been stabbed three times in the prison months after his initial transfer there for unruly behavior. However, officials told the outlet that the wounds looked self-inflicted.

Van der Sloot previously had his Peruvian sentence extended after a drug and phone smuggling scandal.

Aruba authorities have left open the possibility of prosecuting him there, even though the statute of limitations has expired on Holloway's murder.





Original article source: Natalee Holloway's killer Joran van der Sloot jumped by 2 inmates in Peru prison beatdown
DEL MAR, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  June 12 has been declared as San Diego County Fair Day in National City, officials announced Tuesday.

National City Mayor Ron Morrison and councilmembers recently presented the 22nd District Agricultural Association with an official proclamation. The district owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds and produces the county fair each year.

Missed the solar eclipse? Heres what it looked like from San Diego

National City was the first place to host the San Diego County in 1880 and the first to declare June 12 as San Diego County Fair Day. So far, 11 other cities along with the County of San Diego have confirmed plans to make similar proclamations, the release said.

Those other cities include:

Apr. 9  Vista

Apr. 10  Encinitas

Apr. 17  Imperial Beach

Apr. 23  Chula Vista

Apr. 24  Solana Beach

May 7  Lemon Grove

May 14  El Cajon

May 14  San Marcos

May 20  Del Mar

May 21  Coronado

May 22  Oceanside

The theme for this years fair is Lets Go Retro, a nod to music and trends throughout the decades. The 20-day season runs June 12 through July 7, with closures on Mondays and Tuesdays.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
The Navy destroyer Mason shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile over the Gulf of Aden Tuesday that was launched by Houthi militants and was likely targeting a U.S. commercial ship, the military said.

U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said the missile that launched from Yemen by the Iranian-backed group appeared to be aimed at the American vessel M/V Yorktown. The Mason and the Navy warship Laboon were escorting it through the regions precarious waters when the attack occurred.

There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships, CENTCOM said in the statement.

The incident marks at least the ninth engagement for the Mason since the Houthis began their campaign of assaults in the fall on commercial and military ships, and one of the few times in recent months that officials revealed a U.S. merchant vessel was likely a direct target.

All the Houthi-US Navy incidents in the Middle East (that we know of)

An announcement on the latest skirmish came the same day that CENTCOM shared the U.S. redirected thousands of weapons to Ukraine earlier this month, which it seized from an Iranian group attempting to smuggle the munitions to the Houthis.

Among other episodes for the Mason in the ongoing conflict, back in February, it shot down an anti-ship ballistic missile that CENTCOM said likely targeted the American tanker M/V Torm Thor. The destroyer also participated in January in downing a barrage of drones and missiles fired into the Red Sea.
President Joe Bidens reelection campaign is betting it can break Democrats presidential losing streak in North Carolina, and pinpointing Mecklenburg County as a critical piece of the strategy.

The campaign is touting its early investment in the state, something state and local Democrats say theyve lacked in previous election cycles.

While party leaders have long seen an opening to turn North Carolina blue, a Democratic presidential candidate hasnt won the state since 2008, when Barack Obama defeated John McCain by less than half a percentage point. The last Democrat to win the state before that was Jimmy Carter in 1976. Recent polls also show former President Donald Trump leading Biden in the state ahead of Novembers general election. But, Democrats note, Trump posted his slimmest margin of victory in any state in North Carolina in 2020.

Biden-Harris campaign signs hang on the wall alongside statewide and local Democratic candidates at the Mecklenburg Democrats headquarters in uptown Charlotte, where the Biden-Harris campaigned opened a field office in early April.

Thats why theyve homed in on Mecklenburg County, the states second largest in population and one thats reliably blue, as a linchpin for success. The countys reliability for Democrats is marred by the fact that it regularly underperforms in turning out voters.

This is the county where this election will be won, Mecklenburg Democrats chairman Drew Kromer told supporters at the opening of a Biden campaign field office in Charlotte last week, an event headlined by Vice President Kamala Harris.

There are some good signs for Democrats, multiple analysts say, but whether the campaign can address Charlottes dismal voter turnout remains to be seen.

And, they said, voters should expect both candidates to lean into their strengths as they battle for a key swing state.

Democrats early investment in Mecklenburg, NC

Harris latest visit to Charlotte  her third since June and second in as many weeks to North Carolina  marked the opening of 10 campaign field offices across the state.

Elections matter, Harris told the crowd at the Mecklenburg Democrats headquarters in uptown. Organizing matters. Showing up matters. Remembering the strength and power of our voice matters.

The field offices, where organizers put together on-the-ground campaign work to connect with voters, are part of a coordinated effort to staff up in North Carolina, and staff up early, according to the campaign.

The Biden-Harris campaign is investing and organizing early to build a coalition that meets voters where they are and can win in November, including in Mecklenburg County which will be key to earning a victory for President Biden and Vice President Harris, said Dory MacMillan, the campaigns North Carolina communications director.

Vice President Kamala Harris makes remarks Thursday afternoon at the Biden-Harris campaign office in Charlotte after announcing $20 billion in grants earlier in the day.

State party chairwoman Anderson Clayton told The Charlotte Observer shes pleased to see the campaign getting a jump start in North Carolina, something that hasnt always been the case in other recent presidential campaigns.





I think it shows the commitment to North Carolina, the excitedness for being able to really put the boots on the ground that we need here right now this year versus what we saw in 2020, she said. I think they got started later on the ground than what we would have wanted them to (in 2020). And so the early investment is good, and its exactly what we need to see to head into this year, I think, really strong.

Kromer said he also feels that the Biden campaign is making necessary investments to put the state in play.

Theyve been making the visits, theyve hired the staff, he said. Theyre growing this operation.

Both of Harris 2024 trips to Charlotte have also included grant announcements, including $20 billion for clean energy projects during her latest visit and $285 million for mental health services in schools in January.

Thats no coincidence, Chris Cooper, a Western Carolina University political science professor, said.

Harris is engaging in the time-tested tradition of credit-claiming  the attempt to garner electoral support by highlighting projects that benefit a certain area. Harris is not a political novice  she knows how to win elections and how to highlight issues that will help her and her team along that path, he said.

Cooper said the Biden campaigns investment in field offices is reminiscent of the strategy that Obama used in 2008.

Obama tended to put a lot of resources into field offices, with the idea that face-to-face campaigning and boots on the ground are more likely to win an election than air wars, he said.

The Biden campaign is investing in advertising, too, including a $25 million, 16-week ad buy that includes North Carolina.

Cooper said he takes the campaigns recent moves as a sign the Biden camp thinks it has a legitimate chance of winning North Carolina, and that theyre not as confident they can hold onto another southern swing state: Georgia.

I think what it shows is that North Carolina is very much up for grabs. Its a competitive state, he said.

Trump campaign in NC

Asked about the Biden campaigns investments in North Carolina, the Republican National Committee pointed to polling data that show Trump leading and the former presidents strong performances in Republican primaries.

With an operation fueled by hundreds of thousands of small-dollar donors and energized supporters, and without sharing our strategy with Democrats through the media, we have the message, the operation and the money to propel President Trump to victory on November 5, said Chris LaCivita, Trump campaign senior advisor and RNC chief of staff.

The RNCs statement did not directly address questions from an Observer reporter about the campaigns plans in North Carolina, such as future events, advertising campaigns or field office openings.

But the lack of specifics isnt a sign that the former president is conceding North Carolina, Cooper said, noting that Trump held a rally in Greensboro ahead of the states primary and helped propel the former chair of the state party and his daughter-in-law, a North Carolina native, into leadership roles at the RNC.

I think in his own way, Trump is also signaling the importance of North Carolina, he said.

Cooper added its logical that Trumps campaign would be less focused on infrastructure, because he does not run a field office heavy campaign and instead focuses more on rallies, some advertising and the celebrity that is Donald Trump.

I think the difference is really one of strategy ... I think Trump thinks he needs to do different things to win North Carolina, he said.

Could reverse coattails help Biden in NC?

Nicole Sidman, right, and Drew Kromer, left, Mecklenburg County Democratic Party chair, smiles as they look over election results on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Sidman is running for the North Carolina House District 105 seat.

Clayton said it will be critical for Democrats to generate excitement ahead of the election, especially among younger voters, like Obama and Carter did when they won the state.

I think both of them had an energy about their campaigns that really drew in young people, drew in a coalition of voters that needed to take the state, she said. And for us this year, thats something that weve got to do on the ground, with getting out into college campuses, showing people that not only is the top of the ticket on your ballot this year, but also looking down ballot.

Those down-ballot races will be a key focus for the state party, Clayton added, with the hope that excitement there flows up to Biden the same way strong support for a presidential candidate can lift state and local candidates.

I really do believe in reverse coattails, she said.

Charlotte-based political strategist Bryan Holladay said that could be a useful strategy in a race where neither major party presidential candidate is especially popular. Both Biden and Trump are consistently under water in their favorability ratings.

How do you enthuse and increase voter turnout when people arent excited to vote for your candidate? Thats the challenge that they have, he said of the campaigns.

A slate of Democratic statewide and local candidates with ties to Mecklenburg County  including attorney general candidate Jeff Jackson, labor commissioner candidate Braxton Winston and lieutenant governor candidate Rachel Hunt  could prove especially useful on that front, Holladay noted. Theres also Nicole Sidmans challenge to controversial Republican state Rep. Tricia Cotham in southeast Mecklenburg, one of the state and the countrys most hotly contested legislative races.

These are all people running statewide that appeal to different segments inside the base and can help get people to come out, he said.

Can Democrats solve Mecklenburgs turnout problem?

Getting people to the polls is what matters, Cooper said.

They need to increase voter turnout in urban areas ... Its no secret that Mecklenburg County turnout has been less than enviable the last few cycles. Democrats are going to need to stop the trend, he said.

Turnout in Mecklenburg trailed North Carolina as a whole in the 2020 presidential election by a margin of 71.9% to 75.4%, according to data from the State Board of Elections. About 44.4% of Mecklenburg County voters participated in the 2022 midterm election, when Democrats were hoping to flip a U.S. Senate seat. That was below North Carolinas statewide voter turnout of 50.5%, and trailed other Charlotte-area counties and Democratic-leaning metro areas in the state, such as the Raleigh-Durham area.

Cooper said the Biden campaign would do well to look to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper (no relation), who has outperformed other Democrats in more rural, Republican counties.

Theyre not going to win rural counties. Theres no question, he said of the Biden-Harris ticket. But can they lose rural counties by a little bit less than they have in the last few cycles? If so, then we may see Joe Biden taking North Carolina.

Election official Kay Patterson, left, looks through paperwork with site coordinator Frankie Jenkins at Eastway Regional Recreational Center in Charlotte, NC on February 28, 2024.

The same applies to the exurban communities around Charlotte, Cooper added.

In a state this close, in a state this competitive, every county matters  Every vote counts, he said.

Kromer said turnout is top-of-mind for him, and he has a specific goal in mind: increasing turnout by 20,000 voters in Mecklenburg County. State data show 569,499 people voted in Mecklenburg County in the last presidential election. With those numbers, Charlotte could do for Democrats what Fulton County, Georgia, and Maricopa County, Arizona, have done in past elections, he predicted. Both those counties, the most populous in their respective swing states, were vital to Bidens Electoral College victory in 2020.

If we can get on par with some of the other large counties in the state, we become North Carolinas Fulton County, Kromer said. This is the county where we will decide the election.

Mecklenburgs turnout history

Vice President Kamala Harris, center, speaks at a school in Charlotte, North Carolina in January.

Relatively low turnout in Mecklenburg raised questions when Democratic Senate candidate Cheri Beasley lost to Republican Ted Budd in the 2022 race to succeed outgoing U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. Polls showed a relatively close race, and the outcome was expected to help decide which party would have majority control in the U.S. Senate.

There were still over 400,000 votes left on the table , local Democratic strategist Annetta Watkins-Foard told the Observer after that race. Everybody has to be asking themselves today: How do we get 400,000 additional people to just go and vote?

Mecklenburgs turnout numbers certainly depressed the Democratic vote totals in 2022, UNC Charlotte political science professor Eric Heberlig said at the time.

Looking at the percentages, Democrats got the percentages of votes that traditionally would help them win statewide from Mecklenburg County,  he said. But part of the reason that the Democratic margins were wafer thin was if the turnout was a little lower.

Its important for Democrats to keep in mind that the counties surrounding Fulton in Georgia, home of Atlanta, are bluer than the counties around Charlotte when weighing the impact of turnout in Mecklenburg, Democratic campaign consultant Dan McCorkle told the Observer in 2022.

She lost badly all around Mecklenburg County, he said of Beasley. People try to compare us to Georgia, but they cannot because Georgia has DeKalb, Gwinnett, all these counties around Atlanta that are Democratic. All the counties around Mecklenburg are staunchly red counties.

In our CLT Politics newsletter, we offer exclusive insight into Charlotte-region politics sent to your inbox on Thursdays. Subscribe for free. Story idea? mramsey@charlotteobserver.com.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  State House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said Wednesday he will vote for Michele Morrow, his partys nominee for Superintendent of Public Instruction Michele Morrow while calling her comments regarding the execution of prominent Democrats not appropriate.

Morrow has gained national attention since CNN reported last month on her social media posts.

In May 2020, Morrow told another social media user who said Obama should be in Guantanamo Bay, that she prefer[s] a Pay Per View of him in front of the firing squad, and she doesnt want to waste another dime on supporting his life. We could make some money back from televising his death.

North Carolina GOP schools nominee previously called for executions of Biden, Obama: Report

In that same year, when then President-elect Biden said he would have all Americans wear masks, Morrow wrote Never. We need to follow the Constitutions advice and KILL all TRAITORS!!! #JusticeforAmerica.

For the last few weeks, the state Republican Party has not commented on the matter, including as to whether the party stands by her as its nominee.

When asked whether hell support Morrow, Speaker Moore said, I certainly think any comments, the ones Ive seen are not appropriate comments at all. And, Im not going to condone comments like that. I know she has explained some of those. My plan is to support all the Republican nominees for office and voters have to make up their minds on that.

During the primary, Moore and many other Republican legislative leaders backed current Republican Superintendent Catherine Truitt. Morrow defeated Truitt by a margin of 52-48.

Morrow faces Democrat Mo Green, former superintendent of Guilford County schools, in the November general election.

I certainly wouldnt have made those comments. And, Ill stand by my comments and comment on mine and not delve into other folks races, said Moore. But, Im a good loyal fellow Republican. Im gonna vote for the Republican nominee for office.

Some Republicans are distancing themselves from Morrow.

After her comments surfaced last month, Daniel Keylin, a spokesman for U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) said its highly unlikely hed support her.

Spewing terrorist propaganda and calling for public executions of elected officials you disagree with are things we usually hear from radical fundamentalists in places like Iran, Afghanistan, and Russia, not candidates running for office in North Carolina, he added.

CBS17 contacted a spokesperson for Morrows campaign but has not heard back.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
North Carolina lawmakers may wait to pursue legislation that would limit or ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the states public universities, instead deferring to the UNC System, Republican House Speaker Tim Moore said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters on the House floor, Moore said lawmakers have discussed if were going to take up any legislation regarding DEI, but added that any potential measures are still at the conversation stage.

Moore did not rule out pursuing legislation on the hot-button issue in higher education, but said legislators may allow the Board of Governors or Boards of Trustees  which oversee the 16-university UNC System and individual campuses, respectively  to take a look at it first.

Theres no big push to immediately do something, Moore said, adding that he is more concerned about ensuring universities allow for free and open exchange of ideas on campus.

Moores comments Wednesday came two weeks after Jim Blaine, a member of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees and a former chief of staff to Republican Senate leader Phil Berger, said in a trustees meeting that he believes the UNC System Board of Governors or the legislature will follow Floridas path as it relates to DEI this year.

Florida has dominated much of the national conversation over higher education in recent years, with efforts to ban DEI  among other decisions made by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers  becoming flashpoints.

DeSantis signed legislation defunding DEI programs at public colleges and universities in Florida last year, and the governing board that oversees the states university system passed a policy in January to conform with the law. As a result of the law and policy, the University of Florida last month closed its Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminated DEI employee positions and ended DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors.

Several other states have considered, and in some cases passed, similar legislation targeting DEI spending, as well as related issues, such as the use of diversity statements and writing prompts in hiring. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, more than 80 anti-DEI bills have been introduced nationwide since 2023.

The short legislative session begins April 24. A spokesperson for the UNC System did not immediately respond to The News & Observers request for comment about whether system administrators or the Board of Governors are considering action on the issue.

North Carolinas existing efforts on DEI

North Carolina has not fully banned DEI at public colleges and universities, but the state has implemented some policies that show similarities to actions in Florida. For example, the UNC System last year implemented bans on compelled speech in hiring and admissions, which led to a ban at UNC-Chapel Hill on asking for DEI statements  generally, in which applicants are asked to describe how they have contributed to diversity efforts in their work.

The Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, which is co-chaired by Berger and Moore and oversees state government agencies in North Carolina, last year asked the UNC System to provide inventories and information, including associated costs, about diversity-related training programs across all 17 schools in the system.

The state legislature enacted its own ban on compelled speech in state government workplaces last summer. That law also lists 13 concepts, mostly related to race and gender, that are banned from being taught or promoted in state workplaces, including public universities.

Moore said Wednesday that he believes every viewpoint deserves to be heard, though he noted threat speech should not be tolerated.

There shouldnt be indoctrination, he said. There shouldnt be people made  regardless of political stripe or anything else  no one should be made to feel inferior because of their position on something.

Moore said potential measures to ban state funding on DEI efforts, as was done in Florida, has generated the greatest conversation on the issue among lawmakers.

The timing might not be right during the short session to pursue anti-DEI legislation, regardless of the form it might take, Moore said.

I think that thats a bigger lift. Its going to require more conversation, Moore said. And frankly, I think we ought to allow the university to see what are we doing in North Carolina on that.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  State House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said Wednesday that GOP legislative leaders are talking about putting as much as $300 million more into the states school voucher program after demand exceeded the funding available for next school year.

The Opportunity Scholarship program is now open to all families regardless of income level to obtain taxpayer money to help pay for private school tuition. Families already in enrolled in private schools are eligible too.

The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority said it received a record 72,000 applications earlier this year and does not have enough money to cover everyone who applied.

Its just shown theres much more demand for it. Theres a lot of parents who want their kids to be attending either religious or private school. And, so we ought to be able to step up. But, we have the money. The savings reserve has money set aside, said Moore.

Lawmakers are preparing to come back into session on April 24 and will make adjustments to the state budget, which they passed last fall.

Moore said legislators also are discussing an additional $400 million in funding for Medicaid expansion.

The speaker added that Republicans have not agreed on a final amount for the Opportunity Scholarship program, but he said he thinks they should fund the full $300 million if thats what it takes to cover everyone who applied. Theres already $293 million available for next year.

Well just have to fund it to meet that commitment there. Its about $300 million. And fortunately, we have the money to be able to do that, he said.

Moore said lawmakers are still awaiting updated revenue figures, which are expected after April 15, and will impact what action the General Assembly takes.

The scholarships vary depending on a familys income. Those in the lowest income bracket, referred to as Tier 1, will receive $7,468 per child. The NCSEAA says after that, theres still funding to cover some families in Tier 2 and none in the remaining two tiers.

Gov. Roy Cooper (D), who has been a vocal critic of the program and its recent expansion, wrote about the latest development on X.

Republicans are admitting they want hundreds of millions more dollars to help wealthy families attend unregulated private schools while treating public school as an afterthought, he said. We must end destructive private school vouchers until our public schools are fully funded.

Public school teachers are currently receiving a 7% raise on average over two years. A report last week showed a jump in teachers leaving the profession. Between March 2022 and March 2023, the attrition rate climbed to 11.5%.

Moore said, I think theres still money there to make sure we take care of our teachers and state employees.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
There Are Nearly 1,200 Lawsuits Alleging Abuse at Sununu Youth Services Center; Now, a Trial Has Begun

In the trial's opening statements, David Meehans lawyer claimed Meehan was treated like a "child sex slave" at the center, which is still in operation

AP Photo/Charles Krupa David Meehan

A civil complaint going to trial this week alleges that for decades children at a federally funded New Hampshire youth detention center were sporting black eyes, swollen faces and bleeding genitals.

And its not the only such allegation.

Dozens of former state workers are accused in nearly 1,200 lawsuits alleging six decades of abuse at the Manchester, N.H., facility, the Associated Press reports.

The first trial against Sununu Youth Services Center, which still operates, started Tuesday, April 9.

David Meehan, now an adult, says that when he was 15, he was raped by an employee at the facility, then known as Youth Development Center, per the civil complaint obtained by PEOPLE.

In opening statements, one of his lawyers, David Vicinanzo, said per the AP that Meehan "was reduced to the status of a child sex slave and a punching bag," at the facility.

Rus Riley, also of his legal team, tells PEOPLE that the trial is "finally giving David a voice and the opportunity for justice that he has for so long been denied."

AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File Sununu Youth Services Center in 2020

Meehan claims the juvenile detention center caused or contributed to decades of physical abuse, sexual abuse, mental/emotional abuse, solitary confinement and deprivation of education of hundreds of children, per the complaint.

Meehan further alleges they not only conspired to perpetrate horrific acts of abuse on these children who were in their care, custody and control, but they then conspired to conceal these acts.

Originally submitted as a class action lawsuit in 2020, it was eventually split into individual cases, per the case docket reviewed by PEOPLE.

As a state-run facility, the juvenile detention center, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Children Youth and Families and other such entities are defended by the Department of Justice.

PEOPLE reached out to Assistant Attorney General Brandon Chase for comment, but his office did not immediately respond.

In defense of the allegations, Attorney General John M. Formella wrote in a 2021 court filing that Meehans claims were barred by governmental immunity.

AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File David Meehan

Per the complaint, Meehan, who entered the facility in October 1995, says he was raped for the first time more than a year later.

Meehan claims in the complaint that during a so-called Out of Community solitary confinement between December 1996 and January 1997, one of the facility workers entered his room and told David that he was there to perform a contraband search.

The employee allegedly instructed Meehan to undress for what the teenager believed to be a routine strip search.

He put a glove on his hand, picked up a tube of lubricant and told David to turn around.

Meehan claims that when he was raped by a state employee, another employee stood at the door to the room, apparently standing guard and preventing the door from closing and automatically locking, according to the complaint.

Meehan alleges he contracted gonorrhea from the encounter and was treated at the facility. And over his multi-year incarceration, he alleges the rapes continued.

He says he was also forced to watch one of his female friends be sexually assaulted by one of the employees.

By January 1998, Meehan, per the complaint: began to experience almost constant physical, sexual and emotional abuse, with rapes occurring on an almost daily basis, and sometimes multiple times in one day. Often, he says he was beaten during the raping.

He was also routinely kept in solitary confinement and not permitted to attend school or receive an alternative education, per the complaint.

In 1999, Meehan turned 18 and was released from the facility.

In the complaint, Meehan said he came forward to hold the State of New Hampshire and others responsible for the lives they forever destroyed and to bring about systemic change so that this can never happen again to another child in New Hampshire.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
DENVER (KDVR)  Larimer County livestock owners have accused a neighbor of shooting and killing several head of their cattle.

Michael Hester, 37, was arrested and released on bond after his neighbors said he drove around in an all-terrain vehicle and shot their cattle around his property, killing seven and forcing the euthanization of an eighth cow, according to a release from the Larimer County Sheriffs Office.

Through a brand inspector and licensed livestock appraiser, investigators learned the dead cattle totaled an estimated loss of more than $30,000. They belonged to two neighbors near the Buckhorn Road address where the dead cattle were found, the sheriffs office said.

Avalanche forecaster caught, partially buried in slide

Colorado livestock owners are not required to fence in their livestock under whats known as the Open Range Law, the sheriffs office noted. The law obligates the landowner to fence their property if they want to keep livestock out.

Hester faces the following charges:

Aggravated animal cruelty: 9 counts

Second-degree criminal trespass

Theft of certain animals: 8 counts

Shooting across public highway

Court records did not show an attorney listed for Hester, who is due back in court on Friday. He appeared before a judge after his April 1 arrest date and was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

Investigators asked anyone with information who has not spoken with law enforcement to contact Deputy Andrea Maxwell at 970-498-5411 or Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Neighbors didnt want this affordable housing project. Will Manatee OK updated plan?

A developer is back with an updated plan after the Manatee County Commission shot down an affordable housing project in the Elwood Park neighborhood last year.

Last August, commissioners sided with residents who said a townhome project was incompatible with their neighborhood. The board voted 6-1 to deny Eastwind Developments request to build Townhomes at Westbridge, a 220-unit townhome community on the northeast corner of 44th Avenue East and 45th Street East.

Eastwind Development, a Palm Beach Gardens-based developer of apartments across the Southeast, however, has not given up on developing the property.

The project, since renamed Villas at Elwood Park, has been extensively changed in response to concerns by residents and county officials, Stephen Novacki, Eastwinds vice president of acquisitions and development, said in a phone interview Tuesday.

Among those changes:

 Less acreage, down to 23.8 acres from the previously proposed 26.4 acres

 Fewer housing units. The 202 is 18 fewer than what Eastwind originally proposed

 The elimination of all 20,000 square feet of commercial space

 Increased setbacks and reorientation of the development away from existing houses and closer to 44th Avenue East.

An updated affordable housing plan

Those changes will help reduce new traffic by 50%, Novacki said.

In addition to that, we changed the mix. Before it was all townhomes. Now there are 158 townhomes and 44 one-bedroom garden villas, he said.

Previously, Eastwind pledged that at least 10% of units would be affordable. That has been increased to 25% with the revamped plan, Novacki said.

Eastwind has also increased setbacks to 65 feet on the north and 90 feet on the west. The code requires 15 feet, he said.

Were listening, getting feedback from residents and officials and trying to compromise. We feel like the project is significantly different, Novacki said.

Elwood Park neighbors still hesitant

John Rachide, 63, an Elwood Park resident, said he and his neighbors are happy with changes made to the project by Eastwind, but that the changes dont go far enough.

The density of nine housing units per acre is too much, he said.

Were not against the development. Were against the density. The density would be incompatible with the neighborhood, Rachide said.

Its sort of like putting lipstick on a pig, he said.

On Thursday, the Manatee County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider Eastwinds request to change zoning from agricultural suburban to planned development residential.

The Manatee County Planning Commission on Thursday is scheduled to consider Eastwind Developments rezoning request needed to build 202 multi-family residential units on the northeast corner of 44th Avenue East and 45th Street East.

The meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Patricia M. Glass Chambers on the first floor of the County Administrative Center at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Expected to attend the meeting to share their concerns are a couple of dozen residents from Elwood Park, as well as residents from nearby neighborhoods Sabal Harbour, Fairfax and Peridia, Rachide said.

The planning commission makes recommendations to the Manatee County Commission, which has the deciding vote.

Jack Weir, president and chief executive officer of Eastwind Development, last year told Manatee County Commissioners that there is often neighborhood opposition to housing projects.

What really varies is the ability of the local elected officials to balance that type of NIMBY pressure with the larger needs of the community, Weir said.

NIMBY is an acronym that stands for not in my backyard.

Due to Manatee Countys housing crisis, local government officials give projects with an affordable or workforce housing component expedited processing.
President Joe Biden stepped up his criticisms of Benjamin Netanyahus handling of Israels war in Gaza late Tuesday, bluntly describing the Israeli prime ministers approach as a mistake.

Biden spoke in an interview with Spanish-language broadcaster Univision in an interview that was filmed on April 3, just 48 hours after seven aid workers with the World Central Kitchen charity were killed in a series of drone strikes. I think what hes doing is a mistake, Biden said of Netanyahu in response to a question about whether the Israeli leader was allowing political considerations to direct his strategy in the conflict.

Lloyd Austin Insists U.S. Has Seen No Evidence of Genocide in Gaza

I dont agree with his approach, Biden added. I think its outrageous that those four, three vehicles were hit by drones and taken out. The Israel Defense Forces has blamed mistaken identification and other failures for the strikes, firing two officers in connection with the incident.

Bidens latest comments are among the sharpest criticisms hes made publicly of Netanyahu in relation to the war, which is now in its seventh month. Last week, the White House said Biden had warned Netanyahu on a call that Israel would have to take immediate specific, concrete steps to protect civilians and boost the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza or risk losing U.S. support.

Netanyahus security cabinet approved the opening of new aid routes into the enclave just hours later. But Biden said in his interview Tuesday that he believes more needs to be done to increase the flow of vital supplies into Gaza.

What Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, Biden said. Allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country. Ive spoken with everyone from the Saudis to the Jordanians to the Egyptianstheyre prepared to move in, theyre prepared to move this food in.

He added that theres no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people, referring to Gazans. It should be done now.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approach to the war in Gaza is a mistake, US President Joe Biden said in an interview, offering further criticism of Israel's handling of the conflict https://t.co/g3yYoI6vtJ pic.twitter.com/dBYsd6Wp2i  Reuters (@Reuters) April 10, 2024

After the interview aired a senior White House official insisted that Bidenwho did not mention Hamas or the release of hostages in Gaza when discussing the ceasefirewas not signaling a shift in U.S. policy. He was instead referring to the truce already being negotiated by his administration which would see around 40 hostages released over the course of a six-to-eight-week period, they said, rather than demanding that Israel unilaterally pause the conflict.

There is no change in our position, the official said, according to The Times of Israel. The president was reiterating our longstanding position: we are calling for an immediate ceasefire that would last for at least six weeks as part of a hostage deal. They added that Bidens latest comments were in line with what he said at the State of the Union, and that weve repeatedly said.

Biden is facing political pressure from critics angered by his support for Israel in its war. Over 33,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel launched its war in response to Hamas Oct. 7 attacks in which 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were kidnapped, according to Israeli figures.

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.
Plus, the FAA is also probing a "Dutch roll" incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration has opened two more investigations into Boeing. The first probe was prompted by an incident in which a 737 Max experienced a rare event known as a "Dutch roll," and the second, which also involves Airbus planes, follows a report that counterfeit titanium may have been used in some jet parts.

Boeing has faced heightened scrutiny since the start of 2024, with Congress calling on top executives to testify at a Senate hearing in mid-April over whether the companys corporate culture prioritized money-saving measures over safety in its production of the 787 Dreamliner and the 777 aircraft.

 What just happened?

In May, a Southwest flight from Phoenix to Oakland, Calif., experienced a Dutch roll at 32,000 feet midflight. A Dutch roll is when a planes tail slides and the aircraft starts rocking from side to side simultaneously, which impacts the planes stability, potentially throwing the aircraft off course or making it too difficult to turn. It is a rare situation, but pilots are trained on how to recover from it.

The May 25 flight did not result in any injuries to the passengers or crew.

An early report by the FAA found that there was damage to a unit that provides the backup power to the rudder, which controls the planes rotation and stability.

Separately, the New York Times reported on June 14 that a recent investigation by supplier Spirit AeroSystems found that counterfeit titanium, sold with falsified documents, was used to build parts for Boeing and Airbus jets. It is unclear how many planes may have parts made of counterfeit titanium and how it may affect the structural integrity of those aircraft.

Boeing has responded that most of its plane materials have been tested and remain unaffected. The aircraft that allegedly have components made with the material were built between 2019 and 2023 and include some Boeing 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner planes.

 Lets rewind. How did we end up here?

May 2024

The Seattle Times reports a second Boeing whistleblower died after spending two weeks in the hospital from a sudden infection. Joshua Dean accused Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems of ignoring manufacturing defects on the Boeing 737 Max model before being fired in 2023.

April 2024

FAA announces investigation into near-miss incident at LaGuardia Airport involving Southwest Airlines 737 on March 23.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 makes an emergency landing at Preston Smith International Airport after a small fire in the left engine.

Boeing pays Alaska Airlines $160 million to make up for losses the airline suffered following the mid-flight door plug blowout.

FAA announces investigation into claims made by new Boeing whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, an engineer who had worked on the 787 and 777 aircraft. He alleged that the planes were improperly fastened together and he was worried that after years of use, the planes could break apart mid-flight.

United Airlines claims the emergency grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner cost the company $200 million in the first three months of the year.

In a Senate hearing, lawmakers called multiple aviation safety specialists and former Boeing employees to testify. Witness Sam Salehpour, a quality engineer at Boeing, alleged that the company had ignored all of the issues hed flagged with the 787 aircraft and that he was subjected to threats of violence from my supervisor after he spoke out.

Read more from the Associated Press: Boeing put under Senate scrutiny during back-to-back hearings on aircraft maker's safety culture

March 2024

The FBI is investigating the Alaska Airlines flight in January in which a door plug blew off the plane midflight  and has told passengers they may be a possible victim of a crime.

The FAAs 737 Max production audit finds multiple instances in which Boeing allegedly did not comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.

In two separate incidents, a Boeing 777-200 loses a wheel during takeoff from San Francisco and a Boeing 737 skids off the runway after landing in Houston.

The next week, a prominent Boeing whistleblower  former employee John Barnett  dies by suicide while in Charleston, S.C., for a deposition for a lawsuit against Boeing.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner nosedives during a flight from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand, injuring at least 50 people, on the same day a Boeing 777 flight from Sydney is forced to turn around due to a maintenance issue.

Another Boeing 777 is forced to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport after pilots report a flat tire.

A Boeing 737 that took off from San Francisco later that week is found to be missing a panel during a postflight inspection.

Boeing sues Virgin Galactic, accusing it of stealing trade secrets.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announces he will be stepping down by the end of the year. The CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Stan Deal, is retiring and Boeings chairman, Larry Kellner, will not be seeking reelection as a board director.

A United Airlines Boeing 777 flight from San Francisco to Paris was diverted to Denver due to an engine issue.

A United Airlines Boeing 787 plane headed to Newark, N.J., from Tel Aviv, Israel, was forced to make an emergency landing at New York Stewart International Airport because of extreme turbulence. Seven passengers were taken to the hospital and 15 were treated on-site for injuries.

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jet from Honolulu to Anchorage, Alaska, was forced to turn back after a malfunctioning bathroom sink flooded the cabin.

Whistleblowers, nosedives and a DOJ investigation: Read more about Boeings March mishaps on Yahoo News

February 2024

The NTSB publishes a preliminary report that found the Alaska Airlines flight was missing four key bolts, which is why the door plug blew out.

January 2024

Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 experiences a door plug blowout midflight. The FAA subsequently grounds all Max 9 aircraft to investigate.

Read more from BBC News: Passenger describes being on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282

December 2023

Boeing urges airlines to inspect all 737 Max jets for potential loose hardware in the planes rudder control systems.

August 2023

Boeing reports a supplier quality issue with 737 Max planes involving improperly drilled holes.

October 2022

The FAA tells Boeing that some documents submitted for the certification review of the 737 Max 7 are incomplete.

March 2021

Chinas aviation regulator claims there are major safety concerns with the Boeing Max jets.

November 2020

The FAA allows Boeing 737 Max planes to fly again.

September 2020

An 18-month-long investigation by a House of Representatives panel concludes that Boeing failed in its design and development of the Max aircraft and was not fully transparent with the FAA.

Read more from Reuters: U.S. lawmakers fault FAA, Boeing for deadly 737 Max crashes

January 2020

Boeing suspends all 737 production.

 Boeing has had problems for years. Why is it being investigated now?

Weve known [about Boeing] for five years, Mark Pegram, father of one of the Ethiopian Airlines flight victims, told NPR in March. I think the rest of the world is finally waking up to it, that these werent just isolated incidents.

Boeing has paid billions of dollars in settlements since 2018, and the company and its leaders entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in January 2021 with the Department of Justice that has so far helped them avoid criminal prosecution.

Boeing paid $1.77 billion to compensate airline customers, $243.6 million as a criminal fine and $500 million for a compensation fund for family members of crash victims, CNN reported.

A yearlong FAA-commissioned panel review was critical of the safety culture at Boeing, and found that executives and employees were not aligned with what the safety standards were, according to a report released in February. The investigation also found that many employees were afraid of retaliation for speaking up.
CONCORD  New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidates Joyce Craig and Cinde Warmington joined forces on Wednesday to slam former President Donald Trump as well as their Republican opponents Kelly Ayotte and Chuck Morse over recent restrictions placed on reproductive healthcare.

Democrats are seizing on major developments related to abortion in order to make their case for election in 2024.

The press conference comes after Trump said individual states should decide their own abortion laws and a subsequent ruling from the Arizona Supreme Court that upheld an 1864 abortion ban.

Cinde Warmington, left, and Joyce Craig, opponents seeking the Democratic nomination in the race for governor of New Hampshire, make a rare joint appearance to criticize Republicans regarding abortion policy Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Concord.

Craig and Warmington appearing together was a rare occurrence in a heated campaign against each other to become the Democratic nominee. They were joined Wednesday by New Hampshire state Senate Democratic leader Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, and Dr. Maris Toland, an obstetrician/gynecologist.

Craig and Warmington attack. Ayotte and Morse call it 'lies' and 'grandstanding.'

Craig and Warmington asserted that Republicans like Trump, Ayotte, and Morse cannot be trusted on the issue of reproductive health.

We know that Kelly Ayotte and Donald Trump will be a threat to women's health and our ability to access abortion because of their extreme track records, said Warmington.

Craig said what happened in Arizona could happen in New Hampshire.

It is critically important who the governor is in a state when abortion is at the state level. We need to make sure for our state that we codify access to abortion. New Hampshire is the only state in New England that hasn't, said Craig.

Both Warmington and Craig said that Ayottes record in the U.S. Senate, where she voted for restrictions on abortion, shows that she cannot be trusted on this issue or on her recent statements.

Ayotte, contacted for comment Wednesday, pushed back against what Democrats are saying about her.

Ill tell you what you wont hear from either of my opponents today: the truth. Rather than put forward a positive vision for how they would lead our state, or where they stand on a host of issues, all we hear are misleading attacks and outright lies, Ayotte said in a prepared statement. The truth is, I will be a champion for women  I have made it clear that I will fight for increased funding for womens healthcare, protect Granite State families access to IVF, and support New Hampshires current law which protects womens freedom to obtain an abortion for any reason up to six months of pregnancy.

Ayotte said she supports and will not change New Hampshires current 24-week abortion law.

Morse provided a similar statement.

"No matter how much grandstanding Democrats do on this issue, the fact remains: abortion is legal and safe in New Hampshire for the first six months of pregnancy, and it will stay that way when I'm governor, Morse said.

More: Ayotte and Morse seek Republican nomination for NH governor: What voters need to know

More: Craig and Warmington seek Democratic nomination for governor. What voters need to know.

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu did not return a request for comment. He signed New Hampshires current abortion rule into law in 2022.

NH House hears bill on abortion drugs

Also on Wednesday, the New Hampshire House committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs discussed Senate Bill 567, which would direct the commissioner of the department of health and human services to compile a report on the availability of mifepristone and misoprostol by Nov. 1, 2024.

Mifepristone is one of two pills taken in a medication abortion, the other being misoprostol. Mifepristone was approved by the FDA more than 20 years ago, and the medications are used by more than half of the people who get legal abortions in the United States.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Becky Whitley, D-Hopkinton, was passed by the Senate by a voice vote in February. At the time, Kayla Montgomery, the vice president for public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, said they were encouraged to see bipartisan support for establishing a state plan to respond to the upcoming Supreme Court decision on Mifepristone.

In FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the Supreme Court will decide whether to revoke the FDAs approval of mifepristone. If it does, access to the pill will be severely restricted, even in states where abortion is still legal.

In the House, Whitley testified her bill would help identify potential actions or barriers to protecting and expanding access to the pills, as well as ways to increase outreach and education about access.

The legislature of the state of New Hampshire has actually recognized already the importance of access to mifepristone since 1991, when New Hampshire was the first state in the nation to adopt a state resolution urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to allow clinical trials of mifepristone in medication abortions, Whitley said.

At the press conference, Dr. Toland said that mifepristone is not just an abortion pill, but a crucial piece of medical treatment for early pregnancy loss or miscarriage.

OB/GYN Dr. Maris Toland says mifepristone is not just an abortion pill, but a crucial piece of medical treatment for early pregnancy loss or miscarriage," during a press conference Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Concord.

When having an early pregnancy loss or a miscarriage, which happens to about 20 to 25% of all patients who are trying to get pregnant, the medication addition of mifepristone as part of the treatment for that decreases the risk of hemorrhage by up to 60%, Toland said. Banning that medication does not just affect abortion, it affects all women's health care. It affects pregnancy care, and it affects early pregnancy care. And it will cause harm to the women of this country.

The Supreme Court has seemed inclined to uphold access to the mifepristone, questioning the arguments that anyone faces moral harm from the availability of the pill. The justices were also hesitant to second-guess the FDAs judgement the drug is safe. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision by the end of June.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Abortion issue attack: NH Dems Joyce Craig, Cinde Warmington unite
The NHS must reveal the fate of 9,000 transgender young people treated by the controversial Tavistock clinic, the Health Secretary has said in the wake of the Cass review.

The landmark report published on Wednesday found adult gender clinics had refused to disclose whether transgender people who started their treatment as children later changed their minds about transitioning, or went on to suffer serious mental health problems.

Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, met Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of NHS England, on Wednesday to tell her nothing less than full co-operation by those clinics in the research is acceptable.

Writing in The Telegraph, Ms Atkins says she has had enough of a culture of secrecy and ideology over evidence and safety.

She goes on: We simply do not know the lifelong impact of these medical interventions on young minds and bodies to be clear that they are safe.

Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, has expressed her anger at the conduct of the NHS gender clinics - TOLGA AKMEN/EFA-EPE/SHUTTERSTOCK

The Cass review called for an end to the prescribing of powerful hormone drugs to under-18s and warned that under-25s should be cared for with extreme caution and not hurried down a medical pathway.

Ms Atkins says that she expects private clinics to also follow these recommendations, and is looking into ways the Department for Health and Social Care can block doctors abroad from prescribing puberty blockers to children in Britain.

She also praises those who spoke out to raise the alarm about how treatment was diverging so far from guidance and says that she is greatly troubled by the rapid rise in the referral of teenage girls to transgender clinics.

The Telegraph understands that NHS England has now written to the chief executives of the hospital trusts that operate the adult clinics demanding that the data is handed over as well as instructing an end to appointments for under-18s. The health service will also undertake an external review of all its transgender services.

Lack of data unacceptable

The review, led by Dr Hilary Cass, a paediatrician, said that the lack of robust data on what had happened to the 9,000 children who were treated by the gender clinic at the Tavistock between 2009 and 2020 was unacceptable.

Those children then went on to continue their treatment at adult clinics.

Research led by the University of York had been due to look at the long-term outcomes of children treated by the Tavistock.

It was expected to provide insights into the clinics work, including the number of patients treated with puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, how many people detransitioned and how many had a co-occurring mental health diagnosis or a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder. The review had been given the power to access medical records.

Ms Atkins says: It is disgraceful that adult gender clinics have not co-operated with the vital University of York research to link data on children at the Tavistock so that we can understand their journey into adulthood.

This Government took the unprecedented step of changing the law to make this possible. There can be no further delay on their full participation. I know that NHS England will use all the powers at their disposal to compel this if they have to.

Nothing less than full cooperation by those clinics in the research is acceptable.

Sajid Javid demands no holds barred inquiry

Sajid Javid, the former health secretary who gave the independent review powers to access medical records in 2022, called for a no holds barred government investigation to hold those responsible to account for obstruction.

He told The Telegraph: Despite it being the unanimous will of Parliament, it is clear vested interests have deliberately frustrated the important data access legislation I brought forward to support Dr Casss review.

A no holds barred government investigation should be launched into this obfuscation, documents retrieved and, if necessary, individuals held accountable for failing to provide records.

It is understood health leaders are prepared to use legal powers to mandate the main seven adult gender clinics to hand over the data they hold on trans patients, with only one being willing to comply with requests by researchers to date. There are a further five pilot adult clinics that have been set up since 2020.

Amanda Pritchard, the NHS England chief executive, met the Health Secretary on Wednesday. It is understood NHS England has now written to the clinics involved - YUI MOK/PA WIRE

Dr Cass told the NHS it was hugely disappointing that the clinics would not engage in research that would help to inform the future treatment of children who believe they are transgender.

The Tavistock, which also runs an adult service, refused to give data on either of its services, the report said.

The other adult clinics are the Leeds Gender Identity Clinic, the Northampton Gender Identity Clinic in Daventry, the Northern Region Gender Dysphoria Service in Newcastle, the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health, the Porterbrook Clinic Gender Identity Service in Sheffield, and the Laurels Gender Identity Clinic in Exeter.

NHS takes responsibility for research

The NHS is committed to undertaking the research and has moved the responsibility for its completion from the Cass review to the NHS National Research Oversight Board for Children and Young Peoples Gender.

Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary, said he was pretty angry that the trusts had refused to co-operate.

I want to send a clear message to them that under a Labour government therell be accountability for that, youre not going to get away with it. And I want to work constructively with the Government to try to get this right, he said.

Professor Michael Biggs, a sociologist at Oxford University and board member at the charity Sex Matters, said it was disgraceful that gender clinicians employed by the NHS wilfully obstructed Hilary Casss attempt to undertake research as part of her review.

It is a dereliction of duty for these NHS clinics to refuse to provide patient information. This information is needed by clinicians, the general public and most importantly, future patients and their families, so they can understand the safety and efficacy of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, he said.

Public sector bodies deliberately withholding information is contemptible and those responsible must be held to account.

Kate Barker, the chief executive of advocacy group LGB Alliance, said: It is deeply troubling that attempts to gather evidence for the Cass Review have been deliberately blocked. All of its recommendations are at risk whilst institutions remain captured by zealous, anti-science proponents of gender identity ideology.

Rowling praise for reviews work

On Wednesday, J K Rowling praised the Cass review - and criticised trans rights activists who continued to attack it.

Over the last four years, Hilary Cass has conducted the most robust review of the medical evidence for transitioning children thats ever been conducted, the author tweeted.

Mere hours after it was released to the press and public, committed ideologues are doubling down.

These are people whove deemed opponents far-Right for wanting to know there are proper checks and balances in place before autistic, gay and abused kids  groups that are all overrepresented at gender clinics  are left sterilised, inorgasmic, lifelong patients.

I understand that the reviews conclusions will have come as a seismic shock to those whove hounded and demonised whistleblowers and smeared opponents as bigots and transphobes, but trying to discredit Hilary Casss work isnt merely misguided. Its actively malign.

Even if you dont feel ashamed of cheerleading for what now looks like severe medical malpractice, even if you dont want to accept that you might have been wrong, wheres your sense of self-preservation? The bandwagon you hopped on so gladly is hurtling towards a cliff.

The laying bare of a tragedy

She added: And if I sound angry, its because Im bloody angry. I read Cass this morning and my angers been mounting all day. Kids have been irreversibly harmed, and thousands are complicit, not just medics, but the celebrity mouthpieces, unquestioning media and cynical corporations.

The consequences of this scandal will play out for decades. You cheered it on. You did all you could to impede and misrepresent research. You tried to bully people out of their jobs for opposing you. Young people have been experimented on, left infertile and in pain.

The Cass Review may be a watershed moment, but it comes too late for detransitioners whove written me heartbreaking letters of regret. Todays not a triumph, its the laying bare of a tragedy.

Childrens safety and wellbeing comes before anything else

By Victoria Atkins, Health Secretary

The final report of Dr Casss review is a historic moment for our understanding of how to care for children who are struggling with difficult questions about who they are.



I am hugely grateful to Dr Casss dedicated team for their detailed and considered work on such a contentious area of healthcare. I commend those brave voices who spoke up to raise the alarm about how treatment was diverging so far from guidance.

A culture of secrecy and ideology over evidence and safety. Today Im saying enough.

We simply do not know the lifelong impact of these medical interventions on young minds and bodies to be clear that they are safe.



Weve also seen a marked change in the age and sex of those seeking help. I am greatly troubled by the rapid rise in the referral of teenage girls and the stressors that Dr Cass highlights like social media and degrading pornography.



Action is already being taken to protect our children.

NHS England is stopping children under 18 from being seen by adult gender services with immediate effect.



This builds on progress earlier this year to end the routine prescription of puberty blockers at the new regional services. An urgent update on cross-sex hormones clinical policy must now follow.



I have written to the chief executive of NHS England to seek assurance on this and the need for swift delivery across Dr Casss recommendations. I want to ensure that we prioritise continuity of care and support up to the age of 25 with a follow-through service for young people at a potentially vulnerable stage in their journey.



It is disgraceful that adult gender clinics have not cooperated with the vital University of York research to link data on children at the Tavistock so that we can understand their journey into adulthood.

This Government took the unprecedented step of changing the law to make this possible. There can be no further delay on their full participation. I know that NHS England will use all the powers at their disposal to compel this if they have to.



I am clear in my expectation that private providers must fall in line too. I have instructed my officials to work on the changes necessary to close down routes that allow puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to be prescribed to children for gender dysphoria from abroad.



We need clinicians from across disciplines in the NHS to come together in the new services to build better, more holistic care teams. Teams that treat the whole child and all of their needs.



Children and young people must have healthcare that is caring and careful. Their safety and wellbeing comes before anything else. I will do everything I can do deliver on these changes.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Rep. Donald Payne Jr. has been hospitalized following a cardiac episode, according to a Tuesday statement from the New Jersey Democrat.

Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. suffered a cardiac episode based on complications from his diabetes during the weekend, the statement issued by Payne in an email from his office reads.

He was admitted to a local hospital for treatment. Currently, he is recovering in the hospital as doctors conduct routine exams to monitor and observe his improvement. The Congressmans prognosis is good and he is expected to make a full recovery.

The email from Paynes office also said he will be out of Congress this week.

Paynes time away from Congress comes as there is already a small gap between the number of Democrats and Republicans in the House, with the chamber looking to take on issues including Ukraine aid and reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in the coming days.

The GOPs razor-thin majority, which shrunk when former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) left in late March, will further narrow when Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) leaves Congress on April 19.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) called Payne a fighter in a statement wishing him a quick recovery on Tuesday.

My heart is with my friend, Congressman Donald Payne, and his family following the cardiac episode he experienced this past weekend, she said in a statement. Donald is a fighter and Im encouraged that his prognosis is good and he is receiving the medical care he needs.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY)  The Virginia Department of Education has named Crittenden Middle School teacher Chanda Woods the 2025 Virginia Region 2 Teacher of the year.

The surprise announcement was made on Wednesday, April 10 in the schools library where Woods students cheered her on along with Del. Shelly Simonds, Newport News Public Schools board members and administration staff.

Chanda Woods was named 2025 Virginia Region 2 Teacher (Courtesy of NNPS)

Chanda Woods was named 2025 Virginia Region 2 Teacher (Courtesy of NNPS)

Chanda Woods was named 2025 Virginia Region 2 Teacher (Courtesy of NNPS)

I dont know what to say except thank you, Woods said. Theyre my happy place. Middle school is challenging every day; Im thankful I get to be a part of their lives every day and I work with wonderful people. This is what Ive wanted to do since I was 12, so these are my children.

The 25-year teaching veteran teacher is among eight regional finalists for state teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced May 6 and will be Virginias nominee for 2025 National Teacher of the Year.

Its a tremendous honor and point of pride to have one our teachers recognized at this level among the best in the state of Virginia, said Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell. We are thrilled to join the community in celebrating Chandas teaching career, impact on students and positive influence every day at Crittenden.

This type of honor is nothing new for Woods, as she was also named NNPS teacher of the year for the 2023-24 year and Crittenden teacher of the year the same year.

Woods began her teaching career at NNPS in 2000 after earning her bachelors degree from the State University of New York at Albany.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
(Bloomberg) -- NATO has no time to lose as Europes military industry ramps up production to keep pace with Russias war economy, Lithuanias defense chief said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas, speaking in one of his first interviews after taking the post this month, said North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies must be prepared as fast as possible, boosting defense spending to at least 2% of gross domestic product.

Russia has proved it can increase the output of its weapons industry and replenish materiel quickly  and Europe can only meet the challenge of the Kremlins aggression by bolstering its own military strength.

If you will be strong, you will deter them, Kasciunas said in an interview in Vilnius. If you want to have peace with Russia, be strong.

The minister said hell aim to boost defense spending to 3.2% of GDP in the Baltic nation of 2.8 million, pushing the debate about how Lithuania will raise the budget above 2.7% of GDP projected for this year. The government plans to weigh additional taxes and borrowing this month to fund the increase, he said.

EU member states should also team up for joint defense procurements, Kasciunas said, citing an initiative by Baltic nations to buy Himars systems. Europes defense industry shouldnt be protectionist but rather open to America too, he said.

Tremendous Deterrence

Kasciunas said his focus will be to increase the ranks of conscripts and engage a broader swathe of society in defense planning and training. Drone production must scale up, he said, adding that learning to operate drones should be become as common as practicing for a drivers license.

Read More: Moscow Is Outpacing Ukraines Allies in the Race for Ammunition

The cabinet member, who was appointed after Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte unexpectedly dismissed his predecessor last month, has been tasked with pushing a transformation of the defense sector faster.

Kasciunas lauded Germanys military deployment in the country  big, tremendous deterrence  part of an ambition to expand to a full brigade of some 5,000 in three years. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius dispatched the countrys first team on Monday.

Germany is putting a lot of effort, increasing spending, increasing support to Ukraine, the minister said. So many warm words to Germany, whose plans to lift defense spending is really happening.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
No veto this year: Little signs Idaho library bill to allow lawsuits over harmful books

Librarians in Idaho could soon face lawsuits over books on the shelves deemed harmful to children after Gov. Brad Little signed a controversial bill into law Wednesday.

House Bill 710 allows library patrons to sue if staff members dont relocate or remove a cited book or other media 60 days after a patron has submitted a written removal request. The standards for removal are based on Idahos obscenity law, which identifies sexual material that appeals to the prurient interest of minors as judged by the average person, and that depict sexual activity patently offensive to the prevailing standards in the adult community.

Sexual conduct includes homosexuality, nudity and masturbation, according to the obscenity law that dates from the 1970s.

Idahos Republican lawmakers have tried for years to pass a law restricting access to library books, including a failed proposal in 2022 that would have allowed librarians to be jailed.

The governor told a reporter for Idaho Public Television late Wednesday morning that he signed that stinking library bill.

The Idaho Family Policy Center, a conservative think tank, and the Idaho Library Association released statements that Little had signed the bill.

Little vetoed a similar bill last year, arguing that it would create a bounty system. That earlier bill allowed patrons who sue to receive $2,500 in statutory damages if they won a lawsuit, plus additional damages. The new bill allows for $250, plus other possible damages. The bill initially had a 30-day timeline before lawsuits, but was amended to 60 days in the Senate.

Little wrote in a Wednesday letter to lawmakers that the bill addresses most, but not all of his concerns because it reduced the statutory damages amount, allows a 60-day delay and tightens the definition of what is harmful to minors.

I share the cosponsors desire to keep truly inappropriate library materials out of the hands of minors, Little wrote, but he noted that the greater threat to children is pornography they can access online. Last month, Little signed House Bill 498, which makes internet publishers liable for allowing children to access harmful material.

However, I was disappointed the legislature passed up an opportunity to advance meaningful legislation to truly protect children from the harms of social media, he wrote.

The library bill, sponsored by Rep. Jaron Crane, R-Nampa, was the fourth iteration of such legislation this year, as lawmakers hotly debated whether there are materials harmful to minors in Idaho libraries, or whether the bill would rather censor free expression and limit access to books that discuss LGBTQ+ themes.

Dozens of people testified against the bill, arguing that it will make it harder for children to explore new ideas or questions they may have about sexuality.

Reading is not the same as smoking, Jenny Emery Davidson, the director of the Community Library in Ketchum, told a House committee last month in response to a question from a lawmaker about whether the government has a role in keeping children from drinking or smoking. Books are not the same as a bottle of tequila unless you believe that the altered bodily state that you are concerned about is thinking, Davidson said.

The bill was opposed by the Idaho Library Association and many librarians.

Censorship laws proposed in recent years do not address an actual problem that exists in our libraries, the association said in a statement on its website about censorship laws, but are intended to create a chilling effect that will cause libraries to remove materials that some find objectionable in order to avoid the threat of costly litigation.

Christian conservatives have argued that libraries have books with sexual themes that are inappropriate to children.

Blaine Conzatti, president of the Idaho Family Policy Center, said childrens access to erotic materials is a widespread issue in a opinion article published this month in the Statesman.

We just think its fair for parents to expect that taxpayer-funded schools and libraries should be safe places for their children to make use of books, services and programs, Conzatti wrote.

Crane previously declined to tell the Statesman whether he thinks discussion of homosexual themes is obscene.

Some proponents of the law have made claims about children being conditioned for sex trafficking through library books  claims that are linked to conspiracy theories, according to previous Statesman reporting.
Noboa Gets Slap on Wrist for Ecuadors Raid on Mexican Embassy

(Bloomberg) -- Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa got away with a diplomatic slap on the wrist from the Organization of American States after raiding the Mexican embassy in the capital.

Most Read from Bloomberg

OAS member states, in a resolution Wednesday, energetically condemned the Ecuadorian national polices violent entry into the colonial-style Quito mansion on April 5 to arrest a fugitive politician. Former Vice President Jorge Glas had been sheltering on the premises.

Without naming Mexico, the OAS resolution also criticized the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for failing to uphold diplomatic conventions by granting asylum to Glas, convicted of graft, and for seeking to help him escape to Mexico, where several of his political allies have found refuge.

The Washington-based regional organization said that embassies must not be used in ways incompatible with the functions of the mission. It added that OAS member states must refrain from intervening in the internal affairs of other nations and respect the laws and regulations of host states.

Analysts described the resolution as a partial victory for Noboa.

Member states want to send a message to Ecuador, but most also understand the provocation, said John Polga-Hecimovich, a professor of political science at the US Naval Academy.

Its a strong backing for Ecuador, implicitly theyre saying that the Mexicans failed to respect the right to asylum by protecting a common criminal, said Michel Levi, professor of international relations at Universidad Andina in Quito.

Brazil and Colombia said Glas should be allowed to travel to Mexico as part of a solution to the crisis.

AMLO, as the president is known, told reporters earlier Wednesday that Mexico will file a suit against Ecuador before the World Court in The Hague on Thursday.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
OGDEN, Utah (ABC4)  As the spring runoff is about to get underway, a small nonprofit is giving Utah officials, scientists and reporters a valuable perspective on the Great Salt Lake: a birds-eye view.

EcoFlight, a Colorado-based company, uses small aircraft to boost conservation efforts across the Western United States. This week, their focus returned to the Wasatch Front.

Updated forecast says spring runoff could boost Great Salt Lake by 1.5 feet

Bruce Gordon, the founder and chief pilot for EcoFlight, said that years ago his passengers were shocked when they saw that water from the Bear River wasnt reaching the Great Salt Lake.

You can look at statistics all you want, you can look at lines on a map all you want, but when you get up there, all of a sudden it gives the land a voice, he said. It really shows you what is going on. It translates those lines into reality.

Bruce Gordon, the founder of EcoFlight, stands before a small aircraft in Ogden on April 9, 2024. (credit: Kade Garner/KTVX)

In November of 2022, when the Great Salt Lake shrunk to a record low, EcoFlight helped provide some of the first aerial images of the struggling saline lake, which scientists said was on the brink of ecological collapse.

Since then, the nonprofit has returned each year to see the lake begin filling up with water after back-to-back years where snow dumped on northern Utahs mountains.

Were thrilled to see the lake filling up, and I hope it can continue, said Jane Pargiter, executive director of EcoFlight.

This week, the nonprofit again took to the air over the Great Salt Lake, and ABC4 reporter Kade Garner was onboard, as was Soren Simonsen, executive director of the Jordan River Commission.

While the EcoFlight planes only seat five, the company says it aims to create diverse passenger lists to help key decision-makers come to important management decisions over the lakes future. Among Utahns chosen for flights are politicians, local officials, filmmakers, and wildlife biologists.

From the planes windows on Tuesday, the passengers could see rivers flowing into the lake, the variation in water color from red to green, the wetlands harboring wildlife, swaths of dry lakebed, and the berm that separates the lakes north and south arms.

To be up above the lake but close enough in a small aircraft to see whats happening is pretty amazing, its a really unique experience, Simonsen said.

An aerial view of the Great Salt Lake as seen from an EcoFlight plane. (credit: Kade Garner/KTVX)

He added that it filled him with joy to see water filling up Farmington Bay, something hed seen dry from the ground.

But while he applauded the Utah Legislatures recent efforts to pass laws aimed at getting more water into the lake, he said that climate change and other factors still pose a serious threat for the lakes future.

We have to be vigilant, he said, because theres a lot more work that has to happen to put those policies into practice to really create long term health and sustainability for the lake.

How the push to save a tiny bird could trigger a big rescue plan for Great Salt Lake

Until that happens, EcoFlight will be returning to Utah to give more people an overhead view of whats happening to the lake, on which communities, ecosystems and businesses along the Wasatch Front depend.

Gordon hopes his passengers absorb what they see and strive to get involved in the lakes future.

We hope to inspire you to be an activist and advocate what you care about in these situations, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  With thousands of emergency first responders on the job in Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton County, a nonprofit stands ready to financially assist the employees and their families in the event of a death on the job or another life-altering event.

The 100 Club of Greater Lansing works with municipal fire, ambulance, and law enforcement as well as private emergency medical crews with financial donations and support for the individuals and their families.

Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth serves on the board of the organization. He says it began in 1984 when an East Lansing Police Officer was killed in the line of duty. At the time, many municipal governments did not have death benefits for officers killed in the line of duty.

Since the groups formation, it has made a promise to meet the family of a person killed in the line of duty and deliver a $10,000 check. That handoff happens within 48 hours, he says.

We want the family to grieve and not worry about how they are going to pay their mortgage or the funeral or getting family here, all that stuff, Wriggelsworth says.

Two Lansing police officers shot, suspect in custody

But as municipalities have increased coverage for death in the line of duty, the 100 Club of Greater Lansing has expanded to provide financial assistance to emergency first responders and their families in situations that may not be a death, but impact the lives of the personnel.

We provide financial donations for life-altering events that happen, Wriggelsworth says. The two Lansing Police Department officers shot Wednesday would certainly qualify as a life-altering event, Wriggelsworth says.

In addition to providing immediate financial support for emergency responders in the wake of a line-of-duty death or for a life-altering event; the organization also helps finance scholarships through Lansing Community College Foundation to support paying for the continuing education of children of emergency first responders killed in the line of duty.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
A scathing op-ed from NPR veteran and current senior business editor Uri Berliner published in The Free Press on Tuesday has intensified debates over whether the publicly funded news organization has adopted a partisan lean in recent years.

In the piece, Berliner details a culture shift at the organization, in which An open-minded spirit no longer exists within NPR, and now, predictably, we dont have an audience that reflects America.

Berliner argued that NPR is plagued with an absence of viewpoint diversity, which he considers to be a result of leaderships emphasis on promoting diversity and inclusion on the basis of race and sexual orientation. He also claims that he found 87 registered Democrats working in editorial positions and zero Republicans.

NPR editor-in-chief Edith Chapin defended the organization in response to the piece, saying she the leadership team strongly disagree with Uris assessment of the quality of our journalism.

While Chapin backed the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories, she added that None of our work is above scrutiny or critique. We must have vigorous discussions in the newsroom about how we serve the public as a whole.

According to NPR media reporter David Folkenflik, several journalists inside the organization question how they can proceed with Berliner as a colleague, with concerns about whether he can be a trusted member of NPR in the aftermath of the op-ed. Additionally, Berliner did not seek NPRs approval to publish the piece, nor did he seek comment from the organization ahead of time; though he does say in his piece that he sought to raise his concerns with leadership on several occasions.

Meanwhile, outside of the organization, debates regarding the content of Berliners piece have sprouted up across social media, with many coming to the defense of the storied NPR institution.

NPR editor complains abt NPRs lack of viewpoint diversity, then reduces millions of listeners to a cliche: Berliner writes that as a Subaru-driving, Sarah Lawrence Collg graduate raised by a lesbian peace activist mother, he fits mold of an NPR fan. https://t.co/WOXShKvYGu  Paul Farhi (@farhip) April 10, 2024

This is quite a read from a longtime NPR editor. I disagree with pretty much all of it. The network, like all news orgs, has its faults. But most of this is just arguing for more conservative-friendly coverage and lamenting progressive internal policieshttps://t.co/VxflKU4ohi  Steve Mullis (@stevemullis) April 9, 2024

Some argued that the shift that occurred in political coverage across the media industry was forced on institutions due to the changing nature of the Republican Party since the election of Donald Trump in 2016.

This essay has it backwards: you can't blame NPR for conservatives not listening. You have to ask why conservatives have gone down conspiracy holes (climate change, 2020 election, vaccines) & how on earth mainstream media is supposed to cater to them now?https://t.co/OU1p8QyK8H  Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) April 10, 2024

Is it possible  just *possible*  that the highly educated who overindex in NPR's audience might have shifted their ideological identity between 2011 and 2023?



Did anything happen between those years that might cause some sort of shift in college-educated people? https://t.co/k5V7F5EQ2O  Joshua Benton (@jbenton) April 9, 2024

The core premise of Uri Berliners NPR piece in @TheFP is that NPR lost centrist and conservative listeners because it changed its journalism and went woke.



What it doesnt examine is the change that happened among conservatives in the same time frame.https://t.co/6mklvatwcM pic.twitter.com/ccpEQwACgh  Ben Goggin (@BenjaminGoggin) April 10, 2024

Yep. I wondered if NPR actually misreported *any* of those stories. Hindsight is always easywe know more now than we did then. But at the time? You can only report what you know/can verify at the time. Journalists arent fortune tellers.  Paul Farhi (@farhip) April 10, 2024

.@davidfolkenflik is so good, especially when reporting on NPR itself.



Also Berliner didn't seek comment from NPR, relied totally on straw men for his arguments, did not engage basic counterfactuals. And ~calls his coworkers affirmative action hires.



https://t.co/4RfGikZeMa  Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) April 10, 2024

Some came to Berliners defense, including former NPR vice president for news Jeffrey Dvorkin who vouched for the changes to the organization.

I know Uri. Hes not wrong. https://t.co/9hc8XrNwNi  Jeffrey Dvorkin (@jdvorkin) April 9, 2024

This amply documented indictment of the bias at NPR could apply with equal force to countless other news organizations. https://t.co/zN4IaF0ycZ  Brit Hume (@brithume) April 9, 2024

This is really a must-read piece from NPR senior editor Uri Berliner discussing how NPR morphed from a liberal newsroom with some bias to an organization dominated by activists set on telling readers what to think and refusing to account for mistakes.https://t.co/I5a10uf9v0  AG (@AGHamilton29) April 9, 2024

Wait wait so you're telling me that NPR's mission to become more diverse made it more homogenous and brittle and narrow? Who could have possibly foreseen this.  Sam Haselby (@samhaselby) April 9, 2024

The post NPR Editors Critical Op-Ed Ignites Debate Over Political Bias in Journalism: This Essay Has It Backwards appeared first on TheWrap.
NPR editor says network turned a blind eye to Hunter Biden laptop story because it could help Trump

A veteran National Public Radio journalist slammed the left-leaning broadcaster for ignoring the Hunter Biden laptop scandal because it could have helped Donald Trump get re-elected.

Uri Berliner, an award-winning business editor and reporter at NPR, penned a lengthy essay in Bari Weiss online news site The Free Press in which he called out his bosses for turning the public radio broadcaster into an openly polemical news outlet serving a niche audience.

The laptop was newsworthy, Berliner wrote. But the timeless journalistic instinct of following a hot story lead was being squelched.

Weeks before the 2020 presidential election, The Post was the first to reveal the existence of the laptop that Hunter Biden left at a Delaware computer shop.

Uri Berliner, a veteran journalist with National Public Radio, criticized his bosses on Tuesday. NPR

The Post published the contents of emails taken from the laptop, which shed light on Hunter Bidens business dealings in Ukraine and China while his father, Joe Biden, was vice president during the Obama administration.

Initially, national security experts and former intelligence officials declared the laptop a hoax and was the product of a Russian disinformation campaign.

Social media sites like Twitter even barred its users from sharing links to The Posts reporting.

The authenticity of the emails were later confirmed by independent experts and federal law enforcement officials.

According to Berliner, NPRs managing editor for news at the time said that the outlet had no interest in [wast[ing] our time on stories that are not really stories, and we dont want to waste the listeners and readers time on stories that are just pure distractions.[wast[ing] our time on stories that are not really stories, and we dont want to waste the listeners and readers time on stories that are just pure distractions.

Berliner wrote that NPR has become an openly polemical news outlet serving a niche audience. Getty Images

Berliner wrote in The Free Press that a well-respected colleague at NPR said they were glad the network wasnt covering the story because it would help Trump win re-election. He did not name the journalist.

After the contents of the laptop proved to be authentic, NPR could have fessed up to our misjudgment, Berliner wrote.

But, like Russia collusion [allegations against Trump that were debunked], we didnt make the hard choice of transparency.

Berliner faulted NPR for its refusal to cover the Hunter Biden laptop story. scalle

NPRs Edith Chapin, the acting Chief Content Officer, defended the organization in a memo to staff.

I and my colleagues on the leadership team strongly disagree with Uris assessment of the quality of our journalism and the integrity of our newsroom processes, she said.

With all this said, none of our work is above scrutiny or critique.

Berliner also took NPR to task for its coverage of the Russia collusion saga  which was fueled by allegations that the Trump campaign was in cahoots with the Kremlin during the 2016 presidential campaign.

He said that NPR hitched our wagon to Trumps most visible antagonist  Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).

By my count, NRP hosts interviewed Schiff 25 times about Trump and Russia, according to Berliner, who said he eagerly voted against Trump twice but felt we were obliged to cover him fairly.

When Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating the Trump-Russia collusion allegations, found no credible evidence to support the charge, NPRs coverage was notably sparse, Berliner wrote.

Berliner also faults NPR for its intense coverage of claims that former President Donald Trump (left) colluded with Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin, to win the 2016 election. AFP via Getty Images

It is one thing to swing and miss on a major story, Berliner wrote, adding: Whats worse is to pretend it never happened, to move on with no mea culpas, no self-reflection.

Berliner also called out NPR for pushing other left-leaning causes, such as subjecting staffers to unconscious bias training sessions in the wake of the May 2020 death of George Floyd.

Employees were ordered to start talking about race, he said.

NPR journalists were also told to keep up to date with current language and style guidance from journalism affinity groups that were based on racial and ethnic identity, including Marginalized Genders and Intersex People of Color (MGIPOC); NPR Noir (black employees at NPR); and Women, Gender-Expansive, and Transgender People in Technology Throughout Public Media.

According to Berliner, if an NPR journalists language differs from the diktats of those groups, then a DEI Accountability Committee would settle the dispute.
National Public Radio is one of the biggest broadcasters in the US - John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images

One of the biggest radio broadcasters in the US is ignoring major stories and losing its audience because of its managements Left-wing diversity push, a senior editor has claimed.

Uri Berliner, a business editor at National Public Radio (NPR), said the organisation had moved away from reporting that resembled America at large to an activist stance that appealed to a very small segment of the US population.

As a result, it allegedly inflated stories damaging to Donald Trump while downplaying or ignoring others, including those on Hunter Biden, son of the US president Joe Biden, or the origin of the Covid-19 virus.

At the same time, Mr Berliner claimed, race and identity became paramount for NPRs management while the organisation lost any viewpoint diversity.

Journalists were apparently obliged to record the race, gender and ethnicity of interviewees  to be entered in a centralised tracking system  while staff were given unconscious bias training and groups based around marginalised identities sprang up.

Advocacy groups, he said, were given a seat at the table in determining the terms and vocabulary of our news coverage.

This and other factors combine into what Mr Berliner called the most damaging development: the absence of viewpoint diversity.

The result of this, he said, was that the organisations news coverage became almost like an assembly line.

Theres an unspoken consensus about the stories we should pursue and how they should be framed. Its frictionless  one story after another about instances of supposed racism, transphobia, signs of the climate apocalypse, Israel doing something bad, and the dire threat of Republican policies, he told the Honestly podcast.

The mindset prevails in choices about language, he said. In a document called NPR Transgender Coverage Guidancedisseminated by news managementwere asked to avoid the term biological sex.

The mindset, he added, animates bizarre stories  on how The Beatles and bird names are racially problematic, and others that are alarmingly divisive; justifying looting, with claims that fears about crime are racist; and suggesting that Asian Americans who oppose affirmative action have been manipulated by white conservatives.

NPRs chief news executive hit back at the claims in a memo to staff, saying she strongly disagreed with Mr Berliners assessment and stood behind the broadcasters exceptional work.

Inclusion  among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage  is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world, Edith Chapin wrote.

Trumps election win

Mr Berliner, who has spent 25 years at NPR, attributes its shift in coverage to Donald Trumps election in 2016  noting that he voted against the former president twice but attempted to cover him fairly.

As in many newsrooms, his election in 2016 was greeted at NPR with a mixture of disbelief, anger, and despair, he wrote for The Free Press, a Los Angeles-based media outlet.

But what began as tough, straightforward coverage of a belligerent, truth-impaired president veered toward efforts to damage or topple Trumps presidency, he added.

NPR failed to learn its mistakes from the probe into whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin during the 2016 election campaign, Mr Berliner argued.

He said the radio network gave too much credence to the Russiagate scandal but that the story quickly faded from programming after a 2019 investigation failed to establish that there had been any collusion.

NPR failed to learn its mistakes from the probe into whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin during the 2016 election campaign, Mr Berliner argued.

Edith Chapin, NPR's chief news executive, refutes the claims from Uri Berliner

He said the radio networks host Adam Schiff, a senior Democratic congressman and arch-critic of Mr Trump, reported dozens of times during the investigation, but barely mentioned it once it failed to establish collusion.

It is one thing to swing and miss on a major story Whats worse is to pretend it never happened, to move on with no mea culpas, no self-reflection, Mr Berliner wrote.

Especially when you expect high standards of transparency from public figures and institutions, but dont practice those standards yourself.

By contrast, NPR chose not to cover the contents of Hunter Bidens laptop as reported by the New York Post ahead of the 2020 election, where Joe Biden was the Democratic candidate.

Thousands of emails concerning Hunter Bidens business dealings were later confirmed by The Washington Post, while the laptop was seized by the FBI in connection with a tax evasion probe into the businessman.

Mr Berliner said he heard one of NPRs best and most fair-minded journalists argue that it was good we werent following the laptop story because it could help Trump.

Covid-19 origin

NPR also spent years dismissing suggestions that the Covid-19 could have begun with a leak from a Chinese laboratory, insisting its origins were natural.

We didnt budge when the energy department  the federal agency with the most expertise about laboratories and biological research  concluded, albeit with low confidence, that a lab leak was the most likely explanation for the emergence of the virus, Mr Berliner wrote.

One journalist apparently cited George W. Bushs claim that Iraq had mass weapons of destruction  as a pretext for going to war in 2003  as the reason they did not accept the explanation.

But these two events were not even remotely related, Mr Berliner argued. Again, politics were blotting out the curiosity and independence that ought to have been driving our work.

Edith Chapin, NPRs chief news executive, said: Were proud to stand behind the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories.

We believe that inclusion  among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage  is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world.

She added: None of our work is above scrutiny or critique. We must have vigorous discussions in the newsroom about how we serve the public as a whole.

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.
NEW YORK  City Council leaders vowed Wednesday to defy a new policy controlling interactions with senior officials in Mayor Eric Adams administration  a move that followed revelations that NYPD top cop Ed Caban is skeptical of the plan, the New York Daily News has learned.

The new policy, which first came to light Tuesday, requires Council members and other local elected officials to file written requests with the mayors office if they wish to speak with commissioners or other senior agency staff about a range of issues.

But City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams told her members Wednesday afternoon they should disregard the new directive, which she argued will hamper them from communicating with officials across city government.

The Council will not be adhering to this excessively bureaucratic and inefficient process that only undermines the work of city government on behalf of New Yorkers, the speaker wrote in a letter to members. I encourage you to go about your business on behalf of your constituents and New Yorkers, as usual.

The speakers missive came after Caban, the NYPD commissioner, voiced concern about the policy in a private meeting last Friday, where City Hall officials first relayed the new rule to agency honchos. Caban said in the virtual meeting that the requirement could prove a nuisance for NYPD precinct and borough commanders, according to a senior Adams administration official on the call and a second source briefed on the conversation.

Precinct and borough commanders engage with local elected officials on a daily basis about various topics, including public safety issues in their districts raised by constituents. Requiring elected officials to get a green-light from City Hall before such conversations could make work hard for everyone involved, Caban warned, according to the sources.

What [Caban] was saying is that they have such constant communication with elected officials that you would imagine that this would slow down communication, the source who was on the call told The News this week, speaking on condition of anonymity. He said he was happy of course to fill it out for any interactions he or anyone else at [Police Headquarters] had to do, but questioned whether and why his commanders would need to do it.

NYPD spokesman Tarik Sheppard confirmed Caban raised the issue about commanders during last weeks call, but said the commissioner didnt outright criticize the new policy.

Sheppard said elected officials wont need City Hall clearance to speak with NYPD during emergencies. Rather, he said the policy will mostly apply to interactions about quality of life issues.

The mayors office didnt immediately return a request for a response to the speakers letter.

Earlier Wednesday, the mayor dismissed the notion that the policy will add an unnecessary bureaucratic step for elected leaders.

This is not punitive, this is smart coordination of city resources, particularly with the manpower that has dropped a lot, and I need to make sure that my commissioners are being coordinated correctly, he told The News. Those electeds who are saying, Well, we dont want to do that  Then you have disorder. I dont want to disorder.

Under the policy, City Council members, state lawmakers and other local elected officials seeking to speak with agency commissioners or executive staffers must fill out a form on a new City Hall webpage. The form requires officials to provide their home addresses, specifics about who they want to speak to and why.

Completion of this form does not result in a guarantee of a meeting or appearance. The City reserves the right to decline requests, the form states. The mayors Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, which is led by longtime Adams adviser Tiffany Raspberry, will review and approve the requests.

An email first reported by the news outlet The City says interactions requiring a request include all meetings with commissioners, executive directors and senior agency staff as well as discussions about enforcement or issues outside the scope of daily operations.

Several local elected leaders interviewed by The News said they have commissioners cell numbers and talk with them directly for various work reasons, often multiple times a week.

Mandating pre-approval for such talks would be counterintuitive, argued Manhattan Councilman Keith Powers.

This policy would handcuff every Council member to do their job effectively, slow down city government, and hurt the ability of commissioners to do their jobs, Powers, a Democrat, said. It makes no sense.

Ydanis Rodriguez, Adams transportation commissioner, had nothing but support for the new policy and said itll continue to be possible for him to speak directly with lawmakers despite it.

Procedure is procedure, but for me this procedure will not have any negative impact, Rodriguez, a former Council member, told The News.

Adams team has drawn criticism before for attempting to control agency interactions with the media and elected officials, including over a 2022 directive requiring City Hall to vet all agency-level press releases.

A Democratic Council member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the latest policy runs counter to Adams focus on cutting red tape in government.

Officials in government should be talking to each other, the member said. I cant believe thats even a question.

With Thomas Tracy
Emmanuel Santiago, 32, was finally held on $20,000 cash bail on Tuesday after months of repeat arrests in the Bronx

A Bronx gangbanger whos been arrested nine times this year was finally held behind bars  a day after The Post exposed how he was repeatedly sprung without bail for the string of past offenses.

Emmanuel Santiago, 32, was held on $20,000 cash bail in a Bronx court Tuesday over charges for criminal possession of a firearm, according to records.

The Bronx district attorney requested he be remanded without bail, but the judge allowed him the opportunity to post bail or bond of the same value.

Despite having seven open cases in the Bronx  ranging from weapons charges, intent to sell drugs, grand larceny, and burglary  Santiago, until Tuesday, was let go on non-monetary release following the past arrests, according to law enforcement sources.

Other arrests on alleged Latin Kings gang members record date back to 2007 and include at least 31 for domestic incidents involving death threats and assaults against women, weapons charges, drug charges, and more.

In one alarming arrest back in December, Santiago allegedly broke into a police officers car and stole an arsenal of gear including gun belts and ammunition, a riot shield and baton, bulletproof vests, handcuffs, and mace.

Emmanuel Santiago, 32, was finally held on $20,000 cash bail on Tuesday after months of repeat arrests in the Bronx

The gun charge in which Santiago was finally ordered held on bail over dates all the way back to July, records showed.

Santiago is just one of numerous alleged offenders to be arrested repeatedly and then let go without bail time after time following Albany-passed bail reforms eliminating cash bail for misdemeanors and most non-violent felonies.
NEW YORK  Mayor Eric Adams defended himself Tuesday when questioned about a report that the federal probe into ties between Turkey and his 2021 mayoral campaign has honed in on upgrades he allegedly received on Turkish Airlines flights, but declined to offer more specific details on issues raised by the story.

Last week, The New York Times reported that federal investigators are now focusing on first-class seating assignments they believe may have put Adams into luxurious accommodations on the international flights, seats that typically went for about $3,400 a pop.

Adams publicly responded for the first time Tuesday.

Ive said this over and over and over again: I follow laws, the mayor said during a City Hall press conference. I have great attorneys. My job is to run the city. They are to run the review.

Adams campaign is the subject of a federal investigation into whether it illegally accepted foreign money from the Turkish government. That probe became public on Nov. 2 last year when the FBI executed at least three raids. Days later, the feds seized Adams electronic devices. Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

In a new development late last week, the Times story detailed that the FBI and federal prosecutors compiled evidence showing former Turkish Airlines executive Cenk Ocal and Adams adviser Rana Abbasova arranged some of the upgrades for the mayor, and that Adams attended meetings with reps from Turkish Airlines, Turkish businessmen and diplomats.

Brendan McGuire, one of the six lawyers handling the Turkey probe for Adams, told the Times that when Adams served as Brooklyn borough president, he consistently disclosed his official travel to Turkey, did not receive any improper upgrades and did nothing inappropriate in exchange for an upgrade.

Speculation is not evidence, he continued. We look forward to a just and timely conclusion to this investigation.

Asked Tuesday for a more detailed accounting, Adams declined to say if at any point he sought guidance from the citys Conflicts of Interest Board in matters related to flight upgrades. When asked about meetings with Turkish Airlines reps and the nature of his relationships with Ocal and Abbasova  both of whom were raided by the feds in Nov. 2 as part of their probe  Adams also declined to offer specifics.

He added, jokingly, that reporters could read about it in the autobiography hes planning to write.

My attorneys are doing what theyre supposed to be doing, he said. Throughout my entire career, there have been things that have been thrown at me. You know, there have been accusations, and it still comes out that the guy follows the rules. I sleep well at night with my little teddy bear because I follow the rules.

In response to a Daily News story on Adams legal defense fund that reported two of the lawyers representing him began work the same day as the Nov. 2 raids, Adams declined to elaborate.

The mayor said he had received no advance warning of the raids.

_____
The sexual assault lawsuit against New York Mayor Eric Adams is "entirely fictitious" and should be dismissed, his defense attorney Alex Spiro wrote in a new court filing.

Spiro is assisting the city's Law Department in defending the mayor, who, as an NYPD captain at the time of the alleged conduct, is eligible for free legal representation from the city.

The attorney set to work Tuesday, filing the answer to a complaint from Lorna Beach-Mathura, who claimed she and Adams were both working for the Transit Bureau in the early 1990s when he allegedly sexually harassed her by driving her to a remote lot, demanding oral sex, exposing himself and forcing her to touch him. Her lawsuit also named the city and the NYPD.

PHOTO: Mayor Eric Adams holds a press availability at a news conference Jan. 08, 2024 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

"The allegations of wrongdoing in the Complaint are entirely fictitious, and Defendants expect and are looking forward to their day in court and complete vindication," Spiro wrote.

Beach-Mathura, a Florida resident, alleged the abuse by Adams occurred in 1993 after she sought his help with an employment issue. Beach-Mathura has alleged sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, assault and battery and brought the case under the Adult Survivor's act, which allowed claims to be brought long after the statute of limitations had lapsed. The mayor has denied the allegation.

"This did not happen. It did not happen. I don't recall ever meeting this person during my time in the police department," Adams said shortly after the lawsuit was filed.

Spiro will charge $250 per hour for work by partners and $175 for work by associates, according to city officials, significantly less than his customary $2,000 per hour rate.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams' attorney asks court to dismiss sexual assault case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Animal cruelty has been on the rise in recent years. But here in New York, there has been a significant increase in the number of animals being rescued from the grips of intolerant behavior. That is being attributed in large part to a partnership between the NYPD and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). That alliance is marking its 10th anniversary as we observe April as Animal Cruelty Awareness Month.

Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of ASPCA, is buoyant over the progress. Were giving a voice to the voiceless animals and aiding in their pursuit of justice, Bershadker said.

The NYPD and ASPCA work hand in hand to make it less likely people get away with animal abuse.

Just last week, for example, a 41-year-old woman was charged with torturing animals after her emaciated dog was found inside her Far Rockaway apartment.

Bodycam shows police chasing purse snatcher in Manhattan subway station: NYPD

The alliance between police and a private agency is unique. Its believed to be the only partnership of its type designed to combat animal cruelty.

Now we have 30,000 eyes on the street looking for animal cruelty. Every academy class is trained now so they can come out with knowledge of animal cruelty and make our job easier, said Lt. Adrian Ashby, commanding officer of the Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad.

Doser, a 2-year-old French bulldog, was given a new lease on life last April when he was rescued in the Bronx. Two other dogs were rescued. Surveillance footage shows the dogs being repeatedly kicked and beaten, Ashby said.

Bernadette Griffin hugs Doser lovingly. The new owner of the French bulldog exclaimed, Hes adorable, hes very happy. Hes been through so much, but he has just bounced back.

The NYPD Animal Cruelty Investigative Squad utilizes mobile vans as it scours the city for abused animals and their abusers.

Bershadker, the ASPCA CEO, poignantly noted, Responding to animal cruelty elevates the value of animals in our society and elevates the value of our culture.

The partnership has allowed for the training of more than 28,000 police officers to recognize animal cruelty. And this being Animal Cruelty Awareness Month, the public is being asked to be more aware of animal abuse. If you see something, say something and call 311.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Correction: Story was updated to reflect Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)s stance on military aid to Israel.

Some of former President Obamas most prominent aides have increased their criticism of President Biden  this time over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

Jon Favreau, Ben Rhodes and David Axelrod are among the former Obama administration officials who have dinged Biden in recent weeks for not speaking up about his misgivings with Israels handling of the war.

The frustrations from fellow Democrats underscore the growing rift in the party as the war drags into its seventh month. The disapproval from Obama World came after a report suggested Biden was privately angry but not willing to change U.S. policy on Israel after the killing of seven World Central Kitchen by Israeli airstrike.

The President doesnt get credit for being privately enraged when he still refuses to use leverage to stop the IDF from killing and starving innocent people. These stories only make him look weak, Favreau, a former assistant to Obama and director of speechwriting, wrote on the social platform X.

The White House has since sharpened its tone toward Israel. The day after Favreaus post, Biden told Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that U.S. policy will now be determined on concrete steps Israel must take to protect civilians and allow additional badly needed humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

But unlike some contingents of Democrats who say Biden has lost their vote in November, Favreau noted in a follow-up post that he would still back the president.

Im voting for Joe Biden, campaigning for Joe Biden, love most of what Joe Biden has done, but hate his Israel policy and want it to change. Not sure why thats hard to get, Favreau said.

Ben Rhodes, Obamas deputy national security adviser and speechwriter, echoed a similar sentiment.

The U.S. government is still supplying 2 thousand pound bombs and ammunition to support Israels policy. Until there are substantive consequences, this outrage does nothing. Bibi obviously doesnt care what the U.S. says, its about what the U.S. does, Rhodes wrote on X.

Rhodess Israel stance during the Obama administration earned him the nickname Hamas, coined by then-chief of staff Rahm Emanuel because of how critical he was of Israel, Rhodes revealed in his memoir The World As It Is.

Meanwhile, top Obama adviser David Axelrod, whos been vocally critical of Biden at times, did not name the president in his tweet regarding the deaths of the aid workers, but the direction of his frustration was clear.

The murder of seven heroic World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza should be a bright red line. Israel has the right to defend itself against barbaric acts of terrorism, not to indiscriminately kill innocents or valiant men and women who are working to save them from starvation, Axelrod wrote on X.

A source familiar with the White House noted the significance of the former Obama aides being outspoken about Bidens Israel policy in the middle of a reelection campaign.

Its like, jarring, the source said. When youre still part of the team, so to speak  the D team or the blue team  people are often scared to be critical.

Other Democrats point to a broader discourse within the party over how to handle the key ally.

I think were having a big debate in the Democratic Party about what to do in the Middle East, and there isnt unanimity on this, Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg said. But I think its a debate. I dont think its become something deeply divisive and corrosive to Biden, as weve seen, because his poll numbers are coming up.

Obama and Bidens strong personal relationship was visible on stage at a recent New York City fundraiser, when Obama praised the president alongside former President Clinton.

The reason why I originally selected Joe Biden to be my vice president  and the reason why I think he has been an outstanding president is because he has moral conviction and clarity, Obama said.

But he also is willing to acknowledge that the world is complicated, and that hes willing to listen to all sides in this debate and every other debate and try to see if we can find common ground, he continued. Thats the kind of president I want.

Sources who spoke to The Hill pointed to the differences between Obama and Bidens approach to Netanyahu.

Biden, a former Senate Foreign Relations chair, is a product of Washingtons traditional foreign policy view, while Obama was viewed as confronting the criticisms of Americas interventionist past.

There are lingering tensions between the two teams, which broke out into the open when Axelrod in November said Biden should reconsider running for reelection.

Tensions between the two teams dates back to 2015. Biden wrote in his 2017 book, Promise Me, Dad, that Obama had been subtly weighing in against a Biden White House run, and he believed at the time that Obama concluded then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would be the nominee.

The Biden people are very sensitive about the Pod Save America guy, the source familiar with the White House said, referring to Favreau, who hosts the podcast.

Its part of this never-ending chip on their shoulder about the way that progressive establishment Democrats and Obama White House vets have always treated Biden and the Biden campaign, the source said. Its rooted in all this stuff.

Some members of the party argued there were more effective ways to communicate the misgivings with the Biden administration than through social media.

I feel like those folks who are weighing in on social media have the ability to pick up the phone and express their viewpoints to folks who are at the decisionmaking table, Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright said.

Increasing the pressure on the administration to soften its pro-Israel stance, some Democrats have been casting protest votes against Biden in primaries in states including Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Mark Burton, a former chief strategist for Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), said the strike against the humanitarian workers was a pivot point for Biden, but suggested the pivot could have come sooner.

I think thats a part of the frustration that people are feeling in terms of the issue as a whole and in terms of the presidents and the White House posture towards it, is that that was an egregious act, Burton said. It was felt around the world. But there have been other instances that  probably should have become pivot points long ago.

Biden has faced criticism for his handling of the war in the Middle East from allies in Congress, too.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said Sunday that while he was glad to see Biden threaten Netanyahu with consequences for not focusing on humanitarian needs, he wants the White House to outline what the repercussions would be.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has also pushed Biden to cut off military aid to Israel over civilian casualties, telling Pod Save America on Thursday, The idea that were sending bombs, the idea that were sending money to Netanyahu is, to me, reprehensible.

Sanders added, though, that his argument for Democrats is to still back Biden.

All that I ask is, lets not make a horrible situation even worse. Trump will be worse on that issue, let alone every other issue, Sanders said.

Favreau, promoting the interview with Sanders, highlighted the difference between policy disagreements and withholding support from Biden.

Bernie makes one of the best cases for re-electing Biden Ive heard from a surrogate, even while being critical of his Gaza policy (yes, both things are quite possible!) the Obama speechwriter wrote on X.

Story updated at 10:48 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Pinecrest cop released from hospital after training exercise goes wrong, police say

A Pinecrest police officer was released from the hospital after being shot during a training exercise in Homestead Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Around 2:40 p.m., a Pinecrest police officer was taken to Homestead Hospital and then airlifted to Jackson South Ryder Trauma Center after another Pinecrest cop shot her at the police Homestead Training Center, 11700 SW 304th St., Steadman Stahl, president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, told the Miami Herald Wednesday.

It was a training exercise, and it appears an officer accidentally shot another officer, Stahl added.

She will be OK, he said.

The wounded officer was released from the hospital Wednesday night after suffering an accidental gunshot wound to her forearm, Pinecrest Police Chief Jason Cohen said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.

We have no reason to believe this was anything but accidental, Cohen told CBS News Miami.

Cohen told the TV station that the department will evaluate training and safety precautions to make sure this never happens again.

The names of the officers involved in the shooting have not been released.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.

This embedded content is not available in your region.
President Joe Biden easily won Ohio's primary after he'd already secured enough delegates for the Democratic presidential nomination.

His path to Ohio's general election ballot could be a little more difficult.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office warned Ohio Democrats last week that Biden is at risk of not making the Nov. 5 ballot. State law requires officials to certify the ballot 90 days before an election, but the president won't officially be nominated until the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 19. That's 12 days after the deadline.

Now, Democrats are scrambling to figure out the best path forward. But House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, dismissed doubts about whether Biden will end up on the ballot when all is said and done.

"There are multiple options here, we think," Russo told reporters on Tuesday. "We have been in conversations with many partners, including the Biden campaign and the DNC. I do not believe that the legislative path is the only option here, and so as those things are explored over the next week or two, more information to come. But (I'm) 100% confident that Joe Biden is going to be on the ballot in Ohio."

President Joe Biden speaks about the bipartisan infrastructure law during an event near the Brent Spence Bridge in 2023.

What are the options for Joe Biden and Democrats?

LaRose spokesman Ben Kindel said election officials discovered the problem as they wrapped up the March primary and began planning for November. Legal counsel for LaRose's office reached out when staff realized that "the DNC bylaws had been changed to meet the requirements in Ohio law."

The letter presented two options: The DNC could reschedule the convention  an unlikely scenario at this point  or the Legislature could pass an exemption to the rule by May 9. Lawmakers shortened the deadline for the 2020 election when both parties scheduled their conventions too late, but that was a one-time fix.

The letter was addressed to the Ohio Democratic Party, Russo and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood. Kindel said LaRose also reached out to Republican legislative leaders, but Antonio criticized him for addressing the letter only to Democrats.

"I think (LaRose) was looking for attention," Antonio said. "I think he lost a race abysmally. He got some national news coverage, from what I understand, so I guess it served that purpose."

A spokesman for House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, said LaRose called him about the letter, which he and other GOP leaders are reviewing. A spokesman for Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, declined to comment.

"Upholding the law is not a political game," Kindel said. "These same people have made it abundantly clear in recent years that laws shouldnt be ignored or manipulated to influence election outcomes. Weve reminded them that theyre not in compliance with Ohios ballot access laws. They can either point fingers and blame others for their noncompliance, or they can fix it. Its up to them."

The DNC did not respond to questions about whether they reviewed state certification deadlines before scheduling the convention. A similar situation is playing out in Alabama.

What happens now in Ohio?

Ohio Democrats are working closely with the Biden campaign and DNC on potential solutions, but they're keeping their cards close to their chest. One option could be litigation if state lawmakers decline to take action within the next month.

"Were monitoring the situation in Ohio and were confident that Joe Biden will be on the ballot in all 50 states," a Biden campaign spokesman said.

Antonio said the situation can easily be resolved as long as "we are in a place where people can have fair play and support fair play."

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Democrats exploring options for Joe Biden to make Ohio ballot
Ohio House GOP votes to take control of House campaign funds from Speaker Jason Stephens

Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens leaves the podium before the 2024 State of the State address at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday afternoon.

The majority of Ohio House Republicans voted to strip Speaker Jason Stephens of control over House GOP campaign funds during a Wednesday morning meeting.

The resolution  backed by 38 of 67 House Republicans and a designee of the Ohio Republican Party  would give Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Dayton, sole authority over House Republicans campaign coffers, known as the Ohio House Republican Alliance, state Rep. Brian Stewart said.

If successful, the move could hurt Stephens bid to retain control of the speakers gavel next year. Stephens said Wednesday afternoon that he was not aware of the vote.

OHRA executive director Jared Borg pushed back against the resolution.

The goal will always be to raise money, to defend our incumbents, and to run winning campaigns to defeat Democrats this fall," Borg said. "Anything to the contrary is a baseless narrative, simply a distraction for our incumbent members, who have tough general elections against Democrats."

Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, is returning to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2025 and is openly campaigning to replace Stephens, R-Kitts Hill. If Stephens cant spend campaign cash, it could hamstring his ability to elect candidates this November who support his bid for speaker.

In the March primary, Stephens spent at least $3 million defending Republican incumbents, most of whom backed his 2023 leadership bid. Four Republican lawmakers lost their seats to primary challengers.

"Jason Stephens has used the current OHRA bank account to spend all the caucus' money defending a few hand-picked people," Stewart, R-Ashville, said. "We cannot have that situation heading into the fall elections, and we cannot have the campaign fund being managed by a speaker who has every incentive to lose Republican seats."

Stephens won the speakership in January 2023 with all 32 Democratic votes and 22 Republican votes for a total of 54. His challenger, Toledo area Rep. Derek Merrin, had 43 GOP votes.

Stephens opponents have tried once before to wrest control of campaign money. They filed a lawsuit in Franklin County Common Pleas Court to block Stephens and his allies from spending the money, but Judge Mark Serrott denied their request before the primary. It is impossible to ignore the specter of political gamesmanship that looms over this litigation, Serrott wrote.

Stewart said the new vote was taken Wednesday to formalize what most House Republicans already said they wanted: Stephens to let go of the campaign account.

The resolution gives Plummer the power to form a new entity called the Ohio House Republican Organization to raise money and spend it on candidates  if Stephens doesn't release the purse strings, Stewart said. "We are going to give people the opportunity to comply with the law and comply with the majority wishes of the caucus."

But Borg said: "The speaker will continue to serve all Republican members. We will always operate with truth and integrity unlike others who operate in rumors and innuendo.

All House Republicans were invited to the meeting, which occurred Wednesday morning at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel downtown, Stewart said.

Meanwhile, a member of the Ohio Republican Party governing body Josh Brown has circulated a petition, asking the state party to "deal with Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens' illegal, anti-Republican political spending." That request will be addressed at the Ohio GOP's next meeting, spokesman Dan Luscheck said.

House Republican resolution by Jessie Balmert on Scribd

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Reporter Erin Glynn contributed to the article.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio House GOP votes to take campaign coffers from Speaker Stephens
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Oklahomas Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) is set to begin a new role as the new chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

Republican Tom Cole ran unopposed for the seat after Kay Granger (R-Texas) announced she was stepping down last month.

Cole will oversee how the government spends money in becoming the first Oklahoman to chair the Appropriations Committee since the position was created back in 1865.

I am proud to announce that I was ratified by the House Republican Conference this morning as the new Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. I would like to thank the Conference for their support and ensure them that I am committed to conversing with them all to make sure that we are working to benefit their constituents, as well as properly utilizing our budget to defend our country and meet legitimate domestic needs, said Congressman Cole. I am excited to hit the ground running and get to work for this great nation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Des Moines police are investigating the citys second homicide case of 2024 after a 30-year-old Des Moines man was found dead and another person was left in critical condition in a shooting at a hotel early Wednesday morning.

The Des Moines Police Department and Des Moines Fire Department officials were dispatched to Ramada by Wyndham Des Moines Airport, 1810 Army Post Road, for a shooting at around 4:30 a.m., police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said in a news release Wednesday. Officers found two Des Moines residents with gunshot injuries in the hotel, Parizek said.

Des Moines police are investigating a shooting that left one dead and another injured at Ramada by Wyndham Des Moines Airport, 1810 Army Post Road on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Police did not clarify if the victims were found shot in a room or the lobby.

The unidentified 30-year-old died at the scene and an unidentified 31-year-old was transported to a nearby hospital, Parizek said. The 31-year-old is listed under critical condition.

The man who died will be identified after families are notified, Parizek said.

This is the citys second homicide case of the year, both happening within the past eight days. Police said more information will be released as soon as it becomes available.

Jose Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: One dead in Des Moines hotel shooting, police said
Stephanie Dallas Schwartz and Dana Mitchell were inside the downtown Louisville Old National Bank the morning of April 10, 2023, poised to begin yet another workday.

But that Monday proved to be anything but typical.

That morning, they encountered a 25-year-old co-worker, a syndications associate and portfolio banker at the bank, standing in the hallway outside the conference room with an AR-15 . He shot them both.

Schwartz attempted to call 911 but couldnt get through to an emergency dispatcher in the aftermath.

Schwartz and Mitchell are two survivors of the mass shooting that killed five people and the gunman and injured eight others in the span of eight minutes.

Thomas Elliott, Jim Tutt, Josh Barrick, Deana Eckert and Juliana Farmer were fatally shot. The 63-year-old Elliott, a senior vice president at the bank, was a close friend of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

One year later, Schwartz and Mitchell are attempting to recover mentally and physically from the scars inflicted on them that day. A lawsuit filed in January against River City Firearms details their experience the day of the shooting, and the year that followed.

They are advocating for change in state and federal gun laws.

But just like Mitchells call to 911 that tragic morning, their pleas for help and change arent getting through, they say.

Mitchell continues to suffer from nerve pain and severe emotional stress and post-traumatic stress disorder. She said in the lawsuit she aspires to get to a point where it is not the first thing she thinks about every morning, and the last thing she thinks about every night.

Schwartz was shot in the leg and spent a month between the hospital and rehabilitation center. She underwent two surgeries where she had a vein transplanted from her right leg. Her wound became infected, and she required a home health nurse three days a week for several months.

She is not able to sit, stand or walk for long periods of time and continues to have flashbacks of hiding in a bathroom stall.

Mitchell and Schwartz are among the six people listed as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against River City Firearms  the business which sold the gunman the firearm he used to carry out that attack  as well as accessories that made the gun more deadly.

What the lawsuit alleges

Family members of victims and survivors of the Old National Bank shooting have joined a lawsuit filed in Jefferson County Circuit Court against River City Firearms that was filed in state court in January. On April 8, the complaint was amended to add two companies as defendants  RSR Group Inc. and Magpul Industries Corporation  that sell firearms accessories.

The lawsuit alleges River City Firearms, a Louisville gun retailer, had a responsibility to notice the gunman, Connor Sturgeon, was not an experienced firearms user and should have declined to sell to him.

Instead, the lawsuit claims River City sold Sturgeon several add-ons to the assault-style firearm making it more deadly. These include a vertical power grip, red dot sight and three large-capacity extended magazines.

The lawsuit also accuses River City of negligence, wrongful death and deprivation of benefits of a parental and spousal relationship.

Federal law protects gunmakers from liability in many cases, but one exception is if the conduct of the company violated a state law.

Still, these cases can be difficult to win, experts say.

Tad Thomas, Louisville attorney for the plaintiffs, said the stores indifference to red flags overrides River Citys legal protection.

This is not an easy case but the lawyers that handle these cases  we do it for the right reasons and we keep doing them until we get some sort of change, Thomas said.

Thomas claims one of the first red flags was Sturgeons odd behavior in the store when he went to purchase the firearm  averting others gaze in embarrassment and speaking softly.

A witness from the store recounted the obvious appearance of Sturgeons novice experience with firearms. A store employee had to show Sturgeon how to perform basic functions with the gun, such as how to load it, hold it and use certain features.

After the news of the shooting broke, one witness from River City who wasnt identified in the lawsuit, told her husband, I bet it was that kid at the store, according to the lawsuit.

It was obvious to the witness that Sturgeon had never handled a gun before, the lawsuit reads. Sturgeon also commented about the high cost of the firearm and accessories  despite purchasing one of the cheapest AR-15-style rifles on the market  further displaying his inexperience and ignorance about firearms.

He paid $762.90, according to a store receipt.

The receipt of the gun purchase made by Connor Sturgeon at River City Firearms.

Witnesses at the store said Sturgeon claimed he was buying the weapon for home defense after his friends home was broken into.

Thomas claims an apparent novice, such as Sturgeon, who expressed concern about the price of the weapon he bought, would be unlikely to seek out an AR-15-style rifle for home defense.

Therefore, River City knew, or reasonably should have known, that, under all the circumstances, an AR-15-style rifle was not a suitable choice for home defense for this purchaser, the lawsuit read.

In 23 seconds, Sturgeon was able to fire nearly 30 rounds inside the Old National Bank conference room. He reloaded a new magazine before exchanging fire with responding to police officers, who killed Sturgeon.

If River City had not sold Sturgeon this extra (magazine), Sturgeon would not have been able to continue firing. Instead, bullets continued to rain down on innocents until Sturgeon was incapacitated, the lawsuit said.

Connor Sturgeon looks at a firearm inside River City Firearms on April 4, 2023.

While the lawsuit has been in the works for sometime, Thomas predicts the negotiation process that could lead to a trial could continue into the second anniversary of the shooting.

The goal would be to get to a trial and to have an outcome that enacts change.

As far as I am concerned, for me, we should all be able to agree that someone who has never owned a gun before and in a mental health crisis should not be able to walk into a gun shop and buy what is a weapon of mass destruction, Thomas told the Herald-Leader. And be sold all of the pieces to make it more deadly.

I dont care what political perspective you come from, there has to be a way we can prevent that in the future.

Bill to help gun safety failed

Several family membes of the victims went to the Capitol in Frankfort during the 2024 legislative session to advocate for a bill that supporters said could temporarily stop people like Sturgeon from accessing guns.





The CARR bill, an acronym for Crisis Aversion and Rights Retention orders, was introduced by Sen. Whitney Westerfield in a bid to create a narrow legal pathway to remove firearms from those who may pose a risk to themselves or others.

But it was to be done in a way, the Fruit Hill Republican said, that protects people and their constitutional rights.

At a committee hearing in December, Westerfield mentioned the Old National Bank shooting and that Sturgeon was able to buy a gun without any safeguards in place.

I think if  again, I cant speak for any of you  but if you knew that the shooter at the bank in Louisville in April was gonna go and shoot all those people, if you knew in advance, I dont think anybody in here would arm him, Westerfield said.

Westerfields bill was filed in January, but it failed to even score a committee hearing in the Kentucky Republican-controlled legislature.

With just two days left in the 2024 General Assembly, CARR has run out of time to pass.
A Florida resident had an "only in Florida" moment after an eight-foot alligator broke through her screen door, resulting in a 9-1-1 call.

Mary Hollenback was relaxing in her home when she suddenly heard banging on her screen door. At first, she thought it was someone trying to get into the wrong home, but soon enough, she realized a gigantic reptile was trying to enter her residency.

Florida Alligator Looks For New Residency

MEGA

Florida is home to the American alligator, which is found throughout the state. Experts estimate that there are over 1 million wild alligators in Florida today, and one of them tried to find a new home in Ms. Hollenback's residence.

So, Im sitting on my sofa. Its late in the afternoon. Im just watching TV, and I heard my front door rattle, my screen door," she told WTVT-TV. "And I thought somebody who didnt live here was trying to come in, thinking that they were probably in the wrong house because that happens frequently."

"I got off the couch and came around the door prepared to say, 'You're in the wrong place,' [but] by the time I got up and went near the front door, the gator was already inside."

Florida Alligator Busts Through The Screen Door

MEGA

Ms. Hollenback told the news outlet that although she had a magnetic closure, that didn't hold back the gator.

He was pushing through that, and it broke the magnetic clasp," she said. "The door opened, and he just came in. I probably got no further, no closer to the front door, than you are right now. Just close enough to look and see that it wasnt a person trying to get in; it was an alligator.

Ms. Hollenback had two thoughts:

"One is, 'Oh my gosh, I have an alligator in my house,' and two is, 'Oh my gosh, I have an alligator in my house; how am I going to get rid of him?'"

9-1-1 Responds To Gator Call

MEGA

She didn't know what else to do, so she thought to dial 9-1-1, but there was one issue: her phone was near the eight-foot gator.

The only thing I could think to do was to call 911, but my phone was sitting on the end of the counter," she told the news outlet. "So, I had to get a little bit closer to him, grabbed my phone, and then went on the lanai and called 911.

When the Sarasota County Sheriffs Office responded, the officer initially said he didn't believe Ms. Hollenback until he entered the home.

The one deputy was really pretty funny because he told me that when he saw the report, he didnt believe me until he walked in the house and saw the gator, she told the new outlet.

Ms. Hollenback Gets Her 15 Minutes Of Fame

Canva Stock Images

I was relieved. I was kind of shaken for a while, but you know, its like all my neighbors came out and were all talking about it, and its just become a really good story since then," Ms. Hollenback said.

"I mean, this story just keeps growing and growing. My 15 minutes of fame, she said with a laugh. The gator measured 7 feet 11 inches long.

Alligators are considered a top predator and play an important role in Floridas ecosystem.

Florida Is No Stranger To Alligators

Canva Stock Images

According to the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, alligators "build nests and dig large holes that create a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, especially during droughts." The large reptiles also have "complex social behavior, including elaborate courtship displays."

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission suggests following these safety tips:

When working or relaxing near water, be aware of your surroundings. Alligators live in fresh or brackish water and are most active between dusk and dawn.

Never allow children or companion animals to play unsupervised in or around waters that may contain large alligators.

Observe and photograph alligators only from a distance.

Although alligators may seem intimidating, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida claims they "are naturally fearful of humans and attacks are raretypically occurring when people have unnatural interaction with alligators (such as feeding), disturb their territory or pose a threat to their young."
The second "doomsday cult" murder trial started Wednesday with opening arguments. Chad Daybell is charged with the murders of his former wife and "JJ" Vallow (L) and Tylee Ryan, the two children of his current wife, Lori Vallow. File Photo courtesy of the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children

April 10 (UPI) -- During opening arguments Wednesday in the Chad Daybell murder trial in Boise, Idaho, the prosecutor said Daybell killed his late wife and two children of his current wife in a what was described as a doomsday cult.

He is charged in the deaths of 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and Tammy Daybell, his former wife, in late 2019.

Prosecutor Rob Wood said, "Two dead children buried in this defendant's backyard. The next month his wife dead in their bed. Seventeen days later, the defendant marries Lori Vallow."

Wood said in opening arguments that Chad Daybell and Vallow saw their children and spouses as "obstacles" and asserted Chad Daybell's desire to pursue "sex, money and power" led to the murders.

Defense attorney John Prior said in his opening arguments the defense would call four expert witnesses to testify there was no DNA from Chad Daybell found on the children's bodies.

Prior also said expert defense witness will show there's no evidence Tammy Daybell's death was a homicide.

Chad Daybell is a 55-year-old Mormon novelist.

Daybell and Lori Vallow were both charged in the murders in 2021. Vallow was convicted last July and sentenced to life in prison.

She was also extradited to Arizona late last year, during which she pleaded not guilty in the first-degree murder of her fourth husband, who was shot to death in 2019 at her home.

During her trial, Vallow said the killings were justified by her religious beliefs.

Both Daybell and Vallow belonged to a sect of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Wood said that both Chad Daybell and Vallow referred to people who opposed them as "dark spirits" or "zombies." He said that included the three murder victims.
Editors Note: Jason D. Greenblatt was the White House special envoy to the Middle East from 2017-2019 in the Trump administration. He is the author of the book In the Path of Abraham. Follow him on X: @GreenblattJD and Instagram: @Jason.Greenblatt. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more CNN Opinion.

The Biden administration may not have meant to play into Hamass hands when it shifted its harsh rhetoric toward Israel last week  but it did.

Jason Greenblatt - The White House

In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday in the aftermath of Israels deadly strike on a World Central Kitchen aid convoy, President Joe Biden adopted the position of the left flank of his party and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Though Biden also urged Hamas to release the scores of Israelis believed to still be held hostage in Gaza, to date Hamas has steadfastly rejected the call, including again on Monday, and the Biden administration has not changed its tune.

Also on Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared to suggest that Israels failure to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza put the Jewish state at risk of being no better than the terrorist organization Hamas. The administration prodded Israel with a vague threat about changing US policy with respect to Gaza if Israel did not take specific, concrete and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. Biden allies on Capitol Hill are now threatening to condition military aid to Israel, though thankfully arms sales have continued unabated so far.

This represents a dramatic, harsh turn following an already shifting approach on Israel that unwittingly emboldens and rewards Hamas. The Biden administration once insisted on Israels solemn right to do what it must to eradicate Hamas. Now, it appears to adopt the view that such a right has serious limits and might need to be abandoned well before Hamas has been defeated.

This gives Hamas what it wants in an obvious sense: Hamas considers it a victory to survive when Israel has vowed to destroy it. Hamas counts on a long-running strategy of Westerners intervening to stop Israels successful offensives due to humanitarian concerns, which is why Hamas enables Palestinian suffering by using human shields, stealing aid and employing hospitals as military facilities, according to US intelligence, NATO and former Pentagon officials, Palestinians on the ground and CNN and other media reports. Hamas then engages in a PR campaign to magnify the criticism of Israel by failing to distinguish between civilians and combatants in casualty reports.

Governments and NGOs then scrutinize Israels responsibility for civilian deaths, despite Hamas being far more to blame for whether civilians are killed since they launch deadly attacks from and store weapons among them. Hamas wants civilians to be struck. This goes along with their strategy, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling told Jake Tapper on CNN on Thursday. They purposely put civilians in harms way. To its credit, the Biden administration had for months resisted Hamas version of events, even as Hamas was doing everything it could to put Palestinian civilians in danger. That ended on Thursday.

Now the Americans are indirectly telling Hamas that it can keep starting wars  as its promised to do  aiming to eliminate Israel and then retreating to its tunnels beneath civilian infrastructure because eventually the West will pressure Israel to stop defending itself because the cost to civilians is too high. The tragic World Central Kitchen strike, which Israel admitted was a grave mistake, was enough to make Israels key ally fold, even though such tragedies are bound to happen in war when the enemy hides behind civilians, as Americans know given its own mistaken attacks in Afghanistanand Iraq.

In fact, Hertling noted that the Israel Defense Forces use a similar targeting approach to that of the United States, and Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander in late March testified before Congress that the IDF upholds the same high standard in its operations as the United States.

As the Biden administration has ramped up the pressure on Israel to make more concessions in negotiations with Hamas, declaring that the US cannot accept anything other than a successful deal, is it a coincidence that Hamas has repeatedly rejected Israels offers? Nadav Eyal, a well-known Israeli diplomatic reporter, cited Israeli intelligence assessments this week in reporting that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar thinks that hes winning, and the reason for that is that hes seeing the kind of pressure employed on Israel. His general gamble from the beginning of the war is that hell survive underground for more time than the IDF will survive overground. Sinwar doesnt expect to survive because his troops can destroy the IDF, Eyal continued, but because someone is going to restrain the IDF.

Biden now doing what Hamas counted on does not just send a message to all our allies that Americans may lose the firmness of their convictions before our allies can defend and protect themselves when they face threats. It encourages our adversaries to continue the cycle of violence that endangers all of our Middle East allies and our own national security.

I know from experience that this is not how to break the cycle. In 2020, with the signing of the Abraham Accords, a historic foreign policy achievement I was privileged to help create the architecture for, courageous Arab leaders in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco established peace with Israel. Granted, the situations are far from identical, with states like the United Arab Emirates having no connection to the territory that is in dispute between Israel and the Palestinians.

Nonetheless, the Abraham Accords are instructive because what made those peace deals possible was a regional attitude shift. The Arab states received a clear message from Israel and its allies: Israel was sovereign on its territory and was not going to give it up. It was better to work with Israel than to try to destroy it. At the same time, the Arab states were undergoing a historical transformation, embracing a future marked by shared economic opportunity, opposition to the threats coming from Tehran and hope for a peaceful and prosperous Middle East. These states, and their courageous leaders, were charting a course for a new version of the Middle East no one expected a decade ago.

Hamas and its Iranian sponsors are now getting the opposite message, that they should never adopt the attitude that led to peace because the West will never allow Israel to conduct its wars the way any other sovereign would: until its enemies are defeated and no longer pose a threat.

This would not be the first time Israel has been forced to end its campaign against Hamas prematurely. In a sense, the October 7 atrocities were just the latest battle in a conflict Israel has not been allowed to finish with a victory since Gazans elected Hamas in 2006. Israel faced pressure from international powers to end fights against Hamas at least three times since then, despite waging defensive wars against an enemy that vows to continue attacking. Israel must be allowed to demonstrate to those who wish to destroy it that they are fighting a losing battle, or this cycle will only continue, with more innocents lost on both sides.

Israelis are now preparing themselves for an Iranian escalation. They fear that the Biden administrations response to the ayatollahs will echo its treatment of Hamas, an Iranian proxy. They worry that the Americans will fail to use their pulpit to convince Israels adversaries to stop making trouble. Worse, they fear that Iran could use its own civilians as shields should war with Israel turn hot, and the US would waver in its support for that war effort, too.

The Biden administration is moved by a virtuous emphasis on keeping civilians safe. But to keep America, Israel and all of Americas other friends and allies in the Middle East safe and secure, and to free the Palestinians in Gaza from the horrific leadership of Hamas, the Biden administration must signal to the world that it unequivocally defends Israels right to ensure that Hamas will no longer be a threat to Israel and that all the hostages must be released. Anything less will yield only more death, disaster and destruction in the near term and for the foreseeable future.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Editors Note: Mary Mueller is the parent of a student who survived the November 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan. Her sister, Sarah Rogerson, a law professor at Albany Law School in New York, is a community gun violence prevention advocate. The views expressed in this commentary are their own. Read more opinion at CNN.

As sisters, we have shared many things in life, but one thing we never expected to share was the trauma of living through a mass shooting that seriously injured our son and nephew.

Mary Mueller - HR Imaging

On November 30, 2021, a teenaged schoolmate armed with a Sig Sauer semiautomatic handgun purchased for him by his parents, shot Elijah in the face. He survived, but the shooter killed four students and wounded seven other people at Oxford High, the worst school shooting in Michigans history.

Overnight, our family joined a tragic affinity group of Americans directly connected in some way to a mass shooting, a group whose number expands year after year.

What has happened since the shooting has been a regular subject of national headlines, including on Tuesday, when the parents of the shooter were sentenced in the case, after being convicted of manslaughter at separate trials. The judge handed down a sentence of 10-15 years in prison, including time served, with 15 years being the maximum allowable under state sentencing guidelines.

Sarah Rogerson - Albany Law School

It was a historic verdict in which the parents of a mass shooter were held legally responsible, after a first-of-its-kind prosecution under the theory of gross negligence. The teen shooter, meanwhile, who was charged as an adult, pleaded guilty to 24 crimes, including murder and terrorism. He was sentenced in December to life in prison without the possibility for parole.

The convictions of the shooters parents, and Tuesdays sentencing, set a potentially powerful precedent. But they are both too much, and not enough. Theyre too much because the systems designed to support parents and teens in crisis failed too, in part, because they are not adequately funded.

And theyre not enough because laying these failures at the feet of the shooter and his parents and removing this family from society does little to incentivize school officials, lawmakers and taxpayers to correct the systemic failures contributing to the behavior being punished. And while there are civil suits against the gun store owners and certain school officials still pending, it is unclear whether that legal action will ultimately provide any remedy in terms of compensation or deterrence.

As relatives whose loved one has suffered harm from gun violence, we have witnessed and been subjected to pressure to seek vengeance and to hate the shooter and his parents. We want to offer a different way forward.

As Christians raised to forgive and extend grace, we feel strongly that the criminal justice system offers incomplete comfort and does little to address root causes of community violence. For even justified and properly achieved convictions to have the highest positive impact, they must be complemented by solutions outside of the criminal justice system.

Although we are angry that the shooters parents failed their son in multiple ways and livid that they largely failed to take accountability for their failings, we also still see their humanity. We see parents whose own life dramas and inherently flawed priorities displaced their overarching duties to their son. We also see a child who was failed so many times by so many people that he feels his life is useless. No matter your faith or politics, a child spending the rest of his life in confinement is not a complete solution to anything.

Achieving meaningful progress toward the goal of preventing mass shootings and gun-related violence requires that society pay greater attention to evidence-based social science from trusted organizations like The Violence Project, which has exhaustively studied the life histories of mass shooters among other nationwide research on the effects of exposure to gun violence and data-driven strategies to respond to and de-escalate them.

And while many experts agree on the importance of systemic solutions like social-emotional education and violence intervention programs, across the country, our collective conversation on reducing gun violence is dominated by security culture and carceral solutions that displace resources that could be used to support more effective violence reduction programs.

With the numbers of mass shootings climbing every year, gun violence reduction at the community level seems an uphill battle. There are steps, however, that we can take at the individual level.

Securing firearms has proven effective to reduce not only mass violence, but other shootings, which are the leading cause of death for children and teens. (Secure gun storage can also reduce the number of gun-involved suicides.) This simple solution hits close to home: We know that the parents of the school shooter in Oxford claimed to have stored the firearm used in the incident safely, but the passcode on the device was 0-0-0  the default combination set by the manufacturer, according to the detective who testified at the trial of the shooters father.

At the school and community level, robust interdisciplinary threat assessment teams should be created in every county in every state, offering a multi-pronged approach to prevent future harm. These units could encompass mental health concerns in concert with community partners in education and law enforcement, as well as social work professionals to identify potential threats to the community and find constructive interventions.

Such threat assessment teams can also suggest restorative justice-based intervention strategies for people who have perpetrated or might be susceptible to perpetrating harm. When properly implemented, restorative justice methodologies have proven to be effective in improving school climates and reducing student misbehavior. Its an approach focused on accountability for ones actions, promoting students social-emotional growth, and supporting and reinforcing positive behaviors in schools.

At least one other parent of a survivor of the shooting in Oxford joined a threat assessment team at her workplace in a neighboring school district and lamented the missed opportunity that properly implemented threat assessment teams can offer.

An independent investigation conducted after the shooting concluded that had proper threat assessment guidelines been in place, the shooting tragedy might have been avoided. The 572-page report investigating the shooting concluded that the school district should have conducted an assessment of the potential threat posed by the gunman on the day of the shooting.

We think that its also important to place less emphasis on solutions that at best, deliver mixed results. Its very tempting to lean into the promises marketed by security companies making a profit from our fear. Metal detectors, expensive bulletproof glass and clear backpacks may provide a veneer of security for some, but theyre far from sufficient. We need to join with others who are advocating for additional financial support for the public school system that shoulders the burden of gaps in the social safety net.

We didnt ask to have this platform. Now that we are here, we hope to work with others to slow the numbers of families who join us and other survivors every day. But we simply cannot prosecute our way out of community violence in an overburdened and expensive criminal justice system that disproportionately targets communities of color.

A verdict might make another parent think twice about their personal firearm safety practices or their childs mental health and well-being, but its a peer, friend or family member who can provide the accountability to turn thought into preventative action.

Together we can do what the criminal justice system cannot; we can educate each other, support each other and hold each other accountable as family members and as a community to prevent community gun violence.

We possess the tools to create meaningful and lasting change and healing after the pain and loss of gun violence, no matter how steep the climb or how heavy the task.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
It sure looks like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene isnt bluffing.

The MAGA firebrand from Georgia released a furious five-page letter Tuesday detailing why she filed a motion in March to oust Rep. Mike Johnson from his position as House speaker. At the time, she had described the filing as a warning. Her letter marks a new escalation. Capitol Hill observers see her missive as a serious threat to put Johnsons speakership to a vote. At this point, it appears that if Johnson goes ahead in the coming weeks with a bill providing aid to Ukraine, Greene might just pull the trigger.

That vote could cause chaos. If Johnson is toppled from his post, Republicans could be fighting over picking their third speaker in six months  and during an election year.

Greenes standoff with Johnson underscores her own political evolution as she returns to playing the role of rabble-rousing activist after trying to play the inside track. And it illustrates how House Republicans are struggling to function as a party, with hard-liners threatening to tear the whole thing down if a leader makes even the most minimal attempts to cooperate with the Democrats.

It might be counterintuitive to think of Greene as a strategic player. Her first months as a representative in 2021 were mostly defined by the discovery of her racist conspiracy theories about Jewish space lasers and support for violent threats against Democrats online, which resulted in her being stripped of her committee assignments. When Republicans became the majority last year, however, she not only won back her committee assignments, but also became a player in Congress in part by aligning herself with the establishment of the party  specifically, developing close ties with then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. While she did not moderate her views much ideologically, she evolved as an institutional actor in the way she positioned herself close to the leadership as a path to more influence in Congress.

But after McCarthys ouster in October, Greene has appeared to be trending back toward outside agitator. She does not see his successor, Johnson, as a new ally, but as an adversary. And shes garnering massive amounts of attention for leading the charge against him, arguably reclaiming the mantle of the most pugnacious MAGA lawmaker on Capitol Hill.

The manner in which Greenes letter hammers Johnson seems to be more about her burnishing her credentials as a MAGA mutineer than it is about critiquing Johnson in a productive manner. She blames him for a trend in Republican lawmakers retiring, as if he is personally responsible for their departures even though he just recently became speaker. She slams him for the expulsion of former congressman George Santos  even though Johnson opposed it and Santos dug his own grave. She described Johnsons cooperation with Democrats on bills to keep the government funded as a complete and total surrender to, if not complete and total lockstep with, the Democrats agenda. Greene seems to think that working with Democrats to keep the government running constitutes the betrayal of a conservative agenda. And she slams Johnson for failing to pass legislation that wouldve secured the U.S.-Mexican border, even though everyone knows it is Trump, not Johnson, who demanded Republicans torpedo what wouldve been a decisive policy win for the GOP on immigration.

What emerges from Greenes letter is not a vision for conservative governance but a vision of government in which MAGA hard-liners hold the government hostage and render it dysfunctional in an extended tantrum. Nowhere in her manifesto is there a realistic reckoning with the fact that Democrats control both the White House and the Senate.

She concludes her letter lamenting how Johnsons tenure marks the GOP succumbing to self-inflicted destruction. Its an ironic statement. If she really attempts to oust Johnson in the coming weeks for daring to defy her demands, and succeeds, she will be the one responsible for pushing the party into another historic display of chaotic internal strife. But it seems that Greene would be happy to leave the House GOP in ruins if she can stand tallest amid the rubble.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Its been roughly a month since former President Donald Trumps hand-picked allies took the reins of the Republican National Committee  the most tangible example of Trumps ever-tightening grip on the GOPs party apparatus. But the takeover isnt going well.

The committees new chairman, Michael Whatley, and co-chair, Lara Trump, immediately ordered a purge of the organization after they assumed their positions. Dozens of RNC staffers were either laid off or asked to resign and reapply for jobs. In a harrowing development, as my colleague Hayes Brown has discussed, applicants were asked for their views on whether the 2020 election was rigged.

Now new reporting indicates that even the purge process has been a mess. In a sign of how haphazard the mass terminations were, most former staffers have reportedly been offered jobs again. That raises the question of why their jobs were terminated in the first place. The rehiring process is going poorly, as well. According to Axios, some rehired staffers are unsure of what their roles are.

The result is a critical brain drain from the RNC just as the general election is effectively getting underway. The Guardian reports that multiple sources familiar with the matter say that some staffers have declined to return: The situation means the RNC has been left without people with deep knowledge of election operations at the Republican partys central committee.

Its not clear what exactly motivated people to turn down opportunities to be rehired. The Guardians story speculates that part of it could be tied to the loyalty tests at the interviews. Alternatively, it could also be in part because the new RNC is relocating some of its staffers, such as its data team, to Palm Beach, Florida, to embed within Trumps campaign and further meld the campaign and the party operations.

But whatever the reasoning, its clear that a premature rush to cleanse the RNC has pushed out talent that couldve helped Trump and the party achieve their goals. Colloquially some might refer to this as an own goal.

Theres also confusion at the RNC over policy goals. Originally the committee said it was planning to cut an early voting initiative, only for Whatley to backtrack. This is all happening, mind you, as Republicans are beginning to recognize that Trumps stigmatization of early voting as unreliable hurts the GOP at the voting booth.

There are also questions over just how committed the RNC is to pursuing election denialism  and its not clear the RNC knows where it stands on the question, either. In mid-March, Lara Trump indicated she intended to hire QAnon conspiracy theorist and Stop the Steal organizer Scott Presler for the committees legal ballot harvesting division. A few days later, the RNC told NBC News that Presler wouldnt become an employee but would serve as a valuable voice to the RNC, suggesting an informal advisory role. And just a few days ago, Axios reported that Presler will be registering voters at an upcoming RNC event.

This disarray is all at odds with reporting earlier in the year indicating that Trump world was displaying unusual discipline and professionalism compared to the former presidents previous two campaigns. The turbulence at the RNC suggests that its disorganized leadership isnt exactly sure how far it wants to take the RNC in the direction of becoming a pure election-denying Trump vehicle. And the act of firing and then offering to rehire many staff members might reflect a realization among the RNCs new leadership that theres a trade-off between total deference to the MAGA movement and technical know-how.

And thus Trump finds himself encumbered by a familiar dilemma  an army of yes-men can feel good to a certain kind of leader, but its not going to be competent. One can only hope Trump remains unable to solve this predicament of his own making.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

As the opioid crisis raged across Pennsylvania, public defenders increasingly represented people whose charges stemmed from their addiction. In Elk County  a sparse mountainous region home to just over 30,000 people  local officials saw opioid settlement funds as a much-needed solution.

Gary Knaresboro, Elk Countys chief public defender, said his office interacts directly with people experiencing addiction. He believes public defenders are often uniquely positioned to intercede to change lives for the better. I think we have to present that chance to everybody, whether they take advantage of it or not, he said.

But when Elk County asked the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust for guidance, hoping not to violate rules governing how to properly use the funds, the body provided a disappointing answer: No.

Since the services of an assistant public defender are required to be provided by the counties, the costs associated with their position would not be considered an abatement strategy, the response from the trusts advisory committee said.

The guidance  which was shared with Elk County and posted on the trusts website  came as a blow to public defenders in Elk County and across the state, whose work is constitutionally guaranteed, but has long been severely underfunded.

While prosecutors offices have for years received millions of dollars in reimbursement from the state, until this year Pennsylvania did not contribute consistent funding to indigent defense, leaving counties to shoulder the financial burden.

In December, the legislature approved $7.5 million to aid counties in providing no-cost counsel to people accused of a crime, but the money is unlikely to level the playing field against well-funded prosecutors, experts told Spotlight PA in January.

Prosecutors officers also receive funds from the opioid settlements. Ten offices were entitled to more than $4.5 million in opioid settlement money in 2022 and 2023 as part of the states distribution plan.

Plans vary in each of those offices. Dauphin Countys district attorney has dedicated money to a diversion prosecutor who works with treatment court programs, and Westmoreland Countys district attorney told Spotlight PA that funds there were earmarked for a detective who works with a treatment and recovery court.

While the trusts guidance warned against spending money on an assistant public defender, its direction greenlit using the funds for a body scanner at a jail  which Clearfield County did.

I just have trouble understanding how  body scanners for county jails somehow connect people to treatment and public defenders dont, said Sara Jacobson, executive director of the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania. When I look at those two things back to back, it just doesnt make sense to me.

As of late March, the trusts public guidance didnt specifically address using the opioid settlement money on prosecutors. And in the coming weeks, the trust members could revise how money can be spent.

But for now, while public defenders offices in other states are making plans for their states cuts of the settlement money, some of their peers in Pennsylvania feel the trusts guidance may further privilege prosecutors.

Its a huge shame because there is so much of a need across Pennsylvania for more public defenders, said Jacobson.

After Spotlight PA reached out to her, Jacobson told the newsroom on March 18 that her association asked the trust to reconsider and clarify the issue.

But even if public defenders statewide receive permission from the trust, they might still have trouble convincing county leaders to prioritize their work.

There are a bunch of different revenue streams that counties and states receive, said Geoff Burkhart, former president of the National Association for Public Defense. And they havent really prioritized public defense in most of these places before. I dont see them doing it even with this new infusion of funding.

Why public defender offices want the funds

Several years ago, Elk County did not have a public defender on staff, officials told Spotlight PA. The county government contracted with an attorney from the community who provided indigent defense as needed to eligible people.

But in 2018, drug charges became the most common type of new case filed in Elk County, overtaking driving under the influence and property crimes. Local officials say they saw large ripple effects from the opioid crisis.

Amid the influx, the county converted the public defender to a full-time staff position for the first time in recent history. Over the past four years, the office has grown to include an additional part-time attorney and two administrative support staff, county officials said.

Cases handled by the office became more complex, said Knaresboro, whose office often pushes in court for people to enter treatment rather than prison. Where other public defense offices around the state employ social workers, Elk County does not. We do the work ourselves, he said.

A lot of it involves follow-up with people, and see what theyre doing, see if theyre getting counseling, see if theyre getting housing for themselves, Knaresboro said. Just so theyre on better footing when I try to negotiate something for them, and try to keep them out of jail.

When the opioid settlement funds became available, Elk County hoped to use its allotment to support a part-time public defender in the office.

In Pennsylvania, counties agreed to spend their opioid settlement money in a way thats consistent with a settlement document known as Exhibit E. If they dont, the opioid trust can withhold and ultimately cut funding from them in the future.

Exhibit E, a 15-page document, does not specifically mention prosecutors or public defenders. But it does leave room for funding various types of strategies and programs that help people dealing with opioid addiction.

Rather than go ahead with the plan in Elk County and risk penalty down the line, Elk County Commissioner Matthew Quesenberry looked to the trust for guidance. But he was told that an assistant public defender would not be considered a proper use of the money, a response that has frustrated him and other local officials who see public defense as a bulwark against other more costly interventions.

We want to see them be put into treatment, and their first contact for somebody to be able to guide them into that direction is probably their attorney, Quesenberry said.

The trusts guidance didnt cite any parts of the order creating the trust, state law, or settlement documents to justify its rejection of Elk Countys idea. Its response noted that settlement documents do include programs and services for treatment within the criminal justice system.

The reasoning the trust gave, that the services of a public defender are already required to be provided, would also apply to a number of other state-mandated services, including prosecution.

Public defenders who spoke to Spotlight PA echoed Quesenberrys reasoning.

The attorneys and the support staff in their offices, such as social workers and case investigators, are often the main problem solvers for someone dealing with the legal consequences of their addiction, said Julia Burke, first assistant public defender in Blair County.

Because the rest of the criminal justice system is designed to identify and punish offenders, she said, it is not well-suited to addressing the reason the person offended in the first place.

If we could punish the trauma out of someone, this would be a perfect plan, but often it just compounds the issues, she said. A well resourced public defenders office can do much more to try to assist the person in getting the help that they need and ideally addressing all the myriad of collateral issues that impact the persons stability and sobriety.

Only 15 county public defender offices in the state have a client advocate or social worker, said Jacobson of the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania. While the trusts guidance specifically addressed only an assistant public defender position, she told Spotlight PA it created uncertainty over whether the money could be used on other positions within the office.

Its starting from a place of them saying no, right? Jacobson said. Its not starting from a place of possibility.  It creates another step and another hurdle.

In response to questions from Spotlight PA, the trust declined to expand on the reasoning behind its guidance.

Some experts who have been following opioid settlements questioned whether funding for an assistant public defender, or any position that serves a general purpose, would be appropriate, given that some of their responsibilities might be unrelated to drug issues.

When tobacco companies reached settlements with states in the late 1990s, some of those dollars went to general community needs, such as road infrastructure, and not specific things to help the population most affected, said Bradley Stein, a psychiatrist and opioid policy expert with the RAND Corporation.

In the case of a public defender or a prosecutor, the details of the spending matter more than which offices the money flows through, Stein said.

It does sort of strike me that this is more meeting a communitys potential needs to better fund their public defenders office, rather than things that might specifically help individuals who have opioid use disorder, he said.

In some states, public defender offices have been able to apply for these funds.

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission, a state agency that oversees 28 public defender offices in Virginia, has been awarded nearly $225,000 for a pilot program that places peer navigators in the county public defenders offices hit hardest by the opioid crisis, said deputy executive director Timothy Coyne. That money will support the peer navigators and an oversight position within the commission, he said.

In Texas, Chief Public Defender Lynn Pride Richardson is part of a group of other criminal justice offices within Dallas County that hope to create a docket dedicated to opioid-related cases. If their plan is approved, it will be staffed by dedicated public defenders and prosecutors and funded by settlement dollars.

The bulk of the settlement money Dallas County has received will go toward addiction treatment and education in the community, Richardson said, but nothing I have read or seen anywhere prohibits public defense from receiving those dollars.

Within the justice system, she said, probably we are the ones that need it the most.

How prosecutors in Pennsylvania are spending their money

Theres still limited public information about how counties have spent their funds, and significant uncertainty over what the trust will ultimately allow. In the absence of clarity, counties have made differing and sometimes conflicting judgments.

In partnership with WESA, Spotlight PA has sought spending information from all 67 counties in the state and the 10 district attorneys offices entitled to funds based on their role in opioid litigation. As of late March, the only county Spotlight PA identified that is using settlement money on its public defenders office is Bucks County.

A spokesperson for the Bucks County commissioners told Spotlight PA that opioid settlement money is being used to fund a portion of two positions each in the district attorneys office and public defenders office to work in a diversion program. The funding means the community directly benefits when cases can be diverted, treatment provided, and long-term recovery is achieved, a spokesperson for the district attorneys office said.

Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli told Spotlight PA opioid settlement funds were earmarked in her county to partially fund a detective whose primary role is community outreach, and that its her understanding the trust will allow it.

But a private attorney representing the Clearfield County district attorney in opioid litigation matters said they never received true clarity from the trust after asking if spending the funds on a detective would be OK  and the district attorneys office didnt use settlement money on that position.

In Clearfield County, the commissioners report justified using a portion of their funds on a body scanner at the jail by saying it could prevent overdose deaths and other harms. District Attorney Ryan Sayers reported spending $50,000 of his offices funds on medication-assisted treatment for people incarcerated at the jail. Sayers told Spotlight PA he didnt think Exhibit E would allow his office to spend money to prosecute or defend cases.

Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo is using opioid settlement funds to partially pay for a prosecutor who coordinates court programs that serve as an alternative to incarceration. Chardo described the person serving in the role as a former career public defender.

Over in Lancaster County, commissioners in August approved using $193,000 in opioid settlement funds for two positions: a detective on the drug task force and a community prosecutor to oversee treatment court programs. A spokesperson for the district attorneys office told Spotlight PA the office intends to seek reimbursement for a portion of the salary for both positions, which the spokesperson said were preexisting.

John T. Adams, district attorney of Berks County, has used his offices money to support housing for people in recovery, as well as an organization that does drug testing of people under court supervision, financial documents obtained by Spotlight PA show. Adams told Spotlight PA hes prioritizing treatment.

His office isnt using its settlement money to support public defense  and doesnt have any plans to.

That has never been brought up, he told Spotlight PA.

Kate Giammarise of WESA contributed to this report.

SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate/statecollege. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results.
Hoping to build consensus around the long-disputed Pulse memorial effort, Orlando has decided its best first move is to step aside.

Mayor Buddy Dyer announced Tuesday that the city has hired a professional facilitator to engage the community in a memorial design. The move is the first tangible step Orlando has taken since buying the former Pulse nightclub, site of a 2016 mass shooting, late last year from the failing onePulse nonprofit that previously led memorial planning.

Invitations from facilitator Larry Schooler, who runs Public Participation Partners, went out Monday evening to various survivors and families of the shooting, asking them to participate in meetings, interviews and discussions with Schooler and his team.

The company will be paid a maximum of $88,735 for its work expected to last several months, records show. The aim is to reveal a conceptual design by the end of the year, Mayor Buddy Dyer said.

I know it may seem far-fetched to imagine that we can craft a consensus vision for the memorial, Schooler said Tuesday, in a news conference announcing the outreach, which he joined via video feed. That said Im with you here today because I believe that is both possible and probable with our shared efforts.

For nearly eight years since the shooting that killed 49 and wounded dozens more, much of the Pulse community has been frustrated by the lack of progress toward a memorial, with the city drawing at least some of the mistrust bubbling among various groups.

The mayor said by hiring Schooler, who worked on memorial efforts in Virginia Beach and San Leandro, Calif., the city hopes to bring more voices to the table.

The process were running now today we hope addresses that, Dyer said. Its not going to be a city-run process, its going to be run by a neutral facilitator.

Last October, the city purchased the nightclub property for $2 million from its original owners Barbara and Rosario Poma. Orlando businessman Craig Mateer bought an adjacent property soon after and said he planned for it to be part of a future memorial.

onePulse had grand ambitions for a memorial on the nightclub site and a museum nearby, but struggled to raise anywhere close to the money it needed to fund both.

The city has no plans to pursue the museum idea, Dyer said.

Dyer said many decisions still need to be made, including what the memorial will look like, how much it will cost, how it would be paid for, and whether the nightclub would remain standing on the corner of Kaley Street and Orange Avenue. While onePulse commissioned renowned architects at significant expense to design a memorial and museum, the city has not committed to using any of their work.

Related Articles

A Pulse memorial is likely to require at least some public financing, Dyer said. Following Schoolers work, some family members and survivors will be asked to join a memorial design committee as well.

The memorial shouldnt be what I want it to be, it shouldnt be what the commissioners want it to be, Dyer said. It should be  and it will be  what the families and survivors want it to be.

Jorshua Hernandez Carrion, a Pulse survivor, told the Sentinel Tuesday that he received an email from Schooler and plans to participate. However, building trust fractured by nearly eight years with minimal progress will be difficult, he said.

I dont want it to be the same as onePulse, he said. We want a memorial and we need to make sure the city hears our voices.

Schoolers team is expected to include Spanish speakers and others with ties to the LGBTQ community, he said in his proposal. The Pulse nightclub was a gathering spot for that community.

Dyer, who will serve as mayor until 2028, said he hopes to cut the ribbon on the memorial while hes still in office.

We need to remember the 49, he said. We need to honor them. Our entire community needs a place that they can go and remember.

A prior version of this story misstated who the city purchased the Pulse property from.

rygillespie@orlandosentinel.com
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, right, and U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns sample beer at the Jing-A brewery in Beijing, China, Monday, April 8, 2024. Treasury Secretary Yellen says the Biden administration will push China to change an industrial policy that poses a threat to U.S. jobs. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana, Pool)

BEIJING (AP)  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and her team are leaving China and returning to Washington after trying to tackle the major questions of the day between the countries. Here's a look at what she tried to accomplish, what was achieved, and where things stand for the world's two largest economies:

UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES

Yellen said she wanted to go into the U.S.-China talks to address a major Biden administration complaint that Beijings economic model and trade practices put American companies and workers at an unfair competitive disadvantage by producing highly subsidized solar products, electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries at a loss, dominating the global market.

Chinese government subsidies and other policy support have encouraged solar panel and EV makers in China to invest in factories, building far more production capacity than the domestic market can absorb. She calls this overcapacity.

Throughout the week of meetings, she talked about the risks that come from one nation maintaining nearly all production capacity in these industries, the threat it poses to other nations' industries and how a massive rapid increase in exports from one country can have big impacts on the global economy.

Ultimately, the two sides agreed to hold intensive exchanges on more balanced economic growth, according to a U.S. statement issued after Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held extended meetings over two days in the southern city of Guangzhou. It was not immediately clear when and where the talks would take place.

Its not going to be solved in an afternoon or a month, but I think they have heard that this is an important issue to us, she said.

MONEY LAUNDERING AND RELATED CRIMES

After several rounds of meetings, the U.S. Treasury and the Chinese central bank agreed to work together to stop money laundering in their respective financial systems.

Nearly all the precursor chemicals that are needed to make the deadly substance fentanyl are coming from China into the U.S. The U.S. says exchanging information on money laundering related to fentanyl trafficking may help disrupt the flow of the precursor chemicals into Mexico and the U.S.

Treasury is committed to using all of our tools, including international cooperation, to counter this threat, Yellen said in a speech announcing the formation of the group.

The new cooperative between the U.S. and China will be part of the two nations' economic working groups that were launched last September, and the first exchange will be held in the coming weeks.

TIKTOK

Efforts in the U.S. to ban social media app TikTok, owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance, were raised initially by the Chinese during U.S-China talks, a senior Treasury official told The Associated Press. The firm has in the past promoted a data security restructuring plan called Project Texas that it says sufficiently guards against national security concerns.

However, U.S. lawmakers have moved forward with efforts to either ban the app or force the Chinese firm to divest its interest in the company, which the White House has supported. In China this week, it was evident that there was little movement on the issue.

Yellen said at a news conference Monday that she supported the administration's efforts to address national security issues that relate to sensitive personal data. This is a legitimate concern, she said.

Many US social apps are not allowed to operate in China, Yellen said. "We would like to find a way forward."

FINANCIAL STABILITY

On the second day of Yellen's trip to China, the U.S. and China announced an agreement to work closely on issues related to financial stability, in that U.S. and Chinese financial regulators agreed to hold a series of exercises simulating a failure of a large bank in either of the two countries.

The aim is to determine how to coordinate if a bank failure occurred, with the intent of preventing catastrophic stress on the global financial system.

Yellen said several exercises have already happened.

"Im pleased that we will hold upcoming exchanges on operational resilience in the financial sector and on financial stability implications from the insurance sectors exposure to climate risks.

Just like military leaders need a hotline in a crisis, Yellen said American and Chinese financial regulators must be able to communicate to prevent financial stresses from turning into crises with tremendous ramifications for our citizens and the international community.

WHAT SHE ATE

Yellen is something of a foodie celebrity in China ever since she ate mushrooms that can have psychedelic effects in Beijing last July. This trip was no different.

High-ranking Chinese officials brought up her celebrity ahead of important meetings  Premier Li Qiang noted in his opening remarks that Yellens visit has indeed drawn a lot of attention in society with media covering her trip and her dining habits. And social media was abuzz, following her latest movements around Guangzhou and Beijing.

This time in Beijing, Yellen ate at Lao Chuan Ban, a popular Sichuan restaurant. She also had lunch with Beijing Mayor Yin Yong at the Beijing International Hotel. On Monday evening, her last night in China, Yellen visited Jing-A Brewing Co. in Beijing  co-founded by an American  where she ordered a Flying Fist IPA, a beer made with American hops.
Ever since the derailment of a freight train and its aftermath last year in East Palestine, Ohio, Americans have been awakened to the troubled reality of rail safety. While the headlines around that incident have faded, the Biden Administrations commitment to action has not. When President Biden visited, his message to the community was clear: we will stay as long as it takes, we will continue to hold Norfolk Southern accountable, and we will push the entire industry to be safer.

The thing I remember best from my own visit to East Palestine is the decency and resilience of the residents who were working in and around the nearby church that doubled as a community response center. Since that visit, Ive kept up with some of those I met on that trip. Again and again, two themes ring clear: their determination not to be defined by this derailment, and their insistence that the communitys experience not be forgotten. Holding in mind the voices of East Palestine and of every American community that sits along a railroad, I have spent the year since that incident challenging the rail industry, Congress, and our own Department to do everything possible to make our railroads safer.

East Palestine residents attend the high school graduation on May 27. Rebecca Kiger for TIME

My Department has pushed forward on safety measures, including last weeks major announcement that our Federal Railroad Administration finalized a long-sought rule to establish minimum safety requirements for the size of train crews. Most Americans would be surprised to learn that before this rule, there was nothing to prevent a railroad from unilaterally reducing the crew size aboard a train to just one personeven on a two-mile-long trainwithout even notifying our Department. Fixing this has long been a railroad safety priority, and despite industry opposition, it is finally a reality.

This is just the latest step that we have taken with the authorities we have as an administration. From the first days of the Biden Administration, and with renewed urgency since the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, we have used our funding and regulatory authority to improve safety and force railroad companies to do better.

In addition to the safe crew size rule we just finalized, our Federal Railroad Administration has completed 7,500 focused inspections along high-hazard flammable train routes. Weve issued safety advisories and advanced policies to make operations safer, addressing tank car types, train lengths, hazmat spills, and worker protections.

We developed a new rule to require railroads to provide real-time information to first responders when a hazmat incident occursand we made $30 million available to support training for first responders.

East Palestine resident Misti Allison distributes water on Sept. 17. Rebecca Kiger

Meanwhile, we have been using the resources of the Biden infrastructure package to improve the physical infrastructure of Americas rail networks. Under President Bidens leadership, we have awarded billions to modernize rail infrastructure and improve hundreds of dangerous highway-rail crossings.

Weve also taken action to help improve conditions for those working in the industry. And after significant pressure on industry from President Biden, labor unions, and our department, approximately 89% of Class I freight railroad workers now have paid sick days, up from less than 5% around a little more than a year ago.

While we are proud of this ongoing work, the reality is that many important changes cannot happen without legislative changewhich is why I am urgently renewing my call on Congress to step up.

Just over a year ago, in the wake of the East Palestine disaster, the bipartisan Railway Safety Act was introduced in Congress, with support from our administration. Yet the law has been stalled ever since by the railroad industry lobby and its Congressional allies.

This legislation is long overdue. It would phase in safer tank cars, require defect detectors, expand the list of hazardous materials that qualify for stricter safety precautions, and more.

Railroad executives and local leaders break ground for a $25 million regional first responder training center being constructed by Norfolk Southern on Sept. 21. From left: Keith Drabick, the town's fire chief; Mike Rulli, Ohio state senator; and John Fleps, Norfolk Southern's VP of safety. Rebecca Kiger for TIME

The provisions of this law are commonsensical. For example, under existing law, the maximum fine we can imposeeven for an egregious rail safety violation that gets someone killedis less than $250,000. This is a trivial sum for a railroad corporation posting profits in the billions each year. In other areas, like airline passenger protection, our administration has demonstrated that fines can change the behavior of corporationsbut only if they are tough enough. The Railway Safety Act would increase the cap on fines against railroads so that they can actually change the companies approach.

This provision, and many others in the proposed new law, would give us a stronger hand to keep Americans safe and hold industry to a higher standard. It would save lives.

The railroad industry is aggressively lobbying against the legislation. And some of the same Republican Representatives and Senators who were loudest in professing outrage over the derailment one year ago have gone uncharacteristically silent on the subject, now that their votes are needed to pass it into law.

It doesnt have to be this way. At other moments in the past, Congress has demonstrated the capacity to stand up to the multi-billion-dollar railroad corporations and enact meaningful safety reforms. The early part of this century saw a number of high-profile freight rail incidents across the U.S. and Canada, including mass-casualty incidents like one in Quebec that left 47 people dead and leveled a town, and another in South Carolina that killed ten people and sent hundreds to the hospital with chlorine exposure. Those events led to significant new rail safety changeswith real results, including a reduction in derailments.

But as attention faded on those incidents, the railroad industry was consistently able to weaken or delay important safety provisions. Today, while lower than it was at its peak, the rate of derailments remains unacceptable. America has averaged multiple train derailments per day for as long as Ive been alive. It is an unacceptable status quo.

National Transportation Safety Board hearings at East Palestine's high school gymnasium on June 23. Rebecca Kiger for TIME

Experience has shown that freight railroading, which is an immensely profitable business, will be better off when the country holds it to a higher standard. The Biden Administration is taking every needed step that does not require an Act of Congressbut now Congress must act.

The choice is clear: Congress can side with the railroad industry lobby that wants to water down efforts to strengthen safety requirements, or it can step up and pass the Railway Safety Act.

We owe this to the people of East Palestine, who have long been calling for this legislation to pass. If we get this right, their community will be known not only for the derailment that upended everyday life there, but for the lifesaving reforms that came next.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Paramedic stole 132 times from Home Depot in less than a year, Pennsylvania police say

A Pennsylvania man was arrested after police say he stole from a Home Depot over 100 times in less than a year.

Plymouth Township police say the man would go to Home Depot and switch barcodes on items. He would then use the self checkout to scan the barcode of a less expensive item and pay that amount, according to an April 9 news release from the Plymouth Township Police Department.

Police say he also failed to scan some merchandise and would leave the store without paying for items.

Since July 2023, the man stole from the store 132 times, police said.

In some instances, he was wearing a paramedic uniform for a local EMS agency where he was employed, police said. On five occasions, he had children with him, according to authorities.

Police believe the total loss to Home Depot is over $20,000.

An attorney was not listed for the man in court records.

The man turned himself in to police April 5 and was given a $5,000 bail. He is charged with retail theft, receiving stolen property and corruption of minors. In total he faces 401 counts.

Plymouth Township is a 20 mile drive northwest from Philadelphia.

Home Depot worker told to remove BLM pin after racist incident was reported, feds say

Drug search leads police to garage  and $1M in stolen construction supplies, police say

Man goes on rampage in Home Depot parking lot with bosss Bobcat, Nebraska video shows
Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed on April 10 in the first reading a bill permitting military service of citizens convicted of minor offenses, said lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko, one of the bill's authors.

This does not include those convicted under serious and violent charges, such as murder, sexual violence, or crimes against national security.

The proposal was first submitted to the parliament in March as part of the efforts to replenish the ranks of Ukraine's Armed Forces amid the ongoing war with Russia.

The bill has to pass a second reading and be signed by the president before it becomes law.

Deputy Justice Minister Olena Vysotska told Suspilne that the proposal could free up 50,000 recruits among those who had already served their sentence, as well as 26,000 of those who are currently imprisoned.

Ukraine's parliament is now also considering a general mobilization bill that seeks to reform the draft process and replenish the military ranks.

Read also: Ground Forces commander calls on Ukrainians to join the army amid manpower shortage

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has begun considering of an updated mobilization bill in its second reading, lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko said on April 10.

The bill is a key component of the government's efforts to update the legal framework around conscription in order to ramp up mobilization in 2024.

The parliament is considering an updated version of the bill after the first contentious proposal was withdrawn. The re-submitted draft law passed the first reading on Feb. 7. Lawmakers have proposed over 4,000 amendments to the bill since then.

The bill comes into force after it passes the second reading and is signed by the president.

Honcharenko said that the parliament's National Security and Defense Committee finished reviewing all the amendments on April 9 after removing provisions on demobilization and rotation of military personnel. The latter two points are to be developed separately from the main bill.

The Defense Ministry presented key points of the revised mobilization bill on March 27. The proposal includes mobilization from the age of 25 to 60 and an introduction of basic military training instead of conscript service.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said back in December 2023 that the original version of the mobilization bill called for a draft of 450,000-500,000 additional conscripts. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on March 29 that this number has been "significantly reduced."

Read also: Opinion: Ukraine may have no choice but to lower its fighting age

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The victim has been identified as Duke University professor Joseph Izatt, but the passenger's identity has not been publicly revealed

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) welcome signage in Morrisville, North Carolina, U.S

A passenger helped land the private plane they were on Sunday after its pilot experienced a medical emergency in the air, according to a spokesperson for Raleigh-Durham International Airport

The pilot, who later died, has since been identified as Duke University professor Joseph Izatt



In a statement, Pratt School Dean Jerome Lynch described Izatt as "an exceptionally thoughtful leader who weighed every decision with a care"

A passenger helped land a private plane safely in North Carolina on Sunday after the aircrafts pilot suddenly experienced a fatal medical emergency.

The passenger took control of the Cirrus SR-20 and landed it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport shortly after the medical emergency was reported onboard the aircraft, according to a spokesperson for the airport and an incident report obtained by PEOPLE.

The pilot was transported to a local hospital shortly after the private plane landed safely on RDUs secondary runway, the spokesperson says.

The victim has been identified as Duke University professor Joseph Izatt, according to local ABC affiliate WTVD and NBC affiliate WRAL-TV. The passenger's identity has not been disclosed.

Related: Woman, 41, Who Died on Plane from Dominican Republic Seemed Healthy Before Flight, Says Friend

Izatt joined Duke in 2001 and served as a professor of engineering and the chair of Dukes Department of Biomedical Engineering, according to a news release from the university.

He was an exceptionally thoughtful leader who weighed every decision with a care that originated with his deep love for the BME community, said Pratt School Dean Jerome Lynch in the release. The integrity and humility he brought as a school leader will be missed.

Duke University Duke Professor Joseph Izatt, who died on Sunday, April 7

Sundays flight began at about 3:33 p.m. local time and lasted over an hour before landing at RDU, according to data from FlightAware.com.

Cellphone footage captured by Evan Caulfield showed paramedics putting the person in an ambulance, per WTVD. "I knew I was witnessing something," he said.

It is unclear what kind of medical emergency occurred on the plane, or when.

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 Mondays announcement, Duke described Izatt as a skilled researcher and inventor who played a foundational role in the development of a non-invasive medical imaging technique called optical coherence tomography."

Izatt spent decades collaborating with Dr. Cynthia Toth to bring this research directly to patients. He also advised and collaborated with talented students and staff in his Biophotonics Group to develop new methods to improve non-invasive medical diagnostics, real-time image-guided robotic surgery and more.

In 2008, Izatt received the Pratt Schools Capers and Marion McDonald Award for Excellence in Mentoring and Advising. Nearly a decade later, in 2017, he received the Graduate School Deans Award for Excellence in Mentoring.

Related: 2 Men Had Been Dead for Quite a While Before Their Bodies Were Found After Plane Crash

Izatt was also previously named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). In 2022, he became chair of Duke BME.

I am especially saddened to have lost a school leader who proudly led with his heart and who cared so deeply for the members of the BME and Pratt community, Dean Lynch said.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Pennsylvania Father Found Dead Inside Submerged Truck 4 Days After Not Showing Up for Work

It remains unclear how Brian Poschs vehicle entered the Monongahela River

Brighton Township Police Department Brian Posch, who was found dead in the Monongahela River on Tuesday

Brian Posch, 36, was found dead inside his truck, which was submerged in the Monongahela River, four days after he disappeared

The father of one was reported missing after he failed to show up to work on Friday, April 5

More than $25,000 has been raised for the man's family via GoFundMe

A man was found dead inside his truck, which was submerged in a river in Pennsylvania, four days after he disappeared.

Brian Posch, 36, was last seen around 11 a.m. local time on Friday, April 5, and was last known to be operating a white in color Ford Super Duty, according to the Brighton Township Police Department.

He was reported missing after he failed to show up to work, per CBS affiliate KDKA-TV.

Divers discovered a large metal mass, which later turned out to be his truck, in the Monongahela River on April 9, according to KDKA-TV and NBC affiliate WPXI.

Related: Wash. Womans Friends and Coworkers Hold Vigil After Suspicious Disappearance: We Just Want Answers

The man's body was found inside the vehicle, per WPXI and Beaver County Times.

A cause of death has not yet been determined, but police have said that foul play is not suspected.

"We do not have evidence of foul play at this time, however, with all investigations, things could change at a moment's notice," Elizabeth Police Chief Ken Honick told KDKA-TV.

It remains unclear how Posch's vehicle entered the water.

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.

Wife Alanna told WPXI that the pair exchanged I love yous before her husband set off for work Friday morning. She later found out he never made it to the construction site.

Concerned, Alanna called her husbands cellphone dozens of times and sent several text messages, but they stopped going through around 7 p.m. that evening.

Hes a wonderful dad and a wonderful husband, and he loves us and his daughter so much, she said during the interview, which was published before his body was found.

Related: South Carolina Man with Dementia Goes Missing in Mexico During Royal Caribbean Cruise with Family

Posch leaves behind both his 1-year-old daughter and wife Alanna, according to a GoFundMe campaign started to support his wife and child following his death.

"As the healing process begins, Alanna and Mila will need us all more than ever," read a message on the fundraising site. "All funds collected will be given to Alanna to use as she navigates through the days/weeks/years ahead."

More than $25,000 has been raised through the online fundraiser as of Wednesday afternoon.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Sir Philip Green paid a female executive more than 1 million after she accused him of groping her as part of a series of allegations - Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

Employees who accused Sir Philip Green of inappropriate behaviour would not be able to breach their gagging orders to report him to the police under new laws announced by the Government.

On Tuesday, Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary, tabled amendments to his victims and prisoners Bill which mean those accused of sexual and other offences will no longer be able to use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence their victims.

However, the law will only apply to new NDAs signed between employers and their staff and will not be applied retrospectively to those that were drawn up before the Bill gains royal assent this summer.

The Telegraph revealed five years ago how five people who alleged Sir Philip was guilty of inappropriate behaviour that was at times racial, physical or sexual, each signed an NDA in return for pay-offs.

He paid a female executive more than 1 million after she accused him of groping her as part of a series of allegations that The Telegraph was only able to disclose following a six-month legal battle.

Lawyers deny conduct amounted to crime

Sir Philip is also alleged to have racially abused a senior black employee, telling him that his problem was that he was still throwing spears in the jungle.

The black member of staff received around 1 million, while two other female employees were paid hundreds of thousands of pounds each after complaining of Sir Philips inappropriate behaviour that included grabbing one woman by the face and putting another in a headlock.

Sir Philips lawyers have consistently denied that any of Sir Philips conduct towards employees amounted to any type of crime or anything that would amount to gross misconduct, or a serious risk to health and safety.

They told The Telegraph that he was a passionate businessman, who could at times be over-exuberant and hot-headed.

They said he could be perceived at times as aggressive with senior and trusted staff.

No criminal investigation has been mounted in the UK over the allegations while, in the US, charges of misdemeanour assault  comprising four counts alleging he touched a pilates instructor inappropriately  were dismissed.

Lib Dems campaign to abolish NDAs

Under the law, NDAs will no longer be legally enforceable if they prevent employees from reporting a crime.

It means victims will be free to speak about their experiences to police, lawyers, doctors and counsellors without fear of legal action for breaking the terms of the agreement.

It is understood ministers decided against making the legislation retrospective because of concerns that it could change or invalidate multiple contractual arrangements that had already been agreed.

However, the Liberal Democrats, who have been campaigning for all NDAs to be abolished, urged the Government to go further. They cite the disparity between universities  where NDAs covering misconduct, including sexual assault, harassment, and bullying are to be banned and other sectors where they are not.

Layla Moran, the partys foreign affairs spokesman, said: This amendment is a welcome move that will help victims to access the support they need. But while this is a step in the right direction, the Government is not going far enough in giving victims their voice back.

It wont stop organisations from using gagging clauses, relies on victims knowing about the victims code, and wont do anything to help those already under an NDA. We need a complete ban of NDAs in cases of sexual misconduct, harassment and bullying to ensure that no victim is silenced.

Breach NDA even if no criminal charges made

Many businesses use non-disclosure agreements legitimately to protect commercially sensitive information and trade secrets. But bosses have also been accused of misusing the draconian clauses to silence victims of sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination and workplace abuse.

Under the rules, victims can disclose details covered by NDAs providing it is relevant to criminal conduct and for the purpose of reporting an offence or accessing support or advice. They will still be able to breach their NDAs even if what they believe to be criminal behaviour does not eventually lead to criminal charges.

Other parts of confidentiality agreements, including provisions in respect of commercially sensitive information and financial agreements, will remain in force.

The move comes after high-profile cases such as disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein revealed how confidentiality agreements were being used by sexual predators and bullies to escape prosecution.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: Non-disclosure agreements should never be used to sweep criminality under the carpet and prevent victims from accessing the legal advice or support they deserve.

Our changes will protect anyone who believes they are the victim of a crime, including those who have not reported it to the police, while ensuring these agreements can continue to serve their valuable role in protecting the security of individuals and businesses.

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.
MANILA (Reuters) -The upcoming trilateral summit between the United States, Philippines and Japan will include an agreement to maintain security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.

Marcos left for Washington on Wednesday afternoon for talks with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The Philippine leader told reporters earlier in the day that there will be an agreement on South China Sea issues, but emphasised that the summit is mainly aimed at boosting economic ties between the three allies.

"The main intent of this trilateral agreement is for us to be able to continue to flourish, to be able to help one another, and of course to keep the peace in the South China Sea and the freedom of navigation," Marcos said in a separate speech ahead of his departure to Washington.

Marcos said he aims to explore ways to advance cooperation with Japan and the United States on key areas that include infrastructure, semiconductors, cyber security, critical minerals, renewable energy and defence and maritime cooperation.

Marcos is also set to hold discussions with Biden ahead of the meeting among the three leaders.

The Philippines under Marcos has deepened military ties with both the United States and Japan as maritime run-ins with China in the South China Sea have escalated.

Marcos has allowed to nearly double Philippine bases American soldiers can access under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, and talks are underway with Japan for a reciprocal access agreement that will allow the presence of Japanese forces on Philippine soil.

At the same time, Marcos has also denied the existence of a so-called "gentleman's agreement" reportedly struck under predecessor Rodrigo Duterte with Beijing to "keep the status quo" in Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed maritime feature in the South China Sea.

A spokesperson during Duterte's term which ended in 2022 confirmed last month that such an agreement was made. Under that deal, the Philippines agreed not to bring construction materials to repair a rusting warship Manila deliberately grounded in 1999 to bolster its maritime claims. Marcos reiterated to reporters that there are no records of the deal.

"I am horrified by the idea that we have compromised through a secret agreement the territory, the sovereignty and the sovereign rights of the Philippines," Marcos told reporters.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, overlapping with territorial claims of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said China's claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing has rejected."

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor & Shri Navaratnam)
Pho, sushi spots get 80 or more red points. Here are Thurston food safety scores for April 10

Comments are taken directly from the latest Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) inspection reports, which are available for each food establishment, at the Thurston County Environmental Health Office and their website. For questions concerning these reports, contact the health office at 360-867-2667.

Report restaurant, grocery store, deli or bakery complaints online via the complaint form here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/eh-problem.aspx.

Reading inspection scores:

Attention should be given to the type of violation (red versus blue) and whether the establishment has a history of red violations or repeat violations.

Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately if feasible or according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: not keeping food at the right temperature.

Blue violations relate to the overall cleanliness and condition of operation and must be corrected according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: a worn floor that needs replacing.

If red points exceed 45, the county will require a reinspection within 10 business days. A reinspection also is required if total red and blue points exceed 65.

If red points exceed 100 and theres a lack of managerial control, the county will shut down the establishment for at least 72 hours. The establishment may reopen after management and employees complete retraining and demonstrate corrective action during a reinspection.

Some common abbreviations: PHF/TCS is potentially hazardous food/time control for safety; RTE is ready to eat; PIC is person in charge; FWC is food worker card; CDI is corrected during inspection.

Pho Lynn

1600 Cooper Point Road SW, Olympia

April 4: 85 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

Food workers entered the kitchen and began to wash their gloved hands. The person-in-charge directed the employee to remove their gloves and properly wash their hands before returning to food preparation.

Fried rice was cooled at depths of greater than 2 inches in a prep unit. Rich noodles were cooled at 2-inch depths while covered. TCS foods must be cooled uncovered at depths of 2 inches or less until they reach 41 degrees.

Garlic in oil, boba pearls and bean sprouts were at room temperature. TCS foods cannot be stored at room temperature unless according to a written plan. Corrected during inspection.

Cold held milk was at 45 degrees rather than at or below 41 degrees. Corrected during inspection.

The menu lacked a consumer advisory disclosure statement.

Aya Sushi Restaurant

1500 Cooper Point Road SW, Olympia

April 3: 80 red points; 13 blue points.

Comments:

A hand sink lacked soap. Corrected during inspection

Raw fish and noncontinuously cooked chicken were stored above ready-to-eat food in cold hold units. Corrected during inspection.

Chicken was observed cooling while covered at depths greater than 2 inches in a prep unit. TCS foods must be cooled uncovered in 2-inch or less amounts. Corrected during inspection.

Tempura sushi was stored at room temperature. Sushi rice was stored in a sushi rice machine at 90-115 degrees. TCS foods must be maintained under temperature or time as a control for safety. Corrected during inspection.

The facility lacked written procedures for time as a control and non-continuous cooking.

Chicken was observed thawing at room temperature. Corrected during inspection.

A warewashing machine was broken. The facility was using a three-compartment sink for food preparation rather than warewashing.

Dishes were not being sanitized.

Pho 102

5765 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater

April 1: 40 red points; 10 blue points.

Comments:

A food worker prepared basil with their bare hands.

Raw whole shell eggs were stored above ready-to-eat foods.

Chicken and shrimp in the prep unit were cold held at 42-47 degrees rather than at or below 41 degrees.

Various foods in the walk-in were less than 6 inches off the ground.

A meat slicer had visible debris on it.

China House

4740 Yelm Highway SE, Lacey

April 5: 35 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

The person-in-charge did not provide proof of attending approved food safety training programs.

Three pans of noodles were cooling in a covered container in the walk-in. Corrected during inspection.

A probe-type food thermometer was not available.

The facility did not have a sanitizer test kit.

Huicholitos

2125 Caton Way SW, Olympia

April 4: 30 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

One worker had an expired food worker card.

Rice was observed cooling in 2-inch pans while covered in the walk-in. The rice was 67-93 degrees.

Soul Cafe

2727 Westmoor Court SW, Olympia

April 3: 30 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

Two food worker cards were expired and others were unavailable upon request.

Truffle potatoes were cooled improperly in a deep plastic container. TCS food items must be cooled uncovered at depths of less than 2 inches until they reach 41 degrees.

A chlorine solution was too weak as prepared. Corrected during inspection.

Jack in the Box

110 Trosper Road SW, Tumwater

April 5: 25 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

A food worker used their bare hands to handle ready-to-eat food.

Sonic

7746 Martin Way E., Lacey

April 3: 20 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

The establishment was cited for deficiencies for not having a person-in-charge thats certified and compliant with code, not having current food worker cards, not maintaining proper cold holding temperatures and improperly using and storing wiping cloths.

No inspection notes were provided.

Evergreen Valley Espresso

1840 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Tumwater

April 3: 15 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

One worker had an invalid food worker card.

The handwashing sink lacked soap. Corrected during inspection.

Applebees

525 Sleater Kinney Road SE, Lacey

April 8: 10 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

The food items in the front condiment line were warmed than 41 degrees. Pico was at 45-51 degrees. Various dressings were at 42-45 degrees. All TCS foods must be kept at or below 41 degrees.

The facility didnt have accurate sanitizer test strips.

Subway

5900 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater

April 5: 5 red points; 5 blue points.

Comments:

One employee had an expired food worker card.

The in-use sanitizer solution was too weak as prepared. Corrected during inspection.

New Sushi and Teriyaki

5401 Corporate Center Loop SE, Lacey

April 5: 0 red points; 8 blue points.

Comments:

The establishment was cited for deficiencies having to do with not using proper thawing methods as well as not properly installing, maintaining and using warewashing facilities.

No inspection notes were provided.

Subway

1001 Cooper Point Road SW, Olympia

April 4: 0 red points; 5 blue point.

Comments:

A sanitizer solution was too weak as prepared. Corrected during inspection.

No violations

Cooper Point Village Mart, Grocery Stores and Confectionaries, 3210 Cooper Point Road NW, Olympia

Lime Leaf Asian Fusion, 5730 Ruddell Road SE, Lacey

Arco AM/PM, Grocery Stores and Confectionaries, Deli , 1725 Evergreen Park Drive SE, Olympia

Best Western Tumwater Olympia Inn, 5188 Capitol Blvd. SE, Tumwater
PHOTOS: Damaging hail falls across Central Texas on April 9

PHOTOS: Damaging hail falls across Central Texas on April 9

Editors Note: The video above was submitted by a KXAN viewer in Marble Falls. It shows hail falling on April 9, 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Severe storms on Tuesday produced damaging hail in parts of Central Texas, some up to softball size.

Burnet County was one of the areas impacted, including the Marble Falls and Lake Victor areas. Marble Falls police told KXAN that the storm passed over 90% of the town, hitting the middle of town the most severely.

RELATED: Marble Falls assessing damage following massive hail storm

Viewers across Central Texas submitted their weather photos and videos to KXAN through ReportIt, capturing impressive hailstones.

You can view them in the gallery below.

Hail that fell in Lake Victor, Texas, on April 9, 2024. (Courtesy: Haley Hornsby)

Hail that fell in Lake Victor, Texas, on April 9, 2024. (Courtesy: Haley Hornsby)

Hail that fell in Marble Falls, Texas, on April 9. (KXAN viewer photo)

Hail that fell in Marble Falls, Texas, on April 9, 2024. (Courtesy: Justis Ribera)

Hail that fell in Marble Falls on April 9, 2024. (Courtesy: Lacy Porter)

Hail that fell in Marble Falls on April 9, 2024. (Courtesy: Lacy Porter)

Hail that fell in Marble Falls on April 9, 2024. (Courtesy: Lacy Porter)

Hail that fell in the Horseshoe Bay area on April 9, 2024. (Courtesy: Guadalupe Sanchez)

Hail in Marble Falls from April 9 (KXAN photo/Todd Bailey)

Hail damage in Spicewood, Texas, due to severe storms on April 9, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)

Hail damage in Spicewood, Texas, due to severe storms on April 9, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)

Hail damage in Spicewood, Texas, due to severe storms on April 9, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)

Hail damage in Spicewood, Texas, due to severe storms on April 9, 2024. (KXAN Viewer Photo)

Hail accumulation in north Austin on April 9, 2024. (Courtesy Chase Von Ach)

Hail in Spicewood on April 9 | Courtesy Kathy Bellamy

Hail and damage in Marble Falls on April 9 | Courtesy: Christopher Gonzales

Hail and damage in Marble Falls on April 9 | Courtesy: Christopher Gonzales

Lampasas hail damage from April 9 storms | Courtesy: Fox Family

Lampasas hail from April 9 storms | Courtesy: Fox Family

Hail in Lake Victor on April 9 | KXAN viewer photo

Baseball size hail in Marble Falls on April 9 | KXAN viewer photo

Hail in Marble Falls on April 9 (KXAN viewer photo)

Hail in Marble Falls on April 9 | KXAN viewer photo

Hail photo in Austin on April 9 | Courtesy Lisa Clayton

Hail photo in central Austin on April 9 | Courtesy: Mitch Heard

Hail photo in Northwest Hills on April 9 | Courtesy: Shirley Steele

Hail in north Austin on April 9 | Courtesy: Bruce Kravitz

Golf ball-sized hail at North MoPac and Spicewood Springs Road on April 9 | KXAN viewer photo

Hail that fell near North MoPac and Spicewood Springs Road on April 9 | Courtesy: Tom W.

The video below shows large hail falling in northern Burnet County.

The video below from Shak Al-Muaber shows a hailstorm in Austin in the Crestview neighborhood.

The video below shows the Bastrop Buc-ees getting hit with heavy rain and some hail.

The video below from viewer Lindsey Shaw shows hail bouncing off a trampoline in the Steiner Ranch area of Travis County.

The video below from Chris Gotcher shows hail falling in Marble Falls.

The video below from Jim Bryce in Austin shows some goats taking shelter from the hailstorm.

The video below from a KXAN viewer shows hail falling in Marble Falls.

Dylan McKim contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium releases rehabilitated sea turtles into the ocean

The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium released rehabilitated sea turtles into the ocean on Tuesday morning.

>> Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium rehabilitating sea turtles, plans to release them into ocean

Six turtles, four green sea turtles and two Kemps ridley sea turtles were released at Little Talbot Island State Park in Florida.

The turtles were part of the zoos Sea Turtle Second Chance program.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Missing Beaver County mans truck found during search of Monongahela River in Elizabeth Township Recall alert: Hand sanitizer, aloe recalled amid warnings they could cause coma, blindness Man charged after 2 dogs found dead in garbage bags, 50 animals removed from Butler County home VIDEO: Police searching for 18-year-old charged in shooting death of teen in Braddock DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
IBERVILLE PARISH, La. (BRPROUD)  A Plaquemine teen pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge in connection to a deadly shooting in 2022.

He received the same sentence with the manslaughter plea as the second-degree murder conviction carries, but this spared the victims family from having to re-live the killing in a trial, and they agreed with the guilty plea, said 18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton.

Officials said LeeVonte Riley shot Tramone McGinnis, 15, in the head twice with a handgun on the morning of Jan. 5, 2022, in Iberville Parish. According to the district attorneys office, McGinnis was shot while he was sleeping on the sofa.

He had been let into the house by the victims cousin on the pretense that he wanted to visit her, but the murder is believed to have been a planned attack, the district attorneys office said.

Louisiana State Police ID man who died after manhunt, shooting in East Feliciana Parish

Riley fled the scene of the shooting and was arrested later in the day, Claytons office said.

After Rileys arrest, the district attorneys office filed a motion to transfer him to adult court. District Court Judge Alvin Batiste ruled in favor of the motion, according to the district attorneys office.

The district attorneys office said that the murder is considered to be a retaliatory killing between the 1900 gang and the BMM gang.

This is a tragic case of one young life lost and anothers to lose his youth in prison because of Rileys involvement in gang activity, said Clayton. It is painful for both families, and it is painful for the DAs office to have to prosecute a 14-year-old on murder, but these gang murders had a history of violence. To shoot someone in the head twice while hes sleeping on a sofa is cold-blooded.

Latest News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
One of Donald Trumps county campaign chairs in New Hampshire lost his job as a police officer after threatening to kill his colleagues in a shooting spree, murder the department chief and rape the chiefs wife in retaliation for his suspension over his relationship with a high school girl, according to a newly released report from an internal affairs investigation.

Jonathan Stone, who is currently a second-term state representative, was announced as Trumps Sullivan County chair by his campaign on June 27, 2023. The coup-attempting former president first came to know Stone during Trumps 2016 run, when Stone gave him an inscribed AR-15 assault rifle at a campaign stop.

At that point, it had been a decade since Stone had lost his job with the Claremont Police Department, which agreed to a settlement negotiated by the local police union that kept the investigative records secret. The documents were ordered to be released last week by the New Hampshire Supreme Court in a lawsuit by a local newspaper over Stones objections.

Stone, who opened a gun shop after losing his job as a police officer, did not reply to HuffPost queries.

Stephen Stepanek, Trumps New Hampshire campaign chair, said he knew nothing about Stones background until seeing news accounts.

I just found out about it this morning, Stepanek said Wednesday. Hes been a Trump supporter for a long time, and hes been a state representative, and he had, as far as we were concerned, what looked like a great background.

Stepanek said Stones future with the campaign has not been determined.

We havent made any decisions at this point, he said, adding that he expected the campaigns top aides at Trumps South Florida country club would be taking the lead. I think it will be handled by Mar-a-Lago, in consultation with me.

Campaign co-managers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles did not respond to HuffPost queries.

According to the files released last week, the original 2006 investigation was launched to look into allegations that Stone was involved in a relationship with a 16-year-old high school girl. Department officials decided to suspend Stone for five days and ordered him not to contact her anymore.

Stone, who, according to the files, had already displayed a temper, began telling co-workers about his plans for violence.

One police co-worker told investigators she had heard Stone make threats to a colleague.

That conversation included discussion about backing a truck up to the back door, kicking the door open and going on a shooting spree, the co-worker said. While Jon was under investigation for something, he said he was going to tie up the chief, make the chief watch him as he pillages the chiefs wife and children.

A department detective told investigators: I recall Jon saying he was going to go to the chiefs house and rape the chiefs wife, and kids, and shoot the chief.

The investigators concluded that Stone should not keep his job.

The seriousness of threatening to kill command staff officers, raping the chiefs wife, tying people up and going postal are violations at the most serious level. Stones conduct goes so far beyond what is expected of a professional police officer that [the] only appropriate resolution is his removal from office, investigators wrote.

In 2016, Stone, who by then had opened Black Ops Arms in Claremont, New Hampshire, presented Trump with an AR-15 rifle inscribed with the numbers 1-4-5, signifying that Trump was his first choice to become the 45th president.

Stone has remained in Trumps camp since. Trump named him one of his 14 New Hampshire county and city chairs last June and praised him from the stage during a rally in Claremont five months later.

It is unclear what came of the assault rifle Stone gave Trump in 2016.

Trump, who lost New Hampshire in both 2016 and during his 2020 reelection bid, won the states primary again three months ago, clearing the way to his third straight Republican presidential nomination despite facing four separate criminal prosecutions.

Two of those are based on his actions leading up to and on Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his followers attacked the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to reinstall him as president.

A federal indictment could go to trial as early as late August, depending on the timing of a Supreme Court ruling on his claim that he is immune from prosecution. A Georgia state prosecution based on his attempt to overturn his election loss in that state could also start later this year.

A New York state prosecution on charges that he falsified business records to hide hush money payments in the days before the 2016 election is to begin jury selection on Monday, while a second federal prosecution based on his refusal to turn over secret documents he took with him from the White House to Mar-a-Lago has not yet been set for trial.

In 2023, a New York jury found that Trump had sexually penetrated writer E. Jean Carroll against her will in an incident in the 1990s, finding him civilly liable for sexual abuse. The federal judge in the case later clarified that Trumps actions were rape in the common modern parlance.

Related...
Man, 67, arrested 200 miles away from Wichita bank robbery. Heres how much was stolen

A 67-year-old man was arrested Wednesday nearly 200 miles southwest of Wichita after he was accused of robbing a Wells Fargo bank of $1,553, according to details released Thursday.

Craig Henderson remained jailed in Meade County on Thursday afternoon after a chase with deputies that ended in the city of Meade, which has a population of around 1,500 people, according to records and sheriff Douglas Ritter. Henderson, whose hometown Ritter did not know, was arrested on suspicion of fleeing and eluding and aggravated assault on an officer.

Officers were on the lookout for a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze possibly used in the robbery reported at 11:36 a.m. at the Wells Fargo at 455 S. West Street. A Meade County deputy spotted the vehicle at 2:23 p.m. before Henderson fled, Ritter said in a news release.

He was eventually taken into custody without incident, Ritter said. Its unclear what ended the chase.

The robbery in Wichita happened when a man walked into the bank, went up to a teller, announced that it was robbery and said he had a weapon, Wichita police spokesperson Andrew Ford said.

He never showed a weapon.

The teller gave the man money. A police report says the suspect got $1,553.






Two women were violently assaulted in separate incidents along the famous Venice Canals, and police are warning the community about a dangerous suspect on the loose who is believed to be responsible for both attacks, authorities announced Tuesday.

The first attack occurred on April 6 at around 10:30 p.m., according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.

The female victim was walking in the 2700 block of Strongs Drive near Venices Grand Canal when a man approached her from behind and struck her in the head with a hard object. The blow knocked the woman unconscious.

An hour later, the same suspect assaulted a second woman in the same way as she was walking near the Sherman Canal.

Nearby residents located the second victim and immediately called police. Authorities say both victims sustained significant injuries.

Detectives with LAPDs Pacific Patrol Division responded and began investigating.

A blood stain is still visible on the back porch of Bila Kahans home of 25 years, evidence of the violent attack on the Grand Canal.

2 women violently assaulted by same man in Southern California, police say

Where is it safe in Los Angeles right now? she said to KTLAs Samantha Cortese.

According to statistics collected by LAPD, violent crime in the area is up by 10% compared to this time last year.

L.A. City Councilwoman Park told KTLA that attacks like these are why shes proposed a real-time watch center for Venice like the surveillance system currently operating in Beverly Hills because Pacific-area officers are overwhelmed.

The hard reality is that because of defunding efforts previously and chronic understaffing, we dont have enough police to patrol in our neighborhood, she said. This is out of control, its unacceptable and I want it addressed. We have an opportunity in November to choose a DA who is going to get serious about prosecuting crimes.

For her part, Kahan agrees.

If we had a better district attorney who gave them stiffer sentences, Im sure the crime rate would go down, she said.

Police say the suspect is described as a male Black or Hispanic with medium to dark skin. He is between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall and weighs between 180 and 200 pounds with short hair that appears to be trimmed around the ears.

2 women violently assaulted by same man in Southern California, police say

Residents are encouraged to be aware of the surroundings and notify the police of any suspicious activity or persons loitering in this area, the release stated. As detectives work to identify and arrest this suspect, the LAPD will be increasing patrols in the Venice community.

The deployment of additional officers was approved as a precautionary measure and residents should expect to see more police vehicles in the neighborhood, authorities added.

LAPD crime data compiled by CrosstownLA show there were 481 assault reports, not including domestic cases, in Venice in 2023, and 90 from Jan. 1 through March 31 of this year. The neighborhood saw a recent high of 609 assaults in 2020.

Anyone with information that could lead to the identification and arrest of this suspect, along with additional victims or witnesses, is urged to contact LAPDs Special Assault Detectives at 213-473-0477. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at L.A. Crime Stoppers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Woman killed in Anacortes, police search for husband, considered a person of interest

Anacortes Police are looking for a man who is a person of interest in his wifes death Tuesday night.

Police dispatch received a call saying a woman was found stabbed at a house Tuesday afternoon at 2200 J Avenue in Anacortes.

When police arrived, they found a 41-year-old woman dead inside the home.

Anacortes police said later the womans children were safe and were family members.

The caller then said his son and the womans husband were possibly suicidal and driving to the Deception Pass bridge.

Washington State troopers found the 41-year-old mans car on the center island of the Deception Pass bridge.

Police are calling the man a person of interest in the womans murder. He has not been found.

Search dogs from Snohomish county are being brought in to help in the search for the man.

Earlier in the day, several agencies responded to the water near Deception Pass after a report of a body was spotted in the water.

Several agencies tried but werent able to recover the body from the water.

Anacortes Police said in a Facebook post that they believe the cases are related.
A Colorado Air National Guard, F-16 Fighting Falcon, performs a fly by during the 140th Wing Employer Day, Fort Carson, Colorado, Sept 10, 2016. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf/Released)

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and leaders in other states oppose a U.S. Air Force proposal that would shift authority over space units of the Air National Guard from the governor to the federal government.

The proposal would assign authority over the units to Space Force. Its included as part of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which Congress approves every year to fund the military.

Polis, a Democrat, said the move would threaten the structure and even existence of the National Guard, as well as its ability to respond to national emergencies. Governors can activate the National Guard to help with emergencies within the state, as Polis has done during the 2021 Marshall Fire in Boulder and during the peak of the COVID pandemic.

This direct override of gubernatorial authority to exercise control over the units that are permanently based or removed from their respective states flies in the face of over 120 years of military tradition, organizational structure and efficacy, and precedent, Polis said in an April 2 letter to Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Last fiscal years NDAA approved a feasibility study on the consolidation or transfer of space functions of the National Guard to the Space Force. Colorado lawmakers in Congress have supported the idea of establishing a Space National Guard, which would take members of the existing Air National Guard and Army National Guard who perform space-related duties and place them under the command structure of the Space Force.

Service members who join the Colorado Air National Guard take an oath to serve not only the United States but also Colorado, and Polis said the potential of removing them from the state to continue their work is not a decision they should have to make. He also said a majority of Air National Guard space operators would not transfer to U.S. Space Force because they would want to remain service members in Colorado.

As their Commander-in-Chief, I cannot stand idly by as the servicemembers I am charged with leading are faced with the decision to either leave military service, or serve in a manner that they did not originally agree to, Polis said.

Retired Maj. Gen. Francis McGinn, president of the National Guard Association of the United States, said the proposal has the look and feel of something getting snuck into the NDAA without proper discussion, as it was brought up late in the consideration of the 2025 version of the act.

Air National Guard space professionals and their equipment, by law, belong to a governor until mobilized by the president, McGinn said in a statement. Governors have long had a vote in these matters, and they deserve one here.

The National Governors Association, for which Polis serves as vice chair, also opposes the proposal. He and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican who chairs the association, said in a statement that legislation altering National Guard authority will negatively impact future security missions, military readiness, recruitment, retention, and Guard infrastructure across the nation.

Governors on both sides of the aisle call for the immediate discontinuation of legislative proposals that endanger or deny the full and legitimate authority of Governors to act in the capacity of Commander in Chief to their respective National Guard across states and territories, the statement reads.

Other states that would be affected by the change include Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, New York and Ohio.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Polis opposes proposal to shift Air National Guard authority from governors appeared first on Colorado Newsline.
Polish farmers continue to block the lorries traffic at the Rava-Ruska, Yahodyn, and Uhryniv checkpoints.

Source: European Pravda, citing Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, at a briefing at Media Center Ukraine  Ukrinform

Quote: "The blockade of three directions, Rava-Ruska, Yahodyn, and Uhryniv continues. In total, 450 lorries are waiting in line," Demchenko said.

He said that the Yahodyn checkpoint is the largest infrastructure direction on the border with Poland for transporting freight vehicles. Specifically, it can process 12001400 lorries per day. However, only 70 freight vehicles passed into Ukraine over the past 24 hours.

The spokesperson pointed out that there are queues even in previously unblocked directions, which is particularly obvious at the Krakovets and Shehyni checkpoints.

Demchenko emphasised that Polish farmers do not block traffic for other categories of transport and cargo with humanitarian aid.

Background:

On 28 March, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced progress in resolving the problems of agricultural imports and road transport after talks in Warsaw with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal.

Support UP or become our patron!
North Carolina Democrat Josh Stein is seeing his lead over Republican Mark Robinson grow in one of this year's most closely watched races for governor, which is being advertised as a pivotal bellwether in the 2024 presidential election.

A new Quinnipiac University Poll released Wednesday shows Stein, the state's attorney general, at 52% among registered voters and Robinson, who serves as lieutenant governor, behind with 44%.

That's far better than the 2% lead Stein held over Robinson in two previous surveys conducted in early March as the two candidates vie to replace term-limited Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat.

The Tar Heel State will be in the spotlight this year largely due to how competitive it has been in the past few election cycles.

Donald Trump, who has endorsed Robinson, beat Joe Biden by less than 1 percent in the last presidential contest. And of the 11 gubernatorial races this year, North Carolina is one of just two (along with New Hamsphire) rated as a toss-up by political forecasters.

Mark Robinson, Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, speaking during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Since the Super Tuesday primary on March 5, both the Democrats and Republicans have telegraphed what they want the 2024 contest to be about.

Robinson is relentless in bringing up immigration, crime and Biden, who has a net negative 22% job approval rating in the state, according to the Quinnipiac poll.

Democrats have focused on Robinson for a mountain of inflammatory comments, including for referring to former first lady Michelle Obama as a man, calling Beyonce as a "skank" and saying victims in school shootings were "media prosti-tot" for supporting firearm regulations.

Even some GOP officials have warned Robinson's crude remarks and political style could alienate some voters. Among independents, for instance, Stein leads Robinson by 9% in a head-to-head match, according to the poll.

But as for now the Quinnipiac survey finds the Republican nominee is virtually tied with Stein when voters are asked to rate their honesty, shared values, leadership skills and if they care about average North Carolinians.

"In the governor's race, a stunning contrast in values, experience and messaging is on display in a race that sees the Democrat ahead, but only by single digits," Tim Malloy, a polling analyst for Quinnipiac University, said in a statement.

Trump, Biden virtually tied; RFK Jr. in double-digits

Democrats have been hungry to put North Carolina back in their column in a White House race since then-candidate Barack Obama last won the state for the party in 2008. In each presidential election since, the state been decided by less than 4 percentage points.

Quinnipiac has the race as too-close-to-call with Trump holding 48% and Biden holding 46%, which is a virtual tie within the poll's 2.6% margin of error.

As has been the pattern in other swing states, Biden's margin takes a ding when the presidential field expands to include third-party contenders.

Related: 'One person responsible': Biden campaign blames Trump after Arizona abortion ruling

Trump receives 41% support versus Biden's 38% among voters when independent candidates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Cornel West and Jill Stein are on the ballot.

Kennedy performs the best out of that group, according to the poll, raking in 12% with West and Stein both getting garnering 3% support.

Most N.C. voters favor abortion access

Much like the rest of the country, North Carolina has grappled with the ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

North Carolina's GOP supermajority in the legislature passed a 12-week abortion ban last summer with limited exceptions in the case of rape, incest or the life of the mother that the state's current Democratic governor unsuccessfully tried to resist with his veto pen.

Advocates on both sides of the reproductive health debate have told USA Today this will be a decisive factor in this year's election, and the Quinnipiac shows that could favor Stein and the Democrats.

The poll shows 63% of voters think abortion should be legal, including 36% who said the procedure should be in most cases. That's more than double the 30% who believe abortion should be prohibited, including 22% who said it should be outlawed in most cases.

In terms of what North Carolinians care about, the survey found the economy ranks highest among Tar Heel State voters at 27%, followed by preserving U.S. democracy with 16% and education at 13%.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump holds slight edge over Biden in NC, poll shows.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Behavioral Health Resource Center in downtown Portland is shutting down for one week in May for fire safety improvements and staff training, Multnomah County announced Tuesday.

The center will close May 6-12 for staff certification training and scheduled upgrades  including replacing elevator curtains, which prevent smoke and heat from entering the elevator shaft in the four-story building in the event of a fire, officials said.

Ahead of the closure, the county said the center is working to connect guests to other shelters and services, which will not be available to the more than 100 people they serve daily.

Portland homeowner fears sons eviction after city issues fines for trailer

According to Multnomah County, the week-long closure and accelerated construction will help them avoid an estimated five-week service disruption if the day center, shelter, and bridge housing services were to remain open during the maintenance work.

The timing of the closure will allow Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon staff who operate the day center  to earn continuing education credits, which are required to obtain and maintain professional certification. Do Good Multnomah staff  who operate the shelter and bridge housing  will use the time to train peer staff, the county said.

Weve built an amazing team of peer professionals who are consistently ready and available to support our community, said John Karp-Evans, Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregons senior program and operations director at the Behavioral Health Resource Center. This time will allow the needed focus on continuing education to maintain certification and expand skill sets in alignment with professional credentialing. Our team will continue to prepare and inform participants regarding other community services where they can get their needs met during this closure.

Teachers find fossils of extinct hippo-like mammals on the Oregon Coast

Jason Anderson, a Do Good program manager for the shelter and bridge program said, Do Good is excited to build further towards the long-term safety of the BHRC for our participants. Over the last few months, we have been working diligently to minimize the impact of the temporary closure on the individuals currently staying at the BHRC. We have timed intakes to allow everyone to receive the standard 30 days of shelter before exiting on May 5th.

Multnomah County Interim Behavioral Health Director Heather Mirasol said the closure is a well-orchestrated opportunity to enhance critical services, adding, The planning that MHAAO and Do Good Multnomah have done to ensure that the individuals they serve are effectively cared for during and following this closure is consistent with the outstanding quality of the work they do at the at the Center daily.

The Behavioral Health Resource Center opened in December of 2022 and has helped 3,750 people who are houseless and experiencing addiction or mental health challenges downtown  providing a space for laundry, showers, phone charging, and internet access.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
SLIDELL, La. (WGNO)  A possible tornado caused catastrophic damage to the Louisiana city of Slidell, officers said as they assessed the wreckage Wednesday.

Damage was extensive on the south end of Slidell, the police department said. Police video shows roofs torn off of homes and apartments, tree limbs littering the streets and flooded yards that resemble Louisiana swamps. Outside a McDonalds restaurant, a car was on its side, power poles were leaning toward the ground and large pieces of the McDonalds Golden Arches sign were strewn about the street.

The damage is unbelievable, and this is just the beginning, said one officer, as he showed the path of the suspected tornado. Were still making our way throughout the city to try and assess the totality of everything, but this storm was no joke. Its something that we havent seen in Slidell in a very long time, or maybe ever, with this amount of damage.

Southeast Louisiana faces severe weather threat Wednesday

A first responder told the officers, who were recording their walk through the area, that they had to pull out more than 50 residents from an apartment building that had its roof torn off, among other damage.

First responders were also dealing with downed power lines, high water and downed trees.

Its bad guys. I cant stress enough to stay off the roadways, said one Slidell officer on video.

Robin Marquez was at work, in a two-story building in Slidell when the sky suddenly darkened and she could see a cylindric funnel quickly approaching.

PHOTOS: Storms in Southeast Louisiana cause flooded streets, damage

Tornado, she screamed, hoping other employees would heed her warning.

She and seven others huddled in her office, away from windows as wind gusts imitated the sounds of a train above them, the lights flickered and they could feel the building being torn apart around them.

Ive never talked to God so much before in my life, the 45-year-old said.

Marquez and the others with her were not injured. When they left their shelter, they saw complete destruction. The roof was gone, the walls caved in and the aluminum siding was ripped off. In the middle of what once was the buildings lobby lay a speed limit sign.

More severe weather was expected throughout the day Wednesday. An undisclosed number of injuries were reported.

Heavy rain, tornadoes, hail and damaging wind gusts were all possible across the Gulf Coast and the Deep South on Wednesday, according to meteorologist Ashton Robinson Cook with the NWS Weather Prediction Center.

In Texas, several people were rescued from homes and vehicles early Wednesday morning when flooding inundated parts of Jasper County, near the Louisiana line, authorities said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Potential jurors for Trumps NYC hush money trial will be asked if theyre in QAnon or Antifa  but not about political alignments

Potential jurors at Donald Trumps Manhattan hush money trial wont be asked outright about their political leanings  but will be asked if theyre part of QAnon, the Proud Boys or Antifa.

Would-be panelists at the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president will be asked to say out loud if they belong to the extremist groups  one of 42 questions that Manhattanites will answer once jury selection kicks off April 15.

Prospective jurors will also be asked to say under oath whether they have attended a Trump campaign event or rally, and whether they follow Trump or any anti-Trump group on social media, according to an order late Monday from Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan.

Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records. REUTERS

The panelists will also answer what news outlets they watch or read, including Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, the New York Times, The Post and the Wall Street Journal.

Jurors will also be asked whether they have any strong opinions or firmly held beliefs about former

President Donald Trump that interferes with their ability to be fair and impartial.

Lawyers for both Trump and the Manhattan District Attorneys Office wont get to ask jurors directly what political party they ascribe to, but the answer to that question may easily be gleaned from the responses to the other questions, Merchan noted.

Jurors will have to say whether they are a part of QAnon or other extremist groups. REUTERS

Jury selection in the case  in which Trump is accused of covering up payments made before the 2016 election to keep porn star Stormy Daniels from going public about her alleged tryst with him  is expected to take several days, if not weeks.

Attorneys for both sides have unlimited chances to boot jurors for whats called cause. But theyve agreed not to remove any juror based purely on their political party, which is in line with how previous politically charged cases in New York have been handled.

Jurors will only be removed for cause if they are found to be not qualified, or if they have a state of mind that is likely to preclude them from rendering an impartial verdict based upon the evidence, the judge said.

Jurors will be required to state out loud whether they are part of the left-wing group Antifa, which says one of its goals is to fight facism. J.C. Rice

Both sides will get the same amount of chances to object to certain jurors without citing a specific reason, but the number of so-called peremptory challenges theyll get is still being worked out.

Trump, 77, has argued that he cannot get a fair trial in Democrat-leaning Manhattan, which he lost in landslides in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

But out of a borough of 1.6 million people, the court only needs 12 jurors and six alternates, who have been vetted and agree to be fair and impartial, for opening statements to begin.

Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records, which each carry a potential prison sentence of up to four years.

He has pleaded not guilty.
Presidential Office: Ukraine, Portugal to soon start negotiations on security deal

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva held a call with the Portuguese prime minister's advisor Jorge Monteiro to discuss the expected bilateral security agreement, the Presidential Office said on April 9.

Ukraine has signed bilateral security deals with eight countries, including Finland, the U.K., Germany, France, Denmark, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands.

The agreements are based on a pledge made by the Group of Seven (G7) last July, which aims to bolster Ukraine's ability to resist Russian aggression. Portugal joined the G7's resolution last summer.

During the call, Zhovkva and Monteiro agreed to start negotiations on a bilateral security agreement "shortly." The parties also discussed the current situation on the front and Ukraine's needs in defense against Russia.

"We appreciate Portugal's practical participation in the tank, aviation, and maritime capabilities coalitions. It is important that the volume and pace of military assistance continue to increase," Zhovkva said.

Ukraine's Peace Formula, as well as Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, were among the discussed topics.

Monteiro highlighted Ukraine's progress in implementing reforms regarding its future membership in the EU and NATO.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called with newly appointed Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro on April 4. Zelensky subsequently said that Kyiv and Lisbon "assigned the teams" to begin the preparation of a bilateral security agreement.

Read also: Ukraine, Lithuania hold meeting on bilateral security agreement

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The race between President Biden and former President Trump in North Carolina is neck and neck, according to a new poll released Wednesday.

The Quinnipiac University poll found Trump narrowly edged out Biden with 48 percent of support among North Carolina voters compared to Bidens 46 percent. When independent and Green Party candidates were included in the choices, 41 percent of voters backed Trump and 38 percent backed Biden.

Twelve percent selected independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and 3 percent chose independent candidate Cornel West and Green Party candidate Jill Stein, according to the poll.

With overall voter enthusiasm for Biden and Trump lukewarm at best, close to 1 in 5 North Carolina voters look at third party candidates with open minds and the potential to throw a wrench into the works in a close race, Tim Malloy, Quinnipiac University polling analyst, said in a statement.

Democrats are eyeing North Carolina as a potential flip state for Biden, who narrowly lost the state in 2020 to Trump. Biden traveled to North Carolina late last month to emphasize that he has delivered for the South.

According to The Hill/Decision Desk HQs North Carolina polling average, Trump has a 5.2 percentage point lead over Biden based on 25 polls.

The poll also found that Democrat Josh Stein leads Republican Mark Robinson by 8 percentage points in the gubernatorial race.

Stein said last month that he would welcome Biden campaigning for him in the Tar Heel State.

The poll was conducted April 4-8 among 1,401 registered voters in the state, with a margin of error of 2.6 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Two classic Pennsylvania food items will battle it out for the title of the coolest thing made in the commonwealth.

Pittsburgh-based Primanti Bros. sandwich and Hersheys beloved chocolate and peanut butter concoction, the Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, made the top two in the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industrys Coolest Thing Made in Pa. competition.

To get to the final round, both tasty treats made it through three weeks and five rounds of public voting, totaling more than 92,000 votes since the contest started on March 19, the Pa. Chamber said.

That we find ourselves for a second straight year with two finalists in the food category proves a few things: First, that Pennsylvanians definitely vote with their stomachs; and, second, that customer loyalty to these brands is incredibly strong, Pa. Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein said. The fact that weve tripled the number of votes over last years contest and that last years champion is again in the final round is a testament to the Primanti Bros. faithful. Were excited to see which company ultimately takes home the Coolest Thing Made in Pa. title when this final round comes to an end. Good luck to the finalists!

Voting for the final round opens at noon on April 10 on the Pa. Chambers X, formerly known as Twitter, page. The public can also vote on the organizations Instagram page starting at 4 p.m.

Voting will close on April 11 at 4 p.m. and the winner will be announced shortly after.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Missing Beaver County man found dead during search of Monongahela River in Elizabeth Township 2 suspects charged after 60-year-old man brutally attacked inside his Sewickley home Airline offers service from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia for half the cost of traveling on PA Turnpike VIDEO: New bill would expand Pennsylvania's distracted driving law DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
The pair just made history by filling in for King Charles.

Getty Images

As King Charles scales back his royal duties due to cancer treatment, the monarchy has been shifting around and allowing members of royal family to rise in importance in recent weeks. Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie are the latest royals to ascend the ranks  so much so that Charles made them the "chosen ones" to fill in at a recent event, as reported by Us Weekly.

On April 8, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh led their first major royal event by filling in for Charles at the 120th anniversary celebration parade of the Entente Cordiale  an agreement dating back to April 8, 1904 that saw the United Kingdom and France unite against Germany, paving the way their alliance when World War I and World War II hit.

Getty Images

Edward and Sophie also stood outside of the Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Elsewhere, the pair was joined by Her Excellency, the French Ambassador to the U.K., Helene Duchene, a move that signals Charles' trust in their handling of royal affairs. Per Us Weekly, onlookers at the event speculated that Queen Camilla, Princess Beatrice or Princess Eugenie would be the royal to attend the event, and were happily surprised to they were chosen to attend the event.

Getty images

In the meantime, Charles remains in good spirits, despite his limitations. Hes in good spirits, Charles' nephew, Peter Phillips, said in an March 24 interview with Sky News Australia. I think, ultimately, hes hugely frustrated. Hes frustrated that he cant get on and do everything that he wants to be able to do. But he is very pragmatic, [and] he understands that theres a period of time that he really needs to focus on himself.

For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on InStyle.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Officials said that someone shot at an officer in an unmarked police car in Prince Georges County on Wednesday.

The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said that the incident happened around 11:05 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Route 301 before Trade Zone Avenue. The suspect was last spotted going southbound on Branch Avenue.

PGPD said that the officer was not injured in the gunfire and did not return fire.

Prince Georges County police: Virginia man arrested, charged for killing Maryland woman

Officers were still working to determine what led to the shooting and why the suspect opened fire.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said it arrested and charged a man for fatally stabbing his former girlfriend on Thursday.

Officers responded to a stabbing in the 5600 block of Lanteen St. at about 11 a.m. Police found 47-year-old Wendolyn McKoy of Lanham inside her home there with multiple stab wounds. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

PGPD said 50-year-old Kevin Derr of Alexandria stabbed McKoy during an argument. They had been in a relationship before the incident. He fled the scene after.

Five people rescued during house fire in Fairfax County

Derr was found hours later in Washington, D.C. where he is awaiting extradition to Prince Georges County. He was charged with first- and second-degree murder, and other related charges.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers online at pgcrimesolvers.com or with the P3 Tips mobile app.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Prince Harry Wants to Take Up Some of the Slack & Help Family Amid Health News, According to Royal Author

PureWow Editors select every item that appears on this page,, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Read the original article on Purewow.

While King Charles, 75, and Kate Middleton, 42, undergo treatment for their undisclosed types of cancer, Prince Harry may just be ready to lend a helping hand to his royal family members.

While sitting down with Hello! Canada, royal expert Christopher Andersen, who wrote The King: The Life of Charles III, shared that he believes Prince Harry would be open to taking on a part-time royal role while his father and sister-in-law continue to receive medical treatment.

Ever since the two senior royals have taken a step back from their royal duties, Prince William, 41, and Queen Camilla, 76, have picked up the slack, making a handful of solo appearances and taking on more public engagements.

CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY IMAGES

In case you didnt know, Prince Harry will be traveling to London next month for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Invictus Games. And Andersen speculates that the 39-year-old royal will express his desire to take up some of the slack during this difficult time.

In fact, hes eager to return to London and help take up some of the slack now that the medical issues of the King and the Princess of Wales have thrown the monarchy into a state of crisis, he told the publication.

Anderson added, If they could all put these perceived slights and resentments behind them, Harry and Meghan could be hugely valuable assets to the monarchy at a time when it could use all the help it can get.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

After King Charless cancer diagnosis was made public, Prince Harry jumped on a plane and flew to London to visit him at Clarence House (aka the monarchs current residence).

In a surprise interview with Good Morning America that same month, the Duke of Sussex revealed that he had to see his father as soon as possible after learning the news, telling ABC News reporter Will Reeve, Look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, Im grateful for that.

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, 42, also reached out to Princess Catherine and Prince William following the Princess of Waless cancer diagnosis. In a public statement shared by People, the couple said, We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.

Prince Harry Reveals Which Royal Family Member First Called Him a Spare

Stay up-to-date on every breaking royal family story by subscribing here.
Donald Trumps pro-life supporters were left blindsided Monday after the former President announced he would oppose abortion restrictions at the federal level.

While many of his GOP colleagues, like South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have backed a 15-week national limit, Trump insisted that the matter be left to the states. Many [states] will have a different number of weeks, or some will have [a] more conservative [limit] than others, he said, adding, You must follow your heart, or, in many cases, your religion or your faith. Do whats right for your family and do whats right for yourself.

This was a startlingly different position from the one he took in 2018, when he urged the Senate to pass a 20-week abortion ban and promised to sign it should it land on his desk. It was also a drastic departure from the GOPs default stance on abortion since Reagan. Pro-life leaders responded with somewhat bewildered statements where they expressed their profound disappointment  while giving up any political leverage they might have by pledging their support for Trumps candidacy anyway.

That pro-life groups are struggling to find their footing after the presumptive Republican nominee made a statement that seems to leave them without any presidential champion is understandable. The potential setbacks Trumps words might pose to the movement were felt immediately. While much of the GOPs base was celebrating a ruling on Tuesday from the Arizona Supreme Court that outlaws abortion except to save the mothers life, the partys Senate candidate in the state was disavowing it.

Trump sycophant Kari Lake, who previously praised the law for its potential to make Arizona a state where we will not be taking the lives of our unborn anymore, is now calling on the legislature to replace it with a common sense solution. Of course, the pro-lifers Lake happily pandered to prior to Monday thought not taking a life, except when necessary to prevent death, was common sense. Lake hasnt bothered to explain why she suddenly finds that view irrational.

Trump has always been skilled at reading the mood of mainstream America, and its clear from the successes of recent pro-abortion ballot measures that his instinct to take this wedge issue off the table is politically smart. But to deserve the support of those abortion opponents who helped propel him to office in 2016, he must balance his pragmatism with some indication that the ethical implications of the issue still matter to him. Instead, he is excoriating allies like Senator Graham and Pro-Life America president Marjorie Dannenfelser for risking his election chances with their consistency.

Few pro-lifers would deny the public sentiment theyre up against  though polls vary, the majority find that about half the electorate thinks abortion should be legal in most cases. It is not Trumps fault that there is no consensus in this country at the moment to make a federal abortion limit plausible. Neither he nor the pro-life movement have anything to gain by denying this reality. And most voters who care about the cause of life will be willing to take any incremental wins, while working to persuade their countrymen toward more virtuous policies in the future.

But those virtuous policies will never come by relying on Stephen Douglas-style popular sovereignty. At no point in Trumps statement did he so much as hint at moral clarity on the grave matter of making a babys right to life negotiable, nor did he appeal to the higher ideals established in our Constitution. His vague call to follow your heart is the kind of relativistic pablum more befitting a Disney cartoon than a would-be leader of the free world. Relegating the issue to the will of the people is a dereliction of his duty to represent the party where all lives actually do matter.

While acknowledging that the US in 1858 had no national mandate for outlawing slavery, Lincoln nonetheless reminded his listeners that slavery is founded in the selfishness of mans nature, opposition to it [in] his love of justice. When he debated Douglas, he made it clear that because of divided public opinion, he had no intention of pursuing abolition at a federal level.

Yet he refused to let America look away from her sin. It took a war and generations, but eventually, the entire nation would yield to Lincolns view that Douglas position of leaving slavery up to personal choice eradicat[ed] the light of reason and the love of liberty. No one expects Trump to equal Lincolns eloquence. But if he wants pro-lifers loyalty even as he pursues a winning coalition, this is the example he must follow.

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-Palestine protesters arrested after spraying red paint over Ministry of Defence HQ

Police make arrests after the vandalism by pro-Palestine activists in Whitehall - VUK VALCIC/SHUTTERSTOCK

Police have arrested five pro-Palestine protesters after red paint was sprayed over the main Ministry of Defence building in Whitehall.

Several activists sprayed paint over the walls of the building on Wednesday as they demanded an arms embargo on Israel.

They also displayed a banner reading Youth demand an end to genocide.

The Metropolitan Police said five people had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and were in custody.

It wrote on X, formerly Twitter: We will never tolerate people causing criminal damage to buildings under the guise of protest.

Several demonstrators spray red paint on to the Ministry of Defence building - Krisztian Elek/Story Picture Agency

The groups Youth Demand and Palestine Action jointly carried out the protest, demanding that both the Conservative and Labour parties commit to imposing a two-way arms embargo on Israel.

The activists also demand an end to all future licensing for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK, including revoking oil and gas licences issued since 2021.

In a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, several demonstrators can be seen spraying red paint on to the building.

In a statement, Youth Demand said: Young people will not accept the future those in charge have in store for us.

We will not die quietly whilst our leaders commit us to a future of suffering and mass death. Young people are coming together to fight back.

Police carry demonstrators away after the paint protest by groups Youth Demand and Palestine Action - Zuma Press/Avalon

On Monday, the group sprayed Labours headquarters with red paint and on Tuesday held a demonstration outside Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers home.

In the video, at least four protesters can be seen vaulting a fence before spraying paint on to the walls and windows of the building. The video then shows two of the demonstrators being restrained with handcuffs by police officers.

A similar protest on March 28 saw pro-Palestinian protesters occupy the Department for Business and Trade.

Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Defence, said he was glad to see the protesters arrested.

The Armed Forces cant and wont be intimidated, he said in a post on X.

Those inside Defence HQ stand up to dictators and terrorists every day  patriots, many of whom put their lives at risk to protect us all. Those targeting us today are the opposite, cowardly criminals who Im glad to see arrested.

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.
Federal prosecutors said Wednesday they are OK with a slight delay of Sen. Bob Menendezs trial after his wife, who is a co-defendant, said she is dealing with an unspecified health issue.

United States Attorney Damian Williams said in the legal filing to Judge Sidney Stein that his office takes seriously Nadine Menendezs health issues and her request. Williams said the best way to proceed is by delaying the trial, set to start on May 6, further into the summer.

Background: Prosecutors want to try Bob and Nadine Menendez together, along with three fellow defendants, because the trial is expected to be lengthy and will involve calling dozens of witnesses, including at least one non-law enforcement government official stationed outside of the United States and many lay witnesses who do not live in New York, and certain of whom have expressed a concern about testifying.

Nadine Menendez did not say what her serious medical condition was in public legal filings, but the prosecutors said a sealed document her attorneys filed indicates that there is likely to be substantially more information about her medical condition and its implications for her participation in this case by early June.



What's next: The prosecutors suggested delaying the trial until July or August but asked the judge to keep in place many of the current deadlines for making motions and exchanging information ahead of a trial.

Bob Menendez is accused by federal prosecutors of using his office to help foreign governments and New Jersey businesspeople in exchange for cash, gold bars and a luxury vehicle. Nadine Menendez also allegedly received home mortgage payments and a low- or no-show job in exchange for favors arranged by her husband. All the defendants in the case have pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors open first-of-its-kind investigation into company for allegedly deceiving farmers with livestock-killing fertilizer alternative: 'It's devastating and terrifying'

A Texas county has initiated a first-of-its-kind criminal investigation into the waste management giant Synagro. The investigation focuses on the sale of sewage sludge filled with PFAS chemicals to Texas farmers, who were told it was a cheap replacement for regular fertilizer.

Two small ranches have become focal points in a federal lawsuit against Synagro. Allegations against the company suggest it knowingly distributed contaminated sludge, leading to devastating consequences. The sludge application on nearby fields reportedly caused illness among farmers, livestock fatalities, water pollution, and even contaminated beef entering the consumer market.

The significance of this case lies in its impact on both consumers and the environment. PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," pose severe health risks, including cancer and birth defects. The spread of contaminated sludge not only jeopardizes human health but also pollutes water sources, damages ecosystems, and renders agricultural lands unusable.

According to calculations by the Guardian, the lawsuit alleges that the farms' drinking water contained contaminants exceeding federal health advisories for PFOS, a type of PFAS compound, by over 13,000 times. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that affected meat contained levels of contamination up to 250,000 times higher than deemed safe.

Mary Whittle, an attorney representing the affected farmers, voices the profound impact on their lives.

"It's devastating and terrifying," Whittle said. "They have developed these properties to be the center of their world  and this is how they make their money."

The incident sheds light on broader concerns regarding sewage sludge disposal practices nationwide. With lax regulations and inadequate oversight, the potential for environmental and health hazards looms large. The absence of legal limits for PFAS in food and water exacerbates the urgency for regulatory reform and industry accountability.

"If you knowingly do something that is causing contamination and harm to animal and human health, that has potential criminal liability written on it all day long," investigator Dana Ames said.

Synagro has chosen not to respond to questions, which is making people look even closer at what they're doing and how responsible they're being. This case serves as a strong reminder of the need for better regulations, corporate accountability, and proactive measures to protect public health and the environment.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
MALMO, Sweden (Reuters) - Protesters waving Palestinian flags and banners on Wednesday called for a boycott of Israel at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in the Swedish city of Malmo that will host the event next month.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision, bills the song contest as a non-political event.

But the global political backdrop often weighs on the contest, which this year takes place amid protests and boycotts over the devastating Israeli military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel, affecting cultural events across Europe.

"I think there is no way that Israel should be able to participate in Eurovision and it's complete double standards that they let them participate when they kicked Russia out," said Malmo resident Mats Rehle, 43, who works in a bookshop.

Protesters outside Malmo city held a banner calling for the boycott of Israel above the Eurovision logo, while another banner featured red stains to look like blood and a pair of scissors cutting the chord to a microphone displaying an Israeli flag.

The EBU in 2022 banned Russia from Eurovision after several European public broadcasters called for the country to be expelled following its invasion of Ukraine.

The union has said it suspended the Russian broadcasters over "persistent breaches of membership obligations and the violation of public service values."

The organisers' decision to include Israeli broadcaster KAN has sparked protests from artists and ministers, but the EBU said in January that Eurovision was not a contest between governments and that KAN met all competition rules.

The union has so far resisted calls for Israel to be excluded from Eurovision, and on Wednesday urged people to refrain from online abuse directed at some participating artists.

"We have all been affected by the images, stories, and the unquestionable pain suffered by those in Israel and in Gaza," the EBU said in a statement.

"However... we wish to address the concerns and discussions surrounding this situation, especially the targeted social media campaigns against some of our participating artists," it added.

(Reporting by Tom Little in Malmo and Stine Jacobsen and Louise Rasmussen in Copenhagen; editing by Bill Berkrot)
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Pa. (WETM)  The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the disappearance of a man from Eagles Mere who went missing last week.

According to PSP, David Hewitt, 39, was believed to have last been seen on Thursday, April 4, in Sullivan County. The PSP Troop P Major Case Team is investigating the case.

Police are asking anyone with information about Hewitts whereabouts to contact the Troop P Laporte Criminal Investigation Unit at 570-946-4610.

A photo of Hewitt can be found below.

Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania State Police Wilkes Barre.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
Rain, rain go away: Heavy rainfall expected across the Mid-South

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Heavy rainfall is now moving into north Mississippi Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

NWS says one to two inches per hour of rainfall is expected and could increase with the possibility of flooding.

Unsettled weather will continue across the Mid-South bringing more rain along with breezy and cooler conditions during the night. Lows will get to the mid-50s.

Check the latest forecasts from WREG Weather

There will be 2 more days of wet weather before conditions will begin to improve. The rain will end with a gradual clearing on Thursday afternoon with gusting winds.

Clear skies will return Friday and throughout the weekend.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Ralph Puckett Jr., awarded Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean War, dies at 97

FILE - President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Honor to retired U.S. Army Col. Ralph Puckett, in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 21, 2021, in Washington. Puckett, a retired Army colonel awarded the Medal of Honor seven decades after he was wounded leading a company of outnumbered Army Rangers in battle during the Korean War, died peacefully Monday, April 8, 2024, at his home in Columbus, Ga., according to the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, which is handling funeral arrangements. He was 97. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Ralph Puckett Jr., a retired Army colonel awarded the Medal of Honor seven decades after he was wounded leading a company of outnumbered Army Rangers in battle during the Korean War, has died at age 97.

Puckett died peacefully Monday at his home in Columbus, Georgia, according to the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, which is handling funeral arrangements.

President Joe Biden lauded Puckett for his extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty while presenting the retired colonel with the nation's highest military honor at the White House in 2021. Biden noted the award was more than 70 years overdue.

Hes always believed that all that mattered to be a Ranger was if you had the guts and the brains, Biden said.

Puckett was a newly commissioned Army officer when he volunteered for the 8th Army Ranger Company that was formed soon after the Korean War began in 1950. Despite his inexperience, Puckett ended up being chosen as the unit's commander. He had less than six weeks to train his soldiers before they joined the fight.

I said to myself: 'Dear God, please dont let me get a bunch of good guys killed,'" Puckett told the Ledger-Enquirer of Columbus in a 2014 interview.

Over two days in November 1950, Puckett led his roughly 50 Rangers in securing a strategically important hill near Unsan. Puckett sprinted across the open area to draw fire so that Rangers could find and destroy enemy machine-gunners. Though badly outnumbered, Puckett's troops repelled multiple counterattacks from a Chinese battalion of an estimated 500 soldiers before being overrun.

Puckett suffered serious wounds to his feet, backside and left arm after two mortar rounds landed in his foxhole. He ordered his men to leave him behind, but they refused.

Puckett was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest U.S. military honor, in 1951. It was upgraded to the Medal of Honor decades later following a policy change that lifted a requirement that such awards be made within five years of valorous acts.

During the White House medal presentation, Biden said that Puckett's first reaction to receiving the honor had been: Why all the fuss? Cant they just mail it to me?

Despite his injuries in Korea, Puckett refused a medical discharge from the Army and spent another 20 years in uniform before retiring in 1971. He was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross in 1967 for dashing through a hail of shrapnel to rescue two wounded soldiers in Vietnam, where Puckett led an airborne infantry battalion.

Puckett's military honors also included two Silver Stars, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars and five Purple Hearts.

He feared no man, he feared no situation and he feared no enemy," retired Gen. Jay Hendrick, who served as the top general of U.S. Army Forces Command from 1999 to 2001, said in the Army's online biography of Puckett.

Born in Tifton, Georgia, on Dec. 8, 1926, Puckett graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and received his commission as an infantry officer in 1949.

After retiring from the Army, Puckett served as national programs coordinator of Outward Bound, Inc., and later started a leadership and teamwork development program called Discovery, Inc. He remained an active supporter of the 75th Ranger Regiment stationed at Fort Moore near his Columbus home.

Puckett told the Columbus newspaper he learned one of his most important life lessons on his first day at West Point, when a senior cadet told him that one of the few acceptable answers he could give to any question would be: No excuse, sir.

It was ingrained on my thinking that I have no excuse at any time I do not meet the standards that Im supposed to meet," Puckett said.

___

Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia.
Ramadan is ending this week. How communities decide when to celebrate

Muslim students and faculty staff offer evening prayers in the month of Ramadan at Harvey Mudd College on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Claremont. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Muslim communities are preparing to end the holy month of Ramadan and celebrate the holiday Eid al-Fitr, but the specific day on which each community celebrates will depend on how its congregation observes the lunar calendar.

Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, while also putting a greater focus on worship, charity and good deeds.

After a month of fasting, the community celebrates Eid al-Fitr, which means feasting, festival or breaking the fast.

Students from various colleges in Claremont partake in a specially prepared halal meal after their Ramadan fast at Harvey Mudd College on Thursday, April 6, 2023. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said that on or about Wednesday, Muslims in America will mark the end of Ramadan with communal prayers around the country. The Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Southern California are expected to be more muted, local leaders said, in light of the war in Gaza.

To determine the exact date and time of Eid al-Fitr activities, CAIR advised consulting local mosques or Muslim community leaders.

The varying dates are the result of two schools of thought about when to mark the start and the end of Ramadan, said Omar Ricci, spokesperson for the Islamic Center of Southern California.

Ramadan lasts one lunar cycle, measured from new moon to new moon. It is over when a crescent moon appears after the second new moon.

One way to determine the end of Ramadan is to consult a record of the lunar cycles to know when the crescent moon will be visible  actually seeing the moon phases isn't necessary. That's how the Islamic Center of Southern California does it.

Another way, Ricci said, is to directly sight the crescent moon that emerges after the second new moon.

"Those [two] schools of thought are held by Muslim communities here in Los Angeles, [and] what this means is some communities start Ramadan differently from other communities," Ricci said.

The solar eclipse that occurred in the early afternoon Monday happened to coincide with the second new moon of Ramadan in California. Eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler told USA Today that the moon phase would be no more than 5 to 6 hours old at sunset, making it impossible to see the crescent that evening.

Evening prayers at the Islamic Center of Southern California. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Muslim leaders, however, said the eclipse and its timing were irrelevant. The eclipse doesn't change the beginning or end of the month of April, Ricci said, and the same rule applies to the month of Ramadan.

"Muslims see [the eclipse] as a special occurrence or a special event and there are special prayers that are offered up during the eclipse  that's tradition," he said. "But that's separate and apart from Ramadan."

The transition from one day to the next for the Muslim community is at sunset, he said.

"The sunset is the demarcation point between one day to the next, so starting tonight at sunset we'll mark the transition out of the month of Ramadan and for the first day of the new month," Ricci said Tuesday.

The Los Angeles area chapter of CAIR lists Eid al-Fitr festival events in Los Angeles on its website.

Local Muslim leaders say some Southern California mosques have scaled back or adopted a more somber tone for Eid celebrations this year.

For example, the Islamic Center of Yorba Linda last month announced it was canceling its annual Eid festival and holding a conference instead to raise awareness about continued violence in Gaza, "in light of the devastating loss of lives and widespread destruction of infrastructure in Palestine."

"The typical fanfare surrounding Eid is subdued, with fewer announcements of celebratory picnics and other events," said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR's office in Los Angeles.

"There is no doubt everybody is feeling a little bit down for the last six months. Many of us know a person or a family who has lost relatives in Gaza," Ayloush said. "Even if we wanted to celebrate, it's hard to fully celebrate when surrounded by people crushed over the loss of their loved ones."

Ayloush said many community members have voiced feeling guilt that they are safe, with food and drink and loved ones around them, while Palestinians in Gaza are facing unprecedented death and destruction.

"We won't over indulge, we will be more measured, certainly a toned down celebration mood, because no one's in the mood. But I don't want us to be in a state of perpetual mourning," Ayloush said.

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.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Attorney General Josh Stein announced on Tuesday that North Carolina has ended the backlog of untested older sexual assault kits.

Since 2017, Stein has prioritized ending the backlog to get justice for survivors. Working with the legislature and local law enforcement, the Department of Justice conducted a statewide inventory and discovered that more than 16,000 untested kits sat on the shelves of local law enforcement agencies in 2019.

Today is a great day: North Carolina has ended the rape kit backlog. I am incredibly proud of the bipartisan and collaborative effort that produced this achievement  Republican and Democratic legislators, district attorneys, and law enforcement officers all played a critical role in ending the backlog. I also want to thank the scientists at the State Crime Lab who have worked countless hours to get these kits tested. Most importantly, I thank the victims for their bravery in submitting the evidence so we can hold their rapists accountable. Todays excellent news is the result of an impressive team effort, but our work doesnt end now. Weve put in place measures to ensure that we never get into this situation again in North Carolina, and I intend to continue to do everything in my power to help law enforcement solve cold cases and get rapists off the streets and behind bars. Attorney General Josh Stein

Driver charged in Asheville wreck that killed 2 teens including Myers Park HS student

Stein worked with legislators to enact the Survivor Act. The law established a process to test older kits, provided significant funding, and set standards to ensure that law enforcement sends new kits for testing in a timely manner.

Attorney General Stein and the State Crime Lab implemented a tracking system to ensure that survivors, law enforcement, prosecutors and other stakeholders could monitor kits progress after they are collected. The attorney generals office said the tracking system is in use and it will help prevent another backlog.

As of April 2024, 11,841 kits have been tested or are in the process of being tested, according to the attorney generals office. From those kits, 5,075 samples have been entered into the CODIS DNA database, and CODIS has matched the samples to 2,702 kits.

According to the attorney generals office, 2,024 of those samples had hits on offenders whose DNA is in the database due to previous convictions or arrests. Law enforcement has made 114 arrests based on those hits.

The attorney generals office said the remaining 17 kits are in the process of testing.

For far too long, the majority of sexual assault survivors were not getting the justice they deserved in North Carolina, said Monika Johnson-Hostler, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Thanks to this effort, cold cases are moving forward and survivors can be assured that the justice system in this state cares about what happened to them and is fighting for them.

A representative from the N.C. Republican Party said in a statement:

After eight years Josh Stein finally has completed a basic function of his job as Attorney General. After eight years, the State Crime Lab has cleaned up the mess left by his predecessor, Governor Roy Cooper. Its sad this even needs to be celebrated and justice has been delayed far too long for too many victims. It is a credit to the increased funding and oversight provided by the Republican-led General Assembly that this dark chapter is finally closed.

The Department of Justice has a website that includes an interactive tracker of the rape kits.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  An animal considered by the National Parks Service (NPS) to be a species of concern in West Virginia was recently spotted on a trail camera in Monongahela National Forest.

The national forest shared the footage from March on its official Facebook page this week. In the post, it said there are only an estimated 100,000 of the federally threatened Allegheny woodrats left in the wild. Despite their name and large size, the rodent is more closely related to a mouse than a rat.

Unlike its less-desirable cousins, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources describes the Allegheny woodrat as docile and meticulously clean, thereby posing no threat to human health or safety. It does, however, have a habit of collecting shiny objects and bringing them to their nest, Tennessee wildlife officials explain.

While the Monongahela National Forest said theres speculation as to why the Allegheny woodrat is declining, some scientists believe that the gypsy moth, also known as the spongy moth, which harms acorn-bearing oak trees, is damaging the rodents food source and habitat.

Species in West Virginia may soon be on endangered list: US wildlife officials

The Forest Service did not specify where in the forest the Allegheny woodrat was spotted.

Back in October of 2022, the NPS announced that it had found adult and young Allegheny woodrats in Harpers Ferry while it was conducting a survey. It was the first time the animal had been spotted in the National Historic Park in more than 20 years at the time. Before the survey results, the animal was believed to be locally extinct.

The primarily nocturnal woodrat was once found from Connecticut west to Indiana and south to Alabama, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The species range, like its population, is believed to have since declined. In addition to West Virginia, it has earned conservation status across Alabama, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia, NPS explains.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF)  The Richmond County Sheriffs Office needs the publics assistance in locating a missing 19-year-old.

According to authorities, Justasia Carter, 19, was last seen on the 700 block of Broad Street on Saturday, April 6th.

Justasia is described to be 50 and weighing 190 pounds.

Authorities state that Justasia may be traveling to Atlanta or New York City.

ALSO ON WJBF: RCSO investigating Algernon Cir. homicide, suspect suicide; identities released

If anyone has any information concerning the whereabouts of Justasia, please contact Inv. Evan Carter (706) 821-145, or any Investigator at the Richmond County Sheriffs Office (706) 821-1020 or (706) 821-1080.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
This is the first in a series of essays that will revisit classic works.







Whenever I land back in the United States after a trip abroad, I feel a warm rush of familiarity, a penetrating relief at having made it home to native soil. Its a curious sensation for someone like me, an academic who has lived abroad numerous times and certainly does not subscribe to the America First nationalism of the contemporary right. Nonetheless, its real, that comforting feeling of being once more surrounded by the strangers who make up my imagined community.

There was a period in the late 1990s when nations seemed to be fading away, nothing more than a warm glow on the horizon of the twentieth century, a tingling sensation that sentimental scholars indulged in after foreign travel. Globalization, it was thought, would wipe away the nation-state, replacing it with a neoliberal paradise of nongovernmental organizations and corporations and universal human rights. The very fact that historians are at least beginning to make some progress in the study and analysis of nations and nationalism, the great historian Eric Hobsbawm opined in 1992, suggests that, as so often, the phenomenon is past its peak.

Thirty years later, nationalism is back with a vengeance. From Giorgia Melonis government of God, homeland, family to Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist movement to Vladimir Putins efforts to rebuild old imperial Russia, nationalism has been intensifying around the globe for quite some time now.

Curiously, though, the most highly regarded study of nationalism remains Imagined Communities, Benedict Andersons 1983 book in which he coined the famous term. Nearly half a century old and cited over 140,000 times, it is undoubtedly one of the most influential scholarly works of the late twentieth century, responsible for cementing the idea that nationsfar from ancient communities stretching back to the dawn of historyare, in fact, social and cultural constructs of recent vintage.

Returning to the text after well over a decade, however, I had completely forgotten that it was a work of Marxist scholarship. For Anderson, it began as an effort to explain what he considered a profound problem for the socialist left: namely, that wars broke out between socialist states, specifically Vietnams 1978 invasion of Cambodia as well as the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War. For socialists, who so frequently insisted that Marxists as such are not nationalists, these skirmishes posed a grave problem. How could a movement that sought to unite the oppressed proletariat of the earth succumb to petty nationalist grievances?

Andersons goal, then, was to explain nationhood from a Marxist perspective, to understand how the same economic forces that inform socialist thought could also be leveraged to explain nationalism. The result is a dazzling interpretation of the last 500 years of history, displaying a mastery of the material uncommon among writers today.





The ancient realms, in Andersons telling, were defined by three common characteristics. Each was organized around a particular script-language, which held out the hope of divine truthLatin, in the case of Christian Europe. Each rested on a belief in concentric hierarchy, usually manifested as a feudal society orbiting a monarch. Andmost importantlyeach relied on a sense of temporality, an understanding of time, that did not meaningfully distinguish between past, present, and future. But in the late medieval and early modern eras, societies slowly began to shed these characteristics, opening up space for new manners of thought and new forms of belonging.

In Andersons account, the force of modern capitalism shoveled aside the ancient ways of being and thereby made room for the emergence of nations. These new imagined communities were based on vernacular, rather than divine, languages. They were conceived as leveled societies of coequal citizens. And they were attached to a profoundly historical sense of time: The nation became a protagonist of history; what the Germans call a Schicksalsgemeinschaft, a community of fate, moving steadily down (or up) history.

Capitalism enters Andersons account in the disguise of the printed word. Johannes Gutenberg of Mainz first set moveable type to paper in the middle of the fifteenth century. His original Bible was printed in 1455, and print-capitalism, as Anderson christens it, was born. By 1500, some 20 million books had been printed. A century later, that figure was 200 million. These texts spread and standardized vernacular languages and challenged the sacred centrality of Latinand through it of Christianity. They also made intellectual communion possible between people who had never met and would never meet. In the profits of print-capitalism lay the seeds of the imagined community.

Of course, one might justifiably ask: If nationalism arose in large part because of printed language, disseminated through newspapers and books, what might become of it in a world where fewer and fewer people have the attention span to read a newspaper article, let alone a novel? Can the nation survive TikTok? But Andersons goal was to explain not the enduring conditions for nationalism to flourish but, rather, the circumstances of its birth.



The first nations sprouted in the Americas, the offspring of the earliest European coloniesthe viceroyalties of New Spain and Peru, Portuguese Brazil, and the 13 colonies. Modern states required functionaries, bureaucrats, and intellectuals and merchants scurrying about to do their bidding. But the careers of these functionaries were geographically limited. Whereas an aspiring diplomat from peninsular Spain might circulate through Mexico on his way to higher office back home in Madrid, those born in the colonies could expect never to leave the administrative unit of their birth. And it was unlikely, no matter how talented they were, that the sovereign would ever appoint them to the highest offices, even there. As their number grew, they slowly began to form a class who began to think of the administrative unit of their birth as something slightly different and slightly more meaningful: a nation. By the early nineteenth century, most of the Americas were organized into independent nation-states, almost all of them republics.

At this point, Anderson argues, nationalism became an intellectual product available for exportor, as he puts it, piracy. As nationalist movements sprang up on the European continent, its monarchs grew increasingly concerned (with good reason) that nationalist fervor might sweep them off their thrones. After all, most royal families were foreign imports: England, for instance, has not been ruled by an English family since 1066. It has not been ruled by a British family since 1688. What claim could they possibly possess to rule a nation-state of Britons?

No matter how many fine poems he cites, Andersons framework cannot explain the devotion that nations have and continue to inspire.

Europes sovereigns thus reimagined themselves as primi inter pares, first citizens of prehistoric nations. Their governments generated official nationalisms which could then be exported to their African and Asian colonies, where local (nonwhite) subjects were taught to be good Englishmen and Frenchmen and Dutchmenand to be good colonial administrators. But, once again, their careers were halted at the colonys edge. No matter how well educated, no matter how well they spoke English or French, no matter how competent they were, the color of their skin meant that they would never move beyond the roles prescribed them within the colonial hierarchy. And so, they too began to imagine themselves as members of a cohesive, ancient community, a nation that deserved statehood no less than Czechoslovakia or Poland or Switzerland.

And thus, we arrive at the end of the twentieth century, a world divided into nations and nation-states. Andersons account is a compelling one, for it explains the economic and geopolitical circumstances that attended the birth of nations and their perpetuation into the contemporary world. But what it cannot explain, and what Anderson himself remains seemingly mystified by, is the attachment that people feel for the inventions of their imaginations. Why, that is, people are ready to die for these inventions. No matter how many fine poems of the love of the fatherland or motherland (or whatever) he cites, Andersons Marxist framework cannot explain the devotion that nations have and continue to inspire.





The oversight is a result, perhaps, of Andersons strange, tenacious attachment to the idea of the nation. Waving aside progressive, cosmopolitan intellectuals, who point out the violence and racism of nationalism, Anderson instead focuses on how nations inspire love. The cultural products of nationalism, he tells us, show this love very clearly, whereas it is exceedingly rare to find nationalist products expressing fear and loathing. Its an assertion that beggars belief. Perhaps the most famous nationalist epics and novels are, indeed, works of love, but it requires little effort to find the extraordinary bodies of nationalist literature riven with hatred for the other; determined to protect the purity of the nation from contamination. The Nobel laureate Thomas Mann, for instance, penned Reflections of a Nonpolitical Man in the heat of World War I, a 600-page screed directed against French civilization. Richard Wagners operasnationalist art if ever it existedare laboriously racist and antisemitic. No one would seriously think to claim that organized religions are essentially peaceful because they inspire love, yet this is precisely what Anderson suggests of nationalism.

Perhaps it should not surprise us that Imagined Communities remains strangely blind to the violence of nationalism and, especially, to the ideological interlocking of nationalism and racism.

Perhaps it should not surprise us, then, that Imagined Communities remains strangely blind to the violence of nationalism and, especially, to the ideological interlocking of nationalism and racism. Indeed, in the roughly 10 pages that address racism, Anderson argues, The dreams of racism actually have their origin in the ideologies of class, rather than in those of nation. While nationalism thinks in terms of historical destinies, he contends in a slipshod sleight of hand, racism dreams of eternal contaminations. He suggests that racism developed only in the nineteenth century out of aristocratic pretensions and the official nationalism sponsored by Europes monarchs.

These are passages no serious historian would write today, and theyre indicative of just how little mainstream scholars thought about race and racism a half-century ago. We know now (if we didnt then) that modern racism was already present in the earliest European colonization and offered grounds for the multitude of crimes committed against Indigenous peoples. Indeed, Anderson even cites examples of such racist thought early in the text! We know that the specific forms of anti-Black racism that have flourished in Western countriesespecially in the United Statesare a direct product of the system of chattel slavery (which Anderson leaves virtually unmentioned). And slavery provided, of course, the economic foundation of early European colonialism. The notion that the conjoined spread of capitalism and nationalismboth of which were amply wrapped up in colonialismhad nothing to do with racism is risible. The fact of the matter is, nationalism and racism are twinned forms of meaning-making characteristic of the modern world, and it is no accident that they both came of age in the twentieth century.

While Andersons text offers a compelling account of nationalisms origins, then, it speaks little to the guises in which nationalism has reappeared in the twenty-first century. Even if nationalism in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries were not fundamentally racist (it was), there could be no doubt that the far-right nationalism on offer today is. Moreover, the lefts rejection of racism (such as it is) remains largely consonant with its skepticism toward nationalism. For all the economic accounts one might offer to explain nations and nationalism, there remains at the end of the day something profoundly ineffable about it, a deep desire for community defined not only by who belongs but also by who does not. As Anderson writes, national belonging satisfies not a political need but rather a baser human one, a need for meaning and belonging. If that is indeed the case, we are likely living not through the twilight of nationalism but rather its violent rebirth.
Registered sex offender in Wisconsin arrested after trying to meet up with 12-year-old girl, turns out to be undercover officer

(WFRV)  A man from Janesville was arrested in Madison by U.S. Marshals after he thought he was meeting a 12-year-old girl, but it turned out to be an undercover officer.

According to the United States Department, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment of 40-year-old David Fuchs from Janesville. The criminal complaint claimed that Fuchs engaged in a conversation with an undercover officer from the Outagamie County Sheriffs Office who was posing online as a 12-year-old girl.

It is alleged that Fuch repeatedly described his desire to have sex with the supposed child and even sent explicit photographs of himself. He also reportedly asked for explicit photographs from the undercover officer posing as the child.

Suspect considered dangerous: Wausau Police search for suspect who allegedly shot man during dispute, fled

The release says that Fuchs explained to the undercover officer how he intended to teach the young girl how to have sexual intercourse. He reportedly planned to meet the girl near Madison and promised to bring her art supplies.

On March 15, Fuchs arrived at the place near Madison and was arrested by U.S. Marshals. In Fuchs truck, authorities reportedly found art supplies and a marijuana pipe.

Officials say that Fuchs is a registered sex offender and has prior convictions in Wisconsin Circuit Court for attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child. Fuchs was reportedly released from state prison around April 2022.

He was on supervision at the time of the alleged offense in the federal indictment. The release mentioned that Fuchs was also talking with other undercover officers from other agencies across Wisconsin.

Eleven arrested in Oshkosh following lengthy drug investigation, eight on warrant

If convicted, Fuchs reportedly faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in federal prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Remember I-30 toll plazas? Why some in Fort Worth cried the day DFW Turnpike was freed

Our Uniquely Fort Worth stories celebrate what we love most about Cowtown, its history & culture. Story suggestion? Editors@star-telegram.com.

Its hard to imagine anyone taking pleasure in traveling Interstate 30 between Fort Worth and Dallas, except perhaps a NASCAR driver with a death wish.

But on a warm Tuesday morning in August 1957, it was glorious jubilation for every driver who motored onto the new six-lane highway: 29.8 miles of vast, stoplight-free concrete, a bucolic journey that took only 30 minutes at a zippy 60 mph.

This was the first toll road in Texas history, officially called the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike  although for years, the Star-Telegram referred to it as, ahem, the Fort Worth-Dallas Turnpike.

Cars making practice runs at the new Fort Worth-Dallas Turnpike toll gates on Aug. 7, 1957, about three weeks before opening the freeway opened.

June 26, 1957: The new Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike and freeway interchange at East Lancaster Avenue.

Jan. 1, 1978: This aerial photo of the newly shuttered toll plaza with downtown Fort Worth in the background was shot on the day the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike became a free highway and was renamed Interstate 30.

The modern $58.5 million freeway, carved through rolling farms and prairie, reduced the drive time between the (then) distant cities by half.

Folks were happy to pay 50 cents  equivalent to $5.52 today  to experience one of the safest highways in America, the Star-Telegram reported in 1957.

Aug. 27, 1957: Cars line up at the gates of the new Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike on the morning it opened.

Indeed, only five minor accidents had been reported by the 11th day, when the road was ceremoniously dedicated at one of two Glass House Restaurants that served as midpoint stops in Arlington.

Early 1960s: A postcard showing day and night views of the toll gates at opposite ends of the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike.

By November 1957, three months after opening, the turnpike counted its 1 millionth customer: E.W. Locker, a 28-year-old from Arlington Heights who was commuting to the new General Motors plant in Arlington.

Nov. 8, 1957: E.W. Locker, right, was the 1 millionth customer on the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike and was awarded a plaque from J.C. Dingwall, left, W.O. Jones and J. D. Brewer.

He was escorted to the service area of the toll plaza (which was just east of Oakland Boulevard) to have his photo taken, then driven to Dallas for more photos and treated to two free meals at the Glass House, a tank of gas and a 50-cent piece to cover his toll. Needless to say, he was late to work that day.

Speaking of the Glass House, which later would become a Howard Johnson, it is noteworthy that the roadside restaurant was not segregated at a time when nearly all others were.

That fact prompted a Star-Telegram story in December 1957 that quoted the food supervisor for the restaurant, Betty Crocker, saying the integrated dining room didnt seem to bother anyone. Glass House was owned by the Texas Turnpike Authority and operated by the Interstate Company of Chicago.

Being a toll road, it must be handled that way, Crocker told a reporter. They pay their tolls to get on the pike and theyre entitled to our facilities.

An article on Dec. 9, 1957, in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting on the Glass House Restaurant along the new Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike in Arlington serving all races.

Turnpike ridership ended up exceeding expectations by the mid-1970s, and the bond debt used to build the pike was paid off 17 years ahead of schedule.

On Dec. 31, 1977, the turnpike was freed, but not without controversy. After years of debate, legal wrangling and ultimately some legislative intervention, the tolls were lifted and the turnpike was renamed Interstate 30.

It was the end of an era that, oddly, stoked a lot of nostalgia among Fort Worth folks.

Dec. 27, 1977: Toll plazas were to be dismantled as drivers on the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike no longer had to pay.

Jan. 1, 1978: David Persons takes photographs of toll booths after the demise of toll collections on the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike.

A 17-year-old named David Persons camped out in his car for two hours ahead of the 6 a.m. switch on New Years Eve, so he could be the first person from the turnpikes Fort Worth end to ride the freepike without paying the 60 cents.

David Persons, 17, arrived at 4 a.m. so he could be the first driver on Interstate 30 when the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike officially changed to a free expressway on Jan. 1, 1978.

The Arlington Heights High School junior shrugged when asked why he had stayed up all night just to be the first one through, the Star-Telegram reported on the front page.

Just something to tell my grandkids, I guess, Persons told the reporter.

Others stopped by that day to pay a final thanks to the toll attendants who had served them graciously for two decades.

Jan. 1, 1978: Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike employee James Toler working in a booth after the demise of toll collections.

A driver named A.C. Abbott of Arlington felt his voice choking with emotion as he accepted a ticket for the last time, the Star-Telegram wrote.

As for the toll attendants, they spent their final days on the job reminiscing.

Two times I remember someone coming through nude, Otis Spears recalled about his eight years collecting quarters. Once there was a woman in the back seat without anything on. Another time there was a lady with just a coat on top  just a coat, nothing else. She just smiled real big and got her ticket and went on through.

Coverage in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram of the first day that the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpikes tolls lifted, on Jan. 1, 1978. The highway became Interstate 30.

Dec. 27, 1977: Toll plazas were to be dismantled as drivers on the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike no longer had to pay.

The turnpike was a big deal at the time. And in retrospect, its significance is even more remarkable. That ribbon-cutting in 1957 set in motion the pace and patterns of growth that would eventually forge the concept of the Metroplex.

The freeway fueled burgeoning industry and development in Arlington, including the 1961 opening of Six Flags Over Texas, and the minor league Turnpike Stadium in 1965  the origin story of the Rangers Globe Life Field. The turnpike spawned commuter suburbs that sprawled across the rural pockets between Fort Worth and Dallas, which, before the highway, seemed much more distant from each other.

The toll plazas are now long gone. Interstate 30 today has many more lanes, exits, flyovers and traffic jams. And driving from Fort Worth to Dallas once again can take as long as an hour, just like it did before the turnpike opened.

Heres a look at photos from the Star-Telegrams archives of the construction, opening and eventual demise of the Dallas-Fort Wor .... oops, we mean Fort Worth-Dallas Turnpike.

[MORE: Camp Bowies 6-way intersection was Fort Worths most infamous]

July 31, 1956: Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Buck look at a scale model of the proposed Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike at the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show (today the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo)

March 3, 1956: An westward view of construction of the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike between Oakland Boulevard and Beach Street on Fort Worths east side. Downtown is in the distance.

Feb. 24, 1957: Construction of the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike.

Aug. 7, 1957: Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike toll gates in Fort Worth a few days before the turnpike was opened to traffic.

Aug. 27, 1957: Miss Turnpike June Prichard cuts a giant pie as J.C. Dingwall and H.S. Lokey look on.

Aug. 27, 1957: James Tolar in a 1926 touring car with Robert Devine, James Garland and Dale Roberts pull up to the new Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike toll plaza, along with attendant O.F. Riggles who stands next to the vehicle.

Sept. 5, 1957: During the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike dedication, Fort Worth Mayor Tom McCann is greeted by businessman J.E. Jonsson, left, who was president of Texas Instruments and the Dallas Chamber of Commerce; oilman Arch Rowan, rear, who was vice president of the turnpike authority; and J. Ben Crites, right, vice president and executive manager of the Dallas chamber.

A Nov. 9, 1957, story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting the 1 millionth driver to enter the new Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike, about two months after it opened.

Nov. 29, 1958: Arch Rowman, left, who is vice chairman of the Texas Turnpike Authority, smiles at the first men to use the new entry ramp that leads to downtown Fort Worth. The men in the car, from left, are councilmen Tommie Thompson and Jesse Roach, Mayor Tom McCann, and Commissioner C.H. Wright.

Nov. 30, 1957: Cars lined on the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike returning from the TCU vs SMN football game.

Feb. 17, 1958: Snow on the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike early in the morning.

Oct. 9, 1958: Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike toll plaza and traffic bound for the University of Texas vs. University of Oklahoma football game.

Oct. 9, 1958: Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike toll plaza and traffic bound for the University of Texas vs. University of Oklahoma football game.

Sept. 9, 1960: An aerial view looking northward of the Fort Worth Mixmaster where the North-South Freeway (now Interstate 35), Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike (now Interstate 30) and downtown streets meet. A six-lane East Lancaster Avenue is seen going under the interchange, which has since been reconfigured. Few of the buildings near the interchange exist today.

April 15, 1964: Superimposed on this aerial photo of the Fort Worth-Dallas Turnpike are new entrance and exit ramps to be constructed at Oakland Boulevard (foreground) and Beach Street (in the distance). The ramps made access easier to east Fort Worth without paying a 10-cent toll.

Aug. 28, 1961: Doyle Willis and Don Gladden pose as they appear to put up a 70 mph speed limit sign on the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike.

A new Turnpike Courtesy Patrol Truck in 1965.

A brochure for the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike and Dallas North Tollway, dated December 1967.

November 1969: Aerial photo of the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike at Handley, on the east side of Fort Worth.

Jan. 1, 1978: As the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike was opened to free traffic, this sign remained along the highway saying This is the turnpike, connects U.S. 80 in Dallas. Avoids 63 stop lights. Cars: 60 cents.

Dec. 30, 1977: A sign at the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike toll booths just before it was removed and the highway became the no-charge Interstate 30.

MORE: Check out Star-Telegram archive photos in our collection here, including:
DENVER (KDVR)  Colorado Rep. Mike Lynch has secured his place on the Republican primary ballot in the 4th Congressional District and will face Rep. Lauren Boebert and others for a spot on the November general ballot.

On Wednesday morning, it was announced that the Colorado Secretary of States Office certified Lynchs signatures and he will now appear on the ballot.

For far too long, politicians on both sides of the aisle have ignored the will of the people and pursued their own agendas at the expense of everyday Americans, Lynch said in a press release. I am running for Congress because I believe in the resilience and potential of the American people. Our best days are ahead, and, with the right leadership, we can course-correct starting today.

Trisha Calvarese talks priorities for 4th Congressional District

Earlier this year, Lynch stepped down as minority leader of the Colorado House after he failed to disclose a DUI arrest and subsequent probation sentence. Lynch was arrested in 2022 on suspicion of drunken driving and possession of a gun while intoxicated.

I just made a mistake, and you dont learn from success, you learn from failure, Lynch said in an interview with The Associated Press on Jan. 17. Im a non-drinker today and plan on staying that way. I own it and thank God nobody got hurt.

Lynch to face Boebert on ballot

In December 2023, Boebert announced that she was going to change districts in her 2024 bid to continue representing Colorado in Congress.

Lynch has spared with Boebert about her switch in past Republican debates. At one point Lynch asked Boebert if she could give the definition of carpetbagger?

The pair are now running for the seat that was vacated by longtime U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, who chose not to seek re-election after five terms.

The district includes Loveland, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock and Parker and the rural Eastern Plains.

The other Republicans running in the primary are:

Chris Phelen

Deborah Flora

Floyd Trujillo

Jerry Sonnenberg

Peter Yu

Richard Holtorf

The primary election will take place on June 25.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KNWA/KFTA)  The U.S. House of Representatives passes a bill that would expand outdoor recreation opportunities nationwide, according to a press release from Arkansas Congressman Bruce Westerman.

According to the release, Westerman sponsored this bipartisan legislation.

The bill is called the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Act (EXPLORE).

As part of the bill, Albert Pike Recreation Area in Pike County will reopen overnight camping.

Ever since the Forest Service suspended overnight camping at Albert Pike Recreation Area, Ive heard from countless constituents who are disappointed with the decision and frustrated with the mismanagement of the site since the suspension. Westerman said.

Attorney General Tim Griffin taking legal action against Texas robocaller for violating permanent bans

After a flash flood killed 20 people at Albert Pike in June 2010, the U.S. Forest Service suspended overnight camping in the area.

The EXPLORE Act aims to reopen any overnight campsites outside of the 100-year flood plain, as well as establish new campsites outside of the plain.

The act also intends to improve outdoor recreation standards nationwide.

Some improvements would include restoring campgrounds, modernizing infrastructure and improving accessibility for military service members, veterans, individuals with disabilities and children.

To learn more about the EXPLORE Act, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Repeat shoplifters to be tagged so they can be banned from shops

Repeat shoplifters are to be tagged so they can be tracked and banned from high street stores under a package of measures to crack down on an epidemic of thefts.

Persistent shoplifters will face three strikes and out where judges and magistrates will be expected to make them wear GPS tags if they are sentenced on three separate occasions.

Police and probation officers will be able to impose exclusion zones banning repeat shoplifters from shopping centres and harness the minute-by-minute data on their movements to link them to any crime.

Assaulting a shop worker will become a standalone criminal offence with a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or an unlimited fine. Offenders will also be placed under criminal behaviour orders, barring them from specific shops or premises, with a prison sentence of up to five years if they breach them.

Special police units with mobile facial recognition cameras will be deployed to city and town centres to help track down criminals wanted by the police including repeat shoplifters.

The measures come as the number of shoplifting offences have risen by more than 30 per cent to a record 1,300 a day, topping 400,000 in a year for the first time.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported earlier this year a doubling in losses from thefts to 1.8 billion and an increase in incidents of violence or abuse of shop workers from 870 to 1,300 a day.

Rishi Sunak said: I am sending a message to those criminals whether they are serious organised criminal gangs, repeat offenders or opportunistic thieves who think they can get away with stealing from these local businesses or abusing shopworkers, enough is enough.

In an exclusive article for The Telegraph, Chris Philp, the Policing Minister, said the Government wanted a zero tolerance approach to shoplifting. Lets not forget the perpetrators of shoplifting are not Dickensian victims of a cruel welfare state. They are often serial offenders  and they come from all walks of life, he said.

The decision to tag shoplifters mirrors a similar requirement for burglars where courts have enforced tagging as a condition of their licence so they can be tracked every minute of the day.

Any breach of the tagging order would see the shoplifter returned to court for a breach of their licence which could include a jail sentence if it had been originally suspended.

Tories in line with Labour

Ministers had previously resisted calls for a specific offence of assaulting a shop worker, arguing that it was already an aggravating factor in an offence of ABH, so meriting a tougher sentence.

The decision to go ahead with it brings the Tories in line with Labour which committed to such a move as long ago as its 2015 election manifesto. The new offence had also been demanded by retailers and shopworkers unions.

As with shoplifters, there would be a presumption for courts that any offender found guilty of assaulting staff three times would be required to wear a tag as part of any punishment.

As part of an 55.5 million extra for police technology, 4 million has been earmarked for the bespoke mobile units with facial recognition technology to identify criminals wanted by police including repeat shoplifters.

The measures expand on an agreement with police last October that they will attend shoplifting incidents if there is violence against a store worker, a suspected thief is detained or officers are needed to secure evidence. Police chiefs said it was not realistic for officers to respond to every shoplifting incident.

Retailers have been encouraged to send in CCTV pictures of all shoplifting suspects which officers will check against the police national databases 20 million images using facial recognition technology.

Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, said the Government had still failed to ditch the rule that means that shoplifting of goods under 200 does not need to be investigated by police. This Tory Shoplifters Charter has left local businesses and retail workers at the mercy of criminals, she said.

We have been calling for assaults on shopworkers to be made a standalone offence for years. Why has it taken the Government so long to act?

Assaulting a retail worker is a disgrace  it will not go unpunished

By Chris Philp, the Policing Minister

Stealing from others is inexcusable. Threatening or abusing a retail worker is disgraceful.

Stealing from shops is not an innocuous act, and I wont allow it to be treated as such  it can run livelihoods into the ground and make people feel unsafe. Turning a blind eye undermines the core values we hold in Britain and the foundations of law and order that protect our society.

Whether its a local business, or an established high street name, shops help give life to local communities up and down the country.

And it is only through the hardworking dedication of retail workers  shopkeepers, shelf stackers, cleaners, security guards  that these businesses can thrive, and our local communities are able to depend upon.

What is undoubtedly unacceptable, is that if you speak to anyone working in retail, they will tell you of the verbal abuse and sometimes violent assaults theyve been victims of, simply for trying to do their job.

The latest British Retail Consortium Crime Report estimated that there were 1,300 incidents of verbal abuse and assaults each day in shops across the UK.

In no other workplace would this be accepted.

Perpetrators come from all walks of life

And lets not forget the perpetrators of shoplifting are not Dickensian victims of a cruel welfare state.

They are often serial offenders  and they come from all walks of life.

Last year, in response to the threat posed by rising shop theft I commissioned the police to devise a targeted plan to tackle retail crime and secured several commitments from law enforcement to improve their response to shoplifting.

This included a promise to increase police attendance at the scenes of retail crime and prioritising cases involving violence against a shop worker or where the offender had been detained by a security guard.

And we set out the vital role facial recognition technology can play in tackling this crime by making clear that where CCTV or other digital images are secured, police need to run this through the Police National Database.

Since then, I have been meeting regularly with police and retailers listening to their experiences and working on solutions.

Progress is being made. Both retailers and the police have reported improvements to the polices response to shop theft following this action plans launch.

But the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and I want to go further and faster, because nothing other than a zero-tolerance approach to this crime will do. So today we have published an enhanced plan to fight back against retail crime.

Offence to assault a retail worker

We are making it a stand-alone offence to assault a retail worker, sending a clear message that there will be tough consequences for this unacceptable behaviour. My respect goes to all the retailers and to Matt Vickers MP for their longstanding campaigning on this issue.

The offence will come with a potential six months in prison, or an unlimited fine  and upon conviction, it is expected that courts will attach a Criminal Behaviour Order, which could bar offenders from visiting affected shops or premises. Breaching an order is also a criminal offence and carries a five-year maximum prison sentence.

Following a third sentencing for assaulting a retail worker, perpetrators will be electronically tagged and monitored, to crack down on reoffending and ensure those continuing down a path of violent behaviour will be met with further consequences. For the most serious violent offenders of assault, custodial sentences of up to life in prison are already available.

And to tackle serial shoplifters, who contribute to a significant amount of overall shop theft, we will make sure they also face punishment by imposing a presumption of tagging for those who have been sentenced three times or more.

Meanwhile, we will continue to seek to harness the latest technology to both prevent and detect retail crime. 55.5 million will be invested into ramping up police use of facial recognition technology over the next four years, including 4 million for bespoke mobile units that can deploy live facial recognition in crowded areas to identify people wanted by the police  including those repeat shoplifters  as well as deterring crime in the first place.

The investment we have already made in this capability is already making a difference. In my own constituency of Croydon, when facial recognition was deployed, there were over 80 arrests for a wide range of serious offences including rape, burglary and drug supply.

We must not forget  the trend in retail crime runs counter to the widespread successes weve had in our fight against crime. Since 2010, violent crime is down 51 per cent and neighbourhood crime has declined 48 per cent in England and Wales.

Our plan is working, but we will not cease in our efforts. The gloves are off in our fight back against retail crime and we will not turn our backs on retail workers.

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.
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  As election officials in Texas and nationwide face increased pressure and harassment, a new report shows a steady increase in the turnover rate of top administrators.

A Tuesday report from the Bipartisan Policy Center shows nationwide, turnover grew from 28% in 2004 to 39% in 2022. The report looked at turnover rate data from the years 2000 to 2024 amongst election officials, which it defines as a change in a jurisdictions chief election administrator since the November general election held four years prior.

In Texas, there was a spike in the number of election administrators quitting in the mid-2000s  the turnover rate in 2004 was 28% and rose to 44% in 2008. It dropped again to 30% in 2012 and rose to 40% in 2016  a rate that has stayed relatively the same since.

We did this intentionally to add some historical context to current conversations around turnover, which tend to frame it as a tsunami or an exodus of local election officials, said Rachel Orey, co-author of the study.

Researchers cited threats to election officials as some of the main contributing factors for the increasing turnover. Approximately 25% of local election officials reported abuse, harassment or threats, according to a 2022 Early Voting Information Center survey of local election officials.

Its draining on their psychological and physical safety, Orey said.

Election officials in urban areas experience more threats, the report shows. Two-thirds of officials in jurisdictions with more than 250,000 residents reported being harassed, while just 20% of respondents from areas with a population under 25,000 said the same.

Dana DeBeauvoir  who oversaw elections as Travis County Clerk for more than 30 years  said she has major concerns about these trends and the future of elections. DeBeauvoir retired in 2022.

These are your neighbors and friends who are actually doing this jobmost elections administrators are appointed, which means they dont have a lot of personal power to protect themselves, she said.

Administering elections has become more complex, and the report says new voting laws and cybersecurity threats are contributing to the increasing turnover rate.

This has become an I.T. kind of job, so thats got a lot of complicated moving parts, DeBeauvoir said. You want to have lots of eyes looking in and lots of checks and balances in order to maintain election security. So its not an easy job. And its even harder to do when you got somebody screaming at you.

Because of the increased demands, the report says administering free and fair elections has become a professionalized, year-round affair.

Despite this, 34% of jurisdictions do not have a full-time election administrator, and an additional 17% have one full-time election worker, according to a cited 2020 EVIC survey.

The number one thing I hear from election officials, they really care about democracy. They want the election to go well, but theyre tired, Orey said.

Researchers note that increasing funding to election offices will help with things like hiring additional staff to help them meet their needs.

Our research shows that election administrators are well prepared to administer the 2024 presidential election, Orey said.

The report shows 65% of 2024 administrators have experience working presidential elections.

For solutions, the report recommends that state governments offer more pay for election workers and create succession plans to help pass down knowledge from years of experience.

These administrators are doing a desperately needed job. We need competence and continuity in this work, we need to make sure that these folks are supported in their community, DeBeauvoir said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Report: Female grizzly bears could be in Bitterroot Ecosystem in four years

Grizzly bear (Courtesy of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service).

On paper, the federal government is trying to figure out whether to restore grizzly bears to the Bitterroot Ecosystem, but the bears appear to have their own plans.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is mulling ideas for grizzly bears in the Bitterroot Ecosystem following a public scoping period that closed last month.

The ecosystem is one of six identified recovery zones in the lower 48 states. The agency is expected to publish a final plan for reintroduction by November 2026, although it could recommend no action.

In the meantime, grizzlies have already been spotted in this ecosystem.

A report from January 2024 by a couple of conservation groups estimates female grizzly bears could reach the Bitterroot Ecosystem in as few as 3.7 years given the number of cubs they have every year, distances between recovery zones, denning habitats, and location of routes with berries bears like to eat.

The initial phase of Bitterroot Ecosystem reoccupation is already underway, said the report from WildEarth Guardians and the Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force.

Numerous verified observations including a den site have come from within and directly adjacent to the BE. These are presumed to be males, but the possibility that one or more females have reached the BE cannot be ruled out, although that has not yet been verified.

Sighting grizzly bears in this remote, heavily forested landscape is difficult, even with game cameras, and many people do not report bear sightings.

The report notes the grizzly bear population in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem is the largest in the lower 48, and it is a source population for other areas such as the Bitterroot Ecosystem. Its possible grizzlies will come from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem too.

Based on routes the report authors selected, female grizzly bears could reach the Bitterroot Ecosystem in as few as 3.7 years and as many as 18.9 years, the report calculated.

Using a different analysis area that includes areas west of Missoula, south of the Clark Fork River, and the Sapphire Mountains, female grizzly bears could reach that portion of the BE in 1-4 years, the report said.

Controversy over grizzlies isnt new to people who live in Ravalli County.

In a recent letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service, Ravalli County Commissioners said they want the federal agency to understand the way its decisions on grizzlies will affect residents, visitors, commerce and public safety.

They cautioned the federal agency to not be so imbued with expediting grizzly bear restoration that human interests are placed in subordinate positions.

The citizens of Ravalli County overwhelmingly DO NOT support grizzly bear introduction, the letter said. This will be cause for negative support of the grizzly bear recovery across the landscape. Reintroduction would likely cause animosity toward grizzly bears like what happened with the grey wolf reintroduction.

In a phone call Tuesday, Commission Chairperson Dan Huls said people in Ravalli County have been dealing with the question of reintroduction for a long time, and people would resist a plan to force bears into the ecosystem.

The natural selection by the grizzlies to come back home  because they were here in the past  is something that we all understand, and hopefully we dont over-rush it, Huls said. I think thats pretty much our position.

He said bears have their own preferences about where they live, and if they are allowed to choose on their own, he believes humans will be more tolerant of the outcome than if the species are pushed in a particular direction.

If its done naturally, and theyre allowed to repopulate as they choose, I think people will be much more accepting of the fact that they are to be careful about things like their own safety and trash, for example, Huls said.

The recent report said if grizzlies are to permanently recover in the Northern Rockies, they need to reestablish in the Bitterroot Ecosystem, and it needs to be linked with other recovery areas.

Mike Bader, one of the reports authors, said its conclusions about when grizzly bears might be considered established there arent out of line with estimates from the Fish and Wildlife Service.

He said the agency calculates an established population  defined as one female with successive litters or two breeding females  could be in the Bitterroot as soon as 15 years, roughly in line with an estimated arrival of female grizzlies in the report of within four to 10 years.

Nothing is going to happen real fast, Bader said.

However, he said the starting points used in the report to estimate bear movement are all places known to have females with cubs, and the cubs are now dispersing.

As the bears move, Bader said people can help in a variety of ways, such as creating highway passages on U.S. Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 93, or protecting habitat between recovery areas.

Theres ways to assist Bitterroot recovery without physically moving the bears, Bader said.

A couple dozen conservation organizations, including WildEarth Guardians, submitted their own citizen alternative to the Fish and Wildlife Service, and it includes those ideas.

In a statement from the group, Julian Matthews, an enrolled Nez Perce with Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment in Lapwai, Idaho, said the grizzly has been a part of his tribes history for thousands of years and should be respected.

We as a people believe that the Grizzly is a part of our culture and history and support their continuing to be able to live and flourish as they once did, Matthews said. We do not believe that we have the right to determine which species can live and which can be removed.

Patty Ames, president of the Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force, also called for a slow and steady approach to grizzly bear recovery through the citizens alternative.

Grizzly bears have already been verified, and we do not believe that human-assisted reintroductions to the Bitterroot are necessary at this time, Ames said. What is needed is protected connectivity areas, sanitation and education, highway passage structures, acceptance and reduced grizzly bear mortality. The bears will do the rest on their own.

The citizens plan differs from the position of the Ravalli County Commissioners, however. It calls for full Endangered Species Act protection, while the commissioners said such a designation would thwart other federal efforts to manage the landscape and protect citizens and first responders from wildfires.

Last year, the Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would review whether to remove Endangered Species Act protections for grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide and Yellowstone ecosystems, and a decision is expected soon.

Bitterroot Grizzly Bear

The post Report: Female grizzly bears could be in Bitterroot Ecosystem in four years appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Republicans on Wednesday selected their new leader of the House Appropriations Committee, replacing Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, who announced in March she would step down from the post.

The full Republican conference unanimously picked Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., to chair the committee. Although fellow defense appropriator Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., had also expressed interest in the position, Cole was the only candidate to formally run for the post.

Cole will step down as chairman of the House Rules Committee, which controls the floor agenda. Like Granger before him, he currently sits on the defense appropriations subcommittee and has historically favored large military budgets. He described the Biden administrations fiscal 2025 defense budget proposal of $895 billion as insufficient during a hearing with Navy and Marine Corps leaders on Wednesday shortly after his appointment.

I think this budget is too low, Cole said. I think thats been consistently true with the administration. I also recognize were under the constraints of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, and thats going to make it difficult for us to do some things I think we need to do.

Cole was referring to last years debt ceiling agreement that capped discretionary spending levels. Under that agreement, the Defense Department receives more discretionary funding than all other federal agencies combined.

I look forward to hitting the ground running tomorrow and am committed to engaging with the entire conference to deliver the necessary appropriations bills in a timely matter, Cole said in a statement on Tuesday after the House Republican Steering Committee, which controls panel assignments, nominated him as appropriations chairman.

Congress did not pass a full FY24 defense spending bill until March, nearly six months into the fiscal year that began in October.

Granger, who is not running for reelection in November, said she is stepping down as appropriations chairwoman early in part because an election year often results in final appropriations bills not getting enacted well until the next fiscal year.

Cole told the Nebraska Examiner that he expects Congress will have to fund the government with a stopgap spending bill through the upcoming presidential election instead of full FY25 appropriations legislation at the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1.

Whether Congress passes the FY25 spending bills before January depends on President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees, respectively.

The winner will probably decide, Cole told the Nebraska Examiner. Do we want to finish business this calendar year, which is always the best thing to do, win or lose, or do you want to kick it into next year?

I hope we dont do that, but thats the way I see it unfolding right now.

As appropriations chairman, Cole will have to balance the demands of traditional Republican defense hawks and fiscal conservatives more closely aligned with Trumps America First wing of the party. Cole also favors Ukraine aid and has consistently voted in favor of it, though Trump and a growing number of Republicans oppose additional assistance for Kyiv.

While House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said the House would act on Ukraine aid, he has so far ruled out putting the Senates $95 billion foreign aid bill  which also includes assistance for Israel and Taiwan  on the floor. The Senate passed that bill 70-29 in February.

Johnson has yet to reveal a formal plan for Ukraine aid. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has threatened to force a vote removing Johnson as speaker, should he move forward with a Ukraine package.

Last years effort instigated by a small band of right-wing Republicans to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., plunged the House into weeks of chaos as the conference struggled to select a new leader.

Further complicating matters, House Republicans will be down to a one-vote majority after Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., leaves Congress later this month.
Passengers of a bus that was swept away by floodwaters are rescued by boat, near Garissa, northern Kenya, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Police said some of the passengers managed to escape just before the bus was submerged, while others climbed onto the roof. The incident happened just hours after Kenya's roads agency announced the closure of another section of the same road that was flooded after the Tana River swelled due to continuing heavy rains. (AP Photo)

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Fifty-one passengers were rescued after their bus was swept away by floodwaters on a bridge in northern Kenya, authorities said Tuesday.

The bus is stuck in the river about 30 meters from the bridge, although the waters are subsiding, Tana River county commander Ali Ndiema told The Associated Press. He said the road has been closed indefinitely.

Ndiema said all passengers were accounted for. Police were looking for the driver, who is accused of ignoring passengers concerns and insisting on driving through the water.

Police said some passengers escaped just before the bus was submerged, while others climbed onto the roof.

The incident happened hours after Kenyas roads agency announced the closure of another section of the road that was flooded after the Tana River swelled due to continuing heavy rains.

The government on Monday issued a flood alert to residents of Tana River and Lamu counties after flooding breached a dam upstream.
Researchers have found that superpowers may be real, but they may not be what we expect.

In research collected for her upcoming book Superpowered, author Erika Engelhaupt revealed that scientists have found what can be considered superpowers in humans. Although they may not be endowed with the ability to run faster than the speed of sound or fly high up in the sky, research indicates that some humans possess abilities far beyond the norm that may be considered super.

From the Sherpa people in the Himalayas to the Bajau sea nomads, research indicates that there are a variety of groups who are born with genetic advantages that are a product of adaptations to the environment theyre from. Tatum Simonson, whos researched the genetics and physiology of high-altitude adaptation at the University of California at San Diego, explained to National Geographic that these abilities come as no surprise.

Humans are still evolving, she said, noting that the Sherpa people are a prime example of an evolutionary adaptation that can be considered a superpower. Simonson has studied the ethnic groups remarkable ability to survive with 40 per cent less oxygen than those who live at sea level, a byproduct of their people having lived at an estimated 14,000 feet above sea level for the past 6,000 years.

Theres been a lot of time for natural selection to figure out the best way to deal with low oxygen, Simonson noted. As she has studied the Tibetan tribes resilience, shes found that their ability to withstand such low oxygen levels can be credited to an evolutionary adaptation that impacts the way their body produces red blood cells. Unlike people who live at sea level, the Sherpa people have evolved to maintain low levels of red blood cells, relying on the cells mitochondria to process oxygen in a way that doesnt require as much power or energy.

When an average person experiences a drop in oxygen levels as they climb in altitude, the human body tends to overcompensate by producing more oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Overproducing red blood cells leads the blood to thicken and can potentially cause altitude sickness or in the worst cases, death. Simonson has found that the Sherpas ability to produce fewer red blood cells isnt impacted by their external environment and that their bodies can produce less no matter which altitude theyre at.

Another ethnic group who have evolved to adapt to their environment are the Bajau people of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, who can notably dive deep into the ocean for longer periods than most humans - no scuba gear necessary. Research indicates that they can stay underwater for 13 minutes diving to depths of up to 230 feet.

According to a study published in the scientific journal, Cell, the Bajau people may have a genetic mutation that gives the Bajau people larger spleens, which can store a reserve of oxygenated red blood cells that can be injected into the bloodstream when the organ contracts as the person dives.

If theres something going on at the genetic level, you should have a certain sized spleen. There we saw this hugely significant difference, lead researcher Melissa Llardo said, explaining that the presence of enlarged spleens in the Bajau is in line with marine mammals, who also possess large spleens.

Beyond evolutionary adaptations, scientists also argue that certain brain responses can either be trained or conditioned One of these super traits can be found in rock climber Alex Honnold, who has famously undergone some of the most dangerous free-solo of Americas biggest cliffs.

Honnolds 2016 MRI scans indicated that his brain may process fear differently than the average person. As he was shown graphic images used to trigger the amygdala - a structure in the temporal lobe responsible for producing reactions to fear - Honnolds amygdala didnt respond. It was notably silent.

Neuroscientist Jane Joseph noted that Honnolds ability to ignore or suppress fear memories may be the result of mental conditioning, indicating that superpowers like Honnolds can be learned, not just inherited.
Donald Trump is two weeks away from asking the Supreme Court to grant him immunity from prosecution for trying to overturn the 2020 election, a move that former military leaders call the single greatest threat the country has ever seenand one that presidential scholars separately say runs the risk of violating the most severe concerns about a dictatorship from the nations Founding Fathers.

On Monday, 14 national security experts who once held leadership positions in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, special forces, the White House, and even NATO joined together to warn the countrys most senior judges that the fate of the Republic lies in their hands.

Former President Trump is asking the Supreme Court to give him total immunity from criminal charges, claiming that executive authority allowed him to engage in his various efforts to flip the results of the last presidential electiona stance that would dismantle the investigation led by Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Retired generals, vice admirals, and various national security lawyers countered that idea in an amicus brief filed with the high court on Monday, with warnings that are as direct as they are stark.

The Unhinged Arguments the Supreme Court Is Fielding on Trump Immunity

It is a proposition that would convert the presidency from the greatest protector of the nation to its single greatest threat, they wrote. Making a former president immune from criminal prosecution could make the presidency itself a profound threat to national security, as it would permit a president to use the great power of the office to further personal interests, such as securing reelection or attempting to avoid accountability for criminal abuse of power.

Among the names signed on to the amicus brief are retired generals like Army Major Gen. John D. Altenburg, Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, and Gen. Joseph Votel, who once led U.S. Special Operations Command. Also on the list are retired Rear Admiral Donald J. Guter, former chief White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter, ex-NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow, and many others.

Trump is trying to remain untouchable by borrowing the DOJ legal concept that traditionally shields presidents from criminal prosecution when they operate officially within whats called the perimeter of their duties.

But these national security experts went even further than the usual interpretation of government lawyers, cautioning that presidents operate in dangerous territory when theyre approaching the proverbial edge of their duties.

As national security professionals, we emphatically reject the sweeping proposition that all U.S. presidents enjoy legal immunity from criminal prosecution to the outer perimeter of their official duties. It is no exaggeration to say that this proposition is potentially the most dangerous that has ever been advanced in a court of law by any U.S. official, they wrote.

Their legal filing goes beyond the warnings of three retired military leaders whoin a court brief that would have read like a parody a decade agorecently told the Supreme Court that, Nothe president cannot order SEAL Team Six to assassinate his political rival and have the military carry out such an order.

The Supreme Court is getting flooded with legal treatises from all anglesmany others of them unhingedin advance of the in-person oral arguments scheduled for April 25. The case will determine whether Trump will face a federal criminal trial in Washington before the presumptive Republican nominee appears on ballots nationwide in the November 2024 election.

As Trump fights off criminal charges in his quest to reclaim the White House, this landmark case has turned the Supreme Court building into the latest MAGA battlegroundjust across the street from the U.S. Capitol Building that was ground zero for the violent battle scenes that led to Trumps indictment.

Its Nuts That Trump Will Soon Have Classified National Security Intelligence Briefings Again

Mondays amicus brief explored the danger in having the court bless Trump with sweeping immunity, describing how a lawless leader would weaken the authority of the president, and throw confusion into the chain of command of the armed forces.

But unlike other critiques of Trumps attempt to assert king-like powers, this one focused squarely on national security concerns: predicting chaos if soldiers must answer to a man rendered untouchable after already exhibiting a history of misusing the Oval Office and an interest in employing the military to do so. (In the closing days of his administration, Trump entertained discussions about invoking martial law to remain in power and explicitly stated his intention to be a dictator for one day at the start of a new term.)

Allowing a president to issue orders requiring subordinates to commit criminal acts or omissions would wreak havoc on the military chain of command and result in an erosion of confidence in the legality of presidential orders, the amicus brief stated.

Claire Finkelstein, a national security law professor at the University of Pennsylvania who co-wrote the amicus brief, told The Daily Beast she thinks the Supreme Court must forcefully assert that any president who commits a crimeeven while in office and operating under the guise of doing their official jobmust ultimately face charges. And she warned of the catastrophic fallout that could follow even if the Supreme Court denies Trump total immunity but adopts some weaker version of qualified immunity that treats misdeeds by a president as somehow different than those by the average citizen.

She noted how dangerous the logic of immunity is and the way it grants a president with the very authority once decried by the American colonists who rebelled against the British king nearly 250 years ago.

If the Supreme Court tells Trump he can operate with impunity, Finkelstein expects him to employ government forces to sabotage any elections and impeachment proceedingsthe two main methods to get rid of a corrupt American leader.

A president who has full immunity can launch an attack on the means to hold him accountable, she said. Truly, the immunity issue is the thin edge of the wedge for our democracy. To have a president who is not answerable to the law means that neither of the two main methods for holding a president accountable will function. He could undermine impeachment or voting or any other aspect of our democratic governance in a nanosecond.

In the coming weeks, justices will be asked to consider that very limitation of power as they parse the writings of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jaythe nations first treasury secretary, fourth president, and first Supreme Court chief justice, respectivelywho jointly wrote 85 essays known as The Federalist Papers promoting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Meanwhile, Trumps defense lawyers have adopted an incredible interpretation of a single word in one essay, claiming that Hamilton somehow meant that a president must be politically convicted by the Senate or else cant be indicted in court by a prosecutoran interpretation at odds with some of the GOP senators who voted to acquit because they believed Trumps misdeeds were a legal matter, not a political one.

Former President Donald Trump gestures outside the courtroom on the day of a court hearing on charges of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star before the 2016 election. Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Trumps attorneys place terminal significance on a single wordafterwhen Hamilton wrote about the shame of impeachment and the punishment of criminal conviction.

After having been sentenced to a perpetual ostracism from the esteem and confidence, and honors and emoluments of his country, he will still be liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law, the young statesman wrote in Federalist No. 65.

Trumps team essentially argues that the Senate didnt convict Trump for interfering in the 2020 election, so Smith cant prosecute him.

However, according to five of the nations leading presidential scholars, theres a general consensus among academics who have studied the nations founding ideals that Hamilton meant the complete opposite.

Allan Lichtman, a history professor at American University, was maddened that Trumps lawyers would misconstrue Hamiltons essay by ignoring the context of one essayand the whole point of the collection of articles.

Theres a real serious logical error being made, he told The Daily Beast. Removal by impeachment opens you to the normal processes of law does not logically mean Youre not open to the regular process of law.

It is crystal clear that they would be appalled by the idea that criminal acts by the presidentonce that president is out of officecouldnt be punished by criminal law, Lichtman said.

Some scholars noted that the whole point of the essay in question, Federalist No. 65, was to figure out which body of government was best positioned to impeach or convict the president. Hamilton decided on Congress rather than the Supreme Court because of the risk of unfairly subjecting a president to two identical trials on the same charges by the same judgesobviously implying that a criminal trial could follow impeachment proceedings, regardless of the outcome.

Other scholars cited Federalist No. 69, in which Hamilton assured that an American president would stand upon no better ground than a governor of New Yorkand importantly have a total dissimilitude between him and a king of Great Britain who is sacred and inviolable.

Willard Sterne Randall, a former investigative journalist who now teaches history at Champlain College in Vermont, called the case a new test for the Constitution: whats not there. And he expressed grave concerns about what Trump might rally his armed MAGA supporters to do if hes denied immunity, put on trial in Washington, D.C., and convicted before the election.

Having the Northern courts prosecuting him gives a historical dimension that feels dangerous. There are people who wouldnt mind fighting the Civil War again, he told The Daily Beast.

Chris Edelson, an American University professor, pointed to Federalist No. 77, in which Hamilton tried to temper worries about a too-powerful president by noting there would be elections every four years and this person would be at all times liable to impeachment, trial, dismission from office, incapacity to serve in any other, and to forfeiture of life and estate by subsequent prosecution in the common course of law.

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Trump Immunity Arguments

Hamilton was being very clear that in the U.S. there would be the rule of law. No one would be sacred. Theres no monarch. The president would be accountable, Edelson said. The threat that Trump posesdodging accountability, returning to office, and becoming a dictatorhis actions when he was president make clear what his ambitions are. He is the danger they worried about.

Donald Trumps whole theoryIm above that law, rules dont apply to me, immunityall of that is completely antithetical to their thinking, Edelson added. Madison warns against tyranny and the concentration of power. Trump raises all of those concerns.

Barbara A. Perry, who teaches about the American presidency at the University of Virginia, invoked Federalist No. 70 to note how Hamilton specifically opted for a single president rather than what she called a troika. That design ensured the American people could properly assign blame for ineptitude to a single personand similarly hold that person accountable with criminal charges if need be.

Hamilton warned that the plurality of the executive tends to deprive the people the opportunity of discovering with facility and clearness the misconduct of the persons they trust, in order either to their removal from office or to their actual punishment in cases which admit of it.

They were constantly on the lookout for exactly what we see now: demagoguery, illegality, unconstitutionality. But Im not sure they, in their wildest dreams about bad human nature, could have anticipated someone this bad, Perry said.

Perry has a message for Supreme Court justices who are about to take a close look at the national security implications of granting Trump immunityand what this question would have meant when the Federalist essays were published in 1787.

For those conservatives on this court talking about original intent, its hard for me to comprehend why theyd ever go down the road of completely immunizing the president, she said. Why would our founders have broken away from a monarchy, where they felt unrepresented and abused by the authority of the sovereign, and want someone like Donald Trump abusing power, the law, and the Constitution in the presidency?

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.
RFK Jr campaign aide revealed as attendee of Jan 6 Stop the Steal rally for Trump

A campaign aide for independent presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr has been revealed as an attendee of the infamous Stop the Steal rally on January 6 2021 in support of Donald Trump.

Rita Palma, who is an aide for RFK Jrs campaign in New York, called Mr Trump her favorite president, and attended several Stop the Steal rallies following the 2020 election, according to now deleted tweets sent from Ms Palmas account seen by CNN, as well as comments she posted on the conservative social media site Parler that have since been made private.

According to CNN, in late December, Ms Palma tweeted that she would attend the Stop the Steal rally in Washington DC on January 6. I got my hotel room!, she wrote, adding: Ill be there in Jan 6th #FightforTrump #Jan6.

Although Ms Palma allegedly attended the January 6 rally, there is no indication that she took part in any violence or attended the Capitol riot that followed, CNN reported.

However, she later dismissed the violence during the Capitol riot as the work of a few attendees.

Jan 6 was not a riot. A small group of people were trouble. It was 99.9 peaceful, respectful. I was there, she wrote in a deleted tweet.

Robert F Kennedy Jr, an independent presidential candidate, said that President Joe Biden posed a greater threat to democracy than Donald Trump (CNN)

She also dismissed suggestions from then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that Mr Trump was to blame for violence at the Capitol.

Actually the fault lies with the rigged election. Genius, she wrote the day after the riot.

In separate tweets, which were analysed by CNN using the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, Ms Palma repeatedly affirmed her support for Mr Trump and even asked whether he could run for a third term in 2028, despite the constitution prohibiting this.

#Trump2024 Can he run in 2028 too? she tweeted, posting a meme that said she would vote for Trump in 2024.

She also used the hashtag #BidenCheated 86 times from November 2020 to February 2021, according to CNN.

Meanwhile, in posts she made on the conservative social media site Parler, Ms Palma was also seen posing for a photo at the former Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC, alongside Sidney Powell  the pro-Trump attorney who later pleaded guilty in Georgias election subversion case.

In the same post, she called Ms Powell MY PERSON OF THE DECADE!!

Ms Palma also posted about her affinity for Ms Powell on Twitter. You were born/ chosen for this fight and you will win, win, win. WE LOVE YOU, TOO! she wrote.

Last year, Ms Powell pleaded guilty in Georgias election subversion case in which Mr Trump and a host of co-defendants are accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to replace state electors with Trump loyalists in an effort to overturn the 2020 election.

Mr Trump has since attempted to distance himself from Ms Powell, falsely claiming MS POWELL WAS NOT MY ATTORNEY, AND NEVER WAS, in a post on Truth Social. Ms Powell, however, was among a group of attorneys including Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis leading a spurious effort with the Trump campaign to reject election results in states that Mr Trump lost.

Ms Palmas support for Ms Powell and her promotion and attendance at Stop the Steal events reflects a segment of support RFK Jr has received from Trump supporters.

Despite his familys close historical ties to the Democratic party, polls show that far more Republicans than Democrats have a favourable opinion of RFK Jr, according to The AP, with election polls showing that Mr Kennedy Jr could take critical votes away from Mr Biden in November, helping Mr Trumps chances.

Ms Palma previously told a gathering of New York state Republicans that efforts to put Mr Kennedy Jr on the ballot in New York would help get rid of Biden, which she called her No. 1 priority.

Attorney Sidney Powell speaks to the press about various lawsuits related to the 2020 election, inside the Republican National Committee headquarters on November 19, 2020 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

The only way that Trump can even, remote possibility of taking New York is if Bobby is on the ballot. If its Trump vs. Biden, Biden wins. Biden wins six days, seven days a week. With Bobby in the mix, anything can happen, Ms Palma said in video footage of the meeting, according to CNN.

The only way for him, for Bobby, to shake it up and to get rid of Biden is if hes on the ballot in every state, including New York, she continued.

Following the resurfaced video footage, the Kennedy campaign has since distanced itself from Ms Palma, with campaign director Amaryllis Fox writing on X on Monday that Rita Palma was hired a couple of weeks ago as a ballot access consultant, responsible for scheduling volunteer shifts during our upcoming signature collection drive in the Empire State. She has no involvement in -- or access to -- electoral strategy, nationally or in New York.

Were looking into whether any misrepresentations were made. Our campaign champions freedom of speech for all our supporters, volunteers, contractors and staff, as long as they do not claim to speak on our behalf, she added.

The Independent has contacted Rita Palma for comment.

On Tuesday, she wrote on her Facebook page: I supported Trump. Knocked on doors for him in PA in 16 and 20, have a big pile of shirts, attended so many rallies. Great time, good years with Trump. He truly loves America.

She also described Mr Kennedy Jr as a Hero of health freedom, truth teller deeply brilliant, thoughtful, compassionate, authentic, humble and on a mission.

He truly loves America, she added, writing: I have never, ever wanted someone to win the Presidential race more than I want Bobby to win. And I have never, ever wanted anyone to lose the Presidential race more than I want Biden to lose, and miserably.
Rich Americans who want a backup plan are getting second passports. These are the countries they're choosing.

The mega-rich in America are worried about social and political instability.

As a backup plan, they've begun acquiring second passports.

They're choosing nations like Portugal, Malta, Greece, Italy, and New Zealand.

The United States is experiencing a touch of sociopolitical instability  perhaps karma for the nation's history of interference in other countries' politics?  that is putting its people on edge.

Not everyone has the means to prepare an exit plan, but the wealthy Americans who do, are. They've started acquiring second passports to other countries through so-called golden visa programs, which allow wannabe residents to establish residency through investment.

Here are some of the top countries they're eyeing if they need to make a break for it.

Portugal

A man enjoys the view in Lisbon. Alexander Spatari/Getty

Portugal is one of the top destinations for Americans seeking a second passport, executives from the citizenship brokerage firm Henley & Partners previously told Business Insider.

Americans can become residents after five years through Portugal's golden visa program, according to Henley & Partners.

However, Portuguese authorities know their passports are in high demand. The government recently added restrictions to its Golden Visa Program, removing an allowance that buying property in Portugal could offer a path to citizenship, Reuters reported. Hopeful future residents can still leverage the program by investing in the country in other ways.

Malta

A view of Valletta, the capital of Malta. Getty Images.

Malta is another top choice for wealthy Americans. They can acquire residency through a mixed capital investment (meaning it could be a financial or property investment).

Malta's residency program offers the ability to live in Malta indefinitely, as well as monthslong access to most of Europe without a visa, according to Henley & Partners.

While few of Henley & Partners's clients actually move abroad, they said they find comfort in having the option available to them, the firm's Dominic Volek previously told BI.

Greece

The view from the hillside on Corfu Island in Greece. David C Tomlinson/Getty

Greece is another top destination for wealthy Americans  as well as another nation that is increasing the price tag on its golden visa.

In February, government officials announced they would raise the investment price to 800,000 euros (about $859,308) for its most popular islands, Reuters reported.

The change came after the nation already raised the property investment requirement from 250,000 euros to 500,000 euros in 2023 for tourist-heavy cities and islands like Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, Reuters reported.

Italy

The town of Assisi in Italy. bluejayphoto/Getty

Some Americans seeking an additional passport have landed on Italy's residency program. The program requires a "significant contribution to the country's economy," according to Henley & Partners.

To obtain the right to live and work in Italy, investors must be ready to pay anywhere from 250,000 to 2 million euros (or up to $2,148,560).

New Zealand

View over Queenstown, New Zealand. Matteo Colombo/Getty

Some of the mega-rich have set their sights on New Zealand, such as tech mogul Peter Thiel, CNBC reported.

While Henley & Partners ranks New Zealand as one of the top 10 most desirable countries for a second passport, that document comes with a steep price tag.

Would-be residents should be prepared to shell out between $5 million and $15 million New Zealand dollars  or between $2,987,275 and $8,961,825.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Richland student at Cal Poly dies on climbing trip. He was found at Big Sur waterfall

A student from Richland, Wash., studying at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, died during a climbing trip over the weekend.

Kenneth Taylor, 21, was found dead at the base of the Salmon Creek waterfall in Big Sur, said the Monterey County Sheriffs Office.

Taylor, who was studying mechanical engineering, was set to graduate in 2025. He earlier attended Hanford High School in Richland, said alumni of the school.

He had worked as an intern for Bechtel in Richland the summer of 2022, developing a template for pressure safety valve fluid calculations, according to his LinkedIn profile. Bechtel National holds the contract to build and commission the Hanford nuclear sites massive vitrification plant.

At Cal Poly he had worked as a part-time research assistant since January 2022 on a project to develop and test a water harvester.

Cal Poly student Kenneth Taylor, left, was found dead at the base of the Salmon Creek waterfall on April 6, 2024. Friend Kenneth Bevens, right, posted a tribute to Taylor on Instagram.

Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong called Taylor an outdoor enthusiast.

He was a founding member of the Alpine Club, participated in activities with the Surfrider Foundation and served as a trip leader for ASI Poly Escapes, a group that provides student-guided outdoor trips, Armstrong said in an email to students and their families.

Taylors LinkedIn profile said he also had been on the Cal Poly Formula SAE Team for a student design competition to develop a prototype autocross racer.

Staff of Cal Poly Associated Students described Taylor as a person of incredible technical skill and even more incredible kindness, unmatched wittiness and a passion for adventure that could inspire anyone, Armstrong said.

Armstrong said the university is in touch with Taylors family and is extending its full support to them and his friends.

Our thoughts are with them as they grieve their loss, Armstrong wrote. It is never easy to share news like this, and we know that processing this loss can be difficult for members of our community.

Friends mourn death of Cal Poly student

His friend Kenneth Bevens posted on Instagram that he asked Taylor to go on a hike that day, but Taylor already had plans to got to Big Sur.

Nothing could keep that man away from the mountains! Bevens posted.

Taylor had planned to be at an event for the Van Life Club in Cayucos, Calif., that night to celebrate the outdoor community.

He would have loved it! Bevens said. The hammocks, the photos, the music, the oceanview, and all the love. When I was taking photos, I could practically feel his beaming energy and positivity!

A large sign marks the Grand Avenue entrance to Cal Polys university campus in San Luis Obispo.

The two were known as Kenneth squared and often got confused with each other since they were both outdoorsy photographers, his post said.

I loved talking to him and hearing his laugh. He was so incredibly kind, enthusiastic, smart and gave 110% of himself to everything he did and everyone he met, Bevens said. Kenneth felt tremendously loved and helped others feel the same.

Other friends followed Bevens post with tributes to Taylor of their own.

Ugh it still hurts my heart. That man was a true legend and inspiration, wrote Isaiah Traub, who goes by the user name hiker_hawk on Instagram.

In his comment, Dillon Behling called Taylor a true light in our community. Our hearts are heavy and miss him dearly. ... His enthusiasm and kindness will continue to ripple throughout our beloved community. Much love to all who know him and to his family.
Rishi Sunak will face a Cabinet revolt if he decides to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

At least 12 Cabinet ministers are understood to oppose leaving the ECHR including Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, and Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary.

Since the departure of Suella Braverman as home secretary, and Robert Jenrick as immigration minister, it is believed just a handful of Cabinet members would back quitting the ECHR.

It comes amid growing calls from Tory MPs to quit the ECHR after a landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on Tuesday that governments have a duty to protect people from climate change.

Mr Sunak last week threatened to leave the ECHR if Rwanda flights continue to be blocked as he said controlling immigration is more important than membership of the convention. The latest polling has found that half of Conservative voters believe Britain should quit the ECHR.

On Wednesday Mr Sunak said enough is enough as he vowed to ignore the Strasbourg court if it tried to ground deportation flights. He signalled that he would go ahead with the flights even if the court issued a Rule 39 injunction in an attempt to prevent their departure.

The Cabinet ministers opposed to leaving the ECHR outnumber those in favour by two to one. The remainder are said to be either undecided or to have not disclosed their position to colleagues.

Mr Cleverly is said to stand by what he said in an interview last year when he warned that leaving the ECHR would undermine the Governments attempts to stop the boats given the importance of international cooperation.

Last November Mr Hunt said he did not believe the UK would leave the ECHR under Mr Sunaks premiership, adding: We dont want to do that.

Tom Tugendhat, the Security Minister, has raised questions over the risks from leaving the ECHR, warning that it underpinned the Good Friday Agreement.

Others backing remaining in the ECHR are believed to include Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, Victoria Atkins, the Health Secretary, Victoria Prentis, the Attorney General and Simon Hart, the Chief Whip.

Those supportive or open to the prospect of leaving the ECHR are Kemi Badenoch, the Business and Trade Secretary, and Steve Barclay, the Environment Secretary who came round to the idea after being asked by Boris Johnson to review measures to stop the boats, and David TC Davies, the Welsh secretary.

Mrs Braverman said on Tuesday that she does not believe Mr Sunak would ever adopt a policy of leaving the ECHR.

She told LBC: My view does still stand, that ultimately to regain control of our borders properly and faithfully to the British people we do need to ultimately leave the European Convention on Human Rights. Judging from my conversations with him [Sunak], he never agreed with me on the proposition that I just set out now.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The women who became known as "Rosie the Riveters" for their work in helping to lead the United States to victory during World War II were honored Wednesday with a Congressional Gold Medal.

"These are the women who built our bombs," House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday at the medal ceremony, held at the U.S. Capitol. "These are the invisible warriors on the home front."

"Rosie the Riveter" was the moniker given to women who went to work during World War II, taking on roles historically dominated by men while men were drafted to fight overseas.

Around 5 million civilian women went to work during the war, many helping to build equipment for the war, while around 350,000 American women served in the military, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

PHOTO: Jeanne Gibson (C), a so-called 'Rosie the Riveter,' prepares for a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring her service, along with twenty-seven other Rosies, in the US Capitol, in Washington, D.C., on April 10, 2024. (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA via Shutterstock)

Decades after their work, the "Rosie the Riveters" were collectively awarded Wednesday with Congress's highest civilian honor.

PHOTO: Sylvia 'Delsi' Tanis, 98 years old, an original member of the 'Rosies' poses for a portrait prior to a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., April 10, 2024. (Michael McCoy/Reuters)

"This recognition is long overdue, but today Congress finally bestows this honor on these deserving patriots," said Republican Sen. Susan Collins, of Maine, a cosponsor of The Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act, legislation that was passed in 2020 and led to the women receiving the medal Wednesday.

PHOTO: Twenty-eight so-called 'Rosie the Riveters,' women who entered the US defense workforce during WWII, pose for a group photo ahead of a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring their service in the US Capitol, in Washington, D.C., April 10, 2024. (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA via Shutterstock)

One of the dozens of original "Rosie the Riveters" who traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the medal in person was Lucille "Cille" MacDonald, a 98-year-old who lives in Hawaii.

When the war broke out, MacDonald, then a 17-year-old, left her family's farm in South Carolina and hopped on a Greyhound bus to Georgia to help.

MORE: 'Rosie the Riveter' from World War II gets parade for her 100th birthday

MacDonald told ABC News that she was "scared to death" when Japan dropped a bomb on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

"That's when I said, 'Do something about it. Just do something about it. Stop worrying and do something about it,'" MacDonald recalled. "So I became very patriotic and very much in love with my country."

MacDonald became a journeyman welder in Brunswick, Georgia.

"I was the best welder in the entire shipyard," she recalled. "I can't forget that. I can't ever forget that. The best, and boy that's saying a lot. And I launched one huge ship a week. In just a week. I mean, imagine. You know how big a ship is? A ship is huge."

PHOTO: Lucille Cille MacDonald became a journeyman welder in Brunswick, Georgia, during World War II. (ABC News)

Another woman honored Wednesday was Mae Krier, a Levittown, Pennsylvania, resident who built B-17 and B-29 bombers in Seattle from 1943 to 1945. Years later, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Krier, 94 years old at the time, began making face masks in the same red polka dot fabric worn in the famed "Rosie the Riveter" poster.

She was credited Wednesday for being an "unrelenting advocate" in making sure the women of her generation received their due.

MORE: STEM program for girls Rosie Riveters has wish list fulfilled by Amazon for a holiday surprise

Krier, dressed in a red polka dot vest, accepted the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of all the Rosies, calling it a "great honor."

"Up until 1941, it was a man's world. They didn't know how capable us women were, did they," Krier said to loud applause, later adding that she is most proud of the path she and other women set for future generations.

"We're so proud of the women and young girls who are following in our lead," she said. "I think that's one of the greatest things we left behind is what we've done for women."

PHOTO: This undated stock image shows a 'Rosie The Riveter' poster from World War II. (STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images)

Krier ended her remarks with the words that came to symbolize the motto of "Rosie the Riveters," saying, "We can do it."

ABC News' Stephanie Wash, Jaclyn Lee, Derick Yanehiro and Meredith Deliso contributed to this report.

'Rosie the Riveters' awarded Congressional Gold Medal years after World War II originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
A goat in Kansas City, Missouri that was rescued after it made its way to the ledge of a bridge almost 80 feet in the air is "bouncing back like a champ."

KC Pet Project, a nonprofit that handles animal control for the city and operates shelters, said in a post on social media Monday that the goat was discovered "to be trapped on the side of a bridge" that afternoon close to Swope Park, near the Kansas City Zoo.

"It appeared he had walked along a ledge to get to the point he was found at," KC Pet Project said.

A goat in Kansas City, Missouri that was rescued after it made its way to the ledge of a bridge, almost 80 feet high, is "bouncing back like a champ".

The animal rescue shelter said its team worked with the Kansas City Missouri Fire Department to remove the goat from the bridge. He was then transported to the shelter where he received treatment and fluids from the facility's veterinary team.

Goat 'bouncing back like a champ'

In an update on Tuesday, KC Pet Project, said the "daring goat," Jeffery, who has "more moves than Jagger," is doing great and "bouncing back like a champ."

"Picture this: our buddy Jeffrey, with aspirations taller than the Empire State, decided to scale a ledge that was practically begging for a visit," said KC Pet Project. "Like a four-legged Spider-Man, he strutted along to each platform until he hit an 'oh no' point  the highest spot of the bridge, a cool 80 feet above water."

The animal shelter also answered questions on the goat's rescue, sharing that the "rescue mission [was] worthy of an action movie," with the animal getting tangled up in a rope and missing a platform jump, which gave the rescue team a scare. Once fire department officials got ahold of Jeffery, the shelter's Chief of Veterinary Medicine sedated him so he could be safely transported to the clinic and be cared for.

"And just like that, our goat was back on his hooves, ready to conquer the world once more with thanks to our team members who all stayed late last night to help him," KC Pet Project said, adding that the goat is currently "living the high life  rolling in the hay and soaking up the sunshine in our luxurious livestock barn."

Turns out Jeffery was actually a stray, who was adopted from KC Pet Project's shelter last month, but escaped his new home and found his way to the bridge. But in an interesting twist, a family reached out the animal rescue organization telling them that Jeffery might be their long-lost goat, who has been "playing hide and seek [with them] since February".

"A true legend in the making," KC Pet Project said about Jeffery.

Meanwhile the Kansas City Missouri Fire Department, in a post on X, said: "Just when you think you have done it all in the fire service, you rescue a goat on a bridge."

Something you don't see every day! Just when you think you have done it all in the fire service, you rescue a goat on a bridge. @KCMOFireDept pic.twitter.com/0vhcnCQ5mF  KCFD (@KCMOFireDept) April 9, 2024

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: 'Spider-Man' goat stuck on 80-foot Kansas City bridge rescued
Runner struck in Miramar hit-and-run is in coma. Husband tells driver to come forward

Roosevelt Delinois usually walks his wife to her car before she runs with her pals in the early morning on the first and last Saturday of each month. But on April 6, he stayed in bed in the predawn hours.

A phone call woke him up sometime later.

Once I got the call, I touched over to the bed and she wasnt there, Roosevelt said.

Onyxia Delinois, 26, while running far ahead of her pack  had been struck by a vehicle around 7 a.m. while running eastbound in the bike lane in the 18300 block of Miramar Parkway. The cars driver did not stop and left her for dead about a block from the Shops at Sunset Lakes Publix grocery store, according to the Miramar Police Department.

When two of her running buddies found Onyxia lying in the grass, she was crying, and at least one of her shoes was discovered far from her. They didnt see nor hear the crash, which happened about 10 minutes earlier. One of them called police, Miramar police spokeswoman Tania Ordaz said.

She was running alone when this happened, Ordaz said Wednesday.

The group, Ordaz said, meets at the Silver Lakes Sports Complex, located less than two miles from where the crash happened.

Onyxia Delinois, 26, was struck by a hit-and-run driver around 7 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, in the 18300 block of Miramar Parkway, Miramar police said. Police and her husband are urging witnesses to come forward.

Paramedics resuscitated Onyxia and transported her to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.

So far, neither the driver nor any witnesses have come forward. The portion of the road, lined with trees and canals, has no surveillance cameras that would have recorded what happened.

Police officers and Roosevelt are pleading for the driver to come forward. They are also asking for potential witnesses to call the police and for nearby residents to be on the lookout for a vehicle with front-end damage.

The vehicle could be in the house next door from you, Miramar Traffic Homicide Investigator Jose Rosales told reporters Wednesday during a press conference at Memorial Regional Hospital.

Onyxia Delinois, 26, was struck by a hit-and-run driver around 7 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, in the 18300 block of Miramar Parkway, Miramar police said. She remained in a coma at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

In a coma

While the hit-and-run driver remains free, Onyxia  suffering from extensive brain injuries  is in a coma, connected to breathing and feeding tubes.

Im devastated, Roosevelt said. She just did the Miami marathon.

According to her doctors, her prognosis is uncertain as they try to keep the brain swelling under control. If she survives, it would be weeks if not months before she can leave the hospital and go home with her husband and his 14-year-old son, her doctors said.

We are extremely concerned about her neurological recovery, said Chief of Trauma Services Dr. Andrew Rosenthal.

Onyxia Delinois and Roosevelt Delinois smile on their wedding day. They married in 2023.

Roosevelt said Onyxia, who owns an insurance company, is an amazing, selfless person. The Broward County couple married in 2023 but have been together for eight years, police said.

She does so much for me and my family she tries to help everyone else, Roosevelt said in between cries and tears. I just want someone to say something, someone to come forward and say who did this to her.

A GoFundMe fundraiser set up by her family to cover her medical expenses had raised nearly $10,000 as of Thursday morning.

An epidemic

Rosales exhorted drivers to always stay at the crash scene, help the people hurt and call 911. Early medical intervention, Rosenthal added, could make a difference in a patients recovery.

Hit-and-runs are an epidemic, Rosales said.

Although the majority of hit-and-runs in Florida only result in property damage, the crashes can be deadly, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

In 2023, there were 104,273 hit-and-run crashes in Florida, a decrease of less than 1% from 2022. Hit-and-run crashes during the same year resulted in 271 deaths and 871 serious bodily injuries.

Flanked by family members, Roosevelt Delanois, center, the husband of Onyxia Delinois, 26, and the Miramar Police Department ask the public to help identify the driver who struck her on the 18300 block of Miramar Parkway before fleeing around 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Delinois remained in critical condition at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Of the 271 hit-and-run deaths, 159 were pedestrians and 47 were bicyclists, representing 76% of all hit-and-run fatalities. Over 81% of hit-and-run deaths occurred during dawn, dusk or nighttime conditions.

Hit-and-run drivers who flee after injuring someone face up to five years in prison. If someone dies, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of four years and up to 30 years in prison.

You have to stay, Rosales said. We have to stop this behavior.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run crash is encouraged to call the Miramar Police Department at 954-764-4357. To remain anonymous, contact Broward Crime Stoppers by dialing 954-493-8477 or visiting browardcrimestoppers.org. Crime Stopper tips are anonymous and tipsters could receive a reward of up to $5,000.

Today, Roosevelt Delinois spoke with members of the media to plead for someone to come forward with information on the hit-and-run that has left his wife Onyxia critically injured. Onyxia, an avid runner, was struck by a vehicle on Saturday, April 6, 2024, between 7:00-7:08 AM. pic.twitter.com/8VmMZ9VCce  Miramar Police (@MiramarPD) April 11, 2024

This story has been updated to correct Jose Rosaless last name.
Editors note: This story contains graphic reporting.

The Russell County District Attorney warned a jury Wednesday that it would hear gruesome and disturbing details about the rape and murder of a 5-year-old girl.

In an effort to convict Jeremy Tremaine Williams of the charges, District Attorney Rick Chancey told jurors in his opening arguments that they would see video evidence of these brutal crimes in an effort to show them who was at the heart of the case.

What you havent seen is who were here about, Chancey said before showing the jurors a picture of a smiling Kamarie Holland, a Phenix City girl who was sexually assaulted and strangled in December 2021. Its going to be tough, theres no doubt.

Williams faces multiple felony charges, including capital murder.

Jury selection began Monday for the case involving Williams, 39, who is set to stand trial in the murder of Holland. Williams already pleaded guilty to capital murder and other felonies, but Alabama law dictates that a case carrying the death penalty cannot be resolved by pleading guilty. He has to go to trial, and his pleas can be used against him as evidence.

Chancey told jurors the video evidence will show Williams performing sexual acts with Holland with a rope around her neck and hands. He said the video evidence will also show Williams abusing Hollands corpse.

Chancey said other testimony will show that Williams confessed to other crimes, including offenses against a one-month-old child.

Attorney Andrew Maddox, co-counsel for Williams along with Charles Chuck Floyd III, told the jury that the case is about the state proving Williams guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and asked jurors to consider all evidence in the case.

Columbus police Sgt. Ryan Vardman testified first after openings and said he was called in to help interview Hollands mother, Kristy Marie Siple, after she created a missing person report regarding her daughter.

While doing background research on both Siple and Williams, Vardman found a report made a few days earlier naming Williams as a suspect in another sexual assault.

Warrants were later issued for Williams arrest in that case and a search warrant was conducted at his residence on Dozier Street in Columbus, according to Vardmans testimony.

Vardman testified a foam childs chair from the movie Frozen was found in a shed in the back of the residence.

Williams wife returned to the residence during the search warrant and was told about Hollands disappearance, according to Vardman. Vardman said Williams wife provided an address in Phenix City for officers to check out.

Vardman said he was at Dozier Street when he received the call that Williams had been taken into custody.

At another point, Vardman received a phone call telling him officers had found Hollands body at the address Williams wife had provided, according to Vardmans testimony.

Suspects confession came on Christmas Day

Further testimony Wednesday included input from Lt. Steve Johnson, who works with the Russell County Sheriffs office in the Russell County Jail. He said Williams confessed to several crimes on Christmas Day of 2021, less than a month after Holland was killed.

Johnson testified in court Wednesday that he was called on Christmas Day 2021 because Williams wanted to talk to him and get things off his chest.

Johnson later met with Williams at the Russell County Sheriffs Office and conducted a recorded interview. In that interview, Williams took responsibility for the death of his one-month-old daughter, Johnson said. Williams said he would punch and had thrown down the stairs numerous times.

Williams also confessed to sexually abusing another child, according to Johnsons testimony.

Johnson testified that Williams said hed been smoking meth for three and a half years at the time of the interview. Johnson said Williams told him he was introduced to Kristy Marie Siple, Hollands mother, through a mutual friend. Williams said he and Siple would sometimes smoke meth together, according to Johnsons testimony.

Williams proposed Siple let him commit sexual offenses against Siples daughter and Siple agreed for $2,500, according to Johnson.

Williams lawyers didnt cross-examine Johnson.

Other evidence presented Wednesday included body camera video from officers who found Holland, and additional evidence prosecutors had collected.

Man pleaded guilty to rape, murder of girl he took from Columbus. Why hes on trial this week
Russia announced on April 9 that it had launched an investigation into Burisma  a Ukrainian gas company linked to U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden  for financing terrorism, ostensibly in connection with the Moscow mass shooting in March.

The investigation centers around an accusation that senior officials from the U.S. and other NATO countries were financing terrorism in Russia and abroad using funds funneled through Burisma.

A branch of the Islamic State known as ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack that killed at least 145 people. Despite this, Russian officials have been attempting to link the attack to Ukraine, despite ISIS' statements and the lack of evidence pointing to Ukrainian involvement.

When asked about the Investigative Committee's accusation toward Burisma and the implication that U.S. and NATO officials sponsor terrorism, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the charges were "nonsense."

"Russia knows that it was ISIS that carried out the terrorist attack in Moscow."

Hunter Biden previously served on the board of Burisma from 2014-2019, which overlapped with Joe Biden's second term as vice president.

Republicans have long sought to portray Hunter Biden as having profited unlawfully from his connections to Burisma, with the added allegation that Joe Biden used his official position to protect him from investigation.

The allegations that either President Biden or his son were involved in unlawful actions associated with Burisma have been widely debunked.

The conspiracies went viral in the U.S. in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election, fueled in part by a wider campaign among political opponents of Biden who sought to use his son's activities in Ukraine against him.

The allegations were the center of the political scandal that resulted in former U.S. President Donald Trump's first impeachment charge, in which he allegedly threatened President Volodymyr Zelensky in July 2019 that he would cut off aid to Ukraine unless Zelensky initiated an investigation into Biden and his son.

Read also: Law enforcement charges famous lawmaker with high treason

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces struck six communities in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy Oblast in 14 separate attacks throughout the day, the regional administration reported on April 9. At least 50 explosions were reported in Sumy Oblast over the past 24 hours.

The communities of Yunakivka, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Okhtyrka, Esman, and Seredyna-Buda came under attack.

Throughout the day, Russia assailed the border communities with mortar, artillery, grenade launcher, and rocket attacks. The community of Esman saw at least 14 mines dropped according to the Ukrainian military.

No casualties or damages to civilian infrastructure were reported.

Russian strikes against Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive over the past month, leading to multiple civilian casualties. On April 8, Russian aerial attacks against the town of Bilopillia and the city of Sumy killed one person and injured six others, one of them critically.

Amid intensified attacks, Ukrainian authorities ordered the evacuation of children from 52 settlements in Sumy Oblast on April 5.

Sumy Oblast borders Russia's Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts.

Read also: Source: Ukraine hits Russias Engels air base. Can it change how Russia attacks?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russia carried out an overnight attack on energy infrastructure in Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts, Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces reported on April 10.

Russia targeted the two southern regions with a wave of attack drones, 12 of which were downed over Mykolaiv Oblast, while another two were downed over Odesa Oblast, the Southern Defense Forces said.

As well as drones, Russian forces targeted Odesa with missiles. The attack damaged critical infrastructure and a transport company, injuring two employees, the Southern Defense Forces said.

"We are assessing the extent of damage to the power facility. A private house and several cars were also damaged," Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said on Telegram.

According to the mayor, one person had been injured.

The State Emergency Service reported that firefighters put out a fire at an energy facility in Mykolaiv district, as well as a fire in the coastal settlement of Ochakiv, where downed drone fragments had set fire to an area of around 200 square meters.

The local authorities were forced to introduce emergency shutdowns as a result of the fire at the energy facility in Mykolaiv district, Governor Vitalii Kim reported early on April 10.

Kim later reported that as of 8 a.m. local time, "all previously disconnected consumers are now connected to electricity. Energy workers are working and doing their best to keep it that way."

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian attacks over the past day injured four people in Kharkiv, one person in Kharkiv Oblast, and one person in Kherson Oblast, according to the local authorities.

A Russian attack on Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast killed one civilian and injured two others on April 9.

Governor Vadym Filashkin reported on April 10 that attacks elsewhere in the region over the past day had injured seven other civilians.

A woman was also killed on April 9 in a Russian attack on Semenivka in Chernihiv Oblast, a town that lies around 10 kilometers from the border with Russia in the north-east of Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine reportedly hits aviation training center in Russias Voronezh Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A person walks in a street during a blackout following Russian attacks on a city's energy infrastructure in Kharkiv - ROMAN PILIPEY/AFP

Today, we bring you the latest news from Ukraine, update on Lord Camerons visit to the US and speak to British volunteer Felicity Spector whos been criss-crossing the country with the charity Bake for Ukraine.

Listen to Ukraine: the Latest, The Telegraphs daily podcast, using the audio player at the top of this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app.

War in Ukraine is reshaping our world. Every weekday The Telegraphs top journalists analyse the invasion from all angles - military, humanitarian, political, economic, historical - and tell you what you need to know to stay updated.

With over 70 million listens, our Ukraine: The Latest podcast is your go-to source for all the latest analysis, live reaction and correspondents reporting on the ground. We have been broadcasting ever since the full-scale invasion began.

Ukraine: The Latests regular contributors are:

David Knowles

David is Head of Audio Development at The Telegraph, where he has worked for nearly three years. He has reported from across Ukraine during the full-scale invasion.

Dominic Nicholls

Dom is Associate Editor (Defence) at The Telegraph, having joined in 2018. He previously served for 23 years in the British Army, in tank and helicopter units. He had operational deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland.

Francis Dearnley

Francis is Assistant Comment Editor at The Telegraph. Prior to working as a journalist, he was chief of staff to the Chair of the Prime Ministers Policy Board at the Houses of Parliament in London. He studied History at Cambridge University and on the podcast explores how the past shines a light on the latest diplomatic, political, and strategic developments.

They are also regularly joined by Telegraph reporters and correspondents around the world, including Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent), James Kilner, (Foreign Correspondent and Editor of the Central Asia & the South Caucasus Bulletin), Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent), Nataliya Vasilyeva (Middle East Correspondent), Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent), Colin Freeman (Foreign Correspondent), Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor), and Tony Diver (US Editor).

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.
UK intelligence has revealed how many contract soldiers Russia plans to recruit in 2024 and how it uses conscripts.

Source: European Pravda; UK Defence Intelligence review dated 10 April on X (Twitter)

The UK intelligence service notes that Russia is seeking to recruit about 400,000 contract soldiers in 2024, necessary to support its forces in Ukraine, which have suffered huge losses.

Quote: "This is to sustain its forces in Ukraine, which have suffered huge losses, and support its announced plans to increase the size of the armed forces to 1.32 million this year and 1.5 million subsequently," the review says.

At the same time, the intelligence service says, Russia continues to recruit soldiers each spring and autumn, and this spring it plans to draft about 150,000 soldiers aged 18 to 30, which is the same number as in previous years.

According to the UK Defence Ministry, these recruits will serve for 12 months in all branches of the Russian armed forces, but they are not currently involved in hostilities in Ukraine.

"Conscripts are employed in garrisons across Russia. In land units they generally form a battalion separate from the battalions staffed by contract service soldiers," the review says.

Some conscripts are likely to serve in Russias regions adjacent to the border with Ukraine, in units that provide border security, intelligence notes.

However, conscripts are usually pressured to join the service under a contract, in which case they would be responsible for serving in Ukraine, UK Defence Ministry added.

"There is likely to be some reluctance among Russian authorities to risk combat casualties among conscript soldiers, which would likely be unpopular. Casualties among volunteer soldiers are more tolerated by society," UK Defence Ministry concludes.

Background:

Previously, UK Defence Intelligence noted that the average daily losses of Russian troops on the battlefield in Ukraine decreased during March.

Meanwhile, NATO's assessment is that Russian leader Vladimir Putin will try to delay the announcement of the next wave of mobilisation.

Earlier, UK Defence Intelligence suggested that the upsurge in attacks on military enlistment offices and similar institutions in Russia may indicate a lack of confidence in Russian leader Vladimir Putin's promise not to conduct a new wave of mobilisation.

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukraine's State Emergency Service retrieved two more bodies under the rubble of an apartment building following a Russian strike on the city of Kostiantynivka on April 9 in Donetsk Oblast, raising the death toll to three, the service said on April 10.

The attack partially destroyed a two-story building. On April 9, emergency services reported on a 60-year-old man who was killed due to the strike, while two other people were injured.

The number of confirmed casualties had increased by two the next morning after the completion of the rescue operations. The bodies of a 43-year-old woman and a 13-year-old boy were found, according to the State Emergency Service's report.

According to Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin, the latest Russian attack on Kostiantynivka damaged 27 houses, three high-rise buildings, two infrastructure facilities, and an administrative building.

Over the past day, Russian forces also struck the outskirts of Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast, injuring three people.

Settlements in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast suffer from daily Russian attacks due to their proximity to the front line. Heavy fighting continues in Donetsk Oblast as Russia seeks to occupy the entire region.

Read also: After 10 years of war, Krasnohorivka in new danger as Russia advances in the east

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Russian attack on a Ukrainian village kills a 14-year-old girl and two others, officials say

Members of the Siberian Battalion, which was formed mostly of volunteer Russian citizens, of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' International Legion, practice during military exercises, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an undisclosed location in Kyiv region, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  A Russian attack struck a grocery store and a pharmacy in a Ukrainian village close to the border with Russia on Wednesday, killing three people including a 14-year-old girl, authorities said, as the Kremlins forces kept up a relentless bombardment.

The strike on Lyptsi, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the border, also injured a 16-year-old boy and a woman, officials in the northeastern Kharkiv region said. They did not specify what kind of weapons were used.

Another strike with guided aerial bombs destroyed a hospital in Vovchansk, a town close to the border in the Kharkiv region, and injured a man, authorities said.

With the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line barely budging in recent months, Moscows army has kept parts of eastern and southern Ukraine under bombardment as the war stretches into its third year. The power grid has been a common target.with comments by NATO chief and Ukrainian president. Adds contributor. Trims. Updates summary.

That has prompted Ukraine's leaders to plea for more air defense systems and ammunition from Western partners. But most of Ukraine's air interceptors, as well as artillery shells, are provided by the United States, where further funding for Kyiv has been held up in Congress.

The lack of artillery shells and air defenses is leaving Ukraine at the mercy of Russian attacks, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday.

Ukraine simply cannot wait, Stoltenberg said in Brussels. It needs air defenses, ammunition and aid now" from members of the military alliance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kharkiv city is being devastated by Russian guided bombs that wreak wide destruction. Almost one fourth of the city has burned, he said.

Kharkiv is near the border, "and this allows Putin to terrorize the city, Zelenskyy told a conference in Greece via videolink.

Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 14 out of 17 Shahed attack drones launched by Russia overnight Wednesday, a statement said.

Attacks also destroyed energy infrastructure in Mykolaiv and Odesa, according to the governors of the southern regions. Odesa regional Gov. Oleh Kiper said two people were injured.

Meanwhile, rescue workers recovered the bodies of two more people, including a 13-year-old boy, from the rubble of a building partially destroyed during a Russian aerial bomb attack in Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday. Three died in all, Ukraines emergency services said.

___

Associated Press writer Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Greece, contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
The Russian Ministry of Defence has confirmed the detention of Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khyliuk, who was abducted by the Russians in the spring of 2022, on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Source: Khyliuk's lawyer Oksana Mykhalevych on Hromadske Radio

Quote: "The Russian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khyliuk is in Russia. His father received such a letter, as he appealed to the Russian Ministry of Defence and not only there, but received a meaningful response from the Russian Ministry of Defence.

The letter states that Khyliuk is on the territory of the Russian Federation, and in accordance with Article III of the Geneva Convention, all news about him should be transmitted through the Red Cross Committee. The Third Geneva Convention is about the treatment of prisoners of war. That is, they do not say in this letter that he is a prisoner of war, but they refer to this convention, and therefore, accordingly, they recognise him as a prisoner of war."

Details: Mykhalevych said that it is currently difficult to predict what can help in the process of Khyliuk's release, because Russia is an aggressor state, and it acts in an unpredictable manner.

"We appealed to the ECHR back in May 2022, but it did not give any result. The Reporters Without Borders is investigating his abduction and detention. The international journalistic community is aware of this case," Mykhalevych added.

Background:

Khyliuks colleagues said that Khyliuk, a journalist with the UNIAN news agency, was abducted by the Russians in the village of Kozarovychi, Vyshhorod district, Kyiv Oblast, around the beginning of March 2022.

In July 2023, Reporters Without Borders wrote that Khyliuk was being held in a penal colony in Russias Vladimir Oblast, although Russia denied that it was holding him captive.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russian nationalist Igor Girkin, who was convicted of extremism back in January, will ask to be sent to fight in Ukraine. Girkin, also known by his alias "Strelkov," is an ex-intelligence officer who played a pivotal role in Russia's aggression against Ukraine in 2014.

Girkin was arrested in July 2023 over his Telegram posts, considered by Russian authorities as "extremist." His comments were often critical of Moscow's conduct in the war, calling for more hardline measures.

Following his arrest, Girkin was convicted of inciting extremism online and sentenced to four years in prison by the Moscow City Court.

Russian law currently prohibits individuals convicted of extremism from serving in the military. The former warlord must then successfully appeal his charge to be sent to Ukraine.

According to media reports, Girkin's appeal was accompanied by a letter of consent from one of the Russian military units based in Donbas requesting that Girkin serve as a platoon commander.

In April 2014, Girkin organized the seizure of the town of Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, initiating Russia's war in the Donbas. Girkin admitted later in an interview that he had "pulled the trigger" of Russia's war.

He later proclaimed himself the "defense minister" of Russia's proxy forces in Donetsk Oblast in 2014.

In November 2022, a court in The Hague convicted Girkin and his subordinates in absentia for downing a civilian aircraft flying over Ukraine from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur in 2014, killing all 298 people on board. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Girkin has often lambasted the Kremlin for mishandling the war effort. Girkin co-founded the Club of Angry Patriots, a hardline nationalist movement pushing for more extreme measures to achieve victory over Ukraine.

Girkin's supporters nominated him to run for a presidential election in 2024, but the procedure was not finalized as the notary did not show up to certify their signatures.

Read also: Portrait of the Invader: 2 years of Russian soldiering in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Russian Ka-27 helicopter has been shot down. Photo: Pletenchuk

A Russian Ka-27 helicopter has been shot down in occupied Crimea, Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesman for Ukraine's Navy, has reported.

Source: Pletenchuk on Facebook

Quote: "A Russian Ka-27 down in Crimea. It was looking for something. It has found it."

Details: The spokesperson provided no further information, including the type of weapon used to down the helicopter.

Background: Russia has lost 325 helicopters since the beginning of the full-scale war. In its morning report, Ukraine's General Staff reported shooting no helicopters down.

For reference: The Ka-27 is a Soviet-era naval multifunctional helicopter designed to perform naval anti-submarine defence tasks. It is deployed on ships of various classes. It can detect modern submarines and surface targets, transmit data about them to shipboard and shore stations, and attack them with onboard weapons.

Support UP or become our patron!


Aftermath of Russian missile attack on Odesa Oblast on 10 April. Photo: Defence Forces of Ukraines South

Four civilians, including a 10-year-old girl, have been killed in a Russian missile attack on the Odesa district of Odesa Oblast. Early reports suggest that an Iskander-M ballistic missile was deployed.

Source: Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Ukraines Air Force; Defence Forces of Ukraines South; Prosecutor Generals Office

Quote from Kiper: "Four people were killed in the Russian missile attack on the Odesa district this evening, including one child, a 10-year-old girl. Another seven civilians sustained injuries, including one man who is now in a critical condition and has had both legs amputated. Doctors are doing all they can."

Details: Kiper said that Russia carried out the ballistic missile strike on Odesa Oblast between 18:00 and 18:30. Early reports indicate Iskander-M missiles were used. Transport infrastructure facilities and several lorries in the Odesa district were damaged as a result of the attack.

Ukraines Air Force announced that a missile was heading towards Odesa at 18:19.

The Defence Forces of Ukraines South said a petrol station was struck.

Updated at 21:47: The Prosecutor Generals Office reports that the number of people who were injured in the attack has increased to 14. They are hospitalised.

Aftermath of Russian missile attack on the Odesa district of Odesa Oblast on 10 April

PHOTO: DEFENCE FORCES OF UKRAINES SOUTH

Aftermath of Russian missile attack on the Odesa district of Odesa Oblast on 10 April

Photo: Defence Forces of Ukraines South

The head of the Oblast Military Administration said that four of the affected people are in a serious condition, five are in a moderate condition, and five others have minor injuries.

Quote from Kiper: "There is also a 4-year-old girl among the people who were injured; she has a shrapnel wound to her back and a contusion. She is in hospital under medical supervision."

Support UP or become our patron!
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported that the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) is trying to find and recruit foreigners in Canada who maintain contact with intelligence agencies from around the world.

Source: DIU press service

Quote: "The search for double agents is underway among immigrants from Russia and other countries that were part of the Soviet Union or under its influence.

The Kremlin secret service promotes its calls through Russian-language media in Canada in particular."

Details: DIU reported that in March 2024, the FSB distributed a leaflet that was inserted into a free newspaper distributed in stores selling European products, Russian restaurants, the metro, and some schools, hospitals and residential complexes in Toronto.

Quote: "Interestingly, this publication positions itself as pro-democratic and anti-Putin, but that may be just a cover and a way to divert the attention of local security structures."

Support UP or become our patron!
Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast kills child and two women and wounds four more civilians  video

The Russians attacked Lyptsi and Mala Danylivka settlements in Kharkiv Oblast on 10 April. A 14-year-old girl was killed in the Russian attack. Four more people were injured.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, the Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram, Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

Details: At 14:18, the Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration reported attack on the villages of Lyptsi and Mala Danylivka.

Quote: "The store and pharmacy are on fire. Early reports indicate that people may be trapped under the rubble."

  :     ,  4  

:  pic.twitter.com/hFn4Kca86m     (@ukrpravda_news) April 10, 2024

Update: At 14:48, Syniehubov wrote that a 14-year-old girl was killed in the Russian attack on Lyptsi. At least two more people were injured.

At 15:45, the head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration added that the number of people killed rose to three.

"As a result of the attack on Lyptsi, three people have been killed: a 14-year-old girl, and two women aged 43 and 59. A boy aged 16 and a woman aged 34 have been injured. The debris is being removed."

Moreover, the Russians launched two gliding bombs on the town of Vovchansk.

Quote from Klymenko: "The Russians bombarded Vovchansk, dropping an explosive device on a bus. It left a 54-year-old man wounded. Vovchansk was subjected to airstrikes later again: houses and outbuildings were damaged. A man who worked there as a guard was lightly wounded."

Support UP or become our patron!
ORENBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Residents of the flood-stricken Russian city of Orenburg arrived at evacuation points on Wednesday by inflatable boat, carrying whatever they could grab from their homes in small bags.

One elderly woman in a life-jacket clutched a terrified-looking cat as she descended from a boat onto dry land.

"There was no water in the house yesterday. It came very quickly at night," Taisiya, 71, told Reuters. "By the time I got ready, I couldn't get out."

Historic floods have engulfed cities and towns across Russia and Kazakhstan this week after Europe's third-longest river burst its banks, forcing about 110,000 people to evacuate and swamping parts of Orenburg, a city with a population of 550,000 about 1,200 km (750 miles) east of Moscow.

Swiftly-melting snow has swelled several major rivers, including the Ural, which runs through Orenburg towards the Caspian Sea. Whole areas of the city were underwater on Wednesday and at least 7,700 residents were evacuated.

Drone footage shot on Wednesday showed vast swathes of residential areas underwater, with most houses half-hidden.

Sitting atop a hill overlooking the Ural River, the Orenburg city centre was dry. Pedestrians strolled through parks and stopped by a local monument to gaze at the swollen river below, snapping pictures.

"Something like this happened in my life only during the Soviet years, in 1980 and 1986," 70-year-old resident Vladimir told Reuters as he took in the view.

"The flooding this year, from the point of view of an old-timer, is very unusual. It has never happened before that the water reached up to 10 metres (32 ft)."

Farther on the outskirts of Orenburg, locals seemed angry at officials for not preparing better for the disaster.

Valentin Perednya piloted a motorboat along the streets of Zarya, a hamlet some 9 miles (15 km) southwest of Orenburg, where brown water lapped at the first-floor windows of houses.

He said rising waters due to spring snowmelt are predictable, but authorities didn't do enough to protect the area.

"We went fishing in neighbouring Bashkiria in March. There the reservoir was drained," Perednya, 39, said. "So they were preparing for it. Why our (authorities) didn't prepare, I don't know."

Down one of the streets, a ladder leaned against a house leading to the roof where two tents had been erected. Inside one of the tents was Valentin's wife, Evgenia, and the family dog and cat. She said the couple had fled their home at three in the morning after being told by local officials that the waters were rising rapidly.

"We threw what we had in the house, what we could, into the attic. We already had everything in bags," said Evgenia, 37, sitting beside a camping stove and piles of foodstuffs.

The couple sent their children to their grandmother's farther out of town, but stayed behind to guard their home from looters.

"We have no police, no security guards, no one here. We are guarding our homes and neighbouring plots by our own efforts," Perednya said. "They'll steal everything, then what? Where can we go?"

(Reporting by Reuters in Orenburg; Writing by Lucy Papachristou in London, Editing by William Maclean)
Aftermath of the strikes on Mykolaiv Oblast. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

The Russians hit the energy and public transport infrastructure in Odesa Oblast on the morning of 10 April, injuring two public transport company employees. In addition, they have attacked an energy facility in Mykolaiv Oblast, causing emergency power outages.

Source: Defence Forces of Ukraine's South; Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration; Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov; Vitalii Kim, Head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration

Quote from Trukhanov: "The enemy has been 'greeting' [the city of] Odesa on its Liberation Day (from fascist invaders) all morning. The Russians hit the city's energy infrastructure. We are assessing the extent of damage to an energy facility. In addition, a private house and several cars were damaged. As of now, one person is known to be injured."

Details: Later, Kiper reported about two injured people, both of whom are employees of a public transport company.

Quote from Kiper: "At first, the Russians launched attack drones, targeting once again the energy infrastructure. Our air defence forces destroyed two Shahed drones. At dawn, around 05:30, Russian terrorists attacked the city of Odesa with missiles, using ballistic weapons, too. On the day of Odesa's liberation from fascist invaders, the Russians struck critical infrastructure and transportation-logistics facilities."

Details: He said an energy facility, a private house and several cars were damaged.

The Defence Forces of Ukraines South reported that two Russian Shahed drones were downed over Odesa Oblast and another 12  over Mykolaiv Oblast.

Aftermath of the strikes on Mykolaiv Oblast.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Meanwhile, a hit on an energy facility was recorded in Mykolaiv Oblast, resulting in a fire breaking out.

As of now, the fire is being contained, while extinguishing efforts are ongoing. The extent of the damage is being assessed.

Aftermath of the strikes on Mykolaiv Oblast.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Vitalii Kim, Head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration, wrote that emergency power outages were implemented due to the strike on the energy infrastructure. However, as of 08:00, power supply has been restored to all consumers.

Quote from Kim: "In addition, a fire broke out at a recreational facility in the town of Ochakiv, Ochakiv hromada, as a result of the downing of an enemy Shahed 131/13 UAV on the night of 9-10 April. The fire was promptly extinguished and no casualties reported." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

Details: Russian troops shelled the harbour area near Ochakiv hromada with artillery at 06:52 on the morning of 10 April. There were no casualties reported.

Background:

The Russians attacked Ukraine with 17 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs, two Iskander-K cruise missiles and an Iskander-M ballistic missile on the night of 9-10 April. Ukraines Air Forces managed to destroy 14 drones.

Support UP or become our patron!
Russia's artillery advantage over Ukraine could soon reach 10:1  top US general

US General Christopher Cavoli, the Supreme Commander of NATO's Allied Forces Europe, has warned that without US support for Ukraine, Russia's artillery advantage on the battlefield will be further enhanced.

Source: European Pravda, citing Reuters; Cavoli at a hearing of the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee

Details: Cavoli said that Russia is currently firing five artillery shells for every one fired by Ukrainian forces, and this disparity could increase to 10:1 in the coming weeks.

"If one side can shoot and the other side can't shoot back, the side that can't shoot back loses. So the stakes are very high. They're really dependent this year on us, Mr. Chairman. And without our support, they will not be able to prevail," he added.

The top US general in NATO also warned that without further US support, Ukraine would run out of artillery shells and air defence interceptors "in fairly short order".

Background:

The US Congress has been unable to approve additional funding for military aid to Ukraine since last autumn due to disagreements over migration policy and pressure from far-right Republicans on House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Amid the months-long dispute in Congress, Johnson announced that the aid package for Ukraine would include "some important innovations", including the possibility of providing aid on credit.

However, disputes between Republicans in the House of Representatives may lead to the long-awaited decision on funding to support Ukraine and other allies being postponed again.

Support UP or become our patron!
An Islamic student center at Rutgers was broken into and vandalized early Wednesday morning, and the intruder or intruders smashed religious items and TVs and ripped down a Palestinian flag, according to a chaplain at the school.

A video of the damage, shared with HuffPost, showed broken glass covering the floor of the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, or CILRU. The break-in occurred on Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and began Tuesday night.

Governor @PhilMurphy has also been informed of the break in. pic.twitter.com/R1YYyfiWfn  Rowaida Abdelaziz (@Rowaida_Abdel) April 10, 2024

This is a day in which we keep saying Allahu Akbar, God is greater. So someone might want to trash our building, but they cant trash our will or our hearts, Kaiser Aslam, the Muslim chaplain at Rutgers, told HuffPost over the phone Wednesday. Were grateful no one got hurt in this incident, and were going to build back in a better way than it was.

Aslam said the vandal or vandals destroyed religious items, including a plaque with the phrase Masha Allah  Arabic for by the will of God  but also that televisions in the building and even Star Wars figurines in his office had also been destroyed. Though most destroyed items were left on the floor, he said he had still not been able to find a Palestinian flag that had been ripped off of a flagpole inside the building.

An email alert from Rutgers University said campus police were investigating a burglary, criminal mischief, and bias crime, which reportedly occurred overnight, around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. Jonathan Holloway, the universitys president, said in an email to students that the incident was an affront to our values as a community.

Holloway said, Hate has no place at Rutgers. Islamophobia and all forms of intolerance come from a place of ignorance.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said Wednesday he was disgusted to learn of the vandalism and that a criminal investigation was underway.

Islamophobia has NO place in New Jersey, Murphy said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Aslam said Murphy called Wednesday morning to wish him Eid Mubarak and to say, Were going to bring the full force of justice on this incident. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said in a separate statement Wednesday that his office was working with law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate this matter and hold those involved accountable.

The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations welcomed the investigation of what it said was a deeply distressing instance of desecration and also called on Rutgers to heed the concerns of Muslim students who have long expressed concern of the rise [in] anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate. The chair of CILRUs board, Atiya Aftab, said the vandalism was undoubtedly fueled by Islamophobia [and] is clearly a hate crime targeting our Muslim population at Rutgers.

According to Aslam, it appeared an intruder broke the window on the student centers back door and was then able to open the door from the inside. He said police were reviewing nearby security cameras for potential investigative information.

The chaplain said CILRU had gone years without an incident like Wednesday mornings break-in. He said he believed it was connected to Eid al-Fitr and the ongoing Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip.

To say the campus has been in an anxious state would be a severe understatement, he said.

Ive seen more activism on campus  protest rallies, vigils  than ever before, and of course, the Muslim community, the Arab community, is feeling vilified in many ways, because of how the conflict, or the ongoing genocide, is being covered. And CILRU was a safe haven for our students. So I cant imagine this isnt connected.

Despite the break-in, Eid al-Fitr is a day of celebration, Aslam said.

It seems like this is supposed to be something to scare us, but were still going to celebrate on this day, he added, and were still going to make sure CILRU is known as a safe haven for our students and any students.

Rowaida Abdelaziz contributed reporting.

Related...
The Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) in New Brunswick was vandalized overnight during Eid al-Fitr, the three-day Islamic religious celebration that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, officials said Wednesday.

Atiyah Aftab, chairwoman of the universitys Center for Islamic Life, said in a statement the act of vandalism was reprehensible and undoubtedly fueled by Islamophobia.

Today, we witnessed art pieces with Quranic verses, shattered windows, vandalized TVs, broken printers, smashed artwork and the destruction of our Palestinian flag, Aftab said in the statement.

We will continue to say what we are suppose to on Eid. Allahu Akbar, God is Greater. God is Greater than acts of hate and we will continue to carry on.

Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway wrote in a statement to the Rutgers community Wednesday that the vandalism was a criminal act of bias and hatred.

The Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) in New Brunswick was vandalized during Eid, a holy festival that marks the end of Ramadan. - from Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University

The incident happened overnight around 4:30am, the Rutgers University Police Department said. No one was inside the area during the burglary, according to police. The Rutgers University Police Department said in a statement the department is investigating the incident as a burglary, criminal mischief, and bias crime.

The university police department said it is working with the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office. CNN reached out to the prosecutors office who had no comment but said the incident is still under investigation.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was disgusted to learn the center was vandalized during Eid in a post on X.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said his office is collaborating with leadership at the Rutgers Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office, the Division of Criminal Justice, and the Division on Civil Rights to investigate this matter and hold those involved accountable.

Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the vandalism at CIRLU and its desecration, especially on the Islamic holiday of Eid, is deeply distressing.

The act of vandalism comes against a backdrop of rising anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias incidents in the United States, according to CAIR. The organization said in 2023 it received 8,061 complaints of anti-Muslim bias, CNN previously reported, which marked a 56% increase over the previous year.

Over 44% of the complaints recorded were reported in the last three months of 2023, according to the organizations annual civil rights report.

The new data confirms our worst suspicions: what we are witnessing since October 2023 is nothing short of the largest wave of anti-Muslim hate seen in this country in more than a decade, Farah Afify, the reports co-author and CAIR research and advocacy coordinator, said in previous a statement to CNN.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Rwandas state airline turned down a proposal to transport UK asylum seekers to Kigali under Rishi Sunaks offshore deportation scheme.

Sources confirmed that RwandAir declined the Governments request late last year after being approached about running removal flights to Rwanda.

Sources would not say why the request was refused, but The Financial Times quoted a Home Office insider, who claimed it was because of the potential damage to their brand.

A group of migrants leave the Manston immigration short-term holding facility in Thanet - GARETH FULLER/PA WIRE

The rejection is a further embarrassment for the Government as it seeks to get the first flights off to Rwanda this spring following a two-year delay after the first deportations were halted by the European Court of Human Rights.

The Government is seeking to drive a new Rwanda Bill through Parliament next week in an attempt to finally get the flights off the ground after it suffered a succession of defeats in the House of Lords.

Mr Sunak, the Prime Minister, met Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, in Downing Street on Tuesday with both leaders said to be looking forward to flights departing to Rwanda in the spring.

The Home Office has refused to confirm or deny whether it has an airline in place to fly migrants to Rwanda, but a spokesman said on Wednesday: We have robust operational plans in place to get flights off the ground to Rwanda in spring.

Home Office documents, seen by The Telegraph, show that the threat from protesters and the lack of contractors are two of the key practical problems identified by officials in securing flights to Rwanda.

RwandAir operates flights across Rwanda, southern and eastern Africa, and Europe - THIERRY MONASSE/GETTY

An aviation company that supplies air tankers to the RAF is being targeted by a charity over its potential role in flying illegal migrants to Rwanda.

Freedom from Torture is urging its members to turn up the heat on AirTanker over claims that it could provide passenger jets to deport migrants to Rwanda.

AirTanker has a 27-year contract with the Ministry of Defence to deliver and support 14 multi-role air tanker planes, which sustain the RAFs Voyager aircraft, a variant of the Airbus A330-200.

Attrition through the legal process

Internal Home Office documents show that officials have identified several critical risks that could delay the first deportation flights.

One risk would be officials failing to locate and detain sufficient numbers of migrants  some of whom might abscond  combined with significant attrition through the legal process that could mean there were few/none migrants available for a flight to Rwanda.

The second risk was identified as the logistics of removing migrants from immigration removal centres to the airfield, through protests by asylum campaigners, terrible weather, or commercial airlines or escort providers being unwilling to deliver their contracted services.

The third risk was Rwanda not being ready for arrivals, including not having the out-of-country judicial review facilities for legal aid, leading to legal challenges that could result in migrants having to be returned to the UK.

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.
Sacramento man killed, wife injured in violent shooting homicide in tunnel under I-5, CHP says

The California Highway Patrol is seeking more information about a shooting Sunday in Sacramento that killed a man and left his wife with serious injuries.

A 41-year-old Sacramento man died Sunday from his injuries during a violent occurrence in a tunnel beneath an Interstate 5 overpass, adjacent to Miller Regional Park and near Front Street in Upper Land Park, the CHP said in a news release. He was identified as Preston Roy by the Sacramento County Coroners Office.

The mans wife is still receiving medical treatment. She was severely injured with at least one gunshot wound, according to CHP Valley Division officials.

The CHP is asking for more information from witnesses, particularly John Gavino, who lives in the area. Gavino, who officers called a person of interest in the case, hasnt been interviewed by officers who went to the scene near the Sacramento River about 11 a.m., the CHP said in a news release.

Tipsters may call the CHP at 916-731-6580 with information.

Your assistance is crucial to our efforts in resolving this case and providing answers to the affected families, the CHP said.
Rape is a joke in America. I know this, because if it werent, allegations would be taken seriously, sex offenders would be prosecuted accordingly and survivors would have justice for the physically and mentally traumatic events that were entirely out of their control.

Instead, survivors wait years or sometimes decades for justice  if they ever see it at all  and offenders walk free, while hard evidence that could put them in jail sits untested or tossed out. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network estimates that for every 1,000 rapes, only 384 are reported to police, 57 of those result in an arrest, 11 are referred for prosecution, seven result in a felony conviction and just six result in the incarceration of the perpetrator.

There is no clearer example of this nations insincerity regarding rape and sexual assault allegations than the backlog of tens of thousands of untested rape kits (also known as sexual assault evidence kits) that sit shelved in police departments across the country.

The city of Sacramento is no exception.

Sacramentos hundreds of untested kits

Last week, the Sacramento Police Department and an independent auditors office finally produced the results of a months-long investigation into the citys backlog. Sac PD reported collecting more than 3,000 kits between 1979 to 2021.

Of those, 841 kits collected between those four decades had already been disposed of based on statutes of limitations, disposal schedules and completed investigations. We did not conduct any testing to assess the appropriateness of the disposal of these kits, wrote the auditor.

Why is it important to test every kit? Because by testing every (sexual assault evidence) kit connected to a reported crime, more DNA profiles will be developed and uploaded to these databases, meaning more DNA from crime scenes will be linked, identifying perpetrators of sexual violence and other crimes, wrote the auditor in their report to the city.

For example, according to the National Institute of Justice, testing previously untested kits in Detroit, Mich., assisted law enforcement to identify more than 400 serial rapists.

The only reason Sacramento Police submitted themselves to an audit now was because they were legally forced to, thanks to a slew of state bills passed in 2018 and 2019, specifically Assembly Bill 3118 and Senate Bill 22, which address the investigation and processing of evidence related to sexual assault kits.

Before this audit, there were an estimated 340 kits in the department that remained untested. Now theres about 120 left, the police reported to the city council last week. They blamed their negligence on the cost of testing, which can e upward of $1,000, and the lack of staffing, a favorite fallback despite its $228 million budget  an all-time high.

An ongoing problem

The fear of sexual assault against women, including myself, is something we face daily. I think about my appearance and surroundings constantly, Sacramento City councilwoman Karina Talamantes told me. The culture of our society has been unjustly male-centric because for so long, leadership has been predominantly male. Its my job as Mayor Pro Tem and as a woman to demand better and (to demand) justice for these survivors.

As a woman in America, I know that if I were sexually assaulted or raped, my chance of justice is extremely small. I have little to no faith in law enforcement or the court system to find the perpetrator, much less punish them. And thats not because of personal bias, its because the statistics of either outcome are impossibly small: Less than 1% of sexual assaults ever lead to a conviction.

Every 68 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of women and almost one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes, while a quarter of women have experienced rape or a rape attempt. Only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network; the top reasons being that survivors either feared retaliation, believed it was a personal matter, or that the police would not do anything to help.

Giving survivors the courtesy of testing their kit is the least we can do after they undergo an intrusive, medical forensic examination that often lasts between four and six hours, to collect evidence left behind in the assault.

Survivors expect that their rape kits will be tested, and the public expects the same. Any neglect by law enforcement is shameful and a dereliction of the duty they owe to the public they supposedly serve.

Youd think that with Chief Lester in charge  the citys first female police chief  issues of sexual assault and rape, two terrible crimes that disproportionately affect women, would be handled with greater care than in the past. But clearly, no matter the gender of the top cop, the attitude among law enforcement regarding these terrible, traumatic crimes remains beyond callous toward women.
The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for residents help to find a 23-year-old Sacramento State student who went missing in Southern California last week.

Noelle Lynch was last seen about 5 p.m. Wednesday leaving an apartment building in the 900 block of East Redondo Boulevard in Inglewood, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release.

She left without personal property and may or may not be able to identify herself, police said.

Lynch has brown hair and blue eyes. Shes 5-foot-8 and 125 pounds. She was last seen wearing a dark T-shirt, green sweatpants with a military logo and white sneakers, authorities said

John Segale, a spokesperson for Lynchs family, said she lives with her family in Granite Bay and left without notice to Los Angeles. Lynch is a Sacramento State student, a university spokesperson confirmed.

The family is concerned because she left without her medication, Segale said. Her phone was found at Los Angeles International Airport, Segale said.

Anyone with information about Lynchs location is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department at 213-996-1800. During non-business hours, residents should dial 877-527-3247.

Callers who seek to remain anonymous may call the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or go to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON)  The number of fatalities from traffic collisions in San Jose rose to 13 this year. The most recent victim died on April 1, after clinging onto life for three months inside a hospital, the San Jose Police Department said.

According to SJPD, the victim was driving a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck on the night of January 7 when it ran a red light and crashed into a Buick Rendezvous on McKee Road.

The pickup truck veered into on-coming traffic and slammed into a tree off Berryessa Road, according to SJPD spokesperson Stacie Shih. The Buick driver suffered minor injuries and the Toyota driver was gravely injured.

Deadly traffic collisions have plagued San Jose in recent years. In 2023, there were 49 traffic-related deaths, including 27 pedestrian deaths. Just four months into 2024, more than a dozen victims have already lost their lives to crashes and accidents on San Jose roadways.

2024 Deadly Traffic Incidents In San Jose

Monterey Road and Skyway Drive: A GMC SUV was travelling southbound on Monterey Road when it struck an adult female pedestrian in a marked crosswalk on January 15 at 1:54 a.m. The driver stayed at the scene and the pedestrian died.

Umbarger Road and Senter Road: A woman was driving an Acura when it struck an adult male pedestrian who was crossing Umbarger Road. The driver remained on scene. Weeks after the crash, on January 13, the pedestrian succumbed to his injuries.

N. 13th Street and E. Santa Clara Street: A man was driving a Lexus and turning onto E. Santa Clara Street when it struck a bicyclist on the afternoon of June 25, 2023. The driver remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation. The man who was riding the bicycle died on January 24, 2024 from injuries suffered in the crash.

Quimby Road and S. White Road: SJPD wrote, An unknown vehicle, occupied by an unknown driver, was travelling westbound on Quimby Road when it struck an adult male pedestrian who was running in and out of traffic on January 11 at 6:43 a.m. The hit-and-run driver fled the scene and evaded arrest, police said. The victim, 26-year-old Vincent Thach, died on January 27 from his injuries.

Story Road and Jackson Avenue: On January 30 at 6:40 p.m., An unmarked unit assigned to the Violent Crimes Enforcement Team (VCET) attempted to perform an enforcement stop on a 2006 Kawasaki Motorcycle in the area of Adrian Way and Story Road. The vehicle immediately fled from the officers at a high rate of speed. An unrelated marked SJPD patrol vehicle was making a legal U-Turn on a green light at the intersection of Jackson Avenue from westbound Story Road onto eastbound Story Road when it was hit broadside by the fleeing motorcycle. Video evidence revealed the motorcycle was traveling at excessive speeds eastbound on Story Road against a solid red light at Jackson Avenue, Officer Tanya Hernandez wrote. The motorcyclist died.

Elm Street and McKendrie Street: A father of two was out for his morning walk when a garbage truck ran him over on January 22. The pedestrian, Silvino Eloy Garcia, was in an unmarked crosswalk when he was hit by the truck, investigators said. He died days later in a hospital.

Piedmont Road and Sierra Road: On February 3 at 5:41 p.m., a 2006 white BMW sedan was traveling on Piedmont Road where it suddenly veered off the roadway, crashed into a light pole, and slammed into a tree. A man who was driving the BMW fled the scene, leaving his gravely-injured female passenger behind, police said. The woman died soon after.

800 block of Saratoga Avenue: A man was backing a Volkswagon Touareg utility vehicle out of a driveway on Saratoga Avenue when it struck a woman who was walking on the sidewalk at 2:09 p.m. February 10. The pedestrian died. The driver remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation.

Story Road and Galahad Avenue: On February 10 at 12:13 p.m., a man was driving a Honda Civic sedan on Story Road through a green light when it struck a man who was walking northbound in the east crosswalk against a red light. The pedestrian died.

4400 block of Hamilton Avenue: A motorcyclist riding a black Kawasaki Ninja crashed into a woman who was riding on a bicycle at 6:43 p.m. on March 7. The female bicyclist died three days later.

Highway 280 and Saratoga Avenue: A man was driving a Mitsubishi Mirage when it struck a pedestrian on March 31 at 7:40 p.m. Police said the pedestrian was in a crosswalk but may have been crossing against a red light. The driver remained on scene and cooperated with police. The pedestrian suffered fatal injuries.

Nieman Boulevard and Daniel Maloney Drive: Before sunrise on April 3, a hit-and-run crash was caused by a speeding juvenile driver, police said. A black 2017 Chevy Camaro sedan was traveling at a high rate of speed when it ran a stop sign and crashed into a Nissan Frontier pickup truck. The man who was driving the Nissan Frontier was pronounced deceased at the scene. The juvenile driver fled from the scene. Patrol Officers later located a juvenile that is believed to be the driver of the black Chevy Camaro. The juvenile was taken into custody, Officer Tanya Hernandez wrote.

McKee Road and Francis Drive: A man was driving a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck on the night of January 7 when it ran a red light and crashed into a Buick Rendezvous on McKee Road, police said. The pickup truck then veered into on-coming traffic and slammed into a tree off Berryessa Road, according to police. The Toyota driver died on April 1 from injuries he suffered in the wreck.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A former lawmaker of the banned pro-Russian Party of Regions, who is suspected of financially contributing to Russian aggression, was detained by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) while attempting to flee the country, the SBU said on April 10.

The man reportedly became a member of the Bakhmut city council member in 2020 for another banned pro-Russian party, Opposition Platform  For Life.

After Russia seized the region, the official cooperated with occupation authorities and re-registered his internet provider company under Russian jurisdiction, the SBU said.

He is suspected of financially contributing to Russian aggression through taxes and fees paid by his company to Russian authorities, according to the SBU.

The 60-year-old suspect was detained near a border crossing in Odesa Oblast and faces a prison sentence if convicted. The SBU did not reveal his identity.

According to Ukrainska Pravda's sources, the suspect in question is Vladyslav Lukianov, a native of Kostantynivka in Donetsk Oblast who sat in the parliament between 2006 and 2014 and had been a member of the Party of Regions since 2007.

The Kyiv Independent reached out to the SBU for confirmation but has not received a response at the time of the publication.

Read also: SBU detains ex-member of banned pro-Russian Party of Regions suspected of espionage

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A South Carolina judge dropped the maximum sentence of 16 years on a man who secretly took videos of minor girls showering at a home in Indian Land, according to prosecutors and court records.

S.C. Circuit Court Judge Brian Gibbons sentenced William Brandon Lee Campbell, 45, Tuesday in Lancaster County criminal court. Campbell pleaded guilty to two counts of voyeurism and one count of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor from the recordings made in Indian Land in 2020, officials with the S.C. Attorney Generals Office said.

Gibbons sentence was the maximum allowed under South Carolina law.

The judge ordered Campbell to serve 10 years for sexual exploitation followed by six years for the two voyeurism counts, for a 16-year prison total. Campbell must register as a sex offender after prison.

Campbell admitted he put a camera in the bathroom to secretly record the victims, prosecutors said.

Deputies arrested Campbell in 2021 after a Lancaster County Sheriffs Office investigation that started in late 2020. Electronics, videos and photos were seized from the house, police and prosecutors said.

Campbell had lived at one time in nearby Charlotte but lived in Indian Land, near Fort Mill, at the time of the crimes, said Robert Kittle, spokesman for the attorney general.

The relationship between Campbell and the victims was not released. The Herald does not identify minor victims of sex crimes.

This weeks case is not the only one in the area in recent years where South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children prosecutors garnered voyeurism and sexual exploitation convictions for secret bathroom recordings.

In 2021, in an unrelated York County case also prosecuted by the attorney general, a judge sentenced a Lake Wylie man to 20 years in prison after he admitted to making secret videos of children in a homes bathroom.

In 2020, a York County man was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to secret bathroom recordings.
SC principal still on leave, getting pay nearly 2 months after charges dropped. Heres why

An Ocean Bay Elementary School principal is still on administrative leave and getting paid after charges against her in a related child neglect case have been dropped.

Rebecca Schroyer has been paid a total of $187,538 as of Feb. 20, 2024, according to a response to a Freedom of Information Act request. The school district paid $35,000 in Schroyers legal fees.

Schroyers salary is listed as $143,979 annually as of 2022, according to govsalaries.com.

Schroyer was charged with two counts of failing to report a child neglect allegation for an incident that happened during the 2021-22 school year. Robert Kittle, communications director with the S.C. Attorney Generals Office, confirmed by email that Schroyers charges were dismissed on Feb. 28.

Kittle would not provide any additional information, including why the charges were dropped, stating that by law he could not comment further.

Schroyer still remains on administrative leave, Horry County Schools spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier confirmed Wednesday in an email. She would not confirm if Schroyer will be allowed to return to her school duties now that the charges have been dropped.

In August 2023, the Attorney Generals Office decided not to pursue prosecution of Schroyer and instead turned the case over to the South Carolina Department of Education for an administrative review of her credentials. Schroyer could have received up to six months in prison or a $500 fine for each count.

As of April 10, Schroyer was not listed among the education departments orders of disciplinary action.

Schroyer was placed on administrative leave with pay in November 2022.

The alleged incident, which happened in February 2022, involved a teacher putting hand sanitizer in a childs open wound, The Sun News previously reported.

Properly reporting suspected child abuse is required by South Carolinas mandated reporters law, which includes educational professionals.

The case against Schroyer stemmed from charges against Grace McColgan, who was a special education teacher at the same elementary school.

McColgan pleaded guilty in July 2023 to charges involving child neglect and received a sentence of 30 days in jail. She had been charged with six counts of unlawful conduct towards a child, during from the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, The Sun News previously reported.

Schroyer has been with Horry County Schools since 2001 and named principal of Ocean Bay Elementary in 2016. She still has her teaching certificate, which will expire if not renewed by June 30, according to personnel files.

It was announced in July 2023 that Schroyer would not return to Ocean Bay Elementary as its principal for the 2023-2024 school year.
The appellee counsel speaks with attendees after the recess of Janet Doe v. City of Memphis hearing outside the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Jackson, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

An oral argument for a pending class action lawsuit was presented before the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Jackson on Tuesday, following a ruling that the suit could be filed by all affected victims against the City of Memphis for not testing more than 12,000 rape kits.

Denying the city's demand to drop the lawsuit, Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Gina Higgins ruled in March 2023 that the suit seeking damages pertaining to thousands of untested Sexual Assault Kits (SAKs), dating as far back as the 1980s, could proceed as a class-action suit and the city would have to stand trial.

The City of Memphis appealed the ruling, bringing the lawsuit to the state appeals court in Jackson on Tuesday.

The appeal is divided between two related, yet separate cases, "Johnson et. al. v. The City of Memphis" and "Janet Doe v. The City of Memphis et. al."

More: City of Memphis to appeal ruling in lawsuit involving 12,000 untested rape kits

More: Shelby County judge rules 'rape kit lawsuit' can move forward as class-action suit

Johnson case sheds light on slew of unsolved cases

In the summer of 2013, the City of Memphis released a statement in response to findings of more than 12,000 rape kits that went untested between 1985 and 2012.

Rachel Johnson, Madison Graves, and Meaghan Ybos filed a lawsuit in 2014 against the City of Memphis and other entities, noting that they "suffered severe emotional stress," following the city's statement and with respect to their incidents of sexual assault.

Judge Steven Stafford listens as fellow Judge Andy Bennett asks clarifying questions inside the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Jackson, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

The plaintiffs asked for $1.5 million, with a maximum cap of $750,000 to be paid by Shelby County, which was formerly a defendant, and the City of Memphis.

In discovery, it was revealed that the women knew their kits had been tested shortly after their assaults, and that the perpetrator, who assaulted all three of them, was apprehended and convicted.

The three cases were ultimately dismissed.

Appellate Counsel Jon Lakey reacts as appellee counsel Gary Smith gives his rebuttal inside the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Jackson, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Attorney Jon Lakey, representing the city, argued that the class-action ruling should be overturned on the basis that the class needs to be defined before being certified.

Noting that the existing class is broad and that the complexities of the suit warrant subclasses, he said the trial court "failed to engage in the rigorous analysis that it is required to undertake before certifying a class."

Janet Doe v. The City of Memphis

Because the Johnson et. al. case was dismissed, Smith emphasized the focus on the currently standing case of Janet Doe.

Doe was sexually assaulted in 1997 and submitted to DNA collection for a SAK.

Her kit was not tested until 2015.

Appellee Counsel Gary Smith speaks with an attendee after recess outside the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Jackson, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Doe's case seeks $10 million in damages with no maximum cap per government entity, unlike Johnson et. al.

Lakey says that because the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) had not been established by law enforcement until 2002, there was no existing suspect to compare the DNA collected in Doe's case to, making the operational facts of the case different from Johnson et. al., whose assaults occurred post-CODIS.

Judge Arnold Goldin listens as appellate counsel Jon Lakey gives his rebuttal inside the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Jackson, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

CODIS is a national database storing DNA profiles of convicted offenders, missing persons, and unsolved crime scene evidence.

Gary Smith, representing Doe in appellee counsel, argued that this was a "horrendously wrong" point in Lakey's statement. Referencing an affidavit from a retired Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent, Smith says SAKs could be submitted to TBI for testing pre-CODIS.

He maintained that even after 2002, the backlog was allowed to continue to grow, and hence why, even post-CODIS, Doe's kit had not been tested until 2015.

"In effect, what the city argues here under some metaphorical, theoretical pretense is that they can not be held accountable for a scandal of epic proportions," Smith said.

The decision to uphold or deny the appeal lies in the hands of Judges Andy Bennett, Arnold Goldin, and J. Steven Stafford.

Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Appeal hearing held for class-action status of Memphis rape kit lawsuit
Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter.
Scathing Kevin McCarthy says he was ousted as Speaker because Gaetz allegedly slept with a 17-year-old

Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy said he was ousted from his position because Representative Matt Gaetz slept with a 17-year-old.

I'll give you the truth as to why I'm not Speaker, Mr McCarthy said while speaking at Georgetown University on Tuesday. Because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old, an ethics complaint that started before I ever became Speaker...Did he do it or not? I don't know.

Mr McCarthy is referring to a US House Ethics Committee investigation opened in 2021 related to allegations that Mr Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, violated sex-trafficking laws and had sex with an underage girl. The Ethics investigation was soon after tabled to allow the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate. The DOJ stopped their investigation last year and did not charge Mr Gaetz.

The Congressman has strongly denied any wrongdoing since the allegations arose. In a statement to The Independent, Mr Gaetz also called Mr McCarthy a liar.

Kevin is a liar, Mr Gaetz said. Which, actually, is why he isnt Speaker. Just ask any of the 224 people who voted to remove him.

Mr Gaetz led the charge to oust Mr McCarthy as House Speaker last year. The Congressman presented the motion to vacate that ultimately passed, removing Mr McCarthy from the position. The representative from Florida has previously said he ousted Mr McCarthy because of concerns he violated the fundamental commitments he made to become Speaker  not because of his anger about the ethics probe.

However, a report from The Daily Beast earlier this year said Mr Gaetz told a friend that he targetted Mr McCarthy because of the probe.

Ive heard him complain about Kevin because of it, an unidentified GOP staffer told the outlet.

Last month, Mr Gaetz was served a subpoena to take part in a deposition in a civil lawsuit connected to claims he had sex with an underage girl. The subpoena is part of a lawsuit brought by a friend of Mr Gaetz targeting the young woman and others.

The subpoena was issued by lawyers representing the woman, who is now in her twenties. Mr Gaetzs deposition is part of a larger defamation and racketeering lawsuit brought by Chris Dorworth, a friend of Mr Gaetz and a former Florida House member and lobbyist, against the woman and others.

Congressman Gaetz received a witness subpoena in an ongoing lawsuit between outside parties, a spokesperson for Mr Gaetz previously told The Independent. He is not being sued, and he is neither a plaintiff nor a defendant in this matter.
Schools in Waupaca County placed on lockdown due to threatening email, threats deemed not credible

WAUPACA, Wis. (WFRV)  Multiple schools in Waupaca County were placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon while authorities investigated a threat via email directed toward Waupaca Christian Academy.

According to the Waupaca Police Department, officers were made aware of the threatening email around 2:25 p.m. on April 10 by a staff member at Waupaca Christian Academy, saying the email was directed toward the school.

Huber inmate in Wisconsin wanted by authorities for not returning to jail

Officers noted that a similar threat had been reported in another jurisdiction on Wednesday as well.

An investigation into the threatening message began immediately. Ultimately the threats were determined to be not credible.

As a precaution, schools within the district were placed on lockdown while the incident was being investigated.

Students and parents are encouraged to come forward immediately anytime they hear of a potential threat so proper action can be taken, officers with the Waupaca Police Department said in a statement.

Illinois man leads Wisconsin authorities on dangerous, triple-digit pursuit

The Waupaca Police Department was assisted by the Waupaca County Sheriffs Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

The Vernon County Sheriffs Office also posted on its Facebook page earlier on Wednesday that it was working with the De Soto Area School District concerning a potential threat received by the school, via email.

Schools in the De Soto Area School District went under a shelter in place while the threat was being investigated.

The investigation into the threat remains ongoing. No additional details were provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Scientist makes troubling discovery when examining air quality inside nursing homes: 'It was no better to be inside than to be outside'

During the record-shattering 2020 wildfire season in the U.S., a scientist discovered a dangerous amount of smoke pollution was drifting into nursing homes in Idaho and Montana, threatening residents' health and making it harder for them to breathe.

What's happening?

As CBS News reported, Luke Montrose, an environmental toxicologist and researcher at Colorado State University, installed air quality monitors in four Idaho long-term care facilities in 2020.

After reviewing the data collected from the monitors, Montrose discovered that some nursing homes had highly unsafe air quality due to ongoing wildfires.

In one building, Montrose found that 50% of the outdoor particulate matter  an air pollutant released from industrial activities, vehicle exhaust, and power plants  had seeped inside. Even worse, another building let in 100% of the harmful pollutants.

Montrose told CBS News that in some facilities, "it was no better to be inside than to be outside during those smoke events."

While people living in western U.S. states are accustomed to dealing with wildfires, they've gotten increasingly larger and more destructive in recent years. Rising global temperatures and a longer wildfire season are causing smoke to reach areas normally unaffected by wildfires.

For example, in the summer of 2023, much of the Northeastern U.S. was blanketed by a smoky orange haze from Canadian wildfires, creating apocalyptic-looking skies and some of the worst air quality in the world.

Why is poor air quality from wildfires concerning?

As CBS News explained, worsening air quality from more frequent wildfires is a growing public health threat. Some particulate matter known as PM 2.5 is small enough to get lodged deep in people's lungs and bloodstream, which can cause numerous health problems, such as asthma, reduced lung function, and even certain cancers.

That puts people in nursing homes at greater risk since many of them may suffer from pre-existing health conditions, such as lung or heart disease. Older adults also have weaker immune systems, making it more difficult to recover from breathing in wildfire smoke.

Moreover, Montrose told CBS that 25-30% of nursing homes in the Mountain West are over 30 miles from the nearest regulatory-grade air quality monitors, meaning many residents could be unknowingly breathing in unsafe air.

What's being done to protect residents from bad air?

Montrose plans to contact more nursing homes in Idaho, Montana, and Colorado this summer about installing air quality monitors. According to CBS News, he also hopes other areas in the Western U.S., such as his hometown of Salt Lake City, will consider installing the devices to improve their health.

"I think honing in on this particular community that is really quite impacted by smoke exposure on the health side of things is really great," Savannah D'Evelyn, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Washington who studies the impacts of wildfire smoke, told the outlet. "It's a gap that needs to be addressed."

However, Katherine Pruitt, national senior director for policy at the American Lung Association, explained that the "most effective actions" for improving indoor air quality would be higher ventilation standards enforced by state or local officials.

On an individual level, we can help clean the air and cool the planet by switching to energy-efficient appliances and getting our energy from clean sources, such as solar power.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Scott Air Force Base explosives team clears gate after after dog alerts on vehicle

Scott Air Force Base announced Wednesday that the explosive ordinance disposal team has ended its response to a vehicle at the Mascoutah Gate with negative findings.

A military working dog alerted while conducting a routine explosive sweep on a portion of a vehicle at about 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Explosive ordnance disposal personnel had responded to the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Gate, also known as the Mascoutah Gate, the base said in a Facebook post.

Residents in Lincolns Landing had been asked to shelter in place during the investigation.
Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, has backed calls for mass exonerations for victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal - Jane Barlow/PA

Scottish prosecutors are to fight an appeal by a man caught up in the Horizon Post Office scandal, despite SNP support for a blanket pardon.

Brian Gill KC told the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh that the Crown was minded to oppose a case brought by Ravinder Naga, who was convicted in 2010 of stealing 35,000 from a Greenock post office where his mother worked.

The missing cash was uncovered during an audit by Post Office investigators, leading to the temporary closure of the branch in May 2009.

Lawyers for Mr Naga are trying to have his conviction quashed as they believe that without evidence from the faulty IT system there would not be enough proof to find him guilty of any offence.

However, on Wednesday, Mr Gill told the court that unlike similar recent cases, the Crown are set to contest the appeal.

He said: This is the most difficult appeal so far. The Crown are minded to oppose the appeal.

Mr Gill was making submissions during a procedural hearing which was heard before Scotlands second most senior judge, Lady Dorrian, the Lord Justice Clerk.

Mr Nagas case was among several referred to the courts by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates possible miscarriages of justice.

Horizon evidence was essential to the case against him

He was not the sub-postmaster of the branch, but his case was referred on the basis that he pled guilty to one charge of theft in circumstances that were, or could be said to be, clearly prejudicial to him.

He had been sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work by Greenock Sheriff Court and paid a 35,000 compensation order.

The commission said Horizon evidence was essential to the case against him and that the prosecution was oppressive because the process was an affront to justice.

Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, has backed calls for mass exonerations for victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal.

However, UK Government legislation quashing convictions, which would apply to family members of sub-postmasters, will not apply in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has pledged to introduce its own legislation, but is yet to publish detailed plans.

In January, Dorothy Bain, the Lord Advocate and head of the prosecution service, claimed that not every case involving Horizon evidence will be a miscarriage of justice, in an apparent split from Mr Yousaf.

Ms Bain, who is a member of the Scottish Government, stressed the importance of the courts in reversing previous prosecutions.

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.
Multiple Hollywood stars, including Sean Penn, Barbra Streisand and Mark Hamill, are calling on Congress to act on further U.S. support for Ukraine in an opinion piece for CNN.

[W]e are letting the Ukrainians down, the wrote in the piece, which was also signed by comedian Kate McKinnon, film director J.J. Abrams and novelist Jonathan Safran Foer. It has been more than 470 days since Congress passed legislation to support Ukraine. That is most of the time since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Ukrainians are fighting for their existence, the op-ed says. On territory that Russia occupies, it tortures Ukrainian citizens, kidnaps Ukrainian children and murders Ukrainian leaders. On territory Russia can reach with its weapons, it strikes civilians and rescue workers.

More U.S. backing for Kyiv in its war against Russia has the support of the White House, Democrats and many Republicans, but it has been stymied by House conservatives who are demanding that it come alongside border reforms that Democrats reject.

The group that signed onto the CNN piece argued the U.S. should not let our allies down.

Around the world, everyone looking on believes that Ukraine is an easy choice for us, they wrote. It is a democracy, and we claim to support democracies. Its soldiers are doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Ukraine is fighting by itself, and not asking for American troops, they continued. What America must do to support Ukraine is minimal. If we cannot keep to our commitments to Ukraine, no one will believe that we will support any of our allies in the future. That will lessen us, and create a world of war.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Search for missing South Carolina cruise passenger complicated by jungle terrain as family demands US help

Search for missing South Carolina cruise passenger complicated by jungle terrain as family demands US help

A once-hopeful search for a South Carolina man who went missing last week during a cruise excursion in Cozumel, Mexico, is dimming.

Edmond Bradley Solomon III's family, including his daughter and wife, have been using social media and physically scouring the island with several local law enforcement agencies, but promising leads have become dead ends and theories are running dry.

Solomon was last seen on April 3, when a Royal Caribbean cruise ship stopped in Cozumel, where he got off the ship, went to the bathroom and vanished, his family said.

"I am terrified that if I dont post something our story will become irrelevant, and that the U.S. will forget about us," Solomon's daughter, Savannah Miller, wrote on Facebook. "I am trying to think of something to say to keep everyone updated, but I am feeling empty and discouraged and exhausted.

SOUTH CAROLINA MAN VANISHES FROM CRUISE AFTER GETTING OFF AT POPULAR PORT OF COZUMEL, MEXICO

Edmond Bradley Solomon III, a retired VA critical care nurse, and his wife Mimi.

"I thought I was already losing my dad to FTD (frontotemporal dementia), but being unable to physically locate him is 100x more traumatic than any degenerative disease."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Miller is referring to her dad's recent diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, a group of diseases caused by progressive nerve cell loss that affects a persons behavior and not memory.

Known as "Brad," the 66-year-old Charleston family patriarch was enjoying retired life after 20 years as a VA critical case nurse with his wife Mimi, who is also a nurse and a breast cancer survivor.

VICTIM'S CAUSE OF DEATH IN 40-YEAR-OLD COLD CASE CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES, CASE LED TO SUICIDE AND TORE FAMILY APART

They were on a cruise, stopped for an excursion to spend the day on Cozumel, a remote island off the coast of Mexico, when his family believes he wandered off after using the bathroom within minutes of getting off the ship.

His daughter and other family members quickly dropped everything and flew to the popular tourist spot to join Mimi and the search with local law enforcement.

Rescue efforts for Edmond Bradley Solomon III in Cozumel, Mexico.

From left to right, Mimi, Savannah and Edmond Solomon are pictured together.

After a week, Solomon is still missing, and the ups and downs from potentially hopeful tips that lead to nothing is wearing on the family's mental state.

"It angers me that everyone elses lives are continuing, but we are stuck in this horrifying level of hell," Miller said. "If you are in America, please continue to kick and scream about us to catch media and U.S. government attention so that we can be allocated additional search and rescue resources.

"Empathy, selflessness, and the endless capacity to love are my dads most distinctive traits, and they are the ones that still linger despite his personality-stealing disease. If you know him, you know he would do this for you."

BRUTALLY VIOLENT MEXICAN CARTEL DRAINING AMERICANS' LIFE SAVINGS IN COMPLEX SCAM AS REVENUE RIVALS DRUG TRADE

Solomon's family and friends have been sharing missing posters with loving anecdotes about how "Brad" has helped them. Missing Persons of America, a Facebook group created by a military family, created its own missing person flyers in the U.S. to complement the official missing persons bulletin in Cozumel.

Rescuers search throughout the island of Cozumel, Mexico, for Edmond Bradley Solomon.

The official missing poster for Edmond Bradley Solomon III that was created by Cozumel police.

A missing person for Edmond Bradley Solomon III flyer created by Missing People in America.

Miller continues to plead with people in the U.S. and Cozumel to "spread the word."

"We are begging you to share this on socials, so that we can increase awareness and gain more news coverage. The more people who are aware, the quicker we will find him," she said.

STUDENTS UNCOVER BIBLE BELT STRANGLER AS SERIAL KILLER CULPRIT IN REDHEAD MURDERS

Local news outlet Conexion Urbana has been covering the search in Cozumel and shared photos with Fox News Digital.

"Since the manifestation of relatives themselves, authorities have set up a search operation that keeps up to date, which has sparked the interest of citizens and the American community on the island, who have joined the search efforts," Conexion Urbana reported in a translated Facebook post.

"The municipal Civil Protection authorities have expressed their total recognition to the solidarity of the community, however, urges the need that any civic action in this regard, should include the coordination and supervision of the authorities expert in the subject, in order to avoid endangering the safety of those in solidarity supporting these search efforts, especially groups seeking internship in the jungle or at risk areas on the island."

From left to right, Edmond Bradley Solomon was with his wife Mimi when he went missing, his daughter, Savannah Miller, said.

Search efforts for Edmond Bradley Solomon III have been going day and night since he went missing on April 3.

Edmond Bradley Solomon III is pictured with his wife Mimi.

Miller told Fox News Digital they have been following local authorities' lead since they arrived on the island while coordinating their own public awareness campaign across social media platforms.

However, the toll it is taking is becoming overbearing.

AMERICANS, INCLUDING SOUTH CAROLINA COUPLE, STRANDED BY NORWEGIAN CRUISE SAVE ELDERLY PASSENGER, FAMILY SAYS: SHIP LEFT HER TO DIE

"I have asked those surrounding me in Cozumel not to keep me informed of specific search efforts, lead, or other information because its making me too anxious and upset. I dont have the bandwidth or the energy anymore," Miller wrote on Facebook.

Conexion Urbana reported a large-scale search earlier this week that included flyovers and ground searches with a rescue dog named Lune "in the most difficult (areas) to access," which included jungles and the surrounding areas.

Search and rescue efforts in Cozumel include doSearch and rescue efforts in Cozumel include dogs trying to trace "Brad's" trail.

Authorities in Cozumel, Mexico, are searching the most difficult areas to access, including jungles, according to local news outlet Conexion Urbana.

"My dad walks really fast, and he does not have eyeglasses on like he usually does," Miller said in a previous interview. "He will often nod his head down and focus on the ground while walking. The more anxious he is feeling, the quicker he goes."

He "generally has a calm or apathetic attitude, and will probably refuse help if offered, especially from a stranger," she said, which worries her and family that this trait, coupled with his fast-paced walk, makes him seem confident he knows where he is going.

FLORIDA POLICE, GUNMAN EXCHANGE GUNFIRE IN HOTEL AFTER BOGUS MURDER 911 CALL, BODYCAM SHOWS

"But he is not," Miller said. "He is lost and scared. He cannot show or process emotions like a healthy person would. Unfamiliar people or situations are intimidating to him. He does not know how to respond and will avoid."

She said everyone in Cozumel has been helpful and kind to her and her family.

Edmond Bradley Solomon III, the patriarch of the family, was surrounded by loved ones during Savannah Miller's graduation.

In the U.S., family and friends set up a GoFundMe for the family.

"Between cancer and dementia, (Mimi and Solomon III) have been through so much in the last few years and yet Mimi still shows up every day to take care of others," the GoFundMe says. "Please help take care of Mimi and Brad."

Miller said anyone in Cozumel should send tips to the Cozumel police.

For anyone in the U.S., "we ask that they continue to share the story and sentiments about my dad if they know him to raise awareness and to stay positive."





Original article source: Search for missing South Carolina cruise passenger complicated by jungle terrain as family demands US help
Second man accused of being involved in deadly shooting near Dayton elementary school indicted

A second person has been formally charged in connection to a deadly shooting near a Dayton elementary school that happened earlier this year.

Kyree Whitaker, 18, was indicted by a Montgomery County Grand Jury on Wednesday with one count of murder and three counts of complicity to commit aggravated robbery, according to Montgomery County Common Pleas Court records.

Whitaker, Kyree Gerald (10/09/2005) - Held in custody of Montgomery County Jail with booking number 24-004223 on 04/01/2024 at 4:14 PM. Unclassified Felony - Murder (Pending);

>> PHOTOS: 1 dead after shooting near Dayton elementary school

The charges are connected to the shooting death of 20-year-old Isaiah Murray.

As News Center 7 previously reported, the shooting was reported on Jan. 12 in a parking lot across the street from Roosevelt Elementary School and the Greater Dayton Recreation Center.

When police got to the scene, they found Murray dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Whitaker is the second person to be charged in connection to the shooting. William Brown, 19, was indicted on murder and complicity to commit aggravated robbery charges last week.

>> RELATED: Man accused of deadly shooting near Dayton elementary school indicted on charges

Before the shooting, both men were allegedly part of a group that conspired to rob a group of people. In announcing Browns indictment, the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office said Murray was one of the targets of the attempted robbery.

Murray was shot and killed during the incident.

Whitaker was arrested last week and remains booked in jail. Hes scheduled to appear in court next week.








U.S. cyber specialists toiled in more than a dozen countries last year as part of a push to fortify networks and expose tools used by hackers, according to the leader of Cyber Command and the National Security Agency.

The so-called hunt-forward missions, conducted by CYBERCOMs elite Cyber National Mission Force, or CNMF, totaled 22 deployments, with some happening simultaneously across the world, Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh said in testimony submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 10.

Enhancing the security of government, private sector and critical infrastructure systems grows ever more imperative, said Haugh, who took the helm at CYBERCOM and NSA in February. Foreign adversaries continuously update how they operate, and frequently work through American-owned networks and devices.

Hunt-forward missions are executed at the invitation of a foreign government and are not always disclosed. Theyre part of CYBERCOMs persistent engagement strategy  a means of being in constant contact with adversaries and ensuring proactive, not reactive, moves are made.

Then-Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh speaks Sept. 12, 2023, at a conference in National Harbor, Md. (Colin Demarest/C4ISRNET)

Haughs disclosure offers a rare look at the CNMF workload, which is often nebulous, as some countries prefer to keep quiet the digital cooperation.

The mission force has in the past worked with Ukraine, ahead of Russias invasion; Albania, on the heels of Iranian cyberattacks; and Latvia, where malware was unearthed. Other previous deployments included Estonia, Croatia, Lithuania, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

President Joe Biden said in late March that hell tap Michael Sulmeyer, the U.S. Armys principal cyber adviser, to be the Department of Defenses inaugural cyber policy chief. The role of assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy was established by the fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.

The Defense Department sought $14.5 billion for cyber activities in fiscal 2025. The figure is about $1 billion more than the Biden administrations previous ask. It is also up from FY23, when it sought $11.2 billion.

We work every day against capable and determined cyber actors, many of them serving adversary military and intelligence services, Haugh said. Our operational experience reinforces the importance of campaigning globally in and through cyberspace across the conditions of competition, crisis and armed conflict.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A plea agreement was approved last week that dismissed select charges and referred the remaining charges to a special court martial for a Camp Pendleton Marine accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and violating liberty restriction, military officials said.

On Tuesday, Private First Class Avery L. Rosario pled guilty to Article 87b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (breach of restriction), the I Marine Expeditionary Force confirmed to FOX 5/KUSI in an email Tuesday.

Under the agreement, Rosario was sentenced to time served and agreed to be administratively separated from the Marine Corps, the military agency said. As always, the command respects the legal process and the rights of all individuals affected by the case.

Bookkeeper found guilty of burning down auto business in Kearny Mesa

Rosario was charged under two Uniform Code Military Justice articles, for three specifications of sexual assault of a person between the ages of 12 and 16 years old, plus two specifications for breaching restrictions.

Rosario claims the teen lied about her age several times, and he believed she was 21 years old during their alleged consensual sex in the barracks at Camp Pendleton in June.

During the court hearing in August, the government entered 18 exhibits into evidence, while the defense entered one. The governments exhibits included the charge sheet, photos of the girl, her Tinder profile, text messages between the teen and Rosario, plus several interviews of the teen, Rosario, his roommate and others.

I Marine Expeditionary Force did not specify which charges were dismissed for Rosario.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill, Nov. 8, 2023, in Washington. House Republicans will bring their case against Mayorkas to the Senate on April 10, 2024, two months after impeaching him. It will be the third time in five years that senators are sworn in as jurors in the court of impeachment. | Alex Brandon

Senate Democrats are eager to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, but Republicans in the House and Senate are working together to move to a trial.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, signaled the House will send the impeachment articles to the Senate at the beginning of the legislative session next week instead of this week.

Im very grateful to Speaker (Mike) Johnson for his bold willingness to delay this, Lee said at a press conference Tuesday. We dont want this to come over on the eve of the moment when members might be operating under the influence of jet-fume intoxication.

White House spokesperson Ian Sams pushed back on the hold up, saying, If Republicans actually believed this impeachment was so urgent for the security of the border, then they wouldnt have delayed sending it to the Senate for 2 months... or now delayed it again for another week, in a post on X.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Lee said the Senate has conducted an impeachment trial 17 out of 21 times after the House voted to impeach. The cases where a trial wasnt held were dismissed because the official either resigned from office or died, Lee said. He accused Democrats of displaying legislative tyranny by attempting to nuke the articles of impeachment.

Lee said even if Democrats disagree Mayorkas defied enforcing federal laws to allow more than 430,000 unaccompanied minors and unvetted terror suspects to enter through the Southern border, then they should move to hold a trial because that can either prove his innocence or guilt.

The Utah senator previously told NBC News he will be fighting on the Senate floor to ensure that both Secretary Mayorkas and the entire Congress remain accountable for the current invasion of Americas southern border.

Lee was joined by other Republicans, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who also criticized the Biden administration over its handling of the southern border. Cruz said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wants to table the impeachment articles because he doesnt want the evidence against Mayorkas and the current administration to surface and be presented in front of the American public.

Senate Democrats control the chamber 51-49 and could simply vote along party lines to dismiss the impeachment articles. Schumer hasnt publicly laid out his plan for Mayorkas impeachment yet but in a Dear Colleague letter last week, he asked Democratic senators to be in attendance for the trial day, hinting at the possibility of a vote that requires the majority to be present.

Should one or two Democrats abandon ship, Republicans like Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, havent ruled out voting against a trial.

Romney told CNN Tuesday the Republican Party, including him, wants to underscore how bad the mess is at the border and point out the presidents responsibility for that.

But, he added, Mayorkas is the wrong target. I think if we wanted to make that point clear it would be made pointed at President Biden  not his Cabinet secretary.

Romney also told reporters he disagreed with his colleagues who insisted on a trial. Precedent is a matter of interpretation in this case, he said. There have been impeachments that have been brought forward that did not go to trial in part because the people left office.

In February, while visiting state lawmakers in Utah, Romney said, I havent seen anything so far that suggests that he met the standard of a high crime or misdemeanor, as the Deseret News reported.

Now that doesnt mean hes done a good job. I think our border is a mess. But I blame the president, and the people the president has appointed are people who are following the presidents policies, he added. Well see if Secretary Mayorkas has gone beyond the presidents policies. If so, that would justify a careful look.

Mayorkas says he isnt concerned. When I say that I am not focused on the impeachment proceedings, I actually mean it, he told reporters Friday. It is my hope that my time is not taken away from my work.

On the second try, House Republicans passed the articles of impeachment in a 214-213 vote in mid-February. In the impeachment articles, Mayorkas is accused of violating laws enacted by Congress regarding immigration and border security. In large part because of his unlawful conduct, millions of aliens have illegally entered the United States on an annual basis with many unlawfully remaining in the United States.

This marked the first time a cabinet secretary was impeached since War Secretary William Belknap in 1876.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre quoted President Joe Biden, saying History will not look kindly on House Republicans for this blatant act of unconstitutional partnership.

Instead of wasting time on these kinds of political games, Republicans should want Congress to deliver more resources and stronger border security, she said, referring to the border security packaged with foreign aid to Ukraine and Taiwan that doesnt have Republican support.

Next week, House managers, a group of prosecutors appointed by the speaker, will deliver the articles to the Senate floor by reading them aloud on the Senate floor.
Over two dozen synagogues in Pennsylvania, including one in Pittsburgh, were targeted by bomb threats Tuesday, an initial investigation said.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said the threats, which were deemed to be hoaxes, were made to numerous synagogues throughout the commonwealth.

NBC affiliate WGAL reported an initial investigation showed the same threat was emailed to 25 synagogues in total.

Pittsburgh Public Safety confirmed one of the targets was a synagogue in Pittsburgh.

The FBI takes hoax threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. While we have no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention, the FBI said.

The FBI also urges the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately by calling 911, the FBI at 1-800-CallFBI (1-800-225-3421), or online at www.tips.fbi.gov.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Missing Beaver County man found dead during search of Monongahela River in Elizabeth Township 2 suspects charged after 60-year-old man brutally attacked inside his Sewickley home Airline offers service from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia for half the cost of traveling on PA Turnpike VIDEO: New bill would expand Pennsylvania's distracted driving law DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Severe storms in the forecast again. Is Lexington having an extra rainy spring this year?

Storms are expected through Central Kentucky Thursday afternoon and into the evening, bringing gusty conditions and more rain, the National Weather Service in Louisville warned in a hazardous weather outlook issued Thursday.

Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are expected, and a cold front will move into the region Thursday evening. In Lexington, precipitation is expected this morning and afternoon, followed by possible thunderstorms beginning around 2 p.m., the NWS said in its latest forecast. While the high is 69 degrees Fahrenheit, showers and storms will dampen most of the day with rainfall totals expected between a quarter and a half an inch.

In a Thursday forecast, WKYT meteorologist Chris Bailey also noted severe storms remain possible and the best chance for severe weather here in Kentucky will be across central and eastern Kentucky with northeastern part of the state having an increased risk.

However, the storms will not be on par with the severe weather last week that resulted in 11 tornadoes touching down across the state.

The greatest risk for Thursday tornadoes is across northeastern Kentucky. The Storm Prediction Center is highlighting this area through parts of Ohio and West Virginia. #kywx pic.twitter.com/6vMlxGQn2H  Chris Bailey (@Kentuckyweather) April 10, 2024

Mike Kochasic, a meteorologist with the NWS in Louisville, said in an interview Wednesday afternoon its generally a good time of year to revisit your emergency plans.

Make sure you have a battery-operated radio, three days worth of supplies, things like that, Kochasic told the Herald-Leader. If folks are looking for templates on how to make an emergency plan, or a kit, they can go to Ready.gov. Thats a good website to go check out to make sure youre prepared.

Is Lexington on track for above-average rainfall this spring?

According to Kochasic and NWS data, rainfall totals taken at Lexingtons Blue Grass Airport show the area has received 15.48 inches of rain since Jan. 1. That amount is current as of Tuesday, Kochasic said.

Normally, the rainfall total for this time of year is 12.76 inches, Kochasic said, meaning Lexington has seen nearly 3 inches above its normal amount so far this year.

Citing the latest outlook from the nations Climate Prediction Center, Kochasic said, for the next month and the next three-month outlook, well be more likely to have above-normal precipitation.

What role is El Nino playing in Kentucky weather this spring?

El Nino is a weather phenomenon that begins with a warming of the waters in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and influences weather across the U.S. via a shift in the jet stream.

That warming weakens the wind currents that normally blow east to west along the equator, sometimes even reversing them. The result is a shift in normal weather patterns across the U.S. and worldwide. In the winter, El Nino generally brings flooding to the southern U.S. and warmer, drier conditions over the Pacific Northwest, northern U.S. and Canada.

Currently, Kentucky is still experiencing an El Nino pattern, though the weather service is expecting a reversion to more neutral conditions. By later summer, theres a good chance well move into a La Nina, the exact opposite of El Nino.

Theres an 83% chance that were going to go back to neutral conditions. And theres even a 62% chance by later this summer that well go to La Nina phase, which means that the water is colder than average in the Pacific, Kochasic said.

All this could result in a colder pattern later this year and into the winter, Kochasic said.

However, its worth remembering that El Nino and La Nina are complicated phenomena and a multitude of factors can influence weather outcomes, meaning well have to wait and see.

Do you have a question about the weather in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com or contact us with the Know Your Kentucky form below.
Severe Storms and Tornadoes in Louisiana and Surrounding States Leave One Dead and Thousands Without Power

People stand outside the heavily damaged building of E.C.O. Builders, in the aftermath of severe storms that swept through the region in Slidell, La., on April 10, 2024. Credit - Gerald HerbertAP

Severe storms and at least one tornado are impacting Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle bringing torrential rain and flooding on Wednesday that has so far taken one life, destroyed homes, left hundreds of thousands without power, and caused emergency evacuations.

The Slidell Police Department in Louisiana said it conducted more than 50 rescue missions as of 1:56 p.m. local time with the fire department. We do have reports of minor to moderate injuries, those injured were transported to local area hospitals. We have water rescues and welfare checks still occurring as we speak, said Sgt. Jake Morris in a video shared to Facebook. This is a long process. This is something that were not used to dealing with but we're knocking it out.

Schools and offices were closed on Wednesday in Louisiana as more than 30 million people are under a severe storm threat, with some 13 million residents across several Louisiana citiesincluding Slidell, Pearl River, and Saint Joefacing flash flood warnings. At least one tornado has already impacted Slidell, Louisiana.

Drone footage from our storm tracker @CharlesPeekWX shows significant damage from a likely tornado in Slidell, Louisiana. pic.twitter.com/8AJQ8QfUk7  The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) April 10, 2024

The National Weather service warned residents across the greater New Orleans area to not drive. A F[lash] F[lood] Emergency is in effect for the city and there is more rain on the way from the Southwest! Numerous roads across the metro are flooded/impassable, the center said Wednesday afternoon.

In Louisiana, more than 125,000 customers were without power at 3:40 p.m. eastern time Wednesday, according to PowerOutage.us. More than 50,000 others in the neighboring Mississippi also lost power.

St. Tammany Parish, based in Mandeville, Louis., shared a video of the damage. Multiple people have been transported to the hospital with injuries. Please avoid this area, a Facebook post by the parish said. A separate video posted by the parish showed cleanup crews trying to clear the neighborhood of fallen trees and debris.

In Mississippi, the levee in the Eastbrook Subdivision in Yazoo City breached. The National Weather Service of Jackson, Miss. said the flash flood warnings for the towns of Greenwood, Grenada, and Winona would continue until 4 p.m. central time.

Im sad to announce that as a result of the severe weather, one death has been reported in Scott County, as well as one injury in Grenada County, announced Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on X Wednesday afternoon. The governor asked for prayers before sharing reports of at least 72 homes having been either damaged or destroyed in Grenada, Hinds, Marshall, Scott, Warren, and Yazoo County.

Alabama schools closed early on Wednesday due to the storms. A tornado watch that will remain in effect until 9 p.m. eastern time was issued Wednesday in Tallahassee, Florida and surrounding areas. Flash flooding could bring in 2 inches of rainfall per hour along the Gulf Coast, the National Weather Prediction Center tweeted Wednesday.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Alerts Issued for Our Region

Wind Advisory is in effect from 6AM to 11PM Thursday for Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, western Greenbrier and northwestern Pocahontas counties. Wind gusts as high as 50 mph could cause a few trees to come down, resulting in a few power outages. Keep in mind that many areas saw trees come down from last weeks storms  damaged tree limbs could make it easier for them to come down.

Tonight features increasing chances for rain showers after midnight. Its a mild and breezy night on the way with low temperatures only dropping into the mid to upper 50s. Our wind will become quite breezy as we head toward dawn, with gusts already in excess of 30 mph possible by that timeframe.

Thursday provides our next chance for severe weather, as a stout low pressure system rides up and into the Ohio River Valley along our aforementioned stalled front. We will start with a few showers in the morning, but we will see a break around lunchtime before our chances for storms increase during the late afternoon and into the dinner timeframe.

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Tornadoes and Tornado Drill

Similarly to last week, though we wont have a lot of instability in our atmosphere, there will be plenty of wind shear to provide the risk for damaging wind gusts and perhaps an isolated tornado, though the intensity of severe weather and the robustness of the atmosphere will not be nearly as intense as last weeks severe weather. Nevertheless, its a threat to not take for granted! Any rain that falls will have the potential to drop locally heavy rainfall, which will give us a threat for high water as well.

The best chance for severe weather will be during the late afternoon and into the early evening. High temperatures will jump into the mid 70s. Even without storms, windy conditions are expected, with wind gusts in excess of 40 mph expected during the day and all the way until our cold front passes during the early evening.













Friday sees our cold front finally cross the region but behind that front will be much colder air and a northwesterly breeze. So, similar to last week, a northwest flow will enable showers to hang around, along with low clouds. Itll still be a breezy day with wind gusts in excess of 30 mph, and we will see high temperatures about 20 degrees cooler, as they struggle to reach 50 degrees.

Saturday gives our mountain counties the risk for an isolated shower early but well see clearing skies with high pressure taking control. We will see our temperatures respond as well, with highs in the low 60s. Itll still be breezy, with wind gusts in excess of 30 mph possible.

Sunday begins on a dry note but by the afternoon, a warm front will cross which will give us the chance for a few showers. There should be plenty of dry time and it will be very warm, with highs all the way up into the mid 70s.

Monday provides the risk for an isolated shower or two with a weak front nearby but we should see plenty of dry time once again, especially during the afternoon with highs in the low 70s.

Tuesday is looking sunny and very warm with high pressure in control! High temperatures will be in the mid to upper 70s.

Wednesday also looks dry and warm with clouds on the increase as our next storm system approaches. Well see high temperatures once again in the 70s.

Looking ahead, we will see a much warmer pattern continue  a weak front looks to cross Thursday evening, which could provide a couple of showers. Temperatures will be VERY warm out ahead of that front, with upper 70s looking possible! With an area of low pressure scooting through the area late Friday and our frontal boundary stalling out, chances for showers will return Friday into Saturday but its still looking very mild with highs near 70.

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. Sunday also looks very nice with plenty of sun and highs in the 60s.

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

Shower chances increase after midnight. Becoming breezy, with lows in the mid to upper 50s.

THURSDAY

Showers and thunderstorms likely. A few storms could be severe during the late afternoon and early evening. Windy. Highs in the mid 70s.

FRIDAY

Scattered showers likely. Mostly cloudy and cooler. Highs around 50.

SATURDAY

Isolated shower early. Partly cloudy and breezy. Highs in the low 60s.

SUNDAY

Partly sunny to begin with, showers in the afternoon. Very warm! Highs in the mid 70s.

MONDAY

Few showers early. Partly cloudy. Highs in the low 70s.

TUESDAY

Partly sunny. Warm! Highs in the mid to upper 70s.

WEDNESDAY

Partly sunny. Highs in the low 70s.

THURSDAY

Few showers. Highs in the 70s.

FRIDAY

Shower chances continue. Highs in the 70s.

SATURDAY

Rain showers possible. Highs in the 60s.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
That the products of junior debating clubs occupy senior positions in public life might reasonably be considered the source of many of our woes. Take a look at the Youth Parliament next time it meets. It would be a danger to let some of them have unsupervised use of scissors, let alone of the House of Commons. Perhaps this is unfair; but my objection is less to the debating club as a teenagers hobby and more that, given their inevitable graduation into Spads or union officials and eventually MPs, this may result in muddled thinking and correspondingly bad policy.

These Mothercare Ciceros are taught that debate is a series of parries and thrusts, central to which is the existence of a set group of easily identifiable fallacies; styles of argument so inherently wrong that even engaging with them is beneath the true debater. One such argument  the not-unreasonable premise that, though an idea might first appear moderate or sensible and conceived with the best of intentions, it may, ultimately end up in its worst or most extreme form  is derisively referred to as the slippery slope fallacy.Rubbishing it is a particular pastime of progressives. If policy A is implemented, so the theory goes, then there is nothing inevitable about this translating into policy B or policy C.

On closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that this is no logical fallacy, but a highly visible pattern of human behaviour.

The publication of the final Cass review will, I suspect, show the slippery slope to be as well-oiled as ever. The report is expected to conclude that allowing a very young child to socially transition makes them more likely to grow up with a fixed trans identity and retain it for life, rather than their gender confusion being resolved in time. Social transitioning, it will state, is no longer a neutral act but one carrying the risk of grave psychological harm. In other words, what self-ID advocates billed as a simple case of #BeKind may have been very cruel indeed.

Hannah Barness painstaking expose of the Tavistock clinic, Time to Think, also documented the astonishing mission-creep in this area. Referrals to Gids (the clinics Gender Identity Development Service) started out as very rare, and were considered to be a disorder. As social trends shifted and the disorder became better known, referrals rose dramatically. In 2021-22, the NHS reported more than 5,000 referrals to Tavistock, up from just under 250 who were questioning their gender a decade earlier. Differential diagnoses  ones that suggested other factors at play, were discouraged, writes Barnes. Such elements include the strong link between gender nonconformity as a child and later growing up to be gay or lesbian. Puberty blockers were billed as a sensible precaution giving children time to think. But, as the work of Hilary Cass, and the disturbing WPATH revelations make clear, these were powerful drugs whose consequences were far from benign.

Social contagion has led to vast numbers of young people now questioning their gender and sexuality compared to previous generations; it is also visible in the spike of alleged genders now in existence (we went from two, to three, to dozens in the blink of an eye).

Gender ideologues regularly resort to emotional blackmail (would you rather have a dead son or a trans daughter) or to outright lies, by framing the debate as a confected culture war, rather than a public policy decision affecting thousands of people, with irreversible consequences. And heres a chastening thought; but for the efforts of brave detransitioners and gender-critical feminists like Maya Forstater, Helen Joyce, Julie Bindel and J K Rowling, Britain might now be even further down the rabbit hole.

Consider the experience of assisted dying around the world. Though billed as a last resort, it has morphed into an increasingly mainstream option wherever its been adopted. In Canada, the nation that has embraced the policy most enthusiastically, an estimated 4.5 per cent of all deaths now occur through assisted dying. Belgium and the Netherlands are among the countries to have removed initial safeguards; both have since expanded their remit to include the euthanasia of children.

In Oregon, (non-assisted) suicide rates rose after the legalisation of assisted dying  suggesting an element of cultural contagion that goes beyond the policy change itself. Redefining the states relationship with human life is a shift that may carry consequences than we cannot now imagine.

In lockdown, the alacrity with which we went from buying an extra loo roll to being cautioned by police for sunbathing was less a case of the slippery slope and more the north face of the Eiger covered in olive oil.

So too the SNPs attempt to broaden the concept of hate speech to include the potential offence taken by even a vexatious operator. Police Scotland complain they are being paralysed by hate crime reports, which by law they must investigate. These are on course to outnumber all other offences put together. Who could have predicted this? Most sane people, as it happens. But they appear thin on the ground at the moment. Particularly in Scotland.

We denigrate the slippery slope at our peril; far from being a fallacy, bitter experience shows us its true.

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 more-than-hour-long standoff with San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office deputies ended Tuesday after a Grover Beach man suspected of driving the wrong way down Highway 1 as he attempted to evade law enforcement was taken into custody.

According to a Sheriffs Office news release, deputies were initially dispatched to a fight in Oceano at approximately 11:45 a.m.

While en route, witnesses reported that one of the men who had been involved in the fight got into a vehicle and left the scene, the release said.

Deputies caught up to the vehicle as it was driving erratically on Highway 1 and at times was driving on the wrong side of the road, the Sheriffs Office said.

Deputies tried to stop the car in Oceano, but it failed to yield, so a pursuit began, according to the release.

The Sheriffs Office said it coordinated with California Highway Patrol to deploy a spike strip near Guadalupe, which then disabled the car near West Main Street and Simas Road.

After the car was stopped, the driver  identified as 43-year-old Jacob Epifanio Lopez of Grover Beach  repeatedly ignored commands to exit the vehicle, the release said.

The Sheriffs Crisis Negotiation Team responded and spoke with the suspect for more than an hour but he still refused to leave the vehicle, the release said.

Deputies then deployed pepper balls into the vehicle to force Lopez from the car, the Sheriffs Office said. When Lopez exited, he was arrested on suspicion of charges of reckless driving, failure to yield to law enforcement, evading arrest and resisting arrest, according to the release.

As of Tuesday evening, Lopez was not listed as in custody on the Sheriffs Offices Whos in Custody website.
Missouris quasi-governmental student loan agency came under harsh criticism from Democratic senators on Wednesday, as the agency has become pivotal in Republican efforts to block President Joe Bidens attempts to eliminate student loan debt for millions of Americans.

The hearing came a day after Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey launched a lawsuit challenging a Biden administration plan to relieve student loan debt for some Americans, including at least 2,780 Missourians. It hinges on harm done to the quasi-governmental agency, called MOHELA.

The Democratic Senators criticized Bailey and other Republican attorneys general for pushing back against the Biden administrations attempts to wipe out student loan debt. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who testified in front of the committee, said the lawsuits are being filed for political purposes and hurting people who are burdened by thousands in debt.

Theres nobody in Kansas City, nobody in St. Louis or anywhere in the state whos been asking [for this], Lucas said. And I think what were seeing and what weve seen today is how many people nationally are impacted. They are looking to get standing to continue to bring these challenges based on the relationship between MOHELA and the state of Missouri, but really the harm extends far beyond it.

MOHELAs executive director and CEO, Scott Giles, declined an invitation to appear before the committee. Instead, its defense was left to Scott Buchanon, the executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance.

Buchanan noted that student loan providers have stayed neutral about the Biden administrations efforts to eliminate student loan debt.

The Senators were focused on two lawsuits. The first, called Biden v. Nebraska, was a suit filed against the Biden administrations efforts to use powers granted to the executive branch in a state of emergency to wipe out up to $30,000 in debt for millions of Americans.

Missouri joined that lawsuit under former attorney general, and now senator, Eric Schmitt. As it made its way to the Supreme Court, Missouris role in the case became essential because it helped give the states the legal grounds to sue over the Biden administrations plan.

The Secretarys plan will cut MOHELAs revenues, impairing its efforts to aid Missouri college students, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion striking down Bidens plan. This acknowledged harm to MOHELA in the performance of its public function is necessarily a direct injury to Missouri itself,

The Biden administration then launched a second effort to forgive student loan debt, which hinges on a series of changes to the student loan program by the Department of Education.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging one part of that plan, called the SAVE plan, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. His lawsuit followed a similar action by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach.

But while MOHELA has played a central role in giving the Attorneys General grounds to sue, it hasnt willingly participated in the suits. In Biden v. Nebraska, Missouri had to file a Sunshine Request to get the documents it needed to make its case.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, questioned how much the lawsuits help Missourians.

When I think of all the things that we need attorneys general to be engaged in to protect their constituents, somehow Missouris Attorney General wakes up in the morning and thinks this is the great service that the people of Missouri and the people of this country need, Warnock said.

The Senators  and most of the panel in front of them  were also critical of how MOHELA handles loans.

When student loan payments resumed following a temporary hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, MOHELA was late in sending letters to 2.5 million people, according to Persis Yu, the deputy executive director and managing counsel for the Student Borrower Protection Center.

Of those letters, around 280,000 contained inaccurate information about how much money was owed, according to the Student Borrower Protection Center, a nonprofit that advocates for the elimination of student debt.

MOHELA, which is facing two class action lawsuits, has claimed the findings by the Student Borrower Protection Center are false and filed a cease and desist letter.

Buchanan laid the blame for the problems facing borrowers on the feet of the Department of Education, saying much of the trouble comes from confusing orders and a lack of monetary support.

The department is constantly changing the rules as they go and they dont give us enough money to do it, Buchanon told the Star after the hearing. Then they tell us to cut call center hours because they cant afford to pay for it, and then were surprised that people sit on hold. This is all knowable, this is all predictable.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat and the chair of the Senate Banking Committees subcommittee on Economic Policy, was not convinced. She criticized the MOHELA for being unprepared as Americans began repaying student loans after the COVID-19 pandemic, calling the agency shockingly bad.

MOHELA has repeatedly failed millions of borrowers and its time for real action and accountability, Warren said.

Any federal action may take a while. For much of the hearing, Warren was the only Senator in the room.

She was later joined by four more Democratic senators  Warnock, Sen. Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat plagued by scandal; Sen. Chris Van Hollen, from Maryland; Sen. John Fetterman, from Pennsylvania. No Republicans attended the hearing.

The Department of Education has the ability to rescind MOHELAs contract as a federal student loan provider, but it recently renewed MOHELAs contract for another five years.
Three people were shot at an Eid al-Fitr event in Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon, the citys police commissioner, Kevin Bethel, told reporters at a news conference.

The shooting occurred around 2:30 p.m. in the citys Parkside neighborhood, where residents were celebrating the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan before two factions fired at least 30 shots at each other, Bethel said.

The commissioner said an officer shot one of the gunmen, a 15-year-old boy, in the stomach before transporting him to a hospital. Four others were detained in connection to the shooting, he said.

Photos from the scene showed strollers, chairs, shoes, and clothes strewn about the streetleft behind by those who fled the scene in a panic.

Hundreds were gathered to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in West Philadelphia when a shooting erupted this afternoon, causing pandemonium. At least two shot. Children were separated from parents. Clothes and shoes and food abandoned. A beautiful event ruined. https://t.co/ANTQjofYTa pic.twitter.com/tQ3Ge2Kahc  Ellie Rushing (@EllieRushing) April 10, 2024

Citing an unnamed official, the Associated Press reported that the two shooting victims were being treated at a hospital. A police spokesperson told CBS News Philadelphia that the FBI was dispatched to the scene, as was the ATF Philadelphia Field Division.

Fire officials told the local CBS station that first responders took one person to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

A motive for the shooting was not immediately clear.

Najah Bey was attending celebrations with her family, she told WPVI. She detailed how chaos broke out among the hundreds in attendance once the sound of gunfire erupted.

We were just running and running and one of my family members got shot in the stomach, she said, adding that it was her cousin who was shot.

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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The father of a Clark County School District student says hes angry with the district after a middle school assistant principal was recorded allegedly trying to lure his daughter into sex.

Theres a systemic failure in [the Clark County School District] that allowed such a behavior to occur, the father said.

You dangerous: Recordings capture former CCSD middle school staffers explicit comments to girls

8 News Now is protecting his identity since his child was the victim of sexual misconduct.

Clark County school police obtained several recordings of former Del Webb Middle School Assistant Principal Howard Hughes that captured him, making sexually explicit comments to an eighth grader in his office.

The father of that eighth grader told 8 News Now he has avoided listening to them.

Im prior military so I have extreme PTSD, he said. If I listen to them, Im probably going to have a nervous breakdown.

Hughes remains in an Ellis County, Texas jail on charges connected to this case.

If people wasnt out there right now, I would hug you so tight. I might even want to kiss you, Hughes was heard saying.

On Monday, a Henderson judge ordered Hughes to be extradited to Clark County to face charges. Investigators were concerned the former assistant principal was trying to cross the border.

It sickens me. No child should ever have to get through that, it sickens me to my core, the father said.

According to an arrest warrant, a student told investigators her relationship with Hughes began in October of last year when he invited her into his office for personal and mental health problems. Then the inappropriate comments began.

I cant believe I was that close to you. Some things are happening inside of me. You got me excited. Damn, you dangerous, Hughes said.

That students father says she began recording the conversations on her own. He called the police when she shared them with him.

I asked her why didnt you tell me this earlier, and she basically told me, I wanted proof. I wanted people to believe me that Im not lying. nor a liar, he said.

He says he wants justice for his daughter and is upset administrators would doubt anyone making claims of a sex crime.

For me as a parent, its kind of concerning that the school is not listening to the children, the father said.

He adds that the district needs to be broken up, and if it was smaller, Hughes inappropriate behavior wouldve been caught sooner.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Six San Francisco men were sentenced to prison after they terrorized the Mission District with murders between 2006 and 2013, announced United States Attorney Ismail Ramsey. The men were members of the 19th Street/16th Street Surenos gang, and at least seven murder cases were connected to the group, prosecutors said.

The following prison sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg this month:

Eddy Urbina, aka Rhino  sentenced to 32 years

Weston Venegas, aka Cartoon  sentenced to 25 years

Orlando Hernandez, aka Chisto  sentenced to 25 years

Juan Carlos Gallardo, aka Huero  sentenced to 22 years

Jonathan Aguilar, aka Trompo  sentenced to 30 years

Mario Reyes, aka Shy Boy  sentenced to 11 years

This Sureno criminal enterprise has terrorized San Franciscos Mission District for decades through shootings, robberies, and drug dealing, Ramsey said. The sentences in this case make clear that we will pursue the perpetrators of gang violence and seek justice no matter when that violence occurred. We are pleased to bring closure to the families of these victims and to hold these defendants accountable for the tremendous harm they caused.

The convicted gang members, who range in ages from 34-44, pleaded guilty last year to a wide range of crimes.

Hernandez and Venegas each admitted to taking part in a March 30, 2013 retaliation murder in the Mission. The murder victim was not a rival, but an innocent civilian mistaken for a rival, investigators said. Reyes admitted that he, too, was involved in the hunt for victims that day.

Girl slain in San Jose church exorcism tried to escape: court documents

Urbina admitted to committing a shooting September 4, 2008, in which he and others killed two victims in San Francisco, and attempted to kill a third in retaliation for the murder of a fellow Sureno earlier that day.

Gallardo admitted to shooting and killing a victim on February 28, 2009, while at a house party in Richmond. The victim was a 16-year-old boy.

Aguilar admitted to committing a shooting on March 14, 2006 in San Francisco, in which he and others killed two victims and attempted to kill two others.

The case was the result of a multi-year investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the San Francisco Police Departments homicide detectives and Community Violence Reduction Team.

This sentencing reflects efforts by law enforcement to pursue justice in a long running case that terrorized victims in the Mission District and beyond, said HSI Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  On Tuesday, the Box Elder County Sheriffs Office said it recovered skeletal remains in a remote part of the county that are believed to be Dylan Rounds.

Rounds first went missing in May 2022 at the age of 19, and was reportedly living in an RV-camper near the Nevada-Utah border. In March 2023, James Brenner was formally charged with Rounds murder.

LEARN MORE: Dylan Rounds family agonizes as court delays keep them from closure

On April 9, 2024, remains that were believed to be Rounds were recovered in the remote western Box Elder County area of Lucin, officials said.

The Box Elder County Sheriffs Office said the FBI assisted with the investigation and processed the area for evidence, in addition to recovering the remains.

Rounds mother, Candace Cooley, told East Idaho News that Brenner led authorities to the location of Rounds body as part of a plea agreement. Cooley later confirmed with ABC4.com that there was a plea agreement.

Officials said the remains were taken to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner for confirmation of the identity.

Our hearts go out to the family of Dylan Rounds, the sheriffs office said. We offer our sincerest condolences for the loss of their family member.

The sheriffs office said the investigation and search took 23 months, and expressed its gratitude to everyone who has assisted with the investigation.

Officials did not release other information at the time of the press release.

Dylan Rounds disappearance

Around May 30, 2022, Rounds mother first discovered no one had seen her son in a few days. His family reportedly traveled to Utah after not hearing from Rounds and becoming concerned.

In June 2022, it was confirmed that a pair of boots belonging to Rounds was found on the property where he was living in a camping trailer.

In July of 2022, a suspect was named in connection to the disappearance of Dylan Rounds. That suspect was James Brenner, who was being held on unrelated federal firearm charges.

Previous reports indicated Brenner was reportedly squatting on Rounds property. He was also said to have a violent past.

In August 2022, Nevada authorities executed a search warrant on Brenners home.

In October 2022, the case was declared a homicide investigation by Box Elder County officials.

In March 2023, Brenner was formally charged with aggravated murder and abuse or desecration of a human body. According to documents, digital forensics revealed a time-lapse video allegedly showing Brenner cleaning a gun with blood on his arms and shirt.

Officials say they obtained Brenners shirt, analyzed it and discovered DNA belonging to Rounds.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD)  A former Summerville officer has been charged with murder by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the agency said Wednesday afternoon.

The charge stems from a March 20th altercation between the off-duty officer and a man outside a Chick-fil-A restaurant on North Main Street which ended in a deadly shooting.

Affidavits provided by SLED show the officer, Anthony DeLustro, was off-duty when he engaged in a confrontation with the victim, Michael ONeal. Documents say DeLustro exited his vehicle and an altercation ensued.

SLED confirms off-duty Summerville officer shot man during altercation

Witnesses told authorities that DeLustro was the aggressor and said that after the two exited their vehicles, the victim asked the off-duty officer Do you want to do this? several times to which DeLustro replied, Come on you f*****g f****t. Punches and kicks were then exchanged between the two.

Bystanders attempted to separate the two, but the men continued to exchange blows, the report said.

At some point during the scuffle, DeLustro told ONeal that he was under arrest and pulled his Summerville Police Department credentials from his back pocket, and presented them before they fell to the ground. DeLustros handgun also fell from his holster onto the pavement.

As the fight continued, the victim disengaged, and an eyewitness heard the victim say he wanted to leave, the affidavit said. Evidence showed that the victim then disengaged and retreated from the physical altercation with Anthony DeLustri and returned to his vehicle.

A witness who was restraining DeLustro heard the off-duty officer tell ONeal that he would shoot him if he left. He then broke free, picked up his handgun from the pavement, and then re-engaged ONeal with the weapon.

DeLustro opened the victims passenger side door and entered the vehicle while armed with his handgun. ONeal told DeLustro to get out of my car, and began to drive away while DeLustro was still partially seated and fired a single shot from his gun.

ONeal was shot and killed at the scene.

Affidavits show that DeLustro acknowledged that he knew ONeal was attempting to leave the area and that it was his own intent to stop him. He also admitted he never saw the victim with a firearm or another weapon, nor ever threatened to use a weapon of any kind.

Documents also state that DeLustros wife attempted to physically restrain ONeal during the altercation and when the man tried to leave in his vehicle.

DeLustro was taken to a local hospital for a non-life-threatening injury, Summerville PD said at the time.

in the interest of transparency and impartiality, Chief Doug Wright requested SLED assume the

investigation into the incident, the agency said.

Employment information provided by Summerville PD shows DeLustro has over 30 years in law enforcement, including beginning his career with the New York City Police Department in 1980 and two stints with the Summerville Police Department.

DeLustro was placed on administrative leave after the incident; however, Summerville PD said he was a former officer in their Wednesday afternoon update.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The off-duty police officer who shot and killed a man following a fight at a Chick-fil-A has been charged with murder, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Anthony DeLustro, a Summerville Police Department officer, shot and killed Michael ONeal on March 20 after the two men traded punches and kicks in front of the restaurant located at North Main Street in Summerville.

A warrant released Wednesday by SLED charging DeLustro with murder described him as the primary aggressor in the fight, according to eyewitnesses.

As the two men traded blows in front of the popular chicken sandwich restaurant, DeLustros handgun allegedly fell behind his truck. ONeal attempted to extrictate himself from the fight, reportedly telling witnesses he wanted to leave and getting in his car. But DeLustro retrieved his handgun and pursued ONeal, ignoring DeLustros wife who attempted to stop him.

DeLustro pulled open the passenger side door of ONeals car and tried to prevent him from leaving, according to the warrant. As ONeal tried to drive away, DeLustro shot him once, killing him.

DeLustro was booked at the Berkeley County Detention Center. The case will be prosecuted by the 9th Circuit Solicitors Office.

This is a breaking news story. Check back here for updates.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  South Carolinas top law enforcer will face a panel of South Carolina state senators Wednesday morning in a long-awaited confirmation hearing to keep his job as the State Law Enforcement Division director.

Keel joined SLED in 1979. Former Gov. Nikki Haley appointed Keel to lead the statewide police force in 2011. Keels most recent six-year term ended in December 2023 and Gov. Henry McMaster reappointed Keel to the job just days later on Dec. 7.

But Keels appointment isnt official until the S.C. Senate confirms Keel. A subcommittee of the S.C. Senate Judiciary Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday to take the first step in the confirmation process.

WATCH SLED CHIEF MARK KEELS CONFIRMATION HEARING LIVE HERE

McMasters appointment in December happened just six days before the S.C. Supreme Court handed down a decision on Keels appeal of a lower courts order that he pay a hemp farmer an $11,307 sanction for discovery abuses in the farmers lawsuit against Keel and SLED. The farmer, Trent Pendarvis, sued Keel and SLED a year after the head of Keels drug unit raided Pendarvis Dorchester County hemp field.

SLED accused Pendarvis, a licensed hemp grower, of growing hemp without a license. The agency claimed Pendarvis was growing hemp in unapproved fields because he planted the crop in a different field than he listed on his hemp growers application filed with the S.C. Department of Agriculture.

MORE: SC hemp farmer accuses SLED, SC Attorney General, SC AG Department of conspiracy in 2019 farm raid

SLED raided Pendarvis farm in September 2019 and arrested him during the raid. It took the First Circuit Solicitors Office until August 2022  three years after the arrest  to make a decision on how to prosecute the farmer. On Aug. 5, 2022, the prosecutor dismissed the charge against Pendarvis finding there was no evidence he violated the states Hemp Farming Act.

Trent Pendarvis was the first person charged with violating the South Carolina Hemp Farming Act. SLED agents charged him with unlawful cultivation of hemp, a charge the prosecutor later dropped finding insufficient evidence Pendarvis willfully violated the act by planting his hemp crop in a different field than the one he identified in his hemp license application. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr)

Pendarvis eventually sued Chief Mark Keel, SLED, the S.C. Department of Agriculture, and its commissioner, Hugh Weathers, among others. In a hearing on Oct. 31, 2022, Pendarvis attorney, Patrick McLaughlin, asked Dorchester County Circuit Court Judge Maite Murphy to sanction Keel over what McLaughlin argued were prolonged discovery abuses committed by Keel and SLED that kept evidence from the farmer to help prove his civil rights case against SLED.

McLaughlin warned Keel months before that if the agency did not properly respond to questions posed to Keel and SLED in the lawsuit, hed ask the judge for sanctions against the SLED chief. McLaughlin did that in October 2022.

I find that Keels conduct regarding discovery in this case has been dilatory, prejudicial, willful, intentional, and in bad faith and his responses have been false, misleading, and incomplete, the judge wrote in the Feb. 28, 2023 order sanctioning Keel. Despite the clear and plain language of the rule requiring answers under oath, and the specific requests by the Plaintiff that requirement be complied with, Keel has failed to comply with Rule 33. The Plaintiff has served Keel with four (4) sets of interrogatories. During the hearing, Keel conceded to only producing Rule 33 verifications for two (2): the 2nd and 3rd set of interrogatories, the order continued.

SEIZE AND DESTROY: SLED Chief Mark Keel fined $11,300 for discovery abuses in hemp farmer civil suit

The judge agreed with McLaughlin regarding the delays caused by Keels discovery conduct.

Keel ignored those noted deficiencies and warnings, refusing to cure his obviously inaccurate responses, and forced the Plaintiff to file his motions, Murphy wrote, further finding that Keel failed to offer the Court any reason or excuse as to why he didnt heed McLaughlins warnings.

Patrick McLaughlin thumbs through a binder filled with discovery motions filed in the state-level civil cases filed against SLED, the Attorney General, and the SC Department of Agriculture. McLaughlin said he filed the motions in an attempt to force SLED to turn over documentation related to its handling of the allegations against Pendarvis and the raid of his family farm in September 2019. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr)

The penalty for Keel not properly answering the requests for admissions is the court deemed Keel and SLED to have admitted to the facts laid out in the questions.

The judge also noted in her Feb. 28, 2023 order that Keel withheld numerous communications sent from the agencys taxpayer-funded email server that contained Pendarvis name.

Emails in the record that Keel did not identify or produce, were sent from and to sled.sc.gov email addresses. Keel is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the State of South Carolina. It is inconceivable that Keel does not have the knowledge and capability to execute a keyword/term search of his agencys digital email archives to identify and obtain every email communication that would be responsive to the Plaintiffs discovery requests. The record reflects Keel failed to do so, Murphy wrote in the sanctions order.

SLED wont answer whether agents violated body camera policy in 2019 hemp farm raid

The order demanded Keel pay Pendarvis and McLaughlin $11,307 in sanctions. Keel appealed Murphys order to the S.C. Court of Appeals where he lost. Keel then asked the S.C. Supreme Court to review the decision, but the states highest court issued an order in December 2023, telling Keel it would not grant him the review.

A SC judge ordered SLED Chief Mark Keel to pay an $11,300 fine to the attorney for a farmer SLED arrested and destroyed his hemp crop in 2019. The farmer accused Keel of discovery misconduct and a judge sanctioned the SLED leader in a Feb. 28, 2023 order. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr)

Keel paid McLaughlin the $11,307 sanction days after the S.C. Supreme Courts order. SLEDs spokeswoman also confirmed the sanction was paid with taxpayer dollars.

To be clear, Chief Keel was and is named as a defendant in this action only in his official capacity as the Chief of SLED. As such, the attorneys fees and costs awarded by Judge Murphy were not assessed against Chief Keel personally nor did he personally pay them. Rather, the amount was paid by SLEDs insurance carrier, the South Carolina Insurance Reserve Fund, SLED spokeswoman Renee Wunderlich wrote in a Jan. 2, 2023, email to QCN.

THE GOVERNORS SUPPORT

In March 2023, a month after Murphys sanction order against Keel, we found McMaster at a public function to ask him about the discovery misconduct allegations against his cabinet appointee. McMasters handlers initially declined to schedule an interview with us to discuss the judges findings regarding the discovery abuses.

McMasters handlers eventually agreed to arrange a meeting at a public event at an aircraft manufacturing plant in the Upstate.

The entire exchange between Barr and the governor can be seen here:

McMaster defended Keel, saying the lifelong lawman has a terrific reputation.

McMaster admitted he never read the sanctions order against Keel, but that he just read newspaper reports about the hemp farmers case. McMaster also would not take a copy of the order from Barr during the March 2023 interview with the governor.

SLED chief pays hemp farmers attorney $11,300 sanction for discovery misconduct in hemp farm raid

In the judges order, she writes, I find that Keels conduct regarding discovery, in this case, has been dilatory, prejudicial, willful, intentional, and in bad faith, and that his responses have been false, misleading and incomplete, Barr said to the governor reading Judge Murphys quote from the lawsuit. I read some of those words, but again, thats, thats the judges order and shes doing her job. Chief Keels been in law enforcement a long time. He has a terrific reputation. His whole organization does, but again, this is a civil lawsuit and its going through the proper steps, McMaster told QCN.

During our Seize and Destroy investigation, law enforcement sources told us about a SLED policy, telling agents they shall be truthful and use candor in all official matters. SLED later provided copies of the policies to us.

SLED-Policy-3.20Download

The policy originally went into effect on March 1, 1992, and was revised on Oct. 1, 2007. The 2007 version of the policy was signed off by Keel. The policy was again revised on Sept. 4, 2020, under order of Keel.

McMaster appeared to have never heard of the policy when we interviewed him in March 2023 and interrupted our questions about whether Keel adhered to his own policy and who holds a cabinet appointee accountable.

Heres a transcript of that portion of our interview:

BARR: The last question I have for you is, theres a  SLED has a truthfulness policy

GOVERNOR: Has a what?

BARR: Truthfulness policy, and it was signed by Chief Keel, 2021it was updated, and it says in that policy, Employees shall be truthful and use complete candor in all official matters, whether in the course of appointment or otherwise 

GOVERNOR: I understand and of course, there are always two sides, every story, and thats what the judicial system is for. Chief Keel has been a respected law enforcement officer for many, many years. Ive worked with him for many, many years. I have confidence, high confidence in him. Of course, the judge has a good reputation. But thats what the legal system is for is to sort these things out in a methodical procedure that is set by law and thats whats happening.

BARR: Who should hold Chief Keel accountable for what 

GOVERNOR: How many times you gonna ask that same question?

BARR: Who holds him accountable?

GOVERNOR: Thats what the judicial system is for.

Keel, who has denied every request to be interviewed about this case and the allegations against his agency, would not agree to be interviewed for any of the reports related to the hemp farm raid or the discovery abuses committed in the farmers lawsuit against Keel and SLED.

WATCH THE FULL ENCOUNTER BETWEEN JODY BARR AND SLED CHIEF MARK KEEL FROM SEPTEMBER 2022:

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
On Tuesday, April 9, Karen Riley, president of Slippery Rock University, is set to unveil the institutions new strategic plan that will guide the next several years of its operations.

Its a process that has been underway since late 2019, Riley said in an interview with the Business Times, predating both the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and her joining the university, which occurred at the start of July 2023.

The new plan, which Riley said was developed via years of engaging university and community stakeholders. It included use of an outside consultant, surveys, SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis and many rounds of writing, sharing with various constituency groups and making revisions. It focuses on four pillars for Slippery Rock University, which is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Read more at Pittsburgh Business Times.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Missing Beaver County man found dead during search of Monongahela River in Elizabeth Township 2 suspects charged after 60-year-old man brutally attacked inside his Sewickley home Airline offers service from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia for half the cost of traveling on PA Turnpike VIDEO: New bill would expand Pennsylvanias distracted driving law DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
SNPs unworkable hate crime law should be withdrawn, says former top judge

The SNPs new hate crime law is unworkable and should be withdrawn, Scotlands former most senior judge has said.

Lord Hope of Craighead, a former deputy president of the Supreme Court, accused ministers of engaging in gesture politics, leading to the legislation being widely misunderstood.

Police Scotland have been deluged with more than 8,000 complaints since the act came into force on April 1, many of which officers believe were made to fuel personal or political vendettas.

Ahead of its introduction, the public were urged by Police Scotland and the Government to report all incidents they perceived as being motivated by hate.

Lord Hope of Craighead said 'hate crime is a most unfortunate name for the bill'

Lord Hope said an impression had been created that all forms of hate had been criminalised, which is not the case.

Hate crime is a most unfortunate name for the Bill, Lord Hope said. It raises all sorts of thoughts in peoples minds, without any idea of what the Bill is actually saying.

I have no complaint with the intention of the Bill. But it has misfired because it uses a very provocative title that leads people to think theres more in it than there really is, when you read through the detail.

He added: I think its unworkable if the police are going to have to administer this, because they have the burden of sifting and recording a myriad of complaints by people who are not really aware of the details of the legislation.

Lord Hope, 85, who was Scotlands most senior judge as Lord Justice General between 1989 and 1996, went on to serve as deputy president of the UK Supreme Court between 2009 and 2013.

He said the hate crime law would create an extraordinary burden on police because of obligations to record and report each offence, including the protected characteristics of the complainant.

Being forced to sift through a myriad of complaints from people ignorant of the details of the law would render it unworkable, he claimed.

Its an extraordinary position, he told The Times. Ive not seen anything like this before, and its no wonder the police are being deluged in trying to carry it out.

The gesture politics here has meant sending out a message that has been misunderstood by people who dont grasp the qualifications and protections contained in the act, and that is causing problems for the police.

He quoted the Telegraph columnist, Fraser Nelson, who has claimed that Scotland is now the worlds laboratory for bad ideas.

The Hate Crime Act consolidated existing laws and introduced offences of stirring up hatred against groups including trans people, cross-dressers, the disabled and the elderly.

Lord Hope claimed a more effective course of action would have been to amend existing public order legislation.

SNP figures have blamed misinformation about the law for problems with its introduction. However, critics of the legislation said they could not dismiss such a stinging intervention from someone of Lord Hopes stature.

David Hope is possibly the greatest Scottish legal brain of his generation, Murdo Fraser, the Tory MSP, said. If hes saying this, the SNP have got it far wrong.

Fatally flawed law

Sharon Dowey MSP, Scottish Conservative deputy justice spokesman, said: This is a devastating critique of Humza Yousafs shambolic hate crime law by one of Scotlands most senior legal figures.

Lord Hope correctly identifies the naivety underpinning this unworkable SNP legislation and the intolerable strain it is putting on Scotlands over-stretched police force and wider legal system.

Thats why he  like the Scottish Conservatives  is calling for it to be scrapped.

This fatally flawed law should never have seen the light of day but was inexplicably passed with Labour and Lib Dem support.

In little over a week since its introduction, it has been denounced by police officers, legal experts and the Scottish public. Humza Yousaf must swallow his pride, do the right thing and bin it before it causes any further damage.

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.

Not illegal to be an a--hole

Meanwhile, Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer said the Scottish Governments Hate Crime Act had not made it illegal to be an a--hole.

Speaking to the BBC Podlitical podcast, Mr Greer  a senior member of the Scottish Greens  said it had not been made illegal to be unpleasant or offensive.

Its not illegal to be an a--hole now, he said.

It was not illegal to be an a--hole before and for the last week it has still not been illegal to be an a--hole.

But he added: That doesnt mean that you should be.

Mr Greer, 29, stressed that he was not specifically referring to JK Rowling, the Harry Potter author who has been outspoken about the new law, but was making a generalisation.

He continued: Just because it is still legal to be offensive doesnt mean you should go out of your way to be offensive.

There are plenty of things that its not illegal to do, but that in a decent society we dont generally encourage people to do.

We should all be trying to be as pleasant and decent to each other as possible, whether the law allows for it or not.

I think as a society we should hold ourselves to a higher standard than the criminal law.

If the highest standard we can set for ourselves and each other is the criminal law  thats an abysmally low standard.

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.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold speaks in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 8 in Washington. The U.S. Supreme Court took up a historic case to decide whether Donald Trump was ineligible for the 2024 ballot under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.
Police stand guard as pro-trans activists counter protest at a 'Let Women Speak' rally in Scotland - LESLEY MARTIN/REUTERS

After 8,000 hate crime reports were made in the first week of Scotlands new law, analysis of official data revealed that hate crime complaints are set to outnumber the total of all other offences.

JK Rowling, who came out in strong criticism of the law, dared Scotlands police to arrest her over her views on trans women. The SNP responded this week by suggesting that the authors provocations were wasting police time.

Telegraph readers took to the comments section to have their say, with many denouncing the newly introduced law.

The law hinders free speech

Readers suggested Scotlands new hate crime law will create more problems than it will solve, with many voicing support for JK Rowling, while blaming the SNP for bringing the law to fruition.

Simon Lucas thinks its a joke that a senior SNP politician, Karen Adam, said the author was wasting police time.

He wrote: The SNP is wasting police time by introducing this terrible legislation. Even with proof staring them in their eyes, they cant bring themselves to admit it was a mistake and instead place the blame elsewhere. Its leadership at its worst.

As a Scot living in England, Laura Urwin finds it heartbreaking that the SNP has in a few short years reduced a once proud nation to a laughing stock.

She added: The experiment of devolution has failed, and powers should be taken back by Westminster.

Wendy Berwick surmised: Well, Police Scotland scored a pretty dreadful own goal by announcing that every reported incident of hate crime would be investigated.

The rest is completely predictable. Another fine mess, courtesy of the SNP.

Concerning freedom of speech, Derek Milne argued the SNP has grossly misused its power enforcing a law that effectively criminalises free speech.

Luca Sandor shared this sentiment: Its a gagging law. It hinders free speech. And is a way of controlling the free press.

Of course the police cant cope

As front-line officers warned they cant cope with the surge, readers debated if the increase in hate crime reports was inevitable and suggested ways the police could have prepared.

Reader David Hartley was unsurprised, Of course the police cant cope. What did the SNP think would happen?

He suggested: People are not stupid  theyve deliberately deluged the police with false reports to get rid of this hate crime nonsense.

Phillip Mason thought the police should have been better prepared for the new law to come into effect, as the legislation has been around for three years.

Surely during that time the police could have been trained for it, rather than wait until the last moment, he said.

Elsewhere, reader AL questioned: How many of these complaints relate to the backlog of events from months or years ago that were not possible to report until last week?

Some complaints were vexatious, made for political reasons (and possibly prosecutable as a waste of police time). Give it a month or two, apply some sort of triage and then lets see whether or not the world has come to an end.

Actual crimes should take priority

Due to the inundation of hate crime reports, Police Scotland is struggling to solve a rising number of shoplifting cases, sexual assaults and car thefts. Readers weighed in to express their frustration and dissatisfaction with the new policy.

NV North was enraged: What sort of lunacy takes police resources away from serious crimes to investigate things that werent crimes a couple of months ago?

Meanwhile, Josh Kelly shared: When I became a police officer in 1979, the police service was the one true public service, based on the principle that we would do anything to help someone in need of assistance.

Regrettably, I see little or nothing of that altruism in the police service now presided over by Humza Yousaf. He has destroyed public trust in policing in a way that will not be readily regained. The misuse of the police service is only the latest manifestation of their ineptitude and authoritarian impulses.

Bella Pink added to the argument: I cant sympathise with Police Scotland if they are blaming citizens now. Common sense would say: they cannot commit to investigating every report of a hate crime; this has gone far enough; and actual crimes should take priority.

James Porter called out the utterly ridiculous legislation and questioned why the police are now expected to play judge and jury in determining which crimes to focus their attention on.

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 post from Occupy Democrats, a social media page with more than 10 million Facebook followers, alleges that Laurel Libby, a Republican state representative from Maine asked whether the Nazis did anything that was illegal.

The Maine House Democratic Campaign Committee, in a similar post, quotes Libby before saying that they wont stand for this MAGA extremism in Maine.

On the house floor today Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) stated "Lets talk about the nazisI would like to know what they did that was illegal." We won't stand for this MAGA extremism in Maine. Check out who we have running against her: https://t.co/d9J0zuPmKX #MAGACult #MEpolitics pic.twitter.com/omET9ldEPs  Maine House Democratic Campaign Committee (@MaineHDCC) April 3, 2024

As of April 10, the Maine House Democratic Campaign Committees website also featured the clip on its front page in a fundraising advertisement, saying, This extremist rhetoric has no place in the Maine House of Representatives.

These posts are misleading and make it appear that Libby was referring to the German Nazi party. Libby is actually referencing a specific neo-Nazi demonstration that took place in Maine last year.

Whats the context?

On April 3, 2024, the Maine House of Representatives passed a bill that would ban certain paramilitary activities in the state. The state legislatures actions stemmed from two events in 2023. That year, a prominent neo-Nazi attempted to establish a paramilitary training center in northern Maine and a group of neo-Nazis organized a demonstration in Augusta.

According to its summary, the bill would prohibit a person from the teaching of, training in or demonstrating the use, application or making of a firearm, explosive or incendiary device if the person knows or reasonably should know that the teaching, training or demonstrating is intended to be used in or in furtherance of civil disorder. Additionally, the bill also prohibits a person from assembling with others for the purpose of practicing or being trained or instructed in the use, application or making of a firearm, explosive or incendiary device or in techniques capable of causing injury or death.

On the day of the vote, Libby, alongside other state Republicans, spoke against the bill, arguing that it would impede on law-abiding citizens First and Second Amendment rights. In a short speech, Libby asked supporters of the bill whether anything that the Augusta neo-Nazi demonstrators did in 2023 was actually illegal.

I would like to know what they did in detail that folks would like to share that was wrong that infringed on another persons right. Holding a rally and even holding a rally with guns is not illegal. That is within our rights, Libby said. Now, we dont have to like what said Nazis did. We dont have to like what they stand for. We dont have to agree with their positions. We dont have to think well of them. You know what we do have to do? We have to protect their First Amendment right to free speech and association. That is our job, she continued. It is our duty to protect the Nazis right to free speech and association as long as it does not infringe on someone elses right, as long as they are not harming someone else.

The 2023 demonstration did not result in any arrests, and a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety told the Portland Press Herald at the time that the demonstration was peaceful and there was no damage to any state or city property.

I said that its our job, its the proper role of government to protect the right to free speech and association, whether we like how people use those rights or not, as long as theyre not hurting someone else, or infringing on someone elses rights, Libby told The Dispatch Fact Check. Whether were talking about someone burning the flag, kneeling for the anthem, or neo-Nazis rallying in Augusta  it is our duty to protect Maine peoples right to free speech and association as long as it does not infringe on someone elses rights and as long as theyre not harming someone else. Thats the crux of the matter.

A spokesperson for the Maine House Democrats did not return a request for comment.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

Read more at The Dispatch

The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free.
The total solar eclispe on April 8 as seen over Stowe, Vermont.

On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse swept through the skies over North America, delighting and astounding millions of onlookers who had traveled from across the globe to take in this incredible event. And our own space readers got in on the act, too.

The sun was completely obscured by the moon across what is known as the "path of totality," which was approximately 115 miles (185 kilometers) wide and 10,000 miles long (16,000 kilometers).

This 2024 total solar eclipse path crossed the four Mexican states of Sinaloa, Nayarit, Durango, and Coahuila before passing over 15 U.S. states, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

The path of totality then moved through Canada, with the total eclipse seen in seven Canadian Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland.

Related: When is the next solar eclipse?

Thhe sun reaches totality during the eclipse on April 08, 2024 in Houlton, Maine. Millions of people have flocked to areas across North America that are in the

NASA estimated that 31.6 million people live in the totality path in the U.S. alone. With so many people on the path of the eclipse, and many more traveling to join them, it is unsurprising that there are a plethora of astounding images of the most striking astronomical event of 2024.

Space.com reader Rajat Kumar Pal captured an incredible composite image of the total solar eclipse from Stow, Vermont.

The total solar eclispe on April 8 as seen over Stowe, Vermont

"In this image, a lot of things are going on: first, obviously the eclipse itself, second almost 40 % of cloud cover, making it difficult to get a clear picture of the solar disc as well as the corona. and other features; and third, a constant for fiddling around with the exposure as clouds interfering with the intensity of light from the eclipsed sun!" he wrote. "Above all, it was an amazing experience to watch it with my wife, Sudakshina, who experienced this after a long time (her last eclipse experience was when she was a kid, and she forgot most of it).

"It was a beautiful and surreal experience, and experiencing it with my wife is something special!"

Totality awesome!

The first region to experience totality during the total solar eclipse was Mazatlan, Mexico, where the moon completely covered the sun at around 11:10 local time (14:10 EDT/18:10 GMT).

One region in the U.S. where the eclipse reached totality on April 8 was Indianapolis, Indiana. Onlookers who gathered at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway caught a glimpse of a flash of light as the last sunlight streamed past the moon just before the totality, a phenomenon also known as a "diamond ring."

The eclipse is reaching totality over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, on April 8, 2024

The total eclipse of the sun reveals aspects of the sun that are usually obscured. This includes layers of the sun's atmosphere. The corona, the outer solar atmosphere, and the chromosphere, the sun's inner atmosphere.

This image was captured from Bloomington, Indiana, and shows a pink layer around the dark disk of the moon, which is the chromosphere.

Related: The solar eclipse is over! Here's what to do with your eclipse glasses

The moon passes in front of the sun during a total eclipse in Bloomington. The solar eclipse, which was seen from Mexico, the United States, and Canada, was the first one to pass over the American state of Indiana since 1869

Not to be left out, the corona also made several special appearances during the total solar eclipse, unobscured by photons from the photosphere. This image captured from Russellville, Arkansas, on April 8, shows the corona as white "streamers" extending out from the dark lunar disk.

The total solar eclispe seen over Russellville, Arkansas with the solar corona on full display

Space.com reader Silvia Lobo was also able to capture an incredible view of the corona, with hints of the chromosphere at the bottom of the lunar disk from Saranac Lake, New York.

Silvia Lobo captured a stunning view of the corona and the chromasphere from Saranac Lake, NY on April 8

Space.com reader Jackman Maine caught an image of the totality over a rural landscape.

The totality of the eclipse seen over a rural landscape

The solar eclipse looks particularly fierce in a "miracle" image taken from Kimball Bend Park in Central Texas by Space.com reader Justin Maune. They said, "I just took this photo a few hours ago. I traveled 30 hours from So Cal to Texas to see this.

"The clouds were looking terrible. Overcast. And then it cleared. Like a miracle, 10 minutes before totality, the sky was clear, and I was able to snap this pic."

A fierce looking totality over Kimball Bend Park in Central Texas on April 8

Diamond rings and other eclipse things

Space.com reader Kim DeCew described the eclipse as "an incredible experience" and caught some incredible images from Hico, Texas, including the diamond ring picture below, to prove it.

The diamond ring of the total solar eclispe seen from Hico, Texas by Kim DeCew

The diamond ring effect around the lunar disk wasn't the only diamond on display during the eclipse; some literal stones were also on show. The jubilation felt during this astronomical event was elevated in Tiffin, Ohio, during the "elope at the Eclipse" event when over 100 couples tied the knot during the totality.

Congratulations to the couples wedded at the event, but if their wedding song wasn't "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler and Jim Steinman, it's a real missed opportunity!

Eclipse watchers in Tiffin Ohio had extra cause to celebrate the eclipse as 100 couples tied the knot during totality

A phenomenon associated with the diamond ring (the eclipse variety that is) are Bailey's Beads, droplets of light that represent sunlight streaming through the valleys, craters, mountains and rough terrain of the moon.

Space.com reader Sudakshina Chakrabarty captured an impressive image of Bailey's Beads from Stowe, Vermont.

bailey's beads seen around the edge of the lunar disk in an image taken from Stowe Vermont by Sudakshina Chakrabarty

Outside the path of totality, skywatchers caught many fascinating images of the partial solar eclipse these regions experienced. One striking example was this image taken in New York.

A view of a partial solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, in New York, United States.

X user and Architectural Photographer Alex Farmer captured incredible time-lapse footage that showed the skies darkening over Cleveland, Ohio.

The solar eclipse brought out many amateur photographers taking images with nothing more than a cell phone, arguably demonstrating how advanced cell phone cameras have become.

On such eclipse watched was the son of x user leftbob, who caught some fantastic images with their phone.

"I completely underestimated how cool it would be to see the eclipse in totality. The strange hue of color as it got darker, how cold it got, and the brilliance of the corona when it appeared," Leftbob wrote. "It was amazing. My son took these pics with his phone!"

The eclipse from the air and beyond!

Answering the question "what does the eclipse look like from an airplane" passengers departed Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on the Delta Airlines flight from Dallas to Detroit glimpsing the eclipse through airplane windows.

The solar eclipse seen though the window of a Delta airline plane on Monday April 8

Rather than taking a location-based approach, the European Space Agency (ESA) went a little higher even, imaging the eclipse with its Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-16). GOES-16 captured stunning timelapse footage of the shadow of the moon gliding over the surface of Earth, showing this event from a cosmic perspective.

The ESA shared the footage on its ESA Earth Observation X feed writing: "Blink and you'll miss it... These images by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-16) captured the moon's shadow cast on Earth's surface moving across North America from 16:00 to 23:00 CEST."



Also taking a more out-of-this-world approach to the total solar eclipse was the crew of the International Space Station (ISS). On its X feed, NASA shared video footage of the moon's shadow projected on Earth during the eclipse.

RELATED STORIES:

 Which places on Earth witness the most solar eclipses?

 How the supersonic Concorde jet broke the record for the longest total solar eclipse in history

 Historical incidents of viewing total eclipses near the edge of totality

If the above images have you eager to do your own spot of eclipse watching, the next solar eclipse is visible from Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, and Spain on Aug. 12, 2026.

Eclipse chasers not keen on traveling outside North America, will have longer to wait. The next total solar eclipse will happen on March 30, 2033, and will be seen in Alaska.

Following this, the U.S. states of Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota, and areas of Canada will experience a total solar eclipse on Aug. 23, 2044. Then just under 12 months later, on Aug. 12, 2045, a total solar eclipse will be visible over California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida in the U.S. as well as in the skies of the Caribbean and South America.

Submit your story photos! If you capture a photo of the April 8 total solar eclipse or any of these strange effects and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send photos, videos, comments, and your name, location and content usage permission release to spacephotos@space.com.
New underwater sonar images are capturing the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the bottom of the Baltimore's Patapsco River.

The U.S. Navys Naval Sea Systems Command captured remnants of the bridge, which collapsed on March 26 when a massive commercial vessel named Dali rammed into it after losing power. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shared images on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday.

The scans show the metal framework of the ship that is set to be removed by the end of April to make way for a 35-foot-deep, 280-foot-wide Limited Access Channel, according to the Corps of Engineers.

"The Limited Access Channel will permit larger ships in and out of the @portofbalt, such as marine tugs, Maritime Administration (MARAD) vessels, and those used for Roll-on/Roll-off shipping," the Corps said on X.

The Limited Access Channel will permit larger ships in and out of the @portofbalt, such as marine tugs, Maritime Administration (MARAD) vessels, and those used for Roll-on/Roll-off shipping. The numbers in this image indicate depth & clearances from the wreckage to the surface. pic.twitter.com/2mTby6UyYR  USACE Baltimore (@USACEBaltimore) April 10, 2024

The U.S. Navys Naval Sea Systems Command captured new sonar images of the Francis Scott Key Bridge wreckage after its collapse in Baltimore's Patapsco River.

Images illustrate difficulty of salvage operation

The Corps of Engineers previously revealed sonar images in an April 2 Facebook post showing the sheer magnitude of the immensely challenging salvage operation.

Divers primarily used the imaging tool CODA Octopus to examine the site but visibility was "clouded to just one to two feet because of the four to five feet of mud and loose bottom of the Patapsco River." They're unable to use videos as they would fail to capture anything but darkness.

"Divers are forced to work in virtual darkness, because when lit, their view is similar to driving through a heavy snowfall at night with high-beam headlights on," the post said. "So murky is the water, divers must be guided via detailed verbal directions from operators in vessels topside who are viewing real-time CODA imagery."

Debris of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge rest at the bottom of the Patapsco River in Baltimore. The image, released on April 2, 2024, was captured using sonar technology.

When did the Baltimore bridge collapse happen?

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on March 26 after a massive cargo ship rammed into it, causing the structure to crumble into the Patapsco River and blocking access to the Port of Baltimore.

Bridge collapse death count

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge killed six workers who were patching potholes. The workers came from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico.

Two victims were recovered and identified as as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26. Hernandez was living in Baltimore and Castillo was living in Dundalk, Maryland. They were found trapped in a red pickup truck in about 25 feet of water around the bridge's middle span.

'Thousands of tons of debris'

Efforts to restore port of Baltimore began on March 31 after a crane removed a 200-ton piece of the bridge blocking the entry into the Port of Baltimore. Gov. Wes Moore said the piece was among thousands of tons of debris that remain in the river and above the ship.

About 1,100 Corps of Engineers personnel have been deployed to help reopen the largest vehicle-handling port in the U.S using highly specialized equipment.

The keel of the Dali also rests at the bottom of the harbor, weighed down by part of the bridge, further complicating efforts to clear the channel, according to a senior U.S. official.

Contributing: Saman Shafiq, Eduardo Cuevas, Francesca Chambers, N'dea Yancey-Bragg

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Baltimore bridge collapse: New sonar images show wreckage plans
Ismail Haniyeh, chairman of the politburo of the Palestinian Hamas movement, meets with President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi (Not Pictured). Three sons and three grandchildren of the political leader of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, were killed in an Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Hamas sources in Beirut confirmed. -/Iranian Presidency/dpa

Three sons and four grandchildren of the political leader of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, were killed in an Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Hamas sources in Beirut confirmed.

According to a report by the Shihab news agency, they were hit in a vehicle in the al-Shati refugee camp in the northern part of the coastal strip.

Haniyeh was quoted on a Hamas Telegram channel as saying he was "honoured" by what he termed "the martyrdom of [his] three children and some grandchildren."

"I thank God for this honour," he also said.

The Israeli army confirmed later Wednesday the targeted killing of three of Haniyeh's sons.

Three Hamas military wing operatives had been "eliminated" in the central Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

The army confirmed that these were Haniyeh's sons. However, there was no confirmation of the deaths of four grandchildren in the incident.

"The IDF is aware of claims that other relatives of Haniyeh were harmed, among them a minor. This information is not verified by the IDF," the statement read.

Haniyeh reacted defiantly. The Hamas leader said the attack on his family is evidence of Israels "failure," Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera reported, adding that it will not change the groups position in ongoing indirect ceasefire talks.

He stressed that Hamas would not withdraw its demands. "If they think that targeting my children at the peak of these talks before the movements response is submitted will cause Hamas to change its positions, they are delusional," Haniyeh said, referring to Israel.

Meanwhile the Wall Street Journal reported that a compromise proposal put forward by the US in indirect negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza war has been largely rejected by Hamas.

The militant Palestinian organization is planning to submit its own counterproposal instead, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing unnamed "intermediaries."

Meanwhile Hamas sources told dpa the indirect negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian movement regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza war are "not going well."

"The Israelis are not interested in a ceasefire. They are only interested in the hostage issue and not in a ceasefire," the sources said.

There is no official information on the current status of negotiations from either side in the conflict.

After talks in Cairo, Hamas representatives left the Egyptian capital on Monday for consultations with their leadership.

Since Israel and Hamas do not speak to each other directly, the United States, Qatar and Egypt are acting as mediators.

In Washington, US President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu to keep his vow to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

At a joint press conference with visiting Japanese Prime Minishter Fumio Kishida, he underscored "the urgent need to significantly increase deliveries of life-saving humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza."

Haniyeh, chairman of Hamas' politburo, has been living in Qatar with part of his family for years.

According to media reports the Hamas leader, who comes from a modest background, is said to be extremely rich and lead a life of luxury in Qatar.

In the attack by Hamas and other Palestinian militants on the Israeli border area on October 7, which triggered the Gaza war, more than 1,200 people were killed and over 250 people were abducted to the Gaza Strip.

Israel subsequently said it wanted the targeted killing of the Hamas leadership.

According to the Hamas Ministry of the Interior, several of Haniyeh's relatives had already been killed in an Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip in October.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Is Now Banished From 10 Percent of Her Own State

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a MAGA Republican shortlisted as a potential running mate for Donald Trump in November, is now legally barred from visiting some 10 percent of the lands in her home stateand can be thrown out of those places if she violates the order.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council voted on Tuesday to formally banish Noem from its reservation over recent public statements she made suggesting, among other things, that Native American tribal leaders are in league with Mexican drug cartels. Noem also recently accused Native American parents of not being involved enough in their childrens lives, blaming them for poor academic performance in tribal areas.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is the third Lakota tribe in South Dakota to declare Noem persona non grata, following a banishment by the Oglala Sioux announced March 18, and another by the Cheyenne River Sioux announced April 5. The State of South Dakota does not have criminal jurisdiction on any of its nine Native American reservations.

Noem has been notified not to trespass, a spokesperson for the Lakota Peoples Law Project told The Daily Beast of the Standing Rock Sioux banishment. The tribe has the right to remove her if she were to trespass.

In an email, Noem spokesman Ian Fury said, Banishing Governor Noem does nothing to solve the problem. She calls on all our tribal leaders to banish the cartels from tribal lands.

Altogether, the combined no-go zones for Noem make up 10 percent of South Dakotas 75,789.6 square miles of land area, according to Lakota Law Director Chase Iron Eyes.

Its not acceptable for Kristi Noem to lie repeatedly, stoke further division, and endanger the people of the sovereign nations which pre-exist the United States and South Dakota, which have illegally annexed and occupied sovereign territory of the Oceti Sakowin, Iron Eyes said in a statement.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairwoman Janet Alkire described banishment as a rare but serious form of punishment granted explicitly by the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, and which tribal courts are mandated to uphold. Noem has the right to appeal her banishment in tribal court, according to Alkire.

In her own statement, Alkire said Noems remarks were wild and irresponsible, calling them a sad reflection of her fear-based politics that do nothing to bring people together to solve problems.

Rather than make uninformed and unsubstantiated claims, Noem should work with tribal leaders to increase funding and resources for tribal law enforcement and education, Alkire said.

The Standing Rock Sioux, the Oglala Sioux, the Cheyenne River Sioux, the Rosebud Sioux, and the Crow Creek Sioux have all called on Noem to apologize.

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.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in an address to parliament on April 10 that the EU needs to increase its defense spending in the face of the threat from Russia, and called on Spain to improve its military to better reflect its position as the EU's fourth biggest army.

While Spain has increased its military spending since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it stood at 1.26% of its GDP as of the end of 2023, far below the 2% benchmark for NATO members.

Sanchez said that the EU's defense and collective security has been "neglected for far too long," creating a deficit in defense spending of 56 billion euros ($60 billion).

The problem has been exacerbated by the threat from Russia, which has become increasingly apparent in the aftermath of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"We have fewer capabilities, we suffer digital vulnerabilities that are exacerbated as a result of the rise of artificial intelligence, (and) serious shortcomings in the defense industry, despite the fact that the European economy is seven times larger than the Russian economy," Sanchez said.

"We need to strengthen our deterrence capacity not to be feared, not to drag the world into any arms race but to be respected, to be able to protect this great project of peace, democracy, and freedom that is Europe," he added.

Spain's economy is the fourth biggest in the EU, Sanchez said, and its defense spending should more accurately match that standing.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Spain has trained around 3,500 soldiers, making it the third-largest contributing European country in terms of the training of Ukrainian personnel.

According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), which tracks international aid for Ukraine, Spain has committed a little more than $1 billion in aid as of February 2024.

Read also: Ukraine, Spain start talks on security guarantees

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene met Wednesday amid Greene's looming threat to remove Johnson from his post.

It was their first sit-down since Greene introduced a motion to vacate the speaker's chair just before lawmakers left Washington last month for a two-week recess.

Greene exited the meeting still frustrated with Johnson's handling of several hot-button issues, including additional aid for Ukraine and the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

The Georgia congresswoman said she received many "excuses" from Johnson, and that no deal or promises were made -- signaling they made little progress over the course of nearly an hour.

"This meeting didn't clarify my timing [on a motion to vacate the speaker]," she said. She claimed that "a lot" of the Republican conference agrees with the motion despite some criticism.

MORE: In scathing letter, GOP's Marjorie Taylor Greene slams Johnson with speakership under threat

Greene has also taken issue with Johnson for working with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. She laid out her point-by-point case for opposing Johnson in a letter to colleagues on Tuesday.

"I don't want to cause harm to our conference," she said after their meeting. "This is something that's going to take time."

PHOTO: U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks to reporters outside of the U.S. Capitol Building after a vote on a funding bill that would avert a government shutdown, March 22, 2024, in Washington. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Johnson defended his leadership strategy ahead of his one-on-one with Greene.

In a press conference alongside other House Republican leaders earlier Wednesday, Johnson noted Greene's anger over the House passage of funding bills to avert a government shutdown, telling reporters he shared her frustration, but they are limited with a one-vote majority in the House and a Democrat-controlled Senate and White House.

"We are not going to get, because of that reality, we are not going to be able to do big transformational changes that we'd like, that we know are necessary," Johnson said, adding: "We will never get 100% of what we want and believe is necessary for the country because that's the reality. It's a matter of math in the Congress."

Johnson also pushed back that he didn't believe allowing the government to shut down was in the GOP's political interests as they look to keep and expand their majority in the November elections.

"That would put a lot of pressure on the American people ... at a very desperate time," Johnson said of a possible shutdown.

"Nor does a motion to vacate help us in that regard either. It would be chaos in the House," Johnson said.

MORE: House Speaker Johnson calls Greene's move to oust him a 'distraction' for Republicans

On Ukraine aid, Greene said she urged Johnson not to bring more assistance to Ukraine to the floor for a vote.

"We are not responsible for a war in Ukraine. We are responsible for the war on our border," Greene told reporters. "And I made that clear to Speaker Johnson, that the United States border is the only border that matters and that if he moves forward and funding Ukraine that he's going to be personally responsible for funding the continued murder of people in a foreign country that is not a NATO ally of ours, and that the American people do not support."

The Senate passed its own $95 billion national security supplemental bill in February that included assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, but Johnson has not brought it to the House floor for a vote. In an interview with Fox News during recess, Johnson pledged to act on Ukraine aid when lawmakers returned to Washington.

PHOTO: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, April 10, 2024, in Washington. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

But as of Wednesday, Johnson said details on a measure to provide assistance to Ukraine as Russia's invasion rages on were still being worked out.

"On the supplemental, the House members are continuing to actively discuss our options on a path forward," he said in the GOP press conference. "There are a lot of different ideas on that. It's a very complicated matter at a very complicated time. The clock is ticking on it and everyone here feels the urgency of that, but what's required is that you reach consensus on it and that's what we're working on."

Later Wednesday, in another bad sign for Johnson's relationship with hard-line Republicans, the speaker's effort to move forward with a bill to reauthorize FISA failed.

A key procedural vote failed 193-228 with 19 House Republicans voting against the measure, despite statements from both Johnson and the White House that FISA is critical to national security.

"We will regroup and formulate another plan. We cannot allow Section 720 of FISA to expire. It's too important to national security. I think most of the members understand that," Johnson told reporters.

"It's never helpful for the majority party to take down its own rule," he added.

Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene speakership standoff continues after meeting originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Tampa family made a generous gift of $50 million to St. Josephs Childrens Hospital Foundation for the future of pediatric health care.

On Wednesday, the hospital announced that the donors, Tampa business leader and philanthropist, Sidd Pagidipati, along with his siblings, Rahul and Srujani, gifted the money to honor their parents legacy as healthcare providers, which also falls alongside their 50th wedding anniversary and 50 years since arriving in the United States.

Florida Lottery announces new lineup of games for package play options: Win big by spending less

The gift to St. Josephs Childrens Hospital is a celebration of the familys steadfast commitment to healing others, the hospital said.

St. Josephs will use the donation to support a new pediatric facility, which they are naming Pagidipati Childrens Hospital at St. Josephs. The new facility, with pediatric services provided by BayCare, will open by 2030 in hopes of increasing the regions access to quality healthcare for kids as community needs continue to grow.

















Sidd Pagidipati started a Medicare Advantage HMO with his father, Dr. Devaiah Pigadipati, a pediatric anesthesiologist, and founded Better Health Group.

When you see what happens at St. Josephs Childrens Hospital every single day, you cannot help but be moved to contribute to the future of our regions children, Sidd Pagidipati said. St. Josephs is already one of the nations best childrens hospitals, and my family is excited to help ensure pediatric care remains second to none for our children and for our neighbors children for decades to come.

Moffitt to pay over $19M for improperly billing Medicare, other programs: DOJ

The hospital said the familys gift shows the communitys commitment to local children and that it will be life-changing for the children and their families.

With this transformational gift from Sidd and the Pagidipati family, we are well on the way to empowering many more tomorrows for West Central Floridas children and beyond, BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners said. The new Pagidipati Childrens Hospital at St. Josephs will be known nationally as one of the best places to receive child-first, family-centered care at the absolute highest quality.

The $50 million donation is one of the largest in Tampa Bay history and donations to healthcare in the state.

If you would like to give to St. Josephs Childrens Hospital, visit give2stjoeskids.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
An Arkansas man is suing Starbucks after a life threatening mistake with his order sent him to the emergency room, according to a recently filed lawsuit.

On Sept. 12, the Little Rock man ordered two beverages from a local Starbucks location, including an Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappucino. He started to drink the frappucino and after getting home, he quickly realized something was wrong, the lawsuit filed April 5 says.

Whoever made the drink used milk instead of oat milk, sending the man into anaphylactic shock  a potentially fatal allergic reaction, according to the suit.

He was in respiratory distress and jabbed himself with an EpiPen and called 911, documents read.

The emergency medical responders reported he was hypotensive, stridorous, and hypoxic, the suit said, meaning his blood pressure had dropped significantly, his airways were restricted and too little oxygen was in his blood. He was diagnosed with anaphylaxis at the emergency room.

Plaintiff has a severe allergy to milk, the lawsuit said. This negligent mistake is life threatening to a person with severe allergies.

McClatchy News reached out to Starbucks for comment but didnt immediately receive a response.

The lawsuit accuses Starbucks of negligent and careless acts and is seeking damages, as the man has endured pain and suffering in the past and will experience pain and suffering in the future, in addition to medical fees and lost wages.

Boss told Black worker to wear wig, then fired her over unacceptable hair, feds say

Camera hidden in Starbucks restroom films over 90 visitors as young as 4, CA cops say

Florida Brewery slammed over Epi Pen peanut butter beer. Discriminatory and ignorant

Doctor with severe food allergies dies after dining at Disney Springs, lawsuit says
We have a 2nd baby! Stars and Stripes are parents again at Avon Lake eagle nest

We have a 2nd baby! Stars and Stripes are parents again at Avon Lake eagle nest

Related Video Above: Students name new Avon Lake eaglets last year.**

AVON LAKE, Ohio (WJW)  The bald eagle nest near Avon Lakes Redwood Elementary School has now welcomed two eagle babies.

Parents Stars and Stripes could be seen keeping multiple eggs warm and protected over the last month. Tuesday, around 6:40 a.m., nest watchers reported seeing a hatched egg among the twigs. Then Wednesday, another eaglet was reported hatched at 7:30 a.m.

Local schools dismissed early for gas odor

This isnt the pairs first foray into parenthood, as seen on the live eagle nest camera feed over the years. The pair has reportedly had more than 15 successful fledges since 2015, according to the school.

Screenshot photo courtesy Avon Lake City Schools

Photo courtesy Avon Lake City Schools

Eagles normally lay two or three eggs a couple of days apart, and the couple had multiple eggs and hatchlings last year as well.

Bald eagle watching? ODNR experts say winter is the perfect time

In the past, the school has held a naming contest for the eventual baby birds.

Watch a live stream of the eagle family right here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Heather Jarvis is photographed at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. Jarvis is part of the fastest-growing prison population in the country, one of more than 190,000 women held in some form of confinement in the United States as of this year. Their numbers grew by more than 500% between 1980 and 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  On a cold and dreary October day, Heather C. Jarvis packed everything she had into a pink duffle and a plastic trash bag and waited for the rest of her life to begin.

Sitting in the lobby of the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio, she smiled anxiously as her longtime therapist told her she'd be fine, that she was ready for the outside world. She had checked all the boxes during her nearly 10 years behind bars  substance abuse treatment, professional development, even earning an associate's degree  and had people intent on helping her.

Sometimes, I'm just so scared that it's not enough, Jarvis, her voice breaking, told The Associated Press before her release.

Jarvis, 32, is part of the fastest-growing prison population in the country, one of more than 190,000 women held in some form of confinement in the United States as of this year. Their numbers grew by more than 500% between 1980 and 2021, more than twice the growth rate for men, according to a report by The Sentencing Project, a research and advocacy organization for incarcerated people.

The sharp increase is partially due to the increased penalties and mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession and trafficking that many states have implemented over the past few decades. Approximately 25% of incarcerated women are in prison for drug-related crimes, compared to 12% of men, according to the 2023 report. Ohio  an epicenter of the opioid crisis  is among the states that experienced the most dramatic jump in female prisoners.

Programs aimed at helping women stay out of prison once they're released have not grown at nearly the same pace, according to the National Institute of Justice.

Womens incarceration grew very rapidly in the early 2000s, but it took a good decade or so before the field really acknowledged the widening gap between available programs and services and the number of women who need them, said Wendy Sawyer, research director at the Prison Policy Initiative, a research and advocacy nonprofit.

That makes the journey harder for women, who confront different challenges than their male counterparts. Over half, for example, are mothers to minor children, the group says.

Women face all of the same barriers that men face in reentry  securing employment, housing, and transportation, and reestablishing family connections  but with an extra level of difficulty, Sawyer said. For example, housing ... often forces women to choose between homelessness and returning to abusive situations, while in contrast, many men return to female supports: mothers, wives, girlfriends.

There is also the issue of sexism.

There is more stigma attached to a woman getting involved in a crime or using drugs than there is men, remarked Linda Janes, chief operating officer of Alvis, a Columbus-based nonprofit that works with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections to provide reentry services, including housing and job assistance.

Jarvis is one of the lucky ones. In October, she was released into transitional control at Alvis, and she's already found an apartment to live in after her time there is up. Columbus is far from her hometown of Parkersburg, West Virginia  a long way from the friends she did drugs with and the family members who overdosed or went to jail themselves while struggling with substance misuse.

In 2015, Jarvis pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and involuntary manslaughter after a friend was fatally shot by a man whom he tried to force to withdraw cash from an ATM. The mans son owed Jarvis and her friend money  funds they needed to fuel their mutual drug addiction. In Ohio, someone can be charged with murder if their accomplice dies while committing or fleeing from a crime. Jarvis guilty plea reduced her charges.

Now, after serving her time, she is ready to start anew. She's employed, attending The Ohio State University to get a degree in social work, and was recently granted full custody of the oldest of her two daughters, 17-year-old Adessa.

But her longing to be with her children more than Alvis allowed led her to violate the terms of her release. She moved into her apartment with Adessa, despite being forbidden from living outside transitional housing without another adult.

Jarvis' mother  who had been approved to live with her but could only stay part time  reported her daughter to her parole officer. She was upset about Jarvis' decision to reconcile with the father of her youngest daughter, 11-year-old Anna.

So now, Jarvis is back at Alvis. Adessa and Anna are living with Jarvis' mother back in Parkersburg.

Still, she hasn't given up. While she doesn't expect Adessa to return, she is working toward gaining shared custody of Anna with Annas father in the hopes that they will all live together soon in Columbus. She and Anna  who was 5 months old when Jarvis went to prison  have been slowly checking off a bucket list during their brief moments together. It includes eating Takis, a spicy snack made of rolled corn tortilla chips, and for the first time in Annas life, having Jarvis brush her hair.

I think that was like, the moment for me when I was like, Im going to get to be her mom, Jarvis said.

She is also still coming to grips with her new freedom and the daunting number of decisions she now has to make for herself: choosing what she wears, whom she talks to on the phone, what she buys with her own money.

I remember how strange it felt to put clothes on and look at myself in the mirror, she said, recalling the tears that flowed freely her first night at Alvis. I sat there in front of it for a while trying to decide if I recognized myself.

Her discomfort is echoed in life outside, where society is not necessarily embracing her with open arms. One day, she was forced to explain to a Verizon employee that she had no credit to buy a cellphone because she had been in prison for almost a decade. And just when she was about to start orientation for a job at an addiction treatment center in Columbus, her application was dropped. Even though she never directly harmed anyone herself, her record listed a violent felony, which disqualified her.

No matter what I do, it's (the felonys) always gonna be violent, Jarvis said in a video message, sobbing into the camera. Im not a violent person.

Jarvis has since gotten a job as a restaurant server. On April 20, she will finally be able to move full time into the two-bedroom apartment, a space lovingly furnished with hand-painted mason jars and donated furniture. Annas bedroom has been tenderly decorated in a pink and purple color scheme.

As the date of her full independence approaches like a fast-moving train filled with the cargo of her past and future life, she has trouble separating her anticipation from her anxiety.

For now, she knows the two emotions will have to coexist.

Sitting in the apartment during a recent interview, she takes a deep breath.

Im proud Im doing what I said I was going to do," she finally says. "I am the person I thought I was, even on my bad days.

___

This story was first published on April 10, 2024. It was updated on April 11, 2024, to correct the name of the nonprofit organization. The name is Alvis, not Alvis House.

___

Samantha Hendrickson 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.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A new state audit into San Diegos efforts to combat homelessness released on Tuesday found the city has fallen short in key areas of its response, despite significant investments in recent years.

The report was released as part of a wider review of how effective Californias spending has been to address the crisis, which concluded elected officials must do more to assess the cost-effectiveness of homelessness programs  both at a local and state level.

In San Diego, the auditor identified issues with officials ability to monitor the effectiveness of their spending to help unhoused residents due to the absence of a cohesive tracking system that can be used to see how much money is put towards services across departments.

It also found inconsistent reviews of contracts by city officials with third-party contractors, such as non-profit shelter operators, to ensure they are meeting expected performance criteria.

California audit finds little oversight in state program to fund roadway projects

It also found the city does not have a clear, long-term plan to ensure there is enough permanent housing to move unhoused people out of temporary housing  accommodations that are also in short-supply.

The city of San Jose, which was also reviewed by the auditor alongside San Diego, had similar, albeit more glaring issues observed by the auditor.

Its not just the advocates saying this anymore, Michael McConnell, an advocate for unhoused residents, told FOX 5. Now you have the state auditor saying, here you need to start measuring the effectiveness.'

Given the complex and far-reaching footprint of homelessness, San Diegos strategy towards tackling the homelessness crisis is a multi-department effort  each with differently structured budgets and their own procedures for tracking spending.

This fragmented budgeting, the audit says, makes it difficult for city officials to definitively identify all the revenues or expenditures related to its homelessness efforts, aside from a rough estimate.

The citys efforts to monitor the performance of its homeless strategy also fall victim to issues arising from this patchwork of services, according to the audit.

City agencies all have their own standards to evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts to address homelessness. For instance, Environmental Services Department tracks the frequency in which it clears litter from places where unsheltered San Diegans are, but it does not have data that can help the city look at reductions in public health incidents arising from encampments.

Outside municipal agencies, San Diego relies heavily on contractors to provide services to its homeless residents, but the city often does not have clearly defined performance expectations detailed in its agreements with these third-parties.

The audit used one $1.6 million contract between San Diego and a non-profit for interim housing and services as an example, as it did not outline how many people city officials expect the provider to serve. It also did not have a set target for shelter occupancy in the contract.

New affordable housing units could be coming to Del Mar Fairgrounds

Where there are clear expectations in a contract, the auditor found that San Diego has not received all the necessary reporting from the provider to determine the effectiveness of the services they purchased.

Without such analyses, it is unclear how the cities and the housing commission decide to renew agreements, the audit read.  both the city and the housing commission risk those providers using city dollars ineffectively and ultimately not reducing homelessness.

Contributing to this difficulty in monitoring effectiveness, the auditor noted, is federal and state privacy laws that limit the sharing of unhoused peoples data between agencies.

However, data that is available paints a picture most people experiencing homelessness know all too well: There is not nearly enough permanent housing to move people out of temporary housing, causing a back-up that makes it difficult for others to seek those accommodations.

San Diego does not complete the vast majority of its referrals of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness to the emergency shelters included in the coordinated intake process because San Diego lacks available beds, the audit said, pointing to San Diego Housing Commission data that indicates the citys shelters consistently operate at or near full capacity.

The audit recommended San Diego officials take the following steps over the next few months:

To promote transparency, accountability, and effective decision-making, the city should publicly report in one place all the federal and state funding it receives, as well as any local funds put towards reducing homelessness.

Regularly monitor the amount of unspent funds to ensure it complies with any future spending deadlines and can adequately explain to the public the anticipated timing of its future spending.

Establish clearly defined performance measures when entering into agreements with service providers, as well as require staff to at least annually document an overall performance review of the providers efforts to meet this criteria.

Develop performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the citys public health and safety programs related to encampments, like reports on the number of public health incidents it responds to and the effects of any actions taken.

Develop plans for siting and building permanent housing it has identified that it needs for people experiencing homelessness.

In the citys reply to the auditors recommendation, officials generally agreed with the recommendations and indicated they would work to implement them where feasible.

It also explained the city is in the process of identifying new sites for permanent housing development after updating its comprehensive shelter strategy last June.

In a statement to FOX 5/KUSI, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria echoed this sentiment, describing the audit as a tool to understand how much more needs to be done in order to continue meaningfully addressing homelessness, and we hope to impress on state leaders the need for adequate and ongoing funding for Californias biggest crisis.

Oceanside business owners discuss homeless crisis with District Attorney

Even so, the CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission, the citys primary administrator over homeless services, disagreed with some of the reports findings in a separate response to the auditor, describing it as too narrowly focused and lacked the context necessary for a comprehensive assessment of the homelessness shelters and service system.

The housing commission reiterated their view of the auditors findings in a statement sent to FOX 5/KUSI on Tuesday, saying that they have met the needs of those in the city experiencing homelessness with efficiency, effectiveness and accountability for ourselves and our partners.

We continue to work closely with the City of San Diego and additional partners on these ongoing, multifaceted efforts to provide shelter and a path to permanent housing that is person-focused and with as few barriers as possible, the statement continued. We shared this position and critical additional information with the state auditors office in our response.

FOX 5s Zara Barker contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
States want to make it harder for health insurers to deny care, but firms might evade enforcement

Amina Tollin receives infusions through a port in her chest to reduce the debilitating symptoms of her chronic nerve condition. Three months ago, Medicaid stopped paying for the therapy as a result of an increasingly common process among private and public insurers known as prior authorization. States are taking action to curb it, but enforcement will be a challenge. (Courtesy of Amina Tollin)

For decades, Amina Tollin struggled with mysterious, debilitating pain that radiated throughout her body. A few years ago, when a doctor finally diagnosed her with polyneuropathy, a chronic nerve condition, she had begun to use a wheelchair.

The doctor prescribed a blood infusion therapy that allowed Tollin, 40, to live her life normally. That is, until about three months ago, when it came time for reapproval and Medicaid stopped paying for the therapy. It was the result of an increasingly common process among private and public insurers known as prior authorization.

The monthly infusions for Tollins condition cost about $18,000 for each session. When Medicaid stopped covering the infusions, she simply stopped getting them.

The doctor has shown why I need it and they just decided I dont, Tollin, who lives in Tucson, Arizona, told Stateline. Its been awful. Im in pain.

To curb health care costs and block unnecessary services, insurers have long required doctors to obtain their approval before theyll pay for certain drugs, treatments and procedures. But in recent years insurers have ratcheted up their use of prior authorization, causing delays and denials of care that are harming or even killing people, many doctors and patients say.

In the past couple of years, more than two dozen states have considered legislation designed to minimize prior authorization delays and denials, and nine states have enacted new laws, according to the American Medical Association, which has advocated for them.

A New Jersey law, for example, sets a 72-hour deadline for most claims. Texas created a gold card system that exempts physicians with a 90% approval rate from prior authorization requirements. Washington state sets deadlines and requires insurers to automate the process to speed approvals, while Michigan mandates that prior authorization requirements be based on peer-reviewed criteria.

It really is just a matter of building momentum and continuing to see this in more and more states, said Dr. Jack Resneck, who stepped down as president of the American Medical Association last June. Many of the bills are based on the organizations model legislation.

We hope insurance plans will recognize that they have taken this entirely too far and will recognize that they are harming patients and preventing people from getting evidence-based appropriate care, Resneck told Stateline.

Insurers argue that prior authorization ensures that doctors only prescribe therapies and treatments that are medically necessary, protecting patients and lowering health care costs for everybody. Prior authorization is designed to ensure that clinical care aligns with evidence-based recommendations  not to deny or discourage patients from getting the care they need, Robert Traynham, a spokesperson for AHIP, a trade group formerly known as Americas Health Insurance Plans, wrote in an email.

Meanwhile, some who support curbs on prior authorization caution that the new state laws might not make much of a difference, largely because they lack strong enforcement mechanisms.

Nobody should kid themselves and think that patients arent going to have to deal with incorrect denials.

 Ron Howrigon, a former executive at insurance giant Cigna

Ron Howrigon, a former executive at insurance giant Cigna and current president of Fulcrum Strategies, a firm specializing in insurance contracts, said the laws are better than nothing and that there are definitely some people [theyre] going to help.

But, Howrigon said, insurance companies are adept at finding ways to get around laws designed to hold them accountable, especially if the only type of enforcement against them involves third-party reviews or relatively small fines.

Nobody should kid themselves and think that patients arent going to have to deal with incorrect denials, Howrigon told Stateline. Because thats not right.

Furthermore, state laws generally apply to state-regulated private health insurance plans, which excludes the 65% of people who work for large firms and are covered by self-funded employer plans. And many of the state laws dont apply to people on Medicaid, the joint state-federal health care program for people with low incomes, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Earlier this year, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized a rule designed to speed up prior authorization in government insurance programs, including Medicaid and Medicare, the federal health care insurance program for people aged 65 and over and the disabled. The new rule, most of which will go into effect in 2026, requires a decision on urgent requests within 72 hours. But it applies only to medical items and services, not drugs.

Fed up

Dr. Amy Faith Ho, an emergency medicine physician in Dallas, said many patients whose treatments are delayed or denied through prior authorization often end up in her waiting room.

At some point they just get fed up. But whats sad to me is they did everything right, Ho said. She added that some patients with chronic illnesses dont end up in the emergency room, but they do experience a loss in quality of life. We see those patients sometimes present as suicide attempts, she said.

For patients with certain diseases and conditions, such as cancer, prior authorization delays and denials are a common occurrence: A 2023 study found that 1 out of every 5 cancer patients did not receive the care recommended by their treatment team because of the prior authorization process. In a 2022 survey conducted by the American Medical Association, 94% of doctors said prior authorization had led to a delay in care, and a third reported that prior authorization had led to a serious adverse event for a patient in their care.

States have generally tried to attack the problem in four ways, said Kaye Pestaina, the director of the program on patient and consumer protection at KFF, a nonprofit research organization.

The first strategy is to shorten the amount of time an insurer is allowed to decide on a medication or service request.

The second is to reduce the administrative burden physicians experience, often by giving a pass to doctors who have a high rate of approvals  Texas gold card system is one example.

The third approach is to bolster transparency and data requirements.

And the fourth focuses on the review process itself by mandating that decisions be based on peer-reviewed, clinical data.

Pestaina said it might take years to determine which strategy, or combination of strategies, would yield the best outcomes.

In Texas, for example, the 2022 gold card law so far has had mixed results. Doctors who have received the pass say theres a more streamlined process, but there arent very many of them: Only 3% of physicians had achieved gold card status by the end of last year, according to the Texas Medical Association.

That should really be upside down and in the other direction, said Resneck, the former American Medical Association president. We should see 97% of doctors getting gold cards instead of 97% not getting them.

Enforcement challenges

State insurance commissioners largely will be responsible for enforcing the state laws. Many of the new laws empower commissioners to investigate insurers, issue fines for noncompliance and even take insurers to court to remove their license to operate in the state.

But to uncover violations, commissioners will rely heavily on complaints from patients and doctors, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. And Howrigon notes that doctors and patients wont know to complain unless they are aware of their rights under the new laws.

Howrigon also emphasized that state-issued fines and penalties might not be enough to cow insurance giants that make tens of billions of dollars in profits. And, he noted, in 11 states insurance commissioners are elected and often get campaign donations from the companies they regulate.

A better enforcement approach, he suggested, would be to hold the medical directors within insurance companies accountable for decisions that harm patients.

If those doctors had the same accountability and responsibility as the doctors who are writing the prescriptions, meaning they could be sued for malpractice  all of this would go away, Howrigon said.

Under a prior authorization bill advancing in Oklahoma, insurance company medical directors could be held liable for medical malpractice, opening them up to lawsuits.

I have had doctors tell me this is what is some of the best legislation theyve seen in the country. Its fair to the insurance company and its fair to the to the patient, said Republican state Rep. Ross Ford, one of the cosponsors. It gives the right balance of oversight, but it also goes far enough to hold the insurance company responsible if they choose to deny a procedure.

Three months of limbo

In Arizona, a bill has been introduced that would require insurers to honor prior authorizations for at least 90 days, even if the patient switches insurers. But according to the Arizona Department of Insurance, it would not apply to Medicaid.

That means it wouldnt apply to Amina Tollin.

Medicaid finally approved Tollin for her infusions in late March. But through the three months of limbo, she says her symptoms  including pain, exhaustion, numbness and tingling  were agonizing.

She fears that at some point in the future, Arizona Medicaid might once again refuse to cover the infusions, which are covered for the next twelve months.

I feel like I won, but I didnt really win because its going to be a whole new fight in a year, she said.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and Twitter.

The post States want to make it harder for health insurers to deny care, but firms might evade enforcement appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
MSNBC

Michael Avenatti, the lawyer convicted of stealing from former client Stormy Daniels, gave his first prison interview Tuesday about Donald Trumps criminal case in New York. The case centers around alleged payments from Trump to Daniels to keep her quiet about their affairand the alleged falsification of business records to cover up those payments before the 2016 election.

The disgraced lawman, however, argued that the entire case is stale and rests on a legally tenuous theory.

Avenatti spoke to MSNBCs Ari Melber from Los Angeles Terminal Island prison, where he has been serving a 19-year sentence. In addition to defrauding Daniels, Avenatti was convicted of stealing from other clients and of extorting Nike. Melber prefaced the interview by noting Avenattis past, while stating that he is still a very newsworthy and legally relevant guest.

When asked to weigh in on the strength of the Manhattan district attorneys case, Avenatti said his answer would surprise many.

I think this is the wrong case at the wrong time, he told The Beat anchor, adding that he believes it is in many ways stale at this juncture.

Youre talking about conduct that occurred some eight years ago. I think the fact that its occurring in state court in New York is a mistake. And I think that when you are going to potentially deprive tens of millions of Americans of their choice for the presidency of the United States, whether we agree with those folks or not, or regardless of what we may think of Donald Trump, I think its a mistake to do it based on a case of this nature, Avenatti claimed.

A criminal conviction doesnt prevent a presidential candidate from being elected or taking office.

Avenatti then said that Jan. 6-related charges against Trump should have been brought earlier, and if that had happened, we would not have found ourselves in the situation were in right now.

As to what specifically he sees problematic about the case, Avenatti pointed to the credibility of Michael Cohen, Trumps former fixer, and said his testimony on the stand has the potential to be a disaster.

Prosecutors allege that Trump made periodic reimbursements to Cohen for payments Cohen had made to Daniels, but that Trump falsely claimed they were for Cohens legal services, thereby breaking New York state law. Prosecutors are likely to allege that Trump also broke federal campaign finance law by doing so.

Cohen himself served three years in prison over the matter.

Avenatti also asserted that Trump wouldnt get a fair trial in New Yorkan argument Trump himself has made repeatedly.

I think the case has a lot of problems. Now, I dont mean to suggest that means that Trump will not be convicted, because I think he will be convicted, because number one: Hes a criminal defendant, and in our society, I dont believe criminal defendants generally get a fair shake, claimed Avenatti. In fact, I think the percentage of convictions demonstrates that the deck is stacked decidedly against all criminal defendantsnumber one. Number two: I dont think he can get a fair trial in New York.

Jury selection in the case is scheduled for April 15. Two of Trumps last-ditch efforts to delay the trial were tossed Monday and earlier in the day Tuesday.

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.
An odd new paper without peer review claims prime numbers have "genes," "roots," and offspring."

Prime numbers are essential to modern life because they underpin all of encryption.

What is written makes no sense, but there may be good ideas, buried in it, for future discussion.

In new research that is not yet peer evaluated, mathematicians from Hong Kong and North Carolina say theyve figured out a way to predict prime numbers. But the paper is confusing and makes bizarre claims. If this prime number news is credible, then its authors will need to go back to the drawing board with how they define and explain their concept. The media must stop repeating claims like those in this paper without criticizing them. And in the meantime, prime numbers will continue to rumble through the modern world as the engines of encryption.

A prime number is an integer that cant be divided by any integer other than itself and 1. In school math class, you probably learned something called prime factorization, where you break a number down into a formula of primes. Lets say the number is 100: thats 25 times 4, or 5 times 5 times 2 times 2. This can be a big help when trying to find common factors between numbers. Its also a building block of number theory.

Large prime numbers are massively useful in cryptography, which is the study and use of codes. Lets say youre a hacker who wants to intercept secure messages from one government to another. You can easily write an algorithm that will try to factor the messages encryption key, which is just a very large integer. But it takes a lot of time and computing power to try all the prime numbers up to a hundred or more digits long. This is how encryption stays a hairs breadth ahead of hackers, and its one reason why quantum computing, with its suggestion of much more computing power, is such a scary idea to those who write encryption algorithms.

Prime numbers are infinite, and proving anything about patterns in them is notoriously difficult. Mathematicians continue to chip away at pair primes, which are primes that are two apart: 11 and 13, 29 and 31, 617 and 619. But proving anything like this that extends into infinity requires a kind of proof called induction, where you need to turn concrete numbers into an airtight formula that works for all values extending to infinity. Its like plotting the simple equation y = x, but instead of a line, your formula represents the entire idea of pair primes.

In their paper, The Periodic Table of Primes , researchers Han-Lin Li, Shu-Cherng Fang, and Way Kuo lay out an ill-defined theory that prime numbers, to them, appear to repeat in some way. Way Kuo retired in 2023 as President of City University Hong Kong, and he trained as an engineer, not a mathematician. The others also received their PhDs decades ago, and they primarily do research in algorithms, not pure mathematical number theory.

"We identify 48 integers out of a period of 2 x 3 x 5 x 7 = 210 to be the roots of all primes as well as composites without factors of 2, 3, 5, and 7," the researchers explain. They cant mean "roots" literally, as, by definition, no prime number has an integer square root or any other factor besides itself and 1. As soon as you multiply any of these integers together, you get a composite number, not a prime.

"Each prime, twin primes, or composite without factors of 2, 3, 5 and 7 is an offspring of the 48 integers uniquely allocated on the [Periodic Table of Primes]," they continue. What is an offspring? A multiplied product? Again, thats not possible. And their "formula" is based on the idea that two prime numbers multiplied together forms a composite integer. "For a long time, many said these integer roots grew like weeds among natural numbers, but nobody could predict where the next primes may sprout," they write. What does that mean?

This paper could be an April Fools joke, but it was uploaded more than two weeks ahead on March 15. If theres validity in these claims, it will come with clearer definitions, strong mathematical language, and the support of peer reviewers who are active in math research.

You Might Also Like
Summer heat won't last: Another cold, wet storm set to hit SoCal this weekend

Pedestrians walk past Walt Disney Concert Hall on Saturday. Sunshine and warmer temperatures in the coming days will give way to another cold storm this weekend. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Southern California has started to feel like, well, Southern California again, with sunny afternoons pushing highs into the 80s this week.

But don't start planning warm-weather weekend activities just yet.

Friday is when [temperatures] decrease; it drops 10 degrees because we have an approaching storm system," said Kristan Lund, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard.

"Unfortunately," she added. I am pretty sure its been every weekend for the last several weekends too."

These cold, wet Northern Pacific storms have seemingly targeted Angelenos' spring weekends, hitting week after week on Friday or Saturday  often chilling outdoor weekend plans.

But after this system  which is expected to bring cool temperatures, rain and mountain snow across the state  long-term forecasts predict a much drier last half of the month. From April 15 to 23, the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center shows almost all of California trending toward below-average rainfall.

But first, Southern California must suffer through another cold, soggy weekend.

Considerable cooling and winds are expected to move in on Friday with the storm's cold front, before rain begins Friday evening, lasting through Sunday.

While temperatures Wednesday and Thursday will hit 75 to 85 degrees across the Southland  with a chance of reaching 90 degrees in Woodland Hills  they'll drop to around 65 to 75 by Friday, Lund said, and even lower in the mountains.

Rain will arrive Friday night, starting out steady before transitioning to showers, Lund said. Still, meteorologists say total rain amounts aren't expected to be high, with Los Angeles County totals measuring around a quarter to three-quarters of an inch from this system.

Farther south, in Orange and San Diego counties, only light showers are expected on and off through the weekend, likely remaining under a tenth of an inch, forecasters said.

But across the Central Coast, much heavier rainfall is predicted, with the possibility of up to 3 inches, most falling Saturday.

Because of the forecast, the section of Highway 1 in Big Sur that collapsed two weekends ago will be closed to motorists on Saturday. The California Department of Transportation announced it would halt its one-lane convoys that have been ferrying drivers through the Rocky Creek slip-out.

The storm will also bring snowfall to the mountains, from 1 to 4 inches in the Southern California ranges, forecasts show. Snow levels will drop to about 4,500 feet in elevation Saturday night to Sunday, but those lower spots aren't expected to see much accumulation, Lund said.

Farther east, several inches of snow are expected across the Sierra Nevada, primarily falling on Saturday.

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.
Sunak says enough is enough as he vows to ignore ECHR over Rwanda flights

Rishi Sunak says enough is enough as he vowed to ignore the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) if it tried to ground deportation flights to Rwanda.

The Prime Minister signalled that he was willing to go ahead with the flights even if Strasbourg judges issued a Rule 39 injunction in an attempt to prevent their departure.

I have been very clear that I wont let a foreign court block our ability to put people on planes and send them to Rwanda, Mr Sunak told LBC.

The first flight to deport migrants to Rwanda in June 2022 was halted after legal challenges - FINNBARR WEBSTER/GETTY

He added: We are reasonable people trying to do a reasonable thing. Ive come at this very reasonably. Weve worked hard, weve got the numbers down, weve done everything right, weve passed new laws through Parliament, weve addressed everyones concerns, but at this point enough is enough.

His Government has taken powers in the Safety of Rwanda Bill to allow ministers to ignore a Rule 39 injunction, one of which was issued in June 2022 to block the first flight to the central African state.

However, there have been concerns raised by critics that the Governments own legal advice says that such injunctions are binding and pro-ECHR ministers could quit if the Prime Minister ignored the court.

The Bill and the new Treaty with Rwanda aims to answer the criticisms by the Supreme Court that Rwanda was unsafe, which would mean migrants would be unlawfully at risk of being returned to countries where they could face persecution.

Security of our borders

Mr Sunak has previously hinted that he would be willing to withdraw from the ECHR if Strasbourg judges blocked the Governments Rwanda plan.

Asked if leaving the ECHR could be in the Tory general election manifesto, the Prime Minister told LBC: I am not going to get into the manifesto but I can be very clear, and I have been repeatedly, that I am determined to see this policy through because I think it is really important for the country, for the security of our borders, for fairness.

Mr Sunak is hoping to get the first flights off to Rwanda this spring to provide a deterrent to further Channel crossings as part of his key pledge to stop the boats.

The Bill will return to the Commons next Monday after being delayed by the Lords inflicting a series of defeats on the Government, forcing ministers into parliamentary ping-pong with the Upper House to secure the passage of the legislation.

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.
Suspect arrested after going into womens locker room, charged with indecent exposure

Christopher Allan Miller, 38, was arrested after going into the womens locker room Thursday at the Gastonia Planet Fitness on South New Hope Road.

Planet Fitness allows members to use the restroom and locker rooms they identify with as part of their no-judgmental motto. However, some members said they are worried and believe Miller misused the policy after hearing the allegations and the call for help.

Records: Man arrested for multiple indecent exposures on Cornelius greenway

Women at Planet Fitness were stunned last week to see Miller in the womens locker room. One woman called 911.

And whats he wearing? the dispatcher said.

Nothing, literally nothing, the caller said.

OK, so he is completely naked? the dispatcher said.

He is completely naked, the caller said.

Sources told Channel 9 that Miller asked a woman to rub lotion and shower together.

And is that man still there? the dispatcher said.

Yeah, he is still in the bathroom, the caller said. Its a man but he says he identifies as a woman, and he wont leave the restroom. But he is just walking around showing us his --- and he wont leave.

Miller was harassing women in the gym before the arrest, sources told Channel 9.

Member Betty Brice is upset that Miller reportedly claimed to identify as a woman as a reason to stay in the ladies locker room.

I think a woman should be able to go into a womans bathroom without a man coming in saying hes transgender, Brice said.

Clark Simon, the former president of Charlotte Pride, said Planet Fitness inclusivity policy was made so that transgender people feel welcome, too.

When you do that you, create a sense of safety, security, and affirmation for them to be able to do the things that everybody else is able to do, he said.

But Simon told Channel 9 that is no excuse for someone who is not transgender to violate that space. Simon believes Planet Fitness must control that.

Miller is in jail charged with indecent exposure to a minor.

Without talking to Miller, theres no way for Channel 9 to know whether Miller truly is transgender.

Planet Fitness policy states that members are allowed to use locker rooms based on their self-reported gender identity.

There is no indication that Miller self-reported before this incident.

A spokesperson for Planet Fitness told Channel 9 its employees took immediate action to ensure the safety of members and officials are working with law enforcement.

The spokesperson said they have zero tolerance for harassment of any kind.

Policy: Subject to Section Three above, all members and team members may use Planet Fitness locker room facilities and programs based on their self-reported gender identity; these facilities include bathrooms, showers, and all other facilities separated by sex. Wherever possible, Planet Fitness clubs should maintain private changing areas in each locker room for the comfort of all members and team members. Where applicable, gender-neutral bathrooms may also be made available as needed for the privacy and comfort of members and team members. Use of a gender-neutral bathroom is voluntary.

(WATCH: Fitness, research organizations partner to find cure for Type 1 diabetes)




Suspect shoots at and eludes police in Franklin Co.

FRANKLIN COUNTY (KSNT)  Two individuals were arrested in Franklin County after a traffic stop turned into a chase with a suspect shooting at police.

At 2:50 p.m. on Tuesday, a Franklin County Sheriffs Office Deputy attempted a traffic stop for speeding on I-35. The deputy spoke to the suspects and developed suspicion of drug possession or use. The deputy returned to the suspects vehicle to question the passenger. The passenger locked the doors, hopped into the drivers seat and drove off, according to a Franklin County Sheriffs Office press release.

Deputies chased the suspect north on I-35. The suspect shot a handgun at deputies on two occasions, according to the press release.

The suspect lost control of the vehicle and crashed near Moonlight Road in Gardner and then fled on foot into a wooded area. Drones, K9s and aircraft assisted in finding the suspect. He was arrested without incident, according to the press release.

The House that Jack Built for sale at $2.5 million in central Kansas

The suspect vehicle was searched and a quantity of drugs and a firearm were found.

The incident is being investigated by the Franklin County Sheriffs Office and the Northeast Kansas Drug Task Force.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Switzerland will host a Ukraine peace conference in June and hopes Russia can join one day

FILE - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, shakes hands with Swiss President Ignazio Cassis in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 20, 2022. Switzerland's government said Wednesday April 10, 2024 it will host a high-level international conference in June to help chart a path toward peace in Ukraine after more than two years of war, in hopes that Russia might join in the peace process one day. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

GENEVA (AP)  Switzerland's government said Wednesday it will host a high-level international conference in June to help chart a path toward peace in Ukraine after more than two years of war, and expressed hope that Russia might join in the peace process someday.

The lakeside Burgenstock resort near Lucerne is expected to host the June 15-16 gathering that will draw top government officials from dozens of countries, following up on a plan laid out in recent months by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.

The top Swiss diplomat said more than 100 countries would be invited to the gathering.

The first country that we spoke with, after Ukraine of course, was Russia, because a peace process cannot happen without Russia, even if it won't be there for the first meeting Cassis told reporters in the Swiss capital, Bern.

Swiss daily Neue Zurcher Zeitung reported that President Joe Biden may attend but White House officials said Wednesday no decision yet had been made about who from the U.S. government might attend the summit and that no travel plans have been confirmed.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned last week that prospective negotiations to end the fighting in Ukraine could be successful only if they take Moscows interests into account, dismissing a planned round of peace talks as a Western ruse to rally broader international support for Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there will be no peace in Ukraine until Russias goals are met.

Were not going to sign the peace deal at this conference," said Viola Amherd, the Swiss president. She called the meeting a first step in a process toward a lasting peace in Ukraine that could lead to a second, follow-up gathering.

It has to be clear from the start that Russia  sooner or later  has to be there, Foreign Minister Cassis said. Now, it's not mandatory that it's there the first day. We could also imagine that on the first day, people might agree about how to better invite in Russia."

"We have to agree: That's the backbreaking work ahead of us," he added.

The Swiss government said early talks toward arranging the conference involved the European Union and envoys from the so-called Global South, including Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Cassis acknowledged some unknowns leading up to the conference, but cited a Swiss tradition of shuttle diplomacy between rival sides and Switzerland's feeling of responsibility to contribute to the peace process in Ukraine.

U.S. participation was essential, he said, and the United States had confirmed its participation to the Swiss, though he didn't specify at what level.

Zelenskyy has presented a 10-point peace formula that, among other things, seeks the expulsion of all Russian forces from Ukraine and accountability for war crimes as the two sides continue to fight along the roughly 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) front line. Moscow has promptly rejected such ideas.

Much of the diplomatic uncertainty has centered on whether Russia's key ally China might attend  and Cassis pressed for Beijing's support during a trip to China last month. Beijing has presented its own 12-point proposal to end the fighting in Ukraine more than a year ago.

China's Foreign Ministry has said that Beijing supports a conference that's accepted by both Russia and Ukraine, which isn't the case so far.

Burgenstock, perched above Lake Lucerne, has hosted diplomatic gatherings in the past, including talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots in 2004  which did little to pave the way toward reconciliation on their Mediterranean island.
The Swiss government confirmed on April 10 that it would host a global peace summit on Russia's war against Ukraine in June at the Burgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden.

The participants are expected to discuss Kyiv's 10-point peace formula and create a joint document on what needs to be done to restore Ukraine's sovereignty.

The peace plan envisages withdrawing all Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine, the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, the release of all prisoners of war and deportees, preventing ecocide in Ukraine, and punishing those responsible for war crimes.

In January, Switzerland agreed to host the global summit, which builds on four previous meetings on the level of national advisors organized by Ukraine to gather support for its peace formula.

"There is currently sufficient international support for a high-level conference to launch the peace process," the Swiss government said in an April 10 statement.

"The conference aims to establish a forum for a high-level dialogue on ways to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. It aims to create a common understanding of a framework favorable to this objective and a concrete roadmap for the peace process."

President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Swiss counterpart Viola Amherd discussed preparations for the summit on the same day, agreeing "to continue work on involving as many countries as possible," Ukraine's Presidential Office wrote.

Neither Kyiv nor Bern has disclosed which countries would be among the summit participants.

Bloomberg first reported on April 8, citing its unnamed sources, that Switzerland planned to host the peace summit in June, with 80-100 countries invited to attend.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber

GENEVA (Reuters) - The Swiss government will host a two-day high-level conference in June aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine, it said on Wednesday, although Russia has made clear it will not take part in the initiative.

Switzerland said in January it would host a peace summit at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and has since held talks with the EU, G7 member states and countries such as China and India to gauge their interest in taking part.

"There is currently sufficient international support for a high-level conference to launch the peace process," the Federal Council said in a statement.

The conference will be held June 15-16 at the Burgenstock resort in the canton of Nidwalden outside the city of Lucerne. It will aim to create a framework favourable to a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, as well as "a concrete roadmap for Russia's participation in the peace process".

While Moscow has said it is not against negotiations to end the war, Russian officials have said they will not take part in talks in Switzerland, a country they consider to have relinquished its neutrality with regard to the conflict.

Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has said the Swiss initiative is pointless without Moscow's participation.

China, a Moscow ally, said last month it would consider taking part in the conference.

Beijing itself put forward a 12-point paper more than a year ago that set out general principles for ending the war but did not get into specifics. It received a lukewarm reception at the time in both Russia and Ukraine, although Russia's foreign minister said this month that plan was the most reasonable of those presented by other countries so far.

SECOND CONFERENCE?

Swiss President Viola Amherd said there was no guarantee June's initiative would be a success and that it would not immediately yield a peace deal.

"The alternative would be to do nothing, and that would be irresponsible for the stability of Europe and also for Switzerland," she told a press conference.

She added: "We will not sign a peace plan at this conference. We think there will be a second conference, but we want to start the process with this one."

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said formal invitations to take part in the conference would be issued to more than 100 countries this week.

In a telephone call, Zelenskiy and Amherd agreed to attract as many countries as possible to take part in the summit, the Ukrainian president's office said on Wednesday.

After two years of war, Russia holds just under a fifth of Ukraine's territory and accuses Kyiv's Western supporters of using Ukraine as a theatre to fight Russia.

Moscow has repeatedly said it is open to talks, but that these must recognise the "new realities on the ground".

Ukraine demands the restoration of its territorial integrity and a full withdrawal of Russian forces as conditions for peace.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva; Additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa in Gdansk; Editing by Christina Fincher and Alison Williams)
Switzerland plans to allocate over 5 billion for Ukraine's recovery by 2036

Switzerland plans to strengthen Ukraine's economic development and long-term reconstruction over the next 12 years.

Source: Swiss Federal Council at its meeting on 10 April 2024, reported by European Pravda

Details: A total of CHF 5 billion (over 5 billion) is planned to be allocated for these purposes by 2036. As a first step, about CHF 1.5 billion will be allocated from the international cooperation budget until 2028.

"This amount clearly demonstrates Switzerland's solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine and will contribute to strengthening stability on the European continent," the Swiss Federal Council said.

They reiterated that Switzerland and Ukraine jointly launched a large-scale political recovery process at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano in July 2022. The 59 delegations of states and international organisations present agreed on the Lugano Principles, which laid the key points of the political recovery process.

To date, Switzerland has spent around CHF 3 billion on these and other measures to support people affected by the war in Ukraine.

"Through the measures taken and planned, Switzerland contributes to stability in Europe and the reduction of migration flows, and indirectly strengthens the security, prosperity and independence of Switzerland," the Federal Council states.

For the period 2029-36, the Federal Council also intends to consider other sources (besides international cooperation) from which the remaining CHF 3.5 billion to be allocated for Ukraine's reconstruction could be obtained.

At today's meeting, the Federal Council also instructed the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Economy to develop a joint programme for Ukraine, which will include appropriate oversight mechanisms. "This programme should provide targeted and effective support and be based on the seven Lugano principles: partnership, focus on reform, transparency, accountability and the rule of law, democratic participation, multi-stakeholder engagement, gender equality and inclusiveness, and sustainability," the Federal Council explained.

Background:

Recently, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would soon agree with Switzerland on the date of the first inaugural Peace Summit.

Ukraine insists that Russia should not participate in the inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland.

Bloomberg reported that the Peace Summit in Switzerland may take place on 16-17 June, although it is unclear how many leaders will attend.

Support UP or become our patron!
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A 17-year-old boy was arrested shortly after the Tampa Police Department announced they identified the suspected gunmen in the shooting near Armature Works that left four people injured on Tuesday.

The teen, identified as Gabriel Catuy, was arrested around 3:14 p.m. and has since been charged as an adult with second-degree attempted murder with a firearm and a juvenile conviction of a felon in possession of a firearm.

We had nowhere to run: Tampa woman recalls chaotic moments after shooting near Armature Works

According to police, the teen was identified with the help of a witness testimony and surveillance footage. Authorities are still searching for an additional suspect.

The juvenile arrested earlier today will be charged as an adult. This defendant made an adult decision, and he will be held accountable for those actions, State Attorney Suzy Lopez said. We take gun violence very seriously in our community, and we must stand together to say enough is enough. We thank the Tampa Police Department for the thorough investigation and swift arrest.

Shortly after 4 p.m., officers were called to the 1900 block of N. Ola Avenue for reports of multiple shots fired outside the Stones Throw Restaurant near Armature Works.

When officers arrived, they found three victims: a 47-year-old woman who was shot in the arm, a 28-year-old woman who was shot in the ankle, and a 36-year-old woman who was grazed by a bullet.

According to TPD, the 47-year-old and the 28-year-old were taken to the hospital in stable condition, while the 36-year-old was treated at the scene.

Based on a preliminary investigation, two groups of teen males between the ages of 13 and 17 were near Stones Throw Restaurant and got into a verbal altercation that quickly escalated into gunfire.

Following the altercation, both groups fled the scene. A short time later, one of the subjects involved showed up at a local hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg. Police said the individual is believed to be affiliated with one of the groups involved in the dispute.

Witnesses and current evidence revealed that an individual from each group exchanged gunfire with one another in the family environment.

This is completely unacceptable, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said Tuesday. This is a family environment. The police officers were here quickly in this situation. We have really good leads on this. And again, I want to stress that this is not a targeted incident. This is a disturbance that quickly erupted unnecessarily into gunfire in a family environment.

Florida woman forgets ABCs during sobriety test: It was so many years ago

At this time, police are working to determine if the firearms used in the incident were stolen. Officials have also identified persons of interest and are actively following up on leads.

It is disheartening that yet again our community has to deal with senseless gun violence, Bercaw said. The lack of concern for the safety of others is not only alarming but disappointing because an incident of this nature does not reflect the true community within the City of Tampa. Together, we can work towards limiting the number of firearms juveniles have access to by properly securing firearms and locking vehicle doors.

Anyone with additional video footage or information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130 or submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477) or via TIP411.

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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Rare fossils that likely came from extinct hippo-like mammals, which existed between 21 and 23 million years ago, were recently discovered by two different beachcombers on the Oregon Coast.

Lane County preschool teacher Amariah Jacobs told Nexstars KOIN that she found a toothy specimen atop a pile of cobblestones while hiking on an undisclosed beach on March 25.

I like to watch the sunrise and then clean up the beaches of trash, Jacobs said. My husband and I each bring a backpack and a pocketknife so we can pack out derelict fishing equipment. We are also happy to find interesting or unusual agates.

Semiprecious stone shaped like human heart found on the Oregon Coast

Six days later, a high school teacher from Grant County Washington found a similar fossil while camping on the beach in the Lost Creek area. Its unclear if there is any connection between the timing of the finds.

Photos of a rare, 20-million-year-old fossil found on the Oregon Coast on March 25, 2024. (Photos by Amariah Jacobs)



A similar fossil found days later near Lost Creek State Recreation Site. (Photos by David Thomas)

Matthew Miller, the collection services manager at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, told KOIN that both fossils are likely teeth and jawbones from desmostylians. He described them as hippo-like creatures that existed in Oregon during the Miocene epoch  a time when ancient rhinos, camels, elephants and saber-toothed cats roamed North America.

Desmostylus belonged to a group of animals known as the desmostylians, Miller said. While they were hippo-like in appearance and habit, they are not related to hippopotamus. The group was entirely herbivorous and ate plants growing in shallow seas.

Bald eagle chick killed by father within hours of hatching in West Virginia: Unexpected behavior

While Miller was able to provide an educated guess from looking at photos of the fossils, he said that more research would be necessary to identify the specific species of desmostylian.

Based on Amariahs images the specimen is in decent condition, he said. It likely was once part of an intact skull, but the ocean waves likely broke it apart. From the rounded nature of the specimen, it was likely broken off the skull many decades ago. The other tooth images you included also appear to be a desmostylian. I hesitate to identify it any further without additional information about the collecting area.

Both teachers said they hope to get in contact with local experts who may want to study the fossils. KOIN attempted to contact fossil experts with the University of Oregon and Southwestern Oregon Community College about the finds but did not receive an immediate response.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
FILE - Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, stands in a House committee meeting during special session of the state legislature on public safety Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee could lift its requirement that people with a felony conviction must get their gun rights restored if they want the ability to vote again under a bipartisan bill that has begun progressing late in the legislative calendar. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee lawmakers have killed a bipartisan bill for the year that would have let residents convicted of felonies apply to vote again without also restoring their gun rights.

Democratic Rep. Antonio Parkinson and Republican Sen. Paul Bailey advanced the bill late in Tennessee's annual legislative session. But a split House committee voted 8-6 on Wednesday to send the bill to a summer study before next year's legislative session, effectively spiking it for 2024, barring some unusual move.

Were not giving people the chance to get back to being a productive citizen, getting back to living life, Parkinson told The Associated Press after the vote. "We want them to pay for the rest of their lives for a mistake that they made, and its sad, and sickening.

Some Republicans argued they prefer to study citizenship rights issues in state law more broadly this summer and propose various changes next year.

Theyve committed the felony, theres a punishment for that, but once its over, theres a road back to redemption," said Republican House Majority Leader William Lamberth. "Weve allowed that road to become too cumbersome and twisted, instead of straight and easy. I'm all for rewriting the code. But I don't think just this bill is the way to do it.

Lamberth has previously downplayed concerns surrounding the state's policy on restoring voting rights, saying his advice is don't commit a felony and that the "best way to not have to deal with that issue is dont commit the felony to begin with.

The proposal sought to undo restrictions established in July. At the time, election officials interpreted a state Supreme Court ruling as requiring people convicted of felonies to get their full citizenship rights restored by a judge, or show they were pardoned, before they could apply for reinstated voting rights. In January, the elections office confirmed that voting rights restoration would also require getting back gun rights.

The bill would have allowed a judge to restore someones right to vote separate from other rights, including those regarding guns, serving on a jury, holding public office and having certain fiduciary powers. The other rights would have similarly been eligible to be restored individually, except for gun rights, which would have required restoring the other rights too, in alignment with current legal standards.

Since the July voting rights restoration policy change, officials have approved 12 applications to restore voting rights and denied 135, according to the secretary of states office. In the seven months before, about 200 people were approved and 120 denied.

Expungement offers a separate path to restore voting rights, but many felonies are ineligible. There have been 126 restorations by expungement since the July change, compared with 21 in the seven months before.

Voting rights advocates have argued the elections offices legal interpretations have been way off-base. A group of Democratic state lawmakers has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate. And a lawsuit over Tennessees restoration process has been ongoing for years, well before the recent changes.

Tennessee had established a process under a 2006 law for people convicted of a felony to petition for voting rights restoration. It allows them to seek restoration if they can show they have served their sentences and do not owe outstanding court costs or child support. An applicant wouldnt have to go to court or get a governors pardon.

Now, applicants must get their citizenship rights back in court or through a pardon by a governor or other high-level official, then complete the old process.

In Tennessee, felonies involving drugs or violence specifically remove someones gun rights, and action such as a governor's pardon is needed to restore their voting rights. The gun issue also adds to an existing, complicated list of disqualifying felonies that differ depending on conviction date.

Parkinson said his bill acknowledged issues in other sections of the law similarly to some Republican proposals that passed the same committee. He said the vote was hypocritical.

Either they have no interest in giving people their rights back, or they killed this bill so that they can come back and run it themselves next year," Parkinson said. We call that bill-jacking. But in the interim, you have people that are not going to have their rights.
A Tennessee man who pleaded guilty last week to poaching two elk and abandoning the carcasses had his hunting privileges revoked for the next five years, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. As part of his plea agreement, the poacher also forfeited two of his firearms and was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution plus fines and court costs. In a press release shared to Facebook, TWRA officials said Preston William Douglas, 34, lied to investigators at first but eventually confessed to the poaching incident, which took place in November inside a state-run wildlife management area. TWRA spokesperson Matthew Cameron tells Outdoor Life its possible that Douglas misidentified the elk as deer at first, and then changed his story when questioned by another hunter and wildlife officers. We believe that Mr. Douglas legitimately thought he was shooting at deer, Cameron says, that he didnt know the difference between the two [species.] The agency said its investigation began on Nov. 19, when a concerned hunter reached out to TWRA wildlife manger Darrell England, who oversees the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area in Campbell County. The hunter told England they had heard multiple shots that morning while they were deer hunting on the WMA. The concerned hunter then saw the shooter walking empty-handed back to his car, and he confronted the shooter to ask what hed been shooting at. The guy tells him, I just shot the biggest six-point Ive ever seen, and a doe,' Cameron says. He adds that the shooter started to change his story as soon as the hunter pointed out that the bag limit on the WMA is only one deer. He said, Well, I shot through the buck and hit the doe, almost like he was already concocting a story. I think he realized then that he was in trouble, and he told the hunter that because he didnt have a sharp knife to gut the deer, he was gonna leave and come back. He never came back. A photograph showing the firearms that were seized from Douglas, along with the bull elks skull cap and the shell casings found at the scene. Photograph courtesy TWRA Investigators identified Douglas as the hunter the informant spoke to that day using information from his vehicle tag. They questioned Douglas at home, where he admitted to firing shots but claimed he didnt kill anything. Investigators then revisited the NCWMA, where they found the decomposing carcasses of a bull and a cow elk, both with bullet wounds to the bodies and heads. After taking the two elk carcasses to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine for a necropsy, investigators continued searching for clues over the following days. They found shell casings from a .40 caliber handgun and a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle, along with a bullet inside one of the gut piles. Cameron confirms that both elk had been shot in the head with the .40 caliber handgun at close range. This evidence led wildlife officers to meet with Douglas a second time, at which time he confessed to hunting, killing, and not retrieving both animals, Cameron says. The agency charged Douglas with two violations each of hunting in a closed season, illegally tagging big game, failure to retrieve big game, and tagging violations. They also seized a rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmor and a .40 caliber handgun from Douglas home. Read Next: Two Men Poached a Moose in Denali National Park, Then Abandoned the Meat Because They Were Scared of Bears Although Cameron couldnt say what led Douglas to finally confess, a photograph that the agency used during its investigation and shared to Facebook matches with a self-taken photograph that Douglas shared to his own Facebook page on Nov. 19. Hunting season is officially back open!!!! Douglas wrote in the post, which was made just one day after the statewide deer season gun opener on Nov. 18. Tennessees highly regulated elk hunting season would have ended on Oct. 11, more than one month prior to when that photo was posted. (The state also holds an additional youth season from Oct. 11 to Oct 18.) Tennessees elk season only runs for a couple weeks in late September and early October, and TWRA issued less than 20 lottery tags for antlered elk in 2024. While its possible that Douglas was unaware of the hunting regulations surrounding deer and elk in Tennessee, thats no excuse for killing two elk out of season and then leaving the carcasses to rot. Neither is being unable to distinguish between the two species, Cameron explains. You need to know your target, he says. This article was updated on April 10 to include comments from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

View comments
When the United Auto Workers lost an election at Volkswagens Tennessee plant in 2019, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) applauded the unions defeat. The lawmaker said he was pleased workers voted down the UAW, 833 to 776, and hoped the issue will not rise again.

Well, the issue has risen again, with Volkswagen employees set to cast ballots in another vote at the plant, which is in Fleischmanns district, starting next Wednesday. A victory for the UAW could give the Detroit-based union a crucial toehold with foreign automakers in the anti-union South.

Only this time, Fleischmann isnt wading into the election.

Ive stayed out of it this time, Fleischmann told HuffPost as he was boarding a plane in Tennessee on Wednesday to head back to Washington, D.C. I have never really been pro-union, but this is something that Im going to let the workers decide.

Its a very reasonable position, and one his GOP colleagues havent always shared.

Fleischmann said the choice of whether to unionize or not should be left to Volkswagen employees. Tom Williams via Getty Images

The UAW narrowly lost plant-wide elections at the Volkswagen facility in both 2014 and 2019, major setbacks to the unions hope of rebuilding its density across the auto industry. Many union supporters attributed the losses, at least in part, to political interference on the part of Tennessee Republicans.

Ahead of the 2014 vote, former Gov. Bill Haslam said openly that he wanted the union drive to fail, while former Sen. Bob Corker said the plant would get a new SUV production line if workers voted down the UAW. And state lawmakers threatened to withhold tax incentives in the event of a union victory.

The union lost 712 to 626. The UAW appealed the loss unsuccessfully on the grounds that politicians had created an atmosphere of fear and made them believe their jobs were on the line with the election.

As the union geared up for another vote in 2019, Republican Gov. Bill Lee led a plant-wide meeting in which he encouraged workers to maintain a direct relationship with Volkswagen  employer speak for staying union-free. The union ended up losing by just 57 votes.

Many union supporters attributed the UAW's previous losses, at least in part, to political interference on the part of Republicans.

Lee has continued to publicly oppose the union. In an event Monday, he said the plant unionizing would be a big mistake.

[W]eve seen plants close that made the decision to go union, Lee said. So I hope thats not what happens here.

Union supporters inside the plant are optimistic about their chances this time. Indeed, the atmosphere is different for both the UAW and organized labor in general.

The UAW is coming off a historic strike last year against the Big 3  Ford, General Motors and Jeep parent company Stellantis  with a strong contract that has galvanized organizing at non-union plants. Like the Volkswagen workers, Mercedes-Benz employees in Alabama also gathered enough signatures to petition for a union election at their plant. Meanwhile, union favorability is hovering near a six-decade high.

Although Fleischmann doesnt personally support unions, he noted that he represents plenty of union members in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where the U.S. Department of Energy is a major employer.

I have a lot of union members in Oak Ridge, federal union members who support me by the thousands, he said.

Related...
Adults who assist minors seeking an abortion or abortion pills could soon face jail time if they dont first get written, notarized permission from the childs parent  even in circumstances when the child was raped by a parent, or the child is in DCS custody without access to parents.

Senate Republicans on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 1971, which would create a new crime of abortion trafficking, criminalizing an adult who recruits, harbors or transports a pregnant unemancipated minor who is seeking an abortion or abortion-inducing drug  regardless of location  if they dont first get written, notarized consent from their parent or legal guardian.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Paul Rose, R-Covington, who on Wednesday said the bill seeks to protect parents God-given and state-given rights to protect their minors from obtaining an abortion.

Parents may still assist minors in obtaining abortion pills or abortion procedures out of state.

Adults who assist minors seeking an abortion without parental consent could be punished with up to a year in jail, if the bill passes. The bill also opens the door for wrongful death lawsuits to be brought by the minor child, the childs parents, or the biological father, unless the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.

The bill does not define what type of conversation or action would constitute recruitment of a minor to have an abortion. Rose indicated Wednesday that the measure is aimed at Planned Parenthood.

It is reported that Planned Parenthood was caught admitting that they assist underage girls or adults associated with them to skirt state laws and travel out of state without their parents knowledge or consent, Rose said, without referencing a source.

Republicans approved the bill in a party-line vote of 26 to 3 on Wednesday morning. Retiring Sen. Art Swann, R-Maryville, abstained from voting. Companion legislation has been placed behind the budget in the House. If passed and signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee, the new law would take effect July 1.

Speech and interstate travel remain rights protected by the U.S. Constitution. A similar law passed last year in Idaho has been temporarily blocked pending results of a constitutional challenge.

Sen. Paul Rose, R-Covington, casts his vote along with the majority of the Senate for a bill to allow adoption agencies to deny same-sex couples adoptions during the first day of the state legislature in Nashville, Tenn. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.

Tennessee already has some of the strictest abortion laws in the nation, having banned abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with very narrow exceptions for molar and ectopic pregnancies, to remove a miscarriage, or to save the life of the mother.

Senate Republicans on Wednesday voted down an amendment offered by Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, that would have specified that birth control and fertility care like in vitro fertilization (IVF) are not considered an abortion under state law.

Weve all watched what happened in Alabama and in other states, and I want to make sure that women who are trying to start a family have protection, and they do not face any barriers to being able to have a child, Akbari said. We say we dont think it could happen in Tennessee  folks in Alabama didnt think it would happen either.

Republicans voted down Akbaris amendment in a vote of 23 to 3.

Sen. Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, speaks during a Senate floor session at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

Restricting access to IVF is an issue of rising significance in conservative circles across the nation. The Alabama Supreme Court recently ruled embryos created through IVF should be considered children and carry the same rights as children under state law, bringing IVF care to a temporary halt in the state. The conservative Heritage Foundation applauded the ruling, and has recommended further restriction of IVF in its Project 2025 presidential transition project plan. Alabama has since passed a new law to offer IVF providers civil and criminal immunity.

Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, argued that the bill seeks to put boundaries on such constitutionally protected rights as speech and interstate commerce.

Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, said the bill would require minors who become pregnant as the result of rape by a parent to obtain permission from their rapist to seek an abortion.

If a parent has raped their child and the child has gotten pregnant, we would then be providing protection for the parent who raped the child  which is a horrific thing to do, Campbell said. Not all kids are in a position for various reasons to speak to their parents about issues like this.

Akbari said the bill would effectively bar children in custody of the Department of Childrens Services from seeking abortions, as parents whose children are removed from their custody are often unreachable to provide the required consent.

There are people who are in situations and circumstances that we cannot fathom, Akbari said. I think this is just a step too far. At some point when we say pro-life, we have to think from the womb to the tomb. And those who are living should have rights as well.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X at @Vivian_E_Jones.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Senate votes to criminalize helping minors seeking abortions
PENNSYLVANIA. (WHTM)  The Pennsylvania Department of Education with the help of education and community agencies identified 40,003 children and youth experiencing homelessness from 2021-2022.

Data identified 80 homeless students at Steelton-Highspire School District in 2020-2021. The following year, 107 students.

I definitely think COVID has kind of set the stage for the increase of homelessness. You know, I think landlords, the prices of things, prices in regards to everything thats going up. So, I think families are really struggling and then the job market has continued to change, said Steelton-Highspire School District social worker Sadie Kinnarney.

We need more teachers. But heres what would-be Pennsylvania teachers need more of

They dont always know where theyre putting their head at night, said Steelton-Highspire School District superintendent Mick Iskric.

Iskric says when looking at the number of unsheltered students its not as it seems.

The families may have multiple students. So, they count, you know, the, the students count individually, said Iskric.

The district says it strives to provide whatever students need whether its clothes, food, attention, and love.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Nittany Insiders

Its a tough pill to swallow. But I know that Ive got a strong staff behind me and, and strong staff that are student focused. Theyll do whatever it takes and even go as far as, as, they support the entire family, said Iskric.

The school wants you to understand that students facing homelessness is not them living on the street but having inadequate housing, like sharing a bed or sleeping on a family members couch, as a few examples.

When we see kids that are homeless, theres tends to be a lapse in their education. You know, getting them to and from school, staying at someones house, bopping here to there, a hotel out of a hotel. So just thinking of the lax and education, but also the emotional toll it takes on students, said Kinnarney.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Texas tornadoes can be killers. Here are the 10 deadliest in state history

Tornado season in North Texas is upon us.

From March to May, historical data shows that the Dallas-Fort Worth region sees the most tornadoes. It was also rated No. 7 among large metropolitan areas in the U.S. to have seen the most intense twisters in the past 20 years.

In the spring, when warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico pushes north and clashes with cooler drier air moving south, it creates a confluence of unstable atmospheric conditions that typically spawn tornadoes. Wind shear and warm moist air are some of the main ingredients for severe weather than can turn deadly.

One of the last major tornadoes in Fort Worth was in March 2000. The F2 tornado killed two people in Fort Worth and caused $400 million in damage, making it the 21st costliest storm in Texas.

 More trending stories:

 Theres no better place to see April 8 total solar eclipse than in this tiny Texas town.

In Texas, set your thermostat at 80 when it's 100 degrees, expert says.

Groceries at this national chain are the cheapest, study finds.

Here is a list of 10 of the deadliest tornadoes in Texas since 1900, according to the National Weather Service.

Wreckage after the Waco tornado in 1953.

10. The Jarrell Tornado, May 27, 1997

This is the last known confirmed F5 tornado in Texas. Twenty-seven people died and 12 people were injured in the storm along with hundreds of cattle. Over 40 homes were destroyed.

9. The Saragosa Tornado, May 22, 1987

According to the National Weather Service, this F4 tornado destroyed over 80% of the community of Saragosa in Reeves County. The storm killed 30 people and injured 121; 22 of the people who died were inside Guadalupe Hall, where a group had gathered for a childrens graduation ceremony.

8. The Zephyr Tornado, May 30, 1909

Forming around midnight, the F4 tornado killed 34 people and injured 70. The National Weather Service said it damaged nearly 50 homes, six businesses, two churches and a high school.

7. The Karnes-Dewitt Tornado, May 6, 1930

This F4 tornado touched down three miles northwest of Kenedy in Karnes County and killed 36 people and injured 60. The National Weather Service said the high death toll from this tornado was due to poorly constructed structures along the tornados path.

6. The Frost Tornado, May 6, 1930

On the same day as the Karnes-Dewitt tornado, this F4 tornado touched down in Hill County and crossed into Navarro County and Ellis County. In total, 41 people died and 200 were injured.

5. The Wichita Falls Tornado, April 10, 1979

The National Weather Service records this F4 tornado being, at times, as large as a mile and a 1/2 wide. It touched down on what is known as Terrible Tuesday about 3 miles northeast from the city of Holliday, southwest of Wichita Falls. The tornado crossed into Wichita Falls, where it severely damaged Memorial Stadium, McNeil Junior High and residences in the city. Forty-two in Wichita Falls died and more than 1,700 total were injured. According to the National Weather Service, over 3,000 homes were destroyed and 20,000 people were left without homes.

4. The Glazier-Higgins-Woodward Tornadoes, April 9, 1947

One of a group of tornadoes hit five miles northwest of Pampa, destroyed the city of Glazier and most of the town of Higgins and crossed into western Oklahoma before dissipating near St. Leo, Kansas. The National Weather Service said the funnel was reported at times to be between one and two miles wide. Final totals across three states reported 181 people killed and 970 injured.

3. The Rocksprings Tornado, April 12, 1927

This F5 tornado touched down in Edwards County and moved southeast. The tornado is recorded as being nearly a mile wide. Seventy-four people died and 205 were injured in the storm, a third of the population of the town of Rocksprings. Out of the 247 buildings in the town, 235 are recorded to have been destroyed.

2. The Goliad Tornado, May 18, 1902

This F4 tornado killed 114 people and injured 250. Measuring about 1/8 of a mile wide, it crossed the San Antonio River southwest of Goliad before moving into the city, destroying hundreds of buildings.

1. The Waco Tornado, May 11, 1953

The deadliest tornado recorded since 1900 was this 1/3-mile wide F5 tornado, which crossed Waco killing 114 people and injuring 597. According to the National Weather Service, some of the survivors had to wait up to 14 hours for rescue.

Downtown Waco after the 1953 tornado. At upper left, buses are parked at the Waco Transit Co. The road running from left to right at center of photo is the business route, U. S. Highway 81.

Nick Tusa, owner of Nicks Fish Market on East Second Street in Waco, left this car seconds before a tornado struck in 1953. Power lines set fire to the car and bricks from his market crashed down on it. Tusa, who sought cover in his market, escaped from his business by pushing through debris.
(Bloomberg) -- Thai prosecutors delayed a decision on whether to indict former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a royal insult case over comments he made almost a decade ago that could land the influential politician in fresh legal trouble after his return last year from a 15-year exile.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Prosecutors were still investigating the charges and will summon the 74-year-old former premier on May 29 to hear their decision, Prayut Bejraguna, a spokesman for the Office of the Attorney General, told reporters in Bangkok on Wednesday. Thaksin, who was previously accused by police of insulting the monarchy in an interview he gave in Seoul in 2015, did not appear before prosecutors earlier in the morning as originally scheduled.

The delay is due to authorities fault, as the judicial process wasnt completed in time, Prayut said. Investigators didnt complete their probe report before April 10, so the attorney-general couldnt hand down a decision.

Next month, the attorney general will decide whether to overturn an earlier decision by his predecessor in 2016 to prosecute Thaksin over a possible breach of Article 112 of Thailands penal code, which carries a maximum jail term of 15 years for each offense of defaming the monarchy. Legal process was delayed at the time as Thaksin was outside the country after fleeing Thailand in 2008 to avoid corruption charges.

If the attorney general decides to indict Thaksin, the controversial politician can still seek a bail before trial, Prayut said.

Shortly after Thaksins return from exile, King Maha Vajiralongkorn commuted his eight-year jail terms  handed down for several corruption cases  to just one year. Thaksin spent only hours in prison, serving the rest of the time in a hospital where he said he was being treated for various ailments. He was released on parole in February after serving only half of the commuted one-year sentence.

A controversial but enduring figure in Thai politics, Thaksin is the head of the Shinawatra clan that has dominated national elections only to be routinely unseated from power. His homecoming was seen as part of a deal with the military establishment that ousted him in 2006 and his sister Yingluck Shinawatras government in 2014.

Former property tycoon Srettha Thavisin was elected as the new prime minister hours after Thaksins return to Thailand that ended monthslong political deadlock. Thaksins youngest daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra took the helm of Pheu Thai last year, further strengthening the clans grip on power.

(Updates with details throughout.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Thailand has yet to decide on indicting ex-PM Thaksin in royal insult case

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thai authorities have postponed until next month a hearing with influential former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on whether to indict him over a royal insult complaint, officials said on Wednesday.

The complaint by the royalist military that ousted the government of Thaksin's sister stemmed from an interview he gave to foreign media in 2015. Thaksin, 74, denies the accusations and has repeatedly pledged his loyalty to the crown.

The next hearing has been set for May 29 because the investigation into the complaint has not been completed, Prayut Phetkhun, the spokesperson for Thailand's attorney-general, told a press conference.

"The results of the investigation have not been completed in all dimensions," he said.

Thailand forbids criticism of its royalty with a lese-majeste law that is one of the world's strictest of its kind.

The billionaire, who was convicted of abuse of power and conflicts of interest, was released on parole in February after six months in detention.

He made a dramatic return to Thailand in 2023 from 15 years of self-imposed exile, during which he remained a central figure throughout repeated bouts of political upheaval.

The founder of the populist Pheu Thai party has seen his family's parties win all but one election since 2001, with three Shinawatra governments toppled by coups or court rulings.

Thaksin's return and relatively short detention fed speculation of a deal he struck with his bitter rivals in the conservative establishment and military, which he has long blamed for trying to stifle pro-Thaksin governments.

His allies have denied any such deal.

Pheu Thai leads the current government, with Thaksin's business ally Srettha Thavisin prime minister and daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra the party chief.

Commentators anticipate he will seek to wield political influence from behind the scenes, raising the prospect of another confrontation with his powerful establishment rivals.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Clarence Fernandez)
The Chick-fil-A off of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Atlanta is used to dealing with the morning rush as one of the busier franchises in the area. But this morning was a little different.Get ready for some milkshakes, former President Donald Trump told Chick-fil-A staff on Wednesday, surprising customers with a drop-in while on the way to a fundraising luncheon in the city.

The interaction, which quickly went viral across social media, showed Trump buying 30 milkshakes and some chicken for customers and supporters.

One moment at the fast-food restaurant has caught special attention among conservatives on X, formerly Twitter: Some banter between a Trump and a supporter. Pundits thought the woman, who is Black, was referencing her race as she encouraged the former president, I dont care what the media tells you, Mr. Trump, we support you!

NEW: Trump gets swarmed by Atlanta residents during a visit at a local Chick-fil-A with one woman coming up and giving him a hug.



"I don't care what the media tells you, Mr. Trump. We support you."



Trump went into the fast food joint and ordered 30 milkshakes which he then pic.twitter.com/0FmKDJvreU  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 10, 2024

Chick-fil-A visit marks Trump's second in Georgia this year

Todays visit marks the second time Trump has come to Georgia in a little over a month, showing that the state will once again be an important battleground in the 2024 presidential election.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 10: Former U.S. President Donald Trump meets with people during a visit to a Chick-fil-A restaurant on April 10, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Trump is visiting Atlanta for a campaign fundraising event he is hosting. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the fundraiser cost $6,600 to attend, with an additional $25,000 fee per couple for a photo opportunity with the 45th president. Those expected to be in attendance included former U.S. Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, as well as prominent figures of the Georgia business sector, including Bernie Marcus of Home Depot and poultry industry billionaire Tommy Bagwell.

In all, the fundraiser was expected to rake in more than $5 million for the embattled candidate, who currently owes nearly $470 million for his various legal troubles, including cases over hush money and election fraud.

But at his stop before the fundraiser, the former president appeared more interested in the chicken he was about to be served. Thats the Lords chicken, Trump quipped.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's Stop at Atlanta Chick-fil-A before fundraiser goes viral
The $175 million bond Donald Trump posted in New York last week appeared to be the former president's saving grace, bringing the enforcement of the more than $460 million judgment in his civil fraud case to a halt pending his appeal. But the New York attorney general indicated soon after that all that glitters is not gold. In a filing last Thursday, New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the suit against Trump, expressed her concerns with the bond, writing that she "takes exception to the sufficiency of the surety" given to Trump and the other defendants.

James then gave Trump and the bond provider, Knight Specialty Insurance Company, 10 days to file a motion to "justify" the bond, proving that the company is financially capable of paying it.

The skepticism the attorney general's filing outlines appears to demonstrate her distrust for Trump given the nature of the case she brought against him and its findings, Bennett Gershman, a Pace University law professor and former New York prosecutor, told Salon.

"After litigating and winning cases involving Trumps dishonest business practices, including phony charities and a phony college scam, and then winning a $465 [million] lawsuit in which Trump was found [liable] of massive fraud, AG James doesnt trust anything Trump does or says," Gershman said. "Its really that simple."

Experts told CBS News that the surety bond was missing typically necessary information, including documents related to power of attorney for Knight Specialty, a financial statement from the company and a certificate of qualification from the Department of Financial Services.

The New York Supreme Court directed the company last Wednesday to refile its posting, which it did that Thursday prior to James' challenging the bond, CBS News notes. Knight Specialty's updated filing included a joint limited power of attorney signed by the chairman and president of the subsidiary's owner, Knight Insurance, Don Hankey and Amit Shah, respectively, as well as a financial statement showing the company's surplus to policyholders amounts to $1 billion.

Former Assistant New York Attorney General Adam Pollock told Salon that the initial bond was "completely procedurally and substantively flawed" because it failed to "secure the judgment." The updated filing, though "slightly better," still falls flat, he explained.

Knight Specialty does not have a license to issue surety bonds in New York and is not listed in the Department of Financial Services database because it is "not a New York insurer," Pollock said. New York law CPLR 2505 requires an insurance company be "authorized to execute the undertaking within the state," CBS News notes.

The company will also be unable to submit the required certificate of qualification because the Department of Financial Services only issues that documentation to New York insurers, Pollock said, pointing out that the bond filing also seems to indicate that Trump, abnormally, will "make good" on the bond rather than the insurer.

Shah told CBS News that the company is authorized to issue a surety bond in New York through the Excess Line Association of New York, adding that ELANY permits the company to issue bonds from its home state of Delaware, where it is allowed to write surety bonds. ELANY's communications manager John Rosenblatt, however, told The Daily Beast that Knight Specialty Insurance Company is not on the ELANY voluntary list and that the government-created nonprofit has no knowledge of the specific transaction at this time.

Knight Specialty also does not appear to fulfill a qualification under New York insurance law requiring companies put no more than 10 percent of its capital at risk, CBS News notes.

In order to post the bond, the company would have to have 10-times the bond total in "surplus capital," amounting, in this case, to $1.75 billion in available money, Pollock explained. In its updated filing, Knight Specialty indicated it has $138 million of surplus on its own and included a financial statement for Knight Insurance, which lists a $1 billion surplus to policyholders.

"The problem with the consolidated financials is that they don't claim that all the consolidated entities are all responsible for this bond," Pollock said, adding: "If I told you that, me and all my friends have enough money to back your car insurance, you probably want to know who are my friends and have some written commitment from my friends that they're also going to back your car insurance. Otherwise, it's kind of meaningless that I have a bunch of friends with money."

Shah told CBS News that that restriction does not apply because the company is not a New York insurer  which Pollock notes flouts the legal requirement  and that Knight Specialty has over $1 billion in equity.

As the attorney general's deadline closes in, the stakes rise for Trump, experts suggested. Gershman, Pollock and Syracuse University law professor Gregory Germain said that a failure to meet the deadline would allow the attorney general to begin executing the judgment, seizing and liquidating Trump's assets including real estate holdings, bank accounts and stocks. Pollock added that James "should" if that becomes the case.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

But Germain said he thinks James doing so is "unlikely." He expects Knight Insurance will clarify that the affiliated policyholders described are backing the bond and have the financial resources to pay. The court, he added, may also "direct the New York insurance commissioner to review the qualifications of the bonding company and report back."

Trump isn't completely out of luck if he fails to meet James' deadline, Gershman and Pollock added. In normal situations, a civil defendant has nine months to carry out an appeal after giving notice, which allows them to post a bond at any time during that timeframe that would stop the enforcement, Pollock said. If the court doesn't find that Knight Specialty sufficiently "justified" the bond, he speculated, it may revert the $175 million reduced bond  which was contingent on being posted in 10 days  and put Trump on the hook for the full sum.

A hearing is scheduled to discuss the bond and its potential issues on April 22.

Knight Specialty is "going to have to try to argue that the bond is valid. This is going to be very hard for them because it's not," Pollock said, noting that Trump's bond situation is "unprecedented."

"This is a trial about Trump's financial chicanery, and after he found Trump liable for persistent fraud in his finances, amazingly, they're still playing games with the bond that they filed in the appeal of that," he added, predicting that presiding Judge Arthur Engoron is "going to have very little patience here."
Stellantis

Thieves broke into a Ford dealership in Alabama on Sunday night and made off with eight high-end vehicles reportedly worth over $1.2 million. Two cars have since been recovered as the local police and FBI work the case, according to a report from WHNT news.

The theft occurred at the North Country Ford dealership in Arab, Alabama. The thieves reportedly gained access by throwing a rock through a window in the dealerships service bay. From the sound of things, these crooks were not a bunch of amateurs just looking for a joy ride.

According to the police, once the criminals were inside, they turned off and wiped several hours' worth of surveillance video. They then hooked a computer up to the dealerships key safe and unlocked it. The thieves reportedly cleared out the safe that had over 300 vehicle keys inside.

ADVERTISEMENT

Armed with the keys to every vehicle on the lot, it was then just a matter of picking out the most valuable. Unfortunately for the dealership, the crooks knew exactly what vehicles to target. A 2023 Dodge Challenger Demon 170 was one of the cars taken. The original MSRP of a Demon 170 was around $100,000, but on the secondary market, these can easily bring over $300,000. The Demon was driven right out of the lobby through the bay door. Other highly sought-after and expensive vehicles taken that night include a Ford Bronco Raptor, a Ram TRX, and a Grand Wagoneer.

After completing their seven-figure heist, the thieves locked everything back up. The crime was not discovered until the cleaning crew arrived on Monday morning.

The dealership didn't just lose some high-value inventory. Its daily operations were severely hampered by the loss of all the vehicle keys. Technicians and locksmiths have been working diligently to replace and re-program the keys belonging to all these vehicles. On the dealership's Facebook page, the company offered a $2,500 cash award for the return of their keys.

General Manager Greg Anthony spoke to WHNT about the brazen thieves and their ability to circumvent the security measures in place.

Story continues

Theyre going to get a car regardless of what you do," Anthony said. "Any measure you put in place theyre going to overcome them, just like our camera system and our key security system. Even cars inside the dealership. Theyre brave, they dont care. Theyll come inside and take anything they want of value.

Arab Police Chief Shane Washburn said that this robbery looks similar to others that have recently occurred in the area. His department has brought in the FBI to assist with the investigation.

You Might Also Like
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is officially running for reelection, he announced Wednesday. The mayor had previously told KXAN that was his intent.

It was always the plan to run for reelection. Its just that I also wanted to get some things done that needed to be done  in my view  to keep up our momentum at city hall, Watson said in an interview with KXAN prior to the announcement. One of those things, finding a permanent city manager. We landed that plane and taxied it to the gate last week and so its now time to move on to other things.

Former Austin City Council Member Kathie Tovo, Carmen Llanes Pulido and Doug Greco have also announced their intent to run.

Mayor Kirk Watson officially announced hes running for reelection Wednesday. He sat down with KXANs Grace Reader ahead of the announcement to talk about his priorities (KXAN photo/Grace Reader)

Watson served as mayor from 1997-2001 and took office again in early 2023. The mayor will serve two years this term, instead of four, because Austin voted to have its election run concurrent to the presidential one.

Weve made such great strides, but I want a full term of four years, Watson said. When I came in, I think there was a general feeling and understanding that city hall wasnt taking care of peoples basic needs in the city, and I think now the general understanding is that its on track and its doing those kinds of things.

What to expect from the campaign

Much like Watsons previous campaign, the mayor spoke about getting things done quickly and getting back to basics.

We are a rapidly, rapidly growing city with challenges that come from how rapidly its happening, so we dont have time to mess around with it. We need to be willing to move, we need to be thoughtful, we need to be empathetic, but we cant be overly patient to the point of a fault, Watson said.

PREVIOUS: Q&A with Kirk Watson after being he was elected as Austins next mayor

Watson pointed to his efforts to make Austin more affordable, and keep Austinites in our city, including through land development code changes (and how those are communicated), the recent creation of the Austin Infrastructure Academy and working through delays in the development site process.

Weve done more in the past 15 months than had been done in the previous decade to make Austin the kind of place where people can continue to afford to be here and to be a part of this community, Watson said.

Transportation is also likely to be a focal point of mayoral candidates campaigns. Watson said Project Connect, and housing opportunities surrounding the future line, will be a focus for him too.

We need to be focused on that like a laser, and I have been. People are right, they voted for this. This was a voter-approved situation and we need to make sure its there, he said.

Police already a focal topic

Watson addressed comments made by opponent Kathie Tovo earlier in the week  saying he didnt think it was a very good strategy to run for mayor by attacking your opponents endorsers, particularly when theyre thoughtful elected officials.

Tovos post pointed to a couple public safety topics, including Austins now-ended partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Austin City Council votes to extend police pay, benefits in lieu of contract

Im astonished to read in a local blog that most of the City Council may endorse Kirk Watson. I served with several of these Council Members, and I know they dont support the racial profiling of communities of color, so why would they endorse the person who invited DPS into this community, ushering in a program that led to those (predictable) results? she posted.

Watson responded, in-part:

One of the key things that we need to do in this community is we need to fill the vacancies that we have in APD. And a big part of that is because of decisions that had been made before I got there, including by the person I think is making that attack, to essentially defund the police and stop cadet classes.

Watson also pointed to work done during his term to bring staffing levels up at the 911 call center, his and councils vote on police pay and recruitment incentives, and the Austin Police Association re-entering APD contract negotiations.

Other candidates running for Austin mayor

Former Austin City Council Member Kathie Tovo officially announced her intent to run for mayor in mid-January, KXAN previously reported.

FILE: Kathie Tovo

Tovo served as an Austin City Council member from 2011 to 2023, first as an at-large member and later for District 9.

Im still committed to these same progressive values: equity, honest government and standing up for women, workers, immigrants and our LGBTQIA+ community. You can also count on me to fight against bad plans like the I-35 expansion and the States attacks on our local freedoms, she said.

LIST: Whos running for Austin City Council, mayor in 2024?

Carmen Llanes Pulido also announced her intentions to run for Austin mayor in January.

Photo courtesy: Carmen Llanes Pulido campaign

According to a release from her campaign, Llanes Pulido has been a leading voice in underserved Austin communities working with GAVA (Go! Austin/Vamos! Austin) and as a member of the planning commission.

Llanes Pulido is the executive director for GAVA. She previously ran for the Austin City Council District 4 seat.

Many Austinites from diverse backgrounds have asked me to step up and run for office, Llanes Pulido said in the release. There is a real craving for honest representation and common-sense solutions. People see a lack of transparency and a genuine problem with the influence that wealthy special interests wield. We need leadership that listens to the needs of people from all ends of the economic spectrum.

On Feb. 5, Doug Greco announced he was running for the position.

Photo courtesy: Aryel Muse

According to a release, Greco served as the lead organizer and executive director for Central Texas Interfaith for 12 years and stepped down just prior to his announcement.

In his announcement, Greco pointed to his work on LGBTQ rights under State Rep. Gina Hinojosa and as director of programs at Equity California. Greco is also openly gay, his release said.

Im running for Mayor because Austin needs a leader who will stand up for working people and against big money at City Hall and unchecked corporate power in politics overall. Despite Austins wealth and unprecedented growth, working people continue to be pushed out of the city and out of the middle class, said Greco.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Keir Starmers wife effectively forced out of home after pro-Palestine protest, court hears

Sir Keir Starmer's wife Victoria was said to be 'intimidated and scared' by the actions of the protesters - Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Europe

Sir Keir Starmers wife was effectively forced out of her own home after pro-Palestine activists launched a protest outside, a court has heard.

Demonstrators from Youth Demand placed childrens shoes in the politicians front garden in north London and hung a banner on the hedge.

The campaigners arrived at the Labour leaders home on Tuesday demanding Sir Keir use his influence to stop the UK sending arms to Israel.

A banner was unfurled outside his house that read Starmer stop the killing, surrounded by red hand prints.

Rows of children's shoes were laid in front of the Labour leader's door to signify children killed in Gaza - Maciek Musialek/Story Picture Agency

Leonorah Ward, 21, from Leeds, Zosia Lewis, 23, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Daniel Formentin, 24, of Leeds, were charged with harassing a person in their home under section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 and breaching court bail.

David Burns, prosecuting, told Westminster magistrates court that Victoria Starmer, Sir Keirs wife, was intimidated and scared by the actions of the protesters. He said: This really affected his wife, she was effectively forced out of her own home.

She returned from a shopping trip with her son and couldnt return to her property.

The demonstrators from Youth Demand hung a banner outside Sir Keir's house - Maciek Musialek/Story Picture Agency

The defendants were also charged with breaching their bail conditions, namely not to organise or participate in any protest connected to Just Stop Oil.

All three denied the charge on the basis that Just Stop Oil and Youth Demand are separate organisations.

Youth Demand has called for a two-way arms embargo on Israel, saying weapons made in the UK were being used to cause genocide.

The group also sprayed Labour HQ with red paint on Monday.

Mr Formentin, of Burley, Leeds, was released on conditional bail. He is not allowed to enter any county in the UK other than West Yorkshire except for the purpose of travelling to or from Norway to see his grandparents.

Ms Lewis, of Newcastle upon Tyne, was released on bail with a condition not to leave the county of Tyne and Wear.

Ms Ward, of Burley, was also granted conditional bail.

All three defendants were given a bail condition ordering them not to participate in any procession or static assembly. They will next appear at the same court on June 19.

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.
Three-quarters of German arms exports sent to Ukraine

From 1 January to 27 March, the German government approved the export of military goods worth at least 4.89 billion, nearly three-quarters of which  72% or 3.54 billion  is intended for Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda with reference to DW

Details: In 2022, the first year of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine, Germany approved the supply of 2.24 billion worth of weapons for Ukraine, specifically air defence systems and heavy artillery.

In 2023, Leopard 2 main combat tanks were also included in this aid. The volume of export licences for Ukraine increased to 4.4 billion.

In the first three months of 2024, German arms exports have reached 3.54 billion.

The next recipient on the list after Ukraine is Singapore (583.9 million).

It is followed by India (143.3 million), Saudi Arabia (126.4 million) and Qatar (97 million).

Background:

On 10 April, the German government reported on the delivery of another batch of military aid to Ukraine.

This included one Warthog all-terrain tracked carrier and 6,000 155-mm artillery rounds.

The German government also instructed the arms manufacturer Rheinmetall to supply 20 additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine.

Support UP or become our patron!
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the Palestinian Islamist group and Haniyeh's family said.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the attack, describing the three sons as operatives in the Hamas armed wing.

The three sons - Hazem, Amir and Mohammad - were killed when the car they were driving in was bombed in Gaza's Al-Shati camp, Hamas said. Four of Haniyeh's grandchildren, three girls and a boy, were also killed in the attack, Hamas said.

Asked about the four grandchildren killed in the airstrike, the Israeli military said there was "no information on that right now."

Haniyeh, based abroad in Qatar, has been the tough-talking face of Hamas' international diplomacy as war with Israel has raged on in Gaza, where his family home was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike back in November.

"The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people," Haniyeh, 61, who has 13 sons and daughters according to Hamas sources, told pan-Arab Al Jazeera TV.

The three sons and four grandchildren were making family visits during the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday in Shati, their home refugee camp in Gaza City, according to relatives.

Hamas said on Tuesday it was studying an Israeli ceasefire proposal in the more than six-month-old Gaza war but that it was "intransigent" and met none of the Palestinian demands.

"Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position," Haniyeh said.

In the seventh month of a war in which Israel's air and ground offensive has devastated Gaza, Hamas wants an end to Israeli military operations and a withdrawal from the enclave, and permission for displaced Palestinians to return home.

Haniyeh's eldest son confirmed in a Facebook post that his three brothers were killed. "Thanks to God who honoured us by the martyrdom of my brothers, Hazem, Amir and Mohammad and their children," wrote Abdel-Salam Haniyeh.

Appointed to the militant group's top job in 2017, Haniyeh has moved between Turkey and Qatar's capital Doha, avoiding Israeli-imposed travel restrictions in blockaded Gaza and enabling him to act as a negotiator in the latest ceasefire negotiations or communicate with Hamas' main ally Iran.

Israel regards the entire Hamas leadership as terrorists, accusing Haniyeh and other leaders of continuing to "pull the strings of the Hamas terror organisation".

But how much Haniyeh knew about the Oct. 7 cross-border attack on Israel by Gaza-based militants beforehand is not clear. The attack plan, drawn up by the Hamas military council in Gaza, was such a closely guarded secret that some Hamas officials abroad seemed shocked by its timing and scale.

(Reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by Hatem Maher and Dan Williams; Editing by Alex Richardson, Mark Heinrich, William Maclean)
SACRAMENTO, California  Officials in Santa Clara County are gearing up for a recount in the wild race for second place in the primary for outgoing Rep. Anna Eshoos seat.

Santa Clara County elections officials confirmed Tuesday that a voter named Jonathan Padilla had requested a recount in the primary that has Assemblymember Evan Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian in a 30,249-vote tie for second place. In first place is former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.

A recount would almost certainly change the final tally, making the November election a conventional two-person race, rather than a rare three-way general election  the protocol for ties.



Lows campaign blasted the move on Tuesday, accusing Liccardos campaign of trying to undermine election results and having a former employee make the request.

This is a page right out of Trumps political playbook using dirty tricks to attack democracy and subvert the will of the voters, Whitney Larsen, a spokesperson for Low, told POLITICO.

Liccardo, Larsen added, "did not file a recount himself. Instead, he had his former staffer do it for him. Whats he afraid of?

Liccardos campaign declined to respond to the statement and would not confirm whether Padilla had once worked for Liccardo. Padilla could not be immediately reached for comment.

Padilla requested a manual recount, which is estimated to cost $32,000 per day for 10 days. Payment is due before the recount begins on Monday. If the deadline is missed, there will be no recount, like happened in a Shasta County race this week.

Orrin Evans, a Liccardo campaign spokesperson, told POLITICO that the campaign was unaffiliated with the voter requesting the recount, but agrees it is warranted.

Every vote should be counted, and thats why recounts are part of the states electoral process to ensure accuracy, Evans said in a text late Tuesday, noting that uncured ballots could change the outcome.

We understand why, under these extraordinary circumstances, there would be an effort to make sure these votes are fully considered, he added.

Simitian decided to stay out of the fray on Tuesday.

"Eventually, this process will work itself out," Simitian wrote in an emailed statement. "My job is to stay focused on how I can best represent the folks in our district. And thats what Im doing."

Dustin Gardiner contributed to this report.
MANHATTAN (KSNT)  A Topeka man was arrested in Manhattan in connection to a drug death.

At 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Robert Boyles, Jr., 35, was arrested in the 1000 block of South Seth Child Road for an incident from Aug. 2021 wherein law enforcement officers investigated the death of a 36-year-old woman, according to a press release from the Riley County Police Department (RCPD).

Boyles was arrested on a warrant for distribution of a controlled substance causing death, distribution of opiate/opium/narcotic/stimulant/heroin and use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation, according to the RCPD.

City seeking Hotel Topeka buyers, spending another $500,000

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to reach out to law enforcement.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Meraxes Medina, a 24-year-old transgender Latina, was shot to death March 21 in Los Angeles.

Police responded to a call about 4:30 a.m. that day and found her on the street on the citys south side, having been shot in the head, the Los Angeles Times reports. She had been dumped from a car. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

The Times story did not state Medinas name, but her identity was confirmed by friends on a GoFundMe page. Another woman, apparently cisgender, was fatally shot in the same neighborhood two days earlier. The area is known for sex work, and police have said the women had been engaged in sexual encounters that led to violence. The deaths remain under investigation.

Medina, who turned 24 in February and recently begun hormone therapy, had worked as a makeup artist at Universal Studios. She was undocumented and had experienced homelessness. But friends were predicting great things for her.

She left an impression on everybody, her longtime friend Alejandro Fernandez told officials at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. She was someone you werent going to forget. She had this aura about her, and everywhere we went, people would turn around. She had so much potential. I was waiting for her to be an influencer and blow up. I would tell her, Girl, Im waiting for your moment because youre already the bomb.

Another friend, Alisha Veneno, told the center, We were just trying to make it in life. We didnt know what we wanted to do or where we wanted to go, but we wanted to go somewhere. Veneno said she knew something was wrong when she didnt see any recent activity from Medina on Instagram, where she normally posted several times a day, displaying her skills with makeup.

Meraxes was a young woman who deserved to live out a long and fulfilling life, Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for the Human Rights Campaigns Transgender Justice Initiative, said in a press release. At just 24 years old, she had so much more to give. Yet again, we find ourselves honoring the life and mourning the loss of someone from our transgender community killed by gun violence, and that alarming reality should emphasize our collective need to fight against lax gun laws. We need to come together and remind everyone, especially lawmakers and politicians, that our lives are worth saving and worth living.

Violence against transgender and gender-expansive people is a gun violence issue, the groups Everytown for Gun Safety and Students Demand Action posted on Instagram. In 2023, 80% of homicides of trans people were with a gun, and 60% of victims were under 30.  Trans people deserve to live freely without fear of gun violence. They deserve to grow old. We can and must #DisarmHate by simultaneously fighting discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ policies and attempts to weaken gun laws.

A predator stalking sex workers is something we must attend to with all haste, added Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents. It is far too easy for these women (in this case) to be overlooked because of societys practice of dehumanizing sex workers.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Michigan State troopers say they found an explosive device while arresting a Calhoun County fugitive on Tuesday.

According to Michigan State Police, members of the First Districts Fugitive Team and MSPs Emergency Support Team conducted a search warrant at approximately 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Baw Beese Inn in Hillsdale County.

Sign up for breaking news alert emails

The suspect, a 26-year-old from Calhoun County, had a warrant out for their arrest in Jackson County. The suspect was arrested, but while gathering evidence, troopers found a possible explosive device in the suspects vehicle.

An MSP bomb squad was called to the scene and secured the device.

The suspect was lodged at the Hillsdale County jail. They are expected to face additional criminal charges for possessing the explosive device.

Members of the Hillsdale Township Fire Department assisted at the scene.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
As the Supreme Court gets ready to hear oral arguments in Donald Trumps presidential immunity case, his allies are working to tamp down any concerns the justices might have about one of the more absurd and disconcerting arguments offered by any Trump lawyer ever: that a president would have to be impeached and convicted before he could be prosecuted if he were to, hypothetically, order the assassination of a political rival.

The America First Policy Institute, a think tank led by former top Trump advisers and allies, filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court last month arguing that the justices should not consider this hypothetical in their decision, because the military would never follow such a command. A president cannot order an elite military unit to kill a political rival, says the brief, adding, The military would not carry out a patently unlawful order from the president to kill nonmilitary targets.

The organizations brief was filed on behalf of former Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, retired Lt. General Keith Kellogg, and retired Lt. General Jerry Boykin. Kellogg added in a press release that my time with [former] President Trump allows me to state without equivocation, he would never issue or consider such an action.

Unfortunately, according to Trumps former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, he as president did suggest to senior administration officials that they should order U.S. troops to open fire on some of his political enemies  namely, street protesters.

Cant you just shoot them? Trump asked, regarding Black Lives Matter demonstrators and others who were protesting around the White House in June 2020, according to Esper. Just shoot them in the legs or something? (Trump has denied this account.)

This wasnt just some idle thought: Esper wrote in his memoir that he had to legitimately talk Trump down from the idea. The good news  this wasnt a difficult decision, Esper wrote. The bad news  I had to figure out a way to walk Trump back without creating the mess I was trying to avoid.

Two sources, including a former senior Trump White House aide, whove spoken to the former president regarding his ideas about troops shooting civilians tell Rolling Stone that when Trump talks about this, hes eager to wound  not kill  potential targets. Sometimes, hes been reminded, including by government officials, that shooting someone in the leg can easily kill them, a point he usually dismissed outright.

Last year, Trump publicly stated that another political foe  former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, who has denounced Trump as a wannabe dictator  deserves to be put to DEATH.

AFPI, for its part, has repeatedly argued that the president should designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorists and use military force to eliminate them.

The immunity case before the Supreme Court is part of Trumps effort to delay and/or shut down Special Counsel Jack Smiths prosecution of the former president over his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Trump and his legal team have argued he is entitled to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for acts he committed as president, even after leaving office.

A federal appeals court rejected that argument in February, paving the way for the trial to start. But then the Supreme Court granted Trump a major victory  agreeing to consider his immunity claim. As a result, Trump likely wont face trial in the federal election subversion case before Election Day in November, and thats if it happens at all.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case on April 25.

This week, several amicus briefs have been filed in the case arguing that justices should take note of a Trump lawyers contention that Trumps right to presidential immunity would protect him from prosecution even if he were to order SEAL Team Six to murder a political rival.

During arguments before the appeals court in January, Judge Florence Pan asked Trump lawyer John Sauer the following: Could a president who ordered SEAL Team Six to assassinate a political rival, and is not impeached, would he be subject to criminal prosecution?

Sauer responded, If he were impeached and convicted first  my answer is qualified yes, there is a political process that would have to occur first.

The brief filed by AFPI attempts to head off this line of inquiry.

A president of the United States enjoys broad authority to direct the military with very few limitations, says the brief. But one such limitation is that the presidents orders may not contravene the Constitution or the laws of the United States. Accordingly, the president has no authority to order the military to assassinate a political rival.

The group says in its press release that the SEAL Team Six question is ludicrous and moot!

The organizations brief notably does not present the full question posed by Pan. Could a President order SEAL Team Six to assassinate a political rival? That question was posed by a member of the panel at oral argument in the court below, AFPI writes.

However, the question in the court case was whether the president could be prosecuted for this, not whether he could legally give such an order. Trumps lawyer responded effectively, no  the commander in chief would first have to be impeached and convicted before he could be prosecuted, under Trumps expansive vision of presidential immunity.

More than a dozen legal scholars and national security experts argued in a brief filed Monday that expanding presidential immunity the way Trump wants carries real risk: Military and civilian officers might see presidential immunity as a constitutional blank check to issue any order, even orders requiring subordinates to commit crimes, including crimes that endanger national security, they wrote. Absolute or qualified immunity of a president could also be mixed with improper use of the pardon power to enable a corrupt president to use the military to accomplish otherwise unlawful objectives.

Circling back to the Seal Team Six hypothetical, they warned that the team members would not need to fear the consequences of committing murder if the order to commit the murder were coupled with the promise of a pardon. Many other scenarios, including torture of prisoners and detainees, could be realized in which the pardon power is used by a legally unbound, immunized president to subvert the militarys allegiance to the Constitution, the rule of law, and military discipline.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone
Trump attorneys trolled after they subpoena wrong Jeremy Rosenberg for hush money trial: Im keeping the $15

Donald Trumps lawyers have been trolled by a random man in Brooklyn after they subpoenaed him by mistake for the former presidents hush money trial.

In a filing from the Manhattan District Attorneys office on Tuesday, prosecutors revealed that Mr Trumps attorney Todd Blanche had tried to subpoena former District Attorney Supervising Rackets Investigator Jeremy Rosenberg in March, to seek files related to the Republican presidential candidates former lawyer Michael Cohen.

However, it transpired that Mr Blanche made an embarrassing mistake  sending the subpoena to a man from Brooklyn also called Jeremy Rosenberg.

While the man shares the same name as the former DAs office investigator, he has zero connection to the criminal case against the former president.

Following the blunder, Mr Rosenberg decided to have a bit of fun with Mr Trumps attorneys  and told them hed be keeping the money they sent him.

I dont have any files for you, the apparently bemused Brooklynite wrote back, according to a filing from the former presidents legal team.

He added: PS - The phone number you provided was disconnected.

PPS - Im keeping the fifteen dollars, he added, referencing the money Mr Trumps lawyers had sent him to help pay for sending the documents.

Former President Donald Trump comments as he leaves a pre-trial hearing during a recess with his lawyer Todd Blanche at court in New York on Monday (AP)

Mr Blanche had complained earlier this week that the man that he believed the former investigator Mr Rosenberg had displayed a flippant and dismissive approach to his subpoena despite ample experience with the criminal justice system that should have instilled in him respect for this process and a criminal defendants rights.

But in fact, Mr Trumps lawyers had simply served court papers on the wrong man, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote.

The people believe the defendant has served the incorrect person, Mr Colangelo said in a court filing.

The people spoke with Mr. Rosenbergs counsel, who informed the People that Mr. Rosenberg was not, in fact, served with the subpoena, that Mr. Rosenberg had not corresponded with defense counsel, and that Mr. Rosenberg does not have any connection to the Brooklyn address where the subpoena purportedly was served, he added.

Mr Trump is set to go on trial on 15 April on charges of falsifying business records in order to cover up payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels and others to stop them from going public days before the 2016 presidential election about alleged affairs.

Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, which each carry a potential prison sentence of up to four years.

The case involves allegations that Mr Trump falsified business records in order to cover up payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels (Getty)

It marks the first time a US president will go on trial and is one of just four criminal trials he is facing at a time when he is campaigning to take back the White House in November.

In recent days, the former president has made several unsuccessful attempts to have the case against him tossed  the latest of which came on Tuesday when a state appeals court judge rejected his 11th-hour bid to delay the trial while he fights the gag order in the case.

When the trial begins, Mr Trumps lawyers plan to ask Mr Rosenberg for all records of communications he had with Mr Cohen from February 2021 until this May.

Mr Rosenberg, who previously prosecuted Trump ally Steve Bannon, was suspended as an investigator for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in June last year over his contact with Mr Cohen.

A law enforcement source told The New York Post at the time that Mr Braggs office was looking at how Mr Rosenberg shared communications about Mr Cohen with the office.

Mr Cohens lawyer Lanny J. Davis has insisted that the interactions between himself, Mr Rosenberg, and Mr Cohen were always professional and focused on Mr Cohens personal security.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Donald Trump was exactly right to want states in charge of abortion access in America. Unaddressed in her social media post Monday, though, was the former presidents support for exceptions for rape and incest in anti-abortion laws  the kind left out of the ban she has defended in her own state.

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, Sen. Tim Scott balked at a reporter asking about Trump declining to endorse a federal abortion ban  a policy that the South Carolina Republican called a moral obligation for his party while he campaigned last year to be its presidential nominee.

For Noem, Scott and others in consideration to become Trumps running mate, the former presidents latest contortions around abortion present a new challenge as they compete for his attention. Many of those in the mix have spent their political careers as unyielding opponents of the procedure and unflinching allies of the anti-abortion movement.

Now, those records stand at odds with the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Trump angered several anti-abortion leaders this week by refusing to back a federal abortion ban while embracing exceptions that Republicans throughout the country have for years opposed as morally questionable.

His support for the post-Roe v. Wade status quo  where states like Texas are free to outlaw almost all abortions and others like California can legalize the procedure in all instances before viability  is a position Trump arrived at out of political expediency as Democrats ready millions of advertising dollars to remind voters who is responsible for the loss of federal abortion protections. But for a party that has long defined life as beginning at conception, Trumps latest evolution on abortion will test those aspiring to run with him.

The reality is a stark reversal from the last time Trump landed on Mike Pence for his running mate eight years ago in hopes the Indiana governors staunch opposition to abortion could assuage fears from the Christian right about the thrice-married Manhattan socialite who once declared himself very pro-choice. Now, Trump sees abortion as a potentially damaging issue for Republicans to navigate as he seeks a return to the White House.

Those familiar with the vice presidential search say Trump is closely studying how his potential picks have approached the divisive issue in the past, believing its one of the few issues Democrats could successfully exploit. In private conversations with advisers and allies, Trump regularly asks where specific individuals stand on the issue and is particularly keen on learning their position on exceptions for victims of rape and incest and when the health of the mother is in danger.

Trump, who has at times expressed disbelief at Republicans who oppose exceptions, has indicated he would look unfavorably on a candidate who doesnt support them, at times characterizing it as a nonstarter.

Its unclear how Trump will define that criterion. While Noem was quicker than most Republicans to voice support for Trump on Monday, she has also called herself an absolutist on abortion and said her states ban on the procedure was a model for the country. Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, another Republican often discussed alongside Noem and others, has yet to weigh in on Trumps remarks but his campaign website makes clear he would fight to protect the life of every unborn child without exception.

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, also in consideration, once supported the Texas ban on abortion that does not allow exceptions, except in limited cases when a womans life is provably at risk. But Vance last year echoed Trumps calls for Republicans to approach abortion more pragmatically to win elections after voters in his state amended their constitution to protect access to the procedure.

We have to accept that people do not want blanket abortion bans, Vance told CNN in December. They just dont. I say this as a person who wants to protect as many unborn babies as possible. We have to provide exceptions for the life of the mother, for rape and so forth. That is just a basic necessity.

Similarly, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has in the past said he supports a ban on abortion, including when a pregnancy is the result of a rape. But Rubio, whom Trump regularly discusses among allies as a potential running mate, has also said he would support legislation that includes some exceptions because I recognize thats not a majority position.

Rubio said in a statement Tuesday that pro-life Republicans have an obligation to support every law that has a realistic chance of passing.

What (Trump) said yesterday was the truth that our most realistic chance of limiting the damage that abortion does is at the state level, the senator said. Thats just a fact.

Rubio was an early co-sponsor of South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Grahams bill to ban abortion nationwide 15 weeks into a pregnancy. Trump on Monday lashed out at Graham over the legislation that he filed after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and that has gone nowhere in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

We had a Great Victory, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Its back in the States where it belongs, and where everyone wanted it. The States will be making the decision.

The potential ramifications of Trumps approach grew more apparent Tuesday, when the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the state must adhere to a 160-year-old law barring all abortions, except those necessary to save a womans life. The fallout from that decision immediately reverberated through the states US Senate race, in which Republican candidate Kari Lake, once a backer of the law, said in a statement that she opposed the ruling.

Trump has floated Lakes name in private, including at a New York fundraiser, where he quizzed donors about his vice presidential shortlist. Her entrance into the Arizona Senate race, however, makes her an unlikely choice.

Trumps statement on abortion Monday threatened to drive a wedge between Republicans and the groups they have long relied on for support and to affirm their conservative bona fides for voters. Among the anti-abortion leaders speaking out against Trump was Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, who said she was deeply disappointed in the former presidents position.

At an SBA Pro-Life America event in June marking the first anniversary of the Supreme Court decision to end a constitutional right to an abortion, Rep. Elise Stefanik told the room that the next front in the battle over abortion would be a primary question of public policy for state, local, and yes, federal policymakers.

But in a statement to CNN on Tuesday, the New York Republican sided with Trump, calling him the most successful pro-life President in history.

Though she has co-sponsored a federal abortion ban, Stefanik said the former president is right that this issue will ultimately be decided by voters across America.

CNNs Kristen Holmes, Manu Raju, Kit Maher and Alison Main contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Trump Organization's former Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg appears in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg was sentenced on Wednesday to five months in jail after pleading guilty last month to perjury charges for lying to investigators and a judge about Donald Trump's finances.

Judge Laurie Peterson handed down the sentence at a hearing in Manhattan criminal court. The sentence was in line with the punishment the judge said she would impose at Weisselberg's March 4 plea hearing.

Court officers led Weisselberg out of the courtroom in handcuffs following a brief hearing.

The sentence marks the second stint behind bars for the former U.S. president's longtime loyal deputy.

Weisselberg, 76, spent around three months in New York's Rikers Island jail in 2023 after pleading guilty to participating in a 15-year tax fraud scheme at the Trump Organization.

The perjury charges stem from Weisselberg's testimony at a civil fraud case New York state Attorney General Letitia James brought against Trump, Weisselberg and other executives at Trump's family real estate company for manipulating property values to dupe lenders and insurers.

Weisselberg testified at the trial on Oct. 10 that he was not involved in an incorrect valuation of Trump's Manhattan townhouse. Trump's 2015 and 2016 financial statements valued the unit at $327 million based on its stated size of more than 30,000 square feet, nearly three times the actual size.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, which brought the charges against Weisselberg, said the former CFO's emails showed he was in fact paying close attention to the apartment.

Weisselberg also admitted to lying about his role in Trump's financial statements during two earlier depositions with James' office. James' investigation culminated in a $454 million penalty imposed on Trump for fraudulently valuing properties. Trump is appealing the order by Justice Arthur Engoron.

Engoron also ordered Weisselberg to pay $1.1 million including interest.

Weisselberg worked for the former president's family for half a century. His written plea agreement did not indicate if he would be cooperating with Bragg's office.

Trump is set to go on trial starting on Monday on criminal charges of covering up $130,000 in hush money his former lawyer Michael Cohen paid porn star Stormy Daniels for her silence before the 2016 election about a sexual encounter she says she had with Trump in 2006.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and denies any such encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

The case, also brought by Bragg, is poised to be the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president. Trump also faces three other indictments, which stem from his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and his handling of sensitive government documents. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Howard Goller)
In their latest bid to scuttle former President Donald Trump's impending hush-money trial, the Republican candidate's lawyers filed a two-page notice of petition on Wednesday that accused presiding Judge Juan Merchan of overstepping his authority. By Wednesday evening, that effort to delay the trial was rejected.

CNN reported that Trump's lawyers were challenging Merchan's order preventing the former president from arguing at trial that he enjoys absolute immunity. They also took issue with the judge's refusal to recuse himself on the basis that his daughter works as a Democratic political consultant. According to The New York Times, a judicial ethics panel concluded that the daughter's employment did not constitute a real conflict of interest.

Specifically, Trump's legal team was asking a New York appeals court to indefinitely delay jury selection in the case, set to begin April 15, while it challenges Merchan's rulings, according to the Associated Press.

Hours after it was filed, an appellate judge, Ellen Gesmer, had already rejected the Trump team's arguments, The New York Times reported.

Merchan had ruled last month that Trump did not invoke the presidential immunity argument in time to use it at trial, writing: "This Court finds that Defendant had myriad opportunities to raise the claim of presidential immunity well before March 7, 2024."

The Supreme Court will hear arguments later this month regarding Trump's claim that, as a former president, he cannot be prosecuted.

In the Manhattan case, Trump faces charges of falsifying business records in order to hide $130,000 in hush-money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who has said that Trump cornered her in his hotel room before the two had sex. The trial, scheduled to start on Monday, threatens to upend Trump's presidential ambitions by revisiting the sordid tale and potentially rendering a guilty verdict that could send him to prison.

Trump's lawyers have made it clear that the former president does not wish to have his day in court any time soon, especially before the November election. They have fought to delay the hush-payment trial at every turn since the indictment was filed in March 2023. Earlier this week, they asked the court for a delay so that Trump could challenge a gag order issued to prevent him from commenting on witnesses, prosecutors, jurors, and the judge's family. They also filed another petition that sought to move the trial from Manhattan. Both requests were denied.
(Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are scheduled to hold an event on election integrity at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate on Friday, according to people familiar.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The two men will speak as Johnson struggles to maintain his speakership and Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, increasingly flexes his influence over the party.

The meeting offers Johnson a side-by-side photo opportunity with Trump at a time when hardliners are threatening to sink the speaker over issues like Ukraine.

Read More: Trump Courted by Once-Scorned Speaker Hopeful as Johnson Teeters

Hardline Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a close Trump ally, took a first procedural step toward ousting Johnson last month after he compromised with Democrats to avoid a US government shutdown.

Greene and Johnson met in the US Capitol for nearly an hour on Wednesday but the threat of an overthrow still hangs over his speakership if Johnson proceeds with Ukraine funding. Greene has also warned him to drop efforts to extend legal authority for a US foreign intelligence surveillance program that Trump also opposes.

A controversial part of the program at times allows the the government, without a warrant, to sweep up private messages of Americans who may be in touch with foreign surveillance targets.

The speaker has not done the job we elected him to do and I told him that, Greene said after their meeting.

Read More: Complicated Politics Around Foreign Surveillance Debate Reflect Populist Pull

--With assistance from Erik Wasson and Christian Hall.

(Updates with detail starting in fourth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Donald Trumps desperate attempts to delay the start of his New York criminal trial fell flat for the third time this week on Wednesday when an appeals court judge quickly tossed out the former presidents latest attempt to slow-walk his prosecution.

This time, Trumps lawyers were arguing for a delay in the form of a request for an immediate stay, which would allow them to continue their campaign to remove Judge Juan Merchan, who Trump has tried in vain to oust multiple times.

During an emergency hearing on Wednesday, Trump attorney Emil Bove argued that Judge Merchan had exceeded his authority when he refused to grant Trumps request to delay the trial until the Supreme Court ruled on his presidential immunity in a separate case.

Justice Ellen Gesmer promptly denied the former presidents request for an immediate stay in a brief, one-sentence order.

Trumps arguments for Judge Merchans recusal will be considered by a panel of appellate judges later this month, but not in time to slow the start of Trumps trial on April 15.

Trump sued Judge Merchan on Monday, the latest salvo in a day that also saw him request a stay on his expanded gag order and a change in venue, both of which were denied the following day.

In the case, Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up an affair he had with an adult film actress, Stormy Daniels.

Trump has tried to delay all of his four criminal trials in recent weeks as he continues to campaign for this Novembers presidential election.

Those cases include a federal election interference case in D.C., as well as a similar effort in Fulton County, Georgia. Trump also faces federal charges in Florida alleging he mishandled classified documents and schemed to hide them from investigators.

None of the other cases against Trump have been given trial dates yetmeaning its possible the New York case will be the only one Trump faces before election day.

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.
Trumps lawyers subpoena wrong Jeremy Rosenberg before hush money trial: I dont have any files for you

Oops!

Donald Trumps lawyer in his hush money case served the wrong guy with court papers  demanding that a Brooklyn man with nothing to do with the upcoming trial turn over evidence, prosecutors said Tuesday.

The pre-trial flub came after Trump attorney Todd Blanche sent a subpoena to a man they believed to be former District Attorney Supervising Rackets Investigator Jeremy Rosenberg in March, seeking files related to Trumps fixer-turned-enemy Michael Cohen, the Manhattan DAs office said.

Former US President Donald Trump, with his lawyer Todd Blanche. AFP via Getty Images

But the man was, in fact, a separate Jeremy Rosenberg  a Brooklyn resident who appears to have had a bit of fun with Trumps attorneys.

I dont have any files for you, Rosenberg wrote back to the Trump lawyers, according to a filing from Trumps attorneys released Monday.

Rosenberg added that the phone number you provided was disconnected and that hed be keeping the $15 Trumps lawyers had sent him to help pay for sending the documents.

Blanche, a veteran ex-prosecutor, complained earlier this week that the man they believed was the ex-DA Rosenberg had displayed a flippant and dismissive approach to the request despite ample experience with the criminal justice system that should have instilled in him respect for this process and a criminal defendants rights.

Blanche meant to serve Jeremy Rosenberg, Supervising Investigator for the New York District Attorneys Office, but instead subpeona a different man with the same name from Brooklyn. LinkedIn Jeremy Rosenberg

But in fact, Trumps lawyers had simply served court papers on the wrong man, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo wrote.

The people believe the defendant has served the incorrect person, Colangelo said in the filing.

The people spoke with Mr. Rosenbergs counsel, who informed the People that Mr. Rosenberg was not, in fact, served with the subpoena, that Mr. Rosenberg had not corresponded with defense counsel, and that Mr. Rosenberg does not have any connection to the Brooklyn address where the subpoena purportedly was served, Colangelo added.

The Brooklyn Rosenberg informed Blanches team he didnt have any files and that the phone number they sent was disconnected. AP

Blanche did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The case, set for jury selection April 15, involves allegations that Trump covered up payments made before the 2016 election that kept porn star Stormy Daniels from telling the public about an alleged affair that she had with him.

Trump, 77, has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the case, which each carry a potential prison sentence of up to four years.

Trumps lawyers plan to ask the Rosenberg theyre looking for  once they reach him that is  for all records of communications he had with Cohen from February 2021 until this May.

Rosenberg got into hot water last year over his contact with the one-time Trump lawyer, The Post exclusively reported last year.

He was suspended and had his gun removed as Braggs office investigated how Rosenberg shared communications about Cohen with the office, a law enforcement source said.

The interactions were always professional and focused on Mr. Cohens personal security, which we appreciated, Cohens lawyer Lanny J. Davis said at the time.
Yahoo News' succinct daily update on the criminal and civil cases against the 45th president of the United States.

An appeals court judge rejects former President Donald Trumps latest attempt to delay the start of the hush money trial on the grounds that presidential immunity protects him from being prosecuted. The decision is the third time in three days that Trump has unsuccessfully lobbied an appeals court to postpone the first-ever criminal trial for a former U.S. president. Court filings made public Tuesday also revealed that Trumps lawyers subpoenaed the wrong man. Here are the latest legal developments involving the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

New York hush money

Trump files another last-ditch attempt to delay hush money trial

Key players: Appeals Court Judge Ellen Gesmer, Judge Juan Merchan, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, adult-film star Stormy Daniels, New York Associate Justice Cynthia Kern

On Wednesday, Gesmer denied a request from Trumps lawyers to delay the April 15 start of his hush money trial in New York. Trump had argued that presidential immunity protects him from being prosecuted, even though he was not president when the alleged infraction took place, the Associated Press reported.

Gesmer issued her ruling just 30 minutes after hearing arguments from Trumps lawyers.

Trumps lawyers had appealed Merchans ruling that presidential immunity did not protect Trump from being tried for allegedly violating New York tax and campaign finance laws when he paid Daniels $130,000 during the 2016 presidential election to hide an alleged extramarital affair with Daniels, CNN reported.

The two-page filing with a New York appeals court also challenged Merchans decision not to recuse himself from the case brought by Bragg based on how the judge has handled the case.

The trial is scheduled to begin on Monday.

This week alone, appeals court judges have three different appeals to delay the start of the trial.

Trumps lawyers have also unsuccessfully appealed Merchans refusal to recuse himself from the case as well as Merchans ruling that Daniels can testify, as well as his decision that the case can move forward on the merits and be held in state, rather than federal, court.

With Tuesdays ruling from Kern and Wednesdays order from Gesmer, Trump has now lost 11 attempts to delay the start of the hush money trial.

Why it matters: Trumps lawyers have aggressively sought to keep the first criminal case against a former U.S. president from going to trial, but appeals court judges have not obliged. With the trial set to begin on Monday, time is running out for the former president.

Trump lawyers subpoena the wrong man

Key players: Trump lawyer Todd Blanche, Bragg, Daniels, DA investigator Jeremy Rosenberg, Brooklyn resident with no connection to the case Jeremy Rosenberg

Court filings released Tuesday show that Trumps lawyers issued a subpoena in the hush money case to the wrong man, ABC News reported.

Blanche was seeking to subpoena the Jeremy Rosenberg who worked in Braggs office for information on the years-long investigation of Trumps payment of $130,000 to Daniels. Instead, he sent it to a man with the same name who lives in Brooklyn and has no relationship to the case.

I dont have any files for you, the Brooklyn-based Rosenberg responded to Blanches subpoena.

Prosecutors on Braggs team told the court that the Jeremy Rosenberg who, in fact, investigated Trumps payment to Daniels had never heard from Trumps lawyers.

After receiving defendants pre-motion letter, the People spoke with Mr. Rosenbergs counsel, who informed the People that Mr. Rosenberg was not, in fact, served with the subpoena, prosecutors wrote.

Blanche sent Brooklyn resident Rosenberg $15 to cover mailing fees for the requested documents, and in his response, Rosenberg informed the lawyer that he was keeping that money.

Im keeping the fifteen dollars, he wrote.

Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to hide the payment to Daniels.

Why it matters: A former prosecutor, Blanche does not have extensive experience as a defense attorney.

Recommended reading

_________________

Tuesday, April 9

_________________

For the second time in two days, an appeals court judge rejects a motion by former President Donald Trump that would have delayed the April 15 start of his hush money trial. New York Associate Justice Cynthia Kern declines Trumps motion, which argued that the case should be postponed while he appeals Judge Juan Merchans gag order preventing Trump from commenting on witnesses, court staff and their families during the trial. Here are the latest legal developments involving the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024.

New York hush money

Appeals court judge rejects Trump bid to delay trial over gag order challenge

Key players: New York Associate Justice Cynthia Kern, Judge Juan Merchan, Merchans daughter Loren Merchan, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, adult film star Stormy Daniels

Only minutes after hearing arguments from Trumps lawyers on a motion to delay the start of the trial until after they could appeal Merchans expanded gag order, Kern denied the motion, CNN r eported.

Although Trump is appealing Kerns decision with the full appeals court, that will not delay the Monday start of the hush money trial, meaning that Trump will still be bound by Merchans gag order until at least April 29, when the appeals court has requested written arguments on the matter.

Merchan expanded his original gag order on Trump after the former president repeatedly attacked his daughter, who served as president for Authentic Campaigns, a group that fundraises for Democratic political candidates.

An appeals court has already ruled that Merchan can remain on the case, saying his daughters work does not represent a conflict of interest.

Bragg has charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records stemming from his 2016 payment of $130,000 to Daniels to cover up an alleged extramarital affair.

On Monday, a second appeals court judge rejected Trumps motion to delay the hush money trial while he seeks to have the venue changed to a courtroom outside of Manhattan.

Why it matters:If the case begins on April 15, Trump will become the first former president in U.S. history to be tried on criminal charges in a courtroom.

_________________

Monday, April 8

_________________

A New York appeals court judge rejects former President Donald Trumps emergency request to delay the April 15 start of his hush money trial while he seeks to have it moved to a different state and have a new judge appointed. Trump also announces that he is suing Judge Juan Merchan as he attempts to have the gag order placed on him removed. Here are the latest legal developments involving the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024.

New York hush money

Key players: New York Appeals Court Judge Justice Lizbeth Gonzalez, Judge Juan Merchan, adult film star Stormy Daniels, former Playboy model Karen McDougal, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg

Gonzalez rejected Trumps emergency request to delay the start of his hush money trial, the Associated Press reported.

With just one week to go until the April 15 start date of the Manhattan trial on charges that Trump broke campaign finance and tax laws when he paid Daniels $130,000 in order to hide an extramarital affair from voters in the 2016 presidential election, Trump is also pursuing a number of new filings to keep the trial from going forward, CNN reported.

Trump is seeking to move the trial brought by Bragg from the Democratic stronghold of Manhattan to Staten Island, has filed a lawsuit against Merchan and is appealing the gag order he issued to keep him from commenting on witnesses, court staff and their families.

Daniels is expected to testify in the case about the sexual encounter she had with Trump, as is McDougal.

The hush money case is set to be the first criminal trial Trump will face before the 2024 presidential election.

Why it matters: Trump is running out of time and options to delay the start of his hush money trial.
Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty to perjury in Donald Trumps civil fraud trial, was sentenced Wednesday to five months in prison.

Weisselberg admitted to New York City District Attorney Alvin Bragg that he lied under oath in July 2020 about knowing that Trump overvalued his Manhattan apartment. Trump was found to have consistently lied about his fortune to prop up his real estate business.

The Republican presidential nominee recently posted the $175 million bond, with the help of right-wing billionaire Don Hankey, while he appeals the $454 million judgment in the fraud case.

Weisselberg was found guilty of perjury in March. He has been a longtime ally and confidant of Trumps and was rewarded for his loyalty over the years with under-the-table benefits, including expensive apartments and cars, which also served to mask a massive tax fraud scheme.

This is the second five-month sentence for Weisselberg: He was also found guilty of tax fraud in 2022, having helped the Trump Organization hide unreported income from New York City and state tax authorities. He served 100 days of the original sentence.
Happy Tuesday, all! Here's your Tuesday Tech Drop, the past week's top stories at the intersection of tech and politics.

Another brick in the Wohl

Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, two far-right activists supportive of Donald Trump, could pay up to $1.25 million in damages after settling a lawsuit related to a fraudulent, voter suppression scheme that used robocalls to spread disinformation to deter Black people from voting in the 2020 election. New York Attorney General Letitia James reached an agreement with the men that lets them pay around half of $1 million if they keep up with their payments, but theyll be on the hook for the full amount plus another $250,000 if they fail to make a payment on time.

Read more at NBC News.

TikTok's team of friendly faces

Over at The New York Times, Sapna Maheshwari has an article on TikToks multimillion-dollar advertising effort, which uses nuns, farmers and others to serve as friendly spokespeople for the company  and to curry favor among Americans  as the Senate contemplates a bill that could potentially result in a ban of the app in the United States.

Read more at the New York Times.

Artists against A.I.

Some 200 of the world's top musical performers  including Billie Eilish, Bruno Mars, J Balvin and Jadakiss  have cosigned a letter pushing tech companies not to use artificial intelligence to infringe upon and devalue the rights of human artists. The group argues that, left unchecked, AI will set in motion a race to the bottom that will degrade the value of our work and prevent us from being fairly compensated for it. The letter comes as platforms like YouTube have debuted A.I. tools that allow users to create songs in the style of famous artists.

Read more at NBC News.

High-tech election attacks

Over at Wired, writer David Gilbert takes a look at some of the high-tech tools that far-right conspiracy theorists, like former Trump national security advisor Mike Flynn, have unveiled to push baseless claims about voter fraud ahead of this years presidential election. Gilbert highlights in particular the A.I.-enabled tool conservatives are calling IV3, which an investigation by Wired found was using unreliable data as a basis to challenge voters eligibility.

Read more at Wired.

Elon irks Brazil

Brazils Supreme Court has opened an investigation into Elon Musk after Musk reactivated several far-right accounts on X, his social media platform, despite an order by a Supreme Court justice to remove them. Musk has framed his refusal to remove the accounts, which were targeted for their prolific spreading of disinformation, as a matter of free speech. Musk has, however, put up much less of a fight when asked to censor people at the behest of foreign governments in the past.

Read more at The Guardian.

More meddling out of Moscow

The Washington Post has obtained documents that it says expose the Russian governments propaganda operation in the United States to undermine American support for Ukraine aid. Some of the rhetoric the documents would encourage is mirrored in rhetoric weve heard from U.S. lawmakers, including calls to prioritize domestic border security funding and fear-mongering about the number of migrants crossing the U.S. border. The documents also encourage framing white people as the main losers in any approval of foreign aid. The report showcases how Russia is attempting to wield its influence on yet another American election, and comes as some Republican lawmakers are accusing fellow Republicans in Congress of pushing pro-Kremlin propaganda.

Read more at The Washington Post.

Pharrell's 'secret' album has a message about Big Tech

Relatedly, Pharrell dropped a "secret" album last week called "Black Yacht Rock." Think Michael McDonald or Crosby, Stills and Nash  but with snare drums. It's a dope, experimental album that's not currently available on streaming platforms. And I had to hype it up here after one of the lyrics from his song "Just For Fun" struck me as uniquely aware of the role Big Tech is playing in American politics. Here's a line that reminded me of Russia's attempts to meddle in U.S. politics:

Listen to "Black Yacht Rock" in full here.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Donald Trump has done it again. And again.

In a series of social media posts, the former president personally attacked the daughter of the judge presiding over his criminal trial in New York state.

Among other claims, his posts include allegations that the judges daughter is a Rabid Trump Hater, who has admitted to having conversations with her father about me.

Because of this alleged bias, Trumps attorneys have argued that Judge Juan Merchan cannot be impartial and therefore should step down from the case.

Merchan, however, didnt see things this way. Instead, the judge extended the gag order already imposed on Trump to include attacks on family members of the judge and the prosecution team.

In response, Trump has reportedly filed a lawsuit directly against the judge, though the exact claims remain under seal with the court.

Trumps attacks on Merchan and his daughter are just the latest in his long effort to undermine the rule of law. The attacks demonstrate his efforts to appear to play by the rules, but in reality to violate the norm of respect for the judiciary that previous presidents have followed, even when they disagreed with court decisions.

As a professor of legal studies and political science, I have extensively examined the ways in which presidents talk about judges and their decisions, and the consequences of that behavior.

Heres why  and how  what Trump says matters.

Donald Trump apparently does not like being in a courtroom. Brendan McDermid/Pool Photo via AP

Trumps playbook

In general, by alleging that his prosecutions are political, Trump is attempting to shift the publics perception of his trials away from the due process of the justice system and toward viewing Trump himself as a victim of abuse of power by his political opponents.

To do this, Trump has been following a fairly consistent playbook in his attacks on the judges, court staff, witnesses and opposing lawyers involved in his many civil and criminal trials. He seeks to subvert the system by using its mechanisms for his own ends  which are to avoid having his day in court, rather than facing a judge and jury and seeking vindication.

First, he attacks those whom he claims are his political enemies, alleging that the various lawsuits and criminal charges brought against him are politically motivated and a form of election interference. This allows him to frame the cases in a politically advantageous way by portraying himself as the victim, seeking the support and sympathy of his electoral base.

It also puts the judges overseeing the cases in a tough spot: Since so many of Trumps attacks are personal, they may put judges, lawyers, witnesses and court staff in physical danger from violence by his supporters. But if the judge does something about that danger, like institute a gag order, Trump can use that as further evidence that the judge is biased.

Second, once a gag order is in place, as it is in three cases now, Trump pushes its boundaries as far as he can go. These moves may be technically lawful, but they demonstrate his lack of respect for the rule of law and his desire to delegitimize the proceedings. They also violate the ethical standards that all previous presidents have followed when discussing court decisions in public.

Under these informal guidelines, when presidents criticize judicial decisions in their public statements, they do so not by attacking individual judges but instead by expressing their disagreement with the substance of the courts rulings. For instance, when President Joe Biden expressed his strong disagreement with the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, he focused his fiery rhetoric on what he saw as the majoritys misinterpretation of both law and fact. Unlike Trumps personal attacks on judges, Biden did not mention any justice by name.

By pushing these boundaries, Trump again puts presiding judges in a quandary, potentially imposing a second, more restrictive gag order, as Marchan did, or doing nothing and allowing Trumps attacks on innocent, uninvolved people to continue.

Trump then pushes the more restrictive boundaries, such as posting a Fox News clip critical of Merchans daughter, which puts the judge in a very difficult situation of considering possible penalties against a former president of the United States, who is the presumptive presidential nominee of the Republican Party  including fines or even jail time.

Trumps attacks undermine the rule of law

In addition to putting the judges overseeing Trumps many trials between a rock and a hard place, Trumps attacks on judges, lawyers, court staff and witnesses also undermine the publics faith in the rule of law and judicial institutions.

This is a particularly significant consequence for two reasons.

First, the judicial branch depends upon faith in the rule of law to ensure the public respects, and follows, its decisions. By undermining that faith, Trumps actions have the potential to hurt public respect for the legal system. In turn, people may be more likely to defy judicial decisions and less likely to cooperate with law enforcement.

Second, the public has been losing faith in the legal system for years, as partisan rulings and obvious conflicts of interest emerge, even at the Supreme Court. Trumps efforts to demonize judges and mischaracterize the workings of the justice system as fundamentally political can further increase public mistrust of the legal system, particularly among his supporters.

Trumps actions that undermine faith in the legal system are particularly important because it takes time to rebuild public trust in legal institutions. As a result, if the drop in public support for legal institutions continues, it is likely that the nation will see more open defiance of judicial decisions and less cooperation with police, lawyers and judges.

Donald Trump has run afoul of several judges, including U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan, seen here in a courtroom sketch admonishing Trump for disrupting proceedings. Elizabeth Williams via AP

Trumps attacks put people at risk

Another serious consequence of Trumps personal attacks on judges and their families, lawyers and court personnel is that it puts those peoples safety at risk.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, which is charged with protecting judges and their staff, the number of credible threats against court personnel is at an all-time high. From 2017  the year Trump was inaugurated  to 2022, the number of threats investigated by the Marshals Service more than tripled, from 363 to 1,362.

The significance of the danger was not lost on Merchan, who wrote, The average observer must now, after hearing Defendants recent attacks, draw the conclusion that if they become involved in these proceedings, even tangentially, they should worry not only for themselves, but for their loved ones as well.

Judicial independence and integrity are bedrock principles of American democracy. By personally attacking the public servants who have dedicated their lives to the American justice system, Trump has severely weakened public trust in our legal institutions. If these attacks continue, I believe they are likely to further undermine the justice system, and American democracy itself.

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: Paul M. Collins Jr., UMass Amherst

Read more:



Paul M. Collins Jr. 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.
Trump says Arizona abortion ban ruling goes too far, again touts role in ending Roe

Former President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that a new court ruling in Arizona upholding a near-total ban on abortion in the state, based on a 19th-century law, had gone too far and "needs to be straightened out."

It was the latest example of how the 2024 candidate is now trying to balance his support for abortion opponents without embracing the broader bans that voters have been rejecting.

"It's all about states' rights and it needs to be straightened out," Trump said in Atlanta, reacting to the ruling. "And I'm sure that the governor and everybody else will bring it back into reason and that will be taken care of."

Trump also told ABC News that he will not sign a federal abortion ban if he is elected president again and Congress sends such legislation to his desk.

MORE: Trump's abortion position leaves key questions unanswered on major campaign issue

Asked about a separate Florida court decision earlier this month that upheld the state's 15-week ban and paved the way for a six-week ban, Trump said his home state "is probably going to change" while again touting his role in the "incredible achievement" of overruling Roe v. Wade's abortion protections and leaving it up to the states.

"We did that and now the states have it, and the states are putting out what they want. It's the will of the people," he said.

"Arizona is going to definitely change," he continued. "Everybody wants that to happen."

Trump would not say how he intends to vote on an upcoming ballot measure in Florida which would broaden abortion access there.

When asked explicitly about the November referendum, Trump quipped instead that he's going to vote for Brian Jack, his former political adviser, who is running for a House seat in Georgia.

Later, during a visit to a Chick-fil-A, Trump said it should be up to the states to decide if doctors should be punished for performing abortions if they are illegal.

"Let that be to the states," he said. "Everything we're doing now is states and states' rights."

Rival Joe Biden's campaign responded by slamming Trump's comments about Roe and suggesting his new position on abortion can't be trusted because he "lies constantly  about everything."

"Donald Trump owns the suffering and chaos happening right now, including in Arizona, because he proudly overturned Roe  something he called an incredible thing and pretty amazing just today," Biden campaign spokesman Michael Tyler said.

Biden was also asked about at the end of a press conference on Wednesday: "What do you say to the people of Arizona right now who are witnessing a law go in place that dates back to the Civil War era?"

He was interrupted by reporters before he could complete his thought, but he appeared to be criticizing the ban for being so old.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump speaks as he arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, GA, April 10, 2024. (Alyssa Pointer/Reuters)

The Arizona Supreme Court's decision on Tuesday on the abortion ban drew differing reactions from state Republicans who previously claimed to be "100% pro-life" while both local and national Democrats vowed to push to protect abortion access in one of the most politically important states on the 2024 map.

Vice President Kamala Harris is planning to travel to Tucson on Friday for her "Fight for Reproductive Freedoms."

"Arizona just rolled back the clock to a time before women could vote  and, by his own admission, there's one person responsible: Donald Trump," Harris said in a statement on Tuesday.

President Joe Biden, in a statement through the White House, also blasted the Arizona ban, which only has exceptions to save the life of the pregnant woman. Biden called the restrictions "cruel" and the "result of the extreme agenda of Republican elected officials who are committed to ripping away women's freedom."

GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake, who narrowly lost the governor's race in 2022, said in her own statement that she supports Trump's stance on abortion and claimed that as a senator she would oppose both "federal funding" and "federal ban[s]" on abortion.

However, Lake also regularly says she's "100% pro-life" and supports "saving as many babies as possible."

Asked last month how she would vote on a pro-abortion access initiative if it made it on the ballot in Arizona, Lake dismissed the question to simply say, "I'm pro-life."

ABC News' Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Libby Cathey, Nadine El-Bawab, Fritz Farrow, Molly Nagle and Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report.

Trump says Arizona abortion ban ruling goes too far, again touts role in ending Roe originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Trump says Arizona went too far with abortion law: That will be straightened out

Former President Trump said Wednesday Arizona had gone too far after the state Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld an 1864 law that made performing abortion a felony.

The former president, speaking to reporters after landing in Georgia for a fundraiser, said the law in Arizona would definitely change and defended his view that abortion policy should be left to the states even as some of them enact restrictive bans.

Yeah, they did, Trump said when asked if Arizona went too far. And that will be straightened out. And as you know, its all about states rights. That will be straightened out. And Im sure that the governor and everybody else are going to bring it back into reason, and that will be taken care of, I think, very quickly.

The Arizona law, which also includes an extremely narrow exception for when it is necessary to save a pregnant persons life, will go into effect in 14 days unless the Legislature moves to repeal it.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) called for the 1864 ban to be repealed, and the states Democratic attorney general has said she will not enforce any bans on abortion.

Trump was also asked Wednesday if Florida had gone too far after the states top court allowed a ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy to go into effect and triggered a six-week ban. The former president said the states law was probably maybe going to change.

Its the will of the people, this is what Ive been saying. Its a perfect system, he said.

The Florida court ruling also allowed for a ballot measure in November that would protect abortion rights in the state. Advocates in Arizona are working to get a similar measure on the states ballot in November.

Trump earlier this week released a four-minute video statement in which he declined to say whether he would support federal legislation restricting abortion. Instead, he said it should be left up to the states either by legislation or by vote.

Democrats seized on the Arizona ruling and tied it directly to Trump, arguing it was evidence of what happens to abortion access when it is left to the states.

The Biden campaign has also repeatedly highlighted Trump taking credit for ending Roe v. Wade, something he did again Wednesday.

For 52 years people have wanted to end Roe v. Wade to get it back to the states. We did that, Trump said. It was an incredible thing, an incredible achievement, we did that.

Now the states have it, and the states are putting out what they want, he continued. Its the will of the people. So Floridas probably going to change. Arizona is going to definitely change, everybody wants that to happen. And youre getting the will of the people. Its been pretty incredible when you think about it.

The Biden campaign on Wednesday ripped Trumps comments and argued his track record spoke for itself. Officials have noted his past comments in which he said women who got an abortion should face punishment, and his administrations record in rolling back support for abortion.

Donald Trump owns the suffering and chaos happening right now, including in Arizona, because he proudly overturned Roe  something he called an incredible thing and pretty amazing just today, Biden campaign communications director Michael Tyler said in a statement.

Trump lies constantly  about everything  but has one track record: banning abortion every chance he gets, Tyler added. The guy who wants to be a dictator on day one will use every tool at his disposal to ban abortion nationwide, with or without Congress, and running away from reporters to his private jet like a coward doesnt change that reality.

Updated at 1:20 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated an antisemitic trope he pushed just weeks ago, and argued the Jews and Black people vote for Democrats purely out of habit.

Any Jewish person that votes for Biden does not love Israel, and frankly should be spoken to, Trump told right-wing radio host Wayne Allyn Root on The Root Reaction.

Last month, Trump claimed on another program that any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religiona remark that the Biden administration condemned.

Trump also told Root what he believed was the reason for Jews and Black people tending to vote for Democrats over Republicans. Not anything to do with policy, but rather just habit.

Jewish people, by habit, they justthey vote for the Democrat, Trump said. And Black people, by habit, vote for the Democrat.

Trumps efforts to appeal to Black voters have also seen the former president compare himself to the community, claiming his various criminal cases show that even he faces discrimination.

A lot of people said that thats why the Black people like me: because they have been hurt so badly and discriminated against, and they actually viewed me as Im being discriminated against, he said at a February rally. Its been pretty amazing. But possibly, I dont know. Maybe theres something 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.
Trump Spokesperson Hilariously Self-Owns While Trying To Insult Joe Biden

A spokesperson for Donald Trump tried to attack President Joe Biden as someone who can hardly speak, but then struggled herself with a couple of words.

The transcript in the Hur report was incredibly damn-en-ing to Joe Biden, Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for the Trump campaign, said on Newsmax on Tuesday.

She repeated the non-word moments later.

It also was extremely damn-en-ing to him politically as it showed what the American people see with their own eyes every single day, and that is Joe Biden can hardly speak, she said.

Leavitt also referred to Attorney General Merrick Garland as Merricka Garland.

It also was extremely damnening to him politically as it shows that Joe Biden can hardly speak. pic.twitter.com/pv0sZkBb16  Acyn (@Acyn) April 9, 2024

Leavitt, who ran for Congress and lost in 2022, was referring to special counsel Robert Hurs highly controversial report in the classified documents case in which he attacked Biden as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.

Former Justice Department officials have slammed Hur for what seemed more like a personal attack on the president than a report explaining the case.

On Tuesday, critics mocked Leavitt for stumbling over words herself as she claimed Biden can hardly speak.

Biden speaks fine. This young lady not so much. https://t.co/tafvsW6DoD  Khashoggis Ghost  (@UROCKlive1) April 9, 2024

Their hypocrisy is madden-en-ning. https://t.co/9l3Mns0HqZ  MaTT FLaMMaBLe (@MaTTFLaMMaBLe) April 9, 2024

Dopeople not hear him speaking normally every fucking day? https://t.co/qZtfYtoURh  Mrs. SMH (@SissyCoel) April 9, 2024
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The effort by supporters of former President Donald Trump to recall Wisconsin's top elected Republican did not gather enough signatures to trigger the recall election and therefore should be rejected, state elections officials said Wednesday.

Trump backers angry with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos launched the recall effort, citing his refusal to decertify President Joe Bidens narrow win in the state in 2020. Vos further angered Trump supporters when he did not back a plan to impeach Meagan Wolfe, the states top elections official.

Trump also renewed his criticism of Vos and Wolfe this week.

Vos dismissed petition organizers as whack jobs and morons and said previously that the effort had failed after challenging the validity of thousands of signatures.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission was expected to formally reject the Vos recall effort for not gathering enough valid signatures on Thursday.

Staff at the commission said in a memo released Wednesday that based on their review the effort did not collect enough valid signatures. The effort was complicated over what district should be used for any recall election, given that new boundary lines take effect in November.

But the staff review found that no matter what district is used  the one Vos was elected to serve in 2022 or either of the two new ones that comprise parts of the old district  the recall did not gather enough signatures.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court last week declined a request from the elections commission to clarify what district boundaries should be used in any recall.

Vos is the most powerful Republican in the GOP-led Legislature. He was first elected in 2004 and is the longest-serving Assembly speaker in state history, holding the post since 2013.

He did not return a message seeking comment. Recall organizers also did not return a message.

Recall organizers, recognizing that their initial effort was likely short of the needed signatures, launched a second recall effort last month.

Trump, in an interview on The Regular Joe radio show on Tuesday lobbed more criticism at Vos and renewed calls for Wolfe to be removed.

Ive heard so much about Meagan Wolfe, and its like unanimous, she shouldnt be there, Trump said. And Robin Vos, whos a Republican, is allowing her to be there. I dont understand it. I cant imagine it.

Wolfe is one of the most respected elections officials in the nation. She has served as president of the National Association of State Election Directors and chair of the bipartisan Electronic Registration Information Center, which helps states maintain accurate voter rolls.

Vos has blocked efforts by five Republicans in the Assembly to impeach Wolfe. Senate Republicans voted in September to fire Wolfe, despite objections from Democrats and the Legislatures nonpartisan attorneys, who said the Senate didnt have the authority to vote at that time because Wolfe was a holdover in her position and had not been reappointed.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul sued to challenge that vote, and in court filings, Republican legislative leaders changed course and claimed their vote to fire Wolfe was merely symbolic and had no legal effect.

A judge later ruled that Wolfe is legally holding her position.
Salome Zourabichvili, the President of Georgia, in her address to protesters in front of the Parliament at the April 9 memorial, stated that introducing 'Russian Law' is the biggest sign of defeat. According to her, Georgia now faces a choice between independence and slavery."The significance of this day is that no one can threaten Georgia's independence, and no one can harm us. The fact that on April 8, some dared to reintroduce Russian law is the clearest sign of their defeat.No one, today, tomorrow, or the day after that, who enters Georgia with a Russian sign, Russian flag, and Russian enslavement, will ever win!I don't know what the reaction of the West will be; maybe there will be one. But the main point here is that we know what we want. Do we want what happened on April 9, 1989, or what happened on April 9, 1991? The choice for Georgia is either independence or slavery, either Europe or Russia," Zourabichvili said.The State Security Service has addressed the journalistic investigation into the Havana Syndrome. Their statement indicated that the agency had verified the facts and was awaiting an official statement from the partner's side. Additionally, the agency noted that both US intelligence and the State Department had questioned the journalistic investigation and had not confirmed the mentioned facts, neither in Georgia nor in other countries."The State Security Service of Georgia considers the aforementioned response to be entirely exhaustive, thus fully satisfying the public interest, and believes that it is unnecessary to prove the baselessness of the current version again.It is regrettable that despite the comprehensive explanation from the American partners, there were still politically motivated individuals and media outlets in Georgia who attempted to use this issue for speculation and to discredit the State Security Service, as they often do.We also want to assure the public that, in light of the increasing challenges in the region, the country's security is being maintained at the highest level, as evidenced by the peaceful coexistence of recent years," the statement reads.
Trump thinks it's not appropriate to visit Ukraine as presidential candidate

FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump criminal case, on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star, in New York City

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump thinks it is not appropriate for him to visit Ukraine right now since he does not hold office, his campaign said on Wednesday after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged him to come.

Zelenskiy, in an interview with Axel Springer media outlets published on Tuesday, asked Trump to visit the country so he could hear the former U.S. president's ideas for ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

Trump's campaign said on Wednesday there had been no formal outreach from Zelenskiy to the former president.

"There's been no outreach from Zelenskiy, and President Trump has said publicly it wouldn't be appropriate for him to go to Ukraine right now since he's not Commander in Chief," the Trump campaign said in an email.

U.S. presidential candidates often travel abroad to burnish their foreign policy credentials.

Former Republican candidates who have now dropped out, like former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, visited Ukraine during the campaign for the Republican nomination. During his first presidential run in 2016, Trump visited Mexico and met with its then-president, Enrique Pena Nieto.

Trump and hardline Republicans in Congress oppose further aid to Ukraine, with the possible exception of a loan.

He won the Republican nomination in March and will face Democratic President Joe Biden in the presidential election on Nov. 5

Trump, a longtime admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been critical of Washington's support for Ukraine in its war with Russia and has said he could end the war in 24 hours if elected.

Trump told Reuters in an interview last June that the Kyiv government might have to concede some territory to Russia in order to stop the war. If he became president, everything would be subject to negotiation, he said.

The Washington Post reported on Sunday that Trump has privately said he could end the war by pressuring Ukraine to cede Crimea and the Donbas border region to Russia.

In his comments on Tuesday, Zelenskiy said he was open to hearing Trump's proposals but also expressed skepticism.

"If the deal is that we just give up our territories, and that's the idea behind it, then it's a very primitive idea," he said.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Ross Colvin and Jonathan Oatis)
Trump is going on trial in New York today. Here's what to expect

The first criminal prosecution of a former president in American history begins Monday as Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, stands trial in New York.

Trump is accused of falsifying business records in an attempt to hide money paid to an adult film actor shortly before the 2016 election to prevent her from going public with claims that she and Trump had sex.

The trial is expected to pull Trump from the campaign trail for at least two months starting Monday.

It is the only one of the four felony cases Trump currently faces that has a trial date and could be the only one that is completed before election day.

What are the charges?

The trial is over whether Trump falsified business records to cover up a $130,000 payment his lawyer Michael Cohen made in the final days of the 2016 campaign to adult film actor Stormy Daniels for her silence about a 2006 sexual encounter she says she had with Trump. He has pleaded not guilty. Trump also denies Daniels' claim of a sexual encounter.

According to the New York indictment, Trump sent Cohen $420,000 in a dozen installments during his first months as president in 2017 and falsely recorded the payments in Trump Organization internal documents as legal expenses, citing a retainer agreement. That amount includes $130,000 as reimbursement for paying Daniels and additional funds for Cohen. Trump personally signed nine of the checks.

Prosecutors say there were no legal expenses or retainer agreement at the time.

Read more: Appeals court rejects Trump's latest attempt to delay April 15 hush money criminal trial

The key thing Manhattan Dist. Atty. Alvin Bragg must prove to jurors is that Trump instructed Cohen to make the payment to Daniels in an effort to influence the 2016 election by keeping damaging stories about him from being published.

Trump has said he sought to silence Daniels to keep his wife, Melania Trump, from learning about the allegations.

First, prosecutors and lawyers for Trump must whittle down a pool of hundreds of potential jurors. That process, which begins Monday, is expected to take up to two weeks. Prospective jurors will be asked to read out loud their responses to a 42-question jury questionnaire that asks about their news consumption, whether they have attended a Trump rally before and if they are members of the Proud Boys or QAnon. Once 12 jurors and six alternates are chosen, the trial can begin.

Does Trump have to be at the trial in person?

Yes. Manhattan Judge Juan Manuel Merchan has said he expects Trump in the courtroom every day that court is in session. The trial will take place Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for about six to eight weeks. Trial days are expected to last from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Trump is under a gag order prohibiting him from making or directing others to make public statements regarding counsel and court staff in the case.

Merchan on March 26 expanded his gag order to stop the former president from attacking family members of the judge, attorneys and staff involved in the case after Trump shared a barrage of social media posts about Merchan's daughter, claiming that her past work for Democratic clients makes her father biased.

Trump said April 6 on social media that going to jail for violating his gag order would be his "great honor."

"If this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the 'clink' for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH, I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela," Trump said in a Truth Social post.

Merchan has not threatened to jail the former president for disregarding the gag order. Rather, Trump could lose access to the names of jurors, Merchan said, if he engages in any conduct that threatens the safety and integrity of the jury or the jury selection process. That would prevent Trump's legal team from researching the jurors' public stances or political preferences ahead of the trial. Merchan has already ordered juror names to be kept from the public.

What punishment does Trump face?

All 34 charges are Class E felonies, the lowest category of felonies in New York. Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of four years.

Merchan has indicated that he takes white-collar crime seriously and could put Trump in prison, potentially to serve his terms concurrently if the former president is convicted of more than one count. Merchan could also instead sentence Trump to probation.

What will it mean politically?

Trump will be limited to campaigning only on weekends, evenings and Wednesdays for the length of the trial.

The verdict could come in late June or early July, just before Trump accepts his party's nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in mid-July.

During the Republican primary campaign, Trump used his four indictments to his advantage, portraying himself as a victim of politicized justice and effectively squeezing out his rivals. Whether that narrative holds when Americans see photos of him in a courtroom day after day is unknown.

Three polls conducted last year by the Associated Press and NORC asked respondents how they viewed the legality of Trumps actions in the four indictments against him. Only one third of respondents said they thought the hush money payment was illegally covered up.

Adult film actor Stormy Daniels in 2018. (Markus Schreiber / Associated Press)

Who will testify?

Trump has not yet said if he plans to testify in his defense.

Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and longtime fixer, is expected to be prosecutors' main witness. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal campaign finance violations related to facilitating payoffs to Daniels and Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, as well as to other crimes. He served more than a year in prison.

Daniels could also be called to testify along with McDougal, who in 2018 told CNN that she had a 10-month extramarital affair with Trump that began in 2006. Trump also denies this affair occurred.

McDougal was paid $150,000 by American Media Inc., the publisher of the National Enquirer, in August 2016 for the rights to her story about the alleged affair. The payment to McDougal and a $30,000 payment by the company to a former Trump Tower doorman who claimed that Trump had fathered a child out of wedlock with an employee, are not part of the case but are expected to be introduced by Bragg to show the breadth of the alleged scheme to influence the 2016 election.

American Media Inc. signed a nonprosecution agreement with the U.S. Justice Department in which it admitted paying McDougal to keep her from going public about her alleged affair and influencing the 2016 election. David Pecker, the Enquirer's publisher, could be called to testify.

Former White House communications director Hope Hicks, who was Trump's campaign press secretary in 2016, could also testify for the prosecution, potentially related to conversations about what Daniels' claims could do to the campaign. Former Trump assistant Madeleine Westerhout could also be called to the stand.

Read more: Stormy Daniels alleges in new documentary that Donald Trump cornered her the night they met

These are felony charges?

In New York, falsifying business records can be a misdemeanor or can be elevated to a felony if prosecutors prove that the records were falsified in an attempt to conceal another crime.

Bragg has accused Trump of concealing three crimes: a federal campaign finance violation, a state election-law crime and tax fraud. Bragg did not have to charge Trump with those crimes, or even prove those crimes occurred. He just has to prove there was intent to commit or conceal a second crime.

What about the other charges against Trump?

Trump has been indicted in three other criminal cases.

The federal case charging him with subverting the 2020 presidential election is on hold pending a Supreme Court decision on whether Trump can claim presidential immunity for acts taken while in office and avoid prosecution. The court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on April 25. It is expected to wait until the end of June to hand down a written ruling, though it could rule at any time after the oral argument.

The Florida-based federal case accusing Trump of refusing to return classified documents he took when leaving the White House also does not have a trial date. Trump asked for an August trial or a delay until after the election, while prosecutors asked for it to begin in July, soon after the Supreme Court is expected to rule on presidential immunity.

The state-level case in Georgia, in which Trump is accused of scheming to overturn the 2020 election, has been delayed for weeks by an effort by Trump and his co-defendants to remove Fulton County Dist. Atty. Fani Willis from the case because of a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee recently ruled that either Willis or Wade had to step away from the case, and Wade resigned. Trump's attorneys have appealed the decision, and a trial date still hasn't been set.

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Former President Trump on Wednesday urged House Republicans to spike a bill that would reauthorize the nations warrantless spy powers, conflating two provisions of the law that was used to spy on his campaign.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows the government to spy on foreigners located overseas, is set to expire April 19, leaving Congress scrambling over a reform package.

But as House Republicans gathered Thursday to discuss FISA, Trump urged them to kill the bill over a different section of the statute that allows domestic surveillance only once law enforcement has secured a warrant.

KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!! Trump wrote on his social media platform in the hours before the House GOP conference meeting.

While the FBI secured a warrant to spy on Trump campaign aide Carter Page, the application was later found to omit key information, excluding details that cut against the FBIs premise for surveillance.

House Intelligence Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) has noted abuses of the law, both in terms of foreign and domestic surveillance.

But the reform package spearheaded by his committee is designed to address both programs.

Trumps comments didnt address the nuance of the debate over the bill  largely over whether to approve an amendment that would require a warrant to review information on Americans collected when they communicate with foreigners who are being surveilled.

Still, the comment undercut Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who during the meeting pitched colleagues on approving the bill without a warrant requirement.

I look forward to talking with him about it, Johnson said of Trump. I mean, heres the thing about FISA  hes not wrong. Of course, they abused FISA. The whole Carter Page investigation  that whole fiasco was built on false premises, the fake Russian dossier and all the other things. But these reforms would actually kill the abuses that allow President Trumps campaign to be spied on.

The challenge from Trump comes at a crucial time for the Speaker  trying to navigate an issue that has divided his GOP colleagues for months and while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has floated a possible effort to oust him from the job.

It helps, said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who has said he plans to vote against the rule that would kick off debate on the matter, of Trumps post.

I do think that Ill have colleagues who will join me to try to get as much as we can to protect civil liberties in the Constitution. And these were views that the speaker deeply held, like, 20 minutes ago.

Meanwhile, proponents of the bill said it was a last-minute complication to a process already dragged down by months of GOP infighting.

It doesnt make it any easier, said Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) a House Intelligence member who backs the bill without a warrant requirement.

The Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act would prohibit political opposition research or media reports from being used as basis for securing a warrant for spying on U.S. citizens  targeting two sources of information used in applying for the warrant for Page.

And the bill requires notification of congressional leaders for some types of surveillance related to politicians.

But the bulk of the bill and its reforms are geared toward Section 702 and how law enforcement can access information on U.S. citizens that is swept up if they communicate with foreign targets being surveilled.

That includes a major winnowing of FBI personnel who can greenlight a query of the 702 database to review information on U.S. citizens  cutting from around 10,000 down to 550 those who can authorize a search.

It also requires an after-the-fact audit of U.S. queries and creates civil and criminal penalties for law enforcement found to be misusing the tool.

Nonetheless, Trumps post is another instance of the former president injecting further uncertainty in an already contentious debate.

While the majority of GOP lawmakers back reauthorizing the bill  some have issued a major caveat: a refusal to vote yes on the bill unless it includes a warrant requirement for reviewing information collected on Americans.

The House is set to consider an amendment to the bill to do just that  though its unclear if it has the votes to get attached to the legislation.

Updated at 11:34 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Trump's Abortion Stance Is Convenient, but That Does Not Mean He's Wrong

"On abortion," The New York Times claims, former President Donald Trump "chose politics over principles." In reality, Trump's recent clarification of his abortion position is one of those rare instances when political expedience coincides with constitutional principles.

In a Truth Social video posted on Monday, Trump said each state should be free to regulate abortion as its legislators and voters see fit. The result, he conceded, would be a wide range of policies, including liberal regimes that allow nearly all abortions as well as strict bans.

Through his Supreme Court appointments, Trump bragged, "I was proudly the person responsible for the ending of" Roe v. Wade, which for half a century overrode state policy choices by ruling out most abortion restrictions. With that obstacle removed, he said, "the will of the people" should prevail in each state.

That view jibes with what the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a longtime Roe foe, imagined would happen after the decision was overturned. Scalia complained that Roe "destroyed the compromises of the past, rendered compromise impossible for the future, and required the entire issue to be resolved uniformly, at the national level."

Trump's statement nevertheless provoked criticism from pro-life activists who want to renationalize the abortion issue in the opposite direction. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, was "deeply disappointed" by Trump's position, complaining that it "cedes the national debate to the Democrats who are working relentlessly to enact legislation mandating abortion throughout all nine months of pregnancy."

If those Democrats are successful, Dannenfelser warned, "they will wipe out states' rights." But the same could be said of Republicans who disregard Scalia's objection to Roe by trying to "uniformly" resolve the issue "at the national level."

In 2022, for example, Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.), who joined Dannenfelser in criticizing Trump's comments, proposed a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks of gestation. Although such a law would cover only a small percentage of abortions, the bill dismayed many of Graham's Republican colleagues in the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (RKy.) said most of them "prefer this be handled at the state level." Sen. John Cornyn (RTexas) likewise said "my preference would be for those decisions to be made on a state-by-state basis."

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (RW.Va.) concurred. "I don't think there's an appetite for a national platform here," she said. "I'm not sure what [Graham is] thinking," she added, "but I don't think there will be a rallying around that concept."

There was not. Graham's bill, which attracted just nine co-sponsors, died in committee.

What McConnell et al. described as a matter of "preference" and "appetite" is actually mandatory, because the Constitution does not give Congress the authority to regulate abortion. Graham implausibly invoked the 14th Amendment's guarantees of due process and equal protection, which apply to "any person," a category that he said includes fetuses.

Although some abortion opponents have long favored that interpretation, the Supreme Court explicitly rejected it in Roe and so far has declined to revisit the issue. More commonly, members of Congress, including Democrats seeking to protect abortion rights as well as Republicans trying to limit them, have relied on an absurdly broad understanding of the power to regulate interstate commerce that obliterates the constitutional distinction between state and federal authority.

Trump's embrace of abortion federalism makes political as well as constitutional sense. Republicans are dealing with the electoral fallout from Roe's reversal, including shifts in public opinion, rejection of stricter abortion policies by voters in red and purple states, and the surprisingly strong performance of Democrats who oppose those policies.

Given Trump's history of asserting extraconstitutional powers, his abortion stance probably is motivated by partisan concerns rather than federalist principles. But that does not mean he is wrong.

President Joe Biden, meanwhile, favors constitutionally unauthorized legislation that would re-establish a federal right to abortion. On this issue, Trump has improbably managed to claim the high ground.

 Copyright 2024 by Creators Syndicate Inc.

The post Trump's Abortion Stance Is Convenient, but That Does Not Mean He's Wrong appeared first on Reason.com.
FILE - Former President Donald Trump sits at the defense table with his legal team in a Manhattan court, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in New York. The first-ever trial of a former U.S. president will feature allegations that Trump falsified business records while compensating one of his lawyers, Michael Cohen, for burying stories about extramarital affairs that arose during the 2016 presidential race.(AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool)

NEW YORK (AP)  Donald Trump is now 0 for 3 in last-minute attempts to get a New York appeals court to delay his looming hush money criminal trial. An appeals court judge Wednesday swiftly rejected the latest salvo from the former presidents lawyers, who argued he should be on the campaign trail rather than in a courtroom defending himself starting next week.

Trump's lawyers had asked the states mid-level appeals court to halt the case indefinitely while they fight to remove the trial judge and challenge several of his pretrial rulings, which they argue have seriously hindered the presumptive Republican nominee's defense.

Justice Ellen Gesmers ruling, after a third straight day of emergency hearings on Trumps delay requests, was yet another loss for Trump, who has tried repeatedly to get the trial postponed. Barring further court action, the ruling clears the way for jury selection to begin next Monday.

Were here for this stay because there are restrictions in place that cannot operate in a constitutional way in a trial environment, Trump lawyer Emil Bove argued at the hearing, which was held in a court basement lobby because the regular courtroom was in use.

Its an incredibly important trial. Its a historic, unprecedented proceeding, Bove said, adding: This can only be done once and it must be done right.

Trumps hush-money case is the first of his four criminal indictments slated to go to trial and would be the first criminal trial ever of a former president.

Adding to a litany of complaints registered this week with the appeals court, Bove argued that trial Judge Juan Merchan exceeded his authority in refusing to postpone the case until the Supreme Court rules on an immunity claim Trump raised in another of his criminal cases. Trump's lawyers argue some evidence in the hush-money case could be excluded if the Supreme Court rules in his favor.

Merchan last week declared that request untimely, ruling that Trumps lawyers had myriad opportunities to raise the immunity issue before they finally did so in March, well after a deadline for pretrial motions had passed.

Steven Wu, the appellate chief for the Manhattan district attorneys office, echoed that sentiment at Wednesdays emergency hearing. He argued that Trump's lawyers had months to raise immunity and other issues and should not be rewarded with a delay at the eleventh hour.

Staying the trial at this point would be incredibly disruptive, Wu said. The court, the people, witnesses have made extraordinary efforts to make sure this trial can take place on Monday.

Theres a powerful public interest to ensure this criminal trial goes forward, he added.

Gesmer presided over the emergency hearing from an armchair, facing a hodgepodge of wooden seats, a collapsable table and a restroom.

Trump is accused of falsifying his companys records to hide the nature of payments to his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who helped Trump bury negative stories during his 2016 campaign. Cohens activities included paying porn actor Stormy Daniels $130,000 to suppress her claims of an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump years earlier.

Trump pleaded not guilty last year to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels. His lawyers argue the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.

Trump already struck out twice this week with the appeals court. One appeals court judge Monday rejected his bid to delay the trial while he seeks to move it out of Manhattan. A different judge on Tuesday denied a request, framed as part of a lawsuit against Merchan, that the trial be delayed while Trump fights a gag order imposed on him in recent weeks.

Trump's lawyers had asked Merchan last month to adjourn the New York trial indefinitely until Trumps immunity claim in his Washington, D.C., election interference case is resolved.

Trump contends he is immune from prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office. His lawyers have not raised that as a defense in the hush-money case, but they argued that some evidence  including Trumps social media posts about former lawyer Cohen  is from his time as president and should be excluded from the trial because of his immunity protections.

The Supreme Court is to hear arguments in that matter on April 25.

"This is a situation where a judge has exceeded his authority under circumstances with very, very serious federalism implications, Bove argued at Wednesday's emergency hearing.

Trump's lawyers also renewed their argument that Merchan should step aside from the case. They've accused him of bias and a conflict of interest, citing his daughters work as the head of a firm whose clients have included President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats.

Trump's lawyers filed a formal recusal request with Merchan last week. The judge rejected a similar request in August and has not ruled on Trumps pending request. The judge has also yet to rule on another defense delay request, which claims that Trump wont get a fair trial because of prejudicial media coverage.

Their recusal arguments are completely meritless," Wu argued.

Trump's lawyers also took issue with a protocol Merchan put in place last month to manage a flood of last-minute court filings. And, they revisited their complaints  aired at an emergency hearing Tuesday  about the gag order Merchan imposed on Trump last month that bars him from making public comments about witnesses, jurors and others regarding their connections to the case.

Trumps ability to campaign "is something thats protected under the First Amendment, for President Trump and the American people, Bove argued.
A Republican politician on Long Islandwho just last week held an umbrella over former President Donald Trumps head at the wake for a slain New York City police officerhas come under fire over a controversial plan to organize what critics contend is essentially a personal militia.

This is open season to kill, Barbara Powell, the president of Hempsteads NAACP branch, declared on Tuesday at a rally protesting Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakemans plan, which involves the creation of a list of deputized, armed civilians that can be deployed during emergencies.

The plan has been slammed by residents and Democratic legislators as potentially dangerous and a threat to local police authority.

In March, Blakeman and Nassau County Sheriff Anthony LaRocco put an ad on the countys website for residents to apply to be Provisional Emergency Special Deputy Sheriffs. According to the ad, the deputized civilians must be skilled in the use of firearms, and within 45 days of appointment must be trained and qualified on service weapon and complete basic training at the Academy in the NYS Penal law and Use of Force. Theyll receive a $150 stipend for every day on duty, it says.

According to Newsday, Blakeman says at least 25 former law enforcement and military veterans are undergoing refresher courses and will be ready to serve as deputized civilians in 30 days. Roughly 100 residents applied to be a part of the program before the March 31 deadline.

Blakeman and Sheriff LaRocco tout the legality of their plan by citing New York State County Law 655, which states, For the protection of human life and property during an emergency, the sheriff may deputize orally or in writing such number of additional special deputies as he deems necessary.

However, the plan has been deemed dangerous by Nassau County residents and legislators who rallied against Blakeman outside of the Nassau County Legislature on Tuesday in Mineola, New York.

They likened the special sheriffs deputies to a personal militia for Blakeman, noting that it remains unclear how they would work with the already sizable Nassau County Police Department. And there remain open questions about who the deputized civilians would answer to, how they would be held accountable, and how the county would bear the liability of the special force.

A protest outside the Nassau County Legislature on Monday. Zoe Hussain

Nassau County already has roughly 2,500 police officers, and the National Guard has previously stepped in to assist during emergencies like Hurricane Sandy. Critics point out that Nassau Countywhich just a couple of years ago was deemed the safest community in America by U.S. News and World Reportenjoys an exceedingly low crime rate.

The grounds for which Blakeman would declare a state of emergency are unclear. PIX11 asked Blakeman if hed consider a protest grounds to declare a state of emergency, to which he responded, So far our police have been able to handle any protest. But if there was a riot I would consider it, especially at the level they were burning buildings.

Some have accused the county executive of being more interested in another culture war than safely governing residents.

I think hes really out of step with the culture of Nassau County, and thats why the legislators havent heard any positive feedback about this idea. Its really out of step. Its not governing, its performance, said Kim Keiserman, a Democratic candidate for New York state Senate.

Blakemans office has yet to respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast.

In late February, Blakeman signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in girls sporting events in Nassau County facilities. That executive order, believed to be one of the first county-wide bans on transgender athletes in school sports, has already prompted legal back-and-forth between Blakeman and Attorney General Letitia James.

Blakeman has shown a willingness to lean in on the MAGA conformative culture wars, Keiserman said, but some residents were still shocked by the boldness of his militia plan.

Sabine Margolis, who started the Change.org petition Stop Bruce Blakemans Personal Nassau County Militia, which has received over 1,400 signatures, said she had chills down [her] spine when she heard about it.

Margolis described civilian deputies as getting in the way of who truly is supporting us, the police, the National Guard and FEMA.

What is he doing all day other than picking the bright and shiny culture war topic? Margolis continued.

His detractors also fear the plan will protect some while endangering othersnamely residents of color in Nassau County.

Queens organizer Lucy Zentgraf, who attended Tuesdays rally, pointed to the Brownshirts in Nazi Germany.

I believe that historically, arming and deputizing large groups of people has always been a form of fascistic violence, she said.

Blakeman, who is Jewish, has called the Nazi analogy deeply offensive and held a press conference last week at the Holocaust Museum in Glen Clove to call out one of his criticsDelia Deriggi-Whitton, the minority leader of the Nassau County legislaturewho had mentioned in a local news report that her residents were making Holocaust comparisons.

She has no right to be a public officer and a public servant in this county She should go away. She should resign, Blakeman insisted at the press conference.

Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages (DValley Stream) said shed spoken with parents of children of color who were fearful following the announcement of Blakemans plan.

God forbid a young man wearing a hood is out about minding [their] business during this so-called state of emergency and god forbid an overzealous, George Zimmerman type of person thinks that young man is a danger that would cause our entire county and our nation to be set back in terms of race relations, Solages said.

Blakeman isnt the only politician devising ways to deputize civilians. In 2023, Texas Republicans pushed for legislation that would allow civilians to be deputized to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants. Gov. Ron DeSantis also visited Eagle Pass, Texas, last year to announce an immigration platform that focused on deputizing state and local governments to enforce immigration laws.

Blakeman was elected as Nassau County legislator in November 2021, defeating Democratic incumbent Laura Curran by less than 2 percent. He ran on a platform of lowering taxes and clamping down on bail reform and immigration. He also instated a program called Operation Overwatch, which put more police officers on the streets of Nassau County in response to what Blakeman described as a rise in crime and violence on a local and national scale.

This is another disturbing example of our county executive veering so far out of his lane by devoting his attention on issues that dont exist and arent likely to exist instead of concentrating on his job and addressing the problems the residents of Nassau County are experiencing every day, said Nassau County Legislator Arnold Drucker (D-Plainview) to Tuesdays crowd.

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.
"You Are A Culinary Colonizer": People Are Calling For A Boycott Of David Chang's Momofuku After The Company Sent Cease-And-Desists To Asian-Owned Businesses

Note: This post was updated on Wednesday, April 10 to include a statement from a Momofuku spokesperson.

If you're a food lover, you're probably familiar with David Chang. As one of the most visible celebrity chefs of our time, Chang is perhaps best known for founding the Momofuku restaurant group in 2004, which sparked nearly two decades of TV shows (like Netflix's Ugly Delicious), media appearances, and books.

Greg Doherty / Getty Images

In 2018, he launched the brand's consumer packaged goods line, Momofuku Goods, which sells Asian-inspired groceries like "restaurant-grade" soy sauce and air-dried instant noodles. Shortly after launching, the brand added "chili crunch" to its roster to capitalize on Americans' rapidly growing appetite for chili crisp, a sweet and spicy, umami-packed chili oil condiment that's been a household staple in China (and many other Asian countries) for centuries.

BuzzFeed

Late last week, David Chang, Momofuku, and their chili crunch offering became the main characters in a heated PR crisis. On Thursday, the Guardian reported that Momofuku sent cease-and-desist letters to at least seven companies that branded their condiments as "chili crunch" or "chile crunch" as they attempt to trademark the former with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

It's worth noting that Momofuku has owned the trademark rights to "chile crunch" since last year as part of a legal settlement with Chile Colonial, a Denver-based company that produces a Mexican version of chili crisp (similar to salsa macha)  to which Momofuku now licenses the "chile crunch" trademark.

Homiah, a brand that sells a Malaysian sambal chili crunch product, was seemingly one of the first companies to make news of the cease-and-desist public. Founder Michelle Tew told the Guardian that the letter claimed Homiah's product to be a "trademark infringement" and that the company had 90 days to cease using the "chili crunch" trademark.

In the caption to an Instagram post, Tew expressed how "shocked and disappointed" she was to be legally threatened by "a well-known and respected player in the Asian food industry"  all for "selling a product that is part of [her] family's history and culture."

MiLa, a company specializing in frozen soup dumplings and founded by husband-and-wife team Caleb Wang and Jen Liao, posted a similar statement on Instagram after receiving their own cease-and-desist from Momofuku, stating that there's "plenty of room for others to share their authentic flavors and cultural experiences."

Jing Gao, founder of Fly By Jing (and frequently cited as one of the most central figures in popularizing chili crisps in the States), has also publicly spoken out against Momofuku in recent days through Instagram and her Substack newsletter  though, according to the LA Times, Fly By Jing recently applied to trademark "Sichuan chili crisp" and "Chengdu crunch" before withdrawing the applications shortly after.

In the hundreds of comments across all three posts, the public's inherent frustration with Momofuku is palpable. Many commenters (including the beloved online community Subtle Asian Baking) call for Chang to apologize to the AAPI community for "bullying" smaller Asian-owned businesses.

Getty Images / Instagram

Others focused on the hypocrisy of Chang, a Korean American chef, seeking to trademark the name of a condiment with Chinese roots, insinuating that Chang "got famous" off of non-Korean foods and is now trying to "monopolize the market." (In case you didn't realize: The entire Momofuku empire is a nod to Momofuku Ando, the Taiwanese Japanese inventor who created instant noodles and founded Nissin Foods.)

Getty Images / Instagram

Several small Asian markets and grocers (like Rice Market in Washington, DC) also pledged their commitment to no longer sell Momofuku Goods products in their stores as a result of the company's decision.

Getty Images / Instagram

As the drama made its way to X (aka Twitter) and TikTok over the weekend, even more discourse ensued  particularly among AAPI creators and public figures. In a tweet seen by nearly 150,000 X users, Chef Jon Kung said that community approval doesn't matter "if all you want to do is win," nodding to Chang's money-amassing Momofuku empire; last year, Momofuku Goods alone brought in $50 million.

Momofuku trademarking chili crunch shows that having the approval of your community doesnt matter if all you want to do is win. He didnt want to be the best. He doesnt want to be respected by AAPI. He wants to be the who white suburbanites reach for when theyre at Erewhon.  Jon Kung (@ChefJonKung) April 5, 2024

Twitter: @ChefJonKung

"He doesn't want to be respected by AAPI," they wrote. "He wants to be the [one] who white suburbanites reach for when they're at Erewhon."

Additionally, nearly half a million X users saw Simu Liu's viral tweet challenging Momofuku to a "blind taste test of both [their] 'chili crunch' sauces." (Simu Liu is, as of last year, the previously-mentioned MiLa's Chief Content Officer.)

Hey @momofuku, I hear you're bullying businesses over use of the term 'chili crunch'. As Chief Content Officer of MiLa, I propose a blind taste test of both our 'chili crunch' sauces. Winner keeps the name, loser (it'll be you) backs off.Game on? ;)https://t.co/jidHIBQzf3  Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) April 5, 2024

Twitter: @SimuLiu

In a reply to another X user, he reiterated that there's "room for all in the marketplace," and that Momofuku's attempt to trademark chili crunch "is like trying to claim 'ketchup' or 'mayo.'"

Appreciate it :) Asian chili crunches actually predate all of our businesses and will endure long after. Trying to claim ownership of it is like trying to claim 'ketchup' or 'mayo'. There's room for all in the marketplace, from the mom and pops to the MiLas and Momos!  Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) April 5, 2024

Twitter: @SimuLiu

His point is one that's very much worth considering. Sure, chili crisps or crunches (or whatever other descriptor you could toss in) may not carry the same weight as ketchup or mayonnaise here in the States. But judging by the condiment's burst in popularity over the past few years, it might not be far off from reaching the status of another well-known Asian condiment that once took the United States by storm: sriracha.

Julie Clopper / Getty Images

David Tran, the Vietnam-born founder of Huy Fong Foods (the first company to popularize the Thai-inspired sriracha hot sauce condiment in the US), never attempted to trademark "sriracha." Instead, he trademarked the logo, including the iconic rooster and green cap. He even claimed that his brand had received "free advertising" over the years thanks to unrestricted use of the word sriracha. Throughout the recent Huy Fong sriracha shortage  a dark time in my household!  we saw that free advertising played out in real time. With minimal quantities of Huy Fong sriracha sauces available globally, people still craved the "original" despite having access to some uber-delicious, newer contenders in the sriracha market.

Amidst growing calls for the boycott of Momofuku products and businesses, as illustrated by the slew of negative comments on recent or pinned posts from the brand, it's impossible to know if all the brands who received cease-and-desists will comply or choose to enter costly legal battles instead. According to the Guardian, several smaller businesses they spoke with have already given in to Momofuku's demands and refused to go on the record with the publication about their experience for fear of retaliation.

Instagram / Getty Images

According to Stephen Coates, the lawyer representing Homiah, Momofuku's decision to target smaller businesses with limited cash lying around to fund a lawsuit is by design. "This is a clear case of them picking on small businesses with a letter campaign, hoping they'll cave because of the financial pressure," he told the Guardian. "The phrase that I would use to refer to Momofuku, in this case, is a trademark bully."

If there's one sneaky silver lining of this dispute for everyone who's not Momofuku, it's the enhanced visibility and reach that comes with such a public battle. As consumer branding and marketing expert @shwinnabego says in a viral TikTok, social media users (and chili crisp fans) everywhere are now making a concerted effort to support the brands affected. "David Chang's bullying of these other chili crunch brands is possibly one of the better things that could happen to them," he says.

@shwinnabego / Via tiktok.com

Case in point: People are using their platforms to boost AAPI-run chili crisp businesses, and as a result, some are noticing increased visibility and brand awareness.

Make sure you all check out all these amazing AAPI-run small businesses, each with their own delicious chili crunch sauces: pic.twitter.com/fWici2UOEp  Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) April 9, 2024

Twitter: @SimuLiu

On Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for Momofuku responded to BuzzFeed's request for comment. Here's what they said:

"At Momofuku weve made it our mission to increase the diversity of the American palate  through restaurants and now through our home cooking products. We're proud to stand alongside so many AAPI-founded brands making enormous and long-overdue changes in the space.

Over the past year, we have seen multiple businesses that sold chili crisp products rebrand themselves to use the words Chili Crunch. From day one, we have said were proud to join this incredible tradition of crunchy-spicy sauces from around the world. That remains true. When we created our product, we wanted a name we could own and intentionally picked Chili Crunch to further differentiate it from the broader chili crisp category, reflecting the uniqueness of Chili Crunch, which blends flavors from multiple culinary traditions. We worked with a family-owned company called Chile Colonial to purchase the trademark from them. They have defended the trademark previously against companies like Trader Joes.

Setting this precedent is important to defend brands making innovative strides in new categories from having their work copied by much larger players. Failure to defend our trademark against any size company would leave us without recourse against these larger players who often try to enter categories on the rise. Our intent has never been to stifle innovation in a category that we care deeply about.

As we've said in our engagement with these companies, our goal is and has been to find an amicable resolution  not to harm the competition that makes this category so vibrant. And that is what were trying to do."
Two new car washes could be coming to Grand Rapids

Two new car washes could be coming to Grand Rapids

Editors note: The video in the player above aired on July 21, 2023.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Tommys Express is working to bring two new car washes to Grand Rapids.

The Holland-based car wash company is looking to build a car wash at 1216 Leonard St. NE near Fuller Avenue, and another at 487 28th St. SE near Madison Avenue.

Heres why Holland has so many car washes

Both projects are in the early stages of development, a Tommys Express spokesperson told News 8 in an email, and the company is working on permitting with the city.

There is no set timeline for either location yet.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Tommys Express previously said it is expected to open between 40 to 50 locations this year. At least 15 of those are planned for Michigan, according to its website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch

Its an impossible job. The Lord Jesus himself could not manage this conference. You just cant do it.

So said Republican Rep. Troy Nehls, speaking to CNN on Wednesday morning. Hows that for an election-year bumper sticker for a party that will soon enjoy a one-vote House majority?

Its hard to find something new and interesting to say about the state of the House GOP, particularly if you write a daily newsletter about the foibles of populism. The dysfunction had already reached historic levels by the close of business on day one of this congressional term last year before descending into truly unprecedented misery nine months later. Weve all gotten used to it. Nowadays, when some House Republican calls for upwards of half of his GOP colleagues to lose their next elections, no one blinks.

Even so: Do you realize just how bad things have gotten lately?

For instance, this bon mot from a certain ex-member with lots of allies in the conference circulated widely on social media on Wednesday.

Kevin McCarthy refers to Matt Gaetz:



"I'll give you the truth why I'm not speaker. It's because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old  Did he do it or not? I don't know."



 via @MoElleithee @GUPolitics pic.twitter.com/DFZxpdgxF9  Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) April 10, 2024

Elsewhere, some Republicans have moved past merely hoping that their colleagues will be primaried and opted to actively participate in the effort to see them defeated. Matt Gaetz recently rallied Republican voters against Mike Bost of Illinois and Tony Gonzales of Texas, while in Virginia a number of House GOPers have backed an effort to oust Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good.

Bob Good didnt come here to govern. He came here to be famous, Derrick Van Orden, a Wisconsin Republican, told CNN. Bob Goods wearing our jersey, and hes not on the team. A defiant Good hit back. Theyve never heard of Derrick Van Orden, he said of his constituents. They could care less what Derrick Van Orden thinks.

Mind you, all of that came after Speaker Mike Johnson warned his members not to campaign against each other.

The starkest ugliness between members has played out on the subject of Ukraine, though. In the past week, two different Republican committee chairmen have charged elements of their own party with being useful idiots for Moscow. Russian propaganda has infected a good chunk of my partys base, Rep. Michael McCaulchair of the Foreign Affairs Committeeclaimed, pointing to right-wing media. Asked about McCauls assessment, Intelligence Committee Chair Michael Turner pronounced it absolutely true and added, darkly, that some of that propaganda has even been uttered on the House floor.

He didnt name any names, but he didnt have to:

Marjorie Taylor Greene once again does Putins bidding:



This is a war on Christianity. The Ukrainian government is attacking ChristiansRussia is not doing that. They are not attacking Christianity. As a matter of fact, they seem to be protecting it. pic.twitter.com/QEMYN1BLDn  Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) April 8, 2024

Congressional conferences will quarrel internally from time to time. But accusing ostensible political allies of being dupes for Russian fascists or enemies of Christianity is the sort of bristling cutthroat animosity usually limited to knife fights between the parties, not between factions of the same one.

Its a new level of dysfunction. At the heart of it sit Mike Johnson and Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Every successful revolutionary movement eventually splits. One wing, the pragmatists, begins to compromise on revolutionary ideals as it confronts the realities of governing. The other, the purists, clings to those ideals and inevitably accuses the pragmatists of having betrayed the cause by moderating.

Mike Johnson is a pragmatist; Marjorie Taylor Greene is a purist.

But its not that simple. The MAGA revolution is also complicated by the fact that its never been fully clear what its about. What would it even mean to betray the MAGA cause? What is that cause?

There is some ideological content to Donald Trumps politics. If MAGA means anything, it means sealing the border and preventing undesirables from, ahem, poisoning the blood. (Immigrants from nice countries are free to poison, of course.) Theres lots of argle-bargle about draining the swamp too, although in practice the swamp has never meant much more than anyone who disagrees with the right generally and Trump specifically.

As we were reminded fewer than 72 hours ago, Trump can be maddeningly hard to pin down on most matters of policy. Even on the hot-button subject of Ukraine, hes never been so bold as to call for defunding the war effort. His big idea of late has been to package any new military aid as a loan, not a giftas though the Ukrainians will ever conceivably have the means to repay it.

The thinness of Trumps agenda has left the nature of his movement subject to debate. Hes a populist and a nationalist broadly speaking, sure, but at base Trumps revolution is about Trump: The narcissistic black hole around which the Republican Party now orbits means that members highest duty is to support his attempts to gain and keep power for himself. Everything beyond thatabortion, foreign alliances, government spending, and so onmay or may not truly be part of the cause depending on your point of view.

While its clear that Trump would prefer a post-liberal form of government for America in the abstract, its also clear that his own aggrandizement takes precedence. Given a choice between a populist, authoritarian executive branch led by Ron DeSantis and a traditional executive branch constrained by classic civic norms led by himself, is there even a faint doubt as to which he would choose?

Because Trumps movement is thin on policy and thick on loyalty, I think Mike Johnson and Marjorie Taylor Greene have different understandings of what the MAGA revolution requires of them in keeping with their pragmatic and purist sensibilities, respectively. They represent what we might call the two MAGAs. And, as tends to happen when revolutions fracture, one of them now wants to kill the other.

Professionally, I mean, not literally. This isnt Russia. Sorry, Marjorie.

Johnson is an unlikely revolutionary figure. Hes soft-spoken, buttoned-up, and has traditionally taken a hard line on socially conservative policies, an awkward fit for Trumps post-Christian GOP. But he also played a key role in Trumps scheme to stop Congress from certifying Joe Bidens victory in 2020. He may not look MAGA, but abetting a coup plot is pretty darned MAGA.

Greene is more recognizably revolutionary. Shes a kook of long standing, enough so to have treated this weeks solar eclipse and the recent earthquake in New York City as evidence that God wants America to repent. She has a taste for violent political fantasies and an appetite for political purges: After Trump won the New Hampshire primary in February, effectively clinching the Republican nomination, it was Greene who crowed about eradicating right-wingers who dont share his agenda from the party.

She and Johnson are each loyal Trump toadies, as all proper MAGA revolutionaries must be. But Greene seems to believe that the revolution has a distinct, robust post-liberal policy program, one that begins with not undermining international authoritarian hero Vladimir Putin. Johnson, on the other hand, seems to believe that the revolution requires him to serve Donald Trumps quest for powerbut not much beyond that, leaving him free to go his own way on policy.

Their respective roles within the House conference suit their different interpretations of the revolution. Johnson, the pragmatist with the gavel, worries that unpopular policies and ongoing dysfunction might damage the GOPs chances of holding onto its majority in November. He urged Greene and her sympathizers on Wednesday to accept the reality that governing with a tiny majority means Republicans cant impose their will on legislation.

Greene, the purist, seems to believe that failing to impose ones will legislatively derives at best from a lack of nerve and at worst from secret establishmentarian sympathies hidden behind defeatist mutterings about reality. She doesnt worry about governing or protecting a fragile majority, especially now that her friend and patron Kevin McCarthy is out of power. She can be a revolutionary in full, raging against a corrupt leadership as though she were a member of the House minority. Perhaps, quietly, she hopes her party will be back in the minority in the next Congress, as that would suit her outsider orientation.

In fairness to her, there is reason to think Mike Johnson is more of a closet establishmentarian than he lets on.

Consider this: In his six months as speaker, how many times has he taken a stance on a major policy thats aligned him with Greenes post-liberal purist MAGA faction? Theyre both revolutionaries; one would think hed be pretty radical in his preferences, if not quite as radical as her. Having replaced squishy establishmentarian Kevin McCarthy in the top spot, he seemed poised to steer the Republican conference in a hard-right nationalist direction. Has he?

With one important exception, not at all. Johnson has been every bit the governing moderate that McCarthy was.

He averted a government shutdown by passing a funding bill that more than half of his own conference opposed. He backed another bill to ban TikTok from American app stores unless and until its sold to a U.S. company, knowing that Trump was against it. This week hes lobbying his members to reauthorize the law that permits warrantless surveillance overseas (with little success thus far), again despite opposition from Trump. And as icing on the cake, hes reportedly planning to put something on the floor next week that will provide new funding for Ukraine, a red line for the GOPs many Russia simps.

Under his leadership, the current Republican majority has functioned more like a bipartisan coalition with Democrats supplying most of the votes. That doesnt reek of burn it all down revolutionary fervor.

The one important exception when Johnson put aside his pragmatist leanings and went to the mat for some MAGA priority came when he declared the Senates immigration compromise dead on arrival in the House. Which makes sense: If, as Ive said, border enforcement accounts for most of the policy energy in Trumps revolution then Johnson truly couldnt have backed the Senate billor any immigration bill that failed to meet every last Republican demandwithout betraying the cause.

But it makes sense for another reason. Trump strongly opposed that immigration bill, fearing that it might meaningfully reduce border traffic and boost public support for Joe Biden before Election Day, ensuring Trumps defeat. Because Johnson believes that the MAGA revolution requires him to help Trump gain power, he was therefore obliged to block that bill just as surely as he was obliged to assist Trumps coup plot before January 6.

As a further case in point, I laughed aloud when this news bulletin flashed across Twitter while I was writing this newsletter:

NEWS w/ @KristenhCNN: Speaker Mike Johnson is making plans to deliver a joint press conference with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, focused on "election integrity," per sources.



Plans still fluid, but comes as Johnson is facing a threat to his speakership from MTG.  Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) April 10, 2024

Once again, Mike Johnson is fulfilling his revolutionary duty to abet Donald Trumps quest for power by hook or by crook, in this case seeding doubt about the legitimacy of the coming election the same way he did the last one. But thats all that the revolution demands of him, in his view; in exchange for supporting Trumps electoral gambits, hes expecting Trump to give him and the House Republican conference a wide berth in taking conventional positions on matters like TikTok, foreign surveillance, and Ukraine.

Greene believes the revolution requires more of her, and of him. The funding of Ukraine must end, she said on Wednesday following a long meeting with Johnson as her procedural sword of Damocles dangles over his head.

Two MAGAs, one purist and the other more pragmatic. How does this revolutionary disagreement end?

In the short term, its likely to end the way most internal political disputes end. Itll get papered over.

Trumps states rights abortion gambit seems well suited to bring the two revolutionary factions together. MAGA purists dont care much about abortion on the merits; their illiberal passions lie in more tribal aspects of the culture war, as Kari Lakes sudden turnabout on federal abortion restrictions this week made clear. Wherever Marjorie Taylor Greene lands with respect to Trumps new policy, I promise his position wont trouble her the way him siding with Ukraine against Russia would. Shell accommodate him.

MAGA pragmatists like Johnson, meanwhile, will be forced to reckon with the fact that Trumps abortion position is plainly designed to maximize his chances of regaining the presidency. A committed pro-lifer like the speaker might be grieved by the thought of forfeiting a chance to limit abortion nationally, but his revolutionary duty is what it is. When Trumps electoral needs conflict with pragmatism on policy, as they did with the Senate immigration compromise, then policy must yield. Johnson will accommodate him too.

The revolutionary picture is cloudier long-term for the simple reason that Donald Trumps quest for power will end one way or another on November 5. Either hell win reelection and be term-limited (hopefully) or hell lose again and retire (hopefully). If he wins, his desires will largely dictate the policy preferences of congressional Republicans for the next four years. Pragmatists and purists may be unhappy with some of those positions for electoral or ideological reasons, respectively, but no ones going to betray the revolution by breaking sharply with its leader.

What if Trump loses, though, and starts to fade as a political force at long last?

Its possible the two factions would do what revolutionaries usually do amid a power vacuum, indulging in vicious recriminations and jockeying for primacy in leading the movement forward. The pragmatists would have an advantage in that case, as House Republicans who have never fully warmed to Trumps movement would doubtless prefer to be led by a Mike Johnson than by a Marjorie Taylor Greene.

The House GOP conference could even splinter amid a Trump hangover. Those who never quite shed their conservative sympathies might seek to revert to Reaganism; diehard revolutionaries like Greene would double down on Trumpism or an even more morally loathsome form of nationalism; others would grope toward a reformist post-Trumpism that continues to prioritize culture-war battles but with less hugging of autocrats, threatening of judges, and saluting of insurrectionists.

Left to their devices, I think thats what Republicans would do. The two MAGAs would become three or possibly more distinct parties in microcosm, insofar as they arent already. The diehards would probably end up marginalized due to the nascent desire among the great majority of their colleagues for a less chaotic GOP.

But if theres one organizing theme of this relentlessly pessimistic newsletter, its that the Republican Partys journey into illiberalism is driven from the bottom up, not the top down.

The Trump problem will end sooner or later but the true problem could drag on for decades. So long as most House districts are ruthlessly gerrymandered, so long as populist right-wing media feeds the grassroots appetite for illiberalism, the electoral pressure on House Republicans will point them toward revolutionary purification.

That will lead to many more years out of power than a more pragmatic approach to politics might deliver, but oh well. Revolutions are much more romanticand fun to participate inwhen theyre tearing down the system instead of running it.

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.
EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  Police arrested two men for suspected theft in separate incidents at the same Dicks Sporting Goods in El Cajon on Monday.

Around 1:45 p.m., a San Diego man allegedly stole a pair of Nike Air Force Ones and clothing from Dicks Sporting Goods located at the Parkway Plaza shopping center, according to a release from the El Cajon Police Department.

Man killed in assault near El Cajon shopping center

The man, identified as 29-year-old Cedric Hunt, also had a warrant for his arrest and a nearly decade-long history with mostly theft-related offenses, police said. He was caught and booked into the county jail.

Later that day, around 6:10 p.m., another man was spotted stealing various items from the same store. Police said 39-year-old Ignacio Hernandez of San Diego was caught a short distance away with all of the stolen property.

Hernandez also has a lengthy arrest history, according to police, and was released on a citation. The stolen property was returned to the store.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A protester sits in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C.(Photo by Win McNamee | Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger sought to ease concerns from the lawmakers in charge of his agencys budget on Wednesday, saying the department is preparing for major upcoming events  including another potential Jan. 6  by trying to grow the size of its force and overhauling its intelligence gathering activities.

During an hour-long hearing in front of the House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee, Manger argued the agency is far better positioned than in the past to address the safety of members both in the Capitol complex and at their residences, though at one point he said USCPs resources are strained.

Manger also noted USCP has fallen behind and is trying to enhance protection for House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, and Senate Speaker pro tempore Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, since they are second and third in the line of presidential succession, respectively.

The U.S. Secretary of State, who sits fourth in the line of succession below both those lawmakers, has a security detail three times larger than anything USCP provides, Manger told the committee.

We know weve got to expand the protection for the individuals that are in the line of succession, he said. We cant just go back to the days when we said, Well, well just follow them around and well make sure theyre well protected wherever they are, because their homes, their families are at risk.

Improvements since insurrection

Several members of the panel pressed Manger about how exactly the agency has updated its thinking, staffing and tactics since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol building by pro-Trump rioters. Dozens of police officers were injured in that attack and two law enforcement officers died as a result of that day.

The insurrection disrupted Congress certifying the Electoral College votes to affirm President Joe Bidens win in the election. That was the first time the United States didnt have a peaceful transition of power.

Votes must be certified again by Congress on Jan. 6, 2025, following this Novembers presidential election.

Illinois Democratic Rep. Mike Quigley asked Manger during the hearing about USCPs response plan for a threat that would require additional police officers to come in quickly.

Manger said the department has already started preparing for the election, the next January 6, the inauguration.

We already have committed hundreds of police officers from allied organizations. And by the time we get to those dates, we could have thousands of trained law enforcement officers So the cavalry will be here on site for all the big events.

Manger said USCP is able to maintain relationships with other law enforcement agencies, in part, because those other agencies are reimbursed for helping.

In addition to keeping that funding stream available, USCP needs the spending panel to preserve retention bonuses to try to reduce attrition.

We need for people to stay for the conventions, for the election, for the next January 6, for the inauguration and beyond, Manger said, implying retention bonuses will help to do that.

Anticipating a threat

One of the largest criticisms of USCP following the Jan. 6 attack was that its intelligence operation failed to realize the extent of the threat to the Capitol and the lawmakers inside, an issue that Manger said has been addressed in the last three years.

Its night and day, he said.

We have U.S. Capitol Police employees that are sitting in joint operation centers, that are sitting in other agencies, so that we immediately get that information, he testified. But were also doing two things that werent being done very well before, in my view.

USCP is now analyzing intelligence to see what threats are credible and sharing those with its own officers on a daily basis.

The department also has a new working relationship with the National Guard, including Mangers ability to call up troops without needing to wait on anyone elses approval, though he seemed wary of doing that during a crisis.

I will tell you that the National Guard is terrific, Manger said. But what I really need is trained, equipped law enforcement officers, who are trained in crowd control, civil disturbance. And, again, if we need it, we will have thousands of those on our campus.

Outside of responding to possibly large-scale attacks on Congress, USCP should expand its presence at airports in the Washington, D.C. area, according to the panels ranking member Adriano Espaillat, a New York Democrat.

Lawmakers traveling through airports, Espaillat said, are subject to threats.

I think there needs to be a greater presence in the airport, he said.

Manger said USCP tries to accommodate all lawmakers who request police escorts through airports and noted it has people at the three main airports in the Washington, D.C., region.

Police budget

The fiscal 2025 budget request for Capitol Police proposes that Congress approve $636.5 million for salaries and $263.8 million for general expenses.

USCPs current funding bill, approved in March, provides the agency with a total spending level of $791.5 million, with $588.6 million of that dedicated to salaries and $202.8 million for general expenses.

The House and Senate Appropriations committees will likely release their respective spending bills in the late spring or early summer. The spending process is unlikely to wrap up before Election Day.

The post U.S. Capitol Police chief describes preparations for possible post-election turmoil appeared first on Daily Montanan.
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  The United States Census Bureau is seeking temporary Field Representatives in Urbana to help conduct a Partial Special Census this fall.

Urbana Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin said that due to the COVID-19 shutdown, many University of Illinois students left Urbana just before the Census date on April 1, 2020. Therefore, these students were not counted as residents, resulting in a 7% drop in the citys official Census population.

Danville agencies, politicians prepare for new jobs, resources after Quaker factory closure

In an attempt to fix this discrepancy, the Partial Special Census will send Urbana Field Representatives to recount select campus neighborhoods that were impacted the most. The Special Census will also include residents in several multifamily housing complexes that were built after 2020.

We estimate that we are losing $750,000 or more annually due to the 2020 undercount. Over the 10-year period between official Census counts, this will add up to a loss of millions of dollars, Marlin said. The more accurate our count, the more our community will benefit.

Representatives will work from August through November. There is a starting wage of $18.83 per hour. There are currently several positions available with more to come in the near future.

Those interested can apply through usajobs.gov.

Census outreach will begin in late August ahead of the October 15 official date.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
The Biden administration believes that an Iranian attack on Israel is imminent, according to a Bloomberg report released Wednesday.

The dramatic escalation would come days after a strike on an Iranian mission in Damascus killed a top Iranian commander and other IRGC officials. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack and vowed to retaliate.

The Israeli military has been on heightened alert for possible attacks from Iran in the aftermath of the assassination, although it has not publicly claimed responsibility for the deadly Damascus strike. The Israeli Defense Forces have been preparing for a possible strike from Tehran by boosting air defenses, jamming GPS, and canceling leave for soldiers in combat units.

The attack could come in the form of missile or drone strikes against Israeli government sites, Bloomberg reported. The attack could come from Iran or from its proxies in the region, according to Bloomberg.

As the situation threatened to spiral, Germanys Lufthansa airline announced Wednesday that it is canceling flights to and from Tehran due to the current situation in the Middle East.

We are constantly monitoring the situation in the Middle East and are in close contact with the authorities. The safety of our guests and crew members is Lufthansas top priority, a spokesperson said, according to Reuters.

The White House National Security Council declined to comment.

Irans Revenge Threat Sparks Panicked Preparations in Israel

President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Iran is threatening a significant attack on Israel. He added in his remarks that the United States commitment to Israel is iron-clad.

As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel's security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad. Let me say it again, ironclad. We're gonna do all we can to protect Israel's security, the president said.

Iranian officials have signaled for months a hesitation to trigger an all-out war with Israel despite frequent attacks in recent months by Iranian-backed proxies, such as Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated that he believes Israel should be punished for the attack in Damascus.

When the Zionist regime attacks an Iranian consulate in Syria, it is as if it has attacked Iranian soil. That malicious regime has made a wrong move. It should be punished, and it will be punished, Khamenei said on Twitter.

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz later tweeted at Khamenei with a warning that if Iran attacks Israel, Israel will respond in kind.

If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will react and attack in Iran, Katz 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.
The U.S. and Japan announced a historic upgrade to their security alliance Wednesday, as President Joe Biden hosts Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for an official visit that highlights Japans role in countering China in the Asia-Pacific.

Through our partnership, we have strengthened the alliance. We have expanded our work together. Weve raised our shared ambitions, Biden said in his opening remarks at a joint news conference in the White House Rose Garden. And now the U.S.-Japan alliance is a beacon to the entire world.

The official visit, the first by a Japanese leader in nine years, comes amid differences between the two countries over the proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel by a Japanese company.

Kishida addressed Bidens opposition to the deal at the news conference, saying he hoped these discussions will unfold in directions that would be positive for both sides, according to the translation.

Investment from Japan to the U.S. can only increase upwards in the months and years to come, Kishida said. And we wish to cement this win-win relationship.

Biden said he stands by his commitment to American workers: Im a man of my word. Im going to keep it.

On Tuesday, the Bidens welcomed Kishida and his wife at the White House before they had dinner. The Biden-Kishida summit Wednesday was followed by a formal state dinner featuring dry-aged rib-eye steak, cherry blossoms and a performance by Paul Simon.

From left, Yuko Kishida, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden and Jill Biden at the South Portico of the White House (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP - Getty Images)

On Thursday, Kishida will address a joint meeting of Congress, becoming only the second Japanese leader to do so after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015. Then he will participate in trilateral talks with the U.S. and the Philippines that are the first of their kind.

Kishida concludes his trip Friday with a stop in North Carolina, where, according to Japanese media, he will visit the construction site of a new electric vehicle battery factory for the Japanese automaker Toyota that is expected to generate 5,000 jobs for U.S. workers.

In recent years, Japan has experienced a sea change in its perceptions of its security environment, as well as its role in it, said John Hemmings, senior associate director at the Pacific Forum research institute in Honolulu.

Theyve become this sort of key enabler for the evolution of our security architecture, he said.

Since he took office in 2021, Kishida has increased defense spending in Japan, a major shift in a country whose pacifist constitution has limited its military to self-defense since it lost World War II. Japan has also eased a postwar ban on the export of lethal weapons and has been a leader in establishing security groupings such as the Quad, which also includes the U.S., India and Australia.

The changes are driven by what Tokyo views as growing aggression by China, as well as creeping doubts about the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific and its reliability as an ally.

The U.S.-Japan summit, which is focused primarily on security, is meant to reassure Tokyo about the U.S. commitment to the security alliance, said Rana Mitter, a professor of U.S.-Asia relations at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Its a very public signal that even though the Biden administration has been working to improve relations with China, it is not turning away from its allies in the region, he said.

Biden and Kishida announced plans to upgrade the U.S. military command structure in Japan, which hosts about 54,000 U.S. personnel, as Tokyo prepares for a new joint headquarters that will oversee all of its military operations. The two countries will also establish a military-industrial council to explore what kinds of defense weapons the U.S. and Japan can produce together.

The idea, Hemmings said, is to make the U.S. and Japanese militaries much more capable of dealing with a near-peer adversary.

The two leaders said Japan was among the countries being considered for participation in advanced capabilities projects under AUKUS, a security alliance between the U.S., Britain and Australia.

In addition, they said the U.S. and Japan would enter into a lunar exploration agreement and establish major research partnerships on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Japan will provide and maintain a pressurized rover to support astronauts living and working on the Moon, while the United States will allocate two astronaut flight opportunities to the lunar surface for Japan on future Artemis missions, the White House said in a fact sheet about lunar exploration agreement.

The trilateral talks with the Philippines come as the U.S. allys relations with China have been strained by repeated scuffles between their coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, a strategically important waterway that Beijing claims virtually in its entirety. The U.S. has said its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines would apply to such encounters, raising the prospect of U.S. intervention if they were to escalate.

On Tuesday, demonstrators outside the Chinese Embassy in Manila trampled on an image of Chinese President Xi Jinping as they protested what they called Chinese aggression against the Philippines in the South China Sea.

With the trilateral talks, Hemmings said, the U.S. and Japan are taking an extremely welcome step toward making sure that the Philippines is not alone in defending its sovereignty and that if anything, Chinas the isolated one.

China says its actions in the South China Sea are lawful, and it accuses the U.S., Japan and others of stoking tensions in the region by forging small circles of powers.

Mira Rapp-Hooper, senior director for East Asia and Oceania at the National Security Council, told reporters in Washington on Tuesday that the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy and its associated groupings and alliances are not about being against anyone or anything; theyre about what were for.

In Congress, Mitter said, Kishida is likely to argue that the U.S. is still very much needed in the Asia-Pacific region.

Theres general disillusionment amongst much of the U.S. electorate with the idea of too strong a U.S. security commitment around the world, he said. Prime Minister Kishida, I think, will be looking to push back against that and say, no, the U.S. presence is still really very important in the region, for Japan, for South Korea, for the Southeast Asian countries.

Hemmings said he also expected Kishida to double down on Ukraine as Biden struggles to win support in Congress for continued U.S. aid. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Kishida has warned that letting Moscow win would only embolden China in its aggression against Taiwan, a self-ruling island democracy that Beijing claims as its territory.

I think hes going to really make that case very passionately, Hemmings said.

During the joint news conference, Kishida referred to China indirectly, saying, Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.

U.S. lawmakers are also likely to be focused on the planned purchase of U.S. Steel by Japans largest steelmaker, Nippon Steel. Biden, who is highly dependent on labor unions for his re-election campaign, has said it is vital for U.S. Steel to remain an American steel company.

Senior administration officials said the dispute would have little impact on the overall U.S.-Japan relationship, which they described as a lot deeper and stronger and more significant than a single commercial deal.

On Monday, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Kishida was traveling to North Carolina to convey to both Japan and the United States that Japanese companies are making significant contributions to the U.S. economy through investments and job creation.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
LONDON  Retailers doing business in the U.K., including Boots, John Lewis, Sainsburys and H&M, have applauded new legislation from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aimed at cracking down on retail crime.

The government confirmed Wednesday that assaulting a retail worker will become a stand-alone criminal offense in the U.K., with shoplifters facing tougher punishments.

More from WWD

Perpetrators could be sent to prison for up to six months, receive an unlimited fine and be banned from going back to the shop where they committed their crimes. New Criminal Behaviour Orders will bar them from visiting specific premises, the government said.

Breaching an order will also become a criminal offense and carry a five-year maximum prison sentence. For the most serious cases of assault, such as causing grievous bodily harm with intent, offenders could face a life sentence.

The government is also clamping down harder on offenders who repeatedly target the countrys high streets, with serial offenders forced to wear tags to track their movements.

Backed by a 55.5 million-pound investment over the next four years, police will have new powers to use facial recognition technology to help catch perpetrators and prevent shoplifting.

Police mobile units will be able to take live footage of crowds in towns and on high streets and compare images to specific people wanted by the police or banned from a specific location. Local police will then be alerted so they can track down the offenders.

A look at the beauty area of H&Ms new store on Kings Road in London.

Sunak said that since 2010 violent and neighborhood crime in England and Wales has fallen dramatically, yet shoplifting and violence and abuse toward retail workers continues to rise.

I am sending a message to those criminals  whether they are serious organized criminal gangs, repeat offenders or opportunistic thieves  who think they can get away with stealing from these local businesses or abusing shopworkers. Enough is enough.

The British Retail Consortium had long been campaigning to have retail crime and worker assault classified as a specific offense. Helen Dickison, the industry bodys chief executive officer, said, the voices of the 3 million people working in retail are finally being heard.

The impact of retail violence has steadily worsened, with people facing racial abuse, sexual harassment, threatening behavior, physical assault and threats with weapons, often linked to organized crime. Victims are ordinary, hardworking people  teenagers taking on their first job; carers looking for part-time work; parents working around child care.

Together, we must stamp out this scourge in crime that has been sweeping the nation, and ensure retail workers are given the vital protections they deserve, she added.

The personal styling suite at John Lewis in London.

Seb James, managing director, Boots U.K. & Ireland, said the company welcomed the governments announcement.

He added that intimidation and abuse of retail workers is unacceptable, so legislation to strengthen shopworker protection sends a powerful signal and deterrent. At Boots, we also continue to invest in our own capability to disrupt and deter criminal activity and protect our team members, including in our CCTV monitoring center and body-worn video cameras.

Henrik Nordvall, U.K. CEO at H&M U.K. & Ireland, said it has been extremely concerning to see the steep rise in theft and antisocial behaviour on our high streets, and with this new legislation we can see a way forward to better protect our colleagues in store.

The new offense will enable retailers to work more efficiently with local police commissioners to not only report retail crime, but to help deter any future abusive behavior. Our colleagues have a right to feel safe on the high street, and this new offense is a step forward in giving them the protection they deserve, he added.

Sharon White, the outgoing chairman of John Lewis Partnership, said retail crime costs U.K. businesses more than 1 billion pounds every year and can have a huge impact on the shop workers involved. Weve long called for violence towards retail workers to be recognized as a stand-alone offense, so welcome this announcement, which sends a clear message that abuse will never be tolerated. It will help deter acts of aggression, and allow police to drive prosecutions should instances escalate.

Best of WWD
The first national standard limit on "forever chemicals," known as PFAS in drinking water, has been set to help prevent health risks in the U.S.

Getty Drinking water

A limitation on the harmful chemicals found in drinking water has been set by the Biden-Harris administration in a groundbreaking new development.

On April 10, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a strict limit on "forever chemicals" known as PFAS found in drinking water in the country in the hope of the prevention and spread of illnesses, such as cancer, among U.S. citizens and environmental damage.

This is the first national legally enforced standard set for drinking water in the country to reduce PFAS exposure.

The limitation comes after a push from the Biden administration to finalize drinking water standards after EPA revealed in a test report last August that PFAS were found in 45% of tap water in the U.S., with the expectation of levels to rise exponentially in three years, causing serious health risks among the population.

Eros Hoagland/Getty President Joe Biden in Raleigh, North Carolina on Jan. 18, 2024

Related: Can Drinking Too Much Water Be Fatal? A Doctor Explains the 'Real Damage' of Water Toxicity

Todays announcements advance President Bidens broader commitment to deliver clean water for every American, the White House said in a press release following the announcement. The Presidents Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests over $50 billion to upgrade water infrastructure  the largest investment in clean water in American history.



This includes a historic $15 billion to replace toxic lead pipes and protect children from brain damage," the press release continued, specifying that it is "part of President Bidens goal of replacing every lead pipe in the country within a decade.

Water utilities must now extract five individual PFAS, also known as GenX chemicals, from water being distributed for drinking purposes  they are PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA. The EPA is also restricting any combination of four PFAS to reduce PFAS to the lowest levels possible.

Getty A glass with water being poured into it

Related: 26 Million People Across the U.S. Have Harmful 'Forever Chemicals' in Their Drinking Water

EPA officials say water providers will be required to carry out testing for chemicals in drinking water for three years before the water can be sold. Public water systems must inform people about the level of PFAS in the drinking water.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences concluded from tests carried out last year that PFAS can cause altered metabolism, liver damage, a weak immune system and an increased risk of some cancers.

Between 2016 and 2021, scientists tested 716 locations in the U.S. in rural and urban areas. They estimated that there is around a 75% chance of PFAS being found in rural areas, and a 25% chance in urban locations.

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.

This is the first time since the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments were passed in 1996 that a drinking water contaminant made it through the regulatory process to the finish line, Dr. David Andrews, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group, said of the new PFAS limit, per CNN.

Dr. Anna Reade, director of PFAS advocacy, and environmental health at the environmental group NRDC, added, per the outlet, I think its a huge breakthrough in terms of action on PFAS.

...This problem is so large. Again, we shouldnt take away from the fact that this is just a really monumental step forward.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Rich Lyons, a UC Berkeley leader of innovation and entrepreneurship who cultivated a culture of questioning the status quo as business school dean, has been named the new chancellor of the premier public research university following unanimous approval by the regents Wednesday.

Lyons, 63, is a Berkeley alumnus who headed the Haas School of Business for a decade, shattering fundraising records, and currently serves as associate vice chancellor and chief innovation and entrepreneurship officer. A professor of economics and finance, Lyons has won numerous teaching awards and is seen as a charismatic insider with the skills to navigate the complex Berkeley culture  and enliven campus events with mean guitar-playing skills.

UC President Michael V. Drake selected Lyons from a diverse pool of hundreds of candidates  45% of them people of color and 25% women. Lyons will take the helm July 1, following the retirement of current Chancellor Carol Christ.

After the vote, Lyons told regents he was humbled and thrilled by the appointment. Berkeley is on the threshold of an exciting decade, he said.

An open letter to the new chancellor from the Berkeley Faculty Assn. signaled the challenges ahead. It described unprecedented demoralization stemming from growing workloads and financial hardships.

You will inherit a campus that is close to breaking point, the letter said. That has created a huge burden on faculty to maintain Berkeleys reputation as the best public university in the world with ever-diminishing resources and ever-deteriorating working conditions.

Lyons will oversee a campus of nearly 46,000 students and 1,570 faculty members at a particularly fraught moment in higher education. Culture wars over free speech, academic freedom, diversity  and, more recently, the Israel-Palestinian conflict  have inflamed and divided campuses across the country, including Berkeley.

Read more: A People's Park requiem: From free speech and flower children to planned dormitory towers

Lyons, in remarks Wednesday, said he leans toward adopting a policy of institutional neutrality to refrain from statements about issues of the day. That policy, which holds that universities should be places to host robust debate among campus members but not take stands themselves, is followed by the University of Chicago, Stanford and other institutions.

The Israel-Hamas war in particular has set off extreme controversy over statements by university leaders, often leading to cycles of backlash and more statements.

Skepticism over the value of college degrees has grown, and state disinvestment in public universities has accelerated across the nation. Even in California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators have increased higher education funding, Berkeley and other UC campuses continue to struggle to make ends meet.

Berkeley has closed two deficits and raised $7.3 billion in its capital campaign that ended Feb. 29  the highest haul of any public university. But, faculty members say, the campus needs billions more to repair and maintain aging buildings, offer competitive salaries, accommodate growing enrollment and even afford regular cleaning.

Lyons, in a 2020 campus conversation, said financial sustainability was among the universitys biggest challenges  noting that the proportion of Berkeleys educational expenses covered by state funding had plunged, from half years ago to less than 12% in recent years.

As a fundraiser, he helped land eight of the top 10 gifts to the Haas business school and nearly doubled the overall donations during his tenure as dean from 2008 to 2018, compared with the previous decade, the business school reported. One $25-million donation seeded the $65-million development of a six-story, 80,000-square-feet building with classrooms, study rooms, an event space and a cafe.

Lyons said he planned to explore fresh" ways to raise revenue, including potentially $100 million through shared return investment funds in new companies. That changes the game, he said.

The incoming chancellor said diversity, equity and inclusion issues were also top institutional challenges. UC Berkeley enrolls a lower proportion of underrepresented students  22.6% in fall 2023  than UCLA at 27.1% and UC San Diego at 25.1%.

"Berkeley ... is a profoundly important institution to society," he said in 2020. "The idea that we look so different than the society we serve is going to get more and more troublesome."

Sydney Roberts, Berkeleys student body president, said financial support for underrepresented students to thrive and succeed was among top student priorities, along with affordable housing, safety and free speech protections. She called for a leader with conflict-resolution skills, political acumen and a commitment to listen to students and act on what they say.

We need a community builder  a person to help people feel valued and heard, said Lisa Garcia Bedolla, vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the graduate division.

She and Maximilian Auffhammer, UC Berkeley's Academic Senate chair, said a new chancellor must be able to articulate the broad value of Berkeley to the larger public to help build support for the university. Its world-class faculty members have made life-changing discoveries, Auffhammer said, including breakthroughs in gene-editing processes that helped create COVID-19 vaccines and a treatment for sickle-cell anemia. Berkeley instructors also have helped inspire students to reach their potential, such as one teaching assistant who encouraged Garcia Bedolla to pursue a PhD.

Read more: A divide over the Israel-Hamas war flares at UC Berkeley Law

But Garcia Bedolla also noted the low morale across campus, stemming from lingering pandemic fallout, the 2022 academic worker strike and recent polarization over the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Daniel Sargent, an associate professor of history and public policy, said the new chancellor should help facilitate a greater embrace of different viewpoints  including conservative voices as a counterweight to the prevailing ultraprogressive monoculture, he said.

Lyons has a track record of unifying people around shared goals. After two years as chief learning officer at Goldman Sachs, where he observed the value of building an institutional culture, he led a process to do likewise at the Berkeley business school.

Read more: UC Berkeley spreads the gospel of data science with new college, free curriculum

The school's four defining principles  paraphrased  include questioning the status quo, showing confidence with humility, embracing lifelong curiosity and learning, and serving the collective good  not only personal interests. Lyons also helped spearhead new interdisciplinary majors combining business with other fields, such as engineering and biology, and a "Berkeley Changemaker" class that helped students identify their passions and activate them to make a difference in the world.

In selecting Lyons, Drake said he was impressed by his peerless academic credentials, ability to connect with diverse people, his love for students evidenced by many teaching awards and his collaborative skills at working with the UC community.

He added that Lyons was devoted to Berkeley, a Cal Bear through and through.

A Palo Alto native, Lyons earned a bachelors degree in business at UC Berkeley and a PhD in economics at MIT. He taught at the Columbia University business school for six years before returning to Berkeley in 1993 as an assistant professor of finance and economics. He went on to serve at Haas as associate dean for academic affairs, acting dean and, in 2008, dean after his stint at Goldman Sachs.

He was appointed chief innovation and entrepreneurship officer in 2020, serving in a newly created role by Christ. He and his team propelled Berkeley to become the No. 1 university to produce venture-funded startups founded by undergraduate alumni.

Fluent in French, he is married with two children.

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.
Lantern Festival UK claims the events include the launching of "hundreds, even thousands, of sky lanterns" - Lantern Festival UK

A lantern festival has been labelled as Britains answer to the infamous Fyre Festival amid fears that a scam has tricked thousands of people.

A website named Lantern Festival UK has been selling tickets for up to 50 per person for four apparent events in London and Birmingham this summer, which it claims are now sold out.

The event has been heavily promoted on the social media app TikTok with glossy images of crowds releasing lanterns into the night sky and promised the launching of hundreds, even thousands, of sky lanterns, each adding its unique glow to the darkness above.

Thousands of people are thought to have purchased tickets, despite the fact that sky lanterns are banned by nearly two-thirds of Britains 317 councils, including Birmingham, which has launched an investigation.

Lantern Festival UKs website claims it offers a unique gathering for individuals from diverse backgrounds and beliefs to unite in a heartwarming, affirming, and memorable occasion.

But while four dates have been provided - two in London on May 26 and June 8 and two in Birmingham on June 1 and July 13 - the website says that the exact location is yet to be confirmed.

Those who have purchased tickets have been told that they will receive an email 2 weeks prior to the event date confirming the full schedule of the day and that refunds can be provided.

The event's website states that if the festival is cancelled, Lantern Festival UK has 'the sole and absolute right' to 'not issue any refunds'. - Lantern Festival UK

But some social media users have claimed they have heard nothing so far and say the event is a scam.

On Twitter, one user compared the event to Fyre Festival and added: Huge scam! You think the UK government would actually allow 2,000 lanterns in the sky when ULEZ is a thing? If you bought a ticket you better start making a claim with your bank now.

Aliyah Atkins, a 19-year-old TikTok creator from Bedfordshire, said in a video watched 1.4 million times: I hate to be the bearer of bad news for all you people that have bought the Lantern Festival tickets - youve fallen into a scam. Are we being for real, are people genuinely believing this?

The Fyre Festival scam became notorious after a luxury music festival was organised by a con artist on the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas, and promoted by celebrities and influencers.

Revellers arrived on the island for events which were indefinitely postponed and eventually cancelled.

A pre-sale registration form, which Lantern Festival UK links to in its social media pages, purports to have been filled out by more than 45,000 people.

Sky lanterns have been cause of several major fires

But Birmingham City Council, having previously banned sky lanterns, is now investigating the situation and urged ticket-holders to send evidence of the scam to its Trading Standards team.

A spokesman for the authority told MailOnline: We are aware of a number of online adverts promoting a lantern festival, reportedly including two dates in Birmingham, that have prompted concern this could be a scam  and our Trading Standards team are looking into this.

Birmingham City Council does not permit the intentional release into the sky of lanterns from any land or property which it owns and/or controls - this includes our streets, public spaces, cemeteries and local authority schools.

They may travel and land anywhere, potentially causing harm to wildlife and the environment, and in the case of sky lanterns, have been the cause of several major fires.

Multiple London authorities have also banned sky lanterns, including in Ealing, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Redbridge and Wandsworth, making it unclear where the company plans to hold the apparent festival.

In a statement on Wednesday night, Lantern Festival UK told The Telegraph: We share the public and medias heightened awareness of events promotion, following the disastrous Wonka experience in Glasgow that was widely reported recently. Our events and theirs could not be more different.

We have carefully planned these events, and made numerous location selections in Birmingham and London, optioning sites of different capacities, based on their attributes that will enable us to create a safe and environmentally friendly event for all.

It added that the lantern festival will be hosted on private land and therefore does not require planning permission from the local council and details of the Birmingham venue will be released within days.

The festival admitted that it had used some stock footage in our promotional videos but insisted that the events will be professionally produced and will meet all safety standards and limit environmental impacts.

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.
Russia will seek to recruit an additional 400,000 contract service personnel in 2024 to sustain its forces in Ukraine after severe losses in the all-out war, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry's intelligence report from April 10.

This step also aims to support Russia's plans to increase the size of its forces to 1.32 million personnel this year and 1.5 million subsequently, the report read.

Ukraine's military intelligence said earlier that Russia is likely to ramp up its mobilization efforts after Russian President Vladimir Putin secures his fifth term in office in March.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia was planning to mobilize an additional 300,000 soldiers by June 1, later clarifying that this number may not be the "final" draft.

As Russia continues its conscription campaign, around 150,000 soldiers aged 18-30 will be conscripted this spring, which is consistent with the numbers conscripted previously, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry.

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

Newly recruited soldiers will serve for 12 months in all branches of Russia's Armed Forces. The U.K. Defense Ministry said they are not currently appointed to conduct combat missions in Ukraine.

Conscripts are employed in garrisons across Russia, and they generally form battalions separate from the battalions staffed by contract soldiers. Some of the conscripts are likely to serve near Ukraine's state border in units providing border security, the report said.

According to the U.K. Defense Ministry's assessment, Russian troops in Ukraine are staffed with contract soldiers and some reservists mobilized in late 2022. The conscript soldiers commonly face pressure to sign contracts and become liable to serve in Ukraine, however.

"There is likely some reluctance among Russian authorities to risk combat casualties among conscript soldiers, which would likely be unpopular," the U.K. Defense Ministry's intelligence said.

"Casualties among volunteer soldiers are more tolerated by society."

Read also: Zelensky signs several laws on mobilization, making younger men eligible for draft

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
UK Foreign Secretary sees progress in use of frozen Russian assets for benefit of Ukraine

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated that he sees progress in discussions on how to utilise frozen Russian assets in G7 countries to benefit Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing Cameron at a press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Cameron spoke in the context of the necessity to support Ukraine, which is facing Russian aggression.

"We know that they need money in the form of the frozen Russian sovereign assets, and were making good progress in how to access these funds on an agreed basis," Cameron noted.

He said that progress on this issue will be achieved at the G7 summit.

Background:

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen believes it is possible to allocate the first billion euros taken from the profits generated by frozen Russian assets to Ukraine as early as 1 July, if the EU acts quickly to implement the necessary procedures.

On 21 March, the EU Heads of State and Government Summit agreed that the EU would continue to work on a plan to use the proceeds of the frozen assets of the Russian central bank, including for the purpose of arming Ukraine.

On 20 March, EU Chief Diplomat Josep Borrell put forward a plan to redirect the interest earned on frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. According to the plan, 90% of the funds should go to a fund that would be used to cover the cost of weapons for Ukraine.

The media reported that the US proposed its allies in the G7 group to create a special purpose company to issue at least US$50 billion of bonds from the income of frozen Russian sovereign assets and use these funds to support Ukraine.

Support UP or become our patron!
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron's attempt during his visit to the US to persuade former president Donald Trump to allow the US Congress to provide Ukraine with US$60 billion in military assistance seems to have failed.

Source: The Guardian

Details: The Guardian reported that Cameron was not even allowed to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who theoretically could have brought the bill to a vote.

During a private dinner at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Cameron urged him to recognise that it was in the US interests to prevent Vladimir Putin from being "rewarded" for seizing land in Ukraine.

He also insisted that before the NATO summit in Washington in July 2024, plans would be developed for each NATO member to achieve or exceed their target defence spending.

Cameron hoped that Trump would signal a course change, at least making it easier for him to meet with Johnson.

At a joint press conference, Cameron and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated their calls for Congress to unblock assistance. Cameron insisted that he did not come to the US to "lecture" or interfere in internal US politics but was willing to abandon "diplospeak" as he feels very emotionally about the need for the US and Europe to unite to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression.

Quote from Cameron: "Future generations may look back at us and say, did we do enough when this country was invaded by a dictator trying to redraw boundaries by force? Did we learn the lessons from history? And did we do enough?"

More details: The Guardian wrote that, however, Cameron's arguments, both rational and emotional, seem to have run up against the power struggle within the Republican Party.

The Republican Party members who opposed assistance to Ukraine continue to threaten Johnson with dismissal if he puts the assistance package to a vote.

Trump's campaign team stated that the dinner with Cameron discussed issues such as "the upcoming US and UK elections, policy matters specific to Brexit, the need for Nato countries to meet their defence-spending requirements and ending the killing in Ukraine".

Background:

Commenting on his meeting with Trump earlier in the day at Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Cameron said that they had discussed geopolitical issues, such as the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, but refused to go into details.

Together with his French counterpart, Stephane Sejourne, Cameron called on the allies to do even more to ensure Ukraine's victory over Russia.

Cameron previously called on his European counterparts to also put pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson to approve aid for Kyiv.

Support UP or become our patron!
UK houses so many asylum seekers that over half the foreign aid budget is spent in Britain

The UK is housing so many asylum seekers that more than half the foreign aid budget earmarked for poor countries is now being spent in Britain, new figures suggest.

In 2023, the UK spent 9.9 billion in bilateral aid  yet 54 per cent of this was used domestically, according to the Centre for Global Development (CGD), which analysed data released by the Foreign Office data on Wednesday. This was an increase from 48 per cent the previous year.

Britains bilateral aid money is supposed to be spent on helping poorer nations alleviate poverty and respond to humanitarian disasters.

However, in recent years, an increasing proportion has been spent within Britain itself to support the rising number of refugees entering the country.

The cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels alone is 8 million a day, according to Home Office data.

Sarah Champion, chairman of the international development committee, said the rising trend in spending foreign aid domestically was limiting what could be allocated overseas and was deeply worrying.

We [the committee] have expressed our concerns and ministers are still not listening, the Labour MP said.

The Foreign Offices latest figures show that the amount of financial aid given bilaterally to poorer nations in 2023 fell by nearly 10 per cent, dropping to 4.1 billion from 4.6 billion in 2022.

The largest cuts were made to aid spending in Asia, which received 619 million from Britain in 2023, down from 925 million the previous year.

Gideon Rabinowitz, director of policy and advocacy at Bond, a UK network of NGOs, said the figures demonstrated that the Government seems to have lost its grip on UK aid spending.

He added that international organisations are once again seeing vital funding for emergency support programmes in Somalia, Yemen and elsewhere being cut or held back, and we suspect this is because of escalating Home Office asylum costs taking an increasing chunk of the UK aid budget.

The aid money spent within Britain is predominantly used to house and support asylum seekers during the first 12 months of their stay in the UK.

This includes payments for refugees transport within the UK and temporary food, accommodation and training.

Of the 5.3 billion estimated to have been spent out of the bilateral aid budget in the UK last year, the vast majority of this (4.3 billion) was used for domestic refugee costs, CGD researchers said.

Britain also used its bilateral aid to fund research projects linked to overseas issues and administrative costs.

A decade ago, just 7 per cent of Britains overseas budget for poor nations was being spent domestically, according to CGD researchers. The share spent in the UK has risen sharply since, reaching a record high in 2023.

Britains overall foreign aid spending  including money donated to both low-income countries and organisations such as the UN  increased to 0.58 per cent of GDP in 2023, up from 0.5 per cent in 2022.

Ms Champion welcomed this rise, but said it still falls short of the Governments 0.7 per cent manifesto commitment.

A UK government spokesman said: The UK spent over 15 billion on development last year, including on life-saving humanitarian aid in Gaza, in Sudan following the coup, and in Turkey and Syria after the earthquake.

Our spend in 2023 also helped fragile states to access finance, millions of women globally to receive family planning support and is tackling the effects of climate change. We are also nearly doubling our spend in low-income countries this financial year.

Last years budget was boosted by additional funding to support refugees in the UK, who have escaped oppression and conflict overseas, including from Ukraine and Afghanistan. We will continue to ensure our aid budget delivers value for money for British taxpayers.

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.
Ukraine can't wait, it needs air defence now  NATO Secretary General

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, has once again called upon Ukraines allies to accelerate the supply of military aid for Ukraine, specifically air defence and ammunition, which it urgently needs.

Source: European Pravda; Stoltenberg at a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on 10 April

Details: Stoltenberg stressed that the situation in the combat zone in Ukraine is complex, and delays in military aid, mainly the supply of air defence and ammunition, will allow Russian missiles to strike more targets and "press along the frontline".

"Ukraine simply cannot wait. It needs air defences, ammunition and aid. Now," he stressed.

Stoltenberg stated that the Alliance was working to facilitate reliable and predictable aid for Kyiv now and in the long term "so that Ukraine relies less on the voluntary contributions and more on NATO commitments".

"Moscow needs to understand that they cannot wait those out and, therefore, a package for Ukraine with predictable robust support is what we are working on now in NATO," Stoltenberg added.

Background:

The strengthening of Ukrainian air defence was one of the key topics on the agenda during a meeting between Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and Ukraines partners on the sidelines of the NATO ministers meeting in Brussels last week.

On 4 April, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that some NATO allies had promised to look for air defence systems for Ukraine.

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukraine will be outgunned by Russia 10 to 1 in weeks without US help, top Europe general says

FILE - Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Christopher Cavoli addresses a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Jan. 18, 2024. Cavoli told Congress Wednesday that Ukraine will be outgunned 10 to one by Russia within a matter of weeks if Congress does not find a way to approve sending more ammunition and weapons to Kyiv soon. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The top general for U.S. forces in Europe told Congress Wednesday that Ukraine will be outgunned 10 to one by Russia within a matter of weeks if Congress does not find a way to approve sending more ammunition and weapons to Kyiv soon.

The testimony from Army Gen. Christopher Cavoli, head of U.S. European Command, and Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, comes as Congress enters pivotal weeks for voting for aid for Ukraine, but there's no guarantee funding will be improved in time.

Ukraine has been rationing its munitions as Congress has delayed passing its $60 billion supplemental bill.

They are now being outshot by the Russian side five to one. So the Russians fire five times as many artillery shells at the Ukrainians than the Ukrainians are able to fire back. That will immediately go to 10 to one in a matter of weeks, Cavoli said. "Were not talking about months. Were not talking hypothetically."

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has been trying to find a way forward for the bill that would fund new rounds of munitions production at U.S. firms to enable the Pentagon to then rush more munitions to Ukraine. Johnson is trying to bring it to the floor for a House vote, but he is facing concerns from members who cite domestic needs, including border security.

The speaker is also facing a threat to his leadership role from his far-right flank by Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene who has called for his ouster over the issue.

While the political battles on Capitol Hill continue, the dire battlefield situation in Ukraine worsens.

Cavoli told the lawmakers that in this conflict, the U.S. flow of 155mm artillery shells has been a lifeline. The biggest killer on the battlefield is artillery. In most conflicts, but in this one definitely. And should Ukraine run out, they would run out because we stopped supplying  because we supply the lions share of that, Cavoli said.

Russia's own production of missiles has ramped up and can launch large-scale attacks every few days. If Ukraine's air defense stocks run out, those attacks would absolutely cripple the economy, and the civil society as well as the military of Ukraine if they were not defended against without a U.S. provision of interceptors, Cavoli said.

Their ability to defend their terrain that they currently hold and their airspace would fade rapidly, will fade rapidly without the supplemental, Cavoli said.

U.S. Army leaders offered similar dire warnings to the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee later in the day, saying that the lack of the supplemental is a critical problem for both Ukraine and the U.S. Army.

The side that cant shoot back, loses, and at this point Ukraine is really starting to be pressed to be able to shoot back. So I am very concerned, said Army Secretary Christine Wormuth. We saw Ukraine lose some territory a couple of months ago. And I think there is a real danger ...that the Russians could have a breakthrough somewhere in the line.

Gen. Randy George, chief of staff of the Army added that the funding is needed to help send Ukraine long-range weapons and air defense systems so they can defend their critical infrastructure and their troops on the front lines.

At the same time, Wormuth and Gen. Randy George, chief of staff of the Army, said that unless Congress approves the supplemental soon, the Army wont have enough money to bring home the troops currently serving in Europe, or funding to train units in the U.S.

We dont have the transportation money to have them redeploy, said Wormuth, referring to Army units that are deployed across Europe. We dont have the transportation money to send units to backfill them.

She and George said they also need the money to continue sending units to the national training centers. to avoid outright cancellation of the training rotations, Wormuth said they can try to reduce participation or shrink their size.

But those are the kinds of hard choices were looking at. If we dont see the supplementals come across, she said.

If Kyiv falls, it could imperil Ukraines Baltic NATO member neighbors and potentially drag U.S. troops into a prolonged European war.

At a Capitol Hill press conference on Wednesday, Johnson said: House members are continuing to actively discuss our options on a path forward.

Its a very complicated matter at a very complicated time. The clock is ticking on it, and everyone here feels the urgency of that, but whats required is that you reach consensus on it, and thats what were working on," Johnson said.

Michigan Democrat Rep. Elissa Slotkin urged a vote.

Speaker Johnson has a choice to make. I accept that its a complicated choice. I accept that hes at risk of losing his job over that choice, Slotkin said.

-

AP broadcast writer Sagar Meghani contributed from Washington, D.C.
Ukraine and UK sign another agreement on defence cooperation

The United Kingdom and Ukraine have signed a framework agreement to promote cooperation in defence and industrial matters.

Source: UK government's website, reported by European Pravda

Details: The agreement was signed at a military-industrial conference in Kyiv, which was attended by about 30 UK defence companies.

The UK companies came to discuss potential joint ventures with Ukrainian arms and defence manufacturers.

"The arrangement is the latest sign of the UKs unwavering support for Ukraines defence efforts and long-term recovery and will help make Ukraines military operations more efficient.

Its designed to enable both countries to work together to tackle security challenges, enhance defence industries, and deliver high-profile joint projects over the coming months," the UK government said.

Increased cooperation could lead to the implementation of dozens of projects between the UK's largest defence companies, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and Ukrainian companies, ranging from the creation of strategic military repair facilities to the reconstruction of civilian infrastructure and the introduction of technologies to protect it against cyberattacks.

During a trade mission to Kyiv, UK defence company BAE Systems agreed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence for the maintenance and repair of L119 howitzers donated to Ukraine.

This means that the L119s donated by the UK to Ukraine can be maintained in Ukraine and returned to the front line more quickly, as well as provide vital support to Ukraine's defence infrastructure.

Previously: This new framework agreement follows the historic UK-Ukraine Security Cooperation Agreement signed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in January 2024.

Support UP or become our patron!


Key developments on April 10:

Parliament starts considering updated mobilization bill in 2nd reading

Germany delivers artillery shells, drones, armored vehicles to Ukraine

Russian attacks against Kharkiv, Odesa oblasts kill 7, including 2 children, injure 18

Ukrainian military denies Russia gained foothold in Robotyne

UK government, BAE Systems sign agreements to repair equipment in Ukraine

Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has begun considering an updated mobilization bill in the second reading, lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko said on April 10.

The bill is a key component of the government's efforts to update the legal framework around conscription in order to ramp up mobilization in 2024.

The parliament is considering an updated version of the bill after the first contentious proposal was withdrawn. The re-submitted draft law passed the first reading on Feb. 7. Lawmakers have proposed over 4,000 amendments to the bill since then.

The bill will come into effect after it passes the second reading and is signed by the president.

Honcharenko said that the parliament's National Security and Defense Committee finished reviewing all the amendments on April 9 after removing provisions on demobilization and rotation of military personnel. The latter two points are to be developed separately from the main bill.

Read also: Its their turn now: Ukrainians call on government to demobilize exhausted soldiers fighting for nearly two years

The Defense Ministry presented key points of the revised mobilization bill on March 27. The proposal includes mobilization from the age of 25 to 60 and an introduction of basic military training instead of conscript service.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said back in December 2023 that the original version of the mobilization bill called for a draft of 450,000-500,000 additional conscripts. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on March 29 that this number has been "significantly reduced."

The Ukrainian parliament also passed on April 10 in the first reading a bill permitting military service of citizens convicted of minor offenses, said Honcharenko, one of the bill's authors.

This does not include those convicted under serious and violent charges, such as murder, sexual violence, or crimes against national security.

The bill still has to pass in a second reading by parliament.

Read also: Ukraine struggles to ramp up mobilization as Russias war enters 3rd year

Germany delivers artillery shells, drones, armored vehicles to Ukraine

Berlin sent a new batch of military aid to Ukraine, containing artillery shells, drones, and armored vehicles, among other supplies, the German government said on April 10.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth 500 million euros (roughly $540 million) earlier in March, including 10,000 artillery shells from military stocks, 100 armored vehicles for infantry, and 100 logistical vehicles.

In its latest delivery, Germany provided Ukraine with 6,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition, one million rounds of small arms ammunition, 680 MK 556 assault riffles, 50 HLR 338 precision rifles, and 120 CR 308 rifles.

Berlin also handed over 16 Vector and 30 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones, as well as 30 frequency range extensions for anti-drone devices.

Ukraine also received one Warthog command armored vehicle, two Wisent mine-clearing tanks, 11 remote-controlled mine-clearing systems, three mine plows, 70 IR cameras, 24 outboard motors, and 5,000 detonators.

The previous batch of German military aid was sent to Ukraine on March 28 and contained tank ammunition, drones, and artillery shells.

Germany has become one of Ukraine's leading military donors, second only to the U.S. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany has supplied Ukraine with 17.7 billion euros (around $19 billion) in military assistance as of January.

Russian attacks against Kharkiv, Odesa oblasts kill 7, including 2 children, injure 18

Russian attacks against the Odesa area as well as Lyptsi and Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast on April 10 killed seven people, including two children, and wounded another 18, including two other children, regional officials reported.

Russian forces struck the Odesa area on the evening of April 10, killing four people, including a 10-year-old girl, and wounding another 14, according to the latest update by Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper.

Ukraines southern regions, such as Odesa, are frequent targets of Russian attacks. A March 29 Russian missile strike on Odesa injured at least five people, including three children, according to local officials.

Russia attacked Odesa Oblast with Iskander-M ballistic missiles from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. local time on April 10, Kiper said without specifying how many missiles hit the region.

Those injured reportedly included a man in severe condition whose lower limbs were amputated and a four-year-old girl.

Transport infrastructure and trucks were also damaged in the attack, according to Kiper.

Russian forces targeted the village of Lyptsi in Kharkiv Oblast, killing three people, including a 14-year-old girl, and wounding two more, including a 16-year-old boy, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

A Russian attack on a medical facility in the city of Vovchansk wounded two civilian men aged 54, according to Syniehubov.

Settlements in Ukraines northeastern Kharkiv Oblast suffer from daily Russian attacks due to their proximity to the front line and the border with Russia.

Read also: After 10 years of war, Krasnohorivka in new danger as Russia advances in the east

Ukrainian military denies Russia gained foothold in Robotyne

Russian forces did not manage to gain a foothold in the front-line village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine's Southern Forces said on April 10, denying earlier claims by a regional official.

The village of Robotyne, which lies some 15 kilometers (nine miles) south of Orikhiv and 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) southeast of Zaporizhzhia, was liberated by Ukraine during its counteroffensive in the summer of 2023 and has been on the front line since.

Recent weeks saw an escalation of hostilities in the sector, with the Ukrainian military saying that the situation was "in flux" but not critical.

Serhii Lyshenko, a member of the Zaporizhzhia oblast council, said on air on Espresso TV on April 9 that Russian forces managed to break into Robotyne and that fighting continued within the village itself. The Ukrainian Telegram monitoring channel DeepState also claimed that Russian troops gained a foothold in the settlement.

"In the area held by the 65th Mechanized Brigade, which defends Robotyne, there are indeed regular clashes with enemy sabotage groups," the military reported on Telegram.

Russian units reportedly entered the village and tried to gain a foothold there "but had no success," the Southern Forces stressed.

"Our forces repel enemy attacks with artillery on the approach toward Robotyne, and soldiers of the 65th Brigade and adjacent units destroy scattered enemy groups with drones and mortars," the statement read.

"Today, the settlement is held by Ukrainian defense forces."

Robotyne sits by the main road toward Russian-occupied Tokmak and further to occupied Melitopol, one of the key logistic hubs for Russian forces in southern Ukraine.

Moscow has been intensifying offensive operations along the front in the past months as Ukraine faces ammunition shortages, compounded by the delays in U.S. aid.

Read also: Zelensky: If Trumps plan to stop war is to give up our territory, then it is primitive

UK government, BAE Systems sign agreements to repair equipment in Ukraine

The British government and BAE Systems, the U.K.'s largest arms company, announced on April 10 that they had signed agreements to support Ukraine's defense industry.

Ukraine aims to further invest in domestic arms production amid growing uncertainty about the supply of weapons from partners abroad.

The U.K. government signed an agreement with the Ukrainian government to encourage defense industry cooperation and support joint projects between British and Ukrainian companies.

The signing took place in Kyiv during the U.K's largest-ever trade mission to Ukraine. A delegation of 29 British defense companies was present at the signing, together with representatives from 70 Ukrainian defense companies.

During the trade mission, BAE Systems signed an agreement with the U.K. government for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul services in Ukraine of the L119 light gun, a 105 mm howitzer.

The agreement provides a framework for other BAE-produced weapons to be repaired and maintained in Ukraine, Gabby Costigan, BAE Systems' group managing director for business development, told reporters in Kyiv.

As well as the L119, the Ukrainian Armed Forces currently use 17 different types of weapons and equipment made by BAE Systems, such as Challenger tanks and Bradley armored vehicles.





Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The air defence forces of Ukraine have shot down a Russian Kh-59 guided aerial missile in the sky over Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Source: Skhid (East) Air Command

Details: At 15:28, the Air Force reported on social media about a missile threat for Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

At 15:51, an all-clear was given.

Later, it was reported about a downed Kh-59 missile.

Support UP or become our patron!
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained Vladyslav Lukianov, a former Ukrainian lawmaker from the banned pro-Russian Party of Regions faction who justified Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as he attempted to flee Ukraine.

Source: SSU; Ukrainska Pravda sources familiar with the matter

The SSU has not revealed the name of the person in question, but a source told Ukrainska Pravda that it was Lukianov whom the security service has detained.

Quote: "The offender was detained near a border checkpoint in Odesa Oblast. The suspect, 60, sought to leave for a neighbouring country as a person of non-conscription age.

Investigators found that he had become a member of the Bakhmut City Council in 2020 from the banned Opposition Platform for Life faction.

The individual entered into cooperation with the Russians and re-registered his own internet service provider company under Russian law after a part of the region was captured. In addition, he provided Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) with full access to the available equipment, allowing the Russian secret service to monitor the Internet activity of the local population.

The lawmaker himself moved to the Ukrainian-controlled territory and managed the company remotely."

Vladyslav Lukianov

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda source

Details: The SSU reported that Lukianov had directed regular payments to the Russian treasury as "taxes" and "fees".

In this way, he financed Russia's defence industrial base and its occupying forces fighting against Ukraine.

In addition, the offender publicly justified Russia's armed aggression, which he repeatedly mentioned in chats on pro-Kremlin Telegram channels.

During the search, the SSU seized the detainee's mobile phone and drafts with proof of his criminal actions.

The lawmaker was served with a notice of suspicion under Article 436-2.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (justification, recognition as lawful or denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).

The issue of additional qualification of the defendant's illegal activities is also being resolved. He faces a prison sentence.

Support UP or become our patron!


During his visit to Kyiv, Laurynas Kasciunas, Lithuanian Minister of National Defence, met with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umierov to discuss the supply of military aid and the planned signing of a Ukrainian-Lithuanian security agreement.

Source: Lithuanian Ministry of Defence on 10 April; European Pravda

Details: During the meeting, Kasciunas and Umierov discussed the shortage of ammunition in Ukraine, as well as the need to promote the defence industry and join multilateral initiatives to produce, purchase and increase the production of weapons and ammunition.

The defence ministers also discussed Lithuania's efforts to produce drones and anti-drone capabilities and Lithuania joining the drone coalition led by Latvia and the UK.

Other topics of discussion included the training of Ukrainian soldiers and the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers, in particular in the context of Lithuania's decision to help establish three rehabilitation centres in Lviv, Dnipro and Zhytomyr.

Background:

Laurynas Kasciunas was appointed Lithuania's new Minister of Defence on 25 March.

After his first visit to Kyiv in his new position and a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kasciunas said that assistance to Ukraine would be even greater.

Support UP or become our patron!


The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has expressed the wish that the provisions on demobilisation be considered in a separate draft law due to the operational situation at the front and the threats and risks facing Ukraine.

Source: Defence Ministry spokesperson Dmytro Lazutkin during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "A provision on demobilisation was initially included in the draft law. It was about demobilisation after 36 months in service. But now there have been requests from the General Staff, which understands the operational situation and the threats and risks facing the state. We cannot make hasty decisions now. It is clear that there are many, many populist opinions.

At the same time, we must understand that Russia's escalation and aggression continue. The offensive is underway along almost the entire front line. And the Defence Forces cannot be weakened now. Obviously, there is an instruction from the parliamentary committee to draft a new law within eight months that will deal directly with rotation and demobilisation."

Details: Lazutkin added that all decisions are made "to avoid a negative impact on the country's defence capability".

Background:

On Tuesday, 9 April, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security and Defence removed the provisions on demobilisation and rotation of servicemen from the mobilisation bill.

The removal of the demobilisation issue from the draft law was initiated by Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Support UP or become our patron!
Satellite images have appeared online showing the aftermath of a Ukrainian strike on an aircraft factory in Russias Voronezh Oblast. The factory repairs the missiles that Russia launches over Ukrainian territory from fighter jets and combat helicopters.

Source: Skhemy, a Radio Liberty project

Details: The Planet Labs satellite recorded damage to the building of the 711th Aviation Plant in the city of Borisoglebsk, Voronezh Oblast, more than 300 km from the border of the Ukrainian-controlled territories. The image shows damage to one of the buildings on the plant's territory. The roof of the building collapsed as a result of the strike.

711th Aviation Plant in the city of Borisoglebsk, Voronezh Oblast. Photo as of 9 April, 2024

Source: Skhemy, a Radio Liberty project

711th Aviation Plant in the city of Borisoglebsk, Voronezh Oblast. Photo as of 3 November, 2023

Source: Skhemy, a Radio Liberty project

On 9 April, the Russian Ministry of Defence reported that it had "repelled a drone attack" on the city of Borisoglebsk. However, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) confirmed the drone strike on the Russian plant.

Quote from Andrii Yusov, DIU representative: "Yes, it was an aircraft plant. This is what we can confirm from various sources. We can also confirm that there was a rumble [of drones]. We won't disclose any details, but early reports indicate that the main production facilities of the plant were damaged."

Details: Aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi stated that this plant was the only one in the Russian Federation that repaired the full range of missiles in service with frontline aircraft, as well as ground communications and radio communications equipment for aircraft.

As an example, he cited the types of missiles R-73, RVV-AE, Kh-25 and R-27, which are used for attacks on Ukraine by Russian Mi-24 and Ka-52 helicopters, as well as Su-24, Su-25 and Su-34 fighter jets.

Background: Two drones attacked the Borisoglebsk Aviation Training Centre in Russias Voronezh Oblast on the night of 8-9 April. Sources in DIU told Ukrainska Pravda that it was an operation by Ukrainian intelligence.

The source said early reports indicated that the main production hall of the aircraft factory, which is located on the premises with the training centre, was hit.

Support UP or become our patron!
Over the past day, 47 combat clashes were recorded on the front line. The Russians launched six missile strikes and 65 airstrikes and fired 61 times from multiple-launch rocket systems.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 10 April

Quote: "During the day, Ukraines Air Force struck an area where Russian military personnel, weapons and equipment were concentrated, an anti-aircraft missile system, an artillery system and an enemy electronic warfare station.

The Rocket Forces and Artillery troops struck eight areas where Russian military personnel were concentrated and an anti-aircraft missile system of the enemy."

Details: On the Kupiansk front, the Russians did not conduct offensive (assault) actions.

On the Lyman front, Ukrainian troops repelled three Russian attacks near Terny (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 17 attacks in the areas of Bilohorivka (Luhansk Oblast); and Vyimka, Rozdolivka, Chasiv Yar and Klishchiivka (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians, with the support of their aircraft, tried to improve the tactical situation.

On the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders repelled two Russian attacks near Umanske and Pervomaiske (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians tried to drive Ukrainian units out of their positions.

On the Novopavlivka front, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to hold back the Russians near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians, supported by their aircraft, tried to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops 14 times.

On the Orikhiv front, the Russians, with the support of their aircraft, attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders once near Staromaiorske (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Kherson front, the Russians did not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units from their footholds on the left (east) bank of the Dnipro River.

Support UP or become our patron!


Ukrainian forces were 'crushing' in Avdiivka until Russian artillery started outfiring them roughly 20 times over, American volunteer says

Ukrainian forces were 'crushing' in Avdiivka until Russian artillery started outfiring them roughly 20 times over, American volunteer says

Russia seized a victory when Ukraine pulled out of Avdiivka.

A US veteran there said his men were "crushing" Russia there until ammunition became super scarce.

His men were being outfired by the Russians and couldn't hit certain targets, he said.

A US veteran fighting in Ukraine said that his fellow soldiers were beating Russia in a key town until ammunition dried up so significantly that Ukrainian forces had to withdraw.

The veteran, who goes by the call sign Jackie, has been in Ukraine since 2022 and has served as a trainer of Ukrainian troops. He has also taken part in the fighting and is now an assault instructor serving in Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade.

He said that in the weeks before Ukrainian forces had to withdraw from the town, Ukraine was "crushing the enemy in Avdiivka."

But despite inflicting more casualties on the Russians than the enemy could, he said, Ukraine had to pull out because it didn't have enough ammunition.

Before the Ukrainians withdrew from Avdiivka, Jackie recalled, "I would estimate for every 20 Russian munitions that come our way, we fire back one."

Shortages in Avdiivka

Ukraine withdrew from the town in February after it had become a focus of Russia's renewed offensive efforts. The pull out gave Russia its first major victory in months.

The White House, which has criticized Republicans for stalling further aid for Ukraine for months, said this happened because Ukraine was so short on ammunition.

Jackie agreed, saying "that's absolutely my assessment" of what went wrong.

A view from a car shows buildings destroyed in the town of Avdiivka in March 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

He said his men had felt the effects of falling Western aid before they even went to Avdiivka. He said his men were used to fighting without enough resources, as Western aid has come in fits and starts since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

But he said the situation has recently become a lot worse with US aid held up by American politics.

He said that for a time, his men were keeping some shells as reserves, but then they had to start firing those, too.

And then it got even worse. "We were starting to wake up the next day and say 'Oh, well there's either zero, one, or two rounds we could shoot today for a particular crew,'" Jackie said.

He said the shortages impacted their ability to stop Russia from equipping its troops like they could earlier in the fight.

In their first week in Avdiivka, his men were able to cut many of Russia's routes into the fight. But then, "we weren't able to do it anymore. We didn't have the shells."

He said the unit's reconnaissance team would report back to him to say they were able to see Russian trucks of shells arriving in Avdiivka and expected their information to result in Ukraine hitting those targets. But Ukraine didn't have the ammunition to do it.

A snowy field with traces of artillery and recently destroyed Russian heavy equipment on the outskirts of Avdiivka, Ukraine, in January 2024. Libkos/Getty Images

That meant Ukraine could no longer employ a key tactic.

"A big part of our tactical fight is suppressing these movements and logistics routes," Jackie said. "We had it and we had it locked, and then we didn't [hit it] because we ran our shells."

Ukraine has regularly been outnumbered in this fight, and many units have frequently been outgunned, facing a Russia that overpowers them in ammunition and manpower. That situation is becoming more and more prevalent for Kyiv's forces as time goes on.

Ukraine was fighting better

Even with the odds stacked against it, Ukraine has been able to stop Russia from taking over the country and from making significant progress in the east after pushing it back there. Many warfare experts have credited these successes to Ukraine's military making smarter tactical decisions with better-trained soldiers.

Jackie said Ukrainian advantages in training, tactics, and doctrine meant they outperformed the Russians, even in Avdiivka. He said that in the weeks running up to the withdrawal, "the Russian units were getting creamed."

He described Russian tactics there as nonsensical, saying they "were a mess," arguing that despite their weaponry advantage, "the Russians miss a lot," which helps dull that edge. Ukraine, he said, has to be more accurate to make the most of its weaponry.

As an instructor with the military, Jackie has been involved in fighting in different parts of Ukraine. With Avdiivka, he went close to the town but did not go to the front line, instead collecting testimony from his unit to aid future tactics and training.

He said that his men "destroyed two brigades worth of combat troops who were just throwing their guys at us basically," but Ukraine's defense was ultimately unsustainable. His men also kept a corridor open for Ukrainian troops to retreat.

Destruction in Avdiivka. Khorne Group/Telegram

The Institute for the Study of War said in February that more Russian soldiers likely died in their efforts to seize Avdiivka than died in the entire Soviet-Afghan war, a conflict in which as many as 25,000 were estimated to have been killed.

Jackie said "we really do not lose nearly as many guys as the Russians. I can tell you that for sure."

He described it as worse for Russia than Bakhmut, an eastern city that was the scene of what was long considered the bloodiest and most gruelling fight of the war.

But Ukraine still had to leave Avdiivka.

Russian forces there outnumbered Ukrainian troops by seven to one and Russia launched up to 60 guided aerial bombs a day while Ukraine struggled with a lack of critical counter-air capabilities, The Washington Post reported.

Ukraine's struggles continue

The picture in Avdiivka mirrors the ones Ukraine is seeing more broadly as challenges mount. Russia has more men and weaponry, and seems willing to suffer high losses of both to achieve its desired ends.

Meanwhile, aid from the US remains stalled. And while European countries are continuing their support, including announcing new packages in recent days, they have not made up the deficit.

Ukrainian soldiers in the outskirts of Avdiivka in February 14, 2024. Vlada Liberova/Libkos/Getty Images

Ukraine's president warned last month that Ukraine would have to start retreating if more aid did not come from the US soon. Many warfare experts have said that Ukraine, which has recently beaten back Russian mechanized assaults, could still win if it were properly supplied, but if nothing changes, as Zelenskyy said over the weekend, "Ukraine will lose."

Jackie said that his unit, now away from Avdiivka, is still struggling with ammunition shortages.

As an American, he urged the US to resume support for Ukraine, saying Ukraine is using everything it gets well and embarrassing Russia by destroying so much of its troops and equipment.

"I want to try to communicate to supporters from anywhere, but especially from America because I am American: We're not wasting any of this stuff."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian Foreign Minister speaks about details of negotiations with allies on supply of Patriots

Ukraine hopes to agree on supplying seven additional Patriot air defence system batteries as soon as possible, and is considering borrowing them from other countries.

Source: European Pravda; Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, in an interview with The Washington Post

Details: Dmytro Kuleba explained the change in Ukraine's tone in receiving air defence from Western partners by saying, "nice and quiet diplomacy didnt work." He expressed the hope that his new style of tough diplomacy would help make a breakthrough.

"Yes, people may hate me, and I may ruin the relationship. The other part of me is saying diplomacy is all about private relations. But then I told that part to shut up, and the part of me that wanted to speak out started speaking up. Weve tried everything, and nothing seems to work," the minister explained.

He also explained that the change in tactics was caused by Russia's missile attack on Kyiv in late March, when the sounds of explosions were heard less than a minute after the air-raid warning was issued.

The foreign minister said his team found over 100 "available" Patriot missile batteries, including those from neighbouring countries. At first, he focused on getting seven batteries as quickly as possible.

In addition, Kuleba says that Kyiv found four countries in Europe and Asia with Patriot, which can be immediately transferred to Ukraine. At the same time, he continues to ask the United States to hand over its batteries amid the blocking of a US$60 billion aid package in Congress.

The foreign minister said he even offered countries to provide Ukraine with Patriot for temporary use, promising to return the batteries as soon as they asked.

"I feel myself hitting the wall with my own head, although Im a diplomat, and that means I have to dismantle the wall brick by brick. But since this kind of diplomacy doesnt work, I feel like hitting the wall.. I just dont understand why its not happening," Kuleba shared in an interview with The Washington Post.

Background:

Strengthening the Ukrainian air defence system was one of the key topics of conversations with the partners of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba during his trip to the fields of the NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels last week.

As the NATO Secretary General said at the time, some NATO allies had promised to look for air defence systems for Ukraine.

Support UP or become our patron!


Ukrainian MPs pass bill on mobilisation of convicts on first reading

The Parliament has adopted a draft law that would allow the mobilisation of convicted persons on the first reading.

Source: Yaroslav Zhelezniak, MP of the Voice faction, on Telegram

Quote: "The draft law on the mobilisation of convicted persons was adopted.

The risks on anti-corruption (there is a decision of the Anti-Corruption Committee) and on serious crimes are promised to be removed by the second reading."

Details: A total of 281 MPs voted in favour.

The document stipulates that during mobilisation and/or martial law, persons serving a sentence of restriction of liberty or imprisonment may be granted parole by a court to perform military service under contract.

At the same time, parole does not apply to persons convicted of crimes against the national security of Ukraine, convicted of the intentional murder of two or more persons, or combined with rape or sexual violence, as well as convicted of criminal offences under Articles 152-1561, 258-2586, Part 4 of Article 2861 of the Criminal Code.

Support UP or become our patron!


UPDATED: Russian military helicopter crashes in Black Sea after explosion, Ukrainian Navy says

Editor's note: The article was updated with additional comments from Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk at a press briefing at Ukrinform Media Center.

A Russian Ka-27 helicopter crashed near Russian-occupied Crimea, likely due to an incident on board, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said on April 10.

"Minus Russian Ka-27 in Crimea. Was looking for something. Found it," Pletenchuk posted on social media.

The spokesperson clarified later during a press briefing at Ukrinform Media Center that the helicopter apparently crashed due to an explosion on board.

"We can say that the helicopter fell. We have information that this disaster was preceded by an explosion. This means that the crash did not happen simply due to technical reasons, but something happened on board," Pletenchuk said.

According to the spokesperson, there is currently no confirmed information about killed Russian personnel.

Earlier on April 10, Ukraine's General Staff reported that Russia had lost 325 helicopters since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Ka-27 helicopters were designed for the Soviet Navy to carry out attacks on submarines.

According to the Telegram channel Crimean Wind, Ka-27s are currently used by Russian forces in the Black Sea to monitor the movements of Ukrainian naval drones and landing boats.

Ukraine frequently uses domestically produced naval drones to carry out attacks on Russia's Black Sea Fleet in the waters around Crimea.

Pletenchuk said on March 29 that Russian forces accidentally shot down their own Su-27 fighter jet over occupied Crimea due to "heightened combat readiness."

Russian occupation authorities in Sevastopol had reported on March 28 that the Russian warplane "crashed" off the Crimean coast without naming the cause of the incident.

The pilot ejected safely and was picked up by rescue services, according to the Russian-installed head of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev.

Read also: Opinion: Whats left of Russias Black Sea Fleet?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraines top diplomat said in an interview published Wednesday that he plans to sharpen his rhetoric in requests to Western allies for more weapons.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stressed the urgency of getting military aid to the front lines and resolved to change his approach.

Nice and quiet diplomacy didnt work, he said to the Post.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba attends a joint news conference with Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot of the Netherlands following their talks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.

Kuleba said he hopes a tougher approach will break through with Western allies, whose aid to the war-torn country has declined in recent months. In the United States, Congress has been sitting on a roughly $60 billion aid package for Ukraine that President Biden requested at the end of last year.

Yes, people may hate me, and I may ruin the relationship, Kuleba told the Post. The other part of me is saying diplomacy is all about private relations. But then I told that part to shut up, and the part of me that wanted to speak out started speaking up. Weve tried everything, and nothing seems to work.

Kuleba said the U.S.-designed Patriot air defense system is the countrys top priority. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tasked Kuleba with trying to convince countries to give Ukraine its spare systems.

Kulebas sharper rhetoric has been evident in some of his recent interviews.

Late last month, in an interview with Politico, Kuleba said, Give us the damn Patriots.

If we had enough air defense systems, namely Patriots, we would be able to protect not only the lives of our people, but also our economy from destruction, he added.

Congress returned to Washington this week after a two-week holiday recess. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has said he plans on putting a Ukraine aid package on the floor for a vote, but he has yet to say publicly what that package would include.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Voting results for the bill amending the Criminal Code and Code of Administrative Offences regarding mobilisation violations in the first reading. Photo: Zhelezniak on Telegram

The Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian parliament) supported on the first reading the government bill amending the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences for violations related to mobilisation.

Source: Yaroslav Zhelezniak, Ukrainian MP, on Telegram

Quote from Zhelezniak: "The parliament voted in favour of the first reading of bill #10379 amending the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences for violations related to mobilisation."

Details: Zhelezniak noted that 254 MPs supported the bill.

"Attention, as the issue has only passed the first stage (rather than in its entirety), the government version [of the bill] with all its provisions is effectively approved now. It has many issues and stringent provisions. Therefore, all promised changes must be introduced as amendments for the second reading in the committee."

Background:

On 8 April, Serhii Ionushas, Head of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliamentary) Committee on Law Enforcement, reported that the committee is considering a draft law on increasing liability for military offences. The committee has also determined the amount of fines payable by citizens, officials and legal entities.

The Cabinet of Ministers registered the draft laws On Amending Certain Legislative Acts on Improving Certain Issues of Mobilisation, Military Registration and Military Service (No. 10378) and On Amending the Code of Administrative Offences and the Criminal Code to Strengthen Liability for Military Offences (No. 10379) with the Verkhovna Rada on 25 December 2023.

The government subsequently withdrew draft law No. 10378 from the parliament, but legislative initiative No. 10379 remained under the MPs consideration.

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukrainian Parliament wants speech from Commander-in-Chief and General Staff top officials before voting for mobilisation bill

Before considering the draft law on mobilisation on 10 April, the Verkhovna Rada invited Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief, Anatolii Barhylevych, Chief of the General Staff, and Yurii Sodol, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to speak.

Source: Yaroslav Zhelezniak, MP of the Voice faction, on Telegram

Quote: "The Rada has decided to invite the military leadership [Syrskyi, Barhylevych and Sodol] to speak before the start of consideration of the law on mobilisation. There will be an opportunity to give them a speech."

Details: Zhelezniak noted that 315 MPs had voted in favour of the decision.

At the same time, MPs did not support the idea of inviting Defence Minister Rustem Umierov and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The proposal received only 138 votes out of 226 necessary for the decision to be made.

Background:

On 9 April, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliamentary) Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence completed its work on the second reading of the draft law on mobilisation. The bill is now ready for MPs consideration.

At the request of the military leadership and government officials, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence decided to remove the provisions on demobilisation and rotation of military personnel from the draft law.

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukrainian Peace Summit set to be held in Switzerland in mid-June

The Swiss government will host a two-day high-level conference on the settlement of the war in Ukraine  known as the Peace Summit  in mid-June.

Source: Blick with reference to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)

Details: The conference is due to take place at the Burgenstock Resort in the canton of Nidwalden, near Lucerne, on 15 and 16 June.

The FDFA said that the meeting is to be a platform for high-level dialogue on ways to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine on the basis of international law and the UN Charter.

The conference should create a common understanding of the framework that will contribute to achieving this goal. It should also draw up a specific roadmap for Russia's participation in the peace process.

However, as the FDFA pointed out, there are still many unknown variables. It is not yet known which countries will attend the summit. A total of 80-100 states are expected to be invited.

Background:

Russia has said it will not participate in the talks in Switzerland.

The Office of the President of Ukraine also said that Russia, which is violating all international rules and humanitarian norms, will not attend the first global peace summit.

Switzerland has agreed to organise the Peace Summit at Ukraine's request, as both countries announced on 15 January during Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Bern.

Support UP or become our patron!
Ukrainian and Swiss presidents want as many countries as possible to take part in Global Peace Summit

During a telephone conversation, Swiss President Viola Amherd and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have agreed to work together to ensure as many countries as possible take part in the inaugural Global Peace Summit.

Source: website of the Office of the President of Ukraine

Details: The Office of the President of Ukraine said that the presidents agreed to hold the first Global Peace Summit in June.

"Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Viola Amherd agreed to continue working on involving as many countries as possible to participate in the summit to develop a common vision for the practical achievement of a just, sustainable, and comprehensive peace for Ukraine," the press release on the Presidents Office website reads.

The summit is the next step in the efforts to implement the Ukrainian Peace Formula, which has so far resulted in meetings between ambassadors of over 80 countries accredited in Ukraine, and four meetings of national security advisors that were held in Copenhagen, Jeddah, Malta and Davos, the Presidents Office reported.

Background:

The Swiss government said on 10 April that it will host a two-day high-level conference on the settlement of the war in Ukraine  known as the Peace Summit  in mid-June.

Russia has said it will not participate in the talks in Switzerland.

The Office of the President of Ukraine also said that Russia, which is violating all international rules and humanitarian norms, will not attend the first Global Peace Summit.

Support UP or become our patron!
Aroldo Lazaro (C), commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), salutes as he arrives to attend a repatriation ceremony. 'For the end of Ramadan, on the occasion of Eid El Fitr, UNIFIL calls for a return to the cessation of hostilities, and a move towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict' Lazaro said. Marwan Naamani/dpa

At the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the United Nations has reiterated its call for de-escalation on the Lebanese-Israeli border.

"For the end of Ramadan, on the occasion of Eid El Fitr, UNIFIL calls for a return to the cessation of hostilities, and a move towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict," the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement on Wednesday.

Since the beginning of the Gaza war after the massacre by the Islamist Hamas in Israel on October 7th, there have been daily, sometimes deadly, confrontations between Israel's army and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement in Lebanon.

Civilians were also killed in both countries as a result of mutual shelling.

Since October, UNIFIL has continued to call on the parties involved to respect their commitments under the UN Resolution 1701 adopted during the 2006 Lebanon war, which calls for a full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, among other things.

UNIFIL has been monitoring the border area between the two countries since 1978. There was hope around the world that a ceasefire in the Gaza war would be achieved by the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr on Wednesday, which could also have affected the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

So far, however, the outcome of the current, indirect negotiations between Israel and Palestinian extremist organization Hamas regarding a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza is uncertain.
UN says more than 600 Ukrainian civilians killed or injured in March, up 20% from February

At least 604 Ukrainian civilians were killed or injured in March, representing a 20% increase from the previous month, the U.N.'s human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine said in a report released on April 9.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the U.N. said that at least 10,810 civilians have been killed and at least 20,556 injured.

The increase in March was due to Russia's increasing usage of missiles and loitering munitions across Ukraine, as well as intensified aerial bombardments of population centers by the front line, the U.N. said.

At least 57 children were killed or injured in March, which the U.N. said was particularly the result of Russia's usage of guided and unguided aerial bombs.

The true figure of civilian casualties is likely much higher, the U.N. said.

The number of dead and injured in fighting immediately after the outbreak of the full-scale war has yet to be fully accounted for, and some of the places that saw the heaviest combat in early 2022 are still under Russian occupation, making it all but impossible for outside observers to investigate.

Read also: Update: Russian attack on Kostiantynivka on April 9 kills 3, including child

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Paediatric consultant Dr Hilary Cass wants early help for primary school children who want to socially transition - Yui Mok/PA

Children who think they are transgender should not be rushed into treatment they may regret, a landmark report has concluded.

The report by paediatric consultant Dr Hilary Cass has made 32 recommendations, including: calling for the unhurried care of those under 25 who think they may be transgender; an end to the prescribing of powerful hormone drugs to under-18s; and early help for primary school children who want to socially transition  which means using a name and pronouns of their preferred gender and being treated as though they are that gender.

The Telegraph has summarised the reports key findings:

Doctors must be extremely cautious about giving any trans drugs to under-18s

Last month, the NHS banned the prescribing of puberty blockers outside of clinical trials. However, Dr Cass has gone further and said children who think they are transgender should not be given any hormone drugs at all until at least 18.

The former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said there was no evidence the drugs buy time to think or reduce suicide risk.

While the drugs can suppress puberty, research commissioned by the review and carried out by the University of York found the drugs have no effect on the persons body satisfaction or their experience of gender dysphoria  where the person feels they are a different gender to the sex they were born  despite this being the reason they had been prescribed.

Dr Hilary Cass said there was no evidence hormone drugs 'buy time to think' or 'reduce suicide risk' - PA

Dr Cass stated there was concern that [puberty blockers] may change the trajectory of psychosexual and gender identity development with most patients going on to take cross-sex hormones as a result.

She said the NHS should exert extreme caution in giving out cross-sex hormones to under-18s as the research carried out by her review concludes there is a lack of high-quality research on their effectiveness. She said their use should be incorporated into the puberty blocker trial.

Dr Cass said all children and teenagers should be given time to keep options open during this development window and that this would allow time to diagnose and treat other conditions while preserving fertility.

She said doctors must be able to refer to the longer-term benefits and risks of treatment options but this was not currently available for children experiencing gender incongruence or dysphoria. A systematic review by the University of York of more than 1,000 children who had been treated by the Tavistock, found that 7.4 per cent of under-16s given puberty blockers stopped their treatment

It found that the younger children started treatment, the more likely they were to continue on to cross-sex hormones, which means the drugs are not buying time to think.

It had also been suggested that the drugs could improve body image and psychological wellbeing  however, the review found no changes in gender dysphoria or body satisfaction were demonstrated.

Young children should have therapy before they are allowed to socially transition

Families should be able to see a medical profession such as a child psychologist or paediatrician as quickly as possible if a primary school child wants to socially transition, the report recommends.

Dr Cass states that while exploration is a normal process in teenagers, children who are yet to go through puberty will have been affected by parental attitudes and beliefs.

She states the importance of avoiding premature decisions and seeking help early on to understand the childs behaviour and assess whether they are experiencing any mental health issues or distress.

Research conducted for the review found that prepubescent children who socially transition  which means a child being treated as their preferred gender, including using their chosen pronouns and name, and allowing them to use the facilities such as lavatories and changing rooms of their choice  were more likely to undergo medical treatment later.

She suggests that a partial rather than full transition can be a way of ensuring flexibility and keeping options open until the developmental trajectory becomes clearer.

There should be a distinction for the approach taken to pre- and post-pubertal children, she said. This is of particular importance in relation to social transition, which may not be thought of as an intervention or treatment because it is something that generally happens at home, online or in school and not within health services.

The report finds that social transition in childhood may change the trajectory of gender identity development for children with early gender incongruence.

The younger children are when they present with gender incongruence the more likely they are to move on from that phase, it says.

The current evidence base suggests that children who present with gender incongruence at a young age are most likely to desist before puberty, although for a small number the incongruence will persist.

It recommends a clinical professional such as a mental health specialist should help families to recognise normal developmental variation in gender role behaviour and expression.

Parents feel forced to allow their children to transition so they are not labelled transphobic

Dr Cass said her review heard concerns from many parents about their child being socially transitioned and affirmed in their expressed gender without parental involvement.

Such cases often involved an adolescent who had come out at school while expressing concern about how their parents might react. Some parents felt forced to affirm their childs assumed identity or risk being painted as transphobic and/or unsupportive, the report said.

In a small number of cases, there were concerns that parents were consciously or unconsciously influencing their childs gender expression, it said.

It is very important that the child/young persons voice is heard and that perceptions of gender identity represent the child/young persons sense of self, it said.

Under-25s must not be rushed into changing gender

Under-25s should not be rushed into changing gender, but should receive unhurried, holistic, therapeutic support, Dr Cass concluded. She said life changing decisions must be properly considered in adulthood, noting that brain maturation continues into the mid-20s.

The report found that clinicians are unable to determine with any certainty which children and young people will go on to have an enduring trans identity. Young adults aged 17 to 25 who want to change gender should be seen by a follow-through service rather than sent straight to an adult clinic, the report concludes.

The NHS has been accused of fast-tracking thousands of teenagers to adult clinics, because they would not be seen before their 17th birthday, and prescribing them cross-sex hormones.

Dr Cass said these people were still at a vulnerable stage in their journey and that regional centres offering gender services for children, as well as mental health assessments and support, should care for those aged up to 25 or link up with such services.

The consultant paediatrician said it was not possible to know the sweet spot when someone becomes settled in their sense of self but that decisions should not be rushed before an individual becomes a mature adult at about 25.

When making life-changing decisions, what is the correct balance between keeping options as flexible and open as possible as you move into adulthood, and responding to how you feel right now? she wrote in the reports foreword.

The report said far more consideration should be given to reaching a point of maturity before taking a decision.

It used to be thought that brain maturation finished in adolescence, but it is now understood that this remodelling continues into the mid-20s as different parts become more interconnected and specialised, the report notes.

Changes in the limbic area, which is present-orientated and concerned with risk taking and sensation seeking, begin with puberty; this part of the brain becomes super sensitised, drives emotional volatility, pleasure and novelty seeking, and also makes adolescents more sensitive to social rejection, as well as vulnerable to addiction and a range of mental health problems, the review continues.

The future orientated prefrontal cortex matures later, with development continuing into an individuals 20s, and  is concerned with executive functions such as complex decision making, rational judgement, inhibition of impulsivity, planning and prioritisation, it states.

Trauma is prevalent among trans children

Childhood trauma, neglect and abuse feature heavily in the cohort of patients seeking gender changes, the report shows.

It cites a systematic review that found that in some services, as many as two thirds of those referred had suffered some kind of neglect or abuse, with high levels of parental mental illness, substance abuse and exposure to domestic violence. The research found about half of cases had suffered from maternal mental illness or substance abuse while almost 40 per cent had experienced paternal mental illness or substance abuse.

An early study of UK cases referred to gender services found one quarter of children had spent some time in care. More than four in 10 cases had experienced living with only one parent, with almost as many having experience of family mental health problems.

The report shows that rates of mental ill-health have risen among children and young people, especially girls and young women.

This comes in parallel with the rising numbers seeking help from NHS gender clinics, where the biggest rise has been among those registered as female at birth, seeking help in adolescence to change gender.

Within this group, there are higher levels of neurodiversity and mental health issues, it says, calling for a holistic appraisal of the young patient, not solely in terms of their gender-related distress.

Children/young people referred to NHS gender services must receive a holistic assessment of their needs to inform an individualised care plan. This should include screening for neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, and a mental health assessment, it states.

People who change gender may regret it

The report advises children expressing a desire to change gender are given time to think before being rushed into a decision they may regret.

It suggests that too many decisions about changing gender have been rushed, with too little consideration given that children might regret their actions in later life.

A survey included in the findings found the history of the child/young persons gender journey was rarely examined closely for signs of difficulty, regret or wishes to alter any aspect of their gender trajectory.

Evidence considered by the Cass review included talking to those who have transitioned to the opposite sex and those who have detransitioned back. It found that whilst some young people may feel an urgency to transition, young adults looking back at their younger selves would often advise slowing down.

It continued: For some, the best outcome will be transition, whereas others may resolve their distress in other ways. Some may transition and then de/retransition and/or experience regret. The NHS needs to care for all those seeking support.

Data on the number of adults who have detransitioned are scarce, but the report said the number was increasing. A 2021 study found that 70 per cent of people detransitioning had another condition in the first place, while 23 per cent were actually gay, lesbian or bisexual.

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 University of Cologne withdrew renowned philosophy scholars invitation for a visiting professorship over her support of Palestine, citing the schools ties to Israel.

On Monday, the top-ranked German University released a statement saying Professor Nancy Fraser would no longer be invited to the university as part of the 2023 Albertus Magnus Professorship, because she had signed a letter questioning Israels right to exist as an ethno-supremacist state.

In November, Fraser was one of over 400 philosophers and professors who signed a letter titled The Philosophy of Palestine. The purpose of the letter was to publicly and unequivocally express our solidarity with the Palestinian people and to denounce the ongoing and rapidly escalating massacre being committed in Gaza by Israel and with the full financial, material, and ideological support of our own governments.

Fraser was supposed to give a series of public lectures about her current book project on labor in a capitalist society, and had no intention to speak about Israel or Palestine, she said in an interview with Jacobin.

Fraser said that in the days before the announcement, the university had reached out to her about her decision to sign the letter. I thought, what a nerve! I mean, whats it his business what my views are about the Middle East? Im a free agent, Im able to sign whatever I want, she said.

I didnt want to be overly confrontational. So, I wrote back and said, well, of course, there are many different views about Palestine and Israel, and theres a lot of pain on all sides, including pain I experienced myself as a Jew. But theres one thing on which there can be no disagreement, she said. Two days later, she received word that she was no longer invited to speak at the university.

Fraser called the incident a truly outrageous instance of something many people would argue is a much broader trend in Germany today.

They are in clear violation of widely held academicand, frankly, constitutionalnorms about political freedom and freedom of speech, she said. This will do considerable harm to the German academy.

In a follow-up statement, the university attributed its decision to the letters invitation for other academics to join in an academic and cultural boycott of Israel. The university claimed it was difficult to reconcile this sentiment with its many ties to partner institutions in Israel. In 2019, the German parliament voted to condemn the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel for using anti-Semitic methods.

In October, the University of Cologne released a statement sending thoughts and prayers to our partners, their family members and friends in Israel, a country towards which we bear a particular historical responsibility and with which we enjoy a unique relationship.

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.
Univision Asked Biden What The 'Primary Threat To Freedom Is And He Didn't Hold Back

Univisions Enrique Acevedo asked President Joe Biden what he believes constitutes the primary threat to freedom and democracy in the United States.

Biden had a simple answer.

Donald Trump, the president replied in a lengthy interview that the Spanish language network aired Tuesday.

Seriously, he added.

Biden then pulled few punches as he tore into his predecessors use of authoritarian rhetoric, support of the violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and derogatory comments about minority populations.

The four-times-indicted presumptive GOP nominee uses phrases like, youre going to eviscerate the Constitution, hes gonna be a dictator on day one, Biden noted.

The idea that he would sit [] off the Oval Office and watch for hours the attack on the Capitol, and the destruction and the mayhem and people were killed, the police officers who died, and call them political heroes, to call them patriots, and say that if he gets elected hes going to free them all, because theyre being held illegally? he added.

I cant think of any other time in my lifetime, in history thats occurred, that youve had somebody whos had this kind of attitude, said Biden. He says hes going to be a dictator on day one? No one doesnt believe him.

Watch the exchange here:

 Entrevista exclusiva: @Enrique_Acevedo habla con el presidente Joe Biden. #EntrevistaBiden



 Este martes 9 de abril a las 10P/9C/7PAC por @Univision, @ViX, @UniMas y YouTube de Univision Noticias. pic.twitter.com/pBhaWHoKJH  Univision Noticias (@UniNoticias) April 8, 2024

Related...
Kate and her husband Jeremy thought their youngest daughter Bella was just having a mild case of separation anxiety when they picked her up from her first day at the Ford Island Child Development Center near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Bella's face was red and patchy, and her tiny voice was raspy from crying through the day. Their usually bubbly 15-month-old, with cheeks and limbs so adorably "chunky," went on to spend the next two days either hysterically crying or noticeably quiet and withdrawn. She wet herself at night for the first time in a while, her parents said, and she lost her appetite.

On the third day of going to the center in August 2022, she clutched at Kate as she was walked into the facility, crying out, 'Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, no."

Read Next: Military Pharmacies Return to Full Operation Following Breach by Transnational Hacking Group

In her gut, Kate felt something was wrong, but she'd been told separation anxiety was common. She had decided to go back to work, and she knew it was going to be a tough transition for Bella. Besides, Kate thought to herself, if something had happened at the day care, she or her husband, an intelligence officer in the Army, would have been told.

But the next day, Kate found bruises on Bella's thigh. Later, she would find out that her daughter's cheeks weren't just red and swollen from crying -- a day care worker had shoved a photo of Bella's parents into her face so hard that her little head had turned away a full 90 degrees as a second worker held her.

CCTV from the day care center that was checked only after Kate and Jeremy Kuykendall requested a review later revealed that Bella had been physically abused by at least two of the workers. She was pinched, shoved, smothered and pushed up against a wall, the Kuykendalls told Military.com.

"I just started crying and didn't know what to do," Kate said of the moment she found out about the abuse. "I felt like I failed her so much. She gave me all the signs, and I didn't listen, you know?"

No official police or command reports were filed on the day law enforcement responded to the first report of potential abuse. The day care failed to properly document the injuries or to tell the parents the full scope of what happened, aside from the story that Bella had been crying. It was only after more than a year that two of the three workers allegedly responsible for abuse were charged in a civilian court. Two of the workers involved were allowed to keep working for five months before one was fired and the other quit.

The Kuykendalls -- like most of the other nearly dozen military families interviewed during Military.com's investigation, most of whom requested that their names were withheld -- had run into a common dilemma: Getting even basic information from the military's day care system about what happened to their children requires jumping through enormous hoops over the course of months and years. Even when they are told their children were harmed, getting accountability seems impossible.

If their kids had been at civilian day care centers, local law in most states would have required immediate notification and documentation of incidents so that parents could take action. Military day care facilities aren't required to abide by those state laws and, in many cases, existing service policy would run afoul of those requirements.

The Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize protecting the institution, keep parents in the dark while officials formulate a public relations response, and have minimal safeguards to guarantee accountability. Base commanders and military police units often don't know who is responsible for reporting and investigating allegations of abuse, allowing cases to slow to a crawl while offices shirk responsibility.

The publication interviewed a dozen families and their lawyers, all with similar stories of not being told when their child was injured and, in many cases, parents assuming hefty legal bills to force the military branches to tell them what happened.

The publication also reviewed hundreds of pages of military regulations and more than 1,000 pages of documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, much of which was provided by the families. FOIAs are typically a process reserved for journalists and legal advocacy groups, and are a mechanism that can force the government to relinquish information. But in many cases, families had to go that route for basic information on how their child was injured or traumatized while at military day care.

"It's more about protecting the institution and the commander," Korvin Kraics, an attorney for one family said.

The lack of accountability comes as the Pentagon has struggled to staff its day cares. The Army, which makes up the lion's share of facilities, has its day cares staffed at only about 70%. Hiring quality staff has been a challenge, partly due to relatively low wages. In most cases, day care workers do not need any qualifications other than a high school diploma and most of the training is on the job -- although officials stressed that employees undergo comprehensive background checks.

And with child care costs rising meteorically across the country, Congress and senior military planners are eyeing a major expansion of day care services over the next decade to make sure troops can go to work. The Navy is currently building four more child care centers, with plans for an additional dozen in the next several years. For many military families, the subsidized care provided by bases may be their only option.

The Army's regulation on managing day cares details how best to protect the institution, including tight coordination with numerous echelons before parents can be told anything. This set of instructions includes coordination with public affairs if the incident risks garnering media attention. Public affairs is also instructed to provide guidance to day care management and commanders before talking to parents.

Eight families interviewed by Military.com whose children were injured or otherwise had some incident were never given copies of the incident report form -- something commonly provided at civilian day cares in the private sector.

Families who have dealt with harm to their children at facilities managed by the Navy criticized the speed at which they were told about incidents with their children while Navy officials have said their policies don't mandate speedy notification.

Throughout the monthslong effort to hold Bella's abusers accountable, the Kuykendalls ran into instance after instance of command components either denying their ability to act or shifting the responsibility to a different office.

In a Jan. 24, 2023, meeting with Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam garrison leaders and the Judge Advocate General office, base leadership acknowledged the overall failures of the reporting system but ultimately placed the blame not on the policy, but on individuals and on the Honolulu Police Department.

"How did HPD not take the case? Why did they not take the case? Why did it sit on CID's [the base Criminal Investigation Division] desk and not communicate with HPD that next day to pick it up?" Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam garrison deputy, Lt. Col. Jenell Macias, told the Kuykendalls in a conversation, according to the couple. Military.com reviewed documentation that verified their account. The base's public affairs office directed a request for comment about the conversation Macias had with the Kuykendalls to Navy Public Affairs, who did not respond ahead of publication.



"A lot of that stuff that happened was wrong," Macias told them. "A lot of it is written like it's supposed to be, but people just didn't do it."

Later, during a March 2023 meeting with officials, including JAG officers, regarding getting access to footage and details on what happened to the offending employees, the Kuykendalls were told that the day care was not responsible for making decisions on consequences. That choice allegedly lies with garrison personnel or higher, they said.

"There's too much shit that happened to our child here," Jeremy Kuykendall said. "[The people that were supposed to help] all failed. The cops failed  and the Navy sure as fuck failed."

When Military.com reached out to the Pentagon about the issues that families highlighted and the apparent gaps in policies the reviewed cases and documents demonstrated, leaders said that abuse by employees is not tolerated.

"Gaining and maintaining the trust of our service members and their families is sacred; we remain relentless in our pursuit to dedicate resources, services, policies and programs to support them, especially during difficult times," Patricia Montes Barron, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community & family policy, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Vice Adm. Scott Gray, the head of Navy Installations Command and the man who oversees the service's child care centers, said that "incidents are rare" and said that the Navy "takes swift action to report and thoroughly review each incident against our own policies, practices and staffing to prevent future occurrences; hold violators accountable; and provide the safest care environment possible."

The Army did not provide a statement from its leadership and declined to provide interviews ahead of publication.

Weaponized ignorance

Questions about who is responsible for incidents at military child care centers were prevalent in nearly every case described by families to Military.com and appeared to be driven in large part by the fact that the services' policies create a complex web of reporting requirements that involved agencies whose jurisdictions either included or excluded military installations as part of their mandate.

Military officials overseeing the actual operation of the centers have repeatedly said that their responsibility is simply to spot abuse and make reports to the appropriate agencies. However, the policies covering that mandate are weak.

At Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California, emails between officials show that it took months before leadership realized that the videos at their center weren't being reviewed, meaning potential incidents could have been occurring and supervisors wouldn't have noticed.

Navy policy does not compel officials to review those recordings with any regularity, and centers have to keep footage for only 30 days -- potential problems that parents at China Lake would later raise with the base commander in a public forum.

The discovery that conditions weren't being monitored at that base happened after a new interim head for the center was installed in October 2022, who "observed conditions and actions by staff that were 'concerning,'" China Lake's commander, Capt. Jeremy Vaughan, told his boss in an email on Oct. 20, 2022.

Vaughan directed a three-day closure of the center for a "safety stand-down" as well as staff training. He also ordered a full review of the footage they had.

Four days later, the interim director who had raised the alarm, Mary Graves, would write an email informing Vaughan and others that seven employees were being placed on administrative leave.

One employee of the center turned herself in that day to local law enforcement to face charges of felony child abuse, emails show. Officials also were aware of another staff member who resigned in August after being accused of child abuse.

But the Navy didn't tell parents or the public about any of these suspensions or arrests at the time; it wouldn't be until early in November 2022 -- when staff were finally able to review 30 days of video -- that officials would start to notify parents of the mistreatment violations that they were discovering in the footage.

A base spokeswoman then told Military.com on Nov. 9 that three employees violated its touch policy, the rules that dictate physical interactions with kids.

A police document reviewed by Military.com said that Graves called base police on Nov. 1 to see the footage. According to the document, in one instance a caretaker grabbed a child's toe hard enough for him to start crying and then placed him on a changing table and appeared to hold their hands over his nose and mouth for about 20 seconds.

In another incident, a caretaker grabbed a child by the arm; minutes later, she made him stand away from the other children who were singing a song. The boy was crying and still trying to participate, making hand motions that go along with the song from afar.

According to the Navy Child and Youth Programs Guidance and Touch Policy, "rejecting ... ignoring [and] isolating" children is prohibited.

When Military.com began reporting about the "touch violations" at China Lake in 2022, a Navy spokesperson stressed that, according to their policy, commonly known by the acronym CAPER, "Once touch policy violations are discovered, they must be substantiated." Substantiated violations are then reported internally to the Family Advocacy Program, or FAP, and, in the case of China Lake, outside the military to California's Child Protective Services, or CPS.

However, Jana Slagle, an official with Kern County, the municipality where China Lake is located, told Military.com that CPS doesn't handle those cases.

"CPS has jurisdiction over any kind of abuse that might happen from a parent in a home setting," she said, before adding that "if something criminal happened in a day care, like sexual abuse or physical abuse -- which those are considered criminal -- then law enforcement would also be involved in the day care."

Jason Montiel, a spokesman for California's Department of Social Services -- the agency that licenses day care facilities in the state -- also told Military.com in an email that "child day care facilities located on military facilities are subject to regulatory oversight by the Department of Defense" and not his agency.

Even Vaughan, China Lake's commander, seemed unsure of how the relationship with state officials is set up.

In a November email, more than a week after his child care center officials told some parents their children were victims of abuse at the hands of employees, Vaughan sent an email to a person whose name was redacted and asked:

"Question about DoD/Navy CDC relationship w/ the host state: What is the relationship w/ the

State of California? What State inspection cycle is typical for a civilian-run entity? What is our DoD/Navy equivalent?"

When asked about this discrepancy in mandates, Navy officials said that all their child care professionals "are mandated reporters for incidents of suspected child maltreatment" and as such "are required by law to report known or suspected child abuse to Child Protective Services (CPS)." However, CPS doesnt have clear jurisdiction with day cares on federal property.

Even once a "touch violation" is substantiated and reported, a Navy spokesperson said that the service's policy "does not dictate a timeline to inform parents," and the policy itself says that only a handful of officials are authorized to actually talk. Determining who will investigate can also become an issue.

Kate Kuykendall, Bella's mom, was told that, because the incidents with her daughter in Hawaii were "civilian on civilian," military investigators with the Criminal Investigation Division would wait until the Honolulu Police Department decided whether it wanted to take the case before they would move forward with an investigation.

In the initial report by base police, however, the responding officer indicated that the base's criminal investigation division -- not to be confused with the Army's similarly named entity -- had taken over the case from base law enforcement, supposedly in conjunction with civilian police.

Emails from base leadership to the Kuykendalls in September and onward would also later show that CID was ordered to start an investigation in the immediate aftermath of the alert, regardless of the Honolulu Police Department's own involvement.

In the January 2023 meeting with Macias, the family was told that, "Everyone was waiting for someone to be the investigator."

Navy officials said that the policy is that "within 24 hours of receiving a report of suspected abuse, FAP must notify NCIS [the Naval Criminal Investigative Service], who will review the reported incident and decide if a criminal investigation is warranted."

NCIS did not fully get involved until February, seven months after the abuse took place and after the Kuykendalls filed an inspector general report with the service's headquarters component in Washington, D.C., over the lack of NCIS presence.

Even when teachers or caretakers aren't directly accused of malfeasance, parents aren't being told quickly when troubling things happen to their kids.

Across the country from Hawaii in December 2023, a child at the day care for the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania was touched inappropriately, likely by another child. Military.com is withholding the names of the children involved.

The 4-year-old child was touched by another child numerous times on Dec. 5 and 6, 2023, according to a redacted copy of the CID investigation; the director of that day care was notified immediately but the parents weren't told until Dec. 7. The child exhibited some behavioral changes months earlier, and one of the parents believes it was related. Investigators did not review footage before the incidents in December. It's unclear whether a day care worker was in the room observing the children, as required, during the incidents.

Sexual behavior between children is not one of the incidents clearly prescribed in Army policy that day cares have to document and report to parents, as is mandated by law in most states. In the bulk of civilian jurisdictions, day cares are mandated to document and report all incidents to parents immediately, or by the end of the day.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth in 2021 directed the service to bolster its regulations on day cares reporting incidents of sexual behavior to parents. Military.com asked the Army in January whether those policies were written and codified.

The service responded in April, only after being made aware of this story's publication, saying that policy had been finalized but was marked as Controlled Unclassified Information, or CUI.

While technically not a classification, CUI is meant to protect documents from being publicized easily -- including to parents, preventing them from knowing whether day cares their children attend adhere to service rules. Government transparency critics and lawmakers have argued that CUI is being stamped on many documents that do not contain material that is sensitive for national security purposes, but rather as a catchall to keep documents from being examined.

It's unclear why a policy on day care reporting standards would be concealed. The Army did not share the policy with Military.com.

Want to know what happened to your kids? That costs $15,000

In both the China Lake and Pearl Harbor cases, the parents of the injured children were initially told they would need to pay to have the videos of their incidents provided to them.

These videos are not only critical in giving parents evidence to pursue legal action but could offer important information about how to treat the children's injuries or trauma.

One Navy official warned a parent of a China Lake victim via email that "for every minute of video recording, it takes 4 hours of redaction work to blur the images" and noted that this could mean "40 hours of possible billable charges to you." Editing efforts would include removing footage that doesn't show the victims while also blurring faces external to those directly involved in each case.

Meanwhile, the Kuykendalls at Ford Island were told that, in order for them to get a copy of the footage, they would have to pay approximately $200 per editing hour. The total coverage between all of the cameras covering where Bella was abused would have accounted for about 75 hours -- meaning the Kuykendalls would have been on the hook for around $15,000.

For Bella, the delay in learning what happened could have lingering health consequences. Doctors have told the Kuykendalls that she may have suffered a concussion and she continues to have prolonged brain injury symptoms almost two years later, including sleep problems and headaches.

Neither the Kuykendalls nor the parent who spoke to Military.com from China Lake ultimately paid for the video from their respective incidents, although both waited months to receive the footage, even after FOIA requests were finally approved.

The Kuykendalls alleged that, while reviewing their daughter's footage, they noticed similar behavior toward another girl. But by the time the day care announced the abuse allegations in a letter sent home to parents, a little more than three months after the fact, it would have been too late for any other families to request footage from the same time, given the policy of keeping footage for only one month.

Meanwhile, the comprehensive review conducted at China Lake of 30 days of video turned up a staggering "132 unique policy violations relating to sanitation policy, food safety, accountability and supervision," according to the base spokeswoman in 2022.

In emails between the base commander and other base officials, whose names are redacted in the FOIA release, Vaughan is told that the "most common issues observed" were 42 instances of "teachers not appropriately supervising children," "24 instances of a "lack of handwashing," and 15 examples of "rough handling of children" that the email's author defines as "pulling, pushing, grabbing."

The justice and accountability sought by the family from China Lake that spoke to Military.com has been elusive.

According to documents provided by the family, despite initially being told by Graves -- the child care center director -- that their child was the victim of mishandling, an incident determination committee decided that was not the case.

They appealed that decision, but the Navy's Fleet and Family Readiness director at the Navy's Installation Command upheld that decision and, in a June 2023 letter to the family, noted that "my office will not take additional action on this case."

"The only thing we've ever wanted from the Navy is for them to admit, by the Navy's own definitions mandated by their policy, is that our son was abused," the parent said. "Then, I go through the whole process and then I'm told 'No, that's not abuse.'"

It's also not clear whether any employees of the China Lake child care center faced legal consequences or if the leaders running the centers are aware of those outcomes.

When Military.com asked Navy officials at the command that runs child care centers if they were aware of any criminal repercussions for any of the China Lake instructors accused of policy violations or arrested on child abuse charges, they directed the questions to NCIS or Kern County.

Military.com asked NCIS and the Kern County district attorney but did not receive a response before publication.

Since the Navy has not released any of the names of the accused instructors, it was impossible to conduct an independent court record search.

For the Kuykendalls, the damage to their family can't be summarized simply by what happened to Bella or whether the workers were ever held accountable. It includes the mental health issues that the couple have seen pop up after having to first witness and then continuously re-live the ordeal during their ongoing fight for accountability. It's seen in the way their eldest daughter, Sophia, has coped with the chaos in her own quiet, independent way, her parents said.

Kuykendall said he no longer fully trusts the military to have his or his family's backs.

"When institutions have already started narratives, it seems very apparent, at least in this case, that no one will even bother to check whether or not there's a failure," he said. "Even if someone's screaming, like 'the ship is sinking' and you're yelling, and putting the alarms on...people will just continue on."

Editors note: Hours after the publication of this story, Major Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons chief spokesman, told Military.com in an email that the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness had asked the Defense Departments Inspector General to review the issues raised by this investigation. Ryder promised that the office will also work together with the Military Departments to ensure CDC facilities and staff meet the highest standards of care for our children and to promote appropriate accountability. Read more on the fallout from this investigation here.

Related: Army Investigating War College Child Care Center After Repeated Incidents of Inappropriate Touching
Russia struck Lyptsi, Mala Danylivka, and Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, killing at least three civilians and injuring three others, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on April 10.

The air raid alarm sounded at around 1:30 p.m. local time, while Ukraine's Air Force reported a Russian attack by guided aerial bombs against Kharkiv Oblast.

The governor said that a local shop and a pharmacy caught fire due to the attacks on Lyptsi and Mala Danylivka. People could be trapped under the rubble, Syniehubov reported.

As of around 2:45 p.m. local time, Syniehubov reported that a 14-year-old girl was killed and at least two people were injured in Lyptsi. The wounded victims included a 33-year-old female employee of the pharmacy and a 16-year-old boy.

The number of fatalities later rose to three in Lyptsi, as two women, aged 43 and 59, were confirmed as killed, local authorities said.

Russia also reportedly launched two guided aerial bombs at Vovchansk, injuring a 34-year-old man who was subsequently hospitalized with a shrapnel wound.

The local health center in Vovchansk was destroyed due to the attack, the governor said.

Russia has recently intensified its attacks on Kharkiv and Kharkiv Oblast, causing severe damage to local infrastructure and inflicting civilian casualties.

On April 9, Russian forces struck a civilian enterprise in downtown Kharkiv with guided aerial bombs, injuring three people.

Read also: Update: Russian attack on Kostiantynivka on April 9 kills 3, including child

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Daphne Psaledakis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. will make a push of more than a hundred million in additional funding to respond to the conflict in Sudan as Washington seeks to spur international response at a donor conference on the humanitarian crisis this month, the U.S. Special Envoy to the North African country said on Wednesday.

Special Envoy Tom Perriello said he hopes that partners around the world will put greater priority on the Sudanese civil war and that more countries will step up at a donor conference in Paris on April 15.

The date marks a year since the conflict erupted after long-simmering tensions erupted into heavy fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

"The international response has been pitiful. We're at 5% of the needed amount," said Perriello, adding that the U.S. has already committed over a billion dollars in humanitarian relief to the conflict.

"We'll be doing another nine-figure push around this," he said, without elaborating.

The war has pushed millions into extreme hunger, created the world's largest displacement crisis, and triggered waves of ethnically driven killings and sexual violence in the Darfur region of western Sudan.

Perriello said that the United States will continue to look at actions on the ground and act accordingly to raise costs through sanctions and other means where appropriate. Since the war began, the U.S. has sanctioned the deputy head of the RSF, other major businesses owned by both sides, and other entities.

Perriello also said that peace talks were unlikely to resume on April 18, the date he previously said Washington was eyeing.

Saudi Arabia and the U.S. led unsuccessful talks in Jeddah last year to try to reach a truce.

"I don't think we'll see meetings in Jeddah on the 18th," he said, adding that Washington is not waiting for formal talks to begin but that negotiations are happening every day.

"We would love frankly for the talks to have started last week. But what we know is the Saudis are committed to the talks, to talks that include a broader set of the key actors, and we are hoping that they will commit to a date."

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and Nafisa Eltahir in CairoEditing by Don Durfee, Marguerita Choy and Lisa Shumaker)
The U.S. Air Force has awarded a contract for an airfield on Tinian, a Pacific island military leaders consider crucial to their plans in the region.

Fluor, an engineering and construction company based in Irving, Texas, will receive about $409 million to finish the project within five years, the company announced April 10.

Tinian is part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, an American territory north of Guam and about 1,500 miles east of the Philippines. The Air Force launched bomber raids against Japan from Tinian during World War II. Since then, the islands jungle has grown over the finished runways.

For years, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command  the military organization responsible for the region  has wanted to rebuild them. Its goal is part of what the Air Force calls Agile Combat Employment  divvying U.S. forces into smaller groups around the region. More, smaller groups would make American positions harder to target, the argument goes.

The top military and civilian leaders in the Air Force visited the island earlier this month to survey work on the airfield. Since January, airmen have started to clear hundreds of acres of jungle so that construction work can begin.

Indo-Pacific Command sends lawmakers an annual wish list of projects it deems necessary to deter a conflict in the region. This years list included $4.8 billion for infrastructure, though about a fifth of these construction projects show up in the Pentagons budget request for fiscal 2025.

Pentagon and military leaders in the Pacific sometimes disagree on where to spend money in the region and what work is even possible in the short term. Thats particularly true when it comes to construction. Materials and workers are much more expensive on Pacific islands than in the continental United States, and projects require bureaucratic rigmarole to start.

The result is often a path paved by delays, a Republican congressional aide told Defense News in January.

The money takes very long to show up, the aide said. Then simultaneously youre dealing with horrific bureaucratic problems.

As a U.S. territory with existing sites to build on and mostly flat land, Tinian should be one of the easier places for the Defense Department to work, the aide said.

Its not a complicated project.
The U.S. State Department announced Tuesday that it has approved a potential emergency $138 million in foreign military sales to Ukraine for repairs to its HAWK missile systems.

Ukraine has an urgent need to increase its capabilities to defend against Russian missile strikes and the aerial capabilities of Russian forces. Maintaining and sustaining the HAWK missile system will enhance Ukraines ability to defend its people and protect critical national infrastructure, the State Department said in a release announcing the sale.

The HAWK is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system that provides air defense, The Associated Press reported.

The money will go toward engineering and integration for the systems communications, refurbishment of the system, tool kits and test equipment, spare parts, training and other U.S. support, the memo said.

The department said the aid will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the U.S. because it will improve the security of a partner country.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that the outcome of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia will have global implications for Americas security, the AP reported.

The announcement comes just days after Russian airstrikes hit Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, overnight Saturday. Initial reports found at least six people died and buildings were damaged. Ukraines military said its air defenses destroyed 28 out of 32 drones and three of the six missiles launched by Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned this week that Ukraine will lose the war if U.S. lawmakers do not pass more funding. If Ukraine fails, it could potentially drag other European countries and the U.S. into a war.

The State Department said the funding for the HAWK system is in the best interest of the U.S., so it waived the congressional review requirements under the Arms Export Control Act. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the necessary notice to Congress of the possible sale on Tuesday.

Employees from Andover, Mass., and Huntsville, Ala., will be working on the system equipment that will eventually head to Ukraine. Several representatives will travel to Europe to support training and sustainment.

The agency said the $138 million is an estimation and the total number will likely be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales [agreements].

U.S. assistance is critical to ensure Ukraines HAWK systems remain functional during the war, a State Department spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.

Without funding, Ukraines military equipment is degrading. The department emphasized it is imperative that Congress approves the national security supplemental so Ukraine can continue to defend itself, the spokesperson said in the statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US to ban its citizens from using Russian Kaspersky Lab software  CNN

The administration of US President Joe Biden may introduce a ban on the use of software from Russia's Kaspersky Lab by private companies and US citizens by the end of April.

Source: CNN reports this with reference to five sources among US officials.

Details: The sources of the publication explained the ban was planned because of "national security concerns".

CNN sources reported that the new ban will be issued by the US Department of Commerce. A representative of the US Department of Commerce declined to comment on any possible future actions related to Kaspersky Lab software. The Kaspersky Lab representative did not answer questions about the possible ban and how big the company's market share in the US is.

Since 2017, Kaspersky Lab software has been banned from use by government agencies in the US. The US considers its products to be a threat to the country's national security. The company was accused of having links with Russian special services.

Kaspersky Lab denied the US authorities' accusations and demanded that the ban be lifted. In March 2022, the US added the Russian company to the list of communications equipment and services that could pose a threat to the country's national security. CNN's sources said that the ban in its final form is still being finalised and may be amended.

The sources suggested that not all of the company's software products will be banned. CNNs sources expect that Kaspersky Lab's anti-virus software will be on the list of banned software. They said that Washington wants to prevent risks to the critical infrastructure of the United States in this way, as the White House believes that the data obtained by the company can be used for surveillance.

Background:

In December 2017, US President Donald Trump signed a law banning the use of Kaspersky Lab software in US government agencies due to concerns that it was used by Russia for espionage.

The threat became more acute after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

Reuters wrote that the US government began privately warning some US companies the day after Russia invaded Ukraine that Moscow could manipulate software developed by Kaspersky Lab.

In March 2022, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added Kaspersky Lab to the list of companies that threaten US national security.

Support UP or become our patron!
US general says Ukraine will soon run out of shells, anti-air missiles without US aid

Ukraine will run out of ammunition and air defense interceptor missiles "in fairly short order" without further support from the U.S., said General Christopher Cavoli, the top U.S. commander in Europe, in comments during a congressional hearing on April 10.

Cavoli's statement was the latest in a series of increasingly pointed warnings about how the ongoing delay in U.S. aid is weakening Ukraine's position on the battlefield.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 7 that "Ukraine will lose the war" if Congress fails to approve military aid to Kyiv. Ukraine is facing an ongoing ammunition shortage in the absence of further support.

Cavoli said that Russian forces were firing five shells for every one that Ukraine fired  a disparity which he warned could increase to 10 to one in coming weeks  and emphasized the centrality of U.S. aid in Ukraine's ability to defend itself.

"(Ukraine is) really dependent this year on us...and without our support, they will not be able to prevail."

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has been unwilling to bring an aid bill containing about $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine to a vote, even though the Senate passed it in February.

Top Republican officials reportedly said that a vote on the aid for Ukraine in Congress might still be weeks away despite Johnson's assertion on April 1 that it would be held "right after Easter."

In comments at the same hearing on April 10, Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin criticized Johnson's refusal to bring the aid to a vote, saying he should put on his "big boy pants" and make the tough choice.

Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene has threatened to oust Johnson from his position if he allows a vote on Ukraine aid.

Read also: UK, French foreign ministers urge to boost aid for Ukraine, saying we all lose otherwise

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
U.S. President Joe Biden hosts Japanese PM Fumio Kishida for official state visit at the White House, in Washington

By Jarrett Renshaw and Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States and Japan on Wednesday announced a joint partnership to accelerate development and commercialization of nuclear fusion.

The partnership was unveiled as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was in Washington for a summit with President Joe Biden.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk and Japan's minister of education, sports, science and technology, Masahito Moriyama, met in Washington on Tuesday to discuss fusion.

The partnership will focus on the scientific and technical challenges of delivering commercial fusion and expand work between U.S. and Japanese universities, national laboratories and private companies, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

Scientists, governments and companies have been trying for decades to harness fusion, the nuclear reaction that powers the sun, to provide carbon-free electricity. It can be replicated on Earth with heat and pressure using lasers or magnets to fuse two light atoms into a denser one, releasing large amounts of energy.

Unlike plants that run on fission, or splitting atoms, commercial fusion plants, if ever built, would produce little long-lasting radioactive waste.

Last year, scientists using laser beams at a U.S. national lab in California repeated a fusion breakthrough called ignition where for an instant the amount of energy coming from the fusion reaction surpassed that concentrated on the target.

Scientists estimated, however, that the net energy output of that experiment was only about 0.5% of the energy that went in to firing up the lasers. Even if the science is eventually worked out, there are regulatory, construction and siting hurdles in creating new fleets of power plants to replace parts of existing energy systems.

Late last year, Japan set up a fusion industry forum to commercialize the technology, with participants in engineering and energy companies. The forum is expected to make recommendations to Japan's government about safety and technology standards and serve as a liaison for overseas projects.

A fusion industry group praised the partnership. "Fusion is too important for needless competition: like-minded countries should work together towards the common goal," said Andrew Holland, the head of the Fusion Industry Association based in Washington.

Last December in Dubai, then-U.S. special climate envoy John Kerry launched an international plan involving 35 countries to boost fusion.

Japan and the U.S. will also agree during the summit to support sustainable aviation fuel, two sources with knowledge of the talks between the countries said.

(Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw in Philadelphia and Timothy Gardner in WashingtonEditing by Franklin Paul and Matthew Lewis)
US military rescued mariners stranded in the Pacific after they used palm leaves to spell 'HELP' on the beach

US military rescued mariners stranded in the Pacific after they used palm leaves to spell 'HELP' on the beach

The US military this week rescued three men who had been stranded on a Pacific island for days.

The men were spotted by a Navy aircraft after they used leaves to write "HELP" in the sand.

An American officer hailed it as a crucial "act of ingenuity."

In an unusual scene seemingly out of a movie, the US military this week rescued three individuals who were stranded on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean after they used palm leaves to write "HELP" in big letters on the beach.

The lost mariners spent more than a week stuck alongside their damaged boat at Pikelot Atoll, a tiny island that's part of the Federated States of Micronesia, before an American military vessel recovered them on Tuesday, US Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, Sector Guam said in a Wednesday statement.

A US Navy reconnaissance aircraft spotted the men from above on Sunday, leading to a breakthrough moment in the rescue operation.

"In a remarkable testament to their will to be found, the mariners spelled out 'HELP' on the beach using palm leaves, a crucial factor in their discovery," Lt. Chelsea Garcia, the search and rescue mission coordinator, said in Tuesday's Coast Guard's statement.

The crew of USCGC Oliver Henry make contact with three mariners stranded on Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 9, 2024. US Coast Guard photo

"This act of ingenuity was pivotal in guiding rescue efforts directly to their location," Garcia added.

The three mariners initially set off on a March 31 voyage from Polowat Atoll, which is around 100 nautical miles southeast of Pikelot. Nearly a week later, on Saturday, a relative of the men reported them missing to the US military, which quickly mobilized the search and rescue operation, according to the Coast Guard.

A Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft, which is used for patrol and reconnaissance missions, first identified the men, whose small motorboat had suffered damage and couldn't function anymore, at Pikelot on Sunday and airdropped them survival packages.

The crew of USCGC Oliver Henry rescues three mariners stranded on Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 9, 2024. US Coast Guard photo

The following day, on Monday, a Coast Guard HC-130J Hercules recovery aircraft airdropped a radio on the island so that the US could communicate with the mariners, who said they were in good health and still had access to food and water, but needed help leaving the island.

By Tuesday morning, the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry had arrived at Pikelot to physically rescue the men and bring them back to Polowat.

"This successful operation underscores the effective coordination and partnership between the US Coast Guard, the US Navy, and regional partners," Garcia said. "We extend our gratitude to everyone involved."

The crew of USCGC Oliver Henry rescues three mariners stranded on Pikelot Atoll, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 9, 2024. US Coast Guard photo

The Coast Guard in its statement suggested that mariners should equip boats with an emergency position-indicating radio beacon, which is a battery-powered radio transmitter, to "enhance safety on the water." It's unclear if the three mariners had one when they set out on their journey on March 31.

Search and rescue operations are a significant part of the Coast Guard's responsibilities. This important service branch, for example, led the charge during last June's hunt for a submersible that went missing while traveling to visit the wreckage of the Titanic. The Coast Guard has also carried out more recent searches for individuals who went missing while on cruise ships.

The Coast Guard has long operated in the Pacific  its ships used to patrol American territories and other nearby countries for decades. But the service has increasingly played a more hands-on role in the region amid rising tensions between the US and China.

Such activity in the Pacific includes conducting training and exercises together with allies and partners and helping island countries police their coastal waters.

Read the original article on Business Insider
US Navy wins against familiar and unprecedented Red Sea threats are being driven by defense decisions it made decades ago

The US Navy has relied on a variety of tools and systems to engage Houthi missiles and drones.

Many of the US combat platforms and weaponry have origin stories that go back decades.

The Navy secretary acknowledged on Wednesday the effectiveness of these systems in the Red Sea.

Decisions made decades ago are now defining the Red Sea naval battle unfolding between American forces and the Houthis, the US Navy's top civilian official said on Wednesday, highlighting the long reach of defense decision-making.

For months, Navy warships have engaged Houthi missiles and drones as part of their mission to protect key international shipping lanes from attacks carried out by the Iran-backed rebels. Over the course of these engagements, US forces have at times faced threats unprecedented in combat, like anti-ship ballistic missiles, off the coast of Yemen.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro acknowledged the effectiveness of the platforms and weapon systems that American sailors have used to destroy Houthi threats and traced their origins back decades, in some cases as far back as 70 years ago.

"The operations in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over the past three months illustrate perfectly how technological investments and force design decisions made by naval leaders in the past impact operations for decades," Del Toro said in written testimony to the House Committee on Appropriations.

A view of the USS Gravely destroyer in the southern Red Sea on Feb. 13. AP Photo/Bernat Armangue

"The backbone of our air-defense fleet, the Aegis Combat System, first became a program of record as the Advanced Surface Missile System 60 years ago this year," Del Toro said as part of a budget hearing for the upcoming fiscal year.

Development of the Advanced Surface Missile System began in the 1960s as a response to anti-ship missile threats and it eventually evolved into Aegis, which is an automated weapons control system that can battle threats in the air and on the water's surface.

The destroyers and cruisers that make up the bulk of the Navy's surface combatant fleet are Aegis-equipped, including the ships in those classes that have deployed to the Red Sea.

Putting more emphasis on the importance of defense decisions, Del Toro in his statement cited the 47-year-old USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier that also maneuvers in the Red Sea as a leading Navy ship in the ongoing response to the Houthis.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower conducts flight operations in the Red Sea on Feb. 23. US Navy photo

From the busy flight deck of the nuclear-powered Ike, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets are taking off and landing around the clock, sometimes intercepting Houthi threats in the air or striking the rebels directly in Yemen.

Del Toro referred to this multi-role combat aircraft as the "workhorse of our air wings" and described it as a "derivative of a strike fighter platform that first flew 45 years ago this year," referring to the F/A-18 Hornet.

In the Red Sea, the Ike's Super Hornets are armed with AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles  the latest variant of the AIM-9 Sidewinder, which entered service 68 years ago, Del Toro added.

These "platforms and weapon systems our Sailors and Marines have used with great effect in shooting down Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones can be traced back to development efforts and disciplined investments from the '60s, '70s, and '80s," Del Toro said.

They are also, the Navy secretary said, the results of "timely modernizations and upgrades that have enabled these platforms and systems to be relevant in today's threat environment."

US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Carney defeats a combination of Houthi missiles and drones in the Red Sea on October 19, 2023. US Navy/MCS2 Aaron Lau

The Houthis have been unable to strike any of the US or allied warships operating in the region, although their missiles and drones have managed to strike a number of commercial ships. Earlier this year, for instance, two separate attacks caused one vessel to sink and led to multiple crew fatalities on another. Nonetheless, the US warships and allied vessels have seen notable success.

Most recently, on Tuesday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile that was likely targeting a US-owned vessel being escorted by two American destroyers, but the Pentagon said its forces engaged and destroyed the threat.

As Houthi attacks continue, US officials continue to assert that preemptive strikes in Yemen have degraded the rebels' capabilities and that the Navy will continue its mission in the region for as long as it is needed.

"We certainly will continue to do everything we can to protect commercial shipping through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters last week. "And, of course, do everything that we need to protect our forces as well."

Read the original article on Business Insider
US needs Europe to stand up to Russia and China threat, says Nato deputy

Mircea Geoana had told The Telegraph that the US will need to maintain its transatlantic alliance with Europe

The United States needs its European allies to face down the threat of Russia and China, the deputy secretary general of Nato has told The Telegraph.

There are fears Donald Trump could halt military support for Ukraine if he wins Novembers presidential election, or even withdraw Washingtons security guarantee for Europe entirely.

But Mircea Geoana said that, with the West locked in an era of great power competition with autocratic countries such as Russia, its ally China, North Korea and Iran, the transatlantic alliance was more important than ever.

As much Europe needs America, America, I think needs all its allies, he told The Telegraph.

The strategic reality is that China is a formidable challenger and that Russia and China and all the others together will create massive attempts to disrupt American power.

He added: There is an intense aggressive interest from these countries to basically challenge the world order which was introduced after the end of the Second World War.

In this epic struggle America will need not only its own strength, but also all the allies in the Alliance.

Trump criticised

Mr Trump has warned he would let Russia do whatever they hell they want to any Nato member who does not meet its alliance defence spending target of 2 per cent of economic output.

He was widely criticised for undermining the principle that an attack on one member is one on all.

We worked for four years with president Trump in the White House. The beginning was quite tumultuous, Mr Geoana said of a period when Mr Trump branded Nato obsolete.

But he said that Mr Trump had been quite positive about Nato in his final State of the Union address. He added that the race with Joe Biden was way too close to call.

Mr Geoana said: I think strategic logic will prevail and we are confident that America will continue as theyve done for the last 75 years and continue to be a key player.

The United States remains the single largest donor of weapons and aid to Ukraine and some believe Europe is not doing enough.

Lord Cameron, the British Foreign Secretary, has travelled to the US to convince Republicans to drop their Congress veto on the long-delayed $60 billion aid to Ukraine and to meet Mr Trump.

There is still a little bit of miscommunication from our side to the US Congress on how much non-US allies are doing, Mr Geoana, the first Romanian to be deputy secretary general and the first from a former Iron Curtain country, said.

We do a lot. Even Iceland, they dont have an army but they contribute with cargo transport and things like that. We should do a better job in communicating that.

In February, Nato announced a record 18 of its 32 members would meet the spending target.

Mr Geoana, who took up his post under Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General, in 2019, said: On aggregate European allies are spending 2 per cent  some will be more, some a little less  but all allies have a plan to reach 2 per cent in the relative near future.

Hundreds of billions of US dollars more has been invested in defence. This has to be sustained, Mr Geoana said. But the 2 per cent is not the target it once was. It is the base, not the ceiling,

European countries are looking to increase defence spending to supply Ukraine and replenish their supplies after sending arms to Kyiv. But the challenge is that Russia has shifted to a wartime economy, Mr Geoana said.

I think the number one issue now is how to ramp up our industrial production base, he said.

The European Union is mulling plans to ramp up its defence industry. However, some of Brussels plans, pushed for by France, include incentives to EU members to buy European and other programmes limited to bloc members only.

Mr Geoana  who will leave his job later this year  called for a transatlantic industrial base and not something which creates unnecessary walls between allies.

If you look at the EU member states today its roughly 20 per cent of the aggregate defence investment in Nato, 80 per cent is non-EU. Even if the EU makes even a bigger effort, Its still not sufficient, he said.

The EU plans are backed by Emmanuel Macron, the French president, who wants to build up Europes ability to act without Washington.

The issue has caused disagreement between France and Germany, which angered Paris after signing a deal for a missile shield using US-Israeli technology last year.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
US Says China Spurning Farm Exports May Have Political Slant

(Bloomberg) -- US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack implied that China may be favoring Brazilian corn and soybeans partly in retaliation against recent restrictions on ownership of American farmland.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Vilsack said his counterpart in China recently brought up Arkansas move to force seed company Syngenta AG, which is controlled by Chinas Sinochem Holdings Corp., to sell 160 acres of farmland in the state.

The action  the first enforcement taken under legislation signed into law by Republican governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders that bans prohibited foreign entities from owning Arkansas farmland  is part of the constant ripping of China that has prompted it to spurn US agriculture products, Vilsack said.

We had a trade deficit of $6 billion in the first quarter of this fiscal year; Chinas purchases are $6 billion less than they were a year ago, Vilsack said in an interview Tuesday. Why would that be? Is it just Brazil, or was there a reason why the Chinese ag minister asked me about Syngenta?

Why was it brought up, Vilsack asked: It was a signal.

An email sent to the Chinese embassy in Washington on Tuesday wasnt immediately answered. Chinas Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read More: China Is Buying Up US Farmland, But How Much Isnt Clear

Vilsack said the US needs to diversify by working more with other countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Still, he said the US would like to be able to continue doing business with China.

What we have to have I think in this country is a bit more nuanced conversation about China, and a bit more complex conversation about China, he said. At the same time, we need to diversify away from over-reliance on China.

With China buying fewer crops from the US, Brazil has overtaken America as the worlds top corn shipper after already doing so with soybeans.

--With assistance from Gerson Freitas Jr., Tarso Veloso and Luz Ding.

(Updates with attempts to reach China authorities for comment in sixth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Leah Moses, mother of Om Moses Gandhi, left, and Shaynie Hunter, embrace after the signing of HB 272 at the University of Utah Bennion Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. HB272, Keep Children Safe from Family Violence, is also known as Oms Law. The bill is named after Om Gandhi, a Salt Lake City teenager killed by his father, who then killed himself. Before Om was killed, his parents had a lengthy custody battle. The father was given full custody around a year before Oms death.

Lori Alhadeffs 14-year-old daughter Alyssa did not come back from school a little more than six years ago. Alyssa was a victim of one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history when 14 students and three staff members were killed at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida, on Valentines Day in 2018.

Now, Alhadeff is working to prevent tragedies similar to the one that took her daughter from her by advocating for school safety reform across the country through her nonprofit, Make Our Schools Safe. Alhadeff celebrated the signing of Alyssas Law  a Utah bill, named after her daughter, that mandates public schools be equipped with silent panic alarms that are connected to local law enforcement  in Salt Lake City Wednesday.

Alyssas Law is part of HB84, a comprehensive school safety reform bill sponsored by Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, that was signed into law by Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson at a ceremonial bill signing at the University of Utahs Bennion Center. The bill was also signed by Gov. Spencer Cox, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to a family emergency, Henderson said.

HB84 was one of eight bills Henderson signed Wednesday that focused on family-friendly legislation that affects Utahs future generations.

The most comprehensive school safety legislation in the country

In October of last year, Wilcox toured Marjory Stoneman High School in order to learn about the massacre and how to prevent a similar one from happening in Utah.

Max Schachter, whose teenage son was killed in the shooting, led the tour. Of the 220 individuals and 25 states on the tour, Utah brought the largest contingent through the building, Schachter said Wednesday. Rep. Wilcox came and spent a tremendous amount of time there and he gathered all the lessons learned so that he can bring that to Utah and made sure that it never happens here.

Schachter thanked Wilcox for sponsoring the legislation, and commended Utah for working to improve school safety. Utah is not waiting until the next tragedy strikes here. Theyre proactively going out there implementing lessons learned, taking the terrible tragedy that happened in Parkland and making school safer in Utah.

Wilcox also attended the ceremonial bill signing, where he called HB84 the most comprehensive school safety legislation in the country.

HB84 establishes a statewide school safety system through a variety of measures including implementing Alyssas Law, creating a guardian program requiring every school to have at least one armed security personnel and establishing minimum safety procedures for schools  including better communication systems  and requiring reporting by state employees and others if they become aware of any threats to schools, the Deseret News previously reported.

The reality is that this isnt something that is going away. Its not in our country. Its not something that we can pretend like isnt happening, Wilcox said, emphasizing that the legislation will allow students to only worry about learning rather than catastrophic violence.

Alhadeff also spoke on the importance of Alyssas Law, holding a picture of her daughter and saying she was filled with immense excitement for the progress Utah is making toward ensuring the safety of schools with the passage of this robust school safety bill, which includes Alyssas Law.

Utah is the sixth state to pass Alyssas Law, following New Jersey, Florida, New York, Texas and Tennessee, according to Make Our Schools Safe.

This law signifies more than just a piece of legislation. It represents our collective commitment to providing a secure learning environment for every child in Utah, Alhadeff continued.

With panic plans in place, we empower teachers and staff to swiftly respond to emergencies, potentially saving lives in the process. Let us embrace this momentous occasion and optimism and determination, knowing that were making tangible strides towards a safer future for generations to come here in Utah.

Lori Alhadeff, mother of Alyssa Alhadeff, shakes hands with Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson following the signing of HB84, a comprehensive school safety reform bill, at the University of Utah Bennion Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Alyssa Alhadeff was a victim of one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history when 14 students and three staff members were killed at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida, on Valentines Day in 2018.

A family-friendly state

Seven other bills that focused on families and education were signed into law at Wednesdays bill signing.

Among those were SB205, Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Amendments, which provides funding for child abuse prevention training at Utahs elementary schools, and HB272, Child Custody Amendments, also known as Oms Law, requiring a court to consider any evidence related to domestic violence when determining child custody cases.

Henderson also signed two bills relating to parental leave, including HB192, which expands parental leave for teachers, and HB75, which broadens parental leave for state employees and now includes foster parents, as the Deseret News previously reported.

Two more bills affecting Utahs educators were also signed, including HB221, Stipends for Future Educators, which gives stipends to student teachers completing teacher education programs, and HB105, which gives educators $500 for teaching supplies and materials without having to dip into their own pockets, Henderson said.

SB206, meanwhile, creates the One Utah Fellowship Program, which would give young adults who volunteer at qualifying nonprofit organizations and agencies a stipend for college or higher education expenses.

At the ceremonial bill signing, Henderson emphasized that the eight bills signed into law Wednesday all help Utah become even more family-friendly.

We are a family-friendly state. We care about our children, our educators, our education system. We care about the future, and this is an opportunity to show that we put our money where our mouth is.

Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox, right, listens as Max Schachter, father of Parkland shooting victim Alex Schachter, speaks during the signing of HB 84, School Safety Amendments, at the University of Utah Bennion Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. The legislation would establish a guardian program. In the absence of a school resource officer, or SRO, or security guard, a school employee could volunteer to be an armed guard to respond during an emergency.

Members of the Policy Project watch as Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson signs legislation for SB 205, the Policy Project's initiative to prevent child sexual abuse, at the University of Utah Bennion Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson signs one of eight bills that focus on family-friendly legislation that affect Utahs future generations at the University of Utah Bennion Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
As vacation rentals eat up housing in South Florida, controlling them might become harder | Opinion

In the fight over vacation rentals, its the property rights of rental owners versus the rights of neighbors whose lives are disrupted.

The Legislature this year settled the issue doing what it does best: preempting what cities and counties can do to regulate rentals and giving the state more power. In perhaps a recognition of how problematic their bill is, lawmakers carved out an exemption from some new requirements that only benefits Flagler County, where House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, lives.

The debate over vacation rentals isnt only about rowdy party houses in quiet neighborhoods. It is also about the housing crisis in South Florida.

Vacation rentals alone certainly cannot be blamed for the lack of affordable housing, but studies suggest that they do contribute to the issue nationally, even if by small amounts. Properties taken off the market to become vacation homes may be decreasing the availability of long-term housing for Floridians, a 2023 Florida Atlantic University study found. A report by the New York City Comptroller found that, between 2009 and 2016, Airbnb contributed to 9.2% of the citys overall rent increases and 20% in areas with a heavy concentration of listings.

Lets look at Miami Beach as a case study.

There are 5,852 short-term rentals registered with the city, but the real number could be as high as 10,000, according to a city study.

The Beach had a total of 50,725 housing units in 2023, the vast majority of those condos, according to city data That means short-term rentals might represent anywhere from about 11% to 20% of Miami Beach homes, though its hard to tell if those estimated 10,000 rentals are an entire unit or just a room in someones home.

Is that enough to tighten the long-term housing market? The answer is not definitive, but there are other issues with vacation rentals, too.

In Fort Lauderdale, a shooting at a short-term rental killed a 20-year-old man last month, scaring neighbors in a residential area. Miami Beach cited the owners of an Alton Road house where another shooting was reported last year for running an unregistered vacation rental. Neighbors told News7 that late-night noise and cars blocking driveways were a constant at the address.

Commissioner Alex Fernandez told the Herald Editorial Board such rentals equate to commercial enterprises in residential areas that dont have the infrastructure to deal with more traffic, visitors, garbage and noise.

Homeowners, of course, should have some leeway to make money off Airbnb or Vrbo. And local governments shouldnt scapegoat short-term rentals for their failure to grow the supply of affordable housing. But those officials are the ones who directly respond to citizens when a vacation rental goes wrong. If Gov. Ron DeSantis signs Senate Bill 280, there will be less they can do.

While it makes sense to have rules that are consistent across the state, too often that results in a one-size-fits-all regulation, impractical in densely populated urban areas like South Florida. More than 20 Republicans  including Sen. Ileana Garcia and Rep. Fabian Basabe, who represent Miami Beach  joined Democrats in opposing SB 280.

The bill creates state rules that property owners and advertising platforms must follow and eliminates regulations by local governments created after 2011 (Coral Gables is among the communities with pre-2011 rules).

Cities and counties would still be allowed to charge reasonable registration fees, fine property owners and suspend and revoke registrations. But municipalities and counties would be prohibited from setting occupancy limits with the state now dictating that. Up to two people would be allowed per bedroom, plus two in a common area, but more than two would be allowed per bedroom if there is at least 50 square feet per person. Miami Beach currently imposes a limit of two people per bedroom.

The bill also bans current Miami Beach rules that regulate advertising platforms and require owners to show what portions of a unit are being rented, permission from a condo association, proof of insurance and fire code compliance, Fernandez said.

These rules didnt address the citys housing affordability crisis  that remains a big issue  but if we cant prevent vacation rentals from worsening the housing crisis, communities should at least be able to stop vacation rentals from becoming a nuisance.

Click here to send the letter.
Like many Bee readers, I was stunned to learn that Valley Childrens Hospital CEO Todd Suntrapak made over $5 million in one year.

Actually, over two consecutive years. Suntrapak earned $5.5 million in 2021, then $5.17 million in 2022.

It was spelled out in tax forms called 990s, which nonprofits like Valley Childrens are required to file every year.

Seeing the raw numbers on a black-and-white form, however, does not yield context. Thankfully, Bee staff writer Tim Sheehan provided some interesting comparison data in a recent story.

For example, Fresnos Community Medical Centers  which operates the downtown hospital, the Clovis Community Medical Center and the Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital  has nearly three times as many beds as Valley Childrens, and generated twice the revenues in the 2022 tax year. Yet Communitys CEO Craig Castro made less than half of what Suntrapak earned in total compensation.

Sheehan also reported that an organization called Candid, which gathers information on more than 1.9 million nonprofits in America, did a 2023 compensation survey of nonprofit specialty hospitals, the category Valley Childrens fits in. The average compensation for CEOs was just under $1.2 million, with only 10% earning more than $2.3 million, Sheehan found.

Opinion

It is not just Suntrapak. As Sheehan notes, on its 2022 tax form Valley Childrens listed a roster of key executives including 22 with titles of senior vice president or vice president. Collectively, those executives were paid more than $20.1 million in compensation.

Valley Childrens is top heavy with vice presidents and senior vice presidents, said Vikas Saini, a physician and president of the Massachusetts-based Lown Institute, which studies executive compensation among nonprofit hospitals.

Sheehan did some number-crunching on total compensation paid to executives by nonprofits in the central San Joaquin Valley for 2022, and found that Valley Childrens had three of its leaders in the top 10. Suntrapak led the list by far.

Boards defense

Suntrapaks pay for one of the years was boosted by extra money for meeting performance goals. He did not set his own salary  the hospital board did. Michael Hanson, former Fresno Unified superintendent who is now on the VCH board and its foundation board, said in a statement that Our decisions are guided by industry standards and aimed at attracting and retaining top talent necessary to uphold our commitment to excellence in health care.

To be sure, Valley Childrens has received a slew of honors for high-quality medical service to children.

When Hanson refers to industry standards, what does he mean?

In a response to KSEE-TV reporter Dom McAndrew, a spokesman representing the hospital, Vintage Foster, said the board used an independent consultant to help determine Suntrapaks compensation. Foster explained that the board directed the consultant to build a compensation model that put Todd in the 90th percentile nationwide.

The key words are national and nationwide. In other words, Suntrapaks compensation was based on a national scale. He was to be placed in the top 10% for earnings.

That contradicts what the National Council of Nonprofits advises boards to do as a best practice.

In its guidance on executive compensation, the council says this: The independent body should take a look at comparable salary and benefits data, such as that available from salary and benefit surveys, to learn what nonprofit employers with similar missions, and of a similar budget size, that are located in the same or a similar geographic region, pay their senior leaders.

Key words jump out: Similar size, similar budget, same or similar region.

In other words, base the compensation off what others in the state or even region, i.e. San Joaquin Valley, get paid.

The hospital board will argue no good comparisons can be made regionally because there is no other childrens hospital in the Valley, and that would be true.

But even on a state and national level, Suntrapak was compensated more than CEOs at bigger medical centers. As reported by Bee staff writer Erik Galicia, Suntrapak earned more money in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022, than the CEOs of two larger hospitals ... Rady Childrens Hospital in San Diego and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, according to those hospitals public tax filings for same fiscal year.

That year, Suntrapak also earned more than James Downing, CEO of St. Jude Hospital, which is known for its national fundraising campaigns through television commercials featuring children with cancer diagnoses.

Controversy hurts

Last Friday, a 10-year-old from Sanger named Maximus Cantu got to ring the bell at Valley Childrens to signify he completed chemotherapy treatments and was cancer free.

That joyous day for him, as reported by Fox 26 TV, was the result of lifesaving care he received at the hospital.

That mission, of helping children through life-threatening illnesses, is the heart of what Valley Childrens does every day. Unfortunately, it has been overshadowed lately by the compensation controversy.

The hospital board can put this to rest by following the advice of the National Council: The board of directors is responsible for hiring and establishing compensation (salary and benefits) for the executive director/CEO that is reasonable and not excessive, but is also enough to attract and retain the best possible talent to lead the organization.

Balancing those factors is what the board must do. Compensating Suntrapak at the top 10% of childrens hospital CEOs nationally is failing that duty.
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) has drawn speculation in recent months that he could be chosen as former President Trumps running mate as the first-term senator solidifies his status as one of Trumps top supporters.

Vance has reportedly been included on Trumps short list for possible vice president picks, though he avoided saying whether he would take the job if it was offered to him.

But Vances background and consistent support for Trump since taking his Senate seat could position him as an ideal choice for the former president as he looks for a loyal running mate.

Hes no stranger to hard work. He has had rock-solid loyalty and a winning record, said Ohio-based Republican strategist Mehek Cooke. And by that I mean, he doesnt just regurgitate Republican talking points. He truly believes in putting America first.

Vance grew up in a middle-class community in Ohio that once had many manufacturing jobs that gradually disappeared, according to his biography on his Senate website. He became a venture capitalist working at a firm co-founded by Peter Thiel and gained prominence with the popularity of his bestselling book Hillbilly Elegy.

Vance initially declared himself as never Trump during the 2016 presidential election but later changed his position and became one of his most ardent backers.

I think there are so many reasons I was wrong about Trump, but Im happy that I was wrong about Trump, Vance told New York Magazine in an interview during his 2022 Senate run.

Vance was trailing in the polls for the GOP nomination for Senate through most of the race until Trump endorsed him just weeks before the primary. He won the nomination by more than 9 points over his closest opponent and went on to defeat then-Rep. Tim Ryan (D) by 6 points for the seat.

Since taking office, he has been a regular defender of the former president. He called arguments that Trump would abuse his power if reelected preposterous and argued Trump is more electable than Nikki Haley because he has withstood years of criticism.

He has also slammed the legal battles Trump has faced, including more recently the New York ruling that Trump should pay $83.3 million for sexual assault and defamation against writer E. Jean Carroll.

Axios reported in January that Vance was one of the choices on Trumps shortlist for running mate.

I dont think this is just about President Trumps election today, Cooke said of Trumps decisionmaking process. I truly think this is about the legacy of President Trump and what he hopes to achieve in America  and I truly believe that President Trump is going to pick a VP that loves his country as much as he does, and JD Vance would be a phenomenal pick.

Cooke said she does not believe that Vances past criticism of Trump would hurt his chances or ability to serve because he has been a steady supporter more recently, and he has said he will do all he can to ensure Trump wins.

During Trumps administration, then-Vice President Mike Pence was a close supporter, but Trump and Pence had a falling out over the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and the former president will clearly look elsewhere for his running mate this time.

Strategists said Vance would also be an appealing choice because he is ideologically in sync with Trump on several key issues.

Republican strategist Jordan Ohler, also based in Ohio, said choosing Vance would indicate Trump is thinking about his long-term legacy beyond a potential second term, noting that they agree on opposing the woke state and deep state, maintaining support for Israel and expressing skepticism of providing additional aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Ohler said Vance, who is 39 years old, could speak more effectively to younger voters who are struggling with a lack of access to housing and upward mobility. Polls have shown Trump making gains with younger voters on President Biden, a shift that if true would mark a major change in young voter behavior.

JD Vance articulates well how Trump can return these kids to an America they saw just four years ago, Ohler said. The economy looked a lot brighter. And JD Vance knows it. He can articulate that and sell younger voters on the fact that America is not too far gone to save, that the opportunities are still out there.

Some strategists, on the other hand, expressed doubt that Vance would be the best choice because he comes from a state that will likely not be a battleground in the presidential race and does not add gender or racial diversity.

Ohio-based Republican strategist Mark Weaver said Vance has a great future in the Republican Party but is unlikely to be chosen because Ohio is already going to vote for Trump. He said this would also be the case for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R), but Noem could help provide appeal to women voters, and Scott could appeal to Black male voters.

He said ideological agreement may not matter as much as appearances for the ticket in Trumps decisionmaking process.

I think it falls back to image-based optical considerations, which is why [Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.)] or Tim Scott are more likely picks than someone like JD Vance, who is a serious policy person who could bring a lot to the table, but thats not whats for dinner on the table, Weaver said.

GOP strategist David Capen said Vance checks a lot of the same boxes demographically as Trump, making him potentially not the most likely choice. He said Trump is likely looking for someone who is incredibly loyal, noting Vances past opposition to him, and possibly a woman like Noem, who has demonstrated loyalty from the beginning.

JD Vance doesnt exactly broaden the base, Capen said. And Im not saying his loyalty is questionable by any means. But I think loyalty as a characteristic is something thats going to weigh heavily in President Trumps decision for his running mate.

But he added that Trump is likely looking for someone not just loyal to him but to his agenda, and Vance has the experience like Trump of being a fighter, having worked in business effectively. He said Vance has gained popularity as a junior senator and could rally young conservatives.

Trump is going to be looking for somebody who is going to be able to carry the mantle of his agenda, and probably the person that he views as his successor, four years down the line, Capen said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MARLBORO COUNTY, SC (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  If it had happened only once, Shane Crowley might have bought an argument that prosecutors made a mistake in doing away with his estranged wifes domestic violence case without telling him, the victim, about it.

That first dismissal happened in August 2022. Crowley questioned the solicitors office about it and Fourth Circuit Will Rogers restored the charge the following month.

Shane Crowley shows photographs of injuries after he said his estranged wife attacked him alongside a Marlboro County highway in July 2021. Crowley says his attorney and his estranged wifes attorney used the criminal charge as leverage against him in the divorce settlement. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr)

But when Solicitor Will Rogers office dismissed the domestic violence case against Sarah Jordon Crowley a second time in January 2024, Crowley said he believed the prosecutors office intended to hide their plans to drop the charge against his estranged wife from him.

Marlboro County court records list Shane Crowley as the victim in the July 2021 domestic violence prosecution of Jordon Crowley. Deputies charged Jordon Crowley after a sheriffs office incident report stated she punched her estranged husband in the face and tried to get a pistol Shane Crowley kept in his drivers side door. The deputy reported that Mr. Crowley tried to call 911 for help when Mrs. Crowley continued to strike him and knock [sic] his phone out of his hand.

EXCLUSIVE: Secret recording reveals sheriff promised defendant to help derail attempted murder case

The couples six and eight-year-old children were in the back of Shane Crowleys truck during the assault, along with Jordon Crowleys 16-year-old son, according to the incident report. The report also contains a statement from Mr. Crowley that he and Mrs. Crowley separated just two days before the assault.

This line is from the mediated agreement in the Crowley divorce case file we obtained from the Marlboro County Clerks Office. Shane Crowley said he never contacted the solicitors office and never intended to not cooperate with the prosecutor in the domestic violence charge against his estranged wife. (Source: Marlboro County Clerk of Court)

The deputy reported seeing evidence of injuries to Shane Crowleys face on scene that night and With the evidence that deputies obtained and the injuries that were visible, on Mr. Crowley, Marlboro County sheriffs deputies arrested Mrs. Crowley and took her to the county jail.

Over the next year, the Crowleys were mired in a contentious divorce. In August 2022, the pair  including their attorneys  met to mediate a divorce settlement. The settlement included joint custody of the pairs young sons with the agreement awarding Shane Crowley primary custody.

Queen City News

Investigations

The settlement agreement also included a provision titled, Non-Cooperation, which required Shane Crowley to not help the Fourth Circuit Solicitors Office with the prosecution of his estranged wife in the domestic violence case. Crowley said he was forced into signing the agreement after he said his attorney told him hed owe his estranged wife $25,000 and could risk losing custody of his sons, including to foster care if he didnt sign the mediated agreement.

Crowley said he signed the agreement that day to retain custody of his sons but went home to research whether attorneys could leverage a criminal case against a victim under a Non-Cooperation provision.

During a visit to the Marlboro County Clerks Office on Oct. 11, 2022, we found Fourth Circuit Assistant Solicitor Elizabeth Munnerlyns signature on the front of the domestic violence indictment against Sarah Jordon Crowley. The signature and nol pros, which is shorthand for Nolle prosequi, a Latin phrase meaning the prosecutor no longer plans to prosecute a case. (WJZY Photo/Jody Barr)

Crowley contacted his attorney to ask to have the agreement nullified.

The next day, Mrs. Crowleys attorney contacted the solicitors office to have the charge dismissed. Court records show the charge was thrown out with the stroke of a solicitors ink pen. But the solicitors office never told Shane Crowley what happened.

S.C. law requires prosecutors to notify crime victims of court dates and resolution of criminal cases. That notification never happened in this case.

Not once, but twice.

Watch our complete Dismissed report in the video box above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The hosts of ABCs The View slammed a recent ruling on abortion law by the Arizona Supreme Court on their Wednesday show.

Whats the next thing? co-host Whoopi Goldberg asked in reaction to the Tuesday ruling by the Grand Canyon States highest court. Cause you know, on this, with all of this comes birth control. With all of this comes everything that you need as a woman to have  have had put in place, to make sure that we were doing better than we were before.

On Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court rejected arguments that it should uphold a 15-week ban on abortion in a 4-2 decision. The 15-week ban, originally passed in 2022, was enforced in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Arizonas highest court instead ruled in favor of the enforcement of an 1864 law that makes abortion a felony thats punishable by two to five years in prison for those who perform it or those who help someone get one. The court also lifted a stay on the abortion law, which has an intensely slim exception for when it is necessary to save the life of a pregnant person, resulting in it going into effect in two weeks.

The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said that even former President Reagan always believed in exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother.

I believe that  a lot of elected Republicans are completely out of step with the sentiment of the country because weve seen in Kansas, a very red state, Ohio and Kentucky, that Republicans turned out to protect some access to abortion, said Griffin, a former Trump White House communications director. So this  is a very  big win for Democrats, I believe, in the election.

President Biden derided the Arizona ruling as well in a Tuesday statement, blaming it on an extreme GOP agenda.

Millions of Arizonans will soon live under an even more extreme and dangerous abortion ban, which fails to protect women even when their health is at risk or in tragic cases of rape or incest, Biden said.

This cruel ban was first enacted in 1864  more than 150 years ago, before Arizona was even a state and well before women had secured the right to vote, the president continued. This ruling is a result of the extreme agenda of Republican elected officials who are committed to ripping away womens freedom.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The former assistant principal of Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, where a 6-year-old shot his teacher in January 2023, has been indicted for child abuse, according to court documents.

Ebony Parker is charged with eight counts of felony child abuse with disregard for life for the shooting, which left first grade teacher Abby Zwerner with life-threatening injuries.

Parker resigned from her position shortly after the shooting and has not made any public comments on it since.

MORE: Former Newport News teacher shot by 6-year-old student speaks out 1 year after incident

Parker was indicted in March, but the documents were unsealed Tuesday. Parker was released from jail on bond Wednesday morning at 2:36 a.m., according to the Newport News Sheriff's Office.

Zwerner is suing Newport News Public Schools for $40 million, accusing administrators of negligence that allegedly allowed the shooting to take place.

Zwerner's lawyers pointed to the charges against Parker as another sign of the school district's failings.

"These charges are very serious and underscore the failure of the school district to act to prevent the tragic shooting of Abby Zwerner," attorneys Diane Toscano, Kevin Biniazan and Jeffrey Breit said in a statement. "The school board continues to deny their responsibility to Abby, and this indictment is just another brick in the wall of mounting failures and gross negligence in their case."

PHOTO: Ebony Parker was released on bond in Newport News, Va., Apr. 10, 2024. (Newport News Police Department)

Parker is accused of disregarding at least three teachers' warnings that the 6-year-old might be carrying a gun, telling them he "has small pockets," suggesting he wouldn't be able to conceal a weapon, according to the lawsuit.

Just an hour before the shooting, a school counselor asked Parker to check if the boy had a gun, but she declined to do so, the lawsuit alleges.

In a report released Wednesday, the special grand jury investigating the case said there were eight bullets in the gun. The child allegedly tried to fire a second time, but the gun jammed.

Parker is charged with eight counts -- "one count for each of the eight bullets that endangered all the students in Ms. Abigal Zwerner's first grade classroom," the Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney's Office said in a press release Wednesday.

In a press conference Thursday, Commonwealth's Attorney Howard Gwynn thanked the grand jurors for their work on the report, which he called "incredibly thorough" and "brutally honest."

"They were ordinary citizens who took on an extraordinary task and did an amazing job," he said.

MORE: 6-year-old allegedly admitted shooting teacher Abby Zwerner, court documents say

According to the report, questions remain about the whereabouts of the boy's disciplinary records after the shooting. There should have been two sets of physical records -- one in the main office, and one in Zwerner's classroom -- but police who executed a search warrant did not find the documents in either place, according to the report.

"Every other students file was in both locations," the report states. "The child's was the only file that was in neither location."

Police asked about the missing files, after which another school administrator returned the main office file, which had been in either her home or car, the report states.

The second file, which should have been in Zwerner's classroom, was never found, according to the report.

Though the grand jury has concluded, the investigation into the shooting continues, Gwynn said in the press conference Thursday. He did not say whether any other school officials would face charges.

Gwynn said he hopes the grand jury report helps the victims in the case -- not just Zwerner, but all the children who were traumatized as well -- feel heard.

"We hear you," he said. "We feel your pain, we see your trauma, we pray for you and we pray for your children."

PHOTO: In this Jan. 30, 2023, file photo, students return to Richneck Elementary in Newport News, Va. (Billy Schuerman/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty Images, FILE)

After the release of the grand jury report, Zwerner's lawyers released a new statement, saying, "The grand jury report reveals a systemic failure that led to the shooting of Abby Zwerner. Most shocking is the apparent cover up of disciplinary records before and after the shooting. We are grateful for the work of the special grand jury and the answers they have provided this community."

An attorney representing Parker did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Richmond, Virginia, ABC affiliate WVEC was unable to reach Parker for comment at an address listed as her home in court records.

The 6-year-old's mother, Deja Taylor, was sentenced in November to 21 months in federal prison on firearm and drug charges. She was also sentenced in December to two years in state prison for child neglect associated with the shooting.

Zwerner said she has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression and still has nightmares about the incident.

"One of the big moments for me that stays in my head, more so than some other moments, is the look on the student's face when he pulled out the firearm," Zwerner said. "It's a haunting look."

Virginia ex-assistant principal charged a year after 6-year-old shot his teacher originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
When Michael McClanahan was growing up, his grandmother would tell him stories about what it was like to vote during the pre-civil rights era in their small town in northwest Louisiana.

Like a carnival game, white poll workers would ask Black voters to accurately count the number of jelly beans in a jar or pass other tests if they wanted to get their ballot, she told him.

There was always intimidation if there was a big election, McClanahan said. She would talk about how the sheriff or the town police officers were there talking into the microphone trying to intimidate people.

Those practices were outlawed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, but new voting restrictions are being adopted in the South. And the new laws may alter the outcome of the 2024 election by lowering voting among Black Americans, who overwhelmingly choose Democrats.

Since 2020, states have tightened who can vote absentee and who can turn in absentee ballots. They've passed or stiffened voter identification laws. And, under pressure from Republicans who falsely claim the 2020 election was stolen through fraud, they're adjusting how they remove voters from the rolls.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

That could affect which presidential candidate wins the swing states of Georgia and North Carolina, the outcome of key congressional and state legislative races, and which partys candidate wins a seat on the Alabama court that upended fertility medicine.

McClanahan, president of the Louisiana state conference of the NAACP, said Jim Crow never left the state. Efforts to undermine voting rights were underway long before former President Donald Trump came into the picture, he said, but the misinformation surrounding the 2020 election provided a fresh opportunity.

One things for sure: Theyre relentless, he said of the Republicans who control the Louisiana state government. Theyre going to try until Jesus comes back. And they just need to know were going to fight until Jesus comes back.

Southern states target ballot harvesting

Texas, Mississippi and Alabama have all passed laws since the 2020 election reining in what they call "harvesting" absentee ballots. The term generally refers to someone collecting absentee ballots for other voters, a practice that is common among voter mobilization efforts.

The new laws place restrictions on who can witness a person signing their absentee ballot, how many ballots a single person can witness, and who can return those ballots on behalf of the voters. Civil rights groups argue that this will disenfranchise voters who rely on help from strangers and friends to cast their ballots.

Louisiana could be next to tighten 'ballot harvesting' laws

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry, a Republican, is asking the Republican-led Legislature to pass several election integrity bills that include ones to further crack down on absentee ballot harvesting and stop people from helping with more than one absentee ballot, except for immediate family members.

Louisiana is ranked No. 9 on the conservative Heritage Foundations election integrity scorecard, which awards points for restrictions on absentee ballots and voter identification. Its behind seven other states in the South, including Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama.

Landrys office said she was not available for an interview. In a statement in March, she said: Louisiana has some of the most well-run elections in the nation, but there is always room for improvement. This package of bills will further boost our states election integrity policies and procedures.

Black voters in Alabama more likely to vote absentee

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed a law in March that made it illegal to turn in someone elses absentee ballot, and made it a felony to give or receive payment to collect others absentee ballots. She promised there wouldnt be any funny business in the states elections.

Civil rights groups have now sued, arguing that it "criminalizes constitutionally protected speech" and disenfranchises people of color, people who are disabled, senior citizens, incarcerated voters, and others who "depend on assistance to vote."

Groups that claim that SB1 is discriminatory either misunderstand this bill or are purposely misrepresenting SB1 to promote their own political narrative, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, also a Republican, said in a statement to USA TODAY, referring to the law by its bill number. SB1 is designed to protect the absentee elections process and show partisan, third-party organizers that Alabama votes are not for sale.

Alabama is one of only four states that don't allow in-person early voting. And absentee ballots are more often used by Black voters, data from Allens office shows. In the five counties that saw the highest proportion of absentee voting in 2022, the populations were 70% to 81% Black.

Benard Simelton, president of the Alabama NAACP, said absentee ballots are common among Black voters who work regular jobs and cant get to the polls on Election Day. For people with limited mobility who are elderly or living in nursing homes, he said, family members may not be able to return their ballots for them.

It's still somewhat unclear what we can and cant do, but right now we are telling our members not to engage in that unless youre of course next of kin to (the voter), he said.

Governor Tate Reeves

Lawsuit over Mississippi's ballot harvesting law

The local NAACP and the League of Women Voters almost immediately sued over Mississippi's ballot harvesting law, saying limits on who could help people with disabilities fill out their ballots violated the Voting Rights Act. A court blocked the law temporarily, and the case is ongoing.

Mississippi also does not offer in-person early voting. That means the only alternative to showing up to a polling place on Nov. 5 is to plan ahead to vote absentee.

The states arent making it easier to vote, said Caren Short, director of legal and research for the League of Women Voters. They are not helping voters navigate the voting process, and so that that leaves groups like the League, groups like the NAACP, to help voters navigate the process. And then when we are successful at doing so, the lawmakers pass laws that criminalize the very work that were doing.

NAACP says Texas law is 'meant to intimidate'

As part of a sweeping election integrity bill in 2021, Texas created a felony offense for collecting mail-in ballots in exchange for benefits, such as payment or a job offer. Gov. Greg Abbott said upon signing the bill that it ensures trust and confidence in our elections system  and most importantly, it makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat.

Gary Bledsoe, a lawyer who heads the Texas NAACP, said the law has had a chilling effect on get-out-the-vote efforts. If you say the wrong thing to a voter when you knock on the door, youve committed a crime, a serious crime, he said. Its meant to intimidate people.

Democrats perennially target Texas in hopes of flipping it blue, and this year is no exception. Democratic Rep. Colin Allred is seeking to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz, who narrowly won his 2018 race, and could influence local races along the way.

Voter ID requirements tightened from Texas to North Carolina

Voters in the South are also required to show more identification than in 2020. Some states have stiffened their in-person identification requirements, and others are requiring identification with absentee ballots.

A new voter identification law is in place in North Carolina, where Democrats are targeting statehouse races to cut into a Republican supermajority in the state Trump carried by just 1 percentage point in 2020. Former President Barack Obama carried North Carolina and the Biden campaign, seeing it as winnable, is investing heavily in the state. Democrats also hope to flip a newly created congressional seat that includes predominately Black counties in the northeastern part of the state.

Arkansas updated its voter identification law in 2021. Before that, when voters could not provide state-issued photo identification, they could sign an affidavit to swear their identity. Now they have to cast a provisional ballot and return by the following Monday with the appropriate ID for the vote to count.

A sweeping election law Georgia passed in 2021 put stricter identification requirements on mail-in ballots. Instead of including their signatures, voters need to provide a driver's license number, a partial Social Security number or a copy of their photo identification. Its one of the states that will decide the 2024 presidential race.

Texas 2021 election bill that targeted vote harvesting has a similar provision. Voters must use a driver's license number or similar state ID number, the last four digits of a Social Security number, or provide a statement saying they don't have any of those.

Americans tend to support voter ID, but not everyone has one

Eighty-one percent of Americans support requiring a government-issued photo ID to vote, according to the Pew Research Center. But people of color are less likely to have the identification they need for voting, such as a driver's license, and voter turnout often goes down after identification laws are passed, according to the Brennan Center, a good-government think tank.

Though states with voter ID laws often offer free ID, the NAACP said that when it sued Alabama over its voter ID law those IDs were difficult to get because the offices were hard to access from rural areas without a car, had limited hours, and required people to take an oath under penalty of prosecution.

Ive heard this claim a lot that somehow requiring minority voters to get an ID to vote is somehow racist or discriminatory, said Zack Smith, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, which supports voter ID restrictions and free state-issued voter ID. Frankly, I think that claim is somewhat insulting. Its basically implying that minority voters are either unwilling or unable to get an ID.

Pamela Phoenix, a Democrat who has worked polls in Tyler, Texas, pointed to people who come in and say their purses were snatched shortly before the election. So they dont have a driver's license. They dont even have what it takes to go to the DMV and get a new driver's license.

We have individuals whose houses have been totaled in fires so they dont have driver's licenses, passports, proof of utilities, none of that.

Rasby Mason, a clergy leader in Shreveport, Louisiana, said its common for Black residents in rural parts of the South to never get driver's licenses. Others were born outside a hospital setting and werent issued proper identification.

Some people just arent good with keeping up with those kinds of documents, Mason said.

Whose votes count? Battles heading into November

Next on the horizon are battles over who gets to vote and whose votes get counted.

A law passed in Georgia would embolden citizen activists trying to remove people from the rolls and change how homeless people register to vote. And Louisiana wants to beef up how it cleans its rolls.

In Mississippi, a lawsuit filed this year by the state and national Republican parties seeks to overturn a law the Republican-dominated statehouse passed in 2020 allowing absentee votes to be counted up to five days after the election if the ballot is postmarked by Election Day. The lawsuit says votes counted after the deadline are invalid and that it harms Republicans because Democrats are more likely to vote absentee.

And in Louisiana, Secretary of State Nancy Landry is backing a proposal that would require the secretary of state, starting in 2025, to conduct an annual canvass of voters and identify people to place on an inactive voter list if they have not voted, made changes to their registration, or participated in a nursing home program in the past 10 years.

Joel Watson, spokesperson for Landry, called the bill "merely another tool to ensure that Louisianas voter rolls remain accurate, a key to maintaining safe and secure elections."

McClanahan, from the states NAACP, said one vote can make a difference, and if enough people voted, they would be able to elect governors who safeguard their right to vote.

We have to, at some point in time, use the same process that is being used to kick us out of voting to make a strong push to make sure that everyone has the unfettered right to vote."

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Voter ID and absentee-ballot limits: South tightens key voting laws
While many Republicans celebrated the Arizona Supreme Court declaring abortion illegal in the state on Tuesday, some of the partys members who could be at risk of losing reelection in the Grand Canyon state opposed the decision  even if it meant changing their previously stated stance on the issue.

The most prominent was MAGA U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, who criticized the law upheld by the state Supreme Court despite once calling it great. Lake also commended presumptive GOP presidential candidate Donald Trumps remarks on abortion earlier this week, during which he said he would not support federal restrictions and leave the issue to individual states. Trumps stance on the issue has been similarly slippery, as hes recently been teasing a federal ban should he retake the White House in November.

Trump and Lake are far from the only Republicans to offer mixed messages on reproductive rights as they try to court both the far-right and the majority of Americans who want abortion protected.

Rep. Juan Ciscomani, a Republican who represents the purple southeast corner of Arizona, called the state Supreme Courts ruling a disaster in a statement Tuesday, despite saying in 2022 that he applauded the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

How big of a disaster is the AZ Supreme Court abortion ruling for the GOP? Vulnerable #AZ06 Rep. @JuanCiscomani is calling it a "disaster"  when two years ago, he cheered the Dobbs decision as "historic" and said abortion policy "should be set by states" pic.twitter.com/uBBzvYMNVM  David Nir (@DavidNir) April 9, 2024

Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) was another vocal critic. I do not support todays ruling from the AZ Supreme Court, Schweikert wrote on X, formerly Twitter. This issue should be decided by Arizonans, not legislated from the bench. I encourage the state legislature to address this issue immediately.

Schweikert notably co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act six times over the course of a decade. The bill would extend 14th Amendment protections to unborn children.

this guy cosponsored the Life at Conception Act  SIX TIMES.



Spent a whole decade doing it until he got scared people were starting to notice. https://t.co/ajTB3bWJLH pic.twitter.com/5utL9lRklb  Jamison Foser (@jamisonfoser) April 9, 2024

There was also some GOP dissent at the state level. Republicans have a majority in both Arizona legislative chambers by a margin of two votes each, leading some Republicans, like state Rep. Matt Gress to say: Let me be clear: this decision cannot stand. As Kaitlin Collins pointed out on CNN, last year Gress pushed a bill that declared fetuses as people, which would have also rendered abortion illegal.

There were plenty of Republicans who cheered the decision, though. As part of the partys victory lap, Fox Business host Larry Kudlow spoke to Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) about the ruling. Ernst credited Trump, her fellow Senate Republicans and the GOP with overturning Roe v. Wade.

I support life, Ernst said, adding: We worked very hard to get that result, now the states will take that up.

Sen. Joni Ernst: "Senate Republicans, the GOP, and President Trump really worked hard to overturn Roe v Wade" pic.twitter.com/MGKgM0Gcgj  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 9, 2024

Scott, who represents a state whose Supreme Court recently upheld its own abortion ban, echoed the sentiment that abortion policy will be decided by the states.

This is exactly what ought to be happening, Scott said.

The Arizona Freedom Caucus, which represents several far-right members of the Arizona state legislature, put out a statement criticizing Republicans like Ciscomani, Schweikert, and Gress, who were not on board with the ruling.

Sadly, it seems that some are choosing to reject the fundamental, core principle of protecting life, the statement read. Some have chosen instead to jump on a bandwagon to legalize unrestricted abortions for the first 15 weeks of pregnancy  This is unacceptable, morally wrong, and abrasively out of step with the central tenants of the Republican Party Platform and Republican voters.

More from Rolling Stone

Best of Rolling Stone
Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and other vulnerable Senate Democrats are facing strong political blowback on a vote that will now happen next week to dismiss impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Republicans have already forced Democrats to take several tough votes on immigration and border security and are hitting them hard with attack ads at home as they lean into the issue ahead of November.

The tactics appear to be taking a toll: Tester said Tuesday that he needs to carefully review the charges against Mayorkas, breaking with other Democrats who are dismissing them outright as a political stunt.

Ive got to review my memory to see what the House did. Now, if the House didnt do something politically, which would be kind of a shock to me, then weve got to look at it seriously, Tester said.

I got to look at the papers, he said, referring to the charges laid out in the articles of impeachment that narrowly passed the House in mid-February. In the end, I just want to read the papers, refamiliarize [myself] with what the House did  and then well make a determination what we do.

Tester told Politico in February that he would support a motion to dismiss impeachment charges against Mayorkas, which drew an attack from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) on Tuesday.

Maggie Abboud, an NRSC spokeswoman, said Tester is finally starting to realize that being a loyal soldier for Joe Bidens agenda is not popular in Montana.

Tester says hes being barraged with misleading attack ads hitting him on border security. He noted that Senate Republicans voted overwhelmingly to defeat a bipartisan border security deal that had the endorsement of the National Border Patrol Council.

I think Congress has done a bad job on the border, he said. We had a chance to fix the border a month ago, and Republicans were given the instruction that they want this for a campaign issue, and theyre using it as a campaign issue. But we could have fixed it.

Other Democrats in Republican-leaning or swing states are hedging their answers or not saying how theyll vote, including Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).

Brown, one of the Senates most vulnerable incumbents, said he would likely vote to table the impeachment charges.

Its just a distraction. We ought to be doing the border security bill, we had a bipartisan bill to move forward. We ought to be doing rail safety. Theres a lot of things we ought to be doing instead of playing politics like this, he added.

Warnock, who faced a competitive reelection race last cycle, said he wont comment before the charges are formally presented.

I am going to handle my responsibility as a potential juror, so I dont want to prejudice what I may need to say later, he said. We will see.

Cortez Masto said she hasnt made any decision on how she will vote.

The original plan was to vote on a motion to table the two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas on Thursday afternoon, right before senators are scheduled to fly back to their home states for the weekend.

But Tuesday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) agreed to hold the articles of impeachment in the House until early next week to put more scrutiny on vulnerable Senate Democrats.

Senate conservatives want to force Tester, Brown, and Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who all face competitive reelection races, to stick around Washington for a few days next week to defend votes against a Mayorkas trial.

I think there are a lot of Democrats who really want to avoid the vote. I dont blame them. I mean it is the No. 1 issue on the minds of Americans, and this bears directly on the debacle at the southern border, which is hard to defend. I dont know how any Democrat can defend it, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) said.

He said a Senate impeachment trial would give a chance for senators to hold the administration accountable for the border.

Youre talking about the person, the people, who are directly responsible for it, and thats the president and Secretary Mayorkas, Thune said.

Senate conservatives say Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) wants to table the articles of impeachment quickly to protect vulnerable Democrats from having to sit through a lengthy presentation of the charges against Mayorkas on the Senate floor.

Why is Schumer wanting to do this? Because the press he believes will let him get away with it and every Democrat, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told reporters at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

How many of you have asked Jon Tester in Montana: Why are you refusing to comply with you constitutional duty [to hold a trial]? How many of you have asked Sherrod Brown or Jacky Rosen or Tammy Baldwin? Theyre all on the ballot. Thats who Chuck Schumer is trying to protect from having to hear the evidence and fulfill a constitutional responsibility, Cruz argued.

Schumer earlier in the day dismissed a question about whether a vote to table impeachment and avoid a trial would hurt vulnerable Democrats ahead of Election Day.

Look, were going to try and resolve this issue as quickly as possible. Impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements, he said.

Senate Democratic aides say they expect the articles to be dismissed soon after they come to the Senate. If they arrive by Monday, aides predicted they will be tabled the following day.

Were ready to go whenever they are. We are sticking with our plan. Were going to move this as expeditiously as possible, Schumer said when he learned that the Speaker would hold the impeachment documents in the House until next week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A West Michigan man with pancreatic cancer was the first person in the world to test a new imaging agent, BAMF Health says.

Pancreatic cancer is highly deadly, in part because doctors often dont discover it until it has spread, according to a Wednesday release from BAMF Health.

There is certainly an unmet need in the field of pancreatic cancer, said Dr. Harshad Kulkarni, BAMF Health chief medical advisor.

A world first in Grand Rapids: Inside BAMF Health

BAMF Health was chosen as one of three locations for a clinical trial that aims to find a better way to detect the disease, according to the release.

We are testing a particular drug. It is labeled with a radioactive isotope so that we can image the patient, Kulkarni, the trials principal investigator, explained. This is an imaging trial. We are doing the diagnosis and localizing where this disease is present in that particular patient.

BAMF Health says it was chosen for the trial because it has the most advanced total-body PET/CT scanner in the world. It was the first of the three locations to launch the trial.

The total-body PET and CT scanner at BAMF Health on April 10, 2024.

New high-tech scanner in GR will give quick diagnosis

In the case of the West Michigan man with pancreatic cancer, doctors already knew he had liver metastasis, but researchers wanted to know if the imaging agent would target that tumor. And Kulkarni said it did: The scan showed an accumulation of the drug in the liver.

The question posed to us was, does this particular radiopharmaceutical, does this particular antibody tagged to a radioisotope localize in that particular tumor? Kulkarni said. And youve got the answer there: It does.

He said the scanning helps identify whether the drug is present in the tumor and how long it stays. It also looks at how much radioactivity is absorbed by the tumor in comparison to normal tissue.

State-of-the-art scan, treatment give hope to prostate cancer patients

In the future, the results of the trial could also be used to develop a therapy to treat pancreatic cancer, which BAMF Health says does not exist.

With results like this, there is certainly a hope to have a targeted treatment, Kulkarni said.

Scot VanVleet, the West Michigan man who participated in the trial, said it was an exciting feeling.

I think really even the technology that we have today probably wouldnt be available if people like myself didnt sign up for these trials, VanVleet said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Two women walking near the Venice canals were clubbed from behind, spurring LAPD patrols

Two women were attacked and injured in separate incidents Saturday while walking near the Venice canals. (Allison Zaucha / For The Times)

Two women walking near the Venice canals were clubbed from behind in separate incidents Saturday night, leading police to urge residents in the district to practice awareness and focus on personal safety.

Saturday at 10:30 p.m., a woman was walking in the 2700 block of Strongs Drive when someone approached her from behind and struck her with a hard object, rendering her unconscious, according to a Los Angeles Police Department report.

About an hour later, it's believed the same person attacked another woman in a similar way as she was walking near the Sherman Canal, less than a mile away.

The assailant fled the scene, leaving evidence that police declined to describe.

Residents in the neighborhood discovered the second victim and immediately contacted the police.

According to the report, both victims sustained significant injuries.

Read more: LAPD arrest man suspected of assaulting two children in Santa Monica and Venice

The assailant is described as a male between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall and 180 to 200 pounds, with short hair that appears to be trimmed around the ears, the report states.

The LAPD pledged to increase patrols in the area as a precautionary measure while their investigation continues.

Law enforcement is also asking residents to be vigilant and notify the police of any suspicious activity or persons in the area.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, who lives in Venice, said in a statement that she was horrified and furious to learn of the assaults.

Park said she called on the LAPD to "devote every resource necessary to investigate these crimes."

"I have been working directly with Chief [Dominic] Choi and Capt. [Michael] Applegate and remain focused on ensuring that this criminal is apprehended, charged and prosecuted to the full extent of the law," she said. "This behavior will not be tolerated, and violent criminals will be held accountable."

Police ask that anyone who is a victim of a similar assault, who is a witness to these incidents or who has information that could lead to the identification of the assailant to contact special assault detectives at (213) 473-0447. During off hours or on weekends, call (877) 527-3247.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can provide information by calling the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or going to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also download the P-3 Tips mobile app and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

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.
After a two-week recess away from Capitol Hill, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was clearly hoping his House GOP colleagues would come back to Washington, put past issues behind them, and tackle the current challenges in a spirit of understanding and unity.

That didnt happen.

As one senior GOP staffer put it, what Johnson actually came back to is best described as a clusterfuck.

Referencing just one of Johnsons controversial movesthis time, his decision to delay sending articles of impeachment for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senatethe aide said it was another example of the clusterfuck that is the House under Speaker Johnson.

MTG Rips Mike Johnsons Total Surrender in Scathing Appeal to Colleagues

The Mayorkas impeachment has been a chronic headache for Johnsons speakership, especially after his leadership team bungled their whip count and embarrassingly failed to impeach the Biden official on their first attempt in February. Eventually, Republicans muscled through the impeachment, but after announcing plans to finally send the impeachment articles to the Senate this week, Johnson backtracked on Tuesday, riling up House Republicans who were eager to celebrate just some partisan victoryone of their only onesthis Congress.

He needs to stop listening to his staff and start listening to GOP members, the aide told The Daily Beast.

As an embattled Johnson nears his sixth month of the speakership, the criticism is nothing new. And while the self-inflicted wound of the Mayorkas impeachment is his latest humiliation, its hardly his only one. It might even turn out to be a footnote in Johnsons challenging week ahead.

Thats because the speaker is trying to navigate two of the most fraught issues in his conference: a controversial surveillance program due for reauthorization and Ukraine aid. Just about every lawmaker on Capitol Hill recognizes that Johnson is in an unwinnable, and unworkable, position.

Certainly, the speaker has a tough time right now trying to figure out, sort of, the path forward with the slim majority that we have, Republican Study Committee Chair Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) told The Daily Beast on Tuesday.

Hanging over all these discussions is a motion to oust Johnsoninitiated by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)that she could force a vote on this week. If all Democrats support the motion, as they did when Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) brought the motion against then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), it would only take three GOP votes to remove Johnson, though Greene could also wait until Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) retires from Congress on April 19, which could lower the margin of success on a motion to vacate to two votes, depending on absences.

Greenes motionwhich she initiated on March 22 in a procedural form that didnt force a votewas ostensibly over Johnsons agreement with Democrats to keep the government open. But its come to represent a sword of Damocles hanging over Johnson for a litany of reasons. Its the physical manifestation of discontent thats been mounting on Johnsons right flank for months.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) pumps fists with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) before U.S President Joe Biden's State of the Union address. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Ever since Johnson took the gavel in October, theres been disagreementin a House GOP majority predisposed to disagreementover spending, strategy, and leadership style. But Greenes effort to remove Johnson was a new mark of fury with the speaker.

Her blitz against Johnson is the most serious retaliation against his speakership yet. But two weeks have passed since Greene filed the motion, and there hasnt been another member to come out publicly and say they will support the motion, though plenty of lawmakers have been less than definitive about how they would vote on it.

Still, Greene has conspicuously not forced a vote on her motion. (If she doesknown in congressional procedural terms as making the motion privilegedshe would initiate a vote in at most two days.)

For now, Greene seems to be biding her time, letting Johnsons moves persuade her fellow conservatives to join her crusade. In a five-page letter to colleagues on Tuesday, Greene enumerated each of her grievances with Johnson. The speakers collaboration with Senate Democrats to pass a spending bill and avert a government shutdownwhich left a bitter taste in many conservative mouthstopped her list.

I will not tolerate our elected Republican Speaker Mike Johnson serving the Democrats and the Biden administration and helping them achieve their policies that are destroying our country, Greene said in her anti-Johnson missive.

While she isnt doing much to actually convince lawmakers, her strategy of giving Johnson rope might actually be working. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY)a contrarian conservative who came to Congress as a libertarian ideologuecalled out Johnson on X over failing to meet right-wing expectations.

We are starting to wonder when you: suspend all of our rules, give us no time to read bills, increase foreign aid, include earmarks that undermine morality, spend more w/omnibus than Pelosi, dont secure the border, and pass laws with more Ds than Rs, Massie said.

The size of the we Massie invoked is critical. If the House voted on removing Johnson tomorrow, it would take only three GOP rebels to oust the speaker.

Even if Johnson survives in the short term, its clear there just arent the votes to achieve the sweeping changes that most Republicans want. On top of only having a three-seat majority in the House at the moment, Democrats control the House and Senate. And yet, Johnsons detractors hardly cut him a break based on the realities of governing and their slim majority.

As Massie suggested in a response tweet, Johnson and Republicans seem to be capitulating rather than actually winning.

We had an offsite GOP huddle a few weeks ago, which I attended. It was all about what great things we could do when we get a majority in the Senate & the House & take back the White House. Nothing about fighting now. After the retreat, we came back to DC and passed the omnibus.  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 2, 2024

While many Republicans acknowledge the difficulty of Johnsons situationone GOP lawmaker told The Daily Beast on Tuesday that Johnsons position is strategically untenableits much easier for Johnsons biggest critics to blame him than to level with their conservative voters and tell them the things theyve promised arent achievable.

For years, Republicans have campaigned on near-impossible goals like balancing the budget, ending all illegal immigration, and imposing the GOPs will on spending priorities. None of those goals are actually achievable in a split government, at least not to the degree that conservatives have promised their voters. And rather than modifying expectations or simply trying to make progress on their goals, some of the loudest conservative voices are just blaming their leaders.

That isnt to say there arent legitimate complaints about Johnsons leadership. The new speaker has consistently talked out of both sides of his mouth, and while he has delayed making a decision on the most perilous issueslike Ukraine aid and that surveillance reauthorizationhis refusal to act has, in effect, been a decision. The war in Ukraine continues to be complicated by the fact that U.S. aid to the country has been in limbo for months.

But Johnson has survived this long because, at least at the moment, key Republican allies have his back. Some of the eight Republicans who deposed McCarthyincluding Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Nancy Mace (R-SC)say they want to keep the new speaker they helped install.

Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH), a leading House conservative who made his own insurgent bid for speaker last year, told The Daily Beast that he doesnt think it helps us to be switching speakers.

I don't think a third speaker in one Congresssix months before an electionis probably where we need to go, Jordan said.

Another staunch conservative, Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), also criticized Greenes motion saying he generally opposes cannibalism and called his fellow Louisiana Republican a beautiful man.

He has an impossible job to do, and he deserves our support, Higgins told The Daily Beast. That does not mean that were going to agree with every decision that he makes, and sometimes well have fundamental disagreements, but the motion to vacate should be reserved for the most egregious conditions.

Rep. Max Miller (R-OH), who has not been shy about his criticisms of Johnson, doesnt believe the speaker will be ousted and believes this whole motion to vacate talk is a charade.

Marjorie is a party of one, he told The Daily Beast. Its all a gimmick. She wanted attention and, mazel tov, she got it.

Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) listen to testimony during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Reuters

While the vast majority of Republicans are on Johnsons side, that was true for McCarthy, too. As the former speaker learned while watching his decades-long dream go up in flames, appeasing most of the GOP doesnt matter if you piss off just a couple right-wing firebrands impetuous enough to defenestrate their own leader.

Compounding the stakes for Johnson is the all-out Republican war erupting over a section tucked into that surveillance program, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Section 702, as the provision is known, is an obscure but powerful measure enabling the federal government to surveil foreigners without a warrant for national security purposes.

The House is approaching an April 19 deadline to reauthorize that key surveillance program. However, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle allege that the program has historically been abused, including to spy on a 2016 campaign official for former President Donald Trump as well as protesters during the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations.

A bipartisan House contingent wants to overhaul Section 702 by requiring the federal government to get a warrant for every FISA query. The most vocal advocates for the requirement aresurprise!hardline conservatives like Greene, posing a dilemma for Johnson, who has reportedly indicated he opposes compelling the warrants.

Dozens have pledged to vote against reauthorization if Johnson declines to include the warrant requirement. Many conservatives have publicly taken Johnson to task on the issue, with several posting get a warrant on X as a last-ditch pressure campaign.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ)one of the eight McCarthy rebelsoutlined Johnsons evolving positions on FISA since 2018. By Biggs count, Johnson has backed two measures that enshrined the warrant requirement. Now, Biggs said, he opposes both.

"Still think the DC Cartel isnt real? he ominously asked his X followers Tuesday afternoon.

But should his own party pounce, Johnsons other problem could solve the FISA conundrum.

Some Democrats say they will save Johnson from an intra-party revolt if he advances aid to Ukraine.

But passing Ukraine aidwhich has become something of a political quicksand in the GOPwould likely exacerbate his problems among Republicans. While it might elicit Democratic support, it would further instigate a strike against his speakership and likely make his position untenable.

Greene and fellow self-proclaimed America First opponents of foreign aid have framed a House vote on U.S. assistance to Ukraine as a bright red line Johnson should not crossor else.

Still, much of the GOP quietly supports Ukraine aid, and if Johnson continues to refuse to put a vote on the floor, they could actually join forces with Johnsons GOP detractors to get their wayif they really wanted to play hardball.

The other, more likely route to get Ukraine aid through the House is by packaging it with Israel aid. But Johnson has reverted back to insisting on sweeping border changes in exchange for a foreign aid bill, even after Democrats agreed to major border concessions and Trump blew up the compromise for overtly political reasons. (He didnt want to give President Joe Biden a win on the border.)

All the same, the Senate passed a $95 billion Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan aid bill in February thats been sitting stagnant in the House. And apparently, border policy is back on the table as a key ingredient in a Ukraine deal.

Why Are Republicans Playing Politics With Ukraine?

One of the things that has not been used a whole lot but been talked about is how were going to secure our southern border in all this, Hern said, ignoring the months of tortured, doomed negotiations trying to accomplish just that.

I think theres gonna be a combination of three of those things working together to get to a supplemental that we can all agree to, Hern added, referring to funding to address Ukraine, Israel, and the U.S.-Mexico border.

Johnson has kept his intentions for Ukraine close to his chest. His early proposals seem directed at building broad Republican support rather than appeasing Democrats. He floated linking Ukraine aid to reversing Bidens pause on liquefied natural gas exports.

A pitch to package aid with legislation to seize Russian oligarch assets to help supplement Ukraines defense might allay some GOP cost concerns, but no matter what road Johnson takes on the issue, it might not be sufficient to save his speakership.

Former House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-PA) said on Tuesday that a Johnson ouster depends on what the bill looks like, referring to Ukraine.

I hate to say this, but youre asking me, like, how long is the string? Perry 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.
Cristina Ase, a 61-year-old nursing director at Rose Linn Care Center, was last heard from when she left her home on the morning of Tuesday, March 26

Vancouver Police Department/Facebook Cristina Ase

A community in Vancouver, Washington, is praying for the safe return of a beloved healthcare worker who has been missing for two weeks.

Cristina Ase, a 61-year-old nursing director at Rose Linn Care Center, was last heard from when she left her home on the morning of Tuesday, March 26, the Vancouver Police Department explained in a news alert.

"She normally reports to work at about 7:30. She had texted another work colleague she was going to be late and then never showed up," the West Linn, Oregon center's executive director, Brady Waldroff, told KOIN. "When I reached out to her husband, her husband was shocked when I told him she hadn't gotten to work."

Related: One Parent Dead, Another Gravely Injured  Netflixs What Jennifer Did Looks Back at Infamous Canadian Crime

A day later, Ase's vehicle was found abandoned, prompting the Vancouver Police Department, Portland Police Bureau, and West Linn Police Department to launch a joint investigation.

The Vancouver Police Department said that Ase's husband, coworkers, and friends are cooperating with law enforcement and noted in a later update on Friday, April 5 that "police believe her disappearance is suspicious and far outside of what her normal pattern consists of."

"VPD is attempting to locate Cristina Ase, who was last seen the morning of March 26. Please share this flyer and contact the detectives listed in the flyer if you have any information," added the department.

Related: Infant Found Dead on Highway After Woman Stabbed Her Romantic Partner, Then Fled with 2 Children

Vancouver Police Department/Facebook Cristina Ase

That same day, more than 50 of Ase's friends and coworkers attended a Friday, April 5 vigil at the Rose Linn Care Center, where she's worked for the past 15 years.

According to KOIN, Ase's loved ones have "put up hundreds of flyers, started Facebook groups, and even searched the rivers to try and bring her home." Waldroff told the outlet that the most agonizing part of Ase's disappearance is "the sheer confusion and dumbfoundedness of what happened and why."

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.



She was the heart and soul here, and she is missed and we just want answers and we want her back, said Waldroff.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Washington Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson has marked progress in the states efforts to collect DNA from serious offenders.

Per state law, residents convicted of serious acts such as sexual assault and other violent crimes are required to submit their DNA to officials.

Portland homeowner fears sons eviction after city issues fines for trailer

Ferguson estimates that thousands of serious offenders in Washington have evaded this requirement. That is why his office launched the lawfully-owed DNA project in 2019.

On Thursday, he announced the state has gathered 2,681 samples since then.

In order to deliver justice for crime victims and improve public safety for all Washingtonians, we must ensure that serious offenders provide their DNA as required by law, Ferguson said. We are partnering with law enforcement to close this gap in DNA collection, resulting in evidence that can be used to solve future crimes. This project proves that by working together, we can address major challenges. This work makes Washington safer.

Body found floating in the Willamette River near Burnside Bridge

This process starts with investigators from the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, who gather data to determine who still owes a sample and lives in the state of Washington. In a letter, investigators remind the individuals that failing to provide data violates state law.

Jails, correctional facilities and law enforcement are in charge of collecting the samples, which are then sent to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab and added to the Combined DNA Index System.

Of the 2,681 samples collected, officials reported that 97 of them resulted in a hit that allowed investigators to link serious offenders to unsolved cases nationwide.

Wanted man runs from police, overdoses in Depoe Bay hotel parking lot

This project helped solve a 1978 case in which 16-year-old Krisann Baxter was found dead in Spokane. With additional DNA testing in 2020, a forensics lab was able to identify her killer as Keith Lindblom, who died in 1981.

According to Fergusons office, the project also helps exonerate people who were wrongfully convicted of a crime.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
There has been a lot of back and forth in just the last couple of days over Washingtons high-capacity magazine ban.

On Monday, a Cowlitz County judge ruled that the ban was unconstitutional.

However, within a couple of hours, Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, filed an emergency stay that was granted by the State Supreme Court, keeping the ban in place.

We made an announcement on Facebook that we were going to be open because of the injunction and we were swarmed! Wally Wentz, the owner of Gators Custom Guns, in Kelso, said.

Wentz is at the center of this case because he was sued by the attorney generals office back in 2022.

That decision from the lower court judge is just completely contrary to where judges all across the country have been which is upholding bans on the sale of high-capacity magazines, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said.

Ferguson said that Wentz continued to sell guns that hold ten or more bullets, after the ban went into effect.

They purchased thousands of high-capacity magazines and sold some to our investigator who went to the store on two different occasions, Ferguson said.

Wentz said he wasnt surprised the court granted the stay but is more shocked by how quickly it all happened. He said customers came in immediately when the ban was temporarily lifted.

Theyre still coming in this morning thinking they only got the first part that we got the ruling in our favor and there was a statewide injunction, but they didnt follow the bouncing ball to thein my opiniondeception or behind closed doors fast track, Wentz said.

Zach Pechalis, who represents the Alliance for Gun Responsibly, said this type of ban isnt about limiting second amendment rights but directed toward mass shootings.

We know that mass shooters overwhelmingly choose assault rifles and large capacity magazines and thats true of the Uvalde shooting that took the lives on 19 children, Pechalis said.

Oral arguments for this case will begin on April 17

th

and a ruling from the state Supreme Court will come down some time after that.
MCLEANSBORO, Ill. (WCIA)  WCIA 3 captured a time-lapse of the moons shadow going over McLeansboro, IL during the April 8th, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.

The celestial event was a rare sight for Central and Southern Illinois. The areas next total solar eclipse wont be until 2153. But those in and around the path of totality took full advantage of the one-in-a-lifetime occasion, holding huge watch parties and capturing stunning photographs.

Solar Eclipse 2024: Viewer photos, watch parties, and coverage across Central & Southern Illinois

Those in Southern Illinois were among the locations with the most prime view, experiencing a total eclipse of the sun as opposed to partial coverage. Southbound roads were filled with eclipse enthusiasts heading toward places like Effingham, which got a large influx of tourists leading up to and through April 8.

Where to drop off used eclipse glasses in Central Illinois

Though Illinoisans may need to travel a ways to witness the next total solar eclipse, the 2024 event was one that many will never forget.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Lunchables, the ready-to-eat plastic trays of lunch meats and cheeses, have some surprise ingredients: plasticizers, carcinogens, and lead.

Product-testing watchdog Consumer Reports is calling for the meal kits to be removed from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which started distributing them directly to students across the country at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. The decision to implement the colorful, shiny, highly processed lunch items raised the eyebrows of many health experts.

Kraft Heinz announced its plan to put Lunchables into schools last year and agreed to alter the contents of the two of its meal kits to meet NSLP guidelines, adding more protein and grains, and reducing sugar and sodium for improved nutrition. Consumer Reports tested only store-bought versions of the products, alongside an array of comparable meal kits.

Of the 12 Lunchables tested by the product watchdog, all but one contained harmful phthalates, which are chemicals found in a range of products from vinyl flooring to shampoos, and are used to make plastic products more durable. While they are often called plasticizers in manufacturing, they are known in the medical community as endocrine disruptors, have long-term detrimental effects on reproductive health, and have been linked to diabetes and certain cancers. The Extra Cheesy Pizza kit was the only Lunchables option that did not contain phthalates.

Consumer Reports found relatively high levels of cadmium and lead in several of the Lunchables, with five of them reaching the threshold of 50 percent of what the state of California allows. Cadmium is classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization, and there is no safe amount of lead for a child to consume.

The Government is Still Failing Kids on School Lunches

The meals also contained an excessive amount of sodium, according to the watchdog. The 460 to 740 milligrams of sodium found in the Lunchables constitutes a quarter to a half of a childs daily recommended allowance.

A spokesperson for Kraft Heinz told The Hill that the brand had taken great steps to improve the nutrition profile of Lunchables. The spokesperson added that the brand had decreased the amount of sodium in its crackers by 26 percent.

All our foods meet strict safety standards that we happily feed to our own families. We are proud of Lunchables and stand by the quality and integrity that goes into making them, the spokesperson said.

Consumer Reports is petitioning the USDA to remove the meal kits from schools.

Lunchables are not a healthy option for kids and shouldnt be allowed on the menu as part of the National School Lunch Program, said Brian Rohholm, the organizations director of food policy.

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.
Principals behind PPH (Paupack, Palmyra, Hawley) Ambulance addressed the Wayne County commissioners at the latter's scheduled workshop on March 12. Robert Boogertman, Paupack Township supervisor, and Pete Steffen, supervisor chairperson of Palmyra Township (Wayne County), asked if the county would assist financially to address a budget shortfall in the joint ambulance service serving the three municipalities. Hawley councilor Elaine Herzog was unable to attend.

At their regular commissioners meeting two days after, Chairperson Brian Smith stated that they felt it is not the solution for the county to help alleviate the shortfall, but rather the responsibility lies with the municipalities.

At the March 28 commissioners' meeting, Commissioner James Shook stated that they will be scheduling work sessions, not open to the public, with groups of municipal leaders one region of the county at a time this summer to discuss this point.

Shook stressed that the municipalities beyond Paupack, Palmyra and Hawley, where the ambulance from PPH has been answering emergency calls, need to help fund emergency services and contribute to meeting the cost of PPH.

The Wayne County commissioners, at their regular meeting at the courthouse in Honesdale on March 28, 2024. From left: Commissioners James Shook, chairperson Brian Smith and Jocelyn Cramer; and county solicitor Wendell Kay.

Commissioner Jocelyn Cramer added that the commissioners' role can be to facilitate bringing people together to talk. She said that while there remain "incredible volunteers" serving EMS, there are fewer than before. She added that not all townships have ambulance taxes in place.

Smith, at the March 14 meeting, stated that Boogertman, who has passionately sought to address ambulance coverage and response time in their region through a joint initiative, has had multiple conversations with the commissioners.

"We don't believe the solution for ambulance services is for the county to foot the bill, but certainly there are responsibilities that fall back on township supervisors to have a tax that helps the townships have the ambulance coverage... That is in the county code."

More: Joint ambulance service for Paupack, Palmyra, Hawley reports revenue shortfall

Shook said Paupack Township, Palmyra Township and Hawley Borough "did something really commendable" by pooling resources to have a paid, shared ambulance service. These three adjacent municipalities agreed to help fund PPH, at various rates depending on their number of taxable properties. PPH officially began service on July 1, 2023, contracting with Pennsylvania Ambulance.

"Their frustrations come from the fact that in the first six months of having that extra service, only 30% of it has gone to their [three municipalities]; the other 70% has gone outside their paid area and yet they are flipping the bill," Shook said. He said PPH is about $100,000 behind, and the concern of PPH is whether they will be able to sustain this service.

Shook commented, "And I think as commissioners we will probably end up holding township supervisors' feet to the fire to get on board with what they've done. They [PPH] have set a model of what township supervisors should do for their communities and township supervisors are wholeheartedly responsible for the residents in their area.

Smith stated that the county has helped by enhancing the 911 emergency dispatch system and adjusting protocols. For example, he said previously if someone with gout called 911 with excruciating pain but not a life-threatening emergency, the protocol required automatic dispatch of an Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit. If the call came from northern Wayne, Smith said that it would take the ALS unit out of service for well over two hours.

The protocol was changed to try to use a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance rather than the ALS needed by someone with a more serious condition, he said.

Pennsylvania Ambulance, contracted to serve Paupack and Palmyra townships and Hawley, is stationed outside Hawley Borough Hall awaiting the next emergency medical dispatch for someone calling 911.

The county's advanced 911 capabilities, he said, have cut down on ambulance response time. "Our 911 center and our new executive director, Betsy Turner, [are] second to none." Their funding mechanism to pay for 911, he added, has not kept up with replacing all the updated equipment to be next-generation compliant, upgrades that are required to maintain that funding.

The county's role and responsibility, he emphasized, is to ensure their 911 service has the speed and accuracy to get people the help they need.

The ambulance situation in Wayne County, Smith said, is not as bad as Pike County had been, where in recent years the county stepped up to help fund improvement of ambulance services in municipalities where ability to pay for hiring ambulance crews was inhibiting response time. These Pike County municipalities also must contribute, such as by setting an ambulance tax.

"I do think there is more and more a need for paid services," Smith said. "I think when people call for an ambulance, they expect there will be people there on that ambulance to come and save their lives or the lives of their loved ones."

Cramer added that the county has reactivated an ambulance association, bringing together EMS. "I do agree with my fellow commissioners that at the end of the day the solution is a uniform approach from the municipalities to provide services and work together... I think that if there was a small tax across the board the problem, I don't want to say would be solved, but the response time and equipment issues would be significantly upgraded," she said.

Regarding meeting with municipal officials this summer, Smith said that they will discuss other things as well, including the county's newly revised Comprehensive Plan and the county's outdoor recreation study and how it relates to the municipalities. They also will be discussing the problem for local people trying to pay the prohibitive cost of child care services, rent and real estate in Wayne County.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Paupack, Palmyra, Hawley seek EMS funding help from Wayne County
Countless civilians have fled Sudan's year-old deadly conflict for safety, enduring harsh conditions in makeshift refugee camps over the border with South Sudan. Eva Krafczyk/dpa

Claudia Godid sits on a bed frame and pushes the green headscarf over her face to protect herself from the omnipresent dust. She looks wearily towards the two flagpoles that mark the border between South Sudan and Sudan, a good 100 metres away.

She has come to Joda border point from the Sudanese town of Rabak and originally lived in Khartoum.

"It was bad, very, very bad," Godid says of the start of Sudan's bloody conflict a year ago. "It was no longer safe  the airstrikes, the shootings. Many women were raped."

She wipes away a tear as she recalls horrors and the constant feeling of insecurity. She felt safe in Rabak for a long time, before shots were heard on the outskirts of town and armed men appeared.

The whole community decided to leave, Godid says. I couldn't have stayed even if I wanted to. All the shops closed. Everyone just wanted to go.

The dusty sand road linking Khartoum to the Joda border crossing is busy as more and more refugees cross the border. Most are women with children, but young men also flee the fighting in Sudan.

Those who can afford to rent donkey carts to make the journey with their luggage a little more comfortable.

For people from the village of Joda, the new arrivals mean an additional source of income. Money changers wait for customers just behind the border, shaded by a thorn bush with wads of Sudanese and South Sudanese pounds spread before them. The conflict is good for our business, says one with a shrug.

The border soldiers have retreatd to a straw hut as temperatures soar to more than 40 degrees Celsius. There have been no checks here for months, even though the Joda border post is used by almost all the 600,000 people who have fled from Sudan to the neighbouring country in the south.

We have an open door policy, says Albino Atol Atak Mayom, the humanitarian minister in Juba, the capital city. These people are fleeing war. They have a right to be protected.

The bloody power struggle between generals Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo began in Sudan a year ago. They once staged a coup together but now, each wants to decide the country's future alone.

Those who suffer are people like Godid and 1,500 other refugees who cross the border at Joda into South Sudan every day.

More than 9 million people have fled the conflict, according to the UN. It is the largest refugee crisis in the world though it rarely makes headlines, overshadowed by conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Renk, the small border town, was originally foreseen as a transit site but has been transformed by the arrival of so many refugees.

There are two transit centres where new arrivals are supposed to stay for two weeks at the most before continuing either to the Maban refugee camp or elsehwere in South Sudan.

But the sheer number of arrivals has thrown these plans into disarray. Some 15,000 refugees live in the camp that was designed for 3,000 people. There is no longer enough space in the barracks so many have to bed down elsewhere. Some have set up makeshift shelters hugging the fences, made out of sticks and blankets.

One is Aydel Naika, who reached safety with her nine children. She has come full circle as a native of South Sudan. She fled to Sudan in 2013 to escape the civil war in her homeland but fled south again due to the latest conflict. When the bombs fell, we had no choice, she says. They affect everyone, whether civilians or militias.

As an ethnic South Sudanese woman, she was exposed to attacks as she fled. They beat us, they took all of our valuables, she says of the young men who hunted down refugees along the way.

Now she hopes to rebuild her life and that of her children with relatives in Malakal. I hope we are well received there, she says.

In a barrack in the transit centre, Fatma Mohammed rocks her youngest child in her arms. After the conflict began, she escaped from Khartoum to Wad Madani in the Sudanese state of Jazira.

But fighting broke out there in December after an attack by Daglo's RSF militia.

The mother of four is Sudanese and her husband was a government employee. I dont know if hes still alive, I fear the worst, she says quietly.

An uncle who accompanied her rests on a straw mat in the barracks they share with five other families. Their future is even more uncertain than that of the ethnic South Sudanese, who are classified as returnees by the Juba government and are being resettled in their original home regions. For most though, these are foreign places that are unknown to their children.

Fatma Mohammed doesn't want to imagine a future in the refugee camp, possibly for years to come. Maybe Ill make it abroad, she says. For me, it is most important that my children can go back to school. They already lost a whole year due to the conflict."

She hopes that she can travel to Egypt, partly because Arabic is also spoken there and Sudan is not far away, for whenever she can return.

Aid organizations are trying to create structure for youngsters after the chaos of their flight. Social workers look after children in safe spaces, singing or painting with the little ones to give them a carefree hour or two at least.

But many children are traumatized and need psychosocial support. The transit centre is not actually designed for this, says Makuach Peter Deng of Save the Children rights group. But we try to pass on information about children who need special support as soon as possible."

Human rights organizations accuse the parties to the conflict in Sudan of serious violations and violence against civilians: arbitrary shootings, rape, and sexual violence, including against children. Serious allegations have been made against the RSF militia in particular.

Meanwhile new trucks reach the Renk transit camp from the border every afternoon, crowded with refugees and their belongings.

Only the old, the sick and women with babies can get a slightly more comfortable bus ride to the transit camp. But even for them, the three-hour drive from Joda along the potholed dusty track is anything but pleasant.

Conditions are also painfully crowded on barges taking those who can leave the camp on the White Nile to the city of Malakal.

More than 500 people are crowded onto the boats, sitting on bundles of their belongings. Few can afford drinking water, so most fill bottles and containers from the river before setting off. There is no toilet or washing facilities.

Even before the boats depart for the three-day journey, children lie apathetically in their mothers' arms while others cry. No one has space to move or even stretch their legs.

Some, despite the increasingly precarious conditions, prefer to stay close to the border where they wait for news about missing relatives in Sudan.

Among them are Katmalla Mahdi, 29, and her four friends. All are desperate to hear where their husbands are, but Sudanese internet and mobile networks are disrupted and the women fear they may now be widows.

They fled fighting in Wad Madani to South Sudan in December. At the time they received food for the two weeks they were supposed to stay in the Renk transit camp but have been forced to improvise ever since.

We sold clothes to be able to buy food, says Katmallah. One of her friends mashes sorghum after carefully measuring out grains from a cup. She needs to ensure there is enough for everyone, including the children outside, though no one will have their fill.

We support each other, she says. They live in a shabby, tentlike construction that is a safe haven where they console or encourage each other when they are sad or exhausted.

Our friendship gives us the strength we need to get through all this," Katmallah says with a weak smile. The five women can barely imagine what the future holds and when the conflict at home will end.

It's hard to hope. We can only pray that things get better.

Women gather, among the countless civilians who have fled Sudan's year-old deadly conflict for safety, enduring harsh conditions in makeshift refugee camps over the border with South Sudan. Eva Krafczyk/dpa

In the past year, countless civilians have fled Sudan's deadly conflict for safety, enduring harsh conditions in makeshift refugee camps over the border with South Sudan. Eva Krafczyk/dpa

Countless civilians live in difficult conditions in makeshift refugee camps over the border with South Sudan, having fled Sudan's year-old deadly conflict. Eva Krafczyk/dpa

Katmallah Mahdi in the shelter she shares with her friends. The women support each other while trying to remain in the border area of South Sudan, hoping to find out about the whereabouts of their husbands. Eva Krafczyk/dpa
This well-known historic Milwaukee property faces demolition. A new plan would stabilize it

A well-known Milwaukee historic building facing possible demolition will receive emergency stabilization work under a new proposal.

Calvary Cemetery's gatehouse, 5503 W. Blue Mound Road, was constructed in 1897 at Milwaukee's oldest Catholic cemetery.

The gatehouse, known for its ornate Victorian Gothic design, includes an arched gateway at Calvary Cemetery's entrance, a bell tower, and a two-story building that served as the cemetery office as well as a residence for caretakers and their families.

The wooden structure, owned by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, has been vacant for several years and is deteriorating.

The Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services in 2021 cited the building for chipping and peeling paint, missing wood siding, loose chimney brick and other signs of exterior disrepair.

Archdiocese officials told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last fall it would cost an estimated $3 million just to repair the gatehouse's exterior in accordance with the city's Historic Preservation Commission requirements. The options included seeking commission approval to demolish the building, which has city historic designation.

The archdiocese is now planning to repair the roof, board the windows, winterize the plumbing and heating systems, and do other work to stabilize the building.

The project will include making repairs "to prevent further deterioration or damage," as well as removing and storing "architectural elements to protect them from theft or damage," according to the archdiocese's proposal.

Those plans were approved Tuesday by commission staff, according to a city document.

The city records don't provide a cost estimate. An archdiocese representative couldn't be immediately reached for more information.

Despite that $3 million cost estimate, stabilizing the building to prevent further deterioration should cost significantly less, Tim Askin, a city historic preservation planner, told the Journal Sentinel last fall.

Milwaukee's historic Calvary Cemetery Gatehouse is to be stabilized to prevent further deterioration.

Calvary Cemetery includes Miller Brewing founders

The gatehouse, along with the cemetery, were designated as historic in 1987 by the preservation commission and Common Council.

"The most distinctive feature of the (gatehouse) is the four-story tower and the triumphal arch over the driveway," according to the designation report.

Calvary Cemetery's historic and architectural significance includes the gatehouse, its brick Romanesque style chapel and serving as "the final resting-place of many prominent Milwaukeeans including city founder Solomon Juneau and his wife Josette" and the victims of the Lady Elgin shipwreck, the report said.

Also buried there are such prominent business operators as members of the Miller family, who founded Miller Brewing Co., and members of the Cudahy family, who launched meat packer Patrick Cudahy Inc.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Subscribe to get the BusinessWatch email newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee's historic cemetery gatehouse to be stabilized with new plan
West Mifflin felon sentenced for having semiautomatic rifle, revolver while on supervised release

A man from West Mifflin was sentenced in federal court for convictions of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon while on federal supervised release.

Roderick Ferguson, 22, was sentenced to three years in prison.

Ferguson was a passenger in a fatal crash in Baldwin on April 3, 2022. He was pulled from the car by bystanders while the driver was ejected and killed.

Officers at the scene found a semiautomatic rifle loaded with 29 rounds of ammunition while Ferguson had in his possession before the crash, the Department of Justice said.

>> 1 person killed, 1 injured in car accident in Baldwin Borough

Later that month, Ferguson was a rear passenger in a car that was pulled over in Whitehall for an expired registration. He provided officers with a fake name, the Department of Justice said.

After being told to get out of the car, Ferguson began moving around in the seat and adjusting his body. He consented to a search of his person, where officers found a loaded .357 Magnum revolver in his underwear.

During both instances, Ferguson was serving a federal supervised released following a drug-related conviction. Under federal law, convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, and those who commit crimes while serving federal supervised release are eligible for additional prison terms, the Department of Justice said.

United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV emphasized that Fergusons possession of loaded firearms within days of his release from his last federal sentence reflected a troubling willingness to disrespect the law.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Missing Beaver County man found dead during search of Monongahela River in Elizabeth Township 2 suspects charged after 60-year-old man brutally attacked inside his Sewickley home Airline offers service from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia for half the cost of traveling on PA Turnpike VIDEO: New bill would expand Pennsylvania's distracted driving law DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  In response to the Smokehouse Creek Fire which finally came to an end about a month ago, The Western Heritage Classic (WHC) has come up with a disaster relief fund to help those most impacted by the fire.

Panhandle Wildfires Investigative Committee to host hearings in Pampa, hear testimony

WHC said more than 15,000 head of cattle were killed in the Texas panhandle fire as it burned 1.2 million acres of land, and destroyed as many as 500 structures over the course of 19 days between February and March.

We ask that you join us, with generous spirits, and give to the WHC Disaster Relief Fund today. The Western Heritage Classic will designate all funds raised to those in need, WHC wrote. We hope that you think of our neighbors in the north as they rise up from the ashes of 2024s historic wildfires.

Funds raised through the WHC Disaster Relief Fund will be managed by the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Associations Disaster Relief Fund. Those affected by the Smokehouse Creek Fire may seek funds that way. Although, WHC said ranchers and producers are welcome to contact them directly.

GALLERY: Local artist honors Western Heritage Classic with Expo Center mural

Follow this link to make a monetary donation with a debit or credit card. You may also make a check out to WHC Disaster Relief, and cash can be taken to the Expo Center General Office. Donations will be accepted throughout the 2024 Western Heritage Classic the weekend of May 9. That address is 1700 HWY 36, Abilene, Texas 79602.

WHC says the disaster relief fund will stay open and hopes to expand available resources throughout the coming years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Where to drop off used eclipse glasses in Central Illinois

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA)  Communities across Central Illinois are donating used eclipse glasses to be enjoyed by other eclipse enthusiasts around the world.

In Champaign, Greener Goods is encouraging people to drop off unwanted eclipse glasses at their location at 110 South Neil Street.

At this time, Im unable to find a local CU place that is collecting them, a post on the business Facebook page reads. So bring them to us in the shop and well ensure that they travel safely to be reused.

Solar Eclipse 2024: Viewer photos, watch parties, and coverage across Central & Southern Illinois

However, another spot in Champaign has also started accepting eclipse glasses donations. Parkland College said collection boxes will be at the planetarium and inside the Learning Commons on campus. Donations will go to non-profit organization Astronomers Without Borders. The glasses will then get distributed to those who may not have access to safe eclipse-viewing gear.

Outside of Champaign-Urbana, Villas of Holly Brook senior living communities are accepting eclipse glasses donations. Central Illinois locations include Rantoul, Monticello, Gibson City, Danville, Chatham and Charleston.

Villas of Holly Brook will be mailing their donated glasses to Eclipse Glasses USA, who will forward them to school children in Latin America for their August solar eclipse. Donors can simply drop off their glasses at their nearest Villas of Holly Brook or Reflections Memory Care.

The Mattoon School District held a district-wide donation drive toward the same effort. To mail used eclipse glasses directly to Eclipse Glasses USA, you may send them to:

Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC

PO Box 50571

Provo, Utah

84605

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
White Castle manager shot, killed by man he asked to stop loitering, Ohio cops say

A man accused of killing a White Castle manager outside an Ohio restaurant said the shooting was an act of self-defense, according to police and news reports.

Lashannon Hill, 45, was reportedly arraigned Tuesday, April 9, on murder charges following the April 8 shooting at a White Castle in Cincinnati. He is accused of killing Marcus Jamison, 33, the Cincinnati Police Department said.

Officers found Jamison suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot of the restaurant around 10:10 a.m., according to police. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

I hear, Pop, pop! Donnie Covington, who works across the street, told WKRC. I thought it was a car backfiring or something. Then Craig said, Call 911. And I was like, Thats not a backfire. So, I called 911.

Covington told the station Jamison was shot in the shoulder, chest and lower abdomen. He helped administer CPR until first responders arrived.

Hill was arrested more than four hours later, police said. He admitted to firing the shots that killed the victim, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WXIX.

Prosecutors said during Tuesdays arraignment Hill had been loitering inside the restaurant while waiting for his girlfriends shift to end, according to WLWT. He eventually left the restaurant.

Hill later returned to the White Castle and Jamison met him outside his vehicle, prosecutors said, according to WCPO. When Jamison approached the drivers side window, Hill is accused of shooting him multiple times.

Hills attorney, Jay Clark, said during Tuesdays court proceedings Hill acted in self-defense, thinking he was about to be assaulted by the White Castle manager, according to WKRC.

Clark also said Hill has impaired vision, WLWT reported, which impacted his perception of what he saw.

Hill was ordered to be jailed on a $200,000 bond, WCPO reported.

Wendys customer shoots worker through drive-thru window and flees, Illinois cops say

Man fires 10 shots into Jack in the Box, later opens fire at Whataburger, TX cops say

Fight between two men at Hooters ends with one shot and killed, Georgia police say
The White House on Tuesday downplayed remarks President Biden made earlier in the day in which he seemed to suggest that House Republicans were essentially "killing millions of Americans" by slashing the Affordable Care Act.

The president spoke at an event in the nations capital earlier on Tuesday, touting government spending on child care and other investments.

During his speech, the president took a shot at House Republicans over their budget proposals, which "cut care-giving programs by a third."

"It would mean 260,000 fewer kids in child care," Biden said before accusing former President Trump and his "MAGA friends" of wanting to "terminate the Affordable Care Act."

NEVER SAY NEVER-TRUMP: BIDEN LEAVES GOP MODERATES WITH NO ALTERNATIVES BUT TO BACK FORMER PRESIDENT

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a news conference at the White House on April 9, 2024.

"Terminate it  well, guess what?  killing millions of Americans, take them off of health care insurance; its stripping others of services like home care, folks," Biden said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Later, Fox News Jacqui Heinrich pressed White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on whether the president meant "to essentially accuse Republicans of murder."

Jean-Pierre shot back that Heinrich was taking the most "extreme evaluation of what the president said." When Heinrich noted the presidents language was "stronger than usual," Jean-Pierre again said she was "taking what [Biden] said to the most extreme part of your definition."

DOJ WILL NOT TURN OVER BIDEN'S RECORDED INTERVIEW WITH SPECIAL COUNSEL HUR, RISKING CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS

The White House press secretary slammed Republicans for voting to repeal affordable health care "when it is saving people's lives."

"Why do they do that? Do they not want Americans to have  affordable health care to protect themselves, to save their lives? That's the question to be asked. The president's trying to do the right thing. He's trying to be where the majority of Americans are and protect our health care, protect their Medicare," Jean-Pierre said.

Last month, the Biden-Harris campaign accused former President Trump of threatening "political violence" after Trump, while speaking about the auto industry at a rally in Ohio, suggested there will be a "bloodbath" if he doesnt win in the upcoming election in November.

Trump had been talking about China and how "they think that they are going to sell" cars manufactured in Mexico to the U.S. "with no tax at the border."

After getting flak for the comment, Trump doubled down, using the word "bloodbath" again several weeks later at a campaign event to criticize Bidens border policies.

Fox News Digital's Greg Norman contributed to this report.





Original article source: White House downplays Biden accusing GOP of killing millions of Americans by terminating Affordable Care Act
US has no evidence of direct military aid from China to Russia  White House

The United States has not seen any evidence that China is providing direct military support to Russia, which is waging an aggressive war against Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at a briefing

Quote: "We have not seen any evidence that they (China) provide direct military air to Russia," he said.

At the same time, Sullivan added, the United States has expressed concerns about Beijing's efforts to strengthen Russia's military-industrial base, mentioning that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about this in Europe last week.

Earlier, the US State Department confirmed that Blinken expressed concerns in discussions with allies about the nature of cooperation between China and Russia, which, in particular, enhances the ability of the Russian military-industrial complex to continue to support the Russian army.

Background:

Earlier, the Financial Times, citing unnamed officials, reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in communication with counterparts in the EU and NATO that China's assistance to Russia was "at a concerning scale", especially when it comes to producing optical equipment, propellants and space equipment.

Meanwhile, Janet Yellen, US Secretary of the Treasury, said that she had "difficult conversations" about Ukraine during her four-day visit to China, and warned China that Chinese companies cooperating with the Russian military-industrial complex might suffer serious consequences.

Support UP or become our patron!
Why is Amanda Knox facing yet another trial stemming from 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher?

Amanda Knox faces a final trial in Italy before she is fully cleared of all charges stemming from the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Amanda Knox became a household name in 2007 after she and her then-boyfriend were arrested and charged with the death of her 21-year-old flatmate, British student Meredith Kercher. Unprecedented pre-trial media coverage painted her and her boyfriend as degenerate sex fiends who killed an innocent woman in a kink gone wrong.

She and her boyfriend were convicted and sentenced to more than two decades in prison. Another man, Rudy Guede, spent 13 years in jail for the murder and sexual assault of Meredith.

During her trial and subsequent jailing, Knox maintained her innocence. Later investigations found that police had not provided her with legal representation, coerced a confession, and made numerous errors in the investigation that led to Knox's conviction.

She was acquitted in 2011, and she returned to her life in the US, only to be re-convicted after her case was forced to retrial in Italy in 2013. Two years later, she was once again acquitted when the Italian Supreme Court tossed out her conviction.

With all of that behind her, Knox has one final legal wrinkle to iron out in Italy; a defamation case.

Her trial began in Florence on Wednesday.

Amanda Knox, left, talks to reporters as her mother, Edda Mellas, right, looks on outside Mellas' home in Seattle (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

What is Amanda Knox doing now?

Knox, now 36, is the mother of two small children and is married to a man named Christopher Robinson. She lives with her family in Seattle, Washington.

Her experiences in the legal system inspired her to begin campaigning for criminal justice reform and to highlight how police use their power to force confessions from suspects.

In addition to her campaign work, Knox has also recorded commentary for a meditation app that focuses on resiliency and launched a podcast with her husband. A mini-series focusing on her battles with the Italian legal system is in production at Hulu, with Monica Lewinsky as executive producer, according to People.

The public's perception of Ms Knox notably shifted after the release of the 2016 Netflix documentary Amanda Knox.

The documentary examined the charges brought against Knox and highlighted how she was presented in the media, especially by salacious tabloid writers in Italy, the US, and the UK.

Meredith Kercher murder and conviction

She was accused and convicted of the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher, a British student who shared a home with her in Perugia, Italy.

Meredith Kercher (AP)

Knox was studying at the University of Washington in 2007 when she decided to take a year to study abroad. She shared a four-bedroom apartment in Perugia with a pair of Italian women and with Kercher. A section of the house had also been rented out to a group of Italian men.

Kercher was a student at the University of Leeds who was also studying in Italy.

While studying in Italy, Ms Knox worked part-time at a bar called Le Chic, owned by a Congolese man named Diya "Patrick" Lumumba. She also began dating a man named Raffaele Sollecito.

On 2 November 2007, Ms Knox allegedly returned to her apartment where she found bloodstains inside, and Kercher's bedroom door closed.

She left the apartment fearing that something had happened to Kercher. Ms Knox showered at her boyfriend's home and the pair returned to look at the apartment. When Mr Sollecito found that Kercher's door was locked, he called the military police.

Knox speaks to her lawyer Carlo Della Vedova in the courtroom before a trial session (REUTERS)

When police opened the door they found Kercher's body lying on the floor, with a duvet over her remains. Police reports at the time said her throat had been cut.

Knox and her boyfriend were accused of killing Kercher in a sex game that went too far. She was jailed for two years in Italy before she went to trial. After a nearly year-long trial, a jury eventually found Knox and her boyfriend guilty.

She was sentenced to 26 years in prison. Sollecito was given 25 years.

Knox was freed in 2011 after an appeals court overturned the most serious of her charges. The Italian police who investigated the death were accused of blundering through the probe to rush to a conviction.

While the murder was overturned, one of her charges  a slander conviction  was upheld.

In 2013, Italy's Court of Cassation tossed out Ms Knox's acquittal and ordered a retrial. She was convicted again, and this time sentenced to 28.5 years in prison, while Sollecito's sentence remained 25 years.

Knox said she would never return to Italy, and two years after her second conviction the Italian Supreme Court overturned her second conviction.

The slander case

Knox was sued for defamation after she claimed that Mr Lumumba, the owner of Le Chic, killed Ms Kercher.

The trial began on 10 April. Knox chose not to attened the Florence-based trial. In Italy an individual does not need to be present to be tried.

Knox reportedly wanted to stay home with her children.

Knox, 36, was planning to attend the retrial on Wednesday at Florences appeals court but her lawyer, Carlo Dalla Vedova, told Ansa news agency that she remained in the US as

Carlo Dalla Vedova, Knoxs attorney in Italy, told the Ansa news agency that she is busy taking care of her two young children, one of whom was born recently, back in the US.

The trial proceeded for approximately four hours before recessing for the day. The trial will pick back up on 5 June for rebuttals and a final decision. Two professional judges and eight civilian jurors are hearing the case, according to the Associated Press.

Mr Lumumba provided police with an alibi and subsequently sued Ms Knox for suggesting he was a murderer.

Knox appealed the defamation conviction, as she had not only not been given legal representation as Italian police questioned her, but they warned her that getting a lawyer would make things worse for her.

She said she made statements regarding Mr Lumumba during the interviews where she was being questioned without requested representation.

Congolese pub owner Diya "Patrick" Lumumba who was originally jailed for the murder of Meredith Kercher (AP2008)

In 2023, the Court of Cassation ordered that the conviction be retried. That trial begins on Wednesday in Florence.

Knox said on her podcast, Labyrinths, that she hoped the ruling would clear her of wrongdoing and allow her to be free from any legal consequences of the 2007 murder.

She said any statements she made to police regarding Mr Lumumba were made under the pressures of stress, shock, and extreme exhaustion.

She also pointed out that police told her at the time she was facing 30 years in prison and that Sollecito had flipped on her, which was not true.

On the one hand, I am glad I have this chance to clear my name, and hopefully that will take away the stigma that I have been living with, she said.

On the other hand, I dont know if it ever will, in the way I am still traumatised by it. I am sure people will still hold it against me because they dont want to understand what happened, and they dont want to accept that an innocent person can be gaslit and coerced into what I went through.
Why are some flags at half-staff in Ohio?

For a previous report on this story, view the video player above.

COLUMBUS (WCMH)  Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered some U.S. and Ohio flags to be flown at half-staff.

DeWine ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction facilities in honor of Lieutenant Rodney Osborne, who was fatally shot at the Corrections Training Academy in Pickaway County on Tuesday.

The flags will be flown at half-staff beginning Wednesday until sunset on the day of his funeral.

Sam Randazzo, recently charged in Ohios biggest corruption case, found dead

Osborne was fatally shot just before 11 :30 a.m. at the academys tactical firing range, according to Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction director Annette Chambers-Smith. Osborne had served with the department for 13 years and worked at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Scioto County.

The Lieutenant was part of the facilitys honor guard and had been named employee of the year just last week. He was also a member of the special response team and the statewide special tactics and response team.

The highway patrol has yet to announce what led to the fatal shooting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Tenders for a major sewage network project covering Blocks 1203 and 1016 in Hamad Town and Luzi will be issued soon after receiving the necessary funding from the government, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, citing the works minister.

For further details, visit https://www.gdnonline.com
Why some flags in Ohio are at half-staff

[Editors Note: In the video player above is a recap of some notable lives lost in 2024.]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW)  Governor Mike DeWine has ordered some U.S. and Ohio State flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the life and service of an Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Lieutenant recently killed.

Wynonna Judds daughter arrested for indecent exposure

According to FOX 8s sister station, NBC4 in Columbus, Lieutenant Rodney Osborne was fatally shot at the Corrections Training Academy in Pickaway County on Tuesday, April 9.

The following day, Gov. DeWine ordered flags upon all Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction facilities to be lowered until sunset on the day of Osbornes funeral.

Rite Aid announces 53 more store closings

NBC4 reports the highway patrol has not yet announced what led to the fatal shooting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Mystery surrounds a two-story house that has been seen floating on the San Francisco Bay for at least three days.

Crowds were gathering along the waterfront at San Franciscos Exploratorium to watch the solar eclipse on Monday when another unusual sight appeared: a big wooden house in the middle of the bay. The buoyant home navigated its way around Alcatraz Island with help from a slow tow boat.

Could Dutch-style mortgages work in the US?

Nexstars KRON tracked the house down on Tuesday and confirmed it is now anchored in Richardson Bay, north of San Francisco offshore from Sausalito. U.S. Coast Guard officials said the house was able to float around the bay because its on a barge.

(KRON)

The houseboat began its voyage somewhere south of the San Francisco Bay, the Coast Guard confirmed. Its unclear who owns the home, how long it will remain anchored on the bay, nor where its final destination will be.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Why independents cant vote in the 2024 Pa. primary, and the slow-moving push to change that

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

HARRISBURG  Millions of voters are expected to cast ballots during Pennsylvanias April 23 primary, choosing candidates to represent the Democratic and Republican parties in November.

More than 1 million registered voters will also be excluded from that process.

Pennsylvania is one of 10 states with a closed primary system. That means only voters who are registered to a major party may participate in its primary election.

More than 1.3 million people in Pennsylvania are registered without a political affiliation or with a third party. Such voters can still participate in statewide referenda, local ballot initiatives, and special elections that coincide with the primaries.

Good-government advocates and lawmakers from across the political spectrum want to change this system, arguing that the closed primary system disenfranchises independent and third-party voters.

 NEW EVENT: Join Spotlight PA at 6 p.m. April 29 for a virtual interview with Nick Troiano, author of The Primary Solution, a new book on how partisan primaries are fueling partisanship and what can be done about it. This is a member-only event, but you can join by making a gift to Spotlight PA now. Currently a member? Email us to RSVP for free.





They also say that if the states primaries were open, unaffiliated voters would serve as a mitigating force that could dilute support for extremist candidates and decrease polarization.

Pennsylvanias five most recent governors signed an open letter last spring that voiced support for the change, writing that our political system has changed over the past two decades and now requires the state to adjust its approach.

Primary elections are often decided by a few more extreme voters. Candidates elected by those more extreme voters dont have as much incentive to engage in the compromise and give and take that is so essential to effective governing. Adding independent voters to the primary mix will help, the governors wrote.

The good-government group Committee of Seventy has an initiative, Ballot PA, dedicated to advocating for open primaries. David Thornburgh, who chairs the initiative and is the son of late Republican Gov. Dick Thornburgh, said he sees the upcoming election as a missed opportunity.

The bad news is here comes another primary with 1.2 million voters locked out, Thornburgh said. The good news is that there continue to be windows of opportunity and momentum.

There have been pushes in the legislature to open Pennsylvania primaries over the past few decades, but none have gotten very far.

In 2019, the GOP-controlled state Senate voted 42-8 for a bill that would allow independents to participate in either the Democratic or Republican primary election. The legislation, sponsored by then-President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson, was not considered by the state House.

At the time, the lower chamber was controlled by Republicans. After Democrats won control of the state House in 2022, supporters of open primaries expressed hope that the new majority would prioritize such a measure.

So far, that hasnt happened.

The chambers State Government Committee passed two bills on the subject last fall  one sponsored by a Democrat, one by a Republican. Only Democrats on the panel voted in favor of the bills.

Both bills would allow unaffiliated voters to choose which major party primary to participate in. The legislation introduced by state Rep. Marla Brown, R-Lawrence, goes a step further and would allow third-party voters to also make that choice.

State House leadership hasnt called up either measure for a vote, and Majority Leader Matt Bradford, D- Montgomery, has not come out in support or against the bills.

A spokesperson for the state House Democratic caucus said it is still reviewing the bill.

Open primary supporters also face major hurdles in the state Senate

The chair of the upper chambers State Government Committee, state Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville, previously told Spotlight PA that he is opposed to opening the states primaries. Dush controls which bills are considered by the committee, through which any open primary legislation would need to pass.

If a bill did advance out of the committee, it would still need to be called up for a floor vote by Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana. A spokesperson for the state Senate Republican caucus said that discussions on open primaries are ongoing but its focus is on bills that would restore voter confidence in our electoral focus.

Despite the lack of legislative action, Thornburgh is hopeful that this upcoming election season will further highlight the need to open primaries, as lawmakers in both parties condemn extremism.

Were in a political season now and that will be brutal, he said. Were trying to open up that conversation to make sure that includes independents.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
It's been two weeks since the Dali cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

A view of the Patapsco River following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. (Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images)

Two weeks after the Dali cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the 21-person crew still remains onboard. The Key Bridge collapsed early morning on March 26, killing six people who had been working on the bridge.

The group includes pilots, engineers, divers and other crew members who will remain on the ship until the National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard finish their investigation.

Why is the crew still on the boat?

On April 1, BBC reported that authorities said there were no plans to disembark the Dalis crew and it is unlikely any plan will be put in place unless the vessel is moved or taken out of the water. The Coast Guard said on March 29 that moving the ship is a second priority to reopening the Baltimore port and the shipping channel.

The BBC also reported that even in normal circumstances, disembarking crews of foreign nationals from ships in U.S. ports requires significant paperwork. Twenty of the crew are citizens of India and one is from Sri Lanka.

The crew members would need visas and valid shore passes to allow them off the ship and require escorts to take them from the ship to the terminal gate, according to the BBC. It is not clear whether the crew has this required paperwork.

A representative from the Maryland Port Authoritys Key Bridge response team told Futurism that the crew is also still engaged in maintaining the current status of the ship as the NTSB and Coast Guard continue their investigation.

The crew is busy with their normal duties on the ship as well as assisting the NTSB and Coast Guard investigators on board, Dali management spokesman, William Marks, told the Washington Post.

Andrew Middleton, the director of the Catholic ministry Apostleship of the Sea, a group that has been working to provide for the crewmembers, told NPR that the crew needs to continue monitoring the mechanical systems, electrical systems and pumps.

All those kinds of things that make the vessel operate, you need humans to do that, he explained.

When can crew members expect to leave the boat?

Chirag Bahri, a former sailor who now works as the international operations manager of the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network, told the BBC that it might be months before the crew could return home.

"Maybe after a few weeks, some of the junior ranks may be repatriated home," he said. "But it may be that the senior ranks are still required to complete the formal investigation and are kept in the U.S."

Why cant the ship leave the Baltimore Harbor?

The NTSB and the Coast Guard are still investigating whether it was a power outage on the cargo ship that caused it to crash into the Key Bridge. A deficiency in Dalis system was recorded when the ship was last inspected in June  categorized as having to do with propulsion and auxiliary machinery, with no other specifics  but a follow-up inspection concluded that the problem had been addressed.

The Baltimore Sun reported on April 4 that there were 11 cargo ships trapped behind the Key Bridge collapse, not including the Dali. The vessels cant move until the debris from the bridge gets cleaned up.

The crew is covered by an International Transport Workers Federation contract through the Singapore Maritime Officers Union, the Washington Post reported. But its up to American authorities to determine when the crew will be allowed to leave Baltimore.

ITF inspector Steve Trowsdale told the Washington Post he anticipates that the crew, who come from developing countries with low employment, might be anxious about being held up in the port during the investigation.

They are on very tight schedules, he said. They get in, they load or they unload, and they get out again.

Is the Dali crew OK?

The crew was mostly uninjured following the bridge collapse. Synergy, the Singapore-based company that owns Dali, reported on March 27 that one crew member had to be taken off the ship to be treated for minor injuries following the crash, but has since returned.

A Key Bridge representative told Futurism that the crew was prepared for a 35-day voyage so they had ample supplies on board to support them. The spokesperson added that there was an open line of communication with the crew and they appear in good spirits and health.

Middleton told NPR that his organization put together a care package of SIM cards, Wi-Fi hotspots, DVDs and snacks to send to the crew. He said if the crew were to run out of food and water, the ship line would get more.

We worry that the stress and the trauma of the incident and that, as time goes on, might start to weigh a little more heavily on them, Middleton said. They were mentally prepared for 28 days, you know, the only difference now being is they're within eyeshot of dry land, and they can't get to it.
Not so long ago, the notion of civil war erupting in America might have seemed a fairly niche political nightmare. In 2017, Omar El Akkads book American War imagined a civil conflict over fossil fuels, but it was a speculative fiction, set in 2074. Yet by 2022, another novelist, Stephen Marche, was publishing The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future  and this was speculative non-fiction, about today.

Now comes a new movie, Civil War, in which the British writer-director Alex Garland conjures a vision of secessionist Western Forces and the Florida Alliance advancing on Washington. This is a rebellion against a dictatorship: the president is in his unconstitutional third term, has abolished the FBI and has ordered airstrikes against civilians.

Garlands movie is in a long tradition: the spectre of a second civil war has periodically haunted America ever since the first one. In 1908, Jack Londons wildly influential novel The Iron Heel imagined socialists winning elections across the US, only to be crushed by a right-wing oligarchy. Chicago becomes a premonition of Stalingrad. In 1935, Sinclair Lewis imagined rebel army units trying to oust a dictatorial president. And in 1974, Philip K Dicks Flow My Tears, The Policemen Said had civil war ending in a police state.

These are left-liberal nightmares  with some grounding in history. Think of the National Guard smashing into black neigbourhoods in Detroit with tanks in 1967, the pitched battles between trade unionists and corporate private armies in the 1890s, or the actual civil war in the 1860s against the authoritarian, slave-owning Confederacy. Likewise, Civil War echoes todays right-wing calls for a third Trump term and for gutting the FBI.

The trouble is, not all Americans see things this way. Imagining civil war has long been an imaginative project on the right too. In the 1970s, a neo-Nazi called William Pierce wrote a horrific propaganda novel called The Turner Diaries, which used images of rebellion and civil war to try, all too successfully, to foment political violence. The Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh was obsessed with Pierces book.

McVeigh was initially linked to the militia movement, which nursed a detailed scenario for civil war. This was triggered by what they saw as the state-orchestrated massacre of religious cultists outside Waco in 1993. Rumours insisted that martial law would soon be imposed by the national guard and recruits from street gangs, herding patriots into camps. Militias tooled up and steeled themselves to resist.

Meanwhile, the talk-radio provocateur Rush Limbaugh talked about abortion as the new civil war in his 1992 book The Way Things Ought to Be; McVeigh read this too. Around this time, the pioneer of the idea that cultural Marxism was deliberately eroding western culture, William Lind, began writing his novel Victoria (2014), in which the US collapses, and the Northern Confederation goes to war with the woke forces of darkness.

Trumps rhetoric has revived the imagery of right-wing resistance to left-wing authoritarianism. Last March, he assured his supporters: I am your warrior I am your retribution, and declared 2024 the final battle. It just so happened that he was speaking near Waco.

In Civil War, the president is straightforwardly a dictator. But in the actual Civil War, it wasnt quite that simple. President Lincolns assassin denounced him as a tyrant  yet Lincoln had just liberated enslaved Americans. Garlands movie is well worth a watch, but it might be worth watching a second time  and imagining that the president is only a tyrant in the sense that Fox News has called Joe Biden an authoritarian and a wannabe dictator. If civil war ever does erupt in America, it may be because, however different the justifications, each side sees tyranny in the other.

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.
Wichita will sell Habitat for Humanity its new home at half the appraised value

Wichita Habitat for Humanity will buy a city-owned building in northeast Wichita for just under half of its assessed value.

Sedgwick County Appraiser Mark Clark says the property at 2220 E. 21st Street is worth $1,392,930. The nonprofit housing organization will buy it for $682,500.

Habitat, which has built more than 100 homes in northeast Wichita, will use the building to expand its program offices and provide a construction warehouse space.

The sale was approved 5-1 by the City Council on Tuesday. Council member Brandon Johnson, who is married to Wichita Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Danielle Johnson, recused himself from the vote.

The agenda report erroneously stated that the sale will place additional value into the tax base. Habitat is a nonprofit organization, meaning it is exempt from paying property taxes.

The sale of the property will not add value into the tax base as stated on the agenda. It does, however, relieve the city of continued maintenance costs, city real estate analyst Gerri Ford said during the meeting.

The former Fundamental Learning Center was most recently converted into an emergency winter shelter between December and March.

The propertys value increased by 53% from $910,100 in 2023 to $1,392,930 in 2024 after the county appraiser noted that the warehouse assembly space had been converted into a gymnasium. That inspection took place in March 2023, before the building was converted into a shelter.

It reclassified the property and caused the property to go up in value, Ford said.

At the recommendation of a selection committee made up of city staff and a neighborhood representative, the council picked Habitat over three other contenders, including one that offered to purchase the property for $900,000 as a second option to leasing it for $56,850 a year.

That applicant was McAdams Academy, a nonprofit behavioral program that works with foster children and provides schooling for students who have been expelled from public schools. McAdams was only interested in buying the building if they could also have right of first refusal on four acres of public land along the west side of Opportunity Drive.

The other two nonprofit organizations that submitted bids were not named during the meeting or in supporting documents.

Is it common practice to not take the highest bid for a property? asked council member J.V. Johnston, who cast the sole vote against selling to Habitat.

Were always looking for the best opportunity and the most amount of money that we can bring in for the taxpayers, yes, Ford said. But were looking at other things though. Were looking at the compatibility and the ability to perform, in addition to a purchase price.

The Opportunity Drive corridor includes a TOP Early Learning Center, a Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas location and a United Methodist Open Door food pantry. All three organizations offered letters of support for Habitats bid, as did Wichita State University, HealthCore Clinic, the Kansas Food Bank and United Way of the Plains.

This move is supported overwhelmingly by your community  people who care about what happens in Wichita, who care about affordable housing and are aware of the work that were doing and want to support us in that work, Habitat Program Director Laurie Walker told the council.

The nonprofit has earmarked $300,000 to improve and modify the nearly 20,000-square-foot building. It sits on 115,852 square feet of land and was completed in 1996 through a development agreement between the city and Cessna. Cessnas lease was canceled in 2015, and the Fundamental Learning Center occupied the building through September 2023.

Under the purchasing agreement approved Tuesday, the city will pay all closing costs and charges, any escrow fees, costs to record the Deed, and costs for the Title Commitment. That agreement appears to be missing at least one page. The city did not immediately furnish a full copy of the agreement in response to an Eagle inquiry.

Win-win

The purchase agreement was initially listed on the consent agenda, meaning it could have been approved Tuesday without any council debate.

City Manager Robert Layton pulled it off that agenda for discussion to recommend that all proceeds from the sale go to support the citys planned multi-agency center (MAC) project, which would include a homeless shelter, transitional housing and a resource navigation center for people experiencing housing insecurity.

Im so glad that were able to have somebody step into this space whos actually doing great work in the community and also across Wichita, so I applaud [Habitat] for all the work that youre doing, and were also able to put some more funding into the MAC, council member Mike Hoheisel said.

He said the proposal is a win-win for everybody and sharply criticized several online commenters who have questioned the agreement.

Its unfortunate when you have some haters on the sideline who just like to kind of poke holes in every single good thing that people try to do, Hoheisel said. No members of the public spoke against the purchase agreement Tuesday.

I think my main concern is to make sure that we arent selling assets and never getting it back on the tax [roll] to provide revenue, Vice Mayor Maggie Ballard said. Thats my only main concern but I will be supportive of this. I think its awesome. Its just something that we need to think about.

Johnston, who said he volunteers with Habitat at least every other year, indicated that he would have rather supported the McAdams Academy proposal.

I love [Habitat for Humanity]. I just have a problem with leaving $217,000 on the table, Johnston said. You dont say youre going to pay $900,000 for it and not be able to do it, so I have a problem with that.

Chuck Knowles is the executive director of McAdams Academy, which has been operating its programs out of a gym on McCormick since pipes froze and flooded the space they were leasing at the Urban Preparatory Academy. He said the academy has had a waiting list of 20 to 30 students since the beginning of the pandemic and needs space to expand. Thats why he wanted right of first refusal to additional land on Opportunity Drive.

With the property to build on, we would have worked on raising funds to build a K-12 school and counseling center working with parents and families, and we would have then remodeled the existing building as a center for job learning and training, Knowles said.

Ford told council members there are no immediate plans for those four acres but indicated that giving McAdams the first right of refusal could tie the citys hands.
It was the era of the Wild West, when white men from back East were flooding into Arizona to reap the golden bounty of the land, take over territories and establish laws.

William Howell, a New Yorker tasked with writing the code that would enshrine Arizona as a territory, cracked open the law books of a neighboring state as a model: California. He copied over swaths of the state's legal text  including a paragraph that criminalized abortions except when the mother's life was at risk.

And on Tuesday, 160 years later, Howell's words rose to relevance again, when Arizona's Supreme Court ruled that the state would return to the original code on abortion, banning physicians from providing it in all cases except when the mother's life is at risk.

"History doesn't happen in a vacuum," said Melanie Sturgeon, a retired state archivist and co-founder and president of Arizona Women's History Alliance. "You need to understand what's going on ... in the territory or state and those next to us, and what's happening nationally that affects us."

Read more: Arizona's ban on abortion sets up the swing state for an election 2024 showdown

California, with its promises of gold, began attracting a rush of visitors from the East in the late 1840s and quickly coalesced into a state in 1850  the first in the West. California's neighbors to the southeast soon followed. In late 1863, Arizona separated from New Mexico to become its own fledgling territory.

Over the next year, Anglo American men traveled from the East to put together Arizona's founding structure. Among those key early figures was Howell. Born and raised on a farm in New York, Howell began teaching at 16, became an editor of a newspaper at 19 and by 24 was practicing law, wrote John Goff in his article "William T. Howell and the Howell Code of Arizona."

Judge William Howell, a New Yorker, wrote the code that would enshrine Arizona as a territory, based on the law books of a neighboring state: California. (Arizona Historical Foundation)

Howell was married three times  remarrying after both his first and second wife died  and had children with each of the women, according to Goff. He spent much of his adult life in Michigan, moving up through the ranks of the state Legislature and serving as the speaker pro tem twice before sojourning to Arizona.

"Howell is a rather shadowy figure, not remembered in Arizona, and largely forgotten in his home state of Michigan," Goff wrote.

In 1862, then-President Lincoln wrote: "When the Arizona Territory shall be organized, let William T. Howell, of Michigan, be appointed as Judge therein."

Howell moved to Arizona the following year and quickly set up court in Tucson. Amid the Civil War racking the country, Howell delivered a speech to an assembled grand jury that "dwelt at length on the need for the protection of the rights of the people by granting equal justice for all," Goff wrote.

As one of his first tasks as associate justice in Arizona, Howell "sifted through the statute books of California, New York and other states for laws suitable for the territory," according to the 1970 book "Arizona Territory, 1863-1912: A political history" by Jay Wagoner.

"Arizona basically ... copied California law," Sturgeon said.

In California's laws, Howell found and included  almost word-for-word  its provision on abortion. The paragraph is tucked into a section of Arizona code about punishment for poisoning another person:

"And every person who shall administer or cause to be administered or taken, any medicinal substances, or shall use or cause to be used any instruments whatever, with the intention to procure the miscarriage of any woman then being with child, and shall be thereof duly convicted, shall be punished," both the California and Arizona codes state, adding that a physician will be excepted from the law "who in the discharge of his professional duties deems it necessary to produce the miscarriage of any woman in order to save her life."

Howell earned a total of $7,500 for his work on the job, and the honorific of Arizona's founding document being named "the Howell Code," according to Wagoner's book.

"Part of the reason that I think that that becomes a part of the law in the West is to make sure that white women are not having abortions," Sturgeon said. "I don't think they care very much if Mexicans and Native Americans had abortions, but they were very concerned."

The birthrate had been in decline since the beginning of the 19th century, Sturgeon said, as industrialization moved people off farms and into cities, lessening the need for as many children to support their families.

Although modern abortion laws vary from state to state  some including exceptions for rape or incest  Arizona's original code was strict. That was fairly typical for the time because, Sturgeon noted, the age of consent in Arizona was 10.

"It was just assumed that if you got pregnant as a 10-year-old, that you had seduced that uncle, that next-door neighbor, that older brother or whatever," she said. "And so there's nothing in our laws about rape or incest."

Sturgeon said she has read court transcripts of judges and juries interrogating children about their role in attracting an older man.

Read more: Horrifying stories of women chased down by the LAPD abortion squad before Roe vs. Wade

"There's a poor child who carries a baby to term ... that has all this trauma of being molested and impregnated by a relative or a family friend, and they have to live with that for the rest of their life," she said, "because it was just assumed that they were the ones to seduce someone."

Not long after Arizona's code was established, advertisements for self-administered abortions started popping up in newspapers, Sturgeon said. The advertisements used the same term as the Arizona code  "medicinal substances"  to signal abortions.

"Anytime you saw an advertisement that said 'Portuguese medication,' that was a euphemism for 'This will produce an abortion,'" she said.

Howell's stay in Arizona did not last long. As Goff writes, Howell received word that his third wife had also fallen ill in Michigan, "and might not live until the judge got home." Howell took a leave of absence from his work in Arizona to return to his dying wife's side.

He probably never returned West.

Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The federal judge overseeing the case against Donald Trump regarding his alleged mishandling of classified documents agreed on Tuesday to keep potential witnesses for the government from being identified in court filings.

The decision by U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon had long been sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, with prosecutors arguing that a failure to hide the identities of witnesses would put them at risk.

In her 24-page order on Tuesday, the judge said though Smiths request remains sweeping in nature, she was satisfied that the Special Counsel has made an adequate showing on this issue, at least for now. She directed Smith to file an index of potential witnesses under seal, with each name accompanied by a corresponding pseudonym.

Jack Smith Laid a Trap for Trumps Mar-a-Lago Judge. Cannon Didnt Take It.

The decision marks only a partial victory for Smiths office, however, with the judge refusing to grant a wholesale request to keep substantive witness statements under wraps, as long as they dont identify the witness or others on the list.

Cannon didnt miss an opportunity to take a swipe at Smith in the order, either, criticizing him and his prosecutors for not filing their evidence quickly enough.

Although the record is clear that the Special Counsel could have, and should have, raised its current arguments previously, the Court elects, upon a full review of those newly raised arguments, to reconsider its prior Order, she noted pointedly.

Jack Smith Tracks Unhinged Origin of Judge Cannons Latest Trump Defense

The monthslong dispute over redaction began when Trumps lawyers pushed to be able to name government witnesses in court papers they filed in relation to discovery evidence. In a ruling on the matter last summer, Cannon had sided against prosecutors, saying they hadnt adequately explained their reasons for wanting the redaction.

Prosecutors urged Cannon to reconsider, saying in a February filing that she had made a clear error, and that there was a well-documented pattern in which judges, agents, prosecutors and witnesses involved in cases involving Trump have been subject to threats, harassment and intimidation.

The former president, who faces 37 counts in the case, has pleaded not guilty to illegally retaining the classified documents. He and his two co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, have also pleaded not guilty to obstructing the governments attempts to retrieve the records.

The trial does not have a set start date, with the case, being heard in Fort Pierce, Florida, having gotten mired in a tangle of unresolved motions and legal issues. It is one of four criminal indictments pending against Trump.

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.
CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Carroll County woman is facing multiple drug charges following a joint investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Huntingdon Police Department.

According to officials, the case began in December 2023, but on Monday, April 8, the TBI and the Huntingdon Police Department  with some help from the Bruceton Police Department and the Henderson County Sheriffs Department  executed a search warrant for a home in the 100 block of Butler Speedway.

$6K worth of clothing recycle bins stolen around Murfreesboro

During the search, law enforcement reportedly found bags of packaged methamphetamine, containers of marijuana, Xanax pills, a loaded pistol, and a variety of drug paraphernalia.

As a result, authorities said they arrested the homes resident, 62-year-old Gina Marie Pierce, and charged her with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

The TBI announced on Wednesday, April 10 that Pierce was booked her into the Carroll County Jail on a $127,500 bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Woman facing charges after 2 car chases in Chautauqua County in less than a month

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A woman is facing a host of charges after she allegedly led police in Chautauqua County on two separate chases in less than a month, according to the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Office.

24-year-old Savannah Dorsey-Carter allegedly led police on two chases.

The first happened on March 18, where authorities said she led police on a chase through the towns of Gerry, Ellery and Stockton before she drove into a ditch. After crashing, she allegedly fled on foot before being found in a cabin two miles away.

She was not held after the first incident due to police not filing charges in time to hold her after Dorsey-Carter was in custody while hospitalized.

On Tuesday morning, Dorsey-Carter then allegedly led police from Pennsylvania into the state before the chase ended in the town of Mina.

Dorsey-Carter is facing the following charges in connection to both chases:

second-degree burglary

fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance

third-degree criminal possession of stolen property

third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle

third-degree aggravated unlicensed

fourth-degree criminal mischief

third-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle

reckless driving

multiple traffic violations

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.
Investigators identified the woman who died early Monday after her car was struck in a wrong-way crash on the Baltimore Beltway as 37-year-old Dimeka Thornton.

Baltimore County Police said Monday they had attempted to stop the vehicle, which had been reported stolen, before it struck Thornton, of Windsor Mill, after spotting it in a hotel parking lot on the 1800 block of Belmont Avenue. The driver did not stop for police and continued onto Interstate 695 in the wrong direction. Soon after, that vehicle struck an Acura operated by Thornton.

Both drivers were taken to a hospital. Thornton died, and the other driver  a man whose name still hasnt been released  had non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Maryland Attorney Generals office, which is investigating the crash.

The offices Independent Investigations Divison also on Wednesday identified the four officers involved as Sergeant Ferguson, who has 19 years of service in the Baltimore County Police Department; Officer Daley, with 17 years; Officer Marrero and Officer Hadel, both with seven years; and Officer Creter, who has four years. All of the officers are assigned to the departments Operations Bureau, the office said.

The county officers union agreement prevents the department from releasing officers full names after police shootings or in-custody deaths. A county salary database lists officers with the same names, ranks and years with the department as Justin Ferguson, Sean Daley, Rafael Marrero, Derek Hadel and Daniel Creter.

Police and the investigations division, which probes fatal encounters with police throughout Maryland, both said the officers did not follow the vehicle onto the Beltway after the driver entered through the outer loop off-ramp before the interstates Liberty Road exit. Soon after, that vehicle struck Thorntons Acura head-on while driving into oncoming traffic, investigators said.
Wonderful dad found dead in river after he went missing on way to work, PA cops say

A missing Pennsylvania man has been found dead, according to police.

Brian Posch was last seen on April 5 in Beaver County, according to the Brighton Township Police Department.

His wife told WPXI he was on his way to work at a construction site and the morning started off like any other day.

Just saying, I love you and I had said, I love you to him, Alanna Posch told the news outlet. We always just say, I love you in the morning.

But, Brian never made it to work.

Police put out a missing person alert and search and rescue teams began to look for him, KDKA reported.

All kinds of commotion, a lot of police everywhere, West Elizabeth resident Keved White told the outlet.

On April 9, police reported they found Brian. His body was found inside his work truck in the Monongahela River, the Beaver County Times reported.

We do not have evidence of foul play at this time, however, with all investigations, things could change at a moments notice, Elizabeth Police Chief Ken Honick told KDKA.

Brian had a 1-year-old daughter, according to a GoFundMe page set up for the family. Alanna described him as a wonderful dad and a wonderful husband to WPXI.

My best friend. Love of my life, Alanna said in a Facebook post.

McClatchy News reached out to Elizabeth Township police for more information but did not immediately hear back.

Beaver County is about a 35 mile drive northwest from Pittsburgh.

Park visitor discovers injured man missing for days in Smoky Mountains, officials say

Missing anglers boat found far off North Carolina  with no one aboard, officials say

Missing clammer vanishes in Oregon bay, cops say. Crabbers find body two days later
You Won't Believe What This Texas High School Teacher Is Accused of Doing to Troubled Students

A Texas teacher faces felony charges for allegedly recruiting and trafficking troubled teenagers at the high school where she worked. On April 8, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced the arrest of Kedria Grigsby, a 42-year-old cosmetology teacher at Klein Cain High School, with a statement on X.



Today, the @HCSOTexas Criminal Investigations & Security Division corroborated with @kleinisdpd in arresting Klein ISD teacher, Kedria M. Grigsby (01-31-82) for allegedly trafficking of a child (3 counts) and compelling prostitution of juveniles (3 counts). The

1/4 pic.twitter.com/AkcMHCDvSm  Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) April 9, 2024

According to Sheriff Gonzalez, Grigsby and her 21-year-old son allegedly preyed on local high school students, who were reported runaways, by offering them a place to stay. But the place to stay was a hotel room, and the offer for help came at a dangerous price.

As KPRC Houston reported, Police found text messages between Grigsby, her son and three of her alleged victims, between the ages of 15 and 17, in which they discussed payments for acts of prostitution. And according to the sheriff, these three students are not alone.

Additional teen victims have come forward stating that Grigsby was also attempting to recruit them while attending school, Gonzalez added in his statement.

Grigsby was charged with three counts of child trafficking and three counts of compelling prostitution of juveniles with a bond set at $750,000, according to KPRC Houston. Her son, Roger Magee, was arrested for child trafficking, child sexual assault of a child and compelling prostitution in 2022.

Upon learning the news of Grigsbys arrest, the Klein school district sent a message to the school community, letting them know that Grigsby had been fired. They advised parents to speak with their children and share any additional information they may have with law enforcement officials, according to Houstons ABC affiliate.

Klein ISD has NO intention of allowing this individual back to Klein Cain or any Klein ISD school, and we will report to all appropriate agencies at the conclusion of the investigation, the school district said in a statement. Let us be clear: any behavior harming children is deplorable, and we will always fully cooperate with our many law enforcement partners to ensure anyone engaging in such acts is brought to justice.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Workers prepare an area for Alabama legislators to introduce a "Working For Alabama" package on March 21, 2024 at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama. The package will aim to improve the state's low workforce participation rate. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

A package of bills aimed at improving workforce participation passed the Alabama Senate Tuesday, but not before being heavily amended and drawing some criticism from senators.

The package, called Working for Alabama, aims to raise Alabamas workforce participation rate. While Alabama has lower unemployment than the rest of the nation, its workforce participation rate in January was 57.1%, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve. The national rate was 62.5%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The states participation rates have trailed the nations at since at least 1976.

Experts cite transportation, training and child care shortages for the low rate. The package, which has the backing of Gov. Kay Ivey and legislative leaders, aims to address a number of factors that may contribute to the issue, including child care and housing.

One bill, SB 242, aims to create so-called innovation districts as public corporations with certain powers. As filed, the bill lacked definitions of an innovation district, and Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said Tuesday that it would create something the Legislature could not control.

I know theres a sub floating around that I got about an hour ago, said Orr. Let me say this: Its about the worst bill, one of the worst bills I think Ive ever seen.

Orr named specific issues with the bill, such as eminent domain power.

Once you let this genie out of the bottle, the local governing body cant do much about it at all, he said.

The Senate did not vote on the bill or a proposed constitutional amendment, SB 243, sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook on Tuesday. Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, the sponsor of SB 242, said they had created a substitute. He said there were some items in the bill that were broad, but they were trying to create economic development and build workforce.

Thats why well carry it over is to continue to work on it, to make sure that we get rid of all those things were not intending to do, he said.

Other bills in the package were amended.

SB 252, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper, which creates the Alabama Growth Alliance, a public corporation that will support economic development. One amendment added legislative minority leaders to the list of ex-officio members. Another changed the number of at-large members to five. A third amendment included changes such as making the Board members subject to the Alabama Ethics Act. A fourth amendment outlined when it can enter into agreements. A final amendment also impacted the make-up of the at-large members and outlined cooperation with the Joint Legislative Advisory Committee on Economic Incentives. The bill passed 34-0.

SB 247, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, renames the Secretary of Labor and Department of Labor the Secretary of Workforce and Department of Workforce and expand the duties under them. An amendment was added that addresses employees and the state merit system. Another amendment added Senate confirmation to the process. The bill passed 34-0.

SB 253, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, creates an alternative diploma pathway for students focused on career education. An amendment was added that said the students academic achievement could not be considered in a school letter grade until an alternative assessment was created. Another amendment removed language around students not planning to attend a postsecondary institution. A third amendment said that students with the alternative diploma would be eligible for admission to public higher education in the state, but institutions can set their own requirements. The bill passed 34-0.

SB 280, a bill sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman that would create a tax credit to incentivize businesses to offer child care, did not appear on the floor, nor did SB 250, sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, that aims to encourage housing construction through tax credits.

Reed said to reporters after the Senate adjourned that those bills would be starting in the House of Representatives.

SB 252, SB 247 and SB 253 move to the House of Representatives.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Working For Alabama bills pass Senate, but not without bumps appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Donald Trump has remained tight-lipped about his choice of running mate, preferring to suggest a series of names before making a decision - Alyssa Pointer/REUTERS

A tech billionaire who funded Tim Scotts presidential campaign is reportedly pushing Donald Trump to choose the senator as his 2024 running mate.

Larry Ellison, the co-founder of the cloud computing giant Oracle, has urged Mr Trumps team to select Mr Scott as the Republican vice-presidential candidate, and may back his campaign in exchange.

Mr Ellison, the worlds eighth-richest man, was a key backer of Mr Scotts presidential bid last year, injecting tens of millions of dollars into a political action committee (PAC) supporting his campaign.

The South Carolina senator, who withdrew from the race in November, has since become one of Mr Trumps most vocal supporters.

The pair have appeared at rallies together since the New Hampshire primary in January.

Mr Ellison, who owns a property near Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, has met the former president and his team several times, and is persuading them to adopt Mr Scott as a running mate, Puck News reported.

Tim Scott and Donald Trump have appeared at rallies together since the New Hampshire primary in January - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America

The outlet said that the billionaire was in talks to donate to the Trump campaign, which is facing a cash crunch amid a series of legal battles over the former presidents criminal indictments.

Mr Trump has remained tight-lipped about his choice of running mate, instead name-dropping a series of potential candidates in his speeches.

So far, the contenders include Kristi Noem and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the respective governors of South Dakota and Arkansas, the former presidential candidate Doug Burgum and the New York Republican representative Elise Stefanik.

A cash injection from Mr Ellison could solve Mr Trumps financial problems, which have been compounded by high-profile donors concerns about bad press and mounting legal bills.

In January, the campaign spent more money than it raised, although it has claimed to have received a funding boost after Mr Trump became the Republican Partys presumptive nominee on March 12.

Larry Ellison was a key backer of Tim Scott's presidential bid last year - TORU YAMANAKA/AFP

Mr Trump is attempting to push back the dates of several criminal trials beyond the November election by launching a series of appeals, including an application for the Supreme Court to rule on his argument that he should be immune from prosecution for actions taken while he was in office.

A trial over claims he paid hush money to Stormy Daniels, the adult movie actress, is due to begin in New York on April 15.

Mr Ellison is one of several so-called Republican mega-donors who backed candidates opposing Mr Trump in the Republican primaries.

Mr Trump has reportedly also courted Elon Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX chief, who is worth almost $200 billion (159 billion), and John Paulson, a billionaire hedge fund founder.

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.
ST. LOUIS  A recent Wall Street Journal article called the real estate situation of Downtown St. Louis a nightmare while explaining challenges around vacant properties in the city.

Commercial property reporter Konrad Putzier published an article Tuesday morning titled The Real Estate Nightmare Unfolding in Downtown St. Louis. It describes Downtown St. Louis as being in a doom loop.

Former AT&T tower sold, giving hope for vacant buildings in STL

The article first focuses on the Railway Exchange Building, which once served St. Louis railroad and retail industries for several decades. FOX 2 learned last year that city officials may consider eminent domain for the property. The building has been boarded up for several years, subject to fires and wiring concerns, according to FOX 2 and WSJ reports.

WSJ suggests that the vacant Railway Exchange Building represents a trend of decay in the heart of Downtown St. Louis, saying one stretch of 15 blocks of downtown sit largely quiet as office buildings have emptied out in recent years.

Kurt Weigle is senior vice president and chief downtown officer for Greater St. Louis, Inc. He said the problems highlighted by the article are nothing new but adds there are positive factors that should not be ignored.

The future of downtowns is going to be a lot more mixing of uses. Its got to be a lot more residential, he said. Weve already started to see that.

Approximately 10,000 residents call downtown St. Louis home; one of those residents is Jonathan Harley. He recently moved to downtown from another state.

Before I moved here, I was under the impression that people were leaving in masses, Harley said. As I moved down here and live down here, I dont see that.

Other residents, including Rakeem Golden and Michael Thomas think that the quality of life is good downtown. Thomas believes its going to get better.

Weigle said some of the problems downtown has experienced are the reasons Greater St. Louis, Inc. was formed. Government, business, and civic groups are working together to combat the issues.

We cannot have a strong metro without a strong downtown, Weigle said.

He adds that positive signs include an increase in downtown restaurants, hotel bookings, and Gateway Arch visitors. In an effort to address the future of the old Railway Exchange building, a development team has been working alongside architectural and financial experts.

Were knee-deep in this, and I know were going to get it done, he said.

Local Response

GREATER ST. LOUIS, INC.

Local nonprofit Greater St. Louis, Inc. offered the following statement to FOX 2 in criticism of Wall Street Journals report:

We are all acutely aware of the challenges our Downtown faces. This is why Restoring the Core of the City of St. Louis, as identified in the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, is a top priority of the business community. We are working on these issues every single day.

Lets be clear: the St. Louis metro will not grow without a strong Downtown. The complex challenges we confront in Downtown did not appear overnight, and they will not be fixed overnight.

But rather than adopt the dramatic, pessimistic tone in the article, the St. Louis regions civic-minded business community is rallying to address these challenges head-on. While there is much work to do, we are making and seeing progress and will continue our work, day in and day out, to make Downtown the world-class neighborhood at the heart of our world-class metro.

A Greater St. Louis Inc. spokesperson also tells FOX 2 that the story and a study from the University of Toronto cited within it cover just a small section of Downtown St. Louis and does not reflect downtown as a whole.

Close

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily News

TISHAURA JONES

The St. Louis Mayors Office shared the following statement to FOX 2 addressing the article on behalf of Mayor Tishaura Jones:

I am optimistic about the future of our city and confident in my administrations ability to continue our focused revitalization of Downtown. From law firms to tech startups, retail and restaurants, Downtown St. Louis has caught the eye of businesses from all backgrounds, cultures, and sectors. Through partnerships with Greater St. Louis, Inc. and the St. Louis Development Corporation, the City of St. Louis is building toward a day in the not-too-distant future when Downtown serves as a cultural beacon for our entire region.

CARA SPENCER

St. Louis Alderwoman Cara Spencer (Ward 8), who also spoke with FOX 2 on Tuesday over the recent sale of the vacant AT&T Tower, shared the following comments with us in a phone call Wednesday:

The article is truly devastating. Its devastating to our brand. I think this should be a wake-up call to how important our downtown is to our city, to our region, to our St. Louis identity.

Were taking action to promote development and get folks in [vacant buildings], including authorizing eminent domain and redevelopment packages for both the Railway Exchange and Millennium Hotel.

If were not serious about making those successful and to development, then what the Wall Street Journal is playing to could be the reality for years to come. I think its important that we take this as a critical warning and take these concerns very seriously.

CITIZENS FOR A GREATER DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS

Community group Citizens for a Greater Downtown St. Louis offered the following statement, in part, to FOX 2 on the Wall Street Journals report:

The most damaging part of the recent front-page article The Real Estate Nightmare Unfolding in Downtown St. Louis published in the Wall Street Journal is that it is largely accurate. The conditions that the article describes echo exactly what our group has been warning about for nearly six years, long before the pandemic accelerated the decline of our downtown.

While downtown today is now safer than it has been in a while, the rampant graffiti on our buildings, our filthy sidewalks, vacant storefronts, and empty buildings are vivid illustrations of the price that we have paid for fecklessness and neglect. No amount of civic spin or planted feel-good news stories will obscure that obvious truth.

Perhaps the terrible picture exposed to the world by the Wall Street Journal will be a wake-up call to government, business, property owners and civic organizations to put aside self-interest and work together to marshal our collective resources in a truly collaborative effort to fix our downtown. It is not too late to do that.

FOX 2 reported last year that more than 20,000 properties in the City of St. Louis are sitting vacant.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Small drones made by U.S. startups have performed poorly on Ukrainian battlefields, being regarded as expensive and glitchy by their users, the Wall Street Journal reported on April 10.

Unmanned systems have become a key capability for both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war, as Kyiv is ramping up domestic production and imports of drones.

The U.S. has supplied Ukraine with a number of smaller American-made drones, but they have failed to make a meaningful impact, the Journal wrote.

Drone company executives, Ukrainian officials, and former U.S. defense officials told the outlet that these unmanned aircraft are often expensive, glitchy, and difficult to repair.

They are also reportedly susceptible to Russian electronic warfare systems, which makes them fly off course and get lost.

Subscribe to newsletter

War Notes

Subscribe

"The general reputation for every class of U.S. drone in Ukraine is that they don't work as well as other systems," said Adam Bry, the CEO of the Skydio company that supplied Ukraine with hundreds of its own drones.

Kyiv has been increasingly turning to cheaper Chinese drones, such as off-the-shelf hardware from SZ DJI Technology. Ukrainian companies are relying on Chinese components for domestic drone production, according to the Journal.

China is also a crucial source of drones for Russia. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov admitted last October that the majority of drones that Russia currently has come from Chinese imports.

U.S.-made drones had at least some successes, for example, in investigations of Russian war crimes, search and rescue operations, or scouting, the Wall Street Journal wrote.

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree in February creating a separate branch of Ukraine's Armed Forces dedicated to drones.

Strategic Industries Deputy Minister Hanna Hvozdiar said that Ukraine has the capacity to produce 150,000 drones every month and may be able to produce 2 million drones by the end of the year.

Read also: Deadly drone arms race intensifies as Ukraine, Russia embrace the future of war

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
WV State Police, FBI, and U.S. Marshals excavate yard in search for clues about 10-year-olds fate

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  West Virginia State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Marshals excavated a yard on Kyle Lane in Raleigh County on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, hoping to find out what happened to a little girl who disappeared nearly 24 years ago.

Ten-year-old Natasha Carter, known as Alex, and her mother, Susan Carter, were last seen around August 8, 2000.

Reward increased for information related to cold case of Natasha and Susan Carter

At the time of their disappearance authorities said, they lived with Larry Webb, at his home at 126 Kyle Lane in the Mabscott-Beckley area of Raleigh County.

In August 2023, just over 23 years since Alex disappeared, authorities searched Webbs house, removing evidence. They later said they had recovered a bullet with Alexs DNA from inside the house.

In October, Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield announced a special grand jury had indicted Webb for Alexs murder.

The childs body has never been discovered and she and her mother have not been seen since August 2000, authorities reported. Authorities said they had started another search for evidence at Webbs house around 9 A.M. on Tuesday.

Father of Alex Carter speaks out after indictiment

Authorities said around 7 P.M. that a body had not been uncovered in the search while excavating in Webbs backyard.

Prosecutor Hatfield was at the excavation site but declined to comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
In a new PBS documentary on William F. Buckley, one of the founders of the conservative movement, the liberal government broadcaster smears the writer and intellectual with Jan. 6.

As the Media Research Centers Brent Baker wrote on X: PBSs American Masters on William F. Buckley Jr, who died in 2008, The Incomparable Mr. Buckley, ended by blaming him for Jan. 6. He notes that the documentary quotes a commentator, played over footage of the Capitol insurrection: What people, particularly in the Trump years, have come to realize more clearly is that there always was a dark side to the conservative movement, that it got a lot of its energy from a sense by many white Americans that the country was changing in ways they didnt like. Buckley understood that it was part of his role to keep a lid on the dark energies that fueled the conservative movement, but not to repress them entirely, became it was those kind of resentments that he was drawing on that gave conservatism its power as a movement.

I dont think thats fair to Buckley, who stood for the very elitism that Donald Trump and his followers so hate. But PBS can get away with this calumny against the founder of National Review because there is a tiny  and banal  kernel of truth there.

Every movement has a dark side. The George Floyd riots of 2020 did $1-2 billion in damage, injured hundreds and killed more than a dozen across 20 states, but it is the justness of Black Lives Matters cause that gives it power today, not the violence that heralded its birth. That is also true of the conservatism of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

So yes, in some small way, the dark side of the movement Buckley birthed can be blamed for Jan. 6, but there is a lot of blame to go around for the perfect storm of insanity that has given us our current conspiracy-addled political moment.

Here are five ways that the liberal elitists, experts and media types have pushed the right into totally losing its collective mind and descending into the conspiracy swamps awash in misinformation and Trump idolatry:

False scientific certainty and putting political concerns above science during COVID-19 shattered conservatives trust in experts. The two big instances that stand out during the Trump administration were claims that the lab leak theory was false and the flip-flop on social distancing that allowed the Black Lives Matter protests to go forward when other gatherings were condemned as reckless.

Real government conspiracies, wrongdoing and needless secrecy have given room for many to doubt the official story that comes out of Washington press conferences and the elite media. Two examples from recent decades that resonate on the right are Waco and Ruby Ridge, where the official stories and what came out years later didnt match. The Biden administration is still clinging to the last few secrets related to the granddaddy of American conspiracy theories, the JFK assassination.

Instances where the experts put partisanship over facts while broad swathes of the press didnt ask enough questions before parroting the official line. In the 2020 election, The New York Post raised questions about then-candidate Joe Bidens sons ties to Ukraine and China based on files found on a laptop provided by the owner of a Delaware computer repair shop, who said President Bidens son Hunter left it there. Dozens of former intelligence officials signed a letter that alleged the laptop information was Russian disinformation. The press reported their allegations as if they were fact, and social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter either restricted access to The Posts reporting or labeled it as questionable when it all turned out to be true. Too little was made of the fact that of the 50 intelligence officials who signed the letter, most served in the Obama administration.

Epic lies from Democrats have been used to justify the fact-free style of politics practiced by Trump. One of the biggest  and most consequential for millions of Americans  was President Barack Obamas false claim that If you like your insurance, you can keep your insurance, during the Obamacare debate.

The final way that political leaders have paved the way for Trumpism is by disregarding constitutional guide rails when it is convenient. Obama said he was prevented by the Constitution from rewriting immigration laws without Congress to allow children brought to the United States by parents whod broken our immigration laws to stay in the United States. When Congress wouldnt act, he did it anyway. When Congress wouldnt fund Trumps border wall, Trump did it anyway. When Congress wouldnt forgive student loans, Biden did it anyway until the Supreme Court slapped him down  and still hes doing it in dribs and drabs. Today, to most partisans on both sides, the Constitution stands for exactly as much as you can get away with.

So yes, in some small way, William F. Buckley is responsible for what Trump hath wrought. But if thats the case, there are a lot more of us who should look in the mirror too  among members of the press, among our more traditional leaders and among our expert class. They too paved the way for Trump.

David Mastio, a former editor and columnist for USA Today, is a regional editor for The Center Square and a regular Star Opinion correspondent. Follow him on X: @DavidMastio or email him at dmastio1@yahoo.com
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A step into a sound education!

The Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) has won the 2024 Best Communities for Music Education award from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMN).

According to the press release sent out by the school district, this is the first time YISD has won the award.

I am exceptionally proud of the districts K-12 music programs, as it is through the efforts of all of our music teachers that this accolade was made possible. In particular, Id like to take special note of the exponential growth weve had in both the mediums of mariachi and choir, as well as the consistent top-level performances of all of our bands, said YISD Director of Fine Arts Scott Thoreson.

To qualify, districts and schools across the nation answered questions about funding, music class participation, facilities and community music-making programs.

The awards were then given to districts and schools that showed a high commitment and access to music education, according to the press release.

For more information abut the NAMN Foundation, visit their website here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
New York City is poised to launch the first congestion pricing plan to reduce traffic in a major U.S. metropolitan area. Like many journeys in the Big Apple, this one has been punctuated by delays. Once the system starts up, however, its expected to significantly reduce gridlock in Manhattan and generate billions of dollars to improve public transit citywide.

The basic idea is simple. To enter the Congestion Relief Zone, which covers Manhattan south of 60th Street, large trucks will pay $36, small trucks $24, passenger vehicles $15 and motorcycles $7.50. Ride-share vehicles and taxis will pay $2.50 and $1.25, respectively. Peak hours run from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends; overnight tolls are discounted by 75%.

Evidence from cities around the world shows that charging motorists fees for driving into city centers during busy periods is a rarity in urban public policy: a measure that works and is cost-effective. Congestion pricing has succeeded in cities including London, Singapore and Stockholm, where it has eased traffic, sped up travel times, reduced pollution and provided funds for public transportation and infrastructure investments.

As an urban policy scholar, Im looking forward to seeing New Yorks plan go into effect. There may well be surprises and adjustments as officials see how it works in practice. But given the heavy costs that traffic imposes on public health and productivity, Im encouraged to see a major U.S. city finally test this approach.

Nudging drivers

Congestion pricing is a response to externalities  costs or benefits that are generated by one party but incurred by another. Clogged city streets and air pollution are externalities created by urban car users, many of whom live outside the city.

This concept has been around for some time. British economist Arthur Pigou discussed it as early as 1920 as part of his attempt to remedy the suboptimal workings of the market system. In Pigous view, taxing harmful activities would discourage people from engaging in them.

Other thinkers took up this idea. In 1963, Canadian economist William Vickrey, a future Nobel laureate, argued that roads were scarce resources that needed to be valued by imposing costs on users.

This approach is behind behavioral economics, the policy strategy of using nudges that preserve choice but encourage certain actions. Congestion pricing assumes that increased prices will make people heading into New York think more carefully about their travel patterns, and about alternatives to driving.

New Yorks Congestion Relief Zone covers all of Manhattan below 60th Street, except for the highways around its perimeter and the Carey Tunnel from Battery Park to Brooklyn. Metropolitan Transit Authority, CC BY-ND

Public transit receives priority

Congestion pricing in a city a big as New York is no small step. The New York plan was presented to the board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority in November 2023 after years of study and a detailed environmental impact assessment, required by federal law.

Project sponsors, which include several city agencies and the state transportation department, stated in the impact assessment that on an average weekday, an estimated 1.86 million people entered lower Manhattan by motor vehicle. Travel speeds in Manhattans central business district, below 60th Street, declined by 23% between 2010 and 2019, from 9.1 to 7.1 mph. The traffic was generating air and noise pollution, wasting travelers time, increasing business costs and preventing emergency vehicles from responding quickly to accidents.

The agencies estimated that the proposed toll system would reduce traffic in the Congestion Relief Zone by 17%, with an associated decline in air pollution. It also would generate US$15 billion for capital improvements to the citys public transit system, including making stations accessible for passengers with disabilities and buying new electric buses and commuter rail and subway cars.

More than 75% of all trips into the central business district are made by public transit. The system has been plagued by breakdowns over the past decade. The Metropolitan Transit Authority recently adopted a $52 billion capital improvement program to update its network, some parts of which are more than 100 years old.

About 90% of the people who work in lower and midtown Manhattan get there by public transit, which will receive significant investments funded by congestion tolls. NY Traffic Mobility Review Board, CC BY-ND

Over several months of public hearings, the MTA heard both broad support for congestion pricing and thousands of requests for credits, discounts and exemptions, most of which were denied. The limited number of exemptions includes private commuter buses, school buses and city-owned vehicles, including emergency vehicles.

In addition, drivers who travel via Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive on Manhattans eastern edge, the West Side Highway on its western edge, or the Carey Tunnel between Brooklyn and Battery Park will not be charged if they do not enter any street in the Congestion Relief Zone. Drivers from the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island will be eligible for rebates and discounts on certain bridge tolls.

There were widespread complaints from New Yorkers in the outer boroughs of the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, and from car commuters who live outside of the city. New Jersey is suing the MTA, arguing among other things that the plan is unconstitutional because it burdens interstate commerce. This suit could delay the start of congestion pricing.

Nonetheless, the board adopted the plan with just one dissenting vote, from a representative of Nassau County on Long Island.

Transit advocates demonstrate in Brooklyn for better service in July 2017 during a period of mounting delays and breakdowns in New Yorks subway system. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

Starting the journey

Many questions will only be answered once the system starts up in June 2024, or later if it is delayed by lawsuits. Will toll prices be high enough to spur people to switch to another mode of transportation or combine trips, while still generating enough revenue for the MTAs ambitious capital improvement program? How will toll revenue be spent? And how will commuters respond when they find that trains and subways initially are more crowded, before capital upgrades improve the system?

Some low-income and minority communities that already experience heavy traffic, such as the Bronx, could see increased congestion as drivers detour around the toll zone. To help mitigate some of these effects, the transit authority is planning to invest millions of dollars to reduce pollution in these environmental justice areas through steps such as installing air filters in schools, planting more trees and electrifying trucks at the massive Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in the Bronx.

No one likes to pay for something that was previously free. But freedom for car users has imposed health and economic costs on millions of New Yorkers for many years. Congestion charges do raise equity issues, but only 5% percent of people who commute into the central business district travel by car, and most of those drivers have relatively high incomes.

The MTA may need to adjust tolls, the zones borders or other aspects of the plan. But if New Yorks experiment succeeds, it could provide a model and valuable insights for other traffic-clogged U.S. cities.

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: John Rennie Short, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Read more:



John Rennie Short 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.
New Yorks elected officials can agree on one thing when it comes to the state's troubled marijuana market: The state must do something about the thousands of unlicensed cannabis sellers.

And they appear near a deal to give local governments more authority to crack down on the illegal stores as part of a state budget that could come together as early as next week.

Changes can't come soon enough, according to legal sellers and lawmakers. Three years after legal weed became law, only 94 licensed storefronts have opened up shop to sell their wares to adults over 21.

New York City officials have estimated it has at least 2,000 illicit cannabis storefronts  though the actual number is likely far higher  and illicit operators have sprung up all over the state to meet the demand of one of the nations largest marijuana markets.

The botched implementation is posing problems for Gov. Kathy Hochul, who ordered a review of the troubled cannabis agency and called her own administrations handling of the market a disaster. Its also impeding the states efforts to repair the harms of marijuana enforcement by licensing entrepreneurs impacted by cannabis convictions.

Empire State officials are facing growing pressure to address whats become a national example of how not to launch a legal marijuana market. Hochul laid out a series of measures in her budget proposal in January that are poised to be in the final deal  such as greater local enforcement, more money to aid authorities in closing illegal shops and tougher penalties.

A lot of common sense errors occurred throughout the [legalization] process  all done in the name of social equity, said Joseph Sinagra, the former police chief of Saugerties, New York, who says he tried to warn lawmakers of pitfalls in the legalization law. They just failed to recognize they were creating a bigger problem.

Lawmakers must navigate a delicate balance as they focus on a final deal: increasing enforcement without returning to war-on-drugs policies that disproportionately targeted Black and brown people.

But even if lawmakers do figure out a way to clamp down on illicit sellers, more illegal stores are sure to pop back up to meet the Empire State's demand for weed  unless far more licensed dispensaries open in a hurry.

The problems that have led to the states burgeoning illicit market are numerous.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomos sexual harassment scandal and resignation led to delays in appointing regulators. Then, an ambitious program to help entrepreneurs impacted by marijuana enforcement struggled with mismanagement, fundraising and finding and building out real estate to pair with licensees. And numerous lawsuits targeting the licensing process and marketplace rules have repeatedly stalled the rollout.

Other states that have managed to get adult-use sales up and running faster than New York  like Missouri and Maryland  have done so by allowing existing medical marijuana operators to sell to adults first. New York lawmakers and regulators wanted to avoid giving first-mover advantage to large, multi-state cannabis companies that dominate the medical market  instead opting to favor small business owners first.

But the resulting delays in creating an industry from the ground up is harming the very entrepreneurs that the state is trying to help.

Manhattan dispensary CONBUD is one of the early dispensaries licensed to entrepreneurs who were impacted by past cannabis enforcement. Alfredo Angueira, co-founder of CONBUD, estimated that there are more than 70 unlicensed weed sellers within a 1,200-foot radius of his New York City dispensary.

The unlicensed operators can market their wares flagrantly  signs featuring pot leaves, neon lights  tactics that are off-limits to a regulated, compliant operation like his business.

The proliferation of open, illicit sales "continues to harm communities disproportionately impacted ... [and] creates a public risk," said Ruben Lindo, founder of the cannabis brand Blak Mar Farms. "Its a risk thats now taken on epic proportions.

How to crack down

Lawmakers in Albany have put forth several proposals to try to roll back unlicensed cannabis sales. With budget talks in Albany approaching nearly two weeks late, how to crack down on illegal operators has become a key part of final negotiations.

Hochul wants to allow the state to padlock unlicensed cannabis stores and give municipalities expanded enforcement powers. The Senate included an expanded version of Hochuls proposal in their own budget proposal, while the Assembly left out cannabis provisions entirely.

Democrat Jeremy Cooney, who chairs the Senate subcommittee on cannabis, said an enforcement plan for cracking down on illegal shops would be in a final budget agreement.

He also expects a deal that would swap out a potency tax for cannabis, which fluctuates based on different products, with a flat excise tax. The potency tax has put legal cannabis retailers at a disadvantage, he said.

"Its very clear to me the priority of the Legislature is fixing the enforcement issue, making sure we can padlock these illegal stores in a timely manner, he said. "But lets not also forgot our responsibility as a legislature to opening up new legal dispensaries."

Sen. Jamaal Bailey and Assemblymember John Zaccaro introduced a bill that would revoke licenses for things like tobacco and lottery sales for storefronts that sell cannabis without a license. And Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and state Sen. Leroy Comrie introduced legislation to give municipalities more power to crack down on illicit cannabis storefronts.

A final deal is expected to include elements of both Hochul and Rajkumar's proposals, the Times Union reported Tuesday. The legislation would give civil enforcement powers to municipalities and require local government approval to how municipalities crack down.

New Yorks rampant illicit marijuana market is reminiscent of California, where most cannabis sales still take place through unlicensed channels more than five years after the states adult-use market launched.

California is also one of the main suppliers of the rest of the nation's weed demand  three-quarters of America's cannabis market occurs on the illicit market, according to Whitney Economics. And California also is contending with a lack of licensed dispensaries as most jurisdictions still ban those businesses.

Lawmakers in both California and New York have attempted to target landlords with fines for renting to unlicensed smoke shops, but that tactic hasnt proven effective in either jurisdiction.

I dont think its too late, said Sinagra. If [local law enforcement are] all involved and working together, that will be able to combat the problem as long as the government properly funds those efforts.

Lindo, who lives in Saugerties, says his town of less than 20,000 has three unlicensed cannabis storefronts and not a single regulated dispensary.

They have big neon signs  theyre saying BUY YOUR WEED HERE, he said. Its a failure of the OCM and their ability to get licenses out.

Lindo wants to see additional consequences for landlords  like a tax lien on the building, in addition to empowering municipalities.

But at the end of the day, enforcement wont necessarily keep unlicensed operators at bay if there arent enough licensed shops.

Unless [regulators] are going to put licensed operators in those same vacancies, [unregulated shops] are going to keep popping up, said David Holland, an attorney at Prince Lobel Tye. Theres not enough competition.

Jason Beeferman and Nick Reisman contributed to this report.
NEW YORK STATE (WETM)  Sheriffs offices from around New York State are asking their communities for donations.

The New York State Sheriffs Institute (NYSSI) is inviting people to become honorary members of the institute in exchange for a $25 donation. Local sheriffs offices, including the Chemung County Sheriffs Office and the Steuben County Sheriffs Office, are soliciting donations through letters sent in the mail. The NYSSI and other law enforcement agencies will never ask for money over the phone.

Bath Police Department looking for new badge design

Donated funds will go towards training officers, scholarships for aspiring criminal justice students, and the Sheriffs Summer Camp. The Sheriffs Summer Camp brings hundreds of kids aged nine to 12 who couldnt normally afford to attend summer camp or go on a summer vacation to Keuka Lake each year. The kids get to enjoy outdoor activities, make new friends, and positively interact with law enforcement at no cost to their families.

If youd like to support the NYSSI and Sheriffs Summer Camp and havent received a letter in the mail, you can make a donation on the NYSSIs website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) proposed far stricter standards for skill games legislation that aims to regulate and tax the arcade-like machines in the state.

In a flurry of legislative action on Monday, Youngkin amended skill games legislation that the General Assembly sent to him in March. The legislation would legalize and allow for the taxation of skill games, which appear similar to slot machines but are said to require an element of skill.

Proponents of the legislation say that regulating and legalizing the machines could help boost the profits of small businesses like convenience stores, restaurants and gas stations. The Associated Press reported last month that a coalition, including the machines developer and business owners, backed the legislation.

The legislation sent to Youngkin would regulate the machines and tax them at a rate of 25 percent. However, Youngkins amendments called for a higher tax rate on the machines profits, according to his recommendations.

His amendments include other stringent proposals, including a provision that allows localities to ban the skill game machines. His proposal also calls for banning the machines within 35 miles of any casino, racetrack or gambling satellite facility.

His amendment would also prohibit the machines from being placed within 2,500 feet of churches, daycares or places of worship.

A spokesperson for Youngkin told The Associated Press that the amendments address serious concerns with the regulatory structure, tax rates, the number of machines, impact on the Virginia Lottery and broader public safety implications that the legislation had.

Youngkins amendment to the skill games legislation came as he took action on 1,046 bills before a Monday deadline sent to him from the General Assembly. His office said he signed 777 into law, amended 116 bills and vetoed 153 from the Democratic-led legislature.

And where there are differences in our approaches, I hope my amendments reflect the common ground we can find together. I want to thank every member of the General Assembly for their service to the Commonwealth and look forward to their return to Richmond next week as we work toward an on-time end to this years session, Youngkin said in a statement.

The Hill has reached out to Youngkins office for additional comment.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Two true crime YouTubers recently searched an abandoned property for signs of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley, saying that "the public and their families and we want answers like yesterday," a report says.

The individuals looking for the two missing women from Hugoton, Kansas told KSNW that they investigated the home near the Oklahoma-Kansas border after receiving a tip from someone. Butler, 27, and Kelley, 39, were last seen on March 30 heading to pick up children before their car was found abandoned in Oklahoma, with "foul play" suspected, police say.

"The public and their families and we want answers like yesterday," said one of the YouTubers, identified by KSNW as Kari Moody.

"They could be anywhere, and like, in this property back here, its abandoned, but theres a well back there. Its not covered. Its pretty big, so I got down in there and looked. You never know where they could be," added the other, who did not want to be identified.

MORE AND MORE CHALLENGING TO FIND MISSING KANSAS WOMEN ALIVE, INVESTIGATORS SAY

Hugoton Assembly of God Pastor Tim Singer tells Fox News that the Jilian Kelley, left, and Veronica Butler, right, were heading Saturday, March 30 to pick up Butler's children to bring them back to a birthday party in Hugoton, Kansas.

Both YouTubers also said that they plan to stay in the area and look for Butler and Kelley for as long as they can afford, according to KSNW.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation public information manager Hunter McKee, when asked about the property search on Tuesday by Fox News Digital, declined to comment.

"We have said what we can at this time," McKee said. "Once we get more information, we will put that out as necessary. But right now we are still looking for the women and there are no arrests."

"We are still telling everybody in that area that if you know anything or have any additional information to please contact us," he added.

McKee told Fox News Digital on Monday that "its becoming more and more challenging" to find the women alive as the days mount with no signs of their whereabouts.

OKLAHOMA INVESTIGATORS SEARCHING FOR MISSING WOMEN ARE HOPEFUL THEY ARE ALIVE DESPITE SUSPECTED FOUL PLAY

Investigators suspect "foul play" in the disappearance of Veronica Butler, left, and Jilian Kelley.

A missing persons advisory from the Texas County Sheriffs Office said that Butler has "several tattoos, a Chinese symbol on her left forearm, a sunflower on her left shoulder" and that "Jilian has a butterfly tattoo on her left forearm."

The alert describes Butler as being 5 feet, 4 inches tall with red hair and green eyes, last seen wearing a blue short-sleeve shirt and denim shorts.

Kelley has brown hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and tan or beige shoes, the alert adds.

The area near the Oklahoma-Kansas border where the vehicle the two women were traveling in was found abandoned on Saturday, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

The vehicle they were traveling in was "found abandoned near Highway 95 and Road L, south of Elkhart, Kansas, in rural Texas County," according to the OSBI.





Original article source: YouTubers search for missing Kansas women inside abandoned home: report
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tore into a reported peace proposal from Donald Trump that Ukraine give up territory to Russia in order to end the war.

If the deal is that we just give up our territories, and thats the idea behind it, then its a very primitive idea, Zelensky told Axel Springer media outlets. I dont need a fantastic idea, I need a real idea, because peoples lives are at stake.

Trump has privately told associates that he believes he could end the war in Ukraine by convincing Ukrainian officials to cede territory to Moscow, The Washington Post reported. The plan would reportedly include giving Russia the Donbas region as well as Crimea, the peninsula Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

The plan is a nonstarter for Kyiv, according to top Ukrainian officials. One Ukrainian officialTamila Tasheva, the top Ukrainian official in charge of Crimeatold The Daily Beast Trumps reported plan will only encourage him in his territorial ambitions.

Its crucial to recognize that any retreats made by Ukraine at this point could potentially fuel future escalations. It's weakness, rather than the capability to resist, that emboldens Russia's actions, Tasheva told The Daily Beast. After a period of recovery, Russia may launch a large-scale offensive against Ukraine with renewed strength, as it already was in 2022.

Ukraine President Rejects Trumps Boast He Could End War in One Day

The global response to the occupation of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2014 was not enough, ultimately paving the way for further Russian aggression against Ukraine, Tasheva added.

Zelensky said he had invited Trump to visit Ukraine through liaisons, but that Trump had not moved forward on any planning yet.

The Trump campaign has insinuated that the reporting on Trumps plan for Ukraine may be inaccurate, but declined to address the plan directly.

Any speculation about President Trumps plan is coming from unnamed and uninformed sources who have no idea what is going on or what will happen, campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt previously said.

The Ukrainian goal of defending its territory remains steadfast, in spite of Trumps reported goals for giving Russia Ukrainian territory.

Sociological research shows that the Ukrainian nation will not accept compromises, especially in territorial integrity of Ukraine. Retreating means betrayal of those who look forward to deoccupation, who believe and wait for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Tasheva told The Daily Beast.

It is essential to reaffirm Ukraine's unwavering position: the restoration of territorial integrity remains an absolute priority, Tasheva added.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with recently-appointed Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas in Kyiv, the Presidential Office said on April 10.

The visit to Ukraine was Kasciunas's first foreign trip since he was appointed as Lithuania's defense chief on March 25.

"Thank you for your support, for everything you have been doing since the beginning of the full-scale war," Zelensky said during a meeting with the Lithuanian delegation headed by Kasciunas.

"I know that our teams are working on a document on security commitments. We expect it to lay a new foundation for enhanced security of our states."

Ukraine's head of state thanked the Lithuanian delegation for Vilnius's leadership in the international demining coalition and for cooperation in the defense industry. Zelensky also underscored Lithuania's contribution of $38 million to the Czech-led ammunition initiative and the pledged purchase of 3,000 drones for Kyiv.

"During the meeting, the parties also discussed further comprehensive support from Lithuania, in particular in training Ukrainian servicemen and implementing rehabilitation programs for wounded defenders," the statement of the Presidential Office read.

Vilnius has been one of Kyiv's staunchest supporters against Russian aggression. According to the Kiel Institute of the World Economy, Lithuania's defense contributions to Ukraine are one of the highest in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) shares.

Earlier this year, Lithuania pledged a long-term 200 million euro (roughly $215 million) support package to Ukraine and promised to continue supporting the country.

Read also: Lithuania to purchase 3,000 drones for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a meeting during his visit to the Kharkiv region following the devastating Russian attacks. -/Ukrainian presidency/dpa

Ukraine is making progress in the production of missiles for defence against Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his daily video address on Wednesday evening.

Series production has started and new models are being developed, Zelensky said. It was now important for the military to be able to turn the results of defence production into successes, he added.

Drones and missiles are considered to be the most important weapons in the war, which has been going on for two years.

At the same time, he appealed to the population's will to persevere in view of the ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities from the air and the slow but steady advance of Russian troops on the ground.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is doing everything he can to intensify the strikes against Ukraine. Kiev is also strengthening its military capabilities, he said. "But we need no less inner strength, an inner understanding that only the strong can end the war on their own terms," Zelensky said.

The peace conference planned in Switzerland in June is seen as one way of ending the war. Zelensky thanked the Swiss president for organizing the conference and announced a proposal for what he called a "just end to this war."

Until now, Ukraine has insisted on a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the occupied territories as the basis for a peace settlement. Moscow, on the other hand, claims at least the previously conquered territories for itself.
Zelensky: If Trump's plan to stop war is to give up our territory, then it is primitive

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Bild on April 9 that he is skeptical about U.S. ex-President Donald Trump's alleged peace plan on ceding part of occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia.

The Washington Post wrote on April 7, citing anonymous sources, that Trump had privately said he could end Russia's war by pressuring Ukraine to cede Crimea and Donbas to Moscow.

According to the Washington Post, Trump also said he believes that both Moscow and Kyiv "want to save face, they want a way out," claiming that Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territories would not object to being part of Russia.

Trump's advisor, Jason Miller, later denied these claims in a comment for the New York Post, calling the article "fake news" and saying that "Trump is the only one talking about stopping the killing."

"If the deal and the idea is simply to give our territories, then it is very primitive," Zelensky said.

Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter

News from Ukraine in your inbox

Subscribe

Ukraine's president also stressed that he would be happy to listen to Trump's approach to ending the war quickly if the former U.S. president "actually had it."

"But we need strong arguments," Zelensky added.

"We don't need a fantastic idea, but a real one. This is about human lives; we cannot make jokes, and we cannot take risks."

Zelensky also recalled that Kyiv had invited Trump to Ukraine, publicly and non-publicly, to see the situation in the country with his own eyes. Trump did not accept the invitation, but Zelensky expressed hope that the former U.S. president could visit Ukraine "soon."

"I am definitely willing to meet him," the president said.

Trump is set to become the Republican nominee in the U.S. presidential election after former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley exited the presidential race on March 6.

The former U.S. president said in May that he would not commit to providing Ukraine with defense assistance if he won the 2024 election.

Read also: Why some far-right Republicans are hell bent on ending further aid to Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging former President Trump to come and visit war-torn Ukraine, amid reports that Trump would pressure Ukraine to cede land to Russia if he returns to the White House.

In an interview with Axel Springer media outlets, Zelensky said Tuesday that he has privately encouraged Trump through intermediaries to visit Ukraine. Trump had expressed interest but not yet committed to visit Ukraine as it continues its war against Russia, he said.

Last March, Trump claimed he would solve the war in 24 hours if he was reelected but didnt offer details. Since then, Zelensky has extended an invitation multiple times to Trump to visit Kyiv and other war sites in the country.

The Washington Post reported over the weekend that Trump has privately said he could end Russias war in Ukraine by pressuring Ukraine to give up territory that Russia currently occupies  such as Crimea and the Donbas border region.

Zelensky told the Axel Springer outlets he was open to hearing Trumps proposal for the war but was highly skeptical of what he thinks hed recommend.

If the deal is that we just give up our territories, and thats the idea behind it, then its a very primitive idea, he said.

I need very strong arguments. I dont need a fantastic idea, I need a real idea, because peoples lives are at stake, Zelensky continued.

Trump, a critic of Ukraines war efforts, sparked international concern earlier this year after he said he would encourage Russia to attack NATO countries that have not met their defense spending commitments. Hes long threatened for the U.S. to leave the alliance.

Zelenskys comments come just after he said Ukraine will lose the war against Russia if U.S. lawmakers do not pass funding for the country. He warned that if Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for months has said the House would consider foreign aid in due time. But the Speaker narrowed in on a schedule last weekend, announcing that the House would consider Ukraine aid right after the Easter recess.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he doesn't need "primitive" ideas from potential US presidential candidate Donald Trump regarding ending Russia's aggressive war.

Source: European Pravda, citing Zelenskyy in an interview with Politico

The president noted that he is ready to listen to Trump's proposals for ending the war, but, according to him, "if the deal is that we just give up our territories, and thats the idea behind it, then its a very primitive idea".

Quote: "I need very strong arguments. I dont need a fantastic idea, I need a real idea, because peoples lives are at stake," Zelenskyy added.

At the same time, the Ukrainian President spoke respectfully about Trump as a leader with whom he seeks to build a constructive partnership, as noted by Politico.

"We conveyed the messages and the context through the appropriate people. We said that we would like Donald Trump to come to Ukraine, see everything with his own eyes and draw his own conclusions. In any case, I am ready to meet him and discuss the issue," Zelenskyy pointed out.

Zelenskyy also stated that Trump expressed interest in accepting the invitation but did not set a date.

Background:

Previously, Trump, the potential Republican candidate for US presidential elections, often boasted that he could negotiate a peaceful deal between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours if elected. However, he repeatedly declined to clarify how he would accomplish this.

The Washington Post, citing sources, reported that Trump allegedly seeks to push Ukraine towards concessions to Russia and transfer of Ukrainian territories under its control, including Crimea and Donbas.

Donald Trump's campaign adviser Jason Miller described the report by The Washington Post, in which the publication allegedly revealed details of Trump's "peace plan" for Ukraine, as fake news.

Support UP or become our patron!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that some "representatives of continents" will brief Russia on the details of the peace plan developed at the inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview for Axel Springer SE Editorial Group, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy explained that Russia would not be present at the summit "because we need to make sure they [the Russians  ed.] do not block anything".

The president assumes that some points of the plan, "with details of what should be done", will be ready following the peace summit in Switzerland, and after that, the whole plan will be prepared. The discussions will be based on President Zelenskyy's peace formula.

"Of course, some parties to the negotiations, some representatives of the continents, will present this plan to the Russian representatives. But only after we reach an agreement and form a common point of view among the countries that really want peace. Not just talk, but real peace," Zelenskyy stated.

In response to a further comment referring to the fact that Zelenskyy has promised not to sit down at the negotiating table with Vladimir Putin, the Ukrainian president replied: "He [Putin] is a murderer, and he has killed a lot of our people."

Zelenskyy added: "When it comes to talks on the Peace Summit platform, I believe we will find the infrastructure or opportunities for talks with various representatives."

Background:

On 10 April, the Swiss government announced that it will hold a two-day high-level conference concerning the settlement of the war in Ukraine on 15-16 June.

Russia has claimed it will not take part in the talks in Switzerland because "it will be yet another case of a non-viable peace formula being pushed" that "does not take Russias interests into consideration".

Support UP or become our patron!
Zero to zillions: How much does it cost to reach your airport?

This column is coming to you from a sunny Tuesday afternoon in the impeccably pretty lakeside town of Burlington, Vermont. Despite the clear blue sky and sunshine dappling Lake Champlain right now, and the allure of churches and cafes in this good-natured New England city, people are leaving town.

Twenty-four hours ago the Great American Eclipse cast Burlington briefly into mid-afternoon darkness, much to everyones delight. But now the cosmic circus has moved on, with the next performance scheduled for northwest Europe in 2026.

At Burlingtons ambitiously named international airport, the small jets to the big cities are lining up: Philadelphia, Chicago OHare, New York La Guardia

As is common with minor regional airports in the US, fares are painfully high. On Friday, for example, the cheapest fare for the 90-minute hop to New York is $349 (275). But at least reaching the airport will not trouble your bank balance. Throughout the state of Vermont, no fares are currently charged on any public transport. Green Mountain Transits bus 11 will take you out to the airport for free.

New England has another example of benevolence towards the airline passenger: the handy Silver Line bus from Logan airport will whisk you into central Boston for nothing  and even provide a free transfer to the Red Line for the north or south of the Massachusetts capital.

In Europe, the six miles from Luxembourg airport into the city are covered eight times an hour by free buses, and thanks to the remarkable national policy of zero fares everywhere, you can of course transfer anywhere you wish in the Grand Duchy.

Other countries are not so kind to airline passengers: many transport operators take the view that if you can afford a flight youll pay dearly to reach the airport. In my new survey of the UKs 10 worst-value rail trips, half the journeys priced at 1 per mile or higher are airport links:

Hayes & Harlington to Heathrow Central  2.10 per mile

Stansted airport to Stansted Mountfitchet  1.31 per mile

Three Bridges to Gatwick airport  1.15 per mile

Stansted airport to Bishops Stortford  1.11 per mile

Stansted airport to Elsenham  1 per mile

You will spot that these are all short journeys (typically three or four miles), which tend to be proportionately more expensive. But the Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted expresses linking London with those three big airports all have premium prices. Even the Elizabeth Line, part of the capitals public transport system, costs disproportionately more to Heathrow. A trip from the central area to Slough is cheaper than a journey to the airport, even though it is four rail miles further.

To Luton, passengers might get a reasonable fare to Luton Airport Parkway station  but what awaits them is the demand for 4.90 for a three-minute, 1.2-mile journey on the Dart monorail link to the terminal. To be fair, East Midlands Railway rewards early bookers from London St Pancras with cheaper Luton Airport Express tickets that include the shuttle. But usually I stubbornly choose to walk up the hill, which takes around 20 minutes.

I am also occasionally to be seen striding purposefully from the tram stop at Ingliston Park & Ride to Edinburgh airport. All tram journeys elsewhere in the Scottish capital are 2  but this suddenly rises to 7.50 for the last half-mile to the airport.

Financially stressed local authorities and transport operators can hardly be blamed for extracting whatever they can from airport passengers; typically half of them are from overseas, and perhaps seen as fair game.

But there is a downside: the higher the cost of public transport to airports, the more travellers will switch to cars and taxis. Certainly, drop-off charges for private vehicles comprise a deterrent. But airline passengers need a carrot as well  and here in sunny Burlington, they get one.

Yet the canniest travellers to New York City will actually be aboard the daily train, costing just $105 (83) for a glorious all-day trip along the Hudson Valley.
2024 Fiat 500e: A very small electric car thats perfect for a very small number of people

MIAMI  Like a Galapagos tortoise, the 2024 Fiat 500e electric city car is perfectly evolved for its native environment, an endearing candidate for extinction elsewhere.

I hope both the tortoise and the 500e will flourish, but I dont expect to see either in my neighborhood.

The 2024 Fiat 500e electric mini-compact can go 149 miles on a charge. Prices start at $32,500, excluding $1,595 destination charge.

That said, I just spent a delightful day driving a bright red 500e from a crowded neighborhood in the approach path to Miami International Airport, past the deco delights of Miami Beach, up A1A and back.

Sign me up. Convenient, efficient, stylish: In the right neighborhood, the 500e is all that and a bag of conch fritters.

Prices start at $32,500, not including a $1,595 destination charge, and the Italian import doesnt qualify for federal tax credits available to encourage North American battery production. Fiat builds the 500e in its hometown of Turin.

The 500e should be on sale in U.S. dealers this month.

Best features:

Adorable and Italian

Electric power

Easy to park and squeeze through tight spots

Biggest hurdles:

You dont know what Fiat is

You know what Fiat is, and dont trust it

Ineligible for federal battery-sourcing tax credits up to $7,500

Prices for the 2024 Fiat 500e electric mini-compact start at $32,500, excluding $1,595 destination charge.

Small, not cheap

At 143 inches long, the 500e is, 9.8 inches shorter than a Mini Cooper hardtop. Weighing 2,952 pounds, its the lightest EV sold in the United States. The two-door 500e technically seats four, but rear legroom is a rumor more than a feature. Its 7.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats is fine for grocery bags and carryout containers.

The new 500e is 2 inches wider and 1 inch taller than the previous 500, which left the market after the 2019 model year.

The front seat is accommodating, with good legroom and plenty of head and shoulder space. Two average size adults should not feel cramped.

A 10.25-inch touch screen provides navigation and displays for features including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2024 Fiat 500e mini-compact electric vehicle contains a few Easter eggs paying tribute to its heritage.

True to the stylish, "dolce vita" looks of the original 1957 500, or Cinquecento  pronounced ching-quah-chenn-toe  that signaled Italys recovery from the ruins of World War II, the 500e makes no pretense to being an economy car.

Fiat describes it as a premium small car. Features like adaptive cruise control support that, but liberal use of hard black plastic interior trim says otherwise.

The 500e does, however, have a theme song, a brief orchestral ditty the car plays for the outside world to hear when it reaches 20 mph after startup.

Hearing it described, I figured Fiat had pioneered the next category in Things my homeowners association forbids, but the 500es walk-up music was far less annoying in real life than I imagined. The fact that it only plays the first time you reach 20 in each drive helps, too.

2024 Fiat 500e mini-compact electric vehicle has a standard 10.25-inch touch screen and Uconnect infotainment system.

Fiat 500e drive modes

Normal  Resembles driving an internal combustion engine

Range  Activates one-pedal driving for maximum energy recuperation

Sherpa  Prioritizes range by capping speed at 50 mph and reducing motor output from 87 to 57 kW. Full power available by on request.

Who needs a Fiat 500e?

If you live in a crowded metro area where parking is a nightmare and traffic is worse, if you have a 240-volt level 2 home charger and 149 miles of range doesnt cramp your style, if all-caps STYLE is important, the 500e is for you.

Fiat understands the 500e isnt for everybody. The brand will concentrate on crowded cities and college towns, environments where the funky little EV may flourish.

The 500e should be on sale now.

2024 Fiat 500e mini-compact electric vehicle instrument cluster

Markets where Stellantis expects the 500e to do well include:

Boston

Chicago

Dallas

Houston

Los Angeles

Miami

New York

Pittsburgh

San Francisco

Fiat has 345 dealers in the United States. Nearly all also sell Alfa Romeo, another of Stellantis 14 brands. Stellantis also includes Chrysler, Jeep and Ram, but Fiat is its biggest brand, scoring 1.35 million sales around the world in 2023.

The 2024 Fiat 500e mini-compact electric vehicle has physical controls for major climate functions.

Safety and driver assistance features

Adaptive cruise control

Lane keeping assist

Automatic emergency braking

Pedestrian detection

Battery, charging time, range

The 500e was engineered expressly to be an electric vehicle. Unlike earlier generations of Fiats retro city car, there is no model with an internal combustion engine. Its based on the STLA City architecture, which will form the basis for a number of other Stellantis models.

The 2024 Fiat 500e mini-compact electric vehicle's electric motor produces 117 hp.

Fiat has a dodgy reputation for quality in the United States, but brand boss Olivier Francois points out the 500e has been on sale in Europe since 2020, time to work out the bugs.

Time will tell. Quality ratings for Alfa Romeo have been on an upswing, so theres hope.

The front-wheel-drive 500e has a 117-hp electric motor under its hood. A 42 kWh battery lies under the floor.

The battery delivers 149 miles of driving range in EPA tests. Thats at the low end of new EVs, but the 500e is what Europeans call a city car, meaning its for running around town and its environs, not family vacations.

The first-generation Fiat 500 helped put Italy back on wheels after WWII. It's dwarfed by the 2024 500e mini-compact electric car.

A 240v charger  like most EV owners have at home, work or both  will charge the battery from zero to 100% in six hours. Home charging is one of the benefits EV owners enjoy most: starting every day with a full charge and topping up overnight. Do that, and 149 miles should be plenty, even for people with relatively long commutes.

For longer trips, the 500e can charge from zero to 80% in 35 minutes at a DC fast charger. It can accept DC charging up to 85 kW, a slower rate than other new EVs. Thats a competitive disadvantage, but Fiat says five minutes will add 31 miles to a near-empty battery.

The 2024 Fiat 500e's pedestrian interior trim undermines its claim to be a premium small car.

Fiat 500e driving impressions, interior

The 500e is a breeze in congested city traffic. The steering is light and direct.

Parking is almost embarrassingly easy, thanks to the little cars short length and comparatively long wheelbase. The 500es turning radius is a mere 31.5 feet, nearly 4 feet less than the Mini hardtop.

The ride is smooth and quiet, even over rough surfaces.

Acceleration is more than adequate for slicing through traffic. I spent most of my drive in Range driving mode, which provides one-pedal driving for energy recuperation. I found it easy to modulate and effective. The range indicator tracked closely with distance traveled, air conditioning and accelerating to catch gaps in traffic notwithstanding

The front seats are accommodating, the controls largely intuitive. Climate control uses simple switches below the touch screen. Volume, audio mode and tuning are controlled by rocker switches on the rear of the steering wheel cross bars. Theres an auxiliary roller for volume on the center console.

Pleasantly for such a small car, the front seat has a pair of cupholders and another pair separates the two rear seats. Wireless charging is standard.

The air conditioning was more than capable on a sunny April day that brushed 90 degrees.

The big, clear touch screen includes navigation, audio and five EV pages for charging schedule, efficiency and so on.

The 500e has a top speed of 94 mph. Fiat says it accelerates from 0-30 mph  a useful metric in city driving  in 3.1 seconds. It reaches 60 in 8.5, a figure nobodys bragging about.

Fiat is considering also selling the 500e convertible in the U.S.

A little Italian flag adorns the 2024 Fiat 500e mini-compact electric vehicle's front fenders.

2024 Fiat 500e at a glance

Four-passenger, two-door electric mini-compact/city car

Front-wheel drive

Base price: $32,500 (Excluding $1,595 destination charge)

Power: Single electric motor

Output: 117 horsepower, 162 pound-feet of torque

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Maximum speed: 94 mph

0-60 mph: 8.5 seconds

Fuel economy: 116 mpge (manufacturers estimate)

Range: 149 miles (manufacturers estimate)

Charging time: 240v  six hours 0%-100%; 85 kW DCFC 5 35 minutes 0%-80%, 31 miles range in five minutes

Wheelbase: 91.4 inches

Length: 143 inches

Width: 74.2 inches (with mirrors)

Height: 66.3 inches

Ground clearance: 4.5 inches

Interior volume: 101.2 cubic feet

Cargo room: 7.5 cubic feet

Curb weight: 2,952 pounds

Weight distribution: 58.9%/41.1%

Assembled in Turin, Italy

Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Electric 2024 Fiat 500e is long on style, short on range
"That was amazing!" Delta IV Heavy wows in its fiery farewell launch from Cape Canaveral

After waiting almost two weeks, the Delta IV Heavy launched on its farewell flight Tuesday, giving spectators one final show. The wait, for many, was worth it.

As the rocket rose into the sky, cheers, possibly some tears, erupted at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. It was the rumble from the massive rocket's triple core that both surprised and thrilled most spectators.

This performance came after a March 28 launch attempt scrubbed during a weather hold at T-4 minutes. On that particular day, spectators sat on the lawn outside the Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit at the Visitor Complex with mixed emotions. As the large screen showing the live steam flashed the word SCRUB, looks of confusion quickly turned into sighs of disappointment.

Tuesday felt altogether different.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy leaps from its launch pad on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from LC-37, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station . This was the final launch for this vehicle as well as the Delta family of rockets. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

This most metal of rockets wowed spectators with its farewell performance just before 1 p.m from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 37. As it rose into the sky, the crowd clapped and cheered until the Delta IV Heavy slipped into the clouds and was out of view. The secretive mission was for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Catch the next Florida launch: Is there a launch today? Upcoming rocket launch schedule for SpaceX, ULA, NASA in Florida

Delta IV Heavy rocket launch day

As the morning hours inched closer to launch time, bright sunshine and blue skies graced the area over Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Space enthusiasts who wished to see the last Delta fly, as well as visitors who were curious about what all the hype was about, gathered outside the Space Shuttle Atlantis building and the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Earlier that morning, Tory Bruno, the CEO of United Launch Alliance, the maker of the Delta IV Heavy, had tweeted Feeling like a good day to go to space.

Crowds watched the screens broadcasting a live stream and looked skyward in anticipation. As the countdown approached T-0, many pulled out their cell phones to record the moment.

With minutes until liftoff, visitors at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex had their eyes on the skies and phones in hand ready to record the historic moment.

Delta IV Heavy launch does not disappoint

Michael Gratz, 49, and his son, William Gratz, 11, were in Florida on vacation from the United Kingdom. Gratz works as a chef, and wanted to spend time with his son. Their plan was initially to head to Universal Studios, but William wasn't feeling up to it.

William, a fifth-grader, had never seen a rocket, and said he didn't know what to expect.

"I thought that was amazing," Gratz said as he stood with his son after the launch. "To see it, and then hear it so much later on, I thought that was really cool."

The crowd at Kennedy Space Center's Apollo/Saturn V Center wait for the Delta IV farewell. Front and center are Michael Gratz and his son William Gratz.

William agreed: "I thought it was really cool, especially because a minute after it launched there was this big boom."

Michaela Fuchs, 35, was on a vacation with her parents, Ingrid and Johann Fuchs, who are visiting from Germany. Fuchs grew up in Germany, but has since moved to North Carolina to work in the field of nephrology.

Michaela Fuchs sits with her parents, Ingrid and Johann Fuchs, after the Delta IV Heavy launch. Michaela's parents are visiting her from Germany.

Fuchs recalls her parents taking her on vacation to Kennedy Space Center decades ago when she was still a child. Having such a fond memory of that family vacation, Fuchs decided to bring her parents to the Visitor Complex during their visit. They didn't see a launch back in the day, but this visit, they got lucky.

Not only did they catch the SpaceX Starlink launch on Sunday evening, but they also saw the last ever Delta IV Heavy. She described the rumbling sound of the launch as "spectacular."

Read the recap of the launch day: Delta IV Heavy's final fiery liftoff sends huge rocket into retirement from Cape Canaveral

Meanwhile, Joan Holtz from West Palm was leaving the site with her lively travel group. The group just happened to be in the area when the launch was happening.

"I thought it was fabulous!" Holtz said, reflecting on the launch. She told FLORIDA TODAY that she was not surprised by the delay in the rumble reaching the audience, who were sitting miles away at a safe distance. With light traveling faster than sound, spectators saw the rocket minutes before hearing the powerful rumbling of the monster rocket.

Michael Gratz and his son, William Gratz, wait for the final launch of Delta IV Heavy. The father and son were visiting Florida from the UK on a vacation when they heard of the launch.

After 63 years of payload service, the Delta family of rockets now joins the history books.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: "That was amazing!" Final Delta rocket launches from Cape Canaveral
Adam Schiff wants generative AI developers to unlock the black box.

The California Democrat announced Tuesday he had proposed a bill in the House of Representatives that would mandate generative AI developers to disclose all copyrighted works used in training their models.

More from Sourcing Journal

The bill, called the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act of 2024, states that companies or individuals that create or alter a training dataset used to create a generative AI system will need to inform the Register of Copyrights. When doing so, they will need to provide a sufficiently detailed summary of any copyrighted works used in the training datasetor to alter the training dataset.

To comply with the pending legislation, companies or individuals would need to file the notices at least 30 days prior to the release of the generative AI system.

And pre-existing generative AI models wont be exempt, either. The wording stipulates that companies that put generative AI systems on the market to consumers prior to the proposal of the bill would be required to file notices no later than 30 days after the effective date of the act, if it passes.

Those who fail to comply would be slapped with a fine of at least $5,000.

Schiff said the proposed legislation would help protect those working in creative industries.

AI has the disruptive potential of changing our economy, our political system, and our day-to-day lives. We must balance the immense potential of AI with the crucial need for ethical guidelines and protections, Schiff said in a statement. My Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act is a pivotal step in this direction. It champions innovation while safeguarding the rights and contributions of creators, ensuring they are aware when their work contributes to AI training datasets. This is about respecting creativity in the age of AI and marrying technological progress with fairness.

Schiffs proposal has received wide-spanning support from organizations and unions affiliated with people working in creative industries. Professional Photographers of America, the Recording Academy, the Directors Guild of America, the Copyright Clearance Center and others have put their stamp of approval on the bill.

David Trust, CEO of Professional Photographers of America, said the organizations 35,000 members would be excited to see the bill pass.

Photographers are particularly susceptible to having their works scraped by generative AI companies, as they must publicly exhibit their best work to attract clients. The urgency of this issue should not be understated as copyright holders suffer from the harsh reality of competing with their own works taken by generative AI companies to develop their systems, Trust said in a statement.

The bill could have far-reaching implications. For apparel and fashion brands, which copyright logos, images, designs and more, it could help stop potential infringement and clear up any murkiness around whoor whathas used copyrighted works for inspiration.

The bill proposes that the Register of Copyrights would be required to issue regulations around the requirements within six months of the effective date, should the law pass. It would also have to create a publicly available online database that contains each notice filed.

Schiffs proposal comes at a time when generative AI creators like OpenAI, Microsoft and Stability AI face lawsuits accusing them of copyright infringement. While many of the cases have not yet been resolved, passage of this bill would reveal exactly what went into some of the most powerful generative AI models on the market todayat least relative to copyrighted works.

It also comes on the heels of a newly minted partnership between the U.S. and the UK, focused on safe AI development. While the U.S. does not have an at-large, legally binding roadmap for AI in place as of yet, the EU recently adopted the landmark EU AI Act, which outlines requirements for technology developers and deployers doing business in its member countries.
Vehicles from the self-driving taxi company Cruise are returning to city streets in the US around six months after a serious accident.

The subsidiary of US car giant General Motors has announced that the vehicles will initially only be driven by humans in order to update map data and collect fresh information about the surrounding area.

The first city is Phoenix in the state of Arizona, with more to follow. In this phase, fresh information about traffic lights, lanes and traffic routing will be collected, Cruise explained.

In a second phrase, autonomous test drives with safety drivers at the wheel are planned. On this basis, it will then be decided in which city the vehicles will once again be travelling without humans at the wheel.

Cruise had been a pioneer in robotaxi services and had ambitious expansion plans, until, at the beginning of October, a Cruise driverless car dragged a woman along a street for several metres.

The pedestrian had previously been hit by another car with a human at the wheel and thrown in front of the self-driving car. According to the accident report, the robotaxi braked immediately - but the woman was still thrown under the vehicle.

The Cruise cars are programmed to automatically pull over to the side of the road after collisions so as not to obstruct traffic. In this case, the software also decided to do this - even though the woman was still under the car.

According to a report by the Californian traffic authority, she was dragged around six metres and the car reached a speed of around 11 kilometres per hour.

The incident was damaging to Cruise's reputation, particularly since these details only became known later, after the accident was initially depicted as being less harmful.

GM replaced the top management of the robotaxi company and all trips on public roads were stopped. Cruise emphasises that the restart will now focus on safety. In recent months, the vehicles have continued to be driven on a test site.

Meanwhile, Cruise's competitor Waymo is expanding to Los Angeles. From today, the Google sister company has announced that it will be offering chargeable journeys with fully autonomous vehicles there.

It is the third city with a Waymo robotaxi service - after Phoenix and San Francisco. However, there are still waiting lists due to high demand. In San Francisco, Waymo's driverless electric Jaguar cars continue to be part of the cityscape, despite the controversy surrounding Cruise.
By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Airbus and 15 other EU companies have criticised a proposal that would allow Amazon, Alphabet's Google and Microsoft to bid for highly sensitive EU cloud computing contracts.

The draft plan from Belgium, which currently holds the rotating European Union presidency, concerns a certification scheme (EUCS) to vouch for the cybersecurity of cloud services and help governments and companies in the bloc to pick a secure and trusted vendor for their business.

The proposal scraps so-called sovereignty requirements from a previous draft which obliged U.S. tech giants to set up a joint venture or cooperate with an EU-based company to store and process customer data in the bloc in order to qualify for the highest level of the EU cybersecurity label.

The Belgian plan will be discussed by cybersecurity experts from the 27 EU countries on April 15, which could pave the way for the European Commission to adopt the cybersecurity scheme in the northern hemisphere autumn.

EU countries should reject this latest proposal without sovereignty requirements, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Airbus and the other 15 companies said in a joint letter to authorities in their countries and to senior Commission officials.

"The inclusion of EU-HQ and European control requirements in the main scheme is necessary to mitigate the risk of unlawful data access on the basis of foreign laws," they said in the letter seen by Reuters.

Without such requirements, European data could be accessed by foreign governments on the basis of their laws such as the U.S. Cloud Act or the Chinese National Intelligence Law, they warned.

Big Tech is looking to the lucrative government cloud market to spur growth while the EU on the other hand fears illegal state surveillance and the dominance of U.S. cloud providers.

The EU companies said the EU cybersecurity label should follow the example of Europe's Gaia-X cloud computing platform created to reduce the EU's dependence on Silicon Valley giants and which has sovereignty requirements.

They said the lack of sovereignty clauses could also hamper nascent EU cloud providers versus their bigger U.S. rivals.

"Removing such requirements from the scheme would seriously undermine the viability of sovereign cloud solutions in Europe  many of which are either in development or already available on the market," the companies said.

Signatories to the joint letter include French power group EDF, French cloud services provider OVHcloud and Italian peer Aruba, Dassault Systemes, Germany's Ionos, Telecom Italia, Austria's Exoscale, French tech company Capgemini and Eutelsat.

Story continues

(This story has been corrected to fix the date of the meeting to April 15, not March 15, in paragraph 4)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Georgia Tech unveils first AI supercomputer for student use in new course programs

April 10 (UPI) -- The Georgia Institute of Technology and NVIDIA Corporation on Wednesday said together they have created the first artificial intelligence supercomputer for student use.

"The launch of the AI Makerspace represents another milestone in Georgia Tech's legacy of innovation and leadership in education," Raheem Beyah, dean of the college and Southern Company Chair in the school's College of Engineering, said about the unveiling of Georgia Tech's first minor degree program in AI and machine learning and on the creation of 14 core AI courses for undergrads.

"Thanks to NVIDIA's advanced technology and expertise, our students at all levels have a path to make significant contributions and lead in the rapidly evolving field of AI," he said in a release.

AI Makerspace is being called "a digital sandbox for students to understand and use AI in the classroom" and aims to "democratize access to computing resources typically reserved for researchers or technology companies."

For perspective, the supercomputer runs atop 160 of Nvidia's H100 graphics processing units, and it would take a single NVIDIA GPU one second to come up with a multiplication operation that would take all 50,000 Georgia Tech students 22 years to achieve, according to Georgia Tech.

Atlanta's Mayor Andre Dickens said the city commended the project's leadership team "in advancing education and technology through the AI Makerspace," said Dickens.

"Partnerships with industry leaders such as NVIDIA propel our students and workforce toward tomorrow, further enhancing Atlanta's status as an innovation hub," the mayor said.

Only Georgia Tech students at first will be allowed to use the new "virtual gateway," which was developed by California-based Penguin Solutions. That company said on social media that it is "proud" to work with GA Tech and NVIDA -- also headquartered in California -- to power up the Georgia Tech AI Makerspace and put the promise of #AI directly in students' hands."

Wednesday's development comes as the White House Office of Management and Budget recently issued a series of guidelines to reduce risks associated with government use of AI

A Georgia Tech official told CNBC that so far students have used the supercomputer in one class called "foundations of machine learning." But by spring of next year, all graduate and undergraduate students are expected to have access.

"The idea here is for us to be able to set up these computational resources ... working closely with Nvidia and Penguin Solutions, and essentially making this a sandbox where students will be able to do their own work," Arijit Raychowdhury, chair of Georgia Tech's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said.

Raychowdhury said students will use the supercomputer for projects on "computer vision, large language models, robotics, supply chain management, chemical or biomedical engineering, creativity and design pursuits related to generative AI, and also separate entrepreneurial ventures of their choice," he said.

Putting the promise of AI directly in students' hands: We're powering up the Georgia Tech AI Makerspace - a student-focused AI supercomputer hub. Proud to work with @nvidia and @WeAre_Penguin to make this a reality on campus for our students. https://t.co/c0iq7tXzAh pic.twitter.com/w2tBGyb6bZ Georgia Tech College of Engineering (@gatechengineers) April 10, 2024
By Max A. Cherney

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Meta Platforms unveiled details on Wednesday about the next generation of the company's in-house artificial intelligence accelerator chip.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

Reuters reported earlier this year that Meta planned to deploy a new version of a custom data center chip to address the swelling amount of computing power necessary to run AI products in Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The chip, referred to internally as "Artemis," will help Meta reduce its reliance on Nvida's AI chips and reduce its energy costs overall.

KEY QUOTE

"This chips architecture is fundamentally focused on providing the right balance of compute, memory bandwidth, and memory capacity for serving ranking and recommendation models," the company wrote in a blog post.

CONTEXT

The new Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA) chip is part of a broad custom silicon effort at the company that includes looking at other hardware systems too. Beyond building the chips and hardware, Meta has made significant investments in developing the software necessary to harness the power of its infrastructure in the most efficient way.

The company is also spending billions on buying Nvidia and other AI chips: This year CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company planned to acquire roughly 350,000 flagship H100 chips from Nvidia. Combined with other suppliers, Meta plans to accumulate the equivalent of 600,000 H100 chips this year, he said.

THE NUMBERS

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co will produce the new chip on its "5nm" process. Meta said it is capable of three times the performance of its first generation processor.

WHAT IS NEXT

The chip has been deployed in the data center and is engaged in serving AI applications. The company said it has several programs underway "aimed at expanding the scope of MTIA, including support of (generative AI) workloads."

(Reporting by Max A. Cherney in San Francisco; Editing by Chris Reese)
Peter Higgs, the physicist who predicted the Higgs boson particle, has passed away at the age of 94 due to a blood disorder. His work proposing the particle  and showing how it helped give mass to some matter  won him the Noble price in 2013. The Higgs boson is informally referred to as the God particle, after a book by Nobel laureate Leon Lederman .

Higgs came up with the idea in the early 1960s as an attempt to explain why atoms have mass in the first place. The research didnt get any traction in scientific journals, primarily because few understood the concept, but he was finally published in 1964 . This was just a theory at the time, but led to a 50-year race to prove the Higgs boson particle actually exists.

Scientists hit pay dirt in 2012, thanks to physicists working at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland. It took four years of experiments, but the Higgs boson particle was finally discovered, proving his ideas and adding a major puzzle piece to the corpus of particle physics knowledge known as the Standard Model.

As a matter of fact, modern theoretical physicists have posited the existence of up to five Higgs boson particles that fill up what is now called the Higgs field. Scientists hope to use the Higgs boson to one day find proof for ever-elusive dark matter.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which awards the Nobel, wrote about the importance of his discovery ahead of the ceremony in 2013 . Even when the universe seems empty this field is there. Without it, we would not exist, because it is from contact with the field that particles acquire mass. The Nobel was shared with Francois Englert, a Belgian theoretical physicist whose work in 1964 contributed to the discovery.

"At the beginning I had no idea whether a discovery would be made in my lifetime, Higgs once said. He leaves two sons, Chris and Jonny, his daughter-in-law Suzanne and two grandchildren. His former wife Jody, a linguistics professor, died in 2008.

This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.
FILE PHOTO: The Google name is displayed outside the company's office in London

(Reuters) - A Russian court said it had rejected an appeal by Alphabet's Google against a 4.6 billion rouble ($49.4 million) fine, imposed for failing to delete what Russia considers to be fake information about the war in Ukraine.

Google had no immediate comment.

Russia has been at loggerheads with foreign technology companies over content, censorship, data and local representation in a simmering dispute that intensified after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

"The Moscow City Court left the Tagansky District Court's decision ... unchanged, and the claimant's appeal without satisfaction," the Moscow courts' press service said on Telegram on Wednesday.

Russian news agencies have previously reported that the fine was also imposed for Google's failure to remove extremist content and the distribution of what Russia calls LGBT propaganda.

Alphabet's YouTube has been a particular target of the Russian state's ire but, unlike Twitter and Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram, it has not been blocked. The fine, announced in late December, was calculated as a share of Google's annual turnover in Russia. The company was handed similar turnover-based penalties of 7.2 billion roubles in late 2021 and 21.1 billion roubles in August 2022. In both cases its appeals were rejected.

($1 = 93.2200 roubles)

(Reporting by Alexander Marrow;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
When state lawmakers chartered the University of North Carolina in 1789, they gave it the simple and lovely charge to consult the happiness of a rising generation. Its a timeless, deeply humane goal  and its getting tougher.

The author and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt thinks much of the blame lies with the glowing rectangle youre probably using to read this essay. The introduction of smartphones a little more than a decade ago has been a catastrophe for children and adolescents, Haidt argues in his new book The Anxious Generation, replacing play and exploration with screen-scrolling isolation.

UNC System President Peter Hans

This is when life was radically rewired for young people, Haidt said during a February talk at UNC-Chapel Hill. This is when Gen Zs mental health collapsed, because they now had a phone-based childhood.

The impact is evident on our campuses, where many students arrive unprepared for the kind of resilient, open-minded exploration that college life demands. Americas residential universities are not perfect, but they are among the safest, most welcoming and inclusive environments ever created for young adults, Haidt writes. Its obvious that students in discover mode will profit and grow rapidly from the bountiful intellectual and social opportunities of a university. Students who spend most of their time in defend mode will learn less and grow less.

Haidt isnt blaming the students; hes calling out the grownups who have replaced playtime with screen time. You simply cannot spend hours a day staring at phones and iPads without profoundly warping human development, and theres now a mountain of evidence  from rising youth suicide to falling rates of close friendship  that a permissive approach to technology is bad for kids.

The direct effects of excessive screen time are bad enough  skewed body image, unhealthy social comparisons, an ambient sense of angst and doom about the world. But its the opportunity cost thats so staggering. American teenagers now spend somewhere between five and nine hours per day in front of screens  time that theyre not talking with friends, going outside, playing, sleeping, reading or studying.

The effects on colleges are clear: growing demand for counseling, skyrocketing rates of psychiatric disorders, and heightened concerns about student safety. Last month, college newspapers across North Carolina collaborated on a special issue about mental health, declaring it a generational crisis.

 A normal part of being an American college student now is that you are anxious and depressed, Haidt said at UNC. His prescription is simple and bracing: schools and parents should severely limit smartphone time.

The age of first access to smartphones should go up  by a lot. Parents have the key role there, but Congress should raise the age of social media consent  currently 13  and regulators should aggressively sanction social media companies that violate those age limits. Schools should get phones out of the classroom, preferably locked up for the entire school day so that students are spared the twitchy inclination to check their notifications.

At the UNC System, we recently directed campuses to block access to some of the worst actors in the social media universe  anonymous gossip apps like YikYak and Sidechat that intentionally target college students. But its the big players like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram that are squandering enormous quantities of time and focus among young people.

We arent going to turn public college campuses into tech-free monasteries, but universities can embrace their long-held role as places apart, intentionally counter-cultural havens where students get space to think and mature. In a tech-saturated era, that means helping students build real-world social connection, exposing them to intensive classroom conversation, and insisting on the slow work of deep thinking.

When the Wall Street Journals Julie Jargon recently interviewed young people about their reasons for deleting TikTok, the answers were searing. I realized I have a very finite amount of time on this planet, and there is so much I want to experience and accomplish and do, explained a 25 year-old woman named Elizabeth Tate. I was wasting so much time distracting myself.

A strong college education should echo that message  that life is precious and finite, and there are much higher forms of happiness than an endless scroll.

Peter Hans is the President of the University of North Carolina System.
A man stands next to a logo of Netflix during an event in Mumbai

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam has ordered Netflix Inc to stop advertising and distributing its games in the country before April 25 as the U.S. streaming platform has not yet been granted a license for games services, its broadcasting authority said on Thursday.

"Vietnam demands Netflix comply with the Vietnamese regulations on game online services," the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information (ABEI) said a statement on its website.

"We order Netflix to stop advertising and publishing the Netflix's video games on the Netflix application and on Appstore Vietnam and Google Play store Vietnam before April 25," the statement added.

The streaming platform, which has been ordered by the government several times to block domestic access to various content, is seeking to open an office in Vietnam, Reuters has reported.

Netflix begun its push into gaming by launching Netflix games on mobile phones in November 2021.

The company did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
Salomon De Alba, center, stands next to defense attorney Greg Scott during De Alba's sentencing hearing in Yakima County Superior Court Tuesday, April 9, 2024. De Alba earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter as the driver in the drive-by shoting death of Jose "Joey" Cantu in October 2021.
The GMAT: A Gateway, Not a Gatekeeper

Beyond the Numbers: Unveiling the Hidden Gems

Work Experience: This is your chance to showcase your business acumen and leadership potential. Highlight impactful projects, problem-solving skills, and achievements that demonstrate your ability to thrive in a demanding environment.

This is your chance to showcase your business acumen and leadership potential. Highlight impactful projects, problem-solving skills, and achievements that demonstrate your ability to thrive in a demanding environment. Leadership and Teamwork: Business schools seek collaborative leaders who can navigate complex situations and inspire others. Showcasing your leadership experiences, whether through work, extracurricular activities, or volunteer initiatives, paints a picture of your ability to take charge and motivate others.

Business schools seek collaborative leaders who can navigate complex situations and inspire others. Showcasing your leadership experiences, whether through work, extracurricular activities, or volunteer initiatives, paints a picture of your ability to take charge and motivate others. Strong Essays and Recommendations: Here's your chance to tell your story! Craft compelling essays that showcase your career goals, motivations for pursuing an MBA, and unique experiences that shaped your perspective. Stellar letters of recommendation from supervisors, professors, or mentors add weight to your application and provide valuable insights into your work ethic, potential, and character.

Here's your chance to tell your story! Craft compelling essays that showcase your career goals, motivations for pursuing an MBA, and unique experiences that shaped your perspective. Stellar letters of recommendation from supervisors, professors, or mentors add weight to your application and provide valuable insights into your work ethic, potential, and character. Quantitative Skills in Action: Your GMAT score hints at your quantitative skills, but showcasing them in your work experience adds credibility. Did you analyze data to drive strategic decisions? Develop a financial model to improve efficiency? Highlight these real-world applications to demonstrate your ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical solutions.

Your GMAT score hints at your quantitative skills, but showcasing them in your work experience adds credibility. Did you analyze data to drive strategic decisions? Develop a financial model to improve efficiency? Highlight these real-world applications to demonstrate your ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical solutions. Diversity of Thought and Background: Business schools value diversity. Whether it's your cultural background, industry experience, or unique perspective, demonstrate how you'll contribute fresh ideas and enrich the learning environment for your classmates.

The Formula for Success: Balancing Scores and Soft Skills

Solid GMAT Score (650+ for competitive programs): This demonstrates your academic preparedness.

This demonstrates your academic preparedness. Strong Work Experience (2+ years ideally): Showcase your business skills and leadership potential.

Showcase your business skills and leadership potential. Compelling Essays and Recommendations: Tell your unique story and highlight your motivations.

Tell your unique story and highlight your motivations. Demonstrated Leadership and Teamwork: Show your ability to inspire and collaborate.

Show your ability to inspire and collaborate. Diversity of Background and Thought: Enrich the program with your unique perspective.

The Final Tip: Be You, Be Authentic

Dreaming of an Australian MBA but worried about the GMAT? The good news is that many top Australian universities offer MBA programs without the GMAT requirement . This article explores the benefits of pursuing an MBA in Australia without the GMAT, including reduced stress, time savings, and increased accessibility. It also highlights several Australian universities that offer GMAT-waiver MBA programs.

Conquering the GMAT is a badge of honor for aspiring MBAs. But let's be honest, the pressure to score high can feel like carrying a mountain on your back. While a strong GMAT score is undeniably important, business schools take a more holistic approach when evaluating applicants. So, what else are they looking for besides that impressive three-digit number? Buckle up, future MBAs, because we're about to crack the code behind a well-rounded application.First things first, a great GMAT score opens doors. It demonstrates your quantitative and verbal reasoning skills, crucial for success in a business program. However, business schools know the GMAT is just one piece of the puzzle. They want to see well-rounded individuals with the potential to excel in their programs and contribute meaningfully to the business world.So, what are those hidden gems that make your application shine? Here are some key areas that business schools value just as much (if not more) than your GMAT score:Think of your application as a delicious pie. The GMAT score is a big, juicy slice, but it needs other flavorful ingredients to create a truly satisfying dish. Here's the recipe for a winning application:While a strategic approach is helpful, don't try to be someone you're not. Admissions officers can smell inauthenticity from a mile away. Let your genuine passion for business, your unique experiences, and your personal growth story shine through.Remember, business schools are looking for well-rounded individuals with the potential to become future business leaders. Showcase your academic prowess, professional skills, and personal qualities to create a compelling application that goes beyond just the GMAT score. Now, go out there and conquer that GMAT, knowing there's a whole world of opportunity waiting on the other side!If you're interested in learning more about these programs and how to apply, contact Alpha Education Abroad today! We can help you navigate the application process and increase your chances of success.   
Hungarians can fill out the National Consultation survey on green energy online until April 15, a key element to Hungary truly taking part in the energy policy turnaround currently under way worldwide, a government commissioner told a press conference.

Analysts have said that by 2030, Hungary would have the worlds fourth largest production capacity for storage for green energy, behind China, the US and Germany, Laszlo Gyorgy said.



Investments connected to green energy will be at the root of Hungarys economic growth and well-paying jobs, he told the press conference in Gyor, in north-western Hungary.



The country has already achieved the solar capacity it had targeted for 2030, in an important step to have 90 percent of the countrys electricity produced without carbon emissions by 2030, he added.



To facilitate the green transition, the government has launched a 75 billion forint (EUR 192.3m) solar energy programme and a scheme supporting the purchase of electric cars, as well as a programme to support localities above 25,000 inhabitants only if the buses they purchased were electricity-driven, Gyorgy said.



Meanwhile, Szijjarto: Energy Supply Must Be Free of Ideology

Security of supply and price are the sole factors determining the government's energy policy, Hungarys minister of foreign affairs and trade said at the 5th Budapest LNG Summit.



We dont take political or ideological aspects into consideration, Peter Szijjarto told the event. We are not ready to give up any partnership that has proven reliable Neither will we terminate any contracts that we benefit from, the minister said.



He highlighted the importance of diversification, explaining that the governments interpretation of the term centred on securing new resources rather than excluding existing ones.



Given Hungarys geographical location, the country depends heavily on the regions infrastructure, so developing the regional network is crucial, he said. The infrastructure determines the energy mix and impacts on relevant decisions.



Boosting capacities is of vital importance For us there is no such thing as a redundant gas pipeline, he added.



He called construction of the TurkStream pipeline a success story, and said Hungary would contend with serious difficulties without it.



He highlighted Hungary was the first country apart from Turkiyes neighbours to import Turkish natural gas.



Szijjarto: Hungary Ready to Purchase LNG from Romania



Peter Szijjarto, the minister for foreign affairs and trade, told the 5th LNG Summit in Budapest that the Slovak-Hungarian interconnector enhanced pipeline capacity between Hungary and Romania.



A supply deal with Shell on LNG and cooperation with Azerbaijan in the area of gas supplies was also an achievement, he said.



Szijjarto said it was regrettable that Western partners had abandoned Romanias LNG project, adding that nevertheless Romania would hopefully start production in the future and Hungary was be among potential purchasers of its LNG.



The minister accused the European Union of reducing aid for energy infrastructure developments in south-east Europe, insisting that those projects were key for diversification.



He slammed the European Commission, saying its position was that developing the network was unnecessary because natural gas had no future and it would not be in the energy mix in 15 years time.



Even if that were true  what about supplies for the next 15 years? Hungary continues to reject aggressively and artificially removing natural gas from the energy mix We consider this economic suicide and dont want to further compromise the competitiveness of the EU, Szijjarto said.



Szijjarto: Hungary-Slovenia-Serbia Regional Electricity Exchange Deal Inked



A joint Hungary-Slovenia-Serbia electricity exchange can start operating from the second half of the year, boosting the security of supply for all the countries involved, Peter Szijjarto, the minister of foreign affairs and trade said after the relevant deal was signed in Budapest.



Todays agreement was excellent news, Szijjarto said at a joint press conference held with Serbian energy state secretary Veljko Kovacevic and Slovenian energy minister Bojan Kumer, after the signing of the BlueSky Project. Security of supply, he said, would strengthen, making trade in electricity between the countries fast and barrier-free.



The deal also creates a larger market with a favourable impact on prices, he added. He said the deal concerned cooperation between EU member states and an EU candidate country, so we have taken another step in the direction of realising the energy integration of the Western Balkans into the EU.



The minister noted that a German-French energy exchange company backed the initiative, guaranteeing that the system would always be up to date.



Hungarys electricity supply, he said, was most efficiently served by nuclear energy, which is why the government had decided to expand capacities.



He also referred to expanding solar power capacities, which he said had grown eightfold in the last five years.



Our goal is to create energy systems in the region that are as integrated as possible, he said, adding the emphasis was on electricity supply, as demand was expected to increase by 50% in central Europe by 2030.



*********************************

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!
According to an EU study, Gyor is one of the fastest growing cities in the EU. However, the county is two-faced, as it was highlighted by Imre Pinter-Pentek, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Gyor-Moson-Sopron County, at the TOP200 event in Gyor.

The agglomeration is strong with Gyor and Mosonmagyarovar. However, there are other areas, such as Rabakoz (all in northwestern Hungary), which have suffered a lot of losses in the recent period, reports Vilaggazdasag.



In addition, the region is currently at 68% of the EUs development in terms of GDP per capita, which is not bad, but it is a very different picture if you look at the development of other regions.



The area has grown by only 2 percent in the last 20 years.



According to the President of the Chamber, this is shocking and the reasons for this must be sought. He believes that the draining effect of neighboring economic regions, such as Graz, Bratislava and Vienna, may play a role. The question must therefore be asked whether enough has been done to meet the challenges.



Unfortunately, the available data suggest that we are on the losing side, he said, stressing that we need a seat, but Gyor with its 130,000 inhabitants is not enough, it should be expanded to at least 200,000.



In any case, there have been several discussions with the county chambers on the breakthrough points, and an economic development working group has been set up.



A total of 200 entrepreneurs were approached to examine the conditions.



These breakthrough points were identified during the event:

- the automotive industry, which is problematic as, while nationally it accounts for 25.5 percent, in Gyor-Moson-Sopron County it accounts for 74.2 percent of its economic output, meaning a huge exposure,

- logistics  without state intervention, it will not work, according to the President of the Chamber, who said that the construction of the M81 motorway was important,

- tourism,

- and a new path for mobility.



The Chamber is cooperating with the Szechenyi Istvan University, which has set up UniChamb Ltd. with the aim of transferring knowledge and technology.



During the event, Imre Pinter-Pentek also urged Marton Nagy, the Minister of National Economy, to support companies in Hungary that have a development plan. He noted that we have spent a lot of money unnecessarily so far.



We have no choice but to compete with Vienna or Bratislava, he concluded.

Audi Hungaria, a pillar of Gyors economy reached a ten-year production record in 2023, with the manufacturing of nearly 178,000 vehicles and more than 1.66 million engines.



Of the vehicles produced, 94,283 were Q3 models, 73,806 were Q3 Sportbacks, 6,850 were Audi TT Coupes, and 2,681 were TT Roadsters. Of the Q3 and Q3 Sportback models, 24,579 plug-in hybrids and 5,393 mild hybrids were produced.



The Gyor-based company, together with its subsidiary Audi Hungaria Ahead, employed 12,143 people last year.



MTI Photo: Csaba Krizsan



*********************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories, via our Facebook page:

Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary



You can subscribe to our newsletter here:

XpatLoop.com/Newsletters



Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers?

Then just contact us here!
The 2024 Hyundai Creta has been a sensation in the mid-size SUV segment since its launch in January this year. With exceptional sales figures in February and March, it has cemented its position as a top choice for SUV enthusiasts. However, recent developments have seen an increase in the price of the new Creta, marking its first price hike since its launch. The Creta's sales figures speak volumes about its popularity. In February, Hyundai sold 15,276 units of the Creta, a number that surged to 16,458 units in March, making it the second best-selling car of March 2024.

2024 Hyundai Creta Price Adjustments

The latest price adjustments by Hyundai affect various variants differently. While the base model E and two turbo petrol variants remain unchanged in price, others have seen an increase. The starting price of the Creta is Rs 11 lakh, with certain top-end variants priced at Rs 20 lakh and Rs 20.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Petrol Variants

The prices of most petrol variants have increased by Rs 3,500, with exceptions for the base model and the two turbo petrol variants. The naturally aspirated petrol engine delivers 113bhp power and 143.8Nm torque, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox and an optional CVT transmission.

Diesel Variants

For diesel variants, prices have risen by Rs 10,500 across most models, except for the top-end SX(O) 1.5 AT variants, which maintain their previous pricing. The diesel engine produces 114bhp power and 250Nm torque, coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox and an optional 6-speed torque converter.\

Engine Options

The Creta offers three engine options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 1.5-litre turbo petrol, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. The turbo petrol engine, generating 158bhp power and 253Nm torque, features a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for a dynamic driving experience.
Eid ul-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr is one of the two major festivals in Islam, the other one being Eid ul-Adha. Eid ul-Fitr is observed on the first day of Shawwal - the tenth month of the lunar-based Islamic calendar, Hijri. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Eid-ul-Fitr's date changes yearly since it depends on when the new moon is visible. This year in 2024, most parts of India will celebrate Eid ul-Fitr on April 11, based on the moon's sighting. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Kashmir's Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said that Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir on April 10. On Eid's auspicious occasion, share warm messages and heartfelt greetings with your friends and family.

Eid ul-Fitr 2024: Eid Mubarak! Wishes To Share With Loved Ones

1. Eid Mubarak to my dear friend! May Allah's blessings be with you and your loved ones always.

2. On this auspicious occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr, I wish Allah to always guide you and show you the right path. Eid Mubarak!

3. May this Eid-ul-Fitr be a very blessed, joyous and memorable celebration for all. Eid Mubarak sabko!

4. May this Eid-ul-Fitr bring lots of joy, love, success and prosperity to your life. Eid Mubarak!

5. May Allahs blessings abound in your life, opening all doors to prosperity now and always. Eid Mubarak!! To all my brothers and souls living on this earth.

6. May the beauty of Eid fill your heart with joy, and may Allah grant all your prayers and wishes. Eid Mubarak!

7. Eid is the canvas upon which we paint our gratitude, the tapestry woven with threads of love, kindness and cherished memories. Wishing you a nostalgic and memorable Eid Mubarak!

8. This Eid, let us thank Allah for always blessing and guiding us through life. Eid Mubarak!

9. May our life be as happening and flavourful as the sheer korma being made for Eid today. Eid Mubarak!

10. May Allah's choicest blessings be upon you and your family on this auspicious day. Eid Mubarak!

11. The day of Eid-ul-Fitr is one of joy and enjoyment. It is a blessed and peaceful day. It is a day to honour brotherhood above everything else. Happy Eid to all of you and get the best from the universe.

12. Eid is a day of sharing what we have and caring for others. May you have a wonderful Eid this year!

13. On this holy occasion of Eid, may Allah accept all your prayers and forgive all your sins. Eid Mubarak!

14. Eid Mubarak to my wonderful friend! May this Eid bring you closer to your family and friends, and may it fill your heart with joy and happiness.

15. May you continue to grow wiser and more charming every day! May this Eid bring happiness to your heart and your family. Eid ul Fitr Mubarak!

16. All of my brothers and sisters, have a happy Eid. Without each and every one of you, my Eid wouldn't be complete. May Allah brighten your life.

17. As the sun sets on Ramadan, the moon of Eid rises, illuminating the path of unity, compassion and renewed faith. Eid Mubarak! May our hearts open wide to receive the blessings of the divine.

18. Eid Mubarak. This Eid, I send you my best wishes for joy, abundance, and health.

19. Eat, pray, love. Eid Mubarak, dear family!

20. May the divine blessings of Allah fill your life with happiness, love, and success. Wishing you a blessed Eid.
AP POLYCET 2024: The registration process for the Polytechnic Common Entrance Test (AP POLYCET) 2024, administered by the Andhra Pradesh State Board of Technical Education and Training, will conclude today, April 10. Candidates who are interested but haven't yet registered can still complete the AP POLYCET 2024 application form on the official website, polycetap.nic.in. Scheduled for April 27, the AP POLYCET 2024 will take place across various exam centers within the state. This examination serves as a gateway for admission into diploma-level courses offered by polytechnic colleges across Andhra Pradesh.

The AP POLYCET 2024 exam will consist of a total of 120 multiple-choice questions, each offering four answer options. Candidates will have a duration of 2 hours to complete the exam.

AP POLYCET 2024: Steps To Apply

- Visit the official website: polycetap.nic.in.

- Click on 'Online Application' on the homepage.

- Register and fill in the application form.

- Pay the application fee.

- Submit your application.

- Print a copy for future reference.

AP POLYCET 2024: Eligibility Criteria

- Residency: Applicants must be residents of Andhra Pradesh.

- Educational Qualification: Candidates should have passed the 10th standard from a recognized board. Those awaiting the results of their 10th standard board exams are also eligible to apply.

- Academic Requirements: Students who have completed their Class 10 from NIOS, APOSS, or other equivalent boards must have passed all subjects, including mathematics, physics, and chemistry, with a minimum of 35% marks in each subject.

It's imperative for candidates to ensure that they meet these eligibility criteria before applying for the AP POLYCET 2024 examination. By adhering to these guidelines and meeting the specified criteria, aspiring candidates can avail themselves of the opportunity to pursue diploma-level courses in polytechnic colleges within Andhra Pradesh.
Russia launched a fresh attack on Ukraine with 17 attack drones and several missiles targeting the south region of the country on Wednesday, whereas Ukraines defences has destroyed 14 of the drones and two guided air missiles, reported Reuters.

Mykola Oleshchuk, the Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, informed via the Telegram messaging app that Russia had fired two Iskander-K cruise missiles and one Iskander-M ballistic missile. However, he did not disclose the fate of these missiles. Oleshchuk reported on the same platform that two Kh-59 guided air missiles launched by Russia towards the Black Sea port of Odesa were successfully neutralised and destroyed.

According to a statement on Telegram from Ukraine's Armed Forces' southern command, 12 drones were shot down in the Mykolaiv region and two in Odesa. The energy infrastructure in Mykolaiv suffered damage from the incident, leading to disruptions in power supply for several hours. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in the attacks, as confirmed by the military.

Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy released a video today in which he stated that he had visited the construction sites of fortifications, emphasising the importance of strengthening this direction. He expressed the view that it was crucial for Russian terrorists to perceive that the Kharkiv region was becoming stronger, reported Reuters.

He further stated that he had convened a meeting with all those responsible for safeguarding the region and restoring normalcy after the Russian attacks. Zelenskiy expressed pride in the citizens of Kharkiv and gratitude towards everyone who had been working diligently for weeks to enhance the provision of electricity and bolster protection against Russian attacks in Kharkiv and the region.
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest LIVE Updates: In a big jolt to the Aam Aadmi Party, its Patel Nagar MLA and Delhi Cabinet minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigned from the primary membership of the party on Wednesday, saying that it is mired in the quicksand of graft. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court verdict upholding his arrest related to a money laundering case connected to an alleged excise scam. Vivek Jain, Kejriwals legal representative, told news agency PTI that they have challenged the Delhi HC order in the apex court. The Delhi High Courts decision to sustain Kejriwals arrest dealt a significant setback to the Chief Minister just before the Lok Sabha elections.

The court remarked that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was left with 'little option' but to proceed with the arrest due to Kejriwals consistent absence from summons and his refusal to participate in the probe. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday said that Punjabs Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were scheduled to visit Kejriwal at Tihar Jail, which has now been deferred. The jail authorities have cited security concerns as the reason for the postponement, news agency IANS reported.

Yesterday, the time for Bhagwant Mann and Sanjay Singh to meet Kejriwal was fixed. Now, Tihar Jail will inform about the new time, said AAP. "The administration had received a letter for a meeting with CM Kejriwal," IANS quoted jail sources as saying.

The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Tihar will respond today. The reply will address security measures and propose alternative dates for the meeting. Sanjay Singh and CM Bhagwant Mann may then visit CM Kejriwal on the suggested dates, should they choose to, a source from the prison administration stated.

Kejriwal was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 over allegations related to the excise scam. Since his arrest, Kejriwal has been under the EDs authority, followed by his transfer to Tihar Jail.

Follow LIVE Updates Here:

7.45 PM: BJP leader and New Delhi Lok Sabha candidate, Bansuri Swaraj said, "Yesterday, Delhi HC said that Arvind Kejriwal's arrest is legal. Today, Raaj Kumar Anand, who has been with Kejriwal ji since 2010, has tried to leave those who are corrupt. When will Arvind Kejriwal's conscience awaken? Today AAP has become a 'kickback to self' party."

6.30 PM: AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "Everyone knows that there was an ED raid at his residence. He was under pressure and got scared. We have no complaints from him...He was given a script and he had no other option but to read it...We have fielded a Dalit candidate from the East Delhi constituency...The reason for Arvind Kejriwal's arrest was to break the party and dissolve Delhi and Punjab's govt..."

6.10 PM: Sanjay Singh said, ''Raaj Kumar Anand was earlier called corrupt by BJP but now he will join the same party.''

6.05 PM: AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has reacted to Raaj Kumar Anand's resignation. ''We have already said Kejriwal's arrest is aimed at finishing AAP'', said Sanjay Singh.

4.50 PM: "They put Babasahebs picture in each press conference, each government office but when it comes to following his idealsthey do not. Not even a single one of our 13 MPs belongs to Dalit or backward communities," Anand said.

4.45 PM: Addressing a press conference, Anand said, I entered politics when Kejriwal had said that if its politics changes, the country will change. But today, I say with much regret, that politics did not change but political leaders did. The AAP was born out of a movement against corruption, but today this party is mired in the same quicksand of graft.

4.35 PM: In a big blow to Kejriwal's AAP, Delhi cabinet minister Raaj Kumar Anand has quit the party. Raaj Kumar Anand accused the party of not giving due respect to the people from Dalit and other backward communities. Anand informed that he has sent his resignation to AAP general secretary organisation Sandeep Pathak.

3.15 PM: The Almora Court in Uttarakhand has ordered the registration of an FIR against Delhi's Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar and Special Secretary of the Vigilance Department, Rajashekar for allegedly conspiring and committing offences under the SC/ST Act. Both Naresh Kumar and Rajashekar have been accused of destroying evidence from an NGO's office, which was crucial for ongoing corruption complaints against these officials related to the NGO. The FIRs against the two senior Delhi govt officers have been filed under sections 392, 447, 120b, 504, and 506, along with provisions of the SC/ST Act.

2:20 PM: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday organized a demonstration close to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) main office on DDU Marg, calling for the resignation of the incarcerated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is in Tihar jail due to allegations related to the excise policy. To break up the gathering, the police resorted to using water cannons, which resulted in injuries to Virendra Sachdeva, head of the BJPs Delhi division. He received medical attention at RML Hospital.

13.42 PM: The Delhi High Court declined to consider a petition filed by former AAP Minister and ex-MLA Sandeep Kumar, requesting the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from his position as Chief Minister. The court noted that this was the third petition with the same demands and expressed its intention to impose a fine of Rs. 50,000 on the petitioner. Additionally, the court urged the petitioner to refrain from ridiculing the legal system, stating that imposing costs is the only effective measure to deter such petitions.

13.29 PM: Police have apprehended Delhi BJP leaders and supporters who were staging a demonstration, calling for the resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

#WATCH | Police detain Delhi BJP leaders and workers protesting demanding resignation of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. pic.twitter.com/EPA4ZE2FFD  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

12.57 PM: AAP MP Sanjay Singh stated that according to him, the Modi government intends to detain an elected Chief Minister of Delhi. He mentioned that two days prior, Arvind Kejriwal had a meeting with his lawyer where he conveyed a message for elected MLAs to engage with people in their respective areas and address their concerns. Singh expressed to ANI, he said investigation has been initiated against Kejriwal, accompanied by threats of restricting his access to family and legal counsel.

#WATCH | AAP MP Sanjay Singh says, "The Modi government wants to keep an elected Chief Minister of Delhi in jail... two days ago Arvind Kejriwal met his lawyer and during that meeting, he gave the message that the elected MLAs should go to their areas and listen to the problems pic.twitter.com/Fu3eEjqapk  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

12.53 PM: There will be a gathering at the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal around 1 PM to discuss plans for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Alongside the CM, his wife Sunita Kejriwal will participate. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, MPs Sandeep Pathak and Sanjay Singh, ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj and Gopal Rai, as well as party leader Jasmine Shah, are also expected to be in attendance at the meeting organized by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

12.12 PM: Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has taken his case to the Supreme Court after a ruling by the Delhi High Court. Saurabh Bharadwaj, a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and a minister in Delhi, expressed that their approach to news agency ANI. He highlighted that they've followed this pattern from district courts to high courts, and now to the Supreme Court. Bharadwaj conveyed optimism about receiving justice from the Supreme Court. Drawing a parallel to a previous case involving Sanjay Singh, he suggested that just as the Supreme Court provided guidance then, they anticipate the same in their current situation.

11.50 AM: After a Delhi court on Wednesday said no to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's request to have more meetings with his lawyers, bumping it up from two times a week to five. Kejriwal argued that because he's dealing with several police cases in different states, he needs more legal consultations. However, the court rejected his plea. The lawyers representing the authorities argued against it, saying that the Jail Manual only allows one legal meeting a week, maybe two in special cases. Kejriwal is already having two meetings, so asking for more goes against the rules.

11.30 AM: Supreme Court refuses early hearing in Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's petition challenging Delhi High Court's order against his arrest in Delhi Liquor Policy Case. CJI DY Chandrachud says, "I will look into e-mail"
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal intends to appeal his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court refused to provide relief on Tuesday. Senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj informed about the move during a press conference following the HC's decision. He mentioned that the party is confident that the Supreme Court will offer Kejriwal similar relief as it did with the recent bail granted to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. The party also reiterated its belief that the excise policy case is mere a political conspiracy intended to weaken the party.

"We respect the institution of the high court, yet we respectfully disagree with its ruling and intend to appeal against it in the Supreme Court," Bharadwaj said during the press meet. He asserted that both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have been unsuccessful in recovering any amount of the alleged illegal funds mentioned in the case, not even a single rupee.

ED Intimidated Witnesses: Saurabh Bhardwaj

He further said that the entire matter was not related to money laundering but rather it is the biggest political conspiracy in the country. According to him, it was a conspiracy aimed at crushing and eliminating Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab. He mentioned that it had been repeatedly noted in court records that witnesses faced pressure, including intimidation, threats, and coercion to alter their previous statements and provide testimony desired by the Enforcement Directorate and the Central government agency.

Bhardwaj added that these were not mere allegations but facts on record. Bhardawaj claimed that the entire case was built on fabricated evidence and false witnesses, asserting that its foundation was fundamentally untrue.

He alleged that Magunta Reddy, who had testified against Arvind Kejriwal, is contesting elections on an NDA ticket. He further claimed that witnesses had stated before the court that they were coerced into giving statements against Kejriwal.

HC Rejects Kejriwals Bail Plea

Earlier today, the Delhi High Court rejected Kejriwal's plea contesting his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the purported excise scam, stating that there was no violation of legal provisions.

LS Polls May Pose Challenge For AAP

As the Lok Sabha elections draw nearer, the recent decision by the high court could be seen as a setback for AAP, especially as they try to regroup without their leader.

About two weeks before his arrest on March 21, Kejriwal had kicked off AAP's Lok Sabha campaign in Delhi with the slogan "Delhi will prosper with Kejriwal in Parliament (Sansad Mein Bhi Kejriwal toh Dilli hogi aur khushhal)." However, the party has now shifted its strategy, introducing a new slogan "Answer to Jail is through Votes (Jail Ka Jawab, Vote Se)," hoping to garner electoral support through what they call a "sympathy wave" following the chief minister's arrest.

AAP is contesting 22 seats in the Lok Sabha elections across several states, and Kejriwal was supposed to campaign for the party's candidates. In his absence, other party leaders like Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, and Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj will have to take charge.

The role of Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal, in the party's electioneering remains largely undisclosed, despite her attendance at a INDI-Alliance rally on March 31.
KOLKATA: In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed a court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the allegation of sexual assault and rape in the Sandeshkhali district of West Bengal. The court said it would monitor the investigation, and directed the CBI to file a report on the illegal conversion of agricultural land for pisciculture. The investigating agency has been asked to come up with a portal where people can register their voices. All witnesses will be given protection.

"Considering the complexity of the matters in Sandeshkhali, there is no doubt that an impartial investigation should be done. We believe that the state has to give proper support to whoever agency is in charge of the investigation. A portal/email ID is to be launched for receiving complaints. The District Magistrate should give adequate publicity mentioning the date of release of the same in vernacular," it said.

"The CBI shall file a comprehensive report and also enquire and investigate the grabbing of land. The agency will have the power to enquire anyone, including common people, government departments, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)s etc," it said.

Sharing more details, Advocate Alok Srivastav said, "A landmark order has been passed by the Calcutta High Court today. An order has just been pronounced directed for HC monitored CBI inquiry in Sandeshkhali sexual assault, rape cases and also in land grabbing cases. In the ED attack case, a CBI inquiry is already going on... The HC has ordered the West Bengal govt to provide adequate facilities and protection to the CBI officers and the victims of Sandeshkhali. The HC has passed a series of directions in favour of the victims. I am going to file a caveat in the Supreme Court as I am sure that the West Bengal govt is likely to challenge the order as they did in the ED attack case but the Supreme Court has dismissed their challenge..."

#WATCH | On the Calcutta High Court order in the Sandeshkhali case, Advocate Alok Srivastav says, "A landmark order has been passed by the Calcutta High Court today. An order has just been pronounced directed for HC monitored CBI inquiry in Sandeshkhali sexual assault, rape cases pic.twitter.com/D3OoJyAlBL  ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2024

Sandeshkhali, a serene riverine island, has found itself thrust into the spotlight following disturbing allegations levelled by local women against suspended Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates. The accused, known for their involvement in fish farming and trading, stand accused of both land-grabbing and sexual abuse.

The controversy deepened with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) delving into the January 5 assault on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials. These officials, conducting a raid on Sheikh's residence as part of an investigation into suspected irregularities within the state's public distribution system, were met with attack by supporters of the TMC strongman.

February 5 witnessed a fervent outcry from local women as they demanded swift action against Sheikh and his cohorts. Their impassioned plea included allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment, along with claims of land seizures. After evading authorities for 55 days, Sheikh was apprehended by state police on February 29, leading to his suspension from the TMC. Subsequently, court directives saw him transferred into the custody of the CBI.

Political Tensions Flare Over Sandeshkhali

The ramifications of the Sandeshkhali turmoil have rippled into the political arena, particularly amidst the build-up to the Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Cooch Behar on April 4, seized upon the incident to criticize the Mamata Banerjee-led administration, citing it as emblematic of the alleged mistreatment of women under TMC rule.
Days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court refused to halt the criminal defamation proceedings against YouTuber and motivational speaker Sandeep Maheshwari, brought forth by Dr Vivek Bindra, the latter held a media briefing to put forward his points.

Earlier, the High Court had instructed Maheshwari to seek recourse from the Faridabad District Court, said reports. According to the court, non-compliance with its directives could lead to the Faridabad District Court issuing a warrant, necessitating Maheshwari's appearance by April 9, 2024, to address the criminal defamation allegations against him.

So far, the lack of an official statement in recent months was due to the court order issued by Faridabad Court, prohibiting both Dr Vivek Bindra and Sandeep Maheshwari from speaking or posting any social media content against each other. While this matter is still under court consideration, Bindra has been granted relief to freely express his side of the story publicly.

Addressing the media, Bindra proposed reconciliation to Sandeep Maheshwari. Despite Dr Bindra's repeated invitations for face-to-face resolution, Sandeep Maheshwari has not accepted the proposal, claimed Bindra. Maheshwari has not responded to the claims yet.

This legal confrontation originated from a video published by Maheshwari on December 11, 2023, which sparked a series of exchanges through posts and videos between the two parties. Subsequently, in December 2023, Bindra lodged a case in Faridabad.
With the campaign for the Lok Sabah Elections gaining traction, the 'War Rukwa Di Papa' campaign has again come to light with social media users sharing the video with their opinions. The ad campaign by the BJP was stopped following an outrage by the opposition parties. However, when Foreign Minister S Jaishankar was asked about it, he shared some startling facts.

Speaking to LallanTop, S Jaishankar shared anecdotes which happened in his presence. Jaishankar said that PM Narendra Modi called Russian President Vladimir Putin for the safe evacuation of Indians from Kharkiv when the city was under artillery firing. "I was there when PM Modi called President Putin and urged him to stop firing to help Indians evacuate the city. Then President Putin told PM Modi that he would tell his military and Indian officials would receive some follow-up instructions. One or two hours later, the Russian government gave the safe route...So yes, Russia stopped firing after PM Modi spoke to Putin and I am a witness to it," said Jaishankar.

The foreign minister said that the second incident took place in Ukraine's Sumy where three-way firing was taking place involving the Russian Military, Ukrainian Army and a local militia. "The students were in a very desperate situation in the city. We assured them that we would take them out. When we sent buses for them, some students boarded the bus and firing started. The students ran to shelters and were very nervous. So we send our officials to the city to assure students of safe evacuation," said Jaishankar adding that PM Modi called Russian and Ukrainian Presidents at that time and both gave India a safe route.

Jaishankar affirmed that Russian artillery firing stopped in Kharkiv on the route that Indians were taking. Jaishankar's statement comes as a testament to India's growing ties with Russia.
Will India become a Hindu nation or not? Discussions on this topic often continue. However, Nepal, India's neighbouring country, could once again become a Hindu nation. In 2007, the world's only Hindu nation proclaimed itself a secular country by amending its constitution. But now there is a renewed demand to make Nepal a Hindu nation once again. A large demonstration has taken place in Kathmandu in response to this demand. And it is now being said that Nepal can become a Hindu nation again. In today's DNA, Sourabh Raaj Jain analysed the 'Hindu Rashtra' movement in Nepal.

Watch Full DNA Episode Here

So the question now arises, why does Nepal need to become a Hindu nation again? You will find the answer to this question in today's DNA. This question is being raised because, since 2007, when Nepal became a secular nation from a Hindu nation, the demand for a Hindu nation has intensified once again. Hundreds of people are demonstrating on the streets of Kathmandu, demanding to make Nepal a Hindu nation again and to reinstate monarchy in the country. They were trying to reach the Prime Minister's Office and other government offices. Police also resorted to force to stop them. Clashes also occurred between protesters and security forces in several places.

Opposition parties in Nepal have launched a campaign to reinstate the monarchy and make Nepal a Hindu nation again. It seems to be gaining support from the people of Nepal. Not only monarchy but the demand for a Hindu nation has also intensified in Nepal.

The right to religious equality was also included in the fundamental rights mentioned in Article 11 of Nepal's constitution. It was stated that there would be no discrimination based on religion, race, caste, or creed in Nepal, a Hindu nation. Article 19 of Nepal's constitution gave every citizen the freedom to practice their religion.
New Delhi: In a recent social media post that has stirred up a political whirlwind, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, uploaded a video of himself enjoying a fish meal with Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni. This act has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused Yadav of disrespecting the Navratri festival by consuming fish during this period. Taking to X, the former Deputy CM has said that the video clearly mentions that it was shot before Navratri began and "it was done to test the IQ of BJP and Godi Media."

"We had uploaded this video to test the IQ of the BJP and Godi media followers and we were proved right in our thinking. The tweet says Date i.e. Date but what do the poor blind followers know? At the end, Sahni ji has also mentioned about applying chilli (meaning BJP would be irked)" he clarified.

       IQ         video                Date   ,      ?              https://t.co/SmQVLcQgyp  Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) April 10, 2024

Mukesh Sahni, in response to the controversy surrounding the fish-eating video, defended their actions by stating, Its food, so why shouldnt we eat it? If some people are offended, what can I do? This video is from April. What to eat is surely decided by the person who is eating.

The RJD leader criticized the BJP for not speaking on critical issues such as unemployment, migration, and poverty, but instead, choosing to vociferously engage in unnecessary matters.

The video in question was shared by Tejashwi Yadav during an election campaign, where he and Mukesh Sahni were seen having fish and bread in a helicopter. This video prompted a fierce attack from Union Minister Giriraj Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha.

Bihar Deputy CM and BJP leader Vijay Sinha expressed his disappointment, saying, These people want to appear as followers of Sanatan Dharma but have failed to learn its values. They eat mutton during Sawan and fish during Navratri. They have stooped so low for votes. They shame religion and culture. They insult our dharma.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh also weighed in, labeling Tejashwi Yadav as a seasonal follower of Sanatan Dharma and a nurturer of appeasement. He accused, When their government was in power, for the sake of votes, his father illegally settled Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators. They are traders of votes, not priests of Sanatan Dharma. They practice politics of appeasement under the guise of Sanatan Dharma.
New Delhi: Prakash Singh Langah, the son of former Punjab minister and senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sucha Singh Langah, has been arrested by the Himachal police in Shimla. Along with Parkash Singh, a girl and four others have been detained. The Shimla police made these arrests on charges of drug possession, recovering 42 grams of heroin from their possession. All the individuals were staying at a hotel when the arrests were made, following confidential intelligence received by the police.

According to a report by Tribune, the other four individuals have been identified as Avni Negi from Sangla in Kinnaur, Ajay Kumar from Patiala, Shubhal Kaushal from Kansal Sector-1 in Chandigarh, and Balbinder from Mohali. Shimlas Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Gandhi revealed that all the accused were staying at a hotel near the old bus stand in Shimla. Following the arrests, the police have registered a case against the accused, and further investigations are underway.

Five people, including Prakash Langah, son of former Akali minister Sucha Singh Langah, were arrested with drugs by Shimla Police late last night. pic.twitter.com/8lOSm5SLRA  IANS (@ians_india) April 10, 2024

This is not the first time Prakash Singh Langah has been arrested in connection with drugs. He was previously arrested on similar charges by the Punjab police on May 3, 2021. At that time, he was accused of being involved in the sale and consumption of narcotic drugs and was charged under the NDPS Act.

Sucha Singh Langah himself has been embroiled in controversies in the past. As per a report by Jansatta, in 2017, a female constable accused him of raping her over a decade. She had filed an FIR against him and also alleged that Sucha Singh had threatened to kill her for eight years to maintain sexual relations with her.
The village of Muthuvallur in Keralas Muslim-majority district, has a touching story of people from different religions coming together. Here both Hindu and Muslim are renovating a 400-year-old temple dedicated to the goddess Durga. This act of cooperation between the two community during the holy month of Ramzan showcased a long-standing tradition of mutual respect for each other's religious places.

The Muthuvallur Sree Durga Bhagavathy Temple, near Kondotty is being renovated. First part of its renovation is done, and there are plans to install the idol in the month of May. The close bond between people of different religions has been evident during the renovation of the temple since 2015. Muslims have been very generous in contributing to this effort.

Keeping up with this tradition, the temple authorities have once again reached out to people from various religious backgrounds for help in installing a new idol next month, to replace one that was broken many years ago. A brochure released by the temple authorities on May 7-9 idol installation highlights this unity among different communities. It featured pictures of Panakkad Sadikkali Shihab Thangal, the leader of the Indian Union Muslim League, who oversees many mosques in the state and beyond, along with the temple's vedic head, Thekkiniyedathu Tharananellur Padmanabhan Unni Namboodiripad.

This temple, which is managed by the state-run Malabar Devaswom Board, is situated in a neighborhood where Muslims make up the majority. Their involvement in preserving the temple has included tasks like copper-plating the dome in previous years.

As per reports, Muslims have played a significant role in financing the temple's renovation over the past few years, contributing a large portion of the Rs 38 lakh spent. The community has provided construction materials and other assistance whenever needed. Moreover, Muslims have been supplying vegetables for temple festivals. Under these conditions Muthuvallur sets an example of unity without divisions, suggesting it could serve as a model for the entire country.
New Delhi: The journey towards achieving the prestigious title of an IAS officer is rife with hurdles and trials, yet the sense of fulfillment upon overcoming these obstacles is unparalleled. Each aspirant embarks on their unique path, with success often not attained on the initial attempt. Let's delve into the remarkable journey of Awanish Sharan, a testament to resilience and determination.

Hailing from Bihar, Awanish Sharan commenced his academic journey in a government school, where he garnered modest success, securing a mere 44.7 percent in his Class 10 examinations, landing him in the third division with 314 marks out of 700.

Despite his humble beginnings, Sharan's endeavors in the realm of motivation and inspiration are widely recognized. He has become renowned for sharing poignant anecdotes and uplifting narratives with audiences far and wide.

His academic trajectory continued with moderate success, as he attained 65 percent in his 12th standard and 60 percent during his graduation. However, the road to his aspirations was far from smooth sailing. Awanish faced numerous setbacks, attempting and failing the CDS and CPF Examinations, as well as falling short in the State Public Service Commission's preliminary examination a staggering 10 times. Yet, undeterred by adversity, he persisted.

Sharan's unwavering resolve eventually led him to the interview round of the UPSC CSE in his first attempt. And it was in his second attempt that he emerged triumphant, conquering one of India's most formidable examinations and securing an impressive All India Rank of 77.

Currently a member of the 2009 batch, Awanish Sharan serves in the Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh, exemplifying the adage that perseverance yields success. His journey, marked by resilience and tenacity, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless individuals.

In a poignant reflection on his journey, Sharan recently shared a photograph depicting his self from 15 years prior juxtaposed with his present self, garnering admiration and gratitude from netizens who were moved by his story of triumph against the odds.

Moreover, in 2022, Sharan humbly shared his Class 10 marksheet, emphasizing that academic scores are but numbers that do not define one's future. His marksheet, depicting a modest aggregate of 314 out of 700 marks, resonated deeply with netizens, underscoring the message that success knows no predetermined trajectory.

Drawing from his experiences, Sharan graciously imparted invaluable advice to aspiring UPSC candidates, emphasizing the importance of focused study, minimizing distractions such as social media, and staying abreast of current affairs by diligently perusing the daily news.

In essence, Awanish Sharan's journey epitomizes the triumph of the human spirit, inspiring countless individuals to persevere in the face of adversity and pursue their aspirations with unwavering determination.
It's summer in India and it's time to shed all those heavyweight fabrics for breathable, comfortable ones in pretty, vibrant prints that will reflect your easy-breezy mood. While temperatures soar, summer brings with it endless possibilities when it comes to fashion, especially for college students. So whether you're hitting the beach, lounging by the pool or attending classes on campus, here's your ultimate guide to looking cooler than ever this summer, presented by Amar Pawar, Chief Fashion Designer & Co-founder of Powerlook - an exclusive street fashion menswear brand.

How To Ace The Summer Look With Style

Amar Pawar shares the following tips for summer fashion for youngsters:

1. Lighten Up Your Wardrobe: First things first, it's time to shed those heavy layers and embrace light, breathable fabrics. Opt for cotton, knitted or structured clothes that allow your skin to breathe and keep you feeling cool and comfortable all day long. From breezy crochet shirts to baggy-fit cargos, choose pieces that offer both style and function in the summer heat. Pawar advises, "In summer, it's all about choosing fabrics that keep you cool while still looking stylish. Embrace lighter colours and breathable materials to stay comfortable and on-trend."

2. Embrace Vibrant Colours And Prints: Summer is the perfect time to inject some fun and personality into your wardrobe with vibrant colours and playful prints. Swap out those dull neutrals for bold hues like sunny yellows, ocean blues and tropical greens. Experiment with statement-making patterns like quirky prints, oversized drop shoulders or puff waffle sleeve designs to add a pop of personality to your look. "Amp up your style quotient by incorporating vibrant colours and eye-catching prints into your summer wardrobe," suggests Pawar. "Don't be afraid to mix and match bold patterns for a look that's uniquely you."

3. Keep It Casual With Lightweight Layers: When it comes to summer dressing, less is often more. Embrace a laid-back, casual vibe by layering lightweight pieces for effortless style. Think breathable tees, relaxed-fit shorts, and lightweight jackets or oversized shirts for those cooler evenings. Keep your look relaxed and effortlessly cool with easy-to-wear pieces that transition seamlessly from day to night. "Layering is key to mastering summer style," says Pawar. "Pair a printed tee with baggy fit pants and top it off with a structured overshirt for a versatile and on-trend look."

4. Don't Forget The Accessories: No summer look is complete without the right accessories to tie it all together. Elevate your style game with statement sunglasses, a stylish hat or a lightweight scarf to add a touch of flair to your outfit. Don't be afraid to experiment with accessories to add personality and polish to your look, whether you're hitting the beach or heading to class. "Invest in a pair of stylish sunglasses or a classic straw hat to add instant cool factor to your look, suggests Amar Pawar.
New Delhi: Even as online loan app syndicates and operating digital loan sharks continue to raise concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable and financially-stressed individuals, a new case has come to these loan sharks have reportedly sent morphed nude pictures of a beautician in Mumbai.

As per a report in the Free Press Journal, a beautician from Mumbai had borrowed Rs 10,000 from an app called Everloan that she had bumped upon while browsing social media. As is the procedure, being followed by these online loan sharks, an individual as to agree to give access to his/her photo identity, documents and other digital/mobile access, the woman accepted the money on a 'minimal interest' and a 'seven-day repayment window' on April 1, FPJ reported.

On April 7, the woman started getting calls for loan repayment. The loan agents pressurised her into paying the money within seconds, threatening to send her pictures to her contacts. And to her dismay, after she hurriedly made the payements, she recieved nude morphed pictures of her on her mobile phone.

The woman approached LT Marg police while unknown perpetrators have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act.

Last year, in November, an e-survey was released by YouGov, in which it found that 72 percent of all Indians have fallen prey to various kinds of online scams/frauds in the recent past, as reported by IANS. The survey found that online shopping scams top the list (27 per cent), followed by fake job offers (26 per cent), bank/card phishing (21 per cent), investment scams (18 per cent), lucrative lottery hoaxes (18 per cent), social media swindles and loan offers (17 per cent each), fake charities and government phishing (12 per cent each), and dating App frauds (11 per cent).

Though a huge number of gullible Indians have been duped in one or more scams, only 30 per cent bothered to report them to the authorities concerned and 48 per cent claimed to have got their money back, in the quick survey covering 1,022 people in the 18-plus age group.
New Delhi: U.S. President Joe Biden on openly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus tactics in the ongoing Gaza conflict, labeling them as erroneous. Speaking to Spanish-language TV network Univision, President Biden expressed his disagreement with Netanyahus methods, stating, I think what hes doing is a mistake. I dont agree with his approach. President Biden has been vocal about his concerns regarding Israels military operations in Gaza, previously describing the bombings as indiscriminate and the overall military response as "over the top".

The White House disclosed that President Biden, during a conversation with Netanyahu, suggested that continued U.S. support for Israels campaign might hinge on Israels commitment to safeguarding aid workers and civilians. This discussion came in the wake of an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen staff members.

President Biden has urged for a ceasefire, advocating for unrestricted access to essential supplies such as food and medicine for the upcoming weeks, What Im calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks, total access to all food and medicine going into the country, he stated.

Internationally, Israels aggressive actions in Gaza have drawn increasing condemnation. Within the U.S., President Biden has faced persistent demonstrations from anti-war groups, Muslim communities, and Arab Americans, all calling for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and a reevaluation of U.S. military aid to Israel.

According to Israeli reports, an attack by Hamas on October 7 resulted in 1,200 casualties. The subsequent Israeli offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has led to over 33,000 deaths, as reported by local health officials, and has displaced the majority of the 2.3 million residents, sparking accusations of genocide, which Israel refutes. Additionally, the region is grappling with severe food scarcity.

Historically, Israel has been the largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid post-World War Two. However, this aid has been overshadowed in the past two years by the support extended to Ukraine following Russias invasion in 2022.

The U.S. has consistently provided diplomatic protection to Israel in the U.N. Security Council, having vetoed three draft resolutions concerning the war in Gaza. However, the U.S. abstained from voting last month when the Security Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Assyrian Genocide Oral History Project

The Assyrian Genocide (Seyfo) Oral History Project is co-led by the Armenian Genocide Research Program within the Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA and the Assyrian Genocide Research Center (SEYFO CENTER).

The Assyrian people represent one of the groups targeted by the genocide that the Ottoman Empire carried out against its Christian citizens during World War I. The genocidal policies towards the Assyrians, also known as the Seyfo, resulted in thousands of innocent Assyrians being brutally murdered, tortured, exiled, and forced to struggle with hunger, thirst and disease.

The effects of the Assyrian genocide on the communities that survived in their homeland or became scattered throughout the world are still being felt, and therefore must be remembered. The Assyrian genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire and its Kurdish tribes between 1914-1923 constitutes a crime against humanity. However, the effects of the Seyfo, which left deep traces on the cultural and social structure of Assyrian society, have not been sufficiently documented or studied. One of the main reasons for this is that, until recently, there were very limited written sources on the subject.

In order to fill this resource gap to some extent, the Armenian Genocide Research Program within the Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA and Seyfo Center spearheaded a project called, "The Assyrian Genocide Oral History Project." The goal of the project is to incorporate the gathered research into the collections of foundations working on the subject and make it accessible to the public.

Although there have been studies conducted on the experience of the Assyrians, there is no systematic archive that can be used to study the Seyfo. This project aims to archive the events that took place during and after the 1915 genocide, as well as the experiences of the Assyrian survivors, through oral interviews and to pass them on to future generations.

The Assyrian Genocide Oral History Project aims to (1) digitize the rare interviews of Assyrian genocide witnesses and eyewitnesses recorded within the last 30 years; (2) translate them into various languages, including English; and (3) transcribe and index them to provide ease of research. The ultimate goal is to create the first digital Assyrian genocide archive.

This digital archive will not only help us understand the painful past of the Assyrian people, but it will also remind us of the devastating consequences of the massacres and contribute to the historical memory of humanity.

The success of this project is shaped not only by our technical work, but also by the contributions of our valued supporters. If you have access to any previous oral and written interviews about the Seyfo, we kindly request that you please contribute the materials to this archive project. Each contribution will be acknowledged accordingly.

Our aim is to integrate the Assyrian genocide digital archive into the existing collection of digital archives, especially the Armenian digital archives, enhancing the resources available for research and education on this topic. We hope to make the historical memory of the Assyrians a part of the global genocides memory history and pass it on to future generations.

Dr. Taner Akcam, Director, Armenian Genocide Research Program, Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA

Sabro Bengaro, Founder, The Assyrian Genocide Research Center

Committee Members
Bahrain's leading auction platform Mazad has announced its first-ever gold auction, which will include a variety of 24K gold bars and exquisite 18K white and yellow gold jewellery.

The gold bar auction is open to the public and will be ongoing until March 31 which will be followed by the jewellery auction from March 28 to April 18.

A local portfolio company of Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, the Mazad has been mandated with overseeing the kingdom's public and electronic auctions.

The introduction of an online gold auction marks a significant milestone for the company, as it expands its offerings beyond its traditional auction format.

By venturing into the gold market, Mazad aims to cater to the needs of jewelers, investors, and individuals who are interested in acquiring gold as a valuable asset.

Bahraini jewellers and other industry professionals have a rare opportunity to purchase gold at a competitive rate providing them with an excellent platform to acquire premium gold and expand their inventory in light of the current market conditions.

The assortment on auction includes 24K gold bars weighing 1KG and 100g each, and a wide selection of bulk jewellery, such as bracelets, rings, necklaces, bangles, and earrings, giving participants a variety of investment options to choose from.

"In line with our asset expansion strategy , we are thrilled to present our first ever online gold auction in the Kingdom of Bahrain which will provide a fair opportunity for participants to bid on high value assets. stated Talal AlAraifi, CEO of Mazad.

"This expansion reflects Mazads commitment to growth and agility in adapting to the market demands and our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our customers. We are poised to attract a broader audience, foster new business relationships within the gold and luxury goods industry, to further solidify our presence in the kingdom and beyond.

By venturing into the gold market, Mazad said it is strengthening its position as a comprehensive auctioning platform, offering a diverse range of assets to its users.

Moreover, Mazad recognises the versatility of gold as an asset beyond its aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, as it holds intrinsic value and acts as a hedge against economic uncertainties to investors, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
DECATUR  The Decatur school board has finalized an agreement with the city of Decatur to transfer ownership to the city of the building that most recently housed Durfee Magnet School at 1077 W. Grand Ave.

The agreement allows the city to reapply for tax credits from the Illinois Housing Development Authority to transform the building into senior apartments. If the funding from the IHDA is not secured, the city will pay half and the district will pay the other half of the cost to demolish the building.

The Decatur City Council approved the agreement last month.

The building is the centerpiece of one of the proposed "catalyst" projects aimed at revitalizing the city's urban core neighborhoods.

The first phase would include the rehabilitation, expansion and conversion of the old Garfield School building into 63 affordable apartments for people 55 and over who are living independently.

Future phases could also include 40 units of one-story affordable housing aimed at families, which would be located closer to Garfield Park. And, eventually, a new mixed-use development that would include additional apartments and retail would be located just south of the school building, according to plans.

Superintendent Rochelle Clark reminded the board at its meeting Tuesday that board policy calls for decommissioned school buildings to be demolished within three years if they are not sold or otherwise disposed of to another owner, to avoid creating eyesores and crumbling buildings left to draw vandals and detract from surrounding neighborhoods.

Durfee closed in 2020 and students were sent back to their home boundary schools. Previously, the building housed Garfield School, which became a Montessori school and moved to South Shores. The district's Montessori program is currently housed at the former Thomas Jefferson Middle School on Cantrell Street.

The board has also approved an agreement with BLDD Architects to use the Quantified Learning Environment Outcome Facility Planning Survey (QLEO) as part of the overall examination of the district's buildings that is underway to create a long-range plan for most efficient use of district buildings for the future. BLDD staff will use QLEO to create a database that will include meetings with buildings' staff, stakeholders in the community, demographic information such as decreasing enrollment and birth rates, program needs in the district, and use this to create scenarios for most efficient use of space and buildings.

Klingner & Associates, which is doing a structural analysis of district buildings that will be part of the formulation of these scenarios, gave its second report to the board on Tuesday, looking at American Dreamer STEM Academy, Parsons School, Hope Academy, Pershing Early Learning Center and Stephen Decatur Middle School.

Structural engineer Alan Lukens, who conducted the examinations of the buildings, pointed out repairs needed at each building, noting that Hope and Stephen Decatur were both in good condition, with repairs mostly cosmetic, while the problems at the other buildings were mostly cracks in brick veneer that were not load-bearing, relatively minor repairs to canopies and windows that need to be addressed but are not structural concerns.

Clark hopes to have a facilities plan to present to the board by June.

The board also approved a final calendar for the 2023-24 school year, with Dennis Lab School's final day to be June 18, due to the late start required after the school moved to 300 Meadow Terrace Place, and the rest of the district will have its last day on May 28. Two snow days required extending the school year to make up those days.

 Class is in: These former Decatur school buildings are still in use Brush College School Jones School Lakeview High School Roosevelt Jr. High Salem School Spencer School St. James School
" " When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, almost half of the 2,341 service members who died were on the USS Arizona. National Archives and Records Administration

After Adolf Hilter and the Nazis invaded Poland in August 1939, World War II was all but certain. Hitler and Josef Stalin had signed the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact just a few months prior, which ensured Hitler wouldn't fight the Soviets in Poland.

Just a few days after the invasion of Poland, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany, and war swept through Europe, leaving a bloody trail in its wake. After the invasion of France, Hitler formed an alliance with Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, and together with Japan, the three countries made up the Axis powers.

Advertisement

The Allies consisted of powerful nations like Britain, France and the United States. The war raged across the globe until 1945, when the United States dropped two atomic bombs, one on Hiroshima and one on Nagasaki. In total, more than 15,000,000 soldiers were killed during World War II and another 45,000,000 civilians died.

When you consider that these world powers were using technologically advanced explosives and weapons built to be efficient killing machines, it's no surprise that World War II includes some of the bloodiest battles ever fought. We've listed some of the most significant here, in no particular order.

Keep in mind, the exact number of casualties in these battles includes not only the number of dead, but also injured, sick and missing. These numbers are also often disputed, as they often vary among reputable sources.

We'll start with one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific theater.
Wednesday, April 10

The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Thursday, April 11

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Friday, April 12

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 13

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

The Kannapolis Area Presbyterian Men will hold a fundraiser at Second Presbyterian Church. They will be selling chicken dinners which will include 1/2 bar-b-que chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, roll, drink and dessert for $15. Serving will begin at 11 a.m. until sold out. You may eat-in or take-out. All proceeds will go to CVAN (Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network). The church is located at 1578 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis.

The Brookdale Baptist Community Day fundraiser will be at the church on South Ridge Avenue in Kannapolis The event will include Hot dog sale, Silent Auctions, 50/50 Raffles, Live Music, Bounce House and a Community Yard sale. For more details visit https://go.evvnt.com/2329739-0

Sunday, April 14

A Griefshare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist 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.

Monday, April 15

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Tuesday, April 16

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, April 17

The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome.

Thursday, April 18

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Friday, April 19

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 20

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

New Gilead Reformed Church will have a Vendor and Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church parking lot. A hot dog sale will also be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is located at 2400 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Concord.

Midway United Methodist Church will be holding a Hot Dog and Yard Sale. The yard sale is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Hot Dog sale is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 108 Bethpage Road, Kannapolis.

Boger's Chapel United Methodist Church will have a craft fair and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Boger's Chapel is located at 1775 Flowes Store Road East, Concord.

Sunday, April 21

A Griefshare program will be hosted by Cold Springs Global Methodist 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.

Monday, April 22

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Tuesday, April 23

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, April 24

The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Thursday, April 25

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Friday, April 26

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 27

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

The Friends of the Midland Library's annual Spring Fling will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4293-B 24/27 East. The book, craft, vendor and garage sale will feature Cabarrus Arts Council, demonstrations by Karate at the Crossroads and food vendors like Bayou Sno. The event will benefit the Midland Library.

The American Legion Auxiliary in Kannapolis will host a complimentary brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., to celebrate American Legion Family Day. All military moms, spouses, daughters and granddaughters 18 and older to be our guest and enjoy visiting with others whose family's have served. We want the entire family to THRIVE following U.S. Military Service. R.S.V.P. is necessary by Friday, April 19 to ala115kannapolis@gmail.com

Monday, April 29

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner.

Caregiver's Support Group Monthly with Calvary Lutheran Church will be at 7:30 p.m. This Caregiver Support Group meets monthly via Zoom. All are welcome. For the Zoom link please check the Calvary Lutheran Church facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org or contact the church office at 704-782-6923.

Tuesday, April 30

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

Wednesday, May 1

The Sportscenter weekly Bible study will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord. Hosted by Pastor Debbie Frye.

How Great Thou Art Drawing Class led by James Fore in a weekly drawing class 1:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Calvary Lutheran Church, Concord, NC 28025. All are welcome. Bring paper and pencil. Call the church office at 704-782-6923 for more details.

The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome.

Thursday, May 2

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is at 1030 Burrage Road, NE, Concord. Credit cards accepted. For deliveries, call 704-786-5500.

Mt. Mitchell Global Methodist Church will participate in the National Day of Prayer. The church will be having a 24-hour prayer event. There will be a tent set up on 6001 Old Concord Salisbury Road, at the driveway of the church.

Friday, May 3

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 4

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St., S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

A GriefShare Support Group will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church, room 23. Sessions will be Saturdays through May 11. Register at GriefShare.org, use ZIP code 28075. The church is at 200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. For more information, call 704-455-2763.

Does your community group or nonprofit agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to the public? Email it to mplemmons@independenttribune.com.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections has denied the election protest appeals of N.C. Rep. Kevin Crutchfield and Holly Edwards.

Both Republican candidates lost close primary races last month and have alleged that the Cabarrus County GOP leadership unfairly influenced the outcome of the races by encouraging voters to support particular candidates. Political parties, both Republican and Democrat, are not allowed to endorse or show favor to a particular candidate in the primary.

They both allege that yellow We the People flyers, which featured a sample ballot encouraging specific candidates, were heavily promoted by certain Republican candidates in the runup to the primary election and distributed to people as they prepared to vote. On Election Day, Crutchfield said, the wording on the flyers that were distributed changed and stated Official Cabarrus Republican Primary Yellow Sheet.

In a joint interview with the candidates, Crutchfield told the Independent Tribune the Cabarrus GOP leadership tried to hijack the election process and said he was worried about the precedent it would set if people in the community are allowed to distribute misleading flyers to give certain candidates a built-in advantage over others.

Crutchfields and Edwards original election protests were recently dismissed by the Cabarrus County Board of Elections on the grounds that were was no probable cause to determine that state election law had been violated.

Having reviewed their appeals, the NCSBE found that the Cabarrus BOE had properly dismissed the protests and that the issues presented on appeal fail to show the county board erred in dismissing the protests.

The NCSBE found that both Crutchfield and Edwards failed to identify a violation of election law or irregularity or misconduct that took place while the election was occurring, according to Administrative Denial Recommendations, which were sent to both candidates.

While they each took issues with the actions of their opponents and the Cabarrus GOP leadership, the NCSBE noted that a county political party is a private organization and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the state or county boards of elections.

Violations of the Cabarrus GOPs plan of organization, which both individuals said occurred, is different than violations of state statute, administrative rules or even federal law, the ADR stated.

The ADR explained, in lengthy detail, why the state board decided to deny Crutchfields and Edwards appeals.

Both candidates, for example, mentioned that an unidentified voter reported to an unidentified election observer at the Valor Prep voting site that the sample We the People ballot was taped in multiple voting booths. But the allegation was not accompanied by any documentation, according to the ADR, such as a witness statement or an incident report.

As such, the ADR for both candidates read, this allegation is simply a rumor of potential misconduct.

Members of the state board had two calendar days to raise any oral or written objections to the denial recommendations but no members raised such objections, according to letters sent to Crutchfield and Edwards from NCSBE Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell informing them that their appeal had been denied.

Crutchfield, in a statement to the paper, noted how extremely disappointed he was that the state board did not allow him to present the evidence.

I cannot say I am surprised, its going to take real courage to address the issues this election brought to the surface in Cabarrus County, he said, adding that he will continue to fight for voter protection and election integrity.

Edwards said she too was disappointed but not surprised with the decision to deny her appeal, noting she understands that the state board does not have the jurisdictional authority to govern how a county political party operates.

She is optimistic that, going forward, the N.C. Republican Party will address her and Crutchfields concerns. They have each raised their concerns to the State GOP.

Similar to Crutchfield, Edwards said her motivation with the protest was to fight for election integrity and making sure that the polls do not become free-for-alls.

There has to be rules and bylaws regarding how people conduct themselves that everyone has to follow, she added. We all have to abide by them, not just a few.
Cruise Saudi has announced that it has appointed Vikand, the global leader in maritime healthcare, to provide a comprehensive and full-scale medical management solution for Aroya Cruises, the first cruise line to be designed with Arabian preferences at its heart.

The engagement spans from pre-launch support services, biomedical device specification and procurement as well as formulary supply, to ongoing maritime healthcare support through Vikands all-inclusive, proactive medical management services.

Aroya Cruises said it will provide guests with authentic Arabian experiences that celebrate Saudis rich cultural heritage and signature hospitality, while ensuring consistent high safety and quality standards supported by Vikand.

The ship is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment to tailor all amenities to the highest standard in line with the taste of Arabian passengers. With 19 decks and 1,682 elegant cabins, this grand ship will redefine Arabian holidays and will set sail from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2024.

The partnership agreement was formalised with a signing ceremony, during which Lars Clasen, CEO of the 100% PIF-owned company, Cruise Saudi, said: We are delighted to be collaborating with Vikand.

Our clients expect a premium service, and we were impressed with their experience in delivering proactive health and wellness to guests and crew. It is important that our Aroya Cruises guests feel safe and can turn to trusted medical professionals should they feel unwell during a voyage.

Vikands medical management is an all-inclusive, proactive and modular approach to onboard health and wellness inspired by the companys deeply held values. It begins with a pre-launch analysis of biomedical equipment and onboard facilities to ensure the vessel meets all flag state and American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) requirements.

Vikand has in-depth experience in launching vessels, bringing clarity and control to the process of taking ownership of a cruise ship and preparing it for service.

This support extends to the entire onboard healthcare operation, including global medical staffing and integrated supply chain solutions for all formulary and medical supplies.

I am delighted that Aroya Cruises have entrusted Vikand to help launch their first cruise ship and provide ongoing support for its medical needs, said Peter Hult, CEO of Vikand.

We understand that each ship is a delicate ecosystem, and our services integrate seamlessly to protect guests and crew against medical risks, helping to keep everyone onboard safe and healthy. We wish this new venture well and hope to nurture a long-term partnership with Aroya Cruises.  TradeArabia News Service
On Tuesday, Special Judge Larry Medlock heard arguments on whether to hold former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel in contempt following a search warrant that initially sought expensive clothing.

Indiana State Police found two Smith and Wesson handguns in Jamey Noels home during that search. Officers were looking for high end suits and accessories that Noel allegedly purchased with a bank account linked to the Utica Township Volunteer Firefighters Association, also known as New Chapel EMS.

This is the one of 51 searches done at Noels home since his arrest.

ISP officials said officers found the unloaded pistols at Noels home March 13, sitting a few feet away from Noels shotgun. Medlock set Noels bond conditions in November. Noel was instructed to surrender all the firearms he owned, but was allowed to keep one shotgun for personal protection.

I told Mr. Noel Don't do anything stupid. Do not try to deceive me or defy me because you will not like the consequences, Medlock said during the hearing Tuesday.

Police said the weapons appeared brand new, and that they also found ammunition for both handguns in the home.

A receipt presented by the prosecution showed that Noel purchased the handguns in 2017.

Along with the 60-day sentence, Medlock ordered another thorough search of Noels home. It is unclear who will conduct the search and when it will happen.

What happened in court today underscores the seriousness of not following a court order, Special Prosecutor Ric Hertel said. What Judge Medlock did, said and ordered, spoke volumes.

Noel is currently facing 25 felony charges including theft, tax evasion, ghost employment and obstruction of justice.
Microsoft has addressed 147 CVEs in its Patch Tuesday release for April, including three critical vulnerabilities.

Tenable senior staff research engineer Satnam Narang said this was the biggest number of CVEs patched in a month since the company began tracking this data in 2017.

"The last time there were more than 100 CVEs patched was October 2023, when Microsoft addressed 103 CVEs. However, the previous high for total CVEs patched in a month was in July 2023, when Microsoft addressed 130 CVEs," he said.

"Its been an unusually quiet year in terms of zero-days. This time last year, there were seven zero-day vulnerabilities exploited in the wild. In 2024, weve only had two zero-days exploited and both were from February.

"Its difficult to pinpoint why weve seen this decrease, whether its just a lack of visibility or if it signifies a trend with attackers utilising known vulnerabilities as part of their attacks on organisations."

Narang said Microsoft had fixed a SmartScreen Prompt security feature bypass vulnerability with CVE-2024-29988, which was found by some of the same researchers who disclosed a similar flaw in February (CVE-2024-21412) that was exploited as a zero-day.

"Social engineering through direct means (email and direct messages) that requires some type of user interaction is a typical route for exploitation for this type of flaw. CVE-2024-21412 was used as part of a DarkGate campaign that leveraged fake software installers impersonating Apples iTunes, Notion, Nvidia and more.

"Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is supposed to provide additional protections for end users against phishing and malicious websites. However, as the name implies, these flaws bypass these security features, which leads to end users being infected with malware.

He said the April release addressed 24 vulnerabilities in Windows Secure Boot, most of which were considered Exploitation Less Likely, according to Microsoft.

"However, the last time Microsoft patched a flaw in Windows Secure Boot (CVE-2023-24932) in May 2023 had a notable impact as it was exploited in the wild and linked to the BlackLotus UEFI bootkit, which was sold on dark web forums for US$5000. BlackLotus can bypass secure boot.

Narang added that while none of the Secure Boot vulnerabilities addressed in April were exploited in the wild, "they serve as a reminder that flaws in Secure Boot persist, and we could see more malicious activity related to Secure Boot in the future".

Rapid7's lead software engineer Adam Barnett pointed out that five browser vulnerabilities had been published separately and were not included in the total. "Despite the large number of vulnerabilities published today, Microsoft has ranked only three as critical," he added.

Microsoft was now including two additional data points on advisories: Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) and Vector String Source assessments, he pointed out.

"The addition of CWE assessments to Microsoft security advisories helps pinpoint the generic root cause of a vulnerability; e.g., CVE-2024-21322 is assigned 'CWE-77: Improper Neutralisation of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')'," Barnett explained.

"By embracing CWE taxonomy, Microsoft is moving away from its own proprietary system to describe root cause. The CWE program has recently updated its guidance on mapping CVEs to a CWE Root Cause. Analysis of CWE trends can help developers reduce future occurrences through improved Software Development Life Cycle workflows and testing, as well as helping defenders understand where to direct defence-in-depth and deployment-hardening efforts for best return on investment. At the time of writing, the addition of CWE assessments does not appear to be retroactive."

He noted that several products had now moved past the end of mainstream support: Azure DevOps Server 2019, System Center 2019, and Visual Studio 2019. "Additionally, some older products move past the end of extended support, including Microsoft Deployment Agent 2013, Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 8.1, and Visual Studio 2013."

Mike Walters, president and co-founder of risk-based patch management software vendor Action1, said two critical vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-29053 and CVE-2024-21323, had been identified in Microsoft Defender for IoT, "underscoring significant risks to organisations Internet of Things security frameworks".

"Revealed on 9 April, these vulnerabilities have been critically rated for their potential impact on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the systems they afflict," Walters said.

"Stemming from an absolute path traversal flaw, as categorised by the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE-36), these vulnerabilities expose a pathway for attackers to access and manipulate directories and files located beyond the web root folder."

He said exploitation of such vulnerabilities could enable an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code, with the implications being profound, ranging from full system control, service disruptions, sensitive data leakage, to further network propagation.

"With a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8, the severity of CVE-2024-29053 and CVE-2024-21323 is highlighted by their wide-reaching implications," Walters elaborated. "The exploitation process requires minimal complexity, indicating that attackers could leverage these vulnerabilities with basic user privileges and without any user interaction.

"The exploit code maturity for these vulnerabilities is currently 'Unproven', suggesting that, although their existence is verified, exploit code may not yet be prevalent in the wild."

Walters also pointed to a series of critical remote code execution vulnerabilities in the Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server, an essential data access technology that facilitates rapid SQL Server data access across diverse applications.

"These vulnerabilities span several driver versions and are collectively deemed 'Important' in terms of severity," he noted.
The School Student Broadband Initiative, launched by the Albanese Government and backed by the Minns Government, is set to provide free broadband connection at the end of 2025 to thousands of families based in New South Wales.

According to a statement by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, the government is investing $8.8 million to connect up to 30,000 families without internet at home nationwide.

As NSW students return to school, it is essential they have access to reliable broadband at home to fully engage in online learning," she said.



The School Student Broadband Initiative is already making a serious difference for thousands of families who have been able to enjoy the benefits of broadband for the first time," she added.

The NSW Department of Education is urging families to sign up and to leverage the program.

The government said eligible families are issued with a voucher they can redeem with a participating internet provider.

The service begins when the service is activated. It is available across all NBN technologies.

According to the government, more than 1,000 families in NSW, almost 8,000 across the country, have already been connected to free internet as a result of the initiative.

To be eligible, a family must:

Have a child living at home enrolled in an Australian school;

Have no active broadband service over the NBN network;

Live in a premises where they can access a standard NBN service.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 09 April 2024.
COMPANY NEWS: Logicalis Australia, a leading global technology services provider, has announced the expansion of its highly successful partner program alongside the appointment of Giselle Loschiavo as National Vendor Program Manager.

The expanded partner program is set to redefine the companys channel partner and vendor relationships, focusing on strategic global alliances finely tuned with local alignment, to foster a sustainable and innovative growth ecosystem.

Since the partner program originally launched in 2022, Logicalis has seen a significant increase in revenue across its core partners. Under the revamped program, Logicalis Australia has refined its partnership structure, prioritising strategic and complementary collaborations that avoid direct competition and promoting an ecosystem that delivers mutual success. Within this refreshed partner program, Logicalis Australia has introduced three distinct vendor categories: Strategic; Aligned; and Foundational.

The company has also introduced a more advanced reporting structure, a shift towards a recurring revenue model, and significant support enhancements at the aligned level, including direct engagement for partners with technology leads, solution architects, and sales teams.

A key addition to Logicalis Australias partner support is the appointment of Giselle Loschiavo as national vendor program manager. In this role, Giselle is responsible for cultivating and managing relationships with key vendors, ensuring joint success through a strategic approach by shaping and implementing initiatives. This position also offers an opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of the Logicalis alliance ecosystem, showcasing a balance of operational efficiency and strategic foresight. Prior to her promotion, Giselle was the Dell program manager at Logicalis Australia.

Anthony Woodward, chief executive officer, Logicalis Australia, said, Our revised partner program underscores Logicalis Australias dedication to enhance the value offered to partners, vendors, and customers. The programs evolution goes beyond maintaining a commitment; its an elevation of Logicalis services and a strategic step in the journey to become the best managed services partner in Australia.

Giselle Loschiavo, national vendor program manager, Logicalis Australia, said, I'm excited to step into this newly created role and support Logicaliss extensive partner ecosystem with the evolution of the partner program. The expanded program is an extraordinary opportunity to leverage the combined successes of Logicalis and its partners to propel each business forward. Central to success in this role is the capability to deepen existing relationships and cultivate new ones, ensuring Logicalis continues to deliver exceptional value and achieve mutual success for its entire ecosystem.

The success of Logicalis Australia's refreshed partner program lies in its unique, structured approach to partnerships that emphasise strategic alignment, both globally and locally. Logicalis Australias primary focus is on cultivating strong partnerships with vendors, including key vendors like Cisco and Microsoft, and connecting them seamlessly with the companys lifecycle services and annuity-focused selling approach.

About Logicalis:

We are Architects of Change.

We help organisations succeed in a digital-first world.

At Logicalis, we harness our collective technology expertise to help our clients build a blueprint for success, so they can deliver sustainable outcomes that matter. Our lifecycle services across cloud, connectivity, collaboration, and security are designed to help optimise operations, reduce risk, and empower employees.

As a global technology service provider, we deliver next-generation digital managed services, to provide our clients with real-time visibility and actionable insights across the performance of their digital ecosystem including availability, user experience, security, economic performance, and sustainability.

Our 7000+ Architects of Change are based in 30 territories around the globe, helping our 10,000+ clients across a range of industry sectors, create sustainable outcomes through technology.

Logicalis has annualised revenues of $1.7 billion, from operations in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Africa.

For more information visit www.logicalis.com
The program supports organisations that develop and distribute complementary, commercially available products, training, and consulting based on MATLAB and Simulink. Last year, MathWorks became a UR+ partner within the Universal Robots ecosystem, consisting of more than 300+ approved developer companies creating products for the UR platform.



The two companies have already worked closely together, co-developing a support package for Robotics System Toolbox, launched in 2023. Engineers can design, simulate, test, and deploy their MATLAB-based cobot applications onto Universal Robots cobots using MATLAB and Robotics System Toolbox from MathWorks.

"In conjunction with MathWorks joining UR+, Universal Robots entry into the Connections Program formalises the organisations commitment to helping engineers develop advanced cobot applications and ensures compatibility with new MathWorks releases, said Jim Tung, MathWorks Fellow. With Universal Robots market leadership and the ability of MATLAB and Simulink to accelerate the pace of innovation, integrators and end users will continue to solve ever-more complex automation workflows."

Jesper Kildegaard Poulsen, Senior Director of Digital Ecosystems at Universal Robots, said, "We are delighted to be a part of the Connections Program and to expand our collaboration with MathWorks. At Universal Robots, we constantly push the boundaries of what can be automated and how easily it can be done. Together with MathWorks, we look forward to continuing our common quest to simplify advanced cobot deployments for robotics engineers.



Join MathWorks and Universal Robots at RoboCup 2024

As another testament to the two organisations' close relationship, Universal Robots partnered with MathWorks to organise the Autonomous Robot Manipulation Challenge this July in Eindhoven, Netherlands, as an affiliated event to RoboCup 2024. The ARM Challenge is an educational, scientific competition that asks young researchers and students to address problems related to autonomous robot manipulation, organised by RoboCup and MathWorks since 2021. As a co-organiser in 2024, Universal Robots will provide its UR5e robots to be used by participants for the final rounds of the competition.



Read more about the ARM Challenge here.

For information on the integrated offering from MathWorks and Universal Robots, visit Universal Robots Connections Page.

About Universal Robots

Universal Robots is a leading provider of collaborative robots (cobots) used across a wide range of industries and in education. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Odense, Denmark, Universal Robots aims to create a world where people work with robots, not like robots. Its mission is simple: Automation for anyone. Anywhere.

Since introducing the worlds first commercially viable cobot in 2008, Universal Robots has developed a product portfolio reflecting a range of reaches and payloads and has sold over 75,000 cobots worldwide. An extensive ecosystem has grown around the companys cobot technology creating innovation, choice for customers and a wide range of components, kits and solutions to suit every application.

For more information, please visit www.universal-robots.com. For media enquiries, please contact PR@universal-robots.com. Pictures for download can be accessed here.



About MathWorks

MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. MATLAB, the language of technical computing, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualisation, and numeric computation. Simulink is a graphical environment for simulation and Model-Based Design of multidomain dynamic and embedded systems. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on these product families to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, financial services, biotech-pharmaceutical, and other industries. MathWorks products are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the worlds universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, MathWorks employs more than 6,000 people in 34 offices around the world, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA. For additional information, visit mathworks.com.
GUEST RESEARCH: Getac Technology Corporation , a leading producer of rugged technology, has announced findings from the Getac-sponsored IDC InfoBrief titled, Redefining Total Cost of Ownership: Rugged Technologies to Empower Industrial Operation, April 2024. The results revealed that rugged devices increase competitiveness within industrial organisations by streamlining operations.

Commissioned by Getac, the IDC InfoBrief drew insights from 990 information technology (IT) decision-makers and found that rugged devices provide benefits across various industries, including utilities, transportation and logistics, oil and gas, industrial manufacturing, and natural resources. This was a global study revealing insights from six geographies: North America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, Asia (excluding China  APeC) and Latin America.

The versatility of rugged devices helps organisations improve daily operations by enhancing worker productivity, minimising equipment downtime, and enabling individual component upgrades without having to replace the entire device.

Additional findings regarding the benefits of rugged technology from the survey include:

Lower total cost of ownership (TCO): Rugged devices lead to lower TCO over time  organisations reported a TCO reduction of 1020% for tablet and mobile devices and a 2030% reduction for personal computer and laptop devices.

Improved sustainability: 43% of organisations said rugged devices with advanced sensors and connectivity capabilities help to gather data on operations, empowering more informed decisions about energy consumption and waste reduction initiatives.

Automated processes: 37% of organisations said rugged devices help to automate certain processes, reducing the need for manual labor.

The brief also highlighted customers criteria for rugged solution vendor selection, which include the ability to customise the solution, the cost-effectiveness of services provided, and the range of devices and solutions offered.

Frank Baldrighi, business development manager  Australia and New Zealand, Getac, said, These survey results show rugged devices are playing a transformative role in industrial operations by improving TCO and productivity and driving sustainability. These findings reaffirm our commitment to delivering solutions that redefine industry standards in an increasingly rugged world."

Rugged device adoption in APeC is driven by their durability and consistent performance for field operations, having supported efforts such as:

Integration with Internet of Things (IoT) applications, supply chain management (SCM) systems, and mobile device management (MDM) systems

Improved field service inspections and maintenance, manufacturing and production, and data collection and analysis

Improved operations by increasing worker productivity, reducing equipment failure and replacement costs, and enhancing remote access to data and systems

Reduced energy consumption and e-waste in operations through the use of advanced sensors to collect data for informed decisions on energy and waste, and increased task automation to reduce manual work and lower consumption.

Baldrighi said, Rugged devices are becoming invaluable to industrial organisations that need to improve operational efficiencies, improve TCO, and provide field workers with reliable technology solutions for challenging environments. Getacs customised hardware and software solutions, combined with our white glove service, is helping enhance digital transformation across many industrial sectors.

To download the complete Redefining Total Cost of Ownership: Rugged Technologies to Empower Industrial Operations" IDC InfoBrief sponsored by Getac (doc #AP242464IB, April 2024), visit here.

About Getac

Getac Technology Corporation is a global leader in rugged mobile technology and intelligent video solutions, including laptops, tablets, software, body-worn cameras, in-car video systems, digital evidence management and enterprise video analytics solutions. Getacs solutions and services are designed to enable extraordinary experiences for frontline workers in challenging environments. Today, Getac serves customers in over 100 countries, spanning defence, public safety, ambulance, fire & rescue, utilities, automotive, natural resources, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. For more information, visit: https://www.getac.com. Participate in the Getac Industry blog or follow the company on LinkedIn and YouTube.
[Provisional translation]



On April 10, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, sent a congratulatory letter to H.E. Mr. Simon Harris, T.D., Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland), for his appointment.



In the letter, Prime Minister Kishida noted that the bilateral relationship has been deepening in a wide range of areas on the basis of the Japan-Ireland Leaders Statement in July 2022, and stated his expectation that the relationship will be further promoted through Irelands participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai next year and other opportunities. Prime Minister Kishida also stated that he hoped to work closely with Ireland towards maintaining and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law, including realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
Lila Tomek doesn't feel comfortable about being singled out. She was part of a team  just one of so many, she insists.

"There were thousands of us," said the 101-year-old Humboldt resident who flew to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to be honored Wednesday with a Congressional Gold Medal. "I have a little bit of mixed feelings about all of this."

Sadly, she is one of the few still standing. She's among the last of a dying breed. Literally.

And as America's Greatest Generation dwindles more each day, it's important to recognize not just the men who went off to fight campaigns in Europe and in the Pacific, but also the women who stayed behind and helped the war effort by building America's warships and fighter planes.

If Tomek, then unmarried and known as Lila Westerman, would have had it her way, she would have followed her two younger brothers in battle by joining the U.S. Army.

Lyle and Glenn Westerman were drafted into the Army. Lyle was deployed to Europe and Glenn to the Northern Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Both made it home alive and lived into their 90s.

Times were different in 1942. For many women, serving during wartime meant putting in work on the homefront.

Lila Westerman became one of the 6 million women who worked in factories and shipyards during the war. They were known as Rosie the Riveters, and their contributions to winning World War II can't be overstated.

The award Tomek is receiving was approved as part of the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019.

The act honors any woman who held employment or volunteered in support of the war efforts during World War II and recognizes their contributions to the U.S. war effort.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson will present Tomek and a group of other "Rosies" with the medal on Wednesday. It'll be her second trip to the nation's capital. She and her late husband, Rudolph, who died in 1994, took a vacation there several years ago.

"We're really excited about going back to Washington, D.C., for all of this," said Nancy Wilcher, Lila's daughter. "It's exciting for everyone. It should be emphasized there were 6 million women who entered the workforce during that time."

How to watch Lila Tomek is one of 30 living Rosie the Riveters, all around 100 years old, who will attend the official Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. The ceremony will be streamed live on C-Span at 2 p.m. CST. Every Rosie will not get a Congressional Gold Medal. One medal will be unveiled and presented symbolically and collectively to all the Rosies and thereafter displayed at the National Museum of American History. A bronze version of the medal will be available for purchase from the U.S. Mint.

They kept the country going, making up 37% of the workforce from 1940-45. Not all of them built planes and ships. They did everything else  from pumping gas to working in railyards to fixing cars.

The idea of Rosie the Riveter came from a song, but the iconic image of a woman in coveralls wearing a bandana and flexing her bicep was made in 1943 by J. Howard Miller for a Westinghouse Electric ad that was meant to boost the morale of women in the workforce at the time with four inspirational words: "We Can Do It!"

"You remember what the signs said," Tomek said. "We can do it. We did. I went to school for a short time before they hired me. I'm pretty sure everybody took the test before they got in."

In 1942, Tomek, then 19 years old, took a job in Omaha for 60 cents an hour, building fighter planes. She started off splicing wires for the B-26 Marauder before punching rivets for the B-29 Superfortress.

She remembers the environment of the manufacturing plant. The gridlock  bumper-to-bumper cars of workers showing their security clearance at the front gate each morning to enter the grounds. The lunch room, hundreds eating together and the time a test flight plane crashed into the plant while workers were eating lunch.

She also recalls an April day in 1943 when she was startled by a loud whistle and the admonition for workers to descend from their ladders, put down their work and step away from their planes.

Minutes later, the doors to the hangar opened and a convertible carrying U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Nebraska Gov. Dwight Griswold and Glenn L. Martin, an aviation pioneer, entered the plant.

The car stopped along the way, and the president saluted the workers at each plane.

During her time at the plant, Tomek worked alongside Rosie  a real-life riveter from Verdigre  and the two were among a group of mostly men who received a special assignment. They were bused to a different Army hangar at the manufacturing plant and sworn to secrecy.

"We were told not to say anything to anyone or we would be punished," she said.

They wondered why they were disassembling the armor plates and munitions racks from the planes, but no one dared to ask why.

What they would later find out is they were stripping the heavy pieces from the B-29s to make them light enough to carry the heavy atomic bomb and the extra fuel required for their mission.

There was no moral objection from Tomek to helping ready the Omaha-built Enola Gay, which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945.

"I had two brothers fighting in the war," she said. "That question always angered me because there were people who objected to the war.

"I just wanted my brothers to come home and was doing what I could."

Photos: See historic photos of the Hiroshima atomic bombing 75 years ago
1. Yes. This is expected to be a high-turnout election. Its better to vote early and avoid the crowds.

2. Yes. The period is nearly two weeks long, so it should be easy to find a convenient time to vote.

3. No. Its better to wait until Election Day, just in case any last-minute information comes out.

4. No. Its more exciting to vote on Election Day, and its also more traditional.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say at this point. Ill make a decision as the election gets closer.

Vote

View Results
Renewable energy development, energy conservation, and energy efficiency improvements offer an opportunity for rural communities to save money, become more energy-resilient, and increase the reliability of the electric grid.

While many Nebraska communities are interested in such improvements, the upfront costs associated with energy-related projects have often been initially prohibitive  until now.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced a funding opportunity for Nebraska communities. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants program, a product of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to create a more reliable and sustainable energy future.

Nebraskas Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) will award $1.78 million to communities for energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy development, and pedestrian transportation infrastructure projects.

Applications to the competitive process are due to NDEE by April 30. NDEE anticipates distributing grant funding by mid-June.

Eligible applicants include counties, cities and villages in Nebraska. Entities that have already received EECBG funding directly from the DOE, which include Nebraskas four tribes, 10 most populous counties, and 10 most populous cities, are not eligible.

Priority will be given to communities with a high energy or environmental burden. Projects should provide long-lasting benefits to the community, promote job growth, and reduce the communitys energy burden.

The number of applications received and funding requested will determine how many grants the NDEE will award. The maximum grant award is $50,000 per project.

A community can only request funding for one project, and it must be new. Projects started before grants are awarded are not eligible. All projects must be completed by Sept. 30, 2026.

The Center for Rural Affairs is available to assist communities with applications. Please reach out to ruralleaders@cfra.org if interested. Application details and more information about the program can be found at dee.ne.gov/publica.nsf/pages/24-007.
An official tally of votes cast for Kenosha County Board of Supervisors candidates in the spring election has been completed and there were no change in the outcomes announced last week, according to the county clerks office.

In Wisconsin, candidates can request a recount if the margin is 40 votes or less in elections where no more than 4,000 total votes were cast. Qualifying candidates have until 5 p.m. Friday to request a recount.

Recounts are free for candidates when the margin is less than 10 votes. The costs of recounts with a margin 10 or more votes is determined by state statute and calculated by Kenosha County Clerk Regi Waligora.

The Kenosha County Board of Canvassers completed the count Monday and results were posted Wednesday afternoon. Just under 33,000 ballots were cast in 107 precincts throughout the county for candidates seeking office.

Kenosha County Board races this spring included 30 candidates vying for seats in 15 out of 23 supervisory districts, the largest number of contested races in recent memory. Contests within the 40 vote margin included races in supervisory districts 2, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 22.

Supervisor Andy Berg has already requested a recount in the District 10 race. Challenger Felix Garcia leads the contest by a single vote. Garcia garnered 314 votes (49.92%) compared with Bergs 313 votes (49.76%), the County Boards closest race.

That recount is set for Friday morning at 8 a.m.

Longtime Supervisor Terry Rose, a local attorney, lost to a first-time challenger in an upset in the District 2 race.

Newcomer Stephanie Knezz, an associate professor at Northwestern University, won by 38 votes against Rose, currently the County Boards longest-tenured member. Knezz had 772 votes, or 51.02%, to Roses 734, or 48.51%, according to the official results. Knezz picked up one additional vote during the canvass.

In a narrow race, District 3 Supervisor Jeffrey Gentz won by just eight votes against challenger Annette Flynn. Gentz had 611 votes (50.4%) to Flynns 603 (49.39%) in the race.

In the District 6 race with two first-time candidates, Andres Gama won by 19 votes with 488 (50.89%) over Duane OKeefes 469 votes (48.91%). The two were vying for a seat left open after Supervisor Ed Kubicki announced he was stepping down this spring.

In District 8, challenger Sarah Kirby won by 21 votes with 448 (50.97%) over Supervisor Zach Rodriguez who had 427 votes (48.58%) in the race.

In District 22, Supervisor Erin Decker won by 29 votes against first-time challenger Ray Arbet. Decker had 816 votes (50.75%) to 787 votes (48.94%) for Arbet, a retired county public works director.

Waligora said Kenosha Countys election went smoothly and there were many observers at the polls.
The one-year anniversary of the deaths of police officers from Chetek and Cameron was marked Monday, as dozens from the community turned out for the unveiling of the Officer Emily Breidenbach Memorial outside the Chetek Police Department.

Emily Breidenbach, 32, of the Chetek Police Department and Hunter Scheel, 23, of the Cameron Police Department both died in the line of duty on April 8, 2023.

I wish we didn't have to gather here. I wish she was still with us, Chetek mayor Jeff Martin said during the unveiling. But we're just so grateful for her service to our city and all the ways that she did so, from dancing with the kids to making our streets safer. We're just so grateful.

Breidenbach and Scheel were killed over Easter weekend last year when the pair pulled over a vehicle driven by Glenn Douglas Perry, 50, after they received a report of concerning behavior, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said in April 2023.

Gunfire ensued during the stop, leaving Breidenbach and Scheel dead. Perry was taken to a hospital and later died. The incident took place on County Highway SS  the road between Cameron and Chetek  which has since been designated the Breidenbach-Scheel Memorial Highway.

Breidenbach and Scheel were honored as heroes by the thousands who attended their funeral at Cameron High School on April 15, 2023.

'We still cry'

Chetek police chief Ron Ambrozaitis said Monday that Breidenbach is greatly missed.

"April 8, 2023, 3:39 p.m. changed all our lives. This whole city. The family. This department. All her friends," Ambrozaitis said. "We miss her a lot. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't talk about Emily. It's a lot more laughs now than it was a year ago, but we still cry  trust me. Em is severely missed every day."

Rob Troutman, lead pastor of Northside Christian Fellowship, led the crowd gathered outside of the police station in prayer.

The world right now wants us to believe that law enforcement  that communities don't love them, don't support them. And it's just so not true, Troutman said. Thank you so much just for people's hearts to want to come out here. It's an honor remembering the life, the courage, the passion, the bravery of Emily. Emily loved this job. She loved acts that would basically help protect this community. Just thank you so much for that spirit you gave her.

The Chetek Police Departments Facebook page shared Sunday that the past year has been extremely difficult for Emily and Hunter's families, our police departments and our communities.

The department said it has received overwhelming and remarkable support throughout the year and offered a special note of thanks to the Wisconsin Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, Light the Way, Wisconsin LEDR Team, the Chetek City Council, Barron County Law Enforcement Foundation, Steaks for Sheepdogs and the Invisible Wounds Project.

The Officer Emily Breidenbach Memorial was completely funded through donations, Ambrozaitis said. Donations will also help fund a trip to Washington to honor the two fallen officers.

Nine months ago, I had an idea of what I wanted the memorial to look like. I didn't want it to look like a gravesite, Ambrozaitis said. I hope you all like it. It's gonna be here for a very, very long time  long after I'm gone from here. It will represent her and help this community not to forget Emily.

In May, Breidenbach and Scheels names will be added to the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial in Madison. Both names will also be added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., during Police Week.

Cameron police plan to erect a memorial for Scheel in the future.

Breidenbach had been an officer at the Chetek Police Department for over four years and was the handler for the Chetek police therapy dog, K9 Officer Grizz, at the time of her death.

She was born in Portage in 1990 to Robert Breidenbach and Susan M. (Breidenbach) Myers. After graduation from Merrill High School in 2009, Emily attended Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, where she graduated in 2011. She continued her studies at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, graduating with a bachelors degree in crisis/emergency/disaster management and human development in 2013. She attended Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville completing the academy in 2015, according to her obituary.

She began her career with the Stoughton Police Department in 2015. In 2019, she accepted a police officer position with the Chetek Police Department, where she was employed at the time of her death.

She was engaged in March 2023 to be married to Shane Scribner.

Officer Emily Breidenbach Memorial unveiled outside the Chetek Police Department
Calling all artists! The Third Annual Plein Air at the Fair Contest is back! As part of the 175th Walworth County Fair celebrations, artists from near and far are invited to participate in this exciting event that celebrates creativity and community spirit!

Plein Air at the Fair is not just a contest; its an opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the historic Walworth County Fair and create stunning artwork inspired by sights, sounds, and energy of this beloved event.

Were thrilled to bring back Plein Air at the Fair as part of our 175th Walworth County Fair celebrations said Susan Duerst Earle, Superintendent of the Cultural Arts Building, and Treasurer and Board Director of the Walworth County Agricultural Society. This event highlights the rich artistic talent in our community and provides artists with a unique opportunity to showcase their work while celebrating our county fairs longstanding traditions.

The competition offers a range of prestigious awards, including the Grand Champion prize of $1,000, the Reserve Champion prize of $600, and the Award of Merit prize of $400. Additionally, there are special awards worth $200 each, ensuring that theres something for every artist to strive for.

Registration is now open, with the first 30 artists to register guaranteed a spot. The registration fee is $30 and must be postmarked by Thursday, August 8th, 2024. For complete rules and registration details, interested artists are encouraged to visit walworthcountyfair.com.

For any questions regarding competition rules or registration, please contact Susan Duerst Earle via email at mrsearle1985@gmail.com.

The 175th Walworth County Fair runs August 28th  September 2nd, 2024 located on the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

IN 60 PHOTOS - Opening Day of the 2023 Walworth County Fair Fair Ag Products on Display.JPG Fair Barnyard Adventure Garden.JPG Fair Barnyard Adventure.JPG Carol Steilein judges beer breads in the Aug. 30 open foods competition Fair Board President.JPG Fair Chicken.JPG Fair Chickens.JPG Fair Combine Simulator 2.JPG Fair Corn Dog Breakfast.JPG Fair Cow Grooming.JPG Fair Cow Wash 3.JPG Early morning chores at the 2023 Walworth County Fair Fair Crowd Day 2.JPG Fair Crowd Day 3.JPG Fair Crowd Day 4.JPG Fair Crowd Day.JPG Musician Frank Whiting Walworth County Fair 2023 Dog Obedience and Showmanship judging Fair Fairest Auction.JPG Fair Fairest of the Fair finalists.JPG Walworth County Fairest of the Fair 2023 finals Fair Fairest.JPG Fair Ferris Wheel 2.JPG Fair Ferris Wheel NIght View Fair Ferris Wheel Dusk.JPG Fair Ferris Wheel.Night View 2 Fair Food Wagons Dusk View Fair Friend of the Fairest.JPG Fair Gary Findley Recognized.JPG Auctioneer Gary Finley presides over the 2023 Fairest of the Fair pie action fundraiser Fair Goats.JPG Walworth County Fair 2023 Junior Swine Barrow Show Walworth County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard at the 2023 Walworth County Fair opening ceremony Walworth County Fair 2023 Honorary Marshals Chris Jones and Becky Merwin of the Town of Linn Underground Sound Jazz Band Playing in the corn crib Fair Knights Eclairs.JPG Mega Drop ride on fhe Walworth County Fair carnival midway Ava Sarnowski rides the merry-go-round at the 2023 Walworth County Fair Walworth County Fair daytime midway view Walworth County Fair midway sunset view Fair National Anthem.JPG Fair New Sweet Corn Vendor.JPG Walworth County Fair night scene Fair Outgoing Fairest of the Fair speech Gravity of Youth performs on the Park Stage at the 2023 Walworth County Fair Fair Peppa Pig.JPG Fiddler Georgia Rae headlines at Duesterbeck Brew Haus Music Hall Rice's Pro Rodeo headlines the grandstand on opening day of the Walworth County Fair Fair Samples.JPG Fair Sheep.JPG Fair Sinatra Solo.JPG Fair Squire's Corn Dogs.JPG Fair Sweet Corn 1.JPG Fair Swing Ride Dusk Fair Swing Ride Day 2.JPG Classic farm tractors on display at the 2023 Walworth County Fair Vintage farm tractors on display at the 2023 Walworth County Fair
On 9 April the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a private meeting to discuss tensions between Guyana and Venezuela stemming from Venezuelas claim to the disputed Essequibo region.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 403 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options
On 9 April tensions between Chile and Venezuela erupted again as ministers from both countries exchanged words over the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela-born criminal organisation with a strong presence in Chile.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 361 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options
What do Lady Gaga, Barack Obama, and Bill Gates have in common  aside from their fame? They are all left-handed.

But why are 10 percent of people left-handed while most are right-handed?

Researchers are trying to find out.

A recent study identified a genetic cause of left-handedness in some people. Researchers found rare variants of a gene involved in controlling the shape of cells. They found the variants to be 2.7 times more common in left-handed people.

These genetic variants account for possibly 0.1 percent of left-handedness. But the researchers said a gene, called TUBB4B, might play a part in the development of brain asymmetry.

In most people, the two halves, or hemispheres, of the brain have slightly different structures and are dominant for different activities.

"For example, most people have left-hemisphere dominance for language, and right-hemisphere dominance for tasks that require directing visual attention to a location in space," said Clyde Francks of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in the Netherlands. Francks was the top writer of the study published recently in Nature Communications.

Francks suggested that for most people, the left side of the brain controls the dominant right hand. "The nerve fibers cross from left-to-right in the lower part of the brain, Francks said. He added, In left-handers, the right hemisphere is in control of the dominant hand. The question is: what causes the asymmetry of the brain to develop differently in left-handers?"

TUBB4B controls a protein that gets formed into filaments called microtubules. These microtubules give structure to the insides of cells. The changes in TUBB4B that are more common in left-handers suggest that microtubules are involved in setting up the brain's normal asymmetries, Francks said.

The two brain hemispheres start to develop differently in the human embryo. Scientists do not know the mechanism that controls this.

"Rare genetic variants in just a handful of people can pinpoint genes that give clues to developmental mechanisms of brain asymmetry in everyone," Francks added. TUBB4B is an example.

The studys findings were based on genetic data from more than 350,000 middle-aged to older adults in Britain. It was from the UK Biobank. About 11 percent of the people involved were left-handed.

For most people, left- or right-handedness might come down to chance. Changes in the levels of some molecules during important times of brain development could influence it, Francks suggested.

Historically, many cultures disapproved of left-handedness and forced people to become right-handed.

In English, the word "right" also means "correct" or "proper." And the expression a "left-handed compliment" means that a comment might seem nice but is an insult.

The levels of left-handedness differ around the world, with lower rates in Africa, Asia and the Middle East compared to Europe and North America, Francks said.

"This likely reflects suppression of left-handedness in some cultures - making left-handed kids switch to right-handedness, which also used to happen in Europe and North America," Francks added.

The new findings might have use in the field of mental health. People with schizophrenia are around twice as likely to be left-handed or ambidextrous. People with autism are around three times as likely, Francks said.

He observed that genes involved in developing the brain in early life might be involved in brain asymmetry and mental health.

"Our study found suggestive evidence of this, and we have also seen it in previous studies where we looked at more common genetic variants in the population," Francks added.

Im John Russell.

Will Dunham reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

variant  n. different in some way from others of the same kind

asymmetry  n. having two sides or halves that are not the same

dominant adj. having the most control, strength or ability to influence

fiber n. a long, thin piece of material that has strength to it

filament  n. a long thread made of proteins

mechanism  n. a process or system produces a particular result

ambidextrous  adj. able to use both hands equally well
The first week of April this year was marked by Mercury retrograde and an eclipse corridor. And even though this corridor was closed by the eclipse of the Sun on April 8, astrologers warn that the greatest chaos is ahead.

ADVERTISIMENT

The reason for this is the meeting of Uranus, the lord of change and revolutionary transformations, with Jupiter, responsible for expansion and growth, in the sign of Taurus. This will happen on April 20. Astrologers told us what this celestial event will lead to.

What does the Jupiter-Uranus alignment mean

The conjunction of these two planets will enhance the qualities of both of them. When the wild planet of sudden change collides with the forces of success, the results are bound to be dramatic. And these will be not only significant breakthroughs but also unexpected collapses.

At the time of the Jupiter-Uranus alignment, revolutionary moods are growing. People want to act decisively and achieve change here and now, rather than wait for it to happen naturally. This often leads to breakthrough discoveries, the birth of outstanding creative ideas, and uprisings, protests, and social revolutions. As this combination now takes place in Taurus, we may also see new beginnings and rapid changes in the areas of finance, agriculture, food production, values, and our relationship to nature.

ADVERTISIMENT

Jupiter and Uranus conjunct once every 14 years. The last time they met in 2010 in Aries, the Arab Spring, a series of protests in North Africa and the Middle East that led to the overthrow of several dictatorial regimes, took place.

In the constellation of Taurus, this explosive pair last met in May 1941. This period saw the end of the Londonderry Blitz, a series of brutal Nazi bombings of the British capital that lasted almost 9 months, the breaking of the code of the German Enigma encryption machine, which was considered invulnerable, and the birth of a revolutionary in the world of music, Bob Dylan.

What to expect this time

The effect of Jupiter's meeting with Uranus in Taurus will last for several weeks. As Taurus is an earth sign, we are likely to see changes, growth, and excitement in areas related to the Earth itself. Thus, astrologers attribute the recent earthquake in Taiwan to the approach of this cosmic event.

ADVERTISIMENT

On a personal level, Taurus is associated with our sense of self-worth. Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius will feel the impact of the Jupiter-Uranus alignment especially strongly. What exactly will this influence be? Astrologers say that we will experience liberation through total destruction. Something that will seem like a collapse will open up a new field of activity and give us new perspectives. Just keep your head up and your mind open. Yes, changes can be shocking, but they will bring benefits and further development.

Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channel on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
Regular cleaning is useful not only from an aesthetic point of view. Damp rooms with insufficient air circulation are an ideal environment for fungal spores to grow. Mold can cause health problems ranging from allergic reactions to respiratory diseases.

ADVERTISIMENT

Emma Harding, a molecular virology researcher and PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales, told us how often you really need to clean your bathroom to get rid of germs. The frequency of cleaning bathroom surfaces depends on how often the room is used and whether someone in the house is sick.

"If someone has been sick recently, the bathroom should be thoroughly cleaned when the person recovers to prevent the spread of the disease. Otherwise, it is advisable to clean at least once a week. The floor usually needs to be cleaned less frequently than surfaces that are constantly touched, such as toilets, faucets, and showers," said Harding.

It is advisable to wash the bathroom before and after each use. Harding emphasized that in most cases, a regular cleaning product should be enough to get rid of germs. The virologist recommends using a product with a disinfectant effect every month or when mold or limescale stains begin to appear on surfaces.

ADVERTISIMENT

"Soapy water is very effective at killing a wide range of germs, so it's enough for regular cleaning," Harding emphasized.

If you have a toilet in the bathroom and want to minimize the spread of germs, there is one thing you should make a habit of.

"The bathroom is one of the dirtiest places in the house, especially if it has a toilet. Always flush with the lid down to prevent toilet germs from escaping and settling elsewhere," the virologist suggested.

If you clean at least once a week, germs can't grow to levels that require deep disinfection.

In other cases, baking soda and white vinegar will come in handy - just add the ingredients to the toilet and scrub the surface with a brush. Citric acid will also be effective - you can rub the contaminated areas with half a lemon or prepare an acid-based solution.

ADVERTISIMENT

Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
The Northern Ireland peace talks have ended with an historic agreement.

The accord  dubbed the Good Friday Agreement  was reached after nearly two years of talks and 30 years of conflict.

Negotiations on the final day dragged on more than 17 hours after the deadline for an agreement passed.

The agreement is a triumph for British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Republic of Irelands leader, Bertie Ahern, who have succeeded where all their predecessors failed.

Speaking at a news conference after the deal was announced Tony Blair said he hoped it marked a new beginning.

Today I hope that the burden of history can at long last start to be lifted from our shoulders, Mr Blair said.

Bertie Ahern said he hoped a line could now be drawn under the bloody past .

The proposals in the agreement include plans for a Northern Ireland Assembly, new cross-border institutions involving the Irish Republic and a body linking devolved assemblies across the UK with Westminster and Dublin.

A copy of the proposals will be posted to every household in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic and then put to a referendum in May.

The chairman of the talks, former US Senator George Mitchell, paid tribute to all those who had taken part.

But Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said there was still a huge gap of distrust between nationalists and unionists.

It must be bridged on the basis of equality. We are here reaching out the hand of friendship, he said.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble added: I see a great opportunity for us to start a healing process.

The peace agreement was also welcomed by the UDP and PUP parties, which represent loyalist paramilitary groups.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

A referendum held in May 1998 on both sides of the Irish border, returned a resounding yes vote for the Good Friday Agreement.

The first three years of the agreements implementation saw accusations and counter-accusation from both sides.

Unionists said the republicans had not complied with the spirit of the agreements requirement for the decommissioning of arms.

Disagreement over decommissioning and policing led to three suspensions of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

In October 2002 it was also suspended after allegations of IRA intelligence gathering inside the Northern Ireland Office.

Devolved power was restored to the Assembly on 8 May 2007. DUP leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness  age-old opponents  took office as first and deputy first ministers ending five years of direct rule.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida begins a much-anticipated visit to Washington today [Macau time] aiming to spotlight shared concerns about assertive Chinese military action in the Pacific and at a rare moment of public difference between the two nations over a Japanese companys plan to buy an iconic U.S. company.

Kishida and his wife will stop by the White House ahead of Wednesdays [tomorrow, Macau time) official visit and formal state dinner as President Joe Biden looks to celebrate a decades-long ally he sees as the cornerstone of his Indo-Pacific policy. Kishida will be the fifth world leader honored by Biden with a state dinner since he took office in 2021.

Ahead of the White House visit, Kishida is set to visit Arlington National Cemetery and stop by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Biden and Kishida will hold talks and take part in a joint news conference before Biden fetes the Japanese leader with the state dinner in the East Room.

The prime minister has also been invited to address a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday. He will be just the second Japanese leader to address the body; Shinzo Abe gave a speech to Congress in 2015.

The visit comes after Biden announced last month that he opposes the planned sale of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel of Japan, exposing a marked rift in the partnership at the very moment the two leaders aim to reinforce it. Biden argued in announcing his opposition that the U.S. needs to maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steelworkers.

Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, Bidens envoy to Tokyo, sought yesterday [Macau time] to downplay the impact of Bidens opposition to the U.S. Steel acquisition to the relationship. Emanuel noted that in February the Biden administration approved a plan that would drive billions of dollars in revenue to a U.S.-based subsidiary of the Japanese company Mitsui for crane production in the United States.

The United States relationship with Japan is a lot deeper and stronger and more significant than a single commercial deal, said Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago, in a joint appearance at Washingtons Center for Strategic and International Studies with Japans chief envoy to Washington. As we would say in Chicago, you got to chill.

Nippon Steel announced in December that it planned to buy U.S. Steel for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Shigeo Yamada, Japans ambassador to Washington, declined to comment on whether Kishida would raise the Nippon-U.S. Steel deal with Biden.

Biden has sought to place greater foreign policy focus on the Pacific even while grappling with the fallout of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the grinding Israel-Hamas war. Last year, Biden brought together Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, a historic summit between leaders of two countries that have a difficult shared history.

Biden has honored Yoon with a state visit and picked Kishidas predecessor, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, as the first face-to-face foreign leader visit of his presidency.

The administration has been pleased by Japans strong support for Ukraine. Tokyo has been one of the largest donors to Kyiv since Russias February 2022 invasion, and Japan has surged its defense spending amid concern about Chinas military assertiveness.

Yamada suggested in his joint appearance with Emanuel that Kishida would underscore Japans support for Ukraine during his appearance before Congress, and lay out why the conflict in Eastern Europe matters to his country. Biden is struggling to get House Republicans to back his call to send an additional $60 billion to Kyiv as it tries to fend off Russia.

Kishida has warned that the war in Europe could lead to conflict in East Asia, suggesting that a lax attitude to Russia emboldens China.

The prime ministers conviction is todays Ukraine could be tomorrows East Asia, Yamada said.

Kishida will stick around Washington on Thursday to take part in a meeting with Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Philippine-Chinese relations have been repeatedly tested by skirmishes between the two nations coast guard vessels in the disputed South China Sea.

Chinese coast guard ships also regularly approach disputed Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands near Taiwan. Beijing says Taiwan is part of its territory and will be brought under control by force if necessary.

Cooperation among our three countries is extremely important in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and in defending a free and open international order based on the rules of law, Kishida said Monday before leaving for Washington.

The leaders are expected to discuss plans to upgrade the U.S. military command structure in Japan. There are about 54,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan.

Kishida and Biden are also expected to confirm Japans participation in NASAs Artemis moon program as well as its contribution of a moon rover developed by Toyota Motor Corp. and the inclusion of a Japanese astronaut in the mission. The rover, which comes at a roughly $2 billion cost, would be the most expensive contribution to the mission by a non-U.S. partner to date.

On Friday, Kishida will tour Toyotas electric vehicle battery factory under construction as well as Hondas business jet subsidiary in North Carolina. He will also meet students at North Carolina State University. AAMER MADHANI, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP
The president of the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Chief Executive (CE) Election, Judge Song Man Lei, has admitted that the commencement of the upcoming Macau CE election process is delayed. This acknowledgment was made during the inauguration ceremony of the new five members who will be responsible for overseeing the election proceedings.

Speaking to the media, Song noted that the process has been somewhat delayed since several legal periods need to be fulfilled, namely two months mediating between the end of the evaluations done by the Commission and the date of the election day.

Nonetheless, she noted that this delay is a slight one and should not interfere with the election date which is yet to be defined by the CE.

I am confident that we have enough time to finalize all our work and I dont think we are too late. Our goal is to finish our work before the deadline.

Commenting on the new provisions, recently approved and establishing stricter rules for the approval of candidates and members for the 400-strong election college who will elect the CE, Song said that the mechanism to exclude the non-patriots will contribute positively to the election, and will not cause any interference in the electoral process.

Still, she noted the fact that the potential candidates are not entitled to an appeal from the decisions of the Commission as an aspect to review and perfect [in the future].
Find a globe in your local library or classroom and try this: Close the eyes, spin it and drop a finger randomly on its curved, glossy surface.

Youre likely to pinpoint a spot in the water, which covers 71% of the planet. Maybe youll alight on a place youve never heard of  or a spot that no longer exists after a war or because of climate change. Perhaps youll feel inspired to find out who lives there and what its like. Trace the path of totality ahead of Mondays solar eclipse. Look carefully, and youll find the cartouche  the globemakers signature  and the antipode (look it up) of where youre standing right now.

In the age of Google Earth, watches that triangulate and cars with built-in GPS, theres something about a globe  a spherical representation of the world in miniature  that somehow endures.

London globemaker Peter Bellerby thinks the human yearning to find our place in the cosmos has helped globes survive their original purpose  navigation  and the internet. He says its part of the reason he went into debt making a globe for his fathers 80th birthday in 2008. The experience helped inspire his company, and 16 years later is keeping his team of about two dozen artists, cartographers and woodworkers employed.

You dont go onto Google Earth to get inspired, Bellerby says in his airy studio, surrounded by dozens of globes in various languages and states of completion. A globe is very much something that connects you to the planet that we live on.

Or, as Scottish-born American explorer John Muir wrote in 1915: When we contemplate the whole globe as one great dewdrop, striped and dotted with continents and islands, flying through space with other stars all singing and shining together as one, the whole universe appears as an infinite storm of beauty.

BUILDING A GLOBE AMID CHANGE?

Beyond the existential and historical appeal, earthly matters such as cost and geopolitics hover over globemaking. Bellerby says his company has experience with customs officials in regions with disputed borders such as India, China, North Africa and the Middle East.

And there is a real question about whether globes  especially handmade orbs  remain relevant as more than works of art and history for those who can afford them. They are, after all, snapshots of the past  of the way their patrons and makers saw the world at a certain point in time. So theyre inherently inaccurate representations of a planet in constant flux.

Do globes play a relevant role in our time? If so, then in my opinion, this is due to their appearance as a three-dimensional body, the hard-to-control desire to turn them, and the attractiveness of their map image, says Jan Mokre, vice president of the International Coronelli Society for the Study of Globes in Vienna. Perhaps a certain nostalgia effect also plays a role, just as old cars and mechanical watches still exert a certain attraction on people.

Joshua Nall, Director of the Whipple Museum of the History of Science in Cambridge, says a globe remains a display of the learning, the erudition, the political interests of its owner.

Sadly, I think globe usage probably is declining, perhaps particularly in the school setting, where digital technologies are taking over, Nall says. I think now theyre perhaps more becoming items of overt prestige. Theyre being bought as display pieces to look beautiful, which of course they always have been.

HOW, AND HOW MUCH?

Bellerbys globes arent cheap. They run from about 1,290 British pounds (about $1,900) for the smallest to six figures for the 50-inch Churchill model. He makes about 600 orbs a year of varying size, framing and ornamentation.

Creating them is a complex process that starts with the construction of a sphere and progresses to the application of fragile petal-shaped panels, called gores, that are fitted together around the spheres surface. Artists perched around Bellerbys London studio painstakingly blend and apply paint  dreamy cobalt and mint for the oceans, yellow, greens and ochre for the landscape.

The imagery painted on the globes runs the gamut, from constellations to mountains and sea creatures. And here, The Associated Press can confirm, be dragons.

WHO BUYS A GLOBE THESE DAYS?

Bellerby doesnt name clients, but he says they come from more socioeconomic levels than youd think  from families to businesses and heads of state. Private art collectors come calling. So do moviemakers.

Bellerby says in his book that the company made four globes for the 2011 movie, Hugo. One globe can be seen in the 2023 movie Tetris, including one, a freestanding straight-leg Galileo model, which features prominently in a scene.

And yes, some of the planets wealthiest people buy them. The family of German tool and hardware company chairman Reinhold Wurth gave him a Churchill, the largest model, for his 83rd birthday. It is now on display at the Museum Wurth 2 in Berlin.

His granddaughter, Maria Wurth, says in an Instagram video that the piece highlights the history of the company and the magnates travels.

A POLITICAL MINEFIELD

There is no international standard for a correctly drawn earth. Countries, like people, view the world differently, and some are highly sensitive about how their territory is depicted. To offend them with incorrectly drawn borders on a globe is to risk impoundment of the orbs at customs.

Globemaking, Bellerby writes, is a political minefield.

Most countries dont recognize Taiwan, which is part of China. Morocco doesnt recognize Western Sahara. Indias northern border is disputed. Many Arab countries, such as Lebanon, dont acknowledge Israel.

Bellerby says the company marks disputed borders as disputed: We cannot change or rewrite history.

HERES THE EARTH APPLE

Scientists since antiquity, famously Plato and Aristotle, posited that the earth is not flat but closer to a sphere. (More precisely, its a spheroid  bulging at the equator, squashed at the poles).

No one knows when the first terrestrial globe was created. But the oldest known surviving one dates to 1492. No one in Europe knew of the existence of North or South America at the time.

Its called the Erdapfel, which translates to earth apple or potato. The orb was made by German navigator and geographer Martin Behaim, who was working for the king of Portugal, according to the Whipple Museum in Cambridge. It contained more than just the cartographical information then known, but also details such as commodities overseas, market places and local trading protocols.

Its also a record of a troubled time.

The Behaim Globe is today a central document of the European world conquest and the Atlantic slave trade, according to the German National Museums web page on the globe, exhibited there. In the 15th century, the museum notes, Africa was not only to be circumnavigated in search of India, but also to be developed economically.

The globe makes it clear how much the creation of our modern world was based on the violent appropriation of raw materials, the slave trade and plantation farming, the museum notes, or the first stage of European subjugation and division of the world.

TWIN GLOBES FOR CHURCHILL & ROOSEVELT

If youve got a globe of any sort, youre in good company. During World War II, two in particular were commissioned for leaders on opposite sides of the Atlantic as symbols of power and partnership.

For Christmas in 1942, the United States delivered gigantic twin globes to American president Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. They were 50 inches in diameter and hundreds of pounds each, believed to be the largest and most accurate globes of the time.

It took more than 50 government geographers, cartographers, and draftsmen to compile the information to make the globe, constructed by the Weber Costello Company of Chicago Heights, Illinois.

The Roosevelt globe now sits at the Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, N.Y., and Churchills globe is at Chartwell House, the Churchill family home in Kent, England, according to the U.S. Library of Congress.

In theory, the leaders could use the globes simultaneously to formulate war strategy. In reality, however, Bellerby writes, the gift of the globes was a simple PR exercise, an important weapon in modern warfare. MDT/AP
Five Foot Road, signature Sichuanese fine dining establishment of MGM COTAI, has once again been awarded One Michelin Star in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong and Macau 2024, reaffirming its commitment to culinary excellence, as it continues to showcase the richness of Sichuan cuisine beyond fiery and hot.

Led by Executive Sous Chef Yang Dengquan with nearly four decades of culinary experience and expertise in Sichuan cuisine, Five Foot Road presents a profound culinary concept that preserves traditional Sichuan delicacies with an indigenous twist. Chef Yangs culinary mastery and exquisite ingredients revive the intricate flavors of Sichuan. Each creation reflects his meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to precision and perfection.

Delight in a symphony of refined Sichuan flavors with Five Foot Roads Michelin Star Discovery Menu. Each masterpiece is an embodiment of Chef Yangs passion for reviving the authentic Sichuan cuisine, such as the signature dish Marinated Fresh Abalone with Homemade Chili Sauce, Sichuan Style, and the Stewed Birds Nest with Minced Chicken and Egg White in Bouillon, which is a classic delicacy from the Chengdu mansion banquet. The menu is available for a limited time. Make your reservation at (853) 8806 2358 or visit mgm.mo.

MGM

Avenida Dr. Sun Yat Sen, NAPE, Macau

T 853 8802 2888 F 853 8802 3333

E sustainability@mgmmacau.com

W http://www.mgm.mo/
The Public Prosecutions Office (MP) has called for a retrial of the former deputy prosecutor Kong Chi, the public broadcaster TDM reported, citing access to an appeal document.

According to the report, the MP has filed an appeal, disagreeing with the sentence handed to Kong by the Court of Second Instance (TSI).

Back in January this year the TSI sentenced Kong to 17 years in prison.

Kong was charged with accepting bribes and neglecting his duties to favor others, as well as possessing assets from unknown sources.

His sentence is the accumulated result of several counts of crimes related to bribery and other illegal acts. He was, however, acquitted of accusations related to the establishment and operation of a criminal organization.

In the appeal, the MP insists that several pieces of evidence, particularly a recording that was ruled out for being considered illegal, should be re-evaluated.

The MP believes and is calling for the handing of an even heftier sentence to its former staff member. RM
A top Chinese leader will lead a delegation to North Korea this week, both countries announced yesterday, in what would be the highest-level meeting between the two countries since the pandemic began.

Zhao Leji, who is chairman of the National Peoples Congress and considered the No. 3 official in the ruling Communist Party, will visit North Korea from Thursday to Saturday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

No details were released on what was described as a goodwill visit, except that the delegation would attend the opening ceremony for the China-North Korea Friendship Year.

The specific arrangements for the visit are still under negotiation, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

A dispatch from North Koreas official KCNA news agency also announced the trip.

Zhao is one of the seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee, the Communist Partys top leadership body headed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Zhaos visit to North Korea will be the first bilateral exchange involving a Chinese Politburo Standing Committee member since the pandemic started. In 2019, the two countries held a pair of summit meetings, for one of which Xi traveled to Pyongyang.

North Korea and China are expected to hold a number of exchanges to mark the 75th year since they established of diplomatic ties, according to South Koreas Unification Ministry.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been pushing to boost partnerships with China and Russia in a bid to strength his regional footing and join a united front against the United States.

Kim traveled to Russia in September for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The U.S., South Korea and others accuse North Korea of supplying conventional weapons for Russias war in Ukraine in return for advanced weapons technologies and other support.

China, North Koreas biggest source of aid, is believed to have long shipped assistance to help keep afloat its impoverished socialist ally, which it views as a bulwark against U.S. influence on the Korean Peninsula.

China is key to North Koreas economy. There is a limit that Russia can do for North Korea economically, Park Won Gon, a professor at Seouls Ewha Womans University. For the short-term assistance, shipments of food or crude oil can be made. But to make its economy grow in the long term, North Korea needs investments and markets. China is the only country that can provide those to North Korea.MDT/AP
In an effort to address increasing fraud cases, the Judiciary Police (PJ) has introduced a new anti-fraud initiative providing scam prevention resources through the popular social media platform WeChat.

At a press briefing yesterday, PJ director Sit Chong Meng revealed that from January to February, authorities received 81 telephone fraud reports, 126 online scam complaints, and 58 cases of credit card fraud. This represented a sharp increase of 70% to 120% compared to the same period last year, resulting in total losses of 69 million patacas for victims.

Additionally, scams targeting students by phone saw a concerning 44% jump.

With these troubling fraud trends continuing to spread, Sit acknowledged these kinds of deception crimes have become a highly significant issue both locally and globally. That is why the new WeChat program was created, leveraging the widespread use of the platform among Macau residents and visitors.

The interactive digital resource offers four key functions to assist the public in analyzing fraud risks, reporting fraud clues, Fraud Knowledge 101, and identifying fraudulent cases. The program also includes simulated fraud case experiences, with the aim of enhancing the publics ability to identify fraudulent schemes.

Sit stated the initiative aims to significantly strengthen the polices anti-fraud efforts through both passive learning opportunities and an engaged reporting channel. After comprehensive review, authorities determined WeChat was the optimal platform given its alignment with local technology habits while ensuring data privacy and security.

Meanwhile, police yesterday disclosed that a report was received by the bureau last month regarding a local woman who fell victim to a scam orchestrated by individuals posing as public prosecutors. The woman had gone to hide in five or six different countries without informing her family.

The scammers managed to elude capture by hiding in various locations, eventually finding refuge in a remote suburb of Mexico with stringent security measures.

With the assistance of local authorities, Interpol, and the local Mexican police, the authorities formed an investigation team to rescue the victim from the area.

The PJ director emphasizes the significance of these cases, urging the public to exercise caution and collaborate in order to prevent fraud. The police officer emphasized that the current anti-fraud program houses approximately 170,000 records pertaining to fraudulent activities.

If widely utilized, officials hope the new program will help offset the rising social and economic costs of fraud crimes. With enhanced community awareness and engagement in deterrence, along with clues aiding police work, the PJ reiterated the goal is to eventually curb the troubling fraud trends seen multiplying in Macau in recent months. Staff Reporter

Two women defrauded in public procuratorate phone scam

A local young woman lost nearly 42,000 patacas and another woman fell victim to a phone scam impersonating Macau authorities, according to the police.

The scam targeted the two women earlier this month. The young victim reported a loss of 41,700 patacas, while the other woman did not lose any money, said the police chief, who has taken over the investigation of both cases.

In the first incident, the young woman received a call on March 20 from a man claiming to be an immigration officer. He said her phone number was registered to spread gambling information in mainland China and she needed to manage it or face restrictions entering and leaving the country.

As the woman believed the claims, the scammer transferred the call to a police officer in mainland China. He said the woman was involved in a 2 million pataca money laundering case with multiple victims. The officer coerced the victim into downloading communication software and providing bank details. She deposited 30,000 patacas on March 24 and another 11,700 patacas the next day.

In the second incident, a woman received a call on March 5 from a man posing as a telecom manager, saying fraudulent donation messages had been sent from her number. Transferred to public security, she downloaded software and provided details as instructed. She later realized it was a scam after discussing it with friends.

The police chief is investigating both cases of fraud impersonating Macau authorities. People are warned to beware of these types of scam calls.
A woman from Thailand was apprehended by authorities for attempting to smuggle narcotics into Macau. During the inspection, 2.14 grams of ketamine and various drug-related items were found in her luggage. The suspect had traveled from Bangkok, Thailand, to Macau, according to the police officer. Upon arrival at the airport, a police dog alerted officers to her bags, prompting an officer to assist customs in conducting a thorough search. The suspect claimed she had forgotten to remove the narcotics after buying them at a nightclub in Thailand.

Related
Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov yesterday in a sign of mutual support and shared opposition to Western democracies amid Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

We would like to express our highest appreciation and admiration for the successes that you have achieved over the years and, above all, over the last decade under your leadership, Lavrov told Xi, according to Russian media.

We are sincerely pleased with these successes, since these are the successes of friends, although not everyone in the world shares this attitude and are trying in every possible way to restrain the development of China  in fact just like the development of Russia, Lavrov said.

Russias growing economic and diplomatic isolation has made it increasingly reliant on China. In past decades, the two have closely aligned their foreign policies, held joint military exercises and sought to rally non-aligned states in groupings such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Lavrov held a news conference earlier yesterday with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at which they reaffirmed solidarity in international affairs.

Lavrov said Russia and China oppose any international events that do not take Russias position into account.

He said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys so-called peace formula was completely detached from any realities.

Zelensky has called for the withdrawal of Russian forces and the return of all occupied Ukrainian territory, but is heavily reliant on support from the U.S., where the Republican Party majority in the House of Representatives has been holding up a new military aid package.

China and Russia are each others most important diplomatic partners, both holding permanent seats on the United Nations security council and working together to block initiatives by the U.S. and its allies to spread democratic values and human rights from Venezuela to Syria.

While China has not provided direct military support for Russia, it has backed it diplomatically in blaming the West for provoking Russian President Vladimir Putins decision to launch the war and refrained from calling it an invasion in deference to the Kremlin. China has also said it isnt providing Russia with arms or military assistance, although it has maintained robust economic connections with Moscow, alongside India and other countries. amid sanctions from Washington and its allies.

At their joint news conference Wang repeated Chinas calls for a ceasefire and an end to the war soon.

China supports the convening at an appropriate time of an international meeting that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, in which all parties can participate equally and discuss all peace solutions fairly, Wang said.

Wang also said Xi and Putin would continue to maintain close exchanges this year amid expectations of visits to each others capitals.

China and Russia have gone through ups and downs, and both sides have drawn lessons from historical experience and found a correct path to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, Wang said. Todays good relations between China and Russia are hard-won and deserve to be cherished and carefully maintained by both sides.

Lavrov arrived in China on Monday, while Wang and other leading Chinese figures have recently visited Russia and maintained Chinas line of largely backing Russias views on the cause of the conflict.

China has at times taken an equally combative tone against the U.S. and its allies. China and Russia have held joint military drills, and are seen as seeking to supplant democracies with dictatorships in areas where they wield influence. China is involved in its own territorial disputes, particularly in the South China and East China Seas.

Just weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin visited Beijing for the opening of the 2022 Winter Olympics and the sides signed a pact pledging a no limits relationship that has China supporting Russias line, even while formally urging peace talks.

In a phone call last week with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, U.S. President Joseph Biden pressed China over its defense relationship with Russia, which is seeking to rebuild its industrial base as it continues its invasion of Ukraine. And he called on Beijing to wield its influence over North Korea to rein in the isolated and erratic nuclear power. MDT/AP
Japans Nippon Foundation will spend $2 million to help move tens of thousands more Rohingya refugees to a remote island in Bangladesh and provide them with skills training, the charitys chairman said.

Speaking to The Associated Press last weekend after a visit to Bhashan Char, Yohei Sasakawa praised the support the government has provided to refugees on the island and said its a step toward returning them to Myanmar.

Some 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar for Bangladesh after August 2017, when the military in Buddhist-majority Myanmar began a harsh crackdown following an attack by insurgents. The crackdown included rapes, killings and the torching of thousands of homes, and was termed ethnic cleansing by global rights groups and the U.N., while the United States called it genocide.

Efforts to repatriate refugees to Myanmar under a 2017 agreement meditated by China have failed at least twice, and seem only more distant as the security situation worsens. Fighting has spread across much of Myanmar as the ruling junta loses ground to rebel and separatist groups in the countrys long-running civil war.MDT/AP
Macau SAR passport holders will be exempted from visa requirements when entering the Republic of Kazakhstan for a stay of a maximum of 14 days, the Identification Services Bureau said in a statement yesterday. This comes after the signing of an agreement between the SAR and Kazakhstan on mutual exemption of visa requirements. In turn, visitors from the country can also visit the SAR for a stay of a maximum of 14 days. Macau passport holders can visit 146 countries or territories visa-free or with visa-on-arrival.

Related
Thailands court began a trial Tuesday of the son of Spanish actors accused of killing and dismembering a Colombian surgeon on a popular tourist island.

Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, 29, was indicted by prosecutors in October over the death of Edwin Arrieta Arteaga, whose remains were found stuffed in plastic bags at a landfill on Koh Pha Ngan, an island famous for its rave-style full moon parties.

Lawyer Juan Gonzalo Ospina Serrano, who represents Arrietas family, told reporters at the Koh Samui Provincial Court before the trial that the family trusts Thai prosecutors to deliver justice.

They are grateful and hope that Thai law is forceful and that the truth can be told, he said.

The charges against Sancho include premeditated murder, concealment of a body and destruction of other peoples documents, which is related to the alleged damaging of the Arrietas passport. Sancho pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder and destruction of documents but pleaded guilty to hiding the victims body.

The charge of premeditated murder carries a possible death penalty. The maximum sentence for damaging others documents carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a 100,000 baht ($2,750) fine. The concealment or damaging of a body carries a year in prison and a 20,000 baht ($550) fine.

The trial is opening with statements from witnesses brought in by the plaintiff, said Apichart Srinual, a Thai lawyer who represents Sancho.

When asked whether he is confident about his defense case, Aprichart said it depends on the evidence, adding that there are a lot of witnesses. It depends on what they will say.

Sancho was driven to the court in a closed car and was not visible to reporters waiting outside. Sanchos father, Spanish actor Rodolfo Sancho, also came to the court but declined to comment.

Sancho, a chef, was arrested in August after the remains of Arrieta, 44, were discovered at the landfill.

Police said Sancho came in to report a missing person and was subsequently detained. MDT/AP
The Vaticans top diplomat began a six-day visit to Vietnam yesterday as part of ongoing efforts to normalize relations between the two sides.

Richard Gallagher, the Holy Sees foreign minister, will meet with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and visit a childrens hospital in the capital, Hanoi, state media Vietnam News Agency reported.

Gallagher will also hold Mass in Hanoi, in Hue in central Vietnam and in the financial hub of Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

Last December, Archbishop Marek Zalewski became the first Vatican representative to live in the Southeast Asian country and open an office there.

Vietnam described that appointment as a historic moment, underscoring a stronger relationship that could have implications in the future for the Holy Sees ties with China. The Vaticans relationship with Vietnam has long been seen as a model for its relations with China. Beijing severed diplomatic ties with the Vatican in 1951 after the communists rose to power and expelled foreign priests.

Vietnam and the Vatican still dont have full diplomatic relations. Their ties were severed in 1975 after the Communist Party established its rule over the entire country following the end of the Vietnam War. Relations have been strained ever since, although the two sides have had regular talks since at least the late 1990s.

Catholicism is officially the most practiced religion in Vietnam, with 5.9 million or 44.6% of the 13.2 million people who identified as religious in a 2019 census saying they were Catholic. That works out to more than 6% of the countrys population.

Diplomats have speculated that Pope Francis could visit the country, but no official announcements have been made by the Vatican or Vietnam.MDT/AP
* Fraud knowledge 101

 PJ launches a new anti-fraud initiative on WeChat to curb rising fraud

* Courts | MP calls for a retrial of former deputy prosecutor: report

* Gaming | Analysts predict Aprils results could reach MOP18.7b

* The president of the Electoral Affairs Commission admits a delay in launching the process for the upcoming election for the next Chief Executive

* Portuguese consulate to expand services to accommodate demand

* Xi meets Lavrov, reaffirms Chinas emphasis on ties with Russia

DOWNLOAD PDF

Wednesday, April 10, 2024  edition no. 4459
China has leveraged a variety of policies to offset downward economic pressure and address structural challenges, securing a robust start of this year with accelerated growth in retail sales, investment, and industrial output.

Chinas retail sales of consumer goods rose by 5.5 percent year on year in the first two months of 2024, picking up from an increase of 3.5 percent in the same period of 2023.

Fixed-asset investment also saw a notable uptick, growing by 4.2 percent year on year, quickening from the 3 percent increase in 2023. Furthermore, value-added industrial output rose 7 percent year on year during the January-February period, accelerating from the rise of 6.8 percent registered in December 2023.

Chinas economy began the year on a positive note, and the country has the confidence, capabilities, and conditions to meet this years economic and social development targets, said Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

The countrys macroeconomic policy mix bolsters the improving data and increasing confidence in Chinas economic outlook, which strategically addresses both short-term challenges and long-term structural issues within the economy.

FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICIES

According to the Ministry of Finance, China vowed to continue to implement a proactive fiscal policy this year and appropriately enhance its intensity.

Notably, the issuance of ultra-long special treasury bonds has drawn widespread attention. These bonds will be used to implement major national strategies and build up security capacities in key sectors, with an initial allocation of 1 trillion yuan (about 140.95 billion U.S. dollars) for 2024.

Tax and fee reduction incentives will persist this year and be pivotal for business support. Last year, tax refunds, as well as cuts and deferrals of taxes and fees exceeded 2.2 trillion yuan.

Priorities of this years tax policy include fostering scientific and technological innovation and bolstering the manufacturing sector. Measures include enhanced pre-tax deductions for enterprise research and development costs and tax relief for technology adoption.

On the monetary front, Pan Gongsheng, governor of the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) emphasized that China has a rich monetary toolbox and there is still ample policy headroom.

In January, the PBOC announced a 0.5-percentage-point cut in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for financial institutions, releasing around 1 trillion yuan of long-term liquidity into the market.

Furthermore, China cut the over-five-year loan prime rate by 25 basis points in February to 3.95 percent. The move marked the most significant drop in recent years and reflected the countrys efforts to reduce comprehensive financing costs.

Pan said in March that the average RRR of Chinas entire banking sector is 7 percent, and there is still room for further RRR cuts.

The central bank also underscored the use of structural monetary policy tools, including a special relending facility worth 500 billion yuan to support sci-tech innovation, technical transformation and equipment renewal.

FOSTERING NEW ENGINES

China unveiled a range of policies in the first quarter to boost investment and consumption and foster a better business environment.

According to this years government work report, China vows to cultivate new growth drivers, such as biomanufacturing, the commercial space industry, and the low-altitude economy.

In the low-altitude economy sector alone, the market size is estimated to surge from over 500 billion yuan in 2023 to 2 trillion yuan by 2030 as the country accelerates the development of unmanned aerial vehicles for tourism and logistics activities, among other uses.

Moreover, China has unveiled plans to facilitate equipment renewal and encourage consumer goods trade-ins. This initiative spans sectors such as industry, agriculture, construction, transportation, education, culture, tourism, and medical care, presenting an expansive market opportunity estimated to exceed 5 trillion yuan annually.

China has introduced guidelines to establish around ten high-level industrial parks to leverage the potential of the silver economy. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop innovative products like nursing and housekeeping robots.

Meanwhile, China is actively promoting the sales of new energy vehicles in rural areas by ramping up efforts to build more charging facilities in the countryside.

China has introduced new rules on consumer finance, raising access thresholds for consumer finance companies in a bid to strengthen regulation and bolster consumption growth.

China proposed 24 measures in an action plan to promote high-level opening up to create a better business environment. The country vowed to further shorten its negative list for foreign investment and launch pilot programs to relax foreign entry thresholds in scientific and technological innovation.

With an economic growth target set at around 5 percent for 2024, Chinas policy mix aims to synergize efforts in stabilizing the economy and fostering new quality productive forces. More can be expected to enrich the policy toolbox further in the foreseeable future. Xinhua
CROWN POINT  The passenger killed last week when the driver of a semitrailer failed to slow for traffic and plowed into the rear of a Kia Sorento SUV along the local stretch of Interstate 94 has been identified by the Lake County Coroner's Office as Ty Freimuth, 39, of Niles, Michigan.

Freimuth and his family were returning from a spring break trip to Wisconsin Dells when the fatal crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. Thursday along eastbound I-94 in Hammond, according to a gofundme fundraiser set up for his family.

"Preliminary investigation shows that a semi was traveling in the second lane from the left and was slowing in traffic," Indiana State Police said in a statement. "A Kia Sorento SUV that was either slowing or stopped behind that semi was rear-ended by another semi at a high rate of speed."

Initial impact pushed the Kia underneath the trailer of the front semi. A third semi was also rear-ended as a result of the crash, police said.

Freimuth died as a result of blunt force injuries from the crash, which the coroner's office has ruled an accident.

Police said the driver of the Kia and a child passenger were taken to the hospital for treatment of potentially life-threatening injuries.

The Times has a request pending with Indiana State Police for the crash report, and the truck driver has not yet been identified nor is it clear whether the driver will be charged in the fatal crash.

The gofundme account says a woman and 2-year-old are hospitalized in Chicago "and have a very long road to recovery  all while trying to mourn the loss of Ty."

A firefighter who rescued the child reportedly told the family it took an hour and four saw blades to extricate him from the wreckage.

The fundraising effort is aimed at alleviating financial pressure on the family as the survivors face the challenge of recovering physically and emotionally, according to the gofundme page.

"So much is out of our hands, but this is one way we can help."

The gofundme fundraiser had generated $35,572 as of Wednesday afternoon.
A veterinarian and her attorney will receive more than $113,000 from the proceeds of an auction of 37 horses that had been removed from her property due to malnourishment.

The neglected horses were seized by Gage County officials from the Blue Valley Veterinary Clinic and Pickrell Veterinary Clinic owned by Jennafer Glaesemann. They were cared for at the Epona Horse Rescue before being sold last month at the Palmyra Livestock Market.

More than a dozen horses were found dead on property belonging to Glaesemann. Lin Guyton, who has operated the nonprofit horse rescue in Crete, said the animals reminded her of deprived children from an impoverished country when they were confiscated in August.

In an agreement reached with Glaesemann, Gage County Attorney Roger Harris said the veterinarian would not face criminal charges, but she would not be able to own horses for two years in Gage County.

According to the Gage County District Court order, the auction proceeds will be divided among several entities. The order set forth payment of expenses, liens and taxes, County Attorney Roger Harris said in a press release Monday.

Harris said the case "was complicated by misinformation spread on social media." After reviewing reports from the Gage County Sheriff's Office, Harris said he determined "equine parvovirus could have caused the symptoms observed in the horses owned by Dr. Glaesemann or under her care, which made criminal convictions virtually impossible."

Epona Horse Rescue will receive about $32,000 for caring for the horses between January and March. Gage County will receive $38,899, the Farm Service Agency will get $17,950, and $4,659 will go for payment of delinquent taxes. The Gage County Sheriff's Office will recoup $152 spent during the rescue and $9,317 will be held in trust by the court for a separate settlement.

Guyton said 16 horses came back to the rescue after the sale. She paid $62,000 for 13 of the horses, of which $58,000 was raised by a GoFundMe effort. A proxy buyer bought the three others. Another rescue also purchased some horses.

Guyton said she is "absolutely disgusted" Glaesemann would receive such a large amount of the proceeds. After the seizure of the horses, financial donations totaling over $80,000 were made for care and feeding from August to January, she said.

"(Glaesemann) should have been held accountable for every bill presented to Gage County from the beginning of the seizure (of the horses) right up to the sale," Guyton said. "That money (from the auction) should have been used to repay those donors first."

Messages left Tuesday seeking comment from Glaesemann were not immediately returned.

Horses are being cared for at Epona Rescue
Brisbane-based climate tech startup Cyclion signed a deal with the National Development Company (NDC) for a $3-million pioneering waste-to-energy project in the Philippines.

The NDC, a unit of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said it is committed to supporting projects that contribute to the improvement of the local economy.

- Advertisement -

The Philippines and Australia share a strong economic partnership, and we see even greater opportunities in the future. By strengthening the collaboration between our public and private sectors, we can unlock new avenues for growth and innovation in key sectors like agriculture, education, critical minerals, and clean energy, said Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

Cyclion and the NDC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as a measure of commitment to the project during the state visit of President Marcos to Australia in March 2024.

The MOU was a crucial step for the establishment of Cyclions first processing plant in Manila, intended to commercially operate by end-2024.

The state-of-the-art plant will employ Cyclions cutting-edge technology, transforming biowaste into clean-burning fuel.

The project is expected to boost the Philippines efforts in achieving sustainable and innovative waste management solutions.

The facilitys modular design outlines an impressive capacity of processing 900 metric tons (MT) of waste daily, highlighting its scalability and adaptability to handle varying waste volumes.

NDC is eager to work with Cyclion towards a cleaner future. Our joint efforts will advance waste management solutions, contributing to the national agenda on energy security and environmental sustainability, NDC general manager Antonilo Mauricio said.

Cyclion founder and chief executive Philip Major commended the Philippines proactive approach to environmental challenges.

Cyclion values the Philippines forward-thinking approach to solve waste management challenges. We are excited to work on this partnership and contribute to the countrys sustainable future with our innovative and sustainable solutions, he said.

The booming waste-to-energy market is expected to surpass $68 billion annually by 2030, and Cyclion is poised to receive its share of the market after years of research and development to create its innovative technology.
Beijing, ChinaChina said Wednesday it was highly concerned over a European Union probe into wind turbine suppliers, the latest move by Brussels targeting Beijing over green tech subsidies suspected of undermining fair competition.

I think the outside world is concerned about the rising protectionist tendencies of the European Union, and China is highly concerned about the discriminatory measures taken by the European side against Chinese enterprises and even industries, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

- Advertisement -

The EU is seeking to massively ramp up renewable energy as it aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while moving away from excessive reliance on cheaper Chinese technology.

The blocs competition chief, Margrethe Vestager, announced the inquiry into Chinese wind turbine suppliers during a speech Tuesday at Princeton University in the US state of New Jersey.

We are investigating the conditions for the development of wind parks in Spain, Greece, France, Romania and Bulgaria, she said.

The wind turbine probe follows earlier investigations targeting Chinese subsidies for solar panels, electric cars and trains, as trade tensions heat up with Beijing.

It was launched under new rules that came into force last year and seek to prevent foreign subsidies from undermining fair competition in the EU.

Chinese wind turbines are currently being offered in Europe at prices up to 50 percent lower than European-made ones, according to the WindEurope industry lobby.

Chinas Mao lashed out at EU protectionism, telling journalists it protects backwardness and causes multiple losses.

We urge the European side to abide by WTO rules and market principles, and China will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, she said.

Brussels opened its first probe under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation in February, targeting a subsidiary of Chinese rail giant CRRC. That investigation was closed after the subsidiary withdrew from a tender in Bulgaria to supply electric trains.

A second probe announced last week targets Chinese-owned solar panel manufacturers seeking to build and operate a photovoltaic park in Romania, partly financed by European funds.

Two separate consortiums are under investigation in that case, one of which includes a subsidiary of Chinas Longi Green Energy Technology  the worlds biggest solar panel manufacturer.

The second is made up of two subsidiaries of Chinas state-owned Shanghai Electric group.

Under a different set of rules, Brussels last September started a probe into subsidies for Chinese electric cars.
MANAGUA, NicaraguaMoney sent home by migrants in the United States to Central America has risen to record levels, providing a lifeline for many of their relatives like Salvadoran mother of three Marta Alvarado.

Such remittances are now equivalent to a quarter of the combined economic output of the poverty-afflicted nations of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

- Advertisement -

Alvarado described the money transfers as a blessing for her family.

What my brothers send month after month helps not only me but also my mother and father, who are now elderly, said the 54-year-old, who works as a secretary in a health clinic.

It helps them to support themselves, buy their food, clothing and medicine, and to do home improvements, she told AFP.

El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua together received almost $42 billion in family remittances in 2023, according to official data from central banks and the intergovernmental Central American Monetary Council.

The remittances even exceed the amounts generated by foreign investment, tourism or exports.

They are a key factor in boosting trade and consumer spending in nations with high poverty rates, according to experts.

Remittances to the four countries increased from $19.0 billion in 2017 to $41.8 billion in 2023  a rise that experts attribute to greater migration, in particular to the United States.

The exact number of Central Americans living abroad is unknown, since many are irregular migrants.

But according to estimates by international and non-governmental organizations, the figure is around 10 million, or a quarter of the combined population of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, where most migrants hail from.

People who dont find opportunities in their country are forced to leave, Henry Rodriguez, an economist at the National Autonomous University of Honduras, told AFP.

Remittances now represent almost 27 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in Honduras, 26 percent in Nicaragua, 24 percent in El Salvador and almost 20 percent in Guatemala.

They are and will continue to be a life preserver for the Salvadoran economy for a long time, economist Carlos Acevedo, a former president of El Salvadors central bank, said.

Without remittances we would have sunk a long time ago, he told AFP.

If dollars do not enter, the financial system does not work  nothing works in the country. And remittances are one of the main sources of dollar inflows, Acevedo said.

In Nicaragua, 17-year-old student Ligia Hurtado receives money sent by two aunts from Spain, which she uses to pay for university fees, housing, food and transportation.

In El Salvador, 61-year-old retiree Emerita Coto said her brother sends her $400 every month from New York, money that she uses to pay for a plot of land that she acquired on credit.

In contrast, money transfers are less important for countries with little emigration, and represent only around one percent of GDP in Panama and Costa Rica.

Multilateral organizations such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank promote the productive use of remittances, rather than for consumption.

They encourage investment in small businesses to support the development of nations with small economies and high poverty rates.

It is a view shared by Guatemalas new president, Bernardo Arevalo.

Remittances can contribute more efficiently to breaking the cycle of poverty that motivates migration, he said.

Gustavo Juarez, who heads an association of Guatemalans deported from the United States, agrees.

It would be good for a remittance to be invested in a business or a small enterprise, he told AFP.

In El Salvadors capital, Alvarados 71-year-old mother Ester plans to open a store with some of the money that her children send.

Soon she will have a business that can help her to have other income, Alvarado said.
Washington, United States  A Missouri man convicted of murdering his cousin and her husband was executed in Missouri on Tuesday, despite widespread calls for his life to be spared.

Brian Dorsey, 52, was pronounced dead at 6:11 pm Central Time (2311 GMT) following lethal injection for the 2006 murders of Sarah Bonnie, 25, and her husband Ben Bonnie, 28, in New Bloomfield, Missouri.

- Advertisement -

Dorsey pleaded guilty to shooting the couple with a shotgun after they took him in for the night to protect him from drug dealers who were trying to collect on a debt.

The Bonnies four-year-old daughter, who was in the house at the time of the murders, was unharmed.

In a petition to the Supreme Court asking for a stay of execution, Dorseys lawyers said his is the rare case where a person facing an imminent execution unquestionably is fully rehabilitated.

Brian Dorsey committed the offense during a drug-induced psychosis, they said. During Mr. Dorseys many years on death row, removed from the circumstances that led to his psychosis, he has been rehabilitated.

Among those seeking clemency were Missouri Roman Catholic bishops and 70 correctional officers from the prison where Dorsey has been incarcerated for the past 17 years.

Generally, we believe in the use of capital punishment, the correctional officers said in a letter to Missouri Governor Mike Parson, a Republican.

But we are in agreement that the death penalty is not the appropriate punishment for Brian Dorsey, they said.

Former Missouri Supreme Court chief justice Michael Wolff, several Republican Missouri lawmakers and five of the jurors who handed down Dorseys death sentence have also urged clemency.

There have been four other executions in the United States this year, including one in Alabama that was the first using nitrogen gas.

The three others  in Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas  were carried out by lethal injection.

Another execution by lethal injection had been scheduled to take place in Idaho in February but was halted after a medical team was unable to insert an intravenous line.

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.
Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday welcomed the forthcoming historic trilateral summit among US President Joe Biden, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and President Ferdinand Marcos, saying this augurs for immense economic benefits.

He said the first-ever meeting of the three leaders in Washington D.C. on April 11 (US time) signifies a pivotal step toward deepening economic ties among the three nations, enhancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and bolstering cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.

- Advertisement -

Economic cooperation lies at the heart of this trilateral meeting, with discussions aimed at enhancing trade, investment, and development opportunities among our nations. Our countrys deeper economic integration with the United States and Japan will undoubtedly benefit our people in terms of jobs and livelihood opportunities and contribute to regional prosperity, Romualdez said.

He said the historic trilateral meeting also underscores the crucial role of the Philippines as a partner of superpowers US and Japan in their shared commitment to fostering regional stability and prosperity.

As nations with strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific, our collaboration is essential in addressing common challenges and advancing mutual interests, the Speaker said.

President Marcos engagement with President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida underscores our nations commitment to upholding the principles of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. It is also a tacit recognition of his leadership and his foreign policy of being a friend to all and enemy to none, he said.

Romualdez said the three leaders are also expected to explore cooperation not only toward promoting inclusive economic growth but also in the areas of developing critical and emerging technologies, climate change cooperation, and clean energy supply chains.

The Philippines, as a vulnerable nation to the impacts of climate change, welcomes increased cooperation with the United States and Japan to implement sustainable solutions and mitigate the effects of climate change on our communities, Romualdez said.
President Marcos on Wednesday said he was horrified by the idea of a gentlemans agreement with China regarding the countrys territorial waters.

I am horrified by the idea that we have compromised  through a secret agreement  the territory, the sovereignty, and the sovereign rights of the Filipinos, Mr. Marcos said in an ambush interview in San Juan.

- Advertisement -

He said the administration has no idea of the alleged agreement between former President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the West Philippine Sea.

We dont know if its a secret agreement. We dont know anything about it. There is no documentation, there is no record, there is no we were not briefed when I came into office. No one even told us that there was such an agreement, Mr. Marcos said.

Asked if he has a plan to talk with his predecessor, the chief executive said his administration has been discussing the matter with former officials.

Were talking to his former officials. Maybe not the president himself but all his former officials, we are asking them what that (agreement) is, he said.

He, however, said he has not received a straight answer from former officials.

Were trying to clear it up to now because from the former administration, iba-iba ang sagot, eh, the President said.

The President vowed to clear things up with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xillian.

We still have to clear it up. Were waiting for Ambassador Huang to come back from Beijingand Ill ask to see him baka siguro sa pagbalik na, he said.

Earlier, Dutertes former chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo denied the existence of any gentlemans agreement.

Panelo squarely contradicted the statement of Dutertes former spokesperson, Harry Roque, that a verbal deal was reached between the two leaders to maintain the status quo in Ayungin Shoal.

Theres no such animal, Panelo said.

This is what President Duterte said: I did not enter into any gentlemans agreement whatsoever, he added.

However, in a Facebook post, Roque shot back at those who seemed to have forgotten the gentlemans agreement to maintain the status quo on the West Philippine Sea.

For those who have forgotten, now you know, Roque wrote in his caption to a link to a Reuters story, Philippines says China agrees on no new expansion in South China Sea.

But Panelo said Duterte told him twice that no such deal existed.

He said the former President even raised the arbitral ruling to Xi during his first visit to China in 2016.

We were surprised with the reaction of Xi. He said, Do not forcet hat because if you force it, there will be trouble. We were shocked, Panelo said.

The President responded that if we cannot come to an agreement, let us at least have peace, he said.

Panelo said he is willing to attend a Senate inquiry into the gentlemans deal disclosed by Roque if he is asked to.

If I am called to testify, why not? Panelo said.
Several universities in Metro Manila over the past week have announced a shift in learning modes because of extreme heat.

The University of the Philippines Diliman on Wednesday said faculty members are requested to consider shifting to remote and/or asynchronous modes of learning during extreme heat conditions, citing concerns raised by its student council.

- Advertisement -

Meanwhile, some public and private universities announced that in-person classes last Monday must be conducted remotely, as well as asynchronously in certain cases.

These included Far Eastern University, National University Manila, all campuses of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of the East Manila and Caloocan campuses, and the University of Makati, among others.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Tuesday warned of dangerous heat index levels ranging from 42C to 44C in eight areas nationwide.

The Department of Education in March said school administrators have the authority to suspend classes due to extreme heat. Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education has yet to make a similar pronouncement.
Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin on Wednesday said the proposed economic Charter change will make the Philippines more friendly to foreign investments and attract more investors to its shores.

What is preventing us from taking off with our own Constitution? Thats natural, because nobody is perfect. So thats being admitted now, but the [economic Charter change critics] dont understand, Garin said.

- Advertisement -

She said one of the concerns of foreign investors is not being able to own land in the Philippines because the Constitution prohibits it.

The congressional leader made the assessment in response to two adverse economic outlooks on the Philippines from foreign institutions.

On March 29, the US Trade Representative cited foreign ownership limitations in the Philippines as one of the barriers to trade and investments, while the Milken Institutes Global Opportunity Index (GOI) report for 2024 said the country ranked 91st out of 130 nations when it comes to attractiveness to foreign investors due to financial access.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday reported the number of injured overseas Filipino workers in the wake of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan rose to 15.

All 15 OFWs have received initial medical treatment and have been discharged. Additionally, follow-up consultations and check-ups have been scheduled.

- Advertisement -

The OFWs are currently recuperating in their respective company dormitories and accommodations. The Migrant Workers Office in Taipei (MWO-Taipei) is monitoring their conditions closely in coordination with their companies as well as medical authorities.

Meanwhile, the DMW, through its Migrant Workers Offices in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung, is working closely with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) led by Chairman Silvestre H. Bello III in monitoring the situation of and helping our OFWs in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The six-member augmentation deployed in Taiwan has been meeting with various Filipino communities and workers groups to assure them of the governments full support.

The team, led by DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation Patricia Yvonne PY M. Caunan and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Deputy Administrator for Operations Atty. Mary Melanie H. Quino, was tasked with providing psychosocial support for OFWs in need.

They have also been distributing financial assistance amounting to P30,000 each for OFWs who suffered injuries resulting from the earthquake, as well as food packs and other essential items.
GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador  Ecuadors ex-vice president Jorge Glas, whose capture in a dramatic raid on Mexicos embassy in Quito sparked a global outcry, was back in prison Tuesday after a short hospital stay, officials said.

Glas, 54, was admitted to the hospital on Monday after he refused to eat for 24 hours while detained at the Guayaquil maximum security prison, officials said, where he was taken after being captured last Friday.

- Advertisement -

The former vice president was taken back to his cell Tuesday, the SNAI prisons authority reported, after his health recovered to acceptable parameters.

Ecuador security forces stormed the embassy on Friday night, a rare incursion on what is considered inviolable diplomatic territory, to arrest Glas, who had been granted asylum by Mexico.

Glas  who had already served time on corruption charges  was the subject of a fresh arrest warrant for allegedly diverting funds intended for reconstruction efforts after a devastating earthquake in 2016.

The intrusion triggered a political storm, with Mexico, several other Latin American states, Spain, the European Union and the UN chief condemning it as a violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention governing international relations.

Mexico, which cut diplomatic relations and pulled its embassy personnel from Ecuador, said it would file a complaint at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

On Tuesday, the White House issued a condemnation of the raid.

The Ecuadoran government disregarded its obligations under international law as a host state to respect the inviolability of diplomatic missions, and jeopardize the foundation of basic diplomatic norms in relationships, said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

His comments were more critical than earlier ones from the State Department, which Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador earlier said had not been not sufficiently strong.

Lopez Obrador noted Tuesday that President Joe Biden had not personally spoken out against the Ecuadoran operation, describing the US and Canadian reactions to the raid as very ambiguous.

We are economic and commercial partners. We are neighbors and their position was very vague, he said at his regular morning news conference.

Glas was vice president under former leftist president Rafael Correa, who has been living in exile in Belgium since 2017 and was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison for corruption.

Correa said Tuesday that Ecuador had done irreparable damage to its global standing.

There is a kidnapped person whose life is in danger, whose human rights, all due process have been violated, whose asylum has been disrespected, Correa said of Glas.

I ask the world to make whatever political and judicial pressures are necessary, because this is not going to stop.

A Brussels-based lawyer for Glas told AFP on Monday that she feared for his life and pleaded for international help.

I believe that Jorge Glas is at grave risk, at imminent risk, in the hands of the (Ecuadoran) government. It was a kidnapping, and I believe at any moment they could kill him, Sonia Vera said.

Former presidential candidate Luisa Gonzalez said Tuesday neither Glass family nor lawyers had been able to see him while he was in the hospital.
WASHINGTON, DC  The United States warned Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) that it will hold China responsible if Moscow makes gains in Ukraine, after Beijing renewed pledges of cooperation during a visit by Russias top diplomat.

Kurt Campbell, the deputy secretary of state long associated with regearing US policy toward Asia, said that for the United States, maintaining peace and stability in Europe is our most important mission historically.

- Advertisement -

With Moscow renewing its Ukraine offensive amid a deadlock in the US Congress on approving more weapons to Ukraine, Campbell warned that Russian territorial gains could alter the balance of power in Europe in ways that are, frankly, unacceptable.

We have told China directly, if this continues, it will have an impact on the US-China relationship. We will not sit by and say everything is fine, Campbell said.

We will see this not as just a Russian unique set of activities but a conjoined set of activities backed by China but also North Korea. This is antithetical to our interests, he told the National Committee on US-China Relations, an educational group.

Campbell was responding to a question about a visit Tuesday by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to China, where President Xi Jinping told him that Beijing was ready to strengthen coordination.

Campbell said that President Joe Bidens administration had warned Chinese officials in advance of intelligence indicating Russian President Vladimir Putin would order an invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Im not sure they completely believed us, or thought that maybe it would be a smaller thing, not an all-out move and push, Campbell said.

Campbell said China was alarmed to see Russias early setbacks and worked to rebuild a whole variety of capacities for Moscow.

Initially, that was a defensive endeavor. They did not want to see regime change, Campbell said.

But more than two years later, Russia has almost completely retooled, and they now pose a significant threat going forward to Ukraine (and) to the surrounding region, Campbell said.

The United States has repeatedly threatened sanctions if China takes more substantial action to support Russia.

US officials say that Russia has increasingly turned to arms from North Korea and Iran, both under heavy sanctions, to fuel its war in Ukraine.
The government is looking at ways to revert to the old school calendar as soon as possible, to adjust to high temperatures affecting classes across the nation, President Ferdinand Marcos. Jr. on Wednesday said.

It was the climate change. We did not anticipate that extreme heat would be felt much sooner than usual. This is why we need to adjust, the President said, adding that the government is finding ways on how to speed up the transition period.

- Advertisement -

Theres already a consensus that the old schedule is better. As long as there is a way, we will make a way to hasten the return to the normal schedule, the President, in an ABS-CBN News report said.

Earlier, the Teachers Dignity Coalition said that the shift could be done more quickly by making the 2024-2025 academic year a transition period with slightly fewer class days.

Vice President Sara Duterte, concurrently education secretary, earlier said that the Department of Education cannot rush the return to the old school calendar.

The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) meanwhile recommended to its faculty members to shift to remote and or asynchronous classes during extreme heat conditions.

The state weather bureau on Monday warned of rising heat indexes reaching danger levels across the country amid the El Nino phenomenon as the Department of Education allowed the use of alternative delivery modes (ADMs) for teaching in areas that declared suspension of face-to-face classes, mostly in the Visayas region.

The DepEd will also allow teachers to wear comfortable clothes instead of uniforms during in-person classes subject to dress codes, Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas told reporters in a Viber message.

Yes that is the logical thing to do, Bringas added, noting that public-school students are already allowed to wear comfortable clothes since there is no prescribed uniform for them.

About 246 public schools in Western Visayas shifted to alternative delivery modes on Monday following the suspension of in-person classes over the extreme heat.

It was the same for students in Libon, Albay, who were told not to wear school uniforms after an advisory issued by the Office of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council under Mayor Wilfredo V. Maronilla.

Amid the increasing heat index (with Albays heat index reaching to 36 to 41, equivalent to extreme caution) it is advisable for the students and pupils to wear comfortable and presentable clothing (cotton shirts) going to school, the mayors office said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, in its two-day forecast, said Aparri in Cagayan Valley and Catarman in Northern Samar hit 43 degrees Celsius on the heat index on Monday.

The heat index also reached 42 at Pili, Camarines Sur and Zamboanga City.

Other areas forecast to experience 41 on the heat index were Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Puerto Princesa City and Aborlan in Palawan; Roxas City in Capiz; Iloilo City and Dumangas in Iloilo; La Granja, La Carlota in Negros Occidental; Tacloban City in Leyte; and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte.
Amidst the shadows, Japan and India whisper promises of solidarity, offering a glimmer of hope against Chinas relentless advance

In the murky depths of geopolitical turmoil, the Philippines is ensnared in a lethal dance with relentless Chinese aggression, haunted by the ghosts of past betrayals and shattered dreams of American solidarity.

As the ominous clouds of uncertainty gather overhead, a crucial rendezvous looms on April 11 among US President Biden, Japans Prime Minister Kishida, and President Marcos, beckoning amidst escalating Chinese pressure, uniting nations in a high-stakes waltz of diplomacy and defense.

- Advertisement -

Backtracking through historys blood-soaked corridors, the Philippines finds itself locked in a familiar struggle against Chinese expansionism, scarred by the cold-blooded annexation of Scarborough Shoal in 2012, only to be met with empty promises from the US.

Despite a favorable ruling in 2016 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Beijings dismissive stance and American indifference shroud the RP-US alliance in a cloud of doubt.

In the here and now, Chinas belligerent maneuvers persist, testing the Philippines mettle as it fights to safeguard its maritime sovereignty.

President Marcos, a lone figure standing firm against the tempest, seeks solace in revived alliances, fortifying defense pacts and procuring crucial military hardware from stalwart allies like India.

With tensions on the rise, the stakes soar to dizzying heights, as Filipino hopes soar to fever pitch.

While US rhetoric pledges steadfast support, lingering suspicions remain over the sincerity of American vows, leaving Manila braced for a bitter taste of past treachery.

Yet amidst the shadows, Japan and India whisper promises of solidarity, offering a glimmer of hope against Chinas relentless advance.

But it is America that holds the key to the Philippines destiny, its actions reverberating throughout the region, molding perceptions of security and stability.

As the world looks on, the Philippines stands at a crossroads, grappling with the weight of history and the fog of an uncertain future.

Will the Biden administration stay true to its word, or will the Philippines be left to fend for itself once more?

In the murky waters of geopolitics, where deeds speak louder than words, the Philippines navigates perilous seas, praying fervently that history wont loop back on itself.

For in the crucible of conflict, the destiny of nations hangs by a thread, and the echoes of past betrayals ring out with bone-chilling clarity.
In the Philippines, 99 percent of local business leaders have established goals to achieve net zero in their operations, results of the annual sustainability survey of Schneider Electric showed.

Global research firm Millieu Insight conducted the survey of Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and digital automation.

- Advertisement -

Results showed that 60 percent of APACs business leaders feel that their company and country view sustainability as a high priority.

In terms of the industrys perception on digital transformation, 94 percent of business leaders agree that electrification is key to their corporate sustainability strategy.

The survey engaged 4,500 C-level to Middle-level business leaders across nine countries in Southeast and East Asia, including the Philippines.

We are seeing a growing trajectory towards greater sustainability integration into our local industries operations. As a leader in sustainable energy management solutions, Schneider Electric is reaffirming its commitment to support the business industry and the government in their pursuit towards their shift to green energy, said Ireen Catane, country president of Schneider Electric Philippines.

The Green Action Gap is a Schneider Electric-identified metric used to estimate the rift between the organizations declared commitment towards their sustainability goals and the tangible actions to implement sustainable development by companies.

It revealed that while 99 percent of the surveyed leaders have established sustainability plans, only 58 percent have set their plans in action. The reasons captured include: poor incentives, regulations uncertainty, bureaucratic challenges, market data references insufficiencies and lack of business priority. While challenges persist, the gap serves as a rallying call for urgent efforts to bridge intentions with actions.

Across the region, the top reasons reported for pursuing corporate sustainability were innovation and competitiveness (39 percent) and an increase in business opportunities (37 percent) with countries in Southeast Asia most likely to agree that sustainability contributes to business growth. Risk management, reputation and opportunity for cost saving round out the top five motivating factors companies consider when making decisions around sustainability strategy.

Most business leaders across the region (82 percent on average) believe that providing more incentives is more effective than enforcing penalties to encourage private sector compliance with government sustainability goals.

We are encouraged by the growing awareness and commitment among Asias companies to establish sustainability goals. However, the surveys findings on the intention-action gap reveal that there is still work to be done. As we navigate the urgent need for sustainability, it becomes more crucial for businesses and the public sector to collaborate and leverage innovative solutions to create a more sustainable future, Catane said.

To be on track for a net zero world in 2050, businesses need to reduce emissions by 50 percent this decade. At the recently concluded Philenergy Expo 2024, Schneider Electric introduced its global vision, Electricity 4.0, which shows how digitalization is the key to mitigate climate and energy crises.

From the survey report, results show that 97 percent of Philippine companies agree/strongly agree that digitalization is a key sustainability driver. The same number also consider energy efficiency as a core aspect of their sustainability plan.

Electricity is the cleanest and most visible form of energy. By building a smart electric world where everything is interconnected, people will have the ability to optimize safety, reliability, performance, and lifespan. All while working towards achieving our global carbon neutrality goal by 2050, said Catane.

With digitization, energy shifts from being the biggest driver of carbon emissions to the biggest opportunity for carbon reduction. We have the tools that we need to drive change. All we need to do is to work together to make that happen, Catane added.
Iran is Hijacking Assyrian Politics in Iraq

(AINA) -- On February 21, the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq ruled on a set of cases pertaining to the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) electoral law. The Court declared that the 11 parliamentary reserved seats for minorities were unconstitutional. So too was the KRG's single electoral district model. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) officials and their opposition supporters hailed the move. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) rejected the decisions. Washington dithered, emphasizing that the upcoming Kurdish elections should be free, fair, and timely.

The Court's decision is not actually about Christians--and neither were the responses by the KDP and PUK. The decision reflects the country's pro-Iranian elements attempt to use Christians and other minorities as pawns in a powerplay between the autonomous Kurdistan Region, dominated by the KDP, and the federal government in Baghdad.

Editor's note: 99% of Christians in Iraq are Assyrians (also known as Chaldeans and Syriacs).

The situation facing Christians in Iraq is dire. Sectarianism and extremism are on the rise. Washington needs a united and stable KRG in the fight against both and Iranian expansionism. But political paralysis grips Erbil and tensions between the KRG and Baghdad get worse every day. Washington's need for a strategic partner need not override its stated foreign policy objectives of promoting pluralism and democracy. In fact, Iraq's Christians may be the key to accomplishing both.

The Christians of Northern Iraq

Christians have lived in northern Iraq for millennia. In modern times they concentrated east of Mosul in the Nineveh Plains, which lies in the heart of Iraq's resource rich disputed territories. Kurds claims this land as part of their historical homeland. In the 1970s and 1980s the Ba'ath Party sought to Arabize the region.

Christians desire to remain in their historic homelands. Yet political unification in pursuit of this goal and others is rare due to intragroup friction over three issues: the adoption and acceptance of an ethnic Assyrian identity before a sectarian one, the battle for political leadership of the community between clergy and secular leaders, and whether group rights are best achieved by aligning with the Iraqi central government or the KRG.

Christians in Post-Ba'ath Iraq: Between a Rock and Hard Place

The Nineveh Plains' strategic importance to Erbil and Baghdad provide the motive and means to exploit Christians. Intra-Christian cleavages, power dynamics, and security vulnerabilities provide the opportunity to do so. Iraq's Christians and are thus often forced to ally with a stronger actor knowing full well that no option is good.

The areas of northern Iraq where Christians and other indigenous minorities like Yazidis, Shabak, and Turkmen are most visible remains a seam in the line of control between the KRG and Baghdad. The KDP courts Christians and other minorities to secure the disputed territories, strengthen its grip over the KRG, and buttress its image as an island of pluralism and democracy vis-a-vis Baghdad and the Muslim Middle East. This helps strengthen ties to the United States and the economic and security assistance that comes with it. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan needs Christians and other minorities to undermine the KDP's power in Erbil, even if that means undermining Kurdish autonomy by aligning with the country's pro-Iranian elements also seeking a foothold in the northern corridor. Sunni Arabs value minorities as tools to balance against Kurdish statehood ambitions and those that lean towards Tehran.

Indeed, after the 2003 US invasion the KDP used "carrots and sticks" to sway the loyalties of Nineveh's Christians fleeing violence in southern and central Iraq in preparation for the 2007 disputed territories referendum that never happened. The 2009 KRG draft Constitution further staked a claim over these areas. Like the 2005 Iraqi constitution, it also provided Christians with a measure of political autonomy should they be the area's majority population. But this was seen as another tool to court loyalties. The PUK pushed for an expansion of quotas in the Kurdish parliament to include one seat for Armenians and five seats for Turkmen to account for the potential to control Kirkuk.

By 2013 the Sulaymaniyah-based PUK realized that the Kurdistan Democratic Party was successfully coopting minority seats due to the larger population base in Erbil and Dohuk and the simple fact that more minorities lived in those areas. Since then, the PUK has pushed to reform the quota system. In 2014 Baghdad pledged to create a Nineveh Plains province where Christians and other minorities would hold larger demographic weight. These plans were aborted, though, with the rise of the Islamic State. Christians were left exposed and accused Baghdad but especially the KDP of abandoning them. In 2017 northern Iraq was liberated. Baghdad, buttressed by pro-Iranian militias, rolled back Kurdish territorial gains in Nineveh after that year's failed Kurdistan independence referendum. Power-sharing between the KDP and PUK broke down. The pro-Iranian militias that helped Baghdad reclaim territory in Nineveh saw an opportunity.

A key figure of the pro-Iranian militia network that stepped into Nineveh's power vacuum is Ryan al Kildani. Al Kildani is the head of the ostensibly Christian "Babylon Movement" and its armed militia, Brigade 50. While Al-Kildani himself is a Christian, the party and militia he leads are overwhelmingly made up of Badr Organization-affiliated Shia Arabs. In 2019 the US Treasury Department labeled al-Kildani a "human rights abuser," noting that, "(T)he 50th Brigade is allegedly the primary impediment to the return of internally displaced persons to the Nineveh Plainand the local population has accused the group of intimidation, extortion, and harassment of women."

Al-Kildani and Babylon Movement mimicked the KDP strategy of capitalizing on the fact that voting for reserved minority seats was not restricted to these communities, securing most or all reserved seats in the 2018 KRG elections as well as the 2018 and 2021 federal parliamentary elections. The 2023 Iraqi provincial elections saw Babylon candidates again coopt reserved Christian seats in Baghdad, Basra, Nineveh, and Kirkuk.

Al-Kildani also effectively neutralized the rival Assyrian Democratic Movement, forcing its militia to consolidate into a sub-unit of Brigade 50. In 2023, it was al-Kildani and his allies in Baghdad that were allegedly behind the central government's decision to strip Patriarch Louis Sako, an outspoken critic, of institutional recognition as the head of the Chaldean (Catholic) Church.

The Supreme Court, Federalism, and the KDP-KUP Rivalry

During the 2021-2022 nationwide political crisis, the PUK aligned with the pro-Iran Coordination Framework to counter the KDP's backing of the Sadrists and Sunni factions. The Coordination Framework eventually won control of the government. It has since been accused of turning the Supreme Federal Court into a tool for consolidating its grip over the state. For example, the Court's 2022 decision to overturn the KRG's natural resource law and thereby cripple its oil and gas industry, a major source of revenue and a pillar of federalism, is seen as an act of retaliation against the KDP. Another key ruling seen to target the KDP and federalism occurred in mid-2023 when the Court declared that the Kurdish parliament's one year mandate extension illegal and ordered the Iraqi Electoral Commission to supervise Kurdish elections.

One of the main reasons for the Kurdish parliament's mandate extension was the failure to agree on how minority seats were allocated. The KDP wanted to retain the status quo while the PUK sought reform, hoping to allocate some minority seats to Sulaymaniyah. The PUK, opposition supporters, and some PUK allied Christian politicians appealed to the country's highest court, which responded by eliminating the seats and the KRG's electoral district model. That must now expand to at least four.

The KDP called the decision unconstitutional. It has since threatened to boycott the upcoming elections and withdraw from the State Administrative Coalition formed to govern Iraq in the wake of the 2021-2022 political crisis. Some analysts felt the Court overstepped its bounds. PUK and opposition officials still hailed the decision and expressed support for not delaying Kurdish elections any longer. The ruling served their interests. It removed seats that were historically coopted by the KDP, forced a favorable electoral map and, by extension, increased the prospects for a more balanced distribution of power and resources. These reasons aligned with the Coordination Framework's goals of undermining the KDP, federalism, and the united, stable, and democratic KRG that Washington desires.

What the Court's Decisions Mean for Christians and Democracy in Iraq

Most mainstream Iraqi Christian politicians rejected the Court's moves. Officials from six Christian parties blamed the PUK and KDP for exploitation, declared the rulings as unconstitutional, and called for a return to elections where minority candidates select their own representatives, the format that was used in the 1992 KRG elections. Some Turkmen political leaders echoed these concerns. On March 13 most Christian and Turkmen parties announced they would boycott elections.

The Nineveh Plains' strategic importance to Erbil and Baghdad provide the motive and means to exploit Christians. Intra-Christian cleavages, power dynamics, and security vulnerabilities provide the opportunity to do so. Iraq's Christians and are thus often forced to ally with a stronger actor knowing full well that no option is good.

The loss of reserved seats will contribute to further marginalization, alienation and exodus, which will only further weaken the standing of Christians and other minorities. Prior to the rulings, Christian candidates typically had to make an alliance with a stronger political actor. This of course made them vulnerable to cooptation, which de-legitimized them in the eyes of many of their own community. Removing quotas and moving to at least four electoral districts does not mean that minority candidates will not have to make alliances with a stronger actor. Both rulings and the demographic problem may make that need, and opportunities for cooptation from larger forces that come with, greater. If electoral cooptation does not work, both Erbil and Baghdad have never been shy about pursuing a demographic makeover.

If Christians and other minorities stop leaving Iraq today, an unlikely scenario, the power of their voices within each new and smaller Kurdish electoral district would potentially grow, especially in areas they are concentrated in. But this will not stop marginalization. Intra-group cleavages aside, Christians and other minorities still must run against better funded candidates from the region's stronger Kurdish political parties unless every person in an electoral district belongs to the same community and has similar preferences. This is not reality.

In cases where they would potentially constitute a plurality, such as the Nineveh Plains, it bears repeating that land grabs are not uncommon, one should not expect them to stop anytime soon, and security concerns are why most Christians remain displaced or have left Iraq. Crucially, every election in KRG history, let alone Iraq, has been rife with allegations of significant electoral fraud. Stories of harassment to ballot stuffing to pay-offs to "missing" votes or sudden disqualifications are common. Occasionally, votes go up in flames. These allegations are something Washington is aware of but has done little to deter due to the KRG's status as a strategic partner amid more pressing regional concerns.

The KRG's reserved seat model was not perfect. But it did provide some form of representation. Consistent themes among many Christians is that they favor quotas and elections where minorities vote for their own representatives. This could go a long way towards legitimizing community leaders and securing rights by forcing the KDP and PUK to work harder to build political bridges.

But again, Iraq's larger political forces do not make decisions to benefit minority communities. They make decisions based on their rivalries with one another that often have a detrimental effect on Christians and other minorities. Considering the Court's politicization and the history of how Erbil and Baghdad have treated Christians and other minorities, one should not get their hopes up that the quotas will be restored. The same can be said about a law that permanently changes how minority elections are conducted, be it in the KRG or the central government. If any or all these things do happen, one should question the larger motives at play.

Christians are a distinct and inseparable part of Iraq's ethno-sectarian mosaic. They played a key role in the establishment of the autonomous Kurdish region and as peacekeepers during the Kurdish Civil War. During the 2003 US invasion, Christians fought alongside Kurds and US troops to secure northern Iraq. Like their Arab and Kurdish co-citizens they suffered under the Islamic State but then helped liberate the country. Yet Iraq's Christian population numbers approximately 200,000, down from 1.5 million before the 2003 U.S. invasion. Pro-Iranian elements in Baghdad continue their efforts to capture the state. Iraq once again needs Christians. The US does too. The future of Iraq as a stable, pluralistic, and democratic state may hinge on it.
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has announced a national emergency on drug abuse in response to mounting pressure for his administration to address the growing problem of a dangerous and inexpensive synthetic drug called kush. This potent combination of marijuana, fentanyl, and tramadol has been linked to hundreds of fatalities and significant mental health issues among users since it emerged in the country about four years ago. However, exact death tolls are not known.

In a late-night speech on Thursday, Bio expressed grave concerns about the harmful impact of kush on the nations core demographic: its youth. He unveiled plans for a national task force on drug abuse, which will include representatives from various sectors and be overseen by a presidential advisory committee, to roll out a five-point plan aimed at achieving a drug-free future.

Kushs affordability makes it especially appealing to the nations disaffected, jobless young people, a significant issue in Sierra Leone where poverty affects about a quarter of its citizens. The drug problem extends to neighboring Liberia as well.

Community leaders have been urging the government to intervene and assist in managing the drug crisis. Abdul Jalloh, who leads Sierra Leones sole psychiatric hospital, praised Bios emergency declaration as a vital measure in combating drug abuse in the country.
On Tuesday, Liberias senate endorsed the creation of a war crimes tribunal aimed at addressing long-delayed justice for victims of severe violations during the countrys two civil conflicts. The proposal, introduced by President Joseph Boakai, received approval in a vote by Liberias lower house last month and was further supported in the Senate with 27 of 29 senators in favor. Boakais final endorsement is now awaited.

This initiative has been met with enthusiasm from activists and civil society organizations who have long advocated for greater accountability for the atrocities committed throughout the civil wars from 1989 to 2003, which resulted in approximately 250,000 deaths and included widespread massacres, sexual violence, and the enlistment of child soldiers. Despite recommendations from a Truth and Reconciliation Committee for the establishment of a special court to prosecute those deemed responsible, significant progress was stalled until Boakais election the previous year.

The envisioned court intended to function within Liberia according to global norms and with support from international entities like the United Nations, will also extend its mandate to include economic crimes. Nevertheless, the proposal has faced opposition from some quarters within Liberia, who argue that it could reopen painful memories and challenge an existing amnesty law credited with ceasing the hostilities.
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

Artificial intelligence will significantly impact the heart transplantation process by helping physicians better assess the complex factors impacting patient outcomes, according to researchers at today's Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) in Prague.

"Until now, we've assessed the likelihood of transplant success based on individual risk factors," said Eileen Hsich, medical director of the Heart Transplant Program at the Cleveland Clinic. "I think our guidelines will change because we'll be able to look at combinations of weighted risk factors and how they interplay.

"That work cannot be done manually," she said. "Machine learning can provide data we've never had before, and it will make a big difference."

Johan Nilsson, MD, Ph.D., senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at Skane University Hospital and professor at Lund University in Lund, Sweden, is developing a decision-support tool for transplant surgeons using a modeling technique called "digital twinning."

"This technique enables us to create a digital picture of each recipient that can help physicians predict future patient outcomes based on specific combinations of data," he said.

Dr. Nilsson's team has built a database with multiple data points, including clinical information and test results, on all 600 heart recipients and donors treated at his institution since the inception of its transplantation program. They are also in the process of sequencing the whole genome of recipients and their respective donors to add to the database.

"Patients added to an organ transplant waiting list provide a lot of health data and laboratory samples," he said. "The same information is also gathered from the donor."

Dr. Nilsson plans to continue to follow heart recipients after their procedure, adding information such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and biopsy results to the database.

"The advantage of algorithms is they provide an unbiased decision-support system that can help physicians determine the 3 Rs: the Right donor at the Right time with the Right patient," he said. "If you get a donor in the middle of the night and you have three potential recipients, AI can offer an independent system to help determine the best match."

Dr. Nilsson said AI could help improve organ allocation systems by helping physicians better predict outcomes at each step of the transplantation process.

Provided by International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
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

New research being presented at this year's ESCMID Global Congress (formerly ECCMID) in Barcelona, Spain (2730 April) suggests that the free-to-use, widely accessible ChatGPT could be an effective tool to help reduce vaccine hesitancy among the general public, as well as providing helpful advice on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in conjunction with sexual health clinics, by improving knowledge and access to care.

"Our findings showed that ChatGPT displayed a remarkable ability to accurately respond to a wide breadth of commonly asked questions, encompassing topics such as misconceptions around mRNA vaccination and the importance of testing for STIs," says lead author Dr. Matthew Koh from the National University Health System (NUHS) in Singapore. "In the majority of instances, ChatGPT performed at the level of advice provided by professional organizations and guidelines."

Since its unveiling in November 2022, millions of people have used AI (artificial intelligence) chatbots like ChatGPT for everything from making music to answering trivia to helping with homework. But ChatGPT has been mired in issues around its accuracy.

Vaccines have stopped epidemics and almost eradicated deadly diseases in the past such as polio, but vaccine hesitancy, directly linked to misinformationfalse, inaccurate information promoted as factualis on the rise, resulting in lower vaccine uptake. Since the public debut of ChatGPT, individuals with mistrust of health professionals may be using the technology to address their concerns.

Similarly, for individuals trying to access information on sexual health, or those worried about the stigma and embarrassment of attending a clinic, or with limited access to health care, could find using ChatGPT is a good way to get answers about STIs.

To find out more, researchers from the NUHS in Singapore tested ChatGPT to see whether it could successfully provide answers to common questions about vaccination and STIs.

A team of physicians who run infectious disease clinics asked ChatGPT to answer 15 commonly asked questions on vaccine hesitancy, including questions on doubts about the efficacy of vaccines, concerns about adverse effects, and cultural concerns relating to vaccines.

They also asked ChatGPT 17 common questions on STIs based on general risk factors, access to care and diagnosis, and management and post-exposure prophylaxis.

The AI-generated responses on vaccine hesitancy were then assessed by two independent infectious disease experts against recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the chatbot answers on STIs were assessed against the 2021 US CDC STI Treatment Guidelines. All responses were evaluated for their completeness, quality, and accuracy.

Factual responses to vaccine hesitancy concerns

The researchers found that overall ChatGPT's output provided factual responses and reassurance to vaccine hesitancy concerns.

For example, ChatGPT accurately highlighted the indication for measles vaccination in low incidence settings, and discussed the potential benefits of male human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. However, the AI chatbot failed to acknowledge the suggested ACIP age cutoffs for HPV vaccination, or account for a specific individual's situation such as how sexually active they might be.

In addition, ChatGPT provided reassurances for people with an egg allergy and influenza vaccination, and addressed misconceptions around mRNA vaccination and permanent alterations in DNA with high accuracy. However, it did not offer the non-mRNA vaccine options for COVID-19, but did encourage further discussions with health care professionals.

ChatGPT also appropriately acknowledged the complexity of religious issues around vaccination and directed individuals to have further discussions with religious leaders. Importantly, however, the researchers found that without specific details of the religious concern and the specific vaccine, ChatGPT's advice was generic and it did not provide a more detailed risk-benefit discussion.

"Overall, ChatGPT's responses to vaccine hesitancy were accurate and may help individuals who have vaccine-related misconceptions," says Dr. Koh, who is also an infectious diseases physician at the National University Hospital in Singapore. "Our results demonstrate the potential power of AI models to assist in public health campaigns and aid health professionals in reducing vaccine hesitancy."

STI responses generally accurate and concise

The researchers also found that overall, ChatGPT's responses on STIs were mostly accurate and concise.

For example, when asked about how to prevent STIs, the chatbot recommended safe sex practices and HPV vaccinations as well as abstinence, but it failed to provide guidance on other key elements such as HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

In addition, the AI chatbot was able to provide general reassurance about STI symptoms, such as noting that other possibilities exist, and recommended going for testing. It also consistently communicated the importance of partner testing and follow-up testing.

However, when asked about chlamydia treatment, ChatGPT suggested either azithromycin or doxycycline, although the CDC favors doxycycline as the first-line treatment. It also failed to highlight the importance of testing for other STIs.

"ChatGPT provided good general advice about STIs, but it lacked specificity and could not tailor its advice to individual's risk of acquiring STIs," says Dr. Koh. "The goal of this project is to empower the general public. The hope is that individuals can educate themselves with ChatGPT by making accurate advice more accessible and increase vaccine uptake and protection from STIs."

He continues, "We believe that ChatGPT should be used in conjunction with or in addition to a physician consultationthe human response is still needed to contextualize the advice that is given to a specific individual's situation and for it to make the most sense and be the most helpful for the patient."

Provided by European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
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:

Jeffrey Reed, who experienced persistent sinus infections and two bouts of pneumonia while using a Philips CPAP machine, poses with the device at his home, Oct. 20, 2022, in Marysville, Ohio. The company responsible for a global recall of sleep apnea machines will be barred from resuming production at U.S. facilities until it meets a number of safety requirements under a long-awaited settlement announced Tuesday, April 9, 2024 by federal officials. Credit: AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, file

The company responsible for a global recall of sleep apnea machines will be barred from resuming production at U.S. facilities until it meets a number of safety requirements, under a long-awaited settlement announced Tuesday by federal officials.

Philips will be required to overhaul its manufacturing and quality control systems and hire independent experts to vet the changes, according to a court order announced by the U.S. Department of Justice. The company must also continue to replace, repair or provide refunds to all U.S. customers who got the defective devices, the department said.

The action is a major step toward resolving one of the biggest medical device recalls in history, which has dragged on for nearly three years.

Most of the devices recalled are continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machines. They force air through a mask to keep mouth and nasal passageways open during sleep. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to dangerous drowsiness and increased risk of heart attack.

Philips has recalled more than 5 million of the machines since 2021 because their internal foam can break down over time, leading users to inhale tiny particles and fumes while they sleep. Efforts to repair or replace the machines have been plagued by delays that have frustrated regulators and patients in the U.S. and other countries.

Lawyers for the federal government alleged that the company failed to comply with good manufacturing practices needed to ensure device safety. The company did not admit to the allegations, according to the court filing.

"This office, the FDA and our partner agencies are committed to holding manufacturers accountable when they violate the law and put the public at risk," U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan said in a statement.

Under the legal agreement, Philips must hire independent auditors to create a plan for fixing its manufacturing problems and for monitoring problems with the sleep devices. The plan must then be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The experts must also certify that new foam selected by the company meets FDA safety standards.

Jeffrey Reed, of Marysville, Ohio, experienced persistent sinus infections and two bouts of pneumonia during the seven years he used a Philips machine.

"I worry about my long-term health," Reed said. "I used this machine for years and no matter what money I might get out of this, what's going to happen?"

Reed received a newer Philips device after returning his old machine, but he doesn't like to use it, preferring a competitor's device.

"I don't trust the company," Reed said. "I don't want to use it."

Reed is one of more than 750 people who have filed personal injury lawsuits against the company over the devices. Those cases have been consolidated in a federal court in Pennsylvania.

Similar lawsuits are pending in Canada, Australia, Israel and Chile, according to the company.

The Dutch manufacturer announced in January it had reached a tentative agreement with the FDA and the Department of Justice. But U.S. regulators wouldn't confirm the deal at the time because it had not yet been reviewed by a federal judge.

A company spokesman said Tuesday the agreement provides "a roadmap of defined actions, milestones, and deliverables to meet relevant regulatory requirements," in an emailed statement. He noted that Philips will still be able to export some machines for sale outside the U.S.

The FDA's website warns patients that the risks of ingesting the sound-dampening foam could include headache, asthma, allergic reactions and more serious problems.

An FDA inspection of Philips' Pennsylvania offices in the fall of 2021 uncovered a spate of red flags, including emails suggesting the company was warned of the problem with its foam six years before the recall.

Between 2016 and early 2021, FDA found 14 instances where Philips was made aware of the issue or was analyzing the problem. "No further design change, corrective action or field correction was conducted," the FDA inspectors repeatedly noted.

In 2022, the FDA took the rare step of ordering Philips to step up its outreach to customers about the recall including "clearer information about the health risks of its products." At the time, the agency estimated only about half the people in the U.S. with affected machines knew they had been recalled.

Customers trying to obtain refunds or new or refurbished devices from the company have reported long delays.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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 analysis by researchers at UCLA Health found that mortality rates of middle-aged Black Americans caused by the "deaths of despair"suicide, drug overdose and alcoholic liver diseasesurpassed the rate of white Americans in 2022. Native Americans also had more than double the rate of both Black and white Americans that year.

The results of the research, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, are the latest from UCLA Health to counter a nearly decade-old narrative that "deaths of despair" have primarily impacted white Americans.

The "deaths of despair" theory rose to prominence following a 2015 study that analyzed rising midlife mortality, and decreasing life expectancy, in the U.S from 1999 to 2013.

The study became a focus of ongoing national discourse after it found white Americans had the highest mortality rates from these causes at 72.15 per 100,000 people in 2013, which was two times that of Black Americans. The findings sparked a narrative that the rising death rates were primarily impacting less educated white Americans who were experiencing a perceived loss of economic and social status.

However, data for Native Americans were not included in the 2015 study or in the many follow-up analyses it triggered. A 2023 study by UCLA Health determined that Native Americans have had a considerably higher midlife death rate from deaths of despair compared to white Americans for all available years of data 19992021.

In the new data analysis, UCLA Health researchers used publicly available records from the U.S. Centers for disease control to determine rates of deaths of despair through 2022 for white, Black and Native Americans ages 4554.

The analysis found:

The rate of deaths of despair among Black Americans (103.81 per 100,000 people) surpassed that of white Americans (102.63 per 100,000) in 2022.

The rate among Black Americans tripled from 20132022 from 36.24 per 100,000 to 103.81 per 100,000 people, with 2015 onward marking a sharp increase in deaths.

The rate for Native American and Alaska Native populations was the highest at 241.7 per 100,000 people in 2022.

The rate of deaths of despair for Native American/Alaska Native populations has remained significantly higher than white Americans from 19992022.

Native American/Alaska Native had the highest mortality rates from suicide, alcoholic liver disease and drug overdose compared to Black and white Americans.

Deaths of despair in white Americans increased from 72.15 per 100,000 people in 2013 to 102.63 per 100,000 people in 2022.

Study co-author Joseph Friedman, Ph.D., MPH, of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said the results highlight the sharply rising rates of premature mortality related to mental health issues and substance use disorders with large racial and ethnic inequalities.

"The findings reinforce the notion that we need to invest in services that can address these issues and, ultimately, we need much more comprehensive access to low-barrier mental health care and substance use treatment in the U.S.," Friedman said. "And we need to specifically make sure those treatments, services and programs are implemented in a way that is accessible for communities of color and will actively work to address inequality."

The data does not identify the circumstances behind these deaths, but Friedman said the increasing rates of deaths of despair largely relate to mental health and substance use disorders. Black Americans have been disproportionately affected by the drug overdose crisis. Other factors include differential access to health care and social services; an increasingly toxic illicit drug supply, namely fentanyl; and worsening economic insecurity.

More information: Trends in Deaths of Despair by Race and Ethnicity From 1999 to 2022, JAMA Psychiatry (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.0303 Journal information: JAMA Psychiatry
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:

Spindle frequencies embedded in the spike train. (A) Raw data of single axon from CA3 feedback to DG (F12-G12) channels, array ECDGCA3CA1 19908 160518 160610 d22). (B) Same data filtered from 10 to 16 Hz and a Hilbert-transformed envelope to reveal several spindle events. (C) Continuous wavelet transform to show wave power and relative timing at different frequencies. Red arrows point to spindle events. Yellow arrow points to slow wave near 1.5 Hz. (D) Loglog distribution of spindle events relative to slow waves for all subregions, (i) feed forward and feedback in all subregions combined, (ii) feed forward spindles, (iii) feedback spindles. Best fit linear models are overlayed. Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58002-0

University of California, Irvine biomedical engineering researchers have uncovered a previously unknown source of two key brain waves crucial for deep sleep: slow waves and sleep spindles. Traditionally believed to originate from one brain circuit linking the thalamus and cortex, the team's findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest that the axons in memory centers of the hippocampus play a role.

For decades, slow waves and sleep spindles have been identified as essential elements of deep sleep, measured through electroencephalography recordings on the scalp. However, the UC Irvine-led team revealed a novel source of these brain waves within the hippocampus and were able to measure them in single axons.

The study demonstrates that slow waves and sleep spindles can originate from axons within the hippocampus's cornu ammonis 3 region. These oscillations in voltage occur independently of neuronal spiking activity, challenging existing theories about the generation of these brain waves.

"Our research sheds light on a previously unrecognized aspect of deep sleep brain activity," said lead author Mengke Wang, former UC Irvine undergraduate student in biomedical engineering who is now a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University (Wang conducted the study while at UC Irvine). "We've discovered that the hippocampus, typically associated with memory formation, plays a crucial role in generating slow waves and sleep spindles, offering new insights into how these brain waves support memory processing during sleep."

The team utilized innovative techniquesincluding in vitro reconstructions of hippocampal subregions and microfluidic tunnels for single axon communicationto observe spontaneous spindle waves in isolated hippocampal neurons. These findings suggest that spindle oscillations originate from active ion channels within axons, rather than through volume conduction as previously thought.

"The discovery of spindle oscillations in single hippocampal axons opens new avenues for understanding the mechanisms underlying memory consolidation during sleep," said co-author Gregory Brewer, adjunct professor of biomedical engineering. "These findings have significant implications for sleep research, potentially paving the way for new approaches to treating sleep-related disorders."

Brewer's other research affiliations include the Institute for Memory Impairment and Neurological Disorders and the Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.

By uncovering the hippocampus's role in generating slow waves and sleep spindles, this research expands our understanding of the brain's activity during deep sleep and its impact on memory processing. The findings offer a promising foundation for future studies exploring the therapeutic potential of targeting hippocampal activity to improve sleep quality and cognitive function.

Joining Brewer and Wang in this study were William Tang, professor emeritus of biomedical engineering; Bryce Mander, associate professor of psychiatry & human behavior; and Samuel Lassers, graduate student researcher in biomedical engineering.

More information: Mengke Wang et al, Spindle oscillations in communicating axons within a reconstituted hippocampal formation are strongest in CA3 without thalamus, Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58002-0 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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

Some consumers covered by Affordable Care Act insurance plans are being switched from one plan to another without their express permission, potentially leaving them unable to see their doctors or fill prescriptions. Some face large IRS bills for back taxes.

Unauthorized enrollment or plan-switching is emerging as a serious challenge for the ACA, also known as Obamacare. Brokers say the ease with which rogue agents can get into policyholder accounts in the 32 states served by the federal marketplace plays a major role in the problem, according to an investigation by KFF Health News.

Indeed, armed with only a person's name, date of birth, and state, a licensed agent can access a policyholder's coverage through the federal exchange or its direct enrollment platforms. It's harder to do through state ACA markets, because they often require additional information.

"It's rampant. It's horrible," said Ronnell Nolan, president of Health Agents for America, a nonprofit trade association representing independent insurance brokers.

The growing outcry from agents who have had their clients switched by rivalswhich can steer monthly commissions to the new agentcasts a shadow on what otherwise has been a record year for ACA enrollment. More than 21 million people signed up for 2024 coverage.

Federal regulators are aware of the increase in unauthorized switching and say they have taken steps to combat it. It's unclear, though, if these efforts will be enough.

On Feb. 26, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sent a "plan switch update" to industry representatives acknowledging "a large number" of 2024 cases and outlining some of its technical efforts to resolve problems when complaints are lodged.

"CMS is committed to protecting consumers in the marketplace," said Jeff Wu, deputy director for policy for CMS' Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight, in a written statement to KFF Health News.

His office refused to provide details on how many complaints it has seen or the number of agents it has sanctioned but his statement said when action is taken, CMS reports it to state insurance departments, whose authority includes revoking licenses.

Wu did not answer specific questions about whether two-factor authentication or other safeguards would be added to the federal website, though he wrote that CMS is "actively considering further regulatory and technological solutions to some of these problems."

In June, new rules kicked in that require brokers to get policyholders' written or recorded verbal consent before making changes, although brokers said they are rarely asked for those documents.

Finding out the hard way

Some unwitting enrollees, like Michael Debriae, a restaurant server who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, not only end up in plans they didn't choose but also bear a tax burden.

That happens when enrollees are signed up for coverage that includes premium tax credits paid by the government to insurers, even though the enrollee is ineligible, either because their income was misstated by the broker making the switch, or they had job-based insurance, like Debriae.

Unbeknownst to him, an agent in Florida with whom he had never spoken enrolled him in an ACA plan in March 2023. It was two months after he canceled his Obamacare coverage because he was able to get health insurance through his job. In June, he discovered he had a new ACA policy when his longtime pharmacy said it could not fill a 90-day prescription, which it had done with no problem in the past.

"That's when I realized something horribly wrong had happened," said Debriae.

Debriae got contact information for the Florida broker, but when he called, the office said the agent no longer worked there. He filed a complaint with the federal marketplace and canceled the plan. But he still owed the IRS part of the $2,445 in premium tax credits paid to the insurer from March until July on his behalf.

To be sure, some switches could be legitimate, when enrollees choose a different broker or plan. And agents do have a vested interest in raising the issue. They lose out on commissions when their clients are switched by other agents. But brokers whose clients have been switched through unauthorized transactions say the real losers are consumers.

" People literally losing their plans is fraud, absolute fraud, not a squabble between agents," said Leslie Shields, an insurance broker in Fort Worth, Texas.

Patients' new plans might not include their doctors or might come with higher deductibles than their former coverage. Because the agent on the policy is generally switched, too, enrollees don't know whom to call for help.

"You have surgeries that can't happen, providers that can't be seen, or have been changed," said Shields."It's happened in the past, but now it's literally the worst I've seen."

Ease of access to policyholders' accounts on the federal marketplace is a double-edged sword, agents say, It aids enrollment, but also makes it easier to switch plans without consent.

"Those bad eggs now have access to all this private information about an individual," including household income, Social Security numbers, and dependents, said Joshua Brooker, a broker who follows the issue closely as chair of a marketplace committee for the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals, a trade group.

Complaints gained momentum during the most recent open enrollment period, agents say. One worker in a government office that helps oversee operations of the federal exchange told KFF Health News of personally handling more than 1,200 complaints about unauthorized switches or enrollments in the past three months, averaging about 20 a day. About 30 co-workers are working on similar complaints. It can take multiple days to resolve the most urgent cases, and two to four weeks for those deemed less urgent, the worker said.

Florida, Georgia, and Texas appear to be plan-switching hotbeds, agents say. Florida and Texas officials referred questions to federal regulators. Bryce Rawson, press secretary for the Georgia Department of Insurance, says the state saw no switching complaints last year and has about 30 so far in 2024, a small number but one it is taking seriously. "It's still an active and ongoing investigation."

By contrast, states that run their own marketplacesthere are 18 and the District of Columbia that dohave been more successful in thwarting such efforts because they require more information before a policy can be accessed, Brooker said.

In Colorado, for example, customers create accounts on the state's online market and can choose which brokers have access. Pennsylvania has a similar setup. California sends a one-time password to the consumer, who then gives it to the agent before any changes can be made.

Adding such safeguards to healthcare.gov could slow the enrollment process. Federal regulators are "trying to thread a needle between making sure people can get access to coverage and also providing enough of a barrier to capture anyone who is coming in and acting nefariously," said Brooker.

How does it happen?

Many people have no idea how they were targeted, agents say.

Jonathan Kanfer, a West Palm Beach, Florida, agent, suspects names and lists of potential clients are being circulated to agents willing to bend the rules. He said his agency has lost 700 clients to switching.

The agents doing the switching "don't care about the people," Kanfer said, only the money, which can amount to a monthly commission of roughly $20 to $25 per enrollee.

"Two weeks ago, someone telemarketed me, gave me a number to call to get leads for Obamacare," said Kanfer, who turned down the offer. The person told him, "You don't even have to speak with the people."

Online or social media advertising is a way some outfits troll for prospects, who then end up on lists sold to brokers or are contacted directly by agents. Such lists are not illegal. The problem is the ads are often vague, and consumers responding may not realize the ads are about health insurance or might result in their policies being changed. Such ads promise free "subsidies" worth up to $6,400, often implying the money can help with groceries, rent, or gas. Some do mention "zero-dollar" health insurance.

Yet agents say the ads are misleading because the "subsidies" are actually the premium tax credits many people who enroll in ACA plans are eligible for, based on their income.

"They're portraying it like it's money going into your pocket," said Lauren Jenkins, who runs an insurance brokerage in Coweta, Oklahoma, and has seen about 50 switching cases in recent months. But the money goes to insurers to offset the price of the new planwhich the consumer may not have wanted.

Ambetter Healtha division of Centene that offers ACA plans in more than two dozen statessent email alerts to brokers in September and November. One noted a jump in complaints "stemming from misleading advertisements." Another warned of "termination actions" against bad actors and directed agents not to collect consumer information or consent via "online forms or social media ads."

In response to the switching, Ambetter also instituted a "lock" on policies starting at midnight on Dec. 31, meaning the agent on the policy by that deadline would remain on it for all of 2024, according to an email the insurer sent to brokers.

Results are mixed.

Adam Bercowicz, a licensed independent broker in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said he and his staff worked New Year's Eve, monitoring their client lists and watching as some were switched before their eyes.

"If I saw one of my clients was stolen from me at, let's say, 11:57 p.m., I put myself back on," said Bercowicz, who estimates he's had 300 to 400 policies overtaken by other agents not connected to his staff in recent months. "And by 11:58a minute laterthey were already switched back."

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Upcoming Canton Fair to feature record number of trade promotion events

14:42, April 09, 2024 By Ouyang Jie ( People's Daily

The 135th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, will be hosted in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province, from April 15 to May 5. The online platform of the fair will continue to be operational throughout the year.

The information was released at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office recently.

Officials of Guangzhou customs inspect the initial exhibits arriving for the 135th session of the Canton Fair on March 17. (Photo/Han Jianquan)

Wang Shouwen, vice commerce minister and China international trade representative at the Ministry of Commerce, told the press conference that the exhibition area of this session will be 1.55 million square meters, with about 28,600 firms participating in the export section, including more than 4,300 new exhibitors. In addition, 680 companies will attend the import section.

According to Wang, some 93,000 purchasers from 215 countries and regions have completed pre-registration, and more than 220 large multinationals and business institutions have confirmed that they will organize delegations to attend the event. "All these figures have exceeded the scale of previous sessions for the same period," said Wang.

Over 5,500 national-level high-tech enterprises, individual champion enterprises in the manufacturing sector, and specialized and sophisticated SMEs that produce novel and unique products will participate in this session, up 20 percent from the previous one.

More than 1 million new products are expected to be exhibited, including over 450,000 green products and over 250,000 products with independent intellectual property. Among the exhibitors, over 4,000 have won international awards for their innovative designs, and more than 10,000 have invested over 10 percent of their total revenue in R&D.

The upcoming Canton Fair will further enrich the exhibition topics of digital technology and intelligent manufacturing. Over 50 percent of the participating companies actively apply digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data analysis to upgrade their production and operations.

Since its inception, the Canton Fair has attracted over 9.3 million overseas merchants, with 195 partners vigorously promoting trade between China and other countries.

To facilitate overseas buyers, this year's Canton Fair provides a "green channel" for visa applications. The visa processing and issuance time for those attending the event in 90 percent of Chinese embassies and consulates abroad has been shortened to just four working days. Besides, by streamlining the processing of exhibition certificates, waiting time during peak periods will be reduced from 1.5 hours to 30 minutes.

Moreover, foreign currency exchange machines and mobile POS machines will be installed to meet the needs of both exhibitors and buyers, including currency exchange, digital payments, card payments, mobile payments, and cash payments.

Recently, China has introduced a new version of the visa application forms, with 34 percent of the items simplified and optimized, significantly reducing the time required for filling out the form.

Photo shows the venue for the Canton Fair. (Photo from Guangzhou Daily)

The requirements for visa invitation letters have also been simplified. Foreign businesspeople can now apply for a visa at any Chinese embassy or consulate abroad with only the electronic invitation letter from the Canton Fair.

Yan Fang, an official with the People's Bank of China, told People's Daily that foreign travelers can make QR code payments in China with Alipay, WeChat Pay and other platforms after binding overseas bank cards. Travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, and Mongolia can directly use their e-wallets.

In January and February, over 900,000 inbound travelers used mobile payments in China, completing more than 20 million transactions worth over 3 billion yuan ($414.72 million). All major banks in China now support cash withdrawals using overseas bank cards at their ATMs. Over 60,000 bank branches and nearly 2,300 foreign exchange facilities across the country offer foreign currency exchange services. In some major cities, key areas, and large commercial districts, overseas cards can also be used for payments.

"To ensure smooth travel, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has increased its flight options for popular domestic and international destinations, with an average weekly flight volume rising to 10,597 and a 71.6 percent increase in international flights. The airport now operates passenger flights to 217 destinations," said Tan Ping, vice mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government.

She added that consultation counters will be set up at the airport to provide around-the-clock services for overseas travelers to enable electronic payment.

"The number of pre-registrations from overseas buyers, applications for Canton Fair invitation letters, and hotel bookings in Guangzhou have all shown significant increases compared to the previous session," said Chu Shijia, director general of the China Foreign Trade Center.

At the same time, there has been a notable rise in the participation of Top 250 Global Retailers and major businesses from different countries and regions. A total of 129 leading enterprises have confirmed their group attendance, an 87 percent increase compared to the previous session.

Ninety-eight overseas organizations, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the United States of America-China Chamber of Commerce, and the 48 Group Club, will join the session in groups, representing a 25.6 percent increase from the previous session.

"Over 600 market-oriented trade promotion events will be hosted during this session, setting a new record in terms of quantity and variety," said Chu.

He added that more than 200 global sourcing and procurement matchmaking events and 315 new product launches and debut exhibitions will also be held. For the first time, there will be dedicated display areas for cross-border e-commerce and overseas warehousing, Chu said.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
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

Speaking today at the Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) in Prague, Muhammad Mohiuddin, MBBS, said xenotransplantation, hailed as the future of organ transplantation, is poised to become a clinical reality within the next several years.

In January 2022, the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) became the first institution in the world to implant a genetically modified pig heart into a human patient. A second patient underwent heart xenotransplantation at UMSOM in 2023.

"Every 80 minutes, a person on the waiting list for a new heart dies worldwide," said Dr. Mohiuddin, professor of surgery and program director of UMSOM's Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program. "Not everyone is going to get a heart transplant."

Dr. Mohiuddin has implanted several hundred genetically modified pig hearts in animals throughout his three-decade career, helping to prepare for the first genetically modified xenotransplant in a living patient. Advances in cloning, gene editing, and infection control paved the way for the breakthrough in human xenotransplantation, which was performed under the US FDA's expanded access program.

"Using this option, we hope to eventually save millions of lives," Dr. Mohiuddin said. "Genetically modified pig hearts could expand the pool of donor organs available for transplantation."

Pig organs are anatomically similar to humans, and pig heart valves have been used for decades to replace diseased human heart valves. A one-year-old genetically modified pig can support a human weighing up to 200 pounds. The pig's lifespan is 20 years.

The two human patients who received modified pig hearts at UMSOM lived approximately 40-60 days following their procedures.

"We had the opportunity to learn a lot from our human patients," Mohiuddin told attendees. "We found additional obstacles that we are hopeful we can overcome."

During his presentation, Mohiuddin shared a roadmap for the future of xenotransplantation and meeting the growing need for organs.

"We want to get to the point that the same immunosuppression used in human heart transplants can also prolong the pig heart," he said. "The advantage of using genetic modification is that we can modify the donor, which, of course, can't be done with a human donor heart."

Provided by International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
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:

Fitness to Drive quick reference for common conditions: The car represents private driving, and the truck represents commercial driving (for sake of illustration, this is meant to convey all types of commercial licenses). The timeline on the horizontal axis shows when driving can resume. The "stop" sign signifies complete disqualification. CABG, coronary artery bypass grafting; ICD, implantable cardioverter defibrillator; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; NSTEMI, non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction; NYHA, New York Heart Association; SAVR, surgical aortic valve replacement; STEMI, ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Credit: Canadian Cardiovascular Society

The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Fitness to Drive Guidelines have been updated to provide the latest advice on driving restrictions for private and commercial drivers. Using the CCS Risk of Harm formula and available evidence, the Guidelines document the likelihood of sudden cardiac incapacitation and highlight acceptable risk thresholds, providing guidance on when it is and is not safe to allow individuals to resume driving.

Fitness to Drive Guidelines recommendations are aimed at supporting physicians and health care providers to advise people with heart conditions about risks and durations for driving restrictions. Updated by a panel of national experts, these new evidence-based guidelines appear in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.

Lead co-chair of the updated Guidelines, Peter G. Guerra, MD, Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, says, "Cardiovascular conditions are among the most frequent causes of impairment to driving because they might impair circulation of blood to the brain causing mental state alterations via diverse mechanisms like myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. Accordingly, health care providers are often asked to assess fitness to drive in patients with cardiac conditions."

The Fitness to Drive Guidelines build on and update the previous Guidelines that have been trusted and relied upon for two decades. The Guidelines take into account new data on therapies, interventions, and disease entities. These include:

Percutaneous therapies for valvular disease

Genetic disorders

Recent studies looking at the risk of shock or incapacitation in patients with implantable defibrillators

Co-chair Christopher S. Simpson, MD, Queens University, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, explains, "Because there are no randomized trials on Fitness to Drive, observational studies were used to estimate the risk of driving impairment in each situation, and recommendations made on the basis of the CCS Risk of Harm formula, which remains the major, validated assessment tool. More restrictive recommendations were made for commercial drivers, who spend longer average times behind the wheel, use larger vehicles, and might transport a larger number of passengers."

The Fitness to Drive Guidelines provide recommendations for people with these seven conditions:

Active coronary artery disease

Valvular heart disease

Heart failure, heart transplant, and left ventricular assist devices

Arrhythmia syndromes

Implantable devices (pacemakers and defibrillators)

Syncope (fainting spells)

Congenital heart disease

The co-chairs suggest appropriate waiting times after cardiac interventions or acute illnesses before driving resumption. Short-term driving restriction recommendations were derived, in many instances, based on the risk of harm formula as the evidence used demonstrated diminishing levels of risk over time.

Co-chair Harriette G.C. Van Spall, MD, MPH, McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, and Baim Institute for Clinical Research, Boston, notes, "This document, although not a substitute for clinical judgment or governmental regulations, provides clinicians with a comprehensive list of cardiac conditions and their associated risk of sudden incapacitation."

"The recommendations can stimulate discussion with patients and inform decision-making regarding private or commercial driving. In some jurisdictions, they will serve as a trigger for clinicians to notify transportation authorities. Adherence to these recommendations can reduce risk to self and others while behind the wheel but will not eliminate it."

Dr. Guerra concludes, "If a doctor thinks a driver is a risk, in some Canadian provinces, reporting to transportation authorities is mandatory. These are one of the only Guidelines issued for the safety of patients and also for the safety of those around them."

More information: Peter G. Guerra et al, Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2023 Guidelines on the Fitness to Drive, Canadian Journal of Cardiology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.09.033 Journal information: Canadian Journal of Cardiology
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: Anna Shvets from Pexels

For Cindy Westman, $30 buys a week's worth of gas to drive to medical appointments and run errands. It's also how much she spent on her monthly internet bill before the federal Affordable Connectivity Program stepped in and covered her payments.

"When you have low income and you are living on disability and your daughter's disabled, every dollar counts," said Westman, who lives in rural Illinois.

More than 23 million low-income householdsurban, suburban, rural, and tribalare enrolled in the federal discount program Congress created in 2021 to bridge the nation's digital connectivity gap. The program has provided $30 monthly subsidies for internet bills or $75 discounts in tribal and high-cost areas.

But the program is expected to run out of money in April or May, according to the Federal Communications Commission. In January, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asked Congress to allocate $6 billion to keep the program running until the end of 2024. She said the subsidy gives Americans the "internet service they need to fully participate in modern life."

The importance of high-speed internet was seared into the American psyche by scenes of children sitting in parking lots and outside fast-food restaurants to attend school online during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that same period, health care providers and patients like Westman say, being connected also became a vital part of today's health care delivery system.

Westman said her internet connection has become so important to her access to health care she would sell "anything that I own" to stay connected.

Westman, 43, lives in the small town of Eureka, Illinois, and has been diagnosed with genetic and immune system disorders. Her 12-year-old daughter has cerebral palsy and autism.

She steered the $30 saved on her internet toward taking care of her daughter, paying for things such as driving 30 minutes west to Peoria, Illinois, for two physical therapy appointments each week. And with an internet connection, Westman can access online medical records, and whenever possible she uses telehealth appointments to avoid the hour-plus drive to specialty care.

"It's essential for me to keep the internet going no matter what," Westman said.

Expanding telehealth is a common reason health care providers around the U.S.in states such as Massachusetts and Arkansasjoined efforts to sign their patients up for the federal discount program.

"This is an issue that has real impacts on health outcomes," said Alister Martin, an emergency medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. Martin realized at the height of the pandemic that patients with means were using telehealth to access COVID care. But those seeking in-person care during his ER shifts tended to be lower-income, and often people of color.

"They have no other choice," Martin said. "But they probably don't need to be in the ER action." Martin became a White House fellow and later created a nonprofit that he said has helped 1,154 patients at health centers in Boston and Houston enroll in the discount program.

At the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, a federal grant was used to conduct dozens of outreach events and help patients enroll, said Joseph Sanford, an anesthesiologist and the director of the system's Institute for Digital Health & Innovation.

"We believe that telehealth is the great democratization to access to care," Sanford said. New enrollment in the discount program halted nationwide last month.

Leading up to the enrollment halt, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led a bipartisan effort to introduce the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act in January. The group requested $7 billionmore than the FCC's askto keep the program funded. "Affordability is everything," Welch said.

In December, federal regulators surveyed program recipients and found that 22% reported no internet service before, and 72% said they used their ACP-subsidized internet to "schedule or attend health care appointments."

Estimates of how many low-income U.S. households qualify for the program vary, but experts agree that only about half of the roughly 50 million eligible households have signed on.

"A big barrier for this program generally was people don't know about it," said Brian Whitacre, a professor and the Neustadt chair in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University.

Whitacre and others said rural households should be signing up at even higher rates than urban ones because a higher percentage of them are eligible.

Yet, people found signing up for the program laborious. Enrollment was a two-step process. Applicants were required to get approved by the federal government then work with an internet service provider that would apply the discount. The government application was onlinehard to get to if you didn't yet have internet servicethough applicants could try to find a way to download a version, print it, and submit the application by mail.

When Frances Goli, the broadband project manager for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho, began enrolling tribal and community members at the Fort Hall Reservation last year, she found that many residents did not know about the programeven though it had been approved more than a year earlier.

Goli and Amber Hastings, an AmeriCorps member with the University of Idaho Extension Digital Economy Program, spent hours helping residents through the arduous process of finding the proper tribal documentation required to receive the larger $75 discount for those living on tribal lands.

"That was one of the biggest hurdles," Goli said. "They're getting denied and saying, come back with a better document. And that is just frustrating for our community members."

Of the more than 200 households Goli and Hastings aided, about 40% had not had internet before.

In the tribal lands of Oklahoma, said Sachin Gupta, director of government business and economic development at internet service provider Centranet, years ago the funding may not have mattered.

"But then COVID hit," Gupta said. "The stories I have heard."

Elders, he said, reportedly "died of entirely preventable causes" such as high blood pressure and diabetes because they feared COVID in the clinics.

"It's really important to establish connectivity," Gupta said. The end of the discounts will "take a toll."

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

cfDNA sequencing for integrated mutation detection and inference of tumor TF activity and gene expression. Credit: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2082

A new lab assay developed by researchers at Fred Hutch Cancer Center could make diagnosis and treatment of small-cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer easier. The work is published in the journal Science Advances.

The blood-based test, also called a "liquid biopsy," can detect differences between types of lung cancer by examining patterns in cell-free tumor DNA in blood samples. It's a desirable option for detecting small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) as standard needle biopsies fail due to the number of smaller tumors typically present and the variety of tumor subtypes that indicate different treatment pathways.

"There is a deep need for blood-based assays that define subtypes in SCLC," said Fred Hutch SCLC researcher David MacPherson, Ph.D., who co-led the work with Fred Hutch computational biologist Gavin Ha, Ph.D.. "This new method is a step towards assays that would allow us to test and monitor disease, detect when it transforms into a different lung cancer type, and identify potential treatment targets even when standard biopsies aren't an option."

Such an assay could help oncologists tailor SCLC treatment when new, targeted strategies reach the clinic, and help them monitor patients for recurrence. In addition, it could detect when a patient's disease has switched from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to SCLC, which can occur after cancer cells gain resistance to certain targeted therapy and help guide a patient's prognosis and inform new treatment strategies.

Similar assays could also be used to improve clinical trials, helping identify trial candidates or providing researchers with information about why a certain patient may or may not respond to treatment.

To build the new assay, the research team developed a targeted strategy analyzing pre-clinical mouse models using human tissue in which cell-free tumor DNA was easier to sift out from DNA released by healthy cells. They found that the assay performed well when predicting whether DNA had come from an NSCLC or SCLC tumor, suggesting that their approach has potential for detecting when a patient's tumor transforms from NSCLC to SCLC.

"Our approach demonstrates that a full-featured circulating tumor DNA assay has the potential to classify clinical subtypes driven by transcriptional programs," said Ha, an associate professor in the Herbold Computational Biology Program at Fred Hutch. "This approach is especially important for SCLC and other tumors that may not have genetic mutations that can inform treatment decisions. The assay expands the boundaries for potentially using circulating tumor DNA to improve treatment selection and cancer management."

According to the American Cancer Society, 1015% of all lung cancers are SCLC; an aggressive disease that is prone to metastasize or spread. About 238,340 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. in 2023, and about 14% of them had SCLC. Most patients are diagnosed with late-stage disease and as few as 6% are alive five years after diagnosis.

More information: Joseph Hiatt et al, Molecular phenotyping of small cell lung cancer using targeted cfDNA profiling of transcriptional regulatory regions, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2082 Journal information: Science Advances
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

Prisoners with PTSD and C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) in Wales may be falling through gaps in support because of variations in screening and interventions in Welsh prisons, finds new research.

The study, by Cardiff University and the University of Greenwich in collaboration with Traumatic Stress Wales, has uncovered variations in support for prisoners with PSTD and C-PTSD in Wales, meaning that some prisoners aren't getting the help needed to rehabilitate them or reduce reoffending in the future.

Dr. Natasha Kalebic, Cardiff University's School of Medicine, who led the study, said, "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are prevalent in prison populations. Both often go undetected and untreated, and prisoners who have already suffered previous trauma can be re-traumatized during imprisonment. This can ultimately impact how prisoners are rehabilitated during their prison sentence and their likelihood of reoffending in the future."

The researchers found that while all six male prisons in Wales can provide interventions and relevant medical prescriptions to help with PTSD and C-PTSD, only half are actively screening for mental health conditions, and there are variations in the use of trauma-focused therapies recommended by NICE.

The team says this is leading to prisoners not getting the support needed and wide differences in support between each prison.

Clare Crole-Rees, Consultant Psychologist and Honorary Research Associate at Cardiff University said, "Prisoners are a traumatized population, and often are re-traumatized in prison.

"Our research suggests that some prisoners are serving their sentence without specialist supportand are potentially being released into the community with increased trauma."

"We know that PTSD is a risk factor for reoffending, and therefore, proper intervention and treatment for post-traumatic stress plays an important role in rehabilitating prisoners as well as possibly reducing reoffending in the future."

The research also uncovered a number of barriers that prevent prisoners from being able to access specialist support, including levels of staffing, resources, and access to training.

"Shorter prison sentences can also be a barrier, as prisoners don't have time to complete their therapy, or they would finish their sentence, and the support wouldn't follow them out into the community," added Dr. Kalebic.

The team suggests the development of a pathway for PTSD and C-PTSD in the prison system, involving frontline staff and specialists to help improve the detection and treatment of the condition.

Professor Andrew Forrester from Cardiff University School of Medicine, leader of the POLAR projecta project that is developing integrated intervention pathways in prisons, said, "Post-traumatic stress disorder is a significant issue among people in prison, but historically mental health services have not been fully resourced to meet these needs."

"It is therefore important to understand current service provision in prisons in Wales, including variations within that, if we are to seek to move forward and improve the overall service offer. This study represents the first stage of this work."

Dr. Kalebic said, "More research is needed to understand the UK picture as well as the where and when treatment should be given. However, our study has given us a valuable insight into ways that we can improve support for PTSD and C-PTSD in prisons in Wales."

The paper is published in the Medico-Legal Journal.

More information: Natasha Kalebic et al, Variations in services and intervention pathways for traumatic stress in Welsh prisons: A national survey, Medico-Legal Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1177/00258172231214432
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

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. As a cause of men's cancer death, it ranks the second in Finland and the third in Europe.

A large randomized trial conducted at Tampere University and the University of Helsinki shows that a new three-step prostate cancer screening method can find a considerable number of aggressive cancers. Population-level screening programs have not been launched in most countries, including Finland.

The findings are published in the journal JAMA.

The ProScreen trial investigated the performance of a three-step prostate cancer screening method. The aim was to analyze whether the new method would efficiently reduce mortality while decreasing the major adverse effect of previous screening methods: the overdiagnosing of insignificant prostate cancers.

Some prostate cancers are clinically insignificant because they do not become symptomatic even when left untreated. Such cancers are frequently detected at autopsy. Thus, treating cancer with a good prognosis does not bring benefits, but the treatment itself can still harm the patients' quality of life.

The screening method used in the ProScreen study includes two blood tests, and if necessary, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate. The previously studied screening method has only been based on one blood test, the prostate-specific antigen test (PSA).

In the ProScreen study, both blood tests were positive in 7% of the participants and they were invited to an MRI of the prostate. In about half of these men, a suspicious area was detected by MRI and a prostate biopsy was taken.

Cancer was eventually found in about 2% of the participants. Clinically insignificant cancers were diagnosed in four in a thousand men.

"We have previously demonstrated that PSA screening can decrease prostate cancer mortality to some extent. However, PSA screening produces so many unnecessary cancer diagnoses that the harms outweigh the benefits. The new results show that the three-step method now used produces fewer insignificant cancer diagnoses than PSA screening," says Professor of Epidemiology Anssi Auvinen from Tampere University.

Diagnosing cancer with a good prognosis is not beneficial

Some prostate cancers are clinically insignificant, i.e. they will not progress to the symptomatic stage or cause any harm. The co-lead investigator of the project, Professor of Urology Antti Rannikko from the University of Helsinki, points out that the detection of such latent cancers does not bring any benefits and that they should not even be diagnosed.

"The vast majority of tumors found with the previous PSA screenings are low-risk cases that are likely to represent overdiagnosis. Most of them do not progress to the symptomatic stage even when left untreated. If a prostate cancer with a good prognosis is diagnosed, the primary treatment is always active surveillance," Rannikko says.

Local prostate cancer is usually treated surgically or with radiation therapy. The common side effects of treatment include erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and bowel symptoms.

The main goal of screening is to reduce cancer mortality

The study included more than 60,000 men aged 5063 years who were randomly allocated for either the three-step screening or a control group without intervention.

The study continues and the study population will expand to also include the neighboring municipalities of Tampere and Helsinki. Men who have already participated will be invited to a new screening after 26 years, based on the outcomes of their first screening.

No population-level screening program has been launched in Finland or in most other European countries, but there is a health policy debate on the topic.

According to the researchers, only preliminary evidence of the benefits of the new screening model is available so far. However, the results indicate that major benefits could potentially be achieved in the future. The benefits can only be estimated after a 10-year follow-up, when the effects on prostate cancer mortality have been analyzed.

"The aim of cancer screening is always to reduce mortality. The main criterion for decisions on cancer screening should always be the reduction of mortality to be gained," Auvinen says.

"The ProScreen study, due to its large size and randomized design, can produce the research evidence needed to justify screening decisions," he adds. There is currently no reliable research data on the benefits and harms of MRI screening.

The study was carried out by a large team of researchers, including radiologists, pathologists, urologists, and experts from other fields at Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital (TAYS), as well as the University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital (HUS). The cooperation partners included the local laboratory networks and Lund University.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

A graph of gene expression patterns of organoids created in a University of Montana lab transitioning to become cells that form human cartilage. It's overlaid on a picture of an organoid showing distinct outer and inner layers. Credit: Mark Grimes

University of Montana researchers and their partners have found a new method to generate human cartilage of the head and neck. Mark Grimes, a biology professor in UM's Division of Biological Sciences, said they have induced stem cells to become the cell type that normally makes up human craniofacial cartilage. Stem cells can replicate themselves and also develop into different types of cells.

The research is published in the journal iScience.

"The cells that normally give rise to this type of cartilage are called neural crest cells," Grimes said. "We found a novel method for generating craniofacial organoids from neural crest cells."

Organoids are a simplified, miniature version of an organ that mimic the architecture and gene expression of the organ. "Organoids are a good model for certain human tissues that we can study in ways that are not possible using tissue from human beings," Grimes said.

Grimes said there is a critical unmet need for new methods to regenerate human cartilage for the 230,000 children born annually in the U.S. with craniofacial defects. Growing cartilage in the laboratory also could lead to effective treatments to repair craniofacial cartilage damage due to injuries.

The researchers studied gene expression data at the RNA and protein level to reveal how cartilage cells arise from stem cells. They revealed that stem cells communicate in the early stages to become elastic cartilage, which makes up human ears.

To accomplish this, the team used extensive analysis of biological markers and machine-learning pattern-recognition techniques to understand the cell signaling pathways involved when cells differentiate into cartilage.

It is difficult to reconstruct natural features such as a person's ears, nose or larynx with current plastic surgery techniques, and transplanted tissue is often rejected without immunosuppressants.

"To use patient-derived stem cells to generate craniofacial cartilage in the laboratory, you need to understand the human-specific differentiation mechanisms," Grimes said. "Our aim is to develop a protocol for craniofacial cartilage generation for transplantation using human stem cells."

Besides Grimes, contributing UM authors include Lauren Foltz, Nagashree Avabhrath and Jean-Marc Lanchy. Other authors are Bradly Peterson of Missoula's Pathology Consultants of Western Montana and Tyler Levy, Anthony Possemato and Majd Ariss of Cell Signaling Technology of Danvers, Massachusetts.

More information: Lauren Foltz et al, Craniofacial Chondrogenesis in Organoids from Human Stem Cell-Derived Neural Crest Cells, iScience (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109585 Journal information: iScience
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

Months after Kaiser Permanente reached a sweeping agreement with state regulators to improve its mental health services, the health care giant is facing union allegations that patients could be improperly losing such care.

The National Union of Health care Workers, which represents thousands of Kaiser mental health professionals, complained earlier this year to state regulators that Kaiser appeared to be inappropriately handing off decisions about whether therapy is still medically necessary.

The union alleged that Rula Health, a contracted network of therapists that Kaiser uses to provide virtual care to its members, had been directed by Kaiser to use "illegal criteria" to make those decisions during regular reviews.

California requires such decisions about mental health care to be based on criteria developed by professional groups, but the union said there was no evidence that was happening. Instead, the union complained that documents indicated Rula was relying on questions answered by Kaiser patients about their own symptoms.

The risk is that patients "have a psychological disorder that requires additional treatment and Kaiser is unfairly and improperly terminating their access to care," said Fred Seavey, a researcher for the union.

The union also alleged that regularly requiring such "clinical care reviews" violated laws barring insurers from putting up barriers to mental health care that don't exist for other health conditions. Kaiser does not subject other outpatient care to such reviews, "let alone at such frequencies," the union said in its complaint.

The union called on the California Department of Managed Health Care to order Kaiser to immediately halt that review process and notify any Kaiser patients whose treatment was "illegally terminated" by Rula.

Kaiser said in a statement that it does not set limits on the number of therapy sessions, and that "the level of therapy needed and the frequency and number of sessions for any patient is a decision made by our mental health care providers in consultation with patients and as appropriate based on the patient's clinical needs."

It added that "the self-assessment tools do not determine whether treatment remains medically necessary. ... Patient self-assessment tools may be used as one aspect of gathering information from the patient but are never the only factor."

A Department of Managed Health Care spokesperson said its enforcement office was looking into the issues raised by the union under its recent settlement with Kaiser. That agreement, reached last fall, required Kaiser to pay a $50-million penalty and invest $150 million over five years into improving its mental health care.

The state agency said it had found shortcomings at Kaiser related to failures to provide timely appointments, insufficient oversight of medical groups in determining "appropriate care," and inadequate handling of patient grievances, among other issues.

Among the problems that DMHC noted: Medical records for patients did not show the use of legally required guidelines for making decisions about mental health treatment. Patient records instead showed "self-assessment scores" from questionnaires, according to the settlement agrement.

Kaiser Permanente chief executive Greg A. Adams said last year that the organization had seen demand for mental health care surge amid the pandemic, which collided with an "ongoing shortage of qualified mental health professionals, clinician burnout and turnover," as well as a 10-day strike by mental health clinicians.

In a recent statement, Kaiser said it was "in the process of implementing transformational changes contemplated by the settlement agreement," including a "dramatic increase in the number of providers available to see our membersboth newly-hired therapists and contracted therapists."

A Rula spokesperson said in a statement that its therapists, "in collaboration with their patients, make all clinical decisions around the course of care."

In Chino, Jaklynn Fuentes-Soto said she was told by her therapist earlier this year that her sessions with the Rula provider would soon stop, even though "my therapist thought that I should continue treatment." The 25-year-old said that if she wanted to keep seeing the therapist, she would have to pay out of pocket.

As a student working part time, "I don't think that financially I'm able to."

Fuentes-Soto said she has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and other mental health conditions. She said she had been regularly seeing her therapist after one episode led her mother to take her to the emergency room.

"If I'm not having the help that I need for my mental health," she said, "it has me regress to a very dark place."

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:

Traditional biopsy versus virtual biopsy. (A) In a traditional biopsy, tissue is first excised and then undergoes multiple steps including fixation, dehydration, clearing, embedding, sectioning, and staining to yield 2D H&E sections, which can be examined under a microscope. (B) For a virtual biopsy, an OCT scan of tissue is acquired, and a trained neural network transforms the 2D OCT image into a corresponding H&E-like image. Credit: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi5794

The next time you have a suspicious-looking mole on your back, your dermatologist may be able to skip the scalpel and instead scan the spot with a noninvasive "virtual biopsy" to determine whether it contains any cancerous cells. Similarly, surgeons trying to determine whether they have removed all of a breast tumor may eventually rely on an image captured during surgery rather than wait for a pathologist to process the excised tissue.

Stanford Medicine researchers have developed a method that uses lasers to penetrate tissue and create a high-resolution, three-dimensional reconstruction of the cells it contains. From this virtual reconstruction, they can make cross-sectional images that mimic those generated by a standard biopsy, in which a sample of tissue is sliced into thin layers and placed on a slide to be examined under a microscope.

The new method, published in Science Advances, could be used to noninvasively scan the skin for unhealthy cells as well as provide rapid results on biopsies taken elsewhere in the body. It could also provide more information than current diagnostic approaches.

"We've not only created something that can replace the current gold-standard pathology slides for diagnosing many conditions, but we actually improved the resolution of these scans so much that we start to pick up information that would be extremely hard to see otherwise," said Adam de la Zerda, Ph.D., an associate professor of structural biology and the senior author of the article describing the method.

The method was developed by Yonatan Winetraub, Ph.D., a former graduate student in the de la Zerda lab who now leads his own research lab at Stanford focusing in part on virtual biopsies.

"This has the potential to transform how we diagnose and monitor concerning skin lesions and diseases in the clinic," added co-author Kavita Sarin, MD, Ph.D., an associate professor of dermatology.

Laser vision

When a dermatologist or surgeon takes a biopsy from someone's bodywhether from the skin, liver, breast or elsewherethe tissue is usually sent to a pathologist, who slices the biopsied tissue into thin layers. The pathologist then stains each layer with chemicals called hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), which lets them more easily see the patterns, shapes and structures of cells.

These H&E slides are routinely used for diagnosing cancers and other diseases. But the slides are labor-intensive and are irreversible; once a biopsy is sliced in one direction, for instance, it cannot be sliced another way to provide a different view.

For nearly a decade, de la Zerda and his colleagues have been studying a different way of seeing inside the body, called optical coherence tomography. Typically used by ophthalmologists to image the back of the eye, OCT scans measure how light waves from a laser bounce off a tissue to create a rendering of its insides (similar to the way ultrasound uses sound waves to visualize organs).

As de la Zerda and Winetraub enhanced the OCT scans so they would work in organs other than the eyedeveloping both new hardware to collect data and new processing methodsthey needed a way to verify the accuracy of their scans, so they sent the tissues they were scanning with OCT to pathologists to create H&E images.

"We kept improving and improving the quality of the image, letting us see smaller and smaller details of a tissue," de la Zerda explained. "And we realized the OCT images we were creating were really getting very similar to the H&Es in terms of what they could show."

Help from artificial intelligence

The higher resolution of the OCT images opened the door to using the method to diagnose disease without producing H&Es. But de la Zerda and his colleagues thought clinicians would be more apt to use OCT if the images looked familiar.

"Every physician in a hospital is very much used to reading H&Es, and it was important to us that we translate OCT images into something that physicians were already comfortable with, rather than an entirely new type of image," de la Zerda said.

Winetraub turned to artificial intelligence to help convert OCT scans into flat images resembling H&E slides.

For 199 skin biopsies collected at Stanford Hospital, Winetraub carried out an OCT scan before pathologists created H&E slices. He and his colleagues developed a way of putting molecular tags on the surface of the biopsies so they could be sure exactly where in the OCT scan each H&E slice came from. Then, Winetraub paired up 1,005 of these H&E images with the corresponding OCT images and entered them into an artificial intelligence algorithm which could learn how to create accurate H&Es from the raw OCT data.

"The uniqueness of this work lies in the method we developed to align OCT and H&E image pairs, letting machine-learning algorithms train on real tissue sections and providing clinicians with more accurate virtual biopsies," Winetraub said.

The researchers fine-tuned the AI program by showing it an additional 553 pairs of H&E and OCT images before testing it out on new OCT images. When three Stanford dermatologists analyzed random assortments of true H&E images and those created from the OCT scans, they could detect cellular structures at a similar rate. Any number of H&E images can be created from a single OCT image, virtually slicing the three-dimensional reconstruction in any direction.

Toward noninvasive biopsies

When a dermatologist notices an unusual looking spot on a person's skin, they currently have two options to determine if it poses a risk: wait and see whether it grows bigger, or cut it off and send it to a pathologist for testing.

De la Zerda and Winetraub now see a third pathscanning a potentially cancerous mole with OCT and analyzing the virtual H&E images.

"Imagine if we could give physicians the ability, right there in the room with the patient, to take out an OCT camera andrather than slice the patient up in dozens of placesimage the cells inside each mole," de la Zerda said.

Similarly, surgeons removing breast tumors currently send removed tissue to pathologists to process over several days and determine whether any cancerous cells were missed. Around 20% of breast cancer patients require a second surgery to remove more cells. If H&E images could be produced from an OCT camera in the operating room to instantaneously detect whether cancer cells remained, subsequent surgeries could be avoided.

More work is needed to move the approach toward these applications, but the researchers are confident that their approach will give clinicians a new way to carry out biopsies.

More information: Yonatan Winetraub et al, Noninvasive virtual biopsy using micro-registered optical coherence tomography (OCT) in human subjects, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi5794 Journal information: Science Advances
NEWTON -- Around 30 or more Hmong citizens attended the Newton City Council meeting in brightly colored traditional attire on Tuesday.

Among the attendees was Mai Bee Vue Lor, the president of Hmong Southeast Pauvpheej, a nonprofit representing the Hmong community. She wore a traditional headdress, a necklace of silver coins and a floral dress with silky red, green and blue accents.

Lor was accepting a resolution to recognize the Hmong community for their contributions to the city. The resolution paid particular recognition to the Hmong Southeast Pauvpheej Cultural Park and the construction of a new cultural center in Newton.

The Hmong Southeast Pauvpheej is a nonprofit cultural organization that represents Hmong citizens throughout the Southeastern United States, Newton Mayor Jerry Hodge said. And sustains the rich heritage of the Hmong people with particular focus on education, health, cultural preservation and economic development.

As Hodge presented the resolution, Lor pressed her hands together, bowed her head and said, Thank you, repeatedly. Lor smiled and her fellow Hmong community members clapped.

We are very honored to be here tonight, Lor said. On behalf of the Hmong Southeast Pauvpheej, this is the first time that we have embraced our mainstream communities. The organization has been in existence for over 32 years. Being the first female president for the organization, I am proud to be here tonight, representing my Hmong community and the Hmong citizens. We are here to help you, to support you, to build a stronger community for all.

The resolution also honored Hmong Southeast Pauvpheej's New Year celebration that is held for four days each November in Newton.
The word was semaphore, and sixth grader Cheyenne Wang had spent dozens of hours preparing for this moment, poring over pages of words to memorize and learning to identify patterns in spelling construction. But standing in front of the microphone at the 2024 Treasure State Spelling Bee in Bozeman, Cheyenne said it was like she had never seen the word before, much less learned how to spell it.

I went with my gut, she said.

Her gut was right. It helped Cheyenne, 12, endure over a dozen rounds of competition to beat 51 fourth through eighth graders from 39 counties across Montana. She ultimately won when she correctly spelled furuncle, securing her berth at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland in May.

Competing in the national spelling bee is the culmination of years of preparation and investment from her family and teachers at St. Joseph Elementary and Middle School in Missoula.

I am really happy that my hard work paid off, Cheyenne said. Im super excited to be able to represent our school, Missoula and Montana at nationals.

Every year, St. Joseph hosts a school-wide spelling bee. It was there that Cheyenne was first enticed by the idea of spelling for sport. As a second grader, she watched the older kids challenge themselves and wanted in on the fun.

Cheyenne didnt need another after-school activity  since a young age shes played piano and violin, participated in orchestra and enjoyed art  but she quickly showed spelling promise as soon as she took interest.

She won the school-wide competition in fourth grade but lost at the Missoula County bee. The following year, Cheyenne won both the school and county events before losing at state. This year, she wanted to level up again to be the best in Montana  and now, she is.

Ive noticed that when Cheyenne puts her mind to something, thats what shes going to do, said Nicole Warren, the fourth and fifth grade teacher at St. Joseph school.

That work ethic seems to run in the family.

Both of Cheyennes parents earned their Ph.D.s in chemistry. Her father, Dong Wang, is a professor at the University of Montana, and her little sister, Ruby, a fourth grader, came in second at this years school spelling bee. She and Cheyenne battled it out over so many rounds that they had to pause when school ended and continue the following day.

Chunze Lai, mom to both wunderkinds, helps Cheyenne study for the spelling bee competition. Shes aggregated packets of words based on difficulty level, each one annotated with definitions, pronunciation and syntax cues. The mother-daughter duo created a schedule to keep them on track as they learn hundreds of words ahead of the national competition, where competitors are tested not just on proper spelling but on meaning and word use, too.

We want her to know that its not just spelling itself, Lai said, but a way to learn, learn independently.

While her teachers say that Cheyennes ability to learn at such a high level is partly due to gifted intellect, they also see the sheer amount of work she puts into preparation. Cheyenne studies before school, after dinner once shes wrapped up with her homework and piano lessons, as well as squeezed into moments of free time between classes.

I dont think any of us were surprised when she won the county, said Joanna Eichner, principal of St. Joseph. I think we wouldve been surprised if she hadnt. We all just feel that strongly about her talent and the hard work shes doing.

In a time when so much of communication is automated and shortcuts to grammar fixes are at a student's fingertips, a spelling bee could be written off as antiquated or quaint. But there are lessons learned through this process that transcend what any technology could replace. Cheyenne's father speaks about language as the gateway to understanding people from all over the world and their cultures, and the teachers said that it helps with all kinds of skills around self-expression.

Setting a goal, and working hard and persevering, that is maybe a more important lesson than the spelling part of it, said April Feeley, the sixth grade teacher at St. Joseph.

Cheyenne will face 250 of the nations best young minds in Washington D.C. Shell eat bread, milk and eggs before she competes, and if she gets nervous as she steps up to the microphone, she says shell remember to breathe and think before she tries to spell the word.

Shes not alone. She's in a big family with everyone here. She has many people to support her, Dong Wang said. So that makes her really confident and brave. No matter what happens, shes already the champion.
DES MOINES  Iowa landowners would have an additional legal avenue to protest their land being used with the governments blessing for a private companys hazardous liquid pipeline under legislation that advanced Tuesday in the Iowa Senate.

The proposal was approved earlier this year by the full Iowa House, where Republicans have been vocal proponents of reigning in the use of eminent domain for private projects like the carbon dioxide capture pipelines that have been proposed in Iowa.

The Iowa Senate, on the other hand, has been far more hesitant to take action on eminent domain since the pipeline projects were announced  until Tuesday.

The Senate has a few different views within the (Republican) caucus that are not unreasonable, Sen. Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig who conducted a hearing on the bill Tuesday at the Iowa Capitol, told reporters.

I respect my colleagues, and theyve got some issues, broader, with the bill, Schultz said, listing opposition points like deference to current processes for challenging eminent domain, and support for the CO2 pipeline projects by corn growers and renewable fuels advocates. We have respectable positions that weve all looked at each other and expressed and exchanged. Im going to respect those. But I have mine, and I think landowner rights and eminent domain rise right to the top.

The bill would allow individuals or companies to ask a court to review whether forced easements are warranted in a pending pipeline case. Supporters said it would expand the rights of landowners and clear up constitutional questions about eminent domain authority for hazardous liquid pipelines.

Roughly 20 landowners spoke during Tuesdays hearing, some through tears as they described their attempts to prevent a pipeline from going through their property.

Jess Mazour, coordinator of conservation for the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club, said the proposed bill helps provide legal balance in eminent domain disputes.

This bill doesnt kill ethanol, and unfortunately this bill doesnt stop the pipelines. But it levels the playing field. Thats what were asking you to do this year: level the playing field so that we have a fair shot, Mazour said.

Eminent domain and pipelines

The bill came out of opposition to the construction of underground pipelines that would capture carbon dioxide emitted at ethanol plants and store it underground out of state, taking advantage of lucrative federal tax credits.

Summit Carbon Solutions, the company furthest along in the process, is awaiting a decision from the Iowa Utilities Board on its application for a pipeline involving five states, including more than 700 miles in Iowa. Summit has asked regulators to grant it eminent domain authority to take land along the route where it has not obtained voluntary easements.

Wolf Carbon Solutions is proposing a much smaller pipeline in Eastern Iowa, including Linn County, but the company has said it does not plan to use eminent domain for its construction.

The proposal, House File 2664, would allow either a landowner or a company applying for a permit from the utilities board to ask a court to review whether eminent domain is warranted in that situation.

Legislative proposals future

All three members of the panel considering the bill Tuesday  Republican Sens. Schultz and Dan Dawson, and Democratic Sen. Herman Quirmbach  signed off on advancing it. It is now eligible for consideration by the Senate committee on tax policy.

Schultz said the proposal will need changes if it has a chance to pass the Senate. He said one element that has to be altered would allow landowners to start a new lawsuit if more than 18 months have passed since a previous legal challenge. Schultz said that would enable individuals to delay pipeline projects indefinitely.

Thats poor policy. I dont like the (pipeline) project going forward, but at the same time were not here to just give a backdoor killer bill. I want good policy, Schultz said.

The bill previously passed the House, 86-7. All present Democrats voted in favor, and seven Republicans voted no.

Both chambers must approve the bill before it can be sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds for her consideration. Reynolds has not said whether she would sign eminent domain restrictions.

Caleb McCullough of The Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau contributed to this report.

Public meeting about Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline 090122-mus-pipeline-map-with-mus 090122-pipeline-map-legend 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-01.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-09.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-17.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-07.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-03.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-10.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-13.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-19.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-05.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-18.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-08.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-02.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-12.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-16.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-11.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-06.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-20.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-14.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-15.jpg 090122-qc-nws-pipeline-04.jpg
Editor's note: Twenty-three Upvalley residents traveled to Portugal as part of a trip organized by Rianda House in late February and early March. Organizer Robin McGuire wrote this piece reflecting on the trip.

With immense gratitude, our travelers extend thanks to the visionary leaders at Rianda House. This trip wasn't just about visiting new places; it was about creating unforgettable shared experiences that would bring our community closer together.

Our pre-trip adventure began with eight of us in Porto, a city where the cobblestone streets whisper the tales of history. We were captivated by the Arab Room in the Palacio da Bolsa, the breathtaking azulejos (tiles) of the Sao Bento railway station, and the enchanting Livraria Lello bookstore. Each site was a testament to the citys vibrant culture and its ability to preserve its splendid heritage.

Bringing our group of 23 together in Cascais, the picturesque seaside town dubbed the Portuguese Riviera, we found ourselves immersed in the beauty of the coast before heading to Belem. There, the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belem Tower stood as proud reminders of Portugal's exploratory legacy. The highlight, however, was savoring the warm pastel de nata from Casa Pasteis de Belem, a culinary relic first crafted by monks in the 19th century.

The National Palace of Sintra, Portugal's most exquisite and continuously inhabited medieval royal residence, boasted a masterpiece of architecture and art. The palace enchanted us with the unique beauty of its magpie ceiling room, alongside the rich craftsmanship of its 15th- and 16th-century walnut and mahogany furniture. Its globally unparalleled collection of azulejos and a remarkable kitchen, equipped with running water since the 1500s, offered a glimpse into the lavishness of historical royal feasts.

A detour to Cabo da Roca offered breathtaking coastal vistas from the westernmost point of Europe. Our journey continued through the cork tree-dotted landscape of the Alentejo region to the medieval walled town of Evora, home to the eerie Chapel of Bones and the ancient Roman temple. We stopped on the way in Monsaraz for a sampling of gin at the Sharish distillery, and then a tour and a spectacular lunch at Herdade do Rocim winery.

Arriving in the Algarve, we were charmed by the historic seaside towns of Lagos, Faro and Tavira. A cooking demonstration of chicken Cataplana, followed by a tasting of the delectable Portuguese orange cake and chocolate mousse, offered a flavorful insight into the region's culinary traditions.

Our adventure culminated in Lisbon with a farewell dinner where folk dancing and lively music filled the air, echoing the joy of our journey. As our paths diverged, some headed home, others to Madeira island, and a few to Seville, Spain. The promise of future adventures lingered in the air.

This travelogue offers but a glimpse into our voyage through Portugal. For a more detailed account, visit the Rianda House Facebook page, where youll find photos and stories of our journey. If this tale has inspired you, consider joining our next expedition to eastern Canada.

Together, lets continue to explore the wonders of the world, fostering our community spirit and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Rianda House has another trip planned to see the fall colors in eastern Canada in October. Call McGuire at 707-963-8555 ext. 102.

Photos: Rally4Rianda 2019 1914 Model T Speedster Catering Geoff Ellsworth, Kiernan Albright Geoff Ellsworth paintings Mercedes Benz and Porsche 906 1966 Jaguar XKE Saint Helena Community Band Addressing the crowd
23:52





Miscreants, who are yet to be identified, attacked three labourers at the private construction site around 11.15 am with a crowbar, they said.





"Due to the assault, one Arjun Ray was severely injured," SP of East Khasi Hills district Rituraj Ravi said.





Ray was admitted to the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences where he died, he said.





A case has been registered and an investigation is underway, he added.





The SP said that efforts were on to identify those involved in the crime.





Condemning the incident, state minister AL Hek said his government would leave no stone unturned to arrest those involved.





"This is a heinous crime and the government will do whatever is needed. It will leave no stone unturned to arrest those involved," he said.





This was the second such incident in a fortnight in which a non-local person was killed.





On March 27, two labourers were found dead at Ichamati, hours after the Khasi Students Union held a demonstration against the CAA.





Five people were arrested in connection with that attack, according to the police. -- PTI

A 52-year-old migrant worker was allegedly killed in an attack at a construction site in Shillong's Mawroh area on Wednesday, the police said.
Xi Jinping meets Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing

President Xi Jinping has praised Ma Ying-jeou for supporting the one-China principle. Photo: Reuters

Former Kuomintang leader Ma Ying-jeou met President Xi Jinping, in his capacity as general secretary of the Communist Party, in Beijing on Wednesday, according to Xinhua News Agency.



Xi praised Ma for supporting the one-China principle and the 1992 consensus governing cross-strait relations, and his opposition to "Taiwan independence".



Ma, for his part, said people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should avoid conflict or confrontation.



The pair last met in Singapore in November 2015.



Ma, a former Taiwan leader, is on an 11-day visit to the mainland, his second in as many years.



Earlier on Wednesday, a spokeswoman of the Taiwan Affairs Office, Zhu Fenglian, praised Ma's efforts in promoting cross-strait youth exchanges.



She also stressed the need for the peaceful development of ties across the Taiwan Strait.
S Korea opposition set for landslide win

All opposition parties combined may have secured a super-majority of 200 in the 300-seat parliament. Photo: AFP

South Korea's opposition was heading towards a landslide victory on Wednesday in parliamentary elections, exit polls indicated, in a major blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol.



The outcome, if confirmed, will at the very least leave Yoon as a lame duck for the three remaining years of his term in office, and could even open the way for his impeachment.



The Democratic Party (DP) of Lee Jae-myung  survivor of a January knife attack by a disgruntled voter  and its satellites are forecast to win as many as 197 seats, up from 156 in the last parliament.



Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) and its partner were projected to be trailing on between 85 to 99 seats, down from 114, the exit polls conducted by three major broadcasters indicated.



All opposition parties combined may even have secured a super-majority of 200 in the 300-seat parliament, which could in theory allow them to attempt to remove Yoon from office before his term ends in 2027.



That includes the new Rebuilding Korea party, led by former justice minister Cho Kuk, which capitalised on discontent with the two main parties to pick up a projected 12-14 seats.



"The people have won, the will to judge the Yoon Suk Yeol administration is very clear," Cho said after the vote, local media reported.



On the campaign trail, he vowed to make Yoon "first a lame duck, then a dead duck". (AFP)
Geneva plans Ukraine peace conference - without Russia

The conference will be hosted by Swiss President Viola Amherd. File photo: Reuters

The Swiss government on Wednesday announced that it would host a high-level peace conference for Ukraine in mid-June, but said Russia would not attend.



The conference will take place at the luxury Burgenstock resort near the central city of Luzern on June 15-16 and would be hosted by Swiss President Viola Amherd.



"This is a first step in a process towards a lasting peace," she told reporters in Bern.



Russia quickly slammed the planned conference and Amherd acknowledged that "we will not sign a peace plan at this conference", but said she hoped "there will be a second conference".



"We hope to start the process."



Russia, which has been at war with Ukraine since February 2022 and is putting Ukrainian forces under new pressure, condemned the event as being part of a scheme by US President Joe Biden's Democratic Party ahead of this year's presidential election.



"American Democrats, who need photos and videos of events that supposedly indicate their project 'Ukraine' is still afloat, are behind this," the state-run TASS news agency quoted foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying.



Switzerland hopes to get Russia into later talks.



The government said in January, during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, that it wanted to organise a peace conference this year.



The government said in a statement on Wednesday that it "took note of the results of the exploratory phase of the high-level conference on peace in Ukraine".



It determined that "there is currently sufficient international support for a high-level conference to launch the peace process."



In January, Zelensky spoke of a "summit" without any Russian participation.



But traditionally neutral Switzerland wants to find a way to bring the Kremlin into the talks, and has been battling to attract China and other emerging powers.



Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis also tried to woo Moscow, meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in New York in January. (AFP)
Sign up now for SIUs healthy aging caregiver workshop on April 23

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Being a caregiver is a difficult and evolving position, but a free conference at Southern Illinois University Carbondale this month will provide support and resources to help family members, professionals, students and others to acquire essential tools and information.

Destination Healthy Aging: Transforming Our Workforce and Caregivers is set for 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 23 at the Student Center, 1255 Lincoln Drive. The event will cover a wide array of topics and provide information in a variety of ways, organizers say.

SIUs gerontology graduate certificate program and the Southern Illinois Pioneer Coalition are partnering to present the comprehensive and informative day of guest speakers, breakout sessions, practical skills training and more.

Variety of topics

Illinois Lt. Gov. Julianna Straton will present the opening address, and Denise Brown will deliver the keynote speech, A Framework for Caregiving through Stages of Caregiving, filled with insights and tools to help people navigate the caregiving journey.

Sessions throughout the day will cover topics, including:

Understanding the importance of caregivers and caregiver intervention.

Navigating the many stages of caregiving.

Creating age-friendly caregiving communities.

Implementing people-centered care strategies.

Reinventing life after caregiving.

Recognizing when caregiving isnt enough and exploring additional resources.

Substances abuse interventions for caregivers and those they care for.

Advocating at the grassroots level for better programs and services.

Breakfast and lunch are provided, and participants will also enjoy giveaways and raffles.

Sign up now

Elaine Jurkowski, SIU gerontology program director and social work professor, and Linda Renee Baker, university professor at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, conceived the idea for the conference while brainstorming ways to engage the community with practical skills training and policy initiatives in areas that would have a positive impact on their lives. Jurkowskis expertise involves addressing gaps in services and program development, exploring when caregiving is not enough, while Baker coordinates a legislative update on caregiving bills and strategies for advocacy.

They said caregivers, professionals, community partners, students and anyone with an interest in the older adult population will find the conference of interest.

Space is limited, so people are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible to secure a spot. Attendees can register online, email gerontology@siu.edu or call Tina at 618-985-8311. Participants can earn five continuing education units.

Students help plan

SIU students have also been involved in helping plan the conference, which will feature a vendor fair as well.

We are thrilled to host this conference, bringing together caregivers, experts and policymakers to address the pressing issues facing our aging population, said GeVonna Fassett, a masters student in social work and the certificate in gerontology. With a diverse range of sessions and speakers to learn from, participants will leave feeling empowered and equipped to make a positive impact in their roles as caregivers, advocates or future professionals.
PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 10: Kikkoman India held its second Culinary Experts Meet-up at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai in February which was attended by a galaxy of more than 135 professional chefs, restaurateurs, distributors, representatives of educational institutions, journalists, and culinary students. Participants came from all over India - Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Goa and etcetera, for a lively discussion on the best ingredients and latest food trends in India. The first part of the event focused on the theme of Smart Use of Ingredients, Cooking Methods and Sauces, Beyond Expectations: The Science and Exciting Possibilities of Food which featured keynote speeches by Indian industry leaders, followed by discussions on the latest trends in the Indian food service industry, the compatibility of ingredients and seasonings, and the scientific possibilities of cooking methods. Dr Miho Imamura of Kikkoman Corporation's Research and Development Division, who has studied the compatibility of food ingredients and seasonings in India, gave a presentation on the outcome of this research: The KIP (Kikkoman Ingredients x Seasoning Pairing) System. Dr Imamura began by stressing how important it was for Kikkoman to understand India's unique food culture. "Our research has enabled us to evaluate the compatibility of ingredients and seasonings as perceived by Indian chefs, based on the flavour profiles of the ingredients and seasonings. This allowed us to scientifically demonstrate the compatibility of Kikkoman Soy Sauce with chicken, mushrooms, and rice, which chefs have traditionally perceived," she said. But the research, she added, also suggested the possibility of creating new tastes by unexpected combinations such as watermelon with soy sauce and pineapple with soy sauce. Leading Indian culinary experts and chefs had shown great interest in Kikkoman's research and discussions with them would continue. "Kikkoman will continue to propose new ways, based on scientific evidence, to use our soy sauce to make Indian food even more delicious and to conduct research and development of seasonings suited to Indian ingredients," said Dr Imamura. After her presentation, the new Kikkoman Dark Soy Sauce was unveiled, along with the winners of the 2nd Kikkoman Cooking Contest held in January 2024. The second part of the Culinary Experts Meet-up comprised a networking event where guests were treated to a special menu featuring Kikkoman Soy Sauce. A special dinner was served by Chef Sadik Khan, a pioneer of Asian cuisine in India. A wide range of Chinese and Asian dishes using Kikkoman Soy Sauce and the new Kikkoman Dark Soy Sauce were served for guests to enjoy. Mr. Osamu Mogi, Representative Director and Senior Executive Corporate Officer, International Operations Division of Kikkoman Corporation, expressed his appreciation for all those who attended and the contribution of chefs and culinary professionals. India, he said, is one of the most important markets in the world for Kikkoman and promoting Kikkoman Soy Sauce in India is a very important mission. "With chefs from all over India creating new dishes using Kikkoman Soy Sauce, we feel that the potential for Kikkoman Soy Sauce to be accepted as an important ingredient in Indian homes and kitchens is increasing every day," said Mr Mogi. "Kikkoman will continue to grow its business by betting on the great potential of India's growing food culture. We will continue to work with the people of India to co-create new delicious experiences with Kikkoman Soy Sauce." Kikkoman India started operations in February 2021 and launched the Kikkoman Honjozo Authentic Soy Sauce Experience programme in October of the same year. The Culinary Experts Meeting is part of the Kikkoman Honjozo Authentic Soy Sauce Experience. The goal of the event is to generate new ideas and interaction among culinary professionals through interesting discussions on food-related topics. With over 350 years of history and an unwavering commitment to India, Kikkoman aims to contribute to the creation of delicious new experiences in India for the next 100 years and beyond. About the Kikkoman Honjozo Authentic Soy Sauce Experience in India Kikkoman is on a mission to put a bottle of Kikkoman Soy Sauce on the shelf of every Indian kitchen. Having started to expand its operations in India, Kikkoman India is pleased to announce the Honjozo Authentic Soy Sauce Experience. The goal is to make its popular, naturally brewed Kikkoman Soy Sauce an everyday ingredient for all restaurants and households. Launching this movement across India is the first of many activities to introduce Japan's No. 1 soy sauce brand to India. The Honjozo Experience movement comprises three elements: Developing talent and fostering exchanges among chefs; educating everyone on the use of soy sauce through cooking sessions and contests; and learning the contribution Kikkoman Soy Sauce can make by experimenting through R&D in food culture. Chefs are going to cook up a storm using Kikkoman Soy Sauce. From professional chefs to student chefs, all are going to experiment and learn what can be done with it. Through cooking contests, videos, talks, and workshops, the Honjozo Experience movement will bring together chefs, students, restaurants, hoteliers, the media, and industry leaders as well as government representatives to explore how Kikkoman Soy Sauce can enrich any and all dishes served in India. About Kikkoman and Kikkoman India With a history spanning over 350 years and based in Japan, the current Kikkoman corporate entity was established through the merger of eight families in 1917. The company's internationalization strategy began some 60 years ago, with its entry into the United States market. Kikkoman has become a global business, expanding to over 100 countries, with 11 soy sauce production sites worldwide that distribute its products all over the world to millions of consumers. Kikkoman India is solely responsible for importing all Kikkoman products, and is responsible for managing all production, marketing, sales, and distribution in India. Link to Media Kit:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BTVN9EbAXdsldE5fyssi0pEywIMFWZzd?usp=drive_link Press Contact:Anuj Jodhani,anuj@kikkomanindia.com,+91-7045666888 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2381111/Culinary_Experts_Meet_up_2024.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)
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has issued an advisory cautioning investors not to fall for fake or Artificial Intelligence generated deep fake videos of its MD and CEO, Ashishkumar Chauhan, recommending stocks. In an official statement, NSE urged investors to exercise vigilance and rely only on verified information, sourced directly from the Exchange's official channels. The advisory highlighted that certain deceptive videos, employing sophisticated technology to mimic voice and facial expressions of Chauhan, have surfaced online, disseminating false investment advice under the guise of endorsement by the NSE. "It may be noted that NSE's employees are not authorised to recommend any stock or deal in those stocks. Additionally, NSE makes efforts requesting these platforms to take down these objectionable videos, wherever possible," said a release by the NSE. The advisory by NSE emphasized its communication protocol, affirming that all official announcements are exclusively made through its website, www.nseindia.com, and its verified social media handles. NSE strongly advised investors to verify the authenticity of any communication purportedly originating from NSE or its officials by cross-referencing with the official channels provided: Twitter (@NSEIndia), Facebook (@NSE India), Instagram (@nseindia), LinkedIn (@NSE India), and YouTube (NSE India). The cautionary note comes amidst growing concerns over the proliferation of fake news and misinformation targeting unsuspecting investors in the financial markets. Recently many videos of big businessmen including Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani and others were circulating on social media recommending stocks to buy and giving business advice, all such videos are fake and generated by Artificial Intelligence. Financial market regulator SEBI had in January this year asked the top 100 listed companies by market capitalization (size) effective from June 1, 2024, to verify and confirm or deny and give clarity in cases of market rumours. Exchange keep track of news items that float about companies and are not disclosed by the respective companies. They also track and check if investors invest in such companies based on unverified news items. In case, the news is unverified, exchanges typically ask the company to confirm or deny the news items. (ANI)
According to a press release, the directive mandates the verification of pulses stocks in warehouses situated in major ports and pulses industry hubs, coupled with stringent action against entities found to be furnishing false information on the stock disclosure portal.

Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, chaired a meeting on Wednesday with Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of State Consumer Affairs, Food & Civil Supplies Departments to reinforce the implementation of this directive.

States and UTs were briefed on the necessity for heightened vigilance over the stock position and price trends of pulses to forestall hoarding and market manipulation, read the press release.

This proactive approach aims to maintain stability in pulse prices and ensure equitable access to these essential commodities for consumers across the nation.

Furthermore, the Ministry engaged with pulses importers associations and other industry representatives to address concerns pertaining to imports and stock disclosure. Industry players were urged to diligently declare their pulse stocks, including imported Yellow Peas, on a weekly basis, read the press release.

The stock disclosure portal has been revamped to include Yellow Peas and Big Chain Retailers, operational from April 15.

India's extension of duty-free imports of Yellow Peas until June 2024 aligns with efforts to stabilize pulse prices.

The monitoring of Yellow Peas imports and stocks of Tur, Urad, and Masur aims to ensure their smooth and continuous release into the market, bolstering overall pulse availability.

India's strategic interventions in pulse markets, including extended duty-free imports of Yellow Peas and stock limit revisions, reflect a concerted effort to prevent hoarding and maintain price stability.

These measures are pivotal in ensuring a steady supply of pulses, vital for meeting the nation's consumption needs. (ANI)
In a concerted effort to address the intricacies of health governance within the global political landscape, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, orchestrated the grandiloquent International Symposium on Health Governance. According to a press release by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this event, themed "Interplay of Health Law, Society and Political Economy," reverberated with discussions and deliberations encapsulating the exigent need for innovative policy solutions and cross-sectoral collaboration. The symposium, convened by the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in partnership with the Centre for Justice, Law and Society (CJLS) at Jindal Global Law School, witnessed luminaries and experts from various domains converge to dissect the nuanced relationship between health governance, intellectual property rights (IPRs), access to medicine, and public health policy. Dr VK Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, set the tone with his inaugural address, underscoring the imperatives of access to medicine and the right to health. Drawing from experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Paul stressed inspiring leadership in health policymaking, lauding India's role as a vaccine supplier to developing nations, read the press release. He also highlighted the adaptability showcased through the invocation of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to address health emergencies. Justice Ravindra Bhat, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, chaired the first plenary session, focusing on "Economic Policies, TRIPS and Healthcare: Building Bridges for Access." Justice Bhat emphasized public interest in pharmaceutical patent disputes and advocated for greater collaboration to ensure affordable access to medicines. The subsequent session delved into the scholarly realm, dissecting the role of research and publication in shaping evidence-based health policies while emphasizing transparency in policymaking. Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph, Principal Secretary of Kerala's Local Self-Government and Women and Child Development Department, highlighted the pivotal role of local bodies in healthcare delivery, emphasizing effective utilization of development funds, read the press release. The symposium's zenith was marked by a special address from Prof. Chantal Thomas, Vice Dean and Radice Family Professor of Law, Cornell Law School, USA, who commended India's moral leadership during the COVID-19 crisis and advocated for dynamic trade models aligned with gender considerations. Thematic sessions on the second day explored critical health governance issues, featuring eminent speakers such as Prof. (Dr.) B.S. Chimni and Dr Sylvia Karpagam, among others. The symposium culminated with a special address by Dr Anup Wadhawan, former Commerce Secretary, Government of India, and a distinguished lecture by Prof. Lorand Bartels on "International Economic Law and Right to Health." Professor Bartels reiterated health as a fundamental human right within international law, underlining the challenges in policy implementation. Professor James J Nedumpara, Head and Professor, CTIL, offered closing remarks, encapsulating the symposium's enriching discourse and paving the way for further research and collaboration in the realm of health governance, read the press release. Scholars and academicians, both domestic and international, were afforded a platform to present their research articles, slated for refinement and publication in a Special Issue of Jindal Global Law Review, thus fostering continued dialogue and scholarly exchange. The International Symposium on Health Governance has not only ignited conversations but also laid a robust foundation for collaborative endeavors aimed at fostering equitable and sustainable health outcomes amidst a complex political landscape. (ANI)
As it's Siblings Day today, actor Varun Dhawan took a moment from his busy schedule to thank the first person who believed in him, who is known other than his brother and filmmaker Rohit Dhawan. Varun took to Instagram and shared a couple of photos with his brother Rohit. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5kTV6aibjm/? Sharing the pictures, he wrote, "I would be no where in life without my elder brother. The first person who believed in me was my brother.#happysiblingsday." Varun and Rohit have worked together in the 2016 film 'Dishoom' Rohit directed the movie, which also stars John Abraham, Jacqueliene Fernandez, Akshaye Khanna and Saqib Saleem. National Siblings Day is a day to honour our connections with our brothers and sisters. And is being celebrated this year on April 10. Meanwhile, on work front, Varun Dhawan is all set to team up once again with his father, acclaimed director David Dhawan, for their next big project. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh confirmed the news on his official Instagram handle. Backed by Tips Films and produced by Ramesh Taurani, the upcoming collaboration is poised to deliver a cinematic experience like no other. Scheduled for a nationwide release on October 2, 2025, the project is anticipated to be a celebration of family bonds, romance, and side-splitting comedy. This venture marks the fourth collaboration between Varun and David Dhawan, following the success of their previous projects like 'Main Tera Hero,' 'Judwaa 2,' and 'Coolie No 1. Varun recently resumed shooting for his upcoming action thriller film 'Baby John' 'Baby John' is the title of the film, which is directed by A. Kaleeswaran. Atlee is presenting the film in association with Jio Studios and Cine1 Studios. Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, Jackie Shroff, and Rajpal Yadav are also a part of 'Baby John', which will hit the theatres on May 31, 2024. The film is produced by Murad Khetani, Priya Atlee and Jyoti Deshpande. In the coming months, Varun will be seen in the Indian adaptation of the Hollywood series 'Citadel' opposite actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu. It is an Indian adaptation of the Russo Brothers' series of the same name. Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden headlined the international version. The release date of the Indian version of Citadel is awaited. Raj and DK have created the Indian version. (ANI)
Sharing a nostalgic throwback picture from their childhood, the actor reminisced about the bond they share, calling Rysa her "first child."

The picture captures a precious moment between the sisters, with Ananya seen feeding food with a spoon to young Rysa while they pose together.

Alongside the photo, Ananya penned a heartfelt message, reflecting on their sibling relationship, "This sibling obsession is real. Give me rysuuuu my first child."

Ananya and Rysa are the daughters of Bollywood actor Chunky Panday and his wife Bhavna Pandey. Their adorable camaraderie has often been a delight for fans and followers on social media.

Meanwhile, on the work front, after her notable performances in 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' alongside Adarsh Gourav and Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya is now gearing up for her upcoming ventures, 'Control' and 'The Untold Story of C Sankaran Nair.' Additionally, she is set to captivate audiences with her presence in the upcoming show 'Call Me Bae.' (ANI)
The police force has been deployed in the Naxal-hit area in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra to conduct safe and peaceful elections. Gadchiroli will go to polls in the first phase on April 19. Inspector Kalpesh Kharode, In charge C60 commandos told ANI, "Our preparations are underway for three months. Searching operations in the jungle are underway. The C60 commando unit is also being deployed. Drones are also being used. Our switch drone can travel upto 15 kms. If Maoists are in the forest, we can spot us with the help of drones." "Traveling of polling party can be very difficult in the area. If helicopters can transport the EVMs directly from the polling booth to the strong room, then the chances of a major ambush can be reduced. Apart from training, we are focusing on searching So that Naxals cannot gather in the area," he added. Earlier, two women Naxalites and one Jan Militia member carrying Rs 5.50 lakh reward was arrested in Gadchiroli, police said on Sunday. "Gadchiroli Police has arrested two active female Maoists involved in several violent incidents against security forces, as well as one Jan Militia member who was involved in the murder of a Police Patil in Titola Village in November 2023. They all were apprehended on April 7, 2024," police said. Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. The state, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh. Known for its political diversity and significant electoral influence, Maharashtra plays a crucial role in shaping national politics. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 23 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena with 18 seats. (ANI)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday extended his party's unconditional support to the Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP. Speaking at the party's Gudi Padwa rally here today, Thackeray also declared support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that everyone should prepare for the elections. "Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is unconditionally supporting the grand alliance of 'BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP. This support is only for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA alliance. Now everyone should prepare for the elections," he said. Further, Thackeray said that he was the first person in the country who had said that Narendra Modi should be the Prime Minister of India. "Shiv Sena had formed an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party around 1990. After that my closeness increased with BJP, I had good relations with Gopinath Munde, Pramod Mahajan. I went to Gujarat and established relations with Narendra Modi. After coming back from there I was asked how is Gujarat? I said development is taking place in Gujarat, but Maharashtra is much ahead. I was the first person in the country who said that Narendra Modi should be the Prime Minister of the country," he said. The MNS chief emphasized that good work should always be supported. "The first tweet supporting Article 370 was mine. I am going to the rally in support of CAA NRC. I never made personal comments. I did not comment the way Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut are commenting about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is the youngest country in the world, it is expected from Modi ji to leave everything and focus on the youth of the country. This is the future of the country," Raj Thackeray said. He also pointed out that he did not want to do anything that would break the party and gave Uddhav Thackeray a chance but he did not understand. "I had made it clear that I did not want to do anything that would break the party. I had decided that I would not work under anyone except Balasaheb Thackeray. Still, I gave a chance to Uddhav, but he did not understand," Thackeray said. Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. The state, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh known for its political diversity and significant electoral influence, Maharashtra plays a crucial role in shaping national politics. In the 2019 elections, the BJP emerged as the largest party with 23 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena with 18 seats. (ANI)
Amid the controversy surrounding the scheduled screening of 'Kerala Story' by national broadcaster Doordarshan, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM) under the Thamarassery diocese also announced the screening of the film in the coming days. The decision by the diocese to screen the controversial film, which was a portrayal of the missing women from Kerala who were allegedly converted and sold to ISIS as 'sex slaves', prompted a strong response from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who alleged that the film only serves to advance the ruling BJP at the Centre, and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated in an official release. Further, according to an official release from the CMO, Vijayan accused the RSS of classifying certain individuals as 'internal enemies' of the country, a concept derived from 'Hitler's ideology'. CM Vijayan alleged further that the RSS targets minorities, including Muslims and Christians, fostering discord among different sects, according to the statement. He warned against falling into the trap of division, adding, "Such actions serve a political agenda." The statement further said the CM deemed the film's broadcast as incompatible with Kerala's cultural ethos and criticised its politicisation. Earlier, the Idukki diocese screened the film to the Sunday school students during their intensive training programme, on April 4. Coming down heavily on the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, earlier, over Doordarshan's decision to telecast 'The Kerala Story', CM Vijayan demanded that the national broadcaster refrain from streaming the controversial film as it might "exacerbate communal tensions" ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Taking to his official handle on X, Chief Minister Vijayan posted, "The decision by @DDNationalto broadcast the film 'Kerala Story', which incites polarisation, is highly condemnable. The national news broadcaster should not become a propaganda machine of the BJP-RSS combine and withdraw from screening a film that only seeks to exacerbate communal tensions ahead of the general elections. Kerala will remain steadfast in opposing such malicious attempts to sow hatred." The film is the story of three girls--Shalini (Adah Sharma), Nimah (Yogita Bihani), and Geetanjali (Siddhi Idnani), who are manipulated by their roommate, Asifa (Sonia Balani), into converting to another religion. The movie is divided into two parts: the first half portrays how the girls were manipulated into converting to another religion, while the second half shows Shalini's journey as Fatima Ba--a converted member of a terrorist group and her imprisonment in Afghanistan. It also shows how men were allegedly brainwashed into wooing Hindu and Christian women of Kerala in the name of love, convert them and convince them to join war zones. (ANI)
The incident took place on Sunday afternoon on the university campus while the student, a boy, was with two female classmates.

According to the police, the victim filed a complaint at the local police station stating, "I, along with the two female friends, was returning after having a meal when four-five unidentified persons on motorbikes approached me on the university campus and asked me to show my Aadhaar card."

The student alleged further that after seeing his name on the identity card, one of the persons who accosted him asked if he had come to the university to engage in 'love jihad'. He was assaulted thereafter.

Meanwhile, on the complaint filed by the victim, the police registered a case under IPC sections 143, 147, 149, 323, 504, 506 and other relevant sections on Sunday and opened an investigation into the incident.

The university management also announced the setting up of a fact-finding committee in light of the incident.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh will not be able to meet jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday as the Tihar Jail administration has revoked permission for the meeting citing security reasons, sources said. Sources added that earlier an appointment between Mann, Singh and Kejriwal was fixed by the Tihal Jail administration. However, since the permission to meet has been revoked, the prison authorities will decide on a new time for the meeting. Meanwhile, the Delhi Chief Minister approached the Supreme Court on Wednesday against the Delhi High Court order which dismissed his plea challenging his arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in connection with the Excise policy case. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said that Kejriwal's arrest is not in contravention of law and remand can't be termed "illegal", however, the Aam Aadmi Party expressed hope of getting justice from the Supreme Court. The Delhi High Court said that it thinks that the accused has been arrested and his arrest and remand have to be examined as per law and not as per the timing of elections. Kejriwal's challenge to the timing of arrest before general elections in the absence of any mala fide on the part of ED is not sustainable, said the court. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21. The trial court sent Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15, 2024. ED alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam. The agency also claimed that Kejriwal was directly involved in the formation of the excise policy. The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was later scrapped. (ANI)
Muslims in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Jammu Kashmir, and Ladakh are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of the month-long 'Ramazan' fasting. People offered 'namaz' or the Eid prayer at mosques and open prayer grounds as part of the Eid celebrations. Hundreds of Muslims took part in the mass 'Namaz' recitation ceremony as they prayed in unison at a mosque in Coimbatore. Similarly, a large number of people offered prayers at the mosque in the Ernakulam district of Kerala on Wednesday to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr. Mass prayers were also held in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on the occasion of Eid. Meanwhile, muslims in Jammu and Kashmir also marked the celebration of the holy festival of Eid-Ul-Fitr with morning prayers. A large number of people flocked to the local markets to buy sweets, and delicacies on Eid. Speaking to ANI, a shopkeeper said that sweets, including gulab jamun, rasgulla, and pheeni have been prepared for the festival. He also said that a variety of namkeens have arrived at the shop to meet the demand of the people on the occasion of Eid. Visuals show people buying Eid desserts from the shop, including seviyan, sheer khurma, dates halwa, shahi tukda, kesar phirni, filled cookies, baklava and others. Shops and markets in prominent areas are decked up for the festival. The enthusiasm of Muslim people seems to be high as they have geared up to celebrate the festival with all rituals and grace. The moon was sighted in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday after which the Union Territory's grand Mufti Nasir-Ul-Islam announced that the Eid 2024 celebration will be held on Wednesday. In addition to Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh also confirmed the celebration of the festival on Wednesday after the crescent moon was spotted in Leh on April 9. Clerics from Hyderabad, Lucknow, Delhi, and several other cities confirmed that the moon was not sighted on April 9, hence Eid would be celebrated in the states on April 11. Lucknow's Markazi Chand Committee said, "Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted in the country on Tuesday." Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali told ANI, "The moon has not been sighted in Lucknow and we have no information about the moon from anywhere in the country. So it has been decided that Eid-al-Fitr will be celebrated on April 11." Further, Maulana Khalid urged people not to offer namaz on roads and to donate to the needy. Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival is of great significance due to the moon sighting, which has been part of Islamic culture for a long time. Ending the holy month of Ramzan and starting a new spiritual journey also marks the beginning of a new Islamic year. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the month-long Ramzan fasting and the beginning of Shawwal, which is the tenth month per the Islamic calendar. Since the observance of the moon is essential for ending Ramzan month and celebrating Eid, it is celebrated in different parts on different days, usually with a one-day difference. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court's dismissal of the plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy case. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed his plea, saying Kejriwal's arrest is not in contravention of law and remand can't be termed "illegal". The high court further stated that this court is of the opinion that the accused has been arrested and his arrest and remand have to be examined as per law and not as per the timing of elections. Kejriwal's challenge to the timing of arrest before general elections in the absence of any mala fide on the part of ED is not sustainable, said the court. CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21. The trial court sent him to judicial custody till April 15. ED alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam. The agency also claimed that Kejriwal was directly involved in the formation of the excise policy. The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was later scrapped. While Kejriwal was not named in the FIRs registered by the ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi excise policy case, his name first found a mention in the ED's chargesheet, wherein the agency claimed that he allegedly spoke to one of the main accused, Sameer Mahendru, in a video call and asked him to continue working with co-accused and AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair. Nair was among the first people to be arrested by the CBI in the case, in 2022. Subsequently, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were arrested in connection with the case. The latter, however, was granted bail by the Supreme Court last week. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday expressed his confidence in winning all the 29 parliamentary seats in the state in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "I am happy that I reached Ujjain today and the new Vikram Samvat 2081 has started. On this occasion, I reached the party office where a few people took the membership of the party," CM Yadav told ANI. "I am hopeful that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the kind of atmosphere that is being felt everywhere, people are trusting BJP and PM Modi. We will win all 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state with a huge majority and 'Abki baar 400 paar'," the CM added. Earlier on Tuesday, CM Yadav along with his wife Seema Yadav lit lamps at Ram Ghat on the banks of Shipra River here on the occasion of Hindu New Year, Vikram Samvat 2081. A total of 5.51 lakh lamps were illuminated on the banks of Shipra to mark the occasion. Besides, attractive designs were carved with the help of lamps through which the message of voting awareness was delivered in view of the upcoming LS polls. The Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh will be conducted in four phases. The first phase of polling would be held on April 19, followed by April 26, May 7 and May 13. Madhya Pradesh has a total of 29 Lok Sabha constituencies, making it the sixth-largest state in terms of parliamentary representation. Out of these, 10 seats are reserved for SC and ST candidates, while the remaining 19 are unreserved. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the BJP secured a massive victory in Madhya Pradesh, winning 28 out of the 29 seats. The Indian National Congress (INC) managed to win only one seat. (ANI)
Amid tight security, jailed Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari reached Ghazipur jail from where he will be taken in police custody to the place where 'fatiha' ceremony of his late father Mukhtar Ansari is being held on Wednesday. Mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Banda recently. The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Abbas Ansari, who is presently in jail, to attend the 'fatiha' ceremony of his late father Mukhtar Ansari amid tight security arrangements. Abbas Ansari's plea seeking permission to attend his father's 'fatiha' ceremony came up for hearing before a bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan on April 9. The bench said it saw "no reason to deny him permission to attend the event." The Supreme Court also directed that Abbas Ansari should be brought back to Kasganj jail by April 13. The top court also allowed Abbas Ansari to meet his family on April 11 and 12 and directed police authorities to frisk visitors, ensuring no weapons were carried. It also asked Abbas Ansari not to address the media during the visit. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Abbas Ansari, urged the top court to allow his client to attend the rituals and meet his family for a couple of days. The Uttar Pradesh government raised objections to Abbas Ansari's plea. It said that he is facing charges under the Gangster Act and was accused of running a gang from Chitrakoot jail so he was shifted to Kasganj jail. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up Uttrakhand government for not taking action against Patanjali Ayurved for violation of law and refused to accept the apology by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna in the misleading advertisements case. The apex court posted the case for further hearing on April 16. A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanudding Amanullah questioned the Uttarakhand government about countless innocent people who took the medicines believing that they would cure the diseases. The court observed that it is concerned with all the FMCG companies who show rosy pictures to consumers and then suffer health issues. The court told the Uttarakhand government that it is not going to let it free in the case relating to the misleading advertisements of Haridwar-based Patanjali Ayurved. "All complaints were forwarded to the government. The licensing inspector remained quiet, there is no report by the officer. The concerned officers should be suspended right now," the court said. The apex court directed that all the officers who held posts as district Ayurvedic and Unani officers from 2018 till now shall file replies on actions taken by them. The apex court bench observed that a message has to go to society at large not to violate the court's order. It observed that apology is only on paper after they (Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna) were caught on the wrong foot in court. "We don't accept it (apology), we decline to accept this. We consider it a wilful, deliberate disobedience of the undertaking," the court said. The apex court said Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority has filed a detailed affidavit trying to explain action taken regarding objectionable advertisements. "We are appalled to note that except pushing file, nothing has been done," the Supreme Court noted and added that in four-five years, the State Licensing Authority remained in deep slumber. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who is representing Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, read the affidavit filed by the Yoga guru before the bench of the Supreme Court, saying he tenders unconditional and unqualified apology with regard to the issue of advertisement. Rohatgi said earlier affidavits have been withdrawn and fresh affidavits have been filed tendering unconditional and unqualified apology for lapses on their part. He said they can issue a public apology. Yesterday, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court and tendered an unconditional apology in regard to misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurveda and said that they undertake to always uphold the majesty of law and justice. In an affidavit filed before the top court, Baba Ramdev said, "I seek pardon for the aforesaid breach of the statement. I undertake to always uphold the majesty of Law and majesty of Justice." Baba Ramdev informed the top court that he sincerely regrets the lapse and he wished to assure that the same will not be repeated in future. He also undertook and ensured that the statement shall be complied with in letter and spirit and no such similar advertisements shall be issued. Earlier, the court had taken strong exception to the apology tendered by both of them and said that they had violated the undertakings given to the top court so the court is taking it seriously. (ANI)
As the Lok Sabha election campaign gains momentum, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to address crucial public meetings in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in a day-long busy schedule on Thursday. In the multi-event campaign blitz in both the states, Shah will hold two public meetings in Madhya Pradesh and one in Maharashtra. With the Madhya Pradesh Lok Sabha elections drawing near, Shah's itinerary is packed with five engagements aimed at bolstering support for his party in the crucial battleground of the state. In his comprehensive campaign tour across Madhya Pradesh against the backdrop of heightened political fervor, Shah will commence the visit in the state by offering prayer at the bank of Narmada river in Mandla. Later, the Home Minister will garland the statue of Rani Durgavati in Mandla. Subsequently, Shah will address a public meeting at police grounds in the afternoon in Mandla Lok Sabha constituency. The Home Minister will later visit Vijaynath Dham Temple in Katni district in Madhya Pradesh. Shah's Madhya Pradesh visit will conclude with a second public address at Vijaynath Dham fairground in Katni under the Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency. On Thursday evening, Shah will wrap up his day-long visit by delivering a speech at a public gathering in Maharashtra's Nanded Lok Sabha constituency. The electoral battleground in Maharashtra has been intense, with political parties vying for supremacy in the state known for its significant political landscape. The Nanded constituency, with its diverse demographics and political significance, has emerged as a focal point in this electoral race. The public meeting fixed to be held at the Narsi Ground in Nanded is expected to galvanize support for the ruling party and further energize the election campaign in the region. With just days left before Maharashtra goes to the polls, the presence of a senior leader like Shah underscores the importance of the Nanded constituency in shaping the political dynamics of the state. (ANI)
Lashing out at the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused it of keeping the state "trapped" in an old mindset and politics, which is impeding the growth of the state's youth. Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a public rally as part of the election campaign for the BJP, took a swipe at the DMK, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin and accused the party of being 'anti-Tamil'. "The DMK has the first copyright on corruption. DMK wants to keep Tamil Nadu trapped in old thinking, old politics, the whole DMK has become the company of a family. Due to DMK's family politics, the youth of Tamil Nadu are not getting a chance to move ahead," the PM said. Taking a jibe at the DMK, the PM said that there are three main criteria to get a ticket for the elections in the ruling party. "There are three main criteria to contest elections from DMK and move ahead in the party. Three main criteria are family politics, corruption and anti-Tamil culture," the PM said. He also accused MK Stalin's party of making people fight in the name of region, religion and caste. "DMK party makes people fight in the name of region, religion and caste. DMK knows that the day people understand the politics of divide and rule, DMK will not get a single vote. That is why they make people fight among themselves for votes, I have also decided that I will continue to expose this decades-old, dangerous politics of the DMK," the PM said. In his campaign 10 days ahead of polling for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the PM drummed up support for two partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)--Pattali Makkal Kachi's Dharmapuri candidate Soumya Anbumani as well as the New Justice Party's Vellore candidate AC Shanmugam, who is contesting on the BJP symbol. Modi also came down heavily on the Opposition INDIA bloc, particularly targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's previous comments on "Shakti". "INDI alliance people insult 'Shakti' and ill-treat women. Everyone knows how DMK treated the late Jayalalithaa. Your blessings for BJP and NDA will protect 'Sanatan Shakti' and ensure women's honour," the PM added. With the Navratri festival beginning on Tuesday, the PM, who addressed a public rally in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit said that the country should remember how the INDIA bloc 'has taken a vow to destroy Shakti' and those who worship the Goddess will never forgive the Congress and its allies. The prime minister has been campaigning aggressively in Tamil Nadu. On Tuesday, he had led a massive roadshow in state capital Chennai. "Chennai has won me over! Today's roadshow in this dynamic city will remain a part of my memory forever. The blessings of the people give me strength to keep working hard in your service and to make our nation even more developed. The enthusiasm in Chennai also shows that Tamil Nadu is all set to support NDA in a big way," PM Modi had said in a post on X. All 39 seats in Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 19. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. In 2019, the DMK-led alliance swept the Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu, winning 38 of the 39 seats. (ANI)
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country, Goa's Chief Electoral Officer Ramesh Verma said that efforts have been intensified in the border areas and items worth a total of Rs 12.89 crores have been seized till now. "From the day of the announcement of the elections on March 16 till now, we have already seized items worth Rs 12.89 crore. The seized items include narcotics, drugs, cash, and liquor. Similar kinds of cases come to light daily. We follow SOPs issued by the Election Commission of India to deal with such cases," said Verma. He further added that efforts are underway to pass a message to local people that they can trust their team here and elections will be held in a free and fair way. He emphasised that the elections in itself is a challenge. "We are taking security measures. We are continuously working with the police department," he added. "We have come up with eco-friendly initiatives keeping Lok Sabha elections in view. We are carrying out plantation. We are planning to attain the target of 10k plantations per day. We are planting medicinal and fruit plants," he said. Highlighting the objective behind doing so he said, "Every vote is important. Everyone should vote. That is what we are trying to convey through the plantation. Like every plant has a role to play, every vote counts." He mentioned that voting is a Nation-building exercise. "We are going to ensure medical facilities at the poll booths. The voters can get themselves checked there," he added. Notably, the two Lok Sabha constituencies in Goa - North Goa and South Goa - will go to polls in a single phase on May 7. The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting April 19. Nearly 97 crore voters are eligible to cast votes in the general election. The counting of the votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)
Telugu Desam Party's general secretary Nara Lokesh on Wednesday challenged Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy for an open debate to compare the welfare work done under their respective regimes. "We are ready for an open debate on under whose regime more welfare has been done. Are you ready for the debate," Lokesh said during his interaction with the residents of Jupiter Apartments and nearby areas in China Kakaki in the Mangalagiri Assembly segment as part of his ongoing election campaign. TDP national general secretary accused CM Jagan of withdrawing 100 welfare schemes, making false statements, and avoiding people's questions on the promises he made before the election after coming to power. "Jagan is the only Chief Minister on the Earth who has withdrawn 100 welfare schemes and he has done his doctorate in uttering blatant lies. During the last election campaign, Jagan has made umpteen promises to the people but after coming to power he is moving behind the screens as he is scared of people questioning him," the TDP national general secretary remarked. Stating that the 'Videsi Vidya' scheme implemented during the TDP regime for the poor students to go abroad for further studies has been cancelled by CM Jagan, while "both the daughters of Jagan are pursuing their higher studies abroad." "Does Jagan feel that the students of the middle and lower middle class should not pursue their higher studies abroad," Lokesh questioned and said that in the name of Vidya Deevena and Vasathi Deevena, Jagan stopped fee reimbursement. Nara Lokesh promised to revive the fee reimbursement scheme and hand over the certificates to over six lakh students by making a one-time settlement to all the educational institutions, which has been pending for a long time. Further, he alleged that those who are posting some comments on social media questioning Jagan on the promises that he has made are being subjected to harassment by registering false cases against them. He also stated that "the entire Telugu Society has been living under constant fear for the past five years. When Jagan was arrested his corrupt practices worth thousands of crores have come into the open." "Telugu people across 80 countries have come onto the roads to agitate against Chandrababu's arrest and he has come out with a clean image with the blessings of five crore people of the State," Lokesh stated. Targeting Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Nara Lokesh said, "If Chandrababu becomes the chief minister, the state will move forward. If Jagan is back, attacks on SCs, STs, and BCs will increase and be reported daily." "One State one capital is our slogan and within 100 days of coming back to power the Amaravathi works will be taken up again and all the dues to the farmers who have sacrificed their lands will also be cleared on a warfooting basis," Nara Lokesh noted. (ANI)
Maharashtra Congress on Wednesday wrote to the State Chief Electoral Officer requesting an investigation into the accident involving Maharashtra State Congress President Nana Patole in Bhandara on April 9 during the Lok Sabha elections campaign. The party urged for a probe to "ascertain whether the accident was a result of natural causes or it was a deliberate conspiracy." "The circumstances surrounding this accident raise serious questions about its potential impact on the upcoming elections. It is imperative to investigate whether there was any foul play involved, aimed at influencing or creating fear among leaders of the opposition party. Such actions undermine the principles of free and fair elections, which are fundamental to our democracy," state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe wrote in the letter. "I urge you to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter to ascertain whether the accident was a result of natural causes or if it was a deliberate conspiracy. Additionally, I request that you issue directions to the police department to provide enhanced security measures for Shri. Nana Patole, as well as other important leaders of the Indian National Congress such as Shri. Balasaheb Thorat, Shri. Vijay Wedattiwar, and Shri. Prithviraj Chavan," he added. "Given the significance of these leaders and the potential threat posed to them, it is crucial that adequate security measures are put in place to ensure their safety," Londhe further added. Earlier on April 9, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole escaped unhurt after his car met with an accident in the Bhandara district. According to information from Nana Patole's office, a truck hit the car of the Maharashtra Congress chief from behind near Bhandara city. "A truck hit his car from the backside. Nana Patole narrowly escaped this accident. No one else in the car was injured in the accident," said the information from Nana Patole's office. Reacting to the mishap, State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe claimed that the incident took place on Tuesday night and that there was room for doubt if it was an attempt on his life. In a post on X, Londhe said the accident occurred near Karda village in Bhandara district. He claimed that a truck hit Patole's car and tried to crush it. "Congress state president Nana Patole was on a campaign tour of Bhandara district on Tuesday night when a truck hit his car and tried to crush it near Karda village. This is a very serious incident and was there a plot to kill them? There is a doubt. With the blessings of the public, Nana Patole Saheb was not injured and is safe," read the post by Atul Londhe. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second-largest after Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 seats it contested in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena. 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. The undivided NCP, part of the opposition alliance, contested 19 seats and won four. Following the split in 2022, the Shiv Sena, which had earlier formed a coalition government with the Congress and NCP, saw Eknath Shinde break away from the party with his loyalists and align with the BJP. He took over as CM later, with the support of the BJP. The Election Commission (EC), thereafter, allotted the Sena's 'bow and arrow' symbol and the party flag to the Shinde faction. (ANI)
Tarun Chugh said that the Punjab government is doing a cover-up exercise due to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been just doing a cover-up exercise due to forthcoming elections by registering cases against small players whereas big sharks in the field have been allowed a free run following which the ecology of the state has been gravely endangered," Chugh said.

Strongly condemning the media report on the possibility of a highway bridge between Ropar and Hoshiarpur collapsing due to rampant sand mining in the Swan River belt, Chugh said such reports have been coming from other parts of the state as well.

He said a large number of people in villages are being put to immense harassment and inconvenience due to illegal and rogue activities of the sand mafia gangs all over the state.

"The investigation into the entire matter must be handed over to the CBI because there were inter-state ramifications of the sand mafia operations," Chugh added.

Lok Sabha elections in 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab will take place on June 1. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Wednesday said that the three Independent MLAs who resigned earlier now fall under the preview of the "Anti-Defection Law." He said that the proceedings in their case are underway and the date has been deferred for April 24. Meanwhile, all three MLAs were summoned by Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania to appear before him on Wednesday. "We have submitted the resignation voluntarily, there was neither pressure nor any allurement and we have resigned on March 22nd as assembly members. We were expecting it to be expected the same day. The rules also say that if you submit your resignation in person the speaker has to accept it. We shall withdraw if the speaker takes the decision to accept our resignation," said KL Thakur, an independent MLA. The legislators are now hopeful that they will get justice from the court. "The speaker has called all of us separately and he has sought a reply and we have submitted our written reply. We had submitted the resignation on March 22nd and as per rule resignations had to be accepted within 24 hours but it was delayed. We had given reminders and also protested. The speaker had sought a reply by April 10th, and we had earlier stated what the reasons were. And we as MLAs were humiliated and the CM will be able to answer better for reasons. Now it is for the speaker to decide and advocate on our behalf and it is listed for April 24th. We shall withdraw the case from the High Court if the speaker accepts our resignations," he added. Speaking to ANI, the speaker of the HP Assembly, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, said that the matter has now been invoked in the two jurisdictions of the two constitutional authorities. "They have admitted during the proceeding that they have gone to Chandigarh in a chopper; it is my constitutional right to know if it was voluntary or involuntary. And the members of the Congress party, including three ministers, had filed a petition with me and a copy was filed with my office. I had issued show cause notice to them and I had called them today for April 10th. They had appeared at 12:15 and had sought the time for reply and they were heard after 2:30PM today. They have also filed a case in the HP High Court, and it was listed today and court has adjourned it for April 24th. They have made me party challenging my jurisdiction in person and as speakers, we have also received a copy of the petition and notice has also been received and we shall file a reply in high court and I have also referred the matter for April 24th. Any elected member who resigns as an independent MLA can't join any political party, and it is the jurisdiction of the speaker and court can't interfere. They have attracted the provisions of anti defection Law and the presence of the leader of opposition and members of a political party," Pathania said. "Since the matter is now sub judice, two constitutional authorities' jurisdiction has been invoked and it is my jurisdiction and the court also has its own jurisdiction. There is no time period to accept the resignation and it is the right and duty of the speaker to investigate the matter. There is no inordinate delay and we are seized of the issue , we are looking at it minutely and we shall take a decision on it," Pathania added. MLA Hoshyar Singh from Dehra, Ashish Sharma from Hamirpur and KL Thakur from Nalagarah assembly segments submitted their resignations to the speaker on March 22, 2024, and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a day later in New Delhi. Three independent MLAs appeared in the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday, challenging the Speaker of HP Assembly for not accepting their resignations. Earlier, three Independent MLAs sat on a day-long protest outside the assembly premises in Shimla, demanding that the Speaker accept their resignations. Along with six Congress MLAs (now disqualified), the three Independents had voted in favour of BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan during the Rajya Sabha polls in February. This led to the defeat of Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday addressed a public meeting in support of BJP candidate from Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency Anil Baluni at Degree College Ground, Maldhanchaud Ramnagar. While extending his best wishes for the Hindu New Year and Navratri, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that women's power come in large numbers to give their blessings in every meeting. This time women power has decided to make Anil Baluni MP and Narendra Modi the Prime Minister. He said that Anil Baluni has a great attachment to the Ramnagar area. He has had a connection with Ramnagar since childhood. He has worked to protect this area and give it a new identity. He said that definitely, the people of Ramnagar will give one-sided support to Anil Baluni. He said that the government is going to make tight arrangements in forest villages. The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he also allowed our Ramnagar to host the G-20 conference meeting. CM Dhami said that our goal is to win every Lok Sabha seat by more than 5 lakh votes with the blessings of the people. "The Prime Minister has worked for the poor, farmers, women, and youth for 10 years. The Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has been expanded for the next five years. He has taken care of every person. Even after the Corona period, India is the fifth largest economy in the world," he added. The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister has done all-round development in every field from village to city in the last 10 years. Construction work like road, rail, hospital, university has been done. Positive changes have been seen in every village in the country. Many schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Kisan Samriddhi Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat Yojana are being run. He said that India has a big identity in the world. the state government has passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill in the state, fulfilling the promise made before the elections. He said that the state government has taken strict action against the imitations going on for a long time. CM Dhami said that the state government has done the work of removing encroachment from more than 4000 acres of land. In future also, the campaign to remove encroachment will move forward again after the elections. He said that for the welfare of the people in the state, many schemes like Mahalaxmi Kit Yojana, Lakhpati Didi Yojana, Uttarakhand Ayushman Yojana, Old Age Pension Scheme, 3 free gas refills in a year for poor families, Home Stay Scheme, Ghasiari Kalyan Yojana are being run. The Chief Minister said that a large number of works related to irrigation and drinking water have also been completed in Ramnagar. In 2023, various works costing more than 100 crores were inaugurated and foundation stone was laid in Ramnagar. "Construction of multi-storey parking an inter-state bus terminal, bridge over Dhangadhi and Panod drains is in progress. ICU beds in the hospital and rescue centre in Dhela have been approved. Beautification has been taken forward by including Garjia Devi temple under the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission. Tongia village has been made a revenue village. Various works have been done including bridge construction over Hathidgar Kania drain," he added. He said that Ramnagar's litchi has got a GI tag, due to which its fame is reaching the country and abroad. Lashing out at the Congress, the Chief Minister said, "Congress leaders are seen only during elections. They only work to deceive the public." He said that on one hand there is Modi ji who is working day and night without taking any leave to take the country forward by considering the countrymen as his family and on the other hand there is a party like Congress which is only engaged in promoting corruption and nepotism. He said that before 2014, a scam used to come to light every month. The public's money used to go to the scamsters of Congress. But after 2014, not a single scam has come up in the last 10 years. Congress is the mother of familyism and dynasties in Indian politics. Chandrayaan has been launched in the country but Congress keeps on launching its prince (Rahul Gandhi) unsuccessfully again and again. The Chief Minister said that when the BJP government is formed again with the blessings of the people of the country, the Congress leaders will blame EVMs. When Congress wins, they do not blame EVMs but when they lose, they again start raising questions on EVMs. CM Dhami said that Prime Minister Modi has a special attachment towards Uttarakhand. On the coming April 19, we have to make lotus bloom on all the five seats of Uttarakhand. He requested everyone to contribute to fulfilling the concept of developed India by making Anil Baluni victorious and making respected Narendra Modi the Prime Minister of the country for the third time. (ANI)
Feeling vindicated about its charges against the Enforcement Directorate that most of its cases against politicians were politically motivated, the Congress on Wednesday slammed the investigative agency after the Supreme Court of India quashed the ED's complaint in the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam. Senior party leader and spokesperson, Abhishek Manu Singhvi asked, "If a scam to the tune of Rs 2,161 crore had taken place, as the ED alleged, why could it not produce any evidence in the Supreme Court that it was quashed?" Singhvi said that the Supreme Court's decision had vindicated the Congress party's stand that the ED was working at the behest of the BJP government to target the opposition parties, including the Congress. "Of the 15-20 per cent cases registered by the ED against various political leaders, 99 per cent were against the opposition parties only," he said. The Congress spokesperson alleged that the ED had done it deliberately ahead of the elections to create a distorted view and deny the level playing field to the Congress party by suggesting imaginary figures like Rs 2,161 crore worth of scam. "If it was really such a big scam, why wasn't the ED able to give any evidence of money laundering?" he asked. Abhishek Manu Singhvi pointed out that the ED had alleged that hundreds of people were involved including the officials, the liquor manufacturers besides the politicians. "If it was so, why was none of the manufacturers or government officials arrested by the ED. The intention was obvious to malign the political opponents ahead of the Chhattisgarh elections," Singhvi said. Further, the Congress leader said that the scam was alleged to had taken place in 2019-20 then why did the ED initiate proceedings three years later, just before the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh in 2023. Singhvi also alleged that with the BJP government having come in power in the state, had now started misusing the Economic Offences Wing of the government to target the opposition leaders, after having failed with the ED. "Congress was not welcoming the decision for some particular person, but as a matter of principle as it had exposed the dubious intentions of the ED in alliance with the BJP. This also established the misuse of ED for political and electoral reasons," he said.(ANI)
Drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace has announced a significant collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as it marks its debut in the space-tech domain. This partnership signifies a milestone moment, with ISRO set to procure Garuda Aerospace's cutting-edge quadcopter drones, heralding a new era of innovation in the space sector. Renowned for its state-of-the-art drone technology, Garuda Aerospace's quadcopter drones boast integration with machine learning and artificial intelligence, promising to revolutionise efficiency across various ISRO operations. The journey towards this pivotal moment commenced in 2021 when ISRO initiated trials of Garuda Aerospace's drones for tasks including medicine and food delivery, as well as building sanitisation efforts amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The resounding success of these trials paved the way for ISRO's decision to acquire Garuda Aerospace's quadcopter drones. Agnishwar Jayaprakash, CEO and founder of Garuda Aerospace, expressed pride in securing this order from ISRO, underscoring the company's steadfast commitment to excellence. He highlighted the pivotal role of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles in the space sector, underscoring the significance of the partnership with ISRO in solidifying Garuda Aerospace's position as an 'industry leader'. Meanwhile, Jayaprakash also lauded governmental support, particularly the approval of 100% foreign direct investment in the space sector, as a crucial step towards realizing Garuda Aerospace's vision of becoming the first Indian drone unicorn startup. The drone maker stated that Garuda Aerospace's drones are highly customisable and designed to withstand atmospheric pressure and gravity, making them ideal for tasks such as surveying, mapping, and sample collection. The company has demonstrated significant strides in the drone sector, exemplified by the recent launch of its border patrol drone, 'Trishul'. Significantly, Garuda Aerospace holds the distinction of being the first drone company in the country to receive dual approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), encompassing manufacturing and pilot training. (ANI)
The Indian Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev Singla, met the country's Minister for Labour, Yoav Ben-Tzur, on Wednesday (local time) held talks on bilateral relations, with the former also bringing up the safety and well-being of Indian workers in the country. During the meeting, the envoy was briefed on the enforcement activities of the Ministry for welfare of Indian workers there. In a post on X, the Embassy of India in Israel wrote, "Ambassador met the Minister of Labor of Israel to discuss relations, including safety and well-being of Indian workers in Israel." "At the meeting, Ambassador was briefed on the enforcement activities of the Ministry to ensure the rights and welfare of Indian workers in Israel," it added. https://x.com/indemtel/status/1777794833001701865 At the press briefing last week, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, said the first batch of people have gone to Israel under the government-to-government (G2G) agreement, stressing that the Indian government urged the Israeli authorities to take their safety seriously. Earlier this year, a drive to recruit more than 10,000 Indian construction workers in Israel began at the Maharshi Dayanand University in Haryana's Rohtak. MEA spokesperson Jaiswal, while addressing the weekly presser on April 4, said about 18,000 Indian workers were in Israel. "The Indian Embassy in Israel is constantly in touch with them for their safety and it is a major concern for us," he said. "The first batch of people under the G2G agreement have gone to Israel," Jaiswal added, stressing that they have urged the Israeli authorities to take care of their wellbeing. "For us, their safety is very important. We have urged the Israeli authorities to do their best to take care of their safety and well being, which is of prime importance," he said. (ANI)
Rejecting accusations that Israel carried out a genocide in Gaza, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said there was no 'evidence' of it. On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticised the international community for failing to hold Hamas accountable, while US Defence Secretary Austin denied claims that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, according to The Times of Israel. Both officials insisted that Israel must guarantee long-term improvements to the humanitarian situation in the enclave. "We don't have any evidence of genocide being created," Austin said in testimony before the US Senate Armed Services Committee regarding US President Joe Biden's latest budget request, The Times of Israel reported. Austin's statement came a day after Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren shared a video on her social media handle, asserting that the International Court of Justice should find Israel guilty of genocide because there was 'ample evidence'. Austin referred to the horrors carried out by Hamas on October 7 as a 'war crime' but refrained from calling them a genocide at the hearing on Tuesday. Austin made these remarks during a session that was often disrupted by far-left protesters yelling at him to cease supplying Israel with arms, The Times of Israel reported. They raised their hands, stained in red, in the air and yelled, "Stop the genocide." Several senators expressed their outrage at the civilian deaths and insisted that more was needed to be done by the administration to put pressure on Israel to save the Gaza population. Six months have elapsed since Hamas launched a brutal onslaught on Israel, resulting in widespread devastation and loss of life. Despite the passage of time, 134 hostages remain in Hamas' captivity, their fate hanging in the balance amidst ongoing efforts to secure their release. The Israel Defence Forces have withdrawn all ground troops from the southern Gaza Strip after a four-month fight in the Khan Younis area, The Times of Israel reported. As the country marked six months of war against Hamas, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) published new data on its operations in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Lebanon, highlighting everything from the number of terror operatives killed to the number of sites struck. According to the data, more than 13,000 Hamas operatives and members of other terror groups have been killed by the IDF in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war, in addition to some 1,000 terrorists inside Israel on October 7, when gunmen rampaged through southern communities, massacring some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 253 to Gaza. The data presented by the IDF further stated that the military has killed five Hamas brigade commanders and those of an equivalent rank, as well as more than 20 battalion commanders. Since October 7, in the West Bank, the IDF said the troops have arrested more than 3,700 Palestinians, including more than 1,600 affiliated with Hamas. (ANI)
A total of 51 Buddha images have been unearthed in a rural area of northern Laos' Xieng Khuang province while an unexploded ordnance clearance team was working there in the excavation.

While the exact age and origin of the figurines remain unknown, authorities believe they could date back several hundred years, the local news website Lao Pattana News reported on Tuesday.

After the excavation on April 2, the unearthed Buddha statues have been placed, under tight security, at a village office in Phoukoud district of the province, some 180 km northeast of the Lao capital Vientiane.

Officials from the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism are scheduled to inspect the excavation site in Xieng Khuang from April 8 to 9.

In March, more than 200 Buddha statues of unknown age and origin were unearthed in Tonpheung district of the northern Bokeo province. Excavations in the area are continuing in the hope that more will be found.
Praising India's developmental journey, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, said that anyone who wants to "see the future" should come to India. He called it a "great privilege" to head the US mission in India. In his address at the 'Impact & Innovation: 25 Years of IPE Global Making Development a Ground Reality' event in Delhi, Garcetti said that if anyone wants to work on the future, they should come to India. Eric Garcetti said, "We have the most beautiful view, I think, of this ballroom of the passion, of the belief, of the purpose of the peace that you live in, the work that is done by IPE and the collaboration between so many of us that are lucky to call India our home for a period of our lives. I often say, if you want to see the future, come to India. If you want to feel the future, come to India. And if you want to work on the future, come to India. And I have the great privilege of being able to do that every single day as a leader of the United States mission." US envoy recalled that he had learned a saying, 'Alag Desh Alag Rivaaj' which means another nation, another custom as each place has different customs. However, he said that they are now working together towards one vision. Garcetti said, "When I was studying Hindi as an 18 year old, I learned a saying, 'Alag Desh Alag Rivaaj', it was kind of another country, another custom. And the saying we have this in many languages is, you know, do in Rome, as the Romans do. In other words, every place is different. And those customs are unique. And while that is true, certainly the customs of America are different than those of India." "Even within our countries, the custom from one town or city to the next is different, one state to the next is different. I think increasingly the work that we are doing here, that we are privileged to do is the American mission. We now feel more that it is do desh and there is ek Dil, one heart, that when we come together, it is no longer two different systems, but one vision," he added. Praising IPE for having gender equality at the panel discussion, he said, "We want to make sure that whenever we sponsor something and participate in something, we don't just give lip service to the idea of gender equity, but we try to embody that. And IPE has done that so beautifully here today and stirred my heart in looking at the stories of the women that we are privileged to work with alongside you and the government of India, to further health equality, to further the idea that economic opportunity shouldn't be defined by your gender or your gender geography or the wealth of your parents, but by the dreams in your heart." "Last thing I'll say, because instead of going through all the programs that we have together, and we often talk about the four p's, that peace, prosperity, our planet and our people define the work of the United States mission here, together with our partners across the globe, with fellow diplomats and missions that are here, and of course, led by the Indian government. We don't come here to teach and preach. We come here to listen and to learn. And when asked to have the privilege to work alongside you, whether it's in the digital domain, whether it's in the climate action that we take, we know that the work we have is urgent and the success of it has to run through every girl and woman in this country and around the world, in every marginalized community." Former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant praised IPE Global for its work, calling it "top class" as it works with a tremendous amount of passion, energy and dynamism across various sectors. He mentioned that he has worked with IPE on learning outcomes, improving health outcomes and nutrition. In his speech at the same event, Kant said, "In my long evenings in government, I've had the pleasure of working with all the top consulting agencies across the world. And I must say that IPE global is really top class. It's top class because it works with a tremendous amount of passion, it works with a tremendous amount of energy and dynamism and it works across a range of sectors where you make a difference to human lives." "It's worked with me on learning outcomes, on improving health outcomes, on nutrition. They worked with me on improving, doing the holistic development of islands in India. And every time I can tell you that they surpass any other consulting agency because they actually believe in delivering on ground. So all credit to Ashwajit and his team. His team is really, really, truly brilliant and outstanding," he added. Kant expressed happiness that IPE Global is focused on the South-South, recalling that India faced several challenges during its G20 Presidency. He stated that there was a challenge of slowdown of global growth. Highlighting the challenges faced by India during its G20 Presidency, he said, "I'm truly delighted that your focus is on South-South because when India did the G20 presidency, we faced several challenges. There was a challenge of the slowdown of global growth. There was a challenge of the sustainable development goals instead of progressing having regressed, there was a massive challenge of climate action and climate finance. You know, we're facing huge challenge of earth having surviving, but all of us not surviving at all because of fire, floods, famines and the temperatures rising. And we faced huge challenge of inequity in the world." Amitabh Kant noted that India's G20 Presidency was very focused on the Global South as 70 per cent of the growth today, as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF), comes from the Global South. He said, "India's presidency was very focused on the Global South. It was focused on the Global South because, according to IMF, 70 per cent of the growth today is coming from the Global South. And the next two decades, almost two thirds of the global growth is going to come from Global South. And that's for one simple reason, is, the demographics are in favour of the Global South. The countries of the Global South are going to see a very young population with very low dependency burden, whereas the rest of the world is going to be aging." He said India was focused on being the voice of the Global South. He noted that PM Narendra Modi had the first interaction with Global South nations and India shaped its G20 priorities as per the Global South. Amitabh Kant said, "And therefore, we focused on being the voice of the Global South. And the Prime Minister, as the leader of the G20, actually had the first interaction with all the Global South countries. We shaped our priorities according to the Global South. And we worked around to achieve consensus on the Global South." "And we made our presidency very ambitious, inclusive, very decisive and action oriented. And we worked towards making African Union a very integral part of G 20. And India actually made the G20 as G21. And by doing so, it demonstrated that G20 will actually cover almost 85 per cent of the global population. It will cover almost close to about 80 per cent of the global GDP and almost about 75 per cent of the global trade. And therefore, it made G 20 very inclusive, but it made GDP the most prominent multilateral body in the world," he added. Amitabh Kant noted that multilateralism works with consensus and the challenge for India was to reach consensus on issues of accelerating the pace of SDGs, reforming multilateral institutions that were designed in the post Bretton wood period for another world and are not designed for the Global South. He stated that the challenge for India was also to bring in green development at the centre stage and how the use of technology and digital public infrastructure could be used to accelerate the pace of growth in the Global South. He said, "The challenge for us was that 4 billion people do not have a digital identity in the Global South. Two billion people do not even have a bank account and 133 countries of the world today do not have a digital public infrastructure. But we were able to bring consensus on all these issues. But the most critical of which was to bring consensus on women led development. And we had huge challenges on all these because our belief was that if half the world comprises of women, you can't make the world grow without women and putting them into leadership position." Praising US for its continuous support for India during its G20 Presidency, Kant said, "We had several challenges during G20. But one country which stood with us was the United States of America. All through our G20, United States of America always said that India must succeed in bringing consensus on a range of challenges that we were confronted with not merely these challenges but the challenge of geopolitical crisis of Russia, Ukraine and we were able to bring leadership and bring consensus on many of these issues thanks to the United States of America." In September of this year, India successfully hosted the G20 summit in the national capital, hosting over 40 global leaders and their delegations. The inclusion of the African Union as a permanent G20 member was a major and historic takeaway from India's presidency. At the Leader's Summit, the New Delhi Declaration was adopted unanimously with full consensus. A major standout of the declaration was bringing all global powers on the same page and forging consensus on an issue as divisive as the Russia-Ukraine war. Throughout India's presidency, raising the voice of Global South and developing nations was at the forefront of New Delhi's agenda. India's theme for the G20 Presidency was also 'One Earth, One Family, One Future', whose Sanskrit translation goes as 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'. (ANI)
70-year-old woman shot on her front porch during solar eclipse, Indiana cops say

Less than a half hour before Hendricks County, Indiana, reached totality during the Monday, April 8, solar eclipse, a woman felt a poke on her arm.

The 70-year-old woman, who was sitting on the front porch of her North Salem home, initially believed a bird had struck her with its beak, the Hendricks County Sheriffs Office said.

But she soon realized she had been shot, authorities said. She was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Authorities said the woman was shot at 2:42 p.m. April 8. The eclipse began in Hendricks County at about 1:49 p.m., and the county reached totality for three minutes beginning at 3:06 p.m.

Detectives learned the shooting originated from a residence about 4,400 feet away, according to the news release. A 25-year-old man had fired a rifle into the backstop while target shooting, the sheriffs office said.

Criminal charges are not expected to be filed, authorities said.

North Salem is about a 35-mile drive northwest from Indianapolis.

Next solar eclipse to cross US in 2045. Where will others be visible before then?

Did the eclipse damage your eyes? Here are telltale signs  and why its such a risk
Election years tend to bring out the worst in politicians vying to hold on to power and win elections. Recently, in Alabama, that materialized through a set of education bills that recall the states segregationist past and reject the promise of a free and inclusive public school system that is the bedrock of our democracy.

This election season, Governor Kay Ivey and her allies are hoping to leverage widespread disinformation about the so-called Great Replacement, critical race theory and public schools to garner political support, even at the expense of Alabama children.

Mike Tafelski, senior supervising attorney for SPLC

With two months left in the state legislative session, Ivey has already signed a set of bills that undercut the vitality of public schools and institutions and marginalize people of color and LGBTQ+ people by attempting to ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or DEI, (SB 129) and divert millions of public funds to unaccountable private schools, including those that are known to segregate our children and foster discrimination (HB 129). For those familiar with Iveys Strong Start, Strong Finish initiative, this may seem like a departure from her past support of public education.

During her 2018 State of the State address, Ivey said the states central focus must be on our students, not personal agendas or political maneuvering. We could not agree more. In fact, our recent poll in neighboring Florida showed that more than 90% of parents and adults believe that professional educators should guide school curricula free from political influence.

More: Rulings have chilling effect on college-bound daughters | ADEYELA BENNETT

Yet, states like Florida and Alabama continue to pass legislation that censors discussion about race, gender and sexual orientation in schools and classrooms. In addition, Alabamas new school voucher program will take needed resources from these public schools and apply them to education alternatives, such as private schools, through so-called education savings accounts that allow up to $7,000 per student each year  still below the average cost to attend a private school in the state, meaning this siphoning of public resources is primarily intended to benefit wealthier families. . Nearly a dozen Alabama counties are without private education options, and the impact of student departures across the state could mean fewer resources for students who remain in public schools.

Private schools receiving public funds to educate students are not subject to the same rules and regulations as traditional public schools. They are not even required to maintain certain standards. In Alabama, many private schools are religious and can exclude students based on religion, including denying enrollment to LGBTQ+ students and or students with LGBTQ+ parents.

On May 17, 2024, we will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the pivotal U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education. The case held that state-sanctioned segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, forcing states that were not in compliance to integrate their schools. White people in the South, who were determined to maintain the status quo, responded by establishing private segregation academies so that their children would not have to go to school with Black children. During his inaugural speech in 1963, then-governor George Wallace promised the people who elected him, segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.

This is the history Ivey and other state elected officials want to suppress in our schools and other public spaces. But the anniversary of Brown and the current social and political climate is a sobering reminder of Coretta Scott Kings timeless message: Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation. That is what we have not taught young people, or older ones for that matter.

The effects of censorship and anti-DEI bills may not be fully realized until 70 years from now. But our children are counting on us to do what must be done now to secure freedom and justice for all, starting with our vigorous participation in the election process. Even if your preferred candidate is not on the ballot this election cycle, your vote can be the difference in what our state and nation look like 70 years from now. Every election matters. Do not allow the haters to be the only ones showing up at the polls.

Mike Tafelski is a senior supervising attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center, overseeing the Democracy: Education and Youth legal practice group in Alabama and Georgia.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: In Alabama, hate only wins if we stay home in November | MIKE TAFELSKI
An astronaut watched the heavens move in Mitchell during total solar eclipse

Crawfordsville, Indiana, native Joe Allen spent 314 hours in space, according to his NASA biography. Allen is a 1959 graduate of DePauw University and, according to DePauw Libraries, he flew on two space missions: the first fully operational flight of the space shuttle in 1982 and the salvage mission of two $35 million satellites two years later.

Allen was present for Monday's total solar eclipse at another astronaut's home. Gus Grissom's former residence was open to the public for eclipse viewing where there were boxed lunches for sale, free viewing glasses and eclipse souvenirs.

A picture taken at 2:35 p.m. on April 8, 2024, of the image on Vince Diloreto's smartphone, which is attached to the Hestia smart telescope.

Vince Diloreto was also in Mitchell for the celestial event. He attached his smartphone to a Hestia "smart telescope," which functions like a large telephoto lens for the smartphone.

Since 2020, Diloreto and his wife, Angela, have traveled all over the country finding interesting people and stories in the places they visit.

Vince Diloreto looks at the eclipse image on his smartphone Monday, April 8, 2024.

Angela Diloreto said, "We were going to Bloomington, so we stopped here first (Home of Mitchell astronaut Gus Grissom), and we thought we'd just stay here. This is a better place to watch the eclipse."

The Diloretos document their travels and offer advice at fittinginadventure.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Several witness 2024 total solar eclipse at Grissom home in Mitchell
A battle for democracy: Ukraine bishop urges UK and US to keep supporting fight against Russia

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski with King Charles outside of his cathedral in London on Wednesday (Marcin Mazur)

The bishop for Ukraine in London has urged the UK and the US to honour their pledges and not forget that Ukraine is fighting Russia to save the rule of law and democracy.

In a major intervention, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski said Ukraine was not asking for soldiers on the ground but for funding to continue fighting Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Two years ago, Russia launched a devastating full-scale invasion of Ukraine, capturing nearly a quarter of the country and displacing more than 10 million people. There are now at least six million Ukrainian refugees in Europe, including around 250,000 in the UK.

This is not just a battle for Ukraine, the Catholic bishop told The Independent. It is the battle for rule of law, democracy and freedoms that we have all taken advantage of. That we stand to lose.

The challenge for us moving forward is to ensure that those in the US, here and the West continue to encourage politicians to honour their pledges.

Ukraine has not asked for foreign boots to be put on the ground, they are asking for the instruments to be able to win this battle. But I am optimistic. I look at the brave men and women who are fighting  and I need to be optimistic for them.

Bishop Nowakowski in the destroyed Kyiv region in Ukraine (Bishop Nowakowski)

His plea came after David Cameron spent the final day of his US trip calling for an escalation of financial support from the US. The foreign secretary met secretary of state Antony Blinken and called for the unlocking of a $60 million military aid package which is currently stalled in Congress.

In a thinly veiled rebuke of Donald Trumps reported idea that Ukraine cede swathes of ground to Russia to enable peace, the foreign secretary warned of the danger of appeasing Putin.

Speaking from his parish in central London, Bishop Nowakowski, who has helped thousands of Ukrainians refugees in the capital, said Ukraines battle is a fight for the UK and the West, which has an obligation to help.

The 65-year-old Canadian of Ukrainian origin, who has spent decades living and working in Ukraine, has spearheaded efforts to welcome thousands of Ukrainian refugees to London and has been called on during the crisis by the likes of King Charles.

I cant imagine anyone who doesnt have someone who has been lost

Bishop Nowakowski

He warned that Ukrainians were exhausted by the two-year brutal war  which if the country loses will mean it will cease to exist.

He said that every family in Ukraine had been impacted in some way and that he had lost 30 friends and colleagues, many of them killed in action while defending their country.

There cannot be anyone who is of Ukrainian background or who has an association with Ukraine who doesnt know someone who has been killed or impacted, he told The Independent.

I cant imagine anyone who doesnt have someone who has been lost.

Ukraine, which made surprise gains in the first year and half of the war, has in recent months struggled to hold the 1,200km front line, beset by dangerously low ammunition stockpiles often due to crippling delays in delivery of promised aid.

President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted in February that every day, Russian forces fire on average seven times more munitions at Ukrainian forces than they are able to fire back. There are reports that Ukraine has had to ration its forces to firing just 2,000 artillery rounds a day.

Crowds gather at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in central London for Easter (Courtesy of Holy Family Cathedral)

Russia, meanwhile, has nearly half a million personnel fighting in Ukraine right now, and has ramped up its domestic production, moving into a war economy, one Ukrainian diplomat told The Independent.

The bishop said families were at breaking point after suffering so much. Many of them are split up as under martial law, men of fighting are not permitted to leave the country in case they need to be called up. That has left it mostly up to women to travel abroad to sustain their families financially.

The millions of women who have left Ukraine, some with their children, some without, are feeling those wounds of war, the bishop added.

Those who stay in Ukraine are exhausted, he said: How can you not be tired or exhausted when every night you get woken up by bombs and sirens?

Many who have fled Ukraine seek solace in the Cathedral of the Holy Family, a first port of call for many desperate Ukrainian refugees on arrival. There, they can get directly connected to British government officials for help with their papers, as well as access to English language lessons, Ukrainian lessons, and therapeutic arts and crafts sessions.

Boris Johnson called on the bishop for advice at the start of the full-scale invasion (Courtesy of Holy Family Cathedral)

In London, their weekly congregation is now 3,000 strong and they have opened three new parishes in London, as well as 20 additional parishes across England to accommodate the growing numbers. At Easter, they had so many visitors the crowds spilt into the streets outside.

Some of the most powerful people in the UK have come to Bishop Nowakowski to help. He said the then Prince Charles visited just six days after the full-scale invasion erupted, bringing humanitarian aid organisations he was patron of in a show of support to the most vulnerable.

After the coronation, one of King Charless first visits as monarch was to return to the church to again offer help  alongside his godson the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Grosvenor, who helped renovate the welcome centre.

King Charles told me, Im glad to hear my godson has done something wonderful, the bishop added.

Also early in the war, the then prime minister Boris Johnson called on him for advice and visited his parish.

Boris Johnson rolled up his sleeves and said, You have 15 minutes to tell me what you think I dont know that I should know, he said.

Ukraines first lady, Olena Zelenka, visits the Holy Family Cathedral in London (Courtesy of Holy Family Cathedral)

Later, Michael Gove, tasked with managing the UKs response to the crisis, invited him for weekly meetings. The Ukrainian first lady, Olena Zelenska, has also visited him.

The bishop thanked the UK for all its work in supporting Ukrainian refugees, imposing sanctions and helping with aid to Ukraine, adding it was essential the story of Ukraine was kept alive.

In a comparatively recent trip to Ukraine where he went to liberated Irpin, a town in the Kyiv region which experienced a terrifying occupation by Russian soldiers for several weeks earlier in the war, the bishop celebrated Mass.

It was a beautiful autumn day but very much positioned next to the buildings that were bombed out, he said.

This one woman came up to me and asked what King Charles was like. She said to me, When you go back to England please tell people to remember us, even when the story gets a bit old.

He said this was his message from the UK. It started with hope for a better future so people can start rebuilding their lives. Then he said there was continued solidarity.

We have not forgotten, and we shouldnt and cant forget what Ukraine is contributing to our global society, he concluded.
President Joe Biden has a problem with young voters. Hes addressing this problem: This week he put forward an ambitious proposal to extend student debt relief to 30 million Americanson top of the $146 billion in student debt relief that hes already achieved for four million Americans (as well as his failed earlier attempt to extend up to $400 billion to up to 43 million Americans, which was struck down by the Supreme Court).

Student debt relief is a worthwhile policy in itself. It will help to ease, somewhat, the ever-growing burden of paying for college in an era when tuition and fees are fast approaching, at the priciest private institutions, $100,000 a year. Bidens commitment will also help lure back young voters, who gave him strong support in 2020 but lately have been drifting toward Donald Trump. A Marist poll conducted March 2528 showed people under 45 favoring Trump against Biden, 50-49 percent, and a Fox News poll conducted March 2225 showed an even heavier pro-Trump tilt, 4035 percent.

Other polls show Biden ahead of Trump among under-30 voters, including national and swing-state polls conducted by The Wall Street Journal. But even these, Politicos Steven Shepard pointed out earlier this week, show a weakening of Bidens support among younger voters since the 2020 election. In that year Biden crushed Trump among voters aged 18 to 29, 6036. Among voters aged 30 to 44 Biden beat Trump by a very respectable 5246. The Journal, by contrast, shows Biden up only 10 points among voters aged 18 to 29, Shepard notes.

This is very much at odds with the experience of the past three decades. The last Republican presidential candidate to win the youth vote was George H.W. Bush in 1988. Since then, young people have voted fairly consistently Democratic. The change reflected in polls may be a protest against U.S. support for Israel during the Gaza war, which younger voters (18 to 29 years old) oppose. Its worth remembering that young people showed a similar disenchantment with Biden before the 2022 midterms but nonetheless ended up voting Democratic, E.J. Dionne pointed out last year, by 70 percent. That prompted Jordan Weissmann of Semafor to observe, Young people hate the Democratic party, except on election day.

The greater danger is that disaffected younger voters will stay at home. A youth poll conducted by Harvards Institute of Politics said young Americans are less likely to vote in 2024 than they did in 2020, which was a record-setting year for youth turnout.

All this has me worriedbut only a little, because the youth vote doesnt loom that large in the American electorate. It should loom large, because millennials, or the cohort born between 1981 and 1996, number 72 million, making them not the greatest generation but certainly the largest. Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is the second-largest cohort, numbering 70 million. The third-largest cohort is my generation, the baby boom, born between 1946 and 1964, which numbers 69 million.

There was a time, from the airing of Walt Disneys Davy Crockett miniseries in 19545 through Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Woodstock, The Big Chill, and Bruce Springsteen, when the baby boom owned popular culture. It was heady stuff, though mostly for my older siblings, because it was led mostly by older boomers. (I could comfort myself that I was three years too young to register for the Vietnam draft.) With passage of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution, which lowered the voting age to 18, the baby boom aspired to own the political culture too, and in 1972, the first presidential election in which 18- to 20-year-olds could vote, George McGovern pinned some hopes on a youth-driven victory. Instead, President Richard Nixon won reelection in a landslide.

What happened? The Democrats learned two hard truths. The first was that the baby boom was, ideologically, much more diverse than reading Newsweek would have you believe; many baby boomers were conservative.

The other truth was that young people dont vote all that mucheven in a year, 1972, when one candidate favored continuing the Vietnam War and the other favored ending it. (In the end there was less difference than met the eye because Nixon ended both the Vietnam draft and American participation in the war shortly after the election.) Among 18- to 20-year-olds, only 48 percent voted, and among 21 to 24-year-olds, only 51 percent voted. By comparison, 71 percent of people aged 45 to 64 voted, and 64 percent of people aged 65 and older voted. For the next three decades, the percentages of 18- to 20-year-olds and 21- to 24-year-olds who voted fell while the percentage of 45- to 64-year-olds held steadyand the percentage of 65 and older voters increased.

By 1996 voter turnout for people 65 and older was twice that for people aged 20 to 24. Bob Dole, the last presidential candidate from the World War II (greatest) generation, lost to boomer Bill Clinton in a sort of generational changing of the guard. But the result was more complicated than it appeared. Yes, the baby boom finally took firm control of the government (even as its influence over popular culture disappeared). But the baby boom (its self-deceptions to the contrary) wasnt young. It was middle-aged, with its oldest members turning 50, and getting older every day. A gerontocracy was born.

In recent years voter turnout among the young has been rising, and in 2020 its turnout was indeed, as the Institute of Politics says, record-setting. Voter turnout for 18- to 29-year-olds rose 11 percentage points over 2016. But it was still only 50 percent, while turnout for 45- to 64-year-olds was 66 percent and turnout for people over 65 was 72 percent. Looking at the composition of voters in 2020, we find slightly more than 60 percent of them were aged 50 or over. Only 17 percent were aged 18 to 29, and only 23 percent were aged 30 to 44.

The aging of the electoratethe combination of the baby boom increasing the number of elderly voters and the higher propensity of older voters to votehas historically been bad news for Democrats. Thats because older voters lean Republican. Biden won in 2020 in spite of losing (narrowly) the baby boom vote. If Biden loses younger voters in 2024, that could hurt him in a close race.

But winning older voters matters more, politically, because, well, theyre 60 percent of the electorate. And here the recent news has been strangely good. Even as Biden is losing altitude among younger voters, he appears to be picking up support, Politicos Shepard reports, among older voters. This, Shepard notes, is approximately as bizarre as younger voters drifting into Trumps column.

That Marist poll found baby boomers supporting Biden over Trump, 5345 percent. A February New York Times poll similarly found Biden leading Trump among voters 65 and older, 5142 percent. As a boomer, I find it exciting that my generation may, at long last, seize an opportunity to save the country. But if Biden wants to clinch the deal, hell need to talk more about capping the cost of insulin for Medicare patients at $35 per month and perhaps a bit less about helping young people get out from under their college student loans. In this gerontocracy of ours, it pays to keep retirees happy. If youre a young person and dont like that arrangement, theres a simple solution. Vote.
Proposed legislation that would allow public school districts to hire faith-based chaplains has reemerged in the form of a once-dormant bill.

Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, has amended a dormant measure, Senate Bill 36, to allow public school districts to employ chaplains or accept chaplains as volunteers to provide support, services and programs for students. The chaplains could not be registered sex offenders. They also would not be required to be certified by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. The chaplaincy language completely replaces the bill's original language.

SB 36 was considered on Tuesday by the House General Government Committee, which West leads as chairman. It advanced out of that committee, which means it likely will be considered soon by the House. SB 36 is similar to a bill passed into law in 2023 in Texas.

More: Should chaplains be allowed in Oklahoma's public schools? Lawmakers, faith leaders sound off

SB 36 essentially includes the same language as three chaplaincy bills that did not move forward during the current legislative session because they did not make it out of committee. Those bills were House Bill 3122, authored by Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole; House Bill 3543, authored by Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle; and Senate Bill 1984, authored by Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee.

Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said SB 36 was a bill he co-authored with Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, regarding law enforcement equipment. It did not have enough support during last year's legislative session to move forward to become law. Echols said he had no qualms about allowing West to have the bill. West could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

"He asked me if he could have my bill, and I said 'yes,'" Echols said. "I would vote for this bill."

More: Bills to hire chaplains for public schools dead for now, but critics remain vigilant

New bill has support and critics

The Rev. Shannon Fleck, executive director of the Oklahoma Faith Network, said she had been on the lookout for legislators to insert the language of the previous chaplaincy bills into other proposed language. Tuesday, she said the Oklahoma Faith Network opposed the previous chaplaincy bills and they oppose SB 36, as well.

"We were confident that we were going to see this language reemerge this session, and sure enough, here it is reappearing later in the session, Fleck said. "But, again, we maintain that this is bad for schools, it's bad for kids. It's bad for everyone all the way around."

The Rev. Shannon Fleck

Fleck said the bill would open the door for "a multitude of adults to come into our schools and have influence with our children without any level of education, certification qualification."

"It opens the door wide for anybody claiming to be a faith leader to have access to our children. It's dangerous, and we should be unequivocally opposed for the protection of our young people," she said.

Rob Abiera shared concerns of his own. Abiera said he is an administrator for the Oklahomans For the Separation of Church and State Facebook page he uses to network with other activists and pass along information of interest.

"I'll just say that our elected officials appear to be pulling a fast one on us once again," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, this is dishonest. It's also a demonstration of insecurity on their part. If they're so convinced this is what their constituents want, why hide it? Unfortunately, the right has become increasingly outspoken about no longer caring about the will of the people  Donald Trump's recent assertions to the contrary notwithstanding."

Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City

But Echols and Johnny Davis, chief development director of the Norman-based National School Chaplain Association, said they can't believe the bill has detractors because it will ultimately help school students. Echols said by the time the bill advances to the House, West will likely be the primary author.

"At the end of the day, what we want to do is help kids," Echols said. "I mean, I'm shocked that it's controversial."

Hunt said chaplains are already in some public schools on a volunteer basis.

Davis said he was pleased to learn that West had moved the chaplaincy legislation forward.

"This is not anything new  it just codifies it and makes it stronger at the state level," Davis said. "It's kind of odd that people have a problem with it. Trauma care, holistic care  everyone benefits from that."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lawmakers reintroduce chaplains in public schools bill
Staff members prepare cocktails for visitors in the French pavilion at the second China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, July 26, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

Strengthened economic and trade relations between China and France will not only benefit both countries, but also contribute to the sustainable growth of global supply chains, said government officials and business leaders.



As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Paris, they said the two sides share huge trade complementarity, intertwined interests and substantial potential for economic cooperation.

During his meetings with a number of French government officials, senior executives of French firms and industry associations in Paris from Sunday to Monday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao stressed that prospects for Sino-French economic and trade cooperation are wide-ranging. The Chinese government is dedicated to optimizing the business environment and providing service guarantees for foreign companies to invest and operate in its market, said Wang's ministry on Tuesday.

"As the Chinese economy continues to show signs of improvement and recovery, there is a focus on accelerating the emergence of new economic growth drivers and persistently exploring new development areas," said Wang, adding that this presents multinational companies with expanded market opportunities.

With China launching anti-dumping investigations into brandy imported from the European Union in early January, Wang told French business leaders that the country will conduct the investigations transparently and openly in accordance with its laws and World Trade Organization rules, fully ensuring the rights of all stakeholders.

The investigations were initiated at the request of the domestic industry and are not targeted at any specific EU country. The queries will not presuppose any conclusions, he added.

At these meetings, business leaders from French companies, including BNP Paribas and Danone SA, said they remain optimistic about the prospects of China's economic growth and business environment. They will continue to commit to long-term development in China.

Thanks to China's massive market, sophisticated industrial system, strong supply chain competitiveness and the improving business environment, foreign direct investment from France soared 586 percent year-on-year in China in the first two months of this year, Wang's ministry said.

After achieving a 6 percent year-on-year growth in the Chinese market in its 2023 fiscal year, Pernod Ricard, a French wine and spirits group, said it will focus on premium and diversified products in the years ahead.

"China stands as Pernod Ricard's second-largest market, where we have established a presence for over 30 years. We will respond promptly to ever-evolving market and consumer demands in the country," said Jerome Cottin-Bizonne, CEO of Pernod Ricard China.

Sharing similar views, Barbara Coppola, CEO of French sporting goods retailer Decathlon, said China is one of the group's key markets and the company will continue investing in the country.

"China stands out as one of the key global markets possessing comprehensive capabilities, including industrial, logistical, product design and retail strengths," she said, adding that Decathlon benefits from a fully integrated supply chain within China.

France is identified as another country with similar capabilities. China's importance to Decathlon is both significant and multifaceted, she said.

With China entering a new era of green and innovation-led growth, it will continue to export industrial and consumer goods in return for France's high-tech products, including passenger aircraft, medical equipment and green products, said Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics.

The total trade value between China and France reached 555.11 billion yuan ($76.74 billion) in 2023, up 3.1 percent year-on-year. Among the total, China's imports from France stood at 262.42 billion yuan, surging 10.9 percent on a yearly basis, said China's General Administration of Customs.
Inside a hospital recovery room in 2017, Dana Rachlin was visited by the chief of the New York City Police Department after she had been raped, according to a new federal lawsuit.

Rachlin, who worked with the NYPD through her community advocacy and police reform work, was hesitant to file a police report, but did so as encouraged by Jeffrey Maddrey, then the commanding officer of the departments Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, a complaint filed April 8 says.

Maddrey reassured Rachlin that her privacy would be protected, and her identity would only be known to a few NYPD detectives, the complaint states.

Now, Rachlin accuses members of the NYPD of leaking her private information and details of the assault, as well as spreading damaging lies about her. The falsehoods, according to the complaint, include claims that she had lied about the 2017 rape, falsely accused a Black man of rape and was involved in gang activity.

The lawsuit details an NYPD-involved smear campaign carried out in retaliation against Rachlin after she found herself openly at odds with high-level NYPD officials in 2020.

After her public criticisms of abusive NYPD members receiving promotions, unidentified officers within the department set out to ruin her reputation and shared anonymous, defamatory letters about Rachlin with elected officials and community members, according to the complaint.

Beware of the Wolf in Sheeps Clothing, read the title of one letter about Rachlin, which was formatted in a style similar to NYPD operations directive memos, the complaint says.

Rachlin, a faculty member at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said the lies about her have been extremely draining and exhausting at an April 9 news conference, the New York Daily News reported.

Its forced me to have conversations with people about my sexual assault when only a few (police) were supposed to know, but random commanders knew about it, Rachlin said.

She filed her lawsuit against several former and current NYPD officials, including Maddrey and NYPD Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

The NYPD has reviewed the lawsuit, a spokesperson told McClatchy News April 9.

While we believe it has no merit, we will not comment further on pending litigation, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

When asked about the lawsuit at an April 9 news conference, Adams said he knew Rachlin from when he served as a state senator from 2006 to 2013, following his 22-year career with the NYPD.

He said the case is going to follow its process.

What happened after the rape was reported?

Before and after the rape, Rachlin had collaborated with high-ranking NYPD officials through her nonprofit organization NYC Together, according to the complaint. She later co-founded We Build the Block, a subsidiary of her nonprofit, with the late actor Michael K. Williams.

Rachlin was sexually assaulted after NYC Together hosted a gala attended by Maddrey and other NYPD members at a Brooklyn hotel in October 2017, according to The City, which first reported the lawsuit. The assault reportedly unfolded inside the hotel.

When a rape kit was performed, it was consistent with sexual assault and was positive for male DNA, the complaint says.

On Oct. 18, 2017, two NYPD Special Victims Unit members supervised a controlled phone call with Rachlin and the person accused of assaulting her, according to the complaint, which says the person admitted to the assault.

Later, Rachlin was told the NYPD ended the controlled call prematurely while meeting with the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office, the complaint says.

Rachlin decided to not pursue charges after she was further counseled that the prosecution of any sexual assault allegation was likely to be a lengthy and emotionally draining process for (her), according to the complaint.

She can reopen the case if she chooses, the complaint says.

Retaliation and defamation

From 2019 to 2020, Rachlin spoke out about violence involving NYPD members against the citys young citizens, according to the complaint.

The complaint identifies NYPD Inspector Craig Edelman, then the commander of the 73rd Precinct in Brooklyn. Hes also named as a defendant in the case.

In May 2020, Edelman either took part in, or watched, as police pepper-sprayed young children in Brownsville, Brooklyn, on May 15, 2020, the complaint says.

The next month, hes accused of watching, and filming, as a fellow police officer threw a Black Lives Matter protester to the ground, according to the complaint.

As Edelmans influence within the NYPD grew, according to the complaint, so did Rachlins concern, which she voiced to Maddrey and Edelmans supervisor, the complaint says.

Then, she says, retaliation followed.

After June 2020, Rachlin was turned away from police precincts, denied grants and community partnerships, the complaint says.

The letters

By 2021, defamatory statements about Rachlin spread, including that she lied about the rape, the complaint says.

Rachlin called Maddrey in April 2021 and pleaded with (him) to put an end to this defamation campaign, according to the complaint.

You saw me when I sat in the hospital, and I was cryingyou said, Dana, look at your neck. You have handprints on your neck, you have to do a report, Rachlin told Maddrey, the complaint says.

Maddrey assured her that she was not making false allegations and later texted her saying he spoke to fellow NYPD members and that there will be no further issues, according to the complaint.

Then, letters and memos were circulated by NYPD members in 2022, saying Rachlin had consensual sex before making a false rape accusation, the complaint says.

Rachlin is bringing her lawsuit for First Amendment retaliation, defamation, due process violations, and discrimination against a victim of a sexual offense, according to the complaint.

She demands a trial by jury and seeks damages in excess of $150,000.

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.

Officer sexually assaulted 15-year-old girl he kidnapped on duty in Colorado, feds say

Cop knew he likely killed woman, but kept silent and investigated her death, feds say

Cops reckless driving paralyzed man who shouldnt have been arrested, lawsuit says
Ventura County officials this week took a step toward asking voters to consider a special tax to create more affordable housing.

Supervisors Vianey Lopez and Matt LaVere proposed hiring an Oakland polling firm to survey residents to see what they think about a local housing bond. The county's lack of affordable housing has reached a crisis level, LaVere said Tuesday.

I think both of us agree that we're in a crisis moment right now in Ventura County when it comes to affordable housing, he said. We're interested in taking this step to see if the community agrees with us.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to hire EMC Research to conduct the poll at a cost of up to $75,000. Results are expected to return to the board in May.

What would a ballot measure seek?

Details of a potential bond measure, including the type of tax or costs, are not yet clear. They are expected after the polling and if the board decides to move forward. Initial plans suggested a parcel tax, officials said.

The poll is expected to survey the community to understand potential voter support for a bond and priorities for how to use proceeds such as supporting first-time homebuyers or addressing homelessness.

Local officials have received federal and state funds for affordable housing in recent years. But state grants are becoming increasingly competitive and could face cuts given California's budget deficit, officials said.

Meanwhile, the county recently became the least affordable metropolitan area in the United States for homebuyers, according to data from the National Association of Realtors included in a recent report from the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting at the California Lutheran University.

What is the next step?

Representatives from the Ventura County Housing Coalition urged supervisors to move forward to address the need for housing. A local funding source could leverage other available money, they said.

Ryan Grau with the Ventura County Taxpayers Association spoke against the move Tuesday, saying the proposal lacked specifics and costs. It appears the survey will ask taxpayers how much they are willing to pay, he said. If the board decides to move forward, he asked supervisors to base any measure on estimates of how much is needed and not how much people are willing to pay.

Supervisor Janice Parvin supported a survey but said she had concerns about the timing for a bond measure given the rising costs already facing residents from groceries to home insurance. LaVere called those valid concerns and one of the reasons for the poll to ask residents what they think.

Survey results are expected to be presented to the board in May, Lopez said Tuesday. If the board decides to move forward, supervisors then would be asked to consider details of the bond measure no later than June 18. The timing would allow the county to meet the deadline to place a measure on the November ballot, Lopez said.

Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Supervisors OK poll to gauge voter support for a housing bond measure
What started out as a night of celebration at a California bar for Blanca Rosas ended in tragedy.

Moments after her longtime boyfriend Tyrone Tyars stepped into Machista in San Pedro on Jan. 20, to pick her up from her co-workers birthday celebration, he was shot and killed, according to Jasmine Mines, an attorney representing the family.

I never thought one night of going out celebrating someones birthday will destroy my whole family, Rosas said clutching a photo of her family at a news conference. My kids are left without a father.

Now, the family is suing the bar and its owner on behalf of the couples two children. The lawsuit, filed on April 5 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges wrongful death and negligence.

In a direct message on Instagram, Machistas bar owner told McClatchy News that there was no negligence on our end.

This particular San Pedro neighborhood we are in is not safe and we cannot be solely responsible for all the crimes that are committed there, the owner said. The claims being made on behalf of Blanca Rosas are also false.

A Google listing for the bar accessed on April 10 shows it is permanently closed.

Arrest months later

The night 33-year-old Tyars was killed, Rosas and another patron were also shot after a dispute between multiple parties, police said in a March 11 news release.

Rosas said she was shot three times, adding she needed a walker when she left the hospital after surgery.

Estrella Rojas, 18, a suspect in the shooting, was arrested in March, police said. Rojas is also a suspect in an unrelated San Pedro shooting on Jan. 6, police said.

She is facing a murder charge, along with three attempted murder charges, according to police.

Shes only 18, Mines said of the accused shooter. How did someone under 21 even enter this bar?

Shots fired weeks before fatal shooting

At the news conference announcing the lawsuit, Mines pointed to a history of 911 calls to the bar.

Of those calls, Mines pointed specifically to a call for shots fired on Jan. 2, weeks before Tyars was fatally shot.

Its our position that this bar had notice of how violent it is  but they perhaps did not take the proper measures that they should have, Mines said.

Machistas owner told McClatchy News they had only owned the business for two years, adding that the claims being made about the history of my bar are false.

If the previous bar owners had a bad history I was not aware, the owner said.

Mines said the bar hired armed guards after the fatal shooting on Jan. 20. However, given the bars history, Mines said such protections should have already been in place.

If there had been an armed guard on the day of this shooting that could have potentially saved a life and saved other people from getting shot, Mines said.

The bars owner, however, said there were was a guard the night of the shooting checking for IDs, performing pat downs for men (which cannot be done for women) and looking through purses.

Tyars did not deserve to lay in a bar in the cold of night in excruciating pain until he succumbed to his injuries, the lawsuit says, adding that the bars negligence led to Tyars death.

The lawsuit is seeking compensation for Tyars children, who are named as plaintiffs.

The family is also seeking punitive damages, according to the lawsuit.

Familys broken

It changed my life completely, Rosas said of the shooting.

Rosas said nothing can replace Tyars, with whom she was in a relationship with for more than 17 years.

The couple shared two children together, ages 8 months and 10 years.

It was already hard enough  for us to raise our kids and now without a father, I feel lost and hurt, Rosas said. My familys broken and will never be the same.

San Pedro is about a 25-mile drive south from downtown Los Angeles.

Man died after using kratom sold at smoke shop, attorneys say. Family suing for $10M

8-year-old died after flying from school slide 7 feet above frozen ground, Utah suit says

Teen died from fentanyl in school bathroom as mom begged staff to find her, CA suit says
The government said Eric Harrower, right, and Joshua Dressel, sitting left, used an overturned bike rack to help protesters scale a banister that led to the doors they breached during the Capitol riot.

A former Missouri man who blamed his ex-boss and former President Donald Trump for his role in the Capitol riot has been sentenced to 12 months of probation.

Eric Glen Harrower, 35, who was accused of helping protesters scale a banister leading to the doors they breached, also must pay $500 restitution for the more than $2.9 million in damage to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The sentencing was conducted via Zoom on Tuesday by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Finding himself in a situation that is completely at odds with who he is as a person, Mr. Harrower feels a deep sense of shame and remorse, Harrowers public defender wrote in a sentencing document filed in federal court on Saturday.

He is overwhelmingly disappointed for letting down not just himself, but also those who depend on him.

Harrower lived in Jefferson County near St. Louis in 2021 but has since moved to Colorado. He is the 23rd Capitol riot defendant charged in Missouri to be sentenced. Eight other Missouri defendants have been convicted and await sentencing, and the cases of another five are pending.

Harrower was charged July 6, 2023, with four misdemeanors: entering and remaining in a restricted building; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. The government dismissed the other charges in exchange for his guilty plea on the parading count.

He faced a maximum six months incarceration, a $5,000 fine and five years probation. The government had recommended 36 months probation with a condition of 14 days of intermittent confinement, 60 hours of community service and $500 restitution.

In his sentencing document, Harrower laid the blame for his actions on his former boss and Trump.

After the presidential election, former President Trump, members of his inner circle and some members of the media began circulating the word that the election was stolen, the document said. The false claims spread on media  from local news outlets, to Facebook, to some national broadcasts  that the election had been corrupted.

...Like many others, he (Harrower) had received false information about the 2020 election  information that he now fully recognizes was untrue.

Boss invited him to go, paid for trip

Harrower went to Washington, D.C., his filing said, to support Trump. His boss, Joshua Dressel, invited him to go, Harrower said, and paid for the trip. Harrower said he feared he would lose his job with Dressels tree service company if he declined the invitation.

According to Harrowers filing, Trump told those at his Stop the Steal rally that the election results were incorrect, that this created a national security threat, and that his supporters should go to the Capitol to urge Senators and Vice President Mike Pence to take what he described as lawful steps provided for under the Constitution to correct the election results.

It said Harrower then walked with the crowd from the rally to the Capitol, entered the building and stayed inside for a little more than 20 minutes.

While in the building, he did not engage in any violence, he did not taunt or insult police, he did not damage property, he did not encourage others to engage in violence, and he did not celebrate violence, the document said.

Harrower has no criminal record, his filing said, adding that his actions on Jan. 6 are an aberration in his life and character.

He regrets his decision to go to Washington, D.C., to attend the Trump rally, it said, and, most importantly, to enter the U.S. Capitol building.

The government, however, said Harrower downplayed his involvement and had a key role in helping rioters breach the Capitol.

As Harrower and Dressel headed to the Capitol from Trumps rally, the government said in its sentencing memorandum, they could hear flashbangs and see what looked like tear gas.

There was a lot of chaos in front of the Capitol, the document said. But even so, Harrower and Dressel kept going.

At the Capitol grounds, rioters toppled barricades that consisted of metal bike racks, physically linked end to end, the filing said. Upon arriving at the Capitol, it said, Harrower went to the northwest stairs, climbed to the top of a 10-foot bannister and held an overturned bike rack to allow other rioters to use it as a ladder to climb up, where they gained access to the staircase.

Officers stationed on the staircase tried to keep rioters away, the government said.

However, at about 2:09 p.m., when the mob on the steps reached critical mass, it was able to overwhelm the officers higher up on the steps, the filing said. Accordingly, Harrower fueled the manpower of the mob, of which he was a willing participant, and enabled the mayhem it caused.

Among first group of rioters to breach Capitol

Harrower and others then made their way up to the West Plaza and toward the Senate Wing doors, the document said. Surveillance video showed that he entered through the doors at about 2:14 p.m.  among the first group of rioters to enter the Capitol Building.

He came into the Capitol Crypt through the north corridor, remaining in the Crypt area from at least approximately 2:25 through approximately 2:34 p.m., the governments filing said. In the Crypt, the mob was raucous and loud. During this time, Harrower would have been able to witness a member of the mob throw a fire extinguisher at police officers.

Harrower exited through a broken window near the Senate Wing doors at about 2:36 p.m., the government said.

Dressel was charged in July 2021 with entering the Capitol in the early minutes of the breach and pleaded guilty in August 2022 to parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol building. He was sentenced in March to 14 days in jail, a $500 fine and $500 restitution.

Harrower volunteered to talk to the FBI after Dressel was charged, the governments sentencing document said. He spoke with the FBI again after he was charged, admitting that he went to the Capitol to join others who believed the election results were not valid, and he wanted to have his voice heard.

The government said, however, that Harrower told the FBI he had used the bike rack as a ladder because he was concerned for the safety of the rioters climbing the wall.

This statement minimizes his conduct and shows a lack of remorse, the government said.

But Harrowers minimization did not end there, it said.

He claimed to help calm people down and pick up trash, but the reviewed footage shows no evidence of his doing so, the filing said. Instead, video shows Harrower embraced Dressel twice as chaos and violence, the very chaos and violence which Harrower fueled as a member of the mob, swirled around them.

Harrowers sentencing memorandum said after he left the Capitol on Jan. 6, he learned more about the actions of others and the extent of the damage and violence.

He was immediately shocked and ashamed of the fact that he was a part of the event on January 6, it said. Mr. Harrower then took several actions that demonstrate his remorse, rehabilitation, and personal integrity.

Harrower voluntarily made himself known to the FBI as one of the individuals involved in the events of January 6, 2021, his filing said. He also cut all ties with Dressel, got a new job and moved his family to Colorado.

In the three-plus years since the riot, it said, Harrower has not been rearrested; he has welcomed a new child; he has held down a stable job; he has moved closer to family and a positive support system; and he has committed to never make this kind of mistake again.

Harrowers sentencing document included letters of support from his wife, his sister-in-law and his boss.

Rebecca Harrower wrote that her husband is a very hard-working and God-fearing man who is a great father to their four children ages 1 to 11 and is always ready to help out extended family.

I know he has great remorse for his actions in this case, she said. My husband is a law-abiding citizen and only wants the best for his country.
Delaware County officials removed 40 dogs Sunday that were living outside, chained up in a wet and muddy yard north of Sunbury.

Although people expressed concerns for several years beginning in 2020 about dogs living outside at the property, Delaware County Dog Warden Mitchell Garrett said he could not take action when previous complaints were made, according to records provided by the Sheriff's Office.

"At that point, there was only six dogs," Garrett said at a news conference on Monday. "They were being kept outside and they were living outside, but he was keeping them, taking care of them within the standards of the law."

Forty dogs were removed from a property on the 7400 block of Kilbourne Road in Delaware County Sunday afternoon. Delaware County officials said multiple people called into the county sheriff's office and humane society to report animal cruelty.

Ohio does not have a law restricting the tethering of dogs outside, unlike about half of U.S. states that have passed laws addressing this  including restricting the length of time a dog can be tethered or banning it during severe weather.

Marci Dop, founder and director of Rico Pet Recovery, a nonprofit group based out of Lewis Center, told The Dispatch her group has been yelled at before because they could not remove a dog that was living outside.

"Ohio law has made it hard for us. People believe that if a dog is in a bad situation, rescue groups or the dog warden should be able to come and get it," Dop said. "It's really hard to walk away from situations where a dog is just being tied outside in deplorable conditions."

As long as the dog has something like a porch to go under, a bowl of water and a bowl of food, it's acceptable to tether the dog outside day and night under Ohio law, Dop said.

Some Ohio cities restrict dog tethering

In the absence of a state law, dozens of cities and townships across Ohio have passed ordinances restricting tethering, including the five largest cities, according to Columbus Dog Connection, a nonprofit rescue group.

Columbus residents can face a misdemeanor charge if they chain a dog outside between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. or during severe weather. Bexley and Whitehall have passed similar ordinances.

The city of Delaware, not Delaware County, passed an ordinance in 2017 that places restrictions on tethering a dog outside, including prohibiting it for more than two hours with no one home. The city code also outlines shelter requirements for dogs to protect them against inclement weather.

Is tethering bad for dogs?

According to the Humane Society of the United States, long-term restraint is bad for dogs physically and psychologically.

On the other side, in 2018, the American Kennel Club Board of Directors stated that it opposes arbitrary restrictions on tethering, saying it can be a "practical and humane method for training and restraining dogs in a variety of circumstances."

The AKC's blog post about the position statement noted a tether can sometimes provide more space than a kennel and sled dog owners commonly use tethers and weatherproof dog houses for breeds that thrive in cold climates.

The post also said, "in cases where cruelty or neglect occurs where dogs are tethered, cruelty or neglect laws should be used to prosecute the crime."

Could Ohio pass a law restricting dog tethering?

Katrina Johnson, the assistant director of Columbus Dog Connection, said owners should be allowed to tether their dogs while supervising them outside when fencing is not an option, but she thinks Ohio should ban tethering dogs that live exclusively outside.

One of Johnson's dogs that she adopted in 2022, Gabriel, came to Columbus Dog Connection with an injury across his chest.

"We believe he was outside on a tie-out that got wrapped around him and the metal inside cut across his chest," Johnson said.

Gabriel came to Columbus Dog Connection in 2022 with an injury across his chest. Katrina Johnson, assistant director at the nonprofit rescue group, said she believes Gabriel was on a tie-out that got wrapped around him and the metal cut his chest. Johnson adopted Gabriel soon after this photo was taken.

John Barnes Jr., a former Ohio House representative from Cleveland, who in 2015 proposed a bill to restrict the outdoor tethering of animals, told The Dispatch he thinks the state should revisit the topic.

The 2015 bill would have expanded on Ohio's existing laws prohibiting cruelty to companion animals like dogs by banning tethering an animal outdoors for more than six hours in a day, overnight and during severe weather, among other restrictions. The bill did not make it out of the House's Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Barnes said high-profile incidents drive public policy and this situation in Delaware County could spark interest in the Ohio General Assembly.

jlaird@dispatch.com

@LairdWrites

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Delaware County dogs lived tethered outside. That's legal in Ohio
Justin McDevitt, author and program director of the Womens College Partnership, will be the keynote speaker at the benefit dinner of Dismas House of Indiana on April 17, 2024.

SOUTH BEND  Dismas House of Indiana, a nonprofit that provides transitional housing and services for men and women who've been released from incarceration, will hold its annual benefit dinner and auction April 17 with keynote speaker Justin McDevitt, author and program director of Womens College Partnership.

The event will start at 6 p.m. at the Gillespie Conference and Special Event Center, 53995 Indiana 933. A cocktail hour with cash bar will run until 7 p.m., followed by dinner, the keynote address, award presentations and the auction. Individual tickets cost $100, with sponsorship packages, advertisement and other donation options available at GiveGrove.com/Dismas2024.

Located in Monroe Park since 1986, Dismas House serves as a transitional home for people leaving incarceration.

The Womens College Partnership, where McDevitt works, is a college-in-prison collaboration between the University of Notre Dame and Marian University at Indiana Women's Prison in Indianapolis.

McDevitt earned his masters degree from Notre Dame and is currently working toward his doctorate in political science at Notre Dame, researching the political development of the collateral consequences of felony convictions. McDevitt will share his experiences in the Indiana Department of Corrections and discuss his new textbook that offers insights into effective educational programs for people in prison and what the U.S. can learn from other models.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Dismas dinner auction features speaker on college for prison inmates
Distinct tattoos could help identify man found dead in 1985, California cops say

Thirty-nine years after a man was found dead down an embankment, California authorities are hoping his distinct arm tattoos can help identify him.

The mans body, which was badly decomposed, was found on State Highway 22 in the Borrego Springs area on Oct. 26, 1985, the San Diego County Sheriffs Department said in an April 8 news release.

The medical examiner ruled the mans death a homicide, deputies said.

The man, who had no identification, was wearing blue jeans, a light-colored pullover shirt and black combat boots, deputies said.

On the mans left forearm, deputies said he had tattoos of a wolf howling at a red moon and another tattoo of the word Life or Wife.

Thirty-nine years after a man was found dead down an embankment, California authorities are hoping his distinctive arms tattoos can help identify him.

The word Linda was tattooed on the mans upper right arm, while the word Gypsy___, the latter half of which was unreadable, was tattooed on his right forearm.

Deputies said they are still investigating the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact deputies at 858-285-6330.

Woman was found dead down embankment 38 years ago, CA cops say. Now shes identified

Boy Scout leader found teens remains 54 years ago, OR cops say. Now shes identified

Tooth of woman found dead 10 years ago helps create new image of her, CA cops say
The Republican race to become Missouris top election official is poised to be one of the most crowded, and intense, statewide races this year.

Eight Republican candidates have filed for secretary of state, which is currently held by Jay Ashcroft, a Republican who is running for governor. They include a top state lawmaker who faces an ethics investigation, a political newcomer who made headlines for burning books with a flamethrower, the leader of an abandoned campaign to overturn the states abortion ban and a state senator aligned with the hard-right Missouri Freedom Caucus.

The packed primary has created a pool of candidates who will each try to tap into a Missouri electorate that has grown staunchly Republican over the past decade.

The most conservative voters are the ones who are most likely to turn out and vote in the primary, said Jean Evans, a former executive director of the Missouri Republican Party. Those are the people you want to appeal to.

The race will feature Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher; political newcomer Valentina Gomez; Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller; Sen. Denny Hoskins; Rep. Adam Schwardron; Jamie Corley, a former congressional staffer who led a Republican effort to overturn the abortion ban; Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman; and Mike Carter, a Wentzville municipal judge.

Whoever wins the Republican nomination will face off against the Democratic nominee in the general election. Rep. Barbara Phifer from Kirkwood, Monique Williams of St. Louis and Haley Jacobson of St. Louis are the three Democrats running.

Plocher, who currently faces an investigation into allegations of ethical misconduct, and Coleman, a state senator who was previously running for congress, surprised many political observers when they jumped into the race on the last day of candidate filings late last month.

The decision came a week after Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a Columbia Republican, dropped out of the race. Rowdens departure left behind a candidate pool that leans more staunchly to the right.

Hoskins, for example, is a member of the hard-right Missouri Freedom Caucus that has battled with more moderate state senators for most of this years legislative session. Gomez, a 24-year-old real estate investor, has faced backlash for a video she posted on social media torching LGBTQ-inclusive books with a flamethrower.

Nearly all of the Republican candidates are running in the same conservative lane, said Gregg Keller, a GOP consultant aligned with Colemans campaign. He painted it as a positive.

Being branded in a Republican primary as a moderate today is really the kiss of death, he said. Id expect to see the remaining candidates try their best to avoid being labeled as such.

Hoskins said in an interview that Republican primary voters hes spoken to at campaign events have expressed that same sentiment.

People are looking for conservative fighters like Josh Hawley, not what I call Liz Cheney Republicans, he said. Thats been an overwhelming theme no matter where weve been.

Fundraising could set candidates apart

Plocher, who was previously running for lieutenant governor before pivoting to secretary of state, is leading his Republican opponents in fundraising, according to the most recent reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Plochers campaign committee, Plocher for Missouri, had $542,000 at the end of December, putting him well ahead of other candidates. Hoskins campaign is second in fundraising, with roughly $116,600 on hand at the end of December.

But consultants who spoke with The Star painted the race as wide open in which candidates will be able to out-raise each other in the coming months. Evans said that fundraising efforts for the candidates who are still in office  Plocher, Hoskins, Coleman and Schwadron  are likely to ramp up in May and June.

By June, if a candidate has twice as much money as the next most well-funded candidate, that person has a pretty good chance of winning, she said.

However, a bevy of high-profile races this year, including a likely rematch between incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump and a hotly-contested race for Missouri governor, could make it more challenging for candidates to fundraise.

Adding to the fundraising challenge is the lack of a natural constituency for the secretary of state position, said John Hancock, a long-time GOP consultant and a former executive director of the Missouri GOP. Hancock as of Tuesday was not involved in any of the campaigns.

Positions such as attorney general and lieutenant governor, both of which are on the ballot this year, tend to attract more attention, Hancock said. And some donors that could benefit from having a say in who becomes secretary of state, like key players in the securities industry, are barred from donating based on internal rules.

The race for secretary of state, which oversees the states elections, comes at a time when false claims about election fraud bolstered by Trump have sparked election integrity concerns among some GOP voters. Candidates may try to tap into those concerns in the coming months.

Republicans will also likely capitalize on fears about illegal immigration amid a national debate over border control efforts at the southern border with Mexico. But the candidates ability to use those issues to their benefit will hinge on their fundraising, said Hancock.

If theyre able to put together a significant amount of money  that gives you the ability to turn the volume up, he said. Thats gonna give them an edge in the primary.

But money wont be the only factor. Consultants indicated that grassroots campaigning will likely play a major role in the race.

Since the 2020 election, Hancock said, traditional conservatives have been pitted against anti-establishment candidates, making grassroots outreach more important than ever. Evans agreed, and added that fundraising isnt enough to win a campaign, particularly a crowded Republican primary.

You cant just do money, Evans said. Youve got to have a good candidate. Youve got to have a plan. Youve got to work the plan, and youve got to have the money to fund the plan. So the money is super important, but its not the only thing.

Ethics and a flamethrower

The hotly-contested race comes as Plocher, the top Republican in the Missouri House, faces a behind-closed-doors investigation by the Missouri House Ethics Committee.

The exact focus of the months-long investigation is unclear, but Plocher has faced calls to step aside as speaker as he confronts a series of scandals including revelations that he received government reimbursements for trip expenses already paid by his campaign.

He also faces scrutiny over the firing of his chief of staff, who may have been a whistleblower, and alleged threats against a top House staffer related to his push for the House to contract with an outside company to manage constituent information.

However, Evans said that Plochers reputation will make it hard for his opponents to paint the ethics investigation as a weakness.

Plocher is very well-liked, she said. People who know him and have worked with him do not see him as a corrupt politician. I think it would be difficult for them to change posture on that.

Plocher only vaguely acknowledged the scandals in a statement launching his campaign last month.

The liberal press can attack me all they want, he said in the campaign statement last month, but as your Speaker and when I am your Secretary of State, I will never stop fighting for the people of Missouri.

Plocher declined to comment to The Star.

Another candidate that could garner controversy among voters is Gomez, whose social media accounts are littered with anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. The video of her burning LGBTQ-themed books drew swift condemnation from social media users.

Public book burnings typically illustrate extreme censorship related to political, cultural and religious materials. They often invoke historic atrocities such as burning of Jewish texts in Nazi Germany or racist bonfires by the Ku Klux Klan.

In addition to the book burning, she posted a video in which she promised to name disgraced former Gov. Eric Greitens as a senior advisor if elected and another in which she vowed to blow up corrupt voting machines. In a video posted on the day before Easter, Gomez said that Christianity is under attack by Biden and his satanic cult.

Darwinism will take care of these transgender things, she said in the video. We are one nation under God. Jesus is king and I am here to declare victory against evil.

Gomez, in a statement provided to The Star by her campaign, falsely claimed that she did not get any criticism for the video of her burning books. She instead claimed she received enormous support from various people including Jordan Peterson, a conservative-leaning internet personality, and Jesse Watters, a Fox News television host.

I have nothing against the gay community, you want to be gay? Fine, be gay, just dont do it around children, the statement said. I will protect children against ideologies, indoctrination and grooming from pedophiles and allies of the lgbtq community. The rainbow bullies and pedophiles that exposed themselves in the comments, and at my home dont phase me, I have Jesus Christ and the Second Amendment by my side.

Keller said Gomezs social media strategy was eye-catching, but one thats calling her judgment into question.

Candidates who recognize that Republican primary voters have very little trust in our systems and institutions and government now are speaking the language of Republican voters, he said. That in and of itself is not enough. You need to have the right message, but you also need to be a credible messenger.
A drone photo taken on April 5, 2024 shows tourists visiting the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Maiji District of Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese authorities have specified a slew of measures to further enhance payment convenience in major tourist attractions across the country and cater to diversified payment demand from elderly citizens, foreigners and other tourists.

Domestic and overseas bank cards should be accepted in all three-star and above tourist hotels, 5A-level and 4A-level national tourist attractions, national and provincial tourist resorts, and national tourism and leisure districts, according to a circular jointly issued by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) and three other government organs.

Major cultural and tourism attractions should retain ticket booths and ticketing staff to accommodate visitors who prefer cash payment options, the circular said.

It also called for efforts to actively set up foreign currency exchange outlets in venues with a large number of foreign tourists, and enhance mobile payment services and relevant product features.

The coordination between local tourism and cultural heritage authorities and local branches of the PBOC should be strengthened to identify major scenic spots and formulate work plans to jointly optimize payment services in the cultural and tourism sector.
GRAND HAVEN  A nonprofit organization recently formed by a group of Ottawa County faith leaders will hold a workshop event on the science of polarization Thursday night, April 11.

The Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians is hosting a workshop with the One America Movement at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at the Grand Hall above Porto Bello, 41 Washington Ave.

Rev. Jared Cramer, center, discusses his views on the intersection of faith and politics at an August event in Grand Haven. The Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians will hold an event on polarization Thursday, April 11.

Participants can register to attend at unifyingchristians.com/polarization. Tickets to the event are $15. The event will run from 6-8 p.m. with snacks provided to attendees, according to a release.

The workshop will be led by Kevin McIntosh, the Michigan Regional Outreach Manager for One America Movement. It will be an interactive experience for participants to explore the myths of toxic polarization and the neurological and social science behind our divisions.

More: Holland churches, others push back against Ottawa Impact

Its meant to bridge the divides between people by helping participants understand the reasons behind polarization.

My own more progressive political views are well known, but I truly cherish the deep relationships I have with several of my more conservative colleagues in the area, wrote Rev. Jared Cramer, rector of St. Johns Episcopal Church and steering committee member of OCUC. Growing up in a conservative family here in Grand Haven, so much of the current language and dialogue is simply foreign to the conservatism I knew growing up. I also know that those on the extremes of any political party dont truly represent most of my conservative friends and colleagues.

I truly believe that all of us  liberal or conservative or in between  are not nearly as far apart as it feels at times. Im hoping this workshop can help us understand and bridge those divides.

OCUC was founded by faith leaders in Ottawa County in opposition to the growth of Christian nationalism in the area. On the organizations website, it says founders were distressed by the continued actions and statements, by Ottawa Impact-affiliated commissioners on the Ottawa County board.

Subscribe: Receive unlimited digital access to your local news coverage

The One America Movement is a national nonprofit that looks to confront growing social and political divides. It is funded by grants from organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

For more information, visit unifyingchristians.com.

 Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Faith leaders to host workshop on political polarization Thursday
Federal authorities arrested a Warrensburg man Wednesday on multiple charges that include allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers during the Capitol riot.

Jack Westly Ryan Jr., 62, faces felony charges of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, court documents show.

The FBI arrested Ryan in Kansas City, and he had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, where the charges were filed.

Ryan is the 37th Missouri resident to be charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach.

He also faces five misdemeanor offenses: knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds; and an act of physical violence in the Capitol buildings or grounds.

According to the statement of facts filed with the charging documents, the FBI published images in May 2021 of a man pushing two police officers near the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol in the Be on the Lookout (BOLO) section of its Capitol Violence website.

In February 2023, the document says, the FBI received a possible identification of the man and confirmed it was Ryan through his drivers license photo and surveillance of him at his place of employment.

The FBI also obtained Ryans cellphone records from Verizon between Nov. 8, 2020, and Jan. 6, 2021, the document says, which showed he made about 10 calls to the White House and to various U.S. senators in November 2020. The phone records also showed that Ryans cellphone was in Washington on Jan. 6.

The FBI interviewed Ryan on Oct. 17, 2023, the document says.

During that interview, Ryan admitted to taking a bus with a church group out of Lees Summit, Missouri to attend the Stop the Steal rally in Washington, D.C., it says.

When shown police video from the Capitol on Jan. 6, the document says, Ryan identified himself in the footage and also identified descriptive items on his person to include a blue winter hat, a navy-blue coat, and a wooden cane.

Ryan told the agent that he went alone to the Ellipse on Jan. 6 to watch Trump speak, the document says. He said it was hard to hear the speech but heard rumors in the crowd that Trump planned to march to the Capitol. Ryan said he walked to the Capitol with a large group and once there, stood near a staircase and witnessed altercations between protesters and police, the document says.

Body-worn camera from various MPD officers showed that Ryan was among a large crowd of protestors near the Lower West Terrace on U.S. Capitol grounds at approximately 2:00 p.m. on January 6, it says. As a group of MPD police officers tried to push through the crowd, they were taunted and met physical resistance from individuals in the crowd.

Body-worn camera footage from Officer R.S., the document says, showed that Ryan pushed with his hands against Officer R.W. Footage from that same officer, it says, showed that after Officer R.W. pushed Ryan away, Ryan turned his body and reached out to grab Officer R.S.

After grabbing at Officer R.S., Ryan turned again and shoved Officer R.W. with his hand, the document says. The BWC (body-worn camera) from Officers D.P. and R.S. showed that after making physical contact with Officers R.W. and R.S., Ryan stood in close proximity to Officer R.S. and appeared to gesticulate angrily and yell through his facemask.

Ryans arrest comes as federal authorities continue to file charges in connection with the Capitol attack. In the 39 months since the riot, more than 1,387 people have been charged, 493 of them accused of assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to Justice Department figures.
It's unclear when Sen. Bob Menendez's federal trial on corruption and bribery charges will begin.

Federal prosecutors on Wednesday sought to delay the trial, which had been scheduled to begin May 6.

That request came after U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein set a Thursday conference to decide on outstanding motions in the case. Hours after Stein set the conference on Tuesday, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, the senators wife, requested that her trial be delayed because of a recent medical diagnosis.

Federal prosecutors responded in court documents Wednesday morning to ask that the entire trial be delayed until July instead of severing Arslanian Menendez's case from her husband's.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams wrote to Stein to request a June status conference that would be followed by a trial start date sometime in July  or in August.

Senator Bob Menendez is shown as he walks toward federal court in the Southern District of New York, in lower Manhattan, Monday, October 23, 3023. (Credit: Kevin R. Wexler-The Record) Published Image

Williams asked the judge to wait until June to decide on severing the cases of Menendez and his wife.

"The government also takes seriously the unexpected medical development described in the sealed declaration. However, the government does not believe that  at least at this time  Nadine Menendez should be severed from her co-defendants," Williams wrote.

What comes next?

Arslanian, Menendez and two of their initial co-defendants, New Jersey businessmen, Wael Hana and North Jersey developer Fred Daibes, are not expected to attend the conference. A third businessman, Jose Uribe, has since changed his not guilty plea to guilty and agreed to cooperate.

The defendants in the federal corruption case face 18 counts brought by federal prosecutors, including conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice, amid allegations that Bob Menendez was working to benefit Qatar in addition to Egypt.

Menendez and his wife allegedly received, among other things, cash, gold bars and a luxury car in exchange for the use of his political influence.

Arslanian Menendez is charged in all of the same counts as her husband, except the substantive Section 219 charge, but she is also charged with him in a conspiracy to violate Section 219.

Section 219 refers to a public official acting as a foreign agent.

Manhattan, NY  October 18, 2023 -- Nadine Menendez, involved in the bribery case involving Senator Robert Menendez exits the Federal Courthouse in lower Manhattan for a hearing on corruption charges.

"The government expects that, if this case were tried twice, it would have to present the same or substantially the same case, in full, a second time," Williams said. "That means picking a jury, a second time, and doing so after the case has already been tried once and a verdict has been returned; calling dozens of witnesses  including at least one non-law enforcement government official stationed outside of the United States and many lay witnesses who do not live in New York, and certain of whom have expressed a concern about testifying  a second time."

It is unclear whether this motion will be included in the hearing on Thursday.

Although Menendez's attorney Adam Fee did not immediately respond to a request for comment, the senator did say last month that he hopes to exonerate himself and pursue his candidacy as an independent this fall.

Since the indictment against Menendez, his wife and the three New Jersey businessmen was first released last fall, dozens of motions have been filed on both sides, but a slew have landed on the judges desk in recent weeks.

Among the topics that could come up Thursday are the trial date, how many trials there will be and what will be considered admissible evidence when Stein calls the proceedings to order on May 6.

Earlier: Nadine Arslanian Menendez seeks to delay federal trial, citing recent medical diagnosis

Delayed trial request

In a letter to Stein, Arslanians attorney David Schertler said her medical condition means she will need a "surgical procedure in the next four to six weeks as well as possibly significant follow-up and recovery treatment."

She would therefore not be able to prep for the trial or be in a physical or psychological condition to participate in a six-week trial beginning on May 6.

They asked for a status update to be scheduled for eight weeks from now.

Separate trials?

Arslanian and Menendez have requested separate trials on the grounds that a joint trial could "compromise a specific trial right of one of the defendants, or prevent the jury from making a reliable judgment about guilt or innocence."

In the filings making that request, attorneys argued that Menendez's testimony at his trial "could include revealing confidential marital communications" with Nadine Menendez that she wishes to keep confidential in her case.

Evidence

Both Arslanian and Menendez have made multiple requests to dismiss certain pieces of evidence. They argued that the warrants used at the Englewood Cliffs home Arslanian owns should be invalidated and that the now infamous gold bars allegedly found as a result should be removed from the evidence list. Stein denied that motion.

They have since argued separately about certain pieces of evidence  in his case, campaign donations, and in hers, the hallmarks of her luxury lifestyle.

Hana also filed a motion asking for the government to be prohibited from introducing evidence regarding his "lavish lifestyle" and from introducing evidence of uncharged conduct regarding Hana as an "allegedly unregistered agent of a foreign principal."

Motion to dismiss

Daibes, Hana and Nadine Menendez still have an outstanding motion to dismiss the charges.

Lawyers for Daibes updated his motion to dismiss the charges based on the fourth superseding indictment and new charges on March 25.

Hanas attorney also filed a 38-page moving brief and reply to dismiss counts 1, 2, 6, 7, 9 and 15 of the superseding indictment.

Like its predecessors, and despite expanding on the eve of trial from 4 counts to 16, the new indictment fails to include charges that pass legal, and in some regards, constitutional muster, Hanas attorney argued in the brief.

He called the conspiracy charges "duplicitous" and argued that they "certainly do not demonstrate the required quid pro quo that the law, as refined over the last century by the United States Supreme Court, requires.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bob Menendez trial delay sought by federal prosecutors
As Akron-based FirstEnergy was shoring up political support to bail out two nuclear plants, it gave $1 million through a dark money group to back Jon Husted, a Republican running for governor in 2017, according to an internal FirstEnergy email.

The $1 million flowed from FirstEnergy through Freedom Frontier, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that does not disclose its donors, according to an email detailing FirstEnergy's 2017 political contributions released via a public records request. The money was earmarked for the "Husted campaign," according to the spreadsheet of donations.

A Husted spokeswoman responded: "The Husted campaign never received this donation and is not affiliated with any of these groups."

Akron-based FirstEnergy contributed $1 million through dark money groups to support Republican Jon Husted (center) for governor in 2017. It also contributed $5 million to a dark money group that backed Donald Trump.

Freedom Frontier is a dark money group connected to a former Vice President Mike Pence aide that spent money in multiple political campaigns, according to dark money watchdog Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington or CREW.

Freedom Frontier reported giving $121,109 to Ohio Conservatives for a Change, a federal super PAC backing Husted's bid for governor, on its 2017 tax forms; it did not file a 2018 form. Ohio Conservatives for a Change reported it received $1.08 million in donations from Freedom Frontier between January 2018 and October 2018, according to Federal Election Commission records.

FirstEnergy, through a spokeswoman, declined to answer questions about the donation "due to ongoing litigation."

FirstEnergy political spending in 2017 by Jessie Balmert on Scribd

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The email detailing 2017 contributions was provided via a records request to the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau. The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, Floodlight, Ohio Capital Journal and the Energy News Network also received records from the Ohio Consumers' Counsel and Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Husted ultimately dropped out of the governor's race and joined challenger Mike DeWine's ticket in November 2017. Together, they won the GOP primary and later the November 2018 election.

Around this time, FirstEnergy was trying to bail out two nuclear plants it owned in northern Ohio. But the company kept hitting brick walls at the Ohio Statehouse and in Washington, D.C.

At the time, Gov. John Kasich and House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, both Republicans, weren't fond of charging Ohio's electric customers to subsidize the plants.

FirstEnergy needed new leadership to accomplish its goals. So the company contributed $1 million in 2017 to Generation Now, a dark money group backing Rep. Larry Householder's bid to replace Rosenberger as Ohio speaker of the House. The money started flowing after Householder met with FirstEnergy executives in Washington, D.C., for then-President Donald Trump's inauguration in early 2017.

FirstEnergy dramatically increased its spending on "dark money groups" between 2016 and 2017, according to the spreadsheet. These groups don't have to disclose their donors. In addition to the $1 million each earmarked to support Householder and Husted, there was a $5 million donation to America First Policy, which backed former President Donald Trump's agenda.

FirstEnergy leaders also asked candidates for governor to commit to keeping the nuclear plants open. An email from FirstEnergy's Senior Vice President of External Affairs Michael Dowling indicates DeWine and Husted's 2018 primary challengers Mary Taylor, then-lieutenant governor, and Jim Renacci, a former congressman, supported the plants.

"Jon Husted called me to say he was meeting with DeWine on our issue to try and get him aligned to help keep the plants open," FirstEnergy lobbyist Joel Bailey wrote to Dowling in a December 2017 email.

Husted's history with FirstEnergy

Husted's history with FirstEnergy goes back decades even though he lived near Dayton, about 200 miles from the company's Akron headquarters.

As speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives between 2005 and 2009, Husted backed policies that benefited utilities and blocked efforts to eliminate side deals between the companies and large industrial users.

FirstEnergy's PAC contributed about $50,000 to Husted's campaigns between 2000 and 2016, according to Ohio campaign finance records.

And Husted was generous with his time, speaking with Ohio Edison employees in February 2018. This will be a good experience for our team, and it is a very gracious gesture by Jon, FirstEnergy lobbyist Ty Pine wrote in an email.

In July 2018, DeWine and Husted toured the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant and committed to keeping it open. DeWine said in a statement released after the visit: "Nuclear power provides a valuable clean, reliable source of energy and should remain an important part of Ohios energy future." Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rich Cordray also pledged to keep the plant open, the Sandusky Register reported.

Passing House Bill 6

In 2019, Householder won control of the Ohio House of Representatives and championed House Bill 6, an energy overhaul that included a $1 billion bailout for FirstEnergy Solutions' two nuclear plants.

As that bill worked its way through the Legislature, FirstEnergy executives saw Husted as an ally in its quest to score a larger subsidy, previously released text messages showed. Dowling called Husted "highly engaged" in a text message to then-FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones. And Jones described Husted as "fighting to the end" for more years on the nuclear bailout.

House Bill 6 passed and DeWine signed it within hours of it hitting his desk.

About a year later, Householder and four others were charged in connection with a massive pay-to-play involving FirstEnergy and House Bill 6. Householder was later sentenced to 20 years in prison for orchestrating the scheme.

Husted and DeWine have not been charged with any crime in federal or state court related to the pay-to-play scandal. Both say they supported the underlying policy for House Bill 6  to save the plants and jobs  but did not cross any lines.

Attorneys representing shareholders who sued over the nuclear bailout scandal sought to depose Husted. They also subpoenaed records from DeWine.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FirstEnergy gave $1M through dark money group to back 'Husted campaign'
In our Reality Check stories, Idaho Statesman journalists seek to hold the powerful accountable and find answers to critical questions in our community. Read more. Story idea? Tips@idahostatesman.com.

Complaints against former Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee prior to his departure covered managerial decisions, allegations of a hostile work environment, the implementation of hybrid patrol vehicles and concerns about an officer with a history of use-of-force issues, according to documents made public as part of a lawsuit against the city.

The documents  a 31-page report by the citys former police oversight director, who was fired in December 2022, and a 21-page third-party review by a Boise law firm  were revealed after 4th District Judge Jonathan Medema declined motions to seal them from the public in former Office of Police Accountability Director Jesus Jaras lawsuit.

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean asked Lee to resign in September 2022, after KTVB published an article detailing some of the allegations against Lee, in what McLean called an unprecedented step of publicizing personnel complaints.

Just six months before that, a third-party review of the various complaints concluded that there wasnt any single incident that warranted placing Lee on administrative leave, and added that some officers complaints simply second-guess(ed) Lees decisions.

Notably, however, the independent review, which was done by the law firm Bevis, Thiry, Henson & Katz, did not include interviews with Lee or any of the police force members.

The Idaho Statesman attempted to uncover the entirety of the complaints  and submitted public records requests for the reports  for almost two years, but was denied access by the city on grounds that the documents were personnel records. That changed with Medemas ruling in the Jara case.

Boise-based attorney Ryan Henson, who works for the law firm the city hired, said in the third-party review that there also were concerns Lee made hostile or demeaning comments, which Henson found werent a question of criminal behavior or department violations, and instead seemed like a disagreement with Chief Lees management style.

He added that some policies, procedures and personalities could be addressed.

In an October 2022 interview with the Idaho Statesman, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said officers were venue shopping their complaints about then-Police Chief Ryan Lee.

To allow a forum where the decisions of the Chief of Police are subject to review would be detrimental to the morale of the Boise Police Department and undermines the authority of the position of chief, Henson wrote in the report.

Bill Mauk, an attorney representing Lee, told the Statesman in a phone interview that he believes Hensons report to a large extent exonerates Lee, but added that the former chief was never interviewed or provided a copy of the complaints.

Employees, particularly public employees, are entitled to due process. Its a constitutional guarantee, Mauk said. Due process, as an elementary matter, requires notice of the charges, knowing who made the charges, the facts that are being relied upon, the representation of counsel and the opportunity to respond to the allegations that are being made.

He was forced out by the mayor, and never allowed any element of due process.

Hensons review was at odds with recommendations made by Jara, who sent an April 2022 memo to McLean and her Chief of Staff Courtney Washburn that suggested Lee be placed on paid administrative leave until a fair and thorough investigation could be completed.

McLean later said that Jaras input was unauthorized and that he waded into personnel matters. Jara sued the city after his dismissal, accusing officials of retaliating against him for investigating the complaints.

Jesus Jara was nominated to be the full-time director of the Boise Office of Police Accountability on in August 2021. He was fired in December 2022.

The mayors office declined requests for an interview with McLean and to answer a list of questions, citing the ongoing Jara lawsuit. This list included questions about why Henson didnt interview Lee or any Boise Police Department employees, and whether access to those employees was considered.





McLean, during a deposition in Jaras lawsuit, said Henson was tasked with determining whether policies or procedures were violated by reviewing the complaints, and if they had been, an investigation would have ensued. In her deposition, Washburn referred to Hensons review as a thorough investigation.

McLean previously declined to identify the law firm involved in the Lee assignment, noting that the firms findings were squarely in the personnel space. Attempts to reach Henson were unsuccessful.

Medema ruled against the citys efforts to keep the documents confidential, saying they should no longer be considered personnel because the city took an adverse employment action against Lee. Medema asked the city and Jaras attorneys  who didnt want anything sealed  to refile hundreds of pages of documents publicly, and those were released as a part of Jaras lawsuit.

You have a choice either dont file these or  when you file them electronically, you cant mark them as confidential, Medema said.

A Boise officer threw a handcuffed Black teen to the ground. Chief calls it unacceptable

Complaints about Boise officer with excessive-force history

Several of the complaining officers raised concerns about Boise Police Officer Tyson Cooper over allegations that Lee gave preferential treatment to Cooper, who had a checkered history, because they practiced martial arts together.

The consensus from the BPD staff that met with (the Office of Police Accountability) is that Officer Cooper should no longer be on the force, Jara wrote in his report.

Though the reports redacted Coopers name, the Statesman was able to identify him based on matching details from an incident detailed in Jaras report. In November 2019, Cooper handcuffed and threw a Black teenager onto the sidewalk, according to body-camera footage obtained by the Statesman.

Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar called the arrest troubling and unacceptable.

Boise Police body-cam video of an arrest on Nov. 26, 2019, shows a 17-year-old Black youth on the sidewalk in handcuffs shortly after police officer Tyson Cooper threw him onto the ground.

Cooper faced a discipline board review and was placed on a performance plan to address his use-of-force and de-escalation skills, according to Jaras report. Less than two years later, he was placed on restricted duty because of another incident.

In between that time, from September 2020 to May 2021, there were four documented incidents that saw officers raise concerns about Cooper to Jara  including an incident in which Cooper allegedly choked a man several times during an arrest, according to Jaras report.

In May 2021, Cooper was assisting two officers when he placed his left hand on the suspects neck, choking them into compliance, according to Jaras report. The report said Cooper continued to keep his hands on the suspects neck and at one point pushed down the persons head  while their face was directly on the street  with significant pressure.

While Cooper was taking the suspect to jail, he pulled his patrol vehicle over because the suspect had taken off their safety helmet, which was placed there during the arrest, along with extra restraints. The suspect said it was causing them to sweat too much, to which Cooper responded, tough s**t, now I am pissed, Jaras report said.

Jara said Cooper then grabbed the suspect using different choking and restraint techniques. After this incident, the police departments Internal Affairs division opened an investigation into Cooper and recommended that Lee place the officer on restricted duty, according to Jaras report.

Lee rejected doing so  a move ultimately reversed by then-Deputy Chief Winegar  and several officers raised concerns about their relationship in their complaints.

Cooper was hired in 2016 and has had nine use-of-force investigations, nine citizen complaints, three department-initiated complaints and one critical incident, which could range from a police shooting to any situation in which someone dies or is physically injured, Jaras report said.

The law firms third-party review found that Lee didnt violate any policies when it came to Coopers status and was authorized to refuse an Internal Affairs recommendation. Henson said that Winegar eventually placed Cooper on restricted duty, so it could be assumed that was done with Lees knowledge.

Mauk said Lee was entitled to make his own decision.

What is Henson supposed to do? Mauk told the Statesman. Hes supposed to conduct further investigation to see if Ryan Lee registered a different opinion, and then what? Sanction him for expressing an opinion that may be different?

While he was deputy chief, now-Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar placed an officer on restricted duty after then-Chief Ryan Lee had not taken action while an Internal Affairs investigation was initiated.

Henson, however, said Winegar properly reversed Lees decision not to discipline Cooper, because had the officer been involved in a critical incident without being placed on restrictive duty, the liability to the city could be compounded with propensity and failure to supervise claims.

Its unclear what the findings of the internal affairs investigation were. Boise police spokesperson Haley Williams declined to comment, saying that personnel records arent available for public release. Cooper is still employed as a senior patrol officer, Williams told the Statesman by email.







Orchestrated effort to oust Lee, attorney says

Several of the officers who filed complaints against Lee were high-ranking members of the command staff, including three captains, along with investigators from Internal Affairs, according to the reports.

One of those captains, Matt Bryngelson, was later connected to a white supremacist conference and was found to have expressed such views on blog posts, prompting the city to investigate whether racism was a widespread problem in the department.

Lee is Chinese American.

This was not nine people who all of a sudden decided to make complaints. It was an orchestrated effort by numerous people to ruin Ryan Lees employment and his career, Mauk told the Statesman.

He said that the officers had a bone to pick with Lee, were going to find a way to file their complaints and were forum shopping. Documents previously obtained by the Statesman showed that officers had difficulty in reporting their complaints to the citys human resources department and instead were sent to the oversight office or Internal Affairs.

Mauk said many of the complaints were nothing but disagreements with Lees managerial decisions, pointing to one filed by two officers that charged Lee with retaliating against them when they raised concerns about the efficacy of changing patrol cars to hybrid vehicles.

What are they going to do? Do an investigation as to whether or not the chief made the right call on the police cars? Mauk said.

Mauk also pushed back on claims that Lee hired an officer who had a history of questionable sexual conduct from the Portland Police Department, since thats where Lee spent the majority of his career.

The people in Boise didnt like that, Mauk said. They thought there was favoritism.

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean swears in Ryan Lee as the new police chief in a ceremony in 2020. Lee resigned at the request of McLean roughly two years later.

At least two officers who were hired by Lee from outside of Idaho left after Lees departure because they didnt feel comfortable as men of color in the department, Mauk said.

He also said that Lee conducted an investigation early in his career in Boise regarding concerns about discrimination in the citys hiring and promotion practices, finding that there was aberrant statistical evidence that women and people of color werent being hired or promoted.

Ryan Lee, when he was chief, changed that, and no decision could be made to reject applicants without his final approval, Mauk said.

Lee was also accused of using derogatory language toward many staff members, including a female employee who said she wasnt going to meetings anymore because of Lees condescending and sexist remarks, according to Jaras report.

Henson addressed allegations of a hostile work environment by writing that without an opportunity for Lee to respond, it was difficult to assess whether such complaints were pervasive or relegated to a minority.

Without further information and input from Chief Lee, taking the expressed concerns in sum, it appears that Chief Lees current management style may be alienating some members of the Boise Police Department, Henson wrote in the third-party report. If true, BPD could incur loss, financial and morale, as a result of turnover and lower output from its employees.

When Lee seeks jobs throughout the country, including at large police departments, the hiring agencies read news coverage of what happened in Boise and want an explanation, Mauk said.

He cant offer the explanation because he never had the information, the ability to respond to it, Mauk said. It becomes a black hole and he loses his job after job after job, because the way it was handled journalistically, because of the way it was handled internally by the city of Boise.
The Fort Worth City Council voted 10-1 on Tuesday to spend an additional $1.1 million fighting a lawsuit in Dallas County against former police chief Joel Fitzgerald.

The approval raises the amount Fort Worth could spend on the lawsuit to $2 million.

Councilmember Chris Nettles, who attended Tuesdays meeting virtually, was the only no vote. He argued in a text message to the Star-Telegram that the city has spent too much money on the lawsuit.

I just refuse to continue to pump money in a law suit that I dont agree with, Nettles said in the text.

Fort Worth initially allocated $250,000 to fight the case in February 2022. It doubled that amount in May 2022 before increasing it to $900,000 in September 2023.

This latest addition is needed money after a Dallas County judge postponed Fitzgeralds court date from early January to Oct. 7, according to city documents.

The delay is forcing the outside law firm hired by the city to spend extra time and resources on the citys defense, the documents said. This includes preparation for what the city expects to be a three to four week trial, along with any post trial legal work.

The city tried to resolve the case in mediation, but was unable to reach a settlement, a spokesperson said in an email to the Star-Telegram.

Fort Worth hired Fitzgerald to serve as the citys police chief in 2015. He lost his job, however, in May 2019 shortly after getting into an argument with a police union leader at a conference in Washington, D.C.

City leaders accused Fitzgerald of having an increasing lack of good judgment, citing his mismanagement both of the police departments budget and his relationships with other city department heads, according to a letter from city manager David Cooke.

However, a July 2019 ruling by the Texas Workforce Commission found there was no evidence Fitzgerald had committed any work-related misconduct, and in May 2020 a court ordered the city change his discharge designation to honorable.

Fitzgerald has pointed to the fact that his firing came hours before he was scheduled to meet with federal investigators over concerns the city had violated the Criminal Justice Information Systems Act. He alleged city employees lied about the city being in compliance with regulations needed to access a federal law enforcement database, and that the employees destroyed evidence to cover it up.

Fitzgerald unsuccessfully sued to stop the city from hiring his replacement. He now works as the chief of police and emergency management for the Regional Transportation District in Denver.
A girl stabbed her classmate for Slender Man a decade ago. A judge has deemed her still too dangerous for release

Its been a decade since two girls lured their classmate into the woods in a quiet suburb of Wisconsin and stabbed her nearly to death. It was all in the name of the fictional character Slender Man, they claimed.

Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier were 12 years old when they attacked sixth-grader Payton Leutner at a Waukesha park on 31 May 2014 after the three supposed friends had a sleepover.

Ms Leutner was stabbed 19 times and was left for dead, but she survived the shocking attack that captured headlines around the world.

Geyser and Weier told investigators that they stabbed Ms Leutner to earn the right to become Slender Mans servants and protect their families from him. The tall, faceless creature in a suit is just a fictional character that was created online, but it quickly became the boogeyman of childrens nightmares.

Geyser pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide in a deal with prosecutors and a judge sent her to the psychiatric institute for 40 years after determining she had a mental illness.

Weier pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide and was also sent to the psychiatric facility after a jury found she was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the attack. In 2021, Weier was granted a conditional release to live with her father and was ordered to wear a GPS monitor. That stipulation was removed by a judge on 12 September 2023.

This week, Geyser  now a 21-year-old woman  was back in court to plead with Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren to release her from Winnebago Mental Health Institute.

She made a similar request for conditional release in 2022 but withdrew the petition two months after filing it.

In January she appeared via Zoom at a hearing to request release. The next hearing was set for a two-day period this week. At the time of the previous hearing, her attorney Anthony Cotton said: Shes made incredible strides and I think shes in a position now to come home.

He added: Morgan was somebody who was 11 years old, 12 years old when this first happened and shes now spent nearly half her life in custody.

During the first day of the latest hearing on Wednesday, doctors who have known Geyser for a decade said there were several red flags which meant they did not believe she was ready for release.

After two days of testimony from doctors, including arguments Geyser was ready to head out into the community on conditional release, Judge Bohren denied her appeal.

Heres how the horrific events unfolded:

How a friendship nearly turned deadly

Payton Leutner befriended Morgan Geyser in fourth grade, at a time when she said Geyser had struggled to make friends, Ms Leutner said in a 2019 interview with ABCs David Muir.

She was sitting all by herself and I didnt think anyone should have to sit by themselves, Ms Leutner said.

Ms Leutner described herself as hopeful and positive before the attack and said shed tried to see the good in people, including Geyser.

Payton Leutner, Morgan Geyser, and Anissa Weier had a sleepover the night before the attack (ABC News)

But everything went downhill when Geyser became friends with Weier in the sixth grade and began talking about Slender Man, she said.

She said it frightened her a bit, but she wanted to be supportive of her friend and her interests.

But as Geysers obsession with Slender Man grew, Ms Leutner considered ending their friendship.

I saw the change from fifth to sixth grade when she met Anissa, she said. Thats when I was really wanting to get out of that friendship.

But they remained friends and she said she had no idea what was coming when she arrived at Geysers house for her 12th birthday slumber party.

Once I look back on it, I was like, that is really weird, she said. Why didnt I see something? Why didnt I notice something was weird? But Im not blaming myself at all. Because who could ever see something like this coming? Nobody could ever see something like this coming.

The attack

The plan to kill Ms Leutner was fuelled by the girls desire to please Slender Man.

According to a criminal complaint, the plan was initially supposed to be carried out on 30 May 2014, the night of Geysers sleepover to celebrate her 12th birthday.

But then they changed the plan and decided to kill her the next morning at a nearby park in Waukesha.

Once at the park, Weier suggested they go for a walk to play hide-and-seek in nearby woods, she told investigators.

They just wanted to go on a walk, Ms Leutner later told ABC. And I didnt think much of it. Its just a walk. Its in Waukesha. What bad stuff happens in Waukesha, Wisconsin?

But Weier told Leutner to lie down and with a kitchen knife Geyser had brought from her home, she began to repeatedly stab her while Weier egged her on.

Ms Leutner suffered 19 stab wounds and barely survived, according to medical staff who treated her.

The girls left Ms Leutner for dead but she crawled onto a bike path and was found by a passerby.

Police captured Geyser and Weier later that day as they were walking on Interstate 94 in Waukesha.

Who is Slender Man?

Slender Man is a fictional supernatural character that originated as a creepypasta  or horror  internet meme created in 2009 by Something Awful forum user Eric Knudsen under his username Victor Surge.

The creation was part of a Photoshop challenge in which users were asked to manipulate real photos to give them a paranormal edge.

Slender Man is typically depicted as a spidery figure in a black suit with a featureless white face and regarded alternately as a sinister force and an avenging angel.

Geyser and Weier discovered Slender Man on Creepypasta Wiki, apparently believed he was real and decided to become what they called proxies of the character, thereby proving their dedication to him and his existence to sceptics, according to the criminal complaint.

But to fully prove their dedication, the girls believed they had to kill someone. They decided that person would be their friend Payton.

Following the 2014 attack, Mr Knudsen released a statement to the media: I am deeply saddened by the tragedy in Wisconsin and my heart goes out to the families of those affected by this terrible act.

The stabbing of Payton Leutner sparked a fear of Slender Man in parents across the nation.

Russell Jack, who was the police chief of Waukesha at the time, warned that the Slender Man stabbing should be a wake-up call for all parents and that the internet is full of dark and wicked things.

The trial

Geyser pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide in a deal with prosecutors and a judge sent her to the psychiatric institute after determining she had a mental illness.

Geyser was diagnosed with early-onset schizophrenia after being taken into custody, according to Rolling Stone.

Weier pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentional homicide and was also sent to the psychiatric facility after a jury found she was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the attack.

In December 2017, Weier received the maximum 25 years in a mental health facility after pleading guilty to being an accomplice to second-degree intentional homicide.

In February 2018, Geyser received 40 years in a mental hospital after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree intentional homicide.

In 2021, Weier was granted a conditional release to live with her father and was ordered to wear a GPS monitor.

Geysers appeal for conditional release

Following a two-day hearing on 10 and 11 April 2024, Judge Michael O. Bohren ruled that 21-year-old Geyser still poses a significant risk to herself and others, despite claims that she has made improvements whilst at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute.

This isnt just a case where somebody drove a car into another car and drove off. This is a personal, brutal attack on another person. This is hands-on, if you will. It is bloody, its gory, the judge said as he wrapped up the hearing.

That kind of dangerous conduct is what the risk is. Do we know if someone will repeat it? We dont know. But what this courts responsibility is, is to ensure that the risk is lessened.

Doctors spoke of their work and interactions with Geyser over the best part of a decade.

Two of those witnesses, Dr Deborah Collins and Dr Brooke Laudbohm, explained that in recent years, Geyser had declared she had faked her psychotic symptoms, something the doctor and others said could not be true.

Shes observed 24 hours a day, so its questionable that she would have been able to malinger and pull the wool over the eyes of so many mental health professionals, Dr Collins told the court on day one.

Dr Laudbohm pointed to records showing multiple occurrences of Geyser speaking or laughing with herself, likely at the voices in her head which she had reported over the years.

Both argued that Geyser still had work to do to address her mental health and that the institution was the best place for her.

Dr Kenneth Robbins, who has also known Geyser for a decade, disagreed and said that now was the time for her to head out into the community.

Judge Bohren ultimately sided with the state and said that Geyser still posed a significant risk to herself, other people or property and remanded her back into custody.

She may be able to appeal again in six months.

Slender Man and Hollywood

It was only a matter of time before Hollywood came calling for the ghastly figure after the attack gained international notoriety.

The HBO documentary Beware the Slenderman aired in 2017.

Sony Pictures followed suit with a 2018 movie titled Slenderman that featured the horror character.

While not based on the real-life case, Weiers father, Bill Weier, said it was absurd and extremely distasteful to popularise a tragedy.

The creepy character also formed inspiration for episodes of both Supernatural and Law and Order.

Payton Leutner rebuilds her life

Ms Leutner underwent 25 surgeries to repair her heart, liver, stomach, and pancreas after the attack, her mother Stacie Leutner told ABC Action News in Tampa Bay, Florida.

But her emotional trauma was just as scarring, as she later revealed that she slept with scissors under her pillow for protection.

Ms Leutner had never spoken publicly about what happened to her in the woods until 2019.

I feel like its time for people to see my side rather than everyone elses, she said in an exclusive interview with ABCs David Muir.

She was 17 years old when she finally told her story, explaining that she had worked hard over the last five years to heal and rebuild a normal life.

Payton Leutner decided to share her story with ABC News in 2019 (ABC News)

Ive come to accept all of the scars that I have, Ms Leutner said.

Its just a part of me. I dont think much of them. They will probably go away and fade eventually.

She has since graduated high school and has plans to pursue a career in the medical field. As of September 2021, she was a college sophomore and had a part-time job, according to The Associated Press.

I wouldnt think that someone who went through what I did would ever say that, she added, having decided to focus on the positive. But thats truly how I feel. Without the whole situation, I wouldnt be who I am.
An Internal Revenue Service church audit of God's Storehouse can continue after a federal appeals court declined to block the federal government from getting the church's bank records.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld the decision of U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree, denying God's Storehouse's petition to quash an IRS summons issued to Kaw Valley Bank.

The ongoing IRS investigation comes as the church's founders, Sen. Rick Kloos and Pennie Boyer-Kloos, are running for Topeka area seats in the Kansas Legislature.

"While our client is steadfastly committed to continuing the fight for religious liberties, we will review this opinion with our client and proceed as we deem advisable," said Ryan Kriegshauser, one of the attorneys for God's Storehouse, in a statement.

The IRS media relations office declined to comment, as is the agency's standard practice on pending litigation. A letter from the court clerk indicates that God's Storehouse can file a petition for rehearing within 45 days.

Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, is a pastor at God's Storehouse, a Topeka church that operates a thrift store and is under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service.

Why is the IRS investigating God's Storehouse?

God's Storehouse operates a popular west Topeka thrift store that also houses a coffee shop, Judee's.

The IRS first started investigating God's Storehouse in February 2021, following Kloos' successful 2020 campaign for the Kansas Senate where he defeated Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka.

The IRS issued a notice of church tax inquiry that June, and the church responded to questions and provided copies of documents. With the IRS agent's concerns unassuaged, the agency initiated a church tax examination in September and in February 2022 issued summonses to Kaw Valley and Fiserv, a credit card processor in Colorado.

The existence of the IRS investigation of God's Storehouse and more details about it became public when the church sued in federal court in both Kansas and Colorado in an attempt to quash a pair of summonses.

Court records show the IRS is probing God's Storehouse status as a church or whether it is primarily a thrift store, whether taxes were paid from its coffee shop, whether the church engaged in prohibited political campaign activity, and whether it failed to withhold employment taxes on wages paid to Kloos and Boyer-Kloos despite withholding taxes from other employees.

Why did the court rule against God's Storehouse?

On appeal, the church's lawyers argued that technicalities invalidated the summons. After hearing oral arguments on Jan. 16, the court disagreed.

The judges said "the problem for (God's Storehouse) is that the plain language" of the federal laws involved makes it clear that the cited statute did not apply to the facts of the case. That was because the judges said it is clear that a summons of third-party bank records doesn't meet the statutory definition of "church records."

"Unfortunately, the 10th Circuit opinion continues to allow the IRS to exploit a procedural loophole to deprive churches of their constitutional protections through the balance achieved in federal law under the Church Audit Procedure Act," Kriegshauser said.

Kriegshauser said that "even the Court acknowledged the danger here by conceding" the magistrate judge's determination that the argument that the IRS can now essentially bypass safeguards afforded to churches "is one to be taken up in the halls of Congress, not a courtroom."

"If courts will not stop this procedural abuse by the IRS, Congress must act to close this loophole that essentially swallows the Church Audit Procedure Act," he said.

The judges added that they disagreed with God's Storehouse that their interpretation would allow the IRS to circumvent law intended to protect churches from abusive investigations.

"GSH is simply wrong in asserting a plain-meaning interpretation of (federal law) will leave churches entirely at the mercy of IRS," the judges wrote.

Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Topeka, stands next to his wife, Pennie Boyer-Kloos, at the site of the second location of God's Storehouse. The Klooses are running for the Kansas Senate and House, respectively, while fighting an ongoing IRS audit.

Klooses are running for Legislature

Despite the IRS investigation, God's Storehouse has expanded to an East Topeka location that opened last month.

The appellate court's decision also comes as the Klooses are running for the Legislature in the 2024 elections.

Rick Kloos, an incumbent senator, is running for reelection and is being challenged by Dena Sattler, D-Topeka. He holds leadership roles in the Senate as majority whip and vice chair of the influential Federal and State Affairs Committee, as well as vice chair of the Transportation Committee.

His wife, Pennie Boyer-Kloos, is running for for the House, challenging incumbent Rep. Virgil Weigel, D-Topeka.

Rick Kloos, a pastor at God's Storehouse, has said that he viewed the fight with the IRS as standing up for all churches.

"It's bigger than just us," he said at the October campaign launch. "Can you imagine what's going to happen when 87,000 IRS agents are turned loose? So I'm sharing this tonight because it sets a precedent. Why, after we've given all this documentation and all these things, why are we pushing back so hard? Why don't we just give them everything they want? Because it sets a precedent right now."

More: Sen. Rick Kloos sees God's Storehouse's fight with IRS as standing up for all churches

Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka church, thrift store God's Storehouse loses appeal against IRS
Governor called legislation to stop sale of ITDs Boise campus unfair. What he just did

The $51.8 million deal to sell the Idaho Transportation Departments 44-acre campus on State Street is officially dead after Gov. Brad Little chose to neither sign nor veto two budget bills ending the sale.

Bills can become state law without the governors signature if they are not vetoed within five days after being presented to the governor. That day was Wednesday.

The bills, HB 770 and HB 720, set the 2025 budgets for ITD and the Department of Administration.

They also revoked the Department of Administrations ability to sell the property and directed ITD to remodel its flood-damaged State Street campus rather than continue with plans to move to the former Hewlett-Packard campus on Chinden Boulevard, which the state had already devoted significant funds to.

Littles decision is almost certain to guarantee a legal battle after a trio of developers were selected in September to redevelop the mostly vacant property into new businesses and thousands of new Boise homes.

Plans for the mostly vacant site at 3311 W. State St. included building over 2,000 homes and around 150,000 square feet of commercial space, according to prior Idaho Statesman reporting.

This map shows a potential site plan developers were hoping to use for the redevelopment of ITDs State Street Campus. The map shows commercial at top, affordable housing at bottom right, apartments in the center and homes for sale at left.

The developers included Idaho-based Hawkins Cos. and The Pacific Cos. and Utah-based FJ Management. When the Department of Administration selected their $51.8 million offer, they believed it was a done deal.

Little said overturning a deal that state officials had made under the authority of Idaho law was unfair and could hurt the state. But he simultaneously praised lawmakers for championing investments in transportation infrastructure without raising taxes and fees.

Construction of the site was projected to add 3,800 temporary jobs and $150 million in salaries and wages, according to a statement from a public relations firm that represents Hawkins. After construction finished, the development would also have added 1,300 permanent jobs and $52 million in salaries and wages.

Were obviously extremely disappointed in the passage of this legislation, wrote Brian Huffaker, CEO of Hawkins Cos., in a statement to the Idaho Statesman. This governmental overreach is a massive waste of taxpayer dollars and were confident the courts will agree this kind of legislative interference in the free market violates the state constitution.

We will be exploring legal action, Huffaker wrote.

The Idaho Transportation Department decided to move to a new location after its State Street campus was damaged in a 2022 flood.

In his letter to the Idaho House explaining his decision, Little wrote that the bills unwound state policy and would increase costs for office space.

It unfairly cancels an agreed-upon sales process, causing future reputational risk for the state of Idaho, Little wrote.

His decision to let the two budget bills slide into law marks the end of a tumultuous saga in the Legislature after months of back-and-forth negotiations and at times heated conversations between elected officials.

ITD and the Department of Administration did not immediately return requests for comment.

Documents disclose what developers envision for prime ITD site on Boises State Street

ITDs former HQ campus in Boise was to get new housing. Then the Legislature stepped in

Deal to sell premier ITD property along State Street survives proposal to kill it

The states deal to sell ITDs State Street campus is near death. Will Little kill it?
A familiar face has taken on a new leadership role at Grambling State University. A former student body president is now serving as the institution's 11th president.

Martin Lemelle assumed the position of university president on April 1, replacing Rick Gallot who now leads the University of Louisiana System.

Lemelle was selected from a pool of three finalists interviewed, which included Monica Williams, foundation president and vice-president of advancement at the University of North Texas-Dallas, and Gregory Ford, associate professor of biology at Southern University-New Orleans.

Lemelle is a 2006 graduate and former student government association president of Grambling. He returns to Grambling from Maryland Institute College of Art, where he has been serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Previously, he served as Gallot's executive vice president and chief financial officer when Gallot took over as president in 2016.

The university boasts a remarkable brand, Lemelle said, that is instantly recognizable worldwide due to its distinctive black and gold letter G and there are opportunities in fundraising, development and alumni engagement to continue to elevate that brand.

The campus of Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana.

"We need more voices like yours and your organization to continue to amplify who we are and what we do so that the research that our faculty are doing across mental to get amplified so that the students who are participating in cybersecurity and competitions are rewarded and acknowledged," Lemelle said. "Fundraising is about storytelling. It's about connections and so we've got a great fundraising team led by Brandon Logan, also a Grambling alum, and so we're in the beginning stages for discovery of what could be our capital campaign where enterprises across the globe get connected to Grambling alums, the broader philanthropic community and it's a big part of our future success to ensure that we have ongoing investment through fundraising."

Reader's also liked: Here's what we know about the new president of HBCU Grambling State University

As Gallot's second in command, Lemelle contributed to the turnaround of the university's finances. The university also launched new programs in cybersecurity, cloud computing and nursing.

For the second year in a row, the university experienced substantial enrollment growth, with 5,114 students enrolling in the fall semester, surpassing the previous year's total of 5,074. Additionally, the university's retention rate improved significantly, reaching 76.19%, up from 71.76% in the prior.

Fostering student engagement involves everyday encounters and providing guidance on post-graduation job opportunities, Lemelle said. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all students complete their studies armed with a degree and the right attitude to navigate life beyond college successfully.

Lemelle launched his career in corporate finance at General Electric, where he said he honed his leadership skills and learned to deliver impactful results quickly. However, his career aspirations for academic leadership were shaped his experience as an SGA president during a meeting with then-newly elected president Horace Judson, where he said he realized his passion for problem-solving and sought to pursue a career that would allow him to fully utilize his skills.

"I said this to President Gallot when I said yes to coming to Grambling the first time where I could fully utilize my skills," Lemelle said. "... that I would not be limited or bound by a conventional role and the college presidency tests that theory every day. What I would say now that I'm just starting in that space is that it is one of the most complex careers in this country. It is one that requires a deep commitment to listening and empathy but also very solid decision-making and also any different meeting, hour or window of opportunity, you are throttling between many different constituencies and ensuring that there's fairness and equity in each space. That requires you to invest in your personal wellness a lot and I'm really big on that with our team to ensure that there's a space for you to be your best safe in what you do."

For the next three years, Lemelle said the university will continue to provide an inclusive setting, where everyone can thrive, reinforcing their motto: "Where Everybody is Somebody."

"I hope to see more students from Louisiana, for sure, but also students from across the globe who may take on short study abroad programs here at Grambling," he said. "...we're going to countries that we've been underutilized in our resource space before, so Grambling for a three-year time period could start to enhance its global footprint."

Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinsonand on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: New Grambling State University president outlines future plans
Xi, Lula send congratulatory letters to seminar involving CPC, Workers' Party of Brazil

Xinhua) 08:05, April 10, 2024

BEIJING, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, honorary president of the Workers' Party of Brazil (PT) and Brazilian president, have sent congratulatory letters separately to the 7th theory seminar of the CPC and the PT held in Beijing on Tuesday.

In his letter, Xi said that the 20th National Congress of the CPC in October 2022 made it clear that the Party's central task is to lead the Chinese people of all ethnic groups in a concerted effort to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization.

Xi noted that after the PT returned to power in January 2023, it had vigorously promoted development strategies and stayed committed to achieving sustainable and comprehensive development of Brazil.

He said the seminar focused on strengthening the ruling party building and exploring the path to modernization, which is timely and of great significance to strengthening the capacity building of the ruling parties of the two countries and exploring the modernization paths suited for their own national conditions.

Xi also noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the China-Brazil diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the CPC-PT relations.

The CPC is willing to deepen exchanges and mutual learning with the PT on governance, and promote party building and national development, so as to make greater contributions to the continuous development of China-Brazil relations in the new era and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.

Lula said in his letter that last year, he and General Secretary Xi had worked together to take the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.

Brazil-China relations are important not only to the two countries but also to the whole world, Lula said, noting that the two sides will work together to consolidate traditional mechanisms of global governance such as the United Nations, while strengthening key mechanisms of South-South cooperation such as the Group of 77 and China, BRICS, the China-CELAC Forum and the BASIC countries.

Lula said that the relationship between the PT and the CPC is an important part of the relationship between the two countries. The visit to China by the delegation of senior Workers' Party officials and their attendance at the seminar aimed to exchange experience on governance and conduct in-depth discussions and cooperation with the CPC on issues of common interest.

He expressed the confidence that the exchanges between the two parties, the two governments and the two peoples will be closer and more fruitful.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A China-Europe freight train loaded with machinery, automobiles and auto parts waits for departure at a railway station in Chongqing, southwest China, March 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Wei)

It took about 12 days for a batch of China-made TV modules, onboard a China-Europe freight train, to arrive in Poland, where they would be assembled into complete televisions.

TCL Photoelectric Technology (Chengdu) Co., Ltd., a producer of TV modules located in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is satisfied with the speed of the rail delivery in March, which allowed two factories nearly 10,000 kilometers apart to coordinate production.

"The transportation time of China-Europe freight trains is about half that of sea transport, which gives the factory plenty of time to finish orders placed by our European clients," said the company's logistics manager Shu Yongjun, adding that the company has increased deliveries through the rail route since the start of this year.

The company is among a growing number of manufacturers and traders that have opted for the land-based rail route, which connects China and more than 200 European cities, after regional turmoils disrupted the vital shipping lane on the Red Sea.

In late January, Sinoboom, a Changsha-based producer of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), sent off two China-Europe freight trains carrying over 500 MEWPs to the Netherlands. The equipment was to be used in the construction and maintenance of stadiums, factories and business complexes.

"We used to rely on sea transport to deliver our products (to Europe). After the Red Sea crisis, we switched to China-Europe freight trains," said Zhang Liyong, head of the logistics department of Sinoboom.

Data from China's railway operator showed that the number of China-Europe freight train trips reached 2,928 in the first two months of 2024, up 9 percent year on year. The volume of goods transported via the route during this period increased by 10 percent from a year earlier.

Several local operators have reported a surge in services. The volume of goods carried by China-Europe freight trains departing from Chongqing, a transportational hub in southwest China, jumped two times month on month in January and remained on that high level in February, according to Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd.

Despite its longer journey, Asia-Europe sea freight traditionally costs less than rail freight. However, this advantage has been minimized by the Red Sea crisis, which prompted many shipping companies to redirect to longer and more expensive routes through South Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

"Train trips departing from Chongqing to Europe can now arrive 7-10 days earlier than through Red Sea shipping, and cost 30 percent less," said Zhou Shulin, chief supervisor of Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics.

It is not the first time that China-Europe freight trains have played the role of stabilizer for global supply chains. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the route helped cushion the intercontinental flow of goods against constant disruptions in maritime and air traffic.

Economist Pan Helin said China-Europe freight trains not only offer an efficient logistic option, but also drive infrastructure construction and industrial upgrading in countries along the route.

"Many countries in Central Europe and Central Asia are landlocked, so the rail route plays an important role in their economic development and foreign trade," Pan said. "It will facilitate the emergence of a trade belt and promote industrial integration along the route."
Marysville police hailed a bystander a hero this week after he stopped an accused gunman who fired multiple bullets outside a restaurant and pointed the weapon at diners rushing outside, authorities said.

Officers were called about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday to Lakeside Indian Cuisine Bar and Grill after multiple people reported an active shooter in front of the restaurant bordering Ellis Lake, according to a Marysville Police Department news release.

The suspect, a 26-year-old man from Clearlake Oaks in Lake County, drove to the restaurant and fired one gunshot into the air from a semi-automatic handgun in the parking lot, police said in the news release.

As patrons rushed out of the Indian restaurant, the suspect fired about four to five more rounds into the air, police said.

A man saw the gunman pointing the weapons at customers and the bystanders own family.

Fearful the suspect was going to shoot the patrons, which were also his family members, the bystander put his own safety at risk and tackled the gunman, police said in the news release.

A group of customers rushed over and helped to detain the gunman until officers arrived. Police at the scene were greeted with a large group of people pinning the gunman onto the ground, the news release said.

The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide and booked into Yuba County Jail, police said.

The citizens of Marysville can rest a little easier tonight knowing this suspect is off the street, Marysville Police Chief Christian Sachs said in the news release. If it was not for the heroic actions of the bystander, there may have been a different outcome.
Make the 'Free State' really free

During the COVID pandemic, Gov. DeSantis ignored National Institutes of Healths recommendations about vaccinations and other precautions. He said that this was The free state of Florida, and that he would protect Florida residents from government intrusion. Well, how things have changed.

DeSantis and the Florida Legislature are continuing to intrude in our schools, our businesses, our bedrooms and even our bodies. First, there was the denial of citizens ability to protest at the capitol. Then came the Dont Say Gay bill, attacks on Disney and book bans. Then came restrictions on abortion and now, the fight against the legalization of recreational marijuana. This is all about expanding  not limiting  government. The remedy: in November? Get out and vote for amendments that expand our freedoms and against politicians who limit them.

Roger Sakolove, Boynton Beach

Gov. Ron DeSantis'" Free State of Florida" not so free to many Floridians.

A day in the Free State of Florida: Desantis and his "woke" targeted laws get professor fired for teach real Black US History.

Rescind Trump's excessive fine

In Timbs v. Indiana, U.S Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the opinion on behalf of a unanimous court decision that the 8th Amendment's excessive-fine clause is incorporated protection applicable to the states under the 14th amendment's due process clause. Exorbitant tolls undermine other constitutional liberties. Excessive fines can be used, for example, to retaliate against or chill the speech of political enemies. No clearer example of this exists than the fines, exceeding $300 million, levied by a New York judge at the behest of a politician who had run on a platform of "getting Trump." While it is a fool's errand to predict outcomes of appeals, I believe Donald Trump will ultimately have the fine dramatically reduced if not rescinded.

Carl J Domino, Jupiter

Curb cyberbulling by cutting social media

Re the March 15 article on Social media bans: Five laws affecting Palm Beach County students: I agree that children under 16 should not have social media accounts since they don't fully know how to utilize the internet and the dangers lurking within it. However, children can look up inappropriate sites, unknowingly, and scammers can reach out to kids and attain their parents' information, which kids often give up, not realizing who they are dealing with.

Cyberbullying can be avoided if kids do not have social media access. It has led to depression and self-harm. Through harassment, threats, and embarrassment, children can be coaxed into doing things they should not do or probably even know about at such a young age. The use of social media also has led to a lack of sleep, bad study habits, and a lack of focus. This is another valid reason I agree with your idea that social media for children under sixteen should be prohibited. These are all important factors that can help students be more successful and avoiding social media can assist with their success.

Diego Mattison-Santos, Boca Raton

The Palm Beach Post is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. Please send your views to letters@pbpost.com or by mail to Letters to the Editor, The Palm Beach Post, 2751 S, Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach 33405. Letters are subject to editing, must not exceed 200 words and include your name, address and daytime phone number. We only published names and cities with the letters.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach readers claim Florida must expand freedoms against DeSantis
I've traveled to 9 out of 10 countries in Southeast Asia. Here are the 5 biggest mistakes I made along the way.

I've traveled to 9 out of 10 countries in Southeast Asia. Here are the 5 biggest mistakes I made along the way.

I've traveled solo to nine countries in Southeast Asia.

I've made many mistakes, from traveling during monsoon season to forgetting to bring enough cash.

Travelers should make sure they plan ahead and research each country's culture.

Over the last two years, my journey as a travel enthusiast and Business Insider's travel reporter in Singapore has brought me to almost every country in Southeast Asia.

In total, there are 10 countries in Southeast Asia, and I've traveled to nine of them  Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei. Myanmar remains the only country in the region I have not visited, and while I am keen to explore it, I have held off on visiting because of the country's ongoing civil war.

I've watched the sun rise in Angkor Wat in Cambodia and cared for elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I've explored the Bornean jungle in Brunei and crawled the Cu Chi Tunnels in southern Vietnam.

But it hasn't always been easy. I've made several mistakes traveling across the region, especially as a solo traveler. Here are five mistakes I made and how to avoid them.

1. Going during monsoon season and not planning for the weather.

Bangkok during the monsoon season. Marielle Descalsota

In July, I traveled to Thailand on a reporting trip to cover the budding cannabis industry. There, I was met with heavy rain nearly every day. In Bangkok, I was staying in a hostel in Chakkrawat, a district with narrow, meandering streets, which made it difficult to walk anywhere in the pouring rain.

I didn't plan for the weather, so I didn't have an umbrella or poncho with me and had to rush to get one at the last minute. I also had a packed itinerary with a lot of travel between meetings, which was a hassle in the constant downpour.

Before traveling to Southeast Asia, make sure to avoid two seasons  the monsoon season, which often comes with strong typhoons in countries like the Philippines, and the burning season, where farmers burn land for fertile soil. This is a common occurrence in countries like Laos, Thailand, and the island of Borneo, which is shared between Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

When I traveled to Laos in April last year during the burning season, most of my plans  including a hot air balloon ride  were canceled because of the thick smog. I also didn't have an N95 mask with me, and I ended up with a sore throat.

If you do plan to come during these seasons, make sure to pack accordingly and plan a flexible schedule.

2. Traveling during Ramadan and expecting the same practices everywhere.

The Omar Ali Saifuddien mosque in Brunei. Marielle Descalsota/Business Insider

Having grown up in Singapore, I'm familiar with the practices during Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims, where they fast for most of the day. I studied Malay for seven years, and in school, I often fasted with my Muslim classmates and ate only in private.

Still, in many cities in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, non-Muslims are free to dine in public, so long as they do so respectfully. But on my trip to Brunei in April  at the height of the burning season and in the middle of Ramadan  there were more practices I needed to observe.

Most restaurants were closed, and diners weren't allowed to eat there even if they were open  only take-out was allowed. Eating in public was a major faux pas even for non-Muslims, and if you want to drink some water, you can only do so when nobody is around.

It wasn't easy, especially as Brunei was sweltering at 100 degrees Fahrenheit on some days. I made do by returning to the hotel for lunch and grabbing a big dinner with the locals at the night market after they had broken their fast.

3. Not packing enough modest outfits when visiting temples and mosques.

The author in Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Marielle Descalsota/Business Insider

Southeast Asia is pretty liberal, and you can wear whatever you want in many places. In popular destinations like Phuket, Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia, lots of tourists walk around in bikini tops and shorts, and locals mostly tolerate it.

But there are certain places you do need to cover up, like places of worship, which include temples and mosques. When I visited Angkor Wat  the famed temple complex in Cambodia  in February last year, I found some tourists being told off by the local tour guides for wearing shorts and tank tops  "Tomb Raider" style.

I've learned to err on the right side of caution and bring a sarong wherever I go. It's an easy way to cover up and make an outfit more modest when you need to.

4. Forgetting to pack medication, especially when I plan to eat street food.

Thai food sold in Bangkok. Marielle Descalsota/Business Insider

Southeast Asia has some of the world's most flavorful food. In every country, you can find food that is cheap and delicious, and that includes Singapore, the world's most expensive city. In countries like Malaysia and Vietnam, street food dishes can cost as little as a dollar.

I eat mostly street food when I travel in Southeast Asia, so medicine for tummy-related illnesses is a must. I've only gotten sick twice from eating street food  and it was the same dish both times and unfortunately, those were the few times I didn't have medicine with me.

I'm a pretty adventurous eater. I've eaten everything from pufferfish stew to frog porridge and dishes made with intestines off the street. I've learned to wash the utensils provided before digging in and make sure the food is cooked to order and heated up before being served.

5. Relying on my card and not bringing enough cash with me.

The Cafe Apartments in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Marielle Descalsota/Business Insider

In Singapore, I don't really use cash and often use Apple Pay, mobile payments, and cards. But I've found that many stores in other countries in Southeast Asia only accept cash.

For example, on my third trip to Vietnam, I spent an hour trying to make payment via bank transfer after the staff at a luxury perfume shop  which was selling items priced upwards of $200  informed me at the last minute that they didn't accept card or contactless payment.

I've also found the majority of street vendors in the region only accept mobile payment  which is limited to local banks  or cash. I've learned to change a considerable amount of money before leaving the airport and keep whatever I didn't use for my next trip.

Read the original article on Business Insider
For years, Kansas Democrats have unsuccessfully pushed for an expansion of the states anti-discrimination law  and year after year, the legislation has failed to gain any traction.

This year, it failed again. The regular session has come to a close, and the bill did not receive a hearing or a debate on the floor.

The bill, which was initially introduced in 2013, would add gender identity, status as a veteran, and sexual orientation as protected classes from housing, employment, and other forms of discrimination. But it has made no headway in over a decade.

Rep. Brandon Woodard, a Lenexa Democrat who is gay, has advocated for the change since taking office in 2019. He said the legislation is important not only to protect more people from discrimination but also to prepare in the case of a major uphaul in federal law.

The federal Supreme Court has clearly shown they are able to undo settled law, Woodard said. If they were to overturn Obgerfell (same-sex marriage) or any other law relating to LGBTQ communities, we would fall back on state law. And state law, right now, has dangerous gaps.

Action must be taken at the state and local levels to ensure LGBTQ communities are protected no matter what the federal government does, he said.

Kansas activists worry the overturning of some federal laws protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people could be on the conservative agenda for the 2024 presidential election. Existing loopholes in some federal laws have caused some LGBTQ+ activists to strengthen anti-discrimination laws on the state level.

Activists say they are concerned that if former president Donald Trump returns to the White House, those protections could quickly erode. Trump has promised to remove all references to sexual orientation and gender identity in all current federal laws. This would effectively end any law that protects LGBTQ+ Americans from discrimination.

Iridescent Riffel, a transgender woman who works with LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality KS, said Trumps proposed legislative plans are a grim sign of what another conservative administration would do to LGBTQ+ Americans.

Just like we saw with abortion rights and bodily autonomy, the people who are pushing to take away those rights are the same people who want to take away the rights of LGBTQ people, Riffel said. Weve seen them signal to it already. That is exactly their intention.

Rep. Will Carpenter, an El Dorado Republican, chairs the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, which allows him to decide which bills are granted a hearing. He said he did not know anything about the bill, and said that no one had brought it up to him.

Fighting back against anti-transgender legislation, such as a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors, has also stalled progress, proponents say.

Taryn Jones, a lobbyist with Equality KS, said the legislation has forced them into a defensive role where they are unable to focus wholly on enacting pro-LGBTQ+ legislation.

We would love to do more pro-LGBTQ legislation, she said. But unfortunately most of our time is spent on the defense because of the reality of who is in the Kansas Legislature.

Federal loopholes

Federal housing and employment laws already protect LGBTQ+ Americans from discrimination in a majority of housing and employment circumstances. However legal experts say there are gaps in who is protected from discrimination that local or state laws could fill.

For example, a loophole in federal employment discrimination law could prevent thousands of Kansas employees who work at a small business with less than 15 employees from filing a discrimination lawsuit against their employer. Additionally, federal housing nondiscrimination laws include exemptions allowing sellers or renters to discriminate against protected groups in some small rentals, religious organizations, and private clubs.

State protections, such as those in the proposed legislation, could add a layer of protection against discrimination, said Richard Levy, a constitutional law professor at the University of Kansas Law School.

Protections under federal law are limited to the scope of those federal laws, Levy said. When there is no federal law that applies, thats when state law steps in.

At the heart of the issue, proponents say, is that federal anti-discrimination laws still allow for bias or unfair treatment based on gender identity or sexual orientation to be denied access to places such as bars, restaurants, and public pools.

With public accommodation protections in place, businesses and public places would be unable to refuse service to people based on their identities, said D.C. Hiegert, an attorney who is an LGBTQ+ Fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas.

In the public accommodations context, there is no federal comparison, Hiegert said. So anti-discrimination statutes and local ordinances are really key for folks who often face more issues accessing services in the public sector.

The bill would add more protections that may prevent some LGBTQ+ families who feel unsafe from leaving Kansas, said Tom Alonzo, the state board chairman of LGBTQ+ advocacy group Equality KS. He said additional legal protections would improve the lives of LGBTQ+ Kansans.

It takes away some of that danger, Alonzo said.

Patchwork of Protections

The bills lack of progress in the Legislature has refocused efforts to encourage local governments across Kansas to expand their anti-bias laws. Proponents say this is another way to remedy anti-discrimination law loopholes.

Jones, a lobbyist with Equality Kansas, a pro-LGBTQ+ advocacy group, said that while local ordinances are not ideal because they can create patchwork protections, advocacy groups must focus on achievable actions.

I would love to have the state-level nondiscrimination protections, Jones said. But the fact is that the Legislature isnt going to do that, so we have to protect people in any way we can.

Nearly half of the states LGBTQ+ population is protected by local anti-discrimination laws, according to data collected from the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit research organization that tracks legislation. The majority of the ordinances have been enacted in northeast Kansas and in Wichita, where most of the states population resides.

But progress is increasingly being made in more conservative areas of the state, Alonzo said.

Riffel, a transgender woman, lives in Lawrence, one of the communities to pass local anti-discrimination ordinances. She said she feels safer and more welcome with the law in place.

They really do make a difference, Riffel said. That doesnt mean that theres no homophobia or transphobia in those places, because Ive experienced that. But it really does make a difference.

But local ordinances often look different depending on the municipality, creating patchwork protections across the state, where some LGBTQ+ Kansasns receive more protections than others, Woodard said. For example, one city may restrict conversion therapy in addition to anti-discrimination laws, while another may not specifically prohibit it.

Woodard said this creates a disconnect based on where people live.

Having a one-size approach applied across the whole state is always cleaner than creating these patchwork protections, Woodard said.

But instituting these local protections could be an uphill battle, said Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Shawnee Democrat who is a lesbian. She has pushed for the state statute expansion for years and said that though some progress has been made in conservative areas, it may take more extreme measures to fully protect LGBTQ+ Kansans using local ordinances.

It feels like to me itll take an amendment to the constitution for that to happen, she said.

The change in statute not only has tangible benefits for LGBTQ+ Kansans but also has significant symbolic value as Kansas lawmakers continue to advance anti-transgender legislation, Riffel said.

We have laws that are being pushed by misinformation, disinformation, and the demonization of our community that makes us targets, she said. Having this law there to protect us is not only central for our wellbeing but also to fight back against that narrative pushed on us.
Kansas deputy shoots, kills woman who lunged at officer with knife, scissors, KBI says

A 54-year-old woman was shot and killed Tuesday by Kansas authorities after they say she lunged toward an officer with a knife and scissors.

Cheryl R. Gaines of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, died at the scene of the shooting, Kansas Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Melissa Underwood said.

At around 7:15 a.m., the KBI was asked to investigate a shooting that involved a deputy from the Harper County Sheriffs Office along U.S. Highway 160 in Harper County, a KBI news release said.

At around 6:55 a.m., a 911 call came in to report a 2006 Toyota Prius stopped in the middle of U.S. 160 about a mile west of Attica.

A deputy from Harper County responded to the call. As he neared the Prius to help, he noticed Gaines inside the vehicle holding a knife and scissors in each hand, Underwood said.

An officer from the Attica Police Department arrived. The deputy and the officer both called from backup and gave Gaines numerous commands to drop her weapons and exit the car.

Gaines eventually exited the car but did not drop the the knife and scissors. She then charged and lunged toward the the deputy and officer with the weapons, the KBI said.

As they were quickly retreating, the officer tripped and fell. Gaines caught up to the officer on the ground, while still armed with the knife and scissors, the release read.

The Harper County deputy fired three shots at Gaines, striking her. She died at the scene from her injuries, Underwood said.

The investigation into the shooting ongoing and findings will be presented to the Harper County Attorney for review.
Kentucky boy, 8, died from fentanyl intoxication, not strawberries, officials say

The ingestion of strawberries during a school fundraiser had nothing to do with the March 15 death of an 8-year-old Kentucky boy, officials said.

Hopkins County Coroner on Wednesday said the boy, Trey Harris, died from fentanyl intoxication, WFIE reported.

His family had told police they suspected he had an allergic reaction after eating strawberries the night before from a school fundraiser.

The Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force seized this fentanyl, cash and these guns during an investigation this year.

The Hopkins County Health Department responded by urging the disposal of those strawberries while they investigated.

Health officials now say the FDA tested the strawberries and found there was nothing wrong with them, the television news station reported.

Others are reading: Former sheriff Jamey Noel to serve additional jail time after judge finds him in contempt of court

Treys stepfather, Antonio Person, was arrested on March 26 for trafficking fentanyl and other drug and gun charges while police investigated Treys death; and has now been charged with manslaughter, according to jail records, WFIE reported.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Officials: Boy died from fentanyl intoxication, not strawberries
A young man accused in a homicide at Red Sands during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend was allegedly seen with a handgun, ended up shot in the groin and had traces of the victim's blood on his pants, court documents stated.

Angel Gallardo, 18, was hanging with friends at a Black Friday desert bonfire when he showed the gun to a witness, telling him "in case we have problems with anybody," stated a complaint affidavit filed by an El Paso County sheriff's detective.

Before the night of Nov. 24 was over, Gallardo allegedly fatally shot 18-year-old Mauricio Elias five times at a close range in the popular desert off-roading site on Montana Avenue beyond the eastern El Paso city limits.

Angel Gallardo was arrested on a murder charge on Saturday, April 6, 2024, accused in the shooting death of Mauricio Elias, 19, on Black Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in the Red Sands desert outside El Paso, Texas.

On Saturday, April 6, sheriff's deputies arrested Gallardo on a murder charge following a five-month investigation by detectives with the Major Crimes Unit. Gallardo is incarcerated under a $1 million bond at the El Paso County Jail Downtown. Gallardo has no attorney listed on court records.

Sheriff's officials had said that two other people were wounded in the shooting  apparently one of them was Gallardo, who was shot in the right testicle, according to the complaint document.

Young man killed in Red Sands shooting

At 9:15 p.m. on Nov. 24, deputies responding to a call of a fight in progress and shots fired in the Red Sands desert arrived to find the volunteer medics with Texas Rescue Patrol performing CPR on the mortally wounded Elias, officials and court documents stated. Elias was taken by Life Ambulance to the Hospitals of Providence East Campus off Joe Battle Boulevard, where he died.

Witnesses waiting in the hospital emergency room saw Gallardo enter and recognized seeing him earlier at Red Sand wearing a white hoodie. He did not have on the hoodie when he entered the ER, according to the affidavit.

Gallardo's clothing worn at the ER was held as evidence: black-and-white Jordan sneakers, black jeans, a green with black "Eagles" shirt and underwear.

Cyber crime: 'I have your nudes.' West Texas cyberstalker hacked teens, young women's photos in extortion scheme

Gallardo told investigators he had been at Red Sands, but wouldn't explain how he was shot and claimed someone tried to rob him, the affidavit stated. The document does not say whether Gallardo may have accidentally shot himself in his right testicle, possibly while holstering the handgun.

During surgery, hospital medical staff recovered a 9 mm bullet from Gallardo, which was turned over as evidence, the affidavit stated.

An autopsy found that Elias had five gunshot wounds and two 9 mm bullets were recovered from his torso. Elias also had signs of blunt force trauma around his mouth and chin and possibly soot near the right side of his neck, indicating that he was shot at a close range, the affidavit stated.

Witnesses: Gallardo was 'kid in the white hoodie'

During the course of the investigation in the preceding weeks, witnesses told detectives that Gallardo was seen wearing a white hooded sweater at a bonfire at Red Sands. Gallardo was later identified in a photo lineup.

One witness, who didn't know Gallardo's name, described him as a heavyset "kid" wearing a white hoodie who had shown him a gun and told him "in case we have any problems with anybody," the affidavit stated. An El Paso County Jail log lists Gallardo as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 176 pounds.

The witness told detectives that he later heard gunshots, turned toward the bonfire and saw "the kid in the white hoodie" holstering a handgun and running away, the affidavit stated.

Alcohol and gun violence are a concern as people gather to ride ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles in the Red Sands desert outside El Paso, seen here in 2021.

Another witness told investigators that a group of men were hanging out when four teens they didn't know joined them around a bonfire. The teens asked Elias if he knew a certain person on Instagram when a heavyset teen appeared to chamber a round in a gun. The teen wore a white hoodie, black jeans and Jordan sneakers.

Another teenager was holding a rifle and, feeling that something was about to happen, the witness walked away before hearing several gunshots. The witness turned around to see Elias on the ground and the teens running away. The white hoodie teen got into a red all-terrain vehicle and tried to drive away, but eventually ran off on foot, the witness told detectives, according to the affidavit.

Guns thrown out of car on Montana Avenue

On Dec. 14, deputies attempted a traffic stop on gray Kia Optima on Montana Avenue near Rich Beem Boulevard in far East El Paso, the affidavit stated. The Kia continued east for several blocks trying to evade as two guns were thrown out of the car by its passengers until the vehicle stopped. One of the passengers was Gallardo. The guns were recovered and seized.

More: El Paso looks to build new Central police station at former Bonham Elementary School

After the vehicle stop, Gallardo was arrested on an unrelated warrant on an evading arrest charge and taken to Sheriff's Office Headquarters, where he was questioned by detectives regarding the Red Sands fatal shooting.

The affidavit stated that Gallardo admitted being at Red Sands, but claimed he didn't remember anything and could not explain how received a gunshot wound to his groin.

It's unclear if the guns recovered during the traffic stop were ever linked to the Red Sands fatal shooting.

Victim's DNA found on Gallardo's clothing

On Jan. 16, a detective spoke with Gallardo's mother, who was asked whether her son was wearing a sweater on the cold night of the Red Sands shooting. Gallardo's mom told the detective that her son was wearing a white hoodie that night but took it off and used it to apply pressure to his gunshot wound. She said she didn't know what happened to the hoodie, the affidavit stated.

On April 5, the results of forensic DNA analysis conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab in El Paso came back showing traces of DNA belonging to Elias on Gallardo's black jeans, the affidavit stated.

Homicides 2023: Drug, gang overtones tied to El Paso teen's fatal park shooting on Father's Day

Detectives suspect that the DNA was from back spatter when Gallardo allegedly shot Elias at close range. Back spatter is the blood stain pattern projected backwards from the direction of the entrance wound.

On Saturday, Gallardo, who is from the Horizon City area, was arrested in an effort involving the Major Crimes Unit, the Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the Targeted Response Unit, known as TRU, from the Peter J. Herrera Patrol Station in Clint.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: New details revealed in Red Sands Thanksgiving murder case
Nearly three years after a group of Knoxville activists were arrested during their demonstration for police accountability, a Knox County jury will decide whether to embrace or reject Tennessee's recent attempts to criminalize peaceful protest.

Four demonstrators, including activists Constance Every and Calvin Skinner, are on trial on charges they disrupted a public meeting in 2021 following the police shooting death of 17-year-old Anthony Thompson Jr.

Thompson was killed on April 12, 2021, by a Knoxville police officer inside an Austin-East Magnet High School bathroom, an inflection point in the city that sparked the largest, most sustained protests in a generation. Demonstrators marched repeatedly over weeks calling for police reform and challenging racial inequality.

From left, Gavin Guinn, Rev. Calvin Skinner, attorney Joshua Hedrick, Constance Every and Aaron Valentine during a trial in Knox County Criminal Court on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Seven of the demonstrators were charged after they stood during a Knox County Commission meeting on April 19, 2021, and called for the release of police body camera video of the shooting. The demonstration briefly interrupted the commission meeting, though police and deputies moved immediately to stop the protest by handcuffing and pulling the activists from the room.

Three of those charged - Kevin Andrews, Carrie Hopper and Mary Winter - have agreed to plea deals. Every, Skinner, Gavin Guinn and Aaron Valentine are putting justice in the hands of a jury.

Here's a summary of key points to catch you up from the first full day of testimony on April 9, including why Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay took the stand.

Defendants' attorneys have different strategies

None of the four defendants have argued they werent protesting at the meeting. Theres plenty of video to prove they were. However, attorneys for two of the four, Guinn and Valentine, argued their clients did not disturb the commission meeting.

It was Every who activated a bullhorn to address the commissioners. Skinner raised his voice while he was being led out of the meeting.

Prosecutors assert Guinn and Valentine surrounded Every and Skinner, preventing officers from reaching them and (more important) the bullhorn.

Knox County Sheriff's Office was tracking Constance Every on social media

The mornings hearing was taken up the cross-examination of Knox County Sheriff Sgt. John Sharp, one of the officers who arrested the activists. Specifically, Sharp was one of the officers who arrested Skinner.

During testimony, Sharp said he alerted his supervisors that he found a Facebook post made by Every announcing a protest of a county commission meeting. He sent them a screenshot of the post.

Sharp testified he was aware of Everys Facebook page - like others he monitors - because the sheriff's office had received a tip about Every unrelated to the protest (there has been no evidence presented that Every broke any laws and she has not been charged in connection with the tip).

The jury was not allowed to hear this portion of the testimony, though it took place in open court.

Constance Every, left, and Aaron Valentine, right, during their trial in Knox County Criminal Court on Monday, April 8, 2024.

The defense was interested in Sharps testimony, trying to zero in on whether the sheriffs office planned ahead of time to target demonstrators demanding police accountability.

Why was Larsen Jay called to testify?

Jay, who is in his second term as an at-large county commissioner, was chair of the county commission at the time.

The county commission was the first public body to meet following the police shooting of Thompson, and a group of 40 or so demonstrators made their way into the meeting and stood at the back of the room with their fists raised.

A bullhorn siren sounded, and Every called out, Knox County County Commission, your meeting is over, while Skinner and other members of the group began shouting.

They were quickly and forcibly removed by deputies and police officers, and Jay recessed the meeting for 10 minutes.

During the first day of the trial April 9, defense attorneys asked Jay why the police accountability activists were treated differently than other demonstrators, particularly the anti-mask protesters who swarmed and sometimes interrupted meetings in 2020.

They got up and walked out of the door, Jay said about the anti-mask protesters. In this incident when the officers came to escort them out they didnt willfully walk out the door  this group intentionally came with the purpose of getting arrested.

Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon also is on the witness list, though she won't testify, defense attorney Andrew Beamer told Knox News.

The defense was interested in hearing from Kincannon for two reasons. One, she made social media posts encouraging District Attorney Charme Allen to release the body camera footage of Thompson's death and two, she presided over a meeting of the Knoxville City Council that was disrupted by protesters.

That meeting took place nearly two weeks after the commission meeting. This time Thompsons family joined protesters and there was no bullhorn. Unlike the commission meeting, Kincannon allowed protesters to speak from the back of the room for a few minutes before temporarily recessing the meeting. Every and Skinner were arrested and charged again with disrupting a public meeting.

Where the defense is headed

The prosecution has one more witness to call, but the next - and likely final - day of the trial will consist mostly of testimony from the defense's witnesses.

Beamer, the attorney for Every, told Knox News he'll focus on the nature of the state's charges, which he says are an attempt to silence protected political speech.

"My client was targeted by the police, both the (Knox County Sherriff's Office) and the (Knoxville Police Department)," Beamer said. "They were treated disparately and if they had been other protestors protesting something else, the outcome would have been absolutely different."

He explained the difference whether law enforcement arrested protesters at public meetings was based on the content of their speech. The demonstrators at public meetings calling for an end to COVID-19 mask mandates were not arrested.

Valentine's attorney, Joshua Hedrick, told Knox News his client's defense will focus on separating him from the rest of the defendants. Valentine, unlike Every and Skinner, was silent throughout the 10-minute interaction.

"He showed up at the meeting ... he's not doing anything. He's just making his presence known," Hedrick said. "There's a broad brush used to paint this group and what this group did. We're going to try to focus it on individual responsibility and individual liability."

The goal is to help the jury make a decision about Valentine's guilt based on his actions, not the group's, Hedrick said.

How we got here

The case is the first tried under Tennessee's enhanced penalties for disrupting public meetings. The law was part of the Tennessee General Assembly's push to punish "unruly" demonstrators who arose as part of a nationwide police reform movement that started when a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd in 2020.

The state enhanced the penalty for disrupting a public meeting from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor, putting it on the same level as being charged with impaired driving, simple drug possession, theft under $1,000 and assault. The penalty can include up to 11 months and 29 days in jail with a maximum fine of $2,500.

The police shooting death of Thompson sparked sustained political demonstrations that included several protests at public meetings, including the April 19, 2021, county commission meeting.

Calvin Skinner, right, is dragged out of the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building in downtown Knoxville after a group of protesters interrupted the Knox County Commission meeting on Monday, April 19, 2021.

Media barred from jury selection

A Knox News reporter and a photographer from WBIR were told by a bailiff no reporters would be allowed in the courtroom April 8 during jury selection by order of Judge Kelly Thomas, Jr. The decision is legal, though rare. Journalists typically are allowed in the courtroom for jury selection.

Thompsons death sparked it

Thompson was killed April 12, 2021, after four officers barged into a school bathroom where he and a friend were hanging out as Thompson cooled off from an argument earlier in the day with his girlfriend.

His girlfriend had left school to go home, and her mother called police to complain about the argument, which she told police got physical. The girls mother, Regina Perkins, told officers Thompson was known to carry a handgun.

Thompson was carrying a handgun in the front pocket of his hoodie because he feared for his safety, especially after his girlfriend's mother sent him a series of threatening texts, according to a lawsuit filed by the family.

Body camera footage revealed four officers wound up inside the narrow bathroom: officers Jonathan Clabough and Brian Baldwin, school resource officer Adam Willson, and Lt. Stan Cash. They surrounded Thompson, who was in a stall and wearing a backpack, and began pulling him out of the stall.

Thompson implored the officers to "wait, wait" as they grabbed for him, and made no aggressive moves.

As the officers grabbed Thompson his gun discharged and a bullet struck a trash can. Baldwin immediately dropped from Clabough's view. Clabough mistakenly believed Baldwin had been shot, so he fired, striking Thompson in the chest with the shot that killed him.

Clabough fired a second shot because he thought Thompson was about to shoot Cash, the DA's office said. That shot struck Willson in the leg.

Lawsuit dismissed

In February, a federal judge dismissed the remaining pieces of the far-reaching lawsuit filed by Thompsons mother against Knoxville. The judge had previously dismissed the portion of the lawsuit against the police officers involved in Thompsons killing. The family has appealed the decision to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, where it faces long odds of being overturned.

Tyler Whetstone is an investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. Connect with Tyler by emailing him at tyler.whetstone@knoxnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tyler_whetstone.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville activists on trial over Tennessee law to criminalize protest
The US recently sent Ukraine its first batch of new long-range precision bombs with the potential to strike deep within Russian-occupied territory. Despite the weapons extended range, however, Ukraine wont be able to use them to hit military targets inside Russia itself. Why? The US wont allow it out of fear that American weapons taking out targets within Russia could escalate the conflict.

From American bombs to British and French cruise missiles, Kyivs Western partners provide their most potent weapons on the condition that Ukraine only use them within its own borders (including Crimea; the Ukrainian peninsula occupied by Russia since 2014). This restriction is a mistake, and one easily remedied by simply informing Ukraine that it has been lifted. Amid gridlock in Congress and delays in European ammunition production, Kyivs Western allies can help Ukraine overnight with this one change in policy.

Limiting Kyivs use of Western weapons puts Ukraine in a difficult position because the missiles hitting Ukrainian cities are often launched over Russian territory by planes taking off from airfields inside Russia. The same is true for Russias one-way attack drones, which depart bases in Russia only to crash into Ukrainian apartment buildings and explode on impact.

Restricting Ukraines use of Western munitions doesnt entirely prevent strikes inside Russia, but it pushes Kyiv to use more unconventional means  drones, vehicle-borne bombs, and sabotage. Ukraine also uses a limited supply of old, and less precise, Soviet missiles. But Kyivs one-way attack drones move slower than Western missiles and bombs, which can make them more vulnerable to Russian air defenses. And when debris from intercepted drones falls on Russian cities, it feeds Putins propaganda machine. Clearly, more precise Western weaponry will reduce collateral damage in Russia, and reduce civilian casualties.

While Ukraine is working hard to develop its own long range missiles, it will take time for them to be ready for widespread use on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Western weapons have proven effective when used on Russian military bases in occupied Ukrainian territory, where Kyiv has permission to use munitions like US-supplied ATACMS and cruise missiles from France and the UK. Strikes with these weapons have leveled Russias Black Sea Fleet headquarters, wrecked a Russian submarine, and destroyed dozens of Russian helicopters. In response, the Kremlin has moved several of its valuable warships and aircraft out of occupied Ukraine and into bases and ports in Russia.

Restrictions on Kyivs use of Western weapons are a gift of particular value to Moscow because Russia has far more aircraft than they have hangars to hold them. This leaves valuable military planes and helicopters out in the open. The Kremlin knows that many of its aircraft are vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes, which is why Moscows forces have taken to painting flat aircraft decoys at their air bases. These decoys dont look very convincing when viewed in high-resolution satellite imagery, but they could mislead Ukrainian attack drones reliant on basic cameras. Advanced Western weapons are less likely to have this issue.

Western officials worry that their weapons being used on Russian territory will lead to escalation  even Armageddon or feed into Putins propaganda machine, which paints Moscows invasion of Ukraine as a war against the West. But fears of such escalation are unfounded. Russia already claims, without publishing evidence, that Western munitions have been used in attacks on targets inside Russian territory.

When explosions rocked the Russian city of Belgorod late last year, the Kremlin baselessly blamed Ukraines use of Czech-supplied weapons. When a transport plane was shot down over Russian airspace, the Kremlin asserted that a US-supplied air defense system was used. Meanwhile, Russia has not hesitated to lob North Korean missiles and Iranian drones at Ukraine. Russian missiles have also violated the airspace of Poland  a Nato member before striking Ukraine.

Ukraine is fighting an existential war and Kyivs victory against the increasingly dangerous Putin is critical for the security of Europe, of Nato, and of the United States. But aid to support that victory has consistently come a day late and a weapon system short. Ukraine will have a difficult year fending off Russian attacks while building the capacity to retake occupied territory. Putin has made it clear that he has no interest in negotiations. Western partners should trust Ukraine to protect its citizens and not risk its allies with the weapons we provide.

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.
Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, and members of a Taiwan youth delegation pose for a group photo with teachers and students at the Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. Ma and a Taiwan youth delegation led by him visited the Peking University on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, visited Peking University in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon, along with a youth delegation from Taiwan.

"To promote cross-Strait exchanges between students is the most important original intention of my visit, and is also the goal of my efforts," Ma said during his visit to the university.

Ma added that he also hopes the young people from both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan can pass on the spirit of Peking University to strive in peace and to revitalize China together.

The visit is expected to further promote the in-depth exchanges between universities on the Chinese mainland and Taiwan universities, as well as people from all walks of life in Taiwan, said Hao Ping, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Peking University Committee.

Peking University was the first university on the Chinese mainland to recruit students from Taiwan. Currently, there are more than 260 students and 16 teachers from Taiwan studying and working at Peking University, as well as many exchange students, visiting professors and visiting scholars from Taiwan, according to Gong Qihuang, president of Peking University.

At present, Peking University has established exchange and cooperation relationships with 17 universities and academic institutions in Taiwan, and has launched student exchange programs with seven Taiwan universities, Gong added.
Six white ex-cops in Mississippi who pleaded guilty to attacking and torturing a pair of Black men were sentenced Wednesday to state prison terms ranging from 15 to 45 years.

The men, who were active members of the Rankin County Sheriffs Department when they committed their crimes, had previously received similar federal sentences, the Associated Press noted. They will serve their terms concurrently.

The state criminal sentencing is important because historically, the state of Mississippi has lagged behind or ignored racial crimes and police brutality against Blacks, and the Department of Justice has had to lead the way, Malik Shabazz, an attorney representing the two victims, said Wednesday.

The attack on Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker took place in January 2023, when the officers  members of a self-styled Goon Squad  burst into their home in Braxton, Mississippi, without a warrant, after receiving a report that the victims were living there with a white woman, NBC News reported.

At one point, one of the officers staged a mock execution, jamming a gun into Jenkins mouth and firing twice  the second time releasing a bullet that broke the victims jaw.

Officers also beat and sexually abused the men. The incident garnered national attention given the brazen, racist nature of the assault.

I never knew the ones that were sworn to protect and serve would be the ones that [I] needed protection from," Parker said in a statement, as reported by CNN. "My life was not perfect, but it was mine. I doubt I will ever be able to experience it again.
Muslim college student attacked while walking to campus from mosque, Texas advocates say

A Muslim college student was reportedly attacked as he was walking back to campus after praying at a local mosque, Texas advocates said.

The student told the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) that three men approached him and his friend and started mocking Islamic phrases and the Arabic language, according to a news release from the organization detailing the April 5 incident.

The University of Texas at Austin student was wearing kurta shalwar, attire associated with the South Asian Muslim community, according to CAIR-Austin.

The three men allegedly blocked their path and punched the student, CAIR said. The student suffered cuts and bruises as a result, according to a news release.

One of the men reportedly reached into his pocket and said he had a weapon, CAIR said.

The organization called for law enforcement to investigate the attack as a hate crime.

No human being should feel unsafe wearing their traditional clothes in public. And when this happens in Austin, a city that cherishes cultural diversity, it is even more traumatizing, CAIR-Austin Operations Manager Shaimaa Zayan said in a statement.

Austin police said the attack happened around 11 p.m. approximately a half-mile from UTs campus, according to a police report.

Police told McClatchy News the incident is being investigated as an assault and a hate crime, and they will share findings with the prosecutors office.

The university said it is aware of the incident and has reached out to the individuals involved.

UT remains committed to the safety and well-being of every member of our University community and has no tolerance for violence or other hateful actions against any of our community members, including those in our Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab communities, the university said in a statement.

There is a disturbing pattern of Islamophobia toward the Muslim student population of the UT campus in Austin, CAIR-Austin Board Chair Fayyaz Shah said in a statement.

Police fire 96 shots at man accused of shooting officer in arm, body camera video shows

Dad rams car with kids and wife inside, then assaults her in front of them, MI cops say
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is floating a special legislative session to change how the state casts electoral college votes to benefit former President Donald Trump.

Pillens announcement late Tuesday was an acknowledgment that the effort to change the state to a winner-take-all system wont pass immediately  and may not happen at all. But it will keep the possibility alive.

I look forward to partnering with legislative leaders to [move] it forward in a special session, when there is sufficient support in the Legislature to pass it, Pillen posted on X. I will sign [winner-take-all] into law the moment the Legislature gets it to my desk.

The state has for decades divided its electoral votes in an unusual system where the statewide vote winner gets two electoral votes and the vote winner in each of the states three congressional districts gets one vote.

In 2020, now-President Joe Biden carried the states Omaha-based 2nd District, securing one of the states five electoral votes. He was the first Democrat to do so since Barack Obama in 2008.

That single electoral college vote was ultimately irrelevant in 2020, when Biden won the electoral college by a healthy margin. But it could be critical come November if the election is tighter. If the district system remained in place, Biden could win the presidency just by winning Nebraskas 2nd District and the Midwestern battlegrounds of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, in addition to safely Democratic states.

But should Nebraska go to a winner-take-all system, Trump has an easier path to the White House. If he won every state he carried in 2020 and flipped Nevada, Arizona and Georgia, the two men would be deadlocked at 269 electoral votes each.

That would kick the election to the House of Representatives, where each state gets one vote as a delegation  a contest Republicans would almost assuredly win.

Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican who represents the Omaha-area district and is a top target for Democrats in November, also backed the push to change how the state casts its electoral votes Tuesday. I think it undermines the influence of Nebraska, he told CNN. I think it should be standardized.

While there have been attempts in the past to change the system, they have largely gone nowhere in Nebraskas Legislature, which uniquely has one technically nonpartisan chamber.

But close allies of Trump, including Turning Point USAs Charlie Kirk, launched an eleventh-hour push in recent weeks to change the system. Pillen endorsed the effort earlier this month, which quickly got the attention of Trump, who also backed the effort.

The state Republican Party and Turning Point hosted a rally Tuesday night to rally support for the effort.

Nebraska could pick a president, Kirk said at the rally. You better believe that that message is being heard in the Capitol.  If we have to come back and do another one, we will because this is a question of the will.

Only one other state divides its electoral votes by district: Maine. Trump is highly likely to carry Maines 2nd District despite the overall blue tint of the state. Maine Democrats have so far shown little appetite for changing their system.

Its still unclear if there is enough support in the Nebraska Legislature to make the switch. Legislators who register as Republicans now have a filibuster-proof majority in the unicameral, after state Sen. Mike McDonnell announced he was switching parties earlier this month.

But he told POLITICO in a text last week that despite his party switch, he was voting against changing the electoral vote structure in the state of Nebraska. POLITICO also reported that privately, at least a handful of GOP legislators didnt support the effort.

Attempts to tack on the winner-take-all change to other legislation failed, with the overwhelming majority of the chamber voting that it was not relevant last week.

And Democrats have pushed back strongly against the proposed change. Bidens campaign has been in private talks with the state Democrats, POLITICO reported last week, and the state party continues to publicly hammer the efforts to change the law.

Pillen is throwing [the Legislature] under the bus because the votes are NOT there to change our electoral vote system, Jane Kleeb, the chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, posted Wednesday on X. He is giving himself lots of political cover.
Buc-ees will begin welcoming customers to its brand new Hillsboro travel center starting April 21.

The new location, which will be one of the largest Buc-ees, covers 74,000 square feet and sits just off Interstate 35 south of Fort Worth.

The doors open at 6 a.m. Customers can expect to find all their Buc-ees favorites, like Beaver Nuggets, Texas barbecue and homemade fudge. The new travel center also boasts 120 fueling positions.

Were thrilled to open our newest travel center in Hillsboro, said company spokesperson Stan Beard. This community has been nothing but supportive and we cant wait to welcome locals, as well as I-35 travelers ... to enjoy all that Buc-ees has to offer.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Buc-ees Hillsboro will be the 49th store in the franchise, which now operates travel centers outside the borders of Texas in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina. The first Buc-ees in Colorado opened in mid-March.

Today's top stories:

 Eclipse visitors were supposed to overwhelm Texas roads. Where was everybody?

 Police ask for help identifying 5 suspects in West 7th area shooting

 See inside Fort Worths new H-E-B at Alliance Town Center

Get free alerts when news breaks.

The Hillsboro travel center is expected to bring 200 new jobs to the area.

A view of fountain drinks inside a Buc-ees, the popular Texas-based chain of large-format travel centers.
The New York AG's Office and an organization devoted to Black civic engagement have reached a $393,000 settlement with right-wing operatives who had disseminated robocalls dissuading Black voters from participating in the 2020 election.

Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, who ran the scheme through their firm Project 1599, agreed to pay the sum and refrain from intimidating voters in the future. The money will be split between the attorney general and the non-profit organization, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.

If the deadlines for payment are not met, the pair's financial liability could increase to $1 million, and then again to $1.25 million. In the settlement, Attorney General Letitia James indicated that the money recovered by her office will be distributed to robocall victims.

In preparing for their involvement in the 2020 race, Wohl discussed suppressing voter turnout among "important Demographics of Democrat voters." In a later email, Wohl told Burkman that the robocall should be sent "to black neighborhoods."

"The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it belongs to everyone. We will not allow anyone to threaten that right," James said in a statement. Wohl and Burkman orchestrated a depraved and disinformation-ridden campaign to intimidate Black voters in an attempt to sway the election in favor of their preferred candidate."

In March 2023, a New York federal judge found Wohl and Burkman liable for violating several important civil rights laws, including the federal Voting Rights Act, the Ku Klux Klan Act, the 1965 Civil Rights Act and New York's Civil Rights Law.

Wohl and Burkman had hired a Black voice actress to record the call, in which she stated that her name was "Tamika Taylor from Project 1599." In the call, "Tamika" warned recipients against voting by mail because "your personal information will be part of a public database that will be used by police departments to track down old warrants and be used by credits card companies to collect outstanding debts."

"Tamika" also suggested that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could access vote-by-mail information to force people to get vaccinated.

"Don't be finessed into giving people your private information to the man," the call ends. "Stay safe and beware of vote by mail."

In preparing for their involvement in the 2020 race, Wohl discussed suppressing voter turnout among "important Demographics of Democrat voters." In a later email, Wohl told Burkman that the robocall should be sent "to black neighborhoods."

The call ended up being sent to over 85,000 numbers across the country, including nearly 5,500 bearing New York area codes.

In 2022, Wohl and Burkman pleaded guilty to felony telecommunications fraud in Ohio because of voters there who had been impacted by the pair's scheme.

The settlement agreement with the New York attorney general, officially a consent decree, requires Wohl and Burkman to seek pre-approval from her office before sending out en masse any further unsolicited election-related communications.

The consent decree still requires approval from the court before it goes into effect.

Asher Stockler is a reporter for The Journal News and the USA Today Network New York. You can send him an email at astockler@lohud.com. Reach him securely: asher.stockler@protonmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY AG James settles over election scheme targeting Black voters
Panama City Beach police gives update as spring break comes to a close

Mark Sheldon, mayor of Panama City Beach, addresses the media on Tuesday at the Panama City Beach Police Department during a news conference about spring break.

PANAMA CITY BEACH  Spring break 2024 is officially over. The Panama City Beach Police Department held a press conference on Tuesday to discuss the progress that the town has made during the past month and to review its security efforts as young people flocked to the beach.

There were no tragedies in Panama City Beach for spring break, and weapons charges were down 45 percent this year.

Bay County had double the number of high school students from the Atlanta area come to Panama City Beach for Spring Break, which caused some mayhem last week.

Eusebio Talamantez, chief of police of Panama City Beach, addresses the media on Tuesday.

"The (teenagers) are the biggest issue for us," said Panama City Beach Police Chief Eusebio Talamantez. "The reason for the juvenile disruption is the lack of parental supervision. If you are going to send your kid down here (for spring break), at least ensure they know how to act right."

The number of juvenile arrests increased by 41 percent from last year's spring break.

"We want to make sure families have a great experience visiting Panama City Beach," said Mayor Mark Sheldon. "If anyone wants to come here and act a fool, they will pay the consequences. We will lock those people up and hold them accountable for their actions."

Previous coverage: 'Not up for debate': Panama City Beach police warn spring breakers of zero tolerance

Talamantez stated that he believes that crime is trending downward in Panama City Beach compared to two years ago. He credited the combined efforts of the Panama City Beach Police Department and the Bay County Sheriff's Office for the downward trend.

"The community partners and technology have allowed us to do a better job," said Talamantez. "I can't thank our community partners enough for working and building open communication with us."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: PCB police holds Spring Break 2024 press conference
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., was approved as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee by the GOP Steering Committee on Tuesday. In this photo, he leaves during a break in a House Republican caucus meeting at the Longworth House Office Building in 2023.

WASHINGTON  Republican Rep. Tom Cole will likely become the next chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee  and the first Oklahoman to ever serve in the post  after gaining the approval of the GOP Steering Committee on Tuesday evening.

The closed-door vote, confirmed by Cole and members of the committee, was something of a formality since he didnt have any official challengers in the bid for the gavel and is expected to gain approval of the full House Republican Conference.

Cole joked after the vote that its kind of hard to lose a race when youre the only guy running and said he plans to get to work immediately.

I think well be in awfully good shape, honestly, in getting the bills through the committee. Im pretty hopeful, Cole said of the upcoming process. Im a lot more fortunate than Tom Emmer. Ive got a bigger majority in Approps committee than hes got on the floor. Emmer, of Minnesota, is the House majority whip.

Cole said he expects that Congress will need to rely on a stopgap spending bill in September to keep the federal government running through Election Day and that whoever wins those contests will decide when lawmakers wrap up their annual process.

The winner will probably decide  Do we want to finish business this calendar year, which is always the best thing to do, win or lose, or do you want to kick it into next year? Cole said.

More: Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole says government shutdowns are a really bad idea

I hope we dont do that, but thats the way I see the year unfolding right now, he added.

Cole told States Newsroom in an interview prior to the vote that preserving Republican priorities while striking bipartisan deals within the divided Congress will be a hallmark of his tenure in the role. A failure to do so would lead to a partial government shutdown.

If you dont know how to compromise you cant be an appropriator. And honestly, I dont think youre going to be very good at governing, Cole said.

Its a big, diverse country, very polarized, very evenly divided now. And sadly, we live in a period of time when people are generally condemned if they come to an agreement, as a sell out. You used to be a statesman, if you came to an agreement.

Cole said he understands the limits of the possible given the size of the majority we have and the nature of our institutions, but emphasized he didnt plan on letting GOP priorities get rolled under his leadership.

That comes from being around the place for a long time and trying to take my work seriously, Cole said.

Rep. Tom Cole will be directing $1.7 trillion in spending

Becoming Appropriations chairman will make Cole one of the more important members of Congress, deciding spending levels and policy throughout the dozen annual government funding bills.

Those bills totaled about $1.7 trillion for the current fiscal year and determined everything from troop pay to spending on immigration enforcement to investment in medical research to public lands funding, and much more.

Cole will take the helm of the committee just as it begins work on the bills for fiscal 2025, which are due Oct. 1.

Cole, at the moment, plans to stick to the funding levels for defense and nondefense discretionary accounts that were included in the debt limit deal that former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden struck last year, though if GOP leaders decide on a different set of numbers, the committee will write its bills to that amount.

Broadly speaking, yes, we have an agreement, Cole said. Now, side deals, thats been difficult. And it would be a lot easier if people put everything in the deal that was in the deal. Side deals complicate things quite a bit and they put this speaker in a challenging position.

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, Republican, stands during an election night watch party in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

Thousands of federal employees in Cole's home district

Cole noted during the interview that his 4th Congressional District in Oklahoma ranks 16th in terms of federal employees, putting it up with Virginia and Maryland districts that are just outside the nations capital as well as a few others.

The district includes nearly 25,000 federal employees, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service. Coles congressional website says the largest employers in the district include Fort Sill Army Post, Tinker Air Force Base and the University of Oklahoma.

Cole said that as well as his lifelong experiences will affect his thinking and actions as Appropriations chairman.

Weve never had an Appropriations chair from Oklahoma and obviously you are shaped by your own political environment, Cole said. I happen to represent a federal-heavy state. We have five major military installations. But my district in particular, is federal heavy.

More: Republicans asked for a border security bill. Do they still want it?

Cole said that he and the states residents have an interest in Native American issues and that he plans to focus on that as chairman. He is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation.

We dont have that many Native members (in Congress) and obviously there are many districts that dont have too much of a tribal presence, Cole said. But a lot of the West does, and certainly a lot of the Upper Midwest, or the Plains states.

I think having somebody that actually knows and cares about those issues will be a little bit unusual, he added.

Native American communities are a very neglected part of our population, Cole said, though he hopes to change that in some ways.

A lot of people dont understand tribal sovereignty and what it is, nor do they understand the trust and responsibility the United States government has assumed in exchange for all of these lands that were not given, they were usually bargained away in exchange for some commitments that were made, Cole said.

And sadly I think most Americans would acknowledge over the course of our history a lot of those commitments havent been kept, Cole said. Thats something Ill bring a special emphasis to.

Cole said he also planned to focus on agriculture issues, defense and natural disaster response and recovery.

This is Rep. Tom Cole's second attempt at chairmanship

Cole succeeds Texas Rep. Kay Granger, who announced in late March she would step aside from the leadership role and take on the title of Chair Emeritus until she retires at the end of this Congress.

This was Coles second bid for the top Republican slot on the committee after throwing his hat in the ring alongside Granger and several other Republicans in 2018, following the retirement of then-Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, a New Jersey Republican.

During his interview, Cole said becoming chairman of the Appropriations Committee has been a long-term ambition and that those plans moved to the forefront after Granger surprised us all by making the decision to leave a little bit early.

Cole has a long tenure on the spending panel, first joining in 2009, and has negotiated numerous full-year spending bills with Democrats, including one of the more daunting appropriations bills, the massive Labor-HHS-Education measure.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member of the full committee, served with Cole on that subcommittee for years, giving the two a footing to work off of as they lead their respective parties through the fiscal 2025 process.

Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, was the leader of that same subcommittee in her chamber, working with Cole and DeLauro to negotiate that spending bill.

I know how to work with my colleagues in a constructive way across the line, Cole said. I think we all know our respective red lines.

Cole noted during his interview hes also worked for years with Maine Sen. Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Together  Cole if elected by the full GOP conference, DeLauro, Murray and Collins  will make up whats referred to as the four corners of the committee and are responsible for making final decisions on all dozen of the full-year spending bills once the House and Senate begin their conference process, typically in the fall.

Cole currently holds the role of subcommittee chairman on the Transportation-HUD panel, but is expected to give up that position once officially full committee chairman.

Cole will also step aside from chairing the House Rules Committee, the leadership panel that typically reviews substantial bills and approves amendments before the legislation moves to the House floor.

Cole was first elected to Congress in 2002. Before then, he held numerous positions, including chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party from 1985 to 1989, state senator from 1988 to 1991, executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 1991 to 1993, Oklahoma secretary of state from 1995 to 1999 and chief of staff for the Republican National Committee from 1999 to 2001.

Cole was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 28, 1949. He graduated from Moore High School in Oklahoma in 1967 and Grinnell College in Iowa in 1971. He received a masters degree from Yale University in 1974 and a PhD from the University of Oklahoma in 1984.

Alabama congressman wanted vote postponed

While Cole didnt have any competition for the role of chairman, one of the senior GOP lawmakers on the committee publicly expressed frustration with the process in the days ahead of the Steering Committee vote.

Alabama Republican Rep. Robert Aderholt released a letter last week calling on House GOP leaders to postpone the vote, though they did not agree to that request.

Instead of hastily selecting a new Appropriations Chair, I believe that now is the time to focus on correcting the process and developing our theory of government on how we will manage our responsibilities, Aderholt wrote. Our Conference must work together to define a clear direction forward before choosing a Chairman to lead us there.

A House Republican aide, speaking on background to discuss Aderholts deliberations, told States Newsroom in November the congressman was deliberating whether to officially enter the race and said they expected it to be a new ballgame under Johnsons leadership.

Aderholt told reporters on Tuesday evening that he wasnt expecting Granger to step down as chairwoman mid-session.

I had not planned to run so quickly, he said.

Aderholt never publicly entered the race for the Appropriations Committee chairman as of Tuesdays vote, though he did express frustrations with the annual process in his letter.

Aderholt also wrote an op-ed that was published in the Capitol Hill-focused newspaper Roll Call on Tuesday morning that includes some of his proposed changes to the process.

As we now operate with one of the smallest majorities in history, without comprehensive reform as Ive begun to outline, the appropriations process will continue to fail. It seems everyone is staring at the iceberg but unwilling to change course, Aderholt wrote. This is not news to anyone, yet some of my colleagues seem willing to stick with and build upon the status quo.

Aderholt currently holds the gavel as the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee chairman.

House Speaker Mike Johnson advocates changes in process

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has said repeatedly he hopes to make changes to how lawmakers approach the annual government funding process to make it more palatable for conservative lawmakers, who have aired grievances with it for years.

Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was so angry that Johnson allowed a floor vote on a bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending package late last month that she filed a motion to remove Johnson from the speakers office.

Greene hasnt said when or even if she may force the full House to take a vote on ousting Johnson, but so far has used the motion to vacate as a public rebuke of how hes handled government funding bills.

Congress is tasked with approving 12 appropriations bills every year before the start of the upcoming fiscal year on Oct. 1, though members havent completed all of their work on time since 1996.

During the most recent process, fiscal 2024, House Republicans were able to report 10 of those bills out of the Appropriations Committee on party-line votes and approve seven on the House floor.

The Senate approved all dozen of the bills in committee on broadly bipartisan votes and approved three on the floor, also with bipartisan backing.

The two chambers, one held by Republicans and the other held by Democrats, used a series of stopgap spending bills to avoid a partial government shutdown until they completed work on the bills nearly six months late, in March.

Congress approved a $468 billion six-bill spending package in early March before wrapping up work on the $1.2 trillion spending package encompassing the other six bills in late March.

Biden has already submitted his budget request for fiscal 2025, which is slated to begin in less than six months, starting off the next process.

The House Appropriations Committees dozen subcommittees have begun holding hearings with Cabinet secretaries and agency leaders to review their latest round of funding requests before they begin drafting the next batch of bills, likely in late spring or early summer.

Cole moving into the role of chairman will provide the panel with one leader throughout that process, which will likely not wrap up until at least the lame-duck session of Congress following the November elections.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoman Tom Cole likely to become House Appropriations Chair
This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on March 2, 2024 shows Shenzhou-17 taikonaut Tang Hongbo performing extravehicular activities. [Photo/Xinhua]

As China works to send more taikonauts on long-term missions in space, ensuring their well-being has become a matter of public concern. The cutting-edge devices aboard the Tiangong Space Station have proved to be invaluable tools in maintaining the safety and health of the these taikonauts in a zero-gravity environment.

The China Manned Space Agency has recently unveiled fascinating footage of a taikonaut crew engaging in rigorous workouts in space to mitigate the physiological impacts of prolonged exposure to microgravity.

The agency said that taikonauts in orbit need one to two hours of exercise daily to counteract the effects of microgravity, which include muscle loss, abnormal heart rates and immune system disorders. The three-module space station has fitness areas stocked with various equipment, including rowing machines, treadmills and resistance devices, so that taikonauts can stay fit.

The crew members in orbit were also seen wearing specially designed uniforms equipped with elastic resistance bands that enable them to experience elastic force, inducing muscle tension and counteracting the detrimental effects of a weightless environment on muscle.

During spaceflight, medical staff on the ground can continuously monitor the body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and other physiological indicators of any taikonaut in orbit in real-time, and they maintain regular communication.

During the Shenzhou-11 mission in 2016, China tested its first space-Earth telemedical consultation system. The orbiting taikonauts transmitted their physiological data from the spaceship, allowing doctors on Earth to provide diagnoses and prescriptions, which were subsequently returned to the crew in space.

The Chinese "space home" also features an onboard clinic for its residents, providing various devices that monitor vital signs regularly. Additionally, the clinic is able to track organ functions and offer emergency first aid and trauma medical supplies, according to the space agency.

Available devices include cardiopulmonary resuscitators and ultrasound machines, and they are designed to be more compact than normal to save space aboard the orbiting station.

The real-time data of taikonauts is accessible thanks to wearable monitoring equipment. Even if a spacecraft enters the blackout zone -- a zone that a spacecraft passes through when it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, where communication with the ground is interrupted -- the equipment on taikonauts' suits can store their data for future analysis by ground personnel.

The Tiangong Space Station also offers a unique service in space that is not available to their peers aboard the International Space Station: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment. In their latest video update, the Shenzhou-17 taikonauts can be seen using a TCM diagnostic instrument to test their health. And in 2022, the Shenzhou-13 crew was spotted receiving acupuncture in zero gravity, garnering millions of views on social media.
Should SC candidates be able to spend your campaign donations on childcare?

Would you be OK with your $50 campaign contribution being used on the candidates childcare?

Lawmakers debated Tuesday on whether they could use campaign funding for dependent care. Donations to a South Carolina candidate for office can only used for campaigning and office related matters. Use of these funds for personal matters is prohibited.

Candidates are required to log their mileage for reimbursement related to travel while working, but candidates cant even purchase gas with campaign funds

The proposal, by Rep. Elizabeth Wetmore, D-Charleston, would allow a candidate or public official to use campaign funds for dependent care. This includes the direct care, protection, and supervision of an immediate family member that is either a minor or that has a disability or medical condition for whom the candidate or the public official has direct caregiving responsibility.

Rep. Jay Jordan, R-Florence, spoke in favor of the bill, along with multiple Democrats including Democratic Minority Leader Rep. Todd Rutherford, who argued the bill allows more people to have the ability to run for office. If a single parent, for example, wants to run, getting childcare and completing all the requirements asked of them becomes harder compared to their peers.

A child should not be an impediment for someone trying to run for office and serve in office, Jordan said.

Jordan said the federal system and 31 other states allow this. The South Carolina bill would only allow someone to use the funding for childcare in the time a candidate is serving or campaigning.

But some lawmakers said it would enable them to benefit from campaign funds for personal situations, giving them a leg up from everyone else.

Freedom Caucus members Rep. Adam Morgan and Rep. April Cromer said campaign contributions being used for private expenditures was inappropriate.

I think the campaign contributions and the use of campaign funds should be about as restricted as possible because youre creating an area ... dont you think that allows us to personally benefit from the funds that might be contributed? Morgan said.

Whos going to be the keeper of this? Can they one in turn use their campaign funds to pay for child care and then also take the child care credit on their income tax for child care? Cromer asked.

Jordan said a tax credit would not be appropriate and the bill adds a record keeping component to it.

Cromer, however, again said candidates know what their income will be and what the expectations are.

To offer tax-free child care for their child, thats concerning for the parents out there that are having to pay for their kids, Cromer said. This isnt going to help them at all. The childcare is a part of your income. This is the part-time job you accepted.

Meanwhile on Twitter, Freedom Caucus members took to battling it out via online forum, like Rep. Jordan Pace, R-Berkely, who tweeted On the last day of session, were spending the whole day debating a Democrat bill to let politicians use campaign funds to pay for childcare for their kids. We still havent touched Judicial Reform or a long list of other priorities.

Pace later posted a photo of the voting board via Twitter, a common tactic by the House Freedom Caucus to call out Republicans when they vote with Democrats or bills the Freedom Caucus members disagrees with.

The House did move onto issues such as judicial reform in the late afternoon.

Rep. John King, D-York, said that in some ways, they shouldnt consider their role as part time. He said he supports the bill because he wants to support his colleagues regardless of what side of the aisle they are on, to ensure them and others are able to run effectively.

No one can leave their job for six, seven months and run for office for $10,400 a year and come down here, effectively take care of what they have to do back home unless they are independently wealthy.

When people donate to a campaign, that money should be used in your campaign for office, Morgan said. It should be very limited, very tailored so that we dont have the situation where you have outside influences donating to a campaign to help you out in your specific circumstances at home.

The bill passed its second reading, and will be read for a third time Wednesday. If passed, it will move to the Senate.
SC teacher suspended after officials learn he faces 76 counts of statutory rape in Tennessee

A South Carolina teachers teaching certificate has been suspended after the State Board of Education learned he had been charged with 76 counts of statutory rape and continuous sexual abuse of a child in Tennessee.

Andrew Ketron, 25, was taken into custody by Dorchester County Sheriffs deputies in October.

Ketron was a social studies teacher at River Oaks Middle School in North Charleston in Dorchester District 2, according to the State Department of Education database.

His license was issued in January 2022. The school district placed him on administrative leave on Oct. 4, 2023, after officials learned of the Tennessee allegations, according to the state boards April 3 order.

Ketron resigned from the district three weeks later, a few days after he was indicted in Tennessee.

The state Board of Education suspended his teaching certificate until the charges were resolved. If he is found guilty, his license would be revoked, the order said.

The SCDE has reason to believe that, due to the serious nature of these allegations of misconduct, Mr. Ketron may pose a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of students who may be under his instruction and that emergency action is required, the order said.
As Southport begins search for new city manager, community rallies around outgoing leader

Southport City Manager Bonnie Therrien is nearing the end of her contract, so city officials are working to hire a replacement.

Southports city manager is set to leave the role at the expiry of her contract in June, and as the city looks to hire a new top official, residents are hoping to convince the outgoing leader to stick around.

Bonnie Therrien was named interim city manager in Southport in November 2022 to replace exiting city manager Gordon Hargrove. She was then offered the city manager position, which she accepted, signing a contract with the city to remain in the role from Jan. 17, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

At the time, the city announced Therrien had been chosen for the position based on her years of experience in municipal government, which included 13 years at the helm of towns in Connecticut and a total of 30 years in municipal government roles.

At the March 4 meeting of the Southport Board of Aldermen, residents showed up to voice their desire for Therrien to remain in her position. Southport resident Ginny Prunty spoke during the public comment section of the meeting, expressing thanks on behalf of many other city residents.

Since her short time here, shes created sound and effective business practices, policies and procedures, Prunty said.

Prunty started an online petition in late February, urging Therrien to extend her current contract beyond June. The petition has received nearly 200 signatures of support.

Bonnie, you are without a doubt a godsend to this little town, your leadership is, indeed, desperately needed, Prunty read from the petitions comment section.

At the March meeting, Prunty presented a Therrien with a bouquet of flowers and several cards from community groups urging her to extend her contract. The public display garnered tears from Therrien.

Hiring a manager for a city or town is no small feat. By the March 11 deadline for the opening position, the city received 47 applications, Therrien said at the board's March 14 meeting. Of those, she said, some 24 had been assistant managers or managers in other municipalities.

Therrien said there were some definite yeses in that group, and she identified seven resumes she recommended the board consider.

The only thing I want to tell you guys  finding a city manager is not easy, she said. You need to move fast. You could wait one week and youve lost the best.

The board ultimately decided it would consider those seven applications first, and Therrien advised they move quickly. A special closed session meeting was held on March 22 to consider applications.

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.

Therriens contract is set to expire on June 30, 2024.

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: Southport is searching for a new city manager. Heres what to know.
President Joe Biden should stop immediately the shipment to Israel of weapons being used in its war in Gaza. He possesses not only the legal authority to do so, but a legal obligation, given the Israel Defense Forces indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians and its obstruction of relief efforts, culminating in its fatal April 1 attack on seven workers for Jose Andress World Central Kitchen.

We support President Biden putting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on notice last week that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will depend on Israel initiating specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers, according to a White House readout of their April 4 phone call. The president also reiterated his call for an immediate cease-fire. Were mildly encouraged that in response, Israel promptly pledged to open the Erez crossing (which had been closed since October 7) and the Ashdod port in southern Israel, and to ramp up aid deliveries through Jordan at the Kerem Shalom crossing point. Aid shipments are now moving in faster.

But lets not kid ourselves. The fighting in Gaza will continue. In January Biden said on MSNBC that if Israel invaded Rafah, a city of 1.4 million that borders Egypt, that would cross a red line. Netanyahu was unmoved. We have a difference on this, he told a U.S. congressional delegation in Jerusalem as recently as last week. I said, look, we have no choice. One day later Biden issued his soft ultimatum. Over the weekend the IDF withdrew its 98th Division from southern Gaza, but Netanyahu reiterated plans for the elimination of Hamas in all of the Gaza Strip, including Rafah. On Monday, Netanyahu said he has set an (undisclosed) date to to enter Rafah. If the United States wants to exercise maximum leverage to restrain Israel, Bidens threat to withhold military assistance (implied rather than explicit) wont cut it. Biden must say: The shipment of arms has now stopped. Lets discuss the circumstances under which it may resume.

This magazine has long been a fervent supporter of Israel. In recent years weve acquired some reservations. Weve become more critical of the occupation, and of Israels broader turn to the right. But we remain stoutly committed to Israels right to exist in peace. On October 7, Hamas violated that right by massacring 851 innocent Israeli civilians and seizing 253 hostages.* This horrific act of terrorism fully justified Israel invading Gaza in order to disarm its attackers. Hamas was and remains complicit in the deaths that followed because it provoked military retaliation and because it knew such retaliation couldnt avoid killing many noncombatants. Situating itself in a network of underground tunnelssome of them under hospitalsguaranteed that many Palestinians with no appetite for martyrdom would perish.

But Hamass mass act of terror doesnt absolve Israel for the path its chosen to take in response. We can argue about when, precisely, Gazas civilian death toll tipped the scales away from a just war of self-defense. But were well past that point today. We arent surprised that some read Netanyahus chilling indifference about whether individual Palestinians live or die as an affirmative desire for their wholesale elimination. The one can shade into the other.

The Gaza Health Ministry is the only source we have on casualties, and its generally accepted as decently credible; if anything, the casualty figures may be too low, given that many bodies have yet to be unearthed from the rubble. The Israeli press quotes them; so has Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, about 33,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October. Of these, about 70 percent were women and children. Five percent of Gazas total population has been killed or injured. That doesnt include thousands more on the verge of death due to starvation and lack of potable water or access to health care. First there was flour, until it ran out, Yousef Tafesh, a 14-year-old boy living in Gaza City, told National Public Radio last month. Then we could get wheat, and that ran out. Then corn kernels. Then we tried animal feed. Now my mom makes us a pudding with water and starch and we eat that. Some Palestinian families are living on animal feed, NPR reported. Others are boiling weeds.

Israel has impeded international efforts to provide relief to such an extent that the U.S. Central Command had to resort to air drops to get food and water to northern Gazaa rare necessity when dealing with an ostensibly friendly country. Matters came to a head last week when the IDF, believing, mistakenly, that a terrorist was on board, killed those seven World Central Kitchen aid workersa reckless violation of the IDFs rules of engagement. Two Israeli officers were dismissed and three others reprimanded. How often are the rules of engagement violated in less visible instances? About 200 aid workers have been killed in Gaza. Emily Tripp, director of Airwars, a nonprofit that tracks wartime casualties, told The Washington Post last week that the IDF appears to be accepting a higher rate of civilian casualties in this war than in previous Gaza conflicts.

Most of the weapons used in these attacks came from the United States. The process isnt fully transparent, but during the first two months of the conflict, The New York Times reported, the U.S. transferred about 15,000 bombs and 57,000 artillery shells to Israel. In December Biden approved the sale of another 14,000 tank ammunition cartridges and $147.5 million in artillery shells and related equipment, according to The Washington Post. Since January 1, the Times reported, the pace of such transfers has quickened by about 15 percent. These weapons shipments came preapproved by Congress under a 10-year memorandum of understanding with the Israeli government, last renewed in 2019, that guarantees Israel nearly $4 billion in military aid annually. A separate plan to sell Israel a staggering $18 billion worth of F-15 fighter jets is pending in Congress.

Israelis new promises to speed distribution of humanitarian assistance are welcome. But until it can demonstrate substantial improvement, continued weapons shipments are not only unwise if the United States wants to maximize pressure on Israel; theyre against U.S. law. Thats because they violate Section 6201 of the Foreign Assistance Act, which forbids arms exports to any country that prohibits or otherwise restricts, directly or indirectly, the transport or delivery of United States humanitarian assistance. Weapons shipments also very likely violate the Leahy law, which bars the Pentagon and the State Department from furnishing weapons or other assistance to a foreign security force deemed in gross violation of human rights. Human Rights Watch and Oxfam last month told the Biden administration that Israel violated human rights in at least seven instances during the war, and that doesnt include the countless ways Israel was violating Palestinians human rights before the war began.

Like most laws governing the conduct of foreign policy, Section 6201 and the Leahy law are full of loopholes. A president can waive Section 6201 by alerting Congress that enforcing it would conflict with national security, and a secretary of defense or state can bypass the Leahy law by alerting Congress that the country in question is taking the necessary corrective steps. The Biden administration has yet to avail itself of either escape hatch, probably because it would draw unwelcome publicity.

Conceivably, Biden fears that cutting off Israeli weapons shipments would place him outside the mainstream of American politics. After all, no president has imposed conditions on aid to Israel for the past 30 years. The last was President George H.W. Bush, who in 1991 withheld $10 billion in loan guarantees because Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir refused to pledge not to use the funds to locate settlers in the occupied territories of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, or the Golan Heights. Shamir tried, and failed, to rally support in Congress to override Bush, and in the end the loan guarantee was reduced by the sum Israel planned to spend building settlements.

But as Peter Beinart, a former editor of this magazine, pointed out in a 2019 essay for The Forward, Bushs imposition of limits on Israel was no departure. Throughout the Cold War, presidents we think of as pro-Israel routinely used American aid to influence Israeli policy. When Israel, during the Suez crisis, considered annexing Egyptian territory, President Dwight Eisenhower compelled its retreat by threatening to cut off all U.S. aid. Two decades later, President Gerald Ford compelled another retreat, this time from a portion of Sinai, by backing up Biden-like language (a reassessment of our relations with Israel) with a muscular holdup of aid. Jimmy Carter threatened a cutoff of arms shipments unless Israel stopped using American armored personnel carriers in Lebanon, and Ronald Reagan interrupted for six years the sale of cluster bombs because Israel was using them in Lebanon.

Since 1992, though, even presidents whove been very critical of Netanyahu, like Barack Obama, have been bullied by the Israeli lobby out of placing any limits on how Israel spends the nearly four billion American tax dollars it receives every year. But the bogeyman of the American Israel Political Action Committee, or AIPAC, has always been less fearsome than generally thought, and though it continues to be well funded, its influence over Congress has lately diminished. A Democratic letter circulating on Capitol Hill last week calling on Biden to halt weapons transfers was signed, yes, by Squad members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaibbut it was also signed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Even Biden showed himself willing to impose limits of a sort in December when he blocked the sale of 20,000 assault rifles to Israel for fear theyd be used by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank; such attacks have doubled since October 7. The sky did not fall. And speaking of the sky, any suspension of weapons shipments would not affect the $500 million that the U.S. contributes annually to Israels Iron Dome and other defensive antimissile systems because that would require an act of Congress that Biden couldnt swing even if he wanted to, which he doesnt. Maintaining support for purely defensive systems is a necessary bulwark against violent attacks from Irans proxies in the region, including Hamas.

Theres some risk a cutoff would anger some Jewish voters, particularly older ones, whom Donald Trump is already courting with the demagogic claim that Jews who vote Democratic hate Israel. But Jews voted 31 for Biden in 2020, and the year before 40 percent of Jews polled by Pew said Trump favored Israel too much. Among the broader public, support for Israels Gaza invasion dropped from 50 percent to 36 percent between November and March, according to Gallup.

Wed be lying if we said the political risk of a weapons cutoff was zero. It would likely hurt Bidens campaign fundraising, and whatever microscopic chance the Democrats had to recapture Florida would vanish. But given how desperate people are right now in Gaza, we shouldnt take political considerations much into account. People are dying. Babies are starving. A weapons cutoff wouldnt guarantee that would stop. But nothing else has a chance.

* An earlier version of this story included Israeli soldiers in the civilian death count.
The Tennessee Senate passed a bill to allow arming teachers with guns. What happens next?

Protesters gather outside the Senate doors after being removed from the gallery at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Tennessee Senate Republicans this week passed legislation that will allow some teachers to go armed in school classrooms over the objections of Democrats and parents of school shooting survivors during a contentious floor session.

But the measure isn't yet law.

The House companion bill, HB 1202, technically only needs a final vote in the lower chamber after passing through committees last year. However, the bill is currently being "held on the desk," a procedural term that means the bill is in a holding pattern unless someone moves to remove it from the table.

If that happens, it would likely quickly move to a full floor vote within days or, potentially, immediately if the House suspended its rules. House leadership last week indicated they're supportive of the bill, while opponents this week said they're engaging in a "Hail Mary" effort to dissuade the House from taking it back up.

Meanwhile, the General Assembly is reaching the tail end of its legislative session. Though there's no set final date, many lawmakers hope to adjourn within the next two to three weeks.

What does the Tennessee arming teacher bill do?

Senate Bill 1325 allows Tennessee school faculty or staff to carry a concealed handgun on the grounds of the school they work at. Tennessee law already allows school resource officers, assigned through an agreement between local school districts and law enforcement, to carry firearms on campus.

What training will teachers have to complete to be able to carry a gun in Tennessee schools?

Faculty or staff must do the following to carry on school grounds:

Maintain a valid Tennessee handgun carry permit.

Undergo a background check and submit two sets of fingerprints to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The TBI is directed to determine the person's eligibility to carry a firearm and conduct a criminal history check within 30 days, in addition to forwarding the second set of fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a federal background check.

Receive psychological or psychiatric certification from a license healthcare provider.

Complete 40 hours of basic training in school policing.

Does the school have to give permission to allow their teachers to carry guns on campus?

Yes.

The school district's director of schools, the school principal and the chief of the "appropriate" law enforcement agency must sign off on a staff member's authority to carry a concealed handgun.

The Senate bill appears to require this of each individual teacher seeking to carry a gun on campus, rather than allowing a joint blanket authorization for any qualified staff to carry.

Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, sponsored the legislation and said Tuesday a school principal could make a blanket decision not to participate and notify a director of schools they don't want to allow any teachers to carry.

However, the legislation itself does not directly outline this opt-out mechanism that Bailey referred to, and rather directs school administrators to consider each certification individually.

Will parents be notified if there is a firearm carried in their child's classroom?

No, the bill does not require schools to notify if a gun will be in their child's classroom. Further, the bill specifically outlines confidentiality measures to protect the identity of armed staff.

It's possible other teachers and staff at a school would not be informed if one of their colleagues is certified to carry a gun on campus.

The legislation does not require schools to inform parents of any armed faculty members, and in fact requires records regarding concealed carry authorization be kept confidential.

The legislation seemingly prevents school administrators from telling other teachers and staff who might be carrying a weapon on school grounds. The bill allows law enforcement to disclose a certified employee's identify to an administrator response for "school facility security," but only if that administrator is not the employee's immediate supervisor or a "supervisor responsible for evaluating the employee."

Can certified teachers and staff carry the gun at all times?

The legislation outlines certain scenarios where concealed carry is disallowed:

Stadiums, gym or auditoriums during school-sponsored events

Disciplinary meetings

Tenure meetings

Medical environments where medical or mental health services or provided

Can families sue a school if something goes wrong?

No.

Under the Senate bill, the school district and law enforcement agency are immune from liability, as long as the staff member was properly certified to carry under the law.

What are lawmakers saying about the bill?

Republicans have overwhelmingly supported the bill, which was initially filed in January 2023 but has been cited as a potential school security measure in the wake of The Covenant School shooting last March. Democrats oppose the measure, which has also attracted hundreds of gun-reform protestors who oppose a GOP supermajority-led trend of expanding access to firearms in Tennessee.

Republicans argue it's needed security option for schools that have been unable to hire a school resource officer or more rural schools where law enforcement response might be delayed during a security crisis.

Shortly after the Covenant School shooting last year, state officials approved new funding to place a school resource officer at every public school in the state. However, personnel shortages have slowed the placement, and hundreds of Tennessee schools still lack an SRO.

We are not trying to shoot a student but protect a student from an active shooter whose sole purpose is to get in that school and kill people, sponsor Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston, said Tuesday. "In counties like I serve, rural counties, where they may only have two deputies on a shift, it might take 20 or 30 minutes to get to that school. What havoc can be wreaked in that 30-minute period? This bill tries to fix that problem and protect children."

Senate Democrats sharply criticized the bill, arguing it was "irresponsible" and could put students at risk to have guns in the classroom, open to be stolen or misused in a panicked crisis situation.

"The level of irresponsibility here is befuddling," Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, said. "We're sending people to a 40-hour  one week, less time than kids spend in summer camp  to learn how to handle a combat situation that veteran law enforcement officers have trouble dealing with. It is complicated, to say the least, for someone to handle a firearm accurately, responsibility, effectively with an active shooter and literally hundreds of innocent children in the area. And we're letting people do that with a week's training."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee bill to allow arming teachers with guns needs votes in House
Republicans in the Tennessee Senate on Tuesday approved a measure allowing the death penalty for defendants convicted of raping a child  in an effort to challenge a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

Senate Bill 1834 would allow capital punishment for adults convicted of raping a child, with certain aggravating factors. Companion legislation in the House will be taken up after the legislature passes a budget.

Senators approved the bill in a vote of 24 to 5 on Tuesday. Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, was the lone Republican to vote against the bill. Sens. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon and Kerry Roberts, R-Springfield  though both in the Senate chamber  did not vote.

Were not violating the constitution: were challenging a ruling, said Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma.

Only seven other states have passed similar laws permitting capital punishment for rape of a child under 12, which each chip away at Kennedy v. Louisiana. In that 2008 case, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional a Louisiana law that allowed the death penalty in child rape cases that do not involve the victims death, finding that it amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

Tennessee is one of 27 states that allows capital punishment, and currently does not allow capital punishment for non-homicide crimes. No one has been executed in Tennessee for any crime other than first-degree murder since the 1950s.

Roberts, who serves as chair of the Senate Government Operations Committee, offered an amendment aimed at strengthening the states standing to challenge the Supreme Court ruling. Fellow Republicans voted it down.

I'm absolutely not against the death penalty for the rape of a child. But if we think for one minute that the bill in front of us can overturn Kennedy, the greater danger is that the bill in front of us will reaffirm Kennedy, Roberts said.

Sen. Kerry Roberts, R-Springfield, during a Senate Government Operations Committee meeting in February.

Roberts said the bill as written is blatantly unconstitutional, and, as such, questioned whether Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti would defend it in the courts in the effort to bring the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

On the other side, Democrats argued the effort could lead to less reporting of sexual offenses and fewer perpetrators being brought to justice because of heightened difficulties reporting and prosecuting capital cases.

The greatest tragedy in the world of sexual abuse cases is how many of them dont come to light. How many people suffer in silence for years and decades without justice from institutions for families, said Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville. I believe that what were doing here is potentially pushing further into the shadows.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X at @Vivian_E_Jones.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Senate passes bill to allow death penalty in child rape cases
The 4th China International Consumer Products Expo, China's first major international exhibition in 2024, is scheduled to open on April 13 in Hainan province. Over 3,000 brands from 59 countries and regions are expected to join the largest boutique exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region.




MIAMI  Theres no state that will need to navigate Donald Trumps abortion stance quite like Florida, which has authorized one of the strictest abortion bans in the country but also could broadly enshrine abortion rights protections in the state constitution through a ballot measure in November.

The Republican Party of Florida and key conservative lawmakers, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, consider Floridas ballot initiative extreme and want voters to oppose it. But theyre not calling on Trump to pick up a megaphone over the cause. They generally support his stance to leave one of the most politically treacherous issues for Republicans up to states to decide  even as abortion rights supporters in Arizona, a key battleground state, also are trying to put a similar initiative on the ballot.

Ive always believed this is a states issue, said Evan Power, the Republican Party of Florida chair. That is why we will fight to oppose the Florida constitutional amendment because the peoples representatives here in Florida have adopted a Florida constitutionally-sound approach.

State Sen. Joe Gruters, a longtime Trump ally and an RNC national committee member, agreed with Powers assessment about state decision-making and called the former presidents statement perfect. Asked whether he wanted Trumps help on getting the word out about the referendum, Gruters replied that DeSantis  someone he has clashed with in the past  could keep championing the issue.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican who has drawn several Democratic challengers, also said this is a states rights issue.



Hes doing exactly what hes supposed to be doing, she said of Trump.

Florida Republicans have good reason to tread lightly around Trump. The former president attacked one of his close allies, Sen. Lindsey Graham, after the South Carolina Republican broke with the president over abortion. One of the nations most influential anti-abortion groups, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, also stated it was deeply disappointed by Trumps decision. Marjorie Dannenfelser, the groups president, later reiterated the organizations support of Trump.

Trump, who as a Florida resident would vote on the abortion referendum, through his campaign did not respond to questions over whether he planned to make his ballot vote public. Its clear Trump opposes both options facing Florida: He has called the DeSantis-backed six week ban a terrible mistake, but on Monday he also blasted abortions that happen late in a pregnancy as being radical.

Former state Rep. Carlos Lacasa, a Republican who supports abortion rights, said Trump took a smart and calculated centrist position.

Will he distance himself from the Florida initiative? I think so, he said. I think he has nothing to gain and everything to lose here.

Yet a few anti-abortion organizations and Republican lawmakers said they were disappointed in Trump ignoring Floridas ballot amendment and on his refusal to articulate a national gestational limit. Mathew Staver, founder of the Liberty Counsel, who argued against putting Floridas abortion referendum before the state Supreme Court in February, said Trump needs to embrace this issue and not tiptoe around the matter of the sanctity of human life, because it is fundamental to us as humans, that we respect life, especially for the most vulnerable.

Human dignity doesnt change because youve crossed some state line, he said.

And while Trump takes credit for appointing three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade almost two years ago, Staver said that DeSantis was one of the greatest advocates anti-abortion groups had to help defeat the referendum because he embraced tighter limits.

He articulated conservative values on all the issues, including on this issue of abortion, and that brought together people from different communities that didnt typically vote Republican, Staver said. People have resonated with that, and thats what I would hope that we would see here.



GOP state Rep. Spencer Roach of Fort Myers said he also would have preferred to have Trump address the amendments language to help turn out voters.

If hes hoping to lead this nation but he doesnt have the courage to state where he is on the ballot initiative, thats not a good sign in my opinion, Roach said.

But Republican state Rep. Mike Beltran, who was one of 70 state House members who voted for the states six-week abortion ban last year, maintained that the issue was always supposed to be decided by states and called it absurd for Republicans to flip and say it should be decided nationally.

Trump has already done more than any other American in the last century to protect life by making those Supreme Court appointments, Beltran said. Ron DeSantis didnt make those Supreme Court appointments, and Joe Biden certainly didnt.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), a Trump ally who is up for reelection in November, recently said in an interview that he also opposed setting federal limits on abortion and that states should decide the issue. But Scott also said that he would have signed the six-week abortion limit into law if he had still been governor, and this week told the Washington Post that he planned to vote against the referendum.



The Biden campaign, signaling that abortion rights is a winning issue for them, declared Florida in play, though Democrats havent been pouring cash into the state and keep falling behind on voter registration. Florida Democratic Chair Nikki Fried told reporters on Tuesday that voting against Trump and Scott in November would hold the GOP accountable for the abortion limits that led to the referendum in the first place.

But messaging on the November abortion referendum is going to be expensive for both sides. The referendum needs 60 percent support to pass, which will mean getting backing from voters across the political spectrum. Roach said it would take a concerted campaign on the airwaves as well as through mailers and text messages.

I agree that the Republican Party is the party of life.  I agree with [Trump] that its smart politics to make a pitch for the general election and coalesce on the issues that we can solve, Roach said. But I would hope for a more principled position to help turn out the vote here in Florida to oppose this amendment.

Mia McCarthy contributed to this story.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida  Britains top diplomat is meeting with former President Donald Trump in Florida on Monday as part of a push to reaffirm support for Ukraine.

David Cameron, the United Kingdom foreign secretary, is visiting Trump on the eve of a planned trip to Washington, D.C., where the former British prime minister is scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and congressional leaders over the next two days. Cameron is set to discuss a range of priorities with allies, including "bringing stability to the Middle East."

In a statement, a spokesperson for the U.K. government said it is standard practice for ministers to meet with opposition candidates as part of their routine international engagement. Cameron met with Sen. Mitt Romney in 2012 when Romney was running for president and Cameron was prime minister.

The visit by Cameron comes amid a push by the White House to get Congress to sign off on a new aid package for Ukraine in its war against Russia. The aid has been mired in the House even though the Senate signed off on the $60 billion package nearly two months ago.



Cameron recently penned a joint op-ed with his French counterpart, where Cameron warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin triumphs in Ukraine, we all lose.

In a statement distributed by the British Embassy, Cameron said that success for Ukraine and failure for Putin are vital for American and European security. This will show that borders matter, that aggression doesnt pay and that countries like Ukraine are free to choose their own future. The alternative would only encourage Putin in further attempts to re-draw European borders by force, and would be heard clearly in Beijing, Tehran and North Korea.

Trump has repeatedly suggested that if he were president, he would be able to end the ongoing conflict  though the Washington Post reported this weekend part of his plan would call for Ukraine giving up some of its territory to Russia. The Trump campaign contended that the Post story was fake news in a statement given to the New York Post.

A Trump spokesperson did not return a request for comment on the meeting between the former Republican president and Cameron, which was first reported by The Sun.

But Cameron has had sharp words about Trump in the past. Just two months ago Cameron criticized Trump over comment he made at a campaign rally suggesting he would let Russia invade NATO allies that were delinquent in spending commitments. Cameron wrote in his memoir that Trump was divisive, stupid and wrong for banning people from Muslim countries from entering the U.S.
New graduate school rankings from U.S. News and World Report just dropped.

They evaluate business, education, fine arts, health, law, library studies, nursing, public affairs, science and social sciences graduate programs, according to the outlet. Medical school and engineering rankings have been delayed.

Several University of Delaware programs snagged high marks in the Tuesday release, with its physical therapy program remaining in the nation's top-three, down from No. 1 to a close No. 2, and an inaugural ranking at No. 32 for its speech-language pathology program.

"As we continue to enhance and expand our excellent graduate programs to meet the needs of our students and society, it is gratifying to see the expertise and hard work of our faculty and staff nationally recognized, said President Dennis Assanis, in a press release April 9.

We are proud of the positive impact that our graduate students are making on the world, and we look forward to even greater successes ahead empowered by their UD education.

UD President Dennis Assanis reacts during a press conference at UD's Whitney Athletic Center in Newark, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. The University of Delaware formally announced at the press conference that it has accepted an invitation to join Conference USA as a full-league member effective July 1, 2025.

Delaware Education roundup: An online graduate program at UD just ranked among nation's top 20

U.S. News' general methodology has come under fire as of late. This year saw some updates. Last year, more than a dozen medical schools and more than 40 law schools ranked in the span of a few months announced they would no longer provide information to the outlet, which has ranked such programs since 1983. Debate there continues.

Not all study areas were ranked in this wave from U.S. News, but Delaware's largest university showed up in 2024:

Physical Therapy: No. 2

Non-profit Management: No. 16

Public Management and Leadership: No. 18

Public Finance and Budgeting: No. 21

Speech-Language Pathology: No. 32

Education Schools: No. 34

Public Affairs Schools: No. 34

Computer Science: No. 70

Nursing, Master's: No. 79

Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice: No. 110

Part-Time MBA: No. 150

More: One Wilmington charter school marks community history, eclipsing some other event Monday

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: UD celebrates landings in latest U.S. News graduate school rankings
President Bidens national security adviser rebuked Ecuadors government from the White House podium and said that it was clear the country had violated international law with a raid on Mexicos embassy in Quito.

Ecuadorian police stormed the facility last Friday with the intention of arresting ex-Vice President Jorge Glas, who was seeking political asylum in Mexico. The former Ecuadorian official has been convicted twice on bribery charges he says are politically motivated. Mr Glas was detained and taken away by police during the raid.

Jake Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday that the Ecuadorian government had disregarded its obligations under international law as a host state to respect the inviolability of diplomatic missions and had jeopardised the foundation of basic diplomatic norms and relationships.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan speaks to reporters at the 9 April daily press briefing (Getty Images)

Having reviewed security footage of the incident released by Mexican authorities earlier on Tuesday, Mr Sullivan added that the actions of Ecuadorian police were wrong.

Weve asked Ecuador to work with Mexico to find a resolution to this diplomatic dispute, and to that end, we welcome the Organization of American Statess permanent council meeting this week to help reach a peaceful, diplomatic solution.

Mexican officials have said that an unspecified number of diplomatic staffers were injured during the raid by Ecuadorian police. Embassy grounds are rarely breached by the law enforcement agencies of host countries, which is typically considered to be a violation of the Vienna Convention. Roberto Canseco, Mexicos head of consular affairs, was present for the raid and attempted to resist the entry of police as they stormed the building  he was detained and allegedly held to the ground during the operation.

Ecuadors government claims that the Mexican offer of asylum to Mr Glas was illegal and did not follow proper international procedures.

The president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, called the raid a flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of Mexico and has ended formal diplomatic ties with Ecuador over the incident.

I have instructed our chancellor to issue a statement regarding this authoritarian act, proceed legally and immediately declare the suspension of diplomatic relations with the government of Mexico, the Mexican president said.
Reality Check is a Sacramento Bee series holding officials and organizations accountable and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email realitycheck@sacbee.com.

California Assembly Democrats are trying to walk a narrow line with their legislative efforts to address retail theft.

They want to avoid going back to more punitive sentencing laws of the 1980s and 1990s. But they are also feeling political pressure from law enforcement and retail groups to address theft.

So far, their solutions dont fully ease the concerns of either side. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, on Tuesday announced a bipartisan package of bills making it easier for law enforcement and prosecutors to go after retail thieves.

But proponents of an initiative asking voters to make changes to Proposition 47  which decreased penalties for some crimes involving drugs or theft  are still pushing to get it on the November ballot. And some criminal justice reform advocates are opposing measures from the package, saying they would incarcerate more people without stopping theft.

Heres how the situation is playing out in the Capitol.

Assembly retail theft bills

The seven bills Rivas and lawmakers presented on Tuesday at a press conference, and later in the Assembly Public Safety Committee, were the result of the speakers Assembly Select Committee on Retail Theft. Rivas created the group in fall 2023, and he announced the general outlines of legislation in February.

The legislation would include a bill from the speaker and Assemblyman Rick Chavez-Zbur, D-West Hollywood, that would state that prosecutors could aggregate the value of stolen items to reach the threshold for felony theft and create a new crime of possessing stolen property with intent to sell, among other provisions.

Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno, authored a bill renewing an expired policy allowing courts to hand down longer sentences for people who destroy property while committing felonies.

A bill from Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, would allow courts to restrain people from visiting certain retailers if they have two or more in-store theft, vandalism or battery citations.

Ballot measure organizers not satisfied

The Assembly bills have support from the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Retailers Association. However, they do not seem to have satisfied Californians for Safer Communities, which is backing the ballot measure to make changes to Proposition 47 to address retail theft and drug use.

The group has until April 23 to collect the more than 546,000 signatures it needs to get the initiative on the November ballot. Organizers have raised millions of dollars in support of the measure, with major retailers spending big on the campaign. Wal-Mart alone has donated $2.5 million.

Some Assembly measures seem to tackle issues mentioned in the ballot measure. Sorias bill on sentencing enhancements and Rivas and Zburs bill allowing theft aggregations would take actions similar to those the initiative describes.

While spokeswoman Becky Warren called the measures a step in the right direction, she said much more needs to be done to effectively hold individuals accountable and improve the safety of all Californians.

Because of the way Proposition 47 was written, we believe that voter approval is required for any new enforcement or accountability enhancements, Warren said in a statement.

It remains to be seen whether Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rivas and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg will negotiate a deal with ballot measure proponents that prompts them to drop the initiative.

McGuire and Newsom have been clear that they do not want to take retail theft to the ballot or make changes to Proposition 47. Rivas on Tuesday echoed this sentiment.

I believe legislation that would require going to the ballot to address retail crime or theft is not necessary, Rivas said in a statement. The Assemblys bipartisan and comprehensive plan delivers real and urgent changes for Californians.

Criminal justice reform opposition

At least one criminal justice reform organization cheered the Assembly retail theft bills, but others opposed some of the measures during the Assembly Public Safety Committee hearing.

Tinisch Hollins of Californians for Safety and Justice said Rivas and Zbur deserve credit for their approach to legislation.

Rather than simply seeking to score quick and cheap political points, the package reflects a commitment to pursuing solutions that would reduce the incidents of theft in the first place, while also underscoring the critical need for law enforcement to effectively solve crime when it occurs, Hollins said in a statement.

However, other criminal justice reform groups, such as the Vera Institute of Justice and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, did not support some of the bills. They disliked Sorias bill, in particular, as it would bring back sentencing enhancements that expired in 2018. The measure does not contain language saying an accused person intended to destroy property, meaning it could be broadly applied, they said.

Former Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018 vetoed a similar bill, saying he did not see a reason to re-enact a repealed sentencing enhancement without corresponding evidence that it was effective in deterring crime.

Vera also opposes Rivas and Zburs bill, saying in the bill analysis that increasing penalties and arrests for non-violent offenses like possessing stolen goods and retail theft will do little to make our communities safer.

Isabella Borgeson of the Ella Baker Center said the group wants to support bills that are really about solutions that arent just responding to crime after its happened, but are solutions to preventing crime in the first place and addressing some of the root causes of that.
In his first town hall meeting, Nelson County Sheriff Mark Embrey addressed several topics with residents at the Nelson Center on April 3, including issues affecting the community and what the department has accomplished in his first 90 days in office.

He said that he was excited to hold the meeting to introduce the department to the community, discuss issues that affect the community, future plans for the sheriff's department, and what they have done in the last 90 days since he had taken the sheriff position and also discuss future plans for the sheriff's office.

We want community feedback, what were doing right, what were not doing enough of, Embrey said.

Embrey also told everyone hed be taking public comments at the end.

Embrey showed a slide show presentation where he addressed each month hes been sheriff, staff that was hired, arrests made in those months and other things the department had been doing including going to the middle and high schools career days.

Embrey said the first thing he did in December was go before the Nelson County Board of Supervisors to ask for $29,000 to put toward salaries and create two new captain positions.

One position was a control unit spot and the other was a criminal investigations division position.

Other posts that needed to be filled in December were three lieutenant positions and three sergeant positions.

According to Embrey, when he was sworn in Jan. 1, 23 of the 27 allotted positions were filled.

We took force with 23 sworn employees. Thats the people I hired that I appointed that were in uniform in January waiting to protect, Embrey said.

In February, the department interviewed internally for a sergeant position, a second general investigator position and a position on the drug task force.

Embrey said the department plans to be fully staffed on May 1. One deputy hired is currently in training and is graduating from the academy in June. Two new deputies will also be attending training once hired.

Embrey also presented the number of arrests, services, and traffic stops for the months of and March.

Number of calls for service: 4607

Criminal warrants obtained: 334

Criminal warrants served: 316

Driving under the influence (DUI) arrests: 4

Traffic stops: 1,073

Traffic summons issued: 834

Overlength summons: 167

Civil Papers served: 1277

Protective Orders: 52

ECO/TDO: 15

During the public comments, a few residents raised their hands to express concerns and to give their compliments to the department.

One resident asked about the relationship between the county sheriff's office and the Virginia State Police.

Embrey told the resident that the department has had a good relationship with state police since the beginning if his administration.

When the clock struck midnight Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 and this agency became the new administration, state police had to take over because our office had to get everything lined up, Embrey said.

Embrey presented the state police with a plaque to thank them for their help that night.

The relationship has never been better, Embrey said.

Another resident asked how the department is trained and how often.

Embrey said that everyone gets their training done in Central Virginia. Once they graduate, they have to go through field training. He said that the department is continuously going through different trainings.

Embrey said the department just completed new taser training at the end of March.

An attendee asked how many deputies the department plans on having each shift once it is fully staffed.

Embrey said the goal is to have two to three deputies at least for every shift.

The sheriff department plans to have a town hall meeting every 90 days. Embrey said that for the next one he wants to have it in the Nellysford/Afton area.

Theres no time or date set yet for the next meeting but Embrey said the department plans to post about it on Facebook when it has those details.
Nelson County Sheriff Mark Embrey went over future plans for the department during a town hall meeting April 3, which includes being more involved in Nelson County Public Schools.

Embrey said two officers are planning on getting D.A.R.E. training in West Virginia in June.

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), is an education program that teaches children how to avoid drug involvement. The definition from the D.A.R.E. website said that it is a highly acclaimed program that gives kids the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs and violence.

Once that training is complete in June, those officers will be teaching D.A.R.E. to the elementary school students.

Embrey is also planning to meet with school superintendent Amanda Hester to discuss having a one week Cop Camp in June.

We want to introduce kids to law enforcement and have a positive social interaction with us, Embrey said.

Embrey said this camp will likely be from third to sixth grade.

Another program Embrey is planning is a National Night Out event. This event will be a weeknight in August, most likely at the high school.

Most other jurisdictions are doing this, Embrey said.

Embrey said he met with all the county fire chiefs and the Wintergreen Police Department to plan the event.

Its everybody, regardless of the uniform, getting to know your community, not just law enforcement. Its essential and its easy, Embrey said.

Embrey told the meeting attendees that the department is having monthly participation with the Nelson County Drug Court.

The Nelson County Drug Court is a rehabilitation program that works and is funded by the commonwealth attorneys office, according to Embrey.

Its not always about enforcement. Were also here to assist and get you back on track, Embrey said.

The sheriffs office plans to have another town hall meeting in the Nellysford area. A date and time have not been decided yet.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council, introducing new regulations governing ecological protection compensation.

Effective June 1, 2024, the regulations comprise 33 items in six chapters, specifying details including the connotation of ecological protection compensation, the working principle and mechanism, fiscal vertical compensation, horizontal compensation between regions, market-oriented compensation, and strengthening guarantee, supervision and management.

Governments above the county level shall strengthen organizational leadership, with relevant departments of the State Council assuming responsibility for related tasks in accordance with their respective duties, as outlined in the regulations.

The country will provide compensation to entities and individuals engaged in the protection of important ecological and environmental elements, as well as ecological preservation efforts in areas with significant ecological functions, through financial transfers and other means.

The central government will encourage, guide and promote the establishment of ecological protection compensation mechanisms through consultation between the local governments of ecological beneficiary areas and ecological protection areas.

The regulations give full play to the role of market mechanisms, and encourage social forces and local governments to engage in ecological protection compensation by purchasing ecological products and services in accordance with market rules.

The government and its pertinent departments must issue and approve the distribution of ecological protection compensation funds in a timely manner. They reserve the right to delay, reduce, stop, or reclaim allocated funds from those who withhold, misuse, misappropriate, fail to pay, or misuse funds contrary to regulations and fail to rectify the situation within the specified timeframe.
The Rockfish Valley Foundations Natural History Center recently added a two-case Monacan Indian Nation exhibit to its features.

The Nellysford-based center was loaned materials from the Monacan Museum in Amherst County.

Betsy Agelasto, co-founder of Rockfish Valley Foundations Natural History Center, put the exhibit together. Agelasto did a lot of research and reading for the exhibit, putting together the loaned materials and research she gathered for it.

The Monacan Museum gave some tools as part of what was loaned and this helped Agelasto explain Monacan farming and trading. The exhibit also shows how the tribe fared before and after colonists came.

According to the exhibit, the Monacan tribe was recognized by the Virginia General Assembly in 1989 and in 2018 it achieved federal recognition, an effort many years in the making.

Agelasto said that when Wintergreen Resort was being built, she and her family were part of a dig in the parking lot; they found bones and arrowheads from the tribe.

Col. Reeves, a professor at VMI (Virginia military Institute), planned it and it was all taken back to VMI after the dig, Agelasto said.

On the after the settlers' side of the exhibit, the center included soapstone containers, pottery, and baskets from the tribe.

Today, theyre still making baskets. The baskets we have are made out of honeysuckle vines, Agelasto said.

Agelasto said that this exhibit couldnt have been created without the help from the Monacan Museum in Amherst. The museum supplied materials for the exhibit but were also a great source of information, he said.

Both Betsy and Peter Agelasto, the co-founders of the history center, visited the museum multiple times to set up this project.

Our big push is wanting to tell the story of the Monacan Indians and their history in Virginia. We really wanted to showcase who they were, Betsy Agelasto said.

Our goal is to make the community aware of the culture and heritage of those who were here so long ago, Peter Agelasto said.

Peter Agelasto said that they also want to highlight where the tribe is now. They own land in Amherst and worked with the University of Virginia to get information for their museum.

According to Peter Agelasto, the tribe is building a medical facility and it is being done with grant money for the members of the Monacan nation to access.

One of the things we learned is that they got 2,000 members of the nation, Peter Agelasto said.

The exhibit also promotes the Monacan Powwow, an annual tribal event held the first weekend of June. The details for that are on the Monacan Nation website at https://www.monacannation.com/.

The Rockfish Valley Foundations Natural History Center is open noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays.
Kumamoto, Apr 08 (News On Japan) - During his visit to Kumamoto Prefecture on the 6th, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida toured the factory of Taiwan's leading semiconductor manufacturer, TSMC. During this visit, TSMC revealed plans to construct a second factory in Kikuyo Town.

Upon arriving at TSMC's Kikuyo Town factory, Prime Minister Kishida received a briefing on the facility's operations before meeting with TSMC CEO C.C. Wei. During the meeting, CEO Wei confirmed plans for a second factory also to be built in Kikuyo Town.

According to insiders, the second factory is expected to be located adjacent to the first facility. TSMC had previously announced in February that it would be constructing this new plant within Kumamoto Prefecture.

Following CEO Wei's statement, Kikuyo Town Mayor Takatoshi Yoshimoto expressed, "We wholeheartedly welcome this development. Just like with the first factory, we will work closely with Kumamoto Prefecture and do our utmost to ensure the project proceeds smoothly according to TSMC's schedule."
TOKYO, Apr 08 (News On Japan) - Crown Prince Akishino and Prince Hisahito visited Tamagawa University in Machida, Tokyo, to inspect facilities dedicated to advanced technological research.

The Crown Prince and Prince Hisahito, who is currently on spring break, arrived at Tamagawa University shortly after 10:30 AM on April 6th. The university is known for conducting cutting-edge research while leveraging its naturally rich campus, a site previously visited by the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, as well as by the Akishino family.

During their visit, they toured a facility cultivating approximately 20,000 abalones and received an explanation on bee research, with the Crown Prince inquiring about the different types and colors of the bees observed.

They also inspected a "biotope," a natural habitat area within the campus grounds, where the Crown Prince asked if dragonflies visit the area, and Prince Hisahito commented on the well-maintained embankments.

The visit concluded after approximately three hours, which included a tasting session of the cultivated abalones and a discussion with the university's executives.

Source: NEWS
TOKYO, Apr 07 (News On Japan) - Princess Kiko attended an international symposium reporting on the restoration project of the oldest existing "Grand Formal Dress" worn by Empress Shoken, the consort of Emperor Meiji.

On Saturday afternoon, Princess Kiko listened to presentations at the Meiji Jingu Kaikan in Shibuya, Tokyo, themed around the Meiji-era dress titled "The Dress Passed Down Through Meiji."

The restoration of this highly formal and oldest existing long dress, known as the "Grand Formal Dress," worn by Empress Shoken, commenced in 2018 and was completed over five years. Experts involved in the project shared their outcomes at the symposium held on April 6.

Princess Kiko serves as the Honorary President of the Cultural and Friendship Association at Daisanji Temple in Kyoto Prefecture, where the dress is preserved.

The symposium highlighted Empress Shoken's role as a pioneer in adopting Western dress while valuing the traditional silk industry. It also suggested the dress was likely made in Japan in the 1880s, with discussions on the embroidery and weaving techniques used. Princess Kiko attentively followed these discussions.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, on April 3, Princess Kiko visited the Meiji Jingu Museum, where she viewed the restored Grand Formal Dress, asking insightful questions during her visit.

The Meiji Jingu Museum is hosting a special exhibition from April 6 to May 6, showcasing the restored Grand Formal Dress, connecting visitors with a significant piece of Japan's cultural and royal heritage.

Source: TBS
In the latest TV anime 'Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World' titled 'The Icy-Flame's Conclusion,' Subaru's life was suddenly taken without understanding why, at the hands of Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult who appeared at the Time-Limited Tower.
TOKYO, Apr 08 (News On Japan) - Hikaru Utada is set to appear on the first regular broadcast of the new Nippon Television music program "with MUSIC" (every Saturday from 7:56 PM), which starts on April 13th. Shiina Ringo will also make a special appearance, marking the first time the two artists will perform together on television.

The show "with MUSIC," themed around the concept of "with," aims to delve into the charm of artists through various segments, featuring a lineup of stellar artists performing their songs. The program will be hosted by Yumiko Udo with artist navigator Kouhei Matsushita, and it seeks to explore the joy of experiencing music through television, a medium that is diversifying rapidly in today's age. It will endeavor to convey the allure of artists and their music to the fullest.

For this memorable first regular episode, Utada's participation has been confirmed. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of her debut, Utada is releasing her first best-of album "SCIENCE FICTION." Her songs will be reborn in new forms and delivered to the world. In this significant moment, she will perform "One Last Kiss," the theme song for the 2021 film "Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time," on television for the first time.

Furthermore, Shiina's special appearance has been decided. Together, they will perform their collaborative song "Nijikan Dake no Vacance." This will be the first television performance for the two artists, who debuted in the same year and were signed to the same record label, often referred to as "classmates." The song, included in Shiina's sixth album "Fantome" released in 2016, expresses the precarious relationship between the ordinary and the extraordinary. What will the "now" look like, woven by the two artists who have walked the path of 25 years to become top artists?

Additionally, there will be a conversation between Utada and Udo. Various perspectives will be used to dig deeper into the "current" Utada.

Source: MDPR
TOKYO, Apr 08 (News On Japan) - Cruise vacations aboard large ships touring various locales in Japan are gaining popularity. What was once considered a luxurious form of travel is now attracting not only Japanese but also foreigners due to its affordable rates.

The allure of cruising has reached new heights worldwide, with Japan becoming a coveted destination. Onboard the Diamond Princess, a vessel synonymous with luxury, passengers are welcomed with live violin music upon departure. As the ship, towering equivalent to an 18-story building, narrowly passes under the Yokohama Bay Bridge, cheers erupt from the top deck.

Launched in 2004 as Japan's largest built passenger ship, the Diamond Princess had halted its international cruise operations in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at one point reducing its operations to zero. However, bookings in 2024 have surged to a 95% reservation rate, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with cruises filled almost to capacity until this summer.

The ship, capable of accommodating up to 2,706 guests, features eight restaurants, pools, theaters, bars, and even a casino, resembling a town unto itself.

This particular journey spans 11 days around Kyushu and Korea, docking at seven ports along the way. With prices starting from 187,000 yen, including meals, transportation, and accommodation, guests can enjoy the ship's facilities and events for around 10,000 yen per night.

The ship's diverse attractions and events, from dance classes to shows, are all included in the trip cost, providing a unique value proposition. Moreover, the captain's welcome party, complete with a grand champagne tower, adds a touch of formality to the enjoyment.

A significant aspect of cruise travel is the ease of interacting with a global clientele. Diamond Princess hosts numerous events that allow guests to immerse themselves in Japanese culture, from kimono dressing sessions conducted by volunteers among the passengers to bond dance tutorials, enriching the cruise experience with cultural exchange.

However, long voyages are not without their issues. Staff are equipped to handle various challenges, including Wi-Fi outages, with multilingual support ensuring a smooth resolution for all guests.

As the 11-day cruise concludes at Yokohama Port, some passengers are already booking their next adventure, citing the freedom and convenience of cruise travel as particularly appealing.

Source: ANN
Wakayama, Apr 08 (News On Japan) - A high school in Kushimoto Town, Wakayama Prefecture, known for its civilian rocket launch site, has inaugurated a new course specializing in space studies, holding an entrance ceremony for its first batch of students.

The newly established 'Space Exploration Course' at Kushimoto Kozu High School focuses on space and rockets, offering students lessons from former JAXA employees on analyzing satellite data, among other subjects.

With the presence of a civilian rocket launch site in the town, the introduction of the 'Space Exploration Course' at the high school aims to attract students nationwide, rejuvenating the town and aspiring to produce future astronauts.

The seven incoming students attending the ceremony were full of anticipation.

A new student from outside the prefecture expressed, "I'm excited to learn about space as part of the first cohort. I'm looking forward to enjoying the year and getting accustomed to Kushimoto."

While primarily targeting students aiming for science and engineering universities, the course also seeks to cater to those interested in space-related tourism and other humanities fields.

Source: ANN
TOKYO, Apr 08 (News On Japan) - As the hay fever season continues, one company has embarked on a bold initiative for its employees: work in Okinawa.

The Tokyo-based IT firm Isaac offers its workers, such as engineer Yuki Ando, who can hardly part with tissues and eyedrops during work, a significant respite from hay fever symptoms. This year, Ando found relief during the peak pollen season not in the city but on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa.

Ando shared, "Being completely free from pollen, I felt a lot better physically. Changing environments also helped refresh me, boosting my productivity at work. It's a great policy."

Dubbed the "Tropical Escape," Isaak covers accommodation and other expenses up to 200,000 yen. Ando spent 11 days in Okinawa, refreshing with marine leisure activities in between work.

The company's extensive engagement in hay fever mitigation reflects the undeniable negative impact of pollen allergies on work performance.

Isaac's PR officer, Mayu Koseki, noted, "When asked about their performance compared to usual, many say it's about half due to drowsiness from medication. There's a significant drop in individual performance."

Moreover, private sector estimates reveal substantial daily economic losses nationwide due to hay fever.

With hay fever now a national affliction, the healthcare provider Laful introduced a hay fever allowance, subsidizing treatment costs up to 5,000 yen per session. Employees presenting hospital receipts can freely use premium tissues and masks.

Laful's PR director, Naoto Ozawa, stated, "Last year, about 40% of our employees used the hay fever allowance."

According to Panasonic's estimates, the economic loss due to reduced labor productivity from hay fever amounts to approximately 234 yen billion per day. More companies are expected to adopt serious measures against hay fever in the future.

Source: ANN
HOKKAIDO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) - Footage of a long-tailed tit or "snow fairy" shows this fluffy white bird tapping on a window, seemingly wanting to come in. A wildlife photographer gives insights into this little creature's cute behavior.

The long-tailed tit is regarded as a "winter angel," native to Hokkaido, actively building nests during its breeding season from March to June.

The footage was captured in Obihiro City, Hokkaido, when the photographer noticed a tapping sound against the window glass. This visit from the "angel on the window ledge" raises the question of why it seemed to knock on the window.

Wildlife photographer Koichi Yamamoto suggests the long-tailed tit was in its breeding period, attempting to intimidate and ward off what it perceived as a rival. The reflection in the window likely made it think another long-tailed tit was encroaching on its territory, marking this as an exceptionally rare video capture.

These images show the long-tailed tit not just as an adorable creature but also as a brave one, zealously guarding its nest against perceived threats.

Source: ANN
KAGOSHIMA, Apr 09 (News On Japan) - A police officer from the Kagoshima Prefectural Police has been arrested on suspicion of violating the Local Public Service Act by leaking internal documents containing personal information of individuals involved in criminal cases to a third party.

Last month, the prefectural police revealed that there was a high possibility that internal documents from over 100 cases had been leaked, and the connection is currently under investigation. The arrested officer is Sergeant Mitsuji Fujii (49), from the community affairs division of the So Police Station.

According to the police, Sergeant Fujii, who was assigned to the Public Security Division of the Kagoshima Prefectural Police Headquarters in June of last year, used a messaging app on his smartphone to send information about a specific individual's criminal history to a third party. Additionally, last month he mailed several dozen pages of internal documents, including a list called the "Complaint and Accusation Case Processing Ledger," which contained personal information of individuals involved in criminal cases, thus allegedly leaking confidential information from his duties. In response to the investigation, he has admitted to the allegations and has stated, "I apologize for causing trouble to the citizens of the prefecture and the police organization."

The leak of internal documents came to light when an article by an online media outlet, which questioned the investigation of a sexual assault case that occurred at a lodging facility for COVID-19 patients, published the "Complaint and Accusation Case Processing Ledger" with personal information redacted. Last month, the Kagoshima Prefectural Police disclosed that there was a high possibility that internal documents containing personal information of approximately 300 individuals from over 100 cases had been leaked, and they discovered this incident while investigating the route of the leak.

Sei Ushigaki, Chief Inspector of the Kagoshima Prefectural Police Headquarters, expressed his apologies at a press conference, saying, "I deeply apologize for the inconvenience and concern caused by the leakage of information that should have been properly managed. We will deal with this matter strictly based on the results of the ongoing investigation."

Source: NHK
TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) - A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) regiment, which referred to Iwo Jima, a site of intense battle between Japan and the United States during the final stages of the Pacific War, as "the greatest battlefield of the Greater East Asia War" on social media, deleted the post on Monday night after acknowledging that it had caused misunderstanding.

Iwo Jima, part of the Ogasawara Islands, was the scene of fierce fighting from February to March 1945, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides. The 32nd Infantry Regiment of the JGSDF, stationed at the Omiya garrison, made the initial post on April 5th, referring to Iwo Jima with the controversial term when reporting on a memorial service for the war dead held in March.

During the war, Japan used the term "Greater East Asia War," but after the war, the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Allied Powers prohibited its use, and the government has stated that "currently, it is not generally used in official government documents." The April 5th post drew criticism online, with comments suggesting it could be seen as justifying an aggressive war, prompting the unit to delete the post on the night of April 8th. The unit then reposted with the relevant part corrected.

According to the JGSDF, the April 5th post was made with the approval of the regiment commander of the 32nd Infantry Regiment. The intent was to describe the intense battle conditions on Iwo Jima using the term from that era, with no other implications intended. However, they acknowledged that the matter should have been considered more carefully. The JGSDF has reported that they will ensure appropriate expressions are used when disseminating information on social media and other platforms going forward.

Source: NHK
TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) - Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited Meiji Shrine in Tokyo to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the passing of Empress Dowager Shoken, consort to Emperor Meiji.

His Majesty the Emperor arrived at the shrine, located in Shibuya district, just after 9:30 am on the 9th. At Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Dowager Shoken, the "Empress Dowager Shoken 110th Anniversary Festival" will be held on the 11th, marking 110 years since her death.

Dressed in morning attire, His Majesty the Emperor proceeded to the main hall, braving the increasing rain and wind with an umbrella, and offered a tamagushi branch in reverence. Subsequently, Her Majesty the Empress, dressed in a white ceremonial robe, arrived before 10 am and followed the same ritual.

Empress Dowager Shoken was actively involved in supporting those suffering from disasters and poverty. The donations she sent to the International Committee of the Red Cross are still managed as the "Empress Dowager Shoken Fund," which continues to aid humanitarian efforts around the world. Later in the day, Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita visited Meiji Shrine shortly after 11 am and paid their respects. This was followed by Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino, who each made their visit after 1:30 pm.

Source: NHK
TOKYO, Apr 09 (News On Japan) - Amid the escalating 'Logistics 2024 problem,' the previously challenging task of automating truck loading has begun to see light.

This technology involves the installation of multiple sensors in facilities and forklifts, allowing two unmanned forklifts to recognize the truck bed's position and height and automatically load the cargo.

This innovation shifts part of the workload from manned to unmanned forklift operations.

Konoike Transport and the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group have been co-developing this technology for the past two years, achieving operational levels that allow a large truck to be loaded in under 15 minutes.

Yoshito Horiuchi, Manager of the East Japan Branch at Konoike Transport, remarked, "This automation allows for a consistent increase in work capacity, which naturally leads to a reduction in vehicle detention by increasing hourly processing capabilities."

The logistics industry faces a deepening labor shortage due to the 2024 problem, prompting a series of initiatives to alleviate workforce deficiencies.

A representative from the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group expressed the desire to further minimize technical constraints and facilitate easier system implementation in the future.

Source: ANN
KYOTO, Apr 10 (News On Japan) - The MICHELIN Guide Kyoto and Osaka 2024 unveiled on April 9 in Kyoto includes 115 new entries out of a record 440 selected restaurants.

The 2024 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Kyoto and Osaka features a total of 440 restaurants, with 185 receiving Michelin stars, including one new Two Star and 17 new One Star establishments. This year also sees two restaurants newly awarded the MICHELIN Green Star for their eco-friendly practices, bringing the total to 11. Gwendal Poullennec, the International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, praised the regions' culinary evolution over 15 years, highlighting chefs' creativity and commitment to sustainability.

Restaurant Yugen in Osaka was promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars, offering a menu that celebrates the chef's Fukuoka roots and the local ingredients of Osaka. The guide now includes 27 Two Star establishments across Kyoto and Osaka, and eight restaurants maintain their Three Star rating, with Kikunoi Honten and Hyotei celebrating 15 consecutive years at this prestigious level.

Seventeen restaurants have newly received One MICHELIN Star, showcasing a diverse range of Japanese and French-inspired cuisines. Additionally, two restaurants in Kyoto were recognized with the MICHELIN Green Star for their dedication to sustainability.

The guide also presents two special awards: the MICHELIN Mentor Chef Award to Yoshihiro Murata of Kikunoi Honten for his contributions to the culinary world and the MICHELIN Service Award to Kazuo and Kyoko Nishida of Kanamean Nishitomiya for their exceptional hospitality.

Furthermore, eight restaurants received a Bib Gourmand designation, recognizing great value for money, and 138 establishments were selected for their high-quality food offerings, enhancing the culinary diversity of the MICHELIN Guide Kyoto and Osaka 2024. The guide complements its restaurant selections with a curated list of unique hotels, available for booking through the MICHELIN Guide's digital platforms.

Source: MBS
TOKYO, Apr 10 (News On Japan) - On April 9, the broadcast of BS-TBS's "Hodo 1930" delved into the electric vehicle (EV) sector's shifting landscape, sparked by Tesla's reported sales dip and strategic pivot away from the low-cost EV market.

This program highlighted the broader narrative of an EV market at a crossroads, with Chinese manufacturers leveraging aggressive pricing strategies to challenge established automotive giants.

The episode featured insights from industry experts including Toshiyuki Shiga, former COO of Nissan and chairman of INCJ, and Takashi Nakanishi, a respected automotive analyst. Discussions also touched on the support for Chinese ventures by Japanese automotive companies and the global response to China's burgeoning dominance in the EV market.

A focal point of the program was Tesla's recent performance, indicating a potential slowdown in the EV sector's explosive growth. This period of reevaluation comes amidst varying global adoption rates and regulatory environments, which have fueled intense competition and innovation, particularly from Chinese brands. The narrative also covered Nissan's revised electrification targets and the broader industry's sales trends, underscoring a critical juncture for the EV market.

Despite these challenges, hybrid vehicles have seen a remarkable uptick in sales, with major markets reporting a 30% increase year-over-year, highlighting a divergent path in the quest for sustainable mobility. This segment's success, particularly Toyota's record hybrid sales, suggests a strategic recalibration toward technologies that bridge the gap between current market demands and future sustainability goals.

The discussion also broached the competitive dynamics at play, emphasizing the formidable position of Chinese EV manufacturers like BYD, which have not only captured significant market share but also posed a competitive threat acknowledged by Tesla's Elon Musk. This competitive landscape underlines the delicate balance between innovation, market readiness, and profitability in the rapidly evolving automotive sector.

In conclusion, "Hodo 1930" shed light on the intricate interplay of market forces, technological innovation, and strategic positioning that defines the current and future trajectory of the EV and hybrid vehicle markets. With the global automotive industry at a pivotal crossroads, the direction it takes will have profound implications for manufacturers, consumers, and the broader push towards decarbonization and sustainable mobility.

Source: TBS
(Newswire.net  April 8, 2024)  In the aftermath of a car accident in the sprawling city of Houston, victims often find themselves at the beginning of a daunting journey. With physical injuries, emotional turmoil, and financial uncertainties casting long shadows, the path to recovery can seem overwhelmingly complex. Yet, amidst these challenges, there stands a beacon of hope and guidance: the car accident lawyer Houston. These legal champions specialize in transforming the arduous road to recovery into a journey toward justice and healing. This article delves into how Houstons car accident attorneys play a pivotal role in guiding your claim to victory, ensuring you receive the support and compensation essential for your rehabilitation.

The Crucial Role of Houstons Car Accident Attorneys

Navigating Legal Labyrinths with Expertise

Houstons legal system, with its intricate network of statutes and regulations, presents a formidable maze. Car accident attorneys in Houston are your skilled navigators, armed with deep knowledge and experience. They shine in:

Interpreting local traffic regulations : Mastery of Texass specific laws is critical for devising a winning strategy.

: Mastery of Texass specific laws is critical for devising a winning strategy. Engaging with insurers : These lawyers excel in confronting insurance companies, ensuring their tactics dont undermine your compensation.

: These lawyers excel in confronting insurance companies, ensuring their tactics dont undermine your compensation. Efficient legal document management: The timely and accurate handling of the necessary paperwork is fundamental to prevent any procedural pitfalls.

Securing Your Rightful Compensation

Achieving maximum compensation is a primary ambition when enlisting a car accident lawyer in Houston. These professionals leave no stone unturned in identifying all conceivable damages, including:

Comprehensive medical costs : Ensuring coverage for both immediate and long-term healthcare needs.

: Ensuring coverage for both immediate and long-term healthcare needs. Earnings loss : Compensation for any work absence due to recuperation from injuries.

: Compensation for any work absence due to recuperation from injuries. Emotional distress: Recognizing the non-tangible impacts, such as mental anguish and reduced life quality.

By meticulously calculating these damages, attorneys ensure youre not undervalued or overlooked in the settlement process.

How Houstons Car Accident Attorneys Propel Your Claim Forward

Initial Consultation: Laying the Groundwork

The first steps involve an in-depth consultation and evaluation of your case, where your attorney will:

Judge the strength of your claim : A detailed review to ascertain the accidents dynamics and your claims feasibility.

: A detailed review to ascertain the accidents dynamics and your claims feasibility. Chart the course ahead: Provide a clear outline of the forthcoming legal journey and set realistic expectations.

Investigation: The Quest for Evidence

Building a convincing case hinges on a comprehensive investigation, a domain where Houstons car accident lawyers excel by:

Amassing proof : Securing crucial evidence such as crash reports, medical records, and witness testimonies.

: Securing crucial evidence such as crash reports, medical records, and witness testimonies. Recreating the accident scenario : Employing reconstructions to underline fault and causation when necessary.

: Employing reconstructions to underline fault and causation when necessary. Consulting specialists: Collaborating with medical and forensic experts to bolster the cases integrity.

Negotiation: The Art of Advocacy

Negotiating with insurance companies is a battleground where your attorney defends your rights by:

Managing communication : They take on the burden of dialogue with insurers, relieving you of additional stress.

: They take on the burden of dialogue with insurers, relieving you of additional stress. Securing equitable settlements : Armed with persuasive negotiation techniques and legal acumen to fight for a just settlement.

: Armed with persuasive negotiation techniques and legal acumen to fight for a just settlement. Championing your interests: Unwaveringly advocating for your deserved compensation against any attempts to minimize your claim.

Litigation: In Pursuit of Justice

Should negotiations not yield a fair outcome, your lawyer is prepared to take your battle to the courtroom by:

Preparing for trial : Crafting a compelling narrative and strategy to present before the court.

: Crafting a compelling narrative and strategy to present before the court. Representing your voice : Offering impassioned and skillful advocacy on your behalf during the trial.

: Offering impassioned and skillful advocacy on your behalf during the trial. Aiming for a favorable judgment: Striving relentlessly for a verdict that grants you the compensation you rightfully deserve.

The Advantages of Partnering with a Houston Car Accident Lawyer

Mental tranquility : The peace of mind in knowing your case is in capable hands, allowing you to focus on recovery.

: The peace of mind in knowing your case is in capable hands, allowing you to focus on recovery. Leveraging expertise : Drawing on their extensive legal knowledge and strategic prowess for your cases benefit.

: Drawing on their extensive legal knowledge and strategic prowess for your cases benefit. Maximizing your settlement: Ensuring you are fully compensated, beyond the initial offers from insurance entities.

In Summary

The road to recuperation following a car accident in Houston is fraught with legal and emotional hurdles. However, enlisting the aid of a dedicated car accident lawyer in Houston can transform this path into a journey toward justice and healing. Through their expert navigation of the legal landscape, meticulous preparation of your case, and relentless advocacy on your behalf, these attorneys ensure your story is heard and compensated appropriately. As you embark on this journey, remember you are not alone. Houstons car accident lawyers stand ready to guide you through every turn, ensuring your recovery and justice are within reach.
Amid intense competition with the United States to dominate Artificial Intelligence (AI), China has recently hosted a forum attended by a number of African countries designed to deepen a collaboration in the field of AI governance.

Hosted by Cyberspace Administration of China, the countrys internet watchdog, the China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum urged Beijing and African countries to strengthen cooperation within multilateral frameworks, most notably with the United Nations, to launch an international AI governing institution. The Forum has also called for more representation of developing countries in regulating the technology. Zhuang Rongwen, the watchdogs director, said his country would work with Africa to share opportunities brought by the information revolution and improve the global internet governance system.

The Forum, held in the Chinese province of Fujian, also called for better representation of developing countries in the global development and governance of the technology. China is in intense competition with the US to dominate AI, an industry that is still in the early stages of developing regulations and governance institutions. In late March, the United Nations General Assembly adopted its first non-binding resolution regulating AI aiming to promote safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems that will also benefit sustainable development for all. The Forum was attended by representatives from 20 African countries, including government officials from Benin, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). African envoys to China .
As the world marked World Health Day on 7 April, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted air pollution  most notably in fast-growing cities in Africa  as a top danger that the governments on the continent need to resolve.

Experts and organizations working for cleaner air in Africa have recently met in Cameroons capital, Yaounde, to discuss how they can cooperate to track air quality using sensor technology in the hope of reducing health risks. With cities growing rapidly all across the continent, many countries lack effective technologies to measure the associated air pollution. Many countries use technology that provides measurement that is costly, but there have been advances, says Deo Okure, an air quality scientist at Kenyas Makerere University. He adds that although it provides important data, it is often insufficient, because it cannot yet clearly identify the sources of air pollution.

Some organizations, such as the Swiss technology company IQAirs World Air Quality Report, warn that the measurement capacities especially in Africa are lagging behind urbanization  data on many African countries is either inadequate or not collected at all. The World Air Quality Report, which includes data from measuring stations in 134 countries and regions in 2023, does not include data on air quality on 34% of Africas population, with countries such as Chad and Sudan not being included at all. The report refers to PM2.5 values, or fine dust particles that are no larger than 2.5 micrometers in diameter  roughly equivalent to the thickness of cobwebs. According to the report, Kinshasa, Cairo, Abuja, Ouagadougou are among the most polluted cities in Africa, as they exceed this value by a factor of eight to 11.
Moroccos foreign minister discussed bilateral cooperation with his French peer Stephane Sejourne in Paris, two months after they met in Rabat.

The momentum ushered by my recent visit to Morocco is continuing today with a working session with my counterpart, Nasser Bourita. Relations between France and Morocco are unique, Sejourne said in a tweet.

The visit takes place against the backdrop of improving ties between the two countries as France tilts gradually closer to making a clear-cut stand in support of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara.

France, as reiterated by Sejourne in Rabat, has always backed the autonomy plan for Moroccos Sahara. Yet, it fell short of adopting a stand similar to that of the US and many African and Arab countries that outrightly back Rabats sovereignty over the territory.

Sejourne also said that France was willing to support Moroccos investment effort in the Sahara, a statement that insinuates support for Moroccos position.

Echoing him, French minister in charge of foreign trade, Franck Riester, said his country welcomes and is ready to finance Moroccos investments in the Sahara territory.

Proparco, an offshoot of French development agency backing the private sector, would contribute to finance a high voltage link between Dakhla and Casablanca, a strategic project for the Kingdom, he said last week during a visit to Casablanca.

Analysts see the series of French messages as reflective of a stand in the making in support of Morocco on the Sahara.
The US and Morocco have stepped up their defense cooperation as part of enduring bilateral ties, The US State Department said.

After describing Morocco as vital partner on a wide range of regional security issues, with a shared goal of a stable, secure, and prosperous Middle East and North Africa, the State Department said in a fact sheet on its website that Morocco is a stalwart partner in multilateral defense.

The two countries signed deals, most recently in 2007 and 2015 to help Morocco address regional challenges and the impact of crises in neighboring regions, it said, adding that the United States works closely with Morocco to promote regional stability, counter terrorism, strengthen trade and investment ties, and support Moroccos development and reform efforts.

The document went on to highlight Moroccos status as a major non-NATO ally, which enabled it since 2004 to receive priority delivery for Excess Defense Articles (EDA), and benefit from reciprocally funded cooperative training.

Regarding the density of an exceptional military relationship which has continued to strengthen, the State Department underlined that in addition to the various sales of military equipment, the Moroccan-U.S. partnership also includes military support and education and training programs, with the objectives in particular of promoting regional stability and fighting terrorism.

The paper also lauds Moroccos peacekeeping engagement as one of the top ten contributors to UN blue helmets. Morocco currently deploys 1,718 peacekeepers in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan.

Morocco plays a leading role in the United States counterterrorism efforts, it said, adding that since 2005, Morocco has been a member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnershipa U.S. government funded and implemented effort designed to counter violent extremism in the Sahara-Sahel region.

Furthermore, Morocco was the first Maghreb country to join the anti-ISIS Global Coalition in 2014 and currently serves as the co-chair of the Coalitions Africa Focus Group, it said.

The paper also highlights the importance of the US-Moroccan military exercises known as the African Lion.

Under U.S. Africa Command since 2008, African Lion has become the largest joint military exercise on the continent, with thousands of troops participating annually
On the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, celebrated this April 10 in Morocco, King Mohammed VI granted pardon to 2,097 people, sentenced by the different Moroccan courts, the Justice Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry of Justice unveiled the list of the beneficiaries of the royal pardon, who are either detained or serving a suspended sentence. The list includes 18 individuals who had been convicted in cases of extremism and terrorism.

This Royal gesture took place after these prisoners had officially announced their rejection of all forms of extremism and terrorism, and voiced their firm attachment to the unwavering and sacred values of the Nation and national institutions, the Ministry of Justice said.

The list of the beneficiaries of the royal pardon includes inmates who were granted pardon over their remaining jail terms, convicts who had their prison terms reduced, and prisoners who saw their sentences commuted from life imprisonment to fixed jail terms.

Some convicts benefited from pardon over their imprisonment terms but their fines were maintained. Other convicts saw their fines canceled, while others benefited from both a pardon over their prison terms and fines.

The King usually grants free pardon to inmates and convicts on religious and national holidays.
Joe Biden campaigning in Wisconsin. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

In 2020, Joe Biden won four states by a margin of less than 2 percent of the vote: Georgia (0.23 percent), Arizona (0.30 percent), Wisconsin (0.63 percent), and Pennsylvania (1.33 percent). Donald Trump won one state, North Carolina, by 1.34 percent. Biden carried two other key states by margins under three points: Nevada (2.39 percent) and Michigan (2.78 percent). These seven states represent what most strategists in both parties consider to be the Biden-Trump battlegrounds for 2024, though obviously some will argue that others should be targeted (many Republicans think they have a chance in Minnesota, which Biden carried by just over 7 percent, and an abortion referendum makes Florida, which Trump carried by 4.36 percent, tempting for Democrats). Polling tends to confirm these seven as highly competitive this year.

2024 polls also, however, show a distinct regional pattern whereby Trump is leading Biden by robust margins in the Sun Belt states of Arizona (4.5 percent in the RCP polling averages), Nevada (3.2 percent), Georgia (3.8 percent), and North Carolina (4.6 percent), while Biden is doing relatively well in the Rust Belt states of Michigan (Trump leads by 2.8 percent, per RCP), Pennsylvania (Biden leads by 0.1 percent), and Wisconsin (Trump leads by 0.6 percent). His campaign may be tempted to narrowly focus on a Rust Belt strategy for victory but would be well advised to keep his options open.

There are some underlying dynamics that reinforce the regional pattern, as Ron Brownstein explains:

President Joe Bidens breakthrough 2020 wins in Arizona and Georgia seemed to confirm that the partys future was increasingly reliant on Sun Belt states rapidly growing more racially diverse.

But seven months before his rematch with presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump, Bidens most promising path may run directly through the three Rust Belt states that he recaptured in 2020 after Trump dislodged them from the blue wall in 2016: Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Thats the conclusion of a broad array of Democratic strategists.

The shift in expectations reflects the upside-down racial dynamics of the 2024 race, with most national and state polls showing Biden largely holding his 2020 support among White voters, while facing, at this point, unprecedented erosion among Black and Latino voters. Biden, as I wrote last year, is likewise maintaining his 2020 support better among older than younger voters. These surprising patterns have made the relatively older and Whiter three industrial blue wall states appear a better bet for Biden.

As it happens, if everything else stays the same as in 2020, Biden could lose Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia, along with North Carolina, and still win the presidency by the smallest possible margin in the Electoral College: 270 electoral votes to 268.

Graphic: 270 to Win

As Brownstein notes, the issue landscape in November could also make a Rust Belt strategy focused on white swing voters profitable:

Biden is heavily stressing his support for legal abortion, and while polls show broad support for that position across racial lines, many pollsters believe it resonates most powerfully as a voting issue among college-educated White voters, especially women. Conversely, economic issues loom largest for most non-white voters; thats a difficult dynamic for Biden across the Sun Belt because polls consistently show widespread discontent with his management of the economy, including among many Black and Latino voters.

Another factor pushing Team Biden toward a Rust Belt strategy is the apparent strength of indie candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. among the Latino voters who are so prevalent in Arizona and Nevada, as Politico recently reported:

[A] previously unreported poll in mid-February by Democratic group Equis Research  showed Kennedy performing surprisingly well among Latino voters in a dozen battleground states, effectively splintering Bidens Hispanic coalition from 2020, when he garnered 59 percent Hispanic support 

The poll of 2,010 registered Latino voters found Kennedy winning one in five young Latino voters, and also reported him capturing a sizable 17 percent Latino support in Arizona and an even more robust 21 percent in Nevada  the highest number among the battleground states polled.

More generally, RFK Jr. seems to be taking votes away from Biden disproportionately in the Sun Belt. In the RCP averages, polls that include Kennedy and other minor candidates show Trump increasing his lead over Biden to 5.8 percent in Arizona, 5.5 percent in Nevada, 5.6 percent in Georgia, and 7 percent in North Carolina. These margins are pretty formidable.

Still, staking everything on sweeping Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin would be perilous for Biden. Michigan still looks a bit shaky for the president thanks to Democratic base voters there who are unhappy with his position on the Israel-Hamas war. And you can argue that as November approaches, the Kennedy threat will fade as minor-party/indie candidacies typically do and that the Black and Latino voters so crucial in the Sun Belt are likely to return to the Democratic fold. In addition, Arizona and Nevada may have abortion-policy measures on the ballot in November that could help boost Democratic turnout. On Tuesday, Arizonas high court reinstated a total abortion ban from 1864.

Fortunately for Biden, his campaign doesnt have to commit to one region or the other just yet, and it has the resources to keep all the battleground states in play. But some Democrats may have a residual hangover from 2016, when Hillary Clinton vainly pursued Sun Belt votes while failing to shore up what was then called the blue wall of Rust Belt states that swung to Trump. The numbers indicate that Biden should indeed nail down Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin if he can. But it would be prudent to make a big play for one of the larger Sun Belt states as well (e.g., Arizona, Georgia, or North Carolina) in case things go wrong. Having just one narrow path to 270 electoral votes is never a good idea.
Kari Lake is in full retreat. Photo: Rebecca Noble/Getty Images

Incrementalism has been a standard feature of anti-abortion activism, both before and since the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. While Roe was in place, many anti-abortion advocates and their Republican allies sought to chip away at abortion rights at the margins with bans on rare late-term abortions and various efforts to make life difficult for abortion providers and their patients. Just before Roe fell in 2022, some red states put into place the kind of limited bans they were used to proposing but then moved as quickly as possible to total or near-total bans that would take effect as soon as SCOTUS green-lit them (known as trigger laws). A good example was Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers first enacted a 15-week ban when it was clear Roe would fall, then passed a six-week ban the following year.

As a backlash to abortion restrictions swelled across the country, voters prevented or forced roll-backs of bans wherever they could, even in red states like in Kansas, Kentucky and Ohio. For the most part, however, Republican stayed in the trenches, tried to change the subject, or argued over abstractions like a proposed national abortion ban (impractical so long as enough Democratic senators were in office to kill or filibuster it). But now a court decision in Arizona has created a new phenomenon: Republican politicians at the state level rushing to dismantle a total abortion ban and replace it with something more moderate. Its anti-abortion incrementalism in reverse.

On Tuesday, a 4-2 majority of the Arizona Supreme Court  all appointed by Republican governors  brushed aside a 15-week abortion ban enacted just prior to the reversal of Roe and instead resurrected a statute dating back to 1864 that outlawed all abortions (other than those performed to save the life of the mother) and imposed criminal penalties on medical providers performing them. So overnight one of the most complete and atavistic abortion bans anywhere descended on this politically competitive state that will be a presidential and Senate battleground in November. Arizona Republicans are in disarray, and in many cases, full retreat.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Republicans in competitive congressional districts are already denouncing the courts decision and the law it revived, as Axios reported:

Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), who represents a seat President Biden won in 2020, called the ruling a disaster for women and providers in a statement posted to social media.

Ciscomani said the 15-week ban protected the rights of women and new life, but the territorial law is archaic.

Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), another Biden-district Republican, said the issue should be decided by Arizonans, not legislated from the bench, urging the state legislature to address this issue immediately.

Kelly Cooper, a Republican running to challenge Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), called for the state legislature to begin work immediately on reinstating the 15-week ban.

But the call for a retreat has extended into the heart of MAGA country, as illustrated by U.S. Senate candidate (and narrowly defeated 2022 gubernatorial candidate) Kari Lake, who is also backing restoration of the 15-week ban. And pressure on legislators to kill the 1864 law may soon become intense as prior abortion extremists back-track, suggests the Guardian:

Some of the criticisms of the Tuesday ruling came from politicians who had previously supported the 1864 ban or cheered the end of Roe v Wade. Lake previously called the ban a great law, according to PolitiFact. David Schweikert, an Arizona congressman who is facing one of the most competitive House races in the country this November, said on Tuesday that he does not support the ruling and wants the state legislature to address this issue immediately, but in 2022 said the fall of Roe pleased him.

This is an earthquake that has never been seen in Arizona politics, said Barrett Marson, a Republican consultant in Arizona, of the decision. This will shake the ground under every Republican candidate, even those in safe legislative or congressional seats.

Hanging over Arizona Republicans and anti-abortion advocates isnt just the political backlash to the restoration of a total ban, but the high likelihood that the November general election ballot will include a citizen-initiated state constitutional amendment restoring abortion rights as they existed under Roe. If Republicans dont quickly dial back abortion restrictions, voters may well go further than allowing abortions up to 15 weeks and pregnancy and take down some GOP candidates while they are at it.

This is a whole new world for the anti-abortion movement and the GOP. Its not just a matter of being decisively on the wrong side of public opinion nationally and in most states, wherein a majority of voters reject the abolition of abortion rights. Its that after decades of tactical advances in the fight to put the law of the land behind forced birth policies, theyre now having to engage in tactical retreats. And in November and beyond, voters will have an opportunity to give them a swift kick to continue in that direction indefinitely.

Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us.
NPR reporter Uri Berliner wrote an essay for The Free Press arguing that the network has lost chunks of its audience by growing too dogmatically progressive. Some of the evidence supports his claim. Unfortunately, he undermines his case by leading with an example that in no way vindicates the thesis, and actually undermines it: coverage of the Trump-Russia scandal.

Berliner presents the story as a nothingburger that NPR breathlessly hyped and then ignored when it turned out to exonerate the president:

Persistent rumors that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia over the election became the catnip that drove reporting. At NPR, we hitched our wagon to Trumps most visible antagonist, Representative Adam Schiff.

Schiff, who was the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, became NPRs guiding hand, its ever-present muse. By my count, NPR hosts interviewed Schiff 25 times about Trump and Russia. During many of those conversations, Schiff alluded to purported evidence of collusion. The Schiff talking points became the drumbeat of NPR news reports.

But when the Mueller report found no credible evidence of collusion, NPRs coverage was notably sparse. Russiagate quietly faded from our programming.

Even though Republicans have repeated this ad nauseam to the point where The Free Press would blithely state it as fact, it is simply not true that the Mueller report found no credible evidence of collusion.

First, establishing collusion was explicitly not the objective of the Mueller investigation. Mueller saw his job as identifying criminal behavior. Collusion is not a crime. The Mueller report stated clearly that it was not attempting to prove whether or not Trump colluded with Russia:

In evaluating whether evidence about collective action of multiple individuals constituted a crime, we applied the framework of conspiracy law, not the concept of collusion. In so doing, the Office recognized that the word collud[e] was used in communications with the Acting Attorney General confirming certain aspects of the investigations scope and that the term has frequently been invoked in public reporting about the investigation. But collusion is not a specific offense or theory of liability found in the United States Code, nor is it a term of art in federal criminal law. For those reasons, the Offices focus in analyzing questions of joint criminal liability was on conspiracy as defined in federal law.

Nonetheless, Mueller found extensive evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. The evidence was summarized in a report by Just Security. It uncovered multiple secret meetings and communications between the two, including, but not limited to. Trump campaign officials met with Russian agents in Trump Tower and were receptive to the offer of campaign assistance; Russian agents shared with Trump their plan to leak embarrassing emails; Trumps campaign manager shared polling data with a figure linked to Russian intelligence; Trump appeared to have advance knowledge of the timing of the release of stolen Russian emails; and the campaign and Russia coordinated a response to Obama administration sanctions punishing Russia for its efforts on Trumps behalf.

But because collusion is not a crime, Mueller refrained from stating an opinion as to whether this extensive pattern of furtive meetings in pursuit of a shared objective constituted collusion.

There was an investigation into whether Trumps campaign colluded with Russia. That investigation was conducted by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee. And that report found even more evidence of collusion, including multiple links between Russian intelligence and the Russian figures interfacing with Trumps campaign. The Senate identified Konstantin Kilimnik, the business partner of Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, as a Russian intelligence agent. And it found two pieces of evidence that raise the possibility of Manaforts potential connection to the hack-and-leak operations  the most direct kind of collusion  that it redacted for national-security reasons.

The Senate Intelligence report came out more than a year after the Mueller report and received a fraction of the media attention devoted to Mueller. But that disparity is not, as Berliner frames it, evidence of anti-Trump bias. Its evidence of the opposite. The news media allowed Trumps no collusion to misleadingly frame Muellers investigation and then buried the report that did investigate collusion.

In my experience, if you tell a conservative that theres a damning story about a Republican the mainstream media ignored, theyll look at you like you said there are live aliens in a government building. Theyre not wrong that the mainstream media has a great deal of liberal bias.

In my view, though, that bias exerts the strongest impact on cultural coverage and on siloed social liberal beats, especially ones related to identity politics, that often simply treat progressive activists as authority figures and convey their perspective uncritically. The New York Times became the target of left-wing protests because it covered the youth gender-medicine story with traditional journalistic methods rather than simply regurgitating activist talking points, as many other publications have done. The Times continues to stand out from other American media institutions in its idiosyncratic decision to cover divisions within the youth gender medical field. The Times wrote about a major new U.K. report finding casting doubt on medicalization of gender-questioning youth, but most American news outlets have covered the story in the same way Fox News covers stories that embarrass Republicans: not at all.

Yet that bias on social liberalism and culture does not equate to coverage of hard political news, which still retains the traditional features of reporting the claims of both parties. Both the mainstream media and its critics would benefit from thinking more carefully about the very different ways parts of their organizations have treated norms of objectivity.

Berliner thinks the Russia story is evidence the news media is hopelessly biased to the left. If anything, his misunderstanding of the story shows the bias is not as bad as he thinks.
Photo: The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images

It is plainly obvious to everyone that if youre going to save the world, one of the first things you have to do is buy a 550-year-old British castle near the University of Oxford for about $15 million. This was the logic in 2021 when members of the so-called Effective Altruism movements signature institution bought a posh, 25-bedroom residence called Wytham Abbey as a place to have conferences and stage other various intellectual frolics. (Many of its most prominent members also went to Oxford.) This castle, previously owned by the Earl of Abingdon and later bequeathed to the university, would be the place where they could think deeply about ways to protect the future of humanity, particularly from the dangers of artificial intelligence.

Since buying the property, however, its turned out that that was not really so obviously a good idea, and the EA movement has been severely damaged by the collapse and criminal conviction of its most prominent backer, Sam Bankman-Fried. Now, Wytham Abbey is for sale (asking price: $20 million) as the EA movement struggles to pay back money that was stolen from Bankman-Frieds victims. It has also, weirdly, become a meme in a very dumb Silicon Valley culture war.

First, it is worth noting that even people within the EA movement thought that the castle was a bad idea. Effective altruism, after all, is all about the efficient use of money  arguing that the most important long-term thing someone can do is to make as much money as possible in order to give it away. But to the leadership of Effective Ventures Foundation, the movements flagship nonprofit organization, it was a way to more effectively spread all their ideas. Having an immersive environment which was more about exploring new ideas than showing off results was just very good for intellectual progress, said Owen Cotton-Barratt, one of the EAs who claimed to have been involved in the purchase. It was around this time that the EA movement became preoccupied with artificial intelligence as a threat to continued existence of humanity, and had focused its intellectual firepower on stopping the world from descending into a Matrix-like hellscape.

Since the collapse of crypto exchange FTX, however, the EA movement has suffered a tremendous collapse in relevance and credibility. The criminal trial of Bankman-Fried showed how the fraudster used the logic of EA to justify defrauding millions of people out of their money. He said he thought that rules like dont lie and dont steal didnt fit into that framework, Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Frieds ex-girlfriend and former CEO of his hedge fund, testified. In fact, there appears to have been a lot of opulent spending from the EA movement that seems hard to justify when its exposed to broader scrutiny.

From William MacAskill's book release party at a $400-per-person vegan restaurant in NYC to SBF's $300M in Bahamian real estate to the 15-million-pound palatial estate called Wytham Abbey, these people know how to live it up while being more "altruistic" than anyone else. pic.twitter.com/MENENzM8q6  Dr. Emile P. Torres (@xriskology) April 8, 2024

To be clear, the money to buy the castle came from Dustin Moskovitz, the Facebook co-founder, not SBF. But the EA movements nonprofit was so entangled with the crypto fraud that that doesnt really matter at this point. The U.K. government launched an investigation into the Effective Ventures Foundation following the collapse of FTX, and its now scrambling to pay back about $27 million that was donated by SBF  but was, in fact, money that belonged to his victims.

In light of SBFs tremendous duplicity, whatever veneer of legitimacy that the EA movement had for the purchase has utterly collapsed. And the enemies of EA  calling themselves effective accelerationists, and preaching that AI advancement should be celebrated, not regulated  have not wasted any time delighting in it.

pulling up to wytham abbey like pic.twitter.com/H4qLcmz1cE  Julian Hazell (@mealreplacer) June 3, 2023

In a weird twist, what was arguably more damaging to the EA movement than SBFs conviction was the November firing of another tech giant  Sam Altman, the co-founder of OpenAI. In November, when Altman was abruptly fired from the company, it exposed how the company was governed by a group of EAs who viewed Altman as a threat. The reasons at the time were murky, and led to wild speculation about runaway technology, but last month Altman was restored to the board after an internal investigation found that it had more to do with personal gripes than some imminent doomsday scenario. The EAs who were on OpenAIs board have stepped down, and the skeptics running the worlds most important AI company are now outnumbered. This only emboldened the effective accelerationists, who believe that AI technology will eventually usher in a new era of human evolution. Among those accelerationists is billionaire venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, whos joked about buying the castle as a kind of trophy.

BRB calling my realtor. https://t.co/vvNuG5YOE4  Marc Andreessen  (@pmarca) April 1, 2024

Look, all of this is very sci-fi and pushed by people who make wrong predictions all the time. In the end, the big, expensive castle is a strange folly by nerds who had too much money, and now another group of nerds who didnt like them might buy it. Maybe theyll turn it into a hospital where you can get your Elon Musk brain chips surgically implanted into your cerebral cortex. I hope they do!
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner at an assembly plant in South Carolina. Photo: JULIETTE MICHEL/AFP via Getty Images

Boeings year from hell could soon get worse. On Tuesday, a whistleblower named Sam Salehpour alleged in a press conference that the plane manufacturer has been taking shortcuts for years in order to meet production goals.

Salehpour, who has worked at Boeing since 2007, claimed that the fuselage of some 787 Dreamliners has been improperly fastened together  a flaw that could cause the plane to tear open in air after thousands of flights. He also alleged that Boeing employees sometimes applied excessive stress to important airplane joints to make it seem as if gaps between the metal parts were not there. Salephour said that by doing this, Boeing could make planes more quickly, though it would also shorten their lifespan.

Salehpour worked as a quality engineer who was responsible for investigating defects and coming up with strategies to avoid them in the production line, according to his attorney. He claimed that when he brought his concerns to higher-ups at the company, he was ignored, and that supervisors then left him out of important meetings and reassigned him to the companys 777 program. (While working on that model, he said, he saw workers misalign parts as well.) Salehpour alleged that one supervisor even threatened him with physical violence as he continued to raise his concerns. When Alaska Airlines Flight 261 blew open in January, Salehpour went to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is now investigating his claims.

So far in 2024, Boeings issues have mostly been limited to the 737 Max, the model whose sometimes-fatal problems have plagued the company for years. After a Max model blew open in early January, Boeing failed dozens of FAA audits of its manufacturing process with regulators claiming that many of Boeings engineers did not understand their own quality-control rules. In March, CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would resign at the end of the year.

Boeing has denied Salehpours assertions about the Dreamliner, which debuted for commercial service in 2011. The company also stated that it has addressed concerns with the production of the plane and that it is cooperating with the FAA inquiry. Last month, a quality manager turned whistleblower who came forward in 2021 to address concerns about the 787 Dreamliner was found dead of an apparent suicide. Salehpour is expected to testify before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations next week.

Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us.
An East Alabama Health employee can now cross competing on the Jeopardy! game show off her off her bucket list.

Lee Wilkins, a grants coordinator in the Regulatory Affairs Department, will appear on an episode of the iconic trivia game show that's airing at 6 p.m. on CBS. Wilkins flew out to Los Angeles in mid-March to tape, according to East Alabama Health.

"Honestly  at the beginning of this year  this was not on my bingo card,'" Wilkins joked. "I guess it is a message from life to just be ready for all the possibilities that are out there."

Wilkins said it all started when her son convinced her to take the contestant test on the shows website. After a series of auditions on Zoom and a year of hearing nothing from the show, she was asked to be a contestant.

"When I was notified that I was in the contestant pool over a year and a half ago, I was told that if I didnt hear back in a year or so, I probably wouldnt, and if I still wanted to be a contestant, I could start the process over," Wilkins said. "Well, time passed. I guess it was sometime in January that I thought to myself, after watching some really competitive games, that it was a good thing I didnt get called, because I would be a nervous wreck since I am such an introvert.

"And, of course, it was shortly after that realization that the studio called me."

Wilkins said she and her family have been longtime fans of the show since at least the early 2000s' and she has always being a fan of other trivia games like Trivial Pursuit. That's something that continued at work with her coworkers during lunchtime.

"There was an area with a table in storage where Randy Causey, Billy Browdy, Becky Lynn, John Atkinson and myself would have lunch, and I brought a box of trivia cards, and we would do that over lunch," she said.

When she got the call about being on the show, she started prepping with a combination of apps, books, a makeshift buzzer and nightly Jeopardy! episodes. She said she used a flashlight as a makeshift clicker, reviewed maps, geography, world leaders, U.S. presidents and more using apps on her phone and even bought of of Jeopardy host Ken Jennings' trivia books.

Wilkins and her family flew out to Los Angeles for a taping of the show, and she had to keep the nature of the trip a secret to avoid spoilers. After constant prepping, Wilkins admitted that competing in front of a live audience felt like a daunting task. However, she credited the Jeopardy! production crew for helping her and other competitors feel comfortable.

"The Jeopardy! crew were great at encouraging contestants and helping us manage nerves and wardrobe issues," she said. "They understand that for all of us ordinary people who dont spend our lives in a studio and dont do this day-by-day, we arent used to this."

She said that the crew also gave the contestants time to practice that was not taped in front of the audience.

While competing on the show was the focus of the Los Angeles trip, Wilkins and her family were able to spend the rest of their days touring the city.

"We went to the Santa Monica Pier and hung out, watching the people and the waves," she said. "We took a fun Hollywood tour on one of the many tour-bus options, and afterward, spent a couple of hours walking and exploring Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset."

Wilkins said one of the highlights of that tour was going through neighborhoods in Laurel Canyon, which was home to many great musicians such as Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa, Jim Morrison of The Doors, Canned Heat, Neil Young and James Taylor.

It was a surrealistic experience. I really enjoyed itit was an honor.
Modular Home Manufacturer Again Exposed Workers to Safety, Health Risks

OSHA has cited Cavco Industries Inc. with 38 violations since 2015.

Following an investigation conducted in October 2023, OSHA has cited Cavco Industries Inc.parent company of Austin-based Palm Harbor Homeswith 25 serious and two other-than-serious violations, resulting in penalties totaling $272,479.

Since 2015, OSHA has cited Cavcowhich specializes in modular home manufacturingwith 38 violations at facilities across four states. This latest inspection was part of the agencys National Emphasis Program Site-Specific Targeting, focusing on establishments with high injury rates.

The cited safety violations include lack of fall protection, improper use of ladders, failure to maintain safe walking surfaces, overlooked overhead hazards, improperly inspected fire extinguishers, lack of welding screens, and failure to provide safe access to electrical shutoffs, among other violations.

Inspectors also noted more than a dozen health hazards, such as the absence of respiratory and hazard communication programs, inadequate provision of PPE and failure to assess silica exposure.

The findings of our investigations and Cavco Industries history of violations suggest that the company is failing in its responsibility to keep work areas safe and healthful, OSHA Area Director Monica Camacho in Austin said in a statement. OSHA has specific standards for the manufacturing industry and provides many resources to inform employers and employees. There is no excuse for these kinds of failures that expose workers to serious and potentially fatal injuries.

Based in Phoenix, Cavco Industries Inc. now has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference or contest OSHAs findings before an independent commission.
Back in February, crude tankers and product carrier company International Seaways (NYSE:INSW) predicted that tanker freight will remain healthy in the short and long term going forward, thanks to oil supply growth currently concentrated in the Atlantic Basin funneling into major oil demand centers in the East.

"We expect a great run over the next few years, as mentioned regional imbalances of oil should continue to increase the need for tankers as growth in oil production coming from the West and the oil demand from non-OECD countries in the East," CEO Lois Zabrocky said at the companys latest earnings call.

The company expects output from countries outside of OPEC+ to climb by 1 million b/d, but sees OPEC+ supply remaining constrained due to sustained production cuts. Meanwhile, analysts at S&P Global Commodity Insights have predicted that global crude demand will increase by 1.4 mb/d in the current year.

And now another industry insider has concurred with Seaways bullish outlook. London-based Gibson Shipbrokers has predicted that the tanker market is likely to see increasing business coming not only from famous oil frontiers like Guyana but also from lesser-known frontiers like Namibia.

According to the shipbroker, lately, South Americas Guyana has been hogging the limelight thanks to the countrys impressive ramp up of oil production-- on track to rise to 800 kbd next year from zero in 2019. However, Gibson says new frontiers in the oil market are likely to emerge in the coming years, with Namibia a leading candidate. Related: U.S. Crude Oil Inventories Surge Fanning The Flames of Price Volatility

Sitting between oil rich Angola and oil poor South Africa, the South West African country was initially explored back in the 1970s and 1980s but was declared unviable at the time. For instance, the Kudu gas field, an offshore gas field in Namibia, was discovered 50 years ago but is likely to begin production in 2028, should FID be taken this year.

Gibson has revealed that a significant breakthrough occurred in Namibia's energy sector in early 2022 with Shell Plc. (NYSE:SHEL) and TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) finding oil in the Graff and Venus blocks. Venus, in particular, is a highly promising oilfield with the potential to become the largest ever discovery in Sub-Saharan Africa and one of the top 10 finds this century. The shipbroker points out TotalEnergies spent half of its exploration budget in Namibia in 2023 and plans to spend 30% of the budget in the country in 2024, signaling the importance of the new find.

So, which tanker companies are likely to benefit from the new oil and gas finds in Southern Africa?

Gibson says that whereas little is known about the specific properties or grades of the Namibian crude, the demand for such crude is likely to be primarily in the East, meaning VLCCs and Suezmaxes the most likely beneficiaries. VLCCs, or Very Large Crude Carriers, are super-massive tankers that carry 2 million barrels of oil.

The development process is likely to be similar to Guyana, with FPSOs [Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessels] deployed to extract the oil and transfer it onto tankers for export. Consultancy WoodMackenzie estimates that production could exceed 500kbd within a decade and continue to grow thereafter with first production likely towards the end of this decade (2028 or 2029), Gibson told Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide.

The government is keen to see first oil as soon as feasibly possible and is said to have sought advice from Guyana on how to structure production sharing agreements. The region has also become increasingly attractive to major oil companies, who view the country as more politically and fiscally stable compared to its neighbors to the North, Gibson added.

Tanker Stocks Flying

Source: BIMCO

Two months ago, shipping data provider BIMCO forecast that the supply/demand balance for crude tankers will tighten further during both 2024 and 2025, with low fleet growth, along with increasing sailing distances, creating the foundation for the improvement despite a slowdown in oil demand growth. BIMCO has predicted that crude tanker demand will grow by 6.5%-7.5% in 2024 and 2%-3% in 2025. Spot tanker freight rates reflect the bullish 2024 sentiment in the midsize tanker segment, with the Platts 70,000 mt US Gulf Coast-UK Continent freight assessment averaging $50.14/mt in January 2024, up from $43.21/mt in Q4 2023 and $28.21/mt in Q3 2023.

Not surprisingly, crude tanker stocks are flying: Tsakos Energy Navigation (NYSE: TNP) shares have returned 45.7% over the past 12 months; Teekay Tankers (NYSE: TNK) +45.5%, Frontline (NYSE: FRO) +54.3% and International Seaways (NYSE: INSW) +50.7% . Of the leading carriers, Nordic American Tankers (NYSE: NAT) and Euronav NV (NYSE: EURN) have disappointed with a +10.5% and -1.6% return, respectively.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Back in January of this year, the Biden administration announced a controversial decision to pause approvals of new licenses to export liquefied natural gas (LNG). President Biden announced that during the pause the U.S. Department of Energy will review and assess whether the nations considerable LNG exports are undermining domestic energy security, raising consumer costs and damaging the environment. As the single biggest exporter of LNG in the world, this decision greatly impacts the global energy sector and presents a major challenge for countries that are historically dependent on U.S. LNG exports to keep the lights on and the economy running smoothly.

Its especially worrying for developing countries that see affordable natural gas as the only accessible alternative to coal. While the Biden administration contends that the LNG pause is in the interest of safeguarding the environment, among other interests, it may end up exacerbating global emissions by pushing nations back to heavy coal dependency.

This risk runs particularly high in the case of Asian countries. Asia is a net importer of energy, much of which is supplied by coal. In many of the continents fastest growing nations  mostly in Southeast and South Asia  developing the economy and helping rapidly growing populations to rise above the poverty line remain the top priorities, with climate change ranking as a lesser concern. For these countries, affordability and accessibility of fuel sources determine the overall energy mix. LNG, a relatively low-emissions fossil fuel, has provided a promising alternative to coal by ticking those boxes. But it will only remain affordable and accessible as long as the United States continues to produce and export the energy source at a relatively high level.

Massive volumes of coal must be displaced through the 2030s and beyond across emerging Asia to achieve the region's net-zero aspirations. This inevitably will mean substantial gas imports, Nikkei Asia reported earlier this week. As the sole realistic coal alternative in terms of affordability and energy density, LNG from the U.S. offers a much cleaner option for always-available power generation that, in partnership with renewables, can meet growing energy demand while facilitating climate progress, the report continues.

More prosperous Asian countries (such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand) are also dependent on LNG from the United States for their own energy security plans, as well as the future decarbonization of their economies. While renewable energy sources are much better for curbing emissions than natural gas, LNG is seen as a key bridge fuel to help countries transition away from fossil fuels to a completely renewable energy mix without facing major energy shocks and grid failures.

However, the utility of LNG as a bridge fuel has recently been called into question. Recent science has shown that the fuel source is not always a cleaner alternative to coal, and that the greenwashing of natural gas could impede global climate efforts. In fact, these new findings are among the reasons for the current LNG pause. Other industry experts, however, contend that even if LNG is dirtier than previously thought, its still a hell of a lot better than coal, and demonizing natural gas would be a dangerous misstep at this early stage of the global decarbonization transition.

All of this uncertainty is leading to widespread policy confusion and instability for nations that are trying to plan for the future. Many Asian nations have already solidified or are solidifying plans for their energy transitions, many of which were relying on natural gas exports from the United States. A 2023 report commissioned by the Asia Natural Gas and Energy Association from Norwegian energy research company Rystad Energy found that the United States will have to use its full LNG export potential to meet Asias decarbonization demands by 2040. That marks a 52% increase from current approved levels.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently wrapped up a trip to Beijing where he met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, for talks on a series of "hot topics" amid Moscow's grinding war against Ukraine.

Finding Perspective: China has emerged as a close diplomatic ally for Russia and visits like this are becoming increasingly common.

Among those hot topics explored on April 8, Lavrov and Wang discussed bilateral ties and big issues like the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Asia-Pacific. The pair also said their governments had agreed to start a dialogue on Eurasian security with the aim of "double counteracting" the European-Atlantic alliance led by Washington.

The visit came as Moscow slowly but steadily advances on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine amid cracks in Western support.

In recent months, Beijing has also resumed some of the stagnant shuttle diplomacy between Kyiv, Moscow, and European Union capitals that began as the war entered its second year.

From March 2-11, Li Hui, the special representative on Eurasian affairs that Beijing appointed as its envoy, was doing the rounds in Europe as he sought to "mediate and build consensus" to end the "Ukraine crisis," which is how China officially refers to the grinding war.

Li's diplomatic rounds were similar to his previous tour, which failed to generate any headway. During his initial visit in May 2023, he promoted Beijing's 12-point paper (often referred to as a peace plan) that set out general principles for ending the war but did not get into specifics.

This time around, Li's European stops looked much more geared toward getting a feel for EU resolve toward the war and probing for cracks and space that could allow for an end to the war on more Russian-friendly terms.

There are few indicators that Li's shuttle diplomacy has generated any positive momentum. The 12-point paper received a lukewarm reception in both Russia and Ukraine when it was released in February 2023, and was criticized by Brussels and Washington for accommodating Moscow while not condemning the invasion.

Why It Matters: Li's recent trip looks less designed to find solutions to end the war than to gauge the levels of Ukraine fatigue among Europe's top brass.

Beijing has good reason to send out such a scouting mission. Elections for the European Parliament will come in June and the specter cast by November's U.S. presidential election is hanging over the continent.

The flow of U.S. weapons is currently held up in Congress and a victory for former President Donald Trump could further hamper support for Kyiv -- and there's major questions about whether European support alone could sustain Ukraine on the battlefield.

Both Beijing and Moscow are seeing some blood in the water at the moment and are looking to see if there's more.

The week before his recent visit to China, Lavrov said that China had proposed the most reasonable peace plan so far for resolving the Ukraine conflict -- and Russian President Vladimir Putin will reportedly travel to China to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in May.

All this growing coordination comes with a Swiss-hosted international peace conference in the summer about the war in Ukraine, where the issue of territorial concessions and what terms Kyiv and Moscow might be willing to accept will be hotly debated.

By RFE/RL

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The Chinese government has granted direct subsidies of at least $3.7 billion (3.4 billion euros) to EV manufacturer BYD, which has been one of the main beneficiaries of Chinas massive subsidies for green technologies, a German think tank that advises the government said in a new report on Wednesday.

China has recently hiked direct government subsidies to some of the dominant Chinese green-tech companies, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, IfW, said in the report.

For example, direct subsidies to the car maker BYD, a major beneficiary of the subsidies, were estimated at around $239 million (220 million euros) in 2020, the Kiel Institute has estimated. These direct subsidies surged to as much as $2.3 billion (2.1 billion euros) in 2022, for a cumulative direct subsidy of just over $3.7 billion (3.4 billion euros) between 2018 and 2022.

Additionally, BYD receives significantly more purchase premiums for electric cars in China compared to other domestic manufacturers like GAC or foreign companies producing locally, such as Tesla or VW's joint ventures, the study says.

China's subsidy policy has been a controversial issue for years: European industries often struggle to compete with Chinese counterparts on price, said Dirk Dohse, Research Director at the Kiel Institute and co-author of the report.

However, without China's subsidized technology, products crucial for Germany's green transformation would become more expensive and scarce as well, Dohse added.

European carmakers are already spooked by Chinese EV manufacturers plans to boost sales in the EU.

In October, the EU launched anti-subsidy investigations into EU imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China to determine whether BEV value chains in China benefit from illegal subsidization and whether this subsidisation causes or threatens to cause economic injury to EU BEV producers.

The findings of the investigation will establish whether it is in the EU's interest to impose anti-subsidy duties on EV imports from China, the European Commission said at the time.

The EU probe into the Chinese subsidies is ongoing and set to conclude by November, but the bloc could impose tariffs as early as in July.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The European Unions decision to open an investigation into Chinese subsidies for its domestic wind turbine manufacturers is a discriminatory measure against China, Beijing said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the European Commissions Executive Vice-President and Anti-Trust Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said that the EU is launching a new inquiry into Chinese suppliers of wind turbines.

We are investigating the conditions for the development of wind parks in Spain, Greece, France, Romania and Bulgaria, Vestager said.

The EU needs a systematic approach toward subsidies for wind turbine manufacturers in China, she said, And we need it before it is too late.

We can't afford to see what happened on solar panels, happening again on Electric vehicles, wind or essential chips, Vestager added.

The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) said in response to the new inquiry that This action sends a detrimental signal to the world, suggesting discrimination against Chinese enterprises and endorsing protectionism.

As the green transition enters a pivotal stage, we urge the European side to reassess its approaches, recommit to dialogue and cooperation, and endeavour to establish a business environment that is fair, impartial, and non-discriminatory towards Chinese enterprises, the CCCEU said in a statement on Tuesday.

The outside world is worried about the rising tendency of protectionism in the EU, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing on Wednesday, as carried by Reuters.

The EU is also in the middle of a separate inquiry into EU imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China to determine whether BEV value chains in China benefit from illegal subsidization and whether this subsidisation causes or threatens to cause economic injury to EU BEV producers.

The findings of the investigation, which is expected to be completed by the autumn of 2024, will establish whether it is in the EU's interest to remedy the effects of the unfair trade practices found by imposing anti-subsidy duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China, the European Commission has said.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
U.S.-based private equity group EIG is considering as many as 20 potential deals in the midstream and renewable energy sectors in Brazil, after buying the only Brazilian operator in the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) industry, EIGs head in Brazil, Flavio Valle, told Bloomberg in an interview.

At the end of last year, EIG announced a deal to buy Ocyan Participacoes S.A., the only Brazilian FPSO operator, for $390 million.

The acquisition of Ocyan reflects EIGs long-term, comprehensive Brazilian strategy focused on infrastructure supporting high-quality deepwater crude oil production, responsible decommissioning activities, and investments in renewables and low carbon projects, the private equity group said at the end of 2023.

Ocyan could benefit from the strategic plan of Brazilian state oil firm Petrobras, EIGs Valle told Bloomberg.

Petrobras plans to add as many as 14 new FPSO platforms from 2024 to 2028, as it seeks to boost production from Brazils offshore pre-salt layer. In its strategic plan through 2028, Petrobras plans $102 billion in investments, up by 31% compared to the previous plan. Most of the planned capital expenditures (capex)  $73 billion  will go to production and exploration, Petrobras said at the end of last year.

The EIG private equity group, which has amassed oil and gas infrastructure assets worldwide, is now looking at more deals in Brazil and considering up to 20 such potential transactions, Valle told Bloomberg.

EIG is looking at opportunities to bid for natural gas pipeline assets and regasification terminals in Brazil. It could also consider repurchasing a stake it sold in the natural gas pipeline Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolivia-Brasil SA (TBG), Valle said. EIG could also be interested in fuel storage assets and solar and wind projects in Brazil, according to the executive.

South Americas top hydropower producer, Brazil, has been installing a lot of other clean energy sources over the past half-decade, with solar and wind power now accounting for nearly one-fourth of its power generation mix.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Germanys industry is unlikely to fully recover from the energy price shock and return to the competitiveness from before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the chief executive of Germanys top utility, RWE, told the Financial Times on Wednesday.

The German industry has a disadvantage, RWEs chief executive officer Markus Krebber told FT, noting that Germany is now seeing structurally higher energy prices as it depends on LNG imports.

Despite reducing significantly its dependence on Russian gas, Europe remains exposed to natural gas supply and price shocks as it lacks any buffers in the system, Krebber told FT at the end of last year.

Thanks to two consecutive milder winters, natural gas prices in Europe remain well below the highest prices on record from August 2022, but they are still structurally higher than before the war in Ukraine.

Germany, Europes largest economy, will have to contend with structurally higher natural gas prices and demand destruction in energy-intensive industries, Krebber said in comments to FT this week.

Youre going to see a bit of recovery, but I think were going to see a significant structural demand destruction in the energy-intensive industries, RWEs top executive noted.

Germany slashed its natural gas imports by 32.6% in 2023, as consumption also dropped. Last year, gas consumption dropped by 5% compared to 2022, while compared to the average consumption in the period 2018 to 2021, gas demand in Europes biggest economy fell by 17.5% last year, according to data from the countrys energy regulator Bundesnetzagentur.

Germany expects natural gas prices to remain high until at least 2027, the government said in a report last summer.

Also last summer, INES, the group of German gas storage operators, said that Germany would continue to be at risk of natural gas shortages until the 2026/2027 winter season unless it takes measures to add LNG terminals, additional gas storage capacity, or pipelines.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Moscow is demanding that Russian producers step up gasoline and diesel deliveries to the domestic market and for exchange trading, TASS reported on Wednesday, after the Energy Ministry said Russian fuel market supplies are now stable. "Deputy Prime Minister asked oil companies to maximize deliveries of gasoline and diesel fuel to the domestic market and for exchange trading, and to proactively utilize capacities of refiners becoming free as a result of timely exports of oil products," the government.

Moscow views the situation as having stabilities after Cabinet discussions on the balance of demand, supply and deliveries of petroleum products to various regions in April - May 2024, reads a government statement.

In September last year, Russia moved to restrict diesel and gasoline exports to stabilize domestic fuel prices in the face of soaring prices and shortages as crude oil prices rallied and the Russian ruble weakened. In October, the ban on diesel was lifted on the condition that at least 50% of producer supplies fed the domestic market. The 2023 ban on exports affected those to Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and South America, the markets to which Russia shifted its diesel exports in early 2023 as a result of an EU embargo.

In November last year, the gasoline export ban was also lifted.

In January this year, Russia saw domestic diesel supply jump 17% and gasoline supply jump 7% as a result of the restrictions.

Two weeks ago, Bloomberg industry data indicated that Russia could see a 21% decline in exports of diesel from its key Baltic and Black Sea ports in April due to shut-ins caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries, which could cause a middle distillate crunch on the wider markets.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Russia has reported that the Ukrainian forces struck the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant again, days after another report of a strike on the facility. The Ukrainian side denied the allegation.

"The unique training center of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was attacked," the management of the nuclear facility, which is controlled by Russia, said in a statement quoted by Reuters.

The attack was carried out with a drone, like the previous attacks on the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and one of the ten largest in the world. A series of drone attacks on Sunday prompted a warning from the International Atomic Energy Agency that the plants nuclear safety may be endangered.

"This is a major escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers facing the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Such reckless attacks significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident and must cease immediately," the IAEAs head, Rafael Grossi said.

"It is dangerous, dangerous for the station, dangerous for the surrounding territory, and potentially dangerous for all of humanity," the director in charge of the Zaporizhzhia plant told Reuters. "No nuclear reactor was made to be in the center of fighting," headed.

The Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly denied they were the ones attacking the nuclear power plant.

"Ukraine's position is clear and unequivocal we do not commit any military actions or provocations on nuclear facilities," the spokesman of Ukraines military intelligence agency said on Ukrainian TV.

The Zaporizhzhia power plant was built during Soviet times and attacks on it tend to raise fears of a repeat of the Chernobyl disaster even though that was not a result of any military action on the territory of the facility.

Nuclear expert and advocate Mark Nelson has noted, amid recent reports, that the reactors of the power plant are encased in meter-thick domes made from concrete and steel, which makes them hard to damage by a drone.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Venezuelan authorities have arrested the countrys former oil minister, Tareck El Aissami on allegations of corruption.

According to information released by the Venezuelan government and cited by the AP, El Aissami was arrested for a scheme that siphoned hundreds of millions of dollars in oil revenue from the state. The charges brought against the former official include money laundering, treason, and criminal association.

El Aissami was oil minister until March last year when he announced his resignation amid a corruption scandal at state energy company PDVSA. The scandal concerned the apparent disappearance of as much as $3 billion from oil sales.

It is as a result of the investigation following that scandal that El Aissami was arrested. The AP cited Venezuelas Attorney General Tarek William Saab as saying the arrest took a while because of the various steps of the investigation that uncovered a mechanism for selling oil through the countrys cryptocurrency control agency in addition to the official channel of PDVSA.

Right now, Venezuelas government and the state oil company should be bracing up for the return of U.S. sanctions. These could snap back as soon as April 18, when the six-month sanction suspension expires.

The easing of sanctions authorized the production, lifting, sale, and exportation of oil or gas from Venezuela, and the provision of related goods and services, as well as payment of invoices for goods or services related to oil or gas sector operations in Venezuela.

That suspension was based on the commitment of the Venezuelan government to hold fair and free elections but Maduro blocked opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado from running in the elections, which Washington signaled was not what the two sides had agreed.

The suspension of sanctions allowed Chevron to return to Venezuela and helped the country boost its oil production. A new market was also on the horizon as Europe sought to diversify its oil supplier base.

All this could end before it really began if sanctions return on April 18.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Photos by Shoji Kudaka ()

Thanks to the volcanic activity of the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic eras, the many islands that makeup Okinawa Prefecture share an interesting topography. About one-third of the prefecture is composed of Ryukyu Limestone, studies by Japans Ministry of the Environment have determined.

Due to the presence of this prehistoric limestone, youll find many caves to explore on the main island. Though some are not open to the public, many welcome tourists with illuminations and walkways. Some caves even offer opportunities to try your hand at spelunking or cave exploration.

Matsuda Shonyudo, a group of large caves in Ginoza Village, falls under the second category. These caves are on the islands eastern coast, in the same municipality which hosts Camp Hansen and Camp Schwab training ranges.

Looking to escape the beating sun, I made my way there in early August, seeking an adventure below ground. Matsuda Shonyudo is appropriately advertised as a big adventure to an underworld and offers something different than the usual water activities and popular attractions Okinawa is known for.

Before I could make my way down into the depths of the caves, I first had to stop at the Matsuda Koryu Taiken Center. Reservations are required in advance; visitors must check in at the center to enter. English-speaking tour guides are available, so call ahead for availability.

For my guided tour through the caves, I was paired with Asatsugu Jahana, a local. Despite having a knowledgeable guide who knows the neighborhood and caves inside and out, this tour was still a kimodameshi, or courage test, for me.

Before a safety briefing by two center employees, I was given a pair of overalls, a helmet, rainboots, and gloves to wear. The employees advised me to stay hydrated and to avoid touching fragile stalactites, bats, and other protected creatures. Also, to my regret, I had to leave my camera behind as they warned that it could get damaged in the wet cave.

Jahana, my guide, then led me on a 10-minute walk from the center to the entrance of Uunumee Do, which stands for cave in front of plantains. It was a steep entry to the cave and required a careful climb down a ladder to the rocky ground.

Not far from the entrance, we stopped at a relatively flat spot. It looked like a bank of a river with the water flowing underneath. No illumination was installed inside the cave, so it would have been pitch dark without headlights and a flashlight. A small creature with many legs caught my eye as I turned my head to look around the rocky cave walls.

Oh, you are lucky; we dont see Oogeji (cave centipedes) very often, Jahan said with excitement. Though I am no fan of centipedes or millipedes, the unexpected encounter did brighten my mood. The tour guide kindly offered to take a photo of me near the creature to commemorate the moment. The multi-legged creature, however, may not have been camera-shy but was likely not used to intruders and scampered away.

We continued our walk into the depths of the cave and after about five minutes or so, we entered an open space with several large stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Next, we took another ladder down deeper to a limestone pool. With Jahanas flashlight, I could see the waters lightly rippling surface and the smooth texture of the surrounding limestone compared to the rugged texture of the caves walls.

The sound of the water was soothing, and I felt a little more relaxed in the dark cave. The cave adventure had provided quite a workout, and I felt a little sweaty in my overalls, but it was far better than being out in the sun. Plus, the stalactites curious shapes, textures, and colors were a welcome sight.

Some of the caves stalactites looked like curtains. In contrast, others reminded me of goya bitter melon because of their long shape and green color. According to Jahana, the color difference can be attributed to how each stalactite is formed. For example, stalactites will be white if they contain lots of limestone, or red if clay was present during formation. The gold sheen of others, Jahana said, is because bacteria on the surface of the forming stalactite.

We continued our walk and stopped at another cave room where we could see many bats perched on the ceiling or flying around. When we were moving onto deeper parts of the caves, some bats flew close to us as if to check on the unexpected company, which Jahana said was a rare encounter.

In May, the bats of this cave migrate to Itoman for childrearing and then return to Ginoza Village in August, Jahana explained. These bats had just made their way back when I visited. And, like in all caves where bats live  watch out for the bat guano!

Before leaving the bat cave, we also spotted a layer of limestone stacked on metamorphic rock, which is thought to have originated in the Eurasia continent. I was not expecting to see a sign of the dynamic geographical history in this cave, but it was interesting.

As we went deeper, the cave branched off at one point to a smaller route. To reach the small cave, I had to crawl through limestone. Fortunately, the path didnt run long, and we soon hit a dead end. Here, we turned off our lights so I could experience complete darkness. Though scary at first, once my eyes adjusted, the stillness and quiet made me feel at peace.

After a moment in this tranquil space, our lights were back on, and we made our way through the main route down a steep left corner. We passed the exit and took several stairs to the last portion of the cave, where a thin channel runs through like a small river. Here and there, prawns were swimming through the shallow water.

The route to the exit had many ups and downs, just like the other portions of the cave. We made a stop from time to time to observe thin stalactites called straw or to knock on thick ones to experience their sounds.

When we finally reached the exit, I felt temporary relief. Jahana had forewarned me that there had been poisonous Habu snake sightings in the exit area in the past. So, cautiously, we made our way up and out of the cave, ensuring no snakes were lurking in the shadows.

It had been shy of two hours of exploring the caves when we made it back to the center. I was drenched in sweat but happy Id tried something new. Though I regretted not being able to take photos of the beautiful prehistoric limestone, stalactites, and curious creatures within the cave, the sights remain engrained in my mind.

Matsuda Koryu Taiken Center (tourist reception center for the cave tour) GPS Coordinates: N 26.4931709, E 127.9927567

Mastuda Shonyuudo Taiken Course (Cave tour, 2-hour course) Fees: 5,500 yen (high school student and over), 4,500 yen (between middle school-aged and 10 years of age) *The above fees are for customers who join the tour as a group of two or more. Those who participate alone are subject to an additional 1,000-yen fee. *The fees cover the cost for a tour guide, insurance, rentals of a headlight, a helmet, boots, gloves, a pair of overalls, and a plastic bottle holder. *There is also a 1-hour course available (3,500 yen for high school students and above, 2,500 yen for between middle school-aged and 5 years of age) *Free parking available (7 spaces). Website For reservations, contact the center at 098-989-8100 or matsuda.limestone.cave@gmail.com. Make a reservation by noon on the eve of your visit. The tours are subject to cancellation depending upon the weather.

COFFEE & BREAK GINOZA FARM LAB After a few hours of exploring, working up a sweat, and an appetite, I was ready for rest and a good meal. Luckily, I knew a good place for energy replenishment nearby.

From Matsuda District, I took a five-minute drive to a roadside station to grab a bite at Coffee & Break Ginoza Farm Lab. The eatery is on the second floor of Ginoza Roadside Station. It is known for its delicious homemade hamburgers and a superb view over the east coast.

I ordered a classic burger (1,080 yen) and an iced coffee (280 yen) and sat near the terrace. This was my second visit to this place, and their hamburger had definitely left a good impression the last time I was here.

Once I dug in, I found it hard to stop chomping on the savory and juicy hamburger with its delicate sweet buns. Of course, my fatigue might have played a part in making the burger taste even better, but the view and the meal made my day.

Coffee & Break Ginoza Farm Lab GPS Coordinates: N 26.473379, E 127.951707 (inside Michi no Eki/Roadside station Ginoza) Hours: 11 a.m.  6 p.m. (weekdays), 9 a.m.  6 p.m. (Sat. Sun. holidays), food L.O 5 p.m., drink L.O 5:30 p.m., Closed Wednesdays Tel: 098-988-5516 Instagram

KATABARU TIDELAND Not quite ready to call it a day, I made my way north for a stop at the Katabaru Tideland after lunch. Tidelands are pieces of coastal land or islands that flood during the high tide and appear for a short window at different points of the day. There arent many tidelands on Okinawa, so I wanted to check this out since it was only a 10-minute drive from the restaurant.

From the seawall, at around 1:30 p.m., the Katabaru Tidelands reddish sands spread wide and far. Here they can spread up two kilometers max in low tide. I was expecting white sand but was surprised that the composure of the sea bottom here had created this color.

I walked down the seawall stairs to step onto the tideland, where many creatures started to wriggle around the closer I got. Upon inspection, I realized these were crabs walking sideways in a group toward the ocean.

Out of curiosity, I approached them, trying to take a close look at them. Still, as soon as I was within several meters of the herd, the tiny creatures upped their speed and scattered away.

I gave up trying to get close and sat to enjoy the superb view. Just me and the crabs (at a safe distance) taking in the serene landscape and sounds of the ocean. Eventually, the crabs eased their way closer to me, as long as I didnt make any sudden movements. I carefully pointed my camera at them for a quick pic. Luckily, the shutter noise didnt bother them, and these cool crustaceans carried on.

As soon as the group I photographed made their way into the water, I headed home, tired but relaxed from experiencing a side of Okinawa thousands of years in the making.

KATABARU (TIDELAND) GPS COORDINATES: N 26.504510, E 127.991574 *No parking available around the area.
During the signing of LB574, Gov. Jim Pillen underscored its primary objectives: safeguarding children and preserving the lives of infants.

I dont want to listen to all the other stuff that people are trying to make it out to be, he said.

The bill bans both gender-affirming care before age 19 and abortion after 12 weeks. Im not here to debate either. Instead, Id like to talk about the various ways the Nebraska government could be doing more for mothers.

If we are to mandate childbirth after 12 weeks, its only fair that women retain the right to advocate for systemic changes that address their needs and concerns, especially if Pillens goal is protecting children.

According to a 2021 study by National Center for Health Statistics, 51.6% of Nebraska counties are defined as maternity care deserts compared to 32.6% in the U.S.

The same study found that in 2019 and 2020, 22.7% of babies were born to women who live in rural counties, while 7.7% of maternity care providers practice in rural counties in Nebraska.

Telehealth, popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a reasonable solution to this issue thats efficient and cost-effective. While telehealth is common for therapy appointments, dermatology, and others, I could not find a single provider for telehealth for prenatal reasons.

Prenatal care is not on the list of conditions treated over telehealth at Nebraska Medicine or Planned Parenthood Nebraska.

In rural Nebraska (where 35% of the state population resides), women, on average, drive 30 miles for prenatal care. At-risk mothers with health conditions need to be able to have access to specialists, regardless of location.

Mandating telehealth options for rural women or women with limited transportation is an easy way to support rural mothers, and the technology is already there.

While there are complications that would require an in-person visit, Telehealth providers can assist in the recognition of pregnancy complications that may need immediate medical attention.

With Nebraska having the highest average cost of childbirth in the United States ($2,670, 41% higher than the national average), women deserve to get what theyre paying for.

Speaking of expenditures, a Lending Tree analysis of U.S. Census bureau, MIT Living Wage Calculator and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis found that the average annual essential costs to raise a child jumped nearly 20% nationally from 2016 to 2021.

In Nebraska, combining average monthly rent, food, child care, apparel, transportation, health insurance premiums, and state tax exemption credits, the annual cost of raising one small child is $23,876 annually and $1,989 monthly (not including rent).

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) benefits are only available to families who earn less than a net income of $881 monthly, and the maximum amount a family of three can receive is $485.

Nebraska Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is eligible for single mothers making an income of below $2,136 monthly. Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is also available to mothers who make less than $2,248 monthly, and Medicaid is available to single mothers who make more than $2,185 monthly. Child Care subsidies are also available to mothers making less than $3,150 a month, due to a 2021 expansion signed into law (LB485) by former Gov. Pete Ricketts.

TANF is an obvious outlier when it comes to eligibility. Now lets revise the yearly cost of a small child, factoring in benefits, assuming you are a mother living at the poverty line, which would mean you take home $1,703 monthly.

Removing all food costs due to WIC and SNAP, deducting the average of 24% of healthcare spending diverted by Medicaid, and removing childcare costs due to the subsidy except for a $50 monthly fee, the cost of having an infant with a $1,703 monthly take-home is $22,080 annually (including average rent prices for a two-bedroom), and $1,840 monthly.

Consider this: Even at the pinnacle of earning potential while remaining below the poverty line, stepping into motherhood as a single parent translates to accruing a debt of $137 monthly.

These types of conditions can contribute to child neglect and instill a cycle of poverty. If women are more likely to have unplanned pregnancies due to this legislation, Nebraska needs to have a plan for eliminating the systematic barriers that hold women and children back from their potentialbefore, during, and after childbirth.
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China and Micronesia should enhance cooperation on infrastructure, expressing China's willingness to provide assistance to the island country in tackling climate change.

Xi's remarks came during his talks with President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina, who is on a state visit to China from April 5 to 12.

China supports Micronesia in safeguarding national sovereignty and independence, taking a development path suited to its national conditions, revitalizing its economy and improving people's livelihood, Xi said.

Noting that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Micronesia, Xi said China is willing to advance the relations between the two countries.

He called on both sides to accelerate cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, increase partnerships on infrastructure, and strengthen exchanges in culture, health, education and sub-national regions. He welcomed more young people from Micronesia to study in China.

Xi said China is willing to provide climate change assistance to Micronesia within the framework of South-South cooperation and strengthen coordination and cooperation with the island country within the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum to jointly practice multilateralism.

Xi said that China's relationship with island countries is based on mutual assistance within the framework of South-South cooperation, and it is neither targeted at any third party nor should it be interfered with by any third party.

China maintains that any country seeking to develop relations with Pacific island countries should honor their independent choices, put development first, and adhere to openness and inclusiveness, Xi said.

Island countries have the right to choose a development path suited to their national conditions and to carry out friendly cooperation with all development partners, he added.

"China is ready to continue to provide support to the development of island countries to the best of its ability and carry out trilateral or multilateral cooperation," Xi said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina at the square outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Simina said Micronesia acknowledges that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and supports China's position on issues concerning its core interests such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang.

The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, proposed by President Xi, are of great significance to helping developing countries achieve common development and promoting world peace, stability and prosperity, Simina said.

Simina thanked China for its valuable assistance to Micronesia and other Pacific island countries for their economic and social development over the years, and expressed his willingness to deepen cooperation in agriculture, fishery, economy and trade, investment, tourism and digital economy under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and jointly address climate change.

China's cooperation with the Pacific island countries is conducive to regional peace and development, and Micronesia will continue to promote such cooperation, Simina said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan hold a welcome ceremony for President of the Federated States of Micronesia Wesley W. Simina and his wife Ancelly Simina prior to the talks between Xi and Simina in Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative, green development, agriculture, health care, infrastructure, development cooperation and other fields.
Six girls and six boys from Papillion and Ralston have been selected to attend 2024 Cornhusker Girls State and 2024 Cornhusker Boys State June 2-8 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Students attend the event during the summer before their senior year of high school.

American Legion Auxiliary Harry Bossard Post 32 will use proceeds from its various fundraisers and a donation from the American Legion Riders to sponsor Adrienne Zueck, Zoe Ferracci, Hayden Hatch, Kyra Anthis and Julianna Nastase of Papillion La Vista High School and Rylee Middleton of Papillion La Vista South High School.

We budget to send four girls to state, said Charlene Marchand, chair of the auxiliarys selection committee, noting there is a fee of $400 per student. This year, the unit is sending five.

Sons of American Legion donated one fee, she said. Its a great experience for the kids.

Meanwhile, American Legion Harry Bossard Post 32 will use some of the proceeds from its annual spaghetti feed to sponsor Jacob Hippe and Caleb Wignall of Papillion La Vista South High School; Lane Lafond and Dawit Hailu of Papillion La Vista High School; Elom Attigbo of Ralston High School; and Kyle Harker, who is home-schooled, according to Dudley Allen, selection committee chair for the Legion.

Girls State sends applications to all auxiliary units, Marchand said, which are then taken to local high schools so students who are interested can fill them out. We never know how many girls are going to apply. We interview them, and then we decide which girls we want to sponsor.

Marchand served as Sarpy County clerk of court from 1983 to 2003, she said.

After I retired, I was very interested in volunteering for something with the auxiliary, she said.

Since Marchand was elected multiple times as clerk of court, she chose Girls State, she said.

American Legion Unit 32 starts promoting Boys State in the fall. Candidates are interviewed in late February or March, Allen said. If there are more than five that the unit wants to send, members will solicit donations from outside organizations. Businesses, fraternal organizations, religious institutions and families are welcome to fund a candidate.

Once in Lincoln, the girls will hear guest speakers, visit the State Capitol and maybe the Lancaster County Courthouse, Marchand said. Personnel from the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary departments at the state level will teach them how local, county and state governments operate.

The schedule for those attending Boys State is much the same, and the two groups will have a few activities together, Marchand said. Participants, known as citizens, receive special instruction in parliamentary procedure and organize themselves into two mock political parties. The students campaign, hold rallies, debate and ultimately vote to elect candidates for mock city, county and state offices.

Once elected to office, delegates are sworn in and perform their prescribed duties. Those not elected are given appointments to visit the offices of the elected officials to share their viewpoints as citizens.

All of the students have taken a government class in high school but think this might give them a better sense of how government works.

Adrienne is looking forward to it, she said.

Its very rare for students to get an experience with government  and also, meeting students from all across the state is really cool, she said.

Zoe saw it as a chance to meet people with different perspectives on things.

I feel like this is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and do something different, she said.

A few of the students left open the possibility of running for office someday.

I feel like I might definitely run for a position, Julianna said.

I had already had some leadership experience, and that seems like a really good opportunity for someone like me, said Rylee. I definitely think in life I might go into politics. I wont do it right away.

Hayden said she would be interested in working on a campaign or two, but shes not sure whether she wants to run for office.

I dont think Im going to run for office, said Adrienne, but I want to be a lawyer. I enjoy the people aspect of it.

A senior who had gone to Boys State talked to Elom about the experience and made it sound pretty cool, he said.

Also, the mock government sounded fun, he said.

Elom was elected to the student council in middle school, but hes not sure if he wants to run for a real government position.

(Boys State is) a good way to connect with people from other schools, said Dawit. I just want to do it to see how well I do in that environment.

He said he might consider running for office sometime in the future.

Lane said he didnt think hed ever run for anything.

One girl the auxiliary sponsored another year was elected governor of Girls State and went on to Girls Nation, Marchand said.

To me, its one of the outstanding programs that the Legion Auxiliary sponsors, she said. We really want these girls to attend, because its such a great life experience.

Each state can enroll 350 girls in the program each year, Marchand said. Two outstanding citizens from each of the 50 ALA Girls State programs are then chosen to represent their states as senators at ALA Girls Nation in July in Washington, D.C.

Likewise, two boys from each state are given the opportunity to attend the weeklong Boys Nation. The national events focus on how the federal government operates.
An Omaha teacher has been charged in a Douglas County arrest warrant with felony theft by embezzlement from the Nebraska High School Press Association.

Angela Wolfe, a journalism teacher at Burke High School, is accused of stealing approximately $76,000 over five years from the press associations account. She is also charged with second-degree forgery, a felony.

Wolfe, an investigator from the Douglas County Sheriffs Office said, was the treasurer of the association at the time. The NHSPA is a nonprofit organization headquartered at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The investigator stated in the warrant that the majority of the unauthorized transactions took place in Douglas County. Wolfe, 42, is the only person with a debit card for the account, he said.

Michelle Hassler, the executive director of the NHSPA, began looking into the association finances in January. Hassler determined that about $76,000 was missing from the account, the investigator said. Wolfe was removed from her role after the discrepancies were found, Hassler said.

Hassler ultimately determined that (financial) statements provide by Wolfe had been significantly edited to show an inflated account balance and to remove references to the unauthorized activity, the investigator wrote.

One example of the alterations occurred on a financial statement from Nov. 30, 2022, that was obtained by Hassler. The statement showed a balance of $24,840 when in reality there was only $1,777 in the account.

The unauthorized transactions include $11,805 in forged checks and $21,736 in debit card transactions. The transactions were for a variety of goods and services, including ATM cash withdrawals, grocery stores, restaurants, veterinarian bills, online shopping and streaming service subscriptions.

The Omaha Public Schools declined to comment because of personnel reasons, but officials confirmed Wolfe is currently on leave from her position at Burke High.

The press association said in a statement the executive board has taken action to safeguard its financial viability. The mission of the NHSPA, which has been in operation for more than 90 years, is to foster a close and caring community of Nebraska journalism teachers.
The Douglas County Board spent a significant portion of its meeting Tuesday looking at possible sites for a standalone dedicated community mental health center.

The two locations are near the existing Douglas County Health Center in midtown Omaha, where the current Douglas County Community Mental Health Center is located.

One option would see the county vacate offices and services managed by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services from a building at 1215 S. 42nd St., renovate the nearly 18,000-square-foot space and build an approximately 10,000-square-foot addition.

That option is estimated to cost approximately $17.3 million, according to documents presented at the meeting by officials, including Douglas County Community Mental Health Center Administrator Sherry Driver and Omaha Principal Architect Albert Povondra.

The other option would see the demolition of an abandoned county building at the southwest corner of 42nd and Pacific Streets. A new, approximately 27,500-square-foot community mental health facility would be constructed in its place. Documents state the total cost for that option would be about $22.4 million.

In response to a question from County Board member Mike Friend on whether the building would need to be demolished, Povondra said the building wouldnt necessarily have to be demolished. But demolishing would simplify the earthwork, Povondra said, and the county could avoid upkeep costs.

Its not in great shape, Povondra said of the building. Can you keep it? Yes. Its just complicated.

Neither option includes space for the NDHSS programming and offices, which would have to be located somewhere on county land per state law. Each option would have up to 18 beds for patients, who stay for an average of five to seven days.

Driver said there would be no operational costs added beyond the current budget of $22 million.

We would actually utilize the same capacity. What (this) provides us with is an opportunity to be more flexible, in allocating beds, she said.

Dollars from the federal American Rescue Plan Act would be used to help fund the potential project, with a timeline laid out by County Administrator Patrick Bloomingdale.

According to Bloomingdale, the county would need to obligate ARPA dollars toward specific projects by the end of this year. By the end of 2026, the county must spend the ARPA dollars.

While County Board member James Cavanaugh urged caution against a rush, rush, rush mentality for the multimillion-dollar construction project, Driver stressed commitment toward the project. She noted its the fourth time the County Board has discussed a new facility for the community mental health center.

We have listened to the community. We have adjusted our plans for the community, Driver said. Lets act on it for the community.

The board took no action Tuesday since the sites were presented as part of a presentation to the board.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of April 2024
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, the University of Nebraskas pick to become the systems ninth president, will meet with students, faculty, staff and others in a series of public forums beginning this week.

Gold, named the priority candidate for the position on March 20, will outline his vision for the university system ahead of any vote by the Board of Regents to make his hiring official.

Regents are holding a regularly scheduled meeting April 19, but the soonest the board could approve Golds hiring would be April 20.

Gold, who has served as the chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center since 2014, emerged as the regents top pick after a national search that lasted roughly seven months.

If approved, Gold would succeed Ted Carter, who left NU at the start of the year to become president of Ohio State University, and interim President Chris Kabourek, who is NUs vice president for business and finance.

The forums are part of a 30-day vetting period required by state law. They are open to the public, members of the campus community and others.

Friday8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.: University of Nebraska at Kearney, Nebraskan Student Union, Ponderosa Room A

Monday8:30 a.m.: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, East Campus Union, Great Plains Room A

10 a.m.: UNL, City Campus Union, Swanson Auditorium

11:30 a.m.: NU Office of the President, Varner Hall Boardroom

2:30 p.m.: University of Nebraska at Omaha, The Thompson Alumni Center, Centennial Room

Tuesday9 a.m.: UNO, The Thompson Alumni Center, Centennial Room

10:30 a.m.: UNMC, Center for Nursing Science Building, Room 40120

12 p.m.: UNMC, Mauer Center for Public Health, Room 3013

If additional sessions are added, they will be posted at nebraska.edu/president-search.

Nebraskans can submit their feedback to Golds candidacy at nebraska.edu/president-search/feedback.

Cutting programs? Merging campuses? Nebraska university leaders ponder bold changes to compete Eliminating programs and merging campuses are under review for the University of Nebraska as state leaders set a goal of competing nationally in higher education versus "eating everyone elses dust.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2024
LINCOLN  Nebraska would provide $10 million a year in state funding for private school scholarships under a bill that advanced Tuesday evening in the Nebraska Legislature.

Lawmakers voted 33-13 for Legislative Bill 1402 in its first round of floor debate. The bill needed at least 33 votes to end a filibuster.

The measure, which was the Legislatures final bill under first-round consideration in the waning days of the session, is aimed at providing school choice options for K-12 students. Its also an attempt to circumvent a voter referendum this fall to repeal similar legislation.

As originally introduced by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, LB 1402 would have appropriated $25 million directly to scholarship funds for private and faith-based schools. But Linehan offered an amendment to reduce the appropriation to $10 million for each of the first three years.

Linehan intends the bill to replace a law passed last year  LB 753  that established dollar-for-dollar tax credits for donations to such scholarship funds and is being targeted by the referendum.

If LB 1402 passes, it would continue to provide public dollars to support private and parochial school students regardless of the outcome of the referendum petition drive. Petition circulators collected about 117,000 signatures to put the issue on the ballot.

Linehan did not dispute that LB 1402 was an end run to get around the referendum during the bills public hearing in February. She said the petition drive was a mischievous, unfortunate, dishonest campaign. If LB 1402 passes, she said, LB 753 could be repealed.

Supporters of LB 1402 argued for the benefits of allowing all Nebraska students a wide breadth of options for their K-12 education, regardless of income.

My district cant hope for things to get better tomorrow, said Sen. Justin Wayne, who represents a district in North Omaha.

Linehan worked for years to get the issue through the Legislature. The most notable opponents were public school educators, who largely argued that such legislation risks depleting funding for public education and would give the biggest tax benefits to wealthy Nebraskans.

Linehan and other LB 753 supporters disagree with that argument. Linehan noted that lawmakers spent the last two sessions debating major increases to public school funding, and Sen. Brad von Gillern of the Omaha area argued that the tax credits in the current law only offset the donations made to scholarship funds, so it wouldnt financially benefit those donors.

Its so not true, it is a lie, Linehan said, referring to arguments made by opponents.

Shortly after Gov. Jim Pillen signed the bill, a new group called Support Our Schools Nebraska launched a petition drive to force a vote to repeal the bill in the November 2024 general election.

During the three-month petition drive, another new group called Keep Kids First worked to discourage people from signing the petition. Linehan is affiliated with Keep Kids First.

Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha said he signed the petition and circulated petitions himself, and said the petitions language was clear. He and other opponents argued the Legislature shouldnt pass LB 1402 because the voters deserve a chance to decide the issue at the ballot box.

We are jumping in the middle of what was a well-done referendum process, said Sen. Jen Day of Omaha.

Linehan made other efforts to prevent the referendum from reaching the ballot, including asking that the secretary of state remove the initiative from the ballot. That request was denied, but Linehan has talked about taking the matter to court.

Lawmakers went back and forth Tuesday debating the constitutionality of LB 1402, based on a provision in the Nebraska Constitution that states the Legislature cannot appropriate public dollars for private schools. Opponents claimed the bill would be a clear violation, but supporters said past cases suggest otherwise.

In a 1981 ruling, the Nebraska Supreme Court decided that state-funded college scholarships, for both public and private schools, did not violate the state constitution. Linehan noted that the funding in her bill doesnt go directly to private schools, but rather to the students.

But Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington said a key difference is that LB 1402 exclusively appropriates funds that support private schools, where the college scholarship law doesnt. Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln also noted that Nebraskans have a constitutional right to a K-12 education, but not to postsecondary education.

Linehan linked a pending bill that would increase state funding of public schools to the outcome of LB 1402, saying that everything at the end (of the legislative session) is connected to everything else.

Lawmakers are expected to take up that other measure, LB 1331, on Wednesday. It would carry out the school-related portions of Pillens property tax reduction plan. As advanced from first-round debate, the measure would increase state aid to schools by $1.17 billion with the goal of driving down property taxes.

Linehan got hugs and congratulations after the vote. She said she thought that dropping the cost of the bill had helped win support Tuesday, but she wasnt willing to predict what would happen during the next two rounds of debate.

I dont see any issues, but until were done, I will be stressed, she said.

DeBoer said she would be disappointed if the bill passes.

It would take away the right of the people of Nebraska to vote on the issue on the ballot, which they said they wanted, she said.

Support Our Schools Nebraska called the vote a slap in the face to the Nebraskans who signed petitions to put the issue on the November ballot.

We will continue the fight to ensure voters wishes on this issue are heard and respected, said Jenni Benson, a group member and the president of the Nebraska State Education Association. That can include another petition effort and a legal challenge to the constitutionality of this bill.

But Jim Vokal, chief executive officer of the Platte Institute, hailed the vote. He called it a monumental shift away from the outdated, one-size-fits-all approach to education that doesnt meet the best interests of Nebraska children.

This legislation acknowledges that reality by empowering parents with the freedom to choose educational environments that best fit their childs individuality, Vokal said.

World-Herald staff writer Martha Stoddard contributed to this report.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of April 2024